MONDAY 11TH APRIL 2022 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Executive Director, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, Mr. Adebanji Adeniyi; Group Chief Executive Oﬃcer (GCEO), Mr. Segun Agbaje; Chairman, Mr. Hezekiah Oyinlola; Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Catherine Echeozo, and Group Company Secretary, Mr. Erhi Obebeduo, at the 1st Annual General Meeting of the company held in Lagos…recently

Monday 11 April, 2022 Vol 27. No 9862. Price: N250

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Buhari, Govs Eulogise Business Magnate, Aliko Dangote at 65 Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

L-R: Managing Director, Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), Dr. Lazarus Angbazo; GMD, Afrinvest and CEO, AAA Infrastructure Nigeria Limited - Triple A Infra, Ike Chioke; Governor, CBN and Chairman, InfraCorp, Godwin Emeﬁele, and Deputy Governor, CBN and Director, InfraCorp, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, at the term sheet signing ceremony between InfraCorp and Triple A Infra in Lagos…recently

President Muhammadu Buhari, the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have congratulated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Continued on page 5

After Informing Buhari, Osinbajo Dares Tinubu, Declares Presidential Bid Today VP meets 12 APC govs, opens campaign office at Wuse 2 in Abuja Deji Elumoye in Abuja After months of speculation, suspense, and endorsements from different parts of the country, the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has concluded plans to declare interest in the 2023 presidential run today, although in several online platforms. Apart from that, it is not known if there are plans for declaration in front of large crowd of supporters. The decision followed weeks of consultation, and after formally informing his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, which culminated in a meeting last night

with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Competent sources confirmed not less than 12 governors attended the meeting called by the Vice President. THISDAY checks, revealed that many governors who could not attend were either abroad to observe umrah or had engagement that made them unavoidably absent. For instance, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu travelled to Germany, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman is away in Dubai, Niger State Governor, Sani Continued on page 5

CUSTODIAN INVESTMENT... L-R: Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin; Chairman, Dr. Omobola Johnson and Company Secretary, Mr. Adeyinka Jafojo, at the 27th Annual General Meeting of Custodian Investment Plc, in Lagos...Friday

With PDP Coming to Power in 2023, Nigeria will Rise Again, Says Ayu... Page 10

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FG Admits Security Personnel in N’Delta Conniving with Criminals to Steal Oil Says Elumelu wasn’t speaking for the oil industry about 95% losses Ramps of monitoring of agents deployed in fight against menace Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday admitted that some security personnel deployed to fight oil theft were heavily involved in collaborating with those stealing the commodity in the Niger Delta.

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, who spoke on a national television during a programme tagged “Eagle Eye” last night, noted that the government was planning various layers to monitor the personnel paid to halt the menace.

“Definitely, there are collaborators. Even during militancy, we had this issue within the military. So the government could not really enforce the law effectively because of the activities of these collaborators. “If you have something like a

AFTER INFORMING BUHARI, OSINBAJO DARES TINUBU, DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL BID TODAY Bello is away on Umrah, Borno State Governor is bereaved, lost his father-in-law on Saturday. And of course, quite away others had engagement previously scheduled. THISDAY had exclusively reported over a month ago that the vice president would declare his presidential aspiration soon after the APC national convention. The convention was held on Saturday, March 26 at the Eagles Square, Abuja, the nation’s capital. This paper had also stated that one of the forces that further inspired the vice president to throw his hat in the ring was the go-ahead he had since secured from his spiritual father, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Although Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, had gone on his verified Twitter account to disclaim the THISDAY story, dismissing it as false, and claiming that if there was going to be any such development, he would be the first to issue a statement to that effect. However, as at midnight, when plans had been concluded ahead of the declaration today, the spokesperson, who seemed to hardly know about critical decisions of his principal, had yet to author any statement, as he had promised his Twitter clan. But, according to informed sources and active players within the vice president’s strategy team, today’s declaration might have “put paid to speculations as to whether he will not challenge his political godfather and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who earlier declared interest in January.” Besides, by this step, Osinbajo, sources claimed, was believed to have already informed his boss, Buhari, and subsequently secured a “go ahead” before choosing to finally throw his hat in the ring. With what seemed like a properly conceived plan and execution clearly mapped out, Osinbajo concluded his consultations, as a prelude to today’s declaration, with a meeting with APC governors last night at the Akinola Aguda House, the official residence of the vice president. The parley, Villa sources said, was held after Iftar dinner (breaking of

fast) hosted by the vice president, since incidentally, both Muslims and Christians are currently observing Ramadan and Lent. Thus, attendance of the governors cut across religious and geographical divides. The meeting, which lasted for about three hours, had in attendance the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, who led some 12 of his colleagues of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to the meeting It was after the Iftar that Osinbajo informed the governors about his plan to succeed Buhari come May 29, 2023 and chronicled his activities as Vice President in almost eight years as well as his sojourn as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 during the administration of Tinubu. After listening to Osinbajo, the governors were said to be noncommittal but only wished him well as he pursued his political ambition. Apart from Bagudu, others who attended included Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa'i; his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State. Osinbajo is expected to formally launch his presidential bid on Monday by 7am simultaneously on different social media platforms showing a 10-minute recorded video of him addressing the public on his presidential ambition. To further lend credence to the move, he has also secured a campaign Office in Central Area of Abuja, located on 15B, Buchanan Crescent, Wuse 2. The campaign office, which is a one-storey building has been equipped with state of the art equipment with staff already employed to run the place. Hinting on the significance of the “breaking of fast” with the APC governors, one of the sources, said, “Professor Osinbajo has a special relationship with the APC governors as well as governors of other parties, most of whom he has built fraternal bond with in the last seven years as the chairman of the National Economic Council of which all the

governors are statutory members. “The VP felt being his key allies, he needed to formally inform them (governors) and seek their cooperation in the political journey ahead. Besides, many of the governors (APC) are also members or directors of some FG-owned agencies, where the VP is Chairman and their relationships in these agencies have also been deepened over the years. “Before now, I can confirm to you that Oga has done a lot of consultations across the country and with critical stakeholders and interest groups in his determination to fix Nigeria and restore hope to Nigerians. His consultations with other critical stakeholders, like the National Assembly, will continue in the times ahead.

crime that has gone on for this long and a joint task force is in place to actually exterminate this crime and the crime has even gone worse, then definitely whoever is in charge is probably not doing their job. “But at this time, the federal government is giving a note of warning and there will be other layers on top of those who are actually operating to monitor them, because the problem is to send people to take care of the crime and if you just leave them on their own, then in many cases they become part of the crime,” he contended. Sylva stated that the current incessant vandalism of oil and gas pipelines was a metamorphosis of the militancy in the Niger Delta region, which although led to the training of several youths in the region, has extended to the ongoing challenge. The minister noted that oil theft was not a creation of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, stressing that it has been in Nigeria for decades. He said that at a time there was some sympathy for the culprits, which aggravated the

matter. The minister stated that the situation is no longer sustainable, pointing out that Nigeria is currently losing a lot of its production, a development that spurred the president to act on the matter. On the recent allegation by a businessman and Founder Heir Holdings, Tony Elumelu, that more than 95 per cent of total oil production is stolen, Sylva said that the business leader was probably talking about his (Tony’s) asset and not the generality of the industry losses. “I saw that tweet from Tony and I would say that Tony doesn’t have an overview of the whole industry. He is pumping his production into one particular pipeline, the TNP line and that is actually one of the most majorly impacted of our pipelines. “There are other pipelines that are not as impacted as the TNP, so he was speaking from his own perspective and he is not in a position to speak for the industry. So if you said he lost 90 per cent of his production I understand, which is a very small production compared to the national

production, but that figure does not apply to the whole country,” he declared. He stated that although he couldn’t say exactly how much oil is stolen, since many conditions impact how much is taken at every point in time, it could be up to 200,000 bpd one day and change the next. Describing the inability of Nigeria to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota, as a sad topic for discussion, he said that it was a combination of factors that were responsible, including lack of new investment as a result of the delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). In addition, he listed sabotage, vandalism and the challenge of restarting oil wells that were shut down to align with OPEC cuts in 2020. “In trying to shut down 200,000 barrels, you might shut down up to 300,000 barrels because the production is not really mathematical,” he explained, adding that bringing back the pressure to begin pumping has become difficult.

Rewane: Nigerian Businesses Gasping Under Deteriorating Social Conditions, Insecurity, Structural Difficulties Says insecurity discouraging prospective foreign direct investments’ inflows Obinna Chima A member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC) and Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has stressed that businesses in the country are presently going through extracting pains due to the worsening state of insecurity as well as structural difficulties. Rewane stated this in a report titled: “Distracted Leaders and Conflicted Policymakers,” made available to THISDAY at the weekend. He noted that the spate of insecurity in the country was tapering prospective foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows FDIs in Nigeria dipped to a 5-year low by 32.14 per cent to $698.8 million in 2021. “Political uncertainties making investors tread cautiously. Capital imports dominated by hot money (Foreign Portfolio Investments are 50.6% of total capital imports),” he added. The EAC member pointed out

that businesses are gasping under energy cost (diesel, etc.) spike, rise in logistics costs, rise in the cost of importing raw material and capital goods, multiple taxation, new taxes introduced, shortage in forex supply and parallel rate hikes; investment drag due to rising uncertainties, kidnapping, banditry, protests, secessionists agitations; supply chain disruptions, infrastructural decays, tax inefficiencies, forex hassles, among other structural difficulties. He noted that insecurity was now the main focus of the political debate in Nigeria, saying that failure to contain the insurgency has taken the wind out of the sails of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “After a well-managed convention the APC is on a slippery slope. the president is attempting to take a grip; time is eluding the administration and desperate times may call for desperate measures “The president may have no choice but to clear the cupboard. Too many cabinet members and policy makers are conflicted, eroding the credibility of the administration. The next item on the political agenda is

multi-dimensional poverty. “Poverty is concentrated and worsening in the north-east and north-west zones. The state government finances are dwindling and debts are rising. The APC governors are split into incongruous camps. “The primaries are almost bound to zone the presidential ticket to the south, therein lies the problem as it is easier to get 50 files into a matchbox than to get the southern groups to agree on a candidate and zone. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also mired in internal squabbles and it is almost certain that the PDP will zone their presidency to the north,” he added. According to the economist, the state of insecurity in the country had already compounded fear as well as the country’s economic woes. He pointed out that insecurity which used to a major challenge in the north-eastern part of the country, has now shifted to the north-west. “Deteriorating social conditions leading to high insecurity and crime rates, kidnapping and ransom; Bus Rapid Transports (BRTs) and

commercial vehicles are unsafe; train bombings now a reality, and Boko haram activities spreading to central Nigeria,” he stated. Furthermore, Rewane noted the country’s low interest rates amid rising inflation widening negative real rates of return. ‘Investors are skeptical as debt level climbs. Total public debt up 20 per cent to N39.56 trillion in 2021 from N32.92 trillion in 2020. The federal government is still cash strapped despite increase in oil prices. “Oil production suboptimal leading to capping impact of higher oil prices. Swap deals also tapering oil revenue. Tax revenues slowing on hostile business environment. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements are down by 10.67 per cent to N621.68 billion in first quarter 2022 from N695.94 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021. “Subsidy payments are adding to revenue challenges and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company continues to maintain monthly deductions from FAAC remittance,” he added.

different parts of the country. Sanwo-Olu in the birthday message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, yesterday, also praised Dangote’s contribution to the economy of Nigeria through his various manufacturing companies in different parts of the country, especially the Dangote Fertilizer Plant and the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, Lagos. He said: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, Lagos State Government, and the good people of Lagos State, I join family, friends and business associates to congratulate you (Alhaji Aliko Dangote) on your 65th birthday celebration. “You are a blessing to your generation considering how God has been using you to put smiles on the faces of many Nigerians

working in your companies. You are an employer of labour and a respected business magnate who is contributing positively to the economy of Nigeria. “Lagos is happy to associate with you because of the tremendous work you are doing in our State by setting up two of your major companies – Dangote Fertilizer Plant and Dangote Refinery – that have provided job opportunities for thousands of Lagosians. “We want to thank God for the grace upon your life and for using your business acumen and philanthropic gestures for good cause in our society. “I wish you all the very best on your 65th birthday. I pray that God will grant you long life and sound health for you to continue to contribute to humanity.”

BUHARI, GOVS EULOGISE BUSINESS MAGNATE, ALIKO DANGOTE AT 65 as he marked his 65th birthday anniversary yesterday. In a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, the president joined family members, friends and associates to celebrate the milestone with the business magnate. Buhari shared the memorable occasion with the Dangote Group, which includes management and members of staff, and the many visionary leaders that daily redefine the livelihood of Nigerians for the better, and drive competitiveness in the economy with clear ranking of excellence in provision of goods and services. He affirmed the footprints of the consummate businessman in key sectors of the economy, and the remarkable results achieved in production and supply of food items, making him a household name.

He also praised Dangote’s dynamism in buoying the economy through heavy investments in building Africa’s largest refinery, fertiliser manufacturing company, and cement factories. Buhari appreciated the patriotism, simplicity and wisdom that Dangote has consistently displayed, making Nigeria and Nigerians his first priority, while setting example for many that charity truly begins from home. The President wished him greater service to God, country, and humanity. On their part, members of the NGF described Alhaji Aliko Dangote as a pride to the North, Nigeria, and Africa, adding that his business prowess has brought succor to humanity across the globe.

According a statement by the Chairman of NGF, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, the success of Dangote in the business world has impacted the lives of the citizens positively and contributed enormously to the economic growth of the country and continent at large. Commending him for maintaining his vision of industralising Nigeria and Africa as well as also ensuring that the nation's economy is developed in line with the abundant human and natural endowments of Nigeria which are largely under-utilised, the governors said they were particularly excited about the role that Africa's richest businessman had played, and has continued to play in creating jobs and fighting unemployment. Lalong said the Forum

cherishes the goodwill and solidarity that Dangote has extended to states individually and collectively through direct investments in the local economy as well as his philanthropic interventions to the indigent, particularly victims of crises in the region who are displaced or traumatised. Urging him to continue to carry on with his landmark investment activities such as the refinery which is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria's development, the Governors wish him God’s blessings and protection Sanwo-Olu in a statement noted that the business magnate was doing a lot for Nigeria by contributing to the growth of her economy and providing jobs and empowerment for millions of people, especially youths in

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 08074010580

MY CONDOLENCES... Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva (left) and Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, during a condolence visit to Jonathan in Abuja…recently

With PDP Coming to Power in 2023, Nigeria will Rise Again, Says Ayu Laments it’s never been this bad on many fronts Emmanuel: Our nation needs sincere leaders with capacity, experience Peter Obi: 2023 elections ‘opportunity to rescue Nigeria from further collapse’ Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Okon Bassey in Uyo National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, at the weekend, said with the opposition party coming into power next year, Nigeria would rise again. Ayu made the declaration in his goodwill message at the wedding reception of Mixine Ewere Okowa, daughter of the Delta Sate governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Dr. Daniel Igo, at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja. Ayu lamented that the country had never had it so bad on many fronts, but believed next year’s general election offered Nigerians a historic opportunity to reclaim their identity as a united and fraternal people. In a similar vein, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel said the country currently needed leaders with capacity, sincerity of purpose, selflessness, and readiness to make sacrifices. Emmanuel spoke in Uyo, when he featured in a radio programme. Those comments came as frontline PDP presidential aspirant for the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, called on members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and Nigerians, generally, to see the next general election as an opportunity to save the country from further collapse and build a better future for all. Obi said this in a recent address to the BOT members. Speaking to the state of the nation, Ayu said the sacred challenge before the present generation of Nigerians was to bequeath to the youth a healthy and cohesive country they would be proud of. He stated, “We thought we were on an irreversible course to the top, but disaster struck along the line, and today, we are back to the drawing board. Our generation, therefore, has the solemn responsibility to hand over to our children a united, healthy, and prosperous nation. “That is the historic challenge of 2023. We have never had it so bad,

and so bad on so many fronts, but we must remain united to rescue our country. There is hope on the horizon. There is light at end of the tunnel. With PDP coming, Nigeria will rise again.” Ayu hailed the marriage between Maxine, from Delta State, and Daniel, from Benue State, as proof that Nigerians still loved one another across ethnic and cultural divides. He urged the citizens to vote for the pluralism that PDP represented, come 2023. Earlier, the officiating minister, who joined the couple, Rt. Revd. Moses Tabwaye, counselled the newly-wedded to make Christ the Head of their home, saying He is the foundation for lasting marital success. Preaching on the “Five Ps” of Pastoring, Protecting, Parenting, Providing, and Piloting, Tabwaye said the “Five Ps” offered a timeless recipe for happy homes, and no groom had failed, who followed the formula faithfully. Dignitaries, who graced the event, included Okowa and Evang. Edith Okowa (parents of the bride), Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Igo (mother of the groom), the governors of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri; and Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal. Others were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; THISDAY Publisher, Nduka Obaigbena; Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige; former Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; ex-Senate Presidents, Dr. Bukola Saraki and David Mark; Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu; House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; and frontline banker, Mr. Jim Ovia. In Uyo, Emmanuel hailed Nigerians who contributed towards the purchase of his PDP presidential form to contest the 2023 general election. He spoke while having an audience with Human Rights Radio, producers of the popular national radio/TV programme,

Brekete Family Show, at Government House, Uyo. The governor thanked the founder of the organisation, Ordinary President, Ahmed Isah, and his team as well as all Nigerians, who contributed towards the purchase of the form. The group presented the presidential nomination form of the PDP to the governor on behalf of other Nigerians that contributed to the purchase of the form. Emmanuel stated, “Honestly, when I heard this plan to buy me a presidential nomination form was going on, I asked myself, how can they raise up to N40 million to go and buy me a form? “But today, it has become a reality. There are over 200 million Nigerians, but you chose to accord me this honour and privilege, and I don’t take this for granted. I really want to appreciate this family. I register my appreciation to all Nigerians, for this confidence." Reassuring Nigerians, who demonstrated faith and trust in his capacity, the governor explained that whatever he had achieved in the state now had been with the support of the people, and whatever success could be attained in Nigeria could only be achieved collectively. According to him, “Money is a principal thing. Nigeria today needs someone, who understands money. It is unfortunate that if we are looking for a managing director of a particular company, the CV we seek spans 3-4 pages, but when we are looking for a president of the country, based on the constitution, all we need is WAEC, no experience.” The governor lamented that premium was not put on the abilities of the leader in whose hands the destiny of over 200 million people would lie while making a choice, as it was done for a managing director of a company that had only a few shareholders and stakeholders. Emmanuel said certain things needed to be corrected in 2023 so that the country could move

forward. He reminded Nigerians that God occupied an important place in the business of leadership, and expressed the hope that the group had sought the consent of God before embarking on the venture. "Rest assured that I have accepted

the form,” he stated, adding, “All Nigerians cannot come together to give me something and I refuse." Speaking at the presentation, the leader of the delegation, Mr Innocent Orji, said although Emmanuel was not the only one hosted on their

programme, after they came to Akwa Ibom and discovered more than what they had heard from the governor, “We all agreed that if you can do these in a state, if given that opportunity, you will do even better at the national level.”

Electoral Act Clause 84: Appeal Court Restrains Malami, Others from Frustrating Appeal Permits PDP to join case against deletion Aspirations of Buhari’s appointees still dicey Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal has restrained the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and others from taking any steps to frustrate the hearing of an appeal against a judgement mandating the AGF to delete Section 84 (12) from the amended Electoral Act. A three-member panel of the court, led by Justice Rita Nosakhare Pemu, in a ruling, granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) permission to appeal, as an interested party, against the March 18, 2022 judgement by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Umuahia. The appeal, if it succeeds, puts the 2023 aspirations of Malami, Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, and other political appointees in jeopardy, as they would be expected to resign their appointments before contesting for any office. The appeal court, in the ruling delivered on April 7, and enrolled in possession by THISDAY in Abuja, also granted accelerated hearing in the appeal. The ruling was on a motion, marked CA/OW/87m/2022, filed by PDP, with Chief Nduka Edede (plaintiff in the suit decided by Justice Anyadike) and the AGF

as respondents. According to the enrolled order, "Leave is hereby granted the applicant (PDP) to appeal as person interested in this appeal – CA/ OW/87/2022. Due to the exigencies of this appeal and its constitutional colourisation, there is need to hear this matter expeditiously. "Accordingly, the appellant is hereby given up to Tuesday 12th of April, 2022 to file its notice of appeal and the parties are to file their respective briefs of arguments within three days from the date of service of the notice and record of appeal on the respondents. "There shall be a further three days given to the appellant to file a reply. Parties should desist from taking any step to frustrate the hearing of the appeal. The matter is adjourned to the 4th of May 2022, for the hearing of the appeal. Fresh hearing notice to be issued on the 2nd to the 12th respondents." The National Assembly had also indicated its intention to formally appeal the judgement by Anyadike. Anyadike had in the March 18 judgement in the suit by Edede, marked FHC/UM/CS/26/2022, held that Section 18(12) of the amended Electoral Act was unconstitutional and should be struck down. The judge noted that sections 66(1)(f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(f) and 182(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution already stipulated that government appointees seeking to

contest elections were only to resign at least 30 days before the election. The judge held that any other law that mandated such appointees to resign or leave office at any time before the 30 days provided in the constitution was unconstitutional and void to the extent of its inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution. Anyadike then ordered the AGF to delete the said Section 18 (12) from the amended Electoral Act. Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act provides, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.” PDP dragged Buhari before a Federal High Court in Abuja challenging moves to alter the amended Electoral Act. Buhari was sued along with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate Leader, House of Representatives Leader, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party also joined as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2022, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Deputy Senate Leader, and Deputy House of Representatives Leader.

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

NEWS

MARKING 2022 WORLD KIDNEY DAY... L-R: Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Adam and Eve/Chief Host, Mrs. Dupe Ogunlesi; Chairman, BOT Kidney for Africa, Prof. Gabriel Olufemi Sowemimo; representative of First Lady of Lagos, Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde; CEO, Kidney Foundation for Africa, Mr. Clinton Peter; and Consultant Nephrologists, St. Nicholas Hospital, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye at the 2022 World Kidney Day, held Saturday

Two Weeks After Attack, Terrorists Release Video of Abducted Train Passengers, Demand Ransom Kaduna Govt awaits information on trending video of neutralised terrorists loaded on vehicle 166 still unaccounted for as FG vows to leave no stone unturned, says security agencies working on releasing kidnapped victims Troops crush 30 ISWAP fighters as air strikes hit insurgents in Niger who infiltrated Lake Chad 17 terrorists reportedly killed in Kaduna Community Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Terrorists responsible for the bombing of an Abuja-Kaduna bound train yesterday released a video in which over 30 victims were seen pleading with the federal government to meet the demands of their abductors. In a related development, the Kaduna State government yesterday said it was awaiting operational feedback from security agencies on a trending video showing soldiers ‘dragging’ suspected criminals into an open boot of a military pickup truck. This comes exactly two weeks after the Abuja – Kaduna train was bombed by terrorists, an ugly incident that left eight persons dead, with several others injured and scores whisked away even as some family members of those abducted recently protested in Abuja, appealing for the federal government to intervene and help them rescue their relatives. However, the federal government yesterday assured that it would do everything necessary to see to the release of those still being held hostage by the terrorists. The assurance from the federal government came as it emerged that troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at the weekend eliminated 18 fighters of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a massive joint clearance operation in the fringes of the Lake Chad. Similarly, about 17 terrorists were said to have met their waterloo in Kakura community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state when residents engaged them in a fierce battle. So far, only the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Mr. Alwan Ali Hassan, who was among those kidnapped during the terrorists attack on the Abuja – Kaduna train attack has been released, with 166 still unaccounted for. Before his release, Hassan was last week seen in a video standing among the terrorists wearing cream Jalabiya. Terrorists had on March 28 blown up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route. It was gathered that an

expectant mother and her husband, a couple and two sisters were among those being held by the terrorists. In the video seen by THISDAY, a female student of Kaduna State University, pleaded with government to kindly meet the demands of the terrorists. "Am talking on behalf of the students, government should please come to our aid", one of the female students said while surrounded by about eight gun-wielding terrorists. Some of the victims’ families last week staged a peaceful protest at the Radio House in Abuja, with placards appealing to the federal government to do more in ensuring that they are released. “I have my sister who is seven months pregnant with her husband. Words cannot explain what they are going through and what we are going through. Please, the government should do the needful and let this come to an end as soon as possible. “They should try as much as possible to reach out to the perpetrators and rescue our loved ones. There are children there, pregnant women, the sick, the aged and only God knows what they are going through. They have been in captivity for ten days, so you can only imagine what they are going through and how it is affecting g us. “Whatever we do, we think of them. When we eat, we think of them. When we sleep, anything we do, we think of them. We are pleading with the government to please do the needful so that this situation will come to an end as soon as possible,” Aliyu Mahmud, a relative of the seven-month pregnant woman had said. On his part, another protester, Aminu Uthman, said: “My immediate younger brother and his wife are amongst the victims. It is a nightmare and the most difficult ten days I have has in my life. I cannot sleep or eat. A lot of things are going wrong. “The bandits called only once and they gave him the phone to speak to us. They are yet to make any request but they called and he is with them. We voted for this government because of insecurity.

We had the trust that they would address insecurity. This protest is not for the family members alone; it is for Nigerians generally. This thing can happen to anybody.” But speaking with THISDAY yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the federal government, “would leave no stone unturned to ensure that those that were abducted are released.” Muhammed, said work was ongoing; insisting that the government would not relent, “and we are not giving up at all,” to make sure that all those abducted

are released alive. However, he declined to comment on specific efforts being made by the government to ensure the release of those affected. “I may not be in a position to tell you the level of progress being made, but what I can tell you is that I am fully in touch with the authorities and I know that a lot of work is going on,” he said. When asked about what efforts were being made to ensure that the incident doesn’t repeat again, Muhammed said: “You know, when things like this happen, what you do is to ask yourself about efforts

that had been made in the past to forestall this kind of thing, what effort are you making today to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. And if you followed my press conference, I have been able to draw out the various steps the federal government has taken to ensure better security platform, and all security agencies. “The federal government would accelerate the procurement of the necessary surveillance and security equipment not just on the Abuja-Kaduna railway; but also the Warri-Itakpe as well as other railways.”

Responding to a question that a lot of Nigerians and the families of those still being held hostage by the terrorist feel the government was not doing enough to get them released, Mohammed said: “It is very unfortunate that Nigeria is in the current situation. But anybody who is familiar with terrorism would know that it is an unconventional war. “Over the past one week, I have drawn out efforts being made by the federal government to ensure that militancy, cultism and others Continued on page 49

FAO Unveils New Phase of Agric Policy Initiative for Nigeria, Seven Others Gets $11m grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) over the weekend launched a new phase of its key agricultural policy monitoring and analysis initiative, focused on supporting reforms in eight Sub-Saharan African countries, as they face an array of global challenges. Covering Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and Uganda, Phase 3 of the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) programme would continue working to support the countries in making more informed, evidence-based policy and investment decisions. The global agency had already secured an $11 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Among its key goals are identifying priority areas for scaling up investment, achieving more transparent markets and trade, inclusive rural transformation and more nutritious agrifood systems. The programme has become even more crucial as governments

grapple with tighter budgets in the wake of COVID-19 and the impact of the war in Ukraine and seek data-driven ways to guide their reforms towards inclusive agricultural transformation and economic recovery. “Global agricultural markets are becoming increasingly disrupted, leading to price spikes in food, energy, and increasing fertiliser prices, that not only hurt farmers and producers but also consumers and families, because of the lack of capacity to access food,” FAO Chief Economist, Máximo Torero Cullen said in remarks at the launch. To avoid a food crisis, he said: “We must monitor what is happening and react with timely policies. We need doubledimension action: short-term to respond to these shocks, and medium- to long-term to achieve the 2030 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MAFAP is a highly effective tool to help countries to do that.” The MAFAP programme has run for more than a decade, helping to bring about over 20 important policy reforms across sub-Saharan Africa. The latest five-year phase is

being launched with the support of an $11 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been a longtime donor to MAFAP alongside previous donors the United States Agency for International Development, and the Governments of the Germany and the Netherlands. The FAO Chief Economist noted that the launch comes amid growing focus on policy monitoring and repurposing, meaning the redirection of support for agricultural producers which in many cases hinders the transformation towards healthier, more sustainable and equitable agrifood systems. This follows on from last year’s UN Food Systems Summit and a landmark report by FAO, UNEP and UNDP on repurposing agricultural support for food systems transformation. To support the new phase, FAO has developed new policy tools and advanced economic modelling to help governments. These include determining if budgets on food and agriculture are optimally spent to ensure food security and nutrition, boost economic growth and speed up

inclusive agricultural transformation, as well as better understanding how national policies affect the prices of commodities or products along the value chain. Others are to prioritise the policies and investments that have the largest positive effects on poverty reduction, employment, agricultural growth and the affordability of healthy diets, identify and assess policy options for reform, and successfully implement policy changes. “This new phase of the programme relies on state-ofthe-art policy modelling tools that FAO has developed and are well documented in highly reputed international journals to ensure quality control, transparency and replicability,” said FAO Deputy Director of Agrifood Economics Marco V. Sánchez. MAFAP engages and partners with governments and stakeholders, such as farmers and agribusiness representatives, research organisations, civil society and development partners, throughout the policy cycle – from agenda setting, through analysis of policy options, to policy adoption.

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E Will Adamu Have a Smooth Sail? After the emergence of the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdulahi Adamu as the Nation Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the question on the lips of many is whether he will have a smooth sail throughout his tenure or the fate that befell his predecessors await him. Adedayo Akinwale writes:

Buhari

ollowing the emergence of the former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the air of uncertainty blowing within the party has ceased and the party may be enjoying a new lease of life. Adamu, the anointed candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari emerged through consensus on March 26, following the decision of other chairmanship aspirants to subsume their ambition out of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari and out of love for the ruling party. In his acceptance speech, he said the members National Working Committee (NWC) of the party accepted the onerous responsibility that members have placed on their shoulders. He assured that the NWC would work hard to ensure that they fulfill the expectations of members for the greater good of the party and of the country. Adamu noted that as politicians, they are not strangers to gains, losses and disappointments with the outcome of every political contest. He said there was a need to show maturity and good sportsmanship and accept the outcome of the convention with grace. To him, there was a need to renew the faith of members in the party and its leadership at all levels in order to herald a new dawn. Adamu urged party members to commit to the resolution of the crisis within the confines of the party constitution. He said they must resist the temptation to blow every minor personal disagreement into a major crisis, insisting that It is time for them to do things differently. Why Adamu was preferred - Bello The Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has said that the need to have a strong personality with historical knowledge of Nigerian politics informed the choice of Adamu. He said APC as the party to beat wants to win all elections and the party must be strategic, stable and must be solid. Bello was of the opinion that if the party had decided to go by sentiment, it would have been consumed and there wouldn’t have been APC today. He said: “And as such, we require such an experienced personality, irrespective of where he or she comes from. Forget about what is put out there as whether zoning or no zoning. What is important is who is that man who will be the leader and put the party together and that quality was found in Senator Abdulahi Adamu. “And the party will not want anything that is going to disrupt any process that was going to make him emerge. We had a rancour free election and we have a solid party today being led by Senator Abdulahi Adamu. He happened to come from North-central, so be it. What we want is certain qualities that are going to bring the party together.” “In the wisdom of the leadership of the party under Buhari and all the governors, leaders

Adamu

and members of the party, we all keyed into that issue of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that such a quality personality takes charge of the party. Banana Peels: Probe of APC Finances Few days after he assumed the leadership of the party, Adamu said he would commence the probe of the secretariat and directors of the party after the Transition Committee submits its report. He stated categorically that he would like to know the state of finances of the party. He said: “We want to know where the party is exactly so that we don’t get taken by the exuberance of winning an election and just plunge into the pool or not know how deep or the temperature of the water.” “As for you, the director of admin, you have no hiding place. We will count on your loyalty to the party. It is in God’s pleasure that we are here at the helm of affairs of this party. We’ve come with a very open mind but you have to reciprocate in the same spirit. We will definitely by the will of God Almighty, the Secretariat, we need to look at you but am not saying anything today until the transition committee submits its report.” Reversal of Buni’s Decision Adamu had also commenced reversing some of the decisions taken by his predecessor and Caretaker Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni. Before leaving office. Buni had given standing instructions to lawyers representing the APC to appeal court judgments challenging the conduct of congresses supervised by the caretaker committee. In a letter signed by the Head, Legal Services of the APC, Dare Oketade which was addressed to

Odigie-Oyegun

Oshiomhole

AdeniyiAkintola (SAN) & Company datedApril 6, 2022, it was stated that Adamu had directed that all cases appealed by Buni’s committee be immediately withdrawn from court. The letter titled, ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Instruction’, relates to a case marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/1635/2021 between Stephen Ntukekpo and three others vs. the APC and three others It read: “I have the instruction of the National Legal Adviser to convey the decision of the leadership of the party to obey the judgment in respect of the above captioned suit having been served with the same. Our instruction on the above matter was terminated at the Federal High Court. Consequently, the party is not interested in pursuing the appeal in respect of the above matter. “I have further instructions of the National Legal Adviser to request that you withdraw all the processes filed on behalf of the party and H.E. Mai Mala Buni, the erstwhile National Chairman of the CECPC, at the Court ofAppeal.” However, the court ordered that the status quo be maintained until the determination of the motions for jurisdiction and stay of execution, which comes up on May 17. One of the appealed judgments was that of the Federal High Court recognizing the Akwa Ibom State faction of the APC led by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over that of the erstwhile Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe.

