THURSDAY 2ND MAY 2024

Stock Market Lost N3.6tn in April as Investors Switched to Treasury Bills

Kayode Tokede Investors

www.thisdaylive.com

Tinubu: Days of Worry for Nigerian Workers over Earning Living Wage Gone

Says he doesn't take workers’ patience, understanding, support for granted Labour gives FG, states till May 31 to approve new wage or face showdown Govs salute, announce decision to honour pay raise for civil servants Akpabio, senators, house members, others commend nation’s work force by our Correspondents

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, celebrated his first May Day as president, assuring the organised labour that

NUPRC Moves to Speed Up Approvals for Divesting IOCs, Raise Oil Production by

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is moving to speed up the conclusion of regulatory oversight on the ongoing oil assets divestment by International Oil Companies (IOCs), THISDAY learnt yesterday.

With the process now fully expedited, it was gathered that when concluded, Nigeria would add at least 700,000 barrels per day to its current daily production volume, to hit about 2 million bpd before the end of the year. Many of the new investors, mostly indigenous businessmen, that are taking over the multi-billion dollar facilities, are already waiting in the wings, but had been delayed, in a bid to ensure strict adherence to the rules as provided by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The NUPRC also insists that all interested parties to the Joint Ventures (JV) must amicably resolve their differences before it can perform its regulatory function as provided by the new law.

Besides, THISDAY was informed that the investors are ready to pump

, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha ; President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero; Vice President Kashim Shettima and President,

Union Congress, Comrade Festus Osifo during the 2024 May Day celebrations at the Eagle Square, Abuja... yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI.

A BAnquEt FOr thE Eu EnvOys...

Nigeria’s Oil Output Slumps Again, Depresses OPEC’s Crude Production in April

Oil price falls for third consecutive day

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Again, Nigeria’s crude oil output sank in April 2024, raising concerns that the upswing recorded in January and, to some extent, the second month of this year, was largely unsustainable.

Nigeria’s hope of substantially meeting its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota was raised in December and January as the volume of output increased significantly from 1.33 million barrels per day (bpd) in the last month to a multi-year high of 1.42 million bpd in January this year.

But that relief appears to have been short-lived, with production falling to 1.32 million bpd in February and 1.23 million bpd in March 2024.

Although April data had yet to be officially released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and OPEC, separate Reuters and Bloomberg surveys, based on shipping data and information from industry sources, indicated that Nigeria recorded a dip.

One of the reviews showed that the country might have recorded a decrease in oil production by as much as 50,000 barrels per day during the month or a 1.5 million total underproduction for the period under consideration.

In all, OPEC pumped 26.49 million bpd during the month that just ended, down 100,000 bpd from March's revised total, with biggest output reductions coming from Nigeria and Iran.

The Reuters survey was not markedly different from Bloomberg’s,

which indicated that OPEC pumped 26.81 million barrels a day in April. Minor increases by other countries, including Libya, it said, were offset by reductions in Iran and Nigeria.

As a result, supply curbs agreed by the group and its allies at the start of the year to avert a surplus were still unfinished. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates continued to pump several hundred thousand barrels a day above their agreed limits.

Nonetheless, output restraints by others in the alliance — such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Algeria — helped buoy oil prices against a fragile economic backdrop, bolstering revenue for its members.

The biggest change last month was in Libya, which increased by 60,000 barrels a day to 1.19 million a day while it restored output halted earlier this year by protests at its largest oil field.

The North African nation is exempt from OPEC+ targets while its oil industry remains severely damaged by years of internal conflict.

Iraq’s output rose modestly to 4.22 million barrels a day, or about 220,000 a day above its OPEC+ target. Baghdad promised to make additional cutbacks in compensation, along with fellow errant alliance member Kazakhstan, but often flouted quotas as it sought revenues to rebuild a shattered economy.

Iran and Nigeria each trimmed supplies by 50,000 barrels a day, respectively, according to the Bloomberg survey. Group leader Saudi Arabia remained stable at about nine million barrels a day.

The 22-nation OPEC+ alliance — which spans other producers,

such as Russia — is due to meet on June 1 to decide whether to extend its current output curbs into the second half of the year.

The survey is based on shiptracking data, information from officials and estimates from consultants, including Kpler Ltd., Rapidan Energy Group, and Rystad Energy A/S.

Several members of OPEC+, which include OPEC, Russia and other allies, made new cuts in January to counter economic weakness and increased supply outside the group. Producers agreed in March

to keep the cuts in place until the end of June.

Nigerian production declined, with exports falling more sharply, according to some ship trackers, as the Dangote refinery took in more cargoes. An outage briefly affected the Bonny production stream, a source told Reuters, confirming that Nigeria pumped below its target, unlike earlier in the year.

Saudi production edged up and there were small increases from Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

OPEC’s official Monthly Oil

Market Report covering the month of April will be released on May 14, according to OPEC’s published schedule, while the one by Nigeria’s upstream regulator is usually around the same period.

Earlier in April, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, acknowledged Nigeria’s declining crude oil production, after an initial rise in previous months.

Lokpobiri assured that measures were being taken to address the situation, not only to restore production to previous levels, but to increase

it in a sustainable manner.

In the response to recent concerns regarding the shortfall in oil production, Lokpobiri stated that this was primarily due to issues encountered on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), coupled with maintenance activities carried out by some oil companies operating in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, oil fell more than one per cent on Wednesday, losing ground for a third straight session on hopes of a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East and by rising crude inventories and production in top consumer the United States.

Afreximbank Urges African Countries to Strengthen Reserves with Gold

Dike Onwuamaeze

A report by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has stated that the current “high gold prices offer African countries an opportunity to strengthen their reserve portfolios with a safer asset like gold”.

The report also advised African countries that relied on gold to take advantage of the increasing prices of the commodity in the medium term by investing in their gold sector and improving their value chain in the long-term.

The report forecasted that gold prices could remain high for a long time due to reduction in interest rates by many central banks.

The report, titled, “The Ongoing Gold Price Rally: Macroeconomic

Implications for African Producers,” said, “The gold sector is macro-critical in several African countries.”

It added that the African continent produced approximately one-quarter of the world's gold and generated substantial foreign exchange earnings and fiscal receipts from it, while creating employment opportunities in producing countries.

The report stated that in the medium term, the gold rally was an opportunity for long-term infrastructure and social investments to diversify the production base. It urged governments to implement soft and hard measures to tame the activities of illegal miners.

The report added, “Recently, its value has surged and reached an all-time high. The rally began in

NCS Condemns Fatal Attack in Katsina,Vows Justice for Fallen Officer

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday reiterated its condemnation of violent acts against its officers and men.

This followed the brutal attack that claimed the life of Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in the Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17, 2024.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, who extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased further emphasised that the NCS, in close

collaboration with other security agencies, was tirelessly working to apprehend the perpetrators of the act and ensure they face the full consequences of the law.

Adeniyi, in a statement issued by Chief Superintendent of Customs, National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, declared that violence against officers was utterly unacceptable, and "we will pursue every avenue to bring those responsible to justice".

He said: "The safety of our personnel and the security of our borders remain paramount. We are committed to working with traditional rulers, government

bodies, and sister agencies to combat this heinous crime against our personnel."

Under Adeniyi's watch, the NCS reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes, stressing that the service would not falter in its mission to uphold the law and protect the interests of the Nigerian people.

He said: "Intelligence available to us indicates that certain unpatriotic community members are harbouring suspected accomplices involved in this heinous crime.

"We implore these individuals to embrace patriotism by aligning

with the law and refraining from condoning illegality.

"It is in the best interest of our communities and nation to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to root out criminal elements and ensure justice prevails."

The NCS also urged the public to join hands in the fight against these brazen criminals.

"We implore the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities of these daredevil smugglers to the nearest customs formation.

"Together, we can create a safer environment for our officers and a more secure nation for all," the statement added.

mid-February of 2024.

“As of April 12, 2024, the spot price was $2,401.5 per ounce, a 21 per cent increase since mid-February 2024. Considering a longer timeframe, since October 2023, the value of the precious metal has risen by 32 per cent. Future prices are projected to be consistently upward, with 68 months of future pricing quoted at $ 2,776 per

“Theounce.current price rally is attributed to several factors, including the anticipation of monetary easing by major central banks, robust demand from central banks in emerging economies, and ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East and Ukraine.”

The report added, “African continent produces about one-quarter of the world's gold production. According to data from the World Gold Council, African countries produced a total of 979.2 metric tons of gold in 2022.

“Ghana, South Africa, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the DRC, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire are the top 10 producers, which collectively account for 90 per cent of the continent's production. In 2022, the top 10 producers received $66 billion in gold export receipts.

“These top 10 producers also account for 14.6 per cent of the continental GDP. Any change in the price of gold can have significant macroeconomic implications and trade dynamics for these gold dependent countries and the African continent.”

The said as of December 2020, the World Gold Council reported that central banks held roughly 35,000 tons of gold, amounting to approximately 18 per cent of all the gold in the world.

According to the same source, African central banks held about three per cent of global central bank gold reserves. It said African central banks could exploit the high prices and shore up their reserve holdings by storing the produce reserves or buying on the markets.

It stated that as of 2023, North African countries held the most gold as a reserve asset, with approximately 446 tons, with Algeria holding 174 tons, Egypt holding 126 tons, Libya holding 117 tons, Morocco holding 22 tons, and Tunisia holding seven tons. Elsewhere on the continent, South Africa held 125 tons, Nigeria held 21.4 tons, Mauritius h12.4 tons, Ghana 8.7 tons, and Mozambique held four tons.

The report said, “It is important to note that gold plays a significant role in the exports and GDP of several African economies. Therefore, its price volatility has significant macroeconomic implications.

“In the near term, the recent rally in gold prices is expected to benefit countries whose economies are heavily dependent on the precious metal. However, caution should be exercised to avoid macroeconomic instability, which could arise from the fluctuation of gold prices with its attendant effects.

“While windfall export receipts resulting from increased gold revenue will improve fiscal accounts, it is key to manage them carefully to avoid any extra spending that could destabilise the macroeconomic environment. The growth effect has remained subdued, and more effort may be needed to boost economic growth.”

James Emejo in Abuja

L-R: Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and ECOWAS, Leena Pylvanaine; Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, & Central Africa Republic, Mr. Sune Krogstrup; European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi; Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; his wife, Gloria Diri; Deputy Consul General, Germany Embassy in Nigeria, Gerald Wolf, and Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, during a state banquet in honour of the European envoys at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa .... yesterday.

DANGOTE SUGAR 18TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING...

Lagos-Calabar Highway Project: FG Offers

N2.75bn to 10 Businesses Marked for Demolition

Umahi: Tinubu told us to approach exercise with fear of God, human face, accuses Obi of inciting Igbo

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Bennett Oghifo

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, yesterday, offered N2.75 billion compensation to businesses that fall within an area marked as ‘Channel 0 to 3’, set to be demolished for falling within the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar Highway project.

Also, President Bola Tinubu has directed the minister to approach the exercise with “the fear of God and with human face.”

The businesses that were compensated in the first phase that begun yesterday, included

10 property owners: Olaotan Olamuyiwa of Checkmate; Kemi Osinibi of Landmark Kids Club by Maxtivity; Mide Adegbite, Peter Oladipupo of FX Lounge; Bukola Oloko, Abiodun Oguntunde of Xchange Lagos; Dapo Oniru of Moist Beach; Mustapha Olatunji of G12 Beach; Dr. Bashir Oshodi, and Bestrock.

The minister said he and his directors had spent days reviewing the route of the Lagos-Calabar Highway to comply with the directive of President Tinubu that the exercise should be done with “the fear of God and with human face.”

Umahi stated this during the disbursement of compensation to the 10 parties whose property had been marked for demolition. The minister said various interests were taken into consideration which was the reason for the new agreed design routes, but that ultimately, “Mr. President said that this development must have two factors. One is the fear of God; the second one is the human face. And that's what we are trying to do. “Since we came on Thursday (last week), we have been going through the route every day from morning to, sometimes, 8-9pm and we’re taking hard decisions.

against FG over project

“I was here about 14 days back and at the time I gave notice of demolition in line with the laws of the land. It was to lapse in two days and I extended it by seven days. And with the determination that as soon as we enumerate we start paying. A lot of people doubted that we’ll not pay and we said this is President Bola Tinubu’s administration that when he says something, he does it. So that’s why we are here.”

The minister congratulated Tinubu on the Labour Day celebration and commended the staff at the Works Ministry for the man-hour they have put into the road project.

$50m Eraskon Lubricant Manufacturing Plant Exceeds 70% Completion, to Be Inaugurated Q4 2024

The $50 million Eraskon Lubricant Blending Plant with 128,000-litresper-day production capacity currently under construction in Gbarain, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has progressed to over 70 per cent completion level.

The promoter of the project, Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, disclosed that the first phase of the two-phased project, which is also embedded with a five-million-litre base oil storage capacity, would be inaugurated by the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024.

Eraskorp is a group of companies involved in multi-service lines in the oil and gas industry including engineering, procurement, construction, installation and maintenance (EPCIM) as well as security services, rendering services to international oil companies (IOCs) and the independent producer firms.

The project is being executed as a joint venture (JV) between Eraskorp and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in which the former holds 60 per equity share and the later holding 40 per cent equity participation. It was conceived as a response to the huge gap in local lube production, as most of the lube products consumed in the country is imported, with its high pressure on foreign exchange and inflation,

in addition to a lot of values eluding the nation as a result.

With base oil production added to the plan, the company equally intends to help solve Nigeria's challenge of depending on imports to get base oil, which is the major raw material needed for lubricant manufacturing.

The company said the Integrated Manufacturing Complex (IMC) of the facility was almost ready for subsequent installation of major blending equipment by July.

In his briefing during a recent project inspection exercise, the Executive Vice-Chairman of Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, Mr. Maxwell Oko, informed that the Phase 1 of the project had reached over 70 per cent completion. Oko, explained that the Phase One is the Lubricant Blending arm for the production of all grades and types of premium lubricants used for automobiles, rotating engines and other purposes. He said the Second Phase of the project is the Chemical Production arm, for the production of major household and industrial cleaning products as well as production and drilling chemicals for the oil and gas industry.

“As at today, overall, we are over 70 per cent work done. Our expectation is that by fourth quarter of 2024, we will be commissioning. It's important to state that our own factory cuts across the three business line of lubricant and

chemical blending, packaging, and plastics", Oko stated.

THISDAY also observed that all the process equipment for the phase one of the project had been built and on ground at the site, with the few remaining ones ready for shipment from Indian, where the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) partner, Linus Projects, is based.

With the infrastructure side of the project nearing completion, the company said it was in a hurry to start production operations and begin adding value to the Nigerian economy.

Oko, said the company expects to add more value to the economy by engaging about 200 people in direct employment and hundreds of people benefitting indirectly when the plant comes on full stream.

"We expect that you join us in about three to four months when we will be doing testing, and in another six to seven months, you should be here during the final commissioning. Our expectation is that at the final commissioning, we will be breaking ground for our gas business for backward integration", the executive vice chairman said.

"This project was initially conceptualized for 45,000 litres per day lubricant production with 3.5 million base oil storage capacity but when the design came up, the capacity of the plant increased to a

double-shift operations producing 128,000 litres per day. So, that increased the cost to circa $50 million project today," he added.

The lube plant sitting on 7.9-hectare of the 50-hectare Eraskorp Industrial Park was equally envisioned as the company's first strategic step towards its entrance into the petrochemical space and in line with its vertical integration, as part of the facilities to be collocated within the park.

"So, the whole idea is to land at a point where we produce our feedstock ourselves. So, if we do our resins, we shall be the first customers to take up. If we do our base oil, we shall be the first customers to take up, and that is our focus", Oko explained.

However, despite the progress recorded so far, a couple of challenges contributed to slowing down the project, which was supposed to be at the inauguration stage by now.

According to the executive vice chairman, three of such constraints had to do with funding draw down delays, erosion, and foreign exchange fluctuation.

He said erosion threatened the IMC building, which forced the company to use the money gotten from the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) loan to carry out shoreline protection at the site, instead of the earlier plan of using the fund to finish the phase one of the project.

He lauded the Permanent Secretary, the director Engineer Obioha; and Federal Controller of Works, Lagos States, Engineer Kesha, among others.

Umahi Accuses Obi of Inciting Igbo against FG over N15tn Lagos-Calabar Highway

Meanwhile, Umahi, in defending the project for the umpteenth time accused a former Anambra Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, of inciting the people of the South-east against the federal government over the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Still speaking at an event to compensate the affected owners of the demolished structures to create a pathway for the project in Lagos, Umahi maintained that Obi had been a critic since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration embarked on the project.

Describing it as a “job-losing one and misplaced priority”, the minister insisted that no form of inhumanity was meted to Landmark in the demolition of the right of way on the ongoing highway.

Obi had maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was creating more unemployment and destroying investments that paid taxes, as the Landmark Beach Resort, worth $200 million, was affected by the exercise.

Obi lamented that thousands of jobs were about to be lost, with over 100,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector facing imminent extinction, along with 80 small businesses and their 4,000 mostly youthful employees.

But Umahi in counter response to Obi, said that he had done a similar thing when he was governor of the state and did not compensate the affected individuals. The minister pointed out that Obi was only inciting some unsuspecting residents of the South-east against Tinubu’s government, cautioning him to desist forthwith.He said: “It brings to some of the comments made by my brother, his Excellency Mr Peter Obi; I am not supposed to comment about it because some people have already done the work. “And I know what Arise Television brought courtesy of

Channels Television; they were bringing similar scenarios when His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. He made a statement saying, ‘Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road must go. And there would be no compensation paid.’

That’s what he said. “But look at me, by the human face of the Renewed Hope agenda administration, we are even paying for people who are illegally staying on the coastal line and don’t have valid infrastructure and valid documents. That is mercy, that’s mercy… You know, some people darken counsel without knowledge. You know there’s the devil in the details. “When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself. And that is what he has done. And I think he’s inciting some of the people in the south-east who are not well informed. “He is inciting them. And gets them into trouble. And he doesn’t go to fight for them. Wisdom is a defence. And I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.

“There’s is no inhumanity meted to Landmark, that matter should be buried because I was there. And so we fought everything possible. Some people even donated property to save his two big infrastructure. That’s appreciation. But some people have taken sides along with him to play politics.

”The federal government had last weekend commenced the controversial demolition of properties on the Right of Way (RoW) of the over N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, urging the owners of such facilities along the axis to see it as a sacrifice for Nigeria.

Umahi, who flagged off the exercise on section 1 of the infrastructure, assured that the construction of the highway would mark a major milestone in Tinubu’s economic diversification roadmap.

Handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, the project had drawn criticisms from several Nigerians, including a former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku and the presidential candidate of the LP in the 2023 general elections, Obi. Both leaders had raised concerns over the alleged opacity surrounding the award of the 700-kilometre highway and the need to prioritise the funding of more critical roads across the country.

L-R: Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ravindra Singhvi; Non-Executive Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Maryam Bashir; Non-Executive Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Abdu Dantata; Executive Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mariya Aliko Dangote; Non-Executive Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Olakunle Alake at the Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 18th Annual General Meeting in Lagos... on Tuesday

Peter Uzoho

MrS AdEniyi MArkS 50th birthdAy...

UN: Nigeria Lagging Behind in SDG 16 on Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions

UN, DO empower over 1,900 women-owned businesses in Nigeria, other W’African countries

The United Nations (UN) has stated that Nigeria continues to lag behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions.

According to UN Peace and Development Advisor, Kimairis Toogood, the country was struggling to meet the benchmarks outlined in the 2030 Agenda.

Toogood made this known in Abuja, during the Dissemination of Baseline Study Report organised by Search for Common Ground (SFCG), with the theme, "A Communitycentered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta."

She emphasised the urgent need for targeted efforts to promote effective peace-building interventions, which are crucial in addressing the root causes of conflicts plaguing regions like the Niger Delta.

She said, "Nigeria has several challenging conflict areas, and the Niger Delta has always been one where focus is really needed to understand the complexities of the conflict issues on the ground.

"As we know, we are behind in achieving Agenda 2030, specifically SDG 16 on peace and security. We understand that maybe our efforts on the ground are not targeting the right root causes in the right way.

"With the right peace-building interventions, we hope that this piece of research as a baseline research on these issues can help us reorient maybe some of our own efforts on the ground by specific agencies working on peacebuilding in the Niger Delta."

The European Union (EU), through its delegation in Nigeria, Programme

Manager, Letizia Torretta, echoed the importance of collaborative initiatives aimed at transforming criminality and violence in the Niger Delta. Torretta, emphasised the EU's commitment to supporting community-centered approaches and empowering vulnerable groups to foster lasting peace and security.

Country Director of Search for Common Ground, Fatima Madaki, emphasised the significance of inclusive community security approaches in addressing systemic drivers of violence and criminality.

"The Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta Project, currently being implemented through a collaborative effort between Search for Common Ground and consortium partners, namely the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Academic Associate Peace Works (AAPW), and Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable peace and security across 66 communities in the three focal states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.

"The findings of the baseline study offer a poignant narrative of the realities faced by our communities. Moreover, the nexus between poor governance, political marginalisation and environmental degradation has emerged as a potent catalyst fueling social tensions and instability, thereby exacerbating the prevalence of criminal behavior and violence. Central to our findings is the recognition of the pivotal role played by community actors in shaping the peace and security landscape," Madaki added.

Meanwhile, over 1,900 women have been trained on the framework and best practices of both public

and private sector procurement processes across Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire under the Women Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in West Africa (WEEAP) programme, a partnership of Do Take Action (DO) and UN Women.

The programme aims to foster economic inclusion and empower women-owned businesses across the region. It was launched in 2023, to tackle the persistent challenge of limited access to public and private sector procurement opportunities for women-led businesses.

A statement yesterday, noted that prior to the programme, only one per cent of procurement contracts in the region were awarded to women-owned businesses, despite their significant contribution to the economy.

The statement added that to ensure equal access to opportunities and economic inclusion in line with her thematic issue on inclusion, empowerment, equality and justice for underrepresented groups like women in business, the DO Take Action partnered with UN Women to launch this flagship Women Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in West and Central Africa.

It also aims at strengthening equal opportunities to access procurement and strengthen the capacity of women-led SMEs in Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, and Cote d’Ivoire to competently participate in the procurement industry, and within one year of its launch, the programme has recorded laudable feats.

CEO of Do Take Action, Precious Ebere, said: “Our regional flagship

project on the Women Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement Reforms in West Africa has been an enabler for economic inclusion and empowerment for women-owned businesses across Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.”

She added that: “As of last year we recorded over 1900 women trained on the framework and best practices of both public and private sector procurement processes across Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire. 338 women applied for procurement attesting to a gradual change in behaviour among women entrepreneurs in the region where we work, while nine WSMEs won procurement bids in the private sector in the course of the program, some for the first time in their business.

“Some of them have gone

on to apply for and win public procurement bids, even this year. This progress goes a long way to improving the economy, reducing gender based violence in families and promoting affirmative procurement.” While narrating some successes of the programme, CEO of Oyinespecial Enterprise Limited (Nigeria), Rashidat Umar said: “I had challenges trying to supply food items to establishments because they kept asking for certain documents. But, joining the WEEAP programme, I was exposed to compliance and the process for getting my documents. Applying what I was taught in the programme, I created my business profile and approached various offices to submit proposals. Interestingly, I received callbacks from most of them, securing contracts to supply between 10 to 20 bags of rice.”

UTME: 16 Years Minimum Age Requirement for Varsity Admission Stays, Says Senate

Insists review possible only by legislation

The Senate has assured Nigerians that the 16-year age requirement for applicants seeking admissions to tertiary institutions in the country has not been changed.

The red chamber insisted that the comments about increasing the age limit to 18 years were personal opinions.

The upper chamber clarified that any downward or upward review of the age limit could only be done by

legislation that followed due process.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, gave the explanation in an interview with journalists yesterday.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had last week disclosed that the federal government planned to review and peg the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in the country at 18 years.

The minister gave the hint while monitoring the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

TCN: Grid Collapses, Disturbances

76% in 9 Years Amid 185 Cases

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday said it succeeded in reducing grid disturbances and collapses in Nigeria by as much as 76.47 per cent, amid occurrence of 105 incidences between 2015 and 2024.

