TUESDAY 10TH MAY 2022

Buhari Urges W’Bank, AfDB to Activate $19bn Fund for Climate Investment President, Adesina task Africa on food production, reduced dependency on foreign countries Buhari: campaign for debt cancellation, $650bn special drawing rights for African countries gaining traction Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the World Bank and African

Development Bank (AfDB) to activate the $19 billion pledge, meant for land restoration, tree planting, development of climate resilience infrastructure and investments in

small- and medium-sized farms.

The president, while calling on development partners to support the One Planet Summit initiative, also underscored the importance of

recharging Lake Chad, now down to 10 per cent of its water volume, as 11 Sahel nations discussed ways and means of accessing the $19 billion pledged by donors for the

activities of the Pan African Great Green Wall Agency (PAGGW).

Speaking yesterday in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, at a side event he convened at the ongoing UN

Conference of Parties, COP15, in his capacity as the president of the Conference of Heads of State and Continued on page 12

Commercial Activities Grounded as Fuel Scarcity Worsens in Abuja…Page 6 Tuesday 10 May, 2022 Vol 27. No 9891. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

2023: Jonathan Meets Adamu, Hours After Group Purchased Forms on His Behalf Ex-president says he didn’t authorise purchase of APC forms 72 hours after another group bought form for Adesina, he's yet to deny presidential ambition Sale of forms closes today, 25 presidential aspirants jostle for ticket Lawan, Sylva, Ayade join race as Bakare formally declares Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade, Adedayo Akinwale, Emmanuel Addeh and James Emejo in Abuja The former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday met with National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in

Abuja, a reliable source informed THISDAY. The meeting, THISDAY gathered, took place few hours after a Fulani group, under the aegis of the Nomadic Pastoralists and the Almajiri Communities, purchased the ruling party’s nomination and Continued on page 12

Presidential Poll: Court Summons INEC, AGF over Emefiele's Participation Adjourns to May 12 Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to appear before it on

Thursday, over the participation of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele in the 2023 presidential election.

Justice Mohammed in addition Continued on page 12

IS 2023 LOADING?...

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan (L) in warm handshake with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Adamu, after a meeting that lasted about an hour in Abuja… yesterday

Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Shouldn't Resume Until Victims Are Released, Families Declare... Page 35

2

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

3

4

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

5

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

THE RACE NOT JUST A MARATHON BUT INCLUDES BOXING SKILLS...

Frontline APC Presidential Aspirant and Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, receives American boxing great, Floyd Mayweather AKA Money Man at his Abuja home... yesterday

2023: Saraki Meets Obasanjo, Warns Nigerians against Electing President without Energy Former Senate president strong, healthy to run for president, says Sambo James Sowole in Abeokuta One of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential aspirants, Dr. Bukola Saraki has met with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as he continues to campaign to delegates of the party ahead of its presidential primary elections, just as he warned Nigerian voters against choosing a candidate that has no stamina to endure the rigours of being the president of Africa's most populous nation.

Also, a former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, has stated that Saraki has the capacity and experience needed to lead Nigeria.

However, speaking to delegates in Ogun State, Saraki said what Nigeria needed was a president that would stand bold and courageous.

“We all know my four years as the Senate president, I stood for this

country. I stood for what I believed was in the interest of this country.

Let us find that person who has the energy because the work of a president is not part-time, especially now the country is very bad.

"Nigeria needs a president that is up and running, not a president that will be giving instructions because when you give instructions and you don't check, nothing will happen," he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari's ill health had stuck out like a sore thumb during the past seven years, with his critics advocating for a healthy and younger president in the 2023 presidential election.

Frontline presidential aspirants Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar are also considered too old to rule Nigeria by their critics.

Saraki insisted that, "you need somebody that has the energy to do

it. I believe that I have the energy and capacity to do it."

He added, "Many aspirants have been coming and will still come to you and promise many things. Listen to them and rate them according to what they have done in the past. They promised restructuring.

You cannot restructure without the experience and political sagacity in the legislature. My experience cuts across the legislative and executive arms. We need a Nigerian for all Nigerians."

Saraki who was accompanied

by PDP former National Chairman Abubakar Kawu Baraje, held a closed-door meeting with Obasanjo at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

Saraki, while addressing journalists earlier after his meeting with Obasanjo, said Nigeria was in a delicate situation, and a wrong

choice of president would spell doom for the country.

"We are in a very, very delicate state as a nation, and we need somebody who has the experience, somebody who can unite us because, without unity, we cannot go anywhere," the ex-Kwara governor stressed.

On why he visited Obasanjo, the former Senate president said, "I'm in Ogun state to see PDP delegates, but I can't come to Ogun state and not pay a visit to the former president, our father and leader of modern Nigeria, somebody I'm very closed to since I started my political career, so I came to see him to let him know that I'm in Ogun state and to see how good and how well he is doing. “And we thank God for his health, his energy and his passion for this great country. It inspires us to see that definitely, we need to turn

AMCON Takes over Aeroland Travels’ Assets over N1.8bn Debt The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over assets belonging to Aeroland Travels Limited, and its directors over an indebtedness of N1.8 billion.

AMCON spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The takeover was sequel to the order of Justice D.E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division.

Justice Osiagor had given the ruling on February 7, 2022, and in compliance to the enforcement order of the Court, AMCON put logistics together, and on Friday May 6, 2022, took effective possession of the nine properties as listed by the Court through its Debt Recovery Agent – Robert Ohuoba & Co. The properties, according to the statement, included those situated at Plot 4 & 4B Block 66 Magodo Scheme, Lagos State; Plot 9, Block 44c, Adetoro Adelaja Street, Magodo Lagos; No. 4C Maye Ogundana Street, Magodo Lagos; No. 10 Oluyomi Oshinkoya Street, Magodo Residential Scheme, Lagos; Plot 8, Block 66, Residential Scheme, Sangisha, Lagos; No. 2A John

Olugbo Street, Ikeja, Lagos; No. 2 Fadeyi Street, off Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos; No. 8 Surulere Alelor Street, Millenium, Gbagada; and No. 14 Jerry Iriabe Street, off Bashorun Okunsanya, off Admiralty Road, Lekki Penisula.

The court also ordered the freezing of the bank accounts and shares of the company’s directors including that of Mr. Segun Adewale and Mrs Victoria Adewale.

The court additionally granted AMCON rights to seize any other landed property in any other place that may be found within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court belonging to Aeroland Travels Limited or either of its directors.

Nwauzor confirmed that, “all the property as listed in the court order have been taken over by AMCON with the assistance of court bailiffs among other officials

of the law. AMCON had purchased the non-performing loans (NPLs) of Aeroland Travels Limited from Polaris Bank (formerly Skye Bank) in 2018.

“Until the coming of the order of the court, all previous efforts by AMCON and its representatives to resolve the debt amicably with the obligor had proved abortive, which was why the corporation resorted to the court for justice.”

N1bn Libel Suit: Court Orders NBTE Boss to Open Defence Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Hamza Mu'azu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, on Monday, ordered the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof Idris Bugaje, to open his defence in a N1 billion libel suit against him and the Kaduna Polytechnic.

Bugaje, a former rector of the Kaduna Polytechnic, is standing trial for defaming the polytechnic's Expenditure Officer, Mrs Bilkisu Sannusi.

Bilkisu claimed she was maliciously described as “incompetent and corrupt” in a publication dated April 15, 2019, and circulated as a “vendetta” against her.

The defamatory publication was made and circulated after Bugaje and others "were fingered in the corrupt practices complaint,” which she alleged to have lodged against them and some of her colleagues (in the budget office) “who conspired to manipulate the personnel budget of the Kaduna Polytechnic for the year 2020.”

At the resumed hearing, the

plaintiff, who adopted her witness statement, testified that the first defendant defamed her and demanded N1 billion damages.

During cross-examination, the defendants' counsel argued that some of the documents submitted by the plaintiff were not certified and should be discarded by the court.

Mu’azu adjourned the case until June 28 for the defendants to open defence. Apart from Bugaje, other defendants in the suit marked FCT/ HC/CV/2021 are the polytechnic and the institution's rector.

this country around into a country that he wishes for and that all of us wish."

In a related development, Sambo, has stated that Saraki has the capacity and experience needed to lead Nigeria.

“He is a young man, strong and healthy. Being President is not an easy job. That office needs people like Bukola Saraki. We will pray that Almighty God, who gives power to whoever he wishes, will guide you and support your aspiration,” Sambo told Saraki at the weekend, during the PDP aspirant’s visit to meet with Kaduna leaders and delegates in Kaduna State.

The former VP emphasised that he and Saraki served as governors at the same time, saying since then, he had always known that Saraki cared about Kaduna and the Northwestern part of Nigeria.

A statement by the ex-Kwara governor's media aide Olu Onemola further quoted the former vice president to have said: “I remember, when I was governor, he gave special attention to Kaduna state. As the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, sometimes, I felt like his ‘self-appointed deputy’ — even though the forum has no deputy.

“This is because we had a close

working relationship and a great personal relationship. I want you all to know that Saraki is a team player. He is a man who plays with and for the team. I have always known him to be a very honest person who has capacity.

"As the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, he formed the Peer Review Mechanism that allowed consultants to go state-by-state to report the development plans and progress of each state to the Governors Forum. This helped all the governors to meet the plans and objectives of the PDP government at the time."

Speaking about Saraki being a bona fide presidential aspirant, Sambo described him as an organiser and economically vibrant politician.

"As the governor of Kwara State, he set up the foundation for commercial agriculture. Today, in Agriculture, the arrangement that he set up in Shonga Farms has become a model that each state in Nigeria is emulating," explained the former vice president.

"As the Senate President, we all know the success that he brought to this nation. This is why I trust that if our party and our delegates give Saraki the opportunity, he will further prove what I am saying."

FG Condoles with Egypt over Killing of Soldiers by Terrorists Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Federal Government has condoled with Egypt as Jihadi militants attacked and killed 11 soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.

The killing of the soldiers by the terrorists occurred on Saturday.

In a statement on Monday, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli, said the killing further reinforced the importance of strengthening the international community's collective efforts towards the elimination of terrorism and all forms of extremism from societies.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with

Egypt in these trying times and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed and the speedy recovery of the injured," said the Federal Government's statement.

An Egyptian news outlet reported that Egypt’s military spokesperson, Col. Gharib Abdel Hafez, announced on Saturday that an officer and 10 soldiers from the Egyptian military died in a terrorist attack in the East Canal area, with five others injured during the attack.

The spokesman was quoted to have disclosed that "the attack was perpetrated near a water plant that was protected by the Egyptian military

6

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SHARING TOUR OF THE CBN’S CBDC (ENAIRA) PROJECT...

L-R: Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Obiora; Ag. Director, National Payments Systems Department, Bank of Uganda (BoU), Mr. Andrew Kawere; Executive Director and Economic Adviser to the Governor, BoU, Dr. Jacob Opolot; Governor, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Executive Director, Information Technology, BoU, Mr. Richard Mayebo; Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Richard Byarugaba, and Director, Information Technology Department of the CBN, Mrs. Rakiya Mohammed, during the experience sharing tour of the CBN’s CBDC (eNaira) project by the BoU at CBN head office, Abuja…yesterday

Commercial Activities Grounded as Fuel Scarcity Worsens in Abuja NNPC blames long holiday for supply disruption Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The fuel queues which were noticed at the weekend in Abuja grew longer yesterday, with the attendant traffic snarls slowing down commercial and social activities in the country’s capital.

Many roads within the city were blocked as motorists struggled to get the product from the few filling stations that were open, as vehicular traffic stretched several kilometres as a result of the latest scarcity.

It came after a few weeks of respite, following more than three months of gruelling petrol scarcity nationwide which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) attributed to off-spec fuel at the time.

However, in the extant situation, a statement from the national oil firm in an attempt to explain away the sufferings faced by Nigerians affected by the scarcity of the product, described the situation as “mild”, blaming the last Muslim holiday for the situation.

The long lines had again begun to build on Saturday, but as of yesterday, THISDAY observed that the problem had worsened as almost all private filling stations had no products.

It was further noticed that while the NNPC mega stations were open for business, although with queues stretching kilometres, the outskirts were hardest hit.

In late January this year, Nigerians were confronted with supply disruptions, which began in Abuja, then spread to Lagos and other parts of the country after adulterated products went into circulation. The problem

lasted until early April.

When the issue continued to linger, it was learnt that the deficit in the supply of crude oil cargoes from the NNPC through its Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme complicated matters.

Under the DSDP scheme, the oil company provides crude oil to its trading partners, who in turn supply the NNPC with refined products worth the volume of crude received from the national oil company.

Sources at the firm had said that the deficit of about 17 cargoes in the DSDP obligation due to low oil production was responsible for the prolonged disruption. It’s not clear if the matter has reared its head again this time.

Fuel stations in the heart of town, including Eterna and Enyo on Olusegun Obasanjo Way in Wuse as well as Total on Herbert Macaulay, did not have products and more than half of the fuel pumps at the NNPC mega station in the area were not operational.

In addition, chaotic scenes were witnessed at the few filling stations dispensing in the central area of the city.

At the Conoil filling station opposite the NNPC headquarters, the queues stretched over two kilometres with some motorists complaining of spending over five hours without any sign of being served.

Also at the Total filling station in the same central area, security agencies battled to control cars trying to gain entry through the exit gate as the situation became rowdy.

But in a release signed by the NNPC Spokesman, Mr Garba Muhammad, the NNPC said it had noted the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja. “ This is very likely due to low load-outs at depots which usually happen during long public holidays, in this case,

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Arthur Nzeribe, describing him as a man who made a great impact in his lifetime.

In a statement he personally signed, Anyim said he received the news of the death of Nzeribe with deep sadness, saying the late politician was a household name in Nigeria.

Anyim, a frontline presidential

aspirant on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, said Nzeribe left footprints on Nigeria's political landscape and will be remembered for a long time.

He described Nzeribe as a man who had the courage of his convictions and pursued whatever he believed in with commitment and single-mindedness.

“As a politician, Senator Arthur Nzeribe was very visible from 1979 till his death and was dogged and committed to whatever he believed in. In business, Senator Nzeribe

Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NMDPRA) in conjunction with their marketing partners had taken necessary measures to ramp up load-outs from all depots.

“We assure all residents of the FCT, and indeed all Nigerians, that we have ample local supplies

and national stock in excess of 2.5 billion litres, with sufficiency of more than 43 days.

“The NNPC Ltd hereby advises motorists not to engage in panic buying as supplies are adequate as will become increasingly evident in the coming days,” the national oil company stated.

Marketers: Aviation Fuel Cheaper in Nigeria Than Other W'African Countries Airlines to get jet fuel at N480 per litre Udora Orizu in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos In a fresh revelation, marketers of petroleum products under the aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) have alleged that the federal government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has been subsidising the price of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) commonly known as aviation fuel, in the past weeks, against the international price.

This was just as Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) yesterday reached a truce with the leadership of the House of Representatives and other government agencies to cancel the plan of shutting down flight operations in the country. The operators had last Friday announced their plan to stop flight operations due to the high of cost aviation fuel that had risen to N700 per litre. This, was however shelved.

MOMAN specifically said in

Ex-Senate President Anyim Mourns Arthur Nzeribe Chuks Okocha in Abuja

the Sallah celebrations.

“Another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues is the increased fuel purchases which is also usual with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays,” it noted.

The statement said that the NNPC and the Nigerian

was successful, building business empires in many sectors such as insurance, oil and gas, construction, arms supply, and real estate," said Anyim. "The scope of his operations stretched from Britain, Middle East, Ghana and Nigeria."

The PDP presidential aspirant described Nzeribe as a committed PDP chieftain who remained a party member until his demise.

Anyim condoled with the late politician's immediate family, friends, and numerous political associates

comparative terms, the aviation industry was already benefitting from government’s intervention when local prices are compared to West African regional prices, despite the deregulated status of aviation fuel.

The marketers warned that the situation was not sustainable given the already humongous N4 trillion annual subsidy cost being borne by the country.

The association stated this yesterday in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. Olumide Adeosun, which was sent to THISDAY. "In comparative terms, the aviation industry is already benefitting from government’s intervention when local prices are compared to West African regional prices, despite the deregulated status of aviation fuel. This situation is hardly sustainable given the already humongous N4 trillion cost of the PMS subsidy," MOMAN stated.

It explained that with respect to aviation fuel, verifiable prices in West Africa ranged from $1.25 per litre in Ghana to as high as $1.51 per litre in Liberia, saying even then, the product has remained scarce across the sub-region.

MOMAN maintained that due to the intervention of NNPC over the last several weeks, aviation fuel was landed into marine terminal tanks in Nigeria at between N480 and N500 per litre, depending on the logistics efficiency of the operator.

It further explained that, "due to high costs of specific handling of Jet A1 (special transport and continuous filtration), the product is sold on the tarmac at Ikeja (our benchmark), between N540 and N550 per litre and across other airports at between

N570 and N580 per litre.

"During this period of NNPC intervention, as NNPC uses the nominal Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate, no independent importer would import aviation fuel as it is unable to access foreign exchange at the same rate, leaving NNPC as the major importer of aviation fuel for now, even though the product is deregulated."

However, the marketers admitted that those interventions were sometimes necessary to mitigate shocks and help the economy, the operating environment and the public to adjust to the new realities while efforts were being made and innovations introduced to optimise costs and increase efficiencies.

While noting that those interventions cannot be permanent in nature, MOMAN expressed hope that the war in Ukraine came to a speedy conclusion.

It also expressed hoped that the integration of products from the local refineries including the four NNPC's refineries under rehabilitation, the Dangote Refinery under construction as well modular refineries into the supply chain, would mitigate the high costs being borne by the government and Nigerians.

MOMAN opined that a return to cost recovery, free market and competitive economics including access to foreign exchange at competitive rates was inevitable for the sustainability of the production and distribution framework in the petroleum downstream industry in the country.

It added that there was an immediate need to prepare the operating environment and indeed the larger economy for this eventual return.

MOMAN restated its committed to the institutionalisation and sustainability of a viable petroleum downstream sector in Nigeria, pledging that it would continue to lend its support towards easing the burden of Nigerians at this difficult time.

The marketers also empathised with all users of petroleum products including airline operators, private vehicle owners, logistics and transport companies, manufacturers, cooking gas users in homes and all members of the public who were affected by the worldwide petroleum products price increases, which impact logistics, transportation, distribution, and operation costs.

It observed that the petroleum products downstream industry, which was engaged in logistics and distribution, was also suffering the impact of these higher costs brought about by the post-Covid world economy and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the body, "the escalating fuel price cycle we find ourselves in, is unfortunate, MOMAN wishes to clarify to Nigerians that the situation in Nigeria is not country-specific, but a global issue.

"Aviation fuel (Jet A1), like other petroleum products used in Nigeria is not produced in-country and is subject to international price movements which are currently suffering the twin shock of increased post pandemic demand and the ongoing sanctions against Russia, a large producer of petroleum products.

"These shocks have seen international trading premiums, costs of vessel freight, and other transport Continued on page 36

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

7

8

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

9

10

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SYLVA JOINS PRESIDENTIAL RACE...

L-R: Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo; Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Chairman Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Denis Otiotio and leader of The Good People of Nigeria group, after the procurement and presentation of APC presidential nomination form to the minister at the NNPC Towers in Abuja... yesterday

CBN to Attain 85% Financial Inclusion Target, Says Emefiele James Emejo in Abuja The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday expressed

optimism that the bank would achieve the 85 per cent financial inclusion target which is currently at about 70 per cent.

Addressing a delegation of

Executive Directors from the Bank of Uganda, who were on an experience sharing tour of the CBN’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project, Emefiele

said the apex bank remained committed to accelerating the rate at which those who were financially excluded could come into the formal banking sector.

Court Orders FIRS, Retailers, Supermarket Operators, Others to Maintain Status Quo in Tax Dispute Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Retail Council of Nigeria, National Association of Supermarket Operators and three others to maintain status quo in their tax dispute.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa, made the order while ruling in an ex parte application brought to that effect by the Retail Council of Nigeria and National Association of Supermarket Operators.

Affected by the status quo order are the FIRS, Softrusttechnologies Limited, the Minister of Finance, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who are 1st to 4th defendants/respondents respectively.

Meanwhile, the judge in the ruling held that the status quo order should be interpreted to mean that the FIRS in the interim cannot gain access into the business premises or data of plaintiffs/applicants.

Also, “that an Order of this Honourable Court is granted directing parties to this suit to maintain status quo, the reference of which is to be construed or interpreted against the execution of (or effectuation of any steps towards) the 1st defendant's threat to request or gain access into the plaintiffs’ members’ business premises and/or records, data or information stored or otherwise residing in computers or other electronic devices or

implementation of Sections 26 (1) (e) of the Federal Inland Services (FIRS) Act 2007 (amended by Section 52 of the Finance 2020). pending the final determination of the appeal constituted at the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/282/202; between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (1# Defendant herein) and the Rivers State Government and/ or resolution of all issues and questions touching on, bordering on the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/282/202; between the Federal inland Revenue Service (1st Defendant herein) and the Rivers State Government and/or resolution of all issues and questions touching on, bordering on ond/or relating to the constitutional issue of authority to impose, collect or administer Value Added Tax (VAT) in the various states of the Federation."

The court further held that its order subsists pending the determination of the pending suit at the Court of Appeal between the FIRS and the Rivers State Government over Value Added Tax (VAT).

Justice lewis-Allagoa in his ruling ordered a stay in the hearing of all pending applications or processes filed or that may be filed in the suit, pending the determination of the suit between the FIRS and the Rivers State government.

While the Retail Council of Nigeria is the first plaintiff/ applicant, the National Association of Supermarket Operators

is the second plaintiff/applicant in the suit marked FHC/L/ CS/1843/2021.

A copy of the enroll order of the Court dated May 4, showed that the motion exparte was moved by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Rilwan Ayanbiyi, on March 22, 2022, and was granted on April 28, 2022.

Part of the enroll order read: "The court after careful consideration of the application and submission of counsels, it is hereby ordered as follows:

"An order is granted staying the hearing of all pending applications or processes filed or that may be filed and/or further proceedings of this suit... pending... the final determination of Appeal No: CA/ PH/282/202; between the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Rivers State Government and/or resolution of all issues and questions relating to the constitutional issue of authority to impose, collect or administer Value Added Tax (VAT) in the various states of the Federation."

He also expressed satisfaction that the country’s CBDC, known as the eNaira, had recorded some level of success judging by the rate of integration and security features.

The CBN governor said the CBDC would enhance the relationship between mobile banking and e-business and speed up the rate of financial inclusion.

He pointed out that the interest the eNaira continued to attract from other countries and multinational bodies including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, underscored the level and quality of work the CBN had put into the project.

However, Emefiele said Nigeria is currently a case study to other climes, being the first country in Africa to launch its CBDC. He added that the country was treading cautiously to ensure it sustains the successes recorded so far.

Emefiele, also told the visit-

ing team that the country had deepened its payment system infrastructure, which is ranked among the best in the world.

The CBN governor paid tribute to his predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, for laying the foundation upon which the country’s current payments system was built.

Specifically, he recalled that Sanusi, as then CBN Governor, appointment him chairman of the sub-committee of the Bankers’ Committee to lead the payments system drive in 2012.

He said the move paved the way for innovative ideas that eventually led to the creation of the eNaira.

Emefiele, therefore charged the Executive Directors (Deputy Governors equivalent) of the Bank of Uganda to strive to strengthen their country’s payment system, noting that a strong payment system remained the bedrock for the successful take-off of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

2023: Tinubu Woos Masari, APC Delegates in Katsina Vows to unite Nigeria if elected president Francis Sardauna in Katsina The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday said he joined the 2023 presidential race to unite Nigeria and bring security and economic stability in the country.

The APC chieftain vowed to adopt strategies to tackle the current security challenges besetting the north-east, north-west and other regions of the country, saying the carnage must end.

He described the ongoing industrial action by members of the Academy Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as unacceptable, insisting that it was prolonging the

education of Nigerian students.

Tinubu, who spoke during a visit to Governor Aminu Bello Masari and leaders of the APC at the Government House, Katsina, appealed to delegates and members of the party to support his presidential ambition.

The former Lagos State governor explained that the unity, progress and development of Nigeria irrespective of tribal, religious and geo-political locations would remain his ultimate goals when he becomes the president.

He reiterated that if elected as president in 2023, education, agricultural and industries revitalisation would remain his cardinal objectives in his first days in office.

Tinubu insisted that he has the track records, experience, training and the vision of changing the nation from its current poverty status to prosperity.

He said: "I joined the presidential race to unite Nigeria not to divide Nigeria. I come to bring you hope, prosperity, happiness, joy and stability. That is my message.

In brotherhood we will stand to defeat terrorists, banditry, insecurity and poverty.

"They said Buhari cannot win the presidency. We worked together and he won. Second one, they all abandoned him, we say no; he has his second term. And he said the thing is over anybody who wants it can run.

"Anybody can run but not everybody can become President.

You have to have the track records, experience, vision, training and the developmental programme, a vision of changing a nation from poverty to prosperity.

"Four years of university should be four years. Some of our children are spending six to 10 years in school. Strike is not acceptable.

We will spend resources and investment necessary to move education forward in this country."

He lamented the spate of abandoned projects in the country, saying he would enumerate and complete those that were meaningful and promising for the economic recovery of the country.

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

11

12

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

TWELVE BUHARI URGES W’BANK, AFDB TO ACTIVATE $19BN FUND FOR CLIMATE INVESTMENT Governments of the member states of the PAGGW, Buhari said the fund would also support smallholder farmers, create an institutional framework to enhance security, stability and governance, and capacity building.

“All of you may wish to know that, in December 2021, I was elected to lead and drive the Agenda of the PAGGW bloc for the next two years. This bloc, which includes Nigeria, Senegal, Niger, Sudan, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Mali, Eritrea, Djibouti, Burkina Faso and Chad, is facing dire and present danger due to the devastating effect of desertification and drought, which is impacting negatively on the security of our communities and the livelihood of our people," said Buhari.

"There is, therefore, an urgent need to confront these challenges associated with desert encroachment and drought," he added.

The president explained that the inter-basin transfer of water from Central Africa to the Lake Chad should be taken seriously, asking the secretariat of the agency, funders and the soon-to-be appointed consultant to carry out the measure as a way of restoring the socio-economy of the more than 30 million people of the Lake Chad basin area.

The president canvassed more support for The One Planet Summit initiative and the political will to

actualise the mandate.

"It is on this note that, on behalf of member states, I welcome The One Planet Summit Initiative that pledges $19 billion to support the activities of the PAGGW, which necessitated this very important engagement with you this morning," stressed Buhari.

"I, therefore, call on you, especially the World Bank, African Development Bank and the One Planet Summit Initiative, to support this drive."

The president also called on the multilateral institutions to set up a task team to work with PAGGW. Also speaking, Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Amina Mohammed described the meeting as, “a new era in the Great Green Wall programme” and demanded from the agency, the 11 African nations, and the group of donors under the One Planet Summit to be proactive.

"I believe that the capacity and commitment of the secretariat of the PGGWA, working together with UNCCD, and your team will be in the best place to engage with partners to develop the pipeline that will ensure that across the countries we are speaking to today these efforts are made to come to realisation sooner than later,’’ she added.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, Ibrahim Thiaw, described the coming together of

Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti as “a great inspiration,” hoping the $19 billion pledged in Paris in 2021 would “turn the dollars into hectares.”

Food Crisis: Buhari, Adesina Task Africa on Food Production, Reduced Dependency on Foreign Countries

Meanwhile, Buhari and the President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina have called on African leaders to decouple the continent from food import dependency and avert looming food crisis by encouraging local production of food.

The duo made the call, while delivering their separate addresses in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the first Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (COSAP), with the theme: ‘Strengthening Legislative Leadership for Africa’s Development,’ organised to deliberate on socio-political and economic progress in Africa and build a fairer world for all mankind.

Delivering his opening address, Buhari who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo lamented that the COVID-19 induced serious challenge of food security and food inflation.

This he said calls for the need for the continent to free itself from all external mechanism, dependency

and guarantee its own system by reducing food import dependency and ensuring increased productivity in agricultural sector of every African country.

Buhari said, "Over 30 million jobs lost since the pandemic with about 26 to 40 million people going into extreme poverty. Various African countries put in place extreme measures to curtail to effect of the virus and limit the socio-economic impact such as lockdowns and stimulus package.

“In Nigeria, our stimulus program was to the tune of about N2.3 trillion. The post economic stimulus package for Africa must go beyond individual efforts that we have made in our countries.

There is the need for increased collaboration and integration of efforts to drive sustainable economic growth and recovery across the African continent, our parliaments have a particular role to play aside from the fact that they have been charged to make laws to oversee government budgeting and international borrowing.

"The pandemic induced serious challenge of food security and food inflation is now expected to rise above 12 percent this year. The pandemic also exposes the need for collaboration and networking.

So, Africa must sustain cross border supply network that will connect global and domestic markets.

“The agricultural sector is key towards ensuring productivity to

PRESIDENTIAL POLL: COURT SUMMONS INEC, AGF OVER EMEFIELE'S PARTICIPATION ordered the CBN Governor to serve all court processes in relation to the suit he filed against INEC and the AGF who are 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

Emefiele had amongst others, approached the Federal High Court for an order restraining the defendants from preventing or hindering his participating in the process of the presidential election slated for February next year.

Specifically, he argued that by virtue of being a public servant he cannot be barred from participating in the political primaries of political parties by Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He submitted that constitutional provisions stipulated that he can only resign his appointment as Governor of CBN 30 days to the presidential election which he is interested in contesting.

Amongst the court processes he filed before the court was an application for maintenance of status, which he predicated on the fact that he would be prejudiced against or hurt if the court does not restrain the defendants from taking any step that would jeopardise his desire to contest the presidential election.

Arguing the motion for maintenance of status quo, Emefiele's lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, told the court that Emefiele "is in a dilemma" as to whether he can run in the forthcoming presidential election.

According to Ozekhome, time is of utmost importance, following the fact that timeline for collection of nomination and expression of interest forms ends on Wednesday May 11.

Ozekhome in addition told the court that the timeline for the primaries and congresses of political parties have been fixed for May 30 to June 1, and unless the court intervened there could be a carriage of great injustice against his client.

"He needs the protection of the court, the court needs to ensure that nobody does anything that will hurt him," the senior lawyer submitted, adding that if the court refused to grant the order for maintenance of status quo restraining the defendants from hindering Emefiele from participating in the primary election under a political party of his choice within this period, the case would amount to a mere academic exercise by the time parties return to the court.

In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed made an order "directing the defendants to appear before him on Thursday why the order of status quo ante bellum should not be made by the court".

Justice Mohammed also directed

the applicant to serve all court processes including the motion exparte and hearing notice for Thursday May 12 on the defendants.

In the main suit marked. FHC/ ABJ/ CS/610/2022, the plaintiff sought the interpretation of certain parts of the constitution that has to do with his aspiration of contesting the 2023 presidential election.

Among the issues raised for determination are that whether any political party can validly rely on Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to disqualify the plaintiff from participating in the congresses of any political party of his choice, "where the plaintiff is protected by the provisions of Section 137(1) (G), 318 of the Constitution and Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act. "Whether by Section 137 of the Constitution plaintiff can be compelled to resign earlier than 30 days his position of Governor of CBN to participate in the primary of any political party of his choice for the purpose of the 2023 February 25 presidential election.”

Emefiele is further asking the court to determine whether he is a political appointee, who is affected by Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act. He said where the issues are determined in his favour, then the court should declare that; the defendants cannot validly rely on Section 84 (12) to disqualify the plaintiff from participating in the congresses of any political party of his choice where he is protected

by Section 137 of the constitution.

Emefiele also sought another declaration that by the provisions of Section 84 (3), a political party cannot by its constitution, guidelines or rules impose any nomination qualification or disqualification criteria or measures besides those prescribed under Sections 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 177 and 187 of the Constitution.

He further urged the court to declare that by the combined effect of Section 84 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and 137 of the constitution, the plaintiff cannot be compelled to resign earlier than 30 days to the presidential election in February 25, 2023.

He sought another declaration that he can validly participate in the congresses of any political party of his choice as well as vote and be voted for.

In the suit dated May 4, 2023, but filed on May 5, 2023, Emefiele prayed the court for an order that the defendants cannot hinder or stop him from participating in the congresses or presidential primary election of any political party of his choice.

"An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from

hindering or stopping him from participating in the congresses or presidential primary election of any political party of his choice.”

According to him, Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which barred political appointees from participating in the convention and congresses of political parties unless they resigned 30 days to such conventions or congresses does not affect him being a public officer.

He explained that being a public officer whose status is defined by Section 318 of the constitution, he can only resign as CBN Governor 30 days to the presidential election in line with Section 137 of the Constitution.

Ozekhome, while urging the court to hold that the constitution is Supreme above any other laws including the Electoral Act and the constitution, guidelines and rules of political parties, added that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, had already been struck down for being inconsistent with the Constitution

by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Umuhia,

Abia State.

He argued that although the judgment of Anyadike has been appealed against, it remains the law until it was set aside.

In the application of urgency in support of the suit, Emefiele submitted that it was within his right to contest the presidential election under any political party of his choice while still serving as Governor of the CBN, adding that all that was required of him was to give 30 days notice.

He, however, told the court that the defendants were "making frantic efforts to disqualify him in the presidential primary election scheduled for May 30 to June 1 for not resigning before the primary."

The CBN Governor in addition said there was the urgent need for the court to hear the suit and, "determine the rights of parties before the presidential election," adding that except this was done the plaintiff shall be wrongfully disqualified from participating in any of the primary of any political party of his choice.

improve our GDP. So, we must improve our agricultural production. we must produce our own food and reduce import dependency.

The conflict in Ukraine has shown us clearly that we don’t have to be dependent on other countries.

“Africa parliamentary leadership must partner with the Executive, the rivals sector and all other stakeholders to design and implement framework that will support the agricultural sector in tackling food insecurity on the continent. The journey to a sustainable post COVID economic recovery is riddled with so much responsibilities for our government.”

On debt cancellation, which was one of the key issues why the conference was being held, Buhari affirmed that the campaign for debt cancellation for African countries was already gaining traction.

He said, "One key issue during early discussions before this meeting is the issue of debt cancellation for African countries and this initiative is already gaining traction. One of those things that was discussed was the special drawing rights (SDR) of about $650 billion. Of course, there is the argument of how much African continent got. I think it is important to recognise that.

"The Economic Commission for Africa recently proposed that our countries can help their financing needs by leveraging SDR through unbending vehicles such as liquidity sustainability facilities and multilateral and regional programs as well as the poverty reduction and growth plans."

Similarly, the AfDB President, Adesina in his goodwill message said Africa should be decoupled from food import dependency as must feed itself and do so with pride.

Adesina said, "This conference of speakers must be direct towards tackling the challenges facing our continent. Talking about the challenges it’s not enough, there must be solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the growth and develop Africa as well the rest of the world. The trajectory of economic recovery from the pandemic is shaped by access to vaccines, and on this the divergence between a developed economies and developing economies is stuck.

"We must not be complacent, next pandemic is just around the corner, God help us. Africa must build what I call Healthcare Defense System.

This must include development of local vaccines and building quality healthcare infrastructure.

“The Russian war in Ukraine has added another challenge to what we are facing in Africa. the dependency

of African countries on Russia and Ukraine, the war disruption has added to looming food crisis in Africa. The African Development Bank has designed a $1.5 billion emergency food production plan to support African countries to avert the looming food crisis."

On their part, Speakers and heads of African parliaments called on the global community to blacklist countries on the continent where undemocratic governments are in control.

They said the new trend of military coups could set the continent on a reverse gear of many years and erode the developmental gains achieved through constitutional democracy.

South African Speaker, Hon. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, raised the issue, expressing surprise that undemocratic governments were gradually returning to Africa.

She noted that this was against the African Union's position, which strongly opposed the undemocratic takeover of power.

Corroborating her position, the Speaker of Zimbabwe, Hon. Jacob Matunda, stated that lack of growth in Africa was not due to a lack of ideas but the deliberate plot by the West to keep the continent in stagnation.

