SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2024

After Three Terms, Adeduntan Steps Down as First Bank CEO

IMF: Nigeria’s Government Policies in Right Direction...

Soludo, Obi, Nwodo,

Others Jostle for APC Ticket

Finally, the much awaited day for the people of Ondo State has come, as the All Progressives

Congress (APC) in the coastal state will battle to produce its candidate for the November 16, 2024 governorship election through a direct primary election.

Penultimate Saturday, the party’s National Gubernatorial

Aspirants Screening Committee, gave all the 16 aspirants who picked the expression of interest and nomination forms a clean bill of health.

The aspirants in no particular order include the

Greatest Naira Comeback Unleashes Prospects for Economic Turnaround

Official FX market records $12.66bn turnover in three months Analysts applaud monetary policy reforms, call for supportive fiscal measures

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appeared to have finally subdued arguably one of the most grueling and the multi-faceted attacks on the Naira in recent times.

This is just as data compiled by THISDAY on the daily turnover on the official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEM) between January 18 and April 18, 2024, revealed the market has recorded total turnover of $12.66 billion over three months.

The trend in the daily turnover data showed fluctuations in value, with some days recording relatively low turnovers and others recording higher amount.

But findings showed that in NEWS

February, there was a significant increase in turnover, with some days experiencing exceptionally high turnovers, particularly towards the end of the month. Following a bouquet of reforms launched by the apex bank to sanitise the foreign exchange (FX) market at the inception of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the local currency had received direct hits from attackers who were mostly currency speculators.

The official exchange rate of the Naira to a dollar stood at about N465.07/$ at the time Tinubu took over the helm of affairs in June last year, promising to achieve a unified exchange rate in contrast to the multiple exchange system,

Fidelis David

James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos

Refinery: Report on High Sulphur Diesel False, Mischievous, Says Dangote

The Management of Dangote Industries Limited has condemned in strong terms an online report on the quality of its diesel which is being supplied to the Nigerian market.

The Dangote Group described the allegation as false, baseless, and mischievous, stating that its refinery is designed to produce the highest quality petroleum products that meet very stringent international specifications.

A statement signed and issued by

the Company’s spokesperson, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, made available to newsmen, stressed that “Publications indicating that we are producing high Sulphur diesel are mischievous and designed to tarnish the image of our reputable organisation.”

Chiejina added that “the false and misleading allegations made by some media outlets that the Dangote Refinery is producing substandard diesel which is why it reduced the price by 37 per cent, is baseless and mischievous.

“Until late last year, diesel imports into Nigeria were up to

7,000 parts per million (ppm) of Sulphur which has been going on for many years. Our diesel is produced currently at significantly lower levels of Sulphur; as such, we find baseless the allegation that the reason for reduction is linked to quality. What we are producing is 80% better than what is being imported into the country.

“Another inaccurate assertion is that Medium Level Sulphur diesel is meant for off-road use. This is a completely false statement as this would have invariably meant that all the imports in the last 20 years

have been damaging equipment. “Thirdly, diesel imports for the high Sulphur grade have been at significantly higher prices until we started operation. If indeed high Sulphur diesel is sold at lower prices, how come we never saw the lower prices until now?”

The group’s spokesperson affirmed that the real reason behind the Dangote diesel price reduction was principally due to the patriotism of the management to the nation, as well as the prevailing market dynamics of supply and demand.

“As the largest single-train refinery in the world, the Dangote refinery has a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, which is more than enough to meet the domestic demand of Nigeria and export to other countries' economies.

“We would like to reiterate that the Dangote Refinery is designed to produce high-quality diesel that meets the national and international standards, and that the price reduction is a reflection of our efficiency and competitiveness. We are optimistic that by Q2/Q3, our

NNPC, First E&P Set to Drill 7.3m Barrels Annually from OML 85

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

diesel will have 10 ppm of Sulphur.

“We urge the public to disregard the false and malicious allegations made by some media outlets. The Dangote Refinery is committed to delivering the best products and services to the Nigerian people, and to contributing to the development and growth of the Nigerian oil and gas sector,” Chiejina said.

He noted that traders in the West, who supply the Nigerian Diesel market cannot be happy, since Dangote refinery has taken away their market.

Recall that a recent report by Bloomberg noted that Dangote oil refinery is slowly grinding into gear.

Oil production in Nigeria has received a boost with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its Joint Venture partner in Oil Mining Licence (OML) 85, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), announcing the commencement of export from the facility.

Corporate Communications Officer

Output from the asset also known as Madu Field, located in shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State and operated by First E&P is expected to be at an average of 20,000 barrels per day or 7.3 million barrels annually. A statement from the Chief

of the national oil firm, Olufemi Soneye, yesterday stated that the achievement was a testament to the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to optimise production from the nation’s oil and gas assets through the provision of enabling environment for existing

and prospective investors. Madu, is a shallow-water oil and gas field located off the coast of Nigeria, where THISDAY learnt, First E&P holds a 40 per cent stake, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) holds the remaining 60 per cent interest in the project.

IMF: Nigeria’s Government Policies in Right Direction

Urges enhanced diversification, tax reforms, insists on subsidy removal

Nume Ekeghe

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hailed the reform policies introduced by the Nigerian government, emphasising the need for economic diversification away from oil dependency and the importance of increasing non-oil revenue.

The Director of African Department, IMF, Abebe Aemro Selassie, noted the low tax revenue to GDP ratio in Nigeria and advocated for its improvement to fund essential sectors like education

and infrastructure.

He also commended the attempt to remove fuel subsidy in Nigeria and stressed the need for its complete removal, maintaining that fuel subsidy mostly benefits the rich.

Speaking at the Africa Department press briefing, at the ongoing IMF/ World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, Selassie said: “The Nigerian government has been pursuing policies that we think are broadly in the right direction. We have provided advice in terms of what the ideal mix of policies would

be. Just to be clear, we have many reports on this. I think Nigeria first and foremost needs to diversify its economy.

“Second, this also applies to resources that the government relies on, which is too much on oil and not enough on non-oil revenue. In a country like Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with all of those development spending needs, we think it is problematic that tax revenue to GDP is around eight to nine per cent when it should be much higher so that more resources can be spent

on building universities and some on building infrastructure.

“Then lastly, on the monetary exchange rate area, we think it is important to have a system that is broadly reflective of supply and demand conditions and I think that's the direction which the government has moved.”

Speaking on subsidies in Nigeria, he reiterated that the policy was regressive in nature, adding that it primarily benefits the wealthier segments of society while disadvantaging the poor.

The field development project involves two conductor-supported platforms (CSPs) tied back to a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO).

Located in the Niger Delta, off the coast of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria, the water depth in the project area ranges from 35m to 55m. The Madu field is located 20km northwest of Anyala. First E&P acquired a 40 per cent stake in OML 85 block from Chevron Nigeria in February 2015. Yinson, was awarded contracts worth approximately £678.6m ($901.793m) at the time, for the charter, operations, and maintenance of the FPSO for the Anyala and Madu field development project in February 2019.

Speaking on the development, the statement quoted the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, as describing the commencement of oil production at the Madu Field as a significant milestone.

He added that it will contribute to the larger goal of meeting the production required to drive revenue growth and boost the nation’s economy.

GREATEST NAIRA COMEBACK UNLEASHES PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC TURNAROUND

which he had inherited.

The president, who had blamed the country’s economic woes and currency challenges on faulty policies of the central bank, immediately approved new measures aimed at stabilising the FX segment.

One of the major reforms introduced by the apex bank was the floating of the Naira, which immediately opened up a floodgate of vulnerabilities against the local currency.

Before the eventual liberalisation of the FX market, the past leadership of the central bank had been under severe pressure to float the local currency and allow it to find its real value. But the central bank, rather chose to adopt a managed-float regime, intervening in the market whenever the situation demanded.

The reluctance of the apex bank to float the currency was largely because the country remained heavily import -reliant and given that the move would create a likely liquidity crisis.

However, following the liberalisation of the exchange rate market, where forces of demand and supply determined the value of the currency, and amid series of devaluations, the Naira shed significant value.

As at June 21, 2023, the local currency had lost 38.7 per cent to trade at N763/$ on the official window– at par with the parallel market rate.

Among other things, the resulting confidence crisis as a result of a backlog of unsettled FX liabilities amid the expected liquidity challenges also limited the local currency’s chances of survival.

As at February this year, the Naira depreciated to about N1,800 to the dollar on the parallel FX market as its woes continued, amid a high inflationary environment and attendant impact on prices of goods and services.

At some point, analysts had

called for the reverse of monetary policies to address the economic hardship resulting from the policy choices.

However, the CBN apparently achieved a breakthrough when it started to clear genuine FX backlogs, initially estimated at about N7 billion but reduced to about $4.5 billion as over $2 billion requests turned out to be fraudulent. It also commenced the sale of the greenback to Bureau De Change operators who hitherto were banned as well as lifted ban on 43 items that were prohibited from accessing FX from the official market.

The settlement of the outstanding FX indebtedness boosted confidence of local and international investors, particularly portfolio investors who had since injected significant liquidity in the market to help strengthen the ailing Naira.

The local currency has since returned to winning ways and currently trade at about N1,100/$, with the Naira’s positive performance expected to have salutary effects on the economy.

Only recently, Goldman Sachs, in a report, predicted Nigeria to rank as the world’s 5th largest economy by 2075. The report had also projected the country to emerge as world’s 15th largest economy by 2050.

The top global investment banker had further predicted the country’s GDP to reach $13.1 trillion by 2075, further solidifying its position as Africa’s largest economy.

The projection puts Nigeria ahead of Pakistan at 6th position, Egypt (7th), Brazil (8th), Germany (9th), UK (10th) Mexico (11th), Japan (12th), Russia (13th), Philippines (14th), and France (15th).

Analysts believed the feat was achieved through liquidity boosts and the aggressive monetary tightening regime implemented by the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, who has raised the

Monetary Policy rate (MPR) by 600 basis points since assumption of office in a bid to achieve price stability.

The Naira’s major comeback has continued to attract accolades from analysts who have hailed the recent monetary policy direction of the apex bank.

But they have also expressed concerns that the present gains may become unsustainable in the long-run without a commensurate policy action by the fiscal authority. Analysts who spoke with THISDAY emphasised the critical need to boost oil output, which has been dwindling, and underscored the significance of diversifying the economy and stimulating non-oil exports to enhance foreign exchange earnings.

They also hoped that the recent interest rate hike and current banking industry recapitalisation drive could further attract foreign exchange inflows.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management, Johnson Chukwu, emphasised the need to improve oil production to sustain the Naira's current gains.

He told THISDAY that, “It is going to be tough one to sustain the current gains we have in Naira without improving oil production. The gains we have in Naira are driven by withdrawals from the central bank and DMO who have collectively withdrawn about N12.7 trillion and in addition, you have foreign portfolio investors who are enjoying the benefits coming in at low exchange rates and high interest rates.

“So, these are not sustainable measures. What is sustainable that will make the naira remain strong or improve further will be if we have improved our operating cash flow or operating foreign currency cash flow. And current cashflow for Nigeria for now remains oil production.”

He said, “We have witnessed a

consistent decline in oil production in the past three months from a high of 1.64 million barrels per day in January to about 1.4 million barrels in March.

“The assured route to having stability in the naira will be to have significant improvement in oil production otherwise it would be difficult to sustain.”

On his part, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co, Mr. Ayokunle Olubunmi, also harped on the need to diversify the economy, and bolster foreign exchange (FX) earnings.

He said, “The moves now for the CBN to handle the gains in the exchange rate. We have seen them raising the rates, settling the outstanding obligation actively engaging the international investment community to improve their confidence in Nigeria.

“All those are good, But the truth is that if we are going to maintain this appreciation, in summary, what we need to do is to increase our FX earnings and a bulk has to do on the fiscal side.

“What we have seen thus far that has helped us is actually foreign portfolio investments, and those are short-term funds, the next year they may take their funds out.

“So, things that can promote export, improve our non-oil exports because oil sentiment is going down and in the long-term, non-oil export would be critical while also looking at our oil export because that is the low hanging fruit.”

Olubunmi said, “As a country, we have a lot of non-oil exports that we can export out. Also, trying to reduce the bureaucracy and the challenge of exporting goods would help. Also, there should be reforms at the ports to enhance exports.

“Also, there is a need to increase the consumer purchasing power of Nigeria because when the economy is booming, that is when you’ll see those foreign direct investors start coming into the country.

He said the planned bank

recapitalisation exercise would attract foreign investors and further support the Naira's appreciation.

According to him, “The amounts that the banks need to recapitalise. The expectation is that a lot of them will also reach out to foreign investors. And with GT bank saying the amount that it wants to raise is denominated in dollars. So now we also, in the medium term, support the naira appreciation because more funds would come in based on the recapitalisation process.”

On his part, Head, Global Markets, Parthian Partners, Ronke Akinyemi, acknowledged the positive impact of recent monetary policies on the Naira.

She also emphasised the importance of encouraging exports, and managing imports effectively, as well as enhancing trade balance to ensure long-term currency stability.

She said, “The recent strengthening of the Naira is a positive development, although the anticipated reduction in prices has been slower than expected. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has played a vital role in managing the Naira's value through foreign reserve management, interest rate adjustments, and various policy reforms.

“To further bolster the Naira, it is imperative to encourage exports, manage imports effectively, and enhance our trade balance. This will contribute to currency stability in the long term.

“Additionally, ensuring stability and instilling confidence in the financial market can be achieved through strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing transparency. The recent announcement of bank recapitalisation by the CBN, scheduled for 2026, is a step in the right direction.

“Another essential aspect is improving government spending efficiency and refining taxation policies, which will help sustain the Naira's strength.”

It added that Dangote has been shipping products in recent weeks while readying two units to enable petrol output that will deliver a long-promised transformation of the fuel market both in Nigeria and the region, according to analysts.

“Dangote is going to influence Atlantic Basin gasoline markets this summer and for the rest of the year.

“When the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) comes online, that’ll really shake things up because it alters the West African gasoline (petrol) supply balance,” said Alan Gelder, Vice President of Refining, Chemicals, and Oil Markets at the consultancy firm, Wood Mackenzie.

Dangote Industries said earlier this month that gasoline deliveries will start in May.

AFTER THREE TERMS, ADEDUNTAN STEPS DOWN AS FIRST BANK CEO

The letter read: “As you are aware, my contract would be expiring on 31 December, 2024, after which I would no longer be eligible for employment within the bank having served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank for a record time of nine years.

“During this period the bank and its subsidiaries has undergone significant changes and broken new grounds. We have repositioned the institution as an enviable financial giant in Africa. I have however decided to proceed on retirement with effect from 20 April, 2024, to pursue other interests.

“I am eternally grateful to the board of directors of FirstBank and FBN Holdings Plc for the support that I received from them during my stewardship. I wish our iconic institution continue success and progress as we move into the next phase of its evolution. Warm regards.”

The bank chief who was retired in 2021, by the then board of the financial institution, was reinstated few days after by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Since his appointment as MD/CEO, Adeduntan has contributed significantly towards the transformation of the financial institution and made it attractive to every strata of the society. From an institution that used to be perceived as an old-generation bank, FirstBank’s perception has improved significantly. His career in banking and finance spanning more than three decades has earned him various recognitions and awards. He holds a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa and an MBA from Cranfield University, United Kingdom which he attended as a Chevening Scholar, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) awarded by the University of Ibadan. He has attended various executive and leadership programmes at Harvard Business School (USA), Wharton School (USA), London Business School (UK), IESE (Spain), University of Oxford (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), CEIBS (China) and INSEAD (France). He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Peter Uzoho

ONDO 2024: AIYEDATIWA, IBRAHIM, AKINTERINWA, OKE,12 OTHERS JOSTLE FOR APC TICKET

Akinfolarin; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; former National Vice Chairman (South-west), Isaac Kekemeke and former Commissioner who represented the state on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gbenga Edema.

Others are Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide Felix; a current member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Odimayo; Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo; Morayo Lebi; Diran Iyantan; Prof. Francis Faduyile and Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, while the two female aspirants among them are Funmilayo Adekojo, and Mrs. Funke Omogoroye Judith.

Governor Ahmed Usman

Ododo of Kogi State is expected to lead a seven-member committee to oversee the electoral process. Additionally, former Bauchi Governor Mohammed Abubakar is expected to head the five-member Primary Election Appeal Committee, ensuring the transparency and integrity of the primary election.

Besides, no fewer than 171,922 delegates, who are all card-carrying members of the APC are expected to take part in the direct primary election. The delegates are members of the APC drawn from the 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state and duly certified to take part in this Saturday’s APC Governorship Primary election.

The National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Muhammad Argungu, disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had sent the Certified True Copy of 173,181 membership register to the party and a revalidation done by the party brought the number down to 171,922.

According to him, the role of the Governor Ododo’s committee

and Governor Abubakar’s appeal committee would be pivotal in ensuring that the process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive.

Chances of the aspirants THISDAY gathered that the election would be a four-horse race among the incumbent governor, Aiyedatiwa, Ibrahim, Akinterinwa and Oke.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa

On December 27, 2023, Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in as governor of Ondo state following the death of his principal and former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and thus, by law, Aiyedatiwa is expected to complete the joint tenure of late Akeredolu and himself by February 2025.

Besides, Aiyedatiwa is also eligible to contest the November 16 governorship poll in the state and perhaps, with his ambition, he’s leaving no stone unturned to secure the party's ticket.

Worthy of note is that the aspirant has consistently declared that his late principal (Akeredolu) had always wished that he (Aiyedatiwa) succeeds him.

"Distinguished citizens and party faithfuls, I must re-echo what our late leader had always wished for in his lifetime.

“It was his wish that I succeed him, not in death though, as the next Governor of the state. He was a courageous and visionary leader who had no time for pretense and so he expressed this wish at different fora in both public and private.

"All was with one conviction and implicit confidence in me to carry on the torch of accelerated development which he lit first in 2017 and later renewed under a joint ticket for both of us in the 2021 gubernatorial election,” he said recently.

THISDAY, however, learnt that Aiyedatiwa is banking on the power of incumbency, which is a nightmare for any arch rival. In other words, as an incumbent governor, he would have enough resources to fund his election because it is widely believed that any aspirant who wishes to succeed in any contest, must have the wherewithal, party structure, as well as proven integrity.

Also, public opinion conducted by THISDAY showed that residents of the state are happy with the present development and the achievements of Aiyedatiwa within 100 days in office, believing that he should be allowed to govern the state for another four years.

Jimoh Ibrahim

Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim is the senator representing Ondo South, in the red chamber and one of the strong contenders for the election. He is said to be leveraging his personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

To him, the death of a former governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, would enhance his chances of becoming the next governor.

"Maybe the death of Aketi has enhanced my chances because Aketi is a human being, he can be subjectively objective at the last minute. But now that he is no more, that possibility is written off completely.

“So, whoever is there, wants to run for governor will meet me at the field. So Aketi’s death doesn’t affect my chances at all, but it would rather enhance my chances to win the governorship position of this state. So we are working seriously to win this election."

Besides, he has the support of two former senators, among

other political giants in the state and, recently, a former secretary to the state government and an aspirant, Oladunni Odu collapsed his structure for the lawmaker.

Ibrahim, fondly called Araba by his vast admirers, believes that he's the most educated among the aspirants, and that he has an edge over his opponents at the poll, parading his certificates in national dailies as a bold and well-read Law graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; Masters degree from both Universities of Oxford and Harvard and doctorate degree in Business from University of Cambridge (PhD in War), with many executive programmes completed from Oxford University.

Wale Akinterinwa

Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, a financial expert and the immediate past Commissioner for Finance in the state is an ally of President Tinubu. Between 1999 and 2002, he worked with Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) as the Special Assistant on Finance, Investment and Strategy to the Managing Director.

Also, from 2003 to 2009, he was the Executive Vice Chairman of Gideon Trust Investment Limited and also sits on the Board of Gideon Trust Microfinance Bank Limited, and Non-Executive Director of Emergent Power Energy Development Company Limited. Akinterinwa, who hails from the Oke-igbo/Ile Oluji LGA of the state, says the late Rotimi Akeredolu anointed him as his successor before his death. He said Akeredolu did this after he returned from his medical trip to Germany in 2023. Festus Adefiranye, the lawmaker representing IleOluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal

Constituency in the House of Representatives believes that Akinterinwa stands the best chance among the horde of aspirants in the APC to emerge as its governorship candidate.

In addition, it was gathered that Akeredolu’s kinsmen are backing the ex-finance commissioner against Aiyedatiwa.

Olusola Oke

Olusola Oke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), two-time governorship candidate in the state, hails from Ilaje, the second most populous local government in the state.

He was a governorship candidate in Ondo in the 2012 and 2016 gubernatorial elections, and came, respectively, second and third in both elections, first on the platform of the PDP and then Alliance for Democracy (AD). He left the APC in October 2017 after a controversial primary election which produced the late governor, but rejoined in January 2018.

To Olusola Oke, his primary mission in politics is the compelling and urgent need to liberate the people of the coastal state from leadership ineptitude and underdevelopment.

The former commissioner, who represented Ondo State on the Governing Board of NDDC, wonders that despite Ondo’s natural endowment, the state has remained largely economically handicapped, humanly underdeveloped, educationally static and socially sterile with the majority of the population ravaged by poverty.

Division in APC

The APC in the state is currently divided over the election. In other words, in the past few months, the aspirants

have attacked one another as a means of discrediting or demarketing their co-contestant, while others went as far as petitioning fellow aspirants.

However, the chairman of the party, Engr. Ade Adetimehin says there is no cause for alarm, noting that efforts are geared towards fostering unity in the party. The APC chairman had also warned political supporters of aspirants against divisive utterances and actions, before, during and after the primary. He contended that the unity of the party is erected on the pillars of equal opportunities, irrespective of whatever considerations, saying, "The chapter is for all, and would continue to encourage equal opportunities for all the members. New members should entertain no fears in this regard."