A statement from the wholly controlled government company stated that in recent years, the number of grid disturbances and system collapses had gradually reduced, contrary to popular opinion.

TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said in the statement, “Clearly, between 2020

to date, a period of five years, we recorded 14 total and six partial grid disturbances, totalling 20, which represents a 76.47 per cent reduction in grid disturbance.

“This is when compared to the previous five years, which is 2015 to 2019, where we had 64 total and 21 partial grid disturbances 85 times.”

According to the organisation, the improvement is attributable to recent efforts by the current management of the TCN. It said the management had taken advantage of in-house talents to make the grid work better.

The statement added, “This improvement is, however, not unconnected to the continuous

effort by the management under the Managing Director/Chief Executive of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, to strategically expand the grid while harnessing in-house capacities to find solutions to grid stability, pending the deployment of SCADA/EMS.”

It explained that while there was room for improvement, TCN will continue to work hard to further reduce the number of grid disturbances to the barest minimum.

Meanwhile, TCN said its attention had been drawn to false media reports by Jos Distribution Company (Disco) that it restored partial power supply to some parts of Gombe and that only 5mw of

supply had been allocated to its distribution franchise on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

“TCN wishes to state unequivocally that such reports are false and misleading,” the organisation said.

“It should be noted that due to the vandalism of the four towers on 330kV Jos-Gombe transmission line, TCN engineers improvised and were able to restore supply through its Jos-Bauchi-Gombe 132kV line, which can only accommodate 38mw,” it added.

TCN also said, “As a result, TCN allocates 19mw each to Jos Disco and Yola Disco, which its Bauchi region interfaces with.”

(UTME) in Abuja.

He had advised parents against pushing their children and wards “too much,” to allow them to attain some level of maturity to be able to better manage their affairs.

He had said, “The other thing which we notice is the age of those who have applied to go to the university.

"Some of them are really too young. We are going to look at it because they are too young to understand what a university education is all about.

“That’s the stage when students migrate from a controlled environment where they are in charge of their own affairs. So if they are too young, they won’t be able to manage properly. That accounts for some of the problems we are seeing in the universities.

“We are going to look at that.

Eighteen is the entry age for university but you will see students, 15, and 16, going to the examination. It is not good for us. Parents should be encouraged not to push their wards, or children too much,” he had said.

Members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) also on Tuesday last week, declared their support for the move by the federal government to peg the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in the country at 18 years.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, spoke when he led other members of the

committee as well as its House of Representatives counterpart on monitoring the ongoing UTME in some examination centres as the lawmakers’ oversight function.

Dandutse said the Senate would support every effort by the government to streamline admission processes, especially the area of minimum age qualification for entry into tertiary institutions in the country.

However, the Senate through its spokesperson declared that nothing would be done on the minimum age requirement into tertiary institutions until all the stakeholders in the education sector endorse it.

Adaramodu stressed that, "comment on the minimum age requirement for admission is not a law. So it is just an opinion. It's not a law. By the time the Senate resumes, whoever wants to bring that one out to make it a law, will now bring it and then the procedures will take place.

"You can bring whatever to the floor in form of a bill. When you bring it, there's going to be public hearing.

"All the stakeholders will sit down and talk about it. The parents, teachers, legislators, civil society organisations, even foreign organisations.

"We will sit down and we talk. Even if they say that the minimum age should be 30 or 12 we will all discuss it at an open forum. So it's still a comment which cannot be taken to be the law."

Michael Olugbode and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

L-R: Mr Waziri Adio, Mrs Sandra Adio, Mrs Maryam Uwais, Olusegun Adeniyi, 50th birthday celebrant, Mrs Oluwatosin Adeniyi, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Senator Napoleon Bali, and Mr Paul Nwabuikwu during Mrs Adeniyi’s 50th birthday celebrations

House Calls for Clampdown on Middlemen Hoarding Petrol

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Resources, Downstream and midstream have called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO)

the needed funding into some of the assets that had been left without adequate investment in the last few years as the IOCs plan to exit onshore oil as well as align with the international pressure to reduce the funding for fossil fuels.

“The NUPRC, under Mr Gbenga Komolafe is speeding up approvals and plans to increase oil production by divesting IOCs and increase oil production by as much as 700,000 bpd when these processes are concluded,” a source in the know of the goings-on within the oil and gas industry told THISDAY.

In February 2022, Seplat Energy announced its acquisition of oil and gas assets belonging to Mobil Oil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), in a deal seen as the first since the signing of the PIA by then President Muhammadu Buhari in

workers that his administration was open to the tripartite committee's living wage above minimum wage.

Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with the message titled: "Solidarity in Action: Collaborative Governance, Empowered Workers," called on labour to collaborate with his administration in its efforts to achieve growth and development for Nigeria.

But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have said they would not guarantee industrial peace if government failed to conclude negotiation on new minimum wage by the end May, this year.

At the same time, governors across the states of the federation, also celebrated the nation’s work force and announced their resolve to honour the pay raise for workers in appreciation of their contributions to the growth and development of the country.

Similarly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, senators and members of the House of Representatives, among several other Nigerians, equally saluted the spirit and courage of the workers.

However, addressing the workers, Tinubu said, "You would recall that on January 30th, 2024, the federal government convened a 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage. The committee's mandate was to provide counsel and suggest a national minimum wage that aligns with our current economic conditions.

"Since then, the committee, in collaboration with labour leaders, has been diligently working towards proposing a new National Minimum Wage. Unfortunately, despite concerted efforts, the committee was unable to reach a consensus at its last meeting. This shall be resolved soon and I assure you that your days of worrying are over.

"Indeed, this government is open to the committee’s suggestion of not just a minimum wage but a living wage. Great Nigerian Workers, we cannot achieve a just and equitable society that caters to the needs of every member, including the strong and the weak, without fostering peace and unity.

“Our shared vision for national growth and development can only be realised in an atmosphere of industrial harmony and peaceful coexistence in every segment of our country. The dividends we have promised the nation, and which you work tirelessly to ensure, can only be achieved when

to deal with the act of sabotage in the sector which according to the lawmakers had led to scarcity of petroleum in the past few days.

The Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Chairman, Committee on Midstream Petroleum, Odi Okogie, made the call while addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday. The lawmakers expressed concerns over the temporary presence of fuel queues in petrol stations across

August 2021.

Seplat Energy Plc had entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire the entire share capital of MPNU for a purchase price of $1.283 billion plus up to $300 million contingent consideration.

The transaction encompassed the acquisition of the entire offshore shallow water business of ExxonMobil in Nigeria to create one of the largest independent energy companies in the country.

However, since then, the deal which is awaiting ministerial consent and other required regulatory approvals had been stalled.

“The divestments include the Mobil-Seplat deal, which is expected to ramp up output by between 300,000 bpd to 400,000 bpd when the new owners begin the expected investment,” the source said.

we all unite for progress.

"So, I call upon each and every one of you, as I have consistently done, to join hands in shaping the destiny of our nation towards greatness. Our allegiance and patriotism are the bedrock upon which our beloved country thrives.

"The success of our government's policies and programmes hinges on the willingness of the workers, as the backbone of our workforce, to embrace them wholeheartedly. I appeal to you to continue using the power of the labour movement for the greater good of our nation, fostering harmony and cooperation."

The president then called upon Labour and all Nigerians to place their faith in his administration to assuring them that all he’s been doing were in the interest of Nigeria and aimed at transforming it into a viable state, capable of providing for all its people.

"On this momentous day, I urge you and all our fellow citizens to place your trust in this administration. The seeds of greatness planted in our nation are beginning to bear fruit, and they promise a future filled with hope and bound by prosperity.

"Let me assure you, with the utmost sincerity, that every initiative undertaken by this administration is geared towards transforming Nigeria into a nation that can truly provide for its people," he said.

While appreciating the organised labour, represented by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), he acknowledged their contributions to the smooth running of the state and how their efforts had contributed to salvaging the economy.

"Great Nigerian workers, your role as an indispensable component of the nation’s engine cannot be overstated by any government if the quest for a just and progressive society is to be realised. Therefore, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to you on this very important celebration.

"I do not take for granted the understanding, patience, commitment, and support you have shown throughout the implementation of this government’s policies and programmes aimed at positively transforming our great nation. Your contributions have played a significant role in our efforts to rescue the economy since we came on board," he said.

He further acknowledged the challenges that currently face the nation, including the menace of insecurity and assured of his administration's

the country which had adversely affected the lives and businesses of Nigerians, Ugochinyere said: It is so painful that Nigerians have been subjected to great hardship and pains as a result of the scarcity of petroleum products in the past few days."

He, however, added that from investigations, they found out that there was availability of petrol products at least, about 1.5 billion litres of petrol that could last for 30 days.

On Monday, during a ‘due diligence’ meeting with one of the divesting parties, Shell/Renaissance, Komolafe reiterated that the regulatory agency was not averse to divestments in the oil and gas sector, emphasising that the NUPRC was committed to free entry, free exit business principle aimed at encouraging investors in the sector.

Unlike in the past, the commission announced that it has now developed a divestment framework consisting of seven cardinal pillars to guide the assessment of applications for ministerial consent to the SPDC divestment and other similar cases.

He listed them as technical capacity, which highlights the need for the successor entity to demonstrate proven and verifiable capacity to operate the asset vigorously and in a business-like manner as well

resolve to end these challenges.

"We took office at the time many nations, including ours, were experiencing daunting socio-political and developmental challenges. Yet, we are resolute in confronting these obstacles head-on.

"The scourge of criminality, from banditry to kidnapping and the farmer-herder crises, alongside terrorism, continues to afflict our nation despite the tireless efforts of our armed forces.

“We are aware of the toll this takes on our economy. I assure you: we are fully committed to tackling these security challenges", he further said.”

Also, in a release by Tinubu’s Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, he hailed the Nigerian workers for their fidelity to the peace, progress, and development of the nation evident in their tireless efforts and patriotic zeal to keep the national engine running. He celebrated Nigerian workers across all spheres and affirmed that his administration remained committed to improving the welfare of all workers, noting the various relief programmes,

In terms of investors’ value, THISDAY checks showed that the overall market capitalisation closed April 2024 at N55.55 trillion, dropping N3.6 trillion or 6.03per cent from N59.120 trillion it opened for trading

Consequently, the NGX AllShare Index closed April 2024 at 98,225.63 basis points, dropping 6.06per cent or 6,336 basis points from 104,562.06basis points it closed for trading in March 2024.

Finding by THISDAY showed that the NGX Banking Index, followed by NGX Industrial Index were the most affected sectors in April 2024.

Specifically, the NGX Banking Index closed April 2024 at 774 basis points, dropping 25.5 per cent from 1,029.63 basis points it opened for trading, while NGX Industrial Index closed March 2024 at 4,841.20 basis points, a decline of 15.4 per cent to close April 2024 at 4,686.98 basis points.

Commenting on the NGX Banking Index performance, the Managing Director of HighCap Securities Limited, David Adonri said, “after the announcement by CBN directing banks to recapitalise, the market started declining, but we cannot say for sure that that policy is behind the decline in the prices of banks’ stock since that

The lawmaker stressed that it was as a result of logistics that queues resurfaced at petrol stations, adding that the logistic issues ranged from difficulty in transporting products from the mother vessel to the respective petrol stations.

Ugochinyere, explained that the development led the committees to engage with the regulators of the relevant sectors with a view to finding out the cause(s) of this scarcity and providing solutions to same.

as adequate financial muscle, with the NUPRC saying it shall assess the prospective successor entity’s balance sheet and financial viability.

In addition, the NUPRC chief stated that the acquiring entity must in line with the interest of the nation be ‘fit and proper’ persons in the eyes of the law and have clear evidence of the resolutions of legacy debts and legal encumbrances.

Besides, he maintained that the decommissioning & abandonment (D&A) costs must be diligently assessed and parties must ensure settlement of outstanding obligations.

Relating to host community trust/environmental remediation fund, Komolafe pointed out that the commission shall assess the status of Host Community Trust Fund (HCDF) obligations and ensure the robustness of the successor entity’s adherence

including the wage award and the imminent minimum wage review.

The president believed that the custodians of the nation's machinery deserved a fair wage and enhanced welfare, saying a labourer was deserving of not just any reward but fair and commensurate wages.

He, therefore, assured the Nigerian workers of his dedication to not only improving their welfare but also enhancing their working conditions and providing the necessary tools for them to succeed.

Labour Gives FG, States May 31 to Approve New Minimum Wage or Face Showdown

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), yesterday, said they would not guarantee industrial peace if government failed to conclude negotiation on new minimum wage by the end May, this year.

But the Minister of State for Labour

Continued on page 35

announcement was made.

“I think the major factor should be the second announcement that restrained banks from paying out good dividends in line with their extraordinary income within the financial year.”

He added that another reason could be associated with the contractionary monetary policy of the central bank also, wherein the interest rate had been hiked significantly in the last two MPC meetings.

So, this, he stressed, caused a migration of financial assets away from stocks to debt.

Adonri, explained that the recapitalisation structure as directed by CBN was predicated on the flow of fresh capital to the banks, saying that, “the banks will have to raise fresh capital from all the sources where they can raise.

“But we are presuming that a lot of them will have to leave the capital market. They will come to the primary market to raise fresh capital.

“And judging by historical antecedents, that is likely to cause some price movement in the banking sector before the banks hit the market to float their public offerings.”

On merger and acquisition, he further said, “there is no need

He said: "We strongly frown at the activities of middlemen who have taken advantage of the short disruption of supply, to maximise profit and generate inordinate gain for themselves, at the detriment of our people.

"We hereby call on security forces to support the NNPCL, NMDPRA, PETROAN, NARTO and other key stakeholders in the distribution chain, so as to ensure that acts of economic sabotage that has to do with hoarding, arbitrary

to decarbonisation plans and sound Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) principles.

Added to the aforementioned, he stated that there must be a robust assessment mechanism to avert undesirable labour union issues and disharmony arising from the divestmentKomolafeprocess.stressed that the commission shall ensure that all data mined during the operating life of the asset are repatriated to the National Data Repository (NDR) in line with extant regulations.

Aside the Seplat -Mobil deal, a second pending transaction is the Eni-Oando September 2023 agreement for the sale of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd (NAOC).

NAOC Ltd is present with interests in Nigeria across four onshore blocks (OML 60, 61, 62, 63), which it operates on behalf of NAOC JV (operator NAOC Ltd 20 per cent, Oando 20 per cent, NNPC E&P Limited 60 per cent), in the Okpai 1 and 2 power plants (with a total nameplate capacity of 960MW), and in two onshore exploration leases (OPL 282 and OPL 135, respectively 90 per cent and 48 per cent) for which it also holds operatorship.

At the time, the company announced that the closing of the transaction was subject to, inter alia, the authorisation of all relevant local and regulatory authorities. It remains pending. Besides, another transaction yet to be consummated is the November 2023 deal by Equinor to sell its Nigerian business, including the company's shares in the Agbami oil field, to Nigerian-owned Chappal Energies.

The Norwegian group said it will sell Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), which holds a 53.85 per cent ownership in oil and gas lease OML 128, including a 20.21 per cent stake in the Agbami field, operated by Chevron.

Like the other transactions, it stated that : “Closing of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, includ-

because banks are segregated into different segments. Some are regional banks, some are national banks, some are international banks. So, any bank that is unable to meet the minimum requirement for a segment will drop down to the lower segment instead of going to a forced merger or offering itself for acquisition.

“But banks have been given about two years to raise fresh capital. What will happen is that there will be a timetable in the capital market that will make them come one after the other so that the market will not be fatigued.

If all of them are to swamp the market at a fair swoop.

“I believe that SEC will come up with a timetable that will give space for each of the listed banks to come to the market via a public offering so that the success rate will be very high.”

He added that the Nigerian stock market was undergoing correction, saying the correction was expected to continue while the emphasis starts shifting to the primary market and also the debt market.

He explained that “these are also part of the policy objectives of the monetary authority to stop the overheating of the equities market so that it does not develop into

ing all regulatory and contractual approvals.”

In January 2024, oil giant, Shell, agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore oil assets to Renaissance, a consortium of four Nigerian firms and one foreign company, for $2.4 billion.

Shell stated that with the deal, its onshore subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), will now be operated by ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith, and Petrolin, a Swiss firm.

However, Shell stated that the completion of the deal was still subject to approval by the federal government. During the week, the NUPRC commenced an assessment of the deal by both parties by holding a workshop on the matter in Abuja. Shell disclosed that it was divesting SPDC for $1.3 billion and expected to receive additional payments of as much as $1.1 billion. This would total N2.4 billion.

Aside the aforementioned multinationals, French energy giant TotalEnergies is also seeking to sell its minority share in major Nigerian onshore oil joint ventures, its chief executive, Patrick Pouyanne, announced this year.

"Fundamentally it's because producing this oil in the Niger delta is not in line with our (Health, Safety and Environmental) policies, it's a real difficulty," he added.

The French group, checks showed, produced a total of 219,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023 in Nigeria and remains a major operator of offshore fields in the West African country. But despite the speculations about Chevron’s planned divestment, the IOC has increased the Usan and Agbami oilfield leases till 2042. It has also increased its investment emphasis on short-cycle projects.

Chevron operates the Agbami Field, which lies 70 miles (113 km) off the coast of the central Niger Delta region and spans 45,000 acres (182 sq. km).

a bubble that would destroy the economy.”

Meanwhile, further checks revealed that the NGX Consumer Goods Index dropped to 1,546 basis points as of April 2024, representing 6.5 per cent from 1,610.80 basis points it closed in March 2024, while NGX Oil/Gas Index closed April 2024 at 1,267.98 basis points, a decline of 2,64 per cent from 1,294.38 basis points it closed March 2024.

Considering the stock market performance in the first four months of 2024, investors' return has appreciated by 31.36 per cent from 74,773.77 basis points when the market opened for trading basis points to 98,225.63 basis points as of April 30, 2024. At 31.36 per cent investors return, the Nigerian stock market is still one of best performing Exchanges in Africa amid double-digit inflation, insecurity, among others.

Also, the overall market added N14.64 trillion when the market capitalisation closed April 30, 2024, at N55.55 trillion from the N40.918 trillion the stock market opened for trading this year. Responding to market performance in first four months of 2024, the Adnori stated that investors were trading in the stock market based on sentiment.

AYS of Worr Y for nI

increment in price, products diversion and smuggling are detected and dealt with. "

Speaker, House of Rep., Tajudeen Abbas

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

Olawumi: There is Urgent Need to Rejig Nigeria’s Security Architecture

a chieftain of the a ll Progressives Congress and ex-special adviser on Education to former Osun state governor, Hon Jamiu Olawumi, in this interview speaks on the urgent need to rejig the security architecture of the country as well as political developments in the state of the livingspring, Osun. Hammed Shittu brings excerpts:

What is your general assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s 11 month-old administration?

President Bola Tinubu’s presidency is been very hard working and engaging the challenges that we have been having in Nigeria today because we must be true with ourselves. The previous challenges Nigeria have been facing do not demand a man that is not hardworking, who is not frank, who is not to be decisive but the pedigree of the President Tinubu and his past have pointed to the fact that he is a man that is equal to the task.

And that informed why the majority of Nigerians voted for him in the last general elections in the country. And if you look at the last elections, the issues before the elections, Nigerians have a lot of issues with the way of the administration and the way of service delivery which had become a sort of challenge to the common Nigerians.

We would not forget in a hurry, the issue of security that had started during the PDP government and extending to the Buhari administration and we would also not forget in a hurry, the issue of poor agriculture rewards from the farmers because they could not stay at their farms any longer and also not forget the invasion occasioned by the West African protocols of herdsmen from other countries of West Africa.

And all these issues have confronted the country and that anyone who is not seasoned in public administration like President Tinubu might not be able to do all these and solve all the challenges. And when you look at it when the security is rife like this, it is getting to a point where disillusions have been factored into solving the problems.

If you look at the security for instance, we have a history of Boko Haram, we also have banditry, we have kidnappings, we have militancy in the Niger Delta region, it is not peculiar to a region and this multimillion dimensional security challenges would require somebody who is loved by the people of the country and that is what we are having today,.

The temperature in the Eastern part of the country is coming down fast and even the main thrust of Igbo agenda is getting queued into the federal government agenda for the first time in the past 20 years or thereabout. And the issue of Niger Delta militancy, we thank God, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua started the amnesty programme and subsequent governments have also followed suits. And if you look at what President Tinubu had done, it is like picking from the challenged areas, participants for his administration so that we can solve the problem in a uniform manner.

So, we have stakeholders from the South- east, from the South- south who are genuine lovers of their regions in the government now. It is not an hearsay for President Tinubu to listen or to detect situation at their regions. If you look at the North, you have former governors who are in charge of the defence of the country. We have people who are first among the 11 of the northern team in this government.

The recent move to publish the names of sponsors of banditry in the country will reduce the pressure on the issue.

If you look at the socio-economic challenges around the insecurity, it is the issue of foreign exchange because a lot of people are making use of insecurity situation to make sure that they frustrate the country so as to continue with what they are doing and the President has taken the bull by the horn to address the issue.

What is your take on the issue of State Police in Nigeria ? Will it solve the nation’s security challenges?

The administration is also tilted towards the state police so as to bring cooperation between the national and sub national governments. It is the agenda of the APC even under the former President Buhari administration. There was a committee set up headed by the former governor of Kaduna state, Mallam El Rufai to look at the possibility of creating state police.

If we don’t review the security architecture of the country, it means the federal government which is unitary in operation would not allow for the review of security situation in Nigeria. Now

every state of the federation is yearning and eager to have a state police command and they are going to review that and by the time they have the architecture reviewed, state police, all these regional security outfits like Amotekun of South West, those in the South East and in the North will dissolve into state police in their respective regions. After all, if you look at what the state governments are doing like buying of vehicles and bullet jackets for the Nigeria Police force, among others.

Even the state police command belongs to the Federal Government and by the time there is a state police, every governor will know how to manage the resources to make sure that the security architecture within the state is giving the required dividends to the people of their states.

And you will have people from your state in the police and not somebody from Kano who is going to be a DPO or DCO in Anambra state who does not know the terrain of the place.

By the time the review of the security architecture of the state is done, we will have people who know the terrain to manage our security in Nigeria.

The knowledge of the terrain is very paramount to solving the problem of

any security issues in the country.

What is your general take on the PDP-led administration in Osun state since it assumed the leadership of the state?

It is worrisome that the people of Osun State found themselves in this present situation since the PDP led administration under Senator Ademola Adeleke took over the mantle of leadership. I want to tell you that there are series of absurdities since the administration assumed office. The respect for due process has become an alien in the state. We are alarmed by the way the public funds have been handled in the state.

Let me give you a quick example, when former Governor Gboyega Oyetola was at helm of affairs of the state, an average kilometers of roads with asphalt to construct a kilometer of roads ranges between N100m and N150million in any part of the state because there is no swampy area in the state and there is no terrain that is so challenged. All the roads are there to see, very viable road projects for that matter executed by Oyetola- led administration. You will be surprised today in the state, a kilometre road goes for N2.5 billion under Governor Ademola Adeleke. Without fear of contradictions, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, a kilometre of road goes for N2.5billion aside of jettissioning due process in handling those projects in the state.

Let me give you an instance, Akoda- Ede road was

“Even the state police command belongs to the Federal Government and by the time there is a state police, every governor will know how to manage the resources to make sure that the security architecture within the state is giving the required dividends to the people of their states. And you will have people from your state in the police and not somebody from Kano who is going to be a DPO or DCO in Anambra state who does not know the terrain of the place. By the time the review of the security architecture of the state is done, we will have people who know the terrain to manage our security in Nigeria. The knowledge of the terrain is very paramount to solving the problem of any security issues in the country. “

allegedly started even when he has not appointed his commissioners. There was no due process, no public bidding and even you going for selective bidding. What they are doing on that road alone is what we have experienced that allegedly led one PDP chieftain to prison, contract splitting. You have a main contactor sign board there and have three contractors on that Akoda- Ede road. The road was not budgeted for, it is not in the budget of the state when they started the road. And when they presented supplementary budget, it was not there also. The Olaiya- Ilerioluwa flyover constructed by the immediate past administration of former governor Oyetola was executed for N3.2billion. The Okefia flyover the present administration is embarking upon now was allegedly given to a company that is supplying urinal fertiliser and not a construction firm. It is not a single engineering construction firm that is handling Okefia flyover and if you look at it, it is over N20billion. From N3.2billion to over N20billion, the one at Lameco is for over N8billion and this is what the people of the state are facing now.

