TUESDAY 2ND MAY 2023

Obi: Contrary to Reports, I Was Never Arrested in London

Says he was only stopped for routine immigration checks LP crisis deepens as Apapa-led group holds NEC tomorrow

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday clarified that contrary to recent speculations

and reports, he was neither arrested nor committed any offence in the United Kingdom.

Speaking on Arise Television, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, he said he was only stopped for a routine immigration

check, “because there appeared to be a duplication of my identity.”

Obi said contrary to news reports, the interview with the immigration official lasted for about 20 minutes, adding that he was, “treated with all due respect” during the whole

encounter.

He maintained that he never committed any offence in the UK from 1993 to 2005, when he lived in the country or found wanting in any part of the world. He said, “I was never arrested;

I was never detained and I didn’t commit any offence. I was stopped for a routine immigration check because there appeared to be a duplication of my identity.

with all due respects. I have lived in the UK from 1993 to 2005. Not just that I live there; from that 1993 till now; it is a period of 30 years.

“I have never been questioned,

“And all this lasted for a maximum of 20 minutes. And I was treated Continued on page 10

Sanusi: It’s Nigeria’s Loss Osinbajo Was Not Elected President ... Page 33

www.thisdaylive.com

Buhari SuccessorCharges to Workers’RespectRights

From our correspondents

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu to continue to respect workers’ rights as part of its core development agenda. Buhari stated this in his speech at this year's May

Continued on page 10

Ganduje to Kwankwaso: God'll Not Allow Anybody Destroy Our New Kano Emirates

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi

Umar Ganduje, yesterday, declared that God would not allow anybody to destroy the four new Emirates created by his administration.

He made the declaration during his speech to mark the 2023 Workers' Day at Sani Abacha stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, insisting that the newly created four Emirates have come to stay. The comment by Ganduje, was in veiled response to a recent comment by the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who recently said the incoming government of the Governor-elect of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, would revisit the dethronement of the 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II. According to Kwankwaso, the four new Emirates were etiquettes of unity, progress and even development

Continued on page 10

ABDULRAZAQ CELEBRATES WORKERS...

L-R: Kwara State Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Joseph Tunde; Kwara State Head of service, Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole; DG Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Issa Aremu; Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Deputy Governor Kwara State, Mr. Kayode Alabi; State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),

Obaseki: FG May Be Unable to Pay Salaries Beyond June Without Removing Fuel Subsidy, Massive Printing of Money... Page 8

James Emejo in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta

Muritala Saheed Olayinka; Commissioner for Police, Paul Odama, and DCS Hamisu Yusuf; during Workers' Day celebration in Ilorin, Kwara State... yesterday

L-R: NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; TUC President, Festus Osifo and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi at the NLC Rally at Eagles Square, Abuja...yesterday.

INSPECTION OF OANDO & LAMATA ELECTRIC MASS TRANSIT BUSES IN LAGOS...

L-R: Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo; Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Abimbola Oladeinde; Executive Vice President, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), Ademola Ogunbanjo; and Managing Director and CEO, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Mr. Idowu Oguntona, during the

Report: Port Harcourt Refinery May Delay Commencement of Operation Till September

Emmanuel

Addeh in Abuja

The first phase of a project to rehabilitate Nigeria's 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery, which had been slated for completion in April this year, may not be finished for another four months at least, refinery and oil ministry sources have told Argus Media.

The Nigerian government awarded Italian engineering firm Maire Tecnimont a $1.5 billion contract for the rehabilitation work in April 2021. At the time, the Italian company said the first phase of the work would be completed in 24 months, with the second and third phases taking 32 and 44 months, respectively.

But the first phase has missed its April 2023 target and may not be completed until September, according to an oil ministry source.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, had assured Nigerians of its resolve to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery by March, 2023.

Kyari had given the assurance during the resumed investigative hearing into the state of the refineries in the country, held by the House of Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson.

Months later, the national oil company said that the Port-Harcourt refinery will begin operations by the second quarter of 2023.

It said Warri and Kaduna stations had been contracted for quick rehabilitation to reduce fuel scarcity

and increase dependence on natural gas through the rehabilitation of three refineries.

Also, erstwhile Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had said that the 60, 000bpd part of the refinery would be completed by first quarter of 2023.

The minister of State who stated this during President Muhammadu Buhari administration scorecard 2015-2023 organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, also declared that petroleum price should be market driven as subsidizing petroleum products is no longer sustainable.

Argus publishes business reports, market assessments and special studies. The company provides price assessments, business intelligence, and market data for the global crude oil, petroleum products, gas, coal, electricity, biofuels, biomass and transportation industries.

But the source at Port Harcourt suggested that September may be ambitious, indicating that a quick-fix programme at Nigeria's 125,000 bpd Warri refinery, scheduled to finish by November, could be completed first.

Warri is currently undergoing a $492 million repair programme under a contract awarded to South Korean engineering firm Daewoo.

Port Harcourt, Warri and stateowned NNPC's other refinery — the 110,000 bpd Kaduna plant — operated at under a fifth of their combined capacity in the 10 years before 2019.

Warri and Kaduna were shut down in 2019, and Port Harcourt in 2020, leaving Nigeria totally reliant

on imports to serve its 485,000 bpd oil products market. The Port Harcourt project is understood to have fallen victim to the perennial constraints of Nigeria's public finance management, the report stated.

Unlike national personnel expenditure that is released monthly and overhead expenditure that averages eight releases annually, funds for

capital expenditure are released infrequently in tranches that are often delayed until the second half of each year, it added.

This has meant Port Harcourt is not always able to meet Maire Tecnimont's invoices when they are due.

Sources have also questioned Maire Tecnimont's processes for selecting and managing sub-con-

tractors, saying weak performance by some sub-contractors has contributed to the delay. Maire Tecnimont did not respond to Argus' requests for information on the missed deadline.

Although the Port Harcourt refinery was shut down in April 2020, NNPC occasionally brings imported product through the refinery's jetty for storage in its tank farms.

NNPC has been Nigeria's only importer of gasoline since 2017. Before the shutdown, Port Harcourt had operated at only minimal rates for years, but its tanks still hold some intermediate products. Argus quoted data from Vortexa as showing that a 17,700t of vacuum gasoil (VGO) was shipped from Port Harcourt to Portugal earlier this month.

World Bank Launches ‘Business Ready’ Project

First report to be out April next year

The World Bank Group has begun work to assess the business and investment climate in up to 180 economies under its flagship Business Ready project.

The Washington-based institution disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The Business Ready project is a key instrument of its new strategy to facilitate private investment, generate employment, and improve productivity to help countries accelerate development in inclusive and sustainable ways.

It disclosed that Business Ready improves upon and replaces the World Bank Group’s earlier Doing Business project.

“It reflects a more balanced and transparent approach toward evaluating a country’s business and investment climate—one that has been shaped by recommendations from experts from within and outside

To assess business climate in 54 countries

the World Bank Group, including governments, the private sector, and civil society organisations.

“The first annual Business Ready report, covering 54 economies, will be published in the Spring of 2024.

Today, the World Bank Group published two key documents: the Business Ready Manual and Guide, specifying the detailed protocols and safeguards it has put in place to ensure the integrity of the assessments; and the Business Ready Methodology Handbook, detailing the project’s indicators and scoring methodology.

“Data collection on the business environment of the initial 54 economies is being done through extensive consultations with regulatory experts and nationally representative World Bank Enterprise Surveys, collected by competitively selected survey companies.

Workers Day: NAPPS Tasks Govts on Collective Bargaining Agreement

Funmi Ogundare

The National President, Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Chief Yomi Otubela has appealed to governments at all levels to adhere strictly to the collective bargaining agreement with workers in all sectors of the economy.

According to NAPPS, the economy cannot afford to be bogged down by frequent industrial actions.

Otubela, who made this appeal in a statement, noted that no nation can attain sustainable economic development amid frequent industrial

actions by workers. According to him, "governments at all levels and employers of labour in the private sector must find a way of ensuring uninterrupted labour services in the country."

He congratulated all workers in Nigeria and the world, over on the occasion of the 2023 International Workers' Day celebrations whilst also encouraging private school investors to make necessary reviews of their employment terms/ conditions to give room for proper motivation of workers in the private education sub-sector.

" It is only a motivated workforce that can add value that will enhance proper teaching and learning to take place in our schools. The same goes for workers in the public education sub-sector,” he added.

The NAPPS boss also urged both the states and federal governments to make it mandatory for grants to be set aside for private schools in their annual budgets to serve as a palliative for the smooth running of the private education sub-sector. The appeal Otubela noted, was imperative because of the increasing cost of running private schools in

the country amid the multiplicity of levies and taxations imposed on private school operators, coupled with high interests on loans.

"It needs to be emphasised that the role played by private schools in complementing and closing the education gap for both the state and federal has been significant over the years and as such, governments should see private school owners as partners in the collaborative efforts to ensure governments fulfill their obligations of providing compulsory and universal basic education to her citizens, " the national president stated.

“The World Bank Group is bringing back a fuller and sharper measure of the investment climate of countries—something that is badly needed in a global economy in the midst of a generalized slowdown,” the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics, Indermit Gill explained.

He added: “Governments that do more to make their economies business-ready will do better in reviving private investment, creating jobs, and quickening the transition to cleaner energy.”

According to the statement, the World Bank Group had long been a leader in spurring business-regulatory reforms across the world.

“Its assessments of the businessenabling environment worldwide helped spur nearly 4,000 regulatory reforms in developing and developed economies over the past two decades. “They also significantly advanced academic research in this area, resulting in 4,000 peer-reviewed research papers and at least 10,000 working papers.

“Countries, moreover, often use these assessments to shape their development strategies.”

“The ‘Business Ready’ project represents a new approach to assessing the business and investment climates,” Director of the World Bank’s Indicators Group, which leads the project, Norman Loayza said.

“The ‘Business Ready’ approach aims to establish a better balance between the ease of conducting a business and the broader implications for society as a whole. It gives a more positive role for governments,

advocating for better public services for businesses.

In addition to experts’ assessments, it includes direct information from entrepreneurs and managers on their experience navigating the economy’s business environment.”

Business Ready focuses on 10 topics covering the lifecycle of a firm in the course of starting, operating, or closing or reorganizing its activities: Business Entry, Business Location, Utility Services, Labor, Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition, and Business Insolvency.

“Over the next three years, the project will grow to cover about 180 economies worldwide annually, starting with 54 economies in 202324, 120 economies in 2024-25, and reaching 180 economies in 2025-26.

“The project’s objective is reflected in its name—to make each country’s economic environment ready for a dynamic private sector. The name highlights the fact that economies exist in different stages of readiness, and that governments play a key role in creating a business environment that is conducive for sustainable development.

“Transparency will be a key feature of Business Ready’s safeguards for data integrity. All information collected by the project—raw granular data, scores, as well as the calculations used to obtain the scores—will be made publicly available on the project website. Moreover, all results presented in the reports will be replicable using straightforward toolkits available on the website,” the statement added.

official inspection of the OCEL & LAMATA electric mass transit buses in Lagos.

DEDICATION OF THE MERRY EHANIRE MOTHER AND CHILD HOSPITAL...

CBN: Currency in Circulation Hits N2.34tn in April

Anti-graft agencies, others probing alleged breach of IPPIS' payment protocol, says OAGF Suspends staff

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday disclosed that currencyin-circulation in the country stood at N2.34 trillion as of April 18, 2023, from N3.23 trillion in October last year. Speaking on Arise Television, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY, CBN Director, Currency Operations Department, Mr. Ahmed Umar, explained that currency in circulation comprises both the new and old banknotes.

This was just as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) yesterday said it was aware of reported breach of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) third party payment protocol at an institute outside Abuja. Speaking further, Umar expressed

confidence that between now and December, the uptick in the use of alternative channels of payment transactions would reduce the amount of physical cash in the system and help increase the visibility of the central bank’s digital currency - eNaira.

Umar also said that as a result of the implementation of the cashless policy, the volume of electronic transactions had risen significantly.

He said electronic showed an increase of 984 per cent in transactions in the first quarter of 2023 when compared with the corresponding period of 2022.

According to him, electronic transactions stood at N434 million in Q1 2022 and went up to N7 billion between January and March 2023, representing a growth of about 984 per cent.

The CBN director also used the opportunity to clarify that there was

no decision by the apex bank to withdraw the new naira denominations from circulation as alleged in the social media.

He said both the new and old banknotes would continue to circulate in the system up to the end when the old notes would be withdrawn on December 31, 2023, in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He said, "So, there is no truth in the news making the rounds that CBN is going to stop issuing the new notes.

The new and old notes are circulating side by side and as of April 18, we have over N2.34 trillion in circulation."

He stressed that both notes would continue to circulate until the period the Supreme Court had given that the old notes should cease to be legal tender.

Umar said that the currency redesign project has had a positive impact on the economy.

He pointed out that there had been an increase in enrolment of the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) from 55 million in October 2022 to about 57 million in April 2023.

He also said mobile money wallet had increased from N15 million in October last year to about N25 million in 2023.

He stated that deposit money banks are currently working hard day by day to make sure that they improve their infrastructure in view of the new customers who were previously not using bank accounts but are now utilising banking facilities.

Umar said this was to, "address issues that we had including failure rates which we had previously."

He stated that the naira redesign programme had further helped to

FCTA Targets N214bn Revenue in 2023

FEC approves N181bn for Maitama phase two infrastructure projects

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has restated its commitment towards meeting its targeted revenue projection of N213,848,939,058.81 for the 2023 fiscal year.

FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, gave this assurance, during the first quarter Internally Generated Revenue Review meeting of Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) of the FCT Administration at the FCDA Conference Hall, Abuja, over the weekend.

Adesola, who chaired the meeting directed that all revenue generating SDAs must sit up, saying the administration has lots of responsibilities that must be undertaken, and it is not prepared to accept excuses from critical revenue Agencies.

He noted that though, the general performance in the first quarter of the 2023, which rose to 97.27 per cent was encouraging, more efforts needed to be done and those agencies that have maintained persistently low performance must wake up to their respective responsibilities.

He hinted that the administration would review some of its interventions in the satellite towns to boost its revenue and enable the government sustain sanitation and cleaning exercises in such areas.

According to him, “it will not be tenable to use monies realised in

other areas to fund refuse collections in the satellite towns.”

He said no effort should be spared to realise the projected revenue, which the government needs to provide the required infrastructure and services to make Abuja the city of our dream.

Adesola directed that henceforth, there should be massive sensitisation on how to pay for revenue, thereby, improving on the revenue performance.

While commending the SDAs that have worked very hard to surpass their revenue targets, he urged them to sustain the tempo; stressing that hard work pays.

The Permanent Secretary said SDAs should streamline the revenue activities to minimise unwanted distractions that often rear their ugly heads with other tiers of government.

The meeting witnessed a presentation by the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) on the update of Ground Rent portal.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N181 billion as the cost of infrastructure projects at the newly created Maitama II District.

The approval followed a presentation recently before FEC by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello who was accompanied by the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The memo presented by the FCDA indicated that the contract for the project was awarded to Dantata and Sawoe Company.

The project is expected to be completed in four years.

The document, titled " Brief on the Final Engineering Design and Development of Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, also revealed that the Bureau of Public Procurement had given its nod for the project.

It stated that, "accordingly, BPP has granted No Objection to FCTA to proceed with Restrictive

/ Selective tendering method for the procurement.

"At conclusion of the evaluation exercise, the Bid of Messrs Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited with a total tender sum of N180, 990, 976, 836.60 only , inclusive of five per cent VAT with a completion period of 48 months was recommended as the lowest responsive."

The construction works in Maitama II, would impact the Mpape community and environs, while opening up access roads to rural farmers in the area.

address issues around counterfeiting, ransom-taking, and money laundering.

He said the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) is currently ramping up production of the redesigned banknotes as well as issuing them side by side with the old notes.

We believe between now and December, there would be uptick in the use of alternative channels and the increased visibility of the eNaira.

“We are hoping that resort to cash will decline and we will come back to a comfortable level that we feel is stable and feasible for appropriate policy transmission,” he added.

He said the CBN was working to increase the outlets where people can use the eNaira.

"We want to have it at every corner so people don’t need to carry cash for their daily transactions and we are working with so many people who are coming up with new ideas," Umar stated.

He revealed that the markets, tricycle operators as well as corporate institutions have started to adopt eNaira as the payment options particularly the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) which has resolved to accept eNaira for registration - as well as payment of school fees in universities.

He added that incentives and discounts are being given for the use of eNaira to boost its adoption nationwide.

Meanwhile, the OAGF has disclosed that the anti-corruption, security and regulatory agencies were investigating the alleged 'salary padding' on the IPPIS involving some unspecified MDAs.

The IPPIS, which is domiciled in the OAGF was designed to provide a

reliable and comprehensive database for the public service to check the problem of ghost workers, facilitating human resource planning, eliminate manual record and payroll fraud as well as to facilitate easy storage, update and retrieval of personnel records for administrative and pension processes.

In a statement issued yesterday, by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the OAGF said it had received enquiries over alleged “salary padding” on the IPPIS involving some unspecified MDAs.

Although he noted that there was no evidence of salary padding before the OAGF at the moment, he however, disclosed that the office was aware of the reported breach of the IPPIS third party payment protocol at an institute outside Abuja.

According to him, the OAGF had already suspended a staff involved in the alleged padding, pending investigations.

The statement read: "This is to inform the general public that there is no evidence of “salary padding” before the OAGF at this time; however, the office is aware of reported breach of the IPPIS third party payment protocol at an Institute outside Abuja.

"The incident has since been reported to, and is being investigated by relevant anti-corruption, security and regulatory agencies. In the meantime, a staff suspected to be connected with the breach has been suspended to allow for thorough investigation.

"All necessary steps are being taken to strengthen the controls around the IPPIS payment platform and an independent forensic audit of the entire payroll system is underway to ascertain if the reported breach is isolated or widespread."

I've Created 65,000 Jobs in Ebonyi, Says Umahi

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi yesterday said he has created over 65, 000 direct and indirect jobs since he assumed office in 2015.

He added that it was under his regime that all workers’ arrears were paid, teachers’ specialised salaries started and soft agricultural loan of over N4 billion was given to workers to have second address.

Umahi, made the disclosure during the Worker's Day celebration in Abakaliki.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, noted that the relationship between his

government and workers have been cordial.

Umahi, added that the relationship continued till 2016, when they had strained dialogue on the need for wage increase.

"In all, we can say we have created over 65,000 direct and indirect jobs. We have created four more federal institutions like David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Buhari International Airport and Isu College of Education.

"Under my administration, we have created over 1,500 direct jobs and 2000 indirect jobs at David Umahi Federal University of Health

Sciences; created over 400 direct jobs and over 1500 indirect jobs at Ebonyi Famous Mall.

“Through our direct labour jobs in the state MDAs, created over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs as 99 per cent of our infrastructure were executed by these MDAs using our local people.

"In our newly constructed President Muhammadu Buhari International Airport which the federal government has approved the takeover, we have created over 500 direct jobs and this will yield over 2,000 indirect jobs in the next one year.

“In all other sectors like agriculture, health, education and state industries and private sector, we can say we

created over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ebonyi State. At St. Margaret Umahi International market, we have created over 10,000 indirect jobs."

Speaking further, he said, "It was under this new regime that all promotion of workers’ arrears was paid, teachers’ specialised salaries started and soft agricultural loan of over N4 billion was given to workers to have second address. Many workers were also empowered under our general State Empowerment Scheme." The governor further called on Ebonyi workers to support the incoming administration of Chief Francis Nwifuru, to continue from where he stopped.

L-R: Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma; his wife, Senator Daisy, and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the dedication of the Merry Ehanire Mother and Child Hospital, in Benin City.... yesterday

THE HEIRS TEAM...

Obaseki: FG May Be Unable to Pay Salaries Beyond June Without Removing Fuel Subsidy, Massive Printing of Money

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday said the federal government may not be able to pay workers’ salaries beyond June 2023 without resorting to massively printing money or removing fuel subsidy.

Obaseki disclosed this while delivering his address during the 2023 May Day celebration with the theme, “Workers' rights and socio-economic justice," held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.

But in a swift reaction, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Chris Ngige, yesterday, told Obaseki to focus on his state and lead by example by cutting the cost of governance in his state.

Dignitaries at the May Day celebration event in the state included the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, and the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Itsebaga Acha, amongst others.

The governor, who reassured that his government would sustain reforms and projects to improve the welfare of workers and ensure better livelihoods for Edo people, urged the workers in the country to shift from the tradition of reacting when policies that affect them have already been made but take charge

and ensure full transparency and accountability of government’s policies and programmes.

Obaseki said, "It would be a miracle for the federal government and state governments to pay salaries beyond June this year without resorting to massively printing money or removing fuel subsidy. Either of these decisions will bring more hardship and pain to Nigerians, particularly workers.

"We must all make sure that the burden and pain of these measures, which must be taken, are not carried by workers alone. Workers must now rise and ensure that they champion any discussion on subsidy removal. You must shift from the tradition of reacting when these policies have been made but insist that you take charge and ensure full transparency and disclosure.

“If we are all undertaking a reform, then the benefits and pains that will come out of the reforms must be mutually shared by all Nigerians, not just the downtrodden.”

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the state, Obaseki noted, “I am proud to say that Edo workers are currently the best-paid workers in Nigeria. When we announced the increment of the minimum wage to N40,000 at this venue last year, I expected that the federal government and other state governments would follow suit immediately but I am surprised that it has taken them one year already.

“My promise to Edo workers here

today is that the day the federal government is able to pay its new minimum wage and hand over a cheque to any federal worker, that day, we will match the federal government and do the same for state workers.

“As your governor, I will ensure that workers are fairly treated so that your take-home pay can really take you home. Our government has kept faith with prompt and regular payment of staff salaries and retirees' benefits in the state in the last six years.

“As a tradition, salaries are paid latest on the 26th day of every month and for any holiday celebrations, our workers are paid before the celebration so that they have money to celebrate.”

He added, “We currently do not

owe arrears of promotion in Edo State because I have approved the promotion of all staff for 2022 which I believe will boost the morale of staff and the performance of our workers.”

Hailing the workers' contributions to the growth and development of the state, the governor stated, "Our vision is to make Edo State the best place to work and live in Nigeria.

“I appreciate the sacrifices of our workers and their unwavering dedication and zeal as these have led to the growth and development of our dear State in the last six years despite the difficulty suffered following the poor management of the nation by the federal government.

“Our workers are the unsung heroes of society and the engine that powers our economy and we will

Appeal Court

continue to prioritise your welfare.

“This is why we will continue to embark on a series of reforms to boost your morale and productivity, ensuring the right incentives and enabling the environment to deliver quality service to Edo people.

“This is in addition to the reforms we have embarked on in education, healthcare, technology, economy, agriculture, and many other sectors.”

He continued: “We are investing in Infrastructure to provide our workers with a modern, more equipped, and dignified work environment to enable them to become more productive and deliver quality service to our people.

“We are installing fiber optic cables across all local governments so that government offices will now have internet connection. The John

Suspends

Odigie Oyegun Service Academy is the best in Africa and is being effectively used daily to train our workers to make them the best in Africa.

“We have removed all processes of interference with our recruitment exercise to ensure that the recruitment process is free, fair, and merit-based.

“We have also kicked off the policy to ensure that any student of Edo extraction who makes a first class in any University in Nigeria is given an opportunity for automatic employment into the state’s civil and public service as we want the best.”

The governor added “I appeal to workers to ensure they register in the health insurance scheme and utilise it effectively.”

Proceedings in Suit

Challenging Payment of N5.4bn to Eaton Acquisitions

Wale Igbintade

The Court of Appeal Lagos Division has stayed further proceedings regarding a suit challenging payment of N5,444,496,500.00 to Eaton Acquisitions Ltd, (suing for itself and on behalf of Promoters of Our Bank Ltd. (in formation), pending the hearing and determination of an appeal before the Supreme Court

Obasanjo Arrives Akwa Ibom Today to Inaugurate 23.4km Dùal Carriage Road

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is to arrive Akwa Ibom State today for the inauguration of a 23.4km Eket-Etinan dual carriage road, constructed by the outgoing administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Preparation for the inauguration of the Eket -Etinan dual carriageway road has reached feverish stage as things are in place to ensure a successful inauguration ceremony today.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, told

journalists during a visit to the new road, yesterday, that everything was in place for the ceremony.

He said the new road handled by Chinese firm, CCECC, was the fulfillment of Emmanuel’s promise to ensure a dual carriageway from the state capital to the Atlantic Ocean axis of the state.

According to him, the new road was a continuation of the 20km Uyo- Etinan Road that is almost ready for inauguration. Ndueso, explained that before the construction of the Eket - Etinan Road motorists were previously compelled to pass through a long and arduous route before reaching Uyo.

"Many had to go through Ikot Ubo in Nsit Ubium LGA, down to Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, or even pass through interior villages in Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom before reaching their destination," he added.

On his part, the project manager, Engr. Samuel Ukata, said the road was executed to specifications to stand a test of time.

The Eket - Etinan Highway traversing Eket, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom, and Etinan LGAs, was designed with side drainage, pedestrian walkway, traffic markings with pavement and center lines as well as concrete stones walls for enhance movements.

filed by an interested party, SunTrust Bank Nigeria.

The Appellate Court in a ruling delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, held that the appeal pending before the Supreme Court would be rendered nugatory if the application for stay of further proceedings filed by SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited was not granted.

Sun Trust Bank had on March 23, 2022, through its lawyer, Mr. Abayomi Adeniran, filed a motion on notice praying the Court for extension of time within which to seek leave to appeal as an interested party against the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on February 17, 2021 in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/115/2021 between Eaton Acquisition Ltd against the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The lower court had in its judgement ordered payment of N25 billion in favour of the Judgment Creditor, (Eaton Acquisitions Ltd).

However, the sum of N19, 555,503,500.00 was paid to the Judgment Creditor/Respondent while the balance sum of N5, 444,496,500.00 was kept in the custody of the Deputy Chief Registrar (the DCR) of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division pending the determination of another related matter, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1237/2020.

But, before the Motion of

March 23, 2022, could be heard, the interested party filed another Motion dated December 8, 2022 seeking for an order of court staying further proceedings in respect of its Motion filed on 23rd March, 2022. It prayed the court for extension of time within which to seek leave to appeal as an interested party against the judgment delivered by the lower court on 17/2/2021 in Suit No. FHC/A/CS/115/2021.

SunTrust Bank Nigeria Limited was of the view that it would be better to allow the supreme court determine the appeal against the dismissal of the applicant’s earlier application before proceeding with the hearing of the present application, lest the application be regarded as an abuse of court process and also dismissed.

The interested party/applicant being dissatisfied with the aforesaid ruling dismissing its earlier application filed a Notice of appeal on 3rd August, 2022 to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

It argued that the present application was imperative to forestall the hearing and eventual dismissal of the Interested Party’s/Applicant’s application in Appeal No. CA/LG/ CV/ROA/239M/2022 on the basis that a similar application had already been dismissed by the court.

In response, Eaton Acquisitions

Ltd in its counter affidavit filed by Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, contended that the applicant was not entitled to the reliefs sought, submitting that an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal can only be granted where special and exceptional circumstances exist, and that it was a matter of law and facts.

He stated that the grant was subject to a judicial and judicious exercise of the discretion of the court having regard to all materials placed before it and in the interest of justice.

However, the appellate court in a unanimous ruling held that there were merits in the application filed by interested party seeking for stay of further proceedings.

Justice Otisi in his lead ruling, which was aligned with by other members of the panel, Justice Obietonbara Daniel-Kalio (Presiding), and Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo dismissed the counter affidavit filed by the Judgment Creditor (Eaton Acquisitions), and held that there is merit in the application filed by the interested party.

The judge held: “I am of the firm view that the said appeal may be rendered nugatory if the instant application is granted at this stage. It is therefore in the interest of justice to refuse this application filed by the Judgment Creditor/Applicant.

L:R Managing Director/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance, Niyi Onifade,; Chairman, Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, CFR,; Managing Director/CEO, Heirs General Insurance, Wole Fayemi; and, Executive Director/COO, Heirs Life Assurance, Tosin Bayo-Yusuf, in Lagos at the weekend

Urges workers to champion cause for subsidy removal Makes case for funding of tertiary education by donors, endowments Focus on your state, leave FG alone, Ngige tells Edo governor

THISDAY’s Ezeobi, Nwabogor Named among

WIJ 2023 Most Powerful Women in Journalism

Ayo Mairo-Ese of ARISE News recognised as 25th most powerful woman in journalism

Sunday Ehigiator

THISDAY Newspaper’s Features

Editor, Chiemelie Ezeobi and THISDAY Style Magazine’s Editor, Konye Nwabogor have both been recognised among the 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism for 2023, by the Women in Journalism (WIJ) organisation

helped in strengthening the security apparatus of the country.

On the other hand, Nwabogor was recognised as the 16th most powerful woman in journalism for her high-profile interviews since taking over as Editor of Style, a year ago as well as her ability to reposition the magazine as a force to reckon with in the industry.

cover defence, security and conflict as Chiemelie Ezeobi. She is an alumna of the US State Department International Visitor Leadership Program on Counterinsurgency, a member of the Jury of the Africa Security Watch Awards Initiative and a Fellow of, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies.

investigated and written on the most significant security and insurgency issues affecting Nigeria and possesses strong influence within the security and defence community.

and manager.

In a statement from WIJ, Ezeobi was recognised as the 10th most powerful woman in journalism for her strong influence within the security and defence community, and various investigative works spanned over a decade which has

Also, Ayo Mairo-Ese, one of the anchors of ‘The Morning Show’ on ARISE News Channel was recognised as the 25th most powerful woman in journalism. According to the statement, “Very few women journalists in Nigeria

“She was a Crime and Defence Correspondent before her appointment as Group Features Editor at THISDAY. Today, she oversees the Defence, Crime and Health Sub desks in addition to the Weekly Pull-out Magazine, ‘This Weekend’.

“For her work, she has, for two consecutive years, won the Security Watch Awards Best Nigerian Investigative Journalist and later, the Best African Investigative Journalist. Chiemelie received an honourable mention in last year's list and comes in at number 10 this year.

journalism. As the Executive Editor of the prestigious THISDAY Style Magazine, she has taken the publication to new heights, with an unbroken run of more than 60 print and digital issues under her leadership.”

“Under her guidance, THISDAY Style has grown in influence with the younger generation, tackling topical issues around inclusion and political consciousness. Her work has not gone unnoticed, with the magazine receiving accolades for its coverage of issues affecting Nigerian youth.

“For 13 years, Chiemelie has

“Konye Nwabogor is a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian

The statement added: “Nwabogor is one of the top 25 most powerful women in journalism in Nigeria, and for good reason. Since taking over as Executive Editor a year ago, Nwabogor has interviewed newsmakers, leading politicians, and celebrities, cementing her reputation as a skilled journalist, interviewer

The president said his administration believed in the enthronement of decent work that was productive, delivered a fair income with security and social protection, and safeguarded the basic rights of workers.

In his own message, the presidentelect assured organised labour of his partnership, saying he would not only be to them a dependable ally, but also one that would always fight for them.

On their part, organised labour advised the federal government not to adhere to the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the economic challenges bedevilling the country, saying they are usually poisonous.

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi, told workers, who gathered at Eagle Square, Abuja, to celebrate this year's International Workers’ Day, to work towards building a country that every citizen would be proud of and where justice would prevail.

At the same time, governors and other prominent Nigerians hailed the country's workforce for their enormous contributions to the overall good of the nation.

Buhari, in his speech, said the federal government was committed “to reducing poverty and forging a path to achieving equitable, inclusive and sustainable development, and, ultimately, peace and security in communities”.

He said, “Workers’ rights coupled with socio-economic justice make a happy workplace. We, therefore, agree that a fair economic structure targeted at creating opportunities for all to succeed irrespective of sex, race/ethnicity, age, disability, creed, religion, etc., is sine qua non

for progress and development.

"I encourage incoming administration to continue to respect workers’ rights imbued with socio-economic development and driven by the four pillars of the decent work agent to promote jobs and enterprises, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection, and promoting social dialogue for consensus building and maintaining a Sound National Industrial Relations System."

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, highlighted some achievements of the outgoing administration in the area of workers' welfare and industrial relations.

Ngige expressed optimism that the incoming administration would continue to implement policies and initiatives aimed at improving the lot of Nigerian workers. He said the federal government was aware of the challenges facing Nigerian workers, both in formal and informal sectors. He said the challenges included poor wages, and the government was committed to addressing them.

The minister explained that since government was a continuum, the current administration would expect the incoming one to continue to implement plans already in place to improve the earnings of workers.

Ngige stated, "As we look to the future, let us work together to create an environment that supports Nigerian workers and allows them to thrive. We would continue to invest in all aspects of education, primary secondary, technical and tertiary education, and skills development, create opportunities for young people, and support small and medium-sized enterprises.

"The Review of our Labour Laws is on course. We would complete the on-going process of amending and strengthening our labour laws in order to ensure that workers are

GANDUJE TO KWANKWASO: GOD'LL NOT ALLOW ANYBODY DESTROY OUR NEW KANO EMIRATES

across the state.

“Any of you that visits the headquarters of these new emirates will believe me that we have brought development to these places. These emirates were created for unity, progress, history, and also for the recovery of the reputation of the traditional institutions. We created them to honor the people of these regions.

“I want to assure you that these emirates are permanent, they have come to stay. And anybody that will destroy them, God Almighty will not bring him to Kano state. We assure you that these emirates were created because of you, because of your progress.

“Even if we are not in government, we are praying and we will keep praying for God to protect these emirates from all evils. I thank you all."

Ganduje's administration had splitted Kano Emirates and had created four new Emirates of Bichi, Karaye, Rano and Gaya, being ruled by First Class Emirs.

However, in the viral video recently, Kwankwaso revealed that the incoming administration Yusuf plans to review the creation of four new Emirates in Kano.

The said video by Kwankwaso had

treated fairly and with dignity.

“In addition to her print work, Nwabogor also oversees the online edition of THISDAY Style, which has a reach beyond Nigeria.” Topping the most powerful women in journalism list was TVC News Director, Stella Din Jacob. Day celebration, which was delivered by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

"The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the transmission of our jointly reviewed Labour Bills to the National Assembly for further legislative action and this is being done with utmost dispatch."

Obi, who graced the May Day celebration, urged the workers not to lose focus on the drive to help government transform the country from being a consuming nation to a more productive place

He said, "I am here on a solidarity visit. All leaders, we are all workers. All of us are workers. I thank you, Mr President, for what you are doing. The topic of today is socio-economic justice. When you talk about it, we talk about justice for all. We want to build a country, where Nigerians will be proud to say they are Nigerians.

"A country, where people will not be struggling to go out. A country where workers will be working and say they are happy. And that is why we say we want to move the country from consumption to production."

While appealing to Nigerian workers and youths to maintain peace, Obi said they should hold firm to their desire to enthrone a just and equitable system.

In a speech jointly presented by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Joseph Ajaero, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Festus Osifoh, the unions expressed worry at the economic challenges facing the country, which had led to rising unemployment.

