FRIDAY 5TH MAY 2023

Onaiyekan: It’s Senseless to Swear in 2023 Winners of Polls with Pending Court Cases

Calls for review of Nigeria’s electoral system

Onaiyekan, yesterday aligned with some legal luminaries in Nigeria that it was not ideal to inaugurate politicians into office while they

have pending litigations in court. Speaking during a Channels Television interview, the former President of the Christian Association

of Nigeria (CAN), posited that if Nigerians really want to practice democracy, they must desist from manipulating elections.

He argued that it was unreasonable that after chasing away the military which ruled Nigeria with the barrel of the gun, it now

has to deal with a political class that wins elections fraudulently because

Sudan: About 200 Nigerians Stranded on Road to Egypt...

Continued on page 5

Page 5

May

29: DHQ Warns against Plot to

In Alliance With Jibrin, Akpabio Gets Momentum, Over 65 Senators Sign, Support

Oshiomhole waits in the wings, relies on constitution

Former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, might have gained considerable edge in his bid to become the 10th senate president, following his alliance

with another aspirant, Senator Barau Jibrin, as his prospective deputy, if he emerged senate president.

To give weight and meaning to

Kalu still in the race, insists southeast deserves it

this bid, over 65 senators were said to have aligned with the Akpabio/ Jibrin alliance and had allegedly declared their support for them, after signing off their commitment

as proof they were in on the project. But a former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is said to be waiting in the wings, even though a first

time senator, however relies on the constitution of the country, which describes all senators as equal and can aspire to any office.

At the same time, another former governor, but of Abia State, Orji Kalu, has refused to

Continued on page 5

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

With exactly 24 days to his inauguration, the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said his administration would put in place incentives and policies that would make corruption unattractive to Nigerian workers, especially, judges.

Tinubu said the unity of the country was not open for debate or change. He added that with the right conditions, the temptation for corruption would be minimal among the citizens.

A statement by the Office of the President-elect, signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, quoted Tinubu as making the assertions in Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of a Magistrate Courts Complex built by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration. The event was part of Tinubu's two-day visit to the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Wike government.

Continued on page 5

OF ULTRA MODERN MAGISTRATES COURT COMPLEX IN PORT HARCOURT…

yesterday

L-R: Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, his wife, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the inauguration of the ultra-modern Magistrates court complex in Port Harcourt….

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John

to fulfil all political promises

FT: Three US Banks' Failures Cast Pall over Quality of KPMG’s Audit

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The trio of bank failures since March has cast a pall over KPMG’s lucrative business as the largest auditor of the US banking sector, a Financial Times report, has indicated.

The big four competitive accounting firms in the U.S manage over 78 percent of all U.S. public audits and 99 percent of all public company sales.

In the accounting world, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young, and KPMG

The report said questions over the quality of the firm’s work and independence have mounted in recent days, following the release of a Federal Reserve document into the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the forced sale of First Republic.

One of the ‘Big Four' accounting

firm was auditor to both banks, as well as to Signature, which was seized by regulators in March, FT said.

In all three cases, it stated that KPMG gave the banks’ financial statements a clean bill of health as recently as the end of February.

“It’s a dubious achievement...and we need tough action to back up tough talk from regulators,”

Francine McKenna, a former KPMG auditor who now lectures at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, said.

“You can’t expect auditors to know a bank run is coming. What is fair is to ask about an auditor’s risk assessment and whether they had the right audit procedures,” said Kecia Williams Smith, a former auditor and regulator who is now assistant professor of accounting at North Carolina A&T State University.

Scrutiny of KPMG’s work was likely to fall on whether its staff were sufficiently independent from the banks they audited, whether they paid proper attention to red flags, and whether they had the right skills to judge the quality of financial statements in an environment that had changed significantly because of rising interest rates, accounting experts said.

The firm holds a singular role as auditor of more US banks than any of the other Big Four, and it audits a larger proportion of the country’s banking system by assets than any other firm, according to data from Audit Analytics.

As well as being auditor to Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of New York Mellon and three dozen other listed banks, it also audits the Federal

Reserve.

“This is something that reverberates across the banking industry,” said Williams Smith. “Given the public interest around this you can expect there will be more oversight.”

Banking clients are particularly significant to KPMG. Publicly listed banks paid the firm more than $325 million in fees in 2021, the last year for which full data is available, with the sector accounting for about 14 per cent of KPMG’s fees from public clients. That compared to 8 per cent at PwC, 3 per cent at EY and 2 per cent at Deloitte.

KPMG alumni have also gone on to play significant roles in the banking sector, including at former clients. The chief executives of Signature and First Republic were both former KPMG partners, the report added.

Sudan: About 200 Nigerians Stranded on Road to Egypt Second batch slated for arrival today

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

As the Nigerian government intensifies effort to evacuate more citizens from the crisis-ridden Sudan, about 200 students were reportedly stranded on the road to the Wadi Halfa, Sudanese border with Egypt.

After the first batch of 376 evacuees were ferried into Abuja from Sudan via Egypt on Wednesday night, the second batch of the

evacuees are expected to arrive the country today, Friday.

An update on the situation on ground revealed that the stranded students were in dire need of support as the money charged to move them to the border was high and unaffordable.

According to one of the evacuees, the bus carrying the students stopped along the road before Wadi Halfa.

The unidentified evacuee noted that it was impossible for anyone

to cross the border barefooted, as the security personnel insisted that they must be conveyed by vehicles.

It was, however, gathered that the next set of prospective evacuees from Sudan, had arrived at the Wadi Halfa border and had their papers being processed.

The evacuees said a Nigerian official came to collect their passports and already liaising with the Egyptian Authorities at the border.

The Nigerian Ambassador to

Egypt, Nura Rimi, yesterday, said, "95 Nigerian students from Borno State, have been moved from Wadi Halfa to the Egyptian side of the border.

"They are to be evacuated by the Azman Aircraft together with other students already processed. The rest of the students waiting at the two border crossings (Wadi Halfa and Arqeen) will be evacuated by tomorrow (today, Friday) barring any hitches."

Accounting professors said regulators were likely to pay close attention to Signature’s appointment of Keisha Hutchinson, who was the lead partner on the KPMG audit team at the bank, to be its chief risk officer in 2021, less than two months after she signed the 2020 audit report.

Securities and Exchange Commission rules require a 12-month cooling off period before an audit partner is hired by a company into a role that oversees financial reporting, although that is usually interpreted to mean chief financial officer or financial controller roles.

KPMG has said previously that it stands behind its audits of SVB and Signature. It declined to comment further, citing client confidentiality.

“KPMG has long had a substantial and dynamic audit practice in the financial services industry. We conduct our audits in accordance with professional standards,” a spokesperson said.

The Fed’s report last week revealed the extent of weaknesses in SVB’s risk management and internal audit functions, both of which need to be assessed by a company’s external auditors.

A former PwC partner , Jeffrey Johanns, who teaches auditing at the University of Texas at Austin, said that could raise a question of whether KPMG should have highlighted these failings to investors as material weaknesses that could affect the financial results.

IN ALLIANCE WITH JIBRIN, AKPABIO GETS MOMENTUM, OVER 65 SENATORS SIGN, SUPPORT

stand down from the race, riding on the political morality that, for balancing and fairness, the office of the senate president should be conceded to the South East, a decision that would comfortably place him in a vantage position in the race.

However, as the jostling for the office of the 10th senate president gathers momentum, Akpabio has begun to leverage relationship and advantage as a former governor and senator to gain edge over other contenders to the office of the senate president.

TINUBU VOWS TO MAKE CORRUPTION UNATTRACTIVE, SAYS UNITY OF COUNTRY NOT NEGOTIABLE

Tinubu explained that he was yet to assume office and could not commit to the expenditure of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. He stated this to clarify his earlier response to Wike’s request for refund on federal government road projects executed by the Rivers State government.

The president-elect pledged to accomplish all his campaign promises, as Wike sought support for the incoming federal administration.

Tinubu said in the statement, “You don't expect your judges to live in squalor, to operate in squalor and dispense justice in squalor. This is part of the changes that are necessary. We must fight corruption, but we must definitely look at the other side of the coin.

"If you don't want your judges to be corrupt you got to pay attention to their welfare. You don't want them to operate in hazardous conditions."

Tinubu commended Wike for his

foresight in providing judges and magistrates the best working and living conditions. He noted that with such provision, the governor had shown sufficient support for the fight against corruption, particularly, in the judiciary.

He stressed that he was committed to the unity of Nigeria, vowing that all his political promises would be fulfilled while in office.

The former Lagos State governor said, "Whatever you (Wike) said yesterday (Wednesday), about owing or not owing, I am personally grateful to the man who brought me here. He didn't ask for a personal commitment, he asked for a policy commitment, which an incoming president has no authority to offer or approve.

"There can only be one president at a time. I cannot commit to expenditure on behalf of the outgoing president when I know my tenure has not started. Get educated, be

informed, please.

"I really thank you for being my friend, I fulfilled the promise that I made to the people of Rivers State and that is all I intend to do in all policy formations coming up.

“I promise Nigerians, the unity of this country is not negotiable. That is what Wike and I are promoting jointly."

The president-elect said lack of consumer credit that would make it easy for workers to acquire property, such as houses and cars, made them susceptible to corruption.

He added, "If you have consumer credit, that will reduce the propensity for corruption. We don't want our judges to play foul, to compromise justice. I promise we are going to review all of these in a policy think tank."

Tinubu reiterated his commitment to the unity of Nigeria, and promised to be fair to all.

Earlier, Wike said the magistrates’

ONAIYEKAN: IT’S SENSELESS TO SWEAR IN 2023 WINNERS

they have massive resources at their disposal.

According to the former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, it was overdue that the country must review its electoral system to ensure free and fair polls.

“I am saying this because according to the electoral law, the elections are not over until it is over. And there are cases in court that have not been disposed with. That is why we're in an anomalous situation.

“We have a declared presidentelect whose election is being challenged and the courts are handling it. I think I'm entitled to take the position that I'm still waiting for the courts to tell me who won the election.

“That is why I say we're in an anomalous situation. And I'm one of those who have been saying it doesn't make much sense to be swearing in people when they are still in court.

“I know it has happened with governors. But the outcome has really not been the best of all cases. I think we ought to review our election process so as to make sure that we do have a winner who will be sworn in and everybody will rally around.

I cannot understand it. I'm not a legal man. I'm not a judge.

“It's a pity that it's taking so long for the courts to make up their minds on this matter,” Onaiyekan added.

While calling for an overhaul of the entire electoral system, Onaiyekan stressed that the courts have had to intervene because the country’s balloting process was faulty.

“My problem now is that the whole system of our election needs to be properly reviewed. So that it should easier for winners to emerge according to the wishes of the people. I even have very basic questions.

“Do we really want democracy? From what we have seen from political actors, it seems many of them are not really interested in democracy. They want power by all means.

“This is an issue we must agree on. Do you know that for 30 years, this country was ruled by people who had guns, not by democracy. We were forced to obey everybody and they became presidents one after the other.

“But we agreed after that that was not the way for Nigeria to move. If we don't want it with people carrying guns, well, I don't think

complex contained 24 courtrooms, offices and other facilities meant to decongest the State High Court Complex and expand access to justice. He said his administration considered welfare of judges and condition of courts essential for speedy justice dispensation.

Wike charged the state judiciary to ensure proper maintenance of the edifice for which financial provision had been made. He thanked the president-elect for accepting to visit the state and commission the projects.

The governor advised the Rivers State Chief Judge not to allow the newly constructed Magistrates Court Complex to suffer neglect. He assured the judiciary that financial provision would be made for the maintenance of the complex for, at least, the first one year.

He stated, "As I am leaving office, in this one year, when I come here, I don't want to see and hear that it is dilapidated or it has deteriorated,

OF POLLS WITH PENDING COURT CASES

we should be accepting it with people who can just manipulate the system and frustrate the wishes of the people because they have resources,” he argued.

He opined that the country must not be made to wait endlessly for the court cases to be decided, stressing that once these cases are decided promptly, then Nigerians can rally behind the winners.

The bishop further stated that it would also give the declared winner the freedom to concentrate on governance, rather than being distracted by court cases.

“The country cannot wait indefinitely. The point I am making is that obviously, it is the people who decide who should be the ruler. But all things being equal, the process that INEC is supposed to work on should have brought out a winner that is acceptable to the people.

“The courts have come in because there's a discrepancy. It confirms my feelings that it is not right to have a system that is constantly contested.

“We should go and find out how it is that every election is being contested? And I think we need to look more carefully at

the constitution of INEC. How independent is it? How is it able to actually come out with the wishes of the people?” he pointed out.

He further posited that there were serious issues with the last election, opining that whereas Nigerians believed that the technology that was introduced would help, their hopes were dashed by the electoral umpire.

“I think the past election has shown very well that we have serious issues in this matter. We had hoped that technology will help us, but we also see now that technology is in the hands of human beings. So we should have to go back to ourselves as a nation. If we decide we will rule ourselves democratically, we must all accept the rules of democracy.

“And those who want to be in power should allow that rule to run its course. We are seeing so much discussion now about politicians and issues that concern them about who is going to occupy what position in the National Assembly.

“We are not hearing about what is going to happen to Nigeria and we have serious problems on our hands, in terms of security, economy and corruption,” he argued.

The former Minority Leader of it will be unfair.

"So each month, you'll get N20 million to maintain this place. So, we will give you one year (money) in advance so that you'll keep this place well."

Wike also told the Chief Judge, "it will be unfair that in your tenure that you cannot maintain this edifice. It will be quite unfair.

"Put it in your budget. I will plead with my successor that he should be releasing this money to you. Let them give it out to those whose responsibility is to keep it clean.”

Earlier, during a special state banquet in honour of Tinubu at Government House, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State governor advised those plotting to make Nigeria ungovernable for Tinubu to have a rethink in the interest of the country

The governor said what majority of Nigerians wanted was good governance. He said he was confident that Tinubu had the capacity to deliver on his electoral promises to Nigerians.

The Rivers State governor explained during his interaction with the president-elect, "The battle you have now is governance. What Nigerians want is good governance. And if we want good governance, then we must rally round the president-elect, because if he does not work, everybody will suffer and we will still continue to cry. What we need now is to say, Mr President-elect, we want to support you to better the lives of Nigerians."

The ceremony was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as Governors Muhammad Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

Also present were former governors Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), James Ibori (Delta), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), and Ayo Fayose (Ekiti). Others were members of the National Assembly; Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare; a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Betta Edu; and Chief Ayiri Emami, among others.

the senate, even as a first timer, is said to have in his camp at the time of filing this report, about 65 senators, who were said to have signed off their commitment, after declaring support for his ambition.

The senators, comprising new and old members, were believed to have lined up behind Akpabio, because of the need to balance the north/south dichotomy as well as faith at the top echelon in the power equation, since the incoming president, Bola Tinubu, and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, are Muslims.

Although the election of the leadership of the 10th senate promises to be testy as other power centres, interests groups and caucuses have risen up to the challenge that the ambition of their candidates had thrown up, there are other factors that stakeholders believe would inform the choice of the eventual winner.

Yet, with Barau, the senator representing Kano north in alliance with Akpabio, for the office of the Deputy Senate President, the conclusion that the tide might have begun to tilt in their favour, is arguably not unfounded and fast changing the game.

This, nonetheless, Oshiomhole has refused to give up on his aspiration, even though he has been quiet and discreet about it, hoping that things would soon get to a head and the current cards would be reshuffled to his advantage.

Oshiomhole, who is disadvantaged because he is not a ranking senator, is said to be relying on the provisions of the constitution, which allows all senators to run as a function of their fundamental human rights, and regardless of the extant rules.

But the fate of the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is dependent to a very large extent, on how the entire gamut of the aspirations of other qualified and aspiring senators, play out before June, when the leadership election would hold.

In the same vein, Kalu, who is seen by many of his colleagues and party members as having some credibility crisis hanging on his neck, thought he was not only qualified, but has the capacity and means to lead the senate.

In addition, Kalu held the view that zoning the seat to the South East would give the Igbo some sense of belonging as it would be seen as a conscious effort to address the alleged recurring marginalisation of the Igbo in the political arrangement of the country.

Nevertheless, while other contenders are still pulling strings to establish themselves in the currently fluid situation, there are clear indications to suggest that Akpabio might have taken a shocking lead in the battle for senate presidency.

TransitionNews

Ex-Agitiators Support Akpabio’s Bid for Senate Presidency

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Former Agitiators under the aspics of the Niger Delta Agitators Forum (NDAF) has thrown their weight behind a former governor of Akwa State, Senator Godwin Akpabio, for the 10thSenate Presidency. The ex-agitiators, who spoke through their Public Relation Officer, ‘Gen. Charles Kurobo, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, said their support for Akpabio’s choice as Senate President, was borne out his

development strides in Akwa Ibom state.

Kurubo, equally called on Presidential candidates of the various political parties including the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi, the People Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Atiku Abubakar and other aggrieved parties to congratulate the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

He urged them to withdrew their cases from the Presidential

Group Petitions Security over Alleged Plots By NLC to Scuttle Tinubu’s Inauguration

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), has written to security agencies to arrest the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, over alleged plots to scuttle the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, spokesperson of the group, Ali Muhammad, also alleged that, “Ajaero is working with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to actualise the presidential bid of Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded elections.

He said AYA had already submitted the petition to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of Department of State Services (DSS).

The group claimed that Ajaero was “using the Nigeria Labour Congress as a platform to achieve his personal agenda”.

It also accused Ajaero and the NLC secretary general of allegedly receiving one bullet proof SUV car each, to sabotage the planned workers strike against the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We regret that this is the first time in the history of NLC that two people from one ethnic group are occupying the office of President (Joe Ajaero from Imo state and Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja from Abia) at the same time, hence it is easy for them to prosecute the Biafra agenda

“In the petition, we drew the attention of the security agencies to open threats by Ajaero to scuttle the inauguration of Presidentelect, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Another important issue is, apart from threatening the judges handling the election petition tribunal, Ajaero has gone ahead to sabotage institutions of state in the name of strikes,” Muhammad said.

Election Tribunal and join hands with Tinubu, to build a new Nigeria that could compete with other developed countries of the world.

While eugolising the leadership and developmental milestones of Akpabio, he said

the former governor was the best governor Nigeria has ever produced as he turned Akwa Ibom state to a tourist destination.

“Note that when Senator Akpabio was governor of Akwa Ibom State, he was christened

the ‘uncommon governor’s due to his developmental strides by turning the state to an uncommon construction site.

“You are also aware that for equity, justice and fairness purposes; the Senate Presidency should be rotational in order to

imbibe the culture of belongings of every region.

“Note also that take South South geo-political zine play a pivotal role in the affairs of the country and should be carried along when making sensitive appointments.”

Arewa Group Endorses Sani Musa For Senate President

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Arewa Vanguard Initiative, has endorsed the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, as the President of the Senate in the 10th National Assembly.

The group stated this in a speech delivered by its Convener, Musa Salma, at a news conference, yesterday.

Salma said Musa sponsored many bills in his first term in office, setting a record in the Upper Chamber, which no newbie had ever achieved.

“Throughout his first term, he cumulatively sponsored over 40

bills, some of which scaled the first reading and public hearing to set yet another record.

“Some of the Bills sponsored by Senator Musa included, the Nigerian Civil Defence Academy Pandogari; Constitutional Court of Nigeria; Loan Recovery (Regulation); National University of Medical & Health Sciences Suleja; and the National Railway Corporation Act (Repeat & re-enacted)

“Others are the Institute of Information Communication Technology Suleja; Bill for an act to Amend the Orthopedic Hospital Management Board and to establish Orthopedic

Hospital Kuta; Rape and Insurgency Victims’ Stigmatization (Prohibition); Critical Infrastructure Protection; and the Federal Medical Centre, Kuta.

“They also included, the North-Central Development Commission; National Land Drainage Flood Control and other related matters; Federal Tertiary Teaching Hospitals Development Tax Fund and his Popular bill; Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill.

“I hereby present the most credible candidate, who has a brilliant understanding of our

country’s legislative sector, to be the head of our legislative arm and Senate President of the 10th National Assembly because of his firm grasp of the country’s law and commitment for a better and prosperous country.

“This endorsement of Senator Musa is based on his capacity, capability, and competence. Above all, he’s a loyal party member and true believer in the actualization of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu Renewned Hope agenda. Our Senator should choose competence over interest, capacity over alliance, credibility over domination,” Salma added.

Kayemo Tackles Onaiyekan, Says His Statements on Tinubu Unstatesmanlike

A former Spokesperson of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, has decried the comments attributed to Onaiyekan, saying they are unstatesmanlike.

In statement, Keyamo said:” Dear daddy Onaiyekan, you know we all respect you a lot, but your political comments are becoming unstatesmanlike. A statesman who doubles as a Man of God should strive to be fair to all. You didn’t say the same thing when (Olusegun) Obasanjo, (Umar)Yar’Adua, (Goodluck)Jonathan and Buhari

were all sworn in as Presidents when their cases were still before the courts.”

According to Keyamo, Onaiyekan chose to single out Tinubu “because the candidate you and your other religious brethren openly supported lost the election and you all feel humiliated and embarrassed. All issues raised against the victory of @officialABAT in court now (whether it is 25 per cent votes in FCT or the fake drug issue, etc), are not different from issues raised against previous Presidents-elect because basically the complaints have always been

that the declared victor did not win the election fair and square or was not qualified to contest the election. No disqualifying issue against a candidate can be greater than other disqualifying issues since a single issue can decide a case against a President-elect.”

“So, why all the fuse now? It has always been our electoral template since 1999 for the declared winners to be sworn into office in order TO AVOID A VACUUM and not to foist an unconstitutional contraption on the system whist the cases are in court.”

“My dear daddy, may I

respectfully advise that going forward, you and your brethren may consider stepping back from the deep and murky waters of politics and desist from descending into the arena of political conflicts where your children in your congregations find themselves on different sides of political divides, so it would be unfair to them for you to openly take sides. The embarrassment to the Body of Christ is getting too much and no politician is worth dragging this dignified body into unnecessary political controversy. Is this too much to ask, daddy?”

Musa Akpabio

NEW ALLIANCE...

Abe: My Relationship With Tinubu Beyond Party Politics

Says support to sustain battle eroded by Tinubu-Wike alliance

Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said his relationship with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu transcended party politics. He said his political group has always worked with Tinubu and described it as the best place to belong.

“We had always been with Asiwaju and that’s where we are. That’s fine because, that’s the right place to belong,” said Abe, who spoke on a live national television programme, monitored in Port Harcourt, where he also expressed regrets that a lot of SDP members and supporters in the state had been

imprisoned while several others were being arrested.

He stated that the alliance between Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wikeled G5 governors and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) changed the dynamics of politics in Rivers State.

“I think that one needs to be realistic in politics. You are not a stranger to the politics of Rivers State. As you will recollect, we have been in this game for quite some time and right from the time we were in the APC, we actually have been engaged in internal battles over the way things are being done in Rivers State.

“You know at the time we left the

APC to go to the SDP and contest the governorship of Rivers State, you will recollect that the President-elect now was in APC, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was in PDP and we went to the SDP to contest for the governorship of Rivers State against Governor Wike and his party.

“Now, in the course of that battle, the dynamics of the politics have changed. Wike and the G-5 now have an alliance with the APC at the national level and that alliance affected the dynamics of what is happening in the state.

“Now, we looked at it that if we continue our battle in the court at this point, we will end up in direct confrontation with the President-elect,

who has clearly by his body language and the alliance between the APC and the G-5, taken a clear position as far as the issue is concerned.

“So, a lot of the support, a lot of the goodwill that we enjoyed in this battle, right from the APC into the SDP has been eroded by that alliance. If we continue with this battle, we will be continuing on our own and we will not be able to get any institutional support.

“We saw the impact of this in the just-concluded elections. SDP and our supporters in Rivers State actually went through a lot. People were traumatised. As we speak, people are still being arrested. People were imprisoned; a lot of our followers are

in prison. People suffered so much.

“This struggle had been sustained by Rivers’ people, making little contributions; putting their hardearned resources together to fight against people, who are engaging in this battle with the support of public institutions with an unending war-chest. So, at this point, we are forced to question ourselves clearly at what we can achieve if we continue to propel this fight forward at this time.

“Are we still going to tell the market women, these traders, all these people who are bringing out their hard-earned and meagre resources to support us that they should continue to bring money that we are going to win, we will win

Wike, we will win Tinubu, we will win APC, we will win everybody on our own? Would that be the truth? So, we looked at all that and took that into consideration.

“If the music has changed, the drum beats have changed, the circumstances have changed, you need to take a second look at your plan and that is what we have done.

“Therefore, we have taken the decision in the interest of the state, in the interest of our own followers who have sacrificed and suffered so much. We will not continue a fight that we are not convinced we can prevail, given the changing dynamics of the political situation,” he concluded.

