Nigerians are overly stigmatised, Air Peace boss declares Says love for country behind rescue efforts Laments NLC, TUC's disruption of company's operations
Describes him as dependable ally Rivers governor seeks amendment to procurement law You’re desperate for favour, accommodation, Shehu Sani blasts Wike
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
President-elect, Bola Tinubu, yesterday, faulted Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike over his request for the federal government’s refund of money spent on the construction of federal roads in the state, saying he owes the governor nothing.
Tinubu, who was in the state to inaugurate two projects executed by the state government, however, described Wike as a dependable ally.
Nonetheless, the Rivers State governor sought amendment to the procurement law.
The request came as former senator and civil rights activist, Shehu Sani, condemned Wike as desperate for favour and accommodation by Tinubu.
Wike had while giving a speech at the inauguration of the Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover (12th Flyover), performed by Tinubu, requested that immediately after handover, the president-elect should
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu, has said the leadership of the party was working towards reaching some level of consensus in the zoning of the leadership positions of the 10th Assembly.
Adamu, who gave the hint while addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja at the end of a four-hour meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, said the meeting was not about zoning but about other issues in the party, and stressed that the party came out more formidable and united at the end of the meeting.
"That is not what today's meeting is all about. When we do the zoning meeting, we don't just go alone as a party. Zoning is to take along the
person, who has the mandate of this country, the president-elect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu; we want to take him along. He travelled after the election and he came back only last week and we have to carry him along.
"And we cannot stop those who are ambitious or zoning interests, or individual interests, we cannot deny them. And as long as that is there, we have to find a way, persuasively, to reach some level of consensus. That's what we are working on. It is not a one-day affair," he said.
Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka while briefing journalists said the meeting centered on domestic matters of the party, especially some of the concern expressed by the party's National Vice Chairman, North West, Dr. Salihu Lukman.
The APC leadership had summoned the NWC meeting following a lawsuit instituted by Lukman against Adamu, and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore last Tuesday over their 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 theButparty.Adamu’s reluctance to hearken to his call 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 last 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.
Meanwhile Morka revealed that a committee had been set up to look at the concerns expressed by Lukman.
"Amongst all of the issues discussed at the meeting, we look at some internal and domestic house-keeping matters with a colleague that you know who has expressed his concerns about something he believes the party should be doing. We deliberated completely about it and as we speak, a committee that was set up to complete that conversation is in progress right now. So, there is a meeting that is going on that I am supposed to be part of to fully
Udora Orizu and Juliet Akoje in Abuja
Leader of the House of Representatives, murder suspect, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, yesterday, declared his intention to run for the speakership of the 10th National Assembly, saying it’s his turn.
Speaking in Abuja, Doguwa who represents Tundun Wada/ Doguwa federal constituency of Kano State, said he had paid his dues to the ruling party, and it was his turn to be speaker, hence the All Progressives Congress should reward him with the position.
Recalling the sacrifices he made while rising through the ranks over
the years as a lawmaker, Doguwa pleaded with his colleagues to grant him the same "Gbajabiamila treatment", adding that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
He said the ambition would be ultimately pursued if his party, the APC zoned the position to his geopolitical zone, northwest.
"I am a strong and committed party man and have stated it categorically clear in other fora that because of my absolute loyalty to the party, and my unflinching respect for party supremacy, my ambition will be predicated only on the condition that the party zones the speakership position to
the Northwest Zone, which is my immediate constituency.
“I have realised that it is necessary to heed the call of the people, who believe in my capacity to seek the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
I am committed to working with my colleagues and all Nigerians to deliver on their expectations and to preside over the house to the best of my ability in the overall interest of the people.
"I have paid my dues. It is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation. Kindly permit me to take you a little down memory lane. In 2011 to 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had
majority in the house and controlled the leadership in that dispensation while Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was nominated by the Southwest Caucus as their Minority Leader.
“From 2015-2019 when our party the All-Progressive Congress APC had majority in the house, it was only natural that the minority leader transits to Majority Leadership position. If you will recall then, the moment this convention was proposed, I personally agreed to step down from the Majority Leader position which I was earlier tipped for and settled for the Chief Whip position to give room for Hon Femi Gbajabiamila to assume the position of Majority Leader.
rectify that discussion and offer final recommendations on that subject.
"But I am happy to report as the Chairman just indicated, the party stands completely united behind the leadership of His Excellency, the National Chairman of our party, Sena- tor Abdullahi Adamu. And we are all standing together. Our colleague, who has concerns is being looked into and I think in due course, we will have very specific conclusions
of those discussions."
On his part, National Vice Chairman, North-east, Saliu Mustapha, who addressed journalists on behalf of the committee that was set up to look into concerns raised by Lukman said he had agreed to withdraw his suit against Adamu and Omisore.
Members of the opposition parties in the House of Representatives have said that they would contest for the position of Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the incoming 10th National Assembly.
The caucus had last month formed a coalition known as the “greater majority” to upstage the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Currently, the minority parties put together have 183 members-elect out of the 360 peopled green chamber.
The political parties that made up the caucus included Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Young People's Party (YPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Abuja, Tuesday night, they said they have the number to win the offices of the presiding officers.
The communiqué signed by the
The committee members comprised of all the National Vice Chairmen from all the zones, excluding Lukman. secretary of the group, Hon. Efosa Imasuen, disclosed that an 11-man committee had been set up to hunt for credible candidates for the position.
The members resolved as follows:
"To Contest the office of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representative of the National Assembly. That we have resolved to set up an 11-man committee to scout for a credible and acceptable candidate that would vie for those offices, and then actively seek the unification of Nigerians along ethno-religious lines.
"The greater majority with more than 180 elected members (being over 50% of the elected member) will remain one indivisible coalition during the 10th National Assembly, with the interest of the country as its driving force. That the greater Majority of the 10th National Assembly will be continually guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the collective interest of Nigerians being its major concern.
"To assure Nigerians not to lose hope due to the country's current unpleasant situation, including the
A group, Defenders of Constitutional Democracy (DCD), has accused the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, of secretly plotting to alter the subsisting Senate Standing Order and Rules on ranking to facilitate the emergence of a non-ranking senator-elect as Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.
National convener of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, in a statement in Abuja, warned that such a move would backfire as it was unconstitutional and alien to best democratic practices. Abdullahi said, "We want to inform distinguished Senators-elect and indeed all Nigerians that we have uncovered an unholy, secret and insidious plot by the outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege to amend the Senate Orders and Rules, which provides that only ranking senators shall be elected as presiding officers.
"We have reliable information that the duo (Lawan and OmoAgege) are working in cahoots to impose a puppet on the 10th Senate as Senate President. It is unthinkable that the Senate president and his deputy would want to indulge in such an act
just to spite a particular senator who has an overwhelming capacity and whose pedigree the President-elect is comfortable and willing to work with.
"We want to state categorically that this move cannot stand because it is a clear violation of section 311 of the 1999 (as amended, Fifth Alteration, No. 8), which has provided that only the standing orders and rules of a subsisting Assembly shall be used in the election of principal officers at the state and National Assembly.
"Recall that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.8) Act, 2023 alters sections 54, 96 and 311 of the Constitution to stipulate a quorum of at least two-thirds of members-elect for inauguration or first sitting of the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly, respectively and also mandates the use of existing Standing Orders of each legislative house at the inauguration.
"As Defenders of the Constitution, we have already taken steps to seek judicial intervention by filing an originating suit at a Federal High Court. We are waiting for a date for the commence of proceeding. We warned that nobody should surreptitiously alter
or produced any fake aspect of the Standing Orders without approval and adoption by members.
"The amendment to section 311 of the Constitution now provides that the Standing Orders of each house before its dissolution will be
used for the first sitting of a new Assembly and may be modified within reasonable time after the inauguration and first session of the Assembly" "Our dear Nigerians, this amendment has finally and ef-
fectively put a nail on the coffin of any amendment of the Standing Orders of the Senate before the inauguration of the 10 Assembly.
"Since the subsisting Orders provides for a ranking senator to be elected as president or deputy
president of the Senate, there is no room for a fresh Senator-elect to emerge as senate president and we warn that anybody thinking of such should desist from forthwith because we wil not allow such illegality to stand.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has a list of 774 persons arrested during the 2023 general election for various electoral offences, stating that an arrangement has been concluded with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for their prosecution.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the National Human Rights Commission’s monthly review forum for the 2023 elections, which focused on “Accountability for Electoral Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Elections”, the Director, Litigation and Prosecution, INEC, Taminu Inuwa, noted that the electoral commission was empowered by the provision of Section 145 of the Electoral Act, 2022 to prosecute
electoral offenders.
“It is in recognition of the statutory power of INEC to prosecute electoral offences that the Inspector General of Police recently forwarded 215 case files of electoral crimes to the commission for the prosecutions 774 persons arrested during the 2023 General Elections for various shades of electoral offences, including dereliction of duty, criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct at election, being in possession of offensive weapons, destruction of election materials, political thuggery, electoral violence, snatching of ballot box, stealing of sensitive election materials, etc,” he said.
He revealed that INEC was partnering the NBA, which has offered to provide pro-bono legal services for the effective
prosecution of the electoral offenders arrested in the course of the 2023 election.
He, however, said: “It is worthy of note that a number of key challenges including lack of capacity of INEC in terms of power to investigate and arrest electoral offenders have been identified as militating against effective prosecution and the consequent inadequate prosecution of/conviction on electoral offences recorded over the years.
“The challenges necessitated the call for the creation of an independent body to handle prosecution of electoral offences with such powers as conferred on the EFCC and ICPC to arrest, investigate and prosecute electoral offenders.”
He promised that the commission would continue to put in its best in the discharge of its statutory power of electoral offences prosecution until the proposed body is established by law, insisting that “this is the assurest way of reducing the spate of brazen impunity with which electoral offences are committed.”
Meanwhile, the NHRC has condemned the spate of violence during the election re-run in some states.
A senior Human Rights Advisor to the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna, while presenting the April Edition of NHRC 2023 Elections Human Rights Situation Dashboard, said violence assumed dangerous dimension during Nigeria’s elections.
Hundreds of pastors from Rivers State, have vowed to place a curse on promoters of interim government in the country.
The clerics under the aegis of Rivers Pastors Unite for Tinubu (RPUT) warned the promoters against destabilising the country's democracy, saying they should either desist from it or face the wrath of God.
The pastors made their position
known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday, to welcome the president-elect, who visited Rivers for inauguration of project.
The statement, which was signed by their Coordinators, Pastor Sunday Edimeh and founder of One life Bible Church and Pastor Julius Dan of the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, said they remained strong advocates of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidency.
They said contrary to the belief in some quarters, not all pastors worked against the emergence and victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the last election, and explained that as a nonpolitical group, they only interfaced with Tinubu’s structure through the former Osun State Commissioner for Works, Remi Omowaiye.
"We of the Rivers Pastors Unite for Tinubu prayed, worked and
campaigned assiduously with our various church members for the victory of Bola Tinubu. We were blackmailed and called all kinds of names but to God be the glory, our efforts were crowned with Tinubu's resounding victory.
"Our driving force in supporting Tinubu remains the fact that his pedigree shows he is the right man for the job. Though a Muslim
and married to an RCCG Pastor, none of the presidential candidate has supported and elevated Pastors and men of God as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
"Notable amongst those he elevated are Vice-President (Pastor) Yemi Osinbajo, Pastor Tunde Fowler, exChairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FiRS ) Pastor Ben Akabueze, Director-General, Nigeria Budget office
among others," they stated. While reiterating their strong support for Tinubu’s presidency and assuring him of their support through prayer, they urged him to do all within his power to make Nigeria a better place saying, "Our expectation is high. We toiled day and night here in Rivers for your victory Mr. President-elect. All we need from you is good governance".
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday launched a new longterm national development plan, the Nigeria Agenda 2050 (NA 2050).
The national development plan aims to ensure that the country attains a per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $33,328 per annum and to place the country among the top middle-income economies in the world by 2050.
The president inaugurated the NA 2050 before the commencement of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
According to him, the plan has the vision of a dynamic, industrialised and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.
“The plan we are launching today has a vision of a dynamic, industrialised and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.
“The broad target is to ensure that Nigeria attains a per capita GDP of $33,328 per annum that will place her among the top middle-income economies in the world by 2050.
“I am confident that given the measures already in place for continuous planning implementation, successive administrations will find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises,” he said.
Buhari added that given measures already in place for continuous plan implementation, successive Administrations would find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises.
He explained: “You will recall that in March, 2020, I approved the development of successor plans to both Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020. The plans lapsed in December, 2020.
“To give effect to this approval, I inaugurated the National Steering Committee in September, 2020 under the leadership of the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and a Distinguished private sector operator, Mr. Atedo Peterside.
‘‘The Steering Committee is to superintend the preparation of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025 to succeed the Nigeria Vision 20: 2020 and Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020, respectively.
‘‘At the inauguration, I charged the Steering Committee to prepare inclusive plans that would cover all shades of opinion and ensure even and balanced development, as well as put in place necessary legislations for continuous implementation of plans even after the expiration of the tenure of successive administrations.
‘‘This was achieved with the preparation of the Volume III of the NDP that deals with Legislative Imperatives for identified binding constraints to plan implementation
in Nigeria.
‘‘It is instructive to inform Council and indeed all Nigerians that I had on December 22, 2021 launched the first of the six number 5-year medium term plans, the National Development Plan (NDP), 2021-2025, that will be used to implement the Long-Term Plan.”
Speaking further, the president said: “Council also on March 15, 2023 approved the Nigeria Agenda 2050 that we are launching today."
Commending the National Steering Committee, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, for delivering yet again, on this important national assignment,
the president described the unveiling and public presentation of NA 2050 as another milestone in the ‘‘annals of history of our planning experience, post-independence.’’
He added that the feat also showed his administration’s commitment to planning and plan implementation since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.
On the process for the preparation of the plan, the Minister of Finance stated that it was not only participatory and consultative but inclusive; involving all critical stakeholders such as, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as well as the representatives of Local Government Areas (LGAs).
She listed other stakeholders as the organised private sector, youth organisations, labour unions, traditional and religious institutions, major political parties, women organisations, people with special needs, among others.
According to her: ‘‘The Nigeria Agenda 2050 is formulated against the backdrop of subsisting economic and social challenges facing the country, including low, fragile and non-inclusive growth, insecurity, high population growth rate, limited concentric economic diversification and low productivity.
"The plan is a long-term economic transformation blueprint designed to address these challenges".
Ahmed also told the president
and other FEC members present at the inauguration that with the expected improved capital accumulation, investment as a ratio of GDP is expected to increase from the current 29.40 per cent to 40.11 per cent by 2050.
She explained that under the plan, the bulk of the investment was expected to be financed by the private sector, while total employment was expected to rise to 203.41 million in 2050 from 46.49 million in 2020.
‘‘This implies that unemployment will drop significantly to 6.3 per cent in 2050 from 33.3 per cent in 2020. The corollary is that the number of people in poverty will drop to 2.1 per cent by 2050 from 83 million in 2020,’’ Ahmed said.
With few weeks to the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure, his administration has continued to receive heavy criticism, especially from the opposition parties as the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) chieftain, Buba Galadima, yesterday, said the Buhari's government has set Nigeria 100 years back with poor governance
According to him, if Buhari had left Nigeria the way he met it in 2015, he would have been applauded and escorted with a funfare to his home town, Daura, in Katsina State, or to any part of the country he chooses to live after May 29.
Galadima who spoke on the ‘Morning Show’ on ARISE News Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said Buhari divided Nigeria along religious and ethnic lines, and crashed economic policies which
Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of Olukorede Adenowo (K.O) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited.
According to a statement yesterday, his appointment as CEO followed his recent appointment as Executive Director, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking business in Nigeria where he is responsible for driving and implementing the bank's business strategy for its corporate clients.
Prior to the latest appointment, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Standard Chartered Bank, The Gambia with dual responsibility for managing the bank’s business interest in Senegal.
He had been a Non-Executive Director of the bank in Sierra
Leone and also served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Standard Chartered Gambia.
“K.O has a total of 35 years post-university experience in Banking, Finance and Consulting. He was a founding staff of Standard Chartered Bank in Nigeria and has held various senior positions in Standard Chartered Bank Group in the last 24 years. He has served as Head of Origination and Client Corporates for Standard Chartered, West Africa; Deputy Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Cameroon and a senior management executive in the Wholesale Bank in Standard Chartered Nigeria.
“In his penultimate role as Africa Co-Head Financial Institutions and Public Sector business for SCB, K.O provided
strong leadership in building and managing key strategic FI relationships across West Africa.
“He worked closely with several Banks and Governments across the region i.e. Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Ghana, and most recently Nigeria in advising them on accessing international capital markets and ultimately improving the banks visibility in Public Sector for business success and growth in an increasingly stringent regulatory environment.
“He was also appointed the first Regional Head of Global Corporates for Standard Chartered Africa where he led the Africa Multinational business,” the statement added.
Prior to joining the bank, he had worked in Societe Generale Bank Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990.
An Economist turned Chartered Accountant; he was appointed Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Institute Accountants of Nigeria in 2000. He is an alumnus of INSEAD and Said Business School of Oxford University where he had management training in Leadership and holds an MBA from the Lagos Business School. He is married to Olajumoke and both have two children.
“Korede takes over as CEO from Lamin Manjang. After 24 years of service providing strategic direction in various capacities across seven markets in Africa and Middle East, including CEO for Kenya and East Africa, Oman, Uganda and Sierra Leone, Lamin has been promoted to Vice Chairman for Africa and will be based in Nigeria,” the statement added.
affected dollar rates badly.
“Insecurity was confined to the north-east but today, citizens cannot travel to any part of Nigeria,” he said.
The former Buhari ally criticised the present administration, stating that his regret was that Buhari would be leaving behind a Nigeria that had been bedeviled by religious and monetisation issues.
Speaking further, he advised Buhari to move out of the country after his tenure ends because of the criticisms he would likely face.
Galadima, however revealed that he had forgiven the president regardless of his shortcomings after they helped him get into office and assisted him to get to where he is today.
He further called religious leaders out for the roles they played during the elections.
He noted that instead of preaching morality, they made themselves gods and thought they could install leaders of their choice.
He said he hoped it was a lesson to Nigerians, and nobody should be deceived.
Galadima, also noted that the masses were a greater disappointment because instead of voting for those that would salvage them from abject poverty and pitiable condition, they voted for those who gave them hand-outs.
He, however, said the masses should wait to reap the harvest of their decision in the last
election.
According to him, there’s nothing more critical to Nigerians than security, food and exchange rates.
He said: “If these three are down, what will Buhari say he has done?”
He further advised the incoming president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning him to be aware of the people who “masturbate in the corridor of power” and not give them any public office that has anything to do with human beings.
The chieftain however said if there was anybody they could go to court successfully and challenge the outcome of the presidential election, it ought to be the NNPP.
He said the presidential candidate of NNPP, Rabiu Musa kwankwanso was the only candidate in the 2023 election that didn’t run on the platform of religion or ethnicity, but on credibility. and performance while in public office.
Following the recent outburst by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed in which he threw jabs at opposition parties, Galadima said the minister is not a politician, “that is why he cannot relate to the plight of people.”
“He has always been appointed and always reaped where he did not sow. The president has done his best in their opinion but he will not be leaving Nigeria as he met it,” he concluded.
Senator Dino Melaye being presented the flag by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sam Ohutu
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari has called for collaboration among oil and gas industry players and policy makers in Africa in order to prioritise investment in renewable energy infrastructure, research and development, and capacity building.
Kyari also harped on the need for oil and gas industry stakeholders in the continent to take the landmark opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, to work collaboratively to address challenges that may arise from energy transition.
The NNPC GCEO made the calls during a special discussion organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) on the sidelines of the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2023, holding in Houston, Texas, United States.
The theme of the PETANorganised discussion was: "Energy Transition in Africa: The Journey, Challenges and the Way Forward", while the central theme of the OTC 2023 was: "Delivering the Future of Offshore Technology."
Kyari, who was represented at the event by the Executive Vice President, Upstream Business, NNPC, Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye, noted that
it was only through collaboration that they could achieve energy security, transition to cleaner energy, unlock the potential of Africa's abundant renewable energy resources and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
According to him, "the energy transition in Africa presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. To deliver the future of offshore energy, we must work together to prioritise investments in renewable energy infrastructure, research and development, and capacity building.
"Only through collaboration can we achieve energy security and transition to cleaner energy, unlocking the potential of Africa's
abundant renewable energy resources and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all."
He observed that the theme of the discussion was apt, pointing out that the journey towards energy transition in Africa had been challenging.
Despite being home to some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves, Kyari stated that the continent had struggled to leverage these resources to drive sustainable development fully.
Furthermore, he noted that the lack of access to reliable and affordable energy had significantly impeded economic growth and development, particularly in rural areas.
Kyari, maintained that the African
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday, disrupted Air Peace flight operations and stopped the airline from taking off to any destination from its Lagos operational base, claiming to be engaging in an industrial action in Imo state against Governor Hope Uzodimma.
THISDAY investigations did not indicate any interface between Air Peace and NLC before the disruption, but labour sources said the Congress chose to disrupt Air Peace operations so that its strike action in Imo state would have national impact, as Air Peace operates over 80 flights daily.
The management of Air Peace in a statement expressed shock about the disruption of the airline’s services.
The airline in a statement titled, “Deliberate Massive Disruption of Air Peace Operations by NLC and TUC: Air Peace Feels Unprotected,” disclosed that the NLC and TUC officials stormed the Lagos Airport and took over, “our counter, disrupting all our operations because of an alleged misunderstanding they had with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. They had written us yesterday, saying that no flight should be operated into Owerri today because, as alleged, Governor Uzodimma disrupted their May Day
activities few days ago.”
The airline further disclosed, “Air Peace has no affiliation whatsoever with the Imo State government or Governor Uzodimma. Our duty and commitment are to the Nigerian flying public that have paid us. We have a contract with them to deliver. This morning, they carried out a selective attack on Air Peace, took over our counters and disrupted our operations.
“While they were doing this, another Nigerian airline was allowed to operate into and out of Owerri. They took over our counters in Owerri, Abuja and Lagos, disrupting over 110 flights of Air Peace. This particular illegal action of NLC and TUC will lead to over N400 million loss to the airline. It will equally lead to massive disruptions and cancellations of our flights across the country today, and that will snowball into the coming days, too,” the management said.
Air Peace recalled that it was not the first time the NLC or unions would be attacking the airline for issues that have no bearing with the airline.
