TUESDAY 16TH MAY 2023

$800m Loan: W’Bank Clears Air, Says Decision to Draw Down Facility Rests with Incoming Govt

Reiterates call for elimination of fuel subsidy Advises incoming government to be decisive, urgently engage stakeholders on assumption of office

Obinna Chima

Following the controversy surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari’s

recent request for the National Assembly to approve an $800 million World Bank facility, the multilateral institution yesterday clarified that

the loan request was not a fresh one, adding that the decision to withdraw the facility would rest with the incoming government.

The Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, who said this during an exclusive interview with THISDAY,

www.thisdaylive.com

Says nation’s electorate now maturing, advises elected officials to deliver or be shown way out Okonjo Iweala, Amina

Mohammed, Saraki, David Greene, Elumelu, others task incoming govs on economy, good governance

explained that securing the National Assembly’s approval would make it easy for the incoming government to easily deploy palliatives if Continued on page 12

it decides to phase out the country’s controversial fuel subsidy policy.

Buhari: It’s Been Bumpy 8 Years, But We’ve Built Foundation for Prosperous Nigeria

L-R: Director General , World Trade Organisation , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo –Iweala ; Chairman Governors’ Forum , Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state ; Chief of staff to the President , Prof. Ibrahim Gambari ; Deputy Secretary General of United Nation , Amina Mohammed; Deputy Chairman of Governors’ Forum , Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Yari: I’m in Race for Senate Presidency in Line with Constitutional Provisions

Matawale’s group tackles Jaji over claims he won Zamfara for Tinubu

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

A former Governor of Zamfara State and Senator-elect for Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, yesterday, in Abuja, declared that he was in the race for the Presidency of the 10th Senate in line with constitutional provisions and not zoning arrangement made by the ruling party.

Yari, who stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the sideline of induction programme held for senators and members-elect for the 10th National Assembly at International Conference Centre (ICC), said his aspiration was not an affront against the APC.

While maintaining that he was in the race as provided for by section 50 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, he said, "My aspiration for Presidency of the 10th Senate is covered by relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution,

which to me is superior to any other law or arrangement.

"I am a loyal party man. Nobody has told me that any position has been zoned to anywhere as far as the 10th National Assembly is concerned. Position of President of the Senate is first among equals among the 109 Senators. Any Senator-elect, who wants to occupy the position, must seek the support of others which I am doing.

"It is hire and fire arrangement. I want them to hire me as President of the 10th Senate on the day of inauguration. Many of those approached by me, have given their supports and I won't disappoint them. My becoming Senate President on the day of inauguration lies with decision that will be made by 108 other senators that day and nothing else," he said.

Meanwhile, a group loyal to

the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawale, under the aegis of the National Defence Coalition of the All Progressives Congress, has described as untrue, claims by a 10th House of Representatives Speakership aspirant, Aminu Sani Jaji, that he made the victory of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu possible in the state.

General Secretary of the group, Anas Abdullahi Kaura, who addressed journalists in Abuja, yesterday, said the victory of Tinubu in Zamfara State was made possible largely by the heavy support of Matawale, Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabir Marafa.

The group said Jaji's statement, when he visited the national secretariat of the APC to protest the zoning arrangements for the 10th National Assembly leadership positions, was unfortunate.

"We have a personal respect for Aminu Jaji and his personal ideologies but surprisingly, I don’t know what motivated him to go to the extent he has gone. His statement when they paid a protest visit to the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, is absolutely ridiculing to his political status.

"For Aminu Sani Jaji to say he

was the one that produced the winning votes for Tinubu and Shatima he must know that he is economical with the truth because even someone who is not from Zamfara State will not believed him. I believe that his political outlook and that of his supporters may likely be injurious to the unity of the APC in Zamfara.

"His words are clearly targeting the political stars of former Governor Abdulaziz Yari and by extension Governor Bello Matawalle. Even if I am wrong by the assertion made, for him to face the National Chairman of the APC face-to-face and made such political outburst is really something that will send a very wrong signal to his political sincerity.”

CAN Advises Tinubu to Stick to Federal Character Principles

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has listed key areas of focus to the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed

Kalu to Colleagues: Place Party Supremacy Above Political Interest

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The Deputy Speakership candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 10th House, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on his colleagues, particularly aspirants for the speakership seat to place the supremacy of the party above any other political interest.

Kalu stated this yesterday while addressing representatives of coalition of Abia stakeholders under the aegis of Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Campaign Secretariat of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly Coalition in Abuja.

The lawmaker, who currently chairs the 9th House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs also called on members-elect from the South East zone to rally support for the Abbas/Kalu joint ticket, saying it was anchored on the diversity and

multiplicity of interest in Nigeria.

He noted that having provided the political vehicle that conveyed all winners of electoral offices to their desired destinations, the party's position should be respected by all as a mark of honour and loyalty to the party.

"I'm a man, who believes that the party's supremacy should not be jettisoned for our political interest. The party provided the vehicle for us to get to where we are, and their decision should be binding on us. That's the only way we are going to make our party stronger, that's the only way we are going to make people respect our party, because our victories came through them," he said.

Kalu also assured his visitors that if given the mandate to preside, the House under Hon. Abbas and himself would sustain the current tripartite approach to governance adopted by the outgoing administration, adding

that the party's decision to choose him and Abbas was based on the need for competence and maturity in understanding the objectives of the coming administration.

"So, the tripartite arrangements established by this current government is going to be sustained by the incoming administration, where the party will sit with the Executive and the Legislature to come up with policy directions that will help our nation grow. And the House through the partnership and the support I will give to my principal, who is the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas by God's grace, that we will be able to buy into the national objective.

“It's not wearing a boxing gloves to fight the government. We should understand that this government is our government. Three arms of government with one national objective. So,this is what we need if we are going to take the nation from where it is to the next level.”

Tinubu and with emphasis on federal character.

The Christian body specifically noted that the in-coming administration must make good use of faith leaders to seek genuine peace that would be all-inclusive.

President of CAN, Arch Bishop Daniel Okoh, who gave the advice in Abuja yesterday, during a Leaders’ Summit organised by Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Foundation, emphasised that Tinubu must be assertive in tackling ethnic and religious identity, adding that Nigerians should be able to gain access to economic and socio-political benefits in any part of the country, where they chose to reside.

Okoh said the country was blessed with a cohort of religious and community leaders, who were peace advocates and the in-coming administration must utilise the goodwill of faith leaders to seek genuine peace that would be all-inclusive.

"It must be assertive in addressing the issues of ethnic and religious identity. Nigerians should be able to lay claim and gain access to economic and socio-political benefits in any part of the country where they chose to reside.

"Addressing the 'indigeneity' clause and according full residency

rights to Nigerians will be a right step in the right direction. The Federal Character Principle should be respected; and total right to freedom of belief or worship should be granted unhindered to citizens to freely subscribe to any religion of their choice.

"Abduction, illegal marriage and forceful conversion of persons to a faith against their wish is archaic, reprehensible and condemnable all over the modern world and should not be allowed to thrive here. This anti-social practice, which has gained traction especially in Northern Nigeria should be discouraged and condemned by well-meaning citizens and constituted authorities alike.

"This kind of behavior, where condoned, is a recipe for anarchy and will ultimately, render all the peacebuilding efforts null and void. Accountable Governance – it is not a secret that Nigeria lacks quality leadership that is yet to transform the abundant economic wealth available in the land towards sustainable development."

President of the Foundation, Gideon Para-Mallam, explained that the summit was organised to address the hostile Christian environment because of the atrocities of Boko Haram and other evil groups.

Yari

Kalu

North Central Govs Reject APC Zoning, to Meet With Tinubu

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Governors of the North Central geopolitical zone, yesterday, in Abuja, rejected the zoning arrangements announced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the leadership

positions in the 10th National Assembly. The chief executives of the states in the region took the position after hours of deliberations on the issue at a meeting of their caucus in Abuja, which ended late.

The governors from the region represented by Governors Yahaya Bello and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, had earlier at a meeting meeting penultimate week, endorsed the position of the senators-elect on the issue.

The states' chief executives at another forum after the announcement of the leadership positions' zoning arrangements by the APC, maintained that they were in full support of the positions of the elected senators from the region

10th National Assembly: South East Unity Cautions against Stoking Regional Tensions

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A group, South-East Unity Movement, has warned the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against continuous meddling with the leadership affairs of the National Assembly, saying the legislative arm was constitutionally and democratically independent and autonomous arm of government.

In a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Godwish Obi, the group said it was deeply worried by the

direction the country was being pushed by power hungry regionalist politicians over the issue of selection of leaders and officers of the 10th National Assembly. It said, "We find it unfortunate that people, who are supposed to be distinguished gentlemen and women trusted with mandates by their constituencies would find it difficult to form leadership for themselves and by themselves without unnecessary interference by vested interests."

It noted that the South-East, in

Diaspora Group Lauds APC for Picking Akpabio for Senate President

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Association of Nigerian Professionals based in the United Kingdom, has hailed the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt an inclusive zoning arrangement ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly leadership.

A statement by the body and signed by the Coordinator, Innocent Udoidiong and the protem Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Omolu, after an emergency meeting to consider issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians based in the UK, among others, noted that the choice would bring about peace, justice and equity in the system.

The meeting, which was held at Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom also had in attendance,other executive members such as Dr. Christopher udushirinwa, Dr obafemi oyewole, Mr. John Eze, Mr. Clement Bamgbose, Mr. Anthony Kelechi and Babatunde olatunde.

Others were Waheed Adeyemi, Mr. Ediomi Jumbo, Mr. Henry valentine, Mr. Taiwo oladapo and Mr. Mebude Hammed.

The group p expressed satisfaction at the choice of the former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, as the consensus candidate for the position of the Senate President by the party.

The group also applauded the choice of Tajudeen Abass, as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives speakership, saying he has what it takes to discharge his duties effectively in that capacity.

Udoidiong said Nigeria as a country with many development challenges including poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, needed experienced and visionary leaders, who tactfully strategise towards solving some of the challenges.

“Akpabio had made an indelible mark when he served as the governor of Akwa Ibom State for two terms. His records are sparkling and unparalleled. As the Minister of Niger Delta he initiated policies that helped overhaul the Niger Delta Development Commission and brought relative sanity to the agency. Projects are now accounted for in the agency,” it said.

spite of the strident cries of marginalisation in the way the nation was structured and operated, was still more committed to sustainable peace than all the other sections of the country.

According to the group, the South-East would not fold its arms and watch greedy politicians stoke unnecessary regional tensions that would potentially affect investments all across the country.

It, therefore, urged politicians to tread with caution and play by the rules with fairness to all sections of

the country devoid of dangerous preconditions and sinister motives.

The group also called on political party structures particularly, the party in power to allow the three organs of government to exercise their constitutionally demarcated roles unhindered.

"The National Working Committee of the APC is therefore cautioned against continuous meddling with the leadership affairs with the constitutionally and democratically independent and autonomous legislative arm of government,” it stated.

and endorsed by the governors.

Their resolution was signed by the attendees including, Abubakar Sani Bello Governor Niger State and Chairman, North Central Governors Forum.

Others were Simon Lalong (Governor, Plateau State); Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq (Kwara State); Abdullahi Sule (Nassarawa); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, Governor-elect (Benue); Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Aspirant), Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives (Aspirant) and Yusuf Gagdi, member (Aspirant).

The resolution read: "The meeting resolved as follows: That the North Central as a geopolitical zone is fully committed to supporting the incoming administration of the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a better Nigeria. It will do everything possible to ensure the Renewed Hope agenda is actualise for the prosperity of all Nigerians.

"The meeting reviewed the proposed zoning structure released, and promised to reach out to the President-elect, His Excellency, Bola

Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Working Committee to appeal for re-consideration of the zoning of the Presiding offices of the National Assembly as released by the NWC.

"The meeting discussed the zoning as released and raised reservation with the allocation of the Positions of the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly to a particular geopolitical zone of the country.

"That the meeting resolved and agreed to fully utilize all necessary dialogue and consultations to resolving the NASS leadership issue, they all agreed to reach out to all major stakeholders for an amicable and acceptable zoning framework that will be all inclusive.

