TUESDAY 23TH JANUARY 2024

Court to Fubara: By Withdrawing All Suits, You’ve Admitted Wrong and Liability Nullifies presentation of 2024 appropriation to four-member Assembly Declares invalid reposting of clerk, deputy

Alex Enumah in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A Federal High Court sitting Abuja, yesterday, told the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that

by withdrawing all the processes he filed in the suit before it, he had admitted to all the allegations

against him and was, consequently, deemed liable.

The court voided the presentation

of the 2024 Appropriation Bill by Fubara before a four-member legislature led by Edison Ehie. It

also declared invalid the reposting Continued on page 10

Tinubu: Students Loan Scheme to Incorporate Those Seeking Skills Devt... Page 10 Tuesday 23 January, 2024 Vol 29. No 10513. Price: N400

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Dangote Remains Africa’s Richest as Forbes Unveils 20 Africa’s Richest Billionaires in 2024 Otedola returns to ranking, named among continent’s wealthiest Bayo Akinloye President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has retained his position as the richest person in Africa, with a net worth of $13.9 billion, in the 2024 Forbes list of 20 Africa’s Richest billionaires released yesterday.

According to Forbes, the fortunes of Africa’s wealthiest people rebounded slightly in the past 12 months, reversing the decline in their fortunes from a year ago, though, they were still off their all-time highs.

The New Jersey-based media outfit pointed out that the 20 billionaires on the 2024 Forbes list of Africa’s Richest were worth a combined $82.4 billion, up $900 million from last year’s $81.5 billion Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc and a Non-Executive Director FBN Holdings, Mr. Femi Otedola, was named among the 20 richest persons in Africa. Otedola was

listed as the 19th richest person in Africa with net worth of $1.1 billion Specifically, Forbes attributed the improvement in the net worth of those listed to the return of Otedola, whom, it stressed, last appeared on the Forbes Africa list in 2017, when he held a controlling stake in fuel distributor, Forte Oil. Forbes stated, “Otedola phased out his oil investments during a government push to privatise the country’s energy business in 2013, using a Forte subsidiary to purchase Geregu, a public power generation plant.

“He owned about 90 per cent of Geregu when it was listed on the Nigerian exchange’s Main Board in 2022, but has since sold shares to institutional investors, which include Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa and

Sawiris

Continued on page 10

DHQ: Kinetic Approach to Fighting Terrorism No Longer Realistic Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, yesterday, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria adopted the non-kinetic approach in the war against insurgency following the realisation that the desire to win the war using the kinetic option had become unrealistic.

Musa said states now waged war through non-kinetic action.

He made the statements in Abuja while delivering a keynote address on "Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication for National Security," at an event organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The forum focused on the theme, "Winning Hearts and Minds for National Cohesion and Development."

Continued on page 10

Otedola Rupert

Dangote

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Beat Guinea-Bissau to Qualify UNVEILING NIGERIA’S TRILLIONAIRES...

The 20 billionaires on the 2024 Forbes list of Africa's Richest are worth a combined $82.4 billion. That's up $900 million from for Knockout Round... Page 31 last year's N81.5 billion.

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

NEWS

CAN VISITS TINUBU...

L-R: Rev. Stephen Baba ; The President of Nigeria Christian Association, His Eminence Daniel Okoh ; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and Chief of Staff PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI. to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during visit of the executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday

Tinubu to CAN Leadership: My Govt Fighting Corruption, Other Vices for Prosperity’s Sake

Says nation is for all stakeholders to fix CAN: We're ready to partner with president for nation building Lauds Tinubu's inclusive govt, says it will boost Nigerians' confidence Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has declared that his government will not relent in addressing corruption and other vices because it is a sacred duty to ensure that the country is set right for the prosperity of all Nigerians.

Speaking on Monday at State House, Abuja, when he received a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Tinubu emphasised the role of faith leaders in fostering unity and peace in the country He called on Christian leaders to support the administration’s ongoing fight against corruption by encouraging Nigerians to have a change of mind-set on money-related matters.

According to him, "We have no other country but Nigeria. If you do not preach the sermon of understanding, tolerance, perseverance, and hope for Nigerians, you are doing damage to the country, and nobody will help us repair it.

"Let us dialogue because public condemnation of a nation is not what makes any citizen a good one. We must admonish Nigerians to have a change of mind-set and not to make money our god or master. I believe we will get to the Promised Land, and Nigeria will flourish.”

The president also said concerning his government, "We are here to listen, and if you observe any inadequacies in my government, let us know. I am here today because of your prayers

and the will of God Almighty. What I have challenged myself to do each day is to be fair to all Nigerians.

“I have had a number of criticisms, including the rationale behind the size of my cabinet. If you want efficient, mobile, and resourceful people, we have to give people a load they can carry. If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results.

"Nigeria needs to turn the corner to grow, and we must give people challenges they can manage, and that is what we are doing."

Earlier in his remarks, Okoh urged Tinubu not to relent in his effort to provide good governance by ensuring security, inclusivity, and peaceful co-existence in the country.

He told the president, "You have extended a hand of fellowship to us, and we embrace you and your family with the love of Christ and promise to partner with you in nation-building, for the task is quite daunting.

“You will not stumble, and you will not fall. We believe that you have the sagacity to give leadership in battling our challenges and in turning around the fortunes of our nation, Nigeria, within a short time. You have shown that you are a listening leader, and we appreciate this.

"CAN has maintained an active presence at all levels, from the national to the grassroots, and we have remained non-partisan. You will always find our association as a ready and willing partner in

nation-building."

Answering reporters' questions after the visit, the CAN president lauded Tinubu for running an inclusive government, saying his pronouncements so far have increased the confidence of Nigerians.

Okoh called on Nigerians to be patient and support the president in his vision for a new Nigeria.

He stated, "The leadership of CAN visited the president to pay a courtesy visit and to congratulate him on his election and to pledge our support for his administration."

He said the Christian body found that the way Tinubu had made ap-

pointments so far since assuming office showed his commitment to an inclusive government.

The CAN leader said Tinubu's inclusive approach to appointments had already increased the confidence of Nigerians in his administration.

He advised the president to continue on the path of inclusion, which had been evident from the beginning of his administration.

Okoh added that CAN had observed with keen interest Tinubu’s sensitivity towards the challenges confronting the country.

He added that Tinubu had been taking "very positive steps" since the

The African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday announced that it had launched and priced a $2 billion three-year Social Global Benchmark, its first social bond issued under its new sustainable bond framework established in September 2023.

In a statement, the bank said the bond is due February 25, 2027, noting that the programme seamlessly consolidates and enhances its existing green and social bond programme, facilitating the issuance of green bonds, social bonds, and sustainability bonds.

The statement also said the new

three-year social benchmark is the bank’s first global benchmark of the year, strategically aligning with the robust reopening of primary markets in January 2024.

The statement also stated that the issuance was a significant highlight amid a dynamic week in the sub-Saharan Africa markets, witnessing the launch of eight benchmarks totalling $17.25 billion within a span of two days.

The statement further explained that with the transaction, the bank continues to carry out its funding strategy of issuing large liquid benchmark transactions and adds another on-the-run reference in the three-year maturity.

of Nigeria.

The CAN president said, “Sincerely, what we found out is that the president is actually sensitive to all the challenges we have, we see that he is aware.

“We see him making very positive steps, even from the beginning of his administration, by the way he has made appointments so far.

“He has come with a great sense of inclusiveness and Nigerians have a sense of belonging. As Nigerians in this government, I tell you that his pronouncements so far and his body language have increased the confidence of Nigerians in Nigeria.

Otedola: My Acquisition of Dangote Cement Shares for Long-term Wealth Preservation Says move is testament to confidence in firm’s capacity to propel Nigeria’s industrialisation

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Foremost Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola, yesterday explained why he acquired substantial shares in Dangote Cement, noting that it was part of his overall strategy to ensure long-term wealth preservation.

In a statement from his media office, the billionaire investor stressed that the move also underscores his confidence in the capacity of the company to substantially propel

Nigeria and indeed Africa to the much-needed era of industrialisation.

While confirming the acquisition of “significant acquisition of shares in Dangote Cement”, Otedola stated that it is the only cement company in Nigeria with two export terminals, with a combined export capacity of 8 million tons per annum.

He emphasised that the strategic investment highlights his confidence in Dangote Cement's potential to generate foreign exchange for the

AfDB Announces Launch of $2 Billion Social Bond Under Its New Framework

Ugo Aliogo

beginning of his administration.

The CAN president also stressed that if given the chance, Tinubu would do a lot more to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.

He called on Nigerians not to lose hope but to have patience, noting that the challenges facing the country didn't start now but have accumulated over the years.

Okoh disclosed that the Christian body believed Nigeria now had "a listening president" and urged Tinubu to continue on that path.

He pledged to continue praying to God to strengthen the president to do more to turn around the fortunes

“The issuance received strong support from the global investor community, with an order book in excess of $3.5 billion and attracted high-quality investors, including central banks, official institutions, and bank treasuries, constituting 78 per cent of the book.

“Distribution was well diversified across geographies and investor profiles, with 76 orders in the book. The social label garnered interest from Environment , Social and Governance (ESG) investors, representing 38 per cent of participants in the book,” it added.

According to the bank, the deal enjoyed good investor demand

during the overnight session with Indications of Interest (IoIs) reaching $2.1 billion by the time books officially opened on Thursday 18 January at 08:00 London time.

“The order book continued to grow throughout the European morning, with investor demand reaching $3.6 billion by 10:50 London time, which allowed the spread to be tightened by 2bps and set at SOFR mid-swaps plus 31bps.

“Books closed at 13:00 London time, and the high quality of the order book, which was in excess of $3.5 billion, allowed for the launch of the transaction with a size of $2 billion.

country and his dedication to supporting businesses that contribute to Nigeria's economic resilience.

As sub-Saharan Africa's largest cement producer, Otedola reaffirmed that Dangote Cement boasts an annual production capacity of 51.6 million tons across 10 countries.

According to him, this extensive footprint not only highlights the company's dominance in the cement industry but also its crucial role in driving economic growth across the region.

He pointed out that the recent expansion of Dangote Cement, including the new 6 million-ton plant in Itori, Ogun state, enhances its export capacity and emphasises the company's contribution to Nigeria's economic diversification.

"Dangote Cement's export capabilities and extensive operations across sub-Saharan Africa are essential for regional economic integration and growth,” Otedola commented, adding that "My investment is a testament to my confidence in its potential to propel Nigeria's and Africa's industrial and economic development."

The statement added that Otedola's investment aligns with his vision of long-term wealth preservation and the belief that shareholders should be the primary beneficiaries of a company's success.

"Dangote Cement's unique position with two export terminals offers a substantial opportunity to earn foreign exchange crucial for

Nigeria's economy. This, along with the company's pan-African presence, makes it an ideal investment choice," said Otedola.

Besides, Dangote Cement's track record of dividend payments, exceeding N2.1 trillion in recent years and its commitment to sustainable business practices, the businessman said, resonate with these principles.

In addition, Otedola said his investment strategy prioritises companies that are well-managed, have strong governance, and operate under the principle that no individual should be larger than the company.

"In my investment decisions, I focus on long-term wealth preservation and ensuring shareholders are the ultimate beneficiaries of a company's success," Otedola stated.

"Companies like Dangote Cement, which consistently deliver value to their shareholders, are fundamental for sustainable economic growth. My investment reflects my belief in its capacity to continue providing significant returns and my commitment to businesses that prioritize their shareholders," he stressed.

The evolving regulatory landscape in Nigeria, emphasising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, the entrepreneur said, complements his investment criteria.

Companies like Dangote Cement, adhering to these principles, are more likely to ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation, he said.

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NEWS

Climate Finance Meeting In London...

L-R: Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; UN SRSG/ Co- Chair UN Energy/ CEO, UN SEforALL, Damilola Ogunbiyi; Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa; Chairman FIRS, Zacch Adedeji and Special Advisor to the UN Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, Hadiza Elayo, after a high level Climate Finance Meeting with the theme Spearheading Climate Finance for Nigeria in London... yesterday

Edun, Adedeji to Unveil New Roadmap for FIRS James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, would on Wednesday declare open a two-day strategic management meeting of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The retreat would focus on, "Reimagining Tax Administration for Equity and Economic Growth".

The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, had upon assuming office, championed a radical transformation in the values of the service, seeking to make it more FIRS taxpayer-centric and well-suited revenue-collecting agency.

The visionary approach led to a

significant overhaul of the agency’s organisational and management structures, coupled with a reengineering of the tax processes to support taxpayers to fulfilling their civil obligations.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Dare Adekanmbi, Adedeji said the minister would deliver a goodwill message and together with the FIRS boss, unveil the new direction to directors and other key members of the service's management team.

Adekanmbi, pointed out that the objective of the retreat was to ensure that, “all directors are fully informed and aligned with the strategic direction of the Executive

Chairman of FIRS, solidifying a foundation for unified action."

He said, “We will also be engaging critical external stakeholders in government, professional bodies and organised private sector about the renewed and refocused strategy of the FIRS. “At the end of the retreat, participants are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the new organisational structure and its implications for their roles.

“We will leave with a shared vision for a modernised tax administration that is both equitable and growth-oriented, inspiring confidence and excitement for the future."

Adedeji, resumed office in

August 2023, promising to jointly build a tax administration that enjoys the trust and confidence of all.

He promised to boost the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 18 per cent within in three years, to surpasses Africa’s average of 16.5 per cent, acknowledging that a lot of work still needed to be done.

He noted that increasing the revenues available was part of the FIRS’ support to the federal government to reduce reliance on borrowing to discharge its duties to Nigerians, vowing to also simplify the tax system to enable voluntary compliance going forward.

The FIRS chairman, specifically, promised not to “force things down

China Rallies G77 Countries for Reform of WTO, World Bank, IMF Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

China is rallying the Group of 77 developing countries to push for reform of the global governance system which, according to some leaders in Africa, Asia and Latin America, disproportionately favours the West.

Chinese vice-premier Liu Guozhong, said developing countries, "should jointly support the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the international financial system."

Liu was speaking in Kampala, Uganda at the third South Summit - the decision-making body of the 134-country G77 and China, which does not consider itself a member of the group.

Uganda also assumed chairmanship of the group at the meeting, taking over from Cuba.

China joins a growing list of countries, especially from Africa and Asia, that had been piling on the pressure for a reorganisation of the global political and economic order - especially the UN Security Council and the WTO, as well as the World Bank and the IMF. The increasing calls for a review of the Bretton Woods institutions--IMF and the World Bank were based on concerns that their structure, location and mandate were no longer fit to deal with changing global trends.

The United States played an outsize role in the creation of the IMF and World Bank and continues to command considerable influence, as one of the largest shareholders in both organisations, which are also headquartered in Washington DC. Liu's call to reform the WTO

comes a few months after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged more effort in reforming the organisation, which has become the world's largest goods trader and a key partner for more than 140 countries since China joined in 2003.

Liu, who is attending the summit as Xi's special representative, said it was crucial to make international development agencies more efficient in supporting countries in the Global South - broadly categorised as Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

He said: "The collective rise of the countries of the Global South is unstoppable, yet the unjust and inequitable international political and economic order from the past continues to have lingering effects."

According to Liu, as part of China's initiative to reform the global financial system, Beijing had helped to establish the New Development Bank, the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund.

These institutions are providing alternative lending for countries that cannot access international financial markets, and have funded multibillion projects in Asia and other overseas markets, he said.

He noted that developing countries, especially those in the Global South, should raise their representation and voices in meaningful ways to tackle the age-old problems of international governance.

At the same time, he urged developed countries to deliver on their development and climate financing commitments, and to speed up implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Goals Development (SGD) agenda.

"China supports countries of the

south to realise common development," Liu said. He added that his country was doing its part, with investments through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.

Liu highlighted the more than 3,000 belt and road projects, worth more than US$1 trillion, that China has bankrolled around the world in the past decade.

Xi had, "underlined that China is a developing country and one of the Global South countries" and had stood with fellow developing countries "through thick and thin", Liu said.

He added that South-South

cooperation would continue to be a priority.

Liu's sentiments won support among the leaders present, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was also encouraged

by Liu to nominate a special envoy for poverty eradication.

In his address, Guterres said the international system is "out of date, out of time, and out of step, reflecting a bygone age when many of your countries were colonised".

"The United Nations Security Council is paralysed by geopolitical divisions. Its composition does not reflect the reality of today's world.

It must be reformed," he added.

the throat of our stakeholders” but rather, “engage with them, work with and through them to jointly build a tax administration that we will all be proud of and one that enjoys the trust and confidence of all”.

To achieve results, he urged the FIRS staff to work with uncompromising integrity, uphold taxpayers’ confidentiality, and demonstrate a high level of professionalism, fairness and show exemplary public service.

He said he would be meeting the management shortly in order to “put heads together on how we can achieve the target we will be setting to improve the efficiency of FIRS and position it to better serve Nigerians”.

He also warned that, “There will also be consequences for those who elect to go the contrary route. I seek your support and cooperation in the task ahead of us.”

Adedeji, said he would run an open-door policy in order to actualise the revenue drive of the federal government and guarantee the economic prosperity and wellbeing of Nigerians.

He said the gains recorded by FIRS under his predecessor, Mr. Muhammad Nami, would serve as the springboard upon which the service will launch out under the new administration.

Adedeji added, “I believe this exchange of baton signposts the continuity of the hard work that has been put into making FIRS better.”

He said, “As a strategic institution, I am sure we are all aware of our current economic reality as a country. We are in revenue crisis.

Government revenue is low amid a huge public debt.

“Last year (2022), 96 per cent of government revenue went into debt servicing. Where debt has grown bigger than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and debt servicing faster than revenue, immediate actions have to be taken to remedy the situation.”

He said the FIRS would embrace current efforts to tidy the fiscal landscape and address some of the obstacles impeding effective operations of the service as the primary agency of government responsible for the administration, assessment, collection, accounting as well as enforcement of taxes and levies.

He said, “We need to innovate and build our operations on foolproof technology, while also evolving a hub of fresh ideas and creativity. We must definitely plug leakages.

He stressed the need to strengthen the service’s internal processes and control mechanism and place a high premium on effective coordination of assigned tasks and delegated responsibilities.

He also promised a to unveil a cocktail of strategies that will stimulate voluntary payment of taxes and levies, adding that this is achievable because “Nigerians acknowledge the need for government to increase its revenue to be able to meet its obligations to them.”

He added that these measures would build a tax system that is smart and modern, and one with unquestionable integrity as well as earn the trust and admiration of stakeholders.

Bloom Buddy Unveils Africa’s First Autism Screening App Emma Okonji

In a major technological breakthrough for Nigeria, Bloom Buddy, in partnership with Autism Speaks and the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, has launched the Nigerian Autism Screening Questionnaire (NASQ) web App. The web App, which is the first-ever, freely accessible online tool for parents and caregivers in Nigeria, heralds a new era in early autism detection and intervention.

The NASQ web App tool alerts parents and caregivers to their children’s autism symptoms and encourages them to speak with their healthcare providers and explore appropriate services and supports, potentially altering the life trajectory

of countless children.

Announcing the breakthrough in a statement, the CEO of Bloom Buddy, Sola Fatoba, said Nigeria's position as a frontrunner in the field of autism has been reinforced.

According to Fatoba, the NASQ (designed and solely owned by Autism Speaks), provides a novel tool for detecting autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which affects more 75 million people globally and may have a higher prevalence in Africa, where countries like Nigeria have reported a rate of approximately one in 10 children with developmental disabilities.

“Following six years of development and testing, with proven success in communities, the NASQ aims to be an indispensable tool for early autism detection. It is also in its intermediate development stages

as a screening instrument, with the second phase of its validation study ongoing.

"The accessibility of the NASQ web app presents a significant benefit, as its online availability and zero cost permit a wider reach for early screening for more children. "The tool marks an important step forward in enhancing autism detection in Nigeria, where the practice of incorporating neurological developmental screenings into regular health assessments for children under two is not yet established,” Fatoba said.

"The NASQ could potentially be a critical solution to address this gap in developmental healthcare provision.

The implications of NASQ are profound. It offers the possibility of earlier identification, support

and intervention for children with autism at a stage when it can have the most impact.

"It is more than just an innovative tool; it is a beacon of hope for communities with limited access to autism assessment and diagnosis, and it could very well set the benchmark for similar initiatives globally in low-resourced communities, Fatoba further said.

The web app is now available to all Nigerians on the Bloom Buddy website for in-app use on phones, tablets and computers.

"Our alliance with Autism Speaks in bringing this transformative tool to Nigerians fills us with immense pride. Our mission is to equip families with dependable, readily available resources, to provide critical support amidst the intricacies of navigating autism care," Fatoba added.

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NEWS

IRREGULAR MIGRATION ON THEIR MINDS...

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah (right), in a warm handshake with the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Laurent De Boeck, during a working visit by a delegation of the IOM to Government House, Enugu... yesterday

FG Launches Campaign against Youth, Underage Access to Tobacco

Estimates burden of tobacco on Nigeria's healthcare system at N634bn Federal Ministry of Health to conduct global adult tobacco survey in Q1’24

Dike Onwuamaeze

The federal government has launched a campaign against access to tobacco by young and underage people in order to secure the future wellbeing of Nigeria and its workforce.

The campaign was rolled out yesterday, in Lagos, by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) with the theme “Don’t Burn Our Future: tobacco makes our dreams go up in smoke.”

Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the campaign, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr. Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi, stated that the campaign marked a pivotal moment in the commission’s commitment to safeguarding the future of the Nigerian youth and preserving the country’s economic vitality through promoting their health and wellbeing.

Abdullahi said: “We are set to embark on a journey of paramount importance—the inauguration of the "Don't Burn Their Future" campaign.

This is a remarkable and resolute effort by the FCCPC to tackle the escalating issue of young and underage access to tobacco products and its detrimental impact on our society.

It is a campaign to guarantee the health of our youths and secure the future.”

He stated that “statistics paint a stark picture of a consistent rise in the number of young individuals succumbing to the clutches of tobacco addiction. This issue transcends mere health implications; it poses a substantial threat to our collective prosperity.

“We simply cannot turn a blind eye to the far-reaching consequences of this trend. It affects national social development, increases pressure on the health systems, reduces national productivity and negatively impacts overall national economic growth. The potential of our youth, the driving force of our nation's progress, is being stunted by this preventable scourge.

“Early initiation into smoking increases the likelihood of developing a severe addiction to nicotine compared to those who start later in life.

“I stand before you today with a profound sense of duty and commitment to the well-being of our nation's most valuable asset—our youth. Today, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where the choices we make will determine the future trajectory of countless young lives.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria supports this project 100 per cent. The government is steadfast in

its commitment to curbing tobacco use and advancing tobacco control initiatives.

“The goal is clear, we seek a departure from the shadows of tobacco and a step toward a brighter, tobacco-free future for our youth. The journey may be arduous, but with your support, we can break the chains that bind our youth and ignite the flames of their dreams.”

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who was represented by the Head, Tobacco Control Unit of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Toma Malau, noted that tobacco was one of

the biggest public health threats confronting Nigeria and the rest of the world today.

Pate, disclosed that Nigeria would conduct a second round of the global adult tobacco survey before the end of this quarter 2024 to gather household data for a national estimate the country’s tobacco consumption patterns.

He pointed out that youth consumption pattern was also becoming alarming as, “our younger ones are taking up the consumption of tobacco products, particularly the newer tobacco products that is often called the novel products, be it shisha, smokeless product like nicotine patches or electronic

and Oyo states, come next with 12 universities each.

Out of the 20 universities in the Gateway State, 16 are privately owned, according to the available data.

The zonal breakdown also shows that the South-west with 69 universities takes the lead, followed by the North-central with 49. Others are: South-south (44); North-west (42); South-east (38), and North-east (20).

North-west has the highest number of federally funded

the campaign, the immediate past Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said any effort that focuses on protecting the young people from needless disease is very important.

Irukera said: “I have never found one product in the entire world that if used as prescribed and intended by the manufacturer will likely result in injuries and perhaps death.”

The Chairperson of National Tobacco Control Committee, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, urged all tobacco control stakeholders in Nigeria “to remain committed, resolute and more united in the fight to ensure a tobacco free nation.”

Edo 2024: Asue Ighodalo Guber Ambition Soars as Kinsmen Assure Him of Delegate Votes Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Ahead of the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), slated for February, leaders and caucus members of the party in Edo Central senatorial district, have assured Dr. Asue Ighodalo, of their 100 percent delegate votes.

The kinsmen drawn from the five local government council areas

of the zone, gave the assurance during the formal presentation of the frontline guber aspirant by the Chairman of PDP in the Senatorial district, Archbishop Anthony Okosun in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area on yesterday amid wide jubilations.

Speaking at the well attended event, one of the National Leaders of the party and former Minister of

Tertiary Institutions: Ogun Emerges Tops with 20 Universities Ogun is leading the pack as the state with the highest number of higher institutions in Nigeria with 20 universities, with Yobe coming last with just two.

Nigeria currently has 262 universities. Out of these numbers, 147 are privately owned, 63 are state owned, while 52 belong to the federal government.

According to data made available

by Statisense, Ogun State is followed

by Delta, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 13 universities each. Lagos, Osun,

cigarettes.”

The minister also said the burden of tobacco on Nigeria's healthcare system was put at N634 billion, which is quite large as the country spends three times higher in the management of health issues related to every dollar investment in tobacco business.

He added that tobacco also harm the Nigeria’s national sustainable development and environment right from its cultivation to manufacturing and finally to its waste disposal, and has been playing a huge impact in deforestation, loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, water pollution and so forth.

Speaking during the launch of

universities, with 13, followed

by South-south with nine. Others are North-east (eight); South-west (eight); North-central (eight) and South-east (six).

Ogun has the highest number of privately funded universities, with 16, followed by the FCT with 12. Kano, Kwara, Osun, and Oyo came next with eight each.

Others are Anambra (seven); Lagos (seven); Abia (six); Delta (six); Enugu (six); Edo (five); Nasarawa (five) Cross River (four); Kaduna (four); and Ondo (four).

Other states and the number of their universities are Kwara (10); Anambra (nine); Enugu (nine); Abia (eight); Edo (eight); Kaduna (eight); Ondo (eight) Imo (seven); Nasarawa (seven) Akwa Ibom (six); Cross River (six); Kogi (six); Niger (six); Rivers (six); Sokoto (six); Bayelsa (five).

Ebonyi (five); Ekiti (five); Gombe (five); Borno (four); Jigawa (four); Katsina (four); Kebbi (four); Plateau (four); Adamawa (three); Bauchi (three); Benue (three); Taraba (three); Zamfara (three) and Yobe (two).

Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, said that Asue Ighodalo, being a successful Esan son, has the requisite requirements to take the state to the next level in terms of good governance.

He asserted that it was time for the Edo Central Senatorial Zone to produce a governor, since Edo North and Edo South senatorial districts, have produced theirs for 16 years.

Speaking further, Ikimi said Ighodalo's coming into political foray, has further rekindled the lost hope, especially in the area of political equity, justice and fair play to Esanland.

He described the Guber aspirant as a peace maker and unifier, noting that all the delegates in Esan Land will give him 100% votes to emerge the candidate of the party.

Also, a former senator in the senatorial district, Senator Odion Ogbesia, told the frontline aspirant that those leaders he came to meet at home are politicians who determine, design and promote election victory and political strength for every candidate in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, Asue Ighodalo, expressed gratitude to the senatorial leaders, caucus members and people of Esan for his endorsement as their sole aspirant for PDP primary election.

He promised more developments to the people of the state if given the mandate to govern Edo. Also at Irrua, headquarters of Esan Central local government area, Ighodalo thanked the PDP leaders and caucus for trusting him to lead Edo State for the Party.

Ighodalo said that if given the mandate to govern the state, his administration will be people oriented and project driven.

The Esan-born business guru turned politician added that he will continually seek advice of the elders, leaders and the people to move Edo State forward, adding that as a governor, his administration will focus on job creation, education and agricultural reforms to achieve the desired results.

He also pro.ised not to disappoint the people if given the party ticket, just as he seek their prayers to enable him scale through all hurdles.

TUESDAY JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

ten

Tinubu: Students Loan Scheme to Incorporate Those Seeking Skills Devt

FG reveals programme will be fully automated Financing to come from education tax fund, says FIRS

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has directed the management of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expand its focus area by extending interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skills development programmes.

The president issued the directive yesterday at the State House, Abuja, after receiving a briefing from the Executive Secretary of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr on the buildup to the launch of the programme later in the month.

Tinubu said it was important for the scheme to accommodate those who may not want to pursue university education, noting that skills acquisition remains as important as obtaining undergraduate and graduate academic qualifications.

He said: "This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. “ It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation. In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to

explore all opportunities to ‘inculcate’ skills development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education."

He emphasised the need for equity and inclusivity in the management of the programme saying that no matter how economically challenged, accredited and qualified students must have access to the loan to advance their education in higher institutions.

“There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation," he added.

Earlier in his presentation to the president, Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sawyerr, said the loan application process will be technology-driven, limiting human interface and eliminating any possibility of maladministration in the programme.