“There was a time they attacked Air Peace because they were protesting minimum wage with the federal government. While the minimum wage was 18,000 naira then, the minimum wage at Air Peace was
even N50,000. “It is more worrisome that the security agencies are watching while an airline that is discharging its duties to the country is being harassed and hounded by miscreants at these airports, and this is not the first time.
“We do not understand why Air Peace and aviation should be selected for this kind of treatment. If they have a grouse against Governor Uzodimma, that should be taken to Imo State. Why are they not stopping road transport workers who are going to Imo State?
“Aviation borders on national security and we have been made a laughing stock in the world. Who is going to pay Air Peace over N400 million lost today and in the coming days?
“We use this opportunity to alert the Nigerian flying public that all our flights will be disrupted today and in the coming days because cancellations will follow. Any flight we fail to operate today due to this illegal occupation of our operations will lead to cancellations in most sunset airports.
“Who is going to take responsibility for this? We feel highly unprotected,” the management of the airline also said.
THISDAY spoke to the Head of Communications of Dana Air, Kinsley Ezenwa who confirmed
that the airline’s flight to Owerri or any other destination was not disrupted by NLC and TUC.
Also, Spokesman of United Airlines Nigeria, Achilles Uchegbu confirmed the airline’s operations were not affected too.
oil and gas industry had contributed to the continent's economic growth for several decades, adding that there was no point overemphasising the need to ensure its sustainability.
"However, moving towards a more sustainable future, we must acknowledge that the industry is transforming rapidly.
As we gather here today, it is essential to acknowledge that Africa is at the forefront of the global energy transition.
"The journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future presents challenges and opportunities for the continent.
The energy transition is driving changes in the global energy mix, and it presents significant challenges for Africa (financing, infrastructure, policy/regulatory frameworks, skills and capacity).
"We must adopt a strategic approach to address them to ensure that we remain competitive, sustainable and relevant in the years to come," Kyari canvassed.
Despite the challenges facing the continent, the GCEO pointed out that Africa has several opportunities for energy access, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and regional integration in the energy transition.
He said some levels of progress had been attained from exploiting several opportunities, resulting in
a growing interest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, as well as an increasing focus on energy efficiency and conservation.
He admitted that governments, private sector players, and civil society organisations had all played essential roles in driving this change.
He forecasted that in the next 20 years, energy demand in Africa was expected to increase by 30-35 per cent to support the projected increase in population and industrialisation.
This, Kyari said, presents an enormous opportunity for the players to form partnerships across the continent and build a sustainable future.
He said, "Therefore, we must also discuss the options that abound in energy transition with the AfCFTA to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
"One of the key factors shaping this transition is the AfCFTA, which aims to create a single market for goods and services, promote crossborder trade and investment, and enhance economic integration across the continent.
"As an industry, we must take advantage of the opportunities presented by this landmark agreement and work collaboratively to address the challenges that may arise."
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday, said his government was adopting transformational style of leadership, to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
The governor stated this yesterday, when he swore-in two new aides - a commissioner and a special adviser, to form members of the state executive council.
The aides included Mr. Christian Udechukwu as Commissioners for Industry and Mr. Evarist Uba as Special Adviser on Trade and
Markets.
Soludo, who swore them in, at the executive council chambers of government house in Awka said: "There are basically two types of leadership: transactional and transformational leadership.
"Our government is tilted more towards making transformational changes. Our goal is one that we are passionate about. It will require people paying to serve. It may not be very smooth ride because of the sacrifices you will have to make.
"At the end, the satisfaction is the public good. It is what makes it worth it. It should be a daily reminder.
"I charge you therefore to try to always read and be mindful of the oath of office you just took. It contains the principles that will drive you,” Soludo said.
Soludo had two weeks ago announced the appointment of Udechukwu as the new Commissioner for Industry to replace Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, who was eased off the office.
Soludo charged them to consider their appointment as a different kind of call and service to Anambra people, pointing out that his government is committed to disruptive change in the positive sense
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The Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN) has demanded a probe into the complete removal of Aba Power Limited from the sole national grid by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) following the order of the Nigerian Electricity Market Operator ostensibly on the basis of an N896 million debt owed federal government agencies in the power sector.
The ECAN made the demand yesterday in Enugu through its South-eastern zone.
According to a statement that was signed by the South-east Zonal Chairman of ECAN, Mr. Joe Ubani, and the Secretary, Mr. Chris Okpara, “the probe has become critical to restore investors’ confidence in the power sector, which is in dire need of a tremendous and sustained injection of funds.”
The ECAN alleged that there was overwhelming evidence that the TCN Executive Director for Market Operations, Dr. Edmund Eje, in particular grossly abused his power in dealing with Aba Power in the last few weeks, thus massively eroding public confidence in the power sector.
“The total removal of Aba Power from the sole transmission network in the country for a whole 10 days on Eje's recommendation and the consequent throwing of a section of the country into darkness for so long on account of a debt by a distribution firm was unheard of in Nigeria’s history,” the ECAN
further alleged.
The association noted that it was in consideration of the dire consequences for swathes of the nation not having light that the federal government has been subsidising DisCos despite their privatisation in 2013, and providing N120 billion to them in 2022 alone.
According to the association, given the severe national security implications and the general socioeconomic crisis generated by TCN’s removal of Aba Power from the national grid on Eje's recommendation, the punitive step against the power utility, should be probed by the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, or the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), before they leave office on May 29.
"The urgency of the situation demands this probe. Everything about the action taken by the market operator smells of grand sabotage, well planned and well executed, and the nation is entitled to know whose agenda Eje is executing.
“Even when Aba Power, which took over effective management of the Aba Ringfence only last September, paid N120 million last Friday to the market operator, as agreed upon with officials of both organisations so that Aba Power would be reconnected at once, the TCN still couldn't reconnect it to the national grid, apparently because Eje did not approve of the reconnection,” it alleged.
It stated that Aba Power was restored to the grid in the early hours of Monday following a
directive by the power minster that feeders put out on account of debt be restored to the grid, which Eje allegedly explained in a statement.
The ECAN claimed that, “Aba Power, Nigeria's 12th and the newest electricity distribution company, which has paid the market operator a whopping N440 million in the last
six months, merely benefitted from a ministerial reprieve granted Kano and Kaduna electricity companies."
It further alleged that the TCN on April 26 disconnected only three out of hundreds of feeders belonging to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company for owing the market operator N33 billion, but disconnected all 29 feeders
belonging to Aba Power from the national grid for well over a week for owing a mere N896 million.
It also demanded that Eje owed the nation an explanation for the discrepancy. "Just a few hours after the Kano Electricity Distribution Company had its three feeders yanked off from the grid for owing several billions of Naira, the
power minister directed all feeders of Kaduna, Kano and Aba DisCos be restored.
“Neither Kano nor Kaduna was required to pay any money as condition precedent to the restoration, but in the case of Aba Power a whopping N120 million payment was made,” the association alleged.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, yesterday said to transform agriculture, end hunger and food wastage in the country, the federal government and the private sector must be prepared to invest massively in the sector. Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2027, he said the framework came at a time when Nigerian farmers desire it most with expectations that the programme would deliver to enable vulnerable households access to better food, maintain healthy diets,
Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The House of Representatives yesterday expressed concern over the dilapidated state of some airports in the country.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, during a hearing with the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, regretted that the situation had persisted over a long period of time.
Nnaji stated that, "We are concerned about our airports. Over a long period of time we realised the escalators and lifts are not functioning. The air-conditioning system sometimes have leakages
and the scanners have problems too.
“This is where we are here to find out why our airports are not functioning. If it is other countries, they may decide to close down the terminal buildings because of the condition. People with disabilities are also complaining because they cannot even use the facilities. It is a problem."
The FAAN MD in his response said, "on the state of the airports, I believe it mostly revolves around Abuja airport. it is something we have seen and spent our few months trying to fix it, but the lifts and escalators came with the airport and have been here for so long. They should have been replaced over time."
"Experts recommend the escalators and lifts be replaced. We started the process of replacing and it took us a lot of time because it is government due process and funding. now there is a contract out to replace all the lifts, escalators in Abuja airport."
The committee also queried FAAN over the demolition of houses said to be on airport land in Lagos.
The Chairman of the committee stressed that, "Part of our concern is the demolition going on in Lagos. You know we speak for the people so whatever concerns people affects us.
“That is why we decided to call you to find out what is going on in Lagos. We are not against any exercise but we really want to know what is going on there."
and improve the rural economy.
The minister called for a strong action plan to address the impact of climate change, global pandemic, institutional inadequacies, post-harvest losses and weak supply chain on food systems in partnership with development partners.
Abubakar, noted that the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (2023-2027) and the FAO country programming framework would in line with the National Development Plan (2022-2025), aggressively drive Nigeria’s economic diversification programmes and transform food systems to ensure sufficient food in the country as well as export for foreign earnings.
The minister said since 1978 when the FAO opened its office in Nigeria; it had been focused on achieving food security for all and making sure that people have regular access to high-quality food and healthy lives.
He said the CPF was part of the strategy adopted by the UN member nations to raise global awareness on the state of food security and agricultural develop- ment in the world.
He said the country has the richest natural resources for agricultural production in the world, adding that the sector had been contributing consistently to the growth of the economy.
He said, “This exceptional development engineered the Government of Nigeria to continually develop an array of policies, strategies and programmes to boost food production and productivity in the country.
“Obviously, development
partners are aware of the federal government’s commitment and initiatives in providing an enabling environment for sustainable investment in agriculture as the mainstay of the national economy.”
Nonetheless, the minister said the framework emphases four pillars of priorities for agricultural development including strengthening national food and nutrition security through enhanced nutrition sensitive and climate-smart food systems; support for appropriate and operationally effective agricultural policy and regulatory framework.
Other areas of focus include support to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda and promotion of decent employment for youth and women in the agriculture value chains; improve efficient and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystem; and enhance disaster risk reduction, resilience building and emergency management towards strengthening the humanitarian development nexus.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, explained that the document describes the FAO’s medium term assistance priorities and results.
It is derived from nationally defined objectives to guide FAO’s partnership and assistance to Nigeria over the five-year period of the country’s programming cycle.
He said the current CPF provides the basis for collaboration and partnership between the federal government and FAO in four strategic priority areas to accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development.
He said the rationale for these four areas stems from the national commitment to attaining sustainable food and nutrition security as well as repositioning agriculture as a vehicle for economic growth.
He said, “In an effort to address food insecurity and under-nutrition, the Government of Nigeria has committed significant resources to support food security programmes in all states with the assistance of development partners.
“Efforts by these development partners in this regard have been very instrumental towards the attainment of our national food security and nutrition goals. We are therefore committed to practical implementation of the CPF 2023-2027 by the FAO and wish to invite support from all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.”
He added that the framework will assist the government to tackle the current and emerging challenges facing food security and nutrition, agriculture and rural development to achieve the required results.
Meanwhile, as the war in Ukraine-Russia rages on, its resultant effects alongside climate shocks caused 258 million people to have experienced acute food insecurity, requiring urgent food, nutrition and livelihood assistance in 2022, with over a quarter of a billion facing acute hunger.
This number, according to an annual latest Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) released yesterday, revealed that the figure was the highest number in the seven-year history of the report.
In this piece, Dr Leemon Ikpea, the Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering & Construction Company Limited, shares his thoughts on the incoming federal government, the present and future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the vital role played by the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in deepening local companies’ capacities and creating a level-playing field for indigenous firms
Dr Leemon Ikpea, the Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering & Construction Company Limited, always dreams of a great Nigeria of equal opportunities for all in the private and public sectors and has spent several years in the oil and gas industry to deepen economic potential and prosperity across the country. A technocrat, Ikpea clearly understands the role of governance and policies, and he demonstrates this, in his optimism in the incoming administration to be led by President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
“I have been in Lagos for more than 20 years. I have been following the president-elect’s track record right from the beginning. Lagos is the face of Nigeria. You can see infrastructure and a lot of innovations in Lagos. I could envision the incoming administration of the president-elect performing very well,” Ikpea states.
There is a basis for that optimism.
“Apart from the president-elect’s track record, any human being that is highly criticised, and negatively spoken of, that individual, come what may, usually succeeds. The motivation to prove his critics wrong is very high. Those negative criticisms trailing him will serve as a wind in his sails,” the Lee Engineering honcho explains.
He adds, “I see this incoming government as the best government we would ever have in this country. Yes, it will be one of the best governments we have ever had in Nigeria because it has seen the mistakes in various sectors of past governments and the anger of Nigerians. I am sure the incoming government will put a smile on Nigerians’ faces. The president-elect engenders this confidence because he is an astute politician and administrator that can assemble a team to actualise his vision.”
Again, Ikpea points to the president-elect’s “vision for Lagos, which has made it the face of Nigeria,” stressing that Tinubu is expected to surpass whatever achievements past governments had recorded and adds: “I am very optimistic and wish him well. I have followed his trajectory for over two decades; I have seen his programmes, policies and their implementation. He has done well. He will yet do well as president. He will bring his experience to bear on Nigeria’s affairs fully.”
The new government has a lot of work to do in the oil industry, Ikpea says. “But at the same time, the staff and the people in the industry are first-class personnel because they’re well-trained. I could tell because I have been in the industry for 47 years,” he emphasises. “I have been following them right from the beginning. Nobody could steal a kobo in NNPC because their procedures were very strict, with meticulous attention to due process. The NNPC has metamorphosed into well-structured organisations. It remains one of the best parastatals this country could ever have.”
The Lee Engineering CEO has a somewhat simple suggestion to keep the wheels of oil running.
“What I will suggest the incoming government should do: one, there is over 5,000km pipeline in this country. And these pipelines were laid in the late 1980s. Calculate the years: it’s more than 30 years. There must be corrosion. The same pipelines have remained. They have not been changed, resulting in oil loss and stealing because criminals exploit the corroded parts of the pipelines to siphon large-scale quantities of oil,” says Ikpea.
That leaves the government losing a lot of money. If the government could do the hard work, a lot could be saved for the nation’s coffers.
“It’s a lot of work to be done. If the government wants to avoid stealing, the pipelines have to be rejuvenated by fixing the badly damaged ones. They should create a good network of pipelines and bury them deeper into the ground. If the depth was three feet before, let them take it six feet down; that way, it becomes more difficult for potential oil thieves to unravel the pipelines
and steal oil,” Ikpea notes.
He recommends high-powered surveillance that could nip criminal activities in the bud to make the hard work meaningful. He also believes careful consideration should be given to the pipelines and refineries.
“Along with that, there should be proper surveillance. They need to concentrate on the pipeline, and they need to concentrate on the refineries to ensure that the refineries are functional because if the refineries do not produce, we will continue to have problems. They should continue to pay subsidy,” Ikpea stresses.
The Lee Engineering boss will not recommend the removal of fuel subsidy, stating that “if they take out subsidy, only NNPC cannot pay the bills” and “it will be too heavy a burden to bear alone because the private sector will bring in petroleum products and sell at their own prices.”
Ikpea’s focus remains on deepening the country’s success stories, facing the challenges and
building bigger frontiers for national prosperity, stressing the matchless contributions of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to strengthening the hands of local players in the oil and gas industry.
He feels the NCDMB has a lot going for it and can only get better without undue interference and politicisation of the agency. Yet, Ikpea suggests the continued strengthening of the local content board for more successes to be recorded per indigenous capacity in the oil and gas sector.
“You know, the government should properly empower the local content board because they have limitations. More empowerment is needed in the local content board. They need competent people to run that department because that is the livewire of the generation yet unborn. The people who are there now, if I were the government, would give them another four years to put all the structures in place,” Ikpea reasons. “When they put the necessary structures in place, anybody coming in will have a well-
established structure and system to work with. The personnel at the local content board are very competent and committed, but they need to be empowered.”
Another measure the Lee Engineering founder urges the government to consider regarding the local content board is consolidation.
“They should be given time to consolidate the structure being built by the board. The board is the future of Nigeria. It is the future of oil and gas. The local content board is training a lot of Nigerians. The skills and capacities of Nigerians in the oil and gas sector have continued to increase,” Ikpea stresses. “The board is training a lot of Nigerians through Lee Engineering and other indigenous oil and gas firms.”
Established in 2010 by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, the NCDMB is to make procedures that will guide, monitor, coordinate, and implement the provisions of the NOGICD Act, signed into law on April 22, 2010, by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, giving birth to the NCDMB.
As a vibrant local player in a dynamic global industry, Lee Engineering has stepped up to the plate by acquiring marginal fields. By the time the company starts production, it will not need to import many resources into the country because it will use equipment manufactured in its fabrication plant, which is cost-effective. Ikpea will bring to bear his 14 years’ experience in the construction industry.
His leading indigenous EPCOM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance) company, the Lee Engineering and Construction Company, has achieved several milestones and received numerous commendations, awards, and certificates from local and international organisations.
Ikpea also talks about the potential strides of Nigeria in the gas industry amid a challenging environment that pervades Europe as Russia continues its violent aggression against Ukraine. “Nigeria is exploring several opportunities in the gas sector. Nigeria and Morocco recently signed an agreement on a gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco, which will also supply West Africa and Europe,” says Ikpea. “This 6,000-km project will cross 13 African countries along the Atlantic coast. From there, it will reach other parts of the world. That’s a huge step. In addition, other projects are going on in the country, including that of the NLNG.”
Notwithstanding that, he understands the country requires a huge financial outlay to fully develop the oil and gas sector and disclosed that the federal government and the NNPC are committed to exploring the gas potential.
“There are other gas projects about to take off. This is the time for gas; it’s the gas revolution,” Ikpea declares. “The federal government is very serious about it; the NNPC is serious about it too. Nigeria is in the gas revolution. Nigeria has started, and the NNPC has started.”
The oil and gas sector is one of the most critical sectors in the country’s economy, accounting for more than 90 per cent of its exports and 80 per cent of the federal government’s revenue. It is the ninth-largest global gas reserves with over 200 Tcf. As of 2019, Nigeria had Africa’s largest oil and gas reserves, with around 37 billion barrels of oil and 5.4 trillion cubic meters (bcm) of gas. With a production of 2.11 million barrels per day in 2019 (approximately 25 per cent of the total output in Africa), Nigeria continues to dominate Africa’s oil production.
The Lee Engineering firm, founded in 1991, has become a conglomerate dealing in retail, tourism, aviation, and manufacturing, including exploration and production. It has a fabrication workshop measuring 2,515sqm, complete with blasting/painting bays and state-of-the-art equipment. The company, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited (including Lee Engineering, Tribet Ltd [travels and tours], Tribet Aviation, Tribet Purified Waters, and Lee Oasis), have at least 2,000 employees.
As May 29 inches closer, Governorelect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, is already gearing up and putting plans in place for his administration’s take off.
Mbah last week inaugurated a 64-man Transition Committee, and charged them to produce an implementable action plan in line with his manifesto for the transformation of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, last Thursday, Mbah said: “The people of Enugu State chose us, believing that we are going to take them through a consequential journey of growth, development, and greatness. We also chose you because we believe that with your expertise, we are able to reduce this journey to an empirical and verifiable roadmap.”
Also in a recent chat with journalists, the Governor-elect chronicled the campaign strategy he deployed which eventually led to his victory at the just concluded polls.
According to him: “We did something that was unique, something that was, frankly but good. Yeah. Because the previous government and in the past it wasn’t always done the way the campaign was done, essentially, it would be for the governorship candidate to have a walk to the various local governments for campaign rallies.
Well, we took a different view. We felt that we wanted to make it grandeur. We wanted to reach out to the grassroots and beyond reaching out to the grassroots we also wanted to get to understand their pain points. So we went on a talk of the 68 development centers on a town hall meeting, where we engaged with the grassroots and all the relevant community based organizations and other professional
organizations and bodies.
“That afforded us opportunity to sell our message to the people, that message of hope, the message of exponential growth, the message of disrupting the status quo and the sub optimization so we also began to unpack what we mean when we say to them, tomorrow is here. We began to explain to them what that tomorrow holds for them.
“So we engaged them constructively, but beyond just engaging them constructively, it also afforded us the opportunity to listen to them, to hear them, have them talk to us about their pains, about their challenges their difficulties. So it wasn’t a report through a third party. It was me hearing it from them, the people who are actually going through those
pains. And another opportunity it afforded us was that we also documented the various potentials of each local government because as as you already know, from our manifesto, the potentials were quite enormous.
You know, we’re trying to unlock Enugu’s rural economy. We’re trying to make sure that we have an integrated rural development. So it was an opportunity for us to identify the potentials of the various local governments, particularly the development centers. And we took a bold view of what Enugu state can achieve in the next four to eight years, on our watch, on our leadership, and obviously that resonated with people of course, we had some doubters.
We had some naysayers. We also had some critics, which we welcomed, frankly, because we’re basically telling them something that is unprecedented, something that you couldn’t look at the past and see how it connects to what we’re saying.
Speaking on what his administration will do to propel growth in the Coal City state, Mbah said, “If you look at the growth pattern, in the last 24 years, that growth has largely been incremental, it’s largely been marginal. So here we are saying that we’re going to grow the economy from the $4.4 billion level to $30 billion. I mean, within the next eight years, we also said to begin with we are going to achieve a 0% rate in our poverty headcount index. Okay. That’s also unprecedented. You’re saying that by 2031, there’ll be zero poverty and there will be an eradication, not reduction, but eradication of poverty, meaning that you’re no longer going to have people living on that extreme poverty or abject poverty or living below the poverty line. And we were also unique in our strategic objectives, because it
was just one thing having this laudable vision, this massive vision of growing the economy, lifting people out of poverty, but another thing is to craft a strategy to be able to explain to them how you intend to do that if it’s going to be unprecedented.
“So that means you have to explain to them how you intend to do that. And that was where we started talking about disrupting the current revenue model, which obviously focuses on receipt of revenue from Abuja, going to Abuja at the end of each month to collect money from the Federation Account, coming back to Enugu to spend it and that money, not being able to optimally intervene across the critical sectors.
So we’ll have to explain to them how we intend to disrupt that status quo, how we intend to deploy a disruptive innovation, how we intend to deploy critical alternative financing so that we can begin to generate funds from different sources.
“And again, it’s across so we we also know that if we’re going to grow at the levels, we’ve proposed that the growth will not just come from the public sector that it has to also come from constructive investment from the private sector. So the private sector is going to play a critical role and that’s business, as I’ve always said to people on my team. Businesses are not Father Christmas, they want returns on their investment.
