FRIDAY 1ST MARCH 2024

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has made public conditions, including

a due diligence request list that exiting International Oil Companies (IOCs) must fulfil for such deals to be approved by the commission. It listed them as: Technical

capacity, financial capability, fulfilment of legal requirements, decommissioning and abandonment, host community trust, industrial relations and data repatriation.

The Chief Executive of the commission, Mr Gbenga Komolafe,

INAUGURATION OF LMRT RED LINE PROJECT...

L-R: Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Ahmed Ododo; Governor of Imo State and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, Sen. Hope Uzodinma; his Kwara State counterpart and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Alhaji AbdulLateef AbdulRazaq; President Bola Tinubu; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his counterparts, Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Prof. Babagana Zulum (Borno); Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in front row: wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu during the inauguration of the LMRT Red Line project at the Ikeja Train Station, Kudirat Abiola Way, Lagos ... yesterday

FG Ready to Tap into $350bn Global Outsourcing Market, Set to Launch Initiative Monday

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government has keyed into the thriving global outsourcing market which has grossed almost $350 billion for seven top countries that engaged in it, with a view to tapping into its huge job opportunities for the nation's teeming youths.

Accordingly, Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Gombe State, launch the Outsource To Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), a private sectorled, government-enabled programme anchored by the office of the vice president.

It is designed to create jobs in the business process and technology-

enabled outsourcing sector and is part of efforts and determination to actualise the agenda of Tinubu's administration on job creation. Making this disclosure at a news conference at the State House, Abuja yesterday, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, noted that OTNI, when successfully rolled out across the country, will be the fastest way to achieving job security for Nigeria’s teeming youths.

According to him, the office of the vice president is supporting the initiative because of the huge job opportunities in the thriving global outsourcing market, which grossed almost $350 billion in 2023 for the

seven top countries that engaged in it.

Hadejia noted: “The jobs created in this sector are well-paying jobs, the market is growing rapidly. It is projected to grow to over half a trillion dollars by 2030. If we can get a big chunk of this market, it will not only be the alternative to oil, but probably the biggest employer of young people in the country. This is why it has the full backing of the office of the vice president.

“When you look at what global outsourcing partners are looking for, we are probably in a better position than even most of the countries engaged in it today. We are an English-speaking country, we now have better IT infrastructure

than we had 10 years ago when the boom started. And we have the skill sets, we have the human resources - vibrant and young people to actively participate in this sector." .

He urged other state governors to emulate Gombe and leverage the opportunity created by the OTNI launch to provide good jobs for youths in their respective states.

Earlier in her speech, the founder and Chief Executive Office of Outsource Global, Mrs Amal Hassan, the promoter of the programme, said the launch of OTNI on March 4 simultaneously in Gombe, Abuja and Kaduna will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s business process and outsource sector.

She disclosed that based on the requirements of the domestic and international markets, the initiative will aggregate all the talents in a ‘Worknation’ platform and then provide capacity building based on the needs of the international market.

It will further set up centres of excellence, engage in international global branding and communication aimed at showcasing the strengths and the capabilities of Nigerian talents and also the deployment of the trainees to work in the international market and even the domestic market

According to her: “We are starting with training. We did a talent pool and have segregated all of the talents based on the different skill

sets and the requirements of the international market and we have created a structured training based on those needs".

With unique skill sets across different sectors, no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians in Gombe state will be gainfully employed after the training of participants, it was learnt.

TINUBU: LABOUR’S FOUR STRIKES IN NINE MONTHS OF MY GOVERNMENT UNACCEPTABLE

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, took a swipe at organised labour for the series of strike actions they had embarked upon since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, saying such development is unacceptable to his administration.

Tinubu, who spoke at the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line Rail Project in Ikeja, further flayed what he described as the disruptive tendencies of labour, and declared that they were not the only voice in Nigeria. He advised the labour leaders to wait till 2027, if they were keen on holding elective public offices.

The president, while addressing some of the challenges and efforts of his administration, said no matter how hard corruption fought back, his response to it remained no.

Commending the Lagos State government for the realisation of the red line rail project, Tinubu said democracy was measured by people-oriented outcomes and the rail project was one of such indicators.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his own speech, listed the strides of his administration, saying he is out to connect the dots of Lagos.

Organised labour had on Tuesday embarked on a two-day nationwide strike to protest the rising cost of living in the country and the seeming inaction of the federal government in the face of the people's predicament.

But the inauguration of the rail project in Lagos provided an avenue for Tinubu to hit back at labour and other critics of his administration.

Directing criticism towards the country’s labour centres, Tinubu

said, “Some labour unions should understand that no matter how we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for strikes within the first nine months of a new administration is unacceptable.

“If you want to directly participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027, if not, maintain the peace. Labour is not the only voice of Nigeria."

While inaugurating the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project, a 37-kilometre project expected to reduce travel time and improve transportation and logistics in the state, the president also witnessed the signing of the contract for Phase 2 of the project by Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, and Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Jason Zhang.

Before departing for a state visit to Qatar, the president undertook an inaugural train ride from the Ikeja station to the Agege station. He was accompanied by Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; some state governors; members of the federal and state executive councils; members of the federal and state legislative assemblies; Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun; and some journalists, among others.

Addressing a crowd at the train station in Ikeja, Tinubu directed Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, to ensure that the federal and subnational governments strengthened their collaboration to provide reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation systems for all Nigerians across the country.

The president stated, “It is my

singular pleasure to inaugurate the first phase of the LRMT Red Line to the glory of God Almighty and for the benefit of the people.

“Today, I am seriously honoured that I am a Lagosian and the first to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My promise is not to let you down. We will arrive at the destination with joy, happiness, and prosperity; God willing."

Recalling his tenure as Lagos State governor, when the vision of a modern and effective public transportation system in the state was conceived, Tinubu described the project as a dream come true and a fulfilment of years of hard work and dedication by successive governments.

He said, “I am very happy, indeed, that today is a day to remember in Nigeria’s infrastructure history, particularly Lagos, the centre of excellence. Today is evidence that it is good to dream, and it is a serious validation of democracy as a form of government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

“When you put people at the centre of your vision and planning, you will realise the value of democracy. Twenty-five years ago, I was elected to lead Nigeria’s most populous state.

“From the very beginning, my team and I toiled day and night with a very bare cupboard and amidst pervasive deficiency to implement a developmental vision that would transform Lagos into an economic powerhouse. Today, we are realising that dream.

“The momentum of greatness we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has become unstoppable progress. It is not a crime to dream and dream

NUPRC RELEASES REGULATORY DIVESTMENT FRAMEWORK FOR EXITING INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANIES

capabilities comparable to or surpassing those of the divesting entity. In addition, all production allocation and cost issues related to unitisation in the case of straddled fields must be resolved, it said.

On financials, the commission explained that it shall assess the prospective successor entity’s balance sheet and financial viability and verify readiness to undertake defined work programme and fulfil required obligations on the assets.

“Due diligence shall be undertaken on potential buyers to assess suitability, alignment with state interests, reputation, investment objectives, and track record etc,” it argued.

In addition, it said that the acquiring entity must be ‘fit and proper’ persons in the eyes of the law and in line with the interest of the nation and must have clear evidence of the resolutions of legacy debts and legal encumbrances must be established and appropriate mechanisms to manage residuals agreed.

In terms of decommissioning & abandonment, it stated that applicable D&A costs must be diligently assessed and settlement

of outstanding obligations must be ensured.

It stated that the commission will ensure that potential exposure of the Nigerian government to decommissioning liabilities is averted.

Also, the commission said it shall assess the status of Host Community Trust Fund obligations and ensure robustness of successor entity’s social inclusion programme in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA).

“The commission shall evaluate acquiring entity’s adherence to decarbonisation plans and sound Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) principles.

“The commission shall implement a robust assessment mechanism to avert undesirable labour union issues and disharmony arising from the divestment process. Concerned parties shall endorse “Certificate of Settlement” to validate alignments reached on all labour issues (staff welfare, benefits, entitlements as well as disengagement, redundancies, retirement etc.)

“The aim is to ensure the nation averts socio-economic disruptions arising from failure to

resolve labour issues that might result as a consequence of and post divestment,” it said.

On data repatriation, the commission noted that it shall ensure that all data mined during the operating life of the asset are repatriated to the National data Repository (NDR) in line with extant regulations. Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has made public conditions, including a due diligence request list that exiting International Oil Companies (IOCs) must fulfil for such deals to be approved by the commission.

It listed them as: Technical capacity, financial capability, fulfilment of legal requirements, decommissioning and abandonment, host community trust, industrial relations and data repatriation.

The Chief Executive of the commission, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, had a day earlier argued that the NUPRC was not interested in blocking companies interested in divestment, but

Continued on page 43

big. Just stay focused and make development a central focus.”

Tinubu commended LAMATA, the urban transport agency he established over 20 years ago, for its exemplary performance and implored it to sustain the momentum in completing all other phases of the Red Line project, as well as the full execution of the broader rail blueprint of the state.

He called on Nigerians to embrace change and work towards national progress.

Speaking to newsmen aboard the train during the inaugural ride, Tinubu assured Nigerians that their lives would only become more enjoyable as modern amenities were built across the country under his progressive leadership.

He stated, “This is very efficient and comfortable, and I am happy. Our transportation system must be all about the people. We have cut down imports on PMS by almost

50 percent.

“We need mass transit to complement the daily efforts of citizens and make things easier for our people. And this is what this is all about. It is about the people. It is about democracy. We are happy about it.”

The president said corruption would have no place in his administration, and called on Nigerians to support efforts to fight the cankerworm.

Tinubu said, "On the issue of corruption, we will be on it, we are not looking back. Taking a close look at work in aviation, what is our problem, if it is corruption, we must exterminate it.

“No matter how hard it is fighting back, no to corruption, we must adhere to our pledge, patriotism, perseverance, consistency and stay open.”

Tinubu also applauded the state government, He said, "Let me commend here

the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the giant strides. He was part of the vision, some 20 years ago. I sent them around as their governor and leader to look at the system in other parts of the countries and they worked hard.

"I am delighted that as we inaugurate the first phase of the Redline we cannot afford to rest on our oars, work still needs to be done at national and subnational levels. No room for complacency. I look forward to the completion of the other phases.

"I perceived massive economic opportunities coming out of this. I am assuring you that Nigeria will be out of economic problems. We just need to persevere, work hard and be assured. History of Lagos will remember all of us and will be kind to us.”

Earlier, Sanwo-Olu explained

Continued on page 43

IN PLACE OF RESTRUCTURING, SOYINKA SEEKS NIGERIA’S

RECONFIGURATION, DECENTRALISATION

Soyinka stated, "I don't like the word restructuring. I prefer expressions like reconfiguration, decentralisation of the country. Those ruling us recognised the necessity, the importance and almost invariability until they get into office.

"Reconfiguration and decentralisation are not slogans, and it's time we stopped the pretence conferences, which have been proved to be mere distractions, especially by those who have different agenda in mind, such as third term agenda.

"It is not new that nothing of value has come out of some of the conferences we have had in the past. So, it is about time that leaders stop taking this nation for a ride.”

The renowned playwright, novelist, poet and essayist submitted that decentralisation would bring government closer to the people, so that productivity could be manifested as a product from the citizens and not simply as manners from heaven.

He said there was nothing wrong in the general representatives sitting down to discuss and determine protocols of association, and anyone, who did not want to abide by these protocols, could take a walk.

"Let nation die so that humanity may live," he stated.

Soyinka maintained that there was nothing sacrosanct about nation-being, but "it's a constant work in progress.”

He warned that civil wars would continue as long as some sections of the country questioned whether they could claim national belonging, stressing that issues that erode the basis of nation-being should be addressed on regular basis.

Soyinka stated, "The Biafran war of secession offers us a constant springboard for a rethink. All we have to ask is the question: is that war over?

“Taken narrowly, for instance, an ancient statement of mine, which warned that a people, who had resolved on secession could their mind that a seceding part of a nation could never be defeated,

would appear to be contradicted by a mutual, terminal ceasefire ritual.

"The leaders did sign the article of surrender. A policy of No Victor no Vanquished rang out vibrantly and the three Rs were promulgated, and probably with the most sincere intent to deliver as declared – Reconciliation, Restoration and Reconstruction – or something along those lines. However, is that all? Then tell me, what is MASSOB? Or, more currently and militantly - IPOB?

"Only a few months ago, I was sent a statement allegedly issued by IPOB, canvassing an internationally supervised plebiscite among the Igbo to determine whether or not their people wish to remain within Nigeria. Peacefully. Legitimately.

“I have not read of any followup, but I am assured that it was not fake news. Certainly, early pronouncements and actions of that movement weigh on the side of authenticity.

"Well, all the foregoing results in only one question? Why not?

Fifty post-bellum years of existence for this journal have passed and I challenge its midwives and their successors and consumers – that is, all of us in this hall – to point out anything they have published or read that sheds, unwaveringly, the laser beam of illumination from the whole wide world – from the Ukraine to Palestine, from the Horn of Africa to Myanmar – on that critical question: Why not?

“We find that we come down constantly on the side of relativity, not categorical absolutes. The right to self-determination for any people, capable, and desirous of creating a viable national identity for themselves cannot be proven inimical to human survival, its road to prosperity and human dignity – indeed, the contrary comes closer to the truth.

"There are effective, nondehumanizing ways of determining the authenticity of that choice of belonging or not belonging, rational ways that result in a Reconfiguration of the Willing, not the incorporation

of the Reluctant or Resentful. It can hardly be considered elevating to substitute one geography of subjugation for another."

In her goodwill message, the Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended Punch newspaper for its commitment to investigative journalism and awakening the spirit of the truth in shaping public discourse.

Salako-Oyedele said, "In an era where the media landscape is constantly evolving, Punch has consistently adapted, remaining a victim of the elaborate information.

"The Punch Newspaper's legacy is not just in thinking of its legitimacy, but in the impact it has had on shaping the narrative of our nation. Its commitment to investigating journalism and awakening the spirit of the truth have played a crucial role in shaping public discourse.

“As we celebrate this unaccompanied milestone, I just pray for the power of the press to hold those in power accountable, to give voice to the voiceless and to foster a society built on transparency and accountability.

“May the next 50 years since the Punch Newspaper continue to be a force for good, championing the values that define the essence of journalism.” Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the management of Punch newspaper for a job well done.

Idris urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in his effort to bring economic prosperity into the country.

Dignitaries at the event included former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje; former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu; and Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Shettima

PUNCH 50TH ANNIVERSARY LECTURE...

Atiku Seeks Opening Up of Power Generation, Transmission for Private Investments

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Atiku Abubukar has canvassed for the opening up of the power generation and transmission to enable private investment participation.

In a statement, he signed, Atiku said that the Geometric Power was a reminder why Nigeria needs to open up the entire power sector from generation to transmission for private investments

However, almost all the entire generation companies in the country are currently owned by private individuals, while only the transmission segment is wholly controlled by the federal government.

But Atiku said: Last Monday, the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba, Abia State, was commissioned

and by this weekend, Aba Power Limited, a subsidiary of Geometric Power, will commence the supply of electricity to a section of Enyimba City.

"It has taken long, two decades in coming. But soon, the muchneeded electricity to unleash the full potentials of Aba, the industrial and commercial nerve centre of Abia, will surely make up for the long wait."

The former vice president said that the significant milestone is important for a number of reasons.

According to him, firstly, it improves people’s access to electricity – and thereby improves the overall quality of life of the people of Abia.

“This is a privilege the people of Abia must be thankful for. As we all know, more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s 220 million people do not have access to electricity.

"Secondly, it is a big boost to businesses. Aba is one of Southeast's

industrial nerve centres. The other is the Nnewi axis. Inadequate power infrastructure is identified as the most problematic factor for doing business in Nigeria. More than 70 per cent of firms in Nigeria use generators.

"Thirdly, the project is delivered by the private sector - and an indigenous one to boot! It demonstrates the resilience of the private sector despite all the business environment issues. It also demonstrates the capacity of the local private sector to deliver on such huge and complex projects," he added.

Expressing his excitement over the issue, he stated that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has over the years suffered from inadequate investments, failure of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.

He said that Nigeria’s core infrastructure stock is very low,

estimated at 35-40 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), below the international benchmark of 70 per cent and below South Africa’s 87 per cent , Indonesia 70 per cent, China 76 per cent and India 58 per cent.

"The finances required to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap are in the region of $100 billion per annumover the next 30 years. Nigeria does not have the resources to provide all of its infrastructure needs without sacrificing investments in education, health, and other social services. It should be remembered that Nigeria struggles to budget no more than $30 billion annually. "I have been an ardent advocate of private sector presence in Nigeria. I have all along advocated for a private sector friendly business environment so we could leverage its enormous resources, including finance, skills, and technology. I doubt if the Abia state government would have been

House to Probe CBN, Discos on National Mass Metering Programme

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Power, Banking Regulations, Rural Electrification Agency, Housing and Habitat, to investigate the disbursement and use of funds under the National Mass Metering

Programme (NMMP) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and to ascertain the level of compliance with the terms and conditions of the loans.

The House also urged the federal government to prioritise the implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Programme, which

provides a roadmap for sustainable power sector reform.

The lawmakers also urged the CBN to provide a detailed report on the implementation of the NMMP, including the number of loans disbursed, the amount disbursed, and the status of the loans.

It urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the Discos in metering customers and eliminating estimated billing.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the need to investigate the funds disbursed to the licensed electricity Discos by the CBN as loans under the NMMP moved by Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo yesterday.

Nume Ekeghe

The Naira yesterday, recorded gain for two consecutive days at the official window but depreciated marginally at the parallel market. It depreciated to N1,550 from N1,500 it exchanged on Wednesday representing N50 decline in one day.

However, the official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) appreciated, closing at

N1,595.11 signifying a N14.4 gain compared to N1,609.51 it closed on Wednesday. Notably, the daily turnover recorded yesterday was $217.14 indicating an 82.28 per cent decline from $119.14 million, quoted on Wednesday. Also, the highest spot rate yesterday was pegged at N1660, while the lowest spot rate recorded was N1,448.

Okonkwo noted that the NMMP was launched by the federal government through the CBN to provide funds as loans to the licensed Discos to improve customers metering and eliminate estimated billing.

"The NMMP aims to reach over 6 million households and businesses with meters before the end of 2021 as part of the power sector reform agenda to promote transparency,

accountability, and efficiency in the power sector.

"There have been reports of discrepancies, mismanagement, and non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the loans disbursed under the NMMP by some Discos, leading to inefficiencies, underperformance, and failure to achieve the objectives of the NMMP.

"We are worried by the lack of proper oversight, monitoring and evaluation of funds disbursed under the NMMP by the CBN, which has created opportunities for corruption, diversion, and misappropriation of public resources," it stated.

The House however mandated its committees on Banking Regulations and Power to investigate cases of discrepancies, mismanagement, and non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the loans disbursed under the programme.

It is also expected to look at the level of oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the use of funds disbursed under the programme by the bank and to recommend measures to enhance transparency, accountability, and performance and report back within four weeks.

able to execute this mega project with the resources at its disposal,” he said.

Atiku argued that his policy document outlines how Nigeria could prioritise investments to increase the stock and improve the quality of economic and social infrastructure across the country.

He maintained that narrowing the enormous gap that exists between the demand and supply of key infrastructure facilities in Nigeria is key to improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s businesses, opening new economic and entrepreneurial opportunities, and promoting enterprise growth.

"We pledged to undertake farreaching institutional reforms and

introduce innovative infrastructure financing models that will be appealing to the private sector to take risks and invest capital.

"To this end, we pledged to facilitate the establishment of a private sector-led Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) to mobilise domestic and international private resources for the financing and delivery of large infrastructure projects across all sectors of the economy,” he stressed.

He also hinted at establishing an “Infrastructure Development Unit” (IDU) in the presidency, with a coordinating function and a specific mandate of working to fast track and drive the process of infrastructure development in the country.

Dickson Hails NDDC for Lighting Up Roads in Niger Delta

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has lauded the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for embarking on massive road electrification projects in Bayelsa.

Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, spoke at Ayakoro community, Ogbuku’s home town in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, during the 2024 edition of the community’s annual cultural festival, the Eyal Obeyin.

He noted that the developmental footprints recorded by Ogbuku in the community speaks volumes of the benefits of having a son who knows what to do and urged states in the Niger Delta region to partner the NDDC to fast track the development of the oil-rich region.

Dickson said he was impressed with the performance of the NDDC under the leadership of Ogbuku, noting that the managing director and his team have demonstrated capacity and love for the Niger Delta region in terms of projects execution and policies implementation.

“I want to thank Ogbuku for remembering that he came from a place. The projects I’ve seen in this community and other parts of the Niger Delta, including my

home town, especially the solar powered lights and others clearly show that Ogbuku knows where he came from. It shows that he’s completely linked with his people at home, ” he stated.

In his keynote address, Ogbuku, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the development imprints etched in the community was made possible by the peaceful nature of the people of Ayakoro who created the enabling environment for contractors to work.

He stated that peace and development go together and advised communities in Niger Delta region to cooperate with contractors to work, while assuring that the NDDC would not allow contractors to deny communities their rightful benefits.

Ogbuku said the commission under his stewardship was committed to ensuring that projects awarded and executed by the commission have direct impacts on the benefiting communities.

He said the era of stalled projects was over, noting however, that the commission would no longer condone a situation where communities act as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their areas.

Ogbuku promised to support the Eyal Obeyin Annual Festival in order to promote tourism development in the community and the entire Niger Delta.

L-R: Representative of Enugu State Governor and Commissioner for Information, Eze Aka; Founder, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Dr Toyin Saraki; former minister of Industry, Mrs Nike Akande; Chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mrs Angela Emuwa; Guest lecturer, Prof Wole Soyinka; Wife of the Chairman Emeritus, Punch Nigeria Limited, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Ogunshola; Chairman Emeritus, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola; Representative of the President and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; representative of Delta State Governor, Mr Lovette Idisi; Managing Director, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph; and Director, Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, at the PUNCH 50th anniversary lecture in Lagos... yesterday MUBO PETERS.

LATE OGUNBANJO'S WIFE AND CHILDREN AT SERVICE OF SONGS FOR THEIR FATHER...

FG Begins Payment of $1bn Arrears Owed Gas-to-Power Suppliers, $120m Reimbursed Since October 2023

Stakeholders say $9.7tn needed to boost gas output by 2050, Nigeria’s production to rise 20% in 2024 NNPC insists renewables cannot power heavy industries, says investment in oil needed

The federal government has begun the payment for legacy gas-to-power debts owed gas suppliers, with $120 million already offset between October 2023 and January 2024.

The Coordinating Director, Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Programme, Ed Ubong, who spoke on the fourth day of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) yesterday in Abuja, stated that more importantly, the government is also now working on a framework that can liquidate most of the remaining arrears.

Ubong, a former President of the Nigeria Gas Association (NGA), stated that Nigeria has now returned to its pre-2021 gas production levels, signalling a positive for the industry in Nigeria.

“Today, we have 20 plus projects that can deliver over 4.6 BCF if we all follow through and Nigeria stands a chance of doubling its current gas production of 4.6 BCF a day in the long term, up to 2030.

“This year, based on all that we have seen and working with all the critical stakeholders, we are

confident that we can add 20 per cent to Nigeria’s current production .

“Additionally, it is worth noting that based on all the work being done by the Honourable Minister of State for gas in January, alone, the LNG supply has moved to the levels that were seen last two years ago. That is significant progress,” he said.

Stressing that Nigeria was not yet out of the woods, he said that a lot of work was going on with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that resilience is built around supply.

“We will not finish with the conversation without talking about arrears to gas producers and sellers. As of last year, that was about $1.3 billion, depending on how you add up the numbers.

“I am pleased that between October and the end of January, the government has paid $120 million to offset some of that debt. More importantly, the government is also now working on a framework that can liquidate most of that arrear,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Chief

Upstream Investment Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bala Wunti, who was represented by Dr Justice Derefaka, stated that Nigeria cannot depend on renewables to power its heavy industries.

“We need to put our money where our mouth is. So, again, in this clime, in this part of the world, we have issues around energy poverty, where we have a blooming number across the African continent.

“One key thing I need to mention is that irrespective of the clamour for renewables, (I'm not against renewables), that oil and gas has come to stay and it's going to be so till about 2050 and beyond.

“Whilst we look at improvement of renewables, it is intermittent, because renewables like we all know cannot drive most of our heavy industries that we have.

“So, again, looking at demand for oil, oil will play a key role. And then secondly, we have natural gas and the good thing in this part of Nigeria, we have about 209 TCF of gas proven, and of course around

600 TCF unproven. So, we are equally capable of meeting our energy demand, but the right environment needs to be in place,” he argued. Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, in his comments , stated that the global call for energy transition is a wake up call for Nigeria as a nation with abundant resources.

“If we develop the sector the way it should be, we will be able to meet the local demands, as well as export for revenue generation to the country,” he maintained.

Also speaking, the NGA President and General Counsel and Company Secretary, Nigeria LNG, Akachukwu Nwokedi, argued that huge debts on the books could erode investor confidence in greenfield investments in upstream and on critical infrastructure.

“We therefore recognise that there have been steps to clear the debts and I'm happy to hear that $120 million has already been cleared. But for us in NLNG, it's not just clearing the debts, it is putting in place policy mechanisms that will

US Envoy: Nigeria Remains Number One Destination for Venture Capital in Africa

Segun James

The Consul General of the United States Mission in Nigeria, Will Stevens, has said that Nigeria is the number one destination for venture capital investment in Africa.

He disclosed that the US President, Joe Biden, wants to work with the nations on the African continent in equal partnership to combat the challenges that face the entire world, stressing that no nation can do it alone.

"Africa shaped our past, it's shaping our present, and it will define our future. And, I might add, no nation is having a bigger impact on the evolving digital transformation than Nigeria.

“As Africa’s largest economy, largest democracy and number one destination for venture capital – Nigeria is driving innovation and creative solutions to the challenges that vex Nigerians, Africans and

people across the world,” he said. Stevens who spoke during the Omniverse Summit in Lagos yesterday with the theme: The Role of Technology in Fostering International Collaboration in an Interconnected World said the innovative creators were reinforcing his belief that African solutions and African voices are critical and central to resolving the problems of the 21st century and beyond.

"The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, fuelled by the relentless innovation from an increasingly interconnected world. In the past decade, global internet traffic has grown by 700 per cent, and mobile phone users have surpassed 6.6 billion.

"This increased connectivity creates boundless potential for cross-border collaboration - creating a global village where ideas can spark across oceans, and innovations can blossom through collective efforts,” he added.