In Defence of Asiwaju’s Mandate and James Faleke’s Post-election Intervention Initiative

Seyi Babaeko

It was Martin Luther King Jr. who famously and succinctly declared that "we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

It is therefore in tandem with the above declaration of Dr. King that I want to most sincerely commend the dogged and laudable intervention of Hon. James Faleke, the outstanding lawmaker representing the good people of Ikeja federal constituency of Lagos state and the Secretary of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Council, for his firm, unwavering support and his initiative to mobilize Nigerians and lovers of democracy to defend the popular mandate given to the His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, President-Elect and His Vice respectively.

Clearly, there are attempts by those who lost the election and their retinue of haters of Nigeria to derail our democracy and truncate the transition process. However, the prompt initiative and strategic mobilization of Nigerians to defend the Jagaban mandate thwarted the satanic plans of truncating the transition process which will usher in a Better Nigeria on May 29th, 2023.

The daily sit-out at the Unity Fountain since 34 days ago, and the total takeover of the Unity Fountain from those hell-bent to destabilize the peace and progress of our dear nation by The Tinubu Support Groups led by the visionary and ebullient Secretary of the Directorate of Support Groups Coordination of the Presidential Campaign Council Tosin Adeyanju and A. A Maigogo Director Community Support Directorate of the dissolved PCC is laudable and highly commendable.

No doubt, it is not a crime to protest when the need arises but the fact that all aggrieved political parties have approached the court for redress of the matter to protest and calling for the military takeover and interim government is hypocrisy of the highest order. There is no alternative to democracy and ours has come to stay. It is on this basis that I salute the courage and the intervention of the "Best Executive Governor" Kogi State is yet to have, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, for his intervention in ensuring that the Asiwaju and Shettima Mandate is defended and protected. I do not doubt that history will be kind to Hon.

Faleke, the Tinubu Support Groups, the security agencies and Nigerians at large for their daily resolution in sitting out from morning till night to protect and defend the mandate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima mandate till inauguration on May 29th.

The initiative started 34 days ago and features a dancing competition, musical display, and quiz competition on the personality of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Other side attractions include drama, and cultural dancers representing about 10 different languages such as Kanuri, Tiv, Sua, Igbo, Yoruba, Nupe, Hausa, etc. as well as medical outreach for everyone at the Unity Fountain.

More importantly, there is an ongoing plan to commence an open discussion from the 1st of May, 2023 with the topic: "Actualization and Sustainability of the Renewed Hope: Expectations and Desirability" with different participants expected to be assessed by panellists. In addition, a skill acquisition and empowerment program has been lined up from the 5th of May to the 28th of May through the Pre-Presidential Inauguration Hangout training and empowerment programs such as Baking & Catering, Videography, Basic Vehicle Diagnosis/ Sewing and Phone Repairing. Other Skills Include Hair Styling, Barbing, Nail Fixing and Polishing, General Makeup and Body Therapy, Throw Pillows and General Inter Decoration, Shoe Making/Repairing, Vulcanizing, Tying And Dying, and Corporate Humidity/Multi Print.

The registration fee for the above-mentioned skills is free and open to anyone willing to learn any of the skills. No wonder, the president-elect

has referred to Hon. James Faleke as "Omo dada", meaning "good child".

The people's total commitment is a pointer that we cannot afford to lose at this ample opportunity of infinite hope, especially in this era of renewed hope for a better Nigeria that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents.

It is noteworthy to commend the solidarity and show of love of some dignitaries and notable Nigerians, captains of Industry and Political leaders like Hon Kuye, Hon Kolade Alabi, Alhaji Abdulfatah

A. Murkta, Chairman IPMAN, Mohammed Mubarak, Sen. Timothy Adudu, Dr. Hawal Hayatu DH NAMMBO and Chief Felix Idiga National Chair GOGAN, Mrs Ajayi Temitope (Mama Diaspora), Hon. Mary Ikoku, Chief Ayiri Emami, Sen. Diket Plang, Hon. Amobi Akintola, Members of House of Representatives, and Mr. Adamu Garba (former presidential candidate). Others are Alhaji Dokubo Asari, Hajia Bago, Ahmad Garba, Dr. Charles Silvester, Dr Nasiru Argungu, Saheed Balogun, Zack Orji, Benedict Johnson, Sheyi Tinubu, Dayo Israel, Sen. Asuquo Epkeyong (Cross River Central), Hajia Hadiza Mamman-Vasa and a host of others who visited the Fountain to show their solidarity with the noble cause.

Long Live The Tinubu/Shettima Mandate!

Long Live The APC & Tinubu Support Groups!! Long Live The Federal Republic Of Nigeria!!!

•Seyi Babaeko was a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Kogi West Coordinator of Asiwaju's Farmers Forum. He writes from FCT Abuja.

Tinubu

L-R: Senator Magnus Abe, President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, during Tinubu’s visit to inaugurate projects in Rivers State

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ACCESS BANK ALLIANCE FRANCAISE LIBRARY...

Like Senate, House Approves Buhari’s N22.7tn Ways and Means Loan Request

To consider reports on state of refineries, fuel consumption, Tuesday

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives, yesterday, approved the request by President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means advances the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) extended to the federal government.

The Ways and Means provision allows the government to borrow from the apex bank if it needs short-term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected

cash receipts of fiscal deficits.

The federal government had said it would repay the loan, which as at December 2022, stood at N22.7 trillion, with securities, such as treasury bills and bonds issuance.

Buhari in December last year asked both chambers of the National Assembly to approve his proposal, but the lawmakers, who had promised to consider the request before proceeding for the election break, failed to list it

for consideration during plenary in January.

Presenting the report at the Committee of the Whole yesterday, the relevant committees said, "That the House considered the Report of the Committees on Finance, Banking and Currency and Aids, Loans and Debt Management on the Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances and approved the recommendations therein (Laid: 2/5/2023), approve the requested additional N1 trillion

Ways and Means advances for the implementation of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act as passed by the National Assembly.

"Approve the securitisation of the total outstanding Ways and Means amount under the following terms: amount N23,719,703,774,306.90, Tenor 40 years Moratorium on Principal Repayment three years, pricing/ Interest Rate nine per cent per annum."

Fashola: Nigeria Better Now Than When Buhari Took Over

Says its foolish insisting country has 17 million housing deficit

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday opined that President Muhammadu Buhari was leaving Nigeria better than the way he met the country Fashola also said it was, “absolute foolishness” for some Nigerians to believe that the country has as much as 17 million housing deficit, maintaining that there’s nowhere in the world where that figure exists.

Speaking on ARISE News Channel, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, argued,

“Things are better. In the construction industry, they were laying off people when I took office, and that includes housing construction, and now they are employing more people."

"The support industry, mining for construction materials, sand aggregates, crushed tools, that industry capacity has doubled in the last eight years,” he posited.

For those who have plied the tortuous Benin-Sapele-Warri road in recent times, Fashola stated that the contract has just been awarded.

“Talking of Benin, Warri, Sapele road, we have just awarded the contract because we got funding from the NNPC. And there are other roads that we have not touched. And I understand that the ones that we have done are

no longer newsworthy,” he said.

Nigeria has a huge shelter problem, with a large number of the citizens going after the largely limited houses, making purchase and rental of accommodation extremely expensive, unaffordable and inaccessible for many Nigerians.

Although he admitted that Nigeria has an urban housing gap, Fashola stated that the deficit data quoted by several Nigerians was non-existent.

He disclosed that in the past, he had reached the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the World Bank as well as one of his predecessors in office to authenticate the information, which he said they all disowned.

“First of all, I am not disputing what doesn’t exist. I'm just telling you that it doesn't exist. If you have the figure and the basis for arriving at it, put it out and let us have a discussion about it.

“I am saying that the first figure that was in the public space, even when I was governor, was 17 million. When I became minister, I said, how did you arrive at it? I am here to solve problems.

“And in order to solve problems, I must diagnose and define the problems before I start implementing solutions. So if you tell me there were 17 million, how was it computed?

“And if you want to stick to a figure that doesn't exist, I can't

really stop you. But I'm saying that we should stop. This is absolutely foolish, because that figure doesn't exist. I don't know any nation that has a 17 million housing deficit. Please show me one,” he argued.

Fashola, added that while the then NBS Director General, Dr. Yemi Kale and the World Bank had disowned it, the minister of housing at the time who said she signed a foreword to a report, told him she signed without paying attention to the content because she was under pressure at the time.

“I've had a conversation with her. And she said she signed without paying attention. It was an error. And we are owning that error and racing down to the bottom with it.

“I admit there are deficits. The deficits are in the urban centres because people leave their homes in the rural areas to come and squat or rent houses in the urban centres,” he contended.

The minister however said he wasn’t sure of the current specific data, but that he had requested the National Population Commission (NPC) to add it to the items during the next nationwide census.

Fashola contended that if the Nigeria has a 17 million housing deficit, it presupposes that it has to do 17 million houses to solve the problem, explaining that there’s

no way Nigeria can have a gap of 17 million or even the new 28 million figure being touted.

“Nobody could provide an answer to how that figure was arrived at. They first told me it was the World Bank, the World Bank denied it, they told me it was African Development Bank, African Development Bank disclaimed it. I asked the NBS, Dr. Kale, at the time, he said no, that wasn't their figure and that he had doubts about the figure.

“But I finally found out that it was in a housing policy from this ministry in 2012, before my appointment, three years before my appointment, it was in the foreword of the minister. When I called her, she said, well, she just didn't pay attention and that she was under pressure when she signed,” the minister added.

While noting that there was a shared constitutional responsibility on housing between the federal government and the states, Fashola explained that the most problematic side has been rentals, urging the states to focus more on that.

“But the rental side, which is where there is more damage is not being addressed, and the federal government has no responsibility there. The federal government has fiscal responsibility in cost of foreign exchange and all of those things, because they impact the cost of supply,” he argued.

At the plenary, also, the ad hoc committees in charge of investigating the volume of fuel consumed daily and the state of refineries laid their findings and recommendations for consideration.

The ad hoc committees, respectively, chaired by, Hon. Abdulkadir Abdullahi and Hon. Ganiyu Johnson stated, "Ad-hoc Committee on the Volume of Fuel Consumed Daily in the Country: That the House do receive the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Volume of Fuel Consumed Daily in the country on the need to ascertain the actual daily consumption of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria (HR. 21/01/2022).

"Ad-hoc Committee on the State of Refineries in the Country: That the House do receive the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the State of Refineries to ascertain the actual Cost of Rehabilitating the Nigerian Refineries."

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who presided over the plenary session, directed the clerk to make copies of the reports available for consideration on

Tuesday.

Wase said, "Clerk, please, ensure all members get copies of this reports before Tuesday, because they are important and will help in decision making for the outgoing and incoming government."

Meanwhile, a Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Examinations Council (NECO) Act Cap. N37, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact the National Examinations Council Bill to Provide for making NECO National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BSCE), and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (Internal) (SSCE) compulsory for every Nigerian Child and Provide for the Removal of Clause, “without prejudice to the existing powers and function of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC),” from the Act and to design the scope of the power and functions of the Governing Board of the Council, was passed through second reading.

Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere sponsored the proposed legislation.

Corruption: ICPC Willing to Conduct System Study on Anambra Ministries

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed its preparedness to conduct systems study on ministries, agencies and parastatals in Anambra State, if invited by the state government.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Anambra State, ICPC office, Mr. Godwin Oche, stated this during a visit to the May congress of the Anambra Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Awka the state capital.

Oche, who was represented by the officer in charge of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Inalegwu Shaibu, said within months of the establishment of ICPC in Anambra State, the commission has achieved quite a lot.

Shaibu said: "We have achieved a lot within the few months we have been in Anambra State, and that includes systems visits to major institutions and holding

of trainings.

"Systems visit is a duty we undertake to institutions without informing them, to look at their operations and also advise them on what entails corruption and what does not.

"We are more concerned about federal organisations, but we will be happy if the state government approaches us to conduct systems studies on their organisations.

“We also hold trainings and workshops for staff members, because it is not everyone that knows what and what entails corrupt practices.

"We were operating from Enugu before now, but we just opened our Anambra office, and we are here to partner with you as journalists, to ensure that we fight corruption in Nigeria."

Shaibu stated some federal institutions in Anambra where they have conducted systems study to include; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

L-R: Head, Group Marketing and Retail Analytics, Access Bank, Toyin Henry-Ajayi; Director, Alliance Francaise, Lagos, Marc Brebant; Consul general, France, Lagos, Laurence Monmayrant; President, Alliance Francaise, Lagos, Abiola Williams-Otufale; Head, French Desk, Access Bank. Michael Wenegieme; and Branch manager, Access Bank Uchebenu Okecha during the official launch of Alliance Francaise Library, in Lagos…. yesterday

WORLD-CLASS CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FOR REFORMATION, REHABILITATION OF INMATES ON THEIR MINDS...

NSIA Launches Two Companies to Deliver Healthcare Expansion Plan

Receives medical diagnostics centre from Enugu govt

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the launch of two of its flagship companies namely the NSIA Advanced Medical Service Ltd (MedServe) and Equilease Systems Limited (Equilease).

Also, the NSIA has received the Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre from the Enugu State Government under its healthcare expansion programme. The launch and handover ceremony took place on the facility of the diagnostic centre in Enugu.

MedServe is being set up to serve as the vehicle to deliver NSIA’s healthcare expansion objectives. Its goal is to provide

high quality and affordable healthcare services and ensure equitable geographic access to these services across the country.

The company would develop, equip, and operate NSIA’s expanding portfolio of healthcare centres and offer first class medical services nationwide.

On the other hand, EquiLease is a specialised equipment leasing service provider. Conceived as a market disruptor, the company will provide medical equipment leasing services, leveraging its strategic advantage to catalyse investments in healthcare institutions and facilitating the acquisition of equipment to improve the quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

Equilease would partner with medical equipment manufacturers to offer innovative financing and leasing programs for advanced medical equipment.

At the onset, it would offer services exclusively to MedServe as an anchor client until the concept is proven.

The transfer of the Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre from the Enugu State Government to the Authority was part of the three-part event. Following the transfer, the Centre would be rehabilitated and upgraded to deliver both diagnostic and oncology services covering automated laboratory services ranging from imaging

to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, brachytherapy and much more.

The Centre would be managed and operated by MedServe while re-equipping will be delivered through the leasing services provided by EquiLease.

The complete overhaul of the Centre’s infrastructure would position the facility to meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services in the Eastern region of the country and beyond.

The official transfer was off the back of the agreements signed in September 2022, where both parties committed to it.

The handover of the facility signposts the commencement of NSIA’s healthcare expansion

Aba Power Crisis: Landlords Commend FG’s Intervention, Extension of Grace Period to 60 Days

Dike Onwuamaeze

Over 20,000 landlords in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have commended the Minister of Power, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu, for his last weekend’s intervention that led to the reconnection of feeders belonging to the electricity distribution companies in Aba, Kaduna, and Kano, which were cut off from the national transmission network for debts owed federal government’s agencies in the power sector.

The minister’s intervention also led to the extension of the period of grace given to the distributing companies to liquidate their debts with federal government’s agencies from 30 days to 60 days.

The landlords alleged that while all 29 Aba Power feeders were cut off for 10 days as a result of the N896 million indebtedness that threw the entire Aba Ringfence comprising nine local government areas into darkness, only three Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company’s feeders were taken off the national grid for four days for owing the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) N33 billion.

In a letter to the Minister of Power, the President General of Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association

(ALPADA), Mr. Alphonus Udeigbo, and Deputy President General, Mr. Leonard Onyemesiri, expressed gratitude to the minister, “for heeding the call to cancel the erroneous disconnection order by the TCN made against the Aba Power Electric Company Limited, which was obviously a breach of the market rules.”

Pledging to ensure that all their tenants and businesses pay their bills promptly henceforth, the landlords noted that the order by the TCN, “threw Aba and environs into darkness, untold hardship and humongous economic and human losses.”

In a previous letter last week to the Minister of Power, the landlords accused the TCN of breaching the 2010 Nigerian Electricity Industry Market Rules by giving Aba Power 30 working days from April 19, 2023, to clear its debt, but cut it off from the grid a few hours later.

The TCN violated its own decisions and rules with impunity, they claimed.

They also accused the market operator, a unit in the TCN, of contravening the market rules by not informing Aba Power of the decision to disconnect it from the country’s transmission network.

In separate letters to President

Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director General of the Department of State Security, among other key government officials, the Aba landlords had vowed to lead a peaceful protest this week to the Alaoji Transmission Substation on the Aba outskirts and occupy it if the order against Aba Power was not lifted immediately.

An Energy Consultant, Mr. Cliff Eneh, noted that the TCN’s order against Aba Power is deplorable because it was the first time in Nigeria’s history that an entire area covered by a distribution company has been plunged into complete darkness, but remarked that the situation would have been far worse for the whole nation if services at the Alaoji Substation were allowed to be disrupted.

“This critical transmission substation supplies power to the South-east and the South-south but also to the north.

“It is, therefore, a good thing that the Honorable Minister of Power intervened and forestalled the imminent shutdown of the Alaoji substation,” he said.

Both Aba landlords and Eneh

commended the minister for extending the grace period granted the Aba, Kaduna, and Kano DisCos to cure their debts to 60 days, stating that the minister must have taken into consideration the three months Nigerians suffered acute hardships arising from scarcity of petrol and Naira from January to March, which affected the electricity users’ ability to pay their bills.

The Aba landlords, however, joined the call for the probe of TCN’s Market Operator, Dr. Edmund Eje, for alleged selective punishment against Aba Power.

“It is most disheartening that Aba is the only DisCo ever completely disconnected from the national transmission network on the ground of a debt, which is almost insignificant compared with that of every of the other 11 DisCos in the country.

“It is the only one disconnected for up to 10 days, with severe consequences, and the only one given 30 business days to pay, but taken off the grid within hours rather than allow the period to expire,” the landlords alleged.

Udeigbo observed that selective actions like these ones tend to do grave violence to investor confidence in Nigeria, especially in the power sector which needs plenty of investments.

programme which would be executed in two phases.

Under the programme, the NSIA would develop 23 new modern medical diagnostic centres, three oncology centres, and seven catheterization laboratories across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Delivering his remarks on the three-part event, Mr. Aminu UmarSadiq, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NSIA said “Over the past five years, we have built a strong and successful portfolio of healthcare service delivery centres.

"The transfer of the Enugu Centre for upgrade and rehabilitation is one of the steps in our journey towards making healthcare accessible and affordable for all Nigerians. The Centre is one of the 23 centres to be upgraded for Oncology and Diagnostic services.”

Speaking further he described MedServe and Equilease as transformative, market-disrupting entities that will deliver a unique set of connected solutions to bridge the gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare industry.

He added that the outcome from the creation of the entities was expected to strengthen the industry’s value chain and

unclog the constraints created by insufficient financial investments, inadequate manpower capacity and substandard services.

"So today, Enugu joins Lagos, Kano and neighbouring Abia State where NSIA’s impactful healthcare projects are already saving lives and bringing succour to the people.

“NSIA is excited at the prospect of playing a central role in improving the quality of medical services and expanding healthcare infrastructure across the country starting with Enugu, through Medserve and EquiLease," he added.

Speaking at the event, m Governor of Enugu State said the physical and mental wellbeing of the workforce in any state is a function of the quality of healthcare services available.

He added: "Healthcare inexorably determines the direction of the economy. The partnership with NSIA to transform this facility with the promise of significantly better equipment and services will go a long way towards contributing to healthcare security in the state.

"With this, our state will be one of the few states equipped with world-class healthcare infrastructure and amenities.”

TNBA: BON Extends Voting Deadline to May 10

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has announced an extension of the voting deadline for The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA) to May 10, from the May 4 it was previously.

The announcement was contained in a statement by the awards Steering Committee, headed by Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce, President, Silverbird Group.

The committee explained that the deadline extension was to allow members of the public more time to vote for their preferred nominees in the various award categories.

Last week, the awards judges’ panel, headed by Mr. Emeka Mba, former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission

(NBC), released the nominees’ list after the completion of the shortlisting process. The awards ceremony would be held on 17 May.

“We decided to extend the voting deadline by six days to enable members of the public and shortlisted nominees’ colleagues vote for them in the various award categories radio and television broadcasting. Each voter is allowed a total of 100 votes that can be used as wished,” the statement said. The committee assured members of the public of the fidelity of the voting process, adding that the objective of the awards is to raise the broadcast industry standard by recognising and rewarding excellence in practice.

L-R: Chairperson, Edo State Parole Board, Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command of the Correctional Service, Philomena Emehinola Esq., and Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq, during a courtesy visit, at the Government House in Benin City

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR DIRI'S FATHER...

First

Ijaw Youths Council Backs NDDC's Railway Project in Niger Delta

Commission proposes N2.28tn three-year consolidated budget Lawmakers pass bill to make common entrance exams compulsory

Olusegun

Samuel in Yenagoa and Udora Orizu in Abuja

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has thrown its weight behind a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with the United States-based Atlanta Global Resources Inc. (AGRI) to build a railway network to connect all states in the region.

The IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the entire stakeholders in the region were excited over such move by the board of the NDDC and were eagerly waiting for the realisation of the project.

Igbifa, who described the development as a paradigm shift from the past focus of the NDDC on quick-win projects, said sustainable and enduring projects like the proposed railway network would surely stimulate such economic activities required to place the Niger Delta on the fast lane of development.

The IYC boss argued that such railway network if realised would be the first project for regional integration, a big ticket developmental initiative, which he said was in tandem with the core mandate of the NDDC.

Igbifa said Niger Delta stakeholders were praying for the NDDC to pursue the proposed project to a logical conclusion insisting that all traditional rulers, youth groups, women, among others were united and had queued behind the commission to see the project come on stream.

He assured the local and international partners of the project that the Niger Delta people were united in their quest to see such project of regional dimension take place in the Niger Delta.

Igbifa appealed to the partners not to allow any lone voice discourage them from working with the management of the NDDC to achieve the proposed feat saying the, "Niger Delta is bigger than any individual."

He, however, said youths and other stakeholders from the region would not allow a few envious and negative-minded individuals scuttle the proposed project.

He added: "When reports emerged from the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit organised by the NDDC that the commission had signed an MoU with a globallyrated US-based company to harness Technical, Materials and Financial Resources for a railway network to connect all the states in the Niger Delta, the region erupted in jubilation.

"We saw it as an answered prayer because we have been advocating a regional project of such magnitude to ensure developmental integration required to catalyse the economic growth of the Niger Delta.

"We have said that the core mandate of the NDDC is birthing big ticket projects that will link the entire Niger Delta State for sustainable development. NDDC was not created only to construct street roads and build houses.

“It was established to galvanise the rapid development of the region, which can only be achieved with projects of regional integration.

"All stakeholders in the Niger Delta are united to actualise this rail project. And we are asking the board of the NDDC not to allow the project die at the conception stage.

“We will hold the management of this commission responsible if it chickens out and develop cold feet towards the project.

"We want to assure all the partners to the signed MoU, local and international especially the USbased company, which is expected to bring Capacity partners needed to drive the project that we are excited about and will provide the necessary support to actualise it.

"We have surveyed the region and discovered that all the stakeholders are united towards the realisation

of this project. Therefore, there is nothing any lone voice can do to frustrate or scuttle it. We commend the board of the NDDC for conceiving this lofty project and assembling machinery to actualise it."

Meanwhile, the NDDC has proposed to spend N2.28 trillion for the three consolidated financial years of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The National Assembly had withheld the budget of NDDC for the three years because the commission had been without a governing board.

The federal government had in January, inaugurated the NDDC governing with Lauretta Onochie as its chairman and Samuel Ogbukwu as managing director.

Ogbukwu, appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC for budget presentation and defence said an aggregate expenditure of N485.7 billion was proposed for the Commission in 2021, N928.2 billion in 2022 and N876 billion for 2023.

He said the consolidated appropriation bill christened: "Budget of Rewind to Rebirth," was based on assumptions of revenue such as revenue brought forward, federal government contribution, unpaid arrears and recoveries by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ecological

Flood : HYPPADEC Awards Contract for N220m Erosion Control Project in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Apparently disturbed by the devastation of 2022 flood in Kogi State, particularly cutting off of Abuja- Lokoja highway, the Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has awarded a total contract sum of N220 million for erosion control project at Koton Karfi in Kogi Local government areas of the state.

The Managing Director, HYPPADEC, Mallam Abubarka Sadeeq Yelwa, disclosed this while handing over the contract of erosion control project at the Palace of Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfi, His Royal Highness Alhaji

Abdulrazak Isah Koto, yesterday.

The contract was awarded to ATMPSUDA Integrated Services Limited, which pledged to deliver the project in the town months.