So you’re going to have to engage with them. You’re going to have to explain to them how you intend to derisk their investment, how you intend to provide the key enablers.
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
What is your assessment of the just concluded 2023 general elections?
will start by saying I am a strong proponent of democracy, especially as it remains the only system of government that offers inclusivity to the citizenry.
It gives the people an opportunity to have a say in who rules, and how they want to be ruled. And as such, conducting credible elections is central to its sustainability. Fairness, transparency and equity remain pillars that make democracy viable.
However, it is w
orthy of note that sustaining democracy comes with a lot of challenges, with Nigeria not being an exception in this regard. As a matter of fact, since our return to democracy in 1999, elections have been a subject of major controversy.
They have been marred by many irregularities and have been rife with allegations of rigging and widespread misconducts.
This has entrenched deep distrust in the electoral process among the masses, making them to question the sincerity of INEC and the Federal government in holding credible polls.
In all of this, INEC has maintained her commitment and resolve towards conducting free, fair and credible elections.
Incidentally, she was at the forefront of lobbying for an amended electoral act, which was passed and signed into law by President Buhari before the commencement of the 2023 general elections.
However, going by the conduct and outcome of the elections, it remains to be seen if they are truly committed to holding credible elections or are merely paying lip service to it. Both foreign and local observers have given the agency many knocks and criticized her handling of the process.
And the various political parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the polls.
Considering the introduction of devices like the BVAS and IReV, and the full proof assuredness that INEC gave Nigerians before the election, what is your rating of their outing?
The introduction of BVAS and IREV by INEC was welcomed by most Nigerians with open arms. These new technologies were meant to bridge the gap between the past and the future. They were passed off as tools that are capable of revolutionizing the political landscape of the country and were meant to usher in a new era that’ll be marked by credible and verifiable elections.
INEC repeatedly gave assurances that these technologies would be used to their full potential, as a matter of fact, some credit for its introduction into the electoral act should go to them. Still, proper implementation of policies has been the bane of our nation and INEC has not been left out in this regard.
This has further compounded the woes of the average Nigerian who has become used to seeing their hopes raised, only for it to be dashed. That INEC had four years to plan for the elections makes this even more difficult to swallow. Because like I said earlier, the test of the viability of any democracy is in how efficient its systems work.
Credibility can never be sacrificed for whatsoever reason and once the seed of doubt has been sown, the people struggle to trust the system.
From the failure of the BVAS machine to work properly and transmit real time data to the IREV server, to blurry unverifiable result sheets being loaded to manual collation of results, Nigerians were confronted with the reality of a system that was designed to stop irregularities failing to subserve its function. Kudos must go to INEC though for choosing to move with the trend of using technology to confer more credibility on the system, but a lot has to be done in terms of implementation for it to be used satisfactorily.
You claim to have sold the idea of BVAS and IReV to INEC in 2010, tell us about it.
It all started when I read the exposé by Donald Duke, the former Governor of Cross-Rivers State, of how elections were rigged in Nigeria. It was revealing as well as scandalous. I was very sad. I wanted something to change with our electoral process. I assembled a team and we came up with this idea to introduce electronic voting into our electoral system to curb the perennial problem of the manipulation of the electoral system in Nigeria. Because I wanted a foolproof technology which could not be easily manipulated, I opted for the use of the iPhone as the best device for the system. I and my team at Renaissance Network Africa (RNA) which I founded then, approached Layer3, an IT company, to design the system which I had in mind. It was in 2010 towards the build up to the 2011 General Elections. I
thought the timing was perfect then. I scheduled a meeting with the then INEC Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega. And some days later the I-voting Proposal was presented to INEC by my humble self and a Director at Layer3. The Proposal was well-received and acknowledged. We were the first of its kind to do that in Nigeria.
Considering that in your proposal, you may not have captioned the devices you proposed with the specific names, IReV and BVAS, how sure are you that those were your ideas on implementation?
The BVAS and IReV technology is exactly the same as the one we recommended to INEC. No significant difference, save for the use of an Android device by INEC instead of the iPhone which we proposed. The system consists of five consecutive phases of voter’s registration, storage of voter’s information, Voter’s card authentication, vote casting and vote counting; which have been replicated by INEC with the use of BVAS and other support systems.
INEC used those devices (BVAS and IReV), and many believe their performance was still abysmally low. Is that to say that your proposal to them is not the solution to election rigging, or there are things in your proposal, which would have made the election full proof, which INEC did not implement?
Like I stated earlier, the use of BVAS and IREV technologies is a welcome idea. The challenge has been its implementation.
The purpose for the introduction of these technologies was to ensure that free, fair, credible and verifiable elections were conducted. Nothing confers credibility on a process like transparency.
NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com
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"Want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for what he did in Badagry, especially on this road (Lagos-Ibadan Expressway). In the last 16 to 17 years, we have been suffering on this road. But since two or three years ago, he has done this place; we are happy.
Before, from here to Agbara, it takes about three hours and if you want to go to Mile 2, you have to leave your home at 4 am, but now you can leave by 6am."
Those were the words of an elated Oba Isreal Okoya, the traditional ruler of Ibereko in Badagry, when the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and entourage, visited the ongoing construction and rehabilitation work on a certain Saturday in April.
While profusely thanking President Buhari for the project, he stressed that the project had tremendously reduced travel time, as well as enhanced the quality of lives of not just his community, but other road users that ply that route on a daily basis.
Calling for the speedy completion of the project he added, "we are happy. But we want them to do the second lane. We have seen the first one. It's okay. But by the end of this year, we need to see the left side".
The joy of the traditional ruler and millions of road users that ply the Lagos- Badagry Expressway, which is part of the ongoing Abidjan–Lagos Megalopolis multi-billion dollar project, is understandable because for years, they had lived in palpable pain on the terrible state of that road before construction began.
As part of moves to ensure interconnectivity of countries on the West African coast, the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor, also known as the Abidjan–Lagos Megalopolis, the latter crisscrossing the Lagos-Badagry axis, was borne.
The geographical locations of cities and multinational coordinates include
Abidjan at 5.30966 -4.01266; Cotonou at 6.36736 2.4225; Agbosome at 6.07373 1.03452; Sekondi-Takoradi at 4.934 -1.7137; Lagos at 6.45306 3.39583; Cape Coast at 5.10535 -1.2466; Accra at 5.55602 -0.1969; and Lomé at 6.13748 1.21227.
The overaching plan is for that corridor to serve as an emerging transnational megalopolis on the coast of southern West Africa. Stretching from Abidjan to Lagos, it crosses five independent states (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and
Nigeria) from west to east, and includes two political capitals and many regional economic centers.
According to reports on Wikipedia, the corridor has a length of approximately 965 kilometers (600 miles) and within the megalopolis, a significant portion of West Africa's economic output is generated, and cities within the corridor are among the most economically developed of their respective countries, for which agglomeration effects and access to the Atlantic Ocean are responsible.
Also, since the population within the region is experiencing rapid growth, and nearly 50 million people are expected to live within the corridor by 2035, projections are that by the end of the 21st century, the region could become the largest urban region with continuous settlement in the world, then with up to half a billion inhabitants.
On the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project, the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is supposed to be a link in the Dakar-Lagos Corridor, part of the transAfrican highway of the ECOWAS region, whose development has been identified as one of the priorities of the Infrastructure Development Program in Africa (PIDA).
This infrastructure is more than essential for the socio-economic development of West Africa, because it connects the most densely populated and economically active parts of the sub-region and, moreover, has interconnections with a railways network and the main ports and airports in its coverage area.
According to the plan, the new Abidjan -Lagos motorway will have six lanes (2x3 lanes), and its estimated cost according to Wikipedia is UA 11.08 million (USD 15.59 million). However, given the global inflation, that cost is expected to increase by the time the entire project is wrapped up.
But despite the astronomical cost of building such lofty project, the gains are
sustainable as it will open up trade, operations and economic development of the nations along that corridor, and some might even say, beyond.
Simply put, since the corridor is located on the coastal axis of the region and crosses the economic centers and the most densely populated cities of the sub-region, the population along this axis, estimated at 70 million, will be the direct beneficiaries when the project is implemented.
Lagos-Badagry Expressway
As one of the flanks of the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor, the construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was sectioned off into three independent contracts. These independent contractors are supervised by Lagos State government (LASG), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Federal Ministry of Works.
While section one was constructed by the Lagos State government and kicked off from Eric Moore to Okokomaiko, the second section by FERMA involves rehabilitation from Igboelerin to Agbara and the last part is by the Federal Ministry of Works from Agbara to Seme Border.
These and many more were reiterated by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, during a recent On-the-spot assessment of all three sections of the ongoing LagosBadagry Expressway reconstruction and rehabilitation project.
The minister, who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide
Adeyoye; Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederick Oladeinde and other engineers from the ministry, expressed satisfaction on the state of the works done already, adding that the progress had been recorded beyond where the project was in 2015.
Speaking with journalists intermittently to bring them up to speed he said the project is is evidence of the commitment of the Buhari administration to infrastructure.
On the Lagos-Abidjan Expressway, he said the project is part of the highway which serves over 40 million commuters travelling all the way to Ivory Coast, adding that Nigeria had demonstrated leadership by starting construction of its own side of the project.
Stressing that construction had reached final layer on 22 kilometres stretch of section three, he said: “We are in the last 22 kilometres section to Badagry roundabout, on one side, the Badagry- bound side, our engineer’s representative said to me that except for the first three kilometres, work has been completed all the way to kilometre 22.
"What is left is just the wearing course that you see is being installed at kilometer one plus 800. So, it is just about 200 metres to kilometre 22. This is the part of the road that will be three lanes on a dual carriageway."
Shedding further light on the progress made so far, he said sections one and two had been completed, adding that financing for section three was sustainable because the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had taken over its funding.
On the economic benefits of the project, he said it has brought traffic to small and big businesses on the Badagry corridor, adding that it also reduced travel time and waste of resources, the end goal being in fulfilment of the government's plans to bring millions out of poverty.
But prior to inspecting the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the minister had first visited the Lagos -Otta-Abeokuta Expressway. According to him, work had begun on the Lagos end and if people were patient, the work would be completed up to the Ogun State.
While the project was being funded by SUKUK, he addressed the need to connect Ogun State to Lagos.
The minister said already, all three ongoing projects- Ikorodu-Sagamu, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Lagos-Badagry Expressway, are all linked Ogun but that of Lagos-OttaAbeokuta, which is the fourth link road, would require patience.
Finally on the Lagos-Otta-Idiroko project, he said every stage of the design part was important because that's what helps in effective procurement procedures.
We want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for what he did in Badagry, especially on this road (Lagos-Ibadan Expressway). In the last 16 to 17 years, we have been suffering on this road. But since two or three years ago, he has done this place; we are happy. Before, from here to Agbara, it takes about three hours and if you want to go to Mile 2, you have to leave your home at 4 am, but now you can leave by 6am
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Buhari lives to his promise: to be for everybody and for nobody, argues OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
See page 29
OSINBAJO’S NEXT MOVE AND MO IBRAHIM’S VALIDATION
ETIM ETIM writes that Osinbajo’s leadership qualities would be needed to douse tensions in many conflict zones across Africa
“I’ve been standing in this line since 3:30am and I have yet to get my hands on a loaf of bread. God is my witness; my children had no breakfast and no lunch until now and dinnertime is around the corner. I say to alBurhan and to Hemedti, we shall meet on the Day of Judgement; I implore you to have the fear of God in [how you are treating] the Sudanese people,” a traumatised southern Khartoum resident told Al Jazeera last Monday. That lamentation wasn’t by any means solitary. It’s, sadly, an unwritten anthem of the despondent, the damaged, and the dying. Even by the standards of the Sudanese who are no strangers to chaos and bloodshed, existence in Sudan is grinding rapidly to a non-life.
See page 29
The manifestations of some of the worst evils known to man going on at the moment haven’t come to most followers of that country’s political history as a surprise. To many, they had been foretold. On April 15, the two main factions of the military, namely the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary squad called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the respective leadership of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alias Hemedti, began installations. The shock to the outside world, if any, was occasioned by the fact that both parties were in fact partners, co-travellers in the adventurism that has come to describe the quest for political power in Sudan. The former dictator, Omar al-Bashir, who had established separate military formations as a strategy for his rulership elongation fell victim to the were also energised by the popular uprising that engulfed most parts of the country in 2018 and 2019. Now, those friends have turned bitter foes, are in the process of bringing down the fragile house, and are blocking the chances of any quick truce and recovery.
Some memories of Darfur. In the heat of the bloody crisis there nearly two decades ago, the THISDAY Editorial Board, like many other media platforms around the world, deliberated on the issue regularly. Its details, including the murderous activities of the Janjaweed established by el-Bashir, brought me to mental and emotional lows. I simply couldn’t come to terms with the high levels of cruelty being experienced a personal euphoria the day that seemingly invincible despot of Khartoum was disgraced out of his palace. Yes, it took many more years of oppression and viciousness but his end in the saddle did come. I enjoyed the compensation thoroughly.
For some time, the atrocities in Darfur had remained largely unknown to a world that had other things to care about, until some catalysts showed up. Notable among them was the marking of the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in 2004. The international community was trying hard to exorcise the demons of that heinous chain of events in modern history, having been rightly accused of complacency and outright complicity. It
thought, even if reluctantly, that the carnage in western Sudan, if prolonged, would be an unbearable addition. The media then dug in harder and the world knew at once that it was indeed faced with the possibility of yet another Rwanda. About the same time, Khartoum was struggling with a growing image of being a pariah, rogue and terrorist state, and a major sponsor of the worsening security situation in the south. This disturbing ‘basket’ case in the north-eastern part of Africa could simply not be ignored.
Professor of Politics at Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, wrote an article titled, Unlearned” on February 26 this year, less than two months before the current hostilities commenced. His intervention turned out to be a warning against a bigger looming catastrophe, though unacknowledged as such. His physical contact with the Sudan narration and analysis can be instrumental to a proper understanding of a problem that could substantially alter the prospects for peace in the entire subregion. His piece reads in part: “I heard claims of dreadful atrocities, even attempts at extermination, particularly from representatives of the Fur ethnicity. It going on: an unprecedentedly brutal ‘ethnic’ war was in full swing, pitting a bizarre ‘Arab’ coalition of tribes against the Fur, a NiloSaharan ethnic group that gave the region its name (Darfur, the land of the Fur). While of this region, they had been usually localised and brief, with limited casualties. its complexities is key to fathoming the continuing crisis in Darfur, which erupted 20 years ago. Despite being one of the most discussed, studied, and mediatised tragedies in recent history, many of the puzzles surrounding this crisis remain unsolved: its unusual level of brutality and rapid escalation, extremely high human cost, and its instant ‘spectacularisation’.
both regional and local dimensions. The
In 1965, the Chadian Civil War erupted, as various groups in the sparsely populated country rebelled against the government. were based in Darfur and many Sudan-based ‘Arab’ tribes got involved. The situation became even more complicated in the 1970s started backing some rebel groups and Egypt and the US lent support to the government. weapons into the region.”
The speed at which various countries are moving out their citizens from the ravaged nation points to the fact that hopes for concerted international action may be receding fast. Allegations of the involvement of powerful nations like the United States and Russia can only further fuel the fears of having a protracted warfare. Hundreds of people have died. Thousands have been wounded. And tens of thousands have much of Sudan’s neighbourhood is already characterised by instability, deprivation and absence of real governance.
A couple of years ago, a television reporter asked me what I thought about the relentless protests in the streets of some Arab countries in comparison to Nigeria. I didn’t hesitate to tell her that, generally, Nigerians were not Arabs; that both sets of people issues and attitude to life. I tried to choose my words carefully to avoid stripping my own compatriots whatever was left of their for a long period, no matter the gravity of the cause. Even though Sudan is in a far worse condition than Nigeria at present, I still stand by those words.
There’re things we must learn from this misery, however. The Sudanese military have no active, direct place in government. The sensible answer to a bad democratic administration is to replace it with a good one. Achieving that may be uphill but there’s no better alternative to it. Nigerians too should the parting of ways of the component parts of the federation. Since the mainly Arab Muslim mainland Sudan bid farewell to the mostly Christian and Animist South Sudan in 2011, neither side has known the muchanticipated socio-political equilibrium. We mustn’t fall for divisive tendencies, many of which are exaggerated and promoted by self-serving political journeypersons. Hate the deliberate suppression of the people’s will must be tackled frontally. Nigeria has had enough cataclysmic upheavals.
The ongoing Sudanese war is a call to value corporate peace and cohesion more, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE
We mustn’t fall for divisive tendencies, many of which are exaggerated and promoted by selfserving political journeypersons. Hate speech, ethnic profiling, religious bigotry and deliberate suppression of the people’s will must be tackled frontally. Nigeria has had enough cataclysmic upheavals
Buhari lives to his promise: to be for everybody and for nobody, argues OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
Continued from the backpage
In his written and oral testimonies, the then Acting NIA Director General, Ambassador Mohammed Dauda (who has notice would be served on the Agency by the
the situation and also presented evidences
would have transnational implications as the compromised.”
President Buhari has allowed the institutions
ETIM ETIM writes that Osinbajo’s leadership qualities would be needed to douse tensions in many conflict zones across Africa
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Nairobi, Kenya, this weekend to participate in an event organized by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2006 to promote The weekend’s event, tagged The Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW) brought together
Mr. Mo Ibrahim pulled the VP aside and leaders. He then asked the VP to assume the we really need statesmen like you coming out
security agencies and the unhealthy rivalry among their heads that has led to the current
handing-over in line with extant practice. By critical National Security Asset with sensitive documents and equipment. Accordingly, the attempt to storm the Command House security implications”, according to the report. served a larger national interest, to maintain sensitive security assets in the Flag House. The NIA is a Secret Service, whose operations are
to the
The last to give evidence was Monguno who tone.” Monguno, according to the report, by the CBN to some Security Agencies around 2015”, although he also added that “he was not and that the resistance made by the Security Agencies during the arrest episode cast some aspersions.”
Monguno expressed concerns about the amongst the sister agencies. “He said that this resulted due to the National Security Agencies power to check the other security agencies that Thus, there is a desperate need to streamline the Agencies and make them answerable to the NSA.”
In 2016, two years before I wrote the foregoing, Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina authored a controversial piece, ‘President Muhammadu Buhari and the descendants of Shimei’, where he likened his principal to King David, easily one of the most important Bible characters; and his critics to “descendants of Shimei’’, a member of the family of the displaced King Saul who once publicly humiliated King David. In response a few months later, I wrote ‘Of President Buhari and King David’. The conclusion I drew more than then: Ordinarily, the president of a republic sees himself in the least of his citizens; their joy is his uplift; their sorrow is his personal anguish. In times of travail, he goes to places where people are hurting and empathises with them. His visit is not ceremonial; it is in the line of active duty. In a monarchy, the leader is king. He is above the people and sees gestures of empathy even in dire circumstances as condescension. The fracture in the polity is somehow traceable to this very disconnect.
In case the president and his handlers have forgotten, let me remind them. Even though he proposed no set of values beyond a ‘body language’ that, on the face of recent developments, might have been wrongly interpreted by many Nigerians, Buhari was elected president to serve as a moral compass—a leader who would need no prompting before choosing between right and wrong in the conduct of public transpired under his stewardship. And since moral authority, according to Ken Robinson, is intertwined with legitimacy, “once the authority is seriously questioned, once it becomes obvious that their moral compass challenged.”
In 25 days, President Buhari will be out of epitaph for his administration. He promised to be for everybody and for nobody. Against the background of what has happened in Nigeria in the past eight years, it will be
or any that I have written in the past eight years about him or his administration, I also seek his forgiveness!
Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board
you say it as it is and you really give example to all our leaders. We can go and get things community, and you do the best job’’.
the government, compassion, empathy, graciousness and courage. He has consistently spoken out against extremism, bigotry and violence in our polity. How I wish he had had the executive powers.
The Vice President’s recent speech at NIPPS on our diversity in which he chided ethnic jingoists, hate mongers and election riggers in a season many other leaders
his ideals. I’m always awed by Osinbajo’s tremendous social conscience.
At Kuru, the VP stressed that in the not toy with prejudices that alienate or they should conduct themselves with a build a new Nigeria where there is justice, equity and shared prosperity. Besides,
been making incendiary statements soon Said Osinbajo: “the leadership elites have a duty to conduct themselves with a pointed out that historically, conscious and patriotic elites all recognize that, beyond lines that cannot be crossed in the pursuit
This is the same message that many world leaders and countless Nigerians have to transmute into a global thought leader Barack Obama, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. At a panel discussion during the Development Bank, Dr. Lawrence Kaberuka, job in his country. I don’t think we have seen Osinbajo?
First, let me introduce Mo Ibrahim to those who might not know him. Sir Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim, born May 3, 1946, is a Sudanese-British billionaire businessman. He worked in several telecommunications when sold, had over 24 million mobile phone
up the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to encourage
to mobilize a political constituency. It is dangerous because it is an attempt that hatred”.
ethnic bigots who denied some Nigerians their right to vote in the last elections provided the needed balm to a nation that is hurting. It is a sharp contrast to the who has remained reticent all through the post-election tensions. Said the VP: “These elections witnessed the exploitation by attempts to deny people the right to vote in any locality on the basis that they do not belong in that place is condemnable in the strongest possible terms’’.
been damaged by corruption, wars and leadership incompetence, he must have seen in Osinbajo qualities that would stand him out temperament and wisdom.
these and more. Over the years, in words and deeds, Osinbajo has exhibited statesmanlike leadership qualities. He has shown integrity, competence, dedication to duty, loyalty to
Osinbajo stressed that when ethnic or a lethal, potentially destructive situation. This is why most prosperous places are countries that have learned to harness diversity while building ever more inclusive institutions. And it is also the reason discrimination against people on the basis most legal codes, including the Nigerian Constitution. The crisis in Nigeria, however, is exacerbated by a tension that exists between new Nigeria and the old Nigeria as understood by a generation that is much more accustomed to political as a nation, Nigeria must ennoble and validate the Nigeria that our young people are consciously or unconsciously building.
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
Health authorities should ensure that children are immunised and protected
In a new report, “The State of the World’s Children 2023,” that should worry health authorities in the country, the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has revealed that 2.2 million children in Nigeria have never received a vaccination. The United Nations agency found that 67 million children across the world missed out on either some or all routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021. Not surprisingly, half the total number of unvaccinated children is in Africa. More disturbing is that on the number of children at the risk of death and vaccine-preventable diseases, Nigeria is second only to India with 2.7 million children.