According to him, an African leader elected into office by popular will or who comes up with innovative ideas is soon "punished", through any available method.

The Speakers therefore appealed to the global community not to recognise any African country where a coup brought in the government.

Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said Africa's democracy was under threat, adding that the present insecurity and rampaging uncertainty across the continent represented the single biggest threat to the well-being of our children.

He lamented that despite Africa coming of age, the continent was far from achieving the highest potential.

He said leaders must invest in Africa’s young people, protecting them, ensuring their health and well-being and providing them with a solid education upon which to build their future.

To deliver on this obligation, the Speaker said they must first ensure that the nations are at peace.

Gbajabiamila therefore, advised his African colleagues to wage the battle for peace with a warrior’s resolve, adding that everything depends on victory over the forces that threaten African children’s future.

2023: JONATHAN MEETS ADAMU, HOURS AFTER GROUP PURCHASED FORMS ON HIS BEHALF expression of interest forms, sold for N100 million, for Jonathan. They urged him to contest for president under the party in 2023.

The sale of forms for elective positions in APC closes today, with 25 aspirants in the race for the presidential ticket in the party's primary election slated for May 30, 2023.

Likewise, 72 hours after a coalition of 28 groups bought the N100 million APC forms for the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, he is yet to deny that he nurses presidential ambition. The AfDB president also met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Côte d'Ivoire, during the ongoing conference organised by the United Nations.

The meeting between Jonathan and Adamu held at a secret location in Abuja and lasted about an hour, specifically between 9pm and 10 pm. At the end of it, the former president and the national chairman came out smiling, THISDAY learnt. Although the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it further strengthened speculation about the former president's likely defection to the APC which has been topic of discussion in political circles in the last two years.

Jonathan, in a statement by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, said he was not aware of the purchase of forms and did not authorise it.

The statement read, “It has come to the notice of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, that a

group has purportedly purchased Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, of the APC in his name.

“We wish to categorically state that Dr. Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it. While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians, for Dr. Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 presidential election, we wish to state, that he has not in anyway, committed himself to this request.

“We thank the general public for their concern, as we continue to encourage citizens' participation in the affairs of the country.”

A reliable source had told THISDAY that some leaders in West Africa, which included presidents of Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, might have spoken on behalf of the AfDB president to Buhari.

There had been speculations that Jonathan wanted to take another shot at the presidency but on the platform of APC, the party that defeated him in 2015. The former president recently hinted that he was still consulting on whether to join the race or not in 2023.

The leader of the Fulani group that purchased the form for Jonathan, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said a lot of interest groups had been coming out to urge Jonathan to contest, adding that they needed to purchase the form to beat the deadline.

He said Jonathan had a comprehensive policy while in government to reform and integrate

the Almajarai into the educational system of Nigeria.

Abdullahi added, "It was the dream and the vision of President Jonathan to produce doctors, lawyers and engineers from Almajarai, but unfortunately, that laudable vision was abandoned once he left office., "Another group that he tried to develop was the Fulani pastoralists.

I believe if this government has continued with his vision, Nigeria would have become the Denmark, the Holland of the entire Africa, in terms of livestock production, in terms of milk, beef and so on.”

Sale of Forms Closes Today, 25 Presidential Aspirants Jostle for APC Ticket

The sale of APC forms closes today, according to the timetable and schedule of activities of the ruling party, and submission of forms begins tomorrow.

THISDAY gathered that one of presidential hopefuls, Senator Bola Tinubu, would submit his nomination forms tomorrow.

The aspirants that have purchased forms so far are: former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Senator representing Ondo-North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele and the President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Others are: Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Minister of State, Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba; former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and Uju Kennedy, the only female aspirants.

Also in the race are: Pastor Tunde Bakare; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; US-based Nigerian pastor of the Miracle Church International, and youngest presidential aspirant, Nicholas Felix; Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani and Minister of Labour and productivity, Chris Ngige; Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru; former governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima; and Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, who received his nomination and Expression of Interest (EOI) forms purchased for him by sons and daughters of Cross River State, Arewa Youths as well as other interest groups across the country’s six geopolitical zone, yesterday, said he would run for the office of the president in the 2023 general election. Ayade said he was confident of becoming the next president of Nigeria.

Continued on page 35

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

13

14

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

15

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022

16

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

PDP Presidential Ticket: Obi, Wike Battle for Anambra Delegates Some top members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State are working to deliver the votes of delegates from the state to Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, against a former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, writes David-Chyddy Eleke.

Obi

T

he past few days have been filled with intrigues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra State chapter. The party had scheduled its election of three adhoc delegates for Saturday, April 30, 2022. The members and chieftains of the party had gathered for the exercise, with the chairman and members of the panel for the election, led by Hon Jibrin Ahmed already set, when trouble broke out as a result of conflict of interest among some of the party’s big wigs.

There had been rumours that the members of the panel had been highjacked by some interest within the party, who were working to deliver the votes of the delegates from the state to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. Self-styled leader of PDP in the state, Chief Chris Uba was fingered as one of the agents hatching the plot. A week earlier, Uba led Wike to meet with PDP members in Anambra State, and Wike speaking with members of the party in Anambra did not only talk tough, but also talked down on Obi and how he wasn’t capable of winning the PDP presidential ticket. He called on Anambra delegates not to waste their votes on Peter Obi as it would not have any effect, rather they should vote him as he is already assured of victory from several camps. He reminded them that Anambra had only about 40 votes to spend at the presidential primary, and that it was pertinent not to waste it. As Wike preached, what was not revealed was that he was already targeting the little votes from.the very home state of his opponent; Mr Peter Obi. It has since become clear that a plan has been hatched to scuttle the chance of the former governor of Anambra state, and, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Vice Presidential candidate during the 2019 general election, Mr. Peter Obi from emerging PDP Presidential candidate in the coming 2023 general election. The scuffle ensued from the awareness of a plot to highjack the election panel. This led to the rescheduling of the election from April 30, 2022 to May 1, 2022.

On May 1, the election again failed to hold after it was discovered that the panel came to conduct the election with photocopied result sheet.

This was rejected by members of

Wike

the party who smelt fowl play in the process.

The disagreement snowballed into a shouting match as the development did not go down well with the stakeholders, who insisted that they must bring the original result sheets, adding that this had been the style of the party over time. They accused the panel members of trying to run away to Abuja to write names of people of their choice on the original result sheet, after wasting their time with a fake adhoc delegates election. The Chairman of the Congress Committee, Jibrin Ahmed, cited security as reasons for not coming with the original result sheets. Not even the offer by former governorship candidate of the party, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, to send his driver and security personnel with the panel to retrieve the result sheet could make the chairman accept. It later became obvious that the panel was not ready to conduct a free and fair election.

The panel later cancelled the election, while also accepting to write a letter of cancellation of the congress to the Anambra State PDP stakeholders. Chairman of the panel and his secretary, Ahmed, Okorie and two members of the panel signed, but one of the members of the panel was however said to have escaped after a rowdy session.

The letter written as assurance to the party members that they would not go to Abuja and declare a fake list of delegates read, “We sincerely apologize for not

Uba

conducting the congress which was to hold on Saturday, but shifted to Sunday by us. This was as a result of our inability to provide the original copies of the congress result sheets and we regret the inconveniences.”

A source in the party who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity attributed the cancellation of the adhoc delegate election to the unseen hands of Chris Uba, who was said to have earlier highjacked the panel. “Uba is working for Wike, they want to influence the election of adhoc delegates, as this will help Uba himself who is a senatorial aspirant, and also be able to influence the process enough to get delegates who will be loyal to his candidate, Wike, against Peter Obi. “I think some people are working hard to humiliate Peter Obi, by even denying him the votes of delegates from his own state, during the forthcoming presidential primary election,” the source said.

Meanwhile, as a way to redeem the process, 74 aspirants for National and State Assembly seats in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have lamented the inability of the party’s panel to hold election for adhoc delegate last weekend. The aspirants lamented their fate in the face of the inability of the panel to hold the election, saying it will hamper their participation in the 2023 general election. The state and national assembly aspirants, 74 of them, who converged on the PDP secretariat in Awka, ad-

The disagreement snowballed into a shouting match as the development did not go down well with the stakeholders, who insisted that they must bring the original result sheets, adding that this had been the style of the party over time.

They accused the panel members of trying to run away to Abuja to write names of people of their choice on the original result sheet

dressed a press conference, calling on the national leadership of the party to quickly conduct the adhoc delegates election.

Leader of the forum, Hon Onyebuchi Offor, a House of Representatives aspirant who addressed journalists on behalf of all the aspirants said they were dismayed by the Ahmed panel’s inability to hold the election.

“We note with pain and dismay the inability of Jibrin Ahmed-led committee to conduct the adhoc delegates election that was scheduled for 30th April, but later rescheduled to 1st May 2022. The shift was because of the unavailability of original result sheet. We passionately call on the National Leadership of our great party, PDP to expeditiously repeat the botched exercise on Thursday 5th May 2022.

“This is to avoid jeopardizing our chances in the 2023 elections. Or in the event of exigency of time, the already existing ward, local government executives can go ahead to conduct the primaries. The same committee for the repeat three adhoc congress could equally be mandated to conduct the national delegate election the next day,” the aspirants suggested.

There have been concerns about opposition against the presidential aspiration of the former governor of the state, Mr Obi, but Obi’s political pedigree in Nigeria has continued to rise, just as his popularity among many ordinary people, who have been rooting for him.

The Anambra State chapter of the party, which is still solidly behind Obi’s aspiration besides the plot to highjack the delegates have also pledged their loyalty and support to the National leadership of the party.

In the communique signed by the 74 aspirants of the party on Wednesday, the aspirants called for immediate conduct of the delegate election, in order not to jeopardize the chances of the individual aspirants of the party, who have doled out money to purchase party forms.

Though some members of the party in the state have written Chief Chris Uba off as a perpetual trouble maker in the party, the days ahead will however reveal how Obi stands in the primary election, especially as regards the votes of Anambra delegates.

117

T H I S D AY TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 Tuesday May 10, 2022 Vol 27. No 9892 TR

See page 18 DELTA 2023: WHAT DO THE IJAWS WANT? The Ijaws are anxious to be hauled unto the peak of power, writes MICHAEL VERITAS See page 18

FALLACIES OF BUHARI, ATIKU’S VOTES BANKS PAUL OBI contends that the statistics being bandied are muddled

See page 23 RE: 2023 POLITICAL REALITIES THAT ANNOY AND HEAL Omokri is analytical but does not understand the game of thrones, writes OLUSOLA ADEYEYE See page 23

EDITORIAL THE PROPOSED 2023 CENSUS…1

See page 24

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

THE DARK PLIGHT OF REFUGEES, ANYWHERE End Ukraine war, stop creating traumatised refugees, urges RAJENDRA ANEJA

UT H

The over-dependence on revenue from nomination forms exposes the poor health of political parties, argues SAMSON ITODO

PARTY NOMINATION FEES AND THE SHRINKING POLITICAL SPACE “The membership of the National Assembly is an investment because most of us sold our houses to get to the Senate… the maturity is there but it is the ability to recoup whatever you spent legitimately that is the problem” – Adolphus Wabara, Former Senate President. “for political parties, the sale of nomination forms is vital for operational revenue. Additionally, political parties use the high cost of nomination forms to screen candidates and reduce the practice of aspirants playing spoiler or using the process as an opportunity to negotiate their personal ambitions” – Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Representatives It is glaring from the high cost of nomination fees imposed by Nigerian political parties that the commercialization of politics is fast becoming an indelible feature of Nigeria’s political culture. The ruling $OO 3URJUHVVLYHV &RQJUHVV $3& À [HG WKH cost of nomination forms for President at N100million ($240,884), Governorship at N50million ($85,470), Senate at N20million ($34,188), House of Representatives at N10million ($17,094) and State Assembly at N2million ($3,418). The leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pegged N40million ($68,376) as the cost for Presidential nomination forms, N21million ($35,897) for Governorship, N3.5million ($5,982) for Senate, N2.5million ($4,273) for House of Representatives and N1.5million ($2,564) for State House of Assembly.

While the two main parties introduced concessions for women and a 50% discount for young aspirants, aspirants are still subject to paying other high sundry fees for administrative costs and state secretariat fees before nomination forms are submitted for processing. Unfortunately, these preSULPDULHV H[SHQVHV UHSUHVHQW D VPDOO IUDFWLRQ of the cost of politics.

The outrageous cost of nomination forms UHLQIRUFHV WKUHH D[LRPDWLF SURSRVLWLRQV First, the manner with which political parties increase the cost of nomination IRUPV ZLWK V\EDULWLF H[FLWHPHQW UHLQIRUFHV political parties as rent-seeking enterprises with no regard for inclusive democratic SDUWLFLSDWLRQ 6HFRQG LW D΀ UPV WKH GHDUWK of ideological variations amongst Nigerian political parties. In other words, virtually all the parties subscribe to the view that money, being ‘the mother’s milk of politics’ should GHÀ QH OHDGHUVKLS UHFUXLWPHQW $QG ODVWO\ the antidote to the evolution of a plutocratic state rests squarely on a comprehensive and PHDQLQJIXO SROLWLFDO À QDQFH UHIRUP WKDW HQFRPSDVVHV SROLWLFDO SDUW\ À QDQFH DQG FDPSDLJQ À QDQFH Fair competition is the hallmark of candidate recruitment in political parties.

Imposing high costs on nomination forms

limit accessibility to political entrepreneurs with deep pockets and wide patronage networks, thereby shrinking the political space. When money shapes politics, it assaults the democratic right of citizens to FRQWHVW IRU SXEOLF R΀ FH HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHUH LW GHWHUPLQHV ZKR TXDOLÀ HV WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ politics. As the Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling party noted, “if you don’t have N100m, you have no business with becoming president”.

The implication is the evolution of a state that LV JRYHUQHG DQG H[LVWV WR VHUYH ZHDOWK\ HOLWHV at the detriment of popular participation.

Inertia towards electoral participation is a NQRFN RQ HͿ HFW RI D FRPPHUFLDOL]HG SROLWLFDO process that most politicians tend to ignore.

As long as money, not competence, character, or popular appeal, operates as a fundamental variable in leadership recruitment of political parties, voters will refrain from voting because commercialized political processes are more likely to produce unpopular, unaccountable, and incompetent candidates.

Needless to say, a highly monetized process hamstrings the political aspiration of youth and women and it infringes on the spirit behind the Not Too Young To Run Act. 7R D ODUJH H[WHQW WKH MXVWLÀ FDWLRQ advanced by political parties for the high cost of nomination forms is implausible.

Political parties claim that the high monetary value placed on the nomination forms is a due diligence measure to distinguish pretenders from contenders. To the parties, it is a parameter for measuring interest, seriousness, and commitment to contest IRU R΀ FH ,Q WKH DEVHQFH RI VWDWH IXQGLQJ RI parties, parties generate revenue from the sale of forms to fund party activities. In a recent interparty dialogue in Abuja hosted

by Action Aid Nigeria, Yiaga Africa, and 3(5/ VRPH SDUWLHV DUJXHG WKH H[RUELWDQW FRVW RI IRUPV LV DWWULEXWHG WR LQÁ DWLRQ The reliance on the high cost of nomination forms as a due diligence measure indicts political parties for failing to invest in longterm leadership recruitment, development,

Political finance reform is an urgent necessity to ensure the political space is accessible to all persons regardless of age, economic class, tribe, and creed

retention, and transition. If parties maintain consistent, inclusive, and structured engagements with party members on policy, leadership, and governance, it will address the leadership recruitment question. Through strategic engagement opportunities, the leadership philosophy and values of political parties can be espoused and inculcated into party members ahead of the electioneering season. Prospective FRQWHQGHUV FDQ EH LGHQWLÀ HG JURRPHG DQG empowered to contest for party nominations.

It is counterproductive for political parties to wait for the election commission to ring the election bell before engaging in leadership recruitment. The true test of a party’s commitment to decommercializing politics is its long-term leadership recruitment approach and strategy.

Furthermore, the over-dependence on revenue from the sale of nomination forms WR UXQ SDUW\ DͿ DLUV H[SRVHV WKH SRRU KHDOWK of political parties. Ideally, political parties fund candidates, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria, where candidates fund political parties. Political parties cannot generate revenue through membership dues, levies, and donations hence the high cost.

The removal of state funding for political SDUWLHV LQ VDQLWL]HG WKH SROLWLFDO À QDQFH ecosystem; however, the introduction of SULYDWH À QDQFLQJ VXFK DV PHPEHUVKLS dues and in-kind donations has not been HͿ HFWLYHO\ H[SORUHG E\ SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV IRU a plethora of reasons. First, most parties fail to maintain an accurate, credible, and updated register of members, making it impracticable to mobilize membership dues and levies. In the past, parties were funded through membership dues and levies, but in contemporary Nigerian politics, the preference of party leaders is to generate ‘quick money’ during party primaries. This condition serves the interest of godfathers and moneybags because it makes party leaders subservient and captives of HQWUHQFKHG LQWHUHVWV RU À QDQFLHUV RI WKH party, leading to the ‘political capture’ of the electoral process.—Secondly, weak internal control mechanisms and poor organizational culture in parties. Political parties have been indicted several times by the electoral commission for failure to maintain proper À QDQFLDO UHFRUGV À [HG DVVHWV UHJLVWHU DQG undertake periodic audits of accounts. :LWKRXW D SURSHU À QDQFLDO PDQDJHPHQW system, political parties can’t mobilize, manage and retire private funding with a high degree of transparency, accountability, DQG FRPSOLDQFH ZLWK SROLWLFDO À QDQFH regulations.

Itodo is an elections, democracy and public policy enthusiast. He serves as the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa and the Convener of the Not Too Young To Run movement

2 18

T H I S D AY

End Ukraine war, stop creating traumatised refugees, urges RAJENDRA ANEJA

THE DARK PLIGHT OF REFUGEES, ANYWHERE The Ukraine war continues to rage. Civilians and soldiers are dying. Many citizens are trapped in homes. Others are escaping the war as refugees to various countries. The plight of UHIXJHHV LV DOZD\V YHU\ JULP 7KH\ VXͿHU WKH loss of some family members or separation from them. Many are reduced to penniless paupers.

7KH UHIXJHH LQÁX[ UHPLQGV PH RI WKH time, when my parents were also reduced to PLJUDQWV ZKHQ WKH\ KDG WR ÁHH WKHLU KRPHV lands and business in 1947, after the bloody partition of British India into India and Pakistan. I recall, my father telling me over the years, “The attacks would come in the nights.

Large crowds carrying torches, axes and swords would descend on homes, accompanied by GUXP EHDWHUV :H EDUULFDGHG WKH PDLQ GRRU RI

The world must unite to end the Ukraine war, to prevent more refugees leading tough lives in foreign lands our home with sacks of grains, furniture, etc., WR EORFN LQWUXGHUV :RPHQ LQ PDQ\ IDPLOLHV were given portions of poison to swallow, in case the men were killed. My wife and sisters kept portions of poison tied perpetually in their “dupattas” (headscarves), to commit suicide in case of abduction.

Due to the fear that rioting between Muslims and Hindus could break out at any time, we NHSW H[WUD VWRFNV RI EDVLF IRRGV OLNH ÁRXU ULFH oil, salt and sugar at home, in case the markets were to shut completely.

7HUULI\LQJ UXPRXUV ÁRDWHG DURXQG Trainloads of refugees were being attacked and killed on both sides of the new border. There were reports of gunshots in many localities.

There were stories of entire “mohallas” ORFDOLWLHV EHLQJ ORRWHG DQG VHW RQ ÀUH 6PRNH ELOORZHG RXW IURP PDQ\ KRPHV :H NHSW RXU house without any light in the night, to avoid drawing attention. :KHQ WKH PHQ LQ WKH IDPLOLHV ZHUH VOD\HG by marauding crowds, the women committed suicide by jumping in wells and drowning themselves. Many young girls were kidnapped, the forced into marriages with strangers. A young girl from our town, was kidnapped for many months. She was later rescued by the army. A young Indian married and rehabilitated her.

There were also heroic instances of neighbours helping each other. Many Muslim families saved their Hindu neighbours by hiding them and providing refuge to them till they could make their way to India. &URSV URWWHG LQ RXU ÀHOGV DQG ZDUHKRXVHV %XVLQHVV KDG FRPH WR D JULQGLQJ KDOW :H ZHUH trying to ascertain what was happening in Delhi and Lahore. There were no telephones, so we depended on scraps of information collated from friends. Our old radio was not very clear. :H GLG QRW NQRZ KRZ DFFXUDWH ZHUH WKH UHSRUWV and whether we could trust them.

Throughout August 1947 my brother and I would take turns to keep vigil during the GDUN WXUEXOHQW QLJKWV :H GHEDWHG MRLQLQJ WKH refugee exodus to India. My parents insisted

on staying at home. However, as a precaution, we brought the women and children to India to ensure their safety.

As the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947 India woke to freedom. However, we were yet huddled in a tiny room in a town, which had just been given away to Pakistan. There were lights and celebrations in many cities in India.

However, our town was plunged in darkness. :H QHYHU VWLUUHG RXW RI WKH KRXVH 7KHUH ZDV only one thought: how to move the families safely to India.

It would be another month of dreadful living, till an army convoy escorted us to India LQ 6HSWHPEHU :H UHDFKHG $PULWVDU DW SP :H GLG QRW NQRZ DQ\RQH LQ ,QGLD :H GLG QRW NQRZ ZKHUH WR JR :H ZHUH SHQQLOHVV Therefore, we slept in the street, using bricks as pillows.

My elder brother, went back with an army convoy to escort our parents to India. He was late by a few hours. Our home had been attacked the previous night and our parents killed. There ZDV D VKRUWDJH RI ÀUHZRRG LQ WKRVH GDUN GD\V The shops were shut. My brother completed WKH ÀQDO ULWHV RI P\ SDUHQWV XVLQJ IXUQLWXUH LQ the house as wood for the pyre.

There was an iron safe in the bedroom of my parents. It had been cracked open with an axe.

The valuables had disappeared. A solitary ring OD\ RQ WKH ÁRRU ,W PXVW KDYH IDOOHQ DQG HVFDSHG the eye of the safe-breaker. So, before we could fetch our parents, our home was ransacked. I never saw my parents again. :H KDG DOZD\V WDNHQ RXU SDUHQWV IRU JUDQWHG They were always there. Now, we were alone, without direction. The emotional trauma was compounded by news of the massive slaughter and bloodshed along the border. My heart was full of grief, but there was no time to grieve.

About 20 family members comprising of my brothers, sisters, their children had to be fed food.

Our world which was stable for many GHFDGHV KDG FROODSVHG LQ MXVW RQH QLJKW :H KDG no money to buy food, clothes or even rent a URRP :H ZHUH VWUDQGHG DQG GHSUHVVHG $OO RXU KRPHV R΀FHV ÀHOGV LQ .DODUZDOD +DUDSSD Tandalianwala were blown away in the ferocious winds of human rage and brutality gusting along the borders. Now, we were SHQQLOHVV SDXSHUV :H UHJLVWHUHG DV UHIXJHHV LQ Amritsar. :H ZHUH LQ /XGKLDQD RQ ,QGLD·V VHFRQG birthday on 15 August 1948. The town RYHUÁRZHG ZLWK UHIXJHHV ZKR KDG VXͿHUHG immensely during partition. There were no FHOHEUDWLRQV RU LOOXPLQDWLRQV :H ZHUH \HW grieving the loss of parents, brothers, sisters and FKLOGUHQ , ZDV VWUXJJOLQJ WR ÀQG D OLYHOLKRRG to feed the family. Nevertheless, we were determined to make a new beginning. A new saga had commenced.”

The global press provides statistics of the number of refugees pouring out of Ukraine.

Every refugee is reduced to a number, a digit.

However, refugees are human beings, with fears and uncertain futures. The world must unite to end the Ukraine war, to prevent more refugees leading tough lives in foreign lands.

Aneja was the Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, and a Management Consultant

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022

The Ijaws are anxious to be hauled unto the peak of power, writes MICHAEL VERITAS

DELTA 2023: WHAT DO THE IJAWS WANT? After several years of political calm, Delta State is perhaps on the cusp of a massive dialectical storm. And this threatening antagonism is KRLVWHG RQ ULYDO FODLPV E\ GLͿHUHQW HWKQLF JURXSV as to who should become governor of Delta in 2023. The tradition of agitation and turmoil in the region now seems to belong to a fairly distant past. Through the adoption in the Delta of deft social and political engineering initiatives, President Yar’Adua before his death in 2010 had been able to establish a fairly enduring peace in an area once widely known for militancy and agitation. The federal government was perceived then as a mortal adversary. So in these parts, sensitivities have been sharpened in such a way that a mass consciousness for social and political justice has become part of society.

Those who regard the Niger Delta and the Ijaw as the capital of populist assertion in Nigeria evidently have a point. Insurrectionist agitation was in fact pioneered in Nigeria when on 23rd February 1966, Adaka Boro, an Ijaw, a former Policeman and an undergraduate of the University of Nigeria led out his Niger Delta Volunteer Force and announced the secession of the Niger Delta from the Federal Republic of 1LJHULD 7KH HͿRUW ZDV FKLPHULFDO DQG ZDV SXW down in a matter of 12 days. But very loudly, it had proclaimed a determination to attack the injustices heaped on the people of the Niger Delta

The Ijaws have continued to emphasize that in spite of what they bring to the table they have never served as governor

governorship prize as recompense, they have remained uncomplaining supporters of the PDP. In 1999 for example the Ijaws supported James Onanefe Ibori; the Ijaws also gave all their hearts to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to become Governor in 2007. Now with Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in the saddle, the Ijaws have remained loyal and constant supporters of the PDP fraternity. In constructive terms therefore the Ijaws have remained loyal supporters even as the governorship prize has swung from one ethnic group to the

other or from one senatorial zone to the other. The Urhobos, the Itsekiris and the Ibos have one after the other been blessed with WKH JXEHUQDWRULDO R΀FH 2QO\ WKH ,VRNRV and preeminently, the Ijaws have not had a bite of this political cherry! In the ongoing power struggle in Delta State, the Ijaws stick RXW OLNH D VRUH WKXPE 7KH\ DUH D VLJQLÀFDQW force, being the third largest in the Delta State and about the fourth most populous ethnic group in the entire Nigerian federation. It is also worth mentioning that through years of active populist activism, the Ijaws know a bit about how to look after their rights. Happily by the federal government and the then Eastern things have remained only at the level of Regional Government. In the nearly 60 years rhetorical banter. The Ijaws have continued to since Adaka Boro’s challenge, rights activism has emphasize that in spite of what they bring to become more widespread, and is now employed the table they have never served as governor, by several communities in and outside the Niger some of them making the point that nothing Delta for seeking redress to social injustice and would be tidier than having the deputy political oppression. The road from the Niger Governor, Mr Kingsley Burutu Otuaro leap Delta Volunteer Force in 1966 to Niger Delta over as the governor in 2023. Heavy resistance Avengers in the 1990s and on to MEND in the continues to come from the Urhobos of Delta same era is now in the past. The disputes which Central. They say the rotation principle now challenge the Delta State polity are driven which uses senatorial district as determinant not by the barrel of the gun, but by rhetorical has run its full term and that it is now time presentations. to use the hierarchy of ethnicities. This has The popular consciousness in Delta State is EHHQ GL΀FXOW IRU VRPH SDUWLFXODUO\ WKH currently dominated by discussions about who Ijaws to swallow. This for the Ijaws would becomes Governor in 2023. Even though the mean burning their candle at two ends. The rhetorical exchanges have been sharp and acute, positions taken by the rival ethnic groups the enduring prayer is that the ongoing debate in the emerging tussle for the governorship will not give way to militant aggression at any prize do not lack clarity. More sophisticated point. Political balancing is widely accepted minds would perhaps be appalled by the among our elites as a method of ensuring primitive considerations involved in the inclusiveness and fair representation. Given FRQWHVW IRU R΀FH DQG SROLWLFDO SULPDF\ %XW the highly plural nature of Delta State, it seems this is Nigeria, a country in which identity there has been a quiet understanding that the SROLWLFV LV DQ LPSRUWDQW VLJQLÀHU :KHUH \RX R΀FH RI WKH *RYHUQRU VKRXOG EH URWDWLRQDO ,I come from often determines political choices this principle were to be consistently upheld, and the road you travel. The Ijaws are anxious it would be the turn of the Ijaws to serve as the to be hauled unto the peak and are therefore Governor of Delta State. The Ijaws control over deploying every legal resource to accomplish 60% of the state’s oil and gas resources and have their aim. been an active participant in the march of Delta to a brighter tomorrow. Even though since 1999 the Ijaws have posted solid and impressive electoral Veritas returns to the Delta PDP, and never received the writes from Warri, Delta State

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

19

20

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

21

22

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

323

T H I S D AY TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022

PAUL OBI contends that the statistics being bandied are muddled

FALLACIES OF BUHARI, ATIKU’S VOTES BANKS “Where facts exist and are testable, it becomes a public duty to use them as nails, GULYHQ GHHS WR WKH FR΀QV RI OLDUV µ - Benders of Truth; Fugitive from History, Wole Soyinka 7KH $WKHQLDQ FRQFHSW RI GHPRFUDF\ ZDV PHDQW WR FUHDWH D OHYHO SOD\LQJ ÀHOG IRU FLWL]HQV WRZDUGV VHOI JRYHUQPHQW 7KH means in which citizens, masses, and the proletariat come together in consonance about the task of governing society.

But as democracy evolves, gimmicks, intrigues and hanky panky creep in, lies IRUHVKDGRZLQJ WUXWK 7KHQ WKH UXOH RI the game sank deeper into deception for the ultimate goal of state capture. Politics DQG GHPRFUDF\ IXUWKHU VXͿHUHG GLVWUXVW Elections became avenue for statisticians and political pundits to manipulate through mathematical deception. Elections and electoral outcomes even the fairest of all left doubts about their numbers in the hearts of men.

(GZDUG % )ROH\ LQ KLV ZRUN 7KH Ballot Battles: the History of Disputed Elections... traces votes manipulation to 1789, where Elbridge Gerry, the man ZKR ÀUVW VWDUWHG HOHFWRUDO PDQLSXODWLRQ and who the word gerrymandering was named after manipulated the redistricting of constituencies to his own advantage.

In Nigeria, disputed political headcount DQG EDOORWV GDWHV EDFN WR WKH V GXULQJ the national census. All our elections KDYH EHHQ GLVSXWHG DQG WKHLU ÀJXUHV (votes) questioned and interrogated. In the 1979 Presidential Election, the battle of the ballots and votes went up to the Supreme Court in the case of Awolowo vs 6KDJDUL 6& ZKHUH WKH DSSHOODQW argued that the tribunal and the electoral body misdirected themselves in the LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ RI VWDWHV DV RI VWDWHV LQVWHDG RI 7KRXJK WKH FDVH HQGHG LQ favour of President Shehu Shagari, but it left an impression of Nigeria’s chaotic votes computational system.

7RGD\ WKH &RQVWLWXWLRQ DV DPHQGHG LQ VHFWLRQ E DQG E H[SUHVVO\ VWDWHV WKDW D FDQGLGDWH IRU WKH 2΀FH RI WKH President must be declared winner only when, “He has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the )HGHUDWLRQ DQG WKH )HGHUDO &DSLWDO 7HUULWRU\ Abuja.” But beyond this mathematical and computational outlook of Nigeria’s presidential elections, politicians’ penchant for ascribing to themselves powers and ÀJXUHV RI YRWHV QRW WHQDEOH KDV WKH SRWHQWLDO of derailing our democracy in a way.

For too long, President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have been culprits in the act of bestowing to themselves vote numbers that leave a vast space for fallacies. Such narratives and fallacies are capable of leaving Nigerian voters deceived to believing non-existing electoral powers.

It is therefore pertinent and incumbent on pundits and those with the requisite knowledge of elections to rebalance and nail those fallacies for good and forever.

7KH FRQVHTXHQFHV RI DOORZLQJ VXFK IDOODFLHV go unchallenged may result in supporters of Buhari, Atiku and other politicians to

deploy undemocratic measures in order to meet up such fabricated electoral ÀJXUHV DQG GHUDLO 1LJHULD·V GHPRFUDWLF consolidation.

In deconstructing the fallacies of Buhari’s DQG $WLNX·V YRWHV RXU JXLGH ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ EH WKH &RQVWLWXWLRQ LQ VHFWLRQV E DQG E DV HDUOLHU QRWHG DPRQJ RWKHU statistical electoral resources in recent times. First, it is undeniable that Buhari has large cult-like following in the North, and by extension, this has transformed into large chunk of votes and voters’ turnout IRU KLP LQ WKH ODVW ÀYH JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQV FLUFOHV IURP WR FXOPLQDWLQJ LQ KLV RXWVWDQGLQJ ´&KDQJHµ YLFWRU\ %XW LQ DOO KLV SUHVLGHQWLDO UXQV LQ DQG ZKHUH KH ZDV SUHVHQWHG DV D Northern candidate with clannish agenda, 3UHVLGHQW IDLOHG ZRHIXOO\ WR PHHW WKH requirements. In these three presidential polls, he never won Adamawa, Benue, 3ODWHDX .ZDUD .RJL 7DUDED 6WDWHV DQG WKH )&7 VHYHQ VWDWHV RXW RI LQ WKH 1RUWK 7LOO GDWH KH QHYHU ZRQ WKH )&7 ,Q KLV YLFWRU\ ZKHUH KH WUDGHG RͿ his ethnic toga a little, to the credit to of his managers then, and the media campaign of Redmedia and the Lagos Ojota Orchestra, WKH UHTXLUHPHQW EHFDPH D UHDOLW\ ,W was results of the South West and most importantly the victories in the North Central states of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, .ZDUD DQG WKH SKRWR ÀQLVK UDFH LQ Plateau State that catapulted Buhari into the Presidency. Statistically, Buhari pulled WR *RRGOXFN -RQDWKDQ ZLWK D GLͿHUHQFH RI YRWHV RXW RI WRWDO votes cast. Where it not for the perennial poor voters’ turnout in the South East, a %XKDUL 3UHVLGHQF\ LQ ZRXOGQ·W KDYH been guaranteed. In the political arithmetic calculation in an ethnically and tribally charged and contested nation like Nigeria, a victory against a minority in such a presidential race, do not suggest a votes EDQN IRU %XKDUL 7KH SROLWLFDO G\QDPLFV were in his favour. Period!

Obi is a journalist, researcher and Fellow at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, interested in media, elections and democracy

Omokri is analytical but does not understand the game of thrones, writes OLUSOLA ADEYEYE

RE: 2023 POLITICAL REALITIES THAT ANNOY AND HEAL , OLNH 5HQR (YHQ WKRXJK ZH DUH RQ GLͿHUHQW ideological pages, I love his energy and commitment to the Nigerian national cause.

He’s an example of how I want young people to engage with Nigeria. When I sit with young people in my orbit or talk with them in any VHWWLQJ , NHHS UHSHDWLQJ WKDW WKH\ FDQQRW DͿRUG WR MXVW EH VSHFWDWRUV LQ RXU QDWLRQDO DͿDLUV 7KH men and women who helped birth the nation from colonialism were young people who DQVZHUHG WKH FDOO RI GXW\ 7KHUH LV QR WLPH WR stand and stare!

In his piece, Reno missed two fundamental WUXWKV DERXW 1LJHULDQ SROLWLFV 7KH ÀUVW LV WKDW if the establishment does not want you, you can QHYHU ZLQ WKH SUHVLGHQF\ 7KH VHFRQG LV UHOLJLRQ as a factor in Nigerian political outcomes is overrated, especially at the national level. Yes, the establishment uses it when convenient, but, when it matters, realpolitik always trumps religion.

Nigeria is not a land of political revolution.

We have been caught in the web of the ‘Class of 1966’ like since forever and they are still LQ FKDUJH 7KH\ GHWHUPLQH ZKR LV SUHVLGHQW irrespective of parties. Buhari, for good or ill, has reshaped the establishment platform to be more pro-North. He may have done it deliberately or it may just be something that has developed naturally under his watch. Whichever is the case, it is today our reality.