Yelwa, explained that following devastating effects of the flood on the residents of ancient town of Koton Karfi, the commission had met with Kogi State Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Works and the community leaders on what to do about the perennial flooding in the community.

He noted that the decision taken at the meeting, “is what is happening here today,” adding that HYPPADEC has taken up the responsibility to control erosion through channelisation of some

river, drainage and construction of culverts where necessary.

The Managing Director told the traditional ruler and the local government chairman to, “as matter of urgency provide alternative place for dumping refuse,” stressing that, “dumping refuse in the water channels always cause obstruction for free movement of water and no matter how hard, water will find its level.”

According him, “the contractor is expected to hand over the project in the next eight weeks (two months) while the work is also expected to take off at River Akpendiri river at Sabon -garin area of Koton Karfi to burst out at a filling station along Lokoja

Abuja highway.”

Also speaking, a member of the governing council and elder statesman, Isah Ozi Salami, congratulated the royal father and people community for the quick intervention. He urged the people of community to cooperate with the contractor and ensured adequate security of the project, calling on the Chairman Kogi Local government area to provide adequate security .

Responding, the royal father , Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfi, Alhaji Abdulrazak Isah Koto, commended the HYPPADEC Managing Director for the flood mitigating intervention in Koton Karfi.

fund, oil companies contribution and other realised income.

The managing director said the revenue estimate included cash brought forward of N35.5 billion in 2021, N3 billion in 2022 and N5 billion in 2023; federal government statutory transfers of N85 billion for 2021 and N150 billion for 2022 and 2023 each fiscal year.

He said others are: "Unpaid arrears of N100 billion from the federal government for 2021, N504 billion for 2022 and N450 billion for 2023, being expected revenue from the federal government through recovery by the EFCC from oil companies.

Expected revenue of N250 billion from the oil & gas companies for 2021 and also for 2022 and also for 2023 fiscal year.

“Expected N15 billion from Ecological fund for 2021, N20.7billion for 2022 and N20 billion for 2023. N200 million is expected from internally generated (bank interests and sales of boarded items) for 2021 while N500million is expected in

2022 and 2023 respectively."

He said overhead costs were projected at N14.5 billion for 2021 and N16.5 billion for 2022 and N17.4 billion for 2023.

On the capital expenditure he said an aggregate sum of N440 billion is proposed in 2021 while N873 billion is proposed for 2022 and N820.5 billion for 2023.

Meanwhile at plenary, the lawmakers passed through second reading a bill which seeks to make common entrance exams compulsory.

The proposed legislation titled, “Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Examinations Council (NECO) Act Cap. N37, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Examinations Council Bill to Provide for making National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BSCE) and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (Internal) (SSCE) (1) Compulsory for every Nigerian Child," was sponsored by Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere.

Lagos State Commends WasteXchange, Urges Residents to Make Waste Mgt Way of Life

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Lagos State Government has commended the management of WasteXchange Limited for revolutionising plastic waste management and urged residents in Lagos to embrace it as a way of life.

The state government gave this commendation during that first year anniversary of WasteXchange, which is co-founded by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Fashola and Mrs. Yewande Soyannwo.

The event also witnessed the formal inauguration of the CocaCola Foundation’s grants of 500 kilograms bailing machine, 75kva, scale and working capital to the WasteXchange.

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, the General Manager of Lagos State Environment Protection Agency (LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said the state government was proud of its partnership with WasteXchange because “managing waste properly makes our job easier in protecting

the environment and also improves our economy and health.”

Fasawe stated that, “plastics are very recyclable. It does not biodegrade and we can use them for 100 of years as the empty plastic bottles can become chairs and tables, which ican become roofing materials and in turn processed into plastic slippers and school bags. This is what we call circular economy whereby someone’s waste is someone else’s raw material.”

She noted that people would save plastics when they know that it can earn them money by bringing them to recyclers, a culture WasteXchange is promoting through its “bring your pet bottles, cans and get instant cash on the spot.”

Fasawe assured that the state government is playing its role to ensure sustainable waste management in Lagos and is working hard to establish mechanised dumpsites in the state.

L-R: Former

Lady, Dame Patience, her husband and Former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the Service of Songs in honour of the governor’s father, late Pa Abraham Diri, at the Peace Park in Yenagoa ... yesterday

POLITICS

As Internal Crisis Rocks Labour Party...

Barely three months after the general elections, Labour Party, otherwise known as Third Force Movement, is still enmeshed in internal squabbles that currently threaten its existence.

With a parallel National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, parallel screening of governorship candidates, parallel primaries in three states and with two factions of the party laying claim to the leadership of the party, more serious turbulence seems to await Labour Party.

The Bashiru Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party is bent on having its pound of flesh on the embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure and his loyalists in the party.

The stiff resistance by one faction in one hand and the flexing of muscle between factional leaders of the party who are currently laying claim to the legitimacy of the party’s leadership gives the impression that there is more to it.

More so, the legitimacy of the Abure led National Working Committee will be further reinforced if Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) vacates an interim order restraining Abure from his position as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Recall that the judge had on April 5 issued an order restraining Abure as well as the National Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim; National Organizing Secretary, Oluchi Opara and National Treasurer, Clement Ojukwu from parading themselves as leaders of the Labour Party pending the hearing of a suit seeking their sack over allegations of fraud, among others. The order followed a suit challenging Abure and his co defendants’ continued stay in office.

Justice Hamza Muazu had fixed May 12 to decide on whether or not to lift the suspension order placed on the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Julius Abure and others from parading themselves as officers of the party.

The court had upon an ex parte application on April 5, restrained Abure, Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim (National Secretary); Oluchi Opara (National Treasurer); and Clement Ojukwu (National Organising Secretary), from further parading themselves as party officials.

Similarly, on Monday April 17, Justice Muazu declined a request to vacate the interim order restraining Abure, Ibrahim, Opara and Ojukwu from further parading themselves as national officers of Labour Party.

At the resumed hearing of the suit on April 17, Abure and his co defendants in their preliminary objections had maintained that the suit borders on leadership crisis, which they argued, is an internal affair of the party.

Arguing through their counsel, Ben Nwosu, the defendants insisted that the issue being an internal affair of the party, cannot be adjudicated upon by any court.

It was the argument of the defendants that the suit was incompetent and that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

On their part, the eight claimants represented by George Ibrahim, asked the court to dismiss the defendants’ preliminary objection and grant their reliefs accordingly for being meritorious.

Ibrahim told the court that the Claimants have also filed contempt proceedings against Abure, his co-defendants and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress for allegedly acting in breach of an existing order of court.

He informed the court that in spite of the subsisting interim order, the defendants went ahead and held an executive council meeting.

After taking arguments from counsel involved in the matter, Justice Muazu fixed May 12 to rule on the preliminary objections

which is to determine whether the suspension order would continue against Abure or not.

But sources in the party who spoke with THISDAY in confidence lamented the continue delay in the process to vacate the order raises salient questions about the sincerity of the court.

Recall that on April 6, seven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party, announced the replacement of the suspended chairman of the party, Julius

Abure with the National Vice-Chairman (South), Lamidi Bashir Apapa, as the acting chairman of the party.

Speaking after an emergency meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Apapa said the NWC members acted on the judgement of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court which restrained Julius Abure from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

Apapa had told THISDAY that he would vacate office as soon as the court vacates

its initial order. But the crisis seems to have taken another dimension despite calls and advice by interested parties on the warring factions to shield the sword now to resolve the crisis as events in days/weeks ahead may likely get messier.

Allegations and counter allegations

The Abure-led faction has continued to allege that the opposition has infiltrated the party using some of its members to undermine the party’s petition at the election petition tribunal, specifically, the petition brought before the court by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

They have accused Apapa and his team of selling out to the opposition. But Apapa has also continued to dismiss the allegation, pledging his loyalty to Peter Obi and the cause the party had set out for.

Apapa said in his position as pioneer member of the party, he cannot descend to destroying a house he built.

Arabambi alleges threat to life

The embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, has raised the alarm over threat to his life insisting that he remains the party’s national spokesperson

Arabambi in a petition written to the Inspector General of Police and the Director of DSS, and made available to THISDAY, said that he has contributed “to the progress and development of our Political Part (LP) for the past 14 years including being a Plaintiff or Defendant in defence of the Labour Party”.

In the petition, he said he has acted in the capacity of the National Publicity Secretary of the party projecting the good image and reputation of the party in line with its lofty ideals and objectives as stated in the Labour Party’s constitution.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Time for North Central to Produce Speaker of 10th N’Assembly

Abdullahi Sadeeq Musa writes that the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress should consider the North Central zone for the position of the Speaker of the 10th National Assembly

The APC should stick to the principles of equity, fairness and justice by zoning the speakership position to the North Central zone. In the annals of Nigeria’s legislature, out of the zones that have occupied the seat, the North Central has had the shortest stint, only for three months. All the other zones have held it for several years, excluding the South South.

The only time the North Central held it was in 1983, when the NPN administration of President Shehu Shagari won a second term and late Hon. Akkai Chaha Biam from Benue was elected speaker and served from October to December of that year before the military came and sacked the Second Republic.

In the First Republic, Chief Jaja Wachukwu from the South East became the first indigenous speaker shortly before independence in 1959 and handed over to Ibrahim Jalo Waziri from the region now known as North East in 1960.

Also, in 1979, Chief Edwin Umezeoke of the NPP from the South East steered the ship of the House between 1979 to 1983.

The Ibrahim Babangida administration inaugurated a federal legislature that served under his military government, the South East took the slot of speaker.

Agunwa Anaekwe from Anambra state served as speaker between 1992 and 1993.

The South East held the position thrice.

From 1999 to 2007, the position was zoned to the North West with Salisu Buhari, Ghali Na’aba and Aminu Masari holding sway.

Between 2007 to 2011, the South West had it with Dimeji Bankole and Patricia Olubunmi Etteh as speakers.

Between 2011 to 2015, Aminu Tambuwal from the North West presided over the House.

Yakubu Dogara from the North East presided over the House between 2015 and 2019.

It is pertinent to note that the North

Central contributed impressively to the success and victory of the APC during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Infact, the APC won four out of the six states of the North Central. The zone gave Asiwaju Bola Tinubu 1, 670, 091 votes even more than what he got from the North East (1, 190, 458). The party lost in the North West states of Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto.

Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended says, “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies shall be carried out in a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies, in order to command loyalty and peaceful coexistence”.

It is against this backdrop that the North Central should be considered. The APC leadership should redirect its attention to the North Central instead. Zoning the position to the zone is germane for national cohesion, unity and development.

Lawmakers from North Central in the Speakership race include Tunji Raheem (Kwara), Idris Wase (Plateau) and Yusuf Gagdi (Plateau).

-Musa writes from Abuja

Emameh Gabriel writes that there appears to be no end in sight to the crisis rocking Labour Party at the national level.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPERATIVES OF NDDC, PPP SUMMIT

As an interventionist agency, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the mandate to drive the process of developing Nigeria’s oil-rich region was established by the NDDC Act of 2000. Its mandate was to facilitate the rapid, even, and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful.

See page 21

WOMAN PRESIDENT NIGERIANA

OKELLO OCULI

writes there are many enemies at the gates

It is no longer news that the Niger Delta produces nearly 75 per cent of the nation’s export earnings, but the news is that 43 per cent of the region’s population still lives below the poverty line. This paradox is due primarily to ecologically unfriendly exploitation of oil and gas resources that expropriate the region’s indigenous people and their right to these resources. Hence, the Niger Delta Development Commission is determined to change this narrative and bring back prosperity to its land and people.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the story of the oil-rich region has changed for the better since the coming on board of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of the Commission. Since he he has been able to articulate the demands of the people, embarked on practical initiatives to complete the gargantuan projects which he met and conceived, and carried out the execution people, and by so doing, calmed the restiveness which abinitio signposted the region.

At the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit which was held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos State on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Dr. Ogbuku made it clear that since its inception, the NDDC had tried to faithfully deliver on its mandate to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region as envisioned in its enabling Act.

See page 21

EDITORIAL

STEMMING MOB JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

Speaking on the theme of the Summit: “Rewind to Rebirth” and re-igniting the importance of stakeholders in the agency’s engagements,” Ogbuku disclosed that as part of Governing Board has stepped up collaboration with various stakeholders. “We have started engagement with the key stakeholders, such as the oil companies, who contribute three per cent of their operational budget to the Commission; the state governments, traditional rulers, Civil Society Groups, youth organisations, and contractors,” he said.

He disclosed that the NDDC has met with members of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who are no doubt critical stakeholders of the Commission. “This group, which embodies the International Oil Companies (IOCs), stands out for us because we need their cooperation to get full and prompt remittances of their contributions as prescribed by law,” he stated.

He maintained that it was important to engage stakeholders in project conceptualisation and execution, adding that the oil producers work in information on the needs of the local people. He explained that the NDDC could not shoulder

the enormous responsibilities of developing the Niger Delta region alone.

It was against this background that the current Board and Management of the agency, development in the region, decided to adopt the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to provide an alternative source of funding for key development projects and programmes. That was why in January 2023, it constituted a Management Committee on Public-Private Partnership to drive the vision of fast-tracking the development of the region. The committee is expected to review all the Commission’s existing partnerships as well as explore new partnerships that will result in enduring regional projects.

Ogbuku emphasised the need for institutional collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and international institutions. “We need the assistance of foreign institutions such as multilateral agencies, foreign government agencies, donor agencies, and multinational corporations, to promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region,” he said.

His targets are multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) which can provide technical support, funding, and policy advice to the NDDC. These agencies, according to him, have wide experience promoting sustainable development in developing countries and can give us valuable insights and direction.

Other foreign government agencies he is looking at include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department for International Development (DFID) in the UK, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), which he disclosed, could equally partner with NDDC to promote sustainable development in the region. “These agencies can provide funding, technical assistance, and policy guides, as well and projects. Multinational corporations such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Total, have We expect them to collaborate more with us in executing legacy projects. They have what it takes to provide funding, technical assistance, and expertise in environmental management, community development, and corporate social responsibility,” he said.

Ogbuku explained that the ‘Rewind to Rebirth’ initiative, was a strategic vision designed to recalibrate the Commission’s engagement with the Niger Delta and the NDDC’s overall intervention implementation plan. Embedded in this initiative include exploring more avenues for funding, better technical expertise, for higher yielding varieties of crops, as well as opportunities for collaboration and investment in the Niger Delta region. This initiative aligns with the NDDC mandate, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals 17, which focuses on partnerships. This is the stirring story of the Commission’s partnership with the SPDC Joint Venture on the celebrated Ogbia-Nembe Road, in Bayelsa State.

As a realist, he did not forget to mention some of the challenges confronting the NDDC development roadmap which he said included inadequate funding for the Commission, emanating from inconsistent statutory contributions from the Federal Government and failure of some oil and gas companies operating within the region to remit their contributions in line with the NDDC Act; Failure of ownership of the Masterplan by the sub-nationals and other key stakeholders; Frequent changes in the leadership of the Commission and Consistent delays in the passage of the Commission’s budget by the National Assembly, among others.

He assured: “Today, we have introduced a lot of innovations that have helped in restructured the administrative system of NDDC by going back to the 13 Directorates recognised in the NDDC Act. It was necessary to reorganise the administration to enhance better service delivery. We are showing in our operations, through our example and conduct, how diligence, due process, and transparency trust among all partners and stakeholders. We are committed to not just being transparent, but we want to be seen to be transparent.”

Stakeholders and political leaders used the encomiums on the minister of Niger Delta

in the agency through their commitment to good governance.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide; Senator-elect and former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole; former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, were among those, who acknowledged the transformation of the commission under Umana and Ogbuku leadership.

Etim, the media assistant to the NDDC managing director, writes from Port-Harcourt

POWER: EXITS AND ENTRANCES

Power is temporary. Make good use of it while it lasts, writes JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

The new leadership of the intervention agency in the Niger Delta is exploring an innovative approach to its task, writes WILLIE ETIM

Power is temporary. Make good use of it while it lasts, writes

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

POWER: EXITS AND ENTRANCES

During my Junior Secondary School years at King’s College in Lagos, I had the privilege of reading the news to the school assembly alongside my dear friend, Jide Jacobs. We would read the news just before our highly respected principal, the late address. Legendary producer, Cobhams Asuquo once assisted our mini news production with an introductory sound. of music and swiftly put a stop to it. We

is a reason, without the moderating power of the constitution, most people prefer to stay put in power. It is not just because of the privilege and the unending rewards it appears to deliver to those who wield it, it is also because of the general feeling that there is still more to be done. Indeed, work it going.

Everything will come and go, including power. What would be left is your legacy. Four or years years, in many ways, is a long time. In hindsight, in the mind of the person that spent it wielding power, it often appears a really short time. That is not just because power appears to be sweet, it is because in the neck-breaking speed of your new life and the endless activities, without the glitz and the show and before you know it, it is over. As new individuals take on these opportunities and unrealized potential. It is only then that they may come up with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives that during their tenure.

OKELLO OCULI writes there are many enemies at the gates

WOMAN PRESIDENT NIGERIANA

The low successes by female candidates in the 2023 election results (as announced 2023), has been overshadowed by criticisms presidential positions.

When Christian worshipers celebrated the symbolism of the triumphant resurrection of evil opponents, there was no reference to the fate of women in politics. And yet there was reason for some cheer.

At one of the rituals for self congratulation for performance as Governor of Rivers State, Nisome Wike, reported that each of 23 local governments had elected a FEMALE Deputy Chairperson. The State also elected a female Deputy Governor in a repeat of his own government. These were clearly results of executive intervention.

The contest in Adamawa State is a case of opposing sources of facilitation. The

Amilcar Cabral had warned PAIGC that anti-women attitudes and cultural beliefs persist during liberation wars and can be very harmful if not combated. Museveni’s ‘’Movement’’ directed that women must be included from the ward level to the leadership of the national parliament. A cabinet minister said (in a television documentary by Debrah Ogazuma) that male voters expect her to go on her knees when canvassing for votes in rural communities.

In my oral interview in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, several male respondents attributed the high number of women in the country’s parliament to President Kagame fearing opposing views by male MPs and cabinet ministers. They ignored the intellectual versatility of women as ‘’multi-taskers’’, and managers of consensus and peace among diverse personality traits among their own children, as vital for public policy-making and administration.

creativity as young people would do. The bit that made me recall this memory comes

This continues to be one of my most enduring memories from this period. To close the news, we would leave the audience with a memorable line or quotation. On this occasion, we picked a line from William Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like. It’, from the Seven Ages of Man’,

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances…

to close. This was to emphasize to our fellow

Cup because after all, it would come and go. The World Cup indeed came and was soon over. Here I am, a quarter century and six more editions later writing about it, the memories as fresh as like it was last Friday. That experience left me with many lessons, two of the biggest ones are that whatever has a date will soon arrive and whatever starts, no matter how exciting, will soon end. These lessons help one to have an appreciation for every great opportunity without getting lost in its allure. You are left experiencing the grandest stages with enough detachment to see yourself as you go along.

If you want to experience a faster year, just plan a to-do list that goes from January to December. If you want to experience a a schedule, time moves forward, and days, weeks, and years pass by in the blink of an eye.

These lessons are particularly relevant for those in power. Whether through death, other vicissitudes of life or in the case of the government, the constitution or some other form of removal, a time would come when your watch is over. If you were doing any watch. What will be left is your legacy. There

This is a lesson everyone must keep to heart. We humans have a good memory, but we often forget. Once distractions like wealth, power and fun set in, we either forget or refuse to remember the guiding principles we hoped we would live when those same opportunities found their way to us.

We are now at that point, even before a handover, where some people’s phones are beginning to ring less and some other people’s phones are ringing a lot more than usual. At equilibrium, just after hand over, the former’s phone will stop ringing and the latter’s phone will not stop ringing. on this just after his time as Senior Special Adviser to the President.

We all need anchors, values and words to live by and people. People who will not be afraid to tell you as it is. People in the presence of whom your titles and portfolio only have meaning as much as they must more than you always were to them, say a friend, sister or brother. Even with these people, you must be certain to have layers of them because some of them could get to the corridors of power than even you at its core. We have seen this happen. realizing how much you want to get done You must design an agenda and commit to had power but never really did much with it.

In the end, you must seek to do your best and ensure that best meets certain minimum standards. That is not to say everyone will agree you did enough, but the records are temporary, but legacies are forever. That way you are not left with needing twitter threads to show workings that aren’t there.

Omojuwa

is chief strategist, Alpha Reach, and author, Digital Wealth Book

incumbent governor may have roots in of Yohana Madaki to serve as a Military Administrator of Gongola State. The Emir of Muri was reported to have lobbied against Colonel Madaki due to a conviction that he hated feudal rulers.

The CONCORD newspaper published a cartoon of Madaki and the Emir in a boxing ring, while a hand pulled Madaki’s singlet from outside the boxing arena. The words:’’Guided Missile” accompanied the action. The newspaper was owned by M.K.O. Abiola who was reported to be a

politician to contest for the post of State Governor in the 2023 election was vigorously opposed by leaders in All Progressive Congress who preferred a male candidate. her legitimacy as the party’s candidate. The ethnic and class groups that Madaki to be her main support base.

The strength of her appeal is said to have forced the Peoples Democratic Party to choose a female candidate for the Deputy Governor post to appeal to women voters.

outing must be counted as a gain for women’s political aspirations towards the 2027 elections.

The theme of executive sponsorship being a critical factor were shown in Uganda and Rwanda following their military conquest

Women activists accepted the formula of allocating 30 percent of seats in elected bodies. This mathematical minority would contradict a population divide of women being numerically higher struggles against persons running on morbid intolerance of women and their visibility in policy arenas.

Senegal evolved a novel measure. With reference to their pre-colonial governance, they outlined the place of women in community management, and took the decision to adapt the past people who with open dialogue agreed on the formula each political party contesting an election must present 50 percent each of female and male candidates.

In recent issue what is widespread is the denial of education to female children on the view that she will export her trained skills to the family/country of her husband. This assumes that no of intermarriages.

Moreover, research has shown that girls are more likely to support their parents rather than boys who focus on their own children.

The current pandemic of murders of women and girls in South Africa has roots in the humiliations, and violence

In Nigeria an assembly of the Council of State, the Clergy, Journalists/ Academia; Women associations; midwives should analyse forms of oppression in Nigeria in the last one relations with, and violence against, women.

The product would guide policies that and political leadership. Imaginative tools for curative education would be crucial.

Prof Oculi writes from Abuja

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

STEMMING MOB JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

Crime suspects should be tried speedily

Last Wednesday, a gang of armed robbers invaded a house in Ezi-Ogidi in the Idemili North local government area of Anambra State. But residents of a neighbouring community in Oyi local council quickly mobilised and intercepted the criminals, and thereafter alerted the police operatives in the area. Ironically, before the police arrived, one of the two suspects had been set ablaze. Last April 10, a civil-engineering student at the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Okoli Ahinze, was beaten to death by a group of students who accused him of stealing a mobile phone.

The frequency of mob killings in Nigeria demonstrates that we are teetering towards a lawless society. Just recently, two men were set ablaze and burnt beyond recognition. The allegation was that they robbed a Point of Sale (PoS) attendant in the Igando area of Lagos. What is more worrying is that a lot of times, innocent citizens are often the victims of this brand of mob justice.

Meanwhile, the rule of law, as opposed to that of the jungle, presupposes that whatever may be the situation, everybody is entitled to a fair trial before punishment can be meted if found guilty. But as more and more Nigerians shun the instrumentality of the law in the settlement of disputes, many innocent citizens are getting maimed and killed. It is therefore important that Nigerians rein in all impulses to violence, selfhelp, or any other form of extra-judicial killings in the settlement of disputes. Under the rule of law, it is the sacred duty of the judiciary to safeguard the rights and liberty of citizens. And the right to life is the ultimate measure of all rights.

Authorities should be concerned that across the country, many Nigerians are increasingly taking

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

Letters to the Editor

the law into their hands and delivering ‘instant’ ranging from robbery, rape to witchcraft can lead to ‘death sentence’ without victims given any chance to defend themselves. Even more odious, circulated on social media. Not long ago, no fewer than four suspected kidnappers who were alleged to have feigned insanity were killed in mob attacks in Ilorin, Kwara State. The hapless victims were beaten to a coma before being burnt alive.

The spike in cases of jungle justice raises some pertinent questions. Why are more people resorting to mob justice? Why is the public becoming increasingly impatient in following the dictates of the law? Is human life no longer sacrosanct in Nigeria?

The answer is a combination of all this. There is some form of jungle justice in many societies, but what is troubling here is that the propensity for dispensing this brand of justice is becoming increasingly high. We therefore believe that the government should crack down on the perpetrators of such heinous acts to ensure that only the courts can give a guilty verdict and stipulate the commensurate punishment.

