TUESDAY 12TH MARCH 2024

Buhari lauds Tinubu, says Nigeria Complex to govern

... Page 9 ssANu, NAsu to Begin strike Monday over

Afenifere to Tinubu: No More Excuses, Go After Terrorists

Bandits demand N40trn, 11 Hilux vans, 150 motorcycles to release Kaduna victims Gunmen invade Plateau market, kill 7

John shiklam in Kaduna, seriki

Adinoyi in Jos and James sowole in Abeokuta

Disturbed by the growing insecurity in the country, a pan-Yoruba socio-

political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, asked President Bola Tinubu to go after the terrorists operating across the country and stop making excuses. Afenifere, in a statement jointly

signed by its Publicity Secretary, Gboyega Adejumo, and Assistant Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, warned that Tinubu could not afford to fail in the critical national assignment, like his immediate

predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. Afenifere’s position came as an apparently emboldened group of bandits, who had abducted 16 residents of Gonin Gora area of Kaduna metropolis, yesterday, made

outrageous demands, including a ransom of N40 trillion for their victims’ release.

Other demands of the criminals included 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles before the release of

the 16 people in their captivity. In yet another indication of the worsening insecurity in the country, no fewer than seven persons were

Continued on page 9

Tinubu: If Govs Provide Land, I’ll Solve Farmers/Herders Clashes in Three Weeks

Urges quick payment of N30,000 wage award to ease workers’ financial stress Calls Bago’s agric revolution as bold step We shall engender growth, prosperity for our people, says Niger governor

deji

purchased by the Niger State government.

He urged the state governors to quickly pay the N30, 000 wage award to workers to ease their financial stress.

The president described the agricultural revolution agenda of the Niger State governor, Umar Bago, as a bold step in the right direction.

Continued on page 9

PHOTO:

COmmiTTEE TO invESTigATE ThE n30 TrilliOn nAirA lOAn UndEr BUhAri inAUgUrATEd...

Obi: Alleged Budget Padding of Grave Concern, Shameful, Breach of Public Trust

Jimoh Ibrahim asks IG to arrest, prosecute Ningi

Chuks Okocha and Sunday

Aborisade in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, yesterday, expressed concern over the alleged padding of the 2024 budget with N3 trillion, it was shameful to read and a breach of public trust.

This also exacerbated the crisis of confidence in the Senate as Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Abdul Ningi, over allegations of budget padding against the executive.

However, describing the issue as a matter of grave concern, Obi called for a public explanation from both the senate and the presidency.

Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, had alleged that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as the 2024 budget instead of the N28.7 trillion being implemented by the Federal Government.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator, in an interview with BBC Hausa, last Friday, said the Northern lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.

But, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, faulted Ningi’s claim on the 2024 budget.

Onanuga stated that the Nigerian government allowed the National Assembly to increase the budget

by N1.2 trillion in the spirit of democracy.

Reacting to the development in an X post, Obi called on the presidency and the National Assembly to explain the discrepancies in budget padding to the sum of N3 trillion.

The former governor of Anambra said the allegation was worrying because the amount involved represented over 10% of the national budget.

Obi also decried the lack of transparency and accountability in managing public funds, stressing that it breached Nigerians’ trust.

“I find it deeply disconcerting and a matter of grave concern and even shameful to read about the alleged N3 trillion discrepancy between the budget approved by the Nigerian Senate and the one being implemented by the presidency.

“One Senator claims there is a separate budget, allegedly containing the N3 trillion, that differs from what was passed by the National Assembly.

“This alleged discrepancy is especially worrying because it represents over 10% of our national budget (estimated at N29 trillion) and is more than the combined education (N1.54 trillion) and health (N1.38 trillion) official budgets.

“We also deserve full accountability of all our scarce resources placed in public trust. Therefore, we, the Nigerian people, demand a public explanation from both the National Assembly and the Presidency regarding the purpose and process of adding this alleged," the Labour Party chieftain stated.

Tension in Senate, Ibrahim Asks IGP to Arrest, Prosecute Ningi

The crisis of confidence in the Senate deepened yesterday when Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute Senator Abdul Ningi, over allegations of budget padding against President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Ibrahim at a news conference in Abuja threatened to invoke necessary legislative procedure against Ningi if the IGP failed to arrest and prosecute him within seven days.

Ibrahim, a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee, who also chaired the Committee on Inter-parliamentary Affairs, insisted that the presidency was not operating two budgets.

He said Ningi made false allegations and that his outburst were

causing uncomfortable pains to the integrity of the entire members of the National Assembly.

He therefore called on the Inspector General of the Police, Kayode Egbetokun, "to charge Ningi for criminal information and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

"As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-parliamentary Affairs, I have series of international conferences to attend this year, and my foreign colleagues will ask me why my country is operating two budgets.”

When told that Ningi had denied saying the Tinubu's administration was implementing two budgets, Ibrahim insisted that the Bauchi Central Senator was being economical with the truth.

Some of Ningi's colleagues in the NSF also issued a statement on Monday, disowning him.

But Ningi had earlier addressed journalists and maintained that his group actually discovered

that projects worth N3.7trn in the 2024 Appropriation Act could not be tied to any project or their locations.

He explained that he did not grant the interview on behalf of the Northern Senators Forum but that he spoke in his personal capacity.

Ningi also expressed surprised that the presidency could issue a statement based on an issue it didn't understand.

"First and foremost, I'm not representing the northern senators forum. The interview I had was in my capacity as a senator and as an opposition senator. It has no bearing at all on the northern senators position on any matter.

"Anything that you heard in my Hausa interview had to do with my personal perspective.

"Yesterday (Sunday) I was confronted by a very harsh press release from an individual whom I have followed personally as a journalist to close to 30 years. "I have been following Bayo

Onanuga's writeup for close to 30 years and I have no doubt. Bayo Onanuga was one of my very best.

"I was really surprised, the Bayo I know could come out with a press release against my person without even understanding the subject matter. I never granted my interview in English. The Hausa version of the interview with me.

"Unfortunately those who carried the story to Bayo Onanuga did it with the sole aim of tarnishing my good name and Bayo went to the extent of calling me a liar.

"I'm not going to join issues with him on the aspect of calling me a liar. Bayo Onanuga did not listen to my Hausa interview, Bayo did not get a good translation of our Hausa interview.”

Meanwhile, seven senators in a statement yesterday dissociated themselves from Senator Ningi’s padding allegation.

Continues online

NUPRC Debunks Alleged Non-remittance of N151.121bn into Federation Account

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has rebuffed a media report alleging that a 2022 Audit Report had indicted the commission over

its purported non-remittance of N151.121 billion into the Federation Account.

The NUPRC in a statement issued yesterday, in Abuja, signed by its Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Olaide Shonola, stated that

GTCO Leads Trade on NGX with over N4bn Transactions

market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday extended gains from previous week as the overall market capitalisation added N404 billion on speculation of foreign portfolio investors’ (FPIs) demand for penny stocks.

demand for penny stocks on NGX.

Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) followed GTCO with 73.860 million shares valued at N1.231 billion, while Access Holdings traded 48.090 million shares valued at N988.350 million.

It was closely followed by UBA which traded 21.581 million shares worth N497.306 million, while NASCON Allied Industries traded 19.575 million shares worth N1.126 billion.

Opening the new week, the stock

The demand by FPIs impacted on newly listed Transcorp Power Plc and 33 other stocks to appreciate, contributing to NGX All-Share Index (ASI) that gained 713.99 basis points or 0.70 per cent to close at 102,044.84 basis points from 101,330.85basis points the stock market opened for trading.

Also, market capitalisation rose by N404 billion to close at N57.697 trillion from N57.293trillion it closed the previous week. Performance across the sectors

was mostly positive, following gains in the NGX Banking that added two per cent, NGX Insurance rose by 1.4per cent, NGX Consumer Goods increased by 1.1per cent and NGX Industrial Goods appreciated by 0.1per cent. However, the NGX Oil & Gas dropped by 0.2per cent, the sole loser. As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive, as 34 stocks gained relative to 16 losers. Honeywell Flour Mills and NEM Insurance emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent each to close at N3.74 and N6.05 respectively, while Dangote Sugar Refinery followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N61.20, per share.

the media report clearly showed a lack of understanding of the composition and responsibility of the commission.

The NUPRC argued that the audit report under reference was that of 2020, explaining that the commission was a creation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and was inaugurated in October 2021.

The upstream regulator added that it is a regulatory body and not directly involved in operational activities.

The NUPRC maintained that it therefore smacked of professional sloppiness to link it by whatever definition to a report of 2020, adding that it was also mischievous to claim that the commission did not remit funds it never received.

The Gbenga Komolafe-led regulator further explained that funds, including royalties, received by licensees or operators including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were meant to be remitted directly to the Federation Account and not through the NUPRC. The commission noted that the operators were responsible for receiving and remitting funds from oil and gas sector operations

to the designated accounts.

The statement read, "The attention of the NUPRC has been drawn to a rather mischievous story with the headline ‘Audit report indicts NUPRC, Customs for non-remittance into Federation Account.’

"The story, which claims that a 2022 Report from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation indicted the Nigerian Customs Service and the NUPRC for non-remittance of billions of Naira, clearly shows a lack of understanding of the composition and responsibility of the NUPRC.

"The newspaper quoted the report as indicating that N151.121 billion deducted by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on behalf of NUPRC (formerly Department of Petroleum Resources) as royalty for 2020 was not captured in the federation account.

“In the first place, the audit report under reference is that of the Year 2020. The NUPRC is a creation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and was inaugurated in October 2021. It is a regulatory body and not directly involved in operational activities.

L-R: CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso; Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jubril; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget, Senator Atiku Bagudu and Chairman Appropriation, Senator Solomon Olamilekan at the inauguration of the Ways and Means Committee to investigate the N30 Trillion Naira Loan under Buhari held in Abuja... yesterday

PhOTO JuLiuS ATOi.

Akpabio Inaugurates Panel to Probe N30tn Ways and Means Advances Under Buhari

Edun, Cardoso, MDAs' chiefs in attendance

sunday aborisade in Abuja

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, inaugurated the Ad-hoc Committee to probe

the N30 trillion Ways and Means advances under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate President asked the Committee to investigate the N30

trillion which was released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fund projects under Buhari’s administration.

The fund which passed through

the National Assembly was without details despite the commitment of the executive arm of government to do so.

The inauguration of the Commit-

UBA, African Guarantee Fund Partner to Support SMEs across Africa

Bank to finance women-led SMEs, green finance with $100m AGF to provides portfolio guarantee of $50m, technical Support

Kayode tokede

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) yesterday, signed a partnership that ensures that the pan-African bank would provide $100 million in new loans to small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and business owners across the 20 African countries where the bank has presence in Africa.

The AGF under the agreement would support and guarantee SMEs with $50 million Portfolio Guarantee as well as facilitate extensive capacity development for the Bank’s teeming customers who run small businesses across the continent, paying special attention to women-led businesses and green finance projects.

A statement yesterday, quoted UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke during the partnership signing ceremony between both institutions at the bank’s Head Office in Lagos, to have said as Africa’s Global Bank, UBA remained committed towards supporting SMEs in Africa, especially to women founded and managed businesses, given its robust network, which is spread across the 20 countries in Africa and major global financial capitals.

He added, “This guarantee will serve as a catalyst for the bank's intervention for SME business, women-led and environment friendly businesses, enabling us to further extend our reach and impact. Additionally, the extensive capacity development initiatives planned for our SME customers across 20 African countries align with our vision to empower businesses, drive innovation, and foster sustainable growth.”

“I am particularly excited about

our focus on advancing the AfCFTA initiative, reaffirming UBA's $6 billion commitment to SMEs across Africa. This initiative, announced in September last year, demonstrates our dedication to supporting the economic integration of our continent,” he further said.

“Moreover, our commitment to promoting gender equality in our business is reflected in our collaboration with the Affirmative Finance Action for Women(AFAWA) protocol. Through this we will provide loans to women-owned SMEs at more concessional rates, with customer friendly collateral terms, aiming to bridge the sinificant financing gap faced by women in Africa, amounting to $42 billion,” Alawuba added.

In the same vein, capacity development platforms are to be extended for free or at highly discounted rates while the partners will engage with governments across Africa to create and activate business environments that are more women friendly. It will also expand the Bank’s Green Finance propositions across Africa.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group CEO of African Guarantee Fund, Jules Ngankam, said the partnership between two pan-African institutions who are both at the forefront of catalysing growth and development of SMEs will significantly drive economic growth across the continent.

“Small and medium enterprises despite being the backbone of all African economies – they account for 90 per cent of the private sector and 60 per cent of all jobs – are perceived as risky and therefore have limited access to financing.

“Through this guarantee facility and the technical capacity development grant support, we

will de-risk SMEs with a priority on those that are owned or led by women and those that are within the green sector.” This partnership is sequel to the announcement made by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, and Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in September 2024 which will help the Bank drive its $6Bn commitment to SMEs across Africa under the AfCFTA initiative//ends United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent,

with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

On the other hand, the AGF is a specialised guarantee provider whose mission is to facilitate economic development and poverty reduction in Africa.

tee was attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso; Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein; the Auditor-General of the Federation, Shaakaa Chira; the Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Patience Oniha, beneficiary ministries, departments and agencies and institutions.

In his inaugural address, the Senate President urged the Committee members to be impartial, non-compromising and confidential in handling the affairs of the committee.

The Committee was set up following the adoption of a resolution of the Senate Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations.

Akpabio said the 10th Senate believes in transparency, accountability and good governance, adding that the Committee should prove their commitments as Nigerians were agitating to know how the huge sums of money were utilised.

The 17-member committee with Jibrin Isah representing Kogi East Senatorial District as Chairman, were charged to be confidential and keep

their investigations away from the prying eyes of journalists.

Akpabio said, “The constitution of this committee is a testament to the Senate’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. It reflects our dedication to addressing concerns of the Nigerian people and upholding the principles of democracy.

“To members of this esteemed committee, I implore you to approach your responsibilities with the utmost sense of patriotism, professionalism and integrity.

"Your investigation demands impartiality and fairness, always keeping the public interest and the welfare of our nation at the forefront.

“We must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the truth. Therefore, conduct thorough inquiries and dig out information that will assist the Senate in making laws for the betterment of our country.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin Isah, assured the commitment of the panel to the task given to them.

He emphasised that they would not compromise their responsibility given the interest of Nigerians on what happened to the N30 trillion Ways and Means.

NACCIMA to Governors: Implications of Persistent Devaluation of Naira Multifaceted

Dike onwuamaeze

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye, has stated that while the immediate effect of the devaluation of the naira on exports may be positive, the broader implications of a persistent devaluation were multifaceted.

Oye, stated this in response to comments by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) claiming that the recent devaluation of the naira was fuelling food and grain export to West African countries as Nigeria's food was now the cheapest in the West African region due to the naira fall.

The NACCIMA President in a statement yesterday, noted that the observations made by the NGF highlight a nuanced aspect of currency devaluation especially its effect on trade competitiveness.

He said, “The observations made by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum highlight a nuanced aspect of currency devaluation – its effect on trade competitiveness. The devaluation of the Naira, while presenting broad economic challenges, does appear to have inadvertently enhanced the competitiveness of Nigerian food and grain exports within the West African region.

“This phenomenon is rooted in the economics of exchange rates. A weaker Naira means that Nigerian goods become less expensive for buyers using stronger currencies. Consequently, Nigerian food and grains are now more competitively priced when compared to similar products from countries with stronger currencies. This price advantage can lead to an increase in demand for Nigerian exports within the region.”

However, while the immediate effect on exports may be positive, the

NACCIMA boss said the broader implications of a persistent devaluation were multifaceted.

The statement explained, “On inflationary pressure, the cost of imported goods, including agricultural inputs such as machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, will increase, potentially driving up domestic production costs over time.

“On consumer impact, the increased export of food and grains could lead to a reduction in domestic supply, thereby escalating food prices locally and aggravating food insecurity in Nigeria.”

Analysing the short-term gains versus long-term health, Oye noted that while devaluation might boost exports in the short term, there were concerns about the long-term health of the economy if the underlying causes of the devaluation, such as macroeconomic instability or policy uncertainty, were not addressed.”

“On sustainable export growth,

the NACCIMA President noted that, “for export growth to be sustainable, it must be supported by productivity gains and not merely currency devaluation. Investments in agricultural technology, infrastructure, and human capital are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.”

He further stated, “In conclusion, while the devaluation of the Naira has made Nigerian food exports more attractive in the short term, it is essential to approach this development holistically. “It is crucial to balance the immediate benefits of increased export revenues with the need for a stable macroeconomic environment and the well-being of the Nigerian population.

“Long-term stability and growth of the agricultural sector will require structural reforms that address the root causes of currency weakness, improve productivity, and ensure food security for the Nigerian people.”

SSANU, NASU to Begin Strike Monday Over Withheld Salaries, Wage Increase

List varsities owing arrears of minimum wage

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja University workers under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), have threatened to commence one-week warning strike nationwide from Monday, March 18, 2024, if the federal government fails to pay members the four months withheld salaries as approved by President Bola Tinubu

The union also demanded the implementation of the agreement on 25 per cent and 35 per cent pay rise reached in 2023, before the commencement of new minimum wage negotiations.

They described the withholding of members’ salaries as a breach of the post-strike agreement with government on non-victimisation of its members who participated in the six-month strike.

In the communique signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the union listed 26 federal and state universities that were still owing its members arrears of the national minimum wage adjustment.

SSANU had along with its sister union – NASU- had demanded that federal government urgently pay four months withheld salaries to members, failing which they would no longer guarantee industrial peace in the institutions.

In communique released at the end of its 47th National Executive Council meeting (NEC) held at the Federal University of Technology

Akure, Ondo State, SSANU, said it viewed the delay in the implementation of the approved wage award and payment of withheld salaries as the handiwork, "of saboteurs bent on destabilising and destroying the good intent of Mr. President towards sustaining industrial peace in the University system.

"NEC-in-session therefore calls on the relevant authorities of government to immediately implement the directive of Mr. President by paying our members the four months withheld salaries, failing which NEC has approved a one-week warning strike in conjunction with our sister union - NASU.

"By Monday, all our public universities will be shutdown, there won't electricity, there won't be water and the hostels and classrooms will be shut." SSANU said the federal government had in 2023, awarded a wage increase of 25 per cent and 35 per cent to its members for which a corresponding salary structure had even been circulated via a letter from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission in September last year.

However, the union expressed sadness that over six months after, the wage award has not been implemented in the monthly salaries of members even though the sum of N100 billion naira was provided for in the budget for that purpose.

SSANU said they would want the federal government to implement the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage increase by factoring it into the monthly salaries of members

It lamented that the value of the salary increase has already been

eroded, adding that any further delay would drastically reduce the purchasing power and value of the money.

"We demand this implementation before renegotiation of the new national minimum wage for which government has already set up a Committee, it said.

"NEC also demands that government expedite action on the renegotiation of the new national minimum wage as the current national minimum wage has completely been made useless by the hyperinflation currently ravaging the country," it added.

SSANU also urged the federal government to stop foot-dragging on the issue of re-negotiation of the

2009 Agreement and commence the process.

In addition, the union expressed dismay over alleged delay by government to pay members the outstanding Earned Allowances, despite several letters and correspondences and interactions written to it.

"We are aware that the sum of N50 billion was appropriated in the 2023 budget for this purpose. NEC therefore calls on government to as a matter of urgency release the already appropriated funds for payment of Earned Allowances to our members to avert any industrial disharmony in the University system," it added.

SSANU further said 26 universities owned by federal government and some states were still in arrears

of payment of the last national minimum wage approved in 2018. The affected institutions it listed included Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; Federal University, Dutsima, Katsina State; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State; Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State; Federal University Kashere, Gombe State; University of Maiduguri, Borno State; Modibo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State; University of Benin, Benin, Edo State and College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba Lagos State.

Others are the University of Calabar Cross River State; University

of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State; Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State; Federal University, Lokoja Kogi State; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State; Nigeria French Language Village, Lagos State; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State; University of Illorin, Illorin, Kwara State; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State; Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State; Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State; National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State; University of Lagos, Lagos State; Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State, and Taraba State University, Jalingo Taraba State.

SON Unveils 80 Fresh Standards for CNG-Powered Vehicles, Others

James Emejo in Abuja

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has officially released 80 approved standards for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for road vehicles and related appliances to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).

The development marked the beginning of the journey towards safer, more reliable, cheaper, environmentally sustainable, and alternative fuel utilisation across for road vehicles and other CNG-related appliances in the country.

Standards and Guidelines for CNG road vehicles and related appliances were approved by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite.

The move further reiterates SON’s commitment to excellence and innovation in line with international best practices which had culminated in developing and approving these standards.

A statement issued yesterday, by SON's Director, Public Relations, Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, stated that the landmark regulations represented a

NHIA Seeks to Boost Access to Health Insurance for Nigerians

James Emejo in Abuja

Director-General/Chief Executive, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, said it committed to developing strategies to drive the enrollment of health insurance across all schemes and ensuring a standardised and consistent minimum benefit for Nigerians.

He said under his watch, NHIA will sustain current momentum to boost low enrolment and focus on delivering impactful outcomes for Nigerians in line with the mandate of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

Speaking at a senior management retreat organised by the authority in Abuja, Ohiri said the NHIA would continue to work towards expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare accessibility for all Nigerians.

He said the outcomes of the strategic engagement are expected to shape the organisation's future initiatives and drive positive change in the healthcare sector.

He further discussed the emerging vision, strategy, and key priorities of the authority in line with the President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.

The NHIA boss, however,

highlighted the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving organisational goals, emphasising the need to recognise and appreciate support from various departments and individuals.

He also underscored the commitment to quarterly strategic meetings to reflect on progress and adapt strategies as needed.

Ohiri emphasised the importance of execution and adaptability in achieving set goals while acknowledging challenges but expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome them.

The meeting sought to devise

strategies for boosting the current low enrollment level for national health insurance to meet targets as well as enhance the country’s overall health indices – and to set the tone for NHIA's future direction, focusing on key priorities to achieve Tinubu’s mandate for the organisation.

The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate had announced that 750,000 more Nigerians have been registered for health insurance since the advent of the Tinubu administration. The target was to have 50 million Nigerians enrolled by 2027.

significant milestone in the organisation’s efforts to promote safety and quality in the energy sector.

The CNG is a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fuels, with applications ranging from transportation to industrial processes.

However, its safe and effective utilisation requires adherence to rigorous standards that address production, storage, transportation and utilisation.

The PCNGI is a component of the palliative intervention of President Bola Tinubu's administration and one of the many steps the president had taken to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys his Renewed Hope agenda, Foluso added.

Essentially, the PCNGI consists of a committee comprising relevant regulatory agencies such as, the National Mid-Stream Down-stream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Ministry of Finance Incorporation (MOFI) and other key stakeholders. Every regulatory agency is saddled with the responsibility within its framework and tasked to quickly deliver hope to Nigerians by ensuring that the country is ready to include CNG as an alternative fuel for vehicle propulsion.

The standards encompass a wide range of technical specifications and requirements, including CNG Conversion kit, standards for electrical connections and vehicle diagnostics, standards for road-worthiness and Vehicle safety, standards for CNG storage vessels, and standards for CNG refueling stations, as well as guideline for installation of specific components to support the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle propulsion. The standards were a collaborative effort, among industry experts, regulators, and stakeholders from across the country.

The apex standards regulatory agency stated that adherence to the standards will provide for enhanced safety for consumers, workers, and the environment, improved reliability and efficiency in CNG operations, facilitated interoperability and compatibility within the CNG ecosystem, and increased confidence among consumers, investors, and policymakers.

The statement added, “As SON releases these standards, we call upon all stakeholders to embrace them wholeheartedly and to prioritise their effective implementation.

“By doing so, we can assure that the utilisation of CNG meets the highest standards of safety, quality and environmental sustainability and will provide the best alternative for fuel utilisation.”

ThE MinisTEr Of ArT And ThE nObEl lAurEATE...

Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa (left) with Nobel Prize Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka in Abu Dhabi at the weekend.

Buhari Lauds Tinubu, Says Nigeria Complex to Govern

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his attempts at reworking the country since he took over Nigeria on May 29, maintaining that Nigeria remains a complex nation to govern.

Speaking when he received the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi and members of the management team in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari said that there’s

not much anybody can do to help Nigeria at this point.

On assumption of office, Tinubu had removed the controversial petrol subsidy and thereafter attempted to ‘float’ the Naira against other currencies, policies that though popular at the time, have caused economic hardship. “I thank you very much for coming. I very much appreciate it.

I thought Tinubu has done very well,” Buhari said, before adding “Nigeria is so complex. Really, there isn’t much anybody can do.”

As a result of the economic pains, there have been pockets of protests in the country even as organised labour recently took to the streets across the country to ask for better living conditions.

Buhari led Nigeria for two terms of eight years after he had been military president in the 80s. He declined to withdraw Nigeria’s expensive fuel subsidy regime, citing the need to protect the poor and vulnerable.

In the eight years he was president, Buhari also ‘defended’

f G: We’re n o T S L ee PI n G on Wor S en I n G Po W er Su PPLY stressing that this is enough ground to withdraw their licences.

Adelabu warned that henceforth, Discos must be ready to distribute at least between 90 per cent and 95 per cent of power supply to their jurisdictions or be ready to face regulatory sanctions.