Adetimehin has also appealed to political gladiators to exhibit regards for the party's governorship aspirants, and other stakeholders to avoid unnecessary friction in the political space.

The party noted that Ondo State is known for organisation and enviable political history that should be demonstrated at critical moments. “We owe it a duty to showcase the rare ability to go into any contest without rancor.”

Finally, for members of the APC, as the 16 aspirants slug it out today for the party’s ticket, all they want is a violence-free electoral process and a candidate who has the temperament and courage to confront multifaceted challenges and ultimately develop policies that would fight hunger, poverty, joblessness, insecurity and rescue the decayed basic infrastructure which has eaten deep into the state 48 years after its creation.

Protest as Varsity Student, 14 Others are Killed in Plateau Attacks

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

At least 15 persons have been killed following attacks by gunmen on Tilengpat Pushit community in Mangu Local Government Area and Chikam community in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on Thursday night. A community leader from Tilengpat, Mr. Joshua said that 12 persons were brutally killed including women and children during the attack, with houses and several properties destroyed.

He said, “So far, we have recovered 12 dead bodies of individuals who were brutally murdered during the attack in the Pushit community, and their bodies recovered.

“The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed, pending notification of their families. The law enforcement agencies are also here and have initiated investigations into the matter to ascertain the motive

behind these heinous crimes and to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this reprehensible act.”

But Transition Committee Chairman of Mangu LGA, Mr. Marcus Artu, who also confirmed the incident, however, said he could not confirm the casualty figure.

He said, “Yes, it is true that our people have just been attacked again and killed for no reason. It happened last night. As I talk to you, I’m in the affected community in Pushit, but I can not give you the figure of victims for now because we are still assessing the situation. Local hunters and members of the vigilante group are still combing the bushes to recover the remains of victims. “It is obvious that these criminal elements do not want the communities to be in peace. But I am in the village to talk to the people and convene emergency meetings with security agencies as well as

stakeholders to avoid any reprisal or breakdown of law and order.”

Meanwhile, women and youths in Bokkos Local Government Area have taken to the streets in protests over the renewed violent attack by gunmen in their communities.

The protest was triggered by a fresh attack that claimed three including a student of Plateau State University, Bokkos. A student of the university, who gave his name as George Lazarus said that a 200-level student of Computer Science was among those killed.

Confirming the death of the student in a statement, the Registrar of the university, Mr. Yakubu Ayube said, “The Plateau State university community woke up to the sad news of another heartless attack on Chikam, a community close to the university. The sad event led to the loss of a 200-level Computer

Science student of the university residing in Chikam, Mr. Dading James Jordan.

“This is coming despite the relentless effort by the Plateau State government, security agencies, the management of the university, and other stakeholders to improve the security situation on our campus and the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, the enemies of the university and the state brought this dastardly attack leading to the loss of our dear student.

“The Vice-Chancellor and the entire management convey their condolences to the family of the deceased, the student body, and the university community.

“Given this sad development, management has declared a two-day mourning period on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April 2024. Accordingly, all the examinations earlier scheduled for Friday.

"While calling on our students to remain calm and law-abiding, we wish to call on the security agencies to beef up security around the university to secure staff and students as we look into other ways of making the university more secure."

Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has appealed for calm over the attacks, condemning them as barbaric.

He reassured the citizens, particularly students, of the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding their lives and property.

The governor urged them to remain composed in the face of the tragedy, as the government is determined to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the heinous acts.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), Mr. Gyang Bere, the

governor stressed the importance of collaboration among the university management, students, community leaders, and security agencies for enhanced security and the safety of everyone in the area.

He commended the swift response of security agencies to violent incidents and encouraged them to remain steadfast in fulfilling their constitutional duty to protect innocent citizens.

He also stressed the need for community vigilance and cooperation to combat criminal activities and bring perpetrators and their accomplices to justice.

The governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased student and all those affected by the incident, praying for the quick recovery of the injured. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fostering peace and security across the state.

Aiyedatiwa Ibrahim Akinterinwa Oke

STRENGTHENING SOCIO-CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP...

Tinubu: Critical Reforms Boosting Nation's Investment Climate

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria's investment climate has been boosted by critical new reforms, with an array of opportunities across sectors for investors.

Speaking yesterday during the presentation of letter of credence by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Vice-Admiral Kim Pan Kyu, at the State House, the President said Nigeria is a huge market for Korean products, particularly for Korean goods manufactured and produced in Nigeria, while emphasising that Nigerian goods will be of great benefit to the Korean market.

Highlighting the favourable economic outlook of the country, President Tinubu invited more South Korean companies to leverage these opportunities by establishing production bases in Nigeria.

According to him, ''I am glad that you have a very good knowledge of Nigeria and appreciate the role

Okuama: Dafinone, Joel-Onowakpo Laud Tinubu, Military over Release of Delta Monarch

Sylvester Idowu in Warri and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their roles in securing the release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, the monarch of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Following the distressing incident at Okuama leading to the detention of King Clement Ikolo, Senator Dafinone engaged tirelessly with relevant authorities to ensure that the monarch was released.

of our country in Africa. Our doors are open for economic opportunities and trade, and I acknowledge that several South Korean companies and products are firmly entrenched in the Nigerian market.

of that meeting to further expand bilateral ties.

He welcomed an invitation from President Yoon to attend the first-ever South Korea-Africa Summit from June 4 to June 5, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, and directed Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to keep him abreast of the matter.

The President also yesterday received letters of credence from Ambassador Antit Mohsen of Tunisia and High Commissioner Muhali Imbuwa of Zambia.

Senator Dafinone, in a statement issued in Warri yesterday said, "Today, (yesterday) I commend the swift and decisive actions taken by President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff in addressing this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserved.

“The release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, brings a sense of relief and reassurance to our community. I am deeply grateful to Mr. President, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, Chief of

Similarly, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has expressed appreciation to the military, particularly the Nigerian Army for showing understanding with the release of the monarch. The Delta Central lawmaker in collaboration with his colleagues, Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South) interfaced with the military authorities to ensure that the monarch was freed.

Tinubu Appoints New Boards for SEC, NAICOM

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of seven professionals into the management Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to a statement issued yesterday, by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the seven-man board has Mr. Mairiga Aliyu Katuka as Chairman while Mr. Emomotimi Agama is the new Director-General.

Other appointees are Frana Chukwuogor - Executive Commissioner (Legal and Enforcement); Mr. Bola Ajomale - Executive Commissioner (Operations); Mrs. Samiya Hassan Usman - Executive Commissioner (Corporate Services); Mr. Lekan Belo - Non-Executive Commissioner and Mr. Kasimu Garba Kurfi - Non-Executive Commissioner.

Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and the entire military leadership for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens," he said.

Senator Dafinone, on behalf of the Urhobo nation, thanked his colleagues Senators from Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko and Delta South, Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas for their invaluable contributions to the release of the king.

''Nigerians appreciate South Korean technology, and Nigerian products can also be beneficial to South Korean markets. You need to bring more of your companies and manufacturing plants here. We have everything your industries require to excel as we progress over the near-term. We can partner on skill development and the systematic transfer of knowledge to further empower our country’s innovative youth population.

''We have investment opportunities in the solid mineral sector and other areas, and cooperation in these areas will strengthen our bilateral relations."

Recalling his fruitful discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol during the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, in 2023, and their mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation, the President pledged to build on the outcome

Earlier, Ambassador Kim had underscored President Tinubu’s pivotal role as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and leader of Africa’s largest economy, population, and democracy.

He noted the importance of Nigeria’s participation at the highest level at the Summit to enhance bilateral relations while also creating a future of prosperity for Africa and Korea as genuine partners in progress.

''Your Excellency’s visit to South Korea for the Summit will provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relations between the two nations,'' the envoy said after reading a formal invitation from President Yoon.

At the separate events, President Tinubu emphasised the need to strengthen African unity and brotherhood that not only creates economic opportunities but also works toward eliminating conflicts across the continent.

The President told the High Commissioner of Zambia, that African unity and cooperation are important if the continent must overcome perennial conflict.

''We are ready to explore more areas of cooperation that promote African brotherhood and ensure sustainable growth across different sectors and provide economic opportunities for our citizens.

''Our doors are open, and do not hesitate to bring any challenges you may have in the course of your duty to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,'' the President said.

Saraki Heads PDP Reconciliation Committee, Udom Leads Disciplinary Committee

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has been named as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee.

of measures to appease the North Central, which prior to yesterday’s NEC meeting had insisted it must produce the national chairman.

The former DG of the PDP Governors' Forum, Maduabum is from the South-east zone

He is on a familiar track as in the run off to the 2019 general election, the party appointed him as the chairman of the committee that reconciled aggrieved members of the party.

It was gathered that this was part of resolutions reached at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday.

The PDP NEC had at the meeting, amongst others, resolved to set up a committee to reconcile aggrieved members.

In a related development, Tinubu yesterday, also approved the appointment of a seven-man Board for the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

In a release issued by Ngelale, Ms. Halima Kyari was named the new Chairperson while other Board members include Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin - Commissioner for Insurance; Mr. Olawoye Gam-Ikon - Deputy Commissioner (Technical Operations) and Dr. Usman Ankara Jimada - Deputy Commissioner (Finance & Administration).

The President, the release stated, anticipates that all members of the Board of the critical commission will bring to bear their wealth of experience and competence in advancing the commission's core mandate of developing and regulating a capital market that is dynamic, fair, transparent, and efficient, to bolster investor confidence and contribute immeasurably to the nation’s economic development.

Also, in the aftermath of the NEC meeting, there were indications last night that former deputy national secretary of the party, Emmanuel Agbo, has been penciled down to replace CID Maduabum as director general of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Agbo, alongside five others, had indicated interest to replace Iyorchia Ayu, as national chairman of the party. However, the NEC put off deliberation on Ayu’s replacement until August.

The appointment of Agbo as DG PDP Governors Forum was part

According to sources, ''The NEC appointed Saraki as Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Udom Emmanuel as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, and PDP Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), as Chairman of the Constitution Amendment Committee."

A source said that all those that committed anti party activities during the 2023 presidential election would be directed to appear before the committee.

As at press time, it is not known those that would be referred before the Udom-led disciplinary committee.

Specifically, a member of NEC, Sani Uba said that those planning to do anti party activities in 2027 would be asked to appear before the committee.

New Navy Vessels’ll Boost Maritime Security, Economy, Says First Lady

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has described the acquisition of two new high-endurance offshore patrol vessels for the Nigerian Navy as a show of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to a statement issued by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, First Lady Tinubu who spoke at the launch ceremony in Turkey, said the vessels will significantly boost maritime security and drive

economic prosperity through the blue economy.

The two newly launched 76-meter vessels, built by Turkish shipyard Dearsan, are expected to bolster the Navy’s capability to combat piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes in Nigeria’s offshore waters.

With their extended endurance and deployment range, the patrol ships will also aid in enforcing regulatory compliance and surveillance over Nigeria’s economic exclusion zone and the Gulf of Guinea.

The Offshore Patrol vessels are both 76.90 meters in length, a beam

of 11.90m and can accommodate 47 crew members.

The First Lady commended Dearsan for its “high-quality shipbuilding capability” and expressed optimism that the launch marked the start of greater cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in areas of defense and economic development.

She said: “The acquisition of the High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels is another feat in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to Nigerian Navy’s Fleet renewed efforts towards a more secured maritime environment for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.”

L-R: Vice President, Region of Veneto, Elisa De Berti; Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the signing of a new partnership with the Italian Government, on the sidelines of the 60th International Art Exhibition organised by La Biennale di Venezia, in Italy…recently

Transcorp Power Declares 775% PBT Jump to N28.77bn in Q1 2024

Olusola: Transcorp Hotels to focus on hospitality expansion

Kayode Tokede

Transcorp Power Plc has demonstrated impressive financial performance in its released first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2024 unaudited financial statements with N28.77 billion profit before tax, which was a growth of 775 per cent from the N3.29 billion billion reported in corresponding first quarter ended March 2023.

Speaking at the virtual 2023 investors call conference, Olusola, revealed that the company within its Transcorp Hilton in Abuja would convert the existing warehouse to a 3,000- 5,000 capacity event/lifestyle centre.

However, Transcorp Power declared N20.1 billion profit after tax in Q1 2024, representing an increase of 665 per cent from N2.6 billion reported in Q1 2023. In March 2024, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) admitted 7.5 billion shares of Transcorp Power at N240 per share to its Main Board.

One of the electricity generating subsidiaries of Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate, Transnational

This was just as the Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotel Plc, Dupe Olusola, another subsidiary of the Transcorp Group, yesterday, said the company's 2024 and beyond projections was to expand its frontier not only in Abuja, Lagos, but across the country and transit into major cities in Africa.

Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), recorded N67.86 billion in gross earnings, compared to N21.04 billion reported in Q1 2023, reflecting a significant increase of 223 per cent.

The strong performance is further demonstration of the company’s strategic focus and effective execution, as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.

In addition, Transcorp Power total assets increased to N276.2 billion as of March 31, 2024, up from N223.3 billion in Q4 2023.

Commenting on the financial highlights, the Chief Financial Officer, Evans Okpogoro, said, "The Q1 2024

UNICEF, Guild of Editors Sign Partnership to Boost Children's Rights Advocacy

In a significant move to advance the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This partnership aims to leverage the media's influential power to promote and protect children’s rights across the nation.

The collaboration will focus on advocacy and awareness campaigns, capacity building for journalists, shared research, recognition of impactful media contributions,

and influencing policy to support children's rights.

The MOU underscores a commitment from all parties to work collectively towards a society that upholds and advances the welfare of its youngest members.

“This partnership with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and DAME harnesses the media's immense potential as an advocate for the welfare of children.

Media not only informs public opinion but also influences those in power to enact changes that favour children’s rights. By joining forces, we are setting a course to transform how children’s rights are reported and addressed

in the media, ensuring every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled,” UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate said.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, highlighted the role of media in societal change, saying, “Media has the profound capacity to shape perspectives and effect real change. Through this MOU, we are pledging to uphold the integrity of journalism by focusing our collective expertise on sensitive and impactful reporting concerning children’s rights. We are committed to working together to build a robust framework that supports this cause.”

Rivers PDP Condemns Arrest of Fubara's Loyalists in Abuja

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the arrest and detention of some loyalists of the state Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, during the party's National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, on Thursday. The party also urged the Inspector General of Police to order the release of the governor's loyalists who are also PDP members.

It would be recalled that supporters

of governor Fubara, including a lawmaker representing Ahoada East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, and Mr Ezebunwo Ichemati were arrested by alleged operatives of the Nigeria Police in Abuja. In a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, Publicity Secretary of the party, Sydney Gbara, said the two party members were arrested "under the supervision of the Ikwerre Local Government Council Chairman, Samuel Nwanosike".

Gbara said the arrest was part of plans by enemies of the state to intimidate Fubara's loyalists to provoke crises that could spill over to Rivers State despite efforts by the governor to maintain peace in the state.

"The arrest at the Wadata House where party men of timber and calibre from the PDP were meeting to forge unity in the rank and file of the party is another sad and embarrassing experience of unending acts of harassment suffered by PDP members loyal to Governor Fubara.

results saw a gross margin of 51 per cent, a cost to income ratio of 70 per cent and net profit margin of 30 per cent compared to Q1 2023 gross margin of 37 per cent, cost to income ratio of 87 per cent and net profit margin of 13 per cent.

“This highlights the remarkable operational efficiency gains of the Company. Transcorp Power has continued to grow its revenue aggressively and consistently over

the last five years. We expect that by year end 2024, we will see a similar growth trajectory recorded between FY 2022 and FY 2023.”

Transcorp Power MD/CEO, Peter Ikenga, commented on the results, “We are pleased to report further robust financial performance, despite sectoral challenges such as gas supply issues and macroeconomic challenges. Our ability to sustain growth amidst this environment shows the resilience of

our business model and the efficient execution of our strategic initiatives.

"We remain committed to leveraging our strengths to capitalise on emerging opportunities, drive sustainable growth and provide superior value to all our stakeholders. We will continue to prioritise ingenuity, operational excellence, corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement, to deliver superior value for our long-term growth,” he added.

Edo State, Italian Govt Seal Deal to Strengthen Socio-cultural, Economic Relationships

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sealed a new partnership with the Italian government to strengthen sociocultural and economic relationships between both countries, advancing opportunities in agriculture, technology, tourism, and culture and facilitating cooperation in technical and vocational training, among others.

This was just as residents and business owners in Ugbiyoko, Benin City have commended Obaseki for the ongoing reconstruction of Ekenhuan Barracks Road, noting that the road which has now been tarred to the Ogede axis of the area has brought succour to the people of the locality.

The deal between Edo State and the Italian government was signed with the Veneto region of Italy on the sidelines of the 60th International Art

Exhibition organised by La Biennale di Venezia where the governor served as the Commissioner of the Nigerian Pavilion.

The governor while signing the deal revealed the impact of his government’s impact on various sectors of the economy, noting that the state government is committed to exploring collaborations in culture, agriculture, technology, technical and vocational education with the Italian Government to empower youths in the state with the right skills to compete favourably globally.

The partnership is aimed at facilitating cooperation in technical and vocational training, advancing opportunities in the agricultural sector, enhancing Information Technology capacity, promoting tourism, increasing economic opportunities in the textile industry, and promoting social and cultural

relationships between both countries.

According to Obaseki, “I have served as Governor of Edo State for over seven and a half years, and during this period, we have expanded the scope of our collaboration with the Italian government, spanning joint efforts in migration management, cultural collaboration, international exchanges, among others.

“Today, we are here to strengthen the bond of collaboration between the people of Edo State and the Veneto region. These would span across Culture, Agriculture, Technology, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“These are key areas of focus of my government and we have made tremendous strides in strengthening institutions that advance these causes in Edo State over the last seven years.”

Cardinal Okpalaeke Urges Universities to Use Technology to Provide Solutions to Nigeria's Problem

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese and Co-Proprietor of Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Anambra State, has called on Nigerian universities to leverage technology to solve the country's numerous problems. Okpalaeke stated this while delivering his homily yesterday, during a mass to mark the maiden matriculation of Peter University, a newly established institution, owned

by Awka and Ekwulobia Catholic Dioceses. The institution yesterday matriculated over 200 students.

In his homily during the matriculation, Okpalaeke said: "Universities are places of higher learning, where problems of society are identified, and scholars go into research to find out the solution to such problems.

"That is why universities must prioritise research. In Peter University, we will not just teach you, we will show you what we are teaching you.

It is not enough to teach students that the book is on the table, but put a book on the table and let them see it.

"The electricity you see today was invented by people. Does it mean that we do not have people in this part of the world that can invent things?

"I'm sure there are, but you only hear of them when they step outside Nigeria. Thanks to invention, you do not have to go outside the country for you to shine. That is why we at Peter University are investing heavily in ICT to bring the world to us.

CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP.…

Soludo, Obi, Nwodo, Others Eulogise Ezeife as Former Governor is Buried

Ezeife's daughter: Why my father supported Obi

Former governor of Anambra State, late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, yesterday was eulogised by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, former governors, Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Chris Ngige, former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, among others, as an upright man.

This was as the first daughter of Ezeife, Dr. Ogelue C. Ezeife Ugorji, revealed that her father, known for his firm stand on justice and equity, strongly supported the presidential

candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as he looked forward to a better and more united nation where every Nigerian would be treated justly and given a fair chance to succeed. She said her father strongly believed that Obi would have made it happen. Ezeife was laid to state at the International Convention Centre in Awka, where several dignitaries took time to eulogise him. He was also declared the hero of Igboland by apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Governor Soludo said that Ezeife would be buried according to the

Anambra burial law, adding that after the event, the burial would terminate on Saturday. According to him, Ezeife left a legacy that would be difficult to match. He said: "It is very emotional that after almost two years, we've buried two former governors. Mbadinuju and Ezeife. Ezeife was indeed, a true Nigerian. He lived for many causes that will help us build a better society," Soludo said. On his part, Obi described Ezeife as one who lived for justice, noting that he was a fair Nigerian and a Nigerian that lived for all.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who announced that though Ezeife died at a ripe old age, described him as a great Nigerian.

He said that Ohanaeze had resolved to award him the Hero of Igboland.

"Today, Ohanaeze proclaimed Ezeife as Hero of Igboland. He was a good man, and a very vocal man who spoke up against injustice. He will be missed."

Former deputy governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Nwodo and others hailed Ezeife as a shining light.

Agbakoba Urges Keyamo to Enact Fly Nigeria Act

Ugo Aliogo

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has advised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Space Management, Festus Keyamo, to enact the Fly Nigeria Act to strengthen the aviation industry.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, he lauded the minister for his breakthrough in securing the lucrative Lagos-London route under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) for Air Peace.

He also noted that the absence of aviation cabotage was a fundamental factor contributing to the failure of Nigerian airlines.

Agbakoba further explained that the legislation would ensure that all public funds that require air travel, whether by government or government consultants would be on a Nigerian carrier, adding that it would immediately give Air Peace and other airlines passengers.

He noted that such an Act would strengthen the aviation space, noting that there have been too many failures in the aviation sector.

He recommended the insertion of a corporate governance code into the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Act to strengthen the Act, adding that it is akin to what happens in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). According to him, “Because we showed the Aviation Minister our long history. We showed him all the letters going back something dating back to 15 years which we gave to the various ministers of aviation. So, he was satisfied and said, you guys have been working hard.

“So, we said to him, if you stay on the course, you will achieve success.