"By design, this is a perpetual programme and will not terminate.

The funds, earmarked for bona-fide Nigerian students, will be disbursed directly to the institutions in the initial phase through electronic transfer.

“Our students will be catered to in a way that bypasses human interference through the full utilisation of

available technological platforms, in adherence to the president’s stated objectives," he assured.

He also said NELFUND had developed a robust risk-mitigation mechanism to address potential risks that may arise from the programme.

Speaking with newsmen after the presentation, Sawyerr assured that there will be zero human intervention in the application and processing of the loan by applicants.

According to him, a specified portal has been dedicated to the scheme to eliminate human intrusion. He added that the loans Act seeks to bridge the gap between the desire to study and the capacity of students to further their education.

"The intention behind it is to ensure that the reason for not being able to go on and further your education at a tertiary level, is not for the lack of finance. This law seeks to bridge the gap between the desire to study and the capacity to go further.

“It seeks to bridge that gap that is created by lack of finance and lack of funding. So, this is a great opportunity for those applicants, and they are the ones that are at

the centre of all of this,” he said.

Commenting on the salient opportunities provided by the student loan Act, Sawyerr explained that the programme prioritises intending students in teacher training programmes and vocational skills.

On the procedure for application, the executive secretary explained that the application will be carried out online through a specified submission link.

He said applicants will have to submit certain information that qualifies them for the loan which include the JAMB registration number, Date of Birth, National Identification Number (NIN) and Biometric Verification Number (BVN), among others.

"Further pieces of information include things like their national identity number, which confirm that they are Nigerians and that this loan scheme is being paid for

by Nigerian taxpayers.

“So it's for Nigerians and the NIN helps verify and qualify them as such. Their BVN is financial inclusion because this scheme in itself will at some point, be able to empower students so we need to know they have bank accounts,”

Court to Fubara: By Withdrawing All Suits, You’ve Admitted Wrong and Liability and redeployment of the clerk and deputy clerk of the state House of Assembly.

Justice James Omotosho, who ruled in the matter, subsequently, declared that the governor was not entitled to invite the National Assembly (NASS) to take over the Rivers State House of Assembly and that NASS also lacked the powers to do so in the instant case.

Omotosho made an order restraining the National Assembly from accepting, entertaining or dealing with the request from Fubara to take over the legislative function of the state Assembly.

He further issued an order of mandatory injunction compelling the Inspector General of Police to protect and provide adequate security and protection to the Speaker and other members of the state assembly.

The court also restrained Fubara and the state government from invading, interfering or stopping the lawmakers from holding meetings, or accessing the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

In arriving at the decisions, the court observed that Fubara had by withdrawing all the processes he filed in the suit admitted all the allegations against him and was, thus, deemed liable.

Omotosho, who voided the presentation of the budget, said the governor acted in violation of the court's order, dated November 30, 2023, which had ordered parties to maintain status quo as at November 29, 2023.

The judge made "an order restraining the governor from making any further presentation, except to

the leadership of the second plaintiff (Martin Amaewhule)."

He stated that an order of court not set aside remained valid and binding, and the sitting of the four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, believed to be loyal to Fubara, in violation of a court order, was a nullity.

The court held that the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill by the four lawmakers and every other action taken by them amounted to a void act.

In five months of taking over leadership in Rivers State, Fubara had run into trouble with his sponsor and benefactor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike.

The disagreement led to a division in the state assembly, with a faction of 26 lawmakers said to be loyal to Wike threatening to impeach the governor, who was accused of inviting the National Assembly to intervene and take over the state's legislative function.

The 26 lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, had defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform with which they came into office as legislators, to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following their defection, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt recognised the faction led by Ehie, a basis for the presentation of the appropriation bill before the fourmember legislature.

Delivering judgement in the suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and Amaewhule, Omotosho held that the fourmember faction before whom the

budget was presented was not the authentic leadership of the Rivers Assembly by law.

The judge said, "The presentation of the bill is void and deemed not to have been presented, passed into law" since it was presented to an unconstitutional six out of the 31 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in flagrant disobedience of an order of court.”

The state assembly and Amaewhule had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, challenged an alleged plan by the National Assembly to take over their legislative duties in the state.

They had specifically accused Fubara of inviting the National Assembly to take over the state’s legislative functions in a bid to stop his impeachment by the lawmakers.

In its judgement, the court observed that the National Assembly had the power to take over the legislative functions of a state assembly, if there was evidence that the assembly could no longer sit or carry out its duties due to some prevailing circumstances.

Omotosho, however, held that the taking over must be based on an order of court.

Observing that there was no evidence before the court to show that the Rivers Assembly could no longer sit or carry out its legislative duties, the judge described as an academic exercise the issue of action notice raised by the appellants.

On the removal of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, the court stated that Section 93 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, subjected the appointment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to

DHQ: Kinetic Approach to Fighting Terrorism No Longer Realistic

Represented by Director, Training, Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Matthew Daupreye, the defence chief said using a nonkinetic approach in the fight against insurgency and other threats to national security will help in winning over the hearts and minds of the people.

Musa stated that warfare had gone beyond annihilating the adversary.

He stated, “Non-kinetic approach is the use of informational, psychological, diplomatic, economic, social and civil-military cooperation as part of instruments of national power to pursue national interests.

"It involves collaborations between the military and civil actors to achieve national interest through the application of non-lethal force or means that are sub-lethal or not intended to be lethal to dispose of the enemy.”

Musa stressed the need for greater inter-agency collaboration, in addition to psychological operations and strategic communication, to reduce acts of insurgency to the barest minimum.

He said a combination of conventional warfare, irregular warfare, terrorism and counter insurgency was asymmetric warfare waged by resistance groups, where

you deliver forces or prevent the conventional force and economic intimidation in countries.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye, highlighted the importance of psychological operations as a way of winning the war against insurgency.

Undiandeye said the five-day programme, facilitated by the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Safe Neighbourhood Initiative, provided a unique opportunity and platform to understand the dynamics of psychological operations and strategic communications.

laws enacted by the House of Assembly. It added that Section 10 of the constitution provided that the Clerk and Deputy Clerk shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly. The court held that to that extent, the reposting and redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Head of Service of Rivers State was void, because it had no base to stand upon.

"The purported reposting and redeployment is hereby declared invalid and strip of any potency in law,” Omotosho ruled.

On the issue of salaries and allowances of the legislators, the court held that the governor did not have the powers to tamper with the funds credited to the lawmakers.

"Any attempt by a governor to withhold the funds credited to the legislators is tantamount to tyranny and dictatorial tendencies,” Omotosho said. He added that the executive was bound by the law and should not take action against the law.

The judge, therefore, ordered the governor to release forthwith the

he added.

He reassured that part of the targets of the scheme is to tackle rising cases of migration of Nigerian youths who seek by all means better education in Europe.

Speaking on the funding mechanism of the programme, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, said funding sources have been made available to ensure the smooth take-off and sustenance of the programme.

"Mr. President is permanently solving the problem of funding for education in Nigeria. By the directive of the president, the Education Tax Fund (ETF) is being reviewed to additionally cater to the needs of our university students across all local government areas in the country as they seek to access vocational and traditional university education.

Funding for the programme will be adequately covered," he said.

He explained that the scheme will make education accessible to all Nigerians at the tertiary level , with the funding coming from the education tax being collected

by FIRS. "This is in fulfilment of Mr

President’s promise that we will make education accessible to all.

And while I have to put my own is because of the source of funding.

“This is one of the schemes that we will apply education tax that we will collect. "So, this is a way of being accountable to the taxpayer,” he stressed.

salaries, allowances and all fringe benefits accruing to the 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Wike.

The court also dismissed the case of Ehie, who had applied to be joined as an interested party, on the grounds that since he resigned as Speaker and member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, he had lost the capacity to be heard.

President Bola Tinubu had while intervening in the Rivers State crisis, directed all parties to withdraw all court proceedings and said the governor should recognise the Amaewhule leadership of the Assembly and represent the 2024 budget before them.

Tinubu added that the aggrieved lawmakers should also abandon their planned impeachment of the governor.

Based on the agreement, Ehie, who led the faction recognised by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, became Speaker. But he later resigned from the state assembly.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) lauded the Federal High Court

in Abuja for its decision on the N800 billion budget passed by the Ehie-led Assembly and signed into law by Fubara.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on the development, the state chairman of APC, Tony Okocha, commended the judiciary for its decision.

Okocha emphasised that the budget was never presented because the Ehie-led group did not meet the one-third statutory requirement for forming a quorum in the Assembly.

The APC state chairman said, "The budget was presented in error. There is no way four Assembly members will be sitting as an assembly when the law stipulated one-third, which is about 10 members. So it means that the Assembly never met, and for the governor to take such a risk amounts to putting something on nothing.

“So the decision of the Federal High Court, which also stopped the governor from interfering with the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly, is in order and is welcomed by us."

President Bola Tinubu

Da n g ot e R e m ai n s A f r i ca’s Ri c h e st as F o r b e s U n v e ils 2 0 A f r i ca’s Ri c h e st Billi o n ai r e s i n 2 0 2 4 the State Grid Corporation of China.

“His 73 per cent stake in Geregu is worth more than $850 million, about three-quarters of his $1.1 billion fortune, which puts him at No. 20 on the list.

“After taking Otedola’s comeback into account, Africa’s billionaires dipped slightly, but still fared better than the decline of four per cent last year, when African markets faded in sync with equity values around the world.

“This year, African equities joined a late-year global rally, with the S&P All Africa index rising 10 per cent in the final two months of 2023 but still ended down more than 9% in the 12 months through January 8, 2024.”

Dangote was closely followed

by Johann Rupert and Family from South Africa, with net worth of $10.1 billion; another South African businessman, Nicky Oppenheimer and his family, with net worth of $9.4 billion; Nassef Sawiris with net worth of $8.7 billion; Nigeria’s Mike Adenuga with net worth of $6.9 billion; and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, with net worth of $5.9 billion, in that

order.

This year, South Africa claimed six spots on the ranking, followed

by Egypt with five, and Nigeria with four. Algeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, each have one billionaire on the list, while Morocco has two.

Forbes stated that Africa “remains one of the world’s toughest places to build – and hold onto – a billiondollar fortune, as global investors remain leery of its stock exchanges, businesses struggle against strained economies, poor infrastructure and volatile exchange rates, while changing political winds can make, boost or bust private fortunes”.

It quoted Head of Macro Strategy at asset manager, FIM Partners, Charles Robertson, to have noted that entrepreneurs often faced limited access to capital and populations with little disposable income to invest in new companies or the stock market.

A turbulent 2023 also made African equities less attractive for foreign investors.

Robertson added, "You've got two negatives for investors. Weakening domestic [currencies], which is pushing up inflation, and tax rises,

which is hurting the companies they're investing in.”

He added, “Central banks have been hiking rates as well, so you've had big rate hikes and currency weakness and tax rises, all at once.

And if there was any chance that mix wasn't going to deter all foreign investors, then throw in multiple coups happening, and it just created a very nasty storm.

“That environment favours entrenched family fortunes or those with close ties to government that continue to dominate the ranks of Africa’s richest. Nigeria’s Alike Dangote, whose fortune rose $400 million to $13.9 billion, claimed the ranking’s number one spot for the 13th year in a row, despite the political uncertainty following the February presidential election and a devaluation of the naira in 2023 that offset the rising share price of Dangote Cement.

“The biggest decline on this year’s list belongs to Algerian industrial magnate Issad Rebrab, who was barred by a court in May from exercising any commercial or management duties at his conglomerate Cevital.”

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

NEWS

Media Briefing on 2024 International Polo Tournament...

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Polo Association (NPA), Mr. Ayo Olashoju; Corporate Communications, GTCO Plc, Mr. Derin Alex-Adedipe; President, Lagos Polo Club,Mr. Bode Makanjuola; Corporate Communications, GTCO Plc, Unoaku PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT Sheidu; and Polo Captain, Mr. Muyiwa Oni, at the media briefing on 2024 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament and General Tournament Procedures sponsored by GTCO Plc in Lagos yesterday

NLC Urges Nigerians to Support Workers’ Demand for ‘Living Wage’ Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked Nigerians to show solidarity with the workers' in their quest for a new minimum wage that will lift them out of it described as the

current starvation wage.

The government and members of the organised labour are due to commence negotiation for a new minimum wage before the end of March this year when the current N30,000 national minimum wage

will expire.

However, the two labour centres - NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have accused the federal government of delaying the inauguration of the national minimum wage committee to kick-start

the process.

In an address delivered at the International Lenin Centenary Conference on Monday in Abuja, President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said the dream for a living wage can only be attained through the

Ogun Targets N240bn IGR in 2024 James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Government yesterday announced that it would be targeting N240 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) out of the N703 billion budgeted for 2024 Fiscal year.

The Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this during a comprehensive budget breakdown and media parley held in Abeokuta, yesterday.

The state's overall budget for the year is N703 billion, has already been signed into law

by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Okubadejo, said that the budget reflects the determined vision of Abiodun's administration to foster best-in-class governance, create a conducive environment for public-private partnerships,

and achieve sustainable economic development while enhancing individual prosperity among its citizen.

He emphasized that the administration's focal points which includes the facilitation of ease of doing business, institutional reforms, development of fiscal policy thrust, and the promotion of public-private partnerships was geared at boosting the economy of the state.

He added that the budget was strategically structured around key development pillars, encompassing infrastructure, social welfare, education, human capital development, youth empowerment, job creation, agriculture, and food security.

"Ogun State is ambitiously positioning itself to become the hub for industrialisation, logistics, and knowledge—an aspiration

integral to achieving the status of the most economically viable state in Nigeria and Africa and with its considerable land size, proximity advantages, ongoing industrialisation, and robust infrastructure, is actively creating an investor-friendly environment," he said.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, emphasised the resilience and sustainability of the budget to ensure economic and financial independence for the state.

He noted that the budget would capitalise on IGR, which would give room for more capital expenditure for infrastructural development.

In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, highlighted the media parley as a

crucial platform for journalists to engage with key decision-makers with the objective of enhancing public understanding of the state's achievements and future plans, aligning with Governor Abiodun's ISEYA mantra.

He underscored the administration's commitment to various economic indices, citing achievements in ease of doing business, revenue generation, national growth, and industrialisation.

Akinmade, noted that the media interaction was poised to catalyse dialogue, transparency, and public awareness, contributing to the overarching goal of sustained growth and development in Ogun State.

solidarity of all workers and masses of the country.

He said that Nigerians should not see the workers demand for a living national minimum wage as that of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) alone but a collective struggle for a better Nigeria.

He condemned the action of those he described as "comprador bourgeoisies" who he said have seized the reins of power in the country and "have continued to decimate all institutions of governance using them to subjugate, impoverish and incapacitate the sovereign will, trample upon workers and masses".

Ajaero said that the struggle for a better Nigeria must begin by enthroning equity in the world of work.

"That is why it is important that at this juncture that I invite all of us as we prepare to negotiate the national minimum wage this year not to see it as a struggle for the NLC and TUC but a collective struggle. " I request that we all join hands from the beginning of the negotiation exercise to the end of it and to its ultimate implementation so that we can overcome those who have already made up their minds to pay Nigerians a starvation wage.

We seek a living wage and it is only when we work together as comrades that we can achieve this.

"Comrades remember, when we stand alone, our chances are slim but when we stand together, we are able to achieve our collective interests.

Lenin who was not a worker in the classical sense understood this and championed the cause of workers in the globe,” he said.

While urging patriotic Nigerians to join labour to stop the plundering of nation's resources like Lenin did during his era, Ajaero urged all to work for a nation that will become more equitable.

Ajaero said: “As we reflect on the legacy of Leninism, it is imperative to critically analyse its relevance and efficacy in addressing the challenges of our contemporary world, so that together, we can protect our nation and humanity as a whole from the predatory instincts of a few individuals and nations.

"This celebration will be in vain if we do not arise from this place today resolved to work together, determined to make a difference in our nation and committed to reclaiming the civic space by building and empowering cadres across the nation.”

AU Moves to Strengthen Diaspora Participation in African Affairs Chief Judge Reassigns Alleged $101m Bankruptcy Suit against Orjiakor Wale Igbintade The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the $101 million bankruptcy suit involving Dr. Ambrose Orjiakor, to a new Judge, Justice Isaac Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The suit was originally before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but was assigned to another judge, due to Justice Oweibo's transfer out of the jurisdiction.

Access Bank filed the suit marked FHC/L/BK/08/2023, following the alleged inability of Orjiakor to pay the $101 million he allegedly owed the bank.

Listed as respondents in the suit are: Seplat Energy Plc; Helko Nigeria Limited, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc; Salvic

Petroleum Resources Limited and Zebbra Energy Limited.

Others are: Ordrec Group Limited; Helko Marine Services Limited; Berwick Nigeria Limited; Abbeycourt Petroleum Company Limited; Abbeycourt Energy Services Limited; Abbeycourt Company Limited and Pursley Resources Limited.

In the suit, Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN) is the lead counsel to the creditor (Access Bank Plc) while Mr. O. Kalu appeared for the alleged debtor.

At the last hearing of the suit, Oweibo adjourned the suit to hear pending applications, including Access Bank’s contempt application against Orjiakor.

However, when the suit resumed yesterday, Dipeolu presided over the matter.

Addressing the court, Ogunba stated that although the matter was adjourned for resumption of hearing, he noticed that it was not listed on the case list.

Responding, Dipeolu explained that it was because the case file was in the custody of Oweibo for the purposes of vetting and signing the last ruling he delivered in the suit. Consequently, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till February 2, 2024.

The court had on July 26, while granting an ex-parte motion filed

by Ogunba, frozen Orjiako's bank accounts and other assets over the alleged indebtedness.

The court ruled, among others, that the order subsists pending the determination of the bank's motion on notice for the appointment of a special manager.

Sunday Ehigiator

The Secretary General of African Union Sixth Region Global (AU6RG), Mr. Macaulay Kalu, has said that the body was working towards strengthening alliances and participation with people of African descent all over the world.

AU6RG is a region of the African Union (AU) formed in 2003 to help people of African descent connect with their roots in Africa, foster meaningful relationships and encourage avenues for development of the continent.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos during a visit to Nigeria, Kalu explained that the need to open up access to Africans in the diaspora was imminent as their participation holds enormous promise in helping the diasporas find their indigenous identity.

"The United Nations declared 2014 as The Year of People of African Descent and this year is the final year of that decade. To that effect,

we are looking to have most African countries declare 2024 as the ‘Year of Return’ being the final year.

"The AU declared its Decade of People of African Descent from 2021 to 2031 and the goal is to engage the member states with the global diaspora. We are hoping that the Nigerian government will declare this year as a Year of Return which will be a great opportunity for our government and the citizens to benefit from the relationship for foreign direct investments at different levels.

"We believe that Lagos State and the Nigerian government have a lot to gain in opening the doors for more ‘diasporans’ to do their test and know where they come from. Nigerians need to open their hands and welcome their sons and daughters who have been gone for over 400 years," Kalu said.

Kalu added that this return has the potential to solidify Africa's presence on the global scene through the building of stronger partnerships

and institutions.

Ambassador of AU6RG to East Africa, Ms. Madeleine James, stated that partnerships with the international diaspora community will accelerate the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

"There are people in villages who are not on social media but if we look at the multiplier effect, we are going to have diasporans come down here and invest. If somebody from that village is employed there, it becomes more than just a narrative," she noted.

On his part, the newly appointed Ambassador of AU6RG to Nigeria, Mr. Afolabi Oke, stated that opening Africa's doors to people of African descent globally and giving them an environment to thrive was the way to go.

"All we need to do is open up our doors to historic Africans and people of African descent to come back and give them an enabling environment for them to thrive," he stressed.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

FLAG-OFF OF 2024 WATCOT RICE DRY SEASON FARMING...

L–R: Director, Corporate Affairs, TGI Group, Sadiq Kassim; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Chairman, WACOT Rice and Vice Chairman (Africa), TGI Group, Farouk Gumel, and Head, Corporate Communications, TGI Group, Rafiat Gawat during the flag off of WACOT Rice Limited's 2024 dry season farming input distribution to out-grower farmers in Argungu, Kebbi State... on Friday

Wike: Tinubu Has Approved Emergency Procurement of Equipment to Track Kidnappers Insecurity calling nation's unity to question, George tells president

Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had given an approval for emergency procurement of digital tracking devices to track the operations of kidnappers in the nation's capital.

He stated this yesterday at an interface with the media without going into the details.

But a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately wade into the problem increasing insecurity to protect the continuing unity of the nation.

However, lamenting dearth of equipment in the past, Wike said the tide would now turn against kidnappers with the emergency procurement approval by the president.

The minister said cues from some informants led to the arrest of some kidnappers, who were paraded by the police over the weekend.

He also said the informants recently arrested by security agencies in the territory were cooperating and providing actionable intelligence to the authorities, who had succeeded in using the intelligence to foil more attacks.

"So many facilities were not provided. Vehicles for the security agencies were not there. You cannot believe it that equipment to track criminals were not there.

“When anything happens, they go back to the Office of the National Security Adviser or to the Force Headquarters. That is not the way it is supposed to be.

"When I was the governor of

Rivers State, the DSS told me they wanted a particular equipment. We were the only state that had it then.

In fact, sometimes the headquarters asked for its use.

"That is a special equipment they needed and that equipment, we know how expensive it is but we had it and that was able to help us reduce the level of crime. It was able to track the specific phones not one that would say for example the criminals are around the city here.

“With that equipment, it was specific. It can track a particular phone to the exact spot or room.

So, what we have done with the approval of Mr President, giving us approval for emergency procurement, we have been able to identify what each of the agencies need and we will be able now to provide them," Wike said.

He asserted that when he was appointed minister, the police had complained that their request for certain number of motorcycles to enable them access remote and mountainous communities, was not honoured.

He assured the people that they would now procure the logistics, saying security was not about the equipment but about having to motivate the personnel.

"I don't want to talk about the strategies because we are talking security now. Assuming Mr President did not approve this emergency procurement, we had been to the Bureau for Public Procurement since December to allow us to procure under emergency.

“If you don't and you have to go the whole hog of the processes, it can take you two months and that is not what you tell members of the public, that procurement process is

a problem. No. "The basic thing is having identified all these and the security agencies have told us this is what they require, we had to do the needful. We have even gone further to ask the State Director of DSS about what they would need to tackle this menace.

“What kind of equipment do you want? Not that if anything happens, you have to run to your headquarters to seek assistance. Before you get to your headquarters, something else would have happened.

“But if you have this equipment, you don't need to seek approval of your headquarters to begin to seek equipment to track the criminals," Wike stated.

He stressed that the FCTA would seek to establish a Joint Task Force with a full command and control

structure as well as relevant equipment to be able to respond in event of security emergencies as that would make up for its inability to set up up its own security agency like other sub national entities.

"The next thing is to set up a joint security outfit here where they have their own structure and equipment so that if anything happens, the task force will know it is their function to move in.

“Yes it will cost us some funds and it will take us some time but what is important is that we have identified that this is a lacuna that we have to cover," he said.

He urged FCT residents not to panic as everything would be done to ensure the protection of lives and property.

Wike said the efforts of security

A Federal High Court in Lagos, has ordered the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) to pay the Publisher of BONews, Ms Blessing Oladunjoye, the sum of N300,000 as exemplary and aggravated damages for the flagrant and unlawful violation of her right to information.

The court also directed the institution to make available to Oladunjoye all the information she requested.

Justice Osiagor held in his judgement in the suit filed by Oladunjoye against Yabatech and

its Rector that the failure or refusal by the institution to grant her access to the information she requested by her letter dated October 26, 2020, was a violation of her right of access to information established and guaranteed by Sections 1(1) and 4 of the FOI Act. Mr. Owolabi Dawodu, a Lagosbased lawyer and member of Media Rights Agenda’s network of lawyers, had filed the suit on behalf of Ms Oladunjoye on March 1, 2022, against Yabatech and the rector of the institution, asking the court to declare that the failure and/or refusal by the institution

George: Insecurity Questioning Nation's Unity Following the recent spate of kidnappings, killings and robberies across the country, Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately wade into the problem to protect the continuing unity of the nation.

The former military governor of old Ondo State and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lamented the escalation of insecurity and the recent waves of kidnappings terrorising Nigerians, saying it has become imperative for us to address the

critical questions Nigerians were asking.

"The pertinent question Nigerians are asking today is: 'What exactly is going on in our country?'

"Nigerians are looking to the government to instill security amidst the fear and atrocious crimes being committed in Nigeria, which is destroying the security and stability of our nation, making Nigeria very volatile and a threat to the personal safety of Nigerians.

“The sudden increase and high prevalence rate of innocent lives lost, suffered by Nigerians communities is not only tragic but has made it almost impossible to attract the much-needed international economic investment that can only prevail in a politically stable environment

Nigeria Risks Losing $21m of Its Foreign Assets over Alleged Judgment Debt Alex Enumah in Abuja

Barring any last minute intervention, Nigeria is set to lose up to $21 million foreign assets with international financial giant, JP Morgan.

This is following the filing of a notice for the withdrawal of the said sum in a United Kingdom (UK) judgment debt from Nigeria’s account with JP Morgan.

The withdrawal notice was sequel to a rejection of Nigeria's appeal against the judgment of a British Court, permitting the seizure of the assets from Nigeria's account with

JP Morgan, to offset the judgment entered against Nigeria about five years ago.

Meanwhile, the law firm of Brown Gavalas & Fromm LLP and other lawyers hired by the government of President Bola Tinubu are currently challenging the withdrawal on procedural grounds.

It was learnt that all parties have concluded their filings ahead of a decision to be made any time from now by the court.

Recall that a British-Nigerian citizen, Emovbira Williams had dragged the federal government

Court Orders Yabatech to Pay Publisher N300,000 over Wrongful Denial of Information

Sunday Ehigiator

agencies had led to the arrest of some informants, who disclosed some of the plans they were hatching.

to grant Oladunjoye access to the information requested in her letter dated October 26, 2020 is a violation of her right of access to information established and guaranteed by Sections 1(1) and 4 of the FOI Act. She also asked the court for an order compelling Yabatech to disclose or make available to her the information, which she had requested in her letter.

Other reliefs sought by Oladunjoye included an order directing Yabatech and its rector to pay her the sum of N1 million as exemplary and aggravated damages.

In his judgment, Justice Osiagor disagreed with Yabatech that the information requested by Ms Oladunjoye fell within the exemptions provided in Section 15(1) of the FOI Act. The judge quoted copiously from the FOI Act and also referred to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act of 2007 and noted that NITDA, “is mandated by the Act to develop regulations for electronic communication that may improve the exchange of data and information as an alternative to paper-based methods in government.”

before a UK Court, over alleged fraud and abuse allegedly suffered at the hands of Nigerian authorities, State Security Service (SSS), following a business deal that fell through.

The court presided by Justice Mary Clare Moulder, had in a ruling delivered on November 9, 2018, delivered judgment in favour of Williams and ordered Nigeria to pay him the sum of $6.5 million, which had accrued a 9 percent interest in the last five years.

Also delivering ruling in Nigeria's appeal against the judgment debt, a British court on December 19, last year held that the appeal was incompetent and lacking in merit.

Justice Robert Bright, subsequently dismissed it and upheld the ruling of Justice Mary Clare Moulder, who earlier authorised the plaintiff/ applicant to take $21 million and approximately £20,000 out of Nigeria’s central bank account with JP Morgan.

"The application of the defendants is dismissed and the default judgment granted by Moulder J on 9 November 2018 remains in effect,” the judge said.

Bright described as weak, Nigeria's plea of immunity as ground to set aside the judgment debt.

Nigeria's woes started in the late 1980s when a business deal with the plaintiff failed and subsequently resulted in his incarceration.

According to Williams, he had guaranteed the payment of $6.5 million in 1986 for the importation

of foodstuff to Nigeria from England into the account of a UK trustee, on the instructions of the Nigerian government.

He stated that the deal went sour after FG refused to fulfil part of the bargain by failing to refund him.

The plaintiff disclosed that upon travelling to Nigeria, he was arrested, tried by a military tribunal for economic sabotage charges and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in 1986.

He however escaped from Nigerian prison in 1989, three years after his sentence and fled to London.

Plaintiff further disclosed that in August 1993, then-military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida gave him a presidential pardon absolving him of all the charges and ordered that he be fully compensated for the funds.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was said to have withheld the payment of the money for several years, despite the transition to a democratic government in 1999.

The refusal to pay necessitated the filing of a suit against Nigeria at the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, where the court ordered him to withdraw the funds from Nigeria’s savings account with JP Morgan in the United States.

Responding, Nigeria through the CBN countered the ruling claiming that Nigeria as a sovereign state was not subject to the orders of other nations.

