WEDNESDAY 19TH April 2023

Operators Seek Alignment Between NUPRC, NMDPRA in Oil Regulation

Komolafe admits overlap between regulatory agencies

GLO HOUSE WINNERS...

After Foiling a Brazen Electoral Coup, INEC Declares Fintiri Re-elected

Yiaga wants all security personnel involved in electoral fraud tried Situation Room pushes for fresh electoral reforms

Atiku, govs, party leadership congratulate winner

Continued on page 10

CHAGOURY PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO KALU...

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (left), welcoming the Patriarch of Chagoury Family, Dr Gilbert Chagoury, who paid him condolence visit on the recent passing of his wife

IGP replaces Adamawa CP, moves to probe malfeasance INEC writes police, demands prosecution of Ari, others

How court declined Binani’s emergency application PDP: what happened was akin to attempted civilian coup

L-R: National Retail & Consumer Sales Chief, Globacom, Mr. David Maji (5th right), Head of Web Sales 1, Globacom, Mr Ugochukwu Ibe (3rd left), and Head of Sales Operation, Globacom, Mr. Hardeep Kheterpal (1st right), flanked by Glo business partners who won house prizes at the company’s 2022 Dealer Award event held at Continental Hotel, Lagos, on Monday night.

Slams N5bn against FG

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene

2023 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SUMMIT...

NLNG GM, External Relations & Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh; NLNG MD,

LCCI: High Interest Rate, Inflationary Pressure, FX Scarcity Hurting Manufacturing Sector

Advises against raising taxes

Dike Onwuamaeze

on NLNG businesses at the ongoing 2023 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja…yesterday opportunities.”

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over the dwindling fortunes of the manufacturing sector due to constraints from high inflationary pressure in the economy, continuous rise in interest rate, foreign exchange (FX) scarcity, amongst other militating factors.

This view was expressed yesterday,

during the chamber’s quarterly review of the economy by its President, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole.

He stressed that the removal of petrol subsidy would be the government’s best economic decision.

Olawale-Cole also advised the government to harmonise the multiple FX rates and avoid hasty increase of tax rates.

He said: “The growth in manufacturing has remained subdued

due to high inflation, continuous rise in interest rate, forex scarcity, high energy cost, and weakening purchasing power which could weigh further on the outlook of the sector.

“To reduce the shocks from disruptions to supply chains for raw materials, manufacturers should be assisted with subsidised input and more allocation of forex for importation of critical inputs.

“The federal government needs

to sustain its targeted interventions in selected sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, export infrastructure while tackling insecurity.”

The chamber also expressed the view that the removal of petrol subsidies would arguably be one of the government’s, “best economic decisions to reduce our unsustainable debts and widespread corruption in that sector,” adding that it would also “spur investments in domestic

Adeniran Reaffirms Quality, Reliability of Statistical Outcomes by NBS

Says updated unemployment data out soon Adopts new definition, methodology for labour statistics

James Emejo in Abuja

The Statistician-General of the Federation (SGF)/Chief Executive, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Mr. Semiu Adeniran, yesterday reaffirmed the quality and reliability of statistical reports by the bureau.

According to him, contrary to speculations, all methodology aligns with global best practices.

Speaking at the second sensitisation workshop for stakeholders on the Redesigned Nigeria Labour Force Survey, he also vowed that the error often noticed in the release of data, particularly the jobs statistics would be a thing of the past going forward.

He said, “We don’t just wake up at NBS to say we want to change the definition or methodology of unemployment on our own.

“Methodology is of international expertise that is being used across the globe and West African countries not just NBS.”

Adeniran also said that the longawaited unemployment figure would soon be released.

The last time the statistical agency released the country’s jobs data was in November 2021, when it made public the labour statistics for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The report stated that 23.18 million Nigerians were jobless while the unemployment rate was put at 33.3 per cent – which is still being referenced to date.

However, the SGF said the methodology and definition for the computation of the labour data had now become stale and inapplicable to the Nigerian situation currently, and necessitated a review and launch of a new framework which is being subjected to stakeholders for discussion. Adeniran said the new methodology and changes made to the jobs survey consisted of three major alterations in the definitions and concepts.

According to him, the new defini- tion of the labour force consists of anyone from the age of 15 years and above, that is willing, available, and able to work and contrasts the old definition recognised those aged between 15 and 64 that were willing, available, and able to work during the reference period of seven days.

In addition, the new definition of an unemployed person is anyone within the labour force who within the reference period, (previous seven days) did not work for a minimum of one hour.

He said, “This is a significant change from the old definition, where to qualify to be employed, a person needed to have worked for a minimum of 20 hours within the reference period of seven days.”

The NBS boss further pointed out that the definition of underemployed was also altered in the new framework. He said under the old definition, a person is considered

under-employed if he or she worked between 20 and 39 hours within the reference period of a week.

However, under the new definition, anyone working under 40 hours, that is 1 – 39 hours a week and willing to accept more hours of work is considered under-employed.

Adeniran stated that “All of these changes in the design and methodology, and the results to emanate from the survey are expected to give the

government, policymakers and the public a better picture of the situation of work and employment in the country.

“Our role as the national statistics office is to provide this information using the most up-to-date methodology, following set international standards and guidelines. Anything short of this will mean us abdicating our responsibility as the official source of data in Nigeria.

refining and petrochemicals and create a significant value chain for the various stakeholders.”

Olawale-Cole remarked that though the planned removal of fuel subsidies might cause further northward movement of inflation in the short term, “it will also release over N3 trillion per annum for social spending as well as create domestic high valued jobs rather than subsidising jobs in other countries at the expense of ours.

“We expect the government to roll out appropriate cushioning or palliative policies and measures before the subsidy removal in the second half of the year. We, in no way, will appreciate disruption in whatsoever form to the economy in the event of subsidy removal.”

He also pointed out that the premium between official foreign exchange rate and the BDC rate has widened in the quarter under review and stated the chamber's position that the “monetary authorities need to liberalise the foreign exchange market by unifying the multiple foreign exchange rates and ensuring that foreign exchange rates are market-driven.

“This, the LCCI believes, is critical to enhancing stability, liquidity, and transparency in the foreign exchange market. The unification is expected to improve our currency management framework, reduce uncertainties and eliminate arbitrage and round-tripping

The LCCI, however, rejected the government’s penchant for accumulation of public debt, which would bring the country to the point it would use more than its public revenue to service debts.

“According to the World Bank, debt service cost of Nigeria’s federal government will be in the region of 123.4 per cent in excess of revenue. This is coming after the federal government spent a total of N5.24 trillion on debt servicing between January and November 2022, out of its N6.5 trillion retained revenue for the same period, according to the finance ministry.

“The amount puts the country's debt service-to-revenue ratio at 80.6 per cent for the period under review, a figure far above World Bank's recommended 22.5 per cent for low-income countries like Nigeria.

“We, at the LCCI frown at borrowing to fund subsidies or support uneconomic ventures.

“The LCCI is of the view that the government’s fixation on debt accumulation is unhealthy. Hence it should explore other avenues including opening equity opportunities and offloading/ sales of its real estate holdings. The government should also make the problem of oil theft, with the removal of oil subsidy regime, a thing of the past to help create room for fiscal manipulation.”

Abuja Disco Boosts Power Supply to Customers in FCT with Three New Feeders

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) yesterday announced the completion of the construction of three 33KV feeders and the installation of ‘auto reclosers’ at the Dawaki transmission station, Abuja, to boost power supply to Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Kubwa and environs.

A statement by the Chief Marketing Officer, AEDC, Donald Etim, noted that AEDC started evacuating the initial load from the facility at about 17:00 hours on April 17, 2023 on two of the feeders.

The constructed 33KV feeders, the AEDC said, will ‘de-load’ Gwarinpa

and Life Camp 33KV feeders from AT2 Katampe, as well as Dawaki and Bwari 33KV feeders from AT4 Kubwa TS.

The project, it added, will also improve power supply availability within Dawaki, Katampe, Bwari, among others.

‘‘We are thrilled to announce the successful commissioning of our new 33KV feeders, which is a proof of our commitment to meeting the growing electricity needs of our customers.

“These feeders will not only help de-load the existing infrastructure but also improve the overall performance of our distribution network, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted power

supply to our valued customers in Gwarinpa, Life Camp and other locations,’’ AEDC quoted its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Adeoye Fadeyibi, as saying.

The two AEDC 33KV feeders which were inaugurated, Tuesday afternoon, it noted, will evacuate power from the 132/33KV GIS Transmission Station Dawaki.

The 33kv Feeder is expected to feed Gwarinpa 1st-5th Avenue, Setraco, and Citec Estate, while the other 33KV facility will supply 6th and 7th Avenue, Adkan Estate, and Grand Products in Dawaki. Also covered are Urban Shelter, Charly Boy, News Engineering, and environs.

"As a customer-centric company,

we are constantly investing in our infrastructure to enhance service quality and customer experience. The commissioning of these new feeders is a strategic move to address the increased demand for electricity in these areas and ensure an efficient and reliable power supply to our customers

"As the load evacuation phase unfolds in the next few weeks, load may be adjusted gradually as we observe the feeder performances," Etim said.

He added that AEDC is a leading provider of electricity distribution services with a strong commitment to service excellence, technological innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Philip Mshelbila (3rd left), briefing the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,

PRESS BRIEFING ON UPDC'S PROJECTS AND THE COMPANY'S 2023 OUTLOOK...

AFCAC: Nigeria, Others May Rake in $7.2bn from Single African Air Transport Market

As Air Peace faults lopsided Implementation, gives Cote D’Ivoire 10 days to grant access to airline to operate

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) yesterday said the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market Project (SAATM) would add $7.2 billion to the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create 600 million jobs and grow air traffic in about three years to 5.1 per cent.

This was even as the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said, though the idea was noble, practically its implementation was lopsided and may not favour Nigerian Airlines.

The Secretary General of AFCAC, Funke Adeyemi, speaking on the sidelines of SAATM Pilot Implementation Project Cluster 1 Coalition Roadshow, hinted that the huge benefits of implementation of SAATM in the continent would accelerate air connectivity across Africa.

Adeyemi, noted that the aim of the roadshow was to bring all stakeholders together in identifying challenges mitigating against air connectivity across the continent and come up with practical solutions to integrate and increase connectivity across Africa.

She explained that the implementation of SAATM in Nigeria would scale up the contribution of aviation sector's GDP from the

current 0.5 per cent to one per cent and also increase air traffic by 54 per cent.

The AFCAC boss further maintained that the target was to increase penetration from the current 14.5 per cent to 30 per cent by 2025.

She stated that some of the challenges hindering the smooth take off of SAATM by states to include, "protectionism among states and airline operators wherein the State and the operators are not

willing to open up the market due to competition but said competition and connectivity is necessary for the growth of aviation industry."

Other challenges Adeyemi noted included restrictions by states, visa openness of late approval for landing.

Adeyemi, however stressed that the commission would be going country by country to address some of the challenges of SAATM and see how to make a change.

Similarly, the Director General,

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, said the first of its kind road show held in Nigeria to explain to stakeholders to bring out challenges they were having with the implementation of SAATM, so that AFCAC could see to its mechanism such as fair competition, dispute resolution and use its consumer protection mechanism to resolve the issues.

Responding, Onyema, said whilst Nigeria had opened its aviation sector to almost free access to African

countries, other African countries, especially West African countries have continued to deny Nigeria carriers access to their countries.

This practice he stressed was unhealthy, evil, unacceptable and would be challenged henceforth.

Onyema, while speaking to journalists shortly after the event said, "though the idea is noble but practically the implementation is lopsided as it is not going to favour Nigeria Airlines."

He also said the actions by Cote

D’Ivoire and African countries like Togo and Benin Republic, was against the principle of reciprocity contained in the bilateral air services agreements (BASAs) they signed.

Air Peace consequently gave Cote D’Ivoire 10 days ultimatum, beginning from April 18th, 2023, to grant it access or face the consequences of its next line of action.

He said Nigerian airlines were not against open skies, but that its implementation must be fair to all concerned.

Osinbajo: Africa Requires Industrialisation to Move Millions Out of Poverty

Wants countries in the continent to position for sustainable energy

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for the African continent to accelerate its industrialisation drive in order to move millions of the citizenry out of poverty line.

Delivering a keynote address yesterday, at the formal opening of the exhibition at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), holding at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Osinbajo also noted that Nigeria has a crucial and strategic role to play in the transition to a more

sustainable energy future for the continent and the rest of the world.

Speaking on the theme of this year's summit, 'Global Perspectives for a Sustainable Future', the vice president underscored the significance of the theme for the socio-economic future of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Drawing lessons from the work done in the last couple of years by the federal government’s Energy Transition Working Group, which he chairs, Osinbajo noted that, “in that capacity and working with a strong inter-ministerial team and

several energy sector players, it has become increasingly clear to me that Nigeria has a crucial and strategic role in delivering the sustainable energy future that Africa and indeed the world must have in the next few years.”

He added: “Second is that it is the key sector actors such as are gathered in this room who must do a lot of the heavy lifting to get us there. The truth is, no other sector of our economy is as crucial in the transition to a more sustainable future.”

While restating his view on

NCAA Brokers Truce in Aviation Workers’Two-day Warning Strike

Chinedu Eze

The Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Captain Musa Nuhu has waded into the two-day warning strike by aviation workers which ended yesterday, pleading with the unions to suspend the industrial action.

On the second day, the unions walked from the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and ended it at the new international terminal where they addressed the workers, saying that if their requests were not met by the federal government, they would shut down the airspace in a week’s time.

On the second day of the industrial action however, flights were also not disrupted and there were no delays caused by the activities of the unions both at the international and domestic terminals. Even when the workers did their road work,

they made sure it did not affect vehicular traffic, as they walked through the link road between the domestic and international terminals of the airport.

However, the NCAA in a statement signed by its General Manager, Public Relations, Sam Adurogboye, disclosed that the DGCA held series of meetings with the union members, starting from last Sunday April 16, 2023, and another yesterday, with the Salary and Wages Commission along with all Aviation Agencies Chief Executive Officers and their Heads of Finance Department in attendance.

According to the NCAA, the objective of the meeting with the Salaries and Wages Commission was for the examination of the various account books of the agencies with a view to determining whether or not the increases in salaries being demanded could be accommodated

in their various Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs).

Nuhu, said the outcome of the meeting would be forwarded to the Head of Service of the Federation for consideration and approval and pleaded for more time and understanding of the unions.

On passengers’ delay and refund of airfares whenever flights are delayed or cancelled, the DGCA explained that such situations have been taken care in the ongoing amendment of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015.

The aviation workers Union had on Monday, embarked on a two-day warning strike that witnessed workers locked out at the various offices of the agencies and disruption to flight movement nationwide.

Their demands included approval and implementation of the agreement Condition of Service

(CoS) as agreed between them and the agencies by the Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Others were non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for NIMET since 2019 and the planned demolition exercise of all the agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project.

The unions that went on the strike included the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical (AUPCCST) and Recreation Services Employees

Africa becoming the first truly green civilization in the world, the vice president noted that, “the future is not in Africa as a victim, it is in our nation and our continent driving the next stage of global economic progress by becoming the first truly green civilisation in the world.”

According to him, “the truth is, no other sector of our economy is as crucial in the transition to a more sustainable future. But what is that future? Let me say first what it is not. It is not a future with Africa at the bottom of the food chain in the brave new world of sustainable energy.

“But we must admit that today we have the largest number of individuals without access to power, the largest number without access to clean cooking options; we need rapid industrialisation to get millions of our people out of poverty, and we must do all without worsening global warming.”

He also noted that, “the future is not in Africa as a victim, it is in our nation and our continent driving the next stage of global economic progress by becoming the first truly green civilisation in the world.”

Highlighting the pathway forward for Africa in the transition to a sustainable energy future, Osinbajo noted that Africa could only become the first truly green civilisation by recognising the opportunity early and intentionally developing all the potential around our natural resources including natural gas, solar and biofuels. He added: “We must in particular leverage on our renewable energy potential, work actively on green technologies, carbon removal and green manufacturing. And we have a young resourceful workforce too.

And quite frankly, it is the energy sector working with government that can muster the human and material resources to move the needle.”

Osinbajo further stated that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan was a bold and innovative move that calls for the ramping up of solar deployment to about 5.3 gigawatts per year until 2060.

The vice president added that this also included the production of over six billion litres of biofuels annually to make green the transport sector on the path to e-mobility and the transition of at least two million Nigerian households to cleaner cooking fuels like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and electricity every year

He highlighted the opportunities of initiatives around Carbon Trading, noting that “this holds important opportunities for our oil and gas sector.”

According to him “I have in the past year been working with a dedicated international committee named the African Carbon Market Initiative. The point is to open up the tremendous carbon trading opportunities in Africa. We are also simultaneously working on the Nigeria Carbon Market."

He referred to the recent initiative between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Vitol, a private firm, which is the CarbonVista joint venture and observed that the fund "would invest in carbon emission reduction projects in Nigeria and promote the Nigerian carbon market initiative."

While acknowledging that there was still a long way to go, the Vice President emphasized that Nigeria can achieve its sustainable energy goals.

L-R: Head, Sales and Marketing, UPDC Plc, Mr. Damola Oguntoyinbo;Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Odunayo Ojo;Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Priye Johnson and President/CEO, PR Africa International, Mr. Adedapo Adelegan, at a Press Briefing on UPDC's Projects and the Company's 2023 outlook held at the Festival hotel FESTAC, Lagos yesterday

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

AFRICAN BUSINESS CONVENTION...

Agora Policy: Nigeria Needs to Create 3.6m New Jobs Annually to Lower Unemployment Rate to 5%

Says govt’s direct recruitment cannot solve challenge

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Agora Policy, a Nigerian thinktank, has disclosed that Nigeria needs to create at least 3.6 million net new jobs annually to reduce the current high unemployment rate to about five per cent by 2033, a period of 10 years.

In a policy memo released by the organisation, Agora stated that in the last decade Nigeria had struggled to create enough jobs to meet up with the constant flow of people entering the working age. For instance, it stressed that since 2010, the unemployment rate has been on an upward trajectory rising from 5.1 per cent in 2010 to the last pre-covid estimate of 23.1 per cent in 2018, with the situation worse for women.

It added that unemployment rate rose to 33.3 per cent during Covid-19, combined with a muchreduced labour force participation

rate, noting that there has been little official information since then.

“All we can say at this point is that unemployment is likely still high and at an undesirable level. The situation has been particularly worse for young people who, as at 2020, faced an unemployment rate of over 40 per cent. There is little doubt that this rising unemployment is linked to increasing restfulness and disenchantment among the youth,” the paper argued.

Given that the population, and hence the labour force, keeps growing, the think-tank stated that the challenge of reducing unemployment is therefore all about creating more new jobs than there are people entering the labour force.

“At the very least, to keep unemployment from rising, enough net new jobs need to be created to at least employ the majority of net new entrants to the labour market.

“What does this mean in the

Nigerian context? Based on a labour force of about 90 million prior to Covid-19 in 2018, about 2.5 million net new people enter the labour force every year. Which means the economy would have to create at least 2.5 million new jobs a year on average just to keep the number of the unemployed from rising.

“If we wanted to get the unemployment rate to a healthier 5 per cent by 2033, and we assumed that the labour force grew at the same rate as population growth, then by our calculations, we would need to be creating at least 3.6 million net new jobs a year,” it pointed out.

Given that between 2010 and 2018, Nigeria only created on average 21,757 net new full-time jobs a year, Agora explained that it was clear that that the country has a serious problem challenge.

It stressed that the challenge has become even more difficult, since one of the features of current

employment, especially in subsistence agriculture, is that some of the jobs do not result in enough income to lift even the employed persons out of poverty.

The report observed that some of the states with the largest employment in agriculture also happen to be the states with the highest poverty rates, noting that many of the people who are employed are still living in poverty despite their employment.

“For example, although Sokoto State had an unemployment rate of 14.3 per cent in 2018, majority of the people were employed in (presumably) subsistence agriculture (51 per cent of males and 3 per cent of females). The implication being that over 87 per cent of households were still living in poverty. In essence, it is not just jobs that are needed but decent jobs,” Agora said. The current approaches by government to tackling unemployment, while sometimes having merit, the

TETFUND Designates Unilorin as Innovation Hub for Academic Excellence, Releases N1bn Grant to Institution

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, (Unilorin), Kwara State, Prof. Abdulwahab Egbewole has disclosed that the management of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND) has designated the university as an innovation hub in order to advance the academic excellence of the university.

Already, he said TETFUND had released sum of N1 billion grant in order to facilitate the development of the innovation hubs in the institution.

Egbewole, stated this yesterday, during an annual interactive Ramadan Iftar with journalists held in Ilorin.

According to him, "I want to believe as an educational industry, we have been able to secure grant of cumulative of $100,000 for four of our colleagues.”

He added: “We have succeeded in getting over N1 billion from TETfund and the organisation has identified the university as an innovation hub funds’ disbursement."

The vice chancellor also disclosed the plan of the institution to introduce electric bus and intral-train services to ease transportation challenge of students and staff in

the University

He said the transportation issue was one major project he hopes to solve during his tenure as VC, hinting that aside the effort the institution was making on the railway transportation, “we are also looking at electric bus transportation.”

“The good thing about it is that this is open road few of our colleagues in the department of electrical engineering are already working on that model and because

we just released the Senate research grant, we are hoping that part of the grant will be used to work on that model,” he said.

The vice chancellor, noted that more buses would be released as discussions had been held with some of the people that intend to introduce more buses on the road.

“Transportation problem has reduced because we have created at least within our campus, from gate to the campus is a smooth ride, we are also looking at the

government of Kwara State to conclude the ongoing Tanke bridge project which will further reduce the transportation challenge,” he said.

The vice chancellor expressed optimism in making the institution the number one university in Nigeria, Africa and to be one of the prominent key players in the world before the completion of his tenure.

Egbewole, also expressed his willingness to support sports in all its ramification in the institution.

group hinted, have failed to resolve the problem because the majority of the approaches cannot reach the scale of what is required.

It listed the first of the common approaches as direct government employment, which it said, is particularly popular at the state and local government levels, although the federal government is not left out.

“Although it is easy to argue that the country needs more police personnel, more doctors, and more teachers, it is clear that government employment alone cannot solve the unemployment challenge.

“It is almost unfathomable to imagine the federal, state, and local governments combined being able to employ anywhere close to 3 million workers each year. This is even before you take into account their financial constraints,” the Abuja-based think-tank noted. Also, it contended that people with only primary education had a lower unemployment rate than people with basic certificates even though they presumably had more skills.

“Although there are issues such as skills mismatch and selectivity in employment, and there is still significant room for certification for specific skills, it does signify that more skills alone will not necessarily solve the unemployment challenge,” it noted.

It said the more recent approach was that of social investment or social transfers as signified by the expansion of programmes such as trader-moni, saying that with the scale of the challenge, this is unlikely to be a sustainable approach.

Agora called for a coherent strategy to tackle the unemployment challenge, explaining that if Nigeria

wants to see faster job growth, it must have faster economic growth.

“However, as we learned during the growth episodes in Nigeria in the early 2000s, growth alone does not imply jobs. There can be jobless growth and job-led growth. Specifically, what we need is growth in labour-intensive sectors,” it said.

On a macro level, it stated that the most likely path to job creation in Nigeria at the scale required, is to engineer growth in labour-intensive portions of value chains for export to large markets by resolving broader macro-economic challenges that limit growth across the board.

“This includes resolving the dysfunction of multiple rates in the foreign exchange market, and re-focusing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its mandate of keeping inflation at optimal levels.

“Targeted infrastructure spending in particular areas that increase the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports. This would include electricity, transport, and telecommunications investments in export processing zones.

“Developing and implementing an export-driven trade policy for labour-intensive value addition for export sectors...Developing a strategy to utilise our large diaspora network as well as our network of embassies and consulates to get Nigerian products into markets around the world.”

It further called for re-organising Nigeria’s technical and non-academic learning protocols, developing and implementing a strategy to reduce the costs of logistics, investing in certification and export processes training as well as implementing a productivity growth strategy for agriculture.

NESREA, Police Seal Up Ethanol Plant for Discharging Pollutants into Water

Micheal Olugbode in Abuja

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigeria Police Force have sealed up the Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited for contravening environmental law by discharging pollutants into public water system.

A statement yesterday, by the spokesperson of NESREA, Amaka Ejiofor explained: “On Monday, 17th April, 2023, at about 12.30 pm, the combined team of officials of the National Environmental Standards

and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA and Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command Headquarters sealed off a facility belonging to Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited situated along Gboko Road, Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, for discharging untreated effluent into water bodies thereby endangering human lives and the environment, and also flouting extant environmental laws and standards.”

Ejiofor, said the company, an ethanol production plant, which belongs to the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sector, uses cassava as its raw material,

noting that the production of ethanol using cassava was a wet process that required the installation of a functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), which would ensure that waste from these processes are well treated before being discharged into the environment. He insisted that the non-availability of the ETP was in clear violations of the provisions of the National Environmental (Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Industries) Regulations 2009 S.I No.36 and National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I No.28.

She disclosed that in March 2023, the Facility Consultant (NESREA Accredited) carried out an Environmental Compliance Monitoring (ECM), and the Report of the Effluent analyzed by the Consultant was submitted to the NESREA Field Office Makurdi on the 16th April, 2023. The Report revealed that most of the parameters analysed from the Effluent were above NESREA Permissible level as provided under the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I N0.28, adding that the facility had earlier been issued notices of compliance

concerns to halt production until a functional ETP is fully installed but it failed to comply.