He stressed that some of the challenges are already being addressed, explaining that US venture capital firms have invested heavily in African tech startups with over 60 and 40 per cent of venture capital funding in Nigeria and Africa respectively.

“ Up to 60 per cent of African start-ups are incorporated in the United States – this figure is 80 per cent when considering Nigeria alone. In 2021, African start-ups raised $4.8 billion, this translates to an average of over $1 million every 2 hours!

“Despite the global downturn in VC funding, the United States still accounted for about 40 per cent of the $3.4 billion raised by African start-ups last year,” he stated.

He noted that the United States is proud to be one of the largest foreign investors in Nigeria with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) totalling $5.6 billion in 2022.

According to him, there are over 80 US companies operating in Nigeria, in manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, technology, among others .

"These companies collectively pay billions of naira in taxes, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and directly support various socioeconomic programs that improve the lives of Nigerians.

"We are committed to supporting Nigeria and Africa on its journey to prosperity as we believe that a strong and prosperous Africa is good for the United States, and good for the world!

"Let us, therefore, leverage this opportunity to forge lasting partnerships, break down barriers, and use technology not just to connect, but to create a future where innovation flourishes for the betterment of our interconnected world," he concluded.

prevent reoccurrence,” he added.

Also speaking, Deputy Managing Director, NLNG, Olakunle Osobu, said that global gas demand is expected to reach 5.1 trillion cubic meters by 2035. “Africa's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to nearly triple from $2.7 trillion in 2021 to $7.1 trillion by 2050. This potential for growth relies heavily on energy to provide the necessary amenities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“With most of those discoveries located in Sub Saharan Africa, Africa remains a vital part of the global natural gas network with the continent estimated to hold around 10 per cent of worldwide proven reserves.

“For the situation analysis, to achieve the projected level of growth in natural gas trade, a huge upstream investment of $9.7 trillion is required by 2050,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has called for deeper collaboration among upstream operators, especially independent producers, to find solutions to the challenges hindering the effective development of divested assets in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

The company’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the call at a panel session at the ongoing 2024 NIES, holding in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme: “Innovation, Collaboration, and Resilience: Empowering Independent Producers in the Dynamic Energy Era”, Eyesan stated that past experiences with divestments and how the assets were operated have left much to be desired as most of them experienced a drop in production rather than growth.

“In the industry, if you want to measure success, there are some basic indicators that you utilise – production growth, reserves growth, and asset integrity. If I were to evaluate prior investment initiatives and scale the actors using these indices, I will be untrue to myself if I say everybody has done well.

“Yes, we acquired the assets; but today, we are worse off in terms of production than we were when we did the acquisition”, the EVP lamented.

She, however, acknowledged that there were some success stories in the operations of the independent producers.

Family Members, Associates Pay Tributes to Ogunbanjo

Family members, friends and aossicates yesterday paid glowing tributes to late Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo in Lagos, saying he was already being missed.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Coronation Group, Mr. Aigboje AigImuokhuede, said he shared a common identity with the late Ogunbanjo as both of them are past Presidents of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). According to him, Ogunbanjo was a gentleman who was always willing to assist others.

When the capital market community gathered to pay tributes on Tuesday, AigImuokhuede had Ogunbanjo said demonstrated an unparalleled commitment

throughout the demutualisation process of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and extolled his remarkable service to the industry.

“You served the world in a way only few could do.You left indelible legacy and I can only wish you eternal peace,” he said.

Last night, the family of late Ogunbanjo expressed appreciation to friends and associates who have been sending their condolences since the incident. Mr. Jide Ogunmekun, who is nephew to late Ogunbanjo, who gave the vote of thanks, particularly thanked the Access Holdings Plc family, the NGX, media houses, other corporate bodies and friends, associates for their support and love.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: Deceased's son, Rotimi Ogunbanjo; his widow, Titi Ogunbanjo (Nee Kuku) and their daughter Ladun Ogunbanjo, during the service of songs for the former President of the Stock Exchange, Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, at the House on the Rock Cathedral in Lekki… yesterday night

POLITICS

Aside Politics, Gbajabiamila Not Wrong on Social Media Regulation

Save for postponing the

evil day, the need to regulate the social media is now a matter of

urgent national

Despite the spontaneous attacks on him, the call by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for regulation of the Nigerian social media is not just a step in the right direction, but also a matter of urgent national importance.

A report in February 2023 by Simon Kemp, a global authority on internet usage, estimated that there were no fewer than 193.9 million cellular mobile connections in Nigeria. This is about 87.7 per cent of the country’s total population.

There were also 31.60 million social media users as of January 2023, also equating 14.3 per cent of the total population. While these come with its sweet side, the bitter taste of unsavory social media use in the country could have a much longer lasting negative side effect, unchecked.

While the social media offers the convenience of staying connected with family and friends the world over, real-time access to information and research, ease of banking, facilitating distance learning, remote high-paying job opportunities, and many more, authorities and government across the globe are not just worried about the innovation, but the way some people are deploying it, either out of ignorance or sheer mischief.

For instance, whereas people are called ‘friends’ on social media (Facebook especially), they may be total strangers in actual sense. And these curious friends have often turned out to be vendors of fake and unreliable news shared by their unknown ‘friends’ on both ends.

Information shared could reach millions of Nigerians in minutes and billions of onlookers across the globe within hours. While quite a number of these are total falsehood or unverified facts, fear is that some of this information are capable of sparking unrest and anarchy, if left without regulations. Such materials usually put the society in bad light on the global stage.

Though the former Speaker, House of Representatives and now the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Gbajabiamila, has been furiously criticised for stating recently at a book launch of former Minister for Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), that the “Social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated,” those who could see through his lenses would probably understand the weight of his position.

Gbajabiamila, who represented President Tinubu at the launch of the book titled: ‘Nigerian Public Discourse — The Interplay of Empirical Evidence and Hyperbole’, explained that while his principal was obligated to engage in evidence-based discussions with the people.

But, unfortunately, he argued that, “many people do not understand that once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world, which is capable of causing a great danger not just in the society but even unintended consequences to the individuals that are receiving information which may include security of life.”

There is no doubt that times are presently very hard for Nigerians. The citizenry is unhappily bearing the brunt of the recklessness of the immediate past administration of Muammadu Buhari, and one avenue that has come handy for the people to vent their frustration has been the various social media platforms.

But this does not take away the fact that unmitigated social media usage could only inflict more damage on the already battered image of the country among the comity of nations. Gbajabiamila’s utterance is a statement of fact that must not be dismissed on the altar of sentiments by social media users.

Gbajabiamila is not alone in the quest for social media regulation. Even the Buhari administrtaion, and the then Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, toyed with the idea of regulating the social media in Nigeria. In fact, X formally Twitter, was banned in 2021.

In an article by Jamie Susskind, the author of The Digital Republic: on Freedom and Democracy in the 21st Century, titled: “We Can Regulate Social Media Without Censorship. Here’s How”, asked: “Is it wise to try to regulate

importance, writes Shola Oyeyipo

social media platforms? Can it even be done?

He, however, added that, “These questions are vexing lawmakers in almost every democracy. And finally – after years of debate – some answers are coming into view.”

According to Susskind, the argument for

regulation is not predicated on claims that particular platforms are actually biased or not, but more because they have the power to influence democratic discourse without appropriate checks, while they are not necessarily insulated against mistakes.

“They might make decisions that offend the basic norms of a free society. They might inadvertently design systems that harm the democratic process. Just like others in positions of social responsibility—lawyers, doctors, bankers, pilots—those who assume the power to control the speech environment ought to be subject to a degree of oversight. Why are there higher qualifications and standards for a person who runs a pharmacy than for a person who runs a major social platform?” Susskind asked.

In its 2023 review of major fake news that went viral in the Nigerian social media space, the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), while it listed the 2023 general election as having more than its fair share of fake news, stated that false news from other climes found their ways into the Nigerian social media space – easily.

Some notable fake news that caught the attention of Nigerians and the international community included when the Adamawa All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha Dahiru (Binani), read her acceptance speech after she was illegally declared the governor-elect by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, who had no power to announce the winner of the election.

Only the state collation officer appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had such powers. Even the reputable Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) televised the misleading news.

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

NWDC: A Magic Wand to Develop N’West

Godwin Ortserga writes on the essence of the bill for the establishment of North West Development Commission co-sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and 20 other Senators.

The North West Development Commission (NWDC) Bill, sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and co-sponsored by 20 other Senators from the North-West geopolitical zone, scaled the second reading in the Senate, on Thursday, February 15, 2024, following a unanimous support, through a voice vote by all the senators present during the sitting.

As succinctly canvassed by Senator Barau in his lead debate at plenary, ‘the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of North West Development Commission to act as a catalyst to develop the arrays of potentials of the North West as well as address the gap in infrastructural development of the region.’

The intent and vision of this Bill are very apt and compelling, especially, when juxtaposed with prevailing realities in a region ravaged by so many debilitating factors such as insurgency, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and attendant general insecurity.

Explaining further, Senator Barau said: “The North West as a region has contributed immensely to the overall development of Nigeria in terms of Agriculture and other spheres of the country, yet the region remains hugely underdeveloped. What the region requires now from the Federal Government is support to develop its infrastructure and educate its teeming youths to drive the process of developing the zone in its entirety to grow at par with the more developed zones in the country.

“The infrastructure of the zone has been immensely destroyed by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, armed bandits and kidnappers across the region leading to the exodus of investors, businessmen, managers of companies and employees. This destruction is having a major effect on the economy of the region as it has led to

severe food shortages and unemployment in a region that has traditionally produced cash and food crops across the Sahel. Also, some parts of the region are currently facing the problem of desertification. All these have contributed to making agriculture and other economic activities suffer thereby creating more poverty in the zone.

“The Federal Government is in the right position to show concern in the face of the plethora of problems and challenges facing this geo-political zone by creating the North West Commission to appropriately address the developmental needs of the zone. ‘’ Senators across party lines and geopolitical zones were in total support of the passage of the Bill during the debate at plenary.

Leading the support for the bill, Senate Minority leader, Senator Abba Moro, said “There is the need to accommodate this region as a developmental centre and that is what this bill seeks to achieve. As the world continues to modernize, there is an imperative need for all of us to agree that we must establish centres of development, the aggregation of which will lead to the overall development of the country.’’

Contributing, Senator Adamu Aliero submitted that “The North West geo-political

zone has suffered a lot of devastation and destruction with the activities of Boko Haram and banditry. The North West has the largest number of out-of-school children. Nigeria is the only country in the world that has 20 million children out of school. We can’t afford this, and we can put these children in school so that we can develop their talents to enable them to contribute their quota to the development of their country.’’

According to him, the North West Commission if created, is not going to affect whatever the state governments are doing. Instead, it is going to complement their developmental efforts.

‘’ It will exist side by side with the state governments to develop the region. It will catalyze to accelerate the development of the zone and we have seen it in the North East where several projects executed by the North East Development Commission have helped tremendously in the development of the region and this has restored peace and stability relatively in that area.

“As the sponsor of the bill said, the North West has the largest population of about 70m in the country. Right now, so many industries are moving out of the North West because of insecurity and instability.

In Kano State, about 250 have moved out. In Kaduna, about 120 have moved out while in Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto States, we have lost about 200 factories. So, there is a mass exodus of investments out of the zone simply because of insecurity and instability. We need to establish this commission to take care of development in the zone.”

-Ortserga, an Assistant Director at the National Assembly, writes from Abuja.

INTERVIEW

Roger Delves: Nigerian Executives Need Emotional Intelligence to Succeed in Turbulent Times

Roger Delves, an Oxford-trained professor, became a board leader at age 30 and has helped hundreds of organisations optimise their leadership quotient. He will be among the four faculty delivering the TEXEM hybrid programme ‘Effective Leadership In a Distributed World: Pioneering Enduring Legacies’. Other faculty members include Sir James Duddridge, MP, Ambassador Charles Crawford and Professor Paul Griffith (the World’s first Professor of Management to lead a team to launch a rocket into space). In this interview, Prof Roger Delves shares insights on how leaders can win in these turbulent times.

As part of TEXEM’s hybrid ‘Effective Leadership In A Distributed World: Pioneering Enduring Legacies’, you will be one of the four faculty. How can building trust remotely impact the dynamics within an organisation, particularly in diverse settings like Nigeria?

Building trust remotely takes longer than building trust in a live environment, and it is more difficult and takes longer to build the concept we call psychological safety. Trust can only be built successfully with psychological safety being present. So, if your organisation consists of remote teams, or a mix of live and remote teams, or a mix of hybrid, remote and live teams, Nigerian leaders must make stringent efforts with each individual in each team, regardless of the nature of the team. To generate and maintain this sense of psychological safety. How can they do this? For example, having conversations with individuals within which the individual and the leader share personal information helps create this sense of safety and trust. This information will include things like their sense of purpose around their work, their sense of personal values, and their sense of personal ambition for the team, the organisation and themselves.

They also share information about what they hope for the country in a wider geopolitical or geo-economical way. This sharing helps each party, leader, and team member get a sense of the authentic self within the other individual. It is this authentic self that the individual comes to trust and to feel safe with. Both/all parties involved must be prepared to commit time and emotional energy to the exercise. This time commitment is not insignificant, and of course, this exercise is significantly less straightforward with virtual team members than it is with team members who are encountered in a live environment. Team leaders need to set aside time to meet virtually with team members on several occasions to build trust and safety and then maintain these levels through regular trust after that.

There is no easy alternative to this commitment of time because if the time is not committed, the necessary levels of safety will not be created, and therefore, the required levels of trust will not be built. This will lead to a barrier to genuine high performance being created within a team. Executives should attend the forthcoming TEXEM hybrid programme to glean more insights into how to build better alignment and consensus, improve their relationships with diverse stakeholders, enhance their individual and organisational resilience, enshrine better adaptability and innovation and win. This TEXEM programme is particularly critical, especially at these challenging times of high inflation, where diverse stakeholders need to explore hybrid work to get by.

One of the goals of this TEXEM programme is to equip leaders and their organisations with the core competence and capability to unlock scarce value for the organisation and their stakeholders. So, how does emotional quotient play a role in engaging diverse stakeholders virtually, and how can executives harness this understanding to drive success?

Emotional quotient, or emotional intelligence, describes how we deal with our own emotions and manage our emotional relationships with others. Daniel Goleman, an American psychologist and researcher, coined the term EQ and has researched and written widely on this subject. He created a well-known model of Emotional Intelligence. Within this EQ model, there are four competencies. Two inward-looking competencies help us understand and govern

Professor Roger Delves

our own emotions. These are termed Self-awareness and self-management. If we develop the skills and behaviours related to these competencies, we will be able to understand and control our emotions. This will help us engage diverse stakeholders virtually because, for example, we can control our impatience in the face of a stakeholder’s slowness to embrace our opinion or our anger in the face of a stakeholder’s opposition to our plans. By diligent management of our own emotions, we can also become better influencers and persuaders, thereby leveraging better those stakeholders who are well-disposed to our plans and who are influential, and perhaps changing the opinions of those who are influential but less well-disposed.

When we turn to the two outwardlooking competencies of EQ, we find there is a competence area we call Social Awareness and another we call Relationship Management. These two external-facing or outward-looking competencies of EQ are fundamentally important in engaging different stakeholders virtually. Social Awareness makes us more aware of the needs and the backgrounds of stakeholders and of any diversity among stakeholders and how that might affect how they act or the opinions they may hold.

For example, Nigerian nationals who lack the social awareness skills that EQ brings may mismanage a stakeholder map that includes nationals from significantly different parts of the globe. At the same time, socially aware Nigerians will understand and know how better to respect diversity and harness the power of diversity to serve the needs of the project or the organisation with which the stakeholder is in contact. Equally, socially

aware Nigerians are better equipped to create an environment where every stakeholder from whatever background (for example, from whatever industry, regardless of gender, age, religious belief or sexual orientation) can feel valued, safe and wanted. This ability can create significantly better stakeholder environments, significantly benefiting the organisation.

Suppose these same Nigerian executives master the EQ competency of relationship management. In that case, they will build positive and long-standing relationships with the stakeholders who really matter while also making all other stakeholders feel included. Stakeholder management of this kind is an invaluable asset for Nigerian companies that, for example, are working in an environment where they are partnering with non-national companies in different types of JVs. Executives can learn the skills and behaviours that make up these competency areas and can improve these skills and behaviours so that, in terms of emotional intelligence, they are doing all the things they can do, to the best of their ability, to engage with and keep the support of stakeholders. Thus, I encourage senior executives to attend this forthcoming hybrid programme between the 9th and 23rd of March online and between the 25th and 27th of March in the UK.

Upon completion of this programme, participants will optimise their core competence in the following areas: Effective leadership, enhanced collaboration and team dynamics, ability to satisfy customers, and ability to achieve loyalty. Other insights that will be gleaned after this programme include how to inspire innovation and adaptability effectively, as well as better

conflict resolution and problem-solving credentials.

Considering the unique challenges of the Nigerian business environment, how might the principles you teach in building trust remotely be adapted to navigate cultural nuances and diverse perspectives effectively?

The Nigerian business environment is one of constant challenge and change, much of it unexpected. There are many essential elements and aspects to leading well in a challenging and changing environment, and all of them will help, but none of them will remove the challenge and change. The fundamental principles that I teach that will help alleviate the challenging, changing environment around building trust are to master the external forward-facing competencies of EQ and learn to influence and persuade individuals rather than tell individuals how to behave. Command and control behavioural approaches will rarely work in the kind of environments leaders face in Nigeria.

Only the commitment of time, energy and emotional effort will suffice here. There is no substitute for spending time first understanding the models and then mastering them so that they can be used smoothly and seamlessly in the workplace. Then time and emotional energy must be committed, particularly to the pro-active building of internal relationships so that there is a climate of trust and psychological safety. This building of such a climate must, of course, acknowledge the unique challenges of the Nigerian business environment, both the socio-economic and the socio-political challenges.

Nigerians of any age or gender from different cultural backgrounds must be able to work well and collaboratively together; that creates the sort of team (whether a live, hybrid or virtual team) that is best equipped to deal with the complex, unexpected and volatile nature of the Nigerian business landscape. I encourage executives to participate in this forthcoming TEXEM programme, as they will enhance their decision-making credentials, learn how to better gain competitive advantage and sustain long-term success.

How do you foresee participants implementing the techniques learned in your sessions to improve their organisational dynamics, especially in a distributed work environment?

The fundamental idea here is to look at new ideas, understand them, learn how to practice and master them and leave the workshop with the belief that the ideas are worth putting into practice and the determination to do the work to master them so that the ideas can be brought to bear on the leadership practice of each individual attendee. I am aware of the time and the emotional energy required to do this. Only the determined will succeed. Given that this programme will be leveraging TEXEM’s tested and proven methodology that has helped thousands of leaders to win by making learning engaging, stimulating, impactful, and beneficial, you can trust this programme will be very actionable for all participants. Furthermore, the TEXEM methodology inspires among participants the determination required to build a better self and then to try to build a better Nigeria.

Thus, participants will be driven to continue to make the necessary efforts until they have mastered the tools and techniques to which they are introduced. When they are capable inspirers of implementers, they will then meet with success in the field, which will encourage them to persevere with applying theory to practice until they have developed an improved leadership practice for themselves. For more information about the forthcoming TEXEM programme, please email caroline.lucas@texem.co.uk or visit texem.co.uk

L-R: Wife of the managing director, Parallex Bank, Mrs. Olufunke Bakre; Managing Director, Parallex Bank and The Sun Awards Banker of the Year 2023 winner, Dr. Olufemi Bakre; and former Managing Director, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Eric Osagie, during the award of ‘Banker of The Year 2023’ by The Sun Newspapers in Lagos...recently

L-R: Head of Business, Simba Group, Sandipan Bhattacharya; Profit Centre Head, Retails, Adebimpe Adebisi; Profit Centre Head of Service, Pramod KC; Profit Centre Head, Simba Solar, Debdeep Mukherjee; Profit Centre, Head Genus, Sandeep Sharma; and Marketing Manager, Oluwatosin Odiagbe, all of Simba Group, during the presentation of Talegent series to the media at the company’s headquarters in Lagos...recently

L-R: House of Representatives Chairman on ICT and Cyber-security, Adedeji Stanley Olajide; Co-convener, AI in Nigeria, Dotun Adeoye; Independent Creative Director, Open AI, Rodger Werkhoven; Co-convener, AI in Nigeria, Ehia Erhaboh; and Head Instructor, MIT Executive AI Programme, Raghu Bala, during the Innovate AI Conference Lagos 2024 held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Intent.ai, Alexander Yesayan; Media Investment Lead, Airtel Africa, Danice King’Ori; Head of Brands, Airtel Africa, Nandu Buty; Chief Operations Officer, Intent.ai, Julia Tumasyan; and Group Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Africa, Anthony Shiner; during the official launch of Airtel Ads, powered by Intent.ai in Lagos...recently

A cross-section of Committee of Friends for Humanity (COFFHA) celebrating two of their members (sitting), Mrs. Presca Nwadialor (left) and Mrs. Oby Anubi, who turned 70 in Lagos...recently

Area Commander, Area C Police Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oladunni Ayoola (right), addressing school management, teachers and students during the School Safety and Security Stakeholders’ Dialogue at Area C Police Command in Surulere, Lagos...recently

PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

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WHEN A STINKING ROOM DOESN’T SMELL: CURIOUS CASE OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS

The Nigeria Customs Service stinks, reckons JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

See page 27

BIAKOLO: DEATH CAME FOR MY TEACHER

BRUCE MALOGO pays tribute to Emevwo Biakolo, an academic and a writer

See page 27

EDITORIAL RETURN OF LASSA FEVER

Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina deserves the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, writes TOMMY ODEMWINGIE

HAND OVER THE TROPHY TO ADESINA

The title of this article is evoked from my days at The Guardian, when next-door neigbours to the features desk – the sports writing crew of Trigo Egbegi, Michel Obi and Sam John – had no doubt which of the contending team they favoured to win an impending competition.

The phraseology might as well be ascribed for now to the very respectable Chief Emeka Anyaoku CFR, CON, GCVO, chair of the Selection Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, in announcing, on 21 December 2023, the recipient of the 2023 award.

Who is the Adesina referred to here? “After a careful, detailed and rigorous screening process, the Selection Committee was unanimous in deciding on the recipient of this year’s Prize,” said Chief Anyaoku. “I have great pleasure to inform you that the considered view of the Selection Committee is that of all the nominees presented before it, the person adjudged to possess the attributes for the award to the highest degree and therefore is the recipient of the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership is Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, CON, President of the African Development Bank.”

The eminent international bureaucrat, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, went on to add: “There is no doubt that many of these nominees are eminent persons who have made tremendous contributions in various spheres of life.” This is not mere diplomatese – this writer was a nominator for the particular award in focus, whose candidate (who must remain anonymous out of courtesy and deference to all) possesses quite an intimidating profile. It shows you that the Awolowo prize is closing in on the Nobel Peace Prize in status. It shows the high esteem in which Adesina, who will be presented the award at a ceremony scheduled for 6 March, 2024, is held. Fittingly, this is the birthday anniversary of Chief Awolowo.

Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (in whose cabinet Dr. Adesina served as Minister of Agriculture) is reported to have remarked on him thus: “Dr. Adesina epitomizes and combines qualities of extraordinary leadership that are often rare to find: great visionary, incredible courage, ability to take on huge and difficult challenges, extraordinary dedication and commitment, selflessness, people-centeredness, and fervour to deliver transformative programs and policies that transform the lives of millions of people.” Indeed, he has been likened to Obafemi Awolowo for his development-oriented intellect.

The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation set up the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in April 1992 in memory of Chief Awolowo,

whose intellectual and leadership legacies are legendary, to perpetuate these legacies, as well as the democratic and development-oriented ideals of the former premier of the Western Region leader of opposition in the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Foundation has sought, over the years, to pursue its mission through various activities that include the periodic hosting of dialogues designed to examine critical issues of national concern with a view to proposing viable alternative strategies for their solution.

In addition to and playing crucial roles in Nigeria’s constitutional and political development during the country’s colonial and postcolonial history, he was also the Federal Commissioner (now known as Minister of) for Finance and Vice Chairman, Federal Executive Council during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon.

His leadership was people-centred, visionary, integrity-laden and underlined by personal discipline. His grassroots-friendly policies and transformational approach to leadership are still evident in the various legacies of the late sage.

Dr. Adesina graduated from the University of Ife, Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1981 with a First-Class Honours in Agricultural Economics, the first student to attain that feat in the field since the establishment of the university. He obtained his Master’s and PhD degrees in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University, United States of America. He has had over three decades of experience working in various leadership positions across the world.

As Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, Dr. Adesina introduced innovative reforms such as the fertilizer sector reforms, which virtually eliminated corruption in the sector and ensured that farmers actually benefitted

from government’s subsidized fertilizers. He developed a system that allowed farmers to receive electronic vouchers for seeds and fertilizers directly on their mobile phones, thereby cutting off the middlemen in the system. Not less than 15 million farmers benefitted from this scheme within four years.

Since assuming office as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Adesina has worked relentlessly to contribute to the positive transformation of the continent. He has brought leadership to bear in addressing some of the challenges confronting the continent including leading and supporting innovative efforts to fight hunger and poverty.

At the AfDB, Dr. Adesina introduced what he termed the “High 5s” namely, to light up and power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and improve the quality of life of the people of Africa. The impactful and successful nature of this programme has been widely acknowledged.

In 2019, under the leadership of Dr. Adesina, the shareholders of the African Development Bank increased the capital base of the Bank from $US93 billion to US$208 billion, an increase of over 123 percent, the highest capital increase of the Bank since its establishment in 1964.

Those who are close to Dr. Adesina attest to his uncommon leadership qualities, which include the four mostly listed -- prudence (as wisdom); Justice (as fairness); temperance (as moderation/restraint); courage (as fortitude/ resilience) – and more.

Of equal importance, even as he rubs shoulder with leaders of countries and business, Dr. Adesina is remarkably humble for this legion of accomplishments. He is known to maintain contacts with old friends and the less privileged and younger persons, to whom he displays his customary kindheartedness and generosity. He demonstrated this when, at the event where he was given the World Food Prize, he announced that he would devote the $US 250,000 cash tied to the prize to supporting young people by establishing the World Hunger Fighters Foundation to support young people in the fight against global hunger. Some young people have so far benefitted from this gesture.

While at Purdue University, Adesina and his wife, along with another couple, started a Christian group called the African Student Fellowship. He and his wife, Grace, have three children, Rotimi, Emmanuel and Segun.