Largely responsible for interrupted childhood vaccination across the world, according to the report, was the Covid-19 pandemic. UNICEF said the intense demands on health systems, the diversions of immunisation resources, health worker shortages and stay-at-home measures all contributed to missed vaccinations. These are in addition
But the challenge was more on our continent where the public perception of the importance of vaccines declined and further exacerbated the persistent weaknesses in health systems and primary immunisations to become another victim of the pandemic. Otherwise, the next wave of deaths could be of more children with measles, diphtheria, or other preventable diseases,” UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell warned.
No fewer than 34 of the 54 countries in Africa experienced disease outbreaks such as measles, from UNICEF that has warned of a “child survival crisis” on the continent. In Nigeria, even if statistics are not reliable, there have been a wave of cholera, measles, and other preventable diseases.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption, Nigeria was making progress, albeit slowly in
T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE
T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
childhood immunisation. Data from the Nigerian Democratic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that the percentage of children that have received all basic vaccinations increased from 13 per cent in 2003 to 31 per cent in 2018. Even so, Nigeria still has a lot to do to meet the Sustainable Development Goals’ target of achieving more than 90% coverage of all basic vaccinations among children aged 12-23 months. Besides, the country’s childhood vaccination coverage also falls short of Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) targets, making many children vulnerable to death and vaccine-preventable diseases.
No doubt, the security challenge that plagues the nation and the inability to access certain areas are critical stakeholders to rise to the challenge so that we can quickly deal with this problem. Health Nigeria, whether north or south, need to redouble the coverage level of childhood immunisation and other child survival issues that plague the Nigerian child. Given how we successfully fought Polio, there is nothing to suggest we cannot overcome this challenge, especially if we mobilise the civil society, religious and traditional leaders as well as our dedicated health workers at local levels.
It is thus essential that the health authorities in Nigeria must do more to ensure that all children are immunised and protected. Government at all levels as well as other critical stakeholders must act now to “catch up” with those missed vaccinations to prevent more deadly disease outbreaks. More importantly, there is an urgent need to intensify education and awareness of the deadly consequences of avoiding childhood vaccinations. Prevention, which is the whole idea of vaccination, as the old saying goes, is better than cure.
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.
The recurrent killings of defenceless villagers in Southern Kaduna put a lie to the government’s supposed commitment to the every day grows longer than the last, winding into a narrative of death and destruction.
In communities that have long known the peculiar vulnerabilreturn to the bottomless belly of bombs, blood, and bullets. In December 2022, armed criminals fell upon Kagoro in the area.
By the time they were done, about 40 persons had been denied Christmas in a Christian-dominated area. For the living, Christmas was one drenched in blood. The killers seemingly took a break for the 2023 elections. But since the controversial elections ended, they have returned as if with a vengeance.
On Sunday, April 16, 2023, Jacob Kwashi, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigerian, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, accused the Nigerian army of bias. Speaking at the funeral of 33 residents who were killed, including are killed and when people are killed.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai became president and governor of Nigeria and Kaduna State respectively in 2015 amidst high hopes. If both men have achieved anything as to leave any legacy at all, that legacy is one tainted by innocent blood.
That the federal government and the Kaduna State government have roundly failed to secure lives and property in an area conspiracy against the people of the area.
If there isn’t, how is it that people in the same area have continued to be systematically killed with the government doing very little to support or protect them? The carnage that has become the lot of the good people of the area under the current administration is a danger signal to Nigeria’s unwieldy diversity, a signal the government continues to ignore at its peril.
While the federal government and especially the Kaduna State government have assumed a posture of helplessness over the abandoned to their fate.
Whenever anyone has stirred from their slumber to confront the nightmare, it has mostly been with the deployment of the
wrong tactics and engagement with the wrong people.
Any attempt at solving what has become a mammoth problem must begin with asking the good people of the area what they think can quickly and decisively end what is a great challenge.
Let the Nigerian government and the Kaduna State governhomegrown solutions to what has been an imported problem. Let those who have been at the receiving end be asked for their inputs and contributions to how to end the crisis.
not letting out less than what it knows about the killings. Let the government show once and for all that it is sincere about what can only be interpreted as a carefully calibrated attempt to exterminate an entire people.
Let the government show that is committed to ending the crisis, no matter the heads that will roll. It is only then that it can be taken seriously on its avowed commitment to end the crisis threatening to annihilate an entire region.
Ike Willie-Nwobu, AbujaGovernment at all levels as well as other critical stakeholders must act now to ‘catch up’ with those missed vaccinations to prevent more deadly disease
Following the outcome of a recent survey report carried out in Africa by JIC Holdings, which showed that only 13 out of 53 countries surveyed in Africa have an active 5G network as at the end of 2022, experts across Africa are divided in their views about the significance of 5G rollout in the development of Africa.
Some experts who do not see the need for 5G rollout across Africa because of the perceived slow pace in technology development across the continent, are of the
view that African governments must first address the issue of availability and affordability of mobile internet service, before deploying 5G in Africa.
Some experts are however optimistic that 5G will further enhance development in Africa and they are calling for an increase in spectrum allocation to enhance faster 5G rollout.
According to the report, only 13 out of 53 African countries have launched 5G as at the end of 2022, with expectation that two-third of African countries will not launch the 5G services until at least 2025.
The report further said most
operators were still focusing on 3G and 4G networks, with 5G only an option in the long term, adding that regulators in Africa will need to make policy changes such as allocating relevant spectrum and lowering tariffs to enable a faster rollout of 5G network.
Analysing the report, CEO of JIC Holdings, Mark-Anthony Johnson, said telecoms giants such as MTN and Vodacom, which have presence across multiple African countries, would be the front-runners for 5G rollout in Africa.
“As developed economies advance from 5G launch to
uptake, countries in Africa are prioritising legacy networks over the latest cellular standard. Although a few countries have turned on commercial 5G networks in 2022, about two-third of the 53 African countries surveyed are not expected to do so until 2025 at the earliest, ”Johnson said. He gave reasons for the delay, which include: unavailability of 5G spectrum; uncertainty over auction dates; and high investment for 3G/4G networks.
Some of the African countries that have launched 5G as at 2022 according to the report are: Nigeria, South
Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
In 2023 Egypt and Ghana will roll out commercial 5G networks, with Orange of France and MTN of South Africa, ready to debut the 5G high-speed network. Mobile Wireless Communication Analyst, Gary Dorst, said in his tweet: “I don’t see the deployment of 5G in Africa as necessarily a positive development. The vast majority, about 70 to 80 per cent of Africans does not have access to and cannot
afford even basic mobile internet service. I think it’s more important to take the path to provide widespread and affordable mobile internet service.
Renewable Energy Consultant and Researcher, Masendi Patrick, in his tweet, said: “I have a 5G phone, upgraded my SIM card but I have never I mean never experienced or seen 5G in Uganda, we are not a 5G country.
Raheem Akingbolu
Six months after the Nigerian government through the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), approached the Federal High Court sitting in FCT, Abuja and sued Meta and its local agent for N30 billion ($69,461,640.00), the
court has granted the regulatory body the leave to serve the writ of summons and all other court processes to Meta at her corporate head office in USA.
The summons will include hearing notices on the social media tech giant Meta platforms, owners of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp social
media apps.
The nod by the court was given pursuant to an application by ARCON in her N30 billion suit against the internet giant who is the first defendant in the pending suit for the violation of the extant advertising laws of Nigeria.
The second defendant is AT3
Resources Limited.
ARCON is seeking, among others, a declaration that the publication and exposure of various advertisements and marketing communications materials targeted at the Nigeria market and in Nigeria through the online/ social media platforms of the
first defendant, which include Facebook and Instagram by the defendants without the prior vetting and approval by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), is illegal, unlawful and a violation of extant advertising laws in Nigeria.
ARCON is also saying
that the publication has no regards for the Nigerian culture, constitutional tenets, moral values and religious sensitivity of the Nigerian people.
The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com
As a technocrat of many years’ experience, how were you able to leverage technology to drive business transformation at Intelics and what in your view has been the impact of technology on global business?
Yes, technology has been at the forefront of today’s business transformation. When we talk about our journey, so far the digital transformation has been our major business driver globally. In Nigeria, the digital transformation solutions are the ones which our customers are embracing. Today we are assisting our customers with complete bouquet of services ranging from cyber security to Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) wherein we have been able to help our customers automate multiple processes to bring in values.
Digital Transformation has been the biggest business driver off late because it helps our customers leverage technologies to bring in values and customer experience. Gone are those days when papers use to move from one office to the other, today information flows at a speed of light and our customers have also been expecting our services at such high speed. With barrage of technical disruptions comes the threat which prompts customers to look for data safeguarding tools and solutions where we play a major role. And I think our digital transformation solutions across multiple divisions within the organisation are actually helping us position Intelics as one-stop-solution for all digital transformation needs.
How will you describe the challenges and successes of Intelics operations in Nigeria and other countries of the world?
When we talk about Nigeria it was our first journey in Africa and like every business does, we too had our bit of challenges and I think we have successfully overcome those challenges. One good thing what we have realised in Nigeria is that the customers are aware and customers are open for digital transformation. Nigeria is mainly an in-sourced market and to bring anybody out of their comfort zone is a challenge but I think in the tech space Nigeria is moving past this resistance and in the times to come Nigeria is going to leap frog in the adaptation of digital transformation.
Information management is key to the growth of any business. How does Intelics see information management in the areas of growth and business continuity?
Information Management is a critical aspect of data Driven Business which allows companies to make better decision and deliver values across value chain. In today’s world the amount of data being generated day in day out is humongous and we need those tech solutions tools to protect your information. Today data is new oil and companies mastering the art of data management are the ones who are going to succeed and sustain over a long-term. It is critically important for every organisation to protect its data diligently and Intelics has the required tools to protect vital information. I think our customers can comfortably rely on us for their data protection, which is an edge for Intelics.
The cybercrimes which have seen an increase in trend, not only in Nigeria but around the world it is very important that every organisation must have capable solutions to protect its information. Our solutions can help our customers protect its information real-time. We have been able to automate security operation Centre to that great extent that your data is always protected.
What are some of Intelics service streams that have changed the face of business in Nigeria?
We are into complete end to end data protection and information management services. Many of our services have actually helped our customers change the way they operate initially. Today Nigerian customers have actually realised the importance of securely storing physical office records so that in case of non-availability of digital information, they can comfortably rely on physical office documents. They have been using our state of the art physical office documents archival Centre in Nigeria. There is a lot to be done in
terms of educating all our customers in Nigeria on how important it is to securely store and manage physical office records so that in the absence of access to digital information, you can comfortably have an access to physical office documents and information with ease.
On the digital front, I see lot of small banks, MfB’s have been operating without much of safety and security protocol because of some reasons, may be because of non-availability of required tools and technologies. But we have carved out our solutions, especially for small and medium size customers on SaaS platform so that all the tools and technologies of the world can be made available to them at much more affordable prices, and the customers are embracing these initiatives.
What are your key priorities in the areas of data safety and security?
Intelics is working on ensuring data safety and security for all its customers in Nigeria and our most important priority is to ensure that all the products and solutions or available at much affordable prices so that all the data safety and security aspects of our customers are taken care of by Intelics to let our customers focus on their core activities. And this is possible only when we achieve scale.
Data Protection is going to be major focus areas for all the countries and we intend to have our products and services to be compliant to country specific norms. We want to create and serve our customers across NOC, SOC, SIEM, SOAR solutions so that the critical information of our customers can be protected from any and every attacks. We are trying to create a cohesive partner ecosystem so that together as a team, we can address any and every instance.
Domestication of data in Nigeria is key to the Nigerian government in order to keep available data local. To what extent is Intelics addressing the issue of data domestication in Nigeria?
Yes, we understand that data localisation, data protection, data confidentiality is a primary key for any and every government. We have been operating in multiple geographies with different governmental laws, which prohibits movement of data out of their border. And whichever geographies we enter, we carve out our solutions and products in such a way that the data resides
digital transformation will actually help them achieve in consolidation. Automation in serving the customers is another great example of consolidation at the same time achieving customer delight by signing multi geography deals with Intelics.
How robust is your storage and cloud services in meeting the needs of today’s customers who are tilting towards cloud service?
It is only a global service that can be accessible from anywhere in the world according to the access provided. Cloud storage keeps data secure in transit and rest.
It is scalable and high-performance. It is highly available in availability zones specific, and it is automatically replicated to protect from failure.
There is no storage limit in the cloud; it can scale as much as the customer requires and the data stored in storage are automatically replicated in 6 AZ’s/Datacentres. The availability is 99.99 per cent and durability is 99.999999999 per cent.
Customers store data in the cloud in different formats and different storage types like Files Storage, Blob, Table, que, Block and Elastic block Storage.
Cloud storage solutions help customers to ease of access, cost effective, secure and manage data life cycle.
Technology has made it easier for businesses to store and retrieve information digitally. How digitally ready is Intelics to help businesses achieve digital archiving?
within the geography. We always try and avoid taking data out for that country. That’s the reason we have established our own team here in Nigeria and we have an established partner ecosystem so that a solution in case stitched together, can be efficiently delivered. All our products and services, catering to different data safety and security requirements of customers in Nigeria are residing very much within Nigeria. We have been training the local talents here so that the dependency on experts gradually goes down but yes, for some time I think we will have to be heavily dependent on foreign expertise.
To what extent is Intelics keeping with best practices in areas of logistics, infrastructure, technology and cost optimization?
I think our SOPs processes are matured enough over several decades. When it comes to our infrastructure, the Technology we use and the solutions we deploy, right from the vehicles we use in the logistics of the physical office documents or the data media tape containing several terabytes of data for our customers are always climate controlled, with GPS tracked vehicles. There are multiple redundancies built into the system in transferring data from one site to the other. There are backups maintained for sufficient period of time, logs are maintained for audit by our customer at any given point in time, DR and BCP drills are conducted regularly to test the reliability of solutions deployed so that at no point in time, the data of our customers are exposed to risk.
How has the service offering from Intelics helped business growth in Nigeria and beyond?
Best part of digital transformation is that once it is deployed at one location, it can easily be replicated in other locations. Today lot of our customers have consolidated their non-core activities under one Common Shared Service catering to multiple geographies, so they don’t need establish setup for common services across multiple geographies they operate in. We have helped multiple customers centralise their services in Nigeria to achieve standardisation of services at reduced cost. With the retail asset portfolio growing for the financial institutions in Nigeria, automation and
Our product for digital archiving has gone multi-decade, maturity process, after incorporating diversified needs of our customers in several odd geographies. Today that product is available on both on-Prim to take care of the data localisation at the same time on SaaS model. Gone are those days when digital archival used to only digitally archive the information and retrieve when asked for, but today with several automation tools being available, our solution can do predictive analysis and much more and throw realtime data for customer assessment.
Given the rise of cyber insecurity across the globe, how prepared is Intelics to nip the challenge in the bud and protect businesses from being hacked?
Managed Security Services are a great way to protect organization’s data and systems from hackers. If you want to increase your company’s cybersecurity, the best way to do so is by hiring a managed security service provider who can provide all of the necessary tools and services for preventing attacks on your network.
Intellics can offer you great flexibility because they can take different forms depending on your needs. For example, the managed security services may be used as part of a more comprehensive security solution, or they could just be used to secure your assets.
We have all the cyber security tools and services needed to protect businesses from hackers trying to crack their network. Moreover, we can help you use cloud computing to store backups of all your data off-site, so if by some chance your network is attacked, you’ll never have to worry about losing data.
What is your take about startup development in Nigeria and its impact on the Nigerian economy and on businesses operating in Nigeria?
I think Nigeria has been experiencing a significant increase in the development of tech hubs, which are aimed at creating and enabling various start-ups to contribute to the overall growth of technology ecosystem here in Nigeria. These hubs are doing commendable job by providing access to funding, resources, networking, etc. And all these initiatives have really contributed to reducing the unemployment rate by providing job opportunities to highly talented Nigerian youth.
What I think is required now is to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive growth. Towards the end I want to give one message to everyone from the experience and exposure I got so far here in Nigeria that, ‘if you can operate in Nigeria, you can operate anywhere.’
CEO, Intelics Solutions, Mr. Satyamohan Yanambaka, speaks with Emma Okonji about data protection, the impact of technology on global business and how Intelics will drive business growth in Nigeria with its complete bouquet of digital service offerings. Excerpts:
Raheem Akingbolu
“Indomie noodles manufactured in Nigeria is different from the one produced in Malaysia and Taiwan and is safe for consumption” NAFDAC Director General.
This is the truth, but Nigerian consumers have seen over the last few days how fake news and clickbait news are causing panic among the public.
Consumers of the leading noodles brand, Indomie were thrown off balance at the weekend as the social media community was inundated with the news that the popular brand had been banned in Nigeria. Perhaps because of the sudden surge of citizen journalism with little or no time for verification, this side of the story gained tremendous traction.
With the headline: ‘NAFDAC bans Indomie Noodles’, some bloggers and social media enthusiasts activated their handles on Sunday through Monday morning. By the evening of Monday May 1, the news was everywhere that Indomie had been banned. For a market leader like Indomie, it became an issue management as many consumers became confused.
THE FACTS…
But according to THISDAY check, the news being circulated is a mutilated version of a statement issued 24 hours ago by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) about the existing ban on the importation of Instant Noodles to Nigeria.
Of course, this action was prompted by the recent articles on various social media platforms about whether Indomie noodles is safe for consumption or not. While this news is emanating from Malaysia and Taiwan, due to the global village concept, Nigeria could not push it aside.
A recent statement issued by health officials in Malaysia and Taiwan where they claimed they had detected ethylene oxide, a compound in Indomie’s “Special Chicken” flavour noodles produced by Indofoods, has jolted the global noodles giant to a series of investigation to ascertain the claim by the health officials.
The Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MOH) immediately issued a directive to hold, test and release the Indomie Special Chicken Flavour instant noodles products from Malaysia at all entry points of the country and urged its manufacturer to voluntarily recall the affected products from the markets in Malaysia and Taiwan.
Despite this occurrence happening in faraway Asian countries, it has created a series of concerns among Indomie Instant Noodles consumers globally and raised the level of concerns about the safety of consuming the brand particularly in Nigeria, which is number one consumer in Africa and one of the largest consumers of noodles globally.
Reacting to this, NAFDAC was quick to assure Nigerians that importation of Noodles into the country has been banned for a very long period and such ban has not been lifted, so consumers have no cause for alarm.
While responding to the information on the detection in Malaysia and Taiwan, the Director-General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said, “Instant noodles has been on the importation prohibition list of the Federal Government for many years. This variant or flavour is not registered by the agency, nor is it produced locally here.”
According to the regulatory agency, the statement on the ban of the importation of noodles into Nigeria became necessary as a result of claims that a cancer-causing chemical was discovered in the noodles and claims that the agency was not registered.
NAFDAC Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye discussed the situation and announced that the organization will start testing random samples of the noodles and other brands on May 2.
Speaking on Monday, Adeyeye claimed that as soon as the NAFDAC learned that the products had been recalled by Malaysian and Taiwanese officials, it began an investigation.
“On May 2, 2023, NAFDAC’s food safety and applied nutrition directorate will randomly sample Indomie noodles (including the seasoning) from the production facilities while the postmarketing surveillance directorate (will) samples from the markets,” she said.
“The compound of interest is ethylene oxide, so the director of food lab services directorate has been engaged. He is working on the methodology for the analysis,” the DG stated.
HALF-TRUTH…
In view of the position of the agency and the activities of those who mischievously twisted the story to mean that Indomie has been banned, few tricky facts have since been identified.
One, a curious look at the NAFDAC’s statement expressly indicated that Indomie Nigeria is not affected by issues in Malaysia and Taiwan and the Nigerian noodles is produced locally. What this means is that Indomie Nigeria is a separate entity from Indomie Taiwan and Indomie Malaysia.
Another incontrovertible fact is that importation of instant noodles has been banned since long before, therefore bringing currency into the issues now will be tantamount to deliberately confusing Nigerian consumers.
Interestingly, the NAFDAC Boss stated in the statement that the product is on the prohibition list of the federal government and she added that it is not registered by the agency and had been banned from importation to Nigeria years ago.
Finally, Indomie Nigeria has been locally produced in Nigeria for about three decades. It is not imported. The ban is on foreign instant noodles and not on those locally produced.
Following the confusion created by the panic news pushed by some 5th columnists, NAFDAC has made further clarifications on the controversies and confirmed that Imported Indomie noodles remain banned in Nigeria.
Adeyeye said the products flagged by both Taiwan and Malaysian health authorities are not registered in Nigeria and so have nothing to do with the country. She, however, noted that the investigations being conducted are simply being cautious. She further reinforces this in an interview on Your View Show on TVC. She said the Indomie product produced in Nigeria is absolutely safe. Also reacting to the development, the management of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Noodles in Nigeria, has said its products are 100 per cent locally produced and are safe for consumption.
The United Nations Children’s Funds has underscored the need for the Nigerian government to expand national health insurance to inaccessible communities, invest in primary health care and promote routine immunisation to save the eight million babies born yearly in the country, while ensuring every pregnant woman survives. Rebecca Ejifoma details other multifaceted approaches of global body
In Nigeria, just like in most sub-Saharan Africa, having children is the most delicious news almost every couple wishes to spread to families and loved ones. One of the reasons for this desire is fear of the stigma of infertility, not having an heir or keeping the marriage “safe and secure”, among others. However burdensome the delay in conceiving may be, no family wishes to lose a daughter or daughter-in-law during childbirth or to pregnancy-related causes. Hence, globally, women of childbearing ages – 15 and 49 – and children under-five are considered the most vulnerable in society. That is why local and international organisations have made calls, recommendations, suggestions and interventions to save pregnant women and help babies survive and thrive.
One international organisation on the front burner of solution-driven interventions to save pregnant women and children in Nigeria is the United Nations Children’s Funds, UNICEF. Since the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) officially came into force on 1st January 2016 following the adoption by the world leaders in September 2015, UNICEF has been intentionally pushing Nigeria to attain zero maternal and under-five mortality daily and prevent the spread of diseases among others by 2030, the target of SDG.