Of course, the popular wisdom is that religious sentiments determine the outcomes of national political contests, especially for the presidency at the party and general election levels. But the historical facts do not support this. What history tells us is that any candidate of any religious background can be sold successfully nationally by the establishment once they determine he or she is the one they want there.

So, Omokri’s attempt to aggressively launder the now emergent falsehood that Osinbajo is a Christian fundamentalist unsellable in the 0XVOLP 1RUWK ZLOO QRW Á\ +H·V RQO\ WU\LQJ WR scrape his way through a barrel to a ready-made answer. In fact, the fundamental emptiness of his position can be seen in his attempt to compare Osinbajo to Isa Pantami. I mean, isn’t that the height of skullduggery? Ordinarily such poppycockery does not belong in the realm of even quasi-intelligent discourse; but, in Nigeria, it’s par the course. When we discuss politics, we throw in the kitchen and the toilet sinks and religion is the odious perfume we smell everywhere. But, as I have implied, the establishment does not think that way.

If the North thought Osinbajo a problem on religious grounds, he wouldn’t have been accepted as the Vice President to a Buhari as President. What they saw was a man who was a vital intellectual backbone of the 7LQXEX PDFKLQH DQG WKH RQH ZKR UDQ WKH biggest programme (through the courts) that FUHDWHG WKH 7LQXEX P\VWLTXH 6XUHO\ ZKHQ WKH Lagos State Government repeatedly beat the federal government at the Supreme Court, the establishment had no choice than to notice the genius behind the string of legal victories- Prof <̥Pt 2VuQEjMz When Reno says that Buhari’s political foot soldiers in the core North are united behind 7LQXEX ZH VLPSO\ WLFN WKDW RͿ DV DQ HUURU RI DVVHVVPHQW 7KH UHDOLW\ LV WKDW WKRVH KH UHIHUV WR as Buhari’s political foot soldiers are showing 7LQXEX HYHU\GD\ ZLWK DFWLRQ WKDW WKH\ DUH QRW with him. Let him name one Buhari foot soldier LQ 7LQXEX·V FDPS DQG , ZLOO QDPH D KXQGUHG WKDW are not there. When Buhari candidly said that the presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder,

wise citizens paid attention. <HV 7LQXEX KDV WKH VWUXFWXUH KH KDV amassed the money and is already throwing it around left, right and centre, but the truth is WKDW PDQ\ DUH MXVW ÁHHFLQJ KLP DW WKH PRPHQW

Many signals within the party and within the establishment indicate he is on a hiding WR QRWKLQJ 0DQ\ VHH 7LQXEX DV D PDQ ZKR must be kept away from Aso Rock because he KDV WKH FDSDFLW\ WR FUHDWH DQ HQWLUHO\ GLͿHUHQW political patronage structure that can alienate the ‘Class of 1966’. ,QFLGHQWDOO\ 7LQXEX ZHQW IXOO WKURWWOH WR politically terminate Ambode when the latter tinkered with the patronage structure in Lagos.

As far as the establishment are concerned, 7LQXEX KDV EHHQ DPSO\ UHZDUGHG ZLWK WKH IUHH rein they’ve given him over Lagos and its purse strings. Giving him Aso Rock is class suicide for the establishment. :H KDYH VHHQ WKH HVWDEOLVKPHQW Á\LQJ WKH idea of parachuting Jonathan in as the consensus candidate of the APC, but it’s a bridge too far.

We have been hearing of the attempt by some top members of the establishment to draft LQ *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH DQG QRZ ZH VHH WKDW KH has actually picked up the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination form. Of course, that is quite troubling. I still believe the real battle is among three other aspirants that include Osinbajo.

A lot of people don’t know that Professor 2VLQEDMR IDFHG YHU\ VWLͿ RSSRVLWLRQ LQ from people who didn’t want him to return as part of the reelection ticket with Buhari. At the head of those opposed to him returning as Vice President was the late Abba Kyari. Buhari had WR VWHUQO\ WHOO RͿ WKH OREE\LVWV LQVLVWLQJ KH ZDV happy with Osinbajo and would run with him.

Osinbajo as vice president today is a strong indication that Buhari thinks him worthy of VXFFHHGLQJ KLP LQ +H FRXOG KDYH HDVLO\ UHSODFHG KLP SULRU WR WKH HOHFWLRQ RI For those who still think Buhari has no favourite amongst the candidates, they need to read between the lines. When in January he was DVNHG LQ D &KDQQHOV 7HOHYLVLRQ LQWHUYLHZ E\ Maupe Ogun to name his favourite presidential candidate, he responded: “I won’t tell you my IDYRXULWH IRU KH PD\ EH HOLPLQDWHG LI , mention. I better keep it a secret.” He wasn’t MRNLQJ 7KH FRPPHQW LV UHYHDOLQJ ,W WHOOV XV he was aware of the intense jostling for the position going on within our party. It tells us he had someone in mind already and that person isn’t a party Goliath. For a man who knows what Osinbajo has endured as vice president, he knew what he was talking about. Of course, the only thing is that he has not expressed his preference to Osinbajo himself.

Senator Adeyeye represented Osun Central in the Eighth Senate

4 24

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE PROPOSED 2023 CENSUS…1 An accurate national census is desirable for planning

T

he United Nations (UN) recommends a national census enumeration for every country at least once every 10 years. That Nigeria has for years failed to meet that target is why we can easily understand the recent decision by the Council of State for a national census to hold in Nigeria next year. Following that approval, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra announced that a pilot census would be conducted in June this year shortly after the completion of the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general election by the political parties. ,W LV GL΀ FXOW WR IDXOW the idea of a national census. Once the baseline demographic footprint of a nation is done properly, subsequent changes can be determined almost accurately through satellite imaging and statistical projections. Population updates can then be carried out through mandatory birth and death registrations, patterns of migration such as internal displacements or the attraction of economic opportunities in parts of the country, etc.

And in recommending that countries should conduct a census every 10 years, the UN believes that will allow for the capture of changes in structure and movement of population. Unfortunately, census has always been a problem in Nigeria.

Our census trajectory is so mired in controversies that the country went as far as annulling two of them (1973 and 1991). From the 1953 census done by the British to that of 2006, all ended up in controversy.

That then explains why we have relied on estimates and projections that are not very helpful for national planning. Figures from the last census conducted 16 years ago revealed that Nigeria’s total population was 140.43 million people. Since then, we have relied on SURMHFWLRQV E\ GLͿ HUHQW ORFDO DQG LQWHUQDWLRQDO ERGLHV The current Worldometer projection is that Nigeria is about 206 million people.

Many would wonder why a simple ‘headcount’ is VXFK D GL΀ FXOW WKLQJ WR GR LQ 1LJHULD ,W LV GXH WR WKH distortion of our federal structure since population determines how much each of the 36 states and 774 local government areas gets from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) disbursed monthly by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

There are other political considerations such that over the past 16 years, Nigeria had on several occasions rehashed and made feeble attempts at conducting a credible census. A former Chairman of the NPC, Festus 2GLPHJZX RQFH GHFODUHG WKDW 1LJHULD·V FHQVXV ´À JXUHV are just guesstimates; nobody knows whether the population is 120 million, 150 million, 200 million – not Nigeria, not the NPC, the UN, the World Bank.

Unless you conduct a proper census, which has never been done without political interference, it is not possible to know.”

Odimegwu is right. Yet, at no other time is a real census desirable than now to help for proper national planning. Many have expressed concern that an annual population growth rate far higher than GDP growth rate is a time-bomb. Nigeria’s population is projected to hit 264 million by 2030 - crossing the 300 million thresholds around 2036. With the emerging trends, it is expedient that a proper census be conducted. But before such an exercise, there is need for a reorientation for Nigerians to see population counts as an instrument for economic planning rather than for the allocation of unearned resources.

While we believe that Nigeria is desirous of a national census, we submit that such an exercise must be all-encompassing while accommodating all the ingredients of reliability and acceptability. Coming immediately after the general election, the authorities should anticipate forces that could mar the process before, during and after the exercise. And there must be plans to counter those threats.

To be concluded tomorrow

While we believe that Nigeria is desirous of a national census, we submit that such an exercise must be allencompassing while accommodating all the ingredients of reliability and acceptability 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

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 2023 AND THE DELUGE OF ASPIRANTS When APC and PDP pegged the cost of their presidential nomination forms at 100million and 50million respectively, Nigerians thought many politicians would be edged out of the contest. This is not unconnected with the exorbitant cost of the forms amidst excruciating poverty in the land. However, the number of candidates who are trooping out to buy presidential forms, particularly from the ruling party, has said the opposite. So far, more than APC aspirants have bought forms and many are still expected to follow suite in due course. Is the emergence of many aspirants have to do with the statement credited to the APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu that the party had yet to zone its presidential canGLGDWH WR DQ\ ]RQH" :LWK WKH DVSLUDQWV GLUHFWHG WR À OO ZLWKGUDZDO IRUPV WKH UXO ing APC may likely opt for consensus candidate in order to select its presidential candidate. Like APC, other political parties including PDP, are still selling forms.

With the low quality of leadership in the country, the emergence of many aspirants is a welcome development. If not for the monetization of democracy by our politicians, many aspirants will lead to the emergence of competent leadership which remains the bane of the country’s growth and development. Sadly, IRU VRPHRQH WR HPHUJH DV SDUW\ Á DJ EHDUHU KH QHHGV WR EH ULFK HQRXJK WR EX\ the costly form and also dole out cash to delegates who always go for the highest bidder. One hopes the number of aspirants is not due to the monetary rewards democracy confers on politicians. Politics in Nigeria has become a gravy train IRU VHOI HQULFKPHQW 7KH OLIHVW\OH RI RXU SROLWLFDO R΀ FH KROGHUV LV WHPSWLQJ DQG

SOMETIMES WE DO WIN

can push many to buy these forms. The electorate who holds the ace for electing leaders are usually caught in the cobweb of choosing between the good and bad candidates political parties present. Politicians use huge amount of resources to EX\ WKH FRQVFLHQFH RI YRWHUV DQG LQÁ XHQFH WKH UHVXOWV RI HOHFWLRQV :LWK UHJDUG to the aspirants who are scrambling to buy forms, some did it for recognition.

They join the league in order to become relevant or be compensated with appointments after their parties may have won the elections. :KDWHYHU PD\ EH WKH UHDVRQV WKH GHYHORSPHQW LQGLFDWHV RXU Á HGJLQJ GH mocracy is ripe. Indeed, the political culture is evolving with more Nigerians accepting democracy as the best system of government. What worries many is that many aspirants have purchased forms without a clear blueprint on how to address the myriad problems or challenges bedevilling the country. With the exception of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and governor Kayode Fayemi, who unveiled their policies and programs during their declarations, PDQ\ DVSLUDQWV DUH EXQFK RI RSSRUWXQLVW SROLWLFLDQV ZLWK QRWKLQJ WR RͿ HU WR WKH country. Nigerians expect the aspirants to have in their kits robust programs and SROLFLHV DLPHG DW XQLI\LQJ WKH IUDJPHQWHG FRXQWU\ WDFNOH LQVHFXULW\ DQG À [ RXU deteriorating economy.

Sometimes the underdog wins, and it is an inspiration for all of us. With the long odds Rich Strike winning the 148th Kentucky Derby we see a winner for the rest of us.

Perhaps we should look for the long shots that we all need, a cure for Covid, Peace in Ukraine, honest politicians, and in general a better life for all but they are probably at longer odds than the horse. .HHS À JKWLQJ IRU WKH JRRG WKLQJV EH cause eventually we will all win despite the odds.

Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

LAWYER TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

A

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

WEEKLY PULLOUT

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

EKITI STATE GOVERNOR AND CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM, DR KAYODE FAYEMI

‘We Need an In-Depth Review of Judicial Salaries’

N

II

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN TH THIS EDITION

R E Y W A L A

OUT WEEKLY PULL

TRU

TH &

RE A S

TRU

TH &

RE A S

Effect of NonConcurrence of Administrator(s) in a Contract Relating to Deceased’s Property

ON

ON

Y 10, 20 22 TUE SDAY, MA

RIA IRMAN OF NIGE ERNOR AND CHA EKITI STATE GOV ODE FAYEMI FORUM, DR KAY GOVERNORS’

Page IV

All Set for NBASPIDEL Annual Conference Sokoto

pth e D n I n a d e e ‘We N l a i c i d u J f o w Revie Salaries’

Page V

QUOTABLE ‘The political season is a season of comedy and grand eloquence, and self-aggrandisement, and sheer narcissism, and we are likely to see a lot of this.’ - Dr Reuben Abati, Lawyer, Anchor, The Morning Show, Arise TV

Bamise’s Family Seeks Permission to Prosecute Defendant Page V

Double Murder: Lagos Court Shifts Dane, Peter Nielsen’s Judgement to May 20 Page V

LAWYER

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

In Death, Citizen Ochanya Cries for Justice Government Failed Ochanya he Benue State Government and its Judiciary, have so far failed late Ochanya Ogbaje of blessed memory.

As a mother myself, I was moved to tears when I heard the news that Andrew Ogbuja, accused of sexually abusing Ochanya, had been discharged and acquitted. Even though Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution) sets educational objectives that the Government should achieve for Nigerians, particularly Section 18(3) which includes free primary to tertiary education, and adult literacy, there was no functioning primary school in Ogene Amejo Village where Ochanya’s family resides; their public school was allegedly shut down in 2011 due to non-payment of Teachers’ salaries, so she was constrained to move to her relatives’ house in Gboko just to be able to receive an education.

See the case of Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti & 3 Ors v AGF, COAS & 7 Ors 1985 2 N.W.L.R. Part 6 Page 211 at 230.

When the story broke in October 2018, that 13 year old Ochanya had died as a result of VVF (Vesico Vaginal Fistula) caused by alleged continuous rape by her Uncle, Andrew and his son, Victor Ogbuja from the tender age of 8, I wrote about this unfortunate occurrence on 30/10/18, and expressed my hope that justice would be served in this matter; so far, I do not think it has.

T

Pedophilia Pedophilia/Paedophilia/Pedophilic or Pedophilia Disorder is a psychosexual disorder characterised by adults having sexual interest in children who have not reached the age of puberty, or actually engaging or attempting to engage in sexual acts with them. I must say that even though I am neither a Psychologist or Psychiatrist, I concur with this definition of pedophilia, and disagree with the more recent diagnostic literature which distinguishes between such sexual interest and desires which are not acted upon as not necessarily being a mental disorder, and the actual sexual contact with children which is diagnosed as a mental disorder. For me, whether it is just an interest or it is an interest that is actualised, they both constitute sickness and perversion; the only difference between them being that it doesn’t constitute a criminal offence, until such deviant sexual conduct is acted upon.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2013; DSM-5) stipulates that the interest or behaviour must be present for at least six months - in Ochanya's case, the sexual abuse and assault was sustained for approximately five years, and the perpetrator must be at least five years older than the victim. Andrew Ogbuja who was accused of this heinous crime, was about 37 years older than her, while Victor (now at large), whose age I have been unable to confirm, seems to be more than five years older than Ochanya, stemming from the fact that he was a final year student at the University of Agriculture is 2018, when Ochanya was just a Secondary School first year student.

Of course, we all know that Ochanya's extended family, the Ogbujas failed her abysmally. Not only did they breach and abuse the trust reposed in them by Ochanya’s Parents, Mrs Felicia Ogbuja was convicted by the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi for negligence in failing in her duty to protect Ochanya from abuse by her son, and sentenced to just a few months in prison. But, why only her son?

What baffles me is how Andrew Ogbuja was acquitted of the charges of rape (against a minor), and assault which caused the death of Ochanya.

The trial Judge decided that the Prosecution had failed to prove its case, and based his acquittal on the fact that the two medical reports that were tendered as exhibits, conflicted. That while the one from the Makurdi Medical Centre (which did not meet the World Health Organisation standard of autopsy reports) stated that Ochanya died from natural causes, the one from Lagos stated that she died from injuries occasioned from sexual assault. Another reason given for the acquittal, was that there was no specimen from the accused to compare with the Medical Reports, to confirm that Ochanya had been raped by the Ogbujas. I find this reasoning extremely faulty, on several levels. In my opinion, the trial Judge failed to exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously.

The judgement is tantamount to deciding that matching the specimen of a perpetrator to the victim of rape/medical report, is the only way to prove rape. That in the absence of such specimen, all other evidence tendered does not count. How can this be so, when we know that rape can be very difficult to prove, and therefore, all evidence that points to the

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com Twitter: @TheAdvocate

The

Advocate “The judgement is tantamount to deciding that matching the specimen of a perpetrator to the victim of rape/medical report, is the only way to prove rape.That in the absence of such specimen, all other evidence tendered does not count. How can this be so……” fact that the offence was committed, should be properly considered.

Matters Arising Firstly, how can a 13 year old child who was on admission for two months prior to her death because of VVF, have died of natural causes, according to the Makurdi Report? Death by natural causes means that there was no external reason for an individual's death, like old age or cancer.

Ochanya’s sickness was caused by an external reason - rape. VVF is not an illness that develops by itself; it occurs as a result of external trauma to the sexual/reproductive organs. From the time Ochanya's story broke in 2018, the whole of Nigeria was aware that she died from complications arising from VVF, and the Lagos Medical Report confirmed this. VVF is a hole that develops between a female's vagina and bladder, resulting in an incessant leakage of urine.

This can happen when girls who are not fully developed, are forced into early marriage and/or have sex or get pregnant and suffer trauma either during sex or labour, since their organs - pelvis, vagina etc are not fully developed. Whether by virtue of the Child Rights Act, the Criminal Code Act or Penal Code Act, Ochanya was a child when she suffered this terrible abuse.

Secondly, if the two medical reports were in conflict, the trial Judge should have taken oral evidence in that regard, to establish which report was authentic. Why was any credence even lent to the Makurdi Report which was said to be sub-standard? See the case of Falobi v Falobi 1976 10 N.S.C.C. 576 at 581 where the Apex Court held that “where affidavits are irreconcilably in conflict, the Judge hearing the case, in order to resolve the conflict properly, should first hear oral evidence from deponents and

Late Ochanya Ogbaje

witnesses as the parties may be advised to call”. Were the Doctors and Nurses who attended to Ochanya during her two-month stay at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, not called as witnesses?

What did they say? What about her mother and those who knew that Ochanya had been reduced to wearing diapers, because she had lost control of her bladder (and possibly rectum) due to the trauma she had suffered from rape and sodomy? What about Mrs Ogbuja’s daughter, who was said to have caught Victor raping Ochanya, did she testify? She was probably prevented from so doing, in order not to further implicate her family members. What about her classmates or teachers in her school, who may have perceived the unmistakable smell of urine that follows a victim of VVF, were they not called to give evidence? I submit that the trial Judge may not have seized all the opportunities available to him to unravel the truth about which medical report was authentic and which one was manipulated to conceal the truth, and also chose to ignore the evidence in the Lagos Medical Report. Could the Ogbujas have had the haphazard Makurdi Medical Report issued to favour them, and absolve them from criminal liability? After all, Mrs Ogbuja has been convicted of failing to protect Ochanya from her son, Victor, and she had threatened to throw Ochanya out of her house, if she reported the sexual abuse.

Thirdly, proof of rape is not only done by taking specimens from the victim and the perpetrator, and matching them. Even in countries that have the most advanced technology, if a rape kit is not done on a victim almost immediately after the unfortunate incident occurs, or the victim has a bath thereafter, all physical evidence disappears. The constant leakage of urine that

Ochanya suffered, would have easily washed away any specimen from anyone who had raped her. It wasn’t even as if Ochanya was taken to hospital the day she was raped. The trial Judge therefore, should have relied on other evidence in order to do justice to the case, and come to an informed decision, like evaluating other direct and circumstantial evidence.

Fourthly, what about the video recording of Ochanya before she died, naming the Ogbujas as her rapists and confirming that they slept with her? Were Ochanya’s statements not direct evidence, corroborated by the Lagos Medical Report? How then, could the Judge discountenance and ignore her statements, attaching no weight to them, to hold that Ochanya did not tell her story before she died? Did Ochanya’s statements in the video qualify as a dying declaration which should have been investigated thoroughly, because they were extremely important in ascertaining the truth? See Section 209(3) of the Evidence Act 2011 (EA). In Okoro v State 2007 2 N.W.L.R. Part 1019 Page 530 at 544-545 per Omaje JCA, the Court of Appeal defined a dying declaration inter alia as “a statement made by a person who may die from the injury received from a person whom the deceased person identified as the person who inflicted on him (the deceased), the injury that eventually caused his death”.

There was certainly no reason for Ochanya not to tell the truth, when she was in such a bad condition. See the case of Ekpo Isong v State 2009 1 N.W.L.R. Part 1122 Page 354 at 368. Also see Section 40(1) of the EA. In Igbine v State 1997 9 N.W.L.R. Part 519 Page 101 at 108 per Munkata-Coomassie JCA, the Court of Apoeal held that in the case of rape, the corroboration required demands such corroboration to clearly implicate the accused. I submit that the Lagos Medical Report corroborated Ochanya’s declaration which implicated the Ogbujas, and it was preposterous that the trial Judge could have held that there was no evidence to convict Andrew Ogbuja. It is obvious that little Ochanya who had not yet reached the age of consent was raped; they had unlawful carnal knowledge of a child by force, threat, fear and intimidation thereby fulfilling an essential ingredient of rape that the intercourse must be without the woman’s consent. See the case of Popoola v State 2013 17 N.W.L.R. Part 1382 Page 96 at 123 per Ariwoola JSC. How the little child must have suffered and lived in fear, with the family gang-up against her.

Section 282(1)(e) of the Penal Code states that a man commits rape who has sexual intercourse with a woman, with or without her consent, when she is under the age of 14 or of unsound mind. Ochanya was 8 when the rape started. She did not even attain the age of 14, before she died. In Jegede v The State 2001 14 N.W.L.R. Part 733 Page 264 per Belgore JSC (as he then was) the Apex Court held that “the important and essential element of the offence of rape, is penetration”. It has also been held that even the slightest penetration, will be sufficient to constitute the act of sexual intercourse. Proof of rupture of the hymen is unnecessary to establish the offence of rape. See the case of Ogunbayo v State 2007 8 N.W.L.R. Part 1035 Page 157 at 182-183 per Ogbuagu JSC. Medical examination had proved that Ochanya’s hymen had been ruptured, and she had become incontinent.

Conclusion With all these matters arising, it is difficult to believe that no case or charges could be proven against Andrew Ogbuja and his son.

It is strange that in light of late Ochanya’s revelations in which she clearly identified her attackers, corroborated by the Lagos Medical Report and evidence of some of the prosecution witnesses, because there was no specimen from the Defendants, they were able to go scot free.

It is a travesty of justice. The Lagos Report even evinced the fact that the VVF disease which arose from the sexual abuse Ochanya suffered, caused her death. What more is required to prove Manslaughter? The death of Ochanya was caused by the acts of the rapists whom she identified as Andrew & Victor Ogbuja; the Defendants intended to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her, and it was this continuous violation of Ochanya that caused her death; the acts perpetrated against little Ochanya were dangerous, unlawful, reckless and rash. See the case of Mareni v The State 2010 3 N.W.L.R. Part 1181. I urge the Benue State Government, to appeal the decision.

IV

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Effect of Non-Concurrence of Administrator(s) in a Contract Relating to Deceased’s Property Fact

T

he 1st to 3rd Respondent, as Administrators of the Estate of the deceased Sheikh Mujaddadi, offered a property belonging to the deceased at Abuja for sale sometime in 2007.

The property was offered for sale at a price of N100million with five percent agency fee in the sum of N5million.

The Appellant indicated interest in purchasing the property, further to which he paid the purchase price to one Jamilu Mujaddadi, one of the children of the deceased who acted as the agent of the 1st to 3rd Respondent in getting buyers for the property. Further to this, a Contract of Sale and Deed of Assignment (Exhibits A and B) were prepared and signed by the 1st and 2nd Respondent, but not signed by the 3rd Respondent. Thereafter, the Appellant declined to pay the agency fee to the 1st to 3rd Respondent and the transaction was left inconclusive.

Subsequent to the above, the 4th Respondent, who had equally indicated interest in the property, accepted the 1st to 3rd Respondent’s offer and furnished consideration by paying the purchase price as well as the agency fee. In view of this, the 1st to 3rd Respondent executed a Contract of Sale, Deed of Assignment and Power of Attorney in respect of the property in favour of the 4th Respondent.

The Appellant, who had already taken possession of the property, albeit without concluding the transaction, became aware of the sale of the property to another person and immediately commenced proceedings at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He sought inter alia, a declaration that there was a valid and subsisting contract of sale of the subject property between him and the 1st to 3rd Respondent. He also sought an Order of specific performance of the contract of sale. The Respondents, in their joint defence, averred that the transaction with the Appellant was not concluded, and that the agreement with him was void as only two out of the three Administrators signed Exhibits A and B. At the conclusion of the trial, the court dismissed the Appellant’s suit on the basis that there was no valid contract between the Appellant and the 1st to 3rd Respondent, as there was no evidence of concurrence by all the Administrators in the purported sale to the Appellant; hence, the Contract of Sale and Deed of Assignment which were signed by two out of the three Administrators were void. The trial court also found that, there was no evidence to prove that the Appellant made payment to the 1st to 3rd Respondent. Aggrieved, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which court agreed with the findings of the trial court and dismissed the appeal. The Appellant filed a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The Supreme Court determined the appeal on the basis of the following sole issue: Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right, when they held that there was no valid and enforceable contract between the Appellant and the 1st to 3rd Respondent for the sale of the property in dispute to the Appellant.

Arguments Counsel for the Appellant argued that once all the Administrators had agreed to the sale, the property could be conveyed by one or more of them and the fact that the Exhibits A and B were not signed by the 3rd Defendant did not vitiate the contract. He submitted that the 1st and 2nd Respondent had the legal capacity to contract on behalf of the three Administrators, and the receipt clause in the Deed of Assignment was sufficient proof that they received the purchase price of N100million he paid to Jamilu Mujaddadi, who acted as their agent in the said sale. He contended that notwithstanding the non-execution of the documents by the 3rd Respondent, the terms in the documents are binding on all the Administrators, based on the doctrine of sanctity of contract. Counsel argued further that the decision of the lower court to treat the five percent agency fee as part of the condition for the sale of the property

ÙØÙßÜËÌÖÏ ßÎÓÜËÞ ÙÞÙØ×ÙÜÓ ÖËÞÙÕßØÌÙ ÏÕÏÜÏ̋ Õßؘ

Ø ÞÒÏ ßÚÜÏ×Ï ÙßÜÞ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓË Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 10th day of December, 2021 ÏÐÙÜÏ ÒÏÓÜ ÙÜÎÝÒÓÚÝ Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Mohammed Lawal Garba Ibrahim Muhammed Musa Saulawa Emmanuel Akomaye Agim Justices, Supreme Court SC.98/2013 ÏÞáÏÏØ HON. ESEME SUNDAY EYIBOH

APPELLANT

And 1. DAHIRU SHEIKH MUJADDADI 2. AISHA SHEIKH MUJADDADI 3. TAHIR IDRIS (SUED AS ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE OF SHEIKH MUJADDADI) 4. ALHAJI HASSAN MUHAMMAD GUSAU

RESPONDENTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC) was erroneous, because neither of the two documents (Exhibits A and B) which regulated the sale provided for payment of agency fee.

Conversely, counsel for the Respondents argued that based on the principle of joint representation, Administrators of an Estate must act jointly and not severally; hence, in the absence of the 3rd Respondent’s signature and concurrence, the Contract of Sale and Deed of Assignment furnished by the Appellant cannot be said to constitute a valid contract. He cited YUSUF v DADA & ORS (1990) 2 NSCC 125 at 144.

Counsel argued further that based on the established law that an agent cannot conclude a sale on behalf of his principal, the said Jamilu, who was designated as an agent for the purpose of finding a buyer, did not have the legal capacity or authority to sell the property or receive the purchase price.

He submitted that there was no evidence of acceptance, payment of consideration to the 1st to 3rd Respondent, or meeting of minds between the Appellant and the 1st to 3rd Respondent. Thus, they had no obligation to pass the property to the Appellant since he had not fulfilled the

“…..where there are two or more personal representatives, a conveyance of real estate shall not, except as otherwise provided in respect of trust estates, be made without the concurrence of all of them”

conditions agreed upon; they were at liberty to have treated the contract as extinguished, and consequently sold the property to the 4th Respondent. Counsel posited further that the five percent agency fee had been expressed as a condition precedent, and it need not be inserted as a clause in Exhibits A and B. Court’s Judgement and Rationale The court reiterated the settled principle of law that for there to be a valid contract, certain ingredients - offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations and capacity to contract; must exist and be conjunctively present, and the absence of any of these ingredients will vitiate the contract. For a contract to be enforceable, there must be a concluded bargain which has settled all essential conditions that are necessary to be settled, and leaves no vital term or condition unsettled - OMEGA BANK (NIG) PLC v O.B.C LTD (2005) 8 NWLR (Pt. 928) 547 at 583.

On the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s capacity to contract as Administrators of the deceased’s estate without the concurrence of the 3rd Respondent, the court relied on its decisions in YUSUF v DADA & 3 ORS. (1990) 3 N.S.C.C. 125 at 144, LINES 1-14 and IBRAHIM v OJOMO (2004) 4 NWLR (Pt. 862) 115 -116 & 117 -1 18, that where more than one executor or administrator are appointed to administer the estate of a deceased person, the joint office should be treated as that of an individual person, and they have a joint and entire interest (real or personal) in the estate which is

incapable of being divided. The representation of the estate is joint and indivisible, and the executors or administrators must agree and act in concurrence in their representation and administration of the estate. Hence, since the rights and interest of the administrators or administratrixes of any estate is joint in the estate they must operate together, and giving out such right or interest by some of them to any one does not bind the others who do not give their consent thereto.

Regarding the Appellant’s argument that Exhibits A and B constituted a valid contract of sale and conveyance of the subject property in his favour regardless of the non-execution of same by the 3rd Respondent, the Apex Court called in aid the general principle of law as stated in WILLIAMS AND MORTIMERS: Executors, Administrators and Probate, 1970 Edition at page 463 and espoused in Section of 4(2) of the Administration of Estates Law, Cap 2, Laws of Lagos State 1973, that where there are two or more personal representatives, a conveyance of real estate shall not, except as otherwise provided in respect of trust estates, be made without the concurrence of all of them. The court held that the 1st and 2nd Respondent did not have the legal capacity to contract as Administrators of the estate, without the concurrence of the 3rd Respondent. More so, as the 1st to 3rd Respondent pleaded and led evidence to the effect that the 1st and 2nd Respondent signed Exhibits A and B on the understanding that the Appellant was prepared to pay the purchase price with the agency fee, and once he had furnished the said consideration, the documents would be delivered to the 3rd Respondent for his own signature, and this never happened.

Deciding on the issue of the authority and legal capacity of the said Jamilu to sell the property or receive the purchase price, the court held that where an agency is created for the expressed purpose of searching for and securing a prospective purchaser of a property, the agent cannot exceed the scope of his agency to sell the property. The fact that the agent is one of the heirs or beneficiaries of the property administered

by Administrators appointed by Letters of Administration, does not change his status as an agent for the sole purpose of securing a buyer for the property. He cannot negotiate the sale, or collect the purchase price, or prepare the conveyance without the legally recognised written authority of the Administrators to do so - INCAR NIG PLC v BOLEX ENG. NIG (2001) 12 NWLR (Pt. 728) 648 at 680, 681-682.

Their Lordships held that the evidence on record showed that members of the deceased’s family, including the said Jamilu whom the Appellant purportedly paid the purchase price to, were only instructed to look for possible buyers for the property and notify the 1st to 3rd Respondent once any had been found; and Jamilu did not have the authority or legal capacity to conclude the sale. There was also no evidence that the money was paid to the 1st to 3rd Respondent. The only evidence available, showed that payment was made to Jamilu who had no authority to conclude the sale of the property or receive the purchase price.

Furthermore, apart from paying the purchase price to Jamilu who did not have the legal capacity to conclude the sale, the Appellant declined to pay the five percent agency fee which was an important term in the contract.

It cannot therefore be said that consideration, which is a vital ingredient of the contract, was fulfilled.

In conclusion, the court held that the Appellant having failed to establish that there was acceptance, consideration, meeting of minds, capacity to contract with respect to the purported sale of the subject property to him; he cannot claim the existence of a valid or enforceable contract that could give birth to Exhibits A and B. Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Paul Erokoro, SAN with O. Ituen Esq., G. Obeten Esq., and U. Onyewe Esq. for the Appellant.

J. J. Usman Esq. with Eko Ejembi Eko, H.I. Hassan Esq., A.O.F. Phillip Esq., and J.A. Sambo Esq. for the Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

V

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

̋ ˝ ÙßØÍÓÖ Ï×ÌÏܘ ܲ ×ÏÕË áËÎÓÙÕϘ ÙßØÍÓÖ Ï×ÌÏÜ˞ ܲ ÒÓÝÙ× ØßÙÒË˞ ÒÓÏÐ ÜËØÕ ÑÌÏÎÙ˞ ÒËÓÜ×Ëؘ ܲ ÙØÎËã ØãÏÕËÍÒÓ ÌËØÓ˜ ÜÏËÝßÜÏܘ Ý ßØ×Ó ÎÏÙÑßؘ ÜÏËÝßÜÏÜ ËØÎ ÜÝ ÒÓÕË ÕÙÖÓÏ ËÞÏ Ë×ÓÝÏ ãËØáÙÖÏ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÜÏÝÝ ÌÜÓÏʨØÑ ÙØ ͰͮͰͰ ̋ ØØßËÖ ÙØÐÏÜÏØÍÏ

ÏÞÏÜ ÓÏÖÝÏØ ËØÎ ÖËÞÏ áÓÐϘ ËÓØËÌ ÓÏÖÝÏØ ËÕË ÖÓäÏÏ

All Set for NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference Sokoto ÞÙÜÓÏÝ Ìã ÞÏàÏ ãË The Nigerian Bar Association, Section of Public Interest and Development Law has finalised plans to hold its much-awaited Annual Conference in Sokoto.

Addressing the media at the Ikeja NBA Secretariat last Wednesday, Chairman of SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani said that this year’s Annual Conference of the Section will be an “Intellectual feasting’ and fun-filled.

The Conference which is scheduled to hold from May 22-26, 2022 has the theme “Rule of Law and Democratic Evolution in Nigeria”.

Ubani said the Keynote Address on “Rule of Law and Nigeria’s Democratic Experiences: The Way Forward” will be delivered by renowned jurist and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti, Professor Akin Oyebode.

“The Opening Ceremony on Monday, May 23, 2022 will witness addresses by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata; the Sultan of Sokoto, His

Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Hon. Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, to name a few. The Sokoto State Governor, His Excellency Aminu Waziri Tambuwal will declare the Conference open”, said Dr. Ubani.

He explained that: “The subthemes to be dissected by an array of leading speakers include ‘Democratic Evolution & Nation Building - The Past, Present & Future of Nigeria’; ‘The Rule of Law Index in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria’; ‘Costs of Elections (Human & Financial Costs) - Counting the Costing & Applying the Values’; ‘Rule of Law, Security & Promotion of Democracy’; ‘Civilian vs Uniformed Citizens - Human Rights Non-Compliance & The Changing Rules of Engagement’; ‘Tackling Impunity, Electoral Offenders and Insecurity’; ‘Unity in Diversity: The Rule of Law as the Unifier’; ‘Partnership Forum: Everyone a Changemaker Movement’; ‘Role of Technology in Electoral Governance’; ‘Electoral Act 2022 & Electoral Justice’; ‘Political Parties & Internal Party Democracies - Challenges

Bamise’s Family Seeks Permission to Prosecute Defendant The family of the late Bamise Ayanwole, who was raped and murdered on a BRT vehicle in February, has written to the Lagos State Attorney-General, applying for a fiat to prosecute the murder trial against the Defendant, Andrew Nice Ominikoron.