“Our instruction on the above terminated at the Federal High Court”. Surely that is correct and on that note It will be appreciated if you could pay us our outstanding fees per our letter of acceptance dated 14th January 2022. “Meanwhile, please note for the records that after the delivery of the judgment, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe who is a natural person and was sued as the 3rd Defendant in the action engaged our services to prosecute an appeal against the judgment on his behalf. Indeed, he personally funded the production of the record of proceedings among other logistics and that led to appeal NO:CA/ABJ/353/2022 which he is the Appellant and All Progressives Congress is a Respondent among others, as entered in the Court of Appeal. “Accordingly, we are of the firm view that having been sued eo nomine as a natural person at the trial Court, he can constitutionally exercise a right of appeal through any Counsel of his choice against a judgment which he was a party, therefore we counsel that it would be appropriate if you could refer your request for the withdrawal of his processes from the Court of Appeal to him. “While we mean no disrespect to the office of the National Legal Adviser, we regret to observe that your letter to us dated 6th April 2022, ought not be copied to the Counsel on the other side as well as the Registrar of the Court of Appeal as was done by you. We say no more. Kindly extend our sincere regards to the National Legal Adviser.” However, a party source said Adamu’s new approach could destabilize the party. According to him, The best thing for Senator Adamu to have done was to allow the cases to run their course. There are over 200 cases in court at the moment. He should have let them continue. What the new national chairman is doing now is to reverse Buni’s actions and those who feel slighted will be forced to leave the party,” the source said.

Deﬁant Akpanudoedehe Fights On However, Akpanudoedehe appeared not to be deterred by the decision of the party to discontinue with the appeal as he has vowed to fight on. Akpanudoedehe, who responded to the Notice of Withdrawal through his counsel, Solomon Umoh (SAN) & Co. Solicitors & Advocates of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a letter addressed to Oketade dated 7th April titled, ‘Re: Notice of Withdrawal Instruction’, said the former national secretary will exercise his right to appeal the case. The letter read: “We received your letter in respect of the aforesaid subject matter dated 6th April 2022, though made available to us on the 7th of April, 2022 in chambers at about 9:25am. We agree with you as stated in your letter to wit:

The development however led the ruling APC under the enough-is-enough movement to win all the elective seats from the state to the National Assembly and finally crowned it with the governorship position of the state which made the Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to clinch the governorship seat of the state

Adamu’s Corruption case Going into the 2023 elections, the N15 billion corruption case hanging on Adamu’s neck will be a vital campaign tool for the opposition party to take advantage against the ruling party. Especially, considering the fact that the party that promised to fight corruption now has a chairman tainted with the same menace it promised to rid the country off. Adamu, who served as governor of Nasarawa between 1999 and 2007 was in March 2010 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Lafia. The EFCC had instituted N15 billion fraud allegations against Adamu and others. The EFCC said Adamu was arrested over the fraudulent award of contracts mostly on capital projects during his eight-year rule as Continued on page 17

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Can APC Loyalists’ Defection to SDP Change the Dynamics of Politics in Kwara? Hammed Shittu wonders if a Third Force has emerged in Kwara State to alter the present conﬁguration, where the All Progressives Congress is in power, while the Peoples Democratic Party is the main opposition political party

AbdulRazaq

fter three years of internal crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State over the control of the leadership of the party, the majority of the aggrieved party members of the party have decided to find solace in another political party so as to seek their political ambition ahead of 2023 general election. The aggrieved members of the APC majorly of who are supporters of the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed recently dumped their brooms revolution platform and pitched tent with horse symbol of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to contest the next elections in the state. Also, some of the aggrieved party members led by the former governorship aspirant of the APC during the 2019 general election, Alhaji Shuaib Yahman Songa have joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) while others have found their political space in the Young Progressives Party (YPP) so as to actualize their ambitions. Although, it has been a long and turbulent political journey for the aggrieved members of the party having waited patiently to ensure the perceived impunity in the party will be well resolved in their favour. However, the situation remains the same. Therefore, they decided to jump ship and take a horse ride so as to actualize their ambitions on the new found platform. The party members were previously locked in a battle with the state governor and leader of the party, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq since the party took over the leadership of the state after an electoral victory during the 2019 general election. It was the first time in the political history

Alakawa

Saraki

Mohammed

serious divisions among some leaders and members of the APC which at the end snowballed into full blown internal crisis in the party. The crisis has since factionalized the party into two groups in the state which also led to allegations and counter allegations over the funding of the campaigns of the APC elections in the state. A faction of the party was led by the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and has Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as its state chairman and called the group “APC Loyal” in the state. Its state secretariat is located along Flower Gardens, GRA, Ilorin. The other faction is led by the governor and has its state chairman, Hon. Sunday Fagbemi and called the group “AA Support Group of APC” in the state. Its state secretariat is located at Commissioner’s Lodge, GRA, Ilorin. Following this ugly situation in the party, a national reconciliation committee was set up by the party and headed by former governor of Nassarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and visited Ilorin to assuage the feelings of the two warring groups in the party. Apart from this, the elders of the party led by the former Ambassador to Malaysia, Alhaji Nurudeen Mohammed also did their best to reconcile the aggrieved members of the party but this failed to yield any positive result. After the visit, the Senator Adamu now the national chairman of the APC submitted its report on the issue to the national secretariat of the party led by

the former chairman caretaker committee and Yobe State Governor, Mallam Mai Mala Buni for implementation. At the end of the day, the national leadership of the party affirmed the AA Supoort Group in the party being led by the governor and aligned with the conduct of the state congress of the APC that produced Mr. Fagbemi and his team as the authentic state executive council of the party in the state. Consequently, Mr. Fagbemi was sworn-in as the new state chairman of the party in Abuja while swearing-in of other executive members of the party followed in Ilorin at a well attended event. Following this development in the party, the aggrieved members loyal to Alhaji Lai Mohammed embarked on series of consultations across political parties so as to shift their loyalty ahead of the 2023 polls in the state. The consultations recently yielded positive results as they dumped the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ilorin, the state capital. Speaking at the event, the former Kwara South senatorial chairman of the APC and now an SDP chieftain who spoke on behalf of the defectors, Mr. Rasak Alabi said that, “Without doubt, you are all witnesses to the inhuman treatment we have suffered in the party and how the party hierarchy has finally decided to treat our concerns with levity. “It is harrowing to also note the lack of responsible leadership displayed by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the national leadership of the party.”

meet the requirements of sections 222(a), 223(b), and 225 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Yes, somebody is saying the South-east has not had a president. I agree, and I sympathize with them. But the constitution says you can only become president through the ballot box. And we have been saying it during elections that every vote must count. So, why do you want to zone? Zone your mind if you want to zone.” While Adamu is still enjoying the honeymoon as the newly elected chairman of the party. Political analysts believe that he will be confronted with the same scenario that befell the former Chairmen of the party like Chief John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole await him. Though Oyegun spent four years, he wasn’t allowed to go for a second term because some governors and some interest groups within the party who stood against him. Similar dose was served to Oshiomhole when he was unconstitutionally removed from office after just two years. Though the crisis was plagued with crisis under Oshiomhole, the governors were unanimous in sending him packing. Analysts were of the opinion that Adamu’s case won’t be so different considering his rigid style. They think he will fast track the collapse of the party under his watch.

of the state that opposition groups came together under the banner of O To Ge (enough is enough) Movement to wrestle power from the Saraki dynasty that has been in the control of the political leadership of the state in the last 40 years. The movement moved across all the 193 wards of the state and worked as a united front to “sack” the scion of late Dr. Olusola Saraki and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his party, PDP from control of the state during the elections. The development however led the ruling APC under the enough-is-enough movement to win all the elective seats from the state to the National Assembly and finally crowned it with the governorship position of the state which made the Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to clinch the governorship seat of the state. It would be noted that, the governor has been struggling for the past years in the state to contest in various elective positions especially the senate and governor in different political parties like the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and PDP without success until the 2019 general election when the opposition groups united together to wrestle power from the Saraki dynasty in the state. Political pundits believed that the Governor would forget all that transpired towards his emergence, his election among others and allow the sleeping dogs lie. Unfortunately, a war of attrition and perceived vendetta started manifesting since assumption of office of his administration and thereby creating

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Will Adamu Have a Smooth Sail? governor of Nasarawa. Adamu and his coaccused, however, filed a motion countering the charges on the grounds that since the funds alleged to be embezzled belonged to the state, the EFCC was out of line in its investigation. The defendants also pleaded not guilty to the charges. But the then presiding judge, David Okorowa, ruled that Adamu would stand trial as he had a case to answer. In 2013, the senator and other defendants filed a suit at the Court of Appeal, challenging the decision of the lower court. In 2018, Adamu claimed the EFCC had dusted his file on alleged case of corruption since 2016 Unending Court Cases In spite of the fact that an elected NWC is now in charge of the day-to-day running of the party, there are barrages of court cases it met on ground. The litigations are against the APC at different levels. Some of the cases were filed challenging some actions of the Buni-led caretaker committee, while some cases were instituted as a result of parallel congresses held, some cases were instituted as a result of the factionalisation of the party. For instance, a chieftain of the party, Okosisi

Ngwu had in July approached an FCT High Court seeking an order stopping the ward, local government and state congresses of the party in Imo State. The case is yet to be discharged. In the same vein, the factions of ex-governor Aliyu Wamakko and Senator Abubakar Gada in Sokoto State are facing a Supreme Court date after the Court of Appeal upheld the Wammako-led executive. In Kano, the appeal by the APC faction of Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano State over the ward and local government congresses against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is pending before the Supreme Court after the appellate court upheld the Ganduje-led exco. Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the nullification of the APC national convention and the deregistration of the political party. The PDP is contending that the APC as a political party failed to

Adamu’s Perceived Tribalistic Tendency While the ruling APC has no justification not to zone its Presidential ticket to the South ahead of the 2023 elections, last September, Adamu without an inkling that he would become the chairman of the party vehemently kicked against zoning the presidency to South or any part of the country during elections, describing it has wishful thinking. Adamu while responding to a question on power shift to the South said there was nowhere in the Nigerian constitution that says any public office should be zoned. He said, “There is federal character, but not that parties must zone positions for presidency during election. The constitution is being reviewed. If you want a specific provision that a presidential position be zoned, you say it, and tell us how you want it to be zoned. “You can’t just wish away a situation that is fundamental to a country. You can’t talk of merit and talk of zoning. You can’t. Let’s just go by merit. Let every party find a way of selling itself in a manner that will garner the votes that will win the election. It’s as simple as that.”

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

2023 CAMPAIGN WATCH SAMUEL AJAYI

E-mail: yemielegance@gmail.com

Mobile: 08033083367

Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi acknowledging cheers from his supporters

Of PDP’s Zoning Blues and APC’s Waiting Game S

ince its formation in 1998, no issue has troubled the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), like zoning ahead of the 2023 presidential election. The party seems, ironically, to have been boxed into a corner by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and vice versa, going by the assumption that the ruling party might have zoned its presidential ticket to the South. In fact, the issue has become a moral one with many accusing the party of prioritising winning election over fairness and equity. And the argument of southern leaders of the party is tenable: it is indefensible that the presidency goes back to the North after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari. Yet, the argument of the likes of Aminu Tambuwal, the Sokoto State governor, and one of the arrowheads of anti-zoning in the PDP is also ensconced in merit. The argument is that there is no zoning in the party’s constitution and that the party must choose between playing the morality game or winning election. Besides, their argument that of PDP’s 16 years in power, the south spent over 13 years, cannot be discarded, nor the fact that the last PDP president was a southerner. Thus, either in terms of logic or strategy, the northern PDP has a case. Yet, the likes of Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, who has picked his presidential nomination form, want the South, especially, the South-south to be treated with fairness as the zone has been the one sustaining the party since the APC has practically overrun the North. The party, as a result, set up a 37-man committee headed by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to find an amicable solution to the problem. The committee has come out that though zoning is one of the principles of the party, however, anyone who has interest in running for the presidency irrespective of where he or she comes from is free to pick the party’s nomination form.

IS ZONING DISCARDED?

In the ruling APC, the waiting game is on. Virtually everyone, who has picked the party’s presidential nomination form is looking at the body language of the president to know who his preferred candidate would be. The thinking is that the emergence of Senator Abdullahi Adamu,

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, joined the presidential race in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Amaechi, however, caused a pleasant stir, when he ran around the stadium’s tartan tracks to prove that he was fit enough, not only for the race, but for the job. That, obviously, was a subliminal message sent to some quarters. The occasion was not actually a declaration rally but a thanksgiving service organised by the Rivers State chapter of the ruling APC. Perhaps, Amaechi just used the opportunity to throw his hat into the ring. Declaring, Amaechi, who was speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, has this to say: “I stand before you today to declare my intention and submit my application to serve as your next President. My aspiration is not about fulfilling any ambition. I am contesting for the office, because I believe that it is my moral duty to give what I can in the service of my country.” Amaechi is immensely qualified to run for the highest office in the land. He has massive experience in public service in the last 23 years, having served as speaker, governor and now a minister. Besides, he perfectly fits into the agitation that the presidency returns to the South and many believe he is actually an Igbo man, who happened to be born in Rivers State going his names. Above all, sources say he has very strong and influential friends and associates,who are ready to help in financial aspect of his campaign. But despite his national stature, APC is not the most popular in Rivers State. That is one narration Amaechi has not been able to change for so long. Apart from this, many in South-south still believe he betrayed his ‘brother’, former President Goodluck Jonathan, by supporting and working for Buhari in 2015. How Amaechi deals with these remains to be seen. Beyond that, he has the gait and composure to try political luck at the highest level. After all, what would he have done if he did not shoot his shot?

Fayose was to test the waters if the idea of consensus would work despite protestations. And it did. A member of the party, who did not want his name in print told THISDAY that the president would also try same format for the selection of the party’s presidential

flagbearer.

AND AMAECHI ‘RUNS’ INTO THE RACE

On Saturday, a former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of Transportation,

AT LAST, BAKARE OFFERS HIS SERVICES!

Months, if not years, after telling whoever cared to listen that he was Number 16 on the presidential list, Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, has

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

2023 CAMPAIGN WATCH

Staying Close With 2023 further as he declared his intention to run for the presidency himself come next year. Declaring at the Government House, Awka, the Anambra State capital, where he addressed traditional rulers and presidents-general of the 181 communities in the state, Obi said he was coming in to lead a Nigeria that would create jobs and attract foreign investments. Beyond his immense qualification and well-off profile, perhaps, Obi’s candidacy can be used to answer the Igbo Question with many affirming that even if power should return to the South, it should go to the South-east as no Nigerian from that zone has served as president of the country since the late General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was killed in a counter-coup in July 1966. Zoning aside, many neutrals would readily say Obi is qualified to run for the presidency but the question remains: how far can he go?

finally declared his intention to run for the presidency come 2023. He did this during a virtual meeting with Nigerians in diaspora tagged ‘Unveiling Project 16 to Nigerians’. The theme of the virtual meeting was: ‘The Portrait of a New Nigeria’. Speaking during the meeting, Bakare said North was being set against the South and Christians against Muslims in the build-up to the 2023 election. But said he remained the rallying point to restore order in the country. While he has not really made much noise, Bakare is said to be a strong contender for the APC ticket and his closeness to President Buhari remains a strong asset. He has also played many critical but silent roles in stabilising the regime in those early days. There are talks in power circles that when President Buhari said he won’t disclose his preferred candidate so he would not be harmed, he might be referring to Bakare. Many have also been asking if he was a member of the ruling APC. He responded to this during an interview with THISDAY last October that he was a card-carrying and foundation member of the party.

THE FAYOSE, DINO TIRADE

BETWEEN BELLO AND ABIOLA’S FAMILY NAME

For some time now, the youthful Governor of Kogi State, Yahya Bello, has been telling everyone that he wanted to succeed President Buhari come 2023. In fact, he told Nigerians that he would like to replicate the success he has recorded so far in Kogi at the national level. And to show that he meant business. Bello, recently named a very strong campaign organisation. The organisation would be headed by the daughter of the late billionaire businessman and philanthropist, MKO Abiola, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Castelo, as Director-General. Bello did not stop there. As if there were some templates he wanted to pick from the ‘Hope ‘93’ presidential campaign organisation of the late Abiola, he also appointed Senator Jonathan Zwingina, as the national coordinator of the campaign team while former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, was named the deputy national coordinator. Zwingina was head of Abiola’s ‘Hope ‘93’ campaign for the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Apparently wanting to justify her decision to work with Bello, Hafsat had claimed that he chose to accept Bello’s call to duty, because she saw same qualities of her late father in the Kogi governor. As expected, Hafsat has been receiving knocks for such comparison with her sister, Tundun, claiming she (Hafsat) was doing a great disservice to their late father’s larger than life name. Beyond Abiola’s name, it remains to be seen how Bello would navigate the issue of zoning, as from all indications, the APC presidential candidate may likely come from the South and Bello is from the North Central. Apart from the issue of zoning, there are those, who can wager anything that his near eight years as governor of Kogi State have not really added much to the state in terms of positive development. But Bello seems determined to push his ambition to a logical conclusion.

NOW, THE WIKE CHALLENGE

When he appeared on a Channels Television programme recently and was asked why he was contesting, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, said it was because Nigeria is in trouble. For some time, the issue within the opposition PDP, has been whether the party would zone its presidential ticket to the North or the South. But it seems the APC might zoneits presidential ticket to the South as many southern leading lights in the PDP have also been canvassing for the party to also zone its own presidential ticket to the South. And leading this charge has been the Rivers State governor, who accused some of his colleague governors of having abandoned the party at some point only to come back while he has always remained with the party despite persecutions. Those he was referring to included the current Sokoto State Governor and former Speaker of the House Representatives, Aminu Bello Tambuwal. Tambuwal had left the PDP to join the then opposition APC after serving as Speaker for four years on the platform of the PDP. Thus, last week, Wike called on the larger PDP to treat the South-south with fairness, saying the zone was the pillar of the PDP. Whereas, Tambuwal has repeatedly told whoever cares to listen that the opposition PDP must be ready to either follow zoning or be interested in winning the 2023 Presidential election. And he has declared his presidential ambition just like Wike. No doubt, the issue of zoning is a thorny one within the PDP with the party torn between the devil and the deep blue sea, it is aware of need for power to return to the South while not discountenancing the fact that the North is a factor in the power equation going by number of votes the region usually returns. Analysts believe that should both parties zone their presidential tickets to the South, PDP might not stand a good chance with power of incumbency firmly on the side of whoever APC picks as its candidate. On the

Bakare other hand, those pushing their argument on the basis of fairness say power should return to the South after eight years of President Buhari. It now remains to be seen if Wike can pull it through within the party and pick its presidential ticket. All fingers remain crossed or those pushing for a northern presidential flagbearer have their way with Wike only having his say.

…AND SANWO-OLU GETS THE NOD!

A couple of weeks ago, a poser was raised on this page on when the current Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would declare his second term ambition. Sources had told THISDAY that, the governor was actually waiting for a green light from the godfather of Lagos politics and one of the national leaders of APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Finally, the greenlight came recently and the governor was cleared to go for second term. There had been fears that the ‘Ambode treatment’ was awaiting SanwoOlu with many claiming his deputy, Femi Hamzat, could be pushed to replace him or another political greenhorn completely. But all these had been laid to rest with hints coming in lately that Sanwo-Olu might declare his second term ambition at the Eagle Square venue of the APC national convention. A source close to Tinubu had also confirmed this to a national daily (not THISDAY) that,Sanwo-Olu was coming back. In February this year, Sanwo-Olu had taken his case to the people of Lagos State, when he declared that it was the people that would determine if he deserved second term or not. His words: “It’s for the citizens to determine if we are good enough for the second term. What we are doing now is the work and what they will miss if they didn’t allow us for a second term to complete the job.” Many had taken this to be a way of putting pressure on his political godfather, Tinubu, to make up his mind on whether he would be allowed to run for a second term or not. And now, the endorsement had come. Going by the issues that have dogged his administration, Sanwo-Olu has performed beyond average. Just seventeen months into his administration in October 2020,

the EndSars protests had rocked many cities in the southern part of the country with Lagos being the worst hit. The lowest point was when protesters were allegedly killed by soldiers at the Lekki toll gate,which led to outrage both within and outside the country. SanwoOlu had navigated this crisis fairly well even as many exonerated him on the basis of the fact that the issue was beyond him. The COVID-19 pandemic had hit Lagos more than any other state in the country with the state daily toping list of positive cases and eventual casualties. There were also the security challenges that followed the lockdown. Once again, the governor navigated these creditably well with the way the state handled the crisis especially, the management of its isolation centres. If he wins the mandate of ‘Lagosians’ for another four years, he can only wish for a more crisis-free second term.

CAN OBI BRING ‘ANAMBRA’ TO THE CENTRE?

If there was one governor in Nigeria, believed to have left office with his integrity and credibility intact, it’s former governor of Anambra State and banker-turned politician, Peter Obi. He was the governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014 and succeeded by Chief Willie Obiano. Obi, before joining politics, was the managing director at Fidelity Bank. As governor, Obi created a model in public administration and also blocked so many leakages and wastages in government to the extent that many labelled him a very ‘stingy governor’ due to his extremely frugal approach to management of public funds. Obi fixed roads and built schools and hospitals and set a standard in public administration that his successor simply found too much to replicate. In 2019, Obi was named running mate to the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, himself a former Vice-President. Many hailed the choice as a good one with analysts permutating that while Atiku would be handling general governance and politics, Obi would be in charge of the economy as a former banker. They lost the election to the ruling APC. Now, Obi has decided to go a step

“PDP set up a 37-man committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom, to ﬁnd an amicable solution. The committee has come out that though zoning is one of the principles of the party, however, anyone who has interest in running for the presidency irrespective of where he or she comes from is free to pick the party’s nomination form.”

Last week the rabble-rousing former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, picked the presidential nomination form and expression of interest of the PDP, believed to have been made possible by his friend and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. And he made it clear that he was not in the race to step down for anyone. He also resigned his membership of the party’s zoning committee, claiming since he had become an aspirant and could not continue as a member of the committee again. He also condemned the aspirations of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stating the two should not have even come out to contest the PDP presidential nomination ticket. He added that the duo got what they did not bargain for in the APC and that was why they returned to the PDP. In his characteristically cheap populism, Fayose headed to a popular local eatery in Abuja to have a taste of ‘amala’, a Nigerian pastry food made from cassava or yam. Pictures of Fayose devouring a plate of ‘amala’ immediately went viral and Senator Dino Melaye, a known ally of Atiku, took serious exception to Fayose’s utterances saying, the presidency was more than eating ‘amala’ and ‘ponmo’ (cow skin). Melaye, in his very scathing remarks on Fayose, said, “Inebriated by several wraps of amala in Abuja, former governor Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, in his characteristic exuberance directed indecent and indecorous attacks at two serious contenders for the presidential ticket of the PDP, HE Atiku Abubakar and HE Bukola Saraki. “Incidentally, the mauling of amala gained more publicity over the collection of the presidential nomination form, a pretentious exhibition of dinning with the masses. The issue before Nigerians now is not who can eat more but who can produce food. That is why the attempt to tar the achievements of Atiku Abubakar as former Vice-President and Bukola Saraki as former Senate President by Fayose would be discounted as the belching perfidy of a presidential gambler.” On paper, it is obvious that Fayose cannot come near the duo of Atiku and Saraki in political stature and standing within the PDP. And perhaps, he has to attack the two political heavyweights in continuation of the proxy war over the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket. If so, Fayose will always have the likes of Dino to contend with.

A DISTRACTION CALLED EKWEREMADU!

A former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is the last thing Enugu wants to talk about right now as the state projects into 2023. Unfortunately, this typically grasping political liability would not steer clear of the stage as events unfold. Almost four years ago, he came out to celebrate his 57th birthday and 16th year in the state, an occasion he seized to announce his exit from the senate, by which time he would have put some straight 20 years into the upper chamber of the legislature. Doing what? Nothing! Yes, he is no longer returning to the senate, but he is not calling it quit yet. He also wants to be the governor of Enugu State, against the extant political tradition in the coal city. In Enugu, rotational governorship is taken very seriously, and from Enugu East to West and North, the three districts, had taken turns at the governorship and expected to start all over again with the East taking the next turn. But Ekweremadu would not take any of those. He would rather the rotation was jettisoned, because he wants to be governor. Let’s even say the rotation is relaxed based on some ‘logical’ explanations, is Enugu made only for Ekweremadu, who had spent a whole 20 years in the senate? Even if the system beckons on him, he should turn it down if he had any shame or dignity at all. What could be so special about him that only one man would be senator for 20 years and still be gunning for the governorship, yet, without any stellar performance? He is just a distraction that Enugu should not pay any attention to. He is driven by the lust for power and security and definitely not service to the people.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

FEATURES

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

Engendering Growth through Women’s Political, Economic Inclusion As part of the activities that marked the 2022 International Women Day, the ACCA Nigeria in collaboration with the ElectHER held a one-day symposium that highlighted that gender equality accelerates economic development and attainment of SDGs, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

ow does bias against the female gender and the exclusion of women in the mainstream of their country’s political and economic lives hurt the country’s national economic development? This was the question a select group of women eggheads and some men who were drawn from Nigeria’s corporate community, corridors of power and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered to address during a recent event to commemorate the International Women Day. The event was organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Nigeria and the ElectHER, a party-agnostic organisation committed to increasing women political inclusion across Africa. The theme of the event was the “Nexus between Women, Political Inclusion and Economic Performance.” Called upon to proffer answers to the question on the link between women inclusion and national development was the Executive Vice-Chair, Emerging Africa Group, Ms. Toyin F. Sanni, who delivered the keynote address that was titled “An Inclusive Approach to Economic Recovery.” Sanni asserted that “true prosperity and creativity come from diversity and inclusion.” She added that extensive researches have shown that when more women work, economies grow as women’s economic empowerment would boost productivity, increases economic diversification and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes. She described diversity as being composed of differing elements while inclusion, on the other hand, is the practice of consciously providing everyone, with equal access to opportunities and resources, irrespective of such divisive categorisation. According to her, “the more diverse we are when we gather, the more we stimulate, challenge and push one another to greater heights of imagination and creativity. For diversity to work its magic there must also be inclusion. But the creative spark is quenched without inclusion.” Sanni averred that sidelining women would hold back economies from recovering, growing and prospering. She said: “The economy cannot operate at its full potential with hurdles for half of the world’s population. Therefore, breaking the bias is not only a fundamental human right but also a critical economic necessity.” Women Empowerment and the SDGs Sanni also linked empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the world of work and politics with achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 that focused on achieving gender equality, as well as Goal 8 that is aimed at promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all. Other SDGs that could be facilitated by gender equality are SDG 1,2,3 and 10, which are concerned with ending poverty, food security, ensuring health reducing inequalities respectively. She, therefore, affirmed that “an equal world would not only improve women’s rights and empowerment but also increase countries’ monetary living standards, as measured by their income per capita. “Gender parity will yield substantial economic benefits, leading to an annual increase in the world GDP growth rate by 2030. In other words, the world GDP in 2030 is estimated at $150 trillion (per capita $8,378) without a reduction in gender based discrimination, compared to well over $200 trillion (per capita $9,142) if discriminatory social institutions were totally eradicated. This is an impressive gain indeed.” How Excluded are Women? A recent MCKinsey study said that women globally occupied less than a third of senior and middle management positions in the private sector; women in the financial services industry make up about 30 per cent of the workforce at the

L-R: The Head, ACCA Nigeria, Mr. Tom Isibor; ACCA Global Council member, Ms. Victoria Ajayi; Chief Economist, Coronation Merchant Bank, Ms. Chinwe Egwim; Founder/CEO, ElectHER, Ms. Ibijoke Faborode; Senior Business Development Manager, ACCA Nigeria, Ms. Aderonke Adebule; SSA to Ogun State Governor on Agriculture, Ms. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, and CFO Nigeria Exchange Limited, Mr. Adebayo Opatade senior management level in Africa. But this level of representation dropped significantly moving from senior management to the board level. The study put average board representation of females in Africa is 14 per cent. Moreover, women do 2.6 times more unpaid care and domestic work than men. This leads to lower earnings and less time to engage in non-work activities for women. The World Bank estimated that 29 per cent of entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa are women entrepreneurs, though most female-led enterprises are small businesses with little opportunity for growth due to poor financial inclusion. “From an impact perspective, an increase in financial inclusion can lead to higher economic growth, faster economic recovery as well as lower income inequality,” she said. Politics and Women According to the UN, only 22 countries out of 119 countries have female Heads of State; only 21 per cent of government ministers are women, with only 14 countries having achieved 50 per cent or more women in cabinets. At this rate, it is believed that it would take 2077, which is 55 more years, to achieve gender parity in ministerial appointments. In Nigeria, there are few women in political and leadership spaces. Currently only seven out of 109 senators and 22 of the 360 House of Representatives members are women. The Founder and CEO of ElectHER, Ms. Ibijoke Faborode, pointed that there is a correlation between gender equality and a country’s national development. Faborode justified this by pointing out that top 10 countries with good Human Development Index (HDI) are countries with high women representation in their national parliament while five least corrupt countries in the world, according to the Transparency Index, have substantial number of women in parliament. These countries included Denmark, Finland, New Zealand and Norway. “Norway has 44.9 per cent of women's representation in its national parliament is ranked No 1 country for healthy life and decent standard of living while Rwanda has

over 50 per cent female representation in its parliament and has since 2000 experienced consistent GDP growth.” She, therefore, said that it is time to break the gender bias against women in Nigeria, which was ranked 184 out of 187 countries with women in national parliament by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She called for increased consciousness on gender issues and equity in governance and leadership to break the bias. Speaking in the same vein, the Executive Director, Markets-ACCA, Ms. Lucia RealMartin, talked about the economic imperative for gender equity and explained why ACCA has been supporting and celebrating International Women’s Day. She said: “As our (ACCA) agenda says, there is now a growing societal expectation to create a world that works for everyone – one that is sustainable, fairer, and more inclusive. This need is built on the strong foundations of the UN Sustainability Development Goals or UN SDGs. “We support IWD because it fits with our corporate values of inclusion, innovation and integrity; because ACCA believes in diversity, inclusion and equality and because equality for women is still a goal to be achieved on the global stage – hence the very existence of UN SDG 5 which aims to ‘achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.’ “We have eight years to achieve this goal and there is still a lot to do.I want to look now at the accountancy profession and where it stands when it comes to this equality agenda.” Real-Martin said that the ACCA published a report last year titled “Leading Inclusion.” The report was based on a research that polled nearly 10,000 respondents globally and 2,000 in Africa about a wide range of issues relating to diversity, equality and inclusion. It started by asking the question ‘are we truly a profession that is open to all?’ With one of the highest scores, 83 per cent of African respondents said the profession was open to all, compared to 78 per cent globally. However, the report concluded that there is no basis for complacency, with 77 per cent of African respondents saying the profession should do more to promote diversity and

"An equal world would not only improve women’s rights and empowerment but also increase countries’ monetary living standards, as measured by their income per capita"

inclusion amongst its membership. “Importantly, our report offers recommendations to promote diversity and inclusion in organisations, from establishing policies that set out organisational principles, to creating leadership principles that set the tone from the top and hold leaders accountable – after all, individuals make the difference; organisations can provide the frameworks. The report also suggests actions that accountants can take to develop this agenda,” she said. The Chief Economist of Coronation Merchant Bank, Ms. Chinwe Egwim, said that gender inequality is a barrier to prosperity and a disadvantage to the economy. Similarly, the Senior Special Assisstant to Ogun State Governor on Agriculture, Ms. Angel Adelaja-Kuye, said that capable women that could introduce informed economic decision needed for economic development. The Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader, PwC, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, observed that progress on women political and economic inclusion has been largely slow, adding that the world need to act differently with sincerity and a sense of urgency, otherwise it would take over 100yrs to achieve gender equity. Oyedele said: “When we exclude women in economic activities, policy formulation, governance, leadership, access to education, job and career opportunities, we limit our possibilities. “Embracing gender equity is not a favour to women; it benefits everyone - socially and economically.” He, however, advised women to work harder than their male counterpart to earn a place in top positions especially in the private sector. He noted that only six countries have given women equal legal work rights as men. These countries are Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden. But “in Nigeria, we have discriminatory legal provisions such as that of the Nigerian Police where an unmarried policewoman is punished for getting pregnant, but it doesn’t matter if an unmarried policeman impregnates a woman.” That is. Oyedele gave practical steps that could help to bring down the gender bias. “We need to change our mindset; we must challenge status quo, stereotypes, and questionable cultural practices and seek education to address unconscious biases. “Measure the gap, define outcome and track progress – Whatever is not counted doesn't count. Play your part and help others do the same – We all have a role to play, men and women, individually and collectively. “We must make personal commitments towards inclusion and gender equity. Whoever cannot lend a helping hand should please not be a stumbling block. We must remove the impediments against women.”