The labour movement urged the federal government to avoid committing the country into further debt obligation. They asked the government to jettison the $800

BUHARI CHARGES SUCCESSOR TO RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS arrested, detained in any country in the world. I have never for any reason found myself in any manner being questioned over any offence.”

generated controversy and tension among traditional institutions within and outside Kano state.

Sanusi, who became emir in the final term of Kwankwaso as governor of the state, was dethroned by the outgoing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who was the deputy governor at the time the monarch was installed.

Sanusi was removed on March 9, 2020, and also banished from Kano and sent to Loko, a remote community in Nasarawa State, while the expenses of the emirate under him were probed.

He later became the leader of the Tijaniyya Islamic sect in Nigeria, after he was turbaned in Senegal as the Khalifa of the Tijaniyya sect in Nigeria by Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim Inyass, the Grand Khalifa of the Tijaniyya Movement.

However, the Federal High Court, Abuja, later declared his banishment from Kano State as unlawful and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgment in Sanusi’s suit in November 2021, Justice Anwuli Chikere awarded N10 million compensation to him and against the respondents comprising the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of Kano State.

million loan it planned to obtain to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy, when implemented.

Ajaero said beginning from this month, the national leadership of NLC would commence engagement with all state governments and private sector employers involved in denial and dehumanisation of workers all over the country.

On the dispute between workers and the Imo State government, Ajaero said NLC had reported the state government to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and would be monitoring the situation closely. He said NLC was ready to tackle state governments and private employers that violated labour laws and denied workers their rights.

On the judiciary, organised labour said several rulings of the courts had tended to undermine the credibility of the judiciary. They gave instances of questionable judgements delivered by the Supreme Court, including the one that handed over the governorship of Imo State to a candidate that was not sponsored by any political party, and the ruling that gave senatorial ticket to another politician, who failed in his bid to secure the party's presidential ticket.

The labour movement demanded, among others, the postponement of the proposed U$D1.2 billion national census scheduled to hold before May 29 this year, and the review of the privatisation of the electricity sector.

The unions urged the federal government to continue the objective of returning the local refineries to full capacity and investing in new refineries. They said government should sort out the supply bottlenecks that made product availability difficult in Nigeria. Labour demanded that the

outgoing president must take steps to ensure that those in his administration planning last minute heist of the country's treasury were stopped, among other demands.

On her part, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, described workers as the country's most valued assets.

In a statement to mark the International Workers' Day, Yemi-Esan said as worthy assets, the federal government remained committed to their welfare and development.

She stated, "On this day, I celebrate the sacrifice, patriotism and industry of the Nigerian worker, especially civil servants in the country."

Yemi-Esan added that as the country celebrated the dignity of the services provided, workers should also collectively rededicate themselves towards building a greater and more prosperous nation.

Tinubu to Labour: In Me You’ll Find a Dependable Ally

President-elect Bola Tinubu assured the labour unions in the country that they had found a dependable ally in him, assuring that their fight would be his fight because he would always fight for them.

Tinubu added that his plans for better welfare and working conditions for workers were clearly spelt out in his Renewed Hope Agenda for A Better Nigeria. He noted that it was a covenant born of conviction, which he was prepared to keep.

In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu described the International Workers’ Day as a special day in most parts of the world – a day to salute and honour the working people whose hard work and sweat

OBI: CONTRARY TO REPORTS, I WAS NEVER ARRESTED IN LONDON

The former Governor of Anambra State insisted, “I have not committed any offence and it was a routine immigration check and it lasted less than 20 minutes,

“I was actually given all the due respect by the boarder personality that interviewed me and who told me ‘Your identity is duplicated – be careful’, and actually had to walk me through what I can call the VIP process. And I have a written document from the British Government clarifying the situation.”

He said some Nigerians who arrived with him on the British felt traumatised over the development.

“People said I was detained, committed an offence and several offences or that his company was closed, he wasn’t paying taxes.

“For the years I lived in Britain, never had I been questioned,” he said.

He stressed that the only country he is a citizen is Nigeria, maintaining that he does not hold dual citizenship.

Also, responding to a question on an allegation that he could be a citizen of Solomon Island, Obi said: “I have never been there all my life. The few places I have gone in the Caribbean is Haiti. I was a governor when they had the earthquake. Everybody close to me know that I have been to most troubled places in the world.

So, when there was earthquake in Haiti, I went to President Goodluck Jonathan and told him I was going to the country to help them rebuild and he (Jonathan) was surprised.

“That is what I have done all my life; I have been to most troubled places in the world. I withdrew my son from school and we went to Haiti. I helped them to raise money then, over $200,000. So, I have been to Haiti and also Barbados, but I don’t know Solomon Island.

“I don’t own a property anywhere outside Nigeria, except in the UK, where I live. Other than that, if there is a property in the name of Peter Obi, it is fake and I don’t need it. Why would I own a property where I don’t live?”

The LP presidential candidate described the allegation of treason levelled against him by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, as, “the height of rascality.”

“I committed a treasonable offense and I am in Onitsha, but my minister went and announced it in Washington. That is the waste in governance I am talking about.

“The amount it cost Nigeria to go and make that announcement in Washington, can build a block of six classrooms in a primary school.

“I am sure if you go to his village, there are so many places where children don’t have desks or classrooms. Instead of using that money to fix it, he used the

money to go to Washington, just to accuse someone who lives in Onitsha of treason.

“It is rascality of the highest order and that is the reason we are calling for a new Nigeria, where things work the way it works in other climes. From there he went to London, announcing same thing. He should have invited me or come to see me.”

Obi, who described Prof. Wole Soyinka as “a dear father,” to him, said he was said that some persons were attacking the Nobel laureate over his fascism comment.

He, however, pointed out that, “some of the Obidients or people they mentioned were Obidients are not entirely people who are with us. The opposition has also come into it. But I was very sad that there was such an exchange between a respected father.”

He, nevertheless noted that youth in the country react angrily to issues because they have “been pushed to the wall.”

He stressed that he is not a religious or tribal bigot, just as he accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of not following the guidelines set by the electoral body in the last elections.

Meanwhile, the factional National Working Committee (NWC) of the LP under the leadership of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa has described as null and void the resolution and decision,

continued to oil the wheel of human progress and advancement.

The president-elect said May Day was significant in many respects, because it was a day forged and borne out of the struggle for workers' rights and socio-economic justice, adding that since 1891, it has been observed all over the world.

Tinubu stated, "In Nigeria, every May 1 is a special day in our national calendar. The public holiday we observe is not just to commemorate the contributions and sacrifices of workers to the well-being of our country.

“It serves both as a celebration of the rights of workers to dignity, decent wages and decent living, and more importantly, it is a testament to the critical role the labour movement plays in our march towards a stronger, united and more prosperous nation."

Tinubu recalled that since 1945, when the railway workers and 16 other public service unions led the first general strike to demand better wages as a result of rising cost of living, the labour movement in Nigeria had always fought on the side of the masses.

He noted that it was no surprise that the labour movement added fillip, zest and energy to the struggle for independence by partnering nationalists, such as Nnamdi Azikwe, Herbert Macaulay, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli, and Anthony Enahoro, among others.

The president-elect stressed that the Nigerian labour movement was also not found wanting during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.

According to him, NLC and its

of the April 18, 2023, meeting of the party, held in Asaba, Delta State. The LP faction described the NWC meeting presided over by Mr. Julius Abure, as illegal because the man, who presided over the meeting and three others, had been restrained by the Federal High Court, Abuja, from parading themselves as leaders of the party.

The factional National Publicity Secretary of LP, Abayomi Arabambi, said the legally recognised NWC of the LP, has scheduled a National Executive Council meeting for tomorrow, May 3, 2023, in Bauchi.

Arabambi said, "That the LP NWC wishes to reiterate its commitments to the proposed National Executive Council, meeting scheduled for 3rd May, 2023, in Bauchi, Bauchi State, to write the wrongs and illegality of the contempt of court orders perpetrated by Julius Abure whom the FCT High Court Restrained from parading himself as National Officer of the Labour Party LP.

"That NWC has invited all the labour party stakeholders to the NEC meeting, including Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Governor Alex Otti, the elected Governor of Abia State, all the 2023 elected National and State Assembly members of the Labour Party (senators, MHR, state assembly members), NWC and NEC members, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) amongst others.

BUHARI WELCOMES AKPABIO TO STATE HOUSE...

President Muhammadu Buhari (R) receives in audience former Minister for Niger Delta, Sen Godswill Akpabio as he presents

Villa in Abuja... Sunday night

US May Default on its Debt from June 1 if Congress Doesn’t Act, Yellen Warns

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress yesterday, that the United States could default on its debt as early as June 1, if legislators do not raise or suspend the nation's statutory borrowing authority before then.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Yellen urged congressional leaders “to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible” to address the $31.4 trillion limit on its legal borrowing authority. She added that it is impossible to predict with certainty the exact date of when the U.S. will run out of cash.

“We have learned from past debt limit impasses that waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious

harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States," Yellen said in the letter.

Also yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office reported that it saw a greater risk of the U.S. running out of funds in early June. CBO Director Phillip L. Swagel said because of less-than-expected tax receipts this filing season and a faster IRS having processed already received returns, “Treasury’s extraordinary measures will be exhausted sooner than we previously projected.”

In January, Yellen sent a letter to congressional leaders, stating that her department had begun resorting to “extraordinary measures” to avoid a federal government default.

The Treasury said Monday it plans to increase its borrowing during the April to June quarter of this year, even as the federal government is close to breaching the debt limit.

The US plans to borrow $726 billion during the quarter. That’s $449 billion more than projected in January, due to a lower beginningof-quarter cash balance and projections of lower-than-expected income tax receipts and higher spending.

While Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains a burden on U.S. economic growth, Treasury officials say the debate over the debt ceiling poses the greatest risk to the U.S. financial position.

Eric Van Nostrand, acting assistant secretary for economy policy, said in a statement that “even if

Evacuation: Group Accuses Abike Dabiri of Abandoning Igbos in Sudan

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

An Igbo youth-based group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has frowned at the alleged abandonment of Igbo indigenes in Sudan, during an evacuation exercise.

The group particularly pointed at Chairman, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as being responsible for the abandonment.

In a viral video which circulated on social media yesterday, some Igbo indigenes in Sudan were seen stranded, while one of the indigene narrated how they (Igbo)

were asked to alight from the flight, for Nigerians of other extraction to enter the plane for evacuation.

In the video, the Igbo indigene begged Igbo billionaires to come to their aide, while also thanking owner of Air Peace Airline, Allen Onyema for donating his aircraft for the evacuation. Speaking in Igbo, the man had said: "You cannot blame Allen Onyema, because he has donated his aircraft, and does not know that his brothers are being abandoned in the evacuation exercise."

But reacting, COSEYL in a press statement signed by its leader,

Goodluck Ibem, condemned the alleged abandonment of Igbos in Sudan, describing it as wicked and barbaric.

"This is barbaric and wickedness of the highest order against humanity and we condemn it in its entirety.

"It is very unfortunate and regrettable. This evil and unpatriotic act against fellow Nigerians which she was employed to serve must never go unpunished.

"Abike has committed a national and international crime and we demand for her immediate sack, arrest and prosecution without any delay.”

Congress ultimately raises the debt limit before a default occurs, the ensuing uncertainty could raise borrowing costs and induce other financial stress that would weaken our labor market and our standing in the world."

“There is no time to waste,” said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, which forecasts the so-called X-date when the government exhausts its extraordinary measures. His organization will

also provide an updated X-date projection in the coming days, he said.

“The US government is again within mere months or even weeks of failing to make good on all its obligations. That is not a position befitting of a country considered the bedrock of the financial system, and only adds uncertainty to an already shaky economy.”

Democrats and the White House are pushing for Congress to increase the federal debt limit. President Joe

Biden wants the cap raised without negotiation. The House Republican majority has most recently passed a bill to secure spending cuts in exchange for a debt limit increase. Yellen said last week, at the Cap-to-Cap policy conference in Washington that “Congress must vote to raise or suspend the debt limit, and it should do so without conditions and it should not wait until the last minute. I believe that is a basic responsibility of our nation’s leaders to get this done.”

Keyamo Warns Against Alleged Attempt to Intimidate Judiciary

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo (SAN) yesterday warned that any attempt to ‘intimidate’ the Nigerian judiciary as it prepares to begin hearing in the presidential election petition would be an invitation to crisis.

In a long treatise on Twitter, Keyamo drew attention to a group of people he said had formed themselves into “watchdogs” over the judiciary in respect of the pending election petitions, stressing that the move was meant to ridicule the arm of government.

Keyamo, who was also presidentelect, Bola Tinubu’s campaign spokesperson during the just concluded 2023 elections, said such a move was one of the ‘cheap tactics,’ adopted by the unnamed persons.

“The tribunals and courts should decide these cases devoid of any

TNBA: Voting Opens as BON Unveils Nominees

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has unveiled the nominees’ list for the inaugural edition of The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards(TNBA).

It also called on members of the public to vote for their preferred nominees in the various award categories.

The unveiling of the nominees and call for votes were contained in a statement released yesterday, by TNBA Steering Committee, headed by the President of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce.

“These are sequel to the comple-

tion of a rigorous shortlisting process by the TNBA Judges' Panel, headed by Mr. Emeka Mba, a former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC),” the statement added. The Steering Committee urged members of the public to vote for their beloved broadcast professionals and platforms shortlisted for awards in 20 categories across radio and television broadcasting.

It equally disclosed that each voter was allowed a total of 100 votes, which they have they are free to deploy as preferred when voting

for nominees across categories.

Voting, according to the committee, would be held from May 1st to 10th, ahead of the awards ceremony billed to hold on May 17th, 2023.

The statement quoted the Steering Committee Chairman, Murray-Bruce, as assuring the public that the voting process would be credible.

He stressed that BON was committed to recognising and promoting excellence in the Nigerian broadcasting industry.

He disclosed that three special

non-voting award categories, namely Contribution to Broadcasting, Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting Award and Posthumous Award, have been created to honour iconic broadcast professionals for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian broadcasting industry.

“To vote, members of the public are to visit tnbawards.ng, sign in with either email, Facebook or Google account, proceed to ‘select category’ enter the number of votes and click vote,” the statement added.

kind of intimidation from any of the parties and their supporters.

“I call on all supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and all patriots to remain calm and be respectful towards the judiciary and be ready at all times to respect and defend the judiciary and our constitution no matter which way the wind blows.

“Any attempt to destroy the judiciary as these characters are bent on doing, is an invitation to another Sudan.

“Just as they often issue the empty boast that they are a different movement and the judiciary should not ‘mess’ with them, they will soon realise that the judiciary is also a different kind of institution with which they cannot ‘mess’ with,” he wrote.

Describing the persons as partisan clowns, Keyamo alleged that the members of the group are loyalists and supporters of a known political party, insisting that the only constitutional watchdog over the judiciary and judicial officers is the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“It negates the very foundation of one of the principles of natural justice for a party to a case or its sympathisers and/or supporters to say they are constituting themselves as ‘watchdogs’ over the umpire (the judiciary) which is to decide case(s) in which they have an interest.

“That principle of natural justice is nemo judex in causa sua - no person can be a judge in a case in which they have an interest. It doesn’t matter that they are not sitting as actual judges themselves; it only matters that they have a fixed notion of what the ‘justice’ in those cases should be and are

attempting to browbeat the judiciary to navigate those cases using their own narrow compass. They think ‘justice’ is what the mob says it is,” Keyamo said.

Characterising the situation as ‘very sad’, he stated that the move smacked of brazen intimidation and threat to the judiciary, maintaining that even the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella body for all lawyers, has not displayed such ‘buffoonery, effrontery, insolence and arrogance towards our judiciary.’

He added: “There are settled principles of law that no e-thuggery or thuggery, e-intimidation or intimidation and e-nuisance or nuisance will change. The most disgusting part of this nonsense is that people who have no scintilla of legal knowledge or experience from legal practice are the ones at the forefront of this so-called comical attempt to be ‘watchdogs’ over the judiciary.

“It’s like a labourer wanting to superintend over the work of a trained and experienced engineer on site. The NBA must not bow to these cheap tactics and must issue a strong warning to its members not to be seen amongst these jesters or else appropriate sanctions should be meted out on them,” the minister said.

He advised all counsel involved in the election petitions to also caution their clients not to tacitly or directly promote or encourage such behaviour that seek to threaten or intimidate Nigeria’s justices.

Keyamo explained that the tribunals and courts should decide the cases devoid of any kind of intimidation from any of the parties and their supporters.

his

Obi: Blazing Trails after Presidential Poll

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, was one candidate who toured all the states of the country for the just concluded general elections. He did not only move around to campaign for himself, but took steps to move to various states to campaign for governorship candidates of various states, as the face of Labour Party in the country that he has become. Elections have been won and lost, and most candidates of the various political parties, including the winning and losing parties have all gone to cool off.

Mr Peter Obi is not one of them. Despite running and losing, Obi has remained unshaken, and has been crisscrossing states and towns, meeting people, making donations and presenting rousing speeches, as if he was still campaigning for any position.

In Anambra state alone, Obi has since after the election touched lives with his signature donations to health and educational institutions, two areas he has confessed to having a passion for

Shortly before the Easter holiday, at a time when the former presidential candidates of all the leading political parties had relocated abroad for a ‘rest’, Obi made three visits.

He visited Paul University, Awka, a faithbased institution owned by the Anglican Communion, where he made a donation of N10million to the institution to upgrade its facilities.

Earlier on the same day, Obi had donated N1million to a mission hospital, Regina Ceali Specialist Hospital, also in Awka.

Obi was welcomed to Paul University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Obiora Nwosu and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chinyere Okunna, who had worked with Obi in various positions, during his tenure as governor of

Anambra State.

Obi said: “This is a visit that I would have done since January this year, but as you know, I was involved in campaigns. I didn’t want what I’m doing in the education and health sector to be mixed up with politics.

As a person, I endeavour to visit at least three hospitals and three secondary schools every month. As you would see later from the cheque I have for you, it was written since January this year.

“Paul University is one institution that once in a while I intervene in my own little way. I believe that to solve this country’s problems, we need to invest in human capital development, and this means investment in health and education,

and I have always intervened in these areas, all over Nigeria. Right now, elections are over. I am no longer fighting for votes, I’m no longer doing anything, this is the time to show interest in my country. That is what I’m here to do at Paul University, today. I urge you all to do the right thing, keep doing the right thing. I believe that God will at his own time intervene, and give salvation to Nigeria.”

Obi, during the donation to Paul University said now that elections are over, he would recommence his visits to schools and hospitals, to intervene in ensuring that the effort to build human capital in Nigeria was achieved.

The presidential candidate said on his own, he undertakes the visit of at least three hospitals and secondary schools every month, to give support to them as a way of intervening in their infrastructure.

True to his words about recommencing what he calls schools and hospital apostolate, Obi also made donation to Specialist Hospital of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters, Nkpor shortly after Easter, when he returned from a trip to UK. Obi who returned straight from UK to join an event at the hospital also donated funds in millions to the institution.

For Obi, he has also proven that religion should not be the basis for relating with others. Just as he related with Christians of all domination during the Easter celebration, Obi replicated same, during the Eid El-Fitri celebration of Muslims.

In Anambra, Obi took the opportunity of the Muslim celebration to visit adherents of the Islamic religion in Onitsha and Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

During a visit to Hausa community in Onitsha, Obi pledged support for them, to help rebuild their mosque, while also stating that he has in several ways come to their aid and never failed to visit and celebrate with them,

during any festival. He added that there was no difference between Christians and Muslims, as both were created by same God.

He said: “The only thing that brings division among us is politics. Once it’s time for election, some politicians engage in divisive campaign, but it should not be so. One of my businesses is run by a northerner from Kano, and the business is doing well. You all are my brothers, and I am your brother. Today is not for politics but for celebration. I came after election because if I came during politics, people would have said it is because I am running to be president.

“No one has supported the Muslim community in Anambra like myself. This mosque was demolished at some point, but when I became governor I rebuilt it the way it is today. We see you as part of us, and I want to assure you that no one can stop you from living here and carrying out your businesses. I live here in Onitsha, and if there is any need to contact me, always do so. If you need me in the area of healthcare and education, feel free to call on me, because those are areas I’m very passionate about.”

Obi also visited the muslim community in Awka, he also pledged to help them in rebuilding their mosque too, like their Onitsha counterparts.

According to him: “I Thank you for inviting me to the mosque to celebrate with you. You wanted to come to my house instead, but I said it will be better for me to come and now that I have come, I have also seen that the mosque is undergoing reconstruction. I want to pledge here and now that I shall contribute to the work you have at hand, to ensure that you have a befitting place of worship.

Buhari as Senate Leader in 10th N’Assembly

Solomon Arogundade writes that ranking Senator Fatai Buhari has the capacity and experience to serve as Senate Leader of the 10th National Assembly

Intrigues, power play and hightech politics are presently being deployed by interested individuals as the search for the new leadership of the National Assembly gets underway.

And with talks hitting the front burner of public discourse ahead of the inauguration of the returning and elected senators in June 2023 it remains to be seen those who will lead other Senators as Nigerians yearn for better governance under the impending administration of the new president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For some political consideration, the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with 59 Senators of the 109-Senate membership, has started meeting with the President-elect, with a view of fine-tuning workable zoning formula that would put the party in a good stead ahead of May 29, 2023 inauguration date of the new President.

Prior to the arrival of Tinubu from his foreign vacation recently, interested returning Senators have been holding meetings with their colleagues in Abuja, the seat of power with the sole purpose of securing their buy-in as potential Senate President and other juicy positions at stake.

According to the senate rules, legislative returnees are the ones properly positioned to vie for presiding officers’ spots. Pundits say the convention is utilitarian by helping to eliminate rancour generated by aspirations for legislative leadership positions. When the rule is added to the deliberate zoning decision, the leadership selection becomes much more streamlined and much less acrimonious.

For instance, Order 3 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended on election of presiding and other officers, states inter alia: “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers and appointments of Principal Officers and other Officers of the Senate or on any Parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators. In determining ranking, the following order shall apply- (i) Senators returning based on number of times re-elected; (ii) Senators who had been members

of the House of Representatives; (iii) Senators elected as Senators for the first time….”

Notable four of such ranking Sena- tors who have been returned to the Senate ahead of June inauguration are the incumbent Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Senator Alli Ndume; Senator Danjuma Goje and Senator Fatai Buhari, respectively. Against this backdrop, of the four ranking federal lawmakers, Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari (APCOyo North), a Southerner of the foursome also has his name, daily ringing true among the returnee Senators, their newly elected colleagues and from within the camp of the President-elect and leadership of the party at the national, Zonal and state levels.

And reasons are not far-fetched.

Apart from satisfying the Senate rule as a third-term elected Senator (20152023), Buhari, a pious muslim was a

one time member of the House of Representatives (2003-2007) and well-loved for his resourcefulness, diligence and trustworthiness, all of which qualifies him for the Senate’s number one leadership position but for the simple reason that the new President who will soon take oath of office is a Southerner like him.

In his Southwest geo-political zone, the APC produced 15 Senators in the recently concluded 2023 general election.

Buhari is the only third term Senator of these legislators, a development that has positioned him as the primus inter pares when consideration is being made to pick a ranking Senator for the leadership of National Assembly.

Highly distinguished and armed with a doctorate degree, Buhari mixes freely with all Senators from across political divides and tribal configuration.

He is a well experienced politician who has risen from across the ladder, serving at both the executive and legislative arms of government over the years.

In his home State of Oyo, Buhari had variously occupied Special Adviser and Commissioner positions and headed a number of House and Senate Committees where his integrity has never been called to question.

A polyglot and pan-Nigerian to the core, Buhari speaks Hausa, Yoruba and English fluently with a fair understanding of Igbo dialect and culture.

On his primary assignment of lawmaking business, Buhari is a lawmaker, with vast experience and had to his credit, scores of motions and 14 bills he sponsored with three already passed; one at the Committee stage and others at the first reading stages.

According to a legislative Advocacy group, ‘OrderPaper’ in its recent mid-term National Assembly Report Card, Buhari featured prominently as one of the top 10 Senators by Bill’s Progression (Productivity Index).

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, had recently overwhelmingly voted him as the best Senator in the history

of those representing the State at the National Assembly.

He was adjudged as the best for his robust contribution to debates on the floor of the red chamber and very many mouth-watering empowerment tools and attraction of federal government projects, including facilitation of scores of indigenes of the State to secure federal government jobs.

Just last week, Buhari whose regular and timely empowerment projects were second to none, again provided constituents who are the beneficiaries of his ‘Thank You for Re-Electing me package’ with tangible items and cash support to improve their social-economic conditions.

Buhari had tagged the empowerment “Thank You Mini Empowerment Programme.”

The items distributed to the lucky constituents included 100 motorcycles, 150 sewing machines, 170 grinding machines, 70 power generating sets, 60 freezers, 150 vulcanizing machines, and cash support for 30 people.

Buhari who also made a brief speech at the event said “this empowerment is my little way of saying thank you to the great people of Oyo North for voting for me overwhelmingly for a third term in the just concluded 2023 general election.

“This is just the tip of an iceberg in the dividends of democracy that will be provided for our people with this new mandate,” he had said.

With his rising profile and popularity, Buhari is inching towards making another history as the next Senate Leader at the National Assembly as Oyo State which gave the President-elect unprecedented votes in the comity of other Southwest States earnestly yearn for federal patronage to assuage for its political capital in the upcoming Tinubu administration.

This becomes more desirous because the APC is not in power in the State and would therefore be a great accomplishment for the party to once again, have one of its own as the Senate Leader, many years after such a feat was last achieved.

-Arogundade writes from Abuja

Few weeks after the general election and the rigours of campaigns, David-Chyddy Eleke reports that the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, is back on the road meeting people and donating to worthy cause for the betterment of the citizenry.

Obi

Fatai Buhari

A MOMENT OF TRIUMPH

Udom Emmanuel urges all to cooperate with incoming governor Umo Eno to consolidate the gains of the administration, writes ABASI EFFIONG

THE FIRST FRUITS OF A CROOKED INEC

Evidence of the scope of the mess created by Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the crooked leadership of Mahmood Yakubu began to emerge this past week. It all suggests network egregiousness on a monumental scale that easily rivals the elections of 2007, until now seen as the nadir in Nigeria’s journey of elective governance.

See page 23

THE AT-RISK CHILDREN PROGRAMME

ABDULRAHMAN

USMAN LEME writes there is renewed hope that vulnerable children will receive the education and training they need to build a brighter future

As the National Judicial Council (NJC) released the names of the 257 judges who will sit to consider and decide on elections petitions around the country beginning in May 2023, it emerged this past week that so results declared by the INEC in the 2023 elections. That is already more than 70% of the 1,490 seats contested and it appears that

The relationship between election petitions and acceptability of elections in Nigeria is one of direct proportionality. Candidates and will of the people are generally disinclined to continue the contest and more expenditure through the courts. Those who do not so believe re-litigate the contest through the courts. The numbers tell the story.

Some 1,299 petitions, representing about 86.35% of the seats contested in 2007 ended up before the courts, a fact that prompted The Economist to describe Nigeria as a “democracy by court order”. With a mere 10 months to prepare and deliver the 2011 elections, Professor Attahiru Jega whom President Goodluck Jonathan appointed in 2010 to replace the rampant Maurice Iwu at the leadership of INEC, cut the number of petitions by nearly 58% to 751 in 2011. In 2015, the last election conducted under Professor Jega, there were only 677 petitions or 45.4% of

See page 23

EDITORIAL

A PLEA FOR THE EKWEREMADUS

By contrast, with four years to deliver the 2019 elections, Professor Mahmood Yakubu managed to grow the number of petitions from the 677 he inherited in 2015 to 811 petitions or 54.4% of the contested seats. the system of electoral administration under his watch, with the proportion of petitions guaranteed to be much nearer where they were in 2007. Only a fool will believe that the judiciary can clean up this mess.

In many ways, the drama that accompanied the Adamawa State governorship elections embody everything wrong with the INEC under the watch of Mahmood Yakubu. In that contest, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who goes under the appellation of “Barrister” Yunusa Hudu Ari, on 16 April of the Nigeria Police Force and allied security services, announced fake results without numbers and without authority, forcing an INEC hierarchy steeped in electoral scandal to make song and dance of disowning the declaration.

The antecedents to this development as

well as the aftermath, should detain us. Like the Chairman of INEC, “Barrister” Hudu Ari is from Bauchi State; and like the INEC chairman, he came from a supply of the Attorney-General of the Federation. In his home state, Bauchi, Yunusa Ari had worked as a civil servant, before retiring as a Permanent Secretary. He also previously served as secretary to the Bauchi Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). be appointed a REC. His claim to fame is that he was chummy with the Attorney-General of the Federation. According to Leadership Newspaper, “Yunusa was classmates with the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami”, and “the age-long relationship between YunusaAri and Malami played a crucial role in his emergence as REC.”

Less than eight months before the 2023 elections, in July 2022, President Buhari transmitted Yunusa Ari’s name to the Senate party was well known. Far from disqualifying him as the applicable laws required, these credentials of partisan propinquity made his nomination all the more appealing, elections are over, INEC admits that many of these RECs nominated by Buhari in 2022 “were clearly partisan and, to make matters worse, some were deployed to states where they had sympathy for the ruling parties.”

After Yunusa Ari’s criminal announcement of a non-existent result, the INEC headquarters intervened purportedly to disown his conduct and summon him to the Abuja. From the venue of the announcement, meanwhile, Yunusa Ari headed to the airport in Yola all the time under high level Police protection, where he boarded a private jet. He did not turn up in Abuja to answer the summons of his employers, however. Instead, the same employers went public to claim that he had police, under whose protection he acted up to the point of vanishing, suddenly announced an investigation into what happened.

If this all sounds like co-ordinated institutional hyperventilation manufactured for a cover-up, it is because it probably is. The

possibility that Yunusa Ari could have acted this script all by himself and without coordination with other agencies or with people higher up the political and institutional food chain is less than zero. It is equally impossible that he could have left Yola on a private jet that then vanished from the airspace. Air

with the Civil Aviation Authority, all federal agencies. Bringing him to account would entail unmasking this command chain of complicity and conspiracy.

Hours after Yunusa Ari’s fake declaration, Aishatu Dahiru, the serving Senator whom governorship contest, went to the Federal High Court in faraway Abuja, asking it to

She did this by way of an ex-parte application, essentially asking the court to decide this matter without hearing any of the other parties in the contest or the INEC whose REC purported to declare her the winner. The court invited her to show how it had jurisdiction over her claim. Rather than do that, her lawyers elected to ask the court for permission to discontinue the case. But, instead of granting her application, the court dismissed it.

While he is supposedly a fugitive, meanwhile, Yunusa Ari has apparently police, the security services, and suing his employers. His address is presumably undisclosed and undiscoverable. The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, whose membership he advertises when he ostentatiously describes himself as a “Barrister”, has studiously averted its gaze from the peregrinations of this its infamous member despite the demand of many of its members for the Bar leadership to take steps to discipline him. Similarly, the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation does not appear to have taken notice.

If they were to choose to, the leadership of the Bar as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation would have remembered that Rule one of the Rules of Professional Conduct in Nigeria’s Legal Profession preclude every lawyer from “any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner.”

In a country in which the richest lawyers make their billions from inventing technicalities to justify crooked election results, it is no surprise that those who lead the Bar are unwilling and unable to notice that announcing fake election results and disappearing thereafter into thin air is not something that should be associated with a lawyer, especially not one who claims to be a “barrister”. But then again, anyone who feels a need to be addressed as “barrister” is

A lawyer & a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

The numbers of elections petitions filed against results declared by the electoral body embody everything wrong with Mahmood Yakubu’s INEC, contends CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

How Fighting In Sudan Affects You

As a Nigerian, what happens in Sudan concerns you. And very much so. If Sudan sneezes, Nigeria will not just catch a cold, Nigerians may even catch COVID. The contagious effects of the war in Sudan can unleash a super spreader on Nigeria because of the solid links between them and us.

We intervened in Liberia and Sierra Leone because we are the regional superpower. So, we must intervene in Sudan to remain the West African powerhouse. If we do not intervene, what will hit us will seriously heat our polity and possibly displace us as the West African stabiliser, as I will now explain.

The war in Ukraine increased the cost of food in Nigeria because a fifth of the world's wheat, and some other food staples, come from Ukraine. But the war in Sudan will increase the cost of security in Nigeria because a fifth of all refugees from Sudan may end up in Nigeria.

If Nigeria does not actively take part in bringing peace to Sudan, we will have a massive explosion of terrorism in Nigeria. Remember what happened after the Libyan civil war? Some Nigerians in Libya came back with money and weapons, did a hostile takeover of Boko Haram, and radicalised that sect.

The same thing WILL happen if Sudan is destabilised. The millions of Nigerians there (many Nigerians have Sudanese citizenship) will return to Nigeria with weapons and money. They will make the current banditry trend look like child’s play.

It is in our enlightened self-interest to help stabilise Sudan. Unfortunately, neither President Buhari nor his foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has the clout, intellect, and vision to do this. Thus, the Nigerian Council of State ought to intervene, especially former Presidents and heads of state who identify as Muslims.

The reason I say this is because Sudan is a conservative Muslim country, and the warring parties are more likely to listen to a Muslim statesman than they are a Christian. Look, let's face some inconvenient truths.

No country in Africa will want to take a massive influx of Nigerians. The reason is that they have fears about the never-say-die Nigerian spirit, which tends to dominate wherever it finds itself.

And when the nations bordering Sudan shut their door on Nigerians, guess where they will come to? It will be a shock to our economy. Crime will increase. Insecurity will increase. Ethnic tensions will be exacerbated.

And this coming at a vulnerable time for us, when we are about to transit to a new administration? And we want to fold our hands and do nothing?

No, no, no. We are already involved. We must help ourselves by helping Sudan.

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, a federal commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, named Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, complained about the 10,000 persons now seeking asylum in Nigeria. I laughed at her complaints. 10,000, and she is complaining?

If Nigeria does not intervene to bring peace to Sudan, we will be looking at hundreds of thousands of either refugees or asylum seekers. Then what would Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim say?

Of the seven countries directly bordering Sudan, not one of them is very politically stable. Each of them has had either recent or relatively recent domestic instabilities. And that is going to make things even more difficult.

I see many Nigerians making much of a muchness about Ethiopia, allowing some other African nationals to seek refuge in Ethiopia via their land borders with Sudan but stopping Nigerian citizens. It is not as a lot of us see it.

I have been to Ethiopia 17 times. If you know what some of our citizens (sadly, almost all from a particular geopolitical zone) have done there, you may even start to pity the Ethiopian government. Ethiopia was forced to withdraw visas on arrival for Nigerian citizens in October of 2022.

Their prisons are full of Nigerians. They are just trying to resolve an internal existential crisis. The excuse they gave for withdrawing that privilege for Nigeria was because it "is aimed at better border control of movement of persons into Ethiopia given the ongoing armed conflict in the Northern part of the country."

It is easy to want to make Nigerian refugees Ethiopia's problem. But quite frankly, Ethiopia has more than enough problems to resolve. Our government has to step up and sit up.

