FRIDAY 8TH APRIL 2022

Military Launches New Operation to Curb Oil Theft, Bunkering in Niger Delta Demobilises 30 illegal refineries Kyari foresees return to normal production in two months, urges collective action Insists pipeline vandalism an elitist business Kingsley Nwezeh, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

As the battle against crude oil theft, a development that has resulted to severe revenue to the country as well as its inability to

meet its production quota, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday disclosed that it had launched a special operation code

named ‘Operation Dakatar da Barawo’ in order to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

It also revealed that 30 illegal oil refineries had been demobilised in the region by the naval troops in the last two weeks.

This was just as the Group Managing Director of Nigerian Continued on page 5

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New Revenue Formula Proposes Reduction of FG’s Allocation By 3.33% Deji Elumoye in Abuja

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari receiving in audience former Acting National Chairman of the Caretaker Convention Committee of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni and the newly elected National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu at the State House, Abuja...yesterday SUNDAY AGHAEZE

The nation's 30-year-old revenue allocation formula would soon be reviewed with a proposal by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the reduction of the allocation to federal government by 3.3 percent while the allocation to Continued on page 5

Be Firm, Fair to All Party Members, Buhari Charges APC Chairman Says he'll continue to entrench democratic principles in governance Adamu: I am now in charge Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday formally received in audience the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at the State House, Abuja, with a call on the party chairman to be firm and fair in his dealings with officers and members of the APC. The president urged the new party chairman to be fair and firm as he was known to be, in all his dealings.

He also gave assurance to the party and the nation that he would continue the struggle to entrench democratic principles in politics and Continued on page 5

60TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF UBA...

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and Company Secretary, Mr. Bili Odum at the 60th Annual General Meeting of the bank held in Abuja...yesterday

US Senate Confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to Be First Black Woman to Sit on Supreme Court... Page 40

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Buhari Writes House, Seeks Revision of 2022 MTEF as Budget Deficit Increases to N7.35trn FG to seek new borrowings Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

GDP. The increment of deficit market.

2022 fiscal framework and Assembly for expeditious action letter, referred it to the House will be financed by new "Given the urgency of the 2022 budget amendment, I seek on this request."

Committee on Finance for further President Muhamadu Buhari borrowings from the domestic request for revision of the the corporation of the National The Speaker after reading the legislative action. has written to the House of Representatives requesting the N E W R E V E N U E F O R M U L A P R O P O S E S R E D U CT I O N O F F G ’S A L LO C AT I O N BY 3 . 3 3 % revision of the 2022 MediumLocal Governments through the to the concurrent legislative list, produced the report.

Term Expenditure Framework the 36 states and the 774 local of Government.

In particular, he noted that the Value Added Tax sharing formula, empowering the RMAFC to enforce ‘‘I am aware that the present (MTEF) upon which this year's government councils would be increased by 3.07 per cent and proposal seeks a 3.33% reduction where the Federal Government has compliance with remittance of revenue allocation formula has budget was based. in the current federal government’s only 15 per cent and the States and accruals into and disbursement not been reviewed since the last According to a letter from the 0.44 per cent respectively.

This is just as President allocation and on the other hand an Local Government share 50 per of revenue from the Federation exercise carried out in 1992. president which was read by ‘‘Considering the changing the Speaker of the House, Femi Muhammadu Buhari has declared increase of 3.07 per cent and 0.44 cent and 35 per cent respectively". Account as well as streamlining Buhari said he would have the procedure for reviewing the dynamics of our political-economy, Gbajabiamila, during plenary that he would await the final per cent for the states and local such as privatisation, deregulation, yesterday, the revision became outcome of the constitutional review governments on the other hand. gone ahead to present the revenue revenue allocation formula.’’

He added that with regards to allocation report to the National The president assured members funding arrangement of primary necessary as the 2022 budget process before presenting the report deficit was projected to increase of the review of the vertical revenue the Special Funds, the report by the Assembly as a Bill for enactment. of the Commission that the federal education, primary health care He, however, explained that since government would immediately and the growing clamour for to N7.35 trillion, representing 3.99 allocation formula to the National RMAFC proposed an increase of percent of the Gross Domestic Assembly as a Bill for enactment. 0.2 per cent for the Federal Capital the review of the vertical revenue subject the report to its internal decentralisation among others; it is The vertical review of the revenue Territory (FCT) and a decrease of allocation formula was a function review and approval processes, necessary that we take another look Product (GDP).

The president said the increase formula also affected Special Funds, 0.38 per cent for the Development of the roles and responsibilities of while awaiting finalisation of the at our Revenue Sharing Formula, the different tiers of government, efforts by the National Assembly. especially the vertical aspects that in the budget deficit would be with the RMAFC proposing an of Natural Resources.

The president recounted that "I will await the final outcome of According to him, this strategy, relate to the tiers of government. financed by new borrowings increase of 0.2 per cent for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the federal government also the constitutional review process, rather than issuing an Executive ‘‘This becomes more compelling from the domestic market.

The letter which according to and a decrease of 0.38 per cent for made its input into the process especially as some of the proposed Modification order, as was done as we need to reduce our Gbajabiamila was lengthy, read Development of Natural Resources. of reviewing the vertical revenue amendments would have a bearing in 1992, was more in line with infrastructural deficit, make more Speaking yesterday at the State allocation formula based on existing on the recommendations contained entrenching our democratic tenets. resources available for tackling in part: "As you are aware Mr. He commended the RMAFC for insecurity, confront climate change Speaker, the new development House, Abuja, while receiving the constitutional provisions for roles herein."

He listed some of the a job painstakingly done, pledging and its associated global warming both in the global economy as report by the Revenue Mobilisation and responsibilities for the different recommendations in the report his unwavering commitment and and make life more meaningful for well as the domestic economy Allocation and Fiscal Commission tiers of government.

“We must note the increasing to include: ‘‘Establishing local support to them in carrying out our rapid growing population.’’ have necessitated the revision (RMAFC), from its Chairman, Elias Buhari said as an advocate of the 2022 fiscal framework on Mbam, Buhari stressed that for the visibility in Sub-national level government as a tier of government their constitutional mandates.

The president also thanked for grassroots development, he which the 2022 budget was based. nation to have a lasting review responsibilities due to weaknesses and the associated abrogation of "The total budget deficit of the present revenue allocation at that level, for example: Primary the state/local government account; Nigerians, especially the state and has always remained committed is projected to increase by formula, there must first be an Health Care; Basic Primary moving airports; fingerprints, local governments, for making their to ensuring that all tiers of N965.42 billion to N7.35 trillion agreement on the responsibilities Education; Levels of insecurity, and; identification and criminal records inputs through the broad stakeContinued on page 41 representing 3.99 percent of the to be carried out by all the tiers Increased remittances to State and from the exclusive legislative list holder engagement processes that

MILITARY LAUNCHES NEW OPERATION TO CURB OIL THEFT, BUNKERING IN NIGER DELTA National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, yesterday expressed optimism that the country would return to normal crude oil production in the next two months, even as he stressed the need for collective action to address the unfortunate situation.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Benard Onyeuko, said the new operation in the Niger Delta region was aimed at reinvigorating the already existing operation Delta Safe, with a view to containing economic saboteurs in the region.

Other objectives of the new operations include, "to secure critical maritime infrastructure, create enabling environment for the sustenance of desired level of hydrocarbon production, safe shipping and economic activities, and restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s Maritime domain, among others".

He pointed out that troops of Operation Delta Safe had continued to dominate the zone and had conducted anti-crude oil theft and anti-illegal oil bunkering related operations at different locations.

He listed the locations to include Opuama Celestial, Lolomu Ruler in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo water-ways in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Other locations are: Egbeda, Ibaa, Oduoha, Rumekpe in Emohua Local Government Area, Elele; Ikwere Local Government Area of River State and Brass Creek in Ozobo community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

"Accordingly, troops discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, two cooling systems, three receivers, three storage pits and a metal drums.

"Cumulatively, troops within the period under review recovered 12,150,000 liters of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) 4,000 liters of stolen crude oil, three tankers, three vehicles, 73 galvanised pipes, two motorcycles, one bus, one Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz car,” he revealed.

Kyari Foresees Return to Normal Oil Production in Two Months

Meanwhile, Kyari, while addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Upstream investigating reasons why Nigeria had not been able to meet its production quota, said the federal government was not only working on recovery of its production quota, but its sustainability as well.

He explained that the scale of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism seen in the host communities was beyond explanation, and has rendered the oil and gas industry unworkable.

The GMD while describing vandalism as an elitist business, lamented that nefarious activities were forcing production shutdown.

Kyari said, "Yes, we have not gotten back production, but today, with activities that are going on, we promise that within the next one or two months, we will restore some level of normalcy. What is going on has nothing to do with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“It is purely activities of thieves, act of vandals which has rendered the industry unworkable and taken us to the level where today, our production is around 1.49 million barrel.

“What this did also as you may be aware is that the diesel that you see until last week, when we clamped down on some of these illegal refineries were actually coming from these illegal refineries. Until last three weeks ago, most of the diesel that you used in your homes are coming from these refineries and that why when we took them out, we cut off the line of supply by stopping the movement, that's when you heard that AGO got to N900 per litre.

“That's not the market price for AGO. Then obviously, once supply becomes constrained, prices will go up and we are happy that NNPC's intervention has brought down the price of diesel to normal market price and we are happy to do.

“Why people bought it was because it was cheaper when it was being sold in the market. We are happy that this intervention is working and hopefully in the one or two months, we will bring sanity back. The act of vandals

and thieves has gotten to a level where we had to shut down the pipeline and declare force majuro on it.

"Also the FXTL pipeline. So, as we speak now, there is no production going on there because we can no longer sustain the operation. This is not because we don’t go back to replace pipeline that are damaged. But as we do, we have repeated insertions on these pipeline. It got to a point that when we inject 239,000 barrel per day, we only receive 3,000 barrel per day. There was simply no business for anyone to continue to produce. When you loss about 200,000 barrels per day, even at an average price of $65 per barrel, we lost close to $1 billion between January and March.

“From January till date, we lost an average of 250,000 barrel per day and at the current price of about $100 to the barrel, even within this short period, we have lost close to $1.5 billion.”

He further revealed: "In January 2021, we were producing 239,000 barrel from the line linking Bonny Terminal and we only received 190,000 barrel meaning that we lost about 19,000 barrel to thieves then per day. This situation deteriorated to the extent that by March 7, 2022, it came to zero and so, we shut down the line and declared force Majeure.

“Even on our most reliable

pipeline, which is the Forcados pipeline, we still loss about 7,000 barrel per day. Needless to say that these are all coming as a result of act of vandals and oil thieves.

So many interventions have taken place and we have continued to remove the insertions. To put it in context, within a distance of less than 20 kilometers, we removed 85 insertions. So, you can imagine when you are running a pipeline of about 300 to 400 kilometers."

Kyari called for establishment of a special and independent court for speedy prosecution oil thieves.

He warned that without speedy prosecution and conviction of the criminals, it would have an impact on the country's economic outlook and its ability to generate foreign exchange.

He said: "The number of arrests made by the JTF, even vessel operators have made some arrests and also the Nigerian Navy in the last two weeks. Even more arrests have been made. Many of these illegal refineries are being taken down and also the insertions are being constantly removed and we believe that these interventions will pay off.

“And we will able to restore production. And this is centrally coordinated. There is a coordinated action now because we are using a number of strategies including community-based security outfits.

"No doubts it is a very difficult

time and that's why despite the good intentions of the PIA, no one will produce oil, recover zero and put money back into the business.

And that's why investments are very weak despite the good environment that the PIA has brought. All we need to do is to increase the advocacy so that the legal process takes its cause and prosecutions are done timely.

“I will recommend that we set up a special court for this. Such cases will be speedily dealt with, so that it is not just the ordinary ‘small’ people that you see at those locations that are prosecuted.

We know that to sell crude oil in the international market, it is not the business of the ordinary people that you see in these illegal refineries; it is an elitist business and we must have the courage to set up very independent special courts to try cases related to this.

“Otherwise, the impact it has on our economic outlook – our ability to generate foreign exchange and in terms of energy security for this country – is threatened by a very few people."

Speaking further, the GMD reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari's directive that the NNPC should strengthen its collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle oil theft and illegal refineries in Nigeria. "We are not helpless. Yes, it's a very daunting situation, no doubts, Mr.

President in his wisdom directed the Chief of Defence Staff to lead a war, clearly it is a way to contain this situation and bring it to the barest minimum. So much is going on needless to say and I can share with you.

“There is a massive activity going on by some government security agencies in collaboration with the industry, NNPC, two regulatory institutions and the Nigerian Army, Navy and Airforce and DSS with the collaboration of another agencies including NIMASA and others.

"They are all working together to contain this situation. Every agency of government is involved now. The DSS, EFCC to trace and track the movement of funds, NFIU to also trace movement of funds from all levels and we believe that this will pay off and ultimately, we will contain this situation,'' he added

Urges Collective Action against Oil Thieves In a related development, Kyari in his goodwill message at the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), 5th Quadrennial Delegates' Conference with the theme, "Just Energy Transition: For Oil and Gas Workers Social Welfare Continued on page 43

BE FIRM, FAIR TO ALL PARTY MEMBERS, BUHARI CHARGES APC CHAIRMAN the affairs of governance.

According to him: “Today, we should all be happy that the party has nursed its wounds and healed itself sufficiently to march forward to face the challenges of the coming state and general elections."

The president expressed confidence that the APC would continue to enjoy the confidence of the people by winning future polls based on the performance of his government in the last seven years.

“When I reflect on policies of the administration on the economy and specifically in the development of agriculture, infrastructure, ICT and innovation and the welfare measures we have put in place for women, the youth and the less privileged members of the society, I get fresh confidence that our citizens will continue supporting the APC in

our electoral battles,’’ he added.

Buhari further said: “Our government is working for the betterment of the country. Our policies and programmes aim at nothing but the betterment of the country and its people.

Essentially, the party should take the programmes of the government to the people to infuse confidence into them.”

The president who is also the party's national leader also commended the Mai Mala Buniled Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for the conduct of the congresses and convention leading to the emergence of the Adamu-led National Executive Committee (NEC) saying “we cannot thank you enough for all that you did.”

Speaking to newsmen after

meeting with the president, Senator Adamu said he was in the State House to inform the president that he has been handed over the leadership of the APC and now in charge, adding that he would be honest and would take the trust on him with every seriousness and patriotism.

He said: "I am in charge of this party, and by the grace of God, we will be honest, we will take the trust they entrust on us with seriousness and every sense of patriotism.”

According to him, it was his first official visit to the President since the party concluded its national convention on March 26, 2022.

“We all need our father, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. Since the end of the convention that took place on 26th

of March, we have not come to meet him to thank him for providing leadership for the party to have a successful convention.

“The opportunity came today, so I am here with the immediate past chairman of our great party in the person of the governor of Yobe States, who headed the special Caretaker committee that organised a very, very historic national convention, since the history of democracy in this country, First Republic, Second Republic, up to where we are today.

“I don't remember any convention that there were misgivings about the possibility of its success than this one. We came out clean and we thought the leadership that Mr. President provided to the party has made all this possible. So I came with my predecessor to touch base with the President," he added.

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NEWS

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

OGUN PILOT MASS TRANSIT BUSES SCHEME...

L-R: Former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo at the inauguration of the Ogun Pilot Mass Transit Buses Scheme/Multimodal Transportation masterplan in Abeokuta…yesterday

Elumelu Reiterates Commitment to Sustain UBA’s Growth Trajectory Shareholders approve N27.35bn dividend payout as profit rose 20.3% James Emejo in Abuja Shareholders of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday approved a total sum of N27.35 billion as dividend payout for the 2021 financial year.

This translated to a final dividend of N1 for every ordinary share of 50kobo.

The shareholders also commended the board and management for strengthening its internal credit risk assessment models and dynamic recovery management.

Speaking at the bank’s 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, the Chairman of UBA, Mr. Tony Elemelu, said the

financial institution was able to further drive down the ratio of its Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) portfolio to a record low of 3.6 per cent from 4.7 per cent in 2020.

He said despite the economic headwinds during the review year, the company achieved double-digit growth of 12.2 per cent or N6.4 trillion in customer deposits and 11 per cent or N8.5 trillion in total assets.

He said significant improvement was also recorded in the Group’s earning capacity as gross earnings grew seven per cent to N660.2 billion.

Elumelu said the year was a satisfying one for the group with strong performance posted across

2023: APC Declares Free Nomination Forms for Female Aspirants Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ahead of the 2023 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared free nomination forms for female aspirants who intend to contest.

The National Women Leader of the party, Ms. Betty Edu disclosed this yesterday, during a media briefing held at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.

She said the leadership of the party took the decision to encourage all female aspirants and mainstream them in politics.

Edu said President Muhammadu Buhari and the First lady, Aisha Buhari have done enough to mainstream women.

She added: "And to further buttress that point, we are the largest party in Africa and we want to make a strong statement that we stand by inclusion, mainstreaming for women. The party has gone ahead to approve

that women will be running with a free nomination form "They have thrown the ball into our court. Before now we have women saying we cannot afford nomination forms. We have been given the greatest chance to emerge the winner of an election because we will be running on a ticket of the ruling party. Not just a ruling party, a party that has performed, a party that has provided welfare for Nigeria, a party that is ready to mainstream women."

Edu, therefore, called on women to stand up and contest, while urging them to get involved in a series of processes that would lead up to the 2023 elections.

She emphasised that women must be actively involved in the political process and must go from door-to-door to sensitise women to go out and participate in the ongoing registration of Independent National Electoral (INEC).

key financial metrics.

He said group profitability grew by 20.3 per cent to stamp its dominance in the financial services space.

He said, “2021 demonstrated human resilience and innovativeness in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Against a backdrop of a world economy that continued to be challenged by COVID-19, we saw extraordinary human responses – not least in Africa, where policymakers, the private sector, and our African academics and scientists showed that adversity can also create opportunity.

“UBA epitomised this spirit of tenacity, responsiveness and ingenuity as illustrated by our exceptional performance during the year.”

Elemelu, further assured shareholders and investors of its unwavering commitment to sustain its current growth trajectory even as its efforts at business diversification across Africa and beyond continued to yield increasing returns.

Addressing shareholders, he stressed that bank’s strategic investment decisions over the

past few years had indeed translated to huge returns for its investors, despite the challenging business environment witnessed in the last two years.

He said, “I am proud of how as a Group, we have been able to further consolidate on the new capabilities we have built, novel customer solutions we have deployed, efficiency gains recorded and the growth prospects we have leveraged from a recovering world.

“These were the building blocks for the very strong financial performance and the growth delivered by your Group in 2021, further confirming the wisdom of the investments we made and the strategy we have pursued, to ensure the diversification and sustainability of our business model.”

While expressing his delight to shareholders and customers who have stood with UBA for almost eight decades, Elumelu remained confident of the bank’s capacity to sustain this momentum especially as economic activities recover from the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic.

The chairman said, “Our

goal is to continue to build strong brand loyalty with our customers and create additional value for our shareholders, whose underlying support has positioned UBA for continued growth.”

Also, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said “We are happy that the global community recognises the role our Group is playing in the transformation of the African economic landscape through innovative and customer focused banking services.”

He pointed out that the bank’s business in the United Kingdom had specifically witnessed remarkable expansion, adding, “As from July 2021, UBA UK started making profit, and even to date, they are still doing well, and the same can be said for many of our African subsidiaries. The truth is that we are driven by the opportunities and potential in each of the geographies that we invested in, and we are happy with what we have achieved so far.”

Shareholders were unanimous in their commendation of the board and management for the

impressive financials which had translated to higher dividends for shareholders.

Commenting on behalf of other shareholders, Alhaji Farouk Umar, said, “Despite the economic situation UBA has been able to grow profitability and increase its customer base. If you compare the dividend with the share price of UBA, you will see that our dividend yield is very high. No bank in Nigeria has been able to achieve this, and I therefore commend the UBA board.”

Essentially, the bank’s profit before tax (PAT) witnessed a 20.3 per cent growth to N153.1 billion, compared to N127.3 billion in 2020 financial year while Profit After Tax (PAT) rose grew by 8.7 percent to N118.7 billion in 2021 compared to N109.2 billion recorded the previous year.

As a result, the bank proposed a final dividend of 80 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo for the financial year ended December 31, 2021, bringing the total dividend for the year to N1.00 as the financial institution had earlier paid an interim dividend of 20 Kobo.

Emirates Increases Frequencies to Abuja, Lagos Chinedu Eze Emirates Airlines has announced that following the demand of its customers, it would add more flights to its existing daily service to Abuja and Lagos.

The airline said it would increase its weekly flights to Lagos to 11, stating that it took the decision in order to meet the yearnings of its customers in and out of the market as well as to provide customers in Nigeria more access to Dubai and onwards to its global network.

“Emirates is offering customers increased connectivity to and from Lagos and Abuja,

to Dubai and beyond to the airline’s global network of over 120 destinations,” the airline said in a statement.

Emirates explained that its services would increase to double daily from September 1, 2022, taking the airline’s services to pre-pandemic levels.

The additional flight from Dubai to Lagos would operate as EK781, departing Dubai at 0400 hours, and arriving in Lagos at 0840 hours, local time. It stated that the return flight would operate as EK782, departing Lagos at 1205 hours and landing in Dubai at 2250 hours, local time.

“Emirates will also ramp up

its services to Abuja in line with accelerated demand to and from Nigeria’s capital city, offering five weekly flights starting from 1 May, 2022, and then a daily service from 1 September, 2022.

“The increased services demonstrate Emirates’ commitment to Nigeria, as it continues to respond to increasing demand for international air travel by offering more choice and flexibility to its customers,” the airline stated.

Emirates also announced it would ramp up its global operations with the restart of services to four destinations, including: Bali (1 May), London

Stansted (1 August), Rio de Janeiro (2 November), and Buenos Aires (2 November).

The airline has also announced it would boost services to Mauritius and Singapore to serve market demand.

“In line with the easing of travel restrictions worldwide, Emirates continues to rebuild and expand its global network to meet travel demand.

“Emirates continues to lead the industry with innovative products and services and recently took its customer care initiatives further with even more generous and booking policies,” the Middle East carrier added.

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NEWS

HOSTING THE DIPLOMAT...

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (R) hosting the former British High Commissioner, Paul Thomas Arkwright and his delegation to Iftar, at his home in Abuja…yesterday

PDP: We'll Convene NEC Meeting to Consider Zoning Committee Report Insists recommendation subject to NEC’s decision Adedayo Akinwale, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it would convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to consider the report of its zoning committee.

THISDAY had reported that the opposition party’s zoning committee chaired by Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom had recommended that the presidential ticket of the party be thrown open.

The recommendation has however received backlash from party stakeholders and socio-

political groups across the country.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba while featuring on ‘The Morning Show,' on Arise News Channel, yesterday, said whatever was the recommendation of the zoning committee of the party, it would be subject to the ratification of the NEC of the party.

He recalled that NEC of the party decided to set up a committee of 37-member committee to consider the issue of zoning of the presidential position and other positions at its last meeting.

Ologunagba said, "Because we are a party that follows its procedure

Again, CBN Cautions against Illegal Financial Operators Fidelis David in Akure and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday once more cautioned Nigerians against investing their money in illegal financial operators (IFO) that are not under its regulation.

It also stressed the need for Nigerians to shun investments that come with unrealistic returns which such operators use to lure unsuspecting members of the public.

The CBN Fair Team Lead and Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, gave the warning at a public enlightenment campaign programme on its policies and interventions held at St Luke's Anglican Church Events Centre, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Nwanisobi said: "As a Nigerian, you have a role to play in stopping some of these Ponzi scheme institutions that we see around.

You must be conscious of any institution that begin to ask you to bring your money with extremely very high interest rate.

“The CBN licenced institutions are recognised and regulated. So, it is your responsibility to ensure that wherever you are putting your money or whoever you are doing any financial business with is recognised by the CBN,” he added.

He said the two-day event tagged: ‘CBN Fair: Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development’ was organised by the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank.

"The CBN fair programme is meant for everybody in Ondo State, but we also know that everybody would not be here at the same time and that is why we are speaking to their representative. We have different commodity associations, corps members, students of higher institutions, civil servants, artisans and virtually, people from all walks of life here.

"So, when they get this information, they take it back to their members and you also heard the representative of the government, that means that the government is also aware of what we are doing here today. So, it is essentially for everybody who is a citizen of this country."

He said, essentially, the training was meant to communicate to the people about the CBN policies, interventions, initiatives and programmes and how the citizens can leverage on these programmes.

In his remark, Ondo State governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the CBN must be commended for its result oriented interventions in all sectors in the past eight years.

and processes, the committee has made its recommendation and the recommendation will be forwarded to the National Working Committee (NWC), which will thereafter send it to the NEC for determination one way or the other."

He insisted that what the committee did was to recommend, saying, "that is exactly what it is, recommendation at this stage."

Ologunagba added: "When it (the report) is passed over to the NWC, then a date for the NEC meeting will be slated for the consideration of that report.

“We are in the process of doing that. As soon as the report is delivered to the NWC, which I believe in the next couple of days - maybe in one or two days, then we can convene the meeting of the NEC for the consideration of the recommendation therein and then to make a decision one way or the other.

"All the recommendations

made in there are subject to NEC decision."

The party spokesperson stressed that the PDP remains an organic party that has its own processes, rules and regulations, which are subject to modifications, as the party evolves with the times.

Ologunagba said it would be premature to speak on the report he has not seen on whether the party had decided to throw its presidency open or not, noting that the best thing to do was to wait for the party to come up with a position.

According to him, “what we should do right now is to hold on for the party to come up with a position. “Thereafter you can begin to consider what are the issues contained therein or what are the issues not there. Right now it will be premature for me to speak on if it happens or if it doesn't happen.”

Asked if the interest of the

party conflicts with the interest of the nation, what should take precedence, Ologunagba assured that the NEC of the party would consider the mood of the nation in taking decision on the recommendations of the zoning committee.

Ologunagba added: "For us, the first thing for any Nigerian is the corporate existence of Nigeria, the unity and the development of this country and I think that should override any other consideration.

"And of course PDP has always been very sensitive to Nigerians.

That is why in our constitution, one of the positions of policy of the party is the unity of the country.

And what you should do, you have to have buy-in. Every part must be involved, they can find their own future connected to that organisation.

"PDP is very sensitive and I can assure you that in considering the recommendations, which of course

as at this point I don't have, the NEC, I'm sure in the wisdom of the party will take that decision both for the party and more importantly for the nation."

The PDP spokesperson described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as an irresponsible and uneducated government that does not understand what Nigerians are going through.

Ologunagba added: "When you don't want the heat, then don't go near the kitchen. APC said they have a change to change this country and then, nearly seven years after, the APC continues to see the nightmare of PDP everywhere they go. When they can even sleep, it must be PDP. "A bad workman complains about his tool, a hopelessly irredeemable one complains about others. The APC has become an irresponsible, hopelessly irremediable, that everything it talks about is lie."

Report: Nigeria Needs $283.3bn Investments to Transition to Net Zero Eromosele Abiodun

A report by Standard Chartered Bank has revealed that Nigeria needs investment worth $283.3 billion to transition to net zero and meet long-term global warming targets.

It also stated that emerging markets as a whole need to invest an additional $94.8 trillion, a sum higher than annual global gross domestic products (GDP).

This, according to the report titled, “Just in Time,” was on top of the capital already allocated by governments under their current climate policies.

Private investors, the report stated, could contribute $83 trillion of the $94.8 trillion that is required – underscoring the urgent need for financial institutions to fulfil green and transition finance pledges.

The report, which looked at the transition-financing gap for emerging markets and how to close it, warned that Nigerian household spending could fall by a total $335.1 billion

if the nation had to self-fund its journey to net-zero.

The report further stated that Nigeria would need assistance from developed markets to meet its goals.

The study found that, “If the finance Nigeria needs to transition to net zero is provided by developed markets, Nigerian household spending could increase by $216.7 billion compared to self-financing.

If emerging markets fund their own transition, without help from developed markets, household consumption in these markets could fall by five per cent on average each year.”

It added, “However, as shown in our previous report, “The $50 trillion Question,” encouraging investment in emerging markets is a difficult task.

The world’s top 300 investment firms with total assets under management of more than $50 trillion, have just two per cent, three per cent and five per cent of their investments in the Middle East, Africa and South

America, respectively.

“To transition in the fairest way possible, greater collaboration is required in strategy, policy, and financing.

More importantly, banks need to live up to the pledges made during COP26 if ordinary households are to avoid bearing the costs of their market’s transition to net-zero.”

The report looked at two pathways to closing the emerging market transition finance gap, selffinancing by emerging markets and developed market financing, where capital is provided through grants and loans.

“Emerging market self-financing would lead to higher taxes and an increase in government borrowing, meaning that some of the world’s poorest people will have less to spend on their everyday needs.

“Households in these markets would be $2 trillion poorer on average each year. In total, between now and 2060, emerging market household consumption could be

reduced by $79.2 trillion.

“However, developed market financing could see emerging market household spending increase by $1.7 trillion on average each year (compared to self-financing) and would also stimulate global growth – GDP could be $108.3 trillion higher cumulatively between now and 2060 if developed markets finance the transition. Emerging markets being able to reach net-zero without hampering their growth or prosperity would represent a just transition, “it stated.

Commenting, the Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered, Bill Winters, said: “Emerging markets need a great deal of investment to transition to net zero and the stakes have never been higher.

Without help from developed markets, improvement in emerging market prosperity could be halted or reversed, which would not only be unjust but would have a hugely negative impact on the world economy.”

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POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

Another Look at El-Rufai’s Threat to Employ Foreign Mercenaries Abuja-based lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo opines that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State’s plan to employ foreign mercenaries may be interpreted as subversive

I

t is now trite that Nigeria in recent times has been trailing through periods of insecurity of lives and property as well as none respect for the rule of law, natural justice and human dignity.

This fact has in recent months been unhappily emphasized by the startling events which occurred in this country.

I shall not belabor the point but it will be unrealistic not to draw attention to the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack where several persons were injured while some others were kidnapped including the loss of lives of innocent Nigerian citizens.

Consequent on the above unfortunate incident, the Governor of Kaduna State in a statement credited to him has threatened to employ the services of foreign mercenaries in combating the insurgencies in the State.

It is on the backdrop of the above statement that I am compelled to beam the searchlight of the law on both the immediate and remote consequences of the statement credited to the Governor.

The duty of Government to safeguard security of lives and properties It is important to start on the premise that the central pillars of Nigerian national security is the safeguard of the Nigerian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the State as contained in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution states that: The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of any government; Essentially, this concern over the security of the state has remained the defining feature of a democratic state and its relations with the individuals in their interaction and any state which fails to ensure the security of its citizens is said to have failed completely and therefore faces great challenge in governance.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the state of insecurity in Nigeria is becoming worrisome and disturbing considering the high rate of killings, bombing, kidnapping, conflicts, wars, and clashes etc. which innocent people fall to the guns of criminals in the country today.

These have led to political, social and economic disruptions which in turn lead to slow economic, social, religious and political development.

On the use of foreign mercenaries to fight insurgencies There is no doubt that by the combined interpretation of Section 214(1), 217(1) and items 38 and 45 of Part 1 to the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provision of apparatus for ensuring security in the country is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government. Hence the constitutional obligations to safeguard the security of Nigerian Citizens in any part of the Country is within the powers of the Federal Government, without prejudice to the cooperation of component state government.

While the statement credited to Governor Nasir El-Rufai can be justifiable on the standpoint of concern for immediate response on the imminent danger and state of insecurity in Kaduna State.

It is apparent that the existing security framework has shown that there is no clear chain of command and thus making it difficult for the security authorities to deal with the rising wave of insecurity in country, however one must not shy

away from the dire consequences of the attempt to engage the services of foreign mercenaries to combat insurgency in the state.

To lend my two cent to the present hullabaloo, Governor Nasir El-Rufai must understand that engaging foreign mercenaries is surely not a miracle

solution to the complex operational and security challenges and the logic does not seem very compatible with the principles and concept of sovereignty within the circumference of a nation as ours.

While it is undisputed that a number of these foreign mercenaries have been used by several countries for logistics, protection of personnel and sometime to combat armed groups, it is also imperative to stress the legal and reputational risks and danger that could result from using these foreign mercenaries to combat terrorism in Nigeria.

There have been records of events where mercenaries have been used to topple government and to cause a state of anarchy in a sovereign state. For instance, in 2004, former British special forces officer, Simon Mann-founder of the private military and security company (PMSC) Sandline International was arrested in Zimbabwe for planning to overthrow President Obiang.

This experience and may others explain why many countries are wary of foreign mercenaries and private military companies and also why the organization of African Unity (now African Union) was pioneer in developing the Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa.

Similarly, with the admission of some northern governors and the federal authorities that some of the perpetrators of these dastardly acts are foreigners, one must therefore be wary in the use of foreigners as the use of same can be counterproductive in the fight against insurgencies in the country.

What is more, Governor El-Rufai ought to have been advised that with the system of government operative in Nigeira and the oath of office he took on ascension of the office of the Governor, he has no mandate to contemplate procurement of home and foreign mercenaries.

How Peace Returned to Ohaneze Ndigbo UK Ignatius Muotoh writes that the UK arm of the Igbo culture apex body, Ohaneze Ndigbo has overcome its period of turbulence with the emergence of a new leadership

A

fter a very difficult period of turbulence characterized by a spell of musical chairs, peace and calm has returned Ohaneze Ndigbo UK with the emergence of a new leadership.

In a ground-breaking event held in London on Saturday, March 26, 2022, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has elected a new Executive Committee to pilot its affairs for the next two years.