This is a serious departure from the glorious past to the present situation in the state. You have a project that lack the confidence of the people because when you give work to non civil engineering company and give it to urinal fertiliser company and what will be the confidence of the people in such projects you gives to non trained firm after execution?

Go to the site of the project you can see underpinning things to erect such gigantic project. Aside that a km of road for N2.5billion without public procurement process that will call for bids, that would do competitive selection, that will also look at the experience of the company to handle it. A company that supplies and registered as a cyber cafe is allegedly set to handle Ilobu flyover. A cyber cafe in Ede that does not even have a recognisable address in Ede is also allegedly handling an N8.5billion Lameco road project. These are the situations we found ourselves. A government that will say it has concluded, received a probe panel report and 16months after, it will start to implement it.

Look at Osogbo as a capital of Osun, all the roads are littered with refuse even the Governor’s Office gate, they don’t have people that sweep and clean. Osogbo roads are littered with potholes. From Old Garage to MDS to Baruwa junction to Ogo Oluwa, roundabout leading to the office of the Governor, a lot of potholes unattended to due to alleged non residing of the Governor in Osogbo. Governor resides in Ede, his home town until recently when he decided to move to Osogbo but he is always at Ede.

For the first time in the 21st century, this government has not talked about public utilities like water but decided to drill boreholes in every wards, one per ward. For example, there is a ward in Osogbo that has a population of over 50,000 people, you give them a point of borehole and you are looking at water and sanitation.

The government has not taken care of the environment. Everyone in the state today will say they have taken their “breakfast”. Let me say this, the palliative. Federal Government gave each of the states of the federation N7 billion palliatives. Look at what they are doing in other states beyond N7billion.

Aside the fact that the state government spent N25 million to repair school buses to put them on the road for public service and the balance of the fund, nobody knows what happened. Look what they are doing in Borno, Ogun States, among others.

In Ogun State, the government of Dapo Abiodun bought 75 CNG buses, make available N5billion for people to enjoy, gave N50,000 each to students of tertiary institutions as palliative. In our state, there is increase in the payment of tuition fees of students. Nobody has been given scholarship. Even the programme started by former governor Oyetola for indigent students in the nation’s tertiary institutions that will pay them N33million every year has been stopped. The indigent students honorarium has been stopped.

Olawumi

FEaturEs

Kalu Leaving 'Footprints on the Sands of Time' at 53

Udora Orizu pays tribute to the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu as he clocks 53 on Sunday, May 5th

At 53, the member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives and the current Deputy Speaker of the 10th National Assembly's Green Chamber, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu exemplifies the phrase: "Footprints on the Sands of Time" in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem; "A Psalm of Life” written in 1838.

The phrase as mentioned in the poem over 150 years ago, described the mark that great individuals leave on history; it connotes leaving footprints for succeeding generations and the realisation that time is limited so one must be spurred to give his or her life meaning and make a useful contribution to those who follow.

As if Longfellow had Rt. Hon. Kalu in mind over 100 years ago before he was born in 1971 while writing his poem, the astute lawyer turned lawmaker's life has been that of service, beginning at a very young age when he was the student representative at the University of Calabar and proceeded as the National Chapter Chairman of a ruling party in the Diaspora.

Kalu was also the youngest local government chairman of Bende; at 34, he was a member of the Abia State Government Executive Cabinet as Senior Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, while at 35, he was Senior Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Millennium Development Goals and International Relations.

After an interlude of professional practice, acquisition of more knowledge, business endeavours both within and outside the shores of Nigeria, at 48, Kalu was in the House of Representatives where his life of service has taken him to leave indelible footprints on the entire Nigerian socioeconomic firmament.

As it is said in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart; "a chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches", on the first plenary of the House in the 9th Assembly, the greenhorn lawmaker moved the first motion.

The motion was on the need to urgently address erosion and floods ravaging Nkpa and surrounding communities in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State which he represents.

This chick that will grow into a cock was spotted that very day and when the House leadership under the then Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila constituted Standing Committees, he was appointed Chairman of the Media and Public Affairs Committee, the official Spokesperson of the House.

Though not a juicy Committee - overseeing Ministries, Departments and Agencies with big budget size, Kalu performed that role with the kind of enthusiasm that made the position enviable as it earned him the fond title: "Oracle" which must be consulted on the affairs of the 9th House vis-à-vis National Assembly.

During his tenure, he was able to take the image of the House to a soaring and enviable height with the initiation of the Green Chamber Magazine, where the achievements and legacies of the House of Representatives are periodically published, among others.

Kalu also stood tall in lawmaking with over 52 Bills to his credit and was ranked 4th on the chart of top 10 performers in the 9th NASS and first in Abia State representatives. He was also 1st among first-time members at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly in terms of Bills sponsorship as published by the Order paper of the House after a 24-month legislative experience.

In his constituency, he attracted various projects spanning from road rehabilitation and construction, rehabilitation of schools, construction of primary health centers, distribution of educational material and construction of solar-powered boreholes, and women and youth empowerment.

Following his numerous achievements in the Green Chamber in the space of two and half years, he was recognized by the Independent Newspaper as the South East and Abia State Federal Lawmaker of the Year at the Annual Independent Nigerian Parliamentary Excellence Awards.

He was also awarded by the Abia Online

Media Publishers, the umbrella body of all online media practitioners in Abia State as the Most Outstanding Federal Legislator for the year 2021 in recognition of exceptional legislative abilities in the House in bills sponsored and projects attracted to the constituency and state amongst other recognitions.

With the steering performance in the House and in his constituency, Kalu survived the Peter Obi's Labour Party tsunami in Abia and entire South-east and he was re-elected for a second term at the 2023 general election.

It was then, as it is believed that the reward for hard work is more work that the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed him and his colleagues, elected him Deputy Speaker of the House unopposed.

Within the last 10 months of his emergence as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the second term lawmaker, has been carrying out his duties as expected of every legislator with the determination to deliver quality service and common good to the Nigerian people, through bills, motions, constituency projects amongst others.

In the legislative agenda of the 10th House, tagged "The People's House", the House had promised to hold a National Dialogue on State Policing in fulfilment of the commitment made by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, in January.

The proposal for state police is part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the 10th National Assembly, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

The Speaker had on January 30, 2024, at the first plenary of the House in the year, announced plans to convoke a national conference on security.

Consequently, the House, on February 20, passed for second reading, a bill seeking to create police structures in each of the states of the federation.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and 14 others had sponsored the bill seeking to alter the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to empower the

states to establish their own policing outfits.

On February 26, Speaker Abbas, at the inauguration of the House Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, noted that state policing was part of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu at a one day National Dialogue on State Policing themed "Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria" organized by the leadership of the House of Representatives with support from Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), UK International Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that the principal aim of the parliament with regards to the state police bill is to enact laws and pursue reforms that will benefit the collective welfare of the nation.

Acknowledging concerns expressed in some quarters about possible abuse of the policing system at the state level when established, the deputy speaker allayed the fears, saying that the decisions to restructure Nigeria's policing system is not intended to serve the interests of any individual or political faction.

He said: "In various jurisdictions worldwide, multi-layered policing systems have been implemented with varying degrees of success. Opposition voices argue that introducing multiple layers of policing could lead to a fragmentation of authority, with different agencies competing for resources and jurisdictional control. This could result in confusion and inefficiency in law enforcement efforts. Critics also fear that decentralizing law enforcement powers could increase the risk of abuse of power by local or state-level authorities. Without adequate oversight and accountability mechanisms, there may be instances of corruption, political interference,

Cultivating a culture of peace is essential in our journey. We must promote dialogue, tolerance, and non-violence as core values within our communities...Utabiri Bende as he's popularly called, has also made noteworthy strides towards improving women’s political representation and end gender based violence in the country

or human rights violations.

"Given Nigeria's diverse ethnic and regional landscape, opponents caution that multi-layered policing could exacerbate existing tensions and inequalities. There is concern that certain ethnic or regional groups may feel marginalized or unfairly targeted by local or state police forces, leading to social unrest or conflict. In addition, implementing a multi-layered policing system requires significant financial and logistical resources."

As part of his quest to ensure peace and security in the South East and Nigeria as a whole, Kalu initiated the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative which canvasses a non-kinetic approach to foster peace, unity and development in the region.

The project which was unveiled in December 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, at Bende Local Government of Abia State ultimately seeks the adoption of a non-kinetic approach to resolving the problem of insecurity bedeviling the South East.

He said that the project was also aimed at promoting reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts.

The statement read in part:” When I embarked on the South East Project, my vision was clear — to foster peace, unity, and development in our region through a non-kinetic approach. The South East has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, and enterprising people. Yet, we have faced our fair share of challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, insecurities, political tensions, and occasional conflicts.

“Our goals in the South East Project are clear. We aim to promote reconciliation among communities and individuals affected by past conflicts. We recognize the need to address the root causes of conflict, including socioeconomic disparities and political tensions. Empowering communities is another crucial goal of the project, providing them with the necessary resources, skills, and opportunities for sustainable development.

“We also believe in the power of engaging youth in the peace-building process. By empowering young people with education, training, and leadership opportunities, we are investing in the region’s future. Inclusivity and social justice are core values we aim to foster, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to opportunities and resources.

"Cultivating a culture of peace is essential in our journey. We must promote dialogue, tolerance, and non-violence as core values within our communities. By working towards these goals, we aim to create a more peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive region for all its residents”.

Utabiri Bende as he's popularly called, has also made noteworthy strides towards improving women’s political representation and end gender based violence in the country.

In line with parliamentary tradition, the constitution review committee is headed by the Deputy Speaker, Kalu who chairs the committee for the 10th House has assured Nigerian women of the parliament’s readiness to ensure the rejected gender bills don’t suffer the same fate in the 10th Assembly.

At various fora, he promised legislative actions that will break barriers that have been hindering women participation in leadership and ending Gender Based Violence (GBV).

On the ongoing constitution review, Kalu said the work on the alteration will be completed in December 2025.

Speaking at its pre-inaugural meeting, "It is the view of Mr speaker that we set a realistic timeline that does not conflict with electoral activities which would advertently or inadvertently affect the alteration process, specifically, December 2025, the time we are looking at to conclude the activities of this committee.

•Orizu, is the Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu

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THE RACE FOR AI SUPREMACY

SONNY IROCHE contends that the race for supremacy is not just about technological advancement but about ethical considerations and sustainable development

GRACIOUSNESS IN GRATITUDE

Victor Umeh appreciates Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi for all his efforts, writes PAT ONUKWULI

EDITORIAL

It is important for cable TV providers to be treated equitably in these trying times, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

REGULATING PAY TELEVISION COMPANIES

It is no longer news that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has made efforts to stop MultiChoice, owner of DSTV and GOTV, from reviewing upwards the prices of its products. That has been generating debates and interests of all sorts, ranging from the need to protect Nigerians against the exploitative and predatory tendencies of producers and marketers to the legitimacy of profit-making by entities that have goods and services on offer. Like other topics in public discourse, every side to this one parades genuine and weak reasons.

My concerns in this matter, however, stem mainly from what appears to be the lopsidedness of FCCPC’s operationalisation of its cardinal statutory function of safeguarding local consumers from being milked. To begin with, over time, it’s difficult to identify any meaningful ways in which the people of this country are shielded from the biting vagaries of market forces. Capitalists and their apologists often lecture the government and the long-suffering citizens on what they call the inevitability of the interplay of demand and supply. They canvass that buyers should surrender themselves to whatever this battle hands down to them. Without explicitly describing this school of thought as the survival of the fittest, that’s exactly what it is. Why bother oneself with things one cannot afford? This simple poser has various implications and possibilities. Even when you’re not an economist, life soon teaches you about scale of preference which spells out what one’s priorities are. You may not write it in black and white but you would usually keep its mental picture. And lines are often drawn between essentials and non-essentials items. It’s that critical. Nobody can shy away from the crucial practice of managing usually inadequate resources.

In the light of the existential struggle of attempting to meet seemingly endless wants and needs, therefore, it’s hard to question the rationale for FCCPC’s primary role of pricing policing. And, in so doing, it must be seen to, at least, exhibit at all times the noble attribute of equity. I’m not alone in wondering about the very existence and relevance of the agency, speaking generally. This is not to suggest that it has never achieved anything at all. But then, of what use is it to average Nigerians when the inflation figures that ravage virtually all segments of their socioeconomic life can hardly be explained using established parameters? Go to a market and meet a price; the next day or week, it shoots up without regard for any prediction. This situation only accentuates the people’s hopelessness and helplessness. It’s one condition that keeps getting worse with the nation’s rapid drift from economic and social equilibrium.

In the midst of this vulnerability and what comes to Nigerians as lack of people-oriented governance, a Commission this strategic ought

not to be faceless for too long. It’s baffling that it is now energetic in its unbalanced oversight of DSTV and GOTV. Even before the FCCPC approached the courts to prevent those pay TV platforms from implementing the price increase of their products, they had on several previous occasions been subjected to what amounted to persecution and public ridicule. For instance, in 2015, two lawyers took MultiChoice to a Federal High Court in Lagos in an attempt to block price hikes but the presiding judge told them plainly that they weren’t under any obligation to patronise the defendant. A similar effort against the cable television giant was also dismissed two years ago at the Consumer Protection Tribunal. These and some other wins haven’t dissuaded unrelenting activists and litigants, curiously.

Virtually everything that can be purchased has been impacted by the current astronomic inflation. What makes the case of MultiChoice’s services different that has put FCCPC in a hyper-active mode? This Commissions’ glaring duplicity is well captured in a recent intervention by Dr Yemisi Bamgbose, Executive Secretary of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, on this subject. According to him, “if the mandate of FCCPC includes price control of goods and services in a free and deregulated economy, where was the organisation when bakers’ associations in the country increased the cost of a loaf of bread more than 200% in the last one year? Bread is an essential commodity. What took away the mandate of FCCPC to review the cost of the most staple food of the common man which Nigerians can no longer afford? I doubt if FCCPC is aware that a sachet of pure water has been increased from five naira to 20 naira in the last one year. Is the organisation on vacation?

“Perhaps the organisation was on leave when bottling companies in the country astronomically increased the cost of malt and other soft drinks. I was surprised that FCCPC didn’t call stakeholders meeting to review the new prices. Perhaps the cost of a bag of cement has not been increased from 4000 naira in the last one year. That must be the reason why FCCPC did not deem it fit to invite Dangote, BUA and Lafarge

cement manufacturers with relevant stakeholders to discuss the more than 100% increase on a bag of cement. Aviation sector, on a daily basis, increases the cost of domestic flights. This also has not attracted the attention of FCCPC.”

Time has come to probe the unjustifiable negative attention given to MultiChoice. Things that are fundamental to life like food, water, medicines and even oxygen are being raised beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians as if that’s the most natural thing to do. The country’s consumer protector manages to understand and reason with the providers. Then, items like television programmes which, in most cases, have no direct relationship with actual survival have become vital and deserving of red-alert scrutiny. Haba!

Some aspects of this imbroglio really come off as untidy and disturbing. Subscribers in Nigeria do have options, perhaps not with the strength and reach of the over-monitored MultiChoice. Access to numerous terrestrial and free-to-air stations abounds. Also, StarTimes, a government-owned competitor of DSTV and GOTV, increased its own prices twice last year alone even without raised eyebrows from the now diligent FCCPC. Netflix, a newer foreign entrant into the country’s television space, equally raised its tariff without any official drama.

FCCPC’s embarrassing treatment of MultiChoice should end at this point, especially since it has failed to convince the public about the grounds for this special focus on this thriving South Africa-originated company. Enough of chasing shadows. These unequal and concerted moves to control its prices may in fact have unwittingly endorsed the centrality of MultiChoice to the Nigerian cable television industry. For a country that is sufficiently addicted to European football, the fixation to the firm that seems to permanently enjoy its transmission rights is understandable. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for the present arm-twisting. The passion that Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A or any other exclusive programme generates can be well channelled towards the satisfaction of the transmitting agents and viewers.

In the long run, antagonism won’t help anyone. Certainly not Nigeria and her citizens who shouldn’t place unwarranted hurdles before foreign direct investment, FDI. The National Assembly too should by now be tired of summoning MultiChoice for questioning on pure business issues. Corporate bodies and individuals are grappling, with little success, with the mess brought on the nation by the twin dragons of oil subsidy removal and ruptured forex transactions. Singling out and stifling a major player would be counterproductive. It’s not too late for FCCPC to take the path of impartiality and decency.

Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

Editor,

Editorial

Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE PORT HARCOURT TANKER EXPLOSION

The relevant authorities must do more to curtail the carnage on the roads

It was another hell on earth for several families last Friday in Rivers State, following the explosion of a fuel-laden tanker at the Eleme section of the East-West Road. According to reports, the tanker collided with another vehicle, exploded, and burst into flames which spread to other tankers and vehicles trapped in the gridlock. No fewer than four persons, including a pregnant woman and about 100 vehicles were consumed by the inferno. While we commiserate with the families of the deceased, the frequency of these accidents should compel action from the relevant authorities.

Although the real cause of the disaster is yet to be officially ascertained, it is being blamed on reckless driving, bad road, absence of traffic control at a critical intersection and negligence by the contractor handling the road reconstruction project. Since Governor Siminalayi Fubara has requested for details from relevant government agencies in the state, we hope he will take the “necessary actions to significantly remedy the situation and reduce the negative impact on the affected people.” But this is a problem that has gone on for years. The number of fatalities arising from petrol tanker explosions on our roads is also getting increasingly high. That is aside from the billions of Naira that had been lost to such fire incidents, and the survivors who bear scars for the rest of their lives.

For decades, Nigerians have been at the mercy of these drivers who have no regard for traffic rules and regulations and under the cover of a union that goes on strike at the slightest excuse

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU

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T H I S D AY N E W S PA P

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

In January 2019, exactly six months after a tanker truck loaded with petrol fell and spilled its contents on the Otedola Bridge axis on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and killing several motorists, a similar tragedy occurred in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The tanker was heading outside the state capital when it suddenly lost

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DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

NEEDED: A STATE OF EMERGENCY ON EDUCATION

Nothing defines the education crisis than the revelation by JAMB that 1.4million out of 1.8million students who sat for the recent examination scored below 200. This calls for immediate national action. The revelation has exposed us to the dangers inherent in government failure to invest in education, and also bad parenting.

I could recall with nostalgia how I was brought up as a child from a poor background through values that were rooted in our culture and tradition such as hard work, productivity, honesty, chastity, decency, good neighborliness, amongst others. Unfortunately, parents today are now socialising their children into a vile culture of corruption by hiring surrogate candidates to write exams for their kids. Parents have now failed to set store by possession of virtues such as probity, honesty, perseverance, love of education, amongst others. It is disturbing!

Critical stakeholders in the educational sector, and, indeed, the society, must understand that children and youth constitute a critical aspect of the society. They must not be exposed to flawed beliefs.

Unfortunately, as against those days when corrupt and

evil-minded people are viewed with contempt and disdain (irrespective of their attainments in life), our children look up to these corrupt individuals for engagement and orientation. We now glorify material possessions while moral values are vilified.

Wherever you turn to, parents and stakeholders downplay education. Parents and musicians now tell our younger ones that all the talk about education being the gate pass to a life of comfort are all lies which now reinforces that mantra "education is a scam". Parents do not ask questions any more about their wards’ possessions. We now celebrate mediocrity, not excellence.

This mass failure in JAMB calls for not just sober reflection but immediate radical action from the Federal Ministry of Education. The government must acknowledge the fact that Nigeria's current educational policy or even the posture of the government is neither satisfying the yearnings of its teeming youths nor delivering the needs of the labour market.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel, Ibadan

balance towards the Federal Housing Estate along the Odukpani axis of the highway and fell off. A few months later, dozens of villagers were killed in Ahumbe, Benue State when a tanker laden with petrol exploded on the Alliade/ Makurdi Federal Highway in the Gwer East Local Government Area. The tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid a pothole and flipped. In the wake of these tragedies, there were conversations about the nightmare that fuel tanker drivers have become in our country, but nothing has been done to tackle the menace. In four separate incidents within a spate of one week in 2015, no fewer than 100 people were killed with property worth hundreds of millions of Naira destroyed. Just about a month later in the same Onitsha, 85 fatalities were recorded when a petrol laden tanker lost control‎ and rammed into a public motor park. Several buildings, vehicles and property worth millions of Naira were consumed by the fire. Scores of others were left with different degrees of burns. For decades, Nigerians have been at the mercy of these drivers who have no regard for traffic rules and regulations and under the cover of a union that goes on strike at the slightest excuse. They have become laws unto themselves. The way they go about terrorising other road users had always left the public wondering whether these drivers were under some instruction to break the rules of civilised conduct. We urge the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police to collaborate in jointly enforcing traffic rules across the country to stop these avoidable and senseless mayhem.

Besides, in many countries, petroleum products are transported through pipelines and not by putting thousands of vehicles on the road daily as we do in Nigeria. We must find a solution to this carnage on our roads.

REAL FAKE PHOTOS

There have been some recent stories in the news involving 'adjusted' photos, probably using AI, including those of Royal families. It appears AI has failed them so why not try more realistic approaches?

A rural hospital, Colac Health Services, had a visit from the Government Health Minister and in order to show how busy they were, usually, they had a crowded urgent care area and an ambulance arrival, all shown on TV and in the newspapers. But, those shown were actually hospital staff and not unwell. It all looked good until locals recognised some of the 'patients'.

Initially it seemed funny but it could however be seen as attempted fraud as they could say they needed more funding, more than justified by real patient numbers. The staff involved are now undergoing counselling, a harsh punishment.

Telling the truth is always the best choice.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

polity

pastor Kumuyi and Africa’s Quest for Servant-leaders

Banji ojewale

Most of us agree with Chinua Achebe, Africa’s late literary colossus, that Nigeria’s chief post-Independence headache has been the challenge of leadership. He said in his 1983 book, The Trouble with Nigeria: ‘’The trouble with Nigeria is simply a failure of leadership... The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are hallmarks of true leadership... Nigerians are what they are only because their leaders are not what they should be...’’

There’s a web of follow-up posers here as we are moved to step into the next stage of the conversation.

The questions to be addressed: What’s the manner of leadership deficit? Are concerns arising from restrictions to leadership along the lines of age, gender, religion, tribe, politics, education etc.? In other words, are we having issues because we’ve introduced too many rules that won’t offer many qualified hands to get into the leadership loop? They’re stopped long before the game even starts. Or is our concept of the matter so ultra-restrictive that we have settled for what I term ‘generational leadership’, that says only family circles and cronies can be in power on a turn-by-turn basis ad infinitum? Of course, none of these ‘models’ has been fruitful or helpful. They have brewed more trouble to lead many to correctly ask that they be displaced altogether for productive options.

Therefore, we were all drawn to Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), when he spoke on leadership at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba, a state in North-east of Nigeria, during the March 2024 edition of his Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK). He introduced a new feature of GCK, namely, The VIP Forum, to discuss the topic, “The Marks of the Perfect Model of a Servant-Leader.” He had an elite audience:

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, one of his predecessors, Jolly Nyame, top government officials, university professors, industrialists, administrators, professionals, religious leaders and traditional rulers, among several others. Kumuyi served them a cocktail, which he counsels is conditional to salutary leadership in all spheres of human activity: political office, civil service, industry, religion, home, academics, etc. He strategically interrogates the question of leadership, which, currently, is a burning issue, in

all facets of Nigeria and Africa. And truly, no part of humanity may claim it isn’t in need of beneficial and imaginative guidance from those in authority. It is at the point of leadership that society falls or stands, fails or succeeds, flounders or sails. The fabric of leadership determines the judicious (or otherwise) of management of a people’s resources. Your riches would end in misery under a bad manager. But where there are meagre means, a creative and self-denying helmsman can create the needed wealth and opportunities for the greatness of the people.

And this is why the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry isn’t talking about leadership without accompanying it with servanthood. What he’s simply insisting is that you can’t have a successful leader who, in practical terms, isn’t stooping. He must stoop to conquer.