"The governors agreed with the aspirants positions and appealed to all senators and members-elect to continue to give Mr Presidentelect all the support needed for the smooth take up of the 10th National Assembly, while also furthering consultations. The meeting will reconvene again to review issues," the governors’ resolution read.

Minority Parties Forum Endorse APC Candidates

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

A group known as the Minority Parties Forum in the House of Representatives, yesterday, endorsed the preferred candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

Chairman of the forum, Igariwey Iduma Enwo, while speaking at the meeting/dinner last night, said it was not a splinter group from an earlier minority group of the House known as Greater Majority, adding that the parties that formed the forum included the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria People's Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Young Progressives Party, Social Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress.

The meeting was attended by 67 returning and fresh members.

Presenting the communique signed by himself and the Secretary of the forum, Kabiru AlHassan Rurum, he noted that, "We, the members of the underlisted political parties elected into the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives, having reviewed the number and composition of the 10th

Assembly and having considered the need for the minority parties to play an effective, crucial, and credible role in the composition of the leadership and running of the 10th Assembly hereby resolve as follows.

"That we will be united and focused on the primary responsibility of the minority parties in the 10th Assembly, which is to provide a vibrant and credible opposition in

Parliament for the entrenchment of good governance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"That we will severally and jointly work for the passage of laws and motions, which will promote the prosperity and wellbeing of Nigerians and advance the civil liberties and benefits entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"In furtherance of our resolve

to play a leading role in the formation of the leadership of the 10th Assembly and as a result of our diligent interactions with all aspirants for the position of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, we hereby resolve to support the duo of the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu respectively as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

PDP Members-elect Optimistic of Peaceful Resolution of Leadership Crisis

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

Some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives members-elect, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the lingering crisis trailing the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly would be resolved amicably.

The lawmakers, who spoke during a media chat at the sideline of the ongoing induction of returning and newly elected lawmakers organised by

National

Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS),

however, expressed support for the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu's ambition.

Speaking with parliamentary reporters, former Speaker, Gombe House of Assembly, Hon. Garba Inuwa, described Betara as the most qualified aspirant after wide consultation with other aspirants, who have so far expressed interest in the speakership race.

"The focus of the greater major-

ity is to have a very focussed and purposeful leadership for the 10th Assembly that will bring all members together for a good working relationship. That should be based on track record, experience and commitment. Most of us in the 10th Assembly believe that Aliyu Betara has what quality to give to Nigerians what we want in the 10th House of Representatives. "Nigeria is already in a serious problem and to come out of this problem starts and ends with having a good leadership.

Tinubu

ROYAL RED BOAT REPLICA PRESENTATION...

Emefiele Urges Banks, Telcos to Resolve USSD Dispute in Interest of Consumers

Declares CBN’s determination to achieve 95% inclusion target by 2024 Unveils SabiMoni, e-Learning platform to deepen financial inclusion

James Emejo in Abuja

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday said the current disagreement between telecoms firms and deposit money banks (DMBs) over non-payment for the provision of the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) transactions must be resolved in the overall interest of financial consumers.

This was just as the CBN governor launched the SabiMONI e-Learning Platform, a fully digital national e-learning portal that provides a knowledge base for financial literacy.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Emefiele expressed optimism that the dispute between the banks and telcos which had dragged on for over three years, would be amicably resolved especially through the instrumentality of the central bank.

Telecoms operators in Nigeria had last Friday, withdrawn their services to banks, causing customers difficulty in accessing online banking transactions that depend on the platform. These are transactions conducted on mobile phones like fund transfers through shortcodes, and checking of bank details and account balances, among other services with or without data or internet services.

The spokesperson for the CBN, Dr. Isa Abdulmumin, had on Monday, explained that the apex bank was on top of the situation, blaming the dispute on technical issues regarding the definition of a successful transaction from a bank and telco perspective.

Commenting on the dispute, Emefiele said, “If we do not resolve the problem, the people will suffer. Like we say, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. “Those that will suffer when these disagreements linger would be the users of banking services.”

The CBN governor particularly noted that the USSD technology was brought into the financial inclusion design because it remained a great enabler for the vulnerable people in the nooks and crannies of the country.

Nonetheless, he said to address the financial inclusion gaps, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2022, identified increasing adoption and usage of financial services in priority demographics comprising of the most vulnerable segments including women, youth, MSMEs, rural dwellers and especially, the Northern part of the country as well as expansion of digital financial services and platforms among its strategic priority areas.

He said to achieve these objectives, deliberate steps must be

taken to upscale financial capability through financial education programmes, adding that shortage of skilled and experienced persons to drive financial education remained a major hindrance.

Emefiele stressed that the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2022 places high priority on financial and digital learning as a strategy that would enable the creation of a conducive environment for serving or ensuring the inclusion of the most excluded groups.

The central bank governor

pointed out that financial literacy remained one of the key drivers of financial Inclusion – and constitutes a prerequisite for greater financial inclusion, which would lead to the stability of the financial system and ultimately economic growth and development.

He said the apex bank would do everything possible to achieve the 94 per cent financial inclusion target by the end of January 2024.

He said, “We made a promise that by 2022, we would have gone close to 80 per cent financial

inclusion and 2024, we would have achieved 95 per cent.

“Unfortunately, we are where we are today which is just below the 70 per cent mark.”

Meanwhile, Emefiele said the SabiMONI e-learning platform would enable the CBN drive financial education physically through the Certified Financial Literacy Trainers at the locations where it is most needed – as well as drive digital financial literacy thereby boosting consumer confidence in the uptake and utilisation of digital

financial services.

The portal, he said, would serve as a repository of information not only for learners but also for researchers in the most effective manner.

Emefiele said the initiative would provide individuals with the opportunity to be trained and become Certified Financial Literacy Trainers through self-service, and support the bank’s efforts towards ramping up the number of experts that can be used to drive financial education in the country and abroad.

PTAD Has Addressed Challenges of Pensioners, Says Ejikeme

The Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, has said the directorate has addressed the challenges facing pensioners since its establishment about 10 years ago.

Speaking at a forum with pensioners and stakeholders in the NorthWest zone yesterday, in Kaduna, Ejikeme said, “PTAD's determination to change the narrative as far as pension administration under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) in Nigeria is concerned is irrevocable.” She said the directorate has

consistently been working hard to achieve positive and sustainable change in the DBS pension management.

The PTAD boss noted that in the past, the DBS was fraught with allegations of fraud, corruption and inefficiencies prior to the establishment of the directorate.

She said, since the establishment of the PTAD, the narrative has changed for the better.

Ejikeme said, “the processes and controls that have been put in place by PTAD has “contributed immensely to the change being witnessed today in the management of the Defined

Buhari Reappoints Ngige as Chairman Council of Legal Education

NBA president, Maikyau, others make list

President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) as Chairman of the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

Aside from the 36 state AttorneysGeneral, the newly reconstituted council, which will be inaugurated at Abuja today, also has 17 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) nominees as members.

The members include NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN; leading Evidence Law author, Mr. Sebastine Hon SAN; Mr. Paul Harris Adakole Ogbole SAN, and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Roberts.

Ngige disclosed the reappointment while addressing the valedictory meeting of Council of Legal Education held at the weekend at the Bwari Headquarters of Nigerian Law School

The reappointment is coming on the heels of a farewell dinner held in honour of members of the 2019-2023 council last weekend at Abuja. It would recalled that the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma SAN was also reappointed last December by the president for another four-year term.

The council, with the active collaboration of the Chiroma-led

Nigerian Law School administration, supervised six Bar Final examinations and engaged in an unprecedented rehabilitation of the decayed school infrastructure through the launch of the Nigerian Law School Support Initiative, a pet project of Ngige.

Aside from sundry projects delivered by the federal government through the supervising Federal Ministry of Justice under Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, the Rivers State Government constructed two hostels and a multi-purpose hall at the Yenagoa Campus. It capped its intervention with the construction

of a state-of-the-art campus in Port Harcourt within eight months.

In collaboration with the school administration, the council built two medical centres at Abuja and Enugu campuses, commissioned a Moot Court built by the Nigerian Law School Class of 1986 and several staff quarters rehabilitated by the Enugu State Government, installed CCTV cameras in the examination halls at Abuja Headquarters, and commenced digitisation of Nigerian Law School files and documents to enhance speedy issuance of transcripts.

Benefit Pension scheme.”

Ejikeme said, “The hard work of PTAD over the years is now paying off despite the enormous challenges it inherited on inception.

“Our journey from field verifications, mobile verifications, to putting together a solid database of pensioners, benefit computation, ensuring the regular payment of monthly pensions and paying long overdue pension arrears to pensioners, has been a progressive one filled with creativity, dedication, commitment, persistence and resulting in milestone achievements.

“It is not yet a perfect situation, albeit PTAD is committed to continuing to make giant strides in the Defined Benefit Scheme Administration”, she said.

The PTAD boss further said, “Through the unwavering support of President Muhammadu Buhari, PTAD has completely liquidated the inherited unfunded liabilities of all the Defunct/Privatised Agencies handed over to PTAD in 2017, with the exception of NITEL/MTEL with a balance of 36 months, which we are fully committed to liquidating.”

She said in 2021, the directorate launched the "I AM Alive" confirmation solution in order to identify pensioners still alive.

She said the pilot phase was successfully completed when the application was tested on 50, 000 randomly-selected pensioners from the four Operational Department and the six geo-political zones.

According to her, following the success of the pilot phase, the directorate, on April 14, 2023, fully rolled out the solution for the use of pensioners.

Ejikeme explained that in order to ensure an efficient and effective delivery, and prevent a heavy flow of traffic on the website, “we have staggered the availability of the Confirmation Solution according to departments.

She said Police Pensioners commenced on April 14 to October 13, 2023, while pensioners of the Nigerian Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensioners will commence on June 1 to December 31, 2023.

Similarly, Civil Service Pensioners would start their own on July 1 to January 31, 2024, while pensioners from Parastatals would commence on August 1 to February 28, 2024.

She called on pensioners to take note of the scheduled dates as it concerns their respective departments so as to avoid heavy traffic on the website.

She said, the commitment of PTAD to the welfare of pension- ers remains sacrosanct and shall continue meeting and engaging with the various pension unions to ensure quality service delivery.

In a presentation at the meeting, the Director, Pensioner Support Services Department, Nneka Obiamalu, said PTAD said, “inherited very complex pension schemes that were mismanaged and did not have reliable data or information.”

L-R: Her Highness, Olori Atuwatse III; His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri Kingdom; Deputy Mayor Tampere, Finland Pekka Salmi and Oritseboluwo of Warri, Chief Dr Richmond Macgrey during Ogiame's presentation of Royal Red boat replica at Tampere City Hall in Finland…recently.

John Shiklam in Kaduna

NEITI Releases Five-year Strategic Plan, Says N1.07trn Debts Owed By IOCs Pending

Laments meagre 1.8% solid minerals contribution to GDP

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday released a five-year strategic plan, spanning between 2022-2026, which it said will ensure that the initiative in Nigeria delivers impactful results and energise more reforms in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, who spoke during the event in Abuja, also said oil firms operating in the sector still have an outstanding sum of

N1.07 trillion owed the federal government.

Orji noted that the three major strategic objectives of the five-year plan were to enhance extractive sector governance reforms through policy research, strategic stakeholder engagement, communication and inter-agency collaboration.

Under the strategic objectives, he added that the focus will be on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which, if well implemented comprehensively, will address the challenges within the oil and gas sector.

Orji expressed displeasure that the solid minerals sector currently contributes a little over 1.8 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stressing that if well harnessed, the sector could grow the economy more than oil.

“Our projection is that if the solid mineral sector is thrown open for investment, it has the potential to contribute over 60 per cent to the nation's GDP. At 60 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP would mean outperforming oil. This is our target. We have done an extensive scoping study and seen the potential of the

solid minerals sector,” he stated.

From previous NEITI reports, Orji recalled that a total of N624.1 billion was recorded as revenue that had accrued to the government from the sector over a 13-year period which in today’s exchange rate amounts to about $1.4 billion compared to the enormous $394 billion earned in the oil and gas sector in just 10 years.