But we are also aware that the judiciary is also part of the problem. Some criminal trials go on the notion that they can never secure justice. And for that reason, many do not see anything wrong in taking the law into their own hands.

There is therefore an urgent need for critical stakeholders in the justice sector to investigate all the problem areas. The police and the courts must collaborate to ensure that crime suspects are given speedy trials at the end of which those found guilty must be punished according to law. That perhaps may stem the barbaric regime of jungle justice.

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

LETTERS

IMPERATIVE OF REDUCING COST OF GOVERNANCE

If there is one persisting, yet critical issue of national importance that must be frontally tackled by the incoming administration, it has to be that of drastically reducing the huge cost of governance. So debilitating it has become that it is weighing down the steps towards economic recovery.

Though the cost of governance is that incurred by the government in the course of providing goods and services to the the human development index are humongous and unsustainable.

For instance, as at April 2023 it was revealed that Nigeria reportedly spends 96.3 percent of its revenue on debt servicing! That is up from 83.2 percent in 2021. And the World Bank has the nation’s public debt stock. But that is just part of the scary

Similarly, the percentage of GDP that our political leaders spend on running government rose from 12.82% in 2018 to 12.52% in 2019; slowed down to 12.08% in 2020 but escalated to 13.34% in 2021. It went to 14.27% in 2022 and is currently esti-

mated at 14.24 % in 2023. That is according to Staista.com.

According to the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) ranking Nigeria has over 70 percent of the hapless citizens living below the poverty line, with infant/child and maternal mortality still one of the highest in the world. Apart from unemployment rate put at over 40 percent, life expectancy has reduced such that it stands at 52 years!

In fact, so dire and desperate the economic situation has beVincent Ahonsi, the country director, has advised the incoming government to take urgent steps to drastically reduce the twin evils of hunger and poverty ravaging our dear country.

Oxfam has also advised that more budgetary allocation should go to Nigeria’s education, health, and agricultural sectors while small and medium scale enterpises (SMEs) should attract government funding. Also, focus on tackling discrimination against women and persons living with disabilities in the country is being canvassed.

Lest we forget, Nigeria was rated as one of Africa’s worst governed countries according to the Ibrahim Index of African Gov-

ernance[IIAG]. That was back in October, 2014. And in November, 2017 it was ranked 35 out of 54 African countries overall.

In another IIAG report, Nigeria scored 45.8 percent as against the African average of 51.5 percent and ranked 37th out of 52 in the overall governance scale. The country scored lower than the regional average for West Africa which stood at 52.2 percent and ranked 12th out of 15 in the region.

On the other hand, Mauritius was adjudged the best governed country in Africa, with 81.7 percent, followed by Cape Verde, with 76.6 percent. The IIAG, published every two years, is the most comprehensive dataset measuring African governance performance.

While over time, concerned Nigerians, including seasoned economists such as the former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Alex Otti, former Managing Director of the defunct Diamond Bank and the incoming governor of Abia state have warned against the high cost of governance in Nigeria, the powers that be have taken it all with a pinch of salt.

Ayo Oyoze Baje, Lagos

It is important that Nigerians rein in all impulses to violence, self-help, or any other form of extra-judicial killings in the settlement of disputes

RATES AS AT MAY 4,2023

Despite Increase in Airlines’ Capacity, Airfares Still High at Low Season

Chinedu Eze

Low passenger traffic with accompanying low fares that follow the Christmas season in the previous years has not been witnessed this year, as the cost of tickets are still very high, despite increase in capacity by airlines.

With the increase in capacity, which makes more seats available for domestic air travel, industry observers are of the view that the

relatively low demand should have pushed down the fares.

THISDAY investigations disclosed that the base fare for many airlines is still N50, 000, except the low cost carrier, Green Africa, whose fare starts from N35, 000 and Dana Air whose base fare is N41, 000, despite the fact that about three new airlines have received certification to begin schedule passenger service, yet operators are not persuaded by

the stiff competition ahead to lower their fares.

“Base fare is dependent on when you buy your ticket. It starts from that N50, 000 and could rise to N96, 000 to N100, 000; while business class rises from N96, 000 to N150, 000 depending on demand by passengers. Passenger traffic is still high for such destinations as Asaba, Owerri, Uyo, Abuja, Akure, Enugu and even Anambra airport at Umueri, where Air Peace and

United Nigeria Airlines operate three weekly flights to,” a travel protocol official told THISDAY.

Senior member of Airline Operators of Nigeria and the President/CEO of Top Brass Aviation Limited, Captain Roland Iyayi, told THISDAY on Wednesday that the reason why airfares are still high despite the low season is because of cost of operation, saying that aviation fuel is costing more.

“There is high cost of maintenance,

there is high cost of aviation fuel and cost of foreign exchange is still very high; so, the airfares are reflective of what is in the market. Any airline that sells ticket at less cost is waiting for accident to happen. You cannot operate below your cost of operation. Although there are indications that there should be high capacity but the truth is that capacity has reduced. Azman Air has stopped flying due to maintenance issues, Air Peace has many of its aircraft due for

maintenance or return to service from maintenance but because of scarcity of foreign exchange the aircraft are not ferried back to the country to start flying. These are factors that gave rise to the high cost of tickets,” Iyayi said. He also remarked that the high cost of aircraft insurance contributes to the high fares, noting that Nigerian airlines are

Continued on page 25

Private Sector Productivity Grew in April as Cash Crunch Eases

Dike Onwuamaeze

The easing of cash crunch that prevailed in the first quarter this year has restored the Nigerian private sector on the growth path as the productivity of the sector rose from 42.3 points in March to 53.8 points in April.

This was revealed by the recently released Stanbic IBTC Bank’s Nigeria’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for the month of April 2023, which stated that there were signs of recovery in the Nigerian private sector in April as the cash crisis eased.

It said that Nigerian companies recorded a renewed expansion in purchasing activity at the start of the second quarter, thereby ending a two-month sequence

of decline. It also attributed the higher input buying to improving customer demand.

The PMI stated, “business activity in Nigeria returned to growth at the start of the second quarter of the year as improvements in cash availability helped lead to an increase in customer numbers.

“The sharp rise in output was the first in three months, and most pronounced since April last year. Rebounds in activity were seen across each of the agriculture, manufacturing, services and wholesale and retail

“Improving demand amid an easing of the cash crisis and signs of business conditions normalising supported a renewed expansion in new orders in April. As was

the case with output, growth of new business ended a twomonth sequence of decline. Moreover, the pace of increase was substantial.”

The report also said that the rise in total new business was supported by a marked improvement in new export orders as April saw new business from abroad increase for the second month running, with the rate of expansion accelerating from that seen in the previous survey period.

According to the Head of Equity Research West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Muyiwa Oni, firms in the private sector reported renewed expansions in new business and output amid improved access to funds.

Oni added, “the headline PMI moved back above the 50.0 nochange mark for the first time in three months during April. At 53.8, the index was up from 42.3 in March and pointed to a solid overall improvement in business conditions in the private sector.

“There were mixed trends in terms of prices at the start of the second quarter. Input costs increased at a sharper rate, but further efforts to attract customers led firms to increase their selling prices at the softest pace for three years. It should be stated that headline figure is derived from the survey is the PMI and readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions on the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show

a deterioration.”

He said that the recovery in operating conditions reflected an easing of the cash crisis, which has severely affected the economy in recent months.

Therefore, “panelists (respondents to PMI’s survey) reported a more normal business environment as customer numbers improved in line with greater access to cash. As a result, both output and new business expanded sharply in April, ending two-month sequences of decline in each case. Rebounds in activity were seen across each of the agriculture, manufacturing, services and wholesale and retail sectors,” he said.

Oni, however, stated that, “business sentiment remained

subdued in April, despite a slight pick-up from March. In fact, optimism was among the lowest seen since the survey began in January 2014. The relatively subdued outlook meant that companies remained cautious with regards to hiring, and reduced employment marginally for the third month in a row. Meanwhile, backlogs of work fell slightly.

“Companies did increase their purchasing activity, however, in response to higher new orders, with inventories also expanding. Efforts to secure inputs were helped by an improvement in suppliers’ delivery times.”

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

FAAN to Restructure Aviacargo Business in Nigeria, Says MD

Chinedu Eze

The MD /CEO of the Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu has reiterated the resolve of FAAN to restructure the business of Aviacargo in Nigeria.

He made the promise after an early morning tour of the cargo facilities at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport MMIA Lagos, recently.

He disclosed that the tour of cargo facilities at the airport, resulted from the presentation of the third interim report by the Aviacargo Road map committee. The committee’s coordinator Mr. Ikechi Uko, organiser of the CHINET Aviacargo Conference, presented the 3rd monthly interim report for the month of April.

During the presentation, the coordinator told the MD that the committee had done a tour of the cargo facilities at the international airport earlier in the month and was not impressed with the conditions

of the facilities in the area and identified five areas that needed to be resolved by FAAN to improve the conditions in the area.

They include the export areas of both NAHCO and SAHCO that could be significantly improved based on the same organizations’ import areas. The export areas he described as disorganised, chaotic, unkempt, dirty, and rowdy. The import areas looked like a modern shopping mall while the export zones looked like ‘Aswani’or ‘Oshodi’ markets on a market day. The second is the improper and poor quality packaging of goods for export, also done inappropriately at the airport.

The third is the limited operating hours of the terminal, which is better operating 24 hours to maintain the efficient flow based on the airport operating hours and the need for regulatory agencies to avail themselves and reduce congestion during the active hours of airport operations. He suggested that Customs and others can work

around the clock so that domestic airlines can do regional cargo at night and carry passengers during the day.

The fourth pain point is the lack of facilities for exporters to package their goods having failed to do so at their facilities due to the need for inspections and certification. The fifth is the indiscriminate parking of vehicles all over the terminals and airport. These issues the committee found can be resolved immediately while the Aviacargo committee continues with the project. After receiving the third Interim report, Capt. Yadudu decided to go and see the place for himself. Accompanied during the tour by the FAAN MD were the Director of Commercial and Business Development Sadiku Rafindadi, the GM Commercial Hyacinth Ngwu, the Chief of Staff and staff from the Commercial Department. Mr. Uko showed them the already identified lapses and the earlier suggested possible mitigations.

Ethiopian Marks 50 Years of UK’s Operation

Ethiopian Airlines, the leading and fastest growing airline in Africa, is celebrating the 50th year of the launch of its service to the UK in April 1973.

Ethiopian Airlines’ inaugural flight arrived in London-Heathrow on a Boeing 720-B commencing with two flights a week. The flight was originally operated via Cairo, Rome and Frankfurt with First Class and Economy Class.

Today, Ethiopian offers daily non-stop A350 Airbus flights from London Heathrow (Terminal 2) to Addis Ababa, and 4 weekly B787 Dreamliner flights from Manchester (Terminal 2) to Addis Ababa,

carrying over 10,000 passengers monthly, with connections to over 60 destinations across Africa.

Commenting on the Anniversary, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said, “Positioned as the Heart of Europe, the UK has always been a strong and important market for Ethiopian Airlines. Celebrating 50 years is a success story of our loyalty to serving the UK with both passenger and freighter flights. As we mark half a century since we first landed in the UK, we look forward to an ever growing service to the country with more destinations and flights.”

Area Manager UK and Ireland,

AIR WATCH

Boosting Nigeria’s Agro Exports

Henock Woubishet, said: “This is a big anniversary for Ethiopian Airlines as it highlights our unwavering commitment to serving the UK. During the rest of the year, we will be celebrating this milestone with a series of events including FAM trips, campaigns and promotions. We want to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the travelling public and our partners in UK’s travel industry for supporting our journey over the decades.”

Currently, Ethiopian serves more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations including 21 cities in Europe.

Eko Innovation Centre Empowers Entrepreneurs with $50,000 Equity Funds

Oluchi Chibuzor

Eko Innovation Centre, one of the leading tech hubs in Nigeria, has empowered young entrepreneurs with $50,000 equity investment funds at the recently concluded SecureHack 1.0 event.

Three teams emerged as winners at the grand finale of the hackathon, which was launched in February having garnered over 400 registrations from participants to form 100+ teams from 62 locations in four countries and across two continents.

In his welcome address, the Founder of Eko Innovation Centre and Curator of SecureHack 1.0, Victor Afolabi, emphasised the importance of cybersecurity and the need for innovation in addressing security threats.

He said: “Security threat is much more than an IT topic and we are doing our bit at the Eko Innovation Centre to drive the growth of this ecosystem.”

Giving a Keynote address, Head, IT GRC & DPO, Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited, Oluwasolape Akinde, said to overcome challenges of cyber security in Africa’s emerging digital economy, best practices for strengthening cybersecurity, collaborations and partnerships remains the way forward.

“Collaboration and partnerships allow for the sharing of information and expertise, pooling of resources, and coordination of efforts to address common cybersecurity challenges.

“Overall, the emerging technologies such as blockchain and Al have the potential to significantly improve cybersecurity in African countries. By leveraging these technologies, organisations and governments can improve data security, detect and respond to threats in real-time, and prevent fraud and money laundering. However, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks and challenges associated with these technologies, and to implement

them in a responsible and ethical manner,” he further said.

At the end of the process, Team Nexa comprising Peter Adesina, Idris Tijani, Robinson Uche and Muhammed Musa, came third in the competition to cart home the sum of N350,000 while Team Cyber Verse comprising Osonuga Steven and Akorede Rasaq, clinched the second place position to win the sum of N650,000.

Meanwhile, Team HealthWaka comprising the trio of Omolola Oluwadara, Product Development Manager; Kehinde Abolaji, Technical Lead and Ozemhoya Anthonia, Biologist, beat all other teams to emerge overall winners of the competition.

They also won the grand prize of the hackathon which is the sum of one million naira and an acceleration programme investment of up to $50, 000 equity investment to get their products ready for the market among other benefits.

NIPOST Raids Unlicensed Courier Operators, Dispatch Riders in Lagos

The enforcement team of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD) of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), last week, clamped down unlicensed courier operators, including Express, Delivery, Dispatch and Logistics operators in Lagos State, who were illegally operating without operational licence. The CLRD enforcement team, carried out the raid in partnership with the men of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), and several armed mobile police officers, in company of the

media that witnessed the exercise.

Part of the statutory mandate of NIPOST is to regulate, licence, and monitor the Postal, Courier, Express and Logistics industry in Nigeria, in line with the statutory provisions of Section 43 (1,2 and 3) of the NIPOST ACT.

Addressing the media shortly after the clampdown, the General Manager, CLRD, Mr. Gideon Oludotun Shonde, who represented the Postmaster General of the Federation/CEO of NIPOST, Hon. Sunday Adeyemi Adepoju, said those were arrested during the clampdown, were arrested for various offences ranging from

illegal operation to under-cutting of cost to the detriment of courier and logistics business in Nigeria.

The General Manager added e that CLRD would continue on its clampdown exercise until it sanitises the industry of all forms of sharp practices, adding that the enforcement and clampdown operations, cut across all the states of the federation and have come to stay. He said CLRD carried out different dimensions of public enlightenment and sensitisation programmes, before the commencement of the enforcement activities.

Experts in air freighting have listed the major barriers stopping Nigeria from significantly profiting from the export of its agricultural produce, including getting the right certification.

They alleged that the unscrupulous action of government agencies like Customs, NAFDAC and others, have continued to frustrate the easy movement of exports as obtained in other countries, and have proffered solutions to address the challenges.

They expressed worry that international standardisation, inefficient regulation, corruption and hiccups in cargo freighting from the nation’s airports are pitted against many Nigerians who wish to take advantage of the huge market for Nigerian farm produce, as the world yearns for Nigeria’s organic foods, regretting that many cargo planes and vessels that come to Nigeria to bring goods leave the country empty.

Industry stakeholder and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ABX World Nigeria, Captain John Okakpu, expressed fears about the inability of Nigerian farmers to secure certification for their produce and other countries in West and Central Africa are dominating Nigeria in the export of those produce, which Nigeria is the highest producers in the world, including yam and cassava.

“This ugly scenario will stop once Nigeria starts getting our farmers certified and their produce traceable. Government, (Federal and States) need to jump-start this opportunity by creating the enabling environment for Nigerian people. Between 1,000 - 10,000 farmers certified and their produce traceable will go a long way. I believe this will be much better than the billions and trillions of Naira programed or already given to farmers, according to different MDAs, as incentives and grants that had showed little or no impact. It will cost the governments just about N25 billion to train about 10,000 farmers to certifications and their produce traceable. This will completely put a permanent stop to aircraft and ocean vessels leaving or departing Nigeria shores empty. It will also create millions of much needed jobs for the youths and women. Pls hold me 100 per cent responsible on this suggestion. We are completely lacking the basics in standard and sustainable agro export that is why most of our exports are rejected. I mean the basics and not reading of lengthy literatures on agriculture nor attending conferences/workshops. Farmers are the ones and main solution to agro rejections. We can continue beating around the bush, once we are tired, we must do the needful and that is positioning our farmers,” he said.

Captain Okeakpu said in different African countries, government had seen agro produce as means of getting the highly sought-after foreign exchange and also empowering their citizens economically and they have invested in training their citizens on how to maximise the opportunity of meeting the international standards in their produce.

“Go to most countries and see how their farmers are being prepared to overcome

issues. However, here in Nigeria is a totally different familiar route, shortcut. Kenya, for instance, is leading the African continent with over 3,000 certified and traceable Global GAP farmers, followed by South Africa in the neighbourhood of 2,000, Egypt, then Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda who have about 1,000 each. Meanwhile, other small African countries such as Cameroon, Togo, Republic of Benin, Senegal and even Rwanda, has each, at least 10 or more. In the case of Nigeria, the giant of Africa, your guess is as good as mine, we have maybe one,” he said.

Another major challenge Nigerian is having is that government officials who inspect the produce for export both by seas and air constitute obstacle to seamless export of agro produce. They delay these perishables and destroy many of them all in the bid to extort money from exporters. Government has been made away that Quarantine, Customs, NDLEA, NAFDAC and others have constituted strong barriers to Nigeria competing effectively with others in Africa to export agro produce and create jobs for her citizens.

THISDAY monitored twitter discussion over the challenge of exporting farm produce from Nigeria among clearing agents. Twitter account holder @borie_nla confirmed that 80 per cent of the containers on the ship that arrive Nigeria leave the country empty and noted, “The reasons isn’t because there aren’t produce to be exported, but the principalities and powers stronger than any witch or wizard the world has ever seen either factual or fiction. Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NDLEA, NAFDA, EFCC, DSS, Nigeria Customs, Nigeria police, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Export Processing Council (NEPC), all these agencies and others all demand to be part of the inspection of agricultural produce export, when an electric scanner does it once. These are the outcome; not even the economic loss alone,” he said.

He explained further, “Let me use yam as an example, a 20feet container will take about 1, 240 tubers of yam packed with each yam cleaned and wrapped individually in polypropylene bags. Please guess waiting time before export at a Nigerian port?

Minimum waiting time at Nigerian port is 75 days. Yam and tubers generally don’t do well in humid conditions, even though it is packed. Now, imagine it being in saline humid environment before shipping? But in Ghana, it is three days. These all add to spoilage and unacceptability. So by the time Nigerian Yams get anywhere in the world, especially Europe and America , you’ve lost over 68 per cent due to the greed , wickedness , irresponsibility and nonchalance of our civil service. Nigerians would rather transport their Yams to Ghana and export from there.”

Another clearing agent said: “We are the highest producer of cassava worldwide, but can’t even get a leg into the door of global market. Cassava from DRC Congo is airlifted to Brussels, but here they will kill you with anti-business attitude and greed.”

Chinedu Eze

Emma Okonji

Ebonyi Airport: Taking Advantage of Niche Markets

It was like a dream come true for the people of the state when on Thursday, April 17, 2023 the first flight from a commercial airline, Air Peace landed at the now christened Muhammdu Buhari International Airport, Onueke, Ebonyi State.

The elation, the excitement and anticipation were like paint work on the faces of the citizens, their friends and other Nigerian who graced the inaugural ceremony at the airport. Perhaps, only a clairvoyant could predict eight years ago that the massive farm land of Onueke could transmute to hosting such state-of-the-art airport facility within a few years time. This was why the reality sank reluctantly in many Ebonyi citizens. Governments in Nigeria are known to say so much that merely dwell in memory afterwards. Many promises are never implemented. But the Ebonyi airport rather than dwell in memory has become the daily reality of the people of the state. That was reminiscent of the day the first Arik Air aircraft landed at the Uyo airport. The crowd that thronged the new airport showed that development rekindles hope, expectation and appreciation.

The people of Ebonyi State, including acerbic critics could not seize to eulogize the governor of the state, Dave Umahi, whom many described as a visioner and action man. Many of the indigenes of the state agreed that Umahi in eight years of his governorship, catapulted the state from one of the least developed in Nigeria to one of the best states in the country. In terms of infrastructure, Umahi raised the state capital, Abakaliki, to number one city with the most modern infrastructure. It was the same vision that birthed the Ebonyi airport.

Although criticisms have trailed the establishment of new airports by state governments in recent times but there are some airports built by states that become catalyst to economic development.

Some of such airports include Asaba airport, Anambra airport, Umueri and Uyo airport. These airports justified the investment of the state governments because they met the utility objectives of their establishment, which include the generation of revenues that sustain their operation, facilitating fast movement of businessmen and women and other travellers that use the airport. They also created job opportunities for the indigenes of the states.

The newly built Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Onueke, falls into this category because it has huge potential market from four states, including Enugu, Cross River and Abia in addition to many Ebonyi people who travel to Enugu and Imo to connect flights to different domestic destinations.

The Asaba airport was given out in concession about two years ago and the concessionaire has brought innovation into airport management. Anambra airport, Umueri became a very important aerodrome that two airlines that operate to the airport break even with over 70 per cent load factor in every flight.

Yes, there are state built airports that could not generate revenues to sustain their operation or even sustain regular flights to the facilities and some of these airports were taken over by the federal government and handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) where they become huge fiscal burden to agency.

What is different about the Ebonyi airport is that it has travellers in waiting and with its unveiling, it is well positioned to serve the people.

THE FEATURES

The technical supervisor of the airport, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwu, told THISDAY that the runway length is 3.1 kilometers by 75 meters but the active part of the 75 meters is 60 meters, while the shoulders are 15 meters, but unlike other airports, the shoulders are the same strength with the main runway. It is only the marking that will separate them. He said the airport was built with 14 inches reinforced concrete and it should be the first concrete runway in Nigeria.

Chukwu said the control tower has nine floors, disclosing that all the equipment has been deployed and the installation of the consul has started, as the cabin that would host the consul has arrived.

He added that the perimeter fencing is 16 kilometers radius. It is a completed blockwork with anti-climb

facilities. Installation of airfield lighting is currently on-going and it is Category 2 and the installation is on both sides of the runway and work at the airport would be completed before end of June, 2023.

“The airport has full navigation aids and also has all the ground handling equipment so the state government has completed plans for Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) to provide manpower to manage the ground handling services and Ebonyi state government plans to sign MoU with the company to train Ebonyi citizens and license them to work at the airport under the supervision of SAHCO. The airport is also working with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services and also Aviation Security. Ebony citizens will also be trained and licensed by the agency to provide these services. The airport terminal has 12 warehouses for cargo processing and the apron has 133,000 square meters,” he said.

POTENTIAL MARKET

The Ebonyi airport will serve four states, including Ebonyi and also will provide opportunity to many people who would wish to travel by air but did not have the opportunity because before now, no airport was located close to the communities. Chukwu said many communities in the southern part of Enugu state, like Mpu community, Abiriba, Okigwe and adjoining communities in Abia state, Itigidi, Ogoja in Cross River state would all go to the Ebonyi airport to travel to Abuja and Lagos.

“The major advantage that airport has is that roads that connect it to all these communities mentioned are tarred. Governor Umahi concentrated on the infrastructural rejuvenation of the state and built roads to connect neigbouring states. The airport will hugely benefit from that foresight. Ebonyi also has ancillary services that will support the airport. The state intends to build monorail to connect the airport from the southern and northern regions. The monorail would benefit King David University of Medical Services, Uburu and Igbere where expectedly many people will be travelling from on regular basis. The university has been taken over by the federal government,” Chukwu added.

INVESTMENT

Addressing Ebonyi citizens at the inaugural

ceremony on April 27th, the out-going governor of the state, Umahi said the airport was specially built because of the way it was conceived and designed

“I must thank Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the support he gave us to make this airport possible. Even when we were challenged and there was no money anywhere for our equipment, he wrote a letter to the Ministry of Fnance. He said you must find money, even if it is loan, this airport must stand. And let me say that the name of this airport was approved by the State House of Assembly and Mr. Speaker is a witness to that. The name of the airport is President Muhammed Buhari International Airport.