Pastor Kumuyi’s spontaneous constituency is the Church and its Leader, Jesus Christ. That’s where the evangelist himself has, all his celebrated life, drawn his own guiding principles. So it’s not strange that Kumuyi raises Him as the perfect Model of the Servant-Leader he’s talking about. But let’s be quick t warn that the discourse is not about religion or its activities. Nor is it about denominational and sectarian leadership. Instead, it has to do with knowing the attributes that made Christ the Supreme Servant-Leader. Today’s leaders, Kumuyi advises, must also possess those qualities for they and those they’re leading to be of mutual benefit. What are some of these traits?

Leaders must be upright. The cleric says: ‘’You cannot be perfect without being upright, and you cannot be upright without being perfect.’’ He refers to Christ as that Perfect Leader, Who on account of that all-encompassing rectitude, succeeded in all other areas. Our leaders must also possess this moral (spiritual) bulwark. Leaders with a moral arsenal, Kumuyi argues, would have the chief priority of selfless service, as Christ had, ‘’because many things will call for your attention, but your priorities make you a leader...If you mark the model of Jesus as our perfect leader, we must have a priority (to serve

society and the citizens with all energy and heart).’’

Some acclaimed Kumuyi quotes on servanthood in leadership at the session: ‘’In our leadership positions, we must do something redemptive and something that rescues people from where they are to where they ought to be...If you are succeeding, you must have successors, otherwise all the success will be burned after you are gone...As a leader, you should have successors that you do not hide your success secrets or techniques for doing good from.”

Now, Kumuyi may be throwing all these pieces of teachings at us at his GCK outreaches and during meetings right there in his Deeper Life Bible Church. A religious atmosphere may be the context of his declarations. But when we closely study them, they are lessons we need beyond the precincts of worship places; we need them more for ourselves and for those put in charge of overseeing the institutions of man. We need them individually in the home and in the community and in our professions as well as in our respective ministries.

Why this man of God is himself honoured here in Africa and worldwide is because he’s moved of God to strive to practise what he teaches. Many were surprised at the Taraba GCK in Wukari that for the first time, the event featured an international Medical Mission.

Impressed by the leadership profile of Kumuyi, some 20 medical doctors, 30 nurses, and over 25 other professionals, like pharmacists, dentists, laboratory scientists, etc. from USA, UK and Nigeria decided to key into Kumuyi’s vision and provide free medicare for the crusade participants and the people of Wukari.

The takeout here is that a truly serving leader not only improves the lot of his people but also, he is able to draw kindred spirits to his country, who will add value to the land for enduring progress, peace and prosperity. In Nigeria and Africa, we can change the paradigm for good as our leaders rejig themselves and we all work hard to reform the (s)election process for leaders.

•Ojewale is an author and journalist in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

yahaya Bello and the EFCC Quandary: the Devil is in the Details

The dust is yet to settle, following the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello last week, on the heels of the anti-graft agency preparation to arraign him over corruption charges. This development is more than what meets the eye, as it’s laden with intricate details that are the kernel of this lucid treatise.

The attempt to arrest the ex-governor led to the gestapo like siege to his residence located in Wuse Zone 4, FCT earlier. Officials of the EFCC cordoned off the road and entrance to the residence of the former Kogi State governor for most of Wednesday.

Despite the heavy presence of EFCC operatives around Bello’s residence, his successor in office, Usman Ododo, paid him a solidarity visit. Ododo arrived the erstwhile helmsman’s residence in the afternoon and was cheered by the loyalists of the former governor who were present to give support to their embattled principal.

Also, while the siege on Bello’s residence was still on, two conflicting court rulings emerged in respect to the attempt to arrest of the former governor by the EFCC. One of the rulings, which came from a Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining or prosecuting Bello.

Justice I.A Jamil, who gave the order in a ruling last week, stated that infringing on the fundamental human rights of the former Kogi helmsman is null and void except as authorised by the Court.

“By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant except as authorised by the Court.

“This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given,” he averred.

In another twist in the yoyo-like locomotion of multiple judicial pronouncements, however, the EFCC obtained permission from the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to arrest the ex-Kogi State governor in preparation to his arraignment on Thursday.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the warrant this afternoon at the instance of the EFCC.

Love or hate Yahaya Bello, the pertinent questions begging for answers in this litigation are:

The EFCC had in March indicted Yahaya Bello, in an alleged diversion of about N100 billion, an

he assumed office as governor in September 2015. If any third party dissects the budgetary appropriation of Kogi State and it’s IGR dispassionately then the numbers do not add up. The former helmsman met a humongous liabilities and backlog of non-serviced facilities accruing to the Confluence State that had to be serviced. The pervasive prevarication that colossal funds found it’s way into his pockets amount to ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tales.

The anti-graft agency had joined Yahaya Bello in the amended suit alongside the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Alli Bello, and one Daudu Suleiman, who was re-arraigned by the anti-graft agency before Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The ex-governor was not a defendant in the original suit, and was not in court on the said day.

Justice Omotoso had granted an accelerated hearing in the matter and had also ordered that all forms of objections must be kept in abeyance till the address stage and the charge were read to them.

In the first count, the former governor, and the two suspects were accused of conspiring with each

other in September 2015 and converting N80, 246, 470, 089 to their personal use. For contextual and editorial alignment, the goalposts of allegations have witnessed shifting and amendments.

What court Order did the EFCC appeal against as well as the reason behind it?

It is a cogent fact in public domain that the EFCC appealed against the Order granted on the 9th of February, 2024 by the High Court of Kogi State, the said order was an order restraining the EFCC from inviting, arresting or detaining the Applicant vide Notice of Appeal filed on 26th February, 2024.

Also, the EFCC further asked for a stay of Execution of the Interim Order at the Court of Appeal on 21st of March, 2024, which request was refused by the Court of Appeal.

However, on the 6th of March, 2024, in defiance of the interim Orders and their own pending appeal against the interim Order, the EFCC proceeded to prefer a 17 Count(s) Charge before Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court against Yahaya Bello.

The EFCC went further to resort to self help when on the 17th of March, 2024, it approached the same Federal High Court, Abuja, via an Ex-parte application and without informing the said court of the interim Order and their pending appeal against the interim order, to obtain an arrest warrant against the same person in respect of whose Order they had appealed to the court of appeal.

Akin to the above, if indeed the EFCC has nothing to conceal, why are they trying to muddle up the issues on account of the main judgement that was also subsequently delivered in the same High Court of Kogi State without recourse to the interim order that they appealed against and requested to be stayed, which request was refused?

The EFCC claims to have extended invitation to Yahaya Bello’s quarter immediately after his tenure elapsed on January 27th 2024. He has challenged the anti-graft agency to produce a copy of this invitation, including the delivery date and the recipient’s name and endorsement. There’s confidence on his part that they cannot provide ample evidence to this effect.

This sudden attempt at trying to confuse unsuspecting public with sentimental press statements and mug shot poster emblazoned with wanted message in capital letters. These actions intended to impugn and malign Yahaya Bello would not help them clear the infraction and abuse of the judicial process to give a dog a bad name to hang it. It’s a recurring decimal and standard MO of the

anti-graft agency to embark on the route of smear campaign on suspects in a bid to gain an edge in the court of public opinion.

Again, by the admission of EFCC to the effect that they were at the Court of Appeal on the matter, and at the same time, approached a Federal High Court without informing the court of the subsisting order and appeal, is an admission of abuse of judicial process, and a fraudulent deceit of the court that has led it to granting conflicting Orders while appeal was pending.

This approach is a grave infraction of due process of law, subsequently, the statement issued by the learned counsel representing EFCC in the said matter amounts to trying to justify the infraction in a media trial which is unethical and not allowed or recognized in the legal profession.

The NJC should seriously investigate this matter as the conduct of the EFCC lawyer is clearly unethical and smirks of “Jankara” and “Boju Boju” practice of circumventing due course of the law.

The EFCC had appealed the order on March 11, 2024 and sought a stay of execution in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The Court of Appeal did not grant the stay of execution, but fixed yesterday for hearing.

The appeal, however, failed to take place as the registrar told journalists that the appeal was not listed among the cases for the day.

The latest development in this jurisprudential tango, the embattled immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello said he was ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

Though Bello was absent for his arraignment, he briefed a team of lawyers who addressed the court on his behalf on Tuesday. A member of his legal team, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that his client would have made himself available for the proceedings, but all he clamours for is the strict adherence to the rule of law.

“The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe, SAN, submitted. Consequently, he urged the court to set aside the exparte order of arrest it earlier issued against the former governor.

Ayoola Ajanaku

Pastor Kumuyi

Bello

SIM Deactivation: Telecoms Subscriptions Plunge to 219m, Active Internet Users

Emma Okonji

It has emerged that the recent decline in the number of telecommunication subscriptions in the country was as a result of the SIM deactivation exercise carried out by telecoms operators on all SIM cards that were not linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) as directed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to the latest statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecommunications subscriptions across all networks dropped slightly from 219,970,313, with a teledensity

Emma Okonji

Telecommunications companies under the aegis of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have again lamented the high cost of doing telecoms business in Nigeria, insisting that urgent steps must be taken by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for upward review of telecoms tariff across networks.

Members of ATCON who spoke while reviewing the state of telecoms industry in Nigeria during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association held in Lagos, insisted that telecoms companies cannot continue to bear the burden of high cost of doing telecoms business

of 101.47 per cent in February 2024, to 219,304,281, with a teledensity of 101.16 per cent in March 2024, However, the country’s active internet subscriptions increased from 161,977,883 in January 2024 to 163,279,541 in February 2024, before reaching 164,368,292 in March 2024.

President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, attributed the development to the SIM deactivation exercise carried out by telecoms operators on all SIM cards that were not properly linked to the NIN of the SIM cardholders. According to him, millions of

in Nigeria, without shifting the cost to telecoms consumers through tariff increase.

According to them, telecoms companies risk the danger of closing down telecoms businesses if the regulator does not address the issue of tariff hike.

President of ATCON, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, who opened the discussion on the state of telecoms industry in Nigeria, said there was need to protect telecoms operators in order to sustain telecoms business in Nigeria, adding that the discussion with the industry regulator for tariff increase in the telecoms industry is ongoing.

Immediate past President of ATCON, Ikechukwu Nnamani, said

SIM cards were deactivated, even though majority of the subscribers had done the NIN-SIM linkage, which unknown to them, had failed due to systems and network issues emanating from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

According to statistics obtained from the official website of NCC, telecoms subscriptions had reached 227,179,946 with a teledensity of 119.01 per cent in February 2023, before sliding to 219,304,281, with a teledensity of 101.16 per cent in March 2024. Analysis of the numbers showed that after reaching 227,179,946 in February 2023, telecoms subscription dropped

supply cost for telecoms equipment has tripled over the years, while telecoms companies continue to bear the extra cost.

According to him, other sectors of the economy have increased cost of service delivery several times, but the telecoms sector has not reviewed its general service-pricing framework upward in the last eleven years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.

“Telecoms companies are already operating at a loss due to high cost operations, and should we continue to operate at a loss, it will not be long for telecoms operators to go out of business,” Nnamani said.

Other members who spoke said the cost of doing telecoms

to 226,161,713 in March 2023, before sliding again to 223,663,521 and 221,258,372 in April and May 2023 respectively. It further dropped to 220,086,951 in June 2023, and rose slightly to 220 860,987 in July 2023, before sliding again to 220,715,961 in August 2023. Telecoms subscriptions however increased to 221,769, 883 in September 2023, with a further increase to 222,188,195; 223,220,009, and 224,713,710 in October, November and December 2023 respectively. Telecoms subscriptions however dropped again to 218,400,965 in January 2024, but it increased slightly to 219, 970,313, with a teledensity of 101.47 per cent in February 2024,

business has gone exponential. According to them, electricity bill for a single telecom company operating in Lagos, jumped from N800,000 monthly to N10 million monthly and cost of diesel to run generators has gone up in the last six months. They also said the cost for the supply of imported telecoms equipment has gone so high and the telecoms companies continue to bear the high cost alone.

While some of the members were of the view that the federal government should offer special subvention for telecoms companies, others insisted on upward review of telecoms tariff, adding that cost must be shifted to telecoms consumers who are the direct

before sliding again to 219,304,281 with a teledensity of 101.16 per cent in March 2024.

Further analysis showed that MTN Nigeria is maintaining a lead position with 81 million subscribers and a market share of 37.35 per cent, followed by Airtel Nigeria with 63 million subscribers and a market share of 28.93 per cent, while Globacom comes third with 62 million subscribers and a market share of 28.40 per cent. 9mobile, the last entrant into the GSM market, has 11 million subscribers with a market share of 6.32 per cent.

The statistics also showed that the total number of active internet subscribers has continued to increase as more Nigerians are connected to the internet, via their mobile phones. As at September 2023, the total number of active internet subscribers was 160,171,125, but the figure increased to 161,137,357 and 162,060,769 in October and November 2023, before increasing further to 163,838,439 in December 2023. In January 2024, total number of active internet subscribers stood at 161,977,883 and it increased to 163,279,541 in February 2024, with a further increase to 164,368,292 in March 2024.

beneficiaries of telecoms services offered by telecoms companies.

They cited other industries that have increased cost of services and products, like Entertainment industry (DSTv), Petroleum industry (fuel), Energy industry (electricity), transportation, confectionary among others, insisting that there is need for telecoms companies to also increase tariff.

Another issue that was raised while reviewing the state of telecoms industry in Nigeria was the mass movement of Nigerian workers to Europe and other parts of the world, a development they said, was already affecting the Nigerian workforce and the Nigerian economy. ATCON

members therefore called for capacity building in terms of training in order to replace those that are leaving the country. Mohammed Rudman who proffered solution to the challenge, said constant capacity building would address the issue. According to him, the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), where he works, has a training facility that can accommodate 30 persons at once. “Every month, we embark on training and re-training of our workforce to replace those that are traveling out of the country in their large numbers in search of better job opportunities. The trainings are either physical or virtual,” Rudman said.

FINTECH FORUM…

L-R: Group MD/CEO, Unified Payment Services Limited, Dr. Agada Apochi; MD/CEO, HumanManager Limited, Mrs. Adekunbi Ademiluyi; Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga; Publisher, Business Journal Media Group, Prince Cookey: and Mrs. Joy Utubor of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Nigeria), at the maiden Nigeria Fintech and Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2024 in Lagos… recently

Cavista Hackathon Set to Bridge Digital Skills Gap in Nigeria

Stories by Emma Okonji

Cavista Technology, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings has said its Hackathon initiative, which is in its second year running, will help address digital skills gap in Nigeria, while helping technology solution developers to develop solutions that will address local and global challenges.

Executive Director, Cavista Holdings, Mr. Bamidele Odufuye, said this at the weekend in Lagos during its second hackathon competition, where over 150

Golden Terra

students from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU) and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, pitched their solutions.

The solutions were focused on food and diseases in the health sector, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be leveraged to address health related issues.

“The Cavista Hackathon, which started last year, is part of our contribution to address the digital skills shortage in the country. Hackathon like this helps to identify talents and further

expose them to acquire digital skills that are needed in the technology space, both locally and internationally. They are encouraged by the exposure we give to them, to remain in Nigeria to develop tech solutions for the country instead of traveling outside of the country to seek for job opportunities,” Odufuye said while addressing journalists on the sideline.

According to him, the total number of participants in this year’s Hackathon is over 150 students and they are in 50 groups, from

which nine groups will emerge in the general pitch. The nine teams will pitch at the finals and the winning team will emerge.

Giving insight about the solution that gave the team the first prize, the team lead, Michael Eziamaka, said the team developed an AI assisted solution that helps individuals create skin routines that will address any skin disease.

According to him, his Head of Department (HOD), posted the information about the competition on the school group chat and asked

Oil Advocates for Healthier Choices on World Health Day

TGI joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Health Day. The theme for the 2024 World Health Day, “My Health, My Right,” resonates profoundly with individuals seeking to prioritize their well-being. In Nigeria, where dietary habits play a significant role in overall health, the choice of cooking oil can make a substantial impact on one’s nutritional intake. Golden Terra Oil seizes this opportunity to champion healthier cooking practices and empower consumers to exercise their right to optimal health.

In a nation where many cooking oils are laden with Saturated Fats and Trans-Fats, which increase Cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease and stroke, Golden Terra Oil emerges as a beacon of health-consciousness, offering a superior alternative for consumers. With its emphasis on purity and functionality, Golden Terra Oil embodies the essence of “My Health, My Right” by providing

Nigerians with a choice that aligns with their fundamental right to a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing Golden Terra Oil over conventional cooking oils laden with polyunsaturated fats is not just a culinary decision; it is a declaration of one’s right to personal health and well-being. It is choosing healthy fats and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. With its unique formulation, Golden Terra Oil offers consumers the functional benefits they deserve: less saturated fat, zero trans-fat, and a significantly higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). By opting for Golden Terra Oil, consumers exercise their right to access nutritious cooking options that promote heart health, skin health, inflammatory reduction, and overall vitality.

According to the Executive Director of TGI Group, Deepanjan Roy, “Amidst a plethora of conventional cooking oils, Golden

Terra Oil shines for its purity and nutritional benefits. Derived from pure soya seeds, it offers significantly lower saturated fat and zero TransFat, making it the ideal choice for health-conscious consumers. Enriched with five times more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), it is a product made to foster healthy consumption and good health”

Roy also leveraged World Health Day to emphasize TGI’s commitment to ensuring consistent production and accessibility of healthy cooking oils and consumer education to empower consumers with the right information to make the right health decisions. He reiterated that they are at the forefront of providing healthy cooking oil that empowers consumers to prioritize their health without compromising on taste.

As Golden Terra Oil continues to pave the way for healthier cooking practices in Nigeria, it remains committed to upholding

the principles of “My Health, My Right.” By providing consumers with a superior choice of cooking oil, Golden Terra Oil reaffirms its dedication to promoting a culture of wellness and empowering individuals to make informed decisions for their health and longevity.

Golden Terra Soya Oil is a premium, all-purpose cooking oil made from 100% pure soya beans, sourced and manufactured in Nigeria. It contains 5x more PUFA (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids) proven to deliver numerous health benefits, like reducing cholesterol, maintaining a healthier heart, enhancing nerve function, boosting brain health, and supporting muscle strength. Discerning consumers trust Golden Terra Soya Oil to bring an unmatched balance of Taste & Health to every dish cooked with it. Available in various sizes, including 1000ml pouch, 700ml and 1.4L bottles, and 2.5L, 4.5L, and 25L kegs.

Unemployment: McAnderson Institute Urges Youths to Embrace Tech

Worried by the increasing rate of unemployment in the country, the McAnderson Institute of Technology, has urged youths to embrace technology in order for them to have gainfully employed jobs and mitigate unemployment in the country and beyond.

McAnderson, recently hosted a tech event at the AfDB Centre, Covenant University, centered around the theme, “Building a Remote Global Tech Career.”

The event aimed to enlighten young individuals by showcasing how technology can reduce unemployment through access to remote tech positions.

During the event, the Vice

Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun H. Adebayo, highlighted the pressing issue of youth unemployment, drawing attention to statistics from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

He said according to the ILO, young people aged 15–24, both in developed and developing countries, face significant challenges in securing employment.

According to him, “Their unemployment rate, three times higher than that of adults, profoundly impacts their lives and career trajectories. Shockingly, more than one in five young people, constituting 23.5%, are without employment

opportunities. In a global context, Nigeria ranks second highest in youth unemployment, trailing only South Africa, as reported by The Spectator Index.”

On his part, the Founder and CEO of McAnderson Institute of Technology, Mr. Akindayo Akindolani, who hosted the event, spoke passionately about the organisation.

He said: “McAnderson Institute of Technology stands as a cornerstone in the realm of digital skills training, and providing remote talent to businesses and organisations. With a clear mission to equip young individuals with industry-specific courses, McAnderson aims to cultivate a pool of skilled and employable

youth within Africa.”

During his presentation, the Senior Business Program Manager Marketing and Communications at Microsoft ADC-West Africa, Orimolade Oluwamuyemi, highlighted key strategies for individuals seeking remote jobs.

According to him, “These strategies include crafting a strong digital presence through an optimized LinkedIn profile and a personal website or portfolio, mastering remote communication via professional email etiquette and virtual interview preparedness, and purposeful networking through participation in online communities and virtual events.”

those who were interested in it to participate. “So my friends and I who usually compete in Hackathons, saw it and decided to apply. We prepared late but I am happy we won,” Eziamaka said.

The Group Chief Human Resources Officer of Sterling Financial Holdings Company, Temi Dalley, has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a crucial driver in talent management and how it is a strategic imperative that transcends traditional HR functions and assumes a central role in driving organizational success.

In her opening address at the just concluded Employee Engagement & Experience (E3) Conference in Lagos, themed, “The Dynamic Intersection between Technology, Talent, and Transformation; a Journey fueled by Innovation,” Dalley mentioned that organizations are confronted with the imperative to adapt, evolve, and innovate; and the forces of globalization, digitization, and demographic

‘Girls Will Shape Future of Tech Industry’ Dalley: AI Will Enhance Human Capital, Not Replace It

The President of Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter (ISOC Nigeria), Mr. Kunle Olorundare has expressed confidence that Nigerian girls will shape the future of the technology industry in Nigeria and globally, if given the opportunity.

Olorundare said this while declaring the ISOC Nigeria 2024 International Girls in ICT Day open, thus paving the way for a day filled with learning, empowerment, and the exploration of limitless potential in the exciting world of technology.

Speaking at the event, which brought together students, educators, and industry leaders to empower young women and ignite their passion for technology, Olorundare noted that the Girls in ICT Day would continue to stand as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for the young women who would shape the future of the tech industry, not just in Nigeria, but globally.

The theme for this year’s International Girls in ICT Day is ‘Leadership’ and it was chosen by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

shifts are reshaping the very fabric of work, presenting both opportunities and challenges on an unprecedented scale. She stated that at the heart of this transformation lies the fusion of AI and digital transformation—a potent catalyst that promises to revolutionize how we attract, develop, and retain talent. From predictive analytics to personalized learning experiences, from intelligent automation to augmented decision-making, the possibilities are as vast as they are exhilarating. Addressing common concerns about AI’s impact on talent acquisition and management, Temi stated that Talent Managers must remember that these are not merely tools or technologies; they are enablers of human progress.

“The Internet Society Nigeria Chapter is excited to work with this theme, recognizing the vital role women can play as leaders in the dynamic fields of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT),” Olorundare said. According to the Chapter’s President, the International Girls in ICT Day is a celebration of girls’ potential to bridge the global gender gap in ICT, where women hold only 40 per cent of high-skill positions.

The International Girls in ICT Day event featured guests who serve as role models for aspiring tech enthusiasts. ISOC President of Namibia, Anna Amooma, shared her experiences in her session tagged: “Live Dialogue”. Dr. Munirat Antoinette Lecky, a prominent educator, offered words of inspiration in her session titled, “Empowering the Young Girls”, while the Executive Secretary of the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation in Nigeria, Erica Okibe, showcased the importance of mentoring young minds through her session on E-mentorship.

Driving Nigeria’s Telecoms Revolution with Passion

At 71 years, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr is passionate about driving telecoms revolution in Nigeria, despite the many challenges faced by the telecoms industry, writes emma okonji

The telecoms industry, which has contributed immensely to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, with a strong boost towards job creation, no doubt, is faced with myriad of challenges that are threatening to erode the gains of telecommunications across the country.

Telecoms operators have raised concerns about the challenges, which include low telecoms tariff framework, infrastructure deficit, multiple taxation and regulations, Right of Way (RoW) charges, inadequate electric power supply and vandalism of telecommunications’ infrastructure, among others.

Worried about the challenges facing telecoms industry in Nigeria, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which represent Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and telecommunication companies in Nigeria, last week, called on the federal government to take decisive action in addressing the many challenges confronting the telecommunications industry in the country.

According to the associations, despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last eleven years, primarily due to regulatory constraints. They are of the view that for a fully liberalised and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry’s sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence.

ATCON and ALTON therefore called on the government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.

But in all of these daunting challenges facing telecoms operators, Globacom has remained passionate about sustaining telecoms revolution and ensuring that telecoms consumers have real value for all telecoms services rendered by telecoms operators, which are paid for by the consumers.

