FRIDAY 12TH MAY 2023

Seplat Crisis Spirals Out of Control as Court Suspends CEO, Chairman, Others

Directs SEC to appoint interim leadership

Omiyi: We have appealed, filed motion for stay of execution

Adamu: We Didn’t Consult Adequately on Zoning of NASS Leadership Positions

Admits responsibility, says party will reconsider position

Aspirants warn opposition may have its way in 10th Assembly Yari: North will take decision if zoning isn’t reviewed

injustice needs to be corrected, says Musa We will challenge it, Kalu declares

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, yesterday, admitted that the leadership of the ruling party did not consult sufficiently before arriving at its position on zoning and choice of nominees for the headship of the 10th National Assembly. Adamu accepted responsibility for all that the zoning arrangement had caused in the party, and promised that the party would reconsider its position.

But some aggrieved aspirants to the National Assembly’s principal positions, yesterday, stormed the national secretariat of APC in Abuja, with a warning to the National Working Committee (NWC)

Continued on page 6

TransitionNews

Tinubu Won’t Practise Nepotism, SWAGA Assures Nigerians

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The National Coordinator of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, has said the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, would not marginalise any section of the country whether they voted for him or not.

He also said being a man with a large heart, Tinubu would not concentrate development or appointments in a section of the country alone.

Adeyeye, a former spokesperson for the 9th Senate gave the assurance while speaking with journalists in Abuja, yesterday.

The Afenifere chieftain said, Tinubu had no reason to marginalise any part of the country because he won his election convincingly across the country.

He explained that Tinubu had the constitutional requirements in five out of the six geopolitical zones cutting across 31 out of the 36 states of the Federation.

“This shows a big spread throughout the country. The framers of the constitution says whoever will be president of Nigeria must have presence of support widely throughout the country. Tinubu has met that requirements.

“Notwithstanding, however, the people in a few areas of

Rtd Army General Urges Tinubu to Reflect Fairness, Equity in Appointments

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

In expectation of the character of the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, a retired general in the Nigerian Army, Dr (Gen) Olu Bajowa, has urged the president-elect to ensure his appointment reflects the diversity of the country.

Bajowa said equity and fairness in his administration would further safeguard peace and unity in the country.

Speaking yesterday during the 10th Synod of the Diocese on the Coast at Ebenezer Anglican Cathedral, IlutitunOsooro in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, he said as the nation embarked on building a new Nigeria, principles of fairness, equity, justice, and the rule of law, should reign supreme. According to him, “Nigeria

is presently engulfed with the problems of decadent and vices of moral compass, corruption, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and insecurity, which are compounded by a defective unitary constitution. These challenges require God’s intervention.

“God who hears, cares, and divinely intervened to save all of us during the Covid-19 pandemic, the same God, with our ardent prayers will continue to care for us, as the nation now embarks on building a new Nigeria, in which the principles of fairness, equity, justice, and the rule of law, should reign supreme.”

He explained that the selection of the theme of the 10th Synod: “The God who hears, cares and intervenes” was timely, apt and divinely inspired.

the country, where it was very obvious he did not meet the constitutional requirements have absolutely nothing to fear in the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“He is a man with a large heart, who had already stated that he would be fair to all sections of Nigeria. Therefore, the mere fact that some people did not vote for him would not in any way, prevent him from carrying out developmental projects in their areas.

“Everybody should rest assured that Tinubu’s

government would be fair to all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Every area of the country will be well attended to and the people there will be accommodated in his government. It is therefore necessary for all Nigerians to rest assured that better days are ahead for everybody

“Tinubu will be for all Nigerians and would never be against any Nigerian. He has been elected as President of Nigeria and he is going to work for every Nigerian irrespective of their religion,

ethnicity, gender or age. He will ensure even development of the entire country. If any area of the country is neglected, it will drag other areas, back. We must carry ourselves forward in terms of social economic development.”

Adeyeye, who claimed Tinubu’s immediate task would be to address the issue of insecurity, said, “Insecurity though pervaded in all parts of the country is more endemic in others. Therefore, serious attention would be given to areas, where the problem has

become almost intractable.

“Once the problem of insecurity is solved, it will trigger massive social and economic activities which would have multiplayer effects on all sectors of the economy. He (Tinubu) will deploy all strategies to solve the problem including technology

“It may also require the decentralisation of the security architecture of the country. I know that having done well in terms of security in Lagos State, when he was governor,” Adeyeye added.

Umahi: APC’ll Resolve N’Assembly Leadership Tussle Amicably

Sunday Aborisade, Abuja

Ebonyi State Governor and senator-elect aspiring to become Senate President in the 10th National Assembly, Dave Umahi, has assured Nigerians that the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would resolve the presiding officers tussle before the June 13th date of the inauguration. Umahi spoke with journalists after he delivered a paper at the ongoing one-week induction programme for the newly elected senators and House of Representatives members for the 10th National Assembly.

The programme was jointly organised by the management of the National Assembly and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja, yesterday.

Umahi said, “Democracy is all about resolving all

emerging controversies. The position of our party has given rise to some unavoidable controversies. There is no position the party would have taken that will not attract criticism or controversies.

“I think that the party and our leadership are very capable and full of wisdom to resolve whatever might be the differences. I am very sure they are working on it. I have said the baseline to reset this country is patriotism. You cannot be asked to be patriotic if you are intentionally excluded.

“The country must be seen to be one and our leadership must sit down and take a conscious decision to do things differently. We have to talk to all the zones and ask the what they want. We must provoke discussion and dialogue. I believe that doing that will help us unravel whatever might be the problem of the regions.

“Our leadership and the

three arms of government must also be able to sit down and talk. We must make up our mind to put Nigeria first. It is on the basis of that, built on equity, fairness and justice that everybody will look at this country as their own and begin to put Nigeria first, knowing that they are part of the project Nigeria.

“There is also the issue of inclusiveness. There is the need for the three arms of government to sit down and ask ourselves one common question. Do we want to reset this country? If we want to reset this country, a lot of sacrifices must be made. There must be patriotism to reset this country.

“This has to be done so that our people can see the country as first. America is great because the people see America first. The country must be reset on the platform of equity, fairness and justice,”

Umahi said, as he condemned the idea of discussing the ongoing presidential election petitions tribunal on the pages of newspapers and the social media.

He said, “I think that INEC has done a beautiful job and I think people should stop media trial. The National Assembly should be able to look at that. Fake news is another thing because it has influenced a lot of insecurity in this country.

“Somebody will just sit down in his house and just dish out fake news. Those who have said they won the election and will prove it has not been able to do that. Since they are doing media trial, you have to be able to proof it before the media. You cannot be vomiting and kissing at the same time. You expect justice from the media and also staging media trial. Which one do we follow?”

Tinubu

Umahi

Buhari, Akeredolu Celebrate Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, At 97

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Fidelis

David in Akure

President Muhammadu Buhari and Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu have

joined Afenifere, friends and family in celebrating with Pa Reuben Fasoranti on his 97th birthday, admiring the courage, wisdom, resilience and visionary leadership that the nonagenarian

continues to provide.

Buhari, in a statement yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, affirmed that Pa Fasoranti's personal profile conveys the remarkable history of Nigeria from

Independence, with his participation in shaping political and economic developments in the first, second, third and fourth republic, and fearlessly advocating democratic rule under the military rule.

ADAMU: WE DIDN’T CONSULT ADEQUATELY ON ZONING OF NASS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

of the party that the opposition parties might have their way as regards the legislative offices if the proposed zoning arrangement was not reviewed.

The aspirants, who met with members of the APC NWC, led by Adamu, included former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu; and Senator Sani Musa.

Yari said the North would take a decision if the zoning agreement was not reviewed.

Similarly, Musa said the injustice inherent in the zoning plan must be corrected, while Kalu vowed that they would challenge the proposed zoning.

However, Adamu pleaded with the aggrieved senators to hold their fire, saying the APC leadership would revisit the zoning formula.

Meanwhile, the APC leadership set aside the purported suspension of Senator Barnabas Gemade, Professor Terhemba Shija, and five others by the Benue State Executive Committee of the party.

The leadership of the ruling party had on Monday endorsed former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio (from Akwa Ibom State in South-south) for Senate President, and Tajudeen Abbas (from Kaduna State in Northwest) for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In response to the controversial endorsement, some aspirants to

the office of Speaker and several members-elect on Wednesday warned the NWC and other party stakeholders to prepare for a repeat of the 2015 scenario should the party allow the zoning formula to stand.

Senators and House of Representatives members had in 2015 defied the ruling party’s choices and elected their own independent candidates for principal positions in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

However, responding to the complaints by aspirants to the principal positions of the 10th National Assembly, Adamu said the APC leadership had accepted responsibility for everything that happened. He admitted that the lawmakers were not adequately consulted.

The APC national chairman appealed to the senators to suspend all actions and allow the leadership of the party to revisit the issue.

Adamu told the aggrieved senators, "Yes, we had no adequate consultations with you, who are contesting and it is a primary feature of democracy that you consult with people. But the circumstances we found ourselves in after the elections frustrated our desires for consultations and the much we did gave birth to what was given to the public.

"We must, as democrats, open up and so when the NWC sat, we were clear that we had received,

with respect, the outcome of the meetings with party leaders comprising leadership of the Senate, Representatives, and the party.

"We will go back to the drawing board. We owe our party and ourselves that duty. We will take a look at it. Hold the fire until the last word is heard from us. We are the custodians of the party, but we are not acting alone.

"The voice of the president-elect is an essential voice and we must accommodate him the best way we can. I will not compromise on that. He is out of the country now but when he comes back, we will have a meeting with him. The same team that we had at the first meeting with him.

“If he wishes to enlarge the team, it is fine. We are not immune from mistakes. As humans, we can make mistakes. So, if we find out from our consultations that there are mistakes, we will not be ashamed to correct them."

Adamu said he was somewhat tongue-tied on the issue of Northcentral, but he assured the zone that the leadership of the party would take examine their complaints.

He stated, “I am a bit tongue-tied because I am from the North-central and so, I will be talking about myself. Your arguments are plausible and I can assure you that we will take a look at them. I don't want to agree that votes are not essential in this because votes are the voices

of the people.

“We won't behave like the proverbial ostrich. Our ears are to the ground and our eyes are open. We are listening to what our leaders and Nigerians are saying and we will definitely take another look at this."

Yari said they were at the party secretariat to express their dissatisfaction with the zoning template, because what they expected from the party was fair play.

The former governor said, "We are here to present our letter of grievances to you and also tell this honourable house as leaders that we are not satisfied with the arrangement and what we are expecting from you people is to give us fair play.

"So, Mr. Chairman, we have been in this game and we understand it very well; it is about the dialogue. We are looking at the election we won in 2023 and the next election is 2027 and it depends on how we play the part.

"Mr. Chairman, we know each and every success come from God. Mr Chairman, we from this axis, we strongly believe that we have done our best, despite the whole challenges. Everyone has done his best, but we are number one.

“One other thing about people from the North, they believed Buhari was a messiah, that was why they came blindly and picked

SEPLAT CRISIS SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL AS COURT SUSPENDS CEO, CHAIRMAN, OTHERS

Emma Fitzgerald, Dr. Charles Okeahialam, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, Mr. Rabiu Bello, and Mrs. Bashirat Odenewu, as well Company Secretary, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa, and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Samuel Ezeugwuorie, who were listed as second to 10th defendants alongside the CEO and the Chairman.

The court consequently ordered the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to immediately appoint suitable persons to run the affairs of the company, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice filed by the applicants.

The orders were made by Justice Inyang Ekwo, sequel to an ex-parte motion filed by Juliet Ebere Gbaka, Margret Awobusuyi Funmilayo, and Clement Akaeme, Plaintiffs, against the company, its board and management, with SEC, Datamax Registrars Limited, and PriceWaterHouseCoopers as Respondents in the lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ.CS/626/2023.

Ekwo made the order, stating, “Order is hereby made restraining the second to the 10th Defendants, their agents, privies, assigns, personal representatives, anyone acting on their behalf or instruction, from operating or functioning as officers of the First Defendant (Seplat Energy), pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Applicants.

“Order is hereby made restraining the second to the 10th Defendants from taking decision or any action whatsoever in respect to the day-to-day running of the First Defendant, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by the Applicants.

“Order is hereby made suspending the second to 10th Defendants as directing minds and secretary of the 1st Defendant, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice by the Applicants,” Justice

Ekwo ruled after hearing Dr. A.I Layonu (SAN), counsel for the plaintiffs.

In a separate ex-parte order, Ekwo, among others, granted the applicants the leave to serve their Originating Summons and their frontloaded court processes dated 8th May, 2023, Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction dated 8th May, 2023, all orders made in respect of the suit and all subsequent Court processes filed by the Applicants on second to 10th Defendants by delivering a copy of the court processes to the registered address of the Seplat at 16A, Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

The court adjourned the matter to May 23, 2023, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.

The crisis rocking the foremost indigenous energy company had resulted in a floodgate of litigations, with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) pulling out of the firm’s Wednesday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), citing an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining the embattled directors of Seplat from conducting the exercise.

The CAC had, in a letter signed by Mr. Lugman Salman, for the Registrar-General, stated, “As you may be aware, the Commission is the 10th Respondent in Suit No: FHC/ ABJ/PET/8/2023 between Boniface Okezie & 4 Ors Vs. Seplat Energy PLC & 9 Ors. As you may also be aware, the court had on the 28th April 2023 ordered that parties should not tamper with the res until issues are resolved.

“In view of the order of the court referred to above, the Commission, being a party to the suit, is under the obligation to obey the order. The Commission will therefore neither attend the AGM nor give cognisance to any resolution that may arise therefrom.”

However, in a swift reaction to the court order, Seplat vowed to take immediate steps to counter

the court order.

Seplat, in a statement issued last night, signed by Mrs. Chioma Afe, of its Communications and External Affairs Directorate, said the company had immediately filed an appeal to counter the interim orders against its officers.

It said as a law-abiding entity, it had defended the Interim Orders by immediately filing an Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Orders.

Seplat Energy explained that it had been advised by its legal team that the interim orders, which were yet to be served on the company or its officers, could not be enforced until the Court of Appeal had heard and determined the appeal and application for Stay of Execution.

The statement read, in part, "Seplat Energy is aware of certain media publications that the Federal High Court, per Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo, sitting in Abuja in suit number FHC/ ABJ/CS/626/2023 – Juliet Gbaka & 2 others v. Seplat Energy Plc & 13 others granted ex parte Interim Orders against Seplat Energy and some of its Officers.

"The interim orders, which are yet to be served on the company or any of the affected officers, primarily restrain the Board Chairman, the named Independent Non-Executive Directors, the Chief Operating Officer and the Company Secretary from operating or functioning as officers of Seplat Energy in any capacity, or otherwise conducting the affairs of the Company.

"The company, as a law-abiding entity, has defended against the Interim Orders by immediately filing an Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Orders.

“Seplat Energy has been advised by its legal team that the Interim Orders, which are yet to be served on the Company or its officers, cannot be enforced until the Court of Appeal has heard and determined the Appeal and application for Stay of Execution.

Buhari noted the overwhelming influence of the Afenifere leader in the South West, and across the country, preserving the legacies of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, after working side by

us without any condition or in regard to anything. But despite the fact that many things have happened along the line; they maintain the relationship, they maintain the love and they have not given excuses in 2019; they came out and elected him again.

"The president-elect got 63.4 per cent votes of the northern extraction. Where he came from, the south, he got 36.6 per cent. Atiku Abubakar from Northern Nigeria got 68.8 per cent of the total votes and he got from southern Nigeria, 33.2 per cent."

Yari pointed out that if the pattern of voting by each region at the last general election was to be considered, the northern region could easily say they own the president-elect

He added, "We should not be blinded,” as no one had absolute power, “but only God is absolute. We should not look at this four years as 20 years and then we are going into another election. We are going back to the next election."

Yari noted further that Adamu should be able to look the presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the face and tell him the truth for the betterment of the party and the country.

According to him, "We are expecting that you give us at least a fair play. Now if you look at the calculation of what we have in the Senate, it is not a magic, if care is not taken, if we play the way you presented to us, the opposition can have their way. The margin between us and the opposition isn't much.

"So, Mr. Chairman, we are not

side with him in building the Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria, and serving as Commissioner of Finance in Ondo State from 1979 to 1983.

As a patriot that has walked the streets leading protests and worked as Principal in many schools, the president believed Pa Fasoranti's strength comes from a deep fear of God, which is the measure of good a Christian, and love for humanity.

Buhari prayed for more grace of divine strength and health for the visionary leader.

For his part, Akeredolu congratulated the leader of the PanYoruba socio-political organisation on the occasion of his 97th birthday, describing him as a reference point for quality leadership.

Akeredolu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said Pa Fasoranti remains a committed and patriotic Nigerian whose passion and dedication to nation-building and national development is undisputable.

According to the governor, despite his old age, the nonagenarian statesman was still committed to the nation’s democratic development and gains.

“Pa Fasoranti is our pride in Yorubaland. He is a leader and father of our race. We embrace his tenets and steadfastness. His passion for the development and progress of the country is commendable.

“Despite old age, Pa Fasoranti has continued to contribute meaningfully to the progress of our land and the country. He is not just a Yoruba leader; his foresight, commitment, and unwavering faith in humanity are unrivalled.

"This petition is a third in the series of duplicative petitions filed by purported minority shareholders between March and April 2023, as part of orchestrated attempts to damage the Company in response to its unrelenting efforts to improve corporate governance by eliminating related party transactions and implementing other corporate governance initiatives."

The Seplat statement further read, "The company previously announced that: The Federal High Court in Lagos, per Hon. Justice Aneke, in Moses Igbrude & 4 ors V. Seplat Energy & 2 ors, has vacated the ex parte Interim Orders that required the Company’s CEO to step aside.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja, per Hon. Justice Ekwo, V. Seplat Energy & 8 ors, had formally dismissed the Immigration Charge against the Company and some of its Officers, and fully discharged all named Officers.

"This discharge followed the Notice of Withdrawal/Discharge filed by the Director Legal of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Company’s cooperation with the immigration authorities.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, per Hon. Justice Ekwo, in Boniface Okezie & 4 ors. V. Seplat Energy & 9 ors, refused to grant to the petitioners’ request to grant ex parte Interim Orders restraining the Company from holding its AGM."

The company noted that it remained relentless in its commitment to governance and operational excellence.

Seplat maintained that it would continue to, "diligently defend against these deliberate court actions, and remains confident and hopeful that the courts will appropriately address these unending litigations on the same subject matter in short order. It is imperative to state again that the company and the affected officers are yet to be served with any order of the court apart from the media report.”

Continued on page 44

“Baba's experience and advice are most desirable. He has navigated, over the years, the political terrain of our country. His wisdom, high moral value, and beliefs are essential guides for desired development,” the statement added.

TAMBUWAL: ATIKU IS INCOMING PRESIDENT, CONFIDENT TRIBUNAL WILL RESTORE PDP MANDATE

Atiku, too, assured the gathering that PDP would recover its mandate, because the party did not lose the February 25 presidential election.

Acting national chairman of PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagun, advised the judiciary to be careful in handling the presidential election petitions challenging the declaration of the APC candidate and president-elect, Bola Tinubu, as winner of the February 25 presidential poll. Damagun said the action of the judiciary would determine the growth of democracy in Nigeria

Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, in his comments, called for unity among PDP members in the states. Sambo expressed worry at the rate of crisis in PDP and suspension of members, saying it is alarming.

According to Tambuwal, "We have the confidence that at the end of the day, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, will be restored as the constitutionally elected president. From what is on ground, we are confident that the mandate will be restored. We see him as the incoming president."

In his brief remarks, Atiku said, "We want to refocus our party for the task ahead. I want to assure you that our party did not lose the presidential election. Let's stay determined to retrieve our mandate in the last presidential election.

"We have a lot of challenges. We used to have the PDP as the dominant party in Nigeria, but we have been receding and we must ensure that we remain united and regain our past glories. We should ask ourselves why we are in the present situation and find ways to retrieve our past glories. But before them, we must stay focused."

The acting national chairman of

PDP stated that the judiciary remained the last hope of the common man.

He said, "The actions of the judiciary will determine the growth of democracy in this country. The only solution by the judiciary is to ensure that Nigerians have a just adjudication in all issues before them."

On the crisis in the party, Damagun said, "We in the NWC pledge to solve our internal crisis. There would be no cause for alarm." He commended the outgoing PDP governors for their support to the party, while calling on the incoming governors to emulate their predecessors in both their moral and financial support to the party.

Earlier, Sambo, who was the chairman of the occasion, tasked the PDP on unity, citing the crisis in the party in Kaduna State.

He appealed to the leadership of the PDP to intervene, as "The suspension of members left, right and centre is not good for growth and development of the party in Kaduna and other state chapters.”

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Muda Yusuf, and it was on the topic, "Good governance at the subnational level: Issues, Perspective, Expectations and Outcomes”.

In his lecture, Yusuf decried the increasing debt profile of Nigeria, which had risen from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to almost over 80 trillion in 2023. He said the situation on Nigeria was becoming like the Idi Amin of Uganda, where it's currency became a toilet paper Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, blamed the mismanagement of the economy on the federal government. Obaseki cited an instance, when he complained against the economy and members of the opposition party accused him of playing politics with the economy.

APC SENATE PRESIDENT ASPIRANTS MEET NWC…

Emefiele Urges Financial Institutions to Guard against Emerging Risks

Nume Ekeghe and Oluchi

Chibuzor

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has called on risk professionals in the financial industry to broaden their scope of risk management practices in order to guard against emerging risks.

Speaking at the formal inauguration of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), which was previously known as the Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), in Lagos, yesterday, Emefiele who was represented by the Director of Risk Management Department, CBN, Dr. Blaise Ijebor, stressed that the CBN was committed to fostering robust risk management culture within the industry by enabling the identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks at both institutional and system-wide levels.

Emefiele, emphasised the need for financial institutions to adapt and evolve their risk management frameworks in order to effectively address emerging risks and challenges.

He noted that with rapid advancement of technology and changing dynamics in the financial sector, it had become imperative for risk professionals to expand their expertise beyond traditional areas such as credit and liquidity risk.

Emefiele said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria from its inception has increasingly emphasised the need for financial institutions to build out risk and compliance teams.

“Initially focusing on credit, liquidity and prudential risk management, the lessons learned from previous major risk events such as the global financial crisis, along with greater utilisation of digital channels in the provision of financial services have increased the scope and practice of risk management in the financial services industry.

“Today, we have very mature formal structures in place for identifying, assessing and aggregating risks to enable the formation of an enterprise-wide view of the risks that are associated with financial services and the operations of the central bank. We have also put in place measures to effectively manage these risks.”

He added that the evolution of risk management within the central bank led to the establishment of its Risk Management Department in 2010, describing it as, “an attestation to our commitment and a confirmation that the management of the CBN is willing to lead the industry from the front.”

“We believe that the implementation of a robust risk management framework is critical to the achievement of the Bank’s mandate and safeguarding the

stability of the Nigerian financial system. As you would expect, risk management continues to be a major consideration in many of the key decisions and initiatives of the CBN,” he said.

Further speaking on the CRMI attaining its chartered status, he added: “The elevation of RIMAN to a Chartered Institute is a clear testament to your collective commitment to enhancing risk management practices in our country; through the provision of high-quality training and certification programs.

“I, therefore, charge the Institute to use its position to develop a pool of skilled risk management professionals who will help to develop and implement effective risk management strategies and procedures that will help to contain different forms of risks and support the growth and stability of our financial system in today’s rapidly changing world.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the institute, through the promotion of best practices in risk management has the potential to contribute in significant ways to the broader financial sector and the larger economy.

“I, therefore, charge the institute to see itself as a change-maker in our joint effort to grow our national economy and improve the lot of the common man,” the CBN governor

said.

On his part, the President CRMI, Dr. Ezekiel Oseni, said yesterday marked a significant day in the history of risk management in Nigeria, following the inauguration of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria; an organisation dedicated to promoting the highest standards of risk management practices in Nigeria. He said: “Our aim is to ensure that individuals and organisations in Nigeria adopt excellent risk management practices to achieve their strategic objectives in a secure and sustainable manner.

“The creation of this institute is an evidence of the commitment and dedication of our professional colleagues towards advancing the practice of risk management and providing our members the opportunities for growth and development.

“As we inaugurate this institute, we do so with a clear vision and our mission is to promote excellence, innovation, and professionalism in risk management, to advocate for the interests of our members, to contribute to national development, to add value to industries and corporates, as well as entrenching best risk management practices in the public sector, and to foster collaboration and networking among relevant professionals, institutes and association,” he added.

EFCC Tasks Banks’ Compliance Officers on War against Corruption

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin.

The Zonal Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Michael Nzekwe, yesterday called on the banks’ compliance officers in the country to join hands with the agency in the war against corruption.

Nzekwe, also urged them to be diligent and avoid being complicit in fraudulent financial practices in the banking sector.

Nzekwe, made the call in Ilorin, yesterday, during a meeting with compliance officers of banks held at the Commission’s Office in Ilorin.

The meeting, which drew

participants from Kwara and Kogi State, was aimed at building stronger relationship between the staff of the critical unit of banks and the Commission in the fight against corruption.

He said, "We invited you here today to nourish our existing relationship, educate ourselves on the new trends in cybercrime and seek areas of further collaboration as stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria."

He charged the bankers to adhere strictly to bank rules, regulations and be diligent in the discharge of their duties.

On the issue of "Know Your

Customer" (KYC) and "Know Your Customer's Business" (KYCB) the Zonal Commander tasked the bankers to take the two requirements seriously as it would help to keep fraudulent customers on the radar.

“We advise that as bankers, you carry out due diligence and know your customers KYC. By doing this, you save yourselves from trouble and make our job easier," he added. According to him, “there is no major fraud especially money laundering that is ever committed without the connivance of bank officials.”

The Zonal Commander also reiterated the need for bankers and

EFCC operatives to be on the same page as new trends in cybercrimes continue to unfold.

He charged the bankers to share necessary information and report suspicious transactions to the Commission.

He appreciated their presence at the meeting and expressed hope that the engagement would birth a more cordial working relationship between the banks and the EFCC.

Participants stressed the need for regular meetings in order to build stronger tie between the banks and the EFCC that would engender compliance culture in the Nigerian financial sector.

He further urged all government institutions to adopt exemplary risk management practices in all their dealings, saying it was crucial for them to embrace effective risk management approaches across their operations. He said: “We also call on all government institutions to embrace excellent risk management practices in all its transactions. Governments are faced with a wide range of risks, including those related to national security, economic stability and

social welfare.

“The government has a responsibility to ensure that public resources are managed effectively and efficiently. Excellent risk management practices will help governments to identify, evaluate, and manage risks in a timely and effective manner.

“Therefore, it is essential that government institutions in Nigeria adopt excellent risk management practices to achieve their strategic objectives.”

FCTA Reiterates Commitment to Harmonising Overlapping Laws to Strengthen Ease of Doing Business

Fidelis David in Akure

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, yesterday, said the FCT Administration was determined to harmonise overlapping laws and regulations within various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) that were militating against the ease of doing business processes in the FCT. Bello stated this at the opening of a two-day retreat on ‘Harmonisation of Revenue and Promotion of Ease of Doing Business in the Federal Capital Territory,’ organised by the Administration in collaboration with the FCT Internal Revenue Service, held in Akure, Ondo State.

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Olusade Adesola, explained that Abuja, being the mirror of the country, must be a model in the ease of doing business agenda of the administration that should be emulated.

"One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to harmonise revenue collection across the FCT. As you are aware, there are currently multiple agencies and departments responsible for collecting various types of taxes and fees from businesses and individuals. This has created confusion, duplication, and inefficiency, within the system.

"The FCT IRS was created to meet this challenge amongst others. However, despite its current efforts, we all must appreciate that there is a lot of room for improvement which I am sure this retreat will look into critically and recommend ways for advancement in this regard.

“By drawing from the experiences

of similar agencies and other stakeholders from across Nigeria and cross-fertilising ideas this retreat will not only enable the FCT meet its projected targets but will also help in shoring up the revenue base of other sub-nationals across the country as well.

"It is imperative therefore that programmes such as this are sustained. And judging from the professional antecedents of the guest speakers, resource persons and other highly respected personalities at this convergence, I have no doubt that we shall make significance progress in collective revenue generation and business promotion drive," he stressed.

According to him, the retreat brings together the broad spectrum of stakeholders to rub minds and exchange ideas on how best to ensure that FCTA attain the highest IGR generating sub-national status.

"As you all know, the uniqueness and dynamism of the FCT attracts people and businesses from all over the world. It is the seat of the Nigerian government, a budding centre of commerce and trade, and a hub for innovation and creativity.

“However, as with any growing and evolving city, there are challenges that we must address to ensure that the FCT remains competitive, efficient, and attractive to investors and entrepreneurs," he added.

He emphasised that, "the FCT Administration has over the last few years embarked on some reform programmes to encourage the establishment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in the nation’s capital.

L-R: Senate President Aspirants, Sen. Sani Musa; Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu; Sen. Abdullaziz Yari, APC National Secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore and APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, during a meeting between the Senators and the NWC at the party's national secretariat in Abuja ... yesterday

ENOCK REUBEN

NBCC'S SHARING EXPERIENCE SERIES...

PENGASSAN Expresses Concern over Nigeria's Rising Debt Burden

Obi: We can reverse economic slide

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has described Nigeria's current debt profile put at N77 trillion as alarming and calamitous.

It said the cost of servicing the debt would eat up all the country's annual revenue thereby derailing the 2023 budget.

Specifically, the union said the current debt profile as at first quarter of 2023, was mind-blowing and may take several generations to repay them

The association also expressed concern over what it described as a disturbing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) prediction that about 25.3 million people in Nigeria may face food insecurity, beginning from next month to August this year.

But the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, said the situation could be changed for good if the next administration genuinely utilises the enormous resource potentials abound in the country.