As Chief Anyaoku has promised, the full citation on Dr. Akinwumi Adesina will be given on 6 March.

Odemwingie, a development communication expert, is a former features editor of The Guardian.

POLITY

Intra-Africa Entrepreneurship: Nurturing Africa’s Economic Renaissance

Jubril Enakele

A wave of entrepreneurial vitality is sweeping the African continent, with more people daring to establish and nurture enterprises within and across the continent. The African Development Bank has previously indicated that 22% of working-age people in Africa start a new business, more than anywhere else — the highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world. These businesses are also innovative, with 20% of new African entrepreneurs introducing a new product or service. At the same time, funding for startups and African businesses has witnessed unprecedented growth in the last decade, albeit more muted following the aftershocks of COVID-19. Still, this intra-Africa entrepreneurship is playing a pivotal role in creating jobs and spurring growth. As a collective, Africa could emerge as one of the world’s largest economies by 2050. Fostering its entrepreneurial spirit could be catalytic in propelling us toward this milestone.

Three Key Challenges

The scale of this potential is hampered by recurring challenges. One of the main hurdles faced by entrepreneurs is the lack of access to reliable funding, given the ebbs and flows of international financial markets. Second only to March 2023, January 2024 has so far been the slowest month for fundraising announcements in the last six years. This poses a direct threat to the momentum generated by the entrepreneurial wave. Additionally, there is a lack of coordinated effort among African nations which is prioritising intra-Africa trade but instead, placing less emphasis on intra-Africa entrepreneurship. In the absence of a unified strategy, entrepreneurs face inconsistent regulatory frameworks, varying taxation structures, and disparate policies across Africa’s borders. This creates

TRIBUTE

a labyrinth of complexity, discouraging the very essence of entrepreneurship — the freedom to innovate, and scale without unnecessary barriers.

Third, cross-border financial infrastructure remains in issue. African businesses face challenges in accessing banking services and conducting crossborder transactions efficiently, limiting their ability or inclination to grow across the continent, even if successful in their subregion. This impact isn’t confined to the vibrant small businesses driving the continent’s economic pulse; even institutional operators are affected. These hiccups underscore the urgency for the continent to prioritise investment in- and promotion of efficient payment mechanisms that enable seamless and cost-effective fund transfers between African countries.

All of these hurdles raise crucial questions about the strategies African sovereigns, corporates and entrepreneurs can adopt to finance long-term growth projects, develop local businesses, and expand seamlessly across African markets.

Evolving Dynamics in International Financial Markets

A look at the Eurobond issuances by African entities— sovereign and corporate—over the past five years relative to the current year, tells a story. It reveals a pronounced decline, signalling a noteworthy shift in Africa’s access to international capital markets. This shift in dynamics necessitates a deeper examination of how Africa can adapt to the changing face of international financial markets. Multiple factors interact to shape this scenario. First, the surge in interest rates in Western economies has reverberated worldwide. African issuers face the brunt of this,

grappling with less favourable borrowing conditions. Elevated rates in turn make borrowing more expensive for African businesses, deterring international financing opportunities and exacerbating the financial exclusion.

Second, risk profiles are not necessarily aligned with risk appetites. Despite efforts by African issuers to improve their risk worthiness, persistent misconceptions continue to dampen investor confidence. The reluctance of investors seeking stability amidst uncertain economic climates, results in a diminished appetite for risk associated with frontier markets, muting capital flows into the region.

Local Financing Solutions

Strengthening local capital markets is pivotal for powering intra-Africa entrepreneurship. Robust financial markets are the backbone for efficient capital allocation, enabling businesses to thrive. This necessitates a commitment to supporting and fortifying critical financial infrastructures for stocks, bonds, and an array of financial instruments that collectively breathe life into the entrepreneurial spirit of a region. It goes beyond creating a space for financial transactions; it’s about creating an ecosystem where ideas can transform into tangible businesses, and where innovation is rewarded.

Deepening local financing solutions also involves prioritising homegrown private credit funds and capable financial institutions that deploy private equity funds in local currency. A challenge arises when venture funds predominantly operate in US dollars, expecting returns in the same currency. It begs the question: where will the dollars come from? This is particularly pertinent when facilitating businesses in countries like Nigeria, where transactions predominantly

occur in the local currency, the naira. Solving for this means incentivising local venture and private equity funds from the start, to raise in local currencies. This aligns with the practicalities of day-to-day business operations, enabling entrepreneurs to access funding that corresponds with their operational currency; in time, reducing exposure to currency risks.

A Coordinated Approach

Imagine if Africa functioned as one country. It could streamline and harmonise regulatory frameworks; creating standardised processes for business registration, taxation, and compliance, reducing the bureaucratic hurdles faced when operating across borders, and creating an environment of nimbleness essential for Africa’s entrepreneurs. It could establish pan-African institutions dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship: providing mentorship, funding, and resources tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs operating across regions.

For this ideal to be effective, creating safeguards for raising funds across African borders, especially for business expansion, will be instrumental. Mainstreaming risk mitigation instruments like credit risk, cross-border risk, political risk and other transaction-related guarantees and insurance products, can attract ambitious investors by alleviating their concerns about political and market risks.

As the continent leans into its entrepreneurial spirit, let us be certain that we are fostering an ecosystem where financial empowerment becomes a shared reality. Let us also make a real commitment to creating avenues for African businesses to flourish, for investors to find opportunities aligned with their aspirations, and for the collective vision of a continent to materialise in the form of sustainable economic growth.

Bamofin Bimbo Ogunbanjo: A Guiding Star and Beacon of Light

In the vast expanse of our universe, where stars are born from the dust of cosmic journeys, Bimbo Ogunbanjo illuminated our lives with his radiant presence.

Known by many endearing titles –Man mi, Ogbeni, Eyon mi – Bimbo was undeniably a celestial being among us. His departure from our midst came as a sudden eclipse, yet his life story remains a testament to the brilliance of a soul destined for greatness.

Bimbo navigated life’s path with unwavering integrity, purpose, and dignity, leaving behind a trail of quiet but profound achievements.

His gentle demeanor belied the strength of character and courage that propelled him to the pinnacle of the Nigerian corporate landscape. With each step, he carried the torch of his lineage and heritage, illuminating the way for others who walked alongside him.

Beneath his warm smile and infectious

laughter lay a reservoir of wisdom, borne from a life rich in experiences and lessons learned. Bimbo’s insatiable curiosity, coupled with his sharp intellect, served as guiding stars, steering him through every challenge and triumph.

In his presence, one couldn’t help but feel the warmth of his love and the sincerity of his compassion. He was not just a colleague or friend but a mentor, a confidant, and a source of inspiration to all who crossed his path.

Though we mourn the loss of this gentle giant, we find solace in the knowledge that his legacy is etched in the annals of time.

Bimbo Ogunbanjo’s light may have dimmed in our earthly realm, but its brilliance will continue to shine brightly in our hearts and memories, guiding us through the darkness and reminding us of the extraordinary life he lived.

Bimbo, sun re o and I thank God for your life.

Late Ogunbanjo

Koye Rhodes

The Nigeria Customs Service stinks, reckons JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

WHEN A STINKING ROOM DOESN’T SMELL: CURIOUS CASE OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS

Chances are that your room smells funny, but you aren’t aware of this. Whilst this may sound impossible, it is indeed normal. I’ll explain later.

It was during the holidays, so I decided I needed to make more friends outside my sheltered boarding school system. I knew I didn’t fit in with the boys I was moving with, but I moved anyway, while being conscious that I didn’t belong. I wondered if they knew that too. One day, I followed them to visit one of the boys. When I stepped my head into the one-room apartment, I was jolted by a force that

immediately pulled me into a retreat. However, I couldn’t stay outside, so I had to ready myself to go in again. I did, but it wasn’t without negotiating this pungent smell that swept the entire room.

I looked around to see if others were conscious of what I was dealing with. They weren’t. They all looked comfortable. I was the one who was visiting for the first time, others were regulars. It became a choice between staying or leaving and making others wonder why I left so early. I left anyway, knowing I was never to return. Whilst that didn’t end my friendship with the group, it made it clear to me one could be friends with people without visiting them at home.

At this point, I had learned about adiabatic process in physics. In a lay person’s term, it is a process where there is no heat exchange between two bodies. This happens when the difference between the heat in one body and the other is zero. To attain this point, heat would have moved from the system with higher heat to the system with lower heat, until both bodies achieve the same heat level. At that point, there is no longer exchange of heat. I started to equate the situation of the other boys and that room to be an adiabatic process. Heat is a form of energy while smell is not so it clearly didn’t sound scientific to me. It didn’t matter anyway, as far as I was concerned, that was an adiabatic process of a smelling kind.

That experience has since gone on to define my relationship with myself and other people and things in proximity to me. Other people see your nose better than you can even though you are closer to it. Take the judgment of your friends on whether your space smells funny better than your judgment. I am of the belief that, if a person lives inside a toilet, a time will come when the toilet will no longer smell because by that point, their olfactory nerves would have come to treat that smell as normal.

So, about your room, does it smell funny? Ask someone who has never been there or one who doesn’t go in there often. That said, it’s your

personal space, so if your nose says it smells nice, then it smells nice.

That, fortunately, is not a privilege the Nigeria Customs Service can enjoy. The Premium Times investigation that revealed monumental malfeasance at the highest level of the Customs reflects a norm that even the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) helped to validate. According to the report, the EFCC caught these Customs guys red-handed — seven officers caught with N12billion. That’s a ‘B’. They even refunded some of the proceeds of their acts of corruption whilst making commitments to refund the rest. They were then released by the EFCC.

To this point, this would be an anomaly in systems that are not used to the smelly nature of corruption. However, things got much worse because the same people were released to the Customs to continue their work. Can you wrap your head around this?

This is a Nigerian tragedy that is at the root of other Nigerian tragedies. Because as with corruption elsewhere, the effects are multidimensional. Here, might is proven to be right again. Junior custom officers who aren’t exposed to opportunities for big corruption get punished for the little ones they commit whilst the senior officers who can between seven of them steal as much as N12billion get to steal enough to induce the system to let them get away with it.

They return to continue. A person who steals billions and gets away with it does not stop, and in fact is encouraged to do better, better being steal more. That way, if they were letting in 10 containers of illegal arms, they can do 100.

Hello Insecurity.

The Nigerian Police, on account of being exposed to more citizens every day, is seen as the most corrupt service unit. I am certain the Customs Service sees that and chuckles, because they know, when it comes to corruption per capita, the police could be a poor collective compared to their vast prosperity.

So, when you hear a Nigerian complain about the difficulty of importing inputs of production and other goods into the country, remember this corruption report. When the government bans goods and closes borders, whether those who behind that policy intend it or not, the greatest beneficiaries are these Customs officers who are then empowered to use their discretion to decide what comes in, according to the pleasing of their bank accounts.

Like that stinking room, the Custom officers who aren’t corrupt are the anomalies, because they are able to still perceive the in-house pungent smell. Seeing how everyone moves along like it is the norm, they are endangered species. The reason nothing is yet to happen about that Premium Times report is because everything that was reported is the design. Sometimes, when you say a system does not work, ask yourself, does your own expectation match its design? If it was designed to not work, then it works as designed. That you expect it to work does not mean it does not work. The Nigeria Customs Service stinks, whoever isn’t perceiving it is in an adiabatic process with it.

Omojuwa is author, Digital Wealth Book

BRUCE MALOGO pays tribute to Emevwo Biakolo, an academic and a writer

BIAKOLO: DEATH CAME FOR MY TEACHER

All death is bad. To die in one’s sleep does not make it any less so. If anything, it makes it even more so. For the living, those left to mourn, the Biakolo. A professor emeritus of Pan Atlantic University, Lekki in Lagos, Biakolo passed on in his sleep on February 8, 2024. People who saw him a few hours before he died said he spent he had no obvious physical distress, not to talk of a hint of death. But that’s the manner of such death. It slitters in and stealthily picks its prey, and let the world bleed all it can.

I knew Prof. Biakolo fairly intimately. He was of University of Ibadan, he was my friend. We were friends in the sterner, sterling sense of the word. He had an arresting personality, which

in the early 80s and he had come to the class to introduce us to poetry. “We shall be studying told us after introducing himself. At the time, he was assistant lecturer and working on his PhD in the department. So he was simply a “Mr.” Prof Isidore Okpewho, a luminary in oral literature, was his supervisor (he passed on in 2016). There were two other assistant lecturers in the department like him pursuing their PhD programme at the time. These were: Harry Garuba and Remy Oriaku – brilliant and ambitious individuals.

poem made it all the more esoteric. To complicate easy poet to unravel, not even to a dilettante and obviously not to freshers like us. But he was charming, Biakolo, that is. He was slim

Throughout the lecture, his face never cracked into a smile, but there was something agreeable about him, something hypnotic. His voice rang were passionate and sure, in the manner of a rhetorician. He was your portrait of an academic and you could tell that he was an intellectual of the original mould, though without a dash of a though we didn’t quite understand his analysis of the poem, enough to stir our irritation and was comforting and assuring. He was easy to like, too easy to like – and many of us did, from

day, we started calling him “Gerontion” –behind his back, of course!

We became closer in my second year when I started trying my hand on writing articles for newspaper publication. I would write and run the piece by him for his opinion and advice. I think he was impressed by the things I was scribbling. Once, he said to me half-jokingly and completely solemnly, “O’boy, true o, I think you can end up in The Guardian. I’m serious! But you have to work laughed about it. This time, we had become very close, intimate even. Our relationship had gone far more than that of lecturer-andhis-student’s. We usually go to eat at a buka beside the Faculty of Arts. He would eat amala, I preferred lafun, probably because called him Biaks. Occasionally, we would stop by the Students’ Union Building (SUB) to drink some beer. He was not strong in that department. More than a bottle would knock him over.

Sometimes, too, I’d join him with Harry Garuba, Dipo Irele (then assistant lecturer in Philosophy Department), and some Otiono and Afam Akeh. In that party were also older friends like Oga Sam Loco and

Audio Visual Unit located at the basement of what is now Communication and Language Arts Department. Both men were also regular features in the university’s Arts Theatre, now Wole Soyinka Theatre.

Biakolo was residing in Agbowo, the bourgeoning settlement across the road facing the university’s gate. He lived with his wife, Margaret, and their three kids, the eldest we fondly called Okpaks. My girlfriend, Bola, slid into the mix and the relationship with the Biakolos became what you could easily say was one of “family friends.” Bola and I were in the same my wife years later. As such things go, and as women are wont, Bola and Margaret

I always run to him for things academic in the remaining years of my study.

Out of school and a few years later, we met again in The Guardian. He was a visiting member of the editorial board and I was writing for African Guardian

every Wednesday. Sometimes when he couldn’t make it back to his Ibadan base after his editorial meeting, he would come over to stay with Bola and me in our Aguda, Surulere abode. This time, Bola and I had married and had become man and wife. He never changed from the person we knew years prior. He was untouched, neither by the tyrannies and tinkerings of time nor by the change in his status. He had become Doctor, a PhD holder and well inveterated in the society of academia.

Malogo, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), is a media and communication practitioner

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

GEDITORIAL

RETURN OF LASSA FEVER

The authorities could do more to stem the scourge

oing by the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease, is again on the rampage. In 2022, the disease killed189 Nigerians from 27 states, while about 150 died from it in has claimed 72 lives across 21 states with 65 Edo, and Bauchi States. It is obvious that health authorities and other stakeholders are not paying adequate attention to containing the deadly disease.

Lassa fever has been a serious health challenge in Nigeria

diagnosed in Lassa (the village for which it was named) in Borno State in 1969. It is a viral disease typically transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, saliva, faeces and blood of rodents, particularly during the dry season. The disease causes serious damage to various organs, reducing the body’s ability to function. According to NCDC, the predominant age and 30 years.

starting with fever followed by headache. However, because the symptoms of Lassa

the course of the disease.

The authorities should take both preventive and long-term measures this time around so that we do not continue to lose our citizens to the virus that has for decades been an emblem of shame

past to contain the scourge, the country has been witnessing frequent outbreaks in recent years. This, according to the World Health reduced response capacity in surveillance and laboratory testing.” The symptoms, which include fever, sore throat, vomiting, back pain, cough, and general body weakness, with the virus.

The onset of the disease is often gradual,

ensure their food (cooked or uncooked) is properly covered while regular handwashing should be adhered to. The bush around the home should also be cleared regularly while windows and doors of houses should be closed especially at night. The public should also be adequately enlightened on the dangers posed by rats in their homes. This should be the responsibility of those in charge of the environment, and information which can deploy the National awareness campaign on the issue. Against the background of repeated commitments by various stakeholders to prevent a recurrence of this disease, what the current outbreak has shown clearly is that if indeed there have been any preventive strategies, that the authorities need to do more if we are to rid the nation of the endemic disease that claims the lives of hundreds of our citizens on an annual basis.

be contained quickly before it becomes another national epidemic. But the real challenge is to work towards its total eradication. We hope the authorities will take both preventive and long-term measures this time around so that we do not continue to lose our citizens to the virus that has for decades been an emblem of shame.

Letters to the Editor

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

IN PRAISE OF MALLAM ISA YUGUDA

of Bauchi State from 2007 to 2015, you oversaw the implementation of various initiatives in the educaon the state's citizens are still being evaluated.chi State University, Gadau. Established during your administration, it has transformed into a thriving institution, empowering thousands with higher education. These graduates are not merely individuals equipped with knowledge, they are the architects of a brighter future for the state.

Furthermore, your decision to hand over the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital to the Federal Government paved the way for the establishment of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH). This seemingly simple act had profound consequences. ATBU, previously lacking the

thriving medical program. Last week, a milestone was achieved – the graduation of the university's

a beacon of your forward-thinking approach. You recognized the critical role education plays in empowering individuals and propelling the state's development. Your decisions, made with foresight and a commitment to the betterment of Bauchi State, continue to resonate today.

have earned the gratitude of the people you served, and your story serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders who understand the transformative power of education.

Mukhtar Jarmajo, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja

TOO MANY JOKERS

When the self proclaimed great business leader, Donald Trump produced his latest creation, the golden shoes, they sold out almost immediately. However, a limited supply marketed to cultish supporters is Economics 101

It was interesting to see what else he was licensing and Google supplied

Trump Urine Test Kits which seems like he was taking the piss out of the purchasers.

Trump steaks, probably full of fat.

Trump aftershave, useless to someone like me that sports a beard as well as real hair.

The last one was the Donald Trump playing cards, not a full pack, no aces and a lot of jokers.

The real worry is that he is trying to sell one more dangerous product to the country, himself. There will not be a refund for faulty service or no service.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

RATES AS AT FEBRUARY 29,2024

It has emerged that factors such as foreign exchange fluctuations, age limited of aircraft set by the federal government and high interest rate are responsible for the short lifespan of Nigerian airlines and their inability to acquire new aircraft. Analysts believe this is why no Nigerian carrier has operated schedule service for up to 30 years since the deregulation of commercial airlines in 1988.

Foreign exchange fluctuation, they said, makes it impossible for airlines, which depend on foreign exchange for spares, maintenance and training, to plan and make financial projections.

Also, high interest rate makes it difficult for airlines to access long-term credit facility for aircraft acquisition and operational funds.

Another major factor, stakeholders said, is the federal government policy that bars airlines from bringing aircraft over 22 years for commercial operation in Nigeria.

This, they stated, impinge

on the ability of the airlines to acquire aircraft, as many of the equipment so banned in Nigeria are still relatively new for aircraft, which can operate for over 40 years with proper maintenance.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Chairman/CEO of Omni

Blu Aviation (OBA) Limited, an aircraft charter services operator, Akin Olateru said that an airline needs cash, access to loan with single digit interest rate, good management in addition to good financial planning in order to survive.

“But with foreign exchange fluctuation, an airline cannot plan well and this in the long run leads to its demise. There are two things that are critical to the survival of an airline anywhere in the world. One is access to cash. An airline should be able to access loans with single digit interest rate. The second critical element is good management. You can’t run any business without strong management. So that is given.

“But we have one thing that

is working against us in this part of the world, currency exchange fluctuation. Currency exchange fluctuation alone will kill your business. If the best aviation consultant does a very beautiful business plan, you come in with the right aircraft, employ the right management team, but that singular factor, currency exchange fluctuation, will kill you. Olateru noted that in the US, they operate aircraft, they buy the aircraft, they pay for insurance, they pay for supplies, they pay salaries, all in dollars. They are not exposed to that currency fluctuation.

“In Europe it is the same thing. All bills are paid in Euro. They are not exposed to that currency fluctuation. You come to Nigeria, 85% of your cost is forex, apart from salaries, ground handling bills and fuel. But the bulk of your purchases in terms of volume are in USD. Now, you sell ticket today as schedule airline, due to the depreciation of the naira, the fare may be equivalent to $50. But tomorrow if you want to make

budget on that exchange you find out that the dollar has gone up. You can’t buy at the same rate you sold the ticket,” he explained.

Olateru who is the immediate former Director General, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), recalled when he set up a cargo airline in 2009, did the business plan of the new carrier, but after one year he destroyed the business plan because, “the currency fluctuation had wiped out the entire profit of that operation. We had to rejig, we had to redesign because it just was not making sense anymore.”

“So, it is one big issue. I don’t know how many good businessmen out there that can run any business at all, any business, and make profit when you don’t have a stable exchange rate. In a country where you have to import, in a country where bulk of your purchases are in forex. Nigeria is an economy where we spend naira, but our economy is denominated in dollars. That is a fact. That is why any time you move that dollar, everything moves, unfortunately,” he said.

He said the impact of dollar in Nigeria’s economy is not just about aviation but affects all the sectors of the nation’s economy.

He, however, remarked that in the past the aviation industry was not well structured and organized as it is today, “because the sector in the past was weak and there were no checks and balances as it exists today with strong aviation agencies that regulate and provide service in the industry.”

On the age of aircraft and the minimum number of aircraft needed to start commercial service in Nigeria, Olateru stressed that to move the industry forward; government should review its policies to spur the industry’s growth.

He said that government came up with a policy, which banned aircraft that are 22 years from being brought into the country for schedule service, but the reality is that at 22, most aircraft are still at their peak of operation with effective maintenance.

“Because of a lot of crashes in the past, government came up with a policy that says aircraft that is

22 years is banned in Nigeria as commercial airplane. To me, let’s evaluate 22-year old aircraft ban. If you ask me, it doesn’t make sense. There are extremely few countries in the world that restrict aircraft in terms of age. We focus on maintenance culture. Proper aircraft maintenance is not reactive but proactive. That is what you do on airplanes. So you don’t wait for things to spoil before you change and stuff like that. There are a lot of checks done over time, every week, every month, per hour, per cycle, depending on the maintenance manual approved,” Olateru, an aircraft engineer said. He said it would be difficult for an investor who wish to establish an airline in Nigeria to succeed because he is limited by aircraft age; so, he cannot acquire certain aircraft, including some technologically advanced Boeing NG aircraft because some of them were manufactured in 1999 and over 22 years.

Eromosle Abiodun

Following an exhaustive investigation that spanned weeks, the House of Representatives has dismissed a petition against the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA),

Muhammed Bello-Koko.

A group, the Forum of NonGovernmental Organisations in Nigeria, had petitioned the House Committee on Public Petitions alleging that the MD recorded a bad debt of N173 billion in the audited financial statement

of the authority in 2019.

However, at the resumed public hearing of the committee, the group failed to appear to defend the allegation.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mike Etaba (APC -Cross River) dismissed

the petition for lack of merit.

According to Etaba, “This is the sixth time and the petitioner has not been in this place. The case is hereby dismissed.”

The petitioner had requested the management of NPA to be invited to address the growth

of the alleged debt from N135 billion in 2018 to N173 billion in 2024.

The petition reads in part, ” Our attention has been brought to the 2019 audited financial statement of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) with special reference to Trade

Accounts Receivable and the huge provision made for bad and doubt debts. Whilst we note that the position in 2019 would significantly change by now, the poor quality of NPA’s trade receivable account is alarming and require urgent attention.”

Chinedu Eze

Norse Atlantic Airways Partners Air Peace

Chinedu Eze

Norse Atlantic Airways has formed a strategic partnership with Air Peace through an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) charter agreement on the Nigerian carrier’s Lagos-London service.

The collaboration will guarantee a long-term partnership aimed at providing top-notch air travel solutions between London and Lagos, Nigeria.

The ACMI charter which will start in April 2024, will operate four times a week, offering passengers

convenient and dependable transportation options. Norse Atlantic Airways will utilize London Gatwick slots allocated by Air Peace for this new route. Commenting on this partnership, CEO and Founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, Bjørn Tore Larsen said, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Air Peace on this ACMI charter service between London Gatwick and Lagos. This partnership allows us to bring our charter operation expertise to deliver a reliable and high-quality service to Air Peace and their customers.”

In his remarks, Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, stated that, “We’re delighted to partner with Norse Atlantic Airways for the launch of our London service. As we enter the European market, this strategic partnership enables us to exceed our customers’ expectations, offering superior air travel experiences while optimizing our operations for innovative service delivery.”

Norse Atlantic Airways and Air Peace will explore potential longterm partnerships, collaboration and expansion opportunities.

FAAN Seeks Cooperation, Adoption of Technology in Airport Management

Chinedu Eze

Ahe Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, attended the 71st Airports Council International (ACI} Africa Board Meeting, Regional Committee Meetings Regional Conference and Exhibition, held in Cairo, Egypt, from February 24th to March 1st, 2024.

At the conference she canvassed for cooperation, emphasized the importance of enhancing passenger services and air connectivity and adoption of cutting-edge technology in airport management.

This marked a significant milestone for her leadership and the strategic advancement of FAAN.

The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, explained that this year’s conference theme was ‘Airports: Levers of Socioeconomic and Sustainable Growth.’

She said the event provided a platform for African airports, global technical partners, investors, and consultants to

interact with each other.

This discussions focused on the transformative agenda of airports post-COVID and helped to shape the trajectory of aviation excellence.

The CEO of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, Engineer Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, was the primary host of the conference and he emphasised the commitment of ACI to transforming airports into catalysts for development and efficiency.

During the conference, Mrs. Kuku actively engaged in exclusive sessions tailored for airport chief executives and board members. These discussions revolved around governance, regulatory frameworks, and setting strategic directions for airports across the continent, emphasising collaborative governance models for enhanced operational efficiency and sustainability.

A key focus of Mrs. Kuku’s attendance was fostering relationships with fellow CEOs and exploring potential partnerships to leverage innovative technologies for revolutionizing airport operations,

passenger experiences, and safety standards.

