WEDNESDAY 22TH FEBRUARY 2023

Tinubu to Buhari: I’ll Work Hard for Nigeria Same Way You Worked Hard for Me APC denies ex-Lagos gov threw wads of naira notes to crowd Campaign urges INEC to provide data of collected PVCs in 24hrs Segun James in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, yesterday, at the grand

finale of his campaign in Lagos State, promised President Muhammadu Buhari, that he would work hard

for the country the same way he has worked hard for him.

This is as the leadership of the

APC in Lagos, has denied reports that Tinubu threw wads of naira notes at his Lagos crowd as his

convoy made its way to the Teslim Continued on page 9

CBN: Only Old N200 Banknotes Reissued for Circulation... Page 12 Wednesday 22 February, 2023 Vol 28. No 10178. Price: N250

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UK, Jonathan, Archbishop of Canterbury Appeal for Violence-free, Fair Elections United Kingdom temporarily closes visa application centres ahead of polls No Nigerian should be intimidated in voting candidates of their choice, ACF, NEF, Ohanaeze warn NLC urges workers to turn out massively to vote on Saturday Continued on page 9

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

NEWS

GRAND FINALE OF THE APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN...

L-R: National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu; APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; President Muhammadu Buhari; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council/Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, and Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahya Bello, during the grand finale of the APC Presidential Campaign at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos... yesterday

Steady Progress as Nigeria's Oil Production Exceeds 1.6 Million Barrels Per Day, Says Kyari Osinbajo: Those managing Nigeria's oil resources must account for crude oil theft Deji Elumoye, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has confirmed that the country's oil production has risen to 1.67 million barrels per day, some millions short of the 1.8 million bpd quota allocated to Nigeria by the Organisation of Petroleum Countries (OPEC).

This was just as the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, declared that tackling crude oil theft and sabotage were major concerns of the federal government, saying those in charge must be accountable because, besides economic consequences, institutional and personal reputations are at stake.

Revealing this at a meeting of stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, called to discuss the challenges of crude oil theft and losses affecting the oil and gas industry, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, said that the ‘rectangular’ security approach was already working.

According to him, the approach comprises the NNPC and partners, regulators, government security operators and the communities, boosted by the adoption of technology, which ensured the recovery of production from what it was in July 2022 to 1.67 million barrels per day.

Kyari, who was represented by the NNPC Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, at the event chaired by Osinbajo, said the implementation of the ‘Detect, Deter, Destroy' and Recover (3D strategy) has been a game changer in the fight against crude oil theft and vandalism.

He added that the establishment of the central command and control centre for effective monitoring and coordination, the launch of the whistle-blowers portal and the crude oil validation portal as well as the deployment of some of the best-in-class surveillance tools and technology had helped in reducing oil theft.

The NNPC boss stated that a key element of the collaboration had been the on-boarding of the private security contractors from the host communities, which were hitherto isolated.

He said the security contractors' in-depth knowledge of the terrain and modus operandi of the criminals

had led to massive discoveries of illegal connections and interception of vessels ferrying stolen crude oil.

Kyari said with the current sustained efforts, facilities that have been shut down have reopened, and injection of crude oil into major trunklines for evacuation to the terminals was being ramped up.

He said the oil and gas industry was poised to reposition itself for a sustainable growth trajectory as the efforts to rid Nigeria of the menace of crude oil theft continue to gain traction.

According to Kyari, a lot of work had gone into changing the old narrative and bringing all the industry stakeholders together to confront a common enemy.

Crude oil theft, he said, had been a major setback for Nigeria. Last August, crude oil theft forced the country's production down to 1.1 million barrels per day. This had cut the contribution of foreign exchange earnings from crude oil export from 90 per cent when production was high to 78.5 per cent as of the third quarter of 2022.

To arrest the situation, NNPC said it engaged a private security, Tantita Securities Service owned by Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) on August 13, 2023 for pipeline surveillance.

The NNPC and the security agencies had put up a control centre to provide surveillance of all the country’s oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta. The surveillance system is known as the Central Coordination, Data Integration and Activation Control Room.

In August last year, crude oil theft forced Nigeria’s production down to 1.1 million barrels per day far below the OPEC quota for the country.

The oil theft menace consequently cut the contribution of foreign exchange earnings from oil export from 90 per cent when production was high to 78.5 per cent as of the third quarter of 2022.

The menace had made the NNPC to engage a private security outfit, Tantita Securities Service, owned by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), on August 13, 2022, for pipeline surveillance.

Working with the private security outfit and government security agencies, NNPC had on November 9,

last year discovered over 58 illegal connections to the trans-Escravos, trans-Forcados, and other major trunk lines by oil bunkers in Delta and Bayelsa states.

Also, the NNPC in collaboration with security agencies have put up a control centre, known as the Central Coordination, Data Integration and Activation Control Room, to provide surveillance of all the country’s oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.

Like the Saudi Aramco, the NNPC Data Control Centre uses video visibility to monitor the country’s Niger Delta pipeline networks, where more than 90 percent of the country’s crude is explored.

NNPC is also working with its business partners to make sure every data concerning Nigeria’s assets are visible through the centre to enable quick action during emergency.

However, through the Data Control Centre, the NNPC has the capability to see and monitor the movement of vessels in the coast of Nigeria’s territorial waters in real time.

From the facility, officials of the NNPC, working with operatives of the Nigerian Navy could determine, in real time, if a vessel is carrying out operations within Nigeria’s coastal waters legally.

The Data Centre also uses an intelligence system to detect when an incident of crude oil theft has occured, the location, and the vessels involved.

Immediately such illegal operation has been established, officials of the Centre through its Incidents Reporting System would immediately escalate such threat to the security agencies for immediate action.

Through the facility, the security agencies have been able to reduce their incidents response time from two to three days fee weeks ago to less than two hours currently.

Osinbajo stressed that so grievous a crime cannot simply be a subject for summits, saying, "people must do their jobs and if they are unable to do them, then there must be an accounting for such failures.

Institutional and personal reputations are at stake."

He expressed concern that, "oil theft and sabotage of oil and gas assets are a clear and present danger to our economy and national security.

“Not only do they pose a serious threat to oil exploration and our energy economy, but they also impact negatively on revenue accruals to the Federation and the business prospects of investors in the oil sector."

Noting that the federal government prioritised the development of the Niger Delta, as well as the protection of oil assets, the vice president emphasised that the theft of crude oil and the accompanying attacks, “on our energy infrastructure, especially in the Niger Delta, have since the inception of the present administration, been of utmost concern.”

Against the backdrop of huge production cuts and revenue losses, Osinbajo highlighted the work done by the National Economic Council, which he chairs.

According to him, the Council set up an Ad-hoc Committee to ascertain the magnitude of oil theft and losses in Nigeria and recommended appropriate remedial measures.

His words: “Most of the recommendations of the Ad-hoc Committee informed the Petroleum

Osinbajo: Those Managing Nigeria's Oil Resources Must Account for Crude Oil Theft

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Also speaking at the event, Osinbajo declared that tackling crude oil theft and sabotage were major concerns of the federal government, saying those in charge must be accountable because, besides economic consequences, institutional and personal reputations are at stake.

Industry Act, 2021 and are being implemented. Even so, acts of vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure, oil theft as well as low production yields are still being reported in damaging and unacceptable proportions."

He noted that Buhari had enacted the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 aimed at revitalising the oil and gas industry.

“Among other things, the Act stipulates elaborate provisions to accommodate the needs of the Host Communities in the oil and gas producing areas.

“The aim of these provisions is to assuage their sensibilities, give them a sense of belonging and foster unity of purpose with oil companies for the mutual benefit of all,” he explained.

Speaking on the theme: 'Protecting Petroleum Industry Assets for Improved Economy', the vice president said, "this administration is confronting these acts of economic terrorism on multiple fronts and with a range of tools.

"We have invested significantly in scaling up our maritime security architecture. In June 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure Project otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project - a collaborative multiagency effort involving the armed forces, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA), jointly led by the Ministry of Transport and the

Ministry of Defence.

"The project provides air, naval and land assets for surveillance, policing, and search and rescue operations in our coastal waters and our exclusive economic zones."

Osinbajo also recalled that he was at the Navy Headquarters, "where I commissioned Falcon Eye, a maritime surveillance facility that networks sensors installed along our nation’s coastline. It is designed to provide actionable intelligence in real-time on maritime security threats and enable the swift and preemptive interdiction of criminals.

"Taken together, these two initiatives are huge investments in making our waters safe for energy commerce and inhospitable for the criminals that violate our vital economic interests."

Osinbajo further recalled that in 2017, on the directive of the President, he undertook “a tour of all oil producing states especially in the Niger Delta to engage with stakeholders and get a measure of the grievances that formed the backdrop to the sabotage of the oil installations.”

Following the vice president’s tour of the region, the Buhari administration’s New Vision for the Niger Delta was developed in 2017, as a forthright partnership between the Federal Government, State Governments, Private Sector and Local Communities, through which the people of the region can maximally benefit from the wealth of their land.

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Oil Production Losses: Sylva’s Aide Apologises over Media Publication A media aide to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, Horatius Egua, has apologised to Nigerians and industry operators on a media publication, indicating that oil theft and not measurement errors was solely responsible for the country’s massive oil production losses.

Egua had on Monday Febru-

ary 20, 2023 released a statement titled: “Theft, Pipeline Vandalism Responsible for Volumes Of Crude Losses” credited to the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

But Egua explained that the statement was a working draft which should not have been released to the media for publication as it did not get the clearance of the minister.

Egua in the apology stated: "The statement was not in any way released to denigrate the reputation of the head of any agency or government official or to dispute the figures released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

It was released in error. " I apologise for any discomfort or inconveniences the statement may have caused by its release."

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NEWS

EDO PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN GRAND FINALE IN BENIN...

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, at the Edo PDP presidential campaign grand finale in Benin City... yesterday

Reject Tinubu in Saturday's Presidential Election, Obaseki Charges Nigerians Says by the grace of God, he will never become Nigeria’s president The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has charged voters across Nigeria not to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the February 25 presidential election.

Speaking at the Edo PDP presidential campaign grand finale on Tuesday, at Uwa Primary School in Benin City, the State capital, Obaseki urged Nigerians to reject Tinubu.

According to him, the former Lagos State Governor had campaigned against him in the 2020 Edo governorship election, but was rejected by Edo people, noting: "That man who said reject Obaseki (in 2020), now you should reject him.

You will reject Tinubu. By the grace of God, he will never become the President of our country.”

The governor was at the rally with his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, and leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and called on Nigerians to come out en masse to vote for the PDP and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Saturday’s presidential election, noting that only PDP can rescue and save the country from its present socio-economic woes.

He noted that Atiku has promised to support the Benin Port and other landmark projects to facilitate economic growth and development in the state if elected

as President.

According to him, "We have tried with security in the State.

We have improved security and with Atiku, we will do more to secure the State and Nigeria. With Atiku Abubakar, these challenges, problems, and troubles will be a thing of the past in our Country.”

He stated, "I have sat with Atiku Abubakar and asked him what he will do for Edo people. He asked me what Edo people want and I said we need a seaport, and he promised to support the Benin Port.

"Alhaji Atiku Abubakar believes in the devolution of power to allow states with more money and responsibilities to do more and develop their regions.”

He further noted, “I was in Yola on Saturday and from what I saw, the PDP has won this election and we want Edo to be counted as a part of states that voted for Atiku Abubakar. We should be amongst the states that won for PDP. On Saturday PDP will win the election.”

Obaseki while introducing all PDP candidates for various elective positions in the general election, added, “The governor will work more if PDP is at the Federal. We all need to vote for PDP candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.”

On his part, Shaibu said, “Nige-

rians are hungry, and suffering and APC is the cause of it. Kidnapping in the land and scarcity of cash in Nigeria are all caused by APC and they don't deserve our votes come 2023 general elections.”

"Atiku is the only one that has

continued to campaign with the restructuring of the nation. To do that, he needs the Senate and House of Representatives members to support and strengthen him for the great task of restructuring Nigeria. We need to vote for our

senatorial and house of representatives candidates for this election.

PDP all the way.”

Also present at the campaign were the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion, Ogie, Esq.; Chief of Staff to the

Amid Scarcity of New Naira Notes, Tinubu Support Group Embarks on Currency Swap Observers call for arrest of persons involved Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Tinubu Mobilisation Squad embarked on the collection of old naira notes and giving out of new notes to members of the public.

In a viral video seen by THISDAY, the promoters said the initiative was aimed at providing succour to suffering citizens, who had found it extremely difficult to access the new naira notes.

In the last few weeks, owing to scarcity of the new notes, politicians had blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for not printing

enough new notes, which had led to protests in some parts of the country.

The apex bank, on its part, blamed politicians for mopping up the new notes for election purposes.

It was surprising to see the support groups of the ruling party embarking on naira swap, when it was not one of the super agents approved by the apex bank to carry out the task. This, according to commentators, further confirmed the allegation that some politicians were mopping up the new notes.

The moderator in the video, which surfaced on the social media recently, can be heard saying, "As you can see, it is ongoing, instead of you going

to stress yourself in the bank, we are here taking the old naira notes. And this is as a result of the unreserved… and work of the incoming president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"The ongoing programme is proudly sponsored by Tinubu Mobilisation Squad. Don't forget to get your PVC." However, where and when the video was shot were not known, but people in the video could be heard speaking Yoruba language, while fuji music played in the background.

One observer, who did not want his name mentioned, said, "Where did they get the new notes from? This is

Tenure Limit: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Baba's Sack as IG Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice John Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Usman Alkali Baba as the Inspector General (IG) of Police.

The court dismissed the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff, Mr Micheal Idoko, lacked the necessary locus standi (legal authority) to bring the suit before the court in the first place.

Idoko had dragged President Muhammadu Buhari, Usman and three others to court challenging the continued stay of Usman in office from March 1, when he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years come March 1, 2023.

The other defendants were the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Police Council and the Attorney General of the Federation.

The suit marked FHC/ CS/ 31/2023, was filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief James Onoja, SAN, wherein he argued that Usman could not continue to operate as IG because the office of Inspector General by law was occupied by a serving police officer.

It was the case of the plaintiff that Usman ceased to be a serving police officer from March 1 and as such could no longer function as IG. But the respondents in their counter affidavits and preliminary objection challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Edo First Lady, Betsy Obaseki; Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, and the Chairman of Edo PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, among others.

The objection was predicated on the grounds that, "plaintiff/ respondent lacks the requisite locus standi to institute the action as presently constituted.

"The Plaintiff's action is statute barred having regard to section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act Cap P41 LFN 2004. The instant suit constitutes an abuse of court process; and this Honourable Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the instant suit, as presently constituted.”

Consequently, respondents urged the court to dismiss or strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotoso invoked section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020, which put the

tenure of office of any Inspector General of Police at four years.

The Judge held that the retirement of Alkali Baba Usman from the Nigeria Police Force has nothing to do with his appointment on the ground that the four years tenure was sacrosanct.

Besides, he said the plaintiff, who claimed to be a social crusader lacked the necessary locus standi to file the case, adding that he did not show how the action of the respondents affected his interest since he was neither qualified for the position nor even a serving police officer.

Omotosho also faulted claims that the suit was brought in the interest of the public, since he

did not provide evidence of a poll conducted or meetings with Nigerians who said they were dissatisfied with the IG. According to the judge, their was no link between the action of the respondents and the rights of the applicant, adding that the suit was mere speculative and without substance.

On the issue of appointment, the court held that Usman was a serving police officer, when he was appointed IG, adding that the years of Usman was immaterial since the Police Act stipulated a four year tenure for the occupant of the office of IG, and subsequently dismissed the suit for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

a confirmation that these people are behind the hoarding of new notes, now that election is here, they have brought out the new notes to share to people, pretending to care about their suffering. They want to use our suffering that they created to win our sympathy to get our votes."

Another observer, who was not thrilled by the action of the Tinubu support group, called on the security agencies to arrest the members of the group for interrogation on where they got wads of new notes when even the banks don't the new notes.

He said, “These are the people who mopped up the cash from the banks that created the current scarcity.

The police, EFCC and other security agencies should arrest these people for interrogation. They hoarded the cash to buy votes. Now that the elections are around the corner, they have started releasing them. See what they are doing now? Tinubu wants to buy his way to the presidency of Nigeria."

Tinubu had in a scathing attack on President Muhammadu Buhari during the presidential rally of the party in Abeokuta, said fuel scarcity and the naira redesign were aimed at truncating his electoral victory.

But he had expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious.

It would be recalled that the Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the APC leaders, including its presidential candidate, of hoarding the new naira notes for the purpose of buying votes on election day.

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CONDOLENCE VISIT TO DIRI...

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left) and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Wabote, during the latter’s condolence visit to the governor at the Government House, Yenagoa... yesterday

INEC Accredits 146,913 Observers for General Election, Warns against Interference in Electoral Process You must guarantee integrity of polls, stakeholders tell commission Electoral body deploys 17,562 ad-hoc personnel for Saturday's election in Ondo 51,890 PVCs uncollected in Taraba Again, UK threatens to impose sanctions on Nigerians undermining polls Urges security agencies to be fair to all parties Emmanuel Addeh, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Fidelis David in Akure and Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the accreditation of 146,913 national and international observers for the general election.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this yesterday in Abuja, during a media briefing for accredited election observers for the 2023 general election.

This was just as the United Kingdom yesterday vowed to continue to use all legal tools available to the country to deter groups and individuals who seek to undermine the general election in Nigeria billed to begin on Saturday.

Yakubu, however, warned that the observers must not interfere in the country's electoral process or show partisanship.

The chairman said in line with global practice, electoral commissions in most jurisdictions invite national and international organisations to deploy observers or organise study tours for election managers during elections.

He said as a consequence, observers submit reports to electoral

commissions highlighting strengths and weaknesses of processes, adding that election managers also learn from other jurisdictions.

The chairman noted that the reports and recommendations of observers and the knowledge from the study tours help electoral commissions to progressively improve processes.

He pointed out that the progressive improvement in the country's electoral democracy since 1999, drew in part from the reports of observers and the study tours.

Yakubu stated: "For the 2023 general election beginning this weekend with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Commission has accredited 196 national or domestic groups that are collectively deploying 144,800 observers.

"Similarly, the Commission accredited 33 international organisations deploying 2,113 observers.

In all, 229 groups are deploying 146,913 observers for the 2023 general election.

“This is the largest deployment of domestic and international observers in the history of elections in Nigeria.

“Today’s briefing for observers is in keeping with international good practice. I wish to remind observers

that there is a code of conduct for election observation. You are by definition observers.

"Do not interfere with the process or show partisanship. In addition, international observers must be guided by the fact that the election is conducted by the federal republic of Nigeria whose sovereignty must be respected."

The commission urged all observers, “to keep to the rules, listen to the presentation to be made shortly and ask questions where you require further clarification.”

Meanwhile, stakeholders have said that INEC must guarantee the integrity of the 2023 general election.

The stakeholders made the call in a communiqué issued yesterday, at the end of a one-day technical dialogue on the “National Integrated Global Competitiveness Strategy for Social and Economic Development,” organised by Fundacion Exito Ltd./ Gte and Foundation Exito Canada (FEC), with the theme: “Nigeria in 2031 - What Does Nigeria Need Now?.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Fundacion Exito, Chinenye Nwangwu, Founder/ Director, Fundacion Exito, Dominic Obozuwa on behalf of others.

NSCDC Deploys 102,000 Personnel for Elections Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is deploying 102,000 personnel nationwide for the forthcoming general election.

The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said the move was in order to create a secured environment for the successful conduct of the elections.

Audi, while assuring Nigerians that the forthcoming elections would be seamless despite pockets of security challenges in some parts of the country, noted that the Corps has evolved a comprehensive deployment plan to enhance general security coverage nationwide and ensure that electorates are not molested or intimidated by hoodlums or party thugs before, during and after the elections.

He said the Corps would be deploying a total number of 102,000 personnel for the Presidential/National Assembly and Governorship/ State Assembly Elections coming up on February 25th and March 11th, 2023, respectively.

He disclosed that the NSCDC has activated a robust operational guideline that would ensure credible, hitch-free and successful elections, reiterating that, the massive deployment of personnel was to checkmate all forms of electoral violence and electoral fraud which includes vote buying.

He said in addition, there would be the deployment of the Antivandalism Squad and Special Forces to all critical national assets and infrastructure, including flashpoints in the States and the FCT, to protect them against vandalism, damage or

arson by criminal elements before, during and after the elections.

Audi added: “To have a successful execution of this assignment, the Corps shall engage officers from the Special Forces, such as Arms Squad Unit, Counter Terrorism, Chemical, Biological Radiological and Explosives Unit (CBRNE), Female Squad, Rapid Response Squad (RRR), K9 and SWAT Unit, different from the regular conventional personnel.

"Our specially trained undercover personnel have been dispatched from each Command to work effectively with other security agencies to maintain surveillance, and provide intelligence reports and updates on the security situation in different States, especially on flashpoint.”

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It read: "There needs to be a constitutional amendment to ensure candidates for political office at all levels undergo verifiable Medical and Mental Health Tests/Checks because the health of the leaders is a critical element of optimum performance and competence to lead in any capacity.

"INEC must guarantee the integrity of the 2023 general election.

Government at all levels must be clearly seen to be opposed to and regulatory of ethno religious dichotomies and sentiments to ensure national development regardless of politics and/or religion in addition to ensuring that religion promotes national growth and values.

"Leadership performance and the lack thereof have been perpetrated by people indigenous to the different regions, not from outside.

So also those who have destroyed the component parts. This is the time to vote someone not based on ethnicity or origin but on a clear vision, credibility, character, competence, and capacity to turn this around."

The stakeholders urged the federal government to quickly stem the ongoing national crisis as a result of the naira redesign policy to ensure it doesn't snowball into a major crisis that could adversely impact the general election.

The stakeholders also called on all candidates and their supporters in the forth-coming general election to eschew violence, promote peace and be issue-based in their campaigns.

INEC Deploys 17,562 Ad-hoc Personnel for Saturday's Elections in Ondo

In a related development, INEC in Ondo State yesterday, disclosed that a total of 17,562 ad-hoc personnel would be deployed to serve in various capacities in the state for this Saturday’s elections.

The state Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Oyekola Oyelami, stated this in Akure, while briefing journalists on the level of preparedness towards the elections.

"The commission is deploying 17,562 ad-hoc personnel to serve in various capacities in the Saturday election in the state. As far as the issue of BVAS is concerned, INEC

has been sensitising people on its usage for. It is going to be used for accreditation and where the thumb print doesn't work, the facial expression will work.

"Also, on February 4, we had mock accreditation exercise nationwide, where the efficiency and effectiveness of BVAS machine was tested and it was a successful exercise.”

Amid apprehension in several quarters that the ongoing cash crunch occasioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy as well as a biting petrol scarcity could scuttle the elections, the Acting REC stressed that the elections would take place.

"INEC doesn't have any problem with the issue of fuel scarcity and cash crunch. Arrangements are being made to ensure that goes as scheduled," he assured.

"We have a total number of 3,933 polling units in the state. Over 1.7 million PVCs have been collected while the uncollected PVCs stands at 303, 000. The total number of polling units is 3,933; total number of Registration Area (RA) is 203."

According to him, “the number of Collation Centers is as follow: RA Collation centers, 203; LGA Collation Centers is 18; state Constituency Collation Centers is 26; Federal Constituency Collation Centers is nine; Senatorial District Collation Centers is three and State Collation Center is one.”

He assured that INEC in the state would always work together with the Commission in all the electoral activities and deliver a free, fair, smooth, successful and acceptable elections.

Delivering his keynote address on the occasion, the REC equally revealed that the Commission was able to distribute 164,385 PVCs to their owners during the window for collection He also noted that sensitive materials for the elections would be moved from the CBN, where it had been to the 16 local government areas of the state from today.

Gajiram commended Kukah Centre for convening the signing of Peace Accord.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Taraba State Peace Committee, Prof. Talla Ngarka noted that Taraba was one of the 15 states across the country where peace accords are signed by governorship candidates and their political parties in the country.

In a communique released at the end of the event which was signed

by Prof Ngarka and Emmanuel Nkantam (Programme Manager, Kukah Centre), the Committee further disclosed that the event was aimed at identifying issues capable of disrupting peaceful elections in the state and factoring ways of preventing such possible occurrence.

The communique also affirmed the readiness of INEC and security agencies in the state to ensure free, fair and credible elections as well as the commitment of the parties to abide by the letters and spirit of the accord particularly by eschewing violence in all ramifications throughout the electoral process.

51,890 PVCs Uncollected in Taraba

The United Kingdom yesterday vowed to continue to use all legal tools available to the country to deter groups and individuals who seek to undermine the 2023 general elections in Nigeria billed to begin on Saturday.

Speaking on Arise Television, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, noted that those who propagate violence, hate speech or use their positions to subvert Nigeria’s democracy will be duly sanctioned.

In a related development, INEC in Taraba State yesterday, disclosed that 51,890 PVCs remain uncollected in the state after the February, 5, 2023 deadline for its collection.

The State REC, Alhaji Umar Gajiram, made the disclosure in Jalingo, at the first Taraba State Peace Accord signing ceremony convened by the Kukah Centre in partnership with Taraba State Peace Committee for governorship candidates and political parties in the state.

UK: We Will Impose Sanctions on Nigerians Undermining 2023 Polls

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Kenyatta to Nigerians: Keep Faith in Democracy Michael Olugbode in Abuja A former President of Kenya and Head of the African Union Observation Mission to Nigeria’s general election, Uhuru Kenyatta, has asked Nigerians to keep faith in democracy by ensuring the forthcoming elections in the country are free, fair and credible.

Kenyatta made the appeal yesterday in Abuja, when he paid a visit to the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

He said Nigeria was a country, where the world and Africa was watching and hoping that the outcome of the elections would bring all parties together to build a better country.

Kenyatta said: "We are here as you have correctly stated, to work together with you. We are here as members of the African Union observer team for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections. We are here as members and brothers and sisters.

"From the African continent to affirm Nigeria, Nigeria's commitment as the largest democracy on the African continent and your commitment to democracy to the rule of law and to active democratic practices that allow the people at intervening periods to be able to elect for themselves the leaders of their choice.

"Just to say one thing which I have noted, in particular, and that is President Buhari’s personal commitment towards a free, fair and

transparent election, this is something he has been talking about at various intervals, many do not actually think he would see it through. But we are here today and seeing that he has lived true to his words.

"We are here to see that those words turn into reality in the next few days. We are here to work together with our brothers and sisters of Nigeria, as they exercise that fundamental right, which is the democratic right to choose freely, the leaders without hindrance. There

are many challenges and we all know that.

"And those challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria. There are challenges that for one reason or another affect various parts of the world and not just Africa. You've seen similar challenges in the UK,” he said, insisting that there bigger experiences in established democracies like the United States and that African countries should not be needlessly be apprehensive.

In his opening remarks, Minister

of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, thanked the former Head of State for his fatherly support, saying, “I wish at the very outset on behalf of the president and the people of Nigeria, and I would indeed say, the people of Africa to extend our deepest appreciation, and congratulations to you on the phenomenal role you play as president of Kenya, not just for your achievements in Kenya, taking the country from a very precarious position to truly a thriving economy.”

UK, JONATHAN, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY APPEAL FOR VIOLENCE-FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Michael Olugbode and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Exactly three days to Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the United Kingdom (UK), former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Justin Welby, have appealed for free, fair, transparent, and peaceful polls. The appeals were contained in separate messages yesterday ahead of the elections coming up on Saturday.

The calls came as key sociopolitical organisations from different parts of the country – Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Northern Elders Forum (NEF) – yesterday, warned that no Nigerian should be penalised or intimidated for holding an opinion or making a free choice within the confines of the law in the forthcoming elections. They gave the warning in a statement issued

at the end of a meeting in Abuja.

That was as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed all workers to ensure massive participation in the election.