She said NESREA subsequently moved in to avoid further endangering of lives of residents who use water from the river for their basic household needs. This was in conformity with the provisions of the NESREA Act 2007 (as Amended), which allows the agency to carry out such enforcement activity in situations where it becomes expedient and necessary to halt an action posing imminent danger to human life, animal the environment.

L-R: Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria, Joseph Nnanna; GM/Group Head, Business Development, BUA Group, Tajudeen Ahmed, and Director, Business Development, IHS Nigeria Ltd, Gimba Mohammed, at the Africa Business Convention, held in Lagos…recently

Buhari Hosts Nigerian Traditional, Spiritual Leaders to Iftar in Makkah

Prayers offered for outgoing govt, incoming administration

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

As part of his eight-day official engagements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Muhammadu Buhari hosted religious and traditional leaders from across the six geopolitical zones of the country at an Iftar dinner (breaking of fast).

At the end of the event, Buhari,

according to a statement issued yesterday, by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, underscored the policy of his administration to develop all parts of the country without discrimination.

He expressed the hope that the special occasion of Ramadan would deepen the spirit of harmony in our nation and inspire citizens to work

hard for the country and care for those who are in need.

The president appreciated his guests, the traditional and spiritual leaders, whom he said, “have the unity of the country so deep-rooted in the mind of every one of you.”

Prayers were offered for peace in the country, the successful end of the term of the President and

for the success of the incoming administration.

Speaking to newsmen after the visit, Emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero respectively, said only a united country could move forward and attain its goals.

The religious leaders in attendance

AFTER FOILING A BRAZEN ELECTORAL COUP, INEC DECLARES FINTIRI RE-ELECTED

National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, declared Adamawa State Governor, Ahmad Fintiri, winner of the March 18 governorship election and returned him re-elected. Fintiri, who ran on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led his closest rival, Senator Aisha Binani of All Progressives Congress (APC), with 32, 073 votes difference.

But the repercussions of the unwholesome events that attended the rerun poll, held following the inconclusive March 18 election, continued to unfold. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, yesterday, ordered the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde, to withdraw from the state with immediate effect. Baba ordered Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Etim Equa, to immediately proceed to Adamawa State for election security.

In a similar vein, INEC wrote to the IGP to demand investigation and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari.

In Abuja, the Federal High Court, yesterday, declined to hear an application by the governorship candidate of APC in Adamawa State seeking to restrain INEC from invalidating her purported declaration as winner of the governorship election. The court said Binani’s lawyers must first address the issues of jurisdiction.

Binani's desperate quest to emerge first elected female governor in Nigeria firmly registered her in the hall of infamy by the way she and her co-conspirators tried to subvert the electoral process and ultimately the will of the people.

Although the application for

leave to bring the application for judicial review was contained in an ex-parte application filed on April 17, 2023, the court fixed the hearing for April 26, 2023.

The leadership of PDP had earlier called on Inspector General of Police to arrest the Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, Ari, and others alleged to have aided the unapproved results announcement in the governorship election. PDP likened Ari’s illegal pronouncement of Binani as winner, while collation of the rerun results were still on-going, to a civilian coup.

A pro-democracy group, Yiaga Africa, in a statement by Dr. Hussain Abdu and Samson Itodo, also asked the police authorities to arrest and prosecute everyone alleged to have aided Ari in the illegal result announcement.

Similarly, the Nigeria Civil Situation Room, otherwise known as the Situation Room, said there was need to revisit the nomination process for INEC national commissioners with a view to triggering another electoral reform.

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, paid a solidarity visit to his Adamawa State counterpart over the thorny governorship election. Makinde, during the visit, lamented the delay in the conclusion and announcement of the rerun poll results.

Nevertheless, the INEC Returning Officer (RO) in Adamawa State, Professor Mohammed Mele, said Fintiri scored 430,861 votes to defeat Binani, who scored 398,788 votes to come second in the election.

Announcing the results of the supplementary election held on

April 15, Mele said the number of registered voters was 42, 929; number of accredited voters 16, 423; total valid votes 15, 999; rejected votes 399; and total votes cast 16, 398. He said the PDP candidate scored 9, 337 votes to defeat the APC candidate, who scored 6, 513 votes in the supplementary elections. Mele said at the governorship elections held on March 18, the total registered voters was 219,656; total accredited voters 876,387; total valid votes 853,819; rejected votes 15,287; and total votes cast 869,106.

Shortly after the declaration, Fintiri, in his acceptance speech, said, “Today, history was made, because the supporters of the PDP administration reaffirmed your willingness to support the good work we have started in Adamawa State.

"It is made because we have reached a consensus that Adamawa State must work. It is made because we have collectively agreed that we desire a better Adamawa that is lifted from depths of despair to the great high hope with the belief that each of us is at liberty to aspire to any height without any human

hindrance.

"Welcome to Adamawa of our dreams. Here, we decide the fate of governance by ourselves, we rise or fall together as one people, we have perfected the art of winning for our dear state. This time, again, we won; Adamawa State won.”

The governor appreciated citizens of the state for their resilience, patience, and maturity in the face provocative triggers that could have otherwise landed them in flames.

He told the people of Adamawa, "You demonstrated restraint and civility, you waited patiently for INEC to announce the date for the rerun elections for the affected areas.”

But Binani denied giving anybody N2 billion to declare her winner of the governorship election. She disclosed this via a press statement she personally signed.

The APC candidate said in the statement, “My attention has been drawn to a very bizarre, unfounded wild allegations purportedly made by an officer of the Department of State Services to the effect that I, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed ( Binani), gave out the sum of N2 billion to

were Malam Abubakar Abdulwaheed Sulaiman, the Chief Imam of Aso Rock Villa, Sheikh Al-Kanawi Alhassan Ahmed, Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, Muhammad Kamaluddeen Lemu, Nuruddeen Danesi Asunogie, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Adiatu and Sheikh Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah.

Others were Alhaji Ibrahim Kasuwar Magani, Professor Shehu

procure a favourable declaration as governor-elect to some unnamed INEC staff. I never did; I would never do such.

“This said statement was allegedly made when the officer was being tortured at gunpoint by the agents of the Adamawa State governor and the Government House police team alongside their political thugs.

“I wish to reiterate that I am a democrat. I have always been a committed democrat and will never do anything to subvert democratic process. I am not a do-or-die politician. In the past, I have won elections into the House of Representatives and the Senate in a free and fair manner.

“What happened in Adamawa was an unsuccessful attempt to subvert the will of the people. The REC was illegally told to stand down by two INEC national commissioners from Abuja, who were supposed to be in Adamawa in a supervisory capacity.

Ahmed Sa’id Galadanchi and Alhaji Bala Lau.

The President had also met the Otaru of Auchi, Dr Aliru Highbred Momoh, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Mamman Bage, Emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Adamu Sulaiman, Akadiri Saliu Momoh, Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emetumah, Fatima Ijeoma Emetumah and Alhaji Isa Sanusi Bayero.

bizarre declaration same day after the visit that they have taken over the collation through the backdoor, with the Collation and Returning Officers selected by the governor of Adamawa.

“The roles of these INEC officers from Abuja and the real mission of the two to the Government House should be of interest to all democrats. I urge all lovers of democracy to take a deeper interest in our electoral process and democracy not only in Adamawa but in the whole country.

“Meanwhile, to all my supporters, both within and outside Adamawa, I wish to use this opportunity to thank you for your unflinching support, in the midst of half-truths and opposition smear propaganda. Thank you.”

IGP Replaces Adamawa CP, Moves to Probe Malfeasance

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, yesterday, ordered the Commissioner of Police on election duty in Adamawa State, Mohammed Barde, to withdraw

“Even more curious is the nocturnal visit of some INEC national officers to Adamawa State Government House and Continued on page 11

COURT NULLIFIES BUHARI'S REMOVAL OF ARARUME AS NNPC LTD CHAIRMAN

National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

This was just as some industry analysts yesterday stressed that the stability of the NNPC should be top priority at this moment.

Justice Ekwo in a judgment held that Ararume's removal by President Muhammadu Buhari contravened provisions of the NNPC Ltd laws as well as the Company's and Allied Matters Act.

The judge consequently made an order reinstating Ararume as the Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC Ltd Board with immediate effect.

Ararume had last year dragged Buhari to court over his removal as the Chairman of the Board of the NNPC Ltd.

Ararume had demanded a whopping sum of N100 billion as damages caused him due to the

OPERATORS SEEK ALIGNMENT BETWEEN NUPRC, NMDPRA IN OIL REGULATION

of the oil industry had created overlap that had caused them operational risks and discouragement to investment in the industry.

While highlighting the plethora of challenges facing the sector such as steady decline in investment, oil theft, subdued oil and gas production and other issues that discourage them to remain in the business, the operators called on the incoming administration to tackle those challenges to save the industry from further collapse.

The operators comprising the international oil companies (IOCs) and Nigerian independent oil and gas produced expressed this disappoint during CEO Roundtable on energy at the ongoing sixth Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) holding in Abuja.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who confirmed the overlap between the regulatory agencies, while speaking at another session at the summit, noted that his agency was effectively implementing the provisions of the Petroleum Industry (PIA) in order to enable businesses in the industry.

The CEO Roundtable, with the theme: "Building Energy for Tomorrow", which was moderated by the Managing Director of Tenaris Nigeria, Mrs. Rosario Osobase, had panelists including Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater, TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria, Mr. Victor Bandele; Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Rick Kennedy; and Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie

Okunbor as members.

Others were the Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Dr. Philip Mshelbila; Executive Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr. Oladotun Isiaka; Chief Operating Officer, Oando Energy Resources Limited, Dr. Alex Ainojie Irune, and Executive Chairman of AA Holdings, Mr. Austin Avuru.

The operators said the ugly state of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, characterised by rampant oil theft and other security challenges, debts owed some of them by the government, the steady decline in investment, subdued oil and gas production, and other discouraging elements give them sleepless nights.

In his remarks, Isiaka, who said the PIA had brought some fiscal clarity into the oil and gas business, categorically knocked the NUPRC and NMDPRA over the misalignment in their regulatory roles and policies.

But in terms of planning and working to guarantee energy future for Nigeria, he said what was needed as far as Nigeria was concerned was in doing things that would improve the country's competitiveness.

Isiaka stated, "We need to ensure that over the next few years, we do not worsen the ease of doing business and the country will not have additional risk, which then results in exposures, which then means that projects that are otherwise profitable will become less-competitive within the global atmosphere.

"And I'll use two examples to

further buttress what I'm talking about here. It will be contentious but as of today, there exists significant misalignment between the two regulatory agents; misalignment that has created overlaps, overlaps that create gaps, gaps that create risks for us as operators, in certain instances, legal exposure.

"This particular example has the capability of making otherwise profitable opportunities less-attractive. Another example is the regulations that are being put in place, some of those that are being gazetted so far are adding risk to the portfolio risk that could make opportunities that are otherwise profitable to become less-competitive.

"So that will be the way I'll address this. We have a lot of opportunities and for us to plan to move them forward is to continue to ensure that we continue to make sure the environment is easy for doing business."

He maintained that one major problem facing the industry, which gives him sleepiness was how to continue to attract funds to companies considering the waning investments in oil sector.

According to him, there have been steady decline in investments over the past 10 to 20 years, and the decline was alarming.

In his thoughts, Kennedy, who also expressed concerns about the problems bedeviling Nigerian oil and gas, said the industry was experiencing turbulent times.

"There are many things that keep me awake at night. these are uncertain and turbulent times. So what I tend to focus on in terms of

leadership is really our people or workforce. As long as we got a safe, efficient, reliable, clean operation was cost effective.

"It's our leadership and it's our people. And we are focused very much so on building the business acumen of the entire workforce. I want everybody to know how our business works and their role within that. And then no matter what happens, we can adapt as needed, to address any issue very quickly," he stated.

For Bandele, safety in operations, loss of required competent manpower and quality equipment were major challenges currently facing the Nigerian oil industry sector, blaming the ugly scenario on waning investments.

He opined, "We have started to have a trend which is a combination of the two of innovation, in that way, you have declining activity in the industry.

“What happens is the contractors that we use, the people that we call upon to work most times, they're not the best in class, because these workers are going to be present in areas where there is continuous investment.

“So, we are now faced with getting the wrong contractors, the majority of them are using Nigeria as second office. They will have a big office elsewhere and will have a tiny office in Nigeria. So, it's a trend that is alarming.

"We are wondering what's the quality of equipment that has been sent to the site. So, safety of

unlawful manner he was removed as Board Chairman after his name was used to incorporate the entity.

The president in a letter dated January 17, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had withdrawn Ararume's appointment without any reason whatsoever, hence legal action was commenced by the former Imo State senator.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/691/2022 was instituted on his behalf by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) comprising Chief Chris Uche, Ahmed Raji, Mahmud Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, K.C Nwufor and Gordy Uche.

Delivering judgment in the suit after dismissing a total of seven applications against its hearing, Justice Ekwo held that the case of the plaintiff had merit and subsequently ruled in his favour.

According to the judge, the laws guiding the NNPC as well as the Petroleum Industry Act does not empower the President with powers to arbitrarily remove a director from the board of the NNPC, adding that with the new status of the NNPC under the Company's and Allied Matters Act, NNPC is not a statutory agency under the federal government.

Furthermore, Ekwo held that Buhari was wrong when he went ahead to remove Ararume as Board Chairman without following the due process of the law.

According to the judge, before a member of the board of the NNPC including the non-Executive chairman can be removed from office; there must be a concrete allegation against him or her, the person must be confronted with the said allegation and provided with an opportunity to defend itself.

Ekwo dismissed the claim of the NNPC Ltd that Ararume was removed because he was not qualified, involved in contract fraud, amongst others, noting that no evidence of such was contained in the January 17 letter, for his withdrawal.

According to the judge the defense by NNPC was an exercise in futility at manufacturing reasons for Ararume's removal.

The judge held that the removal of Ararume without fair hearing by the president was, "wrong and cannot be tolerated by a court of law", adding that the, "plaintiff has proved his case, he was not legally and properly removed. I determine question 1 in the positive; 2 in the negative; 3 in the negative and 4 in the positive".

Justice Ekwo also held that the plaintiff having proved his case was entitled to damages.

The court held that the president's letter of January 17, without complying with the NNPC's and CAMA laws, "is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no consequence and is hereby set aside.

While the judge made an order reinstating the plaintiff back to office as non-Executive Chairman of the Board of the NNPC Ltd, another order was made nullifying all the actions and decisions made so far by the board without Ararume.

Justice Ekwo held that Ararume was entitled to damages over the unlawful manner he was removed and consequently awarded damages in the sum of N5 billion.

Ararume had in his suit, formulated four issues for determination by the court among which was whether in view of the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NNPC, Companies and Allied Matters Act 2010 and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the office of the non-Executive Chairman is not governed and regulated by the stated provisions of the law.

He had also asked the court to determine whether by the interpretation of Section 63 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the president could lawfully remove him as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC for any reason outside the provisions of the law.

The Imo politician had also asked the court to determine whether Buhari could sack him without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the Articles of Memorandum of Association of the Company, section 63 (3) of the PIA Act 2021 and section 288 of the

SECOND MEMORIAL MASS SERVICE FOR LATE DR. OMOIGUI...

AFTER FOILING A BRAZEN ELECTORAL COUP, INEC DECLARES FINTIRI RE-ELECTED

from the state.

The Force Headquarters, in a statement, said, “The IGP has given directive that the Commissioner of Police on election security in Adamawa State, CP Barde, should pull out of Adamawa State and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Gombe State, CP Etim Equa to proceed to Adamawa immediately, to go and supervise election and provide necessary information and ensure that the process is a success.”

The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the police high command would investigate the failed electoral heist in Adamawa.

The police said, "We have not received any letter but we will carry out thorough investigation on the Adamawa incident in collaboration with INEC.

"So, if INEC sends in any letter, we will treat it as recommended as well. Also, the IGP has ordered the redeployment of the CP election Adamawa and replaced him with CP Gombe, CP Etim Oqua, who has been directed to proceed to Yola immediately for the conclusion of the guber election process in Adamawa. We are committed to having a more secure and successful process in Adamawa."

INEC Writes IGP, Demands Investigation, Prosecution of Ari

Soon after concluding the Adamawa State governorship election, INEC, yesterday, wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, demanding investigation and prosecution of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari.

The commission took the decision at its meeting yesterday in Abuja. A tweet via it verified Twitter handle said the commission, wrote, "At its meeting today, 18th April 2023, the commission discussed matters arising from the Adamawa governorship election and decided to:

"Write to the Inspector-General of Police for the immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

"Request the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to draw the attention of the appointing authority to the unwholesome behaviour of the REC for further action.” It announced that the collation process would resume at a time to be determined by the Returning Officer.

How Court Declined Binani’s Emergency Application

The Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, declined to hear an application by the governorship candidate of APC in Adamawa State seeking to restrain INEC from invalidating her purported declaration as winner of the governorship election, saying her lawyers must first address the issues of jurisdiction.

Binani had Monday approached the court for leave to file an application for judicial review of the administrative decision of INEC made on April 16th in respect of her announcement as winner of the governorship election of Adamawa State held on March 18 and the supplementary election of April 15.

However, when the matter was called yesterday, Justice Inyang Ekwo, who told Binani's lawyer, Mr Mohammed Sherif, to first address the court on issues of jurisdiction, said the governorship hopeful was to file her address on whether the court had jurisdiction to hear the application within two days.

Although one Hafis Matonmi had announced appearance for Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and candidate of PDP, the court still declined to hear him on the grounds that he had not been served with court processes on the matter.

Binani, alongside her party, APC, were in the application seeking an order of Prohibition and Certiorari, preventing the electoral umpire and its agents from taking any further steps towards the declaration of the winner of the elections pending the determination of her application for judicial review.

Sued with the commission were PDP and Fintiri listed as first, second, and third defendants, respectively.

The application was brought pursuant to order 34 Rules 1a, order 3(1) & 3(2) a, b, c, Order 6 of the Federal High Court (civil procedure rules) 2019 and Section 251 (1)q & r of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 149 & 152 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Arguing the grounds upon which the application was brought, Binani contended, "The only court with power on a declaration made from the conduct of an election is only the Election Petition Tribunal set up by the 1999 Constitution."

According to her, after the completion of vote in the supplementary governorship election of April 15, and the subsequent collation of same results, INEC declared her as the winner of the gubernatorial election and she was thereby returned as elected.

The applicant said pursuant to the declaration, any dissatisfied candidate should resort to the tribunal for redress, if any.

She faulted the cancellation of her declaration on April 16 based on some crisis caused by PDP and Fintiri, stressing that INEC "has no

powers to cancel or declare the declaration as null and void."

Continuing, she stated, “INEC after the declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed as the winner usurped the powers of the Election Petition Tribunal and declared the declaration null and void. The 1st respondent does not have the requisite powers to declare an election in which the winner has been declared null and void."

Binani, through her lawyers, led by Hussaini Zakariyau, SAN, submitted that a judicial review existed to enable the superior court checkmate the actions and decisions of inferior courts as well as the legislative and administrative arms of government, including agencies and public officers.

The applicant further submited that INEC, being an agency of the government, could have its actions, records and decisions checked by the court and only a court could nullify the actions of an INEC official and not INEC itself.

PDP Asks IGP to Prosecute Ari, Police Commissioner, Others

Acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, yesterday, called on the IGP to arrest the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Adeniyi, the INEC REC, Mallam Hudu Ari, and all others alleged to have aided the unapproved governorship election results announcement in the state.

Damagum, who described Ari’s action as equivalent to an attempted civilian coup, urged INEC to order the immediate continuation and completion of the result of the supplementary election, as continued delay was already causing tension in the state.

According to the PDP chairman, the subversive conduct of Ari must not go unpunished. Damagum said, "We restate our demand that INEC should without further delay hand over Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari to the police for investigation and prosecution

"The action of the Adamawa State REC is a reckless, inexcusable and unpardonable assault on our democracy, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and the manifest will of the people of Adamawa State, which they expressed in voting en masse for the PDP.

"This action by Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari amounts to a ‘Civilian Coup’ with the intention to take control and install an illegal government in Adamawa State contrary to the provision of Section 1 Sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

"For clarity, Section 1 Sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)

provides: ‘The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution’.

"The Inspector General of Police should, as a matter of urgency, remove, investigate and sanction the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police for providing cover and enabling the perpetration of this grievous criminal act against our democracy."

The PDP chairman said the party, majority of Nigerians, and, indeed, the international community had become worried that in spite of the results of the election, as obtained from the polling units, which showed Fintiri in clear lead, INEC had continued to delay the conclusion of official collation, announcement and declaration of the rightful winner of the election.

Damagum stated, "This continuing delay is heightening tension in Adamawa State and is capable of triggering a serious breakdown of law and order in the state, which is already overstretched as a result of the many perverse activities of the heavily compromised Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari.

"It is, therefore, imperative and urgent that INEC does the needful and save Adamawa State from serious crisis by directing the Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele, to immediately conclude collation, declare the final results and return the rightful winner, Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa State.”

On Binani’s legal action to reclaim her 'mandate', the PDP national legal adviser, Kamarudeem Ajibade (SAN), said the party was aware that she was already in court.

Ajibade said, "They are seeking an ex-parte order and therefore when contacted, the party will respond appropriately. We have not been served and more over, the matter is now in court."

Makinde Visits Fintiri, Laments Delay in Rerun Outcome

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, paid a solidarity visit to his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, over the electoral crisis in the state and lamented the delay in announcing the outcome of the elections.

Makinde appealed to INEC to do the right thing in order to redeem its name before the international community and well-meaning Nigerians. He called on PDP supporters in the state to remain calm and maintain law and order, adding that the party at the top would not allow anybody

to trample on its mandate. INEC had suspended Ari with immediate effect, after first summoning him and other officials to its headquarters in Abuja.

The commission, in a letter by its secretary, Rose Ariaran-Anthony, directed the REC to stay away from its Adamawa office until further notice. It directed the commission’s administrative secretary in the state to take full charge of the activities of the commission.

Ari’s suspension followed the illegal announcement of Binani as winner of the Adamawa governorship supplementary election, when collation was still ongoing.

Yiaga Wants All Security Personnel Involved Tried

Yiaga Africa, a pro democracy group, demanded that all those involved in the Adamawa governorship election imbroglio should be arrested and tried for undermining democracy.

In a statement by Dr. Hussain Abdu and Samson Itodo, the group also asked INEC to urgently conclude the collation process and declare the official results based on results announced at the polling units and uploaded on the IReV portal."

It further called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate to initiate removal proceedings against the Adamawa REC in defence of the constitution, independence of INEC, and the overall integrity of the electoral process.

Yiaga also urged the police and INEC to swiftly prosecute the Adamawa REC for gross misconduct, insubordination and fraud.

Yiaga said in the statement, "In addition, the attacks on two the National Commissioners deployed to oversee the supplementary elections in Adamawa should be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

"The Inspector General of Police, Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and Director General of the Department of State Services should thoroughly investigate and sanction its officers involved in this criminal subversion of the electoral process."

Yiaga further called for a comprehensive and independent audit of the 2023 general election as an imperative for inspiring public confidence and ensuring accountability for operational lapses, constitutional and electoral legal framework violations, and cases of subversion of the people’s vote.

Situation Room Pushes for Fresh Electoral Reforms

The Nigeria Civil Situation Room, otherwise known as the Situation Room, yesterday, said there was

need to revisit the nomination process for national commissioners at INEC and by so doing, engender another electoral reform.

While recommending the prosecution of all indicted INEC officials to serve as a deterrent, the Situation Room said rogue election officials and their politician sponsors must be prosecuted if the ugly trend must be reversed.

A statement issued in respect of the 2023 supplementary elections held on Saturday, 15th April 2023, in 23 states of the federation, stated that the shortcomings witnessed at the supplementary polls were similar to what was experienced during the February 25 presidential/National Assembly election and March 18 governorship/ State Assembly polls.

It lamented the current system of appointment of RECs and National Commissioners of INEC, who were being appointed by partisan political interests.

According to the Situation Room, "It also represents the failure of the National Assembly to scrutinise the nominees as required by law and going ahead in confirming partisan persons into INEC at all levels.

"It is important to revisit the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, which in 2010 recommended steps to appoint independent persons into INEC."

In addition, the Situation Room said it was shocking to behold the illegal declaration of the supplementary governorship election result in Adamawa State by Ari.

It, however, welcomed the action taken by the headquarters of INEC to declare as unlawful the action of the REC in Adamawa State and suspend him from further duties. It urged the commission to follow up with a proper investigation into what transpired and apply sanctions as necessary.

Atiku, PDP Govs’ Forum, Party Leadership Congratulate Fintiri

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, the party’s governors’ forum, and the PDP leadership congratulated Fintiri on his re-election.

Atiku, in a congratulatory message he signed said, "Congratulations, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, on your deserved re-election as governor of Adamawa State.

"Thank you to the people of Adamawa and men and women of goodwill for staying the course in resisting coupists and enemies of democracy from having their way.

“The lesson from this exercise and others is the need for Nigerians to be vigilant and never give in to antidemocratic forces whose objective is

Vice President, Women Development, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Rose Nwosu (left) and Former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui- Okauro at the 2nd. Memorial mass service of Dr. Nowamagbe Austin Omoigui held at the Holy Trinity Church Maitama, Abuja ….yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

LAUNCH OF NEW POLICY CENTRE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS IN WESTMINSTER...