“If you say Buhari is not good for you, Buhari is good for me. Buhari is good for Ebonyi State and so we love him and we thank him for the success of this airport. We thank also the Hon. Minister of Aviation, who was so delighted with this project, that even at the end of the first tenure, he wasn’t sure whether he would come back or not, but he said, “look, if I don’t make it back to that Ministry, we will tell whoever is coming to sign the approval.”

According to him, “This is the fastest airport approval in the whole of Nigeria, thanks to the Minister of Aviation. When we started our second tenure, we came as state leaders and we say we want to do mega projects, one in the north, one in the central and one in the south. And so we said we will build a stadium that is the biggest in Nigeria, we will build a university that is the best in the whole of West Africa and we will build the best airport. And so we started the university in the south, today it is a success. We thank president Buhari. We started the stadium. When we started this project, we completed the university and we were challenged with funds. The speaker came and begged me and said, let the project in the north, which is the stadium wait, let us complete this airport. It is with a good heart, he didn’t care about the consequences as speaker from the north, what his people would say but he preferred that we do this that is in the central. It is because of exposure, it is because of a good heart. Because the airport is for everybody, it is even beyond the people of Eboyin State.”

To complete the airport, Umahi said the state government had to borrow money and gave

kudos to the House of Assembly, especially the speaker who supported the airport project to make sure it was completed.

“The project cost, this entire thing is so far 36 billion, including the equipment. We have the best equipment in this country and anybody can challenge us.And so what is remaining now is the airfield lighting which we have paid for both for the taxiway and the runway. And so work continues on that, and that is why we have just awarded the taxiway. We don’t need to award the taxiway because the width of the runway is very unusual. But we needed to make this place to be the best and to meet global standard. So the job is going to start next week in this place. But let me say this that going forward from the first week of May we intend to fund free of charge, two aircraft per week, two from Lagos, two from Abuja.Anyone that will use this place, you don’t need to pay any money. You don’t need to pay, just know the dates of flights, you will come here, and those who are taking off from here, same aircraft.

“You don’t need to pay; we will continue to pay for the next four weeks. And I know that the enthusiasm of the governor elect, he will continue this because he has a large heart. Until this airport becomes the busiest airport in the country. And let me announce also that Mr President will be coming in less than 10 days to commission this airport. And we have offered this airport again to Mr President, for the federal government to take it over and concession it. That is what will help the airport to be busy and that is what will sustain the airport. Government is not a good Manager of business but what is our interest, the IGR that will come from it,” the governor said.

Umahi also commended Air Peace for pulling two of its aircraft from schedule service and deployed them to Ebonyi State to mark the inaugural flight. He also commended the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema for his philanthropic activities and recalled how the airline evacuated Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobia riots, the evacuations during the Covid-19 crisis and other humanitarian activities embarked by the airline to support Nigeria, noting that Onyema is a pan Nigerian who believes in the country.

The optimism that the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport will become a major airport in the near future was supported by many Ebonyi citizens who spoke to THISDAY, saying that the airport is a necessity in the state.

DESPITE INCREASE IN AIRLINES’ CAPACITY, AIRFARES STILL HIGH AT LOW SEASON exploited by a cartel when it comes to insurance, a cartel that is made possible by the collusion between local and foreign insurers, so Nigerian carriers always insure their aircraft at high cost.

According to Iyayi, there are two insurance bodies where airlines must insure their aircraft; one is Russia, while the other is Lloyd. Due to global politics and current crisis in Ukraine, airlines cannot insure their equipment with Russia insurance firms, thus leaving Lloyd as the only choice.

The President and CEO of Top

Brass Aviation also explained that Nigerian carriers pay more for insurance because Nigeria is designated as hostile environment for airline operations and suggested that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should take it as a huge responsibility to counter such impression about Nigeria with data, which confirms that Nigeria airspace is safe. He said that this can be done by publishing how many aircraft fly in Nigeria’s airspace for certain period and the number of incidents that happened during such period, noting that

Nigeria has maintained high standard of safety without major accident for a long time; therefore, it is wrong to still designate Nigerian environment as harsh for airline operation.

“Insurance companies milk us because of the assumed unsafe airspace, so NCAA should show insurance companies Nigeria safety data; not just talking but the data will show that there is low risk flying in Nigeria. In Nigeria insurance is a cartel, fuel supply is a cartel; airlines have to break this cartel for fares to come down,”

he said.

On his part, the Managing Director and CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, told THISDAY that cost of operation has increased because of the cost of aviation fuel, forex and high insurance premium.

“Naira is about 750 to $1, aviation fuel costs about N600 to N700 per litre and these are subject to availability; so, cost of operation is still high. Airfares will continue to be high. It is not only that the cost of all these is high, another challenge is their

availability. Aviation fuel may not be available because the importers do not have dollars to pay and import the product. The cost of insurance is going up, it is not coming down because our environment is still considered harsh for flight operations. These are the factors,” Sanusi said.

On the base fare, Sanusi said every company had its own financial module, which determines its operation, saying that a company may choose to own its aircraft or lease it but the major challenge is the cost of obtaining credit facility

from the banks with interest rate of 25 per cent to 30 per cent.

“Even a short-term loan at 28 per cent, I can’t make money from such loan. These are some of the factors that make airline operation difficult and flight tickets high. We also have to consider the economy of the country. With high inflation, you expect everything in the economy to be affected,” he added.

In his views, airfares are driven up by certain realities and even low passenger traffic cannot bring down the fares despite competition.

The recently built airport facility in Onueke, Ebonyi State, will create opportunities for development in neighbouring states like Cross River, Abia and Enugu, owing to proximity, writes Chinedu Eze

Ebonyi Airport Inaugural Flight

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 03May-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

Segun Adewumi Gabriels: Premium Lifestyle Connoisseur Who is Taking Social Entrepreneurship, Nightlife a Notch Higher

Premium lifestyle connoisseur, Segun Adewumi Gabriels, known in most circles as Api Lifestyle, is a Nigerian-born social entrepreneur who is taking the nightlife business a notch higher. A quintessential mover and shaker of entertainment in Africa, Gabriels, through his company Apitainment curates good times through events, businesses and social gatherings like the Drip City Pool Party, Nights Like This Abuja, Fluxx Urban Luxury Party, Baller’s League, Carnival and The Garage Party, amongst several others. Although the Abuja-based entertainment industrialist and social reformist is a graduate of Theatre and Performing Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, his foray into the world of premium entertainment has proven to be a calling that is yielding dividends. With the opening of his night club, Tokyo Nightlife in Abuja, this has set him on the trajectory of living up to the billing as the king of nightlife. For those in the know, the club offers a wide variety of music selection by renowned disc jockeys, which coupled with its aesthetics and vibe, appeal to a diverse audience who seek premium entertainment. Given the successes recorded with the club, the entertainment guru, who stresses that his selling point is built around giving his customers a sense of belonging, also tells Chiemelie Ezeobi how he constantly wants to motivate others to ‘Never Stop, Never Settle ‘

You describe yourself as a social entrepreneur and nightlife influencer, what exactly does that mean?

Simply put being a social entrepreneur just means I earn a living by providing social activities and entertainment. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. And being a nightlife influencer, well, from the context, that too is a bit self explanatory. We live in an era of influence, which to me is just a positive term for pressure.

And in this case, the ability to convince people to spend their hard earned money at my club or parties is a skill I bless God for everyday of my life. Haha.

You are a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University where you studied Theatre and Performing arts. Why did you deviate to join the hospitality sector?

I have said this before, that I really don’t see it as a deviation. Theatre and performing arts groomed me to be able to pull out extrovert tendencies within me. So you can say my formal education also plays a role in my current occupation and ambitions.

Give us a detailed breakdown of the journey so far, highlighting your greatest moments as well as challenges

It has been quite an amazing journey so far, and I bless God for it all. Sometimes I sit and I’m in awe of what he is using us to do. I think about the 80+ staff, that are able to cater to themselves and they families, these are the real WINS, it is not just about paying, but also touching lives. As for the party aspect, that’s another story entirely.

We’ve been banging hard since the 7th of December, every weekend as well as holidays and its been quite a thrill.

Tokyo Nightlife is best experienced not explained. I mean, its sufficient for those who don’t have the ability to be here for one or two reasons, but if you reside in Abuja and Tokyo isn’t your go-to destination when it comes to premium lifestyle entertainment, that’s a big mistake.

From events like the CARNIVAL, which was on Sunday, the 23rd of April, and live musical performances, from the likes of Seyi Vibes, Peruzzi, Zlatan, to name a few, and celebrity and influencers presence at all times, it has been a busy five months and we are only just getting started.

I appreciate everyone that has been with us on this journey, especially my colleagues

and counterparts, because that’s what I see them as, not just competition.

I even showed how much I am interested in maintaining relationships with them, and this can be seen in the just concluded Baller’s League, which held on 26th of March. It was not-so-serious football match between the major clubs in Abuja. I call it not-so-serious because it was more about the fun, and less about the sport as a competition.

A few of the things I take pride in, is our reservation-based method of table bookings, valet parking, which gives our customers the sense of belonging,

our top notch security, ample space in the club for every customer to have a good time, our in-house professional dancers, our world class DJs, hypemen, drummers, sound designers and lights controller.

But with all this, it amounts to nothing if our tables aren’t filled with our customers who I really want to thank for giving me the opportunity to prove myself, so I can share my story and be an inspiration and source of motivation to someone out there, with a simple message that it is possible. NEVER STOP NEVER SETTLE. We have a busy schedule lined up

for the rest of the year and you can bet on it that there will be none like us.

As a player in the hospitality food-chain yourself, how do you unwind and refuel your batteries from burn out?

You know a lot of people see our posts and believe perhaps that we aren’t humans. Like we don’t eat or sleep. I like my alone time so much, that once I’m out of work mode, my bed and couch becomes my best friend. Not necessarily sleeping but resting, watching shows on YouTube, while still being all around social media, and basically being a regular human being.

But with all this, it amounts to nothing if our tables aren’t filled with our customers who I really want to thank for giving me the opportunity to prove myself, so I can share my story and be an inspiration and source of motivation to someone out there, with a simple message that it is possible. Never Stop Never Settle!

Africa Fashion Week Brazil to Boost Economic, Cultural Ties

Stories by Mary Nnah

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, founder, Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria has said that the newly introduced Africa Fashion Week Brazil holding at the Expo center in São Paulo, the most populous city in Brazil, in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy, Lagos will boost cultural and economic ties between Africa and Brazil.

This edition of Africa Fashion Week which is scheduled to hold from 25th to 27th May 2023 organisers said also aims to creating a synergy in the fashion industry between Brazil and Africa, promote economic growth, boost cultural ties, as well as provide a platform for future co-operations.

Giving a brief overview of the AFW at the Consulate General of Brazil in Lagos during a press briefing to announce the event, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, said theAfrica Fashion Week started in 2011 in London and was created as a platform to bridge the gap between Africa designers, black designers and the general public.

“When we started over a decade ago, there wasn’t a platform that brought together African designers and the global audience. Most of the platforms were mainstream platforms and a lot of people then shy away from African fashion. So African fashion was considered then as more traditional. People were not proud to wear African fashion, especially in the diaspora.

“I grew up in London, I was

born there. I knew we did not have that exposure to African fashion like we do now where we have amazing, phenomenon African designers both in Nigeria and abroad that are doing so many wonderful things with our textiles and our fabrics. There was an urgent need to create a platform that showcased the great creativity of African designers. This gave birth to Africa Fashion Week, London. In 2014, we created a sister brand called ‘Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria,” Ogunwusi explained.

Ogunwusi said she has given birth to a new baby, Africa Fashion Week, Brazil and this will boost economic ties and deepen

the presence of African fashion on a global map.

The Africa Fashion Week Brazil 2023, will feature a population of Nigerian and other African designers, and designers in the diaspora, who will not only showcase their creativity with their collections, but the event according to Olori Ronke will also see an exchange of cultural fashion.

“Their clothes tell stories about their culture. It’s going to be like an exchange of culture, an educational platform, that exchanges, talks about our culture and preservation of our cultural heritage.” She concluded.

Ministro André Veras Gui-

VESTI HOLDS FAIR TO EMPOWER YOUTHS

Vesti, a leading migration fintech company, recently organised the International Education Fair 2023 in Lagos with the theme, “Empowering the Global Citizen: Faster and Affordable Pathways.”

marães, the Consul General of Brazil said holding the Africa Fashion Week in Brazil is a great initiative that will be greatly harnessed for the good of both countries.

“We can go deeper after this Africa Fashion Week. We will offer scholarships. We can send people to study fashion in Brazil, and they will have immigrant status. They have a free scholarship, all they need to do is just apply, to be selected. Of course, there is a selection process but we can explore these educational paths. So I believe this partnership with Africa Fashion Week and Brazil with grow great fruits in the future”, he noted.

The event attracted attendees from different parts of Nigeria and beyond and provided a platform for exploring various educational opportunities and learning about the latest trends in the industry.

The event featured informative seminars, workshops, and networking events, which provided attendees with valuable insights into the educational landscape. The keynote speaker at the event was Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola, Regional Officer, West Africa, University of Sussex whose speech centered on the importance of education in achieving personal and societal development and highlighted how young people can tap into the opportunities of global citizenship.

The event also featured a panel discussion, which brought together industry experts from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives on the topic. The panelists were Joshua Adedeji, Development Professional; Goodness Ada Armstrong, Startup HR; Ms. Olubunmi Opadoyin, Business Analyst, Vesti; and Mrs. Modupe Oladimeji, Operations Manager, Mel Educational Services Ltd. They discussed various issues, including the challenges facing students seeking to study abroad, the role of technology in enhancing access to education, and the importance of collaboration between stakeholders in the education sector.

The event also had several exhibitors showcasing their services to attendees. Some of the exhibitors included MK Travels, Topset, and Mel Educational Services Ltd. They provided attendees with valuable information on travel, migration pathways, and other related services, which are essential for students seeking to study abroad.

“The International Education Fair 2023 was a great success, and it provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about the latest trends in international education. We are committed to promoting access to study abroad opportunities and providing affordable migration pathways to students seeking to study abroad”, said Oyewale Okeyode, Deputy Operations Lead, Vesti.

Vesti’s vision is to be the go-to legal and financial services platform for the next 1 billion immigrants. The company is on a mission to be the preferred platform for immigrants before they emigrate, providing information, community and ultimately a smooth transition to immigrants.

He further added that through a set of tailored payment products, Vesti delivers hassle-free guidance and financial services to immigrants moving to the United States and other top destinations in North America and Europe.

Africa Fashion Week

Gasplus Applauds Govt Agencies for New Regulations on Gas Projects

The Management of Gasplus Synergy has commended Nigerian government agencies in the oil and gas industry for the new regulations designed specifically to ensure that gas projects and similar projects are successful in the country.

In appreciation of the federal government and its agencies’ commitment especially through the “Decade of Gas”, the Management of Gas Plus expressly called on private entities with facilities capable of accommodating and promoting the vision and objectives of the DLNG project to make such available to permit the early and speedy deployment of the project.

This was expressed at a one-day Gasplus NGML Domestic LNG

Project workshop held in Lagos during the week.

According to the organisers, the Nigerian economy cannot afford further delays that will affect the early execution and implementation.

“The authorities have been very proactive, the project is relatively new but with great potential for value creation and distribution across the economy, that is why stakeholders are working with them and making modifications where necessary,” Gasplus said.

\In his welcome address, Mr. Etete revealed that Nigerians will benefit a lot from this project (domestic supply of LNG) because, for the environment, there will be de-carbonisation which is a major target. After all, diesel and

other conventional fuels are not as friendly as cleaner gas.

“The gas is locally produced; we are not importing it but it helps to reduce business expenditure. Companies that make use of diesel can now convert to LNG as it reduces their operational cost of power generation.

Mr. Justin Ezeala, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited said the domestic LNG option has provided a lot of solutions to problems encountered in the past over the use of other conventional options and that was why they signed Gasplus. We entered into a relationship where the NNPC NGML and Gasplus have a partnership to bring domestic gas to the market.

He revealed that their plan in the next three years is to make

domestic LNG provide 25 per cent of NGML’s total portfolio.

“With this, we will be able to avoid all the issues associated with pipeline gas, and pressure issues especially when you want it, domestic LNG will eradicate the cost margin. We are here for this workshop and we are dedicated for it to walk.

“This partnership that we are putting in place with Gasplus is something that is going to work and we will be more efficient.”

Laurence Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Ports added that his company would ensure that there are smooth operations within the port infrastructure to support the receipt of Liquefied Natural Gas as well as its eventual distribution to end the user.

Curlla, High-Class Beauty Salon Opens in Lekki PMI Africa Conference 2023 Holds in Nairobi

Curlla, a high-class and allencompassing luxury beauty salon for men, women and kids was recently unveiled in Lekki Lagos.

Its founder, Lola Adedeji, a beauty icon and serial entrepreneur thinks there is a need to change the narrative of beauty salons in Nigeria to a high-class, private and serene space that matches international standards, as opposed to the regular space that people perceive as gist spots.

Channeled towards providing a unique and unparalleled beauty experience, with a focus on personalisation, exclusivity, and exceptional craftsmanship, Curlla Luxury Salon, a premium one-stop beauty place is set to be the ultimate expression of luxury.

The high-end beauty salon’s unique value proposition focuses more on quality, privacy, peace of mind, education about self, hair health and general beauty.

“Quality, privacy, peace of mind, education about yourself, your hair health and your beauty, with the state of art facilities, that makes one think why to go abroad when you can have what you want at your nearest stop; are the core principles guiding Curlla luxury salon”, Adedeji noted. She further said that her love for privacy and quality while having one’s hair done, further contributed to the launch of the luxury salon.

With a team of highly trained and experienced professionals, the salon offers a wide range of services, including hair styling and grooming, nail care, and more. Revealing the ideology behind the luxury beauty place with its state-of-the-art facilities and premium products, Adedeji said, “Curlla is a long time coming, born out of my love for quality, privacy, peace of mind and luxury.’

The 8th annual Project Management Institute Africa Conference will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, for the first time this year. The highly anticipated annual conference will take place at the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel from September 10th- 12th.

PMI is the leading professional organisation for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals and individuals who use project management skills.

The PMI Africa Conference is the largest gathering of its kind on the continent. It is a platform to shine a light on Africa’s project economy, reflects on the community’s shared values, and champion the extraordinary work of the project professionals.

This year’s conference is based on the theme “Africa We Want: Together We Can” and will pursue the knowledge agenda

by looking closely at the first decade of Agenda 2063 and the skills transformation needed to enhance project design and implementation.

Building on the success of the previous edition held in Nigeria, the conference will bring together decisionmakers, thought leaders, academicians, changemakers and feature eminent national and international speakers. Over 50 speakers and 400 delegates from over 24 countries are expected to participate.

The conference will deliberate on skills transformation, youth empowerment, women in project management sustainability, and accelerating infrastructure development, many of which are central to the flagship projects. The conference has identified these domains as key to Africa’s economic growth.

“ Founded by two brothers who immigrated to the United States, the company is backed by both Africa and US-based investors and boasts of a thriving community of dreamers who represent the next generation of builders,” he said.

MORTEIN TAKES FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA TO COMMUNITIES ON WORLD MALARIA DAY

Mortein insecticide, a brand of Reckitt, a leading global health and hygiene company, commemorated this year’s World Malaria Day with an awareness and sensitization programme held at the Obalende/Ikoyi LCDA area of Lagos, as well as donated Mortein insecticides in a bid to help in the fight to end malaria within the country.

The event which held on Tuesday, April 25 in collaboration with the Lagos State office of Sustainable Developmental Goals and Investment, was geared towards enlightening members of the community on key malaria prevention habits following this year’s theme: “Time to deliver zero malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement”.

Speaking during the programme, Head External Communications & Partnership, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, said “According to the World Malaria Report 2022, at 31.3%, Nigeria is one of the four African countries that account for over half of all malaria deaths globally.

“Nigeria also accounts for an estimated 38.4% of global malaria deaths in children aged under five. At Reckitt, we are driven by our purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.”

“Mortein, as a leading global insecticide brand, initiated its “Fight to End Malaria” campaign to empower our consumers with knowledge and provide access to expert solutions like Mortein Insecticide to rid themselves of vector-causing malaria, the mosquito.

“ By investing in malaria interventions like we are doing today, fostering innovation with various prevention methods, and implementing effective strategies, we can make significant progress towards ending this deadly disease and saving millions of lives,” she concluded.

As part of its commitment to global health, Reckitt is partnering organizations and governments in Nigeria to tackle the issue of malaria.

Some of the government representatives at the event are Lekan Fatodu, Senior Special Assistant, to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Developmental Goals & Investment, and the host of the event, Honorable Fuad Atanda-Lawal, Executive Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

According to the Lagos State government, represented by SSA Fatodu, “The responsibility of nation building and capacity development does not lie in the hands of government alone in fact we need the support of corporate entities like Reckitt and brands like Mortein to move forward.

“ The Lagos State Government is committed to driving the agenda for human capacity development (HCD) but how do we achieve the HCD for a state like Lagos with a large population that is being challenged with the scourge of malaria, hence, the state needs support from brands like Mortein.”

Rivers High Court Restrains Ibeto, Companies from Land in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, presided by Justice Adolphus Enebeli, has restrained Cletus Ibeto and his group of companies, their servants, agents and privies from continuing to lay claim to Sungreen Oil and Gas Limited land registered as No. 37 at Page 37 in Volume 359 of the Lands Registry office in Port Harcourt measuring an area approximately 122 hectares situate at Niteco Shipyard layout, Reclamation Phase II, Port Harcourt, Rivers States.

The judge in his judgment affirmed the validity of the Deed of Assignment registered as No. 37 at Page 37 in Volume 359 of the Lands Registry office in Port Harcourt executed between Nigeria Technical Company Limited (Niteco) and Sungreen Oil and Gas Limited, a subsidiary of Dozzy.

The court further ordered Ibeto to refund the sum of N3,295,000,000 being the sum received in naira for the failed land transaction,

while maintaining that the $3,000,000 given to Ibeto by Dozzy was not given as part of the payment for the purchase of the land.

In what appeared to contradict the judgment given in favour of Dozzy and its group of companies, the court also affirmed Ibeto’s right to Statutory Right of Occupancy over the property within Reclamation Road Layout at Bundu Ama Community with a cumulative area of 22.6536 hectares, the subject of a Deed of Sub-lease dated March 19, 2010 and registered as No. 47 at Page 47 in Volume 280 of the Lands Registry office in Port Harcourt.

It also granted an injunction restraining Dozzy Oil and Gas from trespassing into the piece of land measuring 22.6536 hectares, which forms part of the piece and parcel of land registered as No. 43 at Page 43 in Volume 6 of the Lands Registry office in Port Harcourt.

The injunction granted in favour of Ibeto and his group of companies in respect of 22.6536 hectares of land subdivided from and forming part of all that piece of land registered as No. 43 at Page 43 in Volume 6 of the Lands Registry Office has continued to puzzle legal observers and commentators alike, as the land registered as No. 43/43/6 in the Lands Registry between NITECO and its subsidiary company, Nigeria Shipbuilders Limited, is a sub-lease of 40acres (16 hectares).

While the court granted an injunction over 22 hectares of lands in favour of Ibeto predicating the grant on a title document covering only 16 hectares of land, that was parcellated by Nigerian Shipbuilders Limited and sub-leased to various other companies inclusive of Ibeto, it granted a lease of 7.8 hectares by Nigeria Shipbuilders from the original grant of 16 hectares, which it got from NITECO.

WACOT Hosts Elite Distributors, Rewards Them with Gifts

WACOT Limited, a member of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, recently held an event to recognize and reward its top distributors of agri-inputs such as fertilizer, herbicides, and seeds. The gathering in Abuja celebrated fifteen of the highest-grossing distributors, who received various gifts, including a brand-new Hilux vehicle for the leading distributor. Other distributors of WACOT’s agri-inputs also received exciting gifts at the event. The company also shared its plans

for this year’s farming season and reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s food security.

Executive Director and Vice Chairman of TGI (Africa), Farouk Gumel, expressed his appreciation for the distributors’ partnership and emphasized the importance of honest feedback.

He said, “I would like to congratulate all the recipients and say that the awards are not just for your performance and sales but also for your belief in Nigeria’s food security journey. As we congratulate each other

for our successes, we should also continue to give each other honest feedback on what we need to do to improve.”

The Chief Operating Officer of WACOT Limited., Bibhu Nanda, highlighted the crucial role of the distributors in ensuring food security nationwide.

“Our distributors are people who create wealth in the agriculture eco-system and ensure food security. That is what we all need in Nigeria, a situation where we can collaborate for success,” he said.