"If the British government refuses to reciprocate the 14 spaces that British Airways (BA) is occupying,

not talk about Virgin Atlantic. Then you tell them they won't come to Nigeria.

“So, when that happened, they grudgingly allowed Air Peace to come to the UK and look at what happened. Look at the space that has opened. Look at how the airfares dropped by 60 per cent.

“So, we are very happy that this has occurred in the aviation industry. But we have told the minister that it must be sustained. Because the British government is doing all it can to frustrate Air Peace. Giving them the worst slots at Gatwick Airport.

“So, there is still an advantage.

But if you look at British Airways economy class price it is valued at N3 million, while Air Peace economy class costs N1.2 million. People will prefer to take Air Peace and then they will take a train from Gatwick to Paddington or Gatwick to Victoria Station. So that is competition. So, there is a necessity to keep the competition framework going. The federal government is doing a great job.

Dr. Ezeife-Ugorji made the revelation while paying a glowing tribute to her late father, Ezeife, at his Commendation Service in Awka.

A statement by the Obi media office signed by Dr. Tanko Yunusa, said Ezeife's daughter stated that her father, Okwadike, held justice and equity very highly.

She narrated how Okwadike, during his last visit to the United States of America before his death, revealed that his unwavering support for Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, was borne out of his deep conviction that Obi would build a just and equitable nation.

JAMB Assures of Rescheduling Exams for Candidates with System Malfunction

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

As some candidates lament the glitches they encountered while writing the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yesterday, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has assured that candidates who experienced system malfunction will be given an opportunity to write their exams.

“But he realised that it wasn't his role. His role was policy. So, he took the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema by the hand, and landed in London, and said to them, this is the man who we want to give the rights to fly, and he insisted, if you don't give us that right, then under the principle of reciprocity, we won't allow you to come, and then there it is.”

“So, it is this structural framework government needs to bring to bear. Government has no business being in business. The last problem with the last minister was he wanted to run the airlines himself. That is not his job? “The job of the minister is to create the policy environment to enable actors to now play. If Keyamo wanted to do a national carrier now, we would still be where we are.

ECOWAS: Over $26m Spent on Humanitarian Activities in Two Years

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has disclosed that between 2023 and 2024 it expended over $26 million on humanitarian activities in West Africa.

The regional body said it also supported sport federations in the region with $100,000 each per year.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, in Abuja, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, said the regional body startups in scientific innovation with the sum of $50,000 in the area of youth innovation. Sarr, said a total of $700,000 was used for the training of 30 young people from the region in Masters and doctoral programmes. She also revealed that countries under sanctions were not excluded from the humanitarian gesture of the regional body. She stressed that

ECOWAS puts significant resources into the humanitarian sector for displaced people, migration, floods and various forms of disaster:

"Guinea under sanctions received nearly 600,000 dollars in January 2024, namely: 100,000 dollars for the fire at the oil depot and 499,390 dollars for the floods," she said.

For the displaced people within the region, Sarr said, "In 2023 for floods and nutrition out of a total of 8.5 million people affected, ECOWAS provided support to half of the victims, or 4 million people for an amount of $12.6 million.

"In 2024, ECOWAS has released 9 million dollars for internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as for the communities that welcome them (i.e. all 15 countries).

"ECOWAS has allocated $1 million for stabilization in Nigeria (victims of terrorism, displaced people, injured people, rehabilitation and strengthening community resilience)."

The commissioner also revealed

that "Out of a fund of 25 million dollars intended for the fight against terrorism (Nigeria, Burkina, Mali and Niger), ECOWAS has reserved four million dollars for humanitarian actions."

She explained that ECOWAS places more emphasises on prevention, adding "We have a disaster reduction strategy and tools such as the observation, monitoring and alert center which allows ECOWAS to monitor displaced populations and floods, to anticipate problems. and better manage crisis situations."

On the programmes for the youth integration within the region she said that the commission intervention was in the area of volunteers programmes, sport and economic integration

According to her, "Since 2014, ECOWAS has posted 217 volunteers in the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina, Benin.

On this, he said there's no cause for alarm as the Board is set to put things in order.

Speaking after monitoring the commencement of the nationwide exam in Kogo-Bwari, Abuja, Prof. Oloyede said so far the UTME had been going on smoothly as only one centre had been reported to have encountered issues.

He said: “We appeal to the public to understand this, some centres will fail. I have heard of only one centre that has failed today.

“By the end of today, I expect

about 10 per cent of the centres to have one problem or the other because we know the level of development in different parts of the country. “We are not encouraging this, but when it happens, please do not disrupt others.

“It is important to note that when a session fails because of a problem, you cannot bring those candidates to do session two, they will have to step aside, and the headquarters will have to be contacted.

“The earliest time they can be scheduled will be after 4:30 p.m. so that those slated for sections two and three can write, and these candidates can now write for session four, and in some cases, they can even be scheduled for the following day.”

He expressed displeasure over award of scholarships to UTME best-performing candidates without consideration of other criteria factored in admission, noting that such awards were premature.

Stakeholders’ Engagements Key to Addressing Insecurity, Says IPCR

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said that it is engaging stakeholders regularly to discuss the causes and nature of conflicts towards peace-building key to addressing insecurity.

The Director General, IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, stated this in Sokoto while briefing journalists at NUJ, Press Centre. He noted that they were in Sokoto to interact with stakeholders in peace building stressing that contributions of every stakeholder is important in achieving lasting peace.

Ochogwu further explained that the round table discussion was geared towards addressing prevailing conflict trends and dynamics in Nigeria as part of the processes of updating the strategic conflict assessment .

“When such conversations are held with various stakeholders, we can have

wide-ranging insightful analyses and robust suggestions into the challenges of insecurity in the country,” he said.

Ochogwu said that IPCR was saddled with the responsibility of investigating the causes and dynamics of conflict in Nigeria and indeed Africa, and making evidenceinformed recommendations to the decision makers.

Such responsibility, he said, necessitated IPCR to often engage scholars, practitioners, security and civil society personnel, that would address the nation’s security challenges

He further said that the Institute had been working with stakeholders from within and outside the country to achieve the mandate of bringing peace to the country.

He said such stakeholders included state and non-state actors, agencies from foreign countries, security agencies, civil society organisations, the academia, among others,

L-R: Chairman, State House Press Corps (SHPC), Dr. Anule Emmanuel; Member, editorial board of The Guardian Newspaper. Prof. Jide Jimoh; Director, International Press Center (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, and Vice Chairman, SHPC, Alhaji Hassan Umar Faruk, during the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) two-day Capacity Building workshop for SHPC held in Lagos State... yesterday

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Helping Newborn Babies to Communicate Beyond

The early stages of life are a critical period for neonates, commonly known as newborn babies. During this time, they face various challenges, including the inability to express their needs, pains, and requests except through caregivers puzzled, trying to decipher the underlying message behind each cry.

Understanding their unique communication cues and providing appropriate support can help alleviate their distress and foster a deeper connection between caregivers, especially mothers, and neonates. The bond formed during these early interactions lays the foundation for a trusting relationship and positively influences a child’s emotional and social development.

Crying is a neonate’s primary means of communication, signaling a range of needs and discomforts, including hunger, fatigue, discomfort, and pain. While crying is a natural and normal part of infant behavior, deciphering its meaning can be challenging for mothers. Each cry carries subtle variations in pitch, intensity, and duration, offering clues about the neonate’s state of mind and well-being.

Learning to interpret different types of cries and accompanying cues can help caregivers respond more effectively to a neonate’s needs. Neonates communicate through a combination of vocalizations, facial expressions, body movements, and gestures. By observing and recognizing these subtle cues, mothers and caregivers can gain insights into a neonate’s needs and feelings. For example, rooting reflex, where a neonate turns their head towards a touch on the cheek, indicates hunger, while clenched fists and arched back may signal discomfort or pain.

Responsive caregiving is essential in meeting a neonate’s needs promptly and sensitively. Offering comfort, such as holding, rocking, or gentle patting, can help soothe a distressed neonate and meet their immediate needs. Establishing skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, promotes bonding and helps regulate a neonate’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. This intimate contact fosters a sense of security and comfort, reducing stress and enhancing communication.

Introducing simple gestures or signs can help neonates communicate basic needs, such as hunger, sleep, and discomfort, before they develop verbal communication skills. Consistency and repetition are key to reinforcing these signs and facilitating understanding. Over time, neonates may begin to mimic these gestures, indicating their comprehension and readiness to communicate.

Creating a calm and soothing environment free from excessive noise and distractions can help

reduce a neonate’s stress levels and enhance communication. Soft lighting, gentle music, and comfortable temperatures promote relaxation and well-being, creating an optimal setting for bonding and interaction.

A crucial support parents, especially mothers, can provide to neonates is vigilant monitoring to promptly identify any changes in their condition. Regular pediatric visits allow healthcare professionals to monitor a neonate’s growth, development, and overall well-being. Addressing any concerns or issues promptly ensures timely intervention and support.

Encouraging age-appropriate activities and interactions can support a neonate’s developmental milestones and enhance communication skills. Engaging in tummy time, playing interactive games, and reading aloud stimulate cognitive, motor, and language development. These enriching experiences foster curiosity, creativity, and social skills, laying the foundation for future learning and communication.

The role of prayers in understanding newborns’ needs cannot be underestimated, as it serves as a guiding force in deciphering the intricate signals and cues they exhibit. While mothers rely on their knowledge and instincts to tend to a newborn’s immediate needs, there might be underlying areas requiring attention that are not immediately apparent.

Kayode Ojewale, LASTMA, kayodeojewale@gmail.com

April 23 of every year is marked around the world as ‘World Book and Copyright Day.’ Also known as ‘International Day of The Book,’ it is a day set aside by the United Nations Educational, reading, publishing and copyright. The day aims to change lives through a love of books and shared reading.

The theme for the 2024 ‘World Book Day’ is: “READ YOUR WAY.” This year’s theme calls on everyone to let go of pressure and expectations, giving children a choice – and a chance to enjoy reading.

According to Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO: “Books have the unique ability to entertain and to teach. They are at once a means of exploring realms beyond our personal experience through exposure to different authors, universes and cultures, and a means of accessing the deepest recesses of our inner selves.” Therefore, the power of books should be leveraged to combat isolation, reinforce ties between people, and expand our horizons, while stimulating our minds and creativity. It is critical to take the time to read on our own, or with our children.

Did you know that The Bible stands out as the most widely translated and distributed book worldwide? Yes, the Bible is by far the most widely translated and distributed book! Its wisdom has reached and helped more people than any other book or publication. 96.5% of the world’s population have access to the Bible. The Bible is available (in whole or in part) in over 3,300 languages, and the estimated number of copies of the Bible produced is 5 billion, far more than any other book in history. Which other book(s) do you enjoy or have you enjoyed reading? As for me, one book I am currently enjoying reading is a 400 – 500 page health care handbook titled: “WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR,” authored by David Werner. It is a very valuable health care handbook that I have found to be very beneficial! In fact, this health care handbook has been fondly described by some as “the ‘Bible’ of health education,” and I strongly recommend that every family should have a copy of this book at home. Apart from this book, I also enjoy reading for pleasure children’s books, such as those I have found on: read.worldreader.org (now: booksmart.worldreader. org) and www.africanstorybook.org. What about you? What books have you enjoyed or do you enjoy reading? .

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

Court Acquits Former AGF, Adoke of Money Laundering Charge

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, discharged and acquitted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, of money laundering charge filed against him by the federal government.

Justice Ekwo freed the former AGF from the charge shortly after ruling that the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove its allegations.

Adoke and an oil magnate, Aliyu

Abubakar were first arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako in February 2020 and then Justice Ekwo on June 17, 2020 on a seven-count criminal charge. Although the prosecution had amended the charge to 14, then to 10, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges and also filed a "nocase submission", after the anti-graft agency had closed its case. Ruling in the no-case submission yesterday, Ekwo held that the EFCC through documentary and oral evidence was unable to establish a prima facie case against Adoke.

The judge who held that the evidence of the prosecution were manifestly unreliable, consequently upheld Adoke’s no-case submission. He, therefore, declared Adoke discharged and acquitted of the money laundering charge.

However, Adoke's co-defendant was not as lucky as the judge held that the anti-graft agency had established a prima facie case against him in counts five, six, eight and nine of the charge preferred against him.

The court however, freed him on counts one, seven and 10.

Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo adjourned until April 22, 23 and 24 for Abubakar to open his defence.

In the amended charge, Adoke was accused of collecting the sum of N300 million from Alhaji Abubakar as alleged proceeds of unlawful activities in 2013, while in the same year, he was said to have collected another sum of $2.2 million from one Rislanudeen Muhammed.

He was also accused of disguising a sum of N300 million being proceeds of unlawful activities he accepted from the second defendant.

Tijjani Borodo: Massive Business Opportunities Exist in Nigeria Despite Challenges

The 18th President of the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria (CIoD), Alhaji. Tijjani Borodo, has stressed the need for business operators in the country to look beyond the challenges in order to take advantage of the opportunities in the business environment.

He said this while delivering an address during a webinar with the theme: 'From Surviving to Thriving: Cultivating Resilience for Business Growth in Times of Economic Uncertainties in Nigeria', organised by the CIoD, in conjunction with Sterling Asset Management and Trustees Limited (SAMTL).

The keynote speaker for the event was the Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba; the discussants were the Chairman, Proshare Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, and the Director General, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona,

while the Managing Director, SATML, Mr. Friday Omayebu, delivered the vote of thanks.

The programme was moderated by Saturday Editor, THISDAY Newspaper Limited, Mr. Obinna Chima.

According to Borodo, “As we all know, the global and national economic landscape are filled with challenges, structural rigidities, coupled with ever-present realities of economic fluctuations, creating complex environment for businesses to operate in. Yet, amidst these uncertainties, there are opportunities.

“This programme serves as a platform to equip ourselves with the knowledge and strategies needed, not just to survive these challenges, but to truly take advantage of the opportunities therein. As CEOs, directors and stakeholders, we are tasked with the responsibility of leading our organisations through turbulent times.

“The theme of this webinar underscored the need for us to grapple with structural rigidities and economic realities that shape the business environment in Nigeria. Nigeria, like many other economies, faces a myriad of challenges, ranging from infrastructural imbalance, regulatory bottlenecks, geo-political uncertainties and macro-economic imbalances. However, amidst these challenges lies opportunities for innovation, growth and sustainable development.”

The CIoD president noted that, “To be successful in such an environment lies in cultivating resilience. By building strong and adaptable organisations, we cannot only withstand challenges, but also see the opportunities that inevitably arise. Resilience is not just about weathering the storm, it is about emerging stronger and about turning challenges into opportunities and transforming adversities into growth.

Musawa Restates FG's Commitment to Boost Creative Economy

Agnes Ekebuike

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has restated the federal government's commitment to promoting a booming global creative economy through arts and culture. Musawa, made this known recently, in Venice, Italy, at the opening of the Nigeria Pavilion at the Rio Terà Canal.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Aindrea Emelife, Curator, Nigeria Pavilion and Phillip Ihenacho, Director, Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) Trust, were among the Nigerian dignitaries at the opening of the world event.

The Venice Biennale, which is in its 60th edition, is a global celebration of creativity and cultural exchange with renowned artists, curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts from every corner of the globe in attendance.

In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Musawa stated that the ministry is collaborating with stakeholders like the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) to facilitate investment in the art sector.

“We must be creative in our approach to facilitating investment in arts and culture. We are committed to working with private sector institutions and foundations such as MOWAA, and we see the Nigeria Imaginary as a shining example of what can be achieved by such partnerships.

“This is the beginning of a long-term collaboration with MOWAA and we look forward

to more successes, including the home-coming of this exhibition when it comes to the MOWAA Creative Campus in Nigeria.

“Together, we are showcasing the vibrancy, diversity, and talent of Nigeria to the world, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a thriving creative economy that resonates globally.”

The minister also applauded the eight artists who represented Nigeria at the just concluded Venice Biennale, for their ambassadorial roles in showcasing the nation culturally.

“Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe,Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Precious Okoyomon, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, and Fatimah Tuggar have truly embodied their roles as cultural ambassadors. Their ambitious and thought-provoking works engage with themes of identity, democracy, migration, history, and heritage, offering fresh perspectives on our country through their unique lenses.”

Musawa, also acknowledged Ms. Aindrea Emelife, the curator of the Nigeria Pavilion, for her vision in bringing the world to see Nigeria through its cultural exhibition.

“We seek to empower young passionate storytellers and feel the theme, ‘Nigeria Imaginary’ is precisely what the world needs to see from Nigeria. More than a display of artistic achievement, the Nigeria Pavilion represents a collaborative effort that transcends geographical and governmental boundaries, celebrating the voices of both our homegrown and diaspora artists.

“This is why the ministry is dedicated to fostering environments that celebrate and nurture artistic

excellence, ensuring that such exhibitions inspire our emerging talents and honor our established artists, ensuring that the arts remain at the forefront of our national agenda.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved here today and on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government, and its people, I extend our collective gratitude to all stakeholders and participants.”

“It is about building a business ecosystem that is not only robust, but also adaptable to the everchanging dynamics in the global market place. This webinar serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration.”

In his remarks, Omayebu, also noted that the “challenges of today are tomorrow’s opportunities. So, all must be prepared to see how we can take opportunities from all the challenges we see today.”

According to him, his organisation which has been in existence for close to 40 years, remains committed to supporting its existing and potential clients on their financial journey and to navigate challenges.

The federal government also alleged that Adoke illegally paid the sum of N50 million in 13 tranches and another N80 million in 22 tranches into his personal account with Unity Bank in contravention of the nation’s financial regulations.

In another charge, Adoke was said to have paid the sum of N367 million, also in contravention of the financial regulations.

Adoke was further accused of

disguising the sources of the amounts deposited in his Unity Bank, an act contrary to the financial law.

On the other hand, the second defendant, Abubakar, was said to have in September 2013 received cash payment of $2 million and another $4 million from one Abdulkareem Mustapha, while in September and October same year, he was alleged to have collected another sum $84.7 million.

Kano, ACReSAL Move to End Water Scarcity in Rural Communities

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The World Bank Assisted programme, Agro-Climatic Resilience in SemiArid Landscapes (ACReSAL), in collaboration with Kano State government has concluded plans to supply potable drinking water to rural communities as part of the efforts to fight climate change in the state.

The Project Coordinator, Dr. Dahir Muhammad Hashim, disclosed this while inspecting some solar powered boreholes at Kyalli Village in Bichi Local Government Area of the state. He expressed displeasure on how underage children were forced to trek about two kilometres to fetch water due to non-availability of the water in the area.

Hashim explained that ACReSAL project in collaboration with Kano State government spent huge amount of money to provide water in some

of the affected communities.

He also said that the ACReSAL project has drilled solar powered boreholes and established tree nurseries in some local government areas, as part of the efforts to combat climate change.

"The intervention would alleviate the suffering of rural communities, boost agriculture and improve living standard of the people while the tree nurseries would help to combat desertification and soil erosion.

"We are committed to addressing the environmental challenges that affect the state such as climate change, water supply, drylands, erosion and flooding, land degradation and issues that affect the livelihood of communities which are mainly agriculture.

"The ACReSAL project is anchored on four broad components that speak essentially to the demand of the poor whose livelihoods have been distressed,” he said.

DISCLAIMER

The persons listed below (with passport numbers against their names), who had purportedly claimed to be “THISDAY Newspaper delegates” in a forged letter to the Conference Secretariat of the forthcoming 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in New York, USA, are NOT employees of THISDAY Newspapers Limited. They are:

1) Ezeala Okechukwu Godfrey B50060799

2) Nwabufo Okechukwu Frank B01049143

3) Nwadike Tochukwu Angus B01199463

4) Udeh Chinoyerem Collins B01393816

5) Urama Ogbonna Collins A12394987

The United Nations Information Centre, Abuja; the United States Embassy in Nigeria; the Nigerian Police; and the general public should please note.

Signed: MANAGEMENT

CELEBRATING WOMEN.…

L to R: Chairman Programmes Committee Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Tajudeen Ahmed; former Chairman British Business Group Nigeria, Ama Onyerinma; President/Chairman of Council NBCC, Ray Atelly, and Vice Chairman Energy Group, NBCC, Adeola Azeez, during NBCC's 2024 International Women's Day event, held in Lagos... recently

FG, States, LGs Share N1.123tn March Revenue

Rivers IGR hits N26bn monthly

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday shared a total sum of N1.123.391 trillion Federation Account Revenue to the federal, states and local governments for the month of March.

The amount shared by FAAC was lower than the N1.152.756 trillion shared in the preceding month of February.

This was just as Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, disclosed that all projects carried out by his administration in the state were funded from the Internally Generated

FG Inaugurates 28-Man Committee on Activities Marking Tinubu’s First Year in Office

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has inaugurated a 28-man Inter-Ministerial Committee on the activities to mark the one year in office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The committee, inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will plan and implement activities to mark the first anniversary of the administration of the President.

Akume stated yesterday in a statement signed by the Director Information Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, that the celebration is premised on the need to promote the achievements of the present administration and to reassure Nigerians of its commitment to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He re-affirmed the commitment of the present administration in unleashing the country’s full potential by focusing on job creation, access to capital for small and large businesses, financial inclusiveness, the rule of law, and the fight against hunger, poverty and corruption.

The activities lined up for the anniversary include a Press Briefing on May 22, Sectoral Updates from May 23- 24, the First Lady's Programme from May 25-27 and a National Discourse on May 27.

Others are the Presidential Launch of Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) and Media Parley on May 28 while the celebration will climax with National Broadcast, Mini Parade (BoG) and State Anniversary Dinner May 29.