Peter Obi Urges Supporters to Remain Calm, Steadfast to the Course

Says he is not afraid of lies, propaganda against him Labour party’s NEC sacks Apapa-led NWC, reaffirms confidence in Abure We'll meet in court, Apapa declares

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast in their journey of reclaiming their mandate of what he described as a ‘New Nigeria.’

According to a statement, Obi made the remark yesterday, during Labour Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Asaba, Delta State, where leadership of the party met to discuss pressing issues.

This was even as the NEC party again suspended its Acting National Chairman, Bashir Apapa; the National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi and others, and thereafter set up a disciplinary committee to look into the matter.

But the embattled Acting National Chairman, Apapa, has again dared the party, describing the outcome of the Asaba meeting as inconsequential.

Speaking during the meeting, Obi explained that he never expected the journey to New Nigeria to be an easy one, saying that the forces who had, over the years, lived off the old order, were bound to fight back, as is being experienced now. He said, "if they come at us through

land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation.

Obi vowed that he would never give up on the journey, until victory was achieved.

Obi explained that he never expected the journey to a ‘New Nigeria’ to be an easy one, saying the forces who had, over the years, lived off the old order, were bound to fight back, as was being experienced now.

He said, "if they come at us through land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation.

“We are on the right path, and we will remain committed to the course."

Obi reiterated his commitment to a, “Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.”

He maintained that the struggle to reclaim the mandate was not about him, as a person, but about millions of Nigerians who reposed their trust on him through their votes.

"The millions of Nigerians who voted for me did not just cast their votes, but they invested their hope

Glo Celebrates

in me. They deserve justice.

“So we must stay the course. And beyond regaining our mandate, I am committed to lifting people out of poverty. I remain committed to transforming Nigeria, starting from the North to every part of the nation," Obi stated.

He further revealed that there may be more mudslinging on him from those against the emergence of the New Nigeria, saying he would never be deterred by the obstacles along the way to victory.

"I have always lived my life in the most law abiding manner possible. Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law. I am, therefore, not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person. They are part of the journey to a New Nigeria," Obi added.

Meanwhile, the NEC of the party has upheld the earlier suspension

of some of its key officials led by Apapa and Arabambi. This came after the LP NEC rose from its meeting in Asaba yesterday. The National Youth Leader, Eragbe Anslem; Saleh Lawal- Deputy National Secretary; Rawland Daramola- National Financial Secretary; Reuben Favour - National Vice - Chairman, South - South; Secretary; Samuel Akingbade, National Legal Adviser and Mohammed Akali, National Vice - Chairman, North- East, were also suspended.

A communique which was signed by the Deputy National Chairman, Ladi IIiya, and Deputy National Secretary, Kennedy Ahanotu, explained that they were suspended over alleged anti- party activities. It read: "NEC in session examined the anti-party activities of some of its members and resolved as follows: “Reaffirm and uphold the deci-

sion of the Akure convention which expelled from the party Comrade Arabambi Abayomi.

“NEC considered the disciplinary committee report which recommended the suspension of Anselm Eragbe and recommended the same to the next convention for expulsion. Pending the next convention, NEC suspends him indefinitely.

“The NEC however constituted a disciplinary Committee to include Ladi Illiya, Rotimi Adekunle, Kennedy Ahanotu, Yunusa Tanko and Chief Tony Ezeagwu.

“Those appointed to fill in vacant positions were the Kennedy Ahanotu- National Youth Leader; acting National Publicity Secretary - Mr. Obiora Ifoh, and acting National Legal Adviser - Edun Kehinde.”

Others are: Chief Rotimi Kehinde, Deputy National Secretary and Chief Anthony Ezeagwu acting National

Vice Chairman (S/S).

“NEC in session considered the expiration of the current National Working Committee that will lapse in June and stated inter alia, it is the considered opinion of NEC and in view of recent events in our party, considering the controversies and bad blood generated by elective convention, conscious of the numerous court cases; presidential, governorship, Senatorial, and House of Assemblies, the need to remain focused and reorganise the party.

“It is most malapropos to convene a National Convention. Consequently, NEC extended the tenure of the current NWC for 12 months. which is in line with our party’s constitution in article 13 (2) (B) IX.

“Finally, the NEC in session reposes implicit confidence in Abure's led National Working Committee (NWC).”

FG Unveils Five-year Internal Security Strategic Plan

government yesterday, unveiled a five-year strategic plan to boost the country’s internal security.

Business Partners,

Doles Out Houses, Cars, Other Prizes

Globacom has celebrated its business partners across the country with mouth-watering gifts including houses, brand new cars and household appliances.

The prizes were doled out by the company at the 2023 Dealers’ Appreciation Gala Dinner events held simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Jos and Kaduna for dealers in those regions. The dealers rewarded were those who achieved agreed targets in 2022.

According to a statement, a total of 70 dealers across the five cities received the different prizes.

While 14 Category one dealers received keys to state-of-the-art houses, 37 Categories two, three and four dealers were presented with premium brand new cars. The final set of dealers in Category five, who were 19 in number, received assorted valuable household items.

Globacom said the prizes were in continuation of the company’s tradition of rewarding and upholding excellence among its partners, especially those who met the established threshold across the regions.

It acknowledged the critical role the dealers have played in the outstanding successes recorded by the company in the last 20 years, and pledged to continue to support them in meeting their individual business goals and aspirations.

The dealers were effusive in their praise of Globacom and particularly the Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., for delighting and supporting them.

Speaking at the Lagos event, a frontline dealer, Managing Director of Yarab Integrated Limited, Alhaji Mobolaji Abdulrasaq, commended Globacom for what he called, “appreciative gesture”, which according

to him would definitely spur the dealers to do much more.

In Abuja, the Managing Director of Zeph Associates, Mr. Tochukwu Nwosu, whose company won two brand new bungalow houses alongside other Category 1 dealers said, “Globacom has delighted its trade partners tonight and on behalf of my fellow dealers, we say thank you”. Also in Port Harcourt, Mr. Nonso Osinike, CEO of Lustre Communication said, “This is great, we are very happy. Glo has done well”. His company also won a brand new bungalow.

Chief Jideofor Agudosi of Emy-V Global and Lady Blessing Agbara of Allasimal Exault who both won cars in Jos said the awards signified the premium Globacom placed on its dealers, just as Mr Olalekan Abdulrasaq of Luktec Resources Concept Limited said he was proud to be a Glo dealer.

Speaking at the launch of the plan in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said due to the importance of internal security to national security and prosperity, the importance of the strategic plan cannot be overemphasised.

He said the five-year plan for the Ministry and its Services and Board was the aftermath of the second Ministerial Strategy Retreat held in Ilorin, Kwara State in 2021, where decision was reached to develop a strategic plan that would serve as a guide for all the programmes, projects and policies of the ministry, its Services and Board in attaining its overall ministerial mandate of fostering the maintenance of internal security and citizenship integrity for the promotion of good governance.

Aregbesola, revealed that the plan would be implemented through the ministry's agencies and board including the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

He noted that: "The Ministry of Interior is integral to national

security and prosperity in a way that many do not readily grasp,” adding that: “These are done through the four services of: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), monitoring comings and goings at our borders and ensures that those who are likely to harm us and our welfare from the outside are kept at bay.”

He said: “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) complements the police and other law enforcement agencies in combating crime and intelligence gathering while the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), keeps custody of those lawfully sentenced or awaiting trial and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) respond to fire and other emergencies."

The minister further explained that, “the Ministry also registers marriage and regulates the presence of foreigners in our midst, insisting that these services are essential to the security of any nation and wellbeing of the people.”

He said: “Though there are still challenges here and there, but thousands of thousands of cases that would have put the nation into chaos are addressed daily and nipped in the bud. This has enabled us sleep with

both eyes closed and go about our daily business without any fear or worry.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, while giving more insights about the workings of the plan, said it targets the achievement of set goals and objectives of the ministry, its agencies and board for both mid and long terms.

He said: "The strategic plan provides directions for both long and short term plans as well as analyse current internal security situations in Nigeria, looks into daily security challenges as well as the overall security architecture and national security policies.

“Another section of the plan looks at the strategy implementation and all that is required to implement it.”

Belgore, said the key pillars of the plan was safety and security, provision of internal security, citizenship integrity, transparency and service delivery.

He revealed that: “The plan includes the establishment of a central security database that aligns natural human resources for safety and security.”

He added that other highlights of the plan include the strengthening of the marriage registry and the expatriate quota considerations.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

In order to tackle rising security threats in the country, the federal

L-R:Communications Officer, Centre for Commonwealth Affairs, Oliver Scheidt; Vice Patron of Nigeria-Britain Association, Mr. Phil Hall OBE;President of Nigeria-Britain Association, Abimbola Okoya; and Director of Centre for Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Sam Bidwell, at the launch of the New Policy Centre for Commonwealth Affairs in Westminster Hall, Westminster, London, United Kingdom...recently

Obi, Soludo’s Hard Fought Battle for Ogbaru Federal Constituency Seat

After the February 25, 2023 National Assembly elections in Anambra State, where Labour party, led by the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, put up a strong showing across the country, and especially in Anambra State, it became expedient for other political actors in Anambra State, especially the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to buckle up, as the Obi hurricane may end up blowing all positions to LP if care is not taken.

In the National Assembly elections, Labour party had taken two out of the three Senate seats in the state. In the House of Representatives elections, out of the 11 federal constituencies in the state, Labour Party clinched five seats, leaving APGA, the ruling party in the state with four, while YPP won one seat in Orumba North and South Federal Constituency.

One seat was however declared inconclusive, and that was Ogbaru, where Hon Victor Afam Ogene, a journalist and former House of Representatives member, who was the candidate of LP was already clearly in a lead, before it was declared inconclusive as a result of diverse issues, including violence.

Meanwhile, the supplementary poll for the constituency, which held on Saturday, proved a hard battle, as Soludo who had awaken after the first shock of LP winning majority seats in the national assembly, was able to braze up and clinch the majority seat in the 30-man assembly on March 18, where APGA took 16 seats, as opposed to LP’s eight seats.

The three leading candidates for the supplementary poll held last Saturday were: Hon Afam Ogene of Labour Party (LP); Chuchu Onyema of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Hon Arinze Awogu of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

All candidates were also backed by strong power brokers in the state. They were former Anambra State governor, and presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; former Minister of Aviation and incumbent Senator representing Anambra North, Princess Stella

Oduah and national leader of APGA and governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, respectively.

Obi had two days to the Saturday poll engaged in aggressive campaign to his supporters in Ogbaru to vote for the LP candidate.

Obi told Ogbaru people that: “Ogene is a good candidate, who is humble, loyal and honest”, and would ensure that the development of Ogbaru was not neglected. While on a road-show campaign tour of the wards in the Ogbaru Federal Constituency, where INEC was slated to conduct the election, Obi stopped at various points in the federal constituency seat, to present the LP candidate to the people.

Obi was accompanied by Senatorelect, Tony Nwoye, and Mr. Oseloka Obaze.

Obi said: “I am here to beg you to vote for us, vote for Labour Party, vote for Afam Ogene, we will support him, and, he will rebuild here (Ogbaru).

Remember that I built all these roads here when I was governor, if you vote for us in this Saturday re-run election, we will come back to thank you; Afam Ogene will develop this place.”

On the other hand, Oduah who is backing the PDP candidate, Onyema was no where around to campaign for his candidate, but THISDAY gathered that she also mobilized fully for him. Ogbaru has for a long time been the strong hold of PDP, with the Senator and House of Representatives member coming from the area, while the two assembly constituencies have also been won by the party, in the just concluded election.

For the APGA, even though the governor, Prof Soludo, was out of the country, his hands were visible in the area, as several of his lieutenants were on hand to mobilize support for Awogu, the APGA candidate.

A source from APGA said: “The governor mandated us to ensure victory for our candidate.”

To corroborate the above assertion, THISDAY saw several government officials who work under Soludo’s government at the area, even though they did no hail from the constituency where the supplementary election was holding.

This was also regardless of the restriction of movement order issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba.

In the area of vote buying, all the leading political parties worked hard to outdo each other, as they set up camps, to lobby prospective voters to vote for them and come back for monetary inducement. During the election, it was observed that voters got between N10,000

and N15,000 for their votes. An official of the state government, Hon Ifeanyi Okeoma, who also works as the commissioner for works who spoke with journalists at Okpoko said: “We are worried. For us (APGA), people should be able to vote their choices, without looking at any inducement.

We are hopeful that despite the high level of vote-buying, APGA will still win the election, because as you already know, Anambra is APGA land.”

But an agent of Labour Party, Mr Chinedu Eze, faulted Okeoma’s claims, saying APGA was responsible for all the vote-buying in the election, while wondering why almost all members of the Anambra executive council were deployed to Ogbaru for the election.

“I have seen the commissioner of works here, I have seen Dr Alex Obiogbolu, who is the special adviser on politics, I have also seen commissioner for Local Government, community and chieftaincy affairs, Tony Nwabunwanne here. None of them is from Ogbaru. So, if they are not buying votes, what are they doing here when there is restriction of movement?” Eze asked.

At the end of the supplementary election however, results collated by the INEC showed that the PDP candidate scored the highest number of votes, while the APGA candidate followed, with the LP candidate coming third, even though with very little margin. But when the results were merged with the result collated by INEC during the February 25 election, the LP candidate, Hon Victor Afam Ogene, carried the day.

The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Kingsley Ubaorji, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who announced the result at Atani, the headquarters of Ogbaru LGA, said Ogene of the Labour Party polled 10,851 votes of the total votes cast, followed by the candidate of the PDP who polled 10,619 votes, while APGA came third with 10,155 votes.

Jaji Eyes House Speakership Seat

Juliet Akoje reports that a returning member of the

signified interest in the Speakership of the 10th House

As the atmosphere gets tensed with aspirants from different geopolitical zones in Nigeria declaring their intentions for the Speakership position of the 10th House of Representatives, lawmakers that will be part of the 10th Assembly are already pitching their tent as secret meetings with the newly elected members of the 10th Assembly are currently ongoing.

Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to formally announce the zoning of the speakership position and other presiding and principal offices for the incoming national assembly, lobbying has commenced in earnest. One of the contenders who has been described as one with the needed inner andvpersonal qualities that constitute effective leadership is Hon Aminu Sani Jaji.

He is known for integrity, insight and inclusiveness, which are the essentials of leadership and good representation.

In the words of former US President Ronald Reagan, “the greatest leader is not necessarily the one that does the greatest things, he is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things”.

Former US General Collins Powell also said: “Greatest leaders are almost great simplifiers who can cut through arguments, debate to offer solutions everybody can understand”.

The above quotes by great men best describe Hon Sani Jaji, APC member-elect for Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency of Zamfara State.

Making his second appearance in the House, 49-year-old Jaji, the Garkuwan Matasan Arewa represented the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji

of Representatives

Jaji is said to be close to president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and has served as the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Tinubu and Shettima Presidential Campaign Organisation. He was also a collation agent for Tinubu at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The governor of Zamfara state, Hon, Mohammed Matawalle, is also said to be solidly behind his aspiration.

A well-heeled young man, Jaji is presently the National Coordinator of the renowned group, Baba For All, a group, which has traversed the length and breadth of the country reaching out to the needy and distressed people irrespective of religion, political affiliation, or ethnicity. With branches and presence in all 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

M.Sc in Environmental Management (BUK) and M.Sc in Criminal Law (ABU).

He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Walden University in America and also studied Leadership and Management in Health at Washington University.

Before delving into politics in 2008, Jaji worked with the Primary Health Care Department, Birnin Magaji as a Health Assistant between 1998 and 2000. In 2008, he emerged as the Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

By 2012, he shot into the limelight as the Chairman of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area in Zamfara State and concurrently the Secretary of the All Local Government Association of Nigeria (ALGON) in Zamfara State.

federal constituency of Zamfara State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Eighth Assembly (2015-2019) and served as chairman of the House Committee on National Security, Intelligence and Public Safety.

While in the House, he was said to have given a good account of himself serving on several committees and sponsoring many bills, among others.

A former gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 elections, he is the most visible young politician in Zamfara state. Jaji is a serious contender for the position of the speaker and if it is zoned to the North West, he will be the lawmaker to beat.

Jaji, who is a well educated lawmaker attended Birnin Magaji Model Primary School between 1987-1992, Government Secondary School, Kaura Namoda in 1992 where he graduated in 1998.

He obtained a National Diploma in Community Health (CHEW) at the Sultan Abdulrahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa, as well as an HND in Microbiology/Virology and National Certificate on Community Health Extension Worker.

In addition, Jaji has a B. Sc in Microbiology and a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Public Health from the Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU).

The lawmaker’s academic qualifications include four master’s degrees: M.Sc in Health Economics at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in 2013, MSc in Public Health at the Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN) in 2017,

Jaji is a thoroughbred grassroots politician and a renowned philanthropist who has impacted positively on the lives and well-being of his constituents building schools, mosques, hospitals and other infrastructure and social amenities across the length and breadth of the state.

The National Unity Group (NUG) had recently called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to zone the positions of Senate President to the South-east and that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the North-west zones of the country.

The National Chairman of the group, Dr. Omotayo Gbadebo, had noted that the zoning arrangement would heal the mounting high political tension, end killings, kidnapping for ransom across the nation, entrench peace, reconciliation and stability in the nation’s polity.

Jaji

Last Saturday during the supplementary House of Representatives election for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 poll, Mr Peter Obi and Anambra states Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, were not on the ballot, but they did battle, reports David-Chyddy Eleke.

Obi Soludo

Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole: H&H Foundation Focuses on the Boy-child to Safeguard the Girl-child, Family and Society

Impassioned by her natural love for humanity, Mrs. Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole left

career to pursue her dream of supporting the marginals and vulnerable members of the society, especially the male-child of all ages, matured men and the aged. In this interview

she explains her reasons for establishing the Elizabethan

otherwise known as H&H Foundation and the task ahead

Madam, I understand you left your bank job to start the H&H Foundation, could you let our readers know more about you?

I am Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole. I was born in 1970 into the family of Late Pa. Vincent & Deaconess Theresa Adeduro of Adaja Adeduro Compound in Ondo Town, Ondo State. I started my Primary Education at National Primary School, Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos, thereafter I proceeded for my Secondary School education in the same school - that was later changed to Community High School. I studied Accounting at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. In the quest for more knowledge I advanced my studies with a master’s degree in Financial Management from Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho.

Being a life-long learner, I’m still taking some additional courses to enrich my knowledge. I am a Certified Etiquette Consultant; an Associate Member, Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (2005), and a Fellow of Enterprise Risk Professionals.

In terms of my career, I have worked in several banks including the defunct Oceanic Bank International Plc (Now Ecobank), Bank PHB, FCMB, and WEMA Bank - serving in various Units and Departments and rising to Middle Level Management.

I sought for early retirement in 2021 to pursue my vision and passion for humanity and in Project Management. Beyond the Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation, I am also a board member of Ade Ologbonyo Foundation (formerly known as Lost Hope Foundation), the CEO of Tiffeys Concept, and the MD of Trust Designs Limited.

You talked about Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation which you are about to launch. Tell us more about the goals and mandate of the foundation?

Basically, the Foundation we are about to launch is about humanity, but the principle is constructed on life-circle-based interventions with a focus on the male gender. We offer a holistic intervention aimed at supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of the boy-child, teenagers, young adults, the aged, and others who are vulnerable in one way or the other.

More than 2.6 million young people aged 10 to 24 die each year in the world. These deaths are mostly due to preventable causes such as substance abuse. A 2022 report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4 per cent (14.3 million) of people aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs. Most of these people are within the category of boy-child and the young adults.

In Nigeria we know about several other incidents of abuse particularly sexual abuse of teenage boys. Most times there is not enough attention paid to the growth circle of the boy-child including their hormonal changes and body care. We are aware of these challenges ranging from socio-psychological to sociocultural issues.

The Foundation is set to attend to these needs and more. We have developed six platforms that will address different issues at different stages of life, ranging from “Rescue The Boyz” (RTB) to “Be Your Best” (BYB), “Cradle 2 Teens” (C2T), “Young Patriots” (YP), “Culture Vibez” (CV) and “Bland Lift” (BL). However, at the launch of thye Foundation, we shall also launch “Rescue The Boyz” (RTB). So, the Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation, and the Rescue the Boyz are the focus of the launch.

Could you elaborate on “Rescue The Boyz” (RTB) Platform?

“Rescue The Boyz” (RTB) is beyond the boys, let’s say male gender. You may want to ask why are we focusing on rescuing the boys and why are we not rescuing the girls? As a society we’ve been rescuing the girls and we’ll still continue to rescue the girls from various ills.

We believe that there’s so much focus on the girl child and we’re leaving the boys behind. In fact, we’ve left them behind almost to a level of neglect. How do we mean? We believe that the males are naturally strong, they’re talented, they can do things on their own, re-invent the wheel, withstand a lot of stress etc.

So, we’re making the mistake that the physical strength of a man is equal to his psychological and emotional strength. With that thought, we are not supporting the men in so many areas that they need to be supported because we believe they are super hero and super human, who can bear pains without expressing emotions when they need to.

Now, we have challenges as a society, as a nation and globally because we tend to focus on the girl child, train her, give her all it takes to be a good wife, a good mother; but we leave out the male child in this process. Let’s take a typical home, for example, when it comes to the issue of house chores, hardly do we find parents asking the male-child to join in the kitchen to cook or clean up.

It’s as if it’s a taboo for a male in the house to know how to cook or do things by himself. By hyping the men as “kings”, who have capacity to do everything, we are hyping them without giving them what it takes for them to be the best. So, we want to focus on the male-child to bring out the best in him.

Actually, it will be curious to some members of the society when you start talking about focusing on rescuing the boys. How do you think the society will respond to this your project?

I think the society will respond positively to this call to rescue the boys - because, if we look at it from the perspective of a parent; you’re not a parent because of the gender of your child. You’re a parent because you’re a parent! So, whatever good thing a girl child deserves, a boy child also deserves as well.

Why we have this twist is because, the world seems to have focused so

much on our girls and we are having challenges in our homes. The girls we are grooming now to be the best are expected to be submissive to the men, may be in this part of the world.

I think it’s a wake-up call for parents and it’s better for them to accept and support us, because we are focusing on a general problem. The few people we’ve engaged so far see it as a wake-up call, because, if you ask those who are older to tell you about how their children are faring in their marriages, I’ll tell you that a lot of our girls are going through a lot of challenges, to the point that some of them are fed up and some of our girls don’t want to get married anymore.

That’s the truth! So, if any parent is wise enough, and I believe parents want the best for their children, such parents will give us their support.

Is there any compelling reason why you left your banking job to set up this Foundation or engage in this project?

I’m a mother, not only a mother biologically, but also a mother to many foster children. When you look around and evaluate marriages these days, you would notice that the divorce rate is very alarming, and I’m asking; why are we having so much of it and what can we do?

In many cases we train girls to be the best in their husbands’ homes, but, we’re not preparing the men to be the best when they start raising their own families, because, we believe that they have what it takes to be good husbands and fathers without first raising them from cradle.

The society wants the girls to be submissive to men whose minds have not been prepared for marriage; of course, that scenario will breed challenges in the home. Therefore, we want to help the girls to enjoy their marriages, save marriages, and help the society by infusing the required support for the boy child who will eventually become the husband, father, and head of a family. We are equally interested in recovering the boy-child whose emotions may have been damaged by some cultural mindset that restricts his self-expression.

This is a very interesting project. But, I hope you know that running a foundation can be expensive. What are your plans in terms of funding this project?

First, let us not look at the cost of the project. Let us look at the value to humanity. If we place a value on humanity then we will understand

that whatever it takes to bring out the best in humanity and advance the course of the human race is never too much to give. I don’t have much, but the little I have, I’ve invested in this project. However, we have also reached out to so many Individuals, Corporate Entities, Civil Society Organisations, Government Agencies and other Foundations for collaboration and partnership, because, we believe it’s a household project that will impact on individuals, homes, families, society and the world at large. When we succeed in our endeavor, the impact would also be felt in our Business and Political Leadership.

We believe that when we start the campaign and we talk to people, they will reason with us because the facts are there. We are open to partnerships with people and organizations to pursue this social cause and ensure we get the best out of the project. So, the little we have, we have invested, but we hope that we will get positive responses from those we’ve reached out to.

So, what challenges have you faced since you started?

Just like every other venture or endeavor, nothing good comes on a platter of gold. But the responses we’ve been getting from people, at least, verbal responses, have been very encouraging. People and Organisations have shown tremendous interest to partner with us and to support us.

A close analysis of our SWOT indicates that our strengths and opportunities outweigh the challenges and threats. So, the responses from different quarters are pointers toward addressing the challenges we envisaged. Let me also say that if you want to do anything valuable don’t look at what can draw you down but look at the positive side to forge ahead. We believe the best will be achieved on this project by the grace of God.

Let us look at the launch proper, tell us the details about the launch and your expectations?

So much is expected at the launch. The launch is not just going to be about the noise, but about what we want to bring out of it. We are launching on Thursday, April 20, 2023, precisely; and we have a lot of dignitaries and experts who are specialists in their own right on these socio-psychological and sociocultural issues.

To allow those who cannot be physically present to participate in the event, we are going to go live via a link. If not for limited resources, we wouldn’t have minded booking the national stadium to accommodate as many people as can be at the event to benefit from the knowledge of the experts.

However, we’ll make the link available for the public to benefit from the event. We’re going to be talking about partnership on that day. So, for those that may want to volunteer or partner with us, we will open the windows of opportunities on that launch date.