TGI Cares Foundation Partners Jigawa iLearn Scholars

To transform young learners’ lives, the TGI CARES Foundation – philanthropy arm of TGI Group – has partnered with Jigawa iLearn Scholars, an NGO, to provide tech work tools to several students as they commence their BSc, MSc and MBA programs at prestigious Indian universities under the eVBAB Network Project.

The e-VBAB project, which is an initiative of the Government of India, under the Third India-Africa Summit commitments, was created to offer 15,000 scholarships to African students and professionals to pursue courses offered by premier Indian

institutions in emerging areas. The initiative offers certifications, diplomas, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

The TGI CARES Foundation supported the 29 beneficiaries enrolled on the e-VBAB project under the Jigawa iLearn Scholar’s platform with laptops and pocket MiFi to enable them attend classes, and access learning materials independently.

Executive Director and Vice Chairman, Africa, of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, Farouk Gumel revealed that the TGI Cares Foundation’s

causes are centered around guaranteeing food security by supporting appropriate education, championing social interventions and providing relief in times of disasters. Salim Ibrahim, a trainer with the Jigawa iLearn Scholars, acknowledged the tremendous impact of the equipment on their education. “These tools will enable them to access online resources, participate in virtual classes, and complete assignments on the go. It has allowed our Jigawa iLearn Scholars to remain connected with their teachers and peers, keeping their academic progress on track” he added.

Lord’s Dry Gin Celebrates Innovative Excellence

Lord’s London Dry Gin, organiser of the prestigious award, Lord’s Achievers Award, has announced the return of the award ceremony for the fifth time, as it kicked off the much-awaited ceremony at its pre-award “Mix and Mingle” event, held in Lagos.

The pre-award event had the presence of the LAA 2023 nominees, management of Lord’s Dry Gin, influencers and friends of the Lord’s Dry Gin brand..

Commenting on the significance of this year’s edition, Director Grand Oak Limited, PRIME Business Unit, Stanley Obi stated, “For this

year’s theme - Celebrating Innovative Excellence - we chose to take an indepth look at the issues in so ciety and pinpoint individuals, who, through their creativity and problem-solving skills, have developed initiatives that benefit their communities. The world needs innovation and excellence now more than ever - this is the reason for the theme choice this year.”

Speaking on the Lord’s Achievers Award and the initiative behind the award recognition, Brand Manager, Lord’s London Dry Gin, Amar Agada, said “We

believe that recognition is a powerful tool for reinforcing positive behaviour - it sets off a ripple effect that can impact an entire value chain.

At the Meet the Achievers dinner event, Business Lead of Quadrant MSL, agency in charge of award nominees selection and engagement, Ranti Olaniyan said, “Every year, we nominate young Nigerians, between ages 25 and 40, who meet specific selection criteria along the reach and scope of their work, duration since the commencement of their work or initiative, and the potential for scale and impact on wider socio-economic outcomes.”

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

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).

Assures Shareholders of Sustained Growth, Promises Consistent Dividend Payout

Kayode Tokede

The management of CWG Plc has assured shareholders who invested in the company of sustained growth, stressing that it has made significant strides in delivering innovative products and platforms in payments over the years.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Lagos, shareholders approved a dividend per share of 4.0 kobo

while commending the board and management of CWG for improving the company’s fortunes, despite the challenges.

Addressing the shareholders, Chairman CWG Mr. Philip Obioha, said the group recorded remarkable performance in 2022 as it consolidated the gains of its investments in its payment platform and subscription service businesses.

He outlined that the group made significant strides in its

businesses in the past year, including onboarding four new banks on its Finedge Core banking application platform on a subscription service basis while also driving its “infrastructure as a service” business with the addition of new customers to its subscribers’ list.

He said the company has continued to make significant investments in its Datacenter offerings to provide the re-

quired infrastructure needed to support its platform business, adding that the group has also been making giant strides in its energy metering business as it achieved a 600 percent revenue growth when compared to the previous year. “Within the year, our company established a new fintech organization named Fifthlab. Fifthlab has an ecosystem of advanced but simple solutions focusing on delivering innovative products

and platforms in payments and banking to address the identified gaps.

He also spoke about the newly established Dubai entity, part of the group’s expansion plan that offers entry into a growing market with a supportive environment for innovation and development.

“We are confident that the investments and efforts put into the new organization/ businesses will yield significant

returns starting from the 2023 financial year,” Obioha said. He assured shareholders that with the resumption of dividend payments, the board and management of the group would work to ensure unbroken dividend payments annually.

“The board is committed to working with management in deploying the group’s assets judiciously and profitably to maximize shareholders’ return,” Obioha said.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MAY/04/23

Edited by NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG | ikotibok@gmail.com | Tel: 08114495324

What EA Sports FIFA Championship Debut Might Mean for Local Esports

Over time, the Nigerian gaming community has gained recognition as one of the fastestgrowing gaming markets in West Africa. This, no doubt, has attracted the attention of international brands to explore the market to harness its potential.

For the first time, the EA Sports FIFA Championship, a global competitive gaming tournament organised by EA Sports, the developer and publisher of the FIFA video game series, will be held on African soil.

Scheduled for May 13, Lagos will play host to the maiden edition in Africa, where 32 players will battle it out using the latest version of the FIFA game at The Jewel Aeida. The event, made possible through a partnership with Integral, its licensee in Nigeria, will have players advance through a series of stages that will be judged based on the number of wins, goal difference, and other tiebreakers to clinch the grand prize of $10,000.

While EA Sports has been making headlines lately, it’s worth noting that Esports has been a steadily growing culture in Nigeria.

Since 2022, the Red Bull brand, marked by its marketing style that explores extreme sports and gaming activities, included Nigeria as one of the countries where its national championships are held for the Red Bull Kumite, an Esports based on the Street Fighter series. It has so far successfully hosted two editions. Similarly, Gamr Africa, an indigenous gaming company founded in Nigeria, hosted the maiden edition of Gamr X in 2022. The Esports tournament targeted gamers from 10 different African countries to compete in five different gaming titles: FIFA22, Mortal Kombat 11, PUBG Mobile, Call

of Duty Mobile, and Streetfighter.

Before these brands started picking interest in investing in the sector and showcasing local talents, the governing body of Esports in Nigeria, Esports Nigeria, started its league in 2020. With the progress attained so far, one would no longer say that Nigeria does not have an Esports culture. Rather, it now would be a debate of how far it has come compared to markets in Asia, Europe, and America.

These bodies mostly addressed the issues of access to available resources, the absence of a recognised professional Esports competition, and tackling the problem of society’s negative perception of gamers.

So far, the proliferation of all of these platforms points to one thing: the growing significance of the Esports sector. And with this significance comes a need to recognise and decorate the key

stakeholders in this sector through prizes, sponsorships, endorsement deals, and elevation of status. These economic potentials have far-reaching effects, such as enticing more established platforms into the Nigerian Esports space.

Cofounder of AfricaComicade, Oscar Michael, expressed that the interest shown by EA Sport is a welcome idea that will impact positive changes for gamers and stakeholders to chart a new course in the Esports sector.

“Over the years, we know we have lots of professional EA Sports players here. Football is something Nigerians love, and we’ve had lots of events where people come to compete, and there have been issues. It’s like Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, has not been recognised globally,” stated Michael.

He added, “And so, from clamouring for things like servers to allow us to compete on a

global scale better, to even have the opportunity to compete and attend the global events. A lot of discussion has gone into it, a lot of stakeholders have put in their effort, and now we’re finally seeing the results of those efforts. This move is something the community is excited about. And it’s also going to help solidify all the activities done by the various stakeholders. It’s going to solidify the industry, give it more prospects in the eyes of both gamers and industry stakeholders.”

Of course, tournaments in the EA Sports FIFA Championship league are bound to face their fair share of challenges just like those that precede it. However, how easily it can surmount such problems would determine the level of partnership it is willing to enter. Fortunately, the gaming sector in Nigeria is vastly untapped.

Edu Shola, a Lagos-based game developer based in Lagos,

Pragmatic Play Partners Mr Macaroni on Social Tournaments

In his words, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adedayo is “doing well.” Better known as Mr Macaroni, the increasingly popular humourist recently partnered with Pragmatic Play, one of the leading providers of game content to the iGaming industry, on the second edition of its Social Tournaments.

Over the last Easter holidays, the Greece-based developer founded in 2012 invited the public in its Nigerian market to play its expertly designed games for free. On Tuesday, Mr Macaroni presented the top three prizes to their winners at his office.

A student of Computer Science at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Dansuma Paul, won a PS5. It was his first attempt at the games. Victor Urieto, a Medical Doctor who only started playing last December, went home with a brand-new Lenovo laptop. An artisan, Tiler, Johnson Olusoji, a first-time player, felt on top of the world with the grand prize

WINNING WITH PRAGMATIC PLAY…

L-R: Dr. Victor Urieto, Mr. Macaroni, Johnson Olusoji and Dansuma Paul of a 65-inch Hisense TV.

All the winners said the complementary nature of the Pragmatic Play Social Tournaments attracted them. According to

of the competition is to give the top of the mind awareness to Pragmatic Play games when thinking of similar products in the industry.

trickles down to other sectors within the gaming industry as well, especially in the area of commercialisation of indigenous games. “The increase in the number of Esports platforms emerging in Africa is an amazing one for the game industry, especially the gaming space. Soon, the focus would transcend the traditional games and focus on content created by Nigerian game developers,” explained Shola.

The game developer also mentioned that “when the world sees our capabilities, I believe it would draw the attention of stakeholders to invest in Nigerianmade games, thereby making the developer space a competitive one that has great market potential.”

told GAMING WEEK that the emergence of more Esports platforms offers more career opportunities to professionals and that the impact

Shola added, “It also would affect the game development space in areas of publishing and distribution.”

Cityzens Set to Extend Lead, Top 4 Battle Hits Climax in Italy

Davidson Abraham

On Thursday, Manchester United and Napoli are set to face tricky fixtures away from home against Brighton and Udinese in their respective leagues. Man United have been tipped to win or draw at the very least, while Napoli are set to clinch their first League title in 30 years with a win against Udinese.

In Portugal and Sweden, Porto and Malmo have been tipped by bookmakers to beat Famalicao and Varbergs, respectively, easily.

On Saturday, Man City are set to take a giant step forward with a win against Leeds at the Etihad, which will see them stay atop the Premier League table with four matches left to play. Tottenham and Liverpool are expected to beat Crystal Palace and

Brentford, respectively, if there are no surprises.

In the Italian Serie A, the race for the lucrative Champions League berths (amplified by the decision of the board to give Juventus its 15 points) is at its hottest in years, meaning every single game is a must-win for all the teams (third place through sixth-placed teams) involved in the race.

That said, AC Milan holds the home advantage going into Saturday’s game against Lazio.

Both teams are well poised to win at the San Siro, and the most likely outcome is a draw. While in the Eternal City, Roma must beat Inter to keep their hopes of a Champions League berth alive and vice versa. This game is truly a survival of the fittest encounter. Any of the two sides could take home all three points.

DATEFIXTURE BETTING TIPS

Thu 04-05-2023 Brighton Vs Man UnitedOver 1.5

Thu 04-05-2023 Sevilla Vs Espanyol 1x

Thu 04-05-2023 Udinese Vs Napoli2x

Thu 04-05-2023 Porto Vs Famalicao1

Thu 04-05-2023 Varbergs Vs Malmo2

Sat 06-05-2023 Man City Vs Leeds1

Sat 06-05-2023 Tottenham Vs Crystal Palace Over 1.5

Sat 06-05-2023 Liverpool Vs Brentford Over 1.5

Sat 06-05-2023 AC Milan Vs Lazio Over 1.5

Sat 06-05-2023 Roma Vs Inter Over 1.5

It could be argued that the face of Esports in Nigeria is currently undergoing a transformation, which is well worth noting, writes Iyke Bede

Shola Edu Eniola Edun

Oscar Michael

Godwin Solomon, Africa Continent Manager of Pragmatic, who was in the company of Adeleye Awakan, a consultant for betting and gaming in Africa, the purpose

COMMISSIONING OF IDP CAMP...

FG: Electricity Tariffs Cheapest But Most Evaded in Nigeria

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Minister of State for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, lamented yesterday, that the cost of electricity consumption in Nigeria remains the cheapest and most defaulted by consumers.

The Minister stated this during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Power.

He was at the forum in company of heads of various agencies in

the power sector.

The minister said electricity was highly subsidised in Nigeria by the federal government which made its cost to be cheapest compared to what is obtainable across the world.

He backed up his claim by making comparative analysis of cost of electricity in Nigeria with those of the neighbouring countries.

He said, "The cost of electricity in Nigeria is the cheapest across the

WAEC Warns Supervisors, Invigilators against Exam Malpractices as WASSCE Begins May 8

Ogundare

As the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) prepares to conduct the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, between May 8 and June 23, 2023, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, yesterday, warned schools against getting involved in examination malpractices.

He stressed that any school caught in the act, would have their recognition withdrawn.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, on the conduct of the exam, Areghan also warned invigilators, supervisors and its officials to guide against any form of misconduct in their centres.

He explained that schools where more than half of the candidates who registered and sat the examination would be involved in examination malpractice in two or more subjects are usually derecognised.

This, he said meant that such schools would no longer be qualified to be counted among ‘recognised schools’ for a period of two years.

According to him, "They would no longer be allowed to take the WASSCE (school candidates) for two years in their schools. Though they would be allowed to register for the examination, they would have to take their candidates to other schools chosen and arranged for by the state ministries of education concerned.

"No single teacher from the schools would be nominated or appointed to serve as supervisor or invigilator in any school, while erring candidates would lose their results.

“During the examination, only the school principal and science subject teachers would be allowed to enter the examination hall (to maintain discipline) and science laboratories (to set the laboratories), respectively."

The WAEC boss added that all expenses for conducting the examination would also be borne by the school.

"All erring teachers, principals and proprietors would be reported to the appropriate quarters for necessary disciplinary action. All schools currently under derecognition and those that are currently ‘clean’ are warned to desist from any and all forms of examination malpractice to avoid a second derecognition," he stressed.

While calling on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to study diligently and desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice, Areghan noted that the council, on its part, had rolled out several awareness campaigns, organised seminars for school proprietors, principals, teachers, students and other key stakeholders in branch and zonal offices nationwide to sensitise them on the ills of this evil.

"Similarly, we have made flyers, banners, posters and other forms of reminders to further keep the message afresh on the minds of all stakeholders.

“The various ministries of education should call their principals, teachers and other officials serving as inspectors and/or supervisors, to order. Supervisors should desist from allowing candidates to make use of their cell phones or availing the candidates of their own (supervisors’) cell phones.

globe, particularly gas to power, which is highly subsidised.

"For example, while cost of electricity in Nigeria is 15 cent per kilowatt, it is 42 cent in Niger Republic, 23 cent in Republic of Benin, 25 cent in Mali, 28 cent in Senegal, 27 cent in Burkina Faso etc."

He, however, lamented that while government was doing everything possible to make electricity affordable and

available for Nigerians, many of the consumers and even critical agencies of government, default in payment of bill. The Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sulyman Abdulaziz, said high rate of defaults on electricity bills by critical government agencies led to disconnection of Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) in Kaduna and Kano from the National grid recently.

He added that though they have been temporarily reconnected but the must make payment through the affected Discos to TCN within the 60 days grace given .

As a way out of the situation, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswam and other members like Senators Adamu Aliero , Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, among others, suggested deduction from source, the electricity bills of such agencies by the Ministry

of Finance.

Suswam, said one of the complaints made by the Discos, particularly those of Kaduna and Kano, was enormous debt incurred by them from electricity bills defaulters.

"The Discos as stated in the written complaint specifically mentioned military formations across the country, Educational Institutions, state governments ", he said.

61,495 Adolescent Girls Are Out-ofSchool in Katsina, State Govt Reveals

Katsina State Department of Girl Child and Child Development has disclosed that no fewer than 61,495 adolescent girls are out-of-school across the 34 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Director of Child Welfare in the department, Yahanatu Abdullahi, disclosed this yesterday, at a twoday planning meeting with key partners and facilitators for the development of advocacy kits for REACH programme in the state.

REACH—Reaching and Empowering Girls in Northwest Nigeria—is a United Nations

Children's Fund (UNICEF) programme aimed at tackling out-of-school syndrome in Katsina and Sokoto states.

She said the department with support from UNICEF, had generated data of 226,087 Almajiri children living in Tsangaya and out-of-school adolescent girls across the 34 local government areas of the state.

According to her, "A total number of 148,252 children were verified and documented for case management, out of which 86,767 are Almajiri boys and 61,495 are out of school adolescent girls."

She stressed that the REACH

programme would increase girls' knowledge, nutrition and menstrual hygiene as well as equip them with necessary skills to meaningfully participate in their economic future for the development of their communities.

The director added that the aims and objectives of the programme would not be achieved without the contributions and commitment of stakeholders hence the need for them to give the programme the needed attention.

In her presentation titled:

'Addressing Social and Gender

Norms to Prevent Child Abuse, Child Marriage and Promote Child

Protection Services', UNICEF Child Protection Manager, Emelia Allan, lamented the spate of out-of-school children in the state.

She, however said UNICEF, through the REACH programme, would address the menace of outof-school children, child marriage and other related predicaments faced by children in Katsina and Sokoto states.

In Katsina, Allan explained that the programme would be implemented in Rimi, Katsina and Mani local government areas of the state in collaboration with the state government, community and religious leaders.

Osinbajo Charges Nigerian Youths to Connect With Rural Peers, Make a Difference

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed that to promote and secure victory for the kind of candidates they want in elective public positions, knowledgeable young Nigerians must reach out further to connect and build bridges with their colleagues in semi-urban and rural areas, who are not as privileged and exposed like themselves.

According to him, this move would be useful in fixing the missing link in youth participation in Nigerian politics.

The Vice President stated this yesterday while interacting with

young Nigerians under the auspices of the Global Shapers Community, Abuja Hub, who paid him a courtesy visit at the State House. The Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum with chapters spread across different countries and a membership of over 15,000 young people. He told his guests that, “The vast majority of people, who are called youths in Nigeria are disprivileged, they are not people like yourselves." Osinbajo said only a small fraction of the youth population, who are most vocal and articulate, have impacted the political landscape.

According to him, “Our politics is still divided even among young people and the reason they cannot find the critical mass that it takes to promote the kind of candidates that they want in public office is because even among the young people, who are interested, their message is still restricted to themselves.

“To make a difference, they must cross that line and be speaking to the masses of young people in our society, who don’t have the privilege of knowledge or exposure that this other group has, which really for me, is the next stage of politics in our country.”

“Today, if elections are run again and again, the traditional

candidates will win, because the people in the hinterlands, people outside of the major urban centres, are not aware of some of the individuals that you might like, and because some of them are not involved in politics centrally, it is very difficult, sometimes even just to gain recognition outside their own immediate spheres of influence.

“So, there is a need for that connection, understanding our society, understanding this country is very important, which is why building bridges is crucial, talking to people across the country is very important. Those are the realities of our politics.”

Funmi

L-R: Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, (L) the SSA to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at the commissioning of IDP Camp constructed by SDGs office in Nganzai, Borno State on Wednesday

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

WTO: Africa to Benefit from Ocean Sustainability If Fisheries Subsidies Agreement is Secured

Africa loses $2.5bn to

Africa stands to gain greatly from strengthened ocean sustainability if the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on fisheries subsidies and further outcomes from the second wave of negotiations are secured by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the global trade body expected to hold in February 2024.

The Deputy Director-General, WTO, Angela Ellard, said this. Ellard, who made the remarks at a workshop on fisheries subsidies organised by the WTO

IUU

for English-speaking African countries held in Zanzibar, Tanzania, highlighted the urgency of improving the sustainability of marine fisheries and the importance of collective action by all governments.

She praised efforts of African governments in helping to adopt the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022.

According to her, as a continent surrounded by oceans and home to numerous fisheries, Africa was responsible for the management and conservation of a significant

2023 Exercise Typifies Executive Rascality in Elections, Says NBA

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Preparation for the commencement of the Presidential Election Tribunal, yesterday, entered top gear as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) re-echoed the colossal aberrations, which characterised the 2023 elections, describing it as a “show of shame”.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, who painted some vivid pictures of how the electoral processes were violated, specifically said the 2023 elections witnessed what he described as “voting day executive rascality.”

Represented by the NBA second Vice President, Clement Chukwuemeka, at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) fifth round of MOVE Project and Review Forum on Human Rights and the 2023 elections situation room report, Maikyau noted that while election was made that citizens vote secretly, he noted that most legislators and members of the executive arm of government, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari, displayed how he voted.

“This is one of the offences of the Electoral Act. The worst of it all, was where a Nigerian is no more honoured or recognised as Nigerian. That is voters profiling. We witnessed it in general election, governorship and state Houses

of Assembly elections. It is not only in Lagos but in some states.

“We saw how they carried out intimidation and we saw how they did all sorts of things but up till now, nobody has been called to account for such,” he noted, however, expressing confidence that, with the elections over and being contested at the courts, the judiciary would live up to expectations to right the wrongs.

He further said, “The elections, no doubt, has come and gone. The attention has shifted to the judiciary. As a lawyer, we are very optimistic that the judiciary will discharge their responsibility without fear or favour. That, I can assure because it remains the last hope of the common man.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said that the fifth forum would focus on “accountability for electoral crimes and human rights violations during and after the 2023 elections.

Ojukwu, who was represented by the Project Coordinator, Hillary Ogbonna, said it was styled to be a media event, where the media gets data and information that they would disseminate to Nigerians.

“That was why since February, the Commission had been publishing the dashboard of the human rights on elections,” he said.

portion of the world's marine resources.

She noted that with over 12 million people in Africa depending directly and indirectly on the marine fishing industry for their livelihoods, it, “is crucial that we work together toward sustainable management of our ocean resources.”

She stated that, “We know that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing currently costs Africa as much as $2.3 billion in economic losses each year; that more than 30 percent of African fish stocks are overexploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion; and that the health of African fisheries would improve if foreign fleets were not paid to fish in the unregulated high seas just beyond

the exclusive economic zones of African countries.

“Africa would be a big winner from a strong outcome on fisheries subsidies by MC13 — both the Agreement's entry into force and the successful completion of the second wave of negotiations.”

For the Deputy Principal Secretary of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Khamis Mwalimu, who read a statement on behalf of, Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, Suleiman Masoud Makame, said the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies could help ensure sustainable fishing activities, which will benefit the region.

“The fisheries sector in Africa

means a lot to our economies and livelihood but, unfortunately, it is not that developed and we are not benefiting from high seas fishing the way we should be due to lack of modern fishing facilities and also due to IUU fishing which we should all stand against.”

Mwalimu also said, “We believe the WTO Fisheries Agreement will curb these fishing malpractices,” adding that developing members should be provided the necessary support to comply with the requirements of the Agreement.

However, for the Agreement to become operational, two-thirds of members have to deposit their instruments of acceptance with the WTO as only five members have already done so.

Meanwhile, WTO noted that

members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13 for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

But the Deputy Director General noted that the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, established under the Agreement, is dedicated to supporting developing and least-developed country members as they upgrade their fisheries management capacity and implement the new subsidy disciplines.

“The Fund is up and running, and has already received contributions from Japan and Canada, with others to follow shortly,” she said.

House to INEC: Develop Mechanism for Removing Dead, Fictitious Names from Voters’ Register

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives, has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to develop a mechanism to clean up its system (voters register) of dead and fictitious registered voters.

The lawmakers specifically urged the electoral body to design a software application, where families, who lost their loved ones could report the demise of a particular Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) number so that it could be duly deleted from the commission's

register, polling unit, and ward.

They further asked INEC to include voter verification during Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to identify those on the register, who are still alive as well as fish out those with fake registration.

The House reached these resolutions, when it adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Leke Abejide at yesterday’s plenary.

Moving the motion, Abejide said INEC's register was full of millions of people who were dead

and non-existent.

The lawmaker noted that in the last general election, it was glaring and crystal clear that people that were long dead had their names still displayed in the voters’ register.

According to Abejide, even his own deceased father, who passed on long ago still had his name displayed on the board (voter's register).

"Apart from dead voters, there are millions of fictitious voters, who do not exist anywhere on this planet earth but have their names on INEC register of voters. It is believed

that this came to being as a result of double or multiple registration by Nigerians, who had or have intention of rigging elections but with the advent of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), these faceless individuals can no longer vote anymore."

Adopting the motion, the House urged that whoever does not vote in two election cycles back to back be deleted from INEC register as non-existing human beings and mandated the Committee on Electoral Matters to ensure compliances.

Alleged Anti-party: S’East APC Ratifies Suspension of Nnamani, Onyeama, Others

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Southeast zonal leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has ratified the suspension of its members found guilty of anti-party activities in Enugu State.