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MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 19Jan-2024, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 370.44 370.44 19.54% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 10.28% Nigeria International Debt Fund 328.56 328.56 0.58% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 108.15 108.15 0.38% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 0.00% Anchoria Equity Fund 243.91 246.96 26.04% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.31 1.31 2.14% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 36.94 38.06 20.92% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 750.99 773.63 13.36% ARM Ethical Fund 61.57 63.42 12.91% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.11 1.11 -97.08% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.11 1.11 -81.72% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.61% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.01 1.01 -101.29% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 107.03 107.03 783.00% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,187.79 1,187.79 1139.00% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.02 1.02 8.82% CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.44% Cordros Milestone Fund 186.65 188.09 7.95% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 108.16 108.16 8.09% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 109.83 109.83 7.81% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 114.83 114.83 7.01% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.35% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.72 1.73 12.16% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.44 1.44 109.67% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Specialized Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.11% Legacy Debt Fund 3.59 3.59 2.74% Legacy Equity Fund 3.37 3.45 21.82% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.33 1.33 4.51% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Balanced Fund 6,541.60 6,594.02 N/A Coral Income Fund 4,014.46 4,014.46 8.02% Coral Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.80% FSDH Dollar Fund 1.20 1.20 0.00%

GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Guaranty Trust Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund (VEIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 21.50 21.66 17.01% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.02% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) N/A N/A N/A Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) N/A N/A N/A Norrenberger Dollar Fund (NDF) ($) N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 2.69 2.74 15.84% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.20 12.45 N/A PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 0.00% PACAM Equity Fund 2.69 2.72 24.63% PACAM EuroBond Fund 132.29 135.53 0.29% SCM CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital The Frontier Fund N/A N/A N/A SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 11.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 5,606.23 5,654.54 12.60% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 256.43 256.43 4.29% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 2.39 2.42 16.18% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 355.98 356.25 0.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 463.35 469.11 22.84% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.12% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 21,952.85 22,226.67 21.04% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.47 1.47 7.10% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 128.75 128.75 6.46% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 126.56 126.56 9.18% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 5,035.35 5,035.35 8.53% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 6,617.62 6,700.79 23.00% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 5,776.58 5,807.74 9.34% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.69 1.71 24.47% United Capital Balanced Fund 2.10 2.12 13.63% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.67 1.68 17.06% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.19 1.19 9.31% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.96 1.96 7.21% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.67 124.67 5.30% United Capital Global Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.09 10.12% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.00% Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 21.07 21.34 14.32% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 24.16 24.39 10.91% Zenith Income Fund 25.45 25.45 0.48% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.76% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 10.35 10.45 149.10% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 13.78 13.88 134.83% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 33.92 34.12 81.29% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.38% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 39.46 39.66 64.61% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 147.83 149.83 3.05%

REITS

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 59.97 101.79 11.09

N/A 0.23%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 877.00 900.00 26.45 43.56

N/A 877.00 900.00 26.85 44.03

N/A 75.40% 25.52% 12.53% 15.63%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A

N/A

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

I N F R AST R U CT U R E F U N D

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

0.00%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

LAWYER TUeSday, jANUARY 23, 2024

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Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, CON, SAN, C.ARB

‘Nigeria Now Has World Class Arbitration Centres’

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TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

In this edition

Effect of Argument(s) in Discordance with Issue for Determination Page IV

Lagos CJ, BOSAN, Others, Mourn Uwechue at Special Court Session

Quotable

Page V ‘President Tinubu is the sovereign leader of Nigeria, and he exercises the power of political leadership by virtue of Section 5 of the Constitution. So, the buck stops on his table.

It is the President that will shape issues….

Doesn’t he want to leave his name in the sands of time, like Roosevelt, Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, as a great leader?’.’ - Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association

Ibeto Appeals Against Bench Warrant Order of Lagos High Court Page V

columnist PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Prof Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

lawyer

Admiralty Division of Federal High Court to be Set Up Soon Page V

onikepo braithwaite: editor, jude igbanoI: deputy editor, peter taiwo, steve aya: reporters

III The advocate

T H I S D AY • TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024

Abuja, Lagos and the Economics of MDA Headquarters

I

Ibadan Explosion commiserate with everyone that was affected by the explosion which took place at Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, last Tuesday, January 16th around 7.45pm. Several people well known to me, were affected. Their properties were either damaged, or destroyed.

How is it that, a non-Nigerian for that matter, was allegedly mining in Ibadan without the knowledge of the Oyo State State (OSG) or Local Government, and how was he able to store explosives in a house located within a residential estate? A logical conclusion is that, people within the Federal Government set up must be complicit in this illicit arrangement. The word out is that, for instance, Chinese people are heavily involved in illegal mining activities in several parts of Nigeria. Last year, I read a news story published by the EFCC, about the arrest in Ilorin, of 13 Chinese citizens who were operating illegal mining activities in 13 local governments in Kwara State. This must be stopped immediately. And, the Government officials involved in this racket, must be punished severely. This is the height of economic sabotage.

Section 1(8)(b) of Miscellaneous Offences Act 1984 prescribes a punishment of life imprisonment, for anyone convicted of mining unlawfully. It is a grave offence.

Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) provides inter alia that, the Government of the Federation (FGN) is the owner and controller of all the mineral resources in Nigeria, while Section 1 of the Land Use Act 1978 vests all the land within a State in the Governor. Surely, there should be a collaboration between the owners of the surface of the land and the owner of what is beneath it. If OSG wasn’t aware of the activities of this mining company, it obviously means that OSG was being deprived of the 13% revenue that accrued to it from the mining activities - see Section 162(2) of the Constitution.

Secondly, there are different ways and time frames, connected to storing explosives, aside from the fact that they are better stored in a detached building that has no occupants. Storing explosives in residential area, is unthinkable. While some explosives can be stored indefinitely, others have a storage time limit. The temperature in the area of storage is important, and the placement of the different types of explosives is also important, to prevent accidental detonation. In most countries, licenses are obtained from an issuing authority within the locality of storage, in this case, it should have been OSG. I call upon HE, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR (PBAT), in conjunction with OSG, not only to launch a sincere and thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident, but to ensure that those responsible for this dastardly act are arrested.

The world has become a global village, and it doesn’t matter if the culprits have fled and are at large; with good intelligence and international policing, they can be found and brought to book.

However, in the past, the Federal Government has been accused of issuing mining licenses to foreigners, complete with Expatriate Quotas, without the knowledge of the State Governments.

This must also stop.

Turning Nigeria Around The sum and substance of the ‘Quotable’ of today on the previous page of this Publication,

by Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, is that, as the President of Nigeria, empowered by Section 5 of the Constitution, it is the duty of PBAT to “shape issues” and chart the course Nigeria must take, as the buck stops on his table. This is correct. Dr Agbakoba then went on to ask an important, in fact, crucial question - that is, like American President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, does PBAT not want to go down in history as a great leader (who turned the fortunes of Nigeria around)? Something tells me that, the answer to that question is in the affirmative.

However, the truth of the matter is, turning the fortunes of Nigeria around, will not be a walk in the park. And, it certainly cannot be achieved by making ill-founded, flawed decisions based on sentiments, tribe, mediocrity, and unsound economic bases. This is part of what has led Nigeria into this terrible condition, of course, coupled with corruption, using Federal Character and Quota System to scrape the bottom of the barrel, instead of the brightest and the best, et al.

To be candid, continuing with this all-too-familiar ‘losing formula', will certainly not earn PBAT or any other leader that chooses to follow this recognised and known path to failure, a good place in History. It is certain, to do the opposite!

country, above sectional, group or individual interests. When the Nigeria LNG headquarters was situated in Victoria Island, Lagos, it didn't make much sense, since the centre of NLNG’s operations is in Bonny, Rivers State. Therefore, relocating their offices to Rivers State, was a sound economic decision.

We talk about the unnecessarily high cost of governance in Nigeria. The solution to this problem, goes beyond reducing staff strength and reducing bogus and unjustified salaries, to cut this cost. Prudent economic decisions, must also be made.

onikepo braithwaite onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “….turning the fortunes of Nigeria around…. certainly cannot be achieved by making ill-founded, flawed decisions based on sentiments, tribe, mediocrity, and unsound economic bases…. Federal Government agencies should be located where they are best suited to be, for maximum output” At our 2023 NBA Annual General Conference, in his address, PBAT mentioned that utilising over 90% of our revenue to service debts, is unacceptable. I concur, and so should any right-thinking person. In that case, the onus is on PBAT and his Executive, to work assiduously towards achieving the Economic Objectives set out in Section 16 of the Constitution, particularly Section 16 (1)(a) & (b) which emphasises on, inter alia, promoting an efficient, self-reliant and dynamic economy to secure the maximum welfare and happiness of the people. This can certainly not be achieved, if decisions are based on siting institutions or agencies in places where they can never be viable and should therefore, not be located, simply to assuage ethnic sentiments or affirm feelings of domination over others.

Unfortunately, Nigeria still finds herself very much entangled in this type of negative and regressive mindset, hence, the alleged comment by the spokesperson of one of the Regional Socio-Cultural Groups, stating that relocating some of the departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos would strengthen the dominant position of Lagos, and reduce the significance and role of Abuja. Should that be the concern, or rather, whether the proposed relocation will enable CBN function optimally, and better serve the needs of the country if these departments are relocated to Lagos? We really must stop this kind of unproductive talk. Are we not all Nigerians? When FGN relocated to Abuja, did the civil servants not relocate too? Did they not incur relocation expenses? So, why should it be a problem now, if it is a prudent and sensible decision to relocate certain agencies to Lagos or

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

wherever they really should be?

History of Lagos as a Commercial Centre and Capital City The Federal Capital Territory is the Nation's capital, while Lagos has always been the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, because of its strategic location and its appurtenances thereto, like the waterways etc. As far back as the 15th century when the Europeans started coming to Africa to trade, in Nigeria, they conducted their business in the coastal harbour of Badagry, Lagos. It was because of the waterways that Lagos earned its name, which I believe means ‘Lakes’ in Portuguese.

In the early 1900s, the British who made sound economic decisions just for their own benefit, also chose Lagos as the capital of the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, and subsequently, the capital of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria after the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914. There were obviously strategic economic reasons why these foreigners chose to situate the Nigerian capital in Lagos, and not Ibadan, Kano or Enugu.

Just like Brazil relocated its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia, the centre of the country, in a bid to unify the country in 1960, the Nigerian Military decided to move the nation’s capital to the landlocked Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the early 1990s, also on the ground that it was the centre of the country.

Sound Economic Decisions We are all Nigerians, whichever zone we hail from, and we should be concerned about what is best for the progress of our

Examples In the first place, when Government was relocating to Abuja in the 1980s, agencies or departments that better serve Nigeria and the people's interest by being in Lagos or wherever they were, should have been left where they were.

For example, does it make sense to relocate Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) or Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) from Lagos, a coastal City, where most of their activities are, to landlocked Abuja where there is no waterway, maritime or port, simply because Abuja is the new seat of government and they are Government Agencies? No! Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been relocated to Lagos from Abuja, because the bulk of its activities are in Lagos. It has also been revealed that despite the fact that, like FAAN, most of the activities of NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) are in Lagos and NAMA also having a purpose built office in Lagos, NAMA was also relocated to Abuja, where offices are being rented at an astronomical rate. The rented offices are not spacious enough to contain all the staff, and some staff are apparently observed ‘hanging around’! The staff travel to Lagos regularly, since most of their official activities are in Lagos, incurring travel expenses, and they also collect Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) (a daily stipend from Government for every day an official spends out of their station of posting).

FAAN had exactly the same story. Does this make economic sense? No! The Federal Government took a loan of about $150 million to build the new international airport terminal at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, in order to expand the airport’s capacity and increase its revenue. The interest payable on the loan, is about $2.5 million per month.

However, only about 30% of that new terminal is being utilised, because the entrance to the Apron on one side is being blocked by two Hangars whose annual rental payment to the Government is $12,000! Large aircrafts, from which FAAN would derive much more revenue that can be used to service the $150 million debt, are unable to access the blocked Apron. Does that make economic sense? I think not. Does it not make better economic sense for the two Hangars to be relocated to another part of the tarmac to make way, the relocation cost and compensation for loss of use during the relocation, borne by FAAN, so that the new terminal can be put to full use?

Conclusion At the risk of sounding like a broken record or Cacofonix, I reiterate the fact that the essence of governance is clearly stated in Chapter II of the Constitution, the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. And, for PBAT to leave his footprints in the sands of time, his focus must be on his administration achieving these goals.

While Section 14(1)(c) of the Constitution gives the people the power to participate in government, and Section 39(1) guarantees our right to freedom of expression, we must refrain from making baseless inflammatory statements which serve no purpose, except to heat up the polity and breed resentment amongst Nigerians, contrary to the Preamble of the Constitution which preaches consolidation and unification of Nigerians.

Why should we insist of siting a gold mine in Lagos, when the bulk of gold in Nigeria is located in States like Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger State (Northern zones), or prospecting for oil in Kano or Ibadan, when the bulk of the oil/gas deposits are in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and some other States in the South?

Would it not be more fruitful for the resources of Nigeria to be harnessed and pooled together for the maximum welfare, benefit and happiness of all Nigerians? (Again, see Section 16(1)(a) & (b) of the Constitution).

Similarly, Federal Government agencies should be located where they are best suited to be, for maximum output. We need to do more research, prior to going public with some of our inappropriate or inaccurate statements. It is also time to drop some of these our parochial views, in favour of our collective interest.

IV law report

TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

Effect of Argument(s) in Discordance with Issue for Determination

Facts The Respondent was awarded a contract by the Appellant, to build residential houses for its staff who were undertaking a project at Katsina State. The Appellant gave the Respondent a building plan (Exhibit 3) containing the specifications for the said residential quarters, and the parties executed the agreement (Exhibit 2) setting out the terms of the contract.

Subsequently, and prior to the commencement of the project by the Respondent, the Appellant introduced another building plan (Exhibit 7) with different specifications, and the parties agreed that the buildings should conform with Exhibit 7 and not Exhibit 3.

The Appellant paid the contract sum to the Respondent in instalments, as the construction progressed. After the completion of the project, the Appellant refused to pay the Respondent the amount due to him, as cost incurred for the variation in the contract through the use of the specifications in Exhibit 7. Consequently, the Respondent instituted an action against the Appellant at the High Court of Katsina State, seeking the amount purportedly due to him, as well as general damages.

In its judgement, the trial court held that the parties had abandoned their initial contract - Exhibit 2, and had by agreement, made the Respondent incur additional expenses; hence, the Respondent was entitled to claim on quantum meruit basis having expended his personal money on the project. The trial court, however, held that the Respondent failed to prove the amount claimed, and on this basis, dismissed his claim. Aggrieved, the Respondent appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal set aside the judgement of the trial court, and ordered the Appellant to pay the sum of N7,622,955.98 to the Respondent, as the reasonable sum due to him on quantum meruit basis. The lower court also awarded general damages, in favour of the Respondent. Displeased, the Appellant filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination The Supreme Court considered the following issues, in its resolution of the appeal:1. Whether the Respondent was the proper party before the trial court, and whether the Court of Appeal had the jurisdiction to entertain the matter as constituted.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right when it held that the Appellant and the Respondent had abandoned their contractual obligations under Exhibit 2, and that the Respondent was entitled to relief based on quantum meruit.

3. Whether the Court of Appeal rightly awarded the sums it awarded to the Respondent on quantum meruit basis, and as damages.

Arguments On the first issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that the Respondent was not a party to the contract, and had merely signed the contract as director on behalf of “M.I. Inwala K/Kaura kt”. He contended that the Respondent did not sign the said documents in his personal capacity, but as an agent duly authorised to sign for and on behalf of M.I. Inwala K/Kaura kt and his acts in this regard were those of a disclosed principal in respect of which only the principal can sue. He submitted that it was M.I. Inwala K/Kaura kt that ought to have sued, and the suit before the trial court had not been properly constituted; therefore, the Court of Appeal could not validly exercise jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. In response, Counsel for the Respondent submitted that when the Respondent gave evidence at the trial court, he stated that his name was “Muhammad

Honourable Adamu Jauro, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 3rd day of March, 2023 Before Their Lordships Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Mohammed Lawal Garba Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Adamu Jauro Justices, Supreme Court SC/686/2014 Between C.G.C. NIGERIA LIMITED

APPELLANT

And ALH. MUSTAPHA ISA

RESPONDENT

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Adamu Jauro, JSC)

Isa of Kofar Kaura Inwala Katsina. He stated that the M.I. in “M.I. Inwala K/ Kaura kt” refers to “Mustapha Isa”, while K/Kaura refers to “Kofan Kaura” where he resides and that “kt” refers to Katsina. He argued that the Respondent had signed the contract and undertaken the construction project in his personal capacity; hence, he was the proper party before the trial court, and for this reason, the suit before the trial court was properly constituted. Also, the Court of Appeal rightly exercised jurisdiction over the appeal that emanated from the same.

On the second issue, Counsel for the Appellant argued that there was no basis for the court below to have held that the parties abandoned their contractual obligations under Exhibit 2, and to have granted any relief to the Respondent on the ground that he was entitled to

“….it is an important rule of brief writing that, not only must issues for determination be based on ground(s) of appeal, arguments canvassed therein must be based on the issue for determination.

Arguments on an issue must not sing a discordant tune, with that sung by the issue itself”

relief on the basis of quantum meruit.

In reaction, Counsel for the Respondent submitted that the findings challenged by the Appellant in the issue were made by the trial court, and having failed to challenge them before the court below, the Appellant could not validly challenge them at the Supreme Court.

Arguing the third issue, it was submitted for the Appellant that the lower court erred in holding that the Appellant is estopped from denying Exhibit 2 relied upon by the Respondent at trial, despite unchallenged evidence showing that it was not the Appellant’s duly designated official who signed it.

There was no argument before the court by the Respondent, on the issue.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the first issue, the Supreme Court restated the settled principle in MADUKOLU v NKEMDILIM (1962) 2 SCNLR 341 that a court is competent to adjudicate over a matter if: a) It is properly constituted as regards numbers and qualification of the members of the bench, and no member is disqualified for one reason or another; b) The subject- matter of the case is within its jurisdiction, and there is no feature in the case which prevents the Court from exercising its jurisdiction; and c) The case comes before the Court initiated by due process of law, and upon fulfilment of any condition

precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction.

The court held that from the evidence led at trial by both the Appellant and the Respondent, it was not in doubt that the Respondent had dealings concerning the construction contract with the Appellant in his personal capacity, and there was no indication, in the evidence or in the pleadings, that the Respondent acted on behalf of any person or as an officer of a company. There was thus, no feature in the case that would have prevented the trial court from exercising jurisdiction to hear and determine the same. Given the above, Their Lordships held that the Respondent had the locus standi to institute the suit at the trial court in his personal capacity; and the Court of Appeal in turn, had the requisite jurisdiction to adjudicate on the appeal that emanated from the suit.

On the second issue, the court held that where a finding or order or holding is made by a court in its judgement, it behoves the party negatively affected by the said finding or order to appeal against it. If the party against whom the decision was rendered files an appeal, the Respondent who was negatively affected by certain finding(s), holding(s) or order(s) made in the decision ought to file a Cross-appeal in order to get the part(s) of the decision which is/are adverse to his interest set aside. The duty to appeal against a finding or order or holding stems from the fact that once such an order or holding is not appealed against, it becomes binding and subsisting. The court placed reliance on its decision in NNPC v KLIFCO (NIG.) LTD (2011) 10 NWLR (PT. 1255) 2019. The court held that the Appellant (as Respondent at the Court of Appeal), having obviously been displeased by the unfavourable finding of the trial court that the parties abandoned their obligations under Exhibit 2, that the Respondent incurred additional expenses and was entitled to be paid on a quantum meruit basis, ought to have filed a Cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal against these findings.

It follows therefore, that the Appellant’s failure to appeal to the lower court against the findings of the trial court enumerated earlier, are indicative of its satisfaction with those findings. They thus, remain binding, conclusive and unalterable. The court held further that in light of the fact that the findings were made by the trial court and the Appellant did not challenge them at the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court could not entertain any appeal in respect of the said finding. In other words, the Supreme Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain an appeal directly from the trial court. Reliance was placed on JAIYESIMI & ANOR. v DARLINGTON (2022) LPELR-57344 (SC).

In its consideration of the third issue, the court held that it is an important rule of brief writing that, not only must issues for determination be based on ground(s) of appeal, arguments canvassed therein must be based on the issue for determination.

Arguments on an issue must not sing a discordant tune, with that sung by the issue itself. The court held that it was apparent that the issue was questioning whether the lower court rightly awarded the sums it awarded on quantum meruit basis and as damages to the Respondent; whereas, the Appellant’s argument focused entirely on whether the lower court ought to have placed reliance on an Exhibit that had in fact, been tendered by the Respondent without any objection by the Appellant. The court held that the failure of the Appellant to canvass an argument as to the propriety or otherwise of the amount awarded to the Respondent, thus, rendered the issue lifeless.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Kachi Chima Ochu, Esq. for the Appellant.

Hussaini Sani, Esq. for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

V

TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: Representative of the Body of Senior of Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Mr Louis Mbanefo, SAN; daughter of the deceased, Mrs Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo; grand-daughter of the deceased, Miss Chantal Mbanefo; former employee of the deceased, Mr Luke Chidi Ilogu, SAN and former NBA President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho

Chief Cletus Ibeto

Lagos CJ, BOSAN, Others, Mourn Uwechue at Special Court Session The Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, has described former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, late Chief George Uwechue, SAN, FNIALS as an erudite senior Lawyer who will be dearly missed by the legal profession. Justice Alogba spoke during a Special Court Session in honour of the late Senior Advocate, who also rose to become Speaker Pro Tempore of Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

In a tribute by the Body of Benchers (BoB) signed by its Chairman, Hon. Justice Mary Odili, JSC (Rtd), and delivered on its behalf by Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, the BoB noted that “Chief George Uwechue, SAN was a quintessential practitioner, a rare gem, a great leader, an epitome of humility, a mentor and a respected Elder Statesman”, adding that “He distinguished and made a name for himself, within and outside the legal profession.

He was one Nigerian that served the legal profession and the nation diligently and meritoriously, in various capacities”.

On its part, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) noted that: “So much has been said about his brilliance as a Lawyer, and his astuteness as a Politician”,

adding that Uwechue “appeared as Counsel in a large number of important cases, and played an active role in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association”.

Delivered by Mr Louis Mbanefo, SAN, BOSAN stated that Uwechue, also known as the Owelle of Ogwashi Uku, “became a Life Bencher and Chairman of the Body of Benchers”. Mbanefo noted that “During my visits to his house shortly before his death, he expressed his delight at the honour bestowed on him by the Body of Benchers by naming a building at their headquarters in Abuja after him.” BOSAN noted that, “The death of Owelle has left a void in our hearts. He shall sorely be missed”.

In a tribute by NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, he stated that “The Learned Silk was an active and committed Bar man. He was a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association in the Body of Benchers for 17 years, before his appointment as a Life Bencher. He also served our nation to the best of his ability, and in varying capacities, having served as Chairman of the Body of Benchers; Member, Rules Advisory Committee that drafted the Supreme Court

The appeal lodged by Chief Cletus Ibeto, the Chairman of Ibeto Group of Companies at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Zone, seeking the vacation of the Bench Warrant earlier ordered by the Hon. Justice Ijelu sitting at the Ikeja Division of the High Court of Lagos State against him, for not presenting himself for arraignment on 3rd November, 2023 came up at the Court of Appeal sitting at Lagos on Monday, 15th January, 2024.

At last Thursday’s proceedings, lead Counsel to Chief Ibeto, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, leading two other Senior Advocates, Uche Val Obi SAN and Bode Olanipekun, SAN amongst other Counsel, informed

the Court that they were prepared to proceed with the hearing of the appeal, but the learned Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, instead informed the Court that there were serious moves by the Parties to have the matter settled amicably out of court, and suggested that a chance be given to such initiative instead of proceeding with the hearing of the case.

The Court having earlier observed that the case was actually scheduled for hearing of interlocutory applications as opposed to the main appeal, adjourned the matter till 7th May, 2024, for hearing of both pending motions and the main appeal, except a settlement is reached by the parties and before then.

Rules, 1985 (as Amended) and Member, Federal House of Representatives representing Aniocha Federal Constituency, in the old Bendel State. Truly, he was a Statesman to the core”.

Tributes were also delivered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, and a representative of NBA Branches in Lagos State.

Among senior Lawyers

who attended the event are former NBA President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN; Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN; Mr Toyin Pinheiro, SAN; Chief Val Uche Obi, SAN; Mrs. Titilola Akinlawon, SAN; Dr Chuka Agbu, SAN; Mr Luke Chidi Ilogu, SAN; Mr Chijioke Okoli, SAN and Mr Lotanna Okoli, SAN. Others are Mr Chukwuka

Ikwuazom, SAN; Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN; Dr Leslie Nylander, SAN; Mr Uzoma Azikiwe, SAN; Chief Henry Omu, SAN; Mr Chibuike Victor Ihekweazu, SAN; Chief Uche Ihediwa, SAN; Prof MacCarthy Mbadugha, SAN; Prof Oludayo Amokaye, SAN; Mr Ikenna Okoli, SAN and Senator Mike Ajegbo, CON. Speaking on behalf of the family, Hon. Sally Uwechue-

Mbanefo thanked the Lagos State Judiciary for the honour done to the patriarch of the family.

Meanwhile, a Requiem Mass and Night of Tributes were held last Friday at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus in honour of the legal luminary.

Owelle Uwechue died on October 29, 2023. He was 85 years old.

Admiralty Division of Federal High Court to be Set Up Soon Maritime disputes in Nigeria will soon be settled by dedicated Admiralty Judges of the Federal High Court, in line with international best practices.

A member of Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee, constituted by the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) in May 2020, Mr 'Nonso Azih, stated this while responding to questions during the recent protest walk by members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to the office to the Lagos State Police Commissioner.

Mr Azih stated that NMLA, through the Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee, is leading efforts to improve procedural rules and substantive law for efficient

maritime and admiralty dispute resolution in Nigeria.

According to him, after a comprehensive review of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules 2011 by a dedicated sub-committee of the reform committee, being a starting point for the envisaged procedural and substantive reforms, they (the sub-committee), submitted a review of draft amendments to the Exco of NMLA, who then submitted the draft review to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. This draft review, according to him, led to the introduction of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules (AJPR) 2023 effective May 18th, 2023, replacing the 2011 Rules.

The 2023 Rules were officially

presented by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, during the New Legal Year event in Abuja.

Mr Azih also stated that, the new Rules now empower the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to designate Judges of the Federal High Court as Admiralty Judges - ensuring that only Judges with requisite maritime experience and knowledge to handle such matters.

According to Mr Azih, "This is a progressive initiative following the clarion call by maritime stakeholders for the establishment of an Admiralty Court to be manned by Judges with proven experience and knowledge of maritime and admiralty law and procedure’’.

He added that the role of

Admiralty Marshall, a key aspect of admiralty practice, has now been streamlined to include the power to move an arrested vessel to another location as necessary.

Additionally, the requirement to identify "the relevant person" (being the person who would be liable in an action (in personam) to enforce proprietary maritime claims, is no longer necessary.

Further, he stated that there is now a clear and specific provision on the order of priority for maritime claims, in line with international best maritime practices amongst other salient provisions.

The Nigeria Admiralty Law and Procedure Reform Committee, is made up of notable maritime law practitioners.

Court Remands SAHCO’s Manager, 7 Others in Prison Ibeto Appeals Against Bench An Assistant General Manager Henry. for the commencement of trial.

Abu further informed the of Skyway Handling Company After listening to the Mr Olajide Ahmed Kafidipe, court that Olajide conspired Mr Olajide Ahmed submissions of the Defendants’ an Assistant General Manager with Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele, Warrant Order of Lagos High Court (SAHCO), Kafidipe, and seven employees Lawyers and the Prosecutor, with SAHCO, and others were and engaged one Lawal Itunu of the company have been remanded at the Ikoyi Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till when they meet the bail terms granted them, following their arraignment before a Lagos Federal High Court on drug-related offences Justice Deinde Dipeolu, remanded Olajide and others, after admitting them to bail, on charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession, and transportation of 1,440.90 kilograms of Tramadol 225mg, a prohibited substance, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Others remanded at the Ikoyi Facility of the NCoS alongside Olajide are Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele; Musa Mutalib Opeyemi; Sanamo Alla Daniel; Anuge Evans Isibor; Mahmud Agboola Musa; Udeh Felix and Obinna

Mr Abu Ibrahim, on the bail applications, Justice Dipeolu admitted bail to each of the Defendants in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties according to the Judge, must be a Grade Level 12 Officer and above in a Federal Government establishment, while the second surety must be a landed property owner with a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) among others.

The Judge also ordered that all the particulars of the sureties must be verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR).

Consequently, the Judge ordered the remand of all the Defendants in the Ikoyi Centre of the NCoS. At the same time, he adjourned the matter to January 25, 2024,

arraigned before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on offences bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, and transportation of 1,440.90 kilograms of Tramadol 225mg, a prohibited substance.

The Prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim, while arraigning the Defendants, told the court that they conspired with the trio of Mubarak Sarki Salami, Abdullahi Aliyu a.k.a Aboki, and Anwal Monday, who is also a staff of the company but now at large, to commit the offences on or about October 25, 2023.