Under her guidance, collaborative discussions centered on integrating cutting-edge technology within airport ecosystems. Topics ranged from biometric screening to advanced baggage handling systems and digital passenger services, all aimed at establishing new benchmarks for passenger service excellence.

Kuku underscored the importance of enhancing passenger services and air connectivity through technological integration and personalized passenger experiences. She explored strategies with airline executives and service providers to enhance air connectivity, aiming to increase passenger traffic and accessibility for FAAN-operated airports.

Understanding the dynamic nature of the aviation sector’s financial landscape, Mrs. Kuku participated in strategic discussions on diversifying revenue streams. This included exploring non-aeronautical revenue avenues such as retail, real estate, and digital services to ensure financial sustainability and growth for FAAN.

MMA2 Wins Big at13th NIGAV Awards

Chinedu Eze

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal

Two (MMA2), has announced its outstanding achievement at NIGAV’s 13th Nigerian Aviation Award and Ministerial Dinner 2023.

MMA2 was honored with two prestigious awards: “Best Airport Terminal Lounge” and “Best Airport Terminal of the Year 2023.” These recognitions underscore MMA2’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service delivery and passenger satisfaction.

The Nigerian Aviation Award and Ministerial Dinner, organized by the Nigerian Aviation Awards (NIGAV), is a highly esteemed

event that celebrates excellence and innovation in the aviation industry across Nigeria.

Reacting, BASL’s Acting Chief Operating Officer/Group Head, Business Strategy & Development, Tosan Duncan Odukoya, said, “This achievement reflects our dedication to providing world-class facilities and services to our esteemed passengers.”

“We are thrilled and deeply honored to receive these prestigious awards,” said Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head, Corporate Communications at BASL.

The “Best Airport Terminal Lounge” award acknowledges MMA2’s commitment to providing passengers with comfortable and luxurious lounge facilities, ensuring a pleasant and memorable travel experience. The lounge offers passengers a serene environment to relax, unwind, and enjoy premium amenities before their flights.

The “Best Airport Terminal of the Year 2023” award recognizes MMA2’s overall excellence in terminal operations, customer service,

cleanliness, and passenger satisfaction. MMA2 stands out as a beacon of excellence in the Nigerian aviation landscape, setting the standard for airport terminals nationwide.

Duncan Odukoya thanked the organizers while also promising to uphold the good standards that BASL is known for.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Aviation Awards (NIGAV) for recognizing our efforts and contributions to the aviation industry. These awards serve as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team members who strive for excellence every day.

“As we celebrate these achievements, BASL reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service excellence and innovation in airport management. We remain dedicated to providing passengers with unparalleled experiences and setting new benchmarks for quality and efficiency in the aviation sector,” she said.

AIR WATCH

NIMET: Collaboration Key to Service Delivery, Contribution to Economy

Chinedu Eze

Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) is a multi-purpose organization that provides critical services to different sectors of the economy. It provides accurate weather reports for the aviation industry in order to ensure safe flight operations.

It also provides weather reports in the maritime industry, averts tragedies during natural disasters by pre-empting such phenomenon before they take place. NIMET plays invaluable role in the development of agriculture through weather prediction and providing sequences of information on climatic change from the beginning of the year to the end.

NIMET is a clairvoyant which tells you what to do in order to avert disaster occasioned by weather intemperance . But its clairvoyance is rooted in science and mathematical certainty, as the agency continues to improve over the years.

Since his appointment, the Director General of NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, has continued with the tradition of collaboration with different entities and agencies whose duties are germane to the core values of NIMET and it has developed a synergy that will benefit the country in many ways.

Recently NIMET met with the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM). Speaking when he welcomed the president and Chairman of the council, Dr. Christiana Atako, Prof. Anosike emphasized the need to collaborate with NIM, saying that so much would be achieved the two organizations work together.

Atako who congratulated Anosike on his appointment as the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, said the appointment is fitting and deserving, given his well-known record of performance in previous responsibilities.

“The institute, to which you belong as a Fellow, is proud of you and believes that you will make a success of this new assignment. The signs of what you are bringing to the table to move the agency forward are already showing with the great managerial and leadership direction you have provided so far.”

During the visit, Atako explained to the NiMet DG the various services offered by NIM, emphasising the potential benefits for the agency. These services encompass executive training and intensive programmes for membership admission.

In her closing remarks, Atako urged NiMet’s management to consider settling outstanding membership dues of staff members as a motivational measure. Additionally, she proposed that NiMet sponsors staff to attend the 2024 Annual National Management Conference (ANMC) of NIM scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from September 22 to 24,2024.

Responding to these proposals, the NiMet DG expressed gratitude to the NIM council for the visit. He highlighted the importance of management as the organising principle of any institution, underscoring NiMet’s commitment to delivering its mandate as outlined by the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, based on the aviation sector roadmap for Nigeria.

In another collaborative effort, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Sahel Consulting had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish sustainable climate monitoring and tackle bottlenecks in the early warnings system.

NiMet’s director-general, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasised the critical role of early warnings in safeguarding citizens.

“The importance of an early warning system cannot be overemphasised and we are willing to partner with any organisation capable of investing in preparedness. This will help protect our population, who should and must be alerted early to climate disasters.”

The Climate Early Warnings project, a collaboration between Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NiMet, is set to roll out six meteorological automatic weather observation systems (AWOS) across Nigeria. Additionally, a mapping room will be established, accompanied by capacity development initiatives for NiMet staff and other government agencies.

The implementation team includes members from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) of Columbia University, New York, USA, among others.

Yemi Adegoroye, representing Sahel Consulting and the consortium and Anosike, on behalf of NiMet, officially signed the MOU. This strategic partnership signifies a collective commitment to enhancing climate resilience and providing early warnings for the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

NIMET has over the years partnered with different countries and has been providing critical services on weather prediction to some West and Central African nations.

Recently NIMET signed a memorandum of understanding with Varysian Limited, a United Kingdom-based weather and climate services consultancy, to partner in key areas that will lead to improved service delivery by the agency.

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Ethiopian Expands Domestic Network

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Africa, has announced the expansion of its domestic services to SouthWestern Ethiopia with a thrice weekly passenger services to be reinstated to Dembi Dollo starting from February 26, 2024.

Regarding the commencement of the new services, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said: “We are pleased to announce the reconnection of Dembi Dolo to Addis Ababa and the rest of our domestic network by air. This air service provides a safe and convenient means of transport for the people of Dembi Dolo and the surrounding area.

Additionally, we believe that this air service will stimulate socio-economic development in the region by facilitating tourism, trade, and investment. This initiative demonstrates Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to developing air transport services throughout Ethiopia.”

The commencement of the new passenger service to Dembi Dollo allows convenient travel to the South-Western part of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines operates passenger flights to 22 domestic destinations in Ethiopia. The group is working on enhancing domestic airport facilities and passenger experience.

Anosike emphasised the significance of staff development within NiMet and acknowledged the relevance of collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Management.

“The science of meteorology requires proper management and coordination. As you are aware, NiMet is a scientific organisation and we have several smart people and Professors working in the agency. We welcome the idea to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Management,” he stated.

Looking forward, Anosike proposed the formalisation of the collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This document would delineate the responsibilities and expectations from both NiMet and NIM. The NiMet DG recognised NIM’s extensive membership base of over 200,000 and saw it as an opportunity for shared experiences.

He indicated the intention to utilise joint platforms to promote the science of meteorology and management while inspiring young individuals to explore these professions.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Prof. Anosike said that the MoU signing and eventual actualization would further strengthen the agency’s commitment to providing world-class weather and climate information services to Nigerians and the various industry sectors that it serves.

“We are happy to be partnering Varysian Limited. Their expertise is in enhancing partnership and collaboration between National Meteorological & Hydrological Services (NMHS) and other industry stakeholders, through world-class events, data and research. The MoU covers a lot of areas but most importantly, we will prioritize operationalizing capacity development of our staff in marine meteorology, instituting a mentorship programme for our staff with global weather and climate services organizations and improving our capacity in parametric weather insurance”, Professor Anosike said.

Collaboration and partnerships are ways organizations and even nations build synergy to be better in what they do. For NIMET, as one of the most reputable meteorology organization in Africa with global reckoning, it must continue to work together with other relevant agencies bot at home and overseas.

As Air Peace Moves to End Duopoly, Exploitation on Lagos-London Route

The United Kingdom is Nigeria’s most visited country in Europe and the route is deemed one of the most lucrative from Nigeria, but over the years, two UK based airlines have enjoyed a duopoly, which makes the airfares to that destination very exorbitant. Nigerian carrier, Air Peace is primed to commence flight service to London on March 20, 2023. Chinedu Eze writes that the airline will knock down the fares to save Nigerians from many years of exploitation.

When Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which took over Arik Air in February 2017, stopped the airline’s flight operation to London, airfares to that destination from Nigeria rose by 40 per cent, according to insiders in the airline.

In the recent past, three Nigerian airlines operated to London. Arik Air operated to London Heathrow, the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways operated to Gatwick, Medview Airline operated to Gatwick and now, Air Peace Limited had been designated to operate to Gatwick. In 2009, Virgin Nigeria Airways stopped its stint with long haul service to London and Johannesburg; in 2017 Arik Air under AMCON receivership stopped flights to London, New York and Johannesburg and in 2018, Medview stopped its flight to London.

THISDAY learnt that there is consistent trend when Nigerian airlines operate international destinations, airfares to those destinations come down. It happened with Arik Air, Virgin Nigeria and Medview and Air Peace has already announced relatively low airfares.

AIR PEACE LONDON OPERATION

Last week, Air Peace announced to travel agents that it would commence flights to London and the airport would be Gatwick. The Chairman and CEO of the airline, Dr Allen Onyema said that the Air Peace London route was borne out of his love for Nigeria and to put an end to high fares from Nigeria to London and back, promising that the airline would give Nigerians the best option in terms of fares.

Currently direct flight to London from Lagos on economy class as at Tuesday, British Airways round trip economy class cost 788 pounds, equivalent to about N2, 357, 900 and one-way ticket was 565 pounds, equivalent to N1, 629, 535. Virgin Atlantic Airways Lagos-London ticket was $1, 460 (about 2, 357, 900) for cheapest round trip or return ticket.

Air Peace announced on Wednesday that its Return Economy Class Ticket goes for N1,200,000 while a Return Business Class Ticket sells for N4,000,000, adding that Nigerians studying in the UK can now access their special 15% rebate on the already reduced Economy fares.

Although the airline initially requested to operate to Heathrow Airport, but when it was given Gatwick it realised that the airport has its advantages for Nigerian passengers.

“Many of our people live down South East part of London and there is heavy traffic into Central London from Heathrow, but at Gatwick, they allotted Southern terminal to Air Peace and when you get to south terminal, you get out of immigration, take your luggage, you walk into the Gatwick express train within three minutes and that will take you to Victoria, right into Central London. From the south terminal you have access to tube, you have access to national rail and you have access to road transport to other parts of UK. So, Gatwick has turned out to even be better for us. That’s why we took Gatwick,” Onyema explained.

FREQUENCY

Onyema also explained that Air Peace would operate daily flight into London and besides its three Boeing B777, Air Peace is also bringing

three brand new Boeing B787 Dreamliners, to join the operation. He added, “We are going to do something different, exceptionally different. The competition is going to be massive and explosive. Nigerians will see something they have never seen before because if you are not prepared for this kind of competition, you get yourself burnt. We are going to give our customers the best. Air Peace will be on that route to provide a difference, make airfares affordable for people, make it seamless with respect. It is going to be a different ballgame.

“Our unique service starts with the equipment we are going to use. It starts with the capacity we want to bring into the market, the ambience, everything you can think of, we have them. So it is left for Nigerians now to patronize their own. And I am really pleased with the Nigerian traveling agencies, their union. They came up with a slogan, ‘Air Peace Our Own’. Some even printed T-shirts, ‘Save the Naira, Fly Air Peace’.”

AFFORDABLE FARES

Former President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Bankole Bernard said that Air Peace’s London flight is a welcome idea, especially as Nigeria would now have its own carrier creating balance of trade which in the past tilted to one side.

“There will be a bit of balance. Air Peace has been given a daily slot to Gatwick which amounts to seven frequencies, compared to 21 frequencies that the legacy airlines have; 14 in Lagos and seven in Abuja. To an extend, we have something that will balance it up. Air Peace is not going to be faced with challenges of foreign exchange because the fares will be in naira. It is a welcome idea for travel agents and Nigeria as a whole. We appeal to Air Peace to try its best to sustain the London route. We are willing to give them all the support to ensure this is successful. With Air Peace, travel agents envisage a 50 percent fare reduction in fares,” Bernard said.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICE

The Managing Director of Flight and Logistics Solutions Limited, Amos Akpan, said the commencement of Air Peace flight to London will give Nigerians better choices and create opportunity for affordable fares and competitive pricing.

“There are few families in Nigeria that do not have relatives in UK. Concerning international trips, Nigerians travel to UK more than other countries because of historical ties. The first benefit of Air Peace operating to London is the choice. Nigerians can now choose between their carrier and foreign carriers. Air Peace fare will definitely not be as high as the fare charged by the current operators on the route. For example, Air Peace management has already announced their intention to create special fare for students on the London Route.

“Nigerians will not need to travel to Togo and Accra to catch a London bound flight

because the fares from these stations are lower than the fares from Lagos and Abuja. The Nigerian travel agencies will now have a wider customer base to catch because lower fares will encourage people to travel. Air peace demand on foreign currency from our Central Bank may not likely rise for Operating the route because she will earn foreign currency from the London Route Operations,” Akpan said.

He also noted that Air Peace operating the London route will benefit parents, students, Nigerians in UK, the air travel industry, and the government of Nigeria.

Advising Air Peace, Akpan said the airline should first target travelers who transit through other African countries to UK, observing that these segment of travelers would be easier catch because Air Peace will save them the inconveniences of transit - waiting time, connection issues, overzealous immigration controls at the transit stations, costs associated with multiple stops.

“My point is that Air Peace should aim to first capture these segments as their low hanging fruits. Simultaneously, Air Peace will keep courting various strata of current and potential travelers on the route,” he said.

Akpan also said that Air Peace should dedicate resources to understanding the British Civil Aviation politics. Find out their sensitivities and how they relate with operators. It should also “drag officers of the Nigerian high commission into every issue concerning Air Peace in UK so they appreciate the workings of the airline operations. They will confidently assist with knowledge.”

He emphasized that Air Peace is technically and operationally competent to operate international flights and has proven so, but each environment has its peculiarities, which the operator must contain to remain in operation.

“Air Peace must be clear on her business case for the route. Be clear on the micro vision of London route as it fits into the overall corporate vision of the company. It’s a journey that requires intentional steps by following a strategic path. It will take time and commitment to build the route. Established operators on the route will not sit back and let Air Peace woo and capture their customers. That some flights may not carry full load initially should not discourage them but should be treated as route development investment.

“The Air Peace team should quickly research on how to link passengers on to connections beyond Gatwick airport. Air Peace already has a strong network of connections in Nigeria and West Africa under the same Air Peace brand. The task now is how the team will integrate these connections to meet the travelers’ needs on the route. For instance, a Nigerian in Ireland would want to travel with Air Peace from Gatwick through Abuja to Kano; or from Gatwick through Lagos to Uyo. It’s better to plan on areas of strength so that you can remain on the route in spite of competition, “he said.

GATWICK

On the choice of Gatwick, Akpan said, “Other operators on the route are established and strong. Heathrow airport offers multiple connections to destinations beyond London. But Air Peace has what it takes to enter the route and carve its niche market on that route. There are possibilities available from Gatwick if strategically well planned. Air Peace has advantage as a Nigerian carrier on the route because most travelers on the Lagos/Abuja - London Route are Nigerians. All Air Peace should do is give Nigerians better offer. Engage native marketers while you offer world class services. Delays and excuses with blame games not acceptable in this arena.”

“Most importantly, Air Peace need financial muscle to stay competitive on the route where mega carriers with access to long tenor single digit facilities operate. They do not need financial grant or bail out, they just need to access funds on terms that allow them remain in business to repay. I repeat that Air Peace has the technical and operational competence for operate international flights and they have been certified, moreso, they’ve repeatedly proven so,” Akpan added.

SCHEDULE INTEGRITY

Many who spoke to THISDAY flogged the issue of on time performance, saying that in such competitive environment, it is excellent service that will keep the airline successfully on the route.

Secretary General of Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr. Olumide Ohunayo said schedule integrity is key to retention of passengers on the route and also retain service providers in airport environment, noting that once the airline’s schedules are not reliable, for instance, the airline might have difficulty in meeting with their services because, “if you delay, they would go to another airline and and this will affect the timing on when they scheduled to serve you.”

“So, I expect schedule reliability, which is very important and key for this route that they have started. I am very happy that we have a Nigerian airline on the route that is opening the space and that Nigeria can do it. I think the government should not be far away to respond to every aero political demand and issues affecting operations from Air Peace management. That is our flag carrier and by virtue of that they have to be supported. Again I expect them to talk to airlines to take some of their passengers beyond London and within the UK itself.”

“I think that is also very important. I am sure it will be success story because Nigerians are fed up with the crazy fares that these other airlines have brought. In the beginning, we were made to believe that Virgin was going to lower its fares when they came to the route and got it approved. But today they are benchmarking these fares with another British operator. So it is only Air Peace that can change the narrative for us. Just like Bellview did before by introducing 2bags and 23kg, I expect some innovations that would make Nigerians feel happy that a Nigerian airline has joined the route. I am happy for them, I just hope they would work on their schedule reliability,” Ohunayo said. Cutting cost, providing excellent service and on time performance are the keys many believe will unlock success for Air Peace on the Lagos-London route.

Benjamin Etoro Abasi: Early Days in Church Choir Advanced My Interest in Music

Benjamin Etoro Abasi, known with the stage name, Dabenja, is a Nigerian Afro-pop musician, who is also the owner of The Mustard Seed (TMS) Music record label. He is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is quite compassionate about helping and uplifting other people in need. This talented artist works to also leave a mark outside of the music industry. He is passionate about social welfare and talks about how he gives back to society. The award-winning artist who has been making waves in the music scene since 2011, speaks about his music career and achievements, his newly released EP titled, “Tribe of Benjamin”, building his community, challenges he has faced in the Nigerian music industry and lots more, in this interview with MARY NNAH

Why did you pick Dabenja for your stage name?

The origin is not far-fetched, it is basically from my name, Benjamin. My initial thoughts were “The Benjamin” but of course that could not work for several reasons. Also I wanted it shorter so I opted for “Dabenja”.

When and how did your musical career it begin?

My interest in music started very early in life. Back in the days, growing up with my parents in Lagos, my family and I were fervent churchgoers. Around the age of eight, I developed an interest in music and this propelled me to join the church choir.

Looking back, I can see how those early days in the church choir advanced my interest in music and possibly laid the foundation for my music career. The discipline of attending rehearsals, and the sheer joy of creating music with others all played a vital role in shaping me as an artist. It was a time of growth and discovery, and I’m grateful for every moment that has led up to who I am today.

What music label Do you work with currently?

I wear two hats in this music game. While I started out releasing independent music, I took the leap a few years ago and founded my label, The Mustard Seed (TMS) Music in 2014. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, allowing me to maintain creative control while building a team I trust and scaling things up in a way that aligns with my vision.

Thriving as an independent artist takes a lot of hustle and resourcefulness. It is not always easy, but the freedom and ownership I have with TMS Music is invaluable. Being able to make decisions quickly, experiment with different sounds, and directly connect with fans has been instrumental in my growth. It is a different approach, but one that works for me!

When can fans anticipate the release of your debut album?

Yes, between 2011 when I started making music, I have produced and released several songs- mostly singles but I have just released an EP titled “Tribe of Benjamin” which is available on all streaming platforms, I encourage everyone to go and listen.

Tell us a little more about the Tribe of Benjamin

The Tribe of Benjamin is my first EP. It is a collection of songs that are personal to me because each song touches on different aspects of my life, the ups and downs, and the challenges I have had to overcome. I believe listeners would be able to resonate with my vulnerability and authenticity. I also hope to build a community called “Tribe of Benjamin”. A community that would assist people in overcoming challenging realities.

What generally inspires your songs?

As a music artist, my inspiration is drawn from several sources, but at the core, is my faith. My music is a reflection of my spiritual beliefs and the experiences I have had.

Beyond faith, my passion for music itself is a profound source of inspiration. The power of music to evoke emotions and connect people on a deep human level is very fascinating to me.

I am also deeply influenced by other music artists and legends. Their creativity and ability to capture so much- emotions, experiences, all that and more through their music inspires me to strive for excellence in my craft.

So, to come back to your question, it is not just one thing that inspires me. It is this confluence of faith, passion, and the legacy of music itself.

Who have you collaborated with in terms of music and who else do you look forward

to collaborating with in the future?

One of the singles I released in 2011 titled “All 4 Love” was in collaboration with Terry G. It won Best Collaboration at the African Entertainment Awards, in Malaysia. I do not have more collaborations for now because I am focusing on building my community and allowing my audience to grow with me and get familiar with my work and voice solo.

In terms of future collaborations, I cannot say for now but I am open to collaborating to other artists who share similar sounds and values as me.

Who are your role models in the Nigerian music industry?

My role models in music are mostly artists I listened to growing up. Today we consider them legends, that would be Fela

Bob Marley and Majek Fashek. They are sources of inspiration to me sometimes when I make music.

Can you share some of the challenges you have faced in the music world, particularly in Nigeria?

As an artist in Nigeria, I have faced numerous challenges in navigating the music industry. One major challenge is the limited marketing budget available to independent artists like myself. Without substantial financial resources, it is difficult to promote music effectively and reach a wider audience.

Another challenge is breaking into international markets. While Nigerian music has gained popularity globally in recent years, it is still a competitive landscape, and breaking through is no easy feat.

“The dynamics of dealing with record labels is also another challenge. While signing with a label can offer resources and opportunities for exposure, it also means navigating contracts and negotiations that may not always be in the artist’s favour which is why I founded my music label. It allows me to have creative liberty.”

Music distribution is also a challenge, especially for independent artists who may not have access to established distribution channels. Getting music onto major platforms and ensuring it reaches listeners across different regions can be a complex and time-consuming process.

The dynamics of dealing with record labels is also another challenge. While signing with a label can offer resources and opportunities for exposure, it also means navigating contracts and negotiations that may not always be in the artist’s favour which is why I founded my music label. It allows me to have creative liberty.

Overall, succeeding in the Nigerian music scene requires persistence, resilience, and a strategic approach to overcome these challenges and make a mark in the industry.

What is your thoughts on the current state of music in Nigeria and what advice do you have for stakeholders on how to improve the industry?

Well, first off, let me say that the current state of music in Nigeria is exciting. We are evolving and expanding. Nigerian artists are pushing boundaries and creating innovative sounds. From Afrobeats to Afropop, Nigerian music is making waves not just locally but on the global stage as well.

While this is good for us, there is room for improvement. We need more support systems for emerging talents to flourish. That is more mentorship and development programs, workshops, and funding opportunities to help artists navigate the complexities of the music business. The government and private investors can give support to music education, and initiatives that empower artists. There should also be support platforms and initiatives that empower independent artists.

You have been described as a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. Tell us a bit about the business ventures you have been into and why you are described as a philanthropist.

I wear many hats, you may say. There are no limits to who a person can be and what they can achieve. I am a music artist and a businessman. I have ventured into businesses in various industries such as Agriculture, Oil and Gas, and Real Estate and even own my record label TMS Music. Having been involved in multiple businesses I guess one can say I am a serial entrepreneur. I also founded a non-profit organisation called, The Dabenja Foundation. which I use as a channel to carry out social welfare activities.

Tell us about the mission Dabenja Foundation. What is the inspiration behind it?

The Dabenja Foundation was inspired by the desire to give back not just for the “sake of it” but to also make life easier for people and to add meaning and value to their lives. Through the foundation, we have been able to feed over 2000 people, offset the medical bills of some individuals who could not afford it and support the educational pursuits of underprivileged children.

Where do you hope to see the brand Dabenja in the next five years?

As the times and technology are changing, you have to adapt as well. So I desire that my sound would have evolved- become better, while maintaining authenticity and originality of course. I hope to see my brand become more global, reaching a wider audience and for my music to continue to be a way to connect with my listeners.

For the Dabenja Foundation, I would like to see we be able to do more good in society, reaching more people and possibly having more collaborators, volunteers and financiers and it inspires more people to lend a helping hand in any way they can to the community around them.

Kuti,

Abasi

Sabre Works Feeds Over 500 Children on Valentine’s Day in Lekki

Mary Nnah

Sabre Works Real Estate Investment, a leading property development company, demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility recently with a heartwarming CSR initiative in Lekki Phase 1.

The event, which saw the company sharing food and feeding 500 children, was a resounding success and left a lasting impression on the community.

The CSR initiative, organised by Sabre Works Real Estate Investment, aimed to alleviate hunger and provide support to families in need within the Lekki Phase 1 community.

The event brought together volunteers, staff members, and community leaders, all united in their dedication to making a positive difference.

“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us”, the Managing Director of Sabre Works Real Estate, Mr Segun Phillips, said. Speaking further, he said, “At Sabre Works, we believe in the importance of corporate social responsibility and are committed to using our resources to

create a lasting impact. “While we take pride in providing our clients with their dream properties, our mission extends beyond real estate transactions. We aim to put smiles not only on the faces of our clients but also on the faces of our community members.”

The event garnered attention from media outlets providing coverage of the heartwarming initiative. The coverage

highlighted the company’s dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Deputy General Manager of Sabre Works Real Estate, Mrs. Omolara, emphasised the significance of the CSR initiative.

“Today’s event exemplifies our company’s values of compassion and community engagement”, she said while adding that the firm was extremely proud to have been able to come together as a

team to make a positive difference in the lives of the children and their families.

Sabre Works Real Estate Investment remains committed to engaging in impactful CSR initiatives that contribute to the well-being and development of communities across Nigeria.

The company looks forward to continuing its efforts to create positive change and build a better future for all.

MTWA Expresses Commitment to Bridging Africa’s Leadership Gap

Sunday Ehigiator and Esther Oluku

Cleric and convener, ‘Mission to WestAfrica’(MTWA)Conferences, Mr. John Enelamah, has expressed commitment of the MTWAseries to bridge Africa’s leadership gaps beginning with Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria.

Enelamahmadethissubmission while speaking at the MTWA2024 conference themed, ‘The Rising Woman’,anddovetailstoaLeaders Conferencethemed,‘Equippingthe Equippers’, held over the weekend in Lagos State.