NLC urged workers to vote and make sure they safeguard their votes at the polling units.

The UK government stressed the importance it attached to Nigeria’s elections, saying it is closely monitoring the run up to the general election.

It promised to continue to work with INEC and the civil society organisations to ensure that the forthcoming elections were peaceful and credible. The government called for proactive intervention to calm any tensions and prevent violence in the periods before, during and after the elections.

UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, in a statement issued ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general election said, “Nigeria matters to the UK, and we are following the run up to these

Presidential, National Assembly and gubernatorial elections very closely.

Over the last two months, I have met four of the presidential candidates and the Chairman of INEC, and emphasised our support for the process and our commitment to a strong relationship between our two countries.

“The UK government continues to work closely with INEC and our Nigerian civil society partners to provide advisory support on electoral and legal reforms, assist in strengthening democratic institutions, and advocate for the importance of civil society engagement in electoral and democratic processes to help deliver credible elections.

“It is vital for Nigeria’s stability and democratic consolidation that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible. I encourage all actors in Nigeria to intervene proactively to calm any tensions and prevent violence in the periods before, during and after the elections.”

Mitchell also said, “I call on party officials at all levels to respect human rights and electoral laws and institutions and take a firm stand against violence and hate speech.

I strongly condemn any actions that undermine the peaceful and transparent conduct of the electoral process.”

According to him, “Where the UK is aware of attempts to subvert democratic processes at the national or state level, we are prepared to take action against those who engage in or incite electoral violence and other anti-democratic behaviours.

“These actions could include preventing people from obtaining UK visas or imposing sanctions under our human rights sanctions regime.

“The UK Government remains committed to supporting credible and inclusive elections, which are fundamental to Nigeria’s continued democratic growth and to the future of regional and global democracy.”

Relatedly, the British government

TINUBU TO BUHARI: I’LL WORK HARD FOR NIGERIA SAME WAY YOU WORKED HARD FOR ME Balogun Stadium venue of the rally.

At the same time, the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the ruling party has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide data of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) so far collected within the next 24 hours.

It also advised the electoral body to obey a court order restraining the commission from engaging the Lagos State Parks Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo to distribute election materials and personnel in Lagos State on election days, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Accompanied by President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu, was ushered into Lagos by crowd of residents, who lined up the roads as his convoy made its way to the venue.

Speaking and facing the president, Tinubu said, "As you worked hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. All the plans set out in our Action Plan for Renewed Hope for Nigerians will be pursued rigorously."

At every turn, he thanked President Buhari for standing firm for democracy, accountability, transparency and fairness.

"The president asked all of us interested to go and contest the primaries of our party. After I was picked overwhelmingly by the delegates, he didn't ask them to change the results because of my tribe or religion or because I'm not from Daura like him, he accepted me and celebrated with me, telling me 'you are almost there now'," he said.

Asíwájú also said when it was time for the choice of a running mate, the president turned down his offer to choose for him and told him, "You know better. You are very experienced and you know the kind of person, who will assist you to run the country, so, pick that person.

Thank you Mr. President, you gave me the courage, the confidence and the will to pick right," he said.

The APC candidate said he chose as running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, whom he described as a most knowledgeable and independent-minded person, adding that, Shettima had shown determination and grit to perform and be different, describing him further as a dependable, reliable and courageous man.

Tinubu promised to do all in his power to continue where Buhari would stop, and consolidate on his achievements.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, thanked the people of the state for turning out in large numbers to receive President Buhari and Tinubu and to also attend the rally.

He said with the massive turnout, they had shown their love for the 'City Boy,' asking them to go further on Saturday February 25, 2023 to vote Tinubu for president.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who is also Director-General, APC Presidential Campaign Council, noted that the party was already celebrating Tinubu as in-coming president of the country, ahead the Saturday poll, saying a new president had already been sighted.

He said Tinubu, who is popularly referred to as City Boy, would soon become Garki Boy, once he gets sworn in as next president, come May 29, 2023.

He, therefore, thanked all for attending the grand finale in Lagos and congratulated them ahead of Saturday's presidential election.

APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, described the rally as symbolic, noting that President Buhari had brought Tinubu to Lagos, to round-off the statewide campaign, which began many weeks ago.

The party chieftain assured Nigerians that Tinubu, whom he maintained would succeed Buhari in office, would sustain his legacies, urging the electorate to go all out and vote the former Lagos governor in the presidential election.

"We have a president who will be a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari. We are sure when he gets into office, the legacies of President Buhari will be kept. You go and vote, by mid-day Saturday, the die is cast, and we have the president to be sworn in by May 29. That is what the symbolic rally is all about," he said.

Tinubu Never Threw Naira Notes at Crowd, Says Lagos APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the trending report that its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, threw wads of naira notes to Lagos residents as his convoy made its way to the Teslim Balogun Stadium venue of the grand finale rally.

The party, in a statement by its spokesman for Lagos State, Mr Seye Oladejo, said the purveyors of the news were "dazed by the phenomenal success of Lagos grand rally,” saying, “frustrated political opponents have resorted to planting fictional story of naira-throwing by our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

"In a currently trending post, the orchestrated report purports that Asiwaju Tinubu threw wads of bank-notes to cheering crowd at Oshodi as his motorcade rode past from Lagos airport enroute Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos."

Insisting the report "is nothing but a lie from the pit of hell,” he said, "It is part of an ongoing welloiled campaign of calumny in a compromised section of the media to project Asiwaju in bad lights at a time millions of Nigeria are unable to access their hard-earned cash deposited in the banks.

"Asiwaju has championed the cause of long-suffering Nigerians that they be allowed to spend old bank notes pending when CBN is able to make adequate bank notes available. So, where will Asiwaju have seen new notes to be throwing on Lagos highways?

"Ordinarily, we would have ignored this infantile lie given its provenance (one of the cheap bloggers hired by political opponents now traumatised by APC’ imminent victory on February 25). But we chose to make this brief statement for the sake of the gullible, who might be deceived by such cheap spin.

"A closer look at the accompanying short video (attached to the referenced fake report) will clearly reveal that two APC leaders are the ones actually throwing branded APC fez caps and leaflets to cheering crowd. Certainly not Naira notes.

We urge our supporters and all right-thinking Nigerians to remain calm and vote Asiwaju Tinubu and all APC candidates on Saturday, February 25."

APC Asks INEC to Provide Data of Collected PVCs in 24hrs

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide data of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected within the next 24 hours.

Director of Election Planning and Monitoring, Babatunde Fashola, who

is the current Minister of Works and Housing, disclosed this while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja.

He also advised the electoral body to obey the court order restraining the commission from engaging the Lagos State Parks Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo to distribute election materials and personnel in Lagos state on election days pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Fashola, who expressed worry that such crucial data, has not been made available to political parties and Nigerians a few days to the elections, said, "We are in the homestretch of the election and we think it is important now that INEC, the regulator to let us know – all the parties and the nation – how many people actually collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)."

The minister, who was of the opinion that making the data available was very important for the credibility of the results and the credibility of the elections, added: "We have been acquainted with how many people registered, but we don't have the numbers of how many people collected PVCs and that is a very important ask.

"And I think I speak the minds of all the parties by saying, how many people collected PVCs, the breakdown of the PVCs collection per state and per local government and to every unit of electoral activity that INEC can provide that information. We think it is a very important piece of information that will help INEC reinforce the credibility of the exercise that it is undertaking."

Fashola emphasised that at every point in time, INEC, through its National Commission on Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, had always acquainted the parties and Nigerians with information regarding the electoral process.

"If they have been consistent with providing all of that data, how many did this, how many did that, I think that it is only logical that we know how many have collected and that is the context in which we are making the demand.

"Because, we are the Election Planning and Monitoring Directorate, we have all of the other data but we don't have that data. It is a crucially Continued on page 43

announced that it would temporarily close its visa application centres in Lagos and Abuja during the period of Nigeria’s general election beginning February 25. The UK Visas and Immigration Centre disclosed this yesterday via its verified Twitter handle. It revealed that the Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos would be closed on Friday and next Monday, following the elections scheduled for February 25.

According to the UK, customers can purchase the “Keep my Passport” in order to retain their passports during the period of closure.

The notice read, “The Visa Application Centres in Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island will be closed on Friday, February 24, and Monday, February 27.

“No VAC appointments will be booked on these days, and customers will not be able to access the VAC to collect documents/passports.

“Customers have the option to purchase the Keep my Passport and Courier return services in advance of the VAC closure in order to retain their passport during the period of closure.”

Jonathan, Archbishop of Canterbury Call for Violencefree Elections

Former President Goodluck Jonathan enjoined Nigerians to be patriotic and peaceful, and display true sportsmanship as they exercised their civic rights to vote for candidates of their choice.

Jonathan stated this in a message to Nigerians, according a statement by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze. The former president urged politicians to eschew hatred and violence, be circumspect in their actions, and work towards consolidating the country’s democracy.

He told the youth, “The future belongs to you; do not allow yourselves to be used as agents of destruction and violence. Nigeria is yours to build.

“This election provides you with the opportunity to be key partners in the nation-building process by electing leaders of your choice; those you can hold to account, those you trust to defend your future and guarantee unity, peace, and prosperity in our great country.”

The former president stated that the 2023 elections meant so much to all the citizens, describing it as a moment of truth and courage.

Jonathan also said, “Democracy has put our fate in our hands. It has given us power, the power to make the right choices, determine our future, and shape our destiny. I urge you all to make your respective choices in the best interest of our land. Let us make our choices peacefully and respect the choices and rights of others.”

He added, “This is a historic week for our country, as citizens of voting age go out to cast their ballots this weekend to elect our next president and federal parliamentarians who will be expected to make laws for the common good of the land. The same exercise will be repeated for governorship and state Houses of Assembly in two weeks.

“It is a time that requires us all to exercise the highest form of patriotism in our nation-building journey and collective quest for peace and progress.

“Let us approach this election with devotion, dedication, and selflessness, by ensuring that we don’t jeopardise our country's peace and unity as we exercise our franchise and pursue our political dreams and aspirations.

“In recent times, West Africa and

a few other nations in our continent have witnessed a crisis of democracy that has led to unconstitutional change of governments, which has derailed their democratic quest for peace and development.

“We must not allow our elections to be a source of violence and anarchy. We must desist from the temptation of yielding to those desirous of making our communities and states, theatres of conflicts for their selfish ends.”

Jonathan urged Nigerians to realise that the primary purpose of democracy was to uphold the freedom and dignity of citizens and deploy the instruments of governance toward advancing and improving the well-being of the people.

He stressed the need to strive to consolidate the gains the country had recorded in its democracy in the last two decades by ensuring that the elections were peaceful, just, and fair.

The former president also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other critical stakeholders in the country’s democracy to be professional, civil, and non-partisan as they carry out their duties during the elections.

He stated, “This way, we can deepen citizens’ faith in our democratic process and minimise the likelihood of electoral violence.

“To politicians, this is a time to be circumspect in our actions and work towards consolidating our democracy. Power is sought and held in trust to be selflessly exercised in the interest of the people and seeking it at all costs negates this ideals and projects politicians in a bad light.

“Let us eschew hatred and violence and display true sportsmanship, during and after the poll. I urge you all to make your respective choices in the best interest of our land. Let us make our choices peacefully and respect the choices and rights of others.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Justin Welby, also appealed for free, fair, transparent and violence-free elections.

The clergy, who made the call on his Twitter handle, @JustinWelby, wrote, “As Nigerians prepare to elect new leaders in the coming days and weeks, I sincerely appeal for free, fair, transparent, and violence-free elections, conducted with the fear of God. “My prayer is for the elections to produce a caring leadership that seeks to protect and provide for the needs of all Nigerians in this land of amazing talent and abundance, and that the results are honoured by all.

“I call on Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to hold up the nation in prayer for a successful exercise.”

No Nigerian Should Be Intimidated in Voting Candidates of Their Choice, ACF, NEF, Ohaneze Warn

The socio-political groups warned against intimidation at the polls, in a joint statement signed by ACF Secretary, Murtala Aliyu, ACF Director, Advocacy and Engagement, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; and Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The statement said the meeting, among others, reviewed the state of political campaigns and explored ways in which their groups could contribute to the emergence of leaders from credible elections conducted under peaceful conditions, as well Continued on page 43

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PRESS BRIEFING BY AUDA-NEPAD ON 2023 GENERAL ELECTION...

L-R: Acting Director, Planning Research/Statistics, NEPAD, Hakeem Akande; Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, Gloria Akobundu, and Director, Planning Development and Implementation, NEPAD, PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN Zacheaus Maxwell, during a press briefing by AUDA-NEPAD on 2023 general elections in Abuja... yesterday

Atiku Mocks Wike, Says, He is a Chicken Hiding Under Costume of Lion Declares Rivers governor cowardly to campaign for Tinubu Chuks Okocha in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday tackled Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, saying the latter was too cowardly to come out openly to sell the candidacy of All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Tinubu, whom he had allegedly chosen to support.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications Mr. Phrank Shaibu, the PDP candidate said Wike would not deliver his polling unit at unit 7, ward 9 in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State.

Shaibu, in the statement stated this while reacting to Wike’s jibes over the cancellation of Atiku’s presidential rally in his state.

He said, “Even the dead know that the APC can never win in Rivers State. Wike cannot deliver his polling unit to Tinubu. He is aware of this and that is why he is not bold enough to come out with his full chest to ask the people of the state to vote for Bola Tinubu.

Rather, he is chasing shadows, making innuendos.

“At least Rotimi Amaechi was man enough to dump the PDP and defect to the APC in 2015, and openly campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari against his kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan. This is what real men do when they have the conviction.

Wike said he would announce his

preferred candidate in January 2023.

Three weeks have since passed but he is not man enough to do so.”

Shaibu described Wike as a con man who, on the surface presents a façade of courage but was actually a lily-livered and small minded person hence his resort to the judiciary to protect him from being expelled from the PDP. “Wike said if the PDP leadership had the balls, they should expel him. After making this statement, he quickly ran to a court to secure a kangaroo order barring the PDP from suspending or expelling him.

This is a chicken hiding under the costume of a lion,” he stated.

Atiku’s aide said Wike’s only strategy was to give some miscreants money to foment violence on the day of election in order to suppress the voter turnout and mitigate Tinubu’s loss.

He said Rivers had become the most volatile state during elections since Wike began running for office, alleging that the governor had even confessed to killing people during a leaked telephone conversation with then Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State after the Rivers rerun in 2016.

“Even during the 2019 election, Rivers State witnessed the highest incidents of violence. This time again, Rivers has witnessed more violence than terror-ravaged communities in Somalia.

“There was even a bomb explosion at an APC rally where Mr. Tonye Cole accused Wike

of being the mastermind. It is obvious that Wike, who talks like a bus conductor, is willing to bring the state to its knees,” he alleged further.

Atiku’s aide called on the Nigeria Police Force, the military and other agencies of government to give special attention to Rivers State by deploying additional boots on the ground that will boost the security of Rivers State during and after elections.

“Wike has made it difficult for anyone he doesn’t like to campaign in the state. If people

cannot campaign, it is unlikely that he will allow them to vote. For this reason, we call on the military and the police to send additional men on the ground in Rivers State to secure this election,” he said.

Shaibu described as balderdash Wike’s claim that he was working for the fairness and the unity of Nigeria.

He said Wike’s grouse with the PDP had nothing to do with zoning or justice but the weeping of a, “full grown baby throwing tantrums after failing to secure his party’s ticket.”

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday expressed shock over the level of destruction, recorded from the violence that erupted in Sagamu, headquarters of Sagamu Local Government area of the state on Monday, over the scarcity of new naira notes.

Abiodun expressed his displeasure, when visited the town for an on-the-spot assessment of buildings and property affected by the unrest.

The governor, declared that the state government would go after those involved in the arson and wanton destruction of the public property.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the assessment tour of the affected areas, the governor

described the level of destruction of properties as shocking and never seen in the history of the town.

He said, "I am here to have on-the-spot assessment of what happened about the protest that rocked Sagamu yesterday. I have visited the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, local government secretariat and I am here at the Akarigbo Road to see the banks.

"What I have seen here breaks my heart. I am speechless. It was supposed to be a protest, but what I have seen here is that there are sinister objectives. The IBEDC office and the local government secretariat were vandalized with properties worth millions of naira destroyed. At the banks, hoodlums attempted to take away computers and cash.

PDP has picked Atiku Abubakar as the most popular candidate to defeat the ruling APC. However, Wike has suddenly remembered his own sense of justice because it doesn’t favour him.

“Wike and justice should not be mentioned in the same statement.

This is a man that has crushed dissent in his state, running Rivers like a dictator. He arrests people that don’t share his view, demolishes their buildings or revokes their land papers, and even desecrates traditional rulers. Wike is injustice personified.”

APGA's Leadership Judgment: S'Court to Rule on Njoku's Request for Correction of Accidental Slip on March 24 Alex Enumah in Abuja The apex court has fixed March 24, for ruling in an application

by Chief Edozie Njoku seeking correction of accidental slip in its own judgment delivered in a suit which bordered on the authentic leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Kudirat KekereEkun fixed the date for ruling after hearing counsel to parties in the suit.

The application by Njoku was sequel to the January 19, 2023, letter of the Supreme Court, wherein the apex court had addressed Njoku as

the National Chairman of APGA and advised him to approach the court by way of a motion for the regularization of the amended judgment of Justice Ukaego Mary Peter Odili on May 9, 2022.

Njoku’s lawyer, Chike Onyemenam, had approached the court pursuant to Order 8 Rule 16 of the Supreme Court Rules and the inherent powers of the court, to correct a typographical error and slip in the lead judgment of the court in the appeal presided over by and delivered by Justice Mary Odili (rtd).

The appellant in the suit is urging the apex court to correct

Abiodun Expresses Shock over Destruction in Sagamu Riot James Sowole in Abeokuta

Atiku’s aide said if Wike truly believed in fairness in politics, he would not have contested for governorship in 2015.

Shaibu added, “Rivers State has about 26 ethnic groups. Amaechi, an Ikwere man, served eight years as governor. There had been clamours for him to be succeeded by someone from the riverine community but Wike, who is also Ikwere, insisted on succeeding Amaechi, arguing that he was the only one strong enough to defeat him.

“Today, the leadership of the

"The protest is beyond naira redesigning or cash swap policy.

We heard that from so many eye witnesses, we also believe from what we have seen today and this is most unfortunate particularly, as elections are few days away "This is obvious to me that some elements are determined to unleash mayhem in order to cause voters' apathy or perhaps to hopefully believe that there will be no elections, if they continue with the violence.”

Speaking further, the governor said, "as the Chief Security Officer of this state, I consider this a test of not only my will, but the collective will of the law architecture.

“We are going after any person that either directly or indirectly associates with this hideous crime.

We will swing them, we will arrest

them and they will face the full wrath of the law and make a good example of them."

He reiterated that despite the violence that broke out in the country as the result of the #EndSARS protest two years ago, Ogun State was relatively peaceful, as it did not record any destructive protest or violence, wondering why such happened now.

He expressed thanks to God that no life was lost and to the people for remaining calm in the face of such provocation, assuring that the government would support those who are affected.

The governor further appealed to the people to go about their normal businesses peacefully, saying that adequate security would be provided by the law enforcement agencies.

an accidental slip at page 13, lines 3 - 4 of its judgment where instead of stating the name of "Edozie Njoku" who was alleged to have been removed by the parties and whom the trial judge held to have been lawfully removed from his position as the validly elected National Chairman of APGA at the party convention held at Owerri in 2019, mistakenly inserted the name of Victor Oye whose name was never mentioned at the trial court.

Njoku in an affidavit he deposed stated that "on 14/10/2021, with Justice Mary Peter-Odili presiding, all the parties were heard in argument on the merit of two substantive appeals with my counsel, Chike Onyemenam SAN fully canvassing arguments in respect of my preliminary objection and cross appeal nos SC/CV/686/2021 and SC/CV/687/2021 respectively.

"This Honourable Court on the same 14/10/2021 presided over by Justice Peter-Odili decided that Judgment would be delivered in respect of Appeal No. SC/ CV/687/2021 only and same would be binding on Appeal No SC/CV/686/2021; but in delivering the said Judgment, the appeal number was wrongly stated in the Lead Judgment to be Appeal No SC/CV/686/2021, instead of SC/CV/687/2021; while the name of “Chief Victor Oye” was wrongly stated instead of my name, “Chief Edozie Njoku" at Page 13 as stated above.

"Thereafter, I applied by my letter to the Presiding Justice who read the above Lead Judgment for the above accidental slip or error to be corrected and His Lordship

examined the Records and corrected the said error by removing the name of Chief Victor Oye and replacing same with my name, Chief Edoze Nioku at Page 13 of the Judgment.

"My said Application Letter and the corrected Lead Judgment are hereby exhibited and marked Exhibits “G" and “G"" respectively.

"Chief Victor Oye (the 2nd Respondent) whose name was erroneously inserted and who had nothing to do with the case at the Trial Court reacted by getting the Inspector-General of Police to arrest me and charge me to Court without any investigation before a Bwari High Court for “Forgery of a Supreme Court Judgment” and in spite of the Letter from the Presiding Justice who corrected the said error, Justice Peter-Odili, clearly exculpating me, the victim of the above accidental sip, I was remanded in prison custody by the court pending ruling on my bail application.

"The said Letter from the Presiding Justice is hereby exhibited and marked Exhibit “H”.

"Thereafter, the social media, at the behest of Chief Victor Oye and his sponsors, published that Chief Edozie Nyoku had been sent to prison for forgery of a Supreme Court Judgment in collusion with Officers of the Supreme Court.

"The above false Publication and the Criminal Charge which I am now made to face simply because I applied for the correction of an accidental slip which was approved and the error or slip corrected by the Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court, are hereby respectively exhibited and marked Exhibit's J.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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ON THE SPOT ASSESSMENT OF DESTRUCTION IN SAGAMU BY PROTESTERS...

L-R: Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade Brigadier General Mohammed Aminu; Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Gov. Dapo Abiodun and Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mbah during a press briefing after on-the-spot assessment of a politically motivated protest purportedly carried out to protest against scarcity of newly redesigned naira notes in Sagamu... yesterday

CBN: Only Old N200 Banknotes Reissued for Circulation Refutes alleged plan to shut down financial system ahead of election Aisha Buhari: I didn't post any fake news on social media Urges security agencies to investigate alleged media account hack Kaduna, others want Malami, Emefiele jailed for contempt of court

Deji Elumoye, Alex Enumah, James Emejo and Ugo Aliogo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, insisted that in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, only the old N200 banknotes were being reissued and circulated concurrently with the redesigned naira notes.

CBN also urged members of the public to ignore a contrary report, purportedly, from the apex bank to the effect that the president had approved the reissuance and release of old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender. It denied rumours that the financial system would be shut down ahead of the general election beginning Saturday.

In a related development, the wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday, denied authorship of a post claiming that the CBN had extended validity period for old N1000 and N500 notes till May 1, 2023. The said message, which was later tagged as fake news by

the CBN, was sighted on the First Lady's verified Instagram handle on Tuesday, but was later pulled down after a while, as it had been labelled fake news.

Still on the currency redesign, three states – Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara – which initiated the legal battle with the federal government over the demonitisation policy, commenced a contempt proceeding against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for their alleged failure to obey the order of the Supreme Court stopping the CBN deadline for the use of old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes.

The central bank advised Nigerians to shun the fake news, in a statement by CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate, Mr. Edward Adamu, and CBN Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi. It stated that the "Bank is working with the law enforcement agencies to investigate, apprehend

and prosecute the purveyors of this fake news. Please, be guided accordingly."

CBN further refuted a false statement circulating on the social media that it planned to shut down financial services in the country from February 23 to 27, 2023 ahead of Saturday's presidential election.

The fake online statement had urged Nigerians to stock their homes with basic essentials as a result.

Buhari recently directed the apex bank to release into circulation the old N200 notes as legal tender up till April 10, 2023.

In a national broadcast on the challenges of the currency swap and state of the nation, the president said he was giving the directive to ease the new notes supply among the citizenry.

The president had said, “To further ease the supply pressures particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it

should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10, 2023 when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender.”

Aisha Buhari: I Didn't Post Fake News on Social Media

Wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, yesterday, denied authoring a post claiming that the CBN had extended validity period for old N1000 and N500 notes till May 1, 2023.

According to the fake press release, “Due to the current and unpleasant situation happening in Nigeria, In line with Mr. President. After having a closed meeting with him on the 20th of February, 2023, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 70 days up to May 1, 2023. Members of the

Alleged Money Laundering: Former Lagos AG, Shasore Challenges Court's Jurisdiction Wale Igbintade The former Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, has challenged the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos, to try him on allegations of money laundering.

Consequently, he urged the court to quash the four-count charge of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The trial which was scheduled to commence before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke was stalled due to the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

The EFCC in charge numbered FHC/L/447C/2022, accused Shasore of accepting, transacting and making payments with cash payment of the sum of $100,000, without going through a financial institution which such exceeded the amount authorised by law.

Those he allegedly dealt with the said sum were: Olufolakemi Adelore and Ikechukwu Oguine.

The alleged offences according to the EFCC contravened sections 78(c), 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) and 16(2)(b)of the same Act. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charges, when he was arraigned and he was accordingly admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

At the resumed hearing of the trial yesterday, EFCC prosecutor, Abba Mohammed, urged the court to allow him to call the eight witness to testify in the matter.

However, Shasore's team of lawyers led by Olawale Akoni and Chijioke Okoli, told the court that their client has filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge among other issues.

In the alternative, the defendant prayed the court for, "an order for the prosecution to avail him with all relevant documents in their possession not disclosed or absent from the proof of evidence and needed for a robust defence of the matter."

But the EFCC prosecutor, Abba Mohammed, told the court that the application was served on his office last Friday, after they had closed for work, adding that he was just seeing the application in court.

He stated that the documents demanded for by the defence did not have anything to do with the defendant.

He however, stated that the defendant's application cannot stall the scheduled trial, and urged the court to proceeds with the trial.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Aneke, in a Bench ruling held that there was need for the court to hear the application challenging his jurisdiction on the matter before further proceedings.

Consequently, Justice Aneke while adjourning the matter till March 26, for hearing of defendant's application challenging his jurisdiction, urged the prosecutor to make available all the documents requested for by the Defence team.

The charges against the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice among others read: "That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N. on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court induced Olufolakemi Adelore to commit an offence, to wit accepting cash payment of the sum of US100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution which such exceeded the amount authorised by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) of the same Act.

public should therefore continue to spend the old notes."

In another post on the same verified Instagram handle, Mrs. Buhari, in a reaction, denied posting the press release. But she alleged that her account had been hacked and the fake post was another attempt at smearing her image by the same persons responsible for deleting many of her social media posts in the past.

She said she immediately ordered that the fake press release be taken down from her handle when it was discovered. The president’s wife asked security and intelligence agencies to investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

The new post said, “It has come to my attention that a certain fake news was posted on my social media handle, Instagram, which also directly connects to my Facebook page, earlier this morning. I have since directed that it should be deleted.

"This is without a doubt the criminal actions of the person(s) who were responsible for deleting quite a number of my posts since 2018 to late last year when I posted a video and picture of my hands with henna design of ABAT insignia on the day I launched the APC Women Presidential Campaign Committee for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ilorin, Kwara State, my post on the event for the Traditional and Complementary Alternative Medicine (TCAM) conference and 17 other posts.

“This person is a hacker, criminally minded with the intention to continue attacking my reputation through my social media platforms.

“But I am assuring you that this is the first and last I am disclaiming fake news on my handle. It is the responsibility of the security agencies to find out who am I sharing my social media handles with, despite being verified accounts, and take all necessary actions."

Kaduna, Others Want Malami, Emefiele Jailed for Contempt of Court

Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, which were already in a legal battle with the federal government over the demonitisation policy, commenced contempt proceeding against the Attorney

General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for their alleged failure to obey a Supreme Court order suspending CBN’s February 10, 2023 deadline for the use of old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes.