Some of the agencies present at the meeting convened by the minister included Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), and Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Adelabu also stated that the government could call for the recapitalisation of the Discos, as part of the policy document to be released before the end of March. He insisted that Discos needed to bring more funds into the sector to improve infrastructure.

The minister stated that he would also be very intentional about technical capacity development for the industry, and pointed out that it was still the old National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) staff that were running the industry.

Adelabu told his subordinates to rise up to the occasion and provide Nigerians the needed power, stressing that if their lacklustre activities affected his retention on the post, he would ensure they exited government with him.

He listed vandalism and power theft as some of the pains in the

shot dead on Sunday at an evening market in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, when suspected bandits invaded the market.

Reacting to the state of the nation, Afenifere said now was the time for the president to demonstrate political will and courage to annihilate the monstrous individuals killing and abducting people in their hundreds, particularly innocent school children, and giving Nigerians heartache and sleepless nights.

The group said it would be disastrous and disappointing if Tinubu would, like his predecessor, treat the blood-squealing terrorists with kid gloves, when he ought to deal with them head-on with a view to making the criminals pay for their heinous acts.

Afenifere also called on Tinubu to commence restructuring of the country to operate regional governments under a parliamentary system, while his recent pronouncement on state police should be allowed to have its foothold.

The group bemoaned the unbearable economic hardship Nigerians were currently experiencing under Tinubu, saying the naira has suffered the worst devaluation of 35 per cent, the very first massive devastation of the naira in history, in just the first nine months of his administration.

On the recent killings in Plateau State as well as abduction of over 100 school children in Kaduna, Afenifere said the agents of destabilisation, who had dealt severe blows to the past administrations, had just begun to test Tinubu’s willpower.

It said the earlier the president let them know it was not going to be business as usual the better it would be for his government and Nigerians.

The statement said, "The recrudescence of this human tragedy is as

sector, bemoaning the destruction of power transmission and distribution assets.

The minister said, “This is not only frustrating our efforts to achieve uninterrupted power supply. It's driving the nation backward. It's driving us backward. And our people must realise this, that these assets belong to all of us. We must protect it jealously. It's the taxpayers' money.

“They are not cheap in any form. I keep saying it. They cost dollars to install. When they are damaged, to replace them, it also costs dollars. So, number one, is our collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Then our collaboration with other security agencies in the country.

“And lastly, the legislation. What are the laws regarding power theft and vandalism? We want to push for capital punishment for those involved in vandalism and those involved in power theft of all forms, including bypassing of meters.

“Capital punishment is not too much because they are also gradually killing the nation. They are killing the economy. They are killing the people.

“This is a meeting that's actually necessary to also reassure Nigerians that we are not sleeping here.

“We are doing everything possible to make sure that the situation reverses in no time, because I see this as a crisis, and the crisis must be arrested.”

clear to the Afenifere as the daylight is distinct from the eventide. Since this democracy took off, this pattern remains constant, ever present; create chaos, destabilise the government, embarrass the president, finally, disgrace the president out of office.

"No president since 1999 has escaped this scourge, coming with the political Sharia against Obasanjo, the Niger Delta violent political agitation of Obasanjo and Yar'Adua and cleverly solved by the duo.

"The Boko Haram religionlater-turned-political instrument to embarrass a sitting southern Christian president as it was with Jonathan, who was told to convert to Islam, followed by the kidnapping extraordinaire of the Chibok girls type, the final shuck that shocked Jonathan out of office.

"This ‘Àbíkús’, coming once a regime and for repeated times from as far back as the Zango Kataf crisis, come with land grabbing, human displacement and subjugation of a people over another, often planned, aided, lauded and prompted by those self-styled as owners of Nigeria.

"President Buhari openly displayed and practised the five "P"s: He prevaricated to them. He pampered them. He protected them. He paid them. He played along with them.

"They were terrorists; Buhari curiously preferred to call them bandits. Their acts as aggressors, killing farmers, destroying their produce, stealing indigenous peoples' lands, clearly marked them as terrorists.

"Buhari's government would rather term these acts as farmers/ herders clashes. The most disturbing expository, elucidatory, explicative realities about the whole saga is that these terrorists are known to government.

"Kabiru Sokoto, the Christmas Day bomber in a church in Abuja,

Adelabu urged Nigerians to exercise a little patience and trust the government to get the job done.

He added that the government was waiting for the final numbers before commencing the payment of gas-to-power legacy debts, to ensure that everyone went back to production and improved generation.

He stated, “We have had so many meetings. The state we are now is to reconcile the numbers and agree on the numbers. So within the next one week, I believe that NBET will come up with this and we'll have validated numbers for us to start paying the debts.

“Beyond paying the legacy debts, we're moving around 4,000mw, 4,500mw and it is no longer acceptable. So what we are looking at is

Bago promised to seize every opportunity to aid growth in his state and engender prosperity for the people.

Tinubu stated at the event, "I know what it means as an economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops of our farmers. I know what it means, I know it could be painful. When we re-orient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, the problems will be solve."

He charged governors "to provide the land, I as the president, I am committed to giving you in two, three weeks’ time a comprehensive

in 2012, was found hibernating in the guest house of the then former governor of Borno, now the Vice President of Nigeria. Hermeneutic.

"A former Director of the Presidential Campaign Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed, fired her former party, alleging that the then vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, now the vice president, is a sponsor of terrorism. The former APC chieftain said this during a television interview on Arise Television.

"Sheikh Gumi openly goes into the dense forests to meet terrorists in the company of those trained to eradicate terror, but rather than arrest them, the Sheikh openly gives the terrorists money.

“For a job well done or for the future jobs yet to be done in the name of terror, for it never takes long after the monies were openly paid that yet another terror act is carried out. It never ever served as a determent. It was always to the country's detriment.

"Former Governor Ortom of Benue suffered the most. After hundreds of Benue indigenes were killed and their ancestral lands taken away from them, the terrorists had the nerve to drop a note, a promissory note that they will yet be back on New Year's day to ‘finish the job’.

"The then governor did what a sensible governor would do, took the letter to Buhari. The president, after studying the said letter, told the governor to ‘go and make peace with his neighbours,’ only a complicit does that.

"Mr. President, you have to be brutally reminded of these recrudescence in history, a disease constant, an Àbíkú, real, clear and present."

Afenifere recalled how the leaders of the Southern and MiddleBelt Leaders Forum, under the leadership

the naira, refusing to allow market forces determine the value, policies that have now been overturned by the current administration.

It’s not the first time Buhari is describing Nigeria as difficult. In November last year, he equally described Nigerians as a ‘difficult people to govern.’

Buhari further stated that during his eight-year tenure as president, he did his best to move the country forward across various sectors, but maintained that Nigerians are different because “they think they should

to have an agreement to ramp up to a minimum of 6,000mw within the next three to six months.

“I believe we still have infrastructure to generate between 6,000mw and 6,500mw. In terms of the generating companies, I have no doubt in my mind that the existing capacity can give us 6,500mw once there is stability in supply of gas.”

Adelabu said the current administration was committed to addressing the root cause of the problems, explaining that as of today, there is an assurance by TCN of over 8,000mw or about 8,500mw wheeling capacity.

“So, wilful refusal to take up supply power by the Discos is a qualified basis for revocation of

programme that will solve this problem".

The president also tasked governors to form groups of three or four for the cultivation of crops in which they have comparative advantage, saying through this initiative the states would generate income and provide employment for their youth.

On the N30, 000 wage award, the president urged the governors to commence the payment in order to relieve workers of financial stress and engender industrial harmony. He said with the resources available to all the states, they were in a position

of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, had in an open letter after the 2023 Christmas eve massacre in Plateau State, when over 300 people were killed, told the president that he could not afford to be "another Nero who fiddled while Rome burnt."

The group explained, "On Christmas Eve in 2023, there was a massacre on the Plateau. Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere, led other leaders that make up the four zones from the South-west, South-east, South-south, and the Middle Belt on a condolence visit to the governor and to the Gwom Gwom Jos and to the entire people on the Plateau.

"About 300 humans were slaughtered like rams. An open letter written, jointly signed by the leaders of the SMBLF, (Southern and MiddleBelt Leaders Forum) in which you were tasked, specifically to turn yourself into a Hero and not a Nero, the one who fiddled while Rome burnt.

"That letter will always be constantly ringing in your ear, never to go away. A hero makes history, is not afraid, does not turn a blind eye. Mr. President, arrest these perpetrators now! No more excuses Mr President.”

Bandits Demand N40trn, 11

Hilux Vans, 150 Motorcycles to Release Kaduna Victims

Emboldened, perhaps, by the seeming absence of consequences, bandits who abducted 16 residents of Gonin Gora area of Kaduna metropolis, yesterday, made despicable demands, including a ransom of N40 trillion. They also demanded 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles before they could release the 16 people in their captivity.

Continued on page 21

be” in charge “not you”.

“My personal experience leading Nigeria is that it’s extremely difficult; people know their rights; they think they should be there and not you. It’s virtually every step, and you’ve to struggle day and night to see that you’re competent. I don’t think I took Nigerians for granted.

“God gave me the opportunity to serve my country, but I did my best. But whether my best was good enough, I leave for people to judge,” he had told the state-owned television.

license too,” he said, adding, “So, the Discos should not frustrate our effort in generation and the transmission because they have the last mile connection.”

The minister called on TCN to have an agreed time frame within which vandalised assets could be fixed, arguing that once it goes beyond 72 hours, it is no longer acceptable.

Adelabu insisted that it was the responsibility of the Discos to provide meters to improve collections. He stressed that the government had in the past embarked on a number of interventions to accelerate meter acquisition, with about N75 billion seed money currently available to further push more metering devices into the market.

to pay the N30, 000 wage award and the existing salaries of their workers.

He told the governors “I am not giving you order. I am only appealing to you all, the sub-nationals. Whatever the civil servants are taking now, and the wage award, it will relief the people."

Tinubu described the agricultural revolution programme of the Bago government as a bold step, and pointed out that with determination, the food security agenda of the present administration was achievable.

According to him, "We have seen the level of commitment here from Niger State. We have seen leadership. A success story of any leader will depend on the ability to do what he is supposed to do at a time when he supposed to it."

He, however, maintained that to achieve the food security agenda of the administration, the issue of farmers/herders clash must be addressed.

The president, in a release by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said the event represented another step in the food security and agricultural mechanisation agenda of his administration. He declared that Nigeria must enhance its capacity to feed its people and have enough for export.

Tinubu stated, "We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done.

“It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.”

The president also told the government and people of Niger State, "I am equally here to partner with you to banish hunger. You are doing the job. And it is necessary for me to support you; it is mandatory as Nigerians.

“When you read newspapers, some of us are confused about whether to abuse the past or the present or to make excuses for the future. But that is not in my dictionary. I think action now, re-engineer the finances of our country and steer it on the right path.

"The student loan programme will commence. There will be unemployment benefits for our graduates. The social security benefits for the elderly and the vulnerable will commence. We are fine-tuning all of that area.

“We need to relieve our people of hunger. Let all the sub-nationals start

Muhammadu Buhari

Also speaking during the latest visit, the Customs boss, Adeniyi, commended the former president for “transforming the NCS” during his time in office, assuring that the service would continue to ensure that the country’s borders are secured in order to boost Nigeria’s economy.

He said with the planned two million metering penetration on a yearly basis, in four to five years, the huge meter gap will disappear or significantly reduce.

According to him, “We already have a seed fund of N75 billion to start working. And we're also going to have some debt injection from the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to complement this seed fund. There's even a possibility of increasing the seed fund to N100 billion.

“So we have a planned intervention to reduce the meter gap. But the Discos must also sit up. We need to interrogate their metering plans and give them the minimum targets

Continued on page 21

paying wage awards, pending when the minimum wage is increased. I am not giving an order; I am only appealing. NEC should adopt this."

Earlier, while appreciating the president for honouring his invitation and inaugurating the facilities, Bago said four states – Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and Lagos – had already signed Memoranda of Understanding on building partnerships for the development of agriculture.

The governor stated, "Mr. President, your presence here today underscores the importance of this occasion for our state, in particular, and Nigeria, as a whole, as we gather to celebrate a good example demonstrated in our modest contribution to infrastructure and agricultural development encapsulated in our New Niger Agenda.

"For us, agriculture is key to addressing the challenges in critical sectors of our economy, and we shall seize every opportunity for the attainment of growth and engender prosperity for the people of our beloved state and, by extension, our country, Nigeria."

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed at the occasion that the federal government had signed an agreement with the Brazilian government and German Deutsch Bank Group as financiers of a 995 million euros facility for the Green Imperative Programme, which will provide mechanisation hubs across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, when implemented.

Kyari said, “A memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the John Deer Group, a subsidiary of Tata Equipment, was signed. The manufacturer has signed to deliver 10,000 units of tractors and implement in tranches of 2,000 units per annum for the next five years.

“The Greener Hope Initiative is another veritable platform the federal government is deploying to ultimately change the deficit narrative in the Nigerian agricultural mechanisation space.”

While in Minna, Tinubu also visited former Nigerian Heads of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, with whom he had discussions on the advancement of the country.

Dignitaries, who attended the ceremonies in Minna, included the governors of Lagos, Benue, Kwara and Kogi states, as well as former governor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu.

Witness Admits Emefiele Didn't Confer Corrupt Advantage on Self

Says investigation limited to Emefiele's relatives, associates Didn’t interview wife, brother-in-law on ownership of Archtekon firm

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Mr Michael Agboro, a prosecution witness in the trial of former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr

Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, admitted before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that Emefiele did not confer any unfair or corrupt advantage on himself in the award of

contracts to some companies during his tenure at the apex bank.

Emefiele is standing trial on a 20-count amended charge preferred against him by the office of the

Ngelale Urges Nigerians to Support Tinubu, Says President Committed to Salvaging Economy

James Emejo in Abuja and Funmi Ogundare in Lagos Presidential Spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the current economic hardship would soon be over.

He said the bold decisions by the president to remove fuel subsidy and float the Naira – actions which are blamed for the current hardship –were necessary reforms aimed at repositioning the economy as well as improving the wellbeing of Nigeria in the long-term.

In an interview monitored on Channels Television, the presidential spokesperson, he said there however appeared to be an unspoken conces-

sion among Nigerians that president was taking the right steps to reset the economy – partly because there had not been a major revolt since the reforms started.

He insisted that the reforms so far embarked upon by the current administration were the only way out as the country was headed a situation where it would have been unbale to meet its obligations as a sovereign entity.

He said the administration is currently working to resolve underlying issues in the economy particularly stabilising the local currency before fixing a new minimum wage to avoid further back and forth on the issue.

Ngelale, who spoke on sundry issues said to cushion the effect of the hardship experienced by Nigerians, the government was concluding plans

Nigerian Breweries Set for Second Price Increase in 27 Days

Dike Onwuamaeze

Nigerian Breweries Plc has notified its distributor that it would increase prices of its products on March 15, 2024.

The latest notice, which was issued on March 8, would be the second time it would increase its prices within 27 days, having done so on February 19, 2024. It had also increased its prices in August 2023.

The latest move by the company to increase the price of its product was contained in a letter titled, “Price Review Notification,” which was addressed to “all direct customers – West Zone of the Nigerian Breweries Plc.”

It stated: “As earlier informed, we will review the prices of some of our SKUs effective Friday, March 15, 2024. This review has become necessary because of the continued rising input cost and the need to mitigate the impact.

“All open orders in our system at 00.00hrs on Friday, March 15, 2024

will be invoiced at the new prices”

The notification, which was signed for the NB by Zonal Business Manager – West, ’Lekan Awosanya, added that, “while thanking you for your commitment to our great partnership, be rest assured that we will continue to support your sales/ distribution efforts as always.

“For further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact your regional business manager. Happy selling!”

The brewery had issued a similar “Price Review Notification” to all its direct customers in the west zone on February 12, 2024, for an impending price adjustment that would commence on February 19, 2024.

The notification then stated: “Please accept our best compliments! This is to inform you that we are constrained to review the prices of some of our SKUs with effect from Monday, February 19, 2024. This review has become necessary because of continued rising input cost and the need to mitigate the impact.

to launch a consumer credit system working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to lend trillion of naira to Nigerians in order to boost demand for consumer goods as well as incentivize manufacturers thereby creating jobs. He said the proposed student loans programme would also become operational soon.

He said the government was working closely with the central bank to introduce new incentives to the banking industry to essentially free up lending and bridging the financing gap.

He said the consumer credit initiative would ensure quality of life for Nigerians.

He said contrary to insinuations that the present administration often failed to take responsibility for its actions, the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari needed to take responsibility for most of the events that happen during the regime.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank's boss.

Among the allegations was that the former CBN governor forged a document, titled, “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions,” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Besides, Emefiele was accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited.

At Monday's proceedings, the federal government, in trying to establish its charge, called its seventh prosecution witness, Agboro, an investigator with the Independent, Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Agboro, led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, tendered several documents, including company registration documents and awards as well as payments for contract relating to the two forms.

In his evidence, the investigator claimed that Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantage in the award of contracts to April 1616 and Archtekon because documents with his team, comprising persons

drawn from the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and Department of State Service (DSS), showed that while a Director of April 1616, Mrs Saadatu Yaro, was a public officer, with the CBN, Emefiele's wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.

However, during cross examination by Emefiele's lawyer, Mr Mathew Burkaa, SAN, the witness, when asked whether the defendant conferred unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, answered, "He conferred on Saadatu Ramalan Yaro, who is a public officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.”

The cross examination, partly, went thus, between Burkaa (Emefiele’s lawyer) and Agboro (prosecution witness):

Question: So he did not confer on himself.

Answer: No. We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.

Besides, the witness admitted that nowhere in their findings did they discover that Emefiele was a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 Limited or Architekon Nigeria Limited.

He also admitted that there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies in the course of performing his duties at the CBN.

When asked if in the course of

their investigation they interviewed people in CBN to determine whether the two firms executed the jobs they were contracted to do, the witness said "yes".

However, when asked if the team in their final report stated this fact, the witness said he could not recall if they did.

Agboro had earlier admitted that his team did a report on their investigation, which was forwarded to the DG, DSS, adding that he did not come to the court with it.

When asked if he was conversant with the procedure of award of contracts in the CBN, the witness, who replied in affirmation, however, told the court, "I cannot remember" whether the defendant was part of the procurement and tender committees that vetted, reviewed and recommended April 1616 and Architekon for the various projects they handled.

Question: Are you aware that all the contracts that formed the basis of this charge passed through the vetting committee?

Answer: I don't know.

Question: In the course of your investigation, did you see any document, which showed that the defendant, either by phone call, email or official communication of CBN, made representation that April 1616 and Architekon should be awarded these contracts?

Answer: No.

NNPC Seeks EFCC’s Support in Fight against Crude Oil Theft

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to help tackle the menace of crude oil theft in the country.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Mele Kyari, made the appeal at an interactive session with the EFCC’s helmsman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, which held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja yesterday.

Speaking about the efforts by NNPC to eradicate corruption from its system and stem crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Kyari contended that going by the volume of oil stolen

daily and the brazenness with which the perpetrators operate, crude oil theft was the most humongous and virulent economic crime in Nigeria that must attract the attention of the EFCC.

“As we continue to do our best to deepen transparency and stamp out corruption from the system, there is one big challenge that you will need to help us with, Mr. Chairman. " That challenge is crude theft. It fits into everything you have said—the people, the asset, the opportunity, and the absence of deterrence.

“We have deactivated 6,409 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. Today, we have disconnected up to 4,846 illegal pipes connected to our

pipelines, that is out of 5,543 such illegal connection points. That means there are a vast number of such connections that we have not removed.

“These things don’t just happen from the blues. They happen in communities and locations we all know. As we remove one illegal connection, another one comes up. It is sad, Mr. Chairman.

“This kind of thing does not happen anywhere else in the world. When we say illegal connections, they are not invisible things, they are big pipes that require some level of expertise to be installed. Some of them are of the same size as the trunk line itself.

"No one would produce crude

oil knowing full well that it is not going to get to the terminal. That is why nobody is putting money into the business. So, you can’t grow production.”

“I believe, personally, that the very purpose of your commission is to curtail economic crimes, and there is no bigger economic crime of this scale anywhere else than what is happening in this area," the GCEO lamented.

On corruption within the system, Kyari explained that by law, NNPC is required to maintain high ethical standards and has put in place structures and measures to curb discretionary actions which fuel corruption.

Director, NGX RelCo and 2nd Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Ms. Fiona Ahimie; Divisional Head, Business Services and Client Experience, Central Securities Clearing System, Onome Komolafe; Regional Industry Manager, Financial Institutions Group, Anglophone West Africa and Central Africa, International Finance Corporation(IFC),Alexandra Celestin; Founder, Terra Kulture/BAP Production, Bolanle AustenPeters; Chairperson, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Yemisi Ayeni; Divisional Head, Business Support Services and General Counsel, NGX, Irene Robinson-Ayanwale; Director, Lagos Zone, Securities and Exchange Commission, Hafsat Rufai; Group Managing Director/CEO, Futureview Group, Elizabeth Ebi; Director, NGX RegCo, Amina Mohammed; CEO, Sterling One Foundation, Peju Ibekwe; Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, CSCS, Tomilayo Aluko, and Director, NGX, Lillian Olubi, during the 2024 Ring the Bell for Gender Equality as part of the International Women’s Day Celebration at NGX Group in Lagos…recently

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Email:

Dawn of a New Order to Reposition Nigeria for True Federalism

Opeyemi Bamidele writes about the determination of the 10th Senate to collaborate

stakeholders including the Executive arm towards addressing the insecurity challenges facing the nation as well as positioning Nigeria for the practice of true federalism.

It is exactly 275 days today since the 10th Senate came into force. And it has been a period of active law-making, constituency engagement and strategic interventions amid socio-economic and political pressures in which our nation is enmeshed. Yet, we all recognise the place of collaboration in our response to issues of vital national interests.

As an assembly of nationalists, patriots and progressives under the leadership of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, the 10th Senate has been strategically collaborating with key public institutions, especially the Presidency, to defend our national interest; ensure economic stability; promote social cohesion and foster unity among ethnic nationalities that constitute Nigeria.

This has become highly imperative at the time the regressive forces are working against our collective interests as a federation of over 227 million people. Their invisible hands are not just ominous, but also devastative to our collective interests as a nation. They all constitute the triggers of prevailing internal crises - economic doldrums, insecurity, food crisis, fiscal instability and socio-political disharmony - that are now undermining the livelihoods of our compatriots nationwide. They equally threaten the vision of our founding fathers to build a virile federation that would serve the interests of all.

As complicated as these challenges are, the Senate remains resolute and undaunted, indeed methodical and pragmatic in our multi-pronged approach to restoring order to the economy, stability to the polity, prosperity to the people and confidence to the global interests that seek strategic partnership with us. This has been our preoccupation since the take-off of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023.

This is evident in our diverse engagements with service chiefs to further guarantee security of lives and assets nationwide. Our inquiries into the regressive dynamics that plague our economy no doubt spurred stability in the fiscal space and largely restored investors’ confidence. Our prompt responses to diverse requests of national significance further deepened our pragmatic approach to the enactment of different legislations that redefine our governance frameworks.

Between June 13, 2023 and December 31, 2023 alone, for instance, at least 338 bills were initiated in response to our quest for economic progress, internal cohesion and national greatness. Of this figure, 10 bills were fully passed into laws; 11 currently at the stage of committee; 179 awaiting second reading and 135 are yet to be laid before the committee of the whole for consideration and deliberation.

Critics have even called us to questions

for enacting only 10 laws within the timeframe. Agreed, we could do much better especially at a time when critical legislative interventions are required to jumpstart our economy and stabilise our polity. Nevertheless, we should bear in mind that 2023 was the first year of the Government of Renewed Hope. And the Senate, indeed the National Assembly, was preoccupied with diverse requests of vital national interests from the Presidency and other public institutions. Besides the bills we have worked on or are still working on, the Senate entertained 90 motions. Each of these motions directly addressed the roots of highly critical issues that threatened the future of our fatherland. As well, we treated 21 petitions from different quarters; screened 123 nominees for different strategic national offices and provided diverse interventions at the time our economy was in doldrums; national security under threats and internal cohesion almost disintegrating. With sustained collaboration with key public institutions, our interventions are already yielding optimal outcomes. We are winning the fight against bandits, kidnappers and terrorists, though mountainous and tedious. We are equally reversing negative tendencies that plague our economy and polity. We are gradually

reuniting our brothers and sisters across the Niger and reinventing a glorious future that we all aspire and desire. And this aspiration will surely come to fruition definitely in our lifetime.

But can these interventions alone guarantee a future we all crave for? We obviously do not need a soothsayer to tell us the limit of our initiatives and the exigency of providing pragmatic antidotes to our collective challenges. What we have been doing since the inception of the Senate was tailored at rebuilding trust in governments; reinventing a polity that fosters peaceful co-existence nationwide and stabilising our economy that enables collective prosperity.

We are now forging ahead to another phase in our quest for a federation that serves the interests of all. That justifies a 45-man Constitution Review Committee that the Senate inaugurated on February 14, 2024 to review the grundnorm that governs our federation and work out a more efficient structure that can exponentially speed up our economic growth and redress all divisive tendencies that undermine our federation.