Arguably, UNICEF has outlined numerous approaches to strengthen the nation’s already weak health sector and boost its economic and global status. One of the reasons for this unending push is the nation’s abysmally disturbing maternal and child death rates of 512 pregnant women of every 100,000 live births. This obnoxious rate of maternal deaths places the country among the highest in the world with the worst MMR and a distant touch with the SDG of less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Expanding National Health Insurance Scheme against Maternal Deaths Following the new data from the global MMR trends between 2000 and 2020, which covers the first five years of the SDGs 2016 to 2020, estimates that about 225 women died daily from pregnancy-related causes and childbirth in Nigeria launched weeks ago. This shows that 225 families lost their daughters during childbirth. It also translates to 225 new widowers and possibly 225 motherless babies produced daily in Nigeria.
Consequently, UNICEF has implored the government to expand national health insurance to bend the curve. “Now we have a potent tool to get universal health coverage and reduce maternal mortality, that is national health insurance,” says the Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Eduardo Celades. He also appealed to the government to “Expand the national health insurance as much as possible. Invest in the most vulnerable so they have access to health insurance. We are appealing to the state governments and partners to allocate resources to that”.
Among UNICEF’s recent recommendations at a media parley in Lagos is the need to reach women and children in hard-to-reach/ inaccessible communities like Agboyi-Ketu, Agboyi I, Agboyi II, and Agboye III, AgboyiOwode, Papa, Ilaje, Okunagbon, Ilashe and Ibeshe among a host of others in Lagos state have continued to struggle to exist with the absence of a working primary healthcare centre each. According to research, primary healthcare centres enable health systems to support a person’s needs, like health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, improved quality care, and early management of health conditions,
among others.
Thus, Celades harped on conscious investment in PHCs across the country. He emphasised, “We need to increase effective investment in primary healthcare at the state level and basic health. Without investments and addressing the right priorities, we won’t be able to bend the curve. I appeal that we target the most vulnerable women in hard-to-reach and inaccessible areas. To do that, we must be clear with the data and invest in getting to the last one.” He insisted that Nigeria should increase effective investment in primary healthcare at the state level and basic health.
Promoting Routine Immunisation
While investing in primary healthcare centres across the country is a plus to win against MMR, the UNICEF health specialist has harped on the need to increase the uptake of routine immunisation for children. “In Nigeria, it is estimated that 8 million children are born yearly, like there are 7 million pregnant women now, for example. So, the critical question is how can we ensure these women and children survive? How can we reduce child mortality, especially newborns? Because we are not managing to do that. How can we ensure no woman dies when she is pregnant?
“The latest report tells us that there are a number of pregnant women who die due to pregnancy-related causes, it’s about 82,000 per year. What we are trying to do as UNICEF and the government is to strengthen primary healthcare and to have enough human resources, commodities and delivery, financial resources, and good data to bend the curve and accelerate progress.”
In the analysis UNICEF conducted, Nigeria had a high number of children who were not vaccinated at all during COVID-19 in the last couple of years. “We estimated that in Nigeria at this moment, there are 2.2 million children with no vaccines. There has been a decrease in immunisation for children, likely because of the bandwidth of the governments to deliver these services. Nigeria has been an exception. Nigeria has been able to progress despite COVID-19. However, the progress has slowed down, and at
this moment, we have a big issue,” he warned.
The health specialist cited that three out of 10 children are zero-dosed (never had the Penta 1 dose before). “We have been analysing to find out where they are, and our priority this year is to get these pockets of children who are not vaccinated.” While noting that some of the children could not get the vaccines because the services were not available, Celades confirmed that these children are predominantly in the North – Sokoto and Zamfara states. “It is also across Nigeria. When we look at the 100 priority local councils with many zero-dosed children, the numbers are more in the North. We have two in Lagos, including Alimosho. We have one in Ogun State. We have some in Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa states. We have them in 18 states across the federation.”
According to Celades, there are about 18 antigens in the country on the routine immunisation scale, from Rotavirus for Diarrhoea, Pneumococcal vaccine for Pneumonia and vaccines for Measles, Diphtheria, and Tetanus, among others. The UNICEF chief of health is confident that “Vaccines work, and we know that it is one of the most powerful historical tools to reduce child mortality. The challenge becomes ensuring that all the children who need it have access to it”.
Hence, UNICEF’s priority this year is its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). This is in their attempt to get to these children that “We lost over the last couple of years and are trying to ensure that there are no more zero-dosed children. We are working with all our partners to reach out to them”, says Celades.
Alarming Maternal Deaths in Other African Countries
Comparing MMR among African countries, data available to the Ghana Health Service shows that it recorded 776 maternal deaths in 2020. For other African nations with MMR of 2017
as latest available, Zimbabwe recorded 458 maternal deaths; Gambia had 597 deaths of mothers to pregnancy-related causes; Benin Republic recorded 397 maternal deaths; Togo had 396 maternal deaths; Uganda recorded 375 maternal mortality, and Malawi recorded 349 MMR in every 100,000 live births.
Leveraging Social Media Influencers like Waje, Nuhu Others UNICEF is strategising. It harnesses every tool possible, including social media and its influencers, to attain SDG 3 through better healthcare for mothers and children and routine immunisation. It was for this course of saving more mothers and babies that UNICEF is working with social media influencers and entertainers like Nigerian singer Aituaje Iruobe professionally known as Waje, Nigerian actor and director Ali Nuhu; social media doctor influencer Dr Chiamaka Nkanno popularly known as Dr Zobo; Nigerian Chess Master, Coach and Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya.
In the succinct words of Waje to THISDAY, she will do a lot of short clips on YouTube to reach women in rural communities regarding the need for immunisation. “I’ve figured out the different means of communication like Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok is big with the Gen Zs.
With over 1.5m followers on her verified Instagram page @officialwaje and 727,000 followers on Twitter, Waje is leveraging collaboration with other influencers in his clique to reach more young mothers. “In collaborating with these artistes, I plan to spread vaccination awareness in any other language if we have to,” recounting how during Covid-19, “We did a clip where I spoke Igbo; my mother is Igbo. If we have to do that this time, we will.”
For Ali Nuhu, who has over 2.7m followers on his verified Instagram account, @realalinuhu and 452,000 followers on his Twitter, he proposed breaking down the message of immunisation, going to communities to have sessions with the dwellers, doing jingles on radio and TV stations in more local languages to educate society. He added, “By merely hearing your voice, these dwellers wait and listen.”
As a moral support, UNICEF is collaborating with the Nigerian Governors Forum and other key partners for the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge coming up in May. This challenge aims to recognise and award state governments investing resources, time and efforts in revamping primary health care.
“An independent judging panel will give the award based on data,” says the health chief. “We will provide 13 awards in the six geo-political zones to the best state and the most improved, as well as one national champion.” According to Celades, UNICEF is not oblivious to the power of incentives for state governors to invest in primary healthcare.
With Nigeria having the second highest number of unvaccinated children globally and rated among the worst nations with MMR, UNICEF and the UN seek more vital collaborations with the Nigerian government. He added: “We cannot work alone; we need the government; we also need to work with journalists and social media influencers to make the needed change.”
+2348033083580
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in
Over 3,000 patients have received free medical care at the weeklong medical outreach organised the Madonna Catholic Hospital, Umuahia.
It was a huge sigh of relief for people with varying health problems, including hernia, fibroid, goitre, eye diseases, among others as they got the needed remedy without bearing any financial cost.
Speaking with journalists at the close of the week-long event, the Chief Executive Officer, Sunday Emeka said that the free medical interventions were carried out in partnership with nonprofit organisation.
Mrs. Emeka said that Conto expand the scope of its medical outreach following its according to her, explained the large number of beneficiaries as
people from neighbouring states of South-east and South-south came to Abia to receive free medical services.
“The medical outreach is part of our five thematic programmes. We had been doing it on a small scale but in 2019 we started partnering with an international NGO, our scope,” she said.
The 2023 medical outreach involved 32 medical personnel from the United States of who were joined by 44 medical personnel from Nigeria to attend to the health care needs of the patients. Giving a breakdown of the beneficiaries the CEO of surgeries were performed on patients with fibroid, hernia and goitre in the first five days of the medical outreach.
She also said 1,016 eye patients, 195 dental patients were given medical care while over 100 received physiotherapy services and a cesarean section
was performed on an indigent woman.
Not only that, 55 wheel chairs, 20 clutches and 110 blood pressure monitors were distributed to patients.
Mrs. Emeka further stated that not only the physical health of patients were attended to but also their spiritual wellbeing.
According to her, “3,050 persons were prayed for, 492 got born again, 289 dedicated their lives to Christ while branded bibles were distributed”.
CEO expressed alarm at the large number of goitre patients and regretted that “some of them came and went back with their goitre because we didn’t have enough manpower” to attend to all the cases.
She reiterated the commitcontinue to offer free medical services to people in need, adding that the annual medical outreach helps in filling the gap left by poor management of public healthcare system.
Nigeria’s leading hygiene brand, Cool with a new and improved formulation to protect against diseases and body odour.
The brand announced this recently at a press conference and internal engagement event held at the Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa Headquarters in Lagos.
Nigerians cool and refreshed all Cool soap provides the triple benefits of protection against 99.9 per cent of disease-causing germs, up to five degrees of cooling sensation, and protection against body odour.
Speaking at the press conference, General Manager, Reckitt sub-Sahara Africa, Akbar Ali Shah said, “At Reckitt, we have a purpose, which is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world.
“We also continually innovate to enable access of
our high-quality health and hygiene products to everytol Cool bar soap is enriched with the power of menthol that helps to protect against bacteria and odour causing germs.
With this new product, driving conversations on the importance of hygiene and keeping yourself healthy, especially after both high and low-intensity activities which cause you to sweat. In the long run, we aim to achieve a behavioural change towards good hygiene,” Shah concluded.
Zara Adoki, Category Saharan Africa, addressing the importance of the newly improved hygiene purpose is to protect life by making good hygiene simple to adopt. This is why we are excited to announce
the launch of the brand-new
According to Adoki, this innovative product is the result of years of research and development, and we are confident that it will be a game-changer in the hygiene industry.
the importance of good hygiene practices, especially in these challenging times. Our mission is to help our customers protect themselves and their loved ones from harmful germs and bacteria, and we are committed to delivering the highest quality products that meet their needs,” the category manager added. With the reintroduction has once again reinforced its commitment to protect consumers, promote good hygiene practices and inspire Nigerians to lead healthier lives — while keeping them cool and refreshed all day.
Rebecca Ejifoma
The Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) has called on the incoming 10th National Assembly (NASS) to enact appropriate laws that would support and facilitate the delivery of health and safety in the workplace.
The professional body made this appeal during a roadshow for Safety and Health at Work, observed on April 28. It was on the theme: “A Safe And Healthy Working Environment Right at Work”.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the President of implored the incoming NASS to pass the Bill into an Act.
He emphasised: “This is one of the outdated labour laws currently pending at the National Assembly. This Bill needs to be urgently passed into an Act of the National Assembly to benefit every Nigerian.
“We, therefore, strongly recommend to the leadership of all organisations to emplace adequate support
with unequivocal management commitment to promote and protect the health and safety of their workers.”
According to the SOEHPON president, the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation recognise that people spend significant parts of their lives at work. “A healthy working population in a safe working environment is critical to a healthy and safe national population.”
Shuaibu cited WHO, which advocates that governments at all levels should work with employers to ensure that workplace programmes are implemented to protect the health, safety and well-being of their workers. “This is the right of all workers.”
Services Administration, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Juliet Okoro, insisted that safety is everyone’s business.
She added: “Our management is very concerned about workplace safety. Safety is our watchword in the PRC and the oil and gas industry. We have a safety booklet in the workplace. That is why the staff is always sensitised.”
Hence, she underscored
the need for organisations to ensure the workplace is safe for their employees. “When they work in a safe environment, productivity will increase.”
While the Team Lead of Occupational Health Services, Ofili Anthony, said the focus should be on occupational health and the provision of adequate medical support, the representasignificance of safety even beyond the workplace.
“There is a need for safety on the road. Safety first, safety always. When we talk about driving, we encourage motorists to give 100 per cent concentration because that is what driving entails.
“People should be safety conscious from the highway to the workplace so that Nigeria can move forward,” says the Chief Route Commander of Paul Abiti.
To further sensitise workers across Lagos state, SOEHPON, an umbrella professional body for all occupational health practitioners in the country, enlightened the public through handbills and large banners with inscriptions.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets that may form inside or outside of an ovary. They may affect both ovaries at the same time or only one ovary at a time. They are common, especially in pregnant women, and usually form during ovulation. Ovulation occurs each month when the ovary releases an egg. The ovaries are responsible for releasing the hormones estrogen, progesterone and it may be very concerning for women in their childbearing years to discover that they have a cyst on one or both of their ovaries.
Ovarian cysts, on the other hand, are completely normal and develop naturally in the majority of women, with the majority of cysts disappearing on their own without the need for treatment. This does not mean all ovarian cysts are completely harmless. When it grows larger, twists, or bursts open (rupture), it becomes a problem. This could result in serious symptoms.
CAUSES OF OVARIAN CYSTS
Ovarian cysts may develop from a variety of causes and reasons. According to research, the most common causes of an ovarian cyst are hormonal fluctuations, endometriosis, pregnancy, and pelvic infections. Cysts formed as a result of endometriosis or an infection is a cause for concern while cysts that form as a result of natural hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are not cause for concern because they usually resolve on their own within 1-3 months.
TYPES OF OVARIAN CYSTS
Ovarian cysts are extremely common. They may range in size from less than a pea to the size of a large melon (occasionally even larger). There are various types, which include:
1. FUNCTIONAL CYSTS
These are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They form in women of childbearing age (women who still have periods) when there is a functional problem with ovulation. Each month, the ovaries produce small cysts known as follicles. When you ovulate, follicles produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and rupture to release an egg. A functional cyst is a monthly follicle that continues to grow.
There are two types of functional cysts:
cycle, an egg develops inside an ovarian follicle and bursts out of it. The egg is then transported down a fallopian tube. A follicular cyst develops when a follicle does not rupture, is not released, and grows in size, causing pain or even disrupting the menstrual cycle.
egg is released, the follicle shrinks and begins producing estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are required for conception. The follicle is now known as the corpus luteum. Sometimes the opening from which the egg emerged becomes blocked. A cyst
forms when fluid accumulates within the corpus luteum. Complications may occur when the cysts become too large, rupture, become infected, or twist. They rarely cause pain unless there is a complication and usually go away on their own after 2 to 3 menstrual cycles.
2. CYSTADENOMAS
These are nonfunctional cysts that form from cells that cover the outer part of the ovary. These cysts are frequently attached to an ovary by a stalk rather than growing within the ovary. Some grow to be quite large. They are typically harmless, but some are cancerous. Cystadenomas are classified into four types: serous cystadenomas, mucinous cystadenomas, endometrioid cystadenomas, and seromucinous cystadenomas. Some cystadenomas contain watery fluid, while others may contain mucus. These types of cysts are usually benign, though they may grow to be large due to the fact that they develop outside of the ovary. Even though they are not usually cancerous, they still typically need to be removed surgically if they grow to be large or painful.
3. DERMOID CYSTS
functional cyst that can form from the same cells that produce eggs in the ovaries. An egg is capable of developing into any type of cell. As a result, these cysts can produce a variety of tissues. These cysts are typically filled with skin, teeth or bone fragments, fatty tissue, hair, muscle and urinary tissue. This type of cyst is more common in younger dangerous because they can become infected or rupture. Although dermoid cysts are usually benign, they can become cancerous in rare cases and should be removed via surgery or laparoscopy. These ovarian cysts can grow to be quite large, measuring up to 15 cm across. A dermoid cyst develops in both ovaries in about one out of every ten
4. ENDOMETRIOMAS
Many endometriosis patients develop one or more ovarian cysts. Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue, which lines the uterus, is found outside the uterus. It occasionally forms cysts that fill with blood. The old blood within these cysts resembles chocolate, they are sometimes referred to as chocolate cysts and are harmless.
Polycystic refers to a large number of cysts. If you have PCOS, you may develop a large number of small benign ovarian cysts. The cysts form as a result of an ovulation problem caused by a hormonal imbalance. Period problems, reduced fertility, hair growth, obesity, and acne are all associated with PCOS.
Dike Onwuamaeze
The newly elected President of Association of Corporate Treasurers of Nigeria (ACTN), Mr. Yinka Ogunnubi, has declared that operators in the Nigerian real sector are finding it difficult to obtain trade finance from Nigerian banks to import inventories and raw materials.
Ogunnubi, who is also the group treasurer of the CFAO Nigeria Limited, attributed the poor access to trade finance to the recent downgrading of Nigeria’s risk rating and the current acute scarcity of foreign exchange in the country’s economy.
He also said that he would devote his tenure as the president of the ACTN to increase
the visibility of the association and create avenues for dialogue between members of the ACTN and some regulatory agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order to provide feedback to the government on the impacts of its policies on the real sector.
Ogunnubi said: “Most of our challenges have to do with the acute foreign exchange scarcity. Our members are facing acute challenges with trade finance, which is also connected with the FX situation.
“The downgrading of Nigeria’s risk rating has made it difficult for Nigerian banks to maintain their trade finance lines. So, it is becoming difficult to get trade finance from banks to be able to maintain our inventories.
So, it is a challenge and we need government to solve the policy problems like the issue of the multiple FX rates so that it will be easy for us to get trade finance. It is something that needs to be resolved.”
The immediate past President of ACTN, Mrs. Victory Olumuyiwa, in her remarks expressed happiness on the quality and experience of Ogunnubi and emphasised the need for continuity and reaching out to other corporates in order to increase the ACTN’s membership.
This, she said, would make the association to become an integral part of the treasury workplace, especially as related to efficiency in the interaction with financial institutions and making the treasury function more seamless.
Nume Ekeghe
Access Pensions has introduced a desk that is dedicated to a specific service, with the aim of encouraging their customers to utilise 25 per cent of their Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for equity contribution towards residential mortgages
The PFA noted that with the array of financial services in its Access Corporation ecosystem customers can seamlessly acquire their dream home, plan retirements, preserve wealth, insurance, and other services.
Speaking on the sideline at ‘An Evening with Access Pensions’ an interactive session with some of its high net-worth individual clients in Lagos, the Executive Director, Technical, Mr. Afolabi
Folayan said: “ Mortgage is a way in which you can actually make your pension work for you, and a lot of people spend a lot of their money on mortgages and school fees. At Access Pensions, we believe that if you own and live in your house upon retirement, the expense you pay out after retirement will be much less. So, we believe this opportunity is a great one and people should tap into it.”
“We have made it easy by having a desk dedicated to this product to solve their problems and make the process seamless. The desk links both the property and mortgage parts in a seamless way.”
Also speaking, the Regional Head of Corporate Team, Access Pensions, Uchenna Edeh said:
“We operate within an ecosystem, which is the Access corporation which has a bank and, you know, from our bank, we have been licensed also by PENCOM to give out these mortgage loans. So, what it means is that if you’re a client of Access Pensions, Access Bank is able to sit with you and also negotiate and give you a competitive rate that you probably may not be able to get out there in the market. So that is what you stand to gain with us.”
On her part, Head Private Clients Access Pensions, Yetunde Olumuyiwa noted that Access Pensions in promoting this product for clients to know that it would deplete the funds under management but Access Pensions is more concerned on products that are of great value to its clients.
Ebere Nwoji
Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited, formerly FBN Insurance Limited, recently rewarded outstanding members of the sales force at the 2022 MD/CEO Ember Championship and The Retail Annual Competition (TRAC) held in Jos, Plateau State. Sanlam Life boasts a potent sales force with thousands of vibrant men and women all over Nigeria.
According to the insurer, the sales force is in different categories ranging from Financial Advisors to Area Sales Managers.
In his comment, the Executive Director, Retail Distribu-
tion, Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited, Odinakachi Umekwe, commended the efforts of the retail team for the outstanding performances they put forward despite the macroeconomic headwinds of the year 2022.
Umekwe said; “Our sales champions all over Nigeria have sold insurance under the most challenging environment to ensure the company stays ahead in the retail space. This TRAC ceremony is to adequately recognise and reward the overall top sales men and women for the year and motivate others to strive for more.”
The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam
Life Insurance Limited, Tunde Mimiko, presented a brand-new Hyundai Accent car to the overall winner of the 2022 TRAC Award, Agene Jacob Israel (Financial Advisors category), Winners in other categories got cash prizes, return tickets to United States of America, a trip to Dubai as well as training opportunity at the South African Business School, University of Stellenbosch.
Receiving his award, an elated Agene Jacob Israel, thanked his Manager, Vivian Ibeawuchi, for encouraging him, and also the management of Sanlam Life Insurance for the kind gesture.
Hammed Shittu
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reiterated its commitment to make the business climate more friendly for investments as part of move to accelerate the industrial growth of the state.
Speaking in Ilorin during the facility visit ton the Annie Glidden Commodities (AG) Nig. Ltd at Eiyenkorin, a newly established cashew processing plant in the state, Alhaji AbdulRazaq lauded the management of the company
for the establishment of a new multimillion naira cashew processing factory in the state AbdulRazaq however said the agenda, among other things, is to make Kwara a hub for cashew nuts processing in Nigeria.
He said, “My coming here is to encourage local investment. As you know, Kwara is a major producer of cashew nuts, and Nigeria is putting more interest in cashew processing.
“So it is a good thing to have a local production and make sure
we export processed cashew nuts, rather than raw cashew nuts. And this investment is a major one. I think this is about the third major cashew company in the state,” he told reporters shortly after touring the facility.”
In his remark, Managing Director AG Commodities Nig Ltd, Ademola Adesokan said they located the company in Kwara because of its strategic location in the cashew belt, its good road network, as well as the business friendly policies of the government.
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).
The shareholders of Lafarge Africa Plc, have approved a dividend of N32 billion at the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company held recently in Lagos.
The dividend declared amidst a challenging operating year translates to a dividend payout of 200 kobo per share to the shareholders.
Addressing shareholders dur-
ing the meeting, the Chairman of the company’s board, Prince Adebode Adefioye, stated that Lafarge Africa, has once again demonstrated business resilience despite the prevailing economic situations and challenges. He asserted that the company’s performance shows its commitment to granting shareholders a return on their investments.
According to him, “The domestic cement market remained strong with sustained demand,
despite a slow-down experienced in the second half of the year due to pre-election activities, gas supply shortages and flooding in some parts of the country.”
Adefioye explained that the company remains committed to its sustainability ambitions and strategy of ‘Accelerating Green Growth’ through innovation in products, building solutions and delivery with superior performance.
“By driving circular construc-
tion that reduces waste, and recycling of materials, we promote stewardship of the environment and contribute to the global decarbonization agenda. In line with Holcim’s 2030 ambition, we continue to increase the use of Alternative Fuel, thereby reducing our carbon footprint and accelerating our journey towards net zero by 2050,” he added.