According to him, “We are committedtoencouragingandenabling transformationalleadership,foster-

ing inclusive growth and driving sustainable reforms in Africa and by extension Nigeria. With this we believe Nigeria can find the solution to her economic woes.

“The Mission to West Africa (MTWA) conferences 2024 is the second in the series of annual conferences hosted by John Enelamah, Founder of Kingdom Apostolic Revival Ministries (KARM) in conjunction with Apostles in the Marketplace (AiP), Endtime Revival Ministries (ERM) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

“Among the speakers at this year’s women’s conference is Mrs IbukunAwosika, Ms Esther Ibanga, Ms Teresa Conlon and Mrs Peace Okonkwo.”

In her address, Awosika referenced the scriptural parable of the talents. She stated that everyone’s work in spite of their gender would be required by God in the afterlife, hence women must work to ensure that they put good use to their gifts and talents so as to receive their reward from the creator of all life.

“God has work to be done and he needs everybody in his army and that army is for men and women. The population of the world is almost 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women.

“Imagine if 50 per cent were disarmed by lack of knowledge? The gifts of God are not gender sensitive.Theyarepurposesensitive. I’ve come to tell you that you are not an appendage in God’s kingdom.

“I have come to challenge you thatadayofreckoningiscoming.On that day it would be about you and your work. It would not be about my husband or my children not let me do this or that.

“Every woman must work out their own salvation. God knew he gave you a husband.Your husband is meant to enhance your journey. For everything there is a purpose.

“Don’t compare your life with another’s. What is most important is that the life that you are working throughisalignedtotheassignment of God to your own life and that you are disposing of your gifts and talents to serve him accordingly. All you need to be is all that God wants you to be, not like every other woman.”

Odega Unveils Visibility of Divine Opportunities

Mrs. Ngozi Ruby Odega has unveiled Vjisibility of Divine Opportunities. Odega in this 176 page book with nine chapters, published by A. A-PETER EXPRESSIONS Lagos, in 2023, exposes a practical and intentional gift of God to the end-time Christian.

Odega, who had launched the book on the occasion of her 70th Birthday on October 21, 2023, is a teacher of the word and a counselor. Odega, through the book, said careful scanning of Nigeria’s environments could lead to discovery of opportunities to fullfil purpose.

She said impactful life is possible only when the opportunities to serve are discovered and utilized. Written in easy to read

grammar, the book was born out of the need to see Divine Opportunities where ever “we may find ourselves.”

“This burden for discovery lies more on the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed, saved and positioned at

our individual duty post to serve.

“This could only be possible if we could see by the leading of the Holy Spirit, the hidden opportunities that God has provided for us at any point in time. With this empowerment, the willing believer understands the assignment,” she said.

From chapter one to the last, the book x-rays available ways through which any seriousminded person, especially the believer in Christ Jesus could see and identify opportunities that God has showered on all His children to walk and work out divine purpose.

Odega, married to Engineer Evangelist Dr. Emmanuel Ogo Odega of Rubema Christian Missions Support International

with and grandchildren, has wealth of knowledge spanning through missions outreaches to the circular environment where she has “left indelible marks on the sand of time.”

Prof. Adeshola O. Adepoju, of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), in a foreword to the book wrote: “You will agree after reading the last page of this book that this is indeed a great work, detailed and concise as you navigate the pages. You discover the enormous divine opportunities that God is bringing your way day in day out. The greatest desire of the heavenly bound vessel of God in this end time should be that the visibility of His Divine opportunities for us to serve must never be obscure to us!”

Tobe Bakre, Kaylah Oniwo, Zeelicious and Others Named Knorr Eativists

In commemoration of ‘World Eat for Good Day’ held every February 19, to inspire people to “eat better for themselves and the planet,” Knorr, a prominent brand within the Unilever portfolio recently unveiled 14 Eativists for the Nigeria leg of the global programme.

At the formal event held at their Lagos headquarters, Category Manager, Nutrition, Unilever West Africa, Damilola Dania described Eativists as food

enthusiasts who religiously incorporate veggies into their meals and consciously opt for choices that benefit both themselves and the planet, while inspiring others to do the same.

Alongside the unveiling of Tobi Bakre, Taymesan, Anu Bakre, Mory Coco, Kaylah Oniwo, Linda Ejiofor - Suleiman, Nancy Umeh, Chef Derin, Chef Cupid, Chef Roux, Diary of a Kitchen Lover (Tolani Tayo-

Osikoya), Zeelicious Foods (Winifred Nwania), Chef Fregz, and Dr. Robert as the brand’s official Eativists, a glimpse into their diverse lifestyle of eating for good was showcased in a film that parades them.

Brand Manager, Knorr, Arinze Madumere, emphasised the significance of the Eat for Good movement. He said:

“We believe that what’s on your plate has an impact, not just on your health, but the

LASSOD TO TRANSFORM EVENT INDUSTRY WITH OYOYO EVENTS APP

The event planning industry in Nigeria has witnessed a massive transformation with the introduction of the novel platform tagged “Oyoyo Events App”, designed to seamlessly connect event vendors, planners, and enthusiasts.

Speaking during the presentation of the App to the WellWatered Garden Tribe (WWGT) community, which is the first meet-up of many Nigerians in the industry in Yaba recently, Founder/Executive Chair, Lassod Consulting Limited, Lanre Sanni said, “Oyoyo App offers AI-powered planning and budgeting tools for planners, a stage for vendors to showcase and promote their services beyond their geographical boundaries, and a means for event enthusiasts to explore and register for events.”

According to him, the app can be used to ticket both free and paid for event enthusiasts to discover or find using its dynamic search filter. These are just to mention but a few features of the App.

On the impact the new technology would create in the industry, he stated that “Oyoyo Events App goes beyond conventional event platforms. It automates tasks, provides data insights, and facilitates seamless connections between event planners, vendors and event lovers,” adding that ‘By streamlining processes, fostering fair deals, and enhancing event experiences, Oyoyo Events App empowers industry stakeholders.”

“This innovation catalyzes event awareness, efficiency, collaboration, and success, thereby helping to further professionalize the sector and deepening the overall growth of the event industry,” Founder Lassod Consulting revealed.

Whereas most Apps are built with traditional tech tools and software, the Oyoyo Events App leverages cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) for its event planning and budgeting feature, ensuring automated and data-driven decision-making.

Additionally, it incorporates secure payment systems, an intelligent review and vendor rating system, as well as integration of social media features.

“The technology aims to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for event vendors, planners, and event enthusiasts alike,” Sanni enthused.

For those the App is built for, the organization said that “The Oyoyo Events App caters to a diverse audience within the event ecosystem. Our primary target includes event planners looking for streamlined and efficient planning processes, vendors seeking wider markets, connections, and competitive deals; as well as event enthusiasts searching for tailored events. It strives to create an inclusive platform that addresses the unique needs of each segment within the industry.”

Stressing the importance of the app for the industry at the moment, the founder of the WWGT community, Bisi Sotunde said “While online presence is common, Oyoyo Events App stands out by offering more than just a digital space. It introduces advanced AI tools, secure and affordable payment systems, and a collaborative event environment.

PIONEER NIGERIAN ARTIST, PA

TIMOTHY FASUYI DIES AT 87

Yinka Olatunbosun

One of the founding fathers of Nigerian art and art educationist, Pa Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi is dead. The sad incident occurred on January 27. He was one of the pioneer students of Nigeria College of Arts and Science now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, an art teacher, painter, sculptor and former Federal art adviser who took over from late Ben Enwonwu in 1969.

He established the first cultural centre in Nigeria, TAFAS Cultural Centre, Ikeja Lagos and was instrumental to the development of art and culture in Nigeria.

Born inApril 1935, in Ilesha, Osun State, he obtained his first Diploma in FineArts at the Nigerian College ofArts, Science & Technology, Zaria, 1959 now Ahmadu Bello University with specialization in painting. His second diploma in art education was obtained at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA and he also studied a course in art education at the University of Sydney, Australia, 1971.

The pioneering artist, also known as the Baba Ijo St. SavioursAnglican Church Ilesa, began teaching in 1960 and served as art education officer at the King’s College, Lagos. In addition, he took the position of an art adviser to the Nigerian government and was a Founding member of the Society of Nigerian Artists.

environment as well. We have strategically chosen Eativists to inspire people to eat a wider variety of foods, more vegetables, more plants, and less meat. With these small, significant changes, we can optimise our health and improve environmental sustainability.”

Tayo-Osikoya expressed enthusiasm for the programme’s direction and how it aligned with her perspective on healthy eating.

Some of his early group exhibitions include “Inaugural Exhibition of the Society of Nigerian Artists,” Exhibition Centre, Lagos, in 1964. “Contemporary Nigerian Art: Exhibition for Ori-Olokun Opening,” Ori-Olokun Cultural Centre, Ile-Ife in 1968. “Contemporary Nigerian Art,” Commonwealth Institute Art Gallery, London in 1968. “Contemporary Nigerian Prints and Paintings,” Fourth Ife Festival of the Arts, Gallery of the University of Ife Library, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, in 1971. “Offerings from the Gods,” National Theatre, Lagos, JuneJuly 1985. “Silver Jubilee National Art Exhibition,” National Theatre, Lagos; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; as well as Lugard Hall, Kaduna, in 1985.

As a scholar, his writings include Cultural Policy in Nigeria, published in1973.HewasarecipientoftheAustralianCommonwealthScholarship in 1971; and a Fellow of Asele Institute, Nimo in 1985. His son and former investment banker, Wale Fasuyi named the art gallery in GRA Ikeja “Tim&Carol” after his parents and in memorial of Pa Fasuyi’s legacy in Nigerian art.

Sabre Works team during its CSR initiative in Lekki, Lagos

Lassod Consulting Limited, Founder, Lanre Sanni

RMB Advises CardinalStone Capital, iFitness on Landmark Transaction in Private Equity Market

Kayode Tokede

CardinalStone Capital Advisers (CCA), a West Africanfocused private equity fund manager has announced that its CardinalStone Capital Advisers Growth Fund (CCAGF) has exited its investment in i-Fitness Nigeria Limited (iFitness), to Verod Capital Management Limited (Verod). Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited (RMB) acted as Lead Financial Adviser to CCA and i-Fitness on the transaction.

iFitness is Nigeria’s leading and fastest-growing fitness chain. Established in 2015, iFitness has been providing ease of access to fitness services in Nigeria with low-cost gym facilities and

highly qualified personal trainers, thereby providing a wholesome wellness experience. CCA, through CCAGF, invested in the fitness chain in 2019 with the vision of making fitness more accessible to a larger segment of the Nigerian market.

RMB played a crucial role in running a competitive sale process that ultimately resulted in the selection of Verod as the preferred investor and worked with CCA and iFitness to structure an optimal solution to complete the transaction.

Head of Investment Banking for Broader Africa at RMB, Chidi Iwuchukwu commenting on the transaction, said “The transaction further solidifies RMB’s reputation as

a trusted financial partner in unlocking value for investors within the evolving West African business landscape. With the investment from Verod, iFitness is well positioned to embark on the next phase of its growth journey.”

Head of Corporate Finance, Bimbo Oyeyiga speaking further on the transaction mentioned, “Leveraging our robust networks and credentials, RMB facilitated this transaction by navigating complexities with precision, thereby ensuring an efficient and sustainable solution was delivered to our client. This transaction demonstrates that despite the challenging macro backdrop, there remains capacity for exits in the West Africa private equity market.”

Jeethu Jose Appointed Managing Director of WACT

Mr. Jeethu Jose has been appointed as the new Managing Director of APM Terminals’

West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria, taking over from Mr. Syed Naved Zafar.

Until his new appointment, Jose was the Deputy Managing Director of West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne.

In his new role, Mr. Jose will be responsible for continuing the expansion and transformation of the global terminal operator’s strategic gateway terminal in Eastern Nigeria. He will report to Frederik Klinke, the CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria and will work closely with the senior leadership team in Nigeria, the regional team and the global APM Terminals team in The Hague.

“I am happy to continue my

journey in Nigeria to contribute to the realisation of the country’s economic aspiration. Nigeria, which is the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, remains one of the most important markets in the region.

“I look forward to working with relevant stakeholders towards the successful implementation of our strategic priorities in WACT. I also look forward to expanding the frontiers of service delivery to our numerous customers especially in Eastern Nigeria,” the new WACT Managing Director said.

Jose joined Maersk Group in 2016 and during this tenure has spent time in different roles leading different transformations and teams across geographies. He has spent the last four years in Nigeria, starting with being a part of driving the transformation

journey for our APM Terminals Apapa and then moving to WACT in 2022. As a Deputy Managing Director in WACT and Head of Country Projects, Jose was heading the USD 115 million Onne Terminal Upgrade Project (OTUP), and also supported the acceleration of the group’s ambition of being the most value creating terminal company for all stakeholders.

Prior to moving to Nigeria, Jose was responsible for the Asia, Middle East and Africa region for the Maersk global Procurement organisation and has also been a part of the Board of Directors for one of the Maersk Indian entities.

With deep knowledge and passion for transformations and people, Jose has shown strength in his people leadership – building and transforming parts of the business he has led.

Kabiru Wins N1m Star-prize at ‘LAPO Xpress Save and Win Promo’

Sunday Ehigiator

A customer of Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) Microfinance Bank, based in Zaria, Kaduna State has won the Star-prize amount of N1 million at the LAPO Xpress Save and Win Promo, held yesterday at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.

Speaking before the draws, LAPO’s Founder, Dr. Victor Ehigiamusoe said, the promo was held in line with the bank’s mission to provide value-driven and accessible financial services through innovation.

According to him, “We designed the Xpress savings account, a tier one savings account with basic account opening requirements and a very easy entry savings amount as low as N200.

“The key objective of the Xpress savings account is to further deepen financial inclusion, achieve poverty alleviation, and invariably help our customers build sustainable wealth. The Xpress savings promo was carefully designed to through a reward system influence behavioural change to adopt savings as a means of building sustainable

wealth. Season 1 of the Xpress savings attracted participants from across the country with Mrs. Sherifat Haruna, a resident of Adamawa State, emerging as the star prize winner of the sum of N500, 000 and 100 customers won N20,000 each as a consolation prize.”

Speaking on the criteria of qualification for the promo, The Head of Corporate Planning Department, LAPO, Dorcas Thorpe, said, “The criteria used was for customers to open the Xpress Savings Account, and start saving at least N30,000 within 3 months.

Wemy Industries Reiterates Commitment to Economic Growth

Wemy Industries, a leading player in the Nigerian manufacturing sector and manufacturers of DR Browns and Nightingale products, has reiterated its commitment to economic growth as it expands to other African Countries.

This was stated by the Managing Director, Mr. Paul Odunaiya during his interview where he shed light on the strategies employed by the company to navigate the challenging

economic landscape in Nigeria.

In response to the harsh economic realities in Nigeria, Odunaiya shared that Wemy Industries has expanded its market reach by focusing on exportation to other African countries. Leveraging the stronger value of the CFA compared to the Naira, the company has successfully increased production capacity due to heightened demand in these markets.

Highlighting the importance of backward integration, he further discussed Wemy Industries’ proactive approach to reduce constant importation of raw materials and revealed the ongoing conversations with local cotton farmers in Nigeria to cultivate raw materials for production, expressing hope that, in the future, manufacturers will rely less on imports for their raw material needs.

L-R: Chief Revenue Officer, Veridapt Pty Limited,, Mr. Taofeek Hamid; Country Director Nigeria, DMT Collateral Management, Mr. Femi Olaiya; Lead Consultant, 3T Impex Trade Academy, Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo; Head, Credit Risk Management, Addosser Finance, Mr. Raphael Ajiboye, Vice President, Strategy and Growth, Veridapt Pty Limited, Mr. Damir Hasagic; and Chief Executive officer, DMT Collateral Management Limited, Mr. Paul Minlah, during the Nigeria Trade Conference in Lagos recently

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $81.30 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $79.70 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), 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).

Lafarge Africa Declares N51.14bn PAT Amid Foreign Exchange Loss

Kayode Tokede

Lafarge Africa Plc has announced on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) a 4.7 per cent decline in profit to N51.14 billion in its audited result and accounts for the full year ended December 31, 2023 from N53.65billion reported in 2022.

The cement maker saw its profit dropping by 4.7 per cent over N21.04billion foreign exchange loss reported in 2023

from N13.13billion in 2022 and N27.64billion income tax expense in 2023 from N14.66billion in 2022.

This brings Lafarge Africa profit before tax to N80.7 billion in 2023, an increase of 15.7per cent from N69.75 billion reported in 2022.

Upon decline in profit, the Board of directors of Lafarge Africa proposed a gross dividend of N1.90kobo (2022: N2. 00kobo) on every ordinary share in issue,

amounting to N30.6billion in 2023 from N32.22 billion in 2022.

Lafarge Africa declared net sales of N405.5 billion in 2023, a growth of 8.6 per cent from N373.25billion in 2022, driven by cement sales that moved from N361.96 billion in 2022 to N 392.57billion in 2023.

The CEO of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi in a statement said, “The fundamentals of our business remain strong. In spite of extremely challeng-

ing macroeconomic headwinds, we grew the top line by 8.6per cent and improved Operating Margin from 22.6per cent to 25.3per cent in 2023.

“In the face of very material FX devaluation losses and higher effective tax rate, Profit After Tax declined YoY by 4.7per cent. Our performance was largely impacted by spiralling inflation and unprecedented Naira devaluation, with the attendant pressure on energy

and supply chain costs.

“Despite these challenges, we continue to maintain a strong free cash flow position and a strong balance sheet, positioning us for sustainable growth over the medium to long term.

“We are committed to delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders in the coming years, as we have done historically. I would like to thank all employees and stakeholders

of Lafarge Africa for their commitment over the ye ars.”

On outlook for this year, the company said, “The Nigerian Infrastructure and Construction Sector is expected to continue growing despite inflationary pressure and currency depreciation affecting the economy. As a result, we maintain our positive outlook, expecting increased demand in 2024 as the economy picks up.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF FEBRUARY /29/24

INAUGURATION OF STATE ASSEMBLIES BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ROUNDTABLE...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Dr Tayo Aduloju; Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN), Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chairman, NESG, Mr. Niyi Yusuf; and Board Member, NESG, Mr. Nnanna Ude, during the official signing of an MOU between the NESG’s Ernest Shonekan Centre for Legislative Reforms and Economic Development and CSSLN, to inaugurate the State Assemblies Business Environment Roundtable (SABER)

Adelabu Inaugurates Five Projects Under Presidential Power Initiative

Says

FG finalising reworked deal with Siemens

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has inaugurated five projects, located in Okene, Kogi State, Amukpe, Delta State, Potiskum, Yobe State, Apo in Abuja, and Ihovbor, Edo State, under the phase one of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

The phase one of the PPI is targeted at increasing Nigeria’s wheeling capacity by 272 megawatts, thus culminating in a more robust delivery of electricity to consumers across the nation.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 60MVA power transformer, Adelabu, said concurrently, the federal government was remotely

inaugurating the four additional sites.

“This is why we commend the strides that have been made by the FGN Power Company under the PPI. In particular, the partnership that has been forged with the German government and Siemens Energy which led to the production and installation of these world-class equipment we are commissioning today.

“PPI, I must note, is a strategic and systematic approach to solving Nigeria’s perennial problems of unreliable and inadequate electricity supply. I am delighted that with the German Government’s partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the execution of the

FG to Commence Grains Distribution Next Week, Promises Transparency

James Emejo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday said the distribution of 42,000 metric tons of grains recently released from the strategic food reserve to ameliorate the suffering of vulnerable Nigerians amid the current economic hardship would finally commence next week.

This was disclosed by the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, after a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Abubakar Kyari, ahead of the inauguration of the state’s mechanisation programme by President Bola Tinubu.

Answering questions from journalists, the governor said the distribution of the grains will be flagged off in the state which will be used as pilot in the North-Central.

In addition, Bago said apart from the grain promised by the federal government, the state government had further acquired 120,000 trucks of grains including rice, beans, millet, sorghum, soybeans among others to be distributed freely to its citizens as part of efforts to support the people in these trying times.

He said, “We have vowed to match their dollar to a dollar, if the federal government is giving us N100 million, we will also give a N100 million. We will continue to farm and we are doing lots of sensitisation for our farmers to go back to agriculture including aquaculture, livestock among

others.”

Nonetheless, Kyari explained that the 42,000mt including Sorghum, millet, maize, and gari will be distributed across the country.

He stressed that the second phase of the dry season farming would also be flagged off next week in Niger, before extending the commencement to other states.

On the number of people to benefit from the distribution of the free grains, the minister said the template for the distribution remained with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as they intend to start distribution from the local government areas to the states before the federal.

Kyari said the ONSA would be heavily involved in the distribution including security agencies, the police, civil defense, and armed forces among others to mitigate potential grain hijacks.

He also assured that the operation will be robust as the media, CSOs, religious groups, and workers unions will witness the distribution.

The minister said, "I can assure you that it is going to be very transparent. When the template is concluded, we are going to declare to everybody where, what, and how the distribution will go.

“Those issues will be addressed. I know a lot of people are worried about what has happened in the past. But we will set up a template for everyone to see."

PPI, we will be able to deliver reliable power supply to the entire country.

“Mr. President has mandated that we accelerate our agreement with Siemens Energy, and we are currently finalising the scope of that work with all stakeholders,” he said.

Similarly, the Managing Director/ CEO, FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe, described the day as historic in the journey to provide Nigerians reliable power supply.

“The PPI has embarked on a noteworthy initiative by deploying 10 power and 10 mobile substations across Nigeria. This strategic move will augment the transmission wheeling capacity, a pivotal component of the current administration's concerted efforts to expeditiously deliver enhanced power supply.

“Importantly, the deployment of these devices underscores our steadfast dedication to advancing improved electricity access for the people of Nigeria.

“We acknowledge the importance of improved power supply towards the attainment of the present administration’s Renewed Hope agenda and assure Mr. President of our determination to provide all necessary leverage towards the attainment of his administration’s national objective,” he said.

According to him, when, on August 31, 2018, the federal government established the PPI, the underlying objective was to coordinate the partnerships and secure financing for the project that would improve the country’s power transmission, distribution, and generation capacity for the

benefit of Nigerian households and businesses.

“Through hard work and driven by an immeasurable sense of patriotism, the Nigerian government was able to reach an agreement with the German government, resulting in Siemens Energy’s emergence as the implementation partner to deliver on PPI’s mandate to modernise and revamp infrastructure in the power sector .

“Partnering with the German Government, Siemens A.G and Siemens Energy, we were able to set for ourselves and our dear country Nigeria, the ambitious task of boosting power supply from an estimated 4,000 megawatts to 25,000 megawatts.

“We are aware of the country’s economic and social potentials and needs. Therefore, FGN Power

Company, through the PPI, has laid plans for an even distribution of power infrastructure across all the geopolitical and potential economic power zones of the country,” Anuwe stated.

He argued that with improved power supply in Kogi State as well as in other parts of North Central Nigeria, investments in agriculture and food processing will begin to spiral.

He added: “This administration is setting the course towards economic development, and access to energy is the foundation for job creation and economic growth.

“I am happy to announce that with our partnership with Siemens Energy, we have been able to create more jobs while also delivering capacity building in the area of power sector engineering for Nigerian engineers.”

Brand: Sustainability reporting can impact business growth, salvage planet

James Emejo in Abuja

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, yesterday vowed that going forward, the council would hold any accounting professional or company accountable for any violation of its governance codes.

Speaking after a meeting with the visiting Chief Executive, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Ms. Helen Brand, Olowo said the council would also strengthen its enforcement mechanisms to ensure that everyone was held accountable for their actions or inaction that contravenes the FRC laws.

Both parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their commitment to working together.

Olowo said, “So, one of the things we could do is to make sure that we do not allow any professional who goes against the core conduct that is expected in the profession to practice.

“If you look at FRC and what

the ACCA stands for; we are not just about promoting the works of accountants; we want to make sure we promote and oversight credible work that would lead to credible financial reporting. It’s the kind of alignment that we share as FRC and the ACCA.”

He said, “We want to make sure that we hold to account, accountants, auditors or anyone who is a professional within the financial reporting framework to make sure that they do the right thing and we would hold them accountable to doing the right thing.”

The FRC boss said the council could restrict any professional going against the core conduct that is expected in the profession from practicing.

He said, “We can do that and we have been doing that and we have a joint resolve to ensure that we take that enforcement very seriously going forward.”

He said the Brand’s visit remained critical to FRC having been the council’s long-term strategic partner over the years.

He said, “ACCA has been a

long-term supporter of the FRC, especially in the areas of technical assistance, exchange of ideas and insights with everything that has to do with the profession.

“We see them as a credible partner to discuss issues around financial reporting, corporate governance, and even more specific issues of the future such as sustainability reporting and everything that has to do with areas of our core mandate.”

He pointed out that the FRC had within the last four months, launched two new directorates – the Directorate of Valuation Standards; and Directorate of Actuarial Sandards. He said the council had also issued exposed drafts of its new codes of corporate governance for public institutions and notfor-profit sectors for stakeholders’ inputs.

“So, all these areas are the fulcrum of discussions this afternoon to see how we can work with the ACCA to strengthen our technical base and strengthen the outcomes of all of these areas,” he added.

Brand, however, said she was in the country to reinforce the long-term collaboration that the association has had with FRC over the years, adding that the “work never ends”.

She said the accounting profession, like any other profession, has to respond to the emerging global circumstances, particularly the issue of sustainability reporting and practice.

Brand pointed out that the ACCA, remained one of the first bodies to commit to capacitybuilding partners following last year’s release of the first two sustainability standards by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

She told THISDAY, “We want to share what we are doing with FRC in promoting the adoption of those standards”.

According to her, Sustainability reporting can drive businesses and sustainable business practices and ultimately save the planet, adding that people need the education to drive sustainable practices in their organisations.

ROUNDTABLE EVENT ON PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION...

Oronsaye Report Has Become Obsolete, Requires Review, House, Sani Advise Tinubu

LCCI tasks FG on clear action plan for Implementation

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives, yesterday, said the Stephen Oronsaye Report on civil service reform had become outdated and needed to be updated before implementation.

Senator Shehu Sani spoke in a similar vein.

But Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) urged the federal government to provide a clear action plan for the implementation of the Oronsaye report.

The House, at plenary, told Tinubu to comprehensively review the 2012 Oronsaye report and all other related reports and white papers before any implementation.