In the fresh documents filed before the Supreme Court, the applicants cautioned the AGF and Emefiele about the consequences of their continued failure to comply with the apex court's order made on February 8.

Already the plaintiffs had applied for the Notice of Contempt (Form 48) which was issued against Malami and Emefiele by the Chief Registrar of the apex court. It was learnt that the documents formed part of the processes now awaiting the Supreme Court's consideration when proceedings resume today.

Copies of the Forms 48 sighted showed that the CBN governor and the AGF were served on February 17, while it was received at the Supreme Court two days earlier (February 15).

The Form 48 dated February 15 read, "Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the attached Order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on February 8, 2023, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison."

The issuance of Form 48 on an alleged contemnor (a party believed to have flouted an order of court) is the first stage in the commencement of contempt proceeding.

Form 48 is a notice of consequence of disobedience of court order, which could be followed with the issuance of Form 49, should the disobedience persists.

When parties were last in court on February 15, lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, had complained that the federal government and its agencies had failed to comply with the order and had allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes. Mustapha said his clients had since filed a notice of none-compliance with court order made by the court. He demanded that the court take action against the respondent (the AGF) to protect the dignity of the court.

Continues online

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

08033025611 SMS ONLY

N’Assembly Squares Up to Buhari over Currency Swap Udora Orizu writes that the once cordial relationship between the Executive and the National Assembly appears to be in disarray because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s insistence that the old N1000, N500 notes have ceased to be legal tender.

Buhari

Emefiele

G

iven the trite talk that the relationship between the Executive and the legislative arms of government during the current ninth National Assembly is cordial, no one would’ve ever imagined to witness a day when President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) members of the parliament will differ on an issue.

The once cordial relationship between the Executive and the APC dominated National Assembly appears to be in disarray because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s insistence that the old N1000, N500 notes are no longer legal tender.

Since the commencement of the ninth assembly, the presiding officers, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila made it known that the lawmakers will work with the executive very harmoniously for the benefits of Nigerians.

Lawan specifically said the National Assembly would accept “rubber stamp” label if it would guarantee good governance for Nigerians.

On his part, Gbajabiamila said criticism that the 9th Assembly was a rubber stamp to the executive was not fair, adding that he, and his colleagues, were not elected to fight the executive.

Also, the House majority leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, while disagreeing that the National Assembly is rubber stamp, stated that while they will maintain their institutional independence, the parliament will as well guard seriously the sentiment of the government and their political party (APC). He appealed to Nigerians to continue being patient with the Buhari Government as it strives to make life better for the citizenry.

According to him, with the support of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has done well in the past years and will do more in ensuring the masses enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

The following years saw this notion coming to pass, with the way the parliament under the leadership of Lawan and Gbajabiamila approved Executive’s loan requests, appointments, bills and so on. Confirmation of nominees, passage of bills, approval of loans which would normally last for a seemingly interminable period, were carried out expeditiously.

The APC dominated parliament was so keen on protecting the President’s interest that they chickened out from their last year’s move to impeach him, over worsening insecurity across the country.

But in recent times, both arms of the government seems to be at daggers drawn, following the announcement by federal government that the Centrsl Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would redesign the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes with January 3, 2023 as the deadline for the return of the old notes to the banks.

Since the announcement, some APC Governors and lawmakers in both chambers have called for the extension of the deadline.

At the green chamber, an ad-hoc committee

was constituted chaired by the Majority Leader, Hon Ado-Doguwa to meet with CBN Governor and Chief Executive Officers of commercial banks over the scarcity of the redesigned currency.

Following Emefiele’s absence on the scheduled day for the meeting, Speaker Gbajabiamila threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on Emefiele.

When the CBN Governor eventually appeared before the ad-hoc committee, he doused the earlier heightened tension among the lawmakers when he said the old notes would be redeemed even after the February 10 deadline.

However, as Nigerians faced more hardships over the scarcity of the new naira notes, Gbajabiamila on February 5 said that the House would have no option but to reconvene before the February 25 elections if the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to address the issue.

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

Youths as Active Participants in 2023 Election Fidelis David reports that with heightened spate of fuel, and naira scarcity coupled with insecurity, widespread corruption and a general sense of dissatisfaction among citizens, Nigerian youths seem ready to take the bull by the horn in the forthcoming general election by using the advantage of their numerical strength to correct the serious socio-economic challenges bedeviling the country.

T

he voter registration data recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that youths have a historic role to play in the forthcoming election.

According to INEC, 37,060,399 registered voters representing 39.65%, are youth between the ages of 18 and 34; 33,413,591 representing 35.75% are middle-aged persons between the ages of 35 and 49; and 17,700,270 representing 18.94% are elderly voters between the ages of 50 and 69 while 5,294,748 representing 5.66% are senior citizens aged 70 and above.

In other words, youth still made up about 40 percent of the registered voters and, if properly mobilised, can tilt the balance of political election outcome to whom they choose. The key to achieving this lies in mobilising youth to participate in voting. And articulating their voices into one coherent voice in support of a political ideology.

At different fora, youth have shown capacity, they’ve demonstrated incredible brilliance and capability and suffice to say that contrary to the narrative about Nigeria and its citizens for a long time which depicts the country as a hub of corruption and poverty, activities of youths in recent times have proven otherwise.

With these, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has envisioned that youths will determine the outcome of Saturday’s Presidential election.

Akeredolu

Seyi Tinubu

The governor gave the revelation recently in Akure, Ondo State capital, while receiving members of the Youth Directorate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) led by Seyi Tinubu, the son of APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

GovernorAkeredolu commended Seyi Tinubu and his team for the rigorous campaign embarked upon for the success of the APC. While appreciating the youths in the party for their relentless efforts,

the Governor revealed that youths will determine the outcome of this week’s Presidential poll.

According to him: “Your demographic shows that you occupy a larger percentage. You are the ones that will talk to yourself”.

Akeredolu explained that the choice of the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was premised on informed decisions based on his competence and track record.

“We didn’t waver when we said that the Presidency must come to the South. And when it got to the south, we didn’t waver when we said competence and track record are important. Our choice of Asiwaju was premised on

informed decision not because we are from the same tribe”.

At the event, Akeredolu also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele to reverse the naira redesign policy now.

Akeredolu who said that both the new and old notes should be allowed to co-exist, faulted the timing of the policy, stating that it is ill-timed, adding that the problem created by the naira and fuel scarcity have affected the ratings of the APC. He said:”We have a problem we are facing in this country today. Our rating as a party is not that favorable. Let’s not deceive ourselves.

Must it be now that we will have this financial policy? How? Fuel and everything? Things are not easy. This policy is not right at this time.

It should be reversed. Reserve it and tell CBN that we are reversing it. Let old and new notes co-exist.

“Okada, taxis, banks are not taking old notes again. There is an injunction and everyone is behaving like there is no injunction. We have said that this man (CBN Governor) should be removed when he contested to be President.

The man is not fit for that position. A man who attempted to be President will frustrate us at this time”.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

POLITICS

In Anambra, Ex-Governorship Candidates Lock Horns in Senate Race Anambra State will not be holding governorship contest in this year’s general election, but the Senate race in the state is now dominated by former governorship contestants, David-Chyddy Eleke reports.

Ubah

Ekwunife

G

iven that there will be no governorship election in Anambra this year, the highest post in contest for Anambra people is the Senate election.

In all the three senatorial zones of the state, the candidates in all the leading political parties are mostly men and women who have tried their hands on the governorship contest, and this shows how grounded they are about the politics of the state.

There are however a few, who are also in the contest for the Senate race who have never given the state governorship seat a shot, but they too are no less politicians, as they consist of men who know the political terrain of the state very well, and are determined to do battle in the Senate contest. All these make the coming contest a tough battle.

a huge followership, having had the opportunity of providing governors in the state in the past, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which uses its influence as the rulling party at the national level to present a strong showing in every election in the state.

Meanwhile, the Peter Obi factor has increased the number of political parties that have wide acceptance in the state to four, with the latest acceptance of Labour Party (LP).

Surprisingly, even as a fairly new political party in the state, the Labour Party is not only fiercely popular, but also parades high class politicians who have won elections in the past or led electoral victories in the state.

The three senatorial zones in the state include Anambra Central, Anambra South and Anambra North. In each of the three, political heavy weights have all lined up, gearing for battle during the

Political Parties Involved and Their Candidates In Anambra State, there are three established political parties in the state. They include the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which is the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which commands

Oduah

Nwoye

February 25 election.

of APC in the state.

Feelers from electorates however suggest that the race may be between Ekwunife and Umeh, and both candidates are not unaware of the threat posed by the aspiration of their challengers, and have been working hard to ensure victory for themselves. Umeh and Ekwunife are not new to both political and legal battles between each other and February 25 will afford them another opportunity to test their popularity.

Anambra Central Hon Dozie Nwankwo, a current member of the House of Representatives is flying the flag of APGA as he seeks to move up from the green to red chambers. He will be up against Senator Uche Ekwunife of PDP, a sitting Senator, who is also known to be a tenacious politician, and a grassroot mobiliser. She is known to be a veteran governorship contender, and has tried her luck in governorship race across political parties.

Both Ekwunife and Nwankwo would be having the candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Victor Umeh to contend with. Umeh had left APGA for Labour Party shortly after the primaries of the party, which was said to have been skewed against him as a way to humiliate him.

His entry into LP and the popularity of the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi in Anambra State has long sent cold shivers down the spine of his challengers. From the APC, Mr Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, also a former governorship contestant is also in the race, but his chances are viewed as not being bright because of the lack of acceptance

Anambra South Here, the battle will be between the candidate of Young Peoples Party (YPP) Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who is an incumbent Senator, and a very highly loved grassroot politician and Hon Chris Azubogu of APGA, who is an incumbent member of the House of Representatives.

Though other political parties like the PDP, APC, LP also have candidates in the election, but they have not demonstrated enough ability to defeat the two candidates mentioned above.

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

Benson Seeks Return to Green Chambers Udora Orizu writes that the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Defence and APC’s Candidate for Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, has mobilized his constituents’ support for possible victory at the poll on Saturday.

H

on Babajimi Adegoke Benson in the past few weeks has been campaigning, seeking for support in the various communities within his constituency. His campaign flag off at Ikorodu ferry terminal in Lagos State on January 7, had a massive turnout, as residents trooped out to celebrate and endorse their beloved representative.

JB as he’s popularly called is seeking reelection for third term on his track records of quality and effective legislative performance. He was first elected into the National Assembly in 2015, his strong desire to serve his people had him venturing into full-time politics, and was elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent his constituency at the green chamber.

Having served two terms, observers and his constituents in particular can affirm that he has performed incredibly well and deserves another term in office.

On constituency development, Benson who endeared himself to his constituents as the ‘People’s Representative’ with his grassroots drive, has attracted several projects to them.

He has a monthly ‘Mercy Bag’ distribution which is a Food Bank, as a massive aid to the masses. The Food Bank idea was conceptualized to cater for the aged, widows, needy and vulnerable as a means to cushion the effect of economic recession on the people.

Aside the monthly ‘Mercy Bag’, Benson also set up a community radio in his Ikorodu constituency, the radio, IKD 106.1FM has officially commenced transmission. One of his constituency projects is the donation of an 80-Bed Mother and Child Hospital to Imota.

He has also used his position at several stages of his career to secure employment for a large

Benson

number of his constituents both directly and via recommendations.

As the Chairman House Committee on Defence, he has through bills and motions canvassed ways to aid the security agents in carrying out their duties more efficiently and effectively in the fight against insecurity. One of such efforts towards enhancing defence capabilities, led him to sponsoring a Bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund.

Getting the APC Mandate During the primary elections in May, 2022, Hon. Benson, won the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating his sole rival, Alhaja Mistura Ajisebutu Adekoya with 89 votes.

A total of 95 delegates were expected to participate in the House of Representatives primary election with 25 delegates each from Ikorodu Central LG and Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), while 20 delegates were from Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA. The primary election took place at the Ita – Elewa Mini – Stadium, Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu on May 27, 2022. At the end of the accreditation, only 90 delegates were announced to have been present at the venue by the Electoral Officer (EO).

The election commenced at 6.35pm when the Electoral officer announced the presence of the two aspirants at 6.39pm.

After the announcement of the two aspirants, the EO started calling names of the delegates one after the other while they stepped down from their seat to cast their votes at the open field of the mini–stadium.

While the delegates were casting their votes, shout of ‘JB’, rented the air from hundreds of party members and residents who were outside the stadium.

Benson, addressing journalists after he was returned by the Electoral officer, said, “Firstly, I want to thank my sister for being courageous in picking up the form to contest against me.

I am very proud of her. Secondly, I want to thank Ikorodu people for given me the assurance and trust to represent them again. I also like to thank my party, also Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and all our GAC members. Today is a very happy day for me.

“I have never stopped in bringing development to Ikorodu. I am going to continue and I intend finishing this present tenure next year very strong because we still have lots of projects that will add values and make Ikorodu proud.

I am also going to collaborate with her (Alhaja

Mistura Adekoya) because she also has some lofty programmes which I like to tap into and together, we will make Ikorodu great”.

The Endorsements At the flag-off of his campaign last month, hundreds of party chieftains, members and residents of Ikorodu Federal Constituency trooped out to endorse the federal lawmaker for the third term.

The event wore a unique atmosphere as most of those that turned out for the campaign flag off, dressed in orange t-shirt and caps, while several party chieftains and notable personalities voiced their endorsement of the 50 year-old politician, the Presidential candidate of the APC and other candidates of the party.

Director-General of APC Presidential and Governorship campaign in Lagos State, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, while charging Ikorodu residents to vote Benson for delivering on his current mandate, also called for massive votes for Asiwaju Tinubu and other APC candidates.

“We are here today to flag-off the campaign for the reelection of Jimi Benson in Ikorodu.

We have seen the good job you have done in the areas of road and other infrastructures, and people that you have touched in their lives.

The day we’ll be voting for Jimi is also the day we will be voting for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and l am sure they will emerge victorious. So, we want massive votes for them. We are also going to be voting Abiru on the same day. You should troop out to vote massively for APC candidates in February and March elections”, he said NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Biden Visits Warsaw to Reaffirm US Support for Ukraine, NATO Fresh off his dramatic visit to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, US President Joe Biden was in Poland, where he delivered a highly anticipated speech from Warsaw’s historic Royal Castle, marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion by highlighting how the United States has unified NATO and the West in support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s effort to defend his country.

“One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I’ve just come from a visit from Kyiv, and I can report Kyiv stands strong. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free,” Biden said Before delivering remarks, Biden began his second trip to Poland in a year by meeting with President Andrzej Duda. The US leader was set to underscore Washington’s commitment to the principle of collective defence in Article 5 of the NATO charter and assure Duda that the alliance will respond if Russia expands its war beyond Ukraine and launches an attack on Poland.

China Accuses US of ‘Fueling the Fire’ in Ukraine Crisis The Chinese foreign minister has warned the United States against blaming China and “fueling the fire” in the Ukraine conflict, saying it is “deeply concerned” that the situation could spiral out of control.

At the launch of a government paper on China’s global security initiative at an official forum in Beijing Tuesday, Qin Gang said China has consistently played a neutral part in Ukraine but accused the United States of escalating the conflict.

In comments obliquely directed at the US, he said, “Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has consistently been objective and impartial. … We urge certain countries to immediately stop fueling the fire, stop shifting the blame on China and stop hyping up ‘Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow’.”

“China is deeply worried that the Ukraine conflict will continue to escalate or even spiral out of control,” Qin said at an official forum supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Qin painted a picture of a China besieged by international powers and, in veiled language, voiced Beijing’s opposition to the domination of world politics by the United States.

On Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in stronger and more candid terms that the US was in “no position” to lecture China on the Ukraine conflict.

Taiwan’s President Says Taipei Will Strengthen Military Ties With US Taiwan’s president said the self-ruled island would deepen its military ties with the United States.

President Tsai Ing-wen made the vow Tuesday during a meeting with visiting U.S. lawmakers in Taipei. She said Taiwan will “cooperate even more actively with the U.S. and other democratic partners to confront such bold challenges as authoritarian expansionism and climate change.”

The United States switched diplomatic recognition of China from Taiwan to Beijing in 1979, but it provides Taiwan military equipment for self-defence under the Taiwan Relations Act. Beijing considers the democratically-ruled island part of its territory, even though it has been self-governing since the end of China’s civil war in 1949 when Chiang Kaishek’s Nationalist forces were driven off the mainland by Mao Zedong’s Communists.

China has vowed to bring the island under its control by any means necessary, including a military takeover.

China has carried out numerous air and naval military exercises near Taiwan in recent years, including last August in response to a visit to Taipei by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It has also put diplomatic pressure on countries to get them to cut formal ties with Taiwan.

Putin: Russia to Suspend Participation in START Nuclear Treaty Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday he is suspending Moscow’s participation in the New START treaty, the last remaining US-Russia nuclear arms control pact.

The treaty signed in 2010 limits each country to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads. It is due to expire in 2026.

During a state-of-the-nation address to the Russian Duma, or parliament, Putin said he is not completely withdrawing from the treaty.

He also said Russia should be ready to resume nuclear weapons testing if the United

States does so.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s announcement “deeply unfortunate and irresponsible.”

“We’ll be watching carefully to see what Russia actually does,” Blinken told reporters. “We’ll, of course, make sure that in any event, we are postured appropriately for the security of our own country and that of our allies.”

He also said the US remains ready to talk with Russia about strategic arms limitations at any time, even as the USled Western coalition continues to supply arms to Ukraine to fight against Russia’s nearly year-long invasion.

Blinken said it is in the security interests of both countries to control their nuclear arsenals.

Jill Biden to Visit Africa for First Time as First Lady Jill Biden is leaving Tuesday for her first visit to Africa as US first lady, with plans to stop in Namibia and Kenya, the White House said.

Biden will focus on women’s empowerment, children’s issues and food insecurity that has ravaged parts of the continent. She will be the first White House official to visit Africa this year after US President Joe Biden announced a new strategy regarding the continent and pledged high-level visits.

With this visit, Jill Biden also becomes the first US first lady to visit Namibia since the southwest African nation gained independence in 1990.

In addition to focusing on women and children, the first lady will also draw attention to the dire food insecurity that is once again gnawing at East Africa.

“In Kenya, Dr Biden will very specifically draw attention to the food security crisis impacting the Horn of Africa, which is noted as the worst drought that this region has experienced in decades,” said NSC spokesperson Becky Farmer.

“Over 20 million people are increasing experiencing acute food insecurity with many more at risk of increased hunger over the last year.”

Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Remains Closed for Third Day Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities were in talks Tuesday to resolve differences that led to the closure of their busiest border crossing two days ago, stranding thousands of cargo trucks and travellers on both sides, according to officials in both countries.

The Taliban closed the Torkham point of transit with the landlocked country’s eastern neighbour Sunday, accusing Pakistani immigration officials of “misbehaving” with Afghan visitors, particularly those seeking medical care in Pakistan. The

tensions also sparked brief skirmishes between security forces of the two countries across nearby border posts hours later, killing a Taliban guard and wounding a Pakistani soldier, security sources said.

Local border officials from the two countries have since held several rounds of negotiations to defuse the tensions and reopen the border crossing, one of several formal routes on the nearly 2,600-kilometer border. But Torkham remained closed and the outcome of the talks was not known as of Tuesday evening.

Pakistan has not publicly offered comments on the standoff since its eruption on Sunday.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has defended the decision to suspend traffic through the crossing, alleging Afghan citizens were being “very humiliatingly” treated by Pakistani border officials.

Calls Grow for Tribunal for Russia’s ‘Crime of Aggression’ In December, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned his ambassadors from around the world to discuss his foreign policy priorities for the new year.

Meeting in Kyiv, Zelensky gave the assembled diplomats “tasks and assignments” for the coming year, recalled Ukraine Ambassador-at-Large Anton Korynevych.

One of his main priorities for Ukrainian diplomacy, Zelenskyy told the group, was the creation of “an ad hoc special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine,” according to Korynevych, who is Ukraine’s point person on the issue.

This was not the first time Zelensky was demanding accountability for Russia’s aggressive war, without which, Ukrainian officials say, other crimes such as the atrocities in Bucha and Irpin would not have happened.

Going back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in 2014, Kyiv has turned to every available international court to push legal claims against Moscow; the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea..

Supreme Court Weighs Google’s Liability in IS Terror Case The Supreme Court is taking up its first case about a federal law credited with helping create the modern internet by shielding Google, Twitter, Facebook and other companies from lawsuits over content posted on their sites by others.

The justices are hearing arguments Tuesday about whether the family of an American college student killed in a terrorist attack in Paris can sue Google for helping extremists spread their message and attract recruits.

The case is the court’s first look at Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, adopted early in the internet age in 1996,

to protect companies from being sued over information their users post online.

Lower courts have broadly interpreted the law to protect the industry, which the companies and their allies say has fueled the meteoric growth of the internet and encouraged the removal of harmful content.

But critics argue that the companies have not done nearly enough and that the law should not block lawsuits over the recommendations generated by computer algorithms that point viewers to more material that interests them and keeps them online longer.

Any narrowing of their immunity could have dramatic consequences that could affect every corner of the internet because websites use algorithms to sort and filter a mountain of data.

Putin: West’s image as safe haven ‘an illusion’ Recent events proved that the West’s image as a safe haven for capital was just an illusion, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

“Recent developments made it perfectly clear that the West’s image as a safe haven and a shelter for capital has turned out to be an illusion. Those who failed to understand this in time, who viewed Russia only as a source of income and planned to mostly reside overseas, lost a lot. They were simply robbed there and even their legally earned money was taken from them,” Putin noted.

According to the Russian president, his prediction that Russian businessmen will have “to swallow the dust” trying to save their money came true.

Putin called on Russian entrepreneurs to make money at home, adding that there was no point trying to retrieve any assets of theirs that had been frozen overseas.

Meanwhile, Putin claimed the West has begun to wage war against Russia on the economic front but will not achieve anything.

“The West has attacked us not merely on the military and information front, but also the economic front. Nevertheless, it has not achieved anything and will not achieve anything,” Putin said.

“The initiators of sanctions are only hurting themselves,” the Russian leader said. “They provoked price hikes, job losses, plant shutdowns and economic crises in their countries. And they tell their citizens - we hear this - that this is entirely the fault of the Russians,” Putin added.

“What means were used against us in this sanctions aggression? Attempts were made to rupture business ties with Russian companies, disconnect the financial system from communication channels to smash our economy, deprive us of access to export markets and to hit revenues. This is also the theft, I cannot say otherwise, of our currency reserves. Attempts to collapse the ruble and trigger devastating inflation.”

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

Elusive Freedom as Leah Sharibu Marks Five Years in Captivity In this report, Sunday Ehigiator writes that for five years, freedom has remained elusive for Leah Sharibu, the remaining Dapchi schoolgirl that was abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province in 2018

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or Leah Sharibu, the lone Dapchi schoolgirl that is still in captivity, freedom has remained elusive.

Easily qualified as one of the most famous girls in the world, not by choice but happenstance, not very much is being said or heard about efforts to free Leah Sharibu from captivity anymore after over 1826 days in the den of her abductors.

As questions about if she was still alive or not continue abound, her whereabouts, physical condition, and mental state of health also remain unknown despite all promises made by this present administration to ensure her safe release and reintegration with family and society.

As a statement of fact, Leah Sharibu, who is purpotedly now a mother of two while in captivity, circumstantially passed as the only remaining student abducted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) from the 2018 Dapchi School kidnap who has not been released till date, and arguable the longest person ever held in captivity by kidnappers in Nigeria.

Leah Sharibu’s Abduction To recap, the insurgency in the NorthEast region of Nigeria took on another dimension in 2018 when ISWAP insurgents stormed Government Girls Science Technical College, GGSTC, Dapchi, in Yobe State and abducted over 100 school girls.

Precisely, on February 19, 2018, at 5:30 pm, ISWAP attacked the school and abducted 110 girls, five of whom were reported killed in the abduction.

The abduction of the schoolgirls attracted global outrage and outcry and also revealed the rising level of insecurity in the land despite the yeoman efforts of the Armed Forces to curb the activities of terrorists.

The then-governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, had blamed the Joint Security Task Force for removing a military checkpoint shortly before the terrorists struck the school.

The incident of course reminded the nation of the abduction of the Chibok girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in southern Borno State in 2014.

At that time, the Goodluck Jonathan administration came under heavy criticism for failing to foil the kidnap of the girls and rescue them. This put the government in the spotlight of global infamy and the opposition latched on to this to describe the administration as incompetent and clueless.

Dapchi lies approximately 275 km northwest of Chibok, where over 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014.

Among other factors, the Chibok girl's school kidnap formed the basis for which the opposition merger party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), took over power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), after being voted in by the people under the ‘Change’ mantra which they had promised Nigerians.

It is now over 84 months since President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration has been in power, and Nigeria’s security challenges have tripled while Leah Sharibu remains in captivity.

Held by Faith On March 22, 2018, after one long month of captivity, ISWAP released 104 girls from the 110 students initially kidnapped from Dapchi, while holding on to only Leah Sharibu.

The other five girls remaining in the equation were those that were killed by the terrorist group the same day they were abducted.

According to one of the released girls, ISWAP reportedly kept Leah Sharibu because she refused to comply with their demands and convert to Islam.

After the release of the other girls,

was made, and Leah Sharibu, born on May 14, 2003, have now marked her 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and most likely would mark her 19th birthday in ISWAP captivity as freedom remains elusive.

Leah Sharibu an audio believed to contain the voice of Leah Sharibu was purportedly released. In the 35 seconds audio, a young girl who introduced herself as Leah Sharibu said the following in the Hausa Language: “I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.

“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and my relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you.”

Threats to Enslave Leah Sharibu for Life Following their demands (not made known to the public) not being met by the Federal Government (FG), the ISWAP threatened to kill Leah Sharibu.

The federal government had said it “will not relent in efforts to bring Leah Sharibu safely back home.”

In September 2018, ISWAP executed Saifura Ahmed, one of three humanitarian aid workers

linked with the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) they had abducted in March, threatening to do the same to the two others and Leah Sharibu.

In October 2018, ISWAP killed the second, Hauwa Mohammad Liman. Alice Loksha, the third aid worker and a nurse and a mother of two kids, abducted by Boko Haram during an attack in an IDP camp in Rann on March 1, 2018, remains in captivity.

ISWAP’s most recent threat has been to keep Leah Sharibu as a “slave for life.”

Buhari’s Failed Promise On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to rescue Leah Sharibu, from captivity in 2019.

He made this pledge at the Grand Finale of the 2019 Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Combat Support Arms Training Week at Ikeja Cantonment Parade Ground, Lagos, represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

President Buhari said, “The challenge for us is to recognise this sick extremism of Boko Haram for what it is and form alliances across faith, and ethnicities, to destroy an evil that confronts us all.

“We want to reassure the affected families and friends that this administration will not relent in its efforts to bring back all the remaining girls including Leah Sharibu, who has become a poster child for the heinous activities of Boko Haram insurgency.

“We will reunite them with their families and friends by the Grace of God.” It is now four years after the promise

We are also demanding that the presidential candidates should make clear promises about what they would do to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, who represents all those in captivity in the hands of Boko Haram. They have not committed to her freedom

Parents Express Regrets Expectedly, Leah Sharibu’s parents, Nathan, and Rebecca Sharibu have continued their call on the Federal Government, and President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his promise to secure their daughter’s freedom.

They regretted that, with a few days to the general elections, none of the presidential candidates had committed what to do to rescue her if elected president.

They, therefore, called on the candidates to show concern in their plight putting Leah Sharibu’s freedom as a top priority when any of them emerge as President Speaking on behalf of the parents at a press conference organised in commemoration of Leah Sharibu’s five years in captivity intercession prayer, the spokesperson of the traumatised parents and President of Leah Foundation, Dr Gloria Puldu, said, “We are also demanding that the presidential candidates should make clear promises about what they would do to secure the release of Leah Sharibu who represents all those in captivity in the hands of Boko Haram. They have not committed to her freedom.