A renowned UN Development Expert in the person of Professor Joe Ukemenem (‘Omeluoha’) was elected as the new President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, while Barrister Kingsley Offor was elected as the Deputy President in the process widely adjudged as the most credible, fair and transparent election in the history of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK. Others elected into the Executive Committee are: Barr Kingsley M A Offor (Deputy President), Chief Godwin Ogbonnaya (Vice President – Abia State), Prince Lotanna Chima (Vice President Anambra State), Chief Godwin Isebor (Vice President Delta State), Chief Oliver

Asiegbu (Organising Secretary), Prince Ernest Atuenyi (Treasurer) and Mazi Charles Nwaogwugwu (Publicity Secretary).

The electronic voting system adopted for the first time in an Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election enabled those who could not physically attend the meeting to fully participate in the process and to cast their votes for candidates of their choice. The event themed ‘Resetting the Igbo Agenda in the diaspora’ also witnessed an unprecedented turn out of well-meaning Igbo men resident in the UK. In his acceptance speech, the President-elect Prof Ukemenem expressed his profound gratitude to Ndi Igbo for entrusting him to drive the change in this new era of required Igbo survival and commitment to the development and progression of Igbo culture, heritage and civilization. He thanked the Interim Management Committee ably led by Chief Dr Azuka Benson for their immense sacrifices and enduring commitment towards the progress of Ndigbo in the UK.

According to Prof Ukemenem, ‘the Eagle has eventually landed with the real men of Igbo extraction residing in the UK taking the bull by the horn to restore the integrity of the Igbo nation through this re-orgnisation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK’. The President-elect promised ‘to do what it takes to restore the good name of Ndi Igbo and to place Ohanaeze at the vintage of heights where it should be and in front’.

A date for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK will be announced soon.

It would be recalled that following the widespread outcry of Ndigbo in the UK over the numerous irregularities that marred the last Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election of November 20, 2021, the General House declared that purported election to be null and void and unanimously agreed it was (and still is) repugnant to the constitution and convention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Worldwide, as well as repugnant to the culture of Ndigbo.

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POLITICS

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Why is America’s Biden Calling The Hero Called Umar Muda Kila is concerned about what inspired Russia’s Putin ‘a War Criminal’? Anthony the federal lawmaker from Bauchi, Hon. Umar

Chido Nwangwu highlights the increasing propensity of Muda to canvass a piece of legislation that will the Russian Army to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine

deal with crossdressers

D

“Y

ou may remember I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal.

Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha ... he is a war criminal.” Those heavy words came from U.S President Joe Biden on Monday April 4, 2022, against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden called for the collation of materials: “We have to gather all the detail so this can be an actual… war crime trial.”

As the first weekend of April 2022 was closing, Biden saw the pictures, videos and possibly watched the CBS ‘60 Minutes’ report from inside Ukraine by its seasoned correspondent Scott Pelley. ’60 Minutes’ remains, for decades, the foremost newsmagazine broadcast in the United States. Millions of families watch it, almost every Sunday. For this past Sunday of April 3, 2022, Pelley delivered in greater detail, some of the chilling images of civilian massacres, mass graves and horrific crimes of war littered across the Ukrainian city called Bucha. It’s in a suburb of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

The United States and its allies are reportedly assessing evidences of the murderous visitations from the Russian armed forces (possibly accompanied by its “contractors” and mercenaries) to Bucha.

The Russian government has tried to minimize what happened in Bucha but those digital, 247 satellite recordings of earthscape, demographic profiles of locales, cities, countries, movements never go to sleep, in these times. Putin can control virtually anything broadcast and printed on the Russian multimedia. But he cannot control the unblinking eyes of the satellites orbiting the earth and other planets. The information they capture are unimaginable and, sometimes, available to those who can afford it.

On Monday, April 4, 2022, Ukraine’s

embattled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the disfigured city of Bucha.

Again, while there, the visibly tormented leader accused Russia of “genocide.”

Everyday, since Thursday, February 24, 2022, when the superpower republic of Russia began its latest invasion of its smaller, historically-related neighbour Ukraine, Putin’s troops inflict milestones of tears, deep sorrow, indelible marks of bloodshed and awful environmental decimation of a beautiful country.

As a student of history, political science and power, I think that the autocratic leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, believes that he can, literally, bomb and burn to ashes the collective soul and national psyche-set of the traumatized peoples of Ukraine.

Although, metaphorically, at the end of the day, or should I say, the day after tomorrow, he will fail — like many other rulers before him who brought wars in their quests to impose their fevered imaginations of their countries’ ancient grandeur, in their pursuit of the restoration of some nostalgic past and realization of an expansionist sense of empire.

The facts of the situation are that the Russian contingent of armed forces and mercenaries acting, brutally, on the orders of President Putin have done a lot of damage.They are likely to do more; maybe worse!

After all, Putin has the brutal range and capacity to pound Ukraine until the courageous Ukrainians beg for remedial ceasefire and cessation of the Russian assault!

-Dr. Nwangwu serves as Founder & Publisher of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

A Tale of Two Great Souls Felix Oboagwina

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wo souls stood in the presence of their Maker in the before-life, to hear what destinies they should follow on earth.

“Each of you will live illustrious lives in one and the same land,” they were told.

“Each of you will marry your wives and bear a suitable cluster of children.

“Each of you will bury children birthed from your own loins.

“Each of you will suffer frustration and find an uphill task in the quest to lead the land of your birth.

“Each of you, in the quest to lead the Land of your birth, will lose your liberty and be cast into the dungeon.

“One of you shall be endowed with immense wisdom in a head destined never to wear the prized crown.

“The other one will snatch, lose but finally wear the coveted crown of the land.

“Now, each must choose.

“Will you want to be the soul who never wore the crown, but will forever remain idolized as, ‘The Best Leader the country never had?’

“Will you want to be the soul who will wear the crown and be derided as, ‘The Worst Leader the country wished it never had?’”

The wise soul has since served his uncrowned time and has gone to the after-life; his people forever venerate him like a god.

The other soul elected to wear the crown; and in his dishonour, his tormented people disrespect his name.

-Oboagqina, an author and journalist sent this piece from Lagos. He can be reached via foboagwina@gmail.com

ear Readers We are generally taught and we indeed agree that outlier is something that is situated away or classified differently from a main or related body. Statisticians see the outlier as a value markedly different from other values of a sample. When it comes to human beings, the general consensus is to consider outliers as people who do things or act in ways that are out of the norm. We tend to see outliers as achievers of feat that most of us can only dream of attempting.

Outliers, we believe have skills, strength, imagination or a vision that most of us lack.

Students and graduates of CIAPS know my knack for pointing out that what the first and the last in a class ranking have in common and different from the rest of us is that they are both outliers. To that extent, it is us compared to them: We in the middle, they at the margins.

Recent events in the country have thrown up a new outlier who I think should not be allowed to fall in oblivion. Rather, I think we should make deliberate steps and conscious efforts to make sure that his name is inscribed in stone so that we all today and posterity tomorrow can learn a lot from his tale. Our hero of the moment is called Umar Muda, his claim to national and I suspect global fame stems from his idea of prohibiting crossdressing and jailing crossdressers. Umar Muda must have had this dream since he was a child or after some significant experience or influenced by some high revelation or inspired by some deep thoughts.

As fate would have it, the young Umar Muda grew up safely, became an adult, made it to becoming a politician and luckily for all of us, he got elected into the House of Representatives to make laws that regulate the lives of millions of his fellow citizens.

On a personal note, one of the many things I have not been able to do in my now long ordinary life is become captain of a national cricket team, the other is becoming editor of the most read weekly magazine. If I were an editor today, I would put Umar Muda on the front page of my magazine.

Media reports inform us that the bill proposed by Hon Umar Muda and boldly read out by our hero wants a person engaging in crossdressing to be considered guilty of committing an offence and be liable to imprisonment of six months or to a fine of five hundred thousand naira. “That will teach them a lesson”, Hon Umar Muda must have thought to himself whilst conceiving, writing and reading out his bill.

The initial speculation on how long this bill must have been on Hon Umar Muda’s mind, his source of inspiration and how dear the bill is to our hero will become clear when we think of the when. It can’t be just another bill. Hon Umar Muda proposed his bill at a time when the whole country is worried about security and concerned about preserving lives and properties, at a time when individuals are donating money to state governments and people are trying to find ways to survive high prices, low income and shrinking employment, with students and parents worried about the fate of education. How more different can one be to think that, in the middle of all the issues and challenges the world is going through and from which our country is far from exempt, an important thing upon which to dedicate time and vote right now is matters relating to crossdressing?

Hon Umar Muda must see things that the rest of us, absorbed in our mundane thoughts and needs do not see, he must know what we don’t know and perhaps as heroes do,

he feels what we in the middle do not feel hence he prioritizes what we do not deem as necessary let alone urgent. Who knows?

Maybe Hon Umar Muda sees a link between crossdressing and problems affecting us that we do not see due to our limit. Perhaps he has discovered the link between fashion, makeup and cost of diesel or he has uncovered how terrorists start life as crossdressers and this triggered him to vow that crossdressing must not be left unchecked.

News editors should be more generous in their style and content: It was tough finding in whose name Hon Umar Muda went to parliament. News reports limited themselves to saying he is a member of the APC. That is true but incomplete. Our dysfunctional federal system makes it normal for parliamentarians to act as if they are in the house for Nigeria as a unified entity and most of us accept it that way. In reality legislators are elected to represent a part of Nigeria: their own constituencies. Ideally, a member of the house can and should vote not just along party line but also with the interest of his or her constituency in mind. Hon Umar Muda represents the Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.

Do the over 500,000 people and voters in the towns and villages of Toro, Berkete, Gumau, Boloji, Magama, Muja, Panshanu, Tama, Pingel and Zalau feel represented in the Hon Umar Muda’s plan and priorities? Anthropologists and psychologists should take time to study these towns and villages, are their inhabitants and indigenes like the rest of us or are they a special breed like Umar Muda?

Water does not get sour without a cause.

When party members and leaders were proposing and canvassing for Umar Muda to become a legislator. Did they see his uniqueness? Did they notice anything particular about his priorities and timing? Did he mention his knowledge of and interest in crossdressing to party members in Bauchi? What about his colleagues in the house? Did his proposal come as a surprise to them or do they know Hon Umar Muda as someone with this kind of heroic disposition? Did he discuss his ideas about crossdressing with them and did he ever mention his desire to jail crossdressers to them and did he ever give hint of how important the task is to him? Do they agree with him about the content and the timing of his bill? Who are these colleagues? Are they like Hon Umar Muda or are they more like us?

Whether you are in Bauchi or elsewhere, as we move closer to the year of elections, it is important that we all have a good think about who we want in office and ask ourselves what traits and sensibilities do we want in them? We should ask ourselves if we want more people like Umar Muda or more like the rest of us.

-Prof. Kila is Centre Director at CIAPS Lagos.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

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

08056356325

A P R I L

S & P INDEX

7 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

9.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

564.02%

1/4 TO DATE

5.82%

N413.03/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

10.75%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.17%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.85%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.19%

Danger Looms as FG Insists on Lagos, Abuja International Terminals as Operation Hubs for New National Carrier

Chinedu Eze Except for last minute changes, the federal government has concluded plans to use the international terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos as operational hub for domestic services of the planned national carrier, Nigeria Air, which is against the recent airport security recommendations.

Government also wants to use the old international terminal at the

Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja for the airline’s operation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Informed source told THISDAY that the plans have been concluded adding that by July this year the airline would start operation with initial three aircraft, a situation, the said, would portend serious danger for aviation industry, as earlier warned by airport security operatives.

THISDAY gathered that the

terminal in Lagos, which is currently serving international operations, would become underutilised by the time the new terminal inaugurated recently by President Muhammadu Buhari becomes fully operational.

But aviation security experts said that using the two terminals in the two major cities in Nigeria would compromise the security status of the two facilities, which are used for international flight services, as the old terminals are

linked to the new ones. They said it would be against the regulation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the US Transport Security Administration (TSA), which certified the two airports for international operations.

In 2007 a committee set up by the presidency, at the instance of National Security Adviser (NSA), headed by the then Senior Special Adviser to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Usman Iyal directed

the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways and Arik Air to move their domestic operations to the newly completed Murtala MuhammedAirport domestic terminal, known as MMA2. The reason for the relocation was that domestic passengers and international passengers should not be processed at the same facility for security reasons.

Captain Iyal confirmed to THISDAY on Wednesday that the sole reason why the two airlines moved their domestic service to

MMA2 was security in line with ICAO Annex 17, which deals on security.

“The main reason Arik and Virgin Nigeria Airways were directed to move their domestic operation out of the international airport in Lagos was because of security consideration.

The committee was set up, which I headed with representatives from aviation and intelligence agencies in Continued on page 27

NSML: Nigeria Risk Loosing Top Seafarers Due to Stringent Tax Regime Eromosele Abiodun Nigeria Ship Management Limited (NSML), a subsidiary of Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), has warned that Nigeria is at the verge of losing its top seafarers to other countries due to the country’s stringent tax regime.

The NSML said it is only Nigerian Seafarers that pay tax globally, a development, he stressed, is making Nigeria lose so many seafarers to foreign countries.

The Fleet Manager, NSML, Hambali Yusuf, disclosed this in Lagos at an annual conference organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in collaboration with NLNG. The conference which was themed, “NLNG Vessels Movement and Challenges,” had stakeholders in attendance, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).”

According to Yusuf, India grants

tax exceptions to seafarers who are on duty for eight to nine months at sea to encourage its seafarers.

According to Yusuf, “In India, if you are not in the country for 7 months, you won’t pay any tax. But in Nigeria, if you are not around for a whole year, you are still going to pay taxes and you know the tax are graded depending on your grade.

If you are a seafarer, and you see where you can go and be paid fully without tax being deducted, won’t you like to go there?”

He restated the need for advocacy to let the government know how these things are done outside the country.

He said, “There needs to be advocacy to let the government know what is obtainable elsewhere.

Some international seafarers don’t border for pensions.”

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, said Nigeria’s deep blue project anchored by the Nigerian Maritime Administration

and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has played significant role in reducing pirate attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

He said piracy in the Gulf of Guinea had been a worrisome phenomenon in the global maritime industry as incidents and attacks soared in the last decade.

He said the “Deep Blue Initiative”

by NIMASA has significantly reduced the impact and frequency of piracy incidents.

According to him, “According to

the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the Gulf of Guinea continues to be the hotspot for piracy attacks with 43 per cent of all regional attacks in 2021. Pirates operating in the region are well equipped to attack further away from shorelines and are unafraid to take violent actions against innocent crews.

Though these security challenges persist, the recently launched “Deep Blue Initiative” by NIMASA has Continued on page 27

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 7 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION 12.75 27-APR2023 14.20 14-MAR2024 13.53 23-MAR2025 12.50 22-JAN2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027

Price

Yield

107.93 5.05 112.18 7.38 111.85 8.90 107.24 10.15 122.70 10.32

Change Updated Time (%) 01, -0.02 April 2022 01, -0.37 April 2022 01, -0.16 April 2022 April 01, 0.00 2022 April 01, 0.00 2022

OTC F X F U T U R E S

C Ps

MATURITY

Discount

Yield Change Updated Time (%)

NTB 28-Apr22 NTB 12May-22 NTB 9-Jun22 NTB 14-Jul22

3.07

3.07

0.00

April 01, 2022

3.13

3.14

0.00

April 01, 2022

1.88

1.88

0.00

April 01, 2022

2.88

2.90

0.00

April 01, 2022

NTB 11Aug-22

3.18

3.22

0.00

April 01, 2022

MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change Updated Time (%)

UNCP CP VI 2-MAY-22 NEVE CP I 24-MAY-22 DANC CP II 25-MAY-22 TRBH CP V 26-JUL-22 FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22

8.78

8.85

0.00

April 01, 2022

16.17

16.56 0.01

April 01, 2022

8.38

8.49

0.01

April 01, 2022

10.85

11.23 0.00

April 01, 2022

7.50

7.69

April 01, 2022

0.00

CONTRACT TENOR Contract (MONTH) NGUS APR 27 1 2022 NGUS MAY 25 2 2022 NGUS JUN 29 3 2022 NGUS JUL 27 4 2022 NGUS AUG 31 5 2022

Current Rate ($/₦)

Updated Time

427.24

April 01, 2022

428.93

April 01, 2022

430.63

April 01, 2022

432.32

April 01, 2022

434.02

April 01, 2022

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NIS Arrests Top Human A I R Traffickers at Lagos Airport WATCH Chinedu Eze

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at Lagos airport has identified and arrested some top human traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, THISDAY has learnt.

A top official at the NIS disclosed that following the continued activities of syndicates trying to traffic young girls out of Nigeria illegally through the Lagos airport, the command has put modalities to stop them and ensure the country’s borders remains secured.

According to the top official, “Some of the young girls we have caught at the verge of being trafficked are convinced by the syndicates that they would be given a better life but we do our best to educate them on the ills of such act. The command is working with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure human trafficking through the Lagos airport

remains unsuccessful,” the top official said.

Speaking on current issues around obtaining the visa on arrival, the official said there are no delays or hitches in obtaining visa on arrival as long as the applicants follow the right procedures.

“Applicants must first apply online and receive a response from NIS, showing that the visa request has been approved, qualifying the applicant to have the visa on arrival. Some applicants apply for visas, requesting that their collection centres should be the embassy, only for them to arrive at the Lagos airport requesting for visa-on-arrival. We can’t issue visas to applicants who didn’t chose Lagos airport as the location for collection.

“In addition, visa on arrival is supposed to be for business investors.

The applicant must have valid travel documents. For instance, a Nigerian with a foreign passport also needs to apply for visa on arrival to be

allowed entry.”

The official disclosed that the command has recruited more men and women who would be deployed to the new terminal at the Lagos airport after they have completed their ongoing training.

The source also assured that the terminal would soon be functional and the service was working to ensure the officials that would be deployed to the new terminal were well trained on how to talk to people, how to dress and look smart and exude the right skills, mindset and attitude that befits such world class facility.

The official stressed that the NIS at Lagos airport has zero tolerance for corruption and anything that would portray the office in bad light, knowing that Lagos airport is a crucial gateway into the country.

The official stressed that anyone caught exploiting passengers or who goes against the ethics of the profession would face the law.

Nigerians’ Travel Addiction to Dubai

IATA: Air Cargo Growth Continues in February, Up 2.9% The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air cargo markets, showing that demand increased in February despite a challenging operating backdrop.

The global body said several factors benefitted air cargo in February compared to January this year.

IATA disclosed that on the demand side, manufacturing activity ramped-up quickly after the early February Lunar New Year holiday.

Capacity was positively influenced by the general and progressive relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions, reduced flight cancellations due to Omicron-related factors (outside of Asia), and fewer winter weather operational disruptions.

“We are returning to year-onyear traffic comparisons, instead of comparisons with the 2019

period, unless otherwise noted.

Cargo demand is tracking above pre-COVID-19 levels, although capacity is still constrained.

Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 2.9 per cent compared to February 2021 (2.5 per cent for international operations).

“Adjusting the comparison for the impact of the Lunar New Year (which can cause volatility in reporting) by averaging January and Februaryperformance, demand increased 2.7 per cent year-on-year.

While cargo volumes continued to rise, the growth rate decelerated from the 8.7 per cent year-on-year expansion in December,” IATA said in a statement.

IATA stated that capacity was 12.5 per cent above February 2021 (8.9 per cent for international operations). While this is in

positive territory, compared to pre-COVID-19 levels capacity remains constrained, 5.6 per cent below February 2019 levels.

It listed several factors in the operating environment to include: General consumer price inflation for the G7 countries was at 6.3 per cent year-on-year in February 2022, the highest since late 1982; The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicator tracking global new export orders fell to 48.2 in March. This was the lowest since July 2020 indicating that a majority of surveyed businesses reported a fall in new export orders.

IATA said the zero-COVID policy in mainland China and Hong Kong continued to create supply chain disruptions as a result of flight cancellations due to labor shortages, and because many manufacturers cannot operate normally.

SAHCO Acquires New Ground Handling Equipment Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has boosted her fleet of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) with more ultra-modern equipment.

The new fleet of equipment acquired includes ten Passenger Step Units that were manufactured

by Mallaghan, which is a renowned aviation industry manufacturer and supplier of highly acclaimed Ground Support Equipment.

The company said in a statement that the Passenger Step Units have the capacity to provide passenger access to a wide range of aircraft, which included B747, B777, B767, A340, A380, A320 etc.

According to the company, “Also, the equipment is fitted with proximity sensors which are devices that shuts down the equipment engines when they are positioned too close to the aircraft to prevent aircraft damage.

“Another acquired equipment in the new fleet is an Air Starter Unit (ASU) which is used to supply necessary quantity of air at a specified pressure to aircrafts while it is parked. The A.S.U was acquired from Guinault in France and has an eco-friendly engine while the chassis is made from steel to reduce the rate of corrosion or wear, also it has a safety device

attached to the fuel gauge to enable it shut down when the fuel is less than 30 litres to prevent engine damage due to fuel shortage.”

In addition to that two units of Airmarrel High Loader LAM 7000 were also part of the latest acquired fleet of GSE. The LAM 7000 has the capacity of loading about 7,000kg of pallets or container at a time.

This equipment is also furnished with proximity sensors and were procured from Airmarrel, a G.S.E producing giant from France. It is also furnished with electrical and hand emergency pumps which can be used during emergency procedure.

OPPO Nigeria Launches A96 Smartphone Device Emma Okonji OPPO Nigeria has launched the OPPO A96 in Nigeria, with new captivating features that will enhance customers’ experience.

The OPPO A96 is equipped with the 5000mAh long-lasting battery and 33W Supervooctm flash charging, complemented by the OPPO Glow Design that allows the phone to be scratch and fingerprint resistant.

Some captivating features embedded in the OPPOA96 includes the All-day AI Eye Comfort, which

enhances the screen visibility in bright or dim environments based on the levels of ambient light. The display now covers more of the colour spectrum, making image colours even truer, richer, and more captivating.

Speaking at the launch of the device, OPPO Nigeria Marketing Manager, Jennifer Okorhi, said: “OPPO Nigeria is indeed pleased to have created a phone that screams affordable luxury for their customers.

The OPPO A96 is enhanced with features that will not only thrill our customers but enhance their daily functions. It has been specifically

designed to accommodate the intricacies of their lives while refusing to compromise on its outlook. For instance the OPPOA96 has Optimised Night Charging, which allows the phone’s AI to learn the user’s sleep patterns and schedule a segmented battery charging plan during the nighttime. This simply means that you never have to wake up to an insufficiently charged device.”

“With the customer in mind, OPPO Nigeria has created a beautiful phone that truly speaks to class, functionality and affordability,” Okorhi further said.

Nigerians are known to be avid travellers to the UK and the United States. For years, the United Kingdom is regarded as second home to many Nigerians but in the last 10 years Dubai has become the major destinations for Nigerians.

In fact, in 2016 during the economic recession when there was visible decrease in international passenger traffic, attendants in the popular Dubai Mall complained to a Nigerian visitor that they missed Nigerians, lamenting that they were no more coming as they used to do.

But since then there has been an upsurge in the number of Nigerians that travel to Dubai.

The former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) and Managing Director of Finchglow Travels, BankoleBernard, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that there are many factors that make Dubai attractive destination.

“It is when a place is attractive that people travel to it. It is not only Nigerians that go to Dubai. The place is attracting the world because they have things the world want to see. The place is a haven of sorts.

Dubai tourism is currently in Nigeria with different officials representing the entire economy.

So they go their way to sensitise people and bring them to their country. In Dubai crime rate is zero.

They fight crime with everything they have. They pay their police very well. So Dubai is like a safe haven. They don’t play politics with their economy. They constantly strive to be number one in everything. They get the best man to do the job, whether he is Russian, American, Indian or Nigerian. They have leaders that have the country at heart. They have people that love their country.

This is the reason why Dubai is attracting the world. When you go to that country you see a country that is willing to grow. They will continue to attract the world to them because they have what the world need in terms of security, comfort etc.

“They have started giving people 10 years visa, including some Nigerians. Their corporate income tax is seven per cent; Nigeria’s is 10 per cent. Tell me why people will not be willing to invest in Dubai? If you run away with their money they repatriate you. They have global agreement, they can repatriate anybody from anywhere in the world,’ Bernard said.

According to Dubai Tourism, about 185, 000 Nigerians visited Dubai in 2018. The US for long has the highest number of Nigerian travellers, followed by Saudi Arabia, but travel experts posit that Dubai could be number one if Nigerian that travel to DXB airport in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are put together. Dubai has about 30 per cent of the number of Nigerians on international destination.

The current President of NANTA Mrs. Susan Akporaiye said that the reason why people are travelling to Dubai is because the visa is easy to obtain. When Emirates was not coming to Nigeria, Egypt Air was a second option for Nigerians but that had changed now because Egypt has strict

visa policies and delays in visa issuance and sometimes Nigerians are denied visa out rightly.

“But for Dubai, it takes between 48 to 72 hours to obtain your visa and even if there is going to be denial, applicants know in two or three days’ time,” she said.

Dubai has 12 top attractions that continue to beckon at visitors. These include Dubai’s landmark building and major tourist attraction, which is the Burj Khalifa, which at 829.8 meters is the tallest building in the world and the most famous of the city’s points of interest. For most visitors, a trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor here is a must-do while in the city. The views across the city skyline from this bird’s-eye perspective are simply staggering.

There is also the beach club with its azure blue waters and sparkling sunshine; Dubai can never have enough beach clubs. Known as Bla Bla, it is described as an exciting concept that combines prime sunshine lounging with foodie thrills with no less than 20 lounges, three restaurants and one beach club to enjoy. It is located at Jumeirah Beach Residences opposite Bluewaters Island.

There is also Dubai’s Theatre of Digital Art at Madinat Jumeirah, whichgives famous artwork a modern twist with advanced technology and immersive storytelling. It combines three formats of digital art including multimedia exhibitions, contemporary immersive installations and art in virtual reality.

Spread over 1,800sqm, the venue displays digital shows of classical art, accompanied by music, visual effects and surround sound. Exhibitions change regularly, adding fresh perspectives with every visit.

There is also the Palm Fountain, Dubai, where a visitor can watch water sway to the beat. Spanning an area of 14,000sqft, the Palm Fountain is also Dubai’s only multicolored one.

More than 3,000 LED lights set the scene for a vibrant visual spectacle where colourful water jets shoot 105m high and dance to the tune of popular Khaleeji, pop, classic and international hits. The Palm Fountain comes alive daily with shows taking place every 30 minutes between sunset to midnight.

Visitors are expected to arrive early to spend the day at the Pointe or enjoy dinner at one of the venue’s waterside restaurants for the best views.

The View at the Palms is also another attraction where visitors enjoy incomparable views of one of Dubai’s most talked about landmarks at the View at The Palm. Located 240m high, the observation deck presents never seen before 360-degree panoramas of Palm Jumeirah alongside the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline in the distance. The View at The Palm is located on level 52 of The Palm Tower, which also houses a café, a creative exhibition, interactive aquarium-themed tunnels and a gift shop.

For some Nigerians, travelling to Dubai has become a life’s dream.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022 Friday April 8, 2022 Vol 27. No 9859 TR

See page 24 THE GAME CHANGER IN START-UP BUSINESSES AYO OYOZE BAJE writes that Lagos State is a destination of choice for investors and tech experts See page 24 TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR HOME GROUND AYODELE OKUNFOLAMI argues that we could do more for the home team See page 25 THE SOUTHEAST AND THE SOLUDO EFFECT The Southeastern states are being prodded to bring out their best to lead them, writes MIKE UZOIGWE See page 25

EDITORIAL TACKLING THE GROWING POVERTY TRAP…(11) See page 26

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

ZONING AND THE 2023 ELECTIONS The practice of zoning or rotational governance is by every means, a law, argues CHIMEZIE NWODO

UT H

Peoples Democratic Party leadership conspiracy to undermine zoning is unfair, writes BOLAJI ADEBIYI

THE PUSH AGAINST ZONING IN PDP Speculations were rife earlier in the week that the Samuel Ortom-led 37-man committee, constituted by the Peoples Democratic Party to advise it on the part of the country that should be allotted its presidential ticket, had recommended that the top job should be thrown open. This understandably generated a lot of adverse reactions albeit from mostly southern politicians and socio-political pressure groups who contended that it would amount to an act of insensitivity for the national executive committee of the party to approve the recommendation.

“We condemn in its entirety the political suicide that has been committed by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) by its position on Zoning,” George Obiozor, professor of Political Science and presidentgeneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, was quoted to have said in a statement by Chiedozie Ogbonnia, its publicity secretary.

Obiozor reportedly wondered why the party’s zoning and rotation policy would be terminated when it became the turn of the South to take the top job. Ohanaeze’s allies, including the Afenifere and the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum, had also expressed their displeasure, warning of the dire consequences for the PDP. In apparent damage control, Ortom immediately issued a denial, saying his committee had not asked the party to throw the job open. “As the chairman of the committee, we did not say that,” he told ARISE NEWS Channel, stating, “It is very wrong for anyone to insinuate that we have thrown the presidential ticket open.”

He explained, “Whatever we did, we have submitted our report to NEC. So it is wrong for the media to come out with a position despite the fact that they were not members of the committee.”

Given the propensity of politicians for double-speak and deceit, not a few Nigerians would dismiss Ortom’s denial as many of them are wont to say that WKHUH LV XVXDOO\ QR VPRNH ZLWKRXW ÀUH LQ the country’s murky politics. The media, they contend must have scooped the committee’s decision that now awaits the party’s NEC decision. In any case, the inclination of the current leadership under the watch of Iyorchia Ayu towards an open presidential contest became public knowledge earlier in the year when Abdullahi Ibrahim, the party’s deputy national publicity secretary, hinted during DQ R΀FLDO HQJDJHPHQW RQ EHKDOI RI WKH chairman that it was committed to granting every Nigerian the opportunity to contest the presidential ticket. ,W LV QRW RQ UHFRUG WKDW $\X HYHU FODULÀHG the position expressed by Ibrahim. In fact, at the inauguration of the Ortom committee, the party’s national chairman

spoke eloquently about the imperative of nominating a candidate that would not only have the capacity to win the presidential contest but would also be able to provide the leadership that would be acceptable to the cross-section of the country. This, no doubt, was a euphemism for merit, an antizoning argument being pushed by a power bloc in the party.

However, whatever Ortom and his committee may have agreed upon cannot fail to take cognisance of the zoning and rotation policy as enshrined in Article 3 (c) of the party’s 2017 Constitution which says, “The party shall pursue these aims and objectives by adhering to the policy of rotation and zoning of the party and public

Recommending an open contest would not only be a shocking misunderstanding of the party’s constitution but also a waste of the time of the NEC that had looked forward to a guide that would simplify its decision-making on this very important issue

HOHFWLYH R΀FHV LQ SXUVXDQFH RI WKH SULQFLSOH of equity, justice and fairness.”

What this clearly means is that the party has an obligation to zone the various HOHFWLYH SXEOLF R΀FHV RQ RͿHU GXULQJ WKH 2023 general election. The task before the committee, therefore, was to help the NEC to determine the zone the presidency should be allotted. It should be NEC’s expectation that the criteria for the allotment would be stated so that on the basis of the stated principles it could make an informed decision that would aid the party’s quest to seize power next year.

Recommending an open contest would, therefore, not only be a shocking misunderstanding of the party’s constitution but also a waste of the time of the NEC that had looked forward to a guide that would simplify its decision-making on this very important issue.

Not only would such a recommendation and decision violate the constitution, but it would also undermine the moral authority of the party leadership. Since its formation in 1998, the PDP had always zoned and URWDWHG LWV HOHFWLYH R΀FHV LQ HYHU\ HOHFWLRQ circle with equity as the central principle.

Its founding fathers in enshrining zoning and rotation in the constitution were clear in their purpose which was to promote inclusion and a sense of national belonging among the disparate ethnic groups in the country.

Inherent in this thinking was the understanding that democracy being a game of numbers, smaller groups were in danger of perpetual domination by larger groups. To prevent this and the consequential tension and possible strife, a mitigating policy that would protect and assure the weaker groups had to be put in place. Such a policy, though discriminatory, was nonetheless necessary in order not to endanger peaceful co-existence. Reserving key positions for disadvantaged groups, which zoning stands for, was, therefore, the founding fathers’ antidote to domination.

Suspending such a policy, particularly at this time that it is so glaring that a sub-zone which, without a doubt, needs to be assuaged in view of its evident marginalisation that has instigated intermittent uprisings among its youths, would be manifestly unfair and could have an intense backlash for the PDP. Happily, the open presidency proposition remains speculation which in the coming days may be shown to be false even as the NEC of the PDP is strongly advised to remain faithful to the spirit and letter of its constitution on equal access to power.

Adebiyi, the managing editor of THISDAY Newspapers, writes from bolaji.adebiyi@

2 24

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022

The practice of zoning or rotational governance is by every means, a law, argues CHIMEZIE NWODO

ZONING AND THE 2023 ELECTIONS Law, incidentally, does not enjoy a universal DFFHSWDQFH LQ WHUPV RI GHÀQLWLRQV 7KHUH DUH points of convergence as there are points ZKLFK SUHVXSSRVH GHÀQLWLRQDO SDUDOOHOLVP 7KH DEVHQFH RI WKLV XQLYHUVDOLW\ LQ GHÀQLWLRQ when juxtaposed with other disciplines known to mankind, clearly underscores the uniqueness of law as a discipline. As such, any GHÀQLWLRQ RI ODZ SURͿHUHG ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ OD\ bare the dictates of which school of thought ZKLFK WKH SURSRQHQW RI VXFK GHÀQLWLRQ adheres to. This treatise, purposively, is not DQ DWWHPSW WR RͿHU OHFWXUHV RQ -XULVSUXGHQFH as such, the urge to further elucidate on the theories of law will therefore be consciously avoided. Yet, it is imperative to mention that currently, laws which proceed from the people are favoured against laws which proceed from the Leviathan since law ought to be ‘peopleoriented’. By so doing, the logic of force is obviated and the force of logic entrenched and enforced.