For example, there are tens of thousands of Ethiopians from the Tigray region who are themselves refugees in Sudan due to the Ethiopia-Tigray conflict. And Chad has closed her borders with Sudan. Egypt is looking like it wants to go that route.

As such, the priorities of the Ethiopians would be their citizens first and then members of their own subregional body, IGAD, before others.

This is not new, strange, or inhumane. It is precisely what happened when war broke out in Ukraine. The Ukrainian border guards prioritised their citizens seeking to flee. Next came other Eastern Europeans, then the rest of the world. And then, just as now, Nigerians complained.

As a people, we Nigerians must stop thinking emotionally and start thinking strategically. We are, after all, a country that kicked out half a million Ghanaians during President Shagari's Ghana-must-go purge. And we did it when Ghana was going through political upheaval.

Sudan is at war. Its neighbours are in crisis mode. So, while the hot war is raging in Sudan, the colder war is going toward those seven nations and their neighbours in the form of an influx of refugees and possible further destabilisation of their dicey internal affairs.

The African Union has no higher priority right now than to ensure that its diplomacy is entirely focused on Sudan. It does not bode well to have the largest nation in Africa, by land mass fall into the hands of multiple militias, as has happened in Libya.

The resolution of the AU calling on Moussa Faki, chairman of the African Union Commission, to go to Khartoum as soon as the security situation allows is not encouraging. The reason he should go there is to make the security situation allowable. He should not be waiting for it to be allowable.

The sub-regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is ill-equipped to step in. This places a higher burden on the AU to step in because the risk of a regional and extra-regional spread is very high.

And if the issue is proving to be a hard nut to crack for the AU, then there is no shame in asking those Arab states with which Sudan has shared long-term affinity to intervene.

And I have a feeling that they may be eager to intervene since of the seven countries bordering Sudan, the most politically and economically stable, and therefore the most desirable destination for those fleeing war in Sudan, is Egypt.

And Egypt is already dealing with a relatively large population of Syrian refugees, causing some resentment among many Egyptians. So, I can see them wanting to do whatever is necessary, along with other Arab nations, to bring peace to Sudan and stem the flow of refugees into their country.

But Africa, like Nigeria, cannot afford the luxury of doing little or nothing. Already, Kenya's economy has been significantly impacted by the instability in Somalia. In fact, so problematic has the situation in Somalia proved to them that they have had to send troops in and around Somalia to protect their national security interests.

Somalia does not directly border Sudan. But there are hundreds of thousands of Somalians in Sudan,

drawn there by the conservative Islam in that country. More trouble for Somalia means a high likelihood of a spillover effect in Kenya.

It is hoped that by now, it is clear to African leaders that Sudan is too strategic to fail. If Sudan fails, Africa will flail.

I have already talked about the options for Africa. But what are the options for Nigeria? What can we do rather than the Nero-like navel-gazing of the Buhari regime?

In my opinion, the best course of action would be to negotiate a power-sharing agreement between al-Burhan and Hemetti (as Dagalo is fondly called).

Hemetti is one of the wealthiest people in Sudan. A man with as many business interests as he does can usually be persuaded to see reason.

We can offer to mediate. There are several very high-profile and respected Nigerians that have some juice in Sudan. It is time for them to do Nigeria some service by leveraging their clout to help Nigeria's national security interests. I say this because our foreign ministry, as presently constituted, would not have that capacity.

Another thing we can do is to block other nations from exacerbating the situation, by providing weapons for either side of the conflict, so that the Sudanese themselves can reach a homegrown agreement.

We can do this in conjunction with the United Nations and/or the African Union. Sudan is not a landlocked country. However, the current fighting between forces loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo is, for the most part, raging on in Khartoum and Marowe. And both places are quite a distance from the port of Sudan.

This means that both belligerent forces will now heavily depend on airlifting weapons. Nigeria can persuade brother African nations to prevent such aircraft from flying over their airspaces.

I do not know if we can enforce a naval blockade on the port of Sudan, but if we can, then it is another possibility.

Another option, which in my view is the least attractive, is to intervene in the conflict by sending troops to Sudan. But here are the drawbacks. The world would support us and even fund such a venture if

Sudan was in West Africa. But if we start intervening outside our sub-region, some global powers will feel threatened. So this comes with risks.

And Sudan itself is not a pushover. They have a reasonably decent military-industrial complex by African standards. Therefore any country wanting to go this route would like to think hard and long.

The option to intervene diplomatically to contain the conflict, and stabilise Sudan, is therefore, the most attractive.

But whatever option we or Africa take, we must note that the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action.

Reno’s Nuggets

For the best marriage, it is RECOMMENDED, but not MANDATORY, that the man must be above his wife in these ten areas:

* Age

* Finances

* Knowledge

* Praying

* Fasting

* Strength

* Tolerance

* Planning

* Wisdom, and

* Patience

Age, because men live longer when married to younger wives. Please research it. Don't just take my word. Finances, because you either foot the bill or go downhill. Knowledge, prayer and fasting because you are the priest of the home. Strength, since you are the head of the home. Tolerance because her mouth will likely be sharper than yours. Planning and wisdom, so you don't wear out your strength. And finally, patience so you don't do everything your mind tells you to do.

#RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama

Udom Emmanuel urges all to cooperate with incoming governor Umo Eno to consolidate the gains of the administration, writes ABASI EFFIONG

A MOMENT OF TRIUMPH

ABDULRAHMAN USMAN LEME writes there is renewed hope that vulnerable children will receive the education and training they need to build a brighter future

THE AT-RISK CHILDREN PROGRAMME

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL A PLEA FOR THE EKWEREMADUS

The court should temper justice with mercy

Even for someone with his reputation, the recent letter by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the Honourable Justice Jeremy Johnson of the Central Criminal Court in London came as a surprise. But many Nigerians were nonetheless delighted by his impassioned clemency plea for Senator Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice. The Ekweremadus and a United Kingdom-based Nigerian medical practitioner, Obinna Obeta, are awaiting sentencing following their conviction for the breach of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. They arranged the travel of a 21-year-old from Nigeria to London for the purpose of organ donation for their daughter, Sonia.

We commend Obasanjo for his intervention, especially at a time authorities in Nigeria seem to have abandoned the Ekweremadus to their fate. Yet, there are abundant examples in international diplomacy where nations, including the UK, had intervened to secure relief for their citizens involved in legal tangos abroad. Ostensibly to compound his problem, the Economic and against Ekweremadu at a period he was detained in the UK. “It is not hard to reason that the essence of the application for interim forfeiture by the EFCC is to give credence to the letter of 18th July 2022 to the Crown Prosecution Service and to give them further reason for continued custody of Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the United Kingdom,” Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled in January while vacating the earlier interim order he had earlier given. Meanwhile, there are many lessons to be learnt from the experience of the former deputy senate president, especially for members of the political elite and the rich. One, there is no place like home educational, and other systems so that Nigerians do

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Letters to the Editor

not have to be running into these kinds of storms. If such services were readily available in the country, the Ekweremadus would not have needed to travel to UK. Two, Nigerians must seek proper legal advice before embarking on any venture in foreign lands as cultural relativism might not apply.

Having been convicted in the UK, the Ekweremadus will be sentenced this Friday. We align with the pleas for mercy for the couple by Obasanjo. Whereas the be rationalised, it is not hard to reason that the lawmaker and his wife might have not deliberately run afoul of the law. It is on record that the Senator wrote a letter to the UK High Commission in support of visa application for a trip to the UK by the potential kidney donor to his ailing daughter. It is unlikely that someone who intended to break the laws of a country would go through that clearly documented route.

However, there is a residual responsibility that is lost on the Nigerian authorities in this unfortunate saga. The possible imprisonment of the Ekweremadus in the UK would be equivalent to the sentencing of a serving UK parliamentarian in Nigeria for a crime in our country. In any such circumstances, the government of UK would deploy back-channel options to bring pressure on Nigeria to make justice serve the needs of political and diplomatic expediency. More importantly, our government should have gone into a covert plea bargain discussion with the UK judicial authorities to repatriate the Ekweremadus for possible trial in Nigeria.

the Ekweremadus have been convicted, Nigeria failed in its protection of the sovereignty and sanctity of its legislative branch. Worse still, our country failed in the kind of staunch extra-legal measures which governments all over the world undertake to protect their image and the perceived rights of their citizens whenever they are in distress abroad.

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

LETTERS

EKPOMA-BENIN-AUCHI ROAD AS HELL ON EARTH

of how hell really looks like. So, how does this hell in Edo State look like? While travelling through the length and breadth of

something about their road.

people who claim to have been dead, and have taken a glimpse of that most uncomfortable of places. They say that while you you may have committed when you were alive.

For most of the people who claim that they have seen hell, they say they will not wish even their enemies to have a taste of it. There is the story in the Bible where the rich man burning in hell begged to be allowed a split second to come back to earth and warn his people to mend their ways so they would not join him there in hell.

If you do not want to experience some hell on earth, you will be advised to avoid the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi Road in Edo State. This road is not in the heavenlies or underground where sinners on earth, and in Edo State. You will not be dead to experience it but your chances of dying on the Benin- Auchi- Ekpoma road is very high. If you have been a sinner, sorry for you, and that’s

roads were tarred, together with the ones leading to the farms of the villagers. I have therefore found that a road is one of the social infrastructure that governments put in place as a showpiece of their investment in the social capital of some of these places. What this therefore translates to is that politicians consider the tarring of the roads leading to their villages one of the indicators

The Ekpoma-Auchi-Benin road appears as a gaping wound festering on the conscience of all the politicians in Edo State. It is an eyesore, a death trap to Nigerians plying that road and a shame to Edo State politicians. Presently, there are many of these politicians at the federal executive council in the dead Buhari administration. Others were there as members of the Senate and House of Representatives, given the mandate on the ballot to raise issues bordering on and bothering on the welfare of their peoples. But they all appear to have failed to get together to do

I have heard some of the back and forth why the road has been left to deteriorate. Among the many is this one that indicates that state government. We have taken this silly argument to Chris if indeed this is why that Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi has been deteriorating. Mr Nehikhare has been reticent, apparently he is as befuddled as we are.

But I can tell you for free that that argument is as silly as it is. Edo State in the Oshiomhole years was run as an APC state, with strong ties to the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Before Godwin Obaseki moved to the PDP, Edo State was in the APC fold. It had former governor Adams Oshiomhole as chairmanitics include heavyweights like Ikimi, Shaibu, Urhoghide, Ogbeide-Ihama, Odubu, Osagie, Iduoriyekemwen, Imasuen, Ogie, Iriase, Orbih, Akpatason, Alimikhena and Imasuangbon, all bestriding the political landscape.

Bob

MajiriOghene

Etemiku, editor-in-chief, WDONOR, cultural voice of Nigeria

Our country failed in the kind of staunch extra-legal measures which governments all over the world undertake to protect their image and the perceived rights of their citizens whenever they are in distress abroad

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

Defence of Website Operator in Action for Defamatory Publication

Page IV

Remembering Professor Jadesola Akande, OFR

Page V

QUOTABLE

‘In Uwais’ time, when we say, we did our best to make INEC absolutely independent….INEC is still going to the National Assembly or the President to beg for money, so, INEC is not independent.’ - Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President, Nigerian Bar Association

Create Special Court for Substandard and Falsified Medical Products

Page V

Prof Azinge, SAN Appointed President of C’Wealth Arbitral Tribunal

Page V

LAWYER

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

A Case for Women in Tinubu’s Government

Conspiracy Against the Female Gender

Is there a conspiracy against the female gender around the world? It seems so. For example, aside from the fact that out of thousands of male State Governors in the history of the United States of America, there have only been 49 females; here in Nigeria, we have only had one female Governor in the history of our country, Dame Virgy Etiaba CON, who served as Governor of Anambra State for just over three months, when her Principal, Peter Obi, was impeached. Peter Obi was subsequently reinstated, when his impeachment was nullified by the court. Many were hoping that Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (Binani), would emerge as Governor of Adamawa State. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen.

Let me briefly touch on the raging controversy presently going on in America, which I have been following (I will not bother to go into the meaning of ‘gender dysphoria’ since I’m neither a Psychiatrist nor a Psychologist), to buttress my point on the conspiracy against the female gender. In fact, in America, they seem to have gone beyond female gender discrimination to outright female gender destruction, with the trending transgender concept where mostly men who are obviously not women, are identifying themselves as women (some are even making millions of Dollars from product endorsements as women), and these transgenders must not only be considered and addressed as ‘transwomen’ (more like pseudo women if the truth be told, as so many of them look so masculine that they are nothing like women), they are now allowed to compete in the female category in sports (despite having stronger male bodies, thereby giving them an unfair advantage over women); use female restrooms; recently, be incarcerated in all-female prisons (interestingly, there have been no applications for women who identify as men, to transfer to male prisons!) etc.

Feminine words like ‘breastfeeding’ are now considered to be offensive (suggested substitute is chestfeeding), because of this minority who many see as perverse or having mental health issues, while children who are too young to know their left from their right, let alone old enough to drive, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, engage in sexual relations or vote, are being brainwashed from nursery school to believe they can be whatever sex they choose to be, different from what was assigned to them at conception by God, amongst other outlandish concepts. They are encouraged to believe that choosing a non-assigned sex is normal, and are given medication which is meant to change their bodies accordingly, before they start the actual physical mutilation of their bodies when they are older, for example, double mastectomies (surgical operation to remove both breasts) for girls who identify as boys.

How can a minor who isn’t old enough to buy beer at a store, be old enough to make such drastic decisions? I believe that making a decision as to having a sex change, is a serious adult decision, not for children. I have seen numerous videos of those who made the decision to change their sexes earlier in their lives, express regret about their decision which they were too young to make in the first place. See Washington Senate Bill 5599 already passed, which inter alia, allows runaway minors “seeking or receiving protected healthcare services” for a shelter for the homeless to avoid informing their parents, if there are ‘compelling reasons’ not to inform them of their whereabouts. These compelling reasons now include desire to have gender reassignment non-reversible surgeries, like hysterectomy (removal of the womb).

While I doubt that such an obnoxious law like Senate Bill 5599 can be passed in Nigeria, when even homosexuality which is now accepted worldwide remains an offence here, I still fear for Nigerians, as we are quick to imbibe foreign habits. And, with people like Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, a man posing as a woman, who has millions of followers on social media, living an ostensibly ostentatious and enjoyable lifestyle which is only made possible by his transvestism, this kind of ideology or practice may seem to be or become attractive to innocent, impressionable Nigerian children/ youths, as we are now in the age of how to make easy money and get rich quick.

Nigeria: Discrimination Against Women in Politics and Governance

I have identified a major problem - the attempt to desecrate, belittle and in America, possibly obliterate what was once known traditionally as the female gender. The reason why this trend has gained traction in America, is possibly because more men are actively involved and in support of it, and the Democrats who are currently the ruling party in Government, are so liberal that anything goes, as long as they get the votes.

In Nigeria, the discrimination against women in politics and governance (aside from socially), obviously has the tacit, maybe even obvious support of the male politicians and men folk in general. While some claim that in Africa, discrimination against women or relegating women to the back seat has its roots in our tradition, and this could very well be a fact, we still have had extremely strong women like Queen Amina of Zazzau (now Zaria), a Muslim, the most powerful African Queen in history, who ruled for 34 years as far back as the 16th century (1576-1610); so, what is the excuse for the exclusion of women from governance in Nigeria, in the 21st century?

I call on President-Elect Bola Tinubu, and the Vice PresidenElect, Kashim Shettima, who I heard once refer to himself as a ‘Committed Feminist’, in his Keynote Address at the Murtala Muhammad Foundation Annual Lecture in 2017, to deviate from this relegation of women, in the formation of their cabinet. In the many names being peddled in the rumour mill about the likely occupants of top Government positions, I have not heard one single female name being mentioned. Even though President-Elect Tinubu showed

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The Advocate

his support for having women in leading positions by being a pioneer in choosing a female Deputy Governor, Kofoworola Buckner-Akerele, women must not be seen as good for only playing second fiddle to men.

Section 42(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution) prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the basis of sex. In Anekwe & Anor v Nweke (2014) LPELR-22697(SC) per Olukayode Ariwoola JSC (now CJN), the Supreme Court held thus: “It will therefore be inhuman and injustice to discriminate against a female child on her father’s property, or a widow on the ground that she has only female children for her late husband”. This decision must also be extended beyond inheritance, to politics, governance, and all other aspects of life. Also see the case of Lafia Local Government v Government of Nasarawa State & Ors (2012) LPELR-20602(SC) per Adekeye JSC.

While PDP did a better job of including women in politics and governance, this outgoingAPC administration seems to have assisted in the regression of Nigeria, as far as gender equality is concerned. During the PDP years, apart from having more females in elective positions, there were more female Ministers in the more important and relevant Ministries like Finance, Petroleum and Aviation, and as substantive Ministers too; unlike today, where most female Ministers are junior Ministers (Minister of State) apart from Finance and obviously Women’s Affairs. Last week on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Dr Reuben Abati mentioned that out of about 1,000 women who ran for various elective positions in the 2023 elections, only about 72 or so, won their elections. All the best positions within the Party hierarchy are left for men, aside from the obvious position of ‘Women Leader’. This is inequitable and unfair, considering the fact that women are said to constitute a greater part of the electorate.

The truth of the matter is that, the mindset of the President and ruling party/government goes a long way to determine the direction which gender issues will take, in a country. From the onset of the outgoing APC administration, we could be see the direction it

would take arising from President Buhari’s famous more than embarrassing faux-pax, curiously made in the presence of a strong female European leader, Angela Merkel, about his wife belonging to ‘the other room’!

Conclusion

Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, followed by Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, both of the APC, set the ball rolling by passing gender affirmative action laws, so that not more than 65% of a particular sex occupies cabinet positions. I suggest that the incoming Tinubu administration takes a cue from them, in forming their own cabinet. And, if they fail to place women in important positions, women should retaliate by showing their displeasure and dissatisfaction in the 2027 general elections, by voting for others who have a better appreciation of women and our capabilities. Enough of this conspiracy against womenfolk!

Dear Editor

Re: 2023 Polls: Between Emotions and Legal Provisions

Dear Editor,

I read through your piece. It is excellent in all spheres. You’re just an amazingly brilliant and organised soul. Well done. Your piece of today will hurt some people, as usual; but, it’s simply the truth. Well done. God bless.

O.O, SAN

Dear Editor,

I disagree totally with you on this flagged portion, if it summaries your thoughts. This is highly emotive. This is a man that was being looked for by security agents. What was the fine involved for? Selling cassava, tomatoes or narcotics? For a country’s President-elect? Haba!!! Who owned the accounts - you or me? There is

assets-based forfeiture. In rem and in personam doctrines come in here. I've done quite a bit of cases and written treatises on this. On dual citizenship, I agree to the extent that dual citizenship is not a disqualifying factor. The offence is in filling your INEC form, and stating categorically that you do not have dual citizenship when you do. Must a country’s President have so much baggage? It's going to hurt us in the long run. Mark my words.

M.O, SAN Dear Editor,

Yes. The law may be an ass, but should simple arithmetic be so complicated? Assume we have 36 sacks of oranges and 1 sack of lemons in a warehouse, and a customer paid for 25% of the sacks of oranges and the lemons. Would the buyer be satisfied receiving 25% of the oranges from 29 sacks and zero lemons instead of 25% of oranges from 24 sacks and 25% of lemons from the lemon sack? I would want my oranges and lemons, irrespective of the law being an ass.

Another excellent article by the This Day Law Editor. S.A, SAN Salam Alaikum Editor,

Your lucid review of the key issues touching upon the Presidential election petition was absolutely brilliant. Whilst some may view it as running the risk of being sub judice, l believe it serves the public interest in enlightening the “layman”, as well as protecting the Judiciary from the unfair and uninformed criticism in the event of the judgement going either way.

You have also bravely taken the risk of being hounded by those who refuse to take “corrective criticism” à la Prof Soyinka! But, your robust intellectual premises and profound pedigree are solid shields against those who persist in throwing lemons, particularly when it is clear that they should be treated as oranges.

Beyond the inconvenient truth delivered by the last elections, it behoves the President-Elect to be magnanimous and reconciliatory, to quickly weld the ethnic and religious schism exploited by desperate politicians in the last elections. We have a great nation yet to build, and must hold our politicians and public servants to essentially create the enabling environment for more Adenugas, Dangotes , Rabius and Elumelus to thrive.

Dr A.A.R

Dear Editor,

Many thanks for your articles. Issues turning friends into enemies discussed. The title of this particular article, is very apt. Elections have been won and lost. Time to move on. I thoroughly enjoyed reading in particular your discussion on qualification/disqualification; 25% of FCT; dual nationality; forfeiture in rem and not in personam; non-transmission of results in real time, being non-fatal to collation of results. Finally, may I ask if Obi was still a member of the PDP when he was presented as the LP Presidential candidate, given the 30 day mandatory submission of list of party members?

Dr O.O., London, UK

Dear Dr O.O.,

I believe the issue of Peter Obi’s party membership, is an issue that is before the court in APC’s response to LP’s election petition. I must therefore, refrain from preempting the court by answering your question. The matter is now sub judice, and the proper thing to do, is to await their Lordships’ decision.

Thank you.

Editor

Dear Editor,

Maybe we should start looking at the legal consequences of fake news. The differences between freedom of speech, freedom of expression, libel and defamation. Apportioning responsibility for incitement, misinformation and sedition. In some other environments, treasonable felony or its attempt, might be added. But, Nigeria definitely has to encourage a code of conduct for people and entities with influence and wide coverage to exercise “due care and attention”, otherwise they should be held “accountable” for their utterances.

A.I., London, UK

Dear Editor,

Well done. Brave write up and frank discussion. Food for thought.

R. O

“….we still have had extremely strong women like Queen Amina of Zazzau (now Zaria), a Muslim, the most powerful African Queen in history, who ruled for 34 years as far back as the 16th century (1576-1610); so, what is the excuse for the exclusion of women from governance in Nigeria, in the 21st century?”

President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Defence of Website Operator in Action for Defamatory Publication

Facts

Sometime between 6th April, 2012 and 12th April, 2012, the 1st Defendant posted an article about the Claimant on her blog on the 2nd Defendant’s platform. The article which was titled “What happened to Anabel Mobile”, elicited numerous reactions and comments from people about the Claimant who is the Chief Executive Officer of Anabel Group. These comments included disparaging comments, that the Claimant was involved in illicit affairs with mistresses and women of easy virtue. Consequently, the Claimant instituted an action at the High Court of Lagos State, seeking inter alia, a declaration that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants published and transmitted defamatory material against him, through the 1st Defendant’s blog. He also sought general damages for libel and exemplary damages, as well as an order of perpetual injunction against the Defendants.

In her defence, the 1st Defendant asserted that there was no defamatory statement in the post she put up on her blog, and that the allegedly offending comments were made by anonymous commentators whom she could not control, or stop from making comments on posts on her blog.

The 2nd Defendant on its part stated that it is only a mere technical host/passive internet intermediary who does not have any editorial control or authority over user generated contents, but rather, provides a set of tools which are available to users or blog owners in generating and posting contents of their choice. The 2nd Defendant claimed it only became aware of the said libellous publication when it received a notice from the Claimant, and by that time, the 1st Defendant had already taken it down.

On its part, the 3rd Defendant stated that it is a distinct legal person from the 2nd Defendant, and that it has no involvement with the operation or control of blogging activities on any blog hosted on the 2nd Defendant’s platform.

At the trial, the Claimant testified and called five other witnesses. Essentially, the Claimant and his witnesses adduced evidence as regards the defamatory nature of the said publication, and how it negatively changed the perception of the Claimant by people who had hitherto held him in high esteem.

The 1st Defendant testified in her defence. The 2nd Defendant called a sole witness. The 3rd Defendant also called a sole witness.

Issue for Determination

The Court determined the Claimant’s claim on the basis of the following issue:

Whether the Defendants are jointly and severally liable for libel by the 1st Defendant’s publication with the attendant numerous corresponding comments posted and published thereto via the 1st Defendant’s blog, which said content is managed, controlled and edited by the 1st Defendant and jointly/severally published/transmitted by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants.

Arguments

Counsel for the Claimant submitted that a statement is said to be libellous, if being written by another, it exposes the person to hatred, contempt and ridicule. He submitted that there was a defamatory publication against the Claimant, which was transmitted to others apart from the Claimant by the Defendants; hence, they are liable for libel against the Claimant.

Counsel for the 1st Defendant argued that, the 1st Defendant cannot be held liable for the publication of allegedly offending comments made by anonymous commentators whom she had no control over, under her post. He submitted that the Claimant had not successfully made out a case of libel, against the 1st Defendant.

In the High Court of Lagos State In the Lagos Judicial Division Holden at Lagos On Tuesday, the 22nd day of November, 2022 Before His Lordship Adedayo A. Akintoye Judge, High Court of Lagos State LD/170/2012

Between NICHOLAS OKOYE PLAINTIFF And

1. LADUN LIADI DEFENDANTS

2. GOOGLE INC

3. GOOGLE NIGERIA (Judgement delivered by Honourable Adedayo A. Akintoye, J)

Counsel for the 2nd and 3rd Defendant argued that, a case of defamation would not succeed against persons who were sued on account of the subordinate roles they played in innocently disseminating materials containing defamatory contents that they were not aware of, as in the case of the 2nd Defendant. He submitted that the defence of innocent dissemination would thus, avail the 2nd Defendant. He argued further that the 3rd Defendant is a legal personality distinct and separate from the 2nd Defendant, and cannot be held responsible for any activities on the 2nd Defendant’s web platform.

Court’s Judgement and Rational

The Court held that in order to prove a libellous publication and sustain an action for libel, the Plaintiff must establish that (a) There was a publication of the offending article; (b)The publication

them to be made and to stay up on her platform, until she was forced to delete them after she was arrested at the instance of the Claimant. The Claimant thus, proved his claim of libel against the 1st Defendant.

On the culpability or otherwise of the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, the Court referred to Section 12(1) – 3(b) & (c) of the Defamation Law of Lagos State 2015 which provides that where an action for defamation is brought against the operator of a website in respect of a statement posted on the website, it is a defence for the operator to show it was not the operator who posted the statement on the website. However, the defence will be defeated, if the claimant shows that he gave the operator a notice of complaint in relation to the statement, and the operator failed to respond to the Notice of Complaint or take steps to take the statement down. The Court also relied on the decision in the English case of EMMENS v POTTLE (1985) 16 GBS that where a person who is neither the author, editor, publisher of a libellous publication, but who is a subordinate distributor such as a vendor, the defence of innocent dissemination would avail such a vendor if they were able to demonstrate that they did not know that the publication contained a libellous statement, that their lack of knowledge was not due to any negligence on their part, and that they did not know that the publication was likely to contain a libel.

The Court held that the evidence before it showed that the 2nd Defendant was not the author or publisher of the defamatory post on the 1st Defendant’s blog. The 2nd Defendant adduced unchallenged evidence which established that, given the large volume of traffic and the speed and form in which contents are uploaded on blogs hosted on its platform, there was no realistic means through which all the contents could be screened by the 2nd Defendant towards detecting and preventing publication of defamatory content. It was also established that the 2nd Defendant only became aware of the said defamatory content when it received the Claimant’s written complaint, long after the 1st Defendant had deleted the post. The 2nd Defendant’s lack of knowledge, was also not shown to be due to negligence. The 2nd Defendant could not therefore, be said to have defamed the Claimant.

was in writing;

(c) The publication was false and defamatory of the Plaintiff;

(d) The publication was made by the Defendant; (e) The publication was made to another person(s) apart from the Plaintiff and; (f) The Defendant had no justification or lawful excuse for the publication against the Plaintiff. The Court relied on OKECHUKWU v UBA PLC & ANOR 2017 LPELR – 43100 CA.

In determining the 1st Defendant’s liability for libel against the Claimant, the Court held that the documentary evidence before it showed that there was a publication about the Claimant made by the 1st Defendant in writing on her blog, and the publication together with the corresponding comments were false and defamatory of the Claimant, as no one had come forward to say otherwise. It was also not in doubt that the publication was made by the 1st Defendant to other persons apart from the Claimant, without any established justification or lawful excuse. In line with the principle that the test used in determining whether the words complained of are defamatory is that of a reasonable person, the testimony of the Claimant’s witnesses who had not been shown not to be reasonable men, showed that the libellous article and corresponding comments negatively changed their perception of the Claimant. Furthermore, the 1st Defendant had admitted that she had the ability to delete comments under her posts. However, rather than delete the disparaging comments made against the Claimant under her post, she enabled

Regarding the 3rd Defendant, the Court held that although the Claimant had argued that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants are one and the same, however, he did not furnish any evidence before the court to prove this. Rather, the 3rd Defendant tendered its Memorandum and Articles of Association as proof that it is a legal entity separate and distinct from the 2nd Defendant, and that it had no involvement in the operation, management or control of the 2nd Defendant’s platform or the 1st Defendant’s blog. Documentary evidence which emanated from the 2nd Defendant, also corroborated this position. The Defendant didn’t therefore, defame the Claimant in any way.

The Court made a declaration that the 1st Defendant published and transmitted defamatory content against the Claimant on her blog, and awarded against her general damages in the sum of N10million for libel in favour of the Claimant. The Court also awarded cost of the suit in the sum of N1million in favour of the Claimant, and made an order of perpetual injunction against the 1st Defendant. The Court however, refused the Claimant’s prayer for exemplary damages, on the ground that he failed to establish his entitlement to the same.

Representation

Chief Emeka Okwuosa Esq. for the Claimant. O. A. Uzebu Esq. for the 1st Defendant Sadiku M. Ilegieuno Esq. for the 2nd & 3rd Defendants Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

“….where an action for defamation is brought against the operator of a website in respect of a statement posted on the website, it is a defence for the operator to show it was not the operator who posted the statement on the website”

Honourable Adedayo A. Akintoye, J

Remembering Professor Jadesola Akande, OFR

It was exactly 15 years ago, on Tuesday, 29th April, 2008 that a rare gem was lost, Professor Jadesola Olayinka Akande OFR (nee Esan), former Pro-Chancellor of FUTA, Akure, Ondo

State, and former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU). She was Constitutional Law Guru par excellence. As Vice Chancellor, she put LASU, especially its Law Faculty,

on the map of Nigeria, Africa and the world, with students from LASU earning First Class Honours at the Nigerian Law School during her tenure.

Professor Akande was a

Prof Azinge, SAN Appointed President of C’Wealth Arbitral Tribunal

Nigeria’s Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN who was recently elected President of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal, now sits and presides over arbitration cases at the Tribunal at its London Secretariat.

In a chat with THISDAY

LAWYER Editor over the weekend, Azinge said “I am currently presiding over cases at the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal in London as President”.

H.E Judge (Prof) Epiphany Azinge OON, SAN, is the first ever African and Black person,

to occupy this position. Azinge who has had years of teaching experience aa a Senior Lecturer at the University of Benin Law Faculty, was the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies (NIALS) until he retired from the Institute.

renowned Lawyer, Academic, Author and Teacher of Teachers. She was always at the forefront of gender, women and human rights issues, more particularly in her legal constituency, and in general. She took over Directorship of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), University of Lagos after the much

revered Honourable Justice

Akinola Aguda. She was the Founder of the Women Law & Development Centre (WLDC), where she impacted many lives with raising awareness of civil and legal rights of Women and Nigerians in general. She was a member of the 1987 Constitution Review Committee. She also served her nation

doing Pro Bono work in various capacities, such as Founder of the Family Law Centre, and as Chairperson of Continuing Legal Education of Nigeria (CLEAN).

Mother of Honourable Justice Adenike J. Coker of the Lagos State Judiciary, Professor Akande was the dutiful wife of late Chief Debo Akande, SAN.

Create Special Court for Substandard and Falsified Medical Products

Stories by Steve Aya

The war against substandard and falsified medical products in Nigeria, can only be won if

Retiring Judge Laments FG's Disobedience of Court Orders

Retired Justice Oluremi

Omowunmi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, has stated her regret while in service is that court orders are not obeyed by agents and officials of the Federal Government.

She stated this last Thursday, during her valedictory session. She expressed regret on judicial impunity by the Government, and also opposed the increase in the retirement age of Judges, advocating instead for infrastructure to reduce handwriting for Judges.

Citing the judgement she delivered in Suit No. FHC/L/ CS/1497/2017 where she ordered the Federal Government to recover pensions collected by former Governors now serving as Ministers and members of the National Assembly, Justice Oguntoyinbo said the judgement was yet to be obeyed by the Federal and State Governments.

“I remember with pride my landmark judgement in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1497/2017 delivered in November, 2019 - Registered Trustees of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) v The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice - where I ordered that “States should urgently institute appropriate legal

#upjudicialsalaries

action to challenge the legality of State Laws permitting former Governors who are eventually Senators and Ministers to enjoy retirement emoluments, while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political office, and to identify those involved and seek full recovery of public funds from the former Governors.

“Regrettably, that order is yet to be obeyed. I find it very disappointing, that court orders are often not obeyed. If there’s anything I wish to change, it is the impunity towards judicial decisions and the disrespect for the Bench. I also feel saddened by the inadequate recognition of the work of Judges, despite the high qualifications for appointment to the Bench, and the pitiable salaries of Judges which have remained static for several years.

“I am retiring ahead of my time, because I had surgery to reset my right hand in October, 2022 which needed six months to heal. I had suffered this ailment since 2019 but continued with my job, since being a Judge in Nigeria requires significant writing. As one who enjoys writing, I could not imagine how to continue to serve as a Judge, without being able to write; this coupled with my Husband’s encouragement,

brought about the decision to retire from the Bench.

“I have heard from some sources, that there is a plan to increase the retirement age of Judges from 65 to 70 years. It is my humble submission that, in view of the circumstances prevailing in our country, retirement age for Judges should remain at 65 years, unless the Government is ready to put infrastructure in place to avoid long handwriting for Judges, which in itself results in deterioration of the health of the Judges. Apart from that, there should be in place, mechanism to discourage frivolous litigation on the part of the Lawyers, and appropriate remuneration for the Judges.”

Earlier in his speech on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN called for the review of the salaries and emoluments of judicial officers in the country, saying that the condition of serving judicial officers is appalling.

Dr Babalakin stated that the present remuneration of Judges in Nigeria, cannot attract the best of hands from the Bar. He cited the example of the then Western Region in 1964, where the government of the region paid Judges higher salaries than

the Central Bank Governor. This he said, was done to entice the best of brains into the system.

He said: “This impacted positively on the judicial system of the region at the time”.

In his welcome address, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, commended Justice Oguntoyinbo for having served the court and the nation for 10 meritorious years, with her health and integrity unscathed.

Justice Tsoho said: “It is a great achievement for a Judge to serve, especially this country, and retire without blemish. Justice Oguntoyinbo could be profiled as peaceful, very firm, friendly, humane, honest, generous, incorruptible, and hard working. She is very dogged in the pursuit of her rights and entitlements”.

The Lagos State AttorneyGeneral, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, who also spoke at the valedictory court session, lauded retiring Justice Oguntoyinbo for her impartiality, fairness, and fearless approach to the dispensation of justice.