The review committee is chaired by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator J Barau Jibrin. Among others, its core goals are to tinker with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and redesign our security architecture with a view to making it more efficient, more functional and more result-oriented in response to our security needs. They are consistent with the 2023 Revised Legislative Agenda of the Senate, which will soon be adopted in the interest of our fatherland.

As our records have shown, the federation we are currently running is not what our founding fathers envisioned and operated before the coming of khaki men. No, it is not a federation we all bargain and crave for; neither is it the Nigeria our founding fathers handed over to the generations before us. It is not definitely the Nigeria of our dream. In this generation, our dream is not what we witness daily. Rather, it is a nation where peace perpetually reigns, a nation where our economy grows unfettered, a nation where social cohesion is an order and a nation where politics is a tool for socio-economic transformation. And as an institution, we shall not allow criminals to derail our lofty dream.

Critics have however opposed our interventions on diverse grounds. Some believe the review committee is a ritual in every National Assembly. Many also question the capacity of the National Assembly to produce a new constitution that bears no vestige of militarism. Others even claim that it is a sheer waste of hard-earned public funds for the National Assembly to undertake another review of our grundnorm.

We note the concerns of our critics, mainly the opposition, with a sense of duty. And this duty is founded on a conviction that the task of nation-building is not just collective, but should also be constructive in the way we engage. This conviction remains the key driver of the review of the 1999 Constitution and not the assumption of the critics. It is not another ritual nor a waste of public funds. Rather, it was born out of the need of crafting a new socio-economic and political order that promotes efficiency and spurs accountability.

This conviction is consistent with the power of the National Assembly under Section 4(1-2) of the Constitution. Under this section, the National Assembly is not just the parliament of the federal government authorised to enact laws for the purpose of federal governance. It is also the sovereign parliament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vested with the power “to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof…”

By implication, the resolve of the National Assembly to review the 1999 Constitution contravenes public assumptions. However, it is driven by the armed attacks on villages on the Plateau; the violent killing of traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara; the unlawful occupation of farm settlements in the Benue Basin, the abduction of pupils in different parts of the federation, the shadow enterprise of kidnapping nationwide and the waning capacity of the Nigeria Police to guarantee a functional public order.

This drive is also spurred by our quest for a new framework for effective economic governance that will reflect the character and strength of our federation. And our intention revolves around recalibrating our federal governance structure and making all its federating units constitutionally responsible, economically viable, fiscally independent and globally competitive. This is our dream and not all those assumptions flying around in the public space.

-Bamidele, Leader of the 10th Senate, writes from Abuja.

Akpabio

Barau

Bamidele

‘Government Should Reserve Certain Positions for Women’

‘Government Should Reserve Certain Positions for Women’

Quotable

‘….Confusing to everybody, that somebody who claims to be a good Moslem or Christian would pick up arms and kill innocent people or rob innocent people, and claim that he is doing so in the name of God and he will enter Paradise. Definitely, you will not enter Paradise…..” - His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, 19th Sultan of Sokoto

columnIsts

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

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

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

NBA President Mourns Former President, Charles Idehen

Page V

Gadzama, SAN, Moans the Killing of Abuja Lawyer by Kidnappers

Page V

JOY HARRISON-ABIOLA MBA, MCMI, FSM

Law firms must pay attention to developing business best practices, and the multidisciplinary competences required to run a successful business.

“FROM THE BACK OFFICE” explores these concepts and ways to re-engineer the contribution of the legal management professionals within law firms.

Joy Harrison-Abiola, is an adept Organisation Development, Leadership and Business transformation professional with a mission to “humanise the workplace and empower individuals to reach their full potential.” The natural outcome is increased organisational efficiency, and higher levels of success for all. With over 25 years’ experience, she possesses a demonstrated track record of advocating and interacting with law firm leaders, to institutionalise business best practices in their law firms. She is a trusted advisor to several law Partnerships, providing subject-matter input into strategy formation and implementation.

Joy Harrison-Abiola worked at Dentons ACAS-LAW for 22 years, providing strategic oversight to the business aspects of the Firm. She is the co-founder and President Emeritus of the Association of Law Firm Administrators, Nigeria; Chairperson of the IBA Law Firm Management CEO Subcommittee; Founding Member of the International Relations Committee (Africa) - Association of Legal Administrators Illinois USA; Fellow, Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Chartered); Board Advisor, Business Africa Online; Member of Faculty, Centre for Organisational Leadership and Development; Executive Director, Catalyst for Peace and Justice; Founder Jenet-Serem Empowerment Foundation.

lawyer

That Nigerian Women May Breathe

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” - George Orwell

And, the truth is that, Nigeria has not done that well for womenfolk. Nevertheless, I celebrate the Nigerian woman, for being hardworking, for her resilience and ability to multitask, between keeping the home and making a living.

What is there to Celebrate on International Women’s Day in Nigeria?

International Women’s Day? I don’t think there’s anything much for the Nigerian woman to celebrate. After I finished writing this piece, I looked at what I wrote last year on International Women’s Day which fell on a Tuesday, and it is similar to what I have written today, which means that there hasn’t been any positive change in the circumstances of the Nigerian woman. If anything, going by the statistics, the circumstances of the Nigerian woman seems to be worse. This year’s theme is, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. Unfortunately, it seems that instead of investing in the numerous qualified and capable women with integrity that Nigeria is richly endowed with in order to accelerate our country’s progress, our official State policy seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel, in the name of satisfying political and other irrelevant affiliations, so that many of the few women who have been selected into governance positions are not the brightest and the best.

Correct me, if I am wrong to think that governance is a serious business, and that the dire straits which the Buhari administration left us in, requires an enormous amount of expertise to get Nigeria onto the right track.

As a right-thinking Nigerian woman, I find it bizarre and incomprehensible when I hear that those alleged to be cosmetics sales women (sales marketers) and the like, are the ones who have been selected by the Tinubu administration to turn the fortunes of the country around! As we say in the Nigerian parlance, ‘How can?!’ Even some of the men - for instance, it is bizarre that a Governor who failed abysmally to curb the insecurity in his own State, should be placed at one of the highest levels of the security architecture of the country, when the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. Admittedly, the portfolios are different, but, I am curious to see how someone who failed on a narrower level, will succeed on a wider scope. See Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution). The Humanitarian Ministry is extremely important in the Nigeria of today, seeing as we are facing humanitarian crises that have not been experienced here since the Civil War. Such a Ministry should be run by a compassionate and highly intelligent person, who may have had prior experience with international agencies like the UN or the like, and has some idea as to how to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Some departments are simply too important, to play politics with.

My intention is not to disparage anyone, but I am certain that the skills-set required for being a successful cosmetics sales marketer for example, are quite different from those required for governance. Again, forgive me for sounding sour, but, anyone interested in national-building would be. Many who voted for President Tinubu, did so on the premise that he has the knack for assembling the right governance team. He has not displayed this prowess, in his selection of some of the women in his cabinet.

Gender Discrimination

Despite possibly being the highest number in terms of the composition of the population, and possibly being the highest number in terms of voters, women are under-represented in government and top leadership positions. Women are discriminated against on the basis of their gender, contrary to Section 42(1)(a) of the Constitution. The decisions in Anekwe & Anor v Nweke (2014) LPELR-22697(SC) per Olukayode

Ariwoola, JSC (now CJN) and Ukeje & Anor v Ukeje 2014 11 N.W.L.R. Part 1418 Page 384 per Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC concerning the prohibition of the discrimination against women and children born out of wedlock when it comes to matters of inheritance, must be extended to politics, governance and every area that women have been discriminated against, on account of their gender.

In this Fourth Republic, possibly aside from a few competent and capable women that have been part of the succeeding administrations, many of the women who have been chosen to serve in

onikepo

“Unfortunately, it seems that instead of investing in the numerous qualified and capable women with integrity that Nigeria is richly endowed with in order to accelerate our country’s progress, our official State policy seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel, in the name of satisfying political and other irrelevant affiliations….”

leadership positions are selected for the wrong reasons or reasons which have absolutely nothing to do with competencies, and they have subsequently, proven themselves to be square pegs in round holes.

The economic team recently assembled by President Bola Tinubu is a prime example of this gender discrimination, seeing as it is just another ‘Boys Brigade’, comprising of the same old Boys, whose names seem to be on every President’s Rolodex! Why could President Tinubu not stop at a group like Wimbiz, to select capable women to also join this team?

The issue of discrimination against the female gender, is a worldwide thing. Even the USA which is considered to be one of the most liberal and democratic nations only had its first female Vice President, Senator Kamala Harris, about 245 years after independence. Yale University trained Lawyer, Senator Hillary Clinton who won the majority vote during the 2016 American election, even though better qualified than Donald Trump, lost at the Electoral College. When Senator Clinton made her first attempt at the US Presidency against Barrack Obama, the Ku Klux Klan White Supremacist Group declared that, they would rather have a Black man as President than a woman (I have used Black man and woman, as substitutes for the derogatory words used by the KKK to describe Clinton and Obama). In Ireland, a referendum to amend Article 41 of the Constitution to enshrine gender equality, failed.

Statistics

Back home in Nigeria, we have had

only one female Speaker of the House of Representatives in this Republic - in 2007, Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, and she was chased out of office with alacrity, after barely four months in office. According to Adenike Fapohunda, one of our young contributors who was still a Third Year Law Student at University of Witwatersrand, South Africa in 2018 when she wrote an article titled “Let My Mother Lead”, she stated that with a female population of over 90 million in Nigeria (about 49% of the population), female representation in the 8th National Assembly was less than 7%, to be precise, 7 female Senators and 22 Members of the House of Representatives. In the 9th National Assembly, this number was reduced to 7 and 11 female Senators and Members of the House of Representatives respectively. Today, in the 10th National Assembly, we have 3 female Senators and 17 Members of the House of Representatives (4.2%). Instead of improvement in female representation in the Legislature, there is regression. Adenike Fapohunda expressed her concerns about the paucity of women in lawmaking thus: “Male lawmakers, are notorious for not keeping the best interest of women in mind, when they draft and pass legislation. Issues such as the restriction of access to birth control in America, or the restriction of access to education for teenage girls in Tanzania, is proof of this claim. The legislative authority for issues that affect mainly women, is vested in men. Time and time again, we see patriarchy, the system of subjugation of women that already exists in the society itself, seep

into legislation. The inability of women to voice discontent, or even have a say in the laws that affect them daily, has the impact of stripping autonomy from the section of society that is most vulnerable”.

Adenike went on to say: “Rwanda has more women in Parliament, than anywhere else in the world. It is also enshrined in Rwanda’s Constitution, that women should hold at least 30% of parliamentary seats, and in 2003, 48% of Rwanda’s parliamentary seats went to women. Today, it stands at a staggering 61%. Rwanda was the first country in the world, to cross over the threshold for 50% female representation in Parliament”.

“The South African Constitution, has the value of non-sexism in its preamble. This value is one of the founding provisions of a post-apartheid South Africa, and all laws in the Constitution must be in line with the vision, to further a non-sexist society. South Africa’s women parliamentary representation, is currently at 40%.”

Adenike’s concerns are obviously legitimate, at least, as far as Nigeria is concerned, and we see what played out during the 9th National Assembly, when five Bills that would have increased gender equality were rejected, like that of the reserving of seats for women in the Legislature and affirmative action. I remember seeing a clip where Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged the members to have a rethink of their rejection of the Gender Bills, and he was ignored. Nigeria has never had a female President or Vice President, nor a female Senate President or Deputy, while we had Dame Virgy Etiaba as our only female Governor for the brief period when her Principal, then Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi was impeached. In fact, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, was alleged to have tweeted something to the effect that, how it would be a shame if the men of Adamawa State allowed Senator Aisha Binani to be Governor of the State. This regressive mindset, seems to be prevalent in the highest political echelons of our country.

Nigeria has had only one female Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar, GCON. We have never had a female AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, or head of any of the branches of the Armed Forces, or CBN Governor. Close to home, our Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has had only one ever female President, Dame Priscilla Kuye, and there is a replication of this male domination syndrome in the leadership of the NBA Branches all over the country. The list of the exclusion of females from top positions, is endless. I was on a webinar last week, when the Chairperson of NBA Ibadan Branch, Folashade Aladeniyi mentioned that she was the first female Chairperson of her Branch in almost 70 years of its existence!

President Tinubu’s Cabinet: A Disappointment to Women

Today, the truth of the matter is that President Tinubu’s cabinet is a disappointment in terms gender parity, and even in the choices of most of the female Ministers. Out of 49 Ministers, only 9 are women, and one is presently on suspension (or has she been sacked?).

While some say that the third arm of Government, that is, the Judiciary is well populated by women, others argue that having taken complete and direct control of the Executive and the Legislature, the men have put their wives, consorts and female family members in judicial positions, so that they can also have a say in what happens in this arm of government too, even if it is indirectly.

Conclusion Political Parties must be made to propose a certain number of women for political offices, and not just ‘Women Leader’ within the Party. I agree with those who say that, to bring about better representation of women in governance, top leadership and corporate positions, there must be constitutional and legislative reforms to make it a reality, as our Revised National Gender Policy seems to be nothing more than a theoretical framework that remains unimplemented, having failed to achieve its goal of building a society devoid of discrimination, where the needs and concerns of both genders are considered equally and equitably in all spheres of society and national development. Of course, some argue that women may be their own worst enemy, and their failure to lend themselves the necessary support and speak with one voice, may also be obstacles to their progress.

Election Petition: Requirement of Frontloading of Statements on Oath of Subpoenaed Witnesses

Facts

The 1st Appellant and the 1st Respondent were among the candidates who contested the Governorship Election of Nasarawa State conducted by the 2nd Respondent on 18th March 2023. At the conclusion of the election, the 1st Respondent was returned as the winner and consequently, sworn in as the Governor of Nasarawa State.

The Appellants were dissatisfied with election result and they filed a petition before the Governorship Election Tribunal holden at Lafia on the ground that the 1st Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast.

The 1st Respondent filed its answer and also filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to entertain the petition.

At the conclusion of the trial, the Tribunal in a majority judgement found in favour of the Appellants. It found the allegation of over-voting, to have been proved. It deducted the votes accredited to parties in the units where there were complaints of over-voting, and included the scores at the polling units that were alleged to have been excluded in the collation of results by the 3rd Respondent. The Tribunal therefore, nullified the return of the 1st Respondent as winner of the said election, on the ground that he was not elected by the majority of lawful votes cast and declared the Appellant as the winner of the election.

Dissatisfied, the Respondents appealed to the Court of Appeal. In a unanimous judgement, the Court of Appeal found that the Appellants failed to prove over-voting in the polling units complained about, and the trial Tribunal was wrong to have re-computed the votes the way it did in arriving that the 1st Appellant won the majority of the lawful votes. The Court of Appeal also expunged the evidence of certain witnesses subpoenaed by the Appellants at the Tribunal along with the exhibits they produced before the Tribunal, on the ground that the Appellants failed to frontload the said subpoenaed witnesses’ statements on oath. The Court of Appeal allowed the Respondents’ appeal, set aside the judgement of the Tribunal and affirmed the return of the 1st Respondent as the duly elected Governor of Nasarawa State.

Aggrieved, the Appellants filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Apex Court considered the following issues raised for determination by the Appellant:

1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right when it held that the trial Tribunal dismissed the objections of the 1st Respondent before it without determining same, and proceeded to nullify the entire judgement of the trial Tribunal on that basis.

2. Whether, owing to the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the court below rightly struck out and expunged the evidence of the subpoenaed witnesses and the documents produced through them, for failure to frontload their witness statements on oath.

3. Whether the court below was right when it held that the Appellants failed to prove over-voting in the four polling units, which led to the setting aside of the trial Tribunal’s decision.

Arguments

On the 1st issue, the Appellants’ counsel submitted that the Tribunal was right not to have entertained the 1st Respondent’s objection that would have required a consideration of the evidence having regard to the facts pleaded. He argued that being an election matter with significant public interest, the Tribunal has a duty to eschew technicalities and decide the rights and liabilities of the parties based on the facts pleaded and the evidence in order to do substantial justice and uphold the mandate of the electorate. Counsel posited that in fact, one of the issues raised by the 1st Respondent’s objection was the same as the issue of jurisdiction to grant the reliefs sought by the Appellants, identified by the Tribunal for determination. Counsel contended that no miscarriage of justice was shown to have occurred as a result of the Tribunal’s failure to determine the objection.

In response, the 1st Respondent’s counsel argued that that it is mandatory for a court to hear and determine any application before it at the appropriate time. Counsel relied on Section 285(8) of the 1999 Constitution and OYETOLA v INEC (2023) 11 NWLR (PT. 1894) 125. He argued that the grounds in the objection and the issue 1 for determination of the Petition were not the same, and the Tribunal’s failure to determine the

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at abuja

On Friday, the 19th day of January, 2024

Before their lordships

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-ekun uwani Musa abba aji Mohammed Lawal Garba

Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa

Tijjani abubakar Justices, Supreme Court

SC/CV/1213/2023

Between

1. eMMaNueL daVId OMBuGadu

2. PeOPLeS deMOCRaTIC PaRTy (PdP) aPPeLLaNT

And

1. SuLe audu aLHaJI

2. INdePeNdeNT NaTIONaL eLeCTORaL ReSPONdeNTS COMMISSION (INeC)

3. aLL PROGReSSIVeS CONGReSS (aPC)

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC)

issues raised in the objection constituted a breach of the 1st Respondent’s right of fair hearing and occasioned a miscarriage of justice. Respective counsel for the 2nd and 3rd Respondents made similar submissions as the 1st Respondent.

On the 2nd issue, the Appellants’ counsel submitted that there is a clear dichotomy between ordinary witnesses within the control of the petitioner whose statements must be frontloaded and subpoenaed witnesses summoned by the court/Tribunal, who, in the eyes of the law are witnesses of the court or Tribunal. He argued that subpoenaed witnesses are not ordinary witnesses within the purview of paragraph 4(5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022 but official witnesses of the court who can only be brought to court by a court order, therefore, the subpoenaed witnesses are official witnesses not within the Appellants’ control and it would not have been possible to frontload their witnesses statements within 21 days of

“…. whether the witnesses a party intends to call are willing or subpoenaed witnesses, ordinary or expert witnesses, their witness depositions must be filed along with the petition within the stipulated time, and neither of the parties shall be allowed to lead evidence, oral or documentary unless it is pleaded, listed and frontloaded”

the filing of the petition.

Responding, counsel for the 1st Respondent argued that by the combined provisions of Section 285(5) of the Constitution, paragraphs 4(5) (b) and 41(3) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022, the witness statement on oath of every witness to be called at the hearing, whether subpoenaed or not, must accompany the petition and must be filed within 21 days of the declaration of the result.

On the 3rd issue, the Appellants’ counsel argued that the Court of Appeal erred when it held that the Appellants failed to demonstrate the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines before the Tribunal to prove that there was over-voting when Section 84(b) of the Evidence Amendment Act, 2023 had obviated the need to demonstrate the BVAS machines in open court. He argued that the Appellants had tendered Certified True Copies of the record of accreditation as obtained from the BVAS machines and screenshots of the machines duly certified by INEC which ex-facie revealed the number of accredited voters, and there was therefore, no need for the Appellants to demonstrate the content of the BVAS machines to the Tribunal. He relied on OYETOLA v INEC & ORS. (2023) 11 NWLR (PT.1894) 125 @ 168; 170 & 175.

Conversely, 1st Respondent’s counsel argued that once the Court upholds the expunction of the evidence of the subpoenaed witnesses, which includes the evidence of PW7 who tendered the BVAS machines, the entire case of over-voting would fail. Counsel argued that that the tendering of BVAS machines is indispensable and the

decision of the Supreme Court in OYETOLA v INEC was that any record of an examination of the BVAS machine can only be supplemental to it and not an alternative.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

Resolving the 1st issue, the Apex Court held that based on the principle of fair hearing which demands that every party to a cause is entitled to a fair hearing before a decision is given affecting his interest, it is the duty of the court to consider and determine the merit of any application brought before it, notwithstanding the perceived strength or weakness thereof. The Court referred to its decision in ODEDO v PDP & ORS. (2015) LPELR - 24738 (SC) @ 36- 37 D – A.

The Court held that the hearing and determination of an objection to the jurisdiction of the court is crucial to the assumption of jurisdiction by that court, and where the issue is raised, it must be determined before the court takes further steps in the proceedings because, if the court lacks jurisdiction, every step taken in the proceedings, no matter how well conducted or how well written the judgement may be, would amount to a nullity.

The Court held that the 1st Respondent’s preliminary objection which raised several grounds in challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to entertain the Appellants petition, had been identified by the Tribunal as one of the applications in respect of which it deferred ruling till the delivery of the judgement as allowed under Section 285(8) of the 1999 Constitution. However, in its judgement, the Tribunal merely made sweeping observations on the nature of the application without substantiating the same by reference to any particular ground of the application and determining the objection on the merits, and then proceeded to dismiss the application. The Tribunal thus, breached the 1st Respondent’s right to fair hearing, when it failed to effectively determine the objection on its merit.

On the 2nd issue, the Court held that by the clear wordings of Section 285(5) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates the time within which a petition shall be filed, and the First Schedule of the Electoral Act which makes provision for the manner in which a petition should be presented and the documents that should accompany it, particularly Paragraph 41(3) thereto which mandates that the statements on oath of all witnesses must be duly frontloaded; there is no distinction given as to the type of witness whose statement on oath should accompany the petition. The Apex Court, relying on its decision in OKE v MIMIKO (NO. 1) (2024) 1 NWLR (PT. 1388) 225, held that there is no distinction between ordinary witnesses and subpoenaed witnesses in respect of the requirement for frontloading of the witnesses statements on oath of all categories of witnesses the parties intend to call at trial, and whether the witnesses a party intends to call are willing or subpoenaed witnesses, ordinary or expert witnesses, their witness depositions must be filed along with the petition within the stipulated time, and neither of the parties shall be allowed to lead evidence, oral or documentary unless it is pleaded, listed and frontloaded. The Supreme Court thus, found that the Court of Appeal rightly struck out and expunged the evidence of the subpoenaed witnesses and the exhibits and documents produced through them for failure to frontload their witness statements on oath.

On the 3rd issue, the Court relied on its decision in OYETOLA v. INEC & ORS. (2023) 11 NWLR (PT. 1894) 125 that the documents required to prove over-voting are the voters register, the BVAS machines and the Form EC8A. The Court further held that the record of the examination of the BVAS may be tendered alongside the BVAS machines but not as an alternative thereto. The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal, having expunged the evidence of the subpoenaed witnesses and the exhibits tendered through them which included the BVAS machines tendered through PW7 and which had in fact been dumped on the Tribunal without being demonstrated in any form, the net effect was that the Appellants failed to prove over-voting and there was no basis for the Tribunal to have re-calculated the votes and alter the return of the 1st Respondent as the Governor of Nassarawa State.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN and others for the Appellants.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and others for the 1st Respondent. Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN and others for the 2nd Respondent.

Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, and others for the 3rd Respondent.

Reported

Honourable Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC

NBA President Mourns Former President, Charles Idehen

Stories by Steve Aya

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, has expressed sadness over the passage of former President of the Association, Mr Charles Idehen.

In a statement signed on behalf of Maikyau, the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal said:

“It was with great sadness that the Nigerian Bar Association received the news today of the passage of its former President, Mr Charles Idehen, which sad event occurred yesterday in Benin City, Edo State. Mr Idehen was elected as the NBA President in 1989. His administration as NBA President was renowned for its active commitment to the rule of law, and advocacy for democracy

LEDAP Threatens to Sue FG

The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) has threatened to sue the Federal Government on the controversial legal services agreement between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, if the request for information on the details and negotiations with relevant stakeholders is not provided to it after seven days of the request.

In a Freedom of Informa-

tion (FOI) request sent to both the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice as well as the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investments, LEDAP requested the information within seven days, on the details and preceding negotiations with relevant stakeholders such as the Nigerian Bar Association and the General Council of the Bar.

in Nigeria. “The passage of Mr Charles Idehen is a loss, not just to the legal profession, but also to Nigeria as a nation. The Nigerian

Bar Association will particularly miss the guidance of the former NBA President.”

According to the NBA President, Mr Maikyau,

OON, SAN, “The passing of Mr Charles Idehen, just a few days after the interment of another former President of the NBA, Arakurin Oluwarotimi

Akeredolu, SAN, has created another big vacuum in the Bar, and in the ranks of former NBA Presidents. He was a remarkable and humble man."

Gadzama, SAN, Moans the Killing of Abuja Lawyer by Kidnappers

The killing of Abuja Lawyer, Chris Agidi, by Kidnappers has been described as a rude shock and senseless. Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN said this while expressing his sadness and rude shock over the loathsome murder of Chris Agidi Chukwudi, Esq. and extended his heartfelt condolences to his entire family, colleagues, and the Abuja

Bar for this irredeemable loss.

The Learned Silk described the late Chris Agidi as a fine gentleman, a sterling Lawyer, and someone to always want around you. Chief Gadzama, SAN reminisced about these endearing qualities of Chris Agidi when he served as Social Secretary of the NBAAbuja Branch, while Gadzama was Chairman of

the Branch in 2003 – 2004.