The attempt to constantly ensure that there is a viable atmosphere for the entrenchment of WKH IRUFH RI ORJLF LQ WKH DͿDLUV RI D SHRSOH RU groups of peoples crystallized in democracy (or republicanism) as a system of governance.

In this type of political arrangement, ‘peopleoriented’ laws are ensured or at least, expected. It was in view of this that the extant constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, its innumerable amendments notwithstanding, had in the past and currently pilloried as ‘not autochthonous’. ,W LV XQDUJXDEOH WKH IDFW WKDW VRPH QRUPV that guide a particular society, especially those borne out of prolonged usage and acceptance, ODUJHO\ UHPDLQ XQZULWWHQ XQFRGLÀHG DQG unlegislated upon, thus depriving them of the force of law. Yet, it does not in any manner reduce the conscious obeisance accorded to them by the majority of the populace. For instance, in the South of Nigeria, it is not illegal for someone to have carnal knowledge of the spouse of another, as long as it is lawful. But in the North of Nigeria where the Penal Code is operative, adultery has been legislated into DQ RͿHQFH IRU ZKLFK RQH LI SURYHQ JXLOW\ FDQ be penalized. Thus, in the South of Nigeria, no one can be penalized for adultery (which is in WKH UHDOP RI PRUDO ZURQJ LW LV RQO\ H[SHFWHG that one should not engage in such moral wrong.

In these years leading to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, zoning or rotational governance has once again taken the front burner in national (political) debates. Some persons have even, in a seeming feat of prophesy, suggested that the adherence to zoning or the lack therefore will determine the automatic survival or decimation of the Nigerian Republic – and even if the nonadherence to zoning does not immediately initiate the death of Nigeria, it would at least activate her winding-up proceedings.

It is therefore deviously impish, to say the least, to even slightly suggest that a topic which dominates national discourse should be suppressed locally. In my very humble opinion, the foremost concern ought to be, as recently suggested by Nnamdi Nwokedi, WR HQVXUH WKDW WKRVH ZKR ZLOO EH ÀHOGHG IURP the desired zone be people who would not be overwhelmed by or averse to the art and demand of modern governance as I have also suggested elsewhere.

If we all agree that law is a set of rules or norms which guide a society, either borne of custom, collective habit or long usage, then

the idea or practice of ‘zoning or rotational governance’, as unwritten, unlegislated and XQFRGLÀHG DV LW UHPDLQV LV E\ HYHU\ PHDQV a law. It will be utterly puerile to argue otherwise. We have to bear in mind that the six geo-political zones which Nigeria has been partitioned into is not a product of any written law but an extra-legal policy adopted to make the management of a rather unwieldy polity easier.

Agaptus Nwozor submitted, and rightly so, that “the absence of an authoritative constitutional beacon as a guide for what constitutes Nigerian political zones does not invalidate their usefulness as essential FDWHJRULHV µ $VLGHV WKH ZKLWHSDSHU VXEPLWWHG to the General Sani Abacha administration following what was known as the 1994 FRQVWLWXWLRQDO FRQIHUHQFH WKH RQO\ R΀FLDO document wherein zoning was adopted is the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party in its Article 7(2)(c). According to Nwozor (supra), “the PDP constitution not only recognized the imperative of zoning and rotation as irreducible requirements for engendering feelings of inclusiveness and belonging, it also implied an order of rotation in 1999. Therefore, contrary to arguments that there was no order or sequence of rotation, there was indeed an inferable order evident within the restrictions imposed by the PDP in 1999: it closed its doors to northern presidential aspirants and only considered presidential aspirants from the south-east, south-south and south-west. The late Alhaji Abubakar 5LPL D 1RUWK (DVWHUQHU ZKR GHÀHG WKH zoning and rotation principle to purchase the presidential nomination form, was refunded his nomination fee and was forbidden from contesting. This indicates that the PDP operated its zoning and rotation principle not as a tabula rasa, but as recognizing the realities of northern domination of the presidency since µ :KDW LV PRUH" 7KH SURYLVLRQV RI VHFWLRQ 14 (3) and (4) and such similar provisions found in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) if given a wider interpretation, will accommodate and support the idea of zoning as they have given the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion a legislative imprimatur.

If one is to draw an analogy from the Rimi instance above, then the argument that zoning never existed in Enugu State as some aspirants had stood for elections in spite of WKH WRXWHG H[LVWHQFH RI ]RQLQJ ZLOO IDOO ÁDW RQ its face. In the circumstance, that argument will be weightless, the deliberate violation of the zoning norm, which in my most humble opinion is borne out of a needless exhibitionism, notwithstanding. As a matter of fact, there will never be an end to people’s choice to stand on the opposite side of the law – and as always, there shall be consequence. In Enugu State, Chief Hyde Onuaguluchi, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, Fidel Ayogu, Okey Ezea, etc., were at some time in history, EHQHÀFLDULHV RI WKH FRQVHTXHQFH RI VXFK VWLͿ neck violation of what has become the norm.

More than any other (PDP) State in Nigeria, it seems that Enugu State has over the years ÀQH WXQHG RU SHUIHFWHG WKH ]RQLQJ SROLF\ ,W LV worthy of note that in from 2007 till date, no person from Enugu East Senatorial District of the State has contested to be elected the Governor of Enugu State.

Nwodo, a legal practitioner, writes from Abuja

AYO OYOZE BAJE writes that Lagos State is a destination of choice for investors and tech experts

THE GAME CHANGER IN START-UP BUSINESSES “Lagos remains in the tech global market and in the map of the global space as a destination of choice where investors, tech experts see as a place to be… It is the heartbeat and commercial nerve-centre of the country, therefore, we will continue to support investors and create an enabling environment for their businesses to ÁRXULVKµ *RY 6DQZR 2OX DW WKH ODXQFK RI 0DLQRQH 0';, QHZ 'DWD &HQWUH

When Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg paid a surprise visit to CcHUB, a local innovation centre and tech hub, jointly owned by Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe , located in Yaba, known as Nigeria’s Silicon Valley, CNN described the historic event— KLV ÀUVW WR VXE 6DKDUDQ $IULFD DV ´SXWWLQJ WKH FRXQWU\·V WHFK EXVLQHVVHV ÀUPO\ LQ WKH ZRUOG·V spotlight. It was the day Silicon Valley came to Nigeria, and there was hardly any Nigerian with ,QWHUQHW DFFHVV ZKR GLGQ·W NQRZ WKDWµ It would be recalled that Zuckerberg said that ´7KLV LV P\ ÀUVW WULS WR VXE 6DKDUDQ $IULFD ,·OO EH meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria.

The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to OHDUQ DV PXFK DV , FDQ µ At the CcHUB, he interacted with children at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who visited the centre to build and launch their apps.

Tijani, one of the founders of the tech hub told &11 WKDW ´%\ FRPLQJ KHUH ÀUVW KH·V JLYHQ D ORW RI KRSH WR \RXQJ SHRSOH KHUH µ 7KH UHDVRQ IRU KLV statement was not far-fetched because to succeed with start-ups in Nigeria is to survive against all odds, including weak infrastructure, epileptic power supply and pervasive lack of funding and investment. That was on August 30, 2016.

It is both interestingly and inspiring therefore, that some six years later, Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, certainly aware that the future is now, and that virtually every sector of our economy and VRFLDO OLIH LV GHÀQHG E\ WKH LPSHUDWLYH RI PRGHUQ technology has taken the paradigm notches higher.

6SHFLÀFDOO\ GXULQJ WKH UHFHQW ODXQFK RI Mainone/MDXI new Data Centre, a subsidiary of Equinox Technology which is a cable and communication services company, the governor reiterated the fact that the state is leading in technology start-up and in technology development as well as e-commerce in West Africa. He pledged that his administration would continue to support and design policies to help in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Lagos State.

As he rightly noted, the added values of job creation, knowledge and skills would be acquired by those employed in the facility. What more, they would be trained so that they could compete with their counterparts on a global level all over the world.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said that “We are home to three Fintech Unicorns – Paystack, Flutterwave and Interswitch, among many other very successful, globally recognized Start-ups. We are also a leading global city in e-commerce and retail technology, transportation technology and education technology, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index.

“We are also putting our skin in the game.

We have reached advanced stages of the rollout RI NP RI WHUUHVWULDO ÀEUH DFURVV WKH 6WDWHµ But that was only part of the achievements in WKH ÀHOG RI PRGHUQ WHFKQRORJ\ WKDW KH UHHOHG out.

He stated that Lagos State was developing a K.I.T.E Cluster/Campus in Yaba, Lagos, on 22,000 square meters of land, in partnership with the private sector. K stands for Knowledge, I for Innovation, T for Technology and E for Entrepreneurship. Then he added the clincher: “We have just established a new University, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUTECH), focused on building capacity in science, WHFKQRORJ\ DQG LQQRYDWLRQ LQ /DJRV 6WDWH µ It was a moment of elation therefore, when KH VDLG WKDW KLV DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LV ´YHU\ SURXGµ of the Managing Director of Mainone/MDXI, Ms. Funke Opeke and what she has achieved with MainOne over the last 12 years. On her part, Opeke explained that: “The facility will further help in boosting development especially in areas of data gathering and content creation. All telecommunications companies are connected to the facility, lots of major institutions are providing critical VHUYLFHV DOO RYHU :HVW $IULFD ZLWK WKLV IDFLOLW\ µ Notably, the governor added, “Entrepreneurs like Ms. Opeke are solid proof of what Nigeria and Nigerians can achieve when we set our minds to it and pursue business dreams that are ambitious and world FKDQJLQJ µ 7KDW ZDV KLWWLQJ WKH QDLO ULJKW RQ the head.

And it is, Nigeria remains the proud homeland of some of the world’s remarkable, trail-blazing inventors and innovators in WKH IHUWLOH ÀHOGV RI PHGLFLQH WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ science and information technology. (ͿRUWV VXFK DV WKH SXEOLF SULYDWH partnership catalyzed by Lagos State government will eventually produce more of the Philip Emeagwalis, the Silas Adekunles, Saheed Adepojus, Ndubuisi Ekekwes, Cyprian Emeka Uzohs, Yemi Adesokans and Brino Gilberts.

Did you know, for instance, that our own Silas Adekunle, a Nigerian inventor DQG HQWUHSUHQHXU FUHDWHG WKH ZRUOG·V ÀUVW intelligent gaming robot and has become the highest-paid robotics engineer in the world after signing a new deal with Apple Inc in 2018?

What about Philip Emeagwali? He designed the program and formula for the fastest computer on earth, the Connection Machine.

As an epochal feat, his breakthroughs in computing helped lead to the development of the internet. The Nigerian-born genius, Saheed Adepoju is the inventor of the INYE-1 & 2, tablet computers designed for the African market while Seyi Oyesola is credited with the co-invention of CompactOR or the “Hospital LQ D %R[µ ,W LV D VRODU SRZHUHG OLIH VDYLQJ operating room which can be transported to remote areas of Africa and set up within minutes.

Baje writes from Lagos As for Jelani Aliyu, he is globally acclaimed

325

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022

AYODELE OKUNFOLAMI argues that we could do more for the home team

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR HOME GROUND $IWHU ZDWFKLQJ WKH *UHHQ (DJOHV WUDQVFHQG LQ WKH ODWH HLJKWLHV WR EHFRPH WKH 6XSHU (DJOHV at its glorious best in the nineties, its teetering performances as it entered the millennium made me become nonchalant of the national team. I followed the team more with my head than with my heart. I dropped the VXSHULRULW\ FRPSOH[ RI \HVWHU\HDUV IRU D PRUH pragmatic and logical approach. In fact, the maladministration of the game in Nigeria, to politics, to the unfair treatment given to local coaches and players moved me from scepticism to cynicism. Well, it helped my blood pressure and mental health.

Be that as it may, my blood is still green. I still give them all my support when I see the green light. I gave the team my whole support after we surprisingly beat Cote d’Ivoire en route winning the African Nations Cup in 6RXWK $IULFD DQG WKDW 7XQLVLDQ JRDO WKDW knocked us out in Cameroun entered my heart like a bullet. ,W ZDV ZLWK WKLV P\ UDUH SDWULRWLF H[FLWHPHQW I celebrated Nigeria being paired against *KDQD LQ WKH ÀQDO :RUOG &XS TXDOLI\LQJ URXQG *KDQD DW WKH WLPH RI WKH GUDZV ZHUH D far poorer team losing to lowly Comoros both at the earlier World Cup qualifying rounds and at the last AFCON. Nigeria on the other KDQG DSSHDUHG WR EH RQ WKH DVFHQGDQF\ 7KHQ LI RQH QRZ DGGHG WKH IDFW WKDW *KDQD UHPDLQV an eternal rival, it would be an insult for 1LJHULD QRW WR TXDOLI\ EHFDXVH RI *KDQD 7KH PDWFK ZDV WR EH D WZR OHJJHG ´KRPH DQG DZD\µ DͿDLU )RRWEDOO GRHV WKLV VR WKDW both teams are given opportunity to take advantage of their home ground. All other things being equal, a team’s home ground comes with two major advantages. First is that the team is supposed to have memorized its pitch so well it is so used to it while the visiting team would struggle with the unfamiliarity.

7KH VHFRQG LV WKH VZDUPLQJ VXSSRUW LW JHWV from its supporters which should spur it on while intimidating and spoiling the rhythm of the opposing team.

7R WKH ÀUVW SRLQW :K\ GLG WKH DXWKRULWLHV move that crucial game to a stadium the players were not used to? If I am not mistaken, WKLV ZDV WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKLV VHW RI SOD\HUV ZRXOG be playing in Abuja. Some were even playing

Playing at home is not only about the stadium. It is about the atmosphere the host city generates. From the airport, the Eagles should have been welcomed with chants and praises LQ 1LJHULD IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH 1RZ WKLV LV QRW D FDOO IRU WKH (DJOHV WR KDYH D SHUPDQHQW SOD\LQJ ground. I have disagreed with this motion in previous articles insisting that the matches of the national team be federated around the country and that national spread, stands size, condition of the playing turf, accessibility WR IDQV VHFXULW\ KRWHO DFFRPPRGDWLRQV 79 friendliness of the stadium, importance of the match, opponent disadvantage and the like would be considered along with commercial SDUWQHUV LQ FKRRVLQJ ZKHUH 6XSHU (DJOHV SOD\ their matches.

6LQFH WKH DTXLOLQLW\ RI WKH FXUUHQW (DJOHV is suspect unlike their seniors of the 80s and 90s that won their matches irrespective of the venue, it now means we should take home

matches seriously. Unfortunately, Nigeria doesn’t play all those dirty tactics of food poisoning, poor accommodation, blinding our opponents with lasers and all worth not that $IULFDQV HPSOR\ *KDQD NQHZ WKH\ FRXOGQ·W beat Nigeria pound for pound, so they resorted to taking their home match 250km outside the FDSLWDO FLW\ WR %DED <DUD 6WDGLXP LQ .XPDVL 7KH VDPH VWDGLXP WKDW WKH\ EHDW WKHQ IDYRXULWHV (J\SW WR TXDOLI\ IRU :RUOG &XS 'RHV Abuja have such an opponent-slaughtering history? Literarily, besides our usual hospitality to our opponents, this Abuja stadium on the night was as well a disadvantage to our players.

In fact, playing at home is not only about the stadium. It is about the atmosphere the host city JHQHUDWHV )URP WKH DLUSRUW WKH (DJOHV VKRXOG have been welcomed with chants and praises.

Billboards around the city should have been adorned with goodwill messages by sponsors.

7KHVH DUH WKLQJV WKDW JLQJHU WKH SOD\HUV DQG demoralizes opponents. ,V WKH VWDGLXP HYHQ DFFHVVLEOH WR IDQV" 7KDW stadium is not in the middle of town and public WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ LQ WKH )HGHUDO &DSLWDO 7HUULWRU\ LV WRR LQÁH[LEOH WR EH FKHDS IRU SHRSOH WR DWWHQG So, the organizers had to make buses available IRU $EXMD UHVLGHQWV WR ÀQG WKHLU ZD\ LQWR WKH stands.

7KH\ VXFFHHGHG LQ ÀOOLQJ XS WKH VWDQGV EXW by who? I had admonished after our Lesotho game in Lagos that professional sports should QRW EH WDNHQ DV D VRFLDO JRRG EXW D EXVLQHVV 7KDW is why I always advocated that the Nigerian sports industry be taken away completely from the hands of government and take a cue from the entertainment industry. Why was the ticketing not outsourced to ticketing agencies and transparently advertised? Must one have gotten to the stadium on matchday to get a SHUPLW" :K\ GLGQ·W WKH\ H[SORUH JHWWLQJ WLFNHWV online or using decentralized means of eateries RU RWKHU VDOHV SRLQWV" 7KHUH ZHUH UHSRUWV RI D VWDPSHGH DW WKH JDWHV 7KLV RXJKW QRW WR KDYH happened. In fact, considering that there was a leaked security report of an imminent threat of H[SORVLYH DWWDFN RQ WKH VWDGLXP FURZG FRQWURO should have been better managed. Viewing should have been decentralized to big screens at major hubs in the city for the two million plus residents to be part of the action. After all football is today more a television event than a stadium event. It is in this same economy that people pay over N10,000 to get the rearmost seat and millions for VIP stage side seats in comedy and musical shows that Amaju Pinnick, the Nigerian Football Federation chair ERVV LV DOZD\V D SDUW RͿ %XW ZKHQ D ZKROH 6XSHU (DJOHV JDPH LV JRLQJ IRU DV ORZ DV 1 DW EODFN PDUNHW SULFH WKHQ H[SHFW WKXJJHU\ DQG chaos at the newly renovated stadium after the ÀQDO ZKLVWOH VRPHWKLQJ WKDW ZH QHYHU KHDU LQ those entertainment shows. Notwithstanding, our security personnel should be schooled in crowd control.

Another reason why ticketing should be taken seriously is to be able to track and manage the kind of spectators we want. Why were Abuja civil servants granted half day at work if they wouldn’t be the ones to be bused WR WKH VWDGLXP" , KDG H[SHFWHG WR VHH OHJLVODWRUV who want to probe Nigeria’s ouster, ministers and other Abuja big boys at the VIP end but those that package our football think otherwise.

Again why take it to Abuja?

(YHQ LI QR PRQHWDU\ YDOXH ZDV DWWDFKHG to gaining entry, coming with things like a 1LJHULDQ ÁDJ DQG DGRUQLQJ WKH WHDP·V FRORXUV FRXOG EH SHUPLWV LQWR WKH VWDGLXP +DG 7KRPDV Partey led his Black Stars into the pitch seeing only green and white on the terraces and not people just wearing ankara or Arsenal jersey, he would have wobbled for 90 minutes.

Okunfolami writes from Lagos

The Southeastern states are being prodded to bring out their best to lead them, writes MIKE UZOIGWE

THE SOUTHEAST AND THE SOLUDO EFFECT Willie Obiano, Anambra State governor from March 17, 2014, to March 17, 2022, bequeathed such legacies as Anambra International Airport, the 13,000-sitting International Convention &HQWUH WKH ÀYH ²VWDU *ROGHQ 7XOLS +RWHO DW Agulu, the longest bridge in the Southeast, Awka &LW\ 6WDGLXP DQG WKUHH VWDWH RI WKH DUW Á\RYHUV LQ $ZND +H JRW $QDPEUD 6WDWH R΀FLDOO\ OLVWHG DV DQ RLO EHDULQJ VWDWH ZLWK DOO WKH EHQHÀWV 6WLOO his greatest achievement is working faithfully to have Chukwuma Charles Soludo, erstwhile

Central Bank of Nigeria governor and an internationally recognized economist, succeed him. Whereas most governors choose pipsqueaks RU LQVLJQLÀFDQW SHUVRQV WR VXFFHHG WKHP LQ WKH hopes of continuing to pull the strings from EHKLQG WKH VFHQHV ZKHQ WKH\ DUH RXW RI R΀FH Obiano backed someone “who will do better than myself and take the state to higher development heights”. Soludo promises to turn Anambra into $IULFD·V 'XEDL DQG 7DLZDQ DQG FRQVHTXHQWO\ VKRZV WKDW WKH $IULFDQ FDQ OHDG HͿHFWLYHO\ (YHU\ Anambra person is ready to forgive Obiano of any error for bequeathing Soludo to them.

7KH 6ROXGR HͿHFW LV DOUHDG\ EHLQJ IHOW DFURVV WKH QDWLRQ SDUWLFXODUO\ LQ WKH 6RXWKHDVW 7KH other Southeastern states are being prodded to bring out their best to lead them, so that the region can launch and implement a far-reaching GHYHORSPHQW DJHQGD 7KHUH LV SHUKDSV QR VWDWH ZKHUH WKH 6ROXGR HͿHFW LV EHLQJ IHOW DV (QXJX which, until August 27, 1991, was one state ZLWK WKH FXUUHQW $QDPEUD 6WDWH 7KHUH LV VR much cultural propinquity between the people of both states, with many communities sharing the same ancestry. For instance, the Umudioka community in Awka traces its history to the 1NHUHKL LQ 1NDQXODQG RI (QXJX 6WDWH 2QH RU two communities in Awka acknowledge their KLVWRULFDO OLQNV WR 8GL /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW $UHD LQ (QXJX 6WDWH ,Q WKH VDPH ZD\ D QXPEHU RI FRPPXQLWLHV LQ 2ML 5LYHU /*$ LQ (QXJX 6WDWH know their ancestors migrated from Anambra 6WDWH 3URIHVVRU $GLHOH $ÀJER WKH IRUHPRVW historian of Igbo society, points out the Awka origins of places in the Nsukka senatorial zone.

7KH GLDOHFW RI WKH ,JER ODQJXDJH ZLGHO\ VSRNHQ LQ (QXJX DQG 1VXNND FLWLHV LV EDVLFDOO\ WKH VDPH dialect spoken in Onitsha and Awka.

It is, therefore, not surprising that immediately WKH UXOLQJ $OO 3URJUHVVLYHV *UDQG $OOLDQFH $3*$ LQ $QDPEUD 6WDWH QRPLQDWHG ODVW -XQH 23 Soludo as its candidate in the November 17 gubernatorial election, many people in QHLJKERXULQJ (QXJX 6WDWH EHJDQ WR ORRN IRU their best person to take over leadership from *RYHUQRU ,IHDQ\L 8JZXDQ\L QH[W \HDU $QG WKH moment Soludo won the election, the majority of (QXJX OHDGHUV DSSHDUHG WR UHDFK WKH FRQVHQVXV that Bart Nnaji, the results- oriented erstwhile Minister of Power as well as former Minister of 6FLHQFH DQG 7HFKQRORJ\ EH SUHVVXUHG WR MRLQ WKH

governorship race. On Sunday, April 4, 2022, a group of young men and women across the state who don’t want their state to lag behind SUHVHQWHG WR 1QDML WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI LQWHUHVW DQG nomination form of the Peoples Democratic 3DUW\ 3'3 WKH JRYHUQPHQW SDUW\ LQ WKH VWDWH Nnaji accepted and declared his interest in the JRYHUQRUVKLS UDFH 7KH HYHQW LV UHPLQLVFHQW of how a number of Soludo support groups comprising mostly the youth last year purchased WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI LQWHUHVW DQG QRPLQDWLRQ IRUP for Soludo and the former CBN governor accepted and declared preparedness to run.

7KH 6RXWKHDVW PD\ EH ÀQDOO\ JHWWLQJ LW ULJKW development-wise. Soludo is immersed in the GHYHORSPHQW LGHRORJ\ +LV UHFRUG DV WKH &KLHI (FRQRPLF $GYLVHU WR 3UHVLGHQW 2OXVHJXQ Obasanjo and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission as well as the CBN governor is stellar. Soludo has been studying how such nations and territories as Singapore, 0DOD\VLD 7KDLODQG +RQJ .RQJ 6RXWK .RUHD 7DLZDQ DQG WKH UHVW OHDSIURJJHG ZLWKLQ RQO\ \HDUV IURP WKHLU 7KLUG :RUOG VWDWXV WR )LUVW :RUOG VWDWXV +H OHG WKH $QDPEUD 9LVLRQ Committee, charged to design a strategic plan to enable Anambra State to become a fully developed economy within 50 years.

Nnaji may well be described as rapid GHYHORSPHQW SHUVRQLÀHG +H LQ OHG D VPDOO team of young engineers to build a power plant LQ $EXMD WKH ÀUVW WLPH 1LJHULDQV DFKLHYHG VXFK a feat. For the two years the emergency plant operated, there was not a single power outage in 6WDWH +RXVH WKH 1LJHULDQ 1DWLRQDO 3HWUROHXP &RUSRUDWLRQ 113& KHDGTXDUWHUV WKH $EXMD Central Business District and other places it SURYLGHG HOHFWULFLW\ 7KH URDULQJ VXFFHVV RI WKH project led Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director *HQHUDO RI WKH :RUOG 7UDGH 2UJDQL]DWLRQ DQG 'U -DPHV :ROIHQVRKQ DW WKH WLPH WKH :RUOG %DQN President, to persuade Nnaji to build a power plant for the industrial Aba City in Abia State whose creative, innovative and energetic people ZHUH EHLQJ SDUDO\]HG E\ SRRU HOHFWULFLW\ 7KH integrated Aba Power Project, including a 141 PHJDZDWW SRZHU SODQW DQG WKH $ED (OHFWULFLW\ Distribution Company, was practically completed 10 years ago, but could not start all these years owing to what is popularly known DV WKH 1LJHULDQ IDFWRU 7KH JRRG QHZV LV WKDW the Aba Power Project will be commissioned LQ 6HSWHPEHU HQDEOLQJ $ED WR EHFRPH WKH ÀUVW city in Nigeria to have safe, quality, reliable and DͿRUGDEOH SRZHU 1QDML LV D PDQ RI KLVWRU\ 7KH ÀUVW %ODFNPDQ to become a Distinguished Professor of (QJLQHHULQJ LQ $PHULFD·V KLVWRU\ 7KH ÀUVW Blackman to graduate as valedictorian of St -RKQ·V 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ 1HZ <RUN ZKLFK ZDV LQ \HDUV ROG 7KH ÀUVW %ODFNPDQ WR EH Director of e- Design by the American National 6FLHQFH )RXQGDWLRQ 7KH ÀUVW $IULFDQ WR EH conferred with the Baker Research Fellowship Award, regarded as the Nobel Prize of Industrial (QJLQHHULQJ 7KH ÀUVW $IULFDQ WR EH QDPHG RQH of the three top scientists in the world in robotics HQJLQHHULQJ 7KH ÀUVW 0LQLVWHU IURP 1NDQXODQG 7KH ÀUVW DQG RQO\ SHUVRQ IURP (QXJX 6WDWH to win the Nigerian National Order of Merit, the country’s highest honour for intellectual DFKLHYHPHQW 7KH OLVW JRHV RQ DQG RQ While he was leading the power sector, 1LJHULD GHYHORSHG IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH D URDGPDS for the development of the electric power sector. Under his leadership, there were places ZKLFK GLG QRW H[SHULHQFH HYHQ D VHFRQG SRZHU blackout for a whole month.

Uzoigwe was chief executive of the Egbin Power Plant, Ikorodu, Lagos

4 26

T H I S D AY FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

TACKLING THE GROWING POVERTY TRAP…(11) People friendly programmes should be put in place. Nigerians want the good life, right now

T

he clear and present danger of a high level of idleness among young persons are already manifest in the level of strife and crimes in virtually every corner of the country. It is a notorious fact that most RI WKH SHRSOH LQ WKH ÀHOGV DQG WUHQFKHV of war are youths who if otherwise meaningfully engaged would have been unavailable for those worthless anti-social endeavours. Worse still is that there is no evidence to suggest that the authorities in Abuja and the 36 states appreciate the gravity of the situation as there are no clear-cut plans to deal with the problem.

P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari had last year blamed the activities of middlemen for the soaring cost of food. While his observation might have a modicum of truth, the unassailable fact UHPDLQV WKDW WKH QDWLRQ·V PRQHWDU\ DQG ÀVFDO SROLFLHV are either wrong-headed, half-hearted, or poorly implemented, thereby causing more distortions in WKH HFRQRP\ DQG LQÁLFWLQJ PRUH SDLQ RQ WKH PDVVHV The unprecedented free-fall of the national currency is unsettling for a country that depends largely on imported machinery, and raw materials for its industries that produce for the local market.

It is simple economics that if local producers source WKHLU UDZ PDWHULDOV DQG PDFKLQHU\ RͿVKRUH DQG DUH subjected to the vagaries of high exchange rate, the FRVW RI WKHLU ÀQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZRXOG UHÁHFW WKHLU SURGXFWLRQ FRVW DQG SURÀW PDUJLQ 7KH FRQVXPHU bears the brunt. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has cried out over the current scarcity of dollars, with the rising cost of production due to the forex shortage. This is sure to exacerbate the LQÁDWLRQDU\ SUHVVXUH WKHUHE\ ZRUVHQLQJ WKH FRVW RI living of Nigerians.

While not sounding alarmist, the forex scarcity DW WKH R΀FLDO ZLQGRZ ZKLFK KDV RLOHG WKH SDUDOOHO market more than ever, is a sure recipe for worsening

the cost of living. The situation will be made dire on the eve of an election year, with a voracious political class mopping up more dollars to prosecute their electioneering. Having failed to address the lingering energy crisis which has thrown the entire country into darkness in the face of a seemingly intractable unavailability of petroleum products, there is no doubt that the cost of living of Nigerians is heading to unbearable levels in the days ahead.

We urge the federal government to fashion out PHDVXUHV WR VDOYH WKH IUD\HG QHUYHV RI WKH VXͿHULQJ masses who are currently assailed by unprecedented high cost of living, in the face of rising food prices, transportation, energy cost and more.

6RPH RI WKH UHFHQW ÀVFDO measures introduced in its desperation to generate revenue should be suspended. A case in point is the 10 per cent tax on carbonated drinks.

Nigerians badly need a reprieve from the current KDUVK OLYLQJ FRQGLWLRQV LUUHVSHFWLYH RI WKH ÀVFDO JDLQV the government seeks to reap.

While we recognise that this is a global challenge, what makes the Nigerian situation worse than most other parts of the world is that hard life has been around here for too long. Before Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War – the twin crises that have negatively impacted the entire globe in recent times – Nigerians were already at the mercy of harsh H[LVWHQFH 5LVLQJ XQHPSOR\PHQW LQÁDWLRQ DQG DQ increasingly vulnerable currency have continued to torment the people and render their lives miserable.

For the few who had managed to save some of their resources, the present predicament occasioned by prolonged fuel scarcity has mopped them up.

The government should understand that this is no time to let only the forces of demand and supply determine the consumption behaviour of its citizens.

People-friendly programmes must be put in place to inject the much-needed hope into the populace.

Nigerians badly need a reprieve from the current harsh living conditions, irrespective of the fiscal gains the government seeks to reap

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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

LETTERS BREAKING THE MYTH OF VOTING There is a need for data and empirical analysis in our elections. I was shocked that somebody once said sentiments rule elections, not data. I must state categorically that data rules everything. In fact, I tell people “In God I trust the rest is data”.

The arguments recently and the position of certain political parWLHV FDQ RQO\ ZLQ ZLWK D QRUWKHUQ FDQGLGDWH LV WHUULEO\ ÁDZHG , ask if the north brought in all the votes President Buhari would have been president in 2011.This idea of the north largest vote block calls for further interrogation; the north brings about 40 million votes while the south brings in 38 million registered voters. Voter apathy has also increased and be rest assured that less than 32 percent of that number will turn up. That is why the margin of win is always about three million in every election since 2015. In the north the three key states are the KKK, Kaduna, Katsina and Kano. If you check, President Buhari won all these states and to win the presidential elections you must either win or reduce your margin of loss in those states. In 2011 elections President Jonathan split the Kaduna votes, he had over one million votes although President Buhari won Kaduna. The key battleground is always Kaduna as the Kano pattern has not

changed since 1979. In 1979 Kano voted Aminu Kano with 76%, and in 2011, 2015 and 2019 voted President Buhari with heavy margins. Katsina will also naturally go the way of the APC. Kaduna is a swing state I argue because of its cosmopolitan nature and the religious spread, so anyone that targets Kaduna could win it in the next elections. Apart from the key KKK states in the north, states like Bauchi and Kebbi can give you the numbers but not like the KKK states. In the south, states like Lagos, Rivers and Delta can pull in big numbers but with voter apathy the numbers will be reduced. But those states being won with big margins can give you three million votes. My benchmark for this argument is the 2015 elections. The recent decision by some parties to think that the north can pull out all the numbers is ill-informed and not empirical. Whoever will win needs to win big numbers in the north and in the south. The candidate must do well in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina, as a big showing in these states can put six million votes in the bag for any candidate; then it is incumbent to consolidate on other states.

Empirically it is projected that voter turnout will be low and

ULJJLQJ ZLOO DOVR EH PDGH GL΀FXOW EHFDXVH RI WKH QHZ PHDVXUHV put in place by INEC and the new electoral laws.