Onigbanjo said Oguntoyinbo demonstrated a deep commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the rights of the vulnerable, and ensuring that justice is done in every case before her.

a special court can be created for it.

This was one of the burning issues discussed at the a seminar organised by Attorney General Africa (AGA-Africa) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) with the theme, “Combatting the Menace of Substandard and Falsified Medical Products”. Most of the participants lamented the lack of strong laws with heavy penalties, to deal with those caught in the act.

The Registrar of the PSN, Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, while speaking at the event, lamented the lack of bite from the Judiciary, and gave an example of how they were able to trace a fake products producer to their base in China, where they were prosecuted within days; the matter has been in court here for years. He further added that, the task force of the PSN have so far closed down over 300,000 drugs shops found not to have compiled with the nation’s drug law, and stated that these fake drug barons have also relied on the court to stop the task force from working.

Also speaking at the event, a Panelist from Ghana, called for a special court to be created to handle all drug related issues, as well as training for law enforcement officers, especially the Police

and court officials.

Mr Williams Agbavitor, who is the Acting Head Legal, FDA, Ghana, also called on all participants to improve their knowledge of the law, especially the drugs law, as that will help a lot in the fight against substandard and falsified medical products.

Also speaking the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by a Pharmacist, Fraden Bitrus, spoke about the lack of funds and understaffing, as some of the factors affecting the fight against substandard and falsified medical products in Nigeria.

He called on Nigeria Pharmacists to close ranks and collaborate, both locally and internationally, because the fight is one that can be won.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Country Director of AGA-Africa, Mrs Ebelechukwu Enedah said that the high presence of substandard and falsified medical products in Nigeria is worrying, hence, the need to urgently look for ways to reverse the trend, because of the dangers it poses to the society.

She also restated the commitment of AGA –Africa towards this fight, starting with the collaboration with PSN leading to the hosting of the Seminar.

Professor Jadesola Akande, OFR

“The Committee notes the judicial remuneration packages in two African Countries, namely Ghana and South Africa. Comparatively, remuneration of the Nigerian Judiciary is lagging behind by far, in terms of annual remuneration including benefits and allowances.” - NBA Working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service

H.E Judge (Prof) Epiphany Azinge OON, SAN

A cross-section of Participants at the Workshop on Regulating Substandard Medical Products at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

In the past few years, a considerable number of Lawyers have either been kidnapped or outrightly murdered, and the figures seem to be escalating. Magistrates, junior and senior Lawyers, and even Judges, have been kidnapped in different parts of the country, or murdered. In February, while presiding, the President of Ejemekwuru Customary Court, Imo State, Justice Nnaemeka Ugboma was dragged out of the court and shot dead by gunmen. In 2013, A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of the nation’s most outspoken human rights activists, Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN was kidnapped in Edo State, and spent several harrowing days in the hands of his captors. However, the kidnap of a past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali, SAN, two weeks ago, howbeit for the second time, having been kidnapped in October, 2014, has elicited a nationwide outcry. Things have never been this bad for members of the legal profession, and the threat is palpable and inexplicable. Are Lawyers now targets of kidnappers and murderers? Is the profession being profiled? Why Lawyers? What must Government do, to secure the lives and property of Nigerians? A kidnap survivor, Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN, recounts his ordeal in the Kidnappers' den, while Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Nosa Edo-Osagie, Kunle Edun and Major Ben Aburime (Rtd) examine the issues, and proffer solutions to this growing monstrous national malaise of insecurity.

The Story of My Kidnap

Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN

The Prevailing Atmosphere of Insecurity

The full story of my kidnap between August 23, and September 12, 2013, will be told someday. I am already working on it. But, because the kidnap itself is a reflection of the contradictions inherent in the Nigerian society. I have decided to let out a tip of the iceberg here.

There is no doubt that kidnapping for purposes of ransom in Nigeria has almost assumed invincibility in proportion and the operation and frequency of it, has reached a frightening crescendo. In the South-South and South-East, in particular, kidnapping has become the lucrative occupation of undesirable social elements, who audaciously prowl, even in broad day light, the insecurity-infested highways, looking for their next victim. Their past victims cut across all strata of the society, as no one is spared; Judges, Lawyers, businessmen,

hoteliers, medical doctors, traders, local chiefs, expatriates, movie stars, adults, teachers, males, females and children.

My Kidnap, How it Happened

My involuntary and fortuitous journey into the kidnappers den began at about 2.45pm, on Friday, 23rd August, 2013, along the now notorious kidnapping hot spot of Benin-Auchi expressway, the valley before Ehor, surprisingly few poles from the Ehor Divisional Police Post. I was travelling in my Prado SUV, alone with my driver, Mr Chinedu Ruben, having left Benin earlier to pay a condolence visit to my relatives in Iviukwe town, my home town, near Agenebode, in Etsako East LGA, to commiserate with the extended Ozekhome family over the loss of the then family Head and Ukpi Drummer, Chief (Alhaji) Yakubu Dick Abu Özekhome.

I had also planned to visit Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, a friend of mine, some brothers and sisters of the Knights of St. Mulumba, towards a 3rd Degree examination, which I was to take

part in the following morning, at St Mary Mount Secondary School, Agbor. Thereafter, I had intended to visit a friend of mine, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who was celebrating his well-earned Chieftaincy title at Onicha-Ugbo, I was on the phone with a brother Knight, Brother Adumaza, receiving a call on the said Knights promotional examination, when my driver, Chinedu, suddenly slowed down the Prado SUV and notified me that there appeared to be a road block ahead, and that from the way and manner of the movements, he suspected that the individuals who mounted the road block were armed robbers. I immediately instructed my driver to make a quick U-turn and head back to Benin. As he tried to do so, some fierce-looking and bare-faced men suddenly emerged from the bushes, menacingly pointing automatic assault rifles at me through the wind shield of my vehicle. They threatened in screaming voices, to blast my brains out and kill me instantly if we dared to attempt any escape, or even moved an inch further. At that point, I instructed my driver to stop the vehicle and co-operate with our assailants to avoid the threatened infliction of injury, grievous bodily

“My experience was most horrific, spine chilling, psychologically traumatic, physically debilitating, psychically draining, spiritually exerting and mentally shattering”

Kidnap Victim

Past NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN

Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

harm and even death, on us. For, it was clear to me, from the fierceness of their looks, the high pitch of their threatening voices and the type of dangerous guns they wielded, that they meant every word of their threat to kill us instantly, if we moved an inch further. In front of us was a white Hilux bus, whose occupants appeared to have been kidnapped, immediately preceding ours. I was later to discover over four hours later when we were evacuated by the fringes of a forest, that the occupants of the Hilux bus were Mr Athanasius Ugbome, an APC Chieftain and his friend, Mr Maka Omorogbe, who had just returned from Canada.

My driver and I were forcefully dragged out of the vehicle, and the kidnappers demobilised the SUV by shooting at and deflating one of the tyres. Thereafter, my driver and I were taken into another waiting vehicle, a Saloon car. I did not see my driver, for the next four hours.

I was later to discover that the Kidnappers had thrown the driver into the booth of their get-away vehicle.

My kidnappers, during the journey, roughly frisked me, collecting my physical cash, complimentary cards and my ring, wrist watch and chain. I was sternly warned to either lie down flat on the floor of the vehicle, or sit up, calmly, with my eyes tightly closed, like a passenger on a normal journey. The kidnappers threatened to blow off my brains, if I "tried anything funny". As the journey progressed, the kidnappers who probably had been going through my complimentary cards and contact list, asked me for my name, occupation, how long I had been in my profession, my place of origin and such introductory and preliminary questions. I told them my name, that I am a Lawyer, that I have practised law for 32 years. To their question as to how many companies I operate, I told them I only practise law, as I am not a businessman. Their leader's answer was that they would know my true identity if I lied, through media reports the following day. The kidnappers, apparently satisfied with my preliminary answers, and that they had caught a “mega” fish, stated that my complimentary cards corroborated my names, qualifications, titles and profession. The leader told me laconically, "you are a honest man".

The Killing of Four Policemen on a Rescue Mission

Having driven a few metres from the scene of my kidnap, my kidnappers began discussing amongst themselves about their exploits in earlier kidnaps, when suddenly the driver sighted two on-coming vehicles which he perceived to be on their trail, and soon discovered that the two vehicles in question were Police vehicles. They resolved amongst themselves to engage the Policemen in a gun duel, because, according to them (kidnappers), there was "no retreat, no surrender". They promptly disembarked from their vehicle, marched towards and laid ambush for the Policemen who, not apparently aware of the kidnappers and their fire power and capacity, innocently ran into the kidnappers who bloodthirstily gunned down the four innocent Policemen in cold blood.

After the gun duel, I heard the kidnappers boast of their earlier exploits and triumphs over Policemen and members of SARS, (Anti Robbery Squad), whom they triumphantly claimed to have always killed like flies, with none of them (kidnappers) dying, or even sustaining any injury whatsoever. The four heroic Police officers that were brutally murdered are ASP Sunday Paul Ajaka, Inspector Sunday Ewesiihini (driver), Inspector Michael Apada and Inspector Bakari Kong. May their dutiful souls rest in perfect peace, Amen.

Kidnappers' Abode and Rules of Engagement

After the tortuous journey that spanned over four hours through a labyrinth of roads, bush paths, highways, and swampy terrains, my driver, myself and some other persons who were

earlier kidnapped, Ugbome, Omorogbe and their drivers - were brought to a squalid and decrepit building where we were promptly locked up. The kidnappers later drove us in the night to another building, using the flood light of their vehicles intermittently in the forest. While there, we noticed that there was a woman who had earlier been kidnapped with her two sons and a daughter, and two other women and their drivers, who were also held captive, pending payment of ransom on them. We were all given the kidnappers' code of conduct, or modus vivendi. For instance, we were warned never to look at the face of any of the kidnappers, as doing so would attract immediate death. We were also warned to always turn our backs on the kidnappers, face to the ground, at their approach, or whenever we were being addressed by the kidnapping lords of the jungle. Our interactive overseer informed us that he was a "General", and that our kidnap squad was comprised of three "Generals" who jointly carried out the operation in which I and others were kidnapped. This, they warned, had made the kidnap more onerous and our ransom much higher. The other two male captives of the Hilux bus, Mr Ugbome and Mr Omorogbe, were kept with me in the same dingy, hellish, mosquito-laden room, while our drivers and other drivers were kept together in another separate room.

A Rare Insight Into the Kidnappers' Modus Operandi

My experience was most horrific, spine chilling, psychologically traumatic, physically debilitating, psychically draining, spiritually exerting and mentally shattering. This is but a near accurate description of the experience, at the detention centre where the kidnappers kept us. Every day at the detention centre, there were threats from the kidnappers that they would kill us and "chop" us up into pieces of meat, and send our body parts in plastic bags to our families. They said they would carry out their threats, so

that the Nigerian State would know there is no security in the country.

The day after we were kidnapped, they came to us and asked, "do you have someone you wish to contact". I said yes, giving them the names of my wife, and my bosom friend, Barrister Benson Igbanoi. The kidnappers then brought out my phones which they had earlier seized from my Prado Jeep after my kidnap, fixed the batteries back and told me to scroll out the numbers of my contacts, which I did. The kidnappers contacted my wife and friend. They handed over the phone to me on each occasion, and finally I was able to speak to my wife after three days of great suspense, uncertainty, threats and fear. The kidnappers took me out of our room, made me face the wall amidst arms, and informed me that my family must cough out to stay alive and unhurt. The alternative, they threatened, amidst a whopping sum of N850 million to have me released with a dirty, resounding slap, would be instant death.

The eerie masked men, numbering over fifteen, made death a close ally. The surroundings, exacerbated by the presence of heavy guns, and I wondered where my family would raise that kind of money. It was fear of death, fear of harm and fear of fear.

I politely told my kidnappers that neither my family nor friends, had that kind of money.

Our detention room was wet, dirty, squalid, dingy, smelly, yet very hot. About a week later, one of the kidnappers came to the room and finally opened a window so that we might get some fresh air. We were happy. We thanked him profusely. Unfortunately, that singular act of kindness was the opening of a new chapter of challenge, an invitation to a colony of angry, blood-thirsty mosquitoes from the forest, that feasted on us over night like a barbeque. This immediately caused us a serious bout of Malaria. The kidnappers told us, when we complained, that a medical doctor would come and treat us with drugs. The Doctor came to our detention camp the following day, treated us, and we started to stabilise.

On September 5, 2013, twelve days into our kidnap ordeal, I fell very ill for the second time. I sweated profusely, with my cell mates fanning me with our wet dirty singlets and boxer shorts. The kidnappers had to bring back their medical doctor who, after diagnosing my illness, employing stethoscope and thermometer, gave me two injections for malaria and intravenous transfusion for typhoid. It was very traumatic and frightening, as I was not sure if the injections and transfusion were not poisonous, even though they had assured me, they were not. They told me point blank they would not poison me as they wanted me alive, rather than dead, to be able to pay the heavy ransom they had demanded.

In terms of their organisation and modus operandi, I can say clearly that the kidnappers constitute a very well organised segment

of our society. There were apparently not less than 25 fully armed kidnappers guarding our camp at any given point in time, with large cache of automatic weapons. They boasted that they could readily take on a whole battalion of security forces, in a battle. The kidnappers made it clear, that they were holding me for payment of ransom money. But, they also warned that payment of such ransom did not necessarily guarantee us safe delivery to our families.

These youths of Nigeria threatened that during the next election in 2015, they would be very violent, as they would come out to fight, unleash mayhem and kill all politicians, whom they claimed, had impoverished them. The kidnappers told me that if the government inaugurated an amnesty programme, they would readily come out and give up their weapons, and remove their hoods and masks. Some of them complained they had been unemployed for five or more years, some for sixteen, after completing their University education. The kidnappers told me that since they could control some parts of Nigeria, including highways, footpaths and forests, it showed that Nigeria has broken up into tiny units, piecemeal and instalmentally, under control of different groups. This, they argued, was why the prediction has been made that Nigeria would break up by the year 2015. Their reasoning and logic, were spine-chilling.

Media Activities

and Reactions to My Kidnap

While in the jungle, the kidnappers engaged us during nightly interactions in frenzied dialectics in history, political science, ethics, logic, philosophy, etc.

The Commissioner of Police had given a marching order to rescue Ozekhome. “As we speak, a massive manhunt has been launched by the Police in the State to rescue the Lawyer and apprehend the criminals that abducted him.” The kidnappers were aware of this.

Ransom Demand

It is pertinent to state at this junction, that notwithstanding the public outcry, pleas, appeals and condemnation that followed my kidnap, the kidnappers tenaciously held on to me and even made audacious ransom demand of N850 million! While negotiations over my release raged, my captors upped their bargaining power through intense psychological and sometimes physical intimidations, by generously issuing out threats and ultimatums to my family members and Barrister Benson Igbanoi, as to the exact amount to be paid and modalities to secure my release, while at the same time, making it clear they will not hesitate to snuff out my life if their demands were delayed or not immediately met. For this reason, prayers were intensified across Nigeria by my family, friends, admirers, employees and well-wishers for divine intervention for my release, safely and unhurt.

The Further Kidnap of My Son and My Abuja Office Based Lawyer

About 14 days after my kidnap, Barrister Ilugbekhai Ozekhome, my son, and Barrister

cont'd on page VIII

“Every day at the detention centre, there were threats from the kidnappers that they would kill us and "chop" us up into pieces of meat, and send our body parts in plastic bags to our families. They said they would carry out their threats, so that the Nigerian State would know there is no security in the country”

Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

Dominic Ezerioha, my Personal Assistant and my Abuja office-based junior Lawyer, respectively, were accosted by my captors at a location in Benin City, dictated by my captors to meet with them for an exchange of the ransom money already raised to free me from the horrendous gulag. However, little did they know that these people constituting the roguish and satanic tribe of kidnappers had different sinister plans. For, as soon as my children (son and junior Lawyer) arrived with the money with the hope of an exchange, both Barrister Ozekhome, and Barrister Ezerioha, were themselves promptly kidnapped and brought to join me in my horrific den. It was the anguish and trauma of a lifetime. Hell couldn't have been hotter!

My

Eventual Release and Return From the Kidnappers Den

On 12th September, 2013, after a gruelling and deeply traumatic three weeks of captivity in solitary and squalid conditions, I was, along with my Son and Personal Assistant, eventually released after the kidnappers extorted huge sums of money from my family as ransom. The news of my release activated wild jubilation and thanksgiving across Nigeria, so much that the Media went into a state of frenzy, laying siege at every possible place they perceived I would show up in. Thus, the airports at Benin, Lagos and Abuja were manned in fervent anticipation by all the popular (and not so popular) media, competing with each other for a scoop on my historic experience for dissemination to an anxious public.

But, it was to Lagos I flew, on the first available flight from Benin City. In my house at Igando, Lagos, the atmosphere was electrifying, as well-wishers, friends, neighbours, staff and sundry guests converged to celebrate God, life and my safe return.

My World Press Conference

The media had already laid siege at my house. In the hot afternoon of that fateful day that the Lord had made (12th September, 2013), I addressed the media…. I specifically thanked the then Inspector General of Police, Alhaji M.D. Abubakar, for his wonderful intervention. He called my wife intermittently, to assure her everything was being done to secure my earliest release. He is a great Nigerian.

I then made the following Seven-Point demand on the Federal Government of Nigeria, during my media chat:

1. That as a matter of extreme urgency, I wanted the Federal Government to immediately grant amnesty to all kidnappers and institute an amnesty programme for them. They had told me that if they were given assurance that they will not be killed, they would be ready to agree to an amnesty deal, come out of the jungle, drop their hoods and masks, and embrace peace and dialogue.

2. That the Federal Government should declare a national state of emergency on youth unemployment and infrastructural decay.

3. That the Federal Government should not neglect the families of the four Policemen who were killed while trying to rescue me from my abductors: "It was this morning that I was briefed that those gallant officers died while trying to rescue us from our abductors. Let me hereby call upon the Federal Government to set up a special Foundation to cater for the welfare of the wives and children of these officers, so that the children can attend school up to University level".

4. I then called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution, to allow for State Police in the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution. This would ensure effective community policing. I argued that it is a common practice in the USA, where you have the FBI, CIA, State Police, County Council Police, Cities and even University Police.

5. I also called for the convocation of a

national conference to address some of the problems bedevilling the country: "As Nigerians, we need to sit down and negotiate our existence is called, whether National Dialogue, National Summit, as a country. I do not care by whatever name the conference National Conference, Conference of Ethic Nationalities, or Sovereign National Conference. The important thing is that Nigerians must sit down to discuss the National question and seek the way forward", I argued that the loud silence about our problems will ultimately terminate Nigeria if we did sit down to dialogue.

6. The need to practice true federalism: "We need to retool and reengineer Nigeria and bring about true fiscal federalism and resource democracy", I urged.

7. I then called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to tackle the hydra-headed problem of corruption in the country, corruption which I argued, had become the 37th State of Nigeria. I said, "We must kill corruption, or else corruption will kill us all".

Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN, Human Rights and Constitutional Lawyer

Kidnapping, Killing of Lawyers: Way out of an Existential Logjam

Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN

Introduction

It will not be a frivolity nor an act of pessimism, neither will it be one of a hyperbolic sport on an existential crisis, to state that, as one writes, scores of Nigerians are being kidnapped somewhere in different locations across the country. The grimmer perspective to the above is that, not every victim of the horrendous but seemly helplessly pervasive act is likely to come out of it alive. Many a victim, may be killed!

Uncannily, for reasons yet to be deciphered, in the rising cases of kidnap in Nigeria, members of the legal profession, or their significant others, appear to be the attractive option. The more disturbing

side to it is that, members of the esteemed profession on the Bench, that is, Judges and Magistrates, are not spared, adding thereby to the current disturbing trend of wanton violation of the sanctity of the profession and desecration of the sacredness of the temple of justice.

Two Kidnappings of Okey Wali, SAN

A peep into the recent past will, sadly, present one with gory incidents of kidnap and killing of Lawyers and Judges across the country. The latest in the tally of abductions of our colleagues, is that of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Okey Wali, SAN, who was abducted about two weeks ago, and as at my writing of this article, is still being held by his captors. Incidentally, it is the second time such an unfortunate fate has befallen the former NBA No.1. In October, 2014, he was abducted in Rumualogu Town, Akpor, Rivers State by unknown gunmen, in circumstances not dissimilar from the nascent one. He only regained his freedom a week or so after.

The Legal Profession and Nigeria’s Crime Diary

Quite apart from the above, the country’s crime diary mournfully testifies to many gory incidents of kidnap and killings of Lawyers, Judges and Magistrates across the nation. In March 2021, kidnappers abducted and killed Francis Onwuachi, Esq., Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onitsha Branch. Prior to this time, on Sunday, 1st September, 2022, a former Chairman of the same Branch, B. C. Igwe, Esq. and his wife, Abigail Igwe (also a Lawyer), were brutally murdered by persons suspected to be assassins. The sad event occurred in Awada Layout, Onitsha, Anambra State. Again, sometime in April, 2015, the Chairman of NBA, Ughelli Branch, Austin Icheghe, Esq., was gruesomely murdered in his residence, right in the presence of his family and without any consequences.

In March 2011, High Court Judges in Imo State were forced to embark on a strike to protest the abduction of one their colleagues, the Honourable Justice Theophilus Nzekwe. Justice Nzekwe was not the first victim. A year earlier, the President of the Imo State’s Customary Court of Appeal, Mr Ambrose Egu and a Senior Magistrate, Mrs Pauline Njemanze, were abducted at different times near the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. On October 30, 2019, it was the turn of the Hon. Justice Chioma NwosuIheme, then Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, to be abducted. It happened in Benin City, Edo State, where unknown gunmen unleashed a reign of terror on His Lordship and her aides. In the process, her security detail, a Police Inspector, was murdered. The now retired jurist spent 14 agonising days in the kidnappers’ den, before she regained her priceless freedom. Before Justice Nwosu-Ikpeme’s abduction came, that of High Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor of Law of several local and internationally-accredited Universities, an avid commentator on national issues and holder of countless chieftaincy titles of many communities in Nigeria. He was randomly kidnapped at the Benin-Auchi

motorway on 23rd August, 2013 and held for ransom, for about 20 harrowing days before his eventual release. Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, SAN, wife of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, and their daughter, were also kidnapped along Lagos-Benin Road, Edo State on May 10, 2013. They were taken to Sapele, Delta State, where they were released 18 days later.

Sometime in September, 2021, a former Chief Judge of Abia State, the Hon. Justice Nnenna Oti, was abducted in Orlu, Imo State. Seven months earlier, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Owerri, the Hon. Justice Rita Pemu, took her turn to navigate the perils of abduction and possible assassination. So too, is the Honourable Justice Hasanna Garuba, now a serving Judge of the Edo State High Court, who as a Senior Magistrate in the Edo State Judiciary, was kidnapped in 2016 and 2020 respectively. The list is by no means exhaustive

A Way Out?

In suggesting a way out of the crises of abduction and killing of Lawyers, it will amount to playing the ostrich to even remotely think of any tailor-made panacea against the vices for Lawyers alone, outside of the required all-inclusive remedy for the entire society of Nigeria, chief of which is the direly-needed, but presently non-existent effective political leadership, to give the country a clear direction. At the moment, Nigeria is a completely dislocated nation. Issues such as pervading injustice, youth unemployment, poverty, spiralling inflation, official corruption, dearth of or decaying social amenities, erosion of (our) foundational moral values and dysfunctional educational curricula across all levels have sadly become our lot. It is thus, beyond any argument, that it is the sum total of the above that has birthed the current hydra-headed monster of insecurity confronting us as a nation and as a people. This is the real threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence.

By and large, the legal profession is only but a fabric of the society. It is inconceivable that it can or will exist in isolation, not even by some luxury of ingenuity, nor by any human or technological security measures. In essence, being a piece or part of the main, what affects the larger fabric of the society will, of necessity, spiral onto and impact on the legal profession.

Chief Anthony Aikhunnegbe Malik, SAN

Kidnapping of Chief Okey Wali, SAN: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

Kunle Edun

Background

Kidnapping in Nigeria is not new, and had never really been breaking news until early 2006 when kidnapping for ransom became a multi-million Naira business enterprise which saw the kidnapping of prominent Nigerians and business moguls.

“In terms of their organisation and modus operandi, I can say clearly that the kidnappers constitute a very well organised segment of our society. There were apparently not less than 25 fully armed kidnappers guarding our camp at any given point in time, with large cache of automatic weapons”

Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

cont'd from page VIII

Port Harcourt became a hotbed for kidnapping, when on January 11th, 2006, what appeared to be the first reported case of abduction of expatriates took place, when four foreign oil workers working for the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) were kidnapped by militants in Port Harcourt. This was quickly followed by the abduction of expatriates working in other oil companies, and spread to include wealthy oil magnates like the abduction of the father of late High Chief O.B. Lulu Briggs, the wife of late Chief Humphrey Idisi and the father of Chief Adawari- McPepple between 2009 and 2010.

Kidnap of Okey Wali, SAN

For the wrong reasons, Rivers State is back in the news; when in the early hours of the 17th of April, 2023 a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a former Attorney-General of Rivers State, Chief Okey Wali, SAN was kidnapped by armed men along the East/West Road in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. As at the time of writing this piece, the whereabouts of the respected elder statesman, is yet to be known.

This brings to fore the increasing level of insecurity in the country and the emerging trend of arrest, harassment and abduction of Lawyers in Nigeria, thus, making legal practitioners an endangered species, while performing their professional duties to their clients and the society.

Other Incidents

In the evening of Friday, the 23rd of August, 2013, prominent human rights and constitutional Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN was kidnapped at the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi motorway. The four policemen who responded to the distress call made by a witness, were ambushed and killed by the kidnappers. Early April, 2023, news emerged also that one Dr Azubuike Dike, the Lawyer for the APC in Rivers State and a brother to the Legal Adviser of the APC in Rivers State, were abducted in Port Harcourt. We also note the recent incident of the hotel room of Lawyers being invaded by armed Policemen from the Rivers State Command, and election materials in their custody seized without any search warrant shown. Impunity everywhere.

On the 2nd of February, 2022, three Warri-based legal practitioners, including Mr Fred Aburu, were kidnapped by some persons alleged to be herdsmen while on the Ekpoma/Auchi Road on their way to a Court. Again, on Monday morning, January 9, 2023, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted the President of the Igueben Area Customary Court, Mrs Precious Aigbonoga. Aigbonoga around the Ugoneki axis, on her way to court in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. Also in June, 2021, an Abia-based Lawyer, Mr Okey Mbanaso, was abducted.

Few months after the inauguration of Olumide Akpata as the President of the NBA, 25-year-old Lawyer, Bisola Ajayi was abducted in broad day light by dare-devil kidnappers on Sunday, the 4th of October, 2020, who invaded her family house in Rumuokwurusi in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. The NBA President had to direct two of the NBA National Officers (I and the immediate past 1st Vice President, John Aikpokpo-Martins) to immediately relocate to Port Harcourt to monitor and work with the Rivers State Police Command to ensure her early release. Two days thereafter, she was released unhurt and with no ransom paid. Some of the kidnappers were arrested by the special squad constituted by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police. Her rescue was made easy, as a result of deployment of technology.

In 2014, two young Warri-based Lawyers, Horace Egwuono Dafiaghor and Samuel Ekwughanju while driving to Court in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, were ambushed and murdered by assassins. To date, the Police refused to investigate the matter in spite of pressure by the NBA, Warri Branch that the assassination was politicallymotivated.

The story of Lawyers being assaulted, threatened, intimidated and abducted is now replete in most of the States in Nigeria. Harassment by members of the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service, the Military, and now, men of the underworld has become the lot of the Nigerian Lawyer, who is only performing his professional duty of offering legal advice and representation to his clients. According to Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams (14 July, 1855 – 15 March, 1915) who was the first indigenous Nigerian Lawyer, called to the English Bar on 17th of November, 1879, a “Lawyer lives for the direction of his people, and the advancement of the cause of his country".

Fourteen days after his abduction (as at the time of writing this), Chief Okey Wali, SAN is yet to be released, nor his whereabouts known. The NBA President, Y.C. Maikyau, SAN, in ensuring that all hands are on deck, led a delegation of the NBA to visit the family of Chief Okey Wali, SAN; the Rivers State Commissioner of Police; the two Policemen that were injured and only recently, the top echelon of the Police Command in Abuja. Lawyers’ lives matter, and we urge the Inspector General of Police and the State Security Service, to be more proactive in their core responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians, which is also the primary reason for having a government.

Security Vote & Necessity of State Police

According to prominent human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN “The N240 billion earmarked for security votes every year, are diverted and pocketed by a few public officers. Lawyers need to ensure that the security votes are used to motivate the security personnel, and acquire modern security gadgets”. This again, makes the continued debate on State Police necessary. In a Federation of more than 210 million people, it is almost impossible for a centralised Police Command, to effectively manage the security challenges of the entire country. While, we hope that the institutions responsible for providing security for Nigerians up their game, let it be known that Lawyers’ lives also matter.

Bar Association

Kidnapping: Lawyers’ Lives at Risk

Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie

Introduction

Kidnapping has become endemic in the Nigerian society. It is fast becoming a lucrative alternative to armed robbery offence. The gravity of kidnapping is so intense, that it has virtually affected most persons in our society. Aside from media reports, the number of abduction cases cannot be ascertained, as there are cases either not captured by news or are unreported to the proper authorities.

The current dimension of kidnapping became alarming in the Niger Delta region, when militants in February 2006 abducted some oil workers, ostensibly to draw global attention to the dire situation in the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country. The victims were mostly foreigners. Since then, the social problem of kidnapping has spread like wild-fire in most parts of the country, especially in the south-eastern region. The targets are no longer foreigners alone; practically every Nigerian, is now a target. For instance, in the year 2008, Nigeria was placed sixth on the Global Kidnap Index by an online tourism site. This rating puts the country Nigeria among countries with serious kidnapping problems, behind Philippines, Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Edo State Kidnappings

Judges in Edo State, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria based in Benin City, and recently, a serving President of an Area Customary Court in Edo State have been victims of kidnapping. Recall also that some years ago, another senior advocate of Nigeria of Edo State extraction, was kidnapped and released in exchange for his son who came to pay the ransom. About ten years ago, the wife of a retired Supreme Court Justice and their daughter, were also kidnapped in Edo State. Sometime ago too a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch narrowly escaped joining the thousands of Nigerians who are kidnapped each year from highways and villages across Africa’s most populous country, by gangs of armed men colloquially referred to as bandits.

Okey Wali, SAN

small arms has made banditry a booming industry in a struggling economy like Nigeria. The authorities have to act swiftly, to at least end this, and show that they are in control. Peace and order is very essential in the rebuilding of our economy, in projecting that we have an investment-friendly climate.

Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie Esq., Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch

Worrisome Spate of Kidnapping and Killing of Lawyers Across Nigeria

Major Ben Aburime (Rtd)

Introduction

In a thought-provoking article, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu wrote: “Kill All the Lawyers”. In the article published on December 11, 2022, the amiable Scholar and Rights Activist, was actually lamenting the spate of kidnappings, abductions, and even killings of members of the legal profession across the country. Apparently, Prof Odinkalu got the title for his piece from William Shakespeare’s, Henry VI, Part 2, Scene 2.

The sad commentary of the kidnapping and killing of members of the legal profession is not related to practicing Lawyers alone, but has even been extended to members of the Bench (Magistrates, Judges, and even Justices of the higher Bench). A few examples here, were majorly taken from Professor Odinkalu’s piece, with a few other additions that my memory can still readily recollect.

Victims

The unenviable right of first mention goes to Mr Tamuno Igbikiberebima, a Port-Harcourt-based legal practitioner who narrowly escaped death in the hands of an amateur AK-47- wielding assailant. His bravery and desire to live was however, to save his life. This was around 17 December, 2020. Talk about surviving the Covid-19 pandemic, and nearly falling into the hands of enemies of the society. Then, enter Ken Asuete (28 August, 2016), Soalabor West on 12 March, 2020). They were all abducted in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

Kunle

Edun Esq., Immediate Past National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian

Most recent to the legal profession, is the kidnap of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Okey Wali, SAN, who was reportedly abducted in the early hours of Monday, 17th April, 2023, after his convoy was attacked along East–West Road, in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Mr Okey Wali, SAN was the 26th President of the NBA, and has served this nation in numerous capacities, as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, and his contribution to the growth of legal practice and entrenchment of the rule of law.

Reasons for Banditry in Nigeria

A combination of explosive population growth, rampant unemployment, underfunded and incapable security forces, and easy access to

As if not to be outdone, Imo State soon came onboard, when Sampson Worlu was abducted and killed at Owerri, Imo State, in November 2015. Talking about Imo State, since the emergence of Hope Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State, the spate of violent crimes has spiralled, and Lawyers have not been exempted from the fallout of the political insensitivity. There was the case of the gunning down of a Magistrate at Okigwe or so.

For the record, female colleagues have not been spared, sadly remembering the likes of Mary who was killed in the like manner her brother was killed, and Paulette Ajayi, Promise Frank Igwe, and a host of others. This is not forgetting the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal, who was kidnapped after her Police escort was killed. She was only released some days later, on terms mere mortals like us will never get to know, or if we know, can never dare reveal.

Port Harcourt/Rivers State, is not isolated

“Issues such as pervading injustice, youth unemployment, poverty….have sadly become our lot. It is thus, beyond any argument, that it is the sum total of the above that has birthed the current hydra-headed monster of insecurity confronting us as a nation…..”

Nosa Edo-Osagie

Kidnappings and Killings: Lawyers’ Lives Matter

cont'd from page IX in these gory incidents. I vaguely remember the sad cases of Chima and his spouse, both Lawyers, killed in Anambra State a couple of years back. Abductions and killings, are also not the only crimes targeted at Lawyers. Police and other law enforcement officers take delight in beating up Judges, Magistrates and even Lawyers carrying out their lawful duties. The case of Magistrate Wilberforce of the Ikeja Magisterial District of Lagos State, readily comes to mind, when His Worship was beaten up by a crop of unruly Policemen, for daring to attempt to stop them from arresting a suspect in his court. There is also the more recent case of Abdulrahman Rilwan or is it Ridwan, who was beaten to a pulp in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, for daring to attempt to correct another bunch of unruly Police officers, just like Wilberforce before him.

In yet another dimension, Bayo Akinlade, an Ikorodu-based legal practitioner, is a rights activist and convener of the legendary body, Fight Against Corruption in the Judiciary. For practising Lawyers, especially in Lagos State, who may not have heard of the name, Bayo Akinlade, or met him, if the Sheriffs and Bailiffs of the Deputy Sheriffs Section or Court Registrars, have stopped extorting money from you to do the official works they are paid to do, it is more likely to be a direct result of the fear of Bayo Akinlade calling them out, than their being “born-again”. I gladly partnered with Bayo, in his crusade. While this observation is not strictly within the scope of this enquiry, I still find it relevant in helping us ascertain and determine the probable causes and remedies for the sad situation we have in our hands.