In March, the Lagos State Government had arraigned Andrew Nice Ominikoron on a four-count charge before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, Lagos Island.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Hearing is scheduled to formally begin next Monday. But, the family’s counsel, Adesina Ogunlana, in a letter to the Lagos AG dated May 4, on behalf of

the family stated that the Ayanwole family: “has formally expressed their wish to have a more independent body conduct the prosecution”, adding that: “in their view, the Lagos State Government, agency and officials are involved in the matter, and may not be reasonably expected to act as the prosecutor against themselves”.

Mr Ogunlana, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, adds that the family is concerned that the State Government also included in the charges against Andrew Nice Ominikoron, another rape incident, separate from Bamise’s, a situation they believe may complicate their case.

& Prospects’; ‘Rule of Law & Elections as it Affects Persons with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Groups’, and ‘State Independent Electoral Commissions: Protectors or Destroyers of Democracy?’

“Among the many speakers that have confirmed attendance are Supreme Court jurist, Justice Inyang Okoro; INEC National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye; Amnesty International Country Director, Ms Osai Ojigho; former Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN; National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu; Secretary of Lower Niger Congress, Mr Tony Nnadi; former Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Dr Daniel Bwala; and Director of Research at NARC, Prof C.B.N. Ogbogbo.

Others are retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Olafimihan Adeoye; Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof Yemisi Bamgbose SAN; Executive Director at Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo; Mr Hilary Ogbonna of National Human Rights Commission; Head of Political Science Department at the University of Ibadan, Prof Remi Ayede;Partner at Riverbrooke Solicitors London, UK, Chi Chikwendu; Prof Agbo Madaki and Executive Director, Gender Awareness Trust, Dr Lydia Umar.

Also expected at the annual Conference are United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr Amina J. Mohammed; INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; Bishop Mathew Hassan

Kukah;Founder, Fix Politics, Dr Oby Ezekwesili; Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Tony Ojukwu SAN; and his predecessor-in-office, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, and several State Governors.

“Aside from the intellectual feasting expected at the Conference, many fun and sideline events have also been planned to ensure that the conferees have a best-in-class experience while in the royal, ancient and serene city of Sokoto. The conferees will be guests of the Sultanate when they visit the Sultan of Sokoto. Other fun sites to be visited by the conferees include the BUA Cement factory, Argungu UNESCO site, Sokoto Race Course, and the History Bureau/Museum.

“To ensure optimal comfort of the conferees, a Welcome Cocktail Party is to be hosted by the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, while a Variety Night and several luncheons have been secured by the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) ably led by three-time Lagos State Commissioner, Dr Muiz Banire, SAN. I must especially thank the Committee, for its uncommon industry and foresight. This will be capped with a State Banquet to be hosted by the Sokoto State Government.

“Let me at this juncture place on record the immense gratitude of the Section to the indefatigable Governor of Sokoto State, our learned friend, Mr Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Life Bencher). May I also note that Governor Tambuwal has thrown his full weight and that of the

entire Sokoto State Government, towards hosting of the Annual Conference in a secure and serene environment. It is noteworthy that Sokoto remains one of the safest cities in Nigeria, more so as many of us recently visited the lovely city in the course of planning for the Conference. This notwithstanding, the State Government has assured conferees of security cordon and extra joint security patrols throughout the Conference period. Noted for its quality leather and gold markets, the ancient city remains a tourist’s dream and delight.”

It is noteworthy that the Conference Planning Committee has secured very reasonable rebates, for as low as N6,000 per night from some leading hotels within barely 10 minutes shuttle distance from the Sokoto Conference Centre. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) has also secured free bus services to ferry conferees from their hotels to the Conference venue.

There are available direct flights from some cities to Sokoto, and conferees are advised to book their flights on time. Airlines that currently offer direct flights to Sokoto include MAX Air, Arik Airline and AERO Contractors.

“Permit me to touch on a few pressing national issues.

NBA-SPIDEL condemns unequivocally, the attempt by our national legislators to criminalise ransom payment by victims of kidnapping, without tackling the root cause of kidnapping.

Law ought to reflect reality in any given society. The truth of the matter is that victims of kidnapping pay ransoms out of desperation and abject helplessness, knowing fully well that the

State has failed and is unable to protect lives and property, or secure the release of their loved ones from kidnappers’ den.

“It is very appalling therefore, that the same country that has failed to provide security to the people it governs, is embarking on a ‘suicide mission’ of criminalising ransom payment by the very victims that are helpless and desperate to save the lives of their loved ones. This piece of legislation under contemplation lacks logic and wisdom, and the House of Representatives is hereby advised jettison the Bill without any further consideration. It does not make any sense at all! Instead, the Legislature is strongly advised to focus on laws that will strengthen national security and protection of lives and property, assuming there is a lacuna.

“I dare say Nigerians are shocked at the number of presidential aspirants, buying Expression of Interest forms from their various parties at very exorbitant fees. At this juncture, what we advise is that Nigerians should be alert and ‘shine their eyes’ in order to avoid the grave errors of the past.

“We must separate the wheat from the chaff, pretenders from contenders. Our wrong choices of the past have kept us where we are today - retarded. It will be a colossal disaster, if after passing through the harrowing experiences of the past years due to wrong choices, we make the same mistake in 2023 by choosing most of the jesters who are parading themselves as presidential candidates.

Double Murder: Lagos Court Shifts Dane, Peter Nielsen’s Judgement to May 20 A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, has shifted judgement in the double murder trial of a Danish citizen, Peter Nielsen, accused of killing his Nigerian wife, Zainab, and daughter, Petra, to May 20, 2022. The four-year old case is before Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos High Court.

Judgment was initially fixed for Friday, May 6, but on getting to the court, Journalists gathered that the decision was not ready and a new date had been given.

At the last sitting of the court on March 1, the trial Judge fixed May 6 to deliver her judgement, after the lead defence counsel, Olasupo

Shasore, SAN, and the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Adebayo Haroun, adopted their final written addresses.

The 53-year old Dane was arraigned on June 13, 2018, on a two-count charge of murder, punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015, which

prescribes the death penalty, if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Nielsen was said to have killed his wife, a musician also known as Alizee, and his daughter on April 5, 2018, at about 3.45 am at their Banana Island residence in the Ikoyi area of Lagos.

#upjudicialsalaries In 1933 Holdsworth wrote: “The remuneration of the Judges is not sufficient to induce the ablest Lawyers in the prime of life, to accept judicial office. If that state of affairs is allowed to continue, it must have serious effect upon the administration of the law. It will impair those intellectual standards which have made our English legal system a great legal system; it will tend to impair that law- abiding instinct which is the condition precedent for the maintenance of a high standard of civilisation, and it will weaken the chief remaining guarantee for the prosecution of the liberties of that subject.” More than seven decades on, we should still heed his warning.

VI

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Election and Defection: Who Owns the Votes? (Part 4) Introduction The New Trend Regarding Defections (Continues) he politics of defection or cross-carpeting takes place, not because a narcissistic individual desires to publicly masturbate his over- bloated ego. Party defection is a well thought through process carried out by politicians, just like a philosophical thinkers do. It is a conscious re-awakening of the mind, aimed at a positive struggle targeted towards the majority. It is nothing but self-preservation, the first law of nature. In Nigeria, it has all the trappings anchored on an uncivilised democratic norm of staying put in power at all cost. Today, we shall continue with the new trend of defections from an elected person's political party, to a new one. We shall further analyse the legal implications, the constitutional consequences and judicial pronouncements on same. The case of WADA v BELLO (supra) which we started last week, was, contrary to the wrong interpretation usually accorded it, simply about substitution of a dead candidate (Audu) in an election with a new one (Bello) who eventually inherited the deceased Audu’s votes. Bello later contested and won, with the added votes of deceased Audu. Since the earlier votes belonged to Bello (upon Audu’s death), APC (an abstraction) could never have contested any further supplementary election without bringing in Bello, a human being; a natural person. It was also Bello, not his party (APC), who was found to have scored the highest number of lawful votes and also met the constitutional requirement of securing one quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of the LGAs in Kogi State.

In the earlier case of EJURA v IDRIS (2006) LPELR -5827 (CA), the Court of Appeal pronounced upon the venue which a sitting Governor can be removed from office based on false affidavit information.

It held as follows: “The provisions of Section 21(5) of the Electoral Act 2002 can only operate to remove an elected Governor, if the said provisions are invoked before an Election Tribunal. The 1st Respondent, the Governor of Kogi State can only be removed by a successful petition heard by an Election Petition Tribunal. Where, as in the instant case the Appellant sought to remove the Governor by an Originating Summons filed before the Federal High Court, the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution protects the Governor from such a civil proceeding, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 21(5) of the Electoral Act. The trial Judge was right to decline jurisdiction, in the light of the clear provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution.”

Per OLABODE RHODES-VIVOUR, JCA (Pp 15 - 19 Paras F - E).

The case of MARWA v NYAKO (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt 1296) 216, was direct as to the factors that can lead to a Governor vacating his seat once his tenure of office commences. The Supreme Court minced no words in declaring that: “By the provisions of Sections 180 and 182(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, at the expiration of four years for a

T

single term to a maximum of eight years certain, that is, for two terms, the Governor ceases to hold office in accordance with the Constitution. Once the tenure starts off from the date the Governor has been sworn in, the term cannot be abridged or brought to an abrupt end other than as prescribed by law and the Constitution including where the Governor dies whilst holding office, or he resigns from office or by any form of permanent incapacity, or impeachment under Sections 188 and 189 of the Constitution, or he vacates office after the expiry of the first term of four years, or automatically on completing the eight years cumulative maximum period in office, otherwise the Governor exhausts his four-year tenure for the first term and to the maximum of eight years in office without interruption, although subject to his re-election for the second term”.

The same Supreme Court was again on song as late as 2020, in ABDULRAUF ABDULKADIR MODIBBO v MUSTAPHA USMAN & ORS (2020) 3 NWLR (Pt 1712) 470 SC when it held: “By virtue of Section 285(13) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), an election tribunal or court shall not declare any person a winner at an election in which such a person has not fully participated in all stages of the election. A person to be declared and returned as a winner of an election by an election tribunal or court, must have been a person who had fully participated as a candidate in all the stages of the election, starting from his nomination as a candidate to the actual voting…”.

Primacy of a Candidate as Against His Political Party in Nigeria’s Electoral Dispensation The fact that it is a candidate (and not his political party that sponsors him) that is the focus in an election, has been thus, well emphasised in a plethora of appellate court decisions, as well as the Electoral Act 2020, as amended, itself, and by its predecessor, the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

“They now insist that votes wholly belong to candidates (natural persons); and not to abstract political parties, which merely serve as their vehicles to transport them, and agents to canvass, garner and gather votes for the candidates”

The word “candidate” is used 224 times in the 2022 Electoral Act. The candidate is the fulcrum, the pivot and the lynchpin around which the entire electoral system revolves. The word “candidate” is mentioned (at times multiple times in one section) in the following sections of the Electoral Act: Sections 27(1); 28(8); 29(1), (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8); 30(1), (4); 42(1), (3); 48; 51(1); 60(1), (2); 61; 62(1); 65(1); 66; 68; 72(1), (2); 80; 84; 87(1), (2); 88(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10); 91(4); 92(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8); 93(1), (2); 94(2); 95(1), (2), (3), (4); 96(1); 97(1); 105(1), (2), (3); 106(1),(7); 107(4); 115(1); 121(1), (7); 123; 126(1); 133(1); 136(1), (3); and 139(1) & (2) of the 2022 Electoral Act. Judicial Activism vs Judicial Rascality All the above appellate court authorities, having made it abundantly clear that it is only a candidate, a live flesh-and-blood natural person and human being (and not the political party that sponsored him), that wins an election (and therefore owns the votes); can such a person be removed from office for merely defecting to another political party during his tenure, without following laid down constitutional provisions?

Do the votes he received at the said election belong to his political party?

I believe not.

But, some purists and pro-judicial Activism commentators, erroneously believe a court of law should simply extend and expand the frontiers of the Constitution, rewrite it and make a Governor and his Deputy removable from office when they defect. They anchor this logic on the argument that the court should extrapolate the provisions relating to Legislators in Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the Constitution, to apply to Executives, notwithstanding that the Constitution clearly made them applicable only to Legislators. A Judge is not a Knight Errant, looking out for skirmishes; trying to extend the frontiers of the law beyond what has been presented to him in court. See AYOLOGU & ORS v AGU & ORS (2001) LPELR-2036(CA) and OLEKI v AG BENDEL STATE (1986) 4 SC 222.

The intermediate court in the Ogbuoji case (supra), while commending the learned trial Judge, Njoku, J, also held that to have acceded to the argument of the Appellants' counsel for the trial court to fill an assumed lacuna in the Constitution by extrapolating consequences for elected legislators provided for in Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)

(g), so as to make an elected Governor and his Deputy vacate their offices, would “degenerate to judicial rascality”. The court emphasised that, it is not the duty of courts to make laws or speculate as to what the intention of the legislature will be outside the express words used in the statute. This is trite, hallowed and respected.

In commending the trial Judge, the Court of Appeal held that “the learned trial Judge must be commended for rejecting this invitation which would have done incalculable damage to the rule of law and constitutionalism. Judicial activism must be guided by the rule of law, otherwise it would degenerate to judicial rascality”.

As regards the Constitution, “the duty is even higher and it is beyond the courts to insert or manufacture words into the express provisions of the "Constitution”, the court warned.

Many Nigerians, surprisingly including many Lawyers, still erroneously cite old cases to prove that votes belong to political parties. No. The intermediate court carefully distinguished these old (now extinct) cases of AMAECHI v INEC (2008) LPELR446(SC) and FALEKE v INEC (2016) 18 NWLR (1543), and found them gravely irrelevant in the new dispensation of our constitutional regime, having regard to the clear provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, and Section 285(13) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered. Aside these provisions, the aforementioned cases have since been overruled and consigned to the judicial trash can of historical oblivion, to remain there as relics and monuments of the past and artefacts fit for a national museum.

The new regime of authorities, has been anchored by the Apex and intermediate courts. They now insist that votes wholly belong to candidates (natural persons); and not to abstract political parties, which merely serve as their vehicles to transport them, and agents to canvass, garner and gather votes for the candidates. See the cases of: CPC & ANOR v OMBUGADU & ANOR (2013) LPELR-21007(SC); OZOMGBACHI v AMADI & ORS (2018) LPELR-45152(SC); NGIGE v AKUNYULI (2012) 15 NWLR (PT 1323) 343; NWANKWO & ANOR v INEC & ORS (2019).LPELR-48862(CA); HARUNA v APC & ORS (2019) LPELR-47777(CA).

The Court of Appeal in the Ogbuoji case, following stare decisis, found that once a person has been elected Governor and has taken the oath of office and allegiance, he can only be removed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 180, 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution. See MARWA v NYAKO (2012) LPELR-7837 (SC).

The intermediate court further held that the Ogbuoji case was not novel, as the case of AG FEDERATION v ABUBAKAR (2007) 10 NWLR (PT. 1041) 1, was already an existing authority of the Supreme Court on the issue of defection; and that same ought to guide all lower courts in matters concerning defection, using the doctrine of stare decisis. The Apex Court authority in the Atiku matter, is to the effect that defection from the political party on which a person was elected, to another, is not one of the grounds for removing a Governor or Deputy Governor under the Constitution; and that to so remove them, would breach their fundamental right to freedom of association and assembly provided for in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

(To be continued) THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Winning or losing of the election, is less important than strengthening the country”. (Indira Ghandi)

VII

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IMAGES

T

he first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕÏ ˜ celebrated her 90th birthday on March 29, 2022 at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan. Here are some of the personalities who attended the event…. ÏÖÏÌÜËØÞ˜ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕÏ ˜

̋ ˝ Ü ßØÖÏ Ùã˘ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËØÕϘ ËØÎ ÞßØÌË ÙÖÏ ÎßÖËÞÏ

ÜÝ ÙÖË ÓÖÖÓË×Ý̋ ÕÓØÔÓÎϘ ̙ÖÏʰ̚ ËØÎ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ

ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ Ó×ÚÏ ÌÙãËÎÏ ̙ÖÏʰ̚ ËØÎ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ

Ü ãÓ×ÙÐÏ ÞËÕϘ ËØÎ ÒÓÝ áÓÐϘ ÙÜÙÞÒã áÓÞÒ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ

̋ ˝ Ü ÏãÓ ÜÓÑÒÞ˞ Ü Ï×ÓÝÓ ÙÖËØÕϘ ÝÛ˛˞ ÜÝ Ó×ÌÙÖË ÜÓÑÒÞ˞ Ý ßÝÙÖË ÙÖËØÕÏ˞ Ü ÎÏãÓØÕË ÓØßãÙ˜ ÝÛ˛˞ ÏãÓÝÙÚÏ ÙãË ÓØßãÙ˜ ÝÛ˛˞ Ü ÙÕÓÏ ËÜÎÙÝÙ˞ ÜÝ ÏÞßØÎÏ ËÜÎÙÝÙ˞ Ü ßØÖÏ ÙãË ËØÎ Ü ËÚÙ ÎÏÝËØãË

ÏÚßÞã ÙàÏÜØÙܘ ÑßØ ÞËÞϘ ÙÓ×ÙÞ ËÖËÕÙ̋ ãÏÎÏÖÏ ̙ÖÏʰ̚ ËØÎ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ

ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ Ó×ÚÏ ÌÙãËÎÏ ̙ÖÏʰ̚ ËØÎ ÐÙÜ×ÏÜ ÜÏÝÓÎÏØÞ˜ Ë×Ï ÜÓÝÍÓÖÖË ßãÏ

ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ ËØÎ ÞÞÙÜØÏã̋ ÏØÏÜËÖ ÙÐ ãÙ ÞËÞϘ ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ ãÏÖÙáÙ ãÏáÙ˜

̋ ˝ ÏÚßÞã ÙàÏÜØÙܘ ØÎÙ ÞËÞϘ ßÍÕã ÓãÏÎËÞÓᢠÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ ËØÎ ÖÙáÙ ÙÐ áÙ˜ ÌË ÔÓÌËÎÏ ÌËÎÏÑÏÝÓØ ÑßØÙãÏ

̋ ˝ ÜÝ ÜÓØËÎÏ ÎßÖËÞÏ ̙ÌÏÒÓØÎ̚˞ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÞßØÌË ÙÖÏ ÎßÖËÞÏ ̙ÖÏÐÞ̚ ËØÎ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ ÒÓÏÐ ÙÖËÕÏ ÙÖËØÕϘ ËØÎ ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ ËÌÓËØ ÙÖËØÕϘ ˞ ÜÓÑËÎÓÏÜ̋ ÏØÏÜËÖ ̙ ÞÎ̚ ÖßáÙÖÏ ÙÞÓ×Ó áÓÞÒ ÜÏÚÜÏÝÏØÞËÞÓàÏÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÖËÕÏ ÙÐ ÑÌËÖËØÎ ËØÎ ̋ ˝ ÞßØÌË ÝÓÌÙÑßؘ ÜÙÐÏÝÝÙÜ Ó×ÚÏ ÌÙãËÎÏ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ãËØÑÌßØÜÏØ ÙÐ ÕÙÜÙÎß ÔÙÑáߘ Ý ßØÕÏ ÌÙãËÎϘ ˜ ËØÎ ÞßØÌË ÝÓÌÙÑßØ ËØÎ ÞßØÌË ÙÖÏ ÎßÖËÞÏ

VIII

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

ÕÓÞÓ ÞËÞÏ ÙàÏÜØÙÜ ËØÎ ÒËÓÜ×ËØ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓË ÙàÏÜØÙÜÝ˪ ÙÜßט Ü ËãÙÎÏ ËãÏ×Ó

‘We Need an In-Depth Review of Judicial Salaries’

The nation’s forthcoming general elections is one that many have said is a make or mar one, given the complexities in the polity and the urgent need to reengineer the entire architecture of governance for the nation. As more Presidential aspirants expressed interest last week, one of the nation’s leading intellectuals in governance declared his interest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. Thoroughbred and internationally recognised development Economist with a doctorate in War Studies, Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi made his declaration to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in the upcoming elections at a ceremony in Abuja last Wednesday, May 4, 2023. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi engaged the Presidential aspirant in a conversation and discussed many issues ranging from why he desires to succeed Buhari as President at this critical time in Nigeria’s history where the country seems to be at one of its lowest ebbs, to his achievements in Justice Sector Reform in Ekiti State and his plans to expatiate on these achievements across our nation should he be elected as President, to the strides made in his time as Chairman of the Governors’ Forum

Y

our Excellency, at a public event last week Wednesday you announced your intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. How did you reach this decision and why do you want the job, especially at this time, with all the socio-economic challenges facing our country?

I should immediately admit to how humbled I am, to accept that my name be put forward for consideration by the APC leadership and membership as the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming contest for a successor to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari. This is not a decision which I have taken lightly. Indeed, to arrive at this point, I traversed the length and breadth of our country to consult and explore with our esteemed elder statesmen and women, traditional rulers, a cross-section of party leaders and rank and file members, and various non-partisan leaders of thought and opinion. I am entering the race fully convinced that based on what I have experienced, heard, and seen about the demands of the times and the aspirations of our people, the agenda that I am proposing for our country is one which will find favour with APC members and win resounding traction with the generality of Nigerians.

But, we are sure that you would have observed first hand in the course of your consultations that the generality of Nigerians are worried about the state of the nation. There is an air of despondency all around.

Issues of insecurity and the state of the economy are valid concerns. If elected as President, what would be your administration’s focus areas?

My message in all the places I have visited, is that we should work on the basis of hope rather than despair. Trying times such as we are facing as a nation, and which we are witnessing on a global scale can, if properly managed, be converted into transformatory moments that allow both for the achievement of a fundamental national reset and a major leap forward in our affairs. If elected President of Nigeria, I will be leading the implementation of a holistic and integrated response to the multifaceted security crises confronting us. In my declaration speech, I did say that the adoption of broad socio-economic measures that enhance our capacity to fight insecurity must be done at the same time as investments in reinforcing the deterrent capacity of the State through its armed forces, security agencies, and policing authorities. I believe that

“I should immediately admit to how humbled I am, to accept that my name be put forward for consideration by the APC leadership and membership as the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming contest for a successor to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari”

authority, legitimacy, deterrence and rapid response go hand in hand, just as we must better interface economic policies with broad social objectives and goals of political inclusivity towards a well-defined outcome, namely, the sustained peace, stability, and progress of our country. The retooling of our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and border guards will be pursued in tandem with an overhaul of our policing system, and the phasing-in of bold universal social policies that would enable us decisively tackle poverty and upgrade human capital and security. In this perspective, the deliberate expansion of employment opportunities, youth entrepreneurship, skills development, and innovation, support for the weak and vulnerable such as we have done in Ekiti State for the elderly, and women’s socio-economic empowerment, will be treated as just one dimension of our comprehensive response to the costly security crises that has destabilised us, as will the pursuit of broad welfare policies that are embedded into a new State-society bargain and the empowerment of citizens.

Your Excellency, can we focus on the issue of security for a moment?

You spoke about overhauling our Police system. There has been a lot of talk about Police reforms in Nigeria from as far back as 1999. Yet, it would appear that there is little to show for all the talk. Experts in this field have argued that we need a change of approach from ad hoc interventions to a holistic review of Police and policing in Nigeria.

Do you agree?

I agree that we have come a long way, but still have some distance to

go before we achieve the Police service that we desire. One of the lessons of the #EndSARS protests, is that we need to deal with the issue of public perception.

Public perception of corruption, impunity, absence of accountability, incompetence, and failure to control the law and order situation plague the Police Force. I am pleased that the Inspector- General of Police has identified this challenge, and has placed emphasis on transforming the Nigeria Police into a true public servant capable of elevating the sense of security of Nigerians. There has also been some progress in reforming the system of inquiring into complaints against the Police. Investigation of Police officers by their own authority is widely regarded as unjust, and does not inspire public confidence.

No Police accountability mechanism can be considered fair, if it fails to inspire public confidence. The trend all over the world is to set up complaint mechanisms under law by establishing accountability structures, which work transparently, efficiently, effectively, and impartially, and invest the requisite resources and authority to guarantee independent and fair investigations into public complaints against the Police.

So, I do not agree that it has been all talk. There is no doubt that the reform of the Nigeria Police would require a wide range of reforms interventions, including replacing the out-dated Police Act 1968 with a new legislation that entails a wholesale review and redefinition of the role, function as well as organisational restructuring of the Police. The new Police Act assented to by President Buhari in 2021, is aimed at making the Police less militaristic, institutionally accountable, and service-oriented. I also believe that the key resource available to the Police to fulfil its mandate, is the human resources at its disposal.

In my view, achieving effective policing

IX

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

˩ Ï ÏÏÎ ËØ Ø̋ ÏÚÞÒ ÏàÓÏá ÙÐ ßÎÓÍÓËÖ ËÖËÜÓÏÝ˪ in Nigeria will require a combination of more boots on the ground and technology.

There are simply too few Police officers policing Nigeria. We need to remove bureaucratic obstacles, that are currently affecting recruitment of qualified persons in to the Force.

Corruption is also an issue of concern.

The Buhari administration has commenced a holistic review of the conditions of service of Police officers, to undercut the incentive for corrupt behaviour. Strong accountability mechanisms and attractive compensation policies are essential elements of a corruption-free system. I will focus on enabling a strong system of public finance management, that ensures that the funds budgeted and released to the Police are utilised for the intended purposes and that sufficient transparency allows for public verification. High standards of financial stewardship should be the norm throughout all levels of the Police Force, thereby reducing the opportunities and incentives for corrupt behaviour.

You have been quoted as saying that you are running largely based on your track record in Ekiti State. We want to get some things on record. What have you done in the area of Administration of Justice? What is your track record in the area of Justice Sector Reforms in Ekiti State?

Our administration of justice agenda, is an important part of the good governance pillar of my administration. Ekiti State is one of the few States with a clear State policy on justice sector reforms, setting out the official vision of our reform objectives, and committing Government to specific reforms necessary to realise that vision.

The overall objective of our justice sector reform interventions, is to build a justice system which is affordable, efficient, independent, transparent, professional and accountable to all that live in Ekiti State. We envisage a justice system that ensures the rule of law, observes human rights and contributes to reclaiming the trust of our people in the Justice system.

In practical terms we have focused on enabling access to justice for all with focus on the poor, vulnerable and marginalised groups. This we have done, by strengthening the Ministry of Justice and its departments that relate directly with the poor and the indigent. The Office of the Public Defender and that of citizens’ rights are important vehicles in this regard.

We have also responded to concerns of our citizens about physical access to our justice institutions, by establishing a first Citizens Complaints Centre in our main market in Ado Ekiti. The Centre gives professional legal advice and support, to the needy. I should also mention that even before the #EndSARS protests, we have strived to link human rights with security. Our reform process emphasises the positive duties of Police, prosecutors and courts to protect the rights of victims.

To ensure the sustainability of these interventions, we commenced and concluded an aggressive review of our laws, specifically those that affect our people on a daily basis.

We have concluded a holistic review of our criminal law. We have enacted novel laws, like the Victims of Crime Law to provide additional protection for victims of crime. I believe we are the only State in Nigeria, with an Administration of Civil Justice law. This was enacted, with a view to achieving efficiency in the administration of civil justice. It is one of our legal interventions, aimed at removing obstacles to doing business in Ekiti State.

I am not saying that we have got it all right, or done all we have to do.

Achieving our desired justice system will be a process, not an event. Every aspect of the infrastructure of our justice system

ÕÓÞÓ ÞËÞÏ ÙàÏÜØÙÜ ËØÎ ÒËÓÜ×ËØ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓË ÙàÏÜØÙÜÝ˪ ÙÜßט Ü ËãÙÎÏ ËãÏ×Ó requires continuous rethinking to keep up with current realities. Our approaches to policing, adjudication, bail, sentencing, imprisonment needs constant review in significant ways. We have enabled a process of monitoring our various legal, policy and administrative interventions for managing the transformation of our justice system and the institutions that deliver criminal justice.

Ekiti State has received national and international recognition for its aggressive and progressive stance on all forms of gender-based violence.

What is Ekiti State doing differently from other States?

I am particularly proud of the progress we have made in Ekiti State, in achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. I cannot take full credit for this, and I must acknowledge important role of the office of the wife of the Governor. We have largely focused on strengthening the capacity of the justice system to protect women and girls from discrimination and violence, including domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our starting point was the publication of policy statements, as an important part of a citizens’ awareness strategy. It is important for our people to be aware of Government’s zero tolerance for all forms of gender-based violence. We introduced a name and shame policy for sex offenders. We were the first State to open a register of sex offenders, where details of convicted sex offenders are written.

We subsequently backed up our policy framework with appropriate laws.

We have by far the most progressive laws on gender-based violence. Our Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, is possibly the most progressive in the country. We have also responded to emerging concerns on sexual violence against minors, by enacting the Sexual Violence Against Children (Compulsory Treatment and Care) Law. I said before that we undertook a holistic review of our criminal law, including provisions that enable efficiency in the prosecution of sex offenders, while at the same time protecting survivors. Convicted

“The overall objective of our justice sector reform interventions, is to build a justice system which is affordable, efficient, independent, transparent, professional and accountable to all that live in Ekiti State”

Sex Offenders in Ekiti State, do not benefit from my powers of prerogative of mercy. We have also enabled access to medical treatment, for survivors of sexual violence. This we have done by establishing a sexual assault and referral centre. Ultimately, our approach is not only about laws and policies. We have shown a high level of political will, with my office leading from the front.

Providing measures to protect women from violence is commendable, but, there is now wide appreciation of the need to empower women in the making of decisions that affect their lives. The issue of under-representation of women in decision making, has been identified as a concern. What is the place of women in elective and appointive offices in Ekiti State?

I agree that the under-representation in power and politics means that women have fewer opportunities to shape the discussion and to effect changes in policy, or to adopt measures to combat gender-based violence and support equality. Our approach in Ekiti State, is multi-pronged. Economic empowerment, is as important as political participation. We have developed several programmes, that focus on the economic empowerment of women.

Economic independence enables our women participate in the economic development of Ekiti State. We have implemented programmes aimed at increasing the number of women and enhancing their career progression within the State Civil Service. We have a fair representation of women, in the State Executive Council. We have made progress in encouraging women to participate in the political process and indeed, contest for elective offices particularly in the National and State House of Assembly. I will admit that, we still have some work to do in this area. I recently signed into law, the Political Office (Gender Composition) Law. This law basically seeks to achieve more representation of women, in appointive positions in Ekiti State.

Last year, JUSUN went on strike to push for the better funding of the Judiciary. The strike was called off after signing of an agreement between the Governors forum, the Federal Government and JUSUN. You have been quoted as advocating for the improvement of service conditions of judicial officers. Will you agree that better funding of the Judiciary, including improvement of salaries, are not only necessary

but fundamental to the independence of the Judiciary?

Yes, I agree. You may recall that at the time of the strike action, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum was very clear that we had nothing against judicial financial autonomy. We said that judicial independence is not a favour done to the Judiciary, or our judicial officers. All the Governors agreed that the sustainability of our democracy and strengthening the rule of law, depends largely on a virile and assertive Judiciary. Speaking for myself, I thought it was an opportunity to have a national conversation and action plan on the future of Judiciary in Nigeria. While I agree that funding court infrastructure is necessary for the effective functioning of our courts, no less important is the need to ensure that conditions of service of our judicial officers across board, are commensurate with current economic conditions.

I read the report of the Technical Committee on the Review of Judicial Salaries and Allowances, otherwise called the Dayo Apata Committee. The Committee observed that the Federal Government of Nigeria reviewed the salaries and allowances of Public Servants and Political office holders on at least four occasions; however, the salaries of judicial officers were only reviewed twice during the given period.

As a result, judicial officers have been on the same salary structure for more than a decade. We need to undertake an in-depth review of judicial salaries. At the very least, they must be set at a comparatively high public-service level, in order to remove both the temptation to corruption, and public contemplation of the possibility of such temptation.

As a follow up question, you mentioned the issue of corruption.

Corruption within the justice system.

Can you expatiate on this, and share your thoughts on causes and effects of corruption in our Administration of Justice? What would you do differently?

Well, first I think it is important to establish the effects of corruption in our justice system. Few will disagree that it erodes the rule of law, and undermines faith in the justice system. I will add from a broader perspective that it hampers economic growth. In my view, corruption within the justice system is multi-faceted and multilayered. I strongly believe that we must have committed leadership at each level of the justice institution, if corruption is to be effectively combatted.

In the broader context of the national fight against corruption this is fundamental; until corruption within the justice sector is severely controlled or eradicated, most Cont'd on page X

X

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

˩ Ï ÏÏÎ ËØ Ø̋ ÏÚÞÒ ÏàÓÏá ÙÐ ßÎÓÍÓËÖ ËÖËÜÓÏÝ˪ Cont'd from page IX

legal and programmatic mechanisms put forth to reduce corruption in other sectors of society will be significantly undermined.

In my previous life as a member of the governing board of Open Society Justice Initiative, I have had cause to research and debate this issue at different national and international fora. The causes of corruption within the justice sector are largely the same, especially in Africa. There is the issue of limited, or inadequate professional benefits. When the remuneration package, including wages and other employment benefits, retirement and working condition’s of those within the justice system is meagre, and does not adequately correspond to the functions of the office nor allow for an acceptable standard of living, those working within the sector may be forced to pursue self-serving rather than public-serving ends.

A justice system replete with individuals who are underpaid and overworked, is a well-tested recipe for corruption. We must also pay special attention to the process of appointment, promotion and dismissal of those who work within the sector. Efforts must be made to reduce nepotism and political patronage within the employment process. In all this, there is the important role of the Bar Association. I have been very impressed, with the leadership of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

He appreciates the frequently overlooked responsibility of the Bar, to expose and reduce corruption within the justice system.

In response to what I will do differently, again let me state that there are a lot of ongoing interventions in this area. As a starting point, I think it is important to undertake an independent assessment of corruption involving all stakeholders in the justice sector. Evidence of corruption, and not just suspicions or popular belief is required, in order to effectively assess corruption and develop a framework of anti-corruption policies. We need to continue to enforce merit-based employments and appointments across the institutions in the justice sector, and create appropriate legal and institutional frameworks to increase job security and stability, and to enhance the personal will to avoid all forms of extraneous pressure. We should continue to review salaries and enhance working conditions across the justice sector, to eliminate the necessity to supplement incomes with bribes. The enforcement of assets declaration across the justice sector and codes of ethical conduct, will also strengthen the transparency and accountability of all who are involved in the justice system.

Talking about politics, will it be fair to say that your party appears to be in a state of confusion in identifying suitable persons to contest the Presidential elections? At the last count there were over 20 persons reported to be in the contest. Some say the numbers will increase. Even if the issue of finding a suitable candidate is resolved, there is also the uncertainty about zoning of the presidential ticket.

While some say the office is zoned to the South, some say it should be zoned to the South-East specifically.

Is this state of confusion not a clear and present danger to the harmonious existence of the APC, and to your chances in the primary election?

Not at all. You see confusion, I see healthy competition. The fact that you have quite a number of competent people competing for the highest office in the land in our party, and a similar number in the mainstream opposition party is one: a function of the fact that the incumbent is on his way out and there's a vacancy; and, two: an indication of

ÕÓÞÓ ÞËÞÏ ÙàÏÜØÙÜ ËØÎ ÒËÓÜ×ËØ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓË ÙàÏÜØÙÜÝ˪ ÙÜßט Ü ËãÙÎÏ ËãÏ×Ó the enormity of the challenges ahead and the need for ordinary Nigerians, particularly party members to be spoilt for choice. When I ran for Governor here in 2018, there were 33 of us in the race at the end of the day, and the transparent primary process produced me. And that's just Ekiti.