In a memo published yesterday by the zonal Secretariat of APC, the party stated that the ratification followed the Southeast Executive Meeting of the APC on Sunday April 16, 2023.

The Zonal Executive, headed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the national Vice Chairman Southeast, agreed that, in order to strengthen APC in the zone, “the party must enforce discipline amongst its members.”

Those found guilty of anti-party activities by their Ward Executives and ratified by the Zonal State Executive, included former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; former Governor Sullivan Chime;

former Speaker of Enugu state House of Assembly, Hon Eugene Odo; Director General Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu and former Commissioner in Enugu state, Joe Mammel.

Others were SA to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Flavour Eze; former chairman of the party in the state, Ben Nwoye; former deputy state chairman, A. C. Udeh; Obodoeze Ocho,Chukwudi Igwe, Kingsley Uduji, former military

governor Joe Orji, Mr. Maduka Arum and Chidera Obed.

Reacting to the ratification of the suspension and expulsion of the party chieftains from Enugu, Publicity Secretary of APC in Enugu State, Chief Ezeanyawu Michael, said it was “a right step in the right direction. I want to further use this opportunity to call on the APC leadership, at both the state and national levels, not to relent in its efforts to rid the party of saboteurs.”

Oluchi Chibuzor

L-R: Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Across Atlantic Development (AAD), UK. David Apollus,: Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora; Minister of State, FMSTI, Chief Henry Ikechukwu and Director, ICT, FMSTI, Mr. Idowu Afe, after the signing of MoU between AAD and the FMSTI in Abuja .... recently

ENOCK REUBEN

CLOSING GONG CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE RETURN TO FULL PHYSICAL TRADING...

Garba Shehu: APC’s 2023 Election Victory Confirms Party's Dominance

Says party's defeat would have ended career of many politicians

Deji

Elumoye in Abuja

The Presidency, yesterday, reviewed the general elections in the country and concluded that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential and state elections had confirmed it as the dominant party in the country.

Presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, who stated this at the State House, Abuja, stressed that the victory of the President-elect and Vice President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, respectively and the established control of the APC in 21 out of

36 states had established the party as a dominant national political party.

Speaking while receiving the “Arewa Young Lawyers’ Forum (AYLF),” the umbrella body for all young lawyers in the Northern part of Nigeria in his office, Shehu said, "that is a difficult reality for the opposition parties."

According to him, opposition victory in the general election would not only have been a career ending moment for many APC leaders but would also have had negative consequences for the various programmes of the Buhari administration

Auchi Polytechnic Alumni Organise Reunion for Members In Abuja

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Graduates of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State between 1980 and 1989, would be meeting today as part of their third re-union.

The reunion is to create a suitable forum for members in Nigeria and the diaspora to interact with one another.

The two-day reunion would kick off in Abuja, today, with the convergence of members for a major interaction and get together night while they visit the orphanages the following day.

President of the 80-89 set, Mr. Peter Nwadei, in a statement issued in Asaba, yesterday, said the re-union tagged, 'Auchi Oldies 80-89, Abuja 2023,' would not only to partner with the institution's main Alumni, public and private organisations and academia, but also to realise the vision of the association.

The vision of the association, according to him, was envisaged to build a reputation for intellectual thought leadership.

On the 2023 Abuja re-union, Charles Omosun and Lady

Bose Ikhanoba, Chairman and Secretary, Planning Committee respectively, disclosed that the 13-member planning committee slated the reunion in Abuja this weekend.

According to them, "members from all over the world will converge at Abuja on 5th of May for a major interaction and get-together. Then on Saturday the 6th of May, there will be visits to orphanages followed by a gala night at Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Asokoro in the evening where funds will be raised for several projects."

The Secretary General of the association, Emma Daco, disclosed that hat the first reunion was held at the ancient city of Benin in 2019, while the second one was held at Dallas in the USA in 2022.

The group, he said, was created on April 28, 2019, by five friends- Florence Agbejule, Flora Alofoje, Emmanuel Daco, Delphine Ikpasaja Oghale Ajise in Lagos and presently has sevenmember executive committee and several other personalities.

that empowered marginalised groups and remedied much of the nation’s infrastructure deficit.

“APC’s victory in the election is a watershed moment for the Buhari government, its orientation, its programmes and projects. In the hands of the opposition, many of the laudable programmes of the Buhari administration

would have been sabotaged or unimplemented.

“An important and overlooked aspect of the Tinubu/Shettima victory is that it ensures, not only an orderly transfer of power from the outgoing administration to the incoming one, but also the safety of policies and programmes of the outgoing government. For this, we remain

grateful to the Almighty, and to citizens of Nigeria for sticking with our party."

In accepting his appointment as Grand Patron of the Arewa Young Lawyers’ Forum, the presidential spokesman urged members of the association to be at the vanguard of promoting the study and practice of legal profession in the northern states.

“To build and secure

democracy in our communities, you need lawyers and journalists as its guardians and protectors. Without one, the other will not be successful,” he admonished them.

Earlier, Chairman of AYLF, Olayinka Dauda Jimoh, craved the support of the Presidency in giving strategic training to young wigs to enhance their leadership roles in the society.

My Trial is Political Vendetta, Lagos Ex-Speaker, Ikuforiji Tells Court

Says he may have stepped on toes

Wale Igbintade

A former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, yesterday, told the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos that the money laundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amounted to political vendetta.

The former speaker stated this during his examination-in-chief, in a-no-case submission filed before the court presided over by Justice Muhammad Lima.

Led by his lawyer, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, Ikuforiji denied money laundering allegation leveled against him by the EFCC, stating that the initial allegations made against him by the Commission was on fraud and misappropriation of funds, which the Commission later changed to money laundering.

My Lord sir, I am still surprised that EFCC will charge anybody for money laundering, because the person collected money brought from bank to the treasury of the House of Assembly, which is an arm of

government."It is a pity that I am standing trial today based on a faceless petition, that has no name or address of the writer, who alleged that I committed a fraud or misappropriated the sum of over N7 billion. But, politicians for what we are when you stepped on somebody's toes, you're bound to have many enemies.

"It is likely that I have a lot of enemies, and that is why we have this petition by an unknown writer. Who even know if the petition is from an individual and not from the EFCC itself," he said.

Ikuforiji explained to the court that as a three-term speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, if he had indeed committed such infraction, EFCC would not be the first to charge him, as members of the House would have dealt with him, by first impeaching him before handing him over to law enforcement agency.

Denying the allegation of money laundering, Ikuforiji said as the Head of the legislative arm of government, his role in

any financial issue is to give final approval to memo put before him, after the Office of the Clerk and that of the Finance Department have done their worked on it.

"I don't handle cash, or disbursement of funds, it is the duty of the Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department to do that," he added.

When asked if the 2nd defendant, Oyebode Atoyebi, who was his personal assistant, did collect cash on his behalf, Ikuforiji said, "Atoyebi collected money or cash for the Office of the Speaker, who at that time had over 100 staff, and definitely not for the Speaker in person. Atoyebi can collect money for the running of the office of the Speaker and allowances of other Staff."

On the status of the employment of Oyebode Atoyebi, the former Speaker said Atoyebi being a staff of Lagos State Government was seconded to the office of the Speaker.

In his evidence, a former Deputy Clerk of the Lagos

State House of Assembly, Mr. Ibisola Olawoyin Ogayemi, admitted that he knows the Defendants, and noted that the chief accounting officer of the House, was the Clerk.

On the modalities for financial transactions in the House, the witness said after the office of the Clerk and that of the Finance Department had done the paper works, they would send it to the Speaker for approval, and after his consent, the documents would be returned to them.

He added that on the return of the documents, the Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department would raise invoices and cheques, and subsequently, the bank would bring the cash to the finance department for disbursement in the presence of bank officials and staff of finance department to the beneficiaries.

Another witness, Mr. Kayode Motunrayo, a former banker from First Bank of Nigeria, corroborated Ogayemi's evidence.

After listening to parties, the court adjourned the case till June 1 and 2 for continuation of trial.

L- R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX); Temi Popoola, President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS); Oluwole Adeosun, Director, NGX; Mr. Yomi Adeyemi, and Group Chairman, NGX; Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, during a physical Closing Gong Ceremony to commemorate the return to full physical trading and honour Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) for their sustained contribution to the capital market on Tuesday, in Lagos

FUTURE OF AVIATION SAFETY SYMPOSIUM...

In Fierce Encounter, Troops Decimate 40 Terrorists, Bandits in North-east, North-west

Rescue two more Chibok girls, 510 insurgents, families

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said troops killed 40 terrorists and armed bandits in the last two weeks and apprehended 48 terror suspects in various operations across the North-east and North-west.

It said troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai intercepted 946 arms and ammunition even as 131 abducted victims, including two more Chibok

school girls were rescued during operations in the North-east.

At a media briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Musa Danmadami, said the land and air components of Operation Hadarin Daji also sustained offensive operations on terrorists enclaves, camps and hideouts within Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

He said the troops neutralised 25 terrorists, arrested 30 informants, six terrorists logistics suppliers,

UN: 37.8 Million Persons in Need of Protection in Sahel

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

More than 37.8 million people in the Sahel would need assistance and protection due to security challenges, political, socio-economic, and environmental factors, the United Nations (UN) Women has estimated.

Possible solutions are expected to be discussed at ongoing meeting in Niamey, Niger, where stakeholders would reflect on the theme: "Adapting the women, peace and security agenda to the changing context of the Sahel: rethinking and readjusting approaches," and launch the project: "Leadership of women's organisations for peace and security in the Sahel."

The meeting is under the aegis of the Ministry of Women's Promotion and Child Protection and with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Governments of the G5 Sahel countries, UN Women and its partners, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts.

According to a statement by UN Women, the Sahel region faces numerous security challenges, compounded by political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Extremist and terrorist armed groups as well as inter-communal conflicts have negative impacts on communities, forcing millions of people to move, they stated, predicting that by 2023, more than 37.8 million Sahelians would need assistance and protection.

The statement lamented that women and girls were often the

first to be affected by the crises, increasing their vulnerability and marginalisation in society. Yet, they are key players in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in the promotion of sustainable peace and development.

The statement added that: “It is within this framework that UN Women and its partners decided to organise this high-level regional meeting funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to discuss the issues and challenges facing women and girls in the Sahel region, but also to explore solutions for their effective participation in promoting peace and development.”

The statement further read:

"Niger is a land of welcome and opportunity and the laboratory of the nexus. We are honored and happy to receive the delegations of the sister countries of the G5 Sahel and other countries for this colloquium coupled with the launch of the regional program on capacity building of civil society organisations in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda financed by the Netherlands which we welcome.”

It added that it was in these terms that Mrs. Allahoury Aminata Zourkaleini, Niger’s Minister of Women Promotion and Child Protection, denotes the satisfaction of the choice of Niger for the organisation of the three days meeting in Niamey. She said the meeting would see the participation of government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts.

two gunrunners and rescued four kidnap victims, adding also that the troops had between April 21 and April 25 engaged in a firefight with terrorists, neutralising 14 insurgents, including a notorious terror kingpin.

He stated that a large cache of arms was recovered while two suspected bandits and drug peddlers were apprehended at Wazata village in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were notorious

suppliers of ammunition and hard drugs to terrorists.

“Troops recovered 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, eight mobile phones, 105 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis, 1,032 tablets of tramadol and the sum of N82,800.

“Similarly, on April 23, troops intercepted three terrorist logistics suppliers with one vehicle, and one canter truck loaded with 87 bags of rice at Gusami and Mada villages in Birin Magaji and Gusau Local Government Areas of Zamfara.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the bags of rice belong to a terrorist kingpin on the watch list of security agents,” he said.

Danmadami also disclosed that 131 kidnapped civilians including two Chibok school girls, who were on numbers 2 and 103 of the list of the missing Chibok girls were rescued.

He further stated that a total of 510 fighters of Boko Haram/ Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and members of their families, comprising 54 adult male,

164 adult female and 292 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations. Danmadami, who said all recovered items, apprehended suspects were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, affirmed that the rescued terrorists, escapees and members of the their families were profiled and given medical attention while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families were undergoing profiling for further action.

May 29: DHQ Warns against Plot to Scuttle Handover Programme

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, warned against any plot by any individual or group to scuttle the planned presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023, to have a rethink or risk contending with the military and other security agencies.

Speaking in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Musa Danmadami, handed down the warning in response to queries raised

on the preparations by the armed forces.

He said the military in collaboration with the police and other security agencies were working round the clock to deal decisively with any potential threat to a peaceful inauguration.

He said Nigerians should not harbour any fear that the May 29 inauguration would be truncated, noting that there was no reason why the inauguration of the president-elect should not hold.

Assuring the people that

the presidential inauguration would hold as planned, he pointed out that the elections had come and gone and the winner was declared hence the inauguration would hold as planned.

“I will reiterate that we are on standby to make sure that nothing unwanted happens. The issue of threat to the security and stability of the country is addressed promptly.

“Elections have come and gone. For the presidential election, a winner has been announced. There is a transition

committee in place comprising all members of the security agencies, ministries and agencies of government to make sure the event is held successfully and without a glitch, “We don’t see reasons why there should be a problem during the activity. The inauguration will come and go and nothing will happen. We are not going to relent at ensuring there is peace and stability across the length and breadth of the country,” he assured.

Jonathan, Wabara, Others Pay Tributes

as Diri's

Father's Remains Begins Final Journey Home

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Former President Goodluck

Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, one-time Senate President and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Steve Akpana and his wife, were among prominent personalities at the service of songs for late Pa Abraham Diri, father of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The event, which took place Wednesday at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital, marked the commencement of a week-long funeral rites of Pa Diri.

Inspector General of Police, Alkali Ahmed Baba, represented by the new Commissioner of

Police, Bayelsa State Command, Romokere Ibani; President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, represented by Amb. Boladei Igali; retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Michael Zuokumor; retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai; and former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe, were also in attendance.

Pa Diri, a retired headmaster, who died on February 12, 2023 at 88 years old, was a devout Christian and a Lay Reader in the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

In his tribute, Wabara noted that Pa Diri’s first three names: Abraham, Joseph and Michael, reflected his

true Christian background.

"Pa Diri believed in education and groomed his children well, which was why he was referred to as a no-nonsense headmaster."

Wabara also noted that one of the late octogenarian’s dreams was to become a councillor, which he could not achieve, but must have been fulfilled seeing his son emerge Bayelsa governor.

Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council and immediate past deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), described Pa Diri as a disciplinarian.

He said the late Diri's sterling qualities reflected in the governance style of his son, Senator Diri, who exudes humility and forthrightness.

According to him, "we have all lost a great father. My prayer

for the family is that they should continue to cherish his loving and fond memories."

In a sermon titled, "The Undisputable Fate of Man," Rt. Rev Victor Ebipadei Okporu, praised Pa Diri's selfless services to his community, particularly in the Anglican Church where he served as a Lay Reader.

Other notable personalities at the event were Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye; former military administrator of the state, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd); wife of former governor of the state, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha, and chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo.

L-R: Commissioner of AAIB-GHANA, Mr. Prempeh Agyeibi Akwasi; Commissioner of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency ( BAGAIA), Engineer Charles Irikefe Erhueh; and Director General National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engineer Akin Olateru, at The Future of Aviation safety and Aircraft Accident Investigation Symposium holding at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre Dubai, the United Arab Emirates…recently.

REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE…

L-R: Unleashed 4 Takeover Convener/Group Managing Director, Nedcomoaks, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo; renowned South African public speaker and Chief Executive Officer, MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, Vusi Thembekwayo, and the Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Crest Homes, Ichechi Okonkwo, at the Unleashed 4 Takeover Real Estate conference in Lagos…recently

Two kidnapped Catholic priests freed in Delta 12 Kidnapped, Police Rescue Two in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Edo State Police Command yesterday rescued two out of the 12 kidnapped victims in Edo state. The 12 kidnapped victims were reportedly abducted by gunmen on Tuesday.

This is just as the two Catholic priests who were

abducted by an armed gang at Agbarha-Otor in Delta State have regained their freedom.

The Edo victims, it was learnt were forcefully taken away along close to Ihevbe community, along the AfuzeAuchi road in Owan East Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were said to be traveling to Auchi when the gunmen emerged from the

Buhari Commiserates with Minister of State for Power, Jedy- Agba, over Father’s Demise

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the Royal Family of Agba, the government and people of Cross River State in mourning the passing of His Royal Majesty Uti (Dr) Joseph Davies Agba, Uti Item 111 of Utugwang, Uti Ukani 1 of Obudu, Paramount Ruler of Obudu Local Government Area (LGA).

Expressing his commiserations to the Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy JedyAgba, the President, in a release issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, believed that His Royal Majesty’s steadfast devotion and dedication to the well-being of his people since ascending to the throne in 1959 will never

be forgotten.

As one of the longest serving Monarchs in Africa and recipient of numerous honours both at home and abroad, the President affirmed that the wisdom, courage, dignity and magnanimity of the beloved Royal Father in the several positions he held will continue to serve as a shining example to all.

‘‘On a personal level, I will remember His Majesty for gifting the nation with responsible and patriotic children like Prince Goddy, who are passionate with the vision of a more stable, prosperous and united Nigeria,’’ the President said.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the Royal Father and comfort to all who mourn.

Securex West Africa Exhibition Holds

On the 9th May 2023 Securex West Africa will welcome back the security, fire, safety and facilities management industry to the Landmark Centre, Lagos.

The exhibition will provide a meeting point for more than 3,000 industry stakeholders to come together, view products and solutions from over 100 industry leading brands, including Acronis, Dahua, G4S, Halogen Security, Net Global Systems, Powerec Global Systems, Virdi Nigeria and ZK Teco, and find the missing solution to secure your business.

The three days will also host more than 70 industry thought leaders across two stages. With sessions looking into securing critical national infrastructure, Aviation safety,

kidnap protocols, cloud and cyber security.

Speaking with the organisers, George Pearson, Regional Director for Afrocet Montgomery said, “With the exhibition holding next week, we’re really excited with how it is all come together and want to thank our various partners who have supported in putting together the conference programme and identifying key trends and speakers that our community want to hear from. We’re also really pleased with the response from the exhibitors in what is a difficult period for all in the sector. And I want to extend my personal invitation to all those in the security, fire, safety and facilities industries and I look forward to seeing them next week.”

bush, forced their vehicle to a halt and whisked them into the bush.

The state command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwanbuzor, who confirmed

the incident, said two of the kidnapped victims had been rescued by the police from the kidnappers’ den.

“The police command is aware of the kidnapping.

Two of the victims have been rescued by the police, but we can’t ascertain the number of the persons kidnapped because there is nobody to give account of the number. The rescued

victims are receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said. Nwanbuzor said the police were still combing the bush to rescued other kidnapped victims and arrest the perpetrators.

TRCN: Unqualified Teachers are Cheaters

South-west records 70% uncertified private school teachers

The helmsman of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, (TRCN) Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, has declared that unqualified persons in the teaching profession are not teachers, but cheaters, adding that they don’t only cheat the pupils/ students but the system in its

entirety.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the Council and INSTILL Education on bringing in new dynamics to the profession, Ajiboye revealed that contrary to several speculations about the South-west and its teachers of private schools, 70

percent have been discovered not qualified.

Lamenting that 70 per cent of the unqualified teachers lack the prerequisites to be registered by the Council, the TRCN boss stated that a large number of teachers in Nigeria have never been exposed to training and have been using out-dated equipment for illustration.

“A large number of teachers in private schools in Nigeria today are not qualified. We wanted to use a consultant to get revenue from teachers in private schools. When we carried out a survey, we observed that a reasonable amount of 70 per cent of teachers in the South-west are not qualified as well.

Ogun LP Faults Bauchi’s NEC Meeting, Restates Support for Abure

The Ogun State chapter of Labour Party (LP) yesterday, described the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting purportedly, held on Wednesday in Bauchi, as a charade, that did not achieve anything.

The party, in a statement signed by its Ogun State Publicity Secretary, Mr Tokunbo Peters, described the meeting by a group led by Lamidi Apapa, as a gathering of renegades being sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise LP and to frustrate

the case of the party at the Presidential Election Tribunal.

The Ogun State chapter of the LP therefore, restated its support, loyalty and recognition of Mr Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the party.

The statement added that the Ogun State leadership of Labour

Party under the Chairmanship of Mr Lookman Jagun was fully represented at the legitimate NEC meeting of LP held on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023 in Abuja, where 33 State Chairmen and their Secretaries from all over the federation were present.

NCoS Promotes Officer for Gallantry during Kuje Jailbreak

Michael OlugbodeinAbuja

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has promoted one of its officers for the gallantry he displayed during last year’s Kuje jail attack.

The officer, James Benjamin was promoted from Assistant Superintendent of Corrections II

to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections I.

A statement yesterday by the Public Relations Officer of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, an Assistant Controller of Corrections read: “Sequel to the recommendation of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, the

Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFISB) has approved and promoted Assistant Superintendent of Corrections II James Benjamin to Assistant Superintendent of Corrections I for the gallantry displayed during the Kuje jail attack in June 2022

“The Controller General, who was represented by the Deputy Controller General, covering duty, in charge of the Directorate of Human Resource, Ahmadu Adamu, said the Service was poised to recognise and reward the commitment of its personnel in the discharge of their duties.”

NSCDC, CSO Synergise to Fight against Crude Oil Theft in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

In a bid to tackle menace of crude oil theft, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command has commenced partnership with a civil society organisation, Youth Environmental Advocacy

Center, (YEAC-Nigeria & United Kingdom).

Speaking during a visit of the CSO, the state NSCDC Commandant, Michael Ogar, reiterated the command’s commitment to partnering with non-governmental organization(NGO), CSO, traditional institutions, others

in the fight against oil theft, illegal oil bunkering activities and vandalism in the state.

Ogar noted that his office was open to receive information that would enhance the arrests of suspects dealing illegally in petroleum products.

He further restated the Command’s commitment to

stemming the spate of crime and criminalities in the state without compromise.

“Let me officially welcome you to my office. Meanwhile, this is also your office because as a concern citizen and a strong advocate against oil theft and as an environmentalist we have a lot to do together.

Niger House of Assembly to Probe Head of Secretariat of APC Governor-elect

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Head of the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor-elect is set to be probed by the Niger state House of Assembly.

Alhaji Isah Adamu was appointed to the 21-man strong Secretariat by Governor-elect Umar

Mohammed Bago last March. However, the state house of assembly, at its sitting yesterday resolved to probe Alhaji Isah Adamu for alleged mismanagement of public funds while serving as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB).

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello

in 2022 removed Isah Adamu from the position of Chairman of NSUBEB without givingany specific reason for the action.

A letter from the office of the Secretary to the State Government the SSG Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, which announced the removal of Isah Adamu, said the sack of the Chairman was

due to some observed anomalies in the operations of the board.

The Kontagora emirate council after the government action also sacked Isah Adamu as a traditional title holder for what it called “indiscipline, disloyalty and abuse of office” as the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board.

KuniTyessi inAbuja

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Makinde: We’ll Continue to Reward Hardwork, Dedication to Devt

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said his administration would continue to reward civil/public servants who show dedication to their duties and the progress of the state.

The governor added that the workers in the state would continue to witness consistent payment of salaries and pensions in his second term in office, pledging that he would clear the backlog of pensions and arrears left by the previous administration in the state.

The governor gave the assurance during the 2022 Oyo State Productivity Day/Merit Award celebration in Ibadan.

Makinde congratulated the awardees for serving the state meritoriously, urging them to strive and do more, as his administration would continue to celebrate hard work among the diligent workers.

While commending the efforts of the Oyo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps and other security agencies for ensuring peace and contributing to the productivity of the state, the governor assured

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

the people of the state that his government will aggressively woo investors into the state to increase the Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), and create more jobs for the teeming youth population.

According to him, “It’s another Productivity and Merit Award Ceremony Day in Oyo State. For the past three years, we have been hosting this event every year. This ceremony is a way to appreciate the hard work, diligence, and contributions of Oyo State Civil and Public Servants and incentivise them to perform even better.

‘We Will Nab Financial Criminals through Deployment of Digital Forensics’

Yetunde Bello

The Chairman, Board of Diplomats for Digital Forensics, Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Prof. Adesina Sodiya, has stated that digital forensics is about the acquisition of digital evidence and analysis of digital evidence and the scientific approach to investigation and prosecution.

Sodiya disclosed this recently during the inauguration of the Board by CIFCFIN and the

Board of Diplomats for Forensic Accounting and Auditing in Abuja.

He said the inauguration of the Boards was in fulfilment of the Act establishing CIFCFIN to set standards in all the areas, and in all the components of Forensics and Fraud Investigation.