Arguably, the trending national issue and topic in Nigeria today, is the abduction and/ or kidnapping of Chief Okey Wali, SAN in Port-Harcourt on 17 April, 2023, after killing his aide and injuring two Police escorts in his convoy. The learned silk is the 26th President of the Nigerian Bar Association, “NBA”, and this will be the second time he is being kidnapped, raising serious questions of motive, especially as there has been no word from his abductors to date.

There was also the case of the abduction of Chief (Professor) Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and in-between struggling to understand whether I was listening to the distinguished learned silk or watching a poor imitation of Hon Patrick Obahiagbon. I shall return to point shortly.

What are the immediate and remote causes of these sad abductions, kidnappings and killings, and is there a possible solution to end all this? That is what the subsequent paragraphs will seek to address.

Causes of the Spate of Insecurity Nationwide

There is no doubt that we have a sad situation on our hands, and this section will try and examine the immediate and remote causes of the problems. So bad is the situation, that one can safely say that there is a near total breakdown of law and order. It is agreed that the first line responsibility for any person’s security, is arguably that of the person. That is only as individual responsibilities go. Since the origin of modern societies and the social contract, the collective responsibility now vests in the government, so that while security is everyone’s concern, the government has the sole monopoly and responsibility to protect its citizens from both internal and external aggression, and that ability is one of the indices for judging a viable State.

It is apparent that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended), vests security squarely in the hands of the government. It is for this reason that Chapter II of the Constitution, Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy stated so in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution. For ease of reference, the relevant portions of that section is reproduced hereunder. Section 14(2)(b):

(2) It is hereby accordingly declared that:

(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of of government.

It is apparent from the above, that the

responsibility for curbing this nuisance is primarily that of the government, and where it is unable to, then it will be safe to conclude that that the government has not only failed, but that there is a likelihood of the nation-State called Nigeria, failing also. For the record, the government has the full complement of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force), including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and a host of other para-military and specialised bodies to aid it in her fight against insecurity. If, despite all this, the government still fails to curtail the menace of insecurity, it means that:

i. the leadership is either a monumental failure, which is difficult to argue against, or,

ii. the political will to act is manifestly lacking, especially where there is a perceived agenda, or,

iii. the ruling class and cache has a hidden agenda they’re relentlessly prosecuting, without putting the resilience of the people to protect themselves in contemplation.

Having identified what appears to be failed leadership, it is pertinent to note that the government is not solely responsible for this failure. There are other factors to note, and these can be stated in summary, to be:

i. unbridled corruption, whereby even the few cases that find themselves in court have a pre-determined end, depending on the size of the villain’s purse.

ii. compromised Judiciary, where many cases are determined according to what will be appealing to the powers-that-be in government, and where a dubious ex parte application, moved by a faceless counsel, can be used to remove a sitting Chief Justice of Nigeria, and where some Judges act as assistants to prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice. I have had course to write to about three of such Judges that I have had the misfortune to appear before, while still closely watching a fourth.

iii. cultism and rivalry between rival cults, whereby they kill and maim members from rival cults, and Governor Wike’s Rivers State and Governor Sanwo Olu’s Lagos State, especially in the Ikorodu areas of the State hold the unenviable record of cult-related acts of terrorism, with Sango in Ogun State trying to keep tabs with both Lagos and Rivers State.

iv. poor governmental policies whereby members of rival political parties are deliberately targeted and their means of livelihood, like hotels, places of worship and others, are deliberately demolished. Amongst this class, I will include the dubiously executed TraderMoni, Feeding of School Children, and giving cash money to the so-called Poorest of the Poor, new names for thieves and stealing.

v. poverty-driven or poverty-induced crimes whereby hunger and joblessness make people go into “trending” crimes to make easy money.

vi. deliberate subversion of the Constitution, whereby political leaders at both the Federal and State levels act with impunity, without the corresponding Legislature having the level to proceed against them by way of impeachment.

vii. inequality, whereby the government openly steals from some resources-producing areas to sustain other parts, while limiting the resources of those other areas to them.

viii. closely related to inequality is the issue of political alienation, which has tended to birth agitations for self-determination and secession.

ix. inadequate crime-fighting mechanism and Federal Government’s interference in activities of local crime-fighting bodies.

x. law enforcement bodies’ poor attitude and orientation to community policing activities, which is very far away from recommended international best standard and practice.

xi. community and communal clashes and skirmishes, whereby indigenes of one community are targeted by those of the rival communities, and Chief Okey Wali, SAN’s, case is being suspected to fall into this class, when one reads in-between the lines of the comments of the Izon clan on his abduction. While still in the military, this was largely the case I dealt with, between the people of Ngwa and Ikot Umo-Essien now in Abia and Akwa-Ibom State respectively.

xii. in the case of Lawyers and Judges particularly, either the opponents of cases they have handled or are handling.

xiii. there is also the place of politically-motivated killings.

xiv. there is also the land-grabbing mentality of those who have refused to acknowledge or admit that that we are now in the 21st Century, and that the world has moved away from the era of territorial expansion by conquest.

xv. The role of the Press.

One can go on and on in trying to identify the root-causes of insecurity in Nigeria, but they will all be branches of the problems already mentioned. Having identified the problems, the next thing is to attempt to proffer solutions. This is what the next section, will attempt to do.

Solutions

As it is often said, knowing the cause of a problem is worth more than half its cure. Having identified the problems therefore, proffering solutions.

Since corruption is at both the foundation and apex of the problems, spiritedly fighting against corruption is essential. If one has to go the way of late J J Rawlings of Ghana, so be it. The end will surely justify the means.

There should be a conscious attempt at unifying the divergent tribes that make up Nigeria, and a return to true Federalism, whereby regions are allowed to develop at their own pace and in their chosen direction. This will also mean maintaining the secularity of the nation, with minimal interference

with religion and religious activities.

Religious obedience to the spirit and the letter of the Constitution, whereby public officers are taught to know that they’re in public office to serve, and not to rule as Emperors or other monarchs.

De-centralisation of the Police Force, with every State having its own Police, as practiced in pre-military era.

The Federal Government should stop harassing and bullying the States that try promoting their various vigilante groups, because the only reason for the opposition is the ungodly use to which the powers-that-be has come to put the Police Force to use.

Closely related to this is the review of the government’s policy on gun control, whereby citizens are allowed to bear their own arms for their own protection. This is particularly relevant, because the spate of insecurity increase nationwide, soon after the present administration literarily disarmed the citizens, only for the Herdsmen to start plundering the nation, while openly porting assault rifles.

There should also be a conscious attempt at integrating every aspect of the country, and making every tribe or ethnic group have a sense of belonging.

The military should fully withdraw to the barracks and should stop being used for purely civilian duties, while the Police should be re-educated to imbibe the international best standards applicable in every civilised society.

Cultism is a crime as bad as armed robbery, and should be treated as such. Similarly, arming any group for purposes of disrupting electioneering activities should be treated like the violent crime that it is.

The Government should have the will to act to protect the nation and the Constitution irrespective of which tribe the leaders come from, and they should promote policies that allow for economic growth and prosperity of the people, not the policies that translate to gratifying their political members.

The Judiciary should stand firm and take its rightful place as the Third Arm of Government, and stop acting as the revenue-generation arm or department of the Executive.

Law enforcement, including the prison services should be geared toward reforming miscreants, not merely as punishment for the miscreants.

The Press should draw a balance between the right to inform, and indirectly promoting obscenity. I recall that the wave of kidnappings escalated soon after the Press started treating a common criminal like Evans as a celebrity, in describing him as kingpin and billionaire kidnapper respectively. Having “educated” people about the money to be made through kidnapping, it was a question of time before the disciples of that trade surfaced nationwide.

Conclusion

Needless to say, the problems the nation face can be limited to inept leadership, lack of transparency and the political will to act, coupled with the corruption and when these are adequately addressed, the rest of the fight will be easy. For now, it is difficult to say whether or not the Government is not promoting the state of insecurity, as the surest and fastest way to amassing personal wealth for the State actors.

“Community and communal clashes and skirmishes, whereby indigenes of one community are targeted by those of the rival communities, and Chief Okey Wali, SAN’s, case is being suspected to fall into this class, when one reads in-between the lines of the comments of the Izon clan on his abduction“

Major Ben Aburime (Rtd), Legal Practitioner, Lagos

Kunle Edun

Major Ben Aburime (Rtd)

Nigeria and Burden of Japa Syndrome

The spate at which Nigerians emigrate in search of greener pasture and security is a highly debated topic with its attendant brain-drain effect on the country. Recently the Nowa Omoigui Centre for the Advancement of Art, History and Medicine, NOWAS, organised a webinar where speakers analysed the syndrome, the root causes of migration trend and its impact on Nigerian society, Olawale Ajimotokan reports

Japa, is a Yoruba coinage, which in its literal connotation denotes ‘to leave for good’. It has become the new catch phrase for unbridled migration by desperate Nigerians in search of better paying jobs or other life supporting means.

But the worry is that it is not only the citizens with specialised skills in engineering, medicine, education, law and information technology that are migrating for better opportunities.

Now all manner of many of Nigerians now do so in some cases via irregular means with to work as either cleaners, cab drivers, labourers, hair dressers and mechanics among others, in the process putting their lives in harm’s way occasioned by the perilous journey they embark upon across the Sahara Desert or by attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe aboard overloaded dinghies.

The long term effect for the country is that majority of the people that are migrating or planning to are the youths who constitute the productive population of the country.

A recent survey by the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey revealed that seven out of 10 Nigerians are willing to relocate to other countries for various reasons, with a good number of them recording success.

Now, the current net Nigeria migration rate is -0.273 per 1000 population, which indicates that more people are emigrating from the country.

Also of concern is the statistics which put Nigeria with 11,055 trained doctors as the country with the third-highest number of foreign doctors working in the United Kingdom.

It is in response to this worrisome trend that the Nowa Omoigui Centre for the Advancement of Art, History and Medicine (NOWAS) recently organised a webinar with the topic: The Japa Syndrome and its Effect on a Nation (Nigeria).

The lecture was organised in memory of Dr Nowa Omoigui, an interventional cardiologist in the US and a foremost Nigerian-American civil- military historian who died on April 18, 2021.

The discussants included human rights activist and the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore; a political scientist and former Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Julius Ihonvbere; and a trained physician, Dr Egbe Dawodu.

Others were a certified immigration professional, Mr Aigbeze Uhimwen, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and an anesthesiologist, Dr Sota Omoigui.

They extensively analysed the Japa syndrome and the root causes of the migration trend in addition to its impact on the Nigerian society.

They discussed the challenges faced by Nigerian immigrants in their host countries, including issues related to integration, discrimination and access to basic services.

Sowore who spoke first at the lecture, said the Japa phenomenon has political and economic undertone.

He lamented that expectations of many Nigerians of Eldorado in Diaspora are often dashed because they suffer cultural shock and dislocation in their new environment.

Unlike African-Americans, who are always sensitive to workplace treatment steaming from historic issues of race, Sowore said the self-worth of Nigerians are usually driven by economic gains rather than on their consciousness in their new community.

“There is also is the glass ceiling because realistically there is a level where you can reach as a Nigerian in America no matter your level of qualification. In addition to that African Americans view people in the Diaspora with suspicion because they feel Nigerians are more concerned about

remittances and are not connected with the real issues and struggles that have historically defined racial relations in contemporary America,” Sowore said.

He also noted that when the chips are down many Nigerians who arrive in America in hope of an economic turnaround will begin to perceive Japa as a mere illusion after such expectation is not matched by the prevailing reality.

“And beyond that self-worth is very important to me. One of the reasons why I returned to Nigeria is because I don’t want to be buried in a place where my burial ground will not be known and where the ground is cold,” Sowore said.

On his part Ihonvbere said Japa is a response to government policy and its implementation.

He said a lot of Nigerians who migrate make that difficult choice because of disruption to their lives arising from lack of water, security and infrastructure, while calling on government to address all the issues of dislocation in the system.

Ihonvbere described Japa as

an illusion while noting people with the right skills tend to do well when they migrate and make remittances to support their dependents while irregular migrants suffer all forms of indignities, including death while embarking on the risky journey.

He warned that relocating abroad is not always smooth sailing, noting that unlike in Nigeria, a migrant can’t go and knock the door of his neighbour asking for salt.

“There is dislocation in our educational system. Our youths now go to Ghana because of educational stability. All these are symptomatic of cultural dislocation which will persevere until we address these problems.

“The Japa syndrome is a response to the impunity and lawlessness in the country. The solution is to restructure our country and the institutions otherwise a lot of the problems will remain,” Ihonvbere said.

But Dr Egbe Dawodu expressed a slightly different opinion on the Japa problem.

She cited the giant strides of Nigerian inspired Fintech, unicorn companies, music industry and movie production as one of the positives of migration.

The fintech innovation has enabled people to shift away from using banks altogether because of the convenience of mobile banking apps, especially among the unbanked.

Dawodu argued that the technology that

enabled those break through was designed by Nigerian youths who returned from the Diaspora to set up some of the privately held startup companies valued at billions of dollars.

“All of people I know who are in tech don’t Japa, they stay in Nigeria,” Dawodu said.

She also said one of the global health issues is brain drain because there is a lot of shortfall in the health workers.

Dawodu averred that the population of the health workers is aging in many of the developing countries, which explains why many foreign hospitals are looking at the Anglophone countries for health workers.

She said in the global pool of healthcare workers, 90 per cent of the heath workers said they wanted to work outside Nigeria.

She urged the country to be innovative in the health care sector like in finance and Nollywood, while noting that the health care spending is rather too low.

“What we are spending on health care is low. We inherited a system based on what the British left for us in the 60s. Other countries like Holland, Spain, Greece and Spain have been in our situation before. But they came out of it,” she said.

On his part, Uhimwen ascribed economic reasons to be primarily responsible for the spike in irregular migration.

He tasked the country to learn from both the positives and negatives of migration saying it can still export health workers if they are required by some countries.

But Dabiri-Erewa posited that the country should encourage regular migration as people can’t be stopped from migrating.

The CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also voiced concern about people who migrate not knowing where they are going.

She called for collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to discourage people from migrating to Saudi Arabia, Libya and even Lebanon where they are treated like slaves.

“Irregular migration should be discouraged. There is no point going for a job and you end up coming back with nothing. We should fix our country. Some people do want to go but we need to make the environment good for our people,” she said.

She also voiced opposition to the bill currently before the House of Representatives seeking to stop medical doctors from migrating abroad.

“I disagree with that bill. Doctors are not the only ones going. Some of our doctors are coming back and setting up specialist hospitals. There are good and bad sides of migration. I see the dangers of irregular migration every day. Make sure you go and Japada (return) so that we can fix our country,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

In his remarks, Dr. Sota Omoigui, who wrote the national anthem in 1976, described the migration of the youth who constitute the country’s productive population as a time bomb waiting to explode.

He said youth should not be blamed for migrating in the face of hardship in a country where teaching hospitals have no running water, electricity, drugs and facilities and where patients are expected to bring their own water.

“We must start from the basic because our youths who are hopeless they will continue to Japa,” Omoigui said.

“Democracy in Nigeria is a sham. The Governors are setting up their own retirement plan and the legislators are planning a bill that will force the doctors to stay in the country for minimum of five years.

“Corruption streaks across the judiciary, the public and private agencies and everywhere. When corruption thrives, no White Paper will work,” he said.

Irregular migration should be discouraged. There is no point going for a job and you end up coming back with nothing. We should fix our country. Some people do want to go but we need to make the environment good for our people

Irregular migrants in a packed boat on the Mediterranean Sea

Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa Dr Sota-Omoigui

PINL Engages Host Niger Delta Communities on Safety of Nigeria’s Oil Assets

Blessing Ibunge writes that to ensure extensive protection of the Trans Niger Pipelines, TNP, a national asset protection company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, recently held a three-day Town Hall Meeting with host communities of the oil pipelines in Niger Delta region

Following the incessant crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region which had hugely affected the oil and gas sector, thereby causing a big challenge to the stability of the nation’s economy, the federal government awarded surveillance contract to private firms with the task to monitoring the oil pipelines, identifying any sabotage and protecting them from further vandalism.

The Senate committee investigating oil theft and its consequent damage to the country’s economy had in its 2022 report revealed that Nigeria lost N1.3 trillion ($2 billion) to oil theft. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also said the country was losing 1.2 million barrels of oil consistently due to the menace in the

is the divestment of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) who claimed that their action was formed by incessant attacks on their oil facilities. The oil theft has remained a source of concern to the government, sponsored by some individuals who diverts the huge revenue to their pockets at the expense of the nation’s economy.

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a national asset protection company, is one of the surveillance firms that got the contract from the Federal Government, through Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) with a mandate to end the menace of illegal bunkering, which had placed the host communities in great danger.

The interference with the oil assets had also affected the nation’s economy since Nigeria’s major foreign earnings come from oil revenues. Based on the observation, the country could not address its critical national development.

To ensure that the mandate is achieved, management of PINL, an indigenous company had a three-day town hall meeting with 124 host communities of the pipeline facilities operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) across four states; Abia, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers.

The meeting convened at Port Harcourt, Omoku in Rivers and Yenagoa in Bayelsa was led by PINL General Manager, Community and Government Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, Senior Manager, Community Relations, Richard Ngida, Security Manager, Patrick Onogwu, Seleake Alamieyeseigha, amongst others.

The traditional rulers, Caretaker Committee Chairmen, Youth leaders and other representatives of the various communities involved in the surveillance partnership with the company were in attendance to deliberate on noted issues that could mar or lead to success of the project. The participating communities were grouped into nine zones.

Essence of Engagement

As part of its responsibility, the indigenous company said the essence of the meeting was to interact with the stakeholders in the protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline, discuss with them on how best to curb vandalism and end the use of illegal bunkering in the area of coverage. Issues of enumeration of workers at the various sites, monetary payment, security and engagement of more youths from the community were major deliberation at the meeting.

Observation/Recommendations by Stakeholders in Protection of the Oil

Facilities

During the engagement, stakeholders at the various meetings observed that since PINL took over the contract to protect the oil assets located in their communities, the nation’s crude oil export has increased marginally, which has brought economic and social value to Niger Delta region. The traditional rulers also noted that the company’s engagement has drastically reduced youth restiveness in their communities. They explained that the development has reduced level of environmental pollution as there are serious checks on the pipelines to forestall breaks or linkages.

In Port Harcourt on April 20, 2023, stakeholders from zone 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Bidere, Seme, Rukpokwu, Rumukwurusi, Rumuekpe, Rundele, Ibaa, Aluu, Omagwa, Isiokpo, Awaza, others) at the meeting observed that the attackers at the pipeline are heavily armed, called for stringent security of youths who are monitoring and protecting the oil facilities. They also agreed that they will continue to provide credible information to the firm in partnership to achieving success on the project.

At Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State (Zone 6, 7 and 8) on April 21, 2023, stakeholders pleaded with PINL for a local contractors from their community who will understand the people and the terrain. The traditional rulers pledged their commitment to the safety of the pipeline. They told the firm how the youths in the area have been urged not to tamper with the facilities.

A paramount ruler from Egbema, Imo State, Chief Otiri C. Otirie, who spoke to THISDAY at the meeting, said "We in Egbema zone 6 operational area, we like what PINL have done because the interface will now give the company a feedback on what they should to secure their pipelines better. From time to time I will suggest let them gather the host communities of the TNP, interface and know the problem areas, their strength and weaknesses with a view to correcting them.

Infact, PINL is one of the best we have seen so far, people who can from time to time call you together to sit at a roundtable and discuss your issues and work with the input in the system. We are grateful with

their activities in Egbema".

On his part, paramount ruler of Opuoma autonomous community in Imo, Eze Wilfred Anene Uwakwe, said aside the engagement of their youths in the surveillance job, the company have always had good relationship with all the host communities.

Eze Uwakwe expressed "We thank them for the engagement but what we are saying is that they should ensure that they increase the number of manpower. I have been a Shell Surveillance contractor for 27 years, but at least we should know the number persons engaged from my community. PINL is a good company, during the flood disaster, they came to our aid, sending us palliative. But what we are saying is that, emphatically, we really need somebody from our side as a contractor".

At the Bayelsa engagement on Saturday, April 22, 2023 for host communities under Zone 9, stakeholders disclosed that the engagement of the youths in the protection of the pipeline have curtailed restiveness in the area. Though they complained of manpower, but PINL was well commended for its relationship with the communities.

The paramount ruler of Enuwari community and Chairman, Southern Ijaw Paramount Rulers Council, Job David, had told the stakeholders at the meeting in Yenagoa that such engagement with communities could address the issues of pipeline vandalism. He also noted the concern of the firm on his community during the devastating flood incident.

"We thank God for today they have come to tell us what they are doing in our communities. We have been expecting this meeting quite sometimes, though in our interaction with them they pleaded that this meeting was supposed to be held earlier than now but because of the devastating flood it was postponed till this time.

"We felt it's a cause for development and a way of trying to engage the youth, take them out of their restiveness and I think is a way of developing our communities and we appreciate them. We can say that with this it will help to address pipeline vandalism to a great extent because I am aware that other bodies are also into pipeline surveillance, grass cutting and others. With the way the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited is engaging people, if they continue in this trend, I think it will help to address vandalism".

Dr Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Government Relations, PINL, in his remarks at the meeting, commended the stakeholders for their commitment in tackling the issue of vandalism. He noted the communities dedication to the fight against the menace. The PINL General manager who described the engagement as awesome, noted all the issues raised and promised that the company would tackle such for the success of

the project. He also appreciated NNPCL for the contract to serve the nation. He assured that the issue of security for the workers would be resolved.

Dr Mezeh said "The communities have shown more dedication to partner us in the fight against pipeline vandalism. We want to use this opportunity to appreciate our client, NNPC for giving us this opportunity with which we have used to distinguish our competence and capacity in this industry. The entire engagement has been awesome. The communities have openly told us their challenges and we are very prepared to support them to ensure that we deliver on the mandate.

"We are going to look into the security of our surveillance, provide more government security forces to ensure that our people have the confidence to confront the criminals who are vandalising the national asset. The com- munities have rededicated their service to ensure our objectives are achieved.

"We have agreed to do more for the communities in term of increasing the number of workers and ensure that our workers are given adequate protection. We have also taken decision at the management level to ensure that we take prosecution of vandals very seriously. We are going to ensure that all the offenders will face the wrath of the law".

Responding to questions from the communities, Richard Ngida, Senior Manager Community Relations, PINL, explained that the pipeline under surveillance had been managed by SPDC for the past years, but there were still alot of issues, especially the incident that shutdown flow from the facility last year.

Ngida requested that "As host communities, we need a mutual relationship from you for the safety of the pipeline. Though we have people working with us but we want to make it clear to the community that we want to be dealing with you directly as communities to make sure that the facility is safeguarded".

Some of the PINL contractors that also spoke to THISDAY at Bayelsa and Rivers, recount their good relationship with the communities.

Joe Ehuru, Contractor covering between the Rukpokwu and Aluu in Ikwerre, AkpajoElelenwo and Eleme Local government areas said "Basically, I cover the zone 6 axis. In all honesty, as far as this surveillance job is concern this zone is the most peaceful at the moment. We have not had any crisis.

"PINL sincerely, have been living up to their responsibility as our parent company, the community have been very corporative. I expect high synergy between the contractor, communities and company".

Also, Mr Harry Fubara, a native of Sagbama in Bayelsa and the contractor in the surveillance project covering zone 9 and part of zone 8, said "Since I was engaged as a contractor in the surveillance of the TNP, there has been peace, no oil theft anymore in my zone. All the ovens were burnt.

"In this meeting with host communities, PINL wants to get more information if the contractors are working. A contractor handles almost 20 communities each. They want to communicate with the traditional leaders, if their stipend gets to them in terms of payment. With this meeting, my job will be very easy because sometimes the challenge comes from the communities".

We are going to look into the security of our surveillance, provide more government security forces to ensure that our people have the confidence to confront the criminals who are vandalising the national asset. The communities have rededicated their service to ensure our objectives are achieved

Cross section of members of host communities of Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), during an engagement with Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), on the security of the Nigeria's Oil Asset, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

PINL General Manager, Community and Government Relations, Dr Akpos Mezeh, addressing stakeholders at a 3-day town hall meeting with host communities of the pipeline facilities in Zone 9

Rushed Construction, Ignoring Regulations Major Causes of Building Collapse, Says NIOB

Bennett

Oghifo

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos State chapter has said that the incessant collapse of buildings in the country is due to a combination of avoidable man-made factors such as non-adherence to building regulations, hastened construction and miserly application of construction materials, as well as employment of quacks by some developers.

These were the general thread of thought at press conference that was held prio to a workshop organised by the Lagos NIOB with the theme “Building Surveying Practice, Charting a New Course in Building Post Construction Services”

Chairman of the chapter, Mr Lucky Isename, said the construction methods developers apply, was a major cause of building collapse and that the NIOB is pushing for the right procedures to be followed.

He said the workshop was to ensure good production management in building construction, adding that they would embark on ‘Building Surveying’, which he described as a new sector coming up in Nigeria where the fitness of houses could be determined through tests.

He said the NIOB carried out a survey on why old buildings in Badagry were still standing strong after about 100 years while new ones under construction were collapsing.

Isename said that the results were submitted to the government with recommendations for safer durable construction.

He warned developers against cutting corners when constructing highrise buildings by not following specifications on load and materials,

which resulted in collapse.

“It is not possible for us to develop a three storey building within six months. It is not possible, but what do we have here these days? We see people erecting buildings within six months, within eight, nine months, within a year and it is not a bungalow.

“Process of building has to be followed, it’s

not something where you just wake up because you want to make money and then you put up a three or four storey building within a very short time,” he said.

The Publicity Secretary, Mr Godfrey Godfrey, said ‘building survey’ would help the institute to collaborate and assist partners which include Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government.

He said ‘building survey’ could also help home buyers and intending tenants because the property could be examined for appropriate advice to clients.

He said the measure was needed because collapse had become “a shameful menace” in Lagos State.

The treasurer, Mr Philip Olusesan, said with increased awareness, financial institutions would begin to demand for building survey reports as a requirement for giving loans.

Olusesan joined other executives to list benefits of the building survey practice and expressed hope that it would be captured in domestication of the National Building Code in Lagos State.

The Honorary Secretary, Mr Abiodun Ogundare, wondered why in spite of various strong laws and regulations, buildings were still collapsing in Lagos State.

Ogundare said several efforts of the institute to curb the menace were not yielding desired results because of impunity caused by inadequate enforcement by government officials.

Metro & Castle to Bring Stakeholders Together at its ‘Realtors Hangout’

It is going to be a cool atmosphere for entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, intellectuals and customers alike at yet another opportunity to brainstorm about issues affecting the housing industry in a convivial environment, come May 6th 2023, as ‘Realtors Hangout 2.0’ is held in Lagos State.

The big idea is being championed by one of the real estate giants in Nigeria, Metro & Castle Ltd, under the leadership of Adekunle Abdul.

Poised to attract high flyers in the industry, the event is billed to be held at Metro

Homes, Atlantic Layout, Lekki Gardens. Phase 4, Ajah, will open up business interactions among stakeholders, with a panel session involving discussants who are experts in the real estate industry.

According to information made available by the organisers, Some of the resource persons lined up to discuss on the topic: ‘How To Become High Flyer in Real Estate Industry’ include Ajoke Kilanko, Peter Twinnept, among others. The discourse will be followed

by question and answers from participants based on the topic as well as other burning matters relating to the industry. A young community developer and philanthropist, Abdul, disclosed that there will be special inspection sessions of some metro homes under sale by realtors in a bid to give opportunities to participants and intensify business transactions, adding that some mortgage banks that have been good associates in the industry will also have the opportunity to participate in the event. They include First Trust Mortgage,

Houston EB5 Plans Nigerian Road Show, Lagos-connect, Showcasing ‘The Frederick Texas’

Houston EB5 has announced its trip to Lagos, to meet and introduce “the Frederick”, a new Priority processing EB5 Investment project located in the heart of the Texas Hill and Wine Country to potential EB5 investors.

In 1990, under section 203(b) (5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the U.S. Congress created the fifth employment-based preference (EB-5) immigrant visa category for qualified foreign investors seeking to invest in a business that benefits the U.S. economy by creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs. Thus, the EB-5 Program was born.

According to available information, “The initial amount required for foreigners to invest is $1,050,000, although that number is reduced to $800,000 if the investment is made in an area designated as rural or facing high unemployment (TEA – Target Employment Area). Approximately 10,000 green cards are available through the EB-5 program each year.”

The Lagos EB5 investors connect tagged “Meet the Frederick” is aimed at introducing “the Frederick”, a new Priority processing EB5

Investment project, educating EB5 potential investors on the new priority processing policies and the real advantage of the EB5 Visa program.

Those to speak at the closed-event on May 11th, 2023 in Ikoyi, Lagos will be Mr. Acho Azuike, the COO, DC Partners, Director of Operations, Houston EB5 Mr. Jordan Lawrence and Ruth Obih, CEO, 3INVEST.

“During the last visit, pre-COVID-19 in 2019, investors who met one on one with the Houston EB5 team had the opportunity to understand the intricacies of the EB5 program and the strategy to access the real advantage of the immigration investment programme through a trusted, reputable, and authorised EB5 regional center,” said Obih.

Following the March 2022 enactment of the EB5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) which witnessed major updates to the program such as

investment amounts, investor protections, and transparency measures, as well as strict oversight of the regional centers, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has opened up

more opportunities for rural investors who now have a viable route forward for speedy processing of the EB-5 petition over non-rural investors.

Gidi Plans Alternative Building System to Reduce Construction Cost

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The MD/CEO of Gidi Real Estate Development Limited, Tobi Ajewole Akerele, developer of Epe Garden, has said they are considering alternative means of building that are self-sustaining; buildings don’t have to be with blocks, and with this, they will be able to bring down the cost

of construction and at the same time give the best value to their clients.

Akerele stated this during the allocation of land to the first batch of buyers at Epe Garden, recently, adding that they have established

“a new company called Gidi Civil Construction Limited and the plan

is to help those who have acquired land from us to build. We did that because we want to build at a very affordable rate and at the same time, best quality.”

He said their intervention is to help reduce the nation’s housing deficit and that for this to happen, the first point of call is to get land. “Getting a good title land in Lagos is like passing through the

tunnel, and we are helping people to scale through the first hurdle, we go extra miles to make it easy for people to acquire land

“A lot of Nigerians can’t afford to pay N5 million at once so what we do is to give them a payment plan of 12 or 24 months to make it very easy for them to be able to acquire it then and we also went further in the construction phase.”

Abbey Bank, Homebase Bank, among others.

L-R: The Accountant, Curlla Luxury Salon, Mr. Oyebo Adedamola Luqman; the Floor Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, King Offu; CEO Curlla Luxury Salon, Ms. Lola Adedeji; Director Stylist/Floor Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, Johnny Walid Jarbouh; Head of Operations, Curlla Luxury Salon, Grace Singh; and Business Development Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, David Okereke, during the official unveiling of Curlla Luxury Salon in Lagos… recently

L-R: Executive VP, HEB5, Emilio Guzman; President and CEO, HEB5, Roberto Contreras (Snr), Africa Rep, HEB5, Ruth Obih; Chief Marketing Officer, HEB5, Julie Klein; and COO, DC partner, Acho Azuike

Adekunle Abdul

RATES AS AT APRIL 28,2023

Nigeria’s Aver age Crude Oil Production Climbs 15% in 2023

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Despite its perennial underproduction in the last two years, Nigeria has been able to ramp up its crude oil output compared to its budget benchmark from an average of about 60 per cent to 75 per cent between H2, 2022 and Q1, 2023, data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has revealed.

THISDAY analysis of production data showed that with a projection of 1.88 million barrels per day crude oil production in the 2022 federal budget, Nigeria under-produced

to the tune of over 277 million barrels of the commodity between January and December 2022, leaving average production at 60 per cent.

But with the renewed zeal to tackle oil theft and assets vandalism in the Niger Delta, the country managed has now managed to drill 115 million barrels of the commodity in the first quarter of 2023, raising the average to 75 per cent, a rise of about 15 per cent.

Although an improvement on last year’s drilling, Nigeria has struggled to produce 39 million barrels, 36 .5 million barrels and 39.3 million barrels in the first three months between January

and March this year.

However, when condensate, which is excluded from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) computation is added, the country’s total production for the period jumped to 136.6 million barrels in the first three months of 2023.

But when benchmarked against the OPEC quota of 1.8 million, the production percentage decreased, with Nigeria only able to produce about 70 per cent of its OPEC quota in Q1, 2023.

It is however a significant improvement on the estimated 60 per cent it drilled in most part

of 2022 when production fell to a record low. Most of the oil came from improvements in production from Forcados, which produced 6.8 million barrels, 6.9 million barrels and 5.7 million barrels respectively for the first three months of the year. But in 2022, the situation was worse, with Nigeria’s crude oil production when put side by side its expected output of 1.88 million barrels per day in 2022, being short by a whopping 283 million barrels, amounting to roughly $24.55 billion, a THISDAY reported earlier. This figure was arrived at when an estimated conservative price of $85 per barrel for which the commodity

sold in the year under review, is multiplied by the 283 million barrels deficit recorded during the period.

With its inability to drill just 60 per cent of its expected volume in 2022, the country lost roughly 40 per cent of its output to oil theft and sabotage as a result of incessant shut-in of planned output for the period.

A review of the NUPRC data covering the whole of 2022, revealed that Nigeria only managed to drill 43.3 million barrels in January, turning out to be the highest output for the year; 35.2 million barrels in February; 38.3 million barrels in March and 36.5 million barrels in April.

It deteriorated to 31.7 million barrels in May; rose marginally to 34.7 million barrels in June, before falling to 33.6 million barrels in July last year.

In August, Nigeria produced 30.1 million barrels, against the 58.2 million barrels projection; followed by September in which Nigeria’s output fell to a multi-decade low of 28.1 million barrels while in October and November, the country drilled 31.4 million barrels and 35.5 million barrels respectively.

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

Tax Experts: FIRS Needs Aggressive Public Enlightenment to Win More Taxpayers

Dike Onwuamaeze

Tax experts have advised the federal government and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to embark on persistent, sustained and result oriented driven public education that would encourage more Nigerians to become taxpayers.

The experts also stated that the objective of this enlightenment campaign should be to encourage Nigerians to see themselves as

partners in national development and progress with the government by highlighting what government does with revenue it garnered through tax collection to present and prospective taxpayers in the country in order to bring more Nigerians into the tax net.

They proffered this advice in Lagos during a one-day capacity building training for business editors and finance correspondents and stakeholders in Nigeria’s taxation

system with the theme, “Tax and Media: Communicating the Importance and the Impact.”

The workshop was organised by the Omnimedia Nigeria Limited in conjunction with the FIRS.

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who was among the special guests during the workshop, revealed that it was the FIRS and the Nigeria Custom Service that provided the revenues

that enabled the federal government wade through the gloomy period of global lockdown during the spread of COVID-19 in 2020.

Adesina said: “But surprisingly, the FIRS met its target, and that target has been exceeded in subsequent years,” adding that the Chairman of the FIRS has done very well in “providing the President Buhari’s administration with support that is very, very good.”