“We are expecting that we will collectively as a body of Christ petition heaven asking for the release of Leah as well as asking for a righteous leader to be voted into power that will not break promises he makes.

“Leah Sharibu will never be forgotten or forsaken. We call on all Christian women in Abuja to join us in prayers and to speak out on behalf of our girls.”

Paulda added that the Nigerian government had not done enough to free Leah and other Christian girls and women who experience sexual abuse and slavery in the various camps of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

“Most of these Christian girls and women, including a few Muslim girls, are held against their will. The international community needs to do more to free these girls and women. The trauma their parents and families go through is harrowing.”

Christian Leaders Intercedes It was an emotion-filled day on Sunday, February 19, at the Church of Christ in Nations in Abuja during a special prayer session held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Leah Sharibu’s captivity.

At the event, Christian leaders and members of Leah Sharibu’s family intensified their demands for the release of their abducted daughter.

At the event organised by Leah Foundation and Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Foundation, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, in his keynote address said Leah’s story had become a metaphor for all those currently being held in captivity by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.

Represented by the Founder of Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam, Gideon Para-Mallam, Okoh said, “Once again, like we have done every year since 2018, we are marking the 5th anniversary of the continued detention of the young Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu in Boko Haram captivity on the account of her faith.

“As a nation, we must arise and speak up against every form of injustice no matter who is involved. We must demand better from our leaders.

“We must speak out against injustice and for fairness until every Nigerian is free from oppression.

“I implore everyone to make good use of the opportunity the forthcoming elections present to elect leaders who will not pay deaf ears to the cries of the common people.”

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How Nigeria’s Expanding Youth Population Fuels Retail Growth in Nigeria Ayo Alao

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he expanding youth population in Nigeria has had a significant impact on retail growth. It is estimated that 60 per cent of Nigeria's population is under the age of 25, making it the youngest country in Africa. As this demographic continues to grow, so too does the demand for consumer goods, services, and retail offerings.

The influence of this younger demographic is evident in the rise of shopping malls, chain stores, and convenience stores across major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.

Shoprite Nigeria, the largest retail chain in Nigeria, for example, has 25 outlets in 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and with each outlet comes other social outlets like cinemas and food courts filled with various restaurants.

These outlets provide viable shopping opportunities for young people, creating more jobs and stimulating consumer spending.

Furthermore, the emergence of e-commerce in recent years has enabled young people to access a diverse range of products and services without having to visit physical stores.

The youth population in Nigeria is also increasingly turning to digital payment mechanisms for retail purchases. Apart from traditional payment methods, young people are now using digital banks, mobile wallets, gift cards, QR codes, and cryptocurrency. This shift is revolutionising the way Nigerians access, buy, and sell goods, opening up easier and more efficient ways of making payments.

In 2020, digital payment transactions in Nigeria amounted to 204.9 billion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

This figure is expected to grow significantly over the next few years as mobile money, online payment apps and other digital payment mechanisms become widely adopted by the population.

According to the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System, mobile money transactions increased by 600% in 2020, demonstrating

the increasing reliance of citizens on digital payment technology.

Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported that 89.2 million Nigerian citizens use mobile payment systems, with debit cards and Point-of-Sales systems being the most commonly used methods.

Overall, digital payments are increasingly becoming part of the everyday life of Nigerians and will continue to be an important element of the country’s retail market in the future.

In addition, the expanding youth population has created an

opportunity for start-ups and new businesses to enter the retail market in Nigeria. Young people are able to draw on the resources available in the country, such as mobile money, to create innovative retail solutions catering to the growing demand.

With the rise of digital technology, more young people have also turned to entrepreneurship and are establishing retail businesses to take advantage of the growing domestic market.

From fashion stores to tech hubs, the Nigerian youth are leveraging their ingenuity and creativity to make waves in the industry. As more entrepreneurs break into the market, they are driving growth and creating innovative

business models. This increases the range of options available to customers, boosting economic activity and encouraging more young people to partake in the retail market.

The rise of social media has also opened up new possibilities for retail in Nigeria, particularly for its young population. Retailers have, in recent years, begun to use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp to display their products and services in a way that is engaging and attractive to young shoppers. This has enabled retailers to reach out to a larger audience, driving sales and increasing visibility. Additionally, it has provided the young people of Nigeria with an easier way to access and purchase these products, fueling the growth of retail in Nigeria.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, more Nigerians resorted to online shopping on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp due to restrictions on movement and an increase in health concerns. As a result, retailers experienced a spike in sales as well as an increase in the visibility of their products and services.

This shift in consumer behaviour towards digital retail has allowed retailers to stay afloat during these trying times and has also opened up opportunities to reach out to a wider customer base. The ability to shop online has encouraged consumers to purchase items they may have otherwise not been willing to purchase in-store. Overall, the pandemic led to a boom in retail online and has been a win-win situation for both retailers and consumers in Nigeria.

Overall, the increasing youth population in Nigeria presents many possibilities for retail growth in the country. As this demographic continues to grow, so too will the opportunities for sustained economic growth and expansion.

With the right investments and policies in place, Nigeria's young and rapidly growing population can become an engine for the country's economic prosperity.

-Alao is a business analyst based in Lagos.

Energy and Sustainability: How Levene Energy is Bridging the Gap Nzan Ogbe

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ver the past three decades, there have been rising concerns about the environmental impact of climate change, as well as the economic implications of burning carbonbased fuels. These concerns have inspired innovation in the field of renewable energy for mass consumption.

The Climate Change 2022; Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveals that over 40 percent of the global population is being pushed beyond its limits to adapt to climate change.

As part of the United Nations' continued efforts to ensure that global warming doesn't exceed the 1.5°C mark, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was echoed throughout the annual UN meeting on climate, Conference of Parties (COPs), that was held late last year in Egypt, to deliberate on sustainability strategies to mitigate global warming.

With over 200 government representatives, the conference served as a melting pot of strategies for reducing emissions, including helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change and securing technical support and funding for developing countries that lacked supporting infrastructure.

To be sure, the cumulative climb in global temperature is solely a human factor contributed by the burning of fossil fuels that, include oil, gas, and coal.

While it makes sense on paper to shun the burning of fossil fuels to lower emissions, it is worth noting the economic impact. The oil and gas sector provides 85% of global energy needs, so a drastic shift might prove counterproductive.

For instance, a 2022 report by Reuters elaborated on how the festering Russia-Ukraine war is disrupting the gas supply to the European Union (EU)—clearly demonstrating how economies are hooked on crude oil.

Ogbe This dependency on crude oil can be elucidated in its contributions to the gross domestic product (GDP) of oil-producing countries, its role in facilitating industrial processes, and its influence on lifestyle. A total removal would only harshly remind the world of its heavy reliance on crude oil, thus posing a dilemma.

Through sustainability strategies, the oil and gas industry can better adhere to Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations to positively impact their immediate environment.

These strategies buy time to shift to more sustainable energy sources.

By 2030, renewable energy sources will account for 65% of global electricity and could decarbonise 90% of the power sector (Renewable Energy – Powering a Safer Future, a UN report projects). Currently, the oil and gas sector is inching towards investing in energy-efficient solutions.

Since the 1980s, renewable

energy projects such as wind and solar have been introduced to lessen fossil fuel reliance methodically, and over time, the technology behind harnessing these renewable energies has improved significantly from the first-generation models that generated meagre energy.

With technological advancements in the development of cheap, renewable energy, more and more oil and gas companies or energy companies are in the process of transitioning from fossil fuel combustion. Nigerian energy solution providers like Levene Energy are at the forefront of building this new frontier.

From its inception, Levene Energy has continued to make significant strides in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors via a series of group diversification efforts that introduced subsidiaries positioned to offer sustainable energy solutions at all levels of the oil and gas value chain.

Guided by the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to attain a low-carbon future through carbon reduction projects, Levene Energy entered into a strategic partnership with a pioneering renewable and sustainable energy company to birth a joint venture enterprise known as LPV Technologies (LPV).

In September 2021, LPV embarked on a historical project of retrofitting a 17-storey building with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), earning it the bragging rights of executing the largest installation of BIPV in Africa.

The solar power generating system composed of 955 KWp BIPV and a 2.0 MWh storage unit produces 1.0 MWp of clean energy that is sufficient for the building's daily energy needs, thus decreasing their number of emissions and strain on the power grid.

Climate change is a global emergency, one that requires proactive steps that introduce green energy solutions. But where this isn't attainable due to economic restraint or technology, transitioning to low-carbon fuel alternatives is the best bet. Natural gas is a low-carbon fuel

juxtaposed with high-content fossil fuels like coal and oil. The adoption of gas will help reduce carbon emissions.

Through another one of its component entities called Aegon Distribution Limited (which is a midstream-focused offshoot), Levene Energy has joined the leading global energy solutions companies in providing the infrastructure needed to transition from diesel to gas. Signing an Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) with NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), it has commenced building and operating gas pipelines to locations where the low carbon fossil is needed.

In other cases, when renewable energy or low-carbon fuel is not an alternative, the entire oil and gas value chain can be optimised, not for the production of greener fuels, but to ensure that technologies help in making better operational choices in the upstream sector, and not to impact the environment negatively.

Traditional Exploration & Production (E&P) methods are crude and contribute significantly to the carbon footprint by emitting gases like methane. Clean technology solutions adopted by She-Val Engineering (another component entity within the Group) promotes the sustainability of other resources, such as decreasing the volume of freshwater used in the extraction of crude oil. This is a significant intervention because Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa.

The race to reverse climate change's impact, evident in melting ice caps in the northern hemisphere, rising sea levels, food shortage, and extreme weather, is gaining momentum.

Many of the set goals will certainly be attained through the innovation of tech-forward firms like Levene Energy Group in the coming years.

By and large, innovative technology will catch up with climate change and stop it in its tracks.

Connect with me on social media @NzanOgbe on Twitter and LinkedIn. -Ogbe is the Group Chief Executive Officer, Levene Energy Holdings.

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Wednesday February 22, 2023 Vol 27. No 10175

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

EKEH AND THE NIGERIAN DREAM BISI OLAOYE pays tribute to Leo Stan Ekeh, champion of Nigeria’s digital democracy

See page 27

BUHARI VS BUHARISTS: A SPAT OR A SPIN? Is the President intent on bequeathing an enduring legacy or merely playing a spoiler’s game? asks KUNLE JENROLA

See page 27

EDITORIAL

THE ABANDONED FIRE TRUCKS

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The central bank acted within its limits, argues BONIFAE CHIZEA

THE LEGAL STATUS OF 200 NAIRA NOTES President Muhammadu Buhari on February 16, 2023 approved the extension of legal tender status of only 200 Naira notes by 60 days up to April 10, 2023. The immediate take away from this broadcast is that actually the legal tender status of the currency denominations - 200, 500, 1,000 notes under change expired as announced by the Central Bank on February 10, 2023.

Therefore those who have piled up humongous amounts of money outside the banking system for unauthorized nefarious activities now have their ÀQJHUV EXUQW DQG PXVW EH OLFNLQJ their wounds by now and since this consideration is the crux of the rabid agitations, we might not have heard the last in this connection.

One of the things we must aim to achieve in the unfolding dispensation is to intentionally target the building of strong institutions. In such environment, institutions will only be guided by the content of their extant Act. The Central Bank enjoys instrument autonomy; which means that in the pursuit of its overall mandate of the maintenance of price stability that it should be unfettered as it decides how it wants to go about doing so. The Central Bank by deciding to change the Naira notes is acting clearly within the boundary of its Act and most certainly we have not heard expressed sentiments to the contrary. And if any approval was required, it is only that of the President who the Governor reports to and not anyone else including the Minister of Finance because there is no reporting relationship. It is of course good practice if proximate stakeholders are carried along. But we must also be open to the fact that for certain issues there might be the need for an element of surprise to underwrite successful implementation.

But at some point in time there were too many unauthorized power brokers on this matter. Some grossly implicated State Governor became champions who dictated which currency is a legal tender currency in the country. In a particular State who’s governor has a reputation that stinks with regard to receiving bribe payments went ahead to shut down supermarkets that will not accept currency notes that the issuing authority has pronounced as expired it was alleged. A particular vociferous governor was caught on camera advising his constituents that an injunction has been obtained from the Supreme Court that the old notes remain legal tender.

They should go ahead feeling free to use the notes which the relevant and

pertinent authority had pronounced expired. Where else does one encounter such confusion but in Nigeria? But now such overzealous governors have egg on their face and one is wondering where all this development will leave those who believed them and followed their wrongheaded and misguided directive! One’s heart cannot but go out at this moment to those at the receiving end now holding the wrong end of the stick.

Now a critical question is where does all this leave the Supreme Court now with its reputation all but shattered and up in smoke! As the Court of last Resort the Supreme Court should have endeavoured to protect its reputation jealously. But rather following its involvements and pronouncements particularly lately that do not resonate with what everyone can see, the Supreme Court has become the butt of all manner of seedy jokes. As the Court dabbled into strange territory as in this respect, it risks losing the reverence and respect it should ordinarily command.

I had the privilege to listen to a post which has gone viral whereby on the Supreme Court latest directive on legal status it was conjectured that such can only be possible either out of ignorance or because it has allowed itself to be LQÁXHQFHG WR JLYH WKDW MXGJHPHQW since the Central Bank that has direct responsibility was not party to the suit.

It will be most interesting to see what will happen on the next adjourned date on February 22, 2023 following this development. It will now seem to me to have been overtaken by recent developments.

As has been made clear, a major reason behind the currency change is to impact vote buying by disarming those who have piled Naira waiting to buy votes outside the banking system. And this realization explains the ferocity of the opposition to this exercise. There will be of course no prize for guessing that such illegally stocked monies will

most certainly be in the 1,000 currency notes denomination. Therefore all that money is now worse than toilet papers.

Obviously a new Nigeria is possible.

And as the President repeated as part of his broadcast Nigerians must be free to vote for whomsoever they want with the assurance that their votes will count.

Mr. President, history will remember you kindly for such a praise worthy posture which prioritizes the future of our potentially great country; Nigeria.

A new Nigeria is really possible and it is just round the corner by His grace as all WKH LQGLFDWRUV ZRXOG VHHP WR FRQÀUP There is State Governor that is on UHFRUG WR KDYH ÀQJHUHG D SDUWLFXODUO\ notorious political party chieftain as the mastermind of the mayhem in his State where massive destructions have been experienced and even life lost. One should have expected that such an individual by now must have been pulled in for interrogation. And if found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law. There must be fellow travelers in the perpetration of this dastardly act of masterminding insurrection and wanton destruction to life and property in many other states in the Federation. All such culprits must EH ÀVKHG RXW WR IDFH WKH IXOO IRUFH RI WKH law.

But the Central Bank does not need anyone to remind it that it’s in charge of this game and the buck stops at the table of the Governor. Therefore the responsibility for the success or failure of the currency change exercise stops at the table of the Governor. Yes, we all support the cashless policy, but not at the expense of ordinary bank customers not having access to their deposits.

Whatever is the cause of the problem, the CBN must rise to the challenge to uproot and address such problems.

What is happening now with respect to rioting and vandalism of particularly bank property must be isolated and stopped in its track for badly needed peace to return to the polity.

Elections 2023 is just a few days away.

All stakeholders must be up and doing by playing their respective part for a peaceful, transparent and free elections in which all votes must count to begin to underwrite the desired robust future for Nigeria. The security agents must be on the guard to nip any attempts to disrupt peace during and after the elections. A new Nigeria is possible and may God’s will be done for Nigeria.

Dr Chizea writes from Lagos

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

BISI OLAOYE pays tribute to Leo Stan Ekeh, champion of Nigeria’s digital democracy

Is the President intent on bequeathing an enduring legacy or merely playing a spoiler’s game? asks KUNLE JENROLA

EKEH AND THE NIGERIAN DREAM

BUHARI VS BUHARISTS: A SPAT OR A SPIN?

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T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE ABANDONED FIRE TRUCKS Everything should be done to ensure the trucks are put into use

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Between 2003 and now, there have been three ministers of Sports and Youth Development– Musa Mohammed, Solomon Dalung and the incumbent Sunday Dare. But none has lifted a finger to put the trucks into use T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023

29

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

F E B R U A R Y

S & P INDEX

2 1 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

At N53.27trn in January, Money Supply Reached Record High Amid FG Borrowings

Kayode Tokede On the back of the federal government increased borrowing, money supply (M3) in the economy increased to N53.27 trillion in January 2023, representing a 17.87 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) increase from N45.19 trillion reported in January 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) money and credit statistics has revealed.

M3 is the wide-range monetary aggregate that include; M2 (Board Money), huge time deposits, money market funds belonging to institute, repo arrangements as well as other huge liquid assets and it consists of broad money (M2) and narrow

money (M1).

THISDAY analysis of the CBN statistics showed that M2 and M1 recorded an increase during the period under review.

M2 rose by 17.47 per cent YoY to N52.97 trillion from N45.09 trillion in January 2022, while M1 added increased by 12.78 per cent to N20.96 trillion in January 2023 from N18.59 trillion reported by the CBN in January 2022.

Analysts attributed the surge in money supply to the federal government’s borrowing to finance its huge budget deficit, hike in the inflation rate and numerous interventions by the apex bank.

They also said commercial

banks’ lending to the private sector propelled by the Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) policy of the CBN was also a contributing factor to money supply in the domestic economy.

A financial Economist and Professor of Capital Market, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Uche Uwaleke explained that the federal government borrowings and distribution of revenue Allocation to State and Local Governments by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have contributed to a significant increase in money supply this year.

He added that the mounting money supply is aiding hike in

the inflation rate and forcing the apex bank to hike its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

“The CBN has realized that the money supply is getting higher and it is the reason behind hike in MPR to 17 per cent from 14 per cent to curtail further rise in inflation rate, ” he added.

Also contributing to the huge growth in money supply in January 2023, is the increase in credit to the private sector and government during the period.

The CBN data showed that credit to the government rose significantly by 78.79 per cent to N26.65 trillion as of January 2023 from N14.90 trillion in the

corresponding period of 2022.

According to CBN, credit to private sector in its YoY performance has gained 20.09 per cent to N42.25 trillion in January 2023 from N35.18 trillion in January 2022.

The vice president, Highcap securities limited, Mr. David Adnori, stated N42.25 trillion growth in credit to private sector in January 2023 demonstrated how double-digit inflation has affected nominal demand for Naira by private sector businesses, given continuing rise in input cost and the usual burden of imported inflation.

He added that, “Since this

nature of demand for money may not necessarily translate to improved productivity, it follows, therefore, that economy may not also benefit in terms of additional jobs or output growth. This is just evidence of the unstable state of the macroeconomic environment in Nigeria.”

Despite severe macro-economy challenges, credit to private sector increased to N41.80 trillion in 2022, representing an increase of 19.7 per cent YoY from N34.92 trillion reported in 2021.

Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Wyoming Capital and Continued on page 31

Amidst PMS Scarcity, Elections Uncertainties, Analysts Forecast Uptick in Inflation for February Nume Ekeghe Following the perennial scarcity of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS), uncertainty of elections, elevated energy prices and other macroeconomic variables, experts in the financial service sector have

predicted that elevated inflationary pressures will persist in the month of February.

In a report, experts at Cordros Securities Limited noted that Nigeria’s inflation could reach a record high of 22.11 per cent for the month of February even as

the consumer price index (CPI) continues to rise.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation reverted to an upward trend, rising by 47 basis points (bps) to 21.82 per cent year-on-year ((YoY) in January (December 2022:

21.34per cent YoY) – the highest level since September 2005 (24.32 per cent YoY).

According to the experts, “The elevated price pressures were primarily driven by the chronic PMS scarcity and the associated higher fuel prices witnessed in

the review period. Thus, food inflation expanded (+56bps to 24.32 per cent YoY) to the highest level since October 2005 (24.56 per cent YoY), while core inflation (+66 bps to 19.15 per cent YoY) rose to its highest point in 15 years. On a month-on-month basis, headline

inflation increased by 15bps to 1.87 per cent (December: 1.71 per cent Month-on-Month MoM).

“Over the short term, we expect inflationary pressures to maintain an uptrend in line with Continued on page 31

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 2 1 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

10.362, 00 10.459, 00 10.287, 00 11.168, 00 10.386, 00

Change Updated Time (%) 10.82 -0.01 January 6, 2023 11.11 -0.71 January 6, 2023 0.00 January 11.35 6, 2023 12.60 0.00 January 6, 2023 12.92 0.00 January 6, 2023

Yield

BILLS MATURITY

Discount

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

3.01

NTB 11May-23

3.23

3.01 2.21 3.20

3.27

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) 3.01 -0.01 January 6, 2023 6, 0.00 January 3.02 2023 6, 2.22 -1.71 January 2023 6, 3.23 0.00 January 2023

Yield

6, 0.00 January 2023

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

Change Updated Time (%) 6, 9.26 9.43 0.00 January 2023 6, 14.15 14.64 0.00 January 2023 6, 10.52 10.81 -0.01 January 2023

Discount Yield

.

.

.

. .

.

.

.

. .

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS JAN 25 469.87 January 6, 1 2023 2023 January 6, NGUS FEB 22 2 472.05 2023 2023 NGUS MAR 29 474.23 January 6, 3 2023 2023 NGUS APR 26 476.42 January 6, 4 2023 2023 NGUS MAY 31 478.60 January 6, 5 2023 2023

30

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

FINANCE

A Choppy Time for Banks Nume Ekeghe chronicles recent events in the country that resulted to attacks on banks’ branches and nationwide unrest

T

he ongoing currency redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to generate mostly negative responses from the public and mostly from the political class who are working towards a major election this weekend.

The cash crunch that followed the scarcity of the new notes led to violence in some parts of the country, with banks and public properties being destroyed. The violence is also being escalated by some state governments, which had insisted that the old N500 and N1,000 notes that are no longer legal tender should continue to be in use in their states.

Some government officials and politicians have also continued to stir the violence as they insist that the old notes would continue to be in circulation and used for transactions if their candidates are voted into power, adding a political undertone to a monetary policy. during the announcement of the policy by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, he had noted that currency management has faced several daunting challenges that have continued to grow in scale and sophistication with attendant and unintended consequences for the integrity of both the CBN and the country.

These challenges, he said, include significant hoarding of banknotes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 80 per cent of currency in circulation are outside the vaults of commercial banks; worsening shortage of clean and fit banknotes with a negative perception of the CBN and increased risk to financial stability; as well as increased ease and risk of counterfeiting evidenced by several security reports.

According to Emefiele, recent development in photographic technology and advancements in printing devices have made counterfeiting relatively easier.

“In recent years, the CBN has recorded significantly higher rates of counterfeiting especially at the higher denominations of N500 and N1, 000 banknotes. On the basis of these trends, problems, and facts, and in line with Sections 19, Subsections a and b of the CBN Act 2007, the Management of the CBN sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, and circulate new series of banknotes at N100, N200, N500, and N1, 000 levels, ”he said.

However, weeks after the new notes were to be in circulation, many Nigerians say they are yet to have enough particularly those in the rural areas. This, including the mop up of the old notes, had left the country, which mostly runs on cash, particularly in an election period with less cash.

TENSION RUNNING HIGH Violence erupted after the CBN extended the deadline as banking agents popularly known as POS operators began charging exorbitant prices for cash with some charging as high as N1500 for a N5000 withdrawal. The violence had led to the burning of banks harassing and assault of bank officials.

President Mohammadu Buhari in suing for peace had last week Wednesday addressed the country, extending the legal tender status of the N200 note which is mostly used by the masses till April 10, 2023, while

maintaining that the legal status of the old N500 and N1000 notes no longer stands.

According to the president, the redesigning policy was prompted by the need to restore the statutory ability of the CBN to keep a firm control over money in circulation.

“In 2015 when this administration commenced its first term, Currency-inCirculation was only N1.4 trillion. The proportion of currency outside banks grew from 78 per cent in 2015 to 85 per cent in 2022. As of October 2022, therefore, currency in circulation had risen to N3.23 trillion; out of which only N500 billion was within the Banking System while N2.7 trillion remained permanently outside the system; thereby distorting the financial policy and efficient management of inflation.

“I am not unaware of the obstacles placed on the path of innocent Nigerians by unscrupulous officials in the banking industry, entrusted with the process of implementation of the new monetary policy. I am deeply pained and sincerely sympathise with you all, over these unintended outcomes.

“To stem this tide, I have directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that our citizens are adequately educated on the policy; enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through the availability of the appropriate amount of currency; and ability to make deposits, “he said.

He added, “I have similarly directed that the CBN should intensify collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, so as to ensure that any institution or person(s) found to have impeded or sabotaged the implementation should be made to bear the full weight of the law.

“I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State. Above all, as an administration that respects the rule of law, I have also noted that the subject matter is before the courts

of our land and some pronouncements have been made.

“To further ease the supply pressures particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank notes be released back into circulation and that it should also be allowed to circulate as legal tender with the new N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes for 60 days from February 10, 2023 to April 10 2023 when the old N200 notes ceases to be legal tender.

In line with Section 20(3) of the CBN Act 2007, all existing old N1000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at the CBN and designated points.”

CALL FOR PEACE In its call for peace, Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN) assured that it is working to free up the bottlenecks that led to the unavailability of naira notes in the country. This is as they empathized with the bank customers who had found it hard to make cash withdrawals across the country.

Chairman, Board of Directors of BDAN, Mustafa Chike-Obi in a statement said, “We, the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), empathise with members of the public at this crucial time. We are mindful of the discomfort and hardship associated with the current currency reform, which has introduced the newly designed naira notes and reduction in withdrawal limit.

“It has indeed been a difficult period for Nigerians and BDAN is making it top priority to ensure that this hardship is not only addressed but eliminated.

We are in constant communication with all the Banks and are assured that they are all doing whatever is within their control to normalise this difficult situation.

“We enjoin the banking public to maintain peace, rest assured that BDAN is taking all reasonable steps to influence the structure and mechanisms that should free up bottlenecks and open

channels that will speed up the resolution of the crisis,” the statement stated, as BDAN hoped “to count on the public’s patience, understanding and cooperation.”

On its part, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), which expressed concern over the recent crises rocking the financial sector, called for calm as it empathized with Nigerians on the difficulty they have been facing.

CIBN in a statement signed by its Registrar and Chief Executive, Akin Morakinyo, attested to the fact that the difficulties encountered in accessing the new Naira notes has heightened tension and, in some cases, provoked acts of violence at different customer touch points.

Expressing concern over the recent crises rocking the financial sector the CIBN said it understands the plight of bank Customers, it is passionately appealing for calm and understanding saying the regulator (the Central Bank of Nigeria) and the operators (the banks) are working assiduously to bring the situation under control The CIBN President and Chairman of Council, Ken Opara also assured that the institute is liaising with the Body of Banks CEOs to address the current challenges, saying banks would continue to remain open to serve the public as long as it is safe to do so.

Noting that the safety and security of the staff of banks is of paramount importance, he said: “Where there is security challenge, the Management of banks have been empowered to take proactive measures to close their operations in such location and inform the Central Bank of Nigeria. Therefore, the safety concerns being expressed “in various quarters are already being addressed.

Banks will continue to ensure that adequate security is in place to protect staff and customers whilst safeguarding their assets in contending with the current challenge. Consequently, we appeal to the general public to remain calm and eschew any act of violence, as the banking industry remains resolute and committed to finding ways to address all the related issues.”