The Prosecutor further informed the court that Olajide and other staff of the company, conspired among themselves to transport the prohibited drug out of SAHCO Import Shed.

Temitope, to transport the prohibited substance from SAHCO Import Shed in a Mercedes Benz Bus with Registration Number LAGOS MUS 269 YC, owned by Platinum Pacific International Limited.

He further informed the court that another staff of SAHCO, Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele, unlawfully possessed the said 1, 440. 90 kilograms of Tramadol 225mg, a Narcotic Analgesic.

The Prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the Defendants contravened Sections 14(b), 21(2)(d) and 20 (1)(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable under Sections 11(b) and 20(2) (b) of the same Act.

VI ARTICLE

TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

B

Background efore the Supreme Court of Nigeria recently delivered final judgements on eight gubernatorial appeals arising from the last general election, one of those appeals, had elicited a particular public interest having regard to the far-reaching implications it might have elsewhere, and it was not Kano's.

On the 7th of November 2023, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal presided over by Hon. Justice Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu (JCA) and Holden in Jos, had sacked not less than 23 Plateau State Lawmakers elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in both the State and Federal Legislative Houses. The Plateau State Governor - Mr Caleb Muftwang was also not spared, as his declaration and return by INEC was also nullified by the same Court on 19th November, 2023. Some of the affected Lawmakers include: Timothy Datong (Riyom); Rimyat Nanbol (Langtang); Moses Sule (Mikang); Salome Waklek (Pankshin); Bala Fwangje (Mangu South); Maren Ishaku (Bokkos); Dagogot (Quaanpan North); Nannim Langyi (Langtang North); Nimchak Rims (Langtang South); Danjuma Azi (Jos North-West); Gwottson Fom (Jos South); Abubakar Sani Idris (Mangu North); Happiness Akawu (Pengana); Ibrahim Abalak (Rukuba/Irigwe); Philip Jwe (Barkin Ladi); and Cornelius Deyok (Qua’apan South).

A common thread ran through the reasons for nullifying their victories; namely, irregularities in the manner in which they were nominated and sponsored by their Political Party. In upholding the appeals of the Petitioner/Appellants, the Court of Appeal had held that not having duly emerged as candidates of their party - PDP, it follows that they were not candidates on the ballot, whereupon the majority votes polled by them were declared wasted. In the circumstances, the candidates of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) were returned to fill these seats. It was a bizarre decision, to say the least.

In reaching the above conclusion, their Lordships had not only, with a stroke of the pen, nullified the collective will of the people of Plateau State against the basic tenets of democratic rule, they had also, willy nilly uprooted settled judicial precedent on the question of who can challenge alleged irregularity in the manner of emergence of a candidate at an election tribunal, and perhaps, more fundamentally, whether such a complaint can be cognised by an Election Petition Tribunal, having regard to its very narrow jurisdiction under Section 285 (1) &(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

But, of more concern, in reaching the above conclusions, the Court of Appeal, had unwittingly set up the Judiciary for potential ridicule and public opprobrium.

Under Nigeria's extant electoral jurisprudence, appeals out of parliamentary elections terminate at the Court of Appeal, rightly or wrongly. Whilst those arising from Gubernatorial and Presidential elections, go all the way to the Supreme Court. It thus, emerged that whilst Governor Caleb Muftwang had the opportunity to challenge this gross act of injustice further to the Supreme Court, the fates of his counterparts in the Federal and State legislative houses who lost their seats for the same reason were sealed.

In the days after these controversial decisions, I had taken to my LinkedIn page to express my worry and concern over the state of affairs, in the event the Supreme Court upholds the appeal of Governor Muftwang. I was particularly concerned of what implication it would be for the sacked Lawmakers, and the perception of the Judiciary in the public eye in the circumstances. I wrote: "I think the much-criticised decision of the Court of Appeal with respect to the Plateau State Gubernatorial seat, potentially puts the Supreme Court in a rather difficult situation.

Assuming their Lordships of the Apex Court are minded to, on larger policy grounds, to allow the appeal of the PDP on the basis that the grounds upon which the Court of Appeal set aside the decision of the Tribunal bordered on pre-election issues, it will however, lead to the unintended consequence of leaving the 5 members of the National Assembly elected under the platform of the PDP, and who were sacked for similar reasons, without any remedy.

Whereas, under the 1999 Constitution, the Court of Appeal sits as a final Court over appeals arising from National and State House of Assembly elections, those from Governorship and Presidential elections go all the way to the Supreme Court.

This therefore, gives the embattled Governor - Caleb Muftwang, one more roll of the dice, as against his peers at the National Assembly whose fates have been sealed for life.

But, then again, if the Apex Court in a

Plateau and the Protest-Judgement of the Supreme Court

This article by Raymond Nkannebe examines the issue of the judgements handed down by the Court Appeal in the Petitions involving the Plateau State Lawmakers and that of the Gubernatorial election, and the conundrum caused by the fact that, while the decision of the Governorship Petition was rightly overturned by the Supreme Court on appeal, the outcome of the case of the Lawmakers who were wrongly ousted by the Court of Appeal is different, as their right of appeal terminated at the Court of Appeal, appearing to leave them with no room for redress bid to avoid this controversial outcome, dismisses PDP's appeal and upholds the Court of Appeal decision, it would have unwittingly dethroned what has been the long-standing jurisprudence, to the effect that matters appertaining to the modality of emergence of a candidate are pre-election issues which cannot be ventilated at an election tribunal.

It is not my knowledge that our Apex Court has found itself in this jurisprudential cul de sac in recent history; a situation that brings to the fore, once again, the problem with our adjudicatory process.

The outlook does not look good at all, and it'll be interesting to see how the drama unfolds".

Supreme Court’s Decision and Comments Concerning the Court of Appeal’s Decisions In a seeming confirmation of my fears; approximately two weeks ago, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC, unanimously set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal that sacked Governor Muftwang describing it as perverse, "because the issue of primary election that produced Muftwang was outside the jurisdiction of the lower Court", and not one of the valid grounds to void an election.

But, it was the concurring Opinion of Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, JSC which captured the larger implications of the decision the Court had just reached. "My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered because of this judgement", said the eminent jurist, in a veiled reference to all the Lawmakers who were victims

“But, of more concern, in reaching the above conclusions, the Court of Appeal, had unwittingly set up the Judiciary for potential ridicule and public opprobrium”

of the unfortunate judicial malfeasance. In her concurring decision. Hon. Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC was unsparing, as His Lordship berated the Court of Appeal for going “into the issue of nomination and sponsorship, despite several decisions of the Apex Court, to the effect that another political party cannot challenge the primary election of another”.

In the final analysis, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Trial Tribunal, which had given Governor Muftwang's election a clean bill of health.

The sheer implication of the Supreme Court's ruling in the matter of Plateau, is perhaps, a very graphic case of judicial corruption; one which is unfortunately, without a remedy having regard to the sui generis nature of our electoral jurisprudence. A further scan of the decisions out of the Court of Appeal within the last election cycle, reveals with concern, similar occurrences elsewhere. One case particularly stands out. On the 4th of November, 2023, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal led

by Hon. JusticeBiobele Georgewill, JCA, sitting in Lagos, had sacked the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, and the then Minority Whip - Sen. Darlington Nwokocha (LP) who had scored 92,116 votes, replacing him with Mr Augustine Akobundu (PDP) who had come second, with 41, 477 votes.

The Court of Appeal's decision was anchored on the same reason as those for which the Plateau Lawmakers were sacked; namely, issues around membership and/or sponsorship, which are clearly pre-election matters outside the remit of an election tribunal.

Senator Nwokocha's attempt to challenge his sacking afterwards at the Supreme Court, last year proved abortive. The Court dismissed the motion and slammed a heavy cost of N2 million against the Senator, describing the process filed by his Counsel as an abuse of its process – a clear indication that any attempt by the affected Lawmakers to confront the Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeal on the matter, would meet a similar brick wall.

Now, the question of what can be ventilated

before an election petition tribunal and any appeal arising therefrom, is very settled. Matters bordering on internal affairs of a political party, membership, sponsorship, nomination et al, have been held ad nauseam to be ultra vires the jurisdiction of the Court. Assuming that Counsel can be forgiven for presenting such questions before the Court, it is our submission that such immunity cannot inhere to the Judex, much less - a three-man panel of appellate court Jurists who ought to know, and should know.

Conclusion It is within this broader context, in my view, that legitimate inferences of foul play and judicial corruption can be founded, as have been argued by Scholars such as Professor Chidi Odinkalu, who contends that the situation in Plateau "was not a mistake", but a "judicial malpractice on a very corrupt scale".

To this end, one would expect that this issue receives the serious attention it deserves, having regard to the sheer scale of its implications within the life of this democratic dispensation. Thus, the job of the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban- Mensem, JCA – under whose nose this shambolic show set sail, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) should be well cut out: at the very minimum, a special panel should be set up to investigate the circumstances under which the bizarre decisions were reached, subject to the rules of immunity governing exercise of judicial discretion. This is very important for deterrent purposes, in a sociopolitical environment where impunity has become something of an article of faith.

As we expect the rightly embittered Lawmakers and their Constituents to heal from this ugly episode, it is only fitting that those whose professional misjudgement made it possible, are brought to account.

A welcome silver lining; the Supreme Court's protest judgement couldn't have been better served. It is hoped that it will help to invigorate confidence in the Judiciary amongst a very disaffected population for whom its essence remains questioned, as well as put to bed, once and for all, the needless controversy on the jurisdictional ambit of the Election Petition Tribunal.

Raymond Nkannebe, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

Talking Constitutional democracy PROF mike ozekhome, san

VII

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Law as a Vehicle for Good Governance and National Integration in Nigeria (Part 9)

I

Introduction n our last episode, we dealt with some non-performing government agencies/ functionaries - the National Orientation Agency, the Federal Character Commission, Unity Colleges (Schools) in the context of the National Policy on Tertiary Education.

Today, we shall look at some recommendations, to remedy these abnormalities. Enjoy.

Constituent Assembly but, this was after it had been submitted to the people in a referendum.

The constitution expressly incorporated the people as part of the legislative process. Note that, powers not delegated to the regular organs of the State remained with the people, who could exercise them by means of a referendum.

Again, out of the 55 articles of the Constitution, no less than 17 were made alterable only by the people, exclusive of the Legislature. (Art. 31 Constitution of Ghana, 1960).

Similarly in Kenya, which had a colonial government’ imposed Constitution, they were able to initiate a process of a constitutionmaking process, centred on the Kenya populace. The proposed constitution was exposed to public debate through various fora, and finally subjected to a referendum.

The Constitution stands ratified with a 50% votes at referendum and 25% of voters in at least five Provinces. To this end, Nigeria is ripe and overdue for a home grown, people's Constitution.

Recommendations Having blazed the crux of this discourse and staggering nature of the integrative mechanism, the following recommendations are made herewith: New People - Driven Constitution Although the issue of Good Governance and National Integration has been topical before the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the clamour for a more peopledriven Constitution has been at the epicentre of national discourse due to the believe that the Constitution is not people - centric, others even labelling same - as a fraud on the people.

I can remember vividly in 2016, I was asked by a correspondent of the Guardian Newspaper, on my take, on the proposed Constitutional Review. This was my response: "...The Nigerian Constitution is 50 times bigger than the American Constitution; yet, the American Constitution has only had very few amendments since 1776, when America became independent. What is therefore, wrong with our Constitution is not the content, but more with the way and manner the Constitution came into being as a Decree of the Federal Military Government. The present 1999 Constitution, which has been amended or altered three times, is actually Decree No 24 of 1999; the Constitution was attached to that Decree as an annexure or addendum. So, such a Constitution that is militarily-imposed, which was not made of the people by the people and for the people, suffers credibility problems.

It suffers legitimacy and acceptability crises. That is why the Constitution is not respected, because it is a document that was imposed on the Nigerian people by an unelected military oligarchy; which is why I have always maintained that the Constitution lied about itself, when in its preamble, it starts imperiously by saying that we the people of Nigeria made the Constitution. It was not made by the people of Nigeria; it was made by a tiny military cabal of about 28 members of the Provisional Ruling Council; and it was later given to Justice Niki Tobi, then of the Supreme Court, to hammer together, and before we knew what was happening, a Constitution had emerged. So, it was never made for the Nigerian people".

When asked what should be done, I said: "The proper thing, therefore, is to look at the issues from a more fundamental angle, because if you want to uproot a tree, you do not succeed in doing that by cutting off the branches. The branches will sooner than later grow, and the tree will stand again. What you do is to go to the taproot of the tree and remove it, and then it will be dead forever.

What Nigerians need to do, is to make a brand new Constitution, a Constitution that is home-grown, made by the people, subjected to a popular referendum or plebiscite of the people as was done to the Midwest Region Constitution of August 10, 1963, when Midwest seceded

constitutionally and legally from the Western region. The constitution was subjected to a plebiscite of the Midwesterners, and they all voted for it to become a constitution that derived its legitimacy from the people of the Midwest Region. So, for us to have a constitution that derives its legitimacy from the Nigerian people, we have to go back to the 2014 National Conference, where I was a member and I was the head of the sub-committee on Constitution drafting, human rights and legal reforms; and that committee made recommendations, which were subjected to the plenary session and were also adopted. Recently, in a lecture I delivered, with the theme, “2023 General Election: The Nigeria Project and the Media,” during the 2022 Media Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council in Calabar, I made some recommendations, that is, about six years from the first recommendation - I have not changed. The truth can never change.

I used the opportunity to reminisce on the revenue sharing formula under the Constitution of the 1960s. Suffice to say, if we must get it right, we must change the status quo for good - no matter how bitter”.

For purposes of completeness, other climes have since utilised the benefits of referendum or plebiscite to develop an autochthonous Constitution for the people. Some of them are Iraq, Iran, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Eritrea, Kenya, etc.

Worthy of mention, is the American Constitution.

“One of the lacunae’s that was left unattended to during the early years of birthing this great nation, was the consensus as to ideology. The nation lacks a consensual ideological drive, towards it's existence”

Ideological Shift One of the lacunae’s that was left unattended to during the early years of birthing this great nation, was the consensus as to ideology. The nation lacks a consensual ideological drive, towards it's existence. All we have are artificial precepts applicable to statehood generally, and not innate to our bond.

The motto alone does not suffice, and drive a national spirit. It is not uncommon in Nigeria to see a citizen walking while the National Anthem is playing, it is not uncommon to see rebukes of the community. This is not the way it should be. A Nigerian citizen should be willing and ready to defend the flag and integrity of the nation; should be willing to die for nation. All this would be possible, when the citizens start gaining confidence and trust in the government of the day. The citizens often feel neglected, cheated and helpless; after all, what can they do in the face of government apathy?.

The American Constitution, emanated from popular referendum and plebiscite of the people. It was as a result of the dismal failure of the Article of Confederation, comprising 55 representatives of the 13 colonies which later turned States (that is, the different Confederates of America who had already gained independence from the British in 1776). They gathered together in a Constitutional Convention on May 14, 1786 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the primal goal of amending the Article of Confederation, in order to have an American constitution (or a new people's driven Constitution), with federating units not too weak to be trampled upon, and not too strong to overpower the Federal Government.

After so much deliberation, the delegates to the conference or the constitutional convention concluded that the Article of Confederation was beyond repair, they therefore, proceeded to change the entire form of government by making a draft Constitution. The draft Constitution was subsequently ratified on September 17, 1788. On March 4, 1789 a new Constitution was enacted and came into effect. This was how the United States, developed a new people-driven Constitution.

In Australia referendum is a part of the country’s constitutional and democratic process, as it is employed for constitutional amendment. By virtue of Section 128 of the Common Wealth Constitution of Australia, constitutional amendment must be by way of a Referendum.

In Britain, where parliamentary sovereignty is practised, referendum has been considered for the purpose of granting more autonomy to Scotland and Wales, such that Scotland and Wales were expected to vote for or against the granting of increased rules. Recently, Britain was allowed to decide by means of referendum, whether or not they should continue to be part of the European Union. In Africa, the 1960 Constitution of Ghana was enacted by a

Socio-Economic Opportunities Since the nation is largely diversified; provision for socio-economic opportunities would help cure the ills and heavy hearts of the people, caused by bad governance and national disintegration. The stability of a nation, largely depends on it’s economic state and welfare. Where the State allows a section of people to feel marginalised and economically defeated, it calls for anarchy and disintegration. The Federal Government should tinker more beneficial programmes, that would extend the benefits of the economy to the nooks and crannies of the nation.

Equality, Justice and Fairness for All A nation strives by the equality for all. By the way, if you feel subsumed and neglected in an environment, will you still be comfortable?. The answer is a big - NO. The concept of Social Justice, is too important for the cohesion of an entity. It is Justice for all and not justice for some. It is justice for the Northerner, the Southerner, the Easterner and Westerner. Justice must never be left to see anyone’s face - it respects no man or woman. Therefore, 'Fiat Justicia Ruat Caelum' ('let justice be done though the world perish'), should be the mantra.

Where the rights of a tribe or group of people are institutionally and religiously trampled upon without any remedy or interference, a nation cannot stand steadily. Lack of this virtue has resulted in variants of agitations and claims, in the polity.

Propagation of National Loyalty Anchored on Firm Statehood Loyalty does not just fall from the blues or skies. Something ignites loyalty. The citizens can only be loyal, to a State that has guaranteed their means livelihood and coexistence. If any failure of same is indicated, disloyalty becomes the order of the day. Therefore, firmness of the State is crucial, and a necessary condition to national loyalty. Nigeria must go back to the drawing board, and address the plethora of issues threatening her stability. (To be concluded next week).

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TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, CON, SAN, C.Arb

‘Nigeria Now Has World Class Arbitration Centres’

He is a distinguished legal practitioner, having held the topmost positions that the profession accords at various levels, including being the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) (2004 - 2005) and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (June, 2005 - May, 2007). Today, Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, CON, SAN, C.Arb, is internationally recognised as an Arbitrator. A member of the of the outstanding Nigerian Law School Class of 1978, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN is currently the President of the African Arbitration Association and Editor-In-Chief of the Nigerian Journal of Arbitration and Mediation. He has authored and co-authored many publications, on Arbitration and Mediation. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi last week, he shared his dreams about making Nigeria a major international arbitration hub, and deepening the practice in Nigeria, as well as touching on the highlights of the newly enacted Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023

A

s one of the leading authorities in Arbitration in Nigeria, we have this situation where there are so many arbitration bodies in the country.

There doesn’t seem to be any cohesion and cooperation. How is the profession regulated under

this circumstance?

I am not too sure if there are so many arbitration bodies in Nigeria, as I know of only three bodies, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria Branch, which is a Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators and the Nigerian

“There are very good world class arbitration centres in Nigeria now, that can comfortably and adequately host international arbitration hearings like you have in other parts of the world”

Institute of Arbitrators. If you are thinking of ADR in this regard, then one has to include the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators. I hope you are not confusing Arbitration Centres, which are many, with Arbitration Bodies.

Unfortunately, the Arbitration Bodies are not regulated by anyone but themselves, through the instruments that establish them and their bye laws. There is a code of conduct for arbitrators, who belong to any of the bodies I mentioned above. However, where a supposed arbitrator does not belong to any professional body, he or she is simply at large and not responsible to anyone. And, there are quite a number of them who make the arbitration waters very murky.

This is a typical Nigerian thing.

Some Nigerians are very fond of passing off other people’s sweat.

That is why you will find a small supermarket somewhere in Bodija in Ibadan called Harrods, a small zero star hotel in Ikeja called Hilton etc.

These untoward acts have now crept into the academic world, where you now find honorary professors etc, whatever that means. We are just ridiculing ourselves before the outside world. No one outside this country will take us seriously, because of these deviant acts of a few people.

Some have asked, whether a part-heard matter already in court, can be submitted for arbitration? If so, does the court case conclude when arbitration is chosen, or can the parties return to court if they are dissatisfied with the Award of the arbitration proceedings?

This is an interesting question,

TueSday, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

‘Nigeria Now Has World Class Arbitration Centres’ and the answer is not that straight forward, as it will depend on the stage the matter in court has progressed to.

Section 5(1) of the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 provides that a court before whom an action is brought can refer such matter to arbitration, if any of the parties so request. But, there is a proviso embedded in that provision, which is that, such request by a party must be made not later than when submitting its first statement on the substance of the dispute. The implication of this is that once you have crossed this stage, it will be a point of no return, as you can no longer go back and seek to refer the matter to arbitration.

Once the court refers a matter to arbitration, it will adjourn the case sine die for the arbitration to proceed and be concluded. In other words, you cannot be running an arbitral proceeding simultaneously with a court proceeding. Also, once the arbitration is concluded, you can only report the outcome to the court that referred the matter to arbitration, and not for the dissatisfied party to re-litigate the said matter all over again in the court. Rather, a dissatisfied party can seek to set the said award aside if there are grounds to so do, but, you cannot appeal against the decision of an arbitral tribunal. You can only challenge an award by seeking to set it aside, or request a court to refuse to recognise and enforce an award.

But, the reasons for so doing must be very cogent.

In a situation where a specific provision for an arbitration clause is not made in a contract, can parties choose to opt for arbitration when a dispute arises in the contract? Or has it become the law that an arbitration clause must be included in all contracts?

Where there is no provision for an arbitration clause in a contract, the parties can only opt for arbitration if they both agree to do so. In which case, they now have to sign what is called a submission agreement. But, if one of the parties declines to do so, then there can be no arbitration in the circumstance, except litigation.

It is not compulsory that an arbitration clause must be included in a contract, and there is no law to that effect. However, it is now prudent and advisable to do so, particularly if it is a commercial contract, as the process of arbitration is quicker and more efficient in resolving disputes, as against the regular courts that cases take forever to be decided because of the delays that are occasioned in regular courts, which are too numerous to mention. It will take me a whole day, to discuss the issue

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Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, CON, SAN, C.Arb

of delays in litigation.

To underscore this point, suffice for me to recount the story told by Mr Ebun Sofunde, SAN on 27th November, 2023 at the swearing in of new Silks at the Supreme Court. He said one of the new Silks was born in 1981. In 1983, which was two years after he was born, his dad who is a Lawyer instituted a case against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Warri, which was part of Bendel State that was created in 1976. In 1997, which was fourteen years after the suit was instituted, the Warri High Court delivered judgement in the case. Unfortunately, when the said judgement was delivered, Bendel State was no longer in existence, as it had been split into Delta and Edo States in 1991 when the case was still pending.

SPDC appealed the judgement to the Court of Appeal and lost in 2000. It further appealed to the Supreme Court which gave judgement in the matter in 2015, thirty two years after the case was instituted. This is why arbitration and mediation is now the preferred method of resolving disputes.

Most Nigerian Arbitrators have expressed concerns that it is easier to initiate arbitration in places like Malta, London, Singapore and other foreign countries than Nigeria. Why is Lagos or Abuja not an attrac-

“Sometimes, they refuse to co-operate with a hearing by seeking injunctions from the courts to stop arbitrations for no cogent reason, other than to frustrate a hearing. This is called gorilla tactics in arbitration. This does not augur well for us as a country, in our quest to make Nigeria an attractive seat for arbitration”

tive arbitration seat? How can we reverse this negative trend, and make them an attractive arbitration spot, especially for contracts that involve Nigerian parties?

I do not agree with those who have expressed concerns, that it is easier to initiate arbitration in places like Malta, London, Singapore and other foreign countries than Nigeria. In the past, yes; but, now, it is just a perception which is wrong. There are very good world class arbitration centres in Nigeria now, that can comfortably and adequately host international arbitration hearings like you have in other parts of the world. However, that does not mean that there is no need to make Lagos or Abuja more attractive seats for international arbitration hearings. I am aware that efforts are being made in this regard. The new Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, is such an effort. The Ease of Doing Business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council under the Special Adviser to the President, Dr Jumoke Oduwole is another good effort.

Another area is, with regard to the courts. Nigerian Judges are now undertaking courses in arbitration, in order to understand the process and not be a clog in the wheel. They have now found that, Arbitration is not competing for their jurisdiction. Rather, it is assisting in decongesting their court dockets, thereby, allowing them to have more time to adjudicate on cases. So, Judges now support Arbitration, and they are doing so now because of their knowledge of the process. I recall that the new Civil Procedure Rules in the UK which included ADR, came into force in 1998.

Ten years after, a committee was set up headed by the late Arthur Leslie Marriott QC to take stock

of progress made under the new Rules. Amazingly, it was discovered that majority of cases filed within that ten-year period which first went for ADR, were settled. This is food for thought. Happily, our Rules of Court including the High Court and the Court of Appeal, now provide for ADR. However, much can still be done to make Nigeria an attractive seat. An example is in the area of infrastructure like roads, rail travel, security, good hotel facilities and ease of obtaining visas for entry into Nigeria. I am happy to note that the Minister if Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is doing something about this.

The truth of the matter is that, in most jurisdictions all over the world, we now have what I call arbitration tourism. One can enhance, promote, encourage, facilitate and advance the use of international arbitration to build an enabling environment for investment and sustainable development. This is more so for us in Africa, with the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) protocol on investments, which was recently adopted by the African Union Heads of State Meeting to facilitate investments within the State Parties. Currently, Africa has a population of 1,474,500,313 under the United Nations Estimates. This means that the AFCFTA has now created the single largest Free Trade Area, since WTO was established in 1995.

Hence, this will unite Africa through economic integration, enhance free movement of goods and services, reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity.

At the fireside chat at Davos World Economic Forum on 16th January, 2024, the Secretary General of the AFCFTA Mr Wamkele Keabetswe Mene said the private sector is ready to go. The implication of all this, is the growth of cross-border services for clients, legal advisory services, mediation and arbitration. Hence, we cont'd on page X

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cover

‘Nigeria Now Has World Class Arbitration Centres’ cont'd from page IX

must ensure that such disputes as would arise from these cross-border activities, are resolved at Arbitration Centres in Africa.

To your question on contracts involving Nigerian Parties, the Committee on National Policy on Arbitration headed by Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has made far reaching recommendations in this regard. I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of their report.

Another common complaint is that, arbitral awards are easily challenged in the Nigerian courts.

To this end, arbitration now looks like a step towards litigation, as almost every arbitral award gets challenged in court. What can be done about this, to make arbitration awards really final and binding? Is it that parties don’t have trust in arbitrators and the proceedings?

I agree that in Nigeria, arbitral awards are usually challenged unnecessarily. This is because a lot of Nigerian Lawyers are not very familiar with the terrain of arbitration, and therefore, wear their normal litigation cap when they come into it. Sometimes, they refuse to co-operate with a hearing by seeking injunctions from the courts to stop arbitrations for no cogent reason, other than to frustrate a hearing. This is called gorilla tactics in arbitration. This does not augur well for us as a country, in our quest to make Nigeria an attractive seat for arbitration. It also creates a problem of trust by parties in the process as no one wants to spend time and money arbitrating, only to be unable to realise the fruits of their success.

The solution to this, is to get some of our colleagues who are not versed in the arbitral process to get trained in it. The Nigeria Bar Association should also include Arbitration and Mediation, as a compulsory module under its soon to be compulsory continuing legal education. Happily, the Director General of the Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, has included arbitration programmes in the Nigerian Law School. Finally, though a lot of our Judges have now been trained in arbitration, none should be left behind.

We understand that a new Arbitration Act is about to be passed. Kindly, share with us the highlights of the new Act and the major provisions which you consider new and innovative?

The new Arbitration Act has actually come into force, after sixteen

Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo, CON, SAN, C.Arb

years in the cooler. It was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on 26th May, 2023, shortly before he left office. I must give him and the immediate past Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN kudos for this. This is so, because I initiated the Bill in 2005 when I was in office as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, when I set up the National Committee on the Reform and Harmonisation of Arbitration and ADR Laws in Nigeria, headed by the late Jurist Hon. Justice (Dr) Olakunle Orojo and assisted by Chief (Mrs) Tinuade Oyekunle. Somehow it did not see the light of day at the National Assembly until May 2023, which is a period of sixteen years.

Let me also commend all the members of the Arbitration Stakeholders Group led by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria Branch which set up a Committee to complete the process, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, Chairman of the Nigeria Branch, Chief Gbola Akinola, SAN, Prof Paul Idornigie, SAN, Mrs Funmi Roberts, and the Chairmen of the Judiciary and Legal matters Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Hon. Onofiok Luke, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the law

“I do believe that the 2022 Guidelines for the elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria needs further review, particularly, with regard to Academics and Solicitors who have distinguished themselves in their field as is done in the UK…. I believe Academics who have distinguished themselves with their writings and are not Professors, should also be eligible”

was passed. Other members of the Committee include Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN, Mr Dele Belgore, SAN, Mr Olatunde Busari, SAN, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN, Mrs Miannaya Essien, SAN, Mr Adeyemi Candide-Johnson, SAN, Mr Olasupo Sashore, SAN, Mr Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Mrs Shola Adegbonmire, Mr Richard Akintunde, SAN, Mr Pascal Madu, Mrs Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, Mr Seyilalyo Ojo, Mr Isaiah Bozimo, SAN, Mr Henry Chibor, Mr Adewale Jones, Mrs Jean Chiazor-Anisere, SAN, Mr Emmanuel Dike, Mrs Kemi Eweje and Mrs Caroline Etuk.