The mood of the nation. It has to be said the mood of the nation matters a great deal, there is a push for power to go to the South East and that is a prominent factor. Any attempt to keep SRZHU DZD\ IURP WKDW UHJLRQ FRXOG DͿHFW DERXW WKUHH PLOOLRQ votes that could come out of the zone. So political players must understand the time. The north will still support any candidate so let’s stop the argument about the north not voting for a southern candidate. The north voted Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and I am sure they will vote any other good candidate in this election. If both parties present a southeastern candidate hypothetically the north will still vote. I must say I respect the north’s political maturity. Let’s not forget in a hurry the north voted an MKO Abiola over a Tofa their own son because they saw a viable candidate in MKO. What Nigeria needs now is a vibrant and patriotic leader that can help grow our nation and bring it out of its challenges. We must get it right in Nigeria.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

‘Unchecked Oil Theft, Petrol Subsidy, Debt Servicing Will Push Nigeria into Bankruptcy’ Dike Onwuamaeze An Economist and Founder of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, has warned the federal government that unchecked crude oil theft, sustenance of petrol subsidy at its current rate and debt servicing would wipe out the government’s expected revenue of N10.7 trillion in 2022 and plunge the country into bankruptcy.

Yusuf also tasked the government to pull the country’s economy from the brink by addressing the challenges posed by economic headwinds experienced in the first quarter of 2022, which included rising insecurity,

escalating energy cost and worsening exchange.

He sounded the warning yesterday during a quarterly press conference on the economy that was hosted by the CPPE in Ikeja, Lagos State, where he said that “with current subsidy trajectory, subsidy cost would not be less than N4 trillion by the end of this year. This is clearly a major source of disruption and dislocation for the finances of government at all levels.”

He added that “unbridled pipeline vandalisation, illegal refineries, oil theft, attacks on oil installations among others” were threat to the economic survival of the nation

NCS, FOU Make N767m Seizures, Arrests 23 Suspected Smugglers Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja has announced that it seized smuggled items with a total duty paid value of N767,633,458.50 in the month of March 2022 with 23 persons arrested at various points in connection with smuggling activities.

Acting Controller of the unit, DC Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu who disclosed this during a press briefing where he displayed the seizures and suspects said the command collected N89,347,365.25 as revenue within the period.

While frowning at smugglers’ recalcitrant behaviour to always engage in illegalities, the Controller said operatives of the unit will always be unrelenting in our 24 hour patrols to intercept any means of conveyance of smuggled items, seized them and arrests suspects involved in the act He added that the fight against smuggling will always be reinvigorated to sustain the tempo of economic protection and prevention of dangerous goods from entering the country through any entry point in the South West.

He condemned the gruesome killing of Inspector of Customs, Onwegbuzie by suspected smugglers in Ogun State while discharging his official duties and said the long

arms of the law will catch up with such murderers who dumped the murdered officer’s body in a pit The unit has also declared an onslaught against illegal bunkering activities, which is evident in the seizure of petroleum products by a designated team against it.

Smugglers, according to him, will always face stiff confrontation as the unit will never be deterred by the attacks and recent killing of one officer in the line of duty.

Ejibunu said, “The fight against smuggling is becoming more and more intense and fierce due to increased level of crime. Smugglers are more determined than ever before to confront officers on patrol even unprovoked.

“This new wave of daring attitude of smugglers has claimed the lives of many officers; the latest being the hacking to death with machete of Inspector of Customs, Onwegbuzie A., along Senator Road, Ilaro axis of Ogun State after making a seizure on Wednesday 2nd March, 2022.

“The officer was not only gruesomely murdered but his body was dumped in a deep pit.

Interestingly, newspapers were not awash with the report of the incident. Were it the other way round, there would have been noise everywhere.”

and urged the government “to take urgent steps to pull the economy from the brink.”

Yusuf also commented on the implication of sustaining the current petrol subsidy on the economy. “We will see an increase in subsidy payment as the landing cost of petrol increases. Regrettably, we remain a major importer of petroleum products. Therefore, when oil prices increase, subsidy payment also

surges. Only recently the estimate of subsidy was put at N3 trillion by the NNPC. That was before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“The story would have changed now. We should expect subsidy payment to exceed the N3 trillion by the end of the year, depending on how long the sanctions and invasion lasts. This of course has very serious implications for our budget and government finances.

“If crude oil price remains at current levels, and the PMS price remains fixed, the country may be teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

Current subsidy payment regime is simply not sustainable. The deregulation dialogue needs to urgently resume to save the economy from further deterioration,” he said.

He regretted that Nigeria’s dysfunctional policy and regulatory environment in the oil and gas sector

have been denying the country the benefits of rising crude oil prices in the international market. “This is why the surge in crude oil price, rather than be a blessing, penalises the Nigeria economy. This is the paradox we are confronted with.

This is because of the inherent higher subsidy cost. This would escalate the fiscal deficit and increase public debt, which will translate to increased borrowing,” he said.

Lawmakers Urge FG to Phase Out Non-energy Efficient Bulbs, House Appliances Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Power and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to immediately establish a sustainable policy aimed at phasing out non-energy efficient appliances or equipment for domestic, commercial and industrial usage.

The resolution of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion on the need to encourage the importation and use of low energy consuming appliances, sponsored

by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye at the plenary, Thursday.

Moving the motion, Agunsoye noted that energy-efficient appliances help prevent greenhouse emissions and protect the environment as most households use appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, sound systems, computers, ovens, bulbs, air conditioners, and washing machines.

He also noted that countries across the world are using energy-efficient appliances, which is critical to economic development as well as environmental sustainability.

He expressed concerns that households in Nigeria still use incandescent bulbs with high voltage, which are very expensive and generate too much heat.

He opined that the continued importation of non-energy efficient products will impact negatively on the economic stability of the country.

The lawmaker said, “Aware that in some households the incandescent bulbs have been replaced with light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs, which are up to ninety percent more efficient than incandescent

bulbs. Observes that the crisis in the country’s power sector will persist if a decisive approach is not employed at controlling domestic, commercial and industrial usage through adopting more efficient means to reduce energy consumption.

The bills include, Certified Council of Allied Dental Health Professionals (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (HB. 33); Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrars Bill, 2019 (HB. 304) and Chartered Institute of Development and Social Studies Bill, 2019 (HB. 1491).

NEPZA Vows to Tackle Traffic Gridlock in Lekki Free Zone James Emejo in Abuja

The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof Adesoji Adesugba, has said plans have been concluded to address the emerging traffic gridlock arising from the operations of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Free Zone Enterprises (FZE) registered in Lekki Free Zone.

The assurance came against the backdrop of concerns raised by the

Nigeria Economic Zones Association (NEZA) over the increase in the movement of oil tankers in the Lekki axis after Pinnacle Oil commenced operations.

The association’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Toyin Elegbede, had expressed frustration over gridlock as efforts so far made by the association to get both Lekki Free Zone Development Company and the oil company to resolve the emerging traffic crisis had not yielded

any results.

He said, “This has led to scores of tankers parking on the road, effectively converting it into a truck park thereby affecting flow of traffic and throwing all stakeholders in the axis in a deep state of distress.

The current shortage of fuel has exacerbated the issue as it has hampered the operations of other businesses operating from the axis.

“This situation, if not tackled early enough, will render the whole axis

not conducive for businesses, and this will negatively affect the country’s drive for economic development through the Free Trade Zone scheme.

Moreover, it poses significant security and safety threats to the residents in and around these parked tankers.”

The NEPZA boss, however, commended the association for its intervention and effectively playing its role as the industry trade association for economic zones in the country.

Q1: Onne Port Customs Collects N58bn Revenue, Controller Harps on Compliance Eromosele Abiodun Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area II Command Onne Port has announced that it collected a total of N58,059,198,130:33 for the first quarter of 2022.

The collected figure is N19,181,883,844:21 higher than N38,877,314,286:12 collected within the first three months of 2021, which

shows a 49.3 percent increase.

On anti smuggling, the command made a total of 9 seizures worth a duty paid value of N59,490,705 Breakdown of the items seized shows 18,555 pairs of footwear worth N26,507,042; 270 pieces of machinery and parts worth N2,211,753; 3,825 pieces of used tyres worth N26,215,230 and 8 bags of rice worth N171,961.

Other seizures listed includes 555 cartons of soap and foreign detergent worth N2,709,254; 3 bales of textile fabrics worth N250,377 and 72 cartons of tomato paste worth N1,425,103.

On export, the command processed 320,245.34 metric tonnes of cargo with a free onboard value of N109,486,146,056.48.

List of exported items include sesame seed, ginger, hibiscus, flourite

ore, lead ore, palm kernel shell, cotton, float glass, aluminium, ingot and urea.

More exported items were foodstuff, columbite ore, cashew nuts, tin ore, printed sack and others Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed who described the feat as work in progress, expressed optimism that the command total collection for the year will surpass last year’s.

charges by the terminal operators, are hampering growth of the sector.

President, SCAN, Eugene Agha, said the maritime sector holds the key to Nigeria’s economy, hence the need for more enabling legislation to reposition the sector, tackle challenges and pull healthier competition and more gains.

He said: “Today, the dwindling global fancies for crude oil has increased focus to gas exploration

and freighting, while piracy and other maritime criminalities remain a concern to both present and prospective investors, as well as regulators. The changing trend in the global energy sector demands a corresponding improvement and updating of the knowledge and skills of the media practitioners to continually avail stakeholders the opportunities and risks inherent in the sector.”

NSML: NIGERIA RISK LOOSING TOP SEAFARERS DUE TO STRINGENT TAX REGIME significantly reduced the impact and frequency of these piracy incidents,” Ahmed said NSML, as the foremost ship management and largest employer of seafarers in Nigeria, has continued to contribute and play a critical role in addressing some industry challenges, which includes implementation of the Seafarers Continuous Development Program (SCDP), in conjunction with NIMASA, to ensure development

and continuous supply of certified, competent, and qualified Nigerian seafarers He said over 107 Nigerian cadets have successfully completed their sea-time training on the Seafarers Continuous Development Programme (SCDP); an NSML scheme aimed at providing training berth spaces for Nigerian cadets onboard the NSML-managed vessels.

According to him, the Maritime

Centre of Excellence (MCoE) is also currently supervising the construction of a newbuild LPG vessel of a Nigerian company in the Hyundai Mipo Shipyard in Korea.

This, he said, is a further testament of NSML’s capabilities of delivering complex maritime projects to the overall benefits of her clients-specifically- and the nation generally.

Speaking, Chairman of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter, Adeleye Ajayi urged the federal government to urgently address the many challenges bedeviling the maritime sector.

He said the corruption in the shipping sector, policy conflicts and inconsistencies across different regulatory agencies, high operating cost in cargo clearing and delivery chain as well as high shipping

DANGER LOOMS AS FG INSISTS ON LAGOS, ABUJA INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS AS OPERATION HUBS FOR NEW NATIONAL CARRIER the airport community and based on ICAO recommendation, the airlines had to move their domestic services,” he said.

A top official of Arik Air had also told THISDAY that it was because of security reasons that the airline relocated its domestic operation and continued with its international service, which include flights to New York, London, Johannesburg, the West Coast destinations, Angola and others at the terminal.

THISDAY enquiries confirmed government’s decision to locate Nigeria Air at these international terminals.

Senior official in the Ministry of Aviation who requested for

anonymity, told THISDAY that the plan was to give the new carrier a head start, but officials midwifing the airline had allayed fears that government would not give the new carrier advantage over domestic airlines, but locating it at a different terminal from other domestic airlines would be giving it an edge.

THISDAY investigations also revealed that the only worry the existing airlines have is that government would place it above other airlines; so there would be no equal playing field besides the fact that aviation agencies and other government organisations would give it priority against the others.

So domestic airlines are asking that

equal and competitive environment should be created for them and the new national carrier, insisting that they would ensure that government does not give Nigeria Air any advantage over the others.

One of the officials behind the new airline told THISDAY that Nigeria Air would not stifle competition because it would follow international standards, as enshrined by ICAO, adding that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would not allow any airline to be placed at advantage against others.

Security expert and the CEO of Centurion Security and Safety Consultants, Group Captain John

Ojikutu (retd), told THISDAY that despite all these efforts to establish a national carrier and perhaps put it above other domestic airlines, there is no hope that the airline would survive for a long time, considering what happened to the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) and despite the fact that government said that the new airline would be private sector driven and with 95 stake from private investors.

“My fear about national carrier is that it will go the same way as NAL. I am not in support of it. How many countries in Africa have national carrier? South Africa Airways, Kenya Airways have faced a lot of problems. It is only Ethiopian

Airlines that is doing well because the airline is run transparently. But Ghana, Congo, Cameroon and others had national carrier in the past but they have all gone under.

“But if you say that it is 95 per cent private sector driven, why don’t you put out the bidding; why are you midwifing it? They way they are going, it will not work,” Ojikutu said.

He said that no matter the advantage given it against other airlines, there is no guarantee that it would survive for a long time.

THISDAY also learnt that the major reason why Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) was not allowed to operate regional

services at MAA2 was because it would bring domestic and regional passengers together and this is discouraged for security and other reasons, which include drug trafficking.

BASL had approval from the federal government to operate both regional and domestic services processed at the same terminal.

Industry experts believe that as long as the old international terminals are likened to the new they are still considered international terminals so it would be against ICAO recommendation that both domestic and international passengers are processed from the same facility.

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AVIATION

As Domestic Airlines Raise Concerns over Multi-designation Last week the federal government justified why it allowed foreign airlines to operate to multiple destinations in the country, but industry experts have argued that the policy would retard growth of domestic airlines and the development of the aviation industry, writes Chinedu Eze

D

uring the first quarter breakfast meeting of Aviation Round Table (ART), which held last week in Lagos, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, explained why the federal government allowed foreign carriers to operate to many airports in the country and identified the benefits of that policy.

In a presentation titled, “Economic Implication of the Grant of Multiple Entry Points to Foreign Airlines in Nigeria,” the ministry observed that the grant of multiple entry points to foreign airlines into Nigeria has been an issue of contention between Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and experts in the aviation industry for quite a while.

He explained that a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) is between two countries and not between airlines, so in a BASA, “we have the sharing of frequencies and not the allocation of frequencies. We also have single entry and multiple entries into each other’s countries for passenger and also cargo flights.

“Our nation’s domestic airlines operate within Nigeria, while the capable ones in addition operate as the nation’s flag carriers. They could operate along with a national carrier or without one. As we are all aware, our domestic airlines are made up of healthy and growing airlines “Multiple entries points are granted to foreign airlines based on the nature of their BASAs. It expands the business and grows the economy of foreign airlines.

It also generates revenue for the country, as foreign airlines are able to land at different airports connecting different area of the country to foreign countries thereby promoting commercial trade, tourism and friendly relations,” the Minister said.

He further explained that the grant of entry into more than two airports in Nigeria exposes foreign airlines to domestic routes and therefore into the domestic markets of the domestic airline and this has its negative implications which include the fact that it is against the Carbotage Act; it does not allow the airlines to generate much needed revenue that would help in their growth and although it expands the business and grows the economy of foreign airlines, it also puts pressure on demand for forex as need to repatriate funds

which they require for their smooth operations.

Technically, it creates capital flight from Nigeria.

However, the Minister also noted, “There are prospects for domestic airlines as they have opportunities for improved domestic markets by distributing international passengers for connection with these airlines. The grant of entry points to foreign airlines should also be such that they are giving multiple entries, to either Lagos or Abuja and not Lagos and Abuja, in addition, to any other airport outside the geographical area of the number one choice of Lagos and Abuja; example, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu. In this way they do not take over all the business on all the international airports,” he said.

There is one benefit of multi entry points, the Minister once pointed out;and that is that if foreign airlines operate to Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, Nigerians who travel from Enugu, Aba, Onitsha, Owerri, Abakaliki could go to the Enugu airport and from there travel overseas. So travellers from Kebbi, Sokoto, Zaria could go to Kano. In doing that it saves them the discomfort and expenses of travelling to Lagos or Abuja to board a flight overseas.

everyday the Central Bank Governor cries about the amount of money being repatriated abroad.

We are talking about the scarcity of foreign exchange in the country, but the foreign airlines are removing billions of dollars every year from this country, and airlines in Nigerians have been hassled with lots of requests on how to repatriate dollars into the system.

“Yet we are creating more avenues for these things to happen by giving multiple destinations to these foreign airlines. All the foreign airlines that come to this country, maybe about 20 or 30 of them have not been able to employ more than 150,000 Nigerians.

“We keep on badmouthing Nigerian airlines, forgetting that we are the architects of our own undoing. Air Peace alone employs over 4,000 people directly. It would take foreign airlines another 60 years to generate 4,000 jobs. Yet Air Peace has to beg to be given rights to build a hangar in its own country. it has no land in its own country.

No land for its assets and passengers,” the Vice President of AON, Allen Onyema who spoke on behalf of the operators said.

AON

CANNIBALISING DOMESTIC MARKET

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) in reaction to the position of the minister said that they might go to court to challenge the matter concerning the designation of foreign airlines to multi entry points.

The operators said they would meet with the Minister to deliberate on the issue and expressed hope the government would look at its policy and review it.

The AON President lamented the billions of naira being lost annually to multiple designations granted the foreign carriers and warned that if the policy continued unabated the domestic airlines would die, while the foreign airlines would eventually take over the domestic market.

“All the foreign airlines that come into Nigeria,

An informed senior executive of one of Nigerian carriers told THISDAY on Monday that designating one foreign airline to more than one airport has many setbacks for the aviation industry and also for domestic airline operators. He said that if Nigeria wants to grow its own airlines it has to leave them to fully exploit the market available to them, as many countries in the world are doing.

“You cannibalise the domestic market when you give multiple entry points to foreign airlines.

Other countries don’t give multiple designationto foreign airlines. Kenyan government cannot give a foreign airline the approval to operate to Nairobi and Mombasa, which are the biggest cities in that country. When you come from outside you

land in Nairobi and board a local airline to Mombasa.

Egypt cannot give you landing right to Cairo and also Alexandria. South Africa cannot give a foreign carrier landing right to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

We are the only country that does this.

“Nigeria is one of the strongest air passenger market in the world. We have high load factor and in Nigeria, air passengers begin to fill the aircraft from the front.

Which means that we fill up the first class, the business class and the economy class, made up of 99 per cent Nigerians. Nigeria gives airlines one of the highest yields in the world,” the top airline official said.

He also explained that in many African and other countries of the world, foreign airlines in BASA agreement are made to partner with local carriers. When the foreign airline brings passenger to the country, its local partner would distribute them to other destinations in that country. That way, the local carrier generates revenues from the passengers brought in by the foreign airlines.

He explained that if, for example, Air France comes to Nigeria three times a week with Port Harcourt and Lagos passengers and Lands in Lagos. Assuming that out of 150 passengers100 are dropping in Lagos and 50 are dropping in Port Harcourt. Air France local partner will take them to Port Harcourt.

In one week, the local airline will airlift 150 passengers and in one month it will airlift 600 passengers for the international carrier. If that local carrier made N40, 000 for each passenger; that would be N24 million in one month and this is what Nigerian local airlines potentially lose to foreign airlines due to government multidesignation policy. Extrapolated to about 10 major foreign airlines that operate to more than one entry points in Nigeria it will be N240 million in one month.

“So what the federal government has allowed the foreign airlines to do in Nigeria is to basically cannibalise the domestic market and this is not healthy for the country and any other country that wants its own airlines to grow. We are being deprived of our viable domestic market,” the airline official said.

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Alade: Tax Authority Faces Huge Challenge in Educating Taxpayers The Director, Legal Services, Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS), Mr. Seyi Alade, speaks on various steps being taken by the tax authority in Lagos to educate taxpayers on being responsible and the penalties for not filing annual returns. Raheem Akingbolu presents the excerpts: For the benefit of members of the public who are oblivious of some issues around tax, could you please explain what the annual returns is? he annual returns is actually a schedule of all income and enablement that a person receives over a period of one year. The way it is done is that you file retroactively on the past year basis. So, you are meant to come forth and file the returns on all the income that you made from the previous year basis. One major reason why this is very important is that the tax authority is hampered by the challenge of not knowing what everybody is earning.

I don’t know what you earn and I don’t know the ways that you earn that money, so for the tax authority to know, you need to come forth and state in the returns, stating truthfully that these are the amounts that you earn. At the end of the day, the tax authority will be able to assess you based on what you filed, based on tax, so that is how to know the exact amount that you’re meant to pay, or that is due to you as taxes for that particular period. That is the first major step. One of the reasons for filing of returns (the annual returns), is to factor in individuals. When we say individuals, there is a kind of misunderstanding and misconception out there, because people who are employees often think they are not to file returns. That is not correct. As a public servant, there is only one legal activity; business activity that one can involve in and that is Agriculture.

T

So, how can the tax authority determine what is payable on Agricultural activities?

Very simple, let’s deal with this scenario. If I have a poultry, a very big one for that matter, even with a fish pond by the side and still growing a lot of vegetables that I can even supply to eateries all over the place. I can be making a hundred times the money I’m making as a public servant from those ventures.

Are we now saying that because I am an employee -a public servant; those incomes from that agriculture source should not be taxed? So, because personal income tax is income from all sources, all sources, don’t say that; “Oh, I need this money in London, so what is the business of Lagos State?” The fact that

Alade you are resident here, you’re eligible for personal income tax in Lagos. That is why everyone must file their returns, individuals and you know what the law says is that; on or before the 31st of March of every year you must file your returns.

You have actually cleared the air on certain perceptions, because there’s the general notion that most people are not really aware of their constitutional duty of filing tax. On this note, I would like to get a bit further on that by asking you about the legal framework for filing You know in law, we say ‘the mother of all laws is the constitution.’ So, in the Nigerian 1999 constitution as amended, Section 24, paragraph ‘F’ of that constitution clearly spells out the duties of every citizen to file returns of their emolument and pay all taxes the duly assessed thereto. So, it is a constitutional duty and all other laws, all other tax laws actually derive their legitimacy from that particular provision. So, you talk about the personal income tax Act, it is derived from there because the constitution states that you must pay your tax and before you pay your tax, you must have filed your returns like I said earlier.

Now, for instance, if a public servant has other engagements where he or she earns outside of what is earned and taxed from his or her job with the government, are they also obliged to file annual returns on these outside sources of income?

Like I said it is not only people who are self-employed, and when I mean self-employed, we are talking about even the market women, the businessmen all over the place. Those are people that you call majorly self-employed.

Public servants, just for clarity, for the sake of clarity, also employees of all the multinationals, it covers everybody, because the law imposes a duty also on the employer to file returns of all emolument that have been paid, or income paid to its employees and that is the one that is done on or before the 31st of January of every year. But then, the law now imposes that same duty on individuals, employees alike to file their returns, so it encompasses everyone.

What are the implications and penalties for not filing annual returns, for example,

by March 31, 2022?

A lot of people are not, in fact, aware that there are grave consequences for not filing returns, because failure to file returns is an offence, it’s an offence, even though the law makes a pecuniary. By pecuniary, I mean a momentary penalty, failure to file, for instance now, for individuals, self-employed people, the penalty is N50,000, but there is a big caveat, it is upon conviction. Since the tax authority does not have judicial powers, it cannot convicts, so in order for the tax authority to even take that penalty, the N50,000 penalty, as the case is from the taxpayer, must first obtain conviction from the court and what conviction simply means is that you have now become a convict. Therefore, if you’re taken to court for failure to file your returns, your only defence will be that; “oh, I actually filed my returns”, or it becomes a strict liability offence, and once the court pronounces,

you have become an ex-convict. I’m sure that a lot of us understand what it means to be an ex-convict, there are so many offices in life that you cannot be able to aspire to if you have become a convict. That is why we (Lagos State Inland Revenue Services) as a very, very responsible tax authority, is doing a lot in trying to educate our teeming taxpayers to make sure that they file their annual returns. We actually put a lot of resources in this enlightenment program, urging taxpayers to please come forward and file their returns, because we don’t want any of our taxpayers to become a convict.

Now that the world has gone digital, how can those returns be filed online at the comfort homes or offices of Lagosians?

As far back as year 2018 if I’m not mistaken, the agency being very proactive, and of course seeking for the ease of the taxpayers interacting with the tax authority, actually put a portal in place, and a purely online portal where teeming taxpayers can, in the comfort of their homes, their offices and wherever they may be, log on to the portal and do the needful. The portal will give you an opportunity to register, have your own personalized password and then you can file your returns with ease, without having recourse at any of the tax offices and once this is done, you fulfilled your statutory obligation. It is a very user-friendly platform, in fact, from there, year-in-year-out, you can keep track of all your various filings.

Based on the feedback you are getting, how far have members of the public gone with the app?

Absolutely, people have been engaging us via the app and there’s been a lot of activity of traffic on the platform. Again, for every kind of difficulty that people may have experienced, we have customer care -people that are always on standby to help assuage any of those problems, so the platform is doing perfectly well and I believe that we have not had any unsavoury feedback from the teeming taxpayers.

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THIS WEEKEND TR

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 07010510430

Senator Theodore Orji: Philanthropy is My Way of Life

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

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COVER

Senator Theodore Orji: Philanthropy Is My Way of Life His humility, strong character, passion for the less-privileged and love for quality education are some of the defined qualities of the former governor of Abia State and two-term lawmaker representing Abia Central Senatorial zone at the National Assembly, Senator Theodore Orji. In this interview with Charles Ajunwa, Chiemelie Ezeobi and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo, Senator Orji gives insight into his annual scholarship project, special operations for the blind, politics, family life, amongst others pass exams. Every year they repeat because they’re involved in drugs and cultism. So, every reasonable person, I believe those I gave scholarships today and those I’ve given are reasonable people because I’ve not heard any of them get involved in this kind of thing. And they’ll keep it up.

To start off, please tell us what gave birth to this laudable initiative named the Theodore Orji Foundation. This is your sixth year. What influenced your decision to start this? t is my passion to impact people, especially the youth, that brought about the scholarship scheme. I’ve grown to know that innovation is the best empowerment you can give to any person. If I wasn’t empowered educationally I don’t think I’d reach this height now in this world. Therefore, I want people, especially youth, to ascend to the apex of their ambition.

And the easiest and surest way for them to do it is through education. That’s why I embarked on this project so we can help to uplift those who don’t have the resources to train themselves or to be trained to become something in life. When somebody is trained or educated, he is disciplined and he knows how to handle affairs in the world, in his family, and everywhere. From history, you also know that education is the greatest empowerment you can give to any human being. That’s why I like it and I’m doing it.

I

So how do you hope to sustain this going forward as this is your sixth year?

Yes I’ve done this for five years; this is the sixth.

I said it before that even when I retire - I’ll retire in 2023 - my children are already taking up the legacy. They will sustain it for me. I have children who are also passionate about what I’m doing.

This last one that we did now which I know what it costs us, all my children were involved.

The speaker was involved. My daughter, who is not here, was involved. My children, Chinedum, Ugonna, Chiemeka and Chika, then Nneoma and my wife were part of it. They all contributed and then my friends and relatives put in to make sure this became a success. And today you see it was a very big success and we hope that next year will be better. As the year is progressing it will be better. That’s what I believe.

Beyond this, I’m aware of the series of projects you have going on. Could you please give us a quick rundown of the widows, youth, buildings, and all?

The one I won’t fail to mention is the eye centre that I have. I have a hospital where I have an ophthalmologist I trained, who is competent and restores people’s sight. He has successfully treated the blind suffering from untreated cataract. The last woman here is from Ugbakala. You published the one Charlie wrote about.

There’s another one of a young school girl who was blind. Her sight was also restored. I like anything concerning health. We are expanding it to diabetes and other diseases then empowerment or consistency projects. There are so many. In every local government area of my constituency, you’ll see visible things I’ve done in terms of hospitals, schools, especially water, electricity, and roads in terms of ordinary empowerment.

We do empowerment here whereby things that will make you sustain your life. You buy tricycles, cars, sewing machines and all these things you can use to cater for yourself and give them to people for free. We do it almost once in six months and the people appreciate it. So for people of my constituency, I have done very well for them. If you ask them, they will also tell you they have benefited from it.

We train them, send them to Kwara to learn cassava and other skills that will make them valuable in life. We also give them money, not only training. When they come back, we find some money, give them and tell them to start off with this seed money and see how it progresses.

Those of them who are bright, lucky, and resourceful are doing very well today. It gives me joy when they come to share their success stories.

I think that’s the essence of governance - to touch lives in a way they’ll remember. Like the one we did today, all these students that are empowered today will remember you forever, most of them will be something in life.

Majority of them will be something in life and when they start tracing their history they’ll trace it one way or the other to me. I’ll be happy about that. I’m happy and satisfied when I do some of these things. Although I won’t cover it all, I just do my part, and get satisfied. I know God is happy with me, so I relax.

When you were talking, you mentioned that beyond 2023 you’re not interested, that you’re retiring. So why are you still doing what you’re doing (philanthropy) despite not having any future political ambition?

Back to the scholarship, can the foundation give the bright ones, who apply again for another scholarship, a second slot?

Of course, it’s open for anyone at any time.

Once you’re qualified, we give you and once you meet the criteria for our scholarship. We have set down rules. Once you follow the rules and get it, we’ll give you. So we don’t discriminate.

We don’t say you’ve gotten before. It’s for every person, every year. So if you’ve gotten this year and the money isn’t enough for you, apply next year. If you qualify, we will give you.

One of your bills scaled the first reading so can you tell us more about this important bill?

The bills are so many that at times I don’t know where to start from. That one has sailed through the first reading. We are waiting for the second reading. When it comes, it’ll make it open for those who don’t know about it to become aware.

Senator Theodore Orji It is my passion to impact people, especially the youth, that brought about the scholarship scheme. I’ve grown to know that innovation is the best empowerment you can give to any person. If I wasn’t empowered educationally I don’t think I’d reach this height now in this world.

Therefore, I want people, especially youth, to ascend to the apex of their ambition.

And the easiest and surest way for them to do it is through education. That’s why I embarked on this project so we can help to uplift those who don’t have the resources to train themselves or to be trained to become something in life. When somebody is trained or educated, he is disciplined and he knows how to handle affairs in the world, in his family, and everywhere. From history, you also know that education is the greatest empowerment you can give to any human being. That’s why I like it and I’m doing it.

Beside, it’s my passion to continue touching lives. 2023, I’ve said I’ll make way for the younger generation to ascend. I can’t be a senator for life. So I’ll make way now so somebody else will fit my shoes and represent Abia Central. I’ll support the person very well. Life is like a stage; when you come, you play your part and go, then another person will come and play. You can’t be a permanent actor or else people will get tired of you. I decided long ago that by 2023 I’ll retire from active politics.”

Sir, that’s quite serious given that we have some lifetime senators that don’t want to leave.You’re on your own volition.

You’re saying you’ll step aside so what next? What’s it for?

What you make out of life, the way you make your bed so you’ll lie on it. I have many things I’ll do: I’ll go to the farm, produce food for people, there are other things but farming. I’m not a businessman.

I’ve not done business before so I’ll not tell you I’ll go into business, no. It’s farming I’ll

face then I’ll stay here and tutor and mentor people. When you mentor somebody he becomes something you’ve mentored yourself. If he’s a good man he won’t forget you and he won’t allow you to suffer. I’ll sit here and you’ll see them come and look after me. They’re doing it right now when I’ve not retired. So when I retire I believe I’ve got a lot of people who will take care of me in my old age. I’m not talking about my children, they are capable of doing that but these are people I’ve helped.

I don’t have that bogus ambition; 2023 I’ll go into my farm.

One of the issues affecting the youth of the South-east is drug abuse. What’s your advice to the youth and what do you think should be done to curb the importation of Mkpurumiri and then tackle the menace?

The first thing we should do is make sure those drugs don’t enter the country by encouraging Maruwa (NDLEA Boss) in what he’s doing so that drugs won’t flow into Nigeria. It’s difficult to stop it outright but you’ll make sure it doesn’t come in. If it comes in, it’ll be very minimal.

When the drugs don’t come in, our youth won’t see drugs to take. But we advise these boys and girls on scholarship if you reach them they won’t involve themselves in that kind of thing and start behaving like lunatics. Who would like to be a mad man? Nobody. You’ve gone to the university to face education. Get the education first, get the certificate even if you don’t get job immediately, the job will come one day. You don’t go there and start involving yourself in other drugs that’ll be injurious and harmful to your health. You may take it and not notice the effects, but the after effects is what you’ll suffer.

So I follow in advising these children, these young ones to try to avoid anything drug, cult.

Let them be on their own. You can do that in the university without anything happening to you. Some of these people taking drugs are people who are perpetual students. They don’t

“It’s my passion to impact people, especially the youth, that brought about the scholarship scheme. I’ve grown to know that innovation is the best empowerment you can give to any person...I think that’s the essence of governance - to touch lives in a way they’ll remember”

So what of other bills?

My bills are so many but the one that’s significant that brought us to limelight is the bill on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We did that bill when we didn’t think that COVID or any other disease would be in place. Because at that time, NCDC wasn’t strong; it had no freedom.

Those who were working there were not well protected by the law in terms of security or freedom and they couldn’t compete fervently with their counterparts in the world. They had no legal backing. So what we did was to give them the legal backing so that first and foremost they’ll be independent, secondly they can compete with their counterparts and get those things internationally that we can get through NCDC. And today you see what they’ve done and what they’re doing. We did it as if we knew COVID-19 was coming to prepare them. When COVID-19 came, they were able to tackle it. If it wasn’t in place, it’d have been difficult for them to cope. But I’m happy that God gave us the wisdom to pursue the bill and get it signed into law and today it’s working effectively.

When you retire in 2023, what kind of person will you like to step into your shoes?

I’d like a person who is resourceful, who will start from where I stopped because I won’t say I’ve achieved everything - a person who will add to what I’ve achieved in Abia Central.