A Marketing Communication

Specialist and Executive Producer/ Editor in Chief of Energy and Business Media, Mr. Ademola

Adedoyin, said in his presentation titled, “Media as Bridge between FIRS and the Tax Paying Public,” that “tax manager should demystify tax matters and continue to educate the taxpayers.”

Adedoyin referred to research done by the World Bank Group and PwC that titled “Paying Taxes 2015: The Global Picture,” which ranked

Nigeria as the 3rd worst globally in the time it takes taxpayers to comply. According to the report, it takes the taxpayer in Nigeria an average of 908 hours to comply, compared to 224 hours in Ghana, 202 hours in Kenya and 200 hours in South Africa. He, therefore, averred that the media can help FIRS to connect with the tax paying public.

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

Japanese Embassy Partners Sasakawa Africa to Transform Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector

The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) (formerly SG2000) have announced their commitments to combine efforts to transform Nigeria’s

agricultural sector.

The institutions made the assurance during a courtesy visit by their Country Director of SAA, Dr. Godwin Atser, to the embassy in Abuja. According to them, the renewed

commitment is aimed at tapping Japanese technologies including information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the improvement of farming systems in Nigeria. While receiving the country

director, Ambassador Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, appreciated the significant role played by SAA in Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular.

The meeting was strategic as Nigeria is putting more emphasis

Aig-Imoukhuede’s Book Shortlisted for BCA African Business Book of the Year

The book “Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa” by Nigerian banker, investor, philanthropist, and former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has been shortlisted for BCA African Business Book of the Year.

BCA Africa Business Book of the Year is an annual competition to spotlight African business stories. This is achieved by bringing together the top-tier in African publishing and the business world to celebrate stories that are changing the business landscape and also celebrate the authors and publishers behind the books.

The Business African Book of the Year winner will be announced at the forthcoming BCA awards ceremony billed to hold in The Africa Centre, London, on May 19th, 2023. The winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up will receive a cash prize of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, respectively.

The BCA Award, organized by The Business Council in Africa in partnership with Brand Communications and African Business Magazines, is divided into different categories, some of which include Business Strategy, Behavioural Science & Psychology, Industry specific books, Economics, Growth Markets, and Historical books on the above.

In a related development, the book

Group Business Editor

Eromosele Abiodun

Deputy Business Editor

Chinedu Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Asst. Editor, Money Market

Nume Ekeghe

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising)

Correspondents

Emmanuel Addeh (Energy)

KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets)

James Emejo (Finance)

Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)

Reporters

Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Ugo Aliogo (Development)

was also ranked second in the list of top-selling non-fiction books in 2022 by The Rovingheights bestseller list.

Since 2020, Rovingheights has shared an informal list of the top-selling titles in its stores but this year, the bookstore collaborated with Open Country Mag to compile the top 100 best-selling books in the store’s

third annual list.

In her review of the book, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Former Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, described Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa as a brilliant, insightful book that takes every reader on an exciting

entrepreneurial journey. According to Mohammed, the book leaves no one in doubt that navigating the waters of the banking sector in Nigeria is a daunting task not for the faint-hearted. She said the author had demonstrated a high sense of determination and integrity, as reflected in the book’s content.

FG Commence Plans to Revive Nigeria’s Rubber Production

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has commenced steps to resuscitate rubber production in Nigeria in its bid to increase national wealth creation and boost supply of raw materials for local industries.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, during a meeting with a delegation from International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) in Abuja, said that the federal

government is committed towards diversifying the nation’s economy with increased focus on arable and cash crops for economic growth and development in the country.

Umakhihe noted that the ministry has over the years been prioritising and promoting the development of rubber value chain with the distribution of improved budded rubber stumps plating materials, growth enhancers to farmers to raise plantations, facilitating training on nursery development as well as tapping techniques.

He explained that part of the initiative include the identification and management of white rot rubber diseases under rehabilitation, management and replanting of existing rubber farms across rubber producing states in the country.

The permanent secretary revealed that the ministry, in collaboration with Lohashilpi Sheeting Processing Technology, has established Rubber Resource Centre (RRC) in Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State.

NCDMB: Exciting Opportunities Await Exhibitors, Delegates at NOGOF

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled plans to host what it said is the biggest convergence of major players in the oil and gas industry in the country and beyond in support of Nigerian content.

For the event which takes place this May, it said opportunity sessions at NOGOF 2023 will bring together industry leaders, innovative companies and investors to explore new business opportunities, forge valuable partnerships and develop long-term relationships.

“The sessions have been

designed to feature leading companies in the oil and gas industry presenting on the business opportunities available within their organisations and offer an exclusive platform to highlight products, services, and solutions, demonstrate expertise and experience in the industry.”

German Firm Trains NEMSA Staff on Leadership, Business Dev Skills

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Staff of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) have undergone a two-day intensive training on capacity building, leadership and business development skills.

The event which was held in Abuja was organised by KonradAdenauer-Stiftung foundation, a German-based human capacity development organisation in collaboration with the Budget and Planning unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The training programme, a statement said, covered such areas as strategic business planning and implementation, effective business communication, business continuity management, change management and succession planning, among others.

Deputy Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Nigeria, Lucas Laible, said the foundation has more than 100 offices worldwide with 20 in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Our official mandate is to promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law

on agriculture to lift her population out of poverty and create jobs and wealth.

Atser said that agriculture holds a lot of potential, but the potential is yet to be fully harnessed, stressing that most improved technologies are yet to get to farmers because of a weak public extension architecture.

The ambassador promised to support SAA activities in Nigeria, adding that internet penetration in

Nigeria is an asset to be harnessed for agricultural development.

The ambassador noted that technologies in terms of agriculture mechanisation could reduce drudgery, boost productivity, and improve the efficiency of farmers in Nigeria.

He reiterated that the need for the private sector in Nigeria to work with Japanese companies to create the needed movement of technologies to both countries.

ExxonMobil Reports Record Q1 Profits of $11.4bn

Oil giant, ExxonMobil’s profits more than doubled in the first three months of this year, helped by the increased demand for oil and gas, a Reuters report has said.

The US energy firm said costcutting measures also contributed to its record $11.4 billion (£9.1 billion) first-quarter profits, up from $5.5 billion a year earlier.

The jump came despite falling oil prices and a $200 million hit from windfall taxes the company paid in Europe. Rival US oil firm Chevron also reported an increase in its profits.

It made nearly $6.6 billion between January and March, up 5 per cent from the same time a year ago. It also paid a $130 million “energy profits levy” or windfall tax in the UK. This week Shell and BP are both set to report their latest results.

Like other big energy companies, Exxon has faced criticism about how much it has returned to shareholders off the back of high oil and gas prices.

It said shareholders would receive $8.1 billion including dividends and $375 million in share buybacks. ExxonMobil added that the rise in profits included a $3.4 billion after-tax reduction to exit Russia.

“We delivered a first-quarter record despite the fact that energy prices and refining margins are softening a bit,” Chief Financial Officer, Kathryn Mikells, told Reuters.

The biggest contributor to the better-than-expected earnings came from strong production growth, driven by the start-up of new offshore developments and refining facilities, she said.

Exxon is currently caught up in a legal case with the European Union (EU). It is suing the EU in an attempt to stop its new windfall tax on oil firms.

It has accused Brussels of exceeding its legal authority, calling the measure “counterproductive” and argued, along with other players in the sector, that the tax would discourage investment.

FG Lauds Firm for Donating Mapping Software to OSGoF

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Abuduganiyu Adebomehin has lauded a solutions providing company, Sambus Geospatial Nigeria Limited, for its commitment to the promotion of generating quality, accurate and real-time geographic data for Nigeria.

Press and Public Relations, OSGoF, Abu Micheal said.

He explained that the software would boost the capacity of OSGoF in providing a more accurate and real-time geospatial data for the Nigerian government and other users for effective planning and implementation of projects.

as well as to foster good relations between Germany and our host countries,” he said.

He added that the foundation established office in Nigeria in 2001, with a clear focus to support the democratic forces in Nigeria and to promote good governance and the rule of law for the benefit of the development of this country.

He described NEMSA as a key stakeholder in the power sector, stressing that by having a coverage of electricity for all, NEMSA would help create opportunities for the whole country.

The SGoF gave the commendation while receiving five units of mapping software (ESRI Arc GIS Pro Advance with 10 extensions) donated to the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) by Mr. Taofeek Adebayo, a representative of the company in his office at the Survey House, Abuja.

Adebomehin said that the Nigerian government would remain grateful for such gestures, adding that the five units of the software was worth N232 million, a statement from the Head of

According to him, the office would be able to meet urgent demands of the government in generating data and proving maps for various challenges such as disaster management response, navigational maps for obstacles for safe flights especially during take-off and landing of aircrafts.

Adebomehin said more interactive maps would be made available to MDAs and other authorities of the government for infrastructure development, defence and security operations as well as decision-making, planning and implementation of projects in general.

Gilbert Ekugbe

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Manufacturing Sector’s Tale of Declining Fortunes

Nigerian manufacturing sector suffered a 4.1 per cent decline in capacity utilisation in the second half of 2022. This was stated in the Executive Summary of H2 2022 Bi-Annual Economic Review of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). The review said that year-on-year capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector declined to 54.9 per cent from 59 per cent recorded in the corresponding half of 2021.

The review further stated that quarter-onquarter, capacity utilisation declined by 3.0 percentage points when compared with 57.9 percent recorded in the first half of the year.

It stated that manufacturing capacity utilisation averaged 56.4 per cent in 2022 as against 55.9 percent average of 2021. The review attributed the decline in manufacturing capacity utilisation in the period to the adverse effect of high cost of energy and the Russian Ukrainian war, the grave effects of the Naira Redesigning policy and other perennial challenges such as acute shortage of foreign exchange for importation of raw materials and machines, high cost of borrowing and many more.

Similarly, the value of manufacturing sector’s factory output declined to N2.68 trillion in the second half of 2022 from N3.73 trillion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021. This represented N1.05 trillion or 28 per cent declined over the period under review. It also declined N1.31 trillion or 32 percent when compared with N3.99 trillion recorded in the preceding half.

MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION VALUE

The bi-annual economic review further showed that the value of manufacturing production totaled N6.67 trillion in 2022 as against N7.39 trillion recorded in 2021.

It noted that manufacturing production was severely affected in the second half of 2022 by absence of implementation of new capital project by the government as they focused on the election.

“Production in the sector was also negatively affected by limited purchases by households due to the Naira redesign policy, the high inflationary pressure in the country, high cost of energy, particularly diesel and gas, acute shortage of forex for importation of raw materials and machinery needs of the sector that are not locally manufactured in the time being and many more.

“Unfortunately, the issues of the basic metal group whereby duty of Annealed Cold roll was reduced to 5.0 per cent from the previous 45 per cent; the suspension of motorcycles in some areas across states, the increase in the duty of paper from 5.0 percent to 20 per cent and so on are still effective.

“These challenges, in addition to the perennial issues, contributed enormously to the dip in the production of the sector in the period under review,” the review said.

LOCAL RAW-MATERIALS SOURCING

Manufacturing sector local raw materials sourcing averaged at 52.8 per cent in 2022 as against 51.5 per cent it recorded in 2021. The increase in the local raw materials utilisation in the sector during the period is due to increased difficulty in sourcing forex, which compelled manufacturers to look more inward for raw materials notwithstanding the associated huge cost.

“It is, therefore, important for the government to re-evaluate its role in local development and production of raw materials in terms of funding.

“For instance, the development and production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) has continuously eluded due to limited funding of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) by the government. The absence of local production of APIs has been having dire consequences on the pharmaceutical production, particularly in the current situation of acute shortage of forex,” MAN said.

UNSOLD INVENTORY OF FINISHED PRODUCTS

However, the inventory of unsold finished products in the manufacturing sector increased to N282.56 billion in the second half of 2022 up from N169.75 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021; thus, indicating

N112.81 billion or 66 percent increase over the period.

It also increased by N85.46 billion or 51 per cent when compared with N187.1 billion recorded in the first half of the year.

The review said that “inventory of unsold goods in the sector totaled N469.66 billion in 2022 as against N384.58 billion recorded in 2021. The high inventory recorded in the period is attributed to low purchasing power in the economy due to declining real income of household following the continuous increase in inflationary pressures in the country.”

This was worsened by the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which began in the last quarter of 2022. The MAN stated that “the withdrawal of large amount of the ‘old Naira’ without commensurate replacement with the ‘new notes’ resulted to cash crunch in the economy with very limited means of purchasing items by households across the country.”

Manufacturing Investments Manufacturing investment totaled N323.98 billion in 2022 as against N305.02 billion recorded in 2021. A breakdown showed that manufacturing sector’s investment dipped to N145.59 billion in the second half of 2022 down from N160.88 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021. This showed a decline of N15.29 billion or 10 per cent over the period. It further declined by N32.8 billion or 18 percent when compared with N178.39 billion recorded in the first half of the year. The review said that “investment in the period was affected by the high debt profile of the government, which particularly deters foreign investment, high cost of borrowing, high cost of energy, low consumption during the period and many more.”

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT

Based on MAN survey since 2013, cumulative manufacturing employment was estimated at 1,686,725 at the end of 2022. However, in the second half of 2022, manufacturing employment dipped to 6,741 down from 8,508 and 9,559 recorded in the corresponding half of 2021 and the first half of 2022 respectively.

The decline in the number of jobs created in the sector during the period under review corroborated the poor operating business environment that was perverse with high energy cost,

exorbitant cost of borrowing, high inflation, low sales due to limited cash and many more.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO INDUSTRIES

Electricity supply to the industries from the national grid declined marginally to 11 hours per day from 12 hours recorded in the preceding half. However, average number of outages per day stabilised at four times in the second half of 2022 as it was recorded for the first half of the year.

“Irrefutably, the trends shows that power supply to the industry is still a huge challenge, which accounts for huge investment of manufacturers in self-energy generation.

“Consequently, expenditure of alternative energy source increased to N76.7 billion in the second half of 2022 from N45.04 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021; thus, indicating N31.66 billion or 70 percent increase over the period.

“It also increased by N8.9 billion or 13 percent when compared with N67.8 billion recorded in the preceding half. The expenditure was incurred on procurement of diesel, gas, generators and spare parts, inverters and UPS, etc.,” the report said.

Cost of Funds to Manufacturers

In the second half of 2022, average lending rate to the sector from the commercial banks slowed to 22 percent from 24 percent recorded in the corresponding half of 2021 and the first half of 2022 respectively. The trend showed two percentage points declined over the periods.

The reported noted that commercial bank lending rate to the industries was grossly influenced by the incessant increase in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) in quest to maintain an appreciable real interest in order to attract foreign investment inflow.

In the last quarter of 2022, the MPR was retained at 16.5 per cent; CRR was 32.5 per cent; and liquidity ratio, 30 per cent.

The MAN observed in retrospect that the effect of the Russian war in Ukraine on the Nigerian economy was quick in the second half of 2022 as the cost of wheat and other food inputs increased. In addition, prices of fuels, particularly diesel rose by over 50 percent; cost of transportation logistics including shipping

escalated even as the effect of COVID-19 pandemic is yet to fully die down.

Moreover, the CBN policy on redesigning the Naira, which aimed at bringing N3 trillion of cash in circulation in the economy into the control of the banking system created a cash crunch that debilitated economic activities in the last quarter of 2022.

“This particularly affected the manufacturing sector adversely as it was extremely difficult to sell most of the fast-moving consumer goods and other commodities by the sector in the period.

Therefore, the performance of the manufacturing sector based on the outcome of the survey is corroborated by the GDP reports of National Bureau of Statistics, which showed that output growth of the sector declined to -1.91 percent in the third quarter of 2022 from 3.0 percent recorded in the second quarter before moving up to 2.83 percent in the fourth quarter of the year.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Consequently, it is critically important that the challenges identified by manufacturers in the course of the survey are adequately addressed, especially by improving forex availability to the manufacturers via the official windows.

The MAN recommended the prioritisation “of forex intervention through the official market, particularly to support the raw materials and machine needs of the industries; improve forex allocation to industrial sector and enhance the capacity of designated banks to efficiently process application of forex by manufacturers; grant concessional forex allocation at the official forex market to industries for importation of productive inputs that are not locally available and the unification of the various forex windows in the country.”

It also recommended the development and implementation of a roadmap for improved power supply that would focus on off-grid solutions and independent power projects by the private sector to ensure adequate supply of energy for production and also attract and expand investment.

The association also urged the government to “carry out further investment in the electricity value chain and commit to adding 10000MW to the current electricity distributed in the country.”

It also called on the government to “embrace and support significant development of energy mix and renewable: the country has huge potentials for solar and wind while commissioning the resuscitation of the existing national refineries to produce fuels locally.”

The bi-annual economic review of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for the H2 of 2022 showed a worsening condition of manufacturing activities in the country in almost every parameter, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

Quest for Food Security

The panelists that featured at the recent webinar on “Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector Allocation Relative to the National Budget: Implications on Food Security,” that was organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria came prepared to say it as it is without mincing words.

On hand to set the tone of discussion in her welcome address was the President of IoD Nigeria, Dr. Ije Jidenma (F.IoD). She said that the budgetary allocation of N228.43 billion for 2023 and N291.4 billion for 2022, which were 1.05 per cent and 1.78 per cent respectively were too small and too far less than the Malabo Declaration that Nigeria was a signatory to.

Jidenma said: “There is need to address funding challenges in order to address growth in agricultural output. I am advocating upward budget review of the sector’s budgetary allocation across all levels of governments.”

However, the panelists believed that beyond the seemingly poor budgetary allocation, there are other factors that have constituted a stumbling block on Nigeria’s quest for food security. They identified vested interests of civil servants, lack of synergy among the agencies and departments of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), high personnel cost and recurrent expenditure as major hindrances to Nigeria’s quest for food security.

They also said that collaboration between the FMARD and ministries of agriculture at state government level would be an important strategic step for the promotion of agricultural development in Nigeria.

They also tasked the incoming government to appoint a seasoned professional with firm grasp on issues affecting the agricultural sector as the minister of Agriculture, adding that agriculture should be the topmost priority of the next administration because the opportunity cost of neglecting agriculture is already telling on the Nigerian economy.

They also stated that governments does not require open display of rice or yam pyramids to show that their policies are effective, as only low foods prices in the markets would convince Nigerians that their governments are doing enough to promote agriculture.

The first panelist to fire the salvo was the Chief Executive Officer of Iproduce Africa, Mrs. Aisha Umar, a legal practitioner and former Senior Special Assistant to the President Goodluck Jonathan. Umar pointed out that her initial exposure to the agricultural sector when she was a legal consultant of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Water Resources. She was at that time instrumental to creating the legal framework for the reform of the sector and creation of some agencies like the National Food Reserve Agency and drafting of the bills for the establishment of a National Seed Council and the National Quarantine Agency.

The first thing she pointed out was that the budgetary allocation for agriculture might not be as little as it appeared if the focus would go beyond what is allocated to the FMARD and to include allocations to the departments, agencies, colleges and universities of agriculture and numerous agro research institutes that are being funded by the government both at federal, state and local government’s levels.

She said: “I will like to say is that even though the budget for the ministry that we see may be under 10 per cent, the ministry has many agencies and each of these agencies has their own separate budgets. If you are going

to look at the entire budget of the sector and not only the ministry’s allocation, you will find out that it is actually quite substantial.

“The ministry of agriculture has 15 research institutes with their separate budgets. There are also universities of agriculture and colleges of agriculture. It also has 11 parastatals like National Quarantine Agency, the Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, Institute of Animal Sciences, institute of soil sciences etc.

“But I think that all these bodies are working in silos and everyone wants to keep to its own rather than work as a team. To be honest, most of the funding ends up being fretted away on meetings, training, and very little per cent of the allocation, at times less than 50 per cent, gets to the farmers. They take so much in running their day to day expense that they leave very little for capital development.”

She added: “I am sorry to say that there are some vested interests who do not want the status quo to change. And these vested interests, I have to say with all due respect, are the civil servants who are benefiting from the current budgetary system that we have.”

She observed that the civil servants capitalised on the poor knowledge of the minister about the sector to feed him with information that would enable them to sustain their vested interests and alleged that unaccounted money in foreign currencies are going into the sector from the World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), etc.

Umar said: ‘You know that Nigeria is a member of many international food orgnisations like IFAD, FAO and the World Bank are giving us a lot in foreign exchange and nobody knows about them except the civil servants.

“I think the budget is not the problem. My solution is that we need a minister that has no vested interest who and who will be able to control the civil servants.

She was not alone in her observation. The Managing Director of Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Commission (NAIC), Mrs. Folashade Joseph, who was represented by Mr. Jerome Olowoyeye, said that we have to look beyond budgetary allocations to monitoring the utilisation of funds allocated to the sector.

She said: “I want to agree that more budgeting for agriculture is necessary but first it should be target based budgeting, not budgeting for budget purpose. It must be goal oriented budgeting.

“The bane of Nigeria’s underdevelopment is throwing money at problems while ignoring the fundamental issues.”

“Secondly, I agree that there are no synergies among the parastatals. You will see NIRSAL competing with NAIC, which is of no need because NARSAL is not an underwriter but NAIC is an underwriter. What we are supposed to do is to synergise by finding out where NARSAL can help NAIC and verse versa so that our target, which is food security for Nigeria will be achieved. The new government must ensure and insist that synergy exists to push the agricultural sector to desired destination.”

Former Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ekiti State, Dr. Olabode Adetoyi, added that strong collaboration is needed between the governments and the private sector for agriculture to perform at its full capacity and contribute 60 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP.

Agro experts at a recent webinar on Nigeria’s food security agreed that that factors beyond poor budgetary allocations are at work against the full realisation of the country’s agricultural potentials, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

Combating Substandard Agro Exports

It is disheartening that in a world where technology is exposing new methods of preserving, planting, harvesting and processing agricultural commodities, Nigeria is still lagging behind for not doing things the right way despite having the competitive and comparative edge to thrive in the global agro export space.

According to the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Professor Benedict Oramah, Nigeria has suffered over $700 million loss of agricultural produce to Europe alone, not to talk about the colossal losses to other continents, especially the Middle East that rely almost 100 per cent on importation for their food requirements.

Reasons for the rejection of Nigeria’s agro products included food safety, technical barriers, non-adherence to global best practices, etc.

Last year, a technical committee was set up by the federal government to prevent the rejection of agro exports from Nigeria. The Chairman of the Committee and Director, Commodities and Export Department of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Suleman Audu, charged the government to embark on a nationwide sensitisation programme of farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to adopt and embrace Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in order to gain unhindered access into the global markets.

The GAP is a voluntary certification programme, which verifies through an audit, that sound food safety practices are being used. It helps to reduce the risk of microbial contamination in foods to ensure that they are safe for consumption.

AGRO EXPORT POTENTIALS

The Nigerian agricultural sector is replete with diverse opportunities that if harnessed effectively would drive agricultural development and expand agricultural export. There is no denying the fact that Nigeria has the comparative and competitive advantage to thrive in the agro export space, but sadly, not much has been achieved with the nation’s abundant natural resources.

Although Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in its report stated that Nigeria’s Non-oil export grew by 39.91 per cent in 2022 to $4.820 billion, stressing that semi-processed and manufactured products made up 36.61 per cent of the exports beating agriculture’s 30.12 per cent volume of non-oil exports, while precious stones made up 17.06 per cent, and others 13.21 per cent.

Even though it appeared as a progress report, yet there is need for managers of the Nigerian economy to prioritise policies and strategic decisions that would drive growth to at least over 50 per cent in the short to medium term.

According to NEPC, the largest estimated untapped potentials for

Nigeria is China, which accounted for an estimated 65 per cent of total potential value.

China is currently the third largest agricultural export destination, after Turkey and Japan.

Overall, agriculture experts are of the view that the country has the potential to generate $40 billion annually from export of agricultural goods. With Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on the cards and being a common market arrangement, will encourage unhindered flow of Nigeria’s agricultural goods to key markets in Africa that are in need of it.

However, Nigeria must expedite actions in improving the basic infrastructure impacting agriculture export growth in order to harvest the advantages of the untapped market potential that AfCFTA provides.

AGRIC EXPORT CHALLENGES

Nigeria has a huge dearth of farmers with rudimentary skills and technical know-how to engage in international agric trade. Most of these farmers still depend on harmful substances to preserve their produces, which fall far below global best practices. Also, many non-oil exporters tend to take advantage of the unregulated export market to export products to other countries without necessary certifications.

Although, the NEPC in its various sensitisation programmes always emphasise on the need for non-oil exporters to approach the council before they engage in export activities so that they do not get their fingers burnt, unfortunately, the penchant to cut corners is still persist and constitute a major factor responsible for the high level of rejection of Nigeria’s agro products in the international

market. Hence, the need for the federal government to increase its level of engagement with farmers cannot be over emphasised.

According to PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PwC), logistic challenges at the ports in Nigeria’s two major ports, Apapa and Tin Can ports that are responsible for processing the bulk of trading activities in the country have continued to impact on export and import activities.

It stressed that a survey conducted in 2018 showed that Nigeria lost about $10 billion on non-oil exports due to gridlock at the port. The gridlock has led to refusal by buyers to renew contracts and in dire cases, outright cancellation of contractual agreements. The consequences of the gridlock include escalation in haulage costs, reduction in export prices due to degradation in the quality of produce while on extended transit to the port and decline in foreign exchange accruable from non-oil exports.

Another bottleneck to export is lack of adequate storage facilities and poor distribution network, which have led to significant post-harvest losses on account of produce perishability. Poor distribution network of farm produce from the major food belts is equally hampering the quality and quantity of the nation’s agricultural exports.

With growing globalisation and increasing emphasis on the quality of agricultural products, which is benchmarked on international food safety procedures, it has become imperative for the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) to put in place appropriate risk management measures and provide required guarantees on agricultural products leaving the shores of the country so as to avoid

sour relationship with trading partners. FEDERAL

GOVT’S ROLE

Clearly, the present administration is not doing enough to checkmate the high level of rejection at the international scene. There must be conscious and deliberate efforts to stop this trend. Apart from losing so much money to failed agric export, the country also has its name to protect.

The federal government must as a result of urgency increase its level of engagement with the real actors of the sector to put Nigeria on the global stage for agric export. Access to finance is still a major factor hindering farmers’ productivity. The financial sector still perceive the sector to be a high risk sector to do business with coupled with the fact that the sector does not generate immediate return on investments. The need to establish a special window for genuine non-oil exporters to have access to funds for export business will not be out of place.

Secondly, the federal government must fund regulatory agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring and enforcing standards. Nigeria’s vast nature in terms of land size is one of the reasons why these agencies are overwhelmed as it would be very difficult for these agencies to carry out their enforce activities. Funds for logistics, technical building, laboratories for testing and certification should be made available to these agencies to bolster their operations across the country. Exporters have also vented their frustrations over the activities of some regulatory agencies hindering the export trade flow. These agencies should act business facilitators rather than business inhibitors the exporters lamented.

The federal government must also lay emphasis on value addition to boost the export competitiveness of Nigeria’s agro commodities this could be achieved through increased investment in innovation and technology.

Nigeria’s agric export is still facing high level of rejection despite efforts of various regulatory agencies to stem the tide, writes Gilbert Ekugbe

Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru; Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan; President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a visit to the president-elect in Abuja by the senators…recently

L-R: Director, Press and Public Relations of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Eddy Megwa; Director Special Duties, NYSC, Alhaji Musa Abubakar; former NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Maharazu Ismaila Tsiga (rtd); and current NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, during the latter’s visit to the former director general at his residence in Tsiga, Katsina State…recently

L-R: Osun State Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Aina; state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; and state Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Agbor Ndoma Odim, at the commencement of the 2023 Batch A Stream 2 orientation course by NYSC held at the scheme permanent orientation camp in Ede, Osun State…recently

L-R: Managing Director, Redgecko PR Limited, Mr. Cornelius Onuoha; and officials of GTCO Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Tolulope Onipede and Mr. Charles Eremi, at the 2023 Food and Drink Festival media briefing in Lagos…recently

L-R: Representative of former First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Dr. Olamiji Ajanaku; representative of Prof Ayodele Falase, Dr. Olugbenga Falase; and Assistant Director, News at NTA, Mrs. Rabi Abdallah, receiving the Outstanding Healthcare Awards by Dove Healthcare Foundation in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently

Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor (right), and Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Prof. Eghosa Osaghae (left), during the inauguration ceremony of the General Leo Irabor Early Warning Systems Centre at NIIA in Lagos...recently

ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Chief Technology Officer of Kamoa, Jaoquim Serafim; Chief Product Officer, Kamoa, Oliver St-Clair-Stannard; Business Development and Relationship Manager, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Maryesther Ezeadi; DBN Head, Risk Assessment and Rating, Elvis Iyamu; Design Manager, Kamoa, Elizabeth Wangari Kagimbi; DBN Head of IT, Abiodun Ijaware; and Chief Executive Officer, Kamoa, Fredrick Nze, during the DBN/Kamoa workshop on Financial Institution Engagement held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Chairman,

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

PHOTO:

FOREIGN DESK

UN: Sudan Fighting Could Force 800,000 to Flee

Fighting in Sudan between two military factions could force more than 800,000 people to flee the country, the United Nations warned Monday, as the two sides continued to clash despite another three-day extension to a shaky ceasefire.

The deputy head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Raouf Mazou, said Monday that the refugee agency was planning for 815,000 people to flee Sudan into seven neighbouring countries. He said that included 580,000 Sudanese along with foreign refugees now living in Sudan.

Around 73,000 people have already left Sudan, he said.

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi said in a tweet Monday that the agency hopes its planning figures turn out to be too high, but said “if violence doesn’t stop, we will see more people forced to flee Sudan seeking safety.”

Residents in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and its neighbouring cities, reported hearing airstrikes and artillery fire Monday despite the extension Sunday of a ceasefire agreement for another 72 hours.

The top UN official in Sudan, Volker Perthes, told The Associated Press Monday that Sudan’s warring generals have agreed to send representatives — potentially to Saudi Arabia — for negotiations.

Ukraine to Boycott World Championships over Russia, Belarus Inclusion

The Ukrainian Judo Federation said Ukrainian judokas would not participate in this month’s world championships in Qatar following the International Judo Federation’s decision to readmit Russians and Belarusians as neutrals on Monday.

The International Olympic Committee last month recommended that athletes from the two countries be allowed to return to international competition as neutrals.

The IJF last week announced that it would allow judoka from Russia and Belarus to participate in the May 7-14 championships, saying its decision would allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The IOC’s recommendations exclude athletes who support the war or are contracted to military or national security agencies. The IJF has enlisted an independent company to perform background checks and identify such athletes.

However, the Ukrainian federation alleged that several Russian judokas registered for the championships are “active servicemen.”

“We do not see here neutrality, equal conditions and a ‘bridge to peace,’ as stated in the IJF Resolution on the participation of Russian and Belarusian teams in the World Championships in Doha,” the UJF said.

“We see here a decision that contradicts the latest recommendations of the International Olympic Committee ... We are disappointed with the decision of the International Judo Federation. Therefore, we have decided not to participate in the World Championships in Doha.”

Ukraine has barred its national sports teams from competing in events that include competitors from Russia and Belarus.

US Hosts Peace Talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan

The United States is pledging support for peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia and renewing its calls for an immediate reopening of the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles.

Early Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds separate meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Arlington, Virginia.

Blinken then meets with Mirzoyan and Bayramov for bilateral peace negotiations at the diplomatic facility near the State Department.

In recent months, tensions between the two neighbouring, former Soviet republics have increased over Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor, the only land route giving Armenia direct access to the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The State Department had voiced “deep concern” that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts for peace talks.

Monday’s meetings come after Blinken’s call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Sunday when the top US diplomat reiterated Washington’s call to reopen the land route.

US Not Backing Turkish Claims Islamic State Leader Is Dead

The United States is so far declining to back up claims by Turkey that Ankara’s forces have killed the current leader of the Islamic

State terror group following an operation in northern Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a claim during an interview with broadcaster TRT on Sunday, saying IS leader Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi “was neutralised as part of an operation by the Turkish national intelligence organisation in Syria [Saturday].”

Turkish media, citing security sources, reported the operation in the northern Syrian town of Jandaris, in an area controlled by Turkish-backed rebel groups, and that the IS leader had been under surveillance for some time.

Speaking to VOA on the condition of anonymity, a US official said that so far, Washington has seen nothing to suggest the Islamic State leader has indeed been killed.

“We are unable to confirm this,” the official said. “Furthermore, we have no information that would support this claim.”

IS leader Abu al-Hussein is little known beyond his kunya or nom-du-guerre.

The first mention of his name came this past November when the terror group proclaimed him the new IS leader in the same message announcing the death of his predecessor, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.

Iran’s Raisi to Visit Damascus

Wednesday

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi will travel to Damascus on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, touting a “very important” two-day visit against the backdrop of increased regional engagement with the Syrian regime.

“Dr Raisi’s trip to Damascus next Wednesday is a very important trip due to the changes and developments that are taking place in the region,” IRNA state news agency on Sunday quoted Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, as saying.

According to IRNA, Raisi will lead a “high economic-political delegation” in his two-day trip at the official invitation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Tehran, a major ally of Assad, has supported his government during Syria’s 12-year-old conflict, but no Iranian president has visited there since the war started in 2011.

The visit comes weeks after a landmark rapprochement agreement between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has also underlined greater Arab willingness to re-engage with the once-isolated Syrian government.

“This trip will not only be beneficial for Tehran and Damascus, but it is also a very good event that other countries in the region can also take advantage of,” Akbari was reported as saying.

There was no immediate official comment from the Syrian presidency.

Uzbeks Approve Changes That Could Extend President’s Stay Until 2040

Uzbeks gave overwhelming approval in a referendum to constitutional changes that promise human rights reforms, but that

also would potentially allow the country’s president to stay in office until 2040, the country’s central elections commission said Monday.

More than 90% of those who cast ballots Sunday voted for the measure, which was heavily promoted by the government, according to the commission. Nearly 85% of eligible voters took part, it said.

The changes include lengthening the presidential term from five to seven years, while retaining the existing two-term limit. Although President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is in his second term, the change in term length would allow him to run twice more after his current tenure ends in 2026.

Other changes include abolishing capital punishment and boosting legal protections for citizens, including those accused of crimes.

Under Mirziyoyev’s predecessor, Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan was one of the region’s most repressive countries. Mirziyoyev — who took over after Karimov died in 2016 — touts the constitutional changes as showing that Uzbekistan will make freedoms and human rights paramount.

The referendum was originally planned for last year but was delayed in the wake of deadly unrest in the Karakalpakstan region when it was announced that the changes would include rescinding Karakalpakstan’s right to vote on whether to secede.

US, Philippines Set to Meet as Tensions Grow with China

President Joe Biden is set to host President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines for White House talks Monday as concerns grow about the Chinese navy’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. Marcos’ visit to Washington comes after the U.S. and Philippines last week completed their largest war drills ever and as the two countries air forces on Monday will hold their first joint fighter jet training in the Philippines since 1990. The Philippines this year agreed to give the U.S. access to four more bases on the islands as the U.S. looks to deter China’s increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea.

Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters close to Philippine shores, which Beijing claims as its own.

Meanwhile, China has angered the Philippines by repeatedly harassing its navy and coast guard patrols and chasing away fishermen in waters close to Philippine shores, which Beijing claims as its own.

Sudanese Ambassadors Ask Warring Generals to Respect Ceasefire

As the conflict in Sudan enters its third week with a shaky ceasefire, the current and former Sudanese ambassadors to Washington told VOA they hope the ceasefire will eventually lead to meaningful long-term talks for peace.

Ambassador Mohammed Abdullah Idris said peace can only be realised if all parties respect the truce terms.

“A ceasefire, truce, is a two-way traffic,

so we hope that the other party will respect the truce and will respect the ceasefire, especially those elements of RSF [Rapid Support Forces] those [that] are deployed in residential areas, on roads, streets, intersections,” he told VOA during a one-on-one interview at the Sudanese Embassy in Washington.

Abdullah Idris said people in neighbourhoods where the fighting has occurred need the opportunity to move to safety.

WFP to Resume Operations in Sudan Amid Civil War

The World Food Program said in a statement Monday that it has lifted its suspension of operations in Sudan, as the fighting there threatens millions with hunger.

The WFP said food distribution is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in the coming days to provide the life-saving assistance that many so desperately need.

The agency said, “We will take utmost care to ensure the safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable.”

The WFP suspended operations when three staff members were killed on the first day of the conflict between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary unit, the Rapid Support Forces.

The WFP noted that more than 15 million people faced severe food insecurity in Sudan before the conflict began and said it expects the number “to grow significantly as the fighting continues.”

Meanwhile, United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has dispatched U.N. emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths to Sudan to assess the situation there.

Writing on Twitter from Nairobi Monday, Griffiths said, “We need to find ways to get aid into the country and distribute it to those in need,” as well as protect civilians, ensure safe passage for people fleeing the hostilities, and facilitate relief operations.

Griffiths is expected to arrive on Tuesday.

Autopsies Begin on Kenya Cult Members Who Starved Themselves to Death

Pathologists in Kenya began performing autopsies Monday on over 100 bodies of members of a religious cult who starved themselves to death under the belief that doing so would take them to heaven.

Officials found the bodies buried in shallow graves in Kenya’s Shakahola Forest.

A few people were found alive but died on the way to the hospital.

Children account for most of the recovered bodies so far, authorities say.

Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, a former taxi driver, founded the Christian-based cult. He is in police custody and is reportedly refusing food and water.

DNA samples will be extracted from the bodies to compare with relatives who have reported their loved ones missing.

Reuters reports that more than 300 people have been reported missing.

NAFOWA WALK FOR HEALTH...

Sanusi: It’s Nigeria’s Loss Osinbajo Was Not Elected President

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday gave what appeared an apparent assessment of the 2023 presidential election, disclosing that it was Nigeria’s loss that the country’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, failed to emerge as the nation’s leader during the recent poll.

Speaking during the virtual launch of a book: “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader”, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, insisted that the refusal of the political system to throw him up as president has made Nigeria worse off.

The February 25 election saw the emergence of former Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect in a poll many believe was not fully transparent. The election is being challenged by the opposition. Osinbajo had earlier contested against

Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, but lost the poll.

The book was put together by 25 journalists known as the “PYO Collective” among which were Richard Akinola, Az Ishiekwene, Arukaino Umukoro, among others. The foreword was done by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar. Sanusi, who is also the current Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria, said that the vice president remains one of the few persons in the current administration willing to debate any matter and yield to superior argument.

He added that Nigerians saw flashes of the brilliance of the senior lawyer and former university lecturer during the periods of absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed the hope that at some point in the future, the pastor would have a chance to lead the country.

Noting that Osinbajo was his personal friend even before he became vice president, he disclosed that one of the great things about him is that he is someone who never changed even while in office.

“The third element of our interaction was a symbol just as acting president dealing with problems of a president who was not well and a nation that was in crisis, and giving us an insight into how he would rule this country if he has the opportunity.

“And I dare say, we all agree that Nigeria is worse off for not having someone like him as president, but I do hope that he will be available to serve and to advise and to put in his best for the country and continue to do.

“So I'm sure he will, in whatever capacity he finds himself in the future, and maybe we'll still be lucky to have him lead us at some point or take some leadership role as a statesman,”

Sanusi stated.

Sanusi stated that unlike some politicians, Osinbajo was able to keep his friends throughout the years and assured the vice president that his friends will also be around to receive him when he leaves office.

He highlighted Osinbajo’s intellectualism, noting that although he (Sanusi) remains a strong critic of the current government, he (Osinbajo) was always willing to debate issues.

“As you know, I've been very critical of some of the policies of the government, and he will debate and he has the ability, as we all know, to accept a superior argument. Sometimes he would explain why it cannot be done. Sometimes he would explain that it's something that he also agrees with, but that it will take time to fix,” Sanusi recalled.

Describing the vice president as a peacemaker, Sanusi stated that on at least two occasions, he was impressed

by Osinbajo’s concern about progress being made between Fulani herdsmen and farmers during the crisis.

“I saw him in action calling meetings, asking what are the problems, trying to understand the root cause, trying to come up with recommendations on how to resolve them and basically informed himself and throwing himself into it,” he added.

In her remarks, world renowned author, Chimamanda Adichie, noted that Osinbajo was the only other person worth supporting during the election circle, explaining that by “some magically mysterious process”, Osinbajo lost the APC primaries. Adichie is a strong supporter of Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

“I remember watching prof’s magnificent speech at the APC primaries, and I was particularly struck by these words from him, ‘You cannot wish this country well

Heirs Insurance Announces Senior Leadership Appointments, Corporate Name Change

Heirs Insurance Limited renamed Heirs General Insurance Limited Wole Fayemi appointed MD/CEO of Heirs General Insurance

Heirs Insurance companies – Heirs General Insurance Limited (formerly Heirs Insurance Limited), and Heirs Life Assurance (HLA) - have announced appointments to their senior leadership positions, as well as the name change of Heirs Insurance Limited to Heirs General Insurance (HGI).

This was disclosed in a statement yesterday.

The companies founded in 2021, have quickly established themselves as leading players in the Nigerian market, offering customer friendly, innovative products and services that simplify insurance and democratise access. Both companies typify Heirs Holdings’ trademark strategy of shaking up a sector, delivering value to customers and championing financial inclusion.

Also, Heirs General Insurance announced the appointment of Wole Fayemi to the role of MD/ CEO effective from Tuesday, May 02, 2023. Fayemi, has over two decades of experience in the Nigerian insurance industry.

Prior to joining HGI, he served as Executive Director, Technical,

Old Mutual General Insurance, where he led the operations team to achieve top-line growth, re-organised the structural realignment of processes for higher efficiency, and drove the strategic direction of the operations team.

Commenting on the new appointment, Fayemi said, “It is a privilege to take on this position.

I have always been fascinated by the business track record of the Heirs Holdings Group and the significant impact Heirs General Insurance is making in the industry.

I look forward to taking on this mantle of leadership and steering the company towards its next milestones”.

Speaking on the appointment, Chairman, Heirs Holdings, parent company of Heirs General Insurance and Heirs Life, Tony Elumelu said: “Wole’s experience and vision for the insurance industry align with HGI’s mission. I have great confidence that he is the right leader for Heirs General Insurance, for the next phase of its business growth.

“His deep knowledge in the insurance industry and excellent business development skills will

play an important role in the future of the company - driving business expansion and establishing the company as a 21st century insurer.”

The board of directors of Heirs Life Assurance also announced the promotion of Tosin Bayo-Yusuf to the position of Executive Director/ Chief Operating Officer.

Bayo-Yusuf’s appointment followed the retirement of Wasiu Amao, the former Executive Director, Technical.

Bayo-Yusuf has a cumulative 17 years of work experience in the Nigerian Insurance industry.

She joined Heirs Life in 2021 and has held several leadership positions as the Head, Individual Life Operations, and most recently, as the Head of Bancassurance, where she championed the bancassurance partnership with United Bank for Africa.

She would support Heirs Life MD/CEO, Niyi Onifade, in driving the operations of the company.

Heirs General and Heirs Life companies reiterated their commitment and support to their regulators, National Insurance Commission, in increasing the insurance penetration across

Nigeria and redefining the insurance experience for millions of Nigerians.

Both companies are subsidiaries

of Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment company with operations across twenty countries worldwide.

and vote for someone you do not believe in.’

“But by some magically mysterious or perhaps mysteriously magical process, he did not win. So I remember sending prof a message saying that I had hoped he would win, but also telling him how conflicted I would have been because he is the only other person I could have supported in this election.

“And this support will have been based on his humane and human qualities, but also the fact that he has demonstrated leadership and particularly so I think when as acting president, he took a principled action telling us Nigerians that he will not desecrate the sanctity of the National Assembly,” she said in a long keynote.

Also speaking, a former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), lauded the role Osinbajo played in the rehabilitation of displaced persons, which he did not only in his capacity as the number two citizen but in his personal capacity as well by building schools and houses and empowering as many people as possible .

He also highlighted the vice president’s role in the national social investments programmes, economic recovery and growth plan and national economic council.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), described the professor of law as a great leader.

Group Calls for Renewal of NEDC CEO’s Tenure

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The North East Elders and Youths Peoples Forum (NEYPF) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, the president- elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima to renew the tenure of the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of North East Development Commission (NEDC).

This, according to them was to enable the CEO of the NEDC consolidate on his achievements and complete all the laudable projects he had started in the state.

The National Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Salihu Magaji, in company of many stakeholders made the call yesterday, while addressing a press conference in Bauchi.

According to him, "NEDC was established by president Muhammadu Buhari in response to the

yearning of the people of that region especially those who suffered destruction from Boko Haram insurgents, they destroyed many houses, schools, markets, mosques, churches, motor parks, police stations, military offices as well as government property in the zone.

"Their series of attacks within the past 13 years also rendered many citizens homeless and jobless. This is even as many citizens especially children dropped out of schools after being displaced from their towns."

He said as part of efforts of the Buhari-led administration and the APC to fulfill their campaign promises, efforts to resuscitate the region, the federal government created the commission with the mandate of rebuilding it and bringing succour to the victims.

"With Goni Ibrahim Alkali, NEDC since its creation few years ago, discharged its responsibility of

empowering victims of the Boko Haram crisis and other people of the north eastern states," the group added.

Magaji said, "when one examined the developmental and humanitarian projects carried out by the commission in the six North Eastern States, he intervened in various aspects of human endeavor particularly in the areas of health care, agricultural, education, infrastructural development and human empowerment.

“Alkali's NEDC carried out various intervention with zeal, patriotism, passion and commitment to bring succour to the people.

“Alkali has proven to solve the above riddle by coordinating, harmonising and overseeing the success of many intervention and initiative programmes for the north-eastern states through his effective, top and outstanding managerial skills."

L-R: Wife of the Chief of the Air Staff, Mrs Elizabeth Amao, Wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Anwuli Irabor, Wife of the the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Salami Faruk Yahaya and the Wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Hajiya Hajara Usman Baba, during a health walk organised by the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) in Abuja.

He’s the only other person I would have supported, says Chimamanda Urges Nigerians to reject politics of patronage Buhari, Gowon, Abiodun, Tambuwal, others pay tribute

WORKERS’ DAY CELEBRATION IN IBADAN...

Atiku to Buhari: Stop Bullying Judiciary, Focus on Redeeming Your Misgovernance

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to stop intimidating the judiciary with his prejudicial comments against the PDP presidential petition currently before the tribunal. In a statement by his media aide,

Paul Ibe, the former vice-president said, “We have read with disgust, the shameful efforts by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in playing the role of chief marketing officer of the electoral heist deliberately orchestrated to keep the ruling All Progressives Congress in power against the wishes of Nigerians.

"Starting from President Muhammadu Buhari himself, when he made a remark that will forever

remain in infamy while hosting some governors of his party, and alleged “the opposition lost the election due to overconfidence and complacency,” we have seen a pattern whereby senior officials of government are subtly bullying the judiciary to submission.

"While it is generally acknowledged that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has a notoriety of acting busybody,

it is ridiculous that the Minister will take a cue from his boss to weigh in on a matter that is already before the courts.

"The Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government has already breasted the tape for being the most irresponsible government in Nigeria on account of breaking its promises.

"Whereas President Buhari and his appointee INEC chairman,

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, had promised Nigerians and the entire world of conducting a credible, free and fair 2023 general election wherein technology will be deployed to track and protect every single ballot, we have seen how woefully this administration failed to deliver on its promises.

"We will not wish to explain much on the depravity that trailed the conduct of the 2023 general election

Abiodun: We've Paid N13bn Out of N19bn Owed Public Servants

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, disclosed that his administration has paid N13 billion out of the N19 billion global deductions owed public servants in the state.

The governor, who equally disclosed that his administration has paid N88.92 billion as pension for state and local government retirees till date, assured workers that the outstanding of N6 billion out of the global deductions would be paid in the coming months.

The governor gave these figures while addressing workers and members of trade unions at the celebration of the 2023 Workers' Day held at the M.K. O Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Emphasising on the theme of the event, "Workers' Rights and Social Economic Rights," Abiodun noted that his administration understood workers' plight and was working towards addressing them.

He said his government has paid the sum of N4.1 billion as gratuities for both state and local government retirees, just as the quarterly release for pensioners had been increased from N500 million to N1billion.

He also disclosed that the minimum monthly pay for pensioners in the state had been increased from N5,000 to N10,000.

He said, "The additional N700 million wage bill initially affected our plan which was to settle all outstanding commitments with our work force. Let me reassure you that our administration will continue to explore various financial options rather than imposing additional taxes on the people.

"Amongst other initiatives, we have put in place an improved working environment for our Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), commencement of year 2021 and 2022 promotion exercise of civil servants, provision of housing scheme for our workers; construction and allocation of Prince Court at Kemta Idi-Aba, Abeokuta and Kobape Estate, and newly constructed quarters for the Permanent Secretary at Laderin Estate", the governor pointed out.

"Parts of the welfare package for the workers include the review upward by 100 per cent car and motorcycle refurbishing loans, appointment of new Permanent Secretaries; Accountant-General, Solicitor-General, Principals-General and Tutor-General for seamless administration."

The governor added that his government was on the verge of implementing policies and programmes to enhance the health welfare package of the work force, while regular training and retraining to enhance productivity and improve service delivery in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, would be intensified.

He gave the assurance that his administration would not renege on its promises or any understanding reached with the workers, as they are also stakeholders in the "Building our Future Together" agenda.

While intimating workers the plans of his administration in the next four years, Abiodun said: "The second phase of our administration, we will ensure the completion of infrastructural projects encompassing transportation infrastructure, be it road, be it our airport, education infrastructure, be it renovation of

public schools, health infrastructure, including the provision and construction of primary health care centers till we have at least one PHC per ward.

"We will focus on the provision of public utilities which would be the supply of portable water and uninterrupted power supply to our major towns and villages to make life more abundant for our people.

"We will be embarking on our energy transition implementation through our e-mobility scheme, a plan to convert all our motorcycles to electric powered and also our mass transit buses to being gas

powered."

In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, represented by the Federal Controller of Labour, Mr. Itemoagbo Eshomounu, said workers as wealth creators have over the years, contributed to the socio-economic development of the country, emphasising that the federal government has taken steps to address challenges facing workers in their places of work.

The Ogun State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC)), Akeem Lasisi, lauded the state government for its efforts in

addressing the workers' plights, maintaining that the Workers’ Day celebration was dedicated to the workers for their hard work, dedication and resilience to the economic development of the State.

While urging the state government to put labour issues at the front burner, Lasisi also called on the federal government to address the current security and unemployment challenges, as well fuel subsidy issues, saying the union would continue to protect its members interest by engaging government constructively rather than embarking on unnecessary strikes.

since it remains a matter before the judiciary," he said.

Atiku, however, said it was important to caution the APC and, especially, senior officials of the current administration to desist from making commentaries that seemed as subtle bullying of the judicial processes that is currently putting the legality of the last election into trial.

According to Atiku, "If officials of the Buhari government must explain anything within their remaining days, let it be about telling Nigerians how they failed on their promises including issues of naira redesign; destruction instead of creation of jobs; the pervading state of insecurity and divisions along ethno-religious and political lines; galloping inflation and high cost of living; removing the corruption around the issues of fuel subsidy and their latest promise of conducting a national census, which, typically, they have failed to deliver upon.

"They must also explain to Nigerians why the country that they are leaving behind before going back to Niger Republic is the poverty capital of the world," Atiku stated.

JAMB Reschedules 80,000 Candidates for Exams on May 6

Tells private schools to stop interfering in process, says UTME not school-based examination

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), yesterday, said candidates who could not write the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) within their allotted time and date due to no error of theirs have another opportunity to do so on May 6.

Candidates under these categories are predominantly those who were verified at their centres but could not sit for the examination, those who could not be biometrically verified as well as those with mismatched data.

JAMB commenced its 2023 UTME on April 25 and was expected to have ended the examination by May 3. The board had said it would reschedule the exam of over 60,000

candidates affected by various glitches on day 1.

But yesterday, the board’s head of public affairs, Fabian Benjamin, said the number of outstanding candidates has now risen to 80,166.

“Out of the 1,586,765 candidates that indicated an interest in sitting the examination, only 80,166 are now outstanding,” he said.

“On the first day of the 2023 UTME, a number of candidates in some centres could not sit the examination as well as in some centres on subsequent days due to diverse reasons.

“Though a reasonable number of them have been rescheduled and have taken the examination, some are yet to take their examination.

“As part of the decisions reached at the end of an emergency management meeting held on 31st April

2023, the board has fixed Saturday, 6th May 2023, for all categories of candidates who have not sat their examination.”

Also listed for the rescheduled exams date are all candidates who were meant to sit the 2023 UTME at the Beautiful Beginning CBT Centre, Apo in Abuja, but missed their exam due to JAMB’s error in listing the address of the place.

Furthermore, it includes those who had been rescheduled for April 27, but received their notification at night on the same day or did not receive it at all and candidates posted to exam centres with reduced intake capacity.

Those in these categories, the JAMB spokesman said, are to print their slips on or before May 5, to know the exam time and venue.

JAMB said it would be releasing

the results of candidates who have taken the examination so far on May 2, 2023. It said it had delayed the release to ensure that all necessary screening is concluded.

“All candidates who sat the exam are urged to check their results on or before 8th May 2023,” the board added.

The Director of JAMB in Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Kolawole Jubril, in Ilorin, yesterday, during a chat with newsmen promised to reschedule the exam.

Aliyu had disclosed that just few out of over one million registered candidates were unable to write the UTME, promising that the board would reschedule only the captured candidates at the examination venues for 6th May, 2023.

L-R: Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde; Governor Seyi Makinde; his deputy, Bayo Lawal; PDP National Deputy Chairman, South, Hon Taofeek Arapaja and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima during the 2023 workers’ day celebration held at Adamasigba Stadium, Ibadan…yesterday

PHOTO: Oyo Gov's Media Unit.

WORKERS’ DAY CELEBRATION AT THE PEACE PARK...

10th N’Assembly: Northern Senators-elect Insist on Producing Senate President

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

No fewer than 39 out of the 58 Senators elected across the various political parties in Northern Nigeria, met Sunday night and resolved that their region must produce the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.

A ranking senator from the North West revealed the information to THISDAY yesterday in confidence.

The source said the senatorselect maintained that the North deserved the number three position in the country because the region delivered the highest number of votes for the President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the February 25 Presidential Election.

He said his colleagues also agreed to hold an expanded meeting that would involve all

the 58 elected senators from the three geopolitical zones of Nigeria in the second week of May.

The elected federal lawmakers, he added, said they would engage their counterparts from the Southern part of the country on the need to support their aspiration.

Part of their resolution, according to him, included that, "Northern Senators-elect met today Sunday, May 30, 2023 and deliberated amongst themselves across party lines. Before the meeting was adjourned, the senators-elect agreed to the following resolutions.

"That such meeting should be expanded by extending invitation to all elected senators from the three geo-political zones of North Central, North East and North West to attend the next meeting.

"The senators all agreed to work together irrespective of party, religion or zonal affiliations in the clamor for effective leadership in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"That the Senators-elect all have agreed that the President of the Senate shall emerge from the Northern part of the country.

"That it should be on record the Northern part of the country

contributed more votes to the victory of APC in the 2023 general election hence the need to have the office of the President of the Senate of the 10th Assembly.

"That the Northern Senators

agreed to mutually extend its cooperation with its southern counterparts in providing good governance in Nigeria as an essential tool to its stability and growth."

Lukman Writes Buhari, Tinubu, PGF, Insists APC NWC Lacks Power to Expel Him

Group warns Adamu to convene NEC or face court action

Pay Us Our Four Months Salary Arrears, SSANU Tells FG

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has asked the federal government to release the four months salaries of its members withheld during the nationwide strike in 2022.

It also urged government to ensure that SSANU members receive their own 40 per cent pay rise as soon as possible

In a goodwill message to mark the May Day 2023, national president of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim said it was worrisome that the federal government had remained adamant over the payment of withheld four months salaries during the nationwide strike in 2022.

He said:" Comrades you are all aware that SSANU complied with all industrial legal protocol before embarking on strike when government reneged on its part of the bargain.

“We have made every effort for government to see reason why we should be paid our rightful due all to no avail.

"We are once again calling on the government to urgently pay the withheld salaries without further

delay. The insensitivity of government to the plight of workers is provocative and unbearable.

"Comrades, you are also aware that since we suspended the strike last year, the issue of re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreement has not yielded any result.

"It's a pity that the federal government has remained adamant in the payment of withheld four months salaries during the nationwide strike in 2022.

“It appears the federal government does not like the industrial harmony in the universities. We are calling on government to without any delay ensure that the renegotiation is urgently concluded and implemented." On the 40 per cent pay rise, Ibrahim said it was unfathomable that while some workers had started receiving their payment while, SSANU members were yet to receive theirs.

"We call on government to ensure that our members receive their own payment as soon as possible if not, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the universities.

“We should also place it on record that the N50 billion Earned

Allowances which the government promised last year is yet to be paid. We are using this opportunity to tell the government to release is as quickly as possible as further delay will not b e helpful to the system.

"Comrades, you can bear with me that the morale of university workers is dampened by the inability of government to create a conducive environment in the university system, our members work under harsh condition, yet they put in their best to ensure that our students don't suffer. Government appears to be paying lip service to funding education.

"It is very clear that government pays more attention to frivolous things and has neglected the workers that generate the wealth of the nation and future of the young generation.

“We call on government to resolve all issues with university workers and also tackle the challenges facing the country," he said.

Ibrahim said despite the hostile environment in which workers operate, they have remained undeterred in their quest to contribute to the building of a great country.

Salihu Lukman, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect Bola Tinubu and the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Governor of Yobe State, Atiku Bagudu, insisting that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party lacked power to expel him.

The National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmad El-Marzuq, had recommended Lukman’s expulsion in a memo he wrote to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, dated April 28, 2023.

Responding to the memo in an open letter dated May 1, 2023, Lukman said while the issues raised in the memo were a response to the suit he filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, he hoped that the memo would be presented to the meeting of NWC scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

In that case, he stressed that the substantive issue would be the consideration of recommendation for disciplinary measures against him, which might require invoking Article 21.5 of the APC Constitution.

The National Vice Chairman pointed out that Article 21.3(i) of the APC constitution explicitly mandated only the Executive Committee of the party as the organ assigned the responsibility for disciplinary action as follows: "A complaint by any member of the party against a Public Office holder, elected or appointed, or another member or against a party organ or officer of the party shall be submitted to the Executive Committee of that party at all levels

concerned, which shall not later than seven (7) days of the receipt of the complaint, appoint a fact finding or Disciplinary Committee to examine the matter."

Lukman emphasised that with the above provision, his expectation would be for the NWC to consider the memo and if adopted refer the recommendations for onward transmission to the National Executive Committee (NEC).

In that case, he said the NWC would then be acting as the complainant.

"There is nowhere in the APC Constitution where the NWC is given the power to discipline any member of the party. I have already forwarded the memo to my legal team for further legal action.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the suit in question, which is being alleged to constitute anti-party activity will have to go ahead, especially to correct the erroneous interpretation of the Constitution by the National Legal Adviser to the effect that ‘it is not mandatory to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee every quarter for the purpose of presenting activities of the Party to the members of NEC," Lukman stated.

The party chieftain said such interpretation coming from the National Legal Adviser, whose legal qualification was not in doubt, smacked of deliberate attempt to manipulate the NWC into subverting the party's constitution.

Meanwhile, Progressive Rights Group, has called on Adamu to immediately convene the National

Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to render necessary accounts or be ready to face another court action.

National Convener of the group, Ibrahim Yusuf, in a statement, issued Monday said as members of the party, they would resist any attempt by Adamu and some members of the NWC to stifle Lukman, adding that they stood by Lukman for calling for the party's to return to the path of constitutionalism.

"Of recent, our great party has been engulfed by a confidence crisis at the highest administrative level of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC)," the group said.

It noted that it was on record that some well-meaning members of the party have severally raised the need for the party to toe the line of progressivism by ensuring strict adherence to the constitutional provisions of the party; allowing all organs of the party to function; engaging party leaders and members in regular meetings in line with the vision of the founding fathers of the party.

The group stressed that issue of accountability was one key factor that distinguished APC from other parties in 2015 and earned it victory at the polls over the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.

It however, lamented that down the line, especially in the last three years, the ruling party had been bogged by the PDP syndrome and the leaders have resorted to impunity and flagrant disobedience of the party constitution.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) is far from being over as the party's National Vice Chairman, North-West, Dr.

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, receiving the Platinum Peace Award presented by state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Laye Julius, and his Nigeria Labour Congress counterpart, Simon Barnabas, during the workers’ day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa ... yesterday

WORKERS’ DAY IN OGUN...

L-R: Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Ogun State chapter, Ahmed Benco; Deputy Chief of Staff of the Governor, Oluwatoyin

BUHARI CHARGES SUCCESSOR TO RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS

affiliate organisations, including Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Textile Union, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), collaborated with the pro-democracy leaders and groups to restore democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999 after almost two unbroken decades of military dictatorship.

Tinubu stated, "On this special day, as your president-elect, I extend my hands of friendship to the Nigerian workers through the two central labour unions – Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. In me you will find a dependable ally and co-labourer in the fight for social and economic justice for all Nigerians, including all the working people.

"At this point, I must remind Nigerian workers that we all have a common battle to wage, one which we must win together. And it is the fight against poverty, ignorance, disease, disunity, ethnic and religious hate and all negative forces that contend against the stability and prosperity of our country."

Tinubu further assured the workers that in the Nigeria he would lead from May 29, workers would have more than a minimum wage. He said they would be having a living wage to have a decent life and provide for their families.

The president-elect stressed that the days ahead would demand better understanding and cooperation from all sides, because leadership would require that tough and hard decisions were taken so that the people and all Nigerian workers could live better.

Resist Anti-democratic Forces, PDP Urges Nigerian Workers

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, saluted Nigerian workers and urged them to reinforce their resistance against anti-democratic forces seeking to take control of the country.

In a statement by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP commended Nigerian workers for their resilience, loyalty and patriotism in serving the country, despite the humiliating, suffocating and summersaulting antipeople economic policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC). PDP said such bad policies had brought untold life-discounting experiences to Nigerians in the last eight years.

According to PDP, "The deliberate suppression of the rights, wellbeing and opportunities of Nigerian workers reflects the ugly reality of the inhumanity, insensitivity and callousness of the APC administration, which relishes in inflicting pain and suffering on citizens."

PDP noted that many Nigerians, especially workers, were hurting over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, which was

characterised by multiple violations, manipulations, alteration of genuine election results, and brazen subversion of the will of the people.

The party charged Nigerian workers to use their strength and pivotal position in the country to protect and defend the country’s constitutional democracy from political manipulators, who were desperate to dash the hope of Nigerians for credible democratic leadership.

Kwara Governor, Speaker Pledge to Continue Prioritising Workers' Welfare

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday, said his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers and protect the interest of labour unions in the state.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu DanladiSalihu, spoke in a similar vein. Danladi-Salihu extolled the state workforce and described them as the engine room for socioeconomic development.

The governor, who spoke at the May Day celebration in Ilorin, acknowledged workers’ support before and during the last general election, saying they are grounded in the progressive and noble values of the global workforce. AbdulRazaq stated, "Great workers, this administration is your own and it will always be your own.

We owe our recent election victory to God Almighty, to you the great workers and to all of the people of our state, who stood for the collective aspirations to place Kwara on a path of steady, inclusive growth and collective prosperity that we represent.

"I thank you very much. I reassure you that we will not drop the ball. We will continue to prioritise your welfare while also creating an environment for collective growth."

The governor pledged to maximise the gains of the last four years through implementation of viable programmes and policies.

The speaker extolled the state’s workforce, describing them as the engine room for socioeconomic development.

"Labour Day is an important reminder of the vital role that workers play in the societal socioeconomic development and to also appreciate them for their contributions,” Danladi-Salihu said.

Kwara NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Olayinka, commended the governor for giving the welfare of workers and pensioners, including prompt payment of workers' salaries and their promotion as and when due, top priority.

Niger Governor Worries About Huge Wage Bill

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, expressed worry over the huge wage bill the government had to contend with monthly and what he described as "anomalies in the civil service".

Bello, in a statement marking this year's May Day, said he did not mean the amount the government paid workers or the type of anomalies the civil servants were involved in.

He, however, admonished civil servants to be "effective and productive in the performance of their duties in their interest, too."

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, Bello asked workers "to be sincere with themselves and support the incoming government in the state in addressing ugly trends that have continued to bring setbacks within the system."

He listed his "modest achievements" in the last eight years to include prompt payment of salaries and wages, implementation of new minimum wage and salary structure for health workers and federal paramilitary salary structure for the State Fire Service, refund of 7.5 per cent pension deduction, as well as 15 per cent salary augmentation for workers of the state tertiary institutions.

Diri: Workers Are Society’s Backbone

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said workers remained the backbone of society for their invaluable contributions to socioeconomic development. Diri stated this on Monday during this year's Workers’ Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

The state’s workforce honoured the governor with an Award of Excellence and Platinum Peace Award for the promotion of peace and workers’ welfare.

The governor said the celebration was a reminder that alongside the government, workers collectively fought against poverty, poor healthcare, insecurity and underdevelopment.

Diri said as a former teacher and worker-friendly governor, his administration was in a better position to tackle the challenges that workers faced.

He added, “The contributions that workers make to our families, communities, society and economy every day cannot be overlooked or understated.

“As we reflect on what it means to be a worker, this government is mindful of the fact that we owe you a collective debt of gratitude and acknowledge the fact that you remain the backbone of society; working tirelessly to provide for our loved ones and to build a better future for ourselves and those who come after us.

“When we say, ‘Aluta Continua’, let us all remind ourselves of the

things we are collectively fighting against and who our common enemies are. We are fighting against poverty, insecurity, underdevelopment, poor healthcare and poor infrastructure, among others.

“As a teacher, it is no fluke that I am known as the workers’ friend and run a labour-friendly government. There is no doubt that the aspirations of labour are best realised under a responsive and responsible government. I want to believe that in your Government of Prosperity, you have found a faithful partner to fight these issues.”

Oyebanji to Labour: Join in Clamour for Increased Allocation

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, urged the labour unions to join his administration in its quest for higher and more equitable allocation to the state from the Federation Account to enhance the welfare of workers and the entire people of the state.

Speaking at this year's May Day celebration held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, his first as governor, Oyebanji assured the people that his administration would continue to make determined efforts to improve workers’ conditions of service within available resources.

He hailed organised labour in the state under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all their affiliate unions for their demonstrated maturity, courage, understanding and support to the government as a major stakeholder in the development of the state, despite daunting challenges.

Oyebanji also commended the labour unions for the industrial peace and tranquillity being enjoyed in the state, which he attributed to their collaborative disposition and meaningful dialogue in resolving issues that border on the welfare of workers.

In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, “Workers’ Right and Socio-Economic Justice,” the governor urged the labour unions to join his administration's crusade in sensitising the citizens and the federal government to ensure justice and fairness in the sharing of the allocations from the Federation Account. He expressed dismay at Ekiti's share, saying it is "extremely meagre" and unable to meet the obligations the government is saddled with.

Soludo Assures Anambra Workers of Support

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, assured the state workforce of continuous support from his administration. Soludo said organised labour constituted the smallest fraction of workers in the state, and his administration

House of Assembly,

and Governor Dapo Abiodun at the 2023 May Day rally at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta... yesterday

would care not only for members of the organised labour, but also traders, transporters and other cadres of workers in the state, whom he said constituted the largest number of workers in the state.

The governor also stated that his government had continued to ensure clearance of all pensions and gratuities of retirees, who left the civil service in his administration.

Soludo said, "The organised labour makes up a small portion of the state workforce. Keke drivers, transporters, hawkers, traders, farmers, artisans, and self-employed individuals who are much more in number, are also workers.

"You should be aware that anything pertaining to workers that this government has not done is currently not financially feasible. I made the decision and everybody who has retired under my watch has been paid their gratuity and pensions as and when due.

"Our government is very transparent. The budget for this year is predicated on IGR of N4 billion per month, but we are actually making an average of N2 billion per month, operating with an N8 billion naira deficit for the past four months.

"Revenue is not increasing, so one of the pressures I faced when I took office was to review employee salaries and reduce the workforce by half. The story wouldn't be what it is today if I had yielded to it."

Meanwhile, the chairman of NLC in Anambra State, Comrade Emeka Nwafor, decried the condition of pensioners in the state, saying many of them are dying without being paid the retirement benefits.

Sani Assures Workers of Friendly Administration

Kaduna State Governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, promised to run worker-friendly administration in the state.

In a solidarity message marking Workers’ Day in Kaduna, Sani felicitated with Nigerian workers, noting their immeasurable contributions to nation building.

Sani stated, “Your sacrifices are well-documented and deeply cherished by Nigerians. You have stoutly defended our democracy and the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Nigerian people.

“You stand for national unity at all times. Nigerian workers and, indeed, the labour movement are the key pillars of Nigeria’s progress and unity."

The governor-elect said Nigeria had been going through challenges, stressing, “it is heart-warming to note that workers have not wavered in their belief in the country and commitment to national progress and development.”

Sani paid “special tribute to the resilient, resourceful and hardworking workers of Kaduna State for their diligence and commitment to the

progress and development of our dear state."

He promised to “run workerfriendly administration by prioritising workers' welfare and providing them with the tools and incentives that will help fire up their zeal to perform optimally.”

Akeredolu: Workers’ Resilience, Dedication Have Engendered Development

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), hailed the resilience of workers in the state and saluted their dedication to service, saying it has engendered development.

The governor, in his message to workers, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, congratulated the workers on the occasion of the 2023 Workers’ Day celebration.

Akeredolu stated that the dedication of the civil servants had engendered optimum service delivery to the people of the state. He thanked the labour leadership in the state for the show of understanding and courage during the challenging times.