Specifically, the green

chamber urged the president to comprehensively review the Goni Aji Report, which reviewed Oronsaye Report, the White Paper released by the President Jonathan administration, the Ama Pepple White Paper, and the Ebele Okeke White Paper, in line with current realities.

The resolution of the House was sequel to adoption of a motion of urgent national importance jointly moved by Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, Hon. Olumide Osoba, and Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi.

Moving the motion, Nkemkanma recalled that in 2012, the Jonathan administration set up the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals,

CBN Board Nominee Turns Down Tinubu's Appointment

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The South-east nominee for membership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) board of directors, Urum Kalu Eke, has turned down his appointment.

This came to the fore yesterday during confirmation of appointments of four other nominees by the Senate.

The Chairman of Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (APC Lagos East),made this known in the report of his committee which screened the nominees.

Abiru had while presenting his report for the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate after screening exercise carried out on them, informed his colleagues that Eke didn't attend the session.

He specifically informed the Senate that four other nominees, Mr Robert Agbede , Mr Ado Yakubu Wanka , Prof. Murtala Sabo Sagagi and Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu , appeared before the committee for screening and convinced it of their suitability for the appointments .

He thereafter urged the Senate to confirm appointments of the four nominees who attended the screening session and decline that of Kalu Eke who didn't attend the screening exercise.

But for purpose of clarity , a member of the Committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC Abia North),

quickly rose to inform the Senate that Eke being one of his constituents , called him that he was declining the appointment to avoid conflict of interest .

According to Kalu , Eke is a consultant to the World Bank and other international financial institutions which would make him not have the required time to function well, as one of the directors of the CBN .

"Mr President , I'm a member of the committee that carried out screening on nominees forwarded to the Senate for appointment as members of Board of Directors of CBN by President Bola Tinubu .

" During the screening exercise , Urum Kalu Eke from Abia North , called me for not attending the session. He said as a consultant to the World Bank and other international financial institutions , he wouldn't take the appointment to avoid conflict of interest," Kalu said.

Commissions and Agencies, headed by Stephen Oronsaye, a retired federal civil servant and former Head of Service of the Federation.

He said the Oronsaye committee, after their painstaking assignment, recommended the scrapping and merging of 220 out of the then existing 541 government agencies.

The lawmaker noted that the committee’s 800-page report noted that the government's parastatals and agencies’ functions were overlapping and, therefore, recommended the reduction of statutory agencies from 263 to 16.

It also suggested the abolition of 38 agencies, the merger of 52 and the reversion of 14 to departments in ministries and the management audit of 89 agencies, capturing biometric features of staff as well as the discontinuation of government funding of professional bodies/ councils.

Nkemkanma stressed that the Oronsaye Report revealed then that if the committee's recommendation was implemented, the government would be saving over N862 billion between 2012 and 2015 with a breakdown, which showed that

about N124.8 billion would be reduced from agencies proposed for abolition.

The report, he said, also noted that about N100.6 billion would be saved from agencies proposed for mergers; about N6.6 billion from professional bodies; N489.9 billion from universities; N50.9 billion from polytechnics; N32.3 billion from Colleges of Education and N616 million from boards of federal medical centres.

He said after the committee’s report, the white paper committee set up by Jonathan’s

administration rejected most of the recommendations, while those accepted were not implemented.

The lawmaker further recalled that the in November 2021, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration inaugurated two committees: one of the committees chaired by Goni Aji, a retired Head of Civil Service of the Federation was to review the Oronsaye report and the second committee, chaired by Ama Pepple, also a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was constituted to review agencies created between 2014 and 2021.

Peter Obi: Increase in MPR, CRR will Further Worsen Nigeria’s Economy

Sunday Ehigiator Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has revealed that the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 22.5 per cent and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 45 per cent will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households.

He argued that it is bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, and push interest rate on bank loans to 30 per cent

Obi through in statement on his X handle yesterday, opined that addressing insecurity challenges in

the country remain the only way to manage the country's high inflation rate and decline in production.

"I am of the strong opinion that the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the MPR to 22.5 per cent and the Cash Reserve Ratio, to 45 per cent will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian household.

“It is bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans and credit facilities for their funding needs.

"Tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, ie food production, which is the major

cause of inflation in Nigeria.

"Moreover, only about 12 per cent of N3.6 trillion of the total money in circulation is in the banking system which means that 88 per cent, about N3.2 trillion is outside the banking system.

"So, this measure would rather be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing the money supply,” he said.

According to him, these new measures will worsen the fragile economy as the supply of funds would dry up for the real sector, and the new MPR rate hike will push the interest rate on loans to above 30 per cent.

"The most critical way to manage our high rate of inflation and decline in production is for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country, which will allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and an overall increase in production, which will make products, especially food, cheaper.

"This way, we would increase our productivity as well as restore the confidence of FDIs and FPIs to come back to the country.

"I must caution that what the Nigerian economy needs now is hard headed practical originality and results. Tinkering with classical economic theories can only deepen our crisis," he added.

House Seeks Mandatory Drug Testing for Secondary School Students

Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The House of Representatives, yesterday, urged the Federal Ministries of Education and Health to collaborate and develop a mandatory drug testing programme for secondary school students in Nigeria.

It also urged the National Orientation Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to increase awareness about substance abuse among secondary school students nationwide.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the Need to Introduce Mandatory Drug Testing for Secondary School Students in

Nigeria moved by Hon. Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun at plenary on Thursday.

Oshun noted that adolescence was a critical period for drug abuse, influenced by factors such as experimental curiosity, peer pressure, poor socio-economic conditions at home and the need for extra energy for daily activities.

He noted that the youths were critical stakeholders in fostering socio-economic development in the country and their vulnerability to societal vices necessitates strategic government intervention to secure their wellbeing and enhance their contributions to national development.

He expressed concern that substance abuse among young people was fast becoming a global public health concern, gradually leading to complications like personality disorders, drug dependence and death.

"According to studies, which showed a notable prevalence of drug and substance abuse across secondary schools in Nigeria, one in every four students aged between 15-19 years abused substances, and codeine-containing syrup and tramadol topped the list of drugs, ranking higher than cannabis.

"Aware that Random Student Drug Testing (RSDT) is a drug prevention programme whereby

students are tested for recent use of illegal substances, and is aimed at deterring drug use and identifying students who need help with staying drug-free.

"Cognizant that a mandatory routine and random drug testing for students is for preventive, not punitive purposes, and early intervention is crucial for achieving success in tackling the menace of substance abuse"

The lawmakers, however, mandated their committees on Basic Education and Services, and Healthcare Services to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks (4) for further legislative action.

L-R: Managing Director Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad; Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmud Mamman; and Chairman Commissioners of Energy Forum, Prince Eka Williams with another guest during the 2-Day State Government and Distribution Companies (DisCos) Roundtable Event on Partnership and Collaboration, in Abuja.. yesterday

NEWS CONFERENCE ON LAUNCH OF OUTSOURCE GLOBAL INITIATIVE…

L-R :

President, Office

Abuja...yesterday

NCAA’s Intervention Forces Foreign Airlines to Release Lower Ticket Inventory

Nigeria maintains high passenger traffic on int’l destinations despite economic challenges

Chinedu Eze

Some foreign airlines, yesterday, released their lower inventory tickets hitherto not available since the trapped fund saga and the depreciation of the naira, after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), intervened in the exorbitant airfares charged Nigerian travelers by international carriers.

This was disclosed by the acting Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, who said airlines like Lufthansa German Airlines, KLM, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, Royal Air Maroc, RwandAir, and Turkish Airlines had released their low

ticket inventory.

However, while Air France, according to him, has failed to comply with the directives, the position of Virgin Atlantic was not mentioned at all.

To bring down the cost of flight tickets to international destinations, the Director General set up a 10man Committee to look into the high cost of tickets in the country.

The Committee, Najomo said, came on the heels of a two-day high-level meeting held between NCAA and foreign airlines in Nigeria on the urgent need to unblock all low inventory tickets which were hitherto blocked for over 18 months.

He said the 10-man committee

Clark Hails Gowon for Speaking Out Over ECOWAS Sanctions Against Niger, Others

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Elderstatesman Chief Edwin Clark has commended the courage of a former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who made a passionate appeal for the lifting of sanctions against the military Junta who seized power in some West African countries Clark in a letter to Gowon said, "I join most other patriotic Nigerians to commend you for the courage in recently calling on ECOWAS Heads of States to lift sanctions on some of its erring members. This is certainly a display of a high sense of responsibility, which can only come from a revered elder statesman such as you.

"I am not surprised knowing the personal efforts that you put in towards the formation of the body on 28th May, 1975. With great efforts and charisma, you personally engaged all the regional leaders and brought everyone under one roof. Against language barriers and political prejudices against one another, especially as quite a handful were military officers; you led faithfully in uniting all into one community.

"I recall with pride the privilege you afforded to me travelling in Nigerian military aircraft, to various countries including Senegal, Gambia,

Burkina Faso and Mauritania, as your Commissioner of Information (Minister) and Special Envoy to canvas your colleagues to attend the Summit which held in Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

"Each President or Head of State who attended the Summit which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was assigned the Federal Commissioner (Minister) to look after the President or Head of State who attended the Summit at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Brig. Gen. Murtala Mohammed, who was the Federal Commissioner for Communication was assigned to the radical Head of State, Guinea Bissau’s President, Amicar Cabral. I was assigned to President Dawda Jawara of Gambia, and the Summit was very successful.

"And I also congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and ECOWAS leaders that have heeded your counsel as most of the sanctions have been removed following the Summit, which was held on Saturday24th February, 2024.

"I do hope that this your intervention will now make it possible to arrive at amicable resolution within the body, and the three countries will now rescind their earlier decisions to leave."

chaired by Director of Special Duties NCAA, Mr Horatius Egua, was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the foreign airlines fully complied with the directives of the government to unblock all low inventory tickets as well as recommend appropriate pricing of tickets in Nigeria compared to similar markets in the West African sub-region.

NCAA said in the last several months, Nigerians had been made to pay higher fares on international flights unjustly as all the foreign airlines increased their flight tickets astronomically, citing the high exchange rate as well as other sundry issues and also deliberately blocked low inventory tickets making travel unbearable for Nigerians.

“This is very discriminatory in nature. We cannot continue to pay higher fares compared to other countries in the sub-region that

have similar distances, using same operating aircraft. We have the market and in some cases we have more liberal taxes? This is unacceptable and we totally reject this.

“For instance, a distance of six hours from Ghana to London may sometimes cost about $800 while similar distance with similar operating aircraft cost over $2000 in Nigeria. This is discriminatory and an unfair practice and we reject this in totality.”

The meeting to deliberate over the high airfares, which held at the headquarters of the NCAA, in Abuja, had in attendance representatives from the NCAA, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) while the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

made presentation on behalf of foreign airlines. Meanwhile, the present economic challenges have not deterred Nigerians from travelling out of the country, as many airlines still record good passenger traffic to different destinations in the world.

This was confirmed by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, who said despite the depreciation of the naira, the airline has maintained its high passenger volume on the Nigerian route.

Ethiopian Airlines is a top operator in the Nigerian market.

In 2023, the airline operated 1,168 flights and airlifted 495, 263 passengers, coming second to Qatar Airways, which operated 1,338 flights during the same period, airlifting 537, 352 passengers, the highest in the year.

Tasew said even though the Naira has been devalued many times, which has affected the airline’s cashflow on the Nigerian route, it has not affected the passenger volume because Nigerians are still travelling the way they have been travelling before.

“The naira has been devalued extensively and that has affected our cash management because since we are not able to take out our money, which is accumulating in Nigerian banks and due to the devaluation, we lost some money in the exchange rate.

“But in terms of passenger volume, we didn’t see any negative impact so far. The load is very good. Nigerians are still travelling abroad and they are using Ethiopian Airlines. The traffic volume is still at the same level. We didn’t feel it negatively,” Tasew said.aaaaaa

Stock Market Slumps by N650.5bn in February as Investors Switch to T-bills

Kayode Tokede

The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) dropped by N650.5 billion in February 2024 amid corporate earnings by listed companies, as investors divested into the Treasury Bills (T-bills) market.

Investors pulled out from the stock market during the month over the attractive yield on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on T-bills as the inflation rate increased to 29.9per cent in January 2024.

Specifically, the overall market capitalisation closed February 29, 2024 at N54.707 trillion, dropping N650.5 billion or 1.18 per cent from N55.358 trillion it closed for trading on January 31, 2024.

Also, the NGX All-Share Index (NGX ASI) dropped to 99,980.30 basis points as of February 29, 2024, about 1,174.16basis points or 1.16per cent decline from 101,154.46 basis points it opened for trading in the month under review.

The stock market in January 2024 gained N14.4 trillion and 35.29 per

cent in market capitalisation and NGX ASI, respectively as investors invested in fundamental stocks in anticipation of dividend pay-out and hedging against the double inflation rate.

This brings the investors return in the first two months of 2024 to N13.79 trillion and per cent in market capitalisation and NGX ASI, respectively.

THISDAY gathered that the CBN in March plans to sell N822.63 billion worth of T-bills while for April, it plans to raise N292.20 billion worth of T-bills and for May it wants to sell N388.33 billion worth of T-bills.

The CBN in February sold N1.58 trillion worth of T-bills to the investing public at a 19 per cent interest rate to mop up excess liquidity in the financial system. All tenors of its last auction were oversubscribed- a clear sign of the voracious appetite of investors in the security.

The Chief Executive, Wyoming Capital and Partners, Tajudeen Olayinka, said the stock market is now in a ‘repricing’ mode because

of interest rate hike and continued issuances of one-year Treasury bills at high effective yield of over 20 per cent. “So, we are witnessing a shift to fixed income market,” he said.

The Managing Director, ARM Securities Limited, Rotimi Olubi said the high fixed-income yield is driving traction from the equities market to the fixed-income market.

“We expect this to be sustained in the short term given the recent 400 basis points hike in interest rate.

“However, this presents an opportunity for investors to enter into the equities market at a cheaper price in order to lock in on dividend payments in the coming months,” he stressed.

Capital market analysts stated that the stock market downward momentum will persist in March, following the CBN’s move to tackle rising inflation rate.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank at its first meeting of 2024 voted to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 400 basis points to 22.75 per cent from 18.75 per cent.

The members after the two-day meeting in Abuja increased the asymmetric corridor to +100 basis points /-700 basis points (previously: +100 basis points /-300 basis points).

The members also voted to increase CRR to 45 per cent from 32.5 per cent; and retain liquidity rate at 30per cent.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso after the MPC meeting stated that the committee’s decisions were centred on the current inflationary and exchange rate pressures, projected inflation, and rising inflation expectations.

“Members were concerned about the persistent rise in the level of inflation and emphasised the committee’s commitment to reverse the trend as the balance of risk leaned towards rising inflation.

“The committee, however, acknowledged the trade-off between the pursuit of output growth and taming inflation but was convinced that an enduring output expansion is possible only in an environment of low and stable inflation,” he added.

Hajiya Amal Hassan; Senior Special Assistant to the President on

to the President on

and Emergency Management Ahmed Ningi during a news conference on Launch of

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFRICAN WOMEN FOUNDATION FOR NATION BUILDING...

Yoruba Mull Return to Pristine Tradition, Cultural Values to Tackle Insecurity

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Following recent upsurge in killings, maiming and kidnappings in South West, the House of Oduduwa, yesterday, held a Yoruba security summit at Ojaja Arena, Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife, and sought a return to pristine Yoruba traditional, spiritual and cultural values to tackle growing insecurity.

A one day Yoruba Security

Summit hosted by the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called on the Yoruba Traditional rulers to return to their pristine traditional, spiritual and cultural values in order to get rid of security

problems in the zone.

In a Communique issued at the end of the summit and signed by all Southwest Yoruba Traditional Rulers led by Ooni Adeyeye, they posited that at all times, the traditional rulers should recognise that, in spite of whatever nature of religion they practice, they must recognise that the stool they preside over was traditional.

The summit called on Yoruba traditional rulers to take full possession of their forests, homelands and farmlands.

The summit also called on Local, State and the federal government to employ use of drones and other appropriate technology for the

NDIC Introduces Framework to Expedite Payment of Liquidated Banks’ Depositors

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has introduced the Single Customer View (SCV) framework to expedite payment to depositors of closed banks.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Corporation, Mr. Bello Hassan, disclosed this at the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair yesterday. He said the priority of the NDIC is to protect Nigerian depositors.

"We are dedicated to safeguarding depositors' funds from the adverse effects of bank failure and complementing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in effectively supervising insured deposit-taking financial institutions and formulating sound banking policies," he said.

Bello said the NDIC has significantly improved its processes to ensure swift payment of insured sums to depositors in the event of bank failure.

"The corporation has introduced the SCV framework to expedite payment to depositors of closed banks," he said.

Bello, who was represented at the occasion by Hauwa Gambo Jimeta, a senior official of the corporation, said the NDIC, had enhanced collaboration with the judiciary for speedy prosecution of failed insured institutions.

"This concerted effort has resulted in resolving long-drawn cases of closed banks such as Fortune and Triumph Banks, in

liquidation. "Moreover, we have utilised Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and out-ofcourt settlements, revitalising our liquidation activities. These efforts have significantly improved our debt recovery rate, enabling us to declare 100 per cent liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of more than 20 deposit money banks in liquidation", the NDIC boss said.

He added that the corporation had continually strengthened the systems, processes, and procedures to enhance transparency and accountability across its operations.

"Notably, the corporation achieved remarkable success in reimbursing depositors during the recent closure of 179 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and four Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), ensuring timely payment of insured sums.

"We also deployed digital remote payment strategies to facilitate electronic funds transfers to verified depositors' alternate bank accounts.

"It is essential to emphasise that payments are ongoing, with depositors holding funds exceeding the insured limit set to receive liquidation dividends following debt recovery and asset sales.

"I urge depositors of banks in liquidation to utilise these initiatives to claim their funds trapped in closed banks. Rest assured, NDIC remains committed to protecting Nigerian depositors and striving to be one of the best deposit insurers globally," Bello said.

effective surveillance of Yoruba forests and roads.

The summit agreed that the Yoruba security summit should be held on a quarterly basis so as to capture intervening and supervising variables in our polity.

According to the communique, "the entire Obas in Yorubaland should work in unison to ward

off the evils of banditry and kidnappings as each of the states could only succeed in chasing the marauders to another state.

"That any Oba who is disinterested in Yoruba culture and custom should abdicate his throne for anyone who is deeply versed and interested in Yoruba traditions.

"That each time an attack took place, the offenders were quickly left off the hook by the powers that be and that the judicial process should be strengthened to mete out appropriate punishments to culprits or bring them to justice.

"That the Governors of South West Nigeria should organise Regional Security Summit at the

earliest practicable time, including all stakeholders to chart the way forward and give teeth to all the concerns raised at this (current) summit.

"The security summit called for strong support for the administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the larger interest of Yoruba race."

Zulum Pleads with President Tinubu to Shelve Merging Army University with NDA

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision of merging the Army University, Biu, with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

Tinubu had approved the implementation of the Oronsaye report, which was made public after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, with the report recommending among other things, the merger of several government agencies and parastatals, including the Nigerian Army University, Biu which is to be merged with the NDA Kaduna.

Zulum while reacting to a question by journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday, said: “Let me begin by commending the Federal Government for this great initiative because this effort

is geared towards reducing our spending; it is an excellent initiative.

“However, I want to appeal to the President on two things. One, on the merger of the Army University, Biu, with the Nigerian Defence Academy. Borno State has been facing a serious crisis for the last 15 years and as a result of this, many of our children could not have access to education. Therefore, this University is crucial to the people of Borno State and the entire Northeast.

“I am appealing to Mr. President to look into this issue so that the Army University, Biu, will remain autonomous. If this cannot be possible, we still want to appeal to the President to allow the Federal Ministry of Education to take it over to become a conventional university.

“If possible, the Federal Government should allow it to function as an Army University, considering the importance of

education in this part of the country. We are all aware that Boko Haram’s primary mission is to truncate western education. So, collapsing the Army University as a Faculty within the NDA is like helping the insurgents to achieve their objectives.”

“But in all fairness to the Federal Government, this decision is long overdue and timely, especially now that the government is working to reposition the economy and block leakages.

“That notwithstanding, we the people of Borno and the Northeast, are appealing to the Federal Government to reconsider the decision to merge the Army University with the NDA.

“In Borno, we need education more than ever, and the Army University is vital in achieving that. If you look at Biu, for example, it produces many applicants seeking university admission,” Zulum added.

The governor also observed

that with the Federal Government’s effort to revive agriculture and boost food security, the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), will play a vital role in achieving the President’s mandate.

The Governor stated that, “I also want to comment on NCAM. I was in Ilorin a few months ago and visited NCAM. I have seen them fabricating a lot of agricultural machinery, which I think is very important now.

“When the Federal Government is looking to promote food security through sustainable agriculture, NCAM is the only government mechanisation outfit in Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of fabricating agricultural tools. For this, I urge the Federal Government to look in and reconsider its decisions critically, including situating NCAM under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science.”

LP Lawmakers to Tinubu, Govs: Tackle Hunger, Insecurity, Suspend Capital Projects

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Eight members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, under the Labour Party (LP) have called on President Bola Tinubu and all the governors to suspend all infrastructure projects, and concentrate on feeding and securing Nigerians.

The lawmakers also conveyed their intention to forfeit their basic salary for six months to tackle hunger in their constituencies.

The lawmakers made the call during a press briefing at the Anambra State House of Assembly Complex, yesterday, saying the need to do this was because of the level of hunger ravaging ordinary Nigerians.

The assembly members said their actions was in solidarity with the leader of their party, Mr Peter Obi, whom they described as a strong voice, that has been advocating for the welfare of the common man.

A communique issued after their

meeting read: "His Excellency, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should suspend work on all other sectors including infrastructure for the next six months and declare state of emergency on security and hunger in the nation.

"All state governors including our dear governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, should suspend all infrastructure development in their various states for the next six months and declare state of emergency on security and hunger.

"We, the Labour Party House of

Assembly members wish to lend our voice to the cry of our dear Leader, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi on the state of the nation after our emergency caucus meeting sitting.

"We will relinquish our basic salary for six months to be our contribution to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

"We all know that campaign is over and election is over. Majority of Nigerians are suffering. People are dying every day as a result of hunger and insecurity.

L-R: Dr kemi Akiyode-Adebayo, (BOT WINBAFRICA); Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe (Keynote Speaker); Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (founder W INBAFRICA); Dr Oluseun Popoola (panelist chairperson) during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centr e, Ikoyi, Lagos

PASSING THE BATON...

Benue: PDP Tasks EFCC to Investigate, Prosecute Officials Accused of Corruption

Govt refutes missing N20bn fraud allegation

George Okoh in Makurdi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, has called on the anti-graft commission and other sister agencies in the country like the EFCC, ICPC and DSS to ensure that officials of the Benue State government, who had been fingered in the alleged embezzlement of local government funds were brought to justice.

But the Benue State Government has expressed disbelief at reports in the media of allegations of the missing N20 billion in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in Benue State

However, the PDP, which made the call in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, described as unacceptable, reports of mismanagement of taxpayers’ monies by the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration in which N20 billion out of N50 billion belonging to the 23 local government councils in the state had allegedly been deducted and paid illegally into private accounts.

“The constitution of two panels by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to probe the administration of his immediate predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, is evidently a ploy

to shield from public scrutiny, the serial failures of his government.

“In what may be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the Benue Judicial family, Governor Alia selected two justices from outside the state to head the two panels which are vested with separate mandates to probe into the assets and finances of the state during the era of the Ortom administration from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023.

“Chief Ortom, who since the expiry of his two terms in office as governor has lived freely among the people in the state, has since expressed his readiness to submit himself before any lawful process as will require him to give account of his stewardship as governor.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, likewise, recognises the place of probity and accountability as necessary components of good governance, and will stand by its Leader, Chief Ortom, through this process of stock-taking, if that is actually what it will be.

“Nevertheless, the party raises questions as to the timing of the probe exercise, coming it at a time Governor Alia's table is already full with issues of insecurity and allegations of monumental

corruption taking place under his watch.

“The party also calls on the EFCC, ICPC, DSS and the Presidency to ensure that those officials of the Alia administration fingered in the alleged grand theft of local government funds in the state are brought to book.”

But the Special Adviser to the

governor on the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Denis Akura, dismissed the allegation in a statement. Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), which claimed that its mandate was to checkmate corruption and avail recommendations to anticorruption agencies and the public

for investigation, had in a news report said the amount missing was a fraudulent move by the state government. According to Akura, the group tried unsuccessfully to mislead the unsuspecting members of the public with bogus fallacious claims designed to discredit and distract the Alia administration.

In debunking GICN’s spurious allegations, he stated that, “For the records, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a very disciplined leader whose standpoint is prudent management of resources, did not direct me to monitor the diversion of over 20 billion federal allocation aggregated to the local governments.”

Food Security: 25,000 Tons of Wheat for N’East Arrive from War-ravaged Ukraine

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

A donation of 25,000 tons of wheat for emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria, has arrived the country from Ukraine.

The tons of wheat were donated through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

This vital contribution – part of Ukraine's humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would come handing as prices of staple food in Nigeria have been rising in recent times pushing basic

meals out of the reach of millions of vulnerable families across the country.

According to a statement by WFP, the shipment was made possible thanks to a collaborative effort from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who so urgently need it.

WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria,

David Stevenson said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative.

“This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase.”

The statement added that as part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation would be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs

of crisis-affected women, men and children for a two-month period.

It decried that deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria had driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardising agriculture and livelihoods production.

It added that over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels hampering food access for vulnerable families who depend on harvest and markets for their supplies.

Second Term: I’ll Constitute Inclusive Cabinet, Says Gov Diri

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has hinted that members of other political parties might be in the new cabinet to be unveiled soon.

Governor Diri stated this on Thursday shortly after the weekly five-kilometre Prosperity Walk, which terminated at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

Diri alongside his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were elected on the platform of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 11, 2023 governorship poll and were sworn in for a second term on February 14, 2024.

The governor said he would consult widely and ensure he picks his cabinet members from across political parties in the state in order to form an inclusive government.

He said: “l want to assure you that we will not take long in bringing our cabinet back because

we are not going to create human beings from heaven. It is still the same Bayelsa people that will form my cabinet and we know ourselves.

"We will consult widely and take every segment of society and all the interests into consideration. The November 11 election was not only for my Peoples Democratic Party. It was also about the All Progressives Congress and even Labour Party members. So, do not be surprised when you see

some names from such parties because everyone participated in the election."