In terms of bill, projects, touching the people, somebody who will do more than I did. Situations change everyday. How it is today may not be how it will be tomorrow. So I want a person who is resourceful, who loves his people and a person who also is loved by the people. The people have to love you first to vote for you to go to the senate.

You must be loved and show love and when you go there you have to perform. That’s the kind of person I want to replace me.

Most governors that went to the senate just retired.

They just go there to sleep and come home at the end of the day.

When you emerged as most resourceful senator, what prepared you for that in terms of presentation of bills and other things?

That will show you that the governors who retire and go to the senate are not wasteful, that the governors who retire and go to the senate have focus. That’s to show that the governors are no more governors and went to the senate have a purpose of going to the senate to impact the people. Yes of course after being a governor you go to the senate it’s a different scenario. When you’re a governor you don’t deal with bills, you just sign. But here you have to start presenting bills. It’s not easy you become a lawyer overnight, present the bill, pursue it until it is passed into law. It has a lot of process.

And you see most of the ex governors that are in the senate are doing very well. Fortunately, journalists have been assessing us, not we assessing ourselves.

They’ve been giving us marks. Like this year, for senator of the year in Abia State and Senator of the year, we were three. So also we have some governors who are Senators of the year in their own state even at the national level. We are not doing badly so if they say that governors go to the senate to retire to sleep, it’s not correct at all.

Ex governors who go to the senate don’t go there to sleep, but to work for their people.

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

NEWS

Delta Igbo People Nominates Chief Diji for Ohanaeze Lagos President Precious Ugwuzor Following the anticipated Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos branch election coming up this year, the Anioma people of Delta State in Lagos have endorsed the Isama of Onicha Ugbo, High Chief Michael Diji, as their Presidential candidate.

It was reportedly the decision of the Igbo- speaking people of Delta State as was passed to the incumbent President of Ohanaeze Lagos State, Chief SolomonAguene, during a courtesy visit by Chief Diji and his entourage at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.

During the visit to Chief Aguene, they informed him that Diji has been nominated to vie for the position of the president as they strongly believe that it is their turn to produce the next Ohanaeze leader in the state.

The stakeholders from the Igbo-speaking communities have unanimously agreed that Chief Diji, a patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, is most the qualified for the position when all factors are considered.

This was disclosed by the leader of the Delta Igbo speaking communities affiliated and recognised by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Chief Chuks Chukwu-

jindu Smith.

“We, the Anioma people of Delta State, have unanimously endorsed High Chief Micheal Diji (Isama of Onicha Ugbo) as our authentic candidate for the office of the President of Ohanaeze Ndi lgbo, Lagos State.”

Chief Smith explained that the people of Anioma, known as Njiko Ndi Anioma, is the

only sociocultural organisation of Igbos of Delta State stock duly affiliated and recognised

by Ohanaeze national body and the organisation.

He stated that the group followed due process and unanimously adopted Chief Diji because he is such a man that will move Ohanaeze Lagos State higher.

In response, Chief Aguene

Chief Diji

received them and gave him his blessings by wishing him success and best of luck in his mission.

High Chief Diji, who is Isama of Onicha Ugbo, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered CorporateAccountants of West Africa. He also has MBA in Banking & Finance from Lagos State University and Doctorate degree in Financial Management and Corporate Governance from European American University.

He is also a fellow of Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria and a member of the Equipment leasingAssociation of Nigeria.

A first class high chief in Delta State and has been a Patron of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Lagos State, since 2018, Chief Diji was enlisted into the United Nations Volunteers for Peace in Africa (UNVPA) and rated under this category among African Union (AU) members.

For his sterling accomplishments in the leasing industry in Nigeria, the PINK Awards had years back conferred the prestigious Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Year prize on the Managing Director of First Choice Leasing, Chief Michael Diji. Same year this organisation won integrity in business award.

Akwa-Cross Indigenes Give Support to Sanwo-Olu’s Second Term in Office

LEADWAY PARTNERS SLUM2SCHOOL TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN Leadway Assurance Company Limited, exemplifying its commitment to promoting quality education in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has partnered Slum2School Africa to provide free and quality education to indigent children living in slums and remote communities in Nigeria.

The strategic partnership between Nigeria’s leading insurer and renowned non-governmental organisation aligns with the global quest to help the United Nations realise its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Quality Education and partnership for the goals.

Through this partnership, 50 students living in slums and remote communities have received educational support, covering tuition fees, school kits, and education materials worth N2,500,000.

The support initiative also includes equipping the child with critical skills through emotional intelligence training, mentorship sessions, and extra-curricular activities. This remarkable scheme has enhanced the provision of well-rounded and multi-dimensional education to Primary School students in selected slums within Lagos State for an academic session.

Commenting on the initiative, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Leadway Holdings, Mr. Olusakin Labeodan, said that the partnership is in consonance with Leadway’s overarching organisational objective to constantly create value and enhance the standard of living condition of people within and outside the communities in which it operates.

“As a forward-thinking and value-creating organisation, Leadway is dedicated to consistently improving lives and advancing social impact in our communities, particularly in underserved areas.

“This commitment has driven the organisation to partner with like-minded organisations to collectively actualise these objectives, leading to a more sustainable future for our children. So, we are deliberate about helping children in these communities gain access to quality education as a means to socio-economic emancipation.”

Also speaking on the partnership, Founder, Slum2School Africa, Otto Orondaam affirmed that the drive to accelerate the reduction of out-of-school children living in hard-to-reach communities across Africa through the provision of equal access to quality education can be achieved through the contributions of individuals and organisations who are not only socially responsible but also interested in achieving impact.

“LeadWay has demonstrated that providing quality education to even the most vulnerable is central to their social concerns, and we value the impact of this partnership.”

FOUNDATION LEADS CRUSADE TO PROMOTE LITERARY ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS

Akwa-Cross Indigenes during the event Stories by Mary Nnah The Association of AkwaCross Indigenes Nigeria, a group made of both Akwa Ibom and Cross River indigenes in the diasporas, is seriously throwing its weight behind Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos in the 2022 forthcoming elections.

According to them, it has observed that the achievements of the Governor Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State showed that he deserves a second term in office.

Speaking during the association’s annual thanksgiving service held at Pillar of Cloud and Fire Church of God International, Ikeja, Lagos, the President General (Worldwide), Etubom (Dr) Samson Unyime Samson explained that the association

is endorsing Sanwo-Olu for a second term in the forthcoming election in Lagos State having observed his numerous successes and development in Lagos State.

He, therefore, appealed to Lagos residents to ensure that Sanwo-Olu gets a second term in office adding that the association is prepared to ensure that this comes to reality.

Speaking on the annual thanksgiving service and its significance, he said, “First of all we are grateful to God as we dance to God with hearts full of thanks bringing a gift to God’s presence.

“This is an annual event, which brings joy, glory, satisfaction, success and progress.

It signifies God presence in our lives.”

Timing for the thanksgiving, which is the first quarter of the year, Samson noted, was

deliberately chosen, noting, “we do this every first quarter of the year to enable everyone to participate. If we do it at the end of the year or beginning of the year, we may deprive some people the opportunity to participate”.

He noted further that this year is an immense year for Akwa-Cross as it is the year that the association intends to hold its annual conference where it will honour indigenes of Akwa Ibom and Cross River State.

“This year we intend to recognise meaningful Nigerians, Akwa Ibomites and Crossiverians and even non-Nigerians. The biannual conference is also where we sit and discuss matters affecting Akwa-Cross, count our blessings and then get on from there.”

Founder Pillar of Cloud and

Fire Church of God International and host, Apostle David Akpan, while ministering on the theme, ‘Having a Thankful and Grateful Attitude’, with biblical references drawn from Psalms 50:14(a), 90:2 and 100:4, advised God’s people to always give thanks to God and in every situation, as such motivate God, adding that, ‘“it is very good to thank Him and this should be done with clear and pure heart”.

The clergyman commended the leadership of the association for acknowledging God for His goodness and grace, putting Him first in all their affairs and for having the nation, Nigeria at heart.

Highpoint of the service was a presentation of gift to God through the host church and general prayers for the country and leaders for peace, unity and progress.

The Executive Director of Sastoma Empowerment Foundation (STEFO) and Educationist with a PhD in literary studies Dr. Stella Idowu Ebuetse, recently led a crusade to promote literary activities in secondary schools due to the dearth of English and Literature teachers at the secondary level, and the falling standard of education.

Tagged, “Wake Up the Giant”, a TV reality for secondary school students, the event is scheduled to hold in Nigeria and across Africa as it progresses had begun auditioning with secondary schools in South West States.

The train which was in Ogun State recently had students displayed their talent through spoken poetry involving various matter.

“The theme of the reality show is broad as it covers sensitive subject matters affecting the society. The show is meant for all interested secondary school in Lagos, who will be competing properly at the zonal level among the six states that made up the South- West Region if they are legible and qualified”, Dr Ebuetse said.

“Unfortunately, our governments have been celebrating the entertainment industry and stars more that academic icons, this has affected the mind set of our young ones who believed more in entertainment and see education as scam.

“Most youths with first class and other academic heroes get little gratification while the entertainment industry icons are celebrated on every media platform available.”

“Academic heroes don’t get the kind of public awareness and attention, so we need a paradigm shift this has to change as it has affected the performance of students”, she added.

She expressed concerned over the drastic fall in the standard of education, the dwindling number of learners offering literature due to laziness in reading the few prescribed textbooks, the poor level of learners, writing skills, the extinction of literary and debating clubs and activities in our schools, on literature, students nonchalant attitude towards the genres of literature especially, poetry gave birth to this academic literally competition, which she believes is a wake up call.

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

E-TRENDS THE REEL HOUSEWIVES OF LAGOS PREMIERES TODAY The much-anticipated Real Housewives of Lagos will finally air on Showmax today, April 8.

The reality TV series is the first Nigerian version, following the successful run of the Real Housewives of Durban, another Showmax original. The franchise is well known across the world for the glam and drama it brings to the screen.

The Real Housewives of Lagos features popular faces in the showbiz industry. They include Carolyna Hutchings, Laura Ikeji-Kanu, Chioma Ikokwu, Toyin Lawani-Adebayo, Iyabo Ojo and Mariam Timmer. Produced

by Livespot 360, their lives are captured in each episode as they bring the glamour and what it feels like to be a real housewife in the bustling city of Lagos.

Ahead of its official premiere, the cream of Nollywood and media were invited to a special premiere held in Lekki. The event themed ‘Eko Glam’ had celebrities as well as representatives of Showmax and MultiChoice Nigeria in attendance. The red carpet was a cocktail of elegance and extravagance as celebrities donned their best to reflect the theme.

For Showmax, bringing the Real Housewives franchise to Nigeria was about giving audiences different cultural flavours. According to Laura Cooke, the Head of Public Relations and Communications, each location the franchise had been shot showed the uniqueness of that area.

KIZZ DANIEL LANDS AMBASSADORIALDEALWITH NIGERIAN BREWERIES

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

KSA, DJ Cuppy, Afrinero Band Light Up Lady Doja Birthday Celebration Stories Vanessa Obioha The Otedolas came in full glamour to celebrate the former First Lady of Lagos State, Lady Christine Doja Otedola in Epe, Lagos recently. The matriarch of the family clocked 90 on Sunday, April 3, and was highly celebrated by her children and grandchildren in an elegant event that had prominent personalities in attendance.

As a musical family, the Otedolas displayed their talent at the event starting with Rotimi, the younger brother of the renowned businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola.

Together with his band, Afrinero, they played both highlife and other indigenous sounds that had guests swooning to the rhythmic sounds of his guitar and other musical instruments. It was Rotimi who also welcomed his mother on stage when she was ushered into the reception.

The nonagenarian, surrounded by her six children, danced joyfully.

Not to be outdone, DJ Cuppy accompanied by dancers came on stage and electrified the atmosphere with her music selection. From popular Nigerian sounds of the aughts to present-day groove. Also, a singer, Cuppy thrilled the guests with her performance of her hit songs such as ‘Gelato’.

The 29-year-old at a point had her grandmother and father up on their feet. Both walked to the stage, danced to her tunes and in an outpouring of love and admiration, others joined them and sprayed money on her.

DJ Cuppy performing at Lady Doja’s birthday party

For her grandmother, Cuppy whose real name is Florence, played a sample of the popular Prince Nico Mbarga song ‘Sweet Mother’.

But Cuppy was not the last member of the Otedola clan to perform at the high-octane event. Tolani, her older sister and also a musician dazzled guests with her performance, albeit in a mellow mood. Yet, Lady Doja could not hide her pride as she waved and

blew her a kiss from her seat.

A long-time favourite of the family, Juju maestro King Sunny Ade was among the performers at the birthday party. He opened his set with a medley of worship songs which immediately got Lady Doja on her feet. Accompanied by her son Femi, they stood in front of the elevated stage and danced to the sounds pleasurably.

House of Oduduwa EchoesVoices of Women Kings in ‘Unspoken’

At 90, Lady Doja showed no signs of senility. If anything, her dance moves proved that the good Lord had blessed her with good health and mind.

Some of the dignitaries who came to fete with her included the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors of Lagos, Edo and Ogun States, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Godwin Obaseki and Dapo Abiodun.

LAURA’SBUBBLE,AMOVIE CHAMPIONING WOMEN INCLUSION, PREMIERES IN LAGOS Chiamaka Ozulumba

Kizz Daniel

Recently, Afrobeats star Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel was announced as the brand ambassador for Legend Extra Stout and Star Radler. The singer will join Big Brother Naija’s Erica Nlewedim as the face of the two brands housed with Nigeria Breweries and play an important role in strengthening its presence across Nigeria.

The signing took place at a cocktail event that preceded the Legend/Star Radler ‘We’re Outside Mix Party’ that was held at the Moist Beach, Oniru, Lagos.

Throughout the partnership, Kizz Daniel will be spearheading various innovative campaigns that align with both brands’ ideals that encourage authenticity and originality as well as fun and excitement. The campaign, which is expected to take several creative routes will amplify the brand’s exceptional qualities that allude to the use of the finest ingredients.

The campaign will be released on both online and offline platforms.

Excited about inking the deal, Kizz Daniel said, “Legend Extra Stout and Star Radler are names that speak for themselves and I am excited to be working with both of them. I feel honoured to be part of the process in terms of storytelling that inspires millions of people.

Alara of Ilara, HRM Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo; Wife of the Governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Oore of Otun Ekiti State, Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo; and Erelu of Lagos, Chief Abiola Dosunmu during the exhibition and book launch of ‘Unspoken – A Chronicle of Women Kings in Yorubaland: Oba Obinrin’, in Lagos

On the last day of Women’s History Month, Thursday, March 31, important figures from the Yorubaland convened at the Apa Suites of the Eko Hotel and Suites for the launch of the House of Oduduwa powered literature ‘Unspoken – A Chronicle of Women Kings in Yorubaland: Oba Obinrin’.

The project spearheaded by the Vice Chairman of the House of Oduduwa Foundation, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi began in 2018. She and her team collated extraordinary historical facts about women kings to have ruled in Yorubaland, detailed the aweinspiring milestones they achieved, and several of their sociopolitical and socioeconomic contributions to societies in Yorubaland, dating back to the Ooni Lúwo Gbàgìdá, the 21st Ooni of Ife. Speaking on the publication and launch of the book, Ademi-

luyi said, “’Unspoken’ resonates with the discussion of the moment: ‘Breaking the Bias’. So remembering the lives and legacies of our ancient female role models, and celebrating their achievements during Women’s History Month is important to us.”

According to her, it was not an unusual occurrence to have women assume leadership roles in ancient Yorubaland. With the amplification of the roles women can play today, she proposed that the book will serve as a reference to inspire today’s women and girls to take charge in various aspects of their lives.

Ademiluyi’s ideologies were also expressed in the keynote speech delivered by the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu. She also acknowledged the advancements that have been attained in the march for gender equality despite various limiting factors such as decision making, where women,

especially in government and the corporate world, have lacked full representation.

In a preceding speech by the First Lady of Kwara State, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, she hammered the importance of women actively partaking in decision making at the various levels of government.

“Women’s full and effective participation and decision making in political, economic and public life are essential to achieving gender equality, which in turn cannot be achieved without ending the widespread discrimination, violence and economic and structural barriers that women and girls face achieve.

“Achieving change in this regard, however, requires policy and actions that will improve women’s access to secure livelihoods and economic resources. Improving the status of women also enhances their leadership capacity at all levels.”

In harmony with the recently commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022, Mumpreneur Women Support Initiative premiered an emotional movie called Laura’s Bubble, a Mofolusade Sonaike production, in Lagos.

Mumpreneur Women Support Initiative is a non-governmental organisation that champions women’s inclusion and braces them to discover themselves, hence, the debut of the movie.

Laura’s Bubble details the tale of a woman struggling and trying to find herself again after years of self-deserting and resigned to fate and the many misleading notions.

Speaking at the premiere on Sunday at EbonyLife Cinemas in Lagos, the Principal Partner of the initiative and Producer of Laura’s Bubble, Sonaike, described the movie as apt for today’s woman globally.

“This film aims to help women who forget themselves after childbirth and also help to correct the notion that sit at home moms are lazy,” she expressed.

The Mumpreneur boss further noted that the initiative is clamouring more women inclusion in all spheres of life including politics, business, and all forms of leadership.

In her words, “Biases against women are a major cause of underdevelopment. Their potentials are not well utilised.”

While insisting also that the movie is not only for women, Sonaike said it’s designed for men, too.

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

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Madam Morenike Akomolafe: Sweet is the Remembrance of the Righteous Fidelis David who covered the funeral of late Madam Morenike Victoria Akomolafe in Igbara-Oke, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, reports that the honour and unrivalled show of love that her beloved children attracted for her sake, was further proof that she didn’t live an empty life

P

eople in the real world always say, when something terrible happens, that the sadness and loss and aching pain of the heart will lessen as time passes, but it seems not to be true in the case of Madam Morenike Victoria Akomolafe,as her memory keeps refreshing in the hearts of Akomolafe’s dynasty, as well as sons and daughters of Igabara-Oke kingdom.

Madam Morenike, the mother of seven, who died at the age of 87 late last year was buried on a certain Saturday at Igbara-Oke, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Faces at the Event The quality of people at the burial was further proof that ‘Yeye Gbenga’ didn’t live an empty life. The deceased would definitely turn in her grave for the honour and unrivalled show of love that her beloved children attracted for her sake.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, led dignitaries from all walks of life to the event. Aside Lawan who was represented by Senator Tayo Alashoadura, other dignitaries including governors, ministers, monarchs, captain of industries, and other well meaning Nigerians witness the burial of the matriarch of the Komolafes.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Former Governors Sule Lamido (Adamawa), Olusegun Mimiko, (Ondo), Adams Oshiomole, (Edo), Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY Media Group and ARISE, Nduka Obaigbena were present at the event.

Other eminent Nigerians who graced the event were, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah; the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs,Tayo Alasoadura; Senator Albert Bassy; Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Ayo Akinyelure; the pioneer Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu; former Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar; Managing Director of Thisday Newspaper, Segun Adeniyi, Chief Olusola Oke; speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II; the Olowa of Igabara-Oke kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede Ilufemiloye (Ogidi III); captains of industries among other well meaning Nigerians There is no denying that her death sent shock waves to the entire Akomolafe family across the length and breath of the world, obviously because hers was a life dedicated to exemplary service to humanity. She was that titan who probably is the descendant of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

The flood of encomiums that greeted the passage of Mama Morenike is an obvious and convincing testimony to the fact that her life was colourfully signposted with indelible accomplishments in all spheres of life.

Madam Victoria began her final journey home with a lying-in-state at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Igabara-Oke. The ancient town of Igbara-Oke, was jam packed to the brim by personalities from all walks of life while Kayode Komolafe, the Deputy Managing Director of Thisday Newspaper with his younger brother, Engr Gbenga Komolafe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, led Akomolafe Dynasty of Igbara- Oke, alongside their younger siblings, friends, well-wishers and colleagues to bid their mother, Madam Victoria Komolafe, final goodbye.

Morenike Komolafe Fulfilled her Christian Obligation in her Earthly Journey At the funeral mass, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Rev (Dr) Jude Ayodeji Arogundade described the deceased as a woman who contributed her quota to the development of the country.

“Today, we have come to testify that Mama Morenike Victoria Komolafe fulfilled her Christian obligation in her earthly journey and we have come to entrust her to the love and mercy of God. Death is not the end of life. It is the beginning of the new life of heaven. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

“For us Christians, the question of life and death are answered and settled in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who follow him and live according to his teaching will inherit eternal life. This teaching is basic to our Christian faith and was at the centre of the life of Mama Morenike Victoria Komolafe.

Late Madam Akomolafe “It was her motivation as a mother, a community leader and a philanthropist. She joyfully, courageously and faithfully followed the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the discipline of the Catholic faith and the ideals of the Yoruba’s mantra of Omoluabi”.

The Bishop said Madam Morenike was a good woman and honest Christian, an embodiment of all that makes one noble and honorable, stressing that her deep sense of satisfaction played out in her desire for perfection, modelling Jesus’ example in dealing with the joys, hopes and anxieties of the family life of today.

“The impact of her beautiful life on her family, on Igbara-Oke community and on the Church is the reason why people from all works of life, top government officials, friends and associates of her sons and daughters and even the Bishop are all here to celebrate her.

“The story about how Mama Victoria Komolafe distributed food to people in this community, took care of the less privileged and contributed to the needs of the Church will not be forgotten in a hurry. This is because it is the expression of her Christian faith, and has become the story of the unity she sought for the people of Igbara-Oke and the story of all those who knew her, men and women of goodwill. The gospel passage presents the kindness and love we give to our neighbour as the condition for entering into the kingdom of heaven.

“Mama looked out for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone as her personal responsibility and many times taxed her children to provide the means to accomplish her passion for charity. In embracing the value of love, hard word and truth, she left for us the legacy that is worthy of this celebration.

Her audacity of faith and her gut to hope and love selflessly are shaped by her Christian upbringing.

“Today is not just a day of Mama’s funeral, it’s also that of celebrating her successful life.

A life with great and noble accomplishments that cannot be ignored or faulted because it impacted many and will continue to be an example for many people to follow for many years to come. This is the testimony of the people of labara-Oke and it is for us the pride of the Catholic family system.

A few weeks before her passing away, her son Engr Gbenga requested her to ask for whatever she wanted and Mama asked him to increase her allowance so that she can do more charity to the needy. This is a clear indication that her heart was always with those who needed her assistance and care”.

“All of us who have risked travelling long distances to be here need to learn a big lesson from this funeral. And it is about the kind of legacy we will all live behind after our earthly lives. We have all come

“Mama looked out for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone as her personal responsibility and many times taxed her children to provide the means to accomplish her passion for charity”

here to witness a grateful family of Komolafe celebrate the beautiful life of their Matriarch. Let everyone examine his or her conscience on how you treat your parents and senior members of your families”, Bishop Arogundade added.

Mama, Related to all Her Children as a Dutiful Mother - Kayode Akomolafe In his tribute, Mr Kayode Komolafe said Madam Victoria was a mother and friend to him, in the true sense of the word, noting that she was a brilliant woman with a terrific power of recall.

Kayode, an accomplished professional in project management with over 20 years experience in diverse field, said Mama was a solid rock and courageous woman who in spite of the travails of life fought a good fight of faith till death, stressing that she had laid enviable foundations for all to follow.

“I am very thankful that my mother lived her life in such a way that as her son I remain proud of her memory given the generous testimonies to which I have listened since she died.

“Mama, of course, related to all her children as a dutiful mother. She could sacrifice anything for the well-being of her children”.

He noted that Mama Morenike illuminated unmistakable warmth, tolerance and pure love to everybody; deployed her righteousness, inspiring counsels and influential clout towards the formidable unity of Akomolafe family.

Consolation No doubt, the burial ceremony at ‘Ugbaraoke’ (Igabara-Oke) raised treasurable memories of her life among family, friends and even close neighbours. The recollections speaks volume of the misery of a watching world that fell in love with the beautiful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and families, friends will miss her for her cheerfulness, prayers and friendly disposition to everybody.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Art Pantheon Unleashes Akintunde’s Auto-Inspired Futuristic Art

Installation, illustrations and paintings are the vehicles that convey the futuristic design concepts by the visionary car designer and architect, Adedapo Akintunde in a solo exhibition at The Art Pantheon’s Space inside Oniru, Lagos. Asides its artistic value, it’s a statement on building infrastructure to advance innovation. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

Car installation

T

he first sight was the car installation within the premises of Art Pantheon in Oniru. It’s a show and a crossroad for arts and architecture, humanity and science as well as artists and art connoisseurs.

At the recent grand opening of the exhibition ‘Autovista: African Vehicle Visions: an exhibition of car and concept designs,’ the car designer-cum architect, Adedapo Akintunde was excited to talk about what motivated his multiple drawings and water colour renditions of the prototype of an African car.

Pushing back against the culture of importation, Akintunde repurposed materials he found in Nigeria to create the monster car installation that was the cynosure of all eyes.

Akintunde described his style as full of dynamism. “My designs look like things already in motion,” he said.

“This propulsive mindset is what drives Autovista; the movement is forwards.” Walking through the adjoining exhibition rooms, he recounted how he began making sketches of cars as a child.

“When I was growing up, my mother didn’t want me to draw.

I used to draw on the edges of the newspapers. I would make small

drawings then but now I am able to work on big canvases,’’ he said as he occasionally acknowledged greetings from friends who arrived at the show.

For a show that would end on April 10, there was a lot to view-at least 71 pieces of the different parts of the car prototype in varying sizes. From miniatures to large paintings, he has infused passion in equal measure across the pieces to speak volumes about the dearth of innovation in Nigeria.

“I am particularly trained in industrial thought and today, our naira is approaching 800 to one pound. This exhibition is to open people’s minds up to what the industry can be and my chosen subject is car design. Future African cars will come from these drawings. “ What is stopping us from doing more prototypes is because we don’t have the premises for research and development. If we had more designers in government, for instance if we have a designer-general, then we can bring the exchange rate back to one pound to two naira just like it was some years ago. We have everything here. We have the materials. I built that car 100 per cent out of Nigerian materials,’’ he argued.

When asked if he was concerned about the global agenda for climate

change and sustainability especially with the trend in Europe and other developed world where the private use of automobiles is being reduced with urban transportation, he revealed that his agenda is quite different.

“The problem we have here are human disasters. They (the western world) have natural disasters. If Nigeria is getting warmer. It is a huge opportunity for our solar development. If we are going to make an ideal country and specify it for human habitation it is Nigeria.

Nigeria is not getting any hotter for it not to be an advantage.

“The only disadvantage that we have is the people. After this exhibition, we hope that many will be moved to build cars and do building materials and start to use intellect in different ways,’’ said the car designer who studied Architecture at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), graduating with distinction in his final year design studio presentation. He would later study Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Arts, London, where he graduated in 1994.

Curated by Peju Alatise and Ade Shokunbi, the show reflects Akintunde’s versatility across art and design with his works such as Circa, Trika 2, Regional Character, Green Revolution and Colourway

On the Highway.

The Director, The Art Pantheon, Nana Sonoiki also describedAutovista show as “a truly unique exhibition in Nigeria’s history,” creating “a space to engage with art as a catalyst for technological advancement and national progress.”

In the catalogue for the exhibition, Joseph Omoh Ndukwu tracked the progression of automotive technology in Nigeria: “It has been a long road building the automotive industry in Nigeria, and still more has to be done.

Beginning in the 50s, Nigeria started to have cars assembled in the country.

Starting with companies like the Federated Motors Industries and SCOANigeria Plc., Nigeria had operational assembly lines manufacturing Bedford TJ trucks and Peugeot pickup trucks. Production improved in the 70s with Volkswagen and Leyland becoming more dominant in the market. In the 80s, however, things started to take a dip due to economic downturns,” he said.

Akintunde is the Managing Director of Ivixi Design Movement Ltd. Having studied car design and working in the UK for some time, he returned to Nigeria and to architecture, rising to become the Group Creative Design Director of Design Union Consulting and a director of several other architectural establishments.The show ends on April 10.

Excel Signature Presents Art Exhibition Yinka Olatunbosun Excel Signature is set to present an exhibition “Moods Relic of Courage,” a contemporary art exhibition by Jude Olotu. The exhibition is scheduled to hold from April 10 to 18 at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja.

Olotu in recent years has exhibited internationally including

New York and France showcasing his unique style of eclectic art.

He has participated in group and individual exhibitions in Nigeria.

His entry into the international space was welcomed with accolades from the international community and peers at the just concluded World Art Dubai exhibition.

It was a case of a bitter sweet experience as it was a marvel to

behold the genius in his strokes however the non-sale campaign left curators and art lovers thirsty.

The genius of Olotu has created and nurtured many talents and students of the arts which has led to the creation of the Excel Signature Creative Hub in Abuja Nigeria.

The artist who hails from the Niger Delta developed his love for art as a child, growing up in Jos.

Jude Olotu

TOUCHDOWN TRAVELS LEVERAGES TECH FOR BUSINESS EXPANSION POST-COVID Vanessa Obioha In light of the crippling impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation industry, travel management company Touchdown Travels Ltd recently held its Agent Fair to tackle some of the undesirable outcomes.

Held at the Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio by Hilton, the forum was focused on the growth of airline ticketing agents by leveraging collaboration with major industry stakeholders.

This entailed a deliberation on current hindrances against sustained growth at the agent level and proffering avenues for scaling their businesses, with emphasis on improving the overall consumer experience.

At the meeting, crucial issues affecting business expansion were raised by impassioned agents. These issues included launching their business to an online platform such as websites or apps.

They also hammered the threat of cyber security, a lack of skilled and forthcoming programmers, and cited the lack of know-how for integration of a global destination system (GDS) — the system that enables a seamless booking experience — into existing online platforms.

Concerning this, the Touchdown team, led by its Chief Operating Officer, Olufunso Ekundayo, reeled out a series of products designed to tackle most of the problems raised by the agents. He introduced them to IRIX. IRIX is a free, easy to use digital booking app with integrated GDS functions. It collapses a myriad of steps that are typical of other booking systems into one elaborate search result that has the convenience of easily checking commissioned and non-commissioned bookings.

“We have a vision, and that vision is that anybody should be able to travel. Some people travel, but there is a larger population that cannot travel because of various factors that might include flight availability, cost, and whatnot. What we’re trying to do is to create the right kind of tool to enable people to travel,” Ekundayo explained.

He continued: “The idea behind IRIX is innovation. Enabling people to be able to make reservations, and skip all the complexities of learning GDS codes that you would have had to input before you get things done. This simple tool allows people to be able to book flights easily. If you can use Instagram, you can use our booking tools. And that is the future of travel. That is the future for agents.” According to Ekundayo, IRIX democratises the booking industry, and by doing so, allows for business expansion at relatively no added cost. But as much as IRIX serves the purpose of facilitating faster bookings, it also doubles as a means for financial freedom through extra earnings.

He cites that the application pays an extra 0.2 per cent on available commission rates in the market.

Furthermore, he pushed its official website as a market hub for purchasing best value tickets, which in turn also paves the way for easy reselling of tickets. Described as the ‘Eko of Travel’, he noted it has the potential to be the one-stop-shop for end-to-end services in the aviation sector. Although these services are created to ensure a certain level of seamlessness, the outfit understands that agents are faced with several problems that go beyond these channels. Enter the Partners Acceleration

35

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2022

POLSCOPE

áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ áÓÞÒ ÎÎã ÎÓàáÜÓ ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ; ÏÎÎã˛ÙÎÓàáÜÓ̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙט ͸΀͸ͽ ͻ͸; ΁ͻͽ;

Attack on Train and the Other Narrative enultimate Monday was another Black Monday in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

On that day, mindless bandits planted explosives on the rail track, somewhere close to Rigassa train station, Kaduna. After planting the explosives, they hid themselves in the roadside bushes, waiting for the train to come. It was the last train service (from Abuja to Kaduna) that day. They know the time schedule of the train and so laid in wait. As expected, the train came, the coaches climbed the explosives and pronto, the explosion occurred. The train derailed, and for over two kilometers it was struggling to regain control of the coaches. It could not. And then the shootings started.

The banditsshot themselves into the train and by the time the dastardly commotion ended, eight people were dead, 25 injured and over 24 passengers abducted. That was the tragedy that befell the Nigeria Railway Corporation and indeed, Nigeria.

But a dozen days after, the concern in the public domain seems to have shifted from the tragedy to rather tangential matters. Many people have picked holes in the off-cuff interview granted media men by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, on the attack. The minister had lamented that the non-approval of the request to buy and install security gadgets and facilities on the Abuja-Kaduna train, had made it impossible to track and forestall the plan of the bandits or terrorists.He had noted that the cost of the security gadget was N3 billion, whereas the cost of repairing the damage inflicted on the train will cost over N3 billion.

Days later, the minutes of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held on September 24, 2021, where the memo requesting for the approval was rejected, was leaked to the media. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the FEC that day. President Buhari was away to London at the time. And ever since then, many commentators have sadly chosen to tackle the symptom of the disease, rather than treat the disease. They quarrel with Amaechi’s open lamentation “as if he is not part of the government”. They quarrel with him wanting to award the contract to a relatively young company. They quarrel with the financial networth of the company , compared to the value of the project to be done…. and all such outlier issues.

Hey, where is it stated in the lawbooks that unless a company is not up to a certain number of years, it cannot do business with government? Or is it stated anywhere what the networth of a company must be before it can be given government contract? Must every company be like Dangote Group of Companies? Having been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the company was qualified to do business with government.

What’s more, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) which screened the company in question had carried out all requisite due diligence and given its nod for the company to be awarded the contract. But Prof Osinbajo did not believe enough facts were supplied and so ordered that the memo be stepped down. By the way, who leaked the minutes of the FEC, a supposed classified document, to the media? Or was it the same ubiquitous bandits?