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023

31

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Courts Diplomatic Community to Boost Foreign Inflows James Emejo in Abuja

L-R: Head of Corporate Development, Richard Emenim; Customer Service Manager, Temiwumi Aganmayo; Corporate Communications Manager,Nancy Nnamdi and Head of Operations, Trucks Transit Parks Limited, Irabor Akonoman at a press briefing to mark the Company’s 2nd anniversary in Lagos… recently

Insurers Advice Airline Operators to Initiate Common Policy Contract with Foreign, Local Insurers Ebere Nwoji Following recent complaints by Nigerian airline operators on double insurance for purchased or leased aircraft with both international and local insurers, insurance operators have charged airline owners to initiate discussion on common insurance cover between foreign insurers and their Nigerian counterparts.

The operators said they have to carry out double insurance in order to fulfill the directive of aircraft manufacturers and lessors who insist that globally recognised insurance companies like Lloyd of London must insure their aircraft.

Consequently, Nigerian insurers said the discussion has become

necessary in order to cut down on the current high cost of insurance coverage plaguing airline operators.

THISDAY exclusively reported recently that airline operators said they pay over N30 billion annually on aircraft insurance lamenting that this was because of NAICOM’s mandate that all airline operators must insure their aircraft in Nigeria before they can fly.

In a swift reaction, insurance operators said every country has got laws business operators operating in that country must obey.

In his submission, the Managing Director Afriglobal Insurance, Mr Casmir Azubuike said local content as it affects aviation business is not different from what it is in other

classes of insurance.

He said, “Law is law, in other countries of origin of the aircraft, they have similar laws; therefore, if their law is compelling them to insure and Nigerian law is also compelling them to insure, what they should do is to arrange for collaboration between Nigeria insurers and their counterparts abroad.”

Also, the Managing Director Universal Insurance, Mr. Ben Ujoatuonu said it was pertinent that airline operators insure their risks here in Nigeria in line with the local content rule.

According to him, it will help the development of the local market and reduce capital flight to international markets.

But the COO of United Nigeria Airlines, Osita Okonkwo said the problem airline operators face regarding insurance of their aircraft is that whereas there is a law in Nigeria that says you must originate insurance premium in Nigeria, aircraft manufacturers and lessors insist that the insurance of their equipment must be placed with international insurance companies.

“Even if you buy an aircraft today, it is a requirement that you have to insure it even if you pay with your own money. You buy it from Embraer or from Boeing; insurance must cover Boeing even though they have sold the aircraft to you,” Okonkwo said.

The Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs. Saratu Umar, has appealed for collective action for mutual benefits that would firmly position Nigeria and the diplomatic community on the path of sustainable prosperity for current and future generations.

Speaking during the stakeholder forum with the diplomatic community in Abuja, she said the commission recognised the role of the diplomatic community as a critical stakeholder in investment promotion, adding that economic diplomacy remained one of the pillars of the mandate undertaken by diplomats in host countries.

Umar said based on this mandate, not only do diplomats assist in delivering marketing messages to target groups of potential investors, but also manage relationships and provide the relevant information required for investors to make informed investment decisions.

She noted that this had equally aided reinvestment and retention of investors within the aftercare strategy.

The NPIC boss further expressed her appreciation to the diplomatic community for the mutually beneficial service to both

Nigeria as well as to their home countries.

Umar said stakeholders in the investment promotion ecosystem would work in synergy and complement the NIPC mandates and competences to facilitate a national investment promotion campaign under the Nigerian Investment Promotion Masterplan and the National Investment Promotion Coordination Framework being developed by the commission.

She added that both frameworks would provide a clear strategy for a seamless collaboration and coordination of the investment ecosystem as well as usher in a robust and effective stakeholder communication and engagement.

This, she said, will result in effective partnerships with all critical stakeholders including the diplomatic community and subnational investment promotion players.

Umar said, “As NIPC strategises to increase national attractiveness and branding, to position Nigeria as a constant preferred investment destination of choice, strategies to deepen the investment promotion drive of Nigeria and the day-today problem-solving for established and incoming investors are being put in place by the NIPC.”

Elumelu Canvasses Investments in Critical Sectors to Spur Growth, Employment C I I N P r e s i d e n t Nume Ekeghe The Founder Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony Elumelu has called on African corporations and entrepreneurs to invest in businesses that would spur growth and employment in the continent.

He pointed out that Nigeria and the African continent’s population is vastly youthful adding that there is an urgent need to invest in key sectors and infrastructure that would boost growth on the continent.

He said this at the virtual Centre for Strategic Philanthropy by the University of Cambridge in

Conversation with Tony Elumelu.

He also added that his foundation has created over 400,000 jobs and counting and is collaborating with international organisations to expand its reach of impact across the continent.

He said; “My call to other African entrepreneurs, whilst we do business to make profits if there are opportunities to touch lives and help the young ones by investing in sectors that help improve our operating environments. In Transcorp, we generate electricity that aids entrepreneurs power their businesses.

“We need to create a more

prosperous society and create jobs. The world is now realising that what happens in country A can affect country B and C and this we can also see in the youth immigration from the continent.”

He added that the foundation launched in 2015 with a seed of $100 million to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs over the next 10 years has now empowered over 18,000 young entrepreneurs across 54 countries in Africa by training, mentoring and funding them with start-up capital of $5,000 each.

He added: “The Tony Elumelu Foundation was founded and because we come from a business background, we understand the

impact of measurement and we know that what gets measured gets done so we decided to create targets of supporting 10,000 African entrepreneurs over a period of 10 years. We want to be able to grow business revenues for the continent by $10 billion, we want to create at least one million jobs in the continent in 10 years.

“Today, we are to have trained about 1.5 million young Africans through our digital training platform. We are also technologically empowered 18,000 young Africans each with a nonrefundable seed capital beyond the 10,000 we set to achieve in 10 years.”

AMIDST PMS SCARCITY, ELECTIONS UNCERTAINTIES, ANALYSTS FORECAST UPTICK IN INFLATION FOR FEBRUARY the higher food demand-supply gap, lingering PMS scarcity and elevated energy prices, currency pressures, and election uncertainties.

Accordingly, we forecast m/m headline inflation of 1.88 per cent in February, translating to 22.11 per cent YoY.” Similarly, analysts at Afrinvest noted that with core inflation surging to 19.16 per cent YoY

for January, shows an increase in the price level is broad-based, as virtually all items were severely impacted by the current domestically induced shock to business activity.

“Sadly, an increase in the monetary policy rate cannot tame the current menace of price surge, as the major drivers are scarcity of cash, limited fuel supply, and the

existential problem of heightened FX risk, just to mention a few.”

“It is, therefore, very imperative for policies and actions to be targeted at these triggers to address the current soaring inflation rate. The current level of inflation is bad for economic growth, consumer and investor confidence, and exchange rate stability. If

Nigeria’s inflation continues to trend higher while advanced economies are recording some relative deceleration of inflationary pressure, it could further worsen the dire condition of capital importation with its negative pass-through effect on the foreign reserves and the foreign exchange market,” they noted.

AT N53.27TRN IN JANUARY, MONEY SUPPLY REACHED RECORD HIGH AMID FG BORROWINGS Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka explained that what usually drives credit growth is demand for transaction money.

According to him, “But what

one should be concerned about is the relative contribution of the sector to country’s economic growth. Since N6.88trillion credit growth

to private sector has not translated to significant economic growth for Nigeria, it follows therefore that credit growth reported for 2022 was

just a mere money illusion, and that what was required to trigger economic growth could be much more than the reported figure.”

Commends SUNU Assurance for Support Ebere Nwoji The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has commended SUNU Assurance Plc for its constant support to the institute and the insurance industry as a whole.

The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to SUNU Assurance recently in Lagos.

Igbiti who said the institute planned similar visit to other insurance companies further sought for more support from SUNU. He stated that SUNU Assurance had come of age, adding that the company had continued to thrive despite the challenging operating environment.

He said: “We are here on a courtesy call on SUNU. We planned to visit most insurance companies that will welcome us. We want to encourage professionals in the industry. All the employees in various companies belong to the institute and therefore in order to encourage our professionals, we need to also

encourage the companies that the future is brighter.”

CIIN Activity Committee Chairman, Mrs. Yinka Adekoya who was part of the team on the visit said the upcoming Talent Night replaces Miss Insurance Night and would showcase young insurance professional employees of companies.

Adekoya who was the former Managing Director of Coronation Insurance Plc, urged SUNU to encourage its young professionals to come out to contest so that they can pick the best talent in the industry.

President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA), Mrs. Margaret Moore added that Miss Insurance was scrapped to accommodate the male to emphasis not just beauty but brain.

The Managing Director, SUNU Assurance, Mr. Samuel Ogbodu on his part assured the Institute of continuous support of industry activities.

Ogbodu who said SUNU had been growing steadily, noted that the company was committed to insurance growth in the country.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

KBL Insurance Assures Customers of Prompt Claims’ Settlement Ebere Nwoji

L-R: Director, Credit Cafe Africa,Dr. Maame Fuwaa Antwi-Gyamfi; Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Credit Cafe Africa, Mr. Louis Gyimah; Divisional Head, Business Growth and Partnerships, Sterling Bank Plc,Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu and Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank Plc, Mrs. Ibironke Akinmade at an MoU signing ceremony in Lagos… recently

Underwriting firm, KBL Insurance Limited, has assured customers and the insuring public of its resolve to make prompt claims settlement a number one priority, with the view to encouraging Nigerians insure their valuables, and deepen insurance culture in the country.

The Executive Director, Business Development and Operations of the company Mr. Charles Ajawihe gave the assurance in Lagos, while responding to a media inquiry on what the Nigerian insurance sector planned to do differently in the year 2023, to encourage subscribers.

Ajawihe told the media that KBL Insurance has paid the sum of N2.6billion in the last four to five years as various settlements in claims, with the view to sustaining same speed in all the Company’s claims settlements as far as all necessary documents were promptly made available for proper verification.

He gave a break down of claims paid by the company

within the stated period saying claims from Motor Insurance alone contributed about 48.2 percent across settlements.

He said KBL Insurance, as part of its strategy to contribute to the growth of the industry in Nigeria, make its services more accessible to the insuring public had launched a new Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP), called IES-Online Application.

According to him, IES Online is a digital application that comes with various modules structured to help transform manual operation and processes of various aspects of the entire insurance underwriting, claims settlement, delivery of certificates, discharge vouchers (DVs) and insurance policy documentation to customers with speed and in record time, as never been seen in the insurance business in Nigeria.

The KBL Executive Director noted that in insurance industry today, a lot of things were changing, with technology playing a lot of critical roles.

US Defense Attache Visits NANS Inducts PenCom MOWCA, Talks Collaboration DG into Hall of Fame Secretary General, Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr Paul Adalikwu has hosted the Senior Defense Attaché of the United States Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, Lt. Col. Dean Allen.

Adalikwu, while briefing his guest on MOWCA objectives said the organisation has entered a Joint Action Plan (JAP) with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to promote maritime security, safe, efficient and environment

friendly shipping.

Adalikwu solicited increased US support in the fight against crimes and insecurity in the 25 member countries of the organisation.

Adalikwu who acknowledged US assistance to some West and Central African navies commended past joint operations that have taken place in the Gulf of Guinea and other maritime zones in Africa. He also shared current data from the International Maritime Bureau on piracy and maritime crimes with the guest.

The trend shows a deceleration in the Gulf of Guinea as he enjoined maintaining the efforts to sustain the trend.

Dean commended MOWCA and her member states, especially Nigeria that is making progress towards suppressing piracy and other maritime related crimes.

He expressed optimism in a robust US-MOWCA relationship that will improve on the achieved gains to ensure safety of crew members onboard vessels, secure maritime investments,

promote trade and improve on the economies of Cote D’Voire and other member countries Adalikwu had met with Amb. Richard Bell, immediate past US Ambassador to Cote D’Voire, in December where both parties reassured of stronger bilateral ties. Amb Bell has since retired as the new envoy arrived this week.

Both parties concluded the meeting with a pledge to increase engagement and fine tune areas of collaboration and support.

FG, HarvestPlus Unveil Biofortified Food Recipe to Minimise Risks of Malnutrition James Emejo in Abuja HarvestPlus Nigeria in collaboration with the federal government and development partners, has unveiled a nutritional guide to help Nigerians reduce the risks of malnutrition, which remained a national challenge.

Speaking at the launch of the book, “Biofortified Crops on my Plate”, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, hailed the intervention as an unprecedented effort to solve the nutritional crisis in the country.

The 201-page publication is the first national recipe book including nutrient-enriched foods and features a collection of practical and traditional dishes that have been cleverly adapted to provide added nutrition and fight malnutrition through biofortified foods.

Chief Nutritionist, HarvestPlus, Erick Boy, said, “This recipe book is a testament to the power of food to nourish and heal, and we hope it will inspire people to incorporate nutritious biofortified crops into their diets and improve their health and well-being.”

Developed by HarvestPlus in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Federal Ministry of Health, and its development partners, the recipes include popular Nigerian biofortified staples such as vitamin A cassava, vitamin A maize, and vitamin A orange sweet potato, which have been shown to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve the health of women and children when eaten regularly.

Essentially, biofortification uses

conventional breeding to develop food crops that provide more of the essential vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) required for good health.

In Nigeria, micronutrient malnutrition—known as hidden hunger—remains a public health challenge to be addressed as approximately one in three preschoolaged children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, and over 50 per cent of women are anaemic, according to HarvestPlus.

It explained that traditional white non-biofortified cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes are among Nigeria’s most consumed staple foods, but are low in essential micronutrients like vitamin A. Thus, the adoption of yellow and orange biofortified varieties in their place in Nigeria had led to these

crops being perceived not only as good sources of energy but as nutritious foods with proven health benefits.

The book represented efforts of HarvestPlus and its partners to provide nutritious and tasty ways for families to incorporate nutrient-enriched crops into their daily meals.

Nonetheless, the minister, who was represented at the launch by the ministry’s Director, Tree Crops, Mr. Ukattah Chukwuemeka, said the government within the context of the new National Agricultural Technology Innovative Policy, was prioritising nutrition.

He said the policy seeks to achieve optimal nutritional status for all Nigerians by accelerating the scaling up of priority and high impact nutrition sensitive interventions.

Nigeria Seeks to Meet Gambia’s Agricultural Needs James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said it is leading 40 Nigerian exhibitors to the Gambia International Trade Fair in Turntable Brusubi, Banjul, The Gambia.

Justifying the country’s participation at the expo, Yakusak said the economy of the Gambia was heavily reliant on agriculture but

lacked significant mineral or other natural resources.

He pointed out that Nigeria could take advantage of the deficit to meet the agricultural requirements of the Gambia as well as boost non-oil exports to the former.

The NEPC boss added that about 75 per cent of the Gambia’s population depended on crops and livestock for its livelihood while small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish,

and animal hides.

In a statement issued by NEPC Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Ndubueze Okeke, Yakusak pointed out that at the fair was sequel to the council’s collaborative effort with SMEDAN which led to organising the first Nigeria – Gambia trade exhibition in Banjul in October 2022.

According to him, the exhibition scheduled for February 15 to March 19, 2023 is expected to draw exhibitors from different

product categories such as cosmetics, agriculture, semiprocessed, textiles and garments, leather and leather accessories, arts and crafts among other sectors.

He said, “I am optimistic that Nigeria’s participation at the 16th edition of the fair will create markets for Made-in-Nigeria products in the international market, enhance foreign exchange inflow into the Nigerian economy and further strengthen the economic ties between both countries.”

James Emejo in Abuja The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has inducted the Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar into the association’s ‘Hall of Fame’ in recognition of her professional service and purposeful leadership in the pension industry.

NANS commended the director general for her hard work, exemplary lifestyle, contribution to nation building and the advancement of the pension industry.

The Senate President of apex students’ body, Comrade Attah Nnalue at an award ceremony held in Abuja, said NANS Merit Award is presented to individuals whose lives exemplifies the ideas of living for the sake of others and dedicate themselves to national building and service to humanity.

He said Dahir-Umar had been part of the journey to reform pension administration and management in Nigeria, adding that under her leadership, PenCom attained significant milestones in

its diligent implementation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 through the successful conclusion of several critical initiatives.

The students’ body also conferred the NANS Merit Award on the PenCom boss for her contributions to national development and support for young people and students.

Specifically, he noted that the awards were in line with the resolution of the 68th Senate Meeting of NANS held on January 25, 2023 at the University of Abuja.

Pension fund assets had been on a sustained growth trajectory, increasing from N6.15 trillion in 2016 to N14.99 trillion as of December 2022. Similarly, the number of registered pension contributors grew from 7.41 million to 9.86 million over the same period.

The launch of the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2019 was another significant step under her towards the promotion of financial inclusion for selfemployed persons and workers in the informal sector.

IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation Gets ISO Certifications Nume Ekeghe IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) has been awarded the ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications, an internationally recognized standard certification.

This certification ensures their services meet the needs of consumers through an effective quality management system in the delivery of downstream and gas commercialization businesses and operations, for procurement, storage, transportation, retail and distribution of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Lubricants (High Quality and Affordable Engines Oils) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).

To become certified, IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) underwent a thorough organisation-wide audit. This audit involved the creation of a quality management system, a

review of the management system documentation, a pre-audit, an initial assessment, and the clearance of non-conformances. ISO is one of the most rigorous and well-regarded standards in the world. Finsbury Heinz Limited, a leading QHSE and Sustainability firm set up the integrated management system for IOGC with certification provided

by Bluestar Management Systems Limited, a globally recognized ISO body operating in over 132 countries.

At the presentation of the certificates recently, the Managing Director IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation, Mrs. Doyin Akinyanju in a statement said: “These certifications prove our dedication to delivering highquality products, dependable service, and ethical business practices while minimizing negative environmental effect and upholding our duty of care to our clients and stakeholders.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͰ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

IMAGES

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

L-R: Director, Drinks Revolution Limited, Dr. Victor Ikem, and winner of the International Competition for the Best Sommelier in the World 2023, Raimonds Tomsons, at the Paris La Defense Arena in Paris, France… recently PHOTO: DRINKS REVOLUTION

L-R: Executive Director, Technical, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Joseph Oladokun; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Biyi Ashiru-Mobolaji; Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, presenting a certificate of Insurance Policy to the Chairman, Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Ajala, on behalf of the association, in Lagos…recently

L-R: The Erelú B’Ọbakéde of Òkè-Ọnà, Egbá, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya; the Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso; and the B’Ọbakéde of Òkè-Ọnà, Egbá, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, during the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on Badejo-Okusanya and his wife in Abeokuta, Ogun State…recently

Founder, Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Emeka Ugwu-Oju (left), presenting a copy of the NESH Gallery 2022 to the Executive Director, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev Fr George Omaku Ehusani, during a visit to Ehusani by Ugwu-Oju in Abuja…recently

L-R: Alumni member of the Cranfield University Nigeria, Anthony Eke; Assistant General Manager, Citibank Nigeria, and President of the Cranfield University Nigeria Alumni Association, Mrs. Evbusogie Osojie; Cranfield Nigeria Alumni 2022 Merit Award winners-Best Primary School Teacher, Ajiborisade Victor; Best Student in WASSCE 2022, Bukola Yusuff; Best Teacher, Secondary School category, Mrs. Oluyomi Moyosore; Managing Director of Mastercare, Mrs. Tutu Balogun; and a supply-chain professional, Mr. Chukwudubem Nwanah, at the annual prize-giving ceremony held at Ajigbeda Girls Secondary School, Lagos…recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Marketing Executive, Addmie, Vivian Pratt; Chief Executive Officer, Al Zim Nigerian Limited, Mrs. Biliqis Badmus Rasaq; CEO, Atanda Ventures, Mrs. Rashidat Biola Atanda; Addmie General Manager, Sukhman Kaur; Group Communications and Event Manager, Tolaram Group, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju; CEO, Seyibowale Enterprise, Mrs. Bowale Ekundayo; CEO, CNS Global Limited, Mrs. Kaltime Ummi Mustapha; and a guest, at the launch of Addmie by Tolaram Group in Lagos…recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

EDUCATION Lagos Students Pledge Support for APC-led Government Funmi Ogundare

S

tudents of major tertiary institutions in Lagos recently held a rally at Onikan Stadium promising to support the APC-led government in the state for a second term during the February 25 general elections They were from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).

The students, led by the National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ishaq Giwa, stated that their over four million members in Lagos have decided to vote for Bola Tinubu and Babajide Sanwo-Olu. They said their decision was based on the candidates’ contributions to education and human development in the state.

According to them, the recent upgrade of the colleges of education and a polytechnic further convinced them that giving Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu their votes would bring more development to education in Lagos.

Presenting the governor a certificate of endorsement, Giwa described him as being super active in governance.

He promised that the students would often be available to work with Tinubu and SanwoOlu, so as to achieve their dream during the upcoming polls in the state.

The Lagos NANS Chairman, Tolulope Olusesi, said the priority accorded the tertiary education in Lagos by the Sanwo-Olu administration was unrivalled, describing the upgrade of former Lagos State Polytechnic and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education as top-notch.

Students’ Union President of LASU, Adeoye Adelakun, said the tertiary education programmes and policies implemented by the governor were designed to support students’ academic aspirations.

Under the Sanwo-Olu administration, the LASU union president said the school had its standards raised and rose to become the best state-owned university in the country.

He added that the governor complemented his support for LASU with the building of a magnificent students’ arcade for union activities.

The president said the students resolved to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by giving him support for the second term, stressing that Sanwo-Olu’s re-election would enhance education value in Lagos.

“This endorsement rally is quite significant and it is different from what others have been doing. We are students and we are direct beneficiaries of Sanwo-Olu’s education programmes,” he stated. “We have seen the first-hand impacts of the governor’s policies and we are out here to appreciate these efforts.”

He thanked the governor for upholding the academic standard of the university.

Also, the Student Union leader for LASUED, Samuel Okechukwu, said the APC has made the state conducive for non-indigenes to achieve their dreams, saying that he never believed that he could lead a school in Lagos.

Also speaking at the rally, president of

Some of the buses that were donated to the tertiary institutions in Lagos the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS), Shasanya Akinola, said the students were encouraged to support the two principal contestants because of their antecedents, adding that Tinubu was the one who established local bursary and scholarship to support indigent students to realise their dream.

“He created different platforms for students to strive and achieve quality education. He equally gives bursary to non-indigenes to ensure they have access to education,” stated Akinola, adding that the governor has raised the bar of education by driving quality education in accordance with SDG goal 4.

He said it was also remarkable to note how Sanwo-Olu evacuated stranded students of the University of Jos who are of Lagos State origin or residence, adding that he is optimistic that the issue of federal scholarship would be reviewed if Tinubu is elected.

Accepting the endorsement on behalf of himself and Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu described the students’ gesture as a morale booster in their ongoing campaign for the 2023 polls.

The Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated that such an endorsement rally by students was unprecedented. He noted that

though there could be students of certain institutions endorsing one politician or the other in the past, but for all students of tertiary institutions in the state, endorsing a sitting governor for a second term is interesting. He attributed Sanwo-Olu’s general endorsement to his leadership quality, noting that he has a vision for greater Lagos through governance and he has started working towards that from the day he was sworn in.

“The third pillar of his administration’s six pillar development agenda dwells on education and technology. The administration has been so proactive in implementing various reforms geared towards making the educational system in the state a model for the country and beyond. It is only in Lagos that a state can establish two universities at the same time. Not only that, the governor had secured all necessary certificates of recognition for LASUED and LASUSTECH, the two universities are admitting students that sat for the 2022/23 academic exercise as we speak.

“In addition to this, when the governor came into office in 2019, he reviewed the contents of the programme, which used to be known as, ‘Ready-Set- Go’, to become Jobs initiatives Lagos (JIL). Ready-Set-Go was designed for final year students of only Lagos state-owned institutions. Upon its review by this administration, the governor directed that JIL should be redesigned for the penultimate and final year students of all tertiary institutions in the state, whether federal or state-owned.”

The JIL, Wahab stated, has empowered close to 100,000 students across all tertiary

institutions in the state, adding that the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu has improved the welfare of students and staff of all the state-owned tertiary institutions not only through regular and efficient allocations to manage their academic programmes, but several interventions in critical areas such as infrastructure etc.

The special adviser disclosed that all the federal and state-owned tertiary institutions would be assisted and allocated brand new Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), to ease transportation in their respective institutions, adding that, the governor has also completed and commissioned the biggest students arcade in LASU popularly known as LASU Arcade.

“It is the best and the biggest SUG infrastructure around the country. Not only this, an 8, 272-bed space hostel is nearing completion at LASU, which Mr governor has promised to replicate in the two new universities as well,” he stressed.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries of the new BRT buses, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Biliks Lafiaji Okunneye, commended the governor for his leadership quality and administrative excellence. She noted that institutions in the state have been relatively peaceful since 2019 when he became governor. She stated that the endorsement rally by the students of all institutions in the state was a demonstration of the love of the students to the governor.

“You will just like the governor. He is an administrator per excellence. He has set for his administration a six-pillar development agenda to achieve the vision for a greater Lagos and he is achieving it in all sectors.”

Govt Unkind to Nigerian University System, Says Prof. Iyiegbuniwe Dike Onwuamaeze

A professor of finance at the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Lagos, Wilfred Iyiegbuniwe, has cried out that the government is unkind to the country’s university system by denying it a suitable environment for academics needed to think and produce.

Iyiegbuniwe lamented that things are so bad that some lecturers have to sleep in their offices because they cannot afford accommodations near the university campus where they are employed.

He made these observations recently after the public presentation of a book titled ‘The Frontiers of Management Sciences in Nigeria: A Festschrift of Prof. Wilfred Chifumnanya Iyiegbuniwe’ held at the

University of Lagos to mark his over 40-year career.

Over 90 academics wrote the book in Nigeria, Europe and the United States of America.

Iyiegbuniwe said: “Government has not been kind to the university system. It is like there is a conspiracy to bring down academia. The Greek philosophers that laid the foundation said that academics should have an enabling environment where they can think and produce.

He added, “But in Nigeria, a lecturer is thinking about how to put food on the table and transport himself to the university like an itinerary worker. People

won’t believe it that some university lecturers sleep in their offices because they cannot afford to live within a short distance to the university. I think that we in the universities should tell our stories that we are inadequately taking care of.”

The professor, therefore, warned that university education in Nigeria would die if the government failed to do something.

Speaking during the event, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, Mr. Kola Adesina, who was a former student of Iyiegbuniwe, said that he felt privileged and honoured to be the chairman of this event.

Adesina said, “This is a very unique occasion for me primarily because I am a product of the University of Lagos. I am not just a product of the University of

Lagos, but I am a product of the lessons and knowledge transferred by Professor Willie Iyiegbuniwe, the celebrant.”

But, he was worried that undergraduates were not adequately represented during the event.

The guest of honour, Prof Temitope Ogundipe, also the immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, said that Iyiegbuniwe taught him during his MBA classes at the university.

Ogundipe said, “Under his watch as the postgraduate coordinator in 1984 the department produced the first Ph.D in Management Science in Nigeria, which was supervised by Prof. Joseph Abiodun Bello. In the Department of Finance of this University, Prof. Iyiegbuniwe supervised the first PhD degree graduate in finance.”

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T H I S D AY ˾WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023

EDUCATION

9mobile, Ahmadu MTNF: Investing in Science Education Bello University Good for Sustainable Development Renew Partnership Uchechukwu Nnaike

A Nigerian telecommunications company, 9mobile has announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. This was announced during a recent visit of 9mobile’s leadership team to the institution.

The partnership first established 10 years ago, has been revitalised to bring new and exciting opportunities to the institution and the learning community.

The renewed partnership will leverage the strengths of 9mobile’s technology to provide the institution with world-class virtual learning tools and products, internships for students of the master’s programme instituted in 2013, and Sabbatical opportunities for lecturers, among other initiatives.

The telco will also upgrade the existing Telecoms Engineering laboratory it previously installed to offer students and lecturers the highest level of support and improve the capacity of the department to deliver quality teaching.

Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Juergen Peschel, who led the team, said, “We are excited at rekindling our partnership with this great institution of learning. This partnership, which was

established a decade ago, is part of our corporate social responsibility which is aimed at bridging the shortage of highly skilled local manpower in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry following identified knowledge gaps.