Speaking at the opening of the 7th Triennial Delegates Conference which commenced in Abuja, yesterday, PENGASSAN president, Festus Osifoh, said current state of economy was of great concern to the union.

He said the situation had become so bad that Nigeria would be using virtually all the monies generated as a country to service her debt.

Osifoh said: "According to the Debt Management thce (DMO), the country's total public debt profile, representing the domestic and external debt stocks of the federal government, the 36 state governments and the Federal CapitalTerritory

(FCT) currently stand at N77 trillion.

"This is quite alarming mostly when you compare the cost of servicing this debt to the revenue generated by government per annum. In the 2023 budget for instance, we will be using virtually all the monies generated as a country in servicing our debt. This is a calamity of the highest proportion unless we do all we can to increase the revenue base."

With regard to the borrowings by the federal government, PENGASSAN said while it was not against it, such borrowed funds should not be used for consumption, but rather channeled into productive ventures and infrastructural development.

Osifoh said PENGASSAN expects to see a different approach from the incoming administration in terms of implementing prudent fiscal and monetary policies for the country.

"The current state of our economy

is of great concern to us as we had hoped to see steady growth in our GDP, increase access to employment for our teeming population and diversification of the economy but unfortunately, we are yet to achieve this.

"Poor implementation of both fiscal and monetary policies; policy inconsistencies have continued to militate against our projected growth and development as a nation," he said.

According to Usifoh, “the nation's economy is confronted with many serious challenges like structural imbalance, corruption, weak human capital development, inequality, security challenges and excessive dependence on oil for revenue."

In addition, Osifoh lamented the high youth unemployment, which he said was recently highlighted by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

REA Engages Potential Investors to Pitch for N140bn Solar Power Naija Scheme

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday engaged would-be investors in a match-making fair for the N140 billion Solar Power Naija (SPN) scheme meant to power 5 million Nigerian households.

The organisation is tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyse economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians.

The fair, the REA said, was to provide the opportunity for potential investors to pitch their financial offerings to developers, clearly stating the selection criteria and key terms.

Speaking during the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the organisation, Ahmad Salihijo, said such partnerships will boost energy access in communities.

“As the implementing agency for Nigeria’s off-grid strategy, the REA has been working to support private developers by creating an enabling environment to facilitate investments in various ways.

“These include access to data,

policy support, grants, capacity development, stakeholder management, and most importantly financing for developers,” Salihijo said.

He stated that the event provides a networking and matchmaking forum that brings together key investors and high-performing developers that are pre-evaluated by the SPN team in the power sector.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme (PA-NPSP, USAID)

Solar Power Naija programme was launched as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to achieve the roll out of 5 million new solar connections in off grid communities.

This programme is expected to generate an additional N7 billion increase in tax revenues per annum and $10 million in annual import substitution.

The objectives of the programme is to expand energy access to 25 million individuals, 5 million new connections, through the provision of Solar Home Systems (SHS) or connection to a mini grid, increase local content in

the off grid solar value chain and facilitate the growth of the local manufacturing and assembly industry and incentivize the creation of 250,000 new jobs in the energy sector.

In his remarks, the Acting Deputy Missions Director, USAID Nigeria, Stephan Menard, encouraged the private developers to take advantage in accessing financing towards improving the lives of Nigerians by delivering sustainable energy access.

He said the US government through Power Africa has supported Nigeria on 3.6 million on-grid and off-grid connections and supported the development of over 1,000 megawatts while providing training for about 4,000 persons just as Nigeria still has 85 million people without access to electricity.

Menard said the Nigerian offgrid market was worth N9.2 billion as he called for more investors' interest in the country.

The Head, Solar Power Naija Programme, Barbara Izilien, stated that it was important to build quick partnerships that would lead to new connections and further count towards the target of electrifying a

minimum of 5 million households and serving a minimum of 25 million Nigerians.

Izilein added that the first investor match-making event is expected to help participants build swift partnerships towards realising the objective of realising the 5 million connections.

"We hope with this approach, we will be able to build quick partnerships that would lead to new connections and further count towards our target of electrifying a minimum of 5 million households, serving a minimum of 25 million Nigerians," she noted.

Also speaking, the Director, Investments and Power Sector Development in the Federal Ministry of Power, Mrs E.O. Babalola, said the country will require an investment of $3.5 billion annually in power generation to achieve electricity goals by 2030, urging investors to key into the scheme.

The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the REA and Chapel Hill Denham to facilitate financing to developers for off-grid electrification projects.

He said underemployment and poor infrastructural facilities were some of the key challenges the new government should tackle with sound and coordinated strategy in consultation with relevant stakeholders and industrial experts.

Speaking on how to turn around the economy, the PENGASSAN president said: '"The hard truth is that revenue from oil and gas sector can no longer sustain us as a nation and this is the most auspicious time to walk our talk. We commend the ongoing efforts of government in agricultural sector and expect the tempo to be sustained in the entire value chain and replicate same in other areas like solid minerals, tourism, technology, etc."

Osifoh also charged the incoming administration to ensure the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation of the nation’s petroleum refineries and to adopt the NLNG model in the running of the four refineries.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero in his goodwill message sued for greater solidarity and synergy between PENGASSAN and other unions under the TUC with the NLC to forge stronger front in fighting for workers’ right and welfare.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the event and an Executive

Director of Nigerian Midstream And Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Zainab Gobir, advised that as stakeholders in the Nigerians projects individuals and organisations should not always scream at the poor state of the economy in order to send wrong signals to outsiders thereby helping to de-market our country.

For his part, Obi said it would be better for the government and persons in a position to address the shortcomings that led the country to where it is now than trying to suppress comments about it.

Obi specifically responded to the alarm raised by the TUC president about the possible outbreak of hunger and food crisis in some states in the country, describing it as embarrassing to say that country like Nigeria with vast fertile land would face hunger.

According to Obi, the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa which were being expected to face food crisis are five times more than state of Israel and yet the middle east country could produce enough to feed its people and for export.

"The fact that these three state that are three times the size of Israel can't feed themselves while Israel can produce enough for export is wrong and that is what we must fix to stop washing our dirty leanings in the public," Obi said.

Buhari Appoints Umar Adviser on Security

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the retiring Assistant Inspector General of Police, Garba Baba Umar, as a Senior Security Adviser on International Police Cooperation and Counter-terrorism in the office of the Minister of Police Affairs.

The appointment, according to a statement issued yesterday, by presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, was to enable Nigeria keep the important position and make way for him to complete his nationally beneficial tenure as an Executive Member of the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL).

In approving his appointment, Buhari took note of a precedent

in which a former Executive Member, AIG Kamal Subair (rtd) was retained in service by the Federal Government of Nigeria after retirement in 2018.

The president also took note of the fact that during his tenure as a member of the Executive Committee, AIG Umar assisted Nigeria in many ways, with the hope that in the remaining one year, he would even do more in securing equipment for crimes, border management and counterterrorism for the country and in helping to get more Nigerians into important positions in the INTERPOL.

AIG Umar’s tenure at the INTERPOL ends in November 2024, and his new appointment as Senior Security Adviser takes effect from 16th of May, 2023.

L-R: Divisional Head Capital Markets, Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group,Jude Chiemeka; Chairman Programmes Committee, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Tajudeen Ahmed;GMD/CEO Airtel Africa Plc, Segun Ogunsanya, and Blue Ocean Strategy Ltd., Albert Osuji, at NBCC's April 2023 Sharing Experience Series held in Lagos...recently

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

BALA MOHAMMED & THE SAYAWA ISSUE: A REFORMER’S BURDEN

(The Bogoro LGA Crisis and Matters Arising)

By Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim Esq

In one of the most disquieting ironies of life, some people have created a completely avoidable controversy at a time that the most concerted effort is being made to settle the age-long legitimate demand of the Zaar people of Bogoro LGA, Bauchi State for a chiefdom of their own. That there will be conflicting narratives in such a situation is not strange. However, as the community, like others, grapples with the challenge of peaceful co-existence by heterogeneous entities, nothing can be of greater disservice to the quest for peace than the mischievous manipulation of the public psyche through the deliberate distortion of facts.

The coverage of the recent arrest of one Air Commodore I. Komo (Rtd.), “the self-acclaimed ‘Gung Zaar’, of the Sayawa Monarchy” in the Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State, falls within this dubious category.

Among the distortions, none is as discreditable as the claim that Komo’s arrest was part of a grand design by Moslem governors of the north, to persecute Christian monarchs particularly those in constituencies that allegedly voted for a particular candidate in the last presidential election. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

In another curious twist to the patently false narrative, the media house in question wondered why Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State would commend the state police command for promptly arresting the retired Air Force officer whose activities were in blatant contravention of Chapter 24, Sections 3 and 4 of the Appointments and Deposition of Chiefs, Law of Bauchi State and which misconduct, bordering on impunity, was responsible for the crisis that led to one death and the destruction of several properties in the area.

One wonders if the newspaper would have preferred that the Police authorities or the Bauchi State Government simply folded their hands and allowed a relapse to the painful intermittent carnage and despoilation for which the area has gained notoriety. Would the newspaper in question not have turned round to accuse the government of insensitivity, and even liken the governor to Nero who reportedly stood by while Rome burned?

As a responsible Government, we are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the destruction of property. We commiserate with the family of the deceased and in fact all those who have lost loved ones in the course of this painful and protracted saga.

Incidentally, the distortion of the Bogoro issue comes against the backdrop of recent steps by the state government to find a lasting solution to the crisis that has lingered for over seven decades, long before Governor Bala Mohammed and many of the present actors were born. The ongoing effort, albeit discreetly, had been aptly captured in an earlier release by the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on Media and Publicity, Mallam Mukhtar Gidado thus: “As a responsible and responsive government, the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed has changed the hitherto destructive and acrimonious trajectory in the area by establishing a proper mechanism that will lead to the creation of a Sayawa chiefdom that would be acceptable and embraced by all stakeholders for peace to reign in the affected area”.

Gidado’s position is validated by the fact that the Governor has since established a committee to profer modalities for harmonizing and implementing the reports of Justice Babalakin, Alhaji Shehu Awak and Justice Bala Umar commissions of enquiry on the crisis and the Bauchi State House of Assembly Law on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom.

Understandably, resolving issues of self-determination requires navigating a labyrinth of complex legal, administrative, cultural and other webs, some historical, others created by opportunists and impersonators who often mistake compassion for cowardice, thoroughness for tardiness and governance for self-interest. But we should always be guided by the legal dictum that you cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand. Failure to observe that time-honoured dictum is at the root of the present Bogoro crisis: a man wakes up and proclaims himself “king” over a non-existent kingdom in a super-arching geopolitical entity that is a creation of law. If every community exhibited that ignoble affront to constituted authority, anarchy of monstrous proportions will take over the land.

It is sad to note that, from intelligence available to us, some prominent indigenes of the area who did nothing when they were privileged to occupy strategic legislative leadership and other important positions that afforded them ample opportunities to resolve the problem are among those now stoking the fire of unconstitutionality, leading the community to the abyss of self- immolation. No responsible Government will tolerate such impunity indefinitely without losing its moral authority to govern.

Yet, the Bala Mohammed Administration acknowledges the legitimate desire of the Zaar people to have their own chiefdom, to be treated equitably with other people. Thus, the Government has been working both discreetly and openly to put the matter to rest, in a manner that will satisfy extant constitutional requirements, a formal environment that is premised on the following mandatory and/or expediential considerations:

1. The emergence of a chief anywhere must be preceded by the creation of a chiefdom by law. (So far, that has not been done in the case of the Sayawa demand hence the designation of a “Gung Zaar” is not only preposterous but clearly unconstitutional and provocative).

2. Establishment of the selection procedure for the chief as well as the procedure for the emergence of the kingmakers whose duty it is to nominate the candidate of their choice based on the legally established criteria.

3. Establishment of the administrative procedure for running the chiefdom in line with extant laws including the powers vested in the Local Government Service Commission to forward the name of the chieftaincy nominee to the Governor for approval.

4. State recognition of the Chief-designate with the seal of the Governor who is also empowered by law to revoke such recognition if the need arises.

5. Creation of the paraphernalia of the office with the provision of a befitting palace as a major component

6. Community engagement. In a situation such as the Sayawa kingdom, community engagement is expedient for two very significant reasons: firstly, to mitigate the misgivings likely to arise from the dislocation of the existing social order and power relations. Secondly, to guarantee that while the legitimate demand for “self-determination” by the majority is granted, the interests of the several ‘minority’ stakeholder groups that have lived side by side with the dominant group are protected by law.

7. Rehabilitation of the several thousands of people who have been displaced over time in such a way that the conditions that have triggered violence and loss of lives are effectively eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum. (In this regard, it is instructive to note that the State Government is already addressing the problem in collaboration with the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

In all fairness, it is pertinent to state that, for many of the dispassionate and objective persons from the area with whom I have discussed the problem, three issues have been of major concern. Firstly, they are at a loss as to how and when a ‘Sayawa monarch’ could have emerged when there is yet no law creating the Sayawa kingdom. Secondly, they contend that the restiveness and agitation in the area is exacerbated by perceived delay in implementing the reports of the several commissions of enquiry that, though working at different times, had all unanimously recommended the creation of a Sayawa chiefdom. Thirdly, they hate to imagine another implosion at this period in the history of the country, reasoning that everything should be done to limit the pressure on the nation’s security agencies and the military. Consequently, they recommend that the Government should place the task of resolving the Sayawa Chiefdom issue on the front burner.

The Government shares their concern. Government also appreciates the prevalent view in Bauchi State that, going by his antecedents, Governor Bala Mohammed is probably in the best possible position to put an end to the crisis. I will quickly add that such optimism is not misplaced.

For one, his policy of inclusiveness and diversity management has endeared him to many an indigene and resident of Bauchi State to the extent that the Christian community in the state will readily vouch that never has it experienced a greater sense of belonging under any administration. The same goes for other minority groups. Ironically, those who insinuate religious bias against Bala Mohammed would be surprised to know that, despite the demographic superiority of Moslems in the state, the Security Adviser to Bala Mohammed, Brig. General Markus Yake (Rtd.) is a Christian from Bogoro of all places!

For another, that Bala Mohammed will transcend primordial sentiments to do the right thing in the Bogoro case is further buttressed by the role he played when against all odds, as a serving senator, he moved the historical Doctrine of Necessity motion that smoothened the path for Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as president and commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2010.

At the risk of sounding immodest, I can say with all the emphasis at my command that, for all practical purposes, Bala Mohammed has not lost an iota of the noble qualities of fairness, compassion, patriotism, courage in the face of danger and statesmanship that inspired him to move the 2010 motion, an action that was considered by many as the moral equivalent of political suicide. If he did it at a time that he was still standing on one leg politically, I do not see why he should not be able to implement a recommendation that enjoys near universal consensus in the affected area. Moreover, through concerted and honest community engagement, the Administration is daily gaining the buy-in of strategic stakeholders without whose support the path to success could become foggier than the indiscretion of the self-proclaimed “Gung Zaar” is creating!

I dare say that at this critical watershed in its history, Bauchi State is lucky to have a gutsy Governor in Bala Mohammed; an accomplished civil servant, lawmaker and administrator who, once convinced on the genuineness of a cause, spares no effort to achieve it, trusting always in the guidance of Allah. The scion of a District Head, Bala Mohammed’s DNA naturally predisposes him towards the promotion of holistic peace anchored on fairness, equity and justice. There is no question that he believes that it is right to create a Sayawa chiefdom.

However, even as he recognizes the urgency of the task, and the very strong attraction of adding this to his already loaded legacy as a trailblazer (by being the Governor under whose watch the Sayawa chiefdom would be created), he prioritizes lasting peace for all over the transient personal glory that may not even outlast his life time. To quote Gidado’s statement again, for Bala Mohammed, the overriding motivation is: “To create a Sayawa chiefdom that would be acceptable and embraced by all stakeholders for PEACE TO REIGN in the affected areas” (Emphasis mine). In the light of the above, it becomes doubly imperative to call on mischief makers, and they exist everywhere, to give peace a chance. Spreading falsehood, instigating violence and encouraging impunity can only foul up the air and prolong the desired goal of creating the Sayawa chiefdom. In particular, it amounts to gross treachery for anyone to try to hoodwink the public to believe that the present flare-up in Bogoro was caused by the Government’s attempt to punish those who allegedly voted for a particular candidate. The argument would have made better sense if the allegation had been that the people did not vote for Bala Mohammed (which is patently needless because the Governor is a complete democrat who believes in the right of everyone to exercise the franchise without intimidation) or that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP, the Governor’s party, had lost in the state.

But to the glory of God, contrary to the plan of some politicians from the area who playing God, had boasted that they would dispatch Bala Mohammed to political oblivion, the three local governments of Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa voted overwhelmingly for the Governor. So, even in the unlikely event that the Governor was a vindictive person, what would be the justification for punishing anybody from constituencies that stood by him even against their misguided sons and “leaders”? Thus, rather than persecute them, the logical thing which Insha Allah, the Governor will do all over the state, is to deepen the provision of democracy dividends that had endeared him to the electorate.

I am constrained to make this point: election is not a war and not every disagreement should end in perpetual adversity or enmity. Firstly, though defeat can be painful, it is time for those who were trounced after over-estimating their electoral value to eat the humble pie and accept that leadership is bestowed by God. They should be reminded of Chinua Achebe’s admonition that those whose palm kernel have been cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. Secondly, time has come for all the stakeholders in Bogoro to bury the hatchet, tread the path of constitutionalism and support the genuine effort of Government to bring about comprehensive and lasting peace to the area.

It goes without saying that Governor Bala Mohammed is acutely aware of the primacy for peace all over Bauchi State and in Bogoro in particular if he is to build on the giant strides of the first four years and achieve his lofty dream of transforming Bauchi State from the Tourism Pearl of Nigeria to the Dubai of the country. He is determined, above all, to redouble his effort at eradicating or at least mitigating those factors that have all along predisposed individuals and communities towards hostile agitation, mischief and impunity. He is also aware that the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom will greatly aid in this effort. That there will be moments of distrust, despair and disappointment should never be allowed to truncate the hope of a brighter future for everyone in the state, particularly the Sayawa people. It is reassuring that Governor Bala Mohammed appreciates that such is the burden of a reformer like him and that his case will not be any different.

Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim is Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bauchi State of Nigeria.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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As a result, the Company is notifying the general public that any individual or entity who has any claim(s) against DMCL should send the details of such claim(s) via email to: af@duportmidstream.com.

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POLITICS

AbdulRazaq Fits the Bill as NGF Chairman

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is due to end in a couple of days. Already, a President-elect has emerged in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His victory at the February 25th polls was not only landslide but also credible to a very large extent. The nation anticipates with baited breath his inauguration on May 29.

Asiwaju’s election has however not put an end to high-level politicking in the country as intrigues are currently on-going over the leadership positions of the 10th National Assembly. More emphasis is being laid on the Senate President and Speaker offices.

We have seen various aspirants and interests emerge. Things will continue to take shape.

Away from the National Assembly, there’s another very important platform that is central to the affairs of the nation. And that’s the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

The NGF has grown over the years to become a veritable platform shaping the future and fortunes of our country through collaborative efforts.

As a forum for governors of the 36 states of the federation regardless of political affiliations, it offers an avenue for them to meet, deliberate and speak with one voice on matters of public concern. This platform wields enormous influence and has championed great causes overtime.

In preparation for a new dispensation, the NGF has also held its valedictory meeting. The floor is therefore open for a new leadership of the forum. A cursory review of history shows that the NGF has laid down procedures and tradition for electing its leader (Chairman).

The Chairman has to be a returning governor who had served out his first term of 4 years. There’s also the tradition of rotation between the North and South which has always been respected to maintain geopolitical equity and balance. This essentially is a major nucleus that has seen the forum thriving since its creation in 1999.

Again, the Chairman is usually from the ruling party.

As it stands today, the ruling APC has 20 states under its control including new, existing and returning governors.

The main opposition party PDP holds 13 states; while LP, APGA and NNPP have one each. When PDP held sway as the ruling party from 1999 to 2015, it had always produced the NGF Chair.

With APC taking over the reins of power at the federal level and emerging the ruling party in majority of the states in 2015, it became its lot to produce the NGF Chairman.

Again, from Adamu Abdullahi to Victor Bassey Attah through to Bukola Saraki, Rotimi Amaechi, and then Abdulaziz Yari to Kayode Fayemi, the leadership of the forum has always been rotated between the North and South.

Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State, last held the substantive chairmanship position of the NGF. When the expiration of his second term created a void recently, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who was his vice-chairman was only appointed acting chairman.

With Fayemi from Southwest Nigeria as the last substantive Chairman, it goes without saying that the chairmanship of the forum moves to the North.

Within the ranks of the APC, there are five returning governors from the North. They include : Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

All of these APC governors are eminently qualified and competent to hold the

position of the NGF chairman. However, there are other important factors I believe colleague-governors and stakeholders should take into consideration in rallying support for any of them.

From my assessment, these governors come dominantly from two regions (Northeast and Northcentral). Given the current political mood of the nation where stakeholders across parties are agitating for fairness and sense of belonging for every region, the result of which we got in the

2023 election, it would be gratifying if their search is narrowed to the Northcentral.

The Northeast has already produced the Vice-President-elect which is a top office. While Prof. Zulum is eminently qualified, he might have to contend with the reality that the VP-elect Senator Kashim Shettima is from his state. Buni had held the position of APC Chairman concurrently with governor in the outgoing dispensation, stakeholders may wish to try new hands.

More so, there is the feeling of marginali-

sation in the Northcentral given that they have not been able to produce either the president or the vice-president since the beginning of the fourth republic.

It is only politically correct that this region is placated with other top positions in the country. With the current power play and permutations for the National Assembly leadership, it is almost not likely that the Northcentral region would get either the senate president or the speaker position. What’s therefore ideal for the APC to do is to compensate the region with another prized position. Methinks the NGF chairmanship would do a whole lot to show the region it is valued in the current political calculations.

It is highly commendable that the President-elect and other stakeholders including the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) are making collaborative efforts to amicably resolve the issues of elective positions in the National Assembly which hitherto used to be very divisive.

If the pronouncement of major stakeholders including the leading contestants and even the PGF is anything to go by, the Southsouth is reckoned to have clinched the senate presidency through Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, while the Northwest has equally been resolved to clinch the speakership position through Tajudeen Abbass of Kaduna State. The deputy senate presidency from feelers has also been zoned to Kano State through Senator Barau Jibrin while Banjamin Kalu of Abia State has been tipped to be the deputy speaker.

What this indicates is that the Northcentral is still left out in all of these permutations, and it is the region comprising states like Kogi, Kwara, Benue, among others where bloc votes and major support came through for the APC.

-Akanbi writes from Abuja

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

Kano’s Free Maternal Healthcare Bill Awaits Ganduje’s Assent

Emameh Gabriel writes that with the passage of the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Bill, the Kano State House of Assembly has not only put the state in positive spot light but has also shown the path for other states to follow.

The Kano State House of Assembly last week took the bold step to pass into law the long-awaited Free Maternal and Child Healthcare (FMNCH) Bill, making the state the first in Nigeria to enact such law.

The move has again put the state in positive spot light and has received wide commendations by stakeholders across board. It is therefore not surprising that civil society leaders across the state are in a celebratory mood, just as they have been effusive in their praise for the legislators who voted across party lines to pass the law.

The response of Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), embellished it all.

The leader of the frontline civic group that vigorously advocated for the passage of the legislation described the bill’s passage as a befitting parting gift from the ninth Assembly to the people of the state.

CHRICED, with support from MSEREOR/KZE, had, since 2014, conducted various activities to address the scourge of maternal and infant deaths in the State.

According to the human rights activist, the gesture of the Kano State House of Assembly is highly commendable.

Zikirullahi further enthused that the

members of the State House of Assembly have demonstrated they are on the side of the people of the State.

He said: “Regardless of political differences, the members overwhelmingly supported the Bill’s passage. This law represents a landmark achievement for the health sector, and it will have tremendous influence on maternal and child healthcare.

“This is a pivotal moment in our efforts to end maternal and child mortality, which has claimed the lives of thousands of women and children over the years. We are hopeful that the Governor of Kano State,

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, will sign the bill to institutionalize free maternal and infant healthcare”.

Similarly, civil society leaders also commended the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Magaji Zarewa, and Hon. Musa Ali Kachako, who sponsored the Bill and ensured its passage.

Other stakeholders whose commitment was noted to have tilted the scales towards the passage of the law include the Kano Emirates Council, particularly the Emirate Council Committee on Health led by Dr. Basheer Mohammed.

For CHRICED and its civil society allies, the road to the passage of FMCH Bill has been long and difficult. Noting the role of the people at the grassroots in the process, the group recognized the efforts of the community men, women, religious bodies, persons with disabilities, and activists in Kano State.

It equally commended the researchers, resource persons and facilitators who worked on the project, as well as officials of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Departments and Agencies.

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

Muhammad Akanbi writes that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state is experienced enough to serve as next Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

Trump, Sex, 2014, Lies and more Lies

Chido Nwangwu writes about United States jury’s recent conviction of former American President Donald Trump for sexual battery/abuse and defamation of a journalist, Jean Carroll.

EPISTLES of ANTHONY KILA

Lessons from the New Carolean Era

Anthony Kila writes about last Saturday’s coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom in London which was the same week Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekeweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and doctor were jailed for organ trafficking offence by a UK court.

Dear Readers

Last week, we officially entered into the new Carolean era, yes that is what the reign of King Charles III will be called, the past Carolean eras were those of King Charles I and King Charles II.

The first King Charles (like his father, James I) thought, as King, he was above law and parliament but parliament and law thought otherwise and the King was tried for treason and executed in 1649.

The second King Charles III fared a lot better that first one and I am more than very hopeful, I am even confident the new King of our own Carolean age will not only respect parliament and law, he will also be a very modern King albeit with a root firmly planted in best of his and Britain’s past.

Yes, your guess is right, I am not a full-blown republican, no need to hide it, I am a royalist, even a monarchist. The coronation of the new king was certainly the most important show in town last week, by town I mean the world.

Media analysts have observed that all the countries of the world, including Russia, Iran and Syria whose leaders were not invited, except for North Korea covered or at least mentioned the event. The Russian media focused more on the protests and views of the republicans who are against the coronation.

The first lessons to learn from the Carolean age is how to put on a state event and through it, send a message to the world.

It’s the first time that a former president of the United States faced the difficult accusation of rape in a court of law.

At the end of the two weeks consideration of the evidence and proceedings, a nine-person jury found Donald J. Trump liable for sexual battery and defamation against journalist E. Jean Carroll.

But as in virtually all things Trump, he will not take responsibility for the tawdry and unseemly conduct and crassness recklessness he’s dragged the presidency of America to.

This, shameful and scandalous as the other case involving his arranging payment to a prostitute for sexual peccadilloes.

Only Trump!

On Tuesday May 9, 2023, it took the jury under three hours of deliberation to reach the conclusion that Trump was not liable for rape but for sexual battery/abuse and defamation.

Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in compensatory damages to Ms. Carroll.

As he usually would do, Trump denied any knowledge of the woman. Then, follow it up with calling her a couple of perjorative names. Trump tagged her a “whack job”.

Trump and his ardent supporters think and insist the indictments and litigations against him are partisan twaddle set against him by Democrats to hurt his “reputation” and possibility of winning the 2014 presidential election.

He claimed “what’s happening is they’re doing this for election

interference. This woman I don’t know her,” he said of Carroll. “I never met her. I have no idea who she is.”

She sued Trump in 2022, claiming Mr. Trump raped her in the dressing room of a Bergdorf Goodman department store near Trump’s 5th Avenue residence in New York in the mid-1990s.

On Wednesday at the CNN Town Hall meeting, Trump insisted that the trial and litigation have not only failed to achieve its intended purpose but the opposite has happened: “Because my poll numbers just came out [and] they went up.”

The fact remains that there are still some of Trump’s fanatical types who (will) follow him to the zombie gates of mindlessness!

There are patriotic Americans, too, who also champion his agenda. There are the nativists, the xenophobes, the anti-Semites and new groups of Proud Boys, and many others who follow him.

Many Republicans are worried about the unpredictable consequences of a very giddy, tawdry socio-political elephant such as Trump has since become for their Grand Old Party (GOP)!

Remarkably, it’s not talking about tax cuts and credits but seeing posters and magazines with all “types” of women still accusing the Donald of forced sexual acts, coerced kissing and all.

-Dr Nwangwu, is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com.

Follow him on Twitter @ Chido247

King Charles III’s coronation was a deliberate pompous display of poetry of colours, garment and hymns and speeches delivered with class, grace and depth.

None of the activities were improvised or amended during the ceremony. It was designed to show the essence and best of the British monarchy.

Let us remind ourselves that the British Monarchy is an important symbol of Britain’s greatness and splendour.

With the throne, Britain is able to claim its role as the oldest living and most relevant kingdom. With so much social revolution going in the world and drama affecting individual members of the royal family, the monarchy has been shaken and tested many times.

Those who manage the crown have however been able to keep its magic and practical use. The throne of England continues to be the repository of what is best in the land.

It not only helps to conserve culture; it also serves as symbol of unity and measure of standard. The monarchy is also an important tool of diplomacy and economics.

Palaces and souvenirs still bring in mil- lions of dollars into the coffers of Britain.

Aviation and tourism analysts are predicting a surge in travel to and interest in the UK thanks to the coronation.

The event was also an open classroom as it gave many another opportunity to rediscover the history, geography and culture of Britain. The coronation has been carefully planned to reiterate and showcase the magic and usefulness of the monarchy.

Though the main events were in London, each part of the country from every village to town and county has something they are doing for the coronation. From the choir events in churches and town halls, to the special meals in pubs and market display, everyone was involved one way or the other. A king was been coronated in London but it was England that was celebrating and affirming its centrality, greatness and relevance.

Those managing monarchies and other state affairs from across the world can certainly learn more than a few lessons.

Outside the coronation, but still in London, another event took place last

week from which we can learn a thing or two.