The Learned Silk expressed anguish at the current growing rate of insecurity, which has yet again cut the life of another Lawyer. He called on the authorities to do more, and arrest this menace of insecurity once and for all.

Chief Gadzama urged the family to take solace in God’s word which

has assured us that the Lord Almighty, Himself will comfort us in such times, and prayed for strength for the family in these trying times.

News of Barrister Chris Agidi Chukwudi’s murder made the rounds on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, after he had been kidnapped and held hostage for many months.

Afam Osigwe Mourns Justice Orji-Abadua, JCA

The passage of Hon. Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji-Abadua last Thursday, elicited solemn comments in the Nigerian legal community.

Former NBA General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN,

in his condolence said, “We have lost a distinguished jurist”.

“I was shocked to learn about the passing of the distinguished Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal Benin Division, Hon. Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji-Abadua.

Her sudden departure leaves a void in the legal fraternity, that will be difficult to fill.

“Justice Orji-Abadua was not just a jurist; she was a beacon of integrity, wisdom, and compassion. Her dedication

to the pursuit of justice was evident in every decision she rendered, and every case she presided over. With her passing, we have lost a stalwart defender of the rule of law and a true servant of justice.

Mr Mukhtar Abubakar and his daughter, New Wig, Saddiqa Mukhtar Abubakar

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

Mr Charles Idehen

L & R: Parents, Mr & Mrs Patrick Odozi and their son, New Wig, Michael Chukwuzim Odozi

L & R: Parents, Babatunde Ogala, SAN & Hon. Justice Oyindamola Ogala, with their daughter, New Wig, Simisola Ogala who finished with First Class Honours

New Wig, Former Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CFR and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON (left) congratulating New Wig, Nelson Ese Williams

NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN

‘Government Should Reserve Certain Positions for Women’

The legal profession in Nigeria has, over the decades, been perceived as being somewhat biased against female members. Hitherto, some have even seen the law profession as one that is male dominated. Of recent, these perceptions appear to be changing, as there is now gender parity in the numbers of Lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. despite these advancements, the average female Lawyer in Nigeria, has to work almost twice as hard to get to the pinnacle of the profession. Dr Paulyn Osobhase Abhulimen-Okpalefe, SAN went through the grid to get into the Inner Bar, and shared her experience with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi over the weekend. She also spoke about affirmative action, and why Government should be compelled to reserve certain top positions for women

Leaned Silk, kindly, share the highlights of your journey into the Inner Bar with us. Did you at any point feel discriminated against, on the basis of your gender? We still have only a few female Senior Advocates compared to the men. Why is this so?

My journey into the Inner Bar, was fraught with challenges. The same challenges both men and women face. It took me 10 solid years of planning and preparation. The last three years were purposeful and intentional; I was moving and working like a train without brakes.

In the course of my entire legal career journey, there have been moments where I

was doubted on the basis of my gender. Nonetheless, I stood up and continued to fight like everyone else. I never saw my gender as a disadvantage, but rather as a Lawyer who happens to wear a skirt, and all I needed to do, was to work seven times harder than my learned Colleagues in trousers. Along the line, to the glory of God, I met amazing people who helped pull me up. I refer to them as Divine Destiny Helpers, whom God placed on my path in my tough tortious and rough journey of life. I pray for them every day individually and collectively. These amazing people played strategic roles in my growth and journey to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“In the course of my entire legal career journey, there have been moments where I was doubted on the basis of my gender. Nonetheless, I stood up and continued to fight like everyone else”

Essentially, network building is a very important part of this. I want to also register my appreciation, to those who did not believe in me. Their disbelief in me was a great impetus to my fighting powers, putting water in my fire and not knowing that they were actually fuelling my fighting powers. Like the saying goes, that when you give a toad a kick, you hasten its journey.

In summation, the journey into the inner Bar was anchored on handwork, long years of planning, dedication and above all, Pure Graces of God. When you have the first three and lack the last one, then it becomes a struggle like a headless chicken saga.

Personally, as a pure product of God’s graces and mercies, hard work, diligence, dedication/commitment to duties coupled with my never give up spirit, a diehard who possesses natural strength, a whirlwind of passion, independence, native intelligence, and loyalty to a fault, are the bedrock and hallmark of what I am today. The Business of Law is serious business, and must not be treated with levity.

As to why there are fewer female SANs, several factors are responsible for this. A lot of young women graduate from the Nigerian Law School with great grades,

most far better than men. However, the issue may be what happens after being called to Bar? Litigation is one of the fundamental areas, through which one becomes a SAN. Litigation is hard and requires patience. The rewards for being a litigation Lawyer are not enjoyed in the immediate. So, it's often a question of how tenacious the individual is. Also, don't forget that many women are faced with progressing in their legal career or building their families. Another factor, is when you don’t have a supporting spouse. The task will become impossible as you will be faced to make a choice between your family and career. You know, as much as I know that most women will choose their families over careers. Despite our divine gift of multitasking, if your Spouse is not supportive of you, there nothing or more you can do in the circumstance. To the glory of God, I am among the lucky few with supporting and understanding spouse and family.

Ultimately, we hope to have many more female SANs as the world evolves, making family building easier so that focus can be on building a successful legal career that culminates into becoming a SAN.

In spite of the fact that there is gender parity in new intakes into the legal profession in Nigeria, the number

Dr Paulyn Osobhase Abhulimen-Okpalefe, SAN

‘Government Should Reserve Certain Positions for Women’

of female Lawyers who eventually get into leadership positions in Nigeria is still heavily tilted against women. How, in your view, can this age-long challenge be addressed? How can we institutionalise gender parity in the work environment?

In 2017, the World Bank reported that over 41,000 girls were forced into child marriage every day. Such early marriages, are mainly due to how society and parents perceive girls. For instance, in Nigeria, many people view girls as inferior to boys, and expect them to prioritise domestic duties over education and career pursuit. People who do that, tell their girl-child what they can and cannot do. Parents need to teach girls they have the right to a voice, a say, a choice, and a life of their own. Parents also need to teach girls that, societal expectations do not limit them. Such an effort would help girls feel empowered. Girls should never see themselves as Victims, but as Victors because they are beautifully and wonderfully made. They are refined versions of the male species.

Parents must strive to break these stereotypes, by encouraging girls to seek careers in male-dominated fields. Girls should pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Parents should encourage their girls, to attend and participate in STEM hackathons and scholarships. Such practices could motivate girls to bridge the male-dominated gap in science. They should be taught that if they don’t spread their wings, they wouldn’t know how high they could soar. Teachers should also liaise with accomplished women in STEM to mentor young girls. If these steps are taken, the Nigerian political system as well as the leadership role as it relates to women will change in all fields and industries, the legal profession inclusive. Thank God, women are fast coming up in the Judicial appointments.

There is no woman on President Tinubu’s New Economic Advisory Committee, and there was no outcry against the exclusion of women. Are Nigerian women becoming too complacent? Are you satisfied with the number of women in top government positions and the crop of women who have been chosen?

Last year's Presidential election offered little hope of delivering any victories for women in leadership. Conspicuously missing from the list of front runners, was a female candidate or running mate. Indeed, Chichi Ojei was the only woman among the 18 Presidential candidates. Effective political education can help achieve numerical political equality, particularly in Nigeria, where patriarchy and cultural norms reward stereotypical gender roles. Successful politicians could train young women in public speaking, networking, and setting goals. Political parties can also organise retreats for women to bond, share ideas, and strategise to build strong coalitions. We must support women to women agendas, in order to attain the set goals.

A quota system, can also help increase women’s representation in political office. The Government could reserve a certain percentage of high-level governmental positions for women. For example, the President and State Governors (like Kwara State under Governor AbdulRazaq) could ensure that women constitute at least 35% of their appointed cabinet members, such as Ministers, Commissioners, Heads of Agencies and Parastatals, Special Advisers and Ambassadors etc. We have qualified and most deserving women, worthy of such appointments.

Since Dame Priscilla Kuye became President of the NBA in 1992, no other

female Lawyer has ever made it that far. Only two women have been General Secretary, Mrs Hairat Balogun and Mrs Joyce Oduah. Even the NBA Branches have mostly been manned by men. Is it that women are not interested in the leadership of the NBA, or there is a silent unwritten policy that these positions must only be reserved for the men? How can this trend be reversed?

The premise of women’s engagement in political leadership in Nigeria and the NBA inclusive is not foreign, but is instead firmly rooted in the historical traditions of societies throughout the nation. How did Nigeria get to this present state? As Africa’s largest economy and democracy, what happens in Nigeria has substantial regional and global implications. Harnessing the power of women’s political leadership will be critical for the incoming government, faced with the opportunity to set the country on a new path in addressing pressing issues such as poverty reduction, economic growth, climate change, conflict, natural resources management, pandemic preparedness, and youth disillusionment.

It is time to reclaim Nigeria’s legacy of women’s involvement in political leadership, in the NBA and Nigeria at large, and to ensure that the nation’s governance reflects, recognises, and serves the full scope of its citizenry (regardless of gender). It is time to be bold and ambitious in raising aspirations beyond the limited horizon of a 35% representation, to rectify the gross imbalance and tap into the abundance of leadership skills and potential in Africa’s most populous nation. Remember when you empower a woman, you empower a nation.

In the past few months many Lawyers have been physically molested by security agencies, especially the Police. What does it portend for the profession when Lawyers are continu-

“A quota system, can also help increase women’s representation in political office. The Government could reserve a certain percentage of high-level governmental positions for women. For example, the President and State Governors (like Kwara State under Governor AbdulRazaq) could ensure that women constitute at least 35% of their appointed cabinet members…We have qualified and most deserving women, worthy of such appointments”

ally intimidated and harassed in the course of their professional duties?

How can we stem this negative tide?

The numbers of Lawyers who have been wrongly arrested, detained, brutalised, harassed and disgraced are too many to mention here. Some of them are Mr Justin Gbagir Esq. NBA Makurdi Chairman that was grievously assaulted recently by the EFCC Zonal Commander in Benue State, Mr Shamsudden Musa who was recently detained for 105 days by the Police in Abuja and Mr Ozunye G. Nsirim who was detained and charged to court by the Police Command of Rivers State for defending his Client. So many of the Lawyers that were assaulted and harassed by the security agencies over the years, were unreported. It is important that the NBA wakes up to it's responsibility to protect each and every Lawyer, and to ensure that all Security Agencies in Nigeria understand their role and responsibility under our extant laws and also the roles of a Lawyer in the administration of criminal justice system.

It is my belief that the Nigerian Bar Association as a partner in the administration of justice generally, should also be in the forefront in helping the citizens understand the operation of our laws and perhaps, partner with all major stakeholders in the same vein to achieve a seamless administration of criminal justice that will be highly beneficial to our country.

Despite the outcry from Nigerian Lawyers, the Nigerian Government stated that it will continue to explore avenues to allow British Lawyers into our legal space to do legal work. What are your views on this? If you do not support this, would you support it if there is reciprocity, that is, whatever opportunities British Lawyers are given here, Nigerian Lawyers would be given the same in the UK?

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should criticise the Federal Government’s bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, purporting to allow English Lawyers to practice in Nigeria. It is indeed, unfortunate that this tragic reminder of our colonial past is being gleefully celebrated at the highest level of the Government of Nigeria. What is more disheartening is the fact that a decision of this magnitude that adversely affects the well-being and livelihood of millions of Nigerians, could be taken without any consultation, especially with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

It is truly tragic that while the Government of the UK is seeking opportunities for its own Lawyers beyond its constrained

environment, the Government of Nigeria is seen to be attempting to deprive Nigerian Lawyers and their millions of dependents their only of means of livelihood.

To embark on such a venture without recourse to the NBA is the height of insensitivity to the plight of the legal profession in Nigeria, and this is totally unacceptable, the Federal Government’s bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, purporting to allow English Lawyers to practice in Nigeria.

If however, there is going to be reciprocity of allowing Nigerian Lawyers to practice in the UK, then it may amount to a level playing field. The British Government will not even allow our British trained Lawyers to practice in the UK, without being called to any of the Inns in the UK.

Nigerian courts were compelled to conduct virtual court proceedings, especially during the Covid-19 restrictions. Do you think virtual court hearings should be embraced by all trial courts?

Like many countries around the world, Nigeria was forced to impose a lockdown in Lagos and Abuja to combat the spread of Covid-19. The Government’s ban on public gatherings and interstate travel resulted in the Judiciary’s suspension of court sittings from March to May 2020, except for hearing of cases that were considered urgent, essential or time-bound. Of course, this led to difficulty in accessing justice, delay in the administration of justice and non-compliance with filing timelines.

The massive upheaval caused by the pandemic in litigation processes, has highlighted the global need for the development of an effective remote justice system with the aid of technology. Nigeria has not been left behind in this trend, as innovations have been introduced to aid the development of a remote system for the litigation process.

The Judiciary affirmed its commitment to the development of a remote justice system while considering the legal challenge to the constitutionality of virtual hearings in ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF LAGOS STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & ANOR, AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF EKITI STATE v ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION.

In the first case, the Plaintiff requested that the Supreme Court determine whether remote hearings of any kind (whether by Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Skype or any other audiovisual or video conference platform) by the Lagos State High Court (or any other courts in Nigeria) in aid of hearing and determination of cases, is constitutional. In the second case, the Plaintiff challenged the constitutionality of the directive of the

Dr Paulyn osobhase Abhulimen-okpalefe, SAN

‘Government Should reserve certain Positions for Women’

Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Heads of Courts at Federal and State levels to adopt virtual court sittings.

Since the supreme Court has sanctioned it, I think it should be embraced by all Courts in the land.

Some have suggested and advocated that, the time has come for this jurisdiction to dump the wig and gown as mandatory dresses for courts. On what side of the divide are you?

This is a hard one to crack. I will speak for myself. I read law because of how Lawyers dress and carried themselves. I didn’t read law, because I knew what Lawyers were doing. The way we dress is our identity, as members of the noble profession. Most professions are looking for identity for their profession. If we dumped the legal apparel, what are we going to be wearing to court?

In view of our multicultural dimensions, are we going to adopt the Ibo, Hausa or Yoruba styles of dressing to go to court? Even if we are to wear ordinary black and white, what will distinguish us from Hotel Managers and Choirmasters? Anyone that sees the way Lawyers are adorned, will not mistake us for another profession.

Conclusively, under the extant rule, no Lawyer has the right of audience in our superior court of records unless you are “properly robed”, which means you must array yourself in the voluptuous gown and put on your head an awful grey wig whose provenance dated back to 17th Century. Wearing of wig and gown by Barristers is a time-honoured British tradition dating back to the 1680s, and we inherited it as part of the legacy of the common law civilisation. Dumping the wig and gown amounts to picking and choosing as our people say, that when a man sells his dog to buy a monkey, he still has something on four legs in his house. If we are to dump the past, then we most do away with the Common laws and make and rely on our local laws.

I am also not unmindful of the school of thought that wants to do away with the wig and gown, on the ground that in some commonwealth countries like Canada, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Kenya, the Judges and attorneys don’t wear wigs. Even in United Kingdom which gave the tradition to the world, there are a lot of reforms going on.

Here in Nigeria, people don’t robe before Magistrates, does that make our Magistrates’ courts less efficient in dispensing justice? The problem with us in this part of the world is that we are hardly capable of original thinking, but take delight in sheepishly following other’s people’s ways of life. The culture that invented wig and gown is different from our own, and the weather is different too. If we must do away with the wig and gown, then we must do away with the Common law system and develop our indigenous law, putting our peculiarities and diversity into contest.

Would you say that Nigeria is admitting too many Lawyers into the profession?

A simple attempt at answering these posers, will be that while the total number of Lawyers enrolled in Nigeria are still less than 200,000, thousands have died, and many more retired from active legal practice, or moved on to other human endeavours like the Jakpa syndrome. As a result, the actual number of active Lawyers in Nigeria today is considerably lesser. With a population of over 250 Million people, this figure still indicates a severe shortage of Lawyers in Nigeria. And, empirically, while the numbers show a shortage of Lawyers proportional to Nigeria’s growing population, there is a

more acute shortage of top legal talents, and this poses a huge threat to the future of legal practice in Nigeria.

So, I believe there's enough space and room to take up and accommodate more young Lawyers, especially where there are new fields of emerging law in marine, ICT, Fintech, etc.

How would you rate the Tinubu administration so far, vis-à-vis the primary purpose of government, that is the security and welfare of the people? Are there any additional measures that can be taken to alleviate the suffering of the people? People are hungry, so much so that they are looting anything they believe contains food

Poverty is one of the forces, militating against the social and economic development of Nigeria. The level of poverty in Nigeria is astronomically high and politically embarrassing, considering the enormous human and mineral resources the country is endowed with and despite the huge resources successive government have committed to alleviate and/or eradicate poverty, it seems no success has been achieved. In order for the Tinubu Government to succeed in alleviating the suffering of the masses, it has to introduce programmes that include, Operation Feed the Nation, Green Revolution, Better Life for Rural Women, Family Economic Advancement Programme etc. All the poverty alleviation programmes have not been successful due to inadequate funding, lack of proper coordination and commitment, poor design, and evaluation of programmes etc. I therefore, recommend that Government should ensure that programmes of poverty eradication are well designed, evaluated and coordinated before they are carried out, fraudulent officials should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others handling poverty eradication programmes and so on.

What can be done to reduce the evil of domestic violence and child abuse? The other day, a female

“The Nigerian Constitution requires a major and fundamental amendment, if not replacement. The constitutional history of Nigeria, is both imperialist and military induced. Only a Constitution enacted by the people themselves, will be accepted by them”

Lawyer was arrested for brutalising her female staff who may even be underage. Despite the Child’s Rights Act, how come people still employ underaged children as household staff?

Domestic violence is a violent or aggressive behaviour in the home setting, involving the violent abuse of a spouse or a partner.

Firstly, no one act comprises Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence can be sexual, physical, emotional, economic and psychological.

Again, the causes of domestic violence are many and varied. It therefore follows that, the solution to domestic violence would depend on the actual cause of the violent behaviour. We all know that a cause has to be identified and accepted, before a solution can be prescribed. Like my late Father would always say to us that, “recognition of any malady is the beginning of its cure”.

Lastly, even when these causes are identified, society and the abusers, refuse to accept them as being causes of domestic violence. Instead, some persons erroneously prefer to hold the victim responsible for the action of the abuser. This may seem strange, but victim blaming is the order of the day in our African society today.

For example:

– Male victims are unable to walk out of violent marriages, because it is believed that a man is less of a man if he is not in charge of the situation at all times. It is not culturally accepted for him to leave such marriages. He is perceived in the light of a coward, weakling or less than a man. This is damaging to the ego of most men, who eventually choose to keep condoning emotional abuse instead. Vice versa for women who must stay and condone domestic abuse, because they have to stay married in order to cover a societal gap.

Best Solutions to domestic violence is Seeking Refuge – Victims are advised to seek refuge in cases of domestic violence to ensure that the conflict doesn’t escalate, and to heal up emotionally. Whether the decision to seek refuge from an abusive marriage will be a temporary or a permanent one, would determine on the circumstances of each individual case of abuse and on the conduct of the abuser afterwards.

In the instances enumerated below, victims of abuse may give the marriage a second chance where the abuser: – accepts that he/she alone is responsible for his/her actions, -accepts that he/she needs help, – accepts to seek help from the right sources as will be discussed below, -accept to be accountable to an unbiased third party, who should be a specialist in counselling/handling domestic violent cases.

In the past National Assembly cycles through the Fourth Republic, the constitutional amendment exercises have really come to nothing. Now, there is talk of another exercise in this present 10th National Assembly. Do you think this one will amount to anything, or that as usual, Nigerians are being deceived or distracted? Do you think the Constitution should be totally redrawn or it can continue to be amended? What areas should be addressed? Apart from the issue of restructuring to reflect true Federalism, a new debate has arisen on returning to the Parliamentary system. Kindly, share your views on this

The Constitution, being an organic document, must be responsive to challenges and emerging trends. Across the globe, Constitutions are amended to respond to socio-economic, cultural and political changes. But, the amendment process must include the mass participation of the people. It must be transparent, credible, and rigorous, to ensure that it is done in the interest of the people and not in the personal interest of the law makers.

Nigeria operates a Constitutional democracy, with a Written Constitution which is the grundnorm and stands above all other laws. The process of amending the Constitution is rigid and stringent. A Bill passes through first reading, second reading and referral, public hearing and third reading and passage.

Under Section 9 of the Constitution, it can be amended by a proposed resolution supported by a two-thirds majority of both Houses – the Senate and the House of Representatives. It further requires approval by not less than two-thirds of the 36 Houses of Assembly in the Federation.

Personally, I believe there are amendments that are made that are beneficial - some of these Bills include the financial autonomy for local government areas and free, compulsory basic education. Similarly, rights to food and food security, and allowing both State and Federal Governments to legislate on railways.

The Nigerian Constitution requires a major and fundamental amendment, if not replacement. The constitutional history of Nigeria, is both imperialist and military induced. Only a Constitution enacted by the people themselves, will be accepted by them. It will also include diverse cultures and ethnicities. It will confer legitimacy on the organs of Government, and build trust between the Government and the people. Genuine participation of the people in the constitution-making process, will facilitate compliance and would legitimise the Constitution.

Thank you Learned Silk.

Dr Paulyn osobhase Abhulimen-okpalefe, SAN

08056356325

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As African oil producers set to take a final decision on the plan to establish Africa’s first energy bank, with an initial capital of $5 billion, opposition against Nigeria has continued to swell, with at least six countries on the continent opposing the country’s bid for the location of the financial institution in Nigeria.

THISDAY learnt that six countries;

Peter Uzoho

With about 82 million Nigerians living without access to electricity, a renowned oil and gas investor and Executive Chairman of AA Holdings Limited, Mr. Austin Avuru has stated that the gap presents about $10 billion to $16 billion business opportunity for local and international investors to reverse the trend.

Avuru stated this during an industry event in Lagos where he moderated a session that centered around Africa’s energy deficit, resources, refining capacity, energy security and energy transition and the need for swift actions by all relevant stakeholders across the industry.

“Coming down now specifically

Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire as well as Algeria are mounting a fierce resistance against Nigeria.

The countries, it was understood, have been lobbying the power brokers who will make the final resolution on where the headquarters of the bank will be situated.

The jostle by all the interested countries as to the location of the planned financial institution has raised a lot of dust, just as the

to Nigeria, 82 million of us have no access to electricity; 45 million of this 82 million cannot even afford it, even if we had it. This lack of access to electricity is giving rise to $10 to 16 billion opportunity to reverse this trend,” he stated.

Avuru noted that the lack of access to clean cooking represents a $2 billion to $3 billion investment opportunity, saying the country has to entrench clean cooking to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) among others in order to change the current trajectory.

On the continental level, however, he mentioned that over 640 million Africans have no access to energy and that worse still, even those who have access to energy could not afford even if

number of interested countries has continued to grow.

Apart from the aforementioned countries, other nations that will be taking the decision at the end of this month include: Angola, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Niger Republic and Senegal, while Venezuela is an honorary member.

In the coming years, the bank is expected to be very critical to the

it was available.

He explained that 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity, stressing that the sordid side of this is that it represents a $100 billion opportunity for service providers and entrepreneurs across Africa.

“It’s the same story for clean cooking. About 920 million Africans have no access to clean cooking. 680 million of this figure, even if they had it, cannot afford clean cooking. Again, to solve this problem represents $9 billion to $12 billion opportunity,” Avuru stated.

On gas reserve situation, the investor said Africa has a little under 600 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas but produces a little over 24 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) and consumes about 13.5 billion

survival of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria as well as those of other oil-producing nations in Africa as the West continues to withdraw funding for fossil fuels.

It’s unclear how much Nigeria specifically needs to get its 38 billion barrels of oil reserves and 208 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) out of the ground, but the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham al-Ghais, believes

cubic feet per day (13.5bcf).

For oil, he said about 118 billion barrels of oil reserves is present across the entire Africa while the continent produces 6.1 million barrels daily (bpd) and consumes just 4 million barrels daily.

Continuing, Avuru pointed out that 23 countries in Africa have a refining capacity of 4.83 million barrels of oil per day, with five of this -Algeria, Egypt, Libya, South Africa and Nigeria accounting for 4 million barrels refining capacity.

He explained that the figure could easily have been 3 million barrels per day refining capacity if zero refining capacity was ascribed to Nigeria because of the country’s inability to refine crude for many years past.

He ascribed a refining capacity of

that a substantial investment of $14 trillion will be needed globally by 2045 to meet the escalating energy demand worldwide.

However, the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO), led by Nigeria’s Farouk Ibrahim, recently announced that by the end of March, a final decision as to where the organisation will be located will be taken.

To underscore the importance of the funding deficit in the

about 1.1 million barrels to Nigeria owing to the Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 barrels per day in addition to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) refineries that are undergoing rehabilitation and the modular refineries of about 10,000 barrels each.

“Now, the actual performance is rising from about 20,000 barrels a day and heading towards at least 600,000 barrels a day, and when NNPC finishes their job, we would be at 1.1 million barrels per day by the end of the year,” he added.

As part of Nigeria’s energy transition agenda, Avuru posited that the country needed to drive up production to 3 million barrels a day, emphasising that Nigeria ought to be at 3 million barrels a day peak production by 2032.

sector, even with the presence of International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the country, the industry is still seriously underfunded in Nigeria.