The event will help us to highlight the challenges of these issues I’ve been talking about, those who have been facing them, and how to address them. For parents, the event will offer them the opportunity to learn a lot about these issues such that they won’t think their boys are super-human and leave them behind in the upbringing of their children.

You’re a visioner, where do you see this foundation in the next five years?

As a visioner, what I intend to achieve with Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation is very deep and big. So, in the next five years we envision that we would have been able to initiate significant interventions to recover a good number of emotionally damaged boy-children and establish a functional infrastructure to enable the continuous achievement of our objectives. We hope to have demonstrated that with proper training, the challenges of the boy-child will be reduced measurably in the society.

Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole

CashToken Rewards Africa and Five Years of Transforming Lives, Businesses

Oluchi Chibuzor reports that in the last five years, CashToken Rewards Africa Limited has deployed a unique system that has redefined consumer reward, with the end goal being to enhance the businesses of manufacturers and service providers and the economy of individual consumers, while contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria

In the last five years, CashToken Rewards Africa Limited – a Nigerian RewardTech company – has deployed technology to revolutionise customer loyalty and customer reward with a first-of-its-kind reward program in this part of the world.

It is a unique system that has redefined consumer reward and, by so doing, enhanced the businesses of manufacturers and service providers and the economy of individual consumers, while contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria, as well as countries on the African continent where it has been introduced.

The company’s Universal Gamification of Sales and Consumer Rewards Program (UGSCRP) is the first of its kind in Africa, and it provides consumers with potentially life-changing cash rewards for everyday purchases across multiple businesses and industries.

The program has, since inception, transformed lives in a sustainable manner, creating jobs and empowering people in the course of the regular purchases they make – regardless of whether the purchases are for goods or services. This is not the generally known reward system in which consumers must make purchases of goods or patronise services for the purpose of winning prizes in what is commonly described as reward for their patronage over a certain period. It is not a lottery in which people are expected to purchase tickets with a chance to win a fortune.

Under the program, consumers get instant and automatic cash rewards for the routine purchases they make – in most cases not even remembering, or unaware, that the purchases have attracted cash rewards. It is a program that guarantees a win-win situation for manufacturers and service providers on one side, and consumers on the other, by way of increased customer loyalty and increased customer reward, respectively.

Birth of a Revolution

The Chief Executive Officer of CashToken Rewards Africa Limited, Lai Labode, who is the main driver of the novel consumer reward system, said the CashToken Reward Program was borne out of the need to establish a new and socially smart business model for Africa that would not need to depend on charity – a model that could help African businesses to thrive in order to impact society for wealth redistribution and, ultimately, eradicate poverty on the continent.

He said the company conducted a Patronage Optimization Research to understand the most potent emotional dispensation of consumers that would spur them to increase patronage of goods and services. The research proved that nothing encourages consumers to continually patronize goods and services than the opportunity to have more cash in their pockets.

“We found that consumers are interested in cash rewards,” Labode said. “We also found out that they are not just interested in cash rewards, but they are interested in potentially life changing cash rewards. Hence, this meant that we had to create a product that would meet the expectations of consumers and also help businesses understand what consumers really want in exchange for loyalty.”

The findings from the research showed that since people must make purchases, they expect, as a matter of right, to get the best products and services. They also expect to be rewarded. This led to the establishment of the Socially Smart Business Model, a unique model that is a marriage of enterprise and social development – a cash reward system that increases patronage by consumers, and also helps businesses to grow and become responsible corporate citizens by paying taxes and meeting corporate social responsibility obligations.

“We created the Universal Reward wallet, meaning that consumers in Nigeria and across Africa will have a cash reward wallet that will work for every business,” Labode explained.

“Every time you get a CashToken,

it comes as an SMS telling you that MTN, Airtel or any other business has gifted you CashToken(s) depending on the set threshold. Simultaneously you get an SMS informing you of your receipt of six naira Guaranteed Cash and a ticket into a weekly National Consumer Draw which happens every Friday. This draw is what offers consumers a chance to win between N5, 000 and N100 million. There isn’t a company that impacts people in Africa the way we have consistently been doing it.”

Impact in Five Years

In its five years of existence, CashToken Rewards Africa Limited has rewarded almost one million people with CashTokens worth about $10 million in Nigeria alone. The company has partnered over 2,000 Nigerian businesses, with increased interest by potential partners almost daily, as a result of the success of the program.

The company partnered the Lagos State government in the establishment of the EkoToken Program, the state’s official reward program. About N100 million has so far been paid out to about 10, 000 Lagosians on the program. Introducing the program has fostered an enabling environment for businesses to grow, especially small businesses, and by so doing, promoted wealth redistribution and reduction of poverty in the state.

Speaking in separate interviews on Arise and Channels television stations, Labode said CashToken Rewards Africa Limited has signed an agreement with the National Lotteries Commission, which would enable every Nigerian to receive a cash reward on every purchase they make in any part of the country.

The socio-economic implication of this development could be considered from the perspective of increased patronage of goods and services for manufacturers and providers, because of the incentive of instant cash rewards for consumers, and improvement in the standard

of living of Nigerians.

Consumer Education

Labode said the company is collaborating with manufacturers and service providers to carry out public enlightenment and education to ensure people with evil intentions do not take advantage of the laudable program to dupe innocent and unsuspecting consumers in one way or the other. This action is necessary against the background of incessant cases of fraudsters phoning people to inform them about cash rewards they are supposed to have won in phony empowerment, reward or promotion programs.

Foray into African Market CashToken Rewards Africa Limited has taken its novel consumer reward program outside the shores of Nigeria. In addition to Nigeria, the pilot phase of the program is currently being implemented in Ghana, Cote D’ivoire, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, with merchants across the continent to provide CashToken reward for consumers. The company has secured a $100 million commitment from Global Emerging Markets, to enable it to cover the entire sub-Saharan Africa, in its quest to empower African businesses and enhance the individual economy of African consumers.

The company is working in partnership with MasterCard to help establish a subSaharan platform for holders of the card on the continent known as MyDealZone. This Platform is a multi-vendor reward platform that is exclusive to MasterCard holders, and is the model that operates in Nigeria, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.

The platform has, in the last 18 months, attracted over 1600 merchants across six African countries, and has recorded over 71,000 customer sign-ups and rewarded over 4000 customers with CashTokens. So far, 80 customers have won N500, 000 in the CashToken weekly draws.

While the government regularly comes up with policies and programs to grow the economy, the UGSCRP of CashToken Rewards Africa Limited has shown signs of becoming one of the most impactful private sector initiatives that are aimed at supporting the government in this direction. It has the potential of touching, and therefore improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, perhaps faster than any program before it – from both the public and private sectors.

The program has, since inception, transformed lives in a sustainable manner, creating jobs and empowering people in the course of the regular purchases they make – regardless of whether the purchases are for goods or services

R-L: CEO, CashToken Rewards Africa, Mr Lai Labode; Beneficiary/MTN Nigeria Customer and Winner N10 million,Mrs Rashidat Fayemi, and Mr Fayemi on the occasion of the presentation of N10 million win at the Cashtoken Rewards Africa head office in Lagos…recently

www.thisdaylive.com

PROSPECTS ON HUMAN HANDSHAKE WITH ROBOTS

Human beings will soon be interacting with robots to drive sustainable development, writes

SONNY ARAGBAAKPORE

THIS TOO SHALL PASS

Two days...two destinies could well bespeak the correlative contrasts between Independence Day, October 1, 1960 and Democracy Day, May 29, 1999 -in the annals of the political history of Nigeria.

The themes of both days spell out democratic historical provenance.

While October 1, 1960 was plotted and “gifted” to Nigerians by the British colonialists in response to global trends and nationalists’ agitations, May 29, 1999 was a product of home-grown democratic experience foisted by the military on citizens.

See page 21

TINUBU AND WOMEN’S UNDERREPRESENTATION IN GOVERNANCE

JOHN MAYAKI asks the president-elect to accord women representation a high priority

It is, however, indubitable that both were ordinary dates made extraordinary by events that rode on the crest of inexorable time and tide.

The issue could be put into perspective with a recollection of how Nigeria made formal entry into the comity of sovereign states almost 63 years ago.

Nostalgia is rife about how we waved our to “hail” the birth of “own dear native land” where we pledged to stand in brotherhood

The hope and aspirations of Nigerians for a land “where no man is oppressed” as rightfully expressed in the nationalist agitations became enlivened.

How far we have achieved these laudable objectives, in the light of glittering degeneracy of civility and. human decency, is a moot point.

Even as opinions diverge on the value and volume of the goodwill that our quest for independence received “on a platter of gold”, there’s dependable evidence to applaud the intellectual vehemence and patriotic gusto of the nationalists’ struggle that achieved the feat.

See page 21

EDITORIAL

THE MENACE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Some Nigerians have argued, in the wake of the undemocratic tendencies exhibited, that we might have taken democracy for granted and misused it because we did not earn it through “sweat and blood” like others in the contemporary political milieu of those days.

In spite of these criticisms, we cannot gloss over the great exploits of the political leaders of the First Republic (1960-1966) to deliver the dividends of democracy in their regions under a Parliamentary Constitution. They made cash crops foreign exchange earners, built skyscrapers and eased access to education.

the whole idea of Independence was “a Greek gift”;- going by the spate of ethno- religious intolerance and the political upheavals that provided an excuse for intermittent military incursions.

It would appear that the aura and sacrosanctity of the Independence Day began and counter coups (1966-1979) and Civil War ( 1967-1970).

Sadly, the crassitude of the political elites, combined with the overweening ambition of the military class worsened and the hope for the restoration of democracy heralding the

Second Republic (1979-1983) was short-lived.

As such, military adventurism stepped up the assault on democratic ideals between 1983 democracy through the annulled Presidential Election won by late Chief MKO Abiola on June 12 1993.

Curiously, no matter how hard we try to make military rule an aberration deserving, perhaps, only a mention in historical footnotes, they wrote themselves legibly back into national consciousness on May 29 1999.

On that day - christened Democracy Daywhen power was handed over to the elected government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Fourth Republic, our most enduring democratic experience to date was born.

on this note, that if Independence Day was “a ribbon-adorned gift package” handed down to us by the colonialists, could the Democracy Day foisted on Nigerians by the military be the silver bullet.

Is there any aural or clairvoyant potents of May 29 that has kept the military in the barracks, 24 years on, in spite of ceaseless bouts of political rascality?

intractable insecurity and cultural electoral malfeasance and you’ll catch the drift.

29 could still hold against the backlash of a vertiginous descent into acts that could trigger anarchy by the sore losers arrowheaded by the Labour Party ( LP) and its unhinged “Obidients army” following the 2023 Presidential Election.

At the height of indiscretion, they sent a direct invitation for a military takeover of government through a protest in front of the Army Headquarters and called for the establishment of an illegal Interim National Government.

Indeed, the preponderance of intrigues rallied against the statutory Handover vice presidential candidate for the Labour party who would pay little regard to the rule of law by suggesting extra judicial means of preventing the Swearing- In of the President

on May 29 2023 is yet unabating.

To be sure, any run-of -the -mill democrat against the winner, who has also exercised a right of response through a cross petition, there would not be room for expressing fertile imaginings and zero tolerance for recklessness would kick in.

Thank God that rather bring the full weight of the law to bear on the felonious acts, the fallout of all the rantings is being contained maturely in the interest of national unity.

It seems tenable that if we go by the submission that the outcome of the 2023 polls should be rejected due to “substantial noncompliance” with electoral rules, it bids fair that the LP which rewrote the rules of winning in spite of its organic incapacities should pray the tribunal to cancel the entire results; at the gubernatorial, senatorial and other legislature levels.

As we speak the signs bode well for the Democracy Day Handover Ceremony. What with congratulatory messages from far and near, induction of the President -Elect into and the Transition Committee working at full pelt.

the day and unnatural wish “to stop the rise of the sun” on that day dissipates, it is important to remind the President -Elect Bola Tinubu of the enormous task of national reconciliation immediate attention.

It ought to be noted that Asiwaju Tinubu’s citation in the “Time 100 Publication” has joined the unequivocal call of all well-meaning Nigerians that he should tackle the “litany of crises in a fractured nation including deep corruption, religious insurgency, and shortages of cash and fuel, and power in a crumbling economy”.

Also, he must be aware that he has to contend with a myriad of last-minute liabilities imposed by the out-going Buhari administration such as fuel subsidy removal, acquisition of baggage scanners for railway stations, purchase of 350 cars for Customs Department and approval of N6billion for the repair of Third Mainland Bridge.

The President Elect’s reputation of strategic performance would appear to precede him to this assignment, his clarion call to all Nigerians including co- contestants and his peace overtures should help him surmount the onerous tasks.

Given the futility of all attempts to truncate democracy, it is pertinent to expect that cognitive distortions on the outcome of the elections and existential threats to the handover date would be tamed by patriotic zeal.

Jenrola is a veteran journalist and Communication Consultant

The signs bode well for the democracy, reckons KUNLE JENROLA

Human beings will soon be interacting with robots to drive sustainable development,

writes SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

PROSPECTS ON HUMAN HANDSHAKE WITH ROBOTS

If all goes well, human beings may begin having live interactions with robots. Global telecommunications regulators, the International Telecommunications Union conference for robotics and their creators Intelligence for Good Global Summit (AI), the conference featuring humanoid social robots. In this unprecedented media event, nine robots and their creators will be available for

needs for technical standardization and policy guidance.

Robots scheduled to meet with the media functional general-purpose humanoid robot (Beyond Imagination), Nadine– one of the

robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (Hanson Robotics) The robots include, Geminoid–ultra-realistic humanoid robot from Japan most advanced cognitive humanoid robots designed to collaborate with humans (Neura Robotics) .

realistic robot artist (Aidan Meller) ,Grace – the robot (SingularityNET) ,.Desdemona – the rockstar robot of the Jam Galaxy Band. humanoid robots (Engineered Arts) will also be on display.

JOHN MAYAKI asks the president-elect to accord women representation a high priority

TINUBU AND WOMEN’S UNDERREPRESENTATION IN GOVERNANCE

As the battle for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly heats up, with contestants emphasizing the importance of forming an inclusive government on the strict basis of religion and ethnicity, an important group has been yet again relegated to the background where they are forgotten and overlooked. There is little or no consideration for women in this frantic political jostling, despite accounting for half of the population and powerful antidote to a lopsided government and, invariably, a defective democracy. We can start with the election itself which turned out to be a setback for women as a group. From a representation level of about 6% in the 9th assembly, an abysmal record that placed Nigeria on the list of the countries with the lowest women representation in the 3.62%. Only 17 women were successful in their attempts to claim seats out of the 469 available in both chambers.

portrayed in a negative light. This is not a battle that women can win by simply becoming better politicians. It is a societal problem that we must acknowledge and collectively, through deliberate policies and actions, redress.

Besides, if the goal of democracy is representation, such that all hues and participate in its leadership, Nigeria cannot be said to have satisfactorily met this goal considering that half of its population is nor a sustainable situation.

Multiple research studies have as one of the major factors responsible growth. Essentially, when only male voices and concerns design policies and laws, the peculiar needs of women are neglected and their contribution to society

questions from reporters in Geneva on July 7, 2023.

innovators—and their high-tech creations— will join humanitarian leaders in Geneva for the latest edition of the global summit advancing AI to drive sustainable development.

The two-day AI for Good Global Summit to be hosted by the ITU will demonstrate how new technologies can support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in areas such as combatting the climate crisis and bolstering humanitarian response. shape AI faster than it is shaping us,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. for AI, will bring to the table leading voices representing a diversity of interests to ensure that AI can be a powerful catalyst for progress in our race to rescue the SDGs.”

Over 40 specialized robots demonstrating building houses to providing healthcare and farming sustainably will also be on display during the full event running from July 6-7, 2023 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).

Generative AI and human-machine collaboration will be key themes of discussion in view of the recent surge in public interest in AI resulting from the release of large language models such as ChatGPT and other generative AI tools.

“The future will see large parts of our lives where machines can execute repetitive tasks with complete precision, and with recent advances in AI, machines are gaining the ability to learn, improve and make calculated decisions in ways that will enable them to perform tasks previously thought to rely on human experience, creativity, and ingenuity,” ITU documents revealed.

AI innovation will be central to the Development Goals (SDGs) by capitalizing on the unprecedented quantities of data now being generated on sentiment behavior, human health, commerce, communications, migration and more.

ITU says it will provide a neutral platform for government, industry and academia to build a common understanding of the capabilities of emerging AI technologies and consequent

Worried by the crisis of climate change, the AI for Good Global Summit is expected to demonstrate how new technologies could support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with emphasis on combatting the climate crisis and bolstering humanitarian responses among others.

Generative AI and human-machine collaboration will be key themes of discussion in view of the recent surge in public interest in AI resulting from the release of large language models such as ChatGPT and other generative AI tools.

The ITU says this event will emphasize networking to build new projects, calls to action, and partnerships. “It will feature talks from thought leaders as well as demonstrations of state-of-the-art AI solutions that could achieve global scale with the support of the international AI for Good community.” include AI-inspired performances and artwork, with highlights this year including the global real-time AI drumming performance with Inspired Voice” performance.

the AI for Good Innovation Factory where start-ups from around the world will pitch their AI solutions to advance the SDGs. Robotics have been around for long robots was exhibited at the Model Engineers Society yearly exhibition in London.

Invented by W. H. Richards, the robot –named Eric – consisted of an aluminium suit of armour with eleven electromagnets and one motor powered by a 12-volt power source.

and sizes and are extensively being used for research and space exploration, personal assistance and care-giving, education and entertainment, search and rescue operations, manufacturing and maintenance, public relations, and most importantly healthcare sector.”

Although, AI and robotics are prevalent in Europe, Asia and America, where some form of legislation has been put in place, the ITU is in the process of standardization and release guidelines to make both their developments and usage inclusive.

Aragba-Akpore

Editorial Board

To be sure, parliamentary elections in a number of constituencies were pending but the outcome of those contests did not

The 10th Assembly is poised to have fewer women representation than the 9th Assembly of its grossly inequitable and low women representation. The story is the same in other government institutions and agencies, completing the portrait of a nation governed largely and exclusively by men. Certainly, this is an anomaly and a blemish on our democracy.

There are those who shrug when this fact electoral viability and political gamesmanship. They reason that if women fail at navigating the thorny path to power, and are thus coming up short against their male counterparts at the polls, then the onus lies with them, not the nation or the political system, to improve their political skills and make themselves more appealing to the electorate. But this view is both jaundiced and short-sighted.

It ignores the historical and entrenched obstacles placed in the path of women that rig the game against them. Their economic disempowerment and the heavy monetization of politics. Patriarchal norms and beliefs are preserved and promoted by cultural institutions that view power and leadership as the exclusive preserve of men. Unequal access to opportunities such as the deprioritization of the girl-child education due to gendered stereotypes that often reduce women to duties.

It could be argued that our society, for

is hampered. It is akin to a bird trying to its body.

The Nigerian government, under the progressive leadership of the APC, has acknowledged this challenge and of the National Gender Policy, which implementation has been lacking and more can be done to modify the operations of political institutions in the country to mainstream gender as a fundamental inclusion principle. The Tinubu-presidency can score a quick and easy win here by ensuring that women enjoy equitable representation in appointive positions, including the ministerial cabinet.

Also, it can insist that the negative in parliament are lessened by mandating seats. In the ongoing negotiation and horse-trading for principal positions and committee assignments, gender must carry similar weight to ethnicity and positions where they can shape legislation way to achieve a truly representative and equitable government that delivers social justice to all members of Nigerian society. model should make this a goal the party readily pursues. Not just as a high-minded ideal but also as a practical step to increase its appeal to a powerful voting bloc.

Mayaki is a developmental and multi-skilled journalist, Historian and Diplomat

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE MENACE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

All stakeholders should do more to curb the menace

Abuse of drugs and substance is a global phenomenon. But the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has since linked the current challenge of internal security psychotropic medicines such as Tramadol and other become a serious health challenge for the country. We therefore appeal to our regulatory authorities which psychotropic drugs can be accessed in the country. “Aside from codeine that we other psychotropic substances that cannot be put on this to ensure these drugs are dispensed the absence of a water-tight regulatory framework in is a mirage. danger of prescription but commonly misused the growing abuse of Tramadol by some African a respiratory arrest.

There is also a pro

without news of people being kidnapped for ransom either in their homes or on their way to work or while

proactive in checkmating the activities of importers of these drugs into the country

Nigeria Customs Service should

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

and kidnappers are hooked to psychotropic drugs which they consume before carrying out their despicable acts. The Federal Capital Territory

arson and breach of public peace and order. Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) must be diligent in regulatory compliance while the drugs into the country. There is also a need to a safeguard from being introduced to drugs and crimes.

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

NDIGBO AND THE NECCESSITY OF ADVERSITY

ern-day Nigeria.

had until then wanted nothing more than the stability needed to least a million people died to mark the bloodiest page in Nigeria’s history as a country.

meant that Nigeria could heal or if he simply underestimated the to fester.

cupped during the war. It was not always beyond a people

geria’s smallest region is not just competing with the rest of the hammadu Buhari was more than happy to alienate the Igbo. Be-

ing fathers.

When it comes to building for Nigeria the formidable strucgeria’s patronage politicians seem to think that it is by sharing political positions that a country can be built.

and the Southeast.

It has dictated the treatment Nigeria has meted out to Nnamdi

Ike Willie-Nwobu, Abuja

The

be

AS AT APRIL 18,2023

How Eight Manufacturing Firms Spent N1.02trn, 24% of Revenue on Raw Materials in 2022

Kayode Tokede

Pressure on profitability and productivity of manufacturing firms in Nigeria intensified last financial year as eight companies in the Cement manufacturing and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) spent 24 per cent of their generated revenue on raw materials consumables.

The surge in raw materials cost was primarily driven by shortage of foreign exchange (FX), raw material availability, mundane port operations, and increase in energy cost.

The eight firms include: BUA Foods Plc, BUA Cement Plc, Nestle

Nigeria Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc spent a sum of N1.02trillion on raw materials and consumables in 2022, an increase of 25 per cent when compared to N822.22billion in 2021.

Also, the eight firms generated N4.23 trillion revenue in 2022, representing an increase of 25.24 per cent from N3.37 trillion in 2021.

The breakdown of raw materials consumables revealed that BUA Cement Plc spent N24.98billion on raw materials cost in 2022, an increase of nine per cent from N22.91billion

in 2021, while Dangote Cement announced N196.52billion raw materials cost in 2022, an increase of 12.06 per cent from N175.4billion in 2021. Lafarge Africa reported 32 per cent increase on its raw materials cost to N48.99 billion in 2022 from N37.03billion in 2021. On its part, BUA Foods announced N260.18billion raw materials cost in 2022 from N211.21billion in 2021 as As Nigerian Breweries reported N246.7billion raw materials cost in 2022 from N197.82 billion in 2021, Dangote Sugar Refinery declared N11.03billion raw materials cost in 2022 from N10.01billion reported

in 2021.

Commenting, Nigerian Breweries explained that it continued to invest resources in local development, improvement and commercialisation of its agricultural raw materials.

“Our collaboration with relevant local and international research institutes has been expanded to further assess and improve the performance and adaptability of selected registered local sorghum varieties and to develop new sorghum varieties with improved quality for the industry and increased yield for the farmers. To increase the positive impact of local sourcing of its agricultural raw

materials, Nigerian Breweries has also continuously expanded its sorghum sourcing areas to new communities, ”company added. Nestle Nigeria reported N223.68 raw materials cost in 2022, an increase of 37 per cent from N163.744billion in 2021, while Cadbury Nigeria posted N36.7billion raw materials cost in 2022, an increase of 36 per cent from N27.05billion reported in 2021.

The management of Nestle Nigeria said it procured all of its raw materials on a commercial basis from overseas and local suppliers. “Amongst the overseas suppliers are companies in the Nestlé Group.” The company

explained in its 2022 results.

According to THISDAY investigation, the eight firms in 2022 generated N745.79billion profit after tax, an increase of 15 per cent from N650.5billion generated in 2021.

Despite emerging as one of the major gainers amid post- COVID-19 pandemic as producers of essential goods, the eight firms showed signs of strain as macroeconomic heads as raw materials cost reduced profit and shareholders return on investment.

Rice Processors Blame Insecurity, Inflation for High Cost of Food Commodity

James Emejo in Abuja

The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has attributed the high cost of locally produced rice on persisting insecurity and inflation in the country.

The rice processors also refuted claims that local rice currently sold for about N40, 000 per bag despite being produced in the country.

Addressing journalists yesterday while setting an agenda for the incoming administration for the rice sector, Director-General of RIPAN, Mr. Andy Ekwelem, said the ex-factory price - the selling cost of goods from seller’s factory - was N31,000.

He said amid rising inflation, rice remained the only food commodity with the slowest adjustment in price - only about 10 per cent increase.

Ekwelem said the country’s rice output had been drastically reduced due to insecurity thus further impacting price.

He claimed that some of the rice brands selling for so much are probably imported commodities and urged Nigerians to always doublecheck before purchases.

Among other things, he said the recent reopening of the nation’s borders had impacted the production of paddy, charging the incoming administration that effective border management remained central to

food security.

The group also lamented a development whereby foreigners buy up and hoard paddy only to resell at high prices with the attendant implication on the economy in terms of employment generation.

RIPAN however tasked the incoming administration to further strengthen and sustain the Nigeria rice industry through relevant policies.