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

FEATURES

Confronting the IDP's Crisis in Nigeria One of the world’s largest cases of humanitarian exigencies with over 2.9 million internally displaced persons are in the North-east and North-east of Nigeria. The crisis which is mainly triggered by insurgency and banditry has induced food insecurity and severe malnutrition. Recently the federal government launched the National Policy on IDPs that draws from international legal instruments with a desire to find a durable solution to their problem, Olawale Ajimotokan reports

he 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview for Nigeria estimates that insecurity related to violent onslaught by Islamist groups, Boko Haram and ISWAP and the military counter operations continue to affect 26 million people living in the North-west with 8.7 million of them in need of humanitarian assistance. Furthermore 6.5 million of these people are estimated to be in three most affected states of Adamawa, Bornu and Yobe. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State is the epicentre of the insurgency. It is home to about a million internally displaced persons (IDPs), all victims of the Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks. The city has scores of official and unofficial camps in Auno, Stadium, Bakassi, Muna Garage, Gubio, Dalori I and II dripping with IDPs who are struggling for limited food. There is severe hunger in these encampments. The challenge has also spilled over to the frontier countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic creating one of the worst refugee crises in the world. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said the crisis has caused the Lake Chad Basin region to be grappling with a complex humanitarian emergency which has risen to critical levels in all four countries. The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally-Displaced Persons in Nigeria (NCFRMI), Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the commission had registered over 73,000 refugees under the Process B of UNCHR from over Chad, Niger and Cameroon. She also added that apart from the three countries, the NCFRMI also has a plan to manage other Nigerian refugees domiciled elsewhere through a committee set up under the TWG of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation in the North- east set up to ensure their safe return. “It is a process. Trust me we have all the instruments in place. It does not happen in one day. As we settle one community another one happens. What we are doing is to ensure that we have the right frame in place for refugee integration resettlement and rehabilitation,” she said. Many victims fleeing the insurgency have found themselves in other states of the country as IDPs, living in squalid conditions in various settlements. There are IDPs settlement in Goningora, Udawa, Mararaban Rido and Kujama, (Chikun LGA) and those in Zonkwa and Samaru Kataf in Zangon Kataf LGA in Kaduna State. In the FCT, it is estimated that about 10,000 IDPs are currently living in about 20 settlements at Wassa, Durumi, Kuchingoro and Kuje among others in various parts of the territory. Last year, a Cholera outbreak ravaged many states of the federation. Apparently due to the unhygienic conditions occasioned in many camps, several IDPs had gastro intestinal infections and in some cases, many of them died after they were exposed to drinking infected water and food. The Secretary of the IDP Camp at Wassa Resettlement community, Usman Ibrahim said about 5,317 people were dwelling in the camp in conditions that did not befit humanity. He said many of the IDPs lived without good sanitary facilities and did not have access to portable water putting them at risk of all forms of infections. He lamented that lack of access to clean water has made women to resort to fetching water from the stream that is contaminated with human faeces while the only bole hole that serves the community is hardly put into use because of unavailability of generating set to power it as the camp is not connected

An IDP camp

Minister of Humanitarian Aﬀairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq to the national gridlock. Apart from that, the medical facility in the centre made up of seven divisions is under equipped while many of their children are out of school. The challenges have also escalated into acute food shortage in the affected communities. A recent report jointly authored by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that acute food insecurity may deteriorate further in Nigeria and 19 other countries, particularly between February and May 2022. The report which was released in January called for expedited humanitarian action in what it

described as 20 “hunger hotspots” including Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen where the lives and livelihoods of the part of the population would be in jeopardy from significant deterioration of acute food insecurity in the coming months. And as one of the measures to mitigate this humanitarian challenge that made the federal government to donate $1 million to the UN towards the WFP as part of ECOWAS humanitarian assistance for victims of violence in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States. The fund is to provide food assistance to 4,196 persons from 840 households without food and to provide milling machines and training support to 603 returnees from Cameroon and displaced rural women to support them in generating some income to sustain their livelihoods. To prevent acute malnutrition in children in the first 1,000 days of their lives, the WFP also provided nutrition assistance to children aged 6-23 months old and to pregnant and breastfeeding women from the vulnerable and food insecure households. Some 14,070 children and 1,932 pregnant and breastfeeding women received specialized nutritious food in the three project states. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said the project has provided the ministry the opportunity of showcasing best practices of partnership in delivering humanitarian intervention as well as advancing the federal government’s efforts in touching the lives of a critical mass of Nigerians in vulnerable situations. It was in a bid to make humanitarian provision for persons obliged to leave their places of habitual residence to avoid effects of armed conflicts, violence and violation of human rights that the federal government

"The IDP policy intends to provide a framework for prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement, meet their assistance and protection needs during displacement and ensure their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement"

launched the National Policy on IDPs in line with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of internally displaced persons in Africa adopted in Kampala on October 22, 2009. Umar said the federal government has commenced the stand alone process of domesticating the Kampala convention adding the relevant stakeholders had also been charged to come up with the draft bill for onward presentation to FEC and its transition to the National Assembly for necessary legislative action. In order to ensure effective implementation of the policy, the minister also charged the National Coordination Technical Working Group and other relevant stakeholders to commence implementation plan with clear roles and responsibilities of all actors. She said the plan should incorporate a monitoring and evaluation strategy which will ensure compliance with policy framework and scope as well as determining the extent of achievement of policy goals and objectives. Farouq said the IDP policy intends to provide a framework for prevention and protection of citizens and, in some cases, non-citizens, from incidences of arbitrary and other forms of internal displacement, meet their assistance and protection needs during displacement and ensure their rehabilitation, return, reintegration and relocation after displacement. “The policy integrated the provisions of existing international conventions, treaties and protocols on internal displacement, guided by the dictates of international humanitarian and human rights laws. It draws extensively on the guidance of international and national frameworks on the prevention of internal displacement, as well as those on protection and assistance of internally displaced persons. "The Kampala Convention, the UN Guiding Principles on internal displacement and the sphere minimum standards for humanitarian assistance have significantly defined the direction of this policy,” Farouq said. Apart from the IDP policy, the federal government also unveiled the Humanitarian Hub and Open House to enable the ministry, its agencies, partners and stakeholders to engage and connect with visitors, including the private sector and international development partners and NGOs.

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

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Shareholders, Experts Divided as AMCON Gulps N327.6bn from 9 Banks in Two Years

Kayode Tokede Key stakeholders in the capital market and shareholders in publicly quoted banks and other financial institutions are currently at loggerheads over the continued existence of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on the backdrop of the huge levy it impose on Nigerian banks. This is coming on the heels of corporation raking N327.6billion from nine banks between 2020 and 2021 financial year ended December 31. Data gathered by THISDAY from bank result and accounts revealed that AMCON levy imposed on nine banks moved from N146.9billion

in 2020 to N180.67billion in 2021 financial year. The nine banks are Access bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. Others are Wema Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. The corporation charges 0.5 per cent of banks’ total assets on and off balance sheet items. The levy is a statutory charge imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on all banks operating in Nigeria. The CBN, pursuant to Section 9(c) of the AMCON (Amended) Act 2015, had informed the banks of

the shortfall in its contributions to the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Sinking Fund for 2016 and 2017. Rising bad loans and the need to save the banking industry from imminent collapse prompted the federal government to set up the AMCON in 2010 with a 10-year mandate. The AMCON Act 2019 (as amended) grants the corporation more powers to recover bad debts from obligors. THISDAY analysis of the nine banks’ audited results showed that Access Bank alone in the last twoyear paid N76.9 billion to AMCON as the bank’s total assets hits N11.73 trillion in 2021.

With N9.45 trillion in total assets, Zenith Bank’s sinking funds with the corporation accumulated to N68.9 billion between 2021 and 2020, while UBA accounted for N50.4 billion banking sector resolution cost in the last two years. GTCO’s AMCON expenses amounted to N39.09 billion between 2021 and 2020 as the bank in 2021 paid N21.89 billion and N17.2 billion to AMCON in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO, Mr. Segun Agbaje at the Holding company’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, explained to shareholders that the corporation has come to stay

According to him, “I think AMCON was meant to operate for 10 years. As the balance sheet continues to grow, the AMCON levy will definitely grow as you have seen in our results. “Our AMCON levy in 2021 went up by 27 per cent. It is like the more successful you are, the more your AMCON levy goes up and I am not sure that will go away soon.” But the Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Boniface Okezie disagrees stressing that the Corporation has over stayed its function in the banking sector. He called on the banking sector to suspend funding AMCON as

it is affecting shareholders’ profit. According to him, “AMCON is lobbying the federal government to extend its operations. If the Central Bank of Nigeria wanted to sustain AMCON, fine but not banks funding the corporation. AMCON has overstayed its functions in the banking sector. AMCON is reporting losses despite collecting levy from banks and having challenges in selling recovered assets from debtors. “The banking institution must continue to fund AMCON because it is not the bankers’ committee that form their board but the government. If the federal government wanted Continued on page 25

Banks’ Customers’ Complaints Up 115% on Transaction Hitches, Excess Charges, Others Kayode Tokede Following mounting daily transactions hitches, excess charges, among other sharp practices by Nigerian banks, nine banks’ customers’ complaints rose by 115 per cent to 5.39 million in 2021 from 2.5 million reported in 2020, the banks’ 2021 result has revealed. However, the banks resolved 5.13

million or 95.18 per cent customers’ complaints in 2021 compared to 2.29 million or 91.3 per cent resolved cases in 2020. In terms of value, the total amount claimed by the banks’ customers rose significantly by 141 per cent to N346.7 billion in 2021 from N143.97 billion in 2020. Conversely, amount refunded dropped by 14 per cent to N15.2

billion in 2021 from N17.7 billion in 2020. The banks include; Jaiz Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Fidelity bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, and FCMB Group Plc. THISDAY analysis of the banks 2021 audited financial statements

revealed that Jaiz Bank in 2021 reported 118,198 customers complaints, an increase of 8.2 per cent from 109,211 in 2020, while Zenith Bank’s customers complaints rose by 75 per cent to 307,537 in 2021 from 175,702 in 2020. Access bank reported 2,205,214 customers complaints in 2021 from 1,738,036 reported in 2020, as GTCO closed 2021 with 673,772 custom-

ers complaints from 32,246 customers complaints reported in 2020. Access Bank in the 2021 AFS stated that it is fully committed to the core value of ‘passion for customers, calling on customers to bring their concerns to the attention of the bank for prompt resolution. The bank added that, “Given the number and complexity of financial transactions that take place every

day, the bank recognizes that there will inevitably be occasions when mistakes and misunderstandings occur.” The other banks are UBA with 464,391 customers’ complaints in 2021 from 7,698 customers’ complaints reported in 2020, while Fidelity Bank reported 907,715 customers’ complaints in 2021, from 1,217 Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT F R I D AY, A P R I L 8 , 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 4.92 111.64 7.60 112.41 8.68 107.24 10.14 120.75 10.76

Change Updated Time (%) 08, -0.02 April 2022 April 08, 0.27 2022 08, –0.20 April 2022 April 08, 0.00 2022 April 08, 0.31 2022

Discount

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

307,00 307,00 0.00

April 8, 2022

313,00 313,00 0.00

April 8, 2022

188,00 188,00 0.00

April 8, 2022

288,00 290,00 0.00

April 8, 2022

NTB 11Aug-22

318,00 322,00 0.00

April 8, 2022

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

C Ps

MATURITY

Change Updated Time (%)

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

8.93

-0.09

April 8, 2022

16.46

16.81 0.07

April 8, 2022

8.65

8.75

0.08

April 8, 2022

11.15

11.53 0.30

April 8, 2022

7.78

7.97

April 8, 2022

0.28

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 8, 2022

428.93

April 8, 2022

430.63

April 8, 2022

432.32

April 8, 2022

434.02

April 8, 2022

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

STATUS REPORT

Presco: Expanding Business Frontier to Enhance Shareholders’ Return

Kayode Tokede

combined will increase the benefit of value added. Currently, SNL operates from two estates in Rivers State, the Ubima Estate and the Elele Estate and over the last five years, has invested N6billion in developing its operational capacity. Presco’s share price appreciated by 27.88per cent in March 2022, enjoying investors’ positive sentiment as it rose from N104.00 to N133.00 at the end of March. The company grew its capitalization from N104.00 billion to N133.00 billion.

resco Plc in its unaudited 2021 financial statement for the period ended December 31, 2021 improved on profitability as the management expanded in the business frontier to enhance shareholders’ return. The fully-integrated agro-industrial company in oil palm plantations, palm oil mill, palm kernel crushing plant and vegetable oil refining and fractionation plant over the years have demonstrated stronger growth in profit & loss figures and financial position to retained its spot as one of the most fundamental stocks on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). Given its expansion, Presco borrowing to finance key agro-industrial projects have contributed to revenue, profit and dividend payout to shareholders. Take for instance, Presco reported N31.39 billion total borrowing in 2021 from N13.24 billion in 2020 audited financial statement and closed the same year with profit after tax of N18.9 billion in 2021, an increase of 259 per cent from N5.26 billion reported in 2020. The company had declared an interim dividend of N1.00 per 50kobo ordinary share and expected to announce final dividend once audited 2021 financial statement released to the general public on or before April 30, 2022. In 2020 financial statement, it paid shareholders N2 billion in dividend, while interim dividend paid for the year was N1 billion.

FIXED RATE BONDS

Amid efforts to meet fat and oils demand and robust dividend payout to shareholders, the company announced successful issuance of N34.5 billion Series 1 seven-year Fixed Rate Bonds under its N50 billion bond Issuance Programme. The strategic move by Presco is aimed to drive sustained long-term growth and profitability of the company. According to the company, the bond issue was 247per cent subscribed and priced at a coupon rate of 12.85 per cent. This is Presco’s debut bond issuance in the Nigerian debt capital markets and the Bond Issue attracted participation from a wide range of investors including pension funds, asset managers, insurance companies, banks and high net worth individuals. Presco sought out to raise N30 billion but the order book closed at N74 billion, so the Company elected to issue an additional 15per cent to investors thus raising a total of N34.5 billion. This is on the backdrop of the company’s recent deal of seeking to take full ownership of its competitor Siat Nigeria Limited (SNL), a subsidiary of Belgian group Siat SA. The transaction will concern all the shares of SNL held by Siat SA amounting to 7,330,965,143 for a unit

SUSTAINED PROFIT GROWTH

Nwabuko price of N2.86 for a total cash consideration of N21 billion or $50million. SNL was incorporated in 1991, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Siat SA and according to 2021 unaudited financial statement, Siat SA is actively traded on the NGX with a holding of 60 per cent and the Nigerian public holding the remaining 40 per cent. In 2011, the company acquired the assets of Risonpalm, which comprised 16,000 hectares of old palm plantations, as well as the entire social and industrial infrastructure of the industrial oil palm complex from the Rivers State Government. Following the acquisition, Presco intended to gain in scope both upstream and downstream of the palm oil production chain to strengthen its presence on the Nigerian market, which is the largest on the African continent.

NEWLY ACQUIRED SUBSIDIARY

The company in a statement said,“ The Directors have made an assessment concerning the consolidation of the newly acquired subsidary, SIAT Nigeria Limited (SNL) and noted that some more time will be needed to come through with the consolidation of the subsidary with the financial statements of Presco.“ At the moment, Presco has a mill capacity of 90 tons per hour and a 500 ton per day vegetable oil refinery, while SNL has a 60 ton mill which

In its unaudited 2021 results, Presco announced about 98 per cent increase in revenue to N47.23biillion from N23,89billion reported in 2020. Cost of sales moved from N7.8billion to N15.99billion to position gross profit at N31.24 billion, a growth of 94per cent from N16.09billion reported in 2020. Consequently, gross profit. revenue moved from 67.34 per cent in 2020 to 66.14 per cent in 2020. The company’s total operating expenses gained 29.7 per cent to N9.25billion in 2021 from N7.13billion in 2020. The breakdown of total operating expense showed 26.16 per cent growth in administrative expenses to N8.6billon in 2021 from N6.82billion in 2020, while selling & distribution expenses moved from N318.4million in 2020 to N650.4million in 2021. From the profit & loss figures, Presco reported 44 per cent increase in gain on biological asset revaluation to N2.66billion from N1.85billion reported in 2020. In the 2021 unaudited statement, Presco reported finance cost of N617.6million, a decline of 68 per cent from N1.92billion reported in 2020 as finance income also dropped by 92 per cent to N617.58million in 2021 from N1.92billion in 2020. The interplay between finance income and cost lifted profit before tax to N23.75billion in 2021 from N8.69billion in 2020.

STRONG BALANCE SHEET POSITION

Presco’s total assets grew by 67 per cent from N73.77 billion in 2020 to N122.89 billion in 2020. The long-term assets rose to N77.9billion in 2021, 45per cent high from N53.73 billion reported in 2020 while current asset gained 124.38 per cent to N44.96 billion as against N20.03billion recorded in 2020 financial year. Total liabilities increased by 77.8 per cent to N75.97 billion in 2021 from N42.72 billion in 2020. Presco’s long-term liabilities dropped by 0.6 per cent from N17.45 billion to N17.35 billion while current liabilities increased by 132.09 per cent to N58.63billion from N25.3 billion in audited 2020 results.

The agro-industrial total equity increased 51.1 per cent to N46.92 billion in 2021 as against N31.05 billion reported in 2020. The proportion of equity funds to total assets, however, dipped from 42.09 per cent to 38.18 per cent in 2021 while total liabilities/Total Assets moved to 61.8 per cent from 57.91 per cent in 2020.

BOOTING INVESTORS CONTIDENCE

The Managing Director of Presco, Mr Felix Nwabuko, during the bond issue signing ceremony in Benin, commended institutional investors for supporting the transaction, adding that it was 24 per cent subscribed and priced at a coupon rate of 12.85 per cent. He said, “Presco sought out to raise N30 billion but the order book closed at N74 billion, so the company elected to issue an additional 15 per cent to investors thus raising a total of N34.5 billion. “Stanbic IBTC Capital Ltd acted as Lead Issuing House to the bond issue, while CardinalStone Partners Ltd and Quantum Zenith Capital and Investments Ltd acted as joint issuing houses to the bond issue. “We are pleased by the success of our debut bond issue and grateful to our institutional investor community for supporting the transaction. This is a landmark transaction for Presco and it has broadened our sources of long term funding. “The success of this transaction evidences the resilience of our business, its strong cash generation and a long term future with enormous potential for sustainable growth, in a pivotal sector for the country’s agri-food promotion strategy, made possible by our market-leading position in Nigeria, Africa’s largest market for palm oil products. This is supported by our A+ rating by Agusto & Co and A- rating from GCR.” Also speaking, Funso Akere, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital, said: “Stanbic IBTC Capital, CardinalStone Partners and Quantum Zenith Capital are delighted to have advised Presco on its debut issuance in the Nigerian debt capital markets. “We thank the institutional investor community for supporting the Issue, as its success should encourage other similar companies to access the domestic debt capital markets for their strategic funding needs. “We also thank the Board and management of Presco for giving the Issuing Houses a free hand to guide the process.” Managing Director/Chief Chief Exective Officer, Quantum Zenith Capital, Kennedy Ichibor and Michael Nzewi of Cardinal Stone, commended Presco Plc for creating conducive atmosphere for the transaction and for keeping the company on the path of growth over the years. Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited acted as Lead Issuing House to the Bond Issue, while CardinalStone Partners Limited and Quantum Zenith Capital and Investments Limited acted as Joint Issuing Houses to the Bond Issue.

BANKS’ CUSTOMERS’ COMPLAINTS UP 115% ON TRANSACTION HITCHES, EXCESS CHARGES, OTHERS customers’ complaints in 2020. In addition, Wema Bank of all the banks reported about nine per cent drop in customers’ complaints to 216,772 in 2021 from 237,911 reported in 2020, while Sterling Bank grew its customers’ complaints by 48 per cent to 204,342 in 2021 from 137,620 in 2020. FCMB Group reported 296,570 customers’ complaints in 2021 from 73,385 customers’ complaints reported in 2020. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had recently advised customers to allow banks to resolve their complaints within two weeks.

“If after lodging your complaint your Bank still fails to engage you and resolve the complaint within two-week as provided for in the ATM HELP DESK Circular, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the CBN,” the apex bank said. “You can only direct your Complaints to CPD upon the failure of your Bank/Financial Institution to resolve your complaint within the two- week timeline given by the CBN.” Commenting, President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria

(BCAN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka highlighted numerous factors that could led to significant increase in customers complaints in 2021. He mentioned unprofessionalism of banks staff, customers not equipped to understand banking principle, excess charges He added, “I am not sure if banks are intensifying training for their staff but when you see a hike in customers complaints you will see a gap between experience and the practices of banking professionalism. However, we will need to interrogate further on what forms the basis of customers complaints in the banking

sector and proffer solutions.” On his part, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), ‘Seye Awojobi said the role of the institute in the last 22 years has been ensuring a good avenue at which banks customers are protected in collaboration with the CBN. According to him, “That, we have done effectively through subcommittees on ethnic and professionalism. The ICAN remains the secretariat of the bankers ‘committee subcommittee on ethnic and professionalism where customers

with any complaint will actually report and we will agitate under an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to ensure the bank or any kind of transactions that have led to conflicts to be resolved. We encouraged the banks to attend to all customers’ complaints. “The subcommittee on ethnic and professionalism of CIBN and CBN encouraged banks to open customer complaints desks in their various institutions. It is when customers are not satisfied with the bank’s resolution, they can then escalate it to a subcommittee on ethnic and professionalism which

has a secretariat in the institute to which I have been the secretary to the committee since 2012. “They can also escalate their complaints to the consumer protection department of CBN. Bank customers’ complaints are related to excess charges and the subcommittee has done so much that today courts in Nigeria refer cases to the subcommittee to resolve when a customer takes the bank to court. It does not cost anything. EFCC also refers cases to the subcommittee since we look at cases on the basis principle of banking.”

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NGX Lists N1.7 Trillion, $4 Billion Eurobond in Q1 Kayode Tokede The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has announced that it listed issuance worth N1.701 trillion and $4billion Eurobonds on its platform in the first quarter (Q1) 2022. In a statement, the NGX said tthe issuance listed across both the bonds and equities markets are integral in deepening the market, improving liquidity and tradability, as well as increasing access to capital to fund growth initiatives. A breakdown revealed that

under its bond market, the Federal Government of Nigeria dominated issuances, raising about N589.05 billion locally and listing $4 billion in Eurobonds. Further breakdown revealed that corporates also leveraged the low yield environment to fund expansion objectives and pursue debt refinancing, raising a total of N35.3 billion. In the equities market, NGX said it started the year with the landmark listing of BUA Foods’ 18billion shares listed at N40 per share, adding N720 billion to the NGX market capitalisation.

Abbey Mortgage Bank, the NGX said, also listed its right issue of about N3.028 billion, while Access Holdings, following its merger and acquisition listed new shares of 35.545billion shares valued at N353.675 billion. Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, said The Exchange would drive its growth in 2022 by focusing on five strategic

areas including building on digital transformation, listings and delistings, technology, partnerships and sustainability. He noted that 2021 was a historic year for The Exchange as the former Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) completed its demutualisation process, following statutory approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Corporate Affairs

Commission (CAC). Popoola said NGX would seek to consolidate its historic status with a new verve of digitisation by creating innovative and automated access to the market while ensuring overall quality of listed companies and ease of capital raising process. According to him, The Exchange would deploy strategic initiatives to attract financial technology (Fintech) firms to the stock

market, including launching of a Nasdaq-style board for the listing of tech companies. “Today, there are lots of capital raising from tech companies globally. Our market can be a source to raise this capital. SEC has already taken the leadership. It will help to drive economic growth and mobilise capital from sectors of surplus to deficit,” Popoola said.

Notore Records N9.9bn Income in 15 Months

Eromosele Abiodun

Leading agro-allied and chemical company, Notore Chemical Industries has reported an operating income of N9.9 billion in its Audited Results for the 15 months ended 31st December 2021. In a statement by its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Ohis Ohiwerei, the company said the period was for rebuilding and repositioning Notore to further deliver on its promise to Champion the African Green Revolution. According to him, “Though a very challenging period for Notore, it completed the TAM programme during the period. TAM was a critical step taken by the Company to address the drawbacks affecting the stability and reliability of its manufacturing plant, an essential measure to raise production output to meet and sustain its plant’s 500,000 MT per annum nameplate design capacity. “The completion of TAM, which occurred during the period, has improved reliability and will translate to a significant upturn in the Company’s production output. This achievement will lead to increases in the Company’s cash flows from operations, strengthen its debt service capacity, and generate substantial increases in revenues in the future, an essential key to returning the Company to profitability in the ongoing financial year. He noted that the company has taken steps to diversify its revenue streams further, adding that the production of its Notore NPK blend of fertilisers has continued to ramp up in output and sales, with increases expected in the ongoing future periods. He stated: “By leveraging on its installed 2,000 metric tons per day NPK blending capacity, and its successful introduction of the Notore NPK brand of fertilisers, the Company is well-positioned for significant growth in revenues and cash flows in the ongoing future. “Additionally, while leveraging the Company’s seeds business, robust supply chain and distribution

network, the Company is expanding further its product offering by going into rice production. The Company has carried out two rice pilot programs as a prelude to its planned launch of Notore rice as a product line in 2023. It is expected that these additional initiatives will further diversify the company’s revenue stream, significantly increase revenues, boost profitability, and contribute considerably to its cash flow.” Ohiwerei said Notore has taken the steps in its bid to improve working capital and return to profitability, stating that the Company is in discussion with its bankers for a further restructuring of a substantial part of the Company’s short-term loans into fixed long-term loans. “When concluded in Q2 2022, the loan restructure arrangements are expected to considerably reduce its finance costs and free up cash flows to augment working capital. The Company plans to restructure its capital structure by raising some additional equity capital in Q4 2022. The proceeds will be applied to deleverage its balance sheet to achieve an optimal mix of debt and equity and fund part of planned expansion activities to further reposition the Company for growth. “The Company plans to carry out a Bond Issuance programme in Q2 2023 after completing its Equity Raise programme and has commenced discussions with a credit rating agency and other financial advisors. The bond proceeds will be used to further reduce and restructure its existing bank debt to reduce finance costs and free up cash flows to augment working capital. On the outlook for the year, he was optimistic about the growth of Nigeria’s fertiliser sector, noting that the Nigerian fertiliser demand remains robust and is expected to continue to grow, considering the Federal Government’s strong and decisive policy focus on agriculture as one of the keys to unlocking the diversification of the Nigerian economy. The company is wellpositioned to take full advantage of this.

REWARD FOR SHAREHOLDERS…

L-R: Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc, MR. Wole Oshin; Chairman, Dr. Omobola Johnson and Company Secretary Mr. Adeyinka Jafojo, at the 27th Annual General Meeting of Custodian Investment Plc held in Lagos… recently

7Star Hangar Gets NCAA’s Approval to Carry Out C-checks Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has given approval to 7Star Global Hangar Limited to carry out C-checks on Dana Air’s MD83 aircraft with the registration number, 5N-SAI In an approval letter from the NCAA, the authority urged 7STAR to comply with all extant provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations and in particular Nigeria Civil

Aviation Regulations part 6, and in addition, all tasks requiring detailed, x ray and HFEC inspections. In his reaction to the approval, the elated Managing Director and CEO, Isaac Balami, who could not hide his joy said 7Star has done five C and D checks on various aircraft with Augusta 139 8 Years Inspection (D-Check) being the first time in the history of Africa that the level will be done on that particular helicopter which

he regarded as a complex new generation helicopter. He said the Dana Air deal would lead to the employment of 30 engineers. This consequently means that over 1,500 jobless licenced aircraft engineers would be gainfully employed if local airlines, private jet owners, state and federal governments can patronise and support this great employment initiative. He added that with the approval

on MD 83, it also showed that NCAA has recognised 7Star’s worth and effort to ensure aircraft serviceability across the Region. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dana Group, Mr. Sukhwinder Mann, who made the official announcement, said the decision was premised on the Danas Group’s pledge to the local economy whilst ensuring further development of the Nigerian aviation sector.

‘UK Govt Will Explore Multiple Areas to Support Digital Transformation in Nigeria’ Emma Okonji The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben LlewellynJones, has said the United Kingdom (UK) government will explore multiple areas such as digital forensics, critical national infrastructure, in collaboration with private sector support, to drive Nigeria’s agenda in achieving her digital transformation goals. Llewellyn-Jones said this in Lagos recently, during the launch of free Cybersecurity Toolkits for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The UK Govt’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

(FCDO), in partnership with KPMG and Cybersafe Foundation, launched the free Cybersecurity Toolkits for SMEs in Nigeria. The project, which will be executed through the UK Digital Access Programme (DAP), is designed to equip SMEs with free trusted tools that will protect their businesses against the scourge of cyberattacks and all forms of online risks. In his opening remarks during the launch, Llewellyn-Jones said: “UK is currently delivery cybersecurity capacity support in Nigeria, through KPMG in multiple areas such as digital forensics, critical national infrastructure, with private sector support.

UK has placed the development and adoption of digital technology in its international technology agenda. Delivering a keynote paper during the launch, the Deputy Director of Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Dr. Bala Fakandu, described the SME Toolkits as important toolkits that would allow small businesses to access free products from trusted cybersecurity companies in order to protect their businesses online. In one of the sessions, which was coordinated by the CEO of Cybersafe Foundation, Constance Staveley, she explained that the toolkits had an embedded anti-

malware and would allow users to create a second layer verification on their emails, facebook password and twitter handles, to further strengthen the security system. She talked about creating strong passwords that are beyond the simple password and how to detect and prevent phishing malware. In another session, Information Security Consultant, Rotimi Ajasa, said SMEs in Nigeria account for more than 50 per-cent of Nigeria’s GDP, adding that such important group of entrepreneurs will need better protection of their businesses from online hackers, hence the toolkits were developed for their use.