Clearly, it would be a good opportunity for examining competing visions of working towards a better country that is responsive to the yearnings of the citizens. I hope the media and the voters in the election, will take time out to subject all of us to critical scrutiny on our agenda for Nigeria. That's why I agreed to this interview.

On your question regarding zoning, my own humble opinion is that rotation, zoning, positive discrimination or whatever name you choose to give it is understandable within the context of divided societies that are multi-cultural, multi ethnic and multi religious. This becomes necessary, in managing diversity and difference. At the same time, there is no doubt that you have competent Nigerians from all parts of Nigeria who are ready to step into the Nigerian presidency with capacity and compassion, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. As long as it does not privilege zoning over competence and capacity, I don't have a problem. However, we must also be wary of the tyranny of meritocracy or competence. In other words, we need to balance our need for national cohesion and stability, with our search for capacity and competence.

Some have said that your position has Chairman Nigerian Governors’ Forum has placed you in a unique position to appreciate all the struggles States are experiencing in delivering the proverbial dividends of democracy to Nigerians. What has been your experience thus far, and how have you been able to achieve unity among

“A justice system replete with individuals who are underpaid and overworked, is a well-tested recipe for corruption. We must also pay special attention to the process of appointment, promotion and dismissal of those who work within the sector”

your brother Governors, despite diverging views on critical matters like open grazing, insecurity, independence of the Judiciary, local government autonomy, etc.?

It has really been a great honour and privilege, to lead my brother Governors in the Nigeria Governors' Forum. The job of the Chairman of the Forum is not that of a school principal, it's more the job of a coordinator, a first among equals task. So, it rests more on cooperation and collaboration, based on peer learning. And the task is to promote, defend and protect members of the Forum, whilst equally promoting improved relations between the central government and the subnationals. One has tried to do this reasonably well, in spite of political party differences in the Forum. You hardly hear of any divergent views on the pertinent issues of the day, including all the ones you've just mentioned - open grazing, local government autonomy, independent Judiciary and Insecurity. Whilst there will always be local peculiarities, the Forum's position has been largely united on all these issues. Take the most contentious issue of open grazing, all members of the Forum, North and South believe that open grazing is outdated and should be done away with. The sticky point was timing and financial burden of transitioning from open grazing to say, for example, ranching or what some call rural grazing areas. In the National Livestock Transformation Programme to which virtually all States subscribed, the agreed suggestion is for States to benefit from support similar to commercial agricultural credit scheme currently enjoyed by cash and food crops farmers in the Anchor Borrowers Scheme. Other States like Ekiti, Kaduna, Niger are adopting public-private partnership with commercial businesses, such as we entered into with Promasidor to revive our Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti which now produces roughly 80,000 litres of milk on a monthly basis. So, I have enjoyed a great deal of trust, confidence and cooperation from my brother Governors regardless of their party because they know I make their problems mine and I provide leadership in

the collective search for solutions at all times. I have also garnered in the process a great deal of experience on the nuances and idiosyncrasies of different parts of the country, and there's hardly any part of this country that I haven't been in the past three years on behalf of the Forum and I have made friends from all over. So, the Forum is a great resource for managing diversity and difference, reducing tension and promoting peace. It also promotes better relations, amongst brother Governors.

Indeed, one of the issues I have had to work on since I came on board, was creating better understanding between former Governors and their successors.

In the past, this was a problem in many States.

Another important issue we have collectively taken on, is the work on the sore topic of sexual and genderbased violence. Between June 2020 when we declared a state of emergency on this issue and now, we have seen a significant rise in the number of States that have signed up to the main law, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act from 14 to 30 States. This is borne out of political will on the part of my colleagues to stem the tide of violence, particularly rape, defilement and female genital mutilation.

On security, we have had a stabilising influence working with Federal authorities on policing and national security. If you also consider the fact that the bulk of my time in office has been dominated by a public health emergency with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Forum has had to play a frontline role in coordinating the national response to this public health emergency and strengthening our health systems preparedness in the process. You can also add to this rebranding process, the work we have been doing on strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms in States through open governance systems, establishing more open and timely budgetary, audit and procurement systems in all our States and providing for more effective legislative and civil society oversight responsibilities. In short, the Forum has been an effective vehicle for strengthening Nigeria's federalism as well as addressing its shortcomings, and our States and the nation are the better for it.

Thank you Your Excellency.

10.5.2022

/XI

XII/

10.5.2022

10.5.2022

/XIII

XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY MAY 10, 2022

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

The Beginning of a New Dawn for Chief Kelvin Jombo For Chief Kelvin Jombo, the MD/CEO of Sublime Luxury Homes, it's the beginning of a new dawn as he steps out of his comfort zone to vie for the Green Chamber representing Arochukwu/ Ohafia Federal Constituency. Precious Ugwuzor reports that the philanthropist-cum-buisness man is out to prove that Nigeria is fixable with the right people leading it "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." —John Maxwell

T

he above statement was made by Prince, a concerned young man from Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency who is very eager to see that the people of the area gets quality representation during the 2023 general elections.

Prince, however, believes that the greatest quality any leader can have is vision because it gives you the ability to see the bigger pictures.

Even the book of Proverbs 29:18 in the bible says: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

According to him, a worthy representation would be someone like Chief Kelvin Jombo, the MD/CEO of Sublime Luxury Homes Ltd, Sublime Hotel & Apartment Sublime Industries Ltd, to accept the call by the people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency to run for House of Representatives election as he is trusted.

Recently, those aspirations came to pass as Jombo has accepted the call by his people to contest for the House of Representatives in the forthcoming 2023 election.

Kelvin Jombo is a household name who has spent over three decades of his life putting smiles in the faces of his people. His philanthropy is legendary as he has impacted positively in their lives through his Kelvin Jombo Foundation.

For his immediate community Abiriba in Abia State and even beyond, his philanthropy is legendary as the foundation is a leading peer-philanthrophic network of social investors committed to advancing international causes in Africa.

The objective of the foundation is to empower the youth, women and children across the continent to catalyse economic growth that will engender poverty eradication and ensuring job creation.

Firmly set to replicate his spirit at the federal level, he was Abiriba chapter meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Abiriba country home of the Pro-Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu and a leader of Abiriba PDP, where he assured the PDP faithful of people-oriented representation anchored on the promotion of improved welfare for the constituents, improved infrastructural development, vibrant representation at the green chamber, and attraction of quality projects to the constituency.

According to him, "I have come to seek your support to represent our people of Arochukwu/ Ohafia at the green chamber, if given this opportunity it will be a partnership for improved welfare, infrastructural development, vibrant representation, and attraction of quality projects to Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency."

Jombo further highlighted his various interventions in the community and beyond as a private citizen including street lighting projects, scholarship to indigent students, agricultural support initiatives which includes distribution of improved seedlings to farmers and financial support, distribution of palliative item to cushion the effect of the prolonged lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19, support to community development projects, the building of ultra-modern relaxation hall (Obu), empowerment of hundreds of women and youths in Abiriba amongst others. He promised to do more if elected as a federal legislator.

While responding, Chief Mba Okoronkwo Ukariwo, leader of Abiriba PDP, lauded the aspirant who he described as a humble and kindhearted young man who has remained true to himself irrespective of his attainment and achievements in life.

Jombo He prayed to God to grant him the desires of his heart even as the party is ready to travel every nook and cranny of the constituency to make sure he wins the election once he emerges as the party's flag bearer.

The Hon. Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who was also present at the meeting, described Jombo as being eminently qualified for the position and young too which represents the popular demand for youth inclusiveness in governance.

He further reiterated that the Federal House of Representative position should naturally be zoned to Abiriba, but advised the aspirant to continue his consultation and to reach out to delegates and stakeholders from other communities that make up the constituency as they are the most important persons in the primary election.

He also assured him of the party's support at all times and prayed to God to help him in his aspiration.

In their separate response, the member representing Aba central state constituency, Hon Abraham Oba; and the Executive Chairman of Ohafia LGA, Dr. Okorafor Ukiwe, Princess Grace Agbara, commended the aspirant for his various interventions in the community and encouraged him to expand his consultation to other communities. They also advised him to carry every party member along while praying to God to grant him success.

Other stakeholders who attended the meeting include Dr. Chris Nwokocha, Hon Okoro Okeke, Chief Eleanya Okoji, Hon Edward Kalu Okocha, Chief Frank Okoroafor Egwuonwu, Chief Ejibe Kalu, Chief Otah Odim, Zonal PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Joy Ndukwe, Hon. Nelly

Onwuka, Hon Nwabueze Aru, Ezinne Ada Obasi, Comrade Paul Kalu, Chief Nduka Agwu, Chief Okafor Ukegbu, PDP ward Chairmen from Abiriba, and other elected party executives as well as elected Councillors from Abiriba, among others.

Testimonies from the people of his constituency is that Kelvin Jombo's kindness is second to none, which perhaps explains why youths from Abiriba see him as a role model, a mentor and a leader.

Jombo is loved by his people and once he is given the ticket of his party, it will no doubt, be a smooth ride to the lower chamber of the National Assembly because it will definitely be landslide victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in Arochukwu/ Ohafia Federal Constituency.

According to John Quincy Adams, 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.'

Jombo is one man who many young people look up to. He has the capacity to translate vision into reality.

He possesses an effective leadership qualities that help achieve higher goals and objectives in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.

Speaking on what to expect from him by his constituents, Jombo said: "I am bringing a lot to the table. I am bringing fresh hope, hope to the youths, fresh ideas, l am showing the way and telling our people that it can be done. The centre-piece of my representation will be anchored on the framework of collectivism and general welfare aimed at giving hope and life to the poor, weak and vulnerable in our society across party-Lines. ‘Fair Society Bill’ will define my time in the Green Chamber. "

"I am bringing a lot to the table. I am bringing fresh hope, hope to the youths, fresh ideas, l am showing the way and telling our people that it can be done"

According to him, "I am heading to Federal House to continue in a far more larger platform with what l have been doing over the years with the Kelvin Jombo Fondation. This is more of a call to serve to me. Abandoning my business to do this was so difficult, but when your people insists, saying no becomes an arrogant resistant against you people.

"My constituents and inhabitants of Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency are not just numbers, they are also Nigerians and Abians that deserve access to better schools, hospitals, supermarkets and recreations facilities just like other Nigerians and Abians in Abuja, Lagos, Aba and Umuahia. I will work with colleagues from rural and semi-urban federal constituencies who constitute the Majority in the Green Chamber to initiate and pass sweeping bills to promote even development during National Policy Formulation and Fiscal Planning with clauses to domesticate the Laws in the federating component states.

"The inputs of my constituents will be critical to my performance in The Green Chamber.

I will set-up Constituency Offices in Ohafia, Arochukwu, Abam, Abiriba, Nkporo and Ihechiowa to bring the Green Chamber Closer to my people.

"I think the people saw capacity before they collectively took a stand against the interests and pressure from all angle.

As a youth going to the federal house to serve my people, outside my immediate constituency, my mission to the Green Chamber is to initiate and sponsor landmark social and economic legislation that will shape and have far-reaching impact on the generality of the ordinary citizens of Nigeria."

On what actually motives me to answer the call, "in my pursuit of business and knowledge after travelling round the globe, l ask myself why can’t we as a nation, have a deliberate policy backed by an Act of the Parliament to send and fund an army of our best and brilliant students to study and acquire skills of the future from top universities and Institutions of Technology around the globe."

As Technologically developed and advanced as China is, Jombo noted that they have not stopped such national policy till date.

Coming from the oil producing state, his opinion of the Petroleum Industry Bill is that it is bereft of vision to pass the Bill into law without a provision to "invest part or percentage of the proceeds from our aging hydrocarbon resources (A resources that will soon give way to renewable and clean energy) into the technology of the future like batteries and solar panels production plants around the nation to continue to remain a player in the energy world".

As a Member of the House of Representative, Jombo said: "I will Initiate an amendment of the PIB Law to accommodate the re-investment of a defined percentage of the proceeds into the emerging technologies of the future. A future after oil and gas resources.

This is the only way we can have a guaranteed and assured future for the next generation.

"Laws and Acts of Parliament are useful to the extent that they, are applied to solve societal problems. All the Bills that I will Initiate will be people-oriented because I will be sent to the Green Chamber by the people, and I will work with colleagues to strengthen the over-sight functions of the Parliament during implementation. Our country is on life support.

The panacea to reviving her are fiscal federalism, reducing the cost of governance, giving Nigerians hope and creating an enabling environment for a private sector driven economy."

"The Parliament must genuinely partner the other arms and layers of government for the revival. I am prepared to be part of that genuine partnerships," Jombo added.

XV

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

2023 Political Idealism That Annoys And Heals L

ast week, I wrote about cold hard facts, in a piece titled ‘2023 Political Realities That Will Annoy and Heal’. It went very viral and major stakeholders in the Nigerian Project reached out to me and asked me to also x-ray the other end of the political spectrum - political idealism.

Let me make a full disclosure here: I do not believe in zoning. It is not democratic. It does not allow for the best candidate. It creates a sense of entitlement, and it breeds resentment.

However, Nigeria must choose and practice a style of governance best suited to it. We cannot adopt a foreign model (the Presidential and Parliamentary models were both foreign) and applied on Nigeria with little or no changes. Rather, we ought to adapt a model that has worked elsewhere.

Adopting and adapting are two very different ideas. When you adopt (as Nigeria has done), you take on a model and force yourself to fit into it.

And that type of mentality can be very frustrating, because in politics, one side can never fit all.

But when you adapt, you take on a model and make changes to that model, until it suits your specific needs. It is like inheriting clothes from your older siblings, and taking them to the tailor to land adjustments until those clothes fit you.

Tanzania adapted the Presidential system of government to suit its needs. Instead of two or many strong parties, they have only one dominant party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which has produced every single President since 1980. It may not look as democratic as the West wants, but it works for them, and Tanzania has never had a coup or an interruption in its chosen model of democracy.

So, if Nigeria wants to adapt her democracy and make zoning an unwritten rule, much like The United Kingdom’s unwritten constitution, then I am all for it.

However, if Nigeria is to go with zoning, then the Presidency should be micro-zoned to only those zones that have not tasted power or have barely tasted it. And that means that if we must zone, then power should be zoned to the Southeast. That zone has only ever tasted power for six months, between January 15, 1966 and July 29, 1966, when Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi held sway as the first military head of state of Nigeria.

Nnamdi Azikiwe was a ceremonial President with absolutely no political power. He was a figurehead, while Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa wielded power, albeit remote controlled from Kaduna, by Sir Ahmadu Bello.

If, however, both major political parties feel that they cannot zone the office of the Presidency to the Southeast, due to reasons bordering on realpolitik, then they should not zone to any other Southern geopolitical zone.

We either go with justice, equity, and fairness, or we go with full-blown democracy. But we cannot go with both.

There is no point asking one party to zone its

Buhari Presidential ticket to one region, and having the other leave its own open, or even worse, to zone it to another region. The only way zoning can work is if BOTH major parties zone their tickets to the same geopolitical zone.

In truth, Zoning is a tactical and stop-gap measure towards ensuring the survival of Nigeria as a nation.

It is a sacrifice of the majority to those ethnic nationalities who may not have their numbers.

And we need not fear the Cameroon treatment, where power rotated to the South from the North, and Paul Biya refused to release it, because as 2015 proved, the regions that concede power have the numerical strength to retake it.

If I were to make a case for zoning, and remember, I myself am a minority, I would say it is a vehicle that we can use to buy time and temporarily avert the appointment Nigeria has with disintegration.

Anyone with a vested interest in the survival of Nigeria as a corporate entity had better pray power rotates to all regions in due course, whether by zoning or by turn by turn.

Due to no fault of whoever succeeds Buhari, the economy is going to get worse and could even collapse by 2025. Not to be a doomsday prophet, but the implication of that is that we are very likely to see an escalation of the presently unbearable socio-political-economic upheavals.

Nigeria is actually not far from the Congo scenario. The utility of a Nigerian President or

Vice President of South East origin is the feel-good effect it will have on that zone and with minority ethnicities, which could lead to a temporarily stabilising potential. And with that stability comes the opportunity to fix the almost irreversible damage Buhari has done to Nigeria.

The opposite of this scenario will be the case if threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence continue to escalate.

With the Presidential primaries of both political parties less than a month away, it is probably too late to crystallise zoning, especially as powerful Northern APC members have bought the 100 million Presidential nomination forms (nobody spends that much money in order to withdraw). But even if both parties can’t zone the Presidency, they should at least consider zoning the Vice Presidency.

Having said the above, it is also pertinent to speak some home truths to those geopolitical zones agitating for zoning. Too often, they are too inflammable online and offline. Stooping to conquer is not a strategy they believe in, and sadly, they do not command the forces to acquire power by the direct route.

Such people must collectively understand that bravery without strategy is a futility. And when you do not even agree within yourselves, how do you hope to agree with your rivals in the contest for power? It is hard to acquire power, and therefore you must plan for the acquisition long before elections are imminent. But is that what some of our friends have done?

Leave your shops and markets during voter registration, and go home to register, even if you will lose small money for those few days when you don’t trade. Don’t leave your apprentice there.

Carry him too and register him, because others are registering their people en masse. Then concentrate your votes, so your region commands the same voting power as others. That is the ONLY route to power!

When you scatter your votes all over the place, you reduce your effectiveness.

These geopolitical zones agitating for power via zoning actually have the population they need to make their case. But their voting power is diluted because about 40-50% of it is cast in other regions where they trade, making it ineffectual. When you have such scattered votes, political parties start to see you as only good for achieving the needed 25% to secure geographic spread. It should not be that way, but that is the reality of politics. You work with reality until you can change it.

And sadly, nobody can tell some of these zones the truth. If they do, they will gather to insult that person and his or her lineage. So, people just leave them. And then when all is said and done and a new government is inaugurated, they start shouting ‘marginalisation’!

You need a clear sense of purpose or you will be blown about by every shiny thing. Without clarity, you will invest in anything instead of the right thing. Without focus, you will weaken your

resolve by pursuing too many birds and end up catching none.

And especially in Southern Nigeria, we must stop allowing religion to divide us or we will remain eternally subjugated to the North. We must realise that most people on Earth did not choose their religion. We were mostly taught what to believe.

We largely inherited our religion!

If your parents were Northern Nigerian Muslims, you would have been a Muslim. If they were Igbo Roman Catholics, that is what you would have been. If Yoruba Anglicans, then voila!

It was the British government that determined most of the religious backgrounds of people in Southern Nigeria. They deliberately gave permits to Catholic missionaries to go to only certain parts, and then gave Church of England missionaries permits to go to other parts, while giving Methodists permits for other parts.

They deliberately forbade any missionaries from crossing into the North, because they wanted the North and South to be divided by religion, so they will both fight each other, rather than the colonialists.

The only place where their schemes failed was in the ancient Bini empire, because Bini culture was too advanced to accept an imposed religion.

Thus, Western-style Christianity failed to take root in Benin. And that was the real reason why they destroyed Benin in 1897.

This they did to make it easy for them to divide the native populations and politically dominate us, while they economically exploit our resources.

So let us stop thinking our religion makes us better than an atheist or adherents of other religions.

Christ did not die to put religion into our lives.

Religion was already present in our lives before Christ was born. The Pharisees were uber religious.

What Christ came to bring was faith-the WiFi that connects us to God. And when we in the South continue to allow religion and region divide us, we will continue to be subservient to those who are United by region and religion.

Reno’s Nuggets Dear couples, After your wedding, note that you need time to strengthen your marriage Union. If you bring in relatives to live with you, you may not be able to strengthen your bond. You need a house that is so free that both of you can chase each other naked around it, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This is how many homes are destroyed. Two imperfect people marry. Out of foolishness, they allow in-laws to live with them from the get-go. The in-laws note the imperfections of the spouse not related to them, and inform their extended family, and just like that, your marital issues are extended and become family issues! #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

SEC Mulls Full Digitalisation to Resolve Challenges of Unclaimed Dividends, Others Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja In a major move that may finally resolve the lingering issue of unclaimed dividends in the capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed that all registrars, central securities depositories and clearing houses would now be required to digitalise their operations, as a regulatory requirement rather than an optional service provision.

This was contained in new guidelines on minimum operating standards for Information Technology for capital market operators (CMOs) The guidelines also stipulate that all central securities depositories and clearing houses shall have databases integrated with application programming interface (API) that registrars and brokers can feed from as approved by the SEC while all registrars, central securities depositories and clearing houses are required to have websites and web applications that allow investors to securely create and manage their profiles online, make enquiries and receive customer support using chat-bots or other interactive programmes from web browsers.

Also, custodians and trustees are required to have websites and web applications that allow their clients to securely create and manage their accounts

online, make enquiries and receive customer support using chat-bots or other interactive programmes from their web browsers.

According to SEC, the proposed guidelines were designed to enable investors in the capital market do virtually everything they needed to do on their internet-enabled appliances and at their convenience.

SEC stated that the new regulatory framework undergoing review seeks to mandate compulsory adoption of information and communication technology (ICT), particularly web-based applications and devices, for virtually all capital market transactions.

SEC noted that the purpose of the new framework, “is to establish a threshold of operational efficiency in the Nigerian capital market through the effective adoption of information technology in driving business operations and ensuring the security, confidentiality, integrity and reliability of information systems.”

SEC added that given the increased dependence of financial services and related business operations on technology, there was an urgent need to put in place rules that define the minimum operating standards for the use of information technology by all operators in the capital market.

“This will help operators harness the huge operational benefits derivable from the adoption of technology and also manage the attendant cybersecurity threats and other risks that accompany the use of technology. It would also positively impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Commission to monitor and regulate all capital market operators in the market,” it stated.

The provisions of the document apply to all categories of CMOs unless in sections where reference is otherwise made to specific CMO categories.

The purpose of the guidelines was to establish a threshold of operational efficiency in the Nigerian capital market through the effective adoption of information technology in driving business operations and ensuring the security, confidentiality, integrity and reliability of information systems.

A draft copy indicates that the new framework, upon final approval, would apply to all capital market operations, with particular emphasis on investor-facing functions such as securities trading, fund management, share registration and clearing and custodial services, among others.

The new rules mandate all capital market operators to have well-secured and functional website as well as functional electronic mailing system, either

hosted privately or using a cloud service provider, with domain name owned and registered by the capital market operator.

Once the rules come into effect, the use of free email providers and private emails like Yahoomail, Gmail and Hotmail, among others, shall become unacceptable for official transactions.

Under the proposed framework, stockbrokers would be, “required to have websites and web applications that allow investors to securely create and manage their equities accounts online, make enquiries and receive customer support using chat-bots or other interactive programmes from web browsers.”

As the largest and main trade group, digitisation of stockbroking operations is expected to improve accessibility to the market for retail investors and to drive market penetration and inclusion.

The guidelines added: “All CMOs are required to have a functional website, websites shall contain correct, up-to-date, and relevant information, websites shall not display errors or system messages revealing information about the underlying configuration of web applications, websites shall use the HTTPS (not merely HTTP) network protocol and other measures to ensure secured interoperability.”

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Africa’s City Dwellers Enjoy Better Livelihoods, Says New Report Bennett Oghifo

A

new report, Africa’s Urbanisation Dynamics: The Economic Power of Africa’s Cities, launched last week, shows that urban areas in Africa have outperformed the countries in which they are located by higher margins than seen in other parts of the world.

The report was jointly produced by the OECD-Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC), the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The study covered 2,600 cities across 34 countries. The Sahel and West Africa Club is an independent, international platform that promotes regional policies to improve

the economic and social wellbeing of people in the Sahel and West Africa. The OECD houses its secretariat.

The new report finds that despite growing rapidly, Africa’s cities have provided improved access to services, jobs and infrastructure for millions of people in the last 30 years compared to smaller communities.

The Chief Executive Officer of AUDANEPAD and SWAC’s honorary president, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki said, “African cities have maintained their economic performance despite growing by 500 million people over the last 30 years, providing several hundred millions with better jobs and improved access to better jobs and infrastructure, this in a context of very limited public support and investment.”

The report also finds that urbanisation has

driven approximately 30% of Africa’s per capita GDP growth in the last 20 years. This has contributed to economic transformation in urban areas, where skilled workers account for 36% of the workforce versus roughly 15% in rural—as well as access to financial services.

Larger cities positively influence small towns and rural areas in their vicinity in terms of education, infrastructure, and access to services. For example, the share of rural households that has a bank account is twice as high among rural households that live within 5 kilometres of a city as among those that live 30 kilometres from the closest city.

“Africa’s urban transition is shaping the continent at a very fast pace and this shift is not just demographic. It is an economic and social transition,” said Edlam Abera

Yemeru, ECA’s Ag. Director, Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division.

She added, “Africa also has a unique opportunity to get urbanisation right, as most of its urban growth has not yet taken place. Cities and urban growth need to be planned in advance, it is impossible and sometimes too expensive to undo and redo the physical form of cities once urbanisation happens.”

Yemeru also cited the strong connection between African urbanisation and its youthful population. She said that between 1980 and 2015, Africa experienced a 362% increase in the number of youth residing in urban areas. According to the report, children in large cities receive almost five years more education on average than children in rural areas.

UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan Focuses on Restoration of 1bn Hectares of Degraded Land Bennett Oghifo The 15th session of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), began yesterday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

A statement issued by the UN said the Conference will focus on the restoration of one billion hectares of degraded land between now and 2030, future-proofing land use against the impacts of climate change, and tackling escalating disaster risks such as droughts, sand and dust storms, and wildfires.

The COP15 theme, ‘Land.

Life. Legacy: From scarcity to

prosperity’, is a call to action to ensure land, which is the lifeline on this planet, will also benefit present and future generations.

The plan is to start the Conference with a Heads of State summit and high-level segment held back-to-back from yesterday to 10 May to create political momentum and raise ambition in particular in meeting the 2030 global commitments on restoration and robust actions that build the resilience of communities that are vulnerable to drought.

The Leaders are meeting in Abidjan against the backdrop of a stark warning issued by the UNCCD that up to 40% of

all ice-free land is already degraded, with dire consequences for climate, biodiversity and livelihoods.

More than a dozen heads of state and government, ministers and at least 2,000 delegates from 196 countries and the European Union are expected to be at the two-week Conference that ends Friday, 20 May 2022. High-level delegates include: Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire; Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to

Combat Desertification; Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity; Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, Global Environment Facility; Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme; UNCCD Land Ambassadors Tarja Halonen; Ricky Kej, Byong Hyon Kwon, Baaba Maal, and Inna Modja; UNCCD Land Heroes David Chapoloko, Musa Ibrahim, Patricia Kombo and Moses Mulindwa.

UNCCD COP15 is the first

of the three Rio Conventions meetings to be held in 2022, with Biodiversity COP15 and Climate change COP27 convening later on in Kunming, China and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, respectively.

Among the programme highlights was the announcement of the Abidjan Legacy Programme yesterday by the President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, focusing on job creation and the restoration of degrading land in Côte d’Ivoire; and Gender Caucus chaired by the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire Dominique Ouattara, which included the launch of a new report on the differentiated impacts of

desertification, land degradation and drought on men and women.

There will be a Green Business Forum today and tomorrow that will focus on private sector commitments to take care of the land, among other things.

Launch of Droughtland, a global campaign to rally action on drought on 11 May; Launch of the regional Global Land Outlook reports on 18 May; Launch of the Sahel uplink challenge to enable communities growing the Great Green Wall to use technology to monitor progress, create jobs and commercialise their produce.

Marshal Mews Subscribers Move into Terrace Duplexes in Lagos Fadekemi Ajakaiye Hontar Projects, a real estate company and developers of the terrace duplexes known as Marshal Mews, have handed over keys to their subscribers.

Marshal Mews, a 12 units estate located in Magodo GRA, was commissioned by a former Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa.

The new estate, which construction began in October 2020 and was sold out before completion, according to a statement by officials of Hontar Projects.

Speaking at the event, Deji Fasunwon, CEO of Hontar Projects, stated that the vision of the company is to create an

everyday lifestyle of comfort and pleasant experiences to all its customers. He stated further that owning a home is one of the best feelings ever as it makes one’s daily grind worth it; having a place to go to at the end of the day with open arms.

“At Hontar Projects, we aim to provide real estate housing solutions through quality and timely delivery of projects, superior customer service, flexible payment options and endearing work environment for our employees,” he said.

Marshal Mews consists of 12 units of 4 bedroom terrace duplexes on 3 floors, with a tucked-in BQ each. All the rooms come en-suite and fitted with state of the art

facilities and infrastructure.

The architect and construction partners from Adepts and Adriots Architects mentioned that quality and high standard materials were not compromised in the building of the project which was delivered within 18 months against the 24 months timeline they had initially communicated.

Fasunwon, while acknowledging all the subscribers of the estate, stated that Marshal Mews was the first in the organisation’s list of projects but would be the stepping stone to its series of luxury units which has on the bloc, Rex Apartments Lekki, Kingsize Place Oregun, Larry’s Place Opebi; all sold out and at different stages

of development. The most recently launched 4 bedroom terrace duplexes at Flo &

Wills, Ogudu-Foreshore , Lagos currently is being sold at N93,500,000.00 with a

10% entry fee and mortgage facility available to willing subscribers.

The Asemotas; and the Chief Executive Officer, Hontar Projects, Deji Fasunwon, at the presentation of keys to Marshal Mews’ subscribers in Lagos… recently

Managers Hold the Key to a Thriving Hybrid Work Culture in Nigeria Ola Williams For most working professionals across the world, the past two years have been characterised by surprises at every turn – but for many, one of the most unexpected developments has been the decision by management to make a full-time return to the office.

Each year, Microsoft’s Work Trend Index provides a data-driven analysis of key changes within the working

world. Combining insights from studies of thousands of people, trillions of productivity signals in Microsoft 365 and labour trends on LinkedIn, the Index has become a benchmark for organisations looking to better understand their employees in this era of uncertainty.

And it would seem greater insight into what workers are thinking is exactly what is needed. Findings from the Index show Nigerian companies may be missing an opportunity

where their employees are concerned. It didn’t take long after lockdown began easing for businesses across the country to return to the office. But this means many Nigerian professionals are missing out on the benefits of a more flexible work environment.

Many of their global counterparts who have had the opportunity to experience working from home over the past couple of years are showing a clear preference for hybrid

work. What’s more, there is an added danger of a potential disconnect between business leaders and employees. This was a key trend highlighted in the 2022 Work Trend Index.

In fact, there’s a growing consensus among managers that leaders have lost touch with staff.

Though the number of Nigerian executives who are prioritising culture as part of their business strategy has increased since COVID-19,

the overall number of business leaders who say culture is a top business consideration is still less than half.

It’s easy to see how this current dynamic has come about – particularly around the issue of returning to the office.

Leaders have spent the past two years under crushing pressure, shepherding their people and organisations through uncertainty amid unprecedented economic

challenges. And while there’s no question technology helped preserve productivity during the pandemic, the Work Trend Index shows fears about lost gains have factored into the pullback to in-person work.

This is especially the case in a country like Nigeria where a lack of steady power supply poses significant challenges to remote work.

-Ola Williams is the Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

M A Y

S & P INDEX

9 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

6.50%

CALL

10.75%

INDEX LEVEL

610.44%

1/4 TO DATE

– 1.31%

N416.75/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

7.17%

1-MONTH

9.66%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

7.13%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

1028%

MONTH-TO-DATE

– 1.31%

Report: At $100 Per Barrel, FG to Subsidise Ex-depot Petrol Price by $8.5bn in 2022

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja At an estimated $100 per barrel of oil this year, Nigeria will subsidise the ex-depot price by about 50 per cent or $8.5 billion in 2022, a new report

by Renaissance Capital (RenCap) a frontiers market investment bank, has stated.

RenCap, which also provides institutional research and investment management services, stated that the quantum of funds will amount to

about 1.8 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Nigeria has a largely opaque petrol subsidy programme and for years has imported all products consumed within the country, although it doesn’t know the exact number of litres consumed on a daily basis.

All the country’s refineries, which were left to deteriorate over the years, have been non-functional, resulting in a Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement,

which basically entails swapping crude oil for refined products.

This year alone, the government is set to spend N4 trillion for that purpose, having deferred the removal of subsidy by 18 months due mainly to the expected negative reaction from the masses, being an election period.

The government has also said it postponed the removal as entailed in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) because of the crushing impact

the development would have on Nigeria’s poor.

However, the RenCap report stated that the sum to be paid for subsidy this year will be about 34 per cent of the government’s total revenue as well as 50 per cent of net oil proceeds.

“Assuming $100/bbl oil prices and our forecasted gasoline crack (the difference between one barrel of gasoline and one barrel of crude) of $10/bbl for 2022, we estimate

that Nigeria will need to subsidise 50 per cent of the ex-depot price or $8.5 billion (1.8 per cent of GDP), assuming 400kbopd of gasoline consumption and imports.

“The number is comparable with the provision of N4 trillion ($9.6bn) for the petrol subsidy in the federal government’s revised FY22 budget. At $100/bbl. In 2022, we estimate the petrol subsidy to be 34 per cent of the governments gross oil revenue and 50 per cent of

net oil revenues,” it stated.

On the impact of a naira devaluation on the numbers, it estimated that at N500/$ and N600/$ and assuming that the pump price does not change, the subsidy will cost $10 billion and $11.3 billion respectively (at $100/bbl of Brent) or $1.3 billion for a NGN100 movement of the naira relative to the dollar.

In its estimate for the petrol Continued on page 26

193m People Experiencing Acute Food Insecurity in 53 Countries , Says United Nations Oluchi Chibuzor A latest report released by the United Nations (UN) has revealed that 193 million people are currently facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent life-saving food assistance and livelihood support continues

to grow at an alarming rate.

The worrying trend, the UN said, are the result of multiple drivers feeding into one another, ranging from conflict to environmental and climate crises, from economic to health crises with poverty and inequality as undelaying causes.

According to the report, this trend makes it more urgent than ever to tackle the root causes of food crises rather than just responding after they occur.

The report which was launched yesterday by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), an

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

N23,000–N26,500

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 EDO

N17,000–N20,000

international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working to tackle food crises together focuses on those countries and territories where the magnitude and severity of the food crisis exceed the local resources and capacities.

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

“The document reveals that around 193 million people in 53 countries or territories experienced acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels (IPC/CH Phase 3-5) in 2021. This represents an increase of nearly 40 million people compared with the already record numbers

of 2020. Of these, over half a million people (570 000) in Ethiopia, southern Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen were classified in the most severe phase of acute food insecurity Catastrophe (IPC/CH Continued on page 26

T O D AY

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

100KG

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

26

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

N21,000 – 24,000

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N17,000–N20,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

25KG LAGOS

N9,500

40KG DELTA

N17000

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

FAO Harps on Human Capital Devt to Unleash Digital Agriculture Gilbert Ekugbe The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has advised African governments to develop their human capital, in order to be able to appropriate the potentials of digital agriculture.

This advice was given by the Director General of FAO, Mr. Qu Dongyu, during a high-level conference tagged “Vision for the future: Transition to Digital Agriculture,” that was held in Azerbaijan.

Dongyu added that

digital agriculture has great potential to foster the transformation of agrifood systems and promote rural development.

He described data, digitalisation and innovation as key accelerators to achieving this transformation and are the core of FAO’s actions across all its areas of work, in line with its mandate.

According to him, FAO is supporting several countries to develop national digital agriculture strategies, which he described as “the first

step to ensure delivery of meaningful services and data to people in rural areas, and to promote bottom-up technology-driven innovations.

“Developing human capital is essential to unleash the potential of digital agriculture.”

He pointed to the FAO virtual learning centres and targeted digital literacy initiatives to strengthen the capacity of farmers and other actors to respond to the challenges.

He added that FAO has

also helped member nations to develop e-governance tools such as identification systems for animal health and farm accountancy data networks.

Dongyu said FAO’s International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture would soon be fully operational, stressing that other FAO initiatives include provision of digital public goods such as the Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform, the ongoing 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, the e-Agriculture Strategy Guide

and other contributions to the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.