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation added that in order to ensure successful and hitch-free execution of the celebration, the SGF also inaugurated 11 Sub-Committees: Church Service Sub-Committee; Juma’at Sub-Committee; Protocol Sub-Committee; Venue and Entertainment Sub-Committee; Medical Sub-Committee; Security Sub-Committee; Media and Publicity Sub-Committee; Parade Sub-Committee; Public Lecture/Symposium Sub-Committee, Accommodation Sub-Committee and Secretariat Sub-Committee.

eha Impact Ventures Secures $1.9m Grant to Support Women Entrepreneurs

A gender-lens impact investing enterprise, eha Impact Ventures (EIV), has received a $1.9 million grant from eHealth Africa (eHA), a global health organisation, to support women entrepreneurs in Africa.

This grant marks a major milestone in EIV's effort to provide catalytic capital for its portfolio and potential investments, says a press statement issued by eha Impact Ventures.

It also addresses the $42 billion funding gap for women entrepreneurs in Africa, positions female founders to access better funding opportunities, and prioritises women’s financial needs.

According to the CEO, Evelyn Castle, “the donation validates the recognised potential and untapped talent of women entrepreneurs across the continent."

Revenue (IGR) savings. The governor has restated that his administration operates a transparent accounting system in its deployment of scarce resources in providing essential services to the people.

Fubara, who spoke when he played host to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts at the Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday, disclosed that between the period of his emergence into office, his administration has increased the IGR to between N26 billion and N27 billion monthly.

However, citing a communique issued by the FAAC at its April, 2024 meeting in Abuja, a statement from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), said the N1123.391. trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N311.233 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N511. 879 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N14.754 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N285.525 billion.

According to the statement, a total

revenue of N1.867.808 trillion was available in the month of March 2024.

Total deductions for cost of collection was N69.537 billion while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N674.880 billion.

Gross statutory revenue of N1,017.216 trillion was received for the month of March 2024.

This was lower than the N1,192.428 trillion received in the month of February 2024 by N175. 212 billion.

The gross revenue available from VAT in March 2024 was N549.698 billion, indicating a rise over the N460.488 billion available in the month of February 2024 by N89.210 billion.

The communique stated that from the N1.123.391 trillion total distributable revenue, the federal government received a total of N345.890 billion, the state governments received N398.689 billion while the local government councils received N288.688 billion. A total sum of N90.124 billion (representing 13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

From the N311.233 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received

N133.960 billion, the state governments received N67.946 billion and the local governments got N52.384 billion. The sum of N56.943 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Also, the federal government received N76.782 billion, states received N255.940 billion and the local governments received N179.158 billion from the N511.879 billion distributable VAT revenue for the month of March.

The N14.754 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was shared as follows: the federal government received N2.213 billion, states received N7.377 billion while the local government councils received N5.164 billion.

The federal government also received N132.935 billion from the N285.525 billion Exchange Difference revenue.

The state governments received N67.426 billion, and the local governments received N51.983 billion.

The sum of N33.181 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Import Duty, VAT, Gas Royalty,

companies income tax (CIT) and others increased considerably while Excise Duty, Oil Royalty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) and CET Levies in the month of March.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) remains static at $473,754.57.

Meanwhile, Fubara, who spoke when he played host to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts at the Government House in Port Harcourt, recalled that when he was appointed the Accountant General in 2020, the public accounting reporting position of the state changed for the best because he understood the numbers and how to clearly present the details.

He said the culture of prudence and transparency has been maintained as he assumed governorship of the state despite the challenges that had confronted his administration.

Fubara stated that in managing the finances, he has also increased the IGR of the state, which is deployed to deliver on the core target areas of his administration.

Access Holdings’ Shareholders Okay N2.1tn Capital Raising Plan, Others

Shareholders remember Wigwe, others

Kayode Tokede

The shareholders of Access Holdings Plc, yesterday approved the management’s N2.1 trillion capital raising plan, among other key resolutions at the Pan-African’s 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

(N1.73trillion at N1154.08/$) as well as the subset initiative to raise up to N365 billion, specifically, through a Rights Issue of ordinary shares to its shareholders.

Imoukhuede, Olusegun Ogbonnewo, and Ojinika Olaghere as Non-Executive Directors.

banking sector recapitalisation and how the Holdings would continue to deliver good returns on investment are two major issues confronting shareholders at the moment.

She stressed that EIV would use the donation to create a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem through increased funding, mentorships, and training programmes. “We will support women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, create jobs, and enhance African healthcare systems,” noted Evelyn Castle.

Out of deference and honour to their departed chairman, Mr. Bababode Odunkoya and Group Chief Executive, Dr. Herbert wigwe, the shareholders declined to scrutinise and comment on the 2023 Annual Report and Account of the company laid before them at the company’s second AGM.

They unanimously backed the Group’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of up to $1.5 billion

The proceeds of the Rights Issue would be used to support on-going working capital needs, including organic growth funding for its banking and other non-banking subsidiaries.

The shareholders, who welcomed the new Chairman of the group, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede also approved N1.80 kobo final dividend payout per every N0.50 Kobo ordinary share for the 2023 financial year was approved, marking a 28 per cent improvement from the corresponding period in 2022.

The shareholders also ratified the appointments of Aigboje Aig-

The appointment of AigImoukhuede as the Chairman of Access Holdings was praised by the shareholders, who pointed to his rich history of success with the institution, having transformed it into Nigeria's biggest lender by market value alongside Herbert Wigwe. Aigboje’s leadership was instrumental in driving the institution’s growth during the 2004 recapitalisation of the banking industry led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of its former Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

Speaking to journalists after the AGM, Aig-Imoukhuede noted that

“I think on the issue of recapitalisation, first of all as a group, Access Holdings wholeheartedly endorses the recapitalisation signal by the CBN.

“Banks, particularly after a period of significant devaluation of the domestic currency, volatility in the exchange and interest rates regime are always encouraged to build up the capital buffers to ensure that whatever adverse effect within their balance sheet is a result of these dynamism changes in the environment will not affect their going concern.

Recognising women’s vital role in building strong health systems, Atef Fawaz, the CEO of eHealth Africa, stated: "We acknowledge the profound impact women have in strengthening healthcare systems, aligning with our vision at eHealth Africa." A female board executive at eHealth Africa, My Le, added that “these donations come at a crucial time as women struggle to meet health and economic demands. We believe the funds will help bridge fiscal gaps for women and other vulnerable groups, leading to healthier lives.”

PH-based Journalist, Onwumere Wins Second Place in Africa Travel Week Media Awards

Agnes Ekebuike

A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Odimegwu Onwumere, has won a second place in the inaugural Africa Travel Week Media Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa, by Big Ambitions, a tourism-based firm.

In an email sent to Onwumere by Sonnette Fourie, Junior Account Director/Client Services of the organisation, he was praised for being a winner in the Tourism News Award category of the African journalism awards held in South Africa on April 10, 2024. The letter sent to Onwumere by Sonnette Fourie and received by our reporter, reads, "Dear Odimegwu, we are happy to congratulate you on achieving second place in the Tourism News category at the inaugural African Journalism Awards held last week at WTM Africa! Onwumere's work reveals the move that Nigeria is making to reclaim her $1.6b expenditure in medical tourism and become the hub for medical tourism. "Your work stood out for its quality and insightful approach. Earning second place is a significant accomplishment, and we want to acknowledge your valuable contribution to African journalism. Congratulations again on your well-deserved second place finish!"

POLITY

Kefas: Restoring Hope in Taraba with Gratuity Payment after 13 Years

Wole

Ayodele

The entire Taraba State was thrown into jubilant mood last Wednesday, following the pronouncement by Governor Agbu Kefas that the sum of N1 billion has been provided for the immediate payment of all outstanding gratuity of retirees in the state. Besides the N1 billion, the governor also disclosed that N200 million would be allocated on a monthly basis for the exercise until all outstanding gratuity are fully paid.

While it is not unexpected that retirees in the state, many of whom are living in very harsh and sympathetic conditions due to non-payment of their gratuity celebrating the development, it was however strange that serving civil servants are celebrating the announcement more than the elder statesmen.

The reason for jubilation among civil servants is not far-fetched. The last time the state government paid gratuity was 2011, though the immediate past administration paid some who were either related or have close ties with the governor. Therefore, the non-payment of gratuity had weakened the morale of civil servants since majority of them look forward to the payment of their gratuity to start life after retirement.

With the hope of being paid gratuity fast evaporating within the civil service, despondency, corruption and outright stealing of public funds became the order of the day thereby leading to a near collapse of government business and the public service entirely. It is therefore not strange to see serving civil servants owning multi million naira businesses without any fear of probe.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Kefas has taken steps that clearly indicate that the rejuvenation of the civil service is a paramount goal of his administration. First among the steps taken so far was the restoration of running cost to the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) which was stopped by the immediate past administration.

Similarly, training workshops for some categories of civil servants were organised in Jalingo, Abuja and Lagos to enhance and build their capacities while brand new operational vehicles were procured for the MDA’s which has really gone a long way to reinvigorate activities and government business.

And in a radical departure from the past and a strong signal that he’s unapologetically committed to making the civil service vibrant and professional, the governor made all the Permanent Secretaries to undergo written examination and interview to determine the most qualified among them for appointment as Head of Service. A seven-man commit-

tee, headed by Danladi Kifasi, a former Head of Service of the Federation was inaugurated to conduct the exercise.

Even as dust of the ovation that followed the steps he’s taken so far was yet to settle, the governor seems to have put the icing on the cake with the commencement of payment of all outstanding gratuities dating back to 2011. Indeed, the governor knows how to strike the right cords in the hearts of the people.

Apart from the euphoria that greeted the declaration of free primary and secondary education as well as 50 per cent reduction in fees of tertiary institutions in the state, none of the programmes or policies of the Kefas administration has elicited much appreciation from indigenes and residents of Taraba like the payment of gratuity to retirees.

Commending the governor for being sensitive to the plight of retirees, the State Head of Service, Paul Tino, said the governor has done what no other governor did since the creation of the state in 1991, adding that he has put smiles on the face of pensioners.

“What the governor did is highly commendable. No governor, since the creation of the state in 1991 has performed such feat. He has put smiles on the faces of the retirees especially at this

critical period when there’s suffering and hardship everywhere. What we can do now is to pray to God to give him the grace to do more for the people. Sincerely speaking, everybody is very happy,” he added.

=Speaking to THISDAY at the venue of the screening and payment exercise, a retiree, 76-year-old Pa Mathew Dauda who retired in 2011, expressed appreciation to the governor for the gesture and thanked God for keeping him alive to witness the occasion. He noted that many of his colleagues have died while waiting for their gratuity some of whom he said died miserably.

=According to him “My joy knows no bounds. We are very grateful to the governor for this heartwarming gesture. He has proven that he has a Godly heart. I give thanks and praises to God Almighty for given me the grace to be alive to witness this occasion. Many of my colleagues have died and some very miserably. I pray that God will continue to direct the steps of the governor and grant him sound health and long live.”

=In the same vein, Mrs. Lydia S. Ambituni, who retired as a Permanent Secretary in 2014, commended the governor for his magnanimity saying many retirees have given up on the payment of their gratuity since previous administrations failed to do so. She noted that the payment would go a long way to boost the economy of the state saying it would surely have a positive ripple effect on the various sectors of the economy

=“I’m pleasantly surprised with the governor’s gesture even though I knew from day one that he will govern with the fear of God. We are very grateful to him because it is the prayer of every worker to eat the fruits of his labour after retirement. But it is pathetic when retirees are not paid their entitlements thirteen years after retirement. Many people have lost hope and resigned to fate,” he added.

=“But I must say the retirees are not the only ones to benefit from this payment. It will percolate through all the sectors of the state’s economy because the money must go round. Some people will use theirs to start building projects thereby boosting businesses and provide jobs for artisans like bricklayers, carpenters, iron benders, labourers and so on while it would also reduce crime rate in the state,” he said.

=In his words, Benjamin Kussa Baissa, told THISDAY that the governor has written his name in gold and would surely leave a positive footprint on the sands of time stressing that the gesture would surely reawaken the spirit of dedication to work and commitment to service thereby enhancing their output.=

“I can confidently tell you that Governor Agbu Kefas is the father of the modern civil service in Taraba state. Since coming on board in less than a year, he has completely transformed the state civil service from the comatose state he met it. You need to see the mood of civil servants now. They’re now sure that they’ll be paid their gratuity after retirement and this will make them to give their best to the system,” he said.

Scene of Peacful protest by the People and Elder of Eredo community for the vacant stool of the paramount rulership tussele, held at Alausa, Ikeja recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R; Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Mrs. Hansatu Adegbite; Chairman board of directors WIMBIZ, Bisi Adeyemi; and member, board of trustee, WIMBIZ, Mrs. Chioma Afe at the WINBIZ media roundtable charts held in Lagos….

SUNDAY ADIGUN

Kefas

Ibrahim Chatta Moves to Establish Film Village, Resorts

Regarded as one of theinterpretation of characters. and singer which has gained him re accolades for his versatile acting skills. performances.

alike. With over a dozen videos released so far which gives an insight into the works with traditional African charm.

carved with wooden accents to sweeping

I Study Each Genre, Make It an Assignment to Understand, Then Own It, Says Abisola

Aand making it her own.

Favour Chukwubuikem’s Trajectory in Interior Design, Event Planning

who recognised her talent and drive. of her craft.

emerged stronger and more determined than a niche for herself in the competitive world of wedding planning and designs. on marketing and PR. in Lagos. -

a niche for herself in the competitive world

the hearts of people and leave them thinking and Canada to have their weddings here in

artiste.

the theme of events and the mood of the

Chatta

Most Precious

Favour Chukwubuikem

PERSPECTIVE

Tribute as Cairo Ojougboh Goes Home in Glory

Michael Olugbode

Cairo Godson Ojougboh was born on September 8, 1959, in Agbor, Delta. He was a sportsman in his young years and at a time played basketball for the University of Benin.

Though the need to meet his needs made him to follow other passions, he never stayed away from sports as he was a lover of football and passionate support his national team, the Super Eagles. It was during such support that he exchanged the earth for heavenly glory. He died supporting the Super Eagles during the last African Nations Cup against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. He was a seasoned politician as he was at a time a member of the House of Representatives, and grew to serve in various capacities including as the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Born into the legendary Akporoho Ojougboh family of Alihame, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, Ojougboh earned his medical degree from the University of Benin. He attended the Pilgrim’s Baptist Primary School, Agbor between 1966 and 1971. He had his Secondary Education at St. Columba’s Grammar School (Now Gbenoba Grammar School Agbor), from 1972 to 1976. After a brief teaching experience from 1976 to 1978, his strong desire for higher education took him to Auchi Polytechnic in the old Bendel, now Edo State, where he enrolled to study Mechanical Engineering. In 1979, he left Auchi Polytechnic for the University of Benin to study medicine which he completed with Honours in 1985. He ventured into politics to contribute to the development of his nation. He was active in politics from the inception of the current democratic dispensation until his passing. He was a prominent, fearless and outspoken politician, playing active roles in the quest for good governance and consolidation of democracy at State, and National levels.

Cairo Ojougboh, until his death on February 7, 2024 was the Akinuwa of Agbor.

The personality of the late Ojougboh was laid bare in Abuja, during the celebration of his life as Nigerian politicians and close associates gathered to honour him. He was described by many as a loyal politician who cuts across all political divide.

Leading the roll call of those who paid tribute to the deceased were the ex-governor of Edo State and former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole; former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson; former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff; Senator Abubakar Gada, and former member of House of Representatives, Dora Uboh Sheriff, the Chairman of the Organising Committee said he was still finding it difficult to get over the news over the demise of the deceased.

Sheriff said: “He called me, my Chairman and told me that he was going to watch the football match and I told him that I am already in my sitting room.

But one hour later, I got a call that he was dead.

“If there was a gentleman I met in the course of my political journey, it was Cairo. He was trusted and loyal. There was never anybody that had ever made me free like Dr. Cairo.”

He added, “I’m still shocked that Ojougboh is no more. If there was a perfect gentleman I met in the course of my life is Ojougboh. “He was one person you could trust and rely on. This was a gentleman I met in the course of my political career and he gave me an insight of Nigeria. “Ojougboh was a dependable ally. He was someone you will never regret having as a friend. “To the family, I want to assure all of you that I will be there for you anytime you call upon me.

“He was one person I will not forget; he was one person I will remember all the time. He lived a good life worth emulating.”

Sheriff noted that for the mere fact that Ojougboh died watching Nigeria match showed that he was a true Nigerian, a nationalist, calling on leaders to be more patriotic. According to him, patriotism is what would keep the country together. He admonished that: “We have to believe in and be proud of our country.” The Chairman of the Occasion, a former Governor of Akwa-Ibom, Victor Attah, in his tribute, prayed for the family of the deceased that God will provide and comfort them.

He said: “God that provided you this husband, father and uncle, will continue to provide for you. God will comfort you; God will give you the strength to bear the loss.”

For his part, Oshiomhole said the deceased was a friend of all across party divide, a man for all and a very sociable and amiable person. Oshiomhole, said they met in the days of his labour struggle.

He added, “He was a man for everyone I met him when I was the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“When I met him as Chairman of the NLC, one of those days when we put the country and the leaders on notice.

“He paid several visits to my village to show his respect for elders. Whether you invite him or not, if he considers you valuable, he will come “There was a day he visited my mum in my small village without telling me and i was saying to myself my mum cannot influence anything so why did he go there.

“After that, he visited several times. That is the man Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

“Today we are lucky to sit here and celebrate him; who knows when it our time who will celebrate us.

“He has made impact and good impressions to lives and we pray that God forgive him all his sins and grant him eternal rest.

“To the family of our departed brother, you have every reason to be proud because he made good impact in the lives of many people.” Elder statesman and leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, who spoke virtually, said the deceased was like a son to him.

Besides, he said the late politician who played a big role in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was the only one that used to call him father.

“He was very dedicated and faithful. Ojuogboh was very dear to me. We have lost a fantastic young man. We pray God to accept him and pray God to take care of the family he left behind,” he added. Also speaking, Senator Dino Melaye, described the deceased as detribalised, civil, principled and sociable.

“His relationship cut across political divide because Ojougboh was one of the very few APC people that will have something to do and I will attend.

“The truth of the matter is we can’t question God. Death is a garment that everyone right here wears you can’t deny it. That day and time cannot be determined by you except you decide to commit suicide “And today Cairo is having a unique night and we should ask ourselves when you leave what will you be remembered.” On his part, Dickson said Ojuogboh was a very loyal man who was faithful to friendship. “He did his best within his short sojourn on earth. May God grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.” Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, a Judge of the Federal High Court, said the late Ojougboh was an accomplished person.

She said his legacy was a footprint that an individual leaves on earth after he or she is gone. “At a point, he was involved in reconciliation and harmonisation activities. That is one of the legacies he left behind.

After Stakeholders Meeting, Will Peace Fully Return to S’East APC?

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The stakeholders meeting of the South-East zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has come and gone but its aftermath is still rippling. The meeting held in Owerri on April 2, 2024, was the first of such gathering since the recent appointment of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma as the Coordinator of the zone. Apparently, he convened the stakeholders to show that he calls the shots in the zone and every other power centre should fizzle out. However, the meeting has further exposed the extant fissures in South-East APC. There was glaring absence of key stakeholders of APC at the zonal meeting and that blighted the outcome of what would have passed as family meeting. The former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime were not among the stakeholders that came from the Coal City state. From Abia State, the governorship candidate of APC in the 2023 poll, High Chief Ikechi Emenike was not at the Owerri meeting, so also was the Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was absent at the stakeholders’ meeting. It spoke volumes that he did not send any of his colleagues from the South-East in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly or a high ranking personal aides to represent him if he was indisposed to attend the meeting. Rather, it was announced that the Commissioner representing the SouthEast in the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission, Hon. Martins Azubuike, came to represent the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is one of the two APC governors in the South-East zone, did not attend. He sent his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila to lead the Ebonyi delegation. The Minister of Works and Housing, Engr. Dave Umahi, who is the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, was not seen among the stakeholders that came from that state. Former

Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige was a notable stakeholder whose absence was very conspicuous in the contingent from Anambra State.

Though Umahi was not at Owerri, some other ministers from the South-East, including the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Labour and Productivity, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye were at the meeting. Senator Ifeanyi Uba, who became a member of APC after his recent defection, was among the stakeholders that came from Anambra. Expectedly, the stakeholders from Imo State, whose governor hosted the zonal meeting, graced the event. Some of them include, Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Ostia Izunaso, the member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Chike Okafor, and the 2019 APC governorship candidate in Imo state, Uche Nwosu.

Both the stakeholders at the meeting and those that stayed away knew quite well that all is not well with their party, no matter the aesthetics of the window dressing. Disunity has been existing in every state chapter of the party in the zone prior to the 2023 general election and has continued to widen even after the poll. In fact, it was exacerbated in the run-up to the 2023 poll following the outcome of the primary elections, especially the governorship primaries.

Thus, betrayals, sabotage and other forms of anti-party activities all played out in the APC camps, especially in Abia, Enugu and Anambra State where the party is not in power. No doubt, the inhouse rancour and bitterness greatly affected the performance of APC in the general election. The open wounds are yet to heal; the aggrieved ones are yet to be reconciled while the estranged members are yet to return to the family fold.

This uncomfortable state of affairs in the South-East APC was not lost on the leaderships at the national, zonal and state levels. Though he was not physically present at the South-East zonal meeting, the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje did not engage in

equivocation in his message to the meeting of stakeholders.

He pointedly called for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation among the South-East APC members, especially the stakeholders. Ganduje, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Enukwu, said that party members should embrace reconciliation, peace and unity in the interest of the party in order to make further inroads in the South-East where it controls two out of the five states in the zone.