Adefioye while appreciating the Shareholders for their contin-
ued support and contributions towards the achievement of the strong performance for the past year, noted that the proposed dividend will be paid on the 28th of April 2023 to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members as at the close of business on Thursday, 6th of April 2023.
Also commenting, the Country CEO, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Khaled El Dokani, says: “Paying dividends is part of
our company’s obligations to our shareholders and we do our best to delight our shareholders. You can see the excitement, the engagement, and the loyalty to the company. We have to pay these back through improved dividends every year.”
Speaking on the outlook for the new year, Dokani stated: “2023 is showing good promise, the market is recovering and we look forward to an impressive and strong year.”
The Senate on Tuesday appealed to the Central Criminal Court, Old Baily, London, for clemency, as the court prepared to sentence Nigeria's former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, following a guilty verdict of the court over alleged organ harvesting. Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also joined in the plea for leniency for the Ekweremadus.
The upper chamber, in a motion by Minority Whip, Chukwuka Utazi, pleaded for mercy and leniency, citing Orders 10 and 11 to seek the leave of the Senate to request for clemency on behalf of Ekweremadu and two others.
Utazi stated, “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as a former Deputy Senate President for 12 years and the former Speaker of Economic Community of West African States Parliament, and considering the enormous contributions he did make in the development of democracy in Nigeria and West Africa and beyond.
“They are seen as first offenders
and they do not have any previous criminal records, and considering that Ekweremadu was ignorant of seeking out a kidney donor to come to the United Kingdom and even applying to British Government in Abuja for a visa for the donor.
“The Senate is not happy on the conviction of the Ekweremadus and ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but they were faced with these circumstances in a bid to save their dying daughter Sonia.
“The Senate is joining in the plea by asking for clemency in the coming sentencing two days away. That clemency may be extended to the Ekweremadus considering that all of the convicts are first offenders.”
Utazi noted that a compassionate approach to the sentencing of the convicts should be adopted by “tempering justice with mercy,” as the publicity already given to the trial was enough warning to would-be offenders in the future.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan buttressed the position of his colleague, stating that the Senate has taken a number of steps previously to intervene in the issue.
Lawan said, “Let me reiterate what our colleague here has pre-
sented to us. Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu served as Deputy Senate President for 12 years. He has brought in so much effort to the development of parliaments in Africa and across the world and he has never been found wanting and, therefore, what has happened is very unfortunate and very sad.
“I have written a letter to the British judicial authorities about two, three weeks ago seeking clemency on behalf of the Senate. I signed the letter and had it delivered to the authorities in the United Kingdom.
“We are now using this particular intervention to seek clemency in the sentencing. The conviction has already been done but we are seeking clemency because this is the first time our colleague is getting involved in this kind of thing.
“I want to commend Distinguished Senator Chukwuka Utazi for bringing up this issue and let me conclude by seeking tempering justice with mercy by the British judicial authorities that when it comes to sentencing, they should consider that this is the first time
ever that Distinguished Senator Ekweremadu will be facing this kind of situation.”
On her part, Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement by Head of Media/Public Relations and Protocols of NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, pleaded with the court to show compassion and sympathy in the case.
Dabiri-Erewa said in the statement, "I join men and women of goodwill to plead for clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu, if only even considering the psychological trauma Sonia, the daughter, would
be going through, knowing that her parents are in jail because they tried to save her from a health condition she had no control over."
Dabiri-Erewa implored the UK government to temper justice with mercy, while admitting that "mistakes have been made, and lessons learnt."
The NIDCOM boss said though there was no ignorance in law, Ekweremadu and his wife acted under the natural instinct of parents to save an ailing daughter, and not for commercial purposes.
SUDAN: AFTER HOURS OF DELAY, FIRST BATCH OF 350 EVACUEES ARRIVES ABUJA
The returnees were ferried in a Naval Airplane as well as an Air Peace aircraft.
Speaking with journalists, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya UmarFarouq, disclosed that about 350 Nigerians were evacuated in the first batch.
“About 350 have arrived and we are expecting more than 1,000; it is a continuous process. The first batch has arrived and the planes are going back to get more,” she added.
The minister thanked the president, other agencies involved in the exercise as well as Air Peace for the support.
“The situation in Sudan is very pathetic and as Nigerians we should continue to pray for peace in our country,” he added, even as she attributed the delay encountered in evacuating the Nigerians to logistics challenges.
“This war is in Sudan, but we move them to Egypt and we had to get clearance from the Egyptian authority,” she added.
One of the parents, who spoke
TINUBU TO WIKE: I OWE YOU NOTHING, FAULTS REQUEST FOR PROJECT REFUND
consider refunding Rivers State the money spent on all the federal roads in the state. He requested the Tinubu-led federal government to do the refund to his successor, Sim Fubara.
Wike stated, “The governorelect is here. As I leave office, I will sign all that is required and he will simply pass the papers to you. That will be one of the first things you do when you are sworn in as president on May 29.”
Reacting, Tinubu told Wike that he owed him nothing, and that the governor and his people were using the roads in question. However, while commending Wike for making Rivers people happy with his developmental strides, Tinubu stressed that they should look at how to move the country forward.
The president-elect, nevertheless, promised to have a private discussion with the governor over his request.
He told the governor, "The demand you made for refund, I owe you nothing, it's your road. You are the one living on this road. I commend your effort, and you had to lobby me to collect.
“Nyesom, as you make people create excitement and development across this state, we have something to look forward to for Nigeria. You and I will discuss that not expected debt."
Tinubu described the governor as a dependable ally, who was ever ready to pursue a just cause in the national interest.
Tinubu expressed joy that he commissioned the projects, in fulfilment of his earlier promise to Wike during the presidential campaign rally in the state. He recalled the gruesome campaign he went through to emerge presidentelect in the February 25 election.
The president-elect stated, "The newly elected governor of Rivers State, I am very happy to meet you. The newly elected House of Representatives members and senators that will be collaborating with me in Abuja, if you talk of character, you can well say that Governor Wike is very dependable.
"I am a very happy man because I went through a gruesome campaign, fought hard, supported by many of you and I won. To my victory, I couldn’t have done it without some structural support describable in a flyover.
"In His Excellency, I see a man of principle, he took a principled stand that the presidency must return to South and he has the courage to
stand by his conviction, not minding whose ox is gored. Nyesom is a real man of integrity, not about him, rather, the interest of the nation, and you promoted unity.
"There was so much gossip and speculation, but you stood your ground and found the construction of this flyover and my invitation to commission this project today is another way of building bridges, which cannot be overstated in Nigeria. So, it’s on the strength of your character I stand to fulfil my promise I made during the campaign."
Wike, who spoke earlier, noted the need for the federal government to amend its procurement law in order to end abandonment of projects it handled. He said the current procurement law of the federal government only allowed for about 15/30 per cent to be paid as mobilisation fee to a contractor, stressing that such a sum does not allow the contractor to make good progress on projects before being caught up by inflation effects and high cost of materials, which eventually requires variation of contract terms.
The Rivers State governor, who explained the process of awarding contracts in the state, stated that some of the constructed flyovers were on federal roads and the state should be refunded.
It was at this point he requested the incoming Tinubu administration to consider a possible refund to the Rivers State, adding that it would serve as a motivation to other states that would feel more encouraged to also work on federal roads in their jurisdictions.
Wike said, "Unfortunately, these projects ought to be federal government projects because they are federal roads. But if we had said because they are federal government roads, we won’t do it, who are those to suffer? Since we have said we don’t want our people to suffer, I also believe that the federal government should say, look, you have done well for us.
“These are projects we should be doing, can you bring your bill, let us refund you the money you have spent doing these roads. That is what it is supposed to be for a partnership with a good federal government. I can assure you as you enter the office and you approve to pay this money back, other states will have the courage to also do the same thing."
Some of the dignitaries present at the occasion included Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and governors of Oyo State (Seyi Makinde), Jigawa State (Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar), Imo State (Senator Hope Uzodinma), and Ebonyi State (David Umahi).
Others were former governors: Dr. Peter Odili (Rivers), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), James Ibori (Delta), Chief Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), and Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa).
But Sani, who reacted to a public holiday declared in Rivers State by Wike in view of Tinubu’s visit, condemned the governor’s action and urged Tinubu not to encourage such acts.
The former lawmaker, who
represented Kaduna South in the eighth senate, noted that grounding the economic, social and educational activities of the state to commission projects was a mark of desperation for favour and accommodation. Writing on his Twitter handle, Sani said, “Commissioning a project is a mark of a great achievement. Kudos. But grounding the economic, social and educational activities of the state for that purpose is a mark of desperation for favour and accommodation by a lickspittle. Tinubu can say no to that or else it becomes the norm.”
In related development, Umahi, also a senator-elect, urged Tinubu to bring Wike on board, saying he has a lot to offer.
with journalists, Mrs. S. Yerima Mohammed, who said two of her children were in Sudan, commended the government for the effort, even as she revealed that she was traumatised by the outbreak of the crisis.
The Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said, it was a huge relief to receive the returnees, bearing in mind what they went through in Sudan.
The flight bringing back the Nigerians from Sudan had been delayed as they were not allowed to board for hours as the Egyptian authorities denied the prospective passengers clearance to board as the numbers of passengers were far over the capacity of the flight.
Information made available to journalists on the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission’s (NIDCOM) Sudan Situation Room earlier had stated that: “There was hours of delays in boarding as the number of passengers did not match the capacity of the plane.
“Egypt authorities insisted no one will leave if the numbers are more than what the aircrafts can take.”
The situation was however addressed later as the luggage were taken from the NAF aircraft into Air Peace cargo to create more space forThepassengers.information on the Situation Room read: “Took hours to address but now sorted, and the flight have airlifted the evacuees.”
Also, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in a notice sent to newsmen by its spokesman, Air Commodore A.K. Famuyiwa, earlier yesterday, had disclosed the NAF C-130H aircraft that went to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan had departed Aswan, Egypt.
"I am pleased to inform you that the NAF C-130H aircraft that went to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan has departed Aswan and is expected to touch down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja by 2340hrs (11.23pm) tonight," it had stated.
However, Onyema, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, has observed that Nigerians abroad are overly stigmatised by their host even when no evidence of crime has been established against them.
He made the observation yesterday, night while speaking on challenges faced in air lifting Nigerian evacuees from Egypt.
Speaking on Arise News 'Prime Time' programme, Onyama disclosed that the country had experienced some challenges in airlifting Nigerians evacuated from Sudan.
According to him, the airline had entered Egypt on Tuesday, but
Continued on page 36
It said it relied heavily on the central bank to finance its expenditure programmes via Ways and Means whose balance as of December 19, 2022, stood at N22.7 trillion.
The federal government had said it would repay the loan with securities such as treasury bills and bonds issuance.
Buhari had last year asked the Senate to approve his proposal to securitise the loan but the Red Chamber rejected the request, citing lack of details.
The president while appealing to the Senate to reconsider its stand, said failure to grant the securitisation approval would however cost the government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in 2023.
The Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir, who led the Senate in the debate for the approval of the Ways and Means yesterday, explained that part of the advances were given as loans to states.
Gobir, added that the Special Committee set up by the Red Chamber to scrutinise the fiscal document, put up the report after “critical analysis and review of submissions made by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; and the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
The Senate Leader said the panel discovered that the Ways and Means balance was initially N19,326,745,239,660.20 as of 30th June, 2022, but later grew to N22,719,704,774,306.90 as of 19th December, 2022, as a result of financial obligations to on-going capital projects and additional expenditures which included domestic debt service
gaps and interest rate.
He said the Senate on Wednesday, 28th December, 2022, approved the sum of N819, 536,937,813 from the N1 trillion additional request made by the president, leaving an outstanding balance of N180, 463,062,187, being the accrued interest on the sum.
Gobir, said the House of Representatives also, had earlier approved the additional N1 trillion Ways and Means Advances requested by the president, to enable the smooth implementation of the supplementary budget.
He added, "Part of the Ways and Means monies were given to state governments as loans to augment budgetary short fall in their various states.
"That most of the request for funds for increase in Ways and Means were made to Mr. President on the need to finance the budget due to revenue shortfall.
"Such requests were either made by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning or the Central Bank Governor.
"That the federal government as a result of revenue shortfalls occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices, relied heavily on the Ways and Means to finance its budget deficit to keep the country working for the people.
"That the monies received by the federal government were actually used funding of critical projects across the country;
"That due to the serious short fall in government revenue, the federal government in order for the economy not to collapse, was compelled to borrow repeatedly from the CBN, exceeding the five per cent threshold of the prior year’s
AND
revenue as stipulated by the CBN Act, 2007.
ADVANCES TO FG sought the loans when the country started experiencing a significant shortfall in revenue.
"That the federal government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has concluded plans to convert the CBN loans to tradeable securities such as treasury bills and bond issuance."
Gobir, said the Senate Special Committee after exhaustive deliberations, recommended among others, the restructuring of N22,719,703,774,306.90 for Ways and Means Advances be approved because the advances were made to ensure that the government does not shutdown.
According to him, the panel further sought the approval of the Senate for the sum of N180,463,062,187 being the balance of the supplementary budget and the interest accrued on the Ways and Means Advances.
Other recommendations were, "That if there is a need to exceed the five per cent threshold of the prior year's revenue, recourse must be made to the National Assembly for approval;
"That the federal government should begin the process of recovering the portion of the Ways and Means given as the loans to state governments as further deferment of the repayment of the loans by the States will not be healthy for the economy;
"That the federal government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning should expedite action on the repayment of the loans through treasury bills and bond issuances.
"That the National Assembly will not condone future increase in the Ways and Means without seeking the approval of the National Assembly."
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, after the approval of the fiscal document, noted that the Ways and Means advances was a global practice.
He, however, faulted the process adopted by the executive arm of government which failed to carry the National Assembly along while accumulating the huge amount of loans.
Lawan added that the Senate had to pass the Ways and Means Advances so that the federal parliament would be able to consider and pass the 2022 Supplementary Budget still pending before the two chambers.
Lawan said, "I don't see any National Assembly standing against any infrastructure development like building of roads and bridges among others.
"It is therefore very important that before the executive incurred this kind of huge Ways and Means Advances, should, as a matter of must, seek the approval of the National Assembly.
"Where for, whatever reason, an emergency happened, it should not take them this kind of period before a request is sent to the National Assembly for approval.
"We have to pass this Ways and Means Advances because we don't want the government to be shut down.
"The Supplementary budget 2022, is on hold at the moment because we could not pass the Ways and Means request.
"However, with the passage of the Ways and Means Advances today, the Supplementary budget 2022, which essentially is to rehabilitate damage roads and bridges across the country, will be fixed."
National Chairman and other senior national officers of the party.
The Julius Abure-led faction of Labour Party has called on its members across the country to jettison the Bashiru Lamidi Apapaled National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held yesterday in Bauchi State, describing it as illegal. The faction also accused Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of bias and grant of ‘injurious ex parte orders’ against its suspended
Speaking at press conference held at the party national secretariat in Abuja, yesterday, factional Acting National Publicity Secretary, of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said the ex parte order granted by Justice Hamza to the “Apapa-led rebellious group of the party has not only exposed the party to more dangers, the delay tactics allegedly deployed has caused eyebrows to raise.”
Obiora who spoke exclusively
with THISDAY, after the briefing, said the party might be forced to petition the NJC over the issue if the right thing was not done.
He lamented that, "were it not for the ex-parte order of the FCT High Court mischievously granted and sustained by Justice Hamza Muazu which dangerously exposed the party to danger instead of protecting it, these matter would have died a natural death.
He said: "We have it on good authority that their sponsors are
leaving nothing to chance and have vowed to continue to instigate crisis in Labour Party with the intention of benefiting from the instability which they hope will affect the party's case at the tribunal.
"Let me also use this opportunity to intimate you on the legal tussle under purview. On the 5th of April, 2023, an Edo State High Court restrained the Labour Party’s Executive of Ward 3, Arue Uromi, Edo state from suspending Barrister Julius Abure as the National
Ahead of the take-off of legal battles challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, the two main contenders - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) would this week take the fight to reclaim their mandate out of the shores of Nigeria to far away United States of America.
An event which is tagged “Mother of all protest rallies,” was being put together by, “The Coalition of Nigerian Organisations in the United States” and was expected to take place at the White House Lafayette Square between May 6th and 8th, 2023.
It was gathered that it would be followed by a World press conference, to be hosted by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
The mega protest would also see several Nigerians from the political and economic spheres speaking to global audience on the current political situation in the country
Those listed to speak at the rally with the theme: ‘Democracy Under Threats in Nigeria,’ include the Vice Presidential candidates of the PDP, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and that of the LP, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
Others include the Director-General of the PDP campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Pedro Obaseki, the PDP Director, Research and Strategy; Pat Utomi, a Labour Party Chieftain; Valentine Ozigbo of the Labour
Party, as well as Aisha Yesufu, a business woman and an activist.
The World Press Conference with the Theme: “Nigeria at a Crossroads: 2023 Elections Postmortem, Issues, Contradictions, and Solutions,” would take place at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Washington DC 20045
The rally and speeches are expected to focus on several topics, including, “Nigerians Eye on Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Nigerians Eye on Court of Appeal, Nigerians Eye on Supreme Court and Nigerians Eye on Police, Military, and DSS”
This is coming ahead of the commencement of the legal battles as 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 tribunal Secretariat, who disclosed this, pleaded anonymity.
He however hinted that members of the five-member panel that would hear the various petitions against the declaration of 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 had 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 (NPO) to dismiss the various petitions for lacking in merit.
Besides their NPO, the respondents also faulted the various petitions and denied 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 Dongbanmensem are amongst those who have been handling cases involving the petitioners.
They included 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.
THISDAY gathered that all the four interested parties have put together a team comprising 90 Senior lawyers, mainly Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to do the legal battles. Sections 132 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, allows for petitions to be filed within 21 days after the declaration of results. The respondents have 21 days to respond, while the court has 180 days to decide.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria had put together, a team of senior judicial officers drawn from State High Court, FCT High Court, Federal High Court and National Industrial Court, to
Continued on page 35
Chairman of Labour Party.
"In the case filed before His Lordship, Justice E.O Ahamioje, with case NO. HCU/21/2023, Julius Abure on behalf of other claimants filed the Motion ex-parte against the defendants including Thompson Ehiguese who is the Ward 3 Chairman, Lucky Shaibu and Labour Party.
“The enrolment orders include but not limited to an order of interim injunction restraining the party or officers of the party from suspending or expelling Abure, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“On this, Justice Ahamioje after consideration of the claims granted interim injunction restraining the defendants from suspending Abure.
"Same day, an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Muazu also issued an ex-parte order restraining Abure and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.”
According to Obiora, without the approval of the NEC of the party, the Apapa led group procured the services of Police and DSS and marched to the national headquarters of the party, massively attacked the property where they forcefully took over Secretariat and in the process sacked workers and party members who were at the Secretariat, declared themselves the new executive members of the party and went away with sensitive documents.
He pointed out that the Edo
State High court and the FCT High Court, “are courts of equal and coordinate jurisdiction and such, the status quo ought to have been maintained.”
"It amazes one to note that while they are quick to respect the order of the FCT court they flagrantly dishonoured the Edo court orders, even when they are fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
“Within minutes of the brutal invasion, they reversed most of the decisions passed by the legally constituted NWC for which all of them played active roles.
“They upturned the suspension of the former National Youth Leader, Anselem Eragbe and the former National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi. They went ahead and awarded themselves title and offices in contravention of the court order.
"I will pause here to tell you our worries about the absurdity and abnormality of the ex-parte order granted by Justice Muazu which has since emboldened these dissidents. An ex-parte order is granted to protect the res, that is the property. And who is the party?
“The current and legally elected leadership. The res is Abure who is the chairman of the party. Exparte order is granted on extreme emergency. For ex-party order to be granted, it means that the matter must be an urgent one. If it is not granted within 48 hours, something will happen or maybe someone will die."
Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, yesterday, directed Area Court Judges in the state without degree in law to either obtain one or lose their jobs.
The assembly, however, recommended a ten-year window period to be granted to the Area Court judges without the prerequisite qualification to obtain it.
The speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, gave the directive during deliberation on report of the House
Standing Committee on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges, on a bill for a law to amend the Nasarawa State Area Courts Law 2022 and For Other Matters Related Therewith during the House proceeding.
He said the proposed amendment of the bill came as a result of implementing the principal law passed in 2022.
"Going by the principal law, if it is to be implemented, it will lay off some staff of the judiciary. For fear of this, hence the need to amend the principal law.
"The principal law provides that for one to be a judge of the Upper Area Court, one must be a legal practitioner with at least 4 years post call. And for one to be a judge of an Area Court, you must be a legal practitioner with at least three years post call.
"The committee is of strong recommendation that a window period of ten years be granted to the affected staff to enroll into a degree programme of law in order to be called to bar for them to fit in," the speaker maintained.
Directorate General for International Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Italy, Ms. Francesca Zagoreo; Deputy Director, Strategic Communications/PSO Training, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Segun Imohiosen;
L-R: Non-Executive Director, Mr Emmanuel Nnorom; Non Executive Director, Mrs Zubaida Rasheed; MD/CEO, Mr Obong Idiong; Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi,MFR, FloD; Non-Executive Director, Mr Peter Ashade, Non-Executive Director, Mr Peter Elumelu; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr Joseph Jibunoh, all of Africa Prudential Plc at the Company’s 10th Annual General Meeting held at The Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.... recently
red chamber has no power to halt development Insists Air Nigeria will fly before May 29 Approves National Blockchain Policy Okays N9.74bn for water rehabilitation in Apapa, Tin Can Island
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The federal government, has insisted that the senate has no right to stop the ongoing demolition of offices belonging to agencies undertaking aviation activities at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this yesterday while speaking with newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
Responding to a reporter's question on the issue, Sirika emphasised that the Senate resolution was merely advisory and could not stop the government from doing its work.
"So, government is going to continue, of course. The Senate is advisory, it’s an executive function; we're not barred by any court of law. So, it’s an executive function and government cannot be stopped from giving development to its people," he said.
The minister's remark was in reaction to a motion on Tuesday by the Senate, directing the government to halt the demolition to allow the Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Biodun Olujimi, intervene in the matter.
Olujimi had drawn the attention of the red chamber to the warning strike threatened by the Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and National
Association of Aircrafts Pilots and Engineers.