Among other things, the association called for the reposition the Nigeria Custom Services for effective manning of the borders, stressing that Smuggling of rice across the land borders remained the main bane of

the sub-sector.

Ekwelem said the incoming administration must have to device a new strategy of dealing with smugglers and economic saboteurs food security programmes and huge investment made by government and private sector must be impactful.

He called for funding for backwards integration, stating that here will be need for a funding programme to enable processors engage in paddy production through large-scale farming, out grower Scheme, and contract farming.

RIPAN also said there would be urgent need to encourage state governments to ease bottlenecks in the processes of acquiring land for

large-scale farming of paddy rice.

Specifically, he said, “Nigeria’s current border surveillance system should be re-organized to enable the customs and other agencies at the borders, carry out all weather surveillance.

“Modern security equipment such as long-range surveillance drones, video monitors and night vision scopes should be deployed to our border security if they are not currently being used.

“Also, the working conditions and welfare packages/benefits of the Nigeria Custom Service as well as other government agencies at the borders should be reviewed upwards as a strategy to incentivize

MARKET DATA AS AT TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023

the officers.”

Among other things, RIPAN said, “We hope that the incoming administration will deploy emergence action towards the repair/ expansion irrigation facilities across the country to enable multiple cycle of cultivation.

“We also hope that the federal and state governments through their ministries of agriculture and rural development will consider better ways to effectively manage and maintain the dams within their purview.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Yuguda: I’m Confident Buhari Will Sign ISB into Law Before May 29

brings

excerpts from the virtual CMC meeting held recently

Are we expecting the ISB to be signed before the end of this present administration?

As I said, we expect the ISB to be presented to Mr. President for his assent. And the Capital Market and the development of the Capital Market is something that’s really very close to the heart of this administration. If you look at the Capital Market Master Plan, it started exactly in 2015, when Mr. President came to office the first time. And a lot of the development that we have seen today in the Capital Market, I mean e-dividend, direct cash settlement and all this huge effort that you are seeing in the Capital Market were a direct result of those efforts from 2015. So the tenure of this administration is closely actually aligned to the most important development that have happened in the Capital Market over the last eight years. And it is only fitting that this Investment and Securities Bill that has been in the works. Remember, we had an attempt to reform and we couldn’t actually get it through the National Assembly.

You know, I think it was the eighth assembly or even earlier. because the one we are working with is 2007, but it’s almost 15 years and a lot of developments have taken place within Capital Markets globally. And of course, within Nigerian Capital Market over those years, some of the biggest companies today in the world, never existed. You know, when the Investment and Securities Act was promulgated in 2007. So, I am very, very confident that the very good work that must happen and have decided over in the Capital Market. You know, from 2015 to date has now been capped very fittingly with the smooth passage of the ISB through the Nigerian National Assembly.

I’m very confident that Mr. President will sign this bill into law before his term of office

finishes on the 29th of May of 2023. So I’m really very optimistic about this and I’m very happy and also very grateful to Mr. President for his support of the commission and of the market, over all these years there has never been a single request that we made to government that was not granted. And I think this is very, very good. We have seen development in the commodities trading ecosystem. Today, the revised ISB 2023 actually has a full section of provisions on the regulation of the commodities trading ecosystem. And I think this is really something that is a big thing. And it’s a game changer because if you look at the strength of this country in commodities, if we start trading these commodities on organized changes, okay the impact on economic development of Nigeria and all the duration of non-oil exports is really massive. Okay. So I really think there are lots of things

that the ISB has that would really appeal to the heart of the government to get it assented to n as possible.

In the course of your presentation, you mentioned that you will spare no efforts at protecting investors, both minority and majority interest in companies that are listed on the market. Could you just share with us the measures put in place to protect investors?

Now, protection of investors is really the central mandate of the commission and when the commission protects investors, we do not discriminate between minority and majority shareholders. So when there is a case of de-listing, the application for de-listing comes to the commission and we go through it very carefully to ensure that the shares of the company being delisted are actually fairly valuable because fair valuation is what protects all investors, all the shareholders. So we ensure that this is really fairly valuable. If there are any issues, we actually take this application back to the issuing houses and get this sorted so that nobody that is in the company is actually treated unfairly. So, that is how the commission uses its regulatory power to ensure that both minority shareholders and majority shareholders are treated equally and fairly.

What is the update on unclaimed dividends?

Thank you very much for this question. I think we have answered the questions on unclaimed dividends severally. This is a figure that is dynamic, that is evolving. So at the moment, I will not give you a very specific figure, but I will let you

know that there are arrangements that have actually been developed for managing the unclaimed dividends administration. You know that there is the unclaimed funds trust fund that has been established by government and unclaimed dividends are part of unclaimed funds that will be taken into this unclaimed fund trust fund, others are unclaimed deposits in bank, among others. So there are efforts that are currently being made to ensure that this fund starts working. But the thing is that this fund is not taking over unclaimed dividends of people, if at any time anybody comes up with a claim for unclaimed dividends, the fund actually has been designed to pay that claim. But instead of allowing this fund to remain idle, this unclaimed fund trust fund is supposed to help in developing the country economically so that this will actually benefit both people who have this unclaimed dividend as well as other citizens who do not own them. Now I think these are the first two questions they are all on unclaimed dividends. If you want further details, we can actually engage with you to give you more specific details on these mechanisms that have been provided.

What is SEC doing about the crisis currently rocking Seplat?

We as a commission have issued a public statement on the engagements that we have had with both Seplat as a company and NGX, the exchange on which it is quoted and which is under our supervisory purview. And we have examined the issues surrounding Seplat, and we have come to the conclusion that these issues are not issues that really relate to the fundamental economic activity of Seplat as a corporate entity.

NOTE: The story continue online on www.thisdaylive.com

Anambra’s Path to Economic Prosperity: Exploring the Impact of the 2023 Constitutional Amendments

Augusta Nneka

Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari signed three Constitutional Amendment Acts seeking to move some items from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List in the Constitution. According to the 1999 Nigeria Constitution (as amended), the Exclusive Legislative List contains items only the National Assembly can legislate on; while items on the Concurrent List can be legislated on by both the Federal and State Governments.

Simply put, the Exclusive List involves only the Federal Government, while the Concurrent List involves both Federal and State Governments.

With the continuous clamour for “true federalism,” “devolution of powers”, and other terms that allow States have more authority over their affairs, this move by Mr. President has been met with positive feedback. However, analysts are still weighing the implications of the seemingly positive constitutional amendment.

“Was this Mr. President’s way of leaving a legacy as he prepares to leave the highest seat of Power? Can the new laws be the foundation for further devolution of power in Nigeria? Are we finally witnessing the groundwork for true federalism?”

The answers to these questions lie in how States will choose to wield their new power and how this will translate to development at the State level.

Let’s take the Anambra example.

In 2021, as part of the prerequisites to convince voters for a chance at Agu-Awka, the nowGovernor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo released what he termed “the People’s Manifesto”. This document detailed his plan for the State if elected into office. In that plan, he explains the need for an engagement with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and the need for the construction of a Railway network to decongest traffic and make transportation more efficient.

In response to this passionate covenant, the universe handed Prof. Soludo the necessary tools to achieve his dream of a liveable, prosperous, and smart megacity. He won the election and now, Aso Rock has given States the right to develop intrastate railway stations. States can also now generate, transmit and distribute power in areas covered by the national grid.

Why is this important?

Simple. In 2021, the People’s Manifesto outlined a development plan based on what was obtainable at the time. The document asked for a car to transport Ndi Anambra to the future; Aso Rock delivered a private jet. It is not a Bombardier Global 7500 yet, but still, we can fly.

Soludo’s manifesto was very ambitious. It presents great ideas that can indeed spark Anambra’s 4th industrial revolution creating a more industrialized economy for the State. The document also clearly states how funding will limit the actualization of this plan.

The State Government simply cannot afford to fund the industrial revolution Anambra State desires. The IGR of the State no matter how prudently utilized will not cover the cost of developing the infrastructures necessary for the industrial development outlined in the People’s Manifesto. Hence the need to explore more creative means of funding.

This brings us back to how this constitutional amendment was God’s Gift to Anambra State.

One of the benefits of moving the item “Railway” to the Concurrent List is that it opens the sector to private sector participation. Although the Federal Government still retains the right to make laws on interstate railways, the State Government can determine the intrastate development of railways. Private investors will no longer need to seek approval at the federal level

but can now engage at the State level. This will help open the sector to much-needed private-sector participation and investment.

If the law can further be interpreted to allow the private sector handle railway operations while the Government focuses on policymaking and regulations, experts with financial and technical capacity will be encouraged to undertake the huge capital investment the sector requires. This will also reduce the burden of cost on the Government and increase the efficiency of Railways.

Already, the Anambra State Government had last year announced its engagement with the China Railway Beijing Engineering (CRBE) Ltd to conduct a feasibility study on the Onitsha SkyTrain project. This project at the final implementation is expected to connect Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka, and Ekwulobia. With the new law, the State can now focus on policymaking and regulation, and explore more creative means of funding and investments, rather than bearing the cost of the entire project.

On the part of allowing States generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the National Grid, I have to admit; I was a bit confused.

My initial reaction was “Shouldn’t States be more focused on areas NOT covered by the National Grid? That is, the unserved and the underserved areas”. Seeing as the law was not a typo, I had to dig deeper.

For this law, the previous provision before the amendment restricted State assemblies to making laws on the areas NOT COVERED by the national grid system. With the amendment, the wording was changed to expand State Assemblies to make laws on areas that are COVERED by the national grid.

In simpler terms, the new amendment gives free rein to State Assemblies to make laws for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to all areas in the State. So my initial thought was already covered in the previous provision. This just expands the power of States on electricity.

It is important to mention that the Federal Government still maintains the right to legislate on the generation and transmission of electricity in any part of the country and manage the national grid system. This amendment allows for collaboration and partnership of sorts, not a replacement. For

it to make an impact, State Assemblies will have to tailor their electricity laws taking the amendment into consideration.

“But Anambra already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EEDC. Has the Anambra State electricity laws been amended?” Great question.

As explained earlier, prior to the amendment, the States had some authority over electricity. Just not enough.

Let’s go back to the People’s Manifesto.

On Page 31, the document explores creative means to engage with EEDC, NERC, TCN, and the private sector to provide up to 18 hours of electricity to select locations. The recently signed MoU is simply a fulfillment of this promise.

Anambra State has undertaken the responsibility of developing policy, financing and framework, and the security of the proposed infrastructure projects necessary for the EEDC to meet up with the electricity demands of Ndi Anambra. On its part, the EEDC will lend its voice to aid the regulatory approval that will allow for private-sector participation in this sector. They will also undertake programs in collaboration with the TCN to fast-track the development of critical infrastructure in Anambra.

Furthermore, this free rein will allow States pursue alternative sources of Power Generation. For areas that are unserved by the national grid, States can encourage private-sector participation. Unserved and underserved communities can be divided to allow Independent Power Producer(s) (IPP) generate electricity. This will open the market and allow competition between IPPs. As expected, this will boost the economy of the State while reducing the burden on National Grid.

Anambra State has taken the initiative with the signing of an agreement with the EEDC. How this will pan out will be witnessed in the coming months. While we wait and observe, it may be wise to start exploring the investment opportunities in sectors the constitutional amendments touched on.

The Buhari-led administration despite criticisms has presented a well-packaged farewell gift to Nigerians with the recent amendments. Will this box ransom our extinguished hopes and give birth to further devolution of power? Until we collectively open the box, the cat may be dead or alive. Only one way to find out.

Nneka

Yuguda

The Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda in this interview, expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will sign into law the Investors and Securities Bill before leaving office in May 2023He also spoke on the current conflict at Seplat Petroleum, exist of foreign investors, and protecting retail investors, among other issues relating to the capital market. Kayode Tokede

Selassie: Measures Must Be Taken to Address Funding Squeeze in Sub-Sahara Africa

Director, African Department, International Monetary Fund, Abebe Aemro Selassie in this interview at the just concluded IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington DC, spoke on the challenges Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa are being faced with in attracting funding, policy priorities for Nigeria and the continent and other pertinent issues. Nume Ekeghe presents excerpts.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s report is named the Big Funding Squeeze. Please, can you tell us more about where the region is standing from your team’s work perspectives?

The region’s resilience is being severely tested. We project growth to decelerate to 2.6 percent, down from 3.9 percent last year; and an important factor influencing this outcome is the big funding squeeze their countries are facing. External market access has been sharply curtailed. Oversees development assistance continues to trend downward, and the region has seen a recent reduction in other investments also.

Sub-Saharan Africa is not alone, of course. There is a global slowdown in the region, as elsewhere, is feeling the effects of tighter monetary policy, the increased cost of living, and the strength of the dollar which has appreciated relative to many other currencies.

Our latest regional outlook finds that this big funding squeeze is hitting countries hard, and many countries are facing tough decisions when it comes to investing in crucial areas like health, education, and infrastructure. This will not only impact them now but also in the years to come. And by 2040 or so, a third of the new entrance, new labor market entrance will be from Sub-Saharan Africa. Skilled educated workers will be vital to the health and stability of the global economy, but today’s funding squeeze may impact the region’s ability to provide them.

I’ve always said that this is the African century, but if measures are not taken to address this funding squeeze now, the region may be held back from developing its potential. Here at the IMF, we’re playing our part. As of last month, we had 21 lending arrangements with countries in the region, and we’ve still more programs under request and under discussion; between 2020 and 2022, we provided more than $50 billion dollars through programs, emergency financing, and special drawing rights allocation.

We also, of course, continue to provide capacity development and technical assistance, and training to our members, and will continue to do so in the coming months.

In terms of policy priorities, we are flagging that there’s a need to first consolidate public finances and strengthen public finance management. This needs to rely on continued revenue mobilization that is the management of fiscal risks and more proactive debt management.

In countries where debt levels are elevated and debt is clearly unsustainable, restructuring is going to be unavoidable, and a well-functioning debt resolution framework will be vital to create the required fiscal space.

A second priority is to contain inflation. The inflation rates are varied across the region but remain elevated much more so than we’ve seen it for many years now, and monetary policy needs to focus on keeping inflation firmly on

a downward trajectory and make sure that it pertains to Central Bank’s target range.

Third, I think, is a need to allow, in those countries where exchange rates are flexible, the exchange rates to adjust while mitigating adverse effects on the economy. And then, finally, climate change is, of course, increasingly, something that is weighing on policymakers in the region, on our people and tackling this, including with support from the international community will be very, very important. The region is not a source of emissions, as you know but, rather, is at the receiving end of a lot of the climatic changes that have taken place and pursuing policies to help with climate adaptation and mitigation in a few cases where that is a challenge will be important going forward.

Nigeria is planning to take away subsidies and, recently, the World Bank granted Nigeria $800 million, do you think this is a sustainable practice?

On fuel subsidies, as I said earlier, how and whether to subsidize and to what extent. Honestly, it is a varied, deeply domestic and deeply political question. If governments want to do that, that’s fine; but, we think, it’s suboptimal, as I said, for reasons I explained earlier that the benefits of subsidies tend to accrue to richer households. But if that’s what government is deciding, that’s fine. Removing them also, I think, is, of course, part of this political and domestic debate that needs to be had. We know, of course, in Nigeria that food subsidies eat up tremendous, tremendous amount of resources at the same time that the government doesn’t have resources to address the huge investment needs from, health, to education, to infrastructure; but this is a choice for Nigerian government, Nigerian civil society to make.

We have also heard the discussion that’s going on, the debate that’s going on whether that is ideal. We try and inform that debate with numbers, with best practices elsewhere and I think that’s our role; and look forward to whatever decision the government takes.

Is IMF concerned about Nigeria’s and Sub-Saharan Africa’s indebtedness to China and, does IMF have any recommended limits for debt to GDP ratio for African countries?

On debts, whether debt is sustainable or not, is not dependent on just one number, one threshold but, rather, you have to look at a lot of indicators to assess the trajectory, whether debt will be sustainable in the coming years or not. And, I think, so it’s really when we make an assessment and we classify countries as being a moderate risk or a high-risks, or we talk about vulnerabilities being elevated, it takes into account, what we think out of the kind of policies that the government is going to pursue; and, of course, certain assumptions about the global environment.

The last several years has been full of shocks, so it has made countries’ ability, to bring debt under a sustainable trajectory more difficult but, they have been compensating for that also with stronger economic policies. For a country like Nigeria also, the future trajectory of its economy is going to depend on a whole host of variables and the reforms that the government pursues, how effectively it uses the resources it has, the oil price trajectory. It is a combination of those factors that will determine the sustainability of Nigeria’s debt.

Right now, it looks manageable, but it is really also important, of course, and contingent on what policies will be pursued in the coming months and years.

NOTE: The story continue online on www.thisdaylive.com

Of State Governments and CPS Compliance

Pension Reform Act 2014 made provision for state governments to migrate to the Contributory Pension Scheme from non funded Defined Benefit Pension Scheme but many state governments prefer to remain with the old scheme. Ebere Nwoji in this report x-rays the

Among the rules and regulations, guidelines and laws governing the implementation of the Contributory Pension scheme, section 3 (1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 on state governments’ compliance and implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme has remained a hard nut to crack by both National Pension Commission(PenCom) and pension Fund operators.

Hard nut indeed because efforts by both PenCom and Pension Fund operators to get various state governments key into the scheme since 2014 failed to yield desired results.

This spells the need for PenCom and pension fund operating firms to intensify efforts in engaging the in coming state governors and House of Representatives on the need to ensure total compliance with the CPS scheme.

Pension stakeholders lamented that it was quite unfortunate that nine years after the enactment of the 2014 Pension Reform Act which mandated state governments to key into the CPS scheme by migrating their workers from the non funded Defined Benefit Pension scheme to funded CPS, many state governments prefer to remain in the old scheme.

To the extent that among the 36 states of the federation and FCT not up to five States have fully complied with the CPS Act . Analysts have attributed this to lack of will power by the various state governments to comply with the CPS.

Section 3(1) of the PRA 2014 states, “There is established for any employment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Contributory Pension Scheme for payment of retirement benefits of employees to whom the Scheme applies under this Act. The Scheme shall apply to all employees in the Public Service of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory, States, Local Governments and the Private Sector….” Accordingly, this means that every employee covered under this Act has a right to a Pension.

But in the view of analysts, employee will have right to receive retirement benefit if his employer has complied with the aspect of the law on opening of Retirement Savings Account and contributions of savings to it as stated by the law.

This, they said, is what the non complying state governments are denying their workers.

The result of this is that whereas the current reforms in

the pension system have seen federal government workers and those of private sector retiring with hope of better tomorrow, workers and pensioners who worked with state governments are still in the dungeon of unhappy retirement and old age poverty because of inability to access their retirement benefits as and when due. Indeed some state governments have not been paying their workers regular salaries let alone paying retirement benefits to their retirees. What this means is that these state government workers will at retirement be left at the mercy of their governors and how much budget he decides to apportion to pension payments. But has the states fully keyed into the CPS?

STATUS OF COMPLIANCE

Checks by THISDAY on status of compliance of various states to CPS revealed that many states are as dormant as they have been in the past two to three years in their efforts to key into the CPS scheme.

Some have not even enacted their CPS laws while some enacted the law without contributing anything to their workers’ RSA. For instance some states in the North Eastern part of the country, according to PenCom have not done much. A state like Adamawa as at March 31st 2022 up to the last report on its activities as at December 2022 did not record any improvement in its efforts to fully key into the contributory pension scheme. The state had in 2013 enacted its CPS law and drafted the Adamawa State Contributory Pension Scheme through its CPS bill 2020, which seeks to

establish a scheme similar to Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme (CDBS) .

According to PenCom, the 2013 law did not provide for the appointment of PFAs, which is the key actor in the CPS while the 2020 bill drafted by the state to amend the CBDS proposed the custody of pension funds by a board of trustees instead of PFCs. Also the state is yet to establish a pension bureau and is yet to commence remittances of pension contributions for the employees and yet to conduct actuarial valuation to determine the employees’ Accrued Pension Rights.

PenCom said the state is also yet to open Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption fund account and is yet to commence funding of Accrued Pension Rights and yet to institute a group life Insurance policy for its workers.

Analysts said with this, the state is still far from adequate pension planning for its retiring workers.

Bauchi state as at the same period March 31st, 2022 up to December 2022 though has drafted a bill on Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme (CDBS) in 2015, constituted committee to guide the process of implementing the CPS, and other reforms needed in pension administration in the state. It only drafted a bill in 2022 but is yet to enact law on the CPS to guide implementation of the scheme and yet to establish a pension bureau. The state is also yet to register the employee with PFAs. It is equally yet to commence remittance of pension contributions for the employees and has not conducted an Actuarial Valuation to determine the employees’ Accrued Pension Rights. Also the state is yet to open a Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account for its workers and is yet to commence funding of Accrued Pension Rights and is yet to institute a Group Life Insurance Policy. The same status is maintained by other states in the north east such as Gombe, which enacted its own law in 2006 which was repealed and replaced with Pension Reform law 2014 it later repealed the law and enacted the Gombe State Contributory Defined Benefit Scheme (CDBS) law 2019.

Taraba enacted its pension Reform Law law in 2009 and has remained dormant as far as

CPS implementation is concerned. Yobe state only inaugurated a committee on CPS in 2020, drafted a bill on CPS and set up a committee to facilitate the adoption of the CPS since then it has remained dormant. Borno seems to be the worst as it drafted a bill on CPS in 2012, forwarded it to PenCom, which in turn communicated its observation to the stat but up till now has not seen any response regarding its adoption of CPS. These states equally do not have any plan on group life insurance for their workers.

NORTH WEST STATES

For the North West, the Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Law was enacted in 2005. The law was amended in 2015 and 2020. The State has set up the Jigawa (State and Local Governments) Contributory Pension Scheme Board. The CDBS does not require the registration of employees and opening of Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). It has been remitting 17 percent employer & 8 employee Pension Contributions under the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme.

It has conducted an Actuarial Valuation to determine the employees’ Accrued Pension Rights in December 2018. It but the institution of the Group Life Insurance Policy is not required under the CDBS. It has also opened Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Accounts (RBBRFA) with the CBN. Jigawa has been funding its Accrued Rights consistenly with 5 percent of the monthly wage bill.

It instituted a Sinking Fund domiciled with the CBN in place of a Group Life Insurance policy. But it has arrears of Accrued Pension Rights. Kaduna State has enacted the Kaduna State Pension Reform Law in 2007. The Law was amended in 2016 and 2020. The state government has established the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to oversee the process of implementing the CPS in the State. It registered employees with PFAs. The state is currently deducting and remitting both employer and employee pension contributions consistently based on 8 percent employer and 7 percent employee contributions.

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

compliance status of various state governments to the CPS.

Selassie

Unilever Seals $2m Partnership Agreement on Plastic Waste Collection

Gilbert Ekugbe

Expressing concerns over the increasing plastic waste due to increased consumption of plastics, Unilever Nigeria and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships have entered into a $2 million US partnership to help social enterprise Wecyclers expand plastic waste collection in the country.

Besides, the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) had stated that consumption of plastics in Nigeria jumped by 116.26 per cent within a period of 15 years to 1.25 million tonnes.

Addressing a press briefing to seal the deal and mark its centenary celebration, the partnership set up through an innovative “Development Impact Bond” structured by French investment bank Societe Generale, will allow Wecyclers to create hundreds of jobs to scale up operations that takes up plastics waste out of the environment to be used as raw materials for industries.

According to the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr.

Carl Cruz, Unilever Nigeria and Wecyclers have been working together since 2014 as part of Unilever’s ‘waste to wealth’ campaign, designed to help local organisations work out ways on how to create value and jobs from the reduction, collection, recycling, and reusing of plastic waste.

He stated that under the partnership, seed funding from Unilever, UK Government and EY joint project called Transform helped Wecyclers expand their successful franchise and collection model.

He however, stated that as an entrepreneurial social enterprise, Wecyclers lacked access to the long-term funding needed to build on that progress and significantly scale up this model.

“The unique Development Impact Bond provides a solution to that challenge. It includes social, environmental, and financial targets, which will see Wecyclers collect more than 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste over the next five years, create over 700 jobs in recycling franchises

across Nigeria, and improve the incomes of thousands of waste sorters. This funding is a major step forward for us in our work to ensure plastics waste stays out the Nigerian environment,” he said.

In his words: “It shows there is wealth to be made from creating jobs tackling plastics waste, it cleans up the Nigerian environment and it develops a more sustainable financing model for groups like Wecyclers.”

On his part, the Managing Director, Wecyclers, Mr.Wale Adebiyi, said Wecyclers started with one bicycle and a dream, and through hard work and entrepreneurship, it has built a scalable model courtesy of the Development Impact Bond that will create hundreds of jobs, and improve the income of thousands of sorters, expected to earn 25 per cent more than they do currently.

“All the partners involved hope this experience in Nigeria will inspire the further development and use of such Bonds globally to finance organisations tackling similar challenges,” he added.

SEC: National Savings Sensitisation Takes off Soon

KayodeTokede

The capital market community is to commence sensitization and stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the National Savings Strategy (NSS).

To this end, an implementation committee would be established to ensure success of this initiative.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda at the end

of the First Quarter Capital Market Committee meeting held virtually weekend.

Yuguda explained the need to establish a National Savings Strategy as outlined in the Capital Market Master Plan “as one of the key strategies to enhance capital formation by mobilising domestic funds for investment to drive rapid economic growth.