“The chairman has asked me to tell you to reconcile yourselves, forgive yourselves and work together,” Enukwu announced to the gathering of stakeholders. “The most important thing is the reconciliation,” he added. According to him, the party leaderships at all levels “are working seriously to continue the success” APC recorded in the Imo State governorship poll where the party won all the 27 Local Governments of the state.

To replicate the Imo success story of the APC, the National Chairman said that the ruling party would deepen its presence at the grassroots. “The party is working towards making sure that each ward and LGA, has functional offices and that is the usual way to make sure that we are at the grassroots,” he said. He also said that the party would soon embark on e-registration to further increase its membership strength, which he said presently stands at 80 million. This claim means that 35 percent of Nigeria’s estimated population or 200 million are card-carrying members of the ruling APC.

Governor Uzodimma, whose shoulder bears the burden of reconciliation of APC members in the South-East, said that reconciliation train would go round the five states to make peace. “I have been given this assignment,” he said, adding, “I will not allow the South-East to languish because someone somewhere is gossiping”. Whatever he meant on the role of gossips in the palpable disunity in his party is not quite explicable.

Apart from reconciliation of members, the host

Uzodimma

governor noted that “In (South-East) APC, our task now is to connect to the national grid”. He did not specify which one takes priority between reconciliation and national grid. However, he appealed that party faithful should “forgive ourselves”.

Explaining his call for national grid connection, Uzodimma noted that Nigeria “was formed on a three tripod: The Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. He said that while two legs have decided to move forward and expand, the other “one leg which is the Igbo is shrinking”. To achieve a seamless connection to the national grid he said that “we must stop pulling ourselves down” and also “support President Bola Tinubu in his policies and programmes”.

The Imo governor, whose mandate has been renewed for second term, commended both Mr. President and the APC National Chairman “for understanding the precarious situation in the SouthEast and that South-East is grossly marginalised,” adding that Tinubu “is working to de-marginalize the zone”.

Ojougboh

S’ East Development Commission: Elixir for Region’s Transformation

Sam Hart

There was a palpable air of elation and expectation when news broke that the Senate had passed the South East Development Commission Bill. A few weeks prior, the House of Representatives had equally passed the same bill and transmitted same to the Senate.

The seamless movement of the Bill through both Chambers of the National Assembly was proof that adequate work had been done behind the scenes to set the stage for the advancement of the Bill.

It is common knowledge that the Bill had been introduced in preceding National Assemblies but suffered stillbirths due to a multiplicity of factors that do not bear rehashing.

Thankfully, this time around, the Bill is being championed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Apart from his exalted position which gives him leverage to push legislative preferences, it is also a testament to his diplomatic credentials that he was able to galvanize his colleagues in both Chambers of the National Assembly to get the Bill to the point where it is now.

The bill is currently at harmonization stage between the two Chambers of the National Assembly to align any areas of divergence in what both Chambers passed after which it will be forwarded to the President for his signature.

Feelers from the political class indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is minded to sign the Bill into Law once it is ratified by both Chambers of the National Assembly and transmitted to him.

There is no denying the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has run an inclusive government which has given every section of the country a sense of belonging. It is also evident that the President is very much interested in the

development of the South East - and indeed, every region of the country and he will throw his weight behind every genuine effort to foster socio-economic development that benefits the nation.

It is instructive to point out that when the South East Development Commission Bill is signed into Law, it would be the single most important gesture by the Federal Government towards the total reconciliation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the South East in the architecture of the Nigerian State since after the Civil War.

The Commission, when it comes on stream, will also possess the capacity to galvanize integrated efforts towards the massive development of the region.

There is no denying the enormous opportunities that exist for the development of the South East Geopolitical Zone. There is also no denying the existence of a myriad of challenges which have been exacerbated by decades of perceived and actual neglect by diverse stakeholders.

The signing of the South East Development Commission Bill into Law and the setting up of the South East Development Commission and its attendant structures, will signal an embrace to the South East region from the Centre and help thaw some of the underlying factors that have fanned the embers of discontent and unrest in the region.

The installed - yet untapped - developmental opportunities in the South East region and their anticipated harnessing will be to the ultimate benefit of the Nigerian State as the South East possesses undeniable human and material capacity for rapid development.

Necessity now behooves all people of goodwill from the South East geopolitical zone of the country to rally around this admirable push to promote the equitable development of the region. Let us therefore eschew tendencies that divide us and embrace this new vision towards the overall benefit of the people.

Great credit must be paid to the current political leadership of

the South East Zone for this new and positivity wind of cooperation and collaboration among them. It is to their credit that they have sang from the same hymn book in making demands for the region and pushing conversations that benefit the region.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has shown adroitness and admirable political sagacity in galvanizing his colleagues towards getting the best for the region.

Kalu, had earlier, alongside his colleagues from the South East Geopolitical Zone, promoted the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) which is an advocacy for non-kinetic de-escalation of the spate of insecurity in the South East. It is always gratifying to see Members of the House of Representatives, across party lines, come together behind the same cause.

The same unity and cohesion has also permeated the Senate, Ministers and Heads of Departments and Agencies from the South East Region. Kudos must go to all elected and appointed political office holders from the South East in the President Tinubu administration for eschewing rancour and division to speak the same language literally and figuratively.

As the National Assembly resumes from its breaks on April 23, 2024, it is expected that at the top of its agenda would be the harmonization of the South East Development Commission Bill and transmitting same to the President for his anticipated assent.

We thank everyone who has played one role or the other in bringing this development to its current state. We thank Members of the National Assembly from other zones of the country for their camaraderie and solidarity in supporting the passage of the Bill.

Finally, we thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the new vista of inclusiveness and development currently being experiences in the South East region and we wish him a very successful tenure.

Hart, a Leadership Strategist, writes from Abuja

Senegalese Election and Misplaced Blame of Nigerian Youths

Godwin Igbinosa |

Sn the wake of Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election as President of Senegal, there has been a growing sentiment of blame directed towards Nigerian youths for not achieving a similar outcome in the last general elections. However, it is important to recognize that the blame is misplaced and misleading. The reality is that Nigerians did vote in line with the pattern of the Senegalese election, but a series of factors, including alleged conspiracy, altered the outcome. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian judiciary, and the All Progressive Congress have been at the center of controversy surrounding the 2023 Nigerian general elections. There have been widespread allegations of irregularities, voter suppression, and manipulation of the electoral process. These allegations have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the election and the fairness of the outcome.

It is crucial to understand that the Nigerian electorate did not fail to exercise their democratic rights. Rather, they were met with obstacles and challenges that undermined the credibility of the electoral process. The blame should not be placed on the Nigerian people, especially the youths, who have been actively engaged in the political process and have demonstrated a strong commitment to shaping the future of their country.

The allegations of conspiracy and manipulation in the Nigerian election highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and reform within the electoral system. It is imperative that the voices of the Nigerian people are heard and that their democratic rights are upheld. The integrity of the electoral process is fundamental to the stability and progress of any nation, and it is essential that measures are taken to address the concerns raised by the 2023 elections.

As we reflect on the recent events in Senegal and Nigeria, it is important to recognize the resilience and

determination of the Nigerian people in the face of adversity. The blame should not be directed at the electorate, but rather at the systemic issues that have compromised the democratic process. Moving forward, there is a need for meaningful dialogue, reform, and a commitment to upholding the principles of democracy in Nigeria.

In conclusion, it is crucial to dispel the misconception that Nigerian youths are to blame for the outcome of the last general elections. The reality is that the electoral process was marred by allegations of irregularities and manipulation. It is essential to address these issues and work towards a more transparent and accountable electoral system. The Nigerian people deserve a fair and credible electoral process, and it is imperative that their voices are heard and their rights protected.

This article is a call to action for all stakeholders to prioritize electoral reform and uphold the principles of democracy in Nigeria. It is a reminder that the blame should not be placed on the people, but on the need for systemic change and a commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in the future.

Evaluating Senator Eze’s Role in Ebonyi Politics

Benjamin Nworie

The politics of Ebonyi central is one of the most complex, uncertain and dynamic in the State. A senatorial zone of four council areas but with the highest ethnic groups in the state. To be a Senator in Ebonyi Central is like representing diverse ethnic and multi-cultural groups. This is why it was difficult to be a “good Senator” in Ebonyi central. There must always be a reason for one quarter or the other to feel marginalised. But it doesn’t mean that these agitations and clamour were unsolvable but many politicians had used divide and rule to hold sway in the politics of Ebonyi central.

It was believed that when there was crisis within some quarters, it would enable them concentrate and gained more political fortunes. However, this strategy has become obsolete and it’s no longer business as usual. Electorate have become wiser and self-independent.

From many indications, Eze is getting it right, correcting the wrongs of his predecessors. Rather than divide and rule, he has continued to build bridges of unity amongst the political and heterogeneous clans in the zone.

One thing fascinating about his political footprint is that Senator Eze is kind to how he emerged as a senator. To say the obvious, it was a miracle and unexpected. It was like a “joke” when he was nominated to fly the ticket of the party and it was a feat that has prepared him to prove his worth. Like the

Less than one year in the Nigerian upper chamber, Eze has become the talk of the town, clearly outshining his other contemporaries in the state. In Ebonyi central, the old methods have passed away.

It got to a time when evidence of good representation was reduced to how many times youths were gathered to drink in various joints.

With Eze’s emergence, real empowerment and securing of employment opportunities have replaced the old order. A total of 48 graduates have been secured job opportunities by Senator Eze in various federal government ministries, parastatals and agencies.

Many people have rated it the highest feat within the short period in the National Assembly since the creation of Ebonyi state. It’s also surprising to many, the magic which is playing favourably for him that he has become a reference point in the senate from the state

With his mien and calmness, Senator Eze is fast bulldozing into the support base of his political opponents and becoming the “lion of Ebonyi central politics”.

This also has unsettled some political players who felt that Senator Eze would not make any impact in the senate. Most of these players had long laid ambush to make him redundant and possibly snatch the position from him in the next election.

But from the look of things, Senator Eze’s popularity and support base are fast

becoming indestructible. All evidences manifested during the Christmas and Easter celebrations. It was all about Easter holiday with his people but it turned out a carnival and gathering of enthusiastic supporters at his onueke home town. Many people came to show appreciations. Some people came to lobby for employment opportunities. Some also came to find one favour or the other, while some came to water ground for their defection to the APC. Many groups were also on ground to show solidarity. Most interestingly, some PDP stalwarts also came to identify with him and fine-tuned way of joining the APC. First on the list were the stakeholders and representatives of people of Ikwuato Idembia led by Dr Chike Onwe, Chief Dominic Nwafor and Dr. Augustus Nwankwo. They came to show solidarity to the Senator and assured him of their supports and partnership in his quest to serve the people of Ebonyi Central zone.

Another group was the delegation and representatives of the members of People’s Democratic Party PDP) of Ezza extraction led by Rt Hon Chris Usulor, former Member of Ebonyi state House of Assembly; former SSG Ebonyi state under former governor Dave Umahi, Dr Chief Hyginus Nwokwu; former acting chairman of PDP Ebonyi state, Barr Ifeanyi Nworie, Chief Amaechi Oken and a host of other prominent members of the opposition party.

The leader of the delegation, Usulor said

they came to pay Easter homage to Eze because they’re proud of his performance and are willing to join forces with him as he continues to make the people of Ebonyi Central proud with the intimidating records of his exceptional performance within his one year in office.

They said that with their engagements with the Senator, they were ready and prepared to join APC and support the government of Governor Francis Nwifuru

The PDP leaders acknowledged the efforts of the Governor to develop and distribute social amenities accross the state. They said that they were at home with the policies and programs of Governor Nwifuru as encapsulated in his charter of needs agenda. Eze

biblical David, he fought with titans and defeated the “Goliaths”.

Alex O:

We’re Looking for Better Ways to Adapt, Break into the Industry Again

Alex Okoroigwe, popularly known as Alex O, is a Nigerian pop musician, singer, songwriter and music producer, who rose to fame in the nineties after he released his most notable song “Celebrate.” In this interview, he talks about why he decided to travel out of the country to further his education and to develop himself at the peak of his career. Alex says he returned to the country armed with skills in film production, animation production and a whole lot of new stuffs as well as a stronger passion for music. He talks about his new songs and urges all Nigerians to strive towards making the country a better place. Ferdinand Ekechukwu provides the excerpts: Alex O

We have not been hearing much about Alex O, is it deliberate or you just decided to stay away from music for other engagements? I never actually went away from music. Even when I travelled out in 1998, I was still in music. I travelled out to a couple of countries and I was also in music while I was out there, performing at concerts, producing jingles and also studying. So, I have always in been in music. The only thing that I haven’t been doing has been releasing new songs which I have started some two years ago.

The expectation then when you were at the peak of your career was that you are going to either sustain it or you take it higher, but all of a sudden we didn’t hear much again from you?

Yes, my career peaked, and as at that particular time the industry was going through a whole lot of difficulties that were making it challenging to continue to practice what we were doing, to continue to record, release music, market and all that the companies were doing. The companies were also going through their own problems too. And I remember that before I travelled, I actually finished a complete album and took it to the record company and the company said, ‘oh we are going through a rough time’ and they didn’t have the resources to be able to put it out the traditional way we used to do it and I looked at a whole lot of things that were going on at that time and I decided to upgrade myself, learn new skills and study. All that was a bit difficult to do back home then. So, I decided to ‘japa’ some kind of. And I’m back again after those number of years. I’m back again armed with the skills in film production, animation production and a whole lot of new stuff. I’m back again practicing what I used to love, what I still love and I have passion for. Now, I’m now more into film production and post-production.

What impact did your travelling have on your music career artistry and the entertainment culture?

Part of the reasons why I travelled was to go out there, experience what’s out there, learn, study and expose myself to new ways of doing music and other

areas of life. As I am back now, you know especially in the film industry, I’m into visual effects. These are the things I’ve been doing and Nollywood is only gradually getting to know. I have worked with a couple of them. Those who have experienced how I work today continue to come and it’s just a couple of time before everybody gets to know this is what is going on. But the major challenge is the funding for a lot of the movies that are produced here don’t make it possible for you to get remunerated as much as you are supposed to. So, a lot of times producers don’t want to come because they think you are expensive. But these things cost money, they cost resources to be able to put together. So, films, visuals and then with my experiences, I have performed, worked with Americans, worked with British, all the people out there and learned so much. And now I am armed with the visuals aspect of things, I can make music, make songs and produce visuals for the song. It’s more like being armed and ready for the industry right now.

You started your music journey quite early in life, was there any parental or family influence?

My father was into music, mainly playing piano and stuff in the church, though he passed away while we were all young. I also had an uncle who was leading a local band then when we were all in the primary school and all that. I have always loved music and from my primary school, I was in the school band; in secondary I was also in the school band and I was also listening to very powerful songs that were coming from the United States. All those great bands and wanted to be like them, I wanted to sing like them and I wanted to perform like them. So I can tell you right now that during my secondary school education, I was also getting into music as much as possible. In fact, I used to run away from the dormitory on Friday night, I would

take night bus to Lagos, to see if I could get some kind of sponsorship. You know all that time, Chris Okotie, Felix Liberty, were all reigning and I also wanted to perform as little as I was. And the most important thing is once you have identified that you have this talent and you have the passion for it and also willing to have the patience to develop it, all one needed was to look for where the channels were; look for where you could get whatever it was you were looking for to help you step up towards what you want to do. So I identified music as part of what I wanted to do as early as possible at that time.

You travelled abroad and now you are back, was there anything you missed while you were away and what is your assessment of the music industry at the moment?

Yes, when I left, like I said, it was a conscious decision to see how I could develop myself, get to acquire more knowledge, not only about music production, but also acquire other skills in entertainment. Well at the moment, yes, have things changed. Of course I missed some of the shows I used to do then. PortHarcourt was home, Owerri was home, Lagos was also home. Everywhere - Kaduna, Kano and other states were all home. But while outside Nigeria, I was also performing in a couple of countries. So, I never really missed music because then while I got out there, I was able to have my own recording studio and I started producing jingles, sound tracks, even some Nigerians who knew where were also sending materials. It’s always been music, nothing was taken away I will tell you. But right now, as I’m here I have seen that the younger ones have changed it all, in fact technology changed it all and made it possible for everybody to have access ownership of studio right now and it’s more competitive now.

You recently released two new songs - Munachi and Take a Break - which you said signpost interesting times ahead and marked the beginning in preparation of a full album you planned to release later in the year. Can you speak to us about this album?

One thing is to work hard and make good music;

another thing is for people to get to appreciate it and for it to ‘blow.’ That’s the word everybody is using now, ‘blow’ you know. It’s the same me, it’s the same thing, but the difference is right now the music promotions and marketing and everything has all changed now. So, one has to adapt as much as possible and look for better ways to fit in and be able to succeed and achieve again. The sound has also changed. Like I said, technology has made it easier now. You can decide how hard you want to work on materials that you have, unlike those days. Those days the record company gives you a number of studio sessions; most times about six or seven or eight sessions of eight hours for you to finish like eight songs or ten songs. So, you needed to work a whole lot harder before you can actually succeed and anything you didn’t prepare at home before coming to the studio you will find it difficult to be able to achieve inside the studio once you have started your sessions. And once your sessions are finished, you are on your own (laughs). But these days, it’s like everyone has a studio in their house, in their rooms, laptops and all that. Now, what separates everybody; what separates every artist, no matter how many that are coming out now is how harder you work, even with those equipment because of competition. You have to work a lot harder to be able to be held, for people to raise up their hands and say ‘oh we voting for this guy, his songs are great.’ Of course, once you have the passion for what you want to do, you can work hard, you can be patient and be able to do it and let it come out the way you want it to come out. So, this full album will eventually come out after a couple of more singles. We are looking at between eight and ten songs. But let me also hint you that all through the years that I have not been releasing new songs, I have also been writing, I have also been putting songs together in demonstration tapes. Some recorded; some just sketched and put down. I have so many songs right now that the moment my label starts to come up, I have enough materials that can actually push four artist or five artists none stop.

How has your acceptance in the industry been? So far people have been showing a lot of attention

Alex O: Young Music Artists Have Changed Face of the Industry with Technology

and interest towards the new songs that are here at the moment. Whenever it’s played anywhere, wherever I go or whatever it is the event is, people react positively to them. And that’s encouraging because a lot of people had been a bit worried, you know they tag all of us as old school musicians and all that, but when they listened to the new songs that I have, they are actually not far from what we have musically in Nigeria right now. The difference is you hear me singing and then you hear my lyrics style. But when it comes to their beats and their sounds, they are all there. So they all blend and we thank God for that. We want to do more promotions; we want to spread more and have it reach a lot more people. So far whenever I send a song to somebody, the feedback I get is always encouraging, that’s one. Two, I have also been to a couple of events and when I get there, like the very last one we had, they called me up to come and sing and everybody was expecting me sing ‘make we take some time to bubble and shuffle’, and I said ‘okay, everybody knows I do this one but I’m going to do a new one which is different from the old ones and I sang ‘Munachi’ and to my surprise, everybody, the applause, the reception it got really amazed me. That was a song that wasn’t yet known to them before I started performing and by the end of the song, the attention, the applause, the response, was very positive. I thank God it’s coming; a lot more work has to be done. I have to do a lot more work with the promo with also enforcing this whole new idea. One thing you need to also remember is from the onset of my music career, from my first album you can see there’s this whole, let me call it metamorphosis that kept coming from the first album that sounded a bit too British you know. The second one started coming with pidgin rap and all those other local elements that I started adding into it. And I can tell you that some of those experiments that we made those days are what crystalised to the quality and the style of music that is going on in Nigeria; mixing R&B beats with Yoruba songs with Igbo songs and choruses. So it’s a continuous process in the industry that you must continue to evolve, continue to experiment, continue to add whatever the ingredients or the elements are that the people want to hear in what you are doing.

We would like you to do a comparison between the music we had in your generation and what we are listening to now; in terms of the quality, do you think anything is missing?

In terms of the lyrical contents and style, I can tell you that we were doing a lot better than they are doing right now. But when it comes to instrumentation, the sounds, when it comes to the mixes, they are

doing very well, they are a lot better. The reason is because they own their own studios right now, unlike during our days. During our days you have limited times in the studio and anything you didn’t finish well, it goes. But these days you have your own studio in your home and technology has made it a lot easier, technology has changed it all positively for the musicians of today. So they all have their own studios. You can choose to work on one song for one whole month until it comes out the way you want before you release it. Unlike those days, once your eight hours per day session is running out, they are locking the studio and asking you to leave. Because for you to own a studio those days, your father has to maybe know some oracle that knows or control a couple of banks or something. It was difficult to own recording studio those days. That’s the difference, that’s why the music is a lot stronger. But we also tried when you compare the little or no resources that we had those days. When I listen to the song ‘Celebrate’, listen to the mix, that was the reason why the DJs at events and radio stations were mixing ‘Celebrate’ with other songs and all those ones coming from the United States because it was strong enough to match the quality, the standard and then of course I had my local elements, I had some of the melody lines in Igbo, adding more flavours to it and it helped the success that we were able to achieve that time.

But are the right messages being passed through the lyrics we have today?

Some of them are; some of them are doing well. I don’t want to talk about the gospel artists because their own is a given that it is morality and all that. But when you are talking of the mainstream musicians, if you look into it you will see that Nigerians love to party now than during our time. So, the music that the young ones are playing are most of the time for the entertainment; for party goers and party people. So, they are actually looking at whatever will come up at the party to dance on the dance floor and the more they do that, the more people want to dance to their music. So, it’s a completely different trend from what we had then during our time. And more so, during our time, what was reigning more was the reggae music and the reggae music that they were playing that time was coming with a whole lot of rebellious tone against the government. It was in their lyrics and all they were saying. Though I was on the R&B side and not into reggae, but at the end of the day, I made sure that my lyrics also made sense to people. And if your lyrics didn’t make sense to anybody during that time, they are not going to listen to you. So it’s equally important. The artists of today, they are trying; some of them, not all of them. There are some of them that are very serious with the work they are putting in and I encourage them to continue to.