We are eager to work with the leadership of ABU once again, and we believe this renewed partnership will bring exciting new opportunities for the institution.”

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Admin, Prof Ahmed Ibrahim, said, “We appreciate the collaboration and partnership with 9mobile over the years because it has strengthened the capacity of the Telecommunications Engineering department of the institution to manage the fast-changing technology age. The Telecommunication laboratory established by 9mobile in 2013 serves internal stakeholders and enables external institutions to carry out industry research. We believe this renewed partnership will create more opportunities for our students and 9mobile.”

9mobile launched the 9mobile Telecommunications Engineering Programme 9TEPP, in partnership with Plymouth University, UK; Etisalat Academy, UAE; Huawei; and National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

Oyakhilome Foundation Establishes 13th InnerCity Mission School Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International has laid the foundation of its 13th campus of InnerCity Mission school for children in Delta State.

When completed, the school located at Ijala in the Warri South council area will provide scholarships, including free school supplies for pupils.

Performing the groundbreaking ceremony at the permanent site over the weekend, the Director of InnerCity Mission school for children, Pastor Omon Alabi, said the Warri Campus of the school was the 13th of the network of schools, with 12 in Nigeria and one in India, South East Asia.

She said the Warri campus was the latest addition in line with the philosophy of Christ Embassy Founder Pastor Chris Oyakhilome that “every child is your child, help children, help those ignored children.”

Alabi disclosed that the founder of the Christ Embassy believed that if those children were not reached and educated quickly, they would become a source of danger in the years ahead.

She noted that these concepts formed the bedrock for establishing the InnerCity Mission Schools through the instrumentality of Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International to bring hope to indigent children.

The Director of InnerCity

Mission School disclosed that the network of schools was a direct platform that offered free tuition, early childhood education, as well as uninterrupted six-years primary education for pupils irrespective of gender, race, religion and ethnicity.

So far, she said over 3000 vulnerable pupils have been offered scholarships, including free school supplies adding “every academic year, each child receives two free meals daily.”

According to her, the Warri campus, situated along Atuwatse 111 road, Ijala would accommodate pupils from nine communities of Ijala, Ifiekporo, Aja-Etan, Egbokodo Itsekiri, Ubeji, Shaguolor, Jeddo and Ugboton.

The campus will have classrooms, an assembly hall, a library, a kitchen, a playground, a water treatment plant, a school dispensary, and staff rooms.

Alabi expressed appreciation and commended His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, for donating the two acres of land for the school’s building.

She further commended the host communities and charged them to ensure the project was completed without hindrances.

Executive Chairman of Warri South Council, Dr Michael Tidi, assured that the host communities would support the project and ensure its completion.

Science is universal. Every day, humans are encircled by technology and the outputs of science such as mobile devices and networks, the systems of road networks, electricity and other infrastructure.

Scientific data is used to inform public policy decisions that have an impact on every part of life.

The study of sciences not only develops capacity for critical thought, but also problemsolving and decision-making.

These skills are essential to all aspects of life.

Therefore, quality science education is essential for youths to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Science education is also crucial to the pursuit of sustainable development goals. It also equips teachers, learners and society with knowledge, skills, equipment and freedom to perform noble tasks that improve socio-economic standards.

In Nigeria, for instance, the

development of society hinges on the pragmatic efficacy of science education. However, this has been met by certain persistent challenges, including subpar science textbooks, inadequate instructional materials, poorly furnished and ill-equipped science labs, and untrained teachers.

But given the significance of science in sustainable development, various organisations, bodies and foundations - including the MTN Foundation - have made significant advancements by contributing to the development of science laboratories.

A review of Nigerian students in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Biology from 2005 to 2013 showed variation and a downward trend in their performance. According to the same review, there have been chronically low academic success rates in the sciences, with infrastructure problems and learning environment problems.

Speaking on the need to boost science and technology

in public schools, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya said, “Science and technology play huge roles in promoting economies of the advanced countries of the world, and this is why the foundation has committed huge resources on initiatives like this to ensure that our youths are well equipped to compete and add value. We are proud of the work we do through this initiative, guided by our unwavering belief in the transformative power of education in our nation.”

Through the MTNF Science and Technology Laboratory Project, MTN Foundation has continuously assessed the need to strengthen academic performances in public secondary schools by improving learning outcomes of key science subjects. Throughout the years, the foundation has donated laboratory furniture to students and teachers, installed modern science and technology equipment for each of the laboratories, and has supplied consumables consisting of materials, chemicals

and reagents.

The foundation also facilitated training for the school teachers and lab attendants to provide comprehensive user training to the students.

The Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, also stated that the foundation is committed to supporting government efforts in science education.

He said, “The importance of education and technology in the development of our nation cannot be overstated. Science and technology play an important role in promoting economies of advanced countries hence the decision by the foundation to commit huge resources in projects that advance science and technology in the country.’’

Recently, the MTN Foundation renovated the existing science laboratory in Government Secondary School Owerri and Aquinas College, Akure. The schools also received a full renovation of their preparatory rooms for physics, chemistry and biology subjects.

L-R: Incoming Head, Department of Telecommunications Engineering, ABU Zaria, Dr. Abdoulie Momodou Tekanyi; CEO, 9mobile, Juergen Peschel; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Admin, ABU, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim; Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado; outgoing HOD, Telecommunications Engineering, Prof. A.D. Usman and Director, Enterprise Business,9mobile, Olakena Fatusa, during 9mobile’s visit to ABU Zaria... recently

UNIJOS Inducts 728 Students as Teachers Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Seven hundred and twentyeight students of the Faculty of Education, University of Jos, have been inducted into the teaching profession at a ceremony affirmed by the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). The induction ceremony was the ninth in the faculty.

In his remarks, the ViceChancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya noted that the graduates have gone through rigorous training in theory and practice by the crop of qualified and

dedicated lecturers of high quality to face the global trend in the 21st-century teaching profession, warning that the global challenges facing all facets of life call for a paradigm shift, thus the theme for the induction, ‘Teacher Education in the 21st Century: Imperatives for Paradigm Shift’.

Ishaya called on all stakeholders to collaborate in providing solutions to the challenges facing teacher education in the country, adding that the University of Jos is known for quality training of students who are worthy in character and learning.

The Dean of the Faculty of

Education, Prof Joseph Maina Musa, said that the faculty would continue to partner with the TRCN, the authorised body saddled with the responsibility of validating teachers in making the profession desirable and meeting contemporary challenges.

He commended the university management’s efforts to provide necessary support in the training as it will enable them to function most effectively in the contemporary teaching profession.

The guest speaker, an expert in Counselling Psychology, Prof Nanram Longbab, said that

education in the 21st century has its challenges not for the learners only, but for policymakers, curriculum experts, administrators, parents, community, and teachers as well.

Registrar of TRCN, Prof Josiah Ajiboye, said that the quality of education in any society depends largely on the quality of teachers, warning that Nigeria cannot achieve the expected quality education without competent teachers and school administrators, well-equipped with the desirable knowledge, skills and effective operations of the education system.

Corps Members, TM Bookstores Revamp Library Rebecca Ejifoma

Shirley Olumuyiwa is a young graduate and philanthropist at heart. She, alongside her fellow National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, in partnership with TM Bookstores, revamped the library of a public secondary school, Festac Grammar School, Lagos.

The project included giving the library a facelift from its poor state, computers, and stacking it with 400 books

ranging from sciences and arts to commercials, among other academic materials.

Olumuyiwa said, “I shared the project idea with my colleagues and TM Store.” She wanted to help these children, reawaken the culture of reading in them, and champion good academic performance among students from homes with slender means. I hope to achieve a turnaround in the children’s academic performance.”

The president and founder of TM Bookstores, Tolulope Adebayo, said that his organisation has a reading group that could have as many as five study groups yearly.

“We read books on giving in 2011. Afterwards, we all decided to give something to society. To put up a library in a secondary school aligned with our organisation. Shirley felt the plight of the students in this school who wished to read but had no books.

Adebayo described the library as a nursery where these students can go and dream.

“We wanted to give them a library that can bring some sanity to their behaviour,” he stressed. “That is why we have given them books to help them conceive those dreams. This is a nursery for them. The goal is that in choosing their career, they can know what they want to become because their minds have been open.”

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Firstbank Urges SMEs to Leverage Digital Marketing for Business Growth Nume Ekeghe In its continuous stride at capacity building for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), Firstbank has urged SMEs to take advantage of the various social media platforms to grow, promote and build sustainable businesses.

The Head, Digital Marketing, First Bank, Chinwe BodeAkinwande stated this during the bank’s SME Connect webinar themed; “Leveraging Social Media for Business Success: Best Practices and Strategies for Building Your Brand and Growing Your Audience,” held in Lagos recently.

She said: “No matter how small your business is, you need these tips to create a content strategy- define your target audience and identify them, their interest and the type of

content they consume. Define your content marketing objective, and determine what you want to achieve.”

“Choosing your content formula will allow you to know what type of content you want to create and also spying is allowed, research the latest trends going on social media platforms. Doing all of these will keep you relevant in your own space and have a voice as it is very important in creating content,’’ she said.

Head of Growth, Cashaam, a social commerce platform and marketplace for micro-entrepreneurs, Michael Olanrewaju, urged SMEs to promote and capitalize on the vast reach of social media platforms and existing e-commerce platforms.

He added that placing strategic ads could help target ideal customer.

“So, the first secret to revolutionizing your business is targeting your ideal customer, this means understanding their needs, interests and pain points and creating your adverts’ contents that speak directly to them.

So by doing this, you will be able to attract more of the right customers to your business.

“The second is optimising your adverts for conversion, using a particular objective called sales or conversion which involves constantly monitoring and tweaking your ads to make sure they are performing at their best.

“Thirdly, it’s the campaign budget optimisation; when you run out a campaign, you have to set up a budget for your campaign which is the total amount of money that you are going to spend on your adverts,’’ he said.

Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Yemisi Edun and the President/Chairman of Council, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Ken Opara, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the InstitutetothemanagementofFCMBinLagos...recently

Cedrus Emerged W’Africa’s Best Financial, Investment Services Brand Kayode Tokede Cedrus Group Africa has been named West Africa’s best brand in the Financial and Investment Services category at the 12th West African Brand Excellence Award, held recently in Lagos.

The award recognizes the company’s exceptional performance, industry contributions, and dedication to delivering customers’ innovative and top-quality products and services.

The Group CEO, Cedrus

Group Africa, Mr. Olubusayo Adeniyi, said “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award in less than 2 years of being in business and grateful for the recognition”, He said, “It is testament to our firm’s commitment to excellence and our focus on meeting the needs of our customers. Our team constantly improves and innovates, as we continue to deliver the best products and services to our customers”.

Cedrus Group Africa is

fast becoming a leader in investment banking across its Advisory, Wealth Management, and Trustee subsidiaries and has built a strong reputation for its commitment to positive customer experiences, innovation, growth of the financial services industry and building economic prosperity in Africa.

The company has a loyal and growing customer base, and its products and services are widely recognized for their relevance, reliability, creativity, and value.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

Firm Launches Apps to Ease International Schooling, Relocation

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

Kayode Tokede

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

In its bid to ease the efforts of students and people who intend to school abroad, Across the Horizon recently launch an app that provides varying solutions to requirements.

The app, Japa+ launched in Lagos during Eko Japa Summit, provides a one-stop information centre, ranging from finding affordable study abroad and relocation pathways with scholarships, student loans and resources. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of Pay4me, a sister company of AcrossdHorizon, Paul Adah explained that the application

was developed in a bid to democratize information needed to process schooling abroad, adding that with the launch of Japa+, technology is applied to bridge the information gap. Also speaking on the Pay4me app at the summit in Lagos, Adah explained that the application, owned by the company as well, is dedicated to assisting student and financial services with international payments all over the world.

It also allow instant Business2Business and other educational support services, he said, adding that the company is in partnership with licensed and accredited support companies,

banking partners, student loan companies, immigration officers from colleges and Universities in United States, United Kingdom, Ireland. Speaking on Funding Opportunities to study abroad, Director of Partnerships, Pay4me,Dee Gordon explained that an intentional student could get fully funded scholarship through crowd funding from friends and family, scholarship and grants from rganizations across the globe.

She, however, noted that for this to be successful, the prospective student need to be intentional, adding that a good way to attract funds is to tell their stories of where they are coming from and where they are going.

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Opens Applications for 2023 Public Leaders’ Programme The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, invites applications for the 2023 class of its AIG Public Leaders Programme, offered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. The Public Leaders Programme is designed to equip senior public sector leaders with the skills and tools they need to be effective in their roles and to tackle the problems presented by today’s complex and fast changing world.

Speaking about the programme, the Executive ViceChair of the Foundation, Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede said, “We believe that an efficient public sector is essential for national development and so we are committed to building the capacity of the public sector

workforce to drive sustainable change for the benefit of the people. We are pleased to announce the third class of this programme and are very proud of the positive impact previous programme participants are having across their various organisations..”

The Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, Professor Ngaire Woods said, “We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation by bringing our Public Leaders Programme to Nigeria for a third time. It has been inspiring to see the real-world impact that participants are having as a result of their hard work on the programme. Through the

programme we aim to work together to build a culture of excellence and integrity, as these dynamic public sector leaders steer their departments and organisations through the challenges of an increasingly complex world.”

A critical part of the programme curriculum is the capstone project, which gives programme participants the opportunity to use the learnings gained on the programme to develop and implement a practical reform project in their various organisations.

Programme alumni have successfully implemented projects that have improved productivity and efficiency and resulted in improved outcomes for the public.

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 10 JANUARY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.78 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $81.86 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)

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MARKET NEWS

Jumia Declares 24.7% Increase in Revenue to $221.9m in 2022 Kayode Tokede Jumia has announced its and full-year 2022 and fourth quarter (Q4) results that showed impressive performance considering the global economic realities.

The leading e-commerce platform in Africa announced 24.7 per cent increase in revenue to $221.9 million from $177.9 million reported in 2021, while revenue in Q4 2022 stood at

$66.5 million, an increase of 7.1 per cent from $62 million reported in Q4 2021.

With growing monetization and reduced losses, the company is making significant progress towards profitability.

In fact, the 2023 financial year adjusted EBITDA loss is expected to decrease by up to 50 per cent compared to FY 2022.

“This is excellent news for the company and its inves-

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tors, and it is a testament to the strength of Jumia’s new strategy. Jumia has been on a journey of transformation over the past few months. The company has been working to streamline its operations, improve its financial performance, and position itself for sustainable growth in the long term.

“One of the key elements of Jumia’s new strategy is its focus on enhanced cost

discipline. The company is working to reduce costs across its operations and to optimize its organizational structure to drive meaningful savings. This strategy is already bearing fruit. In the Q4 2022, Jumia’s operating loss decreased by 41per cent year-over-year, reaching $49.8 million from $84.7million reported in Q4 2021. Adjusted EBITDA loss also decreased by 30 per cent year-over-year, reaching $49.2

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million from $70million in Q4 2021, “the compay said in a statement.

“These are significant improvements that reflect Jumia’s commitment to achieving profitability. One of the ways Jumia is achieving cost savings is through a significant reduction in headcount. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the company terminated over 900 positions, representing a 20per cent reduction in headcount.

AS O F

This streamlining effort has resulted in a leaner, more effective organizational structure that is fully committed to executing the company’s new strategy. Another key element of Jumia’s new strategy is its focus on accelerating monetization. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in some of its markets, Jumia has posted robust Gross Profit growth, which increased by 22 per cent year-over-year.

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CITYSTRINGS

Group Features Editor: ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ Email ÍÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ˛ÏäÏÙÌÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͖͕͔͑͑͒͑͒͑͑͘

Call for Action against Black Soot in Port Harcourt Following the dangers posed by the deadly black soot in Port Harcourt, residents and professionals have once again called for government action with new Crowdsourced Website, Precious Ugwuzor reports

N

early a decade since black residues emanating from the illicit operations of makeshift artisanal refineries by oil bunkers was first reported in Port Harcourt, an end to the activities remains a pipe dream.

Despite government promises and efforts, the oil-rich region is still struggling to free itself from the resulting hazards of indiscriminate bunkering activities in its creeks.

In 2022, Nigeria was estimated to lose between N30 trillion to N60 trillion annually to oil theft and illegal refining. Although the loss of revenue to oil theft is alarming for a country with economic frailties, it is nothing compared to the killer diseases thrown into the Port Harcourt air and water by the resultant pollution. Residents in the most populous South-South city have, over the past seven years, been living on the edge over their general well-being due to uncontrolled exposure to impure carbon particles emitted by the incomplete burning of fossil fuel and other indiscriminate oil exploration activities.

According to Dr Bieye Renner Briggs, a Public Health Physician and an Environmental Advocate in Port Harcourt, “most people living in the affected communities know that soot is bad, but just how worse things can get is what is unknown to them. Nigerians In Port Harcourt, are daily being diagnosed with and dying from soot-related illnesses like birth defects, cancerous growths, miscarriages, and irritations of the eye, nose, throat, and skin.”

The illicit operations of oil bunkers and other factors including the destruction of confiscated drums from operators of nonindustrial refineries by security operatives and open burning of waste sometimes cause Port Harcourt to record an air quality index (AQI) above 155. This, according to global health organisations, indicates a health emergency, as any AQI reading above 150 is considered unhealthy.

Indeed the World Health Organisation (WHO) cites outdoor and household air pollution as critical factors causing seven million premature deaths every year globally, with more than half of the casualties in developing nations.

As their homes are covered in a thick fog of black powdery particles, residents are exposed to deadly respiratory tract infections and cardiovascular problems including bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia. In severe cases, they are victims of skin cancer, preterm births, and premature deaths.

Sandra Hart, a resident of Port Harcourt, who lost consciousness following an acute asthmatic attack exacerbated by the air pollution caused by the soot said, “I am impressed with the coordination that has gone into raising awareness of soot in Port Harcourt over the last few years.

"Having been in and out of the hospital constantly and surviving a coma, I want Nigerians and particularly residents of Port Harcourt to understand why we need to make sure our Government puts an end to illegal refining of oil once and for all.”

Unfortunately, awareness among locals about the perils of contaminated air and water on their health is low. Although statistics are sketchy, there are records of residents who hitherto had no history of respiratory issues developing terminal ailments from soot with no respite in sight from authorities.

Irrefutably, the continued existence of the soot pandemic in Port Harcourt has not been for a lack of effort. Governor Nyesom Wike, upon assuming office, immediately committed to ridding Rivers State of pipeline vandalism and illegal refining operations; his government enacted the Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Law in 2019 to further tackle the problem and bring culprits to book.

He had also previously tasked local government chairmen in Rivers State to identify areas of illegal refining operations in their localities and fish out the operators.

Recently, Governor Wike went on the offensive and read the riot act to perpetrators of such hazardous business, following a personal raid of illegal refining sites in forests of the Ogbodo community in Ikwerre Local Govern-

ment Area and Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area.

Yet, despite his sustained clampdown on operators of illegal refineries in local communities having a significant impact on the activities, Port Harcourt remains far from being completely soot-free. In many of the local governments, it has been discovered that over 50 illegal refineries are in operation.

The Governor, in an act of desperation to see his efforts yield positive results, pointed accusing fingers at security agencies for sabotaging his efforts by aiding, abetting and protecting illegal refineries in the state. Deliberations among Port Harcourt representatives in the Senate also leave a little to be desired, although a motion to curb soot and the economic sabotage by illegal refining of crude products was moved last year. No lasting resolutions are yet in sight.

At the receiving end of these actions and inactions are, however, residents who inhale and ingest the amorphous carbon particles daily—many of whom are uninformed about the extent of danger soot exposes them to. According to current data, the PM2.5 concentration in Port Harcourt is four times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

This is frightening considering respiratory infection offshoots such as influenza and pneumonia are

some of the leading causes of death in Nigeria.

Indeed, the earliest succour that will come to residents will be a channel to gain proper awareness about the perils of the air pollution menace to their health status and also the provision of access to affordable care.

Dr Eugene, Founder of The Extra Step Initiative, says, “After 60 years of Rivers State being the hub of the hydrocarbon industry and with the damaging activities of the non-state actors, the Rivers State Government with external support must lead the charge to audit the damage to our flora and fauna particularly the respiratory health of the residents of Port Harcourt and other host communities from the activities of legal and illegal refining of crude oil so as to curb the rate of cancers and renal failure amongst children, indigent people and pregnant women. It is also our belief that even the United Nations Ogoni Clean Up report is obsolete and should be updated by the Federal Government to reflect the current realities which a 10-year-old report does not capture.”

Incidentally, a health campaign to help Port Harcourt residents exposed to soot determine their life expectancy is set to kick off. Named Soot City, the campaign will serve as a muchneeded reality check for locals who pay little attention to the soot impact on their health.

“We need to be very clear on the true impact of the damage soot causes and how the crisis is slowly killing residents, in a way that is candid and easy to comprehend by all, that’s why SootCity is very jarring,” Steve Babaeko, the Founder and CEO of X3M Ideas added.

Citizens who live or have lived in the oilrich region will have an unusual opportunity to calculate the number of years they have to live due to the damage caused by soot inhalation or ingestion, through a unique

Residents in the most populous South-South city have, over the past seven years, been living on the edge over their general well-being due to uncontrolled exposure to impure carbon particles emitted by the incomplete burning of fossil fuel and other indiscriminate oil exploration activities

web page Sootcity.com, developed by Steve’s company, X3M Ideas.

The significance of residents knowing their health status based on the time they have spent in the city can't be understated.

Receiving adequate information about their health status will ultimately inspire affected residents to seek urgent treatments and also demand action from relevant authorities.

Interestingly, the Soot City campaign makes provision for residents to nudge Senators and lawmakers in the region to embark on immediate actions that would mitigate or eradicate soot.

The letters sent on the participants' behalf, will demand collaborations between government and stakeholders; identification and containment of pollution sites; banning of illegal and artisanal refining across the state with strict punitive measures; IOC compliance with best practices; youth empowerment with sustainable employment opportunities; provision of basic social amenities such as affordable healthcare, and much more.

“The timely nature of this intervention cannot be overemphasised, considering the recent wave of soot-related illnesses. The State Government itself through the office of the former Commissioner for Environment, Prof.

Roseline Konya, in 2019, reviewed over 22,077 cases of respiratory diseases related to the presence of soot in the city.

Every year we record thousands of cases of soot-related illnesses. It is time for us to demand action from the Government to save what’s left of the lives of residents of Port Harcourt,” Dr Oge Isokariari, Public Relations Officer of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria and Public Health Physician at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, said.

The demand for better living conditions in Port Harcourt is long overdue. Government actions to fully rid the region of the soot menace may not be forthcoming or slow, but the life expectancy campaign by Soot City means residents can at least heave a huge sigh of relief about knowing what important actions to take regarding their general well-being.

It will hopefully serve as a jolt in the authority and stakeholders' steps towards bringing a conclusive end to the illicit practices that have threatened residents' health and lives for nearly seven years.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 20Feb-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.32% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.88 3.95 14.49% 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 8.41% Anchoria Equity Fund 154.07 155.71 6.30% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 -0.31% 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 23.49 24.19 7.03% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 549.06 565.61 5.34% ARM Ethical Fund 46.55 47.95 3.18% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.13 1.13 0.78% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 1.20% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.51% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 0.91% 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 96.96 96.96 1.96% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,104.07 1,104.07 -1.99% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.14 2.14 15.30% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.37 2.42 7.56% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 1.16% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.68% Paramount Equity Fund 20 20.36 7.47% Women's Investment Fund 156.68 158.65 5.81% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.29 101.29 10.91% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.41% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 10.74% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.22 1.23 2.20% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.37 1.37 -2.58% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 100.00 9.80% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.41% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,116.53 1,120.43 0.86% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 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 1.00 1.00 13.56% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.08 1.08 10.26% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.13 1.13 33.69% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 105.57 105.57 4.01% 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 1496.05 1496.05 12.33% FBN Balanced Fund 210.11 211.60 5.22% FBN Halal Fund 125.12 125.12 12.87% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.43% FBN Dollar Fund 121.34 121.34 6.86% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 175.88 178.49 6.20% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 105.38 105.38 8.91% 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 8.49% Legacy Debt Fund 3.55 3.55 -11.33% Legacy Equity Fund 2.09 2.13 20.14% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 5.27% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1

Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

Bid Price 4,367.70 3,753.21 100.00

Offer Price 4,397.32 3,753.21 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 27.17% 7.92% 11.33%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.14 1.14 5.69% 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 Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.42% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.19 3.25 7.18% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.26% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 0.00 0.00 0.00% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.29 1.33 5.61% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.07 1.07 8.28% 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 13.06 13.11 5.96% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.51% 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) 101.94 101.94 10.27% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 10.26% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.93 135.05 0.05% 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 1.02 1.02 11.05% 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 3,801.88 3,832.95 12.16% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 246.50 246.50 4.64% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.51 1.53 20.63% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 335.36 335.36 7.10% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 275.80 278.84 18.02% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.91% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,812.99 12,968.31 17.35% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.38 1.38 6.64% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 122.07 122.07 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 116.39 116.39 9.41% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,621.12 4,621.12 8.63% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 3,415.51 3,458.54 22.86% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 4,355.79 4,372.56 14.42% 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 1.02 1.05 7.45% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.54 1.57 12.65% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.22 1.24 4.80% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.12 1.12 10.08% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 7.34% United Capital Eurobond Fund 126.31 126.31 5.51% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.46% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.42 14.56 4.00% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.43 16.59 3.91% Zenith Income Fund 23.80 23.80 1.03% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% 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 N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.29 53.47 101.31 9.93

-13.05% 3.98% -13.05%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.36 140.87 109.86 16.40 17.40

16.46 143.33 111.77 16.50 17.50

5.69% 10.39% 9.88% 6.44% -0.12%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.75

0.00%

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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.

42

WEDNESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

LAUNCH OF ABUJA BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION...

L-R: Managing Director, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Malam Shehu Abdulkadir; Permanent Secretary, Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Adesola Olusade; Director General, SMEDAN, Olawale Fasanya and Representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Nigeria, Yuzurio Susumu, during the launch of Abuja Business Plan Competition (ABPC), by AEA in Abuja... yesterday

It's Time to Pay Back APC, Tinubu for Misrule, PDP Campaign Charges Nigerians Says Atiku’ll do things differently as listening president Ekiti SDP, PDP leaders unite, promise to deliver ex-vp Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday, charged Nigerians to see the February 25, 2023 presidential election as an opportunity to deal the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, a devastating electoral punch for the anguish, pain, sufferings, mass killings and untold hardships they visited on Nigerians in the almost eight years of the APC administration.

At the same time, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would do things differently as president, especially that he is a listening leader.

This is as the PDP leadership has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of killing democracy in the state and country by hounding people, who disagreed with his views.

In a related development, former PDP leaders, who formed bunch of the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Monday, joined their counterparts in the PDP to agree on the choice of the former vice-president as their consensus candidate in the February 25 presidential election.

In statement by one of the spokespersons of the campaign,

Kola Ologbondiyan, the organisation urged Nigerians to recompense the APC with a humiliating defeat for its wickedness by voting en masse for Atiku, whom it claimed, embodied the hope for a new lease of life in the country.

"Our campaign stresses that Nigerians cannot afford to gloss over the horrible experiences, which they have been made to endure in almost eight years of APC, the administration, which Tinubu claimed to have unilaterally foisted upon our country.

"Nigerians should approach the ballot box with a determination to repay the APC and Tinubu for the devastation they caused our country by opening her to terrorists and marauders to kill and maim our compatriots, rape our women and took Nigerians into slavery in their own country.

“The APC took pleasure in watching the killing of innocent Nigerians, including the massacre of our youths during the EndSars Protest of October 2020; the APC also turned our nation into a large killing field, brought a near fascist regime and foisted a terrible siege mentality on the people.