So, what if the FEC had called for a demonstration of how the mechanism of the security device would work?

Or even given the requisite approval and directed that all such ‘missing information’ be supplied subsequently?

After all, the purchase and installation of the gadgets had been duly budgeted for. But Prof Osinbajo, nay FEC, ordered an outright rejection of the memo, thus ending up throwing away the baby with the dirty bathe water.

Now, some shallow commentators are calling for the head of Amaechi.

Canticles….

PDP: Who will the Cap Fit?

P

Dr Iyorchia Ayu

D

id you notice that thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) has just shown that they cannot be trusted to act with a single interest?

How?

Amaechi

This is grossly misplaced.

The attack on the train would never have occurred or imagined, if the security issues in the country have long been tackled. Didn’t Chinua Achebe say mother hen must first be blamed for exposing the chicks before blaming the hawk that swooped on them?

Amaechi and his controversial comments would never have arisen if the security malaise in the country had been tackled.

Some nay sayers had also claimed that the train had 970 passengers on board, whereas only 362 were on the manifest, implying that there is a huge ticket racketeering. That point kept being escalated with all the negative nuances until the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engineer FidetOkhiria challenged those pushing that story to come forth with the names of the remaining 608 persons, before that narrative was dropped. The barcode on the ticket is what digitally opens the gate for passengers to access the train. So how could a whole 608 passengers without tickets (more than the number of legitimate passengers) have boarded the train? What’s more, the e-ticketing service is a concessioned arm of the service. So, how would a private organization, which earns its revenue from selling the tickets open up the gates for that massive fraud and still remain in business? We have a huge proclivity for the negative stories, as a people.

I was however bothered about the role and whereabout of the 18 armed security men which usually accompany the train. How could they have been on board, with all their arms, and the rag-tag(?) bandits, some 20-year olds, succeed in attacking the train with such massive casualty figure? Just where were the policemen? I however understood that they soon ran out of bullets while engaging the bandits in a shoot-out, and that made them even vulnerable targets, although none of them was said to have been killed. Question is: why were they measly armed? How could they be going to “war” and not be fully and maximally equipped? It is the same annoying story about fire service men who soon run out of water whenever they go to quench a burning house. These are just silly excuses that typecast us as a third world country.

The other concern is the issue of the

telephone lines and the linkage with the National Identity Number (NIN) exercise which had been on the plate for some time now. The ministry in charge suddenly woke up from its long slumber after the attack on the train.

It blocked about 73 million telephone lines not linked to NIN. Needless to say that without the use of the phones, banditry and kidnapping will seize to be lucrative. So, the question is how come the authorities concerned are never able to use the numbers with which bandits and kidnappers call the families of victims to track and trace the location and identity of the terrorists?Was that not one of the major essences of the NIN hullabaloo? It is as if the NIN fuss was a mere charade.

Our precious times were wasted.

In any case, didn’t the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir, El Rufai say that they (himself and the security apparatchik) know where the bandits are and that they have their telephone numbers? So, what is this jinxed complexity of smoking them out? Is it a conspiracy of the ruling class? Pray, at what cost? Why have all the security meetings and strategy sessions between Mr President and ServiceChiefs never yielded a reprieve for the nation? How can we continue like this?

As I was rounding off this column, the news broke, again, that bandits attacked a military formation in Kaduna, killing 17 soldiers and setting ablaze, two ArmouredPersonnel Carriers (APCs). What a dare! Army formations are suddenly appearing so vulnerable like the gathering of women’s ‘August meeting’. This same Kaduna! Who will terminate this enigma!

Going forward, not only should the necessary approval for the security gadget be bought and installed without further delay so the train service can resume, onthe Abuja-Kaduna route, the same technology should be installed on the train service between Itakpe and Warri, ditto the one between Lagos and Ibadan. What is good for the goose is good for the ganders.

To assume that the threat to train safety is exclusive to the Abuja-Kaduna route will certainly be misleading. The NRC must think and act proactively.

Every train passenger deserves the assurance of safety and protection, whichever route they travel in.

You didn’t hear that they have thrown the presidential race open for every member of the party no matter their region or religion?

Does that mean that they cannot act with a single interest? Can’t you see that it is even more democratic as it has given everybody the fair chance to contest and possibly give Nigeria the very best, instead of closing from a particular region?

Look, all it shows is that the party members cannot agree amongst themselves. With people like Gov Nyesom Wike in the contest, do you think he would agree to be zoned out of reckoning? Or is it Atiku Abubakar or Aminu Tambuwal, with historical sense of entitlement to the party’s ticket that would agree to be swallowed up?

So, instead of the imminent intraparty tussle that could result in implosion and undue tension, is it not better to provide every player a level playing field so they can test their popularity and strength and see how it all pans out?

That’s how you see it. The rest of us can s e e i t a s t h e p a r t y leadership lacking the capacity to give a direction to its men. In PDP, everybody poses as the Alpha and Omega put t o g e t h e r. Th e c o n t ro l i n d e x in PDP is low. Some of the governors feel that they are the soul and spirit of the party and that unless they have their way, the party will be detonated.

There is no record that the nozoning resolve of the Ortom-led committee was coerced into the position it took. It was mutually agreed to.And everybody is happy with it. So don’t sit here and cry more than the bereaved.

I am not crying. I am only pointing it out that it is an early sign of dangerous malignant tumour. When a dog is not able to wag its tail, rather it is the tail trying to wag the dog, then you know something is definitely wrong.

In this case, who is the tail and who is the dog?

Do you know that without the governors, the party would have long gone into extinction? Do you know the economic implication of being out power for eight years? Or you don’t know that the governors are the oxygen of the party? So, if the tail choses to wag the dog, in this case and instance, it is all well and good. Afterall, he who pays the piper dictates the tune.

I cannot imagine a governor or set of governors dictating how the party will be run to Chief AdisaAkinloye in the NPN hey days.

That was then. So much water has passed under the bridge and the bridge is threatened. You cannot compare the humble and disciplined governorsof the second republic to the epicurean and cash-loaded governors of today. Only the man who has a hunch-back wife knows how to go into her. The Holy Book says wisdom is profitable to direct.

Leave the PDP and its governance style alone. Nobody can be more Catholic than the Pope.

So, who will the cap fit at the end of the day?

Hmmmm, the cap is being designed.The shapes of the various heads have been taken. Only one cap will be designed. The many with the most agreeable head shape that can perfectly fit into the cap, will be the man.

What does that mean? Would the shape of the head have anything to do with the depth of the pocket?

The depth of the pocket will have a strong correlation to the shape of the head, if you know what I mean. But in all, what the PDP is desperate to do is to rescue Nigeria from the grip of insecurity and hunger.

(Raising his right hand) Hey, don’t go there! It is the same PDP that sowed the malicious seeds of offence that have germinated and troubling us today. Don’t talk about rescuing Nigeria. They entrapped us in this choking thralldom, in the first place.

Ok, let us just pray for Nigeria and Nigerians, so that2023 will come quickly with a refreshing package of good leadership, relief and succour. That’s all we need for now.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ APRIL 8, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG to Address Challenges in Cotton Sector, Eyes 2m Jobs James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the cotton industry with a view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

The minister said the industry has the capacity to transform the rural economy and revive the textile and garment industries by creating over two million jobs, improve internal revenue across the three tiers of government, reduce $4.0 billion import bill incurred annually on textile and apparel, earn foreign exchange as well as make the country a global player in textile and apparel.

Speaking while addressing a delegation of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) which paid him a courtesy visit, Adebayo pointed out in the 1970s and early 1980s, Nigeria was home to Africa’s largest textile industry, with over 180 textile mills which employed close to over 450,000 people and contributed over 25percent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

He said, “Today, most of those factories have all stopped operations, textile factories are operating at below 20 per cent capacity with a workforce of less than 20,000 people.

“I am happy to announce to you that Mr. President is determined to change the nar-

rative and rewrite the history of Nigeria’s struggling Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sector. In 2019, the government flagged off the Wet Season Cotton Input Distribution to 150,000 farmers in Katsina under the Anchor Borrowers Programme.”

He said, “They are cultivating over 180,000 hectares of cotton that will feed our ginneries. Production is also ongoing across many states with more to come onboard in the next planting seasons.”

Earlier, President of NACOTAN, Mr. Anibe Achimugu had called on the federal government to revamp the cotton industry to provide jobs for teeming unemployed Nigerian youths.

ExpertsTackles Gender Bias in Nigeria’s Financial System Experts have identified key strategies that can be adopted towards addressing systemic gender bias, stereotyping, discrimination, and gender inequalities that exist in Nigeria, especially in access and use of formal financial services.

According to the experts, accelerating progress on eliminating the gender gap in access to financial services in Nigeria requires broad-based institutional reforms that put gender equality in the front burner.

A Webniar organised by the Gender Centre of Excellence at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors with the theme, “Breaking Biases to Bridge the Gender Gap in Women’s Financial Inclusion in Nigeria,”provided an opportunity

to reflect on gains in women’s financial inclusion.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), Lagos Business School, and Women’s World Banking to mark International Women Day. Moderator and Program Director, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Nigeria, Henrietta Bankole-Olusina noted that the webinar highlights that IWD is a special day in which women are celebrated for their social, economic, and political achievements.

The Chief Executive Officer, EFInA, Ashley Immanuel said bias is an inclination or prejudice against a person or

group of persons in a way that could be considered unfair, for example favouring men/boys over women/girls.

Head, Financial Inclusion Delivery Unit, CBN, Paul Oluikpe noted that the patriarchal system which considers the role of women as appendages and subordinates to men is most often culturally entrenched and religiously reinforced thereby making men to be dominant.

Speaking Associate Dean and Professor of Information Systems, Lagos Business School, David-West noted that the orientation should start from the family and in how people relate with one another and how children are treated right from when they are young.

Leatherback Raises $10m in Pre-see Funding UK-based cross-border payments platform, Leatherback has announced today its Pre-Seed funding round deal worth $10 million, attracting funding from Zedcrest Capital, a leading pan-African principal investment firm. The funding will allow the growing Fintech company to focus on critical activities, including hiring strategic roles, elevation in its marketing and branding strategy, and traction and visibility in the market.

Leatherback offers a multiple currency solution that allows businesses and individuals to conduct global transactions quickly and efficiently through its digital payments infrastructure while being committed to promoting business expansion

and removing barriers to business growth across continents.

In a statement, Co-Founder and CEO Ibrahim Toyeeb said, “Some of the funding will be deployed to raise Leatherback’s profile in the Fintech arena as well as extend its capacity in the many countries it’s licensed in and where it is about to be approved. These include South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, India, and the UAE.” “Building local capacity is not easy, yet it is core to how we operate at Leatherback. The capital injection will further strengthen the value we provide by ensuring a solid presence and infrastructure so we can offer solutions directly to customers with better pricing,” he said.

Zedcrest Capital’s Group

Managing Director, Adedayo Amzat, said: “As principal investors, we love opportunities where we can bring our expertise to bear. It has been rewarding to provide operational and strategic support to Leatherback in its quest to build the perfect compliance, technology, and finance infrastructure that will allow it to be the operating system of choice for the global mobility of businesses and individuals.

“Leatherback will benefit from operational and strategic support provided by Zedcrest Capital. The guidance will help enhance the company’s quest to position itself as much more than a global neobank or payment platform.

Coca-Cola Strengthens ‘Equip 60,000’ Entrepreneurship Initiative As part of efforts to help youth and women fulfil their potentials, particularly in the competitive world of business, The CocaCola Foundation has set out to empower 60,000 people in Nigeria with modern entrepreneurial skills with a good number of them also getting grants.

At the hybrid closing ceremony for the Kano leg of the event, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe disclosed that the ‘Equip 60,000’, as the initiative is themed, would see the training and empowerment of several youths and women across the

country as part of the company’s commitment to youth and women entrepreneurship under its new Africa sustainability platform termed JAMII. She said, “We are in partnership with the Whitefield Foundation to empower the youth and women across Nigeria with practical money-making skills and to ensure that the program touches as many lives as possible, we have set out with 72 carefully identified skills which we have been delivering to participants both physically and virtually across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja since December 2021.”

“In addition to knowledge empowerment, The Coca-Cola Foundation had also been offering business grants to those who distinguish themselves during the training. The grants come in three categories of gold, silver and bronze.”

Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Ekuma Eze, pointed out that the initiative is for empowering youths and women as part of efforts to help these important segments fulfil their potentials and impact on the society more positively.

L-R: Head,Sales and Savings Fidelity Bank, Mr. Ukpai Ibe;Divisional Head, Products Development, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Osita Ode;Beneficiaries of Fidelity Bank Get Alert in Millions season 5 promo, Mr. Ebuka Chijioke;Mr. Akpobome Okpako;Mrs. Deborah Elias; Regional Bank Head,Fidelity Bank,Agege and Ikorodu, Mrs. Cynthia Erigbuemi;Regional Bank Head,Festac, Mr. Paschal Nzeribe; and Monitoring and Enforcement Officer,National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Niyi Adeleke, at the Fidelity Bank Get Alert in Millions Season 5 fourth monthly prize presentation ceremony in Mushin, Lagos recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

NGX Fosters Sustainable Financial Products Associated with Climate Change, Environmental Challenges Kayode Tokede With sustainable finance gaining momentum globally, governments and corporate issuers are paying increasing attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and investors, regulators and other stakeholders are encouraging more robust ESG practices.

As the sustainable Exchange championing Africa’s growth,

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) is committed to playing an enhanced role in facilitating the financing of a sustainable future.

Being a member of the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative (SSE) since 2013, NGX has a long-standing commitment to foster the growth of sustainable finance in Nigeria. The Exchange recognises the critical need to drive sustainable finance as a tool to accelerate progress towards the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and combat climate change and its impact as enshrined in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

NGX has shown strong commitment to sustainable finance over the years. In 2016, NGX conceptualised and developed the green bond product paper, which was embraced and championed by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Federal Ministry of Environment. This effort led

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

to the issuance of the maiden N10.69 billion ($25.8 million) 13.48 per cent 5-year green bond in 2017 to fund projects to develop renewable energy. The second tranche, N15 billion ($36.1 million) 14.5 per cent 7-year Green Bond was issued in June 2019 and was over-subscribed.

The sovereign issuance paved way for the emergence of corporate green bond market with N15 billion, 15.5 per cent five-year fixed rate senior un-

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S

secured green bond by Access Bank and N8.5 billion, 15.6 per cent 15-year guaranteed fixed rate senior green infrastructure bond by North South Power Company.

On 15 April 2021, North South Power Company (NSP) issued its second N6.33 billion ($15.3 million) 10-year 12 per cent Fixed Rate Series 2 Senior Green Bonds due 2031, bringing the size of the Green Bond market to N55.52 billion. It is noteworthy that all

O F

0 7

the corporate and sovereign Green Bonds are listed on NGX. NGX continues to work with leading market stakeholders to build the capacity of existing and potential corporate green bond issuers on green bond issuance process and reporting best practices and also working closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Debt Management Office on the issuance of the third Sovereign Green Bond in Nigeria.

/ 0 4 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

38

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

Friday, April 8, 2022

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index declines Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell by 14bps 15bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ The Thisday Afrinvest 40 fell 15bps to 1,970.37

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89 points due to sell-pressure on in ZENITH (-0.6%), index points following price decline ETI (-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ WAPCO (-1.3%), and UBA (-0.7%). These stocks cumula-

MANSARD (-1.6%), and DANGSUGAR (-1.9%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘

ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ Ϯ͘ϴй ŽĨ

Current Price

Ticker

the index.

ASI up 11bps as DANGCEM Gains 3.3% WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ 0.5% ŝŶ The Bears Prevail...

ASI down

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

,KEz&>KhZ

(+9.8%), E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ & E, (+0.7%) bol-

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ E'y- ^/ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ŝƚƐ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ stered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ the local bourse as the All-

performance with a 0.5% decline to 46,543.51 Share

index

rose

1970.37

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

by

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

points due to sell pressure on MTNN zd (-Ϯ͘ϴйͿ͕ ETI 11bps to 39,550.36 points. ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Lafarge Africa PLC

(-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ TRANSCOHOT Accordingly, proved toĂŶĚ -1.8% while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ (-6.8%). ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ

10 Access Bank PLC 11 United Bank for Africa PLC 12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ϵ͘Ϭй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ϵ͘ϱйͿ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ value

ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ʬϭϮϬ͘ϬďŶ ƚŽ

-0.15% 0.0%

39.2%

ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϲ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ ϯ͘ϱй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕

18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC

ƚŽ Ϯϰϰ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϮ͘ϰďŶ͘ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc

32.0%

15.0%

P/E

3.5%

5.2x

Dividend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

6.2%

17.5%

1.5%

1.3%

8.3%

4.6%

4.6%

134.7%

14.1%

14.0x

21.7x

6.4%

0.0%

7.0%

5.5%

5.5%

19.1%

11.2%

34.0x

6.4x

4.0%

2.9%

22.45

1.6%

5.5%

-13.7%

-13.7%

20.7%

3.3%

3.6x

0.8x

13.4%

27.5% 34.1%

7.1%

22.80

0.7%

5.2%

-9.3%

-9.3%

20.4%

2.7%

2.9x

0.6x

13.6%

273.50

0.0%

4.5%

6.4%

6.4%

39.2%

16.3%

12.9x

4.8x

7.3%

7.8%

1,395.00

0.0%

3.1%

-10.4%

-10.4%

106.8%

15.6%

27.1x

31.8x

3.6%

3.7%

11.80

0.0%

3.4%

3.5%

3.5%

8.4%

0.8%

7.0x

0.6x

3.8%

14.4%

21.80

0.0%

2.9%

-9.0%

-9.0%

11.6%

8.4%

8.2x

0.9x

9.1%

12.3%

2.8%

7.0%

7.0%

17.9%

1.6%

2.2x

0.3x

8.5%

46.0%

0.0%

2.0%

-3.7%

-3.7%

15.8%

1.4%

2.3x

0.3x

12.9%

43.7% 13.0%

13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 14 SEPLAT Energy PLC

by volume were dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, (11.1m

97.0%

32.0%

ROA

70.75

9.95

ʬϮϱ͘ϭƚŶ͘ DĂƌŬĞƚ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ

6.2%

ROE

206.00

7.75

15 Ecobank Transnational Inc 16 International Brew eries PLC 17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ The most traded stocks

1,260.40

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

34.15

0.0%

1.5%

-5.1%

-5.1%

15.1%

2.1%

7.7x

1.2x

4.1%

40.00

0.0%

1.2%

-20.0%

-20.0%

7.6%

2.7%

25.1x

1.9x

4.0%

4.0%

960.00

0.0%

2.3%

47.7%

47.7%

8.7%

4.1%

8.7x

0.8x

4.3%

11.4%

11.65

-2.9%

1.8%

33.9%

33.9%

16.9%

1.0%

2.6x

0.4x

5.7%

4.85

0.0%

1.1%

-2.0%

-2.0%

-10.3%

-3.9%

142.00

0.0%

1.1%

0.0%

0.0%

36.5%

23.3%

9.6x

3.2x

5.6%

30.55

0.0%

1.0%

7.8%

7.8%

15.9%

4.5%

4.7x

0.7x

5.4%

21.4%

3.53

2.0%

0.8%

38.4%

38.4%

13.3%

1.3%

2.7x

0.3x

10.1%

37.3%

0.9x

37.9% -11.7% 10.4%

2.41

-1.6%

0.6%

3.9%

3.9%

9.3%

3.0%

7.4x

0.7x

10.4%

13.5%

15.50

-1.9%

0.4%

-10.9%

-10.9%

17.4%

6.9%

8.6x

1.5x

6.5%

11.7%

10.3%

1.1%

3.21

-0.6%

0.5%

7.4%

7.4%

12.90

2.4%

0.5%

30.3%

30.3%

68.50

0.0%

0.6%

75.6%

75.6%

13.3%

6.0%

14.4x

1.8x

0.7%

6.9%

0.98

0.0%

0.3%

2.1%

2.1%

11.1%

2.3%

5.2x

0.5x

2.0%

19.2%

0.3x

6.2%

2.5x

11.6%

Bearish Sector Performance

23 United Capital PLC 24 Guinness Nigeria PLC

Across sectors within our coverage, performance

25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

133.00

0.0%

0.4%

51.5%

51.5%

2.8x

0.8%

was bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 gained while the

27 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 28 AIICO Insurance PLC

11.75

-1.3%

0.3%

-11.0%

-11.0%

21.3%

6.9%

11.1x

2.2x

3.4%

0.65

0.0%

0.2%

-7.1%

-7.1%

14.0%

2.2%

22.0x

0.6x

3.1%

4.5%

Industrial Goods ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ AFR-ICT ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

29 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 30 Custodian and Allied Insurance

238.50

0.0%

0.3%

7.5%

7.5%

48.0%

9.5%

4.8x

2.0x

8.0%

20.7%

6.50

0.0%

0.2%

-17.7%

-17.7%

19.5%

5.5%

3.8x

0.7x

7.6%

26.2%

er 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance indices, led down and and Consumer Goods indices the 4.6% laggards,

31 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC 32 Unilever Nigeria PLC

22.30

0.0%

0.2%

-0.9%

-0.9%

38.7%

16.0%

5.7x

2.0x

6.8%

17.5%

13.30

0.0%

0.2%

-8.3%

-8.3%

7.8%

4.9%

29.5x

1.2x

3.8%

3.4%

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

26.00

0.0%

0.2%

16.3%

16.3%

18.9%

2.4%

3.9x

0.8x

9.6%

25.5%

4.1%

Bearish Sector Performance

Across sectors under our coverage, performance was

bearish as 4 indices lost, 1 index gained ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d

9.1%),

hE/> s Z

(-3.5%),

>/E< ^^hZ

(-6.4%),

ŝŶ DdEE ;-Ϯ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ E'^h' Z ;-1.9%). Simi-

35 Oando PLC 36 Wema Bank PLC

larly, the Insurance and ĂŶŬŝŶŐ indices declined

37 NEM Insurance PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

Ϭ͘ϭй ĂƉŝĞĐĞ͕ (-0.8%), ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

and D E^ Z (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ ing indices fell by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ϭ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ t D E< ;-ϭ͘ϳйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ er, & up 1.8% was driven by gainer, price up appreciaOil Gas index the lone 0.4% on ƟŽŶ in E' D (+3.3%).

ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ KEK/> ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ K E K ;нϬ͘ϮйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ Outlook ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season

gradually winds up.

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

3.4%

7.1%

0.8%

6.9x

0.7x

6.8%

14.5%

2.6%

2.0x

0.3x

2.95

-1.7%

0.0%

309.7%

309.7%

14.1%

0.8%

12.8x

1.7x

8.1%

7.8%

3.97

0.0%

0.1%

-11.8%

-11.8%

21.5%

12.8%

4.5x

0.9x

5.6%

22.1%

1.9x

0.3x

6.7%

1.49

-0.7%

0.1%

-1.3%

-1.3%

9.4%

0.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-28.3%

-6.1%

4.95

-6.8%

0.0%

-8.0%

-8.0%

2.4x 1.4%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

0.33

10.0%

F ID ELIT YB K

81.7

0.9%

1.60

9.6%

T R A N SC OR P

30.7

-2.0%

M ULT IVER SE

0.23

9.5%

GT C O

15.5

-1.1%

M EYER

0.94

9.3%

A C C ESSC OR P

15.3

0.0%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.51

8.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

10.0

-0.4%

M B EN EF IT

0.26

8.3%

FCM B

8.6

0.9%

WEM A B A N K

3.00

3.4%

UB A

7.9

2.0%

H ON YF LOUR

3.48

3.0%

N GXGR OUP

7.9

-2.3%

2.6%

WA P IC

7.5

0.0%

2.3%

ST ER LN B A N K

6.3

0.0%

1.36

51.4% -13.8%

LIVEST OC K

5.85

14.5% 49.2%

0.8x

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ǁŚŝůĞ ϳϬ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

catalyst.

3.4% 6.8%

R EGA LIN S

ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϮϬ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϱ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) led gainers STOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Previous day, we expect the ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂďƐĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ

0.1% 0.1%

P ric e C hg %

C A VER T ON

advanced while 15 stocks declined. MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

0.0% 0.2%

P ric e

GLA XOSM IT H

breadth, strengthened to 0.07x from -0.03x in the

6.10 4.72

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

9.0%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

NP FM CRFB K

2.03

-9.8%

M TNN

380.3

0.0%

R T B R ISC OE

0.51

-8.9%

GT C O

345.6

-1.1%

281.1

0.9% -0.4%

T ic k er

P R EST IGE

0.45

-8.2%

F ID ELIT YB K

CHA M S

0.20

-4.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

227.3

-4.8%

SEP LA T

183.8

1.1%

182.5

-2.3% 0.0%

N IGER IN S

0.20

J A IZ B A N K

0.64

-4.5%

N GXGR OUP

UN IT YB N K

0.45

-4.3%

A C C ESSC OR P

148.8

F T N C OC OA

0.32

-3.0%

NB

80.7

-1.1%

OA N D O

4.71

-2.9%

FB NH

66.4

0.0%

N A SC ON

11.90

-2.5%

UB A

61.0

2.0%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

39

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 06Apr-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.63% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.45 3.51 -2.45% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.22% Anchoria Equity Fund 136.87 138.51 -0.47% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 5.08% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.76 21.38 2.33% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 476.22 490.58 5.55% ARM Ethical Fund 39.55 40.74 1.52% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -2.13% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.04 1.81% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.19% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 109.28 109.28 7.44% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,092.88 1,092.88 9.29% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.11 2.11 10.95% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.21 2.26 5.75% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 2.28% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.52% Paramount Equity Fund 17.92 18.26 6.54% Women's Investment Fund 142.59 144.25 2.55% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.25% Cordros Milestone Fund 138.99 139.88 5.13% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.87 111.87 4.87% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.09% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 6.33% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.02 1.02 11.80% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 101.84 101.84 3.78% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,434.93 1,434.93 10.18% FBN Balanced Fund 185.58 186.98 5.89% FBN Halal Fund 118.22 118.22 9.35% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.94% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

123.27 156.17

123.27 4.12% 158.25 3.53% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,978.98 3,524.30 100.00

Offer Price 4,041.42 3,524.30 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 2.25% 1.61% 6.31%

1.09

1.09

0.91%

INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.22 12.33 3.77% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.56% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 103.47 103.47 3.25% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.38% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.55 1.58 -3.43% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.67 11.68 4.35% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.64% PACAM Equity Fund 1.39 1.40 -3.69% PACAM EuroBond Fund 116.14 118.80 0.88% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 127.35 129.58 7.43% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,519.24 3,558.15 2.22% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 237.68 237.68 0.83% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.36 1.38 5.38% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 317.91 317.91 1.46% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 250.57 254.41 3.52% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.75% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,358.33 11,518.33 2.24% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.31 1.31 1.21% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 117.97 117.97 0.85% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 108.50 108.50 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Sukuk Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.43 13.55 1.83% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.48 15.65 5.96% Zenith Income Fund 22.41 22.41 1.86% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.95%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.23 133.09 106.09 20.12 20.94

14.33 136.37 108.39 20.22 21.04

1.89% 1.10% 2.37% 0.00% 0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.08 5.47 17.86 1.00 20.95 167.41

4.18 5.57 18.06 1.00 21.15 169.41

1.70% -6.31% 1.00% 5.50% 4.81% 6.08%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 107.53 10.80% The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

FSDH Dollar Fund

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

NEWSXTRA

OPENING CEREMONY OF ADIRE MARKET WEEK… L-R: Iyaloja Kemta Adire Market, Alhaja Sadist Akamo; Iyaloja Yewa, Chief Mrs. Yemisi Abass; Iyaloja Egba, Chief Mrs. Kemi Oloyede; Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; Oyo State First Lady, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde; Wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Salamotu Gbajabiamila; Wife of Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oyefunke Alabi; Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, Toyin Abraham at the opening ceremony of the Adire Market Week in Abeokuta ...yesterday

US Senate Confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to Be First Black Woman to Sit on Supreme Court Culled from CNN The US Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson yesterday in a historic vote that paves the way for her to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in America.

The tally was 53-47, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats to vote in favor.

The confirmation represents a significant victory for Democrats, which they can tout as bipartisan, and a way for the President to deliver on a campaign promise at a time when the US faces a number of challenges at home and abroad, including soaring inflation and the crisis in Ukraine. Democrats broke out into loud applause and cheers when the vote was

gaveled.

The vote also marks a major milestone for the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary, although Jackson's confirmation won't change the ideological balance of the court.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve as vice president, presided over the chamber during the historic vote in her capacity as president of the Senate.

Jackson will be sworn in after Justice Stephen Breyer retires sometime this summer.

Senate Democrats and the White House have continually highlighted the historic nature of the nomination.

Ahead of the final vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the moment a "joyous, momentous, groundbreaking day."

Schumer went on to say, "In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, never, never

FG to Train 37,000 'Unemployable' Youths Nationwide, Says Ngige Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, says most Nigerian youths are unemployed because of a lack of functional skills.

Ngige said this while declaring open a one-day 'Job, Career and Employability Fair', yesterday in Abuja.

The fair was organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with the theme 'Promoting Employability, Skills Development and Decent Work'.

Ngige, represented by Mrs Tilda Mmegwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, said stakeholders must be actively involved in preparing the African workforce for the ‘future of work’.

According to him, the Nigerian government is conscious that most unemployed are those without functional skills.

“Our strategy, therefore, is to equip the unemployed youths with market-driven skills, which will facilitate their access to self or paid employment," noted Ngige.

“In recognition of this reality, my ministry is keenly committed to equipping unemployed graduates with entry point competencies to make them employable."

The minister announced that the labour ministry had scheduled to train 37,000 unemployed graduates, 1,000 from the 36 states and the FCT, on soft skills and marketable resumes.

“In the coming months, we will also train 3,500 unemployed youth in various vocations including fashion design, catering and event management, solar panel and CCTV installation, among others,’’ he explained.

The minister added that the ministry would empower each trainee with starter packs to venture into business.

Ms Vanessa Phala, ILO's country director, noted that many people had lost jobs due to COVID-19 and that the rate of unemployment had continued to increase.

Phala also mentioned that there was no social protection and called on Nigerian youths to be adaptable to new knowledge to gain employment.

NECA President, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, said the fair was organised to enhance employability and improve youths' chances and other jobseekers getting employed.

Adeniyi, represented by Mrs Olubunmi Adekoje, the Federation of Construction Industry directorgeneral, suggested the fair should also be held in Port-Harcourt and Enugu.

has a Black woman held the title of Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first and I believe the first of more to come."

Biden had said during his 2020 presidential campaign that he was committed to nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court if elected.

At one point during her Senate confirmation hearings, Jackson became visibly emotional and could be seen wiping away tears as Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who is one of only three Black senators, talked about her path to the nomination and the obstacles she has had to overcome.

"My parents grew up in a time in this country in which Black children and White

children were not allowed to go to school together," Jackson told Booker after the senator asked what values her parents had impressed upon her.

"They taught me hard work.

They taught me perseverance.

They taught me that anything is possible in this great country."

Scenes from the confirmation vote The Senate chamber was packed for the vote, with most senators seated at their desks for the historic occasion.

The vote initially proceeded quickly as a result, but was later held open for some time when it became clear that GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only senator who had not voted. The chamber waited for

him to arrive and vote before it was gaveled closed.

While the chamber waited for Paul, lawmakers and people in the gallery grew restless.

Several Democratic senators began chatting with a group of Congressional Black Caucus members who had come over from the House to watch the vote.

GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma voted from the GOP cloakroom because they weren't wearing ties as is required by Senate rules on the floor. Graham was in a quarter zip and a blazer. He stuck his thumb down and receded into the cloakroom to cast a no vote.

Confirmation process

The nomination cleared a key hurdle earlier Thursday when the Senate took a procedural vote to limit debate and break a filibuster, setting up the final confirmation vote.

Throughout the Senate vetting process, Senate Democrats have praised Jackson as an exceptionally qualified, trailblazing nominee whose depth and breadth of experience, including as a federal public defender, would add a valuable and unique perspective to the bench.

Jackson was also a commissioner on the US Sentencing Commission and served on the federal district court in DC, as an appointee of former President Barack Obama, before Biden elevated her to the DC Circuit last year.

Forbes: Aliko Remains Africa’s Richest Man as Adenuga Edges Rabiu to Third Place Nigerian billionaires improved their ranking in the latest Forbes World’s Billionaire List, which compiles the fortunes of the richest people in the world.

According to the list released yesterday, Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote saw his wealth increase from $11.5 billion in 2021, to $14 billion in 2022.

Also, the report showed that Chairman of Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man,

grew his wealth from $6.1 billion to $7.3 billion.

Similarly, the Chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, the third Nigerian on the list, saw his fortunes improve from $4.9 billion to $6.9 billion.

Folorunso Alakija’s fortune was still below $1 billion due to uncertainties in the global oil market, per Forbe’s latest report.

According to the magazine, there are 2,668 of the richest people on earth in 2022 — seven fewer than a year ago with a

collective wealth of $12.7 trillion – $400 billion less than in 2021.

Forbes in the report noted that war, pandemic and sluggish markets hit the world’s billionaires this year.

“There are 2,668 of them on Forbes’ 36th-annual ranking of the planet’s richest people—87 fewer than a year ago.

“They’re worth a collective $12.7 trillion—$400 billion less than in 2021.

“The most dramatic drops have occurred in Russia, where there

are 34 fewer billionaires than last year following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and China, where a government crackdown on tech companies has led to 87 fewer Chinese billionaires on the list.