It was in the court of law where the case of the Nigerian Senator Ike Ekeweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and doctor was tried.

The proceedings and judgement of that case have valuable lessons for all from those in the bar to those on the bench to teachers of law to those covering legal and stories as well as we the people.

On a personal note, when I heard about the Ekeweremadu case, my first reaction was to pray that “may our resolve and joy not be tested through the pain and need of our children”.

I am sure that even the most reckless or principled parent will be able to relate with such prayer. In his conduct of the case and delivery of judgement, Justice Jeremy Johnson, the judge that presided at the old bailey, did more than deliver a sentence, he gave the world some very useful and missed lessons on law and justice.

He logically and in very clear, simple and convincing terms established the principles and purpose of the laws at stake, he demonstrated the laws that were violated and how they were violated.

He showed that he fully understood the mitigating and aggravating factors in the conduct of the defendants and the many interventions on their behalf, he demonstrated with proof that he carefully considered the positions of the defence counsel and those of the prosecutors. Weighing thesis and antithesis, he showed for all to see that he was not outrightly against the defence counsel by explaining and justifying where he disagreed with their positions, he also demonstrated his independence of the crown counsel by explaining and justifying where he disagreed with their positions.

In his conclusions and judgement, Justice Jeremy Johnson was very deliberate in showing the whole world that he was applying the law to serve justice.

The judge at the old bailey was very careful not to let law and justice be hindered or corrupted by technicalities or peculiarities, he made sure that there was no delay or postponement that could be avoided.

It is worth noting here that Justice Jeremy Johnson did all these and more in the full glare of the camera whilst maintaining and even enhancing his own dignity, that of the court and of the law.

Some are arguing that televising some court cases might hinder the course of justice and law but in the new Carolean age, Justice Jeremy Johnson has shown us that transparency serves law and legitimises justice.

Join me if you can @anthonykila to continue these conversations.

-Kila is Institute Director at CIAPS. www.ciaps.org.

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 10May-2023, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

RATES AS AT MAY 11,2023

Stakeholders Raise Concern over Bloated Workforce, Lack of Professionalism in Aviation Industry

Chinedu Eze

Aviation industry stakeholders have expressed fear that the recruitment of hundreds of administrative personnel without core professionals in the various agencies in the last eight years would undermine output and safety standards in air transport in Nigeria.

They insisted that the lack of competent and technical staff in the critical areas of the aviation agencies may affect the ratings

Gilbert Ekugbe

The promoters of the Lekki Port and Lekki Freeport Terminal have stated that the $1.5 billion Lekki port would begin transshipment of cargoes in the coming weeks, noting that the move would see Nigeria wrest lost cargoes from its neighbouring West African countries.

Chief Commercial Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, Kehinde Olubi-Neye who stated this during a chat with newsmen in Lagis, explained that to fast track cargo clearance and movements in and around the ports, approximately $100 million was invested in port equipment, assuring that the port has the technical capacity, draft and state-of-the-art equipment to

and certification of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), lamenting that while the workforce is over bloated in all the aviation agencies, they are still in dire need of technical personnel who would propel major duties carried out by these agencies to ensure that flights take off and land safely in Nigeria.

It was learnt that in the last eight

years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, recruitment of personnel has been taking place without due process and many of those employed lack the needed competences and most often even the educational qualifications.

THISDAY also learnt that in the rating of NCAA, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) expects that the authority should have enough number of technical personnel who man critical areas that deal with aircraft safety and

others, but currently the number of such experienced staff is depleting, while some are leaving due to retirement; others are leaving to greater opportunities offered by airlines in Nigeria and overseas, so similar experienced personnel are needed to replace them in NCAA.

During the aforementioned period, the Ministry of Aviation has continuously employed persons who do not have aviation experience and who could only do administrative jobs in the agencies.

Reacting to this, the Chief Executive Officer of West Link Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, said the aviation industry had never experienced a situation where graduates who do not have technical aviation experience were employed to work as administrative staff, insisting that the sector needs persons with technical experience who are prepared for continuous training and retraining to maintain the competence.

According to Mshelia, the aviation industry is not a sector where

Spent $100m

recover transship cargoes bound for landlocked countries.

“The opportunity is to explore transshipment of cargoes to other regional countries in Africa. We are in the process of transshipment with the support of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and when the first transhipment vessel arrives in the coming weeks,” he said.

“The Lekki Freeport Terminal has discussed with stakeholders including Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and they are confident that recovering transshipment cargoes not just for the hinterland but also for landlocked countries and other regional countries will be back in the country,” he said.

“We are here to connect global maritime trade into Nigeria and that is why we have the deepest

draft here. We do not have this draft anywhere else in Lagos and arguably, in some of the West African countries as well. We are not here to compete with other ports but to render services to the Nigerian people,” he added.

According to him, the volume of cargoes visiting the port is low at the moment, but stated that vessels are already using the ports.

In his words: “We have been having volumes, we have been having import discharge and export of empty containers and we expect that we would start export of full containers in the nearest future.

He, however, stated that the port has also seen the opportunity to play a role in the uptake of cargo in the Eastern Ports, which

is why they are currently having discussions on moving containers discharged at Lekki Port by barge to the Eastern Ports of Calabar, Warri, and Onitsha River Port among others to help increase the economy of those ports.

Dwelling on evacuation from the port, he added that the Lekki Port operates an automated system that is linked to the automated gate with the vehicle booking system where truck drivers are required to book appointments in advance.

“This also supports the initiative of the Lagos State Government with regards to the comprehensive call-up system for the Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Port, Dangote Free Zone, Dangote Refinery and the Pinnacle Oil and Gas.

“We are in active discussions with the Lagos State Ministry of Transport and other stakeholders on the deployment of the call-up system for the Lekki area and we have confidence that the coming onboard of the call-up system for trucks will address any concerns that prospective port users would have over access to the port,” he said. Beyond the road, he said that Lekki Port is also exploring the possibility of moving cargo by barges and has been able to execute more than five barge moves of over 900 twenty-foot equivalent units of containers (TEUs) from Lekki Port to the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

He further hinted that the port has completed a truck park very close to the port that has capacity

National Assembly members and other highly placed government officials will give the names of their children and relations to be recruited because it is an area that needs core competences.

“Aviation is for trained professionals, supported by 10 per cent support staff, which are the typist, secretary, media people and so on.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

to accommodate 150 trucks.

He commended the efforts of the Federal Government and Lagos State Government in constructing the roads, which he said has improved significantly.

On his part, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko who was represented by the Manager, Public Affairs, NPA Ikechukwu Onyemakara, described Lekki Port as a Nigerian project and assured that the NPA would do everything within it powers to grant necessary approvals and provide marine services to the port.

EKWEREMADU: A SHAME TO UK AND NIGERIA VICTOR C. ARIOLE argues treatment meted to Ike Ekweremadu is unfortunate

MICRO TO MACRO: HOW LITTLE THINGS SHAPE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

See page 25

MAY 29 AND THE LIMITS OF DESPERATION

The court should be allowed to perform its duty without intimidation, writes

FREDRICK NWABUFO

Lucca served her country, the United States of America, without holding back. She led 400 patrols and also lost her leg in service to her country. She ultimately passed away due to old age. When she died, she received a full military burial where friends and colleagues paid their respects. Her gravestone was dressed with beautiful as the true American hero she was. Lucca, a German Shepherd – aja in Yoruba - was honoured in death. This experience as a war hero is not unique to Lucca, it is the norm where Lucca comes from. There is even a bill now to have heroes like Lucca buried at national cemeteries.

To truly understand the current state of Nigeria, one must look beyond the surface

aspect is the absence of a comprehensive list of soldiers who lost their lives in the war on terrorism. This lack of recognition and remembrance extends to ordinary citizens as well. Nigeria’s negligence in attending to these small but meaningful details development.

See page 25

EDITORIAL THE THREAT OF RESIDENT DOCTORS

A simple Google search reveals the stark contrast between Nigeria’s approach and that of other nations. Casual inquiries about American soldiers lost in past wars yield abundant results, even for events that occurred over 70 years ago. The fact that casualty lists from battles and diseases during the American Civil War, fought over 160 years ago, are readily available preserving historical memory. Nigeria’s failure to compile such lists raises questions about how it honors its fallen heroes. Without honoring these heroes, it becomes challenging to inspire younger generations to have the same commitment and

It is often said that the way someone attends to small matters reveals their overall character and approach to life. If we observe individuals who consistently arrive late at events or neglect personal grooming, we can gain insights into their attention to detail in other aspects of their lives. While occasional circumstances can lead to dirty nails or tardiness, persistent negligence existence.

The root cause of these seemingly trivial issues lies in our failure to understand their cumulative impact. Consider a scenario where 1,000 people are attending an event and the speaker, or any individual they must wait for before the programme starts, arrives one hour late. This delay does not just cost the attendees one hour; it translates into a total loss of 1,000 hours. When we

calculate the collective loss, it amounts to over 41 days wasted. Moreover, the event’s extension by one hour means that any subsequent meetings or plans are also delayed.

single person’s failure to keep to schedule can disrupt the plans of many. It is imperative that we adopt a mindset that considers these broader implications.

By observing our surroundings, it becomes evident that our failures as a nation stem from these seemingly to pay the true cost of petrol results in cheaper fuel but hampers the development of vital infrastructure such as schools, roads, and hospitals. Similarly, our desire for uninterrupted power supply leads us to rely on expensive diesel generators, contributing to noise and carbon pollution, rather than investing electricity access.

shallow debates hinders constructive policy discussions, preventing us from charting a path towards holistic national development. Prioritizing irrelevant factors like religion or ethnicity compounds the problem.

Focusing on trivial factors, such as religion, ethnicity, or regional background, when choosing leaders and decisionmakers undermines the meritocracy

Shifting the focus towards competence, to better outcomes and promote national development. That is not to religious, regional and ethnic representation should not be factors. In a country like Nigeria, search for competence and capability. We which explains the yo-yo nature of our development.

Consider the analogy of a mathematics formula learned in elementary school. The teacher imparts the knowledge required to solve both simple and complex problems, yet during exams, students often claim to encounter unfamiliar questions. Those who grasped the formula’s application and answered correctly remain perplexed by their peers’ confusion. The formula was always there; some simply failed to pay attention to the details. Similarly, the fortune and wealth of nations lie not in the size of their armies or budgets but in their commitment to the little things. That commitment is what helps to build the wealth of nations. A country that cannot even commemorate its fallen heroes will struggle to build a prosperous future for its living citizens.

Take a look around you and you will see that our failings are rooted in the so called little things. We obsess over politics, cannot have simple debates about policies yet expect some sort of accident to shape the national agenda in the direction of wholesome national development. We do not ask who can do the job well? We ask, is she a Christian or Muslim? Is he from the North-east or South-south? We want people who cannot arrange their day well enough to keep to time over personal matters to somehow help ensure all the moving parts of this massive country somehow move in sync.

National development requires attention to the seemingly small things that collectively shape the fabric of society. From documentation and punctuality to resource allocation and policy-oriented decision-making, each aspect plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of excellence and propelling the nation towards sustainable growth and prosperity.

Less is often more. Those who cannot get the simple things right stand no chance at big things. A country that cannot name its fallen heroes will have a tough time building wealth for those alive.

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

Focusing on trivial factors, such as religion, ethnicity, or regional background, when choosing leaders and decision-makers undermines the meritocracy required for effective governance

Lack of attention to little things has broader implications, contends JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA

VICTOR C. ARIOLE argues treatment meted to Ike Ekweremadu is unfortunate

EKWEREMADU: A SHAME TO UK AND NIGERIA

We don’t need to get over a bar of excellence we didn’t create. Instead we have to create our own lane and our own version of success, our own version of good… SLAY IN YOUR

The British own ‘respective’ version of good, in their colonial conquest, was indirect rule. The French own, was bar of excellence to get over to aspire to be like French, via cultural assimilation policy as a colonial strategy, as well as direct rule. Adherence to those rules are what the two most colonial empires had seen overwhelming to them, as their African

parliaments could sound evil to the French.

Like I have witnessed in Germany and USA, Senators are allowed to board plane before any other passengers. They are never seen giving a handle of Senatorship or Lordship to their names, like Nigerians and the British do.

a UK legal process that allows the law of the

the King; and so, some respects is required

The truth is that unfortunately money or wealth seems to blind the legal process in and others could go to jail like the former

and collaterally involving a judge and a lawyer who are all inculpated. He is also as well sentenced for overspending or obtaining campaign funds from illegal sources.

The court should be allowed to perform its duty without intimidation, writes

FREDRICK NWABUFO

MAY 29 AND THE LIMITS OF DESPERATION

At the heart of Nigeria’s troubled and enchanted existence is wild and minacious national interest; politics vacant of soul and righteous purpose; politics of predation and and duels. Destructive, dangerous politics.

The losing side in the 2023 presidential election has been dutiful and purposive on its agenda to push Nigeria to the precipice. Time and time again, this group has made provocative pronouncements, and keeps kindling the furnace of its malicious intents.

What could be more provocative, desperate, and dangerous than the call for the suspension of the sacerdotal May 29 Tinubu? What could be more heinous, psychedelic, atrocious and befuddling than this obtrusive contempt for Nigeria’s peace and stability?

electoral litigation.

What these devotees of dystopia are calling for is simply anarchy. So, because a politician lost an election, Nigeria should be made to pay for that? Our peace and stability should be threatened because a politician was rejected by Nigerians?

The same group, which hounded the Buhari administration in the past eight years, now want him to tarry awhile because of their pursuit of a selfabsorbent goal. It is no longer about Nigeria, but about what is good for them and their candidate.

among them.

For French, before you could bring a black man to the French justice, he must have been seen as already assimilated, otherwise treat him as an indigene - like they treated the Haitians and allow them to be on their own as from 1st Jan, 1804 after trying in vain to assimilate them by force from 21st August, 1791; distinct from how other colonial masters have treated them including the British.

For the British, behave as you like as instructed by your local laws as long as you are not hurting the Monarchy and you are paying tribute to the Monarchy. So, the pounds and houses earned within six circumstance to disculpate him, like they do for their Lords, albeit covertly. In their clime, such material value would have attracted great tax in the service of the Monarchy to warrant some attenuating considerations.

For British, privileges are allowed; for French, no privilege is allowed, just be assimilated.

I align myself with the French who completely detest privileges that go with title British people who accord title holders some privileges, exempting them from the common law, like it is accorded to the Lords who, until 2009 when UK had no supreme court, were collectively the opaque supreme court justices of UK, hence remained sacrosanct and who, as of today are under the jurisdiction of Lord common Mayor of London; notwithstanding his over 30 Boroughs, against just one of the Lord Major, who is elected by Alderman, a peculiar legal jurisdiction; and on Saturday,

the people of the Kingdom, including those in he serve - and not served - as head of state.

Great contradiction as per what the British expects the French people to be ashamed of aka, their coat of arms, “honni soit qui mal y

Nigeria is not so and it is expected that Britain that ruled Nigeria and upon whose precedence Nigeria operates know that the local laws of Nigeria sees a Senator as a Lord; and I am yet to hear that a Lord in Britain has ever been arraigned in a common law court. It means that what it takes to get to that level is greatly viewed from good character, impeccable service to the Monarchy and great dose of integrity as seen in the former commons like Margaret Thatcher or her successor, John Major or the current Secretary

Alderman in 2014 even as a member of the House of Lords since 1997. Most of Nigeria’s Senators are mere production of electoral abracadabra hence the reason why a place Nigeria’s local laws and the “local giants” such law processes produced, tries to rubbish them.

Today, it is a Nigerian senator, and a former carrying a Diplomatic passport. Diplomatic respects. Tomorrow, let it not be a Nigerian greater shame to Nigeria, Britain and be handled that way, Nigeria, as a whole is greatly in danger and it vindicates what corrupt country’. Unfortunately, it was made a pronouncement in Britain, indicting Nigerian youths.

I am not in support of any evil committed here is a senator, the Ambassador of Nigeria being treated the way a “local law court” in Britain has treated him, and it makes an ordinary Nigerian in Britain a suspect. And, not being a lawyer, I have always heard that Britain is where judicial sentence is pronounced after placing both law and equity on a balance and making sure that one of them is not drawing down the judicial process balance, hence some extenuating circumstances are brought to bear to mediate against excessive punishment.

Ariole

is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

It is clear that the pursuit of power by the foremen of the losing side was never out deep, blinkered advantage. According to this group, governance should be suspended, and Nigeria can wait in limbo until by some wizardry conjuring, they ‘’reclaim their mandate’’. This is utterly ridiculous. What mandate?

The facts of the election have been Tinubu fairly, convincingly won the 2023 presidential election. He has an inexorable date with destiny. On May 29, 2023, he will be sworn in as Nigeria’s president. The Nigerian people freely, and enthusiastically gave him their mandate. They entered an accord, a social contract, with him on the strength of his leadership example.

What is staggering is that the call for this obvious sabotage of Nigeria is not only coming from some votaries of the losing side on the internet, but from some respected Nigerians soiled by partisanship and provoked by desperation for access to power. These Nigerians seem to be having of the allures of power. They are irascible, irrational, and seem primed for political suicide-bombing. They are ready to risk their careers and vaunted reputation for partisanship. How depressing?

May 29 inauguration is inviolable. There

Obasanjo’s inauguration in 2003, which the court ruled in Obasanjo’s favour. There are also political precedents, since 1999 never has the inauguration of an incoming government been put in abeyance over

And for this genus, it is not about good governance either. To them, good governance is natively partial; it is selective of candidates based on kinship, religious orientation, or some manufactured puritanism. It must be their candidate as president, or doom and gloom befall the country. So, they constitute themselves into a bulwark of cynicism, scorching conversations and the polity with hate, prejudice, and fear. But what happens when the election petition tribunal upholds the will of president-elect? Will they persist in their enterprise of scorching the country? Will they accept the decision of the court? Or will they embark on a political trench war to perturb country?

I ask that we allow the court to do its duty without intimidation, threats, and fear. It is unpatriotic to harass judges on the ungoverned social media with tainted suggestions as to how they should do their job.

A season of great expectations. A beautiful start. I believe good governance will silence doubters and takes rings “united Nigeria, unity, peace, and progress”. The zoning of

into the leadership matrix of the parliament, except for the north-central which I understand will be equitably compensated.

The politics of representation has always been a knotty one here. Not that there are any tangible accruals to the zone represented, but I know it gives some sort those represented. There are often claims of Nigeria. But the reality is, we all face the same challenges as a people. We need food, good schools, functional hospitals, security, infrastructure, and jobs. We are more connected by our shared needs, and goals, than we know it.

No zone should feel entitled to any position. I believe the only entitlement one should have as a citizen is of good entitled to good governance.

It is a season of great expectations, and a beautiful start.

God bless Nigeria.

Nwabufo is a media executive

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE THREAT OF RESIDENT DOCTORS

Government should attend to the welfare of doctors

For the umpteenth time, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the federal government to implement the agreement reached on the welfare of its members. They are demanding an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salary of doctors in addition to some new allowances.

As we saw with the last strike in 2020, this new threat bodes ill for the country. Then, patients requiring healthcare in most government hospitals across the country were either turned back or were left unattended to. Many who required emergency services and without enough funds to seek healthcare in private hospitals unfortunately lost their lives. Yet, between health workers and government at all levels has not only left an indelible stain on the image of the public health care system in the country, it has also brought untold hardship to many Nigerians.

We support the aspirations of resident doctors in terms of their welfare, conducive working environment, training and recognition of their system and a better society. However, we are of the view that an industrail action will not resolve the list of problems confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system now. As previous cases have proven, parties would still return to the negotiating table after several lives have been lost. We therefore plead with the resident doctors to continue to do their work. A more strategic way to resolve this logjam can be attained without bringing untold hardship to patients and other citizens that may need their services in the hospitals. A new mechanism or dispute resolution platform should be explored.

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

We do not believe that the federal government is adopting the right approach to this problem. Healthcare delivery is critical to the well-being of any society. But over the years, the attention of government, both at the state and federal levels, is at best half-hearted. The resident doctors, like their earlier strike during the Covid-19 pandemic, are not demanding anything new. Their strikes often result entered. Lack of continuity of dialogue and diligent oversight by relevant stakeholders in government have over the years contributed to this perennial challenge. If government realises after signing or that existing instruments do not support proposed reconvene the parties for another round of talks. That they never do this explains why the problem persists.

The federal government must understand that this is not an auspicious moment to dither on the issue of healthcare for the people. It is not lost on Nigerians that their president and many of his top challenge at a time our people are practically left to their own devices. Meanwhile, time has also come for the federal government to overhaul its collective bargaining machinery with a view to ensuring enters. Incessant strikes are hugely inimical to the health of the economy and, in many ways, disruptive of the social order.

However, beyond addressing the current challenge with NARD, the federal government needs to urgently improve the quality of lives of healthcare direction. This will not only help to reduce brain drain and medical tourism—two ‘monsters’ that should easily be blamed on insensitivity of government— but also help in the bid to revamp the health sector in the country.

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

NYSC AND NATIONAL CRISIS

The recent nationwide upsurge in ethnic militia nationalism or gangsterism and its attendant violence which no an aftermath of long years of military misrule. This unfortunate drift towards a state of near anarchy as a result of the new wave of ethnic movement is not a sign of freedom but rather profound crisis where people are being ruled by their basest impulse. It is a clear case of a nation in budding crisis, which at best is a sad reminder of those dark days of ethnic loyalties, mutual group suspicion and distrust of pre-civil war days which resulted in a most agonizing bloodbath.

The post war era saw the then military government promptly promulgating the 3Rs policy – Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of which the NYSC scheme, being a child of circumstance was born to soothe frayed nerves, prevent a recurrence and promote national unity and stability. And judging from all indices, the scheme has creditably acted to script by imbibing in Nigeria youths the spirit oneness and brotherhood in Nigerians irrespective of cultural, religious and social background; being in itself an instru-

ment for socio-economic and cultural change.

A Chinese proverb says: “If you are planning for one year ahead; plant rice, for 10 years ahead, plant trees; but for 100 years, educate people”. While Malcom X Forbes sagaciously stated that “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one”. With the scheme’s capability of raising the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about the higher ideals of national achievement and socio-cultural improvement which is hardly attainable at the post-primary school level, for the Pro-Unitate Federal Schools being less than 100 are just a drop in the institutions that are not federal are still at the beck and call of the catchment syndrome to favour the indigenes at the expense of other Nigerians! Hence, the scheme indispensability lies in its steering the ship of state back on the right course as it remains the major vegetation of socio-cultural exchange of ideas. The scheme’s orientation course, as the Edo State Director, Mr. Michael Echeanyanwu succinctly put in his adto give a smooth transition from the academic into the large

society. Also, it is one of the ways we can fashion out for ourselves a united, self-reliant, peaceful, and prosperous nation of our dream. The scheme remains a platform where Nigerians freely intermingle without recourse to the dictates and inhibition of socio-cultural barriers which has been the Achilles heel of the nation’s unity. It is also on record that stranded travelling corps members always lodge with fellow corps member in any geographical location where they are strand-

the second stanza, second line of the NYSC Anthem – ‘Put the Nation First in all’. This is largely because the scheme has continually developed in the Nigerian youths the attitudes of mind acquired through shared experience and suitable training which will make them more amenable to mobilization in the national interest, if cognizance is taken of the fact that the youths are often targeted as pawns to carry out these nefarious activities.

Time has also come for the federal government to overhaul its collective bargaining machinery with a view to ensuring effective implementation of agreements it freely enters

Opeyemi Ajala, FCA, former Presenter – Eagle Sports Hour on Eagle Cable Televi-

IOSA Benchmarks Safety Standard as United Nigeria Gets Certification

Chinedu Eze

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reiterated the importance of an airline being in the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry, saying that it benchmarks the operator’s safety standard.

The international body therefore encouraged Nigerian airlines to strive to be in the IOSA registry to further boost the standard of their operations.

IATA made this known when United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) recently unveiled its IOSA certificate at its head office in Lagos and promised to sustain its safety level, just as it plans to expand its operations to regional and international routes.

The Area Manager/Head of Account Management, West and Central Africa, IATA, Dr. Samson Fatokun at the presentation of the IOSA certificate to the new Nigerian carrier, said that it was necessary for the country’s airlines, especially the scheduled operators to be on the IOSA registry·

He said it was necessary because obtaining the IOSA certification follows stringent process and any airline in the IOSA registry must have attained high standard of safety and it has also been confirmed that rate of accident is very low among airlines that are in IOSA registry globally.

Fatokun also remarked that IOSA was not competing with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in entrenching safety in the industry, but rather collaborating with the regulatory body to improve safe operations in the sector.

He commended Nigerian airlines and disclosed that already, there are six Nigerian scheduled operators on the IOSA registry, making Nigeria the only country on the African continent with such high number of operators on its registry.

He further encouraged other operators to join the IOSA registry in order to further boost safety in their operations, maintaining that IATA would help the operators improve their safety standard.

Chief Operating Officer (COO), UNA, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said it took the airline six months to complete the process.

According to Okonkwo, the exercise was a rigorous one, but said the airline remained undaunted about the challenge and encouraged other indigenous carriers to take a cue from the airline.

He emphasised that the IOSA registration was one of the steps the airline intends to take to further expand its operations on the regional routes.

“This thing is about safety and adherence to safety standards. It doesn’t mean that you are different from others. The reward for hard work is more hard work. This certificate will keep us awake and ready. We now have certified benchmark that we are working towards. More or less, you can say that we are now more alive to the responsibilities of operations. Any advantage or benefit that is available for us, we are going to explore them,” Okonkwo said.

Dana Air Signs Training MoU with Crew Training Institute

Dana Air has signed an MOU with Crew Training Institute for customer service efficiency, poise, etiquette and finishing school training for it’s Frontline employees.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Ememobong Ettete, ‘’Dana Air is committed to always raising the bar of it’s standards across every facet of our operations and this is one step we would continue to take to take to ensure excellent service delivery to our customers.

“For us, it’s not just about flying our customer safely but ensuring the experience is hitch-free, seamless and pleasant for our customers from booking to disembarkation at destination.”

Also speaking on the partnership, the Accountable Manager of the institute, Katherine Lademo said: “We are proud to have entered this partnership with one of Nigeria’s most reputable airlines to train their frontline employees.”

The airline said the partnership

Underutilisation of Airport Facility at MMA2

Chinedu Eze

The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the builder and operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal, known as MMA2, Dr. Wale Babalakin, has expressed disappointment over the underutilisation of the airport facility due to the refusal of concerned authorities to use the terminal for both domestic and regional operations.

would include customer service training, poise, etiquette and finishing school training and this also confirms the airline’s commitment to continue to up the ante in terms of standards across its operations.

‘’Crew Training Institute is one of Nigeria’s most reputable aviation training schools wholly owned and run by ICAO certified and seasoned aviators with experience and training from Virgin Group,” lademo added.

NAHCO Subsidiary Begins Export of Food Items

Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahcoaviance), has on Wednesday started the exportation of food items to Europe under its new subsidiary, NAHCO Food and Beverages Limited. It commenced the exportation of fresh pepper after being certified by the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and after consultation with foreign food standards agencies.

The initiative has been described by analysts as one that would revolutionalise the way Nigeria’s produce are packaged for foreign markets.

NAHCO said this feat would be the first by any major operator at the airport and that it comes on the back of aggressive push by the federal government for increased export of Nigeria products.

It said the new export business by the company is in conjunction

with its appointed partners to export the first batch of the exports consisting of high grade fresh Nigerian pepper.

Group Managing Director/CEO, nahcoaviance, Mr. Indranil Gupta, said the development was coming at a time when quite a number of stakeholders had identified packaging as a major challenge for Nigerian exports.

He added that the Company is doing a lot to assist local producers of agricultural produce in realizing their dreams of exporting quality commodities to markets in Europe, America and Asia.

“We appreciate the hard work some of our farmers put into producing their goods. NAHCO is trying to support them export these products so as to make these efforts more worthwhile for them.

It is also a way of generating scarce foreign exchange for the country,”

Gupta stated.

Explaining the process which led to the commencement of the food exports, the Senior Business Development Manager, New Business, nahcoaviance, Mr. Emmanuel Illah, pointed out that the project is part of NAHCO’s larger expansion strategy driven by three major objectives: Growth, Risk Reduction and Profitability.

According to Illah, the GMD/ CEO of the company, Indranil Gupta, drove the initiative and have provided support and technical know-how so far.

Disclosing plans by the company to onboard new consignees/ offtakers, Illah said: “The marketing campaign and planned roadshow will take care of this. We plan to expand the product range substantially in due course to accommodate the requests from the diaspora markets.”

CPN to Tackle Tech Innovation Challenges in 2023 IT Assembly

Emma Okonji

Computer Professionals

Registration Council of Nigeria, (CPN), the government agency responsible for the regulation, control and supervision of the computing profession and practice in Nigeria, is set to address the challenges associated with technology innovation in Nigeria, with a view to presenting Information Technology (IT) roadmap to the in-coming administration.

President of CPN, Mr. Kole Jagun, while addressing the media at a virtual press conference on

Tuesday, said the issues would be addressed at the next IT Assembly scheduled to hold next week in Abuja, where the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, will deliver the keynote paper.

Speaking on the theme of the 2023 IT Assembly, tagged: ‘e-Government for Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance’, Jagun said the incoming government would need functional e-governance to drive technology innovation that will foster the growth of Information and Communications Technology

At its conception and approval, the terminal was planned that all domestic and regional flight operations would emanate from the facility, which has remained the best airport infrastructure since it started operation in May 2007, but so far, it is yet to serve regional operators and it is not even hosting all the domestic operations as contained in the agreement between the federal government and BASL.

Babalakin who spoke to journalists during the anniversary ceremony and art exhibition to mark 16 years of MMA2, expressed surprise that approval has not been given to BASL to start regional flight operations, which refers to flight service between Nigeria and other West and Central African nations.