"Nigerians must go to the presidential election with the consciousness of how the arrogant, abusive, insensitive, corrupt and incompetent APC and its Presidential Candidate viciously pillaged

our national patrimony, turned the revenue generating agencies into their cash cows, wrecked the once robust economy, which was hitherto rated as one of the fastest growing in the world, ruined our productive sectors, took away jobs from our youths and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world, where over 100 million Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life,” Ologbondiyan said.

Also speaking with THISDAY, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Atiku, Tunde Olusunle, said, "We can assure you that Nigerians can expect, and duly be served a listening, accessible, caring and performing presidency under Atiku Abubakar. A PDP government under Atiku will be responsive, responsible and proactive, if given

the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria.

“The Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services are allowed to make calls directly to the Commission, to resolve issues concerning their telecommunications services which the service providers are unable to do.”

It however, pointed out that in consideration of the critical nature of this election and to alleviate emergent issues that may arise at the voting centres, or any parts of Nigeria thereof, “the Commission has considered it expedient to dedicate the Toll-Free Number 622 to accommodate all types of

But when a president constitutes a federal cabinet of 42 ministers and appropriates 10 topmost portfolios to his own geopolitical zone, nepotism cannot have a better name.

“Or how do you describe it when the ministers of finance, defence, police affairs, agriculture, justice, water resources, disaster management and humanitarian services, aviation, even petroleum which has the president as substantive minister, are from one zone?

"When you run through the list of members of the National Security Council, (NSC) and you find 80 per cent, if not 90 per cent of the constituents from a particular section of the country and of a particular faith, nothing can be more upsetting. Atiku served in an Obasanjo government, where the inauguration of the National

Security Council had to be delayed for a few days, to ensure that the south east geopolitical zone was duly accommodated in the scheme, in 1999. That is the kind of fairness and equity Atiku will bring to Nigeria," he stated.

Wike is a Threat to Nation's Democracy, Says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of killing democracy in the state and country by hounding people, who disagreed with his views.

The party, therefore, urged the people of the state and Nigerians to vote Atiku-Okowa ticket to rescue the nation from its current travails.

Continues online

Despite Attacks on Facilities, Anambra Police Expresses Readiness for Saturday’s Elections Force, Army, NSCDC, others to deploy 7,000 personnel in Ondo David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Fidelis David in Akure Despite several attacks on its facilities in the state, the Anambra State Police

NCC Unveils Toll-Free Number, 622 for Presidential Election The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its Consumer Toll-Free Number 622, to serve as 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline.

In a statement yesterday, the Commission stated that the move was in view of the importance it attaches to the upcoming elections.

The toll-free number would serve, “as 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline to enable voters and members of the public across Nigeria to report any issues that may affect them, or others, during the elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023.”

It explained that, “this step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment, towards

the opportunity come Saturday.”

Olusunle said, "Atiku has always, and continuously, respected our religious plurality. On every occasion he got the ticket of a party to contest, he ensured immediate and instantaneous regard for Christians.

From Ben Obi, who was once his running mate, to Peter Obi, to Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku has always been spontaneously circumspect and pragmatic. We can expect an Atiku government that will speedily reset, reorder and reorganise our fractured and discombobulated polity.

"One of the popular slogans on the Atiku political trail, is that he will unify Nigeria. All of a sudden, under the APC government, Nigerians began to think of themselves along ethnic and religious lines. This is not how we have always been.

complaints on election day.”

“This is with a view to resolving such issues by contacting and conveying such to relevant agencies, authorities, or organisations for timely resolution.

“The 622 Election Incident Monitoring Centre will be manned by top Management officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission. The hotline will be open to the public from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Members of the public are, therefore, invited to take advantage of the Election Incident Monitoring Centre Hotline, 622,” the statement signed by its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, added.

Command, has expressed readiness for Saturday's election.

This is as the Ondo State command of Force, and other sister security agencies, yesterday, said it would deploy 7,000 personnel to provide security across the state, during the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections.

In the last one week, five facilities belonging to the Anambra Police command had been attacked by unknown gunmen, while close to eight operatives had paid the supreme price.

But yesterday, men of the command, joined by other security agencies embarked on a show of force, saying they were ready for Saturday's election.

Spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who hinted THISDAY of the show of force, said the operation, which was led by the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Echeng Echeng, has also improved the deployment of personnel across the state.

"The police, military and other security agencies today (Tuesday) embarked on a show of force in demonstration of the readiness for the forthcoming election, and the assurance of protection of lives and

properties, and maintenance of law and order.

"This includes improved personnel deployment and positioning of security forces to attend to security requests ahead, during and after the 2023 general election in the state.

"The show of force led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng had the military, Navy, DSS, the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety, Immigration Service and other sister agencies in the convoy."

The Command, yesterday, however, observed a minutes silence for police officers, who paid the supreme price during attacks by gunmen.

The Divisional Police Officer of Isiowulu, Idemili North, CSP Francis Williams and three others were among those who lost their lives during Monday morning attack on the police division.

"The CP assured them that the command will not rest on its oars until the criminal elements tormenting the state are brought to justice," he said.

In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Oyediran Oyeyemi, made this

known in Akure the state capital, during a meeting with heads of other sister security agencies in the state, meant to cement their synergy ahead of the election.

According to Oyeyemi, the personnel will be drawn from the state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Service Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOs), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the 32 Artillery Brigade, He assured the people that the security agencies were fully prepared to ensure that the citizens are allowed to make free choices, stressing that the Police, which were the leading security agency in the coverage of elections in the country, would assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

"All relevant agencies connected to the forthcoming elections are here to assure the public that we are ready as ever for the success of the elections. I want to inform the public that they should rest assured that forthcoming elections will be peaceful and that we are ready for that purpose.

43

WEDNESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CTA STAKEHOLDERS ROUNDTABLE ON 2023 ELECTIONS...

L-R: Resident Electoral Commissioner, FCT, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; Commandant Special Duties, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Oliver Ugwuja; Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Nwadishi PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN Faith and Representative of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Patrick Okoyeocha, during the CTA North- Central Stakeholders roundtable on the 2023 general elections in Abuja...recently

Nnamani, Ezeife, Others Take Steps to Minimise Post-election Crisis

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Some political stakeholders and elder statesmen under the umbrella of National Coalition for Peace and Unity (NACOPU), have resolved to put in place steps to curtail or minimise post-election crisis in the country.

The group said it was imperative for the leaders and elders across the length and breath of the nation to rise and put in place all proactive measures to forestall potential national crisis that might arise from the election.

National Chairman of the group and former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; the Secretary General, Cairo Ojougboh; former Anambra State governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife and other members, who speaking at the inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja, noted that with the election around the corner and problems of naira swap, energy

crisis, militancy, banditry, terrorism, ethnic and regional agitation, it was important for well-meaning and active politicians to put heads together to find solution for peace.

Nnamani said what distinguished the group from others was because it spoke truth to itself.

"I support the concept of a group that can afford to speak to others.

We are going into a pivotal electoral process and the challenge will be more after results of the election.

A group like this should be in the position to speak up and lead with recommendations. I know people will dispute the results but there should be people that should advise that we should not allow two, three, five judges to determine who rules us. We should obey the outcome of the ballot box," he said.

Also, Ezeife, who posited that there was no need preaching for people to understand that the country was in a make or break

situation, said there was no basis for violence, acrimony, adding that the new Nigeria would accommodate everyone.

Ezeife added: "I am Igbo I don't want to leave Nigeria, but I do not want to be a slave in the country of my birth. The federal government is pushing for us to leave the country and I have looked at it from a long point of view and I think it is better if here can be restructured.

"In doing this, I had to meet with many people, you will agree with me that we should not be slaves in Nigeria. Slaves do not get to be president of their countries and if somehow one of us manages to be make president, then, we should look for Biafra inside Nigeria.

"This topic – peace and unity – has been touching us, even when things were not as bad as this. The old should be apologetic for ruining this country for our children. We are either Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa

TINUBU TO BUHARI: I’LL WORK HARD FOR NIGERIA SAME WAY YOU WORKED HARD FOR ME missing data in which to close our planning and projections. So, we asked that data be made available in the shortest possible time. Hopefully, not later than the close of business today or certainly not later than 24 hours from now," he said.

On the court order on MC Oluomo, Fashola noted that INEC has no option than to obey the order.

His words: "I think that by now, from my own public service records, where I stand on rule of law is no longer a matter for debate. I have been a public servant for 21 years and it is not what I say now that matters or what I do. It is the consistency of my conduct "I see that some sections of the media have tried to suggest that I was inviting certain authority to act in defiance of the court order. For me, there is no choice between the rule of law and my life, because my life really means nothing if it is not lived with the rule of law.That is what protects all of us.

"So, anybody who is faced with an order of court, whether it be INEC, whether it be anybody is bound to comply. Whether you like the court order or not, if you don't like the court order, the rule has been set down from centuries ago that you must go back to the same court to say I am challenging this order. The person to whom the order is made should simply comply. There is no choice, it is the rule of law or nothing.

"So when some sections of the media try to paint a picture when

I was creating a hypothesis, they were just stretching common sense to a ridiculous ends," he added.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Directorate of the campaign has also said Tinubu has the required votes to emerge victorious in Saturday's election.

The Director, Senator Mohammed Hassan, while speaking yesterday in Abuja, at the Civil Society Organisations pre-election

roundtable discussion, said for the first time, a ruling party would win the Federal Capital Territory by 70 per cent because Tinubu is a marketable product.

Hassan, who was represented by a member of the Directorate, Okpokwu Ogenyi, said with various briefings he has received from different organisations, "It is certain that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the next President of Nigeria."

by accident, no choice of mine. It is the same story for us all. Only God decided what we are. There is no basis for violence, acrimony.

The new Nigeria will accommodate all of us.

"Yoruba and Igbo are the worst Nigerians, stupid Nigerians, because they choose enmity instead of cooperation and because of their enmity the whole country is paying

for it. Were they to integrate, the country will be stabilized – no domination by anybody. Of the other groups, no group can analyze its long term prospects and decide to go out of Nigeria. Nigeria is our home let us amend whatever is to be amended."

The convener and General Secretary, Ojougboh, explained why the group came together,

Ekiti Governorship: Appeal Court Affirms Oyebanji's Election Oni heads to Supreme Court Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti A Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti has upheld the judgement of the lower court, validating the victory of the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji at the June 18 governorship election in the state.

But the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Chief Segun Oni, who approached the appeal court, having been dissatisfied with the judgement of the lower court, has headed to the supreme court.

Justice Barka, in the judgement which was delivered virtually, said the appellant, Segun Oni,

failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

He held that the respondents, Biodun Oyebanji and Monisade Afuye were duly elected as the governor and deputy governor of the state.

The judge added that Oyebanji was lawfully nominated as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and emerged the winner of the election conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

He also said the Mai Mala Bini caretaker committee that conducted the primaries that produced Oyebanji was in line

UK, JONATHAN, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY APPEAL FOR VIOLENCE-FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS as a peaceful transition to the next administration.

The groups stressed the need for responsible conduct by all politicians and vigilance by other leaders and elders towards ensuring that the country produced the best leadership possible under the most peaceful conditions.

The groups resolved that all Nigerians had a role to play in ensuring the conduct of credible elections and a peaceful transition to the next administration.

They stated, "All voters must be availed the opportunities to freely exercise their political choices.

Nigerians living in all parts of the country must be encouraged to stay put, under secure circumstances, to vote and exercise their franchise.

"We hold it as a sacred principle that no Nigerian should be penalised for holding an opinion or exercising his free choice within the confines of the law."

The groups stressed that governments at all levels, security agencies and host communities should give every Nigerian, wherever they live and work, assurances of their safety and the protection of their rights during elections.

They stated, "We urge our fellow citizens who may be planning to travel to areas of origin to resist every temptation to do so. Let them make their staying back a clear demonstration of real willingness to protect their rights to live wherever they are and participate in all election activities like all other Nigerians."

They stressed that Nigerians should be aware that they would be going into defining elections, wherein leaders should be elected on the basis of competence and capacity to drive “our economic development, social justice and political unity forward”.

They added that they believed it was possible to conduct the elections

adding that they wanted elders and leaders to begin to look at what was going to happen during the general election.

“We are looking at pre-election, during the election and post-election.

The reason the leaders have decided to gather is to make sure that we begin to educate our youths and our leaders, who are the participants in this coming elections,” he said.

without violence or rupture to the country's deep roots in all parts of Nigeria.

"Indeed, we believe no one will benefit from the subversion of credible elections or a peaceful atmosphere under which they will hold," the groups stressed.

They pointed out that groups such as theirs had a responsibility to reduce distances between communities and build bridges that should strengthen the unity and security of the country.

NLC Urges Workers to Turn Out Massively to Vote on Saturday

NLC directed all workers to ensure massive participation in the election of the next president of the country.

A statement by NLC president Joe Ajaero, yesterday, warned that the labour movement would not

accept any disruption of the electoral process by those he described as vested interests. It urged INEC to ensure that the elections were free and fair and that the peoples’ votes counted.

The statement highlighted the decisions reached at the National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of NLC, "That INEC should not only ensure that the electoral processes are transparent but reflects the wishes of voters."

NLC urged all election observers to pay serious attention to the processes adopted in the conduct of the election to see that they conform to constitutional provisions. It stated that it also deliberated on the issue of six months’ salary arrears owed workers of Abia State and directed the state’s branch and affiliates to commence mobilisation for strike immediately after the expiration of the ultimatum given to the state government on Friday, February 24.

with the constitution of the party and it should be an internal issue not to be contested by other party.

Justice Barka noted that the petition challenging the certificate of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Monisade Afuye, was a plan by the appellant to circumvent the rules of law as the respondents presented a valid certificate to the electoral body.

He said the appellant failed to prove the forgery of certificate allegation against the deputy governor to convincing level as it fails to present a clear evidence to support the allegation.

But, in a swift reaction, Oni said he would proceed to the supreme court to seek redress in the judgement of the election petitions tribunal and the appeal court that affirmed Oyebanji as the duly elected governor of Ekiti State.

Spokesperson of the Segun Oni campaign, Jackson Adebayo told newsmen that the SDP candidate would fight for his right to the last stage of the judiciary.

He noted that the appellate court failed to look into the issues presented by the petitioners.

In his reaction, Oyebanji hailed the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which reaffirmed his election as governor of the state, describing it as victory for democracy and the people of the state.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Yinka Oyebode, said his victory was to the glory of God and joy of the people of Ekiti State, whose mandate was reconfirmed by the appellate court.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

PHILANTHROPY...

L-R: Representative of the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, and Member representing Esan North-east/Esan South-east Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sergius Ogun, at the unveiling of fire station built by Hon. Ogun in Ubiaja, Edo State…recently

Orji Kalu: Nothing Like Igbo Presidency Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A former Governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, yesterday maintained that there is no term as ‘Igbo presidency’, insisting that his loyalty is first to his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking when he appeared on ARISE News, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, Kalu who said his vote would be cast for the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, stressed that he was confident that the former Lagos governor would win.

“There is nothing like Igbo

presidency. There can only be a Nigerian president of Igbo descent,” he contended.

Kalu argued that although he’s close to the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, he was confident Tinubu would win Saturday’s presidential poll.

“This business is not done by tribe or region. It is about voting when all Nigerians agree that he will be president, the way all Nigerians have agreed that Bola Tinubu will be president,” he stated.

Kalu also stressed that the current naira swap was not the creation of the APC government,

saying that it was an exclusive function of the apex financial institution in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Orji claimed that President

Muhammadu Buhari was also affected by the policy, but faulted what he said was Buhari’s disregard for the supreme court order.

“Naira redesign is not a policy of the APC government. The central bank is using the power given to it by the constitution of the country. If I were Buhari, I’ll

listen to the order of the court.

That’s how a country can move forward. Buhari is also suffering from the policy”, Kalu stated.

Bayelsa Guber: Give Me Right of First Refusal, Lyon Tells APC Estate magnate, Festus Daumiebi, joins race Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state in the 2019 election, David Lyon has called on the national leadership of the party to give him the right of first refusal ahead of the party’s primary scheduled to hold on

April 10.

Lyon stated this yesterday while addressing journalists after submitting his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.

Lyon was declared winner of the 2019 governorship election, but a day to his swearing-in as governor, his election was invalidated by the Supreme Court.

The apex court ruled that his

running mate, Degi Eremienyo Wangagra submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while ordering that Douye Diri of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second in the election be issued a certificate of return, which made him governor-elect.

Lyon said: “With profound

gratitude and great humility, I just submitted my nomination and intent form to contest the primaries for the governorship election of Bayelsa state under the platform of our great party, APC. “Allow me to request our great party APC to grant me the right of first refusal regarding our party primaries date as outlined by the national headquarters.”

The counter-trafficking project, which is an offshoot of the 2021 project will scale efforts in stemming the tide of trafficking in persons and migrants smuggling, according to the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi. Unveiling the new project yesterday in Abuja, Professor Waziri-Azi also disclosed that the agency within few weeks

in 2023 had already secured 17 convictions.

She attributed some of the successes recorded by the agency to collaborative efforts with partners such as the Canadian High Commission and the United Kingdom-based Ark Group.

“In 2022, NAPTIP received1,440 reported cases of trafficking in persons; 412 external trafficking

cases (28.6 per cent) and 1,028 internal trafficking cases(71.4 per cent).

She said 2,743 victims were rescued in collaboration with other sister law enforcement agencies; male children were 233 (8.5 per cent); female children 688 (25.1 per cent); Male adults, 363 (13.2 per cent); and female adults, 1,459 (53.2 per cent).

Crisis Hits Benue PDP over Choice of Presidential Candidate Canada, NAPTIP Unveil New Project to Stem Human Trafficking, Irregular Migrations Ayu, Senator Gabriel Suswam,

George Okoh in Makurdi

The chances of the People Democratic Party(PDP) dominating the 2023 general election in Benue State has come under serious threat following the choice of who the party should support in the presidential election.

The leaders of the PDP in the state are at loggerhead on who to back in the election.

While the leader of the party in the state and Governor of the state Mr Samuel Ortom is strongly backing the presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP) Mr. Peter Obi, other members of the party including the National Chairman of the Dr. Iyorchia

Senator Abba Moro and Professor Iyuewese Hagher are backing the candidacy of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar.

The acrimony generated from the crises of choice is tearing apart the fabric of the party and pundits have predicted it will certainly affect the elections of other members of the PDP seeking other positions.

With a few days to the presidential election Ortom came out to back Peter Obi. In a meeting following the award of a Chieftaincy title to him by the Igbo community, Governor Ortom charged them to vote for Peter Obi while adding that he is the best candidate for the job

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition against Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) has unveiled a new Counter-Trafficking Project to enhance the fight against the menace of human trafficking in the country.

Abe May Drag Rivers Police to ICC over Attacks on SDP Members Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers state, Senator Magnus Abe has stated that if attacks on his party members persist he might have to file a suit against

the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agencies indicted to the International Criminal Court(ICC).

The former representative of the Rivers East Senatorial District disclosed this yesterday, while addressing his supporters at the SDP state rally and flag presentation

to candidates, held at the Elekahia community hall premises, Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the recent attacks on his party members by suspected policemen he claimed to be working on the order of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Abe said he was

already communicating with the international Community to end the ugly acts.

He said: “I am working with the international community, they have promised to drag to the ICCt, anyone or group identified harassing, arresting and detaining SDP members unjustly.”

economy.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said this in his office at the inauguration of the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) Project Steering Committee and commissioning of the project

consultants.

Ngige assured all that with more support for Nigeria on her journey to just and gender inclusive transition, the country would arrive at the destination, which touches on lifting people out of poverty, creation of new jobs and moving away from old

habits that were not technological dependent.

He described labour as very important in fulfilling Nigeria’s international commitments to climate change action including Paris Agreement and the achievement of her energy transition plan.

Court Stops Kaduna State from Taking over Properties Nigeria Seeks Foreign Support for Climate Change Measures

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has restrained the Kaduna State government from stopping a property development firm from enjoying its rights over properties situate at Plots 292067 and 292070, No. 2 8 Muhammadu Buhari Way (Waff Road), Kaduna State.

The order was granted in favour of a property development firm, Hall 7 Real Estate Limited.

The court also stopped the Kaduna State government from taking further steps in connection with the said plots of land pending the pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion filed alongside the exparte application for interim injunction.

The court stopped the Kaduna State government from taking any action against the property as it ordered parties to maintain Status quo Antebellum.

In an originating summons attached to the exparte application , the firm is asking for an order nullifying and setting aside the “Notice of Revocation/Withdrawal of Right of Occupancy” over the subject properties as well as the letter dated 17th October 2022 and entitled “Re: Building Permission S/N. 1460 purporting to withdraw the Building Permission granted to the Applicant on the properties, for being unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government said it needed more foreign support to implement climate action in Nigeria.

It said that climate change affects oil and gas, which is the mainstay of the country’s

Yoruba Group: We ‘ll Not Persuade People to Vote any Presidential Candidate Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Yoruba leaders under the aegis of South-west Development Stakeholders Forum (SWDSF), yesterday said they would not persuade the people of the region to vote for any presidential candidate during the February 25 election.

The leaders, who said this during the presentation of report and documentary of presidential parleys, the group made in Ibadan to journalists, noted that they were not working for any of the candidate that would participate in this Saturday’s presidential election.

The SWDSF had between January 17 and February 4,

2023, organised a parley with presidential candidates of political parties that will contest in the poll.

The Chairman of the group, Chief Alao Adedayo, while presenting the report, said five out of the seven presidential candidates invited for the parley showed up.

According to him, they are:

Alhaji Kola Abiola of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Mr. Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress(AAC); Prince Adewole Adebayo, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

NEW MEDICAL DOCTORS INDUCTED…

L-R: Senior Vice President/ Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Babcock University, Prof. Yacob Haliso; Senior Vice President/ Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Babcock University; Prof Philemon Amanze; Registrar, Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi; President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo and Medical Elder of the Day/ Global Health Leader, Dr. Folake Olayinka, during the seventh induction ceremony for newly qualified medical doctors from Benjamin S. Carson (Snr.) College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State....recently

Boot Party Guber Candidate, Oluwo, Steps Down for Rhodes-Vivour of Labour Party in Lagos Lagos State Boot Party’s governorship candidate, Wale Oluwo, yesterday stepped down for the governorship candidate of the Labour Party(LP) in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

The alliance was sealed at the

home of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

The two candidates said they are working together to dislodge the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state and return the resources of the state to the people.

FCCPC Boss Advocates Domestication of Bill for Quality Health Care Delivery Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Executive Vice Chairman, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, has canvassed for the domestication of the Patients’ Bill of Rights (PBRs) in the nation’s health institutions.

This, Irukera said, would go a long way to ensure better quality health care delivery in the country.

He told journalists yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, after visits to public and private health institutions in the state for domestication of the patients’ bill of rights in the facilities that

Speaking on the significance of the support, Rhodes-Vivour said: “This is a major alliance that is going to redefine governance

in Lagos State; we are two men that are passionate about Lagos, indigenes of Lagos that want to see opportunities presented to the

people.

“Our state resources have been captured by the interest of one man, his friends and his family. We want

to create a Lagos everyone will benefit from so, this is a natural alliance we have been meeting for in a long time.”

Explosion Rocks LG Secretariat in Kogi, Govt Vows to Fish out Perpetrators IbrahimOyewaleinLokoja

The residents of Obangede, woke up with a bang of explosion that consumed a cross section of Okehi domestication of patients’ rights Local Government Area’s (OLGA) in the nation’s health institutions secretariat on Monday. would go a long way to instill The Kogi State Police Command confidence in patients. has confirmed an explosion that He said: “There are certain standards and expectations from the medical practitioners and obligations of the patients. Laleye Dipo in Minna “It is no use having structures with medical equipment when No fewer than 12 people patients are not treated with were receiving treatment empathy. People want a place at the General Hospital in when they feel welcomed and Suleja, Niger State, following cared for rather than where injuries sustained during a clash everything is upside down. I between thugs of two political think patients should be treated parties last Tuesday evening. in a far superior way than what The injuries sustained were we do now.”

rocked the administrative office of OLGA. It was suspected that unknown gunmen stormed the secretariat around 5 p.m. and planted explosion that ripped through the administrative block of the secretariat.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP. WilliamAya, explained yesterday

that the command is on top of the situation.

Aya pointed out that officers have been deployed to the area to ascertain the extent of damages.

Reacting to the incident, the Kogi State Government condemned in the strongest terms, an explosion which affected a section of the OLGA,

saying that the security agencies have been charged to unravel the masterminds of the attack.

According to the state government, preliminary findings have shown that no casualty was recorded as a result of the proactive measures anchored on the state’s iron-cast security architecture.

12 Injured as Political Thugs Clash in Suleja, Police Arrest Three Suspects from machete and axe cuts as well as from cudgels.

Aside from those who sustained injuries it was learnt that the campaign office of a member of the House of Representatives of one of the major political parties in the state was vandalised in addition to the campaign vehicles of the

two political parties.

According to a report from the area, the fracas started between the thugs of the two major political parties at Madalla, but later spread to Suleja town where the campaign office of the candidate was destroyed.

THISDAY could not confirm

what caused the disturbance but an unconfirmed source claimed that the thugs must have been sponsored to attack the House of Representatives candidate.

All efforts to get the reaction of the candidate were abortive as he did not respond to several calls made to his cell phone.

Guber: Mbah Promises Massive Socio-economic Transformation Ekiti Amotekun Nabs Man Enugu Ahead of the forthcoming general flag bearer gave this assurance Governance Through the Action of electorate, lay faithful, bishops and the governorship yesterday at the Holy Ghost the Laity and the State Executives”. priests, traders, members of the with Fake New Naira Notes elections, candidate of the Peoples Cathedral, Enugu, during an Mbah outlined his development business community, interested Gbenga Sodeinde inAdoEkiti Operatives of the Western Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, Ekiti State Command, have paraded a middle-aged man for alleged possession of fake new Naira notes.

The suspect’s name was given as Mr. Celestine Nwoha, a native of Ihiala in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He was apprehended at Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State by men of the corps after spending

large quantities of the new N1,000 notes in a local market in the area.

The suspect, who claimed to be a business man from Lagos State, said that on the fateful day, he was from Lagos State and heading to Isanlu in Kogi State to buy cola nuts and bitter cola when he was arrested with fake new Naira notes.

Describing himself as victim of circumstances, the suspect said he collected the fake new naira notes from a customer in Lagos State without knowing that it was counterfeited money.

Premium Trust Bank Opens Outlet at Redemption City Rebecca Ejifoma

Nigeria’s fast-growing institution, commercial PremiumTrust Bank, has officially commenced business operations at the Redemption City, Ogun State.

In his opening remarks during the unveiling of the new branch, the Managing Director/CEO of PremiumTrust Bank, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim, thanked

the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God(RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, who presided over the ceremony, for his continuous support from inception.

Emefienim said: “In nine months of existence, we have won three awards; LeadershipP Most Innovative Bank (2022), BAFI Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Bank 2022, and BAFI Bank of the Year 2022 (Sports Development).

Democratic Party, (PDP), in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has promised a paradigm shift in governance, socioeconomic transformation, and industrialisation in the state if elected.

The ruling party governorship

interactive session with the gubernatorial candidates of all the political parties in the state organised by the Enugu Catholic Diocese Politics Commission in collaboration with the Blessed Sacrament Parish Laity Council tagged, “Enthronement of Good

plans in all the sectors of the economy, saying his primary target would be to end hunger and eradicate poverty, empower the youths and make the state attractive for investments.

The interactive session, which attracted thousands of Enugu

investors, including expatriates, also had the presence of the governorship candidates of the Labour Party(LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), African Democratic Congress(ADC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), among other political parties.

No Death Recorded as Gas Explosion Rocks Delta Community Sylvester Idowu inWarri

A gas plant located at a residential area in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, last Monday night exploded, and created panic in Warri and Udu Council Areas.