Justifying the planned demolition of the makeshift FAAN structures, the minister said government would go on with its plan to make use of the land by building something befitting Lagos and in the interest of the majority of Nigerians, the Senate’s directive notwithstanding.
"The intent of government is to remove the structure that is housing the offices of the Managing-Director of FAAN and those commercial departments. It was a structure that was made of woods. It’s been there for 40 years, it has caught fire twice, even during our ministration, and to give way for better development for what Lagos has become. It’s the gateway.
“We want to put hotels there, shopping malls, offices, cinemas and the rest of it, so FAAN can make more money. The entire people within that structure are not more than 150 or 200 in that headquarters. Just the other day, some houses were demolished by Lagos State on our behalf, we’ve been on that issue for some time, we went up to Supreme Court and won. They have to give way for developments. This is in national interest.
“If individuals will drag it out with government, there's no government worker that can drag it out with a government. If I want to pull down this hall and build a better one, who will come and stop me from doing that as a government?
“So, I think it's not an issue,
they're just over-hitting it and you know why. But we have responsibility and mandate and we're not shy, we’re very bold to do all those things that are good for our people and for government.
“We're also a very responsive and responsible government. Where it will affect the lives of people, of course, we wouldn't be indulging in doing it. We've been known to be doing those things that better civilization. This one also is going to make live very good.”
Sirika also reiterated government’s determination to see that Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air Limited, starts operation before the end of President Muhammadu
Buhari's administration on May 29, 2023.
His words: “I think three weeks is a lot of time. By the special grace of God, it will fly and don't forget we didn’t start today. We started this in 2015. We drew up the road-map, we got the transaction advisors in 2016. From 2016 we've been planning and planning and planning.
“Many airlines came, more than 50% of the airline today in Nigeria were licensed by us, by the Buhari administration. One of the airlines, United that went to court today, we gave him the license, Buhari government, and he's never been to the office of the minister. He didn’t even know it. ValueJet, we
gave him the license.
“The first time I saw him was at the commissioning of Ogun Airport. Rano Air, Uza Air, all of them. Even Air Peace, which is the biggest airline, when we came in 2015, how many airlines did they have? The growth and robustness of Air Peace is because we gave them the enabling environment as a Buhari government to do it.
Meanwhile, the federal government has approved National Blockchain Policy (NBP) in line with the global technological standards for the growth of the economy.
Blockchain technology is relevant to so many sectors in banking, security, education, commerce,
among many others.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ibrahim Ali Pantami, who announced the approval while speaking with newsmen after the FEC meeting said, "With the approval of the National Blockchain Policy for Nigeria today, we can safely say that blockchain technology with all its components and types has been institutionalised in the country.”
Also briefing, Minister of Transportation, Mu'azu Jaji Sambo, disclosed that the council approved the sum of N 9.74 billion for the rehabilitation of portable water facilities for Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos State.
The Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has been advised by the Coalition of Abia State Youth Leaders and Stakeholders on the need to prioritise key developmental intervention projects in order to deliver the expectations of Abia indigenes.
They highlighted the need for him to use his experience as an astute economist to bring change on the economic fortune of the state, block leakages of internally generated
revenue (IGR) and avoid wastage.
The Coalition of Abia State Youth Leaders and Stakeholders is made up of leaders of youth organisations, market and trade groups, students of institutions of higher learning, businessmen and women of Abia State origin who are resident and conduct their business in Lagos State. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos titled, ‘Abia State Governance’, the National Youth Leader of the coalition, Obinna Ehumadu, said having seen the people of the state subjected to bad governance over
The federal government yesterday, reiterated its commitment towards establishing and sustaining an effective justice system in the country.
As a result of this, the federal government through the Ministry of Justice is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force on the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Speaking at a two-day training for police prosecutors, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, assured Nigerians that his ministry, as a leading stakeholder in the administration of justice would continue to support stakeholders to ensure that the reformation of the justice sector aligns with international best practice.
He disclosed that the purpose of the workshop was to, "facilitate the proper and effective implementation of the Act by the Nigeria Police Prosecutors especially in the areas of ensuring that criminal matters are speedily dealt with so as to bring about a sustainable decongestion of Correctional Centers across the country."
According to Malami, who was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutor, Mr. Muhammad Babadoko, the training amongst others would focus on: Improving Pre-trail Justice under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015: the role of the Police;
"Conducting effective investigation: Police Powers and Rights of a suspect under the Nigerian Criminal justice system;
"Arrest and search protocols
under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015 and the Police Act; "Settlement Agreements and Plea- bargaining-guidance for the Police;
"Remand Protocols and detention time limit under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015;
"Understanding the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA0 2015, provisions on statement taking and admissibility of erecording of confessional statement; understanding the Guidelines for prosecutors;
"Police and the conduct of effective Criminal prosecution under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and Police Act.”
Meanwhile, the AGF observed that in spite of the recent passage of the ACJA Bill, 2022 by the Senate,
the essential elements of the ACJA, 2015 remained unchanged.
In his remarks the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Legal Department, Mr. David Igbodo (rtd) said the police was very much committed to ensuring the effective dispensation of justice in Nigeria.
He also said the force would do all it takes in ensuring that the reforms in the criminal justice sector are implemented accordingly.
Also speaking, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy Agba, stated that the success of any aspect of criminal justice administration depends on the level of effective implementation by the agencies involved.
24 years, Otti’s emergence gave them hope.
According to him, the economic development of the state was a matter of urgency as various developmental interventions from previous governments were nothing compared to other states.
He said, “Abia State is overdue to rejig its economic development plan and growth strategy. We are in a state of motion without movement hence the constant decay to road infrastructure and inefficient services.
“Abia is blessed with highly skilled professionals, artisans, entrepreneurs and work population but coordination and willingness to do the right things are our albatross.
“Human resource management and enabling the environment are required to harness our God-given resources.
“Abia State government should as a matter of urgency position Aba as a commercial growth hub to attract national and diaspora investment and tap into the new consciousness of ‘Aku Ruo Ulo’ being promoted by Ndigbo.
“Some of our coalition members have in the past championed and launched initiatives and programs in the state.”
On his part, the spokesperson of the coalition, Okechukwu Nzekwe, said Otti’s mandate comes with high expectations and they expect him to hit the ground running immediately when he is sworn in as Governor of the state.
He acknowledged that Otti's desire to govern the state did not start yesterday, adding that it had been a chequered journey and struggle to
the Government House Umuahia. He noted that based on his political struggle over the years, the governor-elect had picked enormous political experience along the way to enable him meet the aspirations of the great number of Abians, “Dr. Alex Otti must never fail on this premise’ he added.
Commenting on their expectation from the incoming administration, Nzekwe, emphasised that Abians expect him to bring his vast experience to bear on the economic fortune of the state.
According to him, the internally generated revenue (IGR) must witness a turn around, plug leakage, wastage and grow the state from its presence state.
Itemising their agenda for the incoming administration, he opined that he must embrace youth inclusiveness, pay up salary and pension and shun too much politics.
According to him, “Youth Inclusiveness in the incoming government is a matter of priority. This is to sustain the support and cooperation of the critical mass of the population.
“The Coalition of Abia Youth Leaders' willingness and readiness to work with the new government. We pledge to remain active and participate in all sectors of the government.
“Civil servants and other workers in the employ of the state government and it's agencies are continually being owed earned salaries and arrears running into months. Pensioners are a major victim of payment failures by the government.”
Says
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with Nigerian journalists on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day which was marked yesterday.
Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said journalists have made immense contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Nigeria.
He added, "Nigerian journalists deserve our appreciation for their contributions to democracy and
governance in general in Nigeria as the fourth estate of the realm.
"Promoting press freedom is not only upholding the rights of an important segment of the society, it is also promoting the human right to freedom of speech and opinion.
"It is in the light of this that the ninth National Assembly has ensured in the past four years that no legislation under its purview tampers with these rights."
The Senate President wished journalists a happy World Press Freedom Day.
Relatedly, as he bows out of office on Mày 29, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has
urged the media in the state to extend the same cooperation he enjoy with them to his successor, the governor-elect, Umo Eno. Emmanuel made the call while felicitating the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.
In a release by his Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant, Media, Ekerete Udoh, the governor lauded the robust relationship that exists between the media and his government.
“Though we have had moments of disagreement in the manner of certain reportage of government
Ahead of the November 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formerly presented the flag of the party to Senator Dino Melaye as its standard bearer in the November 11th governorship election in the state.
Melaye had earlier emerged winner of the PDP governorship primary held at Kefas Multipurpose Hall in Lokoja on the 15th April, 2023.
The presentation ceremony, however, held at the same venue and attended by the chieftains of the party across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Melaye, while speaking, expressed his gratitude to every member of the party for the confidence reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them.
He stated that Kogi had no business being poor as she was sitting on gold mine enough to make the citizens of the state immensely rich.
"Kogi State has over 42 mineral resources untapped, there is nothing wrong if we have five Obajanas in the state, there is no reason why Ajaokuta should not be working, there is no reason why we should depend on monthly federal allocation.
“All these will be brought to a halt when I become the governor through you in November. We have enormous resources and loose funds around the world waiting to be accessed. What you only need is enabling environment and ideas to access those funds. I will use my connection around the world to attract investment to the state.”
Also speaking during the
ceremony, the former governor of the state, Ibrahim Idris, urged party faithful to rally behind Melaye, whom he described as a formidable personality and will bring the state out of the woods of the past seven years.
"To do this, there is the need to see ourselves as one big family and work together to install Dino Melaye in November,” he said.
activities by the press, the media, however, has to a large extent, not been overly adversarial.
“We have accepted criticisms that are done without malice, and, have allowed media practitioners the freedom and latitude to report and analyse events without deploying the instruments of government to sanction, suppress or coerce them to do otherwise.
“The media is an important player in any democracy and we salute and celebrate you, for helping to deepen our democratic traditions and ethos.
"Akwa Ibom is a unique State, and in the last eight years, we have worked to reposition the state as an emerging hub in aviation, with world class infrastructure, healthcare delivery services, agriculture, industrialisation, etc," the release stated.
Meanwhile, a Professor of History, International Studies and Diplomacy, University of Benin, Eddy Erhagbe, has urged media practitioners to engage in dissemination of information that would encourage good leadership and governance because of the seeming complex structure of Nigeria.
Erhagbe made this call in Benin City, while delivering a lecture titled, "Shaping a future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, called on all members of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) to unite behind the new executives of the party headed by Mr. Sunday Bisi and hold the banner of love high in the state.
Speaking at the 2023 party congress held at the Stadium Complex, Osogbo, he said, "We have elected our new leaders to work with the Imole government, and to support the people's government.
"Unity is very key. We need all of us to join hands together and move PDP from strength to strength. To
PDP members, be assured that your government is working, dividends of democracy is here and is here to stay and, to Osun people, this PDP government is for the people, of the people and by the people.
"To delegates, the field is open. Let’s do it and show that is PDP. We have class. Let’s show them that in PDP, we know how to do things."
In his acceptance address, Bisi said, "I know what it takes to lead a party into government. I have done it before and I will do it again by the grace of God. I am going to unite the party more, everybody will be on the same page under my leadership.
"People are happy in Osun State
with what our governor is doing to the state, In less than four months, they have seen changes, salaries, and arrears have been paid, and workers have been promoted. Infrastructure development is ongoing.
"We had workers' day here a few days ago, I have been in Osun for several years, I have not seen the kind of turnout before because they trooped out en mass."
The Chairman also noted that, "When you have a united party, then the governor will be able to concentrate, and there won't be any distractions. I will ensure that and bring everybody into the party so that we will be able to move the state forward."
Other Human Rights," organised by the Edo State Council of the NUJ. He said from pre-independence and post-independence, the media has been critical to the call for good governance.
He added, “As a historian and expert in international studies, I believe and hold the view that the problem with Nigeria is not the structure of our country of Nigeria, but the running of the affairs of the country.
"There are certain extant fallacies about the authenticity of certain geo-political configurations of pre-colonial Nigeria, this must be corrected, so that we can focus more on conscientiously and truthfully working to emancipate our people rather than hoodwink them by parochialism and religious and ethnic bigotry.
“I join the ranks of those who believe that Nigeria can make it with the right mix of leadership and followership.
"The media has a patriotic duty to encourage those things that would help to engender the unity of Nigeria. It has been there before and must continue to do so robustly.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of Edo NUJ, Mr. Festus Alenkhe, said journalists have a constitutional role to practise their profession and therefore should not be hindered in the process and commended practitioners for their professionalism despite attacks and the unfriendly environment they find themselves in.
The high point of the event was the bestowment of an honour on a philanthropist, Dr. Dorry Okojie.
preside over the Petition Tribunals.
The PEPT sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, is made up of five Justices of the Court of Appeal to be led by the President of the Court, Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem.
Other members include Justices Haruna Tsammani, Jonah Adah, Bello Mohammed and Joseph Ikyegh.
The President – elect and the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu tops the pack with an assemblage of over 50 lawyers, followed by the PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar’s 19, while the LP candidate, Peter Obi has 12 and INEC 9, all within the ranks of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
This shows that while the Presidentelect Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are defending the election have 59 lawyers, the two main petitioners who are the main opposition candidates have a combined team of 31 lawyers, all made up of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
Renowned legal practitioner, Wole Olanipekun is leading the legal team of Bola Tinubu, which comprised of Akin Olujimi, Yusuf Ali, Lateef Fagbemi, A.U Mustapha, Ahmed Raji, Abiodun Owonikoko, Kemi Pinheiro, and Niyi Akintola.
Other are H.M. Liman, Taiwo Osipitan, Babatunde Ogala, Roland Otaru , James Onoja, Muiz
Banire, Olusola Oke and Mohammed Abubakar.
INEC with a budget of over N3 billion to defend the results of the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections and the March 18 governorship and state assembly polls, has put together, a team of lawyers comprising nine Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The former Nigerian Bar Association President, Abubakar Mahmoud, is leading the INEC team comprising Stephen Adehi, Oluwakemi Pinheiro, Miannaya Essien, and Abdullahi Aliyu.
Others are Garba Hassan, Musa Attah, and Patricia Obi.
On the other hand, leading the Atiku’s legal team is Kyari Gadzama, who is leading others including Chris Uche (SAN), Paul Usoro (SAN), Tayo Jegede (SAN), Ken Mozia (SAN), Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mahmood Magaji (SAN), Joe Abraham (SAN), Chukwuma Umeh (SAN), Garba Tetengi (SAN) and Emeka Etiaba (SAN).
Others are Goddy Uche (SAN), Maxwell Gidado (SAN); the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, A. K. Ajibade (SAN), O. M. Atoyebi, (SAN), Nella Rabana (SAN), Paul Ogbole (SAN), Nuremi Jimoh (SAN), and Abdul Ibrahim (SAN).
Continues online
L-R: CDK Integrated Industries Ltd. Area Sales Manager, Abuja, Mr. Felix Enebeli; Director, WADEM Enterprises,
Two major anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) have urged a Federal High Court, Abuja to dismiss the suit by Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, against the presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Keyamo, who was also the spokesperson, Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in the suit filed on January 20, is seeking an order of court compelling the EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to probe and prosecute Abubakar following claims by one of his ex-aides, Michael Achimugu, that between 1999 and 2007 when Atiku was Vice President, he conspired with ex-President Olusegun
Obasanjo to rip off the country using what he termed “Special Purpose Vehicles.”
When the matter came up yesterday, lawyers to the EFCC and ICPC, Samuel Okeleke and Mrs. O B. Odogu, in two separate preliminary objections, faulted the competence of the suit and prayed the court to dismiss it.
Okeleke argued that Keyamo did not comply with the requirement of the law in filing the suit, arguing that he ought to have first obtained the leave of the court in seeking to compel an agency of the government to act.
The lawyer contended that having failed to comply with the rules, the suit should not be accorded any attention.
Similarly, ICPC's lawyer, Odogu, argued that Keyamo did not approach her agency properly, adding that the ICPC works discreetly.
“We do discrete investigation. He (Keyamo) gave us 72 hours
Nigeria and Indonesia yesterday signed a letter of intent to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, said the brief signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The statement said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, who represented the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) signed for Nigeria while the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Hustra Harahap, signed for Indonesia.
The statement disclosed that the objective of the letter of intent was to promote defence cooperation between the two countries by the prevailing laws and regulations in both countries.
The two countries promised to maintain principles of mutual respect, fairness and reciprocity.
The statement further highlighted the areas of cooperation as contained in the letter of intent to include, the exchange of high-ranking
operational officials, promotion of education and training as well as promotion of defence industries and intelligence sharing.
The signing of the letter of intent which had articles one to three opened a new vista of hope in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries as explained by the Permanent Secretary.
Kana, assured the five-man Indonesian delegation that Nigeria was poised to drive the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
The permanent secretary said the long history of a robust relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia with common areas of interest as members of G-30 and G-8 countries would promote a win-win deal.
The Indonesia Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Hustra Harahap, thanked the Minister of Defence for the platform provided to sign the letter of intent. He assured Nigeria of his country’s total commitment to abide by the articles contained in the signed document.
ultimatum within which to investigate and prosecute the 1st defendant.
“That is not how we operate. We take our time to do discreet investigation,” she said.
Atiku's lawyer, Mr. Benson Igbanoi, also faulted the competence of the suit and accused Keyamo
of engaging in abuse of office. Igbanoi, therefore urged the court to decline jurisdiction among other grounds, that no cause of action was disclosed by the plaintiff.
In addition, he pointed out that Keyamo's reply to his preliminary objection was filed outside the
seven days allowed under the court’s rules.
Keyamo’s lawyer, O. C. Uju, urged the court to dismiss the objections raised by the defendants and proceeded to hear the case on the merit.
Uju, queried the competence of Atiku’s objection, arguing that it
was filed when the court had not assumed jurisdiction over the case and before he could be served with the originating processes. Justice Omotosho, after entertaining the arguments by lawyers to the parties, adjourned until June 5 for ruling in the preliminary objections.
A 22-man committee, which would coordinate activities for the May 29 swearing-in of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s and Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat’s second term in office was yesterday constituted.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Information & Strategy Lagos State/Chairman Publicity Committee, Gbenga
Omotoso.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, is Chairman of the Committee. A former Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Saidat Olayinka Oladunjoye, is Vice-Chairman.
According to the statement, members of the various sub-committees that would organise the inauguration
include the Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo; Abayomi Oluyomi; Gbenga Omotoso; Engr. (Mrs.) Aramide Adeyoye; Olawale Musa; Sukanmi Oyegbola; Bayo Ogunlana and Dr. A. W. Olarinmoye.
Others on the list are: Kolade Alabi; Bolaji Durojaiye; Tunde Onigbanjo; Adetoun Sanwo-Olu; Tejumade Lawal; Belinda Aderonke
Odeneye; Kunle Fagbemi; Fola Hamzat; Simi Mosuro; Dr. Hakeem Shittu and Mrs. Ayiri Oladunmoye. Mrs Adenike G. Akanbi is Secretary of the Committee, which also has the Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and Mr Bimbo Onabanjo as members. The committee has started working.
could not access the evacuees until Wednesday, adding that his crew had to sleep at the airport until the Egyptians were set to grant leave to the evacuees.
Onyema, disclosed that even after the two aircraft belonging to Air Peace and that of the Nigerian Air Force boarded their full capacity, the Egyptians denied them take off on the grounds that no evacuee should be left behind in Egypt.
According to Onyema, while there were about 371 evacuees on ground, Air Peace planes could only take 281 passengers and that of the Nigeria Air Force Above 80 or 90, thereby leaving about 15 passengers on ground.
"Egypt said both planes would not leave Egypt without the remaining passengers", he said, a situation which prompted him to suggest that the luggage in the Air Force plane be transferred into Air Peace planes to enable the Air force plane airlift the remaining passengers.
"What happened this afternoon was a fall out from the confusion caused by the Egyptians.
"I don't blame the Egyptians also, they need to protect their country from infiltration, they have to be sure of the people that come into
their country," Onyema said.
Nevertheless, he argued that, "Nigerians are overly stigmatised, they don't want to know the number of Nigerians in foreign jails for something they know nothing about.
"All you need to be condemned is to carry that green passport, all you need to become a villain is to be identified as a Nigerian, you are a suspect even before you are judged, so this is the problem we are having.
" You can imagine Ethiopia, they were to go through Ethiopia, Ethiopia blocked them, Ethiopia is making a lot of money out of Nigeria."
The Air Peace boss however described Nigerians as very good people.
"When we come back here we remember we are Yorubas, we are Hausas, we Fulani, we are Ijaws, we are Ibibios and all that kind of things, we stereotype ourselves too.
"Nobody can love you more than yourself.
This is the reason I do some of these things, not because I have money, I am not richer than anybody, but I love this country, I want this nation to be one because I believe in this nation, I believe that this country can be greater than it is.
"I believe that the over 378 ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria should be a source of strength to this country and not an albatross or a cause of a kind.
" If only we can get our ax together and allow this diversity to become our source of strength no country under the sun can be greater than this nation.
"This is my motivation for doing this kind of thing.
"So you can imagine how I felt this afternoon, while I was at the war front trying to rescue Nigerians, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress went disrupting every Air Peace flight across the country today, we are losing over N 700 million as a result of that," he added.
He lamented that for somebody who has contributed so much to the nation, he ought not to be repaid in that way, adding that the action of the two trade unions is so insensitive, which must not be condoned.
"They wrote us yesterday that we should not go to Imo, we have a contract with the passengers; NLC or TUC have no right whatsoever to instruct an airline not to obey the contractual relationship and obligations they have to their passengers,
they don't have that right.
"It is a shame to this nation that security agencies were watching while an airline that is out there doing all that it can for this nation was being axed upon, with some people wounded making sure our operations were destabilised, causing delays, massive delays and cancellations. Who is going to bear the brunt as security agencies stand by and watch.
"Yet this same airline is out there risking the lives of their crew and spending hundreds of millions of naira on behalf of this country.
"Something should happen because we are not going to let this go down. We must recover all we lost today, we must recover it. If something is not done, then this country is a joke.
"Airport vicinity is supposed to be a sacred place all over the world, you do not even shout in the airport, not to talk of a situation where people go into the tarmac, go into the airport to destabilise an airline; what about if somebody throw a spanner into one of those engines; that is an air crash waiting to happen, and we continuously allow things like this to happen in the name of unionism."
L-R:
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
A large number of women and youths in Riyom, Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state, yesterday blocked the busy Jos-Abuja highway to protest incessant killings by gunmen in their communities.
They have also accused the military Special Task Force in the state of complacency in the face of the gale of attacks that have claimed several lives in the area.