The sports-loving governor also affirmed that during his second term, a befitting stadium will be built as part of efforts to encourage the youths to engage in sporting activities as well as to enable the state host national and international competitions.

"Bayelsa is a sporting state and that is why in our second tenure,

we have resolved to build a new befitting stadium. The idea is to encourage the youths so that we will be able to host both national and international competitions."

On the state’s football clubs, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens, Senator Diri commended them for their performance in the Nigerian Professional Football League and the Nigerian Women Professional League and urged them to work hard to continue to make the state

proud. According to him, "the Prosperity Government worked hard to ensure Bayelsa United was promoted to the premier league and you need to stay there and continue to make us proud."

Diri assured that the Prosperity Walk will be sustained and implored government officials, civil servants and people of the state to participate in order to promote healthy living.

L-R: Outgone Comptroller General of Immigration, Caroline Adepoju and and her successor, Kemi Nanah Nandap shortly after the handing over ceremony in Abuja...yesterday

House C'ttee Urges Agencies to Halt All Concession Processes Pending Probe

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday urged all federal government agencies to suspend all concession processes they are involved in until the completion of its ongoing investigation.

The Joint House Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties gave the directive at the inaugural investigative hearing in the National Assembly.

The agencies that appeared for the hearing were Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Electricity

Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and did not tender the full documents requested by the panel.

Moving a motion, a member of Committee, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi said that: "We all agree that the concession process should be suspended pending the investigation" Abdullahi added that: "We should put it to them. Let them know that it is a resolution by this committee that all other pending concession processes be suspended until after this committee has concluded its

work."

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kabir Tukura Ibrahim while putting the motion on voting said anything regarding concession should be suspended, pending the outcome of everything that the committee is doing. “This goes to all the agencies here present," he added.

"I have seen a submission of NAPTIN, it is very skeletal, not informative, it doesn't carry what we required for us to work with. Please do a detailed report, let it encapsulate all of the necessary areas of the concession that you

are going into"

"This should not be accepted, it's an insult to this committee to bring this submission before the House of Representatives. Please lets do better," he said.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon, Abbas Tajudeen while declaring the session open said the exercise marked a crucial milestone in the House's dedication to appraise the efficacy of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programmes and Concession Agreements from 1999 till the present day.

The Speaker who was represented

by his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said that the objective of the investigative hearing is explicit - to meticulously dissect the triumphs, challenges, and overall impact of PPPs and concession agreements on our public infrastructure and services.

"While PPPs have indeed played a crucial role in propelling development, it is imperative that their effectiveness undergoes a comprehensive analysis. Therefore, this hearing presents a platform for transparent dialogue, insightful discussions, and collective efforts to rectify any shortcomings and build upon successes.

“As we set off on this journey

of investigation and evaluation, we should remain mindful of the public interest we are duty-bound to serve. Your insights and expertise are vital in shaping recommendations that will steer the course of future policies and practices.

“Hence, I encourage active involvement, constructive discourse, and a mutual commitment to transparency and accountability.

"Together, let us ensure that the outcomes of this hearing not only provide a comprehensive understanding of past performances but also lay a solid foundation for more effective and equitable Public Private Partnerships in the future," he added.

NUPRC RELEASES REGULATORY DIVESTMENT FRAMEWORK FOR EXITING INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANIES

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) has handed over a Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) TRADE WIND and 13 crew members to the Economic Financial and Crime Commission (EFCC) involved in alleged illegal bunkering activities in Bayelsa.

The Commanding Officer FOB FORMOSO Capt. Muritala Rogo, said MFT TRADE WIND was arrested on the February 7, 2024, around Brass

that the first phase of the project spanned 37 kilometres and shared the track of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Lagos-Ibadan modernisation project from Ebute Metta to Agbado with stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, and Iju.

According to him, phase one of the project would transport 250,000 passengers daily at inception and 750,000 passengers daily when fully operational.

“All the stations are live and ready to receive passengers,” Sanwo-Olu announced.

He declared, "Indeed, today’s event is the culmination of a long and painstaking journey of reforming the transportation sector in Lagos State.

“In the year 2003, you, Mr. President, established LAMATA to coordinate and oversee transport policies and programmes in Lagos State, and to deliver an intermodal, integrated transport system, one that would allow the seamless movement of people and fuel the economic growth of the state.

"I am proud to say that Lagos

offshore for allegedly receiving about 40,000 litres of illegally refined AGO around Fish Town River on February 5 2024.

It said she subsequently supplied to other vessels at sea, and upon arrest, samples were collected from the product onboard, tested and confirmed to be illegally refined.

The Commanding Officer, said its an act of economic sabotage which would not be tolerated by the Nigerian Navy and that the NN will not relent in its effort towards

State has a Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) that outlines what that integrated rail system should look like: six rail lines, one monorail, 14 BRT corridors, over 20 water routes, and a vast network of major and inner roads.

"For the first time in the history of Lagos, we have a system comprising and integrating all three modes of transportation: road (through the BRT system), rail (through the Lagos Rail Mass Transit) and water (through our state-wide ferry system).

"Uniting them is our world-class digital payment platform, known as the Cowry Card. So far, we have issued 4.2 million of these cards.

"The first pillar of our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S.+ governing agenda is Traffic Management and Transportation, and we have put in a lot of work to build on what our predecessors have done, and to continue delivering results for the people of Lagos State.

"Five BRT corridors are now in operation. The first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line from Marina to Mile 2,

policing and enforcement of all maritime laws to get rid of crude oil theft, illegal bunkering activities and other crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain.

Rogo, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lt.- Cmdr. Haruna Ranga, at the handing over, advised all fishing trawlers to obtain bunker approval from appropriate naval authorities and purchase their products from approved sources.

He said that the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF)

wholly powered by electricity.

"We are currently negotiating and completing the financing arrangements for all these projects, and I am pleased to announce that we will break ground on the 4th Mainland Bridge in April 2024.

"All of these major projects I have outlined are in addition to the multitudes of inner roads, bridges, and junction improvements that we have completed and are completing.”

The governor said the transportation projects were making a huge difference in the daily lives of residents, as they commuted millions of residents.

He said, "Each project is a cornerstone in our unwavering commitment to forging a prosperous future for Lagos State and its esteemed citizens.

"Today, we mark a historic milestone in the annals of Lagos State and, indeed, our nation, with the commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line – a 37 kilometre marvel of modern engineering that stretches from Agbado in Ogun State to the iconic National Theatre in Iganmu.

must through the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) warn all fishing trawlers to desist from buying illegally refined AGO from the creeks and also stop using fishing trawlers to aid illegalities at sea.

He stated that Operation DELTA SANITY, which was charged under the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral S.J Bura is determined to end the menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and criminality within the Nigeria waters.

"The segment we inaugurate today spans an impressive 27 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo, featuring state-of-the-art stations. At full capacity, this first phase of the Red Line will transport 250,000 passengers daily, which will grow to 750,000 passengers daily when we have the full complement of rolling stock on the line.

"The Red Line will share tracks with the Nigeria Railway Corporation's (NRC's) service from Lagos to Ibadan. This is not the end of the story, but merely the beginning. As I said earlier, we are on a long and exciting journey. Much has been accomplished, and there is still much ahead to be done.

"There will be a total of six lines on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit System, when fully developed. We have already started preliminary work on the next two: the Green and Purple Lines.”

The minister of transportation urged other state governments to emulate Lagos by replicating similar projects in their states to enhance economic growth across the country.

would always insist on due process.

On technical capacity, it stated that the successor entity must demonstrate proven and verifiable capacity to operate the asset vigorously and in a business-like manner.

The entity, it said, must showcase competencies and capabilities comparable to or surpassing those of the divesting entity. In addition, all production allocation and cost issues related to unitisation in the case of straddled fields must be resolved, it said.

On financials, the commission explained that it shall assess the prospective successor entity’s balance sheet and financial viability and verify readiness to undertake defined work programme and fulfil required obligations on the assets.

“Due diligence shall be undertaken on potential buyers to assess suitability, alignment with state interests, reputation, investment objectives, and track record etc,” it argued.

In addition, it said that the acquiring entity must be ‘fit and proper’ persons in the eyes of the law and in line with the interest of the nation and must have clear evidence of the resolutions of legacy debts and legal encumbrances must be established and appropriate mechanisms to manage residuals agreed.

In terms of decommissioning & abandonment, it stated that applicable D&A costs must be diligently assessed and settlement

of outstanding obligations must be ensured.

It stated that the commission will ensure that potential exposure of the Nigerian government to decommissioning liabilities is averted.

Also, the commission said it shall assess the status of Host Community Trust Fund obligations and ensure robustness of successor entity’s social inclusion programme in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA).

“The commission shall evaluate acquiring entity’s adherence to decarbonisation plans and sound Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) principles.

“The commission shall implement a robust assessment mechanism to avert undesirable labour union issues and disharmony arising from the divestment process. Concerned parties shall endorse “Certificate of Settlement” to validate alignments reached on all labour issues (staff welfare, benefits, entitlements as well as disengagement, redundancies, retirement etc.)

“The aim is to ensure the nation averts socio-economic disruptions arising from failure to resolve labour issues that might result as a consequence of and post divestment,” it said.

On data repatriation, the commission noted that it shall ensure that all data mined during the operating life of the asset are repatriated to the National data Repository (NDR) in line with extant regulations.

TINUBU: LABOUR’S FOUR STRIKES IN NINE MONTHS OF MY GOVERNMENT UNACCEPTABLE

PROMOTING NIGERIA TOURISM …

Again, terrorists abduct scores of worshippers in Zamfara Protest as Bandits Kill Two, Abduct Unspecified Number of People in Kaduna

John Shiklam inKadunaand

Onuminya

Innocent

Two people were reportedly killed while an unspecified number of persons were abducted in an attack by bandits on Anguwan Anguwan

Auta, Gonin Gora area in Kaduna

metropolis, Kaduna State.

This is just as gunmen suspected to be terrorists abducted scores of worshippers in Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State.

The bandits in Kaduna were said to have invaded the area last

Lafia Emir Blames Judges for Relegating Power to Counsel

Igbawase UkumbainLafia

The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), yesterday blamed Judges in Nasararwa State for allowing counsel to usurp their powers.

Bage, who is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, gave the culpability at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) Access to Justice town hall meeting held in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

The monarch, who is the chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, therefore, decried the management of the court by the counsel for the Judges.

According to him, “There

are unnecessary adjournments occasion in the courts. Some of the adjournments are done to satisfy the lawyers. Today, we have an improved system yet the courts are still congested beyond what we imagine because the managers are not doing the needful.”

He, therefore, advised Judges of various courts in the state to be serious with their work devoid of unnecessary distraction from lawyers.

“If a lawyer has a case and he is not in the court for reason best knowing to him, that should be the end of the case,” the royal maintained.

Ebonyi Govt Demolishes 30 Illegal Shops

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Government has demolished 30 unapproved shops beside the central park axis of the new Centenary City in the State.

Speaking to journalists during the demolition exercise, the Commissioner for Capital City Development, Mr. Sunday Inyima, said that the owners of the illegal structures were properly notified before the action was taken.

He noted that the shops were built along service lane, which was against the master plan of the new city.

The commissioner also said that they would soon embark

on the demolition of structures on water ways, shanties, containers and other illegal structures within the capital city.

“This place you’re seeing is a service lane and people started building shops here and we feel that it is not normal. Opposite here, you can see the international market where people can do their businesses.

“From our records, the owners did not secure any approval from the Ministry of Capital C.ity. In August 2023, we issued them ‘stop work and removal’ notice but as you can see, they couldn’t remove it and that is we are here to help them to remove it.

Osun Community Picks Oyelakin as Monarch-elect

Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

Weeks after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, sacked three monarchs in the state, Prince Ibraheem Oyelakin has emerged as the Oba-elect after a selection process.

Governor Adeleke had sacked Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun; Are of Iree, Oba Ademola Ponle, and Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri, after faulting their selection process. He also ordered a fresh process to nominate new kings. Later, Oyelakin from Oyekun Ruling House emerged as the Oba-elect

for Iree community in Boripe Local Government Area.

A statement issued by the Obaelect praised his co-contestants and sought their support.

He said: “I will never take this privilege for granted. I commend the Iwarefa mefa of Iree kingdom, Aree in council, princes and princesses, Asiwaju of Iree, IPA National president, among others for their support.

“The rain we pray for is here, and the good news we pray for is here. We all need to bury our past either full of differences, calamities or fairy tales.”

Wednesday night and went to at least 10 houses to kidnap people. A resident of the area said the bandits, who were in large numbers were shooting sporadically with

sophisticated weapons as they went from house to house.

He said two people were killed while several others whose number was yet to be ascertained were

kidnapped.

The source added that some youths who attempted to challenge the bandits also sustained injuries.

He said the youths were angry

over the persistent bandits’ attacks and decided to stage a protest yesterday to draw the government attention to the security challenges they face.

Police Parades 18 Suspected Kidnappers in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Police command yesterday paraded about 18 suspected kidnappers that have been terrorising the people of the state in the past few months.

Parading the suspects in Ilorin, the state Police Commissioner, Victor Olaiya, however, identified kidnapping for ransom as a prevalent crime in different parts of the state.

He said: “A total number of 78 kidnap suspects that were

arrested between October 2023 to date are already at different Correctional facilities in the state with pending cases.”

He added that over 18 suspects were paraded yesterday (Thursday) among the other 10 criminal suspects.

Olaiya noted that, “We are worried and that is why we have been taking steps to ensure we keep them there. Some of the kingpins even have larger than life attitude that nothing can happen to them and that they’ll be released when arrested.

FG to Launch Integrity Brigade to Safeguard Women, Children

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The federal government has said that it would inaugurate a transparency and integrity brigade to monitor and ensure that women and children are adequately protected in Nigeria on March 7, 2024.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju KennedyOhanenye, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a conference for commissioners for Ministry of Women Affairs that was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), and supported by

the European Union (EU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

The theme of the event was “Critical Issues and Opportunities for Enhancing Rights, Protection and Justice for Women, Children and Persons

with Disabilities.”

Kennedy-Ohanenye, who lamented the low budgetary allocation to the ministry in the 2024 Appropriation Act, assured that the present administration would not take issues concerning women for granted.

Rivers Women Declare Monthly Prayer for Fubara’s Administration

Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt

Women under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS) have embarked on monthly prayer intersession for the government of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State.

THISDAY observed that the

women in their thousands yesterday organised the prayer outreach for the successful government and peace of the state.

The group led by Mrs. Sotonye Fulton explained that the monthly programme, which is enveloped with praise and worship, is targeted at seeking God’s mercy for the state,

and praying that the glory of God should shine upon the governor and his team for a successful leadership.

The programme, which was held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Port Harcourt, had the theme: ‘Tear down the walls of Jericho with praise’.

Speaking during the programme,

the Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, who, thanked the women for initiating and keeping alive the prayer section, noted that there is strength in togetherness, urging the women to keep doing what is right and support the government as it continues to fulfill its promises to the people.

Oil Theft: Courts Order Forfeiture of Two Illegal Oil Bunkering Vessels to FG, Order Sale of Stolen Crude

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The battle against oil theft received a boost with two Federal High Courts, sitting in Abuja ordering the forfeiture of two bunkering vessels, MT Kali and MT Harbor Spirit, arrested by

Tantita Security Services Limited in conjunction with government security agencies to the federal government.

The courts also ordered the sale of the stolen crude oil in the impounded ocean-going vessels by the Nigerian National

Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The courts further directed that the proceeds from the exercise be deposited by NNPCL in an interest yielding account to be determined by Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court.

The two vessels were arrested by the operatives of a private security firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in conjunction with the special task force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admial Emmanuel Ogalla.

Nagiko Tomato: Court Fixes April 18 for Arraignment of Facebook User, Chioma Okoli

Alex Enumah inAbuja

Justice Peter Lifu has fixed April 18, 2024, for the arraignment of a Facebook user, Mrs. Chioma Okoli, over an alleged damaging review of Nagiko Tomato paste. The judge fixed the date yesterday after failed attempts by lawyers representing parties

to move their separate applications regarding the suit.

Okoli’s arraignment had suffered several setbacks for months, owing to the failure of the police to serve her with court documents.

She was in September arrested by the Police for allegedly making a damaging review of Nagiko’s tomato paste on her Facebook page.

Following the conclusion of investigation, the police had filed a two count charge against her before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

At yesterday’s proceedings, the prosecution lawyer, Mr. Lukman Anthony, attempted to move an exparte application seeking the court’s permission to serve

the two count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/470/23, on the defendant through substituted means.

Anthony claimed that efforts by the court’s bailiff to locate the defendant have been unsuccessful; however, taking the hint of the court, the counsel withdrew the application.

Remi Tinubu Partners NALDA, Empowers Women Farmers in South-east

James Emejo in Abuja

Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative in Owerri, Imo State, in collaboration

with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in a bid to tackle poverty and empower rural women and youths.

The intervention covers all five states in the South-east geo-

political zone-Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The initiative, birthed by Tinubu, is a grassroots scheme designed for the betterment of Nigerians, particularly youths and women-farmers across the

six geopolitical zones to tackle poverty.

She said the programme’s commitment to supporting women farmers aligned with a broader national agenda to strengthen the agriculture sector.

L-R: Organiser, Wonders of Nigeria Tourism Expo by Naija7wonders, Ikechi Uko; Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, and Director General of National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, during meeting on the forthcoming expo being organised in collaboration with NIHOTOUR in Abuja…recently

PETROLEUM EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE …

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Dorman Long Engineering, Mariam Melchior; Chief Commercial Officer, Dorman Long Engineering, Mr. Fela Ibidapo; Minister of State for Steel Development, Mr. Uba Maigari Ahmadu; Vice Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and Executive Chairman of Radial Circle Group, Mr. Ranti Omole, and General Manager, Strategy and Business Transformation, Dorman Long Engineering, Edidiong Ekwere, at the 2024 edition of the Sub-saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) held in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Police Arrest Uzodinma’s SA for Land Racketeering in Imo

Tony Icheku in Owerri

The Imo State Police Command has arrested Mr. Paschal Nwakanma, the Special Adviser on Land Recovery to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, on charges of fraud following petitions against him alleging

sundry corrupt practices and land racketeering Some of the allegations against him include use of unauthorised extra policemen in the discharge of his duties, as against the number of officers officially assigned to him by the government; and alleged collection of N1 million

Wike Approves Promotion of 8,785 FCTA Workers

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the promotion of 8,785 staff of the FCT Administration (FCTA).

The Director, Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule, in statement issued yesterday said the promotion was disclosed by the acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Udo Samuel Atang. The statement said 8,785 personnel, who sat for the promotion examination and passed, were promoted to the next rank in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

Accordingly, out of the 9,710 officers that participated in the process, 8,785 were successful and promoted to their next grade level.

The breakdown of the promotion shows that out of 9,710 officers across the various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) that participated in the 2023 examination exercise, 925 were unsuccessful.

Further analysis shows that out of the 3,924 eligible officers of Common Services Departments that took part in the examination, 3,295 staff were promoted.

Similarly, out of the 933 professional and technical officers that participated in the examination, 918 were promoted, while out of the 1,179 health officers, who sat for the examination,1,144 were elevated.

Consequently, out of the 3,674 education officers and Assistant Education Officers that participated in the exercise, 3,428 were promoted.

Atang, who commended the FCT minister for his prompt approval, revealed that the approval for the promotion by the minister came within 24 hours upon submission.

He noted that the minister recognised the commitments and hard work of the staff and encouraged them to double their efforts in the service to the FCT Administration and their fatherland.

USAID State2State Holds Budget Consultation for Sokoto LGAs

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

For citizens to actively participate in revenue generation, budget forecasting and effective monitoring, the USAID State2State has organised budget consultation for selected local governments in Sokoto State.

Participants at the public consultations held separately for heads of local governments, community development chartered, and wards develo-pment committee heads of Gwadabawa, Tambuwal Local Government Areas and Sokoto North, Sokoto South were in attendance on day one and two respectively.

USAID State2State LGA Manager, Mr. Abdullahi Abdulrahman Shagari, posited that the meeting has strengthened collective collaboration, effective monitoring of budget implementation and how citizens

will benefit in budget/projects implementation.

The Secretary of Gwadabawa Local Government Council, Mr. Isah Marafa Kagara, who lauded the budget consultation process and its importance, said: “USAID State2State has broadened our knowledge in budget implementation and we look forward to huge benefits in our collaboration with them.

“Some of the projects we have mobilised our people in Gwadabawa Local Government Area included electrification of Gwadabawa town from Kware, renovations of jumat mosques, cemetery and health facilities among others.”

There were also presentations of the 2024 budget summary, followed by question session for participants to seek clarification on the budget.

bribe from a member of Imo Hoteliers Association. The Imo Hoteliers Association petitioned Governor Uzodinma over what it described as assault, defamation of

character and intimidation of one of its members, one Mr. Magnus Awarzi.

The petition, signed by their Chief Servant, Mr. Isidore

Chukwunyere, said Awarzi, the Chief Executive Officer of Magnesium Hotels, was accosted by Nwakamma for alleged trespass and forcefully

and wrongly collected the sum of N1 million from him (Awarzi) in the guise that the state government would pardon his alleged trespass after he had paid the sum.

‘Gun Trucks not for Law-abiding Citizens but Criminal Elements’

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has told his men that human rights of all law-abiding Nigerians must be respected, insisting that gun trucks are not acquired to shoot at

good civilians but only criminal elements.

The instruction was given yesterday by the CG at the unveiling of three newly acquired gun trucks by the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory Command and the unveiling of the Special Tactical Squad of the command.

He noted that Nigeria was passing through a period of conflicts which required rugged solutions, hence the need for gun trucks.

Audi said: “As we all know, Nigeria is passing through asymmetric conflict which requires a rugged solution. The unveiling

of these gun trucks is one of the strategic ways and methods of providing solutions to this present challenge.”

He warned officers against using the gun trucks to intimidate or harass civilians, insisting that the human rights of every Nigerian must be respected.

Ex-Reps Member, Peller, 5,000 Accord Party Members Defect to PDP in Oyo

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller, alongside thousands of members of the Accord Party (AP) in Oyo North senatorial district, Oyo State, yesterday defected to the People Democratic

Party (PDP) in the state.

He was formerly received by the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, at Ode-Oba, Iseyin in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.

Peller who represented Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola federal

constituency between 2019 and 2023, while addressing his teeming supporters across the 13 local government areas of the senatorial district and PDP bigwigs attributed his decision to defect to the party because of the exemplary leadership quality of Makinde.

He said: “When I wanted to contest the senatorial election in the All Progressives Congress (APC), they said we are too small but I thank God, today we are in the right party, a big party. If you look at the Nigeria of today, we are so endowed, but leadership is our problem.

FCT Offers Free Health Insurance Subscription to Pregnant Women

Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja

As part of efforts to improve access to healthcare services to Nigerians and to lift the burden of health bill on the poor, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has launched a campaign to register woman, especially pregnant women

in the health insurance scheme.

Among the highlights of the event held yesterday in Abuja were the registration of many women into the health insurance scheme and presentation of 500 free safe delivery kits worth N50,000 each to the women drawn from the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The health insurance campaign, which is targeting to enroll over 100,000 residents of the FCT, will also offer free registration for the poor pregnant women and vulnerable persons.

Speaking at the ceremony to kickstart the enrolment and distribution of delivery kits to vulnerable and

pregnant FCT women in Abuja, the FCT Mandate Secretary in-charge of Health Services, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the free subscription for pregnant women in FCT and distribution of safe delivery kits are part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu -led administration.

Over 2,000 Students Empowered as Tech Outfits Take Training to UNN

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Over 2000 students of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State were trained in emerging technologies and skills by TechyJaunt and CP.Hub Sahara.

TechyJaunt is a leading

community of tech enthusiasts committed to onboarding, educating and training individuals in emerging technologies and tech skills.

ICP.Hub Sahara is the official hub for Internet Computer protocol in West Africa.

During a panel discussion, the Co-founder of ICP.Hub

Sahara, Mr. Adedayo Adebajo, spoke on “how to launch your career in tech: building a career in tech from novice to knowledgeable.”

Adebajo shared his expertise on the importance of a growth mindset when acquiring and developing new tech skills, and inspired students to embrace

continuous learning and adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Speaking to journalists after the event titled “Beyond the Campus Walls: Building a Tech Career as a Student,” Adebajo said that the forum offered an opportunity for career part for youngsters in the tech sector.

Youths Advised to Seek Opportunities in Nigeria

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigerian youths have been asked to earnestly seek opportunities available in the country rather than insatiable search for Golden Fleece outside the shores of Nigeria.

The advice was given in Abuja at Beyond Talent Conference organised by Africa Relief Trust

Initiative (ARTI).

Speaking at the conference, which had in attendance mainly fresh graduates, the founder of ARTI, Olatunde Popoola, noted that there are massive opportunities in the country for anyone to excel and it was needed engaging in irregular migration in search of golden fleece outside

the country. He said: “Youths as well as women’s level of performance and contribution is a function of their renewed knowledge, skills, attitude and motivation. Attitude constitute the most important factor in the performance of the youths. The right attitude helps to learn, show commitment to

work and relate well.

“Problem solving and decision making is also a critical function of an effective youth. They are the reasons why the youth are employed or unemployed. Problems do not go away by ignoring or by good wishes but by appropriate diagnosis, analysis and actions.”

A’Ibom Explains Role of Proposed State Infrastructure and Assets Management Agency

Okon Bassey inUyo

The proposed Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Assets Management Agency, when operational, will fix and maintain assets owned by the state

government, including buildings, roads, equipment, land, among others.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, stated this while playing host to the

leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council at the Government House, Uyo. Insisting that the state Governor, Umo Eno, means well for the people, he explained that the proposed asset

management agency is different from the existing Akwa Ibom Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency “because it sets to take stock and see to the functionality of all government assets, including buildings, equipment and land.”

DHQ: Troops Recover 1,573 Assorted Weapons, 44,345

Kill 974 terrorists, arrest 621, rescue 466 kidnapped hostages

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

As Nigeria grapples with the proliferation of small and light weapons across the country by terrorists, bandits and other criminals, the military high command yesterday announced the recovery of a cache of arms, including 1,573 assorted weapons and 44,345 ammunition.

It said troops also recovered 640 AK-47 rifles, 248 locally fabricated guns, 93 pump

action guns, 168 Dane guns, 15, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and NATO, 512 rounds of 9mm and 2,132 live cartridges.

It said troops also neutralised 974 terrorists, arrested 621 of them and rescued 466 kidnapped hostages and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of N8,006,996,894.00.