“It envisaged the deliberate provision of risk capital as venture capital and private equity that are naira based

and more committed to the long-term prosperity of Nigeria as well as create a buffer to the instability created by foreign investors. The CAMMIC commissioned a white paper on a National Savings Strategy and recommended to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning the formation of a working group to explore the feasibility of the report findings.”

This initiative Yuguda stated, would aid the mobilisation of funds in order to boost the national economy.

Nigeria to Host 2023 WAICA Conference

Ebere Nwoji

Nigeria will host this year’s edition of West African Insurance Association (WAIVA) Education Conference scheduled between May 7 to 9,2023 at Eko Hotel Victoria Island Lagos. Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee of the conference Mrs Bola Odukale said lessons from the conference would poise Underwriters in the West African subregion to square up with their global counterparts to enable them play as global brands,

Odukale stated this while addressing members of the Committee during the inaugural meeting where she unfolded plans to host the three-day international Conference.

The 2023 WAICA Educational Conference has the theme: Repositioning the Insurance Industry in West Africa for Global Competitiveness” .

Odukale who doubles as the deputy chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), said the sub regional

body had decided to address the issue of rating at this time because the insurance industry as a critical player in the economy should be able to compete globally and rating agencies helped to access the strength and global competitiveness of insurance companies.

“If we are promoting the concept of a global village, the insurance industry in the West African sub region needs to be seen as front runners in promoting global competitiveness.” She added.

AIICO Rolls Out CRS Programmes on Health

Ebere

Nwoji

AIICO Insurance Plc has rolled out a number of corporate social responsibility activities targeted at improving the health and well being of Nigerians at all ages.

The company said to achieve this, it has established relationships with partner agencies, government establishments, and non-profit organisations through which it touched many lives more meaningfully.

AIICO Head Strategic Marketing and Communications Department, Mr Segun Olalandu

said the company annually commemorates World Blood Donor Day with an internal blood donation drive in partnership with Lagos State Government through its agency, the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

He said in doing this, AIICO employees troop out voluntarily to donate blood, adding that the intervention was in response to the enormous supply gap and the continuous rise in the demand for blood in local health institutions.

In a related development, Olalandu said AIICO was also

helping to fight and end infant homicide (infanticide) in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, this barbaric practice is still in practice in some local communities. AIICO donates N100 from every sale of its Travel and Automobile insurance products to this cause yearly. It partners with ActionAid Nigeria and Vine Heritage Home, who are at the forefront of the campaign to rescue these children. They provide them with shelter, and access to quality education and ensure they reintegrate into society without harm”, he stated.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Supreme Court Affirms IST’s Jurisdiction on Capital Market Disputes

Kayode Tokede

The Supreme Court has affirmed the Investments and Securities Tribunal’s (ISTs) jurisdiction over capital market disputes in the country.

Director General of the SEC Mr. Lamido Yuguda, who disclosed this during an interview while reacting to the judgement, said the landmark decision confers exclusive jurisdiction on the IST to determine all

issues listed in Section 284 of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007. He said, “On January 13, 2023, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a landmark decision with enormous implication for capital market dispute resolution. This was in the case of Mufutau Ajayi vs SEC with Supreme Court number SC/314/2007. Many capital market practitioners have eagerly awaited the outcome of this case which

remained pending at the Apex Court for 15 years before it was finally decided.”

The SEC DG stated that the Supreme Court while delivering its judgment in the appeal on January 13, 2023 after going through the facts and history of the matter and reviewing the submissions of the learned counsel representing both parties, found as a fact that the SEC took adequate and sufficient steps to notify the Appellant

of the sittings and proceedings of the APC. He said, “More so, SEC did not act as a judge in its own cause since it acted on a complaint by Sadiq Petroleum Limited (SPNC), a core investor that subscribed 30% of the shares of African Petroleum Plc. Accordingly, the Appellant cannot continue to seek for the grant of the order of certiorari when it was clear that the conditions for the grant were unavailable

to him.

“More important, however, was the decision of the apex court on the issue of jurisdiction over capital market matters. The Supreme Court held that the main issue in the appeal was that the Federal High Court declined jurisdiction in the matter, which decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeal.”

After reviewing the applicable laws on the actions of the SEC and its Administrative Proceed-

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF 18/04/23

ings Committee APC, the apex court stated, “Based on the foregoing, it implies that any grievance, whether on denial of fair hearing by the APC as in the present case, rule of law, equity, facts or law, etc., should be instituted in the Investment and Securities Tribunal (1ST). It is unequivocal that the proper forum with jurisdiction to hear and determine the case of the Appellant is the Tribunal and not the Federal High Court.”

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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 17Apr-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

OOU Don Advocates Technological Revolution in Teachers’ Education

Funmi Ogundare

Aprofessor of Language Education, Art and Social Sciences Education at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Sefiu Oladunjoye, has advocated the introduction of technological revolution into primary and secondary schools, particularly in language education. He said the measure becomes necessary to address gaps in the education system.

Oladunjoye advocated this as part of his recommendations of the 107th inaugural lecture of OOU, titled, ‘Literature of Teaching and Teacher of Literacy: The 21st Century Challenge’, which he delivered.

At the lecture, chaired by the OOU ViceChancellor, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, Oladunjoye noted that language education is undergoing significant changes in content and pedagogy, necessitating flexibility in classroom management to capture learners’ interest. He emphasised that traditional teaching modes are being replaced by innovative approaches to knowledge delivery, resulting in a language classroom vastly different from the mid and late-20th centuries.

The lecturer suggested leveraging social media and advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to enhance flexibility and regulate service delivery across all professions. He added that computer-mediated language instruction could automate learners’ autonomy and enable more radical academic gains without compromising best practices. He said, “Traditional modes and methods of teaching are giving way to innovative approaches of knowledge delivery. Therefore, flexibility is being demanded in classroom management to capture learners’ proficiency levels and heterogeneous nature.”

Tunde Akanni

‘Agba o ni tan lorile’, by the special grace of Allah. But for the timely intervention of Nigeria’s ageless gift to the world, Prof Wole Soyinka, Oxford and Cambridge universities and other sympathetic establishments in and outside of UK would have been relentless with everything possible to dim the rising star of the enterprising creative genius and novelist, Onyeka Nwelue, who, many hail as a professor.

Treasured by both institutions obviously on account of the strength of his literary productivity, Nwelue had been a visiting scholar to both Oxford and Cambridge. Suddenly, some bubble exploded.

Nwelue wasn’t a professor after all. So he had to be pressured to disengage from being an academic visitor to the two universities. The excuse: Nwelue wasn’t a professor, and so a ‘big lie’ had been uncovered. But he never claimed to be a regular professor, other than being so hailed. How simplistic can any institution choose to be in relating with stakeholders?

How can substituting casual street banters for official information stand?

But the romance with both British institutions had been cut short on account of little talks.

Given the propensity of the internet for speedy and global spread of information, only God knows how much humiliation Onwelue would have had to endure but for Soyinka’s intervention. Shortly after the two universities severed their relationship

Agboola added, “However, we can push further in our flexibility by leveraging the radical potential of social media and advanced technology. We can deploy artificial intelligence to regulate service delivery in virtually all professions. If pursued with regular training, computermediated language instruction promises the automation of learners’ autonomy and the achievement of more radical academic

gains without compromising best practices. One way to achieve the said flexibility is by applying audiovisual learning devices in the classroom.”

He also advocated for involving all individuals in the academic process, from elementary school to higher education, while emphasising the importance of English language teachers receiving training overseas.

He said, “There should be what I call participatory academia in our teaching from primary school

Liittle Englanders and the Rest

with Nwelue, Kongi had to authoritatively assert that Nwelue wasn’t alone in the craze for some persons to arbitrarily lavish titles on others, especially online. He recalls, in his intervention, how he had to alert somebody who was being so similarly titled, to be wary.

But not yet Uhuru from UK still. In matters they hardly understand or choose to deliberately misunderstand, they still hasten to intervene and flaunt what you may rate as an angelic posturing.

It was like the Nigeria Office of the Corporate Accountability and Public Public Participation Africa, (CAPPA) had them in mind in formulating the curriculum for the training of Nigerian journalists prior to the 2023 General Elections for which they were supported by the European Union (EU).

Yours sincerely had been contracted for presentations in Ibadan and Port Harcourt on the subject of ‘Understanding Conflicts and Drivers of Conflicts in Elections’. Being so familiar with the tendencies of some little folks manning international affairs around the world in this age, and guided by my sense of patriotism, I pointedly alerted my audiences to the factor of international community as an unmistakable variable. Often, they observed elections in the past and stamped judgments on the fairness or otherwise of elections without sufficient data. That has changed. They now observe and remark on the general atmosphere of peacefulness

or otherwise. However, some far less populated countries with unfounded colonial pride like the UK have failed to recognise the beauty of modesty and the need to steer clear of avoidable deadly and reckless interventions far from smacking balance. And so UK felt it could afford to be discriminatory in its reckoning with strands of political developments in Nigeria, deliberately dismissive of what the consequences may turn out to be for innocent souls that may ultimately fall victim of violence, with regards to the nations most competitive presidential election held February 25, 2023. A winner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has since emerged and duly congratulated by leaders of governments around the world including those of the United Stated States, Saudi Arabia and even UK. Incidentally, the opposition in this contest turned out to be extremely bad losers hardly bothered by whatever could befall the nation they’re seeking to rule having lost to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The two leading contenders after Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, promptly constituted legal teams and have since been in court. Notwithstanding this, they have been relentlessly loquacious on their presumed stronger popularity, implying as much as they could that the president-elect never deserved the victory. Their supporters, irrespective of whatever accomplishments, have been wrongly inspired

and become far worse, throwing caution to the wind completely. Sam Amadi, holder of a PhD from Harvard, heightened the tension to a most dangerous peak, surprisingly. Shortly after the president-elect announced that he was travelling to France and Saudi Arabia for Umrah, a few days back, rumour began to circulate that the CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, was spotted at the airport trying to sneak out of the country allegedly to go and hold secret meetings with the president elect. In the middle of the confusion, Amadi, who was also a former law professor at Baze University owned by Obis deputy in the 2023 presidential election, published a photograph online perceived to be complementing the rumour. Amadis falsehood was soon betrayed and he owned up with regret that he did it in error. But the CJN, his family and other Nigerians had been severely embarrassed especially as Amadis fellow Obi followers had feasted on it on the social media and similar terrains. Amadi has not disclosed his intention of doing it but it turned out to be a most embarrassing intervention from someone deemed to be knowledgeable enough to know the enormity of his misdeed.

Apparently sensing the opposition was up to fighting dirty, former Minister and one of the campaign directors of Asiwaju Tinubu, Femi Fani-Kayode, FFK, shot back at the opposition relentlessly and seemingly in a stronger

up to the University level. What distinguished Finland and a few other European countries, including the West, from us is the level of involvement of learners in the process of teaching.”

The 107th inaugural lecture held at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Multipurpose Hall on the school campus attracted academia from OOU and other sister universities, principal officers of the institution, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the education sector.

of Us

way, but devoid of falsehood. The UK authorities however chose to ignore Amadi, who had even volunteered public regret. Instead, they launched against Femi Fani-Kayode threatening visa denial and all. So mean, many Nigerians noted and particularly, FFK himself. He reckoned that the concerned UK diplomat was one little Englander who should seek a lot to learn from fellow diplomats. But this writer was not surprised by the conduct of the little Englander given UK and some of its establishments trajectory of irrational partiality and wrong profiling of persons such as had been encountered and condemned by many Nigerians.

Rather than being supportive of developmental strides of Nigerian citizens and the country as a whole, especially during uncertain times, often you find UKs policies being either indifferent or antithetical. Otherwise, why heat up the polity with a hardly justifiable position on the side of Dr Amadi and the rest opposition against Nigerias president-elect?

The degeneracy of UKs diplomatic disposition to Nigeria has been relentless, unsurprisingly. What, with the rather strange stance that Nigerian students who plan to enter UK with their families may no longer have that opportunity? No be today nah!

As the spokesperson for Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO in 1995, a visa officer at the British High Commission had rudely told me he was going to deny me visa because I

was young and unmarried. I scanned the quantity told him I was even older and had a first degree which he probably didn’t have. He thought he could threaten me by saying he would write down my comments and I told him he should do but should make a copy for me.

Shortly afterwards, I was in New York and graced the renaming of the Nigeria Corner after Kudirat Abiola together with several colleagues and dignitaries including Asiwaju Tinubu as a NADECO chieftain then as well as our Kayode Fayemi who later became Ekiti State Governor . The renaming over, Dr Fayemi insisted I must detour to UK while returning to Nigeria. As the executive director of CDD then, KF, as we fondly hailed him, did me an invite while I was still in the US and I got the UK visa in New York within three hours! Much more courteously, I did not even have to appear for visa interview the following year when I clinched the all-time prestigious British Chevening Scholarship to do a postgraduate programme in the UK.

It is gratifying enough for now that FFK has little or no need for any advocate being more than up to the messy situation cooked by the British Diplomat. He gave it all to him so he can learn to deepen his diplomatic orientation before the next challenge.

-Akanni, a distinguished Chevening Scholarship alumnus, is an associate professor of Journalism at the Lagos State University

Olabisi Onabanjo University gate

IFTAR/RAMADAN LECTURE...

Osun Inaugurates Inter-Ministerial Committee on Population, Housing Census

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Osun State government yesterday inaugurated an InterMinisterial Committee on Population and Housing Census with a focus on ensuring that facts and figures about the state are correctly compiled during the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented at the

inauguration of the Committee by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, assured the committee and the National Population Commission (NPC) of the full commitment of the state government in ensuring a successful 2023 census and addressing any challenges that might affect the state in being shortchanged during the exercise.

" I am delighted to be here today to perform the inauguration of the

Inter-Ministerial Committee on Population and Housing Census, put together by this administration in furtherance of efforts to ensure that facts and figures about Osun State are correctly compiled during the next National Population and Housing Census slated to hold from Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th May, 2023.

"I wish to declare that the need to take this step by the government was underscored by the fact that

there are clear indications that our dear state was under-represented in the figures published for the 1991 NPC.

“This was challenged at the Census Tribunal, and the needful was done eventually, but the repeat of that should not be allowed to happen in the forthcoming exercise."

In outlining the responsibility of the committee, Igbalaye directed members of the committee to work out appropriate sensitisation and

Buhari to Inaugurate Abuja-Kano Road Before May 29

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government has given the assurance that section 2 and 3 of the Abuja-Kano expressway will be completed and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari before the end of his tenure on May 29.

A statement from the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Blessing Lere-Adams, said the assurance was given by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who was taken on a tour of the road by the minister in charge of the ministry, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

"Both section 2 and 3 will be completed and ready for commissioning by President Muhammad Buhari before the end of the tenure of his administration,"Gambari was quoted as saying.

He disclosed that another legacy project of the resident, the 2nd Niger bridge will also be inaugurated before he leaves office.

Gambari recalled that the bridge had been opened for road users during the last Christmas season to ease the hardship that people had suffered for years now

The CoS lauded the president for what he described as his 'outstanding and commendable commitment to infrastructural development' across the country.

"We want to commend Mr President for making the resources available so that this kind of progress can be made", he stressed.

In his remarks, Fashola explained that section 3 of the road, which is from Kaduna

to Kano is 137 kilometres, which is longer than the Lagos - Ibadan expressway, a 127 kilometre road, while section 2 of the road which stretches from Zaria to Kaduna is 73 kilometres.

He added that though the Lagos- Ibadan expressway started earlier, both projects are being completed around the same time.

On why work on the section 1 of the road, which is from Abuja to Zaria was not progressing like the other two, the minister attributed the reasons to criminal activities

which stalled the work for about a year in 2022.

He listed other issues which delayed the project as right of way which required relocation of buildings, markets, electricity installations and utilities which he noted must be addressed before the contractor could do his job.

He said that work on that section of the road was ongoing just as the required collaboration between the ministry and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and the governors of Niger and Kaduna states whose

territories are connected to the 265-kilometre road was going on.

Fashola gave the assurance that the section will be completed by the next administration as soon as possible since funding being provided by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is now readily available.

The Managing Director of the NSIA, Mr Aminu Sadiq, who also spoke at the event, affirmed his organisation's commitment and readiness to provide the funding for the project.

Edo Govt Steps Up Regulation, Seals Up Selaf Specialist Hospital in Uromi

The Edo State Government has sealed up Selaf Specialist Hospital, a health facility in Uromi, Esan-North-East Local Government Area (LGA) of the State, as part of ongoing efforts to regulate and sanitise the healthcare system and rid it of quacks.

Officials of the Edo State Ministry of Health led by the Directors of Medical Services and Nursing Services, Dr. Edward Aisowerien and Mrs. Patricia Osazuwa respectively, stormed the premises of the hospital and shut it down indefinitely for various offences, including operating without registration, engaging unqualified personnel, training of quacks and non-compliance with regulatory standards.

According to a statement, after up sealing the hospital, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Edward Aisowerien said, “The officials of the Edo State Ministry of Health are here to seal off this premises as part of

ongoing enforcement operations to regulate and sanitize the healthcare system. We recently got information that this facility has been carrying out training and induction of quack nurses.

“Upon our investigation, we discovered that the facility, Selaf Specialist Hospital, is not registered with the Ministry of Health. They claim they are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The proprietor of the facility has been interrogated, and he revealed that they have been operating for about two and a half years.

"We are using this medium to appeal to Edo people that it’s no longer business as usual. There are a number of these facilities running in the state that are not legally registered with the Ministry of Health. Some of these facilities engage unqualified persons to carry out their activities.

“We have developed standards in the Ministry for all categories of health facilities - clinics, hospitals,

medical centres, diagnostic centres, nursing homes and maternity, among others.”

He further noted, “In no distant time our registration portal will go live where we will upload these guidelines for persons that are interested in running private facilities to familiarise themselves with the requirements.

“For now, this facility will be sealed permanently. The owner of this facility will be apprehended and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.”

The Director added, “We are appealing to Edo people to help us as we step up efforts to strengthen and rejig our healthcare system. We cannot do this job alone. We request that you report to the Ministry of Health anything you see or suspect to be wrong. We are relying on your support to curtail the activities of these unscrupulous elements who are putting our lives in danger for their selfish gains.”

mobilisation strategies about the activities of the National Population and Housing Census exercise, organise advocacy and sensitisation programmes for Local Government functionaries, the media and NGOs, on population and related issues.

He also urged the committee to regularly liaise with the NPC in the state with a view to fashioning out strategies for an effective and acceptable population census.

He further gave the assurance of the state government to provide enabling environment and necessary support to ensure that right machineries were put in place for a successful Population and Housing Census exercise in Osun State.

The Statistician General of the State and Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Yemi Ijidele, thanked the state government for the proactive approach taken in ensuring a successful census and housing population in the state.

He said the committee was a

CAMA Act 2020.

Also listed for determination was whether his purported removal vide letter of January 17, 2022 without compliance with expressly stated provisions of the law is not wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no legal consequence whatsoever.

Upon the determination of the issues in his favour, the plaintiff had wanted the court to make declaration that his position as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC was exclusively governed and regulated by CAMA 2020, PIA Act 2021 and Memorandum of Association of the Company.

He had also sought a declaration that by the provisions of section 63 (3) of the PIA Act, CAMA Act and Memorandum of Association of the NNPC, the President cannot by will remove him from office as non-Executive Chairman without following due process of the law.

He had requested for N100 billion as damages for the wrongful removal, disruption and interruption of his term of office as non-Executive Chairman of the NNPC.

Meanwhile, some industry analysts yesterday stressed that the stability of the NNPC should be top priority, following the court decision to reinstate Ararume.

Speaking on the matter, the Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), Frank Tietie, said a prolonged court case may not

standing committee of the state government set up to address the myriad of challenges Osun State had suffered during the past census.

Members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee were drawn from different sensitive government ministry and agencies. They included: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; Ministry of Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation; Bureau of Statistics; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce and industry, Department of Politics and Security, Office of the Head of Service, Office of the Surveyor General, Office of the Accountant General of the state, National Population Commission (NPC), Ministry Justice, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Hon Commissioner for Boundary Settlement under the office of Ministry of Justice among others.

be in the interest of the company, especially if the federal government decides to go on appeal.

He explained that it was important to allow the rule of law to prevail in the interest of the international obligations and transactions of the NNPC so as not to create trust deficit in its operations.

‘‘The judgement of a court is presumed to be obeyed by all parties until it is set aside. In the absence of any stay of execution, the judgement must be obeyed,’’ he stressed.

He advised that the newly reinstated non-executive chairman of the board of the NNPC may decide to ratify decisions of the board since his removal so as not to create a situation where the operations of the company would be impacted in the negative.

Also speaking, an Energy Finance Expert and former Senior Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dan Kunle, said it was important for the government to always ensure that it allows the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) guide the rule of engagement for directors of limited liability companies.

Stressing that the federal government may decide to appeal the court ruling, he urged the authorities to always play by the rules. He also advised that decrees should not be deployed in the setting up of boards of limited liability companies.

L-R: Chief Judge of Ogun State, Mosunmola Dipeolu; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo; Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Guest Lecturer, Prof. AbdulRazzaq Alaro at the Iftar/Ramadan Lecture on "Trust, an Indispensable Tool for National Development " held at Arcade Ground, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta... yesterday

COURT NULLIFIES BUHARI'S REMOVAL OF ARARUME AS NNPC LTD CHAIRMAN

AFRILAND PROPERTIES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING...

PDP Dismisses Purported Suspension of Sekibo, Opara

Court stops party from suspending Rivers gov-elect, Fubara, others

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported suspension of Senator George Thompson Sekibo and Hon. Austin Adiele Opara from the Party, purportedly by the Ward Executives of Ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, respectively.

This is as Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has stopped the PDP from suspending the Rivers State Governor-elect, Siminlalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu,from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

But the NWC, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said, "After a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara dated April 17, 2023 against the purported suspension, hereby

declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).

"For clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that ‘Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee, at any level except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive

Committee, Deputy Governor or member of the National Assembly’.

"The NWC, therefore, charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, teeming supporters of our Party in Rivers State and the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara."

The NWC enjoined all party members in the state to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of the party and

APC Stakeholders Want Senator Smart Adeyemi Expelled

A group, Ijumu APC Progressive minds, has called for the immediate expulsion of the senator representing Kogi West, Senator Smart

operations can be a big issue. If we do not have continuous and stable high level investment in the country, the future is uncertain."

In his intervention, Irune, said the Nigerian oil and gas industry had reached an inflection point, adding that everything revolved around portfolio rationalisation.

He said, "Nigeria, if you do not get your act together, you will run so low, there will be no more monitoring and paraphrasing. If you do not pay your debts, you will not be advanced more capital for projects. Simple.

"I think the point every person was trying to make was, how do we understand that this inflection point has come, to support indigenous players to be able to shift naturally into these roles? Some of us are there already.

"I wrote down a few things: security, policy, funding, infrastructure. And in that order, I think the panel have taken those points, so, security is a big issue, and if as independents, we can't get over that issue and deliver on all our commitments to our funders, in essence, there will be no future for the independents.

"And I think for us, that's the underlying issue there. How do we continue to sustain the investment that goes into the acceleration of crude oil extraction that must happen before the world completely dries up?”

Also sharing his thoughts,

Adeyemi from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local government, over his comment on APC governorship primary. President of the group, Kamaldeen Oluwatoyin, while addressing

Journalists in Lokoja, yesterday, stated that there was justification for free and fair governorship election across the 239 wards on the 21 local government of Kogi State.

“We warned the Governor then about our son that he is a snake, that no matter how good you are to him, he will bite you. That is exactly what Senator Smart Adeyemi is doing now.

the Nation.

It said it was steadily progressing in the reconciliation efforts among all members of the party across the country and was encouraged by the success so far achieved.

Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo, in a judgment in two separate suits filed against the PDP, held that due process of law must be followed by any organisation set up by law while dealing with issues relating to law.

Besides, the court held that the fears of the plaintiffs and other members of the PDP were wellfounded, but that suspending or expelling them would amount to the breach of their rights to freedom of association.

Ekwo stated that, it was in the power of the court to grant redress to persons, who have well established acts that would amount to the infringement of their rights.

Akawo, against the party, its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was earlier opposed by Mr Usman.

Messrs Fubara, Onor, Akawo and others had filed three separate suits against the PDP and others.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/123/2023, which was filed by Messrs Fubara, Odu, and 48 others, the plaintiffs listed PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

Okunbor said the government was owing Shell and some other IOCs some huge debts that were yet to be paid, adding that a lot needed to be done to bring back Investment into the oil sector.

He said Nigeria's race to achieving energy security and transition would require more investments into major oil and gas development projects to realise, adding that while the PIA presents opportunities for the sector, there were still some grey areas that need to be addressed.

Meanwhile, in a fire chat session at the event, Komolafe confirmed the position of the operators, saying there have been issues of regulatory overlaps between NUPRC and NMDPRA and that that has been a matter of concern for the industry.

He, however, noted that his agency was effectively implementing the provisions of the Petroleum Industry (PIA) in order to enable businesses in the industry.

He said, "Yes, we recognise the fact that there have been issues of regulatory overlap between the two regulators and that have been a matter of concern for the industry. Of course, it is a new law and as pioneers, we will continue to implement the law and continue to take notes of the challenges in the course of the Implementation.

"As a matter of fact, we will expect that the incoming government will be asking us to make special reports that we will present to it.