SHAREHOLDERS, EXPERTS DIVIDED AS AMCON GULPS N327.6BN FROM 9 BANKS IN TWO YEARS to keep the board of AMCON, they must think of funding it not collecting from banks. “What was AMCON doing when some banks were having challenges recently? AMCON has not helped our banking sector and it has not posted any profit. I still do not understand why the Senate requested AMCON to continue to exist. “AMCON’s 10 years has ended, according to the law but they continued to stay, playing games with shareholders’ funds. AMCON is killing the industry and not helping the banks when they are in financial crisis.” In the same vein, the National

Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Dr. Anthony Omojola said since the corporation was established by CBN, shareholders fought against it and are still feeling the impact on returns to shareholders every year. He said, “AMCON has been taking away shareholders’ funds freely because they are part of the regulators since they have CBN behind them. “They explained to shareholders AMCON wanted to clear toxic debt and by now, they should have cleared those funds and let shareholders start benefitting tremendously from investing in listed banks on

the Nigerian Exchange Limited. “AMCON has outstayed its usefulness and the creation was not necessary in the first place. Besides, the toxic assets, who are those buying them from AMCON? Unfortunately, we Nigerians hate the truth and that is why you see the present state of the nation’s economy.” Speaking from a different perspective, the Vice president of Highcap securities, Mr. David Adnori said the levy was an agreement between the CBN and the banking community. He added, “When all the banks were having challenges in 2008, the idea of AMCON came

up to absorb all the toxic assets. What was stopping shareholders from not complaining back then? What I think is that the shareholders complaining over the establishment of AMCON are ungrateful and a set of investors who cannot understand what AMCON has done to protect the banking sector from collapse. Perhaps, they could have been happier if all the banks had collapsed like Skye bank.” The Managing Director and Chief Executive of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, had said if the bank’s debt owed to the CBN is not fully repaid before the sunset date of 2023, banks will continue

to pay into the fund which will then be with the CBN. He had expressed that banks’ contribution to the sinking fund in recent years have been low and had not been able to pay out of its debt or enough to pay the interest. According to the funding arrangement of the corporation, commercial banks are supposed to provide 70 per cent while AMCON operations was supposed to provide 30 per cent. Kuru noted that the contribution of the banks was done on the basis of a growth rate of 20 per cent, however, the growth rate of commercial banks’ total assets

have in recent years fallen below 10 per cent year on year. Kuru, who is optimistic that AMCON operations would be wound over by 2023 or 2024 noted that the contributions of banks into the sinking fund will continue until the debt is fully repaid. He added, “Indicating that the CBN may decide to increase the rate which banks pay he said “the loan is flexible, it allows CBN to increase the rate so it can continue to run even if you scale down AMCON’s operations. It can run for the next 20 to 30 years until the debt is paid.”

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

This Week In Tech Tech Top 5 News 08097710984

JUMIA PARTNERS UPS TO EXPAND DELIVERY NETWORK ACROSS AFRICA an-African e-commerce platform, Jumia Technology has partnered United Parcel Service (UPS) to expand its delivery services for businesses and consumers across the continent. The deal will enable UPS to leverage Jumia’s infrastructure to offer its customers an extended range of delivery solutions, including door to door package delivery and collection, with various payment options. The collaboration will initially cover Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco, with plans for expansion to Ghana and Ivory Coast, and thereafter to the remaining African countries where Jumia operates. According to the head of strategy for the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa, UPS, Renzo Bravo, the partnership will enable Atlanta-based UPS to build a greater presence in several African markets and tap into an anticipated boom in online retail. “We believe that Africa has the potential to reach around $180 billion in online trade by 2025 that will enable growth and commerce, not only across Africa but also from the continent to the world and from the world to Africa,” he said. On his part, Co-CEO Jumia, Sacha Poignonnec said, “We have this vast, untapped market opportunity both on the e-commerce and payment fronts, and in this context, we really want to establish Jumia as the go-to destination for consumers, and we want to develop JumiaPay into a payment and fintech champion on the continent over the next few quarters.” Following this announcement, Jumia stock rose 7.8 per cent. Jumia has also expanded the range of digital and financial services available to consumers. In Nigeria, customers can now book bus tickets via the JumiaPay app.

GOOGLE LAUNCHES NEW SMART LENS FEATURE Google has launched a new Lens-powered multi-search feature on mobile devices. The search giant announced that it had rolled out an experience with a new way to search for things on mobile devices. The new multi-search function in Lens allows you to do a quick search for objects using a combination of text and images at the same time. Google Lens is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered technology that uses your smartphone camera and deep machine learning to detect an object in front of the camera lens, understand it and offer actions such as scanning, translation, shopping, and more. Google Lens will also recognise restaurants, clubs, cafes, and bars, presenting you with a pop-up window showing reviews, address details, and opening times. It will recognise a hand and suggest the thumbs up emoji, point it at a drink, and it will try and figure out what it is. “All this is made possible by our latest advancements in AI, which is making it easier to understand the world around you in more natural and intuitive ways. We’re also exploring ways in which this feature might be enhanced by MUM– our latest AI model in Search– to improve results for all the questions you could imagine asking,” Google said in a blog post. It is available on Android and iPhone devices. IMALIPAY GETS $3M IN FUNDING TO ENHANCE FINANCIAL SERVICES ImaliPay, a fintech start-up known for empowering African freelancers through its one-stop-shop financial services platform, has closed a $3 million seed funding round in debt and equity.

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

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Alekhuogie

Tech Personality of The Week EDMUND OLOTU

his week’s tech personality is the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Bloc, Edmund Olotu. He is a technology development expert and seedstage entrepreneur focused on developing technologies and funding innovative concepts that aids social development. Bloc is a Nigerian payment application development company that provides platforms to enable transaction processing and payment collection, aggregation, and reconciliation. It builds and provides financial technology (fintech) that enables founders, thinkers, startups, and organisations to create the future. Olotu is also the founder of Generate4schools/Causemetrix LLC. Generate4schools/Causemetrix provides a platform that enables the use of commissions from recurring transaction revenues to fund social programs. It is the first programme for underfunded schools in the United States of America using merchant account premiums from local businesses in partnership with FirstData. The London Stock Exchange Group nominated Bloc as one of 100 companies to inspire Africa in 2019. In the same year, Saudi Arabia’s Lamar Holdings invested $1 million in Bloc which was known as TechAdvance at the time. The company said it would leverage the capital to expand its fast-growing team, strengthen its technology and explore new markets, including Ghana and Egypt. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ImaliPay, Tatenda Furusa, in a statment said, “Our drive to start and keep ImaliPay soaring is firmly rooted in the impact we would like to make in fostering financial security in the gig economy, serving the underbanked and walking them through a tailored journey of financial inclusion. Having strong partners and investors around the table is a show of good faith that we are building key services for the future of work.” ImaliPay offers financial services via a single channel such as Application Programming Interface (API) and APP for gig economy workers and gig economy platforms to power their gigs and create a safety net around their work. The funding round saw participation from Venture Capitalists such as Ten 13, Uncovered Fund, MyAsia VC, Jedar Capital, Logos Ventures, Plug N Play Ventures, Untapped Global, Latam Ventures, Cliff Angels, Chandaria Capital and Changecom, as well as Angel investors like Keisuke Honda of KSK Angels and others from Serbia, Kenya, and Norway. With ImaliPay, clients can create accounts in less than five minutes. Its Buy-Now-Pay-Later option also allows users to get tools they require for their businesses, and those that pay back on time earn points, rewards, and discounts for purchased items.

It is currently available in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. UNION BANK LAUNCHES COCREATION HUB, SPACENXT Union Bank has launched a technological and innovation hub called SpaceNXT. The latest hub was built to promote innovation and encourage collaboration within the tech ecosystem in Nigeria. SpaceNXT is a future-forward purposedesigned co-working hub for innovators, creators, techpreneurs and is located within the Union Bank Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria. According to the company, the hub was set up to provide an enabling environment where tech enthusiasts, visionaries and creators can converge to propagate new ideas. It is a launching pad for innovators to collaborate, develop and improve on ideas around digital systems and technology. The Executive Director and Head, Retail Banking and Digital, Union Bank, Lola Cardoso spoke on the benefits of SpaceNXT to the tech ecosystem. She said, “Globally, technology and innovation are key drivers of growth, and here in Nigeria, the tech community is at the forefront of our ongoing digital revolution. To unlock the massive potential of the sector, we must create an enabling environment that promotes collaboration and fosters strong partnerships within the ecosystem, therefore we launched SpaceNXT, to serve and enable the growth of the tech community.” SpaceNXT was conceived as part of the Bank’s mission to enable success

for the technology community in Nigeria by providing a space that would foster collaboration within the ecosystem. Besides being a hub for sharing and generating innovative ideas, SpaceNXT will also serve as a venue for tech and innovation events, hackathons, trainings, and meetings. MOBILITY STARTUP SECURES SEED EXTENSION FROM V8 PARTNERS Nigerian Mobility start up, ShapShap has secured a seed extension investment from V8 Capital Partners as it bids to expand its capabilities and move into more African markets. It is an on-demand motorbike delivery service that utilises data and mobile technology to formalise the fragmented and highly inefficient same-day delivery service. The company has said it will use the new funding to expand its capabilities in last mile delivery for businesses and individuals in Nigeria as it is also looking at expanding to other African countries soon. Founded by Khalil Halilu in 2019, ShapShap also leverages B2B and B2C channels to enable seamless delivery options between merchants and customers. These customers can find a range of services as well as products, and delivery personnel can easily earn money servicing multiple vendors. “Technology is aiding the ability for businesses globally to reach their consumers faster, and Africa is no different. We are building IP that makes last-mile logistics more effective. We have noticed a significant spike in the distribution of goods and services through online channels and are committed to helping our clients succeed,” said Halilu.

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T H I S D AY MONDAY APRILApril 11, 2022 Monday 11, 2022 Vol 27. No 9863 TR

See page 28 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS THE WAY OUT DANIEL IGHAKPE canvasses more attention for vocational education and training

See page 28 2023 PRESIDENCY: WHY APC SHOULD SUPPORT NGIGE The minister of labour is fit for purpose, contends CHEKWUBE CHUKWUNYERE See page 29

DRUG ABUSE: NFVCB AND NBC IN THE DOCK CHUKS AKAMADU urges the National Film and Video Censors Board to be alive to its responsibilities See page 29 EDITORIAL SECURITY CHALLENGE IN NIGER STATE See page 30

& RE A S O

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

MOBOLURIN’S CRYSTAL BALL FOR THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET Nigeria is in dire need of private equity to de-risk the economy, writes SOLA ONI

UT H

Nigeria’s share of the world is shrinking badly, argues CHARLES DICKSON

NIGERIA: GOING ALL WRONG At the beginning of the year, I had promised that for 12 months, In Shaa Allah, I will once a month X-ray the issues around the forthcoming General Elections in the world’s largest black population. And I start like this—the war in Ukraine, along with sanctions imposed by the United States and Western countries against Russia, have caused global food, fertilizer, and fuel prices to ‘skyrocket’ and endanger the world IRRG VXSSO\ 7KLV FRQÁLFW LV H[DFHUEDWLQJ WKH H[LVWLQJ FULVLV RI JOREDO KXQJHU DQG LPSHULOV the living standards and well-being of billions of people – particularly in the Global South. Russia and Ukraine together produce nearly 30 percent of the world’s wheat and roughly 12 percent of its total calories. 2YHU WKH SDVW ÀYH \HDUV WKH\ KDYH accounted for 17% of the world’s corn, 32% of barley (a critical source of animal feed), and RI VXQÁRZHU RLO DQ LPSRUWDQW FRRNLQJ oil in many countries). On top of this, Russia is the world’s largest supplier of fertilisers and natural gas (a key component in fertiliser production), accounting for 15% of the global trade of nitrogenous fertilisers, 17% of potash fertilisers, 20% of natural gas. The current crisis threatens to cause a global food shortage. The United Nations has estimated that up to 30% of Ukrainian farmland could become a warzone; in addition, due to sanctions, Russia has been severely restricted LQ H[SRUWLQJ IRRG IHUWLOL]HU DQG IXHO 7KLV KDV caused global prices to surge. Since the war began, wheat prices have increased by 21%, barley by 33%, and some fertilisers by 40%. The painful impact of this shock is being felt by people around the world, but most sharply in the Global South. ‘In a word, developing countries are getting pummelled,’ United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres recently remarked. According to the UN, 45 African and ‘least developed’ countries import at least a third of their wheat from these two Russia or Ukraine – 18 of those countries import at least 50%. Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, obtains over 70% of its imports from Russia and Ukraine, while Turkey obtains over 80%. Countries of the Global South are already facing severe price shocks and shortages, impacting both consumption and production. In Nigeria, bread prices have risen by 40% in some areas. Meanwhile, Brazil, the world’s largest producer of soybeans, is facing a major reduction in crop yields. The country purchases close to half of its potash fertiliser from Russia and neighbouring Belarus (which is also being sanctioned) – it has only a threemonth supply remaining with farmers being instructed to ration. Dangers that one belittles are liable to cause great havoc…Nigeria is literally producing nothing than selling crude oil and dependent on every other thing else! Nigeria, be it himself, herself or itself, is a nation that thrives on breaking the rules, one of

the major reasons for why we are at this point. We refuse to follow the set rules, we kill what seemed ordinarily our once moderately easy to follow rules, ethos and norms. With each new administration, the signs were there but we refused to see them. Again, the signs are there, that the world may not remain the same…but our would-be leaders come 2023 don’t seem to understand the dynamics I outlined above beyond buying nomination forms. From top to bottom, it was all messed up, and those vying for elective positions in the general elections do not know the amount of work to be done if we are to even aspire to the top from the bottom. Do they have a template in today’s world of Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa (BRICS), where Nigeria does not feature beyond collecting all manners of loans, and being indebted to all? From a top when the Naira outweighed the Dollar, the Nigerian postage stamp carried muscle against the British pounds, the Naira donated to the Rand, and the Brazilian cruzero then was a debt currency, everything Chinese was inferior and India was known for its many gods, Bollywood and cricket. Now we are miles apart, being deported and left to rot in jails in these places. From the point where just, a Naira gave you plenty dollars to now a hundred dollars gives you plenty thousands, in fact nearing a hundred thousand Naira. Real bottom! From a history when most nations were VISA free, to a gradual decline where (one) we beg, pray, fast and then if successful we add a thanksgiving for a VISA to Botswana. Two, to a situation where one of government’s key phrases is foreign direct investment. A nation that cannot invest in itself yet believes that by treating its calabash recklessly, we would get a better treatment from others. We watch the gradual disconnect between governance and good governance, a people and her leaders;

Once upon a time, a giant of Africa and big brother, now begging to partner everyone for any project from electricity from Ghana to fuel from Niger, or beans from Burkina Faso or what is it we wanted from Rwanda again?

that rather than provide leadership, ‘rule’ and ruin them to rock bottom. Once upon a time, a giant of Africa and big brother, now begging to partner everyone for any project from electricity from Ghana to fuel from Niger, or Beans from Burkina Faso or what is it we wanted from Rwanda again? Really our testicles have been wrenched backwards. We killed everything that had an N-Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Railway, NITEL, Niger Dock, Nigerian Hospitals, Schools, Nigerian Police; a step at a time we sowed hate, theft, political violence and corruption, watered it and we are acting amused like we never saw it coming. So mobile telephone is South African, best hospitals is Indian, Egyptian, or German but not Nigerian. We invite Mosaad, FBI, Scotland and anyland Yard to solve our never-ending criminal puzzles. Just for those that don’t know, or are feigning ignorance. They are schools in Nigeria where the tuition fees are dollar-denominated, shops that only sell in dollars. Just listen to the old block, Maitama Sule, Emeka Anyaokwu, and though they share the blame, when they talk; you hear of a glorious past and advice on how to get to a desirable future. Sadly, now the dollar talks, Naira VKLYHUV SXEOLF R΀FLDOV ORRW LQ WKH GROODU DQG we citizens spend Naira to cowardly defend them because of faith, creed, religion and ethnic cleavages. He/she is not a thief, if he/ she comes from my own side of the wood or prays to my own ‘god’. Private miseducation has long replaced patriotic public education. Nursery rhymes have long replaced the national anthem. 3XEOLF R΀FLDOV DUH DSSODXGHG SHRSOH GDQFH and come down with rheumatism for the building of a culvert or borehole. Nigerian has not become Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudanstan but going to Kaduna from Abuja has become Golgotha. It has all changed and how fast it all changed, from Jos, a once peaceful haven WR D FRQÁDJUDWLRQ RI DOO VRUWV RI EORRG\ DQG violent clashes. It’s worse in Kaduna, terrible in Katsina and Borno, Zamfara and Sokoto, Kebbi and in the South West criminality and robbery prevails, while gunmen and unknown gunmen hold the East hostage. That we are now being forced to tell our kids the good old story is painful, not painful because it is the good old story but because they may never see a good Nigeria if we don’t get 2023 right. All these masquerade dancing egedege do they know we are rock bottom; do they know what’s happening in the global community DQG KRZ LW DͿHFWV XV DUH WKH\ UHDG\ WR PRYH from bottom to a middle ground if not top, do they know beyond which zone or region gets presidency, the crown does not cure the headache? Only time will. Dr Dickson is a Development and Media Practitioner

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T H I S D AY MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

Nigeria is in dire need of private equity to de-risk the economy, writes SOLA ONI

MOBOLURIN’S CRYSTAL BALL FOR THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET Mr Olutola Mobolurin, past President of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) does not talk often. But he is highly respected in the Nigerian Capital Market for being daring in expressing his opinion on any issue. His body language carries a high image of self esteem. This probably earned him the accolade: the Lion of the Capital Market. Who will dare the tiger? In the early 90s when I was reporting the market for The Guardian, Mobolurin, the founder of Capital Bancorp and current Chairman, NASD PLC was in the pantheon of stockbrokers whose analytical argument RQ WKH WUDGLQJ ÁRRU RI 7KH 1LJHULDQ 6WRFN

You don’t invest in the stock market and go to sleep because fortunes of companies change. The winners in 1977 are not the winners today. You need continuous monitoring. If you are not a professional investment adviser, get one Exchange (now NGX) could elicit share price movement upward or downward. Other stockbrokers in the same pedestal include Messrs Oladipo Aina, Mike Itegboje, Henry Olayemi, Dipo Williams- they were all past presidents of the Institute and a host of others. It was the era of the Call-Over or Open Outcry, a manual trading system where stockbrokers haggle on share prices. Everyone must defend his basis for share price movement to win the heart of the Chairman of Call-Over. :H MRXUQDOLVWV RI WKRVH GD\V EHQHÀWHG D ORW from the daily classical arguments on the ÁRRU In 2018, Capital Bancorp PLC, clocked 30. With this unique milestone in a harsh RSHUDWLQJ HQYLURQPHQW DQG VLQJXODU HͿRUWV RI +LJR $LJERMH WKH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI &DSLWDO %DQFRUS DQG KLV ULJKW KDQG 6WDͿ Mobolurin could not escape my engaging exclusive interview on his views on the Nigerian Capital market, the economy, and the way forward. Mobolurin, an Apostle of Investment in his 2018 crystal ball, succinctly analyzed the market trends and four years after, his views do not only remain timeless, EXW VSHFLÀFDOO\ UHOHYDQW WR WKH FXUUHQW situation in the Nigerian Capital Market and the upcoming general election. The septuagenarian has always believed that Nigeria is in dire need of private equity to de-risk the economy, a euphemism for calling Hedge Funds to rescue. Excerpts: Optimism about the Nigerian Capital Market: “Today, valuation is down for most companies. This is always the best time to buy. However, don’t go into the market by throwing a dart on a list of companies that wherever the dart falls that is the company you will buy. Study the market. The market may be undervalued. Not every company is undervalued. There are still companies that are overvalued based on prospects into the future. If you have lost money on a company that has a future, buy more to reduce your average cost of holding. This is because,

when it bounces back, you will still make more money and I believe that this market will bounce back. Stark Reality of the Stock Market: “My hope is that we would get our politics right and we would get our economy right. We need to become a more productive economy, and everybody will prosper. However, everybody must understand that the stock market is not a savings account, if you want savings that you can fall back on in an emergency; stock market is not for that. Go and buy a savings ERQG RU D VLPLODU ÀQDQFLDO LQVWUXPHQW <RX can trade that at any time. Even government VHFXULWLHV ÁXFWXDWH LQ SULFHV VR \RX PD\ ORVH money. Go and put some money into your VDYLQJV DFFRXQW ÀUVW 7KH VWRFN PDUNHW LV IRU long term investment for a person who wants to make legacy investment. The market still represents the best way. But you don’t invest in the stock market and go to sleep because fortunes of companies change. The winners LQ DUH QRW WKH ZLQQHUV WRGD\ <RX QHHG continuous monitoring. If you are not a SURIHVVLRQDO LQYHVWPHQW DGYLVHU JHW RQH <RX will be glad you did. Moment of Truth on the Nigerian Financial 0DUNHW ´7KH ÀQDQFLDO V\VWHP QHHGV DQ overhaul. We need to look at it holistically and decide on how it can best be structured to serve our economy. The system is not serving our development needs. Our system is not ÀW IRU SXUSRVH 7KH *HUPDQV DIWHU :RUOG War II evolved a system that served their rapid economic growth. We are imitating developed economies and we are doing it poorly. We are not saving enough, and we are not channeling the right kind of capital in the quantum needed to entrepreneurs to trigger the kind of growth that will transform the economy. Government’s penchant for Loans: “Loading businesses with loans do not PDNH IRU UDWLRQDO ÀQDQFLDO VWUXFWXUH UDWKHU we may just be over-leveraging companies and increasing the risk of business failure. AMCON portfolio, I am sure is full of companies with inadequate risk capital. There are other ways we can channel savings into medium sized and large enterprises. We need to get capital into the hands of those who have ideas. Like I always say, let us enable a WKRXVDQG ÁRZHUV WR EORRP :H FDQQRW VDWLVI\ the consumption needs of 200 million people because of importation and expect to prosper. We must get this economy back to work. There are too many things we can produce that we are not. All those with ideas should not be hampered by only lack of risk capital. No bank will lend to a business with no risk capital. We were talking about where we can get savings. Let us reduce some of these redundant taxes and put them into venture capital or private equity funds which will drive enterprises and increase the tax base. It will strengthen the banking system because the more equity you have in companies, the lower the risk of that business failing and the higher the possibility that the business shall pay back the bank loan. In essence, we can set up enterprise funds that would de-risk the economy.” Oni, an Integrated Communications Strategist, Chartered Stockbroker and Commodities %URNHU LV WKH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU 6RIXQL[ Investment and Communications

DANIEL IGHAKPE canvasses more attention for vocational education and training

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS THE WAY OUT Agriculture was once the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. Before the discovery of oil, commercial farms blossomed and farming was seen and practised as the main occupation. The North had cotton, groundnuts and other products. The East had Palm Oil, while the Southwest had Cocoa. Agriculture laid the foundation for Nigeria’s industrialization,

educational system that needs to be given serious attention is the inclusion of Vocational Education and Training in the school curriculum. In Nigeria, there is too much emphasis on university education and merely acquiring SDSHU TXDOLÀFDWLRQV QRW EHDULQJ LQ PLQG whether the holder possesses the required knowledge and skills. Nigerians generally have this mentality that a university degree is more important than technical/social/ vocational training. We live in a society that places a high value on white-collar jobs and ‘professionals,’ a society where blue-collar work is considered as low status. Parents want their children to pursue careers that will enable them maintain or even increase their high status. They want their children to get high-paying professional jobs. They see Vocational Education as ‘secondary’ and ‘not important.’ They just want academic success for their children. Many schools even place a high premium on college admissions and gaining admission into top ivy-league universities. This has reduced the economic opportunities for those who are more work oriented. It is therefore very necessary and important that parents be enlightened and re-educated regarding the value of occupations that are not high on the social status scale. contributing the largest share to an economy The inability of our educational system that was experiencing very boisterous growth. to provide youths with the demands of However, after the discovery of oil, and with industries has led to increased frustrations. increased production and the huge revenue This further validates the fact that vocational which it attracted, less and less attention began education brings both immediate and to be paid to agriculture. Nowadays, most lasting economic returns for the country people in Nigeria, particularly the youth, are and its citizens. Schools in Nigeria need not interested and do not want to engage in to introduce vocational education and farming any longer. Most young people and training into their curriculum. By doing so, unemployed graduates today are only interested it will assist students to develop skills that LQ ZKLWH FROODU R΀FH MREV 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKHUH FDQ EH RI EHQHÀW WR WKHP LQ WKH IXWXUH 8QWLO still exists the misconception that farming is a vocational education is taken seriously, profession for the poor and illiterate, which only then will the economy become better. entails grueling toil in the farmland, with a Vocational education and training can mere pittance as returns. contribute to the reduction of poverty, hunger and unemployment. It can also help people become self-reliant. Vocational, entrepreneurship, or skill Vocational education and acquisition programs include training training can contribute to in skills such as: agriculture/farming; tailoring/sewing/fashion designing; the reduction of poverty, cooking and baking; carpentry; barbing; hunger and unemployment. hair styling and making; photography; It can also help people to video editing; musical instruments training; cobbling; make-up and gele tying; painting; become self-reliant plumbing; and so on. It can help students to build up their talents and also enable them to be self-reliant, or otherwise to secure These notions have been fuelled over the well-paying jobs that can help them take years by lack of proper training for those who go care of themselves and their families. into agriculture, causing them to demonize and There is a huge necessity for vocational abandon the venture. This leads to an ageing education and training in the school farming population. Nigeria’s population is curriculum. It is vital for educational currently growing faster than there are farmers institutions to provide resources needed to feed the nation. to teach vocational studies in schools. It is Nevertheless, agriculture still remains VLJQLÀFDQW IRU SDUHQWV HGXFDWRUV DQG HYHQ the largest sector of the Nigerian economy. the government to note the relevance of It employs two-thirds of Nigeria’s working scholars studying vocational education. population. Agriculture accounts for It provides students with life skills to approximately 22 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. Our become productive entrepreneurs, as it priority now should be to get young Nigerians breeds creative and innovative ideas. In the acquainted with the nitty-gritty of agriculture long run, it impacts on the economy and at an early age, introduce them to the business increases personal freedom. aspect of agriculture and also ignite the interest of school students in agriculture and encourage them to pursue agriculture-related occupations. Ighakpe Another important area of the Nigerian writes from Lagos

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T H I S D AY MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

The minister of labour is fit for purpose, contends CHEKWUBE CHUKWUNYERE

2023 PRESIDENCY: WHY APC SHOULD SUPPORT NGIGE :DUUHQ *DPDOLHO %HQQLV DQ American author and scholar, regarded as one of the pioneers of contemporary leadership VWXGLHV IDPRXVO\ VDLG ´/HDGHUVKLS LV WKH DELOLW\ WR WUDQVODWH YLVLRQ LQWR UHDOLW\ µ 7KH deduction that could be made from this statement is that a leader, who has a dream, PXVW KDYH WKH SDVVLRQ WR SXUVXH LW )RUPHU %ULWLVK 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU 7RQ\ %ODLU UH

echoed this notion when he addressed African OHDGHUV GXULQJ WKH ZDYH RI HOHFWLRQV DFURVV WKH FRQWLQHQW LQ 6SHDNLQJ XQGHU WKH DXVSLFHV RI 7RQ\ %ODLU ,QVWLWXWH IRU *OREDO &KDQJH %ODLU UHFDOOHG WKDW KH FDPH LQWR WKH 8. JRYHUQPHQW LQ IXOO RI HQWKXVLDVP DQG RSWLPLVP ZLWK D VLJQLÀFDQW PDQGDWH IURP WKH SHRSOH DQG D PDMRULW\ LQ WKH SDUOLDPHQW EXW VZLIWO\ IRXQG RXW WKDW WKH VHW RI VNLOOV WKDW EURXJKW KLP LQWR power was largely redundant when it came WR JRYHUQLQJ $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP WKH RQH ZDV about persuasion and the other, about getting WKLQJV GRQH DQG RYHU WLPH KH UHDOLVHG WKDW WKH FRUH FKDOOHQJH ZDV WXUQLQJ WKH JUHDW YLVLRQ LQWR WKH SUDFWLFDO UHDOLW\ LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ 5HJUHWWDEO\ VLQFH LQGHSHQGHQFH LQ Nigeria still grapples with the challenge of SURGXFLQJ OHDGHUV ZKR FDQQRW WUDQVODWH YLVLRQ WR UHDOLW\ :H KDYH D OHDGHUVKLS VHOHFWLRQ process which more often than not, produces HLWKHU OHDGHUV ZKR GR QRW KDYH YLVLRQ RU WKRVH ZKR KDYH YLVLRQ EXW ODFN WKH SDVVLRQ WR SXUVXH LW 7KH DWWHQGDQW FRQVHTXHQFHV LQFOXGH maladministration, widespread corruption, mismanagement of public resources and the ULSSOH HͿHFWV VXFK DV ULVLQJ FRVW RI OLYLQJ SRYHUW\ DQG XQGHUGHYHORSPHQW GHFD\LQJ infrastructure, amongst others. +RZHYHU WKH FRPLQJ JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQ presents another golden opportunity for 1LJHULDQV WR FKDQJH WKH OHDGHUVKLS WUDMHFWRU\ to guarantee a prosperous and bounteous future for the country. In the meantime, SROLWLFLDQV KDYH VWDUWHG LQGLFDWLQJ LQWHUHVW LQ YDULRXV R΀FHV LQFOXGLQJ WKH R΀FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW %\ WKH WLPH RI ZULWLQJ WKLV SLHFH VHYHUDO SROLWLFLDQV KDYH LQGLFDWHG LQWHUHVW to contest the presidential elections under GLͿHUHQW SODWIRUPV 5HFHQWO\ WKH 0LQLVWHU RI /DERXU DQG (PSOR\PHQW 6HQ &KULV 1JLJH WROG &KDQQHOV 7HOHYLVLRQ WKDW KH ZDV VHULRXVO\ FRQVXOWLQJ WR UXQ IRU WKH 3UHVLGHQW LQ 1JLJH VDLG ´, told my constituents that were urging me last 'HFHPEHU WKDW , ZLOO GR VRPH FRQVXOWDWLRQ DQG VSHDN WR WKHP LQ $SULO GXULQJ (DVWHU 6R , DP doing my consultation.” 3URGGHG IXUWKHU E\ WKH LQWHUYLHZHU 6HXQ 2NLQEDOR\H WKH PLQLVWHU TXLSSHG ´, DP TXDOLÀHG WR EH 3UHVLGHQW DOWKRXJK , DP \HW WR LQIRUP P\ ERVV 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL µ 7KH two-time minister further disclosed that some Nigerians including a former Inspector *HQHUDO RI 3ROLFH KDYH DVNHG KLP WR UXQ 1JLJH KRZHYHU PDGH LW FOHDU WKDW KH ZRXOG not be running based on regional sentiments EXW DV DQ HPLQHQWO\ TXDOLÀHG 1LJHULDQ IURP $ORU LQ ,GHPLOL 6RXWK ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW DUHD