“I am alarmed that we have not commenced regional operations, having gone through the entire process and got certified, yet we have not been allowed to take off. What this means is that the General Aviation Terminal, MMA 1 (GAT) is still operating illegally because based on the judgment of the Supreme Court, the GAT is part of our facility. So I hope that those who have power and who have constitutional authority know that enterprises are encouraged when the rule of law is followed. Once you follow the rule of law, your country will become an investment destination, but if people are looking at us from afar, seeing simple agreements not being honoured, it puts us in a negative light and it is not good for anybody in the country,” Babalakin said.

According to him, BASL will legally continue to push to ensure that the rightful thing is done by allowing the facility to operate regional service and also to ensure that all domestic airlines carry out all their local flight operations at the terminal.

“We will continue to make our case based on law and we believe that our case is insurmountable, is truthful and is only the best for the country.

For several years after it was completed, MMA2 remained the best airport terminal in West Africa only pushed to third position by the Dakar International Airport, Senegal and Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana. The facility, however, remains the best domestic airport terminal in the sub-region.

It also remains the most efficiently run airport terminal in Nigeria, having been rated by travellers to have consistently been reputed to have the cleanest rest rooms among all the airport terminals in Nigeria,” Babalakin futher said.

So, I think that there was a lot of deliberate effort to design an outstanding terminal and to the glory of God it has worked.”

On why the airport has remained number one in Nigeria in terms of facilities and efficiency in its operation, Babalakin said the desire to have a state-of-the-art airport terminal was eventually actualised but it was not easy to attain that goal.

“Well, we give glory to God. For those of you who were here when we started, you are aware of the enormous challenges we went through. We are still trying to surmount some of them. But we have been purposeful. And we have been determined that we will make the best of our situation. So, we thank God for what we have achieved,” the BASL Chairman said.

At several occasions, labour unions have picketed the facility, leaving passengers stranded, forcing airlines to cancel flight amid huge financial losses. Babalakin however said the unions have the right to protest but insisted it should be done under the ambit of the law.

(ICT), which according to him, serves as a catalyst to effective and efficient service delivery, quick response, accountability and transparency in governance.

“Greater use of information and communications technology and e-government will increase government transparency, accountability and good governance. This, in turn, may invite citizen participation, foster e-governance, and help nurture our nascent democracy. The realisation of sustainable development cannot be possible without good governance,” Jagun said.

On the unique selling qualities of the airport, Babalakin stated, “Well, the first thing is that it was a deliberate effort. The design was a major assignment. We didn’t just start building. We sat down with the best architects in the world to design a terminal that will have a flow. It is the flow that has made it easy for you to access here. You can see the link between the car park and the terminal. So you’re not going through a disjointed journey because you want to travel, you can see that from when you come up the escalator. It is a seamless process till you board the plane. And you can also see that we have been very disciplined by blocking passengers from operating on our tarmac. We find a way of transporting them. We think that it is backwardness to have passengers working through the ramp of the terminal to the foot of the aircraft. It is also dangerous. It only takes one accident and the country will be embarrassed.

“See, unions have the right to protest, but they must also follow the law. There are principles of law you must follow when you want to protest. As student years ago, one of the things that was prohibited is secondary picketing, What does that mean? You don’t come and block me here because you have a dispute with somebody else. If you have a dispute with me, then you can do whatever is right. But you can say that you have a dispute with another state and you come and block me here, in another state. That is wrong. I think we should find time to explain to the unions that they should follow the rules. Follow the law. Let’s all be compliant. Unions have the right to protest, they should just follow the law.

Giving instance about the introduction of art gallery and the beautification of the terminal, Babalakin said: “You see, the mandate I gave to the management is to create an environment where people can eat, shop, entertain and in the process fly. It is not an environment where you come and queue in the sun because you want to fly. If you decide you want to come and fly in MMA2, we have a gallery full of flowers, you decide you want to buy flowers, have lunch, even sort out your communications issue, or even stay in the lounge which has Internet services. The idea is to give the traveller ultimate comfort while he is in the facility. What we have tried to do is to uplift the standard with the hope that anybody who wants to build an airport tomorrow will have all the standards incorporated into the airport.”

Babalakin

Principal Data Protection Law: What Nigeria Stands to Gain

For a nation seeking to deepen global competitiveness, investment in data economy is vital. This explains why economic experts now refer to data as the new oil, since crude oil itself literally belongs to yesterday. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, at the maiden edition of the ‘Digital Economy Regional Conference’ where he spoke on the theme, “Positioning West Africa’s Digital Economy for the Future,” submitted thus: “In the fourth industrial revolution, data is key.”

According to him, the future is data and that Nigeria must not lag behind. “Today, it is a global best practice to have a data protection law in place, otherwise you will find it difficult to attract so many interventions that are of benefit to your country. Even potential investors may ask questions to know whether you have data protection laws in your country or not?

“If you don’t have any data protection law in place, they will feel uncomfortable to invest because today, data is critical. Whenever we engage with potential investors, we try to convince them of the need to come to Nigeria to invest, and they always ask if we have a data protection law? “But we have subsidiary law. Many of them do agree with subsidiary law, at the same time, many disagree that subsidiary law is insufficient for them, but in Nigeria it is sufficient,” Pantami urged.

On the strength of these issues, the Federal Minsitrry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) proposed the esatblismnet of a fullfledged data protection institution and also principal legislation for data protection related issues in Nigeria to President Muhammadu Buhari and sunsequantly obtained the approval for the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau.(NDPB). Over the years. Pantami used the annual observance of the World Data Privacy Day on the 28th of January- to raise awareness on privacy - coincides with the anniversary of Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (Convention 108) which was opened for signature on the 28th of January 1981. He noted that Nigeria foremost in Africa when it comes to creating awareness through Data Privacy. Without this awareness, citizens would not be able to demand for and enforce their data protection rights. Data protection law is not crafted in any way to punish citizens, rather to create awareness protection, protect citizens data. And also for all to be accountable to one another whether as data controllers or as data processors. Pantami also advocated for a culture of compliance by design and by default. Some experts and people in the private sector are still anxious notwithstanding the optimism in the public sector. The prevailing view amongst these experts is that without a principal law, it may be difficult to guarantee stability of the gains already recorded. For them, it is also important to attract investment (foreign in particular) through strong institutions and legislations. Analysts insists that the current National Assembly, though in its twilight, should urgently transmit the data protection bill to President Buhari for assent before May 29, 2023. This, they note, will provide an additional layer of protection for the nation’s digital

identity ecosystem and ultimately safeguard Nigeria’s digital economy, boost investor’s confidence, grow foreign direct investment, improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and ensure robust protection of personal information. Also, businesses and organisations will be held accountable for any data breach or privacy violation, which will encourage them to take data protection seriously and implement adequate technological and organisational measures in order to protect personal data. The Chief Executive Officer of Jidaw Systems, an ICT Consulting Firm, Mr. Jide Awe, in an interface with Nairametrics, said that Nigeria needs to have a strong data protection law as more Nigerians use different AI tools, which expose their data.

According to him, data protection has now gone beyond having a regulatory agency. There must be a strong law that can be enforced to protect the privacy of citizens data.

“While Nigeria has a national data protection regulatory agency, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau

(NDPB)) responsible for regulating data protection and ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), protecting data privacy rights may require more than just having a regulatory agency. It is hoped that Nigeria and other countries in a similar situation would enact comprehensive national data protection legislation to provide stronger legal and regulatory backing to data protection regulation and help to ensure consistency and effectiveness in addressing data privacy concerns”, he explained. For investors, a data-secured environment is a major attraction. It is an assurance that their information is safe and secure and not subject to abuse. It also explains why many developed countries do not toy with data protection. In fact, many development partners, international financial institutions, critical stakeholders in the digital economy space and even potential investors today have continued to ask questions as to why Nigeria does not have a data protection law in place. Interestingly, Data Protection Law is constitutionally endorsed n Nigeria’s constitution; Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.” In the same vein, the core rights of data subjects under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation provide a

data subject have a right to be informed, right of access, right to object, right to data portability, right to erasure, right to restriction of processing, rights to rectification and rights regarding automated decision making. Having such a law in place will align the country with scores of other nations around the globe and make Nigeria a global player and the lack thereof is economically injurious. The activities of the Bureau since establishment in February 2022 shows it’s strongly aware of what is at stake.

According to the NDPB’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, the risk of not having a principal act is enormous not least because the legal reliefs enforceable by citizens could be extremely difficult to obtain.

“First, it is about our reputation as a country. Individuals and organizations are moving almost everything in to digital platforms. The foundation to anything you do online is your digital identity. You must have an identity. This identity is your personally identifiable information and it is the gate, the wall and the foundation of all your transactions. Your name, telephone number, IP address or anything that identifies you. Clearly we cannot overemphasize the primacy of protection your identifiers in this regards.

“Furthermore, there are some countries that are regarded as whitelist countries. Mostly, these are countries that have their laws and supervisory authorities in place. And there are some things you need to put in place to be able to qualify to get to that level. The opposite of white list is black list. This implies that countries who are not on the whitelist do not have adequate regulatory framework in place and they do not have independent supervisory authorities. Similarly, we have to address privacy breaches, which result in identity theft and other abuses online. These are issues, which are really important to any digital economy. But when you have a law in place, and you have a supervisory authority, there is a reasonable assurance that the rights and bona fide interests of all parties will be protected. “

There are strong signs that Nigeria will get it right eventually. The Nigeria data Protection Bill has been transmitted to the National Assembly. ICT and Cybersecurity Committees members of both the Senate and House of Representatives have shown strong commitments to the passage of the Bill. Nigerians will continue to keep their fingers crossed as stakeholders collaborate in ensuring that data privacy takes firm root in the overall interest of sustainable development in Nigeria.

Pantami

Samuel Ohwovoriole posits that in line with global best practice, Nigeria must have a data protection law in place to attract interventions that are of benefit to the country

“For investors, a datasecured environment is a major attraction. It is an assurance that their information is safe and secure and not subject to abuse. It also explains why many developed countries do not toy with data protection.”

Garlands for WIJ 2023 Most Powerful Women in Journalism

Annually, the Women in Journalism Africa, WIJAFRICA, honours the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria, who have not just left an indelible mark on the industry but also made significant contributions to the advancement of women in journalism. WiJAfrica, a respected gathering of leading women journalists across the African continent, and their annual list serves as a recognition and celebration of the exceptional achievements of women in the field of journalism. This year’s list of 25 amazons, was particularly significant as it partly highlighted women who made substantial impact on coverage of the 2023 elections in Nigeria, as well as other growing crop of young women journalists making impact in their field. Sunday Ehigiator reports that they also honoured seven female veterans for mentoring a new generation of women journalists who are continuing their legacy

But beyond the awards, WIJAfrica holds annual conferences that bring together the most powerful and influential women in journalism to share their expertise, insights, and experiences, which then proceeds to build a list of women journalists, considered to be the most powerful journalists in Africa.

Speaking on the award, the Coordinator of WIJ Africa, Nseabasi Phil Ebosie said, “These women have not only broken barriers and shattered stereotypes, but have also helped to create a more diverse and inclusive journalism profession in Nigeria.

“In the past, we have had the privilege of hosting some of the most accomplished and inspiring women in journalism, including Monique Villa, Chris Anyanwu, Anthea Garman, Anna Cunningham, Mayeni Jones, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Stephanie Busari, Mo Abudu, Siene Allwell Brown, Ruth Benamasia Opia, Abike Dabiri, and more.

“These women have shared their stories of overcoming adversity and breaking down barriers in the field of journalism, inspiring our attendees to strive for excellence in their careers.

“At Women in Journalism Africa, we believe that we must support and empower these courageous women.

“Through our conferences, most powerful women in journalism list, and training and mentorship programs, we recognise the outstanding contributions of African women journalists and provide them with the resources, support, and network they need to succeed in their careers.”

Here are the list of the 25 women who made the WIJAFRICA list for the year.

STELLA DIN JACOB: #1

Topping the list is Stella Din Jacob. According to WIJ, “An election year in any country can be tough for journalists. In Nigeria, where the past two months have seen one of its most consequential elections, one woman stepped up and delivered coverage like no other.

“Meet Stella Din Jacob, the powerhouse behind the unparalleled election coverage during the 2023 Nigerian elections. Leading a team of over 100 researchers, anchors, correspondents, producers, cameramen and others, Stella’s reporters delivered real-time reports from all 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

“From Benin to Birnin Kebbi, Owerri to Oshogbo, they were on the ground, providing unmatched quality of reportage driven by technology. Going live from Friday, February 24, and continuing for five days straight till Wednesday the 29th, Stella’s team seamlessly merged digital and traditional media to create a synergy that was quite simply unmatched.

“Stella’s coverage led to the broadening of Nigerian election analytics, voter education, and international observer participation. Her contributions to journalism over the last 30 years have been so significant that she was recently awarded the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence from the prestigious Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. In 2023, Stella Din Jacob rose to the top, becoming the most powerful woman in journalism in Nigeria. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to delivering the truth to the people. Stella Din Jacob is the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria.”

KADARIA AHMED: #2

In second place is Kadaria Ahmed, a journalist who embodies the true spirit of speaking truth to power.

“Her unwavering commitment to journalism is a shining example to both men and women. As the CEO of Radio Now and one of the most influential women journalists in Nigeria,

Kadaria is a force to be reckoned with. Her fearless approach to tackling issues and holding leaders accountable is second to none. In the past year, Kadaria has been at the forefront of promoting citizenship, good governance, responsibility, and religious tolerance in Nigeria.

“Her role in convening the Presidential Election Townhall and interviewing candidates of leading political parties demonstrates her commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political space. Kadaria is not afraid to take on unpopular positions in debates, and she uses different fora and online platforms to discuss tricky national issues that many people would rather avoid.

“Her unwavering dedication to journalism has earned her the respect of colleagues and the public alike. As the second most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria, Kadaria Ahmed is an inspiration to young women who aspire to take on leadership roles in the media industry.”

BILKISU LABARAN: #3

Listed as number three on the list is Bilkisu Labaran. Labaran has dedicated over three decades of her career to reshaping the African media landscape, leaving an indelible mark as a journalist, editor, and newsroom leader at the BBC.

“As a Senior News Editor for Africa TV and film commissioner, Labaran is an expert analyst on African affairs and has been instrumental in setting up digital language services in Africa, including Pidgin, Yoruba, and Igbo. She is also the News E ditor for Africa English, where she launched The Comb podcast aimed at African youth. Her expertise in communication for development and rights issues makes her a respected and influential voice in the Nigerian media landscape.”

GRACE ALHERI ABDU: #4

At number four is Grace Alheri Abdu. “She is an accomplished journalist with over 35 years of experience in broadcasting. As the managing editor of VOA’s Hausa service, she has a Hausa-speaking audience of tens of millions. Abdu has covered several significant events throughout her career, including the kidnapping of the 276 female students of Chibok by Boko Haram in 2014, the Nigerian presidential elections in 2011 and 2019, during which she had exclusive interviews with the main opposition leaders, presidential candidates, and political leaders, including the Nigerian Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Her radio broadcasts during the elections were unparalleled, and her coverage was of great importance to a Hausa-speaking audience of tens of millions. She is also a multi-talented individual, hosting two radio and a TV weekly show, including a popular family-oriented radio program for young women. Her research and writing focus on family, early marriage, gender violence, women, and child development issues.”

TOUN OKEWALE SONAIYA: #5

At number five is Toun Okewale Sonaiya. “Sonaiya’s impressive achievements have established her as a trailblazer for women’s

empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria. As the visionary founder of WFM Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria’s first and only women’s radio, she has elevated the voices of women and shed light on the challenges they face in the professional world and politics.

“Her unwavering commitment to promoting women’s rights and amplifying their voices was on full display during the 2023 elections, as her organization played a pivotal role in providing unbiased and comprehensive coverage while supporting women candidates regardless of party affiliation.

“Through her tireless efforts, Toun Okewale Sonaiya has become one of the most powerful women in journalism in Nigeria, inspiring countless others to follow in her footsteps and advocate for gender equality in all spheres of life. Her pioneering work has earned her a place among the most distinguished nominees for this list.”

MAUPE OGUN YUSUF: #6

Listed number six is, Maupe Ogun Yusuf. “Her rise to the top of Nigeria’s journalism ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. As an anchor on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, she has proven herself to be a formidable interviewer, never shying away from asking tough questions and holding those in power accountable. But it’s not just her interviewing skills that have propelled her to the forefront of Nigerian journalism; Maupe was a near-permanent fixture on our screens during the nerve-wracking vote count of the 2023 elections.

“Some of her interviews have become viral sensations, generating buzz and engagement across social media platforms. With her razor-sharp intellect and unyielding commitment to journalistic excellence, Maupe Ogun Yusuf is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Nigerian journalism.”

SHARON IJASAN: #7

Listed number seven is Sharon Ijasan. “Sharon Ijasan is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria today, with a reputation for fearless and impactful reporting. Her recent investigative series on human trafficking in Libya and West Africa exposed the cruel reality of modern-day slavery and the complex network of traffickers that prey on vulnerable Nigerians.

“Sharon’s reporting shed light on the horrifying conditions that trafficking victims endure and the staggering sums of money traffickers charge to smuggle them across borders. What sets Sharon apart is her unwavering commitment to exposing the truth, no matter the personal risk or professional challenge.

“Her investigations have led to real-world impact, as seen in her groundbreaking coverage of organized kidnapping and the rise of professional kidnappers in Nigeria, which prompted swift action from law enforcement authorities. As a Report Women: Female Reporters Leadership Program Fellow, Sharon has honed her

skills as a leader and advocate for gendersensitive reporting.”

TESSY IGOMU: #8

“Tessy Igomu, who ranked among the 25 most powerful women in journalism last year, has once again raised the bar in investigative journalism in Nigeria. This year, she takes the 8th spot on the list. Igomu continues to lead Punch Investigations, the desk responsible for delivering some of the most comprehensive reports in Nigerian newspapers.

“Her unwavering commitment to “uncover the story behind the story” is evident in her extensive reporting, which has sparked policy changes and garnered responses from government officials. Igomu’s reports are a testament to her dedication, often requiring weeks-long expeditions across the country to cover various social issues, including health and development. Her exceptional work has earned her numerous awards in the field.”

AMARACHI UBANI: #9

Listed number nine, “Amarachi Ubani is the woman who stands at the forefront of global affairs reporting in Nigeria. Amarachi Ubani, Head of the Foreign Desk at Channels Television, has spent years cultivating relationships with world leaders and diplomats, giving her unprecedented access to the world’s biggest stories.

“Her groundbreaking coverage of the historic election of Barack Obama in 2008 set the stage for a career defined by excellence in journalism. With three concurrent programs on foreign affairs running under her supervision, Ubani is the standard-bearer for foreign affairs reporting in Nigeria.”

CHIEMELIE EZEOBI: #10

From an initial honourary mention in 2022 to being rated the 10th most powerful woman in journalism, Chiemelie Ezeobi, is the Group Features Editor of THISDAY Newspaper.

According to WIJ Africa, “Very few women journalists in Nigeria cover defence, security and conflict as Chiemelie Ezeobi. She is an alumna of the US State Department International Vi sitor Leadership Program on Counterinsurgency, a member of the Jury of the Africa Security Watch Awards Initiative and a Fellow of, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies.

“She was a Crime and Defence Correspondent before her appointment as Group Features Editor at THISDAY. Today, she oversees the Defence, Crime and Health Sub desks in addition to the Weekly Pull-out Magazine, ‘This Weekend’.

“For 13 years, Chiemelie has investigated and written on the most significant security and insurgency issues affecting Nigeria and possesses strong influence within the security and defence community.

“For her work, she has, for two consecutive years, won the Security Watch Awards Best Nigerian Investigative Journalist and later, the Best African Investigative Journalist. Chiemelie received an honourable mention in last year’s list and comes in at number 10 this year.”

SIJU ALABI: #11

Currently placed 11, “Siju Alabi made her debut on this list at number 12. She is a multi-award-winning broadcaster and trainer with more than 35 years of experience in the business (NTA, Channels, MINAJ, Superscreen). As General Manager at Lagos Television, she

Garlands for WIJ 2023 Most Powerful Women in Journalism

has been credited for the sweeping transformation of the antiquated LTV-8 station into a modern institution run by young professionals.

“Today, the station serves 20 million Lagosians on terrestrial and cable and, according to rating agencies, is consistently on the list of top ten most watched TV stations in Lagos. The two-time NMMA Best Newscaster award winner was Director of News at LTV before she was appointed General Manager in 2018.”

STELLA IYAJI: #12

Placed number 12 on the WIJ list is Stella Iyaji. She “is a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, holding the distinction of being the only woman managing editor of a leading national newspaper, the Daily Trust. With over 17 years of experience in journalism, she quickly climbed the ranks, thanks to her keen eye for detail and unwavering commitment to very high standards.

“Through the years Stella has covered several beats including the police, judiciary, foreign affairs, and the Senate. As Deputy Editor of the Daily Trust, and later as the Managing Editor, she introduced data journalism to the paper, using infographics and numbers on the front page to explain complex data and making it more accessible to the average reader. This innovation has set the Daily Trust apart from other papers in Nigeria. Iyaji is a true force in Nigerian journalism, and her impact on the industry will be felt for years to come.”

MORAYO

AFOLABI: #13

Placed 13 is Morayo Afolabi Brown. “She is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women in Nigerian journalism, with a decade of dominance on her show, Your View with Morayo. As a strong voice for women and women’s issues, Morayo has become an icon in the media landscape, tackling controversial and sensitive topics with skill and finesse. Her unwavering stance on important issues and politics has earned her a loyal and dedicated following, making her the go-to person for analysis and commentary.

“A gifted moderator and panellist, Morayo is in high demand from government institutions and private organizations who recognize her insight and expertise. In a field where many struggle to maintain relevance, Morayo Afolabi Brown has remained a shining light, a trailblazer, and a powerful voice for change.”

STEPHANIE BUSARI: #14

Stephanie Busari ranks as number 14 on the most powerful women journalists’ list. “She was part of the team that won a Peabody Award for CNN’s extensive coverage of the Chibok girls in 2015, with Peabody calling their work comprehensive and indispensable. In 2021, her team earned two Emmy nominations for groundbreaking reporting in Nigeria. But Stephanie’s impact goes beyond accolades and awards.

“Her reporting strongly influences Western views of Nigeria’s people and politics. She led CNN’s coverage of Nigeria’s 2023 elections, beginning with party primaries, and had one-on-one engagements with several candidates running for office. Her team also felt the pulse of young people and reported on the growing political consciousness of Nigeria’s youth, especially those voting for the first time.”

KIKELOMO ATANDA-OWO: #15

“Kikelomo Atanda-Owo is an accomplished media personality with an extensive career of over 19 years. In the past year, she has conducted several interviews on current events and politics, demonstrating her in-depth knowledge of the political landscape in Nigeria. Kikelomo

interviewed almost all of the presidential candidates for the 2023 elections, a feat in record time.

Additionally, excerpts from her “Real Talk with Kike” on TV and radio are often released immediately after airing live.

“Her show has helped bring back Silverbird Television as a contender in news and current events. Her extensive relationships with powerbrokers have enabled her to conduct interviews with senior government officials, politicians, elder statesmen, and industry experts. She has interviewed five federal ministers in the past year. Apart from presidential and down-ballot candidates, her impressive list of interviewees also includes former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Oba of Lagos, the Ooni of Ife, and the Alake of Egbaland, labour leaders, captains of industry, newsmakers, controversial figures and celebrities. Kikelomo Atanda Owo makes a strong entry at number 15.”

KONYE NWABOGOR: #16

From getting an honourary mention in 2022, Konye Nwabogor has now been rated the 16th most powerful woman in journalism in 2023.

According to WIJ Africa, “Konye Nwabogor is a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian journalism.

“As the Executive Editor of the prestigious THISDAY STYLE Magazine, she has taken the publication to new heights, with an unbroken run of more than 60 print and digital issues under her leadership. Nwabogor is one of the top 25 most powerful women in journalism in Nigeria and for good reason.

“Since taking over as Executive Editor a year ago, Nwabogor has interviewed newsmakers, leading politicians, and celebrities, cementing her reputation as a skilled journalist, interviewer and manager.

“Under her guidance, Thisday Style has grown in influence with the younger generation, tackling topical issues around inclusion and political consciousness. Her work has not gone unnoticed, with the magazine receiving accolades for its coverage of issues affecting Nigerian youth.

“In addition to her print work, Nwabogor also oversees the online edition of Thisday Style, which has a reach beyond Nigeria.”

TOLU ADELERU BALOGUN: #17

“Tolu Adeleru Balogun, the Head of Programs at News Central, has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in journalism for two consecutive years. Last year she was ranked 24th, and this year she has climbed up to the 17th position. Under her leadership, Balogun has played a pivotal role in helping News Central become the only Nigerian news channel with an Africa-wide outlook, a feat in itself.

“With an outstanding track record as a broadcast journalist and interviewer, Balogun’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to promoting African perspectives in journalism has made her a trailblazer in the industry. Her contributions have been instrumental in positioning News Central as a leader in African journalism, and her well-deserved place on this list is a testament to her accomplishments.”

AZUKA OGUJIUBA: #18

Rated 18th is Azuka Ogujiuba. “She has made a name for herself as one of the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria, and rightfully so. With a remarkable 25-year track record of high-profile interviews with Nigeria’s elite and celebrities, Azuka’s media career is a testament to her

exceptional abilities as an entertainment journalist and media entrepreneur. “As the founder of MediaRoomHub, Azuka was able to carve a niche for herself in the online journalism space with her live online interviews with several Nigerian newsmakers and politicians. MediaRoomHub has since pivoted into mainstream interviews, live event coverage, and more, commanding wide audiences and a loyal fan base. Azuka’s extensive contact list and deep relationships have cemented her place as one of the most powerful women journalists in Nigeria.”

AMAKA OKOYE: #19

On number 19 is Amaka Okoye. “In a world of conflict and chaos, one journalist fearlessly stands on the front lines. Amaka Okoye, an awardwinning crisis correspondent, shapes global conversations with her unrelenting commitment to the truth. Her unparalleled expertise and unwavering determination make her a force to be reckoned with in the field of journalism. If there is a story to be told, Amaka Okoye is the one to tell it.”

NEYA KALU: #20

“Neya Kalu, the Chairwoman and Publisher of The Sun Nigeria, has earned the 20th spot on the list of most powerful women in journalism. As an outsider and entrepreneur, Kalu brings a fresh perspective to the industry and is just what the paper needs in the digital age. Apart from being a national newspaper, The Sun is the most influential newspaper in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, a testament to its long-standing reputation of putting national issues and those affecting Ndigbo on the front burner.

“Kalu holds a degree in Law and an MSc. in Finance from the University of Buckingham. Her leadership of The Sun Nigeria’s board on strategic matters, the establishment of high governance, and oversight of the company’s business have positioned the paper as a leader in the industry. Kalu’s stated dedication to the profession and her commitment to making a positive impact in journalism has earned her a well-deserved place on this list.”

NANCY ILOH: #21

Nancy Iloh, rated number 21 on the list, is a distinguished business journalist, renowned for her insightful reporting, analysis, and interviews on the MoneyShow, a business program on AIT.

“With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she has set a high standard in business reporting, particularly for women in Nigeria. Nancy is an accomplished moderator, adept at steering discussions on critical business issues. Her expertise and experience have earned her a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected business journalists.

“Over the past decade, she has had the privilege of interviewing numerous CEOs, captains of industry, and global newsmakers, cementing her position as a leading voice in the Nigerian business landscape. Her dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed. Nancy has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in journalism, ranking 24th on the prestigious list. She is a true inspiration to

aspiring journalists, particularly women, and has set the bar high for ethical, professional, and impactful journalism in Nigeria.”

FATI ABUBAKAR: #22

Taking the 22nd spot is Fati Abubakar. “Fati Abubakar is a talented documentary photographer and photojournalist based in Nigeria but known around the world. Her passion for storytelling through photography has taken her on a journey to document cities and towns in Nigeria. Fati’s unique perspective on the lives of women and children has enabled her to use photography as a powerful medium to highlight problems at the community level.

“She also has a keen interest in documenting cultures, conflicts, urban poverty, rural development, and humanitarian issues, all to create counter-narratives for underrepresented communities. In a recent project, Fati focuses on showcasing her hometown in Borno State during the time of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Her work has gained critical acclaim, capturing the attention of media outlets such as the New York Times, BBC, Reuters, CNN, Voice of America and Newsweek. Fati’s exceptional talent has not gone unnoticed, as she has been commissioned to work with top organizations such as UNICEF, International Alert, Action Aid, and NPR.”

JULIET BUMAH: #23

“Juliet Bumah, a highly accomplished journalist with over two decades of experience in the Nigerian print media, has been ranked as the 23rd most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria. As the current Editor of the New Telegraph, Bumah has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity and journalistic prowess in a highly competitive industry.

“Notably, under her leadership, the New Telegraph has thrived at a time when print newspapers are thought to be struggling. Additionally, since Bumah became editor, the New Telegraph’s online following has grown considerably, cementing its position as a leading news source in Nigeria.”

ADENIKE ADEBOWALE TAMBE: #24

“Adenike Adebowale Tambe, a senior health reporter with Premium Times, is ranked 24th on the list of most powerful women journalists in Nigeria. Tambe’s dedication to journalism has been exemplified by her exceptional reporting on health-related issues in Nigeria.

“Her recent victory in the print/online news category at the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award, with her story titled: “2022 World TB Day: Stigma, poor funding, other factors threaten disease elimination in Nigeria,” further underscores her journalistic excellence.

“Tambe’s insightful reportage on health issues has received the attention of the authorities, thereby stimulating action towards disease prevention, cancer, coronavirus, primary healthcare, and more. She has won numerous accolades for her outstanding work in the field of journalism, making her an exceptional role model for aspiring journalists in Nigeria.”

AYO MAIRO-ESE: #25

New on the list, Ayo Mairo-Ese has not only made her mark as a media personality but has also taken the Nigerian media landscape by storm. According to WIJ Africa, “Her outstanding abilities as a journalist and presenter have earned her a place on the list of most powerful women journalists in Nigeria at number.