“The challenges our agrifood systems face require our collective, efficient, effective and coherent action and response. We must do more, together,” the directorgeneral said.

He pointed out that in rural areas, digital technologies could be leveraged to address multiple market failures and facilitate smallholder farmers’ integration into

markets.

“He added: “FAO’s aim is to ‘massify’ digital benefits to ensure no one is left behind, doing so through promoting the use and adoption of digital technologies and promoting a policy agenda and public investments.

“The acceleration of digitalisation in agriculture must also safeguard basic human rights by ensuring affordable access to digital technologies, digital literacy and digital public goods for everyone.”

Fitch Rates Dangote Industries ‘AA’, Says Outlook Stable Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Fitch Ratings has assigned Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), a Nigerian national long-term rating of ‘AA(nga)’ with a stable outlook. The group of companies was founded by billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote.

Some of the companies under DIL include the Dangote Refinery And Petrochemical Plant, Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL), Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt, Port Operations, Dangote Cement, packaging among others On key rating drivers, it stated that DIL generates majority of its revenue from the domestic market and

borrows in both Nigerian naira from local banks and in US dollars from international markets.

Fitch said that cement remains a significant contributor to DIL’s consolidated profile as the company is supported by large-scale operations in Nigeria and is pan-African.

In 2020 alone, it said that the contribution of the cement company to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) stood at 93 per cent, noting that it is forecast that the share from that business line will remain high until when contributions from the fertiliser business increases.

“The cement business recorded significant recovery in sales volume due to increase in prices and demand across DCP’s main markets.

Revenues rose 34 per cent y-o-y in 2021 on growth in Nigeria and pan-Africa, despite volatility in landing cost of cement and clinker,” the report stated.

Another positive factor for the rating, according to Fitch, was that DIL’s urea plant, has now overcome its compressor issues as well as regulatory approvals, which delayed its take-off.

“The gas pressure has recovered in 2022, and management has conservatively

assumed utilisation rates for respective lines to increase to 55 per cent and 50 per cent in 2022, 65 per cent in 2023 and 82 per cent by 2025,” it noted.

It stated that the Dangote refinery project was still on track to be completed by 2023, but requires additional $1.1 billion capex in 2022 to be partly funded by a new bond.

“Considering the importance of the refinery’s cash flow contribution to the company’s deleveraging capacity, the timely completion of the project is a key driver of our rating, and only limited delays or cost

overruns may be tolerated in the current rating, ” Fitch added.

According to the document, Fitch said that a key assumption was that once the fertiliser and refinery projects start contributing to EBITDA, their associated cash generation will be directed towards deleveraging (settling of debts).

While the refinery project is expected to sustain strong margins and yield solid cash generation, adding diversification to DIL’s profile and allowing rapid deleveraging, it stated that once operational, it is expected that the project will contribute around $1

billion to earnings annually when ramped up from 2024.

However, it stated that the Dangote Industries Limited has a complex group structure with a large amount of related-party transactions, with a negative effect on operational and financial transparency.

“The group structure may be further complicated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s 20 per cent stake in the refinery project.

We also view the dominance of Aliko Dangote, as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and the main shareholder, in operations as an additional risk,” it said.

REPORT: AT $100 PER BARREL, FG TO SUBSIDISE EX-DEPOT PETROL PRICE BY $8.5BN IN 2022

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

subsidy, RenCap said it was making an assumption that Nigeria consumes 23 billion litres of petrol a year (400kbpd), which is taken from the most recent 12-month consumption, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

As a federation, which operates at three levels of government, the document stated that the payments were being undermined

by the rising subsidy payments, declining oil production and high oil production costs.

“NNPC reportedly only remitted 20 per cent of its projected contribution to the federal account in 2021 and failed to remit anything in January,” it added. Indeed for the whole first quarter of this year, the national oil company remitted nothing, a THISDAY report recently

indicated.

Many economic experts support the removal of petrol subsidy, although the argument has always been whether it is right at this time when most of the economic indices and key forecasts appear to have deteriorated in the last few years under the current administration.

For instance, real GDP Year-onYear has shrunk from 6.3 per cent

in 2014 to an estimated 2.9 per cent in 2022, oil production has reduced from 2.4 million bpd to about 1.4 currently while population has grown from about 160 million in 2011 to over 200 million in 2022.

A further breakdown of the indices by RenCap analysts indicated that as of 2011, while total public debt was 17.6 per cent of GDP, in 2022, it is 35.1 per cent

while trade balance which was 13.5 per cent of GDP in 2011 presently stands at 0.3 per cent.

Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which was $8.1 billion in 2011 is now $2.1 billion, according to estimates by RenCap, while gross external debt which was $21 billion in 2011 had jumped to $80 billion at the time the report was being put together this year.

193M PEOPLE EXPERIENCING ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY IN 53 COUNTRIES, SAYS UNITED NATIONS Phase 5) and required urgent action to avert widespread collapse of livelihoods, starvation and death.

“When looking at the same 39 countries or territories featured in all editions of the report, the number of people facing crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) nearly doubled between 2016 and 2021, with unabated rises each year since 2018,” the report stated.

The report highlights that conflict remains the main driver of food insecurity, noting that while the analysis predates Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it also finds out that

the war has already exposed the interconnected nature and fragility of global food systems, with serious consequences for global food and nutrition security.

It maintained that countries already coping with high levels of acute hunger are particularly vulnerable to the risks created by the war in Eastern Europe, notably due to their high dependency on imports of food and agricultural inputs and vulnerability to global food price shocks.

The report noted that conflict was among key drivers of rising acute

food security in 2021 pushing 139 million people in 24 countries and territories into acute food insecurity, up from around 99 million in 23 countries and territories in 2020.

While weather extremes push over 23 million people in 8 countries and territories, up from 15.7 million in 15 countries/territories, economic shocks had over 30 million people in 21 countries and territories, down from over 40 million people in 17 countries/territories in 2020 mainly due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the Director-General, Food

and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), QU Dongyu, the tragic link between conflict and food insecurity is once again evident and alarming.

He adds that the results of this year’s Global Report further demonstrate the need to collectively address acute food insecurity at the global level across humanitarian, development and peace contexts.

He said, “While the international community has courageously stepped up to the calls for urgent famine prevention and mitigation action, resource mobilization to efficiently tackle the root causes

of food crises due to, among others, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, global hotspots and the war in Ukraine, still struggles to match the growing needs.”

For his partner at the World Food Programme, David Beasley, “Acute hunger is soaring to unprecedented levels and the global situation just keeps on getting worse. Conflict, the climate crisis, COVID-19 and surging food and fuel costs have created a perfect storm - and now we’ve got the war in Ukraine piling catastrophe on top of catastrophe.”

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Yuguda: e-Dividend Portal Will Be Automated by Q3 The Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda in this interview at the recently concluded first quarter Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting disclosed that e-Dividend portal will be automated by third quarter of 2022, stressing that the capital market regulating body is working with NIBSS to ensure the EDMMS process is completed. Kayode Tokede presents the excerpts The CMC Meeting was recently held.

What are some of the highlights from the meeting? he Nigerian capital market community held its first Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting for the year was recently held. The webinar provided a platform for interface amongst capital market stakeholders. Issues germane to the development and orderly conduct of the capital market were extensively discussed.

Participants included the Executive Management of the Commission, Heads of Technical Committees and working groups, Heads of market infrastructure and Observer groups. The meeting provided an update on the recent performance of the Nigerian economy and the capital market, including key activities of all the Exchanges.

Some of the major milestones achieved from the last CMC meeting that were highlighted are the successful conclusion of the extensive review of the ISA 2007 with a view to passing the Investments and Securities Bill 2021 into law in 2022 and review of the Nigerian Capital Market Masterplan, which the SEC will in the nearest future invite market stakeholders for the launch of the revised Masterplan Others are submission of a Report to the Honorable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning on the need to establish a National Savings Strategy as one of the key initiatives to enhance capital formation by mobilizing domestic funds for investment to drive economic growth and collaboration with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to develop and release standards and grading for the trading of Commodities while discussions with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) have been initiated to ensure the standardization of Nigerian gold in line with international best practice.

Members were updated on the coming to force of the new transaction fees on trading fixed income securities in the secondary market. With the growth and maturity of the debt market, the Commission introduced a regulatory fee structure on secondary market transactions in debt instruments, which took effect from January 1, 2022.

The expiration of the Federal Government’s 2011 Companies Income Tax Exemption Order was discussed. The exemption, which expired on January 2, 2022 incentivized issuance and investments in sub-national and corporate bonds.

Another major issue in the market discussed is the floating and marketing of Private bonds by CMOs for states. The Commission informed the market that it has been engaging stakeholders, including the DMO and FMF of the inherent risk in these securities.

Challenges in the Identity Management initiative especially the manual and cumbersome EDDMS process and the fact that some Registrars don’t upgrade their systems to provide self-service function were also deliberated upon. It is hoped that the process will be automated by Q3, 2022.

dividends have now gone into the new Unclaimed Dividends Trust Fund that is managed by the DMO. So there are lots of developments in that area and SEC is now not the only party that has this unclaimed dividend. There are a lot of people who are getting their unclaimed dividends paid to them from the Trust Fund and we will not immediately have the information.

Nigerians have been faced with some companies who give loans and they have been recovering such loans in undesirable means. Does SEC have any means to check the activities of these people?

Any investment scheme that is not registered by the Commission is not a bonafide capital market operator. They are unregistered and are Ponzi schemes.

They are not licensed by the SEC and we always ask investors to check with the SEC, we have a list of all licensed operators on our site and if you are in doubt call our complaints desk and we would direct you as appropriate.

T

Can we definitely say the market is expecting an automation by Q3?

Yes, I said that the automation of this process would be concluded by the end of the third quarter this year. This has actually been ongoing over the last

Yu g u d a

one year and we are expecting and working with NIBSS to ensure that by the end of the third quarter the automation of the EDMMS process would be completed.

Were there any deliberations on the Capital Market Progress Report on Nigeria’s Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Implementation Roadmap to Address Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) Deficiencies?

Yes, it was also discussed. Members were informed that we had one (1) year observation period to address deficiencies or stand the risk of being publicly placed on the “Grey List” Jurisdictions and subsequently placed on the FATF list of ‘High Risk’ jurisdictions. The SEC encouraged all Capital Market Operators to contribute to the important work of compliance with AML/CFT Regulations.

The Commission reassured the

“SEC has invested a lot of resources, has embarked on a number of programmes on investor education to ensure that people mandate their accounts.”

market that it will continue to enhance the existing regulatory framework guiding the operations of the market by keeping pace with the evolving changes in market practices, especially with the advent of Financial Technology which has significantly altered the ways and means of transacting business in the capital market.

Unclaimed Dividends has always been an issue; many shareholders have various complaints. What is the SEC doing to curb it?

The reason why the number may be going higher is because a lot of investors have not mandated their accounts. Dividends are now distributed electronically, so dividends go directly into the investors account and if everybody mandates their accounts there would be little unclaimed dividends in the system.

SEC has invested a lot of resources, has embarked on a number of programmes on investor education to ensure that people mandate their accounts. This process is still pen and can be done with the registrars, forms can be obtained from the banks too and it’s a very simple process. We also have on our website a tool that assists the investors to determine any unclaimed dividends that they have.

And I would encourage everyone to take advantage of these tools or to directly speak to the complaints section of the SEC and we would guide that person appropriately.

You should remember that unclaimed

We know there is a proliferation of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria. Some are even claiming to have registered with SEC and they have been existing for some time. Do these companies have capital base before they are allowed to operate?

The SEC does not register any Ponzi scheme. SEC only registers bonafide operators in the capital market. A Ponzi scheme by definition is an unlicensed, unregistered operator that is taking people’s money mostly with the intent to defraud them, and investors should shun these schemes. The SEC does not register any operator that is a Ponzi. The SEC can register an operator and that operator could in the course of his business begin to show signs of these traits. The SEC has adequate mechanism to deal with this through our monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, so this should not be confused with a Ponzi scheme.

Since the introduction of the electronic dividend system, how has it helped in checking the cases of unclaimed dividends?

It has significantly helped to reduce the unclaimed dividend. A lot of people have been able to get back their dividends. You know the Nigerian capital market is a very big market and every year companies declare dividends and Nigerian investors benefit from it. The issues are we have some people who are not coming forward to get their dividends because they have not mandated their accounts, we have cases of multiple subscriptions which the Commission has made a lot of efforts to resolve. I think these are the reasons why we still have unclaimed dividends in the system.

Does the FG still have access to the unclaimed dividends fund?

There is an Unclaimed Dividends Trust Fund at the moment and it has a framework whereby dividends that have not been claimed over a certain period are transferred to this Fund and it will be utilized in line with the investment objectives of that Trust Fund. However, if anybody comes forward at any given time to claim their unclaimed dividends, this fund will be able to repay these dividends without any problems.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

28

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Former Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Tunji Shelle; Chairman, Phillip Aivoji; PDP Presidential Aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Chairman, Elders Committee, Mr Abimbola Ogunkelu and former Lagos State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Murtala Ashorobi, during Atiku’s meeting with Lagos State PDP Delegates in Lagos… yesterday

NIMASA Seeks Uniform Compliance on Sub-standard Vessels Monitoring as IMO Urges Active Response to IMSAS CAP Protocols Oluchi Chibuzor As a critical sector of national economies, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has urged member states of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region, to ensure uniform compliance on enforcement of sub-standard vessels regulations within their maritime sector.

This is as the IMO has stressed its readiness to ensure that the Abuja

MoU member states become more active in their compliance with International Maritime Organisation Member States Audit (IMSAS) protocols.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region generally referred to as Abuja MoU, is one of the nine regional MoUs established pursuant to the International Maritime Organization resolution A.682 (17) of 1991.

Speaking at an IMO/Abuja MOU workshop for heads of Maritime Administration (MARADS) in the

West and Central Africa Region, held in Lagos yesterday, the DirectorGeneral of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, urged participants not to lose sight of the expectations of their various stakeholders.

He noted that they would continue to work with Abuja MoU, the Federal Ministry of Transport and IMO to ensure that the “Port State Control regime achieves the set objectives of maritime Safety and protection, “of our marine environment while not losing sight of the thin line between maritime security and maritime safety.

“The shipping industries in our respective countries need us to be fully and regularly on top of our game, especially as regulators. Who must always be a step ahead of the never ending challenges that beset the global seaborne trade whether it is maritime security, the safety of shipping and capacity building.”

The DG maintained that such was the basis that necessitated their gathering and not just for general deliberations but for a functional workshop.

He added, “As a critical reference, we must remind

ourselves of the core objectives that informed the founding and establishment of the Abuja MoU which includes: to reduce and eliminate substandard shipping, to prevent marine pollution, and improve the living and working conditions of seafarers aboard ships.

“All of which can only be realized when we develop a system of harmonized port State control inspection procedures for the region.

Such a system of harmony will only be achieved by working through the synergistic quadrants of cooperation, coordination,

collaboration and cooperation,” The NIMASA boss who was represented by the Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Shehu Ahmed, listed areas where the region must take necessary action.

For the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, the training was aimed at ultimately obtaining the unlimited support of the policy Makers who would in turn hold the officers on the scene (PSCOs) accountable thereby improving the efficacies of the regime.

Geometric Power Moves against Vandals, Electricity Thieves Clean Fuel Sources Could Ejiofor Alike The Aba Power Project, a member of Geometric Power group, has launched a campaign against those vandalising its assets in nine of the 17 Local Government Areas it is serving in Abia State.

Managing Director of Aba Power Project, Mr. Patrick Umeh, explained in a statement issued yesterday that the campaign is also being mounted against those who steal critical components in distribution transformers, distribution infrastructure and illegal connections as well as those who engage in meter bypassing.

“It is extremely difficult to understand how some individuals are so unconscionable as to put industries, whole estates, villages and other neighbourhoods in darkness by stealing wires to make spoons and trinkets”, Umeh, a former commissioner with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said.

The former executive of the Los

Angeles Department of Water and Power Light in California, United States, added that: “Nigeria is the country I know where a handful of individuals wifully damage such critical public assets, only to turn round to blame the authorities for not providing basic infrastructure like electricity and for growing misery in the land”.

Describing the vandals as the nation’s worst economic saboteurs, Umeh wondered why some educated and prosperous Nigerians indulge in meter bypassing through which they pay next to nothing or nothing at all for electricity service they enjoy.

He asked rhetorically: “If people don’t pay for service provided by private electricity firms, how can they remain in business when they conduct businesses in dollar transactions?”

He vowed that the campaign against electricity thieves and vandals “will be relentless and holistic.

“We have been holding dialogues

on this extremely dangerous phenomenon with stakeholders like the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Leather Manufacturers Association, Aba Industrialists Association, Joint Action Group on Electricity, Electrical Contractors of Nigeria, community leaders, vigilante group members, security agencies and other committed stakeholders.

“Time was when the power electric sector was owned and operated by state utilities like National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which led some Nigerians to still think that electricity is no person’s business; government business is often considered no person’s business.

“But the Aba Power Project is a $600 million business by a few Igbo individuals led by Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Power Minister and world-class engineering professor who returned from the United States to dedicate his life to a revolution in Nigeria’s power sector.

“These Igbo persons want to develop their homeland, starting with Aba for the simple fact that Aba has over the decades been famous for indigenous manufacturing, commerce and innovation.

“The Aba Power Project is an eloquent demonstration of the Igbo concepts of Aku ruo ulo (that is to say that wealth or success has no meaning until it touches one’s people in a positive and practical way) and nke a bu nke anyi (meaning this is truly ours).

“It is unfathomable that a handful of electricity consumers are willfully undermining a hugely expensive project designed to change in a profound way the development landscape of the South-east and beyond?”

The Aba Power Project MD promised an undisclosed wholesome reward and recognition for any person who provides useful information which will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of any person sabotaging the service of the private electric utility.

As Oil Price Jump: Inflows to Producing Nations Hit $2.5trn in 2022 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Sustained high commodity prices and increasing oil and gas supply are set to push upstream sector payments to governments to an all-time high of $2.5 trillion this year.

The new figure smashes the previous record of $2.1 trillion set in 2011, a document by Rystad Energy research has shown.

Saudi Arabia is, unsurprisingly, set to top the table in terms of total cash flow to government from the sector this year, followed by the US and Iraq, with the top 10 list dominated by Middle Eastern producers.

Government take varies

considerably between nations, however, with Norway and Iraq seeing an average take per produced barrel of oil equivalent (boe) of around $100, while for the likes of the US and Canada the figure is below $20 per boe.

But despite the huge fortunes reaped by oil-producing nations of the world, Nigeria continues to borrow to fund its budget as it currently lacks capacity to meet its production quota coupled with huge subsidy costs that are eating into its resources.

“The leap to a record high in revenues is being driven by a combination of high oil and gas prices and lower costs. A year ago, it looked like the era

of trillion-dollar revenues might have been behind us.

“Today, it is clear that we are heading into a super cycle that will benefit petro states.

These record revenues present an unparalleled opportunity to diversify economies,” said Espen Erlingsen, Head of Upstream Research at Rystad Energy Saudi Arabia will be the largest beneficiary in absolute terms and is expected to receive just above $400 billion from its cornerstone industry this year, an increase of almost $250 billion from 2021.

The US, when including royalties paid to private landowners, takes second spot with around $250 billion paid to government, an

increase of $100 billion compared to 2021. Iraq follows with about $200 billion in total tax income, a doubling of its income compared to 2021.

Norway’s position in fourth comes despite being only the tenth-largest oil and gas producer globally and the government will receive revenues of around $150 billion in total tax income.

This is due to European gas prices, low levels of cost and large government ownership driving the achievement. But for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), it has been unable to pay a kobo into the federation account this year, despite skyrocketing oil prices.

Create $27trn Global Energy Market by 2050, Says Expert Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The search for cleaner sources of energy could create a $27 trillion market opportunity for manufacturers across the world by 2050, an expert with the International Energy Agency (IEA), Tae-Yoon Kim, has argued.

Kim’s comments coincided with concerns raised by the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) over Africa’s growing population vis-à-vis the demand for energy and the infrastructure needed to process renewable sources of energy.

But the IEA expert who spoke at the 2022 ARDA Virtual Storage and Distribution workshop on the theme: ‘‘Africa’s Road to Net Zero Emissions,’’ during the virtual event said that Nigeria and other SubSaharan African countries will provide a significant share of the world’s mineral resources that are critical to clean energy technologies.

He stated that fuel cells, electrolysers, battery packs, wind turbines and solar PV modules, expected from solid minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese, graphite, platinum, chromium, bauxite and others would spur cleaner energy technologies and a new industry for Africa.

Kim noted that Africa’s expansive land and abundant natural resources provide potential for production of

low-carbon hydrogen from renewables at cost-effective prices.

“Without rapid progress on economic diversification, global energy transitions are set to take a heavy toll on the export revenues of key producers,” he argued.

Also speaking on the projected exponential growth in population in Africa, Executive Secretary, ARDA, Anibor Kragha, noted that fossil fuels demand and products imports would grow over the next two decades in Africa.

He stressed that a sustainable transition to cleaner fuels was imperative to addressing public health issues, insisting that coordinated storage and distribution investments were required to deliver Africa’s energy transition plan.

Executive Director, CITAC, Elitsa Georgieva, in her remarks, noted that the inability of Africa to meet half of its demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), petrol and jet A1 fuel, kerosene, gasoil, fuel oil and others locally, amidst growing population remained worrisome.

She noted that while technologies like electricity and biofuels like ethanol are yet to be developed and proven at scale for cooking, LPG remained an existing viable solution in the transition to fully renewable and emissionsfree energy solutions.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

29

This Week In Tech 08097710984

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

Nosa

Alekhuogie

Tech Top 5 News NCC ADDRESSES TARIFF HIKE BY MOBILE OPERATORS he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says there will be no tariff increase without a cost-based study to determine the appropriate cost for services.

The telecommunications regulator, in a statement, explained that it had noted the demands of the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to increase tariffs of telecom services, but no decision would be taken without the commission’s approval.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, and contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be affected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the commission,” said NCC in a statement.

It added that there “could be justifiable reasons for MNOs’ demand for tariff increase,” noting that “they are not allowed to do such either individually or collectively without recourse to NCC, following the outcome of a cost study. This is not the case for now.”

T

AFRICA ACCOUNTS FOR 70% OF WORLD’S $1TN MOBILE MONEY MARKET Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, account for 70 per cent of the world’s $1 trillion mobile money value.

According to research by an industry insider, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA), Africa continues to be the leading market for mobile money banking as the value of mobile money transactions went up by 39 per cent to $701.4 billion in 2021 from $495 billion in 2020.

The report stated that the volume of mobile money transactions in sub-Saharan Africa jumped 23 per cent to 36.7 billion in 2021 from 27.5 billion in 2021 In the review period, registered mobile wallets in Africa topped 621 million, a 17 per cent increase from 562 million captured in 2020.

There are now over 184 million active mobile money accounts on the continent, and the numbers are expected to keep growing as more companies introduce digital payments.

According to the Head, Financial Inclusion, GSMA, Ashley Olson Onyango, African users remain a significant driver even though mobile money has become a global phenomenon.

African mobile money ecosystem is also rapidly diversifying, as is the rest of the world, from business-to-consumer (B2C) to Business-to-business (B2B.) In the past years, a key feature of the industry’s progress has been mobile money’s rapid diversification beyond its key traditional use case: person-to-person transactions, for example, transferring money to family and friends.

The report further shows that the mobile money industry is more global than ever.

In 2021, the mobile money map was redrawn, with sub-Saharan Africa seen accounting for just over half of active accounts and South Asia for 20 per cent, surpassing East Asia and the Pacific at 19 per cent.

ONEPORT 365 SECURES $5M SEED FUNDING TO DIGITISE FREIGHT MANAGEMENT OnePort 365 has raised $5 million in seed funding to drive the end-to-end digitisation of freight management in Africa and support its expansion into new markets across the continent.

The seed funding round was led by Mobility 54—the Venture Capital arm of Toyota Tsusho and CFAO Group, with participation from SBI Investment, Flexport, ODX, a Singaporean syndicate fund and other strategic angel investors.

With active operations in Nigeria and Ghana and ongoing explorations in other

Tech Personality of The Week LESLIE EMENALO

T

his week’s tech personality is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kobopay Technologies, Leslie Emenalo.

Kobopay is a multi-currency digital bank that provides its users access to everyday financial services. It was built for sub-Saharan Africa with a special focus on the underserved or financially excluded portion of the population.

It provides Africans with the ability to send, receive and manage their funds in any currency.

Emenalo is a growth and innovationfocused entrepreneur obsessed with disruptive technologies and emergent behaviour.

He is also the CEO of GlobeThree60 Synergy; a Nigerian-owned IT Firm that provides IT Support and Business Technology Services across Nigeria.

Customers can access its services through an easy-to-use web and mobile application and agent locations.

Kobopay also works with local businesses like convenience stores, petrol stations, and pharmacies.

Kobopay is actively fundraising a pre-seed round of $300,000 through the GetEquity and via direct investment. markets, OnePort 365 is building an operating system for cross-border trade in Africa, helping traders to manage their freight processes through a digital platform that enables seamless freight forwarding and other value-added services.

With this new funding, OnePort 365 is positioned to further improve efficiency and lower overheads in cross-border trading across the continent and deliver a wide range of new services that will increase profitability across the board.

Africa contributes an increasingly significant amount to global maritime trade, with a reported 12 per cent of the 811 million containers managed at ports worldwide. Africa’s clearing and forwarding market is also growing, with the latest figures suggesting a market size of $4.2 billion and a projected 12.5 per cent growth with new services emerging.

However, a wide range of challenges, including congestion at ports, difficulty accessing effective service providers and complex payment systems, have resulted in increased costs, inefficiencies, and many missed opportunities for traders.

Commenting on the new funding, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of OnePort 365, Hio SolaUsidame, said, “With OnePort 365, traders no longer have to wait up to two weeks to compare the best rates from different service providers. With pre-negotiated rates, they can explore competitive offers on the platform and book freights in 30 seconds or less.

Sola-Usidame added, “Traders can also connect with shipping and inland transportation vendors and manage the entire process (from booking to payment) on one single platform.”

WHATSAPP MAY ALLOW GROUP ADMIN TO DELETE MESSAGES The meta-owned messaging app, WhatsApp, is working on a new feature which allows a group admin to delete any message for every participant in the group.

The world’s most widely used messaging service is reportedly developing a moderation feature supported on rival messaging service Telegram, which similarly allows admins to remove messages by group members.

WhatsApp is yet to announce details of such a feature, which is expected to arrive in upcoming beta versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS. The upcoming ability to delete all messages could serve as a powerful moderation tool in WhatsApp groups, especially to curb fake news or harmful content on the messaging service.

After this feature is enabled, if a group admin is deleting a message for everyone in a group, other participants will be able to know who deleted the message.

The feature still under development was first revealed in December last year.

The messaging app is also reportedly planning to extend the time an admin can delete a message for everyone.

The app also allowed a group audio call with 32 participants. It is also working on a feature to improve status updates and may be released in the future update. Once this feature is enabled, users can view status updates within the chats.

The app will also get emoji reactions feature in the future. With this feature, WhatsApp users will also be able to react to the status of their friends and family with emojis.

However, there is no official confirmation about the feature’s release date.

NFT SENDS $37BN TO MARKETPLACES IN 2022 AMID FLUCTUATIONS Collectors of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have sent more than $37 billion worth of digital assets to NFT marketplaces so far this year, nearing the $40 billion recorded in 2021.

According to a report from Chainalysis, NFT transaction volume has grown considerably, but the industry’s overall growth has been inconsistent.

It saw explosive growth in 2021, but the growth has not been consistent and has levelled off so far in 2022.

The number of active NFT buyers and sellers remained largely in the tens of thousands from the first quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2021, with a first significant spike recorded in the next three-month period, nearing half a million.

Despite the short-term fluctuations in NFT transaction volume, the number of people worldwide buying and selling NFTs remains strong, with 950,000 unique addresses acquiring or selling in Q1 2022.

In Q2, the number of unique addresses dropped almost by half as of May 1 to about 491,000.

Geographically, the report further stated that Central and South Asia are the most active regions in the NFT market, followed

by North America and Western Europe.

However, Africa came in last, with its usage in the continent under 10 per cent.

The study showed that NFT collectors account for most activity in terms of the transaction value. Institutional investors are gradually closing in, especially in weeks when extremely large purchases have been made.

30

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ƵƉ ϭ͘Ϯй dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĨĞůů ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ dŚĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ dŚĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ ƌŽƐĞ ϭ͘Ϯй ƚŽ Ϯ͕ϯϭϰ͘ϳϴ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Ăƚ ϭ͕ϲϳϰ͘ϴϵ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϲйͿ͕ ŝŶĚĞdž ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ E/d, t W K ;Ͳϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ h ;ͲϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂͲ

;нϭ͘ϵйͿ͕ & E, ;нϬ͘ϰйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ t W K ;нϭ͘ϵйͿ͘ ƵͲ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘

ŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϭ͘ϱй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ

Current Price

Ticker

ŝŶĚĞdž͘

^/ ƵƉ ϭϭďƉƐ ĂƐ E' D 'ĂŝŶƐ ϯ͘ϯй

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ ,KEz&>KhZ dŚĞ ƵůůƐ KƉĞŶ ƚŚĞ tĞĞŬ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϵй ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ ďŽůͲ

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ĐŽŵŵĞŶĐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĞƌĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůůͲ

ǁĞĞŬ ŽŶ Ă ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŶŽƚĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ^ŚĂƌĞ

ŝŶĚĞdž

ƌŽƐĞ

2314.78

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

ďLJ

ƌŽƐĞ ϭ͘ϵй ƚŽ ϱϭ͕ϵϬϮ͘ϰϴ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞͲ ϭϭďƉƐ ƚŽ ϯϵ͕ϱϱϬ͘ϯϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ

8 FBN Holdings Plc 9 Lafarge Africa PLC

ĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ Ͳϭ͘ϴй DdEE ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ͕ E ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ĂŶĚ ďLJ

10 Access Holdings PLC 11 United Bank for Africa PLC

േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ /Ed Z t ;нϵ͘ϲйͿ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŝŵͲ

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ

ƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯϭ͘ϱй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ϭϵ͘ϮйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ʬϱϮϭ͘ϲďŶ ƚŽ ʬϮϳ͘ϵƚŶ͘ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ dZ E^ KZW ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ & E, ;ϭϭ͘ϭŵ

DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ĂŶĚ K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕

ĨĞůů Ϯϳ͘ϲй ƚŽ ϯϯϳ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĂĚͲ E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ ǀĂŶĐĞĚ ϰ͘ϲй ƚŽ ʬϱ͘ϲďŶ͘

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

14 SEPLAT Energy PLC 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc

1.18%

ROE

24.8% 131.5%

0.0%

ROA

P/E

0.0%

5.7x

Dividend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

5.9%

15.9%

1,400.00

0.0%

39.4%

46.6%

46.6%

227.50

0.0%

8.3%

15.5%

15.5%

105.6%

13.9%

14.4x

17.7x

5.6%

74.25

0.0%

6.6%

10.7%

10.7%

19.1%

11.2%

35.7x

6.7x

3.6%

2.8%

23.40

-0.4%

5.1%

-10.0%

-10.0%

19.8%

3.2%

3.9x

0.8x

12.8%

26.0% 32.5%

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

Price Previous Price Change Current Price Change Index to Weighting Change YTD Date

1.3% 7.0%

24.45

1.9%

5.1%

-2.8%

-2.8%

20.6%

2.6%

3.1x

0.6x

12.7%

292.40

0.0%

4.4%

13.8%

13.8%

37.7%

16.4%

13.2x

4.8x

6.8%

7.6%

1,400.00

0.0%

2.8%

-10.1%

-10.1%

112.8%

16.1%

24.3x

28.3x

3.6%

4.1%

11.95

0.4%

3.1%

4.8%

4.8%

8.4%

0.8%

7.0x

0.6x

3.8%

14.2%

27.50

1.9%

3.3%

14.8%

14.8%

15.5%

11.1%

7.5x

1.1x

7.3%

13.4%

9.60

-0.5%

2.4%

#VALUE!