LQ WKH 6RXWK (DVW RI 1LJHULD ´, ZLOO QRW ZHDU WKH WRJD RI DQ ,JER 3UHVLGHQW µ KH VDLG , ZDV QRW ED΁HG E\ WKLV VWDWHPHQW EHLQJ VRPHERG\ FRQYHUVDQW ZLWK 1JLJH·V =LNLVW LQFOLQDWLRQV DQG EHOLHI LQ RQH VWURQJ LQGLYLVLEOH HTXLWDEOH IDLU DQG MXVW 1LJHULD %HVLGHV LQ D FOLPH OLNH RXUV ZKHUH SROLWLFLDQV GHSOR\ HWKQLFLW\ DQG HYHQ UHOLJLRQ WR FDSWXUH power, it is heartwarming to note that we VWLOO KDYH SROLWLFLDQV OLNH 1JLJH ZKR HVFKHZ SULPRUGLDO VHQWLPHQWV IURP SROLWLFV :KLOVW some politicians would only run if their parties ]RQH WKH WLFNHW WR WKHLU VHFWLRQ RI WKH FRXQWU\ 1JLJH KDV FKRVHQ QRW WR EH D SURYLQFLDO candidate. The good news here is that if HOHFWHG 3UHVLGHQW WKH IRUPHU $QDPEUD 6WDWH *RYHUQRU LQWHQGV WR PDNH WKH HQWLUH FRXQWU\ his constituency. 3ULRU WR WKH &KDQQHOV 7HOHYLVLRQ LQWHUYLHZ WKH $QDPEUD 6WDWH FKDSWHU RI WKH $3& KDG LQ 'HFHPEHU ODVW \HDU DGRSWHG D UHVROXWLRQ XUJLQJ KLP WR UXQ IRU WKH SUHVLGHQF\ +H DVNHG WKH SDUW\ IDLWKIXO WR JLYH KLP XQWLO WKH FRPLQJ (DVWHU WR GHFLGH (YHU VLQFH WKH SUHVVXUH RQ him to contest has gained more momentum. As somebody who has followed Ngige’s ÁRXULVKLQJ SROLWLFDO FDUHHU , VHH KLP DV VRPHERG\ FDSDEOH RI WUDQVODWLQJ YLVLRQ WR reality. Apart from his sound educational EDFNJURXQG YDVW SXEOLF SULYDWH VHFWRU H[SHULHQFH YHUVDWLOLW\ DQG RWKHU RXWVWDQGLQJ OHDGHUVKLS TXDOLWLHV WKH PHGLFDO GRFWRU WXUQHG politician has distinguished himself, beginning IURP KLV GD\V DV WKH *RYHUQRU RI $QDPEUD 6WDWH IURP 0D\ 0DUFK 6HQDWRU UHSUHVHQWLQJ $QDPEUD &HQWUDO -XQH -XQH DQG WKH 0LQLVWHU RI /DERXU DQG (PSOR\PHQW WLOO GDWH In his current assignment as the Minister of /DERXU DQG (PSOR\PHQW 1JLJH·V LQWHUYHQWLRQV KDYH EHHQ IHOW LQ FULWLFDO VHFWRUV RI WKH FRXQWU\ VXFK DV ZRUNV KHDOWK DQG HGXFDWLRQ +H contributed immeasurably to the success of WKH 6HFRQG 1LJHU %ULGJH RQH RI WKH ÀYH OHJDF\ SURMHFWV RI WKH %XKDUL JRYHUQPHQW 7KH PXOWL billion naira bridge is billed for commissioning E\ 2FWREHU WKLV \HDU KDYLQJ UHDFKHG SHUFHQW FRPSOHWLRQ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH 0LQLVWHU RI :RUNV DQG +RXVLQJ %DEDWXQGH 5DML )DVKROD $OVR FRXUWHV\ RI 1JLJH·V LQWHUYHQWLRQV alongside his counterparts in the Ministry of +HDOWK WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW UHOHDVHG 1 E DV KD]DUG DOORZDQFH WR GRFWRUV DQG RWKHU KHDOWK ZRUNHUV DW WKH SHDN RI WKH &29,G SDQGHPLF 7RGD\ JRYHUQPHQW DQG WKH KHDOWK ZRUNHUV KDYH FRQFOXGHG QHJRWLDWLRQV RQ D QHZ KD]DUG allowance, expected to be more meaningful WKDQ WKH 1 WKH ZRUNHUV KDYH EHHQ HDUQLQJ DV KD]DUG DOORZDQFH VLQFH In his ministry, he has demonstrated to the delight of the organised labour, “the penchant IRU OHDYLQJ RSHQ WKH GRRU RI IUDQN GLVFXVVLRQV open negotiations and genuine reconciliations.” ,Q KH SOD\HG D NH\ UROH LQ WKH QHJRWLDWLRQ RI WKH 1 PLQLPXP ZDJH IRU ZRUNHUV LQ Nigeria. He returned Nigeria to the frontlines of LQWHUQDWLRQDO ODERXU DQG GLSORPDF\ E\ WDNLQJ WKH FRXQWU\ EDFN WR WKH *RYHUQLQJ %RDUG RI WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO /DERXU 2UJDQLVDWLRQ ,/2 in 2018, after about 10 years absence. His political sagacity propelled him to the position of the leader of Africa and Asia Ministers of /DERXU ,Q KH EHFDPH WKH 3UHVLGHQW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW JURXS RI WKH PHPEHU QDWLRQ 81 DJHQF\ $V *RYHUQRU RI $QDPEUD 6WDWH KH ODLG WKH IRXQGDWLRQ IRU WKH UDSLG GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH VWDWH WKURXJK PDVVLYH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHYHORSPHQW )RU LQVWDQFH WKH 1JLJH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ H[HFXWHG URDG SURMHFWV FXWWLQJ DFURVV WKH WKUHH VHQDWRULDO ]RQHV RI WKH VWDWH DQG VRPH OLQNLQJ $QDPEUD WR neighbouring states. chekmma@yahoo.com

CHUKS AKAMADU urges the National Film and Video Censors Board to be alive to its responsibilities

DRUG ABUSE: NFVCB AND NBC IN THE DOCK In 2015, a Nigerian musician named “Olamide” released a substance abuse-promoting song titled “Science Student”. A section of the public, for JRRG PHDVXUH FRQVLGHUHG LW RͿHQVLYH RQ DFFRXQW of the song’s content. The song was so odious that Federal Ministry of Health had to register its displeasure with it by publicly accusing the singer of breaching the Tobacco Act. But let’s face it, Olamide is not alone in this. 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ RWKHU LQÁXHQWLDO 1LJHULDQ PXVLFLDQV ZKRVH PRYLH YLGHRV FOHDUO\ SURPRWH GUXJ DEXVH LQ YLRODWLRQ RI 3DUW 9,, 6HFWLRQ E LL RI 1DWLRQDO )LOP DQG 9LGHR &HQVRUV %RDUG 1)9&% $FW ZKLFK JLYHV WKH %RDUG WKH SRZHU QRW WR UHJLVWHU DQ\ YLGHR WKDW LV ´,LNHO\ WR LQGXFH RU UHLQIRUFH WKH FRUUXSWLRQ RI SULYDWH RU SXEOLF PRUDOLW\µ 2U GRHV WKH ZRUG ´YLGHRµ QRW LQFOXGH

For the purpose of guaranteeing optimal outcome, it is further suggested that the NASS should also interface with other major stakeholders in the industry to ensure the reign of sanity in their industry PXVLF YLGHRV" ,I LW GRHV QRW ZKR WKHQ UHJXODWHV PXVLF YLGHR FRQWHQWV WKDW DUH FKXUQHG RXW GDLO\ IRU SXEOLF FRQVXPSWLRQ" 4XLWH IUDQNO\ ZH QHHG QRW JR IDU 7KHUH LV ´6PRNH 6RPH :HHGµ E\ %XUQD %R\ IHDWXULQJ 2QRV ´*LQJHUµ E\ :L]NLG DQG ´(QHUJ\µ E\ Runtown. Others include “Marry Juana” by 1DLUD 0DUOH\ 0D[ 7ZLJ] ´*DQMD 0DQµ E\ LFH DQG ´.XVKµ 0XVLF E\ 3K\QR 1RZ JLYHQ VFDU\ ÀJXUHV IURP WKH 8QLWHG 1DWLRQV 2΀FH RQ 'UXJV DQG &ULPH 812'& ZKLFK LQGLFDWH WKDW WKH SUHYDOHQFH RI GUXJ DEXVH LQ 1LJHULD LV DERXW WKULFH WKH ZRUOG·V DYHUDJH DQG WKH REYLRXV QH[XV EHWZHHQ GUXJ DEXVH DQG WKH ULVLQJ ZDYH RI YLROHQW FULPHV LQ WKH VRFLHW\ LV LW QRW GLVKHDUWHQLQJ WKDW ZKLOVW RWKHU JRYHUQPHQW LQVWLWXWLRQV VXFK DV 1DWLRQDO 'UXJ /DZ (QIRUFHPHQW $JHQF\ 1'/($ DQG 1DWLRQDO $JHQF\ IRU )RRG DQG 'UXJV $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ DQG &RQWURO 1$)'$& DUH ZRUNLQJ WLUHOHVVO\ WR UHYHUVH WKH GUXJ DEXVH WUHQG LQ 1LJHULD D NH\ VWDNHKROGHU OLNH 1)9&% RU LV LW 1%&" LV VOHHSLQJ on its statutory duties that ought to complement WKH FRQFHUWHG HͿRUWV RI WKRVH RWKHU WZR DJHQFLHV" 7DNH IRU LQVWDQFH 6HFWLRQ RI WKH 1)9&% Act states that “As from the commencement of this Act, no person shall exhibit, cause or allow to EH H[KLELWHG D ÀOP ZLWKRXW D FHQVRUVKLS FHUWLÀFDWH issued by the Board for such exhibition”. Same $FW SURKLELWV SXEOLF FRQVXPSWLRQ RI YLGHRV ZLWK FRQWHQW WKDW LV ÓLNHO\ WR HQFRXUDJH RU JORULI\ WKH XVH RI YLROHQFHµ DV ZHOO DV ÓLNHO\ WR LQFLWH RU encourage public disorder or crime”. The Act – DQG HYHQ WKH QDPH RI WKH ERDUG DV *RG ZRXOG KDYH LW DFNQRZOHGJH DQG VHSDUDWH ´ÀOPµ DQG ÝLGHRµ PHDQLQJ LQ LWV OLWHUDU\ VHQVH WKDW WKH $FW DSSOLHV WR ERWK ÀOPV DQG YLGHRV ZKHWKHU LW LV PXVLF YLGHR RU QRW , WKLQN )RU WKH DYRLGDQFH RI GRXEW , DP LQFOLQHG WR WKLQN WKDW WKH PDWWHU LQ TXHVWLRQ LV GLUHFWO\ XQGHU 1)9&%·V SXUYLHZ EHFDXVH LW LV WRR FUXFLDO WR be accommodated merely under the National %URDGFDVWLQJ &RPPLVVLRQ·V 1%& %URDGFDVW &RGH %XW LQ WKH HYHQW WKDW WKH FRQWUDU\ LV WKH case, then nation has an emergency on its hands ZKLOVW WKH 1%& VKRXOG FDUU\ WKH FDQ ,Q WKH OLJKW RI WKH VHULDO FRQWUDYHQWLRQV RI WKHVH extant laws and the presumably complicit role

EHLQJ SOD\HG WKH VXSSRVHG ZDWFKGRJV 1)9&% DQG 1%& WKDW , ZLVK WR SXEOLFO\ FRQGHPQ LQ LWV HQWLUHW\ WKH PDNLQJ RI GUXJ DEXVH SURPRWLQJ PXVLF YLGHRV E\ RXU DUWLVWHV EHFDXVH VXFK songs do not only corrupt public morality, they OXUH YXOQHUDEOH OLVWHQHUV DQG YLHZHUV LQWR WKH VHOI GHVWUXFWLYH DUPV RI GUXJ DEXVH ,Q WKH HQG WKH YLFWLP KDV WKHLU PHQWDO DQG SK\VLFDO KHDOWK SXW LQ KDUP·V ZD\ DQG QRW RQO\ WKDW WKH\ FRQVWLWXWH LPPHQVH VHFXULW\ ULVN DQG OLDELOLW\ WR D VRFLHW\ WKDW LV FRQWHQGLQJ ZLWK YLROHQW FULPHV ,Q HYHQ VWURQJHU WHUPV , JLYH ERWK 1)9&% DQG 1%& WKXPEV GRZQ IRU DOORZLQJ WKHVH LQMXULRXV EUHDFKHV JR XQSXQLVKHG , ZRXOG WKHUHIRUH OLNH WR SUD\ WKH 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ WR TXLFNO\ VHW up an ad-hoc committee comprising members RI WKHLU FRPPLWWHHV RQ MXGLFLDU\ LQIRUPDWLRQ drugs and narcotics and culture and tourism WR XQGHUWDNH WKH WDVN RI D ,QYHVWLJDWLQJ WKH RSHUDWLRQV RI 1)9&% DQG 1%& HVSHFLDOO\ DV it relates to their functions and enforcement RI WKH SURYLVLRQV RI WKH $FWV WKDW HVWDEOLVKHG WKHP DQG E 'HWHUPLQLQJ ZKHWKHU ERWK $FWV need amendment for better result. For the purpose of guaranteeing optimal outcome, it is further suggested that the NASS should also interface with other PDMRU VWDNHKROGHUV LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ VXFK DV 3HUIRUPLQJ 0XVLFLDQV (PSOR\HUV· $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 1LJHULD 30$1 $XGLR 9LVXDO 5LJKWV 6RFLHW\ $956 DQG &ROOHFWLQJ 6RFLHW\ RI 1LJHULD &2621 DQG JHW WKHP WR FROODERUDWH ZLWK UHJXODWRU\ ERGLHV 1)9&% DQG 1%& WR ensure the reign of sanity in their industry – as pertains to compliance and enforcement of LQGXVWU\ VWDWXWHV DQG FRGHV :KR NQRZV WKLV PLJKW MXVW EH DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU WKH SDUOLDPHQW WR WKRURXJKO\ H[DPLQH WKH UHOHYDQW SRUWLRQV RI RXU ERG\ RI ODZV ZLWK D YLHZ WR LGHQWLI\LQJ the inherent gaps, defects and mischief, and DFFRUGLQJO\ VXSSO\ VXLWDEOH FXUH DQG SURͿHU ÀWWLQJ VROXWLRQV You see, for those who do not appreciate the urgency of the times, the future of Nigeria, especially her youths’ is under threat. Narcotic, psychotic and psychotropic substances are circulating among our youth population as though the human body needs them more WKDQ LW QHHGV YLWDPLQV & DQG $ 3XW EOXQWO\ the nation is at war with harmful drugs and substances. And if one pays attention to credible data that deal with the nation’s demography and unemployment rate, it then becomes all WRR JODULQJ WKDW H[FHSW ZH PDNH KD\ ZKLOH WKH sun shines, our tomorrow would be as good as traded! ,W LV IRU WKLV UHDVRQ WKDW 1'/($ ZLWK WKH collaboration of other local and international VWDNHKROGHUV SDLQVWDNLQJO\ SURGXFHG ODVW \HDU WKH 1DWLRQDO 'UXJ &RQWURO 0DVWHUSODQ IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI QLSSLQJ WKH IRUHVHHDEOH tragedy in the bud and eliminating obstacles to RXU VXVWDLQDEOH GHYHORSPHQW 3OHDVH IRU WKH VDNH RXU FKLOGUHQ \RXQJ DGXOWV DQG \RXWKV ZKR GR QRW NQRZ WKHLU OHIW DQG ULJKW WKLV PDWWHU VKRXOG EH ORRNHG LQWR XUJHQWO\ DQG VSHHGLO\ GHDOW ZLWK :H FDQQRW FRQWLQXH WR KDYH RXU DLUZDYHV EHLQJ SROOXWHG DW ZLOO ZLWKRXW FRQVHTXHQFHV :H KDYH WKH PRUDO mental and physical health of our children DQG ZDUGV WR MHDORXVO\ SURWHFW :KDW ZH QRZ VHH RQ RXU VFUHHQV DQG KHDU RQ RXU DLUZDYHV DFWXDOO\ DVVDXOW RXU FXOWXUDO HVVHQFH DQG YLRODWH RXU PRUDO FRGHV DV D SHRSOH :H FDQ QR ORQJHU continue to sit idly by and watch some of our DUWLVWHV VWDQG RXU YDOXHV RQ WKHLU KHDGV DQG VHOO SRLVRQRXV O\ULFV DQG YLGHRV WR DQ REYLRXVO\ susceptible younger generation.

Akamadu, M.IoD is President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths

4 30

T H I S D AY MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

SECURITY CHALLENGE IN NIGER STATE Security agencies could do more to contain the bandits

he largest state in Nigeria by landmass, Niger shares boundaries with the most volatile northeastern states of Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi. While it may not be on the national radar like Kaduna, this vast expanse of land that should ordinarily be an advantage is gradually becoming home to bandits and terrorists. In August 2009, then Governor Muazu %DEDQJLGD $OL\X LGHQWLÀHG D VHFW NQRZQ DV 'DUXO Islam (House of Islam) as a potential security threat. The government was propelled to crack down on the group, whose members had lived in strict seclusion in Mokwa, a southwestern axis of the state, since the 1990s and refused to integrate and fraternised with any community. That helped to an extent WR GRXVH LQLWLDO ÀUH %XW the problem has since escalated with extensive ungoverned spaces within the state amidst growing inability to neutralise FULPLQDO LQÀOWUDWLRQ As terrorists and bandits converge on the northern axis of Niger State, they now feel emboldened to HPEDUN RQ XQGHUWDNLQJ R΀FLDO IXQFWLRQV DVNLQJ WKH communities raided or overpowered to pay taxes and levies. In Rumbun Giwa, for instance, the criminals now resort to writing letters to various villages, instructing farmers to pay certain levies before gaining access to their farms and harvests. That Shiroro, Paikoro, Mashegu and many other local government areas are terrorised incessantly underline the territorial compromise that has since become a tough battle for a state being held to ransom by ruthless criminals. Meanwhile, it took the national outrage triggered by the February 2021 raid on Government Science College in Kagara to draw attention to the descent into anarchy, especially in the rural areas of Niger State, as local and international media rushed to report the abduction of 27 students and death of one. With images of RPG-wielding bandits emerging from the VWDWH DORQJ ZLWK ÀHUFH VFUXWLQ\ RI WKH LQIUDVWUXFWXUDO

decay, the world was no longer clueless about the mess that facilitated the tragedy. At the end, the bandits left with 136 pupils from Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School LQ 7HJLQD 5DÀ ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW DQG QHJRWLDWLRQV for their release took six tragic months, with six of the children reportedly dying from illnesses while in captivity. Between the Kagara and Tegina abductions, Niger State seemed to have reached an epiphany; and this LQWHQVLÀHG WKH UHVRUW WR GHSOR\LQJ YLJLODQWHV WR ÀJKW the bandits. In June last year, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello launched the Niger Special Vigilante Corps (NSVC). It was designed to resolve the inadequacy of the security operations, especially the gang violence that is now commonplace in the state capital. But the growing reliance on vigilantes in the state has stirred up some setbacks. In September 2021, communities in 6KLURUR DQG 5DÀ /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW $UHDV ZKLFK KDG been previously compelled by bandits to pay levy and serially terrorised by the pseudo-government, found help from a vigilance group made up of local hunters. The group eliminated 47 bandits and was endorsed by the Police for their uncommon valour. While the engagement of vigilantes is a silver lining, the question of how the bandits got to possess sophisticated weapons like the RPGs they were seen wielding in their propaganda photos making the rounds online remains a riddle. Unless a convincing answer is provided, the vigilantes remain potential VDFULÀFLDO ODPEV LQ D V\VWHP LOO SUHSDUHG WR SURWHFW them from the pushback of the wild gangs capitalising on Nigeria’s preventable security compromise. In Niger State today, the increasing spate of attacks is not only stoking unease in many rural communities, but it is also denying people access to schools, farms, and other sources of legitimate livelihood. Sadly, that is also becoming the story of many other states, especially in the north.

The increasing spate of attacks is not only stoking unease in many rural communities, but it is also denying people access to schools, farms, and other sources of legitimate livelihood 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 THE TRIAL OF MUBARAK BALA A team of Kano based practicing lawyers submitted a petition against Mubarak Bala to the Kano State Police Command in April 27, 2020. The petitioners alleged that the aforementioned remarks on Facebook in April, 2020 was in bad taste. The lawyers were within the ambit of the law in exercising their dissatisfaction. They had taken a civilized and lawful step unlike the self - help approach resorted to by some suspected religious fanatics. Having received the petition, the police swiftly apprehended Bala. The arrest was within the powers of investigation and arrest conferred on them by virtue of Sec 31-32 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020. It was only that the police authority exercised this power beyond due process. Within 48 hours of Bala’s arrest, the police ought to have arraigned him if he had a case to answer. The law is clear on this position. Alternatively, he could have EHHQ RͿHUHG DGPLQLVWUDWLYH EDLO SHQGLQJ WKH GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI SROLFH LQYHVWLJDWLRQ 7KH RͿHQFH DOOHJHGO\ FRPPLWWHG E\ %DOD LV QRW D FDSLWDO RͿHQFH XQGHU 1LJHULD·V ODZ 7KHUHIRUH he is entitled to administrative bail. Indeed, none of these available legal options was adopted by the police. The police authority rather decided to keep Bala in custody for almost two years. This level of high-hand-

HGQHVV DQG ODZOHVVQHVV FRXOGQ·W HͿHFWLYHO\ EH FKHFNHG E\ the court. Sometime in 2020, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the immediate release of Mubarak Bala but the ruling was not complied with. Nothing substantial was heard of Mubarak Bala’s whereabouts and condition since his arrest. There were only speculations and hearsay until few days ago when he was DUUDLJQHG EHIRUH -XVWLFH )DURXN /DZDQ RI .DQR 6WDWH +LJK Court on 18 - count charges bordering on blasphemy, incitement, contempt of religion and breach of public peace. The prosecution alleged that Bala has contravened the provision of Sections 114 and 210 of the Penal Code. The court thereafter sentenced Bala to 24 years imprisonment. Many international organizations, local observers and human rights’ activists have condemned the judgement delivered on Mubarak Bala. But little or no attention is being paid to his alleged disparaging remarks. Admittedly, Mubarak Bala’s trial is full of procedural irregularities and the prosecution didn’t meet both local and international fair trial standards. Binzak Azeez, Newworth LLP (Legal Practitioners), Onikan, Lagos

A NEW LIFE FOR A NIGERIAN IN HUNGARY 7KH VWRU\ RI 'DQLHO QRW KLV UHDO name) is an inspirational one as he fought so hard to get out of Ukraine as shelling started. His city, Kharkiv, was shelled overnight and he decided to leave that morning, dodging bullets across streets and praying frantically as he found a bus and made his way to Hungary. He was passionate about the possibility of the future despite leaving all his property and livelihoods behind in Kharkiv. 'DQLHO RQFH VWDWHG WKDW D SDUW RI KLP left when he left Ukraine, but he had to keep trudging on. On getting to Hungary, accommodation and integration was a problem and he didn’t want to come back to Nigeria, because he had two years to go in medical school. So he had to look keenly for opportuni-

WLHV LW ZDV KDUG DW ÀUVW ZLWK WKH JUDFH of God and possibilities made available by the Hungarian government. He got enrolled into Semmelweis University, a research-led medical school in Budapest, Hungary, founded in 1769. Its 250 years of tradition and unique focus on health care made it one of the leading universities of medicine and health sciences in Hungary and the Central European region. The university ofIHUV KHOS WR VWXGHQWV ÁHHLQJ WKH ZDU LQ Ukraine. 'DQLHO LQ D FRUUHVSRQGHQFH ZLWK WKH writer, says this semester is free and the government is working on scholarVKLSV 'DQLHO·V VWRU\ KDV D KDSS\ HQGing but some others were not so lucky. Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

HOMES&DESIGN BANK OF INDUSTRY’S TOWER II:

Big, Bold and Beautiful

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

HOMES&DESIGN

BoI Tower II: Abuja’s Resplendent Skyscraper Bank of Industry (BoI) has imbued conﬁdence in its operations by rendering a world-class oﬃce building in Abuja named Tower II. Bennett Oghifo writes

he 19-storey BoI building, named Tower II, is a futuristic skyscraper. It towers and shimmers in the nation’s capital, Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari described it as “world-class” when he commissioned it recently. The tower was designed and built to have a total floor area of 1,200sqms and fit into the future, complete with raised access floors, smart lighting, building management and air conditioning systems. According to the design, Tower II is clad in building photovoltaic panels, and the concept is for this to provide

30 per cent of its total load output. The floors, subdivided into zones, have independent lighting and thermal controls, with efficient use of floor space characterised by dedicated room silos suspended. They have a unique rendition that employs the top of the silos both as landscaped and lobby meeting areas. On top of Tower II lies a restaurant with breathtaking terraces offering a window to the Federal Capital City. Studio Imagine rendered this exquisite Tower II involving Simply Architecture (SI.SA) in conjunction with Shelter Designs Partnership. The Nigerian president, who

commissioned the twoer via Zoom, explained that the BoI disbursed loans worth billions of naira and created jobs for over nine million persons. “I’m particularly impressed that this world-class building will finance internally generated revenue of the bank,” stated Buhari. He added, “The BoI has continued to successfully execute its mandate as a policy institution of the federal government. Through the Bank of Industry, this government extended the single-digit interest rate loans.” As part of its mandate, the BoI disbursed over N1.4 trillion and

over N4.2 billion, including MSMEs, SMEs, and large enterprises, creating over nine million jobs from its inception, according to the president. The tower, which serves as the bank’s corporate headquarters, is in the Central Business District of Abuja. Dignitaries at the event include members of the federal cabinet and captains of industries. The mandate of the financial institution is to provide financial assistance for the establishment of the large, medium, and small projects as well as the expansion, diversification, and modernisation of existing enterprises; and rehabilitating of ailing ones.

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSSPECIAL

Editor: Obinna Chima obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078

Revisiting Nigeria’s Digital Currency Dike Onwuamaeze highlights the benefits of the eNaira

he recently released 2022 PwC Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) put the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) eNaira as a leader among retail CBDC projects in Africa. It also showed that the CBN is far ahead a lot of its peers in terms of digital currency as a vast majority of central banks in the world are presently considering launching their own digital currencies. The professional services annual index of CBDCs and stablecoins, which was released recently stated: “CBDCs will facilitate more effective, lower cost and 24/7/365 cross-border payments for the financial services industry. “We expect that CBDCs will greatly benefit cross-border transactions and economies of all relevant jurisdictions. “Overall, retail CBDC projects, which are digital currencies designed for public use, have reached greater maturity levels than wholesale projects, which are digital currencies used by financial institutions that have accounts with central banks,” the report noted. It noted that there has been an increase in wholesale pilots in recent years though. China became the first major economy to pilot a retail CBDC in 2020 with the digital yuan. The pilot was running in 12 cities as of March 2022. The Sand Dollar, issued by the Central Bank of the Bahamas as legal tender in October 2020, was the first retail project of its kind. Nigeria’s central bank launched the first CBDC in Africa, the eNaira, shortly afterwards. On the wholesale side, PwC ranked the combined effort from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand to launch mBridge as the top product. The central banks are working to develop a proof-of-concept prototype to enable real-time, cross-border foreign exchange payments on distributed ledger technology. Other top projects include efforts by Canada, Singapore, France and South Africa. “Wholesale CBDCs have the potential to streamline security token post-trade operations through atomic delivery-versus-payment and increase the market efficiency for several asset classes,” said PwC France and Maghreb Financial Services Risk and Blockchain Partner, Benoit Sureau. “We expect CBDC research, testing and implementation will intensify in 2022. The success of Nigeria’s eNaira is likely to spur CBDC development in countries where financial inclusion is one of the key desired outcomes.”

The West Africa Financial Services Leader and Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria, Andrew Nevin said: “CBDCs will transform the payment system, as low value-added transactions become possible in a costless and secure way for everyone. The success could also catalyse more complex and transformative CBDC uses, including Blockchain Identity Management, Land Registry, and Supply Chain Verification. As each of the use cases develops, we can bring more people into the economic and financial system and lift tens of millions out of poverty.” Also, the Global Financial Services Leader, PwC United States, John Garvey stated that it is especially important for financial institutions to understand where central banks are with digital currencies, because ultimately CBDCs will start flowing through the payment system and start to hit bank balance sheets. “Careful consultation with central banks is critical in clarifying the business case for CBDCs, from an inclusivity, financial performance and interoperability perspective. One thing that is clear, lowering the cost of payments in an economy provides value throughout the economy and for citizens. If CBDCs can ultimately enable more efficient payments, that will benefit everyone,” Garvey said. According to a separate report by PwC, throughout history money has evolved. Beginning with the use of everyday objects, to precious metals, to the gold standard and finally, to fiat in 1971, money has changed in line with broader technological and social shifts. It noted that the development of computer technology in the second part of the twentieth century allowed money to be represented digitally. According to the report, by 1990, in the United States, all money transferred between its central bank and commercial banks was in electronic form. It noted that by 2000s most money existed as digital currency in bank databases. While digital money has been around for a few decades, many argue that we are now at the verge of digital money 2.0. Not the account-based electronic money that’s been around for the past several decades, but a new type of token-based digital money. Tokenisation, often via

blockchain, is the basis of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and many proposed central bank digital currencies. It stated that the new wave of tokenised money started with the introduction of Bitcoin in 2008 as the first widely used, decentralised, peer-to-peer, cryptocurrency based on distributed ledger technology called blockchain. Furthermore, it stated that another inflection point came with the announcement of Libra (now renamed Diem) in 2019, by Facebook. Conceived as a private stablecoin – a privately issued crypto currency pegged to a stable asset (e.g. fiat money, physical gold etc) – Libra/Diem led to the development of a number of other stablecoins. “It is against this backdrop that central banks around the world have ramped up interest in CBDCs. Conceived as a digital representation of fiat currency, CBDCs are a liability of the central bank in the same way as physical currency.

BENEFITS OF ENAIRA

To the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the central bank decided to implement its own CBDC and to name the digital currency eNaira, with the expectation that the innovation would make significant positive difference to Nigeria and Nigerians. Indeed, the eNaira, has continued to attract the interest of Nigeria’s banking public at home and across the world, with its total downloads hitting 694,000 95 days (January 31st, 2022), after it was unveiled. A breakdown of the figures showed that as of the above stated date, total downloads via iPhone Operating System (iOS) stood at 136,000, while that of Android was 558,000. In terms of consumer wallets, the data showed that at 33 per cent, Guaranty Trust Bank was ahead of others, just as Ecobank was presently leading in terms of merchant wallet downloads at 22 per cent. “Downloads have continued to increase to almost 700,000. ENaira wallets were downloaded from North America to Australia and all over Africa,” the analysis had stated. Furthermore, it showed that the app was also downloaded in South America, Europe, Asia, and in almost all the countries in Africa. Emefiele had said the eNaira would support a resilient payment ecosystem, encourage rapid financial inclusion, reduce the cost of

processing cash, enable direct and transparent welfare intervention to citizens and increase revenue and tax collection. He said eNaira would also facilitate diaspora remittances, reduce the cost of financial transactions, and improve the efficiency of payments. Emefiele added, “Therefore, the eNaira is Nigeria’s CBDC and it is the digital equivalent of the physical naira. As the tagline simply encapsulates, the eNaira is the same naira with far more possibilities. “The eNaira – like the physical naira – is a legal tender in Nigeria and a liability of the CBN. The eNaira and naira will have the same value and will always be exchanged at one naira to one eNaira.” Emefiele said in a bid to further de-risk the process, CBN had given careful consideration to the entire payment and financial architecture and designed the eNaira to complement and strengthen these ecosystems. He said the bank had also implemented safeguards and policies to maintain the integrity of the financial system. The CBN boss added that there would be strict adherence to the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/ CFT) standards in order to preserve the integrity and stability of Nigeria’s payment system. He said since the eNaira platform went live, there had been overwhelming interest and encouraging response from Nigerians and others across the world, with over 2.5 million daily visits to the website. He said, “Today, customers who download the eNaira Speed Wallet App will be able to perform the following: Onboard and create their wallet, fund their eNaira wallet from their bank account, transfer eNaira from their wallet to another wallet, and make payment for purchases at registered merchant locations.” “There is no need, absolutely no reason for anybody to be afraid of the risk of even hacking your account and the rest of that.” “This morning I set up my account and my account is operating very well. I talked about the BVN; the BVN is one of the best payment systems infrastructure that we have put in place and I can assure you that with all that has been done, you cannot hack into it. “If somebody hacks into yours, it will be because you were reckless in handling your information but not that the system failed,” he added. He described eNaira as an extension of the payment system in Nigeria, which would enhance payments outside the country.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

BUSINESS SPECIAL

ANALYSIS

Zenith: Banking on Reward to Maintain Customer Loyalty Oluchi Chibuzor writes on Zenith Bank’s new initiative to expand its reach in the retail banking segment of the market

s part of efforts to expand its reach in the retail segment of the bank sector, Zenith Bank Plc recently introduced another season of its savings promo. The bank which remains a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in deploying innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions, has been making significant progress in its retail banking drive. This is evidenced by remarkable growth in transaction volumes and value across its digital platforms and strong growth in customer acquisition. Therefore, in order to entrench itself in the retail segment of the market, the bank recently re-introduced its Zenith Bank Beta Life Promo Season 2. The reward scheme is a bi-weekly raffle promo wherein the bank would give gifts worth N150,000 each to 20 customers from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023. The raffle draws hold on the second and fourth Friday of each month. To qualify, customers are expected to simply open a Zenith Bank account; fund the account with a minimum of N5,000 for the period; request and collect a Zenith Bank Debit Card (virtual or physical). The promo is open to new and existing Zenith Bank customers that maintain a minimum deposit of N5,000 for the period; request and collect a Zenith Bank Debit Card (virtual or physical) and download and register on the Zenith Bank Mobile App or register for *966# EazyBanking. “If you do not have a current or savings account with us, or have a dormant or zero balance account, this is the best time to open an account, fund or reactivate your account to win exciting rewards every week. Rewards will be allocated to the winning accounts chosen via raffle draw by our computer program designed specifically for the purpose of the Promotion. “The random selection and allocation of Prizes to the respective Winning Customers will be verified by external auditors. Customers must maintain an active account with N5000, get a card and register for USSD or download the mobile app to become a winner. You can open an account by just dialing *966# on your phone and following the prompts, or you can open an account on our website,” the bank stated. “This is possible. However, you are encouraged to make additional deposits in subsequent weeks,” it added. Indeed, one of the best ways for individuals to take charge of their finances in today’s uncertain economy is to develop a healthy savings culture. Although seemingly not a priority early in life, experts believe everyone (especially young people) should make it a priority to save and invest early, as being encouraged by Zenith Bank through the promo. In fact, Dr. Barbara O’Neill, in ‘The Benefits of Saving Money,’ cited a report that revealed that savings is linked to increased happiness. Actually, what the study found, according to O’Neill, was that people who are planners and do future-oriented things such as setting goals and taking steps (e.g., saving money) to achieve those goals feel happier, and better about their lives, than those who don’t make plans. On a related note, the Consumer Federation of America found a strong relationship between having spending and saving plans and maintaining emergency funds. Particularly for low-income individuals, those with a spending plan with goals were far more likely to have saved money for emergencies than were those without a plan. Economists and psychologists attribute findings like these to the sense of control that people have when they plan ahead and know what they need to do to get from where they are now to where they want to be, O’Neill stressed further. In Nigeria, the Central Bank and other stakeholders in the financial sector have always recognised the need to promote financial inclusion. This led to the launch of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS). The strategy document spells out specific priority measures to be adopted in a bid to reduce credit risks and transaction costs associated with serving the most financially excluded members

Onyeagwu of society. Some of these measures include initiatives to support the expansion and reach of digital financial services, increasing agent banking networks, and promoting more channels for cashless payments. Therefore, the savings promo initiative is one out of the numerous introduced by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, to ensure the financial institution retains its leadership position in the industry. This followed its recent introduction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Chatbot on WhatsApp named ZIVA (Zenith Intelligent Virtual Assistant), which enables customers to perform financial transactions and enjoy real-time customer service from their mobile phones. With this solution, customers would be able to enroll by simply adding the bank’s verified WhatsApp mobile number 07040004422 on their mobile devices, agree to the legal terms of use and then initiate a conversation. This product provides the convenience for the bank’s customers to interact and transact on a 24 hours basis on the encrypted WhatsApp platform, it added. The bank further explained that with the capability to respond to chats/queries anchored on the existing WhatsApp platform, customers would be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfer funds and top up airtime. They would also be able to confirm cheques, pay bills, apply for loans, block their accounts, and request mini statements, amongst other banking services. Commenting on the AI banking solution, Onyeagwu said: “The launch of ZIVA is driven by the need for additional secured channels of communication with our customers as we deepen our retail penetration.”