“A graduate of International Relations from Swansea University UK, Ayo’s media career began with Cool TV in 2014. She has since continued to rise through the ranks and has become a force to reckon with since joining Arise TV’s Morning Show in the past year.

“Ayo’s exceptional communication skills, engaging personality, and journalistic prowess have made her stand out as an interviewer of newsmakers, captains of industry, and even presidential candidates. Her contributions to the Nigerian media industry have not gone unnoticed, as her profile continues to rise.”

Extended Hands Foundation, Ford Foundation to Tackle Gender-based Violence in Inter-school Debate Competition

UBA NAMED HEADLINE SPONSOR FOR ‘THE MOTHERS-DAY TV

“Media Industries Concept”, the producers of “The Mothers-Day TV Show,” has announced United Bank for Africa (UBA) as the headline sponsor of the 2023 edition of the programme. The event, scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 14, 2023, will feature notable women and mothers in Nigeria, who will come together to celebrate motherhood, women’s growth, and the challenges that widows face in society.

The theme of this year’s programme is, “Women Helping Women Grow”, and promises to be a remarkable event, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment and supporting the plight of widows in Nigeria.

The programme will be live on Lagos State Television, LTV on terrestrial, DSTV channel 276, and GOTV channel 90.

Special guests expected at the event include the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu; distinguished Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; member House of Representatives and frontline contender for the position of Speaker of the House of Reps, Miriam Onuoha; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State, Bolaji Dada; Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment in Lagos; Otunba Chief Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke; the Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada; the Chairman of the Quincy Healthcare, Quincy Ayodele and other notable guests.

Notable Nollywood actors and mothers, including Gloria AnozieYoung, Ngozi Nwosu, Grace Ama, Thelma Chukwunwem, Obey Etok Chima, Chidi Ihezie Okafor, and Maimuna Yahaya-Abaji, Maureen Solomon – Okereke, Ronnie Dikko-Kila, with the legendary ARA the first female talking drummer in Africa on stage to open and close the show.

Stories by Mary Nnah

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi

OgunThe Extended Hands Foundation, a charity organisation founded by actress and producer Stephanie Linus is creatively engaging the younger generation in vital conversations about gender-based violence.

With support from Ford Foundation, the organisation hosted students of six secondary schools across Lagos state to an interschool debate competition with the theme: “A world without

Gender-Based Violence.”

This platform provided an opportunity for the students to raise awareness, ignite discussions, and explore innovative solutions to create a world where everyone can live free from violence and discrimination.

“This Inter-school debate competition is a response to the impressive work of change agents across secondary schools in Nigeria, especially secondary schools that are our project partners,” said Stephanie Linus, founder of Extended Hands Foundation.

“We aim to convey, unite, and guide Nigerian students on the path to being agents of transformation through the power of knowledge sharing.”

A panel of distinguished social entrepreneurs and subjectmatter experts selected the winners of the debate competition after reviewing all the presentations. Some representatives of the participating schools also volunteered as ambassadors to continue championing the cause in their respective schools and communities.

The Extended Hands Founda-

tion is committed to investing in the development of Nigerian society by equipping youths with the right capacities and proffering solutions to sustainable development goals.

Representatives of six schools: Molan High School, New Edition School, Great Lilly College, Ireti Senior Grammar School, Victoria Island Senior Secondary School, and Gbara Community Senior Secondary School participated in this highly competitive debate, with Molan High School, Ikotun, Lagos emerging as the winner.

Gov. Adeleke Throws Weight Behind ‘The Drum Festival’ in Canada

As the planning and the preparation for the maiden edition of the Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival) continue to gather momentum, the Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, of Osun State has thrown his weight behind the festival.

The festival with the theme, “Rejigging Yoruba Cultural Heritage as Catalyst for National Unity, Progress and DevelopmentTheAyangalu Example”, will take place at Fuzion Banquet Hall, 1300 Britannia Road E, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada by 8 pm.

While acknowledging the receipt and acceptance of the

invitation to the festival by Prince Segun Akanni, publisher of The Drum Online Media Incorporation and convener of The prestigious festival, Governor Adeleke, said, “I am delighted to express my support and endorsement for the upcoming festival.”

“I also wish to salute your sense of bravery, intelligence, and enthusiasm geared toward the revival of African culture and Yoruba cultural heritage. I am proud of you and your team for this noble and legendary initiative aimed at revamping our indigenous tradition and culture from a state of near oblivion to a realm of the global pedestal of

fame, relevance, and glory.”

Prince Segun, convener of the festival said, “Based on the fact that you are the number one citizen of Osun State, a premier Yoruba enclave that harbours Ile-Ife, the ancestral abode of all Yoruba people, whereAyan-Agalu originates from, and coincidentally the political state of the event’s chief host, we are pleased to invite you as the political host to the maiden edition of the AyanAgalu (Drum) Festival.

“Besides, the world sees you as a global choreographer and entertainer whose dancing prowess marvels both national and continental audiences.

“The Drum Festival (AyanAgaluFestival)cannotbeorganized without the physical presence of a prolific dancing colossus like you as the Yorubas would say “Ti ko basi ilu, kole si ijo”.

“Wealsowishtousethismedium to solicit your endorsement and moral support which we strongly believe will add tremendous value and prestige to the event.

“In recognition and appreciation of your compelling democratic track record and choreographical iconism, we are thrilled to present an Award of Excellence on Democracy and Cultural Dance to you during the event.

Tomtom Sponsors Nigerian Idol Season 8 Lord’s Dry Gin Recognises Innovators at 2023 Achievers Awards, Unveils New Plaque

Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondel z International, producers of the number one leading Nigerian candy brand - TomTom, with variants; TomTom Classic and TomTom Freshlime, has been announced as the official sponsor of Nigerian Idol Season 8. This announcement was made at a media conference held in Lagos by MultiChoice Nigeria.

AccordingtotheExecutiveHead of Content and WestAfrican Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, Nigerian Idol continues toofferauniqueplatformforartistes toshowcasetheirtalenttoagrowing national and continental audience.

Category Lead (Gum and Candy), Cadbury West Africa, Morolake Emokpaire, discussed TomTom’s support of the music andentertainmentindustryatlarge -expressingTomTom’senthusiasm for empowering young talented artistes. In her remarks, she said, “We are excited to be partnering with MultiChoice Nigeria to sponsor Nigerian Idol and build momentumwithourinvestmentin Nigeria’smusictalent.Weareproud

to be associated with such an iconic talent show and look forward to the upcoming season’s activities”.

TomTom’s sponsorship of the show aligns with its social mission to discover, nurture and showcase young creatives. Brand Manager (Gum & Candy), Cadbury West Africa,JoanOdafe,emphasisedthis in her remarks when she said: “As part of our commitment to support young, aspiring talents, we will work with the first runner-up to further hone their music abilities. Through the programme, our team and partners will guide the individual through a boot camp, as we provide the relevant promotional media benefits to support the growth of their music career.”

The show which premiered on April 23, will begin with live performances starting on May 28. The grand finale will be shown on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, and Africa Magic Family every Sunday for the next nine weeks, beginning on July 16. The show’s official Channel would also be accessible on DSTV Channel 119.

The Lord’s Achievers Awards, an annual award ceremony organised by Nigeria’s finest premium spirit brand, Lord’s London Dry Gin, held its fifth edition on Saturday, 6th May 2023 at the Landmark Event Centre, amidst pomp and pageantry, as young Nigerians making an impact across key sectors were celebrated for their innovative excellence.

The celebratory and recognition-based award was in 2019 established to recognise and celebrate young and exceptional Nigerians between the ages of 25 and 40, who have recorded notable success and made an impact in their chosen fields. The theme of this year “Celebrating Innovative Excellence”, was inspired by the uncanny perseverance and resilience of Nigerian youths to chase excellence and impact their field through bold and daring innovation.

To celebrate five years of the inspirational platform for young Nigerians who bear the Lord’s London Dry Gin’s DNA, the

organisers of the award unveiled the new Lord’s Achievers’ Plaque which represents: Authority, Quality, Precision, Elegance, and Distinctiveness’. The new plaque which is a one-of-a-kind emblem was presented to the honourees by mentors who have impacted their innovative journey and inspired them to be excellent.

The honorees for this year were a diverse group of individuals from various organisations, recognized for their will to win, tactical resoluteness in business, and most importantly, their contributions to variousfields,includingtechnology, finance, entertainment, agriculture, and social impact. The award platform also brought back its special category, “Ladies of Impact’, recognising women who have made an immeasurable impact through their work and innovations.

Inhiswelcomeaddresstoguests, Stanley Obi, Director, Prime Business Unit at Grand Oak Limited, celebratedthehonorees, explained the importance and symbolism of the new Lord’sAchieversAward’s plaque.

Speaking on UBA’s partnership, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said, “We are delighted to partner with Media Industries Concept on this year’s edition of ‘The Mothers-Day TV Show.’ As a bank, we believe in supporting initiatives that empower women and promote gender equality and inclusivity. We are committed to advancing the cause of women’s development in Nigeria and beyond, and we believe that this program will inspire and support positive change in our society.”

COMIC REPUBLIC’S VAST VANGUARDS UNIVERSE LANDS AT UNIVERSAL

Precious Ugwuzor

AmericanTelevisionProductioncompany,UniversalContentProductions (UCP), a division of Universal Studio Group (USG), has announced a partnershipwithNigerianonlinemultimediacompany,ComicRepublic, to develop series based on the characters and stories from its popular Vanguards Universe. The announcement, a first-of-its-kind was made on April 25 by the studio and is part of the move to expand its ‘World of Heroes.’

TheintercontinentalpartnershiphasSelwynSeyfuHindsandhisbanner Mad Massive Entertainment set to executive produce projects based on the comic books.

“From the moment I plunged into the incredible world of stories and characters built by the wonderful team at Comic Republic, I knew that thiswasanopportunitytofulfillMadMassive’smission:Totellstoriesthat revealoursharedhumanity,storiesthatgivewingstodreams,”saidHinds.

“And as a devourer of all things fantastical from the moment I could read,havingtheopportunitytocreatemultipleprojectsdrivenbycharacters who spring from the source of it all, from Africa, is truly the stuff of my lifelong dreams. I’m incredibly grateful to the teams at Comic Republic, UCP,andMadMassive’sownKatieZucker,whodoggedlypursuedthis dealformorethanayear.Rightnow,I’mjustampedallthewayuptowork with our partners to build an entirely new, entirely different comic book universe that will entertain and inspire. Because we come from myth, from majesty, from heroes.And we deserve this.”

Foundedin2013byJideMartin,Nigeria-basedComicRepublicprimarily focuses on the digital creation and distribution of originalAfrican comic books. Speaking on the partnership, Martin said, “For ten years, Comic Republic has focused on building a community of storytellers and artists dedicated to putting Africa’s best foot forward with quality art, animations, comics, and authentic stories that would make allAfricans and its diaspora beam with pride.

“I believe that the perception of our continent is better shaped when morepeoplecanlooktoAfricanheroesasicons.Wewerepatienttoensure thatwefoundtherightpartnerstotakethestorytotheplaceswecouldn’t and, most importantly, do justice to the culture it emanates from while providingmuch-neededrepresentationforagenerationofpeoplethathave beenleftout.Thepartnershipneededtobenefittheglobalcommunityand us by collaboratively taking our stories, nurturing them, and delivering them to a worldwide audience. I am thrilled to be doing this with UCP, and I can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been up to.”

“We realize the magnitude of staying true to these heroes and know that the creative genius of Comic Republic and the incredible vision of Selwyn Seyfu Hinds will bring these voices and characters to life in the mostbrilliantandbigway,”saidBeatriceSpringborn,President,UCPand UniversalInternationalStudios.Whenmembersofthefirstrace-humanity’s self-proclaimedgods,unitetopunishthepeopleofLagosforthesinsofthe Guardian,thosewhohavedecidedtobeheroesandprotectorsareforced to become humankind’s first line of defense, to serve and to protect, to be Vanguards. Comic Republic is home to an authenticAfrican collection of stories about heroes and villains, hope and fear, developed for the young and old. With a unique foundation of over 100 characters and thousands of pages of comic book art, Comic Republic provides original African contentandcreatesaworldofauthentic,diverseheroeswithbroadappeal.

UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is a best-in-class television studio that produces genre-defying, ground-breaking and intentional storytellingwithasenseofdiscovery.LedbyPresidentBeatriceSpringborn, UCPcollaborateswithvisionarycreators,includingNickAntosca,Patrick Macmanus(LittletonRoad),JohnLegendandMikeJackson’sGetLifted, TarellAlvinMcCraney,BrianChamberlayne,SamEsmail,SelwynSeyfu Hinds, Soo Hugh, Seth MacFarlane and Tanya Saracho. The studio’s top titlesincludetheEmmy®Award-winningseries“TheUmbrellaAcademy,” “Monk,”and“Mr.Robot”;Emmy-nominatedseries“Candy”and“Gaslit”; fan favorites “Chucky” and “Resident Alien”; and acclaimed dramas “Dr. Death,” “AFriend of the Family” and “The Girl From Plainville.”

Extended Hands Foundation team and contestants at the event

Introduces a pivotal opportunity to support artistes across Nigeria

KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Kabir Idris; Leader of the delegation, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Ifeanyi Momah; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu; and Committee member, Hon. Oyewo Olubukola, during the visit of House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to the portion of land belonging to FAAN being encroached upon in Ajao Estate, Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Adrian Lupu; Senior Tax Manager, NBC, Mrs. Oluwafunke Siji-Mabeweje; President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Tijani Musa Isa; and Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability Specialist, NBC, Olukemi Ogunsakin, at the ICAN Dinner and Awards, where NBC was presented with the 2023 ICAN Merit Award in the Corporate Body Category for its outstanding contributions to professionalism, excellence and nation-building, held in Lagos...recently

L-R: The Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt Reverend James Odedeji; his wife, Mrs. Lydia Odedeji; awardee and Chairman, Avistar Investment Limited, Mr. Victor Iyiola Afilaka; his wife, Mrs. Victoria Afilaka; their children, Mr. Toluwalase Afilaka and Omotayo Keshinro, at the Amuwo Odofin Archdeaconry 10th year pastorate anniversary thanksgiving and award presentation in Lagos...recently

Imo State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Rachel Idaewor (second right), leading the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed (second left), and other members of his entourage on the inspection of facilities during the DG’s visit to Imo State Orientation Camp in Eziama, Obaire…recently

L-R: Public Relations Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo; Director, Payment System Management Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Jimoh Musa Itopa; Chief Executive Officer, 9mobile, Juergen Peschel; and the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, The Economic Forum Series, Jude Ndu, during the Economic Forum Series on Fintech Cybersecurity and Fraud Summit 2023, held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Development Professional, Joshua Adedeji; Head, Startup Human Resources, Goodness Ada Armstrong; Operations Manager, Mel Educational Services Limited, Mrs. Modupe Oladimeji; Regional Officer, West Africa, University of Sussex, Prince Louis Omolayo Adekola; Business Analyst, Vesti, Ms. Olubunmi Opadoyin; Deputy Operations Lead, Vesti, Oyewale Okeyode; and Communications Lead, Vesti, Ifeoluwa Ariyo-Agbaje, during the International Education Fair 2023 organised by Vesti in Lagos…recently

L-R: Groom’s mother, Deaconess Bunmi Adeleke; Director, HFLA Media Link/bride’s father, Mr. Daniel Badru; couple, Mr. Adedayo Adeleke and his wife, Elizabeth Ayomide; Director, Lagos State Ministry of Education/groom’s father, Mr. Adeleke Sobolaje; and bride’s mother, Mrs. Morenike Badru, at the wedding ceremony of the couple held in Lagos...recently

PHOTO:

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

USAID Urges Industry Leaders to Heighten Investment in Infrastructure

Nume

Ekeghe Oluchi Chibuzor

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has urged industry leaders to boost their investments in infrastructure, emphasising its significance in fostering inclusive growth and development.

USAID convened industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs for a one-day conference to reinforce the importance of infrastructure investment in Nigeria and showcase investment opportunities in strategic sectors.

The conference, themed: “Investing in Development,” showed that private sector investment in infrastructure is a vital pathway to achieving the Government of Nigeria’s development objectives across key sectors in Nigeria. How Nigeria grows, advances, and develops going forward relies on infrastructure investments.

Through the two-year USAID-funded activity, Mobilising Institutional Investment for Infrastructure Development in

Nigeria, also known as INVEST, USAID will build the capacity of the institutional investor community in Nigeria. Implemented in Nigeria by investment bank Chapel Hill Denham, INVEST will galvanize private sector investments in infrastructure to support the country’s resilience to shocks and drive economic growth and development.

During the event, Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun, emphasised the importance of involving professionals in delivering key infrastructural projects across various sectors of the economy.

Balogun called on the incoming government to prioritise infrastructure investment, as it serves as a foundation for transforming agriculture, improving manufacturing capabilities, enhancing education, and even bolstering security measures.

Acting USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, at the conference said: “The INVEST activity and the partnership between USAID and Chapel Hill Denham will

attract investments that will create jobs, improve infrastructure, and drive progress in key sectors of the Nigerian economy. Our discussions today will impact how we can work together to enable low-carbon and resilient infrastructure in Africa.”

Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer, InfraCo, Lazarus Angbazo noted that the Presidential Infrastructure funds would continue to focus on development, construction, and operation by committing Naira equity in each of these areas.

For the Group Chief Executive Officer, AFEX, Ayodeji Balogun, he said: “The best thing that has happened to agriculture is the talents that have chosen to participate in solving the solutions in the space.

On his part, Managing Director, Sahel Capital, Mezuo Nwuneli said: “We need to be very aware that it is critical to invest in agricultural infrastructure to ensure we have the right food ecosystem, the right pricing system- but there is a good investment opportunity there but it is a long term economic and political stability.”

Mining: Kogi Gets First Gold Processing Plant in North Central

Kasim Sumaina

In an attempt to cut trading of unprocessed gold leading to capital flights and job losses, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite has inaugurated the first Gold Processing Plant in Mopa, Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria.

This, the Minister said, was in a bid to develop the downstream sector mining industry to improve product pricing, create jobs, improve revenue generation and attract foreign markets to Nigeria.

The concept of the Gold Processing Plant Adegbite revealed was a crafted policy

to spur job creation and capacity development of gold mining operators in Kogi State and environs, through the Economic Growth and Sustainability Plan of the Federal Government.

He gave the hint in his keynote address at the inauguration of the plant in Mopa, Mopa-Muro local government area of Kogi State.

The Minister in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Head of Press, Funmi Imuetiyan, stated that the choice of Mopa as a location for the gold processing plant is predicated on its central position on the Schist Belt which trends from the northwest through western

Kogi State to southwest Nigeria.

The Nigeria Schist Belt, Adegbite opined is known to host rich deposits of gold, stating: “With the location of the gold processing plant in Mopa, artisanal and small-scale gold operators within the Schist Belt states can easily have access to the plant for their gold processing and refining.”

According to him, the plant will create and generate sustainable competitive advantages in the following key areas: Development of downstream gold mining industries. increasing the level of competitive inputs, such as services, machinery and equipment

Customs Generates over N3bn in 3 Months in Kwara

Hammed Shittu

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara state Command has said that, it had generated a total sum of over N3billion between January and March this year.

The state’s Controller of the NCS, Mr. Kehinde Dehinde who made the disclosure in Ilorin on Wednesday during a news conference on the activities of the command between January and March this year said that, “This surpasses the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of seizures made in the first quarter of last year 2022 with Twenty Five Million Six Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand Five Hundred and

Twenty Naira (N 25, 628, 520.00).”

He said that, “When I assumed office in January this year, I did not hide my intention to make remarkable impact both in Anti-smuggling activities and Revenue collection and I took both as my point of duty to reposition the Command to be more accountable, responsive and reliable.

“In order to achieve this, I fashioned out what I christened a creed, with the concept of policing our land borders and our other area of responsibilities (AoR) in line with international best practices and in accordance with all extant laws as enshrined

in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45, LFN 2004 as amended.”

The Controller added that, “Despite that, unscrupulous elements remain hell bent in thwarting all measures put in place to improve Nigeria economy by engaging in smuggling activities.

“The Command also through its renewed strategies has continued to achieve increased blockage of revenue leakages and preventing the smuggling of prohibited imported items. The anti-smuggling measures put in place in the Command have yielded astronomical successes of 23 seizures of different items.”

Chi Farms Expands Hatchery Production Capacity

Ugo Aliogo

Chi Farms Limited, has expanded its hatchery production capacity at its Ajanla Farms, Ibadan.

The company in a statement said the hatchery capacity has been increased from 44 million to 52-million-day-old chicks per annum to meet the increasing demand for their products across Nigeria.

The Chief Operating Officer of Chi Farms, Dr Ananda

Raj, highlighted the critical nature of the expansion at Ajanla Farms, Ibadan, stating, “Our decision to expand our hatchery production capacity was driven by the high demand for our Day-old chicks across Nigeria. The strategic location of Ajanla Farms, Ibadan, away from bird-prone diseases and proximity to our hatchery fleets, makes it an ideal location to increase our breeding success and meet the ever-increasing demands from the poultry

L-R: Mrs Eniola Olutimilehin; Mrs Ogunlewe; Strategic Advisor, Mr Lanre Olutimilehin; former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe; Founding Partner Diya, Fatimilehin & Co., Mr Gboyega Fatimilehin: Dr. (Mrs) Mojisola Fatimilehin; Mrs Mary Eguridu; Mr. Charles Eguridu; and Mrs Bunmi Akinkugbe at a Prayer Breakfast to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Diya, Fatimilehin & Co. in Lagos...recently

industry in Nigeria.”

The statement noted that the new state-of-the-art hatchery ensures optimum biosecurity measures and standard operating procedures for optimal hatchery performance.

“We are committed to excellent breeding and sustainability because every chick’s health, well-being, and performance begin in the hatchery,” said Dr Tunji Olaitan, Executive Director of Chi Farms,” he stated.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Seplat Report $204.4m Profit, 15 cents Dividend for 2022FY

Kayode Tokede

The shareholders of Seplat Energy Plc, yesterday commended the management of the company for posting an impressive 2022 financial year result and paying 15 cents dividend out of the $204.4million profit.

Speaking at the virtual 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Seplat Energy, a

shareholder, Mr. Patrick Ajudua, said: “I want to commend the company for the special dividend of 5 cents, in addition to the final dividend of 2.5 cents, bringing the total to 15 cents. We are, indeed, very grateful and we appreciate the Board for being consistent in dividend payment and ensuring a generous reward to the shareholders at a very difficult time,

when most companies are even finding it difficult to maintain profitability.”

The President, Noble Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr. Matthew Akinlade said: “I wish to commend the Board and management for a good performance, in spite of the challenges of year 2022, a you were able to raise revenue by about 38per cent and cost of sales at just 18per cent, which

shows an effective management of the company’s cost.”

In his address to shareholders and other stakeholders, Chairman of Board, Seplat Energy, Mr. Basil Omiyi, said for the 2022 full year, the Company’s total revenue rose by 29.8 per cent to $951.8million, while profit before tax rose by 15.3 per cent to $204.4million.

With the healthy financial

performance and solid cash position, the Seplat Energy Board recommended a special dividend of US 5 cents per share to be paid to shareholders, in addition to the final quarterly dividend of US 2.5 cents per share. This brings total dividend for the year to US 15 cents per share. The shareholders at the meeting approved the dividend payout, which will be made

on or around 16 May 2023 to shareholders whose names appear in the Company’s Register at the close of business on 18 April 2023.

He said the Company’s oil business started the year on a strong footing, with working interest production of 29,078 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 30,338bopd in Q1-2022 and Q2-2022 respectively, adding that:

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MAY/11/23

Adenuga @70: Celebrities Celebrate Glo Icon

How Globacom boss has impacted the Nigerian entertainment industry

More than any other set of creatives, Nigerian entertainers have benefitted the most from the magnanimity of Dr Mike Adenuga, chairman of telecoms giant, Globacom. And this is not in any way arguable. Since 2003 when it began operations, Globacom has made home-grown stars from the entertainment industry the faces (ambassadors) of its brand while making them worth their popularity in affluence and influence. At a time when entertainers were being paid peanuts for their artistry, Globacom upped the ante, dishing out millions of naira to their ambassadors and helping them to live the life they only see in the movies or on MTV. Many of them seized the occasion of his 70th birthday to celebrate him for his impact on their lives and their industry, writes Lanre Alfred

The chairman of Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga, sauntered graciously into the septuagenarian club on April 29. Left to him, the day would have passed without any merry-making. There was, however, a private party with select friends and family members at his palatial Banana Island mansion, Lagos, to commemorate the day. That close-knit event afforded many of Nigeria’s finest entertainers to celebrate a man they probably had never met but who had the biggest impact on their career. From Osas Ighodaro, Timaya, and Teni to Bovi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Flavour, and Paul and Jude Okoye, they were all there to honour the ‘Spirit of Africa’ as Adenuga is also fondly called.

Adenuga, guarded and self-effacing, had control over attendance at the exclusive party, but he had no such power over the floodgate of accolades and the avalanche of tributes, testimonies, and testimonials from life-long and latter-day beneficiaries of his generosity and impact in their industry and everywhere else. It was, whether physically or digitally, a perfect occasion to celebrate a man who comes through for them directly or by proxy.

Nollywood’s leading man, Richard Mofe-Damijo, who boasts an over-three-decade relationship with Adenuga, wrote, “Today, I celebrate my 'mainest Oga', Chief Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr. The chairman himself. Every once in a while, God directs our path to cross with people that will make a lasting impact in our lives, you my Oga don do pass. You go do good for person and no dey wait make dem salute you finish before you do more on top am. You too mush. If to say you be area, na Senior Brox I for dey hail you for being so supportive through the years. Thank you for recognising the vibrancy of the cultural landscape and being the biggest supporter of entertainment and arts in Africa. Thank you for believing in the youth of Nigeria and Africa and for empowering them by supporting their dreams. Here’s wishing you many more years of pleasure in good health and sound mind.”

No less significant among the deluge of tributes was that of Kanayo O Kanayo, legendary actor cum lawyer who, incidentally, has never met Adenuga. Not a man given to social media frivolities or clout-chasing, KOK, as the respected thespian is also called, wrote, “Even though I have not met you before but between 2016 and 2017, you created the series ‘Professor Johnbull’ as produced by TChidi Chikere and also celebrated Globacom through the nationwide Music & Comedy Fiesta. Through these projects, I built my house in the village. Otunba, for this impact, I remain loyal and grateful.”

Professor Johnbull was a didactic but hilarious 30-minute drama series which aired on NTA Network, NTA International, DSTV Channel 251, and NTA on StarTimes for six seasons. Professor Johnbull told the story of a retired academic, Professor Johnbull, and his family comprising his daughter, Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye), house-help, Nje (Angela Okorie), and kinsman, Jeroboam, aka Boam (Osita Iheme).

The eponymous character was a community leader in his Enugu neighbourhood, where his respected views and handling of knotty societal issues and conflicts made his residence a beehive of constant activities. The series also featured Yomi Fash Lanso, Imeh Bishop, Funky Mallam, and Bimbo Akintola, among others. Nollywood veterans like Chief Chika Okpala, aka Zebrudaya, Patience Ozokwor, aka Mama G, and RMD made cameo appearances in the series.

If the series had helped KOK build his country home, Adenuga’s innumerable interventions would have been life-changing for many of his colleagues. Aside from direct financial commitments, including massive sponsorships, Globacom currently retains the largest number of key players in the entertainment industry as brand ambassadors while upholding that by actively engaging these key entertainment drivers, they, in turn, can help to grow the sector and the economy. Many established and unheralded entertainers have been blessed immeasurably by this love and patronage.

Despite his predilection for shunning the limelight, he once drove himself to the album launch of Paul Play Dairo, a phenomenon in the Nigerian music scene in the late 90s and early 2000s, to the consternation of guests.

“The chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga, showered me with so much love and I enjoyed so much favour from him. The height of the good gestures

was when he honoured the invitation to my album launch in 2004. A lot of naysayers in the press said I was too inconsequential to get him to attend my launch. But they were all disappointed,” he recalled.

When Paul Play fell sick in 2009 and took a long break to treat what many thought was cancer, he confessed that he didn’t try to publicly raise funds because “People like Dr Mike Adenuga were there for me.”

Likewise, when Juju music maestro Ebenezer Obey, who had retired from secular music decades earlier to concentrate on evangelism, required eye surgery many years ago, Adenuga bankrolled the entire treatment, which took place abroad. That gesture restored Obey’s health and return to musical reckoning. The Globacom boss also blessed the Miliki Exponent with an Escalade SUV.

Adenuga loves a good laugh, and he loves to share happiness, which is why he has supported and sponsored many comedy shows ranging from Glo Lafta Fest, regarded as the biggest music, dance, and comedy event in Nigeria, which brings top-rated African comedians like Bovi, Salvador of Uganda, Basket Mouth, Gordons, I Go Dye, 2Cantok, Seyi Law and others together in one place for an evening of unlimited fun and laughter; Glo Slide and Bounce, a travelling music and dance show; and the Bovi man on Fire Lagos and Warri editions, among others. His favourite comedians like Basketmouth and Bovi, who have been ambassadors for the Glo brand at various times, have also benefitted immensely from their personal relationships with the man fondly called ‘The Bull’.

Industry sources say Adenuga is almost always one of the first to have a movie exclusively screened to him and his family in his expansive home cinema. Reports say Kunle Afolayan, one of Nigeria’s foremost filmmakers and former Globacom ambassador, has screened a number of his movies to him at home. Even when he was no longer an ambassador, Adenuga still found Afolayan’s movies compelling to watch. His love for the entertainment industry didn’t start recently.

Since it began operations in 2003, Globacom has made home-grown stars from the entertainment industry the faces (ambassadors)

of its brand while making them worth their popularity in affluence and influence. When entertainers were being paid peanuts for their artistry, Globacom upped the ante, dishing out millions of naira to their ambassadors and helping them live the life they only see in the movies or on MTV.