Already, APPO has laid out the conditions to be met by any country that is interested before the headquarters of the energy bank can be located anywhere on the continent.

By then, he said Nigeria should start thinning down production beyond 2035 until it gets to the 2060 NetZero carbon promise it had made to the world.

“So, if we are no longer producing crude oil by 2060, it won’t be because any transition agenda was imposed on us, but because we designed a programme to exhaust our oil resources and optimise revenues over this period of time”, he argued.

On gas production, he said the country ought to ramp up both domestic and export gas to a total of 20bcf a day from the current 4.1bcf.

After achieving that, he said Nigeria could then pull that peak for about 20bcf a day from about 2025 to about 2055 before it starts thinning out gas production.

AFAN: Nigeria’s Food Security Dream a Mirage Without Farmers’ Security

Stories by Gilbert Ekugbe

The National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Kabir Ibrahim has stated that Nigeria’s aspiration to attain food security would remain a wild goose chase until insecurity in food producing states of the country is addressed by the federal government.

Ibrahim said that the present administration must prioritise investments in safeguarding the lives of farmers who are being forced at gunpoints to

pay certain amount of money before they could gain access to their farmlands.

In a chat with newsmen in Lagos, Ibrahim declared that tougher times await the country as far as food production is concerned and warned that prices of food would continue to skyrocket if farmers continued to pay in order to get access to their farmlands.

He noted that the association has been inundated with series of complaints from local farmers, mostly from the North-east and

North-west part of the country about ransom payments to armed bandits before being allowed access to their farms either for planting or harvesting crops.

He stated that hunger and hardships would continue to be the order of the day in Nigeria if this obnoxious trend is not checkmated because Nigerian farmers have been overstretched and some of them are paying the ultimate price just to put foods on the tables for Nigerians.

Ibrahim said: “The government cannot say they are not privy to this

Food Poisoning: FG Partners Grass Root Commodity Producers to Checkmate Circulation

The Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology (NiCFoST) has announced its strategic collaboration with grassroots commodities producers to combat food poisoning in the country.

The move, according to the council, is due to the rising concerns over food poisoning in circulation, stating that its partnership with grassroots commodities producers would enhance post-harvest handling

processes, including storage, processing and packaging.

The initiative aims to address longstanding challenges of unprofessional practices and mismanagement within Nigeria’s food value chains.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NiCFoST, Ms. Veronica Ezeh, expressed deep concern regard over the negative effects of substandard

food production on industrialisation efforts, export potential and the prevalence of preventable foodborne illnesses.

Speaking at a sensitisation forum involving states’ ministries of local government, Local Government Commissions, and State Ministries of Health, Ezeh underscored the urgent need for improved food safety measures across all levels of production and distribution.

FG Inaugurates Governing Council of Gas Infrastructure Fund

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in abuja

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has charged members of the governing council of the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, (MDGIF) to work together to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s gas sector.

The minister who is also the chairman of the council gave the charge in his address during the inauguration meeting of the members of the body in Abuja.

“I call upon all stakeholders, both domestic and international, to join hands with us in this noble endeavour in line with the recently signed executive orders on petroleum

It was gathered that some of the requirements include accessibly, including by air from any country, presence of amenities like hospitals, educational institutions, must have signed and ratified the establishment agreement of the charter of the bank, must provide a befitting proposed headquarters and must pay their financial obligations.

However, although a Nigerian leads APPO, THISDAY learnt that he can do little to influence the process. This much has been confirmed by Ibrahim, who said a few days ago that he is for now an African until he returns home after his tenure.

At the just-concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), Ibrahim warned Nigeria about the danger of sitting back

sector reform to boost investment in the oil and gas sector.

“Let us work together to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s gas sector and propel our nation to new heights of economic prosperity,” he said.

Ekpo said the establishment of the MDGIF came at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s energy landscape to support the midstream and downstream gas infrastructure which aligns with the national aspirations.

The chairman of the council stated that the MDGIF represents not just a financial instrument, but a symbol of government’s dedication to fostering an environment conducive to private sector participation and international collaboration.

According to him, the MDGIF is

and expecting that the location of the headquarters of the organisers will come on a platter of gold because it is the biggest country in Africa.

“I’m pleased to say that by the middle of this year, this bank will take off. Like I said earlier, by the end of the first quarter, a decision shall be taken on where to site the capital. Unfortunately, the representative or the president is not here to know that yes, I’m a Nigerian, but there is a limit to what anybody can do in international organisations.

“I am there as an African until I come back to become a Nigerian again. I say this because seriously speaking; I have gone to a number of our member countries. And the commitment and seriousness they have shown far exceeds what

not merely a fund but a vehicle for progress, a conduit for prosperity, and a catalyst for sustainable development.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have agreed to establish an inter-agency cooperation to promote career advancement of women in the two organizations.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji and the Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stressed this

Nigeria is showing.

“I’ll give you a very good example. Last September, I was in Ghana. We went to see the president and the president asked the minister of finance, the minister of oil, his chief of staff and other senior people to sit with him as he received us,” he said.

At the meeting, he said the Ghanaian president immediately put everything in place along with his aides to ensure that the headquarters went to the country, stressing that on the visit to other countries, their commitment has been top-notch, except for Nigeria, which hadn’t done much.

“Ghana is sending money. They have shown us an office and so on. We can’t say that for Nigeria, because we are big brothers and say that it will just naturally come

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has stated it is considering withdrawing the activities of its members in the supply and distribution of food value chains as a result of the never-ending insecurity situation in the country.

The Director-General of the MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, on the sidelines of a crucial meeting in Lagos, said that its members whose businesses are highly dependent on haulage of food items to long distances are being attacked, maintaining that the association is considering withdrawing the activities of its members if the federal government fails to address insecurity concerns as many food manufacturers have continued to suffer losses as a result of the spate of insecurity.

The move to take the decisive action may not be unconnected to the ongoing uprising in the country as some unscrupulous Nigerians have taking to the habit to attacking food companies’ trucks transporting foods and beverages over the rising hardship, hunger and poverty in the country.

MAN expressed worries over its members being attacked in

in Abuja at this year’s Women’s Day celebration. The inter-agency cooperation, NEITI said. will cover capacity building programmes, environmental, gender, social economic development challenges that frustrate women career advancement in public service.

In his opening speech, Orji described women’s day as a very

to us. So if Nigeria wants it, you need to sit up and show that you’re committed and determined to get it,” he warned.

But Nigeria insists that it has made concessions to other countries in the past and therefore reserves the right to have the bank situation in the country.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, representing the federal government, maintains that for instance even APPO should have ordinarily be in Nigeria, but that the country conceded it to Congo.

“We have made concessions to them in the past. We left it for Congo. We were almost getting it but former President Muhammadu Buhari said, ‘leave it for them’.

“In fact, everything was ready for Nigeria, but President Buhari

all the concerned authorities in government and security services on this development and nothing is being done to protect the Nigerian

farmers willing to go to the farms to harvest crops for sales and feed Nigerians from the hands of these armed bandits.”

the process of transporting food nationwide, saying that this would not be acceptable henceforth and government should urgently tackled the hardships in the country.

MAN called on the federal government to urgently fix the high

cost of food in the country that is orchestrating public unrest for looting government’s warehouse, hoodlums hijacking trailers loaded with foodstuffs and reports of possible further attacks on warehouses in the country.

The Head of EatSafe Country Programmes at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Dr. Augustine Okoruwa, has issued a stern warning that Nigeria might transform into a receptacle for unsafe food from neighboring African nations.

Speaking during a webinar in Lagos recently, Okoruwa emphasised the crucial role of a robust food safety policy, describing it as a vital initiative to fortify food control systems and create a platform for national discussions on safety issues.

He highlighted the opportunity for establishing priorities and

important annual event for NEITI to join the rest of the world to highlight, identify and celebrate the valued contributions of women to national development generally and the Extractive Industries in particular.

“It is a day to advocate for equity, inclusivity, gender justice, wider opportunities for women in the oil, gas and mining sectors in the

in his wisdom, said look, let’s give it to Congo. So, I believe that other countries will pay us back. Nigeria has always conceded. So, let them concede to us this time around because this bank is so fundamental.

“The only way we cannot be held back is to optimise the potential that we have in the oil and gas industry and our inability to access finance. If we have access to financial investing, we continue invest just like the West did,” he said.

With huge reserves of oil and gas, Nigeria currently produces just over 1.4 million bpd and looks forward to producing 5.5 billion cubic feet of gas daily by 2030, a meagre number compared to the country’s huge reserves.

mechanisms to enhance awareness and sectorial incentives for food safety management.

The webinar, which was titled: “Nigeria’s Food Safety Policy and Legislation,” delved into the current status of food safety in the country, addressing prevalent issues and proposing a way forward.

Okoruwa voiced concerns about the absence of a National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) that would act as a singular, comprehensive authority on food safety, and bemoaned the weak regulatory capacities and institutional structures aggravating food safety challenges in Nigeria.

areas of job opportunities, career advancement and security in work environment,” he said.

The NEITI Executive Secretary underlined that the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards particularly require implementing countries to promote greater diversity in decision making, document and publicly disclose women participation, gender, social, environmental issues in the extractive Industries.

The goal of EITI reports, he added, is to highlight the risks that women are confronted with in rural host communities where oil, gas and mining exploration activities take place, document such risks and the remedy required.

He lamented that information and data from NEITI industry reports on women participation in the extractive sector remain discouraging and far from the national average.

“For instance, the 2021 Oil and Gas Industry Report employment data from 56 out of 70 oil companies disclosed that out of 19,171 employees, 15,639 or 82 per cent are men while only 3,532 or 18 per cent of the employees are women.

“The disclosure is far from the national average of 35 per cent. From the same gender balance data, all top high level management positions in the industry are dominated by men,” he said.

‘Jumia Nigeria Takes Lead in Empowering Women in Tech, E-commerce’

Globally, International Women’s Day and the entire month of March hold significant importance as dedicated dates for celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. For Jumia Nigeria, gender inclusion and diversity are cornerstones of the company’s values, aimed at fostering an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to the company’s success. In this interview, Jumia Nigeria’s leading women—HR Director, Enitan Oyenuga; Chief Operating Officer, Marilyn Oruwari; and Head of Advertising, Sheila Mwaura—shed light on Jumia’s unwavering dedication to promoting gender diversity and inclusivity. They discussed the company’s initiatives to support and elevate women in various roles, emphasising their contributions to professional development and success. Excerpts

ENITaN

Can you tell us about your journey and how you reached the position of HR Director at Jumia Nigeria?

My professional journey has spanned over a decade, primarily focusing on Human Resources and Organisational Development.

In January 2022, I assumed the position of HR Director at Jumia Nigeria, a pivotal role within a company that shares my commitment to diversity and inclusion. Throughout my career, I have been driven by the belief that a diverse workforce leads to innovation, creativity, and overall success and been fortunate to have leaders who provided the platform and supported my growth.

How does Jumia Nigeria foster a culture of inclusion and belonging for all employees, regardless of gender and your purpose as the Human Resources Director?

At Jumia Nigeria, our vision for diversity and inclusion is to create an environment where everyone can bring their best selves to work without fear of discrimination. We aim for everyone to feel like they belong and are valued members of the team. Internally, I have had the privilege of leading initiatives aimed at promoting gender diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Through strategic hiring practices, inclusive policies, and ongoing education and training programs, we’re fostering an environment where women are empowered to excel in every aspect of their careers. Similarly, our customer base is diverse, including a significant number of women as both consumers and vendors. It is crucial for us to reflect the diversity of the markets we serve. Therefore, it is a no-brainer to provide women with visible platforms and opportunities. We believe Nigeria presents excellent opportunities to bridge this gap.

One third of our employees in Nigeria are females. This clearly has implications for female representation in our talent pipeline and for leadership roles and we recognise that we need to think carefully about how we attract, grow and retain our women; knowing that increased gender participation enhances productivity and the best ideas flourish in a diverse and inclusive

environment.

In 2022, we launched the Jumia Women’s Network and it is open to all women across every level of the organisation. It is intended to provide support, learning and networking opportunities for all its members. The network aims to support and empower you to reach your full potential both personally and professionally and equip women so that they can make informed and empowering choices and decisions. We actively monitor gender diversity at Jumia, recognizing that diversity encompasses more than just gender. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion that embraces diverse perspectives. To achieve this, our hiring processes are designed to attract, develop, engage, and retain a diverse talent pool.

MarILyN OruWarI

Given your remarkable ascent to the role of COO in your career. What insights can you share about the industry’s receptiveness to women professionals aspiring to advance their careers?

The industry’s openness to female professionals has positively evolved, yet there remains room for further advancement. Organisations are progressively acknowledging the importance of diversity and the distinct insights that women contribute.

At Jumia, I can confidently assert that there is no gender bias, and the culture fosters diversity and is very supportive. We make a concerted effort to amplify & elevate the voices of women within our organisation, with numerous women occupying significant leadership roles and engaging actively in decision-making processes. Moreover, the company emphasises support for female entrepreneurs. In our drive to empower more women in Nigeria, particularly entrepreneurs, Jumia has established the Vendor Hub. This platform offers a variety of resources for vendors to acquire essential knowledge, including business growth accelerators, effective customer engagement strategies, and marketing techniques designed to promote business expansion.

Furthermore, aligning with our goal to

“In 2022, we launched the Jumia Women’s Network and it is open to all women across every level of the organisation. It is intended to provide support, learning and networking opportunities for all its members. The network aims to support and empower you to reach your full potential both personally and professionally and equip women so that they can make informed and empowering choices and decisions. We actively monitor gender diversity at Jumia, recognizing that diversity encompasses more than just gender.”

mitigate unemployment issues, Jumia initiated the ‘Women & Youth Empowerment’ pilot program in Yaba, Lagos, in 2019. This program is intended to offer training and support to young women looking to broaden their income sources, while also empowering them through e-commerce opportunities. Additionally, the JForce Initiative grants more women access to employment opportunities by acquainting consumers with the advantages of e-commerce, thereby earning commissions from sales generated.

In your view, what strategies and practices could organisations adopt to mirror Jumia’s success in promoting gender diversity across roles and fostering an inclusive workplace?

Jumia’s commitment to fostering the inclusion of skilled women is profound and deliberate. From the outset, the company has dedicated resources to a comprehensive framework aimed at seeking, attracting, retaining, and advancing women within the organisation. This approach starts with the formulation of explicit policies that guarantee equal opportunities for individuals of all genders, thereby levelling the playing field for career progression. In addition, Jumia has adopted recruitment practices centred on merit instead of gender. This strategy is designed to eliminate bias and guarantee a just and varied candidate pool.

Unconscious bias can be a significant barrier to gender diversity in leadership roles. Organisations can follow Jumia’s lead by implementing unconscious bias training. This helps people recognize and challenge their own biases, creating a fairer playing field for promotion and advancement.

Mentorship programs can be incredibly powerful tools for promoting gender diversity. Jumia connects senior female leaders with high-potential women in the company. This guidance and support empower women to develop their skills and confidence, preparing them for leadership roles.

ShEILa MWaura

As the Head of Advertising, what leadership qualities do you believe have been instrumental in your success at Jumia Nigeria?

Success in advertising is a team effort. I’ve fostered a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to share ideas and contribute. This open communication and teamwork allow us to develop creative and effective advertising strategies that truly connect with our customers.

At Jumia, we have a vast amount of customer data. By prioritising data analysis and using insights to inform our advertising strategies, I’ve been able to drive targeted campaigns for several top Brands and deliver strong results. This data-centric approach has been crucial in maximising our advertising impact.

The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. I believe it’s important to be a leader who embraces change and encourages innovation. By staying ahead of the curve

“Jumia’s commitment to fostering the inclusion of skilled women is profound and deliberate. From the outset, the company has dedicated resources to a comprehensive framework aimed at seeking, attracting, retaining, and advancing women within the organisation. This approach starts with the formulation of explicit policies that guarantee equal opportunities for individuals of all genders, thereby levelling the playing field for career progression.”

and exploring new technologies, advertising channels, and marketing trends, we’ve been able to maintain Jumia’s position at the forefront of the Nigerian market.

As a woman in a leadership position, how do you see the impact of women in leadership roles, particularly in the tech and e-commerce sectors?

I believe that women play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of leadership, especially in the dynamic and fast-paced sectors of tech and e-commerce. As the Head of Advertising at Jumia Nigeria, I have personally witnessed the positive impact of having diverse leadership teams, where women bring unique perspectives, skills, and problem-solving approaches to the table.

In the tech and e-commerce sectors, innovation is key, and diversity fosters creativity. Women contribute valuable insights that can lead to more comprehensive and inclusive strategies. Our ability to empathise and understand diverse customer needs is a distinct advantage in tailoring products and services to a broader audience.

Moreover, having women in leadership positions serves as a powerful catalyst for change. It not only breaks gender stereotypes but also inspires and encourages more women to pursue careers in these fields. When young girls see women in leadership roles, it opens up possibilities and helps dismantle the notion that certain industries are exclusively for men.

Enitan Oyenuga

Marilyn Oruwari

Sheila Mwaura

Reprieve at Last for Manufacturers

Stakeholders in the manufacturing and organised private sector welcomed the suspension of the controversial Expatriate Employment Levy by the federal government as a sign that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is a listening government, writes Dike onwuamaeze

Manufacturers and other members of organised businesses in Nigeria heaved a sigh of relief on Friday, March 8. On that day reprieve came their way as the federal government gave heed to their agitations and suspended the rolling out of the controversial Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL), which imposed $15,000 and $10,000 on companies employing expatriates as directors and staff respectively.

The suspension was communicated to the business community by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was accompanied by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Uzoka-Anite said: “We came with NACCIMA and the organised private sector to meet with the Minister of Interior to get clarity on the EEL and we have had very engaging and fruitful discussion and agreed to set up a joint committee to look at the implications of the EEL and how to implement it; pending that, the EEL implementation and rollout will be on hold until the stakeholders convene and meet.”

On his part, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said: “This is about stakeholders’ engagement. It’s the first line in terms of the engagement process and we assure you the engagement process will continue and at the end of the day, there will only be one winner, and that will be Nigeria.”

Following the communication of the suspension of the roll out of the EEL, the President of NACCIMA, Mr. Dele Oye, and Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Nicolas Odinuwe, who were both present at the stakeholders meeting, hailed the outcome of the meeting, describing it a significant breakthrough.

NACCIMA AppLAuDs FG

Oye, said that he was entirely grateful for the government’s current stance on the policy, which had received knocks from key industry players and other stakeholders.

He said: “Our members were impacted by the proposed policy. So we want to use the opportunity to appeal to the industrialists and our various members that they should go on doing their business and that the effect or the likelihood of the proposed policy will be reviewed after we have done the stakeholders engagement.”

Similarly, Odinuwe said: “It’s been a very fruitful meeting and I am happy with the outcome and see that collaboration now exists between the two the ministers that were involved in it.

“And I would hope that the joint committee being set up will work, quickly to make sure that, all nerves are calm so that the industry can grow.”

NECA, CppE HAIL EEL suspENsIoN

Also reacting to the postponement of the implementation of the EEL, the Nigeria

Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) commended the federal government for putting on hold the implementation of the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL).

The Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said: “We commend the federal government through the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for their roles in putting the EEL on hold.

“While we appreciate the objectives of the scheme and the need to address gaps in the management of expatriate employment in Nigeria, the decision by the government is nothing short of genuine concern for the plight of organised businesses.

“This has further affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as a listening one. The speed of response to organised businesses’ concern was commendable and worthy of note.”

Speaking in the same vein yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said that the suspension of the EEL “is a demonstration of the fact the Tinubu’s administration is responsive, democratic and inclusive in its governance process.

“It shows that the administration is a listening government. Responsiveness to the concerns of stakeholders is a critical

attribute of true democracy.” Yusuf, however, stressed that there are already extant laws and regulations within the framework of the Nigeria Immigration Act and the Expatriate Quota Handbook that squarely addressed the outcomes contemplated in the EEL.

He said: “What needs to be done differently is to strengthen the institutional and regulatory effectiveness in the Ministry of Interior and the Immigration Service to ensure compliance and enforcement.

“The truth is that relevant institutions have over the years been considerably compromised. These are the gaps that need to be addressed.

“We really do not need a new policy, regulation or handbook on the employment of expatriates. A new regulation or policy will be superfluous. The current regulations or handbook could be tweaked, if necessary.”

He pointed out that evidence of regulatory weaknesses is visible from the numerous instances of expatriates operating in the retail sector in the open markets, competing with Nigerian market women and men.

“We surely do not lack expertise in retail trading. But we have seen cases of some expatriates taking up shops in our traditional markets. Many of our indigenous traders in the markets have

been displaced by these expatriates because they cannot compete with them.

“There are similar concerns expressed by our indigenous retailers in the computer and electronics, textiles and fabrics, and fashion accessories where expatriates are competing with them at the retail end of the market.

“Some of these (expatriate owned) companies dominate the entire value chain as manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

“These are some of the issues that need to be addressed by the immigration service and the ministry of interior. Competition with our struggling market women and men is clearly an unfair competition,” Yusuf said.

pRI vAt E sEC to R o ut CR y

Prior to the announcement of the suspension of the levy, the Nigerian organised private sector has raised an outcry against the new levies, describing it as disincentive to foreign and domestic investors and fostering the perception that Nigeria can carry on without productive inputs of foreigners in its economy.

They lampooned the proposed EEL as “exploitative, extortionist and a contradiction that cannot be explained” at a period the country is campaigning strenuously for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

IWD ‘24: Cooperating for Inclusion

MojisolaSaka

In my opinion, there could not have been a better theme for this year’s edition of the International Women’s Day (IWD) than Inspire Inclusion. The theme appropriately speaks to the need to promote and intentionally ramp up the record of accomplished women especially in Africa.

It also lucidly triggers the need to channel individual and collective efforts at transforming aspirations to reality by truly inspiring and ensuring inclusion away from a world that hitherto had been feet-dragging on the affirmative action adopted at the famous 1995 Women’s Conference in Beijing, China.

Globally and indeed in Nigeria, there has been very commendable efforts by women in breaking the stereotypes of career, cultural, religious, political and socio-economic barriers to attain heights hitherto considered unattainable. The world has witnessed in recent years. These achievements recorded across all spheres of human endeavor are such that could not have been imagined about two or three decades ago. I dare say the phenomenal trend could be attributed to the increased commitment to educating the girl child and advocacy in support of the economic liberation of the women folk thus informing a community of more ambitious, educated, learned, equipped, and resourced to explore uncharted

territories.

In Nigeria, examples abound of women who have shattered the proverbial glass ceiling to achieve unprecedented success in their chosen fields. Just a few months ago, Nollywood actress and producer, FunkeAkindele, became the first Nigerian film producer to gross over N1billion in cinemas with her blockbuster movie, A Tribe Called Judah.

Mo Abudu, the founder of Ebony Television, is generally regarded as the Oprah Winfrey of Africa, regularly appearing as one of Africa’s most influential women by different organizations. Beyond the arts and creative industry, Nigerian has proudly produced more female executives successfully leading corporations and organizations with staggering balance sheet size.

Today, we have more female practitioners and leaders in employment, with many of them holding top executive positions in practically more fields of endeavor, than there were many years ago. There is a growing number of females running consultancies in such areas as law, marketing communications, real estate, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, human resource management, etc.

Outside Nigeria, more women are making history and breaking records in diverse fields. Tyla, the 22-year old South African music sensation, has made history as the youngest African, male and female, to win a Grammy Award. In the United States, Ruth Gottesman, a former professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, has broken the record for the highest donation to a medical school in the country with a $1 billion donation to the school to pay for tuition for indigent students.

A growing and remarkable culture contributing to the advancement of women, as we see in Nigeria, is the growing collaboration amongst women and the willingness by those who have risen to

the top to mentor and hand-hold the upcoming generation of women. We now proudly boast of success female owed and led businesses across generations.

For more than 13 years, I have had the opportunity and rare privilege of leading a team of young, talented and committed women at Soulcomms in offering marketing and strategic communication services to diverse portfolio of indigenous and international clients across the West African sub-region. These exceptional ladies defy all odds to excel on every call and charge. Many thanks to the great UdemeUfot MFR an inspiring leader and advocate of women inclusion who identified and tenaciously mentored me. He inspired me with same tendencies and I consciously became an advocate for inspiring women.

I am convinced inspirational leadership is a key influence for driving inclusion. It triggers a practice of empowering, supporting and equipping talents especially women who immensely contribute to the growing tide of business successes. socioeconomic independence and a self-consciousness.

•MojisolaSaka is the Chief Operating Officer at Soulcomms- a strategic communications & engagement agency in Lagos

President Tinubu

Oyerinde

Oye

Email:

How Operation DELTA SANITY is Turning the Tide against Crude Oil Thieves

When the 24th Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla activated Operation DELTA SANITY on January 10, 2024, the objective was not just to rejig the modus operandi of the Nigerian Navy in the fight against crude and theft, oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism, but also to sustain the gains recorded so far. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that two months after, the successes recorded gives credence to effectiveness of the operation and resolve to confront this hydra-headed monster decisively and turn the tide against the criminals fueling such maritime crimes

The hydra-headed menace of crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism have continuously sabotaged the fortunes Nigeria because the ill-informed activities of these economic saboteurs portends grave danger for the nation’s economy.