“So, you are not going to look at papers, you are not going to look at records and files but you will be looking at transaction movements, signal movements, communications, changes in data at rest and in motion; changes in digital records, and so on and

Blessings of Allah are All Around

By: SIslamiCity

The blessings of Allah are all around, In every sight, in every sound, The air we breathe, the sun that shines, The food we eat, the friends we find.

From the smallest ant to the mighty whale, Each creature on earth, without fail, Is blessed with sustenance and care, Provided by Allah’s love everywhere. The beauty of nature, the stars above,

so forth. So, we need specialised skills and knowledge to be able to track these people, and that is also our area of expertise,” he said. He further explained that adequate attention must be paid to digital forensics as most activities of governments, corporate organisations and individuals are now being done on digital infrastructure or digital platform in order to checkmate the activities of criminals, corrupt officials and fraudsters who exploit the loophole in the digital space.

Remind us of Allah’s boundless love, And how He’s showering us with grace, Each moment of every single day.

So let us not forget to give thanks, For all the blessings that Allah ranks, And remember that gratitude is key, To live a life of peace and glee.

For when we’re grateful, we attract more, Of Allah’s blessings, rich and pure, So let’s cherish them, with all our might, And thank Allah, both day and night.

Katsina

NUJ Advocates Improved Welfare Packages for Journalists

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Council, has advocated the need for improved welfare packages for members by media owners in the country.

The state NUJ Chairman, Mr. Tukur Hassan-Dan-Ali, disclosed this on Wednesday’s evening in a statement he issued to journalists to commemorate 2023 World Press Freedom Day.

He said that most Nigerian journalists, especially freelancers, were poorly paid, equipped and motivated by their employers to

discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

Hassan-Dan-Ali said: “We therefore call on all proprietors of print and broadcast media organisations to as a matter of urgency give priority to the welfare of their workers.”

He, however, admonished practicing journalists in the state to continue to adhere strictly to journalism’s ethics in the discharge of their professional duties as the watchdogs of the society.

He recalled that journalists played a vital role in the struggle and successful attainment of Nigeria’s independence in 1960, as well

as the return to the current democratic dispensation from 1999 to date.

In Katsina, he said, the pen professionals have in no small measure contributed to the general development of the state through positive reportage of issues and events that affect governance and the generality of people in the state.

He added that NUJ members in Katsina State would continue to work assiduously with security agencies to mitigate security challenges bedeviling the state and other neighbouring states.

Army Donates VVF Ward to Sokoto Hospital

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The people of Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State were full of joy as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, donated fully equipped Vesicular Vaginal Fistula (VVF) ward to Goronyo

General Hospital.

Speaking at the commissioning of the VVF ward, the National President of Nigerians Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) Mrs. Salamatu Yahaya, described the project as one of the special civil/military cooperation intervention projects that is aimed

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Are We Grateful to God?

By: Syed Abul Ala Maududi/IslamiCity

“There is a sign for them in the lifeless earth: We give it life and We produce grain from it for them to eat; We have put gardens of date palms and grapes in the earth, and We have made springs of water gush out of it so that they could eat its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this. How can they not give thanks?” Quran 36:33-36

at winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians by complementing existing infrastructures.

She added that the Nigerian Army belonged to Nigerians and as such they must partner in ensuring that Nigeria is safe and secured.

The hospital ward was constructed under the Chief of Army Staff, Army-Civil Relationship in the country.

She further said that the project was conceived to support VVF victims and to complement government and donors efforts toward enhancing VVF treatment and services.

The wife of the COAS expressed optimism that the ward would assist in ensuring smooth patients’ treatment, care and workers services, adding that Goronyo Hospital was selected in view of high concentration of VVF patients from Nigeria and neighboring country of Niger Republic.

She said: ‘’COAS had approved the construction of VVF ward in the last eight months and completed it on January 30, this year. It was equipped with all the necessary facilities for VVF treatment and a hospital ward.”

In these brief sentences the vegetable and plant life of the earth has been presented as an argument. Man is consuming the products of the earth day and night and regards this as very ordinary. But if he considers it seriously, he will see that the growth of rich crops and lush green gardens from the dry earth and the flowing in it of the springs and rivers is not a simple thing, which might be happening of itself, but there is a great wisdom and power and providence which is working behind it. Consider the reality of the earth. The substances of which it is composed do not possess any power of their own for growth. All these substances individually as well as after every sort of combination, remain inorganic, and thus do not possess any sign of life. The question is: How did it become possible for plant life to emerge from the lifeless earth? If one looks into it one will see that there are some important factors without whose provision beforehand life here could not have come into existence.

First, in particular regions of the earth, on its outer surface, a layer was arranged of many such substances, which could serve as food for vegetation. This layer was kept soft so that the roots of the vegetation could spread in it and suck food.

Secondly, a system of irrigation was arranged on the earth in different ways so that the food elements could get dissolved in water and absorbed by the roots.

Thirdly, the atmosphere was arranged around the earth which protects it against the calamities of the sky, becomes a means of rainfall, and possesses gases which are necessary for the life and growth of the vegetation.

Fourthly, a relationship was established between the sun and the earth so as to provide proper temperature and suitable seasons for the vegetation.

With the provision of these main factors (which in themselves are combinations of countless other factors), the coming to life of the vegetation becomes

possible. After arranging the suitable conditions, the seed of each species of the vegetation was so constituted that as soon as it received favorable soil, water, air and season, vegetable life should begin stirring within it. Besides, inside the same seed a system was so arranged that from the seed of every species a plant precisely of the same species should grow with all the characteristics of its own species and heredity. Then, in addition to this, another wonderful thing was done. Vegetation was not created in twenty, or fifty, or a hundred kinds but in countless species, and they were so made that they should fulfill the requirements of food, medicine and clothing and innumerable other needs of the countless kinds of animals and man, who were to be brought into being after the vegetation on the earth.

Anyone who ponders over this wonderful arrangement, if he is not stubborn and prejudiced, will himself testify that all this could not have come about by itself. There is certainly a wise plan underlying it, according to which harmonies and relationships of the soil, water, air and season with respect to the vegetation, and harmonies and relationships of the vegetation with respect to the needs and requirements of animals and human beings have been determined, keeping in view the finest detail. No sensible person can imagine that these universal, all-embracing relationships could be a mere accident. This same subtle arrangement points to the fact that this cannot be the work of many gods. This is, and can only be, the work of One God, Who is the Creator and Lord of the earth, water, air, sun, vegetation, animals and mankind. If each of these had a separate god, it cannot be imagined that such a comprehensive and universal plan with such deep and wise relationship and harmony could be produced and should have continued to work with such regularity for millions upon millions of years.

After giving these arguments for Tauhid (confirming the Oneness of God the creator of the universe), Allah says: “Do they not then give thanks?” That is: “Are these people so thankless and ungrateful that they do not render thanks to that God Who has provided all this for their survival, but thank others for the blessings and favors done by Him? Are they so wretched that instead of bowing before Him they bow before the false gods, who have not created even a blade of grass for them.

Osimhen Gives Napoli First Scudetto in 33 Years

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Victor Osimhen scored his 22nd Italian Serie A goal as Napoli drew 1-1 with Udinese

last night to win their third Scudetto title .

It is the first league crown for the Naples-based club in 33 years since the era of legendary

Argentine football great, Diego Armando Maradona in 1990. They won their first league title two years earlier with Maradona leading the charge

in 1986/87 season. And it was only apt that it will be Napoli’s most influential star player this season who will deliver the

...Man Utd Chances Brighter in Race to Sign Osimhen

Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Nigerian star, Victor Osimhen, after Bayern Munich dropped out of the race to sign him.

The Super Eagles forward has played a leading role in Napoli's title charge this term, netting 21 goals in 26 league games to help Luciano Spalletti's men move 15 points clear at the top of Serie A. United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG have all been tipped to make a move in the summer with the player valued at more than £100million.

However, the Bundesliga giants have decided they will not bid for Osimhen as they are unsure whether he is worth spending a record fee, according to BILD.

He has more than two years left on his current Napoli contract after previously joining the club from French Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2020.

The Red Devils are still looking for a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the club in November.

Erik ten Hag is desperate for more firepower to put his team in touching distance of the likes of Arsenal and Man City - who are the only two sides in the Premier League title race this season. United are also interested in Harry Kane - but they were already warned that he will set them back £100million this summer, with the Tottenham forward's contract expiring in Osimhen2024.revealed in March

that he dreams of playing in the Premier League.

He said: “I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world is an amazing feeling for me.

“A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I'm in one of the best

leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.”

“I'm working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League some day but like I said, it's a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well,” Osimhen added.

A Scudetto to come true again, after three decades

decisive equaliser. Osimhen, 24, fired an unstoppable shot from inside the box off a rebound for his 22nd goal in Serie A this term. Napoli needed to avoid defeat against Udinese last night to hit an unassailable 80 points with five rounds of matches to the end of the season.

They were deserved winners of Serie A with the best attack, best defence and playing the best football.

Interestingly, this crowning which was delayed twice since last Saturday and Wednesday, caused a sold-out Diego Ar-

mando Maradona Stadium in Naples to erupt into a huge party some 850 kilometres away.

For Osimhen, it is a dream come true, winning his first major honour since arriving in Europe seven years ago. He thus tied the legendary George Weah’s all-time highest tally of 46 Serie A goals by an African player. Weah reached this milestone in 74 appearances.

The Super Eagles forward still have the chance to make more history as the first African to be crowned Goal King of Serie A with five more matches to end the league season.

Edo Deputy Governor to Raise Cancer Awareness at 2023 Okpekpe Race

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu,

Rivers Utd Crash out of Federation Cup!

Rivers United who last Sunday lost their bid to reach the semi final of the CAF Confederation Cup, have similarly crash out of the domestic Federation Cup.

The Pride of Rivers people were beaten 5-4 in penalty shootouts by Enyimba after a goalless regulation time in their delayed Round of 64 clash in Uyo yesterday.

Rivers United were eliminated

from the continental campaign by Tanzania’s Young Africans.

But yesterday, Rivers fought bravely to stay in the competition but the more experienced Enyimba got the upper hands in the battle.

Both sides could not find the back of the net all through the regulation time in the pulsating encounter.

It was however Rivers United’s most enterprising star player, Farouk Mohammed that missed his kick before Chijioke Victor Mbaoma converted his decisive kick to give the People’s Elephant the ticket to the Round of 32. Enyimba will now take on another NPFL side Plateau United in the round of 32 of the Federation Cup.

who will participate in this year's Okpekpe international 10km road race has hinted that he will be running to raise awareness about cancer.

Shaibu revealed yesterday at the press conference in Benin City to herald the May 27, 2023 race in Okpekpe that he has registered for the race.

“The good thing about the

Okpekpe race is that you can register online. All I need to do now is to go to the designated venue to collect my running kits and bib,” said the sports loving deputy governor.

Continuing, Shaibu said he decided to raise awareness about cancer this year because of the perception of people about the disease.

“The good news is that being diagnosed with cancer does not necessarily translate to a death sentence. It can be treated if diagnosed early. There will be free screening for cancer for people at the race, especially the good people of Edo State to know early detection can save lives.”

Shaibu is delighted the Okpekpe race has continued to grow in leaps and bounds with adequate security put in place for athletes, officials and fans.

Zenith

Primary schools swimmers will take their turn on Saturday as the Zenith Bank Swimming Gala for Primary School pupils takes place at Ikoyi Club 1938.

As at the time of filling this report, a total of 13 schools have registered for the competition aimed at identifying young talents in the sport.

The events to be competed for by the boys and girls that are Under Six years include; 33.3m categories of Butterfly, Backstroke,

Saturday

Bank Swimming Gala for Primary Schools Holds

Breaststroke and Freestyle. They will also compete in the Freestyle Relay, Mix Medley Relay and the Mix Freestyle Relay.

A member of the planning committee, Akin Onabolu added that pupils who are seven years and above will compete in similar categories but in 66.6m at the Ikoyi Club Swimming pool.

Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, has already charged the young swimmers to perform

well like their secondary school counterparts.

Onyeagwu said: “We expect a keen contest by the young ones in the pools and our organization enjoys creating a good environment for the young ones to strive.”

Chairman of the Swimming Section, Ikedichi Kanu, stated that Ikoyi Cub was ready to make the primary school pupils enjoy themselves in the one-day competition.

“What started as a bronze label race in 2015, the first road running event in West Africa to be granted a label status by World Athletics has grown to become a gold label race, the first 10km road race in Nigeria to be granted a gold label status,” added the deputy governor Speaking earlier, Mike Itemuagbor, organiser of the historic race, revealed that about 200 students from Edo State University in Uzairue will be used as volunteers.

“The essence of using university students from Uzairue is to give the young ones from our immediate environment the opportunity to participate in key decision making processes.

“This year's race is the ninth edition and arrangements are in place to organize another world-class race,” he concluded.

Napoli fans invaded Udinese’s Dacia Arena Stadio mainbowl to mob their prized star boy, Victor Osimhen ( second, right) who made their dreams of another Italia Serie

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shaibu, displaying the state’s jersey for the 2023 Okpekpe 10km International Road Race at a press briefing in Benin City...yesterday

Reno Omokri to FG

“The contagious effects of the war in Sudan can unleash a super spreader on Nigeria because of the solid links between them and us. If Nigeria does not actively take part in bringing peace to Sudan, we will have a massive explosion of terrorism in Nigeria. Remember what happened after the Libyan civil war? Some Nigerians in Libya came back with money and weapons, did a hostile takeover of Boko Haram, and radicalised that sect. The same thing will happen if Sudan is destabilised. They will make the current banditry trend look like child’s play” –Reno Omokri, Social Critic and former Presidential Spokesman, calling Nigeria to be proactive on the war in Sudan.

MAGNUSONYIBE

GUEST COLUMNIST

Mike Adenuga Jnr: The Man Who Can Give The Moon

In the past one year or thereabouts, l have been trying to recover from the shock of the jaw dropping gift that l had received from Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, who is one of Africa’s foremost entrepreneurs and one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, that for lack of a better nomenclature, l would like to also refer to as the ‘Philanthropist -General’ of our time.

As he clocked seventy (70) years on Saturday, 29 April,2023, ceaseless tributes to the man of the people and of all times, have been flowing in torrents from all over the world and from all strata of society.

They include those from very consequential leaders of strategic countries of the world, ranging from the president of our country, Nigeria ,as well as current and past presidents of neighboring countries such as, republic of Ghana and Benin to the current prime minister of the second richest country in Europe, France as well as numerous employees of his business conglomerate spread across the African continent and beyond.

It is remarkable that all the soul stirring tributes extolling the enthralling virtues of the most effable and humane man that l have ever come across are from both the high and mighty as well as the plebeians in Nigeria, African society and the world at large.

Let us also keep in mind that there are legions of indigent folks who are not privileged to have access to mass media platforms to share their own stories that would melt the heart of even Lucifer himself, about how Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr’s uncommon philanthropic gestures have redefined their lives.

That indicates that the GLOBACOM founder and chairman for whom the entire world is clinking glasses in celebration of his moving to the seventh (7th) floor of life (70th birthday),has a knack for touching lives from the top of the echelons of society to the bottom of the rung.

So, in light of the above reality, it would be unwise or remiss of me to go on a rehash of the Globacom founders tough, instructive and inspiring journey to wealth which has been the subject of a handful of case studies in entrepreneurship conducted in a variety of institutions of higher learning across the world.

All that need to be said about how Chief Adenuga Jnr did not ‘bury his talent’ a metaphor lifted from the holy Bible that Mr Segun Adeniyi, THISDAY newspaper Editorial Board chairman leveraged to illustrate the entrepreneurial prowess of the man that many refer to as the ‘Spirit of Africa’, did justice to the tycoon’s accomplishments as a quintessential business and jobs creator .

For those who may not be familiar with the bible narrative about the Talent, it is about how a wealthy man that gave his servants Talents (funds) when he was going on a long journey. While some of the servants invested their Talents and earned profit which they handed to their master upon his return, a particular one buried the talent allocated to him instead of generating more income with it.

Disappointed in the servant that buried the Talent entrusted in his care, in anger the master took the Talent off him and gave it to the servants that multiplied their Talents through enterprise.

Clearly, the analogy above is very apt because Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr has not only by dint of hard work multiplied the Talents allocated to him, a feat which has already been put on display in the effusive outpouring of encomiums on the man that personifies the concept of honest hard work and reward; he has also been a very generous giver to his compatriots in all spheres of life and all strata of society.

Perhaps, his attitude of being a very cheerful giver is in fulfillment of the doctrine or mythology in Christendom that wealthy people are custodians of God given wealth which they are supposed to use to lift the less privileged.

How many affluent people in the world have such a noble mindset?

In my reckoning, Chief Mike Adenuga is the type of man, who if he had the moon, can give it out in philanthropy to any man/woman who needs and

deserves it, irrespective of tribe, tongue or creed.

Hence in my tribute to the shy and at the same time bold like a bull wealth creator, who prefers not to be talked about-Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, l am concentrating on his somewhat understated acts of kindness and generosity to society as a whole and to individuals- both the affluent and indigent- in measures that appear to dwarf his financial wealth, even though he is stupendously rich.

Ordinarily, what the wealthy are used to, or are required to give out in philanthropy is a fraction of their riches.

But the myriads of testimonies about his large heartedness, the quantum of what Chief Adenuga gives and the burgeoning number of his benefactors appear to be so gargantuan, that it is difficult for some close followers of his philanthropic gestures not to assume that he gives his all.

One unique thing about his giving is that it is not just to his family members or people with similar business interests who have potential values that he would harness in the future. But, as l found out, his humanitarianism is multifaceted and multidimensional because his mission/ goal is to affect humanity positively without frills.

That reality is underscored by the fact that if life serves a compatriot or even a fellow human being lemon, and Chief Adenuga is in a position to help, he would facilitate the process of the victim turning the lemon into lemonade.

And there are multiplicity of instances that he played such roles especially in the lives of our compatriots in the sports and creative as well as performing arts worlds which are too numerous to be listed in this piece.

As my good friend Bashorun Dele Momodu, THISDAY newspaper columnist and Ovation magazine publisher noted in his tribute to the business colossus and humble owner of GLO telecommunications and Conoil Producing, who also has significant stakes in major banking, real estate and construction concerns, Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, in just a space of one year; he was gifted two premium cars - Audi A8L and Range Rover worth eighty-five (N85m) million naira amongst other goodies.

Who does that for someone who is not his father or mother, siblings or business facilitators/collaborators?

But as Mr Momodu pointed out in his well crafted exposé ,the generous gifts to him were sudden and surprising from the man whose birthday has got very significant tongues waxing lyrical in attestation to his Midas touch in business and also his being imbued with the spirit of kindness to give freely to fellow humans without strings attached.

Although, l am convinced that the man known as The Bull by his friends and associates would be uncomfortable with the disclosure that l am about to make, because

he is an ‘apostle’ of one hand giving without the other knowing; but l can not resist sharing with his millions of well wishers across the world, that l have also been a ‘victim’ of his out of this world ‘drop dead’ gifting.

Imagine receiving a bank cheque with not just single, but multi digits figures on it amounting to a huge sum of money that would keep the mouth of many readers agape with incredulity!

Add the fact that it was unsolicited, but an instinctive decision of my benefactor who has become legendary in his love for being his brother’s keeper, as his favor literally came out of the blues, then you can begin to have an idea of the reason that l confessed in the opening paragraph of this essay that l am still trying to recover from the positive effect of the pleasant surprise.

And I was stunned by his fabulous gift because l am not a product of his loins, neither a sibling, nor a business associate or even an employee of the man that without equivocation, l would like to refer to as the most illustrious son and selfless giver that has ever come out of ijebuland, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world.

So, what manner of man is Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, the consummate business Titan who can gift a man something as priceless as the moon?

That is the optics with which most people that he has touched their lives through fabulous gifts, view the favors that he has doled out to them.

In my modest understanding of life, only God gives freely without strings attached.

The assertion above is underscored by the fact that it is only God that freely gives every living being, particularly humans air-the most critical element for the sustenance of life .

It is also only God that makes the sun to shine upon and rain fall freely on Mother Earth to sustain those who believe in Him and those that do not, without discrimination.

Indeed, it is a rare and unique display of humanity that Chief Mike Adenuga embodies such qualities associated with only human beings blessed with higher minds and not mere mortals.

Strikingly, such godly values of freely giving and intentionally hiding his large heartedness from public glare is in adherence and consonance to God’s injunction in the holy Bible in Mathew 6:3: “But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy]

It is unsurprising that some benefactors have justifiably gushed about Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr’s fantastic acts of kindness and have therefore conceptualized him in the image of Angel Gabriel.

Well, it is worth pointing out that angels often announce the gifts being conveyed from God to their benefactors, except on few occasions when there was a caveat for silence.

Take for instance, the immaculate conception of Mary mother of Jesus Christ and wife of Joseph the carpenter whose tongues were tied until Jesus was birthed.

But given that Chief Adenuga detests publicizing what l would like to characterize as his ‘do goodness’ through his intentional efforts at keeping his wondrous generosities outside the klieg lights, it may seem uncharitable that l am breaking the code of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, while engaging in charity as enunciated in the holy Bible.

While not being unmindful that l am in contravention of the philanthropist’s core value, ethos and guiding principle of giving in secrecy, l have taken solace in the fact that even when Jesus Christ, the son of God had instructed the ten (10) lepers that He had pronounced healing upon to go and show themselves to the priests, it was disappointing that only one returned to show gratitude to Jesus Christ, as narrated in the Bible book of Luke 17:11-19.

That is why l have elected to acknowledge and celebrate the cheerful giver, Chief Mike Adenuga’s largesse to me, so that l would not be like the nine (9) lepers that failed to go back to their healer to show gratitude.

So, while recognizing that l risk making the extremely shy, humble and enigmatic birthday celebrant a bit uncomfortable, l apologize for the indiscretion unreservedly. At the same time, l have rationalized my action by terming it ‘good offense’ in the manner that the American civil rights activist and member of House of Representatives, John Lewis of blessed memory, dignified dissent as ‘good trouble’ back in the days of the struggle for black voting rights activism in the United States of America, USA.

In my reckoning, it is better l ‘offend’ a bit the extraordinarily benevolent giver in the mold of Santa Claus (Father Christmas) and mother Theresa combined, than act like the nine (9) healed lepers that failed to return to Jesus Christ to show gratitude, earlier referenced.

Although, my action of spreading the unique and awe inspiring favors dolled out to a myriad of folks is in contravention of the rule of the man with the heart of God-as Chief Mike Adenuga may be equated to modern day David, whom God referred to as the man after His heart, according to the Bible narrative in Acts 13:22. But the philanthropist extraordinaire prefers to stick to the original injunction of God: give in complete secrecy.

As things currently stand, it appears as if Chief Adenuga Jnr has no choice but to forgive his legion of friends and associates that have exposed his well guarded secret of doing good and keeping it under the radar.

Put succinctly, one is encouraged by the fact that a deluge of beneficiaries comprising of thankful men/women of influence and indigent Nigerians alike, have also erred by breaking the humble and cheerful giver’s ‘code’ of being his brothers keeper without ado.

Certainly, since as the saying goes: a gold fish has no hiding place, the culture of spreading the milk of kindness that Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr has obviously democratized by extending his compassion to both the needy and not so needy, no matter their tongue, tribe or creed, was bound to become an open secret, sooner or latter.

It is against the backdrop of the human milk of kindness that has percolated from the top to the bottom of Nigerian society and indeed in Africa through sheer acts of charity via support for stakeholders in the sports, arts and culture space that the 70th birthday of the man that most of his admirers fondly refer to as Chairman- derived from the fact that he has founded and currently chairman of multiple firms that have attained the status of unicorns-has unsurprisingly triggered.

Chief Mike Adenuga’s birthday has triggered so much emotions from Nigerians from all works of life with such great aplomb to the extent that folks hitherto known to be taciturn have voluntarily chosen to become voluble in sharing life changing experiences that the man of the moment and altruist has inspired or positively wrought on their lives.

At this juncture, l would like to crave the indulgence of readers to allow me share how I was first introduced to the man whose 70th birthday has got millions of tongues wagging -no porn intended.

I first met Chief Adenuga in 2003, two (2) decades ago when he was in the process of launching his game changing and wave making telecommunications firm, GLOBACOM.

The meeting was facilitated by Hon. Nduka Irabor, journalist par excellence and ex member of National Assembly, NASS that represented lka federal constituency of Delta state.

At that time, l was a manager in charge of corporate communications in the defunct Continental Trust Bank, CTB owned and managed by my friends and brothers, Mr Ike Nwabuoku and Mr Tony Elumelu amongst many other investors.

•ONYIBE, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst ,author, development strategist, democracy advocate, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts university, Massachusetts, USA and a former commissioner in Delta state government, sent this piece from Lagos. For continuation of the conversation, pls visit www. magnum.ng.

Adenuga