You earlier talked about adaptation and you know collaboration with the new artists is also important if you need to adapt. Which of the current musician are you looking forward to working with on some of your works? Collaboration, I look at it as not only from the musical studio recording studio musical point of view. Sometimes you have to put it into prayer for God to send somebody you are compatible with, somebody you can work with, and somebody you have the same level of understanding with so that when you start a project it can be taken to fruition. You know why? A lot of people are doing things differently these days and I have seen situations where two people try to collaborate; they start a project and they end up quarrelling and fighting and the project doesn’t go anywhere. By this time money had been put in, resources and time have been put in, so I must make sure that it’s somebody that I’m compatible with, somebody who, yes, my spirit agrees with and somebody who would want to do with me as well. So it doesn’t necessarily have to be going out of my way. Collaboration if it comes, it comes. And if it comes from somebody I can work with, oh fantastic. If it doesn’t come, I’m

a very hard working musician and can I always hold my own and I’m telling you right now that at any time any day, I can always work hard and hold it on my own. And if somebody I’m compatible comes, somebody I have the same level of understanding comes along, why not. It will be a good idea. After all, I did one with Prince Amaho, the famous Nigerian artist based in Germany two years ago titled, ‘Shine Like a Star’. We did some of the recordings here, shot some of the video here, some in Germany and they are promoting it in Germany and it’s doing very well as well. So over here, yes it’s possible and must be somebody I’m compatible with and somebody who wants to work with me too.

With your wealth of experience in music as producer, songwriter/singer, are there any plans towards the younger ones in terms of grooming young talents?

At the moment, I’m starting out again or rather restarting out; now a couple of more singles, the full album comes out, we promote and then the next I will start looking at pushing my new record label and of course there are a whole lot of talents I can help that I can contribute towards helping to develop and put out there. But they must also be willing to work hard and they must be patient. You don’t want to go sign somebody who would start to give you headache from day one and they have to be put through proper training to be able to know how to conduct themselves in the public space especially these days where everybody can write, say, do anything online whether you like it or not. And sometimes the younger artists do these things and destroy themselves before they start a career in music. So, one has to pay attention to all the necessary things that need to be done before one starts to put the younger ones out there. But I definitely will as time goes on.

Sometime ago you had planned to remix your classic songs. How far did that go?

The moment I wanted to start it, my attention was called to the fact that the record company that released those songs also have a say in the remixes of all the songs. That is the company that sponsored and popularised those titles. So, at the moment we are in serious talks with them so that the project can go. In fact, they are even more interested than I am in doing the remixes and repackaging of the old songs to make them come alive again. We are in talks right now trying to round up.

High Cost of Power Major Headache to Young Entrepreneurs

Felicia Akanbi is the owner of Fastailors, a Lagos-based company that majors in the sewing of customised ready to wear outfits. She identified high cost of power as the major obstacles facing young entrepreneurs in Nigeria in this chat with Joy Onuorah

Whatmotivatedyouto gointotailoring?

Two things: I launched Fastailors to address the widespread issue of tailors frequently delivering outfits later than promised to their clients. Secondly, my fascination with sewing machines and their ability to craft exquisite garments; this began when I visited a fashion house at a young age.

Whoareyourclients?

Individuals, both women and men seek to have their outfits made within 72 hours, as well as those interested in custom-made, ready-to-wear, and bridal attire.

Thefashionindustrychangesfromtimeto time,howdoyoutendtocope?

Innovation, collaboration, and creativity synergise as essential elements for survival and relevance in the fashion industry.

How is the current economic challenge affectingpatronageofyourcraft?

Access to quality fabrics and materials can be a challenge based on trust. High cost of power can also burn deep into revenue which can be

used for investment back into the business. Finally, hiring dedicated and passionate manpower. This point brings me to a famous quote by Red Adair, ‘If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Whydopeoplepreferhandmadeclothesto readymadeones?

It’s easy to customise. Often, standard sizes like Small, Medium, and Large may not suit the body proportions of African models perfectly due to our unique physique. For instance, African women typically have more pronounced bust and glute areas compared to women of other ethnicities. Additionally, based on feedback from Fastailors’ clients, there’s a strong preference for African print fabrics,

Where do you wish to be in the next 10 years?

Fastailors aims to be acknowledged as a technology-driven company specialising within the next decade. We anticipate achieving a production time frame of 5 to 24 hours, contingent on style and volume. Ongoing deep research and collaboration endeavours are in progress to realise this objective.

Is it true that most tailors disappoint their clients?

Fastailors are closing the divide by delivering satisfaction and value to clients, ensuring they quickly.

Whyareyoungonesnotwillingtolearn vocations again?

Two factors come to mind. Perception of Prestige: Vocational careers are sometimes seen as less prestigious compared to traditional academic paths, leading to a lack of interest. Also, technological bias in a rapidly advancing technological landscape, there’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

How do you want the government to come to the aid of SMEs in Nigeria?

I applaud the government for its support thus far, particularly through tax incentives for small businesses. Further investment opportunities, such as exchange programs for training in new technologies abroad, low-interest loans, and government patronage, would be beneficial in enhancing the local and international standing of SMEs in Nigeria. Felicia

Alex O

Akanbi

FEATURES

Ejikeme: PTAD’s Focus is Better Life for Pensioners

One year into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, has brought in its stable reform packages to the joy of pensioners that fall into this category. Nduka Nwosu writes that Ejikeme’s cleaning of the Augean stable of corrupt practices and the introduction of reforms for improved deliverables, are the reasons pensioners will continue to expect better days ahead.

Ahamefula Ogbu

Just recently, this reporter watched a video of a reception held for Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara, the former Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria. That must have been in 1960 at the Odida Anyanwu Local Government field Umuahia capital of Abia State.

Those were the halcyon days of Nigerian politics full of great promises for a Nigeria that was seen as the giant of the African continent. Okpara had just been named premier taking over from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who relinquished the position to become Nigeria’s first indigenous Senate President and later Governor General.

Okpara did not disappoint. With the accomplishments of Zik, laying the foundation for an economically viable Eastern Nigeria, the new Premier hit the ground running positioning the region as the fastest growing economy in the world. It took the global lead as number one exporter of palm produce; interestingly, the Southwest and Northern region were equally leaders in cocoa, cotton, and groundnut export, respectively. Nigeria was on an auto cruise agro-economy.

The Premiers of the four regions were leaders who served and asked for nothing by way of compensation or corruptly enriching themselves.

Behind Okpara was a team of formidable men and women who were equally ruled by what John Kennedy summarised as a motivation of what you can do for your country without asking what your country can do for you. There was Emmanuel Aguma, G, C, Mbanugo, Bob Ogbuagu who ran today’s equivalent of NDDC, the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation-ENDC. There was the Premier’s chief of staff, Chief Ukachi Ikemba, whose daughter Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, is the incumbent second term executive secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

There is the maxim of an apple not falling far from the tree that bred or bore it. In her lifetime, Ejikeme has proved to be a chip off the old block, a public officer who elects to serve her country, imbued with the culture of selfless service to her fatherland, like her father Chief Ikemba.

Ejikeme, has over the years as a public servant held high the virtues of transparency and accountability as Executive Secretary of PTAD, as a commissioner of health in Anambra State and as a federal civil servant and even as an entrepreneur. Ejikeme connects emotionally with the pensioners and understands the principles needed to bring out the best in the pension transition arrangement meant to give the average benefactor the best the system can afford. Her innovative efforts guarantee an improved welfare scheme for pensioners, and this includes ensuring the aged get adequate medical attention through, for example, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). As she put it earlier: “We are taking into consideration the fact that as pensioners get older in age, they usually face health challenges and enrolling them on the scheme will help in reducing their suffering.”

Ejikeme said the aim of PTAD’s verification exercise was to have every one of its pensioners on the database of the directorate for easy identification and prompt payment and also to ensure that only eligible pensioners are being paid.

According to her, pensioners in these days are no longer suffering like in the past going by a lot of transformation in the system and commitment of the federal APC led government from President Muhammad Buhari to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tireless efforts with the

Ejikeme

National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission have been providing the right results ensuring every pensioner in its Alive platform is captured in its wage bill, neither underpaid nor overpaid.

The Biblical maxim: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” resonates in Ejikeme’s dealings with the pensioners because, according to her, “the young man or ,woman of today is the pensioner/old man or woman of tomorrow.” It is all about the law of cause and effect because how you treat the elders of today will determine how you would be treated when the baton changes hands.

In her first incarnation as Executive Secretary of PTAD, Ejikeme enjoyed unwavering support from President Muhammadu Buhari. The huge innovations and leaps of progress she made brought smiles on the faces of pensioners and their uni ons’ representatives. She has maintained this consistency of coordinated and result oriented relationship with all the organs that have contributed to the continuity of her success story in the current administration, including the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the regulator of PTAD, PenCom, the pensions union NUP among others.

Ejikeme has been commended from various quarters for her tireless push to rebrand the PTAD before her tenure comes to an end. When they came visiting, the House of Representatives Comm ittee of the 10th National Assembly was impressed with what the executive secretary has been able to put in place till date.

Expectedly, the committee asked her to remain unrelenting in her deliverables while the ES reeled out a number of the assignments she undertook since coming to office including a conduct of field verifications across the country, just to validate verified documents and execute the clearance of arrears she inherited as well as attend to complaints coming from the pensioners.

Ejikeme had her basket of requests and constraints in the seamless execution of her duty. It all came down to the improvement of the welfare of pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) under the Pension Reform Act of 2014, especially regarding the harmonisation of pensions and the statutory pension increment as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria.

The National Union of Pensioners (NUP) also added its voice in support of Ejikeme’s re-appointment. Its president Godwin Abumisi, commended Tinubu for reappointing her as the executive secretary of the PTAD while the union distanced itself from a protest against her reappointment by some people.

The NUP noted in her first tenure she was able to reawaken the hopes of pensioners in the country through her leadership style and focused professionalism on all issues affecting pensioners.

Her sterling reappointment, the union added, “is indeed well merited and gladdens the hearts of the over 250,000 pensioners managed by PTAD, considering the diligent work she has so ably done for the pensioners ensuring the prompt payment of our monthly pensions and attendance to other challenging issues in the last four years.”

In her response, Ejikeme revealed how disgruntled elements who lobbied and lost out on being appointed as the executive secretary of PTAD were fighting her reappointment.

Her verification exercise, she said, led to the deletion of over 50,000 ghost pensioners from PTAD’s payroll, leading to the adjustment of inflated pension benefits by corrupt persons within pension offices of some government agencies across the country.

The ES stated that corruption that had been fought to a standstill was still fighting back.

Any wonder Tinubu did not hesitate to endorse her for a second tenure.

PTAD under Ejikeme and her team can itemise the following as part of its achievements: A full implementation of the TSA which has ensured the sanctity of pension funds and enshrined transparency in Pension payments; regular monthly payments of pension without fail since inception as and when due as from Jan 2015 to Dec 2021 PTAD has paid N610 billion in monthly pensions.Payments include long outstanding arrears to pensioners across all the pension departments, most significantly the huge arrears inherited from the defunct/privatised agencies; PTAD holds regular engagements with pensioners and other stakeholders across all the six geo-political zones, to update pensioners on activities of the Directorate and has maintained a high standard of integrity, accountability, and efficiency in its contribution to the national economy through the regular payment of monthly pensions as and when due, transparent, and prudent settlement of inherited liabilities.

Additionally, the public outcry and complaints from pensioners have quietened over the years and there is increased trust in the government’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners and its ability to professionally administer pension payments.

Furthermore, the economic livelihood and welfare of thousands of pensioners under the DBS has improved as thousands of pensioners hitherto dropped from the payroll or who had never received payment are now being enrolled and have a regular means of sustenance and post verification, thousands of irregular/ineligible beneficiaries have been dropped from the payroll thereby reducing government liability. Pensioners have the assurance that they will no longer be required to come out for field verification exercises which are very costly to administer.

Sometime ago, this reporter watched Ejikeme being grilled on the hot seat of Channels television. Only a chief executive with the right mix of chemistry could have passed through the interview without losing her cool. She responded to the questions, assuring listeners it was a matter of time before every issue affecting the pensioner would be fixed. Today, she has made a success story of her promise while still plugging the loopholes of unforeseen circumstances as they come.

Examining Lagos State, Optiva Capital’s Commitment to Common Good

In fulfilment of its commitment to maternal health care and empowerment of women, especially those at the lower rung of society’s ladder, Oluchi Chibuzo r writes that Optiva Capital Partners, leading investment immigration firm, has flagged off the groundbreaking for the multi-millionnaira rehabilitation and upgrade of Agboyi Ketu Primary Healthcare Centre, Lagos, into a fully equipped ultra-modern maternity centre.

In a pivotal role with the Lagos State government, Optiva Capital Partners has commenced the construction, upgrade, and rehabilitation of Agboyi Ketu Healthcare facility in Lagos State. The rehabilitation covers the facilities, structures, the equipment, and totally upgrading the healthcare facility to ensure that women from that particular area are taken care of.

In her remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Optiva Capital Partners, Dr. Jane Kimemia, stated that the objective of the firm, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to address maternal health care and reduce maternal mortality rate in Nigeria because different World Health Organisation reports state that Nigeria contributes up to ten percent of the global maternal death.

According to her, Optiva Capital Partners would expand the healthcare facilities to, “accommodate more beds and enhance the quality of the maternity wards and labor rooms with state-of-the-art hospital equipment. This is to ensure that a larger number of women in Agboyi Ketu Local Government receive enhanced maternity care.

“We will be working extensively on the infrastructure and ambience from the time you walk in to receive medical help to the time you receive the help you need. So it won’t only benefit mothers but the entire population of Ketu LCDA. “We will provide hospital equipment for the delivery room as advised by the Ministry of Health. This project will take about two months. In two months’ time, we will come back to commission a full-fledged maternity centre where women, mothers and children will be happy to come in to receive medical help.

“This is the beginning of our journey towards creating sustainable change in maternal and childcare. Through our collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, we strive for a future where the number of women who lose their lives during childbirth is greatly minimised.”

The CEO of Optiva Capital Partners, Dr. Jane Kimemia, conveyed her appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Health and the Ketu Local Government in their efforts to decrease the maternal mortality rate in the state.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Agboyi Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo commended Optiva Capital Partners for taking the initiative to contribute towards the reduction of the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, also expressed gratitude to Optiva Capital and the LCDA for the strong collaboration in making the project come to light.

She emphasised that the Maternal Healthcare initiative by Optiva Capital Partners is driven by a deep sense of commit-

Fraud Examiners Tasked on Ethical Investigations

Stories by Omolabake Fasogbon

Fraud examiners in the country have been charged on ethical conduct while investigating so as to simplify efforts and drive efficiency. At the same time, government authority and businesses have been encouraged to embrace holistic approach and be intentional in combating fraud to prevent and mitigate incident.

Speaking at 7th National Conference of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in Lagos, recently, Chairman, OGE Professional Service, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, described financial fraud as a complex situation requiring multi-faceted approach and a comprehensive strategy involving systemic changes.

According to anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, the country loses almost $18 billion to illicit financial crimes every year.

In a lecture titled, ’Setting up Fraud Investigation Practice and Conduct,’ Oyedokun identified dangers of fraud as undermining trust and integrity of nations and businesses, in addition to losses, stressing ethically guided investigation. He averred that effective fraud fighting would involve legal frameworks, institutional capacity-building, technological advancements, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation. “Setting up a robust fraud investigation practice is critical in confronting fraud challenges. Investigating fraud however goes beyond procedural framework, it necessitates steadfast commitment to ethical conduct at every stage involved,” he said.

L-R: Permanent Secretary Primary Healthcare District 11, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Chairman Aboyi Ketu LCDA, Dele Os- hinowo; Chief Executive Officer, Optiva Capital Partners, Dr. Jane Kimemia, and Executive Director, Mrs. Amaka Okeke-Lawal, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of Aboyi Ketu Primary Healthcare centre in Lagos by Optiva Capital, to a fully-equipped maternity centre… recently

ment and devotion to decreasing maternal mortality rates for both mothers and their infants in Nigeria.

The groundbreaking ceremony had in attendance senior officers from Lagos State government and the Lagos State Ministry of Health. The CEO of Optiva Capital Partners was accompanied by senior management staff of the company including the Executive Director, Mrs. Amaka Okeke-Lawal. Optiva Capital Partners takes her corporate social responsibility engagement seriously through its passionate commitment not only to maternal health care but also to the empowerment of women, especially those at the lower rung of society’s ladder. Women, according to Kimemia, are the bedrock of the society because the basic unit of society -the home, is run by women, and that is where it all starts. Women are seeking ways to educate, to empower, to contribute, and these start from the home. They want to be able to educate, train their children and themselves. Women also seek to be empowered by the knowledge and experiences gathered, and to contribute to the growth and development of the society.

In this regard, Optiva Capital Partners works with families, because when they work with families on how their children are going to school, on how they can go to Canada and they will

Experts Emphasise Data Protection Impact on Economy

Experts have called for strengthened efforts against data compromise in the interest of businesses and the economy at large.

The experts who spoke at a privacy conference (Privcon) in Lagos, recently, stressed the economic impacts of data protection which they said contributed up to N5.5 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

At the conference, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) facilitated a workshop to offer clarity on its recently issued proac tive guidance notice, highlighting the obligation for data controllers and processors of major importance to register with the commission.

The workshop with theme, ‘Guidance Notice from Regulator’s perspective,’ saw the commission clarifying categories of organisations ‘deemed of particular value or significance to the economy, society, or security of Nigeria” as data controllers and processors of major importance.

The workshop which was well attended by critical stakeholders was sponsored by UK Nigeria Tech Hub and Tech4Dev in in alignment with their aim of convening practitioners to forge collaborations for development and growth Science Tech Innovation and Research,STI&R ecosystem.

Convener of PRIVCON, Olumide Babalola, noted that proliferation of digital technologies and the increasing volume of generated personal data posed a great challenge to data security, privacy and data protection

be paying a tenth of what the international students will be paying, it is a service to women, a service to the family. According to the Optiva Capital CEO, “we are enabling them, we are showing them opportunities on how they can actually access better services.”

According to Kimemia, beyond health there is also “an initiative for women in the markets, women at the very end of the pyramid, so it’s about empowering them in terms of how do they get better at their trade, how do they get investments. So, in partnership with a Micro Finance Bank we are helping them to formalise their businesses, structure their businesses so that they can get financing and scale up their businesses.” Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading investment immigration wealth management company has steadily, over the past fourteen years built a growing reputation amongst investment savvy Africans who seek quality service in investment immigration, investment advisory, and wealth management.

In all of these bespoke services the company’s unwavering commitment is to provide clients with the opportunity to protect, grow, enhance and optimize their wealth, and ensure they get the benefits of secured Capital through Multi-asset funds, Global equities, Corporate funds; and also achieve Optimal Diversified Portfolio

Optiva Capital Partners is reputed to be one of the fastest-growing brands in the wealth management sector, easily recognized as the largest in investment immigration. Beloved for its customer-centric focus, deep commitment to structured process, and its extensive network through its elite global partners, this fast-growing brand has come a long way since it began operations in 2010.

Through firm determination and clear definition of the company’s raison d’etre, Optiva Capital Partners, according to Dr Jane Kimemia, has grown it staff strength from

Bigi Fetes Consumers

Soft drink brand, Bigi, recently treated its fans to a movie hangout at Silverbird Cinemas, Ikeja City Mall, Lagos.

According to the organisation, the gesture was part of its commitments to improve customers’ experience with the brand.

In addition to the movie treat, fans were also gifted exciting freebies along with varieties of bigi products.

Commenting, Assistant Brand Manager of Bigi, Biola Aransiola expressed appreciation to customers’ for their loyalty and consistence.

“This movie hangout served as a way to celebrate Easter with our loyal fans and provide them with a truly extraordinary experience, all while enjoying the refreshing and diverse range of 13 Bigi flavours,” she said.

Bigi has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to its customers’’ well-being. The brand connects with its audience by creating opportunities to fulfill their dreams and offering refreshment throughout their journeys.

Carloha Delights Customers With Chery Display at Festival Mall

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised national dealer of Chery in Nigeria displayed the Chery line-up of vehicles at Festival Mall, Festac, Lagos, from April 11th to April 14th, 2024 to the delight of eager enthusiasts, patrons of the Mall, guests of the adjoining Festival Hotel and curious onlookers.

The Chery display, from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs, dazzled under the spotlight. The rare spectacle became the talk of the town, setting pulses racing and hearts pounding with admiration from the crowd.

As people strolled through the Festival Mall, their attention was irresistibly drawn to

Chery’s stunning showcase. It was a showcase of cutting-edge design and innovative features that left visitors spellbound.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the overwhelming admiration from customers who thronged the Chery display. With excitement and smiles of approval, they explored every detail of the vehicles, marveling at the craftsmanship and performance that Chery has become renowned for.

Beyond just admiring the vehicles, visitors had the opportunity to engage with knowledgeable Chery representatives who were on hand to answer questions, provide insights, and even arrange test drives. It was an immersive experience that allowed guests to truly connect with the Chery brand.

The excitement didn’t end at Festival Mall. Social media platforms buzzed with posts and photos capturing the excitement of the Chery display. From glowing reviews to snapshots of favorite models, enthusiasts shared their experiences, spreading the word far and wide.

Chery extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the event a resounding successbehind the scenes to the enthusiastic visitors who brought the energy and excitement.