This was disclosed by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen.

Edward Buba, at a media briefing in Abuja. This came as the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons

in the North-west Zone said it retrieved over 60,000 weapons since its inception on May 3, 2021. A recent report by SMB

Intelligence and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) put the number of small arms and light weapons in the

possession of non-state actors nationwide at 6,145,000 while firearms with security forces remained 586, 500.

Special Intervention Team, Major Problem in AAU, Says ASUU

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter, has stated that the

Nigeria Wildlife Protection Bill Passes First Reading

Ugo Aliogo

The Nigeria’s Wildlife Protection Bill has passed the first reading on the floor of the House of Representatives.

The new bill is aimed at tackling wildlife trafficking, protecting endangered species, and ensuring Nigerian compliance with global conservation treaties.

In a joint statement issued by the Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the Londonbased Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Wild Africa Fund (WAF), it was noted that the bill which was prepared by the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment and sponsored by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor,

would update and greatly improve current laws.

The statement also noted that it would further disrupt and deter illegal wildlife trade within the country by enhancing law enforcement capabilities, increasing investigative powers to include financial enquiries and intelligence-led operations, as well as expands courts’ ability to expedite wildlife cases and recover assets.

The statement also stated that the bill would also create corporate liability, supports international cooperation and imposes stringent penalties for traffickers and poachers.

According to Ugbor: “Wildlife trafficking is not just a crime against nature, it is a threat to our planet’s delicate balance.

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OBAZU DEBORAH OLORUNWA now wish to be known and addressed as PETER DEBORAH OLORUNWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DAMILOLA EYITAYO ODUKALE now wish to be known and addressed as DAMILOLA EYITAYO SOREMEKUN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PHILIPS CYNTHIA CHIDINMA now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUMA CYNTHIA CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKANJI ABIODUN SAMUEL now wish to be known and addressed as AKANJI ABIODUN SAMUEL KING.. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBEKILE NICHOLAS NJOWUISHI now wish to be known and addressed as OKWUOKENYE ADAMS EWERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as YILMIKAT DINAH GWAMFA now wish to be known and addressed as YILMIKAT DINAH GALADIMAYUSUF. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as RETYIT YABWAHAT LONGMUT now wish to be known and addressed as RETYIT AGIM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I’ formerly known and addressed as NNAJI NJIDEKA VERA now wish to be known and addressed as NNAJI NJIDEKA EUPHEMIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This is to notify the general publics that my names are wrongly writtrn as OZIEGBE FAVOUR U.L on my Bank Account and OZIEGBE LUCKY FAVOUR USIAHON on my BVN and account. My correct names are OZIEGBE FAVOUR OSIAHON. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria and the general public should please note

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS ARUBUOLAWE OMOLARA OLUWAKEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ARUBUOLA OMOLARA OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AIDU UMARU OR SA’IDU UMAR, now wish to be known and addressed as SAIDU UMAR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TILON YOHANNA, now wish to be known and addressed as TILON YOHANNA BAMBO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IBISO SARAH LAWSON, now wish to be known and addressed as IBISO SARAH SAMBO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

My correct name is MRS. IBISO FRANCIS AMISO. While on some of my documents I have the following names, DA-WARIBOKO CENTENARYS, DA-WARIBOKO CENTENARY S., IBISO C.S. DA-WARIBOKO, IBISO CENTENARY DA-WARIBOKO, and FRANCIS IBISO CENTENARY, wish to be known and address as MRS IBISO FRANCIS AMISO All former documents remain valid..General public please take note.

that IWUJI STEPHEN EMMANUEL and OGU CHIBUEZE EMMANUEL, is the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as OGU CHIBUEZE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I’ formerly known and addressed as YAKUBU IFEJOLA OWOTUNSE now wish to be known and addressed as OWOTUNSE-YAKUBU IFEJOLA LYDIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This bill ensures that we act decisively to protect and preserve these irreplaceable components of our natural heritage, and recognising our responsibility to future generations.

“This legislation is not just about what happens within these legislative walls; it’s about a collective effort. In the face of escalating environmental challenges, this bill is a beacon of hope. It reflects our commitment to a sustainable future, where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously. Let us pass this legislation for the sake of our planet, for the generations to come, and for the preservation of Nigeria’s natural heritage.

“If enacted, the legislation would bring Nigeria in line with international standards and agreements.”

Special Intervention Team (SIT) established by the state government has become the albatross of the university, “because the government of the day in the state deliberately made it so.”

Addressing journalists in Benin -city, the state capital, yesterday, Chairman of the union, Dr. Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele, noted that since the establishment of the intervention team, the university has been

experiencing the worst form of maladministration as evident in the absence of a Governing Council and substantive principal officers since 2021.

He said: “Ours is a university that is presently facing the darkest period of zero funding; staff victimisation; intimidation, imposition and dispensation of hardship on staff as evident in selective payment of salaries; outright denial of salaries to many staff

up to 26 months; deliberate non-remittance of deductions from staff salaries in favour of staff unions and welfare/ cooperative societies; delay in staff appraisal and promotion; bias, and politicisation of staff disciplinary matters as well as anti-workers policies in the university.”

According to him, “As a union, we have consistently condemned the charade called SIT and all it represents.”

PTD Members Restate Support for Elected Officials

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), has urged the general public as well as Nigerians to disregard false information making the rounds about the chairman of the union, Comrade Lucky Osesua, the vice chairman, Comrade Dayyabu Garga and other executive members.

The PTD, in a statement said some disgruntled members have gathered to lay false claims of its administrative officers, hence, urging the general public to, once again, disregard the claims. The group said: “The public is hereby implored to disregard false information about the legitimate

Chairman of PTD, Comrade Lucky Osighe Osesua, Vice Chairman, Comrade Dayyabu Garga and other executives of our union.

“It has come to our hearing that some members of the PTD, who constituted themselves to be nuisance, are laying false claims to the offices of the administrative officers of PTD and going about, spoiling their names, misinforming the security agencies, state actors, the general public and other executives of the union.

“The truth of the matter is the validly elected officers and their supporters are currently in court questioning their legality

and authenticity of court being elected as administrative officers of the union.

“The validly elected officers and their supporters who are currently in court using all legal means to stop their illegal and unlawful act are being harassed and intimidated using the officers and men of the police force to invite and detain the lawful members.

“There are various activities being carried out by this group, such as: interfering into zonal and units elections, installing caretaker executives in the zones, forcefully removing any loyal member to Lucky Osighe and his group.

Report: Democracy Improving in Nigeria, Africa Despite Challenges

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Global State of Democracy (GSoD) 2023 Report has revealed that democracy is improving in Nigeria and other African countries despite major challenges.

The report noted that countries in Africa like The Gambia and Zambia have shown that democratic consolidation is also gaining ground despite waves

of unrest and military coups across the continent, especially the Sahel region. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance International (IDEA), Africa and West Asia Regional Office in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland presented the 2023 edition of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Report, titled: ‘The New Checks and Balances’, on February 8,

2024, in Addis Ababa.

According to a statement issued yesteday by the Communications Officer, International IDEA Africa and West Asia Regional Office, Mr. Sami Ahmed, key report highlights show political participation is emerging as a regional strength, with nine African countries ranking among the top 50 globally in levels of participation.

The statement with the

theme: ‘Emerging Strengths and Challenges: Exploring Africa’s Democratic Landscape and Institutional Transformations’, stressed that experiences in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone have shown that popular movements can play a vital role as countervailing institutions when other institutions have been unable to constrain governments.

Bauchi Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Religious Education for Younger Generation

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, has pledged the unwavering commitment of the state Governor, Bala Mohammed’s government towards the promotion of religious education for the younger generation to grow intellectually and spiritually.

Speaking at the opening of the first Qur’anic Recitation Competition organised by the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation held at Event Centre, Bauchi, yesterday, he noted that the present administration in the state has been supporting religious activities to include the culture of discipline among members of the society. The deputy governor said

Governor Mohammed ledadministration believed in the importance of providing a platform for young people to showcase their exceptional talent and deepen their understanding of the Holy Quran, hence the need to sponsor the conduct of Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition across the state.

He applauded the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi

Foundation for its efforts in the promotion of Islamic education and for organising this prestigious event that celebrates the beauty of the Quran.

“On behalf of my boss, His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed, let me acknowledge and appreciate the remarkable work of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation.

‘Mathematics Key to Country’s Devt and Growth’

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Managing Director of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Mr. Feyzullah Bilgin, has urged Nigerians to take the study of mathematics very serious as it could be the key to unearthing Nigeria’s development and growth.

Bilgin made the call in a statement he issued yesterday

Road Diversion:

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

that announced that students of the NTIC have won over 100 medals in the 1st round of the National Mathematical Centre’s (NMC) competitions.

He noted that mathematics is not as difficult as many students believed, insisting that all it would take to be atop the subjects is interest and a good teacher.

Commenting on the NMC’s

competitions, he said that the centre is mandated to identify and encourage young talents, stimulate enthusiasm among young Nigerian students and attract distinguished mathematical scientists, fom all over the country.

He noted that the centre also aimed at addressing national set goals in the development of mathematical sciences and

represent Nigeria in the various most prestigious international Olympiads.

He said: “We are pleased to announce to you our outstanding achievements from the 2023/2024 1st round of National Mathematical and Sciences Olympiad Competitions according to the results released by N.M.C. Abuja.”

Osogbo Residents Protest Govt’s Inaction, Police Aggression

Apprehension has gripped residents of Peter Ajibola and Igbalaye areas of Osogbo metropolis in Osun State as heavily armed policemen dispersed inhabitants of the area who were protesting against dust arising from the road diversion as a result of the

ongoing construction within the town. The residents, who were angered by the dust emanating from the road diversion took to the streets to protest, saying the dust has started affecting their health.

In December 2023, the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, announced a N100 billion

infrastructural plan which involved the construction of flyovers in different parts of the state, including Osogbo, the state capital.

To further aid the flow of traffic, the state government announced diversions within populated residential areas.

THISDAY learnt that residents in protest blocked the streets

which hindered free flow of traffic.

As a result, policemen from Dada Estate Police Division stormed the area and arrested some residents.

Speaking to THISDAY, a resident, Funmilayo Ade, lamented that the way the government is going about the road diversion is wrong.

Peseiro Misses Out of Algeria Job, Shifts Focus Back to Eagles

Petkovic replaces Djamel Belmadi as Desert Warriors new coach

Femi Solaja

Jose Peseiro’s quest to step into the Algerian national team job vacated by Djamel Belmadi has hit the rock following the appointment of Vladimir Petkovic as the new Head Coach of the Desert Warriors.

Petkovic is expected to arrive

in Algiers this weekend. A news conference is already scheduled for Monday to unveil him to the Algerian public, the Algerian Football Federation announced in a statement on Thursday. Petkovic’s seven-year spell with Switzerland ended after the team was beaten in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals

by Spain in a penalty shootout. Switzerland beat France on penalties in the Round of 16 after scoring two late goals in regulation time of a thrilling 3-3 draw under Petkovic’s watch.

The appointment of the Bosnianborn Swiss professional manager has now put to rest speculations

concerning Peseiro as likely candidate to next coach Algeria, winners of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

With the Algerian post now gone, Peseiro whose contract with Nigeria expired with AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, is believed to shift his radar back to Abuja with the prospect of leading the Super Eagles to the 2025

AFCON in Morocco and the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Portuguese surpassed the semi final target handed to him by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership at the AFCON 2023, He returned to Abuja from Côte d’Ivoire as runners up, beaten

Pogba Gets Four-year Ban for Dope Offences

Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, has been banned from football for four years after testing positive for a banned substance.

Pogba tested positive for testosterone earlier this season and was suspended on September 11, 2023, while officials opened an investigation.

Pogba argued that he had ingested the substance accidentally in the hope of receiving a reduced suspension but, as first revealed by La Repubblica, his claims have been rejected and he has now been handed the biggest possible suspension of four years.

Pogba will turn 31 in March and will not be able to return to competitive football until shortly before his 35th birthday. It is understood that his four-year suspension will include the period he has already served on the sidelines and will therefore be lifted in 2027.

Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer after his Manchester United contract expired in 2022 but suffered a serious knee injury during the summer which limited him to just 10 appearances across all competitions last season, including just one start in Serie A. In total, he has played just 213 minutes for Juventus since returning to the club.

The French midfielder went unused in the first game of the season but was still randomly selected for a doping test after the match.

He made two more substitute appearances before the results were confirmed and Pogba was suspended.

He remains under contract with Juventus until 2026. The club have been informed of the court's decision but are yet to respond publicly.

Pitch Awards: Osimhen, Boniface in Straight Battle for King of the Pitch

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Two of Nigeria’s best strike forces in Europe, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Bayern Leverkusen's Victor Boniface, are both listed to battle it out in this year’s the Nigeria Pitch Awards. Osimhen is the reigning CAF Football of the Year.

Both players are also in the running for Best Striker and King of the Pitch Awards. They are joined by Bayelsa United’s Robert Miso for the Strikers award while Emeka Obinna of Enyimba is the third candidate shortlisted for the King of the Year Pitch Award.

Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Bright Osayi-Samuel of Fenerbahce will slug it out in the Defender of the Year category.

For the Midfielder of the Year category, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Alhassan

Yusuf of Belgian Royal Antwerp are in the running for that award.

For the Queen of the Pitch, it's a straight battle between Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Assisat Oshoala.

Contesting for the Team of the Year are Super Falcons, Enyimba of Aba and Remo Stars of Ikenne.

The trio of Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, Finidi George of Enyimba and Super Falcons' Waldrum are squaring up for the Coach of the Year.

Speaking earlier at the unveiling of the categories, President of Nigeria Pitch Sina Phillip, remained upbeat about the quality of the awards.

“Within the last decade, we have remained resolute in our objective of giving Nigerian football a credible award platform which can consistently motivate and inspire healthy competition among our players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and journalists.

Paul Pogba...slammed with four-year ban for dope infraction

The quarterfinals matches of the preliminaries of the 2024 Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games will hold this morning at the Shell Residential Area, Port Harcourt. The matches begin from 8 a.m while the next two matches begin at 10 a.m.

After winning Group 1 with maximum points, the defending champions of the football event of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games, NNPCL will open the knockout rounds of the preliminaries with a clash against TotalEnergies, who finished as runners up in Group 3.

The other match that will also be holding simultaneously is that between NMDPRA and ExxonMobil.

NMDPRA topped Group 2 while ExxonMobil finished second behind NCDMB in Group 4. Winners of both matches will likely clash in the semifinals.

The next two matches in the quarterfinals will feature NLNG against PTI, and soar away winner of Group 4, NCDMB taking on NUPRC. The two matches will also be played simultaneously..

only in the championship match on the last day of the tournament.

Although no senior official of the NFF was willing to speak on wether the federation has opened contract talks with the Portuguese, the body language at the Sunday Dankaro House in Abuja is for Peseiro to continue on the job.

Nigeria will open the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. With the proposed international friendly with world champions Argentina in the USA this March now cancelled, it appears the Super Eagles may not utilize the FIFA window with a substantive coach in place.

Independent sources at the Federal Ministry of Sports Development however hinted last night that pressure may mount on the NFF to appoint a new coach shortly in other to build on the success recorded at the AFCON 2023.

“ We must build on the momentum of the AFCON by ensuring that we don’t allow any vacuum in the coaching crew of the Super Eagles,” observed the top government official who will not want to be quoted on the matter.

Although, the official didn’t state if the indigenous coaches that worked under Peseiro will be asked to carry on from where the Portuguese stopped. “We just want Super Eagles to have quality coaches to continue,” the officiating concluded without letting out hint of who to step into the Eagles job.

Nigeria, Tanzania Top Leaderboard at Women’s T20i in Lagos

With three wins from four matches, Nigeria and Tanzania are joint leaders on six points apiece at the on-going NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos.

The Tanzanians are though leading by Net Run Rate (2.337) after losing only their first of the four games so far to Rwanda by 33-run, and has gone undefeated since then.

Nigeria on the other hand are on same point but with less (0.625) NRR. They are now condemned to win their next two matches to retain the trophy.

Rwanda have amassed four points so far and are lurking to overrun any of the two leading teams that drop point in their next two encounter at the weekend.

Chairman of the Organsising Committee of the event, Chuma Anosike, urged Nigerians to troop out to support the national team as the tournament enters crescendo this weekend.

“This event has become one of the biggest female events in the country, and we are proud of what we have built so far. We are equally glad to see that the Nigeria girls are having a good run so far.

“The momentum this event has

Sporting Supreme of Abuja are already in Yola the Adamawa State Capital to keep a date with Adamawa Utd in Match-day 1 of the second stanza of the 2023/2024 NNL League.

The team flew into Adamawa Thursday morning with MaxAir and have fully settled down in the state more than 24 hours to the commencement of the match which headlines the second stage of the most important League in

given all the teams will help their preparation for the All-Africa Games in Ghana and we are glad all the teams are having good opposition and giving them the needed challenge. This wouldn’t have been possible if not the support of the friends and sponsors of the game of Cricket across the country.”

Today, Friday (March 1st) has

been declared rest day for all the teams, while matches will resume on Saturday March 2nd. The last matches would be played on Sunday March 3rd at the TBS Cricket Oval. Rwanda and Sierra Leone will open the day on Saturday at 10:15am, before Nigeria take on Tanzania later at 2:15pm. General Manager of the Nigeria

Cricket Federation, Emeka Igwilo said the weekend games are expected to attract dignitaries across the sporting world including some friends and sponsors of the game.

“We have had a number of interests asking to be part of the weekend games and that is encouraging including sponsors and top dignitaries in the sporting world.

CAPTAINS’ AFFAIRS....

L-R: Vice Captain of the Sierra Leonian Women Team, Zainab Kamara; Captain of Nigeria’s Female YellowGreens, Blessing Etim; Rwanda’s Captain, Marie-Dianne Vimenyimana; Tanzania’s Captain, Neema Pius; at the on-going NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament in Lagos...yesterday

the country.

The second tier League will be resuming today, Friday, March 1, 2024 following a two-week extension of the mid- season transfer break which ended Tuesday, February, 6, 2024 and the Abuja-based side are not leaving anything to chance as they aim at consolidating their position on the League table.

Apart from the Yola game, Kebbi United will also square up against

Mailantarki

important I appeal to the teams to play to the rules of the game and avoid acts capable of giving bad name to the league which has witnessed tremendous improvement since the present board took charge.”

Lawmakers to Multichoice Group

“Cognisant of the previous attempts by FIRS to recover the unpaid taxes through legal means; and...to settle out of the court has not yielded the desired result. Observed that the systems audit and investigation revealed enormous indebtedness to the tune of over N1.8 trillion in back total taxes for Multichoice Nigeria, and $342 million in VAT for Multichoice Africa that had never paid taxes since they started business in Nigeria” –House of Representatives, investigating the alleged infraction by Multichoice.

AKIN OSUNTOKUN

DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

Iakinosuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Tiger by the Tail

remember, with nostalgia, our secondary school days when the James Hardley Chase novels were such a delightful companion. Even though it was not a recommended text, it was difficult to find a peer or cohort unfamiliar with the thrillers. In the ‘Tiger by the Tail’ Chase told the story of Kenway Holland, ‘a respectable, married bank official who jeopardises his happiness and his future by one night ofmidsummer madness. The sudden temptation to kick over the traces while his wife is away lands Holland up to his ears in a vortex of political intrigue and murder. Set against a background of gangster politicians, blackmailers, gunmen and hard-boiled characters, the action of this explosive thriller takes place over a period of only thirty hours!’

‘Tiger by the Tail’ is also a metaphor commonly used to describe a situation where someone puts himself in a dangerous or difficult situation, often unwillingly or without fully understanding the consequences’. The applicability of the ‘Tiger by the Tail’ narrative to contemporary Nigeria is that when Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu became president, he was confronted with two options. Both of which are fraught with danger with equal potential to bring him down. One is to go down doing the right thing or go down doing the wrong thing. Realising he was handing over a lemon, could this be the reason why former President Muhammadu Buhari suddenly chickened out on his open secret scheme of imposing Ahmed Lawan as successor?

Three years ago, I sought the counsel of my economist friend on what to do with a hypothetical small fortune. Without a whiff of hesitation, he said the best store of value was dollars and that I should make a habit of it. My friend was doing no more than prescribing the most rational option in the circumstances and counselled me not to bet on Nigeria and the naira. At the macro level, it is this lack of belief in Nigeria that is fueling the run on the Naira and the runaway from Nigeria syndrome. Never really a nation, Nigerians are getting increasingly alienated from Nigeria, made worse by the fact that at all potential turns for good or bad, it has become habitual for the country to embrace the latter option.

This lapse is boldly written all over the budget statement put out by the President a few months ago. It is what is at play in the audacity and callousness of national legislators awarding themselves with top of the range brand new Toyota landcruisers. It is responsible for the prioritisation of a sixty billion naira mansion for the Vice President and five billion naira renovation of the state house annexe in Lagos. To what mentality do we attribute the reappointment of Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director, GMD, the man at the centre of the oil subsidy scandal?.

In similar character, the so-called Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, recently announced it spent nearly four hundred billion naira on the last general elections. This was when the naira was about six hundred naira to the dollar. The calculation in dollars run upwards of three hundred and fifty million dollars. Yet, at the end of the day, the electoral body delivered the worst general elections in the history of Nigeria. The double tragedy was not merely the certification of the rogue results but the determination of the judiciary to declare winners regardless of the outcome of the election. The major significance of this electoral cycle is that it is the judiciary not the voters who decide the winners and losers in Nigerian elections.

The pregnant yesterday that gave birth to the monstrous baby of today is to be found in the craven rent seeking hysteria of the Nigerian ruling elite, (particularly the Northern faction). In an impossible claim of patrimony and gluttonous obsession with the Niger Delta oil, the late Dr Bala Usman came up with the cuckoo theory that ‘the sediments with which, and in which, this petroleum deposits are found, did not drop from the sky…These sediments are made up of soil containing vegetable, and other organic materials, including human, and animal, faeces and remains, which were washed away from farmland, pasture and forests all over Nigeria and outside and carried by the Niger to form its delta and all the minerals in it”.

In a similar display of Northern hegemony masturbation Dr Usman Bugaje followed up with a made to measure rant “There are no oil producing states…. the only oil producing state is the Nigerian state

itself… Whatever mileage you get in the sea, according to the United Nations Law of the sea, is a measure of the landmass that gives that long 200 nautical miles or more into the ocean, is because of that 72 per cent of the land mass of this country, which is the North. What they claim is the off shore oil is actually the oil of the North.”.

Brimming with Southern Nigeria irredentism, Professor Itse Sagay responded in kind “You will observe that because of the long stay of the North in power at the centre, they manipulated the process and cornered all these oil blocks to the disadvantage of the South; today, you have all the juicy oil blocks in the hands of the North. Now that Jonathan is the president, he should ensure that he corrects this imbalance by allocating more oil blocks to people in the South to make up for the inequity in the sector.”

The worldview and ideological position of these fellow travellers is significantly antithetical to the ethic of socioeconomic development and subversive of federalism. It is a raw display of the culture of prioritising consumption over productivity at its most insidious. It bespeaks a mentality that negates the potential of Nigeria for national cohesion and socio-economic development.

In his contribution to the food security policy, the poster boy of the prevailing Nigeria’s gangster politics, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lived to his billing once again. He alleged that the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, had credited the bank accounts of the state governments with thirty billion naira apiece. He said he got the rumour from “unverified reports. Well, according to the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde,’FIRS cannot give money to any state. It is not possible. All revenues accruing to the country goes into the federation account and it is distributed to all tiers of government. There is nothing like N30 billion being given to states for food security’

Noteworthy is that just about all the tragedies that had visited Nigeria have a direct or indirect causation in the Oil curse. Regardless of the prima facie case of Odumegwu Ojukwu, many observers share the belief that the recalcitrance of both sides to compromise was fed by the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta (moreso the Nigerian state).

If oil played a role in fostering the civil war, it became the essence of the Nigerian political economy after the war. Following upon the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel contrived surge in the price of oil in 1973, the Nigerian military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon famously gave voice to the full blown descent of Nigeria into a rentier economy when he wondered out loud that the problem of Nigeria was not money but how to spend it.

My visits to the Niger Delta region had been intermittent and confined to the urban metropolis of Benin, Warri, Port Harcourt

and Yenagoa. For the first time, I sighted the interior islands a few years ago and it was a disheartening and harrowing spectre to behold. The unique topography made it extremely difficult and exorbitant to extend pipe borne water facility to their habitation. Provision of the infrastructure will require multiples of the cost of laying similar facilities elsewhere in the country.

Yet I was not prepared for the horror of the spectacle I was about to witness. The people were defecating and taking their bath in the same creek water they scooped to drink and cook! Lest I forget, the same water was polluted with oil sleek from the operations of the illegal oil refineries that dotted the banks of the crisscrossing creeks. I did not see anybody casting fishing nets into the river. Maybe it was futile to do so. My friend and escort directed my attention to the skies above; it was eerily quiescent and overcast but more importantly it was bereft of the chirping and flapping of flying birds-proof positive of toxic air pollution.

It is not only in the Niger Delta creeks that crude oil stood in the way of income yielding utilisation of the land and waters for agriculture, it also did in the rest of Nigeria. The difference is that while the reality was shoved down the throat of the Niger Deltans, other Nigerians made the choice of opting not to till the ground on account of the disincentive to work fostered by the avalanche of petrol dollars. Parallel to the pathetic situation in the region was the inadvertent mocking refrain of General Theophilus Danjuma.

Whatever his good intentions are (echoing the peculiar Gowon refrain five decades before), Danjuma struck at the heart of the resource curse syndrome when he complained that he has so much money he doesn’t know what to do with it. And where did he get this troubling riches that do not require the ethic of productivity? His oil bloc in the swamps of the Niger Delta. Given the squalid living conditions of the same Delta region inhabitants, should he have any difficulty identifying potential beneficiaries of his largesse?

Once again, Nigeria is squirming in the throes of an existential crisis. Dangling like the sword of damocles over the country are the harrowing exactions of the twin vicissitudes of the deregulation of the pump price of premier motor spirits (PMS) aka the removal of oil subsidy and the floatation of the naira.

Moments of challenges and difficulties are often replete with opportunities to advance with a giant step forward. Nigeria has for long being victimised by an unworkable constitution. At my last outing, I posed the option before Nigeria as that between ‘Rawlings’ and Restructuring.The former is a Rawlings style revolutionary cleansing and the other is a voluntary and conscious constitutional restoration of federalism. The jury is out. Let us seize the moment.

Tinubu