Speaking further on the WhatsApp chatbot, Onyeagwu noted that, “since the behavioural pattern of the modern customer dictates that they want to engage with brands over the channel of their choice, it was really important for us as a leading financial services institution and a pioneer of several technological innovations in the financial services industry to implement this solution in order to continue to create value for our teeming customers who incidentally were already using WhatsApp as a primary channel of communication.” The Zenith Bank’s continuous drive for retail deposits combined with the strategic rebalancing of its funding base helped to reduce its cost of funding from 2.1 per cent in 2020, to 1.5 per cent in its financial year ended December 2021. This was part of the factors shareholders of bank saw that made them to unanimously approve the bank’s proposed final dividend, expressing delight at the final dividend payment of N2.80 per share which brings the total payout for the 2021 financial year to N3.10 per share with a total value of N97.33 billion. The shareholders gave the approval at the bank’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, recently. The Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, thanked the shareholders for their unflinching loyalty, which has enabled the bank to rise to the pinnacle of the nation’s financial services industry, and assured them of the bank’s commitment to consistently deliver superior value to them. Speaking on the financial institution’s performance, Onyeagwu, said: “if you look at the bank’s history over the years, Zenith Bank has always grown, and even within the pandemic, we have maintained a reasonable positive growth trajectory. Growth is coming from the fact that we

are deploying our digital capability to grow more businesses, simplify our service processes, make our processes more efficient, and deal with customers’ complaints. “Apart from developing new products, we are discovering new business verticals, especially within the retail segment, which have significant revenue.” He added: “Meeting the expectation of shareholders means we have to work harder. The team is dodged, hardworking, resilient, and above all, we have a very supportive board that comes with superior guidance.” In spite of a challenging macroeconomic environment aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zenith Bank Group achieved year-on-year (YoY) growth in gross earnings of 10 per cent from the N696.5 billion reported in the previous year to N765.6 billion. This was on the back of a 23 per cent YoY growth in non-interest income from N251.7 billion to N309 billion and a two per cent YoY growth in interest income from N420.8 billion to N427.6 billion. Its profit before tax also grew by 10 per cent, from N255.9 billion to N280.4 billion in the current year. The increase was due to growth in the top-line and very strong management of the treasury portfolio that increased efficiency, resulting in a drop in interest expense by 12 per cent from N121.1 billion in 2020, to N106.8 billion in the current year. Indeed, Zenith Bank is living up to its strategic objective which includes a continuous improvement of its capacity to meet customers’ increasing and dynamic financial needs as well as sustain high quality growth through investments that impact the quality of service to its existing and potential customers, constant upgrade of its ICT infrastructure, unwavering investment in training and re-training of its people and regular reinforcing of its customer services delivery charter with regards to continually changing customer needs.

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022

CITYSTRINGS

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

Succour for Victims of Kaduna Attacks John Shiklam writes on the intervention of Agrolog, a Kaduna-based agribusiness company, which recently distributed foodstuff worth N20 million to victims of banditry at various IDP camps in the Southern part of the state, to assuage hunger and a looming humanitarian crisis

Dr. Manzo Maigari, distributing foodstuﬀ to victims of bandits attacks

Manzo, his wife and oﬃcials of Agrolog during the donation of foodstuﬀ at one of the IDP camps

he recent donation of foodstuffs worth N20 million by Agrolog, a Kaduna based agribusiness company to victims of bandits attacks at the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) camps in Chikun, Kajuru, Kaura, Zangon Kataf, Jama’a and Kauru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, was big relief considering as they seemed to have been abandoned to their fate. The company which deals in ginger processing, has been doing business with these communities, some of which were sacked by the bandits. Jonathan Asake, President of the Southern Kaduna Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), said over 108 communities, were displaced by bandits in the affected council areas. Many of the victims are at the 11 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps while others are said to be squatting with relations and well meaning individuals. Their homes and property were destroyed by invading bandits rendering them homeless and hopeless. Thus, it would take them a long time to recover from the devastating effect of the attacks. Most of those at the camps are women and children, some of whose husbands or mothers, respectively, were killed by the criminals. Kaduna is one of the states under serious attack by bandits in the North- west. According to a security reports released on February 1, 2022, by Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in 2021, alone, a total of 1,192 people were killed while 3,348 others were kidnapped by bandits across the state. Speaking at the flagging off of the distribution of the foodstuffs in one of the IDP camps at Anguwan Zawu, in Gonin Gora, Chikun LGA, the SOKAPU President lamented that thousands of people in the affected communities have been rendered homeless by dare- devil bandits in Chikun, Kajuru and many Southern Kaduna communities. Asake expressed concern about an impending humanitarian crisis in the affected areas, unless urgent steps were taken to assist the victims. He commended Agrolog for its kind gesture while appealing to other corporate bodies, groups, and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the victims. “Some of these people are living in uncomplicated buildings. Those who sustained injuries during the attacks could not afford to go for medical treatment because they don't have the resources. Hundreds of children in the affected communities had been out of school”, Asake said while calling on the Kaduna State government to also assist the victims as the food items donated by Agrolog were distributed across the various IDP camps. Speaking during the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Agrolog Limited, Dr. Manzo Maigari, said the donations were part of the company’s social responsibility. The foodstuffs included maize flour, rice, beans, palm oil, soap, toothpaste, pomade and sanitary pads among others. Maigari, a former commissioner for agriculture under the El-Rufai administration, said the donation was targeted at 10,000 families affected by attacks. He added that N2million had also been set aside for medical treatment for those

Dr. Manzo with some kids at the IDP camp in Zonkwa wounded during the unfortunate incidents but could not afford to go to the hospital for treatment. He said the company which deals in the Ginger-value change, has been working with the communities as partners, adding that "our company, Agrolog Limited is basically an agribusiness with focus on Ginger value. We introduced a social entrepreneurship model where we give small holder farmers input with credit and they pay back with ginger. “We as a company have decided to give back to the people that we work with - the communities where we do business as a company. “This is basically a social responsibility that aims at supporting government efforts as well as that of good spirited individuals who have always been there for some of our brothers that fell victims of this banditry attacks”, he said. The former commissioner, who noted that banditry was a nationwide challenge, called for the support of good corporate citizens as well as individuals to support the victims. “We have mobilised items for the immediate needs of victims of these attacks. You can see packages that contains maize flour, beans, rice, palm oil, salt, maggi, pomade, toothpaste, sanitary pads and other things. “The package is aimed at touching 10, 000 families across communities in Chikun, down to the southern part of Kaduna State”, Maigari said. He assured that the company will continue to do its best to ensure

that it live up to expectations, adding that government alone cannot do everything, thus the need for support to the victims. “We must necessarily support and I call on other good spirited Nigerians to look in this direction very seriously because we have quite a number of people who have been displaced and are in dire need of survival. “We decided to give our widow's mite to assist victims of these unfortunate attacks. Our budget for this, is N20million, most of it is in kind as in products we packaged. “But our engagement with people on the field showed that the victims required medical support. We understand that there are people that have had to be amputated just because they couldn't afford N2000 or N5000 for medical treatment. “There are people who suffered fractures, there are those who require bullets to be extracted from their bodies. What we did was to set aside N2million as direct medical support”, Maigari said in an interview with journalists. He said his company was working with Radi Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) which has been supporting the victims to reach out to them in the camps. Expressing gratitude to the company, the coordinator of the Anguwar Zawu camp, Habila Madami, said the victims had not been surviving on donations from groups and individuals. He said there are over 5000 people from communities in Chikun and communities from the neighbouring Niger State. Maigari who was accompanied by his wife, Juliana Maigari and some officials of SOKAPU, was also at the Rimau IDP camp in Kajuru LGA. At the camp, Reuben Buhari, coordinator of Radi explained that the victims were from

"Some of these people are living in uncomplicated buildings. Those who sustained injuries during the attacks could not aﬀord to go for medical treatment because they don't have the resources. Hundreds of children in the aﬀected communities had been out of school"

about 14 villages that were constantly under attack by bandits, adding that the villagers lost their loved ones while their homes were burnt by the bandits. Buhari said it was only recently that the displaced villagers had to go back to their burnt homes after about two years to gather the bones of their beloved ones killed by the terrorists for burial. While distributing the foodstuffs at camp, Maigari urged the victims to be strong and look to God for solution to the attacks. He promised that the company will find ways of assisting them to cultivate ginger in large quantity as soon as the security situation improves with a view to find a viable means of livelihood. At the Mercy Camp, Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf LGA, the Coordinator of the camp Rev. Gambo Waziri, who was represented by David Nyat, said the donation of the foodstuffs was a divine intervention as they had ran out of food at the camp. Waziri said the displaced persons, mostly women and children, came from Gora, Abuyab, Matei and other villages that were recently attacked by suspected herdsmen. He said no fewer than 30 children were given birth in the camp. He commended Agrolog for the kind gesture and called on the Kaduna State government to come to aid of the victims who have lost everything. In his remarks, Maigari said with the gradual return of peace in Southern Kaduna, the company plans to engage 40,000 farmers in Ginger farming so as to assist them get on their feet. At the Samaru Kataf camp, also in Zangon Kataf LGA, Dr. Michael Dogo, who received the Agrolog MD and his team, explained that the camp is located in the Widows’ Training School, courtesy of combined efforts by ECWA Samaru Kataf DCC and Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA). He further explained that at the peak of the attacks, the camp had about 7,000 displaced persons but some had gone home. He thanked Agrolog for identifying with the people in their trying moments. Also at the Kafanchan IDP camp, the coordinator, Pastor Gideon Mutum praised Maigari for identifying with the people without any motive. He stated that most of the displaced persons were not finding it easy to feed as most of those who accommodated them in their homes had also ran out of foodstuffs. The Agrolog Managing Director, said as a responsible corporate citizen, the company stands for humanity and will do its best to ensure that the victims of the attacks are up on their feet again. He urged them not to give up despite the trauma the have gone through following the mayhem visited on them by the bandits. Meanwhile, besides foodstuffs, the IDPs are also in need of clothing, beddings, water and medical facilities at the camps as life will never be the same again with the victims as they lost every of their possessions - houses, animals, clothing, grains etc to the bandits. According to Asake, it will take the victims a long time to fully recover from the trauma they are going through. “Yet, the federal government is spending resources, training and rehabilitating “so called repentant Boko Haram terrorists”, while their victims suffer agonising hardship and pains".

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ APRIL 11, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Empowers Producers of Assistive Technologies in FCT, 36 States Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË The Federal Government has commenced the empowerment of identified local producers of assistive technologies in 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, at a workshop in Lokoja, said the programme is designed to ensure that millions of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) enjoy the right to independent living, inclusion and participation through local production of quality and affordable assistive devices.

The minister was represented by the Director Special Needs, Mrs. Nkechi Onwukwe. She said the Department of Special Needs was working in collaboration with partners to nurture and harness the potentials of PWDs as well as promoting activities that enhance their interaction, mainstreaming and empowerment for a more sustainable economic, social and political growth of the nation. She said after the training the ministry will give a grant of N200,000 to local producers to expand and improve on the production of wheelchairs, prosthesis, crutches and other devices. She noted that the cost of

importing the devices was one of the reasons for encouraging local producers and quest of addressing inclusiveness among (PWDs) regarding provision of quality assistive devices and the development of entrepreneurial competencies to favourably compete in the business environment. The Kogi State Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Kabir Buba, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aleni Emmanuel, said the programme will enhance the performance of stakeholders on how to move local producers to become major producers.

Stanbic IBTC Urges SMEs to Digitise Products and Services 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 achieve-

ments. 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.

Leatherback Raises $10m in Pre-see Funding Nume Ekeghe Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has urged small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria to digitise their products and services to drive business efficiency. The call was made during the 2022 Enterprise Banking webinar organised by Stanbic IBTC, Themed ‘Your Business, Our Business: Accelerating Business Growth’, the webinar featured seasoned experts such as Head, Research, Stanbic IBTC

Bank , Muyiwa Oni; Team Lead, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Remilekun Ishola; Solutions Manager, inq. Digital Nigeria, Philip Egbetho; Head, Enterprise Business Development, Stanbic IBTC, Ayodele Ojosipe and Business Strategist, Steve Harris. Speaking on the need for SMEs to digitise products and services, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, stated that the integration of digital technology into businesses would help SMEs achieve greater business efficiency.

Addressing the issue of business growth, Team Lead, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Remilekun Ishola, said “One of our key objectives in the Business and Commercial Clients Division at Stanbic IBTC is to actively help businesses with financial solutions and funding that will accelerate their business and expand their capital base.” Solutions Manager, inq. Digital Nigeria, Philip Egbetho, advocated for more businesses to digitise their products and services for better returns on investment.

Opara Elected 22nd CIBN President Nume Ekeghe The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has elected Dr. Kenneth Onyewuchi Opara as the 22nd President/ Chairman of Council of the Institute. He will succeed Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, FCIB whose twoyear tenure will come to an end on May 21st, 2022. The Institute also elected other new officers and reviewed the 2021 financial and operational reports. Other elected officers are Prof. Pius Oladeji Olanrewaju,

FCIB as the 1st Vice President; Mr. Oladele Alabi, FCIB as the 2nd Vice President and Mrs. Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, FCIB as the National Treasurer while other elected positions in the Governing Council are Dr. Victor Ndubuisi Aguwah, FCIB; Mr. Olayinka Alade Odutola, FCIB; Ms. Mary Oluwakemi Aina, ACIB and Mr. Segun Oshadare, FCIB to serve the tenure (2022-2024) The officials were elected at CIBN’s Bankers House in Lagos over the weekend were the Current President, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi, chaired the

meeting with a large attendance physically and online by members of the Institute across the globe. Speaking on the 2021 Operations the CIBN President, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi informed the members that the Institute stands tall as a vanguard for the promotion of banking education and professionalism in Nigeria and world at large. The number of individual members of the Institute grew from 144,922 as at April 30, 2021 to 149,967 as at March 24, 2022, representing an increase of 3.5% over the previous year.

Whitefield, Coca-Cola, Sterling One Foundations EmpowerYouths Nume Ekeghe Whitefield Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, and Sterling One Foundation, alongside other partners, have trained and empowered over 60,000 youths and women across the country, with over 20,000 youths in Kano alone, to aid wealth creation and contribute positively to the economy.

A statement from Sterling One Foundation stated that executing partner, Whitefield Foundation, also disbursed over N30 million in financial grants to the top 1,000 beneficiaries from every state in Nigeria through Sterling The Chief Executive Officer of Whitefield Foundation, Funmi Johnson, said the empowerment programs is “part of their contribution to the

upliftment of teeming youths out of poverty.” Also speaking, Coca-Cola’s Director of Public Affairs, Communication, and Sustainability, Amaka Onyemelukwe, said they have over time specialized in building sustainable communities through the development of their local communities for everyone to be financially responsible.

L-R: Senior Programs Lead, Tech4Dev, Micheal John; Women Techsters Programs Lead, Tech4Dev, Blessing Ashi; Executive Director/Co-founder, Tech4Dev, Oladiwura Oladepo; and Co-founder/Director of Partnership and Sustainability, Tech4Dev, Joel Ogunsola, at a press conference to announce the Women Techsters 2023 Fellowship programme, which held in 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).

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͯ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

GTCO Shareholders Approves N3 Dividend Payment, Applaud Holdco Transition Kayode Tokede Shareholders of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc have unanimously endorsed the payment of a total dividend of N3 per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2021. This endorsement was made at the holding company’s 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos. The Group had proposed a final dividend of N2.70 per

unit of ordinary share held by shareholders in addition to the interim dividend of 30 kobo interim dividend paid in June, bringing the total dividend for the 2021 financial year to N3.00 per unit of ordinary share. Shareholders commended the board for the transition into a holding company and the financial performance achieved during the period under review despite the operating environment

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and also unanimously gave their approval the appointments of the new board membership. Speaking on behalf of shareholders, the patron, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Timothy Adesiyan, appreciated the progress that the bank has made in its transition to a holding company. He said that the shareholders have great expectations from the company and with the good

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

corporate governance principle with which the company is run, the future is bright. Speaking to shareholders, the chairman of GTCO, Mr. Hezekiah Adesola Oyinlola stated that 2021 was a pivotal year in our corporate history. After years of revisioning and planning, we successfully reorganized into a holding company to harness the potential within our operating environment and consolidate our

T R A D E D

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MAIN BOARD

A S

position as a leading financial services provider in Africa.” He said the company’s progress in its drive to diversify its income streams and ensure long-term value creation for all stakeholders. According to him, it is a privilege to serve as the chairman of the Board of Guaranty Trust Holding Company and I am conscious of our business environment and the many challenges to our profitability. However, I have

O F

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complete confidence in the ability of our leadership team to unlock new and exciting opportunities that will unleash the potential of our diversification for long-term growth and sustainable returns. “When I look at the futureproofing of every part of our organisation; from our talent base to our business models and digital capabilities, I am reminded of just how forward-thinking our management team continues to be

/ 0 4 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 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 07Apr-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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 6.79% Anchoria Equity Fund 138.60 140.23 -0.36% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 5.21% 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 20.69 21.32 2.01% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 475.10 489.43 5.31% ARM Ethical Fund 39.41 40.60 1.17% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -2.12% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.04 1.82% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.06% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 109.3 109.3 7.46% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,093.21 1,093.21 9.32% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 2.31% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.21% Paramount Equity Fund 17.99 18.33 6.95% Women's Investment Fund 142.96 144.62 2.82% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.78% Cordros Milestone Fund 139.10 139.99 5.22% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.89 111.89 4.89% 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 7.86% 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 1,435.35 1,435.35 10.17% FBN Balanced Fund 185.01 186.39 5.56% FBN Halal Fund 118.25 118.25 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

123.28 156.22

123.28 4.11% 158.31 3.56% 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 3,983.36 3,524.87 100.00

Offer Price 4,045.49 3,524.87 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 2.35% 1.63% 6.11%

1.09

0.92%

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 1.49 1.52 3.49% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,167.69 1,167.69 2.69% 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 N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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) 100.89 100.89 3.65% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.56% 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 1.58 1.60 -1.83% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.68 11.68 4.37% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.58% PACAM Equity Fund 1.42 1.43 -1.59% PACAM EuroBond Fund 115.64 118.30 0.45% 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 3,515.04 3,553.83 2.09% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 237.72 237.72 0.84% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.36 1.38 5.38% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 317.96 317.96 1.47% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 249.14 252.95 2.93% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.75% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,347.92 11,507.68 2.15% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.31 1.31 1.22% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 117.98 117.98 0.86% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 108.52 108.52 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 13.44 13.57 1.94% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.48 15.65 5.95% Zenith Income Fund 22.42 22.42 1.87% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.63%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.09 132.80 105.52 20.12 20.94

14.19 136.07 107.80 20.22 21.04

0.85% 0.88% 1.81% 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

4.07 5.46 17.76 1.00 20.95 167.46

4.17 5.56 17.96 1.00 21.15 169.46

1.57% -6.48% 0.45% 5.50% 4.81% 6.11%

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

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

NEWSXTRA

PRE-ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF NIGERIAN BREWERIES... L-R: Finance Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Rob Kleinjan; Marketing Director, Emmanuel Oriakhi; Managing Director, Hans Essaadi; Corporate Aﬀairs Director, Sade Morgan; Legal Director/ Company Secretary, Uaboi Agbebaku, and Supply Chain Director, Martin Kochl, during the 76th Pre-Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Breweries Plc Media Brieﬁng held in Lagos…recently

NIN-SIM: SERAP Urges Buhari to Reverse Decision to Block Phone Lines of 72m Subscribers Udora Orizu in Abuja The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President

Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and the Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC) to immediately reverse the apparently unlawful decision to block over 72 million active telecommunication subscribers from making calls on their SIMs.

InfraCo Commences Operations, Appoints Angbazo Pioneer MD Emefiele chairs board James Emejo in Abuja The newly established $2.5 billion Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) has announced the commencement of operations, months after its structuring and stakeholder consultations by the promoters including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). InfraCorp which was launched with an initial seed capital of N1trillion aims to raise the amount of private capital inflows to $37 billion for infrastructure investments in Africa’s largest economy by 2030 over the next three years. This came as the corporation also announced the appointment of Dr. Lazarus Angbazo as its founding Managing Director/ Chief Executive. He brings over 25 years of experience in infrastructure project development, investments, and capital raising; setting up new businesses; and leading global management teams. Angbazo has deep knowledge of African markets and had worked across InfraCorp’s priority sectors including power, renewables, transport and logistics, and Industry. CBN Governor, Mr. Emefiele, who chairs the board of the corporation said, “In recognition of the role improved infrastructure could play in the development of our economy, along with the need to leverage private sector capital in funding and developing the over N35 trillion infrastructure deficit in Nigeria, the estimated amount required to build an efficient infrastructure ecosystem in Nigeria, CBN, NSIA and AFC have now operationalized

InfraCorp. “InfraCorp expects to raise N15 trillion of capital over the next few years leveraging on the Promoters N1 trillion of committed capital to significantly progress closing the gap. I am pleased that as promoters after months of structuring and stakeholder engagements, we have set up a world class board and appointed a highly experienced CEO to drive InfraCorp.” He said, “The CEO is now setting up his team and working closely with the asset managers to deliver the first set of strategic projects. InfraCorp is expected to set the standard template that will help in enabling greater private sector funding for public infrastructure projects in Nigeria.” However, InfraCorp’s core mandate is to tackle Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and generate a growth multiplier effect across critical sectors. By supporting project development, financial structuring, and privatecapital mobilization, InfraCorp will help to combat issues of underemployment and under-investment in critical nation-building assets. The company commences operations following the appointment of four highly experienced asset managers in 2021, including Sanlam InfraWorks; Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) which is a consortium of Afrinvest Asset Management; Africa Plus Fund Partners, and ARC Asset Management and Chapel Hill Denham. Essentially, InfraCorp, which will operate from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, will support and enable

the fund managers to mobilise fundraising and investments of projects across the critical focus sectors – Energy, industrial, agricultural, telecommunications, technology, transport, logistics, and social infrastructure.

Last week, the federal government ordered telecommunications companies to block outgoing calls on all unlinked lines as the deadline for the verification expired on March 31. Following the directive, over 72 million subscribers have now been barred from making calls. However, in an open letter dated April 9, 2022, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, blocking people from making calls undermines their ability to communicate freely, and associate with others and infringes their rights to freedom of expression and family life, as well as socio-economic rights.

The letter, read in part, “Access to telecommunications services is a condition sine qua non for the effective exercise of human rights. Therefore, the decision to block people from making calls is discriminatory, and a travesty. The decision will cause a wide variety of harms to economic activity, personal safety, and disproportionately affect those on the margins of society. “This will directly hinder the ability of the government to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Goal 8 on the promotion of sustained, inclusive, sustainable economic growth. “Millions of Nigerians including persons with disabilities, elderly citizens, persons living in remote areas

have been unable to capture their biometrics, and obtain their National Identity Numbers (NINs) due to logistical challenges, administrative and bureaucratic burdens, as well as the persistent collapse of the national grid. “This has resulted in the discrimination of marginalised or vulnerable groups. We would be grateful if the decision to block people from making calls on their SIMs is reversed within 48 hours of the receipt and/ or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest to ensure full compliance with human rights standards.”

FMBN Gets New Leadership, Targets N300bn in Annual Housing Fund Former MD says N174bn disbursed as loans Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The new Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Kabir Yagboyaju, has assumed leadership of the organisation, promising to grow the National Housing Fund (NHF) collections from the current N50 billion to N300 billion annually. Yagboyaju whose emergence followed the expiration of the five-year tenure of the erstwhile helmsman, Ahmed Dangiwa, also pledged to ensure that the bank’s financial ratios with the regulatory authorities are positively improved. In addition, the economist, who is said to have worked with the mortgage bank for about 16 years, noted that one of his priorities would be monitoring of all ongoing housing development projects to ensure that the bank’s investments are properly recovered. At the handing over ceremony at the weekend, the new FMBN boss said the speedy delivery of the bank’s computerisation

project, repositioning and recapitalisation of the bank as well as the reduction in turn-around time on service delivery would be top on his list of priorities. Prior to his appointment as the Acting Managing Director, Yagboyaju was the most senior General Manager and the Group Head, Risk Management and according to the bank, had acquired vast experience in the management of the NHF scheme, branch operations and several other areas. He lauded the outgoing leadership for its efforts in the last five years in navigating the course of the bank towards better performance and solicited the cooperation of FMBN staff towards achieving the dream to make the bank a global institution of repute a reality. Yagboyaju declared that he would focus on the bank’s fiveyear strategic plan (2020–2024) developed in collaboration with KPMG to achieve set targets. “This includes the delivery of 100,000 housing units, growing annual NHF collections from N50 billion to over N300 billion, expanding the NHF customer

base from 5 million to 25 million new contributors to be drawn mostly from the informal sector. “We must be profitable by delivering value to our loyal customers, the NHF contributors, who have been with us through thick and thin. The task of making FMBN a great institution is one that we must achieve,” he noted. Earlier, in a separate event, Dangiwa listed some of his management's achievements as the mobilisation of N294.1 billion for the NHF scheme, disbursement of N175 billion in housing loans and construction finance as well as the addition of 927,000 contributors to the scheme. According to him, the N294.1 billion in additional contribution to the NHF scheme was at an average of N58.8 billion per annum, representing an increase from the N232.8 billion the team met in April 2017. Furthermore, he pointed out that the N175 billion in affordable housing loans and construction finance, was an improvement on the N152 billion the team met in April 2017.

Aside that, he disclosed that under him, mortgage loans were given to 5,938 Nigerians, home renovation loans to 77,575 beneficiaries and 13,499 new homes were delivered. He also listed the speedy processing of N39.5 billion in refunds to 247,521 retired NHF contributors, representing over 350 per cent increase from the N10.8 billion the team met in April 2017 as well as the development and commencement of the N40 billion FMBN Mega Cities project. Under his management, he said the bank relaxed equity requirements of up to 30 per cent to 10 or cent for loans above N5 million, and 0 per cent for those below N5 million while retaining single digit interest rate regime for personal loans. According to him, while a huge backlog of unaudited financial statements dating back to 2013 was also sorted out, a lot of the milestones were achieved by ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of the NHF scheme.

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

NEWSXTRA

AT RADISSON'S NETWORKING EVENT… L-R: Executive Assistant Manager-Commercial, Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Wellington Mpofu; Regional Director Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, Bert Fol; Founder and Publisher ATQ News, Ikechi Uko; General Manager, Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Ahmed Raza; and General Manager Park Inn by Radisson Abeokuta, Salman Saeed at a SUNDAY ADIGUN media networking event held by Radisson Hotel Group in Lagos on Saturday

National Grid Collapse: ADC Chairman Flays FG, Calls for Power Minister's Resignation Deji Elumoye in Abuja The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s ineptitude and lack of political will to ensure constant power supply in the country. Nwosu who gave the condemnation yesterday, in reaction to the over 48 hours of electricity blackout nationwide due to grid collapse, lamented the concomitant negative effect of the development on the nation’s economy, especially the poor masses and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), amid a surge in fuel

and diesel prices. He insisted that that the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration had failed woefully in its electioneering promise to ensure stable power supply in the country, and therefore urged Nigerians not to hesitate to vote them out of power during the forthcoming general elections in 2023. Nwosu called on the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, to resign or be sacked, over his inability to take responsibility and efficiently pilot the sector to achieve power infrastructure renewal and private sector investment in grid and off-grid renewable energy sources.

He blamed the incessant power failure in the country on the present administration’s lack of vision, capacity and failure to formulate sustainable policies and governance model for the power sector as well as make required investment in renewable energy and strengthening of the nation’s weak power infrastructure to efficiently distribute the paltry megawatts being generated. According to him, the national grid had remained epileptic with a mere 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the past month. He said while the installed power generation capacity of the country was about 12,522

megawatts, total output was still less than 3,500MW and with about 2,000 MW only available for distribution due to weak distribution infrastructure. “This is why Nigerians need to elect a competent

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has described the allegation that some of its officials are in the habit of arranging for convicts to evade serving terms as wild, unsubstantiated, unpatriotic and most unfortunate. A respected human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana had alleged last week during a media session titled, “Forget the past, forfeit the future: A nation seceding from humanity”, that some officials of the NCoS allow criminals to escape court verdicts by getting young men who will serve jail terms for criminals. But reacting to the allegation yesterday, the spokesman of the NCoS, Francis Enobore said the authorities of the Service, “have observed, with great concern, the statement credited to a legal practitioner alleging that some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service allow criminals to evade court verdicts by getting young men who will serve jail terms for criminals. This wild and unsubstantiated allegation is unpatriotic and most

unfortunate, especially coming from a respected lawyer of international recognition.” He added that: “What is more worrisome is a growing consistency by the author to vilify the Nigerian Correctional Service without a just course. It would be recalled that in February 2021, the author alleged that a high profile inmate who was on remand in the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kaduna contracted COVID-19 in custody. “The alarm which insinuated that inmates were kept in squalor and exposed to debilitating health conditions, triggered condemnation from various quarters. Subsequently, an independent COVID-19 test by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in conjunction with the personal physician of the then inmate was conducted. The result came negative without a trace of the disease in her system. “Now the alarm is being raised over hearsay arrangements to keep in custody, persons other than those legally convicted yet no name of persons or custodial centre is mentioned. The Service

is compelled to respond to the allegation in order to correct the wrong impression and prevent disaffection the information is capable of creating in the mind of Nigerians.” Enobore added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the process of admitting persons into custody begins with the court where the warrant is issued stating the particulars of the person concerned. At the designated custodial centre, the personal details are confirmed by the superintending officer before further biometrics, including photographs are taken. “On routine visits by the Controller in charge of the state, the inmates and their corresponding documents are checked. “Furthermore, the Zonal Coordinator conducts his mandatory custodial centre inspection during which these information and general supervision of the yard is carried out. “The Controller-General, on his own, carries out unscheduled visits to any custodial centre and prisoners' records are checked. “Moreover, Judges, lawyers,

failed political parties and their representatives in government that continue to push the country nearer the precipice of economic liquidation and state failure on daily basis," Nwosu further said.