As far back as 2003 to 2008, an International Centre of Reconciliation study puts the total value of stolen crude oil and disrupted oil production at approximately N14 trillion.

In 2011 alone, according to reports, Nigeria lost about $7 billion to crude oil theft, a clear but whooping difference from the value of crude oil lost between 2003 and 2008. A Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) report on crude oil theft in Nigeria revealed that the government lost about N3.8 trillion between 2016 and 2017.

That figure has tripled over the subsequent years as NNPC once pegged crude oil in the hands of saboteurs and vandals at an average of 200,000 barrels per day. This was a giant climb from 70,000 barrels per day as of August 2020.

Therefore, it was an aghast nation that heard from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, that $1.5 billion was lost to oil thieves between January and March 2022.

In 2023, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reported that between May and the second week of October 2023, about 4,145 crude oil theft incidents were recorded with the country losing 400,000 barrels of oil per day to crude oil thieves.

Vice Admiral Ogalla's Operation DELTA SANITY Interdiction

Consequently, on assumption of office as

the 24th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla set out to resolutely confront this menace by re-jigging the modus operandi of the Nigerian Navy (NN) in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The goal is to turn the tide on such maritime crimes like Nigeria succeeded with piracy since 2022 which led to the de-listing of Niageria from the list of piracy prone areas, by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Thus, given the seeming increase in Crude oil Theft (COT) within Nigeria’s maritime space, the CNS activated OPERATION DELTA SANITY on Wednesday January 10, 2024 to curb the activities of criminal elements in the country’s maritime environment. This quick interdiction operation to nab nefarious elements bent of stealing crude oil is in line with the vision of the CNS which is to maintain “A highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfilment of Nigeria’s national interest.”

Thus began the activation of Operation DELTA SANITY with a clear mandate to tackle Crude Oil Theft (COT), Illegal oil bunkering, pipe line vandalism and a host of other criminalities on the nation’s maritime area.

Successes Recorded by OP DELTA SANITY

Since its activation, OP DELTA

SANITY has recorded outstanding successes.

In the first week of its activation, four a Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), five cooking ovens, one reservoir, five dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were de-activated. Cost-wise, oil thieves were denied about 1,277.9 bbls (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, giving credence to the effectiveness of Op DELTA SANITY and the resolve of the CNS to confront this hydra-headed monster decisively. In summary, 4 IRS, 5 ovens, one reservoir, 5 dugout pits and 12 wooden boats were appropriately handled during the period under review. Additionally, oil thieves were

denied about 1,277.9 bbls (203,200 litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 19,600 litres of illegally refined AGO amounting to the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Six Naira Thirty Two Kobo (N151,774,256.32) only.

Not done, further cumulative record of the first two weeks of Op DELTA SANITY revealed that approximately 4,036.7 barrels of crude oil, worth $473,009.589 (N591,498,491.04) and 270,600 litres of illegally refined AGO worth (N157,562,542.57) which sums up to N1,058,448,326.33 that could have been stolen by oil thieves with attendant inimical effects on national security and prosperity.

Essentially, in February, 14 IRS, 25 ovens, 21 reservoirs, 261 dugout pits, 12 wooden boats, one fibre boat and one vehicle were appropriately handled while oil thieves were denied about 1,287.38 bbls (204,695 litres) of stolen crude oil; 70,780 litres of illegally refined AGO and 75 litres of illegally refined DPK amounting to the sum of N233,590,677.83 only.

In specifics, just five days after its activation on 29 January 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in conjunction with Naval Security Station (NSS) 022, 026 and 028 conducted Recce Ops around Eleme Krakrama Creek in Degema LGA of Rivers and intercepted and deactivated six wooden boats laden with about 600 Litres of products suspected to be stolen AGO and 566 barrels (90,000 Litres) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

Same day NN Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Bayelsa State conducted

A Swamp buggy destroying one of the illegal bunkering sites

Personnel of the Nigerian Navy at one of the Illegal Refinery Sites

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla

The devastation on the environment by oil vandals and bunkerers in Rivers

How Operation DELTA SANITY is Turning the Tide against Crude Oil Thieves

Anti-COT/Illegal oil bunkering operation and discovered four IRS, five ovens and two pumping machines within Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Akassa river areas. They also arrested five wooden boats laden with about 704.4 bbls (112,000 litres) of stolen products. While the sites and items were dismantled, the products were handled appropriately.

Afterwards, FOB ESCRAVOS in Delta State in an anti-COT operations around Saghara Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State dismantled a previously deactivated IRS undergoing reconstruction with an empty reservoir and five dugout pits.

For NNS SOROH, from January 29 to February 2, in conjunction with NSS 030 and Ocean Marine Solution Houseboat Peremebiri, conducted and discovered a vandalised flowline station belonging to SPDC which was recently reactivated, as well as a newly constructed IRS with two pumping machines, three generators, galvanised pipes, 50 kg gas cylinder, construction items and one wooden boat laden with sacks of about 19,000 litres of stolen AGO, all of which were towed to a safe location and handled appropriately.

On January 30, Naval Base OGUTA in Imo State conducted Anti-COT/Anti-Illegal Bunkering operations and discovered one fibre boat laden with about 7.5bbls (1,200 litres) of stolen crude oil.

Gathering momentum, FOB FORMOSO on February 5, once again discovered an IRS with illegal crude oil tapping point on Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline and a large storage tank filled with about 138.36 barrels (22,000 litres) of stolen crude oil. The products were handled appropriately while the management of the Agip Oil company was informed of the illegal connection along the pipeline for further necessary action.

On February 6 and 9, NSS 026 and 028 un- der the tactical control of NNS PATHFINDER in Rivers State conducted joint anti-COT Operation around Cawthorne Channel 1, Krakrama, Bokokiri and Ke Community where they discovered seven isolated IRS with a total of 22 ovens, 10 reservoirs and seven dugout pits filled with both stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO, as well as a large wooden boat laden with about 556.0 bbls (90,000 litres) of stolen crude near an abandoned oil wellhead, which were all deactivated.

In Cross River, NNS VICTORY on February 6, intercepted two large wooden boats en-route Cameroon laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO and about 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which were seized.

Furthermore, from February 7 to 11, NSS 030 under the tactical control of NNS SOROH discovered four IRS, five ovens, 11 reservoirs, 47 sacks cumulatively filled with about 116.47 bbls (18,520 litres) of stolen crude oil and a Toyota Camry with plate number KMK 520 HU loaded with refined Automotive Gas Oil around Ekpetire and Eduwini II communities in Bayelsa State.

Also, the team intercepted six wooden boats cumulatively laden with about 384.74 bbls (61,175 litres) of stolen crude oil; 45,450 litres of illegally refined AGO and 75 litres of illegally refined Dual-Purpose kerosene (DPK) and also recovered six pumping machines, one electric welding machine, one cutting machine, one generator, one outboard

engine and 20 empty drums.

Similarly, on February 7, FOB ESCRAVOS acting on intelligence report visited an IRS at Kokoyo community along Saghara creek in Warri South-West Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State and identified several dug-out pits and 30 polyethylene sack bags filled with about 81.76 bbls (13,000 litres) of stolen crude oil and while the IRS was dismantled, the products were deactivated.

Likewise, on February 8, FOB BONNY conducted anti-COT ops around Cawthorne Channel, Yellow Island, Ijawkiri and Adamakiri general areas of Rivers State and intercepted five wooden boats laden with about 20,500 litres of illegal refined AGO and sacks filled with sludge. The team also intercepted a fiber boat conveying metal sheets and iron rods intended for construction of ovens. Accordingly, the wooden boats and its items were towed to a safe location and deactivated. Notably, three suspects were arrested and are presently in custody before being handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In another development, on February 10, FOB IGBOKODA acting on a credible intelligence visited a building used for storage of illegally refined POL product at Mahin Riverine area in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State where the operators of the site fled. However, the operatives recovered about 330 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerry cans, which were evacuated to a safe location and handled appropriately. When compared with the previous tw weeks, there was an increase in the numbers of IRS, ovens, reservoirs, dug out pits speed boat and vehicle as well as same number of wooden boats deactivated.

Cumulatively, a review of Operation

DELTA SANITY from inception on January 10, 2024 to February 20, 2024 revealed that approximately 5,324.08 barrels of crude oil, worth $578,613.369 (N838,700,078.37); 341,380 litres of illegally refined AGO worth (N232,275,787.17) and DPK worth (N102,150), all summed up to N1,071,078,015.54 only that could have been used to perpetrate acts inimical to national security and prosperity was denied oil thieves.

In total, 40 wooden boats were arrested, while 80, 70, 288, 34 and one Illegal Refining Ovens, Reservoirs, Dugout Pits, IRS and Fibre Boats were deactivated respectively, as well as one arrested vehicle.

Also, while 15 suspects have been arrested, 53 IRS have been deactivated, with 63 wooden boats and five vehicles demobilised. Additionally, four speedboats, 15 pumping machines, two outboard engines, two welding machines and four generator sets have been seized from the criminal elements.

Furthermore, oil thieves have been denied about 10,174,707.33litres (63,991.87bbl) of crude oil, 618,080litres of illegally refined AGO, 75litres of DPK and 77,250litres of PMS. At current market rates, this amounts to the sum of N9,413,465,911.36 denied oil thieves since the commencement of the operation.

Milestone Arrest of Motor Tanker (MT) SWEET MIRI

As icing on the cake, Operation DELTA SANITY recorded a significant milestone with the arrest of a syndicate of 13 crew members (one Ghanaian and 12 Nigerians) on board a Ghanaian owned vessel known as Motor Tanker (MT) SWEET MIRI on February 25, 2024.

The arrest was made at about 174 nautical mile (approximately 320km) off Nigeria's coast heading towards Benin Republic, after the vessel was observed to have switched off her Automatic Identification System (AIS) in a bid to evade detection. The infraction by the vessel contravened the International Ships and Port Security Code (ISPS) and she had been tagged a “Vessel of Interest” (VoI) by the NN.

The NN Maritime Domain Awareness

infrastructure observed the criminal intent of the vessel and subsequently vectored two NN ships on patrol- NNS ABA and NNS SOKOTO to intercept and interrogate the vessel and it was discovered that MT SWEET MIRI was involved in illegalities and the vessel was subsequently arrested.

Notably, upon arrest, MT SWEET MIRI was found carrying about 2 million litres of product suspected to be crude oil without any form of approval from relevant authorities. Further investigation revealed that the rogue vessel had siphoned this large amount of crude oil from an abandoned well-head.

Increase in Nigeria’s Crude Oil Production

It is on record that in less than two months, Op DELTA SANITY has recorded huge successes and the tide against crude oil thieves has turned significantly. Expectedly, the inability of these nefarious elements to continue stealing the nation’s resources has impacted positively on Nigeria’s production quota.

For instance, when the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) released its crude oil production report for the month of January 2024, it was noted that the nation produced 1.43 million barrels of crude oil per day representing a 6.9 per cent increase when compared with the 1.34 million barrels of crude oil produced per day in December 2023.

The increase in crude oil production in January 2024 is the highest production recorded since January 2022 and for stakeholders, it's due to the commendable effort of the NN led by Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.

More admirable is that fact that Nigeria has conservatively recorded increase in crude oil production for the past two months at Bonny, Forcados, Escravos, Brass and Qua Iboe oil terminals.

Way Forward While it is undisputed that the successes of Op DELTA SANITY have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic well-being, it is however imperative for NNPCL to direct International Oil Companies (IOC) to ensure complete dismantling, deactivation and sealing of abandoned well-heads because in many instances, the crude oil thieves siphon products from these well heads as was the case with MT SWEET MIRI.

Also, there is need for the establishment of Maritime Courts to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and rid the Nigerian Navy of the burden of housing these seized vessels, products and even crew, thus incurring huge financial loss for the navy. This is in addition to reviewing the Armed Forces Act to give the navy prosecutorial powers. It is also imperative for a comprehensive database for such maritime criminals given the intensity and trans-national nature the theft has assumed.

Meanwhile, stakeholders who spoke to THISDAY were unanimous in describing Vice Admiral Ogalla as a man on a mission to prove that despite the endemic nature of COT within the Niger Delta, the NN’s Trinity of Action operational concept comprising Surveillance, Quick Response and Effective Law Enforcement can overwhelm the perpetrators of COT and engender a long-lasting solution to the problem.

FOC WNC, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan interrogating the crew of MT SWEETMIRI

SWEETMIRI, a Panama-registered bunkering tanker arrested by the Western Naval Command

UBA Business Series: SMEs Urged to Build Strong Business Structure

Nume Ekeghe

Successful female entrepreneurs, have advised Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) operators and would-be business owners to focus on meeting specific needs and self-development to create a path towards building prosperous brands in the short and long-term.

Speaking during the Women’s Day edition of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series hybrid event at the bank’s Head office in Lagos, the entrepreneurs emphasised the need for SMEs to invest in themselves and have a proper working business structure as tips that will help build and grow their businesses.

The co-founder and CEO of Good Hair Limited, Chioma Ikokwu; Founder of African Naturalistas, Atilola Moronfolu; Founder of Hello Perfect, a leading skin aesthetics and laser clinic in Nigeria, Onyeka Michael-Ugwu and Actress/Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NOUA Skin, a luxury boutique skin studio

based in Lagos, Oshuwa TundeImoyo, were panellists at the special women’s edition of this quarter’s UBA Business series who spoke on the theme: Herstory.

Chioma who emphasised the need for meaningful partnerships and collaborations in business said, “It is important to start by solving a problem, you have to separate your lifestyle from your business and ensure that you are intentional about what you put out there. Also, get straight to the point about what you are offering your customers, no need beating about the bush,” she stated.

Buttressing Chioma’s point, Onyeka told business owners and would-be entrepreneurs to surround themselves with the right people as these are the people that will help tend to the growth of the business. “I always tell people, build a team that can give their best to your business. When you treat your team right, they will put their all into growing your business,” she said.

Atilola who was all about the advantage of a proper business structure to one’s business, said, “Get your structure right, you need to have a standard operating procedure that works whether you are physically present or not. Also, it is very important to separate your personal finances from your business finances, that way, your business learns to thrive on its own.”

On her part, Oshuwa spoke about education and investing in one’self, as she added that business owners need to hone their skills, and should not be afraid to ask for help when they need it.

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, who commended the panellists for taking time off their busy schedules to share their knowledge, said UBA organises these business series frequently as they go a long way towards equipping customers, especially the women with the strategies to help build successful businesses.

Applications Open for Moniepoint’s Women in Tech Programme

Sunday Ehigiator

In commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), themed, ‘Inspire Inclusion,” Moniepoint has opened the application process into the 4th edition of its ‘Women in Tech’ Programme

A statement from the company said the internship program is open to women across Africa who are interested in starting a career in technology.

“As the world marks the 2024 International Women’s Day, IWD and against the backdrop of the successful execution of its three previous editions, leading digital financial services provider for

emerging markets and the secondfastest growing company in Africa, Moniepoint Inc. has announced the launch of this year’s edition of the Women-In-Tech initiative.

“This year’s IWD campaign theme of #InspireInclusion calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected, “it added.

Speaking on this year’s edition, Heathed, of People Operations at Moniepoint Inc., Chinaza Nduka-Dike, noted that with this initiative the organization is going over and beyond inspiring inclusion to demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a

difference in the lives of women.

“Increasingly we are seeing that diversity; and inclusion can ignite innovation and growth. Intentional outreaches such as our Women in Tech have helped to increase female representation and have had a transformative power to create meaningful inclusion while ensuring that we can keep pace with the talent development in a global economy,” she said.

Also speaking, a frontend engineer and member of the pioneer cohort of the Moniepoint Women in Tech, Tefe Oladejo, expressed her delight at the increased number of internship roles available for the 2024 programme.

IWD: Ascend Studios, Beyond Limits to Empower Women Start-ups

Mary Nnah

The Ascend Studios Foundation has recently joined hands with Beyond Limits, with the shared objective of empowering startup businesses led by African women.

This collaboration, which is in line with the International Women’s Day celebration marked on March 8th, aims to provide a platform for African women entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and explore opportunities that enable them to establish and grow their businesses.

The President of Ascend Studios Foundation, Dr. Inya Lawal, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Beyond Limits. Leap Women Africa offers a powerful platform to support African women entrepreneurs. By equipping them with the tools and resources they need to succeed, we can unlock their potential to drive innovation and solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.”

In a statement on the partnership, the Founder of Beyond Limits Africa, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, said, “Beyond Limits is delighted to partner with Ascend Studios

Foundation and other partners to provide entrepreneurship development to a cohort of female founders from the exchange alumni of the US Consulate. Entrepreneurship is really important for job creation and overall economic growth, and we are delighted to be able to provide leadership and organizational effectiveness, training and mentoring to entrepreneurial founders and leaders to help them build sustainable businesses, develop high-performing teams and maximize their potential.”

African Alliance Insurance Pays N40bn in Five Years

Ebere Nwoji

The Managing Director African Alliance Insurance, Joyce Ojemudia has said that the company paid a total ofN40 billion claims in five years.

Ojemudia said the claims were paid between 2019 to 2023, adding that African Alliance exemplified this commitment by disbursing an impressive sum of over N40.

She said the payment spanned diverse business units, as detailed, adding that Group Life took N5.1bn, Individual life N7.5bn, Esusu N3.4bn,

Takaful N2.8bn and Annuity N21.4bn.

“ The momentum has carried into 2024, as African Alliance has proactively disbursed over 1.1 billion Naira in claims within the initial 58 days of the year.

Ojemudia reiterated her pledge to stakeholders, underscoring ongoing strategic initiatives aimed at propelling African Alliance to the forefront of the life assurance business in Nigeria.

“These initiatives are aimed at securing a larger market share while upholding the

L-R: Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko; Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, of the Love of Christ Generation Church; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni; Executive Director, Mannir Ringim and Area Business Executive Lagos, Gloria Omereonye at the Union Bank International Women’s Day celebration held at the Bank’s Head Office in Lagos…recently

utmost standards of integrity and placing customer satisfaction at the forefront.

She said African Alliance continued to be a beacon of reliability and dedication in the life assurance landscape, promising not just financial security but a journey filled with contentment and assurance for all stakeholders.

She said the company, remained committed to swiftly and professionally settling all valid claims, ensuring enduring happiness and satisfaction for its valued customers.

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).

Stockbrokers, Financial Analysts Forecast High Yield on Transcorp Power Shares

Kayode Tokede

Financial analysts and stockbrokers have projected that the listing by introduction of Transcorp Power Plc on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), may bring high yield for discerning investors.

They also believed that the listing presents opportunities for deeply enriching the nation’s capital market while also providing funding leverage

for the nation’s power sector.

A cross-section of those who spoke on the listing said it would open the eyes of the players in the power sector to the low-cost funding opportunities provided by the capital market.

Speaking on the listing, Managing Partner, QL Resources Limited, Abdulmumin Ali said playing in the capital market will provide impressive rewards for investors and also help in enriching the Nigerian capital

market.

He noted that Transcorp Power shares have already gained more than 47 per cent since it was launched one week ago, Ali predicted a sustained good performance of the stock in the market and said investors who take early positions will reap immense benefits in the short to medium term.

“Anybody with investible funds at this time should buy Transcorp Power shares. Such

investments will likely triple within the next one year,” Ali predicted.

On where he hinged his prediction, Ali pointed at the 84 percent spike in profits between 2022 and 2023 as well as the exponential increase in share capital over the same period as indicators of great opportunities for investors.

“Transcorp Power had their Revenue From Contract With Customers grow by 57per

cent over the past year to culminate in a Profit Before Tax of N52.7bn as at the year ended December 31, 2023. This in effect was a Profit spike of 84per cent from N27.6billion as at December 2022. Again, you will note, when you review the Independent analysts’ reports that their topline has grown consistently over the past 5 years, with good efficiency ratios.”

Also speaking on the listing,

CEO, Crane Securities Limited, Mr. Mike Eze said the listing of Transcorp Power on the Nigerian Exchange bodes well for both the newly listed company and Nigerian investors, adding that the Nigerian securities market remains the destination of choice for businesses in need of low-cost capital, while also providing the right opportunities for the diversification that improves governance.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MARCH /11/24

Tinubu ViSiTS ibb...

Court Affirms Baruwa NURTW President, Declares Agbede-led Caretaker Committee Illegal

NLC hails industrial court’s ruling on leadership dispute

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja yesterday affirmed Tajudeen Baruwa as the validly elected President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for the second term, just as it sacked the Tajudeen Agbede-led caretaker committee.

Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi also restrained forthwith the former president of the union, Najeem Yasin, who was also the chairman board of trustees from interfering in the day to day running of the

affairs of the union.

The presiding judge while delivering her judgment on the leadership crisis rocking the union held that the zonal delegates’ conference across the six zonal councils of the union held on May 24, 2023 where Baruwa emerged as president for a second term in office was valid.

The court also validated the quadrennial national delegate conference held on August 23, 2023 at Ta'aL Hotels Lafia Nasarawa State where the president and other national officers emerged and were inaugurated.

Oyewumi declared as illegal, null

TETFund Inaugurates Adhoc C'ttees on Tertiary Laboratories, Others

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) has set up the Committees on operationalisation of equipment upgrade in workshops and laboratories for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (technical) as well as committee on assessment/review of TETFund centres of excellence, and committee on operationalisation of skills development special intervention.

Inaugurating the committees in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono disclosed that the constitution of the committees underscored the importance the fund attaches to strengthening its intervention activities towards the delivery of its mandate.

According to him, the members

of the committees were carefully selected based on their individual capacities and the belief that they will collectively work as a team to deliver on the vital assignments.

He also stated that the setting up of the committees was in line with the fund’s commitment to deepen its content-based interventions and facilitate the institutionalisation of research and development.

He noted that concerted efforts are being made to identify more innovative ways to enhance research capacities of the beneficiary institutions and promote skills development for the teeming youths.

Echono argued that modern economic development process continues to depend on increased productivity arising from purposeful and problem-solving research.

and void and unconstitutional the national delegates’ conference held on October 25, 2023 where the so-called Acting President, Alhaji Isa Ore and his national administrative council were said to have emerged.

She ruled that there was no evidence of crisis in the union and therefore there was no basis for the invocation of ‘doctrine of necessity’ which led to the constitution of the so-called caretaker committee.

Recall that that the Lagos State Park Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya (aka MC Oluomo) on August 28, 2023

forcefully took over the secretariat of the union located at Garki 2 after a violent attack on the national officers and staff despite the armed security agents deployed to provide security.

Baruwa was arrested on September 13, 2023 alongside four other national officers of the union by the police and detained at the former facility of the Special Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS ) in Abuja

The situation then forced the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to give the police 48 hours to vacate the secretariat of the union or face a shutdown

In a communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union threatened it would muster all its affiliates for a showdown in support of what it said is the legally elected NURTW leadership.

It accused the police of interfering in the internal affairs of NURTW and other unions, saying the police had usurped powers of arbitration in disputes, contrary to the dictates of statutes governing industrial relations.

Meanwhile, the NLC has commended the judgement by the National Industrial Court recognising

the Baruwa-led executive of the union. A statement signed by Ajaero said the ruling has given hope for freedom, justice and independence of thought in the judiciary.

He blamed the Ministry of Labour and Employment for not summoning the needed courage to ensure justice that came the way of the Baruwa leadership.

"We at the NLC would like to commend the courage of the National Industrial Court for affirming the executive of Baruwa as the lawful leadership of the NURTW.

Alake Advocates Mineral-based Equity to Avoid Debt Trap for Poor Countries

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged mineral-rich African countries to use the proven mineral reserves of their countries as equity in joint ventures instead of taking loans that worsen the plight of their people.

Speaking at a ministerial roundtable on powering Africa in Washington DC, Alake deplored unwholesome pressure on African governments by loan marketers despite global concerns over the declining capacity of many countries to settle their debts.

"It is an interesting paradox that in spite of their chronic indebtedness, African countries remain the target of institutional and private loan sharks marketing short and long-term credit to ministries, departments

Economic Hardship: AbdulRazaq Inaugurates

Multi-sectoral Committee on Food Security

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Worried by the economic hardship in the country, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday inaugurated a multi-sectoral state working committee on food security, charging them to work with all stakeholders to ensure that people have access to affordable food.

The committee comprises the governor as the chairman; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oluwatoyosi Thomas; Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and the state coordinator of the federal ministry

of agriculture, among others.

The committee is to develop strategies, policies and initiatives to address food security challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices, among other things.

Inaugurating the committee, AbdulRazaq charged them with the responsibility of ensuring that every citizen in the state has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.

“As we embark on this journey, we must acknowledge the challenges ahead. Climate change, population growth, and economic instability threaten to disrupt food production and access.

"Yet we must remain steadfast

in our commitment to overcoming these obstacles. We'll focus on supporting smallholder farmers, empowering rural communities, and leveraging innovation and technology,” he said.

“I urge each committee member to approach their role with dedication and compassion. Our success will be measured not so much by the policies we formulate but by the tangible impact we have on the lives of our fellow citizens.

“Let us work together, drawing upon our collective expertise, network, and experience to develop solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity in our state,” he added.

and agencies.

“Indeed, in the first month after a minister is sworn into office, he is literally bombarded by these marketers promising above the table and under the table deals," he said.