It all started with the introduction of per second billing system at the very inception of Globacom’s entrance into the telecoms industry in 2003, at a time when existing telecoms operators were billing in minutes and rounding off every call that ended in seconds, into minutes, and compelling consumers to pay in minutes for all voice calls.

PeR SecoND BilliNg

Per second billing system, which all telecoms subscribers are currently enjoying across all networks, was introduced by Globacom in 2003, when it

rolled out its telecoms services to the Nigerian subscribers. Before 2003, the existing telecoms operators were billing in minutes and were rounding off every call that ended in seconds into minutes and the subscribers were charged in minutes. At that time, if a call ended in five minutes and one second, the call would be automatically rounded off to six minutes and the subscriber is charged for six minutes in line with the call rate.

Although telecoms subscribers saw it then as a rip-off, and wondered why calls that ended in seconds were billed in minutes, but the existing operators told them that the billing system had already been configured to charge in minutes and that it was not possible to change the billing system to per second billing.

The narrative however changed when Globacom came up with per second billing system from the inception of its service rollout in

2003, a development that forced other operators to immediately changed their billing system to per second billing and till date, all telecoms subscribers are enjoying per second billing system, that allows them to pay for the exact time spent on a particular call, which translates to paying less, compared to per minute billing system.

AffoRDABle iNTeRNeT

SeRvice

With the landing of Glo 1 submarine cable in 2010, Globacom was able to crash the cost of internet service in Nigeria, thereby giving access to more Nigerians to connect to the internet and deepening broadband penetration in the country. Currently, Nigeria has over 164 million active internet subscriptions, with majority of the subscriptions linked to GLo1 submarine cable. Internet connectivity from various submarine cables like Glo 1, West African Submarine Cable

(WASC), African Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable and MainOne submarine cable, which have landing points at the shores of Nigeria, have been providing stable internet access to various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country, until some of the cables had major disruptions in March this year, except Glo1, which remained resilient and unaffected.

On March 14, 2024, 13 African countries, including Nigeria, faced internet disruptions as a result of major cuts on the affected subsea cables which led to operational downtime for all businesses connected to the internet, including banks, where bank customers could not carry out banking transactions for hours.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), as well as broadband connectivity providers, that were connected to the affected submarine cables, were completely disconnected from the internet and from the broadband connections, as they could not provide connectivity access to their customers in banks, schools, churches, mosques, business centres, call centres as well as to organisations across different sectors of the economy.

The disruption was caused by multiple cuts in the submarine cable around the coast line of Senegal and Cote d’ Ivoire.

The affected 13 countries include: Cote d’ Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroon, Gabon, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Lesotho, and parts of South Africa.

The affected submarine cables came from Europe, and passed through the East Coast of Africa. The West African Submarine Cable (WASC), African Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable and MainOne submarine cable that have landing ducts at the shores of Nigeria, were affected by the multiple cuts.

But Glo1, which has so much resilience and capacities to connect and provide internet access, was not affected in any way. During the period of massive internet disconnections, Glo1 was still providing uninterrupted internet services to its customers, thereby making it possible for all ISPs connected to the Glo1 submarine cable to be able to provide internet services to all their customers, including banks that are connected to the ISPs that are directly linked to Glo1 submarine cable.

The Glo1 is a 9800km submarine cable connecting Bude in United Kingdom (UK) to Lagos in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa, with landing points in Nigeria, London, Lisbon in Portugal, Accra in Ghana, among other West African countries.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Paga Achieves N14tn Transactions in 15-years

Paga, a payments and financial services provider for Africa has processed financial transactions valued at N14 trillion in the last 15 years of its operation.

The Fintech company, who revealed this while reeling out its achievement in the last fifteen years to mark its 15th year anniversary, promised protect customers’ funds and to repose the confidence entrusted it by its customers.

PAPSS

Speaking at a media interaction to mark the company’s 15th anniversary, the Chief Executive Officer at Pagatech, Mr. Tayo Oviosu, said out of the N14 trillion value of transactions recorded in 15 years, 80 per cent of the amount was transacted in the last five years.

According to Oviosu, “When we celebrated 10 years of our

business five years ago, we had grown our transaction values by seven times, across the three business arms of our operations, which includes; Consumer payments, Platform as-a-services and Super App for retailers.

“This has translated into job creation as we have created over 1,000 direct jobs in Ethiopia and in Nigeria and indirect jobs through our agent network to about

100,000 jobs, this is economic empowerment of Nigerians.

“Our desire is giving people financial freedom and making life possible for them and impacting on our community. We are really proud of our economic achievements and we are making sure that our customers get the best experience.

“We are super excited about what the future holds for

Set for expansion to Boost intra-Africa Trade Payments

The Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) which was launched to make cross-border transactions seamless, is set to capture more markets in Africa.

The Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, Mr. Mike Ogbalu, disclosed the plan during a stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos.

Ogbolu, who was represented, said Fintech across the continent of Africa can operate more seamlessly and widely with the assistance of PAPSS. According to him, “Currently, there are numerous impediments and challenges facing intra-African trade payments. Banks must navigate sometimes

conflicting local, multi-country and multiregional regulations to enable the seamless movement of funds on behalf of their diverse customers across the continent. Operational inefficiencies and onerous compliance requirements are time-consuming impediments.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Patrick

Akinwunta, Ex Ecobank Group Managing Director & Regional Executive at Ecobank Nigeria, said banks, their customers and anyone or business involved in financial transactions across the continent of Africa stand to benefit massively from the PAPSS system.

Kaduna State, google launch first Hausa-language Ai learning Series

A new Google, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, and Data Science Nigeria, launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Beginners Learning Video Series, an initiative aimed at empowering women in Northern Nigeria through AI education.

The initiative, which was launched in Kaduna, presents Artificial Intelligence concepts in Hausa, making complex technology more accessible and culturally relevant for the region.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, graced the occasion as the guest of nonour, delivering a keynote address that underscored the government’s commitment to digital transformation and economic growth.

“AI is not just the future, it’s the present. By equipping our people, especially our women, with AI skills, we’re not only paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative Northern Nigeria, but also laying the foundation for

Kaduna to become a thriving tech hub,” the governor said.

The Director of Google West Africa, Olumide Balogun, while speaking during the launch, said: “We believe that technology can be a powerful force for change and are committed to making learning resources available in local languages to empower more people.

This series marks a new milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance AI knowledge across Northern Nigeria, fostering a broader understanding

and application of AI technologies that drive innovation and create new job opportunities.”

CEO/Founder of Data Science Nigeria, Dr. Bayo Adekanbi, said: “By making AI education accessible in Hausa, we are creating opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. These women are the future leaders and innovators of Northern Nigeria, and AI is the tool that can amplify their potential.”

our business. Our vision is a world where cash does not exist anymore. We ensure that

our customers’ money is safe by complying with the highest global security standards.

AR co N i nsists on l ocal content in Marketing industry

Stories by Raheem Akingbolu

The Advertising Standards Panel of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has insisted that Nigeria’s economic recovery effort can only bring the expected result when stakeholders commit themselves to promotion of made-in-Nigeria goods and support the Federal Government’s position on Local Content.

Speaking at a stakeholders forum convened by the Advertising Standards Panel, Director General of ARCON, Dr, Lekan Fadolapo reiterated the council’s commitment to enforcing promotion of local content and harnessing indigenous talent for national development among advertising practitioners operating in Nigeria.

While underscoring the ethical obligation of stakeholders to uphold industry standards, particularly in light of recurring infractions related to the use of models in advertisements, the DG acknowledged the

transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advertising while cautioning against its indiscriminate use, citing its implications for employment creation and industry sustainability. He said, “ARCON will continue to insist on responsible advertising in Nigeria. We also need to stop the capital flight and development of other economies by some Nigerian organisations’ attitude of going out of the country to produce advertisements meant for our market. All commercials to be exposed to Nigerians should be produced in Nigeria. We need to create jobs for the Nigerian youths, help grow and develop the support service sector of the industry and circulate funds within the Nigerian advertising ecosystem.

Chairman, Advertising Standard Panel (ASP), Mrs. Omowunmi Owodunni, in her keynote lecture advised stakeholders to move away from the space of, ‘I don’t care,’ and move to the space of ‘it’s the law’.

Photo

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Eddy Megwa; Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Bona Fasakin; NYSC Kano State Coordinator, Hajiya Halima AbdulKareem Abubakar; and NYSC Director General, Brigadier-General Yushau Dogara Ahmed, during Ahmed’s visit to corps members orientation camp, Kusalla Dam in Karaye Local Government Area of Kano State… recently

L-R: ICT Reporter, The Nation, Lucas Ajanaku; ICT Reporter, THISDAY, Emma Okonji; Senior Business Programme Manager, Marketing Communications, Microsoft Africa Development Centre, Orimolade Oluwamuyemi; Public Relations Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo; and ICT Reporter, Nigeria Communications Week, Chike Onwuegbuchi, during the 9mobile capacity building training for journalists in collaboration with Microsoft in Lagos...recently

L-R: Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye; Chief Underwriting Officer, AXA Mansard, Nndubisi Alu; Chairman, NIESV, Lagos branch, Gbenga Ismail; Founder, Msvest, Alex Iheanacho; Chief Clients Officer, AXA Mansard, Rahidat Adebisi; COO, FlinX Realty, Bright Okereke, and Senior Partner, Ubosi Eleh & Co, Emeka Eleh, during the Co-Innovation Series workshop between the Real Estate Sector and AXA Mansard in Lagos...recently

L-R: Lead, Retail Banking, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Oladimeji Saka; Head, Human Resources Department, 9PSB, Alex Ohai; Team Lead, Marketing Communications, 9PSB, Inemesit Ekong; and Head, Banking Operations and Finance, 9PSB, Adesoji Eminowon, during the Health Walk Session to commemorate the Global Public Health Week 2024 in Lagos…recently

L-R: Board Chairman, Association of Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), Lagos chapter, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; Husband of president of ACFE, Lagos chapter, Adedeji Fowokan; President, ACFE, Lagos chapter, Dr. Titilayo Fowokan; Deputy Vice President, ACFE Lagos chapter, Dr. Pius Edobor; Tax Auditor, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Wale Dopemu; and past Chairman, ICAN Ikeja and District Society, Sesan Okunade, during the burial ceremony of late Olori Taiwo Sarah Lawal, mother of Titi Fowokan in Ijebu, Ogun State… recently

L-R: Solar Residential Channel Manager, Wu Zhen; Zheng Minghong; Data Centre facility Channel Manager, Jin Shangyu; China Headquarters Channel Manager, Li Jincan; Nigeria Digital Power Director, Ni Zhilin; Regional Channel Manager, Renu Uppiah; Director, Data Centre Solution Architecture, Gong Enxing; Solar Business Channel Manager, Zhao Huaxian; Channel Manager, Wang Yifan; and Data Centre Solution Architecture, Chang Liyao, at the Huawei Digital Power Nigeria Data Centre and Critical Power Inaugural event held in Lagos...recently

L-R:

HealtH & lifestyle

Mental Health: Let’s Talk About the Forces, Not Just the Factors, Says Agada

With culture, religion and other socioeconomic and sociopolitical factors been identified as causes of abuse leading to poor mental health, Alice Agada, a lawyer turned humanitarian, writer and TV talkshow host says it is time to end the rhetoric of concentrating on just the factors, but to beam the searchlight on the forces. She spoke with Kuni Tyessi

Are there specific demographics your Foundation would be targeting as far as mental health awareness is concerned?

The foundation is gender neutral. Like I said, I am a humanitarian who is more concerned about the human being irrespective of gender, creed, political affiliation, social class or ethnicity amongst other variables, even though in the society there is this disparity in gender with women needing more attention. Nonetheless, where necessary, like in promoting certain rights of women and girls that are being overlooked, the foundation is going to lend a voice that will emphatic and optimistic.

The target will also be specific in terms of age bracket. Our programmes would be targeted at teenagers from thirteen because that is usually the period they become more aware of themselves, their surroundings, environment and their family. It is that time that they are sometimes being afflicted by certain negative things like sexual abuse that can go on to affect them in future. Still at that age, some of them may or may not understand what is happening to them.

What are the reasons for targeting very young people?

Yes, that is when, in my personal opinion, people continue to form their core habits and begin to develop their inner and core selves. So we intend to really target children from when they are young because their orientation, background and their comprehension of the world matters a lot.

It also informs how they are going to make decisions in the future. We intend to target from 13 to 18 years. The foundation will have quite a lot of workshops and seminars targeted at addressing those groups in schools. It will not just be schools but everywhere in society because whether a child is in school or not, they deserve an opportunity to be informed and enlightened and to know what to look out for.

If they are already engaging in certain patterns and behaviours that can be helpful to them, we can begin to draw their attention to certain dangers they may likely face. We can also begin to the best of our ability, redirect them towards a more positive and beneficial path.

Also, we’re going to have clinics once in a while where we are going to bring in professional mental health workers, so that people that are dealing with mental health issues can come and they can attend to them and at least direct them on the way forward, give them further advice or may enrol them in a therapy programme. We will at least give them that platform to engage with a professional that can then help them cultivate and plan.

What inspired you to start the foundation?

It is my love for humanity. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. I have a deep concern for human welfare in all sincerity, especially when

it comes to the psychological aspect of it. It is one thing to deal with an injury that is physical because it can be seen, and it’s quite another to deal with an injury that cannot be seen, like issues that affect our mental health.

I have observed that a lot of people are struggling with mental health challenges that can come in various forms- a lot of times through traumatic incidents, and I just want to lend a voice. I care about it and I want to assist in a way that I feel I can. So, that was what informed my decision to start the foundation and also to go ahead with the initiatives that are currently been worked on.

Can you throw light on the initiatives?

Largely, it is on enlightenment. I believe that when people know better, a lot of times they can do better. It is to sensitize and enlighten the public of these mental health challenges, about how one person’s behaviour or actions can affect another person negatively, and to inculcate a sense of empathy, kindness and compassion in individuals because it guides on how they interact with other people.

The aforementioned can reduce the instance of people deliberately or otherwise inflicting injuries to the mind and soul of others which can cause damage to their mental wellbeing.

In terms of enlightenment, my talk show ‘Conversations with Alice’ which is centered

on helping people deal with traumatic incidents and events, will engage and assist people to cultivate meaningful and healthy relationships with one another, and groom them towards achieving their goals and objectives and one of such is self-actualisation.

Also, as part of the enlightenment programme, the foundation is going to be doing community outreach programme where it will go and engage people where they are and this could be in villages or in towns. I am not just targeting people that have access to television and social media, but to nooks and crannies through lot’s of community outreach programmes, seminars, workshops and conferences. In all of these, we will invite experts on metal health issues. We also intend to invite individuals, groups and associations from all across society.

Can you shed more light on the talk show?

The talk show is the main initiative of the foundation. It is called “Conversations with Alice”. It is going to be dealing with healing from traumatic incidents and events, forming and maintaining meaningful relationships. It is going to address many societal issues and concerns as well and also

topics that can affect individuals on a personal level and their inter-personal relationships with other people.

The first episode of the talk show is going to be on television and is going to start airing on Friday, April 26, 2024, on a programme called ‘Genda Agenda’.

You’ve written three books. Can you tell us about them?

The foundation is officially going to be launched on May 9, 2024, and we are going to also launch two of the foundations’ initiatives and a series that I wrote. The series encompasses three books and the first book is called ‘The Purple Banner’, the second is ‘The Green Land’ and the third is called ‘The Royal Blue Cape’.

Now, the ‘Purple Banner’ is to help individuals identify their negative emotions induced primarily, but not necessarily from traumatic incidents and events. So, it will help people understand and process these negative emotions that an individual can experience. The ‘Green Land’ is about healing from traumatic incidents and events or at least learning to cope with it with healthy coping mechanisms.

Lastly, ‘The Royal Blue Cape’ is about individuals that have processed their negative emotions and feelings induced from traumatic incidents and events. They have gone through the rigorous processes of self-development to some extent, and have healed from their traumatic incidents and now have reached a place where they are a bit stable in life.

Many times people talk about just the factors and not the forces energising the factors. Did you capture this area in the books?

Each book has 40 poems with 40 illustrations to help in comprehending the message of a particular poem. That is the general theme of the three books and then the series is called ‘The Atonement of Redemption’. It is my hope that it helps someone that is struggling out there to be able to come to terms with their traumatic incidents, events and experiences, and that they find the courage to heal from it and also know that they are deserving of a worthy life and make steps towards achieving this life. To the best of my understanding, trauma interferes with a person’s life journey.

A lot of times when people have gone through traumatic events, especially from incidents of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, it can reduce or diminish confidence such that they might not have the confidence to pursue their goals. It is my hope that the books will help to process the negative emotions, heal, and give courage to victims of abuse to pursue their goals and to live a happier and liberating life. So, when it is launched, I am hoping that that is the effect that it would have on the readers.

FG Calls for Ban on Syringe Importation to Boost Local Production

ports.

Ayodeji Ake

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa has called for a total ban on the importation of medical syringes into the country to encourage local production and help to grow the nation’s economy.

Similarly, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye reiterated the need for a holistic approach by all the relevant agencies of government to solve the problem of substandard falsified medical devices coming into the country through the

The statements were made recently during the official visit to the multi-billion Naira ultra-modern Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located within Karameh Industrial City, Arepo, Ogun State, by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa. He was accompanied by, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Nkiruka Uzo-Anite, Minister of State for Youth, and Sports Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Mrs Amina

Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Aisha Rimi.

The Health Minister reaffirmed the determination of the Federal Government to provide the necessary support to the local manufacturing sector to enhance its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product GDP.

Dr Alausa affirmed that the restructuring of syringe and needle production in Nigeria aims to guarantee the availability of high-quality products manufactured by Nigerians in the market to generate lucrative employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The minister, however,

implored NAFDAC to ensure that unbridled importation of Syringe does not hamper the development of the local industry through unhealthy competition. “Don’t give them any more authorisation to import. We need to protect the local industry through the backward integration model aimed at enhancing the local capacity,’’ he said.

The DG of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the Agency had put an end to granting import authorisation to importers including the international partners.

According to her, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency

(NPHCDA) has also been directed to patronize the local manufacturers of syringes to provide employment opportunities to Nigerians through the expansion of operations of the Nigeria manufacturing companies.

She added that the National Primary Health Agency was given the last import order in December 2023 with the instruction that they should begin to source from the local manufacturers thereafter.

She further explained that NAFDAC has halted syringe imports to promote locally-made syringes. “This suspension applies even to syringes previously imported

by NAFDAC’s international partners. The goal is to shift the focus towards supporting domestic syringe manufacturing.

“However, for the local manufacturers, we are doing hand-holding with our Syringe companies. Hand-holding, meaning we are working with them by correcting whatever we found wrong or inappropriate in their operations.”

She added that “this initiative has started yielding positive dividends as the World Health Organisation WHO recently requested for names of the three syringe manufacturing companies in Nigeria to do business with.”

Alice Agada

Gamin G Week

Edited by nseobonG okon-ekonG | gamingweek1117@gmail.com

How Thousands Lost Bet on Bayern’s Bundesliga Crown

Thousands who, out of habit or misplaced faith, stuck with Bayern as champions, faced the harsh reality of a losing bet, writes Davidson Abraham

For years, betting on Bayern Munich to win the Bundesliga was a tradition. Their unwavering dominance made them heavy pre-season favourites,

offering gamblers a predictable, albeit unexciting, path to victory. But the 2023/24 season shattered this tradition, leaving countless Bayern backers with empty pockets and crowning a new

champion: Bayer Leverkusen.

the fALL of A giAnt: BAyern’s Demise

This season, the narrative around the Bundesliga

underwent a seismic shift. Cracks began to show in Bayern’s previously impenetrable armour. Injuries, tactical inconsistencies, and a resurgent Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso saw the

Bavarians relinquish their stranglehold on the league. Pre-season odds reflected this changing landscape, with Bayern’s odds dropping significantly compared to previous years.

Leverkusen’s rise

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen emerged as a genuine threat. Xabi Alonso’s tactical revolution, coupled with the brilliance of Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick, propelled them to the top of the table. Savvy bettors who foresaw this shift, placing their wagers on Leverkusen at much higher pre-season odds, were now poised for a significant windfall.

A seAson of upsets: thousAnDs feeL the sting

The 2023/24 season was a bonanza for those who dared to challenge the established order. Thousands who, out of habit or misplaced faith, stuck with Bayern as champions now faced the harsh reality of a losing bet. The financial sting was undoubtedly significant, but it served as a stark reminder

of the inherent volatility of sports, especially when preseason favourites stumble.

A new erA for BunDesLigA?

Bayer Leverkusen’s unexpected triumph has breathed new life into the Bundesliga. The league, long dominated by Bayern, now boasts a genuine challenger. This unpredictability is a boon for fans and bettors alike, offering more open and exciting competition. The upcoming seasons promise to be a battleground, with multiple teams vying for supremacy. Pre-tournament bets will no longer be a one-horse race, forcing gamblers to analyse the landscape carefully before placing their wagers. This season’s dramatic shift serves as a cautionary tale for those who rely solely on past performance when making pre-season bets. It also highlights the potential rewards for those willing to take calculated risks and back the underdogs—the Bundesliga’s future promises to be thrilling, with fans and bettors eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama.

“this season’s dramatic shift serves as a cautionary tale for those who rely solely on past performance when making preseason bets. it also highlights the potential rewards for those willing to take calculated risks and back the underdogs…”

Africa’s Gaming Revolution: Fintech Innovation to the Rescue

Africa is the final frontier for the video game industry. Over the past few years, gaming has become the dominant form of entertainment globally, grossing nearly $350 billion worldwide in 2023, according to one industry executive. With the last decade’s rise of mobile gaming, the sector is now bigger than movies, music and streaming combined, moving the industry’s audience beyond former archetypical customers of US-based adolescent boys who could afford the relatively pricey gaming console.

This year, Africa solidified itself as the fastest-growing market for the mobile games industry. That is hardly surprising given demographic trends in the region – the continent has the fastest-growing population in the world, with more of it classed as millennials or Generation Z than the United States and China combined.

By 2050, 25% of the world’s population is expected to be African. Combine that with the rapid adoption of smartphones, and you can see strong organic growth of new gamers engaging with popular mobile games such as Call of Duty Mobile, FC Mobile or Clash of Clans.

Serving this new generation of players still presents challenges. For example, just 3.92% of Africa’s population can access a credit card. However, herein lies fintech’s transformative potential for gaming as well as financial inclusion continentwide.

The African gaming industry is emerging as the fastest-growing for mobile gaming, driven by a young population, increasing smartphone adoption and a burgeoning interest in mobile games. Limited access to traditional banking in Africa presents a unique opportunity for fintech innovations. Mobile money facilitates digital payments and expands the gaming industry across the continent.

The growth of direct-to-consumer strategies in gaming allows game developers and companies to increase margins and engage more directly with consumers by bypassing app stores.

Africa is the final frontier for the video game industry. Over the past few years, gaming has become the

“By 2050, 25% of the world’s population is expected to be African. Combine that with the rapid adoption of smartphones, and you can see strong organic growth of new gamers engaging with popular mobile games such as Call of Duty Mobile, FC Mobile or Clash of Clans.”

dominant form of entertainment globally, grossing nearly $350 billion worldwide in 2023, according to one industry executive. With the last decade’s rise of mobile gaming, the sector is now bigger than movies, music and streaming combined, moving the industry’s audience beyond former archetypical customers of US-based adolescent boys who could afford the relatively pricey gaming console.

This year, Africa solidified itself as the fastest-growing market for the mobile games industry. That is hardly surprising given demographic trends in the region – the continent has the fastest-growing population in the world, with more of it classed as

millennials or Generation Z than the United States and China combined.

By 2050, 25% of the world’s population is expected to be African. Combine that with the rapid adoption of smartphones, and you can see strong organic growth of new gamers engaging with popular mobile games such as Call of Duty Mobile, FC Mobile or Clash of Clans.

Serving this new generation of players still presents challenges. For example, just 3.92% of Africa’s population can access a credit card. However, herein lies fintech’s transformative potential for gaming as well as financial inclusion continent-wide.

In recent years, there has been an

Things started moving online. Many state governments did not know how to generate revenue from this industry. That’s where we came on board. We came on board again, not just even helping them in terms of the law or in terms of revenue collection, but we came in terms of investing in a proper state lottery, but I think they did not understand what it meant, and many people felt threatened. They did not seem to understand the structure of the transaction. There was a bit of frustration. Eventually, we went on to work in Anambra State for years, maybe seven years or thereabout, but the full value of what we could have brought couldn’t succeed because it became politicised. – Yahaya Maikori, Principal Partner, Law Allianz

explosion of innovation concerning payments in Africa, with many areas leapfrogging traditional banking methods and directly embracing digital payments. In Nigeria, for example, fintech unicorns, including Opay, Flutterwave and Interswitch, are coming one after the other. Kenya has the most mature and robust mobile money market in the world, much thanks to Safaricom’s M-PESA mobile banking service.

Mobile money is so prominent in the region that Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 66% of global mobile money transaction value – making it the world’s leader in mobile money innovation and adoption. In North Africa – Fawry (Egypt) and WafaCash (Morocco) are among those helping to bring their largely cash-based economies online.

These fintech offerings have enormous implications for profitably scaling games in Africa. Historically, the traditional app stores have made it seamless for game developers in Los Angeles to publish their games globally and get paid US dollars, regardless of where their customers were based.

However, these traditional platforms have yet to keep up with the rate of fintech innovation in Africa. As a result, many willing customers are unable to transact leveraging payment methods that are accessible and ubiquitous – excluding them from fully experiencing the entertainment, connection or competition they seek. Importantly, it prevents game developers across Africa from being able to build profitable businesses that serve their home audience.

Arts and entertainment present a huge opportunity for economic growth across the continent if the platforms exist to connect creators with their customers. What’s more, the knock-on effects extend beyond the creative economy. Today, for example, the Carry1st Shop offers a wide selection of vouchers for essential services such as electricity or prepaid mobile phones and internet services. There’s no ambiguity here – fintech and gaming is a partnership where everyone stands to benefit.

• Huffman is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of World Economic Forum

The Nigerian Fintech ecosystem.

Courtesy: theouut.com

perspective

Adenuga: A story of the Blind Men And the elephant

Arinze Anapugars

Trying to deconstruct the enigma called Dr Mike Adenuga, Jr. reminds one of the Indian allegory, “The blind men and the Elephant”. The parable, a metaphor for diversity of views and the dangers of clinging to “absolute truth”, tells the story of a group of blind men who had never come across an elephant before.

According to the story, when they heard that one had been brought to their town, they said to themselves: “We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable”, since none of them was aware of its shape or form. “So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. They touch different parts of the animal, such as the tusk, leg or trunk, and each man describes it based on his limited experience.

The first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said, “This being is like a thick snake”. For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. The man who touched its leg, said, “the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk”. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant “is a wall”. Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating that the elephant is “that which is hard, smooth and like a spear”.

They are unable to agree on what the elephant looks like, and, in fact, in some versions of the story, the men accuse one another of being dishonest, and they eventually come to blows. In another version, a sighted man enters the fray and describes the entire elephant from various perspectives. The blind men then learn that they were all partially correct and partially wrong.

The story illustrates the limitations of human perception, the importance of complete context and the need to respect different perspectives. Just like the elephant in the parable, Globacom Chairman, Dr. Adenuga, who turned 71 on April 29, represents different things to different people. He has, as his personal totem, the Bull which shares similar characteristics with the elephant.

If you ask his business competitors, especially MTN and Econet (now Airtel), Adenuga is trepidation in human form. They will not forget in a hurry the uppercut he dealt them with the launch of per second billing and crashing SIM costs when they were intent on continuing the exploitation of Nigerians by charging N30,000 for a GSM line and N50 per minute for calls even if the call dropped off after a second.

For governments across the world, he is an inspirational icon and treasure.

Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama who conferred Ghana’s highest civil award, The Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG), on Adenuga described in 2016 said it was in recognition of his “unique and outstanding contribution to business enterprise both in Ghana and the continent of Africa at large. Through your creative business exertions, you have touched many lives in Ghana. You have provided employment for our teeming youth, artists, footballers and many more.,” Mahama stated.

French President who also conferred France’s highest honour on Dr. Adenuga in 2018 described him as “an incorrigible risk taker, who at 26 was already a millionaire due to his resilience, dedication, hard-work and focus,” adding that his outstanding entrepreneurship and business ingenuity has “today created so many jobs for Nigerians and, more importantly, value for the country.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, while celebrating Adenuga on his 70th birthday last year, noted that he was an entrepreneur, whose charity and goodwill continued to inspire, attracting local and global recognitions, including three national honours, OON, CON and GCON. He affirmed “the impact of Adenuga’s visionary leadership on Nigeria’s economy, setting the pace for investments in oil and gas, telecoms, real estate, banking, construction and hospitality, with remarkable presence in supporting

entertainment, sports and African culture, within and outside the country.”

“Entrepreneur extraordinaire”, “Spirit of Africa”, “Africa’s business icon”, “the Great Guru”, “Mr. Per Second”, “The Bull”, “Unrivalled Philanthropist”, “Business Wizkid”, “Recluse Billionaire” and “Chairman of Chairmen” are some of the superlatives employed by his admirers to describe him. That is just how larger than life he looms.

Public policy analyst and former Delta State Commissioner for Information, Magnus Onyibe, in his tribute to Dr Adenuga two years ago wrote, “The truth is that what the telecoms czar lacks by shying away from being physically present in public events, he makes up by embarking on bold ventures that positively disrupt the traditional norms in industries in favour of the masses.” From commodity brokerage to merchandising, from banking to real estate, from aviation to oil and gas, the business guru had conquered all. But it was his audacious entry into the telecommunications sector that shot him into national consciousness. The story of how he caused a revolution in the sector with per second billing and crashing of SIM acquisition costs and usage tariffs has been well documented.

However, Dr Adenuga lives a very private life. He is hardly seen in public, does not attend public functions, even some of the workers at his numerous businesses have never set eyes on him. Indeed, he is as reclusive as a hermit. Efforts by veteran journalists, Mike Awoyinfa and late Dimgba Igwe, to publish his biography a few years ago were unsuccessful as the Chairman bought up all the copies before they could go public with

the book.

In spite of his legendary wit and ingenuity, he hardly grants media interviews or delivers lectures. So, the man remains largely inscrutable. Because of this, his ideals are misunderstood by some who are not fortunate enough to get close to him, and his accomplishments are, at times, not fully appreciated.

Just like in the story of the blind men and the elephant, an opinion poll conducted on March 18 by Pulse.ng on its Instagram page saw respondents offering different perceptions of the billionaire businessman to the question: “As an aspiring business mogul, if you could, who would you choose as mentor?”.

Many of the respondents who chose Adenuga commended his humility and low profile despite his enormous wealth. For instance, _Iwale said, “Adenuga; lowkey billionaire, no noise”, while _my_011 noted: “E no dey kiss feet of political figures”. But a few of the respondents differed: deltabass1, “One thing you no go learn…Person wey no get time…You should be able to learn from your mentor”, while big_kvng3193 said: “Persin wey nor dey pay moni”. Also Uzohodaniel submitted: “Go and check how he treats his workers…you no go talk wetin you just talk now”. However, stichesbymattdor disagreed with them, saying, “he treats his workers well o”.

The single story told by those who do not have the full picture is that Adenuga hires and fires at whim! Yet at the 20th Anniversary Party held in January, 89 staff members were rewarded for working with Globacom for 20 years, while those who had done between 15 and 19 years in the company were in their hundreds!

The Chairman, who Uzohodaniel claims does not treat his staff well, regularly doles out millions of naira to high performing staff and to employees who are facing one difficulty or another. Indeed, the first brand new car I bought for my wife was from the proceeds of a cheque he gave to me on the arrival of my first son in 2008.

A strange response was the one by faizee_interiors who wrote: “…Adenuga knows without Dangote and OBJ and co. he won’t be Chairman of Glo…” Quite hilarious! The same OBJ that hounded Adenuga into exile and made him lose $20m by allocating an encumbered spectrum licence to his CIL?

Similarly, on April 12, osazenoo asked on X (formerly Twitter), “Am I the only one who has noticed Mike Adenuga hardly publicly meddles in politics even though he’s the second richest man in the country?”

@Princeikembajr replied: “Men with power are always invisible. If u do better check he might be the one Dangote is working for.” @ InnocentBassey7: “That’s to tell you his wealth is not genuine, he has Lords behind pulling the strings for him. If he dares venture into politics his masters will place him where he belongs. It’s very common among Yorubas - eternal loyalty”.

From @LadejoAdewunmi came the reply: “People like Adenuga don’t need approval from politicians, he has a business conglomerate, Nigeria needs him”, while @Ekhome2 responded, “He is my favorite billionaire I tell you !. He gives and does a lot without making a single noise. He is just there doing his thing and staying on top of his game. I love that man so much!”

There were some uncomplimentary responses, too. @Interestview says: “Maybe he’s not a good guy”, just like @iamobiamaefule: “Naaa... they fraternize and lobby behind the scene with every government even if it is not performing well”. @Italian0147 responded: “Person wey dey owe debts”, while @ opirus_oritz wrote: “Ijebu man .. dem no dey like spend anyhow.” Again the danger of a single story!

Yes, Adenuga does not throw his money about “anyhow”. While he is stupendously wealthy and has a generous spirit yet to be matched by any (he regularly doles out houses, expensive cars, millions in cash gifts), he can also be “stingy” with his money when he suspects he is being cheated. He will not pay for a shoddy job or a job not executed to the terms of the contract; but he also rewards vendors who deliver with gifts that are worth more than the value of the contract.

So much has also been written about how wealthy Adenuga really is, and some of the respondents on X expressed their views on this. @SolipeeBaba: “I can bet you this man is the richest man in West Africa if not Africa, forget media and rating, Adenuga is xtra large”, with @Gb_Supa: quipping: “The problem I have is that 2nd richest. He’s probably the richest in Africa”. @capt_shegs replied: “He’s low key the richest man….if you know, you know”. They may just be right. His close associates argue that his worth is grossly undervalued by Forbes which estimates his wealth to be $6.7 billion estimate. According to the insiders just his real estate which is scattered across the globe is worth more than half that figure. His many businesses such as Globacom, Conoil Producing, Cobblestone, Glo 1 and Moneymaster, are not on the stock exchange, so how do you estimate their true value? No wonder the man spends money “as if there is no tomorrow” like we say in local parlance. Adenuga is by every measure a fulfilled man. As we celebrate this worthy son of Africa at 71, it is so easy to forget that Adenuga’s rise as one of Africa’s wealthiest and most powerful men is attributable to his industry, unflinching optimism, the inclination to hang on in the face of daunting challenges, to hold on to hope despite all odds.

As he looks back on his 71 years, especially how he has positively affected lives through his businesses and personal interventions in people’s lives, the thought that should weigh heavy on his mind is how to document his eventful odyssey for posterity.

Adenuga

Sanwo-olu CelebrateS May Day with workerS... Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, flanked by Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Agnes Sessi (left) and her

counterpart, Comrade Gbenga Ekundayo during the May Day Celebration, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos ... yesterday

CPPE: Volatility in Customs Duty Exchange Rate Hurtful to Economy

An economist and founder of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, has decried the frequent changes in Customs’ duty exchange rate, which he pointed out had taken place 39 times this year alone, saying it was a huge burden on the business community.

Yusuf, said yesterday, that this has led to high volatility in cargo clearing costs, worsening inflationary pressure and aggravating investment risk, especially in the real sector of

the economy.

He said: “These frequent changes are profoundly detrimental to production, planning and other real sector activities in the Nigerian economy.

“In the first quarter of this year, there were changes in the customs duty exchange rate 28 times. In April, the frequency of changes would be close to 10 times or even more.

“As at 1st May 2024, the rate has jumped to N1373.65/$. It was less than N1200/$ few days before,” adding that “it is extremely difficult for investors to plan under these

unstable circumstances.

“The situation has introduced an unprecedented level of uncertainty and unpredictability to the international trade dynamics.

“Investment risk has become elevated, planning has become difficult, risk management has become challenging and investors’ confidence is being weakened.”

He added: “It is double whammy for investors to grapple with volatility in the foreign exchange market and contend, concurrently, with high level of unpredictability in the international

trade ecosystem. This is not consistent with our growth aspirations at this time.”

The CPPE, therefore, appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to adopt a framework that would “minimise volatility in the customs duty exchange rate in line with the commitment of the present administration to bolster investors’ confidence and drive economic growth.”

It said such framework should adopt a quarterly customs duty exchange rate, after due consultation

Cybercrime, Threat to National Security, Says EFCC Boss, Olukoyede

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, yesterday declared that cybercrime remained a threat to national security.

He said internet crimes had become a threat to the development of the nation.

He restated the commitment of the commission to the fight against the scourge.

Olukoyede made the assertion when he received a delegation from the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) at the corporate headquarters of the commission in Jabi, Abuja.

"As a matter of fact, a consultant

An educationist and School Proprietor in Lagos State, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, has showered encomiums on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the speedy and comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-ImotaItoikin-Epe Road.

A statement quoted Adebogun to have said this during an interactive session with the media.

While expressing appreciation to Tinubu, for his support and commitment towards the completion of the rehabilitation of the road, he affirmed that the president by the singular action, had renewed the hope of residents and commuters in the community, who had virtually lost

was saying that cybercrime has assumed the third largest GDP in the world. It is a sort of crime that we should not take lightly and comes from the readiness from these countries and law enforcement agencies to collaborate, to share information in such a way that each country will take responsibility for what they are supposed to take responsibility for," he said.

Olukoyede affirmed that EFCC’s operations against cybercrimes were focused, relentless and fruitful.

“EFCC, apart from the Police , is one of the prominent, specialised anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria that has the mandate to investigate cybercrime and we have been doing that.

hope that the road, which was in a very deplorable condition, will ever be repaired.

He recollected that the IkoroduImota-Itoikin-Epe road, before the rehabilitation, ranked among the worst roads not just in Lagos State but nationally. “The road usually gets abandoned during the rainy season and had posed a recurrent nightmare to residents and commuters along the axis from Ikorodu through Imota to Itoikin and beyond to Epe. ‘It was a particularly harrowing commute for road users during vacation and festive periods,” he added. Adebogun, noted that it was a huge sigh of relief for residents

"In the last few months, we have secured over five hundred convictions in cybercrimes and over the years we have had cause to collaborate with FBI, NCA and other prominent law enforcement agencies in the world in the area of combating cybercrime".

"We are much ready to do more and also to encourage the heads of the world to give access to information", he said.

Earlier in his presentation, leader of the delegation, Mr. Craig Jones. explained that Interpol was working as a neutral law enforcement agency with private partners across the world to detect and break criminal networks serving fraudsters.

He disclosed that cybercrime have become global security threats with

when the rehabilitation was completed in March this year reducing Ikorodu to Epe travel time from about two hours to less than thirty minutes.

He added that the rehabilitation of the road was a positive pointer and attestation to the fact that many more development projects promised by the Tinubu's government would be completed and delivered.

Adebogun, also commended the Minister of Works,, Dr. Dave Umahi; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, for the various roles they played in the actualisation of the rehabilitation

massive impact.

"I think many countries now recognise that cybercrime is actually a national security threat to countries and this goes hand in hand with financial crimes, because the main motivation of cybercrime normally for the criminals is that financial gain and the impact that it makes on the countries and our communities is massive", he said.

To this end, Jones explained that Interpol continued to identify countries with criminal networks in order to assist them to break such networks.

He also disclosed that a cybercrimes convention is being negotiated with the United Nations (UN) to draw global attention and commitment to the fight against the menace.

of Ikorodu-Imota road. He recalled that Sanwo-Olu had personally visited to access the deplorable condition of the road early this year while Abiru had moved a motion in 2021, on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on, “The Urgent Need for the Rehabilitation of the the Ikorodu-Sagamu and IkoroduItoikin-Epe Roads to further bridge the Infrastructure Gap and Enhance Economic Growth in Nigeria”.

“Senator Abiru also has to his credit many laudable achievements which earned him the appellation of “Doing Good Senator” such as: The Senator Abiru Innovation Lab(SAIL), which is “the first of its kind innovation

with the fiscal authorities.

“We propose a commencement rate of N1000/$ customs duty exchange rate. Consultation with the fiscal authorities is imperative because of the trade policy implications of

such decisions.

“It is also consistent with the commitment of the present administration to effective coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities,” Yusuf said.

Deji elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris as he clocks 58 on May 2, 2024 (today).

According to a release issued on yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu commended the minister for his diligence and noteworthy proclivity for balance.

The president wished Idris many more years in good health, as well as success in his service to the nation.

The minister is a seasoned public servant, publisher, and politician who has brought finesse and immense experience to his role as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, he said.

“Idris has been at the forefront of the media and public relations industry as the Founder, Chairman, and Publisher of Blueprint Newspapers, and as the Chairman of Bifocal Group, a public relations consultancy, and Kings Broadcasting Limited, which operates the Abuja- based WE 106.5 FM.

hub” in Lagos East Senatorial District which he set up for young people and entrepreneurs; N300 Million Constituency Intervention Revolving Loan, Health facilities and construction of blocks of classrooms he facilitated across the district, provision of grant to 1,250 market women, award of bursary to 600 higher institution students and monthly support for over 2500 vulnerable constituents.

Others include provision of many transformers across Lagos East Senatorial District, building of Epe Sports Complex as well as sponsorship of many legislation and motions of national significance.”

Adebogun also remarked that,

“His role as General Secretary of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria (NPAN) prior to his appointment as Minister accents his commitment and contributions to the media landscape in Nigeria,” he added.

Also, Tinubu congratulated the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on the occasion of his 42nd birthday. The president commended Tunji-Ojo for the vigour and dedication he has brought to his office as Minister of Interior, noting the visible reforms in the ministry and in the institutions under the ministry. He wished the minister renewed strength and success in his service to the nation, while urging him not to relent in his endeavours.

Tunji-Ojo, he said, holds sterling credentials as an ICT and engineering professional, and public policy expert. The statement added that he successfully ran for public office twice to represent Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, and has remained one of the examples of the youth in government.

in less than one year of assuming office, Tinubu had “performed beyond expectation and deserves the goodwill and support of all Nigerians to actualise all aspects of the Renewed Hope Agenda.” He further paid tributes to Tinubu for the promise announced by Umahi, that the dualisation of the Ikorodu-Imota-Itoikin-Epe Road would commence in earnest as the second phase of the road repair project. He therefore appealed to all wellmeaning Nigerians to put aside their differences and join hands with the government for the full realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Trade Union Congress (TUC)

kingsley nwezeh in Abuja

Dike onwuamaeze

COURTESY VISIT...

UN, Bayelsa, Denmark Launch New Project to Strengthen Peace in N'Delta

A new project to strengthen the Niger Delta Peace Architecture was launched in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State yesterday.

Joining the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, to launch the project were the Ambassador

of Denmark, Sune Krogstrup and Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Oliver Stolpe. The project aims to support the government and communities in the implementation of the 2022 Bayelsa State Community-Based

FG Targets 15 Million Tonnes of Fish for Export, Empowers Women

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government through its poverty alleviation programme is targeting the production of 18 million tonnes of fish of which 15 million would be exported to other countries.

The government has also purchased and distributed 368 empowerment equipment for women in 15 states in the nation's six geopolitical zones.

The machines include garri processing and frying machines, industrial sewing machines, fish smoking machines, four thousand litres fish bucket and rice milling machine amongst others.

Disclosing this yesterday in Abuja, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye, said with only 10 per cent of women owning properties, the initiative was bent on opening doors of entrepreneurship and subsistence for women who were majorly below the poverty line.

The government urged Nigerians to access the portal it has created for registration.

She said already, the ministry

was in talks with the military and other ministries such as education and agriculture for the provision of security, seedlings and mire machines for the empowerment of more women.

"The ministry is interested in getting women to farm in which insecurity has prevented. With this, we have partnered with the Army towards providing security as they engage in farming, and the provision of tractors. With this, the price of food items is bound to come down.

"With only 10 percent of women owning properties, we hope to change the story through the medium of inclusivity as that is not good enough.

"Nigeria needs two million tonnes of fish, but we are targeting 15 million for the purpose of export. It will be available and affordable. We are not after profit, but working towards abundant food in the nation," she added.

The beneficiary states are Anambra, Kano, Rivers Imo, Lagos, Oyo, Katsina, Gombe, Kebbi, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue and Jigawa.

Crime Prevention Strategy.

According to a statement, the project would be implemented in five communities across Bayelsa State empowering them through joint security committees to manage their security environment proactively, helping to address the root causes of crime and violence and enhancing collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies building trust and fostering lasting partnerships.

The statement noted that the initiative builds on a successfully implemented first phase which, with funding from the Government

of Germany, was implemented between 2021 and 2023, and helped the Government of Bayelsa State to develop the Community Based Crime Prevention Strategy and supported its implementation in the communities of Otuan, Ikeberi 1 and Ayamasa.

Specific interventions included the refurbishment of police stations, the redeployment of police officers and their training on community-oriented policing.

The project also established youth centres and introduced Line Up Live Up, a sports-based youth crime prevention programme now being delivered by sport coaches across the

three communities. Further investments were made into economic empowerment initiatives, such as a Garri processing plants and solar powered streetlights.

Diri, while welcoming the initiative stated that: “The collaborative effort with the German Government and UNODC has demonstrably improved security in Bayelsa State and we are confident that the new project, funded by the Government of Denmark, will build upon this success and further strengthen peace and security across the Niger Delta.”

For his part, Krogstrup said, “Community-based crime prevention

is a cornerstone of effective security strategies. We are proud to partner with the Bayelsa State government and UNODC to empower communities and promote lasting peace.”

On the occasion of the project launch, Diri also welcomed a delegation of ambassadors and high-level representatives of the Governments of Finland, Germany and the European Union. The visiting delegation joined the meeting of the BRACED Commission, attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States and chaired by Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

Soyinka, Onyema, Dangote, Agbakoba, Umar, Adenuga to Receive ‘Leading from the Street’ Award

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; the Chief Executive Officer of Airpeace, Mr. Allen Onyema; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; a Leading Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), and Founder of Globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga, would be among prominent Nigerians that would be conferred with the “Leading from The Streets Award.”

The award is targeted at deserving individuals and corporate organisations, “that have touched the lives of Nigerians in profound ways” would be part of the activities to mark the public presentation of Magnus Onyibe’s Book: “Leading

from The Streets…,” which would take place on May 8, at Alliance Francais/Mike Adenuga Centre, Lagos.

The event is also expected to mark the first time the trio of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Soyinka and Mr. Lekan Alabi would meet themselves in a public event.

Alabi, then a daring secondary school student, wrote a public letter that was published in the newspapers imploring Gowon to release Soyinka from indefinite detention in 1967.

A press statement issued by the Team Lead, Strategic Communications, Tervel T. Kejih, stated that a panel discussion by experts on the theme "Tinubonomics: What's Working, What's Not, Why, and Way Forward," would also be part of the book presentation.

Office of The SGF, TBS Collaborate for NEAPS 2024 Awards

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in collaboration with The Best Strategic PR (TBS) is set for the second edition of the annual Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS). The maiden edition of the NEAPs Awards, which was held in October 2022 at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, honoured 44 Nigerians with the then President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the awards.

In a statement issued to announce the 2024 awards, the Communications Officer of TBS, Mrs Caroline Yovchevska, said individuals and groups in both the public and private sectors would be eligible to be selected for NEAPS 2024.

Yovchevska disclosed that:: “To qualify for an award, recipients must have made significant contributions in public service. Winners of the NEAPS will be those who have improved the quality of public service delivery, taken risks to achieve change, have unblemished and commendable public service record, made significant and notable contributions to a more democratic society, and have helped in championing social equity.

“Nomination and shortlisting will be democratic to engender wide acceptance and boost recognition of the awards as a benchmark for excellence in public service and social welfare delivery.”

The SGF letter endorsing the 2024 NEAPS Awards, which was

signed by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Maurice Mbaeri, said:“The NEAPS, which is designed to be a grand and prestigious independent award, promises to recognise and reward innovations, change, leadership and other exceptional demonstration of selfless public service delivery, with the greatest impact in Nigeria.”

Over 60 percent of the winners of the well-attended maiden NEAPS Award in 2022 have continued to make progress in politics and business. They include former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who is now FCT Minister; NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, who was given a second term by President Bola Tinubu; former Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu; businessman, Abdulsamad Rabiu, whose landmark private university is ready; Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, who got a second term, and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also secured a second term in office.

The Best Strategic PR is a Strategic Communication and Policy advisory. The firm is at the forefront of galvanising support for the promotion of Nigerian ideals and the achievement of sustainable development goals, through effective partnerships with government, International non-governmental organisations, diplomatic community, multinational companies and individuals.

According to the statement, Soyinka’s consistent commitment to the unity of Nigeria was one of the reasons he was being conferred with the award.

It stated that Soyinka, who would turn 90 years on July 13, was committed to jail in 1967 by the federal government of Nigeria for 22 months because he wrote and published an article in the mass media trying to dissuade the federal government from going to war against Biafra.

“Instead of heeding his wise counsel of urging both sides to come to a negotiated settlement, he was incarcerated for allegedly being an accomplice of the separatist Biafran side. Soyinka was awarded the Nobel laurel in literature in 1986.

“Once again, consistent with his unwavering support for the downtrodden and society alike, he has recently been engaged in the struggle for Nigeria’s unity, notably his calling out of Labor Party’s vice presidential candidate for 2023 elections, threatening that there would be civil disobedience if current president, Senator Bola Tinubu were to be sworn into office before his victory was affirmed by the court.”

The statement noted that Onyema made the award list for rescuing Nigerians stranded in foreign countries during periods of conflicts, free of charge, with his Airpeace airline and recently crashed the cost of flight tickets from about N4 million to N1.2 million for the lucrative Lagos to London route that had been monopolised by United Kingdom based airlines.

Airpeace has even gone further to offer rebate fares to Nigerian students studying abroad so that they can be encouraged to come

home more often.

“For that selfless service, which was not offered from the corridors of political power, Allen Onyema/ Airpeace is being honored with the Leading From The Streets award,” it said

Similarly, Africa’s richest man, Dangote, made the award list for his enviable marks as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose passion for Nigeria and Nigerians was demonstrated by investing a whopping $20 billion dollars into building the recently commissioned 650,000 barrels a day Dangote Refinery.

“With the coming on stream of the refinery, the price of diesel has been crashed from about N1,700 per liter to below N1,000 per liter.

“That is apart from the N15 billion that he recently expended in procuring palliatives like rice for distribution to the masses across the country to ameliorate the pervading effect of hunger.”

Agbakoba was considered for the award because of the frontline role he played in the in the struggle to entrench democratic leadership in Nigeria after a long period of military rule. He has remained committed to the pursuit of public good without occupying any public office.

The promoters of the event stated that Umar’s quality as a disciplinarian and a man that is full of integrity earned him a place in award list.

The promoters also said that Adenuga earned the award for his remarkable gesture of positively touching lives without wielding political power, especially through “his dogged determination to positively change the course of history for Nigerians by democratising access to telecommunications services.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Dike Onwuamaeze

L-R: Partners of Grant Thornton Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Adedokun; Partner Advisory Services, Mr. Nkwachi Abuka; Principal Partner, Head, Tax Services; 59th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN),Dr. Innocent Okwuosa; Managing Partner/CEO, Mrs.Ngozi Ogwo; Principal Partner, Mr. Orji Okpechi, and Mr. Lateef Emiola, during a courtesy visit by ICAN at the company's head office in Lagos... recently

Courtesy visit to Heirs insuranCe Group...

and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the issue of new minimum wage would have been concluded before the May deadline but the inability of the labour and government side to reach a consensus on the matter at their last meeting in April.

She however, assured workers that the federal government was determined to work with Labour leaders to reach an agreement on new national minimum wage that would reflect the country's economic realities.

The position of labour was contained in a joint speech presented by the NLC president Joe Ajaero and President of TUC, Festus Osifo at the ceremony to mark this year's International Worker's Day celebration in Abuja.

Ajaero, who read part of the speech said labour union would not allow other interests to sabotage the desire of President Bola Tinubu to give Nigerian workers a living wage.

He said organised labour would insist on its demand for the approval of N615,000 as new national minimum wage, adding that the two labour centres carried out wide research before arriving at the figure.

"We must not let our guards down but be on alert so that together, we can assist government take the right decision and pay workers a living wage as promised by our president, his Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his inaugural speech.

"We will not allow other interests to sabotage the desire of the president concerning a living wage for workers. If however, the negotiation of the national minimum wage is not concluded by the end of May, the Trade Union Movement of Nigeria will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the country," he said.

On his part, Osifo said Labour was worried over the resurgent fuel scarcity and prolonged queues at petrol stations in parts of the country.

According to him, the unions believed that the inability of the government to fix the local refineries was at the heart of the persisting crisis in domestic fuel supply

He also expressed the concern of the Labour movement over the recent hike in electricity tariff, warning that Nigerian workers would not not tolerate the unilateral increase in electricity tariff.

Addressing workers at the Eagles Square, venue of May Day rally, Onyejeocha said the minimum wage committee has been working tirelessly alongside Labour leaders to reach an agreement on a new National Minimum Wage that would reflect the country's economic realities.

"Although the committee could not reach a consensus at its last meeting before the May deadline, we want to reassure Nigerian workers that we are working diligently around the clock with organised labour to conclude negotiations and ensure a successful outcome.

"Our commitment is unwaver-

ing: the Nigerian workers should rest assured that despite the short delay, the implementation of the new minimum wage will commence as stipulated by the law."

Akpabio, Senators Greet Nigerian Workers

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government would work collaboratively to give them a living wage and better working conditions.

The Senate President gave the assurance in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.

Akpabio extolled the sterling qualities that stood out the Nigerian worker saying, “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.

“I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian worker in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker's spirit resonates profoundly.

“No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best.”

Similarly, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, has celebrated the resilience, dedication, and unwavering spirit of Nigerian workers in the face of challenges.

President of the 9th Senate, Ahmad Lawan, commended President Bola Tinubu for giving his approval to a salary increase of between 25 and 35 per cent for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.

Lawan in a statement also tasked the federal government on upholding the rights and dignity of workers.

Obi Salutes Workers’ Resilience, Struggles

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has written to Nigeria Workers saluting their resilience and doggedness to ensure a better Nigeria.

In an open letter, Obi said he stood in solidarity with the workers in all their struggles.

“As we come together to celebrate Workers’ Day, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for each and every one of you who continue to stand tall and steadfast in your commitment to building our great nation, even in the face of adversity and challenges.

“Today, as we honour the hard work, dedication, and resilience of workers across the country and beyond, I am reminded of the incredible strength and spirit that defines us as a people.

“Despite the countless obstacles and hurdles that may stand in our

way, you, the backbone of our society, remain unwavering in your resolve to contribute to the growth and development of our beloved nation.

“From the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene villages of the North, from the bustling markets of Onitsha to the bustling ports of Port Harcourt, your labor forms the foundation upon which our nation stands.”

Sanwo-Olu Promises to Pay Minimum Wage

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured workers in the state that his administration would implement the new minimum wage as approved by the federal government.

He made the commitment in response to the demands of the NLC and the TUC during the Workers’ Day celebration held yesterday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking also on the current fuel scarcity, Sanwo-Olu advised Lagos residents against panic buying and storage of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, saying the federal government and the major stakeholders in the oil sector were working round the clock to end the fuel scarcity.

He said he had received assurances from the authorities that there was enough fuel at tank stations, and the distribution of the product would be intensified to ease the current fuel scarcity across the country.

Sanwo-Olu promised to look at some of the demands of the various unions in the state, saying his administration would continue to ensure good welfare packages for all the workers in the State.

"This year’s theme, ‘People First,’ resonates deeply with our administration's philosophy, which is underpinned by our firm belief in prioritizing the welfare of our people,” he said.

Diri Sets Up C’ttee on New Minimum Wage

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has set up a committee to work out modalities for the implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the state civil service.

The committee is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, while the Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama; the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai; his Labour, Productivity and Employment counterpart, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, were members.

The committee has till the end of May 2024 to submit its report.

Diri made the pronouncement at the 2024 Workers Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, yesterday.

The governor assured them that his administration would implement a new minimum wage once the

committee submitted its report and he made a pronouncement on wage increase, saying the state workers always had emoluments as their federal counterparts. He stressed that the welfare of workers had always been a top priority of his administration as attested to by the numerous worker-friendly policies he initiated.

Oyebanji: I Won't Dash Our Workers’ Hope

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured workers in the state that his government would not dash their hope on the impending new minimum wage, saying he would act appropriately when the ongoing discussion was finalised at the federal level.

Dousing workers’ skepticism over government’s sincerity, Oyebanji said his government would not stop the N15,000 wage award being paid to workers to cushion the effect of the inflation, pending the time the new minimum wage becomes effective.

Oyebanji gave the assurance while addressing workers, at a rally marking the 2024 edition of the May Day celebration held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday.

Energizing the workers' hope despite the increase in prices of commodities, Oyebanji said his government, had implemented wage increase and consequential adjustment for workers on grade 13 and above, while also paying deductions to cooperatives in order to alleviate their sufferings.

The Governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; and Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; said about 20,000 job seekers, had been employed into formal and informal sectors of the economy, with succour being provided in the form of conditional cash grants and other palliatives to mitigate the effects of the ongoing economic crises on workers and other citizens.

Abiodun:

We’ll Meet Labour over New Wage

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said his administration would do all in its power to come up with a decision on the new minimum wage.

The governor said a meeting with labour leaders in the state would be held with a view to arriving at a decision favourable to both the government and the workers.

The governor, who made this known during the year 2024 Worker's Day celebration and rally, tagged: 'People First', also added that his administration had paid a total of N128.3 billion as pensions and gratuities to both local and state government retirees in the state.

"On minimum wage, your ever responsive administration has done a lot of work, which is aimed at arriving at a position that we can sustain in line with our inclusive

style of governance.

"We will soon be calling a meeting with the organized labour leaders to finalize the Ogun State Government Minimum decision," he said.

Obaseki:

Over 5,000 Recruited Into Service

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has announced that he had recruited over 5,000 workers into the state civil service since the inception of his administration in the past seven and a half years.

Obaseki, who disclosed this while delivering his good will message to the workers in the state to mark the May Day ceremony in Benin City, said he had been able to turn the fortune of the state and its workforce around by keeping to his electioneering promises.

"One of the things I promised in 2016 that I was going to build our institution for governance and today, we can proudly say that workers have had means to achieve the modest institutional reform which we have now achieved in Edo State.

"With your support, we have been able to recruit over 5,000 new workers into the Edo State service based on merit and no longer on favouritism as it used to be. Now, you don't have to know anybody to get work in government in Edo you just need to know something,” he said.

Obaseki has also said the N70,000 new minimum wage for workers was within what his administration could afford, noting that the increase became necessary as a result of the current economic realities.

“Two days ago, I announced that we have raised the minimum wage for Edo workers from N40,000 to N70,000 naira, an increase of over 75 per cent. This is because we know and feel the pains and hardship which most of you experience daily,” he said.

Ebonyi: Nwifuru Increases Workers' Salaries

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, has added additional N10,000 to the salaries of Ebonyi workers.

The governor had increased the workers' salary on assumption of office last year with N10,000, totalling N20,000 within one year.

In his speech during the 2024 Workers' Day in Abakaliki, Nwifuru also approved and released the list of newly employed 1,700 workers, including the Judiciary and Legislature, as screened and published by the State’s Civil Service Commission.

"Let me fully assure you, that regular promotion and prompt payment of salaries, pension and gratuities will continue as it is today. Presently, we pay salaries, pension and gratuities as at when due. As you know, we are not owing gratuities and pension to any worker in our State.

"I particularly salute the resilient, focused and productive workers of our great State, Ebonyi. Your commitment and sacrifices are unmatched," he said.

Sani to Workers: My Administration Will Continue to Prioritise Your Welfare

The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has said his administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources.

In his address marking workers day at the Murtala Square, Kaduna, Sani said his government was training and retraining workers to put them in good stead to contribute effectively to the economic development of Kaduna state.

He disclosed that as part of economic empowerment packages for the state civil servants, the government recently commenced the implementation of N500m revolving loan scheme for workers.

According to him, a strategic partnership with the Labour unions has been initiated to advance the interests of workers and improve the living conditions of the poor and vulnerable.

Sani described this year's theme for the celebration - 'People First'- as apt, noting that development was about the people.

Bago: Niger’ll Pay New Wage Increase Announced By Tinubu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has pledged to pay to workers the new salary increase announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bago, at a forum organised by the NLC in Niger State, said the workers deserved better deal.

Speaking through the state Head of Service, Bago said the payment would be with immediate effect but asked for more commitment to duty from workers.

Also, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa representing Niger East Senatorial district in the National Assembly commended the president for increasing workers and pensioners’ salaries by 35% and 28 %. In a statement, he said the increase would ameliorate the problems being faced by workers and pensioners to some extent.

Otu Increases C'River’s Wage to N40,000

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Out, has announced a new minimum wage of N40,000 for the state workers.

Announcing this at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, where he joined the Workers Day celebration, Otu said the increase in the new minimum wage aligned with the realities of the time in the state rather than sentiments.

“Owing to the peculiarity of Cross River State regarding its lean finances occasioned by low Statutory Federal Allocation, and aggravated by the unfavorable State

L-R: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB); Prince Babatunde Oguntade; and Chairman, Heirs Insurance Group, Tony Elumelu, CFR, during a courtesy visit to Heirs Insurance Group at Heirs Place in Lagos ... yesterday

T I nubu: D AYS of Worr Y for nI ger IA n Worker S over eA rn I ng L I v I ng WA ge g one

Food iTems donaTed To Living FoundaTion orphanage...

member, Chivido Foundation, Susan Chirumaka; and

Chioma Adeleke's birthday celebration in Lagos ...yesterday

FG to Repatriate 20,000 Nigerians from Chad, Cameroon

To liaise with Borno government for rehabilitation

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has announced plans to repatriate not less than 20,000 Nigerian refugees from the Republic of Chad and Cameroon in the next two months.

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Aliyu Tijani, stated this yesterday after a meeting with the Tripartite Working Group (TWG) and the United Nations Human Rights

Council (UNHCR) in Abuja.

He said: "We are looking at 3,000 households from Chad,that is about 6,000 people to be repatriated from Chad.

"In the case of Cameroon, the number we have is about 14,000 people. However, we will not force anybody to return to this country.

"Arrangements are ongoing to profile those willing to return. The time frame is within the next two months."

Tijani, however, did not disclose

soon as the parameters were made available.

the cost implications, but noted that the government would do everything possible to ensure the safe return of Nigerians.

He said: "We are yet to determine the cost implications for the repatriation of our people in Cameroon and Chad. We have sent a memo to that effect. By the time we get the total bill, I think the government of the federation will intervene.

"I want to tell you that the government of Nigeria will do everything possible to ensure that money is

provided for this.

"They have done that before I am sure they will continue to do that. Do not forget that in 2022 about 5,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Cameroon."

Tijani explained that most of returnees left the country because of the 2022 flood that ravaged the country and the crisis between herders and farmers, explaining that: "Don't forget that in 2022, we had a very serious flood and many of our people left this country. Some fled to Chad.

T I nubu: D AYS of Worr Y for nI ger IA n Worker S over eA rn I ng L I v I ng WA ge g one GDP to Debt servicing ratio, the new wage implementation is in line with the realities of the time rather than sentiments," Otu said.

Otu stated that under his administration, payment of salaries and workers and pension entitlement remained a first-line charge.

Aiyedatiwa: We’ll Continue to Promote Industrial Peace

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration would continue to promote industrial peace and operate an open and transparent governance, with the welfare of workers as a major priority of his administration.

He stated this while addressing workers during the celebration of the 2024 Worker’s Day at the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Arcade, along Igbatoro road in Akure.

Aiyedatiwa expressed his delight in celebrating his first Workers' Day as the Governor of Ondo State, emphasising the importance of the event amidst preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election in the State.

Reflecting on the state's record of industrial peace, he said the modest achievements of his administration could not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of workers.

“In demonstration of our commitment to the welfare of workers in the State, our administration is giving priority attention to regular payment of salaries and pensions, steady payment of gratuity and payment of backlog of salaries. This has brought relief to both serving and retired officers,” he said.

Fubara Promises Salary Increase, Gifts Workers N100m

Rivers State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the state work force that he would implement the salary increase as recently approved by the federal government.

Fubara, who gave the assurance during activities to commemorate the 2024 International Workers Day, held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, said implementation of the increase would take effect as

The governor stated how his administration was concerned about the poor state of the nation’s economy, with the attendant rising inflation, which he explained had impacted adversely on the purchasing power and well-being of the average workers and their families.

"Let me assure you that we are going to work with the federal government to implement necessary measures, including the continuation of the free bus services and the provision of necessary palliatives to ameliorate the current hardship faced by ordinary citizens.

"We are also committed to implementing the increase in workers’ salaries recently approved by the federal government as soon as the parameters are made available.”

APC, House Commend Workers’ Sacrifice

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the House of Representatives, have commended the resilience, sacrifice, diligence and patriotism of Nigerian workers and celebrate their invaluable contribution to the building and sustenance of our nation’s economic life.

National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, in a statement, said President Bola Tinubu-led administration remained resolute in its commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers.

"We applaud the resilience, sacrifice, diligence and patriotism of Nigerian workers and celebrate their invaluable contribution to the building and sustenance of our nation’s economic life.

“Nigerian workers deserve the best quality of life that our nation can offer, which in turn secures our collective aspirations for total and sustainable economic growth and transformation."

The House also commended the workers for their contributions to the growth and development of our dear country.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati and the Chairman, House Committee

on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, it said the decades preceding Nigeria's independence, and in the fight for the entrenchment of democracy, the contributions of the labour movement and indeed, the Nigerian workers were replete in the history books.

"With zeal and resilience, you continue to make sacrifices for our progress so far," the House said.

Also, the Minority caucus of the House has revealed that it had commenced the drive for a living wage for Nigerian workers against the minimum wage offered by the government.

Its Leader, Hon. Kingsely Chinda, reaffirmed minority caucus collective responsibility to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive society where every worker is treated with dignity and respect.

Anambra Workers Angry over Soludo's Absence at Rally

Anambra workers yesterday expressed anger over the absence of Governor Chukwuma Soludo at their rally.

Soludo was represented at the Alex Ekwueme Square by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim.

The workers said Soludo stayed away from the function because he was afraid of addressing the long list of needs presented by the NLC and TUC, insisting he was not a worker-friendly governor.

The workers, who initially refused to file out for the usual match past which has become synonymous with the rally, said Soludo's absence was deliberate.

They repeatedly shouted "No" to appeal for them to file out for the match-past, insisting that Soludo has never attended worker's function since he became governor, but they eventually undertook the match past, albeit grudgingly.

The deputy governor, who later addressed the protesting workers after several efforts to calm their nerves, assured the workers that their grievances would soon be addressed.

ATSSSAN Laments Death of 5 Nigerian Airways Pilot,

Others in 7 Days Without Pay

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), has described as unfortunate, the death of five former staff of the defunct Nigerian Airways, who passed on within the last seven days without receiving their final severance packages promised them by the federal government since the liquidation of the airline by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

ATSSSAN noted that over a hundred former workers of the country's national airline has died since the last verification and part payment exercise carried out during the Muhammadu Buhari's administration in 2019.

Speaking at the May 1st 2024 Workers Day celebration at the ATSSSAN Secretariat in Lagos, First Vice President of the association, Comrade Emmanuel Jaja, urged the federal government to settle all the outstanding severance benefits of the elsewhere Nigeria carrier workers, whom he said put in the greater part of their life in the service of their Fatherland.

Also, Jaja said the labour union kicked against the recent increase in electricity tariff in the country amidst the epileptic power supply in the nation.

The ATSSSAN leader lamented that the country was currently grounded following the ongoing fuel supply challenges saying the labour body is studying the situation.

Kano Workers Bemoan Backlog of N75bn Unremitted Pension

The Kano State Chapter of the NLC, has described the backlog of unremitted pension of workers contributions by some organisations as alarming, with a staggering accumulation of over N75 billion as of May 2023 last year.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, disclosed this during May Day celebration to commemorate International Workers’ day. He said the non-remittance of workers pension posed a serious threat to the financial security of retirees.

"The non-remittance lead to deductions of pension thus non-payment

"Some left to Cameroon. The crisis between herders and farmers is a contributing factor. The number is not too much to think that they cannot leave this country."

On this issue of rehabilitation; where the returnees would be camped, and the support system by the government, he said: “Repatriation is ongoing in Banki and in Baga in Borno State, and the construction of houses.

"We are making arrangements and liaising with the government

of full pension for years," the NLC said, adding it was sure if elaborative analysis of the back log was done and a strategy to recoup the money was put in place, the accrued benefits could be settled within few years.

"While we commend the present administration for commencing full payment of pension, we demand that all defaulting government institutions shall commence paying the back log to enable settlement of retirement and death benefit," they said.

In his response, Governor Yusuf represented by his Deputy Aminu Abdulsalam said, government would sustain its efforts in promoting workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries, promotion and recruitment.

Mbah Most Worker-friendly Gov, Enugu Workers Declare

The organised labour in Enugu State, has commended governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, for his many achievements in improving the wellbeing of the people and workers of the state, describing him as a “promise keeper” and “the most worker-friendly governor in Nigeria.”

The workers also commended Mbah for his many policies, programmes, and projects, which they said were turning the state around in record time.

This was as Mbah, has renewed his commitment to the welfare of the people and workers, restating his resolve to go beyond the immediate palliatives.

Mbah, who spoke through his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, listed such as wage awards to create wealth, functional systems and institutions that drastically reduce the burdens that currently drain workers’ income.

The workers, however, gave Mbah the commendations through the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Comrade Ben Asogwa, and his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) counterpart, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, during the May Day celebration at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Wednesday.

Labour Congress Hails Benue Government for Prioritising Workers’ Welfare

of Borno State to ensure that most of those that will return will be taken to skill acquisition centres.

"Borno State has a very magnificent skills acquisition centres waiting for the returnees. "As they return, we will give them some training, then we will give them start-up packs. The government will not continue to be fending for them for life. We will have to provide a durable solution and the durable solution is the shelter and start-up packs for them."

The Nigerian Labour Congress, Benue State Council, has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hyacinth Alia of the state. This, they claimed, was in recognition of the governor's deliberate prioritisation of workers’ welfare and growth as evident in the prompt and regular payment of workers salaries, as well as pensions and gratuities to retirees.

Speaking at the 2024 Workers' Day Celebration held at IBB Square, Makurdi, Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Benue State Council, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, thanked Alia for demonstrating uncommon passion for the welfare of civil servants in Benue State. Igbe said for the past three years, they had not gathered to celebrate Workers' Day since their times were punctuated with non-payment of salaries and pensions, lack of promotions and absence of gratuities.

Governor Alia, in his response expressed delight to have joined Trade Union Congress (TUC), NLC as well as all workers across Benue to mark this Year's May Day.

The governor said without the workforce, governments, institutions and society in its entirety, could not function, stressing that every worker deserved their wages; and that he considered it a crime not to pay employees their due emoluments.

Resist Anti-people Tendencies, PDP Charges Nigerian Workers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, congratulated Nigerian workers on this Year’s International Workers’ Day, and charged them to use their resilient spirit to resist all anti-people tendencies that sought to compromise and undermine the democratic tenets of freedom, Rule of Law, accountability and probity in the country.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, saluted Nigerian workers for remaining steadfast as “real drivers of the national economy despite the asphyxiation and life-discounting conditions occasioned by the ill-implemented economic and fiscal policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

L-R: Member Chivido Foundation, Adufe Omokore; Matron, Living Fountain Orphanage Lekki, Ukpaka Joan; Trustee, Living Fountain Orphanage Lekki, Dr. Ogechi Iheanacho; Caregiver, Chioma Aforka;

member, Chivido Foundation, Onyeka Uju, during the presentation of various food items to Living Foundation Orphanage, Lekki to mark the wife of Davido the Superstar,

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

CHaRTEREd iNsTiTUTE OF PERsONNEL MaNaGEMENT FORUM…

L-R: Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Board of Fellows, Mrs. Ifeoma Adeniyi; Registrar/Chief Executive, CIPM, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Naiwo; President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Olusegun Mojeed; Vice President, CIPM, Mr. Henry Unuakpor, and the National Treasurer, Mrs. Ogochukwu Egbuonu, at the CIPM’s Fellows forum in Lagos…recently

Ijaw Communities in Edo

adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Ijaw communities in Inikorogha, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest against what they described as plans by some powerful individuals to withdraw the security personnel who have been maintaining peace in the locality.