He added that NEITI will be moving fully into the solid mineral sector to draw the same attention it drew to the oil and gas sector, drive reforms and ensure

Foreign Policy: Akinyemi, Akinterinwa, Others Advocate Establishing Industrial Complex, Space Program, SATO

Dike Onwuamaeze

Nigeria’s eggheads in diplomacy and international affairs led by a former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, have proposed three-pronged approaches that would enable the incoming administration enhance Nigeria’s position in the international arena and also in strengthening international relations.

These three approaches include the development of military industrial complex in Nigeria, the establishment of a South Atlantic Treaty Organisation (SATO) and the establishment of a viable space program in collaboration with private stakeholders in developed economies.

They made the proposal in a statement titled, “Designing a Foreign Policy Agenda for the New Administration–Summary Report,” which captioned the main thrusts of their online discussion.

Akinyemi, who was a former director general of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, said the incoming administration could, “enhance its foreign policy by taking three critical steps. Firstly, Nigeria should create a military-industrial complex to support its active foreign policy. Secondly, a SATO should be established. Lastly, Nigeria could collaborate with private stakeholders in developed economies to build out a viable space program.”

He explained that the term, "military-industrial complex" referred to the connection between the military and the defence industry in which the later benefits from the former's demand for weapons and technology.

He pointed out that the Defence

Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICN) was founded same year as Brazil's military-industrial complex, which had produced aeroplanes, tanks, and naval ships.

However, Nigeria was yet to achieve such feats. In contrast, Nigeria had only made rudimentary guns and bullets, which he attributed to domestic cleavage and not voting round pegs in round holes.

But Akinyemi insisted that “Nigeria has the potential to develop a military-industrial complex like India, Pakistan, and Turkey.”

He mentioned that funds were allocated to three universities to purchase nuclear facilities during the ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, but there was no interest after the government left office to sustain the vision.

However, he believed that Nigeria could still achieve this goal provided we have disciplined leaders who are willing to lead with a vision and the passion to follow through with action

He noted that countries do not necessarily solve all of their domestic issues before investing in a military-industrial complex. For example, China invested in its military industrial complex before fully addressing issues related to feeding its population.

Akinyemi averred that the announcement that Finland had joined NATO has made the discussion regarding a SATO a timely one.

He emphasised the necessity of promptly defining the areas that would be protected within the South Atlantic Ocean, and pointed out that although the United Nations initiated a process in 1986 by designating a Zone of Peace in the South Atlantic Ocean, there was

no treaty or military involvement to back the UN definition, and it was geographically loose.

He said implementing this arrangement would have major advantages, which included safeguarding the exclusive economic zone of coastal countries in the South Atlantic Ocean, preventing foreign fishing vessels from violating their rights and damaging their economic interests. Additionally, it would protect the military interests of member countries.

On the final point of using a space program as an instrument of Nigerian foreign policy, Akinyemi suggested that Nigeria should do more in this area and that partnering with private space entrepreneurs should be a key pillar of a new foreign policy agenda for the new administration.

He said the Nigerian Space Agency (NSA) was also not receiving enough coverage.

“The lack of understanding of the importance of such a program may be why Nigeria and Africa do not give it more attention. A space program requires investment in both culture and technology and while there are risks around weaponising space and space debris polluting earth, these risks should not be a deterrent,” he said.

Contributing during the discussion, Akinterinwa, stressed establishing a military-industrial complex would enable Nigeria to remain relevant in political discussions and interventions.

He observed that past attempts to build one have failed due to corruption.

“To establish a military-industrial complex, educational and research institutions must have a clear objec-

tive, a dedicated team of researchers, and no federal character concerning research,” Akinterinwa added.

He also emphasised the need to appoint a Foreign Affairs’ minister with a visionary understanding of international relations.

During the event, Ambassador Jaiyeola Lewu, noted that the South Atlantic had long been a zone of peace and cooperation and suggested that the South Atlantic Treaty may need to be revived to benefit member states spanning from Dakar to South Africa, and from the Caribbean to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

that revenues from the sector are prudently deployed for the growth and development of the country.

“Furthermore, our reports incentivised the National Assembly to set up a public hearing where recoveries were made to the tune of N1.5 Trillion ($3.8Billion) into government coffers with over N1.07 trillion (US$2.67 billion) still outstanding. The 2021 industry report will be released in June and by then we will update you on the companies' compliant status.

“Our alarm has also put companies on their toes in making sure that they pay to government what they ought to as at when due,” he pointed out.

He said that NEITI was commissioning a survey on the actual consumption of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria because as at today, no one is sure what the figure is.

Besides , Orji stated that NEITI will also like to conduct a further study on the 13 per cent derivation to ascertain whether the benefiting states are getting what they are really supposed to get and the extent of utilisation.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, who officially unveiled the five-year plan at the new NEITI office in Abuja, said that the federal government was satisfied with all the efforts of NEITI in championing ongoing

reforms to make our extractive industry work for all Nigerians.

Quoting from the NEITI Policy Advisory, Mustapha recalled that over N13 trillion (N74 billion) was documented to have been expended on the payment of subsidy between 2005-2021.

“The figure in relative terms is equivalent to Nigeria’s entire budget for health, education, agriculture, and defence in the last five years, and almost the capital expenditure for 10 years between 2011 2020.

“I guess that this could be more if we compute in financial terms other economic and opportunity costs to the nation.

“ These include the slashing of allocations for the health, education, and technology infrastructure sectors; deterioration of the downstream sector with the declining performance of Nigeria’s refineries, a discentivised private sector investment in the down and mid-stream petroleum sector; Low employment generation since the refining process is done outside the shores of Nigeria and inefficient supply arrangements which often leads to scarcity and its attendant queues etc,” he added.

According to him, a comprehensive position to guide the incoming administration on when and how to make a decision on subsidy is being developed by the Presidential Transition Council, which he (Mustapha) currently heads.

Audit Report: Senate Orders SEC DG to Refund N594m Vehicle Allowances

The Senate has directed the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and his commissioners to refund to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the sum of N594 million vehicle allowances some officials of the agencies collected.

The decision was sequel to the failure of the affected officials of the Commission to defend the allegations raised in the 2018 report of the Auditor General for the Federation.

The affected officials of the Commission did not appear after series of letters of invitations sent to them asking them to defend the allegations before the Senate Public Accounts Committee chaired by Senator Mathew Urhoghide.

Although, the Commission

made a written submission to the Senate panel, its officials failed to make a physical appearance.

The Senate, while approving the report of its panel at plenary, was left with no other option that to sustain the position of Auditor General for the Federation on the allegations and forwarded the report to the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The query read, "In 2013, the Director -General, while serving as Executive Commissioner, was paid the sum of N39 million as monetised car allowances to run for four years, but two years, on his appointment as Director General, he was again paid the sum of N84 million as monetised car allowances.

"In 2015, the Commission procured four project vehicles to meet it's need at the sum of N144

million, but instead of making use of the vehicles for the purposes they were acquired, the Director General and Commissioners turned them to their sole uses, which contravened chapter 9 (1)&(11) of the Commission's condition of service .

"Also, the sum of N469 million was further expended on the payment of the monetised motor vehicle insurance in 2015 and 2016.

"In the view of the foregoing, payment of N39 million in 2013, and N84 million in 2015, totaling N124 million to the DirectorGeneral were not proper and cannot be considered as proper charges against Public funds."

The Senate therefore approved the position of the Auditor General asking the Director -General to refund N124 million paid to him.

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORS NETWORK MEET-UP IN LAGOS...

NSIA Partners NCCC to Unlock Private Sector Finance to Tackle Climate Change

Releases maiden development impact report

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address climate risks and enable the attainment of the shared objectives of both parties.

The partnership was expected to catalyse private finance to accelerate Nigeria’s ambitious climate and national development agenda.

The ceremony also witnessed the launch of NSIA’s maiden Impact Report (IR), which highlights the development impact of its operations and investments since inception.

The report shows that the authority delivered impactful initiatives consistent with the target outcomes for 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

It further outlines the progress made toward the attainment of the authority’s developmental and socio-economic impact as of 2021.

Among other things, the MoU serves to allow the signing parties to further explore potential areas of collaboration including the development of a climate change framework to provide guidelines for regulating emissions in Nigeria; implementation of a carbon emissions trading mechanism in Nigeria, and management of a national carbon registry as well as a Climate Change Fund.

Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NSIA, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq,

said Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) represented a core pillar of NSIA’s strategy to actively build strategic partnerships with relevant organisations to support climate change actions and Nigeria’s energy transition ambitions of achieving net zero emissions by 2060.

He said the agreement with NCCC was one of the strategic steps taken to meet its social impact goals and sustainability commitments.

He said, “Together, we will leverage our respective strengths, knowledge, and resources to develop and implement comprehensive climate change strategies. Our collaboration will span a range of areas, including the development of Nigeria’s climate change framework, guidelines for the regulation of carbon emissions, the development of a national carbon registry and a carbon emissions trading mechanism.

“By collaborating with the National Council on Climate Change, we demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding our natural resources, protecting vulnerable communities, and fostering a low-carbon, climateresilient economy.”

Umar-Sadiq also explained that the, “NSIA’s maiden Impact Report highlights the authority’s development agenda and impact over several years of operations as well as the authority’s efforts to safeguard the environment and address relevant climate-related risks and opportunities in line with best practice.”

According to him, the IR is a

comprehensive assessment of the authority’s investments, operations, and achievements.

“It presents a detailed analysis of our performance across various asset classes, our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and highlights our contribution to Nigeria's economic growth and development, job creation, and social welfare.

“The launch of NSIA's Impact Report is not merely a reflection of our achievements. It is also a call

to action, a challenge to ourselves and our partners to do more and do better.

“On an annual basis, we intend to keep strengthening our reporting, and foster a culture that recognises risks and opportunities from climate change challenges and sustainability efforts throughout the authority, its affiliates, and associate companies.”

On his part, Director General of NCCC, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, said the partnership was a bold signal to the global audience that the federal government was serious about its

climate commitments.

He said by committing resources from its sovereign wealth fund to support climate action and inclusive green economic growth, Nigeria is investing in its future, especially in a vastly decarbonising world.

He said, “This partnership between two of Nigeria’s flagship institutions is expected to catalyse private finance to accelerate Nigeria’s ambitious climate and national development agenda”.

Dahiru commended the transformational leadership of

President Muhammadu Buhari by demonstrating executive ownership of Nigeria’s climate policies through the Climate Change Act of 2021, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change and the commitment toward a net zero economy by 2060. He also urged Nigerians to embrace the opportunities offered by climate change to build a resilient economy and improve the adaptive capacities of our communities to extreme weather events, now and in the future.

Lawmakers Say Astronomical Increase in Airfares Worrisome

Lament poor implementation of policies in aviation sector

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The National Assembly has said the astronomical increase in air fares in the country coupled with poor implementation of aviation policies were impeding the growth of the sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Biodun Olujimi, said this yesterday, during the second edition of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Conference, with the theme: 'Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria,” held in Abuja.

Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the four- day event, she said: "I think this is an opportunity for stakeholders to be

able to address that, because the industry will suffer if there is this astronomical increase in air fares.

“Yes, there are reasons why air fares go up, but there is also a need for us to have a balance for many people to embrace the aviation industry and that is key to the development of the sector.”

The Chairperson, Senate Committee on Aviation, while highlighting the economic and international benefits of the aviation sector, urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency, halt further encroachment on airport facilities which according to her was having a negative toll on the growth of the sector.

Speaking on the frequent fuss between the federal government and

Osinbajo, Minister, Jega, Others Extol NYSC at 50

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, and a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, among others have extolled the National Youth Service Corps NYSC at 50.

They all spoke at the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary celebration of the scheme in Abuja, yesterday.

Osinbajo applauded the scheme for its contributions to national development especially the involvement of corps members in the conduct of elections since 2011.

"The heroic involvement of the NYSC and Corps members in particular, as ad-hoc staff, in conducting elections since 2011 could be described as divine intervention.

"This, no doubt, salvaged Nigeria’s electoral system which was characterised by some malpractices in the previous elections. The collaboration between NYSC and INEC since 2011 is a watershed in Nigeria’s electoral history, as that has so far institutionalised free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria," he said.

In his remarks, Dare, said the scheme had immensely contributed to national development over the years.

Dare stated: "As we chronicle and celebrate the unparalleled

contributions of the Scheme to nation-building, this event presents to us a veritable opportunity to evolve strategies to strengthen the Scheme, make it more sustainable and broaden its scope of operations to enhance its contributions to national development.

"That NYSC has become a household name in the socio-economic development of Nigeria is not surprising because the Scheme, since inception 50 years ago, has kept faith with its objectives and mandate.

"Through its programmes, the Scheme has made invaluable impact in various aspects of national development, including providing health care to our rural communities, while its contributions to education and

rural infrastructure are legendary."

NYSC Board Chairman, Amb. Fatima Abubakar on her part said "Fifty years down the line, Nigerians have no option than to give resounding encomiums to our iconic legend, General Gowon, the founder and father of the NYSC, for his foresight in establishing the Scheme.

"This is in view of the mindboggling contributions it has made to all spheres of our national life."

Also, the NYSC Director General, Yusha'a Ahmed in his welcome address noted that, for five decades, the Scheme has distinguished itself as an effective mobiliser of graduate youths for the promotion of national unity and development in various sectors of our national life.

the industrial unions, she described that as unnecessary and called on aggrieved parties to resolve their differences behind closed doors.

According to her, "Picketing is what I find very unnerving in all of this, because there should be a way whereby the NLC and workers’ associations can settle all their grievances without bringing it to the fore.

"And most of the issues that were put on the front burner were already settled and sealed by the various agencies. There was no reason to stop the aviation industry to put them in a very bad stand with their counterparts abroad by ensuring that people did the work of flight didn't take off.

“I think the time is right for the NLC and the work unions to know that there are certain industries where picketing cannot be allowed and aviation is one.

"The aviation industry, as you know, comprises various activities that are strategic, not only for its potential for economic growth but also its crucial role in international development and integration. The most important contribution aviation makes to the economy is through its impact on the performance of all our industries of our civilisation."

She maintained that the aviation industry was part of the transport infrastructure on which many parts of, "our economy are dependent. It contributes to economic growth, it facilitates trade by providing consultations.

“However, the industry has been damaged in the recent past. Too many problems, some of them, of which I will highlight and I am praying that this gathering will

look into it. One of them is picketing. "Another is the constant demolitions and destruction around the airports. This is due to the fact that people are encroaching on the facilities in the airport. Government should be up and doing and make sure that encroachment is constantly looked at and stopped before it gets out of hand.

“It is time for NLC and the workforce to start setting the issues right and to ensure that when issues are resolved, they are resolved properly,”

On his part, the Managing Director, FAAN, Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, said the conference was aimed at furthering partnership and sustainability, as part of efforts to mitigate challenges hampering the aviation sector.

Also speaking, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, represented by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, maintained that under the Buhari-led administration, the Ministry has achieved remarkable growth in the aviation roadmap.

"Undoubtedly, we have met with lots of brick walls and bureaucratic bottlenecks, yet we forged ahead decisively and now all the components are at the finishing lines, the foundation having been solidly laid.

“This is evident in the numerous projects embarked upon; from several runway construction and rehabilitation projects to new international terminals completed and commissioned, world class safety and security equipment and facilities procured and deployed to our airports, recruitment, training, and capacity building for our staff, amongst numerous others", he said.

L-R: Partner, strategy and operations Transformation, Phillips Consulting Limited, Omorinsola Sofola,; Head of Sales LRMG Africa, Jonathan Thompson; MD. Phillips Consulting Limited, Rob Taiwo,; Peabody award-winning and two-time Emmy-nominated journalist and editor at CNN International, Stephanie Busari; Chairman, Phillips Consulting Limited, Folusho Phillips,; MD. Paelon memorial hospital. Dr Ngozi Onyia and Head of Human Resources, PCL, Oredolapo Adedayo during the Phillips Consulting Limited HR Directors Network Meet-Up in Lagos...recently

US Imposes Visa Ban on Nigerians Who Disrupted 2023 Elections

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United States said it has taken steps to impose visa ban on persons who disrupted the last general election in Nigeria. A statement yesterday, from on United States Department’s website credited to the country’s Secretary of State, Antony Binken

stated that, “the United States was committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world.”

He added: “Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023

elections cycle.”

The Secretary of State explained that the new visa ban was specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.

The statement further explained that the individuals, under US Immigration and

Nationality Act, would be subject to restriction of visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.

According to Blinken: “These individuals have been involved in intimidation of voters through threats and physical violence, the

manipulation of vote results, and other activity that undermines Nigeria’s democratic process.”

The Secretary of State disclosed that the decision to take steps to impose visa restrictions, reflects the continued commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and

the rule of law.

There have been many outcries about violence and intimidation during the last general election in the country with many public figures caught on camera to have issues threats on specified voters. However, the US did not name the Nigerians affected by the latest visa ban.

May 29: Police Launch Manhunt for Persons Plotting to Scuttle Inauguration

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The police high command, yesterday, said it had launched a manhunt for unnamed political actors allegedly plotting to scuttle the May 29 handover of power to the next administration.

At a news briefing in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security forces, particularly, intelligence agencies.

Baba said the development became imperative to tame subversive elements attempting to destabilise the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

He said, “Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 general election, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the presidential inauguration ceremony on May, 29, 2023.

"The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements, who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands, whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests."

The IG explained that the political actors were determined to deploy undemocratic means to undermine democratic governance.

He stated, “In so doing, they seem to be bent on deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means to truncate our democratic heritage in advancement of their narrow personal political considerations.

“The beauty of democracy lies not just in the freedom of the citizens to

freely exercise their franchise within the electoral cycle. It is also hinged on the right of aggrieved political actors to submit grievances on the electoral outcome to the judicial process for consideration.”

Baba maintained that the security agencies would no longer tolerate any utterance capable of throwing the country into turmoil. He added that any political actor, who did not

heed the warning, would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Baba stated, “Ladies and gentlemen, the imperative of peace in our national life cannot be overemphasised. Sustenance of peace and security is even more expedient at this stage in our national democratic transition.

“Consequently, while the Nigeria Police, in synergy with other security

agencies and the intelligence community, continues to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to make some clear statements.

“Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers, who they are exposing to political radicalisation and extremism

to, henceforth, jettison their on-going premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony.

“Secondly, any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations who continuously engage in acts that are inimical to our nation’s democratic and security interests should not be

in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police under my watch to closely collaborate with the law enforcement family and the intelligence community to defend our democracy, keep the internal security order stable and optimally deploy our common unique assets towards guaranteeing the successful conduct of the presidential inauguration ceremony.”

BUHARI: IT’S BEEN BUMPY 8 YEARS, BUT WE’VE BUILT FOUNDATION FOR PROSPEROUS NIGERIA

outcome of the 2023 general election was an indication that the electorate were fast maturing and democracy had come to stay. He warned elected officials that they only had the option of delivering on their promises or they would be shown the way out.

Similarly, prominent Nigerian and global leaders, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at an induction seminar for incoming governors organised by the NGF, advised the new governors to deliberately pursue economic growth and good governance. Speakers at the seminar included Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tony Elemelu; and United States Charge D’AfFair, David Greene. Buhari, in the speech read by Gambari at the 2023 NGF meeting, said, “We have made steady progress since we took office in 2015. The road has been bumpy due to a challenging fiscal climate, but I am proud to state, as we leave office in about two weeks, that we have built

a firm foundation for a prosperous Nigeria.

“We could not have done everything, but we focused on a number of areas: infrastructure, agriculture and strengthening our Armed Forces.

The president stated that in March 2023, Nigeria consolidated and reinforced its democratic process with a general election that saw the election of a new president and about 18 new governors.

The president stated, "I am happy to note that democracy is alive, vibrant and thriving in Nigeria. With the elections now over, it is time for us to deliver the promises we made during the campaigns. I have always maintained that democracy is not an end state nor is it a static event.

It is an evolutionary process that takes its participants on a journey of self-realisation.

“The process forces us to hold a mirror to ourselves, and by doing so, we are made to constantly review and improve its critical elements to ensure that we have an inclusive democratic practice that gives faith to voters.

“We must, therefore, be patient, tolerant and use the appropriate channels to seek redress if we believe there

have been unfair practices along the way. As you can tell, I am speaking as a veteran of the process, with the scars to show for it.

"On May 29, you will be called upon to steer the affairs of your states for the next four years. From this day, you become wholly responsible for the state as an enterprise. You, as the governor or state chief executive, inherit all its assets and liabilities.

“The assumption of office is a constitutional process that we must take with utmost dedication, in the light of the trust bestowed on you by those, who elected you into office.”

The president said one interesting development that Nigerians witnessed in the last election was the maturity of the electorate. He stressed that the citizens were increasingly finding their voices.

Buhari said, "Any public officer, who fails to either meet up with the expectations of the people or deliver on his campaign promises would be voted out in the next election. That is what democracy is about. Deliver or get shown the door out.

"I enjoin the forum to promote ideals that will address the challenges of democracy and governance in our country today. The role of the

sub-nationals is critical in our socioeconomic development as a nation. Your proximity to the people gives you the privilege to have an instant pulse on their needs and challenges and yours is to devise creative and judicious means of addressing the myriad of issues that confront them daily.

"As returning or incoming state executives, you also must be cognisant of the comparative advantages inherent in each of your states, and how you can form partnerships with each other, by leveraging your various strengths while recognising that there is no one size fits all solutions.

"I also bid you to take this opportunity to unite across party divides to put the country first. Nigerians desire peace, progress and security. A country, where they have access to quality education, health and social services. Your ability to champion these values significantly impacts the atmosphere, wherein the delivery of social goods and services will be conducted efficiently and harmoniously.”

“This will ensure that new governments are able to make significant mileage as they step in, including identifying key operational and policy issues that require early action. I am very confident that from the foundation we have laid, the incoming federal government will build on our legacies in ensuring that we continue to build the country of our dreams."

Aminu Tambuwal

In his opening address at the NGF meeting, Chairman of the forum, and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, said the induction seminar was organised to support the new governors in developing the essential skills for democratic governance.

Tambuwal stated, "To kickstart this post-election democratic process, we have invited governance experts, bureaucrats, and entrepreneurs, within and outside the shores of this country, to share their expertise on democratic governance in a diverse political economy with unique peculiarities in modern governance framework.

The World Bank official explained: “If the incoming government commits to removing fuel subsidy, the whole point of having the National Assembly approval is that it can immediately start providing relief to ordinary Nigerians. That is actually the smart thing to do.

“The outgoing government is saying look, ’we have this facility waiting, you (incoming government) don’t have to go through the process of getting National Assembly approval.’ If this had not gone to the National Assembly, the new government would have to wait for approval from our board which takes at least six months.

“So, the decision to draw down the facility rests with the incoming government. If it decides not to, it can be cancelled. Also, the National Assembly approving it does not mean the incoming government must draw it down.

“The only time this will translate to actual debt for Nigeria is only when it is drawn down and that decision rests with the incoming government.”

According to Chaudhuri, the $800 million facility was actually approved by the board of directors of the World Bank in December 2021, as an additional round of financing for the National Social Safety Net Programme which had

already been in operation for seven years and which started with an original $500 million.

He further explained that the National Social Safety Net Programme was part of the support for Nigeria’s vision for establishing a social protection system.

“This was spearheaded by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the idea being that like more and more developing countries around the world and even here in Africa –Ethiopia, Kenya, etc, the government needs to have a programme that can do two things – Help people who are poor climb out of poverty.

“So, think of it as a ladder and what global evidence shows is that regular cash transfers targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable people who are really caught in a poverty trap, can help them climb out of poverty. Another reason for a social security programme is to prevent people who are near poor such that when they are hit by a shock – price increase, natural disaster or economic crisis – it keeps them from falling into poverty.

“So, the original $500 million was approved in 2017, and it was targeted at a larger programme. The first task was to register people after identifying the poorest and vulnerable all around the country.

“Many NGOs were involved in the process and it was a bottom-up process as communities were asked to identify the most vulnerable among them. Now that register has over 16 million households

nationwide and it is maintained by the National Social Safety Coordination Office (NASSCO).

“In 2021, the government approached us that they want to do away with fuel subsidy. This was actually a sub-committee of the National Economic Council, chaired by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. They asked us to support them and we put together a proposal. I advised that they can take out fuel subsidy and roll out cash transfer programme to help some fraction of the population deal with the fact that prices would go up when fuel subsidy is removed,” Chaudhuri explained.

According to him, the $800 million whose approval is presently before the National Assembly, was meant to be more of a safety net, “meant to get to the working poor and low income earners in urban areas, because they are the ones that would directly or indirectly be hit hardest by fuel price hike.”

“That was the consent in which we accelerated the preparation and designed the proposal. There were some conditions attached. It was agreed that all payments had to be digital, either through a bank account or mobile wallet and that it must not be catch. Everything was to be identified biometrically either through BVN or National Identity Number.

“The idea was that the minute that the government decides to eliminate fuel subsidy, the cash transfers would be rolled out. The idea was that if fuel subsidy

is eliminated and savings made, the government would then use some of the recovered revenues to reduce its fiscal deficit and how much.

$800M LOAN: W’BANK CLEARS AIR, SAYS DECISION TO DRAW DOWN FACILITY RESTS WITH INCOMING GOVT Chaudhuri, however, reiterated the need to eliminate the payment for fuel subsidy in order to create fiscal space for other activities that would directly impact on the welfare of the citizens.

“This $800 million has been approved by our board, but not a single dollar has been drawn down. So, until the National Assembly approves it as part of the country’s external borrowing plan, it cannot be drawn down.

“Also, until the facility is drawn down, there is no obligation. Our financing is highly concessional. Not only that, you can sign a financing agreement and if you change your mind and decide not to draw it down, then there won’t be any charge. A lot of the concern that has been expressed comes from the general distrust of government and also not a clear understanding of how the World Bank financing works,” Chaudhuri added.

The World Bank director advised the incoming government to eliminate fuel subsidy and to be decisive about it.

“Take a look at the numbers, do you know that even if fuel subsidy is eliminated by the end of June as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act and as planned for in the Appropriation Act, Nigeria’s fiscal deficit will still be N10 trillion.

“This is how bad things have gotten. Most of that deficit would be due to the fact that the government is paying for fuel subsidy. Nigeria has to get out of this cycle of borrowing to pay for fuel subsidy and interest rate on debt.

Buhari highlighted the achievements and focus of his administration, saying, “Despite the difficult fiscal conditions, we remained committed to our promises. These key areas were strategically targeted. Our focus on infrastructure was to improve access to markets, improved linkages and to reduce overall supply chain costs.

“This singular commitment to infrastructure development for roads, rails, airports, ports and affordable housing were designed to create better means of livelihood for our people and facilitate access to jobs. I am happy that we are succeeding in investing the nation's wealth in every state of the federation and a clear path for sustainable development has been set.

"Our various interventions in agriculture ensured that we reduced our food import bill while increasing domestic production and even expansion of critical export crops. This deliberate policy was especially necessary as COVID-forced shutdown led to increase in global food prices, and whilst we experienced some spike, we, nonetheless, were better able to contend with the food crises.

"Our men and women of the Armed Forces have through their gallant actions and sacrifices ensured that our territorial integrity remains intact; and they continue with laser focus to combat what remains of a significantly degraded enemies of state, and there shall be no letting on until peace and stability returns to our nation.

“As found in the oath I took, I shall continue to support their efforts with improved resources and modern warfare equipment to enhance their abilities.1 believe that the outgoing governors have left a legacy that will ensure that incoming governors are able to transit into office with minimal interruption in governance.

“I am pleased to acknowledge in our midst the presence of democratic leaders from Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America, who have obliged to share their vast experience with us.

“Your Excellency, we have had robust and fruitful engagements with you as a listening father for the past eight years of your administration in the National Economic Council.”

The governor recalled some constitution alteration bills, which Buhari recently signed into law. He said with the new laws, which put electricity, railways, and correctional services on the concurrent legislative list, states had now been empowered to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.

Tambuwal said, “We now have financial independence of state Houses of Assembly and state judiciary. Presidents and governors are expected to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers and commissioners within 60 days of taking oath of office for confirmation by the senate or state House of Assembly. These, among others, are landmark constitutional reforms.

"Full diversification of the economy entails shifting away from reliance on export of commodity like oil, gold, and agricultural produce to industrialisation for genuine development and sustainable growth of our economy.

“Rearticulation of our national industrialisation policy, improved power supply and human capital development are critical in our quest for industrialisation for poverty alleviation and employment generation. This is a task the incoming administration must take seriously for national socio-economic reinvigoration."

Continued on page 32

Adolphus Aletor: Why I Want to Contribute to Fixing Edo State As Governor

Adolphus Arebanmhen Aletor is the managing director and chief executive officer of Rigo Microfinance Bank. He graduated with a distinction in Accountancy. He also holds an MBA (Management). He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Aletor worked with Equitorial Trust Bank Limited before it was acquired by Sterling Bank Plc, where he managed one of its fastest-growing branches. Aletor is an alumnus of the New York University (NYU)’s Stern Executive Education short course in Breakthrough Strategic Thinking. He is a product of Columbia University Graduate Business School, New York, where he did a short course in Leadership Essentials. In this interview with THISDAY

, he speaks about the Nigerian banking sector, the challenges of leadership in Nigeria and his desire to contest the Edo governorship election in 2024 and more. Excerpts:

What is your assessment of the Nigerian banking sector?

The banking space in Nigeria has evolved. There have been great changes in terms of growth, product offering, use of technology, and service delivery. In terms of service delivery, for instance, people in my generation will appreciate it better because we witnessed the era of ‘Tally number’ even though in some quarters of banking, things tend to be returning to the status quo as we often see the long line of customers waiting to be attended to. But there is no doubt that we have made tremendous progress in service delivery, and this is simply because the sector embraced technology. So, inspired by the challenges we have with service delivery in conventional banks, the advent of technology-driven financial institutions called fintechs has made things easier and the progress consistent and sustainable.

From the point of view of growth, the sector has been consistently standing at N65.48 trillion as of the half-year 2022. Technology has also aided this growth, helping to process more transactions more efficiently and effectively. The banking sector is the most dynamic recipient of technology in Nigeria. It has contributed immensely to the economy employing over ninety thousand staff and the top ten banks paying N260.3 billion as tax to the government for 2022.

It’s argued that CBN should consider increasing banks’ capital base to forestall any collapse, as we have seen in the United States, where three banks have since failed and in Switzerland. The issue of increasing capital is neither here nor there. A bank that wants to fail will fail, irrespective of the size of the capital. This is my opinion. In 2023 alone, three banks have failed in the USA and one in Europe. One of the banks is bigger than the entire banking industry in Nigeria. So it is not a matter of size. Capital size is not only the thing that can kill a bank. There are several other factors. For instance, Silicon Valley Bank failed from a run from investors occasioned by poor information management. This was a single bank far bigger than all of Nigeria’s banks. At an exchange rate of N460 to $1.00, Nigeria’s total asset of the entire banking industry as of October 2022 is $151 billion (about 72 per cent of SVB), while the deposit is $93 billion (about 53 per cent of SVB). So it is not correct to adduce capital only to failure. However, it is good for a bank to have a healthy capital base. I feel that while the CBN may set the minimum threshold, increasing it should be at the discretion of the shareholders. That is not to say that banks should not increase capital. The availability of sufficient capital contributes to the size of a bank and also signals what size of funding or transaction a bank can do, which will effectively reflect in its bottom line.

Do you think microfinance banks effectively play the intermediation role they were set up to play?

Everyone has been trying to answer this question for many years since the introduction of community banks and their eventual transition to microfinance banks. The regulators and the investors share different opinions here. Don’t forget the essence of introducing microfinance banks.

It was to meet what you call the double bottom concept of making a social impact and sustainability. It was meant to meet the social and financial needs of the citizens at the bottom of the pyramid, or what you call the grassroots on a profitable basis, to guarantee sustainability. Again assessing

it in terms of growth, product offering, use of technology, and service delivery, I would give it a pass mark.

I am doing this not just because I am a player but based on these empirical details. However, though the regulator oversees its operations, they pay lip service to its

Adolphus Aletor

Government Must Create Level-playing Field for Citizens to Approach Political Governance

existence. I have gradually seen the exclusion of microfinance banks from key decisions taken by the regulators in the economy. First was the deployment of the target finance to consumers during Covid-19 and, most recently, during the naira redesign policy. The industry is most often excluded and only involved as an appendage afterthought. Current statistics from the sector show total assets of N1.4 trillion and total loans of N1.04 trillion. Though they may have pockets of small balance sheet size at this stage, their contribution to the economy should not be undermined.

We see microfinance banks trying to dominate the digital financial services space, and they were able to display their efficiency during the cash crunch experience a few months ago. What do you think is the driving force?

I would quickly respond that it is sheer grit. When you have a father that does not believe in what you do, you work extra hard not only to impress him but to make a success out of your unpopular venture. The industry has been undermined by the government, and stakeholders are working on overdrive to make a success of it. The use of technology in that sector is revolutionary and disruptive. In order not to lose market share, commercial banks have entered that space to compete, and because of their size, they comfortably outperform small players. The industry was able to hold up during the cash crunch simply because they are still fighting for relevance and recognition. The application of technology in that space has changed the conventional narrative.

What can be done to strengthen microfinance banking in Nigeria?

As a player, we face different challenges in trying to meet the objectives of our existence. One, there is a lack of understanding or appreciation of our existence by the government. They tend to use the same mentality to measure our relevance and that of the commercial banks. The commercial bank with the least total asset may be higher than the entire microfinance sector but that does not mean that the sector is irrelevant to the economy. Think of the number of employees, Financial inclusion, the proximity of financial services, etc. For some people in some locations, the only financial service provider they know is a microfinance bank. Two, government programs for the grassroots should be inclusive. Some of these programs if run through the sector, will not only guarantee reach, but it will also ensure the sustainability of the sector. Three, the sector players should be involved in the policy formulation that has to do with the sector. You cannot shave a man’s hard in his absence. Four, using the same orientation of size and relevance to assessing the sector will further hurt it. Microfinance is different from commercial banking.

They require different orientations both in operation and regulation. All the issues I have mentioned are exogenous, but there are internal responsibilities that sectoral players should adopt too. For instance, digitalisation of operations should be embraced at all levels, even though most of the players located in certain places complain of adequate infrastructure to promote and sustain digitalisation. The non-availability of constant power and Internet facility is a bane. Capacity building is another critical factor that should be embraced by players, as this has a direct impact on service delivery, compliance, corporate governance, and the utmost sustainability of the sector. Product differentiation and offering is also a factor for survival. The sectoral players should develop tailor-made products based on their target market and location. Though I have mentioned corporate governance, the issue of governance is key. Boards of industry players should be knowledgeable, diverse in their background, and should be genuinely interested in the affairs of the microfinance entity. There should be no shortcut to compliance. This should be at the desk of the chief executive and, to some extent, the board. I believe there is still a large room for the sector as the current sector to GDP is very wide.

Tell us about Rigo Microfinance Bank.

Rigo microfinance bank limited was incorporated in 2017 and commenced operations in May 2018, so we are officially five years this month of May 2023. We started with a capital base of N20 million and have since secured CBN approval for

N249 million recapitalisation. Our total assets, employee size, and revenue have steadily grown over the years. We have disbursed loans over N3.5 billion since inception, with women constituting about 78 per cent. The current customer base is about 13,800. While we commenced operations as a manual bank, the effect of Covid-19 made us commence a digital transformation journey that is about 95 per cent complete.

So we can say that we are a digital bank providing financial services to our customers through the use of mobile applications and Internet banking. Our digital platform enables account opening, transfer of funds in and out of the bank, make investments in fixed deposits, embark on a savings plan, buy airtime, and pay bills. Our staff is also able to carry out transactions in the field through our Mobile Tellering devices and reduce turnaround time. We offer POS services

Buy Now Now, NAWE etc. These products are targeted at the grassroots and, over the last five years, have empowered our customers. We have a BVN machine in the bank that helps in capturing new customers to aid financial inclusion.

Nigeria recently had a general election, and the elected will assume office by May 29. What is your take on leadership in Nigeria?

Leadership in Nigeria is wholesale, cash, and carry and leaves no prisoners. Our leader takes all and is disconnected from the people they lead. There is a sense of entitlement and impunity in leadership, and this is the problem we have. In banking, we are taught to develop products with the user in mind, but in today’s politics, products and policies are developed with the leader’s and politician’s convenience in mind. Until these changes, there will continue to be a leadership gap.

How will you rate President Muhammadu’s Buhari administration?

I will rate it just as all the indices have shown. The inflation rate at 22.04 per cent, the exchange rate at between N460 - N500 per dollar but about N760 per dollar in the black market, the unemployment rate at 40 per cent, fuel is scarce, and where available, it is expensive, etc. People have continued to complain, and a few look to the exchange of baton with a note of apprehension and uncertainty. Though the government has given its reasons for the poor performance claiming that it is not the job of the government to create jobs, and the effect of global uncertainties, etc., I look forward to a better future for our great country.

How can the leadership deficit be addressed in Nigeria?

This is very simple. The government should create a level playing ground for people to approach political governance. Make participation attractive. Guarantee the safety of lives and property before, during and after elections. Guarantee fairness, free and credible elections, and open the door of political governance for participation. Deemphasis on cash and carry politics. This way, true leaders will emerge.

We have seen technocrats like Godwin Obaseki, Alex Otti, and Peter Mbah go into politics. Do you have similar plans too?

You mentioned great names and brands in their field of choice. Though we have not received 100 per cent in terms of performance, their incursion into politics is a step in the right direction. What I am sure of is that they will do things differently. Someone has to break the ice and pay the price, and that’s what they have done. Sure, I have considered going into politics. Having studied the system, I see where the gaps are clearly and would want to contribute my quota to fixing the friction rather than play docile.

You are from Edo; what is your assessment of governance in the state?

to merchants to aid their collections and deepen our agency banking.

How has the bank supported micro and small businesses with loans?

Rigo microfinance bank limited has been very supportive in his regard. Currently, we have disbursed about N3.5 billion to our customers. Eighty-seven per cent are micro accounts, and 13 per cent are SME accounts. A further sectoral breakdown shows about 70 per cent to trade and commerce.

What are your products, and how have they supported in ensuring poverty alleviation and financial inclusion?

Rigo has developed products along with savings and loans. We have savings for individuals, the education sector, etc., such as Ajo, Jolli, Save and Borrow. Loan products cut across sectors, and they include Buy Now Pay Later, Rigo

Edo state is blessed with both human and natural resources. The desire to change the status quo brought in the present administration with the full support of the Edo people. Our politics is above average, and we know what we want. We vote intelligently. Unfortunately, the people have not been able to reap the dividend of their efforts, and there is still a huge gap in their expectations. The people have shown a lot of disappointment and are yearning for a new beginning. I understand that the present administration has had its challenges and has allowed itself to be distracted, but like I said earlier, it may not be 100 per cent. Someone has to pay the price. While I commend the administration in some areas, there are some critical areas where the people expected them to make an impact.

So, are you considering contesting the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election?

My gloves are on, waiting for the umpire to blow the whistle. I embarked on wide consultation on the decision and to check the pulse of my constituency. The overwhelming response I received shows that there is a huge leadership gap, and the people’s expectations are unanimous. They are not asking for too much. They just want the basic things of life. I intend to address those issues frontally when I become the governor of Edo state come 2024 by the grace of God.

Adolphus Aletor

POLITICS

N’Assembly Leadership: Zoning Template Unsettles APC

It is no longer news that things are no longer at ease in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the backlash that trailed the zoning formula for the leadership positions of the 10th Assembly r eleased last Monday by the party. With the look of things, the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the party is about to give way for rancour and acrimony as lawmakerselect on the platform of the party have threatened to revolt if the controversial zoning template was not reviewed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The leadership of the party had officially confirmed the endorsement of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godwill Akpabio, (from Akwa Ibom State in South-south) for Senate President, and Tajudeen Abbas (from Kaduna State in North-west) for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The aggrieved lawmakers have described the controversial zoning template as unconstitutional and undemocratic. They are of the view that the party could have zoned to the region rather than micro zoning to individuals.

Recall that some aspirants for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives and several members-elect wer e the first to bell the cat during their meeting with the NWC led by the Chairman, Abdulahi Adamu last Wednesday.

They threatened the leadership of the and other party stakeholders to prepare for a repeat of the 2015 scenario should the party allow the released 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.

The contestants for House of Representatives Speaker and members-elect at the meeting wer e led by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Idris Wase.

The aspirants at the meeting include Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Hon. Muktar Betara, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, Hon. Femi Bamishile, Hon. Abubakar Nakraba, Hon. Mariam Onuaha, Hon. Sani Jaji, Hon. Sada Soli and Hon. Mariam Onuoha.

Similarly, last Thursday, the quartet of the former Governor of Zamfara state, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu, Senator Osita Izunaso and Senator Sani Musa submitted a protest letter during a meeting with Adamu and other members of the NWC where they expressed disappointment over the zoning template r eleased by the party.

They warned that the opposition parties might have their way if the zoning formula released by the party was not reviewed.

Yari said the North would take a deci -

sion if the zoning agreement was not reviewed; while Musa said the injustice inherent in the zoning plan must be corrected, whereas Kalu vowed that they would challenge the proposed zoning.

Piqued by the threats and the resentment that trailed the zoning template, Adamu pleaded with the aggrieved senators to hold the fire, saying the APC leadership would revisit the zoning formula. He admitted that the lawmakers were not adequately consulted.

Nevertheless, although the ruling party may have its way in the Senate, the House of Representatives appears uncertain as the ruling party does not have a majority to pull through.

Interestingly, opposition parties, comprising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP) and others have the majority in the House with 180, while APC has 178. Two seats are pending – one in Akwa Ibom and another in Ondo states.

Even though the party might have favoured Abbas as the Speaker of the next House, Muktar Betara, who is representing Biu/Bayo/Shani federal constituency of Borno State, is the man to beat for the position if his popularity among his colleagues is anything to go by.

The Borno lawmaker who expressed shock over the choice of the party for the position of Speaker has told whoever cares to listen that he has no plan of stepping down.

During the meeting with APC NWC last Wednesday, Betara said there was no time two presiding positions were zoned to the same area.

His words: “We have been in this Assembly, there is no time, two presiding of ficers are zoned to one area. It has never happened. And in our discussion here, on our inauguration day, it’s what happened in the Senate that will determine what is going to happen in the House. So, we need to sit down and look at it. We might produce the Senate President from a different zone. It happened in 2015. So as a party, we are pleading, we need to sit again with all of us and do more consultations.”

In what appears to be a follow up meeting, a coalition of Speakership aspirants called G7 has assured that the group will determine who emerges the next Speaker of the House.

Betara reiterated his opposition to the move to impose a Speaker on the House, saying they would agree on a consensus candidate from the G7.

He said: “For us, we formed this group because we are opposed to the zoning arrangement of the party. We are not fighting and we would not fight. We are in support of a consensus candidate. We can pick the candidate from among ourselves but if we all sit down and decide on it. I assure all of you it is only one person that God would choose to be Speaker. I assure you we are not going to have any issue. We are going to agree to support one of us as Speaker.”

Similarly, Gagdi warned against a rubber-stamp Assembly that would take directive from forces outside the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly.

According to him, “we are determined to protect democracy. The House of Representatives is the House of the Nigerian people. By the time we are working, no leadership of the party would be there. Only we and we would be doing the serious business of law -

making.”

Recently, some members-elect of the House of Representatives on the platforms of PDP, LP, NNPP and the APC, converged on Abuja, where they resolved not to respect the APC’s decision on zoning but support Betara.

They also argued that the emergence of Kashim Shettima as vice president-elect from the North East does not stop Betara, who is the chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, from becoming the next Speaker given his track record, experience and performance as a fourth time member of the House.

Betara was first elected in 2007. As Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, he has demonstrated zeal, prudence and proficiency as an administrator and manager of human and material resources in the budgeting process contributing in no small measur e to proper scrutiny and timely passage of budgets.

Betara has exceeded expectations in his constituency in terms of constituency projects execution, empowerment and effective representation. He has been able to influence notable projects to help ameliorate the suffering of his people.

The projects included; Construction of five mini Stadia with Artificial Synthetic Grass in Biu, Bayo, Shani and Kwaya- Kusar Local government areas of Borno State; Construction of a cancer treatment center in UMTH Maiduguri; Construction of over 80km of township Roads in Biu, Bayo, KwayaKusar and Shani LGAs; Renovation and Construction of Morden Police stations in Biu and Kwaya local governments and Construction of Modern Living Quarters for DSS and other paramilitary personnel in Biu and Kwaya Kusar Local governments, among others.

A member-elect for Obudu/Obanliku/ Bekwara federal constituency of Cross River State, Peter Akpanke of the PDP, who spoke on behalf of his South South colleagues after the meeting said the zoning formula of the ruling party was not binding on them.

He said, “All of us are not members of the APC, so whatever they decide cannot be binding on us. That is their party’s decision.

If they can convince their members, that is good for them. But they don’t have the numbers, we the minority members are more. They need us to be able to produce a Speaker. By the way, will all members of the APC even support the party’s decision?”

While the ruling party may need to review the zoning template, the leadership of the party has to wait for the President-elect who is out of the country to determine the way forward. Anything short of review will see the incoming administration starting on a wrong footing, which must definitely be avoided.

The relative peace in the ruling All Progressives Congress may give way for rancour and acrimony following the zoning formula for 10th National Assembly leadership released last week by the party. Adedayo Akinwale reports

Nevertheless, although the ruling party may have its way in the Senate, the House of Representatives appears uncertain as the ruling party does not have a majority to pull through. While the ruling party may need to review the zoning template, the leadership of the party has to wait for the Presidentelect who is out of the country to determine the way forward. Anything short of review will see the incoming administration starting on a wrong footing, which must definitely be avoided

Akpabio Barau

Tajudeen

Kalu

Tinubu's Ergenekon

When President Buhari said the opposition lost the last election because we were overconfident, he was not correct. He was almost accurate but not quite so.

We were not overconfident, so to speak. Rather, we had underestimated the political cunning of Bola Tinubu. I say we, because of the principle of collective responsibility, even though I personally had not underestimated him, and I urged my colleagues not to do so.

For a man to have run a very tight operation in Chicago in the early 1990s, when the US war on drugs still had its post-Reagan bite, he must know a thing or two about organisation.

And for him to have assembled the coalition of strange political bedfellows that unseated a popular incumbent President was an indication of his keen mobilisation skills.

And then again, to have calculated the attitude of the Muslim core North, so far ahead, towards his Muslim-Muslim ticket is a display of his cold-hearted determination and deep shrewdness.

Bola Tinubu is gifted with the Obasanjo look. You may ask me what that is. Essentially, it is the blessing of looking very foolish facially while being very astute mentally. And when you have that gift, people tend to underestimate you and lower their guard around you.

And just as that trait helped Olusegun seize control of first, the military, then the whole country, it has also served and is still serving Bola Tinubu well. Some, though not all, of his balablu, bulaba jagabombs were scripted by him to encourage his opponents to underrate him.

Beyond his Southwest home base, Bola Tinubu is not popular. And he does not even pretend to be. Waziri Atiku Abubakar is more popular outside his base than Tinubu.

But Tinubu knows how to play the game of political patronage and has the discipline of politically delaying his gratification. He understands money and uses it as a great motivator. And he knows how to delay his own ambition and install his foot soldiers in strategic places.

So, while many other politicians have food soldiers, Tinubu has foot soldiers and food soldiers. And the combination of both makes his troops good soldiers.

Tinubu has been preparing for 2023 since 1998. He has a former Lagos Commissioner as a top shot at the Independent National Electoral Commission. He has judges he appointed as Governor that are now in the Court of Appeals. He made Lawan Senate President and installed Gbajabiamila as Speaker. One-quarter of Buhari's ministers are his appointees.

He helped the owners of Oando and Alphabeta become dollar billionaires. He has turned many journalists from paupers into multimillionaires. He is on excellent terms with army generals and has incorporated family members of leaders of our intelligence agencies into his patronage network.

He even ordered the then Action Congress of Nigeria members of the House of Representatives from the Southwest to vote against a fellow Yoruba contestant for the Speakership in 2011, and instead support Aminu Tambuwal because part of his 2015 strategy against then-President Jonathan was to claim that his government was anti-Yoruba, and that would have been impossible if the PDP had a Yoruba speaker. Imagine that type of Machiavellian thinking! With his advanced preparation, the judiciary may even treat him better than INEC did.

Tinubu and Godswill Akpabio both learnt from MKO Abiola very well. What money cannot do, more money can do. But Tinubu went further than Akpabio in that, apart from Olusegun Obasanjo, no

other Nigerian politician has perfected the art of emotional suppression and stooping to conquer like him.

Bola Tinubu has perfectly implemented the Fethullah Gülen style of politics, and we in the PDP must also play it, or he will keep outfoxing us. We should start now by sponsoring young PDP-leaning Nigerians through school. When they graduate, encourage them to join the civil service, INEC, judiciary, diplomatic service, and the army. Keep them in place as sleeper cells to advance the party's interest within government and to be in pole position to influence future elections in our favour legally.

Tinubu has his own deep state within the Nigerian state. His own version of Ergenekon. And we in the PDP must either counter him by having ours or go the Erdo an route by destroying his, so there is a level playing ground. Because, right now, most grounds, including the Judiciary, are levelled in his favour.

It is a long game—a marathon. And if we do not beat Tinubu at this game, which he has been playing for 26 years, we will keep playing catch up in the future.

Instead of insulting his intelligence, let us, as the Peoples Democratic Party, study it and outfox him. We should not be too ashamed to copy his playbook. That is how you become a Chess Grandmaster. You spend months studying your opponents' plays. We must study Tinubu to defeat him like Erdogan studied Fethullah Gülen and then destroyed his political base.

Sadly, many Nigerians, especially those who self-identify as Obidients, are not politically mature or savvy. So to them, politics is a zero-sum game. It is not a non-lethal means to an end.

So they give no thought to understanding their political opposition. Others must

understand them because they are correct, and they mustn't understand others because anyone not with them is wrong.

So when they see a figure like myself, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, analysing both the good, bad and ugly, about someone like Bola Tinubu, to them, it can only mean one thing-that I want to join the All Progressives Congress.

Such myopic thinking is why they have so much political activity and very little political productivity. They rely on sheer effort without a strategy.

Whether we like it or not, Bola Tihubu is a force to be reckoned with. And if we must defeat him, we can only do so by understanding his strengths, weaknesses, and the threat he poses to us as opposition parties.

Yes, he is, in many ways, a nasty piece of work. And I have said before that I would not urinate on him if he were on fire.

But that does not blind me to the fact that he is a highly effective political strategist. And without also strategising, we in the opposition will constantly be reacting to him and playing catch up.

When World War II era American General, George S Patton, faced off against Germany's General Erwin Rommel in North Africa, he spent a week studying Infanterie greift (Infantry Attacks), the book Rommel had written on tank warfare. And after defeating him, he credited that singular act for his victory.

By now, every opposition party worth its salt ought to have a dossier on Tinubu. Because believe it or not, he has one on the significant leaders of your own parties. That is why we must analyse him, because, after Olusegun Obasanjo, he is the most effective political strategist alive today in Nigeria. But whereas former President Obasanjo is a benevolent force, Mr Tinubu

can only be described as malevolent. We need to know the truth about Bola Tinubu, and it is that truth that will set us free. And the truth is that whether as a cartel leader, an opposition party enforcer, or a national leader of the ruling party, the man knows how to assert his will on his environment.

We must understand why, so we can formulate how to clip his wings.

If all we do is insult and abuse him, we will be playing right into his hands because, as he has said, 'I don't read social media o. They abuse the hell out of me.'

As opposition parties, we must understand that Tinubu is a master at identifying cleavages in society and exploiting them. We must thus deprive him of that by caucusing so there are no cracks for him to leverage on. We cannot afford to be emotional. This is the time for realpolitik.

Let us remember that Tinubu is a gangster. A known cartel lord. He is vulnerable. He has his Achilles’ heel. And Tinubu's sword of Damocles is the fear that he uses, like Satan, to control his kingdom. Not all of the people in his patronage network kowtow to him because of love. Buhari does not love Tinubu. Sanwo-Olu would love to be free of Tinubu. Many members of the SW caucus of the APC are eager to be rid of his overbearing yoke.

What stops them from rebelling against him is Tinubu's ability to give them the Ambode treatment.

That is where the PDP comes in. We must be the antidote to his fear. We must provide hope to the judiciary, and his minions that it is possible to clip Tinubu's wings.

And the way to do this is by working with the Labour Party and all other opposition parties to seize control of who becomes what in the upcoming National Assembly. We can do it. Kwankwaso has got his coveted revenge against Ganduje in Kano and no longer needs Tinubu. He should be able to put national interest above any other now.

Erdogan did it to Fethullah Gülen, and we can do it to Tinubu.

A united opposition poised to take control of the National Assembly will embolden the judiciary to stand up to Tinubu, and make them the true last hope of the Nigerian people.

I hope this counsel of mine would be heeded by those with the power to make the needed changes. This is a strategy game, and the only way we can outfox Tinubu is to outthink him.

On Dangote's Refinery

Dangote's refinery is such a big deal. We Nigerians don't seem to know that. Not only is it worth $19 billion and is the largest single train refinery in the world, but it also occupies an area larger than Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Banana Island combined. With the direct and indirect jobs it will create, it is set to employ more people than the Lagos State Government.

We are not making enough noise about this. It is a big deal. A game changer. Why is our government not showing enough excitement about this project? Every TV station and newspaper should have a countdown to the official opening. Especially the NTA. If this were happening in South Africa, they would flood the airwaves. We must do the same.

Nigeria must prove that she loves good news more than bad news. Dangote's love scandal of 2021 made more headlines than his record-breaking refinery of 2023. What does that say about us as a people? Not much. Not much! Our preference for bad news over good is a trait we must weed out of our couture.

In economic terms, this refinery is more relevant to Nigeria than the proposed inauguration of a new President and government on May 29.

#TableShaker

Tinubu

THE OIL MINISTRY AND THE PRESIDENCY

ERIC TENIOLA writes that the oil ministry will define the Tinubu presidency

THE LAW OF JUDICIAL DECK CHAIRS

See page 21

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

In spite of the challenges, the Nigerian Correctional Service has done well, reckons HENRY UDUTCHAY

On 17 August, 1980, the 6th Commonwealth Law Conference convened in Lagos, then capital of Nigeria. After the arrival courtesies were dispensed with, it fell upon Shehu Shagari, civilian president of Nigeria then in conference open. The keynote speaker was Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and leader of the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), who had run President Shagari desperately close in the contest for Nigeria’s presidency only one year before.

That contest ended up being decided by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a judgment memorably described as being “a compromise between law and political expediency.” At the head of the bench that decided the case was Atanda Fatayi-Williams, at the time the Chief Justice of Nigeria. As famous as this judgment would become, the antecedents arguably Nigeria’s politics and institutions.

The relevant part of the story begins on 16 August, 1979, when the Federal Electoral Commission, (FEDECO) headed by Michael Ani, announced Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as the winning candidate in the elections to return Nigeria candidates in the contest repudiated the result, setting up what would become an epic election dispute. Obafemi was one of the three.

See page 21

EDITORIAL

ACCOUNTABILITY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

The Electoral Act of 1979 under which the vote took place anticipated that there could be a dispute and conferred on the Supreme Court disputes concerning the presidential election. The panel to hear the disputes were to be led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria but the then incumbent, Sir Darnley Alexander, was due to retire on 24 August, 1979, a mere eight days after the announcement of the result and well before the Supreme Court was due to begin hearing the presidential election dispute.

Three days before the retirement date of Chief Justice Darnley Alexander, on 21 August, 1979, then military Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, an army general, requested to meet Atanda Fatayi-Williams, then a Justice of the Supreme Court, at the seat of power in the Dodan Barracks in Lagos. At the meeting, Chief Justice in succession to Sir Darnley.

In his memoirs, Faces, Cases, and Places published in 1983, Fatayi-Williams claimed

words”, adding that Obasanjo “watched my Some of his peers on the Supreme Court were not so sure. Fatayi-Williams was admitted to the Bar of the Middle Temple in London in 1948, one year after Chukwunweike Idigbe and three years later than Dr. Egbert

Udo Udoma, both of whom were his peers in the Supreme Court. Fatayi-Williams was from Lagos; Idigbe came from the then MidWest; while Udo Udoma came from the then South Eastern State. Idigbe became a judge in 1961, before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 1964. His service on the Supreme Court was, however, fractured by the Nigerian Civil War.

Udo Udoma, who also became a judge in 1961, had enjoyed a career as a lawyer, minorities rights activist, campaigner, politician, and federal legislator before being appointed a judge in 1961. Two years later, in 1963, he became Chief Justice of Uganda with the understanding that upon the end of his tenure in Uganda, he would return to a position on Nigeria’s Supreme Court. This came to pass in 1968, when General Yakubu Gowon appointed him Justice of the Supreme Court. Atanda Fatayi-Williams arrived the Court in 1969 as junior to Udo Udoma and, strictly speaking, to Idigbe.

In his memoirs, The Eagle in Flight, Udo Udoma recalls that upon the retirement of Chief Justice Adetokunbo Ademola in 1972, the then ruling Supreme Military Council replace him, namely: Professor Taslim Elias, who was then the Attorney-General of the Federation; John Idowu Conrad Taylor, then known); Dr. George Baptist Ayodola Coker, Justice of the Supreme Court; Rotimi Frederik Alade Williams, a senior lawyer in private practice; and Udo Udoma himself. Fatayi-Williams was notably not in the running. In the event, the military preferred Taslim Elias, who had served them well as Attorney-General.

When a new military regime relieved Elias of the position in July 1975, they settled on Sir Darnley Alexander, until then a little known Chief Judge of the South Eastern State, whom Udo Udoma had recommended for

In 1979, the stakes in the appointment of Chief Justice were very high: the presidency of Nigeria could depend on it. Udo Udoma, who lived with medically induced disabilities, writes in his memoirs that “Justice Fatayi-Williams, then also a Justice of the Supreme Court, registered a solemn

protest on the ground that he saw no reason why I (Udo Udoma) should be given such a high post as the Chief Justice of Nigeria despite the fact that I was an amputee. He felt strongly that the SMC under the leadership of a Yoruba man like himself would not be handicap. He then contacted several Yoruba men, including Chief S.L. Edu, to contact General Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State to plead his case.”

Continuing, Udo Udoma records that these “intrigues succeeded and he was preferred to me because, in his representation, he was able to convince General Olusegun Obasanjo that since Alhaji Shehu Shagari as a Hausaof Nigeria and had chosen Dr. Ekwueme, an Igbo man, as his running mate as VicePresident, both of whom were likely to win,

especially as Chief Obafemi Awolowo was sure to lose the election.”

Udo Udoma published these lines in 2008, 28 years after Obafemi Awolowo’s keynote to the Commonwealth Law Conference in 1980. In that address, Chief Awolowo alleged that the appointment of Fatayicame with an implicit bargain concerning the determination of the election petition of that year. He also claimed that days before the Supreme Court announced the decision on 26 September 1979, Chief Justice Atanda Fatayi-Williams leaked the decision of the Court to General Obasanjo who desired to be reassured that he could proceed with the inauguration date of 1 October 1979 as planned.

Nearly all the protagonists involved in this story are no longer alive and their stories are hidden away in books, whose existence most Nigerians do not know about. The only one alive, General Obasanjo, an otherwise issues. The full facts of what transpired may never be known publicly.

In 2008 and in 2019, judges who sat on controversial presidential election petitions in election years, enjoyed quick judicial elevation from the parties in whose favour they decided. Also in 2019, a Chief Justice was sacked ostensibly because he could not be trusted to determine presidential election petitions in a predictable way in the manner that his would be successor could. What seems clear is that since 1979, judicial appointments and decision making in election petitions have always enjoyed a pro quo.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

Politicians rig elections in order to get the opportunity to rig the courts with judges ready to help them, contends CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

The outgoing administration has generated divided opinions among Nigerians as regards performance and achievement in the last eight years. Many have scored the government high in some areas like infrastructure and security, while others have criticized it on poor economic policies, especially the recent Naira redesign policy and its impact on the common man before it was eventually reversed. On security of lives and properties, even though the government scored high in terms of reduction in cases of kidnapping and insurgency in the North East, which was curtailed through adequate funding

room is a commendable one which is long overdue because the world is now driven by technology and it will tremendously improve the security of the Centres. In this day and age, issues of jailbreak and insecurity around the prisons should not be happening again. Speaking further on improvements and measures taken concerning security, Umar Abubakar also informed newsmen of the collaboration between the Correctional Service and other security agencies to provide adequate security for the Centres across the country. This is a welcome idea, that is important towards ensuring maximum security at the Correctional Centres, including the protection of lives and properties of all. This relationship among security agencies and Correctional Service will also help in sharing intelligence to tackle insecurity before it goes beyond control. A stitch in time they say, saves nine.

THE OIL MINISTRY AND THE PRESIDENCY

Of all appointments to be made by the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appointment of Minister of Petroleum. There are ministers and there are ministers but the Minster of Petroleum in this country is in a class of his own.

He or she holds the key to the nation’s treasury. We shall know by the appointment the direction of his government.

Petroleum subsidy - to be not to be, our and these are issues that the next Petroleum Minister will have to determine.

Training Institute (PTI) established 1973, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) established 1973; Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) established August 3 1999; Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) established in 2010, and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) established August 16, 2021.

of the Military and Police, some sections of the country still believe more could have been done. The need to do more in other areas, according to observers is why other security agencies were scrutinized to see where they are failing and what needs to be done to improve their performance. The Nigerian Correctional Service is one agency under the outgoing administration that attracted a lot of interest and scrutiny due to many issues that bedeviled it in the last couple of years, most notably the issues of jailbreak that occurred in some parts of the country, including that which happened close to the seat of power at Kuje Correctional Centre. It was an unfortunate event that led many to question the leadership of the Service and drew attention to its operations. Many social commentators and analysts alike went neck thing remained constant; the leadership and management of the Nigerian Correctional Service under the leadership of Comptroller General Haliru Nababa has been satisfactory. The Comptroller General has led from the front from day one of his appointment and shown capacity of the Correctional Centre. While speaking to newsmen recently on how the Service has managed to tackle the issue of jailbreak and ensure such does not happen again, the spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, stated that “the Kuje attack was an unfortunate one, which drew the ire of most Nigerians. It was an unfortunate incident. At the moment, we have deployed technology in Kuje, and we are monitoring every movement in that custodial Centre from a situation room recently commissioned by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. So far, we have recaptured a good number of the escapees. We have deployed overt and covert measures to track down those still at large.” The initiative to equip the Correctional Centres all over the country with a 24hrs monitoring/surveillance

One issue of the Nigeria Prisons, now Nigerian Correctional Service, which has never ceased to be in the news is that of overcrowding and congestion, including issues that surrounds why this is so. Over the years there have been calls to look into decongestion of the prisons, and expedite actions concerning the many cases of awaiting trial, all to no fruitful outcome. However, in recent time, armed with the new Nigerian Correctional Service Act (2019), the current administration has been able to achieve some results. The introduction and implementation of non-custodial sanctions, such as Parole, Probation, Community Service and Suspended Sentence, etc., for minor introduced to fast track and mitigate congestion. It is believed that if this is fully put in practice and implemented, so much would be achieved because decongesting is at the forefront of any reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Service. Although there’s still work to be done, particularly to further decongest the Centres, tighten the security around all the Correctional

welfare and rehabilitation programs for the inmates in preparation for reinterpretation into the larger society, but the impact so far is already visible, even to the blind. This is why Comptroller General Nababa and his team deserve a pass mark for their performance. Nigerian Correctional Service is one of the standout agencies under the leadership and government of President Muhammadu Buhari through the quality discharge of duties and new dispensation begins after May 29th, it is hoped that the momentum is sustained, the good work continues, so that in no distant time, the vision and the mission of the current leadership of the Correctional Service would have come to fruition. The new government is expected to give all the necessary support to the Correctional Service so that the benchmark already set by the current administration and the leadership of the agency can reach its full potential. Because as they say, government and governance are continuous.

Chief Udutchay,

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has several choices over the appointment. He could appoint himself like General Abdusalami Abubakar, President Olusegun Obasanjo, and President Muhammadu Buhari all did. Afterwards he is from the oil industry. He could appoint someone either inside or outside of the oil industry. Or he could appoint someone from the South

The powers of the minister of petroleum resources under the Petroleum Act extend to all segments of the industry and span the policy, regulatory and commercial spheres. For example: in the commercial sphere, the minister is empowered to set the prices of petroleum products; in the policy sphere, the minister sets the policy priorities for the industry through policy pronouncements and directives; and in the regulatory sphere, and arguably most importantly, the minister has extensive powers to make determinations, prescribes anything required and makes regulations and policies for the industry.

The minister is the apex regulator of the industry, imbued with wide discretion. The Department of Petroleum Resources carries out the day-to-day regulation of the industry on the minister’s behalf.

The culmination of the minister’s powers in the commercial sphere and his his appointment as chair of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the national oil company.

south region so as to compensate to the people of that region. Afterwards the oil comes from their area. The Minister of Petroleum is not just an ordinary person in this country or outside of this country.

I remember Sheikh Zaki Yamani (June 30, 1930-23 February 2021) who was the embodiment of the ascent of the Arab Petroleum Power and the face of oil embargo of 1973, who brought the Western world to its knees. I was in the Presidency during the Sani Abacha era Minister, Senator Dan Dauzia Loya Etete. We Mrs Diezani K. Agama Alison-Madueke during the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

Let us take a look at the schedule of the Minister of Petroleum. My last check showed that he has more than 20 schedules of responsibilities. They are formulation and implementation of policies and programmes, supervising NNPCL, supervising National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Crude Oil Matters, OPEC Matters, Nigerian Gas Company, Petroleum Resources and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

Other responsibilities are Integrated Data Services, Eleme Petrochemicals Company, National Engineering and Technical Company, Petroleum Training Institute, Petroleum Equilisation Fund, College of Petroleum Studies, Chairman, Ministerial Tender’s Board and Postings, Research and Development and African Petroleum Producers Association Matters.

The seven agencies under the Minister of Petroleum Resources are Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) now known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited established April 1, 1977; Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC)— established August 16, 2012 Petroleum

To my knowledge the Minister of State for Petroleum or special adviser to the President on Petroleum matters may carry out any of these schedules as may be delegated by the Minister of Petroleum. No wonder General Abdusalami Abubakar, President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari placed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources under their direct supervision.

In 2002, the then House of the Representatives, under the leadership of Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba from Tudun Wada Constituency in Kano queried President Obasanjo for appointing himself as Minister of Petroleum. That was when the House of Representatives could bark and bite.

The query then was that “Mr. President has refused to appoint a Minister of Petroleum Resources which action has occasioned the following: (a) that since inception of this Government in 1999 Mr. President refused, failed and or neglected to appoint a Minster of Petroleum Resources contrary to the Petroleum Act cap 350, laws of the Federation as amended by the Petroleum (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 1998 and thereby authorizing the performance of or performing yourself the functions of the Minister of Petroleum Resources (b) that in breach of Section 9 (1) d III laws of the Federation 1990 appointed the Committee which has increased the prices of petroleum products which function is that of a Minister of Petroleum Resources under the said Act, which Act constitutes a gross misconduct (c) through bidding was established and provisional licenses were issued without the approval of the Minister of Petroleum as required by 3 (1) of the Petroleum Act which action amounts to gross misconduct”.

Teniola was a director in the Presidency

In spite of the challenges, the Nigerian Correctional Service has done well, reckons HENRY UDUTCHAY

ERIC TENIOLA writes that the oil ministry will define the Tinubu presidency

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

ACCOUNTABILITY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

University administrators should make life easier, not harder, for students

Nigeria’s tertiary education has steadily deteriorated over the past two decades. One only needs to engage some of our university graduates to discern the level of decay. This perhaps explains why these graduates, especially those rigorous and compulsory retraining and examinations before they could be admitted for higher degree courses in several universities abroad. While government, at all levels, can be held responsible for this situation, lack of accountability by university administrators. In recent years, the federal government has set up visitation panels to investigate allegations that border on abuse of due process and mismanagement of scarce resources by many of the vice chancellors. The concern is that nothing much has changed, essentially because no action has been taken regarding the reports. According to the Federal Gbolahan Bolarin, if the managers of these institutions were prudent, most of our universities would not be on one of the most debilitating strikes in 2020, he argued, was the failure to release the White Paper on the visitation panels to federal universities and interuniversity centres in the country.

the stoppage of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund country due to abuses after which he set up another with many of such probe panels earlier established by the outgoing administration, the White Paper on the 2021 presidential visitation panel’s reports from 88 institutions is still being awaited. But even though the half-hearted attitude of government at various levels

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

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Letters to the Editor

well known, there is also a certain lack of creativity administrators on the campuses are more of contractors and politicians than decent academic leaders and managers of scarce resources.

Indeed, corruption and impunity in the university received by students. In a recent report, the Socioclaimed that sundry allegations of corruption in federal universities – from unfair allocation of grades, contract are now rampant.

suspension of the last nothing remarkable has happened on the campuses. Besides the fact that some of the agreements reached are yet to be implemented, the state of most campuses is still a growing concern. From reports, most of departments in these institutions are unkempt, and ill-

In most of the campuses, the toilets are not working and where they do, water is not available. The rooms are campuses are deteriorating due to utter neglect.

The terms of reference of the last panels established to audit the public universities, federal polytechnics,

as well as the assessment of the conditions of physical infrastructure. The reports have since been submitted to President Buhari. As usual, nothing has been heard about the recommendations. But the immediate challenge is the lack of transparency and accountability in the management by the people in charge of our tertiary institutions.

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

MUCH ADO ABOUT THE FCT CIVIL SERVICE ACT

The clamour for the implementation of the Act creating the assumed a frightening dimension, but what is clear, though oversighted by most of the agitatiors is that it is not everything madu Buhari who assented to the Act passed by the parliament in 2018 because it was well intentioned. But its implementation met its cull de sac when put vis-a-vis with the provisions in the

came into existence on the 31st December, 2004 by the proclaTerritory Dissolution Order No.1, 2004 otherwise known as “Orare to function as ministries in states and some agencies.

The Order 1, 2004 had been operational in the administration intention expressed in the preamble hereto.

Permanent Secretary was restored since 2005 in appreciation of ercise of the provision and powers conferred upon him by the perform such functions as may be delegated to him by the President from time to time.

tural reviews to some of the provisions of the Order 1, 2004 due to the challenges of the absence of other enabling laws or necessary administrative reviews.

For instance, the positions of the Secretary and Legal Advis-

while the post for Head of Finance and Administration has been upgraded to a Director on GL.17 and currently serves as admin-

increased to eight.

It is important to note that the Order 1, 2004 from its inception appeared to oversight the career progression of the civil servant, hence no provision was made for advancement beyond the GL17. In fact, the implementation of the Order 1, 2004 would tariats might not progress up to GL.17, since the position of the Secretary and Legal Adviser was provided.

It is true today that this career gap has become a point of grave the frameworks initiated to safeguard the career management in into law and assented to in 2018 is yet to be implemented. Musa Wada, Abuja

Even though the half-hearted attitude of government at various levels towards education in terms of inadequate funding is well known, there is also a certain lack of creativity in the new breed of vice chancellors

have Improved in Many Places’

‘We

QUOTABLE

‘We practice legislatocracy, where the Legislature is a Mr Yes Sir President or Mr Take a Bow Senate, when a person is to be screened. It makes laws, not for the good governance of Nigeria….Nigeria is borrowing to it’s 10th generation.’ - Professor Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN

Appropriate Stage to Raise Objection on Absence of Interpreter in Criminal Proceedings

Page IV

COLUMNIST

OLAWALE FAPOHUNDA, SAN

Olawale Fapohunda, SAN is the Immediate Past AttorneyGeneral of Ekiti State. A frequent contributor to Thisday Lawyer since its inception, he has written severally on the limitations of the administration of justice system in Nigeria, and the need for urgent reforms, He has played a leading role in