Highlights of the new Act and some provisions which I consider innovative include, the merger of the old confusing Sections 4 and 5 in the 1988 Act on stay of proceedings in court pending arbitration to make it only Section 5, recognition of electronic arbitration agreement, default number of arbitrators to be one, immunity of arbitrators and arbitral institutions, consolidation of arbitral proceedings, joinder, interim reliefs, emergency arbitrations, third party funding, limitation period to arbitral proceedings, mediation. By far the most innovative provision is that of an Award Review Tribunal (ART), which provides for parties to agree to refer their award to an Award Review Tribunal.

To what extent can arbitration cases be used for the requirements of Silk, given the fact that there are no reports and precedents that can be cited and relied on? Do you believe that the 2022 Guidelines for the elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria are satisfactory? Some argue that it is unfair to restrict the number of Academics elevated to only one per year, while others think that Solicitors who have distinguished themselves in their field should be included, as is done in the UK. What do you think?

I am aware that Arbitration cases are permitted to be used for the requirement of Silk by

the Privileges Committee, which is a good development. Naturally, the issue of precedents will not be applicable to Arbitration awards, but, if an arbitration case is one that was seriously contested in a hearing, I see no reason why it should not be accepted as such.

I do believe that the 2022 Guidelines for the elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria needs further review, particularly, with regard to Academics and Solicitors who have distinguished themselves in their field as is done in the UK, where both Barristers and Solicitors are eligible for silk. Concerning Academics, I believe Academics who have distinguished themselves with their writings and are not Professors, should also be eligible.

What do you think about the wig and gown which Lawyers still wear to court in Nigeria?

I am of the view that it is anachronistic, and should be done away with immediately. I said this as far back as 1988 when I was the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association in Ilorin, but, my colleagues were not prepared to listen then. I am making the call again, 36 years after. Lawyers should be required to wear only dark suits to the Courts. The NBA can specify the new dress code of the kind of dark suit that will be acceptable. This will also save the country a lot of foreign exchange, used to procure them from abroad.

As a former Attorney-General of the Federation, do you have any advice for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN on his new assignment?

If I have any advice for him, I shall pass such to him directly and not on the pages of newspapers.

Suffice to say that, he is a round peg in a round hole. He is a very erudite and experienced Lawyer, who has paid his dues in practice.

Above all, he has a calm mien, and is also an accomplished Arbitrator.

I have no doubt that, he will make a success of the office.

Thank you Learned Silk.

T H I S D AY • TUESday JANUARY 23, 2024

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XI Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (right), being decorated as the ‘Patron of Doctors Unite for Tinubu’ by the National Coordinator of the group, Dr. Christopher Enoch (left), at the minister’s office in Abuja…recently

L-R: Corps Deputy Commander, Soga Oseni; Managing Director, Guardian Newspaper, Martins Oloja; and former Director-General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside (standing), during the Realnews 11th anniversary lecture held in Lagos…recently

Representative of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Special Guest of Honour, AVM Nkem Aguiyi (left), presenting a golf tourney trophy to retired Maj. Gen. Bolaji Salami, the overall winner of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day golf tourney, as part of the activities to celebrate the fallen heroes at the I.E. Ibas Golf Club in Abuja…recently

National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu (left), and Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (right), during her courtesy call to the minister in Abuja… recently

L-R: Guest, Mrs. Yemi Osho; President, Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru; Non-Executive Director, NPL Advisors, Seni Williams; Chairman, Table 3, Metropolitan Club, Allan Davies; Chairman, Fish Valley Investments and Property Limited, Omo Oba Muyiwa Osho; son of the deceased, Jide Martins Jr.; his wife, Atolagbe Martins; former Chairman of Zenith Bank, Sir Steve Omojafor; Chief Executive Officer, LA. Consultancies Limited, Laolu Akinkugbe; and Olu of Isokan, Oyo Kingdom, Mubara Anga, during the final burial reception for late Founder of Bemil Security Nigeria Company, Omo’ba Olajide Abayomi Martins, held in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Company Secretary, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Babajide Ibitayo; Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Life Assurance Limited, Biyi Ashiru-Mobolaji; Managing Director, Mutual Benefits, Niger Republic, Mamadou Abdoulaye; former Prime Minister, Niger Republic/Chairman, Mutual Benefits, Cheiffou Amaduo; Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Femi Asenuga, during the Mutual Benefits 28th annual Thanksgiving Service with the theme: ‘The Lord Our Helper’, held in Lagos...recently

XII

T H I S D AY • TUESday JANUARY 23, 2024

FEatures

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

Making a Difference with Sahara Christmas

When the Sahara Group launched the “Sahara Christmas” initiative in 2023, it was to spread and share the joy of Christmas through the contributions of Sahara employees across the energy giant’s locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, who gave resources and gifts towards the project. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that in its unwavering commitment to promoting social impact, the Sahara love train spread cheer, confections, gifts and blessings from Cote D'Ivoire to Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Singapore, Zambia, Uganda and of course Nigeria

Senegal Sahara Xmas - Centre d'Education et de Formation pour Déficients Intellectuels (CEFDI)

Singapore Sahara Xmas - Lee Ah Moi Elderly Home

Zambia Sahara Xmas - House of Moses

Ghana Sahara Xmas - Love on the Streets

CIV sahara Xmas - Omega Centre International

SGL Sahara Xmas - LAWMA

T

he magic of Christmas never really goes away, even after the season is over. It lives on in the wishes that came true and those that are in the works. Afterall, making wishes is something we do every day; hoping that the spirit of the Christmas season will bring our wishes to reality.

Perhaps the greatest magical moment of Christmas is when it is spent with people who are not fortunate enough to experience the magic. This was exactly the path leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, chose, when it decided to share the “Sahara Christmas” in a special way, with special people.

Sahara Christmas Initiative Sahara Group launched the “Sahara Christmas” initiative in 2023 to spread and share the joy of Christmas through the contributions of Saharians (Sahara employees).

Saharians across the energy giant’s locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East gave resources and gifts towards the project, which was also carried out by volunteer employees. This is clearly a remarkable example of volunteering; for Sahara, that’s the “P” (PERSONAL) in the Corporate Social Responsibility, according to Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group.

Obioma explains that employee giving and volunteering helps to build a sense of community, fostering a positive work culture that ultimately facilitates service excellence and positive impact on benefitting communities and organisations.

“Volunteering is a way of life for all employees at Sahara Group. Saharians are always looking out for an opportunity to give and play integral roles in executing great causes that promote societal well-being. Last year, we implemented the Sahara Christmas on the wings of donations made by employees; we are still thrilled by the magical moments we had sharing the season with others,” he adds.

The Joy of Christmas in Singapore In Singapore, the Garden City, about 100 senior citizens, nurses and healthcare assistants of Lee Ah Mooi Elderly Home experienced the joy of the season when Saharians in Singapore visited with lots of love and gifts. They spent some time at the facility learning about the importance of engaging and caring for the elderly. Lee Ah Mooi officials said it was an exceptional Christmas gift for the organisation.

Love for Orphans, Abandoned Babies of Zambia House of Moses, an internationally recognised crisis nursery of orphaned and abandoned babies in Lusaka, Zambia, also experienced the joy of the season when Saharians in Zambia came calling bearing gifts, smiles and well wishes for the wonderful children.

Litty Christmas in Ghana with Meals The faces of 160 people on select streets in Accra, Ghana lit up with excitement when they experienced the Sahara Christmas. While some of them may have been wondering where their next meal would come from, Saharians from So Energy, Ghana, a foremost downstream company in Ghana, hit the streets with sumptuous meals in the spirit of Christmas. It was indeed

joy and celebration galore.

An Unusual Christmas in Nigerians About 42 children and staff of Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help Charisma Children’s Home, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, played host to Saharians from Asharami Synergy (Team Omagwa, Port Harcourt). The latter had food items, toiletries, and spent some time dancing and celebrating with children and staff at the facility. It was an unusual Christmas for the Home.

Priesthood Holy Charity Home, FOT, Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria, also experienced the Sahara Christmas when Saharians from Team Onne, Rivers State, visited the facility, consisting of about 32 Children, with food items and gifts.

The joy train also called at the Tender Hearts and Charity Homes, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, when Team Benin visited to spread the joy of the season.

Down the streets of Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, excitement sprung up from different corners as Saharians embarked on the mission of spreading the joy of the season. Gift packs were distributed to personnel of the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) who play a critical role in keeping the highways and streets clean and free of harmful objects. The expressions on their faces could best be captioned as the mood of the season.

Gifts for the Disabled in Senegal Saharians in Asharami Energy, Senegal brought smiles to the faces of 107 students with intel-

Volunteering is a way of life for all employees at Sahara Group. Saharians are always looking out for an opportunity to give and play integral roles in executing great causes that promote societal well-being

lectual disabilities and behavioural difficulties at the Centre d’Education et de Formation Pour Deficients intellectuels (CEFDI) Dakar, Senegal.

The team gifted them with food, toys, and stationary supplies.

Sharing Love in Cameroon There was a new song at the Heart of Jesus Orphanage, Douala, Cameroon as Saharians in Cameroon shared the love and joy of the season with about 34 children in the facility.

In addition to the gifts presented to them, they also spent time interacting with the children, singing and dancing.

An Emotive Moment in Uganda Uganda was not left out in the excitement.

Saharians in Uganda visited St. Teresa Babies Home, an orphanage in Kamapala, Uganda, consisting of about 40 babies between ages 0 and 7, who were found in pit latrines, dumped at police stations, churches, hospitals, etc. The team visited them with posho, beans, rice, sugar, diapers, and biscuits, among others. It was an emotive moment to share with the wonderful children.

Love and Gifts in Cote D'Ivoire Saharians in Cote D’Ivoire visited the children and staff of Omega International Centre NGO Orphanage, Cote D’Ivoire, bearing love and gifts.

Sahara's Unwavering Commitment to Promoting Social Impact The Sahara Christmas project has come to stay, says Obioma, who notes that, “Sahara Group is unwavering in its commitment to promoting social impact, with a remarkable level of employee-led activations in the pursuit of bringing energy to life responsibly, transforming lives and making a difference.”

So, in another 11 months, Saharians will set out again to spread the love, joy and excitement the Sahara Christmas brings. Indeed, the magic of Christmas never ends, especially where there is a commitment to share the magic with others!

XIII

T H I S D AY • TUESday JANUARY 23, 2024

features

How Encounter with THISDAY Assistant Editor, Olufunke Olaode, Gave Amina a New Lease of Life

Sunday Ehigiator reports how 36- year-old house-cleaner, Olufunmi Amina, got a new lease on life after a life-changing encounter with an Assistant Editor, THISDAY Newspaper, Olufunke Olaode in 2021

T

he story of Amina Olufunmi is a typical illustration of “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD had done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes,” as chronicled in Psalm 118:22-23.

With no friends and abandoned to fate by family members, the hardworking Amina grew to survive off cleaning people's homes to make ends meet. Despite learning to trade plumbing materials, the lack of capital to set up her store kept her stagnant for years with no one to call on for help.

However, through diligent cleaning of people’s homes, Amina was recommended to help clean up a home back in 2021, without any iota of knowledge that this would mark a turning point for good in her life trajectory.

Encounter with Funke Olaode Narrating her encounter with Amina, Funke Olaode, also the Convener, ‘Amina Olufunmi Must Be Empowered initiatives’ said her encounter with Amina Olufunmi was divine.

According to Olufunke, also an indigene of Igbajo in Osun State, “I can tell you that it was God and again her moment had come.

I was introduced to Amina three years ago through a family friend. I had these heaps of personal copies of THISDAY Newspapers that had accumulated over the years and I was looking for someone to help arrange it for me and dispose of them.

“When I met her, we got talking, and I was wondering if she was fit to work because of her slim and fragile stature. I was genuinely concerned. However, she was committed to the work I needed her for. So I placed her on salary and was also giving her a daily stipend for her transportation, and food.

“But at some point, I had to ask more about her, especially her background, just to know her more, then she told me her story and she needed help.

“I asked what she would like to do to make ends meet, and she said she had once learnt how to sell plumbing materials at some point but didn't have the capital to open her shop.

“But I told her that it is capital intensive that even with N20 million, you haven't even started yet.”

Amina Olufunmi Must Be Empowered initiatives Olaode said having heard her story, she was moved to pull her contacts to ensure Amina was empowered; hence she came up with the ‘Amina Olufunmi Must Be Empowered initiatives’.

Speaking further, Olaode said, “I decided to put words out to a few people I know can help her, I approached former Managing Director of Accenture and Current Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Niyi Yusuf, who advised that she should be enrolled to acquire skills which would last her a lifetime, and she by herself later decided she was going to learn fashion designing.

“I approached kindhearted Nigerians and they responded. So, through the help of the Ibeji Foundation and its Founder, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, within two days, they enrolled her in a fashion school and also placed her on monthly stipends of N20,000 since 2021.

“The Ibeji Foundation also paid for her accommodation and equally bought her a sewing machine and other sewing materials she would need for her training within the same period.

“It is interesting to note that Alhaji Ebiti has only met her once, but he showed keen interest in helping her and has been committed to the course. He has been monitoring her progression in the training and has never left her alone one bit.

“I never had any idea it would become such a big project when I decided to take up her case. For me, we are who we are by the grace of God. I know how far God has brought me, even as a journalist. I am a benefactor of God's grace. Hence, when her matter came up, four things came to mind.

“First, we rise by lifting others. Secondly, if you want to tackle poverty, you must start from the grassroots. To empower her so that she

L-R - Assistant Editor Thisday Newspapers/Convener, Amina Olufunmi Must Be Empowered initiative, Olufunke Olaode: CEO, Hana Tee Unisex Fashion Designer, Hannah Makanjuola; Celebrant, Amina Olufunmi; General Manager, IBEJI Foundation, Rafiat Gbadamosi; General Manager, Nasfat Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat, Mufutau Adelotan during the presentation of vocational tools to Olufunmi at NAZAS Corporate Office, Magodo, Lagos, recently can replicate her testimony in another person's life and take another person off the street. Lastly, she is a Moslem and I am a Christian but humanity doesn't know religion.

“I must also thank the management of NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat (NAZAS) an offshoot of NASFAT, an Islamic basedIslamic-based organization for rising to the occasion. The agency bought sewing equipment worth over N600,000, including industrial stoning machines, sewing machines, and whipping machines.

“Alhaji Ebiti, apart from sponsoring her two and half years of training also paid N300,000 for her shop, while the CEO of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr Olabode Makanjuola through his company's Corporate Social Responsibility supported her generously.

“NAZAS met her for the first time during the presentation but still did so much for her based on the recommendation and trust they have in me.

I want to thank Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Alhaji Ebiti, Mr Olabode Makanjuola, for all their interventions on Amina.

“I also thank her boss, Madam Hanna Makanjuola, CEO of Hanna Tee Unisex Fashion Designer, for training her like a big sister and never got tired of her.

I am grateful.”

Encounter with Hana Tee Fashion School Speaking about Amina’s time at her fashion school, the CEO, Hana Tee Unisex Fashion Designer, Mrs Hannah Makanjuola said, “I have been in the fashion business for 17 years and have trained a lot of apprentices. Amina would be the 44th person who has gotten my graduation certificate.

“When she first arrived for training, I never wanted to accept her because of how she was looking. But I decided to consider her on trial, and I thank God I did. Amina isn't a troublesome person.

She is humble, quiet, and very religious.

“She is a very dedicated Muslim and was the 13th apprentice I registered for her set.

“At first, because of her lack of educational background, it wasn't easy to communicate with her effectively, but as time went on, she improved and she

is doing better now.

“I must thank Madam Funke, who has always told me that Amina's case was a project, and encouraged me to persevere and be patient with her till she was able to catch up.

“She has improved tremendously within the three years she has been under training. Now, she even sows for my customers, and they all like her sowing. I can beat my chest that she will do great exploits in her future endeavours.

“Now that she has all these supports, my advice to Amina is never to lose focus and never to forget anything she learnt throughout training. She should also follow in my footsteps and try to improve on it.

“I will also advise her to maintain all the equipment that she has been given. Not all apprentices are this fortunate to have anyone bless them with these tools after graduation.

It took many designers years of savings to be able to afford them.

“Also, be prayerful and learn to save and be perfect in all your work. Don't let people see your mistakes and don’t let people complain about your work and work ethic. If you can keep to these principles, the sky will be your limit.”

The Big Lessons Speaking on why he decided to help Amina, NASFAT President, Mr Niyi Yusuf said, Olaode’s action is a big lesson to everyone that you don’t need to be related to anyone before you help them.

According to him, “The truth is that the lady was introduced to me by Funke Olaode, and I said yes because I was amazed at her keen interest in someone that is not in any way or form related to her, and the fact that she has been supporting her for quite a while, and also gotten a few other donors to support her.

“For me, I just thought that it was intriguing to see Funke take on such an assignment that no one has given her by supporting others when I am sure that even she needs help in one form or the other. That was the main thing that struck me.

“It is a lesson for many of us that we should not just focus on helping ourselves and our family, but also seek to help others like Funke has just done.

“So it is a big lesson we learnt from her, and I thought it was important to then support her to pull this through even though I have never met the young lady before, Funke's integrity, reputation and passion towards helping the girl were enough to convince me to support her.”

Through Madam Olufunke, my life became a roller coaster.

God will bless those who have supported me to become somebody in life when all hope was lost. I promise to make an impact in the Nigerian fashion space through the help of God so I can give back

NAZAS Intervention Speaking further during the equipment handing over ceremony to Amina by NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat (NAZAS), which was held over the weekend, at the NAZAS head office located along CMD road Lagos, Yusuf said, “What is happening today is part of the activities of NAZAS, as it decided to support the lady.

“She filled out the request form, she listed the things she wanted, she was interviewed, her background was checked, and NAZAS felt it was a credible request, and NAZAS then went to the market to buy the equipment which is being handed over today.

“NAZAS has spent over half a billion Naira in the last seven years in supporting the needy, both Muslims and non-Muslims.

“My advice to Amina is that she should use those equipment for the purpose for which they were procured. As you know, she has undergone training, which is important, which means she has skills now and can use the equipment.

“So she should ensure she uses them for the purpose for which they were bought and not go and keep them under her bed.

“Secondly, I'll advise her to also help others, just as she has been helped. Not necessarily her family. She must also help others to the limit of her ability.

“Lastly, she must put all her talents to use, including seeking assistance from Madam Funke and many others so that she can quickly grow her business.”

NAZAS Impact Speaking about NAZAS' impact on society, the General Manager of NAZAS, Mufutau Adelotan noted that NAZAS is an offshoot of the NASFAT group worldwide.

“We came into existence in 2014, and we will be marking our 10th anniversary soonest.

“Since 2014, we have raised over N700 million in Zakat and Sadaka funds and have disbursed close to N600 million to indigent people in the community in areas of empowerment, which is part of why we are here today, scholarships and education.

“Right now, we have over 200 students on our scholarship programme in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions all over the country.

“NAZAS is also now outside Nigeria. We have a zone in Ivory Coast, and hopefully, this year, we should be opening our branches in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the USA. “We do empowerment, scholarship, and support the health sector. Under the health initiatives, there are two schemes; we have the HMO for Muslims who are not able to cater for themselves health-wise, so we give them the health scheme through the Lagos State Health Management Board. With just N40,000, we registered a family of six for a premium health package for a whole year.

“We also pay for hospital bills and debt relief.

We clear the debts of some Muslims who are in debt for genuine reasons and intentions such as school, business, or health challenges.

“Lastly, we give the aged monthly stipends of N10,000 to support their feeding. It's like just paying them a pension. As we pay our staff salary, we pay them as well, just to support their living as they can no longer work or make a living. And we get a lot of prayers from them.

We only have to confirm if they are still alive every month, and then we pay them without them coming to queue up anywhere. They just get alerts monthly.”

Encounter with Amina As regards Amina, Adelotan said, “In NAZAS, we don't have to know you. We approach Muslims anywhere they are and also get donations from Muslims all over the world without them meeting us in person.

“I must tell you, in her case, somebody paid for all this equipment we are giving to her, which cost over N500,000. The person said he wanted to remain anonymous. So we don't have to know the beneficiary.

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

XIV

T H I S D AY • TUESday JANUARY23, 2024

politics

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Abiodun’s Long Walk to Judicial Victory in Ogun

With the judgement of Supreme Court, which affirmed his victory in the March, 2023 poll, Governor Dapo Abiodun, has survived many political intrigues in the Gateway State, writes James Sowole.

C

onsidering intrigues, mudslinging, controversies and conspiracies from different quarters over the 2023 Governorship Election in Ogun State, describing Governor Dapo Abiodun, as a cat with nine lives, would not be an overstatement as the Supreme Court on Friday, January, 19, 2024, finally upheld the outcome of the March 18, 2023 poll in the state.

That the governor survived both pre and post election mines on the 2023 election, the rolling out of drums immediately the judgment was delivered by the Justice Tijani Abubakar-led five-man panel, by Abiodun and his supporters, both in Abuja, Iperu-Remo and Abeokuta, in celebration of the victory, was very much expected.

In the judgment, the panel dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Ladi Adebutu who was not pleased that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the gubernatorial poll.

The legal fireworks that started in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the Election Petition Tribubal sat, traversed through Court of Appeal, Lagos and peaked at the Supreme Court, Abuja, all in favour of Abiodun.

Justice Tijani Abubakar, who read the Apex Court’s judgment, held that Adebutu and his party failed to prove their case.

Abubakar resolved all the issues raised for determination against the appellants and held that the appeal was without merit.

He held, “In the end, this appeal is unmeritorious and deserves to be dismissed.

It is hereby dismissed.”

The journey that ended in Supreme Court on January 19, 2023, started immediately INEC declared Abiodun winner of the election.

INEC declared that Abiodun won the election with 276,298 votes while Ladi Adebutu of the PDP scored 262,38 and Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came a distant third with 94,754 votes.

Not satisfied with the decision of the INEC, the PDP and Adebutu approached the tribunal, alleging that the governor did not get the majority of valid votes cast in the governorship election.

The petitioners accused INEC of noncompliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election.

The petitioners also alleged that elections were disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the election.

After months of legal fireworks among counsel of three major parties in the petition- the APC, PDP and INEC, the three-man tribunal led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza, on Saturday, September 30, dismissed the petition filed by Adebutu and its party, thereby, upholding the return of Abiodun for second term in office as Governor of the Gateway State.

In a unanimous decision, which lasted about 11 hours, the Tribunal held that the allegations of corrupt practices, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, multiple thumb-printing of ballot papers, ballot stuffing, as well as allegation of certificate forgery upon which the PDP candidate was seeking the disqualification of Abiodun and upturning of his electoral victory in their favour were not proven beyond any reasonable doubt.

Kunaza also described the testimonies of the 94 witnesses called by the PDP as “industrially manufactured, mechanically produced and adopted, contrary to the common occurrence of natural causes” and thereby “proven to be similar, too coincindental and unbelievable to rely on” in determining the petition.

On the allegation of certificate forgery leveled against Abiodun, the Tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove the criminal allegation beyond reasonable doubt by providing any witness from the United States of America (USA) to testify against the second defendant (Abiodun).

Abiodun In striking out the allegation of vote buying and corrupt practices, the Tribunal held that the allegations were two inseparable twins for which the petitioners have failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt.

The court also held that allegation of certificate forgery and arrest and detention of Abiodun in 1986 were pre-election matters, which ought to have been determined 14 days before the March 18 election.

In upholding Abiodun’s electoral victory, the Tribunal, therefore, dismissed all the grounds upon which the petitioners had approached the court for justice.

The tribunal therefore held that the petition lacked merit as a whole.

Not satisfied with the decision of the Tribunal, Adebutu and the PDP approached the Court of Appeal, for review of the matter with the aim of getting favourable judgment.

However, rather than getting the desired results at the Court of Appeal that sat in Lagos, the three-man appellate panel in its majority judgment, dismissed Adebutu’s and PDP’s appeal

for lacking in merit on November 24, 2023.

The majority judgement which dismissed Adebutu’s appeal, was delivered by the duo of Justices J.S. Ikyegh and Muhammed Mustapha.

The court held that the appeal lacked merit as it found no substance in it and subsequently dismissed it, affirming the earlier decision of the Tribunal.

Reviewing the suit, the court concluded that it is a petitioner who bears responsibility to prove that an election was marred by corrupt practices, and that appellants did not so prove.

The Court held further that Appellants did not prove the allegation of certificate forgery against Abiodun and noted that the Tribunal did not believe the evidence of certain witnesses because of their demeanours and because of the chorused nature of their testimony.

Maintaining that appellate courts generally do not interfere with such assessments, it held that the assessment of the Tribunal is undisturbed.

While upholding the expunging of the evidence of the forensic experts, the court held that there is a huge crater in the petition of the appellants, making same castrated, sterile, and with no legs to stand on.

Since the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act make provision for litigation on Governorship Election, to terminate at the Supreme Court if any of the parties wished and in exploring benefits that the minority judgment could bring, Adebutu approached the Supreme Court, for final adjudication on the 2023 Governorship Poll in Ogun State.

After weeks of anxiety and uneasy calm in both camps, the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision of the five-man panel of Justices, dismissed the appeal stating that Adebutu and his party, failed to prove their case. The panel, resolved all the issues raised against the appellants, declaring that the appeal lacked merit.

Court followed the principle that when a decision is ultimately correct, it is immaterial that some reasons may have been applied since the appellate courts concern themselves with the conclusions mainly.

On the issue of disenfranchisement raised by the appellant, the court held that it was the duty of Appellants to prove disenfranchisement by calling voters who could vote but were disenfranchised, adding that in this petition rather, the Appelants did not call any disenfranchised voter. That instead, the Appellants called persons who truly voted.

However, the third member of the panel, Justice Jane Inyang, found merit on some issues raised and in a minority judgment, held that election should be held within 90 days in some units, where the appellants claimed that eligible voters, were disenfranchised.

Since the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act make provision for litigation on Governorship Election, to terminate at the Supreme Court if any of the parties wished and in exploring benefits that the minority judgment could bring, Adebutu approached the Supreme Court, for final adjudication on the 2023 Governorship Poll in Ogun State.

After weeks of anxiety and uneasy calm in both camps, the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision of the five-man panel of Justices, dismissed the appeal stating that Adebutu and his party, failed to prove their case. The panel, resolved all the issues raised against the appellants, declaring that the appeal lacked merit.

The decision of the Apex court elicited celebration and jubilation among politicians right from Abuja just as APC supporters in Abeokuta and Iperu Remo, hometown of Abiodun also celebrated the court verdict.

Addressing newsmen at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Iperu Remo, in Ikene Local Government, where the chartered flight that brought him from Abuja landed, Abiodun said his administration would now keep its eyes on further development of the state as all issues, had been resolved.

The governor said that all attempts to distract his administration have failed, noting that the Supreme Court victory marks an end to court shopping by his political adversaries.

He called on the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, and other political adversaries to get ready for their re-run in 2027.

He said, “We hope our opponents who have been making a lot of noise about a re-run can prepare for a re-run in 2027.

Now, this victory marks an end to this court shopping for adversaries and for us. It is the final victory in this journey that started in 2018. We will now keep our eyes further focused on the ball. All attempts to distract us have failed “ Abiodun also promised that his administration would now focus more on sustaining its legacies, adding that the people of the state would now begin to experience the good programmes his administration has for them.

“We will now focus on sustaining our legacies, the foundation of which we laid since we assumed office in 2019 and in the coming weeks, you will see some of the goodies that we will be unveiling for the good people of the state,” he said.

The governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting his political journey, his team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, national and state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Umar Ganduje and Chief Yemi Sanusi respectively for their support.

Abiodun also praised the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice John Inyang Okoro, the Ogun State Governordhip Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court, for affirming the choice of the people of the state.

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

XV

T H I S D AY • TUESday JANUARY 23, 2024

politics

Ubah Squares Up to Soludo in Anambra

In Anambra, politics is already in the air, and as the state approaches it’s election year, political actors have started playing their game, reports David-Chyddy Eleke.

Soludo

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here are indications that the struggle for 2025 governorship contest in Anambra State may have started. This is following a recent tussle between Anambra State government and the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who has been touted as the chosen one to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s election.

Ubah had in October 2023 defected from Young Progressives Party (YPP) to APC. He was later received by the party in Anambra in December, alongside Senator Uche Ekwunife. Both politicians were rumoured to have gone into an alliance to run on APC platform as governor and deputy governorship candidates. The move was said to have sparked fear in the minds of other parties, especially the ruling party, APGA. The recent tussle is about the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Ubah. Ubah had within the yuletide been bestowed with the title of Odenjinji of Neni by Igwe Damian Ezeani, a title which Soludo is also known to hold from his Isuofia community.

Apparently unhappy about Ubah’s growing influence, the Anambra State government issued a letter suspending the monarch.

The letter by Anambra State commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, suspending the monarch accused him of not seeking clearance from the state government before bestowing titles on people, including ‘persons with questionable character’.