2023: South-south Monarch Warns against Distortion of Jonathan's Tenure for Selfish Interest Kinsmen of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) have warned politicians against distorting historical facts on the timeline of Jonathan's

Correctional Service Says Falana’s Allegation against Its Officials Wild, Unsubstantiated Michael Olugbode in Abuja

government with the required political will to tackle its myriad of existential challenges, including power, in 2023. The ADC with its array of young and dynamic leadership presents a credible alternative to the present

statutory custodial visitors, inmates' relations, religious groups, civil society organisations and host of other visitors regularly interface with the inmates and it is expected that where such incident is observed, an alarm is raised for appropriate action to be taken.” He added: “Particularly intriguing in this scenario is the fact that author is a public figure like many other distinguished Nigerians, that cannot be denied access to any custodial centre in the country upon request for a genuine course. “One therefore wonders why he would resort to wild statement rather than identify a particular culprit with proof of his allegation as would be expected of a patriot.” “As always, the ControllerGeneral of Corrections, Haliru Nababa is irrevocably committed to the good course of inmates' care and support for the betterment of the society and recent commendable performances of the inmates in both academic and vocational skills acquisition bear eloquent testimonials to this positive trajectory.”

presidency in order to score cheap political goal ahead of 2023. The views of Jonathan's kinsmen came from the paramount ruler of Otuoke community, Jonathan's country home, King Ariwareni Paul, in a statement issued in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, made available to news men. The king was reacting to a TV documentary anchored by Don Pedro Obaseki titled: "PDP 2023: The Arithmetic of Zoning," which stated that Jonathan had governed Nigeria for six years as a president. The monarch observed that it was a willful propaganda concerning Jonathan's tenure which, “some political hirelings and propagandist have wrongly and treacherously claimed to have lasted six years, ostensibly to agree with their predetermined selfish narrative.” He described it as lies and misinformation against their son, Jonathan, just to gain undue advantage in the forthcoming 2023 elections. According to him, “We have read in the news and watched on TV the deliberate misinformation of the public on the political timeline of former Presidents, especially concerning the number of years spent by President Jonathan in office.” "The narrative that Jonathan spent six instead of five years as President is a distortion of historical fact and it is expedient that we correct

this misinformation for the sake of posterity," he stated. The king is taken aback that Obaseki, “who is supposed to have a reasonable knowledge of historical events in Nigeria would willingly opt to distort and misrepresent recent significant occurrence in the political evolution of our dear nation. "We believe this was not an error on the side of Obaseki but a deliberate mangling of Nigeria’s political history in pursuit of the political desires of his paymasters. “It is on record that Jonathan took his oath of office and was sworn in as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of his boss, President Yar’Adua. He later contested in 2011 polls and was subsequently sworn into office on May 29, 2011, and he handed over to his successor on May 29, 2015. So how does May 2010 to May 2015 amounts to six years. “Assuming but not conceding that one wants to add the three months Jonathan served as acting President, from when the doctrine of necessity was passed by the National Assembly specifically on February 9, 2010, it will amount to five years and four months and definitely not six years. “Individuals and groups are free to promote any candidate of their choice but Nigerians should not be misinformed for their personal reasons.”

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

NEWSXTRA

VISIT TO THE INDORAMA FACILITY... L-R: Managing Director of Indorama-Nigeria, Mr Manish Mundra, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, in a hearty discussion, during a visit to the Indorama facility in Rivers State...Saturday

2023: Arewa Alliance Secures N'East Endorsement for Emefiele Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Arewa Alliance for the Presidency of Godwin Emefiele (AAPGE) which is a composition of patriotic northern leaders and politicians has initiated regional engagements with stakeholders in the north-east towards creating a pathway that would lead to the emergence of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor as the President in 2023. In a statement signed yesterday by the AAPGE National Convener, Dauda Kushu, Emefiele was endorsed at a zonal session in Yola, Adamawa State, by stakeholders across many walks of life including businessmen, agribusiness operators, politicians, civil servants, religious leaders, traditional leaders, women and youths. Kushu also listed those at the event to include several north-east groups, the north-east business community, north-east APC youth leaders and north-east APC women leaders. He said AAPGE was warmly received when it met with all APC party chairmen and other

party executives in the 21 local government areas in Adamawa State on the Emefiele project. He stated that AAPGE was supporting Emefiele because of the confidence they have in him and his acceptability among all Nigerians brought about by his unbiased, people-focused interventions at the CBN. The group noted that the appointment of Emefiele as CBN Governor also afforded many less-privileged Nigerians the opportunity to feel the impact of the government through his interventionist policies geared towards poverty alleviation. With reference to the agric sector, AAPGE noted that the CBN Governor has abolished Nigeria’s status as a fooddependent nation and turned it into a food self-sufficient nation, adding that if Emefiele is given the opportunity to continue as President from where he left off as CBN Governor, the country will definitely be the better for it. The group quoted official data which show that the CBN has disbursed over N927 billion in less than seven years to over

Ekweremadu Condemns Attack on PDP Stakeholders in Enugu, Warns against Intimidation Gideon Arinze in Enugu Ex-Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has condemned an attack on his supporters and stakeholders during a meeting in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State on Saturday. Ekweremadu, who is running for the 2023 governorship election in the state under the platform of the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) also warned political aspirants in the state not to resort to harassment and intimidation to voters ahead of the election. Among those attacked were member representing Aninri State Constituency at the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chinedu Okwu, who is currently hospitalised at ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, GRA, Enugu, following serious injuries he suffered during the attack.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the media adviser to Ekweremadu, Uche Anichukwu on Sunday, the senator said that the attack left many of his supporters critically injured. “I received with utmost sadness the news of the violence that marred the expanded stakeholders meeting of the PDP in Aninri LGA at the weekend, as well as the brutal attack on my supporters and associates at the said meeting," he said. He regretted that the attack was at variance with the peace-loving nature of Aninri, calling on security agencies to ensure that the culprits were brought to book. While sympathising with Okwu and others who suffered varying degrees of injuries during the attack, Ekweremadu called on his teeming supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.

4.5 million smallholder farmers cultivating 21 commodities across the country under the Emefiele-led ABP. Additionally, before 2015, Nigeria's local rice production was 1.5 metric tonnes/hectare. Courtesy of the ABP, local rice production has soared to 5 metric tonnes/hectare. This increase in

rice production has resulted in an increase in the number of large-scale integrated rice mills available in the country, from less than 10 in 2015 to nearly 100,400 medium-sized mills and over 200,000 small scale mills across the country today, providing millions of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

In terms of his performance in managing Nigeria’s economy, AAPGE lauded Emefiele’s immense contribution in pulling Nigeria out of recession despite global economic challenges brought about by COVID-19 and oil price shocks. Kushu also stressed that Nigeria’s GDP was on the rise

following its 3.4 per cent growth in 2021, the fastest growth rate in seven years. He added that in continuation of its regional engagements, AAPGE will conduct campaigns across the 19 northern states of the country in addition to northern communities in the south, including those in the Diaspora.

2023: APGA Rakes in over N1.2bn from Sale of Nomination Forms As party extends exercise to Friday

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja As preparations for the 2023 general election intensify, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said about 347 aspirants seeking tickets for various positions have so far picked its nomination forms from its Abuja headquarters. From the number of the aspirants that have so far purchased forms, the party has raked in about N1, 230,000,000 as at last Friday. Among those that have obtained nomination forms were aspirants for presidential ticket, governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly positions. The aspirants besieged the party headquarters last week with their supporters and dance groups to

pick nomination forms. While giving details of the sale of sale of party forms, the National Organising Secretary of APGA, Mr. Ifeanyi Mbaeri, disclosed that so far one person had picked form to contest for the presidency under the party, seven for Governorship, Senate - 42, House of Representatives -74 and House Assembly - 218. One of the aspirants seeking ticket to represent Idemili North constituency, Mike Chukwuma said he intends to sponsor bill on job creation and to compel government to create a minimal systematic 15,000 jobs for the people annually. Speaking in an interview with THISDAY shortly after picking his nomination form on Friday, Chukwuma said: "I am on this

race to sponsor bills to strengthen our agricultural system for grants or loans, let "EFI Igbo" drive the cow market in Igbo land again. "I am on this race to sponsor bills for a chained government/ individuals partnership (PPP) investment program. If my people of Idemili North at our party level makes me their candidate and my people of Idemili North hires me for the next four years, I will change the narrative. Transparency and accountability will be my watch word," he said. Meanwhile, the leadership of the party said it has approved the extension of the period of sale and submission of nomination forms to Friday, April 15. A statement signed by Mbaeri explained that, "the sale and return of Expression of Interest

and Nomination Forms has been extended from Monday April 11 to Friday April 15, 2022." Mbaeri said the extension of time was to afford aspirants more time to purchase, carefully complete and return their forms and accompanying documents at the APGA national secretariat complex in Abuja. The party said that screening of National Assembly prospective aspirants would hold between April 20th and 21st, 2022, while the screening of Presidential and Governorship prospective aspirants holds between April 22nd and 23rd, 2022 It added that female aspirants and aspirants living with disability would pay only 50 percent of the fees for both the Expression of interest and nomination forms.

Saraki: PDP’ll Reclaim Kwara in 2023, Feeds Orphans at Ramadan Hammed Shittu in Ilorin.

Former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the weekend, said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim Kwara State from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2023 in order to provide effective and purposeful leadership to the people of the state. Saraki, however, urged members of the party across the 193 wards in the state to remain more united and work as a team in order to achieve the objective. Speaking in Ilorin during

a meeting with leaders and stakeholders of the PDP to ratify the consensus candidates of state and National Assemblies for next elections, Saraki that, "The people of the state have seen difference in the good leadership styles of the PDP administration and this will be demonstrated when the time comes for elections in the state." Calling on PDP members to intensify efforts at their respective wards, to win converts into the party and ensure that the PDP reclaimed its mandate in 2023, he said, "The people of the state have seen the non-performance of the APC and we must all go

back to our wards to woo more supporters that will work for the return of PDP in the next polls "Also, all the aspirants must work collaboratively and start the preparation for the 2023 general election in earnest to ensure the victory of the PDP during the elections." At the meeting, PDP leaders and stakeholders, also ratified the zoning of governorship ticket to Patigi and Edu local government councils of the state, which fall under the Kwara north senatorial district. Saraki, however, said, he was satisfied with the open and

transparent process through which the consensus candidates emerged as well as the maturity displayed by those, who conceded their aspirations. “The development has further shown the commitment of our members towards this political rebirth. It has proved that we are ready to sacrifice our ambition for the party’s success and I am exceedingly elated. “For the remaining positions and constituencies, I urge the aspirants who are still left to resolve amidst themselves, rub minds together and let’s all be on the same page as the elections approach.”

T H I S D AY • MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

NEWSXTRA

INVESTITURE CEREMONY... L-R; Chairman of the Occasion/Founder, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade Ojo; Vice-President, Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Otunba Ayodele Michael Olumoko and President/Chairman of the Governing Council, Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Aare Abiodun Ogunsanwo; during the Investiture ceremony of Olumoko, ABIODUN AJALA held in Lagos...weekend

FCT Minister Summons Emergency Security Meeting as Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah's Chair, Four Others Kingsley Nwezeh, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Mohammed Musa Bello, has summoned an emergency meeting of the FCT Security Committee on how to strategise to contain the escalating banditry, kidnapping and robbery on the fringes of the seat of power, Abuja. The meeting held on Friday also had in attendance the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijani-Aliyu, and all the heads of security agencies in the FCT. This is as unknown gunmen had killed the Chairman of the Miyetti

Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja, Mr Adamu Aliyu and four others. Also, several persons have been feared killed as gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Kukawa, Gyanbahu, Dungur, and Keram communities of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday afternoon. However, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Security, Ambassador Habu Habu Saliu Mohammed and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Babaji Sunday, briefed the media after the meeting. Sunday said the emergency meeting raised a lot of concerns

about kidnapping and banditry in FCT suburbs, adding that the security agencies also resolved to do their best to ensure the incidents were brought to the barest minimum. He added that the all the security chiefs would again meet in his office today to further strategise on what were discussed at the emergency meeting. “We have deliberated a lot and have already put in measures, which are not good to air to the criminals as it will be to their advantage. But we have resolved among all the security agencies that we are going to do our best and ensure all those things are brought to the barest minimum. “At the same time, we are going

to improve our synergy – all of us the security agencies – and as we speak, we are going to meet in my office on Monday to further strategise on what we have discussed here. “We have assured the house headed by the Honorable Minister and Honorable Minister of State, who were both in attendance, that they will see changes. We are also appealing to the residents of FCT to also see reasons and understand that by the grace of God, we will be on top of the situations,” Sunday said. He, however, advised FCT residents to be security conscious and provide security agencies with actionable intelligence on criminal activities. He also tasked the residents

to form small neighbourhood watch within each estate made up people of good character, to curb criminality, considering that the number of policemen are inadequate nationwide. “We also work with local vigilantes to improve community security. We work with them handin-hand. They know the terrain. Anytime we have security issues, it is the local vigilante that we rely upon, both in terms of intelligence and knowing the terrain. But they are always profiled and work in synergy with the divisional police of that area.” That, nonetheless, unknown gunmen struck again and killed Aliyu and four others, near Daku

TWO WEEKS AFTER KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK, 166 STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR are curbed. “But we are winning the war, we have the statistics and unlike the bandits, we cannot be announcing everyday our successes. We know from the thousands that are surrendering in the north-east that we are winning. “I can assure you is that everything is being done to address this and the military is doing its best.” In reacting to the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari had said his government would not let anyone hold Nigeria to ransom. The president, who had reiterated his call on the military to be ruthless with terrorists and other criminal elements, however, directed the security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of the attack and also ensure, without further delay, the release of all the kidnapped passengers on the ill-fated train. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Irabor had said the security agencies would build on the lessons they have learnt from the latest incident, while assuring Nigerians that the military and other security agencies would not rest on their oars until everywhere was secured. According to him, “The challenge of insecurity is a constant one and so the defence and security agencies need to be on their toes 24/7. This is unfortunate and we believe that the lessons out of this are what we need to build upon going forward.” Also, Governor of Kaduna State, Mallan Nasir El-Rufai, who had expressed frustration during the incident, had advised the military to bomb the terrorists’ hideouts instead of waiting for them to attack.

El-Rufai had said the camps and phone numbers of the terrorists were known by the military agencies, adding that the army should go after them and wipe them out. “We have enough intelligence for us to take action. The air force undertakes enough ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), and the DSS has informants all over the place,” he had said.

Troops Crush 30 ISWAP Fighters as Air Strikes Hit Insurgents in Niger Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), weekend eliminated 18 fighters of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a massive joint clearance operation in the fringes of the Lake Chad. The clearance operation came as air strikes hit foreign insurgents from Niger Republic, who reportedly infiltrated the country and killed a top ranking Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commander, Abubakar Dan-Buduma, who was recently appointed the group’s commander of its naval forces. It was gathered that the weeklong operation swept through Malam Fatori, Gashigar, Talata Ngam, Larki A & B and Kagarwa, notable hideouts of terrorists along the border villages in Abadam Local Government Area in Borno State. Military sources said troops of the MNJTF inflicted heavy casualties on the two terror groups - Boko

Haram and ISWAP - in a fire-fight in Gashigar after they confronted the force. Sources said that the gun battle which lasted for hours resulted in the elimination of 10 Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists, while four of their guntrucks were destroyed. The sources explained that two soldiers were wounded in action while nine AK-47 rifles and one bicycle, among other items, were recovered in the aftermath of the encounter. “The force subsequently continued its advancement toward Talata Ngam. Contact was made at Larki, a border village which was said to be a meeting point of the insurgents, during which three terrorists were killed and one gun-truck was destroyed,” the source added. “The enemy also attacked own troops in their harbour area near Kangarwa. The attack was decisively dealt with which resulted to the killing of five more Boko Haram/ ISWAP criminals and recovering of five Ak 47 rifles two motorcycles, rounds of ammunition and over 40 bags of beans destroyed,” he said. A military update said the unrelenting task force continued local clearance operations in search of the adversaries around Baga. The insurgents took to their heels as the force projected towards Garere and Cross Kauwa. The update said the successes were achieved under the MNJTF Operation Lake Sanity and Desert Sanity Phase 2, Operation Hadin Kai. It said renewed vigour to flush out the remnants of the terrorists around the fringes of the Lake

Chad region and other parts of the North-east was in line with the determination to ensure an end to the war and restore total peace in the country. The Force Commander of the MNJTF, Maj Gen Abdul Ibrahim, while charging the Task Forces of Operation Lake Sanity charged them to maintain the momentum towards routing the terrorists from their enclaves. He also assured that the MNJTF and Operation Hadin Kai would continue to work together towards restoring total sanity in the Lake Chad region. “Both the Force Commander MNJTF and the Theartre Commander Operation Hadin Kai have commended the troops and urged them to remain steadfast and dogged. The troops were equally tasked to carry out unrelenting pursuit of the terrorists since others were given the opportunity to surrender and they did. “The sustained ongoing battle and regional efforts of the Airforce of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon have been very phenomenal", the Force Commander, Maj Gen Abdul Ibrahim, said. Meanwhile, foreign insurgents from Niger Republic reportedly infiltrated the country and killed a top ranking Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commander, Abubakar DanBuduma, who was recently appointed the group’s commander of its naval forces. But air strikes carried out by MNJTF eliminated, Abubakar Dan-Buduma, and 19 other fighters

in the Nigeria’s North-east of Lake Chad. Dan-Buduma and his foot soldiers were eliminated in a coordinated intelligence-led ground and aerial bombardment by the Nigeriene Air Task Force, under Operation Hadin Kai and Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Kwalaram village in Marte Local Government area of Borno state.

17 Terrorists Reportedly Met Their Waterloo in Kaduna Community About 17 terrorists were said to have met their Waterloo in Kakura community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state when residents engaged them in a fierce battle. Details of the incident were sketchy as at press time, however the criminals were said to have invaded the community located near the Millennium City area of Kaduna metropolis in the early hours of yesterday. Members of the vigilante group in the community were said to have resisted the criminals who came in large numbers, engaging them in fierce gun battle. Sources said security forces were immediately alerted and they joined forces with the vigilante group, leading to the killing of about 17 of the terrorists while several others were reportedly arrested. Their weapons were also said to have been seized by security agencies. The arrested terrorists who sustained injuries were said to have been taken to the St. Gerald Catholic hospital, Kaduna, for treatment.

village in Dobi ward of the council. It was also gathered that three persons were abducted while three others sustained gunshot wound. MACBAN Secretary, Mohammed Usman, who confirmed the incident, said the late MACBAN chairman and six others were returning from Izom Market in Niger State, when they were attacked by gunmen. He said the bandits' gun shots shattered the windscreen of the truck conveying the late MACBAN chairman and some passengers. According to Usman, Aliyu and four others including Saleh, Aliyu, Muhammadu and Saidu, had been buried according to Islamic rites. “The incident happened last Thursday, around 5pm, when the late MACBAN chairman and others were returning from Izo Market in Niger State in a Dyna truck when the bandits suddenly emerged from the bush and opened fire on the truck”. When contacted, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, denied knowledge of the incident. In another development, the attacks on Plateau communities, including Kukawa, Gyanbahu, Dungur, and Keram area of Kanam Local Government yesterday afternoon, left in its wake, deaths and ruins. A resident of Kukawa community, Mr Adam Musa, who narrowly escaped the attacks, said several persons have been killed and others badly injured in the attacks that lasted for over one hour without security intervention. Musa said the injured had been evacuated to the hospital as the villagers still expected the arrival of security personnel, adding also that some of the villagers had fled their homes to safety, while others were in search for their missing relatives. Narrating the incident, Musa said the gunmen invaded the villages separately at about 1.pm,when the residents were going about their activities and started shooting at them randomly, setting their homes on fire. Spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Ubah Gabriel, when contacted said he would get back to THISDAY after getting details on the attacks. Relatedly, city of Jos has been enveloped in palpable fears of attacks on Jos prison.

MONDAY APRIL11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

NEWS

NDLEA Intercepts 101 Parcels of Cocaine in Children Duvets at Lagos Airport Michael Olugbode in Abuja

No less than 101 parcels of cocaine concealed in eight children duvets have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. According to a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the illicit drug was brought into the country by a 52-year-old Brazilian returnee, Akudirinwa Uchenna. He said Uchenna was arrested on Saturday at the D-Arrival Hall of the Lagos airport upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha aboard Qatar Airline flight, noting that the the 101 parcels of the class A drug with a gross weight of 13.2 kilogrammes were recovered from his only check-in bag. During preliminary interrogation, Uchenna, who claimed to be a carpenter confessed that he was to be paid N5 million for trafficking the drug after successfully delivering the consignment in Lagos.

In a related development, Babafemi said a big pellets of skunk concealed in detergent containers have been intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International

Airport, Enugu, disclosing that a 37-year-old South African returnee, Ezekwesili Afamefune brought in the consignment weighing 730 grammes aboard Ethiopian Airline

flight from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He also said in Edo state, a 24-year-old drug dealer Christian John was arrested by NDLEA

operatives in Egbeta, Ovia North East local government area for selling assorted illicit drugs which include sachets of drugged Milo beverage, cannabis sativa, swinol

and tramadol tablets, while in Zamfara state, one Chibuzor Uba, 30, was arrested last Friday with 1,955 ampules of pentazocine at Kaura Namoda area of the state.

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS…

L-R: Executive Director, SFS Capital, Dimeji Sonowo; Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Scientia Partners Limited, Helen Emore; Senior Relationship Manager, SFS Capital, Uju Justin; CEO, Whytecleon Limited, Nireti Adebayo, and Managing Director/CEO, SFS Capital, Patrick Ilodianya, at the inaugural edition of the SFS Fund Business Shower for Women Entrepreneurs in Lagos…recently

Makinde: Our Efforts Enugu PDP Hails Utazi's Contributions to Democracy Sustenance to Upgrade Ibadan Airport on Course Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has said that the efforts of his administration to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to international standard have remained on course. He added that his government considers the airport as key and central to its vision to expand the state's economy, stating that the government would continue to partner with critical individuals to bring about the success of the venture. According to a statement, the governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, said these at the weekend, during the retirement ceremony held in honour of Mrs. Ogenetega Aiyenuro, the outgoing Airport Manager. Ogunwuyi, who on behalf of the governor, described Mrs. Aiyenuro as a friend of Oyo State, lauded her for everything

she has done for the facility and the state. He assured the gathering that the state would continue to partner with the retiring director. He said: "God has given her the grace and she has also used 'omoluabi' to engage and become part of us in Ibadan. "We still want you to work for us all because you still have a very long way to go. So, I want to say we will continue to partner with you even going forward. You are a friend of the state, our sister and a mother. By the grace of God, I believe we will still do better things together even after you have left service." The governor presented the retiring Airport Manager with a Toyota Hilux.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu State Chapter, has debunked claims that the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Chukwuka Utazi, was denied the right to purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Senate seat "for allegedly insulting the State Vice Chairman (West) of the party, Dr Okey Ozoani. The Enugu State PDP

described the claims as "spurious, fake and ridiculous". In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Jude Ugwu, the party said the claims were "the handiwork of a few traducers notorious for their street-level mendacities. Those who are pandering to these mischievous spins are unnecessarily muddying the waters." According to PDP, Utazi is

one of the shining examples of Enugu’s contribution to the red chambers and has religiously contributed to the success of the party from inception. "Enugu State Chapter of the party is therefore proudly associated with the aforementioned Senator for his robust, enviable and indelible contributions towards the sustenance of our democracy," the party said.

Urging members of the public to "ignore these baseless, unfounded and vexatious claims, dubiously contrived by purveyors of deep-seated discord", the party enjoined its "teeming party faithful and the general public to note that such outlandish and unsubstantiated news is not only fake and ridiculous, but the handiwork of a few traducers notorious for their street-level mendacities."

Nigeria in a War Situation, Says Ortom George Okoh in Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has charged Christians in the country to rise up to their responsibilities, stating that "Nigeria is in a war situation " He said Christians who are sitting on the fence saying that politics is dirty are wrong. Adding that they should step forward and take their positions and show interest to bring the country back on track. "Now it is time for the validation of voters cards,

let us mobilise our people to register so they can vote in the elections," he said. He acknowledged the contribution of the Church for the peace and survival of the country, stating, "if not for the prayers of the Church I would have been consumed. The prayers of the Church kept me." The governor stated this at the weekend he received members of the Knight of St. Mulumba Abuja Ecclesiastical Council led by the Metro Grand Knight, Sir Michael Awuhe. "God has given me

uncommon courage. One with God is Majority. I have always stood for equity, fairness and justice. I am happy that I am executing the counsel of God over Benue State," he said. He stated that the Catholic Church has always stood out in their counsel to him which had been of immense benefits to him, pointing out that "their counsel have made me better", he stated. Ortom, who appreciated the Catholic Church for keeping faith with the work of God, described them as one of

most organised Christian denominations. He noted: "The clergies of the Church have remained committed to both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. The Catholic Church as the mother of all churches have preserved their doctrines." Governor Ortom then charged Christians in the country to rise up to their responsibilities, stating: "Nigeria is in a war situation as we speak. Those Christians who are sitting on the fence saying that politics is dirty are wrong.

(NPQ), a group of Nigerian professionals, mostly based in the Diaspora, committed to persuading Godwin Ifeanyichukwu Emefiele to run in the presidential elections come 2023, yesterday said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor should not be blamed for the depreciation of the value of the Naira. NPQ, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Ahmed Ja’Usman

Emefiele, he should be hailed for ensuring that the naira has not depreciated beyond its present value. According to NPQ, the weak economic base of the country that is import dependent, among other factors, are responsible for the weak naira. The group said: "The persistent and drastic drop in the price of crude oil starting from 2015 up till the end of 2020 dealt a heavy

because its mono-product export nature. Some of us may recall that by end of March 2020, Nigeria's Brent crude was averaging $25 per barrel with Bonny Light even doing worse at $21 per barrel. We should not forget, that it was at this time that several cargoes of Nigerian crude oil were sailing the high seas with no takers. We should further, bear in mind that this was at the time when Russia and Saudi Arabia were engaged in

war that wreaked havoc on the economy of most oil-producing nations, especially Nigeria. This situation affected the inflow of dollars into the economy and as can be expected led to the drop in the value of the Naira, due to a surfeit of Naira pursuing very scarce dollars. To put this in stark relief, the nation's foreign reserves plunged from a high of $47 billion in 2012 to about $33 billion dollars in 2020.”

UK Foundation Takes Water Blame Emefiele for Depreciation of Naira, Says Group Hygiene Campaign to Borno, Yobe Don’t The Nigeria Patriotic Quest Tijani, said rather than blame blow on the Nigerian economy the mutually destructive oil price To enhanced safe practices around water sanitation and hygiene (WASH)among students in North-east schools, Jose Foundation UK, an independent child-centred not-for-profit organisation has commenced sensitisation campaign targeting secondary schools in Borno State. Jose Foundation UK in a statement signed by its president, Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, said the foundation is committed to eradicating extreme poverty, advancing children’s rights, and ensuring girl child equality across the globe. The statement noted that the foundation is currently implementing a global sensitisation aimed at creating awareness and ensuring safe practices around WASH in a bid to address the global pandemic arising from COVID-19.

In Borno State, the organisation held the sensitisation programme at Muhammadu Buhari Academy, a mega boarding school in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) where students were sensitized to the symptoms of COVID-19 and the prevention measures to observe within and outside their learning environment. The foundation said: “The first phase of the global sensitisation campaign targets public schools to ensure children are aware of, and equipped with the basic knowledge to protect themselves from the coronavirus and also carry-out the basic WASH practices to stay safe. “The organisation observed that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, government enforced closure of schools in an attempt to reduce the spread of the disease.

‘New Law ‘ll Enhance National Human Rights Commission’s Performance’ Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, has said the signing by President Muhammadu Buhari into law of the “National Human Rights Commission Bill 2022 recently passed by the Senate would

be one of the good legacies of this administration and will enhance the performance of the commission. Ojukwu, who expressed optimism that the President will sign into law the bill as soon as it is presented for his assent, said the signing of the Bill entitled “National Human

Rights Commission Act 2004 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2022 by Mr. President will be one of the giant achievements of the present administration in the area of human rights promotion and protection in the country.” Speaking at the weekend in Abuja, Ojukwu said with presidential assent, the bill

will improve the performance of the Commission and place Nigeria in a pride of place amongst National Human Rights Institutions, adding that it will help to shore up Nigeria’s human rights records, given that the Commission would do more to deliver on its statutory mandate.

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Police Parade 32 Suspects for Robbery, Cultism in Anambra

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Anambra State Police Command has paraded 32 suspects for various offences. The Police Command's Spokesperson, DSP. Toochukwu Ikenga, said that the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from cultism, revenue touting, and possession of prohibited firearms. Ikenga, while quoting the State Police Commissioner, CP. Echeng Echeng, said the command has resolved to stamp out violent crimes, extortion and other forms of crime and criminality in the state. He said: "The commissioner stated this yesterday when police officers, attached to Anambra command arrested 32 suspects on offences ranging from armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearm and extortion, recovered one locally-made Beretta pistol, one magnum pump-action, and ammunition. "Operatives arrested one Ozo Olie Ifeanyi ‘M’ 43years in his residence at Odoje village, Onitsha, and recovered one locally fabricated single barrel pistol and live ammunition concealed in a bag. "Investigation so far reveals that the suspect has already made a useful statement that

will lead to the arrest of other members of their criminal gang. He also confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Cult Group and specialised in robbing unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables. "Similarly, another suspect, one Ifeanyi Nwobu, ‘M,’ 49

years, and a native of Enuorji Village, Enugu Ukwu at about 9 p.m. on March 30, 2022, was arrested and recovered one Magnum pump-action gun. The suspect has made a useful statement that could unravel the source of the arm." Meanwhile, 30 of the

paraded suspects were arrested for flouting the state government's ban on touting, extortion and illegal revenue collection in the state. The arrested suspects included Mr. Ifeatu Oluebube, Mr. Akpa Ikechukwu, Mr. Linus Ekene, Mr. Nwede

Chinedu, Mr. Nwigwe Osinachi, Mr. Nas Emeka, Mr. Uduak Linus, Mr. Obi Onyebuchi, Mr. Ayo Omah, Mr. Igwe Chukwuebuka, Mr. Nweke Abuchi and Mr. Anthony Chidi. Others are Onyebuchi Ndubuisi, Onyekwelu

Ifechukwu, Nwagha Nzube, Anamabu Somto, Duru Chigozie, Onwuakpa Chukwudi, Nworie Chimaram, Orji Onyebuchi, Nnamani Chukwuebuka, Ifeanyi Chinedu, among others, who were arrested in various places in Onitsha.

MARKETING HACKATHON…

L-R: Founder, Eko Innovation Centre, Mr. Victor Afolabi; Founder, Consumer Data Platform Institute (USA), Mr. David Raab; Chief Executive Officer, Entod Marketing Limited, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh; Principal Partner, Apex Marketing UK, Dr. Rotimi Olaniyan; and Executive Assistant to Lagos State Governor on New Media, Mr. Segun Fafore, at the maiden edition of Media and Marketing Hackathon in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Oyetola: Expect More of Rainstorm: One Dead, 11 Injured, Houses Dividends of Democracy Destroyed in Niger Community

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, has assured the people of the state of more dividends of democracy if he would be reelected in the forthcoming July 16 gubernatorial election. Oyetola gave the assurance yesterday during an engagement program organised by the state's civic engagement office for wPalm Kernel Association (PKA), in Osogbo. The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said that various developmental projects his administration had achieved since its inception were tips of the iceberg.

Oyetola said that his administration had performed credibly well in the areas of health, education, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, youth empowerment, free monthly food for the vulnerable, prompt payment of salaries, and pensions, among others. He harped on the need to consolidate the achievements recorded in the past three and half years. The governor rejected the notion that many second-term governors usually relapse into non-performance because he had made a covenant with God to keep to his oath of office. He also said that he had dedicated his life to selfless service in order to make life more bearable and enjoyable for the people.