The governor said, “We understand the place of workers and their contributions to the socio-economic and political development of our state. This is part of the many reasons why workers’ welfare has remained top priority of our administration.

“We have also continued to develop and build infrastructure to make life more meaningful and better for our teeming workers and other residents of the state. We are glad that our administration surmounted the challenges imposed by dwindling resources, which resulted in our inability to pay full salaries as and when due early last year.

“Today, we have paid workers’ salaries up to date. Even the seven months salary arrears owed by the previous administration have almost been virtually cleared by our administration. We intend to sustain the current trend in payment of salaries as and when due, as our aim is to finish our tenure without owing salary. We trust in Almighty God to help us achieve this. Indeed, since we assumed office over six years ago promotion of workers across all cadres have been done regularly with financial benefits.

“We are also bringing new lease of life into the civil service. We recognise the importance of innovation and ideas. Our administration, through the Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit (PPIMU) has commenced innovation challenge for civil servants to help unlock their potentials and harvest their ideas for optimum service delivery. The second edition of the innovation challenge holds this year.”

Taiwo; Speaker, Ogun State

Olakunle Oluomo

LAUNCHING OF THE WORLD AHEAD…

Bandits Kill 518 in Zangon Kataf in Five Years, Says ACDA

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) yesterday said that in the past five years, 518 people have been killed by armed herdsmen in the persistent attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

Addressing a press conference in Samaru Kataf, Zangon Kataf LGA, President of ACDA, Mr. Samuel Achie also said 20 communities have been displaced while 18 others were burnt down from 2017 to date.

He maintained that the

persistent killings and destruction of property in Atyap land shall be resisted.

Achie alleged that the military personnel drafted to provide security in the area were not helping matters, accusing them of bias in handling the security challenges in the area.

He said: “As at the last count, 20 villages have been displaced, 18 villages burnt down, while 518 people killed with thousands of victims who have taken refuge across many communities from 2017 till date.”

He said the military, “instead of performing their primary assignment of securing all lives

Elumelu Urged to Congratulate LP’s House Member-elect, Okolie

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, has been urged “to make a strong statement for democracy and write his name in the hall of honour” by congratulating Hon Ngozi Okolie, the winner of the February 25, 2023, election in the Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency in Delta State. A group of political analysts cum social commentators, who made the appeal in Asaba, the state capital, noted that democracy could only thrive and the interest of the people effectively served if the wishes of the people expressed through their votes are respected, encouraged and upheld.

The ‘Concerned Citizens for Sustained Democracy’ noted that the advice was prompted by a recent widely publicised statement

by Elumelu congratulating Ahmadu Fintiri for emerging as the winner of the governorship election in Adamawa State at the conclusion of the supplementary election in the state.

However, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the election, Ngozi Okolie, won the Aniocha/ Oshimili federal constituency election, defeating his closest rival, Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by a margin of more than 20,000 votes.

The victory, believed to have been helped by the overwhelming influence of the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, made it the first time ever that someone from Oshimili (Asaba area) of the federal constituency would secure an electoral mandate to represent Aniocha/Oshimili in the House of Representatives since 1999.

Rotary Distributes Starter Packs to Youths, Women in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central District 1941, Rivers State, yesterday distributed starter pack to beneficiaries of its district grant-assisted project.

The beneficiaries, including youths and women, who were trained in fashion designing at professional tailoring institute, The Tailor’s Life Coach, were given brand new sewing machine each and other tailoring equipment to aid their job after graduation.

Speaking at the graduation

and properties of the communities, they are selective by taking side with the herdsmen.”

The group called on the state government and security agencies to evacuate migrant herdsmen

“to where they came from, as was done with Almajiris”, to stop the attacks. Achie also faulted the sector commander of the military security outfit, Operation Safe

Heaven, Brig. Gen. Timothy Opurum, for attributing the latest killings in the area to the poisoning of over 70 cows.

“This came to us as a surprise because he (Opurum) knows of

a standing agreement in Atyap land that any proven case of cow poisoning against any community, such community shall be responsible for replacing such cows.

Assembly Leadership: Tinubu’s Group Cautions against Religion, Ethnic Politics

A pro-Bola Tinubu presidency group, Renewed Hope Advocates (RHA), has cautioned the contenders for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly to avoid religion and ethnicity-based campaigns because it is ultimately counterproductive.

Director-General of the group, Olufemi-Daniels Agbaoku, in a statement, said the direction the campaigns for the office of the Senate President and House Speakership, has assumed was becoming disturbing because of the deliberate move to bring religion

and ethnic cards into it.

He said: “One of the greatest takeaways from the election of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is that it has defeated religion in the politics of our nation with his Muslim-Muslim ticket, and all we have to do now is sustain that effort and take out that enemy of Nigeria (religion) from her politics.

“After all, this is not the first time we are having same faith leadership at the National Assembly and heaven did not fall. In fact, the Muslims never made a fuss of it. But the Christians cannot continue

to stoke religion politics because it is nothing but defeatist.

“In our not-too-distant-history, we had a David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu head the National Assembly leadership and both were Christians, who held their grounds without pandering to sentiments. We have to move past this and the 10th National Assembly provides the opportunity for that.”

Agbaoku maintained that, “If we recall, running a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket appeared the biggest challenge for Asiwaju Tinubu, but the man held his

ground, because he knew what damage religion has done to the fabric of our politics and God eventually used him to kill that monster in our politics.

“The election of the 10th National Assembly is part of the 2023 run and the federal legislature is not an appendage of the executive but a distinct and complementary arm of government. It should be allowed to choose the best of them in the overall interest of the nation. This is part of moving past primitive religion and ethnic politics,” he added.

Organised Labour Demands Overhauling of Katsina LG Pension Board

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina state chapter of the organised labour has demanded the immediate overhauling of the Local Government Pension Board in the state for efficient and effective service delivery.

The State Chairman of the Trade

Union Congress (TUC), Muntari Abdul, who spoke on behalf of the organised labour during Workers’ day celebration yesterday, said the board needed to be overhauled urgently.

He said the overhauling of the board would pave the way for full participation of the composition of

the board to ensure adherence to the laws that established it.

He said: “The organised labour perceives the urgent need for overhauling the local government pension board of the state with a view to ensuring full participation of the composition of the board as well as to strictly adhere to the

laws that established the board aimed at effective service delivery.” He, however, called on the state government to clear the backlog of gratuity of retirees in both local government and state levels in order to mitigate the economic hardship faced by the senior citizens.

Dangote Urges African Countries to Dismantle Trade Barriers to Sustain Growth

Africa’s foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, called on African countries to dismantle all economic barriers hindering free trade among the nations so as to achieve sustainable growth and development on the continent. Dangote also restated the irrevocable commitment of his

Pan-African conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited to solving some of the economic challenges faced by the African continent and her people.

Dangote, who spoke in Lagos at the launch of a special publication

“The World Ahead 2023” by the renowned media outfit, The Economist, noted his group had

committed over $20 billion on investments in several key sectors of the African economy.

According to him, he massive investments were meant to turn around Africa’s economic fortunes in the quest for sustained economic growth of the continent through free trade and economic integration.

Dangote, who was represented

by the Group Executive Director/ Group Chief Risk Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun, said that the crucial task of building a sustainable future that guarantees equitable growth and prosperity for all, should not be the exclusive role of the public sector alone, but should also involve the private sector.

Secondary, Primary Schools’ Teachers End Strike in A’Ibom

Okon BasseyinUyo

and starter pack distribution ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Mr. Ali Akuetieme, president of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central, explained that the gesture was part of the Rotary area of focus on economic empowerment.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Akuetieme said: “What we give might not make you wealthy, but it will help you to provide for yourself, sustain your family and possibly roll from there, and in the future, you could support someone. So, what we have done today is economic empowerment.”

Public secondary and primary schools teachers in Akwa Ibom State have called off the four days strike initiated against the state government. The industrial action was called off following resolutions reached

by the state government with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) at the end of a closed-door meeting held last Sunday evening The meeting was presided over by the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, at Government House in Uyo.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the state Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Development, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, affirmed that the state government and the labour leaders have dialogued to a compromise on the issues that gave rise to the industrial action,

and described the resolution as a win-win outcome.

“It was a very peaceful meeting. The governor saw what needed to be done and the NLC also saw what was delaying the process. So it was a win-win situation and the matters enumerated by NUT chairman have been resolved,” Nkom said.

Applicant Slumps, Dies at Venue of Interview in Niger

Laleye DipoinMinna Tragedy struck at the Niger State Civil Service Commission Secretariat last Saturday evening when a deputy director applicant slumped and died at the venue

of an interview.

Abdullahi Yahaya said to be about 50 years old was said to have been called to face the panelists for an oral interview when he suddenly slumped at the entrance. The incident reportedly caused

pandemonium with those around struggling to revive him. The interview was also said to have been suspended as a result of the development.

It was learnt that Yahaya was rushed to the hospital near the CSC

where medical officials confirmed him dead on arrival. His remains, according to sources, were taken to the General Hospital mortuary in the state from where it was evacuated for burial last Sunday morning.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo; Managing Director, CT Productions, Camelia Oros Tsarouchis; Group Executive Director/Group Chief Risk Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun, and Regional Executive/Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Bolaji Lawal, at the launch of “The World Ahead 2023” a special publication of The Economist in Lagos…recently

ACCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES…

L-R: Mr. Charles Osezua; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and former Managing Director of American-Nigerian

Theresa Osezua Imuze, held in Lagos…recently

Group Tasks EFCC, ICPC to Investigate the Concession of Ajaokuta Steel Company

Ibrahim Oyewalein Lokoja

A group, Kogi Heritage Protection Advocacy, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the sudden plan by the federal government to concession the Ajaokuta Steel

Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company in Itakpe, Kogi State.

The spokesman of the group, Mr. Edward Jatto, while speaking at a press conference yesterday in Okene, expressed sadness and surprise that the government of Nigeria decided to concession the companies without following the due process, adding that the companies that would have

Bus Carrying Stranded Nigerians from Sudan Catches Fire

One of the buses conveying stranded Nigerians from Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, to Port Sudan where they would move into Saudi Arabia caught fire in the early hours of yesterday.

Sani Aliyu, who is Sudan was quoted as explaining that one of the buses conveying some 50 Nigerian students from Sudan with a tag number (Katsina 1) heading to Port Sudan as part of the second batch of FGN evacuation got damaged due to excessive heat from one of the vehicle’s tyres.

He said: “Dr Hashim Idris Na’Allah, the chairman of the

Nigerian Elders’ Forum in Sudan, was one of the passengers in the said bus, which contained a total of 50 students (49 males, 1 female).

“The incident happened around 2:30am Sudan time.

“The driver stopped the bus near an RSF checkpoint, just before the tire exploded causing a fire to start.

“All the passengers escaped unhurt. “Forty out of the 50 passengers were later distributed to the other buses evacuating the students, while the remaining passengers spent the night where the incident happened alongside the driver at the RSF checkpoint.

Cleric Tasks Politicians on Electoral Promises

Becky Umenyili

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins has called on those elected to various positions in the country to live up to their manifestoes and electoral promises.

The cleric, who made this call during his pastoral visit to the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Omole, recently, encouraged all Nigerians to eagerly expect those voted to fulfil their manifestoes as shepherds of the people.

Archbishop Martins also

been employing youths is about to be committed into the hands of friends of the government that might eventually kill them.

Jatto explained that the call for concession by the Federal Ministry

of Mines and Steel Development is a suspicious move, adding that the plan came in barely two months to the expiration of the tenure of the current government.

He said: “Nigerians woke up

to the shocking news on April 21, 2023, that the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development put up an international and local advertisement on the concessioning of Ajaokuta Steel Company and

Itakpe Iron Ore Company. The advert gave only 20 days threshold for local and international interested companies to respond with detailed offers and not just expressions of interest.

Former NBA President, Wali, Regain Freedom from Kidnappers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali, SAN, has regained freedom after about 13 days in the kidnappers’ den.

The former NBA president was reportedly abducted on April 17, 2023, after his convoy was

attacked along East–West Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

In the process of the abduction, THISDAY gathered that two of Wali’s aides were shot dead by the kidnappers who were disguised in military camouflage.

It was also reported that some members of a Police patrol team, who tried to rescue him

sustained injuries after their vehicle somersaulted while chasing the kidnappers.

President of NBA, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, his family and other meaningful Nigerians, had pleaded for his unconditional released, calling on the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of the SAN.

However, current information

gathered had it that the former NBA president had been freed. Though where and how he came out from the kidnappers’ den was yet to be ascertained as at the time of this report.

Wali’s immediate community in Obio-Akpor local area of Rivers had also embarked on a peaceful protest to demand his freedom from his abductors.

Indigenes, Fulani Trade Blames as Hostilities Resume in Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau Youth Council (PYC) has fingered Fulani herders in the renewed killings in the state in the past two weeks.

The group said information available to them showed that a killer squad operated by some herders was responsible for the

killings in Plateau villages, claiming that the squad carried out coordinated attacks in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, and Bokkos Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.

This is even as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has

accused the native of murdering innocent Fulani teenagers working on their father’s farm at Dong-kassa village of Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

The two are calling on security agents to fish out the perpetrators of the killings before they escalate further.

The Chairman of PYC, Mr. Lot Sunday Adas said from April 15, 2023 till date, several villages and hamlets have come under attacks, adding that “our people are killed, while others have been displaced from their ancestral homes, and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed.”

A’Ibom NLC to Set up Monitoring Team on Petroleum Products

exhorted everyone, particularly those in leadership positions to lead virtuously at homes, offices and business are as for common good and progress of the society.

He also advised all youth, especially about 150 faithful who were newly conferred with the Sacrament of Confirmation in the parish to express the gifts of love and faith everywhere and avoid partiality as regard tribe, class or religion.

Other highlights of his visit included the inauguration of a multi-purpose hall and Marian Grotto in the parish.

Tekedia Institute Launches Mini-MBA Programme

United States (US)-based business school, Tekedia Institute, has announced the commencement of a new admission cycle for its virtual Mini-MBA programme targeted at professionals and business leaders worldwide. The programme, themed “Innovation, Growth & Digital Execution: Techniques for Building Category-King Companies,” is designed to equip participants with the 21st-century skill sets to capture emerging opportunities across the global market to drive profitability through innovative business approaches.

The Tekedia Mini-MBA, scheduled to hold from the 5th of

June, 2023, to the 2nd of September, 2023, is a 12-week-long innovationled management programme that seeks to introduce emerging business experts to contemporary business execution and growth strategies.

It is on this premise that faculty members from reputable global organisations like MTN Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Jobberman, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Schlumberger, Mastercard, KPMG, Access Bank, Shell, Microsoft, and Flutterwave have been selected to assist the participants in developing problemsolving competencies to champion analytical-driven solutions.

Worried by hike in petroleum products, the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is to set up taskforce of workers on Petroleum Products Monitoring.

The NLC Chairperson in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Sunny James disclosed this in his May

Day speech to workers in the state yesterday.

He said the monitoring was going to be in collaboration with government agency to stem the tide of unnecessary price increase and diversion of petroleum products by marketers in the State.

He said that labour would

not hesitate to picket any filling station found culpable.

James decried a situation in the state where a litre of fuel goes between N240 to N270 as against the federal government’s approved new pump price of N185 per litre.

He said it was worrisome that in spite of the state being

oil producing state, some marketers even sell up to N400 per litre ìncident the last two months.

He said that labour would no longer tolerate any such oppression of workers by shylock marketers for continuously inflicting pains on the people

Edo APC Suspends Ex-Attorney General, Idahagbon, over Alleged Anti-party Activities

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

The gale of suspension in Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday continued as the party in Egor Local Government Area suspended former state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, over alleged anti-party activities.

The leadership of the party, which announced the

suspension of Idahagbon, said the decision for his suspension was reached following the outcome of a disciplinary report set up to investigate the former commissioner was in accordance with Article 21 (B) of the APC constitution (March 2022) as amended.

The suspension letter which was endorsed by the Chairman of the party in Egor, Chief Emmanuel

Iyase; Osaro Osa Eribo (Vice Chairman); Joshua Uwagboe, (Secretary), and 17 others was addressed to the state Chairman of the party, Col David Imuse (rtd); Lawrence Okah (Secretary), and was also copied former state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

But when contacted, Idahagbon said there is nothing to it, adding that: “It is just an April Fool joke coming at the end of April.

Portion of the suspension notices read: “That subject to the hallowed provisions of our party’s constitution and the right to fair hearing, Henry Idahagbon was invited severally by the Local Government Disciplinary Committee but blatantly refused to honour the invitation thereby flouting rules, regulation and decisions of the party (see article 21: vii of APC Constitution)

Farmer Commits Suicide over Alleged Wife’s Infidelity in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Police Command has confirmed the suicide of one Friday Omosigho, a farmer who allegedly killed himself after consuming substance suspected to be insecticide called “sniper”.

The incident was said to have occurred at Ehiozevbaru

Village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of thee state.

Confirming the report, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, said the deceased committed suicide by drinking sniper, after attempting to murder his wife, Mercy Omosigho, over infidelity. Nwanbuzor said the deceased

elder brother, Mr Monday Omosigho reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Egba Police division. The command image maker further stated that the police upon receiving the information moved to the scene and recovered the corpse of Friday, and deposited it at a mortuary

in Benin City.

“The wife, who was still alive, was taken to the hospital where she is receiving treatment.

“Investigation on the matter is ongoing and the case has been transferred to the homicide department of the state command,” the PPRO added.

Bank, Osaro Isokpan, during a Requiem Mass for his mother, Madam

Akinwunmi Steps Down as Lagos FA Chairman After 12 Years

Duro Ikhazuagbe

After 12 years in the saddle, the immediate past 1st Vice President of the the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, yesterday formally stepped down as Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA).

At a media parley inside the Board room of the LSFA secretariat on Ogunlana Drive in Surulere, Akinwunmi said his decision to step down was to take effect last January but because it was in the middle of the state’s FA Cup, he decided to tarry awhile. He insisted his leaving in January would have given wrong signal to sponsors and stakeholders.

“I have called for this interaction and I’m here to tell you that I’m stepping down after 12 years and three months of being at the helms of affairs as Chairman of Lagos State Football Association,” began the senior lawyer.

“It’s been a wonderful 12 years which honestly, have been a fulfillment of my dreams. I have resigned as LSFA chairman; I was not pushed out but leaving on my own volition. There is no subterfuge of any kind.

Akinwunmi who as driver of Ekofootball, made development of the game at the grassroots a priority. Capacity building of kids of diverse background made him the toast of stakeholders in the game in the state and the western sub region.

“I’d planned that I would not stay longer than these 12 years but I’m not leaving football because football is part of my life; and I can guarantee that henceforth in every quarter you’ll see something that would make me call all of you together,” he further stressed. He was first elected in 2011

and made Ekofootball to be synonymous with the best youth development programme and the most vibrant women’s football ecosystem in the country amongst many other developmental initiatives.

The outgoing chairman however admitted that his 12year tenure were not without challenges but was able to succeed through painstaking efforts, patience and humility,

He therefore urge his successor to imbibe same ethos in order to keep the flag of the LSFA flying.

While dismissing speculation in a section of the media that he was stepping down from the Lagos FA post in order to head the Nigeria Premier Football league(NPFL), Akinwunmi insisted that he was eminently qualified for any post in football in the country after serving in various capacities in the past.

“The NPFL is not my aspiration,” he said assuredly. “I have heard the speculations about the LMC post but the truth is that you don’t make plans for what does not exist because there’s no rule as to how the

head of the league body is going to be appointed. But if you look around, I’m eminently qualified and probably more than most. How many people had been legal adviser to the NFF, State FA Chairman, Zonal Coordinator, league board member, Chairman of the Nigeria National League, Vice President of NFF. I don’t think there’s anybody in Nigeria that have all that qualifications,” concludes Akinwunmi even as he revealed he would be available to offer his expert opinion on football matters.

Nigeria, Brazil, Others Confirmed for Youth Olympic Games Curling Event

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

As the countdown to the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games continues, the qualification for the prestigious curling competition has been finalised.

The World Curling Federation through an official statement on its website confirmed Nigeria as one of the countries that would feature in both the Mixed Team Championship and Mixed Doubles Championship at next year’s Youth Winter Olympic Games.

Hosts Korea, Brazil, and the United States are among the other countries that would also have representation simultaneously in both the Mixed Team Championship and the Mixed Doubles Championship.

The countries that would be battling for honours in Gangwon secured qualification throug dif- ferent routes.

While some earned qualification through points earned at world championships held in Finland, others sealed their places through regional quotas or as the National Olympic Committee with the most points outside these initial criteria.

President of the Nigeria Curling

Federation, Daniel Damola, while expressing delight at the official ratification of Nigeria’s qualification noted that all hands need to be on deck to ensure the country has a memorable outing in Gangwon.

“This is quite historic and we are glad we have been able to qualify as the only team from Africa, now

we have to switch our focus to doing respectably well at the Youth Olympic Games,” he said.

Damola said a lot of funds will be required to give the young lads who would be representing Nigeria the kind of preparation they needed.

“As a federation, we have been doing all these alone but we will

Iwobi Rescues Vital Point for Everton in Draw with Leicester

Alex Iwobi, rescued a vital point for Everton in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Premier League relegation rivals Leicester City.

dison missed the chance to put the hosts in control, with Iwobi levelling soon after the re-start.

need the government, corporate bodies and indeed well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid as we step up in our preparation for the Youth Olympic Games” he appealed.

The Nigerian international capitalised on Jordan Pickford’s crucial penalty save when he stopped James Maddison making it 3-1 just before the break.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s spot-kick opened the scoring, his first goal since October, before it was cancelled out by Caglar Soyuncu.

Jamie Vardy’s goal sent

Realistically, a point did little to aid either side’s Premier League survival hopes in the short-term, although it did lift Leicester out of the bottom three on goal difference. Everton remain second bottom, a point from safety, with four games left. May 2 marks the seventh anniversary of the Foxes’ Premier League triumph in 2016.

NBA: Durant Hails Curry for Breaking His Game 7 Record

The Winter Youth Olympics is billed to take place from 19 Jan 2024 – 1 Feb 2024. With 50 points in Sunday afternoon's Game 7 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors superstar, Steph Curry, broke Kevin Durant's record for the most points in Game 7 history.

Durant's record was 48 points, which he set with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. After Curry hit 50 points, Durant sent out a Tweet reacting to the dominant performance from his former teammate:”Legendary 30: 50 pieces.”

According towww.star-telegram. com/sports/, havingwon two

championships with Curry, Durant will always have a special connec- tion with his former teammate.

The two were arguably the most dominant duo in NBA history, and ran the league during their time together. Now on separate teams, Curry and Durant could meet in the Western Conference Finals if the Suns and Warriors advance beyond the Conference Semi-Finals.

Curry's Game 7 performance on Sunday was truly special, as he quieted all the noise about Golden State's road struggles this season.

Forced to play a road game in order to advance, the Warriors got a heroic performance from their leader, as Curry set an NBA record for the most points ever in a Game 7.

Now moving on to face the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors have another tough task on their hands. LA has been playing incredible basketball since the trade deadline, and just eliminated the 2nd seed Memphis Grizzlies in six games.

If they get more of this from Curry, the Warriors have a good shot at advancing.

Seyi Akinwunmi...has stepped down as Chairman of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA)

Alex Iwobi (left) and Dominic Calvert-Levin were the scorers of Everton’s goals as the Toffees hold Leicester City 2-2 in the relegation survival battle...last night

Kevin Durant (left) and his former teammate, Steph Curry who obliterated his Game 7 record on Sunday evening

NLC to Federal Government

“The Minister of FCT has withdrawn our permission to use Eagle Square for the May Day and clearly he is speaking for his government, it means they don’t want to address the workers, so they don’t appreciate the work workers have put in over the years. The reason they gave was that they were renovating the Eagle Square for May 29 and we find it to be ultra lame, this is not the first time there will be an inauguration, we have had more than five to seven inaugurations in the past two decades and we have always held May Day in the Eagle Square.”

---NLCGeneralSecretary,EmmaUgboaja,expressingLabour’sdispleasure,fordenyingworkersuseofEagleSquare.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Nigeria: Stranded in Sudan

Sudan, Africa’s third largest country is at the brink of disintegration, because two belligerent Generals _ Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan of the Sudanese Army and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are determined to destroy their own country for selfish reasons. They were allies previously when they worked together to oust Omar al-Bashir, the dictator and butcher of Sudan, but now the two Generals have turned against each other. They are fighting over power and position, backed on both sides by powerful outside interests whose main target is access to the rich resources of Sudan – gold, oil reserves, and gum Arabic. Sudan is the confluence for the White and Blue Nile to form the Nile. Egypt and Ethiopia have serious need of the Nile. About 10% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, around which Sudan is also strategically located. In the international community, there has been a scramble for the rich resources of Africa, since the colonial times, leading to the partition of Africa, slave trade, and the reduction of Africa to a source of raw materials to be exploited at cheap rates by Western and Eastern powers for their own gain.

The international community, for more than 100 years has talked about a global community of values, the equality and sovereignty of states, globalization, human rights and the common heritage of mankind but the same people who mouth those ideas the most are the most hypocritical. Africa is their convenient play-ground. Russia is seeking to control more of Sudan’s gold. It is backing the RSF in Sudan through the Wagner mercenaries. China also has its eyes on Sudan. Egypt is backing al-Burhan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is pro-RSF. This is part of the drama playing out in Sudan: the hidden hands of hypocrites. But this has been possible before now in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire and elsewhere because Africa has an unlucky supply of bad leaders. General Omar al Bashir brought Sudan to its knees, instigated a civil war in Darfur. He ended up as an international felon and left behind a deluge. His country has not known peace since he was ousted in a coup in 2019. The same people who got him out of power are not better either: Generals Burhan and Dagalo have frustrated Sudan’s transition programme and now that country is practically in a war situation. Sudan is an apt illustration of the saying that “when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.” Indeed the people of Sudan are suffering. Hundreds of them have been killed, thousands have been displaced, artillery guns are booming on the streets of Khartoum. Normal life is impossible.

As Sudan slips into chaos, and a humanitarian crisis explodes, the international community, apart from urging peace and a ceasefire, has embarked on the evacuation of their nationals in Sudan. Every country has a responsibility to protect and secure the lives of its citizens whenever they are in distress in any part of the world. We have seen that happen during the war in Ukraine, the crisis in Somalia, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing inspires patriotism and nationalism more than the feeling that your country truly considers you important. It is in this sense that we have seen many countries rushing to Sudan and getting their people out of harm’s way before the imminent blow-out. By Sunday, April 30, Britain had airlifted about 2, 122 people on 23 flights from Sudan through the Wadi Saeedna airfield near Khartoum. Yesterday, Britain further told UK citizens to head towards Port Sudan for an extra flight out of Sudan. Initially, the British government had said that NHS doctors without passports would not be airlifted, and that priorities would be given to British citizens and their families. James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary who had initially complained about complexity has since

said that those without passports have now been included in the flight to Cyprus, before the final journey home. The Royal Airforce and the Navy led the evacuation exercise. They went right inside Sudan and got their people out.

Similarly, the United States has dispatched its special operations forces to Sudan, aerial surveillance assets and unmanned but combat-ready drones.

A Naval ship – UNS Brunswick, a fast-transport vessel was deployed by the Pentagon to the Port of Sudan. Two other ships are on the ground – the USS Truxtun, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer and the USS Puller. The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) based in Stuttgart is co-ordinating the evacuation. On Saturday, the US evacuated all its embassy staff out of Khartoum. Other US citizens have been ferried out of Khartoum in buses, guided by drones and other aerial assets. With China and Russia involved in the Sudanese crisis, and given the strategic regional importance of the country, America’s interest in Sudan is understandable. Part of its present mission is to ensure “Red Sea Security”. The US is a partner of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Our key point is that the US, like 10 other countries, has moved swiftly to protect its citizens, and chosen to be strongly on standby off the coast of Sudan in case the situation further deteriorates. China has also sent a military vessel to the Sudan to evacuate Chinese personnel. India over the weekend also dispatched a patrol vessel, INS Sumedha to the Port of Sudan with two Indian Air Force aircraft – the C-130J transport aircraft stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. India has so far evacuated 3, 000 of its nationals from Sudan. Other countries that have acted pro-actively include Germany, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, France and the Netherlands. It is not an easy operation. On Sunday, a convoy trying to take French embassy staff in Khartoum to safety ran into a hail of gunfire. France has shut down its embassy in Khartoum. There is a race out of Sudan, as a 72-hour negotiated ceasefire and a further extension have failed, and bodies litter the streets, aerial bombardments continue, and Sudan begins to look like a convenient ground for geo-political war.

The foregoing picture leads us inexorably to one question: what is Nigeria doing to rescue its own nationals, about 5, 500 of them, and more who are mostly students who are stranded in Sudan. The figure is probably higher. Data from official sources in Nigeria are never reliable. Nigerians have been going to Sudan since the era of trans-Saharan

Caravan trade, ad there may well be millions of us in that place. As the conflict in Sudan enters its third week, it is a crying shame that all that we have been getting from the Federal Government are excuses and such funny explanations that no serious country should offer. We have seen videos of Nigerians that are stranded in Sudan, most of them students, complaining about how they have been neglected by their government. We have seen families crying out for help. Nigerian youths are so aggrieved they have threatened to attack family members of Nigerian Embassy officials in Sudan. They say our Embassy officials are charging them $250 to be put on the evacuation list, Sudan is charging $8 per person, and those who have managed to get to the border of Egypt are being asked to cough out $25. While the Sudanese are fighting, Nigerians are staging a backward drama of their own. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sudan, Safiu Olaniyan has had cause to cry out in a voice note, appealing to Nigerians in Sudan not to attack Embassy officials. He made it clear that they, the Embassy officials, are as vulnerable as other Nigerians in Sudan, and that nobody should attack them. According to him, the responsibility for managing the evacuation of stranded Nigerians is with the Ministry of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs and the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) back home in Nigeria, but that he and his team would continue to liaise with the Nigerian authorities. Can you imagine a country’s envoy throwing his own home authorities under the bus? It is not just Nigerians that are stranded in Sudan, it is Nigeria itself that is stranded. Compared to what other countries are doing, Nigeria looks like it has no shame.

Last Friday, I asked for explanations on another platform in order to give Abuja the benefit of the doubt. They had promised that the first batch of Nigerians would return from Sudan on Friday. Allen Onyema, Chairman and founder of Air Peace Airline publicly offered to use his aircraft to airlift Nigerians out of Sudan, without charging a penny. His aircraft were ready. Since the Nigerian government had promised that Nigerians would be airlifted through Egypt, he went ahead and secured landing rights for Air Peace at his own expense in Egypt. The Aliko Dangote Foundation has also announced that it would partner with Air Peace to do whatever it takes to get Nigerians out of Sudan. Countries benefit from the philanthropy of some of their best citizens who complement government’s efforts without expecting anything in return. We saw that during the COVID-19 pandemic when Dangote led a private sector coalition to provide help. We saw that when Allen Onyema went to Ukraine to bring Nigerians out of Ukraine when war broke out. We saw that when during the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Allen Onyema took the risk of helping to evacuate Nigerians. But the Nigerian government always disappoints, and that is precisely what they are doing in Sudan.

Once upon a time, Nigeria had the dream of becoming a world power. We boastfully referred to ourselves as the giant of Africa and our leaders could call the shots across the African continent, and fight for a seat at the United Nations Security Council. When Professor Bolaji Akinyemi was Minister of Foreign Affairs: he talked about such ideas as the Concert of Medium Powers and the Black Bomb and Nigeria as a world power. The situation in Sudan has just exposed how we have lost it. Three weeks after the Sudanese crisis began, Nigeria is talking about how much was spent to hire buses that would evacuate Nigerians. Dr. Sani Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs has given a press conference where he reportedly affirmed that Nigeria had set aside $1.2 million to engage bus drivers and that so far 26 buses have been engaged, each at a cost of $30, 000. N24 million to hire a bus from Khartoum to Port Sudan or Aswan? He said the money was sent through third parties. Dr. Gwarzo and the

Situation Room on the Evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan which he chairs, must be told that they have more explanations to offer. He said 40 buses were engaged, but only 26 have been seen. What happened to the $1.2 million then? There was even that ugly incident as reported, whereby drivers taking Nigerians to Aswan, the Egyptian border stopped in the middle of the desert and told the distraught Nigerian passengers to pay or be left in the desert. They were there for five hours! The buses eventually started moving, only for us to be told again, yesterday, that one of the buses conveying 50 Nigerian students, tagged Katsina 1, caught fire. What kind of embarrassment is this? Are we serious at all?

What is worse is that the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) on Saturday sent a Hercules C-130 to Aswan, Egypt to get Nigerians back home. The NAF crew of 14 left with food supplies, but that crew is stranded at the airport. What is meant to be a swift operation has turned into a nightmare. The NAF is being charged heavily by the Egyptian authorities. The NAF crew is stranded. In Sudan and back home in Nigeria, we are told that the country is having logistics and diplomatic challenges. After three weeks, nobody is sure when Nigeria would airlift its first batch of evacuees. The Nigerian Air Force crew of 14 is suggesting that it is better to use Port Sudan, rather than Egypt, which is insisting on visa and payments.

What the hell is happening to African Unity? Egypt has provided support for other countries. Sudan has not asked the Americans for money. Somalia took its people out through the Ethiopian border. Sudan is surrounded by seven African countries. Nigeria is being snubbed by Egypt. Can’t we arrange to evacuate our people through another country? Or are we so hated diplomatically in Africa that nobody would offer our people easy passage? Why would Egypt ask Nigerians for visa in an emergency rescue operation? This is clearly a failure of diplomacy. Every African country treats us shabbily, especially the North African countries. The only exception was Muammar Ghaddafi of Libya during his lifetime. He had a grand vision of African Unity, but other North African leaders relate with sub-Saharan Africa only when they have something to gain. Please, where is the African Union and the regional economic groups in Africa? What is left of African integration? Has anybody deemed it necessary to summon the Egyptian ambassador in Nigeria? The NAF crew is recommending that Nigeria is better off evacuating our people through Port Sudan. Have we sent an aircraft there? Do we have a functioning Naval vessel that can provide transportation from Port Sudan to Nigeria, or do we need to hire Navy transportation?

Nigerians in Sudan want to be rescued from a war situation. Their families at home want them to be safe. If Nigerian officials have nothing intelligent to tell us, the minimum that they can do is to bring our people home, and until they have something concrete to tell us, they should do us the favour of avoiding plainly stupid excuses. It is painful that a country like Somalia is able to rescue its nationals from Sudan and my own country is busy telling Moonlight tales. If they need help, let them approach the British and the Americans or even the International Red Cross, or perhaps the Chinese, without getting involved in any matter beyond rescue and evacuation. As I write, a story pops up that the Egyptian President has now approved that Nigerians can be airlifted out of Aswan after President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to him, but with stringent conditions. Are we supposed to be excited about that? Did Egypt insist on the same stringent conditions with other countries? For the past four days, over 600 Nigerians have been stranded at the Egyptian border. For two days, our Air Force has been treated shabbily in Aswan. The only thing to say is that when our people are safely evacuated back home, we would believe the endless stories. What a country!

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama