WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY 2023

Zenith Bank’s Landmark N100.47bn Dividend Payout Excites Shareholders

Kayode Tokede

Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc at the bank’s 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held virtually from

the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday, unanimously approved the proposed final dividend payment of N2.90 per share. This brings the total dividend for

the 2022 financial year to N3.20 per share, with a total value of N100.47 billion.

In his opening statement at the AGM, Founder and Chair-

man of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR, expressed gratitude to the shareholders for their unwavering loyalty, commitment, and support, which have been instrumental in

the bank's outstanding performance since its inception. Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, extolled Ovia, for establishing the

legacy and providing the template for the bank's continued superior performance.

Continued on page 23

CBN: 7,552 BVN on Watchlist for Fraud-related Transactions ... Page 8

www.thisdaylive.com

Okays

Insists current upgrading of Nigerian military will make it force of global reckoning

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, declared that his government's promise of change for homeowners in the country had been fulfilled. Buhari spoke during the presentation of keys to some new homeowners at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA),

At

Continued on page 23

Says FG Fine-tuning Oil Industry Policies, Regulations to Meet Energy Transition Targets...

TransitionNews

INTORDUCTION

Since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999, now President-elect Bola Tinubu, has become a recurring decimal in Africa's most populous nation's body polity, considered the kingmaker extraordinaire (having enthroned governors and contributed to the emergence of presidents) with a larger-than-life vice-grip hold on the resources (political and economic) of Lagos (the commercial capital of Nigeria).

This had culminated in throwing his hat into the ring to metamorphose from kingmaker to the king himself. The Independent National Electoral Commission's declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect and the February 25 presidential poll are riddled with controversies, both at

home and abroad. His election is like no other, and so is his character. It is against this backdrop that this section, Transition News, is birthed. It will provide up-to-date news, analyses and opinions on or related to Tinubu.

In his Abeokuta prophetic-cum-dramatic declaration of 'emi lokan', the Jagaban of Borgu, laid claim to the presidency and thereafter deployed all the arsenals at his disposal to the realisation of his lifelong ambition. At the end of a very contentious February 25 presidential poll, INEC declared him the winner amid a cacophony of legal cases trailing his emergence, not least, his forfeiture of $460,000 linked to drug trafficking in the US, the revelation of his Guinean citizenship and ill-health, among others.

The latest episode to Nigeria's next president's dramatic resurgence in the polity is the public holiday declared by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers to herald his visit to the Niger Delta state today, just as Nigerians awoke yesterday’s morning to news linking Seyi Tinubu (the president-elect's 37-year-old son) to a London firm that paid $11 million for a property in London, previously confiscated from a businessman, Kola Aluko on the request by Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the EFCC.

Therefore, this special pullout, as an idea, was conceived and designed to treat readers to stories relating to the president-elect and everyone, as well as everything connected to him, as the nation counts down to his inauguration on May 29.

Governor Nyesom Wike

Wike Moves to Snatch Victory from Jaws of PDP’s Defeat

Flaunting, identifying with ex-Lagos gov despite contributing nothing Only Makinde among G-5 has say in president-elect’s emergence

It appears the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is making frantic moves to snatch victory from the jaws of the Peoples Democratic Party’s defeat, by desperately identifying with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, to sustain false claims he delivered Tinubu in Rivers.

But contrary to this false impression, recent developments have shown that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, and not Tinubu, actually won Rivers State in the presidential bout, thus putting a lie to Wike’s assertions.

Unfortunately, Wike’s struggle to ‘reap where he did not sow’ though gained more attention some days ago, when he announced that Tinubu would be in the state this week to inaugurate a flyover and a court building, the development has

since caused disaffection amongst members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, who did the actual work and delivered their candidate.

However, what the Rivers State results have shown is that apart from the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who clearly delivered the state to the APC and Tinubu, the rest of the aggrieved G-5 governors of the opposition PDP, lost out in their collective bid to undo their party.

Wike had recently invited Tinubu to inaugurate the Rumuola-Rumuokwuta flyover and Magistrates Court building in Port Harcourt on May 3 and 4, 2023. The 1007.5 metres Rumuola-Rumuokwuta flyover, which connects Rumuola road to Ikwerre road is the 12th flyover built by the Wike’s led administration since 2019.

Disclosing this, Wike explained

that the president-elect was told when he came to campaign in Rivers State and paid a courtesy call on the Government House, Port Harcourt in February, 2023 that he would be invited to commission some of the landmark projects of his administration.

“To God be the glory. We are expecting the President-elect on the 3rd and 4th of next month to commission the 12th flyover and the Magistrates Court building. You can see the Magistrates Court building and how amazing it is. We commend the contractor too, who has done this job, and quite on time. I don't think you can find this in anywhere in this part of the country.

“We had invited presidential candidates of other parties like Labour, NNPP (New Nigeria Peoples Party), they all came and

commissioned projects, and we did say to him (President-elect) that we believe that after the election we are going to invite him to commission projects too. And luckily, these two very important projects are ready.”

Wike, who said it was gratifying that his administration was able to commence and finish the construction of 12 flyovers within the last four years, said the Rivers people would attest to the fact that his administration has conscientiously delivered on the promises made to them.

But contrary to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showing that Tinubu won Rivers State, the one eventually uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed that Obi and not Tinubu, won the oil rich state.

Obi, according to results uploaded

…Gov Declares Public Holiday Ahead of President-elect’s Visit

Governor Nyesom Wike has declared today, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a public holiday in Rivers State, to enable the people of the State give the President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rousing welcome.

Wike, who made the declaration yesterday, in a state broadcast,

said during Tinubu's presidential campaign visit to Rivers State, he had indicated intention to have him commission some strategic projects in the state after the general election.

The Rivers State governor said during his two days official visit to the state, the president-elect

would commission the Rumuola/ Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, Port Harcourt, today and tomorrow.

He said a formal invitation was sent to the president-elect after the general election, which he graciously accepted, and explained

that the proposed visit would be Tinibu’s first official visit to any state since he emerged as the President-elect of Nigeria.

According to him, by this visit, Tinubu would join the long list of distinguished Nigerians the state had hosted to either flag off or commission landmark projects.

on the IreV, won the 25 February presidential election in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, which by implication, meant he, and not Tinubu, won the presidential election in Rivers.

The Obio/Akpor result, according to INEC, indicated that Tinubu scored 80, 239 votes, while Obi garnered 3,829 votes. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, according to INEC, polled 368 votes and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party got 161 votes.

A review of the results from various polling units of the 17 wards in Obio/Akpor LGA as uploaded on IReV would later reveal contrary results to INEC’s

The new tally, based on the results on the IReV, showed that APC’s Tinubu got 17, 158 votes while LP’s Obi got 73,311 votes. The real result is wide gulf apart compared to the fake result declared. So, how did Wike deliver?

Obio/Akpor has in totality, 1,211 polling units across its 17 wards, but Premium Times, which reviewed the IReV results only did in 1,116 polling units uploaded on the IReV as of 16 March, representing about 94.13 per cent of the results from the council area.

Although it noted that results from some polling units were either blurred or improperly snapped and

therefore illegible, results from about 95 polling units, representing about 5.87 per cent, were yet to be uploaded within the period under review.

It further noted that, there were no results in some polling units either because the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System malfunctioned or people did not come out to cast their votes, as observed at Ake Hostel UNIPORT Polling Unit in Choba Ward.

This, nonetheless, Premium Times computed the available and readable results from the 1,116 polling units uploaded so far on the IReV within the period of the review.

In some polling units in Obio/ Akpor, it found that some results were altered in favour of the APC, with the original scores mutilated.

For instance, the result from Rumuorluoji Open Space II polling unit in Oro-Igwe Ward, showed that the APC originally scored 17 but the number, ‘2’ was added to the figure to read ‘217.’

On the other hand, 227 was recorded against the LP, but the number ‘2’ was erased and altered to read ‘027.’

Clearly, in the column meant for recording the scores in words, there were evidence of adjustments to suit the changed figures.

TINUBU RECEIVES GUESTS...

President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived Abuja Airport sandwiched by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and other party officials and supporters, after weeks in France... recently

Rivers APC Stays Away from Wike's Committee as Tinubu Visits

State government declares public holiday

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has distanced itself from any involvement in the committee set up by Governor Nyesom Wike in preparation for the visit of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu

to the state.

But Wike, who attached so much seriousness to the Tinubu visit, has declared today, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, a public holiday in Rivers State, to enable the people of the state give Tinubu, a rousing welcome.

Tinubu is scheduled to commis-

sion the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the ultra-modern Magistrates’ Court Complex, Port Harcourt, today and tomorrow, Thursday.

However, in a statement by spokesperson of the APC in Rivers, Darlington Nwauju, the party said

the president-elect would be in the state on a private visit.

"Our attention has been drawn to media reports and innuendos circulating in the media space concerning the visit of our Presidentelect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to Rivers State.

Presidential Election Tribunal Commences Sitting May 8

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Barring any unforeseen circumstances or last minute changes, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) that would determine the petitions of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and three other candidates at the February 25 presidential election would commence sitting from Monday May 8 next week, a source at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, has disclosed.

The source at the tribunal Secretariat, although pleaded anonymity, however hinted that members of the five member panel that would hear the various petitions against the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President-elect have

already been constituted and are ready to do justice in the matter.

Hearing in the petitions is coming over two months after the cause of action which is March 1, the date INEC announced Tinubu as winner.

According to constitutional provisions, the tribunal is saddled with a time frame of 180 days within which to hear and deliver judgment in an election matter.

While petitioners by law must file their grievances against the election within 21 days of the declaration, the respondents are to also reply within 21 days. By law, the petitioners are also allowed to respond to the reply of the respondents before hearing commences.

As at today, INEC, Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have responded to the various appeals, asking the court in their respective Notice of Preliminary Objections to dismiss the various petitions for lacking in merit.

Besides their NPO, the respondents also faulted the various petitions and denied every allegations made against them as well as the outcome of the election.

However, following the reply of the petitioners' last week the coast appeared cleared for proper hearing to commence.

According to the source, the members of the panel which would be led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice

Monica Dongban-mensem are amongst those who have been handling cases involving the petitioners.

They include Justice Joseph Ikyegh, who have been leading two other members in some panels that heard Atiku and Obi's request for access to inspect INEC's materials; Justice Stephen Adah, Justice Abba Mohammed and Justice Haruna Tsammani.

Recall that five out of the 18 political parties that participated in the February 25 presidential election, had approached the court of appeal to protest the process as well as outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

Continues online

Tinubu’s Supporters Urge Nigerians to Reject Senate President With EFCC Cases

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Tinubu National Alliance, yesterday, in Abuja, declared that Nigeria could not afford a Senate President burdened with cases at the anti-graft agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The support group said since Tinubu's government would be that of National Competence, anyone with EFCC case or cases, should not be supported for the office of the Senate President, adding that such personality would be a distraction to the administration.

Director-General of the group, Musa Sharif Rilwanu, who stated this

while addressing a press conference, said people with competence and character should be supported for the Senate President office not minding their region or religion.

"We urge all Nigerians to uphold the principles of democracy, peace, and stability. We must remember that we are all Nigerians, and we must work together to build a prosperous and peaceful nation," he said, adding that the North West deserved to produce the next Senate President.

Continuing, he added: "We have gathered here today to make two important announcements: the first is regarding the upcoming election for the position of Senate President of Nigeria.

"After careful consideration and extensive consultation with our members and stakeholders across the country, the Tinubu National Alliance is proud to declare our full support for the election of Senator Barau as the next Senate President of Nigeria. Senator Barau is a distinguished lawmaker with a long and illustrious career in public service.

"He has demonstrated a deep commitment to the well-being of our people and the progress of our nation, consistently advocating for policies and initiatives that promote good governance, economic growth, and social justice.

"As a senator, Senator Barau, has been a strong and effective voice for

his constituents, working tirelessly to ensure that their needs are met and their rights are protected.

"He has also played a pivotal role in the legislative process, championing key bills and resolutions that have had a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians. Furthermore, we believe that Senator Barau possesses the necessary leadership qualities and experience to effectively steer the affairs of the Senate.

"He will work collaboratively with his colleagues to address the pressing challenges facing our nation. His track record of integrity, accountability, and inclusiveness makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Senate and promote the common good.

"While the Rivers State Chapter of the APC wholeheartedly welcomes our president-elect and appreciates his work ethic of getting firsthand knowledge of the various subnationals, we, however, wish to clarify that this is a private visit on the invitation of the Rivers State Government controlled by the PDP and has nothing to do with APC in Rivers State.

"We challenge the governor being an outgoing Governor to play less of divisive politics and exercise restraint in planting seeds of discord amongst opposition political parties.

"We are aware that the Governor has been working so hard to paint a false perception of collapse of the APC structure in Rivers State even when he had in previous well-documented interviews vowed never to have anything to do with a ‘cancer party (APC)’.

"We believe that it is morally wrong to always seek to be politically correct even when government should be serious business and access to the instrumentality of power should be to the public good rather than patronage to lackeys and minions.

"We are aware of Governor Wike's

plot to prank our president-elect into believing his false narrative that there is no other opposition political party existing in Rivers State. Rivers people already know this is not the correct situation on ground.

"Rivers State APC lost four of its members on the 18th of March 2023 and we still expect the Police in Rivers State to tell the world who the sponsors and killers of our members are. No member of our party can dance on the graves of our fallen heroes by joining Governor Wike to mock those who lost their lives, except of course, those who Governor Wike financially induced to act as moles while claiming to be APC members.

"Rivers APC is focused on pursuing justice by challenging the outcome of the flawed March 18th 2023 elections at the Elections Petitions Tribunal and cannot be distracted by the antics of Governor Wike and his co-travellers." Nwauju, therefore, clarified further that the leadership of APC in the state was neither part of the governor's Transition Committee nor Committee set up for the visit of the President-elect.

Religion Politics Will Destroy Nigeria, Declares Youths Group

A pan-Nigeria advocacy group, Greater Nigerian Youths Movement (GNYM), has warned that if the current political actors did not desist from playing politics of religion and ethnicity, it might ultimately be the nation’s undoing.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Lukman Olorunloseyi and Secretary, Mohammed Wakil Abubakar, however, noted that the north west deserved compensation for its role in the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore should be conceded the office of the senate president in the 10th National Assembly.

Speaking against the current jostle for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the group, while warning that religion and

ethnicity had dealt the nation a huge blow over the years and constituting themselves as needless fault lines, the election of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has effectively taken care of religion politics, adding also that going forward, it should never have a spot in the annals of the nation’s body polity.

According to GNYM, “No serious nation plays up religion as much as we do in all things and we have seen over time, the devastating effect of religion in many spheres of our lives, the political terrain inclusive. But we have come of age and should begin to see that these things divide us more than they unite us.

ROLLOUT OF SECURE NATIONWIDE DEFENCE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK...

CBN: 7,552 BVN on Watchlist for Fraud-related Transactions

Says eNaira recorded 1.4m transactions, 100% growth in six months

Eromosele Abiodun, Nume Ekeghe and James Emejo in Calabar

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that 7,552 Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) have been flagged and put on watchlist as a result of fraudulent transactions. Also, the apex bank revealed that the eNaira, a central bank’s digital currency (CBDC) has recorded 1.4 million transactions to date, which was a 100 per cent increase compared to 700,000 transactions recorded in

November 2022.

Speaking at the 34th Finance Correspondents and Business Editors’ seminar in Calabar, Cross River State, where stakeholders converged to discuss the theme: "Implementing a Robust Payment Architecture: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges,” the Director, of Payment Systems Management, CBN, Musa Jimoh disclosed that the centralisation of the BVN has enabled the CBN to track fraudulent individuals and entities who have engaged in forgery, compromise,

complicity, fraudulent duplicate enrolment and any fraudulent infraction with and without monetary value.

Represented by Deputy Director, Payment Systems, Adefuye Adeyemi, he said: “Recent data with the CBN reveals that 7,552 BVN has been put on the watchlist.”

Also, in his presentation, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the eNaira was developed to foster digital financial inclusion, with potential for fast-tracking intergovernmental and social transfers.

Emefiele who was represented

by the Director of Monetary Policy, CBN, Dr. Hassan Mahmud, noted that the Nigeria payment system landscape has continued to record significant changes and development.

Speaking on the theme of the seminar, Emefiele said: “The advent of COVID-19 no doubt triggered rapid advancements in financial technology leading to speedy digitisation of money and finance.

The CBN took advantage of the opportunity by launching the eNaira in October 2021.

“The eNaira was developed to

broaden the payment possibilities of Nigerians, foster digital financial inclusion, with potential for fasttracking intergovernmental and social transfers.

“Since its launch, the CBN has continued to modify its features to make it more accessible to a wide range of users. Today, one does not need a smartphone to use the eNaira as it has become compatible with all generations of mobile devices (old and new). Till date, over 1.4m transactions have passed through the eNaira platform.”

accompany digital innovations and technological advancement globally, the Central Bank of Nigeria, has continued to ensure a healthy balance between the adoption of latest innovations and development of reliable mitigants to the associated inherent and operational risks to both the payments system and the rest of the economic sectors in Nigeria.”

He also noted that the value and volume on electronic transactions has continued to gain momentum across channels.

MAN Laments Another

50%, 75% Increase in Excise, Ad Valorem Tax on Beer, Wine, Tobacco, Others

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has bewailed the huge increases in excise tax for 2023 and 2024 as contained in the newly released Fiscal Policy Measures for 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, following the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

MAN stated that the huge increases, which in some cases were up to 50 per cent on ad valorem and 75 per cent on specific duty rates, were over and above the already approved high increases of up to 50 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.

These increases, which would come into effect from June 2023, and renewed in June 2024, according to MAN were contrary to the already approved 2022 to 2024 excise roadmap, as contained in the 2022 Fiscal Policy that its implementation commenced on June 1, 2022, but, “has unfortunately not even been implemented for up to one year, before government decides to ‘shift the goal post.’”

The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement, bemoaned that, “the industry cannot afford any further increases at these extremely challenging times.”

The statement was titled: “The Reaction of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to the Newly Released 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments.”

Ajayi-Kadir further lamented that

the increases were done without the government holding any consultation with affected manufacturers or carrying out assessment of their impact on the firms in particular and the economy in general.

He said: “We have earlier noted and forwarded our position on the excise duty tax to the government while it was being proposed in the 2023 Fiscal Policy Guidelines.

“We are again emphasising the fact that the proposed increase in the recently released 2023 guidelines i.e., on beer, wines and spirits, tobacco, has the potential to trigger unprecedented distortions in the affected industries as well as the entire manufacturing sector.

“The policy is capable of producing negative effect on investments with a huge consequence on job retention in these industries.

“We, therefore, strongly recommend that government should maintain the status quo regarding the already government-approved excise duty increases on these items in the three-year roadmap as contained in the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures. This was approved by Mr. President and implementation commenced on June 1, 2022.”

The director general of MAN, sadly noted that, “the unilateral action by the government despite the complaint and persuasion by stakeholders for the fiscal authority to consider the consequence on the industries, businesses and the economy as a whole is quite unfortunate.”

He stated that MAN has carefully studied the newly released Fiscal Policy Measures for 2023 by the federal government, but noted that, “the increases in excise tax for 2023 and 2024 as provisioned in the said 2023 Fiscal policy, came as a surprise to us because, as a major stakeholder, MAN had actively participated in the deliberations on the proposal and presented various positions from its members across all sectors, especially those directly impacted by the proposed measures.”

Sounding betrayed by the federal government, the manufacturers association recalled that, “from the meeting held with the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and

National Planning on March 29, 2023, MAN representatives were informed that the 2023 proposals on additional excise tax increases were being stepped down until further consultations on the 2023 Finance Bill.”

The statement added: “Additionally, Nigeria Customs Service was notified by the Federal Ministry of Finance vide Memo Ref. No. F. 17417/351 of February 15, 2023, that the existing Fiscal Policy Measures for 2022 as they relate to alcoholic beverages and tobacco products will take effect from June 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, as approved in the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures roadmap for 2022 to 2024.”

Furthermore, Emefiele said: “As a deliberate policy towards ensuring easier, cheaper and faster means of payments, the CBN has continued to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the adoption of payment system instruments and channels, such as, the BVN, the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), Regulatory Sandbox, Open Banking and the CBN Digital Currency (CBDC), the eNaira. Nigeria is currently the first country in the Continent and second in the world to have fully launched a live CBDC.

“The payment system regulation and management role of the CBN is very critical in the achievement of its primary mandate of price and monetary stability conducive for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

“It is also important for ensuring a stable, safe and efficient financial system in Nigeria. Cognisance of the implications of the risks that

According to him, “these efforts have culminated into a significant increase in the total volume of transactions on electronic payment channels. While the use of cash and cheques continued to diminish, web-based transactions such as PoS, NIP, ATMs and mobile money operators (MMOs) have increased substantially.

“For instance, between 2021 and 2017, the volume of transactions via electronic channels such as ATMs, PoS, WEB, MMO, and NIP increased by 99.76, 1,775.72, 35,502.58, 2,413.44 and 836.50 percent, respectively.” Emefiele, however, noted that cyber threats and activities of fraudsters have continued to threaten the resilience of the payment platforms, adding that confidence of the public was impacted by these activities.

He, however, added that there are collaborative efforts between the CBN and other players in the industry to curtail the nefarious activities of these fraudsters.

At Last, TCN Reconnects Aba Power to National Grid, Gives 60-day Grace Period

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has finally reconnected Aba Power to the national grid after over 10 days of power outage in the commercial city of Aba and its environs.

The management of Aba Power announced in a statement that it was reconnected to the national grid at midnight of Sunday, after paying part of its debt to the Market Operator last Friday.

It however got a grace period of 60 days to clear the entire debt.

"Despite the unfavourable operating environment in the country which has gravely impacted our customers' ability to pay their bills, Aba Power, paid N120m to the Market Operator last Friday, so as to reconnect it to the grid immediately," the statement read.

Aba Power, which supplies electricity to the Aba Ringfence was plucked out of the National grid on April 19, 2023, by the TCN Market Operator over indebtedness

in excess of N800 million.

The disconnection which had plunged the nine local governments that make up the Aba Ringfence into darkness had sparked outrage and condemnation due to the rash manner the TCN-MO acted. Giving account of its travails Aba Power said the Market Operator, a unit of the TCN had on April 19, 2023, served them a notice giving them 30 working days to clear the debt.

"The same day, the Market Operator wrote to the TCN asking it to cut us off immediately from the

national grid. The Market Operator complied," the statement added.

According to Aba Power, what the TCN-MO did to the Aba Ringfence was unusual and unprecedented hence it smacked of discrimination and malice.

"This is the first and only time in Nigeria’s history that an entire area serviced by an electricity distribution company has been cut off from the grid, with all the far-reaching socioeconomic and security implications for the whole nation.

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; President Muhammadu Buhari; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, at the Commissioning of the Rollout Secure Nationwide Defence Communications Network (GIWA 2 Project) by the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI.

PIONEER GENDER LENS INVESTING TRAINING...

L-R:

NNPCL/TotalEnergies

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited has disclosed that its plastic recycling plant has in one year, removed and recycled over 200 tons of plastic waste into high quality resins.

The Executive Director, JV Assets, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria

Limited, Mr. Obi Imemba, disclosed this yesterday, in Port Harcourt, while speaking to journalists on the achievements of the plant one year after.

The plant according to Imemba, remains a sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by NNPC/TotalEnergies EP Nigeria

Man Arrested Outside Buckingham Palace

A controlled explosion was held and a man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into palace grounds, police have said.

A cordon was put in place after the man was detained yesterday, after approaching the gates of the palace, Scotland Yard said.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, the BBC reported. There were no reports of shots fired or injuries to officers or the public. Police said they are not treating the matter as terror-related.

It was understood that it was being treated as an isolated mental health incident.

The arrest comes just four days before the King's Coronation celebrations - which would be attended by world leaders and other royals from around the world.

The man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag,

the Metropolitan Police said. A controlled explosion was carried out as a precaution after an assessment from specialists.

The King and the Queen Consort were not at Buckingham Palace at the time of the arrest.

Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said: "Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody.

"There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public.

"Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing."

The BBC's royal producer Sarah Parrish was in the broadcast compound outside Buckingham Palace when she was told to leave and wait outside.

She told the BBC News Channel that those who were evacuated "heard the controlled explosion and then we were allowed back in again."

JV: We've

Recycled Over 200tons of Plastic Waste in One Year

Limited in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

The ED explained that the recycling plastic plant was borne out of a genuine response to the call for sustainable societal development, creates positive impact in its host communities through empowerment and socio-economic development. Imemba also revealed that over 40 persons, both women and men have been employed to the service of the plant, a way to reduce poverty and tackle challenges of unemployment within the host communities.

"Human capacity Building is one

of the key pillars of the project and we currently exceed our set target of 15 employees to 40 direct staff and numerous indirect staff. We have also removed and recycled over 200 tons of waste plastic into high Quality resins. These demonstrate TotalEnergies' commitment to our host communities and the planet. "The plastic recycling project is a demonstration of this philosophy, principally, because it is a nonprofit venture for TotalEnergies and its partners with UNITAR as managers. “Funds generated through the venture will not accrue to TotalEnergies or any of its subsidiaries, but will go only

into programmes related to waste recycling in Nigeria.

“In other words, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited is, through this project, giving back to the society without expecting any direct returns. We believe that a healthier, wealthier and empowered society benefits both the society and the business."

Mr. Leo Nwofa, Project Lead for the plastic recycling plant and the technical partner representing TotalEnergies, who spoke to journalists at the plant site, in Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, explained that the project would reduce the threatening menace of pollution.

"Ultimately, it serves as an environmental cleaner and would reduce massively the single-use plastic pollution menace in our society.

“It will be a revenue generator (Waste-2-wealth) and reduce imports and foreign exchange demand, hence making products more affordable. Over 750 tonnes of CO2 emission will be saved per year which is equivalent to planting over 4,500 trees per year."

He added that the project was being manned by a local entrepreneur who would put back the revenue from the plant for the expansion and replication of the project.

Nigeria’s Oil Output Fizzles By 120,000 bpd in April on Exxon Workers' Strike

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria retreated by 120,000 barrels a day to 1.32 million, a Bloomberg survey of oil production for April has shown.

The outcome of the survey reverses a surge seen earlier this year when the country reached an accord with a former warlord in the oil-rich Niger Delta region to halt massive oil theft.

Workers at Exxon Mobil facilities in the country returned to work last week, allowing production and

exports to resume after a two-week industrial action, a development which hurt the country’s oil output. Bloomberg’s survey is based on ship-tracking data, information from officials and estimates from consultants including Kpler Ltd., Rapidan Energy Group and Rystad Energy.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC) and allies OPEC+ is due to meet June 4 to review production levels for the second half of the year. Output from OPEC declined by

310,000 barrels a day to an average of 28.8 million, the lowest level in almost a year, according to the Bloomberg survey. OPEC and its allies had announced new production cutbacks starting this month to shore up global oil markets, but the biggest supply changes in April were unintentional. Iraq accounted for about 80 per cent of the drop.

A political spat between the central government in Baghdad and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has led to the

House Directs NIMASA to Halt Planned Disbursement of $700m Cabotage Fund

To investigate total accrual, summons transport minister, others Calls for suspension of concession of Ajaokuta Steel, National Iron Ore company

Udora Orizu and Juliet Akoje in

Abuja

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to immediately stop the planned disbursement of $700 million Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund to individuals and companies.

The House also asked the agency to lay before it, an audited statement of account showing all monies that had accrued to the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund not later than seven days from the date of the lawmakers' resolution.

It further invited the Minister of Transportation and the DirectorGeneral, NIMASA to report to the House Committee on local content on the state of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund and how the funds have been applied over the past

20 years.

These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Hon. Henry Nwawuba at plenary yesterday. Moving the motion, Nwawuba said the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund was established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003, to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition capacity by providing financial assistance to Nigerian operators in the domestic coastal shipping.

He said in addition to monies allocated to the fund by an Act of the National Assembly, the fund draws from two percent (2%) of all contract sum performed by any vessel engaged in the coastal trade, and all monies generated pursuant to the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003.

The lawmaker expressed concern

that since the establishment of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund, there have been no reliable data as to the total amount that has so far accrued to the Fund and thus, there is no certainty as to the actual worth of the fund at the moment.

He expressed concern that the matrix, procedure and condition of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund was obscure and not transparent and not wholly in accordance with the Cabotage Act.

He added: "Since the establishment of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund in 2003, there is no record of any Nigerian citizen or company who have officially benefited from the fund as stated in the Act.

“In 2018, the then Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Dakuku Peterside said the agency had concluded necessary documentation

needed for the disbursement of the CVFF.

“He gave the accruals from the fund at that time to be in excess of US$100 million however, there is no records of such disbursement.

"Rotimi Amaechi (the then Minister of Transportation) said in December 2019 that Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund disbursement would commence in January 2020. However, the funds were not disposed as promised.

Bashir Jamoh, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, on April 4, 2023, during the Institute of Maritime Studies’ first annual lecture at the University of Lagos in Akoka, said that the government will disburse the sum of $700m to ship owners before the end of the current administration."

Adopting the motion, the House directed its Committee on Local Content to immediately commence

investigations into the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund to determine all monies that have accrued to the Fund since its establishment in the year 2003, and report to the House within 14 days.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday has called on the federal government to suspend the ongoing process for the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company for proper stakeholder consultations.

The House also mandated its Committee on Steel to investigate allegations of infractions to due process and noncompliance with due diligence procedures.

Consequently, the lawmakers invited the Minister of Mines and Steel Development to appear before the House in plenary session to explain details of the concession process.

halt of a pipeline that normally carries 500,000 barrels a day to international markets via Turkey.

In Nigeria, a production recovery seen in the run-up to presidential elections fizzled, with industrial action forcing Exxon Mobil Corp. to renege on shipments from several terminals last month.

Still, the supply losses by OPEC and its allies — both deliberate and accidental — are barely propping up an oil market that’s being roiled by fears over economic growth in China and the wider world.

Crude futures briefly sank below $72 a barrel in New York on Tuesday to the lowest since March.

While group leader Saudi Arabia drew another rebuke from the White House when the latest curbs were unveiled April 2, the move is looking increasingly prescient as oil prices sag.

Production from the full 23-nation OPEC+ alliance should decline by another 1.2 million barrels a day this month as those new curbs take effect. Russia, another member of the OPEC+ coalition, also announced cutbacks in response to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, but the implementation so far remains unclear. In terms of supplies in April, the largest adjustments were involuntary.

Iraq’s output slumped by 250,000 barrels a day to 4.13 million — the lowest since late 2021 — after Turkey suspended the northern pipeline following a ruling by an international business tribunal.

While Baghdad and Kurdish authorities have struck a temporary deal to get oil flowing again, “technical matters” are delaying the restart, the report stated.

Head, UNIDO ITPO Nigeria, Abimbola Olufore; Gender Expert, Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Office, UNIDO, Carmen Schuber; Technical Adviser to the MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, Funsho Odewoye; CEO Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, and Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Ola Williams, at the pioneer Gender Lens Investing training in Nigeria… recently

SEN. ORJI UZOR KALU AND HIS CHEAP LINKAGE OF THE ABIRIBA PEOPLE WITH IPOB

The attention of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) - an umbrella body of the Abiriba people of Abia state, has been drawn to the news circulating on social and other media that Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and his Political Party, the APC made the following allegation in their defense to petitions challenging the declaration of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu as the Senator-Elect for Abia North Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly. The said affidavit by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu reads:

“The 1st Respondent avers that sentiments in favor of the pro-Biafra agitations are quite high in Agboji, Isiama, Ameke, Okamu Registration Areas/Wards of Ohafia Local Government Area and Arochukwu Registration Area/Wards and polling unit 020 in Ututu Registration Area/Ward of Arochukwu Local Government Area. Pursuant to these sentiments; the people of that area voluntarily decided not to participate in the election in issue”.

We must acknowledge that both the AGBOJI and AMEKE in reference are Communities within ABIRIBA ANCIENT KINGDOM. We wish to state that the above statement made under Oath by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu is not only completely false but also an unconscionable lie against a people who turned up in large numbers to exercise their civic rights but were disenfranchised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff who were compromised by desperate politicians and hence did not deploy to conduct the Election in those mentioned areas which were rightly perceived to be the strongholds of the opponents of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu in that particular Election.

The above-unfounded allegation has created huge panic amongst Abiriba people worldwide and we are concerned that the good image and reputation of Abiriba as a law-abiding Community that has existed for centuries is now being tarnished by someone who believes that his personal political survival overrides every other consideration.

This rebuttal is without prejudice to the matter at the Tribunal where as a Community we are not parties to the Suit. But it suffices that we put the records straight as to what actually transpired.

On that date of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections of 25th February 2023, our people were at their respective polling booths as early as 8:00am to exercise their franchise which comes once every four years. INEC officials did not show up till about 3.20pm on that faithful day.

When they eventually arrived, particularly in Agboji Ward that has 10 polling units, they claimed not to have adequate voting materials including Form EC8A. To make the matter worse, the Electoral Officers were short-staffed as only 8 out of the minimum 32 officials required to conduct elections in the 10 Polling Units in Agboji Ward were on ground. Similar scenario played out in Ameke Ward as well.

In a bid to manage the situation and in line with the INEC Guidelines (or so we thought), the INEC/Electoral Officers themselves proposed that the Election be postponed to the following day being Sunday, 26th February 2023 by 8.00am. There is a video evidence of an INEC staff’s announcement before the people of Agboji Community who came out to discharge their civic responsibilities as patriotic Nigerians, to verify this claim

On the 26th of February 2023, as early as 7.30am, our people were out in droves to vote as earlier advised by the INEC Staff the previous day. But till 6.00pm, INEC did not show up. It was with shock and disbelief that we heard by the following day that the Commission had declared and returned Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu as Senator- Elect for Abia North Senatorial Zone even when Elections were yet to be conducted in over 85 Polling Units in the Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Government Areas.

Our faith in the Nigerian Legal System sustains our hope that Justice would be served for the thousands of our people who were callously disenfranchised by the antics of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and his collaborators. It is further instructive to remind everyone that contrary to Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and his co-travelers’ claim, there was no IPOB directive for people not to come out and vote in any part of Abia state, the entire South East, or Nigeria at large.

If the linkage to IPOB was intended to bring us into conflict with the Government of the day, then he has failed woefully in that enterprise. The peaceful conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly Elections in the particular Communities in issue and the entire Ohafia and Arochukwu Local Governments Areas generally in the same Election timeline further exposes the irrationality of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu’s heinous allegations against the Abiriba Community.

We restate in very clear terms that the Abiriba Community (Small London as we are largely known) has remained a peaceful and law abiding Community and would not allow desperate politicians to attempt labeling us otherwise.

The same people who conspired to cause the seizure of 105 of our imported Containers in 1995 with the aim of pauperizing us and by the resultant effect paved the way to Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu’s emergence as Governor of Abia state are at it again. Clearly, their mischief knows no bounds. But this time, we shall not forget.

The Abiriba and Igbere Community of Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu are next door neighbors who have enjoyed a brotherly relationship over time. We therefore advise Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu to refrain from acts or utterances that could disturb that brotherliness.

There is a trite word of wisdom in our Community that literarily translates to the rhetorical question; “Are Lizards in Igbere and not in Abiriba? ”

The answer is an obvious NO.

Chief Charles Ochu Ejieke Rtn. George Ezikpe Okiyi PHF** General President General Secretary

Assessing Okowa’s Eight Years of SMART Agenda

On May 29, 2023, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa will be handing over the baton of leadership to Governor-elect, Sheriff Oborevwori, after eight years in office.

Okowa’s mission and vision for the state is encapsulated in his developmental blueprint called the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda, which he unveiled on assumption of office in May, 2015.

In his SMART agenda, he promised that his administration will ensure development of roads, bridges, and ancillary infrastructure to ease commercial activities and, consequently, enhance economic growth and personal well being of Deltans.

True to his words, his government has been on that development trajectory, constructing more than 1,932.14 kilometres of roads and six bridges, with 15 still under construction across the State.

As proof of the importance of infrastructural development to his administration, in its 2023 annual estimate, Delta State appropriated N111.4 billion for infrastructure through the state Ministry of Works.

Recently, the state government took some newsmen round the state to have first hand information on the strategic projects embarked upon by the outgoing Governor. A survey of the projects and their location suggests a clear and systematic departure from the past when most focus is in the urban areas.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ogoegbunam Ukah, said the media expose was intended to highlight the standing motivation and impact of infrastructure projects embarked upon by the Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s administration as it winds down.

The completed bridges include, the Over Rail crossing at Agbor, Ovwor/Effurun-Otor bridge, Agbarho/Orherhe Bridge, Oha/ Orerokpe Bridge and the two pedestrian bridges in Asaba.

Other bridge projects which are spread across the three senatorial districts are: Ayakoromo Bridge across Forcados River, Five trans-Warri project bridges, OgwashiUku Twin Bridges across Obo River, Orere Bridge, Obiaruku Bridge, Isheagu Bridge, Two Beneku Bridges, Ibusa Junction (Koka) Flyover along the Asaba/Benin Expressway in Asaba, Ovrode/Ofagbe Bridge and Ewulu/ Isheagu Bridge.

The SSG said the media tour was coming after the general elections out of an intentional purpose of accountability and public record.

According to him, most times when outgoing governors decide to show interest in a preferred successor, the consideration is more about seamless transfer of governance and continuity of impactful projects than hidden agenda to cover malfeasance.

Some of the completed road projects in Delta state include the Koka flyover and Interchange, Ovwor/Effurun-Otor Bridge in Ugheli South Local Government Area, Oha/ Orerokpe/Oviore Bridge in Okpe council and the Agbarho/Orherhe Bridge.

Some other projects already embarked upon under the SMART AGENDA of Okowa’s administration are expected to be continued by Sheriff Oborevwori, in his MORE AGENDA.

Two of such projects are the Ewu to Orere Bridge and the 150 kilometre-long AsabaWarri expressway, which is designed to connect all the three Senatorial Districts.

According to the Chief Strategist to Governor Okowa, Dr. Festus Okubor, the spectacular long road is intended to ensure that Delta State reaps from the anticipated uplift of the Warri Port as well as avert similar bottlenecks associated with the traffic congestion around Apapa and Tincan Island Ports in Lagos.

On the import of the road and its potential for socio-economic enhancement of the state, Okubor said “This road is a major commercial necessity, because with it the Federal Government having done the Ughelli-Patani, Warri-Patani-Port Harcourt Road, we can then leverage to get the Port

of

in Warri busy because most of the goods arriving Lagos anyway are headed for Onitsha.

“So, for us, it is ambush marketing for this road to be good enough to carry containers without fear of their falling over. That will be a major incentive for them to destine their goods for Warri Port. And then, of course, all the OPCs, all the police on the road and all the bribes and all of that.

“So, with this road, you can then go from Oghara to Benin to Warri on a dualised road like this, which is a federal road and then go from Warri to Ughelli on a road like this and then come from Ughelli to Asaba on a road like this; this gives us a near complete ring road around the state. Then, as you go you will see a lot of roads that are constructed, spurring out of this road to link up the villages and local governments of the state.”

At the Ewu to Orere Bridge site, the Project Manager, Engineer Frank Uwuseba, declared that apart from its potential to improve the living condition of the people suffered from access road over the years, the bridge would help in the security of the entire axis. He disclosed that villages usually cross the river with canoes, adding that when completed, the people have a virile alternative to get to Bomadi and surrounding communities.

Optimistic that the project will be completed by December 2023, Uwuseba said the Bridge has been in the works for about two years, and that the facility connects not less than 14 riverine communities from the Orere flank.

He said: “Before now, the villages from either divides always use canoes to access neighbouring communities. Those with motorcycles are also ferried across, but as you can see, the owners of these cars parked here had to leave them behind. But, by the time the bridge is up for use, cars and their owners would enjoy easy passage.”

Also at Ovwor, the project manager said: “There are a number of communities that this bridge links and usually before now, if those people have to go to Ughelli, they either go through and get to Beta Glass and go to Ughelli then from there to Ovwor before going to Ughelli.

“So, it is a bridge that enhances commercial activities of both Effurun-Otor and the environs and Ovwor. The construction, which was done by Obakpor Engineering, lasted less than two years before it was completed and inaugurated in 2018.”

Okunbor said those who contend that the Okowa administration did not deliver as many roads in Delta as were expected miss the point. He explained that after studying the terrains and topography of the state, the governor decided on the massive construction of storm drainages as a veritable antidote to road failures.

He noted that while the state witnessed a lot of road construction during previous administrations, most of them were washed away, contending that it does not make sense to keep doing the same thing the same way and expect a different outcome.

As end to Okowa’s administration nears, the state has started reaping the benefits of the outgoing governor’s initiatives particularly in the areas of infrastructure.

Okowa’s approach has been very useful in helping to achieve rural-urban integration and urban renewal through massive development of infrastructure.

No wonder he was nick-named the “Road Master” in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in road construction.

It’s also no surprise that the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) in 2021 decorated Governor Okowa as the Best Performing Governor in Infrastructure Development in Nigeria, with a call on his colleagues to emulate him.

Deji Elumoye examines Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s achievements in terms of infrastructural development

Delta State in the last eight years.

Two of such projects are the Ewu to Orere Bridge and the 150 kilometre-long Asaba-Warri expressway, which is designed to connect all the three Senatorial Districts.

According to the Chief Strategist to Governor Okowa, Dr. Festus Okubor, the spectacular long road is intended to ensure that Delta State reaps from the anticipated uplift of the Warri Port as well as avert similar bottlenecks associated with the traffic congestion around Apapa and Tincan Island Ports in Lagos

Okowa

10th N’Assembly Leadership Beyond Zoning

With about 50 days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the race for the next leadership of both chambers is getting more fierce. The delay in the release of zoning arrangements for the various leadership positions in the 10th Senate and House of Representatives by the All Progressives Congress is not helping matters, as it’s creating tension with aspirants battling allegations of corruption, bribery and religious sentiments.

However ranking lawmakers eyeing the office of the Senate President and House Speaker ahead of the inauguration in June have kick started their campaign activities.

While there are reports that some memberselect of the House of Representatives have dismissed the soon-to-be unveiled zoning arrangement, saying it would not determine the choice of Speaker, some others are canvassing for a credible and democratic leadership based on credibility, competence and acceptability.

Beyond the zoning principle, a Parliamentary Monitoring Organisation, OrderPaper Nigeria, and its partners through their annual performance appraisals is beaming light on the importance of performance, capacity and character as a criteria for filling National Assembly leadership positions.

The PMO founder, Oke Epia, in a chat with THISDAY opined that capacity of the legislators aspiring for the parliament’s leadership position is important beyond just canvassing on the basis of zoning and party favours.

According to him, “We believe that the contestations for the presiding and principal officers of the 10th National Assembly should be viewed from the broader and more objective perspective of performance, capacity and character. While zoning is a credible criteria given the context of Nigeria’s diversity and the necessary requirement for inclusion and power-balancing, it is in the overriding national interest to also prioritize track record. Citizens have a right to know and make valid judgements on the suitability or otherwise of those seeking to become leaders of the legislature, which is the most critical arm of government in a democracy.

“That is why over the years, OrderPaper has set objective metrics for sufficiently measuring the performance of members of the National Assembly, especially on bills using the indices of volume, value, impact and progression (VVIP). So, over the last three years of the current assembly, we have produced concise but comprehensive appraisals of all 469 members of the National Assembly (109 in the Senate and 360 in the House of Representatives). We invite the public to consult our website -orderpaper. ng- and social media handles @orderpaper to get appraised of what each of these lawmakers seeking to become leaders in the 10th assembly have done.

We have been able to offer performance appraisals of the National Assembly and

provide a valid and objective basis for citizens to determine the suitability or otherwise of incumbent legislators seeking to become speaker, deputy speaker, president of the senate and deputy president of the senate as well as principal officers in both chambers. We must move the conversation beyond zoning, political party patronage, and the ‘emilokan’ mentality of entitlement.”

Recently, the parliamentary monitoring organisation, announced the Semi-Finalists, MVP Panel of Experts (MPEs) for the country’s first-ever Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) Hall of Fame.

The MVP Hall of Fame initiative, which is in furtherance of OrderPaper’s contributions to legislative strengthening and promotion of improved service delivery in the National Assembly, aims at identifying and sustaining a distinct class of legislators who are performancedriven, excellence-inspired, and public-spirited.

The annual appraisals focused exclusively on the core legislative function of law-making, and consideration for the MVP nomination and subsequent shortlisting essentially applied the criteria of Value, Impact, and Productivity in rating the contributions of those shortlisted.

The MVP hall of fame shortlist showed that Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (APC, Abia) is in a frontline place for the House Speakership contest.

Kalu is a man of many parts. Oracle, as he is popularly called, is not just an exceptional politician, lawyer, but also a legislator per excellence.

The success of every democracy rests squarely on the quality of the parliament hence the need to always have in place a solid legislature

with sound players.

Kalu’s service to the 9th House of Representatives as Chairman of Committee on Media and Public Affairs, gives him away as someone who is well prepared to take responsibility in any situation.

Kalu made Order Paper’s semi-final list of top performers in value and impact bills and top performers in House newbies. It’s quite impressive all he has achieved in close to four years as a lawmaker.

The lawmaker who recently won his second term re-election bid, over the years, worked closely with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, and has sponsored over 40 impactful bills.

Some of the bills include: Federal College of Education Bende, (Establishment,etc.) Bill 2020, Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act (Amendment) Bill, Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Bill 2020, Acts Authentication Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Nigerian Meteorological Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Nigerian Communications Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Internal Loans (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Public Accounts Implementation Tribunal Act (Repeal) Bill 2019, Official Secrets Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019, among others.

His most recent bill which seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to delete the item “prisons” in the Exclusive Legislative List and redesignate it as “Correctional Services” in the Concurrent Legislative List; was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kalu has shown competence and capacity in the discharge of his legislative duties and if elected Speaker, he will surely bring to reality an Assembly that will achieve cohesion, national unity, inclusiveness that will bring everybody together for the purpose of achieving prosperity for the nation.

Another aspirant who made the OrderPaper list, is Hon. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau).

Gagdi represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State and was a Deputy Speaker of the State House

of Assembly before getting elected into the House of Representatives in 2019.

He’s currently the Chairman House Committee on Navy.

Gagdi made history as the first lawmaker in Nigeria’s parliament to sponsor six Private Member Bills that receive Presidential assent within a legislative session since the establishment of the National Assembly.

He has sponsored over 20 bills.

Some bills sponsored by Gagdi, which have already been signed into law, are: Police Act 2020, the Federal University of Education, Pankshin Act 2021, the National Hydrographic Agency Act 2021 and Admiralty University, Ibusa in Delta state.

Following his outstanding performance in the last three and half years, his constituents gave him an overwhelming support during the February 25, 2023 election as he was reelected in landslide victory as a member of the House of Representatives for a second term. Another speakership aspirant who made Order Paper list of top bills sponsors, is Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (APC, Kaduna).

Tajudeen is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport and the highest bill sponsor of the 9th House of Representatives.

He’s among the few lawmakers in the 9th National Assembly that stand out in legislative activities. On bills sponsorship, Tajudeen seems to be first to none in the 9th House having sponsored 75 bills.

While many of the bills have passed 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading, some of them have also been passed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari recently signed into law National Blood Transfusion Bill and a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Council for Management Development Act Cap N99 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and National Centre for Economic Management and Administration Act Cap. N14 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the Nigeria Council for Management Development Bill 2021 and for Related Matters (HB 1119). These were sponsored by the lawmaker.

Speaking in support of his aspiration, one of his colleagues, Hon. Onofiok Luke (PDP, AkwaIbom) said Abbas, has towering credentials for the dynamics and complexities of the 10th House of Representatives.

His words, “Why do I say so. First look at his educational background. He has a doctorate degree. He is well schooled and educated. Secondly, there are three major responsibilities and functions of a legislator. One is lawmaking, second is oversight.

Third is representation. Now take lawmaking. Today Tajudeen Abbas has the highest number of bills in the House. I think about 70. Out of that 21 of those bills have been assented to by the President. That means he lives, sleeps, and thinks legislative business. And so for you to become a better manager of the legislature as a Speaker, you must be a better legislator yourself and you know what it means to turn out good legislation.”

While zoning is a credible criteria given the context of Nigeria’s diversity and the necessary requirement for inclusion and power-balancing, it is in the overriding national interest to also prioritize track record. Citizens have a right to know and make valid judgements on the suitability or otherwise of those seeking to become leaders of the legislature, which is the most critical arm of government in a democracy

Udora Orizu highlights the appraisals by parliamentary monitoring organisation, OrderPaper Nigeria, and the need for the next leadership of the parliament to be based on lawmakers’ competence and capacity in legislative business.

Gagdi

Kalu

Tajudeen

Developing Blueprint on the Girl-child Education for Incoming Administration

The incoming administration in Nigeria faces the task of re-imagining education in the country, especially for the girl-child. As the sector continues to grapple with challenges, Rebecca Ejifoma highlights the blueprint critical stakeholders have developed for the incoming administration to tackle

Education plays a crucial role in a child's development, shaping their abilities, attitudes, and behaviours that contribute to society's overall well-being, research shows.

Despite its importance to national development, stakeholders have decried that various upheavals, which pose a threat to the country's economic growth, political progress, and social prosperity have hindered the nation’s education system.

Challenges of the Education Sector

The education sector in Nigeria faces several challenges, as indicated by available statistics. Nigeria, being a complex country, requires expert financial planners to manage its education funds. It is crucial that all funds allocated for education, including foreign grants and other forms of financial aid, are used solely for the intended purpose. This is the only way to guarantee proper funding.

Despite successive Nigerian governments' claims to allocate more funds for education, the sector's budgets have never met the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) benchmark of 15 to 20 per cent of the annual budget. For example, Nigeria has pledged to allocate four per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 25 per cent of the national budget for education by 2025.

However, stakeholders have reported that the federal government's education sector received its lowest budgetary allocation in a decade. The 5.39 per cent allocation in 2022 represents a 50 per cent reduction from the 10.79 per cent earmarked for education in the national expenditure in 2015. The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report by UNESCO estimated that there are 20 million outof-school children in the country as of 2022.

Stakeholders' Manifesto to the New Administration

The Nigerian education sector is faced with a multitude of problems, but there is hope for improvement. YouthHubAfrica, with the support of the Malala Fund and other notable CSOs, has developed a manifesto that will guide the Nigerian education system as the new government takes office on May 29th, 2023.

Discussing the need to reimagine the education system in Nigeria, the Programme Manager of YouthHubAfrica, Mr. Olusegun Medupin, explained that there are two key issues that CSOs are advocating for access and quality. Notably, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, as recent figures have shown.

He underscored quality education as the second most crucial factor. "Despite the significant investments made by federal, state, and local governments in the education sector, the majority of Nigerian children who complete primary school lack adequate literacy and writing skills.

"Therefore, there is a need to address the quality of education in Nigeria. The government must provide additional resources and use them effectively to prevent financial mismanagement. Furthermore, data and research tools should be utilised to direct resources to where they will have the most meaningful impact.”

Medupin further noted that many state governors in Nigeria are primarily focused on constructing new classrooms as a popular way to showcase their achievements to the community during

re-election campaigns.

While this is commendable, he suggested that they should also consider implementing nontangible projects such as teacher training, stocking libraries with books, providing laboratory materials, ensuring timely and fair payment of teachers, and monitoring students' numeracy and literacy skills, which are undoubtedly the primary benefits of education.

“For me, this is the focus and we want to see more state governments invest in quality education and ensure that no one, irrespective of their financial status, ethnicity, or religion is left out of benefiting from the standardised public education across Nigeria."

Echoing the thoughts of Medupin is the Social Intervention Specialist at the Almajiri Child Rights Initiative, Joshua Arogunyo. He underscored the significance of safety, security, and funding in schools.

He, therefore, urged the government to implement safety measures by revisiting the Safe School Initiative Project and addressing the accountability issues that have arisen. "Security personnel should be stationed

at school gates in areas that are prone to conflict, while schools should be fenced to prevent intruders from easily accessing the premises."

"The welfare of the Almajiri system should be a priority for the government. Despite the existence of the Child Rights Act, many children in the system still face harsh conditions, such as sleeping on the floor and going hungry. It's essential to implement quality measures to address these issues," says the intervention specialist.

He further added: "To regulate and improve the Almajiri system, the government needs to establish a time frame and curriculum that integrates both literacy and vocational skills. Additionally, it's crucial to link the Almajiri to formal learning centres and schools." Overall, the government needs to take significant steps to structure and regulate the Almajiri system to ensure the welfare and education of these children.

A policy advisor at the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Mrs Odinakachi Ahanonu, emphasised the urgent need for the government to address issues such as out-of-school children, gender inequality, and girl-child education.

She pointed out that in 2020, the federal government had committed N220 billion (a credit facility from the World Bank) to the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in 17 states of the federation.

Gender Inequality and Girl-child Education

On gender inequality and girl-child education, Ahanonu highlighted the need to ensure that the girl-child has equal access to quality, safe, and inclusive education, including adequate infrastructure, safe environments, and qualified teachers' training.

She also called for an end to systemic gender biases, discrimination in school enrollment, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child marriage, emphasising that the practice of making the girl-child a second-class citizen and an object of different forms of violence must stop.

With technology rapidly transforming the world, the Team Lead at Eduplana Data and Tech, Oriyomi Ogunwale, hinted at the need for the new administration to give priority to digital education.

He passionately expressed concern that even three years after the Covid-19 lockdown, Nigeria has yet to develop a comprehensive digital solution for education.

Ogunwale recommended that the federal government equip schools with computers and internet access to address potential disruptions like the Covid-19 era and create a central system for sharing digital resources across all schools, including those in underserved and rural communities.

Accordingly, he implored the government to continue radio learning, which was adopted by state governments during the pandemic, as a means of preparing students for potential future disruptions.

It is more than allocating the largest portion of the budget to education. It is first about having a deep-seated political commitment matched with state-of-the-art approaches and tools."

With just seven years to achieve SDG 4, which focuses on education, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, stakeholders hope that the new administration will attain zero out-of-school children by 2030

Cross section of female students being enlightened on the importance of education

The welfare of the Almajiri system should be a priority for the government. Despite the existence of the Child Rights Act, many children in the system still face harsh conditions, such as sleeping on the floor and going hungry. It's essential to implement quality measures to ad- dress these issues," says the intervention specialist

A Mother to Generations: Oby Ezekwesili @ 60

Adebola Williams

She has become the standard for integrity in public service, accountability and due process are her Alias

Exemplifying discernment, care, love, compassion, kindness, and fairness & justice. She’s a moral compass in a world fast losing its core humanity.

She’s a teacher to those around her. A mentor to her peers. A mother to generations. A friend, confidant, and cheerleader to many that she hasn’t even met.

Mummy Oby has an eye for greatness. She can spot a tree from the seed and stay with you till you sprout. She never lets a teaching or helping moment go by.

From intervening in threatened relationships to saving several careers; she puts everyone on.

She carries us all on her shoulders, bridging the gap between us and our dreams and aspirations at the most crucial points where others tried and failed, or even declined to assist.

She comes hard with the stick when you are out of line… oh she comes hard, but what makes her so special and so important is that her choices are motivated by duty, not malice. Her admonitions linger in our heads even when she is not present, reminding us of who we are and who we should be in a world that needs truly committed citizens.

Values are everything to Dr. Ezekwesili. That’s one thing she doesn’t compromise on.

I have seen her ‘cut off her hand’ because it compromised her value systems. Painful yes, but it is never a difficult choice for her. Her consistency is unrivaled.

She has taught us humility,

kindness, and consistency. Demonstrating it daily as I watch her interactions with the high and the low.

Her generosity, especially to those who do not have, is awe-inspiring. From the porter to the security.

She would say “you have to give them something substantial enough to cook a pot of stew”.

So generous she would give the clothes on her back.

One of the biggest lessons I have learnt from her came from the Sunday lunch in her home.

Not once, not twice, —

when we gather to eat the special Sunday pounded yam and ofe nsala, (where you really cannot say the number of people who will show up because they run an open door) — Pastor and Mum will wait for everyone of us to have food on our plate before they eat whatever is left.

She would always say, you all have to eat first, your mum and dad will be fine.

It’s one of the many experiences where she demonstrates what she preaches that truly her heart is for the people… of-course with a bias for youth and women.

She’s a visionary!

From reforming government to reorientation of the citizenry

through the office of the citizen, a rallying point that has brought an unprecedented level of awareness amongst Nigerians.

She redefined the yard stick for leadership making the 3Cs: Competence, Capacity and Character the criteria for candidate assessments in Nigeria over the last 8 years.

She has always said Human resource is the key to unlocking Africa’s genius, and has put her time and resources behind this belief, establishing Human Capital Africa, an organisation that is redefining leadership and fast expanding across the continent.

Her passion for building the next generation of leaders birthed the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, where she is currently mentoring a slew of new generation of equipped leaders with the goal of running for office and changing politics across Africa from the top down. This project also recently launched in Senegal and spreading across the continent.

-Williams, the Chairman, AW Net[1]work and Founder RED | For Africa is a Storyteller, a Strategic Counsel to captains of industries and Political advisor to leaders in Africa. He has for over 20 years created major storytell[1]ing platforms and led campaigns on multimedia platforms within and out of the continent for corporate brands, led winning campaigns for Presidents on the continent (with three sitting presidents In Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal currently) and behavioral change campaigns of international organisations like the United Nations, African Union, UNDP, NED, amongst others, named among 100 Most Influential People under the United Nations Decade of People of African Descent.

How Digital Marketing is Embracing the Ever-changing World of Work

Gaston Taratuta

The world of work has always changed and evolved in line with technological advances and major consumer shifts. Did you know, for example, that in Victorian Britain people were paid to wake factory workers up by tapping on their windows? Called knocker-uppers, they were a common sight until alarm clocks rendered them obsolete..

In recent months you may have seen articles predicting that, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, prompt engineering will become an important and necessary career skill in the near future. Some experts even suggest that the field, which boils down to giving AI tools the best possible inputs, is so critical that it may even become a career path in itself.

But that’s just one example of where the world of work is headed. If you really want to future-proof yourself, it’s worth having a much broader view. And on that front, you could do a lot worse than keeping a close eye on the digital marketing sector.

An industry unafraid of change

Digital marketing has a long history of adapting and embracing big technological and societal shifts. From the early days of website banner ads through to innovative products on social media and streaming platforms, each advancement has required people in the sector to build up new skills to ensure that they’re providing the best possible service to their clients.

That’s unlikely to change in the near future either. According to LinkedIn, the “Digital Marketing Specialist” role is among the top 10 most in-demand jobs, with 860 000 job openings. The fact that

the most requested experience in digital marketing includes social media, content strategy, SEO, analytics, also shows how broad the field has become. Even those specific areas of experience are changing all the time. Take online communities, for example, before 2016, when the likes of Facebook and Twitter were well established, no one had any expertise in marketing on TikTok. Today, the platform has more than a billion users and is an increasingly important part of any organisation’s digital marketing strategy. As a result, people in digital marketing have had to

build up the skills necessary to market on the platform.

The same is true for every new product a social media platform launches. Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Spotify, are all unique in its form. It’s also worth remembering that a user’s experience on TikTok has nothing to do with their experience on Twitter. You seldom meet someone who understands all the platforms very well. Additionally, there are changes all the time, so to be successful in digital marketing you have to be able to learn new things and be flexible all the time.

These are also the qualities that you need to succeed in the rapidly changing world of work.

Acquiring the right skills

So, how should you go about acquiring the skills necessary to thrive in the world of digital marketing and beyond?

There is no doubt that formal certification can be incredibly helpful, especially when you’re starting out on your journey. It’s part of why we launched our free Digital Ad Expert community. The 12 week course covers the basics of strategy and analytics, as well as platform specific advertising methodologies for all the major social media platforms.

Once you have those basics in place though, self-exploration becomes critical. You have to be curious. You have to want to learn. You have to commit. By certifying yourself on all the platforms you can (this can usually be done for free). Learn things like Google Adwords, how to do marketing on Instagram, and as many other products as you can.

Getting to that point won’t take long, for some people it can take as little as six months. From there, practice and keep practising. If you don’t have a client to practise on, market yourself. Soon enough you’ll learn that, in such a fast-changing world, years of experience matter less than your ability to deliver results.

Powered by the present, ready for the future

It’s something that’s been true of digital marketing for a while now. It’s also something that’s becoming increasingly true of the world of work in general. So, if you want to be ready to face the future, look to an industry that already has a strong track record of adapting to epoch-shifting changes.

-Taratuta is the founder and CEO of Aleph Group, Inc

Taratuta

Ezekwesili Williams

HANDOVER CEREMONY OF THE ENUGU MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE...

Ekweremadu: Lawmakers Write UK Court, Plead for Clemency

ECOWAS parliament speaker, too

Nearly one month after former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote to a United Kingdom court that found former Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, guilty of organ harvesting, and pleaded for leniency, and few days before his actual sentencing on May 5, the House of Representatives has appealed to the UK government to grant Ekweremadu and his wife clemency. This followed a motion of urgent national importance moved at plenary, yesterday, by House Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu.

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, also wrote to the London court to

appeal for clemency for the former lawmaker.

Ekweremadu and wife were convicted of organ trafficking by the Central Criminal Court, Old Baily, London, with their sentence due to be pronounced Friday, May 5.

However, at plenary, yesterday,

Okechukwu moved a motion of urgent national importance in which he drew the attention of the House to the longstanding history and cordial relations between Nigeria and the UK, saying the UK government should temper justice with mercy in the case of the Ekweremadus.

He said Ekweremadu and wife acted under the natural instincts of parents to save an ailing daughter, and not for commercial purposes.

Okechukwu also said the former Deputy Senate President acted within his limited knowledge of

the UK laws and did write to the UK High Commission to support the medical visa application for the potential donor and did declare the purpose of the trip. He urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to engage all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions to save the Ekweremadus from their current travails.

Okechukwu stated his ground for the motion, thus, "Aware that Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian citizen, serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, and former Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, were tried and convicted by the Central Criminal Court, London, the United Kingdom (UK) for offences relating to the breach of the novel

Modern Slavery Act.

"Aware that it is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus. Cognisant that elder statesmen, such as former Military Head of State and President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, has made a passionate plea for clemency, testifying also to Senator Ekweremadu’s character as a patriot, god-fearing, progressive citizen, who has served Nigeria and West Africa as former three-term Deputy President of the Senate as well as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.”

Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, while pleading for clemency, in his own contribution to the motion, said it behoved the government of any country, wherever

Cancer Scare: NAFDAC Extends Investigation to Other Brands of Noodles

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday revealed that it was expanding its test for the presence of the killer seasoning, ethylene oxide, to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians.

The regulatory agency had on Monday, revealed its commencement of random sampling of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) from the production facilities while its Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate was carrying out test on samples from the markets.

In addition, the agency said the Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) was also on heightened alert to guard against importation of the implicated product into Nigeria.

Ethylene oxide, is a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

In a statement signed by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency stated: "NAFDAC, as a responsible and responsive regulator, is taking swift actions to carry out random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) for the presence of ethylene oxide, as well as extending the investigation to other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians."

NAFDAC said it's action was based on the recall of Indomie instant noodles special chicken flavour by Health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan over alleged detection of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic compound.

Adeyeye said NAFDAC was aware of the recalls of Indomie Instant Noodles Special Chicken Flavour by the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Taiwan on account of the alleged presence of ethylene oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer.

She said: "We use this medium to assure the public that thorough investigation of the products will be conducted both at the factory and market levels and our findings will be communicated.

"The public is also hereby

Sudan:

informed that the implicated Indomie Instant Noodles Special Chicken Flavour is not registered by NAFDAC for sale in Nigeria.

"It is important to mention that noodles are on the Import Prohibition List of the Federal Government of Nigeria and is therefore not permitted for importation to Nigeria."

The DG further explained that the Indomie instant noodles products (and other brands of noodles) registered by NAFDAC for sale in the Nigerian market were

manufactured in Nigeria and are only granted NAFDAC registration status following a strict regulatory regime covering all aspects of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

She said that the Ports Inspection Directorate (PID) has also been put on heightened alert to guard against importation of the implicated product into Nigeria.

"NAFDAC wishes to re-assure the public that the Agency is proactive and remains alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public," Adeyeye said.

their citizens were distressed or found in situations such as this, to intervene.

Gbajabiamila made reference to the American citizen, and basketballer, Britney Griner, who was arrested by the Russian authorities, and recalled that while the crime escalated, the US government did not relent for a day until her release was secured.

He urged the UK court to consider the noble acts of Ekweremadu’s life and judge him on the totality of that life rather than solely on this last worst act.

Gbajabiamila, thereafter, asked the Clerk of the House to ensure he conveyed the plea of the House of Representatives to the British High Commission in Nigeria for onward transmission to the British courts and authorities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Consulate in Britain, and the British parliament. The speaker stated, "I am going to use this opportunity to speak to the Crown and, of course, the British judicial system not in the bid to absolve the former Deputy President of the Senate of any offences he may have committed, but to plead for clemency. I will, on behalf of the House of Representatives, also speak to the British government and judicial system.

“For as long as I have known Senator Ike Ekweremadu, he has been a brilliant lawyer, distinguished public servant, and dedicated family man. Over the course of two decades of shared service in the national legislature, he has become a dear friend and trusted colleague.

“For these reasons, his arrest by authorities in the United Kingdom on charges of conspiring to arrange the travel of another Nigerian citizen to harvest his organs was a terrible shock. These revelations are a far

departure from the character of the man, as I have known him, and fall far short of the standards of behaviour expected from a person of his standing.

“All that has come to light since his arrest has been deplorable and deeply unpleasant. For 24 years since the return to democratic governance in Nigeria, Ike Ekweremadu has served the people of his community, his state and his country with vigour and dedication. For most of that time, he has been a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“He has used this office to advance the cause of democracy, champion critical reforms and advocate for the development of his constituency. Through his Ikeoha Foundation, he and his wife have helped provide access to quality education and healthcare for thousands of people in his community and his state.

“Their public service and private philanthropy have helped improve the social, economic and political fortunes of their communities and aided the personal and professional progress of many.

"None of this suggests that either Ike Ekweremadu or his wife should be above the law or held to a different standard than any other citizen. I recount these things to present a whole perspective so that in this moment of consequence, the judgement of the court may take into consideration the Ekweremadu history of honourable living and distinguished service, their contributions to a better world and the possibility that, given a chance, through the penitence of service, both Ike and his wife can yet atone for their failings and find forgiveness before God and man.

Stranded Nigerians to Arrive Today

A large number of Nigerians stranded in Sudan are expected back in the country today, after the challenges that made it impossible for passage into Cairo, Egypt were addressed.

However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said lawmakers would look into the circumstances that led to the hard diplomatic stance of the Egyptian authorities over the plight of Nigerians who were affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

They stranded Nigerians are

expected to board flights that have been waiting to fly them back to the country this morning.

The flights have been waiting for the evacuees for few days now at the Egyptian Airport as the Nigerian government continued to battle its Egyptian counterpart to allow the stranded citizens to gain entrance into Egypt.

Already, Nigeria Airforce planes and Air Peace are on ground to airlift them to Abuja, after necessary documentation.

Nigerian Ambassador to Egypt, Nura Abba Rimi confirmed the arrival of Air Peace.

He said: "The students are now being prepared for their departure

to Abuja through Aswan Airport. With the arrival of AirPeace and the NAF Plane, the onward journey home begins soon after necessary documentation.”

No fewer than 637 Nigerians are expected to be airlifted as the flight to Nigeria is expected to commence on Wednesday morning.

Officials said the team at Abusimbel would be evacuating the Wadi Halfa group on Wednesday morning

THISDAOur correspondent was told those in Port Sudan border, who were the third group would be evacuated last because they just on Tuesday as the two other groups who had been in

waiting for about six days at the two borders get priorities.

Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila, has said lawmakers would look into the circumstances that led to the hard diplomatic stance of the Egyptian authorities over the plight of Nigerians who were affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

Gbajabiamila also disclosed that the House would examine, to eliminate the apparent confusion over the roles and jurisdiction of relevant ministries and agencies of government in the management of the crisis involving Nigerians abroad.

The speaker also during plenary,

invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear before the House to give account of the status of evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Sudan.

Speaking yesterday, during a situation report and update meeting, the Speaker said no room should be given to jeopardise efforts of the federal government to safely evacuate Nigerians from the war-torn country.

Gbajabiamila meets FG, assures of safety of returnees Says lawmakers to probe Egypt's reluctance to grant returnees access into its territories Invites Onyeama, Dabiri-Erewa, NEMA boss

Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja

Michael Olugbode and Udora

Orizu in Abuja

L-R: Deputy Governor. Enugu State,Cecelia Ezeilo; Programme Director, MedServe, Dr. Tolulope Adewole; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; MD/CEO, NSIA, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq; NED, NSIA, Dr. Ogechi PaschalEjiogu; Executive Directors, Mrs. Olubisi Makoju and Mr. Kolawole Owodunni, during the launch of EquiLease and MedServe and handover ceremony of the Enugu Medical Diagnostic Centre held in Enugu State…yesterday

At OTC in US, Komolafe Says FG Fine-tuning Oil Industry Policies, Regulations to Meet Energy Transition Targets

Says winners of gas flare sites to be announced soon Pushes for establishment of African Forum of Regulators to enhance growth of the continent's oil industry

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, yesterday, disclosed that the federal government was fine-tuning and aligning its oil and gas policies and regulations to meet Nigeria's and the global energy transition targets.

Komolafe, stated this during an interview with journalists at the ongoing 2023 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) holding in Houston, Texas, United States, with theme: "Delivering the Future

of Offshore Technology." He also informed that winners of gas flare sites in the ongoing National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) would soon be announced.

Komolafe, equally said Nigeria would be recommending the establishment of 'African Forum of Regulators', to enable the benchmarking and standardisation of regulatory framework in the upstream oil and gas sector across African nations.

The NUPRC chief executive reiterated the federal government's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, ending energy poverty,

and driving economic growth in the country.

He said: “Energy transition conversation is gaining momentum globally and as a nation, we need to keep track of that conversation. Good enough, Nigeria is keeping track of the conversation and we are finetuning our policies to be in alignment with the energy conversation.

“Preparation is being progressed and recall that President Muhammadu Buhari made a commitment that the nation will attain net zero emission by 2060. Therefore, Nigeria has developed its energy transition plan and for us as the regulatory

commission, we are fine-tuning our policies and regulations to be in alignment.

“Currently, we have created a department to deal with decarbonisation in a manner that will reduce carbon footprints credit and our regulations are equally benchmarking global best standards and practices.”

He stated that the Nigerian government was firmly working towards its commitment at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, to cut its carbon emission to net zero by 2060.

Providing updates on the NGFCP,

BUHARI INAUGURATES 748 NEW HOMES, SAYS HE'S FULFILLED PROMISE

In another development, Buhari explained, yesterday, that the current repositioning of the military, through training, networking, and equipping, would turn it into a force of global reckoning. He urged the officers to keep giving their best to the country.

Speaking at the presentation of keys to the new homeowners in Zuba, FCT, the president urged the homeowners to live together in peace and harmony.

Buhari said in his speech at the inauguration of the estate, “I convey my hearty congratulations to the new homeowners in this estate. Our promise of change has been fulfilled for you.”

The estate is on 18.5 hectares of land, and comprises 748 units of various house types in 75 blocks.

The president charged residents of the estate to consciously work together with the FHA to ensure the maintenance of the property and safety of the environment.

Buhari congratulated Chairman, Managing Director, Members of the Board, and Staff of FHA on the successful completion of the estate. He stated that the project was another testament of his administration’s commitment to lift people out of poverty.

He said, “Housing supply is one of the indices of multi-dimensional poverty that challenges our people and the completion of this estate provides a solution for the beneficiaries.

“The new homeowners who benefit from this estate have taken a step up on the ladder of prosperity and away from poverty."

Buhari acknowledged that more Nigerians were waiting to benefit from the mass housing project. He urged the management of FHA not to relent in delivering other projects at various stages of construction and development across the states.

He said, “One of the measures that we have consciously deployed to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop our economy is the aggressive provision of infrastructure

nationwide.”

The president said such investments help to create jobs for artisans and other skilled members of the society.

Earlier, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the completion of the project was the product of teamwork and leadership by Buhari, who gave approval for quality appointments into the FHA board and management.

“Instead of abandoned projects, we now have 748 completed housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter,” Fashola said.

He disclosed that 75 contractors were engaged in the course of the project, while over 13,000 Nigerians were employed both directly and indirectly.

Fashola told the president that the five beneficiaries, who received keys to their flats, including Tina Orkpe, Salisu Iliyasu, Ado Maude, Rabina Abdulkadir, and Flight Sgt. Musa Mohammed, subscribed through FHA Rent-to-Own delivery model.

“Although many of the beneficiaries of this project will never meet the president personally, your policies and programmes have met them personally at the point of their needs,” the minister said.

In his remarks, Chairman, Board of Directors of FHA, Senator Shuaibu Lawal, thanked the president for providing the grant of N7.5 billion for the project to commence in May 2018.

Lawal said, “Without that grant, which served as the seed money, this project would not have been possible. Mr President, you take all the credit for what we are seeing here today.”

Lawal stated that the estate was ideal for Nigerians who could not afford houses in areas, such as Maitama and Asokoro, in the FCT. He lauded the Minister of Works and Housing as well as FCT minister, Mohammed Bello, for their commitment to the project.

Managing Director and Chief

Executive Officer of FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, described the inauguration of the project as a manifestation of the visionary and deliberate housing agenda of the Buhari administration. Ashafa said the president, in keeping with the promise of providing shelter to Nigerians, approved the grant to FHA.

According to him, the authority delivered the project at a total cost of N9.5billion, with the subvention of N7.5 billion from the federal government.

He explained that the balance of N2 billion construction cost came from FHA’s other projects, which were ploughed to complete the estate.

Ashafa disclosed that FHA had

commenced the development of Bwari Estate, Abuja, near the Nigeria Law School, which would deliver 336 units of various houses under the first phase of the project. He added that the proposed Diaspora City initiative, which targets Nigerians in the Diaspora, was in progress. He said the intention of the government was to extend the programme to all the regions of the country, with Abuja as the pilot scheme.

President Okays Partial Exclusion of Finance Ministry from Treasury Single Account

Buhari, yesterday, approved the partial exclusion of MOFI from TSA.

Komolafe said the process was progressing well, adding that very soon, the commission would announce the names of the successful bidders.

He noted that this was coming at a time energy crisis and transition were on the backdrop of government’s Decade of Gas policy.

In recognition of the funding challenges facing some of the awardees of the 2020 marginal field bid round, Komolafe said the commission was also planning production-based lending engagement that would help them source needed capital to commence full field development towards hitting first oil.

According to a statement issued by the media adviser to the president, Femi Adesina, the president also granted the request of the Board of MOFI to charge management and transaction fees; and to include the Minister of Power in the Governing Council.

Buhari, who conveyed the approval at the First Governing Council meeting of MOFI, recalled that the new MOFI was launched on February 1, 2023, to transform it from a registry of investment records to a world-class asset and investment management company.

As a government-owned investment company, the president stressed that MOFI must be supported to exercise its responsibility of achieving

He explained that this was an initiative of the commission to ease challenges in the sector, stressing that the engagement which was planned to commence soon would be between the NUPRC, Petroleum Production Licence (PPL) awardees, Exploration and Production (E&P) service providers and banks.

Komolafe explained, “It is to provide platforms for strategic partnership/alliance between the awardees and the service providers for well re-entry and drilling services. The arrangement is to be offered on service fee recoverable by the service providers from production to be attached.

strong returns on investment, while also contributing to broader economic development of the country. He commended the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Chairman, Board of MOFI, Shamsuddeen Usman, and the entire Executive Team of MOFI for the job well done, three months after inauguration.

According to him, “MOFI’s mission is to generate strong riskadjusted returns, contribute to the well-being of Nigerians, and be a trusted steward of our nation's assets and investments.

"With a vast portfolio and strategic investments that span across multiple

BLOOMBERG: HOW TINUBU’S SON BOUGHT $11M LONDON MANSION TARGETED BY EFCC

Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu, bought an $11 million London man- sion that the Muhammadu Buhari government was seeking to confiscate as part of a probe into one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country’s history, Bloomberg reported yesterday, citing previously unreported UK company documents.

But the Bloomberg report added that there’s no suggestion that Tinubu was personally involved in the acquisition of the UK property in 2017, even though the current president visited him there in August 2021, nearly four years after the purchase took place.

However lawyers who spoke to THISDAY last night, all agree that there was no legal jeopardy in the revelation to the President elect since the property was acquired 10 years after he left office.

But he will now have to declare it as part of Code of Conduct requirement before he is sworn in as president. The Code of Conduct law mandates all public officers to not only declare their personal assets but that of their immediate family members.

Tinubu, who will take over as Nigeria’s next leader on May 29, has long been questioned about

the source of his family’s wealth, including throughout the recent election campaign, when he and his representatives were pressed about it by local and international media, the report added.

He and his campaign have said he made his fortune before going into politics by inheriting real estate, investing well and working as an accountant at Deloitte LLP and an executive at the Nigerian subsidiary of Mobil Oil in the 1980s and early 1990s. In an interview with the BBC in the run-up to the election, Tinubu cited Warren Buffett as an example he followed to become rich.

The corporate documents seen by Bloomberg showed for the first time that Tinubu’s 37-year-old son, Oluwaseyi, is the main shareholder of Aranda Overseas Corp., an offshore company that paid £9 million ($10.8 million) to Deutsche Bank for the property in north London in late 2017.

The private three-floor residence in St. John’s Wood — a district favoured by American bankers — is equipped with an eight-car driveway, two gardens, electric gates and a gym, Bloomberg stated.

The international news medium stated that Tinubu’s spokesman

ZENITH BANK’S LANDMARK N100.47BN DIVIDEND PAYOUT EXCITES SHAREHOLDERS

He also highlighted the Board and management's determination to maintain the bank's growth trajectory in the coming years, with an emphasis on digital and retail banking.

Speaking at the AGM, President of the Association of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar commended the Board and management of Zenith Bank for consistently delivering value to shareholders, despite the challenging economic environment. He also praised the bank's staff for their loyalty and dedication.

Also, President, Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, expressed delight at the dividend pay-out and thanked the Board and management for the outstanding performance that led to approving both an interim and final dividend during the year.

Also speaking, National Coordinator of the Esteemed Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Adenike David, congratulated the bank

and Chairman on the exceptional performance, as evidenced by the numerous awards received during the 2022 financial year.

She also praised the bank for paying an interim dividend of 30 kobo and a final dividend of N2.90 kobo.

Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, Zenith Bank Group achieved a 24 per cent growth in gross earnings, from N765.6 billion in the previous year to N945.5 billion in 2022.

This was driven by a 26 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in interest income and a 23 per cent YoY growth in non-interest income.

Customer deposits grew by 39 per cent, reflecting the bank's market leadership and customers' trust. Also, net-interest-margin (NIM) increased from 6.7 per cent to 7.2 per cent, positively impacted by the elevated yield environment.

Operating expenses grew by 17 per cent YoY, though still below the

inflation rate. Total assets rose by 30 per cent, primarily due to growth in customer deposits.

In 2023, Zenith Bank Group plans to expand its reach and reorganise into a holding company structure, adding new verticals to its businesses and pursuing growth in all chosen markets, locally and internationally. Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate

Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance' Financial Services' Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People's Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Most Innovative Bank of the Year 2019 by Tribune Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2020 by Independent Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

and Oluwaseyi did not respond to emails, phone calls and text messages seeking comment. A British lawyer listed as Aranda’s agent in the UK also declined to comment citing confidentiality rules.

At the time of the purchase, Nigeria’s government was seeking to arrest the house’s former owner, accusing him of going on the run while owing the country an oil-trading debt worth more than $1.5 billion.

The state was also attempting to confiscate the upscale real estate and other assets it suspected had been acquired by the businessman — Kolawole Aluko — with the profits of crime. Aluko denied all allegations of wrongdoing and said a court judgment earlier this year acquitting a former business partner has cleared his name.

That ruling is being challenged by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tinubu, 71, won an election in February as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and is scheduled to succeed his political ally Buhari on May 29. He was a key powerbroker in the merger of opposition parties that brought the current head of state to office in 2015.

While Buhari was elected on a pledge to tackle widespread graft, the country’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index has deteriorated over the past eight years.

A former governor of Lagos state, Tinubu has long been dogged by allegations of graft and rule-breaking, which he denies. In 1993, he forfeited $460,000 to resolve a lawsuit in Chicago after US federal authorities said that bank accounts in his name held the proceeds of heroin trafficking. Tinubu’s lawyers have said he was never charged over the matter.

While staying at the 7,000-square foot London home in August 2021, Tinubu received a visit from Buhari there, quoting Premium Times.

“The online newspaper — using documents obtained from the Pandora Papers leak of offshore companies data — revealed that the shareholders and directors of Aranda from its formation 24 years ago until at least 2010 were Adegboyega Oyetola, the former governor of Osun state, and Elusanmi Eludoyin, head of a Nigerian property group. Oyetola’s

spokesman and Eludoyin did not respond to requests for comment.

“Documents filed this year in response to new anti-money laundering rules in the UK and seen by Bloomberg show that Tinubu’s son — an entrepreneur active in advertising who played a prominent role in his father’s presidential campaign — has been in control of British Virgin Islands-registered Aranda since June 2011. The company registered as an overseas entity in the UK on January 20,” Bloomberg said.

Early in Buhari’s first term, his administration initiated legal cases against Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served as oil minister for five years until 2015, and two businessmen — Aluko and Olajide Omokore — who won lucrative contracts during her tenure.

The US government said in a 2017 forfeiture lawsuit filed in Texas that the pair bribed the minister by funding her “lavish” lifestyle and failed to pay the state energy company for most of the crude they received.

Alison-Madueke, who is based in London, has denied the allegations. She is challenging multiple forfeiture orders issued by Nigerian courts and has accused the anti-corruption agency of blocking her efforts to defend herself in criminal proceedings.

In June 2016, a federal judge in the capital, Abuja, granted a request by the EFCC to seize more than a dozen properties that Aluko had acquired in Nigeria and abroad, including the one in St. John’s Wood. That forfeiture order was still in force when Tinubu’s son bought the house out of receivership 16 months later.

The ruling was made on an interim basis pending the conclusion of an investigation into Aluko that was still ongoing as of at least the end of 2018, according to court filings. “Aluko can’t comment on the forfeiture case because it is still sub-judice,” his lawyer Tokunbo Jaiye-Agoro told Bloomberg by email.

Deutsche Bank had foreclosed on the house and appointed receivers to sell it in late 2016, though there is no indication in court filings that the Nigerian government was aware the lender had taken over the house from Aluko as it proceeded with the seizure process. Aluko took out loans using other properties as

www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com

ASIWAJU, IT’S YOUR TURN!

GBADEBO ADEYEYE urges the incoming administration to move swiftly and tackle issues that touch on the welfare of the people

See page 25

ONE WHAPSAPP, MULTIPLE PHONES

The Meta-owned messaging service is opening up its multi-device feature, writes SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

See page 25

EDITORIAL

SANITISING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

OLUSUNLE

President Buhari should spare Nigerians previews of his retirement plans, writes TUNDE

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE)

GBADEBO

ASIWAJU, IT’S YOUR TURN!

Helder Camera once said, “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food to eat, they call me a communist”. Well, call Asiwaju or Chicago baron, he had been called worse him on February 25, 2023 when, like the biblical David, he buried all the political cynics at the most terrifying presidential poll in Nigeria. Now it has become more apparent than ever before that the most pronounced dangers facing our land are forces that threaten within. And since the survival of Nigeria is not just tribal or religion issue but moral imperative, it is

to ravage the entire state government and claimed that Lagos would never survive; same way he closed business doors to Kingsway, Leventis, UAC, and other multinationals as a military dictator with graduates unemployment in Nigeria since 1970s. Whereas, freedom is contagious. economic freedom inevitably leads to political freedom. This had happened in South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, and other countries ruled by dictatorial regimes, except in Nigeria where economic freedom is suppressed by frightened political dictators or sabotaged by shortsighted policies that cut back on trade with the rest

essential that all potential enemies of the incoming government, particularly those captives of tribalism unwilling to recognize progress in race relations be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of Nigerian citizens at this moment; the president elect it but not surrender for it now or ever! Unfortunately, the trouble with most politicians in our country, especially those critics of the former Lagos State governor and president elect, Asiwaju Tinubu, is not that they are ignorant; it is just that they know so much about the political lion of Lagos that isn’t so. Horace Manne said, “We should be ashamed to die until we have won some victory for humanity”.

That is why in a time like this when the mood in our society is grim, it takes a man of remarkable courage and conviction like inspiring message of hope, optimism and opportunity to Nigerian citizens. Of course, it is true that in Nigeria today, we have some people who cannot see a fat man standing beside a thin man without coming to the conclusion that the fat man got that way by taking advantage of the thin one. However, it is also true that as the situation is in our country now, North or South, Asiwaju Tinubu is the only progressive democrat who can hold the nation together as the most fully Nigerian president without spending billions of public money to buy uniform for terrorists, and thousands of TV sets for a place where they have no electricity in the republic of Mali. And whether he is from Iragbiji or whether he attended elementary school at Adeniji Adele or Obalende, the president-elect is more committed to a belief in the promise of Nigeria than many political masquerades in our midst. His power of political arithmetic, his logic, ambition, mental sagacity and other qualities have set him apart from do or die politicians and their ideological father in Ota. For example, this is a man who made a profound impact on the development of Lagos even at the time when the federal government, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried

of the world.

Now let us get the record straight. Sir Winston Churchill said many years ago that, “The destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we’re spirits and not animals”. The same former said further that, “There’s something going on in time and space; and beyond time and space which whether we like it or not, spells duty”. Agreed that Asiwaju had fumbled about his age in the past like millions of Nigerian citizens in the public service, but that only made him seem more human. Agreed also that he was not born on the island as claimed by some pundits including emeritus inmates, but Asiwaju is a son of the heartland. The people who voted for him did not do so because he was born in Lagos, but because of what he has in his heart.

The president elect is at his very core not so much Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo as profoundly Nigerian. Unlike the political cynics who seem to speak more from the head than the heart, Asiwaju Tinubu seems to be talking from the heart than the head. His authority has come not from established political structures, but from a special chemistry directly with Nigerian citizens from the North to Southern part of the now is, how will Asiwaju’s political gift, the moment will translate into the mundane business of organizing and operating the sprawling federal bureaucracy? The answer is, we don’t know. What we do know is that people are hungry for change, hope, and a way to leave a lot of bad history behind in move aggressively without fanfare and get early action on issues that are often ignored by our leaders as less important but are in fact very vital to the wellbeing of every family in our society; otherwise, he will be swept out as fast as he was swept in with the same broom! Adeyeye

The Meta-owned messaging service is opening up its multi-device feature, writes SONNY

ARAGBA-AKPORE

ONE WHAPSAPP, MULTIPLE PHONES

In November 2022, Meta Platforms Inc, owners of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram and others announced that it was tinkering with the idea of introducing a single WhatsApp number on multiple devices. Not many understood it.

Shortly after, WhatsApp began making multidevice features available to everyone. began rolling out a new way to link devices using a one-time code.

While this was going on, Meta last week announced what appears revolutionary in this communication platform that has taken over from electronic mails and improved rolling out multi-device login support for more than one phone.

Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature’s rollout on Facebook and Instagram. “Starting today, (Tuesday April 25,) you can log into the same WhatsApp account on up to four phones,” he said

WhatsApp is an internationally available freeware, cross-platform, centralised instant messaging and voiceover-internet protocol service owned by conglomerate, Meta.

The app allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content seamlessly.

WhatsApp adds option to use the same account on multiple phones. Useful if you’re a business that uses WhatsApp to communicate with customers or if you use more than one phone on a regular basis for any reason.

WhatsApp users are no longer restricted to using their account on just a single phone. Today, the Meta-owned messaging service is opening up its multi-device feature — which previously allowed you to access and send messages from additional Android tablets, browsers, or computers alongside your primary phone — is expanding to support additional smartphones. “One WhatsApp account, now across multiple phones” is how the service describes the feature, which it says is rolling out to everyone in the coming weeks.

With the new rollout, users’ messages will be synced across devices including other phones. So even if one device is switched Zuckerberg explained.

WhatsApp said that this feature is rolling out to all users within the coming weeks.

Until now, users could only use one WhatsApp account on one phone and multiple companion desktop devices.

WhatsApp is one of the biggest messaging services around with more than two billion now because of full end-to-end encryption support for chats and calls.

The company started testing multi-device compatibility back in 2021 with select beta users. At that time, Meta (known as Facebook at that time) said that it had developed new tech to sync messages across devices while maintaining end-to-end encryption protection.

Other competitors like Telegram and messages, but they didn’t have support for end-to-end encryption.

and video calling app could only log into an account on a single phone with the same number. Attempts to deploy the same on another phone will automatically deactivate the previous account created.

could take advantage of the multiple phone to clone someone else’s number and use same for mischief. Some could easily bug such numbers for sinister motives.

through the Lawful Communication Interception guidelines by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the new WhatsApp rules may whittle down NCC’s powers since tech savvy individuals could do harm to individuals within their space.

Setting up a secondary phone to use with your WhatsApp account happens after doing a fresh install of the app. Except, rather than entering your phone number during setup and logging in as usual, you instead tap a new “link to existing account” option. This will generate a QR code to be scanned by your primary WhatsApp phone via the “link a device” option in settings. The new feature works across both iOS and Android devices.

WhatsApp is pitching the feature as a useful tool for small businesses that might want multiple employees to be able to send and receive messages from the same it should be useful for anyone who uses multiple smartphones on a regular basis and wants them all to be associated with the same WhatsApp account.

Although the original phone that logged in to your account is considered the “primary” device, it doesn’t need to be turned on to receive messages across your other phones, Android tablets, or computers. However, if your primary device is inactive for over 14 days, WhatsApp says it’ll log out your other devices. You can also manually log out linked devices from your primary phone.

Once a secondary phone is linked to your WhatsApp account, you’ll be able to access and send messages from either phone. Up to a year of messages will sync between devices, so you’ll be able to see chat histories before sending any new messages. Messages sync across phones regardless of their operating systems, whether it’s iOS to Android or vice versa. There have previously been workarounds to access the same WhatsApp account on multiple phones the experience has never been great, and far more seamless and useful.

Personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted, regardless of whether you’re using the multi-device feature.

ADEYEYE urges the incoming administration to move swiftly and tackle issues that touch on the welfare of the people

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

SANITISING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Regulators should be alive to their responsibilities

Following the recent collapse of a sevenstorey building under construction in Banana Island, a highbrow area of Ikoyi, Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the demolition of 20 houses. But such a kneejerk reaction may not be the solution to a systemic problem that continues to claim innocent lives across the country. Besides, available reports indicate that even the demolition exercise in Lagos has been suspended.

In other climes, buildings don’t just collapse every other day or after being hit by a vehicle--the excuse there are procedures to follow when constructing a building. But in Nigeria, these conventions/ regulations are hardly adhered to because of poor enforcement of laws. Authorities at all levels should therefore be concerned that too much blood is being spilled needlessly in Nigeria’s building industry for all sorts of reasons that even professionals in the sector recognise as avoidable.

residential areas, churches, and business premises. But they are more frequent in Lagos where professional topography and where many areas are below sea level. Since most of Lagos Island is reclaimed land from surrounding bodies of water, constructing highrise buildings and skyscrapers in such an environment requires a certain expertise that is often jettisoned by the many quacks who have taken over the sector.

Several reasons have been adduced for the incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria, among which are non-adherence to approved plans and the absence construction. Other reasons include lack of geotechnical information which is all about obtaining necessary information concerning the soil where a building is to be erected. Even though one-storey building takes a lot of loads, Nigerian builders often

ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

embark on construction of multi-storey buildings without carrying out soil investigation, a critical requirement prior to the erection of a solid structure.

Construction of a building, according to the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers, “is expected structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, architects, quantity surveyors,” among others. Lack of professionalism in the industry has led to unethical dealings like the use of cheap and inferior materials, improper supervision, and distortion of original building plans.

Meanwhile, the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) recently drew attention to the absence of any coherent framework for the implementation of the National Building Code that the code has been in existence since 2006. Although enacted to, among others, address incessant collapse of other disasters, dearth of referenced design materials for professionals, use of non-professional and use of untested products and materials in the industry, it has that the absence of an enabling legislation for the building code document has largely contributed to its in the nation’s real estate industry.

As we have consistently advocated, there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the nation’s building and construction regulations. A policy should be put in place whereby any professional connected with a collapsed building should forfeit their licence and face collapsed building was erected should be forfeited to government. Buildings marked for demolition by town planning authorities, should be demolished without delay. Unless drastic steps are taken and building codes implemented to the letter, the nation will continue to have these avoidable serial disasters.

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

LETTERS

SULEJA NEEDS URGENT URBAN RENEWAL

Suleja, a city in Niger State, just north of an approximately 40

Ab initio, as far back as 1987 the Niger State government foresaw the problem that Suleja may face in the future and that is ter Plan 1987-2006, spanning 25 years.

Prior to that, in 1979 another planning consortium known as the Abuja Master Plan was also being produced. was sited at the Field Base in Suleja, and M-Plan produced a Master Plan in 1979 which had three scenarios: Suleja to grow

M-Plan plan as a benchmark for its own 1987 plan.

But by 2006 the plan had become obsolete and needed to be reviewed. And the Abuja Master Plan had taken into consider-

called Imperative Joint Planning Districts and the whole of Suleja zone.

Meaning everything that needs to be done in these districts that a seamless plan will be done without challenges that could

Master Plan needs review, in fact even before the review it has Master Plan is the fault of the Niger State government which has the onus of seeing to its implementation.

government should leverage on the advantage that Suleja town Presently Suleja LG generates the highest revenue compared to all other LGs in Niger State, and also, the scramble for land in Suleja has driven up land values that are higher than anywhere in the state. Unfortunately, this huge advantage is not being utilized.

If one looks at the major road that passes through Suleja, it

during peak hours is alarming.

Happily, the Governor -elect of Niger State has promised to dualize that road, but so many areas in Suleja need to be upgraded which calls for urban renewal because in actual fact everywhere in Suleja has turned into a market.

market is required, prices of goods are high. And parking areas around the market are grossly inadequate. town there should be urgent urban renewal, so many land uses

tunately their taxes, which ought to be deducted in Niger State, be repatriated to Niger State. I understand it has been approved

Umar Shuaibu, Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

Lack of professionalism in the industry has led to unethical dealings like the use of cheap and inferior materials, improper supervision, and distortion of original building plans

Amid Slow Economic Activity, Firms Raised

N766.64bn CPs, Corporate Bonds in Q1 2023

Kayode Tokede

Following the need to meet short-term financial obligations amid slow business activities, firms operating in Nigeria raised a whopping sum of N766.64 billion via Commercial Papers and Corporate Bonds in first quarter (Q1) of 2023, an increase of 145 per cent from N313.2 billion raised in) 2022 Q1.

CP is an unsecured form of promissory note that pays a fixed rate of interest. It is typically issued by large corporations

to cover short-term receivables and meets short-term financial obligations, such as funding for a new project.

The firms, according to FMDQ Exchange in its financial markets monthly report, varied across real estate, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing, technology, among other sectors.

THISDAY analysis of the report showed that the total value of CPs quoted on FMDQ Exchange in March 2023 was N354.18 billion, representing a Month-on-Month (MoM) increase

of 247.80 per cent or N252.34 billion from the N101.84 billion CPs quoted in February 2023, while the total value of corporate bonds listed in March 2023 was N112.42 billion, representing a 2.24 per cent or N2.58 billion MoM decrease from February 2023 listings.

The report by FMDQ Exchange disclosed that the total value of CPs quoted on FMDQ Exchange in January 2023 was N83.20billion, but there were no listing of corporate bonds in March

Commenting, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Consulting Limited, Mr. Ambrose Omordion, attributed increasing CPs by corporate firms operating in Nigeria to attractive interest rate amid 18 per cent Monetary Policy Rate (MPR). The discount rate on quoted CPs dropped to 14.42 per cent in March 2023 from 17.16 per cent in January 2023.

According to Omordion, rates at CPs are attractive and firms are utilizing that opportunity to access capital needed to expand

and boost their working capital.

He explained further that potential in Nigeria’s economy despite contractions in February and March of 2023 gives room for firms to borrow.

On his part, the Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr David Adnori explained that corporate firms opted to access corporate bond and CPs over hike in inflation rate and cost of accessing capital from financial institutions.

According to FMDQ Exchange, outstanding value of admitted

corporate bonds and CPs stood at N5.77trillion in Q1 2023.

Outstanding value of admitted corporate bonds closed the period under review at N4.5trillion in Q1 2023, while CPs outstanding value was at N1.26trillion.

The monthly breakdown of CPs showed a total outstanding value increased MoM by 82.76 per cent or N303.11 billion to N669.36 billion in March 2023 from N366.25 billion reported in February 2023. It was at N221.56

FG Sticks to No-vaccination Policy Against Bird Flu Despite Sev ere Economic Impact on Poultry

James Emejo in Abuja

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, has declared that the federal government’s policy on ‘No Vaccination’ for control of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) otherwise known as ‘Bird Flu’ in the country has not changed.

Speaking at a media briefing on the persistent outbreaks of HPAI and the control measures in Nigeria, the minister insisted

there would be no vaccination of poultry for now.

Rather, he said the ministry remained committed to the control and possible eradication of avian influenza in the country – and called on the development partners, individuals, and organisations to support the course to fight the disease, which has devasted the poultry industry and livelihood of farmers.

The minister said the current outbreak had been depleting the country’s poultry population

with severe negative economic consequences on the livelihood of poultry farmers.

He pointed out that following the resurgence of HPAI in 2014, poultry farmers and other stakeholders, who desperately wished to stop the cycle of the disease called for a reconsideration of the no-vaccination policy by the government.

He said the calls have resurfaced again for the same reasons adding that the ministry in its avowed commitment to proper stakeholders’

consultation, set up a ministerial committee consisting of experts from the research institutions, academia, public and private sectors, and international partners to look into what the sub–sector was doing right in the past that prevented or contained the disease, what has gone wrong and importantly, what should now be done.

“Though the committee noted that the country might want to change her policy to vaccinate against HPAI in the future, it

recommends some activities to be carried out before considering the option of vaccination against HPAI as a policy for the country,” the minister further noted.

The committee had also called for the conduct of risk assessment and analysis; ascertaining the efficacy of the vaccines and riskmapping of the poultry production systems in the country.

He said since 2006 when the country recorded her first outbreak of HPAI in a farm in Kaduna State, the federal government with the

MARKET DATA AS AT TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023

support of the World Bank and other development partners intervened in different ways to ensure prompt and effective prevention and control of the disease.

The minister said, “One such intervention was the formulation of a policy on prevention and control of HPAI bordering on Modified Stamping Out and No Vaccination strategy. This approach was to stop the circulation of the HPAI virus in our environment and mitigate losses to poultry farmers.”

CBN: Taming Inflation with Tight Monetary Policy R

ecently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points in a bid to tackle rising inflation, marking the sixth consecutive rise. Following previous effort of the CBN, there was a dip in December 2022. However, inflation rate climbed to 22.04 per cent in March, which led to 10 of the MPC’s 12 members voting in favour of the rise. The Monetary Policy Committee of the central bank is responsible for the nation’s monetary policy. It is made up of 12 members who meet regularly to discuss economic developments and set monetary policies that will ensure price stability and economic growth.

Meanwhile, while analysts have warned that growth may be affected by continued rate rise, the committee said other macroeconomic variables were moving in the right direction.

However, despite the hike in inflation figures, the economy has posted growth for nine consecutive quarters, with output expected to continue rising into 2024. This shows that the MPR rate tightening over the past few months by MPC was the right decision.

What critics fail to understand is that the Central banks play a crucial role in economic development and stability, and their monetary policies help control inflation rate across the globe. Following global trends,, the Central Bank of Nigeria recently raised its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points, with the goal of taming the nation’s inflation.

TAMING INFLATION

At its 290th meeting held in Abuja, the committee decided to raise the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points, making it the sixth time in a row that the CBN has raised the Monetary Policy Rate. The MPC raised the MPR to 18 per cent, retaining the asymmetric corridor of +100/-700 basis points around the MPR, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 32.5 per cent, and the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent. The committee voted by a majority of 10 members to raise the MPR by 50 basis points, with one member voting to raise the MPR by 25 basis points and one member voting to hold the MPR.

Analysts believe the decision to raise the MPR was made in an effort to curb the rising inflation rate in Nigeria. Although the inflation rate in the country has continued to rise aside from the marginal decline in inflation in December last year, the inflation rate rose to 22.04 per cent in March this year, and the rate of increase has been lower. Data showed that while inflation had been rising by around 0.3 per cent, late last year, the rate increase if computed on year on year (Y-oY) basis has actually tempered to 0.13 per cent.

Between October and November last year, Year on year inflation had risen by 0.32 per cent and 0.38 per cent respectively. However, it moderated to 0.09 and 0.13 per cent in February and March this year respectively.

IMF APPLAUDS CBN POLICY STANCE

The CBN’s monetary policy regime has been applauded globally with some analysts saying the inflation rate in the country would have spiraled out of control if the CBN had not taken proactive measures.

For instance, at the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Spring meetings held in Washington DC last month, the IMF advised the CBN to continue with its policy of tightening monetary policy to control inflation. The IMF retained Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for 2023 at 3.2 per cent, as stated in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) titled, “A Rocky

Recovery.”

Division Chief, Research Department, IMF, Daniel Leigh, emphasized the need for the CBN to maintain a tightening mood to bring inflation down to more target levels. The CBN has gradually increased its benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate, since last year, having raised it six times. The IMF also predicted that inflation in Africa would gradually decline, although it would remain in double-digit

INFLATION IN AFRICA

Speaking on the projection for Africa’s economy during the media briefing, Chief Economist and Director Research Department, IMF, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, noted that inflation for the region was still high, even as he forecasted a gradual decline for the region.

Gourinchas added that the economy was being affected by external factors adding that the region was slated to have a slow growth in 2023.

The IMF official added, “This region is suffering from a strong funding squeeze. We already discussed that some of the

countries that are facing very innovative spreads and a lot of them are already in the region.

“A lot of the challenges come from external factors that vary from the surge in energy prices and food prices as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the tension in energy markets is affecting the region. So we have a slow in growth for the region overall to about 3.6 per cent in 2023 from 3.9 per cent last year.

“We also have a situation where inflation is elevated, it’s double-digit inflation and is expected to come down from 16 per cent, to about 12.3 per cent, but still doubledigit inflation. And, of course, the very important challenge for the region is as a result of these elevated food prices, we have a large number of people who are in situations of food insecurity and we estimate about something like 430 million people in a situation with food insecurity.”

GROWTH CONSIDERATIONS

While the consistent tightening of

monetary policies may hamper economic growth, the committee noted that while the continued rise in headline inflation remained a significant problem confronting the economy, other macroeconomic variables are moving in the right direction, despite observed headwinds. The committee’s stance has been proven right with the recent number released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS Data showed that Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.10 per cent in 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2022, it grew by 3.52 per cent (year-on-year), compared with 3.98 per cent in the corresponding period of 2021 and 2.25 per cent in the preceding quarter. But market watchers are of different opinion on the impact of consistent tightening policy. While some analysts are concerned that the consistent tightening policy could hamper the growth of the economy, others believe the economic variables are heading in the right direction. This is as the Nigerian economy had maintained a positive growth trajectory for nine consecutive quarters, since exiting the recession in 2020.

CBN, ANALYSTS EXPLAINS

Recently, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, explained that the rise in inflation is attributed to the increase in the food component, high cost of transportation of food items, security challenges in major food-producing areas, and infrastructural problems.

He noted that other macroeconomic variables are moving in the right direction, despite observed headwinds.

For analysts at Cowry Assets Management, while the 50-basis point increase in policy rate intended to combat rising inflation could result in slower economic growth and a reduction in the overall money supply, aiming for sustainable economic growth and price stability.

However, they believe that rising inflation remains a major concern in most economies, including Nigeria, and is making it difficult to achieve price stability. This trade-off may lead the central bank to adopt a contractionary stance for an extended period. The analysts also emphasize the downside risks of inflationary pressures and how the central bank’s monetary policy tightening measures will depend on the inflation path.

As the MPC had slowed on its hawkish stance, reducing the rate of increase of benchmark interest rate from 100 basis points to 50 basis points, the easing in the rate of increase in inflation figures is expected to continue as the impact of the previous MPR hike begins to take full effect in the economy especially as elections which contributed to rising inflation is now over.

Eromosele Abiodun Writes on the steps being taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria to tame inflation anchored on effective use of monetary policy

Godwin Emefiele

GTCO Sustains Dividend Payout Amid Expansion

Kayode Tokede

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) in its audited result and accounts for full year ended December 31, 2022 announced a significant improvement in balance sheet and sustained dividend payout to shareholders amid expansion into other business subsidiaries.

The group balance sheet remained well-structured and diversified with total assets closing at N6.45 trillion in 2022, an increase of about 19 per cent from N5.44 trillion reported in full year (FY) ended December 31, 2021.

Total assets growth in 2021 was supported by a well-structured and diversified Balance sheet across all its Banking and Non-Banking Entities (Nigeria, Other West Africa, East Africa, United Kingdom, Payments, Pension and Asset Management).

It grew across all asset lines, benefiting from increased inflows from Deposit Liabilities on the back of an improved funding base driven by the synergy created through the Holding Company structure and a 6.1per cent y-o-y exchange rate movement in Nigeria (from 2021 closing of N435/$1 to FY-2022 closing of N461.5/$1).

The 12per cent increase in Deposit Liabilities was deployed to fund increase in Earning Assets which comprise Money Market Placements, Investment Securities and Loans and, to fund the increase in CRR debits. Earning Assets constitute 58per cent of Total Assets and grew by 9.6per cent to N3.77trillion in 2022 from N3.44trillion in 2021.

Net Loans grew by five per cent, closing at N1.86trillon in 2022 from N1.803trillion in 2021. This growth is essentially from Nigerian operations. The loan book remains well distributed with LCY:FCY mix improving to 53per cent :47per cent from 51per cent: 49per cent, positioning the Group against further depreciation.

Customer Deposit Liabilities grew by 11.8per cent (N472.8billion) from N4.012trillion in 2021 to N4.49trillion in 2022 as low-cost funds grew by 14.5per cent (N503billion) from N3.438trillion in 2021 to N3.941trillion in F2022, resulting in low-cost deposit mix of 87.9per cent from 85.7per cent in 2021.

In spite of the challenges in the operating environment and its attendant negative implication on the activities of individuals, households and businesses, the Group posted a Pre-tax Return on Average Assets of 3.6per cent and a Pre-tax Return on Average Equity of 23.6per cent.

Profit maintaining stronger performance

The Group’s gross earnings increased by 20.4per cent to N539.2billion in 2022 from N447.8billion in 2021 driven by the growth recorded on the Funded and Non-Funded Income lines. Interest earnings grew by 21.9per cent from the twin impact of growth in Earnings Asset

volume and yield (8.53per cent in FY-2022 from 8.05per cent in FY-2021). Growth in volumes by N444.0billion (N2.879trillion vs N2.435trillion) underpinned by improved funding.

The 21.9% growth in Interest Income to N325.4billion in 2022 from N266.9billion in 2021 was further complemented by the 18.2per cent growth posted on Non-Funded Income that hits N213.8billion in 2022 from N180.9billion reported in 2021.

Non-Funded Income (NFI) comprising Fees and Commission Income (42.4per cent growth), Other Income (38.8per cent growth), and Trading Income (18.8per cent growth).

GTCO’s net Interest Income is up by 17.5per cent to N259.3billion in 2022 from N220.6billion in 2021 as the 21.9per cent increase recorded on the interest income line easily offset the 42.8per cent increase in Interest Expense that reached N66.1billion in 2022 from N46.3billion in 2021.

The growth in Interest Expense was driven by the 71per cent increase in interest paid on time deposits N27.6bn in 2022 from N16.1billion in 2021, as customers demanded more interest on their deposits.

The growth in interest Expense also led to an increase in the cost of funds from 0.88per cent in 2021 to 1.24per cent in 2022. Rising Inflation and an increase in MPR by the Central Bank contributed significantly to the pick-up in the cost profile.

Loan Impairment charge increased by 41per cent to N11.985billion in 2022 from N8.531bn in 2021 due to an increase in the probability of default generated by the predictive ECL impairment model from the macroeconomic data inputs, necessitating a need for an increase in the allowance for impairment in spite of the level of risks reserves

already in place and loan quality.

The growth in Opex by 21.6per cent outweighed the 16.5per cent increase in Operating Income leading to a pick up in Cost-to-Income ratio to 48per cent in 2022 from 42.3per centi n 2021.

Overall, the Group benefited from the effective utilisation of its strategic, core and foundational capabilities; changing and adapting quickly to make the best use of opportunities and deal with challenges. However, its performance was significantly hindered by the N35.6billion Impairment on the Ghanaian Sovereign Securities leading to a three per cent drop in 2022 profit before tax to N214.2billion from N221.5billion in 2021.

The Board of directors proposed a final dividend of N2.80, coupled with the interim dividend to bring total dividend payout to shareholders at N3.10 per share on the issued ordinary shares of 29,431,179,224 of 50k each.

STRONGER CAPITAL RATIOS

The Group maintained strong capital positions with a Full IFRS 9 impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 24.1 per cent, a 910basis points above the regulatory minimum of 15per cent.

Tier 1 capital remained a significant component of the Group’s CAR at 23.8per cent representing 98.8per cent of the Group’s CAR of 24.1per cent.

The robust capital position provides the Group with the needed headroom for future expansion and risk-taking.

The Group’s Capital has been sensitized for Basel III compliance and three levels of devaluation of Naira to USD N550-N600-N650/$1 and found robust enough to meet the requirements of additional capital

AMID SLOW ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, FIRMS RAISED N766.64BN CPS, CORPORATE BONDS IN Q1 2023

billion in January 2023.

The report disclosed that foreign exchange transactions dominated secondary market activity in March 2023, accounting for 31.58 per cent or N7.69trillion of the total secondary market turnover.

According to the report, the spot FX market turnover was $8.95billion in March 2023,

representing a MoM increase of 52.21per cent or $3.07billion from the $5.88billion turnover recorded in February 2023.

“In the FX Market, the Naira appreciated marginally against the US Dollar, with the spot exchange rate ($/N) decreasing by 0.94basis points or N0.04/$ to close at an average of $/N461.50 in March 2023 from $/N461.54

recorded in February 2023.

“Further, exchange rate volatility decreased marginally in March 2023 as the Naira traded within an exchange rate range of $/N461.00 - $/N462.00 compared to $/N461.00 - $/ N462.17 recorded in February 2023,” the report added.

Analysts at Coronation in a report said, “In our base case

scenario, we see the foreign exchange rate at the I&E FX window at N505/ USD by end-2023.

“We considered: stable growth in non-oil exports boosted by the RT 200 foreign exchange program, continuous injections by the CBN (avg. seven per cent of total inflows on a m/m basis), halt to fuel subsidy payments

buffers – conservation and countercyclical under Basel III and expected growth in the Risk weighted value of the FCY component of the Group’s Balance sheet.

CONCLUSION

Speaking on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Mr. Segun Agbaje, in a statement explained that “Our ability to successfully navigate the peculiar challenges in the different markets where we operate underscores our strong business fundamentals and unwavering commitment to sound business strategies. Despite the varying challenges and headwinds that weighed on growth in 2022, we were determined to deliver a decent performance and scale effectively to strengthen our competitive edge and drive long-term growth.”

He further stated; “As an organisation, 2022 was quite significant for us being the first year after our corporate restructuring into a financial holding company in August 2021.

“Today, across our Banking, Payment, Funds Management, and Pension businesses, we have successfully built a robust ecosystem with immense potential to deepen our addressable market and create more value for all our stakeholders. We will continue to prioritise innovation, service excellence, and execute seamlessly towards achieving our vision of leading financial services in Africa.”

The Holdings had announced the 100per cent acquisition of two subsidiaries of Investment One Financial Services Limited, thereby becoming wholly-owned subsidiaries of GTCO.

The two subsidiaries are Investment One Pensions Managers Limited, and Investment One Funds Management Limited which specialize in Pension Fund Administration and Investment One Financial Services Limited.

by end-H1 2023.”

Analysts at Emerging Africa expressed that there is a possibility of another devaluation of the Naira by the CBN in 2023 in order to enable the reflection of current economic realities. They said, “We expect the trend of failing reserves to be sustained in 2023 on the back of the limited foreign investment

inflows and increasing foreign exchange demand barring any major structural reforms in the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

“However, the possible removal of fuel subsidiary will improve the growth of the reserves and provide the CBN with resources to defend the Naira.”

FirstBank Strengthens Banking Reputation Across Africa

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Limited recently unified the name of its subsidiaries across the world particularly in Africa, to further solidify its brand identity in all the countries in which it operates. The unification of its subsidiaries brand coincides with the 129th anniversary of the bank.

The change of name and logo of FBN subsidiaries had become effected in the UK and across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.

From FBN Bank, the name of the subsidiaries had been changed to FirstBank UK, FirstBank Ghana, FirstBank Guinea, FirstBank Senegal, FirstBank DRC, FirstBank Sierra Leone and FirstBank Gambia. Hav-

ing played a critical role of financing development in its over 129 years of operations, the brand of First Bank has become distinguished in the financial industry, particularly on the African continent.

Specifically, the name change had become expedient due to the case of mistaken identity, as the bank’s brand was being mistaken for some brands which have similar acronyms. Given that FBNBank brand is often times confused with some competitor brands (such as FNB Bank), the name and logo change are appropriate to ensure brand clarity, eliminate name confusion, safeguard brand uniformity and consistency across all markets where the bank does business.

The First Bank brand is one that ought

not to be one that is mistaken for another as it has more than a century in banking experience. As leading financial inclusion services provider, FirstBank Group is committed to its nation-building goal. It has taken giant performance strides on its unique growth trajectory as it continues to build distinctive capabilities through partnerships and the constant drive to reinvent itself.

The name change had been implemented to align the subsidiaries with the parent brand and to enjoy the strong heritage and brand equity built by FirstBank Nigeria in its 129 years of banking leadership. This will further enhance the quality-of-service delivery resulting in better brand clarity, uniformity and consistency across all

the markets where the Bank operates.

First Bank’s performance over the years is evidenced in the numerous awards and recognitions bestowed on the institution. These awards include Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023 by Global Finance Awards; Best Corporate Bank in Western Africa 2022 by Global Banking & Finance; Best CSR Bank Africa by International Business Magazine in 2022; and ranked as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance; Profitability; Efficiency and Return on Risk by the Top 100 African Bank Rankings 2022 released by The Banker Magazine from the stables of Financial Times.

Can Insurance Firms Cross IFRS 17 Huddle?

Four months after January 1st deadline for insurance firms across the globe to migrate from International Finance Reporting Standard (IFRS) 4 to IFRS 17, insurance sector operators in Nigeria are yet to come to terms with the regulator on the need to ensure smooth migration to the new accounting system.

Feelers from some market operators show that while the regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is eager to see that Nigerian insurers measure up to global standard of operation by benchmarking their operational system with those of their counterparts in other parts of the globe, some insurance managers see the development as disturbance and unnecessary burden on them.

Rather, they have continued to question how the migration would impact on their business growth.

The operators said though the new system would place them at par with other global operators, regulators and promoters of the new accounting system were yet to explain to them how the new finance reporting system would address the continued apathy of Nigerians towards insurance patronage and how it would lead to higher turn over. They insisted that any policy that has nothing to contribute to change of this anomaly could not be regarded as priority of operators at this time.

INSURERS’ COMPLAINTS

The insurers lamented that whereas finance markets of the western world where Nigerian regulators copy the system they paste on Nigerian markets, especially insurance

were far much more developed and their financial inclusive rate very high; the reverse is the case in Nigeria but regulators were fast to copy the system and try to force it down the throat of Nigerian operators.

Describing the development as mere copy and paste system, which even the regulator at present does not have enough personnel that have firm grip of its workings, the insurers said adoption of IFRS17 has set stage for rush by Nigerian insurers to western world software market in search of new softwares for the new system which

has obviously discarded entirely the former software in use by insurance firms under the IFRS 4 system EXPERTS’ VIEWS

But accounting experts said insurers reasoning along this line were talking out of ignorance adding that knowledge gap in IFRS reporting was problem among some of the insurance sector managers most of who were more interested in turn over and quantum of premium generated rather than proper accounting and finance reporting system.

The experts said to have good knowledge

of the workings of the IFRS17/,which is a global reporting standard used in virtually all insurance markets across the globe Nigerian insurance chief executives and even the regulator needed to seriously engage their workforce in intensive training on the IFRS17.

NAICOM had at a recent meeting with directors of various insurance firms in Lagos said that insurance managers could submit their 2022 annual report based on IFRS4 but that their unaudited report for first quarter 2023 should be based on IFRS17.

Accounting experts said IFRS 17 is an International Financial Reporting Standard that replaces IFRS 4 accounting for insurance contracts and has an effective date of January 1, 2023.

According to them, IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts is a complete overhaul of accounting system for insurance contracts, with new requirements for data and processes that impact teams across the organisation, including actuarial, accounting, and IT. The IFRS 17 insurance accounting standard, according to accountants, establishes the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of insurance contracts. Its objective is to ensure that an entity provides relevant in¬for¬ma¬tion that faith¬fully rep¬re¬sents those contracts. Such information gives a basis for users of financial state¬ments to assess the effect that insurance contracts have on the entity’s financial position, financial per¬for¬mance and cash flows.

It was issued in May 2017 and was billed to

Nume Ekeghe writes on the FirstBank of Nigeria’s rebranding of all its subsidiaries’ names and logo across borders to further solidify its reputation

FirstBank Gambia

FirstBank DRC

Insurance sector operators across the globe were required to migrate from International Finance Reporting Standard 4 to IFRS17 by January 1, 2023. In this report, Ebere Nwoji looks at how Nigerian insurers have fared in the face of the development

FIRSTBANK STRENGTHENS BANKING REPUTATION ACROSS AFRICA

Speaking on the name change, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO of FirstBank Group, said, ‘’The name change which coincides with FirstBank’s 129th founding anniversary (March 31, 2023) is indeed a milestone reflective of our resolve to continuously provide the gold standard of excellence and value as we put our customers first.

“The new iden tity of the subsidiaries contributes to an enhanced brand presence. It helps our customers and stakeholders better appreciate the value of the diversified products suites, competitive pricing and extensive business networks the FirstBank Group offers. These include our commitment to boosting cross-border businesses including trade and investment opportunities essential to enhancing trade relations amongst countries, thereby strengthening the economies of host communities and reducing poverty.”

Meanwhile the strong presence of the bank’s subsidiaries is further emboldened with the launch of First Global Transfer (FGT) which is meant to promote international transfer of funds across its subsidiaries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative is specifically designed to ensure safe, timely and improved efficiency in the transfer of funds across the network of FirstBank subsidiaries in Africa. The FGT is not restricted to FirstBank and FBNBank Customers alone but it is also open to every individual resident in the country the funds transfer is originating from.

Intending users of the initiative are to visit any of the Bank’s branches in Nigeria or subsidiaries in Africa, which are: FBNBank DRC, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank Sierra-Leone, or FBNBank Senegal to enjoy the service. For example, with First Global Transfer, individuals and

customers in Sierra-Leone can walk into any FBNBank branch to send money to FirstBank customers in Nigeria as well as FBNBank customers in Gambia, Ghana, DR Congo, Senegal or Guinea.

Speaking on the initiative, Adeduntan said, “Today’s customer is influenced by the technological advancement shaping businesses across various industries and our First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative is one of those advancement created to impact every individual in our host community in Africa, whilst promoting the ease and swift transfer of money from one country to another for business or personal activities.

“With the launch of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on 1 January 2021, the First Global Transfer (FGT) is indeed very timely as it will play an essential role in stimulating business activities across borders, thereby impacting the growth and development of the continent. I enjoin everyone to visit any one of our branches nearest to you in Nigeria or our subsidiaries in Africa and send money to your loved ones or business partners with FirstBank or FBNBank account(s)”.

The FirstBank Group continues to provide value to customers through diversified products suite, competitive pricing and large business network spread across three continents which enhances cross-border business activities across multiple locations and impacting indigenous businesses and institutions.

At 129 years, FirstBank Group remains woven into the fabric of the society; committed to its nation-building goal, resilient and enduring driven by the constant desire to reinvent itself. FirstBank UK recently turned 40 – in 2022. This is indeed a milestone which throws weight on the projected longevity of other subsidiaries in Africa.

CAN INSURANCE FIRMS CROSS IFRS 17 HUDDLE?

apply to annual reporting periods effect from January 1, 2023.

DELOITTE’S VIEW

Recently, the Insurance Industry Financial Reporting Working Group (IIFRWG) was set up by the National Insurance Commission to develop guidelines that could be adopted by the Commission for effective implementation of IFRS 17 in Nigerian insurance industry. Finance expert Oduware Uwadiae, partner in charge of IFRS implementation unit of Deloitte had explained that the IFRS17 if successfully implemented would make such a difference in insurance industry that whereas currently when liabilities were being measured, they were measured based on events that occurred, the new financial reporting standard would be forward looking in risk assessment. According to him, the IFRS is looking at the risk on the entire contract and also the contract to the last mile.

He said the current standard used by insurers in their finance reporting only looked at the risk as at today, what risk insurers are having today but that the new standard was going to look at the entire risk from now till the end of the contract.

He said it was such a model that ensures that if an insurer signed a contract today and it was going to expire in the next six years, the insurer had to measure his risk from the date of the commencement of the contract till the end of the six years and as he was measuring it, if the risk was increasing each year, he could recoup additional loss on the instrument.

Also speaking on the workings and relevance of the IFRS 17, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria(ICAN) and a management staff of Financial Markets Dealers Quotations (FMDQ), Mr Ebenezer Nwoji said a major objective of the IFRS 17 is to standardise insurance accounting globally to help users of accounts make sensible comparisons between companies, their performance, their current financial position and risk exposure.

He said the benefits of IFRS is that it increases transparency and comparability of insurers’ financial statements, ensures risksensitive measurement of insurance obligations to ensure it better reflects economic reality. Allows stakeholders, especially regulators, to gain important insights into the insurance companies’ exposures and financial performance.

He also said IFRS 17, which is released by the International Accounting Standard Board establishes the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts within the scope of the standard.

FITCH’S VIEW

On its workings, global rating agency Fitch in its analysis of the model said IFRS 17 introduces a new approach to accounting for insurance contracts, replacing IFRS 4.

The agency said the standard affects any entity issuing insurance contracts that needs to report according to IFRS standards. “We believe IFRS 17 will bring greater transparency and consistency across regions.Major Change in the Income Statement Insurers’ profit recognition pattern, as well as the P&L components, are set to change under IFRS 17. The standard requires insurers to present a market-consistent balance sheet measurement of insurance contracts, with recognition of profit over the period that services are provided”, the rating agency said in its analysis.

On the areas of difference between the current accounting system and the IFRS17 system, Fitch said with the IFRS system, there would be uniformity in accounts reporting style by insurers across the globe.

According to the agency, IFRS17 will ensure that insurers present a market-consistent style of balance sheet in measuring insurance contracts. In addition, it would allow for the recognition of profit over the period that services were provided.

Fitch further said IFRS reporting system would ensure Change in equity and financial reporting thus allowing for insurance contract liabilities to be valued at their estimated

market value too and also calculated as the present value of future insurance cash flows with a provision for risk.

Fitch further said it would reflect change in the way and manner of profit identification, pointing out that while profit under the IFRS 4 usually reflects an increase in the first policy years but a lower figure, under IFRS 17, going forward, the development would typically be based on IFRS 17 requirements, unlike the accounting policies that were currently applied to insurance contracts under IFRS 4. In other words, profitability may be similar but the timing would vary. The agency said over the coverage period of the insurance contract, the most fundamental change would involve profits booked in the income statement. Similarly, the Contractual Service Margin (CSM) concept which entails the unearned profit that an entity expects to generate as it provides services would be used for profit recognition in line with the provision of the insurance services under the contract.

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION

According to Fitch analysis, return on equity, return on assets and the combined ratio will remain key ratios in terms of calculating earnings over the lifetime of a contract. However, the parameter value could differ considering separate guidelines for companies switching to IFRS 17.

It further said with the use of new information available under IFRS 17, new financial performance ratios could enhance analysis reflecting a variation on the return on equity and organic capital generation, the net Contractual service Margin (CSM) would also increase as an additional earnings component, which could resemble ROE calculated on a current IFRS basis. It further said tax represents a significant process of financial statement and would be considered with every step along implementing IFRS 17. Expectedly, IFRS 17 will lead to taxation implications on transition and for ongoing calculations that will need to be addressed by insurance entities as well as on indirect taxation.

On companies’ bottom line, Fitch said IFRS 17 was expected to change the accounting system for all entities that issue contracts within the scope of the standard for insurance contracts.

Reacting to the development a management staff of one of the insurance firms in Lagos, said the migration will no doubt affect many operators and would bring a lot of expenses. According to him, with this system, insurance firms will have to rush to market for acquisition of new softwares that will enable them migrate to IFRS 17.

According to him with the introduction of the IFRS 17 insurance firms will discard the accounting software they used with the IFRS4 to purchase a new one.

He said his firm has already engaged the services of actuarial scientists that will help them ensure proper migration.

Insurance sector analysts said both the regulator and the regulated needed to embark on intensive training of staff and other stakeholders of IFRS17. They said NAICOM was supposed to have gone far in training not only its workforce also stakeholders, the media, various company directors. The insurers themselves according to the analysts should engage the services of actuarial scientists in training their workforce on the rudiments and core concept of IFRS.

They advised that the training should be across board including CEOs, company Secretaries and every other staff that matter in the new development.

Boosting Literacy, Learning, Employment through Digital Learning Platforms

Funmi Ogundare reports that the two-day media dialogue, organised recently by the National Orientation Agency, in collaboration with United Nation Children’s Fund on digital learning platforms, was to promote opportunities for young people on digital literacy, to enhance learning and become employable

For two days, journalists converged on The Patron Hotel, Lekki, Lagos for a media dialogue, with the theme, ‘Digital Learning Platforms’, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

It was aimed, among others, to expose the different forms of digital platforms among young people, improve learnings, get scholarships, connect them for employment so they can build the future they want.

Some of the presentations made at the programme, dwelt on ‘Innovations to Youth Engagement, Empowerment and Opportunities such as The Nigerian Learning Passport, U-Report and The Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA), ‘Overview of Youth Employment, Skilling and Upskilling in Nigeria’, as well as ‘ Galvanizing support of the private sector for youth employment, skilling and upskilling’.

In his remarks, the Programme Specialist, UNICEF, Joannes Yimbesalu, highlighted the ‘Youth Agency Market Place’ (YOMA) initiative, a digital platform created by young people which allows them to connect and build the future they want.

He noted that the initiative gives them opportunity to earn token and build capacity in scholarships.

According to him, “we are concerned about young people and giving them the platform across Africa to become employable globally. Many young people complete school but they can’t find jobs and the key thing is promoting opportunities for these people.

“We need to create this awareness to also promote the opportunity in the rural communities and urban areas, so young people can have access to the opportunities for employment.

“One of the key things is about targeting the most maginalised, and the focus is working with key stakeholders and the media to be our voices and expand the opportunities for young people wherever they are across Nigeria.”

He added that the fund is also promoting digital literacy to equip teachers and deploy platforms in their schools and communities so that no child is left behind.

He advised young people to continue learning through the platforms.

“One of the challenges with online learning is time. Young people need to commit their time, data, power for their devices to access the content.

Already we have partnerships with Airtel and working with other network operators to ensure that we are connecting schools and learners to the internet to ensure that they are learning,”he stated.

The Director, Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Education, Dr. Afolabi Adejare, emphasised on the existing Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) platform with which UNICEF had trained over 3,000 facilitators and provided tablets for such purpose.

He explained that the initiative was imperative as it would help children improve their learnings especially with the audio-visual system provided, which will reduce abstract learn.ing “We are leveraging on existing NLP, an online/offline

platform designed to compliment the existing system of impacting knowledge and learning, it’s an initiative of federal, state government in partnership with UNICEF.”

Adejare added that the platform would also help out- of-school children, especially those who are slow in assimilating; to listen, watch, learn and understand better what they are being taught.

“It’s a complimentary platform used to boost the normal traditional learning system which we are using to reduce and address such issues, especially in places like Makoko and other suburbs.

The director noted that the idea was to bridge the gap between the fast and the slow learners, adding that every child can learn at his/her own pace, and also revise topics that they can understand and assimilate.He added that teachers are also incorporated in the system, as they have opportunity to teach students by projecting the contents because children are able to learn faster with audiovisual materials.

The Adolescent Development Specialist, Mrs. Ngozi Izuora- Songu, who emphasised on UReport, stated that it is a youth engagement tool which allows a two-way communication for

young people to access personalised information and report on problems they experience in their communities.

“It connects young people in Nigeria to the governments and decision-makers, shares lifesaving and life-changing information, and enhances accountability of progammes for children.

“U-Report is a programme for young people to have their voices heard by governments,” she noted.

She described U-Report Nigeria as that which remains a key insight and data analytics tool used by UNICEF and its partners to improve the quality of the programmatic efforts as it pertains to women, children and young people across thematic areas.

Speaking, on the ‘Overview of Youth Employment, Skilling and Upskilling in Nigeria’, Taiye Tunkarimu, Head of Communications, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), said the body also engaged in digital grassroots programme to create wealth, especially for the youths.

According to her, “we have done digital grassroots programme with UNICEF and we were able to train market people on how they can use the digital platform to promote their business, make gain and expand their customer base.

“We enable job and wealth creation in Lagos State through access to finance, access to infrastructure/vocational skills training, access to market as well as business support.

“UNICEF is our partner and we have done a couple of training and engagements with them, including the digital literacy programme to train people in the grassroots.

Earlier, the UNICEF’s Communication Specialist, Mrs. Blessing Ejiofor, stated that the programme was aimed at exposing the different forms of digital platforms to young people, adding that they are expected to tap into it for positive use.

“The resource persons we have here are experts on digital learning platforms and the idea is communicate to our young people on how to make best use of the platform to create wealth.”

American Political Science Association Appoints LASU Don as Research Development Group Chair

The American Political Science Association (APSA) has appointed a Professor of International Relations at the Lagos State University (LASU), Kayode Soremekun to coordinate and drive its Research Development Group on Africa.

Soremekun, the immediate past ViceChancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), was appointed less than two years into the administration of LASU VC, Prof. Ibironke Olatunji-Bello.

This was contained in his letter of appointment by the Warren Weinstein Chair of African Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Prof. Peter Lewis.

In this capacity, according to the letter, Soremekun will serve the Research Development Group convened by the African Politics Conference Group, aimed at developing and promoting Africa’s early and mid-career academics and researchers.

Lewis, also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an Editor of Journal of Democracy, said: “The role of the Research Development Group (with foundation funding and support from the American Political Science Association) is to foster academic engagement between scholars based in North America and Africa.

“Each year, the Research Development Group brings between six and eight Africabased academics to APSA’s annual meeting (this year in Los Angeles, United States, August 31-September 3) to present work in progress and to have discussions with colleagues. The initiative helps to support scholarly work and to develop collaborative networks,” Lewis

said in Soremekun’s appointment letter.

Lewis further explained that the committee for the Research Devwlopment Group, usually three persons, had the mandate to identify participants, coordinate the panels for the workshop just prior to the APSA meeting, and serve as discussants for some of the research papers that would be presented at APSA’s annual conference.

Lewis therefore, said: “I think that previous participants have found the obligations to be modest and the rewards significant. In addition to engaging with colleagues on a rage of interesting work, participants

are all supported for attendance at the APSA annual meeting.”

Before joining LASU recently, Soremekun lectured for over 20 years at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. At different times, he was Dean of the Faculty of Administration and Head Department of International Relations.

He later moved to the University of Lagos, where he was appointed Head, Department of Political Science. Subsequently, he joined the Covenant University, Ota, where he served as the Dean, College of Development Studies and Head, Department of Political Science and International Relations.

He later joined the Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Unit of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria in 2014. In February

2016, the federal government appointed him to lead FUOYE’s management team.

Among others, Soremekun was a recipient of scholarship in Kings College, Lagos (1967 -1971), National Scholar Award (1973 - 1976), Ford Foundation Scholar (1991), Senior Fulbright Research Scholar (2003) and Resident Rockefeller Scholar in Bellagio Italy (2003)

Founded in 1903, APSA is the leading professional organisation for the study of political science and serves more than 11,000 members in more than 100 countries. With a range of programs and services for individuals, departments, and institutions, APSA brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors within and outside academe to deepen our understanding of politics, democracy, and citizenship throughout the world.

The association promotes a lively, diverse community of scholars, teachers, students, and practitioners who bring wide-ranging interests, methodologies, and perspectives to the analysis and conduct of government andAPSApolitics.disseminates information, facilitates collaboration among its members, publicizes research findings on important theoretical and political issues, and publishes a variety of materials relevant to the discipline. It enhances the capacity of political scientists to conduct research, improve teaching, develop professionally, and communicate their ideas within the discipline and to the wider public.

The association is also committed to transparency, open enquiry, scholarly pluralism, high standards of ethics and integrity, and a global perspective.

Participants at the media dialogue on digital learning platforms held in Lagos... recently

Prof. Kayode SoremekunLASU VC, Prof. Ibironke Olatunji-Bello

Corona College of Education Matriculates

Obaseki, Kukah Highlight Significance of Quality Education to Improve Devt Indices

263

Students, Introduces Entrepreneurship Studies

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Corona College of Education (CCED), Ilupeju, Lagos, has stated that it will start offering entrepreneurship studies with new students inducted recently at its sixth matriculation ceremony. The event was hosted virtually and in person.

The CCED Provost, Dr. Olajumoke Mekiliuwa, who announced the college’s entrepreneurship classes under the skill acquisition programme/unit, said all CCED students are expected to engage in entrepreneurship classes across a variety of skills and crafts.

“Photography, home furnishing, shoe-making, hair-braiding, footwear making, bead-making and anyone you choose to come up with,” the provost stated.

Mekiliuwa encouraged the new students to take up skills, even as they pursue academic development so they can be well rounded

The provost also told the students that entrepreneurship classes are mandatory, along with other counsels she gave towards academic excellence.

The matriculating students took their oath after the CCED’s dean of education presented them to the registrar.

CCED’s new students span across the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and

Management.

According to the provost, 263 students were offered provisional admission into CCED in the 2022/2023 academic session with 218 enrolling into the college’s programmes.

Mekiliuwa told the students that by the end of their programme, they would receive the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) certification and licenses.

Victoria Opawole, an NCE student said she applied to CCED with the counsel of her father, who is also a teacher.

Opawole said she believed CCED offered more skills aside from teaching. It is her first degree pursuit.

Another NCE student, Rosewell Akana, said she learnt of CCED through the website as she searched for academic programmes for teachers.

Amarachi Peace Onyechi, a teacher at Angels on Mission Nursery and Primary School, Aguda, Lagos learnt about CCED through her friend and decided to pursue further training.

Onyechi said she enrolled into CCED’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme out of passion and with the support of her husband.

Another teacher, Dickson Nwoseh said he chose CCED for his PGDE programme because the college website showed that students receive their TRCN certification upon graduation.

Nwoseh is a teacher at Temple Secondary School, Ikeja.

Alpha Global Highlights Best Practices in Early Childhood Education

Alpha Global recently hosted its third successful webinar series on early childhood education success with a focus on effective leadership and management.

The webinar featured renowned speakers who are professionals in their field and drew participation from educators and practitioners worldwide.

The Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Childcare and Alpha Chains Limited, Caroline Popoola, shared insights on ‘Leadership in Early Childhood Education’.

Popoola highlighted the significance of leadership in a childcare setting and explained the different qualities a childcare leader should possess, including ethical leadership and the need to create value, be values-driven, and appreciated.

Other facilitators included Dale Hancock, an international coach, speaker, and CEO of Young Life Coaches, who spoke on ‘Maintaining a Supportive Work Culture in a Childcare Setting’, emphasizing the importance of raising and coaching children properly.

Janice Aylmer, a member of the senior leadership team and a Governor at the Montbelle Primary School in Greenwich, United Kingdom, spoke about ‘Managing Challenging Behaviour in Early Years’, emphasizing the need for a safe, calm, and caring environment for positive behavior

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship, Mathew Hassan Kukah have identified quality education as essential in improving human capital development indices.

Both spoke at the Maiden Edo Parents’ Summit, as part of the 2023 Edo Education Week in Benin City.

Obaseki said parents play critical roles in sustaining achievement recorded by his administration in the education sector.

He said the education week highlights the achievements recorded so far by the reforms undertaken by the state govern-

ment in the past five years, adding “we can appreciate how far we have gone, the progress made and what needed to be done going forward in sustaining the reforms.”

Obaseki commended parents for their support, which he said has contributed in no little way to the success recorded so far in the reform. “In the last five years, we have been able to make foundational changes. We have made teachers important, introduced technology, set up school management and got communities involved to make the reforms successful,” the governor said. According to him, the education week also focuses on the last component of the reforms which is the learning standards, noting

that the learning agenda has been launched which is focused on making every child a reading champion.

He said, “every child must learn a skill as we don’t want a situation where our children will learn without skills. The last component of the reforms is sustainability which is in the hands of stakeholders particularly parents who are critical and important to the reforms.”

On his part, Kukah urged parents to place a premium in educating their children in order to ensure that their legacy is remembered.

He said, “education is important and significant because it focuses on improving great values in our children. Education is a substitute to godfatherism

and nepotism.”

The Catholic bishop commended Governor Obaseki, noting, “We thank you for repositioning, restrategizing on how the world sees Edo people through Education.

He urged parents and other critical stakeholders to collaborate with the state government in sustaining the reforms to enable the state to compete favorably in the 21st century.

“The great efforts of Governor Obaseki must be commended as he has repositioned Edo State to be able to compete favorably, efficiently and effectively in the 21st Century. The country has been faced and is still facing various forms of security challenges which are threatening the education sector.”

management.

The Chief Executive Officer of Parenting Teens Solution, Phinnah Chichi Ikeji, shared valuable insights on ‘Emotional Intelligent Tools for Practitioners in Early Years’, highlighting the importance of educators building their emotional intelligence tank to effectively support the emotional needs of the children in their care.

The webinar also featured a panel session with on the topic ‘Unlocking the Power of Early Childhood Education: Strategies for Success’. The panellists explored practical strategies for creating a strong foundation for children’s learning and development.

The webinar also highlighted the organiser’s commitment to providing innovative solutions, resources, and support to educators and practitioners worldwide.

The organisation commended all the speakers, panelists, and participants for their active engagement and contribution to the success of the webinar.

Alpha Global also announced an upcoming conference on July 8, 2023, in Nigeria, and for the first time, in Ghana. The conference will bring together experts in early childhood education to further explore best practices, exchange ideas, and enhance the quality of early childhood education in Africa and beyond.

A cross-section of the matriculating students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti

Eschew Lackadaisical, Anti-social Behaviours, FPA Rector Tells New Students

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Fresh ND I and HND I students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti have been advised to shun all forms of lack of commitment to their studies and other unwarranted anti-social behaviours that may be inimical to their progress, as well as to the peace and stability of the institution.

The Rector, Dr. Temitope John Alake charged the new students admitted for the 2022/2023 academic session to see their admission as a rare priviledge to have been considered among many others who were not so

fortunate to be admitted. He implored them to do their best in the course of their studentship to excel, as the future looks promising ahead of them.

Alake stated that the institution has continued and will continue in its stride to maintain its status and standard as a polytechnic that is sought after and one of the best in the country.

While emphasising that the Institution under his watch will not condone any form of vandalism or social rascality capable of demeaning or bringing the Polytechnic into

disrepute, Alake apprised the Matriculants with the essence of the core values of his administration, which he reiterated is anchored on Discipline, Integrity, Sacrifice, Excellence, Creativity and Teamwork, (DISECT)

As a way to promote diligence in academics and further encourage hard work on the part of serious students, 63 scholars, who came top of their respective classes at NDI and HNDI levels during the 2021/2022 academic session received cash award with certificate of commendation from the rector.

The rector charged the matriculating students to

also give serious attention to their skills acquisition, which are numerous, through the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Development and Vocational Studies (CEDVS) as well as their unhindered participation in sporting activities as these extra skills will complement their certificate upon graduation.

Alake assured the new students that the management under his watch will do everything possible within the available resources to enhance students’ welfare and give them an enabling environment to achieve excellence in their academics

APWEN Seeks Gender-inclusion to Empower Women Engineers

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), in collaboration with Royal Academy of Engineering, recently held the SheEngineer 30 per cent club launch/awards which seeks to encourage gender inclusion and celebrate diversity as a deliberate social intervention project and close the gendergap by empowering women and adolescent girls within the aviation, automotive and energy sectors in Nigeria . The programme was themed, ‘Integration and Implementation of Gender-sensitive Policies in the Workplace’.

Speaking at the programme in Lagos, the grant awardee

and former President of the association, Dr. Felicia Agubata noted that the project has the objective of ensuring that girls begin to see Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects as being ‘non-gendered’.

She added that the club wants to help them pursue what interests excites them because the jobs in the future are either in the STEM industries and require STEM skills.

“We intend to train and encourage more girls to take up engineering as a career to close the gender gap so as to attain a better gender balance within the engineering sector, with the objective of filling at least 30% positions in their organisations with women

by 2030 through a 30 by 30 strategy.

“Our goal is also to strengthen the internal capacity of APWEN to tackle gender inequality in the engineering sector and also expand our influence at all levels, as well as help build up an engineering talent pipeline with the necessary skills to respond to local challenges.”

As a way of tackling identified problems, Agubata noted that it will open more job opportunities for more females, commit employers to retain and support talented women, create positive workplaces through training in equality and diversity issues, as well as support adoption and implementation of gender

inclusion policies.

“ We plan to organise a regular capacity building training workshop for female engineers from different engineering sectors and launch out training/ awareness campaign in public secondary schools for girls,” the grant awardee stated.

The Programme Leader MSC Quality Management, University of Scotland, Dr Evi Viza stated that the 30% club has the objective of addressing a gap that has been there for years and also aims to change the way business operate, what society expects so as to transform organizations to be productive, resilient and bring economic prosperity to their communities.

Funmi Ogundare

Gombe: Situating Governor Inuwa, Senator Goje’s Rift

Senator Danjuma Goje’s is adroitly navigating stormy political waters apparently contrived by his erstwhile protégé Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State. Louis Ach examines the key issues

There has been no love lost between Senator Danjuma Goje, a former Governor of Gombe State and the incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who served as Commissioner of Finance for eight years under Goje’s administration. Currently, Goje is representing Gombe Central Snatorial zone at the federal parliament.

The talk of a budding political supremacy battle between Gombe’s enduring political godfather Senator Goje and Governor Inuwa ahead of the 2023 general elections initially essentially remained in the realm of speculations. But currently the issue has left the shores of speculation.

The political friction between Goje and Inuwa has polarised the state’s chapter of the party and this impacted results of the recent general elections in the state which made it almost slip back to its former staus of a PDP entity.

Goje alongside other victorious senators-elect are waiting to be sworn-in for another term in the upper chamber of the National Assembly and inauguration of the 10th NASS. It is a no brainer to guess who’s pulling the strings at the local government arena.

At press time, several local government party officials in Gombe State have come out in defense of the purported expulsion of Goje from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) amidst an existing Federal High Court injunction restraining the action.

But reacting to the alleged expulsion, Saidu Muazu Kumo, a senior legislative aide to Senator Goje said they would rather keep mum over the issue until the determination of a restraining order instituted and served to the Kashere Ward executives of the APC even before they announced alleged Goje’s expulsion.

According to Saidu Muazu, a legal practitioner, the case had been in court even before the purported expulsion in Kashere on 18th of April, 2023.

His words: “There was a court order and the party (APC) was served in Kashere on the 16th and 17th of April 2023 that they should be restrained; that they should go to court to hear all the complaints of Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje at the Federal High Court, Abuja, but they went ahead to do the purported expulsion.

“As lawyers, we have been admonished not to talk when a case is still in court. We don’t have anything to say until when the matter is heard and determined by the court of law. We are operating a constitutional democracy in Nigeria, so, you cannot do anything that contradicts the power of the court and you think you will succeed.”

He also described the action of the APC in Kashere Ward as ‘subjudice’, adding that adoption of the expulsion by other party executives from other local governments of the State was more like “building

something on nothing”.

According to Muazu, “they are building their foundation on what the Kashere ward executives had done. So, it doesn’t matter, it is just like building something on nothing. What they did today is not something new, they are still insisting on what the Kashere Ward did on 18th April, 2023”.

He called on Goje’s supporters across the country to remain calm and wait for the outcome of the court judgement, adding that “what we know is that Senator Goje is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a senator-elect for Gombe Central senatorial zone under the APC”.

Many political stakeholders in Gombe recall that Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s successful governorship aspiration was given wings and substance by the focused influence of Senaror Goje’s towering clout.

They readily recall that Senator Goje’s total backing during the APC’s 2018 gubernatorial primary elections, despite the arrays of prominent and strong contenders like; Faruk Bamusa, Muhammed Jibrin Barde, Sen. Idris Umar, Dasuki Jalo Waziri, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Habu among others, enabled Inuwa Yahaya to emerge the party flagbearer.

In effect, tracking back, what determined the gubernatorial outcome and gave Yahaya the throne in 2019 general election despite PDP’s power of incumbency coupled with their financial war chest, was the ability of party leader, Senator Goje not only to nimbly appease towering chieftains who lost to Inuwa Yahaya in the gubernatorial primary

election but also ensuring none defected from the APC to PDP.

Goje also successfully courted folks like Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, Bala Bello Tinka, and Abubakar BD among others to join the APC’s train then. Goje is seen as the pivot and remains rallying point of APC in Gombe State. He represents the foundational base of APC’s 2019 triumph in the state.

It couls be recalled that when Goje took over Gombe State in 2003 from Hashidu of ANPP, he returned the state fully to PDP. When he joined APC he also led the party to win all the NASS seats and returned the state to APC.

During the February 25 2023 election only Goje won a senate seat for APC out of the three Gombe State senate seats. In House of Representatives, APC won just one House of Representatives seat and this was influenced by Goje who gave total support.

During the February 25 election, Governor Inuwa lost his polling unit and entire wards and Tinubu lost the state to PDP. In the governorship election many political observers believe Governor Inuwa Yahaya deployed huge resources at his disposal to win the election unlike in the presidential election where the APC failed. Inuwa’s victory however is being challenged in court.

Why is the rift between the two political leading lights of Gombe still subsisting? It could be recalled that after months of often violent friction between Governor Inuwa’s supporters and Goje’s, efforts to reconcile the leading political figures in Gombe State

were initiated by the ruling party’s high command early last year.

However, the then Chairman Caretaker Committee of the APC and Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni, in a statement issued after the reconciliation meeting held in Abuja, said the two chieftains agreed to set aside their differences for the common interest of the party.

But in all, these efforts appear null and void. Many observers believe that s challenge to Senator Goje’s authority or influence in the state he made considerable sacrifices as one of the key founding fathers by any young upstarts will naturally end in futility.

Some observers also draw attention to the young Turks who tried to challenge Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s authority in the South West have had only tales of woe to tell.

They also hold that it’s mere idle talk to claim that the sitting governor is the natural and automatic leader of the party in the state – concluding that if such a political construct cannot work in Lagos State, it also cannot work in Gombe State - except in the hypothetical realm.

Some even suggest that if Governor Inuwa is spoiling for a fight, this must flow from advisors who are secretly plotting his demise.

If the festering rift between Gombe’s leaders continues, a resurgent PDP waiting in the wings like the patient vulture will surely regain its lost Jewel in the Savanah.

Adamawa Debacle: Before We Crucify the NBC

By Adewale Onasanya

Nigeria politics, especially during elections, has always been an interesting game. Among other challenges is the fact that everything is politicised and viewed with emotional attachment. At this point, most Nigerians throw caution into the winds and react to issues based on interests. Of course, considering the elementary political science teaching that everybody is a political animal, one tends to defend his or her interest.

As a passionate Nigeria who is equally disturbed by the absurdity in the polity, the recent Adamawa brouhaha is nauseating to me. It ridicules not only the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the entire country. The shenanigans played out while the Adamawa election drama dragged on was enough to make an average patriotic Nigerian sick in the heart. From the desperation of the politicians to the presumed lack of neutrality on the part of INEC officials and the suspense created by the actors in the drama were all ridiculous to say the least. As a commentator submitted, it is difficult if not impossible to put the script of the Adamawa governorship election together except from a warped mind with infinite capacity for evil. I agree totally with this submission because it has forever given an indelible mark to the image of INEC and perhaps the country as a whole.

While one may not be able to judge

the electoral body based on results from a supplementary election due to many hitches, the body can be condemned for not putting its house in order and giving Nigeria a seamless exercise on the final day.

What that ugly development portrayed is that the INEC’s house is divided. The drama of absurdity simply put a question mark on their independent status and neutrality in the exercise. The peak of the body’s insincerity was the role played by Mr. Hudu Yunusa, the REC who played the role of a usurper by carrying out the functions of the Returning Officer.

That said, I think stakeholders who are blaming the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for not sanctioning the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), also allowed their emotions to set in and ruled. Yes, NTA might have better access to news because it’s a public broadcasting station, if there would be sanctions over the Adamawa imbroglio, almost all the radio and television stations should be sanctioned. Again, this may be wrong if due diligence is not followed. It’s sad that we seem to think that those journalists on ground are not human. As professionals, their first duty is to report happenings and inform the public.

In Adamawa that was what NTA staff and other reporters on ground did.

One issue those debating and profiling NTA have not raised or mischievously ignored is the setting of the scene of the announcement which gave a semblance of authority. In a hall

where a Police Commissioner, personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were present, for Christ’s sake, how would the journalists have imagined that it was nothing but a ruse?

Another issue raised which can be faulted was the covering of the acceptance speech delivered by the candidate of the All Progress Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru, a.k.a Binani, by the national television. To me, this is like calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. One, between the time the controversial announcement by the REC took place and the time the beneficiary of the shady result gave his acceptance speech, one solid hour had passed. By then, almost all Nigerians had given up on the election that had been concluded and the winner had emerged. Obviously, the NTA guys and other journalists on ground would have assumed that INEC’s an hour silence was an indication that the announcement so made was from the body truly. Theirs was to report and they did alongside other journalists in the broadcasting and print media.

That some Nigerians, with obvious personal issues to grind with NBC, are now using this exercise to call for the head of the regulatory body is unnecessary. All over the world, broadcasting regulation is key and sacrosanct to control content and promote peace in the land. As the official regulatory organ of the government established to monitor, supervise and regulate the broadcast industry in Nigeria

the NBC is saddled with a responsibility to make players in the industry play by the rules with adherence to professionalism. Without an NBC to regulate and reshape the industry, Nigeria will be thrown to the state of anarchy, hence the need to wield the big stick when the need arises.

I think our problem as a nation is that we want the best but we cannot make the sacrifice. In saner climes where institutions are strong, politicisation of national issues are not encouraged. But we are in Nigeria where there is no trust and where everybody lives with suspicion, I woke up this morning and asked myself if there was any station in the past that has been sanctioned without reason, My answer is no. I asked myself again if Nigerians had ever generally condemned those stations for wrongdoing and commend NBC, my answer again is yes and no. Yes, because those who benefit from such a sanction would jubilate and no, because the promoters of the reason for the sanction would always kick. There is no gainsaying the fact that NBC had in the past sanctioned many organisations but the truth is that I also learnt of times NBC had sanctioned the NTA. The difference is that NTA would take it in good faith and accept the sanction without calling a press conference, perhaps because it’s a government body sanctioned by another government body. But the private owners would simply turn their sanctions to blackmail to win public sympathy. This is definitely not how to build

a good nation. In the light of this, I find the comparative analysis being churned out by various armchair analysts between the recent sanction of Channel Television over an interview with Datti Baba Ahmed, Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party and the Adamawa electoral coverage as an illogical argument. They are simply two different issues.

The issue is that NTA did not do anything wrong in the real sense. The question is this: did NTA run the acceptance speech AFTER or BEFORE the electoral body disowned the announcement of the APC candidate? I doubt. If this was so, then it means that as at the time the woman was giving the acceptance speech, the belief was that she actually won the election.

Sources also informed that Festus Okoye, the INEC spokesperson was not reachable which means that by the time Nigerians realised that the rogue INEC official had taken them for a ride, the damage has been done. Has the NBC goofed in the past? Several times. But that can never change the fact that the Commission has been doing a yeoman’s job in a country where politicians own so many electronic media outlets and will always want to do everything to ensure they get away with infractions.

And this is what the NBC has been resisting. It deserves our accolades. Not condemnation.

NDIC Hails Judiciary on Prosecution of Failed Bank Cases

James Emejo

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan has commended the judiciary and Nigerian Bar for their collaboration with the corporation in the diligent and timely prosecution of failed bank cases over the years.

Hassan gave the commendation in Abuja at the sensitization seminar for external solicitors of the corporation with the theme: “The Role of NDIC External Solicitors in the Execution of the Mandate of the Corporation”.

The NDIC boss noted that the support from its external solicitors and the judiciary

was evidenced by heightened diligence in handling the corporation’s cases, and better-informed judgments from the court, bar, and the bench, resulting in increased awareness of the benefits of the deposit insurance scheme in the public domain.

Hassan, in a statement by NDIC Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir Nuhu, noted that the seminar was a continued attempt to consolidate the gains recorded through previous exercises which fostered a better understanding of the Deposit Insurance Scheme (DIS) thereby aiding external solicitors in prosecuting its cases in the interest of bank depositors and the Nigerian

financial system.

While noting that recovery of debts and realization of assets of closed banks were critical to the achievement of the corporation’s mandate as a liquidator, the MD stressed that the NDIC needed to continue collaborating with the judiciary and external solicitors in handling parties’ suits against the corporation, as well as the corporation’s cases against debtors towards recovering the debts owed to banks under liquidation.

He, therefore, called on the external solicitors to continue to put in their best in prosecuting the corporation’s cases notwithstanding the challenges confronting them.

FITC Launches Future of Work Academy

FITC has launched a new knowledge offering, the FITC Future of Work Academy (FITC FOWA).

FOWA was unveiled at the highly impactful Future of Work Roundtable event organized by FITC with the theme “Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Equipping Youths for the Jobs of the Future.” Accelerated by the pandemic, the future of work is being shaped by technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and connectivity driving new talent models and necessitating the expansion of new skills. Reputed for knowledge innovation, FITC introduces Future of Work Academy (FOWA) which comprises seven schools namely the School of Data Analytics,

School of Data Science, School of Cyber Security, School of Coding, School of Graphic Design, School of Digital Marketing, and School of Product Design and Management.

In her Welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of FITC, Chizor Malize, emphasized the critical role of the academy in equipping young people with relevant 21st-century workplace skills. She noted that the future of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with rapid advances in technology and automation necessitating the need to prepare the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow, by improving their employability levels and equipping them to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing

work environment.According to Malize, “The FITC Future of Work Academy is an innovative initiative that is designed to equip the African Youth with relevant workplace skills while building a pipeline of talents for the Nigerian Financial services Sector, a critical sector to the nation’s economy’.

In her Goodwill message, the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Chairman of the FITC Board, Mrs. Aisha Ahmad emphasized the profound impact of technology globally. She noted that post the Covid-19 pandemic, technology is at the forefront of transforming the way we live, work, and conduct business with direct impact on work and the workplace.

AI Integration in Nigeria’s Financial Services Receives Boost

Michael Olugbode

3line Limited, one of the trailblazers and creators of secure payments platforms in Nigeria has organized a hackathon to explore the untapped opportunities for AI integration in the payment space. The event, called HackIt Challenge at Covenant University, is aimed to bring together tech-savvy youths to collaborate and develop innovative digital solutions that can address the challenges in the sector.

The participants were grouped into teams and guided to use an iterative product

development method (Agile Scrum Framework) to enable digital dexterity, talent development, and team competition.

The hackathon resulted in various community-based solutions around wallets that made transactions easy and seamless, making it possible to transact with friends with ease.

CEO of 3line Limited, Femi Omogbenigun, emphasized the importance of reaching out to young stars and mentoring them to become innovative and successful entrepreneurs.

He mentioned that the future of financial services would belong to the operators who leverage AI early and use it

to solve problems in society.

According to Omogbenigun, the company organized a challenge with two objectives: to reach out to young stars and provide mentorship, and to showcase their commitment to innovation. The challenge aimed to engage with young people and gather insights into their perspectives on the future of payments and financial services.

Omogbenigun spoke about the potential for new technology to make payments easier and more seamless for consumers. He believes that the next game changer in payments will be a solution that solves these problems..

CIS Reaffirms Plan to Grow Membership

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) yesterday assured its members of its ongoing renewed efforts to grow the membership base by attracting millennials and Generation Z.

At the heart of growing membership is the introduction of technology to all aspects of the Institute’s examinations processes with the full adoption of Online examination to all levels of its certification examinations to attract candidates across the globe. and introduction of stand-alone -certification to encourage specialisation among its members and other initiatives. The Institute is also seeking Federal Civil Service leadership consideratio of its certifications at different levels for employment of its members desiring to chart careers in the

public sector and for admission into tertiary institutions for post graduate studies .

The first Vice President, Mr Oluropo Dada, answering questions at the 28th Annual General Meeting of the Institute in Lagos explained that local and international collaborations with top-notch tertiary institutions were being exploited to create awareness of the benefits of certification as securities professionals for the academic community.

“We are collaborating with tertiary institutions, universities in the country, and foreign institutes too. We believe that the numbers would be there. We are looking at what we can do at the Universities to catch them young and attract new people into the profession.

“The Institute has also incorpo-

rated stand-alone certification to enable its candidates to specialize in any areas of their choice in line with global standards while it is engaging the relevant government agencies to consider the certifications for employment opportunities in the public sector and admission into tertiary institutions, “Dada said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President and Chairman of Council, Mr Oluwole Adeosun expressed optimism that the Institute had a bright future reflected on the success the In stitute had achieved in its last thirty years of obtaining the Charter from the Federal Government of Nigeria as the certification and training body for the country’s capital market which it recently celebrated and branded as CIS@30 .

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

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

Notore Records N4.1bn Revenue in Q1 2023, Confident of 4.4% Growth in Fertiliser Market

Kayode Tokede

Nigeria’s leading chemical and agro-allied company, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, has recorded group revenue of N4.1 billion for the First Quarter ended 30th April 2023.

In a statement, the company’s Group Managing Director (GMD)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Ohis Ohiwerei, said its production was impacted by gas-supply limitations while finance cost affected

by an increase in the exchange rate and the increasing cost of funds (driven by Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) rate changes).

He said the company is confident of growth in the fertilizer market with Mordor Intelligence predicting a 4.4% growth between 2021 to 2026.

According to him, “The company’s financial performance was impacted by the shortage of natural gas, a feedstock to produce Urea fertilizer, during the period

under review resulting in a decrease in production volumes.”

“The shortage of natural gas significantly impacted our production capacity, thereby limiting our production output. We are working closely with our suppliers to find a solution to the gas shortage and are exploring alternative sources to ensure improved production output.”

Noting the challenging but promising operational environment, he said Notore is committed to

providing premium agricultural inputs to its customers.

He added: “Though the limited gas supply impacted its first-quarter earnings, the Company is addressing the issue to ensure a steady natural gas supply. As a result, it is confident that it will return to profitability in the coming quarters.

On the outlook for the industry, he said the agricultural sector accounts for approximately 24% of Nigeria’s GDP, and one of the most crucial components of the sector is fertil-

izer, which is required to boost food production and growth.

“The fertilizer market in Nigeria is expected to continue growing in the coming years due to the increasing demand for food and the Federal Government’s efforts to promote agriculture. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, Nigeria’s fertilizer market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% between 2021-2026,” he added.

Ohiwerei stated that the Federal

Government continues to drive several initiatives to boost the agriculture sector, such as the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) and the Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP), noting that “these initiatives aim to increase the production and use of fertilizers to improve crop yields and food security in the country. Notore remains well-positioned to leverage opportunities to meet domestic and West African market demand.”

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MAY/02/23

INAUGURATION OF 748 UNITS OF FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE...

Buhari Rejoices with Media On World Press Freedom Day

Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbede in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the media on the occasion of this year's World Press Freedom Day, celebrated worldwide every May 3rd.

This year’s celebration marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly’s decision proclaiming an international day for press freedom, and the president said the landmark was a tribute to media professionals, who risk their lives to keep society informed and educated.

Commenting on this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, Buhari, in a statement issued yesterday, expressed delight that the rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past eight years.

He explained: “We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office."

He charged media professionals to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.

Also, in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, the European Union (EU) yesterday, emphasised the importance of free, independent and pluralistic media to resilient and healthy democracies, even as it lamented that press freedom is at stake in most parts of the world today.The EU in a statement on the World Press Freedom Day lamented that journalists, media workers and all those who bring independent quality information to the public, shed light on the gross human rights violations and atrocities and hold

those in power to account increasingly face discredit, threats and attacks, including through disinformation.

The EU said while: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers,” noted that laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago, the protection of freedom of expression remains a key priority for EU human rights action.

The EU added: “This year we join UNESCO in emphasizing that, today more than ever, freedom of expression is crucial for all other human rights and contributes decisively to ‘Shaping a Future of Rights.’

It said: “Reporters in an attacked Ukraine, journalists in Belarus and Afghanistan, independent media in the Middle East and North Africa, local journalists in Central America, the Nobel Prize laureates in the Philippines and Russia and many other media workers worldwide, including in Europe, continue to pay a high price for exercising their profession.

“Women journalists are particularly vulnerable to threats and increasing attacks, both offline and online. They are exposed to stigmatisation, sexist hate speech, trolling, sexual and gender-based violence and even murder.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has tasked the incoming government to initiate deliberate and sustained policies and programmes to promote freedom of expression, media freedom and safety of journalists.

The Guild noted that there were conscious efforts in the past few years by some members of the National Assembly – working in collaboration with officials of the executive arm of government, to criminalise journalism

practice in Nigeria.

The umbrella of all the editors in Nigeria, which stated this in a statement yesterday, to mark this year World Press Freedom Day, also promised to engage the incoming government over the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and the Broadcast Code of Conduct - with the aim to amend and reform them to conform to the global best practices.

In a statement signed by its President Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the NGE said pluralistic mass media predicated on freedom of expression, freedom of information

and free press are fundamental to any effective and functional democracy all over the world, stating that Nigeria can’t be an exception.

“We share the popular notion that freedom of the media is indispensable for the protection of all other human rights. “Instances abound where inhuman treatments, torture, corruption, misuse of power, impunity and nepotism were exposed because of the reports by the media.

“Informing members of the public is often the first and essential step to begin remedying human rights violations and hold governments to account.

“Disturbing signs of repression,

violations of media freedom and several cautious attempts to criminalise journalism practice, have been observed in the past few years in our “Therecountry. have been different forms of control, censorship, and pressure over the content of mass media in Nigeria, especially the broadcast stations, which have hindered their independence and pluralism.

“Cases of journalists who are deprived of their inalienable rights due to their work continue to occur over and over again. Cases of harassment, intimidation, violence - and even murder - have been documented in the past eight years - by both local

and international pro-media rights groups,” the NGE stated.

The NGE added that the case of two Nigerian journalists – Gidado Shuaib and Alfred Olufemi - who were recently convicted by an inferior court in Kwara State, ought not to have been charged, let alone convicted, for publishing an investigative report about a factory.

“The conviction of the two journalists has sent disturbing signals to the mass media that pointed out the necessity to urgently reform our laws and ensure journalism is not criminalised in Nigeria in line with the intention of anti-media forces,” it added.

Agora Policy Report Proposes Ways to Accelerate Reforms in Nigeria

citizens experience when they come into contact with their government.

administration that it will no longer be business as usual.

The Waziri Adio-led organisation in its latest policy memo, stressed that the president must rise to the responsibility of reforms through the challenge of personal example, which Chinua Achebe described as the hallmark of true leadership. It noted that this would mean showing personal prudence, fiscal responsibility and attempting to gain first-hand knowledge of what

Buhari Reappoints Dabiri -Erewa NIDCOM Chairman

Asks Senate to confirm six federal commissioners For RMAFC

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the reappointment of Abike DabiriErewa as the Chairman/Chief Executive of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for a second term.

The president ‘s request was contained in a letter sent to the Senate and read on the floor of the chamber by its President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, at plenary yesterday.

Buhari said the nomination was

in accordance with the provision of Section 2 sub-section 2 of the NIDCOM Establishment Act 2017.

In another letter, Buhari also requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of six federal commissioners for the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission( RMAFC).

The request was in accordance with the provision of Section 154 sub section 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Buhari said the appointment

of the nominees was aimed at filling the existing vacancies of their respective states.

The nominees for the position of federal commissioners were: Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu State); Peter Opara (Imo State, federal commissioner); Hawa Umaru Aliyu (Jigawa State); Rekiya Tanko Haruna (Kebbi State); Ismaila Mohammed Agaka (Kwara State) and Kolawole Daniel Abimbola (Oyo State).

The Senate had yet to take any legislative action on the two letters.

In the paper titled: “How to Accelerate Governance and Public Service Reforms in Nigeria”, written by a former Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, Agora policy said this can be done through unscheduled visits to public organisations and ‘mystery shopping’.

“This would require the new president to set the tone very early on in the administration that it will no longer be business as usual,” it added.

Stressing that it was important to revisit the Oronsaye report, Agora noted that although it is now more than a decade old, most of its recommendations remain valid but have never been implemented.

“Of all the organisations recommended for abolition or merger, only the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) has ever been abolished. In its stead, a new Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been created.

“The impact of the ministry since its creation needs to be evaluated, and the mystery needs to be resolved about the beneficiaries of its interventions and the methodology and data on which their selection was based,” it stated.

It stressed that the number of agencies in Nigeria has more than doubled since the Oronsaye report, saying that it was instructive to note that the Oronsaye report not

only proposed organisations that should be abolished or merged but it also listed several organisations that should have stopped receiving government funding for the last 10 years.

Quoting newspaper reports, it suggested that implementing the Oronsaye report could save Nigeria as much as N3.7 trillion.

“Admittedly, abolishing or merging agencies is a difficult task, especially as most of them are established by law, and the issue of potential job losses is always an emotive and politically difficult one.

“However, the government can implement the recommendations in stages, starting with those organisations that should no longer be getting appropriations from the federal budget.

“The difficulty of having to propose specific legislation to abolish or merge each individual agency can be addressed with a single Agencies Reform Bill that abolishes or merges the named agencies,” it added.

Relatedly, Agora policy stated that there was also an urgent need to tackle oil theft and the vandalism of oil pipelines by deploying technology and visibly sanctioning wrongdoers.

“There is also an urgent need to remove fuel subsidies. Projected to cost $16 billion in 2023, the projected subsidy payments are said to be double the expenditure of all the 36 states of the federation put together. Nigeria can simply not afford the level of expenditure to

subsidise petrol for urban dweller and neighbouring countries (due to smuggling).

“Rural dwellers have been paying higher prices for years. The savings from removing petrol subsidies can be ploughed back into human capital development—including education and health—, investing in the civil and public service with better quality personnel and cutting-edge technology, and can also be invested in power and infrastructure development,” the report stated.

Arguing that Nigerian public service personnel is poorly distributed, with too many people doing too little, and quite a few people doing too much, Agora posited that there was a need to rebalance the public service to ensure that people are deployed into areas of the greatest need.

In its recommendations, it noted that to pull the levers that will trigger an acceleration of governance and public service improvements in Nigeria, the new president, in words and actions, should create a sense of a reform movement in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and lead the movement through personal example.

“There is a need to raise productivity by facilitating an increase in agricultural and manufacturing output and promoting information and communication technology, particularly with payment systems where Nigeria competes favourably with the best in the world.

EU harps on importance of media to democracy NGE tasks incoming government on press freedom, safety of journalists Promises to engage authorities on review of NBC Act, anti-media laws

Urges next president to lead by example Wants cost of governance reduced

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Agora Policy, an Abuja think-tank, has said that for public sector reforms to emerge successful in Nigeria, it would require the new president to set the tone very early on in the

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President , Prof. Ibrahim Gambari ; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola ; President Muhammadu Buhari ; Chairman , Federal Housing Authority , Sen Lawali Shuaibu and Managing Director/CEO Federal Housing Authority , Senator Gbenga Ushafa at the Commissioning of 748 Units of Federal Housing Authority Estate in Zuba, Abuja...... yesterday .

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

LAFARGE AFRICA'S 64TH AGM...

Stormy Session Likely as APC NWC Meets Today Amid Leadership Crisis

Adedayo

The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may climax today as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party readies for a likely stormy meeting.

The meeting was summoned following a lawsuit instituted by APC National Vice Chairman, North-west, Dr. Salihu Lukman, against National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, over their alleged refusal to convene

meetings of relevant party organs.

Lukman had given a seven-day ultimatum to Adamu to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), where Adamu would give the financial account of the party.

But Adamu's reluctance to hearken to his call to convene the NEC meeting after expiration of the seven days ultimatum forced Lukman to institute a lawsuit against the party chairman last Thursday.

However, the crisis rocking the party assumed another dimension on Sunday, when the National

Legal Adviser, Ahmad El-Marzuq, recommended Lukman’s expulsion, in his letter to Adamu.

Reacting to the expulsion threat, Lukman said he hoped the issue would be tabled at the NWC meeting slated for today for deliberation, and that, it was only then that it would become a threat.

In yet another memo, yesterday, addressed to Adamu and copied President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC governors, and NWC members, Lukman through his lawyers, Legal Resource Consortium (LRC)

expressed the hope that Adamu, members of the NWC and all party leaders would be properly guided by the correct position of the law.

Lukman, in the memo signed by Olawale Fapohunda, warned that under no circumstance should Adamu or the NWC administrative organ of the party act in a manner that suggested they were too powerful to be governed by the party's constitution.

The memo said, "Under no circumstances should Your Excellency, being the National Chairman, or, indeed, the NWC as the

10th Assembly: Put APC on Its Toes, Damagum Charges PDP House Members-elect

Group promises to respect APC zoning arrangements

Udora Orizu and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has charged the party's members-elect in the House of Representatives to put the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on their toes.

This was as a group of the members-elect across the eight political parties that won various seats in the National Assembly under the aegis of "Joint Task-10th Assembly" has said it would abide by the zoning formula of the ruling APC.

Speaking at a meeting with members-elect to formally welcome and congratulate them on their electoral victory in Abuja, yesterday evening, the national chairman said putting the ruling party on their toes was one of the ways of making them work for the country.

"You have a daunting task before you because of the state of the nation. You have been elected at a time when the country is no longer what we used to know. It has been bedeviled by so many vices and people are looking up to you to correct the rot.

“When you make laws, it is expected that you are helping the society and in act of making laws, you should be mindful of the fact that the society is no longer what you used to know and you have to be firm. You have to be loyal to your country first and then the party. Loyalty to the country, because it is

only when you have a country that you can even exist as a lawmaker.

"Most of you that have spoken have been grateful to the party for giving you the platform to be here today. We don't expect anything else from you rather than to be a loyal party member. Most of you will be concerned about the current situation of the party, it is always like that.

“When you have an election year, there will be a lot of crises. If you look at it from your primaries up to the time when you were elected, you have gone through a lot and I know the party is going through the same kind of situations. But one thing I want to assure you is that PDP has the mechanism to solve its own problems.

"The initiative you have taken upon yourself before we even called upon you to make this gathering possible is also one of reasons why I said we have the mechanism. You have done well. I have interacted with some of your leaders towards being at this gathering and I don't expect any PDP member to be less in terms of that acumen and capacity.

“We have always been known to be full of capacity in terms of what we want to achieve. I don't expect less from you. I want to reiterate like some of you have said here that this 10th Assembly should come and make sure that it gives the right opposition that is expected of you.

"I always have hope in the House of Representatives. I am not saying the Senate is not doing much but you are the people that are directly closer to the constituencies and much

is expected of you and I hope that ours is going to be a joint credible opposition and we’ll give it to them. We’ll put them to task, we’ll put them on their toes to make sure that the right thing is done in this country because this is what need at this moment," he said.

Earlier, convener of the meeting, Hon. Frederick Agbedi, in his opening remarks said the meeting was to seek direction from the party on

how to proceed in the incoming 10th assembly, adding that the PDP had the numerical strength of 116 to achieve its objectives in the parliament.

Also, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji from Enugu State said the PDP was ready to use "our number to get strength in the House," even as others who spoke thanked the party for making the platform available for them to contest the election.

administrative organ of the party, act in a manner that suggests you are 'too powerful to be governed or controlled by the party’s constitution or guidelines, and in contravention of such control mechanisms,' which will mean that 'democracy is thrown overboard by anarchy.’

"Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/573/2023 between Salihu Mohammed Lukman vs All Progressives Congress APC & 3 Ors is instituted primarily to arrest the looming danger of anarchy in the management of our party, which is actively being promoted by the National Legal Adviser for which he has the effrontery to recommend that 'Senior members of the bar should be engaged to represent and defend the interest of the party.

"Is this really about the interest of the party or some pecuniary interests of those who are opposed to allowing the structures of the party to function as enshrined in the provisions of our party's constitution? How can meetings of NEC and other organs of the party be said to be against the interest of the party?"

Lukman noted that El-Marzuq and all those involved in the effort to subvert the constitution of the party might wish to convert all the party resources to fund appearances in court to defend the indefensible.

According to him, “Those of us who stand for justice, even as orphans, will always find partners and allies among senior members of

the bar who will provide pro-bono services in defence of democracy.

I am confident that our founding leaders, led by President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will bring their moral authority to serve as a check to restore constitutional order in the APC."

El-Marzuq, in an earlier reply to Lukman's initial memo, said he took serious exception to the words used by Lukman in his letter, when he described his legal opinion as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the NWC into subverting the party's constitution

As National Legal Adviser, he said it was his duty to provide legal advice to the party that was devoid of sentiment.

He said, "I fail to see where I deliberately misled the NWC into subverting the party's constitution by simply referring to relevant portions of the said constitution, which are clear and unambiguous, as I have nothing personal against the National Vice Chairman (NorthWest)," El-Marzuq, a ‘Life Bencher’, claimed.

He said he was ready to address all the issues raised in the memo written by himself at the emergency meeting of the NWC. The meeting was scheduled for today. He further recommended that senior members of the bar should be engaged to represent and defend the interest of the party.

Senate Asks Minister to Halt Planned Demolition of Aviation Agencies in Lagos

Probes immigration service over delay in passport issuance, renewal

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate yesterday, directed the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to stop forthwith, the planned demolition of the offices of aviation agencies in Lagos, pending the outcome of the intervention being made by its Committee on Aviation.

The Senate resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Biodun Olujimi ( PDP Ekiti South), on the urgent need for a Senate intervention on the intending warning strike by aviation unions.

This was just as the Senate yesterday directed its committee on Interior to urgently investigate the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) over circumstances that lead to the delay of issuance and renewal of the Nigerian Passport.

The federal government and

aviation workers have been at loggerheads over plan to demolish Lagos office complexes of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The agencies have been asked to relocate to Abuja as new headquarters, but the unions said staff who had relocated were yet to be paid and had been protesting the action.

Owing to this, Olujimi in the motion called the attention of the Senate to intending warning strike by the Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircrafts Pilots and Engineers, among others. She noted that the industrial

actions have become too many and too frequent to be let low, pointing out that issues in contention are not new. Some of them, according to her had lingered for over eight years with several agreements signed between the unions and government but not honoured.

The Senator stated that the continuous threats of outright demolition of the aviation agencies (FAAN, NCAA and NAMA Headquarters) in Lagos, by the Ministry without making reasonable provisions for befitting alternative offices, was making the affected unions fight back through strike actions.

She therefore urged the Senate to intervene in the matter by mandating its committee to interface with all stakeholders for possible way out of the crisis.

After an exhaustive debate on

the motion, the Senate mandated its committee on Aviation, chaired by Olujimi, to organise round table discussion with all parties involved in the crisis.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said, "The aviation being the face of the country, must not be allowed to run into crisis.

"Our committee should intensify efforts towards nipping in the bud any action that may result into strike action by the aviation unions and also prevent the unions from embarking on any strike."

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday directed its committee on Interior to urgently investigate the NIS over the circumstances leading to the delay of issuance and renewal of the Nigerian passport.

Akinwale in Abuja

L-R: Independent Non-Executive Director, Lafarge Africa Plc. Oyinkan Adewale; Independent Non-Executive Director, Adenike Ogunlesi; Chief Financial Officer Lolu Alade-Akinyemi; and the Group Managing Director/CEO, Khaled El Dokani at the company’s 64th Annual General Meeting held at The Civic Centre in Lagos… yesterday

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

INAUGURATION OF DAISY DANJUMA WOMEN CENTRE...

during the

of

Osinbajo: We Owe Citizens Responsibility of Good Governance

Says public service is lifelong enterprise Urges lovers of Nigeria

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said Nigerian leaders owed the citizenry the duty and responsibility of selfless service, because public service was a lifelong enterprise that deserved commitment.

Osinbajo, who stated this yesterday evening while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the virtual launch and unveiling of the book: “Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader”, however, urged lovers of the country not to give up.

However, Chairman of the occasion and Nigeria's former Head of State, General Gowon, described Osinbajo as a leader, who

brought a collaborative approach to governance.

According to him, “Public service for all of us who love this nation and its peoples unconditionally only terminates when we die. Our country deserves our commitment and service. And I commend you all, compatriots in the public service, especially those who are not public servants, and social activists for your steadfastness through the years.

“As we march on towards a new Nigeria, we must not give up. So, I would want us to leave this event with a paraphrase of what Chimamanda said a few moments ago: ‘We who love this country must not give up because love is persistent.”

Reflecting on his journey as vice-president in the last eight years, Osinbajo said, “I am deeply grateful to my team of advisers, and assistants and the strong civil service team that supported me these many years.

"First let me thank the Almighty God for the privilege of life and the opportunity to serve. I must also thank a role model and all-time mentor to millions, the Chair of this book launch, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR. Thank you for the incredible privilege of your company today, and I am deeply grateful to you for doing me this honour.

"Let me also thank former President General Abdulsalami Abubakar for the great honour

done to me by the very generous comments he made in the foreword to this book," he said.

Osinbajo also expressed appreciation to the governors present at the event led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; his Plateau State counterpart, Samuel Lalong, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

Speaking, Gowon, while thanking Osinbajo for his service to the nation, added that the vice-president would leave the office as one of the most effective vice-presidents the country has ever produced.

He said, “Vice President Osinbajo is known for his collaborative ap-

Confusion as Abia Lawmakers Purportedly Impeach Speaker Outside Assembly

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

With barely some 27 days to the end of its term, the Abia State House of Assembly, has been plunged into crisis following a purported impeachment of the Speaker, Hon. Chinedum Orji, by some members.

The impeachment proceedings, carried out yesterday morning outside the House of Assembly complex was recorded in a video, which immediately went viral.

But in a swift reaction, the speaker convened and presided over a plenary session at about

3.00pm attended by eight other members, where he also announced the removal of the Deputy Speaker, Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu and other lawmakers in the "rebel" camp.

Hon Mandela Obasi, representing Ohafia North State constituency, was appointed the new Deputy Speaker.

However, in the impeachment video, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu presided over the proceedings during which Hon Kennedy Njoku moved the motion for the removal of the a speaker. The motion was seconded by Hon Chijioke Chukwu.

Njoku, who represents Osisioma state constituency, said Orji was no longer fit to continue in office as Speaker because of his insensitivity to the welfare of the members of the state legislature.

“I want to move a motion considering the present situation in the House of Assembly and the feelings of members towards the speaker of the 7th House, Engr. Chinedum Orji, of his insensitivity to the welfare of members and other sundry activities.

“It is clear to us that all these have led to gross misconduct on the office of the Speaker. Hence, I

move a motion for the removal of the speaker,” he said, reading out a list of 18 members, out of 24, who signed for the impeachment of the speaker.

With Orji still holding sway as speaker backed by his loyalists and the rival group having its own Speaker in Hon Apugo, the 7th Abia Assembly is primed to end its term on a note of crisis.

Meanwhile, the Speaker has directed that security agencies should not allow any member of the House in the opposing camp to come close to the House of Assembly complex.

N855m Fraud: Appeal Court Fixes May 4 to Hear EFCC Objection to Pardon Granted Convicted Indian, Others

Wale Igbintade

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has fixed Thursday, May 4, 2023 for hearing of the objections raised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the purported pardon granted to an Indian businessman, Ashok Israni and three others by the Lagos State government.

Justice Kudirat Jose of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, had on December 9, 2019, convicted Israni, and two officials of Keystone Bank, Anayo Nwosu and Olajide Oshodi, on an amended 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy and

obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N855 million.

The Judge had sentenced them to five years imprisonment each for stealing. Justice Jose also convicted NULEC Industries Limited belonging to Israni and Keystone Bank Limited, in her judgment.

Besides, the companies were also ordered to pay a fine of N20 million to the federal government on counts 1, 10 and 13, while the convicts were ordered to restitute the sum of N395 million to the victim of the fraud.

Curiously, just four months after their conviction, they were released from prison by officials of

the Kirikiri Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), allegedly on the directive of the Lagos State Government, despite the pendency of their appeals before the upper court.

The EFCC, in the objections filed by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), submitted that it was the law that pardon cannot be granted to convicts whose rights of appeal had not been exhausted.

He urged the appellate court to declare the purported pardon “illegal” since the appellants' appeals had been filed and entered since February 13, 2020, though, it could not be heard due to the outbreak

of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forestalled judicial activities.

The EFCC further claimed that immediately after one of the appellants, Anayo Nwosu, was released, he allegedly made so many publications on many social media platforms, stating that he was wrongly convicted, jailed and maltreated because of the whims and caprices of the nominal complainant.

At the last hearing of the matter sometimes November 2022, the court had ordered the lawyer of the convicts/applicant, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), to produce the instrument of their pardon issued to them by the Lagos State government.

proach to governance, which has enabled him to work effectively with different stakeholders in achieving common goals. As you all know, Vice President Osinbajo has been at the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed Nigeria’s economy and its people.

“The Vice President has always exhibited a passion for innovation and commitment to the development of Nigeria. Prof. Osinbajo

is one of the most effective vice presidents Nigeria has ever had. And that is why I said congratulations to this government. The vice president has put in a lot of effort with the kind of work he’s done.”

The 29-chapter book was put together by 25 journalists and writers known as the “PYO Collective," and the foreword was written by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

NCDC Partners Johns Hopkins, UK College on 5-Year Lassa Fever Research Plan

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in collaboration with the University College of London (UCL), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), and other local and international partners has commenced a two-day colloquium and workshop on how to carry out Lassa fever research in Nigeria. The research colloquium aims at improving Lassa fever control in Nigeria.

A statement signed by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said the overall aim of the colloquium was to review the current state of affairs and to identify priorities for research that will bring about a better understanding of the Lassa Fever transmission using, "a One Health approach".

He also said the workshop would serve to, "identify means of

strengthening surveillance, improve forecasting, position us for vaccine trials and provide travel along the therapeutics development pathway all as part of the development of a 5-year Lassa fever research agenda." Adetifa, added that the objectives of the colloquium included to provide a forum for sharing new ideas, research findings, and best practices related to Lassa fever epidemiology, case management, prevention and control, and molecular studies, to explore how to make data from new quantitative models and data sources maximally useful for on-the-ground decision-makers, and how such data products can be optimised for longterm use and to identify gaps and Lassa fever research priorities to guide the development of the next Lassa fever research agenda for Nigeria.

The DG describes the colloquium is a multi-disciplinary event that aims to bring together experts using a One Health approach from various fields to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights on Lassa fever.

BLOOMBERG: HOW TINUBU’S SON BOUGHT

LONDON MANSION TARGETED BY EFCC

collateral, according to the US Justice Department.

The EFCC said the buildings “were suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of crime” and Aluko “fled the country” to avoid answering the fraud allegations against him, according to court filings.

Omokore was acquitted in February by a Nigerian court of charges related to the same allegations. The EFCC – which accuses him of defrauding the state energy firm of $1.6 billion – has said it will appeal. The judge removed Aluko and Alison-Madueke from the indictment because they were not in the country.

Aluko’s location is unknown, the

$11M

report added. Buhari’s spokesman and AlisonMadueke’s lawyer declined to comment. Spokespeople for Attorney General Abubakar Malami, the Nigerian National Petroleum Co. Ltd. and the EFCC did not respond to requests for comment.

In October 2017, as the government that Tinubu played an instrumental role in bringing to power was chasing Aluko and his assets, his son’s company bought one of the targeted properties. Aranda still owns the building and there is currently no mortgage registered to it, according to the UK land records, Bloomberg pointed out.

not to give up on country

Vice-president an effective public servant, says Gowon

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his wife, Mrs. Betsy; Senator Daisy Danjuma, and Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu,

commissioning

the Senator Daisy Danjuma Women Centre, in Benin City, ... yesterday

BOOSTING RELATIONS WITH BANGLADESH...

Police Arrest Fleeing Ari, Interrogate Other Indicted Officials

I’ve no regret announcing Binani as gov-elect, says suspended REC

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Police, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of the fleeing Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu YunusaAri, who circumvented the electoral process during last month’s supplementary election in the Adamawa State governorship election.

But Ari has said he never regretted announcing Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

Yunusa-Ari, had last month announced Binani, the winner of the Adamawa governorship election while the collation of results was ongoing.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the REC was in police custody.

"The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All

Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.

"Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State.

"In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team," he said.

The statement stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, assured the people that every individual involved/indicted in the matter would be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.

"The Inspector-General of Police has assured of the commitment of the force to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice,” he said.

This nonetheless, the suspended REC, who had vowed to turn himself to the police before his eventual arrest, since there was summons on him to report to the police, insisted that he acted within the tenants of the law and that the APC governorship candidate won

the election.

Ari, who stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa, asserted that he acted within the confines of relevant laws before declaring the APC candidate as the governor-elect before his decision was declared null and void by the national arm of the electoral body in Abuja.

The suspended REC had courted controversy after the supplementary election in Adamawa State on April 15, 2023 when he announced Binani as winner of the poll while collation

of results was ongoing.

The situation prompted INEC to nullify Ari’s decision and suspended him while President Muhammad Buhari also ordered full investigation on the electoral commissioner and the security personnel that were around him when he made the declaration.

INEC subsequently concluded the election and announced the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner

of the drama-filled poll. Security agencies had also been ordered to arrest and prosecute the embattled REC whose whereabouts was hitherto unknown since the controversy started over two weeks ago.But, speaking from hiding with the BBC Hausa, Ari said, “I never demanded any gratification from either of Binani or Fintiri. None of the duo sent anything to me; if they have done so by now they will be demanding their monies back.”

Obaseki, Daisy Danjuma Advocate 50% Affirmative Action for Women in Politics, Governance

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and former Senator representing Edo South, Senator Daisy Danjuma have advocated for at least 50 per cent affirmative action for women in politics and government.

The governor made the call during

the inauguration of the Senator Daisy Danjuma Women Centre, in Benin City, reassuring that his government would continue to prioritise policies and reforms to protect women and other vulnerable persons in the state. Obaseki said the center was named after Senator Daisy Ehanire Danjuma in acknowledgment of her efforts in advancing projects and initiatives

BUHARI INAUGURATES 748 NEW HOMES, SAYS HE'S FULFILLED PROMISE

sectors, MOFI has the potential to shape industries, spur innovation, and support economic growth.

“I am glad to note, from the Board and Management update, the crucial activities and positive engagements by MOFI in just three months after inauguration."

Buhari advised staff and management team of the investment company to continue to work closely with other government agencies, the private sector, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and other stakeholders to ensure that they achieved shared goals and objectives.

On the restructuring of MOFI, the president explained that it was a clear indication of the government's commitment to harnessing and creating value from its assets and investments. He added that the federal government was now positioned to optimise its assets, make strategic investments, diversify the economy, generate more revenue, revive public enterprises, and increase transparency in the public sector.

The president reminded members of the council that they had been carefully chosen because of their expertise, experience, and dedication to serving the nation.

Buhari expressed confidence in the abilities of each council member to bring unique perspectives, insights, and skills that would enrich collective

decision-making.

The president said, “Our role as the Governing Council is many-sided. We must ensure that MOFI's investments are aligned with Nigeria's economic objectives.

“We must ensure that we put in place strong governance policies; we must uphold the highest standards of governance and transparency.

“We must engage with MOFI to understand their aspirations, needs, and challenges, we must continue to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing world.”

Buhari: Current Upgrade of Military Will Make It Force of Global Reckoning

The president explained that the current repositioning of the military, through training, networking and equipping, would turn it into a force of global reckoning. He has, therefore, urged officers to keep giving their best to the nation.

Speaking at the inauguration of a Nationwide Secure Defence Headquarters Communications Network, GIWA 2 Project, Phase One, in Abuja, Buhari assured that the government would sustain its role in meeting the demands of the armed forces by evolving necessary initiatives to enhance their position.

Buhari stated, “As the Armed Forces of Nigeria continue to

reposition to provide the enabling environment for enhancing the security and well-being of the citizens, I implore all our troops to give their best in the service of the nation."

The president said the GIWA 2 Project would provide real-time secure means of communication and incident reporting, as well as information exchange between the armed forces and other security agencies.

“It also stands to enhance collaboration between our Defence, Intelligence and Security Community while providing the platform for the denial of freedom of action to all perpetrators of insecurity across Nigeria.”

Buhari noted that the project’s objective was in alignment with some of the main focus areas of the federal government in security, economic progress and technological development.

“These benefits of the GIWA 2 Project informed the timely support of the federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to ensure that the centre is commissioned as one of the proud landmarks and enduring achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria under this administration,"

Buhari directed the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to collaborate and support the Defence Headquarters in the

project, which could impact on rural telephony.

He stated, “To this end, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is to support the Defence Headquarters in ensuring that the infrastructure available for rural telephony are fully deployed for the attainment of GIWA 2 Project deliverables. The federal government shall support the full actualisation of the other phases of GIWA 2 Project.”

The president hailed the armed forces for their patriotism, loyalty, sense of duty and gallantry.

According to him, “Nigeria is blessed with professional and vibrant armed forces, which have continually displayed the unflinching capacity to protect the territorial integrity of our country.

“Our armed forces have continually demonstrated resolve to provide a safe, secure and enabling environment to promote national security."

Buhari said his government had made significant strides to enhance the capacity and capability of the armed forces to tackle the multiple security challenges.

The president listed some of the efforts to include the establishment of Joint Task Forces and the creation of several new military formations to facilitate the conduct of decisive operations against all threats.

He stated, “Other efforts to

that provide support and succor to the vulnerable members of society.

He said, “The unprecedented increase in cases of abuse particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown was a wakeup call and it led my administration to institute a number of legal and policy reforms aimed at protecting women and other vulnerable people in the society.

reposition the Armed Forces of Nigeria include acquisition of new armaments and technology platforms to enhance the conduct of military operations and massive infrastructural development to provide our personnel with befitting accommodation as well as formulation of policies and initiatives to improve the welfare of troops and their families.”

Buhari commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and other service chiefs and stakeholders for the conceptualisation and remarkable work in the establishment of the GIWA 2 Project. He urged the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and all personnel to work assiduously towards enhancing national security. He said, "I am confident that, together we can pave the path for creation of new opportunities to usher Nigeria into a bright future driven by a safe and prosperous environment."

Earlier in his welcome address, Irabor stated that the inauguration of the GIWA 2 Project was the culmination of Buhari's directives in 2021 that the Defence Headquarters must ensure that farmers displaced by insurgency went back to their farms. He stated that the project would ensure secure communication for the military in carrying out its responsibilities.

“This center is a key part in the series of concrete steps and actions taken by this administration to salvage the future of vulnerable persons, particularly women, and youths, and provide them with an opportunity for redemption.

“The center is well-equipped and houses a shelter for female victims of human trafficking and irregular migration and a sexual assault center. We hope these facilities are properly utilised.”

The governor continued: “In establishing this center, we have received support from IOM, partnered with the Italian government, the federal government, and the Government of Switzerland.

“With the support we get from partners, we believe that in the near future, the center will become a reference point for the support of women.

“Daisy Danjuma is an emblem and a symbol of an Edo woman and we are glad to place her in front as a role model for our women.

“I grew up knowing and understanding that women need to be empowered. If left to me, I would have made sure that my House of Assembly is dominated by women. If I had women in the last House of Assembly, they wouldn't have run“Iaway.have advocated for more women in politics, opening up the system for more women to participate but my fellow politicians have not agreed but be rest assured we will continue the fight.”

Obaseki added, “Fifty per cent of my cabinet are women. That is what I have control over and I want the Federal Government to take a cue. I assure you today that we will do everything as a government to make this center the model for female protection in Nigeria.”

L-R: Head of Chancery, Bangladesh High Commission in Nigeria, Ahiduzzaman Liton, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Masudur Rahman and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo during the visit of the high Commissioner to the Minister in Abuja ... yesterday

SOLIDARITY VISIT…

L-R: Patron, All Progressives Congress (APC), Imo State, Tony Chukwu, and President-elect, Asiwaju

Intimidation: ‘Igbo Now Live in Fear in Lagos’

Bode George: Onanuga can’t speak for Lagos

Segun James

The Igbo people in Lagos state have cried out against the continued intimidation of their people, lamenting that they now live in fear.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Anya Ndigbo, socio-cultural group of Igbo people worldwide, Dr. Uma Eleazu, stated this when he led a delegation to Igbo leaders to Chief Bode George in Lagos.

This is just as George has apologised to the Igbo on behalf of former Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Presidential Election Committee, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, saying he cannot not speak for Lagos in

any capacity.

Elaezu said that since the last election, some politicians had deployed ethnicity to antagonise others thereby creating fear and distrust among people who have been living at peace with one another for many years.

“There is a development we noticed in the last election, it turned out to be a do or die affair. If you do a content analysis of the just concluded elections, the words that were used were worrisome.

“These are words that create fear in the minds of people. In the last election, it went beyond that. In an attempt to dissuade people from voting, we saw one ethnic nationality brought out to

Oyebanji Visits Segun Oni, to Establish Council of former Govs

Gbenga Sodeinde

Barely one month after the Supreme Court decided the Ekiti State governorship election in favour of the incumbent Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor yesterday visited the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election and main challenger in the court, Segun Oni, at his Ifaki-Ekiti residence.

Oyebanji, who arrived the Ifaki residence of the former governor at around 10.35 a.m., said the visit was in fulfilment of his pledge to personally call and visit Oni, whom he described as a brother and leader for whom he had

great respect.

“I am here to debunk the notion that you don’t return from court and become friends. I am here to greet my elder brother and my leader whom I have great respect for.

“For me, I believe litigation is part of electoral process and I appreciate His Excellency for pursuing the electoral matter up till the apex court and not recourse to self-help,” Oyebxanji said.

The meeting, which lasted an hour, saw thve two leaders discussing issues bordering on socio-v and political development of Ekiti State and how to reposition the state for greater prosperity.

PDP Screens Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi Deputy Governorship Nominees

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has approved the nomination of an eight-man committee to serve on the Deputy Governorship Screening Committee.

The committee is to screen all deputy governorship candidates of the party for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States for the upcoming on November 11.

In a statement by the PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Nature, it said the exercise is scheduled to hold on Thursday May 4 in Abuja by 12:00 noon.

The screening committee

is headed by Barrister Mark Jacobs as chairman, with Prof. Aisha Madawaki , Barrister Okey Muo-Aroh. Alkali Ismail, Harry Oranezi, Paschal Adigwe as members.

Barrister Aminu Musa Koko will serve as the secretary of the screening committee, Peter Nebolisa will serve as the administrative secretary.

The National Organising Secretary urged the committee that “In carrying out this ccccccassignment, you are expected to be guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), the PDP Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections and the 2022 Electoral Act.

be antagonised and given names.

“This had nothing to do with politics and it created fear in an attempt to degrade and dissuade

people from coming out to vote. So, our people felt there was need to talk to leaders like you because we have heard some people say

that Igbo and Yoruba are going to fight for Lagos. “This is misinformation and it outs fears in the minds of the

people, they are asking whether the Igbo people are safe because we have been here for a long ime.

House to Meet Health Workers over Exclusion from 40% Pay Rise for Public Servants

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila will on Friday, meet with aggrieved health workers over exclusion by the federal government from the 40 percent pay rise for public servants.

The federal government had approved the payment of the new 40 per cent pay rise for federal civil servants under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS).

The pay rise is believed to not be enjoyed by other federal workers operating under different salary structures, such as

university workers and medical doctors, who are under the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, respectively.