Women Group Unveils Programme to Help the Needy, Widows

Sunday Okobi

A Lagos-based women group, Great Ladies Okota Region General (GLRG), has unveiled a programme to touch the lives of the needy, widows and the less privileged in the society, adding that the project will also empower the people through skill acquisition schemes. The Chairman of the group, Blessing Chinasa Benye, disclosed this to THISDAY recently when the group unveiled a Club that will coordinate their humanitarian activities in Okota, Lagos. According to her, “We have organised skill acquisition programmes for the less privileged and widows recently, and have also given out capitals for them to start small scale businesses. " We have also reached out to prisoner in correctional centres in Lagos to offer assistance. Today, we are launching a club that will help us expand the scope of our

activities in Lagos and beyond.” Benye noted that they are a group of self-made ladies whose sole objective is to help the needy and less-privileged in the society in the best way they can, and not for any financial gains, adding that: “We support more women in Nigerian politics with financial empowerment because we believe that women should be involved the governance of the country, and contribute their quota for the betterment of the society.” She condemned the exclusion of the gender bill in the recent constitution amendment, saying: “There is nothing wrong with the gender bill except that our men are being unnecessarily afraid of competition from the women folks.” Benye disclosed that Great Ladies Okota Region General was founded in 2015 with the vision of empowering women and helping the less privileged in the society.

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The first rainfall in Kuta town, headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State caused serious havoc that took the life of one person, left 11 persons critically injured, and destroyed not less than 38 houses on Friday. The general hospital in the town, some educational institutions as well as the veterinary health center were among the 38 public and

private edifices that were badly affected by the storm. The deceased has been interred according to Islamic injunction while those injured are reported to be receiving treatment in what is left of the general hospital and other health facilities in the town. An unofficial account said that not less than 198 public and private properties were affected by the incident that has created hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons

(IDPs) running into hundreds. Kura town has been housing hundreds of IDPs as a result of bandit attacks in parts of the local government area. Eyewitnesses said that the affected people have been counting their losses. "In the history of this town, there has never been such a disastrous windstorm which lasted for almost two hours leaving many casualties and rendered many people homeless," one of the

eyewitnesses said. The Coordinator of the Concerned Shiroro Youths, Mr. Abubakar Yussuf Kokki, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that "the level of the destructions and damage is undoubtedly an eyesore, devastating, saddening, pathetic and heart-rending, therefore, this ugly calamity requires all hands to be on deck so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the unfortunate victims arising from this natural but unwanted disaster."

OPC, Vigilance Group Pledge to Protect Oni, SDP against Attacks in Ekiti

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Following alleged plans by some political thugs to attack his convoy and derailed his campaign, a coalition of militia groups in Ekiti State has promised to defend and protect the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 18 governorship poll, Segun Oni.

The group, drawn from the Oodua People's Congress, Agbekoya, Vigilance Group of Nigeria, warned those planning to attack Oni to have a rethink, warning that no individual or party enjoys monopoly of violence. The Coalition, led by the former Ekiti State Chairman of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Femi Bade-

Gboyega, who condemned what he called" assassination attempt" on Oni's life, said this in Ado Ekiti, yesterday. Bade-Gboyega, who spoke in a statement said the thugs should not boast of having the monopoly of violence. The former OPC Chief added that the coalition had resolved to provide protection for Oni and SDP members throughout

the campaign, to complement what the State's security actors would provide. According to him, the coalition, with membership drawn from OPC, VGN, Agbekoya, and many other organisations, was deeply sad about the attack on the campaign convoy of Oni last Wednesday by some thugs led in Efon Local Government.

No Rift with Ikpeazu over My Guber Ambition, Says Abia Deputy Gov

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, has said that his ambition to succeed his boss has not in any way caused a rift between him and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Speaking with journalists in Umuahia yesterday, the ambitious number two man of

Abia said that he is still loyal and committed to supporting his boss in the business of governing Abia and the fulfillment of electoral promises made to the people. There were speculations that things have fallen apart between the deputy governor and his boss, who is believed to have anointed a successor, Prof Uchenna Ikonne, in spite of Chukwu’s interest in the

top job. But the deputy governor dismissed any suggestion of unhealthy relationship with Ikpeazu, insisting that his decision to join the 2023 governorship race has not in any way implied that he was no longer loyal to the governor. “As the deputy governor of Abia State, I remain loyal, supportive and committed

to my boss and Governor of Abia state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. As a man of outstanding and tested integrity, I cannot betray the governor." He therefore, warned detractors against rumour mongering and plots that are "capable of setting the state on fire", adding that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Abian.

A’Ibom Gov Rates VKS Construction High on Capacity, Project Delivery The Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has stated that VKS Nigerian Construction is outstanding as one of the best construction companies in the world owing to its resource capacity, approach to projects and commitment to the development of the environment they operate.

The Turkish firm is currently handling the construction of Smart Terminal building at the Victor Attah international Airport, Uyo and is famed for the 21 smart storey building among other key buildings and road constructions in Akwa Ibom State. Speaking while inspecting

projects at the Airport at the weekend, the Governor noted that VKS is reputed to adhere and sometimes go beyond procurement demands by not relying totally on government payments before delivering on projects they have signed on to. He said: "We have never rated

VKS low. They are one of the best in the world. When you talk about capacity, it is not just in the ability of Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineers to work. It is how friendly the contractors are; friendly in the sense that there are certain contractors that ``it is only money for hand, back for ground."

MONDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS Pinnick: I Take Responsibility for Nigeria’s Failure to Qualify for Qatar 2022

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Penultimate Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup scheduled to hold between November and December in Qatar. Super Eagles lost out on the away goal rule after playing out an aggregate 1-1 draw with Ghana’s Black Stars over two legs. In this exclusive interview with AriseTV, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick,spoke extensively on the pains of the failure and what the future holds for Nigerian football. DURO IKHAZUAGBE was at the interview session. Excerpts...

For the players, we told them that they were going to get 35 per cent of the $8million World Cup largesse which translates to about $3.5million. And beyond this money, every player’s dream is to play at this biggest stage of global football which is the World Cup. So what more motivation do the players want?

How massive is Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

I can tell you it is monumental. It is unquantifiable. I know what we in NFF and I personally have done for our sponsors and partners. I know the programmes we have designed for our Telco partners, shirt sponsors all geared toward the World Cup. If you see what NIKE is bringing out as Nigeria’s World Cup jersey, I don’t want to be reminded of the loss, very painful. We would have sold a minimum of 10 million of those shirts. I don’t want to be reminded of it. It has been nine days since that game in Abuja and it has been so tough for us at the federation. You just cannot imagine what we have been going through. It was to avoid a situation like this that we did all that we needed to do. We didn’t leave any stone unturned. I recall that after our exit from the Nations Cup in Cameroon, we (board) met immediately to rekindle hope. We went to London to have meetings with the players. I must admit that they were quite enthusiastic and excited about our visit. We let them know we (board members) were not going to play the playoffs but the players. We asked if there were issues remotely affecting them that will not make us qualify for the World Cup. We discussed as brothers, as fathers and sons. In the course of the discussions, they raised some issues about their jerseys... like having more of their home wears. We noted it and immediately we called NIKE. They wanted the pitch in Abuja to be lush green. They prayed for a clement weather. Ahmed Musa in particular told us they wanted to be gingered to victory. We noted it. They asked to be camped in a hotel that is a bit remote from the city centre to avoid distractions. We noted it. They raised issue of quality aircraft and perfect accommodation in Ghana. Everything we noted, we did for them. First, we went to NIKE because there was a change of guard in the Director in Charge of Africa there. So they wanted to introduce us to a new team that will be managing Nigeria and also see sample of the jerseys they had in the works for us. In the course of our visit to NIKE, we let them know that if our players wanted four, they should make it double for total comfort. Everything they needed, they got them. On accommodation, because of the APC convention in Abuja with NICON Hilton fully booked, we opted for Captain Hosa Okunbor’s The Wells Charlton Hotel which is one of the best hotels in Abuja. We had to get CBN to intervene by paying directly to the hotel. Normally, when we play in Lagos, the Lagos State Government usually picks such bills. Abuja being the Federal Capital, we had to partner the CBN on this. CBN graciously paid for the hotel accommodation,

the Moshood Abiola Stadium turf. They were excited and thanked the Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare for his great effort on the pitch. We did everything that we needed to do for the team. So with this, I don’t think it is time for any blame game. We take solace in the holy scriptures Romans 8. 28 that says “And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God.....” So back to your question, it was a monumental, unquantifiable loss not just to the NFF but to the government and the Nigerian people.

There is a philosophy that states that it is not everything that one says. I will keep saying that Nigerians should forgive us. As the head, I take responsibility for all that happened. We did everything humanly possible to see that Nigeria qualified. I have never had this kind of emotion like I am feeling now. The last time was 10 years ago when I lost my mom. Even my colleagues in CAF and FIFA were asking we in Doha, Qatar (during the World Cup draw) what happened in genuine sympathy. Nigeria is a great nation and we are going to bounce back from this setback. I am a firm believer in this country and love Nigeria with all my heart.

You said after the AFCON in Cameroon that Portuguese Coach Jose Peseiro would take over Super Eagles. Nigerians clamoured for Augustine Eguavoen to remain on the job and you acceded to that. If you look back now, would you have acted differently?

Amaju Pinnick...takes responsibility for Super Eagles failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup feeding, massage rooms, gyms, everything that the players needed. Then we approached Air Peace to take us on their newest plane to Ghana. They obliged us. Two days to our going to Ghana, we were made to understand Eagles were going to stay in a hotel called Noda Hotel, which is like the second or third best hotel in Kumasi. I said that it was not good enough for us, because this was a force majeure arrangement and we should have priority. We were supposed to play in Cape Coast but for the circumstances at the time, we accepted the shift to Kumasi and so

we deserved the best. We had the first right of refusal going by football ethos. We appealed to both CAF and FIFA and they directed Ghana FA to accept our request. It was after this that Ghana’s Black Stars had to vacate the Golden Tulip for the Super Eagles. So going from all these arrangements including the Sports Ministry’s efforts to get the stadium in perfect shape, I don’t think there was anything else that we should have done that we left out. When Eagles arrived Abuja for the crucial second leg, they expressed their happiness with the state of

Super Eagles Deputy Captain, William Troost-Ekong (left) scored Nigeria’s penalty to level goals at 1-1 with the Black Stars

I don’t disrespect our indigenous coaches. Most especially those that played in the national teams have paid their dues. There are somethings that I see that you ordinarily will not see. There are things that I know in my position that you may not know. The reason I advocate for a foreign coach is because they come in with a different mindset. They cannot be swayed by sentiments. All that they are after is success. This is why they come with their tactics and methods. It is not that I do not believe in our coaches but they need to develop that mindset. We have coaches that are quite competent but the question is: Are they good enough for us for now? I am a Nigerian and a firm believer in Nigeria but our circumstances are different. Take the case of Aliou Cisse of Senegal. He was given eight years to learn and stay with the Teranga Lions. He was supported by the Senegal FA and the people. Augustin Senghor, Senegal FA President has been there for 13th or 14th year and it is now that he has started winning, almost everything. Senegal won the AFCON in Cameroon, qualified for the World Cup in Qatar and has been ranked Number 1 in Africa for almost two years now. He won the AFCON because he was able to learn the rope and the dynamics of African football and its politics. That is the dividend of good leadership. Not political leadership but football leadership. Will it shock you to hear that Senghor is a Christian and from the minority part of Senegal? He’s from a tribe that is just five per cent of Senegal. And yet, they are giving him all the support he needs to pilot the country’s football to greater heights. They buried all forms of religious and ethnic diversity to forge ahead. Their focus is success on the pitch and nothing else. That is why it is not a surprise to discerning minds of the success being recorded by Senegal today. So until we develop a mindset wanting to succeed, irrespective of who is on board, it will be difficult for us. Sentiment is not a synonym for success. If we have that mindset, couple with the calibre of talents we have in Nigeria, it is only countries like Brazil, Italy, England that will be our peer. A day before our second leg with Ghana in Abuja, I asked the Eagles technical crew how many minutes can Ahmed Musa play for instance? I asked because Ahmed Musa is the only player left that has played against Ghana in the past. I recall the Head Coach (Eguavoen) told me he (Musa) could comfortably play 45 minutes or even 90 minutes. I asked same question about Odion Ighalo. They said he can play all 90 minutes. So I told them that I was not the technical guy, that the bulk stops on Eguavoen’s table. Eguavoen has his positives. He has done well as Technical Director and is still our Technical Director. He has gone back to his job. We will see how we can help him, grow his capacity so he can move on. He belongs to that special class of ex internationals who have served this country very well. If there are areas that are inadequate in them, as a federation and as a nation, we should help them.

MONDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS PINNICK: I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NIGERIA’S FAILURE TO QUALIFY FOR QATAR 2022 There is this rumours out there that the Nigeria Football Federation did the selection of players in both legs of the playoffs against Ghana. What exactly is the truth behind this? Both Eguavoen and (Emmanuel) Amuneke said it on television we never got involved in team selection. Yes, we interact. As President of NFF, I am a major stakeholder. I know what football is. I may not be a coach but I ask simple questions, questions the layman will ask. Ahmed Musa is the only player in this present team that played against Ghana and understands their mentality. That was why I asked how many minutes can he play. I have never been involved in team selection. The only time that I objected to the team selected was when Gernot Rohr left out Ahmed Musa from the World Cup in 2018 when he had domestic issues. Rohr said he was not going to invite him. I said no, if a player has an issue with his club, it is his country that should help him and not abandon him. There was small argument and eventually accepted my position and invited him. You cannot abandon a player who has done very well in the past in his hour of need. And the rest is history today. Ahmed Musa was the star of the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. That was the only time that I intervened. As a father, you must ask your sons what are their problems to help them solve them. You cannot say you have a music teacher for your kids and you will not ask where the keys are? There are some questions you need to ask and I normally do that. Before any of their games, they send their list and I pray to God to allow it work for us. I only ask questions. Nobody influences team selection. One thing I want people to know is that I respect legends of the game in the country. We celebrate them in the NFF both the male and female. This is because it is not easy to be on that pitch for 90 minutes. I do a lot of exercise and I know what it means to be on the treadmill for 30 minutes talk less of 90 minutes. So you should respect and love them.

Who takes over from Augustine Eguavoen? Are we going for a foreign coach or keeping it at home here?

First, I want Nigerians to know that we are in touch with our players. We want them to know that we are in this together. (William) Troost-Ekong called me the other other and was almost weeping, apologising to Nigerians over the Qatar 2022 miss. All of them knew what was at stake going to the World Cup. They knew from the last AFCON in Cameroon that there are no more small teams in African football any more as demonstrated by Comoros, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and others. All the groups for the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire are tough and going to be groups of deaths going by what happened in Cameroon. We are not going to interfere with what they are going to do, we can only guide them. We are going to look at whatever the Technical Committee will propose at the Executive level. We may also decide to look at other CVs presented by other coaches. What I can guarantee you is that we are getting a foreign coach within the next seven to 10 days.

Are we going back to Peseiro? Yes or No?

It is not impossible but would he want to come? If he will still want to come, it will be a major plus for us because it shows he loves the country Nigeria. Remember I told you back then when we wanted to bring him that he had the data of all Nigerian top players in Europe. And he’s using the software called the Wyscout to profile all our players. So he knows all their strength and weaknesses. He’s a top coach. If Peseiro decides to come, I don’t think we will have a debate over it. He wanted to achieve a quick impact success when we began talks to bring him earlier. So if Peseiro is coming to take the job if he is the final choice, trust me, he will need to stay here and watch our league to scout for those quality players who can play three hours and fine tune them to finish article. If he’s interested in our job, I don’t think that will be an issue, at all. That will show clearly he’s not just interested in achieving success and move on like the Lars Lagerback of this world who were here. Peseiro wants to stay here and help rebuild our team with also players from the domestic league and help nurture those in other climes.

How true is it that the NFF didn’t get any funding from the government for both matches with Ghana in Kumasi and Abuja?

I don’t think that is an issue. All that we needed at that time was for the government to create that enabling environment around the team at the National Stadium which they did 100 per cent. I don’t think anybody can fault the NFF on the organisation of the two matches in Kumasi and Abuja. May be in the past there were lapses but on these two games, never. We got everything right for the team. But like I said, I take responsibility for everything as the head of the NFF. I have heard some critics say

BRIEFLY

Falcons Target Better outing against Canada Nine-time African champions, Super Falcons are confident of a better outing against Olympic Champions Canada when both teams square up in the second of their two-match bouquet in the North American country today. Two second goals by Jessie Fleming (50th minute) and Vanessa Gilles (72nd minute) earned the world’s sixth-ranked team victory over the African champions in their first encounter

in Vancouver on Friday (Saturday morningin Nigeria). However, Coach Randy Waldrum prosecuted that game with only 14 outfield players, most of whom arrived on the eve of the match due to late issuance of visa from their respective bases. Monday’s encounter will take place at the Starlight Stadium, and will commence at 7.30pmCanada time (3.30am Tuesdayin Nigeria).

Heineken's UEFA CL Trophy Tour with Seedorf Excites Fans There is so much excitement players in UEFA Champions Jose Peseiro...tipped to succeed Eguavoen as new Super Eagles Manager ‘oh you take responsibility, then resign”. My reply is: I am a soldier. I will soldier till the end of my tenure. And that is the truth. Taking responsibility does not mean you are guilty. It is just a courtesy out of maturity. And because of the fact that you don’t want to be ascribing blames to your subordinates. When you see Governors, Ministers, Presidents being taken to courts, it is not because those crimes for which they are in court were committed by them alone. They have other people committing those crimes but they take responsibility. And that exactly is what I am doing. It is not because Amaju Pinnick is guilty. No. It is because someone must take responsibility. It is quite unfortunate that you know you didn’t commit any offence but made to carry the can. We had sleepless nights 24 hours to the game in Abuja. God bless the Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare. We were on the phone almost round the clock to ensure nothing went wrong. Everything we wanted him to do for the team he did them. Same way, all he wanted us to do to succeed, we did them. We had a symbiotic relationship on Eagles including praying for the team to succeed. The muslims in our midst were also praying for Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup. We have learnt a bitter lesson from not qualifying for Qatar 2022. Will it help us in future? Sure, it will. Do we have the technical report and administrative report? Yes, we have. Will they help us in future? Sure. We are going to share all details with the Sports Ministry to guide us in future. So now we are looking at moving from step 1 to step 2. We want to explore all FIFA windows to ensure that we keep the team busy. Look at the current European champions, Italy. They also missed the World Cup. There are only eight countries that have won the World Cup out of the 211 members of FIFA. Italy happens to be one of those eight countries. Regrettably, they won’t be in Qatar. After missing out, they played friendly with Turkey, another world football power that won’t be at the World Cup. Then, are we going to fold our hands and be licking our wounds over the failure to qualify for Qatar 2022? What Italy lost not going to World Cup is ten times more than what we have lost because we are from two different climes. So for me, let’s move on. Back home, we have arranged two international friendlies for Super Eagles in June. We are waiting for FIFA to know when the windows will be available before announcing the matches. We have hired scouts combing the domestic league for possible talents to include in the senior national team. The Egyptian team to the AFCON in Cameroon had only six foreign-based players. If we can get quality talents from the domestic league, why not. Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech felt bigger and he was left out. In 1998, Eric Cantona and David Ginola felt the world will end with them if they did not turn up for France. What happened? Aime Jacquet told them to go to hell. France won the World Cup on home soil without them. Nobody is indispensable. We must look forward. We have discussed at my executive meeting to ask if getting quality players into the national team should be part of the contract of whoever that is taking over from Eguavoen.

Is Amaju Pinnick running for a third term in office as President of the Nigeria Football Federation?

First, let me ask: Am I eligible to run? Yes, I am eligible to run based on NFF’s statute. Am I going to run at this moment? It is a no, no because my family said so at the moment. My family is very key to me. It is my family first. They have seen that I have put in my best, put in my all; it is taking a toll on me, taking a toll on the family. They believe it is time that I should move on. It is a very regrettable decision. Even if my family is keen on it, I have my colleagues in CAF and FIFA and some discerning minds in Nigeria that say my continuity will be a robust plus for Nigerian football. Having been on the saddle for nearly eight years, they cited examples of countries like Niger Republic, Senegal, Burkina Faso and other countries where they have stability in their FAs with their presidents there for several years. The former Spanish FA President was there for 30 years and was FIFA Council Member for 16 years. Ordinarily, I really would have love to continue but I listen to my heart and my family because they are key to me. At the moment, it is a no, no because my family said so. People don’t know one tenth of what I go through as President of the NFF. I love this country and I am a believer in Nigeria. For those who do not understand the strength of Nigeria, I understand it. At the FIFA Council, the world look at Nigeria with utmost respect. Not because we account for the 16 percent of African population, they believe that it is a country packed with potentials in all aspects of human endeavors. I know my colleagues on the NFF board are going to be disappointed by my family’s decision for me not to continue. For me, there is time for everything. It doesn’t stop me from being in FIFA and CAF. I am an integral member of the CAF executive committee and a strong member of the FIFA Council. After the next four years, I can run again and continue because I understand the politics of the game. So at the moment, i am consolidating on my businesses globally and opening new windows for expansion. I will always be there for Nigerian football. I am unifier for Nigerian Football. This is the first time you don’t hear of those usual internal bickering on the NFF board. We have built the board into one strong family. My type of leadership gives room for respect allow each and every member to play assigned roles without interference. It is a tough call, let someone else try his hands in steering Nigerian football.

Finally, what is your biggest legacy for Nigerian football?

Despite enormity of challenges, we came in when finances of the federation were minus zero in terms of private sponsorship. As at today, based on our last audited reported, we are doing over 80 per cent of self funding. We have brought Nigeria back to global reckoning. Our youth development programme brought out Akinkunmi Amao from the Zenith Bank sponsorship. He’s one of the most prolific strikers in the world today. Give him another two years, he will be as good as Lionel Messi when he was in his prime. So we have not gotten to our destination. It is a journey. We have done what we need to do. I don’t mind working with whoever that is going to take over. I still remain the biggest football personality in the country as both CAF executive committee member and FIFA Council member. You never say never.

among football fans across Nigeria ahead of the arrival of Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf in Nigeria on Monday for the UEFA Champions League trophy tour. International Premium Lager beer, Heineken has concluded arrangements to bring the Champions League iconic trophy closer to fans and loyal consumers alike in the two cities of Lagos and Abuja. Though it is only the trio of Nwankwo Kanu, Finidi George and John Mikel that have lifted the Champions League trophy, hundreds of fans in Lagos and Abuja would have the opportunity to see the prized diadem live in the coming days courtesy of Heineken. The 2022 UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken will stop in Lagos, Nigeria on the 12th of April, and in Abuja, Nigeria on the 13th of April 2022. This year, Heineken has made another smart choice; ensuring that one of the most iconic players to win the prestigious silverware, Seedorf will be headlining the trophy tour. Seedorf prides himself as one of the most successful

League history as he is the first and currently the only player to have won the UEFA Champions League trophy with three different clubs. Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi assured fans of another memorable time with the visiting Dutch football legend as well as an unforgettable time coming up close with the Champions League trophy.

NPFL (Match-day 22) Enyimba Sunshine Tornadoes Lobi Stars MFM FC

2-1 Rangers 1-0 Abia War’ 1-0 Wikki 0-0 K’Pillars 2-0 Dakkada

PREMIER LEAGUE Brentford Leicester Norwich Man City

2-0 West Ham 2-1 Cry’Palace 2-0 Burnley 2-2 Liverpool

SERIE A Napoli 2-3 Fiorentina Torino 0-0 AC Milan

Olive House Wins Jacobs Schools Inter-house Sports Olive and Blue House have emerged champions of Jacobs Schools biennial inter-house sports competition. Olive House at the competition held at Orile Kajola, Ifo Ogun State last Thursday, coast to victory with nine gold, seven silver and 18 bronze medals in the high school category. Pink House finished second ahead of Burgundy and Purple who placed third and fourth respectively. Similarly, Blue House were crowned champions of Jacobs Model School category which is made up of the Pre-nursery, nursery and primary schools. The victorious house won eight gold, six silver and 18 bronze medals ahead of Orange, Yellow and Green houses respectively. Shortly after the pumps and glitz, an elated Director of School, Jacobs Schools, Mrs. Bukky Sokunbi commended the students and parents for their contributions in ensuring the event became a success. She also enjoined the parents to encourage their wards to

take sports seriously, as some pupils are talented in sports and could bring glory to the nation in the nearest future. "We are known for excellence at Jacobs Schools and that's what we stand for. We invested heavily in sporting activities and that is why we want our students to excel in all areas both academics and sports. "Over time, we have had some of our students represent their high institutions in sports at the top level. That shows we were able to nurture them very well from here," Sokunbi pointed out. Some of the events that were competed for include; Match past, ultimate search, 100m Junior (boys and girls), 100m Senior (boys and girls), 200m Junior and senior, (boys and girls), 400m Junior and Senior, (boys and girls). Other events are; High jump Senior and Junior (boys and girls), Shot put Senior (boys and girls), 4x100m (boys and girls) and a host of others. Victorious Houses and students also cart away trophies and medals.

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MISSILE Cleric to Politicians

“The challenges of Nigeria are that of wrong people in leadership position… unfortunately we elect wrong people because they are loud; they have godfathers or they have the money to throw around. The problem of insecurity in the country is a reaction from bad people in government who feel aggrieved and are bent on getting back at the system” – Lead Pastor, Victory Life Bible Church International, Lawrence Achudume, blaming wrong leaders for Nigeria’s woes.

MAHMUDJEGA VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

See Amaechi Run!

t was a bold statement in physical fitness to see Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi, with forAmer director general of NIMASA Dakuku Peterside, doing a sprint round Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Saturday. The sprint was to “greet” supporters who were attending a thanksgiving service organised by the Rivers State chapter of APC. In this age when there is a lot of discussion about the age and health status of leaders, the sprint was a powerful statement. It was also telling that the man in charge of vehicles, trains, motorcycles and bicycles in Nigeria still had a taste for Footwagon. Rivers APC’s thanksgiving was actually a beg-giving because Amaechi used the occasion to declare his intention to seek the presidency in next year’s election. That was courageous of him because with only a few weeks to go before the party primaries, top Buhari Administration officials who are nursing presidential and gubernatorial ambitions have been reluctant to jump into the fray. We can only guess why. The most prominent of them is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose interest in running is a poorly-guarded secret. The hastily smuggled Electoral Act provision requiring appointed officials to resign before the primaries does not apply to him. When some media channels reported that he had “informed” President Buhari of his interest, the newest aspirational invention in this Republic, Osinbajo’s office denied it. What’s difficult there, since the Vice President’s office is only a few meters away from the president’s office in the same Villa? Osinbajo should have openly started his quest by now because he has a political uphill task ahead of him, running against his former mentor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Some analysts see a moral dilemma there, but morality is a highly expendable commodity in Nigerian politics. The bigger problem is that Asiwaju is a formidable opponent, a highly visible presence on the national political scene since 1999 when most of his first generation-governor colleagues have since faded away. He already has the open support of many Southwest and Northern APC governors and is alleged to be very rich. Osinbajo has another challenge which he must move quickly to overcome, the poorly-timed formation of a Directorate of Politics and Governance by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, of which he is a senior pastor. Some people quickly put two and two together and said it is the church’s campaign office for Osinbajo. It might or it might not be, but I personally do not agree with the allegation that if he were to become president, Osinbajo would be a parochial one who favours his church above all other sects and religions. I think he is far too well educated and far too intelligent to do that. Allegations that he recruited most of his personal staff from

Amaechi

church members have been denied but even if he did, I don’t think it is a good criticism because the Vice President has only a few aides to appoint, compared to the president, so the sample is too small for proper assessment. Besides, if he ever becomes president, open display of religious parochialism could speedily imperil his position in the party and the country. The other Big Elephant who is still peeping through the door of the presidential race is Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor Godwin Emefiele. By now everybody in Nigeria believes that Emefiele is interested in running for president under APC’s platform, despite his denials. That is actually good because the first rule in politics is to be well known and your ambition to be well known. Why else should people print so many posters, hold costly Draft Emefiele rallies and even storm the APC convention with his posters, unless he gave them a secret green light? Right from his days as Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Emefiele had always cast the image of a staid, noncontroversial banker only interested in monetary affairs. He didn’t look one bit like a politician. But then, looks can be deceptive. Under his watch, CBN greatly expanded its role from monetary policy to deep involvement in agricultural production, industrial revival, small scale industry and even poverty alleviation. It created the appetite in Emefiele that he could apply this cold banker’s management skill on a wider plane. The provision that appointed officials must resign before the primaries applies to him, so Emefiele must decide if he wants to throw away the two remaining years of his second, five-year

term in order to run for president. Which brings me back to Amaechi. He said at his declaration that he has been a fixture on the elective and appointive Nigerian political scene since 1999. This Republic has cloaked six 4-year terms already. Amaechi was Speaker of Rivers State Assembly in the first two terms; Governor of Rivers State in the next two terms and Minister of Transportation in the third two! It is a double edged sword because while some people will say that is enough experience to become president, some other Nigerians will say, “You did all this and you still want more? Are you the only person in the country? Will you not allow other people to taste public office?” Running round Adokie Amaesimeka Stadium was also a double edged historical sword. While it conveys to young Nigerians the image of personal fitness and dynamism, it reminds old timers of 1984, when the Reverend Jessy Jackson made the first serious run by a Black American for the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket. When Jackson visited American troops stationed in Germany, they broke into a chorus of “Run, Jesse, Run!” Jackson was however non-plussed; he said he didn’t want the chant of Run, Jesse, Run to become See Jesse Run! Minister, don’t permit opponents to use your sprint in Port Harcourt to illustrate See Amaechi Run! Until last week, there was almost no presidential aspirant from the North in APC. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State however waded in, throwing into doubt APC’s apparent stumble towards a Southern presidential candidate. Yahaya Bello’s biggest political qualification is that he is young, or at least he was eight years ago when he stumbled into

the governorship by Divine design. He did a big splash at Eagle Square on the day he declared. Although I have seen videos of him on the social media doing Mike Tyson-style push-ups, he did not run around Eagle Square like Amaechi in order to prove his fitness for the top job. He might now consider a paratroop drop in order to outshine Amaechi. What a difference a week makes in politics! Up until a week ago when it finally held its convention, APC looked like the stumbling elephant while PDP was racing along towards 2023 with the fleet feet of a gazelle. No longer. Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, thought to be PDP’s biggest power broker 2015, waded into the presidential race in Makurdi. While Governor Samuel Ortom looked askance, Wike regaled Benue PDP chieftains with much theatre, saying they should look for his name on the ballot and thumbprint it. Wike has been a very effective politician with many development projects in his kitty, but he also has a very abrasive character and a caustic tongue, which he needs to polish before the race gets very hot. Wike was not present when some PDP governors from the South met in Abuja last week and restated their demand that the party must zone its presidential ticket to the South. Their demand lent credence to reports that PDP’s Ortom committee recommended an open contest for aspirants from all zones. Such a decision was almost inevitable because PDP left the decision until very late, put the cart before the horse by selling nomination forms before reaching a decision on zoning, and by appointing a committee with one member from each state and FCT. What else could such a committee agree on, apart from an open contest? Southern PDP governors dressed up their demand for zoning to the region as high principle. They said it is to make for justice and equity. Truth however is that PDP leaders’ historical attitude to zoning has been one of opportunistic flip flop. In 2007 when their Northern colleagues pushed for a rotation to the North in line with a gentleman’s agreement, party chieftain Chief Tony Anenih denied there was such an agreement, despite minutes of a meeting that surfaced showing him as having pushed the position at a meeting in 2002, that Obasanjo should do two terms and the North should thereafter take over. In 2010, a PDP National Chairman was ousted because he said President Jonathan should only complete the late President Yar’adua’s tenure and a Northern candidate should complete the North’s eight years from 2011. PDP leaders monotonously said “Jonathan has a right” to contest in 2011 and again in 2015. On the flip side, PDP leaders did zone the ticket to the North in 2019, where all 12 aspirants who contested at its Port Harcourt convention were Northerners. So, this is not high principle but a mixed bag of flip flops.

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