Oluwatoyin said it was imperative to set the record straight in the face misinformation and blatant lies being circulated by some defeated aspirants in the last Friday 14th of April, 2023 primary election. While lamenting the attack on Governor Yahaya Bello by Adeyemi, the group called on the senator to refrain from disparaging the free and fair process that has produced the APC standard bearer on Friday.

"After his ill-fated failure in the 2015 election, where he was washed away by the Buhari hurricane: it was the governor that rehabilitated the political destitute called Smart Adeyemi and brought his political career back to life.

"The reason the governor gave for supporting Senator Smart Adeyemi in 2019 was to push him for the Senate Presidency. It was a selfless Agenda to position Kogi State strategically for development.

“As members of the party in Ijumu Local Government Area, we commend the governor for allowing a level playground for all the contestants. That process has produced the best candidate and we are confident of victory in November.

"We also call on the APC in Ijumu Local Government Area to immediately commence expulsion proceedings against Smart Adeyemi as he has become cancerous to our party.”

He said members of political parties could not be suspended arbitrarily without compliance with the political party’s guidelines and held that, “The applicants have established that the respondents will likely tamper with their rights” adding that the case of the applicants succeeded on merit.

Fubara’s counsel, Joshua Musa, SAN, and Johnson Usman, SAN, who represented the PDP and its executives, had, last month adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

The Cross River PDP governorship candidate, Sandy Onor, and his running mate, Ambrose Emana, also filed a suit against the party and its executives over their alleged planned suspension from the party.

Also, yesterday, the court granted the motion moved by Mr Musa, seeking an order to amend their suit in another suit filed by the Rivers PDP Chairman, Desmond

Also joined in the suit are the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

The plaintiffs sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st to 5th defendants from suspending, expelling or in any manner doing any act that would tamper with their fundamental rights.

They also sought an order of injunction restraining INEC from according any recognition to any suspension or expulsion or any other act(s) of the 1st to 5th respondents designed to violate their fundamental rights.

They prayed the court to declare that the threat to suspend, expel or tamper with their rights as members of PDP and its candidates at the general elections on account of the disagreement between the party’s national executives and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State where they hail from amounted to a denial of their rights.

Female Students Kidnapped by Bandits in Kaduna Escape from Captivity

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Eight female students kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna have escaped. The schoolgirls attend the Government Secondary School, Awon, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The bandits abducted them on April 3.

The Kaduna government announced the news of their escape on Tuesday in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

According to the statement, the female students escaped from a thick forest bordering Kaduna and Niger states and trekked for days

before arriving at an undisclosed location where they hid.

Intelligence sources subsequently alerted the Kaduna government for immediate evacuation, added the statement.

Upon receiving the intelligence report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the One Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna to evacuate the students to the Kaduna metropolis to prevent the abductors from recapturing them.

"The students, according to preliminary briefings, escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna-Niger interstate boundaries and walked for days before arriving

at a location (kept undisclosed for security reasons) where they were harboured," stated the Kaduna government.

It added, "Human intelligence sources subsequently alerted the Kaduna State Government for immediate evacuation. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on receipt of the intelligence, directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the 1 Division Nigerian Army for urgent evacuation of the students to Kaduna Metropolis, as it was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing forests in the area to recapture the students."

The students were safely evacuated to a military facility receiving medical attention.

“Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai has expressed his delight over the development and has praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in making their escape from captivity," the statement noted.

El-Rufai admonished the traumatised schoolgirls "to view the horrific experience as a turning point and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future."

"The governor also commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Major General OT Akinjobi, for the prompt evacuation and the ongoing medicals being conducted on the students," the statement added.

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Afriland Properties Plc. Owen Omogiafo; Non-Executive Director, Ayodeji Adigun; MD/CEO, Uzoamaka Oshogwe; Chairman, Board of Directors, Emmanuel Nnorom; Company Secretary, Omomene Obanor; Non-Executive Director, Agatha Obiekwugo and Independent Non-Executive Director Olubunmi Akinremi, at the Company's 10th Annual General Meeting held at The Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja…. yesterday

OPERATORS SEEK ALIGNMENT BETWEEN NUPRC, NMDPRA IN OIL REGULATION

CHATROOM MOVIE PREMIERE BY UNILEVER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STERLING ONE FOUNDATION...

L-R: Manufacturing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Abayomi Alli: CEO,

PANDEF Makes Case for South-South Senate President in 10th Assembly

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Some elders and leaders from the Niger Delta, under the umbrella of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Senate President to the South-south geopolitical zone,

in the interest of equity and fairness. The group in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, made available to THISDAY, yesterday, noted that the last time someone from the present south-south states occupied the office of senate president was during the second republic (1979/1983), when

the late distinguished Senator Joseph Wayas, from Cross River State, was elected, first in October 1979.

"Since 1999", it stated, "the southsouth zone has not had a turn in the office of the senate president. The region has had stints at the lower levels of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,

between 1999 and 2007, under the Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, and the Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, both from Rivers State. Currently, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from Delta State, is Deputy Senate President.

"Ostensibly, the south-south zone has an unassailable reason to step up to the senate presidency, after

Court Adjourns Ali Bello's Alleged N3bn Fraud Trial

Alleged N3bn Fraud: EFCC, Ali Bello's Lawyers Spar Over Document

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The hearing in the trial of Mr Ali Bello over allegations bordering on fraud to the tune of N3 billion has been adjourned until May 30 amid disagreement over a witness' document.

The adjournment followed

request by defence lawyer to respond to documents prosecution sought to tender through its first witness.

Bello and three others are standing trial before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on fraud charges by the EFCC.

They however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the prosecution opened its case against them.

At the resumed hearing in the suit marked ABJ/CR/573/2022, on Tuesday, the prosecution lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, called his first witness, Mr. O. Nicholas

O., an official of the American International School, Abuja. The witness could not, however, complete his testimony as the defence team, led by A. M Aliyu, SAN, objected to documents, which the EFCC sought to tender in evidence through the witness.

24 years of our current democratic experience. No contrary arguments can stand against this south-south position,” it stated.

PANDEF, therefore, implored the president-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with other key stakeholders of the APC, and all senators-elect of all parties, and the parties’ hierarchies, to support the ceding of the incoming senate presidency to the south-south zone.

The leadership of PANDEF, argued that it was, "unarguably, the fair and proper thing to do, at this time of our country's political progression."

It stated that whilst agreeing, “in parts, with the positions postulated by the Progressive Governors Forum, and sundry individuals,” PANDEF expressed concern over the names reported in the media, to have indicated interest in the senate presidency, in particular.

elective political offices viz: The senate presidency, speakership of the House of Representatives and their deputies.

"Surely, the leadership of the APC cannot be entirely unmindful of the fact that a Muslim senate presidency would bring further imperilment to national order, affecting the sorely desired overall stability. A wrong move on this score can only represent a step too far.

Court Frees ASCSN President Bola-Audu, Three Others from Human

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Charles Agbaza of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has freed the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr. Innocent Bola-Audu and three others, from charges bordering on human trafficking.

Justice Agbaza in a judgment delivered yesterday, discharged and acquitted the defendants on the

Trafficking Charges

grounds that the prosecution failed to link them with the alleged offenses.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP) had dragged the four civil servants before the court over their alleged involvement in human trafficking in 2021.

The workers were the Chief Accountant on Grade Level 14, Innocent Bola-Audu, and an Assistant Executive Officer on Grade Level 13, Cecilia Aneke. The defendants had

pleaded not guilty after they were arraigned on July 7, 2021 and were subsequently granted bail.

However, after the prosecution closed its case the defendants through their counsels filed a no-case submission, claiming that the prosecution failed to prove the ingredients of the charge.

In his ruling yesterday, the court agreed with the submissions of the defendants that the prosecution clearly failed to link them with the charge.

He, however, prayed the court to allow him raise the objection in the final written address while admitting the documents provisionally.

But Oyedepo objected on the grounds that the documents could not be provisionally admitted.

Responding, Aliyu urged the court to allow him address his point of objection to the documents before the documents were admitted in evidence.

Based on health grounds, he prayed the court to allow him argue his objection at the next adjourned date.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until May 30 and 31. The court had on February 20 granted bail to Bello and three others, in the sum of N500 million.

Fox News, Dominion Reach $787.5m Settlement in Defamation Lawsuit

Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a $787.5 million settlement agreement yesterday, both parties announced, narrowly heading off a trial shortly after the jury was sworn in.

“Fox has admitted to telling lies,” NBC News quoted Dominion CEO, John Poulos, to have said at a news conference after the trial ended.

"Money is accountability," said Stephen Shackelford Jr., the attorney scheduled to give opening statements for Dominion.

Fox News, in a statement, said it acknowledged "the court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false."

"This settlement reflects Fox’s continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards,” the network said. “We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute

with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues.”

The resolution came after the jury had been sat but before opening statements began.

"The parties have resolved their case," Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis said Tuesday afternoon, informing the jurors of the settlement. "That means your service is done and I’m going to excuse you. Sorry about making you wait."

The deal ended a month-long legal battle over whether the media company had defamed the voting machine maker when Fox broadcast election conspiracy theories in 2020.

Lawyers and media sat waiting in the courtroom for more than two hours after opening statements

were scheduled to begin on Tuesday afternoon. Davis re-entered the courtroom just before 4 p.m. to announce the settlement with the lead attorneys on the case rushing in after him.

Dominion sued Fox News in 2021, demanding $1.6 billion in damages. It said the network defamed it when it broadcast baseless claims that it was tied to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, that it paid kickbacks to politicians and that its machines “rigged” the 2020 presidential election by flipping millions of votes for Trump to Biden.

Late Sunday, the court delayed the conclusion of jury selection and opening arguments to Tuesday morning, leading to speculation that settlement talks could be taking place behind closed doors.

The settlement comes after a bruising week for Fox News. During pretrial conference hearings, Davis sanctioned the network for withholding evidence, and admonished it for not being straightforward with him. He said he would allow Dominion to conduct an additional deposition with Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch at Fox’s expense. Davis also ruled that Fox lawyers could not use newsworthiness as a legal defense, limiting their possible trial strategies.

On Tuesday, Davis also appointed a special master to investigate whether Fox had adequately complied with court-ordered discovery.

Few defamation suits make it this far, but legal experts say the case — and the extraordinary claims and evidence fueling it — was unique.

It added: "The APC having upheld the principle of rotation of key political offices between the north and the south, in respect of the presidency of the federation, is expected to maintain the same modus for the other major

"PANDEF, as a body of patriots and proven committed stakeholders, in the Nigerian Project, is compelled to issue this timely advice, in the national interest. Thus, urges politicians to draw lessons from recent happenings in the polity, and demonstrate grander statesmanship, and patriotism, in designing the leadership of the upcoming 10th National Assembly; while cautioning that obsessive political characters should not be allowed to blur this all-important issue with the usual ignoble hoarse recourse to “internal affair” status.

“That would be most unfortunate and of no profit to any demographics in the Nigerian Project!

AFTER FOILING A BRAZEN ELECTORAL COUP, INEC DECLARES FINTIRI RE-ELECTED

to snatch, run with and undermine the mandate of the people as freely expressed in their votes.

"By the way, it is not yet uhuru as we still have one more major mandate to reclaim, and together as one. We shall accomplish the task for the good of our country and its people."

The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a statement, said it was a hard fought and hard won victory not just for Fintiri, but also for Adamawa State, democracy and due process in Nigeria.

According to the forum, "Indeed, Nigeria has just been rescued from descent into the abyss. We have just dodged another bullet. We commend INEC for redeeming itself and hopes that this is a harbinger of things to come. It is in this regard that the commission is requested to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions have been identified.

"Where the matters have been taken to the tribunal, INEC should assume a garb and toga of neutrality and inform the tribunals of the actual events that transpired in the elections. It has been shown by today’s development that INEC can reverse itself where mistakes have been made. We call on Governor Fintiri to continue to justify this huge mandate and trust of the people of Adamawa State.”

On its part, the PDP leadership described Fintiri’s victory as a momentous triumph for democ-

racy and the will of the people of Adamawa State over tyranny and desperate manipulative forces that sought to take over control of the state illegally.

In a statement by National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, PDP said, "The spontaneous jubilation of citizens in Adamawa State and across our nation at the official declaration of Governor Fintiri as the rightful winner of the election, irrespective of the nefarious schemes by the rejected All Progressives Congress (APC), is a confirmation that the PDP and its candidate are indeed the choice of the people.

"Governor Fintiri’s overwhelming victory is a validation that the will of the people cannot be subdued no matter the plot by a tyrannic, domineering and power-grabbing few who, with over-bloated ambition, desperately sought to subvert our democracy, scuttle the electoral process, compromise the judiciary, subjugate the people and impose an unconstitutional regime in the polity."

PDP saluted the courage, resilience and determination of the people of Adamawa State in resisting the defeated APC and compromised Ari in their bid to destabilise the state.

The PDP spokesman stated further, "Our party also lauds the Adamawa State Returning Officer, Mohammed Mele, for his courage in standing on the side of justice, due process and democracy in the discharge of his duty."

Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe; Film Producer, Ronya Man; Head, Psychology Department, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Oluwagbemileke Olive; Head, General Service Division, Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Bridget Taremotimi; General Counsel, Unilever West Africa, Bidemi Ademola; and Procurement Director, Unilever West Africa, Obinna Emenyonu at the Chatroom movie premiere by Unilever Nigeria in partnership with Sterling One Foundation in Lagos.

DISCUSSING EFFECTIVE PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT…

United Nation Development Programme representative, Mrs Ronke Olubanise; Country Director, Small Grant Programm (SGP),Mr. Adeolu Adesotu; Waste Management and Environmental Analyst, Mrs Aanu Israel; and Chief Executive Officer, Pearls Learning Hub, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, during a training programme on deploying the power of Information Technology(IT)-engaged youths in effective use and plastic waste management in Abuja…yesterday

NBA Pleads for Wali’s Release from Abduction

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has pleaded with the kidnappers of its former president, Okay Wali (a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) to release him unharmed to his family.

The President of NBA, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, made the plead yesterday in a statement

while expressing concern over the abduction which happened on Monday along East-West Road, in Rivers state.

THISDAY reported earlier that a man was abducted along Obirikwerre axis of East-West Road, while his aide was shot dead by the kidnappers.

It was also reported that a team of Police patrol tried to rescue the victim but sustained injuries after their vehicle

Group Engages CSOs on Health Insurance in Bauchi

Segun

Awofadeji in Bauchi

A town hall meeting to enlighten people of Bauchi State on the importance of uptake of health insurance or contributory scheme at both national and state levels has been conducted in the state capital.

The meeting was organised by Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with a Bauchi based Civil Society Organisation (CSO), journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) with support from USAID Palladium.

It targeted local CSO, nongovernmental organisations, trade unions and traditional leaders, faith based organisations, community based organisations, artisan associations, persons with disabilities among others.

The Programme Manager, CSJ Mr. Martins Eke, said that health contributory scheme has been proven to serve as a pool where

huge amount of money can be channeled for effective healthcare service delivery without waiting for government’s budgetary allocation.

Eke stated that the aim of the meeting was to enlighten the public on the need to key into health insurance scheme and do away with out of pocket spending on health matters.

He said that he was optimistic that if a certain percentage of people in the state would embrace the health scheme, it would pave the way for the actualisation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Eke, who acknowledged that Bauchi State Government has an established health contributory scheme, lamented the low enrollment in all components of formal, informal and the vulnerable programme, calling for more awareness creation towards changing the narrative.

Book on Cervical Cancer and VVF for Launch May 6

A book on Cervical Cancer and Vesico-Virginal Fistula (VVF) is due for launch in Abuja on Saturday, 6th of May,2023.

Titled Nadama and written by Hajia Fatima Usara of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the launching will be chaired by Chief Medical Director of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Prof Ahmed Ahidjo.

The Special Guest of Honor is General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), while the Chief Launcher is the Managing Director of Aliko Dangote Foundation, Ms Zouera Youssoufou. Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, is the Guest of Honour.

The Guest Speaker is wife of the Kebbi State Governor

somersaulted while chasing the kidnappers. As at then, the identity of the victim was not yet known.

But in the statement the NBA president disclosed that

the kidnapped victim is Wali, who was the president of NBA. Maikyau further regretted the level of insecurity in the country, and urged the Police to live up to its responsibility and ensure

the safety and release of the legal luminary.

“It has come to my attention that one of our respected elders and former President of the NBA, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN was

reportedly abducted in the early hours of yesterday, 17 April 2023, after his convoy was attacked along East–West Road, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

‘Okowa Didn’t Sign Law on Governors’ New Pension Benefits’

Omon-Julius Onabu inAsaba

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu yesterday said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta did not sign any law to give governors new retirement benefits.

Aniagwu, who was reacting to allegation from certain quarters, made the clarification at a news

conference in Asaba. He said that the detractors and opposition political candidates also alleged that the Okowa led government sold the state Liaison Office in Lagos. He cautioned the detractors to stop pouring aspersion on the governor through their porous claims, adding that the incumbent would remain focused in delivering

A’Ibom Election Tribunal

Okon BasseyinUyo

The 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akwa Ibom State has so far received 22 petitions from aggrieved political parties that participated in the elections in the state.

A breakdown of the figure showed that the governorship petitions were eight while 14

Receives

the promises made to the people until the last day in office.

Aniagwu said: “They claimed the liaison office in Lagos has been sold, to who, for how much? You can’t sell the property of the state; no amount, no buyer.

“We only engaged a developer to tap into the opportunities therein to build a 10 storey building as approved by Lagos Government,

to make more money for the state and to house the liaison office on completion of the project, which is currently on rent.

“Also, we did not sign any law to give governors new pension benefits. Those who say that we are going and that we have passed a new law to give governors a new benefit package, they know they are making lies.

22 Petitions on Governorship, State Assembly Elections

petitions were received by the tribunal on the State House Assembly election.

Political parties that filed the governorship petitions include the Young Progressive Party (YPP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Accord Party (AP), the Allied People’s Movement (APM) Others were the Action People’s Party (APP), Action Alliance Party (AA); the New Nigeria People’s

Party (NNPP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

APC, YPP, AA and the PDP were among political parties that filed the State House of Assembly petitions before the Election Tribunal in the state.

The Respondents in the governorship petitions are the Independent National Electoral Commissíon (INEC), the PDP, and the governor-Elect, Pastor

Umo Eno.

A source at the Tribunal disclosed that the Respondents in the governorship petition have been duly served by the political parties.

The 2023 National and Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier disclosed that it received a total of 15 petitions from aggrieved parties in the State namely the APC, YPP, NNPP, Labour Party and APM.

Civil Society Group Calls on Lagos, IG to Tackle Land Grabbers

Sunday Okobi

Civil society stakeholders on the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) have expressed deep concern over what they described as the continuous threats to public peace of the unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community otherwise referred to as Ajiran Land in the Eti-Osa Local Government

Area of Lagos State. The group therefore, stated that it considered it compelling to draw the attention of relevant authorities in Lagos State as well as security agencies and other relevant institutions to the perilous situation in Ojomu community and to demand urgent actions.

At a press conference held in Lagos and addressed by the President of CHSR, Alex

Omotehinse, the service-oriented non-governmental organisation (NGO) said: “The intervention of civil society stakeholders has become imperative to put an end to reckless abuse of human rights, malicious disobedience of constituted authorities as well as brazen disregard for the laws of Lagos State as enforceable in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria.

“Our action has become pertinent to forestall further disorderliness in Ajiran Land in the interest of public peace, as the situation in Ojomu community indeed calls for urgent intervention.

“CHSR has received a number of complaints bordering on activities of land grabbers who overtime have become atrocious in Ojomu community.”

and Chief Executive Officer of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr Zainab Bagudu Shinkafi.

Royal Father of the Day is the Emir of Zuru, Major-General Muhammed Sani Sami (rtd) .

Mothers of the Day are Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, and former First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Nkechi Rochas Okorocha.

According to a statement, Prof Umar Adam Katsayal of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Dr Abubakar Muhammad Sani, Sarkin Shanun Yamatu, Gombe are the Book Reviewer and Book Presenter respectively.

The author explained that Nadama is a Hausa drama whose theme is derived from the name of the book itself, ‘regret’.

JAMB: 84,000 Candidates Sit for Rescheduled Mock-UTME

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

About 84,000 candidates yesterday sat for the rescheduled MockUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Mock-UTME), which was held across the country. The Registrar/Chief Executive of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq

Oloyede, who made this known while fielding questions from newsmen after monitoring the exam in Abuja, expressed delight over the hitch-free exercise.

Oloyede commended the candidates for showing understanding over the board’s decision to reschedule the examination, which was prompted

by glitches earlier observed in the Mock-UTME in some centres.

He said: “We should also thank the students for bearing with us when we were trial-testing. You know we gave a notice that we were moving to a new level and I think by God’s grace, we are now arriving at the next level.

“Those things we wanted to

test, we have seen what they were and we went back and made sure everything works and it is working.

“We will still be focused on issues relating to cable- that you called network in the centre, there may be few centres that we may have one problem or the other but we are going to get over that.”

Bayelsa Guber: A Litmus Test for APC, PDP, Says NDDC MD

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said that the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State would determine which party is on

ground and has the interest of the people at heart.

Ogbuku stated this after casting his vote in his hometown, Ayakoro community, in Bayelsa State at Unit I, Ward 3, in the Ogbia Constituency II rerun election.

He claimed that the All

Progressive Congress (APC) would have been the party ruling the state by now if its mandate had not been stolen in 2019 by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said: “The APC won the last election though the PDP snatched it from us. So you cannot say that Bayelsa is a PDP’s state.

The next governorship election is when we will know which party won the election.”

He commended the National Independent Commission (INEC) for the introduction of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS), adding that the BVAS did not waste time in capturing him.

SUPPORTING CREATIVE ARTS…

L-R: Senior Lecturer, Creative

Department,

POS Operator Arrested for Squandering N280m Mistakenly Credited to His Account

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) Alagbon, Lagos have arrested a Point of Sale (POS) operator in Kwara state for allegedly squandering N280 million mistakenly sent to his account.

The suspect simply identified as Alfa Rafiu was arrested at his hideout located at Akuji

compound, Abayawo area in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state

A police source, who sought anonymity, told THISDAY in Ilorin yesterday that, the suspect was said to be engaging on a spending spree recently after he received the alerts in batches of several millions some weeks ago.

“But instead of him to draw the attention of the bank that mistakenly transferred the huge

ASEA, PAPSS Sign MoU to Advance Cross-border Payments

KayodeTokede

Sequel to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and Pan-African Payments Settlement System (PAPSS), the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) has also signed an MoU that will further advance cross-border payments and settlement of securities transactions in Africa.

PAPSS and NGX signed an agreement recently to facilitate cross-border payments across capital markets within countries enabled under the PAPSS network.

At the event, the Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola noted that local capital is critical to driving deep, stable and less volatile markets.

“The integration of PAPSS into the African capital market will reduce some of the frictions experienced and deepen capital flows,” he had said.

The ASEA-PAPSS MoU signing was announced via the social media handles of PAPSS.

According to the CEO, PAPSS, Mr. Mike Ogbalu III, the partnership will “allow investors to buy securities across the continent without any hassle, unlock the flow of capital and enable the deepening of stock exchanges across the continent.”

“This is a step in the right direction paving way for greater things to happen in Africa,” President of ASEA, Mr Thapelo Tsheole, had also said in an online comment.

Stakeholders have commended the move, expressing optimism around the potential gains that could be gleaned from the partnership. On his Twitter, the Secretary-General at the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat Wamkele Mene, said the continent spends over “$19.4 billion a year in payment and settlement.

Ikpeazu Reverses Abia Varsity Fee Hike

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has countered the decision of the management of Abia State University led by Prof. Maxwell Ogbulu to increase the tuition fee of the school by over 350 per cent.

Invoice given some fresh students had shown that undergraduates in some departments had their fees hiked from N122,000 Naira to N500,000.

However, worried by the development, Ikpeazu, who is a Visitor to ABSU quickly directed the management to immediately cancel the increase in school fees announced on Monday.

The governor, through his Speaking on behalf of the governor, his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said that the

fund, he went on a spending spree. “Rafiu bought houses, cars and sponsored people to the lesser Hajj. Although he was generous to several people in

the community, some residents were surprised about his sudden wealth as a POS operator,” the source added.

Following this development, the bank where the money was

mistakenly transferred into the suspect account decided to inform the police at FCIID, Lagos and this prompted the operatives to act on the available information.

Sources close to the police in the state said that the operatives of the FCIID were said to have been deployed to the resident of the suspect and was later arrested.

AMS-IX, MDXi Launch Internet Exchange in Lagos

Emma Okonji

AMS-IX, one of the largest Internet Exchange operators in the world, and MDXi, an Equinix company, have partnered to launch a new Internet Exchange in Lagos, Nigeria. The new Internet Exchange, AMS-IX Lagos, is situated in the carrier-neutral data centre of MDXi, an Equinix Company. Under terms

of the partnership, MDXi will serve as the commercial partner of AMS-IX and regional sales and marketing arm for AMS-IX Lagos. AMS-IX will run the technical and operational management of the exchange.

According to a statement released by MDXi, AMS-IX Lagos aims to become an important content hub for West Africa, enabling regional

and local ISPs, carriers, and internet exchanges to aggregate content from large global Content Delivery Networks, hosting companies and application providers. In the coming months, MDXi, an Equinix Company and AMS-IX will focus on seeking alliances with local telecom operators and IX’s and supporting local ecosystems.