The least paid ambassador, sources said, was getting at least N10 million per annum depending on their level of stardom. But the highest-paid ambassador was P-Square, which, at the height of its fame, was reportedly paid over N200 million and got an expensive SUV each. While Peter got a 2015 G-Wagon, Paul got a Range Rover as part of the deal. Alas, the twin brothers have gone their separate ways. Prior, D’banj was reputed to be the highest-paid ambassador. In 2008, he was signed on as a Globacom ambassador in a deal worth N70 million and got a branded SUV estimated at N15 million. As the headlining act during the company's Rock and Rule tour of Nigerian cities then, he got N2 million per show and was signed on for 18 cities. He was disengaged in 2010 due to a face-off with the company over performance engagement fees and re-engaged in 2013.

Indigenous entertainers are not left out of the Globacom largesse as stars like Pasuma, Baba Latin, Iya Rainbow, Papi Luwe, King Sunny Ade, and a host of others are all on the list. Neither are new generation artistes like Davido, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Timaya, Sani Danja, Ali Nuhu, Chioma Akpotha, and Funke Akindele. At various points, their artistry has earned them a sip or a gulp from Adenuga’s cup of magnanimity.

As part of reaching out to the youth and motivating them to attain excellence in their chosen fields, Globacom, in 2010, announced that it was taking over Naija Sings, the music talent-search reality show being organised by MNET, which ‘aimed at discovering, developing and rewarding Nigeria’s brightest and boldest musical talents. In an exclusive three-year deal, the reality show was rechristened Glo Naija Sings, and a mouth-watering prize regime including $100,000, a record deal, and a brand new Toyota RAV4 SUV was introduced. The telecoms giant promised to endorse the show's winner as an ambassador. Celebrities like Dare Art Alade, Olisa Adibua, and Tosin Martins were some of

the beneficiaries as they participated actively in the show.

In 2013, Globacom announced that it would sponsor the Nigerian version of the British music reality television show X-Factor. The auditions were held in Nigeria and Ghana, with the ultimate prize being a $150,000 cash reward and a deal to be managed and produced by Sony Music to record an album.

The company also collaborated with MTV on The Big Friday Show in 2012, an alliance that made the show more interactive and gave viewers the opportunity for live appearances on the show. There was an added benefit of GLO subscribers winning the network's products every week. That was for the unheralded talents who needed a platform and motivation to start their careers.

Indeed, more than any other Nigerian company, Globacom has, over the years, supported the industry through corporate endorsements for practitioners of all genres by providing massive platforms for Nigerian nay African entertainers to practice their trade through direct sponsorship of concerts such as Glo Campus Storm, Glo Rock ‘n’ Rule’; Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce; Glo Laffta Fest; Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour, Dance with Peter, Glo X-Factor, and Glo Naija Sings.

For several decades, the Alliance Française committed to promoting French culture and teaching French as a second language around the world, was located in the boisterous area of Yaba, Lagos. But thanks to the generosity of Adenuga, the organisation now has a new home in Ikoyi that has been aptly named the Mike Adenuga Centre. Since it was declared open to the public in April 2018, the centre has commanded commendations from far and near, from art aficionados, artists, and preeminent Nigerians.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the centre aims to foster friendship between Nigeria and France, adding, “Lagos is one of the challenges of, not only Nigeria but Africa. This huge city is a tremendous challenge about how to make people live together in peace and a better society; I want France to be part of this story. I do want my country and citizens to be part of this experience, which means sharing the same values, cultures, languages, literature, music, movies, projects, and common economic projects, among others.”

It was no surprise, therefore, that the donation of the centre was preceded by the French Government investing Adenuga with her highest national honour, the Chevalier de la Legion d Honneur, which global leaders covet. Adenuga was recognised and honoured for his “remarkable contribution to the development of the French-Nigerian relations and appreciation of the French culture.”

Unlike the proverbial warrior who lives to sing the song of his own deeds and derring-do, Adenuga remains impressively humble and immune to conceit, treading a rare path to acclaim, thus, attracting honour in torrents, from home and abroad. Indeed, he is a prophet with honour abroad and at home. Globacom was honoured at the 12th edition of The Headies Awards, held at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos, for its unflinching support for Nigeria's entertainment industry. It was presented with the Power Brand Support Award.

The Headies, which rewards and recognises individuals and corporate bodies who have contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s, and indeed, the continent’s entertainment industry, said Globacom deserved the award because it had been “relentless and unapologetic in its support for entertainment, as well as in leveraging on the music and entertainment industry to strike a mutually beneficial relationship through sponsorship, endorsement, VAS, tours, concerts, event partnerships, patronage and many other creative ways of opening the ‘eyes’ of many other corporate companies to join the party.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Sola Mogaji, then the Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorship, said, “This award is a great testimonial to our modest contributions to the growth of the nation’s entertainment industry, and we are delighted that Nigerians who voted Globacom for this award are appreciative of our efforts at promoting, projecting and developing the music industry and entertainment generally in Nigeria.”

Adenuga

Omiyi: Seplat Committed to Providing Accessible, Affordable Energy

What would you attribute Seplat Energy’s impressive 2022 full year business performance to?

Seplat Energy’s strategy is enabled by strong corporate governance and risk management, and built upon the values of safety, integrity, partnership, ambition and agility. In 2022, against a challenging environment of oil theft and outages on our export routes, the company averaged 24,735 barrels of liquids a day for export and 112.3 MMscfd of processed natural gas for domestic power generation. Also, higher global oil prices offset the impact of prolonged outages at the Forcados export route, which affected our oil exports in the third quarter of 2022. However, the long-awaited Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline finally came onstream to provide an alternative export route for our key assets. Therefore, our cash generation was strong, as high oil prices offset lower production in 2022, depicting a huge value creation for all stakeholders.

Seplat Energy, in the 2022 business year finalised the new energy investment plan and identified near term opportunities for consideration and FID by late 2023. Can you throw more light on this?

Our New Energy investment plan is aimed at achieving a world-class capability in renewable energies, through the development or acquisition of new skillsets that open up new and profitable markets. We have completed evaluation studies and finalised a ten-year integrated Gas and New Energy Investment Plan. Near-term opportunities we have identified in gas-to-power and solar energy will be subject to technical and business evaluation assessments, environment and social impact assessments, and project licensing, and we expect to move to FID before the end of 2023. The key investment opportunities being considered include selective entry to off-grid power generation using gas-fired generation integrated with solar. Natural gas will be the mainstay of our energy transition programme and this in turn will ensure the sustainability and financial viability of the renewables programme. We are also pursuing carbon offset possibilities on a wide range of emission reduction activities in various global carbon markets. The identified opportunities have considered advancement in technology, availability of resources within Nigeria and feasibility of execution.

For the 2022 full year, the Board recommended a special dividend of US5.0 cents per share in addition to final dividend of US2.5 cents per share. What was the rationale behind this?

A special dividend of 5cents was declared for 2022 following elevated realized oil prices and liquidity growth in the year. Furthermore, Seplat’s liquidity projections for 2023 remain positive given current oil price expectations.

The company has maintained a strong safety culture, recording just one LTI in October 2022 while LTIF for the full year is 0.12. What did Seplat Energy do differently in 2022?

I have to re-emphasise that at Seplat Energy, we prioritise safety, which is a matter of both individual and collective responsibility. As an energy company, we work in high-risk and sometimes challenging environments which puts a premium on safety, integrity, fairness and transparency. We aim to treat all those who work for us with respect and to develop the skills of our people. We believe this approach helps us manage and mitigate risks to our business. The safety of all our employees, contractors, and local communities is a non-negotiable feature of our business. We continued to embed HSE imperatives across our operations; furthering our goal of an incident- and injury-free workplace, we have a mandatory ‘Safety Rules’ programme which guides all our personnel and stakeholders in delivering a safe working environment for all. For instance, during the year, we

implemented an EMP for the Amukpe Buffer Storage Tanks project. The overall goal of the EMP for this project was to minimise impact of various phases of the project activities on the environment, meet statutory obligations, and ensure safety of personnel and members of the public, while maintaining the economic and corporate goals of the company.

As Chairman of the Board, what is your message to all stakeholders given the Company’s very promising future?

As we progress on our journey to a more sustainable future, Seplat Energy will continue to evolve our business to develop a low-cost, lower-carbon, profitable, resilient, and diversified portfolio that will help us thrive in the globally transiting energy market. We remain committed to providing accessible and affordable energy. To this end, our business continues to demonstrate joint consideration of our people, the planet, and profits across all our operations. Continuous engagement with stakeholders is an integral part of our day-to-day business. Their support is a fundamental component of our ability to operate. The Board and senior leadership team recognise the need to invest in our relationships with stakeholders to deliver the Company’s goals. Through regular engagements, a variety of channels and mechanisms, the company is able to understand the views of all stakeholders and integrates them in our decision-making process. Importantly, we use stakeholder engagement to help us identify and prioritise issues most material to the business.

The ANOH Gas Processing Plant is 95 per cent mechanically complete, awaiting third-party infrastructure completion. What will be your message to investors?

I want to assure our investors that, once

completed, ANOH will deliver two income streams for Seplat Energy: from OML 53’s wet gas sales to the plant, and from dividends returned to Seplat Energy from the joint venture ANOH Gas Processing Company, which will operate the plant. The upstream development, including the drilling of six production wells, will be delivered by the upstream unit operator SPDC. We expect the drilling of ANOH-03 and ANOH-04 by SPDC to be completed in Q2 2023. We are a trusted partner to the Nigerian Government and other operators in the region. Our ANOH gas processing plant project is classed as strategically important for Nigeria, for which we are a leading supplier of gas for domestic power. NGIC has confirmed that they expect the OB3 pipeline to be complete before the end of Q2 2023. Line pipes for the 23km spur line are in country and project completion is almost 70 per cent, with the revised completion date communicated by NGIC as 30 June 2023. Despite estimated completion for the pipeline infrastructure being Q2 2023, we have further risked the completion dates and have moved the first gas to the final quarter of 2023.

Can you share the company’s roadmap as a sustainable energy business following the Board of Directors’ Succession Forward Plan announced on 25 April 2023?

As a Board, succession planning is a priority. Our approach to succession planning is not that of a box ticking exercise or a ‘nice to have.’

Our Board Succession Policy provides for selection criteria which accounts for current and future needs of the Company and its stakeholders, and that promotes diversity of thought. We recognize that a diverse board is better prepared for challenges that could arise and enables the Seplat Board in its ability to leverage different perspectives and think outside of the box; as opposed to a homogeneous board, which is likely to miss out on crucial elements of expertise and

experience. When considering candidates, the following qualities and competency elements are of prime importance to us – candidates who have proven experience in leading large, complex, international organisations. Such candidates would have had – significant experience in cost leadership; ability to balance the transformational changes that Seplat needs to make against the timing of these changes, particularly as the Company implements its energy transition objectives; demonstration of ability to implement the Company’s climate change agenda; and an understanding of the energy market.

Seplat Energy has commenced implementation of a roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050. Do you want to speak to this?

Our Flares Out project, which forms part of our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, is on schedule to reach our target of ending routine flares by the end of 2024. In 2022, improvements in performance of the AG compressor in Oben and Amukpe, alongside regular asset integrity checks and other facility improvement activities, were effective and AG flare volume was reduced by 18.2 per cent at Oben (5.7 MMscfd against 6.97 MMscfd in 2021) and by 39.9% at Amukpe (1.1 MMscfd against 1.83 MMscfd in 2021). The Sapele Gas Plant (AG solution) with installed capacity of 40 MMscfd achieved mechanical completion in December. The AG solution is expected to process c.26 MMscfd and will make a significant contribution to flared gas utilisation, reducing emissions and carbon intensity. In addition, we acquired an LDAR system at our Oben Gas Plant and trained 40 employees on use of the technology, which has enabled detection of invisible leaks and allowed our in-house O&M team to act promptly. Our diesel replacement programme seeks to increase the use of gas, a less carbon intensive fuel for power generation and where feasible, solar power is also being considered. We are piloting solar at our Amukpe warehouse to power equipment on site and plan to power the security outposts located around our operations using solar energy in 2023.

Work is ongoing to spin out a Midstream Gas business in line with PIA provisions. Can you share the level of progress made in Seplat Energy with regards to this?

In line with the provisions of the PIA, we believe the Midstream Gas business could achieve a higher value when operated as a separate, standalone unit, independent of our Upstream business. This will unlock new value for the Company and increase returns for stakeholders. An implementation roadmap for the spin-out opportunity has been developed and the process is expected to take 12 to 18 months, subject to regulatory approval and stakeholder engagement.

We will continue to align our business to the new strategy that was announced in mid-2021, advancing the development of the Pillar 2 Midstream Gas business and making the necessary decisions to realise the spin-off of the gas business from the Pillar 1 Upstream business.

Also, the Power & New Energy team developed a long-term business plan for the Pillar 3 Power & New Energy Business. Both initiatives will drive long-term prosperity for Seplat Energy and all its stakeholders as we diversify and transition towards producing energy in multiple forms, and for a much wider customer base both at home and abroad. Beyond our existing Midstream Gas business, we are looking at ways to combine gas with power generation, including from renewables, and in the longer term look to develop new lines of business for gas, such as bottled gas for domestic or automotive use.

Omiyi

Seplat Energy Plc recorded a robust financial year in 2022, which was highlighted at the company’s 10th annual general meeting held on Wednesday. In this interview, the Board Chairman, Basil Omiyi, spoke about the business in the year in focus. Kayode Tokede brings the excerpts:

2023 NIGERIA-UK BILATERAL

L-R: Head of the British delegation to Nigeria,

MEETING ON MIGRATION...

Bonga: Lead Claimant Debunks Shell’s Claim That It Won Niger Delta Oil Spill Case

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The lead claimant/Executive Director of Oil Spill victims Vanguard, ( OSPIVV) Harrison Jalla, has debunked media reports

that Shell has won the 2011 Oil Spill case against the claimants and people of Niger Delta.

A section of the media had on Wednesday reported that Shell won the celebrated Bonga oil

spill case in London. But the lead Claimant, in a statement, while debunking the claim said Shell only won one leg of the case, maintaining that the substantive matter remains

and its ongoing before Justice O’Farrel in the United Kingdom. Jalla in the statement explained: “We want to state as follows: That the UK Bonga oil spill case in claim No. HT-

2017-000383 and HT-2020-000143 is ongoing before Justice O’Farrel OBE, KC in the Business and property courts of England and Wales Queens bench division) Technology and construction

Aba Power Launches Own Mass Metering Programme without Prepayment

CFO Geometric: It will cost N14bn to provide 200,000 customers with meters

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Aba Power Limited has launched its own metering campaign to accelerate the process of making prepaid meters available to all electricity users in the Aba Ringfence, which comprises nine out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State.

Aba Power, a subsidiary of Geometric Group, which is Nigeria’s 12th and newest electricity distribution company, embarked on the metering campaign less than five months after it keyed into the federal government-led MAP to provide prepaid meters to its customers.

Known as the Aba Power Mass Meter Programme (APMMP), the campaign would provide meters to electricity users without prepayment.

The Managing Director of Aba Power, Mr. Patrick Umeh, explained that the APMMP would start

in the next couple of days with customers on the Township 11KV Feeder, “which covers Asa Road, St Michael’s Road, George’s Road, Pound Road, Park Road and Azikiwe Road. This feeder has more available power than most feeders in the Aba Ringfence, and so will benefit many more persons and organisations.”

Umeh said: “We have decided on this revolutionary step because meter penetration in the nine LGAs which we service is very poor.”

He noted that industry players believed that greater meter penetration would gender customer confidence which would, in turn, make electricity users pay monthly bills promptly, as the estimated billing system widely used in the country is considered opaque and even frequently fraudulent.

“Our Chairman, Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, has

directed us to do everything within our power to alleviate the sufferings of electricity users by giving them prepaid meters, even if it will have a heavy cost implication to us; it is a cost we are willing to bear as a socially responsible corporate organisation.

“More importantly, Nnaji has directed us to do everything we can to promote transparency and accountability in our services which prepaid meters support.

“Customers want to know what they are paying for, and this is a fair demand,” Umeh said.

He said the metering programme would be run in phases because of the huge cost.

According to the Chief Financial Officer of Geometric Power, Mr. Anthony Alozie, “it will cost N14 billion to provide 200,000 customers with meters. We honestly do not

know when they will get to all customers.

“Therefore, those who cannot wait to get prepaid meters through the APMMP can quickly get theirs through the ongoing MAP of the federal government promoted by such bodies as Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

Aba Power explained that a customer who wants to acquire a single-phase meter through MAP would pay about N63,000 in advance and about N118,000 to procure a three-phase meter, though the customer would be refunded through power credit within 36 months.

Aba Power said it would allow payment by installment to assist customers, adding that one major difference between getting a meter under MAP and obtaining it through the APMMP is that the

CFAO Motors Now Official Distributor of Toyota Vehicles in Nigeria

Bennett Oghifo

CFAO Motors, a leading distributor of mobility products and services in Nigeria has been appointed as an official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria by the automaker, Toyota Motor Corporation.

The development was contained in a statement issued yesterday, by CFAO after an official unveiling of the distributorship on Wednesday night, at an event attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, and the Consule General of France in Lagos, Laurence Monmayrant.

It stated: “CFAO has been appointed as an official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria, effective immediately.

"This appointment positions CFAO Motors as the second official distributor of Toyota vehicles in the country, and reinforces the company's commitment to providing high-quality mobility solutions to its customers."

Toyota is a globally recognised brand, known for its durable, reliable, and high-performance vehicles. With CFAO Motors now officially appointed as a distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria, customers can expect to have access to a wide range of Toyota cars, pick-up, and SUVs that will cater to their transportation needs and aftersales service.

The appointment of CFAO Motors as an official Toyota distributor in Nigeria was a testament to the

company's long-standing reputation for excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction, according to the statement.

“CFAO Motors expressed its excitement over the partnership and its readiness to provide Nigerians with access to Toyota vehicles that meet their expectations in terms of quality, durability, and affordability,” it added.

The Business Head of Toyota by CFAO Nigeria, Boye Ajayi said, "We are proud to be appointed as an official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria. This partnership with Toyota is a testament to our commitment to providing Nigerians with worldclass mobility solutions that meet

their needs and expectations."

The CFAO Group boasts of the largest automotive distribution network on the continent and is a key distributor of Toyota in 37 countries.

As a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, CFAO is the corporation's African division and platform for business development on the continent. Together, CFAO and TTC leverage their synergistic culture and long-term outlook to tackle new challenges in Africa.

After 120 years of operation in Nigeria, CFAO Nigeria is thrilled to introduce Toyota by CFAO. This new appointment is sure to bring excitement and opportunities for growth to the automobile industry in Nigeria.

former would enable a customer to get the it within 10 days after payment whereas the time frame for securing a meter through the latter arrangement is not known.

“The prepaid meters under our new arrangement are given out in phases, that is, from feeder to feeder,” stated Umeh, who explained that Aba Power is running both arrangements simultaneously because of the advantanges inherent in each.

An engineer and former Chief Executive of the Olorunsogo Power Plant, Ogun State, Dr. Phillip Ugwu, said, “Aba Power is setting standards and deserves commendation.

“Its two-pronged approach to mass metering will rekindle confidence in the electricity sector.”

court.

“That it is true that one leg of the matter that has to do with continuing tort was appealed to the UK supreme court by the claimants.

“The subject matter of which the claimants are contending is that since Shell did not do any clean-up of the Bonga oil spill of December 20th 2011 that polluted their communities that the damage is accruing and its ongoing until date as long as the crude oil remains on their land.

"But the Supreme court disagreed with the claimants and ruled that the claimants can only be entitled to a one off damage claims within the limitation period of 5-6 years. The substantive matter remains and its ongoing before Justice O’Farrel", he said.

Jalla stated further that the report was misleading, noting that "the purpose for this rejoinder is to put the record straight. Shell couldn’t have won a case in which they deliberately refused to file a defence since 2017.

“We want to assure our people of Niger Delta that they should disregard such misleading information, be calm and await the final judgement which is imminent.”

DSS Launches Gender Mainstreaming Policy

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Department of State Security (DSS), yesterday, unveiled its gender mainstreaming policy, outlining a homegrown comprehensive framework for the integration of gender perspectives and inclusiveness in the agency’s policies, programmes and procedures.

A statement signed by its spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, stated that the policy was a key component of the agency's commitment to promoting gender equality in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the national gender policy of the federal government.

It said the policy was launched at an epoch-making ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who served as the special guest of honour.

The Director-General of the DSS,

Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Kabiru Sani, while other members of management and staff were also in attendance.

He noted that the policy was aimed at promoting gender equality and creating a work environment free of discrimination and bias.

"We recognise that gender mainstreaming is essential to achieving this goal and we are proud to launch this policy as a demonstration of our commitment to this cause, and enjoined all and sundry to embrace the new policy and ensure its full implementation at every level of decision making.

Tallen commended the service and particularly the DG for the initiative and called on other agencies to emulate the service.

"It is instructive to note that the DSS is one of the leading security agencies in Nigeria, promoting gender friendly policies," she said.

Afeez Hazim; Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Gill Atkinson; Representative of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Oluremi Bolaji; Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris and ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, at the 2023 Nigeria-UK bilateral meeting on migration held in Abuja... yesterday

LAUNCH OF TOYOTA BY CFAO IN LAGOS...

Access Bank Expands Global Footprint, Launches French Subsidiary in Paris

Access Bank Plc, the flagship company of Access Holdings Plc, yesterday, officially launched its subsidiary in Paris, France.

The bank, in a statement yesterday, explained that its operations would focus on trade finance, initially capitalising on flows between Africa and France, particularly Francophone Africa.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, speaking on the purpose of the bank’s strategic expansion efforts said, “Access Bank Plc, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so.

“Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly – in terms of trade – on France, so, Access Bank in Paris will work to support

trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.

“Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk. “Furthermore, we are confident that the Bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.

Recognising the critical role of the bank’s various stakeholders in making the expansion drive successful, Wigwe stressed the value of its customers, shareholders, regulators, and the communities it operates.

“Our successes over the years

'FMBN Spent N7.7bn on Building of 1,571 Housing Units in Katsina'

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has expended the sum of N7.7 billion on the construction of 1,571 housing units in some local government areas of Katsina state to mitigate housing deficit in the state.

Executive Director, Loans and Mortgage Services of the bank, Lukman Mustapha, disclosed this yesterday, at the inauguration of 80 housing units financed by the bank in Unguwar Gamji, Daura local government area of the state.

He said the estate built by Dune Engineering company, comprises 80 units of two and three-bedrooms semi-detached bungalows for the benefits of National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors in the state.

He explained that the bank had also constructed 315 housing units in Katsina metropolis, 69 housing units in Funtua, 54 in Kankia and 54 others in Malumfashi local government areas of the state for the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria.

Mustapha said: "Accordingly, the choice of Daura represents a symbolic choice for the other three locations. Invariably, four residential estates are being commissioned

here today (Thursday) comprising 257 housing units in total.

"Eleven other housing projects located across the state have also been financed and successfully delivered by FMBN under our various loan windows in addition to the four projects we commissioned today, with the bank committing more than N7.7 billion to deliver 1,571 housing units in the state."

He added that the bank had also built and inaugurated a series of housing estates in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Ebonyi, Ondo, Yobe, Sokoto and Kogi States.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who inaugurated the project, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for tackling the housing deficit in the state and the country at large.

Masari, represented at the occasion by the Managing Director Katsina State Housing Authority, Auwal Abubakar, said the state government would continue to work with the bank to deliver more affordable houses to contributors.

Meanwhile, during the ceremonial inauguration of the housing units, keys of the houses were presented to National Housing Fund contributors in the state.

would be footnotes but for the relationships we have fostered with these critical contributors. In recognition of this, we are committed to building longterm partnerships with all our stakeholders in France – based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.

“Access Bank’s presence in France represents an important step towards achieving its goal of bridging worlds and connecting opportunities for African businesses. The bank’s latest stride also lays a marker for realising its recently unveiled 5-year strategic growth plan.

“Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the Bank’s presence across Africa and beyond,” remarked, Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said at the launch.

“Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses. Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world's most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer

service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.

“We remain committed to building a bank that is truly global in scope, yet locally relevant in its approach, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and expand our footprint in new markets,” Ogbonna added.

Access Bank UK, led by Jamie Simmonds, would oversee the operations of the Paris subsidiary and would effectively become the umbrella company for other representative offices in

the country.

“With the launch of its operations in France, Access Bank is uniquely positioned to create opportunities for scaled economic growth and development across Africa while helping international investors see the continent as a viable market to do business.

“To facilitate the flow of capital, goods, and services across borders and support economic growth and development in both regions of focus, the Bank will leverage its expertise in cross-continental trade and its strong network of partners and clients,” the statement added.

Heavy Rainfall: Stay Indoors to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning, NiMet Warns

Alerts 12 northern states of thunderstorm activities

Kasim Sumaina in

Abuja

Following observed thundercloud activities in the north-eastern part of the country, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted the public on possible heavy rainfall in the coming days in some states in the northern part of the country.

It also advised the public to be cautious and stay in-door, especially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning.

NiMet in a statement made available to journalists yesterday, in Abuja, by its General Manager/

Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, revealed that thunderstorm cells were observed in the northern parts of the country including Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Kano. These are expected to propagate westward to give squally thunderstorm to some cities, it added.

The statement further revealed that the current thunderstorm cells were expected to propagate easterly to give thunderstorms accompanied with squall to cities in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Adamama, Yobe, Borno,

Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states in the next 2-6 hours.

NiMet therefore stated that for areas where thunderstorms are expected, "strong winds are likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings may be felled, so the public is advised to be cautious and stay in-door especially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning."

The statement advised all Airline operators to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for

effective planning in their operations.

It also noted that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash flood, hence the public is advised to take necessary caution.

This is even as it stated that disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season. "The Central Forecast Office (CFO) in NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary," the statement concluded.

FG Approves New Investment, Automotive Policies

James Emejo in Abuja

The federal government has approved for implementation the first ever Nigeria Investment Policy (NInP).

The government also adopted a new National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NADIP) that would span 2023-2033.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, who said both policies were approved at the recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, which was presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The government maintained that the investment policy would give

investors more comfort and attract more investment into the economy.

The minister explained that trade and industry moguls had over time, deliberated on structuring the investment sector and agreed that there was, "need to have an investment policy which would give confidence and allow people who want to better the country, through genuine investments, the confidence to bring their funds into the country, and invest.”

He said, “What has been operational over the years was just investment related regulations of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) acting as a guide.” Adebayo, however pointed out that

the, "harmonised policy is the result of putting the concept together for the country to develop rapidly through industrialisation, and then snowball into a sustainable investment climate to attract the kind of investment we desire."

The primary focus of the investment policy is on investment promotion, investment facilitation and sustainable development as well as promote responsible investor conduct for sustainable development by influencing investor behaviour in compliance with globally acceptable standards relating to the environment, human rights, health, labour, safety, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and anti- corruption.

Commenting on the new automotive policy, the minister, in a statement issued by the ministry's Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, said it would help the country migrate seamlessly from combustible engines into electric solar-powered engines.

He said this was an improvement over the 2013 automotive industry development plan which had been in operation.

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) developed the new plan to aggressively build on the successes that have been achieved so far in the Nigerian Automotive industry

L-R: MD CFAO Mobility, Nigeria, Patrice Porte; Chairman CFAO Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi San; Consule General of France in Lagos, Laurence Monmayrant; Business Head Toyota by CFAO, Boye Ajayi, at the launch of Toyota by CFAO in Lagos, Wednesday

(2023)...

Osinbajo Flags off Oguta/ Orashi Dredging Project in Imo

Iwuanyanwu pleads with Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu

Amby Uneze

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has flagged off the historic proposed hydrographic survey of the dredging of Oguta/ Orashi river to Degema in Rivers State as a proposed sea route to the Atlantic Ocean.

Also, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at the occasion pleaded to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu before he leaves office.

The vice president who performed the flag off in a ceremony at the bank of Oguta Lake/Orashi river in Oguta council area of Imo, yesterday, said the project was under the auspice of the Imo State

Residents Lament as Rivers State Plans Demolition of Bayelsa Govt Buildings in P'Harcourt

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State government has concluded plans to demolish two buildings located on Akassa street in Old GRA Port Harcourt, purportedly owned by Bayelsa State government for its staff.

In a notice signed by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Survey, Alozie Nwala, dated April 19, this year, occupants of the building were given until yesterday to vacate the building.

The notice read: "That in contravention of the covenants and conditions contained in the Certificate of Occupancy issued to Bayelsa State Government in respect of plots 34&35 (No 5 Akassa Street and plot 37 (No 9 Akassa Street ) Golf Course Extension Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, notice is hereby given by the Rivers State Government that the occupants of the said property should vacate.

"Take notice that the occupants of the above mentioned properties are hereby given 14 days from the date of this notice to vacate buildings thereon.

"As the said buildings are not only constituting public nuisance, but also defacing the Rivers State Government's Urban Renewal Infrastructural Development Policies as relates to the Golf Course Old GRA Layout.

"Take further notice that at expiration of this notice, Rivers State Government will take possession of the properties.".

This may cause a rift between the Rivers and Bayelsa State governments as the eviction has thrown the occupants of the buildings into a serious dilemma.

The occupants of the said two buildings, who spoke to journalists yesterday, lamented that they were being forcefully evicted from the properties by the Rivers government.

The tenants in the buildings consisting of 12 flats, said they had lived there with their families for many years without any problem, noting that they were surprised at the 14-day eviction notice, which they said had expired.

They confirmed that a team of policemen and officials of the Rivers State Government visited the building on Wednesday morning, following a plan to demolish the properties.

They were sighted making arrangements to vacate the place to avoid losing their valuables during the planned demolition. Some of the occupants were also seen loading their valuables into some waiting vehicles to leave the area.