The protest was triggered by an attack at Hoss on Tuesday night that claimed two lives.
One of the protesters, Mr.
Gyang Dalyop said: “Our people are grieved by the persistent attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That is why we have come out again to protest and to call on the government’s attention to the trouble we are facing.
“Could you imagine that two young men were killed again last night (Tuesday)? The victims were killed a few meters from a military checkpoint in the community. If the people are not safe and can be killed even close to where soldiers are stationed, then the soldiers have no business stationed amongst us.”
Also lamenting on the
Gbenga Sodeinde inAdoEkiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has pledged its total support for the State Police Command in crime fighting, maintenance of law and order and ensuring security of lives and property.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, made the pledge yesterday when she received the new state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dare Ogundare, who paid her a familiarisation visit.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker, Odunayo Ogunmola, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police used the forum to announce the arrest of a notorious interstate kidnapper known as “Danger” by his men in Kogi State.
Apparently impressed by the arrest of the kidnap kingpin, the Speaker, who described Ekiti as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria, charged the police chief to sustain the momentum of making the state a safe place to live in and do business
Adelugba described CP Ogundare as a competent police officer who had acquired experience and excelled across the length and breadth of Nigeria urging him to bring his experience to bear on his new assignment in Ekiti.
The Speaker charged the officers and men of the state command to perform their statutory duties with every sense of responsibility and always respect the human rights of the people they are charged to protect.
Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), the umbrella body of residents of the Lekki axis of Lagos, has sworn in members of its new executive council to pilot the affairs of the association.
At the swearing-in ceremony, which was held on Monday, Mr. Sulyman Kolawole Bello, was inaugurated as LERSA’s president to replace Mr. James Emadoye, while Mrs. Aderonke Oyetunji was sworn in as general secretary.
Also, in the new LERSAexecutive officers are Mr. Gihan Mbelu, vice president; Mr. Emeka Theophil Offiah, assistant general secretary; Mr. Jenkins Alumona, publicity secretary; Mrs. Ronke Banjo, treasurer; Mr. Kuti Afolabi Fatai (SAN), legal adviser and Mrs. Rekia Eletu, financial secretary. Speaking at the ceremony, Emadoye thanked members of
development, Mrs. Hannatu Rop said the community was tired of the killings and the inability of the security agents to apprehend those behind the
acts. She called on the government to intervene in the situation before it degenerates into full-blown mayhem.
THISDAY gathered that there have been killings in the community and that last week some miners were hacked by the gunmen at Lamba community
in the local government. The protest caused serious traffic gridlock along the highway, leaving commuters on the highway stranded.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has commended Cross River state governor, Ben Ayade for appointing Kano indigene as a commissioner and aides in his government, describing him as a detribalised Nigerian.
The Emir who spoke yesterday during a courtesy call on the governor Calabar, urged other governors to work towards national cohesion
by emulating Ayade’s nationalistic posture. The Kano monarch was in Calabar for his installation as the new Pro- Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
According to him, “I wish to express my deep appreciation to the governor for appointing Northerners, especially Kano indigenes into his government.
“There is a Commissioner in the
Governor’s cabinet who is from from Kano. This is heartwarming. I urge other Governors from other parts of Nigeria to work towards national cohension by taking a cue from Governor Ayade and appoint aides who are not necessarily indigenes of their states.”
The first class monarch commanded the governor for the warm reception and extreme
hospitality accorded him and his entourage.
The Emir thanked President Muhammad Buhari for the appointment as Pro-Chancellor, saying he was happy to be part and parcel of the institution and pledged to work with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, “to take the great University of Calabar to a greater height.”
The Benue State Government has accused the All Progresses Congress (APC) led Transition Committee (TC) of plotting a parallel government before the May 29th hand-over of government. This followed a demand by the APC incoming government transition committee that the state government should hand over
relevant financial documents. According to the Secretary to the Benue State Government Professor Anthony Ijohor, the press statement issued by the team constituted by the Benue state Governor-elect in which the group accused the state Transition Committee put in place by the governor of the state of delaying the presentation of handover notes to it as an attempt to run a parallel
government. He said the group further demanded among others, “Comprehensive Hand-over Notes covering the period of the outgoing administration i.e. 2015 – 2023 for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Debt Profile and the state of finances of the State.”
Ijohor said: “It must be stated in unequivocal terms that the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for a parallel government in any state. Governor Samuel Ortom remains the Governor of Benue State till May 29, 2023, and he is expected to handover to the Governor-elect and not a transition committee. The demand made by the team of the Governor-elect is therefore, unconstitutional and an aberration.”
Some Indigenes of Ogbunike community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday burnt a suspected kidnapper alive, while rescuing a female victim held by the gang.
THISDAY gathered that the group had operated in Ogidi, a neighbouring community in
Idemili North Local Government Area, and were on their way to their hideout when indigenes blocked the road they were plying through, and arrested them.
The state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, said police operatives in the area were also
alerted, but when they arrived, one of the two arrested suspects had already been set ablaze.
Ikenga said: “In the early hours of today(yesterday) 3/5/2023, police operatives attached to Ogbunike division responding to a distress call along St Monica College road, Ogbunike, arrested one Mr. Jamui Emiron ‘m’ aged 22years
and recovered one already damaged yellow Mitsubishi L300 bus with Anambra reg nos: UKP 729 A.
“The suspect was among a gang of armed robbers that attacked and robbed occupants of a residential house in Ezi-Ogidi, abducted a female victim and was en route to their den before police were alerted.
the association for the support granted his team during his tenure. He also highlighted some of the achievements of LERSA under his presidency.
He said: “Over the last few years, we protested and presented a memorandum on the arbitrary increase in Land Use Charge to the Lagos State House of Assembly sixman ad-hoc committee on Land Use Charge Law 2018.
“We provided a platform for over 200 SMEs and companies to showcase and expand the market for their product and services at the LERSA Trade Fair.
“The association sustained a campaign and intervention on behalf of members, on the plan by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to wrongly evict some of our members from their properties.
Alex Enumah in AbujaHearing in an application for an order of mandamus compelling the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the medical records of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been adjourned till May 22. The adjourned by Justice Binta
Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja was following requests by the DSS for a short time to respond to issues raised by Kanu against the DSS’ objection to the application for order of mandamus.
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako has frowned at the manner in which counsel are going about the proceedings, warning that the court would not permit actions
that would truncate proceedings in the next adjourned date.
Hearing in the motion for order of mandamus against the DSS could not proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, due to an oral application by DSS counsel, Idowu Awo, for more time to respond to a further affidavit served on him by Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in the
open court. The detained IPOB leader had, through his team of lawyers, brought the legal action against the DSS and its Director General (1st and 2nd respondents in the matter respectively), over his health conditions which his lawyers claimed has continued to deteriorate since June 2021 in DSS’ custody.
Adibe Emenyonu inBenin-city
An Edo State High Court has adjourned the N5 billion libel suit instituted by former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, against the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Col. David Imuse, to June
29 for continuation of hearing.
The presiding Judge, Justice Vestee Eboreimen, adjourned the matter yesterday shortly after counsel to the third defendant (The Sun Publishing Limited), Chief Daniel Ogbodo, had crossexamined the second witness called to testify by the claimant.
Ogbodo, who also held brief
for the counsel to 2nd defendant (African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc), Publishers of the Tribune titles, had asked the witness, Anthony Ero, if he was present at the conference addressed by Imuse, but he said no, adding that he watched it on Channels Television.
At this point, a video of the
press conference was played in court after which Ogbodo further asked the witness if he could reconcile the content of the video with what he watched on Channels TV, and he answered yes, even as he also said there was no disparity between what he watched and the publications of the press conference.
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets were beaten 1-0 by Morocco last night in the ongoing CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.
An own goal by Tochukwu Ogboji as early as the 2nd minute was all the Moroccans,
who downed South Africa’s Amajimbo 2-0 on the opening day, needed to make it to the knockout phase of the competition.
Moorroco joined Senegal to become the second team to book a place in the knock-out stage of the tournament having secured
maximum points from their opening two matches.
Now, Nigeria who are fivetime world champions will need to beat South Africa in their next game to stand any chance of getting into the last eight. As happened in their opening match against Zambia, the
Eaglets created chance after chance but pathetically lacked precision in front of goal.
Abubakar Abdullahi should have done better than balloon the ball skywards after Emmanuel Michael put him through in the 21st minute, and captain Precious Williams
also failed to make hay as the North Africans mounted an impregnable rearguard.
Defender Yahaya Lawali, who was again picked as Man-of-theMatch despite Nigeria’s loss, shot towards the sky with a through ball in the 69th minute.
Substitutes Light Eke and
Adewale Quadri provided the only real tests for the Moroccan goalkeeper in a frantic second period. The Eaglets will now play South Africa on Saturday, and victory is imperative in order to be assured of qualification to the last eight.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world's highest-paid athlete for the first time since 2017 following his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
Forbes report the 38-year-old
Portugal forward earned $136m (£108.7m) over the past 12 months. His contract with Al Nassr is reportedly worth more than 200m euros (£176.5m) per year.
Argentina's World Cup-winning
captain Lionel Messi is second on Forbes' list having earned $130m (£103.9m). Forbes' top 10 also features basketball star LeBron James and boxer Canelo Alvarez, while 20-time
tennis Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is the only retired athlete on the list in ninth place. Dustin Johnson (sixth) and Phil Mickelson (seventh) are the first golfers to make the top 10 since
Manchester City striker Erling
Haaland has broken the record for goals in a Premier League season.
The Norwegian scored his 35th league goal of the campaign as City defeated West Ham 3-0 to move past the Gunners. Haaland also move past Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole's previous best of 34 to become the new goal King in England.
Haaland had already set a new high in a 38-game season, surpassing Mohamed Salah's 32 goals for Liverpool in 2017-18.
He now holds the overall record and has another five games to add to his tally.
Cole's 34 goals for Newcastle in 1993-94 was matched by Shearer as he fired Blackburn to the title the following year but there were 22 teams in the top flight in both seasons, giving them an extra four matches to play - Shearer started all 42 in his record season, while Cole missed two in his.
Haaland, in his debut season in English football, has set the new marker in just his 31st game of the year.
After Haaland ‘s opening goal, Nathan Ake had headed City in front early in the second half after he was left unmarked at the back post from Riyad Mahrez's free-kick and Haaland's dink doubled the lead.
Tiger Woods in 2020.
Johnson was not in the top 50 in 2022 but after becoming the first high-profile player to join the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series, he has rocketed up Forbes' rankings.
The American two-time major winner - who received $18m (£16.2m at the time) after winning the inaugural LIV Golf champion-
ship - earned $107m (£85.5m) over the past year Forbes say Mickelson, who earned $106m (£84.7m), surpassed $1bn in career earnings pre-tax last year. Forbes' figures include both onfield earnings - including salaries, prize money and bonuses - and off-field earnings - sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing income.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, football: $136m (£108.7m)
2. Lionel Messi, football: $130m (£103.9m)
3. Kylian Mbappe, football: $120m (£95.9m)
4. LeBron James, basketball: $119.5m (£95.5m)
5. Canelo Alvarez, boxing: $110m (£87.9m)
6. Dustin Johnson, golf: $107m (£85.5m)
7. Phil Mickelson, golf: $106m (£84.7m)
8. Stephen Curry, basketball: $100.4m (£80.2m)
9. Roger Federer, tennis: $95.1m (£76m)
10. Kevin Durant, basketball: $89.1m (£71.2m)
The annual Delta State Headmasters Cup football competition is scheduled to begin today in Asaba.
The catch-them-young tournament sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc is organised for primary school pupils in Delta State.
Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Ebenezer Onyeagwu said the organisation was always committed to youth development.
"The Delta State Headmasters' Cup is one of the events we deliberately designed to develop talents from the grassroots. We want to give them the opportunity
to attain their potential with their talents," Onyeagwu said.
Commissioner for Primary Education in Delta State, Chief Sunday Onoriode, said on Wednesday that all arrangements have been made to stage a good tournament. Today's kick-off slated for St Patrick's College, Asaba is between Abu-Ato Primary School 1 Asaba and Ezemese Primary School, Ibusa. The match starts at 11 am. Delta State Ministry of Sports PRO Magnus Emuji said the zonal preliminaries will start on Mondayin various centres
Rivers United now have a date for one of their outstanding matches against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi as the Interim Management Committee (IMC) works towards concluding the 2022/23 season before the May 29 inauguration of the new federal administration.
The Match-day 15 tie is one of three postponed fixtures involving the Port Harcourt side while they campaigned in the CAF Confederation Cup competition which they exited last Sunday at the quarter finals stage.
Rivers United will now travel to Bauchi for the match fixed for Wednesday, May 10while new dates for the Match-day 12 tie against Sunshine Stars and Match-day 16 against Doma United will be announced in the days ahead.
In a related development, the Super 6 Playoff scheduled tenta-
tively to hold at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Arena, Onikan, Lagos would commence on Friday, May 19.
IMC Head of Operations, Davidson Owumi, disclosed that the fixture principles have already been articulated with the Group A and B winners opening the contest.
"The Group A matches would be concluded on Sunday, May 14and we are looking forward to having the other two outstanding matches of Rivers United completed within the available windows to ensure that Group B last fixtures are held before the Playoff kickoff date", Owumi told IMC Media.
An advisory has been communicated to all clubs to put them on notice and getting them to plan their logistics to honour the fixtures as may be announced by the league organisers.
“Thegovernmentshoulddiscusswithusbeforetheexpirationofthetwoweeks ultimatumorbeforetheexpirationofBuhariadministration.Thegovernment hasnotevencalledusfordiscussion,allwehearisthreatanditisnotgoing to help anybody”—NationalAssociationofResidentDoctors(NARD)president, sayingthatthreatsemanatingfromtheLabourMinisterwouldneitherresolvethe crisisinthehealthsectornorstoptheirimpendingstrikeaction
On 29th August 2015, just three months after he was sworn-in, President Muhammadu Buhari disowned two ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign documents containing promises of the achievements he would make during his first 100 days in office. A statement from Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said Buhari had no knowledge of most of the promises being ascribed to him which he said emanated from the party’s “many centres of public communication which, for whatever reason, were on the loose.”
However, Garba Shehu also added that even within three months, Nigerians could see the difference between Buhari and predecessors. “In the area of economic management, Nigerians are already seeing things happen that they thought were not possible in so short a time”, Shehu stated. “He didn’t put a Kobo to finance the power sector. Yet, reading his body language alone and knowing that there are things you cannot do and get away with under Buhari, electricity supply all over the country has risen to unprecedented heights.”
After highlighting the administration’s achievements in less than 100 days at the time, Garba Shehu concluded: “President Buhari will turn out to be a leader in the tradition of Lee Kuan Yew and India’s current reform-minded Prime Minister Modi with strong and clear emphasis on detail and execution. He may, however, differ with them by not micro-managing things.”
With just about 25 days to the end of his tenure, it is left to be seen whether the president will be remembered like the late Singaporean leader. Incidentally, there were indeed many promises ascribed to Buhari before he came to power in 2015. We were for instance told that Buhari would conjure a Naira to command the same value as a dollar, sell all the aircraft in the presidential fleet, ban public officials from seeking medical treatment abroad, publicly declare his assets etc. Of course, none of that happened.
As Nigerians reflect on what has transpired in the past eight years, the president has also been doing his own introspection. Receiving visitors on what would be his last Eid-el-Fitr ceremony as president two weeks ago, Buhari thanked Nigerians for the honour to serve them for two terms between 2015 and 2023. He also sought forgiveness from those he might have offended while discharging his duties. “I can’t wait to go home to Daura,” said Buhari in the remark that has since drawn flak. “If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible. I got what I wanted and will quietly retire to my hometown.”
There can be no doubt that the president has got all he ever wanted out of Nigeria. The question is whether Nigerians have fulfilled their aspirations under his leadership. If one gauges responses to Buhari’s ‘apology plea’, the conclusion would be that the president has failed on his campaign promises to the country. But I beg to disagree with that. Since presidential handlers told us from the outset that most of the pre-election promises in 2015 were “audio” to borrow a famous slang, we can only hold Buhari accountable for the promises he made personally. And in that regard, there is no better place to look than his inaugural speech.
While the president may have made several promises at his inauguration on 29th May 2015, one stands out, even though it was plagiarized from a 1958 speech of the late Charles de Gaulle of France without taking account of the context: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”
That famous line has been the guiding philosophy of the Buhari administration in the past eight years. For instance, three key areas that Buhari promised to focus on are: fighting corruption; revamping
the economy; and tackling insecurity. A lot has been done by this administration, especially in infrastructure. I am sure fair-minded Nigerians will agree with some of the achievements listed in the 90-page ‘factsheet’ released by the presidential media team. But not a few will also remember that in a rare interview in 2014, a year before he came to power, Buhari dismissed the subsidy regime in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry as a scam. ‘Who is subsidising who?’ he had asked.
In January, Reuters reported that Nigeria spent $9.7 billion (N4.39 trillion at official rate) on fuel subsidy in 2022. If we extrapolate from that, we can imagine how many trillions of Naira we have wasted on subsidy in the past eight years. Buhari of course has signed off on its removal. But that is scheduled to happen two days after he must have left office and relocated to Daura! That’s the hallmark of a man who is for everybody and for nobody. The same can be said regarding the management of other critical sectors, which explains the crisis of mission dogging Buhari’s administration. Meanwhile, a leader that is for everybody and nobody is basically telling us that
he is only for himself!
In my 19th April 2018 column, ‘A National Security Endangered’, I summed up the indifference of Buhari when it comes to dealing with the security sector. Because the tragic fallouts of that episode remain unresolved, I crave the indulgence of readers to rehash parts of what I wrote five years ago so we can see how being for everybody and for nobody accounts for the insecurity that defines our country today.
Inter-agency frictions have long been apparent under the current dispensation, especially following what transpired in the Senate during the confirmation hearing of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu. The Directorate of State Security (DSS) wrote a damning report, depicting Magu unworthy of the office for which he was nominated by the president.
Last weekend, there were reports in some online media quoting both the DSS Director General, Mr Lawal Daura, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana M. Monguno (rtd), as trading damaging allegations. The media stories were based on the Senate ‘Report of the Ad Hoc committee on investigation of the arrest episodes of Tuesday 21st November 2017 among officers of EFCC, NIA and DSSS’, a copy of which I obtained yesterday.
Since President Buhari came to power with the promise to restore the economy, fight corruption and tackle general insecurity in the country, it is hard to believe that those who head the agencies expected to deliver on two of those main planks are not only bitter enemies but are fighting openly to subvert one another, and in the process, the system. That is the only conclusion to draw from the Senate report which then explains why the country has practically been reduced to a killing field where entrepreneurs of violence ply their nefarious trade everywhere, almost unchallenged by the state.
The story started on 22nd November 2017 when the attention of the Senate was drawn to a botched arrest drama involving EFCC officials and operatives of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and DSS. After taking both oral and written testimonies from all the principal actors, the Senate concluded that the acrimonious relationship between and among those manning our security agencies “was noticed from the outset of the investigation, leading the committee to conduct the hearings in camera as well as holding separate meetings with the security agencies. This lack of cooperation and cohesion is reflected at a secondary level with the EFCC and the NSA belonging to one group and the NIA and DSS belonging to another group.”
When he appeared before the Senate committee, Magu submitted a memorandum and gave oral testimony. According to the report, the highlights of his submissions were that the EFCC operatives were on a legitimate mission before they were obstructed by heavily armed operatives from the two security agencies: DSS and NIA. “Upon arrival at the aforementioned address, the Commission’s operatives met heavily armed personnel of the DSS numbering about thirty (30) with three (3) operational vehicles. In a bid to carry out our legitimate duty, the (EFCC) operatives approached the DSS personnel at the gate, introduced themselves and requested to see the former Director-General, Mr. Ita E. Ekpenyong. Their response to the operatives was ‘No’. Upon further inquiry and presentation of Warrant of Arrest, they responded as follows: ‘We are under instruction from the Headquarters’.” A similar situation, according to Magu, occurred at the residence of Oke whose official residence was also defended by heavily armed NIA officials. Meanwhile, Daura, who also submitted a memorandum and appeared before the committee contradicted the claims by Magu. He traced the standoff between the agencies to the events that occurred in July 2016, “in the aftermath of the inauguration of the probe panel set up by the NSA, upon the approval of the President to investigate Defence procurement from 2014 to 2015.” According to Daura, shortly after the commencement of investigation, “operatives of the DSS serving on the panel were removed by the NSA, leaving members from the Military, NIA and EFCC to continue the investigation. Thereafter, the DSS acting on intelligence discovered that some Ad-Hoc members were brought in by the NSA to serve on the committee. These Ad-Hoc members were later found to be involved in some shady deals, which bordered on corrupt practices. The Service subsequently arrested Mohammed Umar (Air Commodore/Rtd), the arrowhead of the members involved in extorting money from suspects under investigation to give them soft landing. At the end of investigation, he (Umar) was arraigned in court and is presently being prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Abuja.” Daura argued that because both Monguno and Magu were unhappy about the arrest and prosecution of Umar, “they decided to embark on a vendetta to investigate the Service on some trumped-up charges, including corrupt practices. The starting point of this was the invitation sent to Ita Ekpenyong and Kunle Kadiri, former Director-General State Services (DGSS) and Head of Account of the DSS, respectively.”
The investigation, Daura contends “was actually a voyage of discovery to fish out incriminating evidence against the Service with a view to depict it and the Management as being corrupt…The Service discovered that this effort by the Commission was part of a clandestine investigation of DSS accounts by a team set up by the NSA in collaboration with the EFCC Acting Chairman in complete violation of extant laws pertaining to financial regulations of the Service.”
Daura quoted the extant laws which he said forbid what Monguno and Magu were trying to do except with the express permission of the president or the EFCC Board (of which he is statutorily a member along with the CBN Governor, Attorney General of the Federation and 15 other stakeholders). He then declared: “The method (brawn instead of brain) deployed by the current EFCC under Magu is a Gestapo style that belongs to dictatorial regimes. The Acting Chairman runs the agency based on public rumours, maneouvers, gossips, political interferences from certain quarters and Marabouts.”
Even though he proposed no set of values beyond a ‘body language’ that, on the face of recent developments, might have been wrongly interpreted by many Nigerians, Buhari was elected president to serve as a moral compass—a leader who would need no prompting before choosing between right and wrong in the conduct of public affairs. Unfortunately, that is not what has transpired under his stewardship.President Muhammadu Buhari