“Still, Forbes found more than 1,000 billionaires who are richer than they were a year ago. And 236 newcomers have become billionaires over the past year—including the first ever from Barbados, Bulgaria, Estonia and Uruguay.”

Abiodun Launches Wifi-enabled Mass Transit Buses James Sowole in Abeokuta To enhance intra- and inter-city transportation in Ogun, Governor Dapo Abiodun has launched the State Mass Bus Transit System yesterday.

According to the governor, the official launch of the buses fitted with wifi and other gadgets is in line with the transport master plan to provide efficient and affordable transport.

Speaking further at the event held at the Arcade Ground, Governor's Office in Abeokuta, Abiodun also disclosed that the state would sign an MoU with a private firm to construct the Olokola seaport.

"We are the industrial capital

of this country and neighbour to the biggest economy, which is Lagos State. We see the cross border migration every day and the trouble our people go through," explained the Ogun governor.

He added, "Today, we are launching these mass transit buses. The pilot phase will start from Abeokuta, and we will expand it to other cities."

The governor further explained that his administration was also developing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes under the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Cooperation to convey people from Abeokuta through Mowe, Kara axis to Marina. Then, from Ifo and Ado Odo-Ota axis to

Lagos and vice versa.

"Very soon, we will be signing a memorandum of understanding with a private sector player for the construction of the long-awaited Olokola port.

The Olokola port will soon be a reality. We are also committed to having water transportation by having water taxis," added the governor.

"This is why," he stated, "we have come up with a multimodal transportation master plan that we launch today."

The Ogun government's transport policy considered the short-, medium-, and long-term approaches to developing the state's transport sector, said Abiodun.

"This will include road, rail, water and air transportation plans for the state," he explained.

In his remarks, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, lauded the Ogun government for operating a purposeful government, saying all the governor's legacy projects would continue to speak for him after leaving office.

The minister, who reiterated the federal government's commitment to improving the transportation system across the country, disclosed that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar rail line would pass through Lekki Deep Seaport down to Epe township, would soon commence.

41

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

NEWSXTRA

CHAIR ENDOWMENT AND RESEARCH GRANT AWARD CEREMONY...

L- R: Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Minna, Prof. Abdullah Bala; Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Lawal Bilbis; Director, Human Capital, Administration, NCC, Mr. Usman Malah; Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Kingsley Ifeanyi Owete, and Head, Research and Development, NCC, Chief Kelechi Nwankwo, during the Professorial Chair Endowment and Research Grant Award Ceremony at the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

Gunmen Raze Soludo's LGA Headquarters in Aguata David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Unidentified gun men wielding heavy riffles yesterday burnt down Aguata Local Government Area Secretariat at Ekwulobia.

Aguata Local Government Area is the local government of the current governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

The governor recently called for dialogue with all armed groups,

and on Wednesday, he had released 15-member committee to spear head peace, both in Anambra and the entire south east.

Details of the incident were still sketchy as at the time of filling this

Mamora: Climate Change Crisis Worsening Nigeria's Disease Burden Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The environmental crisis in Nigeria and across the globe is worsening diseases in Nigeria, says the Federal Government.

Specifically, Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, in his address on the World Health Day held on Thursday in Abuja, said the effect of COVID-19 and the climate change crisis have unsettled the lives of millions of people worldwide.

The situation is causing profound disruptions in the global economy, supply chains and economic growth, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs hard hit, according

to the minister.

"Furthermore, the environmental crisis has led to worsening non-communicable diseases, enhancing an ecosystem where various infectious diseases foster, worsening air quality, food and water shortages, and deteriorating mental health illness," he explained.

"From heat-related injuries and forest fire air pollution to worsening seasonal allergies and storm-related illness and injuries, it is important that we make every effort," said Mamora.

At the event, the Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria, Alexander Chimbaru, pointed out that with direct consequences for the key determinants of health, climate change "is negatively

impacting" air and water quality, food security, and human habitat and shelter.

According to him, the knock-on effect for the burden of heart and lung disease, stroke and cancer, among others, is evident from statistics that point to NCDs representing a growing proportion of Africa’s disease burden.

"In the African region, NCDs are set to overtake communicable diseases, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional conditions combined, to become the leading cause of death by 2030," he added.

"COVID-19, along with spiralling obesity, diabetes and hypertension rates, compounds the challenge, highlighting the urgency of a multi-sectoral response."

Aba Ring-fenced Area: BPE Inaugurates Committee to Resolve Conflicts in Geometrics' Takeover Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has inaugurated an interagency committee to resolve critical regulatory and operational issues surrounding the smooth transition and hand over of the Aba RingFenced Area to APL/Geometrics.

The inauguration of the committee came after the privatisation agency announced on February 16, 2022, that the management of Geometric Power had formally acquired the Aba Ring-fenced area from Integrated Electricity Limited, a core investor in Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), thereby ending a nine-year legal tussle over the rightful owner of the project.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the BPE Director General, Mr. Alex Okoh affirmed that after the handover, APL/Geometrics in collaboration with the EEDC

commenced the transition and handover processes by setting up a joint transition committee.

He, however, observed that in the course of this, certain issues cropped up, one of which was that the Asset Transfer Agreement presumed that APL/Geometrics would generate and distribute power, which apparently is not yet the case.

He also alluded to the power allocation and tariff in the franchise area; the terms and conditions of EEDC’s vesting contract with the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) did not envisage APL/Geometrics were others issues that cropped up.

Others were Service Level Agreement with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN); the provision and requirements of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Loan Agreement and the attendant escrowed control of all EEDC bank

accounts.

They also included the centralised Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure for Metering and Meter Data Bases, Billing and Billing Data Base, Enterprise Resource Planning System and Infrastructure and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System in the Franchise Area.

According to a statement issued by the Head, Public Communications, BPE, Ibeh Uzoma Chidi, the BPE chief executive also cited the fact that EEDC has APL/Geometrics employees who are no longer accountable to EEDC accessing and utilising their metering/billing ERP and CRM systems; as well as the continued commitment of exited staff of EEDC under the control and management of APL/Geometrics in collecting revenue from postpaid customers for settlement of EEDC invoices from NBET and Market Operator (MO), TCN.

report, but it was gathered that the gunmen who came in motorbikes commandeered a truck to block off the road, while they entered the secretariat, setting structures, shops and vehicles ablaze.

A resident of the Area, who refused to be named said most shops inside the council Secretariat were also burnt, including the main secretariat building, which houses several departments.

The source however lamented that after the gunmen who shot

into the air for several minutes had escaped, soldiers came in and started arrested indigenes of the area.

"My house is just opposite the secretariat, we experienced everything that happened. Right now, I'm under my bed with my children, everyone is so afraid.

"We are not sure yet if there are casualties, but soldiers are already arresting youths of our community," the source said.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State

Police command has confirmed the incident, saying that its men are already on ground and have commenced close monitoring of the area.

"We have also contacted the men of the Anambra Fire Service to put off the fire, and for now I can only say that details are still very sketchy.

"I can not talk to you about casualty figures now, that will be after we have secured the place," he said.

NEW REVENUE FORMULA PROPOSES REDUCTION OF FG’S ALLOCATION BY 3.33% Government are treated fairly, equally and justly in the sharing of national resources. ‘‘I want to let you all know that I have keenly followed most of the discussions held in the geo-political consultative process and one thing that struck me clearly was the agreement that a review of our vertical revenue formula cannot and should not be an emotional or sentimental discussion and it cannot be done arbitrarily. ‘‘All over the world, revenue and resource allocation have always been a function of the level of responsibilities attached to the different components or tiers of government. ‘‘I am, therefore, happy to note that the discussions were held along these lines and rested squarely on roles and responsibilities as spelt out in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). ‘‘However, I also note that in reaching the final decisions at most of these engagements, not much emphasis was placed on the fact that the Second Schedule of the Nigerian constitution contains 68 items on the Exclusive Legislative List and the remaining 30 items on the Concurrent List requiring both the Federal and State Government to address.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the RMAFC followed due process in undertaking the exercise, and sought the opinion of the federal government before finalising the report.

Giving a synopsis of the report, Mustapha said it was in four volumes, including a summary in the main report.

He added: ‘‘Volume 1 contains the various memoranda submitted by the Federal and State

Governments as well as the FCT. Volume 2 details the presentation from the academia, civil society, professional bodies, traditional rulers, individuals, as well as women and youth council. ‘‘To complete the inclusiveness of the stakeholder participatory processes adopted, Volume 3 is a research that captures the body of knowledge that supported the review while Volume 4 is a further distillation of submissions by the State and Local Governments as well as NGOs and Area Councils of the FCT." Also speaking, RMAFC Chairman Mbam said the leading philosophy behind the proposed review was guided by the need for distributive justice, equity and fairness as enshrined in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He added that the principles took into cognisance the indivisibility of the country, public opinion and weighted Constitutional responsibilities and functions of the three levels of Government.

He announced that the proposed vertical revenue allocation formula advised 45.17 per cent for the federal government, 29.79 per cent for state governments and 21.04 per cent for the local governments.

Under Special Funds, he said, the Report by the Commission recommended one per cent for Ecology, 0.5 per cent for Stabilisation, 1.3 per cent for Development of Natural Resources and 1.2 per cent for the FCT. In arriving at the new vertical revenue allocation formula, Mbam told the president that the Commission had wide consultation with major stakeholders, public hearing in all the geo-political zones, administered questionnaires

and studied some other federations with similar fiscal arrangements like Nigeria to draw useful lessons from their experiences.

According to the RMAFC chairman, the Commission also visited all the 36 States and the FCT, the 774 local government areas to sensitise and obtain inputs from stakeholders.

He added that literature reviews were conducted on revenue allocation formula in Nigeria dating back to pre-independence period while the Commission received memoranda from the public sectors, individuals and private institutions across the country.

Explaining the major reasons for the exercise, Mbam noted that since the last review was conducted in 1992, 29 years ago, the political structure of the country has changed with the creation of six additional States in 1996, which brought the number of States to 36.

Correspondingly, he said, the number of local governments councils also increased from 589 to 774. ‘‘There have been considerable changes arising from the policy reforms that altered the relative share of responsibilities of the various tiers of government such as deregulation, privatisation and the lingering controversies over funding of primary education, primary healthcare."

The RMAFC chairman noted that while Section 32(b), Part 1 of Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution 9 (as amended) empowers the Commission to review from time to time the revenue allocation formulae; the inadequate and decaying infrastructure, as well as heightened widespread internal security challenges across the country also necessitated the exercise, among others.

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NEWSXTRA

WHEN GOOGLE GOOGLED MINISTER OF TRADE...

L-R: Manager, Public/Government Affairs, Google Nigeria, Dawn Dimowo; Country Director, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo when the delegation from Google Nigeria paid a visit to him in his office in Abuja ...yesterday

Defection: Ayade Escapes Sack as Judge Bows to Appeal Court Judgment Alex Enumah in Abuja In submission to the principle of ‘Stare disisis’ Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday refused to order the removal of Cross River State Governor, Prof.

Ben Ayade and his Deputy, Prof.

Ivara Esu from office.

The judge had on March 22, sacked two members of the National Assembly from Cross River State and 18 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that brought them to power in 2019.

Justice Taiwo had on March 25, adjourned to April 6, to deliver his judgment in the suit seeking the sack of Ayade and his deputy

due to their defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), last year.

However, when the matter came up Wednesday, the judge asked lawyers to parties in the suit to address him on the propriety of going ahead with his judgment in the light of a Court of Appeal judgment that held that a governor cannot be sacked on account of defection from one political party to another.

After taking submissions from counsel, Justice Taiwo had announced that judgment would be delivered yesterday.

Delivering judgment, the judge agreed with the submission of Chief Mike Ozekhome, counsel to Ayade and his deputy, on the

FCTE: Principals Not Levied to Get Ransom for Kidnapped UBE Chairman Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Education Secretariat has denied reports that principals in the FCT were levied to contribute N50 million to effect the release of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCTUBEB) Chairman, Dr Sule Alhassan.

In a statement yesterday, the Director of Administration and Finance at the FCT Education Secretariat, AbdulRazak Leramoh, described the report as fictitious.

He said the negotiation for Alhassan's release was at the instance of the captive’s family and his friends.

“This is to put it to the public that this is completely untrue and unknown to the FCT Secretariat and the Universal Basic Education Board of the FCT, and to the FCT Administration," explained Leramoh. "We are aware of one of our officers who unfortunately was involved in the attack and is currently in

the custody of the attackers."

He added, “The family has been negotiating with the attackers to release the officer.

The FCT Education Secretariat and the FCT SUBEB, and the FCT Administration are not involved in any way. This is purely the affairs of the family member and friends."

An online platform had reported that principals in the FCT junior secondary schools had been levied N20,000 each to raise the N50 million ransom demanded by terrorists to release the Alhassan.

Alhassan was abducted on the Abuja-Kaduna train attacked on April 4.

According to the report, a circular was sent to the principals

by FCTUBEB via WhatsApp to raise the ransom after the kidnappers contacted Alhassan’s family, reducing the ransom to N50 million from N500 million.

The principals were urged to raise the money to save Alhassan’s life urgently.

need to abide by the judgment of a Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, which held that a court lacks powers to remove a sitting governor who defects because the constitution has yet to make it an offence.

Justice Taiwo held that governors and their deputies could only be removed from

office in line with sections 180, 188 and 189 of the constitution which stipulated that elective office holders could only be removed from office on account of death, resignation or impeachment.

He said since defection was not one of the constitutional provisions to remove any

governor, no court has power to insert such into it.

While agreeing that defection was immoral, improper and condemnable, the judge however, held that judicial precedents of a higher court must be followed by a lower court and applied in similar matters so as to avoid judicial

rascality and anarchy.

The court held that although parties and facts in the matter that led to Court of Appeal's new decision are fundamentally different from those before it except on defection alone, the application of judicial precedent must be followed and in fact, binding on lower courts.

Groups: Tinubu Best Consensus Candidate for APC Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Joint Civil Society Groups in Nigeria and APC Support Groups say Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the best consensus candidate for APC to field for the 2023 presidential election.

This was made known in a five-point communique signed by Mr Ndubuisi Nwobu, Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Mohammed Abubakar, the secretary and eight others in Abuja on Thursday.

The communique, issued at the end of a two-day conference,

centred on the strategic role of consensus-building and the presidential aspiration of Tinubu and the APC holds for Nigeria.

"Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one candidate that presents an intimidating credential that can guarantee electoral success for the APC in the presidential elections," it stressed. "All stakeholders should rally support for the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his bid in the overall interest of the party."

The communique stressed that there was an emphasis on the presidential aspiration of Tinubu

following his efforts at reaching out to numerous stakeholders nationwide on his presidential ambition.

It further pointed out that emphasis was made on Tinubu's track record, stressing his exceptional commitment to ensuring sustainable growth and development in numerous ways.

It also noted that Tinubu was a bridge-builder, desirous of one Nigeria.

"The issues surrounding consensus building for political parties towards selecting candidates for elective positions have generated

comments in the polity," the statement added. "A consensusbuilding approach allows groups to reach an overwhelming agreement among relevant stakeholders and maximise possible gains for everyone. The APC deployed this model during its national convention."

The groups added that they "deemed it a success and an indication that if this model is adopted for its presidential primaries, there is the likelihood for the best candidate to emerge and thereby increasing the chances of political success."

Court Orders Airtel to Pay Former Employee N166m over Wrongful Dismissal Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice J. D. Peters of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ordered Airtel Networks Limited to pay its former employee, Mr. Abdul-Hakeem A. Olasewere, N165,986,419.98 for wrongfully sacking him.

The money comprises N100 million as exemplary damages, N60 million as general damages and N1 million as the cost of the action.

The judge also ordered Olasewere to pay Airtel N4,986,419.98 as the outstanding balance due on a vehicle loan.

"All the sums of money due and payable under this Judgment shall be paid with interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from the date of this Judgment until final liquidation," Justice Peters held.

The judge made the orders in suit number NICN/LA/90/2014 filed by Olasewere through his counsel Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), while Oladapo Adeosun (SAN) represented the defendant.

The claimant averred that the defendant employed him on February 1, 2008, and, based on his performance, rose to the rank of VP of Operations and Support.

But when he was two steps away from becoming the CEO, according to Airtel's management organisational chart, the defendant claimed that the firm's CEO, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, began removing Nigerian local talents who may in future be considered for CEO. The claimant added that he was subsequently moved to another position before his contract was unfairly terminated on December

24, 2013, without notice.

He argued, through Pinheiro, that the termination was wrongful and in breach of his contract of employment and Airtel's Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

Pinheiro argued further that "the termination was accentuated by malice, pre-meditated and a deliberate attempt and machination to oust any possible likely successor to the office of the CEO in the event of the impending expiration of his contract of employment."

Upholding Pinheiro's argument, the judge said: "I declare that the termination of the employment of the claimant by the defendant is wrongful and without any justifiable basis. I award the sum of N100 million only as exemplary damages against the defendant and in favour of the claimant."

He added, "I award to the

claimant his two years' salary in the sum of N60 million as general damages for the wrongful termination of his employment without justifiable basis. I award and order the defendant to pay the claimant the sum of N1 million as the cost of this action."

The court also ruled that the claimant/defendant to the counterclaim pay to the counterclaimant N4,986,419.98 being the outstanding balance due to the counter-claimant on a vehicle purchase loan.

"All the sums of money due and payable under this judgment both to the claimant and the counter claimant shall be paid with interest at the rate of 20 per cent per annum from the date of this Judgment until final liquidation," the judge ruled. "This judgment shall be complied with immediately."

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T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

NEWSXTRA

APC WOMEN LEADERS… L-R: Member, All Progressives Congress (APC), Stakeholder, Dr. Lilian Obenwa; National Women Leader, Dr. Betta Edu and Deputy National Women Leader, Zainab Ibrahim, during a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja... yesterday

FG Raises Concerns over Worsening Insecurity, Military Laments Setback in Recent Operations, Kill 46 Insurgents Govt assures on police salary increment IG deploys new CPs to Imo, Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo Kaduna pastors protest persistent terrorists’ attacks House probes poor intelligence gathering by security agencies Kingsley Nwezeh, Udora Orizu in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna The federal government yesterday expressed concern over the state of insecurity in the country.

Speaking in Abuja, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi said government was worried about recent attacks in Kaduna and Zamfara States.

He expressed concern that attacks by terrorists were aided by unpatriotic people and called on community leaders to support government's efforts to contain security challenges.

Furthermore, he deplored calls to allow citizens to carry arms in view of the security situation in the country, saying the armed forces were constitutionally empowered to carry arms, noting that such a situation would amount to lawlessness.

Dingyadi said: "Recent events in Kaduna and Zamfara States are of serious to government.

Most of these banditry activities are aided by unpatriotic people in the communities. I am appealing to all community leaders to cooperate with security agencies. The Buhari administration committed to ensure adequate security in the country."

He said government was determined to provide the necessary equipment for the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to optimised their performance.

On salary increment for police, the minister said government had expedited action on the matter.

"We are fast-tracking it. Mr. President is committed to it. It was his own idea and we are implementing it.

"Police management is up to the task. They are loading with the Ministry of Finance to ensure it is done. Very soon, it will be done", he said.

Also, yesterday, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, ordered the posting of CP Abutu Yaro, to the Edo State Police Command as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the State.

The IG also ordered the posting of CP Sikiru Akande Kayode, CP Yekini Adio Ayoku and CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde to head the Adamawa, Kaduna, and Imo

State Police commands respectively.

Military Laments Setback in Recent Operations, Kill 46 Insurgents In a related development, speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, lamented recent setbacks in military operations, apparently referring to the train bombing and killing of soldiers in Kaduna.

He said the military had launched an offensive in Kaduna with a view to containing the insurgents and restoring normalcy in order to ensure that such incidents as train bombing and infiltration of the airport don’t happen again.

He also disclosed that a total of 51,114 Boko Haram fighters and families, who surrendered to troops as at April 5, 2022, comprised of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children.

On counterterrorism operations in the north-east, he stated that troops neutralised scores of terrorist arrested, 22 spies of the insurgents, 11 terrorists, three logistics suppliers and rescued 30 civilians.

He said a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha surrendered to troops.

He added: "Cumulatively, in the last two weeks, troops recovered one battle tank, five artillery guns, two GTS, three AA guns, one Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, three gun trucks, one MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, two RPG tubes, three RPG rockets, three RPG bombs."

Insecurity: Kaduna Pastors Protest Persistent Terrorists’ Attacks However, some Christian clerics under the umbrella of “Interfaith Alliance,” yesterday protested against the persistent terrorists’ attacks in Kaduna, calling on the federal government to go all out to deal with the criminals.

Kaduna has been the epicentre of terrorists attacks in recent time.

On March 26, 2022, the Kaduna international airport was attacked by terrorists, killing a security guard.

Two days after the airport attack, the terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, killing eight people, while many others were either abducted of injured.

Several communities and suburbs within Kaduna metropolis have been under constant attacks by the terrorists, almost on a daily basis.

The latest of such attacks was on Wednesday when the terrorists reportedly invaded Anguwan Juji and Angwan Gimbiya suburbs in Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis and abducted unspecified number of people.

The protesting pastors who gathered peacefully around the busy Lagos Roundabout with placards carrying various inscriptions, condemned the security situation Kaduna state.

They called on the federal government to take urgent steps to tame the terrorists.

They noted that, “although government was doing its best, the best was not good enough”.

The convener of the group, Rev. Emmanuel Adebayo, who addressed the gathering, said government must go all out to end terrorism and all forms of criminality in the country.

He appealed to the federal government to compensate all the victims of terrorists’ attacks and award scholarships to children affected by banditry as well as rebuild communities ravaged by the attacks.

Adebayo said the government should be more proactive in whatever actions that are being taken against the terrorists.

“The essence of our gathering today is to put together what we refer to as “Kaduna prays”, as prayers work against insecurity.

“I am sure everybody knows that Kaduna is one of the states plagued by incidences of banditry and terrorism and various forms of criminality and of late, it has been on the increase,” he said.

He expressed disappointment with the federal government, saying Nigerians were not satisfied with the way the insecurity was being handled.

Adebayo said, “The government needs to be more proactive. We have been hearing about cry of our governor; he said he has been taken the reports to those concern; he said they know where they (terrorists) are, and that they listen to their telephone conversation but the response from the security

agencies are not good enough.

"So we are praying that God should touch their hearts to put in more efforts and to be more responsive so that this issue of insecurity won't be more reactionary but be preventive and we pray that God will give them more wisdoms on how to go about it in Jesus name”.

House Probes Poor Intelligence Gathering by Security Agencies The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the operational and co-operational lapses by Nigeria Intelligence Agencies which has led to the dearth of adequate intelligence gathering.

The resolution of the lawmakers was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to strengthen the intelligence gathering capacity of security agencies in Nigeria, sponsored by Hon. Dennis Idahosa at plenary.

Moving the motion, Idahosa noted the recent rising sequence of insecurity across the country in the forms of kidnappings, terrorism

and cattle rustling and farmers/ herders conflicts.

He also noted that the situation could be attributed to the dearth of timely and adequate intelligence gathering which has rendered security activities in the country ineffective.

According to him, this encourages attacks by insurgents, bandits and kidnappers due to the absence of intelligence that would have prompted pre-emptive or proactive actions by the security forces.

He said the House was aware that the lack of professional handling of sensitive intelligence (information) has led to colossal loss of lives and properties across the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West Zone.

He observed that frosty relationships among the security forces and the citizens are another challenge to security operations, hence the near-collapse of the gathering of intelligence.

Idahosa therefore advised that there's need to improve the professional standards of Nigeria Security Agencies in the aggressive gathering of intelligence and restructure the general intelligence architecture.

MILITARY LAUNCHES NEW OPERATION TO CURB OIL THEFT, BUNKERING IN NIGER DELTA and Security," in Asaba, yesterday, called for urgent collaborative effort of all stakeholders to stem the tide of oil theft.

He said the NNPC would continue to partner NUPENG to sustain the production of oil and gas, adding that the sector would remain relevant at all times irrespective of emerging transitions in the energy sector.

According to him, though global energy transition was going on, oil would still be available and in high demand till year 2050 and beyond.

Kyari said: "Locally, our industry is seriously being challenged. We have seen vandalism around our areas of operation not just in the Niger Delta but across the various corridors of our product supply.

"The activities oil thieves that have got to limit that we haven't seen before, almost bringing this

industry to its knees today. “ The NNPC GMD noted that with the current dismally low levels of production, every stakeholder must join hands to fight to sustain the industry to enable it survive for all.

On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government (SSG) Chief Patrick Ukah, while declaring the event open, noted that NUPENG remains a critical and respected trade union in the oil and gas industry, urging the union leadership to always forget harmonious working relation with the management cadre in the oil and gas industry in order to stave off needless friction.

The governor stressed the need for all the workers to be abreast of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act in the overall interest of the nation.

Also, The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Ayuba Wabba, vowed that labour union would continue to engage the political class to ensure improved welfare for workers.

He said that the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was not unpatriotic, even as he urged the federal government to get back to the negotiation table with a view to addressing the long-standing demands of the university teachers.

He also described casualisation of workers as evil and tantamount to slavery that must be resisted by workers.

Also speaking, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, noted that the petroleum sector plays a key role in the country's economy and called for diversification from

oil to agriculture to address the economic and social crises from the oil and gas industry.

He said only a formidable workforce with good welfare could rebuild the failing economy and address all the the challenges in the various sectors including the oil and gas industry.

The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, represented by the Delta State Controller of Works, Mrs. Eucharia Ozurumba, lauded NUPENG for its welfare activities but charged the union to sustain struggles for welfare of workers and the fight against casualisation.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prince Williams Akporeha, President of NUPENG, said the union would sustain fight against casualisation of oil workers even as he lamented other worrisome aspects of the national life including insecurity.

44

FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Police Rescue 12 Kidnapped Passengers in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Operatives of Kogi State Police command have rescued 12 passengers who were abducted in Eastern Senatorial district of the State. However, four passengers are yet to be found.

The victims were kidnapped along Itobe -Anyingba Highway on Wednesday en route Makurdi in Benue State.

A press statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer PPRO, SP William Aya, confirmed that hoodlums abducted Benue bound passengers on Itobe -Ayingba road.

Aya explained that the Command received a report on Wednesday 6/4/2022 that one Toyota bus with Registration Number Benue 192 XA driven by one Benard Ejeh, conveying 16 passengers from Abuja heading to Benue State via Ankpa ran into kidnappers at Ojuwo-Ajebgo village of Ofu Local Government Area along Anyigba road.

According to him, immediately the operatives of Quick Response Unit stationed at Itobe promptly swung into action, pursued the hoodlums into the bush and rescued 12

passengers including the driver while four other passengers are yet to be seen.

The Commissioner of Police ( CP) Edward Egbuka, who

was on a visiting tour at Kogi East Senatorial Zone got the information while he was on his way to Ejule, immediately moved to the scene met with the

rescued passengers and ordered that they should be moved to Itobe Division for debriefing.

Egbuka immediately deployed tactical team to the area to

continue trailing the hoodlums with a view to rescuing other victims.

The CP urged members of the public, the media, particularly

social media handlers to always verify facts of incidents from the Police before publishing stories to guard against misinforming the general public.

ENHANCING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY…

L-R: Growth Marketing Manager, Industry Ecosystem, Group Marketing and Corporate Communication, Interswitch, Michael Nwoseh; Group Head, Growth Marketing Merchants and Ecosystem, Interswitch, Olawale Akanbi; Lead, Product Development, Interswitch eClat, Tolulope Adesokan, and Head, Technology Operations, Interswitch eClat, Olufemi Olapegba, at the eClinic media launch held in Lagos SUNDAY ADIGUN

16 Varsities Get NCC’s N232.5m House: ADC to Raise N10bn to Sponsor 300 Nigerian Youths and sponsoring 300 Nigerian disabilities have free forms We will raise over N10 billion to Research, Devt Grant on Telecoms Chinedu Eze Youths who have capacity, in line with the party’s fund the #300Spartans for their Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has given 16 Nigerian universities a total of N232.5 million telecommunications research and development grant.

The grant consisted of three professional chair endowment grant and N172 million to 13 universities for research projects.

Speaking at the presentation of cheques to the 16 universities and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the three professional chair endowment on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Vice

Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, ProfessorUmar Danbatta, said: “The commission is awarding a total sum of One hundred and seventy two million, five hundred and thirty two thousand and forty naira (N172,532,040.00) only for these 13 research projects and sixty million naira (60,000,000) only as endowment in the three universities.

“With these awards and endowments the commission would have provided more than six hundred and sixty million Naira (N660,000,000.00) to Nigerian tertiary institutions for the Information Communications Technology (ICT) focused research innovations.

ASUU Accuses FG of Insensitivity over Strike Action Ibrahim OyewaleinLokoja

There is no end in sight to the protracted strike action embarked upon as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Nsukka zone, has accused the federal government of being intransigence and insensitive to resolve the current ASUU strike that it had foisted on the universities.

ASUU has vowed to remain adamant as long as the federal refuses to shift position on the University Transparency Accountability Solution UTAS and IPPIS, signing and implementation the renegotiated draft of 2009 agreement, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA ) accruing to its

members and the State Universities.

The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Nsukka Zone, Dr. Raphael Amakaha disclosed this while speaking to the newsmen at the Federal University , Lokoja yesterday, calling on wellmeaning Nigerians to beg the federal government not to kill the educational system in the country.

Amakaha explained that it is no longer news that the ASUU had been at loggerhead with the federal government over very vital issues which are yet to be resolved, noting that despite the efforts the Union to ensure an amicable settlement with the federal government the representatives of government failed to compromise.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it is set to raise N10 billon to sponsor 300 Nigerian youths to contest the House of Representatives elections in the 2023.

ADC’s national director of communications and programmes, Ifenla Oligbinde, said in a statement that the party would use ADCNEWTRYBE, a learning platform aimed at shortlisting, screening, selecting

credibility and character to be responsible leaders.

She said the party recently launched the #300Spartans movement and that it has given 35 per cent allocation to youths, women and persons with disabilities for party, elective and appointive positions.

“Nigerian youths can now enjoy double benefit through the ADC. Not only do youths, women and persons with

mainstreaming policies, the #300Spartans Project will also create an avenue where a uniformed number of credible and capable youths with enough grassroots experience can win seats at the House of Representatives.

“We already have NonGovernmental, Civil Society Organisations, companies and Individuals who are willing to partner with us for this project.

campaign and electioneering activities. Nigerians have been waiting for such an opportunity like this to invest in a credible alternative, and we have created such platform through the ADCNEWTRYBE,” Oligbinde stated.

She explained that this opportunity is open to youths, women, persons with disabilities and Nigerians in Diaspora.

Lasun Yussuf Defects to Labour Party, Obtains Governorship Ticket Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Lasun Yussuf, yesterday decamped to Labour Party (LP).

However, immediately after his defection, he was chosen by party members and affirmed as the candidate of the party in the state.

As a result of the affirmation at the party primary election

in Osogbo yesterday, Yusuff is to contest the July 16, 2022, governorship election with his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda.

Yussuf had contested twice on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, but was denied.

The ex-deputy Speaker of the National House of Representatives had recently resigned his membership of the APC.

Yusuff submitted his resignation letter on March 25, 2022, at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital.

Speaking after his affirmation, the former deputy Speaker noted that the APC no longer exist in Osun State, saying the party only exists by name.

Yusuff boasted that with his coming to the Labour Party, the party will be a turning point in the annals of the state.

He posited that his coming to the LP would herald industrial development, extensive agricultural development, good health, exploitation of mineral resources and good education.

Yusuff also pointed out that no government anywhere can provide jobs for every citizens, therefore, agricultural practices would be encouraged in full scale for the development of the state economy.

Ekiti to Include 500,000 Babies, Women in Insurance Scheme Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti For quality healthcare delivery and attainment of the Universal Health Coverage, the Ekiti State Government is to incorporate 500,000 citizens into the State Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS), with women and children below five years as major beneficiaries.

The government has also given a matching order to doctors and nurses operating in the stateowned health facilities to always breach protocols of registration and

give expeditious treatments to any patient brought on emergency, to safeguard the lives of the citizens.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, stated this yesterday in Ikole Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state at a community town hall meeting to commemorate 2022 World Health Day with the theme: ‘Our Community, Our Health’.

Filani said the government was taking steps for the decentralisation of the state Sexual Assault Referral Centre to take care of the victims

of rape and domestic violence.

On the SHIS scheme, which he said would be undertaken under a new programme called ‘Ilera Wa’, Filani said: “The government of Governor Kayode Fayemi is working hard to capture a total of 500,000 citizens under the scheme, so that they can get treatment at affordable rates.

“The women and children below five years will be major beneficiaries, because they are the most vulnerable groups in the society. We won’t spare any effort

to reduce mortality and morbidity rates, and making healthcare more affordable and accessible remains our focus with SHIS.” On the order that patients brought on emergency should be treated expeditiously, the commissioner clarified that: “This is not a law but part of the oaths taken by doctors to save lives. We value the lives of every citizen. We are not saying patients shouldn’t be registered, but they must be treated first and registration can be perfected later.”

is one Mr. Onyekwelu.

The pastor it was gathered was less than a week entrusted with the 12 years old girl as a house help, to help him out with house chores as his family was based in Abuja, but he turned her into a sex slave from the very first day of accepting her.

Our source said: “Nobody knew what was happening until on Wednesday night,

when the girl jumped down from the two storey building they reside in, to escape rape, after the man came to her to make advances.

“She is currently in the hospital receiving treatment as she fractured her leg, after jumping down from the height.

“We are calling for justice for the little girl, as she has been able to speak to some neighbours from her hospital

bed, saying that from the very day she came to the man’s house, he started sleeping with her.

“The girl said on Wednesday that after taking care of the house chores, she was about to go to bed when the man came again. She excused herself that she wanted to ease herself, and while the man was making phone call, she used the toilet window to jump down.”