One of the occupants and Head, Protocol for the Bayelsa State Government in Port Harcourt, Smith Noah, said the Rivers government allegedly accused them of defacing the face of the environment.

Noah said: "Some people came to paste a notice that we are causing nuisance and defacing the environment.

So Rivers State Government is giving us 14 days to pack out.

government, the Nigerian Navy and a consortium of technical partners with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Osinbajo, said the project would among other things connect waterways to hinterlands as well as expand Nigeria’s shipping and agricultural sectors.

He added that the project would expand Nigeria‘s free trade zone and aid her contributed quota to trade in Africa and the world.

He enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the Imo government and Nigerian Navy to see project to fruition.

“Today marks an important milestone in the economic development of Imo, the South-east and Nigeria at large and couldn’t have come at a better time than now.

“It gives me great pleasure to

be part of this historic initiative. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to put hands on deck to actualise this project,” he added.

Speaking, Governor Hope Uzodimma thanked Buhari for his support in the recovery of Imo from the hands of bandits. He said the project would be executed through public/private partnership adding that it would create additional employment opportunities for Imo people.

“This project is a harbinger of several other multifaceted projects incapsulated in the socio-economic development of Imo State with the capacity to equip the southeast with a robust and self-sufficient economy.

“We will establish an industrial cluster in the area to aid economic activities and for the records, Imo and private sector will fund project

in close synergy with the Nigerian Navy“, he said.

Also, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor thanked Buhari for the leverage to build the capacity of the Nigerian Navy and the military at large.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo said the project would provide the enabling environment for wealth generation and brisk movement of goods and services.

He called for a quick dredging of the access route and thanked Buhari for the provision of effective hydrographic services.

He also thanked Uzodimma for partnering with the Nigerian Navy and called on host communities to protect and preserve the legacy.

On his part, Iwuanyanwu described the dredging as a dream

come true and urged government to speedily actualise the project.

“Igbo is happy, Igbo is grateful. We urge the federal government to actualise the construction of the project. Igbo people in diaspora are ready to contribute to the funding of the project, if need be,“ he said.

He however called on Buhari to actualise the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu before the end of his tenure as according to him, Igbo people had no intentions to secede.

The event was attended by prominent traditional rulers including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Eze Ilomuanya and Imo State Chairman of Traditional rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke.

Igbinedion: It Took Me Nine Years Struggle to Get Private University Licence

Commends Babangida, Abubakar for making it reality South Africa envoy salutes Igbinedion University at 24

Dike Onwuamaeze and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Founder and Honourable Chancellor of the Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion has disclosed that it took him nine years of struggle to secure a licence to establish Nigeria’s first private university on May 10, 1999.

Igbinedion, who is also the Esama of Benin Kingdom, further disclosed that that they were 59 entrepreneurs that collected forms for the opening of private universities out of which only nine returned the forms, but only three were finally selected for licensing, but he distinguished himself as the first entrepreneur to establish a private university in Nigeria.

He disclosed these on Wednesday, during the 24th Founder’s Day

Lecture of the IUO with the theme, “Advancing Higher Education Legacy Through Partnership: Private Sector Engagement,” which was delivered by the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Thamsanqa Dennis Mseleku.

Igbinedion said: “To start with I am very grateful to the Lord for keeping me alive. When I started, I said if my eyes see 20 years, and God has extended my life in healthy condition to see 24 years. “I am praying to God to give me more years to witness more anniversaries like this.

“There are three people I will thank for actualising this university. One, is the person in the control room in Aso Rock, which I do not know – the operator at that very moment who was able when I was in a meeting there put a call to link me with Mr. President. The second

person to thank is former President, General Ibrahim Babaginda (rtd), who is a friend in need and a friend indeed who started this thing.

“Today we are celebrating success, which I am grateful to a lot of people and to Babangida wherever he is today. And mostly, the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who made it a reality. My gratitude and thanks go to them.”

“We went through all the hurdles, but we thank God that after starting it, today there are over a hundred private universities. One university professor said every staff in the private university are staff of Igbinedion. So, I am grateful to God Almighty and I am praying to him to extend my life to see more celebrations of the Founder’s Day.”

Chief Igbinedion, who was represented by his son, the Deputy

Chancellor of IUO, Dr. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, a former executive governor of Edo State, said in his speech that the Founder’s Day was extremely important.

He said: “Looking back I feel a sense of fulfilment, knowing that my modest effort has yielded positive results, such that today Igbinedion University is reckoned among the key players in the global education sector.”

Mseleku, in his lecture, said the vision Igbinedion pursued in 1999, “has today delivered a world class education in a highly conducive environment that has inspired a culture of creativity and innovative experience.”

He added “In celebrating this day, we are not just celebrating the founding of this university, we are celebrating the very birth of private higher education in Nigeria.”

HANDOVER OF THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR SCIENCE

L-R: Nigeria Prize for Science Advisory Board member, Nike Akande; Government Relations Manager (NLNG), representing NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Godson Dienye; Chairman, Prize Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji and Chairman, panel of judges, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, with other members of the Advisory Board, during the handover of The Nigeria Prize for Science (2023) entries to kick off the adjudication process of the prize…recently

NAS FREE MEDICAL MISSION FOR ABULE ADO COMMUNITY...

L-R:

Sowami Completes Acquisition of Ardova, Pays Otedola $19m

The Chairman of Ardova Plc, Mr. Wasiu Sowami has successfully completed the acquisition of the company from billionaire businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola as he has settled the $19 million arbitration ruled in favour of the billionaire.

Sowami had through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) -Ignite Investment and Commercial Limited (IICL) in 2020, acquired the company.

According to a report obtained by THISDAY, Sowami, instituted arbitration proceedings seeking to avoid the payment of the balance of $20 million due to Otedola following his acquisition of Ardova in 2020.

However, “the arbitration ruled in favour of Otedola with the award of $19 million against Sowami.”

“The good news is that following several payments in installments, Mr. Wasiu

has completed the payment of the arbitrary award, net of certain deductions ahead of the June 2023 deadline. The total payment of the balance is, in the sum of $19million approximately, thus completing the acquisition.”

An investigation by THISDAY revealed that Ignite Investments and Commercial Limited in the 2021 financial year of Ardova had 970,666,694 shares with 74.06 per cent Holding.

The company in its unaudited financial year ended December 31, 2022 declared N7.61 billion loss as against N3.85billion loss reported in 2021 financial year amid hike in cost of sales and finance costs.

Ardova reported N5.05 billion finance cost in 2022, an increase of 41 per cent from N3.58billion in 2021FY, while cost of sales hits N226.9billion in 2022 unaudited, a growth of 18.4 per cent from

We Shall Bounce Back, Oyetola Assures Osun APC

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo.

Immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun to remain steadfast, assuring them that the party would bounce back in no time.

While urging them to cooperate with the Prof. Isaac Adewole's committee, set up to reposition the party in the state, he noted that despite all that happened, Osun remained the strongest hold of the progressives and as such, all hands must be on deck to ensure the party was repositioned for an increased productivity, effective and efficient service delivery, and for the betterment of all and sundry.

In his message to the party faithful, yesterday, Oyetola noted that, "Osun undoubtedly remains the home of the progressives in the South West," saying there was need to take some necessary and decisive steps to reposition the party and make it stronger and more formidable ahead of future elections.

"This is why I believe that the Prof. Adewole's committee

is not only expedient now but necessary to reposition our dear party. After the 2018 governorship election, the outcome of the 2019 general elections showed significant improvement in our party's fortunes in our dear State.

"Despite the challenges of the July 16 2022, governorship election, the number of person s,who voted for our party in that election significantly improved from what we recorded in 2018. This clearly shows that our party, the APC is still popular and remains the party to beat in Osun, any time, any day.

"Osun electorate again demonstrated their love for the APC in the last Presidential election as they gave our president-elect 343,945 votes, despite the intimidation, violence and killings that characterised that election.

"But we must sustain the love the people of Osun have for the APC. This is why we are repositioning the party. I, therefore, urge you all to cooperate with the committee as this is the only way to further build the party and reposition it ahead of future elections," Oyetola added.

N191.59billion reported in 2021. Ardova, formerly Forte Plc, a company Otedola successfully turned around through, strong leadership,

immense value accretion by consistently increasing her market capital, shareholder’s funds and dividend payment in folds for over decade.

It was this value accretion that made Ardova market leader, pre and post-acquisition.

Otedola was however delighted that Ardova has

maintained her market position post acquisition and now undoubtedly Nigeria’s largest downstream petroleum marketing company.

Adeleke Preaches Peace, Says He Has Forgiven All Those Who Offended Him

Following the unanimous Supreme Court verdict that reaffirmed his election, Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has stated that he has forgiven all those who might have offended him during his struggle to assume the leadership of the state.

Adeleke, stated this while on a thank you visit to the Palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun (Larooye II) and Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal (Laminisa1) after the Supreme Court victory.

"I'm now a governor for all. For those who didn't vote for me, I have no grudges against them. That's the beauty of democracy. I have forgiven all those that offended me in our quest to serve our people.

“Even though some went overboard, engaged in an overbearing attitude and were destructive towards the cause we believed in. All those have

now been left behind. The victory God granted us has overwhelmed whatever anybody might have done to me in the past. The goal now is how to move Osun forward."

The governor further praised the two monarchs for playing a huge fatherly role in the governorship project by standing as a pillar of support for him and his family.

Adeleke, assured the monarchs in their different palaces that he would not disappoint the trust the people had reposed in him and would continue to strive to make Osun better than he met it with infrastructural development springing up across the state.

"They initially said most of the projects we embarked on when we started our administration was because of the 2023 general election, but interestingly, we've never stopped delivering on projects in the state so far.

"I want to assure our royal fathers and the good people of Osun that distraction is over. We

will not disappoint you. We have the authority and power now, we will use it justly for the progress of this state and welfare of the people," he added.

In his remarks, the Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun said given the sound footing Adeleke had started his administration, he has given a clear signal of a departure from the past and a brilliant outcome of what to expect.

"You have started your administration brilliantly and I'm impressed with the steps you're taking each day in the delivery of good governance for the people of our state. With my royal authority, I hereby endorse you for another term in office and a continuity of the government you're heading in the state,” he added.

In his separate remark, the Governor's royal father, Laminisa of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola

Lawal offered praises to God for the eventual victory of Governor

Adeleke and extended the appreciation of Ede people to all Osun and national stakeholders for their strong backing for Governor Adeleke.

The royal father who recalled the tough battle and enormous sacrifice of many loyalists and admirers of the Governor said for 12 years he was blacklisted at the state level as a PDP traditional ruler, thanking God for the final outcome and giving all the glory and adoration to God.

He however pledged that he would constantly be reminding the governor of the promises made to the people as he wants to be the father of a governor that will spend eight years in office in delivery of good governance.

The Governor was accompanied on the thank you tour by the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Kola Adewusi; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; and other top party and government officials.

Supreme Court Adjourns Kanu's Bail Appeal to September 14

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Supreme Court, yesterday, adjourned hearing in the suit filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over the halting of his bail till September 14.

A five-member panel of Justices led by Justice John Okoro, in a short ruling, adjourned the suit to allow time for counsel to the federal government Mr Tijani Gadzali, SAN, respond to the appellant's reply briefs.

Kanu's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, although pleaded with the apex court to at least hear one of the two motions presented on passionate grounds that Kanu’s health was fast deteriorating, the federal government through his counsel

objected the plea.

Ozekhome, after the adjournment told reporters that the adjournment was due to the busy schedule of the Supreme Court and that all his pleas with the panel of Justices to get the hearing slated for a shortest possible date in May 2023 or early June failed due to the manner of cases brought to the apex court.

“I pleaded with the Supreme Court to give us the shortest possible date, this month or early next month but they reckoned that their calendar was pitiably full due to the manners of cases that are brought to the Supreme Court, which according to his research, happens to be the busy court in the world.

“My two motions were for Kanu’s bail or that he be transferred from the DSS

custody to the Kuje correctional centre met with opposition from the federal government.

“I expressed my fear regarding Kanu’s state of health, which I described as life threatening. The court requires an individual to stand trial, not sit down trial, lie down trial or prostrate trial, which means that Kanu with his state of health cannot stand trial,” he said.

The apex court had granted leave to the federal government to file nine new grounds of appeal against the release of Kanu, and also granted leave to the federal government to include the nine new grounds as part of its amended Notice of Appeal dated October 28, 2022.

Ozekhome, had informed the court of his motions seeking bail of his client and another seeking his transfer to Kuje Correctional

Center facility to get proper medical attention,citing his failing health at DSS custody. He also prayed for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Speaking on the motion for transfer of Kanu out of the custody of the DSS, the Counsel to the federal government, prayed for an adjournment to file a counter affidavit, stating that he just took over the matter.

In opposition to Ozekhome’s requests, the lawyer to the federal government, Gadzali, argued that the DSS detention centre has adequate resources to attend to Kanu’s health needs. After listening to the arguments, the panel advised Ozekhome to withdraw his applications to the pave way for a speedy hearing of the main suit.

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo.

Chief Medical Officer, National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Dr. Uche Nwachukwu, NAS Chief Security Officer, Aniete Akan, NAS Cap’n (Global President), Abiola Owoaje, NAS Lagos State and South Africa Regional Head, Chuks Onwudinjo, NAS Amuwo Odofin/Isolo Chapter Head, Afam Chukwuma and NAS Director of Media, Femi Folaranmi, at the flag off of the free Medical Mission of the Association in collaboration with Bola Ahmed Tinubu PHC, opposite Oba’s Palace, Ado Soba, Abule Ado, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State… Yesterday

35 YEARS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN IMMIGRATION...

AAU Special Intervention Team Allegedly Unravels N2bn Tax Fraud, Massive Transcript, Certificate Racketeering, Others

The Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Special Intervention Team set up by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to advance the government’s vision to reposition the institution to meet global standards, has allegedly unraveled a N2 billion tax fraud and other corrupt practices by the management and staff of the university.

According to a statement yesterday, the team headed by the Managing Director of Schlumberger Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Andrew Olotu, while presenting its interim report to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, alleged massive certificate and transcript racketeering and other nefarious acts in the institution, calling for the urgent intervention of the government.

Presenting the report on behalf of other members of the team, Mr. Austin Osakue, noted that, “over N2 billion was owed the Edo State Government from the tax that was never paid to the state government. AAU receives more salaries compared to UNIBEN staff and they never pay taxes.

“All the Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) and school fees collected were not accounted for and all the money entered private pockets instead of the school purse. We have been able to check this excess and now are able to collect N32 million in taxes for the Edo State government.

“One of the biggest problems in AAU is overhead spending on diesel. Following the bad electricity situation in Ekpoma, the staff of the institution are cashing in on the situation to steal money from the treasury.”

The team revealed that the issue of certificates and transcripts was a big business in AAU and had caused the university a bad image, adding, “Students who graduated from 2019 to 2021 have not collected their certificates as there are people who collect money from students for this cause.”

They further noted, “The SIT paid a loan of N330 million collected to pay salaries in 2021 and another N20 million which was meant for the purchase of special vehicles. Students pay heavily for projects. We have paid the April salaries of staff.

“Government has said the University should key into the Contributory Pension Scheme and the staff of the institution refused to key in and continued with the normal pension. We have invited PFA and have made presentations. We are working to see how to get the workers into the scheme.”

Also speaking, Mr. Omobude Agho, a representative of civil society organisations in Edo State, commended the team for a great job, urging the governor to ensure the immediate investigation and prosecution of those involved in

the fraud in the state-owned varsity.

He noted that the university is for Edo people and not for a particular ethnic group, hailing the governor’s commitment to repositioning the school to meet global standards.

Agho said, “I want to appreciate the SIT for the report and thank you for all the troubles you have gone through and appreciate you for the victory achieved so far.

“The last time I led Edo civil society organizations to Ekpoma,

they were trying to hide some of these things you mentioned, but they didn't know that we were on ground two days before the meeting and went around to observe them.”

He added, “We observed that there is this ethnic right of ownership of AAU. Some people think it's a gift presented to them by the late Ambrose Alli so that they can use it to sustain themselves.

“That is not correct. The University belongs to Edo people and not to

certain people. It’s our property and should be owned by all of us. This should be explained by His Excellency himself, letting the people know that the University is for Edo people.”

Obaseki, while receiving the report, commended the team for their service to the State, noting, “The greatest legacy for late Prof. Ambrose Alli is to restore this University back to its glory days and that of his dreams. He never

made the University to be an ethnic university but a state university and positioned it as such. The University belongs to the Edo people. It’s Edo State University and the investment is for taxpayers of Edo State.

“As a government, we have the political will as we are taking a major transformation in our education sector and can do so with our University. We need to clean up the system, preparing it for our children coming in.”

FG vs ASUU: Industrial Court to Deliver Judgment May 30

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has reserved judgment for May 30, on the substantive application brought by the federal government, challenging the eight-month strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

A statement by the Office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, said the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, announced the date for judgment yesterday, after the parties in the matter adopted their written addresses in the referral NICN/ABJ/270/2022, as earlier directed by the court.

It recalled that at the last hearing on May 2, 2023, President of NICN, Justice Kanyip, granted the

defendants (ASUU) seven days to file a reply on point of law to the substantive application of the federal government (claimants).

The application, alongside affidavit in support, was served on ASUU and their lawyers since September last year, but they did not enter any defence, despite the seven days the court granted them last week to do so.

According the ministry, "when the matter came up today, the lead counsel to ASUU, Femi Falana, informed the court that they filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal, challenging its ruling on March 18, which validated the referral made by the Minister of Labour and Employment."

Falana, said since they appealed the ruling, adding that the court

ADAMU: WE DIDN’T CONSULT ADEQUATELY ON ZONING OF NASS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

undermining what you are doing, but we are doing this for the sake of this party, to grow and we are doing it for the best interest of the party.

"If we from the North take another decision, it will not be good to all of us and it will become history, which we don't want to happen. And only if we do justice that we will prevent that from happening. But we should all pick our pen today and write it down, which is 11th May, anything from the contrary, walahi, the Northern Nigeria will take another decision."

Musa said the party should have consulted them before coming up with a zoning formula, saying, since the president-elect and the vice president-elect are Muslims, they thought that at least the third person should be a Christian.

Musa stated, "I am very sure you will go back and take a look, especially, when we are talking about internal democracy, because even the issue of the National Assembly is an issue of internal democracy. As leader of the North-central, we

had a caucus meeting before the decision was taken and after it was taken.

“The caucus agreed that I should make my declaration known to Nigerians. We looked at the secularity of the country and our caucus now said we should go for the deputy senate president. Your statement was a blow to us and we felt, are we really part of this country? Because when you are even talking about the North, we have always been at the receiving end."

The lawmaker representing Niger East in the Senate said he had expected the North-west to stand against this template and advised the party to toe the line the country had always followed since 1999.

Musa said, "This injustice needs to be corrected. We have five of six governors and 11 of 19 senators. We will, however, make sure that no party takes our chance inside that chamber. It is going to be an APC affair.

"I have seen a situation, where

one zone has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Staff to the President, the President of the Senate and the roof didn't come down. But the little we (North-central) have, Deputy Senate President, is taken away. We will abide by the party, but the party has to put in mind that this is a voluntary thing.

"Membership of a party is voluntary but my principles and our principles are not voluntary. It is what we are built of and we can stand by that. These injustices, we need to correct it. We have six geopolitical zones.

“The president is from South-west, we have vice president from Northeast. We have the office of Senate President, Deputy Senate President Speaker and Deputy Speaker. It is only fair to throw this out to the other four geopolitical zones."

Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate, appealed to the party to cede the position to the South-east.

He said, "Vote is not a

measurement. We had a hurricane in our zone. We need one another and not the level of votes cast. Those who did not vote for the party today can vote for the party tomorrow if they are properly aligned. After all, we have made progress. Before we used to be one or two senators but it is no longer so.

"This thing did not only happen in the South-east. Many people from areas where the presidential candidate came from voted along certain lines. I appeal to you people that you must cede something very reasonable to the South-east."

Kalu stressed that the zoning formula released by the party was undemocratic, and that it was unconstitutional to announce people's names. Kalu said, "I am not saying what you people have done does not look very nice, but it is wrong microzoning to individuals, pencilling people's names. It is undemocratic and against the constitutional rights of all the aspirants.

“Section 51 of the constitution did not approve that for the National

should stay action on the matter, pending the determination of the appeal.

Responding, Justice Kanyip told Falana that by Rule 47 of NICN procedure, an appeal does not translate to stay of execution.

According to him, it would be better to give a bad judgment than to give a good judgment in delayed time in labour matters.

Kanyip accused Falana of trying to stall the case, knowing full well that the court ordered at the last hearing that all the parties would adopt written addresses at the next adjourned date (May 11).

On his own part, counsel to the federal government, Sen. Ita Enang, urged the court to disregard the notice of appeal by ASUU, since the record of the court stated that

Assembly. So, we are going to challenge it. We are going to say no to it. I am a party man, I am a believer of the party and I have never disobeyed this party. This is the first time we are going to say no to the directive of the party. We are going to say that we are not going to do this on the floor of the Senate.

“This is not acceptable to us. I will not want to do it and I will not want to disrespect the party. It is still early enough, about 18 to 19 days to resolve it. It will be better that the party returns to the drawing board, deliberate and call a consultative meeting."

APC NWC Sets Aside Suspension of Gemade, Shija, Five Others

APC set aside the suspension of Senator Barnabas Gemade, Professor Terhemba Shija, and five others by the Benue State Executive Committee of the party.

the parties were coming to adopt their written addresses.

Enang said since the suit was not being challenged, the court should enter judgment in favour of the federal government.

In his ruling, Justice Kanyip rejected the request by Falana for stay of proceedings and ordered that the matter should proceed.

Kanyip however noted that a case before the Court of Appeal was not for the court (NICN) to decide.

Making his final submission, Falana told the court to rely on its own records, the six issues raised for determination particularly issues five and six, pertaining to the legality of the ASUU strike, as well as exhibits and evidence in the determination of the matter.

The state chapter of the party had suspended the members for alleged anti-party activities.

However, National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, in a statement, yesterday, said they remained members of the party.

The statement said, "The attention of the national headquarters of All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to media reports of the purported suspension of Senator Barnabas Gemade, Professor Terhemba Shija, and five others by the Benue State Executive Committee of our party.

"The party has directed that the said suspension and all related actions in the matter be, and are hereby, set aside pending further review and decision of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on the matter.

"Therefore, Senator Gemade, Professor Shija, and five others that are affected by the said suspension are, and remain, bonafide members of the Benue State Chapter of our party."

Comptroller of Immigration, Seme Border, Chukwuemeka Obua and wife, Violet during the Pullout ceremony of Obua after 35 years of meritorious service in Nigeria Immigration at Border Seme, Badagry, Lagos...yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

CHARTERED RISK MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE INAUGURATION…

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Director, Risk Management Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Blaise Ijebor; President/ Chairman, Governing Council, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; Member, Governing Council, CRMI, Olayinka David-West; Partner/Chief Economist, KPMG, Yemi Kale, and the former Acting Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry, (BOI), Waheed Olagunju, at the official inauguration of CRMI in Lagos… yesterday

Niger Gov Confirms Killing of Security Team Commander by Bandits

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello, has confirmed that commander of a security agent has been killed by gunmen in the state.

Bello also lamented the escalation of attacks by gunmen in parts of the state, which has now spread to Rijau Local

Government Area.

However, he did not give the name of the slain commander or the security groups he was heading.

Exchanging views with the new Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 7, Mr. Aliyu Garba, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Minna on Wednesday, Bello said that cases

‘NAS Medical Outreaches Source for Healthcare Devt’

Oluchi Chibuzor

The head of National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Mr. Abiola Owoaja has said that their medical mission outreaches across the country is a source to generate the nation’s Primary Health Centres (PHC) database for policy development.

Owoaja, who stated this yesterday, at the pyrates confraternity medical outreach in Abule Ado community, Lagos, explained that with the programme they generate key vital signs statistics that influences their advocacy engagement with government.

He stated that they recognised that the government cannot alone provide all the needs of the communities, hence the intervention in the community in conjunction with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board. According to him, they would continue to do this and will continue to improve on the services that we bring to the people as we provide these services.

According to him, “Now, in the course of providing these services we have data of the kind of services that we provide and also the kind of instances of the issues that we meet on the field.”

PDP: We’ll Participate in Ondo LG Polls in 2023

Fidelis DavidinAkure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday revealed that it would fully participate in the forthcoming local government polls slated for December 16, 2023.

The State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) Chairman, Dr Joseph Aremo, had in April announced the date of December 16, 2023, for the conduct of the local government election in the state.

Briefing journalists at the party Secretariat in Akure yesterday, the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Fatai Adams, said the decision to

participate fully during the polls was deliberate and the party was conscious of the agenda of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to allegedly continue to muzzle the local government administrations by foisting his stooges on the people. His words: “Local Goverment is the third tier of government which is closest to the people at the grassroots. Unfortunately it has been completely paralysed, only serving as a salary payment agency of the State Government, rather than serving the grassroots people as enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

NCC Committed to Protecting Telecoms Consumers

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday reiterated its commitment to continue to protect at all times the interest of telecommunications subscribers in the country. This is just as it urged market men and women in the country to always report activities of vandals to security agencies or the commission.

of banditry attacks is reoccurring again in parts of the state, which is becoming disturbing. Hr added that bandits in large number invaded Kumbashi area and engaged security personnel. He, however, said that details of casualty is yet to be known.

“One of the commanders of the security agents paid the supreme price,” Bello lamented, adding that “the bandits have moved to Rijau area.” He blamed the new trend on the size of the state and absence of enough boots on the ground.

“We don’t have any special forces of police around Rijau area. We have some military personnel but their number is not much considering the wideness of the area coupled with many entry and exit routes in the area,” the governor said.

He, therefore, appealed to the AIG to make every effort towards addressing the situation of shortage of manpower in the state’s police command, stressing that the security situation in the state called for very robust and swift action.

Amotekun, Residents of Hausa Community Clash in Ekiti

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The peace in Ado Ekiti,Ekiti State capital was threatened yesterday when men of the Amotekun Corp and the Hausa Community engaged in a shoot-out.

Trouble began around 9.00am when some men of the corp swooped on Atikankan Community notoriously known

to harbour criminals for many years ordering them to leave the area to a place already provided by government.

Just as it used to be in the past when security operatives have tried to no avail to rid the area of criminal elements, they resisted yet again, and this time it turned out to be a major crisis.

It was gathered that many

persons were injured in the gun battle that lasted several hours as traders close to the market and Shop owners closed down abruptly and scampered to safety.

Men of the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigerian Police, however, intervened before the situation could degenerate.

The Serikin Hausa,Abdul Yusuf said he escaped death

by a whisker, saying the situation could have been avoided if the Hausas had obeyed earlier instruction by government.

He, however, pointed accusing fingers to a Chief whom they said seems to be benefiting from the continued presence of the Northerners in the area, while playing the ‘peace card’ in public.

Accommodate, Feed Your Inmates, FG Tells States

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government yesterday told state governments to either build and manage their correctional facilities or pay the cost of keeping their inmates at facilities built by the central government. Minister of Interior, Rauf

Aregbesola, said even though the justice system clearly segments states and federal offenders, the federal government has been the only one in charge of custodial facilities and has to bear the burden of financing them. He said the federal government could no longer

be responsible for correctional management of state offenders, urging state governments to build and manage their own custodial facilities as empowered in the newly amended Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019.

He made this known at a two-day High Level Conference on Decongestion

and Corrections Administration in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria presently has 244 custodial centres with the bulk of them being in the state capitals and the centres which have a provision for 52,278 inmates, as at Tuesday 9th May 2023 exceeded their limit by over 23,000.

EFCC Arraigns Fake American Civil Engineer over Alleged Fraud

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday arraigned one Wilson Daphey, (aka Jefrey Guiseppe) before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a nine count charge bordering on obtaining money

under false pretense and money laundering.

Daphey allegedly manipulated and obtained the sum £120,150 from one Ms Petra Goschenhofer with the assistance of Evans Nnamdi Aguh, Christopher Chinedu Ajufo, Ifeanyi Enuma and Ojinanaka Kingsley Chukwuma, all of whom are currently at large.

Count two of the charge reads, “That you, Wilson Daphey(aka Jefry Guiseppe) between November 2018 and December 2019 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud over the internet, presented yourself to one Ms Petra Goschenhofer, whom you met on Instagram as American

Civil Engineer who lives in Rome but currently (end of September/ beginning of October 2018) in Dubai for a construction project, and in that assumed character obtained a total of sum of 69,880 Euros and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015”

INEC to Publish List, Particulars of Candidates for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Guber Elections Today

Adedayo AkinwaleinAbuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would publish the list and personal particulars of the governorship candidates for Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo governorship elections today(Friday, May 12, 2023).

The Head of Consumer Affairs Bureau of the commission, Mr. Banji Ojo, while speaking with journalists, during the third edition of “Market Conversation”, organised by the NCC at Bodija market in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, said the major focus of the commission in discharging its function was to ensure that telecoms consumers/subscribers are well educated, informed and protected.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement issued yesterday said the list and the particulars would be published at the State Headquarters and Local Government offices in the three States.

The electoral body had scheduled November 11, 2023 for the off season elections in the three states.

The commission recalled that on Tuesday 25thof October 2022, it released the timetable and schedule of activities for the three off-cycle governorship elections in the three states.

The commission stressed that political parties conducted their primaries as required by law and uploaded the names and personal particulars of their candidates and running mates to the INEC candidate nomination portal by the deadline of 6.00pm on 5th May 2023.

USAID, Others Urge Incoming Administration to Prioritise Infrastructure Spending

Nume Ekeghe and Oluchi Chibuzor

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other stakeholders have urged industry leaders to enhance their investments in infrastructure, emphasising its significance in fostering inclusive

growth and development.

The USAID convened industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs for a oneday conference to reinforce the importance of infrastructure investment in Nigeria and showcased investment opportunities in strategic sectors.