The blast occurred at about 20.45 p.m. from a gas plant, Nelmic Gas Station, opposite

Alaka junction near a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

No casualty was reported, but many residents scampered for their dear lives when the gas plant which was burning with huge flame suddenly exploded.

The bang shook the houses within the area, as people were seen scampering when the gas

plant exploded into flames.

Some people were however said to have sustained severe injuries and we’re rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

It was learnt that nearby buildings were badly damaged from the gas tanks that were flung from the plant site.

A resident said: “During the loud explosion, houses near

the scene were shaken to their foundations, while the sound and flames of the explosion were heard and seen some kilometres away.”

THISDAY observed during a visit to the scene yesterday that military personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) in Warri have secured the vicinity of the explosion against hoodlums.

Emenike Vows to Make Umuahia Attain Befitting Status as Capital City Umuahia was made the at the rally held at Chidiebere and amenities in Umuahia.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Abia State, Ikechi Emenike, rounded off his local government campaign tours at Umuahia, with a pledge to transform the stunted capital city.

capital of Abia State in 1991 and after over 30 years the status of the town has not changed significantly hence it is still being regarded as “a glorified village.”

But Emenike told a huge crowd of party faithful and defectors from other parties

Park that if given the mandate on March 11, 2023, Umuahia would assume a befitting status as a capital city.

“Umuahia will assume its rightful status as one of the best state capitals in Nigeria,” he said, adding that he would provide elusive infrastructure

Flanked by his wife, Uzoma, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, and the deputy governorship candidate Mrs. Gloria Akara, Emenike promised that his administration would be characterised by “gender balancing and youth balancing.”

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NEWS

Despite Raking in N168.9bn in 13 Years, NITDA Rallies IT Companies for Yearly Taxes Emma Okonji The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the federal government agency responsible for information technology (IT) development in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has appealed to IT companies to pay their one per cent annual levy.

This is to enable the agency carry out its statutory projects and initiatives for 2023.

The appeal is coming after NITDA raked in N168.9 billion from taxes in 13 years, according to the FIRS. The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, who gave the figure during the 2023 NITDA/FIRS Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum, which held in Lagos yesterday, said: “FIRS is a key partner of NITDA. We assist in the assessment, collection and accounting for their revenue, as stated in Section 16 of the NITDA Act (2007).

“In 2022, FIRS collected and remitted the sum of N22,574,099,600.06 and the total sum collected by FIRS on behalf of the agency from 2008 to December 2022 is N168, 847, 118, 268.22.”

Nami, who was represented by the Group Lead, General Tax Operation Group at NITDA, Kabir Abba, said it was important to showcase the achievements of the agency, particularly as taxpayers could easily make a connection between the taxes paid and its socio-economic impact,

which would also assist to improve voluntary compliance in payment of tax.

Speaking on the achievements of NITDA, and the need for IT companies to pay their taxes promptly, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said since 2001, when NITDA was established, the agency had initiated, developed and implemented several IT policies that are driving development in the sector.

According to him, as government agency, NITDA

ITF Trains 285 Youths in Solar Power Installation, Tiling, Interlocking, Others Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has graduated 285 Plateau youths, who had undergone training on solar power installation, aluminum fabrication, tiling, laying of interlocking blocks, integrated farming among others.

Handing start-up packs to the youths during their graduation ceremony in Jos, yesterday, the Director General of ITF, Joseph Ari, said he was sure that given the intensity and the very practical nature of the threemonth training, which was 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theory, they were equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes for them to thrive as employees or as entrepreneurs.

“When tied with the trades, which were chosen after careful and in-depth need analysis of their locales, we have no doubt they will thrive, as the trades they have learned will always be needed,” he reassured.

He added that the commitment of the Fund to skills acquisition was premised on the fact that it remains the most viable and sustainable solution to

rising unemployment and poverty that have continued to defy the best efforts of governmental and nongovernmental approaches.

Ari said, “Indeed, there are countless reasons for us to worry as Government, and as institutions vested with the arduous task of equipping Nigerians with the life skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

“Given the booming population of Nigeria, which in the next few years will place the country as the third most populous nation on earth and the fact that the population is largely comprised of youths, there is the need to step up efforts in equipping them with life skills.”

Thanking the Minister for Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, for the immense support the Fund has enjoyed from the federal government, the Director General appealed to state governments, Organised Private Sector (OPS), NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO), Faith-Based Organisations, Politicians and other stakeholders to collaborate with the ITF in its efforts to training Nigerians.

He said, “It could be

by way of sponsorship of additional trainees for our various skills programmes, or by buying start-up packs for beneficiaries of the programmes. Only through such collaborations will the Fund be able to train as many youths to impact the Nigerian environment.

“I will also urge the beneficiaries, who will be presented with start-up packs shortly, to resolve to utilise the opportunity provided by this training. You should consider the start-up packs as your ticket to the world and an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the Nigerian economy.”

In his remarks. Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong

said the ITF has become a dependable ally and a strong partner to the state government in strengthening the gross income of the state, adding that the fund also complements the efforts of sustainable development goals agencies.

Represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, the governor said ITF skill intervention programmes have trained over 500,000 Nigerians since inception, and that has helped reduce rate of poverty and unemployment drastically. He charged the trainees to put the skills into proper use and told them not to attempt selling off their start-up packs no matter the pressure on them.

only generates money through company income taxes, and he appealed to IT companies to collaborate with NITDA and pay their taxes regularly and promptly to enable NITDA successfully carry out its projects that are geared towards IT development in a digital era.

“NITDA will continue to drive innovation in the IT sector that has out-performed the once lucrative oil and gas sector from 2019 to 2022.

In 2019, ICT contributed 13 per cent, while oil and gas contributed eight per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2020, ICT contributed 18 per cent to GDP, while oil and gas contributed 8.2 per cent to GDP. “In 2021, ICT contribution to GDP declined to 14.11 per cent because of the effect of COVID-19, while oil and gas contribution to GDP also declined to 7.3 per cent.

“In 2022, ICT contributed 16.6 per cent to GDP, while oil and gas contributed 6.4 per cent to GDP,” Abdullahi said.

Listing the challenges in the IT sector, Abdullahi said the sector was faced with limited infrastructure, limited access to market and challenges in early stage funding.

He, however, said despite the challenges, NITDA would continue to drive innovation in the sector, connect the unconnected, adding that NITDA needs money through taxes, to achieve its projects and to provide infrastructure

and develop more IT skills among Nigerian youths.

“Nigeria has the advantage of developing into a digital economy, based on our population of over 200 million people, with youths forming 50 per cent of the population. Nigeria has the highest inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) coming into Africa through technology, and Nigeria has five among the seven unicorns in Africa. “In 2019, Nigeria raised $704 million, which amounted to about 92 per cent of the total FDI inflow into West Africa region. In 2020, Nigeria raised $440 million, which amounted to about 83 per cent of the total FDI inflow into West Africa region. In 2021, Nigeria raised $1.7 billion FDI. “In 2022, Nigeria raised $1.3 billion FDI in the IT sector, and NITDA is driving these developments.

“NITDA has embarked on building a secretariat for the implementation of the Startup Act and all these again, are capital intensive and we are using money generated from taxes to finance the projects,” Abdullahi said.

Stakeholders present at the forum, promised to collaborate with NITDA to achieve more.

General Manager, Corporate Affairs at MTN, Omasan Ogisi, said: “As an organisation, MTN believes in the digital economy and will continue to support NITDA in achieving its digital economy plan for Nigeria.”

Federal High Court Goes on 5-Day ElectionVacation Thursday Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court (FHC) of Nigeria will from Thursday, February 23, proceed on a five-day break for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to a directive by the Chief Judge of the FHC, Justice John Tsoho, the court would however sit up till Wednesday, February 22 before proceeding

on the break.

The directive was contained in letter dated February 20, and titled: ‘Break for the 2023 general election’.

They are to resume on Tuesday, February 28 – three days after the polls, after they must have exercised their rights to vote for candidates of their choice.

Meanwhile, the court would not be shut down completely

as one judge per geo-political zone would be on ground to hear urgent matters during the short break.

The letter addressed to all judges of the Federal High Court read: “In view of the forthcoming 2023 general election, Your Lordships are by this Circular permitted to observe a short break in order to perform your civic duties.

“Your Lordships are to sit up

to Wednesday, 22nd February 2023 before proceeding on the break and shall resume work on Tuesday, 28th February 2023.

“The Administrative Judges in the Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt Judicial Divisions, shall ensure that a Judge is designated to cater for the North, SouthWest, South-South/South-East geo-political areas respectively, regarding urgent matters during the period.”

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION ON THE TONE OF CAMPAIGNS vulgar, indecent and inhuman comments of some political publicists and supporters about the health of the opponents of their principals. Publicists make statements in an obscene manner on subjects on which they clearly have no competence. With ethics completely thrown overboard, newspaper columnists, television anchors and radio programme hosts have turned into emergency neurologists, oncologists and cardiologists.

They diagnose politicians who are not their patients in their newsrooms and studios.

Let us be clear about it. The legitimacy of members of the public to ask for the health report of a candidate cannot be a justification for making a mockery of the health of another human being. Worse still, this ill will is expressed most of the times out of crass ignorance. Listening to some pundits talk about the health of other human beings the question to ask is this: whatever happened to the humanity in these base campaigners?

The point at issue here is that the exercise of the right to ask questions about the fitness of any candidate should be done decently, ethically and humanely. At the commencement of the open campaigns about 150 days ago,

some pundits raised a false alarm that one candidate would run his campaign by proxy as they maliciously declared him unfit to campaign. It was said of another candidate that he would reside in another country for a greater part of the campaigns. Today these candidates have been to all parts of the country despite all the fake news and digital manipulations circulating about their health. In this season of politics without humanity all means are fair provided sufficient damage is inflicted on the opponent. In this crude rhetorical warfare, the opponent of the principal of a publicist is a fair game.

Pray, is there any human being who enjoys his health being a subject of mockery or reading his obituary circulated by merchants of hate? Politicians are first and foremost human beings with flesh and blood too.

While announcing a week ago that she would stand down as Scotland’s First Minister, British Member of Parliament Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am a human being as well as a politician.” In making that loaded statement, the lady was reacting in a different context to the brutality in the current tone of British politics. In Nigeria, it is sometimes forgotten that a politician is first a human being,

as Sturgeon puts it. The mood of President Muhammadu Buhari changed recently when asked questions about his feelings on the silly rumour that the real person is dead and that a clone of him called Jibril from Sudan is the person in Aso Rock. The President was not smiling when he said it was “not a joke.” Some of the campaign - season emergency doctors had diagnosed Buhari in their imagination and declared that he would not survive hospitalisation during his first tenure. Thankfully, Buhari will be completing his second term in office as President in about three months. Yet, some pundits are still playing God in 2023 as they claim to know those who would die in office. Making pronouncements on anybody ‘s health for public purpose should be the business of medical experts who are in position to do so ethically. Anything to the contrary is less than decent and unacceptable.

A more elevated approach to the subject of health of candidates could have been an informed debate about the quality of public healthcare delivery in the country.

The manifestoes of candidates could have examined in this respect. It is legitimate to query the culture in which the President and

other political office holders have to seek medical treatment abroad. In other words, rather than making unkind comments about the health of any politician, there should be a debate on the provision of quality universal healthcare.

Admittedly, it would take some time for Nigeria’s liberal democracy to mature to the extent that campaigns would be issue-based. After all, commentators still describe Nigeria’s democracy as “nascent.”

It is, perhaps, not obvious to those who say the democratic process is “nascent” that it is a misnomer after 24 years of this dispensation. That is the way it would be seen in some optimistic quarters. There is something fundamentally wrong with the democratic process as no appreciable effort is made to deepen its content beyond what it was at infancy in almost a quarter of a century.

Nigeria’s democracy is certainly not too young to expect a greater degree of decency in electioneering. The need to detoxify the tone of campaigns towards elections should be a subject of political education by political parties and other democratic forces in the years ahead.

47

WEDNESDAY, ͺͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osimhen on Target as Napoli Gain Edge in Frankfurt Real Madrid rip Liverpool apart in 5-2 defeat at Anfield

Victor Osimhen scored his 20th goal of the season last night as Napoli defeated a 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie in Frankfurt.

After Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a penalty saved, Osimhen struck in the 40th minute when he turned in Hirving Lozano's superb pass.

The Super Eagles striker added a second goal few minutes later but

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE it was ruled offside.

The in-form Nigerian who is the leading scorer in the Italian topflight was a menace throughout the game.

He won the first-half penalty when he was fouled inside the box as he tried to retrieve the ball but Frankfurt’s goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, saved Kvaratskhelia’s tepid kick.

…Napoli to Decide Osimhen’s Future in Summer Transfer Femi Solaja with agency report

Amid links with Manchester United and some notable clubs in top flight leagues in Europe, there are strong indications that Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, may consider exit from Italian Serie A club, Napoli, in the coming transfer window in Summer.

Although he insisted that the Serie A leaders will play a major part in deciding his future at the end of the season.

The latest development could be a major boost to Manchester United’s Manager, Erik ten Hag who has refused to back down his quest to lure the Nigerian striker to Old Trafford.

The £107million-rated striker has been in prolific form this season, racking up 20 goals and four assists in all 24 appearances this season for Napoli.

Osimhen, along with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford are the most promising forwards in world football at the moment, and Napoli will no doubt be attacked from all angles in the summer.

“When you are doing so well, top clubs around the world are watching, mostly in the top five leagues,” Osimhen told ESPNon

Tuesday.

“And to be able to attract interest from these top clubs shows that I am doing great and it gives me the motivation to do even more for myself and my team.

“But I am focused on Napoli right now and they have the final say. I just want to help my team to win matches and win trophies.

“At the end of the season, we will see what is going to happen, but that is not up to me. It is for the club to decide.”

Osimhen is currently on track to win the Serie A Golden Boot, with 18 of his 20 goals coming in the league, but the striker insists that he is not concerned about personal accolades.

“Being the highest goalscorer is actually not my main priority. The team comes first before my personal ambition,” he added.

“If I win it, that's fine but what I want to do is try to win trophies with my team. “As long as the team is winning, it doesn't matter to me who gets the goals or whether I win top scorer or not.”

Last Friday, Osimhen notched up his 100th career goal in 197 games, a win over Sassuolo, which is faster than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo managed to do.

The keeper however failed to stop Osimhen from getting on the scorer’s sheet.

Napoli made amends for the missed penalty with a quick goal on the break. Osimhen intercepted a pass on halfway before Hirving Lozano charges away down the right.

He plays a brilliant ball behind the defence while Osimhen shins it in from close range.

Frankfurt's hopes of getting back level were dealt a big blow midway through the second half when key forward Randal Kolo Muani was dismissed for standing on Andre-

Frank Zambo Anguissa's foot as they challenged for possession.

Napoli then made the most of the one-man edge as they grabbed a second that puts them firmly on course for the quarter-finals as Di Lorenzo finished superbly from Kvaratskhelia's back-heel pass.

The victory gives Napoli a big advantage for the return leg in Italy on Wednesday, 15 March.

Luciano Spalletti's side have been in superb form this season and sit 15 points clear at the top of Serie A. They went into this game on the back of five successive wins and looked confident from the outset, with their pace on the attack often causing problems.

Elsewhere on the night, Liverpool were left with a mountainous task to keep their Champions League ambitions alive after they were torn apart 5-2 by ruthless Real Madrid at Anfield.

Holders Real - who beat Liverpool in last season's final in Paris - became the first side to score five at Anfield in Europe despite going two goals down early on as Liverpool made a dream start to this last-16 tie.

Darwin Nunez's brilliant flick put Liverpool ahead after only four minutes before Mohamed Salah cashed in on Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' poor clearance to double their advantage 10 minutes later.

Vinicius Junior's brilliant 21stminute strike pulled a goal back before Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson followed Courtois' lead by hacking a clearance straight at the Brazilian, holding his head in anguish as the ball looped behind him into the net in front of a disbelieving Kop. It changed the whole emphasis of the contest, Real going ahead two minutes after the break when Eder Militao headed in Luka Modric's free-kick.

Real then rammed home their superiority as Karim Benzema's shot deflected in off Joe Gomez, the French striker then coolly adding a fifth after more brilliant work by the ageless Modric.

Napoli players congratulating Victor Osimhen (second left) over his brilliant opening goal in the 2-0 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany...last night

Ighalo Sends Asian Champions, Flying Eagles Seeking Redemption Al Hilal, into Q’finals Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal made the Asian Champions League quarterfinals after goals from Odion Ighalo, Jang Hyun-soo and Luciano Vietto saw the champions hand Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 defeat at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Monday.

Iranians Foolad also reached the continental championship’s last eight as Javad Nekounam’s team beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly 1-0 with a goal by Sasan Ansari at Al Thumama Stadium to join Al Shabab and Al Duhail in Tuesday’s last-eight draw.

The four remaining clubs in the western half of the competition will face off to decide who meets Urawa Red Diamonds in the two-legged final in April and May after the Japanese side secured the east Asian berth in the decider last year.

Former Manchester United striker Ighalo sent Al Hilal on the way to victory with a 17th minute opener before second half goals from Jang and Vietto sealed the win for Ramon Diaz’s side.

Ighalo struck from distance after Moussa Marega charged forward to set up the Nigerian, who stepped inside Mohammed Marzooq and unleashed a low left-foot shot from 20 metres that goalkeeper Majed

Nasser could not keep out.

Shabab Al Ahli’s Omar Khribin almost levelled with a quarter of the game remaining, the Syrian’s free kick forcing Abdullah Al Mayouf to dive full length to push the ball around the post.

Al Hilal, however, added a second with 18 minutes remaining when defender Jang saw his initial header from Vietto’s free kick palmed onto the crossbar by Nasser, only for the South Korean to convert the rebound from close range.

Vietto added a third seven minutes later after Marega’s cross was flicked towards goal by Salem Al Dawsari and the Argentinian netted with his thigh, leaving Khribin’s 86th minute strike as little more than a consolation.

In the day’s earlier game, Ansari scored the only goal as Foolad saw off Al Faisaly, capitalising on a poor attempt by Salem Al Qumayzi to head back to goalkeeper Ahmed Al Kasser to net on the turn in the 64th minute.

The quarter-finals will be played on Thursday while the semi-final will take place on Sunday, with the winners meeting Urawa in the final over two legs on April 29 and May 6.

against Young Pharaohs Tonight Flying Eagles will be gunning to get back on track in the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations as they trade tackles with host nation Egypt on Match-day 2 this evening at the Cairo International Stadium.

The Nigeria U20 men's team lost narrowly to the Junior Teranga Lions of Senegal 0-1 in the opening game on Sunday but still stands a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

Coach Isah Ladan Bosso will likely be without midfielder Daniel Daga, who was substituted against Senegal due to injury he sustained during the encounter. The result of the scan examination expected later today will ascertain the extent of the injury.

Despite the loss in the opening game, the Flying Eagles are upbeat they can upset the host nation and put their campaign back on track, as a win will put the team in good stead to qualify for the last eight.

The Flying Eagles boast of a rich pedigree in the competition with seven titles to their name while the Egyptians have won it four times.

U20 AFCON The Young Pharaohs’ game against Mozambique ended in stalemate on opening day and the

host nation has only one point and will battle the Flying Eagles hard for the three points inside one of the biggest football arenas on the continent.

Nigeria and Egypt last met in

semi-final stage of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with the Egyptians taking the day by two goals to nothing.

Kick-off time for today's game is 7pm local time (6pm Nigeria time).

3SC Official in Viral ‘Urinating Photo’ Banned, Club Fined In the wake of a viral photograph of a Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) official urinating publicly on the pitch prior to their Match-day 9 fixture against Akwa United, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has fined the club and suspended the official identified as Auwal Mohammed.

Head of Operations of the IMC, Davidson Owumi, in a Summary Jurisdiction notice sent to 3SC, charged the club for failing to control the conduct of their official and further admonished the Ibadan club’s management to take steps to curb an occurrence of such conduct in the future.

In two separate charges for breaches of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules, the club was cited for breach of Rules C1 and C9.

"You are in breach of Rule C1 in that before the start of the Match-day 9 fixture between 3SC and Akwa United, "your Camp Commandant, Auwal Mohammed, was spotted urinating on the playing pitch which is a despicable act that is capable of bringing the game to disrepute ".

"You are in breach of Rule C9 for failure to control the conduct of your club official which resulted

in Auwal Mohammed urinating on the playing pitch in the full glare of the public".

Subsequently, the club has been fined N500,000 for bringing the game to disrepute and failing to control the conduct of their official.

Auwal has been suspended from all NPFL related activities for a period of one year with immediate effect.

Shooting Stars have the option to submit to the decision or elect to appear before a Disciplinary Hearing and any such decision has to be communicated in writing to the IMC within 48 hours of the receipt of the notice.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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MISSILE Aisha Buhari to Hackers “This person is a hacker, criminally minded with the intention to continue attacking my reputation through my social media platforms. But I am assuring you that this is the first and last I am disclaiming fake news on my handle. It is the responsibility of the security agencies to find out who am I sharing my social media handles with, despite being verified accounts, and take all necessary actions” --First Lady Aisha Buhari accusing hackers for posting a fake statement attributed to the Central Bank of Nigeria on her Instagram handle

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

On the Tone of Campaigns A

s the presidential campaigns end tomorrow midnight, a lot of what has happened on the hustings and the public sphere in the last five months ought to be scrutinised. This is irrespective of what would be the result of balloting on Saturday.

Although this may appear to be a theoretical luxury given the ferment in the land towards the elections, yet such reflections are important for the future of liberal democracy. This is more so because some young persons, who are taking part in electioneering for the first time, may have the mistaken notion that what has been on display is normal.

To start with, all the presidential candidates who have traversed the country should be saluted for withstanding the rigour of campaigns. The logistical challenges surmounted by the candidates with their respective teams and supporters moving from one state to another should not be taken for granted at all especially in the last few weeks marked by scarcity of fuel and cash.

Forget about the hypocritical sermon of an ill-defined demonetisation of politics and the mechanical approach to achieve it. The role of money in a bourgeois liberal democracy cannot be wished away anywhere on the

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu globe. It is either you have the money or you have supporters who would provide it for legitimate electioneering expenses. That is why many people who are otherwise suitable for elective office are excluded because they don’t have the means. This is a huge deficit of liberal democracy compared to

popular democracy or socialist democracy.

It is, therefore, remarkable that in the face of constraints that candidates belonging different generations and coming from diverse backgrounds have made so much efforts in offering themselves for service.

While blowing the whistle for open campaigns on September 28 last year, Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, admonished political parties not to taint their campaigns and slogans with “abusive language directly or indirectly, which are likely going to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings”.

He also cautioned that “abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions must not be employed or used in political campaigns”.

Any judicious review of the campaigns is likely to come up with the verdict that the advice of Yakubu has gone largely unheeded.

The campaigns have been extremely toxic in tone and tenor. The content of some political statements is replete with hatred. Instead of a vigorous debate of issues, vitriolic attacks of opponents have rent the electioneering atmosphere. Now, it is grossly unhelpful to say that “it’s all politics,” to borrow Simon

Kolawole’s famous phrase. What have passed as campaigns by some publicists in the last few months constitute a sad commentary on Nigeria’s political development. Even pundits jettisoned discussion of issues; raining insults and curses on politicians have become their pastime.

Take a sample. The health of candidates was turned into a virulent weapon of campaign. For clarity, there is no provision in the constitution or the electoral guidelines stipulating that health report is a condition for parties in nominating candidates for elections. But the 1999 Constitution provides in Section 144 for the step to take if a president becomes incapacitated while in office. Among other things, the opinions of medical experts including the president’s own doctor are required before the decision to remove the president from office is taken. Implicit in that provision is the respect for the dignity of the human person and hinging the decision on scientific facts. So the constitution strictly reserves the role of passing any judgement in the matters of the health of even a serving president to medical experts. Contrast this intendment of the Constitution with the Continued on page 46

MARYAM AUWALYADUDU In Memory of Zainab Auwalu Yadudu W GUEST COLUMNIST

e have all grown up to fondly call her Mama or, when in a frolic or indulgent mood, Uwanin Lawan. This day, (Rajab 27, 1444) February 18, 2023 marks the 40th day of Mama’s demise. She departed this world - on January 8, 2023 (Jumada Thani 17, 1444) with all of her offsprings and Baba by her side, peacefully and ceaselessly uttering the Kalimat Ashdhahada. Alhamdulillah, we were witnesses to that. May Allah, the compassionate and merciful, accept all her supplications and good deeds and overlook her shortcomings.

As your first daughter, you weaned me off so early but what am l to say other than Alhamdulillah.

I now feel like a baby trying to take its wobbly first steps. I know I will walk and fall but eventually, with your prayers and legacy, I will walk tall.

You have taught me to put our absolute trust in Allah in all our affairs, pray intensely in bad times and pray even harder in good times. I feel your soul looking over me while I embark on this new insurmountable journey, deprived of your watchful eyes and tender guidance, but especially your “tough love”. Your prayer for the Mover of hearts to make our bond strong “Allah ya amsa, ya hada zukatan ‘ya’yan ki” for we are each others biggest comforters. “Wallahil azeem”, (by God), I vividly recall that you mentioned in your last few days that you knew that I was trying to appear strong and acting all too normally but

Late Zainab Yadudu that my cry would be the hottest, loudest and longest. Mama, I must now confess, its all so true. I have cried endlessly like a child that has lost its favorite toy. I yearn to dream of you and see your face, for your reassurance that I started on the right foot, and pray to Allah to guide our path. You have meant the world to me and more.

I see me in you, when I walk and talk. I wish

to take a long, deep sleep, but I know I will still wake up to the feeling of you gone far eternity from me and my siblings. Somedays I wished I could join you soon but other days I wish to live longer so I can, in shaa Allah, have as fulfilled a life as you had. They say time heals, I am afraid it only numbs the wound. I have said this to you, “in shaa Allah mama ku ne yan cikin quryar palon Annabi” (you will be among the closest guests in Prophet Muhammad’s company in the hereafter) to which you smiled and replied “tare da ku.”(And you too). With your beautiful earthly life brought to an end, - as everybody’s would sooner or later - “da shaidar mutane, in shaa Allah, Allah zai tabbatar miki da haka” (public acknowledgement of your deeds foretells that outcome).

I have always been envious of Yaya lsmail (late brother Capt YADUDU) who lived a short, fulfilled and beautiful life. He was survived by parents who prayed for him earnestly until Mama’s last breath and, I can vouch, daily until Baba’s. I am more envious today, that their two beautiful souls have met, in close physical proximity, and in love and peace, until the day we meet them too. I cannot imagine what or how Baba feels now, over the loss of his friend, consort, counsel, enforcer and “abokiyar raha da fada” (sparring partner in jest and quarrels) Uwanin Lawan, a wife of 45 years. As kids, while growing up and as adults, we have known Baba and Mama to be

best of friends. They had remained as such until she left. Like Umma, (Prof Fatima Batul Mukhtar) her sister and friend, said, “Zainab makes you feel so special, and has a special place in her heart” for everybody. I don’t know how she managed to do it, because she truly had a place for everyone she knew or even met fleetingly. I felt like “kowa ya zo gaisuwar taaziyya” (those who have come to offer condolences) wanted to say something to feel important or signify their acquaintance with Mama, but after hearing them, evidently and truly, they must have had, at one time or other, a sweet unforgettable encounter with Mama - one that left an indelible imprint. I want to say this, not out of praise or pride, that you were the sweetest soul and had the warmest and kindest heart. You’ve touched many lives positively and your legacy will live way longer than you in shaa Allah.

To say we all miss you is an understatement but I pray to Allah to fill every vacuum and void you left and replace it with love and endless prayers for you to meet your Lord in the way He is most pleased with. Perhaps it is pertinent to end this by invoking the last verses of Suratul FAJR, Holy Qur’an, and pray that it applies to Mama: [To the righteous it will be said] “ O reassured soul; Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing (to Him). And enter among My (righteous) servants.

And enter My Paradise”

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