AMS-IX Lagos will launch with over 25 connected networks as AMS-IX and MDXi, an Equinix Company migrate and onboard the existing connected networks of West Africa Internet Exchange (WAF-IX) in the coming month. Connected networks at WAFIX include large CDNs and application providers such as Cloudflare, Microsoft and Google.

‘Proposed Five-year Compulsory Service for Medical Doctors Discriminatory’

Sylvester Idowu inWarri

A Chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and former Delta State Gubernatorial Aspirant, Mr. Sunny Onuesoke, has described the proposed five years compulsory service for medical doctors in Nigeria as discriminatory and undemocratic.

Onuesoke said: “How would government enforce that? Any

doctor who feels that he is not satisfied with his service condition is free to go anywhere. Why and how will he be tied down if conditions of service are not improved?

Recall that the House of Representatives recently passed a contentious bill aimed at addressing the country’s medical personnel shortage. The proposed legislation

required doctors trained in Nigeria to practice within the country for a minimum of five years before being granted a license to practice abroad.

Onuesoke, who condemned the proposed bill when he addressed newsmen at Asaba International Airport, Delta State, wondered why members of the House of Representative should focus on medical doctors when Nigerians

across all professions are fleeing the country in droves to seek greener pasture elsewhere because of the decline of the nation’s economy. He argued that the proposed bill is undemocratic because it infringes on medical personnel freedom of movement and rights seek good means of economical livelihood in other part of the world after spending years and finance to acquire the profession.

Ondo Youths to Adebanjo: Stop Parading as Afenifere Leader

Fidelis David in Akure

A group under the auspices of ‘Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria’ (YAYON), yesterday, staged a peaceful protest, calling on the acting leader of the pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, to stop parading himself as the national leader

of Afenifere.

Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti recently disagreed over the outcome of the 2023 general election, despite moves aimed at resolving the crisis.

Some youths have however protested against the leadership style of Adebanjo, calling on him to immediately step down on his capacity as the acting leader

increase which is by over 350 per cent was unacceptable to the State Government, especially given the current economic realities in the country.

“The Governor while acknowledging that it is becoming increasingly challenging for the University to play its role under the current fiscal regime, however, added that the University management must understand clearly that it must ensure that children of the poor in the State are given the opportunity to access tertiary education,” he said.

Ikpeazu further directed the University management to engage with all relevant stakeholders in the university community and have robust discussions before contemplating any geometric hike in school fees.

of the foremost Yoruba group. The protesters, who stormed the country home of the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State capital, passed a vote of no confidence on Adebanjo.

Leader of the Youth, Eric Oluwole, claimed that Fasoranti was the authentic leader of the mainstream Yoruba group.

Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the youths alleged that Adebanjo, since he became the acting leader, has been taking decisions to soothe his political leanings, which he said has continued to polarised the group.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Pa Fasoranti, Pls Revoke.

Ayade Decries Stealing in Govt, Vows to Recover, Secure State’s Assets

Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, yesterday decried the stealing of government assets in the twilight of his administration.

Ayade, spoke at the State Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, while swearing in Udiba Udiba as the state’s Commissioner for

Assets Management and Martins Osibe as a Commissioner in the Cross River Civil Service Commission.

Ayade at the occasion disbanded the state’s Scraps Metal Regulatory Agency, accusing it of unwholesome activities.

A statement quoted the

governor to have said office of the Commissioner for Assets Management, “has the responsibility to document every single asset that belongs to this state.”

“Cross River has a very sad story regarding assets remittances. Our assets have often been taken away because

we do not have inventory of them.

“In this time and age, people still see government assets as nobody’s assets. As government is winding down, they convert official cars and change number plates and hide the cars from government.

“Some people move from one Ministry to the other taking government assets.

Police Arraign Property Agent, Others over Alleged N800m Fraud

Wale Igbintade

The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force yesterday arraigned before a Federal high Court in Lagos two property agents, Msheilia Julius Silas and Sabo Mohamed Jimeta, alleged to have swindled a businessman,

Abubakar Baba Zango, to the tune of N800 million.

The two defendants and a limited liability company, Jitau Investment Limited, were arraigned yesterday before the court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

During their arraignment, the police prosecutor, Emmanuel

Jackson, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence alongside Albert Atiwurcha, Nanda Ezekiel and J&J Holding Villa Limited (now at large).

Jackson, who is the officer in-charge of PSFU’s Legal

Department, further informed the court that the defendants with an intent to defraud, conspired among themselves and fraudulently sold off a property located at No 3 Bunu Sheriff Crescent, Katempe Extension, Abuja, for the sum of N800 million.

Art

University of Lagos, Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo; Digital Artist & Painter, Alade Omomurewa Rita; Head, Partnerships & Alliances, ARTSPLIT Limited, Muyiwa Olowoporoku; Artist/Sculptor, Kupoluyi Vanessa, and Visual Artist/Speed Painting, Ekemezie Victor Ikenna, during the World Art Day Commemorative Event Organised by ARTSPLIT Limited in Lagos...recently

Osimhen’s Equaliser Not Enough for Napoli as Milan Reach S’final

Holders Real Madrid highlight Chelsea’s season of mediocrity with another win

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Victor Osimhen’s dream of playing in the semi final and perhaps final of the UEFA Champions League was punctured last night by AC Milan.

His late equaliser was not enough to see Napoli through to the last four as Olivier Giroud’s goal gave Milan the aggregate 2-1 victory and the ticket to their first Champions League semi-finals since winning the competition in 2007.

The possibility of another Italian derby in the semi final appears possible if Inter Milan are able to overturn Benfica holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg this evening.

Osimhen’s absence from the first leg perhaps cost Napoli this ticket. The Super Eagles forward was all over the pitch but didn’t get the much needed support from his Georgian co-forward, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

And it was Kvaratskhelia that also failed to convert a late penalty

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

awarded Napoli following Fikayo Tomori’s hand ball in the box.

The Serie A champions-elect Napoli dominated early on - but Milan won a penalty with one of their first attacks, although Giroud's spot-kick was saved by Alex Meret.

The veteran Frenchman got the opening goal, though, when he tapped in following a sensational 70-yard run by Rafael Leao to set him up. That made it 2-0 on aggregate.

After Kvaratskhelia's penalty was saved by Milan goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, Osimhen who missed the first leg in San Siro through injury nodded in the equaliser with seconds left of the injury time.

Napoli, 14 points clear of second placed Lazio at the top of the Italian Serie A table, lost form at a critical time and failed to take a host of chances, with 39 efforts across both legs wasted.

...Guardiola Insists City Face 11 Players Not Bayern History

Pep Guardiola insisted yesterday that Manchester City will face "11 players, not the history" of Bayern Munich in today’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

The teams will meet at 8pm at the Allianz Arena with City holding a three-goal advantage from the first leg.

But Guardiola said Bayern, who have won the trophy six times, will still be a threat on home soil.

"We don't play against what they achieved, but having something like that is something special," he said.

City have yet to win the Champions League, having lost the 2021 final to Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea and were beaten in last season's semi-finals by an incredible Real Madrid comeback.

"It's nice to travel around and play these types of opponents, it's nice to be here and try to make an incredible achievement and reach the semi-final again," added Guardiola.

The Spaniard, who managed Bayern for three years before taking charge of City in 2016 and leading them to four Premier League titles, wants his side to further "punish" Bayern after their outstanding first-leg performance in Manchester.

"We must focus on what we have to do to control the game, punish them, come here to win the game in Munich against one of the most historic teams in the competition," he warned ahead of the all important clash for City who are pursuing a treble of titles this term.

GOtv Boxing Night 28: 'I'll Eat You Like Tuwo,' Esepor Threatens Tanzania's Tuwa

London-based World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental featherweight champion, Taiwo "Esepor" Agbaje, has stated that he will eat his Tanzanian opponent, Twalib Tuwa, like Tuwo, a staple food common in the northern part of Nigeria, when they clash at GOtv Boxing Night 28.

The international bout is one of the seven scheduled for the boxing show billed to hold at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on 1 May.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Esepor, ranked 39th in the world by the WBF and named Best Newcomer of the Year (2022) by the boxing body, dismissed his opponent as a softie like the popular Nigerian meal, Tuwo.

“When I heard that Tuwa agreed to the fight, I laughed because his name sounds like Tuwo, a very popular food in Nigeria. Tuwo is a light, easy- to-eat-and-digest food. I have no doubt that Tuwa is the same and will be eaten and digested with ease like Tuwo Shinkafa.

“There is a reason the WBF thinks I'm worth being ranked 39th in the world. There is also a reason why boxing named me Best Newcomer of the Year for 2022. The reasons will be made clear to Tuwa at GOtv Boxing Night 28, at which I think I will be taking a

Elsewhere on the night, Chelsea's hopes of salvaging success from a season of abject mediocrity were ended ruthlessly by Real Madrid as the holders advanced into the Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge with aggregate 4-0 scoreline.

The Blues were always battling

against the odds to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in the Bernabeu and their cause was not helped by a familiar failing as a battling performance was undermined by missing a succession of clear chances.

N'Golo Kante missed a glorious first-half opening while Marc Cucurella was blocked by former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois when he looked certain to reduce Real's advantage.

A lightning counter attack led by Vinicius Junior ended with Rodrygo putting the tie to bed with a close-range finish just before the hour The Brazilian forward then walked in the second after brilliant, unselfish work by Federico Valverde with 10 minutes left.

Carlo Ancelotti's quest for an historic fifth win as a coach in this tournament will continue with a semi-final against either Bayern

Nigerian Breweries Plc Throws Weight Behind Okpekpe Race Again

major step toward the main world title. Tuwa will regret taking the fight," Esepor bragged.

The Nigerian is undefeated in his 15 bouts, including two in the UK, winning eight via knockout. His most recent was last December, when he stopped Richard Pumipic of The Philippines in the fifth round to win the WBF (Intercontinental) featherweight title. GOtv Boxing Night 28 will also feature an eight-round national lightweight challenge fight between Azeez Ayobami and Tosin Osaigbovo. Also scheduled for the night is an eight-round national super featherweight challenge contest between Samuel Moses and Michael Adesodun.

In the other bouts, fast-rising cruiserweight boxer, Steven "Freeman" Kadima will trade punches with Godwin Ambrose; Demiji Salami and Samuel Elegbede will pummel each other in a six-round national super middleweight challenge bout; lightweight boxers, Emmanuel Abimbola and Prince Lion Nwoye will slug it out, while Dolapo Omole will battle Gbolahan Mojeed in an eight-round featherweight bout. GOtv Boxing Night 28 is sponsored by GOtv and will be broadcast live on DStv and GOtv in 50 African countries.

Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc will once again be partnering organisers of the historic Okpekpe International 10km Race to deliver the first gold label 10km road race in Nigeria.

In 2017, the company joined the cast of corporate organisations who made history with the race as the first ever and only World Athletics silver label road running event to hold in Nigeria nay West Africa.

“Since then, the company has always identified with us and will also be celebrating the race's new status as the first gold label 10km

road running event in Nigeria,” says Race Director Zack Amodu.

“The largest and biggest brewing firm in Nigeria has continued to be a part of history as we continue to put Nigeria on the map of the world as a destination of sort for sports,” added Amodu.

“Nigerian Breweries Plc is coming in as the Official Malt Drink of the race and we are thrilled that such a socially responsible corporate organisation has thrown its weight behind us, yet again. This is a testimony to the growing popularity of the Okpekpe road race.” Amodu said that Nigerian

Breweries Plc, as the official malt drink of the race will refresh athletes, spectators and officials who will be at the race with their two classic brands, Amstel Malta and the ZAGG Energy Malt.

“Amstel Malta Classic is a premium malt drink with international heritage, produced with high quality ingredients. It is for the youthful person who lives an active lifestyle and needs to replenish lost energy and be in best shape.

“ZAGG Energy Malt is an unconventional energy drink brewed to perfection, fortified with Vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12 and

Ginseng, Energy that keeps you moving,” said Amodu.

In 2015 Okpekpe 10km road race became the first road race in Nigeria nay West Africa to be granted a World Athletics label status which means the race is regarded as one of the world’s leading road races. It is the first road race in Nigeria to have its race course measured by a World Athletics/AIMS certified course measurer.

The ninth edition of the race will hold on Saturday, May 27, 2023 and it will be live on television across the globe via SuperSport, its official broadcast partner.

Davido Dream Football Show for Talent Discovery Debuts

Femi Solaja

Young football talents in Nigeria and Africa in general who have been yearning for an avenue to showcase their God-given skills have been provided with a platform through which their dreams can be realised.

Three partners: the Abu Salami Media, 1XBet and David Adeleke (Davido) have teamed up with a plan to launch a model football talent hunt programme named: The Davido Dream Football Show (DDFS) - Nigeria's Premiere Football Show.

Davido Dream Football Show is an initiative for advancing youth soccer especially at the grassroots

level through a designed curriculum that has potential to develop fundamental technical skills and tactical awareness in young players who are committed to competing at the highest levels.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Salami Media, Mr Abu Salami who doubles as Chairman of the Davido Dream Football Show, the programme is aimed at empowering and supporting young male football talents between ages 18 and 22 within Nigeria and around Africa. At the launch and media presentation of the programme held yesterday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Salami said, "the Davido Dream

Football Show will enable young football talents to realise their dreams of becoming stars in future."

He told the crowded hall of media men and other football stakeholders that the reality tv show will run for 30 weeks with one episode to be shown every week.

"First we will organise screening of those who will register. Once they are screened, we will organise series of trials. From that exercise, the best among them will be selected for camping for the final show," he said, hailing encomiums on 1XBET, the major sponsors. "It wasn't easy to find sponsors until I got to 1XBET who saw that the project aligned with their philosophy of

sports development and youth empowerment."

David Adeleke, President of the Davido Dream Football Show said it was a great way to give back to the society and explore untapped potential of the Nigerian youth.

“We all know impact is essential and a show like this will not only engage the minds of the youths, it will birth meaningful changes and opportunities for youths across Nigeria and Africa as a whole. I believe it will also set the pace for impact-driven initiative in grassroots football in Africa," Davido said.

Some selected talents are to go for trials with partner clubs of the talent hunt in Europe.

Olivier Giroud was the match winner as AC Milan defeated Napoli 2-1 aggregate to reach the semi final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2007

MISSILE NBA to FG

Thisuglyincident,(theabductionofOkey WaliSAN),isyetanothersadreminder oftheweaknessinthenation’ssecuritysystemandthefailureofsuccessive governmentstoliveuptotheconstitutionaldutyofprovidingforthewelfareand securityofallNigerians–PresidentoftheNigerianBarAssociation(NBA)Yakubu MaikyauSANurgingthefederalgovernmenttoensurethereleaseofoneofhis predecessors,OkeyWaliSAN,whowaskidnappedinRiversStateonMonday.

KAYODE KOMOLAFE

Unity as Item on the Agenda

The prominence of the identity question in the 2023 politics is a great proof that deliberate efforts should be made by those in power to promote national integration.

It is easy to assume that any politician or political party seeking to govern Nigeria believes in national unity. After all, none of the 18 candidates who contested the February 25 presidential election canvassed the dissolution of Nigeria. Instead, items on their various agendas were presumed to be aimed at strengthening the Nigerian nation. Virtually all the candidates and political parties have given some space on their agendas for issues of power devolution, restructuring, fiscal federalism etc. All these issues are ultimately subject to constitutional resolution.

Yet, the tone and tenor of the campaigns as well as the aftermath of the elections have brought to the fore the identity question and national unity.

This, of course, is no surprise given the content of national conversations in over three decades on the nature of the Nigerian federalism and multi-dimensional threats to national unity.

As German Philosopher Friedrich Hegel argues in his works on the philosophy of history, beneath all the political activities is the struggle of humanity for recognition and dignity: “The people will learn to feel the dignity of man. They will not merely demand their rights, which have been trampled in the dust, but themselves will take them – make them their own.” It may be unwise to dismiss this as idealism in the context of the 21st Century Nigeria.

The process of promoting national unity would be greatly enhanced when the due recognition is given to each person and every part of the whole of the nation. No amount of constitutional engineering would be a substitute for the factor of recognition and dignity as the identity question is being projected in the current politics. The recognition of identity is subjective; but it shapes what objectively takes place in the policy arena.

There is ample evidence in the record of the Buhari administration in the last 95 months to demonstrate this point.

For instance, amidst the ferment of the campaigns and elections, President Muhammadu Buhari took some noteworthy steps towards the amendment of the constitution to achieve devolution of powers.

Almost unacknowledged by the advocates of power devolution and restructuring, Buhari signed into laws last month 16 bills seeking to amend various parts of the 1999 Constitution. Interestingly, the announcement of the politically important development came from the Joint Senate and House of Representatives’ Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution. By virtue of the new laws, 16 items have been moved from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list in the constitution. They include financial autonomy of the state legislature and judiciary, the power sector, airports, railway, and prisons, biometric information and criminal records. Some critics of the President have dismissed the above as giving a “last-minute” impression of doing “something about restructuring and power devolution.” The proponents of an entirely new constitution are not impressed about the whole process of constitution amendments. They are raising a more fundamental query about the origins of the constitution. President-elect Bola Tinubu should be reflecting on how to find answers to these questions. Meanwhile, the President says he has done his best in tackling the political problems.

With 40 days to the end of Buhari’s tenure, it might be apposite to recall what this reporter observed on this page on August 26, 2020. The column on that day was entitled “A Missing Item on the Buhari Agenda.” The missing item on the Buhari agenda identified then was national unity. It was suggested on this page on another occasion that in addition to Buhari’s three point agenda of SEA – Security, Economy and Anti-corruption- a fourth one, Unity, should be added to make the acronym SEAU.

The basic argument for prioritising national unity in governance made in the piece written 32 months ago is the same as the one of today.

The argument was made at the time as follows:

“President Muhammadu Buhari listed yesterday “nine priority areas” for the next 33 months.

Buhari said the areas of focus would “guide policy

directions” so as “to improve the livelihood of Nigerians.”

“The areas of priority include poverty reduction, food security, power and energy, fighting corruption, security, promoting entrepreneurship, quality education, and affordable healthcare…

“Essentially, the listed areas of priority are a distillation from the broad cardinal programmes of Buhari on managing the economy to reduce poverty, ensuring security and fighting corruption.

“Doubtless, 33 months are enough for the President to make a difference in the identified policy areas given competence in governance and sincerity of purpose. It doesn’t take eternity to demonstrate competence in governance. After all, the idea of celebrating 100 days in office has been traced to the French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, who took some landmark political decisions in just 100 days after arriving in Paris on his escape from Elba. In a more modern sense, American President Franklin Roosevelt launched the largely social welfare and construction programmes backed by laws, which defined his era, in the first 100 days in office. That was a period of about three months.

Here, Buhari still has good 33 months! So it would not be a misplaced optimism to insist that rather than dismiss the statement as another official gaseous talk, the Buhari administration should be put on its mettle “There is, however, an item that is glaringly missing on the Buhari rebooted agenda. That is the imperative of working actively and honestly towards national integration. To achieve the purpose of any development agenda for Nigeria today, national unity cannot be discounted. It is a central factor. The issue has to be confronted in action and words.

The fact that Buhari did not list national unity as a priority could be an indication that the factor is taken for granted.

“Yet, all the other priorities could only be achieved within the context of a stable and united country in which people in every part feel a sense of belonging.

“In fact, the achievements in the listed areas would be gravely impaired if the conditions that could nurture warlords are created while Buhari is in the saddle. The matter is not helped by the seemingly insensitive statements by elements believed to be wielding enormous political influence in Abuja.

Such a posture on the part of those in power would amount to ignoring the realities of the nation. Nothing should be taken for granted in matters of unity. The important thing is for those who want it, especially the leadership, to make it a priority.

“It has been repeatedly emphasised here that nations are built by a committed people under a visionary leadership. Perhaps the only indispensable ingredient in the making of a nation is what a scholar calls the “collective state of mind.” The leadership should by its action and words promote this “state of mind.” It is the subjective feeling of having a sense belonging to

a nation. It is more decisive than ethnicity, race, blood, geography, language or ancestry. There are people strongly committed to a nation without a state. The Palestinians are still struggling for a state. There are nations of races and ethnic groups. That is the reality of America. There are nations of different languages. Switzerland is an example. There are nations with contested territories. China once had its territory sequestered and the nation is still in the process of asserting its sovereignty on parts of its claimed territory. However, with the “collective state of mind” that a people belong to a nation all other gaps in nation-building could be filled.

“As the President spoke of his priorities in Abuja, there were reports of bloody clashes involving the State Security Services (SSS) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that is campaigning for secession. The other day, a prominent politician in the southeast reportedly threatened: “If Nigeria tells the elites from the southeast that they would be treated as second class citizens in Nigeria, and that they can never be president, almost all of them will join (Nnamdi) Kanu to fight for Biafra.”

“The influence of the IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu must be widening for a former governor to even project that the political elite would join in the campaign for secession.

If the militancy in the Niger Delta appears to have slowed down, the discontents in the region are far from vanishing. Leaders from the unjustly treated region have taken the federal government to court over marginalisation in federal appointments. The degradation of the environment in the Niger Delta remains largely an unanswered question.

“The cry of marginalisation is almost universal in the Nigerian political landscape. It is not only the minority ethnic groups that say that they are being pushed to the margins in the management of national affairs. Every part now claims to be marginalised.

“The separatist impulse is also evident among the Yoruba of the southwest, the region that is said to be having relatively lower indices of underdevelopment on the average. All manners of maps and emblems of an Oduduwa Republic circulate in the cyberspace. Some are even talking of Yoruba Exit (Yexit), a most inappropriate imitation of the politics of Britain’s exit (Brexit) from the European Union (EU). To some of the elite the idea of national integration has become a very naïve one, if not contemptible. Such feelings should be understandable to a sufficiently perceptive national leadership, or what the inimitable Dr. Chidi Amuta calls “enlightenment leadership.”

“As in other zones, insecurity is a major reason cited by those in the southwest losing faith in the ideology of a united Nigeria. Despite the existence of the Nigerian state, people feel helpless in the face of violent crimes. Hence, the question: “which Nigerian nation are you talking about?” This trend is being given a strident voice in the media.

“The discontents might not have assumed a noticeable separatist tone in the three zones in the north. But the failure of the Nigerian state to protect people in the east, west and central zones of the north is undeniable. There are certainly ungoverned spaces in northern Nigeria given the activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements. There have been reports that terrorists might be moving southwards. The crisis in Southern Kaduna has clear ethnic and religious tones. The toll of the dead and the scale of material destruction are such that the crisis is now attracting bitter responses from other parts of the country.

“The circumstances of many communities in Nigeria are not the type that could generate nationalist feelings. “A noxious combination of these trends should worry a leadership that correctly reads the socio-political barometer of the nation.

Some of the statements being made in Nigeria today would be anathemas in the Second Republic. “The context, of course, was important. It was barely a decade after the tragic civil war. National unity was a big issue. The party that controlled the centre, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) always claimed with pride that one of its achievements was the commitment to national unity. President Shehu Shagari was presented as a unity president. Despite the word unity in its name, the commitment to national unity by the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was always questioned by the opponents who could not fault its social democratic agenda. The UPN leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was never trusted by his rivals on the question of unity despite the unmistakable national character of his agenda on education, health, job-creation and rural development.

“The point is that unity was at the centre of national conversations.

“So, official indifference cannot be an appropriate response given the dimensions the issue of national integration has assumed. It is also dangerous to assume arrogantly that the discontents would frizzle out.

“What is to be done?

“The greatest immunity against disintegration is the cultivation of a sense of belonging by doing justice to the people who feel inequitably treated in the nation.

“During the civil war, the federal government of General Yakubu Gowon had a battle cry relayed daily on radio : ’To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.’ To perform the task, Gowon needed the full weight of the armed forces on the federal side. Buhari may need to adopt the spirit (if not the words) of the slogan if things are not to degenerate further. But unlike Gowon, Buhari only needs moral and political weapons to perform the task. Political engineering should be employed as no leader can force nationalism down the throats of his people.

“Buhari should rise to the occasion as a true Nigerian leader. He should disprove by body language and concrete action the perception that he is a regional or an ethnic leader. His defenders may say he is doing a lot in this respect; but looking at the national horizon his best doesn’t seem to be good enough in many quarters. It is unhelpful to ignore the cries of marginalisation from any part of the country. It is the duty of the leader to make those who feel alienated to see the beauty of integration.

“For instance, Buhari should take a nationalist look at the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference. He should not forget what his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), promised the electorate in its programme. The political strategists of the administration should rethink the official response to the clamour for restructuring. The administration has to decide what to do with it. To do otherwise is to create the atmosphere for the continued manipulation of the people along ethnic, religious and regional lines by the elite which substitutes its class interests for the interests of the people .

“More fundamentally, the President has to intensify the implementation of programmes of sustainable development to reduce poverty and promote social justice and equity in the interest of the poor majority, the people who are horizontally marginalised in every town and village in Nigeria.

“That is a way of winning back those who are increasingly getting alienated from the cause of a united Nigeria.”

The proposition in the foregoing addressed to the Buhari administration remains valid 32 months after it was written. The question of national integration will certainly remain conspicuous on the national agenda after May 29, 2023.

In the APC agenda of a “Renewed Hope 2023,” there are provisions for restructuring and constitutional amendments for power devolution. That formulation might not be enough in the present national situation. In the course of governance every step taken should be tested on the basis of how it promotes national unity. This would be akin to the universal recognition of human dignity of persons proposed by Hegel.

“The greatest immunity against disintegration is the cultivation of a sense of belonging by doing justice to the people who feel inequitably treated in the nation”

Buhari