And to make good its promise, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Carloha Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue, reiterated the six years and six years free comprehensive service, to

Kia EV6 Electric Now Available in Nigeria

Nigeria’s automotive enthusiasts have cause for celebration as the leading automobile brand in the country, Kia, introduces the highly anticipated Kia EV6 electric vehicle to the country. This extraordinary electric vehicle, embodying unparalleled luxury to elevate your drive to the next level is now available for booking. Discerning customers can reserve their orders, securing their chance to experience the epitome of automotive opulence. With the arrival of the Kia EV6, Nigeria’s roads are about to witness a new level of luxury and sophistication.

Omolade Akinyode, the Assistant Marketing Manager of Kia Nigeria, expressed her excitement about the Kia EV6 availability, stating, “We are delighted to announce that the Kia EV6 is now within reach of our esteemed customers at an This exceptional electric vehicle represents a pinnacle of luxury, sophistication, and cuttingedge technology.”

The Kia EV6 electric stands out with its sleek and dynamic exterior design, no matter where the road takes you, getting behind the wheel of the EV6 is an experience like no other. With a low center of gravity, a powerful all-electric engine, impressive handling, and sport suspension, the EV6 is a pleasure to drive. Mathews Kuruvilla, commended the EV6, stating, “The Kia EV6 feature the quick response of an electric vehicle, seamlessly blending elegance and comfort in a way that is unmatched.”

Beyond its striking appearance, the Kiaing a range of powerful engine options for an exhilarating driving experience. From its responsive turbocharged engines to its bold design accents make the EV6 stand out from the rest. Omolade remarked, “The Kia EV6 takes the driving experience to a whole new level with its enhanced design, combining Kia’s commitment to delivering vehicles that inspire and captivate.”

The Kia EV6 sets a new standard with its

TIPS OF THE WEEK

How Drivers Can Cut Fuel Use by Up to 25%

Motorists could be wasting up to 25 percent of their petrol and diesel usage by failing to remove a simple item from their vehicle, according to experts.

Petrol and diesel owners could slash their fuel consumption by up to 25 percent by removing one tool from their vehicle this weekend.

Motoring experts at CarShop have pointed towards car roof racks which can be fitted to vehicles to transport cycles.

They warned that any additional pieces added to a vehicle can “decrease aero-efficiency” and therefore increase drag.

Experts suggested that the simple tool could drain fuel by as much as 25 percent while being used in a major blow to cash-strapped road users.

Meanwhile, removing the cycles and carrying around an empty roof rack could use up to 15 percent more fuel.

They explained: “Cars are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, meaning they are designed to reduce drag but external additions can decrease this aero-efficiency and increase drag.

“Roof racks and boxes are common additions to cars but can add to fuel consumption as research suggests driving with a roof box uses up to 25 percent more fuel. Many may think this is due to the roof box itself but even an empty roof rack uses up to 15 percent more fuel.

“Helpful tip - having open sunroofs and windows can also cause unnecessary, by only having these open when necessary you can improve fuel efficiency.”

As well as having a major impact on the aerodynamics of a vehicle, heavy roof racks will also increase weight.

They commented: “If you have lots of heavy items sat in your car at all times, then you might be using more fuel than necessary.

“The less clutter weighing down your car, the less fuel you will need to power it. Be sure to remove any bike racks or roof boxes that are not in use - roof boxes increase fuel consumption and create significant wind resistance.”

Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows petrol and diesel costs continue to steadily rise since the turn of the year.

Petrol fees now stand at an average of 145.45p per litre, up from just 140.5p back in January.

advanced technology suite, featuring various safety features and advanced connectivity options. With state-of-the-art driver-assistance systems prioritizing the well-being of drivers and passengers, every journey in the EV6 is characterized by safety and security. Furthermore, innovative connectivity features keep occupants entertained and connected throughout their of these features, stating, “The Kia EV6 ensures a seamless and enjoyable driving experience with its comprehensive suite of advanced safety technologies and intuitive connectivity features.”

Diesel fees have also risen by around 7p per litre since the start of 2024 with rates currently standing at 154.13p.

However, the experts at the RAC claim there is “no c hange forecast” over the coming weeks in a small glimmer of hope for road users.

Chery car on display at Festival Mall, Festac, Lagos… recently

Kia EV6

GLOBAL SOCCER

Paul Onuachu

No Marching in With The Saints

20.4.2024

Paul Onuachu No Marching in With The Saints

After a nightmarish half season with Southampton in which the Nigeria striker failed to register a goal in 404 minutes,it culminated in his being loaned toTurkish side-Trabzonspor,where he registered nine goals and three assists in 17 matches.With his season loan nearing an end,Paul Onuachu has expressed his desire to remain at Papara Park rather than rejoining the Saints.Whether the eggheads of theTurkish Super Lig outfit is able to talk Southampton to another loan deal remains to be seen as the Black Sea Storm could not meet the €15 million valuation for the 29-year-old

Nigeria international, Paul Onuachu, has expressed his desire to remain at Turkish Super Lig outfit, Trabzonspor.

Onuachu joined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan from Sky Bet Championship club, Southampton last summer.

The 29-year-old has made an appreciable impact at Trabzonspor, scoring nine goals and making three assists in 18 appearances.

The Black Sea Storm are also interested in keeping the forward at the club on a permanent basis but are hampered by lack of funds.

There are reports the loan deal could be extended to another season.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his future, Onuachu has revealed that his priority is to remain in Turkey.

“I am very happy in Trabzon. My family and I want to stay here,” he was quoted by Saints Socialite.

Interestingly, Trabzonspor is eager to extend Southampton forward’s loan for another season, seeking to secure his services beyond his current spell.

The Nigerian striker, who joined the Turkish Super Lig side on loan last summer, has made a significant impact with nine goals and three assists in 17 league appearances for Trabzonspor.

While the Black Sea Storm is interested in a permanent deal, they are unable to meet Southampton’s €15 million valuation for Onuachu. Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan is reportedly exerting

considerable effort to secure Onuachu’s presence at the club for another season. A return to Southampton however seems unlikely for the striker, who faced difficulties in establishing himself during his previous six-month stay at the English club.

Onuachu joined Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor from Southampton last summer after a failed first six months in England. The 29-year-old failed to make a mark with the Saints who got relegated from the Premier League last season, and had to get another club to get more playing time.

Since his transfer to Turkey, Onuachu has been brilliant for Trabzonspor forming an important part of the club’s attack.

The fans have also accepted him swiftly. Owing to Onuachu’s performances, there have been a lot of talks concerning his future, and in a new development the president of Trabzonspor has revealed that they want to keep the big Nigerian striker.

If Southampton get a good bid from another club, Onuachu may not be playing his football at Trabzon next season.

However, Onuachu has returned to training with his club side after picking up an injury that left him out of action for a month.

The 2.01m tall forward fractured his arm in Trabzonspor’s 1-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir on February 28.

The 29-year-old Super Eagle, who is on loan from EFL Championship side, Southampton,

took a month off football to focus on his recovery, and to help Trabzonspor gain as many points between now and the end of the season.

The Karadeniz Fırtınası are third on the Turkish Süper Lig table, three points above Besiktas, and are looking to finish the season strong in a bid to seal their UEFA Europa League spot as a place in next season’s Champions League has eluded them.

His shoulder injury meant he couldn’t feature for the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the March International break that saw them taste victory against Ghana, and then a bitter aftertaste as they lost 2-0 to Mali in Morocco.

Trabzonspor have however received good news on the fitness of Onuachu ahead of their Turkish Super Lig match against Kayserispor at the RHG Enertürk Enerji Stadyumu today.

The Southampton loanee trained fully with the rest of his teammates during Wednesday morning’s workout at Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Facilities.

Onuachu has not featured for Trabzonspor since he suffered a fracture in his left arm during the Ziraat Turkish Cup quarterfinal match against Baakehir on February 28.

After spending 49 days on the sidelines, the Nigeria international is in contention to make his comeback against Kayserispor, provided he does not suffer a relapse within the next three days.

The 29-year-old was not in tiptop

condition upon his return to Turkey after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as he was hardly used by manager Jose Peseiro during the tournament in Ivory Coast, with Victor Osimhen ahead of him in the pecking order of center forwards.

He could not play in five league matches on the bounce against Alanyaspor, Fatih Karagümrük, Fenerbahce, Konyaspor and Sivasspor due to his fractured arm.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor are said to be considering a move for Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho in the summer.

As reported by Sporx, the Turkish outfit are eyeing the Leicester City forward as an alternative to his compatriot, Onuachu who is currently on loan at the club.

Iheanacho is in the final months of his contract with Leicester City and there is no indication that he would stay at the King Power Stadium beyond the end of the current season.

There were reports of him leaving the Foxes last summer but with no talk of him extending his current contract yet, he will finally end his seven-year stay with the club this summer and could be a good option for Trabzonspor.

While the Black Sea Storm are exploring a move for Iheanacho, Onuachu still remains their primary target and are focused on signing him permanently.

The lanky striker is currently on loan with Trabzonspor from Southampton and has been in stellar form since making his debut for the Turkish outfit.

Paul Onuachu celebrating one of his goals for Trabzonspor

Man City, Chelsea Go for Broke in Crunchy FA Cup Semi

With hope of a double treble now in ruins after Manchester City were beaten on penalties by Real Madrid to fall at the quarter-final hurdle and Pep Guardiola’s side will have to brush off Champions League heartache when they travel to Wembley to play Chelsea for a place in the FA Cup final. Chelsea meanwhile, return to Wembley for the first time since their Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool in February.The Blues remain inconsistent but have gone unbeaten against City this season

Almost two months on from their EFL Cup final defeat, Chelsea return to Wembley Stadium for an FA Cup semi-final showdown with holders Manchester City this evening.

The victors of this all-Premier League clash will face the winners of the second semi-final tie between Championship outfit Coventry City and Manchester United.

Man City’s dreams of retaining their Champions League crown and celebrating an unprecedented double-treble are over, after they were dethroned as Europe’s finest by a team described by Guardiola as the ‘kings of the competition’ in 14-time winners Real Madrid.

A week on from their enthralling 3-3

ASSISTANT

first-leg draw in Spain, the Citizens were left frustrated as they were forced to play out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday; Kevin De Bruyne cancelled out an early Rodrygo opener, but a resilient Los Blancos outfit sent the tie to penalties.

Although Luka Modric missed Real’s first spot kick, both Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic failed to convert from 12 yards, before Antonio Rudiger netted the decisive penalty to send City - who lacked a cutting edge in the final third despite boasting 33 shots, 68 per cent possession and 18 corners prior to the shootout - packing at the quarter-final stage.

Guardiola rued his side’s missed opportunities in the tie, but the second-leg draw in 90 minutes means that City have now equalled both their longest ever unbeaten run across all competitions (28 matches) and their longest ever unbeaten home run in all competitions (42 games).

The Citizens have little time to rest and regroup as they endeavour to end the season on a high by retaining two domestic trophies in the Premier League and FA Cup, starting with their record sixth successive appearance at the semifinal stage of the latter competition this weekend.

City, who have already beaten Huddersfield Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Luton Town and Newcastle United in this season’s FA Cup, have interestingly lost three of their previous five matches at the semi-final stage, including one loss at the hands of Chelsea (1-0) in 2021. Guardiola and co have since put together an eight-game unbeaten run against the

Blues, though, including six straight wins before back-to-back league draws earlier this season.

While Man City are tasked with dusting themselves down from a heartbreaking European exit, Chelsea enter Saturday’s contest in buoyant mood after thrashing Everton 6-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday - their biggest win to date since the arrival of head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Former Citizens youngster, Cole Palmer has drawn level with Erling Haaland on 20 goals at the top of the Premier League scoring charts after netting four times, including a 29-minute hat-trick, while Nicolas Jackson and Alfie Gilchrist were also on target against the Toffees to help the West Londoners strengthen their hopes of securing European football for next season.

Chelsea, who have not lost any of their last eight top-flight matches, capitalised on each of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United and Manchester United dropping points last weekend and have subsequently climbed up to ninth in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle who have played a game more.

A challenging and potentially defining run of fixtures over the next few weeks awaits the Blues, who follow up today’s FA Cup clash against Man City with a trio of Premier League London derbies against Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham - Chelsea have won just two of their last 15 games against these four teams combined since the start of last season.

Chelsea, who have battled past Preston North End, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Leicester City in this season’s FA Cup, are now gearing up for their 27th FA Cup semi-final - only Man United (32) and Arsenal (30) have competed at this stage on more occasions in the competition’s history - but the Blues have been eliminated from five of their last seven FA Cup ties against Man City, including a humbling 4-0 loss in the third round last season.

Manchester City linchpin, Rodri tries to stop Chelsea Cole Palmer during a Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium

GLOBAL SOCCER

Nwabali Set to Dump Chippa United in Summer

Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, could have a new club in the summer as

owner

a recent

The 27-year-old goalie was a surprise inclusion in Jose Peseiro’s Super Eagles AFCON 2023 squad, but he made the most of the opportunity as he displaced Francis Uzoho as Nigeria’s number one, keeping four clean sheets in seven games as Nigeria claimed the silver medal in Ivory Coast. His performances in Ivory Coast showcased his talent

to the entire world as the former Enyimba International goalkeeper drew interest from clubs in South Africa, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

Soccernet.ng earlier reported that Belgian side, Union SaintGilloise, England’s Queens Park Rangers, Saudi Pro League outfit, Al-Ettifaq, and South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs are looking to swoop on Nwabali in the summer. Chippa United’s CEO, Siviwe Mpengesi in a recent interview, confirmed that his club is in talks with other clubs as regards Nwabali’s future after the 1.97m tall goalkeeper

revealed he won’t be renewing his contract with the Chilli Boys this summer.

“We are talking to a few clubs abroad. We also believe that he needs something better, especially after the performance that he showed at the Afcon. You know, being number two, they were runner-ups, he was number two, second best goalkeeper of Afcon, so if the opportunity comes especially abroad, of course even if it comes locally and the offer is for him, it’s not even for us. If the offer for him is better then we will not hold on to him,” Mpengesi told iDiski Times.

Females Break Barriers, Dominate 2024 Nigeria’s Olympic Team

When the Nigerian Contingent sets sail to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games, tagged the ‘’2024 Paris Games’’, Team Nigeria as they are known will be dominated by the womenfolk.

It is great news that Team Nigeria will have a strong representation of female athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which will run from July 26 to August 11, in Paris.

This is no doubt a testament to the growing prowess and capabilities of Nigerian women in various sports.

A female athlete like Adekuoroye Adegoroye, a wrestling athlete and a talented woman in a male-dominated sport, was among the earliest to wrestle her way to an Olympic ticket.

This was followed by Elizabeth

Anyanacho, Oly, a Taekwondoist, who has broken into reckoning as a gold medal prospect for the country if well-managed.

In Canoeing and Cycling, one athlete in each sport has secured the right to don the national colours at the Games.

In Athletics, six persons have so far picked the tickets but the females have the upper hand. The women include Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the 100 metres Hurdles event.

In women’s Basketball, Nigeria will be represented by a 12-member team, known as D’ Tigress, that qualified at the expense of regional arch-rivals Senegal. And in women’s soccer, the 22-member national team, the Super Falcons, have showcased their talent and earned the

opportunity to compete at the Mundiale.

The Super Falcons secured a 1-0 win from the first leg at home in Abuja and, in the return leg a week later in Pretoria, held host South Africa to a goalless draw before their passionate home fans, thus picking the ticket.

‘’It’s wonderful to see women breaking barriers and excelling in their respective sports,’’ remarked Mary Onyali, OLY, a Silver medalist in the Olympics, who in her heyday dominated the 100, 200 and the relays.

Boxing, MMA Hall of Fame Joins Forces with Abuja Continental to Promote Sports Development

The partnership between Nigeria’s renowned monthly boxing tournament, Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame, and Abuja Continental has been officially announced, marking a significant moment for sports development and youth empowerment in the country.

Initiated by sports enthusiast, philanthropist, and Minister of Finance Mr Wale Edun, Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame has been instrumental in the training and nurturing of top-level boxers in Nigeria. The collaboration with Continental Hotel will see the hotel becoming the official host venue for the National Boxing and MMA Amateur Championship.

The upcoming Abuja Cham-

pionship, scheduled for April 27, will kick off a series of national championships leading up to the grand finale later in the year. The competition will feature boxers and MMA fighters from various states including Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and FCT, Abuja. The grand finale aims to crown the first set of national amateur champions in the country.

According to Karl Hala, Group General Manager of Continental Hotel Group, “We have always been advocates for supporting youth and sports development. The success of the Nigerian team at the African Games in Ghana further reinforced our commitment to this cause. We are excited to

partner with Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame and look forward to a fruitful collaboration, making Abuja the national center for Boxing and MMA Amateur Championship.”

General Secretary of Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame, Kehinde Soyanwo, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration comes at a historicmomentforus.Followingour successful National Open Amateur Mixed Martial Arts tournament, our team emerged victorious at theAfrican Games, showcasing Nigeria’s strength in the sport. With the support ofAbuja ContinentalHotel,wearesettinganew standard for national Amateur Boxing and MMA sports, aiming to make Nigeria proud on the world stage.”

NAWIS Holds Maiden Games in Lagos

The National Association of Women in Sports (NAWIS), kick off the maiden edition of its games in Lagos between April 18 to April 22.

Chairperson of NAWIS Lagos Chapter, Tayo Popoola, said that the participants will compete in seven sports. Popoola said that competition will feature seven states chapters from geo-political zones. “Seven states from the country’s geo-political zones are scheduled to take part in the from April 18 to 22 across three different sports centres in the state.

Their achievements not only highlight their abilities but also inspire and empower other women to pursue their dreams in sports. GOTV

Ministry of Sports Unveils Partnership with Yanga

Towards creating a new dawn for Nigerian Sports, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, has signed a landmark agreement with top lottery company Yanga Games to raise the revenue profile of the Ministry and ensure a new deal for the welfare of athletes.

Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership between the Ministry and Yanga Games in Lagos yesterday, Chairman/CEO of Yanga Games, Mr. Derrick David Kentebe, said: “We are so

super excited by this opportunity to work with the Ministry of Sports Development to change the narrative about sports in the country.

“We see opportunity for marketing our athletes and sports generally . We shall avail ourselves the best use of this unique and special partnership. We shall pursue this mandate with vigor, passion and unrivaled commitment to bring benefits to all the critical

stakeholders,” Kentebe assured sports stakeholders at the event.

The agreement, according to Kentebe, will provide support for retired athletes, enhance grassroots sports development and advance the potentials of special athletes.

He further pledged that: “Yanga Games has the capacity to raise funds on behalf of the Ministry of Sports for athletes development, endorsement and sponsorship deals for athletes.”

Vardy’s Latest Injury Concern Opens Door for Iheanacho

The potential absence of Leicester City’s star striker, Jamie Vardy, due to injury could pave the way for Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho to see more action ahead of the clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Iheanacho has seen limited minutes on the pitch since his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rumours have circulated suggesting that he fell out of favour with manager Enzo Maresca for choosing to represent his country at the tournament against the

manager’s wishes.

However, with Vardy facing recent injury concerns, Maresca may have no choice but to turn to Iheanacho to fill the void, potentially alongside Patson Daka.

“We have some doubts over Jamie [Vardy] who had a kick in the week and Ricky [Ricardo Pereira] because of the amount of games he has played. Kiernan has been unwell. Kasey is back.

“Very significant. For Jamie [Vardy] and Ricky, it’s more a physical problem. Kiernan has

been just unwell. We still have 24 hours. We’ll see if we can have them back.” he said as quoted by Leicester Mercury.

Since his return from the 2023 AFCON, Iheanacho has only played a total of 105 minutes in four appearances for the Foxes, despite potentially deserving more playing time.

While Iheanacho’s lack of minutes cannot be attributed to injury, as he has proven his fitness, the reasons behind his limited opportunities remain unknown.

‘’I want to assure you all that Lagos would hold an event that would be worthy of emulation.

“NAWIS came with a program that involves different sports and we felt the need to add value into the society, especially sports involving women. “We have seven sports to start with but as time goes on we will be expanding the number of sports. This is going to be one of the best sporting events that even the Ministry of Sport will be proud of.

‘’Since Lagos is the centre of excellence this is tge reason we are starting games here,” she said.

Popoola added that “One of the people that challenged us was the cricket federation because while we were thinking and planning, we approached

the president of the federation and he gave us the go-ahead and we were delighted.

“The handball federation is also committed to the success of the games, the president also promising to be a part of our sponsors.”

“We can agree that most of the athletes bringing glory to Nigeria are women and we feel if we do more and develop a platform that will engage them even more, we can discover more talents and they will continue to make us proud and that is why NAWIS has come up with the idea of having the first edition of NAWIS Games in Lagos.

Abimbola Targets Best Boxer’s N1m Cash Prize

Lightweight boxing kingpin, Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola, has declared that he has his eyes on the Mojisola Memorial Ogunsanya Trophy and the N1 million cash prize for the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 31. The boxing event is scheduled to hold at the Molade OkoyaThomas Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on May 1

Abimbola’s lightweight challenge bought against Azeez Ayobami is one of the seven cracking bouts set for the night. The boxer won the prize barely a year ago and said it would make a good anniversary to win it again. Abimbola defeated Prince

‘Lion’ Nwoye via a unanimous decision to win the prize at GOtv Boxing Night 28 held on May 1 2023.

“It was my best day as a boxer.

I still remember the win like it happened yesterday. This coming fight will be exactly a year since I won the N1 million. So I want to make it a year to remember with another win on the same date at the same venue. I have the ‘Ability’ to make it happen again, Azeez cannot stop me,” he said.