The commissioner said: “The Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra provides that no traditional ruler can confer chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.

“This is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.

“This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives by lawful authorities cannot be tolerated in the new Anambra of today.

“We have received confirmed reports that you conferred such a phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the code of conduct

Ubah

and without clearance from the Ministry. Your action is an affront to order and good governance.

“In the light of the, above, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers suspended your recognition as traditional ruler of Neni untill further notice.”

This has sparked on an argument, over the rationale behind the directive of the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, with many believing that it is political witch hunt, targeted at whittling the influence of the senator.

APC while reacting to the development called for the reinstatement of the monarch. In the statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of APC in Anambra Central, Mr Igboeli Arinze, the party said hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Law to suspend Igwe Ezeani is akin to disrespecting the state’s revered traditional institution, and will not augur well for the peace and development of the state.

It said: “We had the misfortune of witnessing yet again attempts by the Anambra State Government to unnecessarily dabble into the affairs of our revered traditional institution.

“This is following the suspension of the paramount ruler of Neni, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ez-

eani owing to the fact that he conferred a chieftaincy title on one of our own, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

“Hiding under the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, Section 2 C by the Soludo administration to suspend the cultural custodian of Neni smacks of an attempt to witch-hunt Igwe Ezeani. simply because he conferred a title on Ubah.

“Let us ask, is Igwe Ezeani the first to have conferred a title on someone who isn’t from his community without the opprobrious demand for clearance by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs? Or has the government woken up from its deep slumber because this time around the title was conferred on Senator Ubah?

“The APC Anambra Central is thus calling on Governor Soludo to stop this assault on our traditional institutions by repudiating the suspension of Igwe Neni as well as reinstating him to the throne of his fathers.“ The party added that Senator Ubah’s influence was becoming intimidating to the amazement of the Soludo administration, which it described as “a non performing administration”.

Meanwhile, the man in the centre of the storm, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has reacted.

Ubah who spoke in a phone interview said the governor was simply playing politics, adding that he (Soludo) was frustrated about his growing political profile.

He said: “The entire game is all about

Ubah who spoke in a phone interview said the governor was simply playing politics, adding that he (Soludo) was frustrated about his growing political profile. He said: “The entire game is all about politics. Soludo is being frustrated by my rising popularity. I’m not the only person to receive chieftaincy title. The former chief of Army Staff, Buratai was honored within the same period, Vice President Kashim Shettima was also honored, Mr President was honoured in absentia. Why is my own different? The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity. He is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience”.

politics. Soludo is being frustrated by my rising popularity. I’m not the only person to receive chieftaincy title. The former chief of Army Staff, Buratai was honored within the same period, Vice President Kashim Shettima was also honored, Mr President was honoured in absentia. Why is my own different?

“The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity. He is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience,” Ubah stated.

THISDAY has however gathered reliably that in order to legitimize the suspension and remove the colouration of witch-hunt against Ubah, the state government may likely suspend other traditional rulers who have been involved in same infraction of giving chieftaincy titles without approval.

THISDAY learnt that eight other traditional rulers who conferred chieftaincy title within the period may also be suspended too. Already, many of the monarchs involved have started begging the governor for forgiveness to save their position.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Neni, Igwe Damian Ezeani may have fallen victim to high power politicking. Since Ubah joined APC and started receiving the support of the powers that be in the state and at the national level, there have been plans by APGA and State government agents to demarket him.

Chinedu Obigwe, an aide of the Anambra State governor had in several press releases described Ubah in words that could be deemed unsavoury. In one of the release, Obigwe said: “Senator Ifeanyi Ubah joined APC because he wants the federal government to forgive him his debt to AMCON.” In yet another he said: “Ekwunife and Ubah know what they are doing. They are targeting Tinubu to donate large sums of money to their account for the companion. They know they will still lose.”

Obigwe is not alone in the attacks on Ubah. The duo of the APGA state chairman, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye and the National publicity secretary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara have similarly attacked Ubah in what looked like an orchestrated action.

2025 governorship election still remains to be experienced as other politicians, including the Labour Party stalwarts have begun preparation for contest. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the date of the election within the year, and this may likely fall within November 2025.

XVI

TUESDay, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

Compiled by Bayo Akinloye

Blinken AfricaTour Focuses on Buffering Russian, Chinese Influence, Security, Development The United States is committed to deepening and strengthening partnerships across Africa, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday in Praia, the first stop of his fournation Africa visit.

Blinken starts his fourth African trip this week, visiting Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola. Key priorities include bolstering security partnerships and enhancing health and economic development in the region.

In Praia, Blinken held talks with Cabo Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva, and visited Porto da Praia, which received funding for modernization efforts from the US government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation.

“It is extraordinary that Cabo Verde is the first country to complete two Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts, and now you’re starting to build a third one,” said Blinken.

He also congratulated Cabo Verde’s malaria-free certification by the World Health Organization.

Millennium Challenge Compacts are grant agreements designed to fund specific programs that support economic growth.

Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva said Cabo Verde shares values of democracy and good governance with the US in its foreign policy.

Poland, Ukraine Put Aside Differences in Common Front Against Russia

Polish and Ukrainian leaders pledged Monday to bolster their alliance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, putting aside differences over the recent Polish blockade of Ukrainian trucks trying to enter the European Union.

In his first visit to Kyiv, newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described Ukraine’s defensive war against the Russian invasion as a “battle” between “good and evil,” adding, “Poland will do everything to increase Ukraine’s chances of victory in this war.”

“The security of the Polish nation and the Polish state is also at stake in this fight,” Tusk said.

Relations between the two countries had soured in recent months due to Polish blockades against Ukrainian trucks at the border.

Polish truckers enforced the blockade from November until last week, protesting Ukrainian truckers’ permit-free access into the EU. The EU had waived the permits system after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Polish truckers want it reintroduced, saying their earnings have taken a hit.

The truckers agreed last week to suspend their protests until March 1.

Indian PM Modi Unveils Grand New Temple on Site of Destroyed Mosque

Amid rituals conducted by Hindu priests, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened a grand temple built in the northern town of Ayodhya in honour of one of Hinduism’s most revered gods, Lord Rama.

The ornate, pink sandstone temple has risen on the site of a 16th-century Mughal-era mosque that was destroyed by Hindu mobs three decades ago.

“Our god Ram has come. Centuries of sacrifice and patience has paid off,” Modi told a massive crowd after the black stone idol of Lord Ram was unveiled. He said that January 22 “brings the dawn of a new era.”

The inauguration of the flower-bedecked Ram Mandir that sprawls over three hectares fulfils a pledge by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which led a decades-long movement to build the temple on the site of the mosque, which Hindus believe was built on the ruins of a temple that marked the birthplace of Lord Ram. But for many Muslims, the temple is a reminder of the destruction of the mosque.

In December 1992, a huge mob of Hindu right-wing activists used hammers, axes and bare hands to demolish the mosque, sparking nationwide religious riots that killed nearly 2,000 people. It was the worst communal violence witnessed in India since its independence.

The religious event was showcased as one of historic and national importance in the Hindu-majority country.

Pakistan, Iran Agree to Resume

Full Diplomatic Ties

Envoys of Pakistan and Iran will return to their posts by the end of this week, Pakistan and Iran announced Monday.

The latest sign of de-escalation comes almost a week after Iran struck alleged terror targets inside Pakistan and Islamabad responded with counterstrikes against purported terror hideouts across the border. The strikes killed at least 11 civilians, 9 in Iran and 2 in Pakistan.

Amid unprecedented tensions Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Tehran last Wednesday and told the Iranian envoy, who was on a trip to his home country, to not return. Islamabad also suspended all high-level visits between the two countries.

Monday’s press release, issued jointly by the foreign ministries of both countries, said Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian will visit Pakistan on January 29 at his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani’s invitation.

In a phone call Friday, the top diplomats of both countries agreed to defuse tensions and reestablish full diplomatic ties.

US, Britain, Australia Impose New Sanctions on Hamas

The United States, Britain and Australia imposed a fifth round of sanctions against Hamas on Monday, targeting the militants’ financial exchanges in Gaza and money being sent there by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

In announcing the sanctions, US Treasury official Brian Nelson said, “Hamas has sought to leverage a variety of financial transfer mechanisms, including the exploitation of cryptocurrency, to channel funds to support the group’s terrorist activities. Treasury, in close coordination with our allies and partners, will continue to leverage our authorities to target Hamas, its financiers and its international financial infrastructure.”

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, “These sanctions send a clear message to Hamas [that] the [United Kingdom] and our partners are committed to ensuring there is no hiding place for those financing terrorist activities. To reach a sustainable cease-fire in Gaza, Hamas can no longer be in power and able to threaten Israel.”

The US said the sanctions target key financial officials in Gaza who have handled millions of dollars in Iranian transfers to Hamas in recent years.

The newest sanctions follow earlier ones imposed in the weeks after the shock October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza that Hamas health officials say has killed more than 25,000 people.

UN: Taliban Dismiss 600 Female Afghan Workers for Violating Islamic Requirements

The United Nations said Monday that the Taliban government in impoverished Afghanistan had recently forced hundreds

of females out of their jobs for allegedly not adhering to Islamic law requirements imposed on women nationwide.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, documented the job dismissals in its latest report on human rights, covering the last quarter of 2023 in a country where millions of people need humanitarian aid.

“The de facto authorities continue to enforce and promulgate restrictions on women’s rights to work, education, and freedom of movement,” according to the report.

UNAMA noted that the Taliban’s Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice had taken the enforcement role, impeding women from working or accessing services because they were unmarried or did not have a male guardian.

It said that a lack of compliance with the hijab or dress code, absence of a mahram or male relative, and other restrictions imposed on women visiting public places, offices, and educational institutions had apparently led to at least 600 women losing jobs in two Afghan provinces during the reported period.

Boakai Takes Oath as Liberia President

Liberia’s new president, Joseph Boakai, pledged to fight corruption in the West African country as he was sworn into office on Monday following his election victory over former football star George Weah.

The 79-year-old narrowly beat former Ballon d’Or winner Weah in November’s run-off poll, with 50.64 per cent of the vote to 49.36 per cent.

“We see hard times, we see dysfunctioning... we see corruption in high and low places. And (it’s) in these and similar conditions that we have come to the rescue,” Boakai declared at his swearing-in ceremony.

Boakai, whose age and health are the source of much discussion in the country, had to pause and sit down to finish his address in testing heat.

He stressed the need to rebuild poor infrastructure, improve basic services for everyone and ensure all Liberians are given the same chance of succeeding.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield attended the investiture in parliament.

Boakai, who will be steering Africa’s oldest republic for six years, has 40 years of political experience behind him.

He was vice-president from 2006 to 2018 under Africa’s first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, before being soundly beaten by Weah in the 2017 election.

Pakistan’s Military Kills Seven Militants Near Afghanistan

Pakistan’s military said seven militants were killed Monday in an exchange of fire with security forces in Pakistan’s

volatile southwest region near Afghanistan.

The brief military statement said munitions were also recovered after the shoot-out in the Zhob district of Baluchistan province.

Dawn, a Pakistani newspaper, reported that munitions included arms, ammunition, and explosives.

Militants in the mineral-rich region have for years called for a share of Baluchistan’s mineral resources but are now calling for the province’s independence.

Dexter Scott King, Son of Martin Luther King Jr., Dies of Cancer at 62

Dexter Scott King, the younger son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, died Monday after battling prostate cancer.

The King Center in Atlanta, which Dexter King served as chairman, said the 62-year-old son of the civil rights icon died at his home in Malibu, California.

His wife, Leah Weber King, said in a statement that he died “peacefully in his sleep.”

The third of the Kings’ four children, Dexter King, was named for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served as a pastor when the Montgomery bus boycott launched him to national prominence in the wake of the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks.

Dexter King was just seven years old when his father was assassinated in April 1968 while supporting striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee. In his 2004 memoir, Growing Up King, Dexter King recalled his father’s slaying as the end of a carefree childhood.

Coretta Scott King died in 2006, followed by the Kings’ oldest child, Yolanda King, in 2007.

“Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling,” the Rev. Bernice A. King, the youngest of the four, said in a statement.

The oldest King son, Martin Luther King III, said: “The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. We ask for your prayers at this time for the entire King family.”

Fake Biden Robocall Tells New Hampshire Voters To Stay Home

As New Hampshire voters prepare to cast their votes in the state’s first-inthe-nation primary Tuesday, a robocall is circulating in the state urging Democrats to stay home - using fake audio of US President Joe Biden.

“It’s important that you save your vote for the November election….voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again,” the call says.

The New Hampshire attorney general, John Formella, announced he is investigating what he called an apparent “unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election and to suppress New Hampshire voters.”

23

THI S DAY • Tuesday, January 23, 2024

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

J a n u ar y

S & P INDEX

2 2 , 2 0 2 4

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

1/4 to daTE

-0.07%

N795.28/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

16.25%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

0.48%

*AS AT Monday, July 24, 2023

3-MONTH

15.75%

MONTH-TO-DATE

-0.7%

How Nigeria Lost $3.2bn Revenue, Recorded 32.6% OPEC Crude Deficit in Q4

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite the many pledges by the Nigerian authorities to meet the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota in 2023, the country failed do so, although it made appreciable progress in raising crude oil production compared to 2022.

Data released by OPEC and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), analysed by THISDAY indicated that the country ended Q4, last year, with a production deficit of 40 million barrels as compared to the expectations of the producers’ group.

It further showed that Nigeria failed to produce as much as 435,000 barrels per day in the months spanning October to December, a development that

contributed to Nigeria’s inability to meet its backlog of foreign exchange obligations.

Overall, Nigeria under-produced its OPEC’s crude oil volume by 32.6 per cent during the quarter under review, producing 120.76 million barrels in the three months under review, instead of the OPEC allocation of 160.2 million barrels.

In Q4, 2023, Nigeria was given a target of 1.742 million bpd by OPEC, but ended up producing 1.351 million bpd in October, 1.250 million bpd in November and 1.335 million bpd in December, according to available data.

In January 2023, the then Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said Nigeria will meet its OPEC crude oil production quota by the end of May last year.

Sylva explained that the federal government would continue to

improve security along the tracks of the major crude oil pipelines and block every leakage through which crude oil is stolen by oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

“Once we are able to build enough confidence in the security of the pipelines, they (producers) will then be able to inject into the pipelines once again and once that happens, we will be able to meet our OPEC quotas. That is where we are going and the early signals are there that we are making very good progress.

“Our pipelines have issues and we have put a security structure in place involving the communities, security personnel, oil companies and government and we are beginning to see some early signs of improvement.

“That’s really our plan and I am hoping that before the exit of this administration (May 29), we should

be able to meet our OPEC quota,” Sylva stated.

The same month, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, maintained that Nigeria could hit 2.2 million barrels per day in 2023, without OPEC oil production quota rationing.

The NNPC, in its public utterances, tends to compute condensates, which are outside the OPEC quota as part of the country’s crude oil output.

Nigeria has been unable to meet its OPEC production quota for over three years, thereby hobbling the country’s main source of foreign exchange and putting immense pressure on the local currency, the naira against other currencies.

At the time, Kyari said: “For us, we see a trajectory of restoring production, including condensates

within the year (2023) definitely. And we believe that we can hit our target of 2.2 million bpd...we know that it’s practical to do 2.2 million barrels per day (in 2023),” he stated.

But at the end of 2023, the THISDAY review of OPEC and NUPRC data showed that still far from the OPEC quota, Nigeria’s production averaged 1.3 million bpd in the quarter, rather than the targeted 1.742 million bpd.

The 40 million bpd when calculated at a conservative price per barrel of $80 will give a whopping $3.2 billion lost to under-production during the period from October to December 2023.

Whereas OPEC expected Nigeria to produce about 54 million barrels, 52.2 million barrels and 54 million barrels in October, November and December, however Nigeria only managed to drill 41.88 million barrels

in October, 37.5 million barrels in November and 41.38 million barrels in December of last year.

Nigeria has variously blamed massive oil theft, assets’ vandalism, outright sabotage and waning investment in the oil sector for its inability to ramp up production to meet the OPEC quota.

The new Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that 2024 is the year Nigeria will hit its target production output, even though it has now been slashed to 1.5 million bpd by OPEC due to the consistent inability to meet its allocation.

“We are on track with the objective of maintaining and surpassing the quota, especially as we work productively towards resolving all bottlenecks that might pose as hindrances to the objective,” he stated recently.

NERC: Discos Reduced Electricity Metering Deficit by 51,631 in November Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) reduced the total nationwide metering deficit by 51,631 in November 2023.

A document from the commission detailing the development, stated

that with the marginal reduction in unmetered customers, the total number of houses that do not had access to meters is now 7.31 million.

NERC said the total number of registered customers in the country as of November 2023 hit 13.1 million, while the total number of metered customers was 5.79 million, putting the metering rate at 44.23 per cent.

Overall, Ikeja Disco had the highest metering rate of 72.43 per cent, followed by Abuja Disco with 60.43 per cent and Eko Disco with 58.45 per cent.

Benin Disco customers were 49.9 per cent metered, Enugu was 43.79 per cent, Ibadan was 43.30 per cent, while Port Harcourt Disco was 41.51 per cent. Yola was the least metered with

Food

15.42 per cent metering penetration.

Also, according to the NERC report, issues bordering on metering took the cake in terms of customers complaints in November, accounting for 62.23 per cent of the total complaints.

NERC stated that other categories of complaints were billing: 9.33 per cent, interruption: 8.27 per cent,

Commodities

name of commodity

Size

State

Price

name of commodity

Rice

100kg

Abuja

N65,000 – N70,000

Sorghum

50kg

oyo

50kg

Plateau (Jos)

Price

disconnection: 0.97 per cent, voltage: 1.63 per cent, load shedding: 0.28 per cent, delay in connection: 0.17 per cent, and others 17.13 per cent.

In all, the total number of complaints received in November was 108.542, while 103,898 complaints were resolved, with a resolution rate was 95.72 per cent.

In 2023, the Energy Markets

and Rates Consultants (EMRC), independent consultants providing energy market, regulatory, technoeconomic and financing advice for electricity, renewables and gas sector clients, proffered solutions to closing the metering gap.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

T o d ay

State

Price

name of commodity

Size

State

Price

100kg JIGAWA

N30,000

B EAN S

N50,000 – N60,000

Benue

N32,000

Maidu guri

N22,000 – N30,000

100kg

50kg bag

N50,500 – N60,000

100kg

Kaduna

N32,000

100kg Lagos

N36,000

50kg

kwara N24,000–N27,000

50kg

Enugu

N24,000

100kg

Kano

N35,000

50kg

Lagos

N60,000 – N70,000

50kg

Lagos

N26,000

50kg

rivers N50,500 – N60,500

Delta

N36,000

Delta

N35,000

100kg

100kg

50kg

sokoto

N60,000 – N70,000

100kg

Abia

N36,000

100kg

Abia

N35,700

Size

24

T H I S D AY • Tuesday, January 23, 2024

BUSINESSWORLD

Economy

As Mbah’s Investment Drive Gets Afreximbank Boost

Afreximbank’s commitment to mobilise finances for key infrastructural projects in Enugu State is a huge endorsement and boost for Governor Peter Mbah’s investment drive and leadership style, writes Gideon Arinze

F

or Enugu State, the second half of 2023 was undoubtedly one that was characterized by exceptional and robust investment drive following Governor Peter Mbah’s inauguration on 29th May 2023. Recall that the governor had, ahead of the 2023 governorship election, unveiled a statement of purpose/manifesto in which he expressed a gargantuan vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, raise Enugu to one of the top three states in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ensure zero percent poverty headcount index, and raise the hitherto civil service state to a premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and living. And all these, he said, would be done in four to eight years.

In what can be described as a clear endorsement of Governor Mbah’s investment efforts, the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, performed his first official function in 2024 at the Government House, Enugu, when on January 2, he led a team of Afreximbank hierarchy to Enugu’s seat of power to see for himself some key investment-enabling infrastructural and development projects prioritized by the government as well as to conclude an ongoing discussions to mobilize finance for the said projects. Mbah and his team were in Cairo, headquarters of Afreximbank, in December 2023 to sell his administration’s vision and discuss areas of support.

The priority projects that have captivated the support of Afreximbank are the completion of the international wing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; construction of a cargo terminal at the airport; completion of the long-abandoned Enugu International Conference Centre, construction of a five-star hotel and a world-class hospital in the state capital. These are part of the enablers the governor is banking on for the exponential economic growth and development of Enugu State.

Speaking during his visit to Enugu, the Afreximbank boss said that he was impressed with Mbah’s vision, investment priorities and energetic drive to turn the Enugu State economy around, stressing, “whenever we see a leader take such solid and courageous steps, we fall in line because it makes our work much easier.”

He further stated: “We have been discussing how to support the Enugu State Government and people. Today is the 2nd of January. So, this is the first official assignment I would do in 2024. It is remarkable for me and it speaks a whole lot about our friendship and also the confidence in the work you are doing and the vision you have, not only for this great state, but also for our country, Nigeria.

“We also thank you for the wisdom of visiting us in Cairo and having an extensive discussion on the development priorities of your government.

We share in most of those priorities. In fact, I think the strategic thinking you have shown is still out of the book of our own, especially in how we believe that sub-nationals can contribute to the development aspirations of our country, Nigeria, and our continent.

“I know we have identified specific areas, where we intend to quickly advance collaboration.

We want to take a look at the hotel and the Conference Centre that is under development to work with you and see how quickly we can complete them.

He noted that the bank was interested in supporting the development of the new terminal at the airport and especially the cargo terminal and, of course, using it as a base to implement and grow an agro-processing zone.

“We also think that the work that is being done at the hospital is nice. We are working on the African Medical Centre of Excellence. We are building one in Abuja. So, it is in that spirit that we will be looking at that medical centre to see how we can bring it into the circle.

He further stated that the bank was also interested in considering the development of solid minerals in Enugu State, adding that it would follow that very closely and see what role it can play.

“There are a number of infrastructural projects, roads that not only connect us, but also all the way to Cameroon. And that is why I think we have agreed that we put in place their preparation facility so that we can begin to develop bankable values for those aspects of interventions that we share as priorities.

“I want to assure you that you can count on us because we believe in the vision you have and we believe that those things that you have identified are things that will shape this state

Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah presenting a plaque to the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof.

Benedict Oramah, Mbah unveiled over 30 investment “My vision is to transition the opportunities worth over $2.1 billion to a large audience of community of investors, state from public to private development bankers, international agencies, and other critical investment-led growth, development stakeholders, including the Government the United Kingdom (UK), the World which will eventually close ofBank, African Export-Import Bank (AfriExim), our physical and social African Development Bank (AfDB), United Department for Business and Trade, infrastructure gap, create Kingdom and the Infrastructure Credit Guarantee hundreds of thousands of jobs Company.

Addressing the prospective local and investors, development financiers, for the people, and expand international and members of the diplomatic community, our economy towards the Mbah said that the theme of the event, Public-Private Partnership”, 30-billion-dollar growth “Leveraging underscored the administration’s vision to sustainable economic transformation trajectory that we know is accelerate powered by the private sector, adding that the roundtable marked “a new beginning achievable.” for long-term partnerships and cooperation and also our country, Nigeria, and continent.

“Nigeria is not only the largest shareholder of Afreximbank, but also the largest economy on the continent. So, everything that happens to Nigeria, happens to Africa. So, for us, anything we can do to make Nigeria great is something that helps us to make Africa great.”

Underscoring the need for early completion of the projects, he added: “It is our hope that by the end of 2024, we can point to some of these projects as completed projects or projects nearing completion for the benefit of Enugu State people, for the benefit of Nigeria, benefit of Africa, and of course, benefit of Afreximbank.”

Mbah’s Investment Drive

Much as Mbah is highly optimistic about his envisioned a $30 billion economy for Enugu State, he understands and is always quick to add that such growth would not be possible relying on the existing growth pattern and federal allocations, but on private sector investment. Consequently, in his manifesto, he committed to convening an investment forum in the state within his first 100 days in office if elected.

In keeping with that, the administration organized the first ever Enugu State Investment and Economic Growth Plan Roundtable, which the governor said was a precursor to the launch of the first edition of a multistakeholder, fully transactional Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Forum (ES-DIF) scheduled for April 2024.

for shared prosperity, which will catalyze a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Enugu.”

“My vision is to transition the state from public to private investment-led growth, which will eventually close our physical and social infrastructure gap, create hundreds of thousands of jobs for the people, and expand our economy towards the 30-billion-dollar growth trajectory that we know is achievable,” he added.

Recall that In October 2023, Mbah was in Jarka, Indonesia, where he delivered the keynote address at the 2023 NigerianIndonesian Investment and Trade Forum and also held several meetings that will bring investors to Enugu State. Speaking at the event, which was organized by the NigerianIndonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) and the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre, Lagos, Mbah listed the investment opportunities in the state, spanning agriculture, agro-industrialisation, mineral resources, logistics, aviation, tourism, real estate, mineral resources, ICT, among others.

That move turned out to be a remarkable one for the state given the investment interests and a number of MoU signed.

Earlier in August, the governor was at the 2023 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) 2023 International Conference and Expo where he equally unveiled the investment opportunities in Enugu State to an audience of local and international investors, stressing that Enugu was open and ready for business.

“Enugu is now open for business. We are markedly revisiting our ‘ease of doing business’ indicators to ensure the environment

is conducive for business. For example, our new land title processes will facilitate the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy in not more than three days or 72 hours.

“Processes for the procurement of building approvals will also be revisited and markedly reduced to achieve improved efficiency,”. “We are automating all our major government processes to ensure transparency in all aspects of engagement with government and facilitate self-service by the public with little or no need for physical engagement with public servants,”.

He said that his administration remains committed to de-risking the business investment in key sectors by providing access to land, providing support infrastructure, handling engagement with host communities, among others.

Besides the endorsements Enugu received at the event and the commendations of his resolute effort at stamping out insecurity, including sit-at-home, the governor held a number of meetings with investors and representatives of governments, such as the ambassadors of China, Indonesia, among others.

Back in Enugu State, Mbah had hosted a number of members of the diplomatic corps, who saw prospects in the new Enugu, which he projects. Among them was the Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery. One of the major outcomes of Montgomery’s visit was the setting up of a UK Visa Application Centre in Enugu to serve the South East.

Rallying local investors

But Mbah is also as focused on local investors as he is focused on their foreign counterparts. In December, the governor inaugurated the Enugu Investors Network aimed at mobilizing domestic investment.

At the event, which brought together captains of industry of South East captains extractions such as the Chairman, Coscharis Group, Sir Cosmas Maduka; CEO, Peace Group of Companies, Dr. Sam Onyishi; Group Managing Director, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Ike Chioke; among a host of others, Mbah said: “My intention here today is to elicit your engagement, your questions, and indeed your involvement on how we can grow Enugu’s economy and, by extension, the South-East economy.”

Although it is a long walk to Mbah’s envisioned $30 billion economy, the governor has demonstrated that a journey of a hundred miles could, in fact, be faster as he inspires the confidence of investors and critical stakeholders with a clear vision that will make the state business friendly as well as engender the ease of doing business.

25

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Head, Workplace Banking, Personal Banking, FirstBank, Stephen Olusa; Business Manager, Ikeja Allen Avenue Branch, Osaretin Amaefula; Asst. Chief, Monitoring and Enforcement, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Niyi Adeleke; Senior Legal Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Oyinkansola Kusamotu; Head, Personal Banking, FirstBank, Ikemefula Nwachukwu; Principal Admin Officer, Licensing and Operations, NLRC, Chinelo Azubuike; Head, Other Asset & Liability Products, Personal Banking, FirstBank, Chukwuka Okonkwo; Principal Executive Officer, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Lekan Awoyemi; Head, Card & Messaging Business, FirstBank, Adebayo Olarewaju and Head, Business Planning and Development, Retail Banking South Directorate, FirstBank, Oluwakemi Ovie-Okuro during the second raffle draw of the FirstBank Win Big Promo in Lagos… recently

FG, Agro Dealers to Enforce Compliance in Sale of Certified Farm Inputs Gilbert Ekugbe The federal government and the Nigerian Agro Input Dealers

Association (NAIDA) have agreed to enforce strict compliance of sales and distribution of certified and approved inputs in the

country.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari who disclosed in Abuja

when the President of NAIDA, Mr. Kabir Umar Fara, and his team paid him a courtesy visit.

He explained that the move

Edun: FG Prioritising Intervention Funds to Tackle Rising Food Inflation

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, has assured Nigerians that there would be substantial intervention for the agricultural sector that would enhance increased production of rice, maize, wheat and cassava to stem the rising food inflation in the country.

Edum stated this when he met with critical stakeholders to strategise on the implementation of the second phase of 2023/2024 dry season farming in Abuja.

He said that the importance of the agriculture sector could not be overemphasised under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It will help to bring down the rate of inflation. Successful dry season farming will bring down the cost of food production and will bring down inflation,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of

Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, stated that the objective of the forum was to review the implementation of the 2023/2024 dry season wheat production implemented in the 15 wheat producing states of the federation based on their respective comparative advantage and preparatory meeting to chart a new course for the implementation of the second phase for rice, maize and cassava.