The protesters, who came out in their numbers, carried different placards with various inscription such as “Come to our Aid Mr Governor”, We Need Peace to do Our Business in Inikorogha”, Armed Robbers Come Here to Rape & Rob Our Wives and Women”, among others. The protesters commended

FG Targets 15m Tons of Fish for Export

Kuni Tyessi in abuja

The federal government, through its poverty alleviation and increased entrepreneurship programme, is set to produce the sum of 18 million tons of fish of which 15 million will be exported to other countries.

It has also purchased and distributed 368 empowerment equipment for women in 15 states comprising of the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The machines, include garri processing and frying machines, industrial sewing machines, fish smoking machines, four thousand

litres fish bucket, rice milling machine among others.

Disclosing this yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye, said with only 10 percent of women owning property, the initiative is bent on opening doors of entrepreneurship and subsistence for women who are majorly below the poverty line.

To key into the economic sustainable mechanisms, the government urged Nigerians to come on board the portal it has created for registration, adding that it will address the issues if selling the items of equipment.

Benue to Launch New Security Outfit

George Okoh in makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said the state government will launch its own local security outfit that will consist of ten thousand youths before the end of May 2024, to complement the efforts of the other security agencies in tackling security challenges bedeviling the state.

Governor Alia stated this last Tuesday during the stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Government House, Makurdi.

Kick against Plot to Withdraw Security Personnel

the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for ensuring that peace and security prevail in Inikorogha and also linking communities through road construction.

Addressing journalists, Chairman, Inikorogha community, Friday Benson, appealed to Obaseki to see to the extension and increase of security

presence in the community.

“What we are saying in essence is that nobody should truncate the effort of the governor by the planned removal of

security from our communities. There is a great improvement of security in the last one year and a half. We thank the governor for providing the needed security.”

One Killed as Police Arrest Three Suspects for Cult Supremacy Battle in Kwara

Hammed

shittu inIlorin

One person was reportedly killed yesterday when the two rival cultist groups engaged in a supremacy battle in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

Already, operatives of the state police command have arrested three suspected cultists allegedly

connected with the bloody clash.

THISDAY checks revealed that crisis broke out between two rival cultists groups at BudoOke, Eiyenkori area of Asa Local Government in the state.

The supremacy battle between the two rival groups, it was learnt, has led to the burning of two buildings in the town.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The development, however, prompted the operatives of the state police command to swing into action so as to stop further break down of law and order in the area.

The efforts of the operatives of the state police command, according to sources, led to the arrest of three suspected cultists that had involved in the violent clash.

The suspects arrested are: Suleiman Ismail, Mamud Ibrahim, and Mudashir Saeed, all residents of Budo-Oke, Eiyenkorin while a dane gun was found in the possession of the cultists at the time of their arrest.

20 Youths Graduate from Africaplan Foundation’s Hackathon Programme

Gideon arinze in Enugu

No fewer than 20 youths from the South-east region have graduated from the second edition of Hackathon Africa funded by the AfricaPlan Foundation, a United States-based non-profit organisation.

The fully-funded residential programme, which lasted for three months, had over 1,000 applications out of which 20 were shortlisted to join this year’s cohort.

For the second edition, the foundation partnered Hordanso, a technology company that specialises in software development for mobile and web platforms to give the participants hands-on training in Generative AI and how it can be used to solve problems.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Enugu yesterday, Africaplan founder, Oni Chukwu, said that the foundation remains committed to tackling the widespread challenge of unemployment through its Hackathon Programme, which is in its second year. He regretted that Nigerian universities churn out thousands of graduates every year, who sadly, do not get meaningful jobs that they need to survive.

Expert Links Incessant Deaths on East-West Road to Poor Governance

Blessing ibunge in Port harcourt

A management expert, Dr. Leesi

citizens and road users, and hasty the reconstruction of the road.

Gborogbosi, has said the recent tanker explosion that occurred on the Eleme axis of the East-West Road was avoidable if the government had considered the plights of the

He said his administration is already working towards procuring Hilux vans and motorcycles that will be used by the security outfit to access every nook and cranny of the state.

On the reason for the stakeholders meeting, the governor said it became necessary to enable him brief the members of the party on the plans the government has in place to arrest the security challenge.

The governor, who appreciated the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies in securing the country and the state, said the launch of the state-owned security outfit will aid in securing Benue communities, enabling farmers to access their farm lands without fear.

Salon Africana Celebrates FESTAC ‘77 Cultural Legacy

Ugo aliogo

The opening preview of Salon Africana’s much-anticipated exhibition, ‘The Fabric of Courage’, was held at the historic Old Printing Press on Broad Street, Lagos Island recently, as an extraordinary celebration of the cultural legacy and enduring significance of FESTAC ‘77.

The event, which was conceived and curated by Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, writer, and scholar, Somi Kakoma, is the salon-styled

exhibition which presents a captivating array of photographs capturing the essence of FESTAC ‘77.

The collection includes remarkable large-scale images by acclaimed American photographer, Marilyn Nance, who made her first return to Nigeria since 1977, for the opening preview of the exhibition. It hinted that Nance did not only participate in FESTAC ‘77 but also meticulously documented the journey of the American delegation to the festival.

Onuminya innocent in sokoto

Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has read the riot act to the newly inaugurated chairmen in the state, warning them not to factionalise the party, saying any attempt to do so will attract the wrath of the party.

Gborogbosi, the executive chairman of Gborogbosi Foundation Port Harcourt, also attributed the incident to poor leadership and bad governance by the government at all levels.

The party also warned them against sabotaging the policies and programmes of the state government.

The state chairman of the party, Isa Sadiq Achida, gave the warning during the swearing-in of the new chairmen of Goronyo and Tambuwal Local Government

Gborogbosi, who made the assertion in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, berated multinational companies within the Eleme axis, saying it would have been avoided if they are taking their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Areas in the state.

The chairman sternly warned them against doing anything capable of bringing disunity among their members, adding: “As leaders you are expected to see all members of the party as your own. Don’t say this one like me and this one don’t.

seriously. He said: “Another avoidable carnage on the East-West Road has left many wondering why such tragedies should occur in this time and age. The truth remains that this problem is rooted in poor governance and leadership.

“They are all your members, so carry everybody along. And don’t give room for factionalisation of the party in your areas.” Achida noted that the APCled government in the state was bringing different policies and programmes aimed at improving the living standards of citizenry.

Nigerian Makes Forbes List of America’s Top 200 CPAs

Nigerian-American Orume

Agbeyegbe-Hays, is among America’s top Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) released by Forbes.

Agbeyegbe-Hays is the Founder and CEO of the New York-based Hays CPA, making waves in the accounting profession in the United States.

Her recognition on Forbes’ inaugural “America’s Top 200 CPAs” list underscores her drive for excellence, innovation, and inclusion.

This achievement follows her 2022 and 2023 awards as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Magazine, as well as her recognition as a 2023 Top 50 Women in Accounting by Ignition.

Agbeyegbe-Hays is serving her third year as Chairperson of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Private Companies Practice Section’s Executive Committee—the first black female CPA to do so. She also served as a vice president, director-at-large, and executive committee member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and as president of NYSSCPA’s Manhattan/Bronx Chapter. She currently serves as Chair of NYSSCPA Relations with the IRS Committee.

Enugu Killings: Senator Utazi Seeks Govts’ Urgent Intervention

Uchechukwu Nnaike

Senator Chukwuka Utazi, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District in the eighth assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah to halt the ongoing bloodbath in Uzo-Uwani

Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Utazi said that the needless killings in the agrarian communities of Uzo-Uwani, following the slaughter of four people in Nimbo by suspected herdsmen last Sunday, have turned the area to a killing field and engendered panic among residents.

He noted that the building of a Mobile Squadron Base at Nkpologu, which would have served as a swift response unit in the face of such security threats, was politically thwarted by the past administration of Enugu State, thereby exposing the vast areas of Uzo-Uwani to kidnappers and violent herdsmen. The senator regretted that since the 2016 massacre at Nimbo, no week has passed without reports of killings and maiming of natives by rampaging herdsmen.

ETOP UKUTT

Sunday Oliseh Hails Lookman's Impressive Performance for Atalanta

Former Super Eagles Captain and

Lookman has been superb for Atalanta since he joined from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35 million. The Nigerian attacker had previous stints at Everton, Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City, but he has adjusted quite

quickly to life in Italy in his first seasons.

Last season, the 26-year-old forward registered 15 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions. But this season, Lookman has provided

11 goals and seven assists in 37 games for La Dea.

He has been on a good run recently, registering two goals and three assists in his last three games. And his performances have turned heads.

Villa’s Premier League Topfour Finish is Emery’s Priority

Aston Villa Manager, Unai Emery, has said that securing a top-four finish in the Premier League remains the priority but there is "no way" it will distract his team from the club's first European major semi-final in 42 years.

Villa have enjoyed a transformational season under Spaniard Emery and could qualify for the Champions League this weekend if Tottenham lose at Chelsea on Thursday.

On the same night, Villa host Greek side Olympiakos in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.

"We are very excited for the Conference League and very motivated with the Premier League," said Emery.

"It's not changing my first message when we started the season - the most important thing is the Premier League, then we can add the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Conference League.

"If we get to the end of the season being a contender, of course the importance is changing a little bit.

"The first priority is the Premier League but we're trying to do the best in both."

Villa have not played in a continental semi-final since winning the European Cup in 1982 and are the last remaining English side in European competition this season. Emery won the Europa League four times during his spells at Sevilla and Villarreal, while also

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

TotalEnergies Nigeria made a strong impact at the recently concluded 19th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIC 2024) held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja by amassing gold, silver and bronze medals in several sporting events at the weeklong sporting fiesta. The outstanding performance was led by Chimaobi Mgbokwere, won the gold medal in Chess’ Men Single event. Other gold medalists were Reni Orioke, (Scrabble, Female Singles event) and Ejehiwease Effiong (Tennis, Women’s Veteran).

The silver medals were won by Sandra Odinakachukwu,

leading Arsenal to the final of the same competition.

The 52-year-old boss says his wealth of experience is no guarantee of success with Villa, but knows "football is only to win".

"When I arrived here my first objective was to get to Europe. We

Saheed Ogunsanya & Kola Eke in 8-Ball Pool, Team event and Isaac Okuma, Tony Obijuru, Rukevwe Oghiagbepha & Jolomi Sunday in Athletics, 4X100m Relay for men. Ejehiwease Effiong also won a silver medal in Women’s Singles Tennis event and with Susan Namuganyi in the Women’s Doubles.

TotalEnergies also garnered 13 bronze medals through Nkese Umoren, (Athletics, 100m Women); Naomi Babalola, (Athletics, 200m Women); Nkese Umoren, Reni Orioke, Precious Vincent and Kate Ogu (Athletics, 4X100m Relay Women); Daniel Omolewa & Ogtay Rahmanov (Badminton, Men’s Doubles); Ogtay Rahmanov (Badminton, Men’s Veteran);

did a very big effort and we have the Europa Conference League. We have enjoyed it," Emery said.

Villa will be without suspended goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while midfielder Youri Tielemans and defender Alex Moreno are injured

Chimaobi Mgbokwere, Prince Emelike & Cynthia Chigere (Chess, Team) and Emmanuel Egbele, Ezinna Ogbuokiri & Ugonma Dennis-Akano (Scrabble, Team).

Others were Ejehiwease Effiong (Squash, Women’s Veteran); Tamaramiebi Ogu (Swimming, Backstroke Women); Goddy Ukofia (Table Tennis, Men Singles); Olukayode Adeyeri (Table Tennis, Men’s Veteran); Sandra Odinakachukwu & Susan Namuganyi (Table Tennis, Women’s Team).

The volleyball team comprising Enyebuchi Obulor, Adolphous Akwumakwuhie, Iyke Ekurume, Samson Onche, Emmanuel Adewuyi, Samuel Oni, Mmeme Abeka, Tony Obijuru, Obunike Ezeife, Lotanna Nwodo & Christian

Former Nigeria coach, Oliseh has also been impressed, as he shared his opinion on a video of Lookman’s solo goal against Empoli on Sunday.

“Ademola Lookman is simply unstoppable on a good day. Love watching this man play,” Oliseh wrote on X.

Atalanta are currently sixth in

the Serie A, but if they win their remaining games this season, they will finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Champions League. La Dea are also in the finals of the Italian Cup. Coach Gian Pero Gasperini will be hoping that Lookman can continue his impressive form and help Atalanta end the campaign on a high.

Eagles Striker, Dessers,

Course for Glasgow Rangers Player of the Month Honour

Nigeria international, Cyriel Dessers is in the running alongside James Tavernier and three other first team stars for Rangers' Player of the Month for April 2024.

The 29-year-old failed to find the back of the net in his first three games under the month in consideration but scored three times in his last two games.

He got the winning goal against St.Mirren last weekend to help Rangers start the Scottish Premiership top six split on a winning note and also bagged a brace against Hearts to help the Light Blues advance to the Scottish FA Cup final.

The Belgium-born forward with Nigerian ancestry also recorded an assist which he got in the Old Firm derby against Celtic to finish the month with three goal involvements.

Besides Dessers, Mohamed

Diomande, James Tavernier who is the the top scorer for the Scottish giants, Jack Butland and Todd Cantwell have all been nominated for the award.

The Super Eagles forward has won the award once this season having previously scooped it in January, beating Butland, John Souttar, John Lundstram and Ridvan Yilmaz to the prize. With his recent rich vein of form, the former US Cremonese forward will be hoping to finish the season strongly by helping Rangers to domestic treble for the eight time in the club's history.

Philippe Clement's side have clinched the Scottish League Cup already, are in the final of the Scottish Cup and trail Celtic with three points with four games left to be played.

fired in a first-half goal to seal a 1-0 victory over visitors Paris St Germain in their Champions League semifinal first leg yesterday night.

Nico Schlotterbeck floated a pass into Fullkrug’s path and the Germany forward controlled the ball with a perfect first touch before drilling a low shot past keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 36th minute.

PSG, on the backfoot for much of the first half, improved after the break and had a golden double chance in the 51st minute but twice hit the woodwork through Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi on the rebound.

The winners of the tie will

El Rahi also won the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies Nigeria, Dr Charles Ebereonwu, has lauded the games for impacting on workers in the area of fitness.

The games, with the theme: Empower Wellness, Ignite Productivity featured over 1,500 athletes who participated in 13 sporting events.

“The key impact of the games is the focus on wellness; trying to connect the nexus between fitness and productivity. The most important purpose of it is to keep fit to be able to do the work productively. Apart from that these games provide opportunity for networking, for people to leave

their places of work and come and relax not in sense of being idle but socialise, interact and exchange contact in the overall best interest of our industry,” Ebereonwu said. He stressed the objectives of the games had also achieved and even surpassed with many workers winning medals in different sports which is an indication they can multitask in industrial work places.

“These games have thrown up a lot of opportunities for potentials and we are seeing more”.

In the future NOGIC, Ebereonwu said, TotalEnergies will continue to place emphasis on safety which is a core value, ensure better preparation and assess other areas that need improvement, including infrastructure.

Kunle Adewale

Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has praised Nigerian player, Ademola Lookman, following his impressive performances for Atalanta.

Niclas Fullkrug (second right) scored Dortmund’s lone goal winner against PSG in their UEFA Champions League semi final first leg in Germany...last night

Borussia Dortmund's Niclas Fullkrug

face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, who drew 2-2 in Tuesday's first leg in Munich.

Adebayo Adelabu to Nigerians

“The entire (power) sector will be grounded if we don’t increase the tariff. With what we have now, in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don’t increase tariffs”—TheMinisterofPower, warningthattherewouldbetotalblackoutinthecountryinthenextthree monthsiftheproposedelectricitytariffhikeisnotimplemented.

The Billionaire Police Commissioner

Mr Aderemi Adeoye retired yesterday as the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Anambra State. By his own admission, his net worth is now N20 billion! And he has set his eyes on displacing Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the richest man in Africa within the next ten years. I am also quoting him. “I have been privileged to be trained in Ghana, England, Israel, California and more. I have served abroad in the United Nations, and this career gave me opportunities for self-development, and these have prepared me for retirement,” Adeoye admitted during his ceremonial pull out parade from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Awka last weekend. “In 2018, I founded an investment club, Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC) Limited. We started it with a modest sum of N54 million, but today we have investments worth over N20 billion. That will be my full-time business from Wednesday, May 1 (yesterday). We have been investing and now we want to go into full time business. And we will in the next 10 years give Dangote a run for his money.”

Let me be upfront here. I do not agree with those who find virtue in the kind of ‘poverty’ fables that propelled former President Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015. So, I am not opposed to legitimate ‘side hustles’ without which it is difficult for professionals to stay afloat in Nigeria. But there is a problem when public officials acquire stupendous wealth that is impossible to explain and then make a show of it. Therefore, to know more about this multibillion Naira company whose promoter seeks to displace Dangote on the ‘Forbes List’, I first conducted a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) where I drew blank. I am surprised that a business concern with a portfolio of N20 billion is not listed at the CAC. Then I did a Google search. My findings were shocking.

In February this year, some people had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, asking him to investigate an alleged fraudulent diversion of over N20 billion funds by Adeoye. In the petition, dated 30 January 2024 and signed by 33 members—including Diasporan Nigerians resident in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom—they alleged that Adeoye has been using his uniform to operate what they described as a Ponzi Scheme. “Sometime around 2017, we became ‘friends’ with Mr Adeoye on Facebook. At the time, he was serving in the African Union on secondment from Nigeria. He endeared himself to us and many others by projecting himself as a champion for victims of fraud and an upright man,” they wrote. “Often, he claimed to have come to the aid of persons who had been defrauded on Facebook. He got many accolades from many of us for these claims. As time will show, these claims were deliberate and well-planned effort by him to win the trust of many of us on Facebook as a precursor to launching his grand scheme.”

In 2018, according to the petitioners, Adeoye “proposed an investment club on Facebook, named Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC), aiming to pool funds for diversified investments, including joint property purchases. The idea gained traction due to Mr. Adeoye’s credibility as a senior police officer. Trust was high, leading to initial payments directly to his personal account. ATIC was later formally established under the Corporate and Allied Matters Act, growing to over 1,400 members by 2023.”

However, according to the petitioners, what is now happening “Centers on a lack

of accountability, lack of proper structure, gross abuse of powers, intimidation, arbitrary punitive actions against members, negligence of duty, and a failure to adhere to regulatory requirements. All of these have cost members dearly.” After listing nine accounts domiciled in GTBank to which monies are paid with Adeoye as sole administrator, they demanded that he “be compelled to disengage from running the investments with immediate effect, with an undertaking not to touch or deal in any assets belonging to the Club, since his involvement in the scheme, and dealing in the business as a public servant, in the first place, is prima facially (sic) illegal ab initio and as a matter of law.”

There is nothing on record to suggest that Egbetokun acted on the petition. But a few weeks ago, PUNCH newspaper interviewed Adeoye who described the claims by those petitioners as “criminal defamation of character”. These were his words: “They are our members and started fomenting trouble. In the course of this, they issued threats. Someone who issues threats to others is a criminal. The person they want to haunt down is the largest shareholder, who has 11 million shares. If something is wrong with the finances, who is the first to know? What they are doing now is criminal defamation of character. When you defame a person criminally, that is a crime. The Board of Trustees met and expelled them; after they were expelled, they labelled the club Ponzi.

“We bought land as a cooperative. And we have one document for it in the name of the cooperative for each purchase. Am I supposed to tear the document into pieces and then begin to share them? We are an online investment platform. We published all the receipts and payments on our page, and every member sees them. We have created a lounge to process their settlement. We are writing to the developer to remove the parts of the bulk purchase for them and issue documents to them in their names. Developers charge 10% of the current value of the land for that. We are not asking them to pay us. They should pay directly to the developer. We will only certify them as our members for the process.”

I am still trying to process what this company

is about. But there are even more critical questions that beg for answers. How can a Police Commissioner establish a ‘business’, ask the public to contribute funds that would generate returns, use his private accounts to receive such funds and claim ownership of the pool of money contributed by ‘shareholders’, after allocating 11 million shares to himself? And how could Adeoye have been diligent in his work as a law enforcement officer if he spent considerable time chasing money from people whose backgrounds he had no idea of—including those who could be criminals? Are there no regulations within the police that frown at a serving officer establishing and running a business venture, especially of this nature? Are police officers exempted from the code of conduct for public officials in Nigeria?

On Monday, there was an online post titled, ‘The audacious billionaire cop’ credited to a Mr Dauda Adesina Joki-Lasisi, a retired police officer. Joki-Lasisi (who claimed to have started his career in 1988 as a cadet inspector after training at the Police Academy in Kano) drew from his own moral examples and that of many others in the NPF to argue that money making is incompatible with the work of a law enforcement officer. He concluded his treatise with several posers. “In a service where the pension of a retired CP is not up to a N100K, what message was CP Adeoye sending to those still in service? Was it for them to embark on a rabid pursuit of money at all costs in order to secure their post-service life? And in that case, how wouldn’t these officers then compromise the sacred policing ethics by monetizing their services to the detriment of the masses and the security of the nation?” Joki-Lasisi asked. “I think retiring senior officers need to now be

On11 January this year, I received an invitation card by WhatsApp from the late former Senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze for the wedding of his daughter. I immediately replied by congratulating him, asking that I be reminded a week to the event. “Thanks, my brother. I will send a reminder on February 2,” he responded. Of course, he never sent the reminder because, as I now know, he fell ill, and sadly, died last week. Ayogu Eze was a member of a professional chat group to which I also belonged before I exited last year when some members introduced toxicity into conversations. But I kept in touch with individual members. Yesterday in Abuja, I joined Mr Fred Ohwahwa, Dr Kingsley Osadolor, Hon Abdul Oroh and Mr Andy Ezeani to visit Mrs Nkechi Ayogu-Eze. As expected, the atmosphere was different from when she (and her now deceased husband) lavishly hosted us just about three years ago.

On a personal note, Ayogu Eze was a respected senior colleague with whom I exchanged ideas over the years. Scrolling through my handset yesterday, one stood out. It was in May 2020 during Covid-19. I had written a column that he enjoyed and decided to engage me. From our exchanges that day, I leave this warning from him to his colleagues in the political arena: “This (the issue I wrote about) is pathetic and at the same time symptomatic of the leadership recruitment process in our country…our

compelled to submit their valedictory addresses to the police authorities for vetting and possible censorship of any damaging content thereof, in order to prevent the recurrence of an embarrassing absurdity of this nature.”

I wish Adeoye well as he retires to the stupendous wealth that he has amassed for himself. But like Joki-Lasisi, I also believe that the NPF should be concerned about the reputational damage of his audacious disclosure. In my August 2021 column, ‘Beyond Abba Kyari’s Indictment’, I addressed a similar issue that borders on ethics in the police. The intervention followed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indictment of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) then touted as a ‘Super Cop’. “By charging Kyari to their court, asking for his arrest, and placing emphasis on the fact that ‘he is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force ...’, the FBI was implicitly making a connection between criminality and law enforcement in our country,” I wrote in the column. “There are lessons in this tragedy that should not be lost on the authorities in our country. Having allowed the police to degenerate as an institution, it is little surprise that many of their personnel now embody the worst vices of society.”

That a serving police officer would openly admit to being a billionaire resulting from running a curious business while still in uniform confirms the lack of accountability that defines public conduct in our country today. Yet, as I have also repeatedly stated on this page, when you run a system where there are no consequences for bad behaviour, it becomes easy for those who ordinarily should uphold the law to also become outlaws. Unfortunately, that is where we are in Nigeria today!

governance model is characterised by theatre and showmanship, with zero substance. If we don’t change course, this joke will blow up in our faces, sooner or later.” May God comfort the family Senator Ayogu Eze left behind.

Adeoye