In the other clashes, Adeyemi “Spirit” Adekanla will battle Segun “War” Adeyemi, for the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light welterweight

title in what promises to be a cracker. Hard-punching boxer, Hammed ‘Ese’ Ganiyu, will also take on Yusuf Ogunbumi, in a light welterweight national challenge fight.

The national welterweight category will see Raheem “Baddo” Animashaun face off with Samuel “Apata Roro” Moses; Sikiru “Isho” Ogunyaju, will confront current national flyweight champion, Sifon “Best” Iwatt, in a national flyweight challenge fight; Adewale Oladeji will slug it out with Afikun Gbenga in the super welterweight category; while Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan will square up against Batholomew Abuchi in the national catchweight category.

NLO: Deputy Senate President Boosts Own Club with Equipment

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Senator Barau has been supporting football and other sporting activities in the state and beyond to promote peace, unity and engage youths.

In his remarks, Abdullahi described the jerseys as unique

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin has supplied new kits, including jerseys, boots, among others to Barau Football Club, ahead of the Nationwide League One (NLO) season. The kits were unveiled in Kano, by the Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi.

and of high quality.

He reiterated the commitments of the Deputy President of the Senate to continue to support the team and the entire youth in Kano State and beyond.

Ibrahim Shitu Chanji, the Chairman of the Barau FC, said the gesture was aimed at preparing the team for the new season.

Karl Hala, Group General Manager of Continental Hotel Group with victorious MMA team to the 13th African Games at a reception organised by Lagos Continental Hotel…recently

Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh (right) exchanging documents of the MoU signed with MD/CEO of Yanga Games, Mr Derrick David Kentebe in Lagos

revealed by the club’s

in

interview.

RENEWED Hope Initiative: “… resilience and unwavering commitment of (to) ensuring the full participation of Nigerian women in the national economic development and growth.”

“We thank you all for taking time out your tight schedule (schedules) to make the event a remarkable experience.”

“Tinubu targets 24hrs (24hrs’) port clearance”

“The manufacturing sector is struggling amidst (amid) fresh operational challenges.”

“…recently stated that 776 local industries have (had) shut down operations due to exorbitant cost of essential raw materials.”

“…no fewer than 322 manufacturing plants shutdown (shut down) operations and….”

“However, CBN should sustain its current efforts to inject forex in (into) the economy.”

“But it should also go beyond attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) (FDIs)….”

“Sadly, the FDIs have been limited to short-term (a short-term) portfolio investment like the stock market….”

“The government must ensure that manufacturers have access to credits with single-digit (a singledigit) interest rate.”

“Lamentations in Abia oil producing (oil-producing) communities”

“…the suspicious cloud of doubts surrounding the unfortunate incidence (incident) would have been prevented.”

Do you know that it is wrong to say ‘steak meat’? Just steak (countable and uncountable noun) which means ‘good quality BEEF, a large thick piece of any good quality red meat. Steakhouse: A restaurant that serves steak’. (Reference: Longman Advanced Dictionary of Contemporary English/ New Edition) Thanks to Mr. Kenneth Ugbechie for provoking this introduction. An aside: red meat is cancerous! How about this my own register: ‘stick meat’? What do you think?

Miscellany of Nigerian Happenstances Incident, Not ‘Incidence’

The world sometimes appears to be spinning out of control. Nowhere is this more crystal clear than in the Nigerian space - what with our penchant for the ridiculous on the same breadth with the profound. A cursory review of the Nigerian news stories reveals a panorama of actions and scenarios that would easily make for movie scripts, or a documentarian’s delight. We elected to sashay across this week’s major news items - biased towards the fairly seriousminded, and of some level of significance to the well-being of the Nigerian people. Of course, like the four blind men and the elephant, we all are likely to reflect on our Nigerian “elephant” largely informed by our peculiar interests and proclivities. Nonetheless, here are our perspectives:

The week started with this piece of drag: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Sunday, said it has so far recovered ₦32.7billion and $445,000 from top officials of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. It also said some banks implicated in the ministry’s scandal are being investigated.”

Ordinarily, one would expect that where stolen money is being retrieved in billions, the light fingers involved would be identified; be seen to be undergoing prosecution, as they strive to untangle themselves within a system that dispenses justice fairly, promptly and conspicuously. We are yet to be informed the current location of the “indicted” heads of those cash draining agencies; people like Betta Edu, and her predecessor at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq. We recall that Ms Edu was suspended from office after it was publicly alleged that she approved the transfer of ₦583 million into a private account. Even an agency under the same ministry, the National Social Investment Programme Agency, made murky waves when the National Coordinator, Halima Shehu was suspended for also playing games with public funds. Buttressing its status as the most colourful cash cow of the federation in recent years, the ministry has reportedly transferred over ₦1.4

Vanguard of March 26 exploded the English language: “A medical personnel in the emergency room of the….” ‘Personnel’ is a collective (plural) word referring to ‘people who work in a company, organization or military force’—use employee, official, worker….

“Police smash car snatching (car-snatching) syndicate” Except if the car was snatching the syndicate!

“Residents uncover ritualist (sic) den in Lagos”

Get it right: rituals’ or ritualistic den

Vanguard interrogation continues with its Views

Page: “Many see this piece meal (piecemeal) approach as doomed due essentially to the absent (absence) of political will and hypocrisy involved in such exercise (such an exercise).”

“…whom he accused of serially demanding for bribe by proxy before he would admit him to bail.”

Delete ‘for’ in the interest of lexical justice.

“Ondo students elect new leaders” What is the function of ‘new’ here? Campus News: If they were old leaders, it would have been ‘reelect’! So, yank away ‘new’.

“Biotechnologist potentials (potential/potentialities) lay (lie) idle in Nigeria—Expert”

Daily Independent of March 22 comes next with a few headline wrongdoings: “FUNAAB produces 81 first class (first-class) graduates”

“Benue, Cross Rivers receive $5m grant for sanitation” Cross River and Rivers states are different.

“Jihadists execute three Syria (Syrian) rebel officers”

“Firms delivers homes in pilot scheme, plans 5,000 units” How did this subject-verb disagreement (S-VD) arise?

“LCCI frowns at protracted Poly teacher’s (teachers’) industrial action”

“Nigeria will not go down, cleric assures” Who did the cleric assure?

“We congratulate the team over (on/upon) the victory of the Bosnian dragons.”

Finally from THE NATION of April 1: “All Nigeria (All-Nigeria) Athletics Championship”

The only dual contribution this week is also from Mr. Ugbechie: Health authorities often commence deworming (worming) programme. Worm (verb) is ‘to give an animal (man inclusive) medicine that causes worms to be egested in faeces.’ And to buttress Ugbechie’s intervention, the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (New Edition for Advanced Learners) describes ‘worm’ (verb) thus: ‘to give an animal medicine in order to remove PARASITES that live inside it.’ Therefore, ‘deworming’ is non-existent. Just one of the copious Nigerian awkward creations!

Still from Mr. Ugbechie: ‘I am not at ease with ‘witchcraft confessor’. A Catholic priest hearing confessions by believers is the confessor, not someone who admits to being a witch. Page 350 of the above dictionary states: ‘confessed’ (adjective) only before noun—Example: a confessed criminal (witch), self-confessed.

“The situation whereby parties get more confused and hence worse than they were before approaching to (sic) the courts is rather unpleasant and detestable.” Delete ‘to’.

“South Sudan govt, rebels (rebels’) leader agree to end war”

“Iraq (Iraqi) rebels seize leader’s home town (hometown)”

“Uganda (Ugandan) rape survivor speaks at London summit”

Daily Trust of April 7 committed a series of mistakes: “Pakistan: 9-month-old fingerprinted, charged for (with) attempted murder” “…slammed governors in the zone for trying to make the Federal Government feel guilty by shifting the blame for the insecurity in the area on (to) it.”

“…with majority (a majority) of the youths having never attended primary schools….”

“The governor had, at (on) the occasion, accused the Federal Government of fuelling terrorism….”

“It has become necessary to retool the campaign against Boko Haram to end the menace and restore peace in (to) the affected parts of the country.”

The following two goofs are from the OPINION

Page of the above edition of Daily Trust: “…a few of them were preoccupied in using the positions and powers invested (vested) on (in) them to accomplish selfish interests.”

“Indeed, people seat in their comfort zone and blame President Bola Tinubu for not doing one thing or the other (one thing or another)….” ‘The other’, unlike ‘another’, is limiting

“The Board of Trustees and the entire membership of Ikemba Solidarity Front…congratulate His Excellency, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for (on/ upon) his well-deserved election as the Executive Governor of Anambra State.” (Full-page advertorial)

“Regiments do not brook of distractions.”

Delete ‘of’.

“Asokoro district of Abuja, an area that houses amongst (among) others….”

“…in addressing the reoccurring (recurring) acts of vandalism of Nigeria’s gas pipelines.”

“…there have (has) been a lot of chest-thumping by government and its officials.”

“Education reform pitches (pits) teachers against Obaseki”

“Seventh Day Adventist Church celebrates 100 years anniversary in Nigeria” From my chronicle: celebrates 100 years or marks 100th (centennial) year. ‘100 years anniversary’ is an anathema in collocation.

“Decrying the ‘non-challant’ attitude of students towards learning….” Campus Column: nonchalant

“Parents (Parents’) forum donates cafeteria to crescent varsity (Crescent Varsity)”

“NFF reads riot act to Falcons, Eaglets coaches”

Sports: the riot act and Eaglets’ coaches

Do not say ‘a small accident’. Say ‘a minor accident’. (From Longman…)

billion into the private bank accounts of at least eight members of its staff between 2019 and 2023.

Little wonder, virtually all the activities of the ministry’s agencies were suspended by the presidency. While we appreciate EFCC’s efforts in retrieving ₦32.7b from the filchers, in these harsh times, the nation would be more grateful if all the suspects, and their alleged collaborators in the banking halls, are publicly prosecuted and ‘canonised’ appropriately as a deterrence to others yet to be exposed, or still in the valley of evil contemplations.

On Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, we received this: “Nigeria witnessed its sixth power grid collapse of 2024 on Monday, as electricity generation on the system collapsed from 2,583.77 megawatts at 2 am to 64.7MW around 3 am before the grid was restored later in the day.”

In a nation teeming with hundreds of millions of people, and currently criminally under-served by a measly 5000 megawatts (at the height of its propaganda estimation), we continue to bemoan our misfortune in a world where mere cities in developed and developing countries are used to 100,000 and more megawatts! A system and process that allows such a collapse, six times in less than four months, should make our leaders hide in shame. Even more so, a technical and easily procurable investment which sometimes leaves our presidential villa in blackouts, should have galvanized successive administrations to fix the power issue decisively and promptly. 64 megawatts! What an incredulous mess.

Midweek brought some cheery news: “Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday announced a further reduction in the pump price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) otherwise known as diesel from ₦1200 to ₦1,000 per litre. The company said in a statement that the latest slash will “positively affect all the spheres of the economy and ultimately reduce the high inflation rate in the country.””

A grateful nation thanks the ownership and management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, and prays that more reductions would follow in a short while to bring the cost of diesel down to unprecedented levels. Let something incredibly good happen in these suffocating times. We can

dream of buying diesel at ₦300-₦500 per litre…why not? We can also dream and pray, that when Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) starts to pump out of the refinery, we shall wave bye bye to buying fuel at ₦600+ per litre…and start sending quivers of goodwill and arrows of more prosperity to Team Dangote and others, as we take in fuel at less than ₦200 per litre… who says good things cannot come out of Nigeria And then this: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has detained businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, preparatory to his arraignment today (Wednesday) before the Federal High Court in Lagos. Cubana Chief Priest will be arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three counts bordering on abuse of naira.”

Well, this looks like EFCC’s answer to those who were wondering why the jailed crossdresser, Bobrisky, should be scapegoated in a society where the high and the low are fond of “mutilating” the naira in diverse way… even with some ‘analysts’ insisting, rather bold facedly, that spraying and flinging mint fresh naira notes are part and parcel of Nigerian culture. Apparently, more scapegoats are coming. Unlike Bobrisky, Cubana Chief Priest pleaded “not guilty” to the charges against him, even as mischievous media outlets splash incriminating photos of his ‘unique’ display with bundles of naira, it makes for good reading, and perhaps, further illumination, as we await what should be interesting legal fireworks. We also implore EFCC to expand their scapegoating dragnet and cast it further afield. There are hundreds of thousands of Nigerians deeply invested in habitually “mutilating” the naira at social events all over the country; and they have not failed to leave footprints and evidence of their mutilation exploits on popular social networks. Though there have been

public appeals for soft peddling in this latest EFCC crusade, and some have been making frantic efforts to erase or delete the evidence on the internet, we advise the commission not to relent. More scapegoats can be found in high places, executive lodges, and mountains of opulence… what is worth doing is worth doing well.

Now that the EFCC is ready and willing to help polish the local image of the Naira, as its sister agency, the CBN, is battling to shore up the international image of our currency, we must all support and encourage the EFCC campaigns… Let us tag evidence of irresponsible and wild misuse of the naira notes to the EFCC social media platforms, and be on their necks when they foot drag in taking immediate action. May the naira overcome!

Finally, this came in on Thursday: “The Oyo State government, yesterday, demolished the building (from) where Mrs Modupe Onitiri-Abiola declared that Yorubaland had become a sovereign nation. The storey-building is located in the Oluyole area of Ibadan. In a viral video, it was revealed that the house was pulled down following the discovery by security agents that the house was also being used as an armoury, storing weapons, camouflage uniforms, boots and other items.”

This is what Fela Kuti called “Opposite People”. Why destroy a building that you have supposedly confiscated, while the owner is already declared wanted. If you call her action treasonable… what do we call your own action? You destroy a commercial potential which can easily be converted to some other positive use…and that was likely without any court order… simply because you are Oyo State government - and you want to look good before the Federal Government by sending a ringing message that you are not in support of any self-determining project or treasonable scheme. Wrong headed move. Ill advised.

MISSILE

“The National Executive Council (NEC) expresses serious apprehensions over the spate of acts of terrorism and violence including the escalated cases of mindless killings, mass abduction of innocent Nigerians and marauding of communities in various parts of the country. NEC condemns the insensitivity, nonchalance, incompetence and arrogance in failure of the APC administration which continues to conduct itself in a manner that shows that it has no iota of interest or commitment towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.” –NEC of the Peoples Democratic Party to President Bola Tinubu, in a communique after its meeting.

OKEY IKECHUKWU

EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

Junior Pope: Matters Arising

The late Nollywood actor, popularly known as Junior Pope, was someone’s loving son, brother, husband, father, brother-in-law, friend, neighbour and much more. All those who meant one thing of the other to him, or to whom he meant something, now stand confounded, sad and unable to make much sense of the emerging narratives. This is one death that must be investigated to the very last decimal. It must be used by the Federal Government and all industry stakeholders as anchorage for a nationwide initiative that would explore the many dysfunctionalities and challenges facing the movie industry in Nigeria; in order to remedy same.

As an Igbo proverb sayd: “No one should carry on after the death of another human being as if I was a stray chicken that got run over in a stampede”.

The sad reality before us today is that a vibrant young man’s life had to end when, in all probability, it didn’t have to. This unfortunate incident, especially also considering that other industry hands and professionals also passed away with him in the benumbing tragedy, must be taken as a wakeup call for a well thought plan towards strengthening the pillars of professionalism, industry knowledge, practitioners’ welfare and meaningful insurance policies around the Nigerian movie industry. But, more importantly, this incident should not be swept under the mat, but should drive detailed investigations into the remote and immediate causative factors.

But let us look at some details in the whirling narrative, before concluding with some thoughts on institutional and policy measure, as well as the appropriate legislations that could create a holistic template for industry stakeholders.

The first item in the plethora of now-trending media content is an online video clip, presumably recorded by Junior Pope while on the ill-fated boat on his way to the location for their production activities. The recording is also seen to have been capture by the actor himself, as he cruised alongside other colleagues a day before the incident. These were some of the self-recorded words of the now-late actor in the trending video, which he reeled off with some laughter and good humour: “See me lamenting! The risks we take to entertain you! Crossing River Niger Yesterday with no life jacket! Na wah o! Who does that”? The actor even tagged the producer, Adanma Luke, in the video.

The other fact to consider in the tumbling narratives everywhere today is the fact that the operating transport equipment, in this case a boat of questionable dependability in high waters, was not considered an issue at any point before the accident. The “speedboat” in question is the type with the hand-maneuvered engine at its rear end; and which also has limited passenger and load bearing capacity.

I had personally experienced the danger of riding in this type of boat. That was some forty years ago, during my Youth Service year in the then Bendel State. Notwithstanding the fact that such boats we rode in back then was designed ideally for five passengers, the well-made fiber glass thing would usually having a standard payload of thirteen passengers arbitrarily inflicted on it

anytime we rode on it across the NPA Port Warri; towards Ode Itesekiri off Warri mainland. When fully loaded in this way, the boat barely stood nine to ten inches above the water on which it was sailing. But we are digressing.

The other fact in the details of the Junior Pope sorry tale is that the collision with another boat was clearly avoidable. On the one hand, one of the co-travelers is being blamed in some video clips for blocking the view of the boat driver and causing distraction by his words and the continuous ringing of a big bell. On the other hand, the boat driver is being blamed for general inattention to his primary task of conveying his passengers safely to their destination.

Then came the rescue effort after the collision. The rescue team, made up of persons alerted by what had happened and who thus went out of their way to help, is reported to have first rescued some two victims of the boat mishap, whom they could easily see above the water. It was also reported

that it was these initially rescued persons who alerted their rescuers about their volley who were still under water; before they went back for those others, including Junior Pope.

Now, think of how long it must have taken for this return trip. Think of how many minutes it takes for someone who is deprived of oxygen to be pronounced brain dead. From video clips online showing Junior Pope as his prostrate body was being carried out of the water, one could see that he was laid face up. He could have been laid sideways, to enable some water exit from his obviously water-clogged lungs; but that is neither here nor there. If the young man had any chances of survival at all, this position diminished that chance very significantly.

Matters were also not helped by the fact that the rescuers and bystanders either did not know about emergency revival measures for victims of drowning, or saw no need to perform CPR on the unconscious Junior Pope. The fact that the inert body of the actor was allegedly taken straight from the river bank to a morgue, am initial claim that is now open to question in some quarters, as well as the morgue attendant’s refusal to attend to the body for some professional reasons, are issue on their own. And, then, the matter involving an herbalist.

It is one thing to object to an action in full day consciousness in the serenity of your sitting room. It is quite another matter to be confronted with a decision when, in addition to being at your wits end, the situation before you presents the type of emotional ambush that you would never have contemplated in your wildest imagination. That, I believe was the likely condition of the bewildered groups that had come for one thing and met danger, drowning and death instead.

I recall a story in the media, over two decades ago, of how a bereaved family had to get involved in elaborate rituals and sacrifices by the herbalist, high priest or witch doctor, in this same river for the dead body of the woman who drowned in the river to eventually float to the surface in order to be taken away by the relatives of the deceased for burial. The body was said not to have come

The Federal Government should use the instrumentalities of the sector’s supervising ministry, the Department of State Service (DSS, the Police and the Nigeran Inland Water Ways Authority (NIWA) and industry stakeholders to: (1) Investigate this incident in every detail, (2) Redefine overall industry safety measures; Take a clear and enforceable position on personnel insurance; and (3) work out new Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) for the training of boat riders

afloat untill three full days after the said woman drowned and died in the river. So, these are matters about which the jury is still decidedly out.

Going back to the Junior Pope saga, it was reported, complete with video clips, of how those who were present at the herbalist’s shrine started jubilating after the hitherto unconscious actor made some physical movement. The first conclusion to draw from this is that the entire episode involving the herbalist was not a case of mass hallucination.

Also, if the herbalist actually subsequently advised the people to quickly take Junior Pope to a conventional hospital after his intervention, in order to fully revive the body of the still unconscious actor, it must follow that the most critical, and determining, variables at the point they left with Junior Popes body were (1) How quickly it would take them to get the unconscious actor to a hospital, as directed; (2) How long it would take the hospital authorities to determine what measures to take, towards reviving the patient; (3) How long it would take the hospital team to assemble the required equipment and personnel to do the needful regarding the patient.

The question for us here now concerns what was done, or not done, by whom and within what timeframe. And let us not forget this: there was no mention of any efforts to expel the massive volume of water that must have accumulated in the actor’s lungs while he as underwater; and which must have led to his loss of consciousness due to oxygen deprivation.

Contextually speaking, therefore, there are many issues here that suggest an unacceptable level of ineptitude, in terms of basic scientific knowledge of the everyday type. How, for instance, could the bulk of a fishing community be bystanders and wailing watchers after a “recently drowned” person is brought out of water?

And this brings us back to the core matter of concern, all underpinned by the need for the Presidency to show special interest in this matter. The Federal Government should use the instrumentalities of the sector’s supervising ministry, the Department of State Service (DSS, the Police and the Nigeran Inland Water ways Authority (NIWA) and industry stakeholders to: (1) Investigate this incident in every detail, (2) Redefine overall industry safety measures; Take a clear and enforceable position on personnel insurance; and (3) work out new Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) for the training of boat riders, Proper risk analysis, risk assessment, risk mitigation measures are needed here, to help this industry. The producer’s duty in this entire drama must also be viewed with great tact and discretion, because I believe the lady is as scandalized and traumatized as everyone else. I also see no need to bring up, dramatize or speculate on the possibility of some family issues being connected with this unfortunate mishap.

As I said at the beginning of this article: “This is one death that must be investigated to the very last decimal. It must be used by the Federal Government and all industry stakeholders as anchorage for a nationwide initiative that would explore the many dysfunctionalities and challenges facing the movie industry in Nigeria; in order to and remedy same”.

Junior Pope