Kyari stated that the project would support farmers with critical farm inputs for the production of the priority crops, and also provide institutional support for better performances and sustainability particularly in the areas of wheat seeds local production. In his goodwill message, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Atiku Bagudu, said that “Nigeria agricultural space is one of the most elastic in the world, every cropping season can produce a miracle,

if there is more investment in the sector.”

Bagudu added that the present administration under the President Tinubu is committed to the agriculture sector in terms of improved budgetary allocation and other intervention funds to achieve food and nutrition security.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, pledged that all members of the agricultural ecosystem would work assiduously to drive the change in the agriculture sector in line with “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Tinubu.

In her welcome address, the Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olwatoyin Alade, who was represented by the Director Planning and Policy Coordination, Ms. Tanimu Ibrahim revealed that the goal of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS) is to increase

Agric Minister Flags Off WACOT Rice’s 2024 Outgrower Program

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has flagged off WACOT Rice Limited’s 2024 dry season farming input distribution to outgrower farmers in Argungu, Kebbi State.

The out-grower program seeks to increase the quality of smallholder farmer livelihoods via access to required agri-input financing, capacity-building training on Yield Enhancement Techniques (YET), and Good Agronomic Practices (GAP).

The Minister, who also inspected WACOT Rice’s state-

of-the-art 250,000-ton mill ahead of its inauguration later in the year, expressed delight with the initiative, noting that it would boost farmers’ productivity and income.

Kyari lauded WACOT Rice and its parent company, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, for empowering farmers across various value chains nationwide.

Chairman of WACOT Rice and Vice Chairman (Africa) of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel emphasized WACOT Rice’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s food

security. He highlighted the inclusivity of the outgrower program, supporting farmers of all demographics with certified seeds, agrochemicals, and training sessions to enhance productivity and income.

Gumel expressed enthusiasm for hosting special guests at the project site, acknowledging that the general understanding of their initiatives might be limited.

He stated, “Whenever we have special guests visit us here, we get very excited. The feedback we receive encourages us to intensify our efforts in production.

Shell Starts Layoffs in Search of Efficiencies Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Sell has begun hundreds of layoffs, sources with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg, as the supermajor looks to create more value through simplification and discipline.

Positions in the low-carbon business will be the first to be eliminated, followed by additional job cuts in the corporate affairs

division and project and technology departments, Bloomberg’s sources said.

Last year, Shell said it planned to cut 15 per cent of the 1,300 jobs in its Low Carbon Solutions business as it scales back some green energy ambitions and focuses on profitable projects including in the oil and gas sector.

The UK-based supermajor

plans to eliminate 200 jobs in its Low Carbon Solutions division next year, and is also reviewing the future of another 130 positions in the green energy business, which currently employs around 1,300 people, Shell told Reuters in October.

In December 2023, the oil major announced internally a broader plan for job cuts in other departments, too.

total food production to crash the continued rise in the prices of agricultural commodities and make them affordable to the average Nigerians.

would enhance the need to adhere strictly to global standards in the nation’s quest to achieve improved nutrition and food security.

According to the minister, the partnership would ensure that products supplied would meet the prescribed standards in terms of quality and quantity to ensure food sufficiency while emphasising on the need for the association to sell only certified and approved products sourced from the registered input producers.

He, therefore, charged the association to come up with

policies and programmes that would checkmate adulteration of products, urging farmers to use and apply the entire inputs in line with the best agronomic practices for maximum productivities.

Earlier, Fara revealed that the ministry has also deployed foot soldiers in each of the states to ensure compliance.

He said: “Now, there are sales permit issued by the ministry, if you do not have sales permit and you are guilty in any of the sales of our inputs, you would be arrested immediately.”

26

T H I S D AY

TUESday, JANUARY 23, 2024

business/MOnEYGUIDE

DataPro Assigns FSDH Merchant Bank“A”Rating With Stable Outlook Nume Ekeghe

FSDH Merchant Bank Limited has been assigned a long-term rating of “A” with a Stable Outlook for 2023/2024 by the technology-driven credit rating agency, DataPro. In a statement by its Client Services Manager, Mr. Kehinde Rasheed, the rating agency explained that considerations for the rating assigned to the Bank include its financial performance, capital adequacy, asset quality, liquidity, profitability, corporate governance and risk management.

The statement pointed out that FSDH MB leveraged on funding obtained from commercial institutions, debt issuances and depositors during in 2022.

“The Commercial Paper issued during the year amounted to a face value of N20.47bn.

This is complemented by borrowings from various financial institutions to the tune of N50.8bn. The Bank was also able to grow customer deposit liabilities by 37% in 2022.

“The Bank channelled the fund into its operation, increasing net loans and advances by 53%. This supported gross earnings and pre-tax profit growth by 77% and 302% respectively during the year under review,” the statement added.

It further explained that in 2023, the bank derived a gross earnings of N24.4bn for its operations, a significant increase from the previous year earnings of N13.7bn.

Rasheed said the rating assigned reflects DataPro’s opinion of FSDH Merchant Banks’ good earning profile, experienced management team, good liquidity as well

as low risk.

According to him, the rating shows very good financial strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standard established by DataPro. “This Bank, in our opinion, has a strong ability to meet its ongoing obligations. Its Short-Term Rating of “A2” indicates fair credit quality and adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.”

Meanwhile, the rating agency noted that the exercise carries a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months, in line with international best practice, clarifying that the rating is not an offer to trade in securities nor a substitute for the user ’s judgment.

“It is meant for reference purposes,” the statement said.

General Counsel & Company Secretary, Axxela, Tuoyo Ejueyitchie; Chief Operating Officer, United Nations Global Compact, Tumi Onamade;, Chief Executive Officer, Axxela, Bolaji Osunsanya; Board Member, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, Ayotola Jagun, at the official signing ceremony of Axxela as a participant of the United Nations Global Compact in Lagos…recently

MARKET INDICATORS

UBA Emerges Global Finance Best SME Bank for 2023

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has continued to elevate its global standing, coveting several prestigious international awards, signaling the bank’s continuous contributions to the economic development of Africa.

The recognition of the bank’s outstanding performance reaffirms its status as a leading player in the financial industry with critical financial intermediation, project financing, trade facilitation and advisory in Africa and beyond. UBA emerged Global Finance’s Best SME Bank for 2023 in Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique, awards that spotlight the bank’s continuous resolve towards supporting small and medium scale businesses, which is the

life of any growing economy.

Also, the bank, with presence in 20 African countries won the 2023 FMDQ Gold Awards in three key categories of Money Market Liquidity Provider; FX Market Liquidity Provider and Dealing Member of the Year, while UBA was also named as Global Finance’s Safest Bank in Senegal 2023.

Responding to the FMDQ Group Awards, the Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu said, “this recognition is a testament to UBA’s impressive capital strength and capacity to provide liquidity to African financial markets even in the face of harsh economic realities, our market knowledge, dedication to customer services and the trust of our clients.”

Continuing on the global scene, UBA Ghana clinched the World Business Outlook Awards for 2023 as the Best Banking Services Provider Ghana 2023; Leading Financial Services Institutions Ghana 2023 and the Banking CEO of the Year Ghana 2023 which was won by Mr. Chris Ofikulu, the then CEO of UBA Ghana.

UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, who received the awards on behalf of the bank, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the awards, and said the recognitions come as a reassurance that the bank is on track in its goal at consolidating its leadership position in Africa, as it continues to create superior value for its stakeholders.

Sovereign Trust Insurance Lists 2.86bn Shares on NGX Kayode Tokede The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has admitted Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc’s additional 2.86 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each per share on its Daily Official List.

The NGX noted that with the listing of the additional shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Sovereign Trust have now increased from 11.364 billion to 14.228

billion ordinary shares.

The bourse in a statement said, “Trading Licence Holders are hereby notified that an additional 2,863,673,469 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each per share of Sovereign Trust Insurance were on Thursday, 18 January 2024, listed on the Daily Official List of NGX. The additional shares listed on NGX arose from the Sovereign Trust’s Rights Issue of 2,863,673,469 or-

dinary shares of 50 Kobo each at 50 Kobo per share.

With this listing of the additional 2,863,673,469 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Sovereign Trust have now increased from 11,364,466,014 to 14,228,139,483 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Currently trading at N0.60 per share, the company’s market capitalisation increased to N8.54billiion as of January 19, 2024.

ACCI Tasks FG to Rein in Rising Inflation James Emejo in Abuja The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Chief Emeka Obegolu, has called on the federal government to take decisive measures to curb the surge in inflation across the country.

He called for implementation of strategic interventions to counter the inflationary trends deepened by the removal of fuel subsidies as well as remove other impediments hindering the smooth conduct of business operations.

In a statement, the ACCI president noted that the inflation report from December

revealed an 11th consecutive increase, reaching 28.92 per cent which is the highest inflation rate in two decades.

Furthermore, the report highlighted a surge in food inflation, reaching 33.93 per cent.

Obegolu, stressed the need for the government to fortify the production value chain, particularly in sectors that generate employment opportunities.

Specifically, he called for intervention in the livestock sector, with a focus on the dairy industry, as pivotal in addressing longstanding farmer-herder clashes and enhancing national security.

He also underscores the significance of the mining sector, urging the government to attract foreign investment to bolster the socio-economic welfare of the citizens.

The ACCI president urged the government to maintain its pro-business policies aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business.

According to him, these policies include the streamlining of tax procedures, swift implementation of new minimum wage standards to boost consumer purchasing power, addressing the prevailing insecurity concerns, and ensuring a stable power supply.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) August, 2023

Money Supply (M3)

65,445,154.2

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

552,553.58

Money Supply (M2)

64,892,600.61

-- Quasi Money

40,870,301.28

-- Narrow Money (M1)

24,022,299.33

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,295,309.10

---- Demand Deposits

21,726,990.23

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,144,158.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

58,300,995.27

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

87,273,966.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

32,511,333.17

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

54,762,633.63

--Other Assets Net

13,347,376.27

Reserve Money (Base Money

19,429,603.25

--Currency in Circulation

2,660,138.92

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

16,769,464.34 428,519.21

• Source - CBN

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2023

Inter-Bank Call Rate

3.89

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

18.75

Treasury Bill Rate

5.13

Savings Deposit Rate

5.26

1 Month Deposit Rate

7.31

3 Months Deposit Rate

7.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

8.30

12 Months Deposit Rate

8.13

Prime Lending rate

13.99

Maximum Lending Rate

27.59

• Monetary Policy Rate - 13%

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE As At 29th September , 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $97.48 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $97.08 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY •TUESday, JANUARY 23, 2024

27

mARKET NEWS

Stock Market’s Benchmark Index Crosses 95,000 Basis Points

Kayode Tokede

The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), yesterday extended its positive momentum from last week, leading to major benchmark crossing the 95,000basis points threshold.

The All Share Index (NGX ASI) rose by 1,230 basis points or 1.30 per cent to close at 95,768.12 basis points from 94,538.12 basis points it opened for trading.

Also, market capitalisation appreciated by N673 billion to close at N52.408 trillion, buoyed by price increase in Dangote Cement Plc and 23 others.

As a result, the stock market year-to-date (YTD) return rose to 28.08per cent. As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was negative, as 24 stocks gained relative to 47 losers. SUNU Assurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N1.98, per share.

P R I C E S MaiN Board

F O R DEALS

Dangote Cement followed with a gain of 9.99 per cent to close at N592.60, while Tripple Gee & Company rose by 9.81 per cent to close at N2.35, per share.

Eterna rose by 9.80 per cent to close at N25.20, while Meyer and Cutix appreciated by 8.89 per cent to close at N2.94, per share.

On the other hand, Cadbury Nigeria, Flour Mills of Nigeria , McNichols, Sovereign Trust Insurance and University Press led the losers’ chart by 10 per

S E C U R I T I E S Market Price

quantity traded

cent each to close at N26.10, N42.30, N1.62, 54 kobo and N3.60 respectively, per share.

Jaiz Bank followed with a decline of 9.86 per cent to close at N3.11, while Wema Bank lost 9.58 per cent to close at N10.85, per share. The total volume traded decreased by 4.92 per cent to 721.814 million units, valued at N14.408 billion, and exchanged in 15,757 deals. Transactions in the shares of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) topped

T R A D E D

value traded ( N )

MaiN Board

A S O F

the activity chart with 66.521 million shares valued at N1.232 billion. Veritas Kapital Assurance followed with 47.004 million shares worth N34.906 million, while Access Holdings traded 40.010 million shares valued at N1.171 billion.

Universal Insurance traded 38.876 million shares valued at N19.198 million, while Japaul Gold & Ventures sold 32.824 million shares worth N84.643 million. United Capital Plc

J A N UA RY DEALS

said “in January 2024, we expect the Bulls to prevail, as bargain hunting continues as the order of the day. Given the global developments across major central banks in advanced economies, high base expectations for inflation, and improved economic growth prospects, we expect the local bourse to record a positive performance this new week. Investors may continue to cherry-pick stocks with strong fundamentals, (value or growth).

/ 2 2 / 2 4 Market Price

quantity traded

value traded ( N)

28

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

Courtesy Call on the Minister of State for Environment...

The Hon. Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako (M) flanked to the right by the National Coordinator/CEO AUDA-NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu and to the left by the Director, Department of Drought and Desertification Management in the Ministry, Mrs. Mable Emmanuel, during a courtesy call to the Minister at the Ministry's Headquarters, Abuja...recently

Lamido Tackles Akande, Says APC Couldn’t Have Won Without PDP’s Seed Declares ex-Osun governor suffering from old age

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former governor of Jigawa State and Nigeria's erstwhile Foreign Affairs Minister, Sule Lamido, has slammed former protem national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, stating that the ruling party could not have achieved any electoral success without any contribution from the PDP. Lamido was reacting to Akande’s recent disparaging remarks on the PDP. Lamido, in a statement, stated: "The former governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Bisi Akande, recently at a function in Abuja, made some very unkind, disparaging and discourteous remark on my beloved party the PDP." He said the victories of the APC

from 2015 to date could not have reached the electorate victories of the PDP, adding that the APC at inception was a barren party He said the APC as a barren political party benefited from the 'civil war' and crisis with the PDP. Lamido who went down memory lane, said, "Now let me take Bisi down the memory lane of PDP history from 1999 to early 2014 before the birth of his party the APC. “If you look at all the results of the presidential elections of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, one could see that at each election, the results scored by the PDP were more than that of all the other political parties put together!

"From the above statistics, it is clearly obvious that whatever arrangements put by whatever

alliance and by whatever nomenclature named, APC or whatever, the outcome will not change or threaten the dominance of the PDP in any future election more so that of 2014.

“Bisi must have known this as an indisputable fact because he was fairly mentally alert at that time. So, when the APC alliance or contraption was formed in 2014, anybody with ordinary common sense knew that it was a barren woman, who could not conceive unless it is fertilised by special seed!

This much is a very undisputed fact!

"The major task then before the desperate barren APC after formation/contraption was how to woe and elope with any seed that could fertilise it," Lamido stressed.

According to him, "Of course, this period coincided with the

FCT Activates Emergency Response for Lassa Fever Outbreak Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Amid growing apprehension over the spread of Lassa Fever infection across the country, the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has activated an emergency operations centre to coordinate actions aimed at controlling the disease.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said there had been no fatality resulting from Lassa fever in the FCT so far.

She said that FCT was activating a subnational level multi-sectoral emergency operations centre based on the risk assessment by subject matter experts from relevant ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders.

The health secretary said the purpose of activating the centre was to achieve a coordinated subnational response and interrupt the transmission as soon as possible.

Fasawe disclosed that the Director of the Public Health Department in the FCT, Dr. Doris John, had been designated incident manager for the Lassa Fever while Dr. Lukman Lawal is the Deputy incident manager.

Fasawe said there was no need for alarm by residents but that basic

precautions should be observed.

She listed some of the precautions to include: Not exposing food to the possibility of rat droplets and early report of suspected cases to the nearest health centre.

She also said that clinicians in both public and private health facilities should have a high index of suspicion.

Fasawe further said that designated treatment centres are located in the National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

Speaking on detected cases in the FCT, Fasawe said that a 14-month

female old child whose mother was diagnosed is currently in the treatment centre and responding to care while another 15-year-old female who was confirmed on of January 17, is also receiving care at the treatment centre.

According to her, both children are responding to treatment.

Speaking on the death of a Lassa fever infected child, Fasawe said that the incident did not emanate from the FCT. According to her, the deceased was a confirmed case, diagnosed at the Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

then ‘Civil War’ in the PDP! In this desperation, the APC took in the PDP seed, which it had all along disparaged and ‘evilised’ to no end.

"Bisi and co called PDP ‘looters, Boko Haram, a plague and everything unimaginable! As God will have it, it is this ‘evil’ that

A retired Brigadier-General, Olumide Felix Ohunyeye, has joined the race for the November 16, governorship election in Ondo State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a promise to move the state from a consumption to production state if elected.

He has also vowed to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu towards developing agriculture for exports and growth of foods consumption and export.

Ohunyeye, a PhD holder, who stated this while speaking with

journalists on his governorship ambition on Monday in Akure, the state capital said, with his 36 years of military background experience, he is poised to clinch the ticket of the party ahead of the governorship election in the state.

"For several reasons, I want to become the governor of Ondo State. It boarders on previous work experience, professional experience and my academic pursuit.

“Like you know, Ondo is a state of giants when it comes to academics and reeling off my qualifications which includes a PhD., I believe that it's nothing to celebrate as such.

its National Publicity Secretary will stand up and give Governor Akande an adequate reply in equal measure.

"But having heard nothing yet from my Party, I can no longer suppress the this urge to respond to Bisi in my personal capacity.

FG: Ibadan Explosion Man-made, Regrettable Insists culprits will face justice, succour for victims underway Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The federal government has said last week’s explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, was man-made and therefore, regrettable.

It, therefore, assured Nigerians that those found culpable in circumstances leading to the explosion would face the full weight of the law, even as it said succour for the victims was underway.

Speaking while visiting the scene of the blast for an on-thespot assessment in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who led the federal government delegation, expressed shock at the scale of devastation and unfortunate loss of lives, stressing that the disaster was man-made and regrettable.

Briefing the minister on the state government's rescue efforts, head of the state's disaster management team, Prof. Tope Alonge, noted that the swift response of the state's first responders and security agencies minimised the level of devastation and reduced the rate of casualties.

Recounting efforts to protect

Ondo 2024: Retired Army General, Ohunyeye, Joins Guber Race Fidelis David in Akure

gave birth to what catapulted His Excellency, Governor Bisi Akande from an obscure local little AC/ ACN into national limelight.

"I have made every effort to suppress the urge to respond to him hoping and believing that the NWC of the PDP or at least

"The call or clamour for development in Ondo State continues to resonate as citizens, we are desirous, the populace are desirous of improving their lots.

“Improving their standards of living, improving in emancipating the critical mass of people from underemployment, poverty, joblessness and several others."

Ohunyeye, who hails from Ilutitun, in Okitipupa local government area of the state revealed that education, economic development, healthcare, infrastructure would be the cardinal pillars that would form the bedrock for developmental efforts for his administration.

properties in aftermath of the blast, the Special Adviser to the governor on security, Fatai Owoseni, revealed that inter-agency collaboration by all security agencies coupled with logistics support from the state government prevented looting of victims' properties, keeping the site secure till date.

In his visit to injured victims at the University College Hospital (UCH), the minister conveyed the goodwill message of President Bola Tinubu, emphasising that the federal government would provide all the necessary support to ensure victims get back to their normal lives.

"I am here to convey Mr. President's deepest sympathies to you and to assure you that the administration stands shoulder to shoulder with you in your efforts to get back to your normal lives and attain full recovery. Rest assured that succour that will ameliorate the impact of the tragic incident is underway, "the Minister added.

Urging citizens to be safety conscious, Alake underscored the imperative of being sensitive to suspicious happenings in the neighbourhood, emphasising that such should be reported to security agencies to avert future incidents.

Northern Senators Allege Funds Allocation in 2024 Budget Skewed against Region Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Senators from the northern part of the country, numbering 58 out of the 109 members in the red chamber, yesterday, alleged that projections and provisions in the N28.7trm 2024 budget, were lopsided and skewed against their region.

They also kicked against the relocation of some federal agencies to Lagos.

They, nevertheless, asked their constituents to remain calm as they had started an engagement with the executive arm of government led by President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

The federal lawmakers threatened to explore legal and other constitutional means in case the dialogue fails.

The senators made these known in a statement signed by their spokesperson, Senator Suleiman Kawu Summaila (NNPP Kano South).

The statement noted that all lawful means to reverse the

lopsidedness would be explored until justice is done.

Titled, "Allocation and distribution of funds in 2024 National Budget and Relocation of some Federal Agencies to Lagos," part of the statement read: "As representatives of the people at the national level (Senate), we are committed to addressing the concerns and feelings of our constituents regarding certain decisions and policies put forth by the federal government.

"In particular, lopsidedness in the distribution and allocation of resources in the 2024 budget, relocation of some federal agencies from Abuja to Lagos are seriously viewed by us as disturbing.

"We understand the importance of fostering a harmonious relationship between the government and its citizens, "It is in this spirit that we are announcing our collective efforts to seek an amicable resolution to these pressing issues, within the confines of our constitution and existing laws.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

NEWS

Bodija Explosion Report...

Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, (R) presenting report of the Bodija bomb explosion to President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa ... yesterday

Crisis as Sacked Plateau PDP Lawmakers Threaten to Resume Assembly Today Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Sixteen members of the Plateau State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but sacked by the Court of Appeal, had threatened to resume the Assembly today, saying they were the authentic members of the state Assembly, voted into office by the people of the state.

The lawmakers led by the member representing Bokkos State Constituency, Ishaku Maren, said the judgment of the Supreme Court, which reinstated Governor Caleb Mutfwang, had explained that they were unjustly removed from office hence, the remedy for the wrong done to them was for them to be allowed to return to duty.

Addressing journalists in Jos, yesterday, Maren said, “We are the 16 PDP members, of the Plateau State House of Assembly. We are all here to address the press regarding our resumption to duty tomorrow because our recess will be ending today, and by tomorrow, we are resuming work in earnest.

"We are informing the general public that the PDP family members in the State Assembly are in high spirits, willing and ready to go back and continue with your constitutional duty willingly given to us by the electorates.

“You are aware that while we were on recess, there were two judgments that were passed regarding the status of State House

of Assembly and Plateau State as a whole.

“Court of Appeal members are deceiving themselves that they are coming to the House tomorrow to resume work but I’m confident to tell you that we are a product of democracy, not of Court of Appeal.

"We are validly elected by the majority of votes that were cast in our respective constituencies and our constituents are willing and ready to accompany us tomorrow

because they voted for us they are not ready to compromise that and that is why they are seeing us to the State Assembly tomorrow.

"The Court of Appeal said one cannot put something on nothing, that PDP on the Plateau had no structure and it was on that basis that we were sacked.

“But when we were in recess, a superior court gave its verdict regarding the same issue and the judgment of the Supreme Court

said that the case that was brought before the Court of Appeal in its entirety was fraudulent and the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the entire matter and by that. We refer the APC Court of Appeal members that one cannot build something on nothing.

“It shows that the verdict of the Court of Appeal is a nullity and we reject that judgment in its entirety.

I want to call on the leadership of

miscarriage of justice. The law says that when there is an injury, there must be a remedy. The House of Assembly is supposed to be occupied by validly elected members from the 24 State constituencies.

“So without mincing a word, we are here to work. We are aware of the efforts of the APC members trying to meet His Excellency, the Governor of Plateau State that some of them are even pleading that they are willing and ready to defect.”

Chrisland School: My Daughter Died Before Taken to Hospital, Father Claims Funke Olaode Mr. Michael Adeniran father of the late 12 year old student of Christland School, Opebi, Lagos, Omodesola Whitney Adeniran, who died on February 9th, 2023 , yesterday, said his daughter had died before she was taken to the hospital by the school management.

The matter came up yesterday at the Ikeja High Court, when the school’s lead counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, cross-examined the plaintiff and witness, Mr. Adeniran.

Whitney’s father had accused the school management of negligence

that led to the untimely death of his daughter who left home that day hale and hearty.

Whitney, a JSS 2 of the elite school was allegedly electrocuted during the school’s inter-house sports held at Agege Stadium on February 9th, 2023.

While being cross-examined by Ayorinde, SAN, Adeniran told a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that his daughter was allegedly dead at the stadium before she was taken to the hospital.

However, there was a mild drama in the court between the defendant and plaintiff under

exhibit PW1A, which was issued where the name of the deceased was wrongly written. The issue was resolved and the matter continued Re-affirming his earlier claim about his daughter’s death, Adeniran told the court that he was informed by the school nurse that his daughter was already dead before she was taken to the hospital.

He said the nurse told him the deceased eyes had dilated but she could not confirm her death because she was not a doctor.

Speaking further, Ayorinde, SAN inquired about the medical condition of the deceased from

Parents of Abducted Gusau Varsity Students Storm Abuja At least nine parents of the female students of the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, last Tuesday, stormed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), demanding the release of their children The children were among the several others abducted last September 22, but some of them have been released THISDAY gathered that the storming of the NSAs office Abuja followed the failure of the Zamfara State government to fufill its promise of helping to secure the release of the children

this country, our own president, as well as the Head of the Judicial system in this nation, to save our democracy by calling the President of the Court of Appeal to order.

"Because all that happened within the Court of Appeal was based on her authority and judgment and even the panel that was dedicated to handle Plateau State matters, it was ill-motivated.

“It was even in the words of the Supreme Court that it was a

last October.

The parents, THISDAY gathered, were invited to Gusau by a top official of the Zamfara government where the official informed them that the abductees were in sound health and would be released "soon".

However, after waiting for a favourable feedback from the state government without any success, the parents assembled themselves and stormed the NSAs office last Tuesday.

One of the parents said security men did not allow them to see the

NSA but someone described as the ADC to the NSA addressed them.

According to one of the parents, the ADC informed them ( parents) that government was on top of the situation, adding that the abductees would soon be released.

According to the parent (names witheld) the ADC informed them that the government was aware of where the students were being kept and that "they are in good condition."

They told us that they had discussed with the bandits, who were ready to release our children

but that it is one of the bandits that is still a problem," adding that even that one we are going to see him.

He said they were also informed that the leader of the group has been neutralised.

According to the parent, the ADC reportedly said the bandits claimed they were holding on to the girls because Nigerian soldiers were after them and even killed their leader, an action the ADC said did not happen under this administration.

He assured them that very soon, their children will be released.

his father whether she had any severe illness.

But Adeniran said his daughter was hale and hearty and didn’t have any ‘health issue’ that needed urgent attention.

The Lagos State Government had on March 31, 2023, arraigned Chrisland School Limited, Opebi, and its principal, vice principal, and two others over the death of one of the school’s students, Whitney Adeniran.

They were arraigned alongside the school before Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

The defendants were Ademoye Adewale, (Cotton candy vendor), Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao (Principal), and Victoria Nwatu.

The defendants were standing trial on two counts bordering on involuntary manslaughter as well as reckless and negligent acts preferred against them by the state.

At the resumed hearing of the trial, yesterday, Adeniran who is the first prosecution witness narrated this to the court during cross-examination by the school's counsel Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).

When asked if Whitney was absent from school on February 2, 2023, due to illness, Adeniran replied," Yes, she was absent from school, but she was not ill."

The witness said on January 20, 2023, the school had called his wife

(the deceased's mother), to inform her that Whitney was ill.

He said his daughter was then taken to Inland Specialist Hospital at Ikeja and the doctor prescribed some drugs for her to be taken and the dosage but that he didn't know the name of the drugs.

When asked if he knew the name of the drugs, he explained that he got to know the name of the drugs from the doctor's report obtained from the hospital issued on February 16, 2023.

Adeniran mentioned the names of the drugs as nitrazepam 5mg and amitriptyline, 12.5mg which he read from an exhibit before the court.

Asked if he was informed by the Agege Central Hospital and Diagnostic Limited that the deceased died of cardiac arrest, the witness replied that he was informed that she died of cardiac arrest.

He told the court that he could not remember anybody informing him that oxygen was administered to her at the hospital.

The witness also told the court that he could not remember if the school nurse mentioned anything about applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the deceased.

However, the case was adjourned till January 24, for continuation of trial.

TUESday january 23, 2024 • T H I S D AY

30

NEWS

EDO STATE GUBER ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: Head, Media Committee, Dekeri Governorship Campaign Team, Joachim Okhai; Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Aspirant, Anamero Dekeri, and Aide to the aspirant, James Agabi, during a press conference by Dekeri on the Screening Committee set up by Edo State APC in Abuja… yesterday ENOCK REUBE

NSCDC Destroys Illegal Oil Bunkering Sites in Rivers Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has destroyed the operations of owners of local refineries in cutting channel one area located at Degema Local Government Area of the state.