Alake, who doubles as the Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group, the body of ministers of mining and mineral development in Africa, canvassed an alternative to loans, which he defined as using proven mineral reserves as equity.

He said: "In the mining sector, in-situ equity, where the verified value of un-extracted mineral can be the equity of the owner in joint ventures, is a better financial arrangement than the road to chronic indebtedness ".

Recalling how he had taken issues with indiscriminate loan deals of African governments as a journalist, Alake said only loans that can be liquidated by the returns on the project should be taken to save the people from poverty.

"I have criticised the predilection of Nigerian governments to sign the dotted lines of loan agreements on the flimsiest excuse mostly with stiff conditions which hurt the common people. Therefore, I believe African governments should exercise patriotic circumspection and due diligence before committing their sovereignty," he added.

The minister's presentation set the tone of his meetings with investors on the sidelines of the conference.

In top-level talks with the delegation of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC), Alake shared the vision of the Bola Tinubu Administration to reposition the sector to compete with others to attract investments.

According to him, the administration has focused on developing the critical minerals sector to diversify the economy from oil.

" There are certain things that we need to bolster that sector, and all the support we can get is crucial. First and foremost is critical big data, which is exploration. We are actively working to sanitise the sector, including establishing a new security architecture to secure the mining environment, " he said.

Medical Council Inducts 74 New Babcock Graduate Doctors

Funmi Ogundare

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), yesterday inducted 74 medical doctors from the Ben Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Out of the new inductees , 16 had distinctions while two were awarded certificates of excellence for having seven distinctions in courses such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Surgery as well as Physiology.

They are Dr. Victoria Ishola and Christiana Maconi. They also received a cash prize of N200,000 each.

Speaking at the 8th induction ceremony of the newly qualified

medical doctors, held at the College of Health and Medical Sciences Auditorium, the President/ Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ademola Tayo reminded the doctors that they are being inducted to a profession that is challenging, delicate, but rewarding.

He added that they should approach their future endeavours with the hope that they are accountable to God in their service to humanity.

He explained that when they are able to perform their task diligently and with the fear of God, lives will be touched and healing will come as a miracle.

"All your patients must develop a high level of confidence in you as you as you bring to bear your professional expertise and judgement," he stated.

The VC also admonished them to put the interest of Nigeria in high priority and contribute their quota to the development of the nation as it is witnessing mass exodus of medical practitioners at an alarming rate.

" While I may not preach to you that you don't go for greener pastures, I want to remind you that the nationals of those developed countries, went through huge challenges to get their health and other related services into an enviable standard,” he said.

In his remarks, the Provost of the college, Prof. John Sotunsa advised the graduates to break new grounds and pay the price rather than being contented with what others have done, adding that they should live a life of purposeful blessing .

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in chat with former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, while Gov Bago, sitting on the floor, listened during Tinubu's visit to the former military president in Minna...yesterday

CELEBRATING WOMEN...

Obasanjo Leads Nigeria's Trade, Investment Mission to Angola

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met with the President of Angola on a trade mission with oil refineries, hydro power, pharmaceuticals and agriculture as areas of interest.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, it stated that Obasanjo led Nigerian investors under the

aegis of the Angola Nigeria Business Council on the visit at the weekend.

Obasanjo in a closed-door meeting with the Angolan President, Joao Lourenco, hinted that key areas of investment, including oil refineries, hydro power projects, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and more were discussed.

The former Nigerian president also met with Chairman of the Sovereign

Wealth Fund, Armando Manuel, to explore possible joint investments between the two nations.

Obasanjo also met with the former Prime Minister of Angola, Lopo Nascimento, to discuss investment opportunities and shared history between the two countries, particularly in light of Nigeria's aid to Angola as a frontline state in 1976, when Obasanjo was the military head

of state of Nigeria and Nascimento was the prime minister of Angola.

President of Angola Nigeria Business Council, Mrs Fifi Ejindu, said the Business Council served as a driver for advancing economic cooperation with the private sector of both Countries taking the lead, stressing, "we can do great things when we stand together".

Ejindu also met with the Vice

President of the Republic of Angola, Esparanca da Costa, hinting that her meeting comprehensively covered essential topics, fostering a dynamic and productive exchange of strategies to enhance economic cooperation and bilateral relations between Angola and Nigeria.

The president of the council explained that Obasanjo's involvement in the visit to Angola became

Ondo Guber 2024: It's My Turn to Become Governor, Says Olusola Oke

Tasks APC on transparent primary

Fidelis David in Akure

One of the leading governorship aspirants in Ondo State in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusola Oke, SAN, yesterday, said it was his turn to become governor of the state.

He however, tasked the National Working Committee (NWC) and State Working Committee (SWC) of the party to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.

The APC primary in the state had been slated for April 25 while the governorship election is expected to hold on November 16.

Oke, a two-time governorship candidate in the coastal State while officially declaring his intention to contest the race at the party secretariat in Akure, charged the party leadership to guide against any negative tendency that could mar the image, peaceful and transparent conduct of the exercise.

The APC chieftain, who represented Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 1992 said he was hopeful of emerging victorious in the contest, noting that all political indices favoured his emergence as

the party’s candidate for the position.

The former Chairman and of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), said: "I have come here today to notify you of my intention to throw in my cap again into the contest for the governorship seat of Ondo State on the platform of APC.

“However, Mr Chairman, leaders of our great party, I want to plead that you should conduct a free fair and transparent primary."

The former commissioner, who represented Ondo State on the Governing Board of NDDC, said

Bayelsa Guber: Tribunal Refuses to Stop Sitting in Sylva, APC's Petitions

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, yesterday, refused to stop proceedings in the petition challenging the re-election of Douye Diri as Bayelsa State Governor.

A three-member panel had dismissed a fresh application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, dismissed the motion after he took arguments from Sylva's lawyer, Tunde Falola, and the other respondents.

While Chief Charles Edosanwan represented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Diri was represented by Chris Uche, SAN, and the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, was represented by Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, SAN, with Tayo Oyetibo representing the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Adekeye, in a brief ruling, held that a letter from the President of the Court of Appeal on March 5, mandated the tribunal to proceed with hearing of the petition, irrespective of any application by the parties.

He therefore, said the PCA's letter has overtaken the request by the petitioners for the disbandment of the tribunal.

Sylva's lawyer, Falola, had argued that his clients filed the fresh application against the tribunal on the ground that the two petitioners were convinced beyond reasonable doubt that they could not get justice from members of the panel.

The two petitioners further stated that the tribunal had exhibited strange circumstances that made them to believe that they would be denied fair hearing.

He, therefore, asked the tribunal to in the interest of justice, step aside from the petition and allow other members to be constituted by the PCA to determine their petition

within the little time remaining for the expiration of hearing of the case.

Meanwhile, all the Respondents, through their respective lawyers, opposed the request for the panel members to recuse themselves.

They argued that the application was an attempt to prevent the respondents from presenting their defence against the petition.

They stated that the motion by APC and Sylva was a calculated attempt to blackmail the tribunal members to do their bidding.

The four respondents claimed that the petitioners closed their case, even when the time allocated to them had not expired, hence, there was no basis for the allegation of denial of fair hearing to them.

They also stated that APC and Sylva were part of the pre-hearing session and fully subscribed to the schedule of time as agreed upon by all the parties.

The tribunal has fixed March 13 and 14 for INEC, being the 1st respondent, to open and close its defence.

it was his turn to be the governor of the coastal state, stressing that his candidature would cripple opposition parties, boasting that all the political parties in the state would support him and the return would be very massive.

"I've contested for this position for three times, I lost like Buhari and the fourth time is my turn. Recall that three of us rose at the same time in this state. Mimiko, Akeredolu and I. The three of us are from three different senatorial districts.

“Mimiko took his turn from the central, late Akeredolu took his turn from the North. I am told and I'm glad that the ticket is shifting to the south, so who's turn is next? It is my turn! I am the only one that can

say that, nobody else can say that!!

"There are three ways you know a politician, it is either you've been a lawmaker, you've been a party administrator or you've occupied executive position.

“I have occupied the three. I was once a lawmaker and was a party administrator. In the choice of my career, ranging for over 35 years in politics, I've gathered experience.

"Because I've been a party administrator, I will know how to manage party members as a governor. Because I've been a lawmaker, I will know how to manage lawmakers in the state and because I've occupied executive positions, I will hit the ground running immediately I'm elected."

necessary "because of his envious positive popularity in Angola and he is being looked upon to facilitate and attract investors from Nigeria to Angola and vice-versa."

A Special Envoy to Obasanjo, 'Leke Adebiyi, said the visit was deemed productive and successful, as all parties expressed a keen interest in pursuing joint business ventures between investors from both Nigeria and Angola.

"This effort aligns with the vision of fostering stronger economic ties, creating viable investment opportunities, and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between the two nations.

"The visit serves as a promising development in the ongoing efforts to bolster economic cooperation and trade relations, with the aim of harnessing the potential for growth and prosperity in both Nigeria and Angola.

"As our nations continue to explore new avenues for collaboration and investment, a brighter and more prosperous future awaits both Nigerian and Angolan citizens. We look forward to the continued partnership and shared success in the realm of investment and economic development," Adebiyi said.

The delegation included the President of Angola Nigeria Business Council, Ejindu, Angola's Ambassador to Nigeria, Jose Zau and Adeb

ICAO Arrives Nigeria to Commence

Security Audit of Lagos, Abuja Airports

Chinedu Eze

A team of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) auditors has arrived Abuja, Nigeria, to commence the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) through Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) for Lagos and Abuja airports.

The objective of the audit was to ensure that the airports are safe and secure for flight operations, especially international flights and that passengers lives are protected while at the airports.

ICAO explained that the objective of the ICAO USAP was also to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member States’ aviation security performance to enhance their aviation security compliance (Annex 17) and oversight capabilities. The arrival of ICAO auditors was disclosed by the Nigeria

Civil Aviation Authority yesterday, in a statement made available to THISDAY, where it stated that the Universal Security Audit Continuous Monitoring Approach would run for two weeks starting from yesterday, and would terminate on the 22nd March, 2024.

The NCAA stated that the audit would cover the following areas:

Inflight Security (IFS), Passenger and Baggage Security (PAX), Acts of Unlawful Interference (AUI), Facilitation (FAL), Legislation (LEG), Training (TRG), Quality Control Function (QCF), Operations (OPS) and Cargo, Mail and Catering (CGO).

Members of the four-man team are Callum Vine (team leader), James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng. In his opening remarks, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo,

welcomed the team of auditors to Nigeria for the all-important mission.

According to the Minister, the USAP represents a concerted effort to uphold the highest standards of security across all facets of Nigeria’s aviation industry. Through rigorous assessments, comprehensive evaluations, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria aims to fortify her defenses against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.

Keyamo, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, while commending the dedication and diligence of all stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, security agencies, service providers and aviation security personnel whose unwavering commitment he said ensured the success of Nigeria’s aviation security endeavours, expressed hope that there would not be a significant security concern.

MD/CEO, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abba Bello (third from left); Executive Director Business Development, Hon. Stella Okotete (fourth from left), flanked by female staff of the bank at an interactive session organised to mark the 2024 International Women's Day in Abuja…recently

Alex Enumah in Abuja

InSpeCtIOn vISIt tO the AbA pOwer plAnt...

Obaseki, Bago, Yahaya, Abbas, Others Greet, Charge Muslim Faithful at Ramadan

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his Niger State Counterpart, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, have greeted and charged Muslims on the commencement of

this year’s Ramadan. They all called on Muslim faithful to foster good neighbourliness and kindness during the Ramadan season.

In a statement to mark the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Obaseki said the fasting period should serve as a time for soulful reflection, devotion, prayers and to care for one another.

“As the Muslim faithful embark on Ramadan, I implore you to uphold

the virtues of Islam by showing love and compassion to all. It is a time to show good neighbourliness and extend a helping hand to the needy in society, especially in these trying times.

“The Ramadan season is coming at a time when many people are faced with dire economic challenges. It is best to show love this period as we approach the period solemnly.”

Bago, on his part, admonished the

Muslim faithful to use the period to get closer to God and embark on programmes that would alleviate the sufferings of the common man.

Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, stressed the need for Muslims to get closer to God by engaging in activities that would earn them eternal reward adding that the season "is a special period for spiritual rejuvenation.

New Crisis in Rivers as PDP Expels Councilor for Supporting Fubara

More Wike’s supporters collapse structure for embattled governor

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Fresh Crisis might be brewing in the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the leadership of the party at the ward level, yesterday, expelled a former leader of the Obio/Akpor legislative council, Hon. Achor Nna.

Nna had earlier resigned his position as councillor and declared support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the state.

But another group of Wike’s supporters in the Grassroots Democratic Initiatives (GDI) had collapsed their structure for the Rivers governor.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had last

In a related development, no fewer than seven persons were shot dead on Sunday in at evening market in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, when suspected bandits invaded the market.

A community leader in Kaduna, John Yusuf, who disclosed the latest killings in a telephone interview in Kaduna, said the bandits called and demanded N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 brand new motorcycles for the release of the victims.

Yusuf said, "The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding for N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans, and 150 motorcycles for the release of 16 people they are holding captive.

"Where are we going to get this kind of money? Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion."

The community leader said the bandits invaded the community two times within a week.

"The abductions happened twice within four days interval," he said.

According to him, "During the first attack, three people were kidnapped

year vowed that he would not allow anyone take the structures he built.

In the letter expelling Nna, titled: ‘RE: EXPULSION OF HON ACHOR NNA’ dated 9th March 2024 and signed by the PDP Ward 9 Chairman in Obio/Akpor LGA, Collins Chukwu, the ward accused the lawmaker of failing to defend himself from allegations of misconduct and misappropriation despite receiving multiple invitations asking him to defend himself.

The letter which reads: “The Ward 9 PDP executive under the able Chairmanship of Chukwu Collins Wobo, JP on the 10th day of February 2024 received from the Elioparanwo PDP chapter the

while in the second attack 13 people were abducted, bringing the total number of people being held captive to 16.”

Yusuf lamented the vast bushes bordering the community and Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, and called for the establishment of a military base to check the activities of the criminals.

He stated, "We are pleading with the government to come to our aid by establishing a military base behind our community, where the bandits take advantage of the bushes to invade our community.

"From our community down to Birnin Gwari, which is over 150 kilometres, is a stretch of bush. We also have another stretch of bushes from Gonin Gora down to Niger State. "So, when the criminals have free access through the bushes to our community. We are pleading with government to help us."

However, Yusuf commended the Nigerian Army for their effort to contain the bandits.

He said, "The army are really trying, despite the fact that they are

suspension of Hon Achor Nna the former leader of OBIO/AKPOR LGA council legislative arm.

“In view of the above the chairman of Ward 9 acting in compliance with chapter 10, section 57 (1) of the party constitution set up a disciplinary committee purposely to ascertain the veracity of the allegations against Hon. Achor Nna.

“The disciplinary committee headed by Chief Solomon Chime Esq invited him (Achor Nna) severally and repeatedly to appear before the committee to defend himself of the grievous allegations (misappropriation of funds and misconduct) against him which invitations were utterly turned down.

seriously overstretched. Whenever we make distressed calls they come.

"But the problem is that before they reach the community, the bandits would have done what they wanted and left."

The community leader called on the federal and state governments to take proactive action to stop the menace, "if not, it is going to consume all of us."

On Wednesday, February 28, bandits invaded Anguwan Auta, community in Gonin Gora, killed two people and abducted three others.

About four days after, the criminals returned to the area and abducted 13 people.

Hundreds of youths in the area had protested against the first attack, blocking the busy Kaduna-Abuja highway, which passes through Gonin Gora.

Gunmen Invade Plateau Market, Kill Seven

At least seven persons were shot dead on Sunday at an evening market in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State,

“In view of this, the committee recommended that he (Hon Achor Nna) be expelled from the party and the fact that Hon Achor Nna was unable to defend himself, he was expelled from the party, we had no option but to take this decision as the ward cannot condole his unwarranted acts and indiscipline.

“So, the resignation of Hon Achor Nna from his position as the leader of OBIO AKPOR legislative council and as councillor Ward 9 didn’t come to us a surprise because he couldn’t defend himself from the allegations against him which led to his expulsion from the Party.

when suspected bandits invaded the market.

The incident, which also resulted in several others being injured, according to some residents of the community, occurred in the thick of trading activities in the market. A resident, Mr. Abdullahi Hussaini, who confirmed the incident, told newsmen that the gunmen arrived the market in the early evening hours and opened fire at people transacting businesses.

Hussaini stated, “The gunmen arrived the market in large numbers riding on motorcycles, and started shooting sporadically, killing seven people instantly while many others were injured.

“The gunmen successfully launched the attack and fled without any resistance because the people were relaxed and were not suspecting any security threat at that time.

“The gunmen fled into the bushes, but the police have deployed their personnel to the community to restore law and order. We are calling on more security deployment in the area because we don't know what may happen next.”

"Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam which comes with favour, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah to those who participate in it."

Governor Yahaya also urged the Muslim Ummah and the entire citizenry to utilise this sacred month for fervent prayers, seeking relief amid present economic hardships, and praying for peace, development, and prosperity of Gombe State and Nigeria at large.

In a goodwill message, the governor called for collective efforts in finding new solutions to the security and socio-economic challenges facing the nation, acknowledging the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors to address the current difficulties.

Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman used the occasion to express deep concern over the alarming increase in abductions of vulnerable citizens in some

they must achieve in a year.

“This morning, I want the press to be aware of this meeting. That we are not sleeping. As a body responsible for managing the power sector, we are not unaware of the lingering crisis that's been there for the past four to five weeks. And we are determined, we are resolute in providing lasting solutions.”

Explaining that Nigeria was currently in “a very difficult situation”, Adelabu stated that a lot of people were passing through hardship. He said this was the reason it was difficult to implement cost-reflective tariff. He noted that in the next two to three years, the government intended to exit the current subsidy payment regime.

Adelabu maintained, “Resulting from the high inflation of almost 30 per cent, resulting from the devaluation of the naira, resulting from the subsidy, there is hardship. And everybody feels it. So it's not the time that anybody will call for a total removal of electricity subsidy. No.

“It will sound highly insensitive to the feelings of our people. So what we intend to have in the policy is a roadmap. Probably, two to three years roadmap that will migrate us into a cost-reflective tariff, which means that government subsidy will remain to the end and we will keep reducing it from time to time.”

The minister emphasised that currently, government subsidy was about 66 per cent of tariff being paid by Nigerians for power consumption. He said a draft policy to be released before the end of this March will see attempts at signing up to a

parts of the country, particularly making reference to the recent incidents involving students in Kaduna, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno, and Almajiri pupils in Zamfara states.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has also tasked traders not to increase the prices of their goods during the fasting period.

Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, appealed to traders in the country not to hike prices of foodstuffs and other commodities, as the Ramadan fast begins.

The Speaker congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the world for witnessing another Ramadan, urging them to pray for their country.

minimum payment assurance for capacity in generating companies to ensure sustainability and stabilisation of generation output.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the minister, along with other heads of agencies, TCN Managing Director, Sule Abdulaziz, said all vandalised assets were being fixed, including the Kano facility, which was burnt the previous day.

Abdulaziz also said the vandalism in Abuja was not affecting supply, stressing that the TCN has started using the redundant second line to supply Abuja.

He said ramping up generation won’t be a problem for TCN, with its wheeling capacity of 8,500mw.

In his comments, Managing Director of NBET, Dr Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, said there was currently a lot of emphasis on ensuring discipline at the distribution end, since at the heart of contract activation was payment.

Ewelukwa added that there was a commitment on the part of the federal government to come up with the matching funds to ensure that, ultimately, 100 per cent of the Generation Companies (Gencos) invoice was met.

In his remarks, an Executive Director with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Babayo Shehu, said if the issues around gas supply were sorted out, NDPHC alone could add more than 1,000mw generation instantly. Shehu stated that the company could even generate about 2,000mw, but currently had an output of below 600mw due to gas challenges.

L-R: Chairman of Nigeria-Burundi Business Council, Mr Paul Chukwuma; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Geometric Power, Prof Barth Nnaji and one of the managers of the plant, during an inspection visit to the Aba Power Plant by Chukwuma... recently.

NHRC: Democracy, Human Rights Threatened by Social, Political, Economic Challenges

Michael Olugbodeinabuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried that in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world there are numerous social, political, economic and conflict related challenges which have adversely affected democracy, peace and human rights, core values that deliver sustainable development and

prosperity to all. Delivering a keynote address at the celebration of Commonwealth Day yesterday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, while stating that the Commonwealth is a historic platform that promotes democracy, peace and human rights, core values that deliver sustainable development and prosperity to all, lamented that: “In many parts of

Community Crisis: Bayelsa

Reiterates

Commitment to Peace, Security

Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa

Bayelsa State Government has restated its commitment to peace and security as a first order priority, assuring the people that no community will exist as an ungoverned space in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance yesterday during a meeting with the leadership of Tarakiri Kingdom, Egbemo-Angalabiri Community and heads of security agencies at his office in the Government House, Yenagoa.

A statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted the deputy governor as saying that the government would continue to work closely with security agencies at all levels to provide top-notch security to engender peace and socioeconomic development in the state.

To this end, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured them that the security architecture would be further strengthened to make it impossible for non-state actors to overrun and supplant duly constituted authority in any Bayelsa State community.

the world today, we are faced with numerous social, political, economic and conflict related challenges which impacts on the attainment of the values which we celebrate here

today.”

Ojukwu, who explained that the NHRC organised the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day because it shares in the values and beliefs of

the Commonwealth, said this year’s commemoration with the theme: ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth’, creates a moment for reflection

by members and citizens of the Commonwealth on the core values of peace, democracy and human rights which are the foundation upon which this very unique institution is built.

Again, FG Urges ECOWAS to Forge Common Front against Terrorism Financing

Alex Enumah and Kasim Sumaina inabuja

The Nigerian Government yesterday called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to forge a common front in the fight against terrorism financing in the subregion. This was even as the government

hinted that the threat of terrorism remains a pressing concern for nations across the globe.

The government, through the Director/CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat A. Bakari, made the call at the opening of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on ‘Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) for

ECOWAS Anglophone Member States under the ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Action Plan’ in Abuja.

Hafsat, in her opening remarks at the event, stressed that the insidious nature of terrorism not only threatens the lives of innocent people but also undermines the very fabric of the societies and economies.

This, according to her, was one

of the key pillars in the nation’s collective fight against terrorism and countering the financing that sustains these nefarious activities. She said blocking the channels, routes and techniques used to move these funds within the nations and across the borders requires cooperation not just at a national level but at a regional level.

Ekiti Court Sentences Man to Death By Hanging for Armed Robbery, Conspiracy

Gbenga Sodeinde InadoEkiti

An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Bello Abduquadril to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

As arraigned before Justice Olalekan Olatawura on March 8, 2023 on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery, Abdulquadril and others at large on March 22, 2023 at Ado Ekiti within the jurisdiction of the court, did conspire to commit the

Ikoyi Club to Host Asiodu at 90 Golf Tournament

The Chairman of the famous Ikoyi Club 1938, Alhaji Tafa Zibiri-Aliu, is set to lead other dignitaries to a golf tournament at the club to celebrate the former Permanent Secretary and Secretary of Petroleum, Chief Philip Asiodu, who turned 90 years recently.

A statement signed by Ifeanyi Asiodu for the Philip Asiodu Institute said the Golf Kitty, which

is an invitational tournament, will take place on March 14, 2024, at the Golf Section of the club, and will have in attendance the Captain, Mr. Tade Adekunle, and other distinguished members playing. Also, Dr. Austin Irabor, a member of the club who spoke on behalf of the organisers, pointed out that it promises to be a true celebration

of excellence at the Ikoyi Club 1938 golf course, as members, veterans, captains of industries and leaders in government and business among others will gather at the club’s golf course for the 90th birthday celebration Golf Kitty in honour of Chief Philip Asiodu, who was also a Chief Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Borno Gov Inaugurates Nasarawa Technology Village

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday inaugurated 100 housing units of the first phase of the Nasarawa Technology Village (NTV).

The inauguration was held at the premises of the NTV at Aso Pada in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The Borno State governor also laid the foundation for the second

phase of the project which comprises the construction of a Technology Incubation Hub and 370 housing units.

Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Zulum commended the initiative, which he described as ‘monumental’.

He maintained that the Nasarawa Technology Village project holds great promise, as it will help the state leverage its abundant mineral

resources to fuel innovation and technological advancements.

He added that the state has the human capacity to transform into a technology hub, and urged the state to collaborate with the National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure and other relevant institutions to turn the state’s resources into technological products that will lead to job creation for the youth populace.

Collapsed Building: Soludo Orders Tests on All Ongoing Projects in Onitsha

David-Chyddy Eleke in awka

Following the collapse of a five storey building in Onitsha last Sunday, Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered that all ongoing building projects in Onitsha be subjected to integrity tests.

Recently, another two-storey building in Ochanja Market in

Onitsha also collapsed leading to the death of five persons, while many more were rescued alive with varying degrees of injury.

The Onitsha South Local Government Area Chairman, Mr. Emeka Joseph Orji, disclosed yesterday that the test on all building projects would commence after meeting with the Anambra State Physical Planning Board.

He stated this during a demolition exercise in Onitsha, where about 300 illegal shops were demolished after being built without approval.