3.2%

7.3%

8.05

0.0%

1.9%

0.0%

0.0%

15.6%

1.4%

2.3x

0.3x

12.4%

43.3%

34.20

-6.2%

1.4%

-5.0%

-5.0%

15.6%

2.1%

7.2x

1.1x

8.8%

13.9% 3.3%

70.00

1.4%

2.0%

40.0%

40.0%

10.5%

3.9%

30.1x

3.0x

2.3%

1,200.00

0.9%

2.6%

84.6%

84.6%

7.5%

3.6%

12.3x

0.9x

3.4%

8.1%

12.80

2.4%

1.8%

47.1%

47.1%

18.4%

1.0%

2.7x

0.5x

5.3%

36.4%

6.75

9.8%

1.3%

36.4%

36.4%

-9.9%

-3.4%

170.00

0.0%

1.1%

19.7%

19.7%

43.6%

25.5%

8.9x

3.7x

4.3%

11.3%

16 International Brew eries PLC 17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.3x

-7.9%

34.50

4.2%

1.1%

21.7%

21.7%

15.9%

4.5%

5.3x

0.8x

4.8%

18.9%

3.71

3.1%

0.8%

45.5%

45.5%

13.3%

1.2%

2.8x

0.3x

9.4%

35.5%

2.20

-2.2%

0.5%

-5.2%

-5.2%

2.3%

0.7%

25.8x

0.6x

11.4%

3.9%

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc

16.20

0.0%

0.4%

-6.9%

-6.9%

16.7%

6.6%

8.7x

1.4x

6.2%

11.5%

3.60

2.0%

0.5%

20.4%

20.4%

10.7%

1.1%

23 United Capital PLC 24 Guinness Nigeria PLC

13.50

1.9%

0.4%

36.4%

36.4%

110.00

0.0%

0.9%

182.1%

182.1%

1.19

2.6%

0.4%

24.0%

24.0%

17.8%

8.1%

16.4x

0.3x

5.6%

3.4x

11.1%

2.7x

0.4%

0.5x

1.7%

6.1%

ƵůůŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

170.00

0.0%

0.5%

93.6%

93.6%

3.6x

0.6%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ

27 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 28 AIICO Insurance PLC

12.60

0.0%

0.2%

-4.5%

-4.5%

18.5%

5.7%

12.7x

2.2x

3.2%

0.80

0.0%

0.3%

14.3%

14.3%

14.0%

2.2%

31.7x

0.8x

2.5%

3.2%

ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ Ϯ ůŽƐƚ͘ dŚĞ &ZͲ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

29 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 30 Custodian and Allied Insurance

234.50

0.0%

0.2%

5.7%

5.7%

46.9%

8.1%

4.4x

1.7x

7.9%

22.8%

7.15

0.0%

0.2%

-9.5%

-9.5%

19.5%

5.5%

4.2x

0.8x

7.0%

23.8%

Ğƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ / d ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͕ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ

31 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC 32 Unilever Nigeria PLC

23.95

-0.8%

0.2%

6.4%

6.4%

50.3%

19.0%

4.5x

2.2x

6.3%

22.5%

14.00

0.4%

0.1%

-3.4%

-3.4%

11.2%

6.9%

16.5x

1.2x

3.6%

6.1%

ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳ ϰ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϯ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

30.00

0.0%

0.2%

34.2%

34.2%

20.7%

2.5%

5.1x

1.0x

8.6%

19.8%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d

ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕

hE/> s Z

;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ͕

>/E< ^^hZ

;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕

DdEE ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ E ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͘ dƌĂŝůŝŶŐ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů

35 Oando PLC 36 Wema Bank PLC

Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘ϱй

37 NEM Insurance PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC

ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͘

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

ĂŶĚ D E^ Z ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ďLJ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲ

ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ KEK/> ;нϵ͘ϰйͿ͕ K E K ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͕ t W K Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϴй ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ ;нϮ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ W ;нϮ͘ϯйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌͲ ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘

ĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϯй

6.30

1.6%

0.1%

6.8%

6.8%

6.1%

0.7%

9.9x

0.7x

10.1%

5.56

5.9%

0.1%

25.8%

25.8%

14.5%

2.6%

2.4x

0.3x

41.8%

3.75

3.0%

0.0%

420.8%

420.8%

15.6%

0.9%

13.9x

2.0x

6.4%

7.2%

4.03

0.0%

0.1%

-10.4%

-10.4%

22.3%

12.9%

4.2x

0.8x

5.5%

24.0%

1.9x

0.3x

6.5%

52.0%

1.55

-1.3%

0.1%

2.6%

2.6%

9.9%

0.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-17.7%

-4.1%

4.50

0.0%

0.0%

-16.4%

-16.4%

1.8x

-9.5%

0.7x

1.6%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

NB

77.00

10.0%

T R A N SC OR P

37.8

-2.5%

C A D B UR Y

14.90

10.0%

GT C O

24.8

1.5%

1.11

9.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

21.2

-0.6% -0.5%

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ // K

R OYA LEX

;Ͳϱ͘ϬйͿ͕ t W/ ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϲйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ h E

T ic k er

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

C H A M P ION

3.67

9.9%

A C C ESSC OR P

19.3

IN T B R EW

7.40

9.6%

FB NH

15.8

1.3%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

C UT IX

2.74

9.6%

C OUR T VILLE

15.2

1.9%

;Ͳϭ͘ϲйͿ͘

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

KƵƚůŽŽŬ

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ

M C N IC H OLS M TNN LIN KA SSUR E C ON OIL

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ < Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘Ϯϴdž ĨƌŽŵ ͲϬ͘ϱϯdž ĂƐ ϯϳ ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ >/s Ͳ ^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ Ϯϭ ůŽƐƚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϱϳ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ tĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ

ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƚŽ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶ ƚŚĞ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůLJ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘

ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ

ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͘

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

7.9%

0.92

9.5%

IN T B R EW

10.3

9.6%

249.00

9.5%

WA P IC

10.2

-6.7%

0.58

9.4%

F ID ELIT YB K

9.9

0.0%

9.4%

NB

9.6

10.0%

31.50

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er T R A N SC OH OT

P ric e 4.05

P ric e C hg % -10.0%

T ic k er

Value

SEP LA T

842.5

P ric e C hg % 0.0%

737.7

10.0% 9.5%

-9.6%

NB

M ULT IVER SE

0.20

-9.1%

M TNN

668.1

WA P IC

0.42

-6.7%

GT C O

580.6

1.5%

SUN UA SSUR

0.31

-6.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

521.7

-0.6%

LIVEST OC K

1.60

-5.3%

P R ESC O

285.6

4.7%

A IIC O

0.76

-5.0%

FB NH

190.3

1.3%

C OR N ER ST

0.58

-4.9%

A C C ESSC OR P

185.4

-0.5%

GUIN N ESS

99.45

C A VER T ON

1.26

-4.5%

GUIN N ESS

127.2

-9.6%

CHA M S

0.23

-4.2%

WA P C O

121.7

2.7%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

31

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS 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 06May-2022, 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 MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.56% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.67 3.73 3.69% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.94% Anchoria Equity Fund 152.85 154.58 9.77% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 4.87% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 22.30 22.97 9.93% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 503.80 518.99 11.67% ARM Ethical Fund 42.37 43.64 8.75% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -1.86% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.04 2.26% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.59% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.06 105.06 7.93% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,102.28 1,102.28 10.23% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.10 2.10 7.07% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.37 2.42 27.03% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 2.92% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.75% Cordros Milestone Fund 136.37 137.29 9.35% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.10 109.10 4.73% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.35% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 7.32% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.06 1.06 16.70% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.18 102.18 4.12% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1448.18 1448.18 10.33% FBN Balanced Fund 195.09 196.47 11.32% FBN Halal Fund 119.34 119.34 9.20% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.35% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 123.61 123.61 4.67% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 169.29 171.55 11.18% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,210.92 3,543.07 100.00

4,279.18 3,543.07 100.00

24.19% 6.24% 6.02%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.10 1.10 3.64% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.64% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.06 3.13 13.89% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 139.95 139.95 2.13% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.32 1.36 11.04% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 4.12% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.55 1.58 7.70% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.69 1,152.69 3.55% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.62 13.70 15.47% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.02% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.30 101.30 5.29% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 8.15% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.72 1.75 7.17% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.71 11.73 4.75% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.12% PACAM Equity Fund 1.55 1.56 9.19% PACAM EuroBond Fund 116.04 118.82 0.84% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 134.43 137.31 11.45% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,699.94 3,742.18 7.48% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 238.42 238.42 1.14% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.48 1.51 15.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 319.19 319.19 1.87% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 270.24 274.46 11.66% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.60% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,485.81 12,663.83 12.40% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.31 1.31 1.66% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.26 118.26 1.10% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 109.07 109.07 2.43% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.02 1.05 10.32% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.49 1.51 9.13% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.20 1.22 10.59% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 2.57% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 2.00 2.00 2.33% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.57 124.57 1.83% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.67% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.94 14.08 5.76% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.23 16.42 11.12% Zenith Income Fund 22.56 22.56 2.45% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.41% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 4.25 4.35 5.94% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.49 6.59 10.91% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.68 19.88 11.23% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.27% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 22.43 22.63 12.18% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 166.21 168.21 5.32%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

15.31 148.46 116.87 23.63 22.75

15.41 152.09 119.41 23.73 22.85

9.58% 12.77% 12.77% 0.00% 0.00%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.55

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

32

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ MAY 10, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Norebase Secures $1m Pre-seed Funding Round Oluchi Chibuzor Norebase, an African trade technology company that aims at building a single platform for businesses to start, scale and operate in any African country, has secured a $1M pre-seed funding round.

The company in a statement said the funds would help it accelerate its plans to build a plug-and-play company incorporation technology, broaden its trademark registration technology stack, bolster its existing team of world-class talent and develop more research-led solutions.

Launched in September 2021, Norebase said it is laser-focused on building a two-pronged platform that offers African and non-African businesses access to the African continent as one big market while creating a channel where African founders can access the international markets such as the USA. It added that using Norebase, established companies can expand to new locations while new businesses can be incorporated in any African country of their choice

in just a few minutes.

“In addition, Norebase’s platform provides a single point for startup founders and entrepreneurs to register a company, get a bank account, get a virtual mailing address and even register a trademark and handle IP registration in any African country.

“Additionally, Norebase has launched Norebase Incorporation API, an API service enabling other companies to provide incorporation services to their own customers via their websites. By integrating with the Norebase API, any company can provide its customer with a simple form, and the information filled on that form is automatically transmitted to Norebase to register a business on behalf of that customer.”

Commenting on Norebase’s growth ambitions, CEO at Norebase, Tola Onayemi, said, “Norebase is building a future where starting a business or expanding a business in any African country is as simple as clicking a single button, and we are deliberately building the

single digital infrastructure and technology tools that will power trade across the continent.

“Africa’s startup space is rightly attracting the global business world’s attention as a region with enormous potential, and we are thrilled to connect new and existing businesses with the means with which they can scale their business in and beyond Africa more seamlessly. The rapid acceleration of innovation across Africa and the growing attractiveness of new markets requires the know-how of a smoother cross-border expansion experience, and our team is the best at this.”

Onayemi continued, “We are delighted to be joined by a stellar roster of experienced and strategic investors, whose expertise will play a key role as we scale the Norebase goal of being partners for set-up, compliance, regulatory needs for both cross-border expansions and local markets. Given our global and Africa-wide ambitions, we consciously ensured our investors came from across Africa and the world.”

Nigerian Breweries Shareholders Approve N12.92bn Dividend Payout Kayode Tokede Shareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc, have unanimously approved the dividend payout of a total sum of N12.92billion for the 2021 financial year.

The approval was granted during the 76th Annual General Meeting of the company held at Civic Centre in Lagos.

The company’s management assured the shareholders of its commitment to continue to deliver maximum returns for the shareholders’ investments.

Shareholders who spoke at the meeting described the total dividend payout to shareholders as a step in the right direction following an impressive financial performance recorded by the company in the 2021 financial year.

One of the shareholders who spoke at the event, Mr. Boniface Okezie, commended the board and management of the company for demonstrating an immense capacity to manage its resources prudently, which

yielded exceptional performance for the company as seen in the revenue and the profit recorded for the year.

Okezie expressed satisfaction with the company for the consistent payment of dividends noting that such a gesture has endeared it to the heart of many investors.“ “I would like to commend the board and management of Nigerian Breweries Plc for its consistency in paying dividends to shareholders. This alone has shown great leadership and commitment to delivering values to the shareholders. On behalf of the other shareholders, I would like to state that we are happy that despite operating challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, the leadership team has continued to manage the company and its operations efficiently. It gladdens our heart that the company has continued to reward its shareholders at a time like this when many companies cannot

pay dividends”, he said.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi, thanked the shareholders for their support, assuring them that the company remains committed to maintaining the positive growth trajectory that will ensure a regular improved dividend payment.

Essaadi noted that the company would continue to invest in all aspects of its operations to grow the business and make it more sustainable.

The Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Chief Kola Jamodu, disclosed that each shareholder would receive a final dividend of N1.20k each at an ordinary share of 50k, having received an interim dividend of 40k in December 2021.Jamodu explained that despite increased competition, the company still maintains its market leadership while also ensuring good returns on investments from investors in the financial year.

FCMB Millionaire Promo Goes Digital, Set to Reward 23,000 Customers More excitement for customers as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) announced Season 8 of its widely famous and successful annual retail campaign, Millionaire Promo. The promo, which rewards and empowers new and existing customers of the Bank with exciting prizes, has gone fully digital. The FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 8, which commenced in April, will end in September and is available to customers via the Bank’s Mobile App and WinCity.

WinCity is the gaming platform of the Bank, designed to engage, promote positive interactions and reward customers’ loyalty to the brand. It is the first digital promo platform in the Nigerian banking industry where customers get to spin a wheel and win fantastic prizes instantly. The platform democratises access to opportunities to win and enhances the transparency of the promo process. Customers can

visit WinCity as many times as they meet the required conditions of the promo.

Speaking on the FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 8, the Divisional Head, Personal Banking, FCMB, Mr. Shamsideen Fashola, said: “We are excited to kick off the 8th Season of the FCMB Millionaire Promo. The promo was designed to reward customers, enhance their overall experience, and promote financial inclusion and a savings culture. As a responsive and innovative Bank, we are leveraging our Millionaire Promo Season 8 and WinCity gaming platforms to upscale our world-class digital banking offerings to deepen our engagement with customers and reward them in an exciting manner. We encourage Nigerians to partake in this promo because they stand a chance to join several others who emerged winners in previous editions

and have established flourishing businesses”.

To participate in the promo, existing customers must increase their savings account balance by N5,000 to get a chance to win up to N1m. New customers can open a savings account via the Bank’s Mobile App and fund with a minimum of N5,000.00 to qualify to win up to N1m.

Multiple deposits of N5,000 will increase the chances of getting more keys to play and win exciting prizes via the new FCMB Mobile App or WinCity.

Apart from the grand prize winner of N1 million, thousands of other customers will win various cash and airtime rewards. Every month, five customers stand a chance to win N100,000 each; 20 others will smile home with N50,000 each; another 50 will be rewarded with N20,000 each, while 100 customers will receive N10,000 each.

L-R: Past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Adedapo Adekoje, Ist Vice President, Oluwole Adeosun.

President, Olatunde Amolegbe, 2nd Vice President, Oluropo Dada and Registrar and Chief Executive, Josiah Akerewusi at 27th Annual General Meeting of CIS ..Thursday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $114.37 a barrel on Friday, compared with $113.04 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), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

SEC Guidelines to Enforce Fully Digitalise Capital Market Operations Kayode Tokede In a bid to fully digitalise operations of the Nigerian capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is proposing some guidelines that will enable investors in the capital market to be able to do virtually everything they need to do on their internet-enabled appliances.

These are contained in a

guideline on Minimum Operating Standards for Information Technology for capital Market Operators (CMOSs) recently exposed to the public.

According to the SEC, the new regulatory framework undergoing review seeks to mandate compulsory adoption of information and communication technology (ICT), particularly web-based applications and devices, for virtually capital

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

market transactions.

The provisions of the document applies to all categories of CMOs unless in sections where reference is otherwise made to specific CMO categories.

The purpose of the Guidelines is to establish a threshold of operational efficiency in the Nigerian Capital Market through the effective adoption of Information Technology in driving business operations and

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

ensuring the security, confidentiality, integrity and reliability of Information Systems.

A draft copy of the framework indicates that the new framework, upon final approval, will apply to all capital market operations, with particular emphasis on investor-facing functions such as securities trading, fund management, share registration and clearing and custodial services, among others.

T R A D E D

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A S

SEC stated that the new rules mandate all capital market operators to have well-secured and functional website as well as functional electronic mailing system, either hosted privately or using a cloud service provider, with domain name owned and registered by the capital market operator.

Once the rules come into effect, the use of free email providers and private emails like Yahoomail,

O F

0 9

Gmail and Hotmail, among others, shall become unacceptable for official transactions.

Under the proposed framework, stockbrokers will be “required to have websites and web applications that allow investors to securely create and manage their equities accounts online, make enquiries and receive customer support using chat-bots or other interactive programmes from web browsers”.

/ 0 5 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

OLU OKEOWO'S BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING...

L-R: Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Business mogul, Sir Olu Okeowo and his wife, Lady Adejoke Okeowo during the Holy Communion Service for the official dedication of Solomon's Chapel and birthday thanksgiving at the Ikoyi residence of the Okeowos in Lagos...recently

ASUU Extends Strike by 12 Weeks as NANS Threatens to Disrupt Primary Elections, Blockade National Assembly Threatens to block airports, roads nationwide FG begins consideration of Briggs Report on FG-ASUU Renegotiation Committee Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again resolved to continue its ongoing nationwide strike for another 12 weeks just as the National Association of Nigerian Students is threatening to disrupt political parties primary election and blockade the National Assembly. It also threatened to block airports and roads nationwide if the FG/ASUU face off that crippled university education in the last three months is not resolved quickly.

This is just as the Federal Government has described the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)'s strike extension by 12 weeks as a breach of labour laws, revealing that it is considering the report submitted by the committee on the renegotiation of the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement.

Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, who reacted to the decision of ASUU to extend its nationwide strike by another 12 weeks, said the union acted in breach of the country's labour laws.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, a copy of which was obtained yesterday, the university lecturers stated that: "After extensive deliberations, noting federal government's failure to live up to its responsibilities and speedily address the issues raised

in the 2020 FG-ASUU Memoradum of Action, within the additional eight week roll-over strike period declared on March 14, 2022, NEC resolved that the strike rolled-over for 12 Weeks to give government more time satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.”

The communiqué signed by ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke added: " The roll-over strike is with effect from 12.01am on Monday, May 9, 2022."

The union condemned what it described as government's cavalier attitude towards the lecturers' strike.

It also accused the three-man reconciliation team set up to resolve the dispute of failing to do its work, adding that no single meeting had been held since then.

ASUU said its members were shocked to see that while public universities were shut down and children of the poor citizens were idle at home, the political class were busy purchasing expression of interest forms with millions of naira.

They also alleged that those in power have abandoned the poorly equipped institutions in the country to be junketing between Europe and America to celebrate graduation ceremonies of their children.

"This speaks of the level of depravity, insensitivity and irresponsibility of Nigeria's opportunistic and parasitic political class ASUU further accused the government of employing starvation

as a weapon to force the lecturers to abandon their struggle for better funding and remuneration of the staff of the universities, adding that such strategy was bound to fail and cannot stop the resolve of the university teachers.

In the communiqué, the union decried the planned oversea trip of the committee of vice chancellors’ wives, describing it as despicable and provocative at a time lecturers were at home.

ASUU said unless something was done urgently to properly redirect the renegotiation committee led

by Prof. Limit Briggs, to address the issues in dispute, the exercise may end up as a wild goose chase.

ASUU has been have been on strike since February 14 and several reconciliation meetings by the federal government and the striking Lecturers have met brick walls.

ASUU Strike: NANS to Disrupt Political Parties' Primary Elections, Blockade National Assembly

The National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) has threatened to disrupt political parties' primary elections to vent its anger against the extension of the nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by 12 weeks.

NANS described the extension of the over two-month-old nationwide

strike by ASUU as a declaration of war against students and pointed out that the extension signalled that President Muhammadu Buhari's administration was grossly insensitive to the plights of students.

NANS' National President, Sunday Asefon, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

It revealed that NANS would begin 'Operation Test Run' across the nation beginning May 10, which will serve as a precursor to the total blockage of major roads in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

"Having exhausted all windows of constructive engagement with the government. I, on behalf of the national leadership of NANS, therefore, declare national action from tomorrow, May 10. The national action is tagged 'Operation Test Run'. 'Operation Test Run' shall be held in all the 36 states of the Federation. Federal roads across the 36 states shall be occupied for a minimum of three hours daily," the NANS president revealed. "The Operation shall be a precursor to a total shutdown that will be decided during our Senate meeting/ pre-convention on Saturday, May 14 2022."

The national students' body also threatened to block airport roads nationwide and "total disruption of political party primaries," including the blockade of the National Assembly "until they are committed to

FG to Develop Solar Energy as Backup for National Power Grid Seeks collaboration with states, private sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government said yesterday that it was ramping up solar energy supply which could serve as backup during national grid collapses since the central electricity supply system has failed at least four times this year.

Speaking at a Rural Electrification Agency (REA) stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja, organised in collaboration with state governments to accelerate rural power supply, Minister of State, Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, urged industry players to seek innovative ideas that will see the fruition of the plan in about two years.

Aside the REA, other partners in the effort to ramp up the deployment of solar sources of energy in the country were the Africa Clean

Energy – Technical Assistance Facility (ACE-TAF) funded by the UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The workshop sought to foster a harmonious working relationship between REA and states, create a pathway for access to data on ‘unelectrified’ communities, enable proper coordination among stakeholders as well as an enabling environment for private developers.

Expected benefits include availability of electricity in rural areas, boosting agricultural productivity, stimulating rural income generation, accelerating commercial activities and increasing internally generated revenue for states, among others.

At the event, Jedy-Agba stated that it was critical for the country to raise the quantum of power produced in order to ensure that

Nigerians have unfettered access to reliable electricity.

“This year alone, we have had four major grid collapses and if we had backups , we wouldn’t have the kind of effect that we had. In fact as I am here, I am going to answer query from my bosses, the national assembly as to why the grid has collapsed so much this year.

“So, let’s put our heads together and let’s find a solution so that by this time next year or two years time, we should be able to say if it’s national grid collapses, we have a backup so that there will be no such experiences like we have had since this year.

“This is because there’s no gainsaying the fact that we need energy to power our economy for socio-economic development and therefore this exercise and gathering

is very essential and crucial for the development of our society and rural communities,” he stated.

However, while thanking the UK government for its assistance in the power sector, the minister stated that the narrative that Nigeria is the country with the highest number of people in darkness had been pushed too far.

“The British government and other powers have pushed it that Nigeria has the highest number of ‘unelectrified’ persons , I don’t think that is correct. I stand to be corrected.

“We want to work towards changing that and to deemphasise that narrative with due respect to the UK, even if it is correct so that the board can be allowed to work and look for solutions,” he added.

Continued online

passing legislation banning public officeholders from sending their children to a university abroad."

"I, therefore, call on NLC, TUC and civil society organisations to join us to savage the remaining crackers of our public tertiary education in Nigeria," said Asefon.

FG Begins Consideration of Briggs Report on FG-ASUU Renegotiation Committee

Ngige explained that the education ministry wrote to write him to submit the interim report of Prof Mimi Briggs-led renegotiation committee. He also mentioned that the government was working on the interim report, insisting that the lecturers' demands are being addressed, with discussions ongoing.

According to the labour minister, the lecturers are duty-bound to respect the principle of allowing for the dispute to be settled in a peaceful atmosphere and not with

the force of a strike.

"Ministry of Labour and Employment is not the direct employer of the university teachers. The process is that whenever ASUU has a problem with the Federal Ministry of Education, which is their direct employer, the ministry will have to try and resolve it using its internal dispute resolution mechanisms," he noted. "So when there is a breakdown in negotiations, and I apprehend the dispute on my table, and the workers refuse to go back to their work while discussions are ongoing, it is a breach of the labour law. We had apprehended the ASUU strike, we did that on the 22nd of February, and we continued the conciliation on the 1st of March."

According to him, some of the demands of the non-academic staff and other categories of university workers overlap with that of ASUU and have to be addressed holistically.

2023: Atiku Praises South-West Leaders after Three-day Consultations Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful has praised South-West leaders of the party for turning out en masse during his consultative tours with delegates in the zone.

A Monday statement by his media adviser Paul Ibe said the rousing welcome the former vice president received during his three-day tour of the South-West further reinforced his conviction that Nigerians are prepared for a leader who can unite the country.

"Through my interactions with leaders and members of our party in the South-West, I am more abreast with issues that are of utmost concern to the people of that region, and they are issues that are well captured in my five-point policy agenda tagged Unity SEEDs that comprise uniting the country, security, economic and educational reforms, as well as granting more responsibilities to states and local government in order to drive rapid national development," the statement quoted Atiku to have said.

Atiku added, "I am particularly inspired by the commitment of the

leaders and stakeholders of the zone to my vision to forge a united One Nigeria on a deliberate policy of 'One People with One Future' and having ownership of 'One Country'."

Atiku specifically thanked Governor Seyi Makinde, the PDP leader in the South-West, for working to make PDP in the region united and stronger.

“Governor Makinde and I met early Sunday morning in Ibadan before my departure for Osogbo, where we had a robust conversation. I wish to publicly express my confidence in him for driving the PDP in the Southwest to becoming a very formidable party," explained Atiku. "I have no doubts that under his able leadership, the PDP will bounce back as the dominant party in the Southwest. It is my prayer that when I secure the ticket of our great party and elected president in the 2023 elections, we shall work together in bringing about policies and reforms that will promote areas where the Southwest has a competitive advantage."

He also commended other leaders and stakeholders of the party in the region's six states for making his three-day stay rewarding and mutually beneficial.

35

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FUNDRAISING FOR MARGINAL FIELDS...

L-R: Partner, Commercial & Energy Law Practice CANDELP, Israel Aye; Executive Director, Torxen Energy Resources Ltd, Chuks Onwunali; Founder, Arbiterz Media, Dr. Abimbola Agboluaje; and Principal, Lelaw PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN Barristers & Solicitors, Afolabi Elebiju at Arbiterz Conference - 'From License To Oil: Fundraising For Marginal Fields' held at Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos at the weekend

Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Shouldn't Resume Until Victims Are Released, Families Declare Fear God, release our parents, children beg terrorists

John Shiklam in Kaduna The families and relations of the abducted passengers of the March 28, Abuja- Kaduna Train attacked, have declared that train services along the route should not resume until the victims are released from captivity.

This is as children, whose parents

were among those kidnapped in the the train attack, had asked the terrorists to exercise the fear of God and release them, lamenting that life had been tough without their breadwinners At a press conference on Monday in Kaduna, leaders of relations of the abducted people, Dr. Abdulfatai

Jimoh, expressed disappointment with the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), for alleged insensitivity towards the plight of the victims.

The relations also expressed disappointment that they sought

the intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly, “which is the people's Court, but nothing has been forthcoming from them,” adding, “Today marks the 42nd day our loved ones have been held hostage.

“It has been 42 long days of living in fear, virtually no sleep, no bath, wearing the same clothes, under the

2023: Niger, Ogun, Katsina, Nasarawa Assembly Speakers Back Osinbajo Consultation with people critical in complex nation like Nigeria, VP says Deji Elumoye in Abuja The presidential ambition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has received a boost with Speakers of four State Houses of Assembly, declaring their support for his aspiration, even as they described him as the best material to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

At the same time, Osinbajo stressed that consultation with the people was critical in governance and important for national development, especially, in a country as diverse and complex as Nigeria.

The Speakers gave their individual support to Osinbajo's ambition at a dinner on Sunday hosted by the Vice President at his official residence at the Akinola Aguda House, State House, Abuja.

Pledging his support for the Vice President, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Wuse, noted that Osinbajo has the best of capacity to lead as from 2023.

“Few people have the intellectual

capacity, the capabilities that you are exhibiting as the Vice President of this country. We look forward to a situation, where you will be the President. I believe that you will do more if given the opportunity to be president of this country," he said.

Ogun State Speaker, Hon Olakunle Oluomo, noted that Nigerians everywhere appreciated the Vice President, whom he said has shown total capacity in leadership, adding that the country would experience transformation if the Vice President was elected president in 2023.

“His coming will accelerate a lot of development in this country; also he will hit the ground running,” he added.

Their Katsina State counterpart, Hon. Tasiu Musa-Maigari, commended the Vice President’s “good qualities of leadership, honesty, hard work and loyalty,” adding that he would make a very good President.

On his part, the Nasarawa State Speaker, Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi, said, "We appreciate your capacity

and intelligence. And we are thankful that we have somebody like Mr. Vice President in this country.

"We don’t need to be reminded that even Mr. President trusts you so much, and trusts your capacity. You love this country, and we are sure by the time Mr. Vice President takes over from President Muhammadu Buhari, you will start where he ends.

“By the special grace of God, the Vice President will take over the ticket of the APC. We are going to line up behind you. If truly, we want this country to prosper, this is the time to rally round Mr. Vice President. It is not about religion; it is about capacity. We are sure of your capacity and we are sure you are going to take us to the next level.”

Earlier in his speech, Osinbajo said government by partnership was the kind of relationship that made governance easier.

According to him: "The only way to make a complex country like this work is by consultations. There is no other way," emphasising that he

2023: JONATHAN MEETS ADAMU, HOURS AFTER GROUP PURCHASED FORMS ON HIS BEHALF He said he “will be next president of this country.”

Ayade said he would replicate his successes as a state governor at the national level and help address the country’s myriad of challenges.

On his part, Bakare who formally declared in Abuja, yesterday, said his administration would attract a $2 trillion Foreign and Direct Investment (FDI) to the Nigerian economy. He said as president, his administration would deliver in four mandates namely: peace, progress; prosperity and possibilities.

Bakare explained that the Peace Mandate would achieve policy thrust on nationhood leadership, governance and national security, while the Progress Mandate would cater for sectors like education,

healthcare, family and social development.

He added that the prosperity mandate would focus on economic management and infrastructural, while possibilities mandate would focus on science, technology and innovation; foreign policy, sustainability; arts, culture, entertainment and sports.

The spokesman of the Northern Solidarity Group for Timipre Sylva, Suleiman Abdullahi, said they purchased the firm for him because they believed in his capability.

Responding, Sylva said he was honoured and humbled by the show of love, saying it shows commitment not to him, but to Nigeria.

However, Lawan, who was formally presented with the expres-

sion of interest and nomination forms purchased for him by the group led by Nkire, said he had consulted widely and promised to play the game by the rules.

He stated, "I have listened to various calls from all parts of our dear country, our dear nation Nigeria, for me to show interest to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"I want to commit myself to this call and to this movement of Nigerians from all walks of life, rich, poor, north, south, east, west, male, female, old and young.

“I am joining lately. The field is already full of other aspirants.

I want, at this point, to assure Nigerians that the APC is a very beautiful bride and that is why we have many aspirants.”

would apply this partnership model in governance if he was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its presidential flagbearer, and elected as President of Nigeria.

Osinbajo also stressed the value of his experience to lead Nigeria as President in 2023 "In terms of training on the job, I think I am quite well trained. So, I believe very strongly that, although there are other contestants, who are also very capable and competent, I believe that just in terms of readiness, I think that if there is anyone, who is prepared for that, I am certainly that person.

“So, if by the grace of God, I am nominated by the party and the electorate, I think that God helping us, we will be able to do much in office. And one of the very important things for me is what I would describe as a partnership.”

The Vice President recalled his tour of the Niger Delta in 2017, on behalf of the President, which birthed the administration’s Niger Delta New Vision, and restored peace and stability, among other significant development gains in the region.

Said he: "People want to be engaged, they want to be spoken to, they want to hear what government is doing, they want you to hear what their opinions are. That engagement taught me something very crucial, the most important thing of all in this country, is for us to be able to sit down and talk on any issue. People want to be able to express their views, and they want to be heard/helped, and we must create the time to hear them to understand their views.

"Whatever policy that is, engagement is always the best approach, I think that has succeeded in so many instances. I am confident that the partnership model is one that will always work.”

Continued online

scorching sun and rain, and exposed to extreme environmental hazards.

The emotional, psychological, mental, and physical torture arising from these conditions are only imaginable,”Jimoh said.

He lamented that, “Among the abducted passengers are children, some as young as 3 years old, pregnant women, women including an 85-year-old great grandmother, and others. Some of these victims have health challenges requiring daily medications, which they have had no access to in the last 42 harrowing days.

“We read in the news that one of the two pregnant women in captivity delivered her baby in the forest.

Giving birth is supposed to be a moment of joy; how would it have been if this woman delivered her baby in the comfort of a maternity ward? In whose hands? What is the place of birth of this baby, the forest?

"While some families have their breadwinners in captivity, others have their wives, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, and aunts held down in the bush. This hostagetaking has drastically disrupted the living conditions of affected families.

Children are crying every day, with the only question in their mouths being: When are my Mummy and Daddy coming home? What a miserable state!”

Jimoh held that, “Since this unfortunate attack on the AbujaKaduna bound Train, we believe the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside his Security and Intelligence Chiefs, have been working to rescue our loved ones.

“We have been given assurances that a positive outcome of these efforts would be apparent soon.

We must, however, register our displeasure with the way and manner the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has been handling this tragic event since it occurred.

“Just a few days after 28th March, Mr. Amaechi was seen running around the Stadium in Port Harcourt where he declared his intention to become the next President of Nigeria.

We had expected Mr. Amaechi to be running around as to how to get his abducted passengers rescued, and this is highly disappointing.

"Mr. President also directed the Management of NRC to establish a Situation Room to give a minute by minute account of rescue efforts to Relatives of Kidnapped passengers.

Still, one week after this presidential

directive was issued, NRC has neither contacted the relatives of kidnapped victims nor established any Situation Room as directed by the President.

“This display of gross incompetence and insensitivity should lead to the appropriate punishment. Furthermore, we sought the intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly, which is the people's Court, but nothing has been forthcoming from them,” they contended.

The relations, however, expressed gratitude to Nigerians, especially elder statesmen, traditional, religious, and community leaders, and the Nigerian media for lending their strong voices to the struggle and for their prayers for divine intervention, stressing, "We still need this vital support until success is achieved."

Also, children of the victims, in an interview with journalists on Monday, in Kaduna, after a press conference by the relations, appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure the release of their parents.

One of the children, Ismail Abubakar, 11, claimed life has been tough without his father, saying, "I am appealing to them to release my father and others safely. They should let them free. Life has been tough without my father since he was kidnapped."

Similarly, 18 years old Ruqqayatu Jibril, whose two parents were in captivity, pleaded with the terrorists to free their victims.

“I have my two parents in captivity. This is their 42nd day in captivity and still counting. We are appealing to the government to bring back our loves. We have missed them so much. Some of them are breadwinners of the family. We really need them back. We the family are waiting in anguish,” she said.

While noting that living without them has been traumatic, she said, “It is so terrifying. We are appealing to the government to do their best possible to rescue our beloved ones unhurt. We are appealing to the bandits to please free our loved ones. They are also humans. We are humans like you. Even if you don't share anything in religion, then, you share in humanity.

“Why should you just capture fellow citizens. You are also citizens of this blessed. But why should you be capturing people that are your brothers and sisters and keep them in captivity for almost six weeks.

Please and please, fear God and free them."

36

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

THANKSGIVING AND CHURCH DEDICATION...

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; his wife, Tamunominini; National Vice Chairman (South East), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ali Odefa and his wife, Onyinyechi, during Odefa family's Thanksgiving and Church dedication of their son, Prince Seyi, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State...yesterday.

FG Launches New Security Strategy for the Armed Forces Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday launched the new Armed Forces of Nigeria National Military Strategy 2022 that was expected to provide a platform for joint doctrines of the three arms of the military, notably, the Army, Navy and Air Force and other security agencies.

During the launch of the new strategy in Asaba, Delta State, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), also assured of government's commitment towards

the improvement of the general security in the country.

The new document would be an addition to an already existing National Security Strategy (NSS) launched by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in 2019.

The minister, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a four-day Defence Retreat organised by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Asaba, Delta State capital, said the strategy document was part of deliberate efforts by the Armed

MARKETERS: AVIATION FUEL CHEAPER IN NIGERIA THAN OTHER W'AFRICAN COUNTRIES costs skyrocket to worrying levels.

Separately, international traders are exploiting the situation by selling only to the highest bidders."

Meanwhile, at a meeting attended by the airline operators, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC) Mele Kyari, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and other stakeholders, the operators agreed to cancel the planned suspension of their services.

At the meeting chaired by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, it was agreed that six million litres of jet fuel would be made available through the intervention of the CBN governor, at the rate of N480 to the operators.

As a long term measure they also resolved that the operators would begin the process of application for their licence to import jet fuel directly for their operations.

Reading the resolutions Gbajabiamila said: "That we move the language of suspension to canceled. That the issues of shut down has been canceled based on this meeting. “The NNPC and the airline operators both agreed that in the interim of three months, the marketers of choice that you are comfortable with and you know their markup will not drive you out of business would be supplied with jet fuel.

"The third resolution is that in the mid-to-long term, in fact right now, you will begin the process of application for your own license for you to be able to import your own jet fuel, to assist you in your business. Also to the benevolence of the CBN governor that six million litres are available now at N480.

“You will get allocation for the next three months through the

companies you have nominated.

In the process of application for license, midstream should as much as possible grant waivers that would not touch on the security and safety of the process. Committee chairmen on aviation and downstream should follow up."

Speaking for the airline operators, the Vice President of AON, Mr. Allen Onyema, alleged that their woes in the industry was compounded when the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited refused to make available 25,000 metric ton of aviation fuel approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to be sold to them at landing rates to ameliorate the losses they suffered over the months.

Onyema who's the Chairman of Air Peace, told the gathering how his association was invited by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA) to notify them of the President's gesture, and the need for them to nominate trusted and established marketers to take delivery of the 25,000 MT and sell to them at the landing rate.

He said having nominated 10 established marketers to take the product, he, in the presence of his members, called the NNPC GMD informing him of the President's gesture and that their selected marketers would be in touch regarding the product, adding that Kyari refused.

"We were told that a week later that is when the consignment would be arriving Nigeria and when this happened, the next we got to hear from the marketers was that they had already been given the consignment that we were all jostling for.

Continued online

Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to improve security in the nation.

He stated that the retreat with the theme: “Shaping the Armed Forces of Nigeria for Current and Future Security Challenges,” was anchored on the strong desire of the Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs to reposition the armed forces for optimal performance.

This, according to him, was in line with government's aspiration to continue to make needed investments to ensure that the service became a highly modernised force.

He added that the ongoing efforts by government to improve the operational capacity included the acquisition of armoured vehicles, military aircraft and naval vessels as well as enhanced capacity building and defence cooperation with foreign partners in various countries.

Magashi further identified the significant role of technology in combating multifaceted asym-

metric threats, noting that recent deployment of the Nigerian Navy's Falcon Eye as well as strategic unmanned aerial systems by the Nigerian Army and Airforce were recording huge inroads in the areas of cyber security and forensic security.

The minister urged participants at the retreat to carefully examine various statutory documents and policies guiding the establishment and deployment of the Armed Forces in order to align them with the prevailing and future security realities.

Giving further details of the document, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, affirmed that the national military strategy document would serve as a platform for the Army, Navy and Airforce in terms of administration, training, operations and logistics among other aspects of military activities for optimal performance.

Irabor remarked that the Armed

Forces of Nigeria National Military Strategy 2022 document was, "developed to provide a platform for joint doctrines for the three arms of the military to operate seamlessly and effectively."

He said the AFN had continued to evolve towards strengthening its potential in order to suppress the prevailing security challenges.