The achievement is the NSCDC’s strategic efforts to combat the

menace of illegal oil bunkering activities, vandalism of oil pipelines and illegal dealings in petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking with journalists at the site of the incident, the spokesperson of the NSCDC Command, Olufemi Ayodele, said the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has zero tolerance for all acts of economic

Osun to Establish StateOlawale Security Trust Fund Rasheed, noted that Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo As part of efforts to secure lives and property of residents in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the establishment of a State Security Trust Fund as a matter of urgency.

In response to logistic and operational needs of the various security services, the governor directed a committee of five to work out the modalities for the take-off of the fund as quickly as possible.

In a statement issued and made available by the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam

the governor hinted that the fund will operate on a publicprivate partnership model in close collaboration with corporate organisations, business communities, industrialists and critical stakeholders.

The Fund will be deployed for the provision of material and logistic support for security operatives in the state.

To instill confidence and achieve set goals, the committee will include members of the security services with a view to proffering solutions to security challenges facing the state.

sabotage, hence, he directed the state Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, to step up intelligence and protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure both on land and in the waterways.

Ayodele hinted that the success of the Marine Unit, during the operation at the incident site, was hinged on credible intelligence that some suspects were carrying out illegal oil bunkering activities at

cutting channel area.

He said the suspects vandalised Sahara Oil well heads and pipes, to siphon crude oil and establish a local refining site in the area.

According to the NSCDC

spokesperson, “With full determination to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities on the waterways, the Marine Unit swung into action by taking charge of the environment.”

NUJ Tasks Govt on Urgent Measures to Tackle Worsening Insecurity

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed concern about the growing level of insecurity in the country, particularly in Delta State,

where unprecedented influx into the state of persons with no known or verifiable identities and residential addresses, as heightening insecurity gives residents sleepless nights.

The Union noted the worrisome presence of a large

number of children aged between four and 14 roaming busy centres in Asaba and surrounding areas in the state capital territory, including the Coka Junction Flyover on the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway, where many destitute and street

urchins now regularly spend the night.

The NUJ called for “periodic profiling of residents, especially those without means of identification,” as a practical step towards stemming the observed increase in crime in the state.

Again Eno Seeks Peaceful Resolution of Traditional Rulers Crisis in A’Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has sought restraint in the ongoing feud between traditional rulers in the state over the seat of the chairman of the Supreme Council for Traditional Rulers.

He said his development plans

for the Annang people in the Ikot Ekpene senatorial district of the state remained sacrosanct and would be pursued to a logical conclusion.

Eno, who made this known yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Itai Afe Annang V, Obong Blaise Awakama in

Abak, assured the state of his determination to continue to foster unity and the spirit of kindredship among traditional institutions and symbols of authority in the state.

The governor appealed for patience and understanding while the Traditional Rulers’ Council issue is being resolved, saying: “I

enjoin our elders to come together and help unite our people.

“Let the traditional rulers speak among themselves. Boycotting meetings, I think, is not helpful, but I want to assure you that we will put a closure to the matter soon. As you know, the case is still in court.”

Lagos Police Debunk Report of Kidnapping on Gbagada Expressway Sunday Ehigiator

Command’s

spokesperson,

Consequent upon this, the state

architecture will be regularly

Police Command is false.

“That notwithstanding, the Command is not unmindful of the concerns raised in the alert.

Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders in a bid to forestall such occurrence.

“The improved security

Fayoade urges Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Hundeyin, it Commissioner of Police, Adegoke reviewed and optimised to ensure Rivers Police Parade Officers The Lagos State Police Command Benjamin unequivocally stated that: “The Fayoade, has ordered an immediate absolute security for road users, has debunked a viral advisory on claim that such a security alert review of the security architecture of residents of the area and the entire for N4.2m Extortion social media purportedly emanating was issued by the Lagos State the entire area by affected Divisional people of Lagos State. To this end, Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt

The Rivers State Police Command has paraded three police officers for misconduct, abduction, and extortion of over N4million from yet to be identified victims in the state.

Last Friday, a Twitter user with the handle @harrisonbbi18 made a post saying: “Police officers attached to Rivers State Police Command left Port Harcourt to Aba, Abia State, arrested a man, took him to Rivers State, Bayelsa State, and entered Ughelli, Delta State. After paying $3,000, they moved him back to

Port Harcourt and dumped him.”

Parading the suspects, including from the Command the rising cases two Assistant Superintendent of of kidnapping incidents on the Police (ASP) and one Inspector, Gbagada expressway in the state.

In a statement signed by the at the state police headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that they have arrested David-Chyddy Eleke inAwka and recovered a sum of $3000 from A security consultant and proprietor the officers.

The Police Public Relations of the Awka-based Blue Shield Officer (PPRO) said the victims Security Company Limited in were arrested in Abia State taken Anambra State, Ozo Jeff Nweke, to Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States has dragged the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, to court. for the alleged fraudulent act.

The suit also joined the Police

Anambra Private Security Outfit Owner Sues Police Commissioner, Claims N200m Service Commission (PSC) in the defamation. Instituted at the Awka High Court, the Blue Shield boss is also claiming N200 million being the general damage for libel.

Nweke is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any defamatory matter against him, as well as urging

the court to order them to publish a written apology to the plaintiff in any two national daily newspapers.

The case was filed on behalf of Nweke by his counsel, G U Moneke of Udoka Chambers in Awka.

In the writ of summons, the registrar of the court said: “ You are hereby commanded that within

42 days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of Ozo Jeff Nweke and take notice that in default of your so doing, the plaintiff may proceed there in, and judgment may be given in your absence.”

In a statement issued by NEMA, it appealed to Nigerians to be safety conscious in their activities to protect their lives and property.

The agency made the appeal while assessing the impacts of the last Sunday fire disaster that

Mandilas building.

According to the Iya Oja of Atunwase International Market Mandilas General, Alhaja Adeniji Rashidat, who briefed the assessors, “The impacted building is estimated to accommodate about 6,700 traders, 450 shops, 30 offices,

“The fire, which started at about 00:11 hours, began on the first floor where an alleged electric wielding activity was going on.

It was alleged that the people around did not notice the fire until it was too late before the fire service was contacted.

Enugu Traditional Ruler NEMA: 450 Shops, 6,700 Traders Affected by Mandilas Fire in Lagos Pledges Quality Leadership SundayEhigiator in Lagos last Sunday. occurred at the 16th-floor of old two hotels, and five restaurants

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The newly elected traditional ruler of Ogugu, one of the communities in Agwu Local Government Area in Enugu State, Igwe Aloysius Ogbonna, has promised that his administration will deliver quality leadership to the people.

Ogbonna’s emergence in a keenly contested election ended the 24 years that Ogugu had been without a leader, following the death of the former traditional ruler, Godwin Ochi.

In an interview with THISDAY yesterday, Ogbonna said his victory was an act of God and

the people’s collective decision to end the lack of leadership which had resulted in the series of marginalisation suffered by the community.

According to him, “I have always wanted the opportunity to serve the people. I promise to use my time as the leader of the community to deliver good governance to the people who have found me worthy.”

He noted that he was ready to work with his opponent from Ugwuagbo–Uhuahu, Godwin Egbo, and other individuals to move the community to greater heights in terms of development.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that no fewer than 450 shops, 6,700 traders, 30 offices, two hotels and five restaurants were affected by the fire incident which gutted Mandilas building

Cleric Preaches Unity, Spiritual Solidarity among Christians Ayodeji Ake

Founder of the Christ For All Souls Ministries (CFASM), Prophet Odedoyin Olawumi, has urged Nigerian Christians to unite and be spiritually inclined for the development of Nigeria.

Addressing journalists in Lagos during the Grand Opening of CFASM recently, Oluwumi noted that the hardship in Nigeria also needs divine intervention.

He added that before choosing any church of choice,

Christians should pray for the Holy Spirit’s direction.

According to the cleric, “Many of the acclaimed men of God are not. I have been to a church to preach and I discovered that many of the testifiers are ghosts.

There are churches of the devil

everywhere. We cannot be in sin and expect the grace of God to multiply.

“Before going to church, pray that God should open your eyes. There are a lot of fake churches everywhere. We need the Holy Spirit to lead us.”

31

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

TUESdaysports

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Beat GuineaBissau to Qualify for Knockout Round

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s Super Eagles sealed their place in the Last 16 Round of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations last night with a lone goal win over hard-fighting Guinea-Bissau to finish as runner-up to Equatorial Guinea.

Both Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea finished the Group A matches on seven points each but the superior goals difference of the Nzalang Nacional gave them the edge to

stay at the top.

Guinea-Bissau’s central defender, Opa Sangante gifted Nigeria the lone goal winner. His attempt to clear Moses Simon’s cross to Victor Osimhen ended in the Wild Dogs’ net in the 36th minute of the tension-soaked match inside the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in central Abidjan.

Eagles had a great chance to double the lead just before half-time as an unmarked Osimhen headed

wide and threatened again two minutes into the second half when Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper, Jonas Mendes, smothered Simon’s shot.

Both teams had a goal each disallowed after consultations with the VAR. Guinea-Bissau threatened in the final 10 minutes when Fali Cande’s free-kick took an awkward bounce, but Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali managed to push it wide before Nito Gomes headed wide

from the resulting corner.

The late pressure almost paid off as a ferocious strike from Franculino Dju was ruled out for offside and Nigeria managed to see the game out.

However, the biggest upset of the evening was Equatorial Guinea’s 4-0 humiliation of hosts, Côte d’Ivoire.

It is perhaps the biggest upset for a host nation in the history of the tournament.

The defeat has now put the

if they can still squeeze into the knockout phase as one of the four best third placed teams.

Ivorians with just three points, at the mercy of the other Group matches till Wednesday to know

FINAL GROUP A E’Guinea Nigeria C’ d’Ivoire G’Bissau

P 3 3 3 3

W 2 2 1 0

D 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 2 3

GF 9 3 2 2

GA 3 1 5 7

GD 6 2 -3 -5

Pts 7 7 3 0

P 3 3 3 3

W 2 0 0 0

D 1 3 2 2

L 0 0 1 1

GF 7 6 5 4

GA 3 6 6 7

GD 4 0 -1 -3

Pts 7 3 2 2

P 2 2 2 2

W 2 1 0 0

D 0 1 1 0

L 0 0 1 2

GF 6 2 2 0

GA 1 1 4 4

GD 5 1 -2 -4

Pts 6 4 1 0

FINAL GROUP B C’Verde Egypt Ghana Mozambique

GROUP C Senegal Guinea Cameroon Gambia

...Nigeria May Play Guinea, Cameroon or Senegal in Round of 16

AFCON RESULTS E’Guinea 4-0 C’d’Ivoire G’Bissau 0-1 Nigeria Mo’bique 2-2 Ghana C’Verde 2-2 Egypt

Femi Solaja

Today Gambia v Cameroon Guinea v Senegal Angola v B’Faso Mauritania v Algeria

Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue Lopez is the leading marksman at the ongoing Côte d’Ivoire 2023 with five goals

Super Eagles top striker, Victor Osimhen, missed several opportunities as a lone Guinea-Bissau's own goal gifted Nigeria passage to the Round of 16 of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire ...yesterday photo: AP

Minnow Mozambique End Ghana’s Adventure in Côte d’Ivoire

Two late goals in added time last night denied Ghana’s Black Stars passage to the last 16 Round of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire as the 2-2 draw with Mozambique has left the former champions with just two points from three matches.

The draw was also a lifeline for hosts Côte d’Ivoire who finished third in Group A with

three points and now stand to benefit as one of the four best third placed teams to qualify for the Round of 16.

Jordan Ayew struck two penalties in regular time to temporarily push the Black Stars to the second spot of Group B above Egypt in third place and without hope of making it to the knockout.

But in what appears Ghana’s

repeat of their demise against Comoros at Cameroon 2021, the Black Stars allowed Mozambique to fightback with two goals in added time to level 2-2 and dent their hopes.

Geny Catamo’s penalty and Reinildo Mandawa’s header in the dying seconds from a corner kick caused by goalkeeper Richard Ofori ensured that the Black

Stars are Accra-bound by this afternoon.

Cape Verde topped the Group on seven points while Egypt that drew 2-2 with Cape Verde on the night of drama sneaked into the next stage as runners up on three points. Ghana who are tied on two points with Mozambique stand no chance of benefiting from the lottery of third placed teams.

There are strong indications of a potential Super Eagles of Nigeria versus Syli National of Guinea Round of 16 clash this weekend as the AFCON 2023 tournament enters the crucial knockout phase.

Although the Group C table may change this evening to place any of second-placed side from Group C, which will be Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon, in the last 16 fixture against Nigeria.

Super Eagles have never missed the knockout stage since their participation in the 1984 edition hosted by the same Côte d’Ivoire.

The three-time African champions made the crucial round again yesterday evening courtesy of a lone goal victory against GuineaBissau. They entered the Round of 16 phase with seven points but Equatorial Guinea won the group with better goals difference. The Nzalang Nacional’s emphatic 4-0 demolition of hosts Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire last night extended their goals advantage beyond Nigeria’s reach.

With Group A already decided, Nigeria will have to wait for the outcomes of today’s Group C matches. The Gambia will face off with former champions, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon while defending

champions, Teranga Lions of Senegal will play Syli National of Guinea.

With Senegal already qualified and needing just a draw against Guinea to top the Group, the attention of many Nigerians will shift little to Guinea as a likely opponent of the Super Eagles.

According to the fixtures for the next round, the runner-up in Group A will play the team that finished second in Group C which Guinea currently occupy. Only a Guinea win over Senegal may change the equation as it presently stands and lift the Syli National to top of the table while the Teranga Lions swap places with Sadio Mane side as the next opponents of Super Eagles on Saturday.

As the Nigeria versus Guinea Round of 16 fixture looms, pundits will be looking forward to see if the Guineans will repeat their 2-0 defeat of Nigeria last month in a warm-up game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. If that happens, it will be ,a repeat of how Super Eagles exited the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon when Tunisia denied them passage to the quarter-final stage.

Nigeria edged out Guinea in the opening group match of the 2019 tournament in Egypt and went further on the podium to finish as the bronze medal winners.

2024 NPA / GTCO Lagos Polo Gallops off With 39 Teams Battle for Honours Emilio Nsue Lopez: ‘The

The Management of Lagos Polo Club is in a buoyant mood as the 2024 NPA/ GTCO Lagos International Polo Tournament gallops off today.

A record 39 teams are jostling for top honours in the 120th edition that promises to be full of suspense and intriguing moments.

The ambitious teams which are fully armed with foreign professionals and fortified with thoroughbred Argentine horses are competing for honours in the four major cup categories, The Open Cup, The Majekodunmi Cup, The Lagos Low Cup and the Silver Cup respectively.

For the first time in the rich history of the international polo festival, the glamorous event would

be decided over four weeks of bumper to bumper polo actions from January 23 to 28, 2024, with five equally-matched teams jostling for the Open Cup glory.

President Lagos Polo Club, Bode Makanjuola who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos yesterday said that the club has put everything on ground to make the 120th anniversary edition of the prestigious polo tournament in Africa truly special.

According to the Polo Captain, Muyiwa Oni, the revered Majekodunmi Cup will take the centre stage from January 30th to February 4th, 2024with four teams from Lagos and Abuja battling for the top prize, while the third week of February 6-11, 2024 would

feature 16 teams drawn from major polo centres across the country locked in battle for the Low Cup. The grand finale week that would draw the curtain on the 120th edition of the annual fiesta, will see a crowd of 14 equally matched low-goal teams slugging it out for the Silver Cup from February 13 to 18, 2024in what promises to be a fitting cap to Africa’s richest polo extravaganza.

Tournament Manager, Olumayowa Ogunnusi who commended the main sponsor GTCO and other sponsors for their immense support over the years, stated that the Lagos Polo Club looks forward to delivering great values for the sponsors and participants players, invited special

guests and polo buffs during the epoch fiesta.

Commenting on GTCO Plc’s role as main sponsors of the Lagos International Polo Tournament over the years, Mr Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our continuing support of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament demonstrates our unwavering commitment to offering great experiences, particularly in celebrating the heritage and tradition of the ‘Sport of Kings’.

Our partnership with the Lagos Polo Club has been rewarding, bringing increased exposure to the sport of polo in Nigeria and contributing to the remarkable stories of sportsmanship being told across Africa.”

Assassin’ at Côte d’Ivoire 2023 What a time to be Emilio Nsue Lopez! At 34 years and winding down his career at third tier Spanish club CF Intercity in Alicante, Nsue (that’s the name he prefers on his shirt), has taken Côte d’Ivoire 2023 by storm, banging goals with relative ease.

As Captain of the Equatorial Guinean side, he has caught the eyes with his electrifying runs and scoring techniques.

Now, he’s the top scorer at this edition with five goals so far and more may still come from his boots.

Nsue bagged the tournament’s first hat-trick in 16 years in his

country’s 4-2 demolition of Guinea Bissau last Thursday He netted a brace against the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire last night to race upwards as this tournament’s leading scorer ahead of more established marksmen here but playing in top leagues in Europe.

It is fitting to say that Nsue caused Elephants’ virtual elimination in a repeat of their performance when Cote d’Ivoire hosted the competition in 1984.

They defeated Togo 3-0 in their first match only to lose 1-2 to Egypt and crashed out 0-2 to eventual winners Cameroon who defeated Nigeria to lift the trophy.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N400

MISSILE

Immigration Officials to Interior Minister

“Northing is working at the passport offices all over the federation. Date of birth and letter of identification are not required for passport renewal, but they have been made compulsory. So, it is difficult for people to meet that requirement, especially thousands of Nigerians who returned from overseas. Securing your passport is now rigorous because of unnecessary documentation requirement” --Immigration Officials, lamenting the stringent conditions for renewing/processing the Nigerian passports, by the government.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Davos 2024, Nigeria andVP Shettima

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ritics of globalism and capitalism have continually raised questions about the relevance of the World Economic Forum (WEF) established by Professor Klaus Schwab in 1971 originally as the European Management Forum; it later became the World Economic Forum in 1987, with Davos, in Switzerland as its home – a forum for addressing the urgent issues facing the world and seeking answers to define a pathway to the future. The very idea that a selected gang of the rich and the elite of the world, drawn from the public and private sectors and subsequently from civil society, would sit around for a few days, and pretend to lead the world to the future, in an all-knowing manner, without the poor, the world’s vast majority being at the table is a major source of objection by the anti-globalists who in addition insist that every nation has its own peculiar interests that cannot be subsumed under a global agenda. The WEF 2024 was held 14 - 19 January 2024, in Davos. I was there as part of the Arise News Team of correspondents covering the conference – my fourth or fifth time in Davos, having been there yearly during my tour of duty as Presidential Spokesperson for Nigeria.

Whatever may be the ideological objections of those who stayed away from this year’s event, the relevance of the WEF as a conference where important conversations about the human condition take place, was not in any way diminished.

In addition to the natural conscientious objectors, that is the traditional nay-sayers, Turkey boycotted this year’s conference- President Recep Erdogan having instructed his Minister of Finance not to go anywhere near Davos because the place would be full of pro-Israel and anti-Palestine ideologues.

Russia was also absent, perhaps understandably.

Over 2, 000 Russian elites are banned from going near Europe, having been declared as persona non grata in the Eurozone. The last time Russia attended was in 2021, before the Ukrainian invasion of 2021, and that was virtually. But China was all over the place, with a large delegation led by Prime Minister Li Qiang, looking for finance, trade and commerce.

India was also conspicuously present, setting up an India House at the Davos Promenade, erecting banners and messages by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at chosen spots. The Indians were looking for the same things as the Chinese.

Overall, the attendance was rich, the organization was clock-work efficient, the people of Davos did not stand in the way of the over 2, 800 persons from more than 60 countries who attended this year’s conference. Every January, Davos offers a delightful experience to its visitors: an opportunity for knowledge, ideas and interaction, and a memorable vacation for those who enjoy skiing on the Swiss Alps. I have never found the weather delightful though: snow-capped skyline, bitterly cold weather – during the week, we had to survive a range of -4 to -11; at one point my right hand was frozen.

I shivered. It was as if I had been placed inside a deep refrigerator. All that talk about global warming, please Davos was so cold and harsh, like a scene from T. S. Eliot’s The Wasteland. Nonetheless, WEF/ DAVOS 2024 deserves special praise for the efforts of Professor Klaus Schwab and his partners. They delivered, characteristically. The theme for this year’s conference was “Rebuilding Trust”- which seems to be a continuation of the. theme for WEF 2022 viz: “Working Together: Restoring Trust”. The theme is further broken down into four sub-themes: (a) Achieving security and co-operation in a fractured world, (b) Creating growth and jobs for a new era (c) Artificial intelligence as a driving force for the economy and society and (d) A long-term strategy for climate, nature, and energy. Under the umbrella of multi-stakeholder capitalism, the organizers of the conference sought to draw attention to the basics to improve conversations about -principles of transparency, accountability and collective agency forged through research, alliances and frameworks that drive co-operation and partnerships.

Indeed, a. prominent theme at this year’s confer-

Vice President Kashim Shettima ence was the urgent need to rebuild trust among the nations of the world, against the backdrop of geo-political and economic tensions and the issues were well covered in the various conversations- the Russian-Ukraine war, Israel vs Hamas, and the escalating tensions in the Middle East, from the Red Sea, to Lebanon and Iran and the implications for global trade and peace; climate change issues, the sustainability of the planet, debt issues, North-South schisms, the positive and negative sides of Artificial Intelligence - a great moment in human history and how to prevent it from becoming “the next Hiroshima” through caution and regulation. Most countries of the world are struggling with high levels of unemployment and debt. What is the best people-centric strategy for the world?

As expected, there was ample focus on the need to build co-operation and collaboration in a fragmented world. I am not sure there was any consensus reached on that subject. The leaders of the world left the Conference not anywhere any decision that the world can become united or that peace is guaranteed. Turkey and Russia had dismissed the conference on the grounds of trust.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei who spoke at the conference advised world leaders to embrace “free enterprise capitalism” as the only solution to poverty, and must avoid socialist ideas about trying to save the world. UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres at the conference attended by at least 27 fossil fuel companies, including Shell, Aramco, and BP accused the same multinationals of sheer hypocrisy and dubious, murky conduct with regard to greenhouse gas emissions. The last man had not yet left Davos-Klosters when Guterres’s concern was confirmed. Last Friday, Exxon Mobil sued two of its investors at a US District Court in Texas- Follow This and Arjuna Capital - to prevent the climate activists from seeking a contrarian vote at its annual shareholder meeting on 29 March. But the matter about trust was settled finally, I think, when Israeli President Isaac Herzog showed up. He said pointedly that Israel can never trust Hamas, or Palestine terror and that what the world is dealing with is not Israel vs Hamas but the world versus an empire of evil backed by Iran. He wants Israeli hostages released. Israel rejects a two-state solution.

Herzog says Saudi Arabia should normalize relations with Israel as a way to peace. Saudi Arabia gives peace in Gaza as a condition and has not shown any willingness to embrace Israel. Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq leaders speaking at Davos were also pro-Palestine.

However, DAVOS 2024 provided an opportunity

for the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky to present his case to the world. In the event of the escalating crisis in the Middle East, the world had almost forgotten about Ukraine. Zelensky showed up to ask the allies not to forget Ukraine and the need to pile more pressures on Russia. The war in Ukraine dominated discussions. Zelensky got commitments from the global and political elite – US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, US Foreign Secretary, Antony Blinken, EU Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen, and global business elite, JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon – all promising that Ukraine will be refinanced and supported. The Middle East also of course dominated discussions, with pro-Palestine countries calling for peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Leaders at WEF/DAVOS 2024 thought a re-set of the global architecture was possible, something in the nature of a Grand Redesign.

Hence, discussions around climate change focused on how to sustain the planet- the biodiversity, water, climate finance/ adaptation, clean energy. The world is imperiled with temperatures racing close to a 2.8 increase in temperatures in the face of dubious greenwashing. DAVOS 2024 was meant to follow up on commitments made at COP 28 in Dubai. I don’t think much progress was made in this regard.

But there were national commitments and promises as usual. World leaders were genuinely anxious about the possibility of Donald Trump returning as US President in November 2024, now that he got 51% at Iowa, and he is set to win at New Hampshire, which would make him the presumptive Republican candidate for the 2024 US Presidential election. Trump is the very opposite of what the globalists stand for.

He preaches America First in every circumstance.

He had pulled America out of the Paris Climate Agreement, he also threatened to pull America out of NATO, and now he says he can resolve the Russian-Ukraine war in 24 hours. It is certain that he will go against Ukraine and support Russia. It is also certain that his return may prove chaotic for the world. US Business leaders seemed non-plussed in Davos, arguing that the US has enough checks and balances to put Trump in check if he wins. The reality is that out of about 50 elections in year 2024 worldwide, the one that poses the biggest threat is that of the US and that is because of Trump! At Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron talked about Europe becoming more self-assertive through financial integration, Ursula von de Leyen talked about the future of Europe, African leaders – Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana, and VP Kashim Shettima of Nigeria made a strong case for foreign investments in Africa as partners and collaborators.

Artificial intelligence also dominated the conference.

It is positively responsible for the world’s biggest current disruptions, but how can it be prevented from becoming another Hiroshima? Big tech was on full display at Davos Promenade. But what is the future?

Not blockchain. But AI. North-South schism and threats to global trade and how to create economic growth in emerging economies and underserved countries formed part of the conversation. There were concerns as well about global economic growth, unemployment, the role of banks and debt burdens.

International media covered the narratives pretty well and the Davos organizers did a good job of providing free snacks and beverages for the media, upstairs at the Registration Centre.

Nigeria did well at the Conference, I can confidently report. Nigeria was at Davos with a pruned down delegation of five persons led by Vice President Kashim Shettima. There were other Nigerians there of course including Ministers, but they were there on their own accord, not part of the Presidential delegation. I had the opportunity of interviewing Senator Shettima, Nigeria’s VP and at the end of the interview, he asked if the Arise TV crew could travel with him back to Nigeria because his aircraft was empty. He was even the one who declined on our behalf. He eventually said it would not be a good idea. We could not have accepted the offer anyway. We had our own travel arrangements, but it was good to

see for the first time that Nigeria, after President Tinubu’s slash of official entourages could travel light to a foreign event. There were other Nigerian officials but they seemed sensible enough not to travel with wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, relatives and concubines. This is a good signal but the Tinubu administration needs to do a lot more if it is serious about plugging leakages and wastages.

VP Kashim Shettima was at the private sector event on how to scale up the African economy – the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and opportunities for integration. He also spoke at a session on how to Restore Faith in the Global System. He held meetings on the sidelines with world leaders. He was generally all over the place selling Nigeria, delivering President Bola Tinubu’s message to the world. Being a former banker, he understood the language of the Forum and delivered on the registers. My first direct, physical encounter with him in Davos was at the Nigeria Roundtable on Wednesday, January 17. It was Nigeria’s main moment at the conference, beyond the other conversations. Shettima was accompanied by Wale Edun, Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Mrs. Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Minister of State, Oil and Gas, Heineken Lokpobiri; Olusegun Awolowo, Secretary, National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Dr Femi Ademiluyi, National Coordinator of the National Talent Export Programme. I thought the Nigerian session on Business, designed to attract investor confidence went very well indeed. VP Shettima who chaired the event, told his audience: “Nigeria is the sleeping giant of Africa; it has woken up to shake the world”. He said “Welcome to Nigeria. Come to Nigeria, Believe in Nigeria.” Shettima has the gift of the garb. He sounded persuasive at that event that was attended by business leaders from Indorama, Bayern Leverkusen, Airtel, Futama, Cocacola, Manchester United, Standard Bank Group, and from the local front, Wale Tinubu of Oando, Adesola Adedutan of First Bank, Hassan Oye-Odukale of Leadway Assurance/FBN and a host of others.

My next encounter with VP Shettima was at the Nigeria Night, organized by the Ministry of Creative Economy at the foyer of the Congress Hall. What a night! Glorious. Good for Nigeria. I watched VP Shettima putting up his best show that I had yet witnessed. Earlier in the day, he had quoted Napoleon Bonaparte to start his conversation. At the Nigerian Night, within a space of 30 minutes, he quoted a Chinese proverb, John Donne, Chinua Achebe, Ali Mazrui, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Thabo Mbeki, without looking at a sheet of paper. Then he danced to Nigerian music along with DJ Obi, providing music, and the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the current Ministers twerking in glorious celebration of Nigeria. Oh, what a night! Professor Klaus Schwab joined us. Ghanaian President was also there.

He arrived just after an international community had demolished Nigerian jollof and pepper soup generously provided by Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. Putting Nigeria on the world stage at Davos was a good initiative. Davos is a mix of everything: politics, culture, diversity, entertainment, entrepreneurship, innovation, culture, the scarcity of accommodation and a harsh weather!

Other Nigerian public figures that I learnt were in Davos included Senators Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, and Abdulaziz Yari, Senate Chairman on Water Resources, Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross Rivers State, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State who all stayed away from the Nigerian community for reasons best known to them.

I had a one-on-one interview with Senator Kashim Shettima the following day for Arise News. He was absolutely brilliant. He should be allowed to attend more of such international engagements. He is well chosen. He is smart. He can talk. He makes an effort to dance. He is all round-confident.

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