He said: “Over 300 illegal structures, built without approval are being demolished here. Some others, including five plazas, are to be demolished too by the Onitsha South Local Government Council.”

Self-confidence Key to Self-realisation, Youth Minister Tells NYSC Members in Delta

Omon-Julius Onabu in asaba

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, has charged corpsmembers to take their training during their orientation seriously in order to build self-confidence that would enhance their ability to actualize their future.

Olawande gave the charge on Wednesday when he paid

a working visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Delta State.

He said that they must believe in themselves and “strive for excellence” by being ready to put in their best always in whatever capacity they might find themselves, irrespective of current challenges in Nigeria.

Addressing the 2024 Batch “A” Stream “1” corps-members

at the orientation camp in IsseleUku, Olawande them to acquire skills for self-sufficiency, bearing in mind that their best efforts would ultimately contribute to the nation’s growth and progress.

He stressed the importance of adopting a new mindset and actively working towards positive change that was so desirable in the country.

Medical Council Inducts 74 Babcock University Doctors

Funmi Ogundare

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) yesterday inducted 74 medical doctors of the Ben Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. Out of the new inductees, 16 had distinctions while two were

awarded certificates of excellence for having seven distinctions in courses such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Phamacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Surgery, as well as Physiology. They are Dr. Victoria Ibukunoluwa Ishola and Christiana Yewande Maconi. They also received a cash prize of N200,000, each.

Speaking at the 8th induction ceremony of the newly qualified medical doctors held College of Health and Medical Sciences Auditorium, the President/ Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ademola Tayo, reminded the doctors that they are being inducted into a profession that is challenging, delicate but rewarding.

offence of armed robbery and on the same date time and place did rob one Taiwo Owolabi of his phone and Jincheng Lady Motorcycle, at the time of the robbery, he was armed with offensive weapons, to wit, gun and cutlass.

According to the charge, the offences are contrary to sections 314 and 312 (2)(a) of the Criminal

Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

In his evidence before the court, the victim said: “Myself and my brother were on our lady bike with registration GED 933 QD, going home on that day, on our way, we suddenly saw two men on Bajaj motorcycle, they blocked us, immediately, they brought out a gun and cutlass, they were beating

us with the cutlass and threatened to kill us if we fail to cooperate.

Thereafter, they dispossessed us of my phone and the bike and ran away with it.We went to report the case at Amotekuns office.

“On the second day, I received a call from Iyara police station in Kogi State to come there with my phone and motorcycle receipts.”

Police Arrest Three Suspects for Abduction of Chinese National in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Operatives of Kwara State Police command have arrested three suspects for allegedly behind the abduction of a Chinese national in Ilorin, the state capital. A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday signed by the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun stated that, “On the night of

March 10, 2024, at about 2200Hrs, our attention was drawn to an unfortunate incident that occurred at Cherish Guest House, an isolated facility situated on the outskirts of Ilorin.

“A group of armed men, numbering six arrived at the guest house premises. The gunmen fired several shots into the air, causing panic among nearby residents.

“Our patrol team responded to the scene promptly and found the guest house securely locked.

“However, 30 minutes later, the manager of the guest house, Mr. Idume David Joseph, 28 years old, reported at Eiyenkorin police station. He disclosed that six armed men had forcibly entered the guest house and abducted a Chinese national identified as Williams Zang.

Man Ties Wife, Beheads Daughter for Alleged Money Ritual

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

A young man identified as Emmanuel Ovwarueso, has been arrested by operatives of Edo State Security Network (ESN), for allegedly beheading his daughter for money rituals in Benin-city. The young man popularly known and addressed as ‘Emma One’ confessed to the ESN operatives, who apprehended

him at the Uteh area of the Upper Mission Road Extension, Benin-city, where the suspect resided with his family.

According to his wife, whose name was not given at press time, “My husband’s attitude changed recently. He kept saying I should not look at him like a poor man anymore.

“Even at his place of work, he buys drinks for everyone as if he was celebrating. Even

his co-workers were surprised at his new spending style. He even told them that his money is very near. We never knew he was having such a dangerous plan.”

Reacting, ta member of the ESN, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity said, “We saw him that Thursday night with a bag, walking so fast like he was rushing to catch up a flight.

Tobi Amusan Headlines Team Nigeria’s 50-man African Games’Track & Field List

Duro Ikhazuagbe

World record holder in women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan highlights Team Nigeria’s 50-man track and field squad for the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.

In the track and field list released yesterday by the Technical Department of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Team Nigeria athletes will compete in 25 events, namely the men and women’s sprint events, the quarter mile, the relays and field events like long jump and high jump, discus, javelin, shot put, hammer and heptathlon.

Apart from Amusan whose podium appearance is a done deal, Ese Brume who is also multiple World Championship and Commonwealth Games winner, is also expected to add the women’s long jump gold to Team Nigeria’s medals haul at the Games. Although Brume have her compatriot, Ruth Usoro to contend with for the precious silverware as the latter has picked up devastating form leading to the African multisports fiesta in Ghana.

New kid on the block, Consider Ekanem is one athlete not to underrate in the men’s sprint.

The 19-year-old sprinter proved his mettle, clocking world’s leading time in February. His 10.10 secs smashed a competition for home-based sprinters in Lagos, beating former champion, Enoch Adegoke to the second place.

Ekanem’s Coach, Seun Ogunkoya believes his ward has the capacity to run a sub-10 secs. Ogunkoya should know. He himself was at one time Nigeria’s Number 1 sprinter with 9.96 secs.

At the last Games in Morocco in 2019, Team Nigeria dominated the men’s sprint with Raymond Ekevwo winning the gold in 9.96secs while Usheoritse Itsekiri picked the consolation bronze medal.

All four athletes, Ekanem,

Ekevwo, Adegoke and Itsekiri have in company Alaba Akintola, Seye Ogunlewe, Adekalu Fakorede and Okon Israel to compete for Team Nigeria in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m . Tobi Amusan leads the cast for the 200m and 4x100m. She is joined by Olayinka Olajide, Blessing Ogundiran, Justina Eyakpobeyan, Abinusawa Moforehan and Onyebuchi Chisom. Amusan also have two understudy in her 100m

hurdles event. Both Faith Osamuyi and Stella Ayanleke want to make it a gold, silver and bronze for Nigeria in the event Amusan holds the world record at 12.12 secs.

To support the track and field team in Ghana are 12 coaches that include; Gad Onumaegbu, Deji Aliu, Kola Adebayo, Solomon Aliyu, Kayode Yaya, Mohammed Dabo, Ken Onuaguluchi and Gabriel Okon.

THE LIST: WOMEN

*200/4x100m

Olajide Olayinka

Blessing Ogundiran

Justina AbinusuwaEyakpobeyanMoforehan

Onyebuchi Chisom

Tobiloba Amusan

*400m/ 4x400m

Patience Okon George

Esther Elo Joseph

Brittany Ogunmokun

UMOAFIA WINS THREE WEIGHTLIFTING GOLD MEDALS....

Team Nigeria’s Edidiong Umoafia won three gold medals in the 67kg men category; 135kg in snatch and 165kg in clean and jack all totally 300kg. Another Nigerian weightlifter, Florence Olarinoye also claimed three gold medals in the weightlifting event late last night

Barca, Napoli Set for Another Thriller as Heineken Cheers ‘Real Hardcore Fans’

With four quarter-finalists already confirmed – Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG – the anticipation is electric as fans worldwide wait to see which eight teams will battle it out for the remaining four spots.

Last week's matches ended in were nail-bitting and even more dramas are beginning from this evening as the road to Wembley for the final is getting clearer, and the passionate roar of the Champions League faithful is rising ever louder. Heineken's "Cheers to the Real Hardcore Fans" campaign perfectly amplifies this excitement.

The Estadi Olimpic Stadium, the temporary home of FC Barcelona, will be the stage for another thrilling encounter as European giants Barcelona and Napoli clash again this evening. Both strikers, Robert Lewandowski and Victor Osimhen who found the net in the first leg, have promised an explosive rematch.

TODAY (Round of 16, 2nd leg)

Barcelona v Napoli

Arsenal v FC Porto

WEDNESDAY

Atletico v Inter Dortmund v PSV

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

In the second game of the night, Arsenal face a tough task at the Emirates Stadium as they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at FC Porto. However, The Gunners attacking prowess suggests they have the firepower to overcome this challenge.

On Wednesday, Inter will travel to Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano fortress with a narrow

1-0 lead thanks to a late goal from Marko Arnautovi from the first leg. While the Italians will be looking to defend their narrow lead, they face a daunting task as they contend with the “hardcore” Wanda Metropolitano fans as well as Atletico's potent attack.

There was little to choose between Dortmund and PSV in the first leg and an even tighter second-leg clash is anticipated on Wednesday at the

Signal Iduna Park.the first leg ended one-all.

Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager of Premium Drinks at Nigerian Breweries Plc., captures the essence of the competition: "The unpredictability of these matches is what makes the Champions League so special.

"But beyond the results, Heineken’s 'Cheers to the Real Hardcore Fans' campaign celebrates the true spirit of fandom – the passion, dedication, and unwavering support that transcends wins and loses.”

Super Falcons, Banyana Banyana Olympic Qualifier Fixed for April 5

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will host reigning African champions South Africa in the first leg of their Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final qualifying fixture at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 5. The encounter at Nigeria's capital’s magnificent facility will kick off at 4 pm, with Algerian referee Ghada Mehat as referee. .

The Super Falcons saw off the challenge of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in the penultimate round of the race, with a single goal over the two legs scored by Esther Okoronkwo at the MKO Abiola National Stadium,

while Banyana Banyana trounced Tanzania 4-0 over two legs in Dar es Salaam and Nelspruit.

Mehat’s Algerian compatriots Asma Feriel Ouahab and Lamia Atman will be in the roles of assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Mariem Cheddad from Mauritania will serve as assistant referee 2.

Senegalese Fadouma Dia, a former FIFA referee, will be the referee assessor while Ghanaian Christine Ziga will serve as commissioner.

For the return leg scheduled for South Africa (venue to be decided) on Tuesday, 9th April, the Confederation

Okon Esther Saibu Yetunde

Omolara Ogunmakinju

*800m Comfort Anietie

*100m Hurdles

Tobiloba Amusan

Faith Osamuyi

Stella Ayanleke

*1500m

Ronke Akanbi

*3000m Steeple Chase Ronke Akanbi

*High Jump

Ewa Peace

*Long Jump

Ese Brume

Ruth Usoro

Pristine Ochonogor

*Triple Jump Ruth Usoro

*Shot Put Sade Olatoye

*Hammer

Sade Olatoye

*Discus Chioma Onyekwere Ashley Anumba

Obiageri Pamela

*Javelin

Victoria Kparika

*Heptathlon

Kemi Petersen

MEN

*100m/200m/4x100m Consider Ekanem

Itsekiri Usheoritse

Okon Israel

Seye AlabaOgunlewe Akintola

Enoch AdekaluAdegokeFakorede

*400m/4x400m Dubem Nwachukwu Nathaniel Ezekiel Chidi Okezie

Sikiru NathanielAdeyemiSamson

Ifeanyi Ojeli

Daniel Atinaya

*800m Ibadin Edose

*1500m

Hamid Sambo

*110m Hurdles Musa Great Wisdom

*400m Hurdles

Nathaniel Ezekiel

Nathaniel Samson

*Half Marathon Adamu Shehu Muazu

*High Jump

Fiaku Goodluck

*Long Jump

Njoku Emmanuel

*Shot Put

Chukwuebuka C. Enekwechi

Emeka Ugwu

*Javelin

Samuel Kure Nnamdi Chinwecherem

Bet9ja, Aiteo, Others Warned to Stop Ambushing Super Eagles, Other National Teams

Sports betting company, Bet9ja and Aiteo, an integrated energy company in Nigeria, have been warned to stop ambushing the rights granted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to its sponsors and partners.

These rights include; any promotional, advertising and marketing and other commercial exploitation rights and opportunities in relation to the football federation and the national football teams including the players image rights or face legal action.

This warning was handed down to these firms by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, the marketing partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In a media statement released on Monday, Pamodzi said the two companies especially and a few others have trying to reap where they did not sow and have continued to associate their products and services with the Super Eagles, one of the properties of the NFF that its sponsors and partners have been granted exclusive rights to.

of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Dorsaf Ganouati as referee. She will be assisted by compatriots Houda Afine (assistant referee 1) and Emna Ajbouni (fourth official) with Egyptian Yara Atef Abdelfattah as assistant referee 2.

Agar Mezing from Cameroon will be the referee assessor while Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will be commissioner.

The winner over two legs in early April will join 15 other senior women's teams from across the globe for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament starting in Paris on 16th July.

“The Super Eagles' impressive outing and the inherent potentials showed at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire of returning and even surpassing their best ever performance in the immediate future and leading to the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup have endeared them to Nigerians and corporate citizens have been identifying with the team,” observed Mike Itemuagbor, the Chief Executive Officer of Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company.

Itemuagbor said Bet9ja's activities around Super Eagles' participation at the AFCON 2023 aimed at raising their brand awareness without the sponsorship rights are unethical and unlawful.

“What Bet9ja has done is infringing Premier Lotto's trade marks and other property rights in relation to the Super Eagles around AFCON 2023.

“This is unlawful and Pamodzi, as the agency responsible for the implementation of the rights between Premier Lotto and the NFF, will not watch the abuse of the rights Premier Lotto has paid for as the official bet sponsor of the National Teams since 2021,” added Itemuagbor.

He said the rights granted to Premier Lotto by the NFF “are exclusive in that the NFF have not granted and will not grant to any party, similar rights with respect to itself and the national team, in relation to the Company’s products, services or related products and services.”

The promotional, advertising and marketing and other commercial exploitation rights and opportunities granted Premier Lotto in relation to the national teams, according to Itemuagbor, cover such products as Lotto Games, Sports Betting and Virtual Games.

The Pamodzi Sports Marketing CEO also warned Aiteo against future ambushing of any of NFF's properties like they did at AFCON 2023 where the company branded the Nigerian Supporters Club attire at the tournament.

“We appreciate Aiteo's contributions to the success story of the NFF and Nigerian football with its sponsorship activities in the immediate past but should consider renewing its sponsorship relationship with the NFF to continue to leverage on NFF properties including the Super Eagles,” said Itemuagbor who insisted that the NFF has not closed the door to those wishing to associate their brands with the national teams of Nigeria.

Tobi Amusan...headlines Team Nigeria’s 50-man squad to the African Games in Accra, Ghana

NANS to Ajaokuta Steel Company Saboteurs

“They selfishly and callously mismanaged Ajaokuta Steel Company and grounded it with the notion that nothing will happen in the end. While the revamping of this company is going on, the probing of these culprits should aggressively continue. With these probes, any unveilings will take place, giving way to a holistic revitalisation and resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company” --NANSPresident,LuckyEmonefe,backsmovesbytheSenate toprobethesteelcompany,overallegedcorruptionthathashamperedthecompany.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Ningi’s ‘Mischief’And Budget 2024

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) is a ranking member of Nigeria’s National Assembly. He has been a member of that Assembly since the return to democratic rule in 1999, first as a member of the House of Representatives - elected in 1999, re-elected in 2003 and re-elected again in 2007. In 2011, he continued his legislative career as a Senator of the Federal Republic representing Bauchi Central. He was re-elected in that capacity in 2015, 2019, and 2023. In the course of what is an obviously rich and fulfilling time in the National Assembly, Ningi has served as either Chairman or member of many committees including the Niger Delta Committee, Solid Minerals, Teachers Education, and NAFDAC Committee of the House. Between 1999 and 2002, he was Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association. He would later become House Majority Leader, 2003 – 2007, and Chairman of the ad hoc committee on the Niger Delta crisis, the committee on Jos crisis, and the Constitutional Review Committee. In 2011, he won election into the Senate and emerged as the Deputy Majority Leader, the Senate was then dominated by the PDP. He has been in the Senate since then.

Thus, as far as experience goes, Ningi is one of the most experienced and most durable lawmakers in Nigeria today. His continual re-election shows that he is well appreciated by the people of Ningi, his constituency and Bauchi Central in general. As a person, he is a friendly, avuncular fellow with friends across the landscape and a charming sunny disposition. He is what you can call a very nice guy. But over the weekend, it would appear that Senator Ningi put a stain, perhaps inadvertently, on his otherwise sterling legislative credentials, when he alleged in his position as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) that (i) President Bola Tinubu is implementing a version of the 2024 Budget that is different from what was passed by the National Assembly, and (ii) that budgetary allocations for projects and social infrastructure were skewed against the North in favour of the South. Was Ningi speaking for himself, or for Northern Senators as a group? Ningi alleges that the Budget that was passed in December 2023 was padded with N3 trillion, a budget of N25 trillion that suddenly became N28 trillion, and that out of the total, the Senate President inserted projects worth N4 trillion into the Budget, with “huge damage” done to the North. It will be recalled that President Tinubu presented a budget estimate of N27 trillion to the National Assembly on November 28, 2023. The National Assembly eventually passed a Budget of N28.7 trillion, effective January 1, 2024.

Four Senators have since dismissed Ningi’s claims as baseless and unfounded - Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central) and Senator Ibrahim Jimoh (APC, Ondo South) who insist that Ningi is misinforming the public. The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu has also issued a statement to the effect that there was no budget padding, no varied execution, and the budget is a public document. Further, there are indications that when the Senate meets today, Tuesday, March 12, Senator Abdul Ningi would be called upon by his colleagues to defend his allegations, failing which he may be suspended under Order 67(4) of the Rules. Indeed, it is necessary to ask Senator Ningi to prove his own claims and provide relevant evidence, before his own colleagues. He is said to have back-tracked with an explanation that he was misquoted. He has to prove how that happened. It is a trite principle, and this needs not be explained to lawmakers that he who alleges must prove. Besides, the allegations are so weighty and capable of throwing the country into chaos and strife, that the Nigerian people need to know.

In one broad stroke, the statements attributed to Senator Ningi call the integrity of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Tinubu administration

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi

into question. The Budget is a creation of law, that is why it is called the “Appropriation Act”. If the National Assembly made two different laws detailing the fiscal map for the year, one of which is unknown to the people, that would not only be illegal, it would be criminal. Where did the N25 trillion Budget come from and how did it become N28 trillion? Where was it discussed? Who signed it into law?

And what are the details of the implementation of that secret Budget? Senator Ningi owes us a duty to unveil that which is unknown. He says the Budget was padded. How? It is the duty of lawmakers to receive the Budget and go through it line by line, item by item, before approving it. What is called budget padding is actually a way of saying that both the Appropriation Committee and the entire Senate are made up of idiots. It amounts to self-indictment. And where was Senator Ningi when the Budget was being padded as he claims? Was he asleep or awake at the time? And why he is just speaking up now?

He says “huge damage” has been done to the North in the Budget. He must be made to prove how. This kind of statement is potentially divisive and capable of causing chaos. It is even careless in the extreme for Senator Ningi, an opposition politician, to play such a divide and rule card. Even when politicians disagree with the government of the day, they must be careful not to burn down the country. This is the key lesson here. Experience may not necessarily mean maturity. There was once a Senator in Nigeria who went about preaching the importance of commonsense. Opposition politicians must learn to play the politics of commonsense. The general elections ended in 2023. We are now in the season of governance, when we must all put Nigeria first. Politicians must be careful what they say. Ningi may want to discredit the Tinubu administration but he must do so, based on empirical facts and not in a manner that puts the same country that has been so generous to him, at risk. We are told that tension has gripped the Senate: the very reason why Ningi’s claims must be investigated and he must be made to prove his allegations in the open court of the Senate. His allegations cannot be covered by privilege, and must not be swept under the carpet.

Other members of the Northern Senators Forum, a body that we assume includes other members from both the ruling party and the opposition also have a duty to tell us what exactly transpired. Is Ningi speaking for them or is he just on his own? One by one, every member of that body must tell us where he or she stands! For them, it must be a matter of honour. Senator Ningi granted an interview to BBC Hausa and he spoke in Hausa. After a fashion, he may come forward to say that what he actually said was lost in translation or that he was quoted out of context by journalists. One of the crass games that Nigerian politicians play, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, when they are caught out, is to blame the media. Ningi’s statements in BBC Hausa must be played on the open floor of the Senate. Language experts, and other speakers of the language must be asked to review it. Nigeria is too important to be derailed on the basis of partisanship or rumours. If it is then established that Senator Ningi spoke out of mischief, every Senator not being entitled to immunity under our laws, the appropriate punishment for the Senator should not be under the Senate Rules – Order 67(4). When Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was suspended for 90 days under that same rule, he went to court, and he won. Just in case Senator Ningi is found to be fibbing, and unable to prove his grave allegations, he an Abdul, and an Ahmed, lying in the Holy Month, should be punished under the laws of the Sharia which apply in his home state of Bauchi, and whatever punishment the Court deems fit, should be applied publicly and televised! Even if he insists that he was misquoted, that too should be investigated. I don’t want to imagine what indictment or punishment may come the Senator’s way under the Sharia, for he is all things considered, ordinarily, a nice guy. But this is a matter that concerns us all.

Third Mainland Bridge - What I Saw

Itravelled between the Island and the Mainland in Lagos taking the Third Mainland Bridge. The 11.8 km Bridge had been shut down for repairs since Tuesday, January 9 according to an announcement by the Federal Ministry of Works. We were told that the Bridge would be open for mainland inbound island travels between 12 am to 12 noon, while those travelling from the island to the mainland should go through Eko Bridge, and only use the Third Mainland Bridge from 12 noon. I was very skeptical.

On many occasions in the last eight years, the same Bridge had been shut down for rehabilitation at various occasions, either to fix the ramps or some engineering defects. Lagosians paid the price in terms of time lost to traffic hold ups on the alternative routes, and the hardship of commuting in a city where the island seems to be the centre of gravity. Despite the various delays of the past, the Bridge remained largely a poor stretch of road. The potholes never seemed to disappear. There was even a time this same Bridge was vibrating and you could feel it. The rails had been removed in parts. The managers of the road provided street lights at a point, but those lights didn’t function for up to a month. Based on past experience, I was convinced that the Tinubu administration and the team at the Federal Ministry of Works were back to their old game. But this time around, I was mistaken. My skepticism is misplaced.

Having confirmed that it was now possible to take the same route from 12 noon to the Mainland, the other day, I shrugged off the stress of more than a month and headed towards the Mainland. I saw busy workers on the Mainland-bound side of the Bridge, but in a short while we were diverted to the other side which had been completed to some degree. I became excited. The other side of the Bridge had been thoroughly resurfaced, not

the patch-patch work that we used to see oh, a complete make-over, and as we drove towards the Mainland, there was no vibration. No potholes. Even the lanes were properly marked with fresh, clean paint – black and white, and I saw painters giving the entire stretch of the Bridge a decent face lift. I didn’t know when I told the driver: “Wonders! In this same country? You mean this is possible?”

We had a very smooth ride all the way to Oworonshoki, where again there was another diversion towards Oshodi. But I had seen enough to justify my excitement. I noticed though that the lights had not been fixed – I hope they would get to that, and that all the broken rails will be restored. We may raise questions about cost later, and the Federal Ministry of Works must be prepared for that, but with what I saw, I believe that when that Bridge is fully rehabilitated, the people of Lagos would have every cause to thank the Tinubu administration for a job well done. Speaking for myself, I do not mind even if that Bridge is shut down for another two months until the make-over is properly done. This time around, the government seems to be doing a good job. You may not understand but those who know the way things are in this country will get the message: travelling on a good road in Nigeria is so unusual it calls for excitement, if not celebration.

Commissioned in 1980 by the Shehu Shagari administration and completed for public use by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990, the Third Mainland Bridge is the longest bridge linking the Mainland to Lagos Island. The two others are Eko and Carter Bridges. Since 2012, the Bridge has been having issues; it is either it vibrates, or there are visible cracks on it, so wide the water below could be seen, it would in due course become a preferred spot for those seeking to commit suicide, which is why I think the side rails need to be raised so

high that it should be impossible for anyone to jump into the Lagoon below by climbing over the barricades. In 2020, the Bridge was even closed for repairs for six months, and again in 2021. But for the first time, I see much improvement.

I am tempted to think that this difference can be traced to the fact that the current Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, former Governor of Ebonyi State is a civil engineer. This is precisely what we mean when we say that President Tinubu and governments at all levels must learn to put round pegs in round holes. If you appoint an accountant to supervise a construction project, he is not likely to know what it entails to build a road. He would be looking at figures and fail to see the road. Senator David Umahi, as a former CEO of an Engineering Company knows all the details about construction from design to finish. No contractor or official would go to him and give him a fake Bill of Quantities or try any trick – the same tricks that he himself must have applied as a young Engineer. We have seen the evidence in what he is doing with the make-over of the Third Mainland Bridge. President Tinubu should give him other assignments: give him more roads to fix – the Ibadan-Ife-road for example, and the road to Benin. Based on what I saw, I am inclined to say that Senator Umahi is doing well. He has the potential to become one of the promising Ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet, but he must stay away from making political statements. The other day, he put his mouth into the labour crisis and accused labour leaders of being unpatriotic. I think he should concentrate on his PWD, wheel-barrow assignment and avoid moralizing about subjects he does not understand. He will get some response from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) when the deadline that the body gave the Federal Government expires, this week, by the way, tomorrow, March 13.