APC ‘ll Zone Presidential Ticket to South-East, Group Says Police Arrest Pastor for Defiling 12-year-old Maid Nweke said that the group was Gideon Arinze inEnugu An Igbo group, the South East Renaissance Assembly has said it is confident that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will zone its presidential ticket to the region.

National Coordinator of the group and former governorship aspirant in Enugu state, Gbazuagu Nweke made this known yesterday while addressing a press conference.

working to facilitate, persuade and encourage fellow party members to see reasons why they should give the southeast the opportunity to lead the country.

He said that the decision to zone the ticket to the region will further increase its popularity in the Southeast and give the people a sense of belonging.

“As a group, we are committed to ensure that the Southeast gets its fair share in politics,” he said.

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Police in Anambra State have arrested a man identified as a Pastor and Lecturer with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, for allegedly defiling a 12 years old girl (name withheld).

Though Anambra State Police command was yet to reveal the name of the suspect, a source told THISDAY that the suspect

FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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PDP Pledges Fairness as Lawal Joins Ogun Guber Race James Sowole ÓØ ÌÏÙÕßÞË The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday promised all aspirants contesting for the ticket of the party for the 2023 general elections a level playing ground.

The Ogun State Chairman of PDP, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, made the promise in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while speaking during the public declaration of Mr. Jimi Adebisi Lawal, as the party’s governorship aspirant for the state.

Ogundele, who addressed party leaders and supporters from 20 local government areas of the state, said it was a wrong notion to say that the party is in the pocket of one person.

He said the party would treat every aspirant equally, so that the party could produce a candidate that would be accepted by the people of the state in the forthcoming election.

The chairman enjoined party members to remain one in order to send the All Progressives Congress (APC),

away from the Government House.

Addressing the crowd at the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta, Lawal said that he joined the governorship race in order to bring his vast experience in the private and public service into governance in the state.

The aspirant, who also contested for the same position in 2019 under the platform of APC, expressed worries over the issue of insecurity in the state, particularly, the recent cult clashes which left no fewer than 16 people dead.

He said that if given the mandate of his party and he eventually emerged as governor in 2023, his administration would focus on wealth creation, human capital, infrastructure, good governance and security of lives and property.

While taking a swipe at the current administration in the state for failing to live up to its electoral promises, Lawal declared he would ameliorate the sufferings the people in the state are currently going through.

He enjoined the people of

the state to vote for him and the PDP candidate so that they would enjoy the PDP’s administration like the people of Oyo State.

Specifically, Lawal said that if he is elected the governor of Ogun State, he would ensure that salaries of public servants are paid not later than 24th

of every month.

Also speaking, PDP Chairman in Oyo State, Mr. Dayo Ogungbenro, said that PDP is the only party that

could salvage the nation from its present challenges, imploring the people not to hesitate to return the party to power in Ogun State.

DATA SECURITY STANDARD CERTIFIED…

Managing Director/CEO, TAJ Bank Limited, Mr. Hamid Joda (left), and Executive Director, Mr. Sherif Idi, after the bank received the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification in Abuja…recently

Avoid Unauthorised Journey 2023: ‘Oshiomhole’s Aspiration ‘ll Spell Doom for APC in Edo North’ NYSC DG Tells Corps Members Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã

Onuminya Innocent Ø ÙÕÙÞÙ The Director General of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC ) Maj General Shuaibu Ibrahim has warned corps members to desist from unnecessary and unauthorized journey .

The DG stated this yesterday at the closing ceremony of 2022 Batch A stream 2 corps members.

Represented by the State Coordinator of NYSC in Sokoto State Alhaji Muhammad Nakamba , Shuaibu said to minimize the risk of road traffic accident , they are expected to always cut short their trips from 6pm.

He added that in the event when night meet them in the course of their journey, they should ask for any close by military barrack and other official place designated as safe to pass the night.

“I would like to reiterate our warning against unauthorised journey and night trips” he stated .

He also warned that social vices such as drug abuse , trafficking , cybercrime and advance fee fraud will not be condoned saying anyone caught would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the NYSC Bye-laws .

Imo Speaker’s Action, Illegal, Says Sacked Lawmaker Amby Uneze ÓØ áÏÜÜÓ Member representing Nkwerre State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Okwara, has accused the Speaker, Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, of pronouncing his seat vacant in a manner that is contrary to the laws of the land.

Okwara had recently defected from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). He said that the speaker committed contempt of the court since there were existing suits in courts of competent jurisdiction on the matter which Ibeh was a co- defendant.

The legislator insisted that the

speaker lacked constitutional power to declare his seat vacant, but rather risked jail term for preempting the court.

He added that Ibeh does not have moral justification to take the decision since he had committed similar alleged offense having defected from Action Alliance, the party that sponsored his emergence in 2019 to PDP and APC currently.

He also accused the speaker of leading the parliament astray, adding that “Imo State House of Assembly is now a ‘Fugi house of commotion.’ It is very unfortunate that Kennedy Ibeh in his desperation has destroyed the integrity of our parliament.”

Some people under the aegis of ‘Team Alimikhena’, yesterday declared that the aspiration of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole for Senate in 2023 general elections would polarise the party in Edo North senatorial district of the state.

The group which stated this in a press statement, signed by its Convener and Secretary, Sunny Ifijen and Omeiza Ogumah respectively, feared that

a repeat of what happened in the 2020 governorship election where party members worked at cross purpose may repeat itself in Edo North in 2023.

They said this is particularly so because, while the people of the senatorial district accepts Oshiomhole’s leadership, they reject his aspiration for the senatorial seat.

According to them, the rejection of Oshiomhole aspiration is so because the people want the incumbent, Senator Francis Alimikhena back in the senate as a form of

compensation for his wonderful work in addition to keeping the party together in the district.

The group advised the former APC national chairman to take the back stage and continue with his Kingmaker’s role rather than contest in the 2023 general elections.

“Oshiomhole should not allow himself to be dragged into Edo North Senatorial race and be disgraced at the end of the day. To yield to the desire of some self-interest seeking individuals, may cost him the respect his supporters accord

him.

“Just like they convinced against the wish of the masses, to field the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki in the 2016 who later turned out to be albatross to the party leadership and its supporters, they have started in their selfish ways.

“They have opened their fangs again to destroy the peace that have existed in the party in Edo North by trying to convince Oshiomhole to dethrone a performing Senator in the person of Francis Alimikhena.

Makinde Declares for Second Term Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday disclosed his decision to run for a second term, stressing his decision on the need to further build on the solid foundation his administration had laid regarding moving the people of the state from poverty to prosperity.

Makinde noted that the state, in the last three years, had witnessed unprecedented

development in all sectors with no zone left behind, in line with his roadmap to accelerated development 2019-2023.

Stating that the work to engineering a modern Oyo State is on, the governor, said he wanted another term in office bearing in mind that “work is not done until all problems are addressed.”

The governor said he had picked the Expression of Interest

and Nomination forms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde wrote: “I promised in my last newsletter that by the time you receive this one, I would have decided whether to run again for office. Sometime last week, I picked up the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for a second term as the elected Governor of the good people of Oyo State.

“Yes, I am presenting myself again to serve.”

“In the last three years, Oyo State has seen unprecedented development in all sectors with no zone left behind.

We have worked hard in all the four pillars upon which our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 is built.”

We are engineering a modern Oyo State.

Audit Queries: FG Accuses African Countries of Wooing Companies from Nigeria Udora Orizu ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government yesterday alleged that several African countries are wooing companies registered and operating in Nigeria to leave the country and relocate to theirs.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, made this known when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on

Public Accounts to respond to queries from the Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF).

Adebayo, who appeared with heads of agencies under the ministry, said the countries, including Ghana has increased their capital allowances to companies and has already taken away lots of investment from the country.

He also said that what is keeping some companies in

Nigeria today is it’s population.

While noting that the government is looking for ways of increasing the level of new investment in the country and sustaining existing ones, the minister, however, assured that the it is doing everything possible to ensure that such companies don’t leave the country.

He said: “Our duty is to support investment growth In

Nigeria. It is public knowledge that getting these investment is increasingly becoming difficult today.”

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wole Oke, said several companies operating in the country were in the habit of not paying the required revenue to government leading to lack of revenue for the operation of the government services.

D’ Dove, used in stealing the petroleum product and forfeited it with the stolen120 metric tonnes to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The convict and the forfeited vessel alongside one Nsikak Friday, were arraigned before the court, on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing and unlawful storage of 120 metric tonnes of AGO, by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) in a charge marked FHC/L/38/2018.

The offences, according to the Prosecutor, Mr. Mohammed Abass, were contrary to Section 3(6); 1(17) and of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M 17, Law the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) the same Act. And Section 4 of the Petroleum Act Cap P10, Laws of the Federation

of Nigeria 2004.

They were admitted to bail after they pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

However, during their trial, the third defendant, Nsikak Friday, jumped bail and never turned up for his trial.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, the convict changed his plea and entered a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC.

NIPOST, FRSC to Partner on Digital Addressing, Others Oil Theft: Court Jails Captain, Forfeits Vessel to FG The digital addressing The Nigerian Postal Services, (NIPOST) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have opened talk on a partnership that would lead to the adoption of NIPOST digital addressing initiative as a condition for the issuance of drivers’ license in the country.

The partnership is also to ensure adequate use of other major services offered by the postal agency.

platform would authenticate all addresses provided by Nigerians and give more credibility to documents issued by the government to its citizens and other residents such as the driver’s license, vehicle registration, National Identity Number (NIN), international passport, and voter’s card among others. The initiative is capable of tracking fake addresses.

Wale Igbintade

A Lagos Federal High Court, yesterday, convicted a Vessel Captain, Mr. Omosehin Ipinle, and sentenced him to one year imprisonment for unlawful possession of 120 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly called diesel.

The Trial Judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, equally convicted the vessel, MV

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Russia-Ukraine War: Profiling, Detention of Nigerians in Poland Condemned Michael Olugbode inAbuja

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM) has condemned alleged profiling and detention of Nigerians and others African nationals in Poland detention centres.

The Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in a signed statement by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the Commission, said the profiling and detention of Nigerians and other African nationals in Poland detention centres is highly unacceptable and reprehensible.

She gave the condemnation at the Psycho-social Trauma Clinic for Ukraine returnees organised

in partnership with National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and Project Victory Call Initiative (PVC) in Abuja on Thursday.

She noted that though President Mohammadu Buhari had made every necessary arrangements for Nigerians caught up in the war situation to return home, some chose to remain in some countries like Poland ,stressing that the most appropriate action for Poland to take was to return them back to their countries, rather than keep them in tortuous detention centres.

The NiDCOM boss said that the two day clinic was the preliminary ,

as it will be a continuous exercise.in the six geo-political zones, disclosing that NiDCOM has also partnered with The Sunshine Series by creating a 24 hours helpline (#112) for returnees who need counseling.

Also speaking, the FederalComissioner, Refugees Commi-ssion, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said: “We tend to ignore our mental health but mental health is key. As Nigerians we have a lot of resilience we have that ability, but not everybody has the same threshold when it comes to resilience and hence the need for this particular platform so that those that need extra support or extra care and assistance, can be able to access it”.

Obaseki Recommits to Strengthening Edo Health System The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration remains committed to upgrading Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCS) in the state, equipping them with world-class equipment and manpower to guarantee an efficient healthcare system in the state.

Obaseki gave the assurance in commemoration of this year’s World Health Day marked by the United Nations and its sister agencies with the theme, ‘Our planet, Our health.’

The governor, who described the theme of this year’s celebration as apt, called for accelerated action by stakeholders to preserve the environment, ensuring the health and wellbeing of citizens.

Obaseki noted, “This year’s World Health Day presents yet another opportunity to increase awareness on the need to step up global efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of citizens, ensuring the preservation of nature which is the source for replenishing human health.

“The COVID-19 outbreak exposed the gaps in global health systems, highlighting the need to reinvent healthcare delivery and build more resilient systems,

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PATIENCE IZIEGBE OGOGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PATIENCE RAPHAEL OSEMWEGIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PHILOMINA JOHN KALU, henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMAKA PHILOMINA LINUS ENI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JERRY UCHENDU, now wish to be known and address as OKORO UCHENDU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS NKEIRUKA CHIOMA NWAUDOH, now wish to be known and address as MRS NKEIRUKA CHIOMA EZIKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JOHNSON STANLEY, now wish to be known and address as ALIBA CHIDOZIE STANLEY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

guaranteeing policies to protect our health and the environment.

This is necessary to prevent future outbreaks and secure future generations.”

“As a government, we have

taken critical steps to ensure a healthier environment and will sustain investment in preserving the health, safety and environment of our people.”

Jigawa Settles 343 Pensioners with N715m for February

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse

The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme has paid the sum of N715.7 million to 343 retirees as terminal benefit for the month of February 2022.

The Executive Secretary of the Pension Scheme, Mr. Kamilu Aliyu Musa, dropped the hint while briefing news men in Dutse yesterday.

He explained that a total of 198 beneficiaries from the state got N484.9 million while 78 retirees from the local government were paid N107.1 million.

The executive secretary further

explained that 67 retirees from the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) were given N123.6 Million among others.

The executive secretary also stressed that Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has always given directives on prompt payment of the retirees benefit in the state.

According to him, since the assumption of the present government, retirees’ benefits remained the most important issue among its agenda.

He, therefore, commended Badaru for supporting the scheme to achieve the recorded success.

Foundation to Provide Grants for Women-owned Businesses in Ogun Sunday Okobi Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has disclosed that over 100 women-owned Adire

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIOMA DORIS UWACHUKWU, now wish to be known and address as MRS CHIOMA DORIS OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as JERRY UCHENDU, now wish to be known and address as OKORO UCHENDU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BASHIRU SAMUEL OSEWUNDO, now wish to be known and address as BASHIRU SAMUEL HADIRU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

This is to notify the general public that LAWRENCE CHIOMA VIVIAN and CHIOMA VIVIAN LAWRENCE refers to one and same person, henceforth, the bearer wishes to be known and addressed as LAWRENCE CHIOMA SCHOLARSTICA. All documents bearing all names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

businesses will benefit from direct cash grants courtesy of the Ajose Foundation, her brainchild.

In a statement issued and made available to THISDAY by the Press Officer, Office of the Wife of the Governor, Kemi Oyeleye, Abiodun made this known yesterday while speaking during the opening ceremony of the Adire Market Week held at the June 12 Cultural Market, Kuto in Abeokuta, stating that the grant was part of efforts to economically empower women and boost the trading of authentic Adire in the state.

She added that her office in partnership with the Foundation organised the three-day programme, which will end on April 9, 2022, to address the challenges hindering Adire businesses, as well as build a sustainable fashion industry in the state.

The governor’s wife stated that the market week would economically empower women as well as open new doors of opportunities for many Adire creators, give more access to Adire market and strengthen the link in the product’s value chain.

Beyond the week, she stated that there would be trainings for youths on Adire as well as stakeholders’ engagement to provide regulatory framework to protect Adire creators from different sharp practices, including theft of Adire designs and copyright.

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Longing for Ramadan (1) By: Islamweb

R

ecognising and appreciating the great favours of Allah, among which are the virtues of certain seasons and the opportunity of worshipping Allah during them: Imam Ibn Rajab (RA) said: “Allah has made some months more virtuous than others just as He has made some days and nights more virtuous than others; an example of this is His making the Night of Al-Qadr (the loft night during which matters are decreed) better than one thousand months; Also, Allah swore by the first ten days of the month of Thul-Hijjah to reflect their virtue.”

Every one of these virtuous seasons has certain acts of worship and specific forms of obedience to Allah, and blissful is he who utilises these seasons, months, days or hours to draw closer to Him. Muhammad Ibn Maslamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Amongst the days of Allah are seasons of mercy, so expose yourselves to them; perhaps one of you will attain some of this mercy and therefore never suffer after that.” [At-Tabarani] Mujahid (RA) said: “Every new day that arrives addresses the son of Adam saying: `O son of Adam! I have come to you at this moment never to return; therefore, analyse what you do during my stay.` Once it has ended, it is folded and sealed, and will remain so until Allah opens the seal on the Day of Resurrection.”

He (RA) also said: “O son of Adam! A new day is your guest, and every guest eventually departs with either praise or dispraise for you - and your nights do likewise.”

Bakr Al-Muzani (RA) said: “Every new day calls, saying: `O son of Adam! Utilise me; perhaps you will not have any day after me` - and the nights say the same.”

Once, three men came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and embraced Islam; they then went and stayed with Abu Talhah (RA). Later, the Prophet (PBUH) sent these men in a batch of troops to a battle, and one of them was martyred; at a later date, the Prophet (PBUH) sent the remaining two in another batch of troops to another battle, during which another of the three was martyred; at a later time, the third died in his house. After this, Abu Talhah (RA) said: “I saw these three men in a dream and saw that they were in Paradise. The leader of the three was the last one, who died on his bed in his house, followed by the second martyr, while the first one who was martyred was last, so I went to the Prophet (PBUH) and informed him about the dream; he (PBUH) said: “Are you surprised by the order that they were in (in) Paradise? Didn’t the latter one stay a year longer, during which he fasted the month of Ramadan and prayed such and such prayers?” It was said: “Yes!” Then he (PBUH) said: “The distance between them (in Paradise) is like that between the heavens and the earth.”

Some of the Salaf (The predecessors - The first three generation of Islamic Nation after Prophet (PBUH)) RA, said: “Prayer takes you half of the (distance) of the road, fasting leads you to the gate of the King (i.e., Allah) and charity takes you by your hand into His presence (i.e., to the attainment of His pleasure).”

Apologies to you, O Ramadan! You used to come to people who prepared to meet you, understood your secrets and appreciated your reality; they would thus await your arrival and prepare for you by praying, fasting, and performing other acts of worship; they would supplicate to Allah for six months prior to your arrival that He would allow them to live long enough to enjoy your virtuous period; they would then supplicate during the remainder of the year for Allah to accept the deeds that they performed during your stay. They would say: ‘O Allah! Make us live long enough to reach Ramadan and accept (the deeds we perform in it) from us.’

These people appreciated that you came to teach them how to elevate themselves above the animalistic conduct of having their main objectives being eating, drinking and satisfying their sexual desire. They realised that you came to teach them how to divest themselves of their desires.

Once, ‘Abdur-Rahman Ibn ‘Awf (RA)

was fasting, and when the time came for him to break his fast, two types of food were brought to him; when he saw this, he began to weep. His wife asked him why he was crying, to which he replied: “I remembered the day Mus’ab Ibn ‘Umayr (RA) died, and nothing could be found to shroud him except a small garment, (it was too short to wrap the body completely) that when we covered his head, his feet would be exposed, and when we covered his feet, his head would be uncovered; but today, I am enjoying these types of food, and I fear that we are exhausting all our share of pleasures by enjoying them now.”

O Ramadan! But nowadays, who do you meet when you arrive? People whose opinion of you is that you are a month of hunger and thirst during the day, and stuffed stomachs during the night; people who think of you as a month of cooking varied dishes in outrageous quantities; people whose preparation for meeting you was nothing except to supply themselves with food and drink, it is as if you only came to teach them the art of cooking and preparing meals in varied forms.

Apologies to you, O Ramadan! You used to come to people who would stay up at night in worship during you; they realised that you are a season of virtue and they therefore sacrificed everything during your stay. They heard the Saying of Allah (which means): “A limited number of days…” [Quran 2: 184] Thus, they certainly did not wish to miss out during these few days.

You would look at them and they would be crying, standing in the optional night prayers, heedless of this life, their main worry being the Hereafter; they shunned this life and would prostrate and supplicate, placing their hope only in Allah.

Safwan Ibn Saleem (RA) would pray the optional night prayer until his veins became protruded and their green colour would become apparent.

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) would cry to the extent that there became two permanent lines engraved on his face.

‘Abdullaah Ibn Al-Fudhayl (RA) heard a verse that made him faint and fall; it was the Saying of Allah (which means): “If you could but see when they are made to stand before the Fire and will say: ‘Oh, would that we could be returned [to life on earth] and not deny the signs of our Lord and be among the believers.’” [Quran 6: 27] It surely is applicable to these people, the Saying of Allah (which means): “Their sides depart [i.e., they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e., satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do. “ [Quran 32: 16-17] O Ramadan! But nowadays, who do you meet when you arrive? Miserable people whose only worry during the night is entertainment and frivolity; foolish people who have abandoned prayers and busied themselves with satellite television channels; lazy people, some of whom only strive to pray eight Rak’ahs of Taraweeh with the Imam and then leave the mosque, bragging about it as if they have therefore fulfilled their due worship and all other responsibilities towards Allah; hard-hearted people who hear the Quran being recited day and night and yet whose hearts do not move, and whose eyes never shed a tear.

O Ramadan! Forgive us! Our hearts have become hard and our eyes are dry; we no longer feel the sweetness of obedience to you, nor do we sense the beauty of worship.

Apologies to you, O Ramadan! You used to come to people who were brothers without any blood relationship, but they realised the value of brotherhood, understood its significance, and thus fulfilled its rights; they perfectly comprehended the saying of the Prophet (PBUH) when he said: “A Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim.”

They would be like a single body, the elders would be merciful towards the young and the young would honour the elders; they lived compassionate lives and dealt with each other based on love; they lived in harmony and had no hatred, envy or spite. They would suffer at the suffering of their brothers and strive to fulfil the needs of their brethren.

To Be Continued

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Oshoala Stripped of Super Falcons’ Captaincy

Barcelona Femeni forward, Asisat Oshoala, has been stripped of her captaincy of the Nigerian senior women’s national team, Super Falcons.

The decision was reportedly necessitated by the former Arsenal Ladies forward’s performance at

the Aisha Buhari Cup with the captaincy believed to be affecting her form on the pitch.

A senior official of the NFF, according to SportNewsAfrica revealed that the decision on Oshoala wasn’t taken in bad faith but in order to help the

attacker rediscover her form with the Super Falcons.

“We have no issue whatsoever with Asisat (Oshoala) but thoughts of stripping her of the armband came after Aisha Buhari Cup last September,” the senior official was quoted as saying.

“This is not for anything

negative but for troubling concerns of seeing her struggle in national team colours. We and the coach (Waldrum) observed the captaincy is weighing her down and affecting her play. With or without it, we believe she is a true professional player and should not struggle to prove otherwise

by delivering on the pitch.”

Oshoala was named Super Falcons captain in September 2019

by Chris Danjuma after captain of the team at the time, Desire Oparanozie was stripped off her armband following a contention with the NFF. Super Falcons veteran Onome

Ebi is reported to be the new captain and she’ll be assisted by Francesca Ordega.

Ebi, 38, is the most experienced player in the team and is a veteran of five World Cups. She previously held the band in the past and captained the Super Falcons to their last AWCON success.

Europa: Olayinka, Sor on Target as Iheanacho Fires Blank Nigerian duo, Peter Olayinka and Collins Sor, were on target as Slavia Prague held Feyenoord to a 3-3 draw away, in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final game last night Also in action was Super Eagles player, Cyriel Dessers, who provided the assist for one of Feyenoord’s goal.

Olayinka drew Slavia Prague level on 41 minutes before Sor put the Czech Republic side 2-1 ahead in the 67th minute.

Dessers who came on in the 64th minute then set up teammate Marcos Senesi who made it 2-2 in the 74th minute.

Elsewhere, Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, was in action as Leicester City played out a goalless draw in the Europa Conference League quarter finals clash with PSV Eindhoven.

Iheanacho, who was making his fifth appearance in the colours

of the Foxes this season, has scored one goal and had one assist.

The Nigerian international could have given Leicester City the lead in the 38th minute but his low drive shot failed to beat PSV goalkeeper, Yvon Mvogo.

However, he was substituted in the 67th minute after a decent performance for another Nigerian international Ademola Lookman.

QUARTER FINALS RB Leipzig Frankfurt Braga West Ham

1-1 1-1 1-0 1-1

Atalanta Barcelona Rangers Lyon

CONFERENCE Feyenoord Bodoe/ G Leicester Marseille

3-3 2-1 0-0 2-1

S’Prague Roma PSV PAOK FC

Asisat Oshoala...stripped of Falcons’ Captain band

Okwara Envisages Better Future for African Football Talents Mary Nnah

Peter Olayinka was on the scorer’s sheet as Slavia Prague held Feyenoord 3-3 in their Europa quarter final clash ...yesterday

The Masters: Tiger Woods Shoots One-under Par on Comeback Tiger Woods shot a one-under par 71 on his Masters comeback as the five-time champion made a stunning return to competitive golf at a jubilant Augusta.

Woods, 46, suffered lifethreatening injuries in a car crash 14 months ago, then feared his leg might be amputated.

The American 15-time major champion only confirmed on Tuesday he planned to play the Masters and looked sharp in his opening round on Thursday.

Australia's Cameron Smith was the early clubhouse leader after

a four-under 68.

England's Danny Willett, who earned a shock win at the Masters in 2016, and world number one Scottie Scheffler are one shot behind Smith after 69s.

Almost half the 90-man field were still out on the course at 22:00 BST, with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy again bidding for a career Grand Slam.

"There is a long way to go, it is a marathon but it is nice to get off to a positive start," Woods said after playing his first competitive round in 508 days.

Chief Executive Officer, Nao Sports Management Limited, Nnaemeka Okwara, a UK-based trained football scout and fitness coach, has declared his desire to see African football talents maximize their potential and get to the top of their careers.

“My vision is for African football talents to get to the top of their careers and maximize their potential. I use someone like George Weah as an inspiration and as a yardstick for African talent.

The likes of Samuel Eto'o, Sunday Oliseh, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, amongst others who have also done well for themselves. I just want African talents to get to the top of the top; that's why our company provides them with the best football programme where these players can be developed into elite football talents. My vision is to make them become the most elitist footballers in Europe and give them the best of programmes to actually take them to the zenith”.

On why his sports management outfit is trusted, the Heriot-Watt University graduate said: “Our team is the most trusted because we have connections with topquality football clubs. We have teams in the Italian and Bundesliga

leagues which are some of the best places to play in Europe. We will also take them to the best football academies in the world and give them the platform to showcase what they are and what they can become”.

Okwara, a professional football agent, grassroots licensed football coach, and also a qualified scout also referred to as talent identification all licensed by the English Football Association is also a qualified fitness coach accredited

by CIMSPA which is the most recognised fitness accreditation body in the UK for fitness coaches, nutrition advice and also personal training.

“I render professional nutritional coaching to professional athletes in order for them to achieve the maximum goal. All combined, these accreditation and licenses make Nao Sports, a sports consultancy agency that provides our clientele with the best services ranging from scouting, coaching, and fitness and visa processes.

We also do contract negotiations when players get pro contracts in Europe”, he added.

Speaking about his passion for African football, Okwara said, “My passion for African football comes through a natural love for the game as far as I can remember. With my experience

gathered as a result of being grafted into the football sector in England, I decided to invest my time and effort into African football because that’s where the next big opportunity”, adding that part his company does is to scout through demography using Lagos state as a case study to scout the best talents in Africa.

Shedding light on what his experience has been like as a football scout, the Italy-born Nigerian noted, “My experience as a football agent has been amazing.

It involves a lot of research on how African (Nigerian) players are moved to Europe without being scouted by the scouts of elite European teams. It also involves scouting an array of players for trials and hoping they get pro contracts. Traveling commitments and visitation to various football academies to see the standard of football being played in that academy also poses a challenge.

He also stated that just being talented is not enough when it comes to getting to the top as a football talent.

“When it comes to getting signed they need to understand that talent is never enough. Just being talented alone won’t get you signed. You have to combine some other traits with it. They have to have an obsession to be

the best that’s a mindset you need first. They also need to train and work hard because the joy of a coach is to see a player train hard and listen. They also need to be humble. Pride goes before a fall”.

Speaking further, he also outlined the major differences between European and African football.

Hear him: “The structure and organisation make a massive difference because the European management system is based on a long-term goal to help the country’s football stay stable for years. A structure and a curriculum are put in place for years for a common goal. For example, the German national team came up with a plan after Euro 2004 with the Joachim lowe programme which was for 15 years. Part of the players recruited was known from a very young age. They got recruited based on the style of play that met the coach’s prerequisite “But in Africa, we want quick results so managers get a quick sack and the majority of the foreign. Coaches hired to work do not understand the demography of African football. Also, African players who have played top-flight football should always be given the national team job and should have a long-term plan to help African football reach its peak”.

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Friday April 8, 2022

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MISSILE Varsity Don to FG “The insecurity in the country is affecting the level of investment in the country and also the Gross Domestic Product. When companies leave the country, their production in the country is taken away and this would negatively affect the GDP of the country. Domestic investment is also adversely affected by the insecurity of the country” –Professor of Economics at Godfrey Okoye University, Felix Onah, lamenting the protracted insecurity in the country.

FEMIFALANA GUEST COLUMNIST

Sponsors of Terrorism Should be Tried Now!

S

ometime in August 2019, a gang of 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed the three police officers who had arrested an alleged kidnap suspect, Bala Hamisu (a.k.a.Wadume) in Jalingo, Taraba State. The cold murder of the police officers was designed to cover up the involvement of the soldiers in the several killings and illegal collection of hundreds of millions of Naira as ransom by the kidnappers who had terrorised the people of Taraba State for about three years.

The suspected killer soldiers were charged with terrorism in the Federal High Court by the Nigeria Police Force.

But in a complete abuse of his powers under section 174 of the Constitution, the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN filed a nolle prosequi and withdrew the charges pending against the soldiers at the Federal High Court. They have since been shielded from prosecution without any legal or moral justification. Our demand for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects has been ignored by the Federal Government.

In another development, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation announced, between April and May 2021, that the investigation of the cases of sponsors of terrorism and 800 terror suspects by security forces had been concluded.

The Minister assured the nation that charges of terrorism would be filed

sponsors of terrorism and 800 terror suspects have not been arraigned at the Federal High Court. Thus, the suspects have been shielded from prosecution and exculpated by the Chief Law Officer of the Federation in spite of the overwhelming evidence already assembled against overwhelming evidence already assembled against them by the team of investigators.

Our attention has also been drawn to the claim of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport to the effect that the terrorist attack on the train in Kaduna would have been prevented if the Federal Government had acquired and installed security sensors. The Minister said that ”If those items were here, drones alone will tell you that there are people around the rail tracks because there are drones, there are equipment

Malami

at the Federal High Court against the 1,200 suspects once the industrial action of the striking staff of the Judiciary was called off.

Even though the industrial action was called off in June last year, the Attorney-General of the Federation has not adduced any reason why the 400

It is clear from the admission of the Minister of Transport that the Federal Government knew that the tragedy was waiting to happen

that pick sensors if you touch the track.

But unfortunately, the process has not been able to get us that approval for us to import those items.”

However, the Minister did not explain why the trains were not grounded until the security gadgets were acquired and installed. Thus, it is clear from the admission of the Minister of Transport that the Federal Government knew that the tragedy was waiting to happen.

Having accepted full responsibility for the terrorist attacks the Federal Government should apologise to the nation and and pay aggravated compensation to the survivors and family members of the deceased while efforts are intensified to secure the release of abducted t passengers.

No doubt, the deliberate refusal to prosecute arrested sponsors of terrorism and terror suspects has continued to exercerbate terrorism in the country.

However, as we join the people of Nigeria in condemning the dastardly attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train leading to the barbaric murder of several persons we are compelled to call on President Buhari to direct the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute all indicted terror suspects. Furthermore, we urge the President to order an investigation into the claims of the wanton negligence that led to the terrorist attacks.

•Femi Falana SAN is the Interim Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB)

Why Nigerians Cannot Pay for Treatment of Injured Passengers The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was reported yesterday to have requested the traumatised people of Nigeria to contribute to the cost of treating the passengers who were injured in Monday’s train attack by terrorists. During a visit to one of the hospitals where the passengers are being treated Mr. Amaechi said that some of them need drugs that are not manufactured in the country, asking Nigerians to assist in raising the money.

Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the tragic incident the statement credited to the Minister is highly provocative and insensitive on the following grounds: 1.

On January 22, 2022 the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria announced that a lot of measures have been put in place to ensure safety of travel by rail in the country. Specifically, he said that “We have a lot of DSS who are working unnoticed and most of the time, we have information

beforehand and we pass it to the appropriate quarters,” he said. We have increased the number of people we have on the train — both the civil defence, the police; both uniformed and non-uniformed; those armed and not armed.

2.

Contrary to such assurance the security measures put in place by the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Federal Government was designed to give passengers a false sense of security.

Hence, the terrorists were able to bomb the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday.

3.

The Minister of Transportation, who superinteds the Nigerian Railway Corporation, has admitted that it was the failure of the Federal Government to acquire and instal the vital security equipment which caused the terrorist attack and the injury inflicted on passengers and loss of lives as well as the kidnap of several others. Since the supervising Minister has established a case of the supervising Minister has established a case of criminal negligence

Amaechi

on the part of the Federal Government and the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation he cannot turn

round to ask members of the public to contribute money for the treatment of the injured passengers.

4. The Nigerian Railway Corporation claims to have sealed insurance contract with five underwriting companies to provide Group Personal Accident and Goods-in-Transit Insurance Scheme for its passengers.

In view of the foregoing, the Minister ought to withdraw the statement credited to him on the treatment of the injured passengers. More so that the law has imposed a legal obligation on the Nigerian Railway Corporation to bear full responsibility for injury or loss of life of passengers who were killed in the train. For the avoidance of doubt, section 78(1) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act provides that “The Corporation shall not be liable for personal injury to, or loss of life of a passenger, unless the personal injury or loss of life is caused by want of reasonable care, diligence or skill on the part of the Corporation or its servants.”

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