Coming under matters of personal explanation at the plenary, yesterday, Hon. Samuel Adejare briefed the House that the policy statement from the

federal government that the new salary increase for government workers will not reflect on the salary structure of health workers, especially resident doctors had angered the health workers.

The doctors, he stated, have given the federal government two weeks to ratify this or face an imminent strike.

Obasanjo Inaugurates 23.4km Road in A’Ibom, Hails Emmanuel

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has lauded the outgoing administration of Akwa Ibom State under Governor Udom Emmanuel for the enthronement and sustenance of peace in the state.

However, Obasanjo expressed sadness that the citizens have failed to utilize

such peace to advance economic activities, especially in the area of agro-business.

The former president bared his mind yesterday while inaugurating the 23.4km Eket- Etinan dual carriageway, constructed by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.

Obasanjo, who was a guest to the state government noted that the dual-carriage way,

with three bridges, was the longest ever constructed by the present administration as part of activities to mark Governor Emmanuel’s exit from office.

Inaugurating the road project in Eket, Obasanjo acknowledged Governor Emmanuel’s remarkable strides in the development of the State and appeal to the governor to take a short

break and return to continue his active contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and Africa.

The former president stressed that he has visited Akwa Ibom for project inauguration more than he has visited any other state in Nigeria, applauded Governor Emmanuel for starting strong and finishing strong.

Election Petition Tribunals Hold Inaugural Sitting in Niger

Laleye DipoinMinna

Two Election Petition Tribunals have commenced sitting in Minna, Niger State with their inaugural sitting at the chambers of the Chief Judge of Niger state. The tribunals are to listen and determine the veracity of the petitions that arose from

the Governorship and National Assembly as well as the state house of Assembly elections. Members of the first Tribunal are Justice Angela Otaluka, Khadi Badamasi Aliyu Mohammed and Justice Sylvester D Popnen while Justice Godspower C Aguma, Justice M I Sule and Khadi M T Rashid constitute panel 11.

Justice Angela Otaluka who spoke on behalf of her colleagues at the inaugural sitting assured the people that “ every participant and stakeholder in the election matters will be given a level playing ground to handle their cases and exhibit their prowess within the limited time of 180 days as prescribed by law.”

“We urge you to keep to the rules and maintain the highest integrity and ethical attitude and behaviour” Justice Otaluka told the counsels and stakeholders before adding that “ the procedure to be adopted in the preparatory period for filing election petition and responding to it is strict and harsh and gives no room for mistakes.”

NLC Moves to Stop Flights to Owerri over Dispute with Imo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday ordered workers in Imo State to embark on an industrial action beginning from today.

The NLC also said it had resolved to work with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to paralyse the aviation sector in Imo State following

alleged disruption of workers’ May Day celebrations by agents of the state government. Crisis broke out during the May Day celebrations in Owerri, the Imo State capital, over a yet-to-be-resolved issue that arose from election of NLC in April for which the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, was being accused of interference.

PDP, APC Clash over

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has countered the petition raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state over the decision of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica DongbanMensen, to relocate the Ebonyi State

In a letter addressed to Lagos branch of the Congress, and signed by the General-Secretary of the NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said the industrial action would begin today by 12 midnight.

It specifically directed its Lagos State Council to begin immediate mobilisation of its affiliate unions in the aviation sector in order to prevent

Relocation

Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja. The ruling APC in the state had, in a petition to its National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Stanley Okoro-Emegha and the Secretary, Mr. Charles Ofoke, faulted the relocation of the tribunal, and described it as the gimmicks of the PDP to subvert

any flight from leaving Lagos State for Owerri, Imo State capital.

The NLC letter read: “As a result of the violent disruption of our May Day celebrations in Imo state yesterday by the Imo state Governor, an emergency CWC meeting of the NLC and TUC was held yesterday at the National Headquarters.

of Ebonyi Tribunal to Abuja

justice.

However, in a statement issued by the State Acting Chairman of PDP, Mr. Ifeanyi Nworie, the party noted that the relocation was for the overall interest of justice, peace, and safety.

Nworie alleged that evidence abound that Ebonyi State Government had been hostile to the judiciary and

for the safety of the court, staff, petitioners and their witnesses, the relocation of the Tribunal was a well-thought-out decision.

“Ebonyi State under the present administration has a sad and painful history of harassing and intimidating judges who refuse to do its unlawful biddings.

Udora Orizu in Abuja

Onyebuchi EzigboinAbuja

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a visit by Chukwu to Tinubu in Abuja…recently

OAKBRIDGE HOLDS INTER-HOUSE SPORTS…

L-R: Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi; his wife Mrs. Biyi Olugbodi; Executive Director, Grande Oakbridge

Schools, Mrs. Hannah

and Chairman of the school, Deacon Yinka Obalade, at the 7th Bi-Annual Inter-House Sports of the school in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Group Petitions EFCC, ICPC over Alleged Looting of N500bn in C’River

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

A civil society organisation (CSO), Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), yesterday alleged that the Cross River State government diverted N500 billion to the private accounts of different companies and government functionaries in eight years of the Prof Ben Ayade administration.

At a media briefing in Abuja, the group claimed that it conducted a comprehensive audit of the state finances between 2015 to 2020, to arrive at the figure.

It made reference to various

payments made to certain account numbers without any explanation of what they were meant for contrary to financial regulations.

It cited Financial Regulations 603 which states that, “all vouchers shall contain full particulars of each service such as dates, numbers, quantities, distances and rates and will invariably be supported by relevant documents such as LPOs, invoices, special letters of authority, time, sheets, rates etcetera.”

Speaking at the briefing, the Executive Director (Investigation)

Kogi 2023:’We’ll Support Ododo to Win, Perform Well in Office’

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has thrown her weight behind the candidature of the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate in the state, Usman Ododo, saying his emergence was a reflection of the “excellent leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.”

The minister, who said this while receiving Ododo and his entourage in Abuja, expressed confidence that the APC would win the November 11 governorship election “resoundingly”.

She said: “Let me congratulate you on your emergence as the candidate of our party. Your success at the primary is a

triumph of loyalty. Never stop being who you are.

“I was initially worried about the number of aspirants in the race. But the manner the Governor went about providing excellent leadership made the primary hitch-free and successful.

“For me, party is supreme and no matter our contentions, the moment the party makes a choice, I will ordinarily follow. I was the first National Woman Leader of our great party. I understand the supremacy of party decision. We will support Alh. Ododo to win and also support him to do well.”

The FCT Minister of State called on all aspirants to continue to support the choice of the party, insisting that Kogi is very important to the APC.

Kwara Gov Restates Commitment to Rule of Law, Swears In Chief Judge, Grand Kadi

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has restated his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and non-interference in the justice system.

The governor stated this in Ilorin yesterday during the swearing-in of Justice Abiodun Adebara and Kadi Abdullateef Kamaldeen as substantive Chief Judge of the state and Grand Kadi of the state Shariah Court of Appeal respectively.

He said: “I have been told that this is the first time that the Chief Judge and the Grand Kadi will take their Oaths of Allegiance and Judicial Oaths on the same occasion.

of the group, Samson Tega, cited different companies, including Leophina Works Limited, Hali Brown Limited and the office of the Chief of staff to the state chief

executive as the entities where several payments by the state government passed through.

It alleged that Leophina Works Limited was incorporated in

Port Harcourt, Nigeria with registration Number 631232

with the following directors, notably, Ayade Alami Elizabeth, Alade Akinseye Peter, Akinseye

Francis, Francis Ayade and Ben Bengioshuye with company’s registered address as Plot 4, Ada George Street Port Harcourt,

Insurgency: House Moves to Repeal 58-year-old DICO Act

The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed through second reading a Bill seeking to repeal Defence Industries Corporation Act, and enact the DIC of Nigeria Bill, 2023 to operate, maintain and control subsidiaries and ordinance factories for the manufacture, storage and disposal of ordinance and ancillary stores and

materiel, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of the manufacture and disposal of defence article.

The lawmakers were of the view that DICON established by the DICON Act in 1964 to meet the material requirement of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, 58 years after has not fully achieved its goals.

In his lead debate, Hon. Idris

Kabiru who spoke on behalf of the sponsor Hon. Babajimi Benson said efforts are on to reposition the agency including presidential approval for its transition into a DICON Military Industrial Complex (MIC) – to be largely self-funding, regulate local and international military businesses, save cost and provide jobs.

This transformation, he said requires amendment to the principal act to make it align with

contemporary trends. Benson stressed that with the advent of various phases of insurgency in the country, it is imperative to think inward and provide local preventive and protective mechanisms to fortify critical assets, formations and all various camps across the country, with the sole mandate to ensure that insurgency is contained to its barest minimum.

FCTA Awards Contracts for Surveillance Cameras, Alarm Systems

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured about the safety of students saying it had awarded contracts for installation of surveillance cameras and alarm systems in schools across the territory. The FCT Secretary for Education,

Hon Sani Dahir El-Katuzu disclosed this yesterday during school resumption inspection to select schools in Karshi axis of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

He said a lot of measures had been taken by the government to protect both staff and students in the schools because the security

of property and lives was most important to the society.

“We have already given contract for the award of installation of these facilities in schools, including not only surveillance cameras but even alarm systems whereby if anything happens, there should be a trigger from the school that lets security operators around to know that

something is happening within the school premises,” Kazutu said. He noted there had been remarkable improvement in the number of security men guarding the schools while describing the provision of gadgets especially those that would alert the security operators surrounding the schools as commendable.

Alleged $1.3m Fraud: EFCC Stalls Trial of Business Mogul’s Case

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The absence of prosecution witnesses yesterday stalled the trial of a business mogul, Mr. Abdulsalam Abdulkarim-Zaura, before a Kano Federal High Court over alleged $1.3 million fraud. When the case came up yesterday for commencement of

trial, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Sadiq Hussaini, told the court that their witnesses were not in court. Hussaini said: “We are very sorry we could not provide our witnesses. We are asking for another date to enable us to produce our witnesses on the next adjourned date.”

with the motion on notice

application today, adding that it was not ripe for hearing.

“We are not ready to hear the defense motion on notice,” he said. Responding, the Defense Counsel, Mr. Isiyaka Dikko, told the court that they are ready to proceed and move the application.

Dikko said: “We filed a motion

on notice on April 17, seeking for stay of proceeding pending the hearing and determination of an appeal at Supreme Court.”

The Presiding Judge, Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, adjourned the matter until May 31 and June 1, for a hearing of the pending application and commencement of trial.

IYC Urges FG to Allocate Oil Blocks in Gombe, Bauchi, Others

“This is coming just after the overwhelming majority of the people of Kwara State have renewed our mandate to serve them for another term of four years.

“The State is therefore at the threshold of history as the leaderships of the three arms of government are assuming fresh mandates about the same period.

“This imposes on us a duty to work together for the larger interest of our people while respecting the boundaries of separation of powers.”

AbdulRazaq added: “As Your Lordships assume your role of leading and guiding the judiciary, I would like to restate my administration’s commitment to the rule of law and non-interference in the justice system.”

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The federal government has been urged to allocate licences for oil blocks in the Northern parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Kogi to people from the Niger Delta region.

President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Peter Timothy Igbifa, made the call yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt to mark the Workers’ Day.

Igbifa said that allocating oil blocks in the north to Niger Delta people would further enhance the unity, cooperation

and economic integration in the country.

He said that since most oil block licences in the Niger Delta are owned by northerners, it would only be equitable, fair and just to allow Niger Delta people own and operate oil blocks in the north.

The IYC boss said that since oil had been found in Gombe, Bauchi, Nasarawa and Kogi, Niger Delta people should be given oil blocks and given unfettered access to operate businesses of oil and gas in such northern states the same way the northerners were doing in the Niger Delta.

Court Remands BRT Driver Who Crashed Into Train for Alleged Manslaughter

Wale Igbintade and Stephen Aya

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of an Ikeja High Court yesterday remanded a driver of the Lagos State Staff Bus, Mr. Oluwaseun Osibanjo, for allegedly running into a moving train, causing grievous harm and involuntary manslaughter to the passengers.

Justice Ogala ordered that Osibanjo be remanded at the appropriate custodial centre pending the filing and hearing of his bail application. He adjourned the case until May 26 for the commencement of trial.

Osibanjo was arraigned on a 16-count-charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter and

grievous harm but he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, thereafter prayed the court for a trial date and the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility

Martins told the court that the defendant committed the

offences on March 9 at 7.00 a.m. on Shogunle Level Crossing, Ikeja.

He submitted that the defendant ignored warning signals and ran into an incoming train and negligently killed one OreOluwa Aina, Tolulope Emmanuel, Olayinka Rokosu, Ganiyat Salaudeen, Lasisi Isah and Victoria Dada.

Rivers State.

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Montessori

Obalade,

Udora Orizu inAbuja

Osimhen, Teammates Brace up for Napoli’s Delayed Coronation Tonight

Femi Solaja with agency report

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at home last weekend and had ‘coronation party’ delayed, Super Eagles striker and cult-hero at Napoli, Victor Osimhen and teammates could celebrate their first Serie A title in 33 years tonight. That will happen if second

placed Lazio fail to get result positive result at Sassuolo in their week 33 clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tonight.

Napoli who are the league leaders are 18 points ahead with only five games left to play. Napoli themselves are to play away at Udinese on Thursday night.

Luciano Spalletti emphasised

PSG Suspend Messi over Trip to Saudi Arabia

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission this week.

The trip followed the French club's home defeat by Lorienton Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes.

Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension.

It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused.

Messi, who has also been fined by the club, has a role as a tourism

ambassador for Saudi Arabia. The World Cup winner's twoyear contract with PSG expires this summer.

Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste claimed in March that the Spanish club were in contact with Messiabout a return to the Nou Camp.

Messi has scored 31 goals and contributed 34 assists in 71 games in all competitions for PSG, and won the Ligue 1 title last season. He is set to miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG, five points clear with five games to go, look to clinch a ninth league title in 11 seasons.

how sluggish his once invincible squad were after a tough month in April where they managed only two wins in seven games in all competitions and crashed out of the Champions League.

"We are currently lacking the

WCGC National Championship at Lakowe Marks an Uptick

The 2023 national final of the World Corporate Golf Championship won by Vitus Ezenwa and Peter Eben-Spiff both representing Grand Cereal-1 recently at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate in Logos, achieved a new milestone in bringing families together.

The Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Golf Nigeria, Remi Olukoya, whose company runs the global Franchise in Nigeria said the event this year saw a lot of players attending the event with their loved ones.

“The unique thing about this year’s event is the number of players who came to Lakowe with their families for the event. I think it adds to the fun of the event,” he noted.

The national finals of the World Corporate Golf Championship is a yearly 36 holes team event among players who contest in pairs under a brand's name. The winner of the event will be flying Nigera’s flag at a global event at Tenerife in Spain

later in the year. Some of the teams that featured in included; Meristem Securities, Banwo&Ighdalo, NCDMB, and QSHOP among others.

The Golf Manager at Lakowe Lakes, Femi Olagbenro says that Lakowe Lakes is a work in progress and the aim is to grow the offering to meet the need of all family members once find themselves with the Estate.

Olukoya confirmed that about thirty different corporates jostled for the one ticket that was eventually won by the Grand Cereal-1 team and that included some that featured as guest teams as well.

Lakowe Lakes Golf Club is nestled in an Estate and also provides short let housing for those hoping for longer golfing days within the facility.

The national finals of the World Corporate Golf Championship, WCGC, was decided over two days with a Stableford scoring format from Saturday, April 15th to Sunday, April 16, 2023.

sharpness and quality that we had earlier in the season because just like a marathon, the final kilometre is the toughest," he said.

Depending on the Lazio result, Spalletti said he may rest senior players, while Matteo Politano and

Mario Rui will most likely miss the clash due to injuries.

Udinese could attempt to spoil Napoli's party just as Salernitana did at the weekend and salvage some points from a lacklustre campaign with the team now

13th, well away from both the relegation zone and the European qualification spots.

Top scorer Beto is expected to return from a back injury for the hosts, giving the home fans hope for a positive outcome.

Arsenal Outclass Chelsea to Return to Top of Premier League

Arsenal delivered an emphatic warning that they remain serious title contenders as they outclassed abysmal Chelsea 3-1 at Emirates Stadium to return to the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners had gone four league games without a win and

were heavily beaten last time out at reigning champions Manchester City, who replaced them at the summit with victory at Fulham on Sunday.

Arsenal responded by producing a magnificent first-half display, racing into a 3-0 lead inside 34

minutes courtesy of two crisp strikes by captain Martin Odegaard and a scrambled finish by Gabriel Jesus.

Chelsea, who fell to a sixth straight loss under interim manager Frank Lampard, were thankful to goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga that

Ugbade Confident

Golden Eaglets’ coach, Nduka Ugbade, has said that its going to be massive tactical battle between his wards and their Moroccan counterparts as both teams lock horns tonight in ‘Top of the Table’ clash at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine.

Both teams won their respective opening match and put them in front foot in the quest for qualification into the crucial knockout pahse.

Ugbade didn't hide his feelings when he said that he was ‘afraid’ of Morocco himself, but noted that his side will fight till the end to clinch three points and move top of the group.

“It is going to be a very tough match and I must admit that I am very afraid of Morocco myself but, we are going for just three things; win, win win,” Ugbade said at pre-match press conference yesterday.

“Morocco is a very good tactical side. I watched a bit of their match against South Africa and I was impressed with how they played. They defend very well and are tactically disciplined and very compact. We are going to see a very big tactical battle,” said the coach.

Meanwhile, coach Ugbade has admitted there were lots of areas of concern for them in their opening

of

the scoreline was not even more embarrassing and even pulled one back through Noni Madueke. Arsenal, however, were never in serious danger and are now two points clear of City having played two games more than their title rivals.

Eaglets’ Win Tonight against Morocco

game, but they have worked to be better, though he still knows there will be mistakes.

“Of course at this age group there are very many errors you expect from these players, but the most important thing for them is that they keep improving and doing better every game. Against Morocco we need to control the

game better and also make the best use of our chances,” said the tactician.

Forward Tochukwu Ogbabido also anticipates a huge battle for his side, but reckons they are on good confidence to grab a win and take over top of the group.

“Morocco is a really tough opponent and we respect them a lot. They are a good side and we saw this from their game against South Africa. We will definitely

step up to do our best and try to create victory because it is important for us to advance to the next round,” the Jossy United striker noted.

Morocco leads Group B with three points and two goals from their 2-0 victory over South Africa on Match Day One, while the Golden Eaglets are second also with three points, but with only a goal following their opening day 1-0 win over Zambia.

Abimbola Wins N1m for Emerging GOtv Boxing Night 28 Best Boxer

Little known national lightweight boxer, Emmanuel Abimbola, on Monday night emerged as the best boxer at the GOtv Boxing Night 28. He won the sum of N1 million cash prize attached to the Mojisola Memorial Ogunsanya Trophy.

The young dreadlocked boxer won the trophy, seeing off the challenge of more famous names like Taiwo "Esepor" Agbaje, rated 39th in the world by the World Boxing Federation (IBF); Michael Adesodun and Stephen "Freeman" Kadima.

Abimbola was deemed the most

impressive performer by journalists at the event, following his clinical defeat of the tough Prince “Lion” Nwoye at the seven-bout event, which was held at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

On the same night, Agbaje, the reigning WBF Intercontinental featherweight champion, defeated his Tanzanian opponent, Twalib Tuwa. True to his reputation as a knockout specialist, the volumepunching Agbaje stopped Tuwa in the third round.

Kadima knocked out Godwin Ambrose to emerge winner of their

cruiserweight bout, while Dolapo Omole also ended his national featherweight bout against Gbenga Mojeed with a fifth-round technical knockout.

Dimeji Salami won his national super middleweight fight against Samuel Elegbede by unanimous decision, while the explosive Samuel Moses was declared winner by unanimous decision against Michael Adesodun. In the eight-round national lightweight bout, Tosin “Soja Boy” Osaigbovo won by unanimous decision against Azeez “Latest” Ayobami.

Martin Odegaard (in front) has now scored four goals in Arsenal’s last Four outings

Lionel Messi has been suspended by PSG over the Argentine’s unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia

MISSILE

Igbo Group to Dabiri-Erewa

“Thisisbarbaricandwickednessofthehighestorderagainsthumanityandwecondemnitinits entirety.Itisveryunfortunateandregrettable. ThisevilandunpatrioticactagainstfellowNigerians whichshewasemployedtoservemustnevergounpunished.Abikehascommittedanationaland internationalcrimeandwedemandforherimmediatesack,arrestandprosecutionwithoutany delay”--Leader,CoalitionofSouthEastYouthLeaders(COSEYL),GoodluckIbem,accusingtheNIDCOM Chairman,Dabiri-ErewaofabandoningIgbosinSudanduringtheevacuationofNigerians.

SONNIEEKWOWUSI

GUEST COLUMNIST

As Buhari Comes To Judgement...

President Buhari has come to judgment. After exercising presidential power, judgment follows. Pricked by pangs of conscience on the last Sallah Day, Buhari realized that he committed many injustices against numerous Nigerians during his 8-year misrule. Consequently, he apologized to Nigerians and begged for their pardon. “God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all human, and if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me... All those whom I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me,” said a seemingly remorseful Buhari.

President Buhari has destroyed the lives of countless Nigerians during his 8-year misrule. Therefore, it is not surprising that he is now sitting in judgment with his conscience. A man reaps whatever he sows. The obligation to avoid inflicting physical or psychological harm on others is a primary ethical teaching of Prophet Mohammed (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). “He who causes harm will be harmed by Allah, and he who acts in a hostile manner will be treated in a hostile manner by Allah” (Jami’al-Tirmidhi, No. 1306). Unfortunately, the Buhari administration has caused tremendous harm to many Nigerians. As we speak, many Nigerians, young and old, are leaving the country in search of the so-called greener pastures abroad. And if the mass exodus of Nigerian medical doctors from Nigeria to Europe and America is not arrested now, there will be fewer or no medical doctors available in Nigeria by 2030. Writhing under the pains of suffocating Buhari’s policies, many multinationals shut down their operations in Nigeria, while others simply fired their staff. From 2016-2018, for example, 9.3 million Nigerians lost their jobs. From 2015-2018, poverty in Nigeria tremendously increased. Nigeria has now taken over from India as the poverty capital of the world. According to the African Development Bank (ADB) Nigeria Economic Outlook, about 152 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day, representing approximately 80% of the country’s estimated population of 190 million.

The United States Department of State has issued a damning assessment of Buhari’s government. In the 48-page Human Rights Violation Report, it stated that impunity remained widespread at all levels of government in Nigeria during Buhari’s reign. It notes that the Buhari government lacks transparency. The report also indicted the Buhari government for not adequately investigating or holding police or military personnel accountable for many extrajudicial killings. The Buhari government came to power on the mantra of fighting corruption. But tragically, the Buhari government is now defined by corruption. For example, the United States Human Rights Report has scored President Buhari’s government low for corruption. The Report states, among other things, “Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security services.”

Buhari’s currency redesign policy is still inflicting pain on Nigerians. Imagine having money in your bank account and not being able to access it because of a badly-conceived currency redesign policy. Imagine bank customers endlessly queuing up under the sun to access their own money in the bank. I gather that many hospitalized sick Nigerians have died simply

because their relatives were unable to withdraw money from the banks to purchase drugs for the deceased. Is this not a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance?

At the twilight of the 2023 Election, Buhari promised Nigeria and the international community that he would leave a legacy of a free and fair 2023 election in his 8-year tenure. Now, it is no longer news that INEC organized the most rigged election in the history of elections in Nigeria. Why has President Buhari not queried or sacked the INEC chair Prof Mahmood Yakubu for organizing the most scandalous election in Nigeria?

The foregoing attests that President Buhari has failed in office. Buhari’s suffocating policies have led to the deaths of many Nigerians. This is why the man is laboring in vain to pacify his conscience, which has adjudged him a failure. A guilty person might escape human justice wrought in the court of law; they might take flight from their guilt through ingenious rationalization, but they cannot escape from the ultimate justice in the recesses of their conscience. The natural law is written in the heart of every rational person. Therefore, every rational person, whether they are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, Marxist, internet free-thinker, juju worshipper, agnostic, animist, or otherwise, is under the judgment of the natural law written in their heart. For example, in one of the tragedies of Sophocles, the woman Antigone sought permission from the King to give her dead brother a burial befitting

a human being. But the King refused because the dead brother was adjudged an enemy of the State. However, Antigone approached the King and told him that there was another law (natural law) higher than the King’s law, which obliged the King to give her brother a proper burial. Antigone was neither a Christian nor a Muslim. She had never read the Bible or the Koran, yet she recognized a higher law, the law of conscience, which obliged the King to give her brother a befitting burial. When we commit an injustice, our consciences continue to torture us until we make amends.

There is this anecdote of some Japanese ladies who had committed several abortions in their youthful days. Pricked by their consciences, they went and molded some effigies that actually looked like the babies they had murdered, placed them one by one on a platform, and started bowing before these effigies, asking them for forgiveness for the murders they had committed. This is natural law at work. In Dostoevsky’s epic work, Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov tried to erase his crime from his heart by ingenious rationalization, but upon discovering the inescapable basis for ultimate justice in his heart, he went to Siberia and served an eight-year prison term to appease his conscience.

Therefore, if Buhari really wants to appease his conscience and have a restful and peaceful retirement in Daura or Niger Republic, he should make amends or reparations for the many injustices

he committed against Nigerians. Allah will treat him the way he treats others. Allah will not have mercy on him unless he has mercy on others. Therefore, President Buhari should treat people well in the remaining days of his tenure. He should show mercy to others to enjoy mercy and peace in Daura. He should show kindness. Allah loves those who are kind. Therefore, President Buhari should order the release of all prisoners unjustly detained in Nigerian correctional centers, including Nnamdi Kanu, who, in actual fact, has been discharged and acquitted by the court but is deliberately left to languish in prison. Buhari should also ensure that his government obeys all pending court orders served on it.

Ninety percent of President Buhari’s key political appointees are from his part of the country, and he refused to alter this imbalance in conformity with the pluralistic and multi-ethnic nature of Nigerian society and the Federal Character principle as enshrined in section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution. Now, as he is quitting office, how would Allah judge him for this act of injustice? The Golden Rule states, “Honesty is the best policy.” Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, says, “stand firm for justice…even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives.” Therefore, Buhari should stand firm for justice and correct the lopsided political appointments in his government before he leaves office to avoid his conscience torturing him when he retires to Daura. He should also order for the arrest and prosecution of INEC chair Prof Mahmoud Yakubu for squandering a gargantuan sum of N3O5 Billion in organizing the most chaotic and rigged election in Nigeria. There is no doubt that Prof. Yakubu is a big disgrace to Nigeria. Therefore, justice demands that Buhari should fire Prof. Yakubu before he (Buhari) leaves office. Ethical conduct is the anchor of the Islamic personality of a Muslim. There is an obligation on Muslims to improve and enhance the welfare of others, including care for the sick. But President Buhari cares no hoot about the welfare of the sick. Rather than improve and re-equip the existing public hospitals in Nigeria so that many sick Nigerians could go there for medical treatment, Buhari prefers going for medical tourism in London to cater for his own health. Therefore, in his remaining days in office, Buhari should show mercy to sick Nigerians. He should visit the hospitals and console the sick patients there. If President Buhari wants peace in his retirement, he should ensure that the daughter of Zion and conscience of Nigeria, Leah Sharibu, regains her freedom. Otherwise, the bad prayer of this girl will never allow Buhari to enjoy peace in his retirement. President Buhari has not only over-borrowed money but also misused the borrowed money in inanities. In fact, Nigeria’s rising debt profile spells doom for the incoming government.

Therefore, if Buhari wants peace in his retirement, he should team up with the incoming government to rein in Nigeria’s debt. Buhari is very conscious of his place in history. He is afraid that history will judge him harshly and negatively. But he should not forget that he has repeatedly promised to end insecurity in Nigeria. Even in March 2023, the President reiterated his government’s commitment to winning the war against terrorism and other forms of insecurity. The truth of the matter however is that insecurity in Nigeria has worsened despite Buhari’s assurances that he will defeat insecurity before leaving office. As Buhari leaves office without fulfilling his aforesaid promise, it is doubtful whether he will enjoy peace in his retirement.

President Muhammadu Buhari