The Defence Chief further disclosed that the document would serve as a platform for the Army, Navy and Airforce in terms of administration, training, operations and logistics among other aspects of military activities for optimal performance.

He said the AFN had continued to evolve towards strengthening its potentials in order to suppress the prevailing security challenges.

He maintained that there was improved security situation across the country, noting that the situation would continue to get better.

He expressed delight that the

three services were recording operational feats by keying into his leadership philosophy of fostering a professional armed forces capable of effectively meeting its constitutional imperatives.

In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the retreat provided him the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the unwavering support of the AFN towards the maintenance of peace and security in the state.

He said his administration had enjoyed peace which brought about the implementation of policies and programmes in the areas of entrepreneurship, infrastructural and educational development.

The Delta State governor also urged the AFN to use the opportunity offered by the defence retreat towards reviewing its operations by perceiving new trends, evaluating information and strategy to combat emerging security challenges.

Unions Disrupt Activities in Aviation Agencies, Say Airlines Not Their Target Chinedu Eze Aviation unions, which comprised National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE),Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), yesterday, disrupted activities at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) offices located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

They also targeted offices of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) at the international wing of the Lagos Airport, locking up some of the offices, an action that prevented workers from gaining access to their offices, but did not disrupt flight operations.

The unions, however, said their aim was not to stop the airlines from flying as Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) were not members of the striking unions.

The unions had embarked on a two-day warning strike to ensure implementation of the Condition

of Service (CoS) for their members in the affected agencies.

They also alleged that the operating airlines were presently flying blind as none of them could obtain weather report from NiMET and other necessary information from NAMA, even though ATCs were not part of the action.

They, however, hinted that flight services might be disrupted today (Tuesday) following the inability of airline operators to obtain weather forecast for their flights from NiMET. General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, in an interview with aviation correspondents in Lagos, said the warning strike recorded 100 per cent success as their aims and objectives were achieved.

Aba said the airlines were able to operate on Monday, because they had filed their flight plans and obtained weather forecast from NiMET as at Sunday and very early on Monday, but noted that the situation might change today.

The two days warning strike is expected to come to an end today, for possible negotiation with the Salaries and Wages Commission on the implementation of the

Condition of Service (CoS) for their members in the aforementioned agencies.

Ocheme regretted that the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANP), which was hitherto a part of the plan to down tool, opted out in the last minute, saying no reason was given by ANAP for not participating in the action.

“The action has been successful.

All the flights that were operated this morning (Monday), filed in their flight plans yesterday (Sunday) and very early today (Monday). So, they already had their flight plan. With that they could fly, but not such activities had happened since today (Monday), because organs of NAMA that are responsible for it have been shut down since yesterday (Sunday) night and they are still shut down as we speak.

“There has not been any weather report anywhere in Nigeria since 4.a.m today and so, any plane that is flying currently is flying blind. They are the ones to take responsibility for safety under such conditions. We understand that within their own norms, it is allowed, they can fly blind.

I am sure if such practice was okay, there won’t be any need to expend such money to acquire the equipment and set up NIMET in the first place.

“The same happens in all the other arms of NAMA that take part in flight activities this morning.

That is what we have set out to do and at this moment, we don’t have any issue or programme to close down the airport physically or disallow staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from operating in any of the airports. Those are not part of our programme. For the fact that we have withdrawn our services, it is more than 100 per cent success.”

Aba, however, confirmed that members of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) forced open the control tower on Monday morning, but reiterated ATCs were not part of the strike.

“Yes, it is true NAF forced open the control tower this morning (Monday), but the first thing is to say that we apologise for that incident, because it was not part of our original programmem, because ATCs are not part of our operations,” he said.

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest, Monarch, Others in A’Ibom, Bayelsa Okon Bassey inUyo and Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa

A Catholic priest identified as Alphonsus Uboh has been abducted by gunmen within the church premises in Akwa Ibom State.

This is coming few weeks after the Founder and President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle John Okoriko was abducted and N100 millions demanded as ransom.

Similarly, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a traditional ruler, a 50 year-old women and middle aged man at Otuabula community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to sources in the community, the incident happened at about 1a.m. yesterday, when heavily armed gunmen numbering about 20 invaded the community and abducted the victims.

They identified those abducted as the Deputy Paramount Ruler of Otuabula, Mr. Otia Isomom, Mrs. Lucy Osain and Mr. Friday Abah who were taken into a waiting speedboat.

A resident of the community

who witnessed the incident was stabbed with a dagger but luckily escaped from being kidnapped by the gunmen.

Police Spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the kidnapped, and

said that police is intensifying efforts in rescuing the abducted victims, while investigation is ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

Meanwhile, the kidnapped Catholic priest is the Parish Priest of X Parish located at Ikot

Abasi Akpan along Ekparakwa Etinan road in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.

An eyewitness said the gunmen arrived the church premises at about 7.pm on Sunday on motorcycles, forced their way

into the church premises and whisked the priest away after shooting sporadically into the air to scare people.

Checks revealed that the incident occurred after a similar one within the community that

the founder and President of Solid Rock Kingdom Church was abducted in his residence.

He later regained freedom after spending four days in the kidnappers’ den and payment of undisclosed ransom.

AFRICAN MAGIC VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS…

L-R: Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Elohor Olumide Aweh; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), DSTV Media Sales, Fahmeeda Cassim-Surtee; Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola; General Manager, Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye, and the Executive Head, DSTV Media Sales, Doris Ohonugo, during the eight edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

Rivers Lawmaker Not in Court Insecurity: Okowa Tasks Military on Troops’ Welfare as Case Continues May 23 Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has adjourned till May 23 this year hearing on alleged conspiracy and cultism suit involving the state government and a Member Representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency, Hon. Farah Dagogo.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, the accused person who is a governorship aspirant in Rivers State on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), was not brought to the court from

the police custody where has been detained for the past weeks.

Dagogo is facing a two-countcharge on conspiracy and cultism.

In his submission, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Chidi Ekeh, informed the court that fresh new charges have been filed at the Rivers State High Court against Dagogo.

However, Counsel for the Federal Lawmaker, Mr. Femi Adegbite, filed a motion for bail of his client, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.

Meanwhile, the Trial Chief Magistrate, Mr. Amadi Nna, have adjourned the matter till May 23 for continuation of hearing.

1,607,975 School Candidates to Sit for WASSCE 2022 Funmi Ogundare

West African Examinations Council (WAEC) yesterday stated its readiness to conduct the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 1,607,975 school candidates.

An analysis of the schools showed that a total of 20,221 schools have registered for the examination. Out of this number of candidates, 800,055 are males, representing 49.76 per cent, while 800,724 are females, representing 50.24 per cent of

the total number.

The Head of National Office (HNO) Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Areghan, who briefed journalists in Lagos, said the examination would hold between May 16 and June 23, 2022, in Nigeria, spanning a period of six weeks, adding that candidates would be examined in 76 subjects made up of 197 papers.

“About 30,000 practicing senior teachers nominated by various ministries of education would be participating in the examination as supervisors,” he added.

Edo Trains 150 MSMEs on Financial Mgt, Business Funding Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city The Edo State Government has trained 150 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) owners in the state on entrepreneurship and financial management, connecting them to funding opportunities to help them grow their businesses.

Declaring the training programme open in Benin-city, the state Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Cooperative, Afishetu Braimoh, said the state planned to train and empower over 600 MSMEs across the

three senatorial districts of the state.

Braimoh said the training would accelerate their entrepreneurial growth and empower them with the requisite financial knowledge to thrive in their businesses so as to contribute significantly to the state economy.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of MSMEs Development in the Ministry, Mr. Omonbude Oyedoh, noted that 400 are being trained from Edo South, 100 from Edo North and 100 from Edo Central.

Delta Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Nigerian military authorities to prioritise the welfare of officers and men of the armed forces to motivate them in the fight against insurgency and other violent crimes in the country.

Okowa, made the call yesterday at the 2022 Defence Retreat, with the theme “Shaping the Armed Forces of Nigeria for Current and Future Security Challenges’’ held in Asaba.

He said that the armed forces

may possess sophisticated weapons, stressing that without a motivated personnel, they would not achieve desired result.

“As we try to evolve ways in tackling multifaceted security challenges in our nation, another matter requiring priority attention is the welfare of our soldiers at the frontlines.

“It is my considered view that we can have all the sophisticated weaponry and excellent logistics but without motivated and satisfied personnel all our efforts

will come to naught.

“It is, therefore, imperative that we place premium on their welfare so that they will discharge their duties with utmost pride and enthusiasm.

“In the same vein, honouring soldiers who die in the battlefront is the most powerful message we can send about serving our country sacrificially.

“It has the potential to ignite the fire of patriotism in our people and become an inspiration for many others to want to wear the uniform

with pride and assurance,” he said.

Okowa lauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, for his outstanding military accomplishments, describing him as ``a great patriot who has made us proud in various ways through his faithful stewardship in the Nigerian Army.’’

“My dear General, I must say that your exemplary military career sends a very powerful message that hard work, dedication, patience, and loyalty are invaluable ingredients of success.

How BRT Driver, Ominnikoron, Raped Me, Witness Tells Court

Wale Igbintade

A prosecution witness, Nneka Maryjane Odezulu, in the ongoing rape and murder trial of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, yesterday painted a graphic picture of how she was raped by the defendant.

Testifying before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, of the Lagos High Court as the first prosecution witness, Odezulu,

said the defendant raped her from behind after tearing her clothes.

She narrated that the defendant ordered her to remove her clothes that she should stop behaving like a baby.

The witness, who was led in examination in chief by the Lagos State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, said that before the defendant raped her, he slapped her and held her

neck and she couldn’t breath again and he tried to strangle her and then tore her clothes.

Odezulu, 29, a sales representative and a mother, said that on November, 25, 2021, after she closed from her place of work, around 8pm, she stood at Alesh Hotel Bus Stop where she saw the BRT bus parked.

She said that she approached the driver (the defendant) and asked him if he was going to get her bus stop Jakande, and

he said yes.

She stated that she asked how much the fare was and he said N100, so she boarded the bus and sat at the back.

The witness stated that between three and four seconds a man approached the defendant and asked him if he was going to Oshodi and he said yes then they started arguing about the price but later didn’t enter the bus.

Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha Observe Sit-at-Home after Last Monday’s Killings David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Residents of various cities in Anambra State, including towns and villages, yesterday observed the weekly sit-athome exercise with renewed vigour.

This was after last week’s incidences of killings, where over five persons lost their lives in various communities in the state to some hoodlums,

who were enforcing the order.

After the Easter holiday, residents of Anambra had dumped the weekly Sit-athome, and had returned to their normal businesses, but in what looked like a reminder last week, there was renewed enforcement of the exercise by unidentified hoodlums, suspected to be IPOB elements, which led to deaths.

THISDAY reports that

there was total shutdown in major cities including Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Umunze.

In Awka, businesses opened skeletally, but the roads were devoid of vehicles, just as most schools, markets, banks and other public places were shut.

A Journalist, Mr. Ekene Eze, said the renewed observance of the Monday sit at home might not be unconnected to

the killings that occurred last week’s Monday.

“You know, there bad boys know what they are doing.

Once people begin to think that normalcy is returning, and that they can go to their businesses on Monday again, they will go to obscure places in Anambra and kill people, and the news will spread everywhere, and people will sit back in their houses,” he said.

Abubakar Audu Varsity Decries Cultism, Other Social Vices Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The management of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, in Kogi State, has disclosed that the institution has zero-tolerance for social vices like cultism, rape, extortion and others.

The Vice-Chancellor of PAAU, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche, disclosed this while speaking at the weekend during

the 23rd matriculation ceremony of the institution at Anyigba.

Tenuche warned the matriculating students unequivocally to keep off from outlawed social vices in the institution, which might bring to ridicule the name of the university, state and their parents.

She said: “Cultism, rape, extortion, of money from students using class representatives, indecent dressing, among others

are vices that have no place in the new university that we are building. As an administration, we have zero tolerance for these vices.” The vice-chancellor stated that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has given full accreditation to the nine programmes of the faculty of Education recently.

“This means all courses on offer in the university are duly accredited,” she said.

The vice-chancellor explained that the support and love of the university by Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, made the present achievements possible.

She thanked the governor for bequeathing to the university a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research to take place; including restoration of sanity to the system by his security arrangements in the campus.

tuesday may 10, 2022 • T H I S D AY

38

NEWSxtra

Cocoa Farmers Protest Sale of Farmlands to Foreign Firm in Ondo

Some cocoa farmers at Ofosu in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday protested alleged sales of their farmlands to a foreign company by the state government.

The protesters, who blocked the popular Lagos/Benin Expressway, carried placards with different inscriptions such as: ” Respect Our Right to

Livelihood”, Don’t Give Our Land to Mindless Capitalists, ” We Want to Remain Farmers and not Armed Robbers.”

Others are: ” No Farmers, No Nation. Please Don’t Take our Farms” and “Have Mercy in Us. Don’t Take our Farms.”

Speaking to journalists during the protest, the Sasare of Ofosu, Chief Kazeem Akinrimisi, noted that he had been farming on the land for

Former Sokoto State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, yesterday formally handed over the Ministry to the Permanent Secretary, Dahiru Balarabe Abbas.

At the ceremony were the Accountant General, Umar B. Balarabe; Deputy Accountant General, Musa Mohammad Maccido; Director Debt Management, Murtala Umar Dogondaji; and Director Funds, Aliyu Abubakar Dange.

Dasuki, who took over the affairs of the Ministry in 2019, had earlier tendered his resignation in March in compliance with the Electoral Act. Speaking at the ceremony, the former commissioner extolled Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s sterling leadership, which has placed Sokoto in good stead for rapid

growth and development.

Dasuki, who is the Santuraki of Sokoto, said with the prudent management of the resources of the state by the Tambuwal administration, the laudable reforms executed by the finance ministry and the various legacy projects across the state, Sokoto was better positioned to compete favorably for investments and to meet the aspirations of its people.

The former commissioner said he feels fulfilled that he was handing over a reformed ministry that played a key role in the various reforms executed by the Tambuwal administration.

He said with the reforms initiated and executed, the Finance Ministry was adequately prepared to continue to lead the way in the development agenda of the state government.

Fidelis David in Akure

Dasuki Hands over Finance Ministry, Hails Tambuwal’s Performance

over 20 years, stressing that they had been paying their “dues to the state government agencies for farming on the government reserve for years.”

He said that no fewer than 25,000 people were captured in data registration of farmers by

the state government, adding that they had been cooperating with the government directives since 2019 without any misunderstanding between the two parties.

Akirimisi, who said that he paid N6 million as his dues

for farming on the land to the state internally generated revenue agency in 2021, pleaded with the government to allow the farmers acquire the land instead of being under foreigners.

According to him, the

farmers occupy 74 camps of the community on 20,000 acres of land.

Also speaking, Elder Ezekiel Otatunji, an octagenarian, asked the government to consider means of livelihood of the farmers .

Enugu PDP Guber Aspirant Describes Ward Congresses Exemplary The immediate past Secretary to the Enugu State Government and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gabriel Ajah, has commended the conduct of the party’s ward congresses for the election of the three-man ad hoc delegates in the state, on April 30, 2022, as transparent and exemplary for other political parties to emulate across the country.

Ajah, who spoke on the outcome of the election of

the three-man delegates which was held across the 260 wards in Enugu State, called on the party’s delegates to vote for competence, equity, justice and fairness.

Addressing newsmen, he expressed hope that the forthcoming PDP primary election would be free, fair and transparent.

“Experiences, capacity, honesty, integrity and dedication are all needed in public service and leadership, and having

served for three consecutive civilian administrations of former Governors Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi without any dent; these experiences gathered in public service since 1999 to date would be brought to bear.

“It is a clear fact that the people of Enugu State and indeed the delegates of our great party are aware of my capacity, my honesty, my integrity, my character, my humility and,

importantly, my pedigree which are assets in any public contest.

No other contestant has better qualifications than me.

“As a technocrat, I’m academically qualified having read and obtained PhD in my discipline. This should be a conviction to the delegates that the capacity is unequaled.”

In the same vein, he appealed to the party’s delegates to consider the collective interests of the people of Enugu State and support his aspiration.

2023: Mohammed Aliko Joins House of Reps Race in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

A succesful enterpreneur from Bauchi State, Mohammed Aliko Mohammed has expressed interest in contesting for the Misau/ Dambam Federal Constituency Seat under the All Progressive Congress(APC) in the state.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday shortly after purchasing expression of interest and nomination forms for the House of Representatives, Mohammed said he decided to run for the

office because he is “eminently qualified and fit to represent my constituency very well in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly”.

Mohammed said he would use his wealth of experience in leadership and civil service to galvanize the constituency, and assured the people of his commitment in representing the people well.

While also assuring of bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of the constituency,

he promised to focus on socioeconomic, youth and women development in the area.

He said: “ The many and varied experiencesz I garnered in private and public life over the years have imbued me with the needed insights and experiences and my relationship across the country that will help galvanize Misau/Dambam Federal constituency to greater heights in the state and our dear country in general.”

“Today,I have taken this bold

step because I believe at a point in time in every man’s life, we must choose what we want to do and we must take bold decisions, and this is one of the bold decisions I have taken for the betterment of our dear constituency and state.”

His Father, Aliko Mohammed, Dan Iyan Misau, has remained a pillar of strength and knowledge from the North, as one of the first chartered accountants from this part of the country who has groomed many businesses and businessmen across Nigeria.

back page continuation The APC GlAdiATors!

Akinwumi Adesina

Like a cometh, the name of the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, suddenly showed up after some people allegedly put resources together and got him the forms. He has though not commented on the development, it is believed that he was in the know and did not oppose the idea either. But, as in the case of Emefiele, will he too leave the AfDB presidency, which he fought hard to retain for what he might not come close to?

Time will tell.

Yahaya Bello

Hitherto considered a clown in the race, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is fast becoming a force to reckon with. He has taken every phase of the stages to the APC ticket with the kind of seriousness expected of any other candidate in the race and has not relented.

Besides, he has also involved some prominent people with name recognition to give weight to his aspiration.

Bello is no longer joking, if he was initially.

Dave Umahi

His declaration for presidency came immediately after Tinubu’s. But the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, is another contender from the South-east, who means business. With a good record of performance in his state, Umahi is still battling national recognition as he comes off more as a loner. But he is not joking and has tried over the years to be tagged Buhari’s friend by always supporting the president, even when the grounds for such support did not make sense.

Rochas Okorocha

A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, is one of the most underrated, yet, most likely candidate from the South-east. Indeed, talk about the presidential race, Okorocha’s maiden political exposures were for the presidency, which automatically makes him an old hand in the race. Although some still think he is joking, the question others have raised is: what does he stand to lose if he did not run? Thoughtprovoking, isn’t it?

Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba

The Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, had sparked a national debate, when he turned out the first to actually pick up his form. He is also considered one of the few Igbo men close to the president, and his relationship with Buhari is believed to be deeper than what many know. In fact, some had initially said he was the dark horse in the race. But he has since obtaining the form returned to his shell, where he has maintained his usual quiet disposition.

Adams Oshiomhole

Following a failed move to go to the senate, after some of his former aides stood in his way, a former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has eventually joined the presidential race. Bad as it may sound, he is also considered one of those hauled into the race by Tinubu for the same purpose of building an advantage for himself. Oshiomhole is largely seen as having lost significant political relevance in his home state and might be unable to muster the requisite support base for such a huge project. Just another pretender by the way.

Timipre Sylva

Expectations had been high that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, would also throw his hat in the ring, but when was what was not known. That he would be drafted into the race had been linked to plans by some people to whittle the influence of his counterpart in the Ministry of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in the South-south. Yet, the move is not for the fun it. They not only desire to use him to stop Amaechi, these power brokers truly want him as president. Sylva is not in the race to play.

Uju Kennedy

Uju Kennedy is not the only female aspirant in the race for the APC presidential ticket, but the only female to have taken her aspiration a notch up by obtaining the N100 million forms. However, how she intends to play the men to their game on their turf is yet to be seen. That she has shown this much courage is also why many are sympathetic to her cause.

Tunde Bakare

The General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, is one of the few in the race for the APC ticket, who already has a spot: Number 16. The man of God told the world months back that he knew many years ago that he would be the 16th president of Nigeria after Buhari, the 15th, and has been consistent about this. Without a doubt, he has all it takes to be Nigeria’s president, but does he have what it takes to compete on that turf? That’s a question still in the belly of time.

Nicholas Felix

The youngest presidential aspirant and relatively unknown Nicholas Felix, has also mustered a rare courage to push his aspiration to the point of putting his N100 million in the APC purse. Felix, a US-based Nigerian shepherding Miracle Church International, is the second pastor in the race for APC ticket. Whatever was the impetus to hop on the race, he is no more than crowding the stage.

Kayode Fayemi

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, is one of the few persons, who have added class and finesse to the race. With a PhD in War Studies and prominent member of the intellectual community, Fayemi has not come to the race to laze about. He is not only prepared, he has all that it would take to move the nation to the next phase of her development and growth. He is a force to be acknowledged in his spot in the race.

Rotimi Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, is quick to tell whoever cares to listen that he is the most experienced in the race and that is not a lie. After being speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, governor of the state for eight years, Minister for almost eight years, chairman of speakers for eight years, chairman of governors for eight years, the director-general of the Buhari campaign for two times, then, you can only underrate Amaechi at your peril.

He is not in the race to play either and has everything going for him. He is one man to watch out for.

Ken Nnamani

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, is probably trying every office available, having been idle for a while.

After failing to emerge the Deputy National Chairman, South, of the APC at its March 26 National Convention, he has joined the race for the presidency, increasing the number of South-east aspirants in the race. Although there is no debating his capacity, the Enugu State-born politician, has yet to come up strong in the race.

Chris Ngige

Dr. Chris Ngige is the Minister of Labour and productivity and recently joined the race, even after lamenting the cost of forms. However, with ASUU on strike, he and Nwajiuba, have come under stringent criticisms as symbolising an obnoxious impression of the country to the outside world.

But if Ngige’s stint at the Anambra State governorship was anything to ponder, then, capacity would not be a problem. But is he really serious? That’s a question he has to answer convincingly.

Abubakar Badaru

The Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, is one of the movers and shakers in the APC and stepping out for the race is not surprising either. After all, the party leadership recently said it had not settled for zoning yet, meaning the race might be left open as being considered in the opposition PDP. But there are opinions, which claimed those northerners indicating interest were doing so to negotiate for the position of running mate. And if that is true, Badaru is first on the list.

Sani Yerima

Sani Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State, has been quiet for a while, but has suddenly seized the opportunity of the APC Presidential Ticket bazaar to also crowd the space, albeit, for something. He too is said to be considering being running mate to whoever emerges the candidate and therefore, sees this as an opportunity to negotiate the second place or something else. But he doesn’t appear an issue yet.

39

TUESDAY, ͹͸˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

FIFA Orders NFF to Pay Gernot Rohr N157m for Breach of Contract Femi Solaja with agency report

World football ruling body, FIFA, has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay sacked Super Eagles Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, $380,000 (about N157million) in compensation.

Rohr was disengaged from the Eagles job following states of poor performances by the senior

Nigerian football team ahead of the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

But Rohr who took charge of the team in August 2016 and was kicked out in December last year, was not satisfied with NFF’s action and the promise of paying his salaries till the expiration of his contract in 2022.

The Franco-German gaffer

therefore approached FIFA to demand an additional sum for breach of contract without just cause.

Rohr, 68, had sought a total of £1million but has been granted $377,879.46 after a FIFA tribunal decided his claim was "partially accepted insofar as it is admissible".

According to BBC Sports Africa, the ruling by the FIFA players'

status chamber added that the NFF would be sanctioned if Rohr was not paid in full within 45 days.

"If full payment (including all applicable interest) is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision, the respondent (the NFF) shall be imposed a restriction on receiving a percentage of development funding, up until the due amounts are paid," said

the FIFA decision.

The NFF, which is on the verge of announcing another foreign coach for the Super Eagles, will not be appealing the decision.

And a top official of the football body has hailed the FIFA ruling as a victory for the West African nation.

"This sum basically reflects whatever is left to pay him as previously agreed until the end of December 2022," the source, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Sport Africa.

Rohr was highly praised for rebuilding Nigeria between 2016 and 2018, but nervy and lacklustre performances in more recent years and his conservative approach were heavily criticised by the local media and fans.

Despite leading the Super Eagles to both Africa's 2022 World Cup play-offs and qualification for this year's Nations Cup tournament, he came under fire for poor results against lower-ranked opponents during qualifying for Qatar.

Rohr, who guided Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup and to third place at the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt, was subsequently replaced

by Augustine Eguavoen.

This FIFA’s directive is coming barely weeks after the world football body had fined Nigeria $154,000 for crowd trouble that followed Super Eagles draw against the Black Stars at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Ghana claimed the ticket to Qatar 2022 World Cup based on the away goal rule.

Yasin Haji, Chebet Lead World-class Elite Cast to Okpekpe Race

Gernot Rohr (centre) passing instructions to Victor Osimhen (left) and Moses Simon when in-charge of Super Eagles

NFF Hails Idowu as Youngsters Ignite ‘Maracana’ Stadium Kunle Adewale The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lauded the efforts of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation chaired

by Yemi Idowu for the massive transformation of the popular Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle to a world-class facility as over 4000 youngsters across the South West states dazzled at the one-day football fiesta held at the stadium.

Also, the Chairman of AjeromiIfelodun Local Government Council, Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, was also commended for his efforts in facilitating the public-private sector initiative in the council.

NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi described the gesture by the foundation as commendable while hoping that the completion of the facilities would help to unearth more talents for Lagos.

“Indeed it is a fantastic initiative.

The sheer number of children playing football on various pitches simultaneously was a delight to witness,” he said.

“This project epitomizes the concept of ‘The Business of Football’ and how crucial infrastructure is in football development. This is truly evidence of the importance of the private sector in grassroots football development. There are a few more of this coming up in Lagos soon,” he added.

Maracana Stadium located at Tolu Complex in Ajegunle, Lagos received a massive facelift by the foundation with 10 five-a-sides, eight seven-a-side pitches as well as a standard football which was put to test by U-13 players from the South West teams at the weekend.

For Idowu, the gesture by the foundation is in line with its ideals of supporting education, health, and sports. “We are supporting

education, health, and sports through selected institutions and not individuals. We are building capacity building by working with the Lagos State Football Association, the local government and the state government because the structure is there. So when we put in money, this is the kind of outcome expected.

“We did not do this alone. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu took personal interest and removed all bottlenecks. It was a campaign promise for him. He quietly monitored the progress and was always asking what we needed, so we are very grateful to him.

Everything was fast-tracked and

L-R: Chairman, Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, Yemi Idowu; Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Fatai Adekunle Ayoola; and Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal at the Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle ...at the weekend

The newly refurbished Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle, Lagos

that’s why we are here,” Idowu recalled at the weekend.

He also admitted the support given to the foundation to actualize the project.

“The Lagos FA gave us the technical support throughout and of course the Ajeromi Ifelodun local government through the chairman as well.

“The money, of course, we invested and we got the maximum output out of that money because if it had gone another way, we would have spent three times or four times more. I think in terms of value for money and capacity, we have really done well here,” he added.

Upon completion, the facilities would boast of 10 five-a-side pitches, eight seven-a-side pitches, one international size pitch, 50-metre Olympic size pool, one diving pool, a table tennis hall, basketball courts, tennis courts, gym, boxing and mixed martial gym, medical centre as well as an office complex.

Ethiopia’s Yasin Haji and Kenya’s Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei will lead a truly world-class elite cast of athletes to the World Athletics Elite Label eighth Okpekpe International 10km Road Race scheduled to hold on Saturday May 28, 2022in Okpekpe, Edo State.

Haji is the ninth fastest man over the 10km race so far this year courtesy the 27:00 seconds he ran twice in March and at the end of last month to place second and sixth at the 10km de Lille in Lille, France and at the Adizero Road Records, Herzogenaurach in Germany respectively.

He will be challenged for the $20,000 top prize money for the men elite runners by a couple of athletes who have also broken 28 seconds in their career led by fellow Kenyans, Vedic Kipkoech (27.26 personal best), 20-year-old Kiprono Sitonik ( 27.35 personal best achieved this year at the Laredo 10km race in Spain), Emmanuel Kiplagat (27.50 personal best achieved this year in Laredo) and Josphat Kipchirchir (27.53 personal best).

For the women race, Kenya’s Tuei will be the athlete to beat.

She has improved her best from the 30.57 she ran in January 2018 to 30:45 last October at the 10K

Valencia Ibercaja in Valencia, Spain.

Tuei will be hotly challenged for the top prize of $20,000 on offer by compatriot compatriot and former World U18 (2017) and African Youth Championships (2018) 3000m champion, Abersh Minsewo who holds a personal best of 30:58 achieved last November in Lille, France.

Also in with a chance is another Ethiopian, Addisie Mislenew who ran 31.49 personal best last July in Lens, France.

Race Director, Zack Amodu, is confident a new course record will be set come May 28in Okpekpe.

“The quality of elite runners for this year’s race is the best so far and this is easy to understand. The new eilte road race requirements in place since last November make it mandatory for a World Athletics Elite label race to have at least five athletes per gender who have recorded at least the 28:27 standard set for men and 33:07 set for women.

“The standards set are way above the course record of 28:35 set for the men by Ethiopia's Teshome Mekonen and 32.41 set by another Ethiopian, Wude Ayalew at the second edition of the race in 2014,” said an excited Amodu.

Volleyball Federation President Donates Trophies, Medals to Lagos Schools Mary Nnah President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr. Musa Nimrod, has again shown his love and passion for the development of sports by supporting the 6th edition of the Lagos Inter-schools Sports Fiesta.

Nimrod over the weekend donated trophies and medals for the volleyball event just like he did in 2021.

Speaking during the presentation of the items to the Organisers, Wonderland Sports, Nimrod commend them for taking volleyball to schools.

Noting that the development of the sports must start from the schools, he added, “For the sport to grow, we need to focus more on grassroots and our schools are the best place to start. We at the federation are ready to support volleyball at the grassroots level because this will help us discover future players who will replace

the ageing ones.

“We are happy with wonderland sports doing and you can see that is a programme we should all support especially since this programme is endorsed by the Lagos State government through the Sports Commission.”

The Volleyball Federation boss charged other sports federations and corporate bodies to give support to Wonderland Sports.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Event, Tayo Adeyemo said the competition which is in its sixth season will commence May 31at various schools and centres in Lagos with the grand finale billed for Agege stadium.

The events for Season 6 are football, Volleyball, Athletics Basketball, Table Tennis and Tug-of-War. A total of 24 schools are expected to participate with winners going home with trophies, medals and other gift items.

TR

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Kaigama to Nigerian Leaders

“The problems confronting the sub-region have not diminished, they are still there and we need to tackle them with determination. That is why we ask our politicians not to stop at just talking. They talk and promise a lot but with no concrete effort to eliminate hunger, insecurity and diseases that we suffer from. We must go from mere talk to action”---Catholic Archbishop, Ignatius Kaigama, asking the political leaders to wake up from their deep slumber.

The APC Gladiators!

But, below is a one-paragraph focus on each of the 25 APC gladiators so far…

Olawale Olaleye

O

rdinarily, the increasing number of presidential aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), could have passed as understandable. As the ruling party, the near-certainty that its presidential standard bearer could emerge the next president is forgivable.

Unfortunately, it is no longer looking like the drive to partake in the battle for the APC presidential ticket is organic.

Although different narratives are currently in circulation, tailored to explain away why the current messy and unwieldy situation appears so, none, curiously, has been sculpted, however, with the degree of authority required to give fillip to any one of the scenarios and be acceptable, averagely.

With candidates from different parts of the country showing interests in the APC presidential ticket, including those from the north, when the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, is just about to serve out eight years, as well as people never known to be members of the APC or even of the opposition party, now buying the APC forms, then, the situation in the ruling party requires a closer study by politically strategic and analytical minds, to be able to situate the scenarios in close, if not apt context.

At the last count though, some 25 persons, either in person or by proxy, had reportedly paid the N100,000,00 (one hundred million naira) fee for both the nomination and expression of interest forms to the party and yet, the frenzy has not ceased. There could also be more interested persons, before the expiration of the extension of sale of forms by the APC leadership.

Goodluck Jonathan

A former president on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was demonised some years ago by the now ruling party as personifying Nigeria’s problems, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had been touted as likely to join the APC presidential race a long time ago, but had never come clean until some people reportedly came together and obtained the form for him. The presidency is said to have also confirmed the development. So, he is in the race for APC ticket, although he has denied authorizing anyone to do so in his stead.

Yemi Osinbajo

The current Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on April 11, 2022, declared his intention to succeed his principal, Muhammadu Buhari, through a short video uploaded on all the social media platforms. Osinbajo has been labelled a betrayal in the category of Judas by the supporters of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, another presidential hopeful, for daring to challenge his principal of over 15 years ago. This intentional stereotyping has changed nothing though. He is very much in the race and doing well with his consultations.

Ahmad Lawan

Dr. Ahmad Lawan, is the current President of the Senate and less than 24 hours ago, he also showed up with his forms, even though he mealy-mouthed about his intention some hours before that. His leadership of the senate is notoriously a rubber stamp and he has

always defended this choice with the excuse that the legislature was not designed to be antagonistic to the executive. He too has crowded the space.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

He was the first to publicly declare his intention to be president and described it as a life-long ambition. If anyone had thought with his health and age, Tinubu was probably bidding time to flash his true game, the disposition of his supporters to other aspirants from the South-west, his home-zone, has suggested otherwise.

Although perceived to be corrupt and high-handed, Tinubu remains a political juggernaut and frontrunner in the race for the APC presidential ticket.

Ibikunle Amosun

One of the issues in the South-west politics, former governor of Ogun State and senator for Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, declared his intention to run for president last Thursday, May 5, at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, an event that not only showed the critical stuff he was made of, but also what to expect, if he emerges president. Amosun, a close ally of the president, is considered one of the jokers up the sleeves of Buhari.

But how realistic that is with the current madness dotting the stage, is yet to be seen. He is however well heeled for the job.

Ajayi Boroffice

Ajayi Borrofice, a senator from Ondo State, is believed to be a surrogate candidate of Tinubu, as part of the strategies of the former Lagos State governor to amass support and gain prominence, when the time to separate the boys from the men comes. He is by no stretch in

the engagement a threat to anyone, but one of those who have made the race a mess it is already.

Ogbonnaya Onu

The Minister of Science of Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, is one of the few people from the South-east believed to be dear to the heart of the president, despite is avowed dislike for that zone. If Buhari ever wanted an Igbo president, Onu would be amongst the first three people. But many consider him weak, colourless and lacking the capacity for the job he seeks, if his posting at his current office is a marker.

Dimeji Bankole

Young and likeable, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, is one of the aspirants from Abeokuta, Ogun State, who has made the gateway state, a place of interest in the presidential run. But Bankole is considered one of the pretenders in the race. For someone, who could neither return to the House or flex muscles at the governorship race, only a few people take him seriously as a presidential hopeful.

Godwin Emefiele

One of the most controversial aspirations is that of the Governor Central of Bank (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. While no one dismisses his right to contest as a Nigerian, the fact that he occupies a prominent place in the nation’s political economy triggered massive reactions against his ambition. Although he has reportedly recently challenged the situation in court, the question remains: will Emefiele leave certainty for uncertainty?

The jury is still out as far as his aspiration is concerned.

Continued on Page 38

Goodluck Jonathan

Yemi Osinbajo

Ahmad Lawan

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Ibikunle Amosun

Ajayi Boroffice

Ogbonnaya Onu

Dimeji Bankole

Godwin Emefiele

Akinwumi Adesina

Yahaya Bello

Dave Umahi

Rochas Okorocha

Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba

Adams Oshiomhole

Timipre Sylva

Uju Kennedy

Tunde Bakare

Nicholas Felix

Kayode Fayemi

Rotimi Amaechi

Ken Nnamani

Chris Ngige

Abubakar Badaru

Sani Yerima

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com