The conference with theme:

“Investing in Development,” showed that private sector investment in infrastructure was a vital pathway to achieving Nigeria’s development objectives across key sectors in Nigeria. Also, stakeholders at the event agreed that the red tape should be reduced to enable private sector aide participate

in infrastructure financing. Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun, emphasised the importance of involving professionals in delivering key infrastructural projects across various sectors of the economy.

IG Performs Ground Breaking for DIG Quarters

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Inspector-General(IG) of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday, performed a groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the police quarters expected to accommodate Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs).

Speaking at the event, the IG said the accommodation would be the highest police quarters in terms of luxury, comfort and nearness to force headquarters.

The project, which was approved by the Federal

Executive Council (FEC), was designed to give the police management team a befitting accommodation.

The project site located in Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, was the oldest police quarters in the nation’s capital but had deteriorated hence the award of contract for its redevelopment to Cosgrove Construction Company.

“We were not supposed to be leaving in such archaic and dilapidated quarters as police management team.

“We believe we are supposed to be comfortable as senior

police officers. We will replicate this project in other places. We already started in Lagos.

“We want to leave a legacy we want the next management to continue.

We are not only building for senior officers but the rank and file.

We are doing it in all states of the federation”, he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the firm handling the project, Cosgrove Construction Company, Umar Abdullahi, expressed the determination of the company to deliver the project.

Bauchi APC Youth Wing Petitions Adamu, Accuses State Executive of Sabotage

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The youth wing of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has accused members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of working against the party during the 2023 general election.

In a petition signed by Bauchi State APC Secretary, Mohammed Abdullahi and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, a copy of which was made available

to THISDAY yesterday, the youth wing of the party described as unfortunate situation that was unraveling in the state.

It said: “In Bauchi state, we believe that there were people who were supposed to either be physically on ground or at least be remotely or directly involved in protecting the interest of the party and those of its candidates during the elections, but alas, neither of these happened.

“They were not on ground,

nor did they even remotely contributed to the conduct of the elections in the state, instead they were (in our opinion) busy working against the interest of the party and its candidates in the state.

“It has come to our notice and we saw shocking pictures of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and a group of people claiming to be stakeholders of our party in the state visiting the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.”

Cancer: Bagudu Seeks New Partnerships amongst Stakeholders

Kasim SumainainAbuja

The Chief Executive Officer, Medicaid Cancer Foundation and Wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Mrs. Zainab Bagudu, has called for the creation of new partnerships between academic institutions, healthcare providers and the development of new training programmes for healthcare workers in underserved communities to curtail the ravaging cancer disease.

Bagudu emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaborations in addressing the challenges facing cancer patients in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries.

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I formerly known and addressed as AROWOJOBE TAIWO MARY now wish to be known and address as IBUOYE ADERIKE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLAMIDE OLAWALE BAMIDELE now wish to be known and address as OLAWALE OLAMIDE BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid. NIMC and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS NJOKU ONYEKACHI MARYANN now which to be known and address has MRS ANYANWU ONYEKACHI MARYANN. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLADELE REBECCA OLAYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as EKUNDAYO REBECCA OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

She made the call at the 2023 Global Health Catalyst (GHC) Summit, held at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

She said that there was need to work together to increase awareness about cancer, improve access to cancer screening and treatment and support cancer patients and their families.

Bagudu, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, explained that the GHC Summit brought together healthcare experts, policymakers and global leaders to discuss innovative strategies for

improving global health outcomes.

The theme of the summit was ‘’Cancer Moonshot 2.0: Win-Win Collaborations to Advance Global Health and Development.”

She further stated: “I am honored to have had the opportunity to attend the Global Health Catalyst summit and to collaborate with so many talented individuals and organiSations working towards a common goal and through partnerships and innovation, we can accelerate progress towards better cancer treatment options and outcomes for patients everywhere.”

EFCC Trains Journalists on Investigative Journalism in Sokoto

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa,

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This is to notify the general public that CHINAZAM ULOAKU ANABRABA, CHINAZAM ULOAKU DIEPRIYE ANABRABA & CHINAZAM ANABRABA is one and the same person. and now wish to be known and addressed as CHINAZAM ULOAKU ANABRABA.

has organised a one-day training workshop on ‘effective reporting of economic and financial crimes’ for journalists in Sokoto State.

He said it is one of the modest efforts of the commission in building synergy and strengthen media understanding and appreciation of the work of the commission.

Bawa explained further that the workshop, which was held on Sama road at the EFCC zonal command conference hall in Sokoto, was a continuation of a series that began a few years ago.

Last year, four such workshops were organised at the headquarters, but the scope has been expanded to accommodate more journalists in the zonal commands of the commission.

Represented by the Assistant Commander of EFCC, who is also the Zonal Head of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Assistant Commander of EFCC (ACE) Aliyu Yunusa, the chairman stated that the workshop was to improve on economic and financial crimes reporting for journalists in Sokoto zonal command.

He enjoined journalists to dwell more on investigative journalism to expose the ill dealing of the corrupt public and private officials for the betterment of the country.

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Ethical Triangle of Islam WORLD OF ISLAM

By: Mohammad Omar Farooq/IslamiCity

Taqwa, Ramadan and the Quran: The Triangular Link of Our Ethical System

Most of us have encountered many months of Ramadan in our life. Unfortunately, it is a reality that our lives most often have not been touched or affected by this month of fasting, even though every ceremonial aspect of Islam - that is, Ibadah in a limited sense - has special purpose and significance. Indeed, there is no aspect of Islam that is without a purpose or significance. It is either the lack of understanding or negligence to understand that renders our Ibadah into mere rituals. One reason that explains the stagnation of our individual and collective Muslim life is our weakness in building our life in light of the “purpose and significance” of Ibadah.

There is purpose behind every single act of creation of God. “Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between!” [Quran 38:27]. In the context of this purposeful creation, God desires to see the entire human life on the foundation of Ibadah. “I have only created Jinns and human beings, that they may offer their Ibadah (to Me).” [Quran 51:56] If this purpose or goal-orientation does not affect our lives, then stagnation is unavoidable.

Ibadah is for the entire life of a human being. It is critical to our understanding that there are five pillars of Islam - Shahadah (witnessing), Salat (prayer), Zakat, Siyam (fasting) and Hajj. It is on these pillars the Islamic way of life rests. This way of life derives its dynamism from these five pillars. Whenever these five pillars are alienated from the overall context of human life and its purpose, Ibadah is bound to be nothing more than rituals.

Such Ibadah does not carry the golden touch. The hue of such Ibadah cannot help the environment to bloom in its full color. One does not hear through such Ibadah the inspiring melody of the Aakhirahbound life.

The main theme of this article is Taqwa (Godconsciousness) - a theme that has a triangular connection in terms of our ethical and moral system.

First, God has sent the final revelation - the Quran - for the guidance of humankind. Hence, the Quran is the guidance (Huda’) for us. “This is the Book - in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who are (Muttaqoon) God-conscious.”

[Quran 2:2]. Therefore, the Quran is not merely for accumulating bits of rewards (thawab), but for using as comprehensive guidance for human life and for solving the problems in our Aakhirah-bound life in this world. But to make use of the Quran as guidance, one needs some basic capital, and that capital is Taqwa (God-consciousness). That is why the Quran is the guidance, but effectively only for those who are (Muttoqoon) (God-conscious).

Secondly, God has not only revealed to us His expectation about us, but He has also informed us about how to fulfill His expectation. It is for this reason God has not only required a minimum level of Taqwa, but also has shown us the way to attain and improve our Taqwa. The five pillars of Islam have five distinctive, but complementary roles. Achieving Taqwa is intimately related to one of those five pillars: Siyam (fasting). “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain Taqwa (God-consciousness).” [Quran 2:183]

Thirdly, as fasting is not merely a ritual, attaining Taqwa is not also a pursuit without a purpose. Thus, the third of the triangular link of ethical/moral system is the special month of Ramadan, which God has designated for the prescribed month of fasting. The significance of this link has been clearly identified in the Quran. “Ramadan is the (month) in which we sent down the Quran, as a guide to humankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So, every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting....” [Quran 2:185]

The above-quoted verse helps establish the triangular link. God has revealed the Quran for our guidance. A basic prerequisite of benefiting from the divine revelation in the Quran is a minimum level of Taqwa. As a means and method of attaining Taqwa, God has chosen fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam, and He has chosen that very month as the month of fasting which is intimately related to the revelation of the Quran.

Therefore, to be a Muslim or to believe in Islam inevitably implies that, upon due inquiry and due diligence, we should accept the Quran as a complete, indivisible, final and balanced source of guidance for our life and sincerely endeavor to subject our entire life to this source of guidance. Also, to effectively benefit from the Quran, we have to have consistently increased Taqwa.

The Quran has not been revealed because people will believe without due diligence and then believe in it and show their reverence by printing it in the form of a decorative artwork, and then wrapping in velvet fabric would place it in an unreachable shelf close to the roof, and occasionally recite without

understanding the meaning to search the key to heaven

The real purpose of recitation is to read, learn, and understand that should lead to implementation of the teachings of the Quran in our full spectrum of life

In the context of the breakdown of moral and ethical fabric of the contemporary Muslim society, it is important for us to recognize that the solution is intimately related to the functional link between Taqwa and our moral and practical values. There is no hope for our true liberation, both at the individual and the collective level, until we can bridge the gap between our words and action and solve our problem of lack of integrity of purpose and behavior. We need a fundamental overhaul of our values. It is not that we as Muslims are not familiar with such values. However, a great deal of ignorance and misunderstanding exists in regard to the proper place of such values in our life.

It is also a basic failure of those among us who are educated and/or scholars, especially from the religious viewpoint, to present this importance of the value and ethical system to our masses. This is evidenced by the fact that one can observe the contents and focus of the Jumuah Khutbah (Friday Prayer Sermon) where so much is mentioned about prayer and other aspects of Islam, but in my life I haven’t heard one Friday sermon emphasizing the importance literacy or developing good relationship with everyone including non-Muslims.

Let us ignore the case of those who are secular (in some cases, anti-religion). Ignorance of or negligence toward religion in general on their part is understandable. In different societies there are many types of people who are secular or even anti-religion. Even in our Muslim societies, there are “secular Muslims” - that is, essentially “anti-religion Muslims.” It is such a ridiculous as well as pathetic situation.

The reality is that secularism, atheism, agnosticism, nationalism, socialism, or capitalism does not give us such as an effective, balanced, comprehensive, and coherent framework of moral and ethical standard that in aggregate is beneficial for us.

Those who identify themselves as Muslims have a well-defined set of ideals and principles as well as a framework of moral and ethical standard. There is no need for or room of blind faith in Islam. Islam doesn’t recognize or dignify blind faith and that is why it educates us in no ambiguous terms that to believe in Islam means that we should embrace Islam based on knowledge and understanding and in its totality - that is, its philosophy, vision, values and laws. And if we do accept Islam, we should make a sincere and committed effort to organize our entire life according to Islam. We may have doubts or vacillation about it. Islam fully recognizes our liberty and invites us to the same effect to work toward removing such doubts or vacillation. If such doubts or vacillation cannot be overcome or resolved, why should we accept Islam? What is really then the need to believe in Islam? What is the reason or benefit of such faith and identity? What is the meaning and value of being a Muslim with such doubt, hesitation or ambivalence?

What is the reason behind the moral breakdown of our society, the majority of which are intimately identified with Islam. What is the explanation of the fragility and decadence of such society?

Whatever views we hold about the Western societies and whether we have any interest or not in engaging ourselves in a comparative analysis, there is a clear criterion for us as Muslims to evaluate our problems, and that criterion is Islam.

Let us ask ourselves a few more pertinent questions? Why has our society become so unstable? Is there any solution of this in Islam? As Muslims are we facilitators or hindrance in this situation? What is the reason behind widespread poverty, deprivation, exploitation and oppression in our society? Is Islam a failure in this case; or, do we have these problems due to Islam; or, is it that it is because of us these problems persist? Why is corruption, bribery and violent conflict so rampant in our society? Should we place the blame for these as well on Islam? Should we ignore our worldly problems and cherish our success in the life hereafter by attributing these problems to destiny?

Why the control and authority in our societies in the hands of individuals, parties, or groups that have absolutely no integrity? Is Islam’s teaching unambiguous in these regards? Why the precious infants in various parts of the Muslim world have to die prematurely due to malnutrition or diseases? Why do we still bear the curse of illiteracy? In the context of all these, what really is the power and benefit of our Iman (belief), Amal (action), and Taqwa (God-consciousness)? Does Islam then teach us to abandon this world in favor of the life hereafter? Do we really expect to represent Islam to the humanity while we are humiliated, subjugated, dependent, or problem-ridden on one hand, and a laughing stock of the world as we seek the aid, recognition, and status from the West? Let us ignore others, but is there really any effective answer from the vast number of pious Muslims - who devoutly perform prayer and fasting - to all these problems?

FEC Approves N2.4bn for National Sports Medicine, High Performance Centre

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N2.4bn for the construction of a new National Sports Medicine and High Performance Centre at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, disclosd this while briefing State

House Correspondents at the end of the weekly FEC meeting. The project is expected to be completed in three years.

Dare said the ministry presented just one memo which had to do with the National Sports Medicine and the construction of a HighPerformance Centre at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, which was graciously considered

andHeapproved.attributed the lack of a National Sports Medicine and High Performance Centre to improve the overall performances of Nigerian athletes as one of the drawbacks of sports development and athletes performances in the country.

Dare explained that global sports development practice has High Performance Centre as a major

EAGLETS FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP...

component of conditioning athletes. "It takes your athletes beyond just raw talent to some level of sports science and precision and the lack of that scientific input into our sports development over time has not helped us to reach the maximum podium performance that can be attained by our athletes. We have seen, particularly in Kenya and South Africa, where we have

something close to that and what their performances are," he said.

He noted that the new High- Performance Centre has an in-built maintenance structure in its lifecycle design, adding that more than 80 percent of the equipment that will be needed is digital equipment already secured and obtained at Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

"What we need is to construct the

specialised building where we’re going to install all of these.

And if this is done, the number one High Performance Centre in the whole of the African continent is the one in South Africa and if we are able to complete the one in Abuja here, that will be the second one in Africa."

The minister also said the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has given two stadia in Nigeria the nod to host CAF competitions. The two stadia are Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Leon SevenBalogun, Others Released by QPR

A former Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun and six other players have been released by Queens Park Rangers. Balogun, 34, played 16 times after joining QPR last summer.

Also amongst the players released is former Tottenham youngster, Luke Amos, 26, who also joined permanently in the summer of 2020 after a season on loan, and made a total of 95 appearances in a time hampered by knee Forwardproblems. Chris Willock was contracted for another season after the club activated an option to extend his contract.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets were eliminated from the U17 AFCON yesterday by Burkina Faso. The Nduka Ugbade tutored lads who were beaten 2-1 by the Burkinabes were thus failed to qualify for the U17 World Cup

Burkina Faso Deny Eaglets World Cup Ticket

Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons took the few opportunities that came their way to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in a gritty Africa U17 Cup quarter-final duel in Algiers on Thursday night. Defeat meant elimination from the tournament, and end to a FIFA

World Cup ticket ambition, for the five-time world champions who created far more opportunities but were either denied by the sticks or by the brilliant goalkeeper Isidore.

Charles Agada, who scored Nigeria’s first goal against South

Paralympic Committee Congress to Hold May 15 in Asaba

The leadership of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria (PCN) has concluded plans for its Elective Congress slated for Asaba, Delta State on Monday May 15, 2023.

President of PCN, Brig. Gen. Emico Eruwa (rtd) who revealed this during the week, thanked the the Government of Delta State for approving the hosting of the congress in the state.

"By this gesture, Delta State has proven to be PCN-friendly state and the body will ever be grateful to the state for this big relief to us on the board. Now that we have a sponsor, we'll now concentrate on logistics as I can't wait to hand over to the incoming president,” observed Gen Eruwa who is the immediate past President of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation.

With the election tagged 'ASABA 2023' holding barely a week after the wheelchair basketball president and vice president elections held in Abuja to conclude all Parasports Federation elections, the PCN Secretary General, Issa Suleiman, informed reporters that all logistics that will ensure free, fair and credible election were already in place.

These include a three-man electoral committee made up of Dr. (Mrs). Thechla Opara, Director

Para Sports Department, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development(FMYSD), Chief Solomon Ogba, Vice President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Mr.Tunde Kazeem.

Also set up is a two-man Appeals Committee which has Dr. Segun Akinlotan as Chairman while Mr. Patrick Ibeh is the Secretary.

According to guidelines for the congress, all protests arising from the election must be filed to the Appeals Committee within 24 hours of the polls accompanied with N100,000 being the appeal fee for the executive office.

Appeal fees for the regional election is N50,000.

Meanwhile, at the close of nominations for the various offices, four candidates are vying for the post of the president. They include; CP Anderson Bankole (Para Table Tennis); Mr. Sunday Odebode (Para Table Tennis); Mr Paul Mduakor (president, Nigeria Amputee Football Federation) and Mr Chiemeka Charles (president, Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation).

For the post of the Secretary General, it is a straight fight between the incumbent Mr. Issa Suleiman and Mr. Kayode Oladele (President Nigeria Sitting Volleyball Federation).

Africa in their last group phase in Constantine on Saturday, wasted an opportunity as early as the second minute, and Abubakar Abdullahi, another scorer from the 3-2 defeat of South Africa, hit a scorching shot that rocked the crossbar with seven minutes gone.

Agada also hit the upright from a tussle inside the box on the quarterhour, and was then denied by the opposing goalkeeper with seven minutes left in the first period.

In the 40th minute, Jeremiah Olaleke saved the Eaglets’ blushes by heading the ball away on

the goal-line with goalkeeper Richard Odoh stranded, but the same player was culpable when his howler inside the box, after Odoh had parried an inswinger, let in Aboubacar Camara to put Burkina Faso ahead on the dot of half time.

Options to extend the contracts of Joe Gubbins and Charlie Kelman by 12 months have also been taken up.

Meanwhile, Taylor Richards' loan from Brighton and Hove Albion has become a permanent deal after the club secured Championship survival.

The R's remain in talks over a new contracts with Jordan Archer, Chris Martin, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Aaron Drewe and Stephen DukeMcKenna, while Olamide Shodipo, Conor Masterson, Charlie Owens and Ody Alfa will all leave this summer.

Oshoala’s Barca Femeni’s Historic 62-match

Super Falcons and BarcelonaFemeni forward, Aisisat Oshoala, and her team mates, yesterday had their 62-match winning streak halted following their 1-1 scoreline with Sevilla ladies. With the league trophy already in the kitty, Femeni appear to be more focussed on the forth coming Women UEFA Champions League final match against

Winning Streak Ends at Sevilla

Wolfsburg on June 3rd.

Cristina Martin-Prieto gave Sevilla a surprise lead at the Estadio Jesus Navas, and for large parts of the second half, it looked like the home side would hold on for a memorable three points.

Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic scored a late equaliser to rescue Barca's long unbeaten streak,

but their run of victories in the league was brought to an end despite the late introduction of Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Barca last dropped points in Liga F in June 2021, when they were beaten by Atletico Madrid less than 48 hours after winning

the Copa de la Reina.

After that defeat, they won the five games remaining in that campaign and all 30 matches’ last season.

Before meeting Sevilla this week, where they fielded a heavily rotated side having already wrapped up their fourth straight Liga F title, they had won all 27 of their league games.

Savannah Conference Lights up Kano for Nestlé MILO Basketball

Government Day Science Secondary School Jalingo in Taraba State and General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola, in Adamawa State, won in the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively at the first regional conference of the 23rd MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

Nestlé Nigeria’s MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship has been promoting the value of grit for over 23 years, helping school children learn essential life skills such as resilience, persistence, stamina, cooperation, and self- belief. These values enable them to overcome challenges and achieve

their goals in life.

At the recently concluded Savannah Conference, Government Day Science Secondary School Jalingo, won in the girls’ category 19-13 against Government Secondary School, Numan, Adamawa State.

To win in the boys’ category, General Murtala Mohammed College Yola, defeated Dutse Model International College, Dutse, Jigawa State 39-24.

Happy Sylvester from GDSSS Jalingo was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament in the girls’ category.

“I do not have words to say how I feel, but I am really, really excited.

This is huge, and I never expected it, but with God all things are possible.

I thank God, I thank MILO and I thank my teammates,” gushed an obviously excited Sylvester.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament in the boys’ categoryNumanisDickson from GMMC Yola, won the MVP of the boys’ category. Speaking on her achievement, Dickson said: “I am happy and extremely excited. Thanks, to my teammates and coaches. They made my dream come true. I always wanted to be MVP since I started playing basketball, so, I am happy.”

Nestlé continues to lead grassroots sports development in Nigeria through its MILO Basketball Championship, contributing to the growth of many players in the Nigerian national teams, and notable clubs across the world today.

Category Manager for Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Olutayo Olatunji, reiterated Nestle’s commitment to developing talents, promoting healthier lifestyles, and instilling values for success in life through sports. “MILO, firmly believes that through participation in sports, children learn enduring values to help them achieve sustainable success in life,” he said.

Akeredolu to APC

“Proposed APC zoning formula for NASS leadership positions is a skewed arrangement that reinforces injustice and enhances inequity. It is with great concern and indeed, with a huge burden that I read in the news of the purported zoning arrangement by the NWC of our party, APC, as regards the leadership positions in the yet-to-be inaugurated National Assembly. It is trite to aver that it stands logic on the head that one geopolitical zone, North-west, will be favoured with two presiding officers positions out of four while North-central...having none” –Chairman, South-west Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, criticising the APC’s zoning formula.

AKIN OSUNTOKUN

In Remembrance of Peter Ekeh

“You don’t expect your judges to live in squalor, to operate in squalor and dispense justice in squalor. This is part of the changes that are necessary. We must fight corruption but we must definitely look at the other side of the coin. If you don’t want your judges to be corrupt, you got to pay attention to their welfare. You don’t want them to operate in hazardous conditions,”

-’President-Elect’ Bola Ahmed Tinubu

It was nothing short of audacious of Tinubu to choose, without being prodded, to speak to corruption and judiciary in Nigeria the way he did at Port Harcourt, the other day. Rightly or wrongly, if an opinion poll is conducted on who is the most corrupt public official in Nigeria today, there is all likelihood that Tinubu will carry the day.

If another poll is conducted on who has had the most corrupt influence on the Nigerian judiciary today, the odds are he will similarly rank higher than any other Nigerian. With this personality profile, you can now understand my attribution of audacity to anyone of his specification pontificating on the subject matter of corruption and judiciary in Nigeria.

Implicit in the observation of Tinubu is the shared conviction that the judiciary is rotten and that the reason they are predisposed this way comes down to economic vulnerability. He is of the belief that their remuneration is not commensurate with the gravity of the role assigned to them by the constitution. Since nature abhors vacuum, into the gap that separates remuneration from the magnitude of their role enters corruption. Beyond the judiciary, the thesis of this subversive vulnerability is generalisable across the public service.

Exactly the same argument can for, instance, be made for the Nigerian police and allied security institutions and agencies. This is why Nigerian law and security officers are incriminated in sundry crimes and devastation of the entire security architecture they are sworn to protect and deploy to serve the common good.

In a baffling display of state capture, we were treated to the novelty of the institutional collusion of the police, department of state security, dss and the military with the Nigerian electoral agency, INEC and the ruling political party, All Progressives Congress, APC, to literally steal the 2023 general elections. This was followed with the institutional implication of the judiciary in which the dispossessed is dared to “go to court” where the crime is perfected with the imprimatur of a compromised bench.

If we were to believe the fabled proweress of Tinubu as political godfather and Mr fix it, then his proposition at Port Harcourt was somewhat a Freudian slip. In the prevailing fourth republic, he has been credited with the feat of procuring several governorship seats through the instrumentality of a suborned judiciary. The most conspicuous

of which were the Justice Ayo Salami serial interventions.The Times of London* was the most disrespectful in characterising him as “a wealthy kleptocratic ‘godfather’ of politics”.

There is however a utilitarian perspective to his Port Harcourt declaration. First, he is bringing, perhaps, the biggest sociopolitical challenge of Nigeria, corruption, to the front burner as a priority area of his potential presidency. He is doing so, coincidentally, at a time, the Nigerian judiciary is facing the make or mar integrity test of a lifetime; to determine the fate of an alleged mastermind in the institutional subversion of the judiciary.

In the crusade against the Nigeria-wide free fall in corruption, he has the choice of serving the utility of “it takes a thief to catch another thief”. In this imagined transformation of Tinubu from Saul to Paul, he will turn out the opposite of his predecessor who spectacularly turned out a bad cop against his mythical good cop reputation.

Now to the theory. In my estimation, the preeminent theory of corruption in Nigeria, was the one formulated by Professor Peter Ekeh of illustrious memory. He postulated that “Corruption arises directly from the amorality of the civic public(the government) and the legitimation of the need to seize largesse from the civic public in order to benefit the primordial public (Ethnic and kinship affiliations).

He argued that there are two forms of corruption that are associated with the dialectics. The first is embezzlement of funds from the civic public, from the government, to be more specific. The second is the solicitation and acceptance of bribes from individuals seeking services provided by the civic public by those who administer these services”.

“Both carry little moral sanction and may well receive great moral approbation from members of one’s primordial public. But contrariwise, these forms of corruption are

completely absent in the primordial public. Strange is the Nigerian who demands bribes from individuals or who engages in embezzlement in the performance of his duties to his primordial public. On the other hand, he may risk serious sanctions from members of his own primordial public if he seeks to extend the honesty and integrity with which he performs his duties in the primordial public to his duties in the civic public by employing universalistic criteria of impartiality”.

Wraith notes that, ‘while the local government authorities, with their civic structure, have ‘a sad record of muddle, corruption and strife’, the ‘ethnic unions are handling sums of money comparable to those of many local authorities; and are spending it constructively and honestly. Wraith rightly emphasises, ‘To put your fingers in the till of the local authority will not unduly burden your conscience, and people may well think you are a smart fellow and envy you your opportunities. To steal the funds of the union would offend the public conscience and ostracise you from society’

Allied to Ekeh is the concept of autochthony, (autochthony is defined as the quality of belonging to or being connected with a certain place or region by virtue of birth or origin inclusive of linguistic and cultural homogeneity) and the sociological notion of state-society discontinuity. It proceeds from the premise that corruption is rooted in state-society discontinuity and there is a positive correlation between this discontinuity and sociopolitical dysfunction.

The more the discontinuity, the more the dysfunction. This is typically the case with post colonial African states and Nigeria is a good illustration of the phenomenon. Nigeria does not organically evolve from a prior Nigerian society; the Nigerian state/ nationality is not coterminous with a preceding Nigerian society.

Prior to Nigeria, what we had were Yoruba, urhobo, Igbo, Kanuri, Tiv, Hausa, Fulani societies. Nigeria was solely a creation of British colonialism into which these disparate societies were forcibly incorporated. In the path to Nigerian freedom, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, drew the contrast that we do not have Nigerians in the same manner as we have Germans, French, English corresponding to Germany, France and England. Arising from this formulation, the policy prescription here is the ‘need for an autochthonous transformation of the state in Africa’

Autochthony is when Nigerian political leaders and intellectuals advocate that ethno linguistic commonalities should constitute the basis for drawing the map of states/ regions within Nigeria. It was this logic of autochthonous transformation that informed the recommendation of regional federalism for Nigeria (which resulted in the constitutional birth of Western, Eastern and Northern region at independence in 1960).

Let us now look at the applicability of Ekeh’s theory to the charmed political career of Tinubu. There is nothing to contest in the observation that the Nigerian presidency has become the

fountain of corruption in Nigeria. As we learned from the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, it has played out in the personality cult appropriation of the Nigerian state, and an unprecedented primitive accumulation of resources. Some, with reason, have described the Nigerian presidency as the most powerful (read limitless and unaccountable power) in the world. This resonates with the quip of Lord Acton that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Such tendency towards absolute corruption in Nigeria is reinforced by the resource curse syndrome in which you do not need to work and be productive in order to acquire wealth.”The big idea behind the ‘resource curse’ is that mineral and fuel abundance in less developed countries (LDCs) tends to generate high levels of corruption, ineffective governance and greater political violence”.

Since the proclamation (in the early 70s) by General Yakubu Gowon, that money was not Nigeria’s problem but how to spend it, corruption had taken a cue and soared like the meteor. The need to ameliorate the destabilising zero sum dimensions of Nigerian politics, has necessitated the adoption of presidential power rotation otherwise known as Turn by Turn Nigeria limited.

Thus the default perception of the Nigerian presidency has become how much public wealth the incumbent can confiscate and acquire for himself, his kith and kin inclusive of ethno regional confederates and nationwide political allies-and do so with impunity. Following Peter Ekeh, this is the oblique inherent errand, Tinubu voters especially the Yoruba faction are sending him to accomplish.

It has been long in coming but this is the new normal in Nigeria.

Who cares if he is El Chapo, Pablo Escober, Donald Trump, Omar Bongo, all rolled into one? Who cares about the usurpation of the zoning principle and the degeneration of Nigeria’s power politics into the cesspit of dogs eat dogs?. As I have iterated, no Yoruba can claim to support Tinubu on the grounds of any fine principle, idealism, altruism or patriotism.

And as if the moral problematic of a Tinubu presidency is not enough, the two frontrunners for the Senate president position are Godswill Akpabio and Orji Uzor Kalu. In a subsisting petition before the economic and financial crimes commission, efcc, it is alleged that “the cumulative aggregate of these monies stolen by Godswill Akpabio from the coffers of government as pocket money is the annual budget of some states in Nigeria put together”.

That of Kalu is more egregious “the trial court found him guilty in December 2019 and was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

But in one of a series of questionable judgements given by the Supreme Court, his jail time was nullified on technical grounds: that the judge who jailed him was ineligible to handle the trial having been elevated to the Court of Appeal’s bench as of the time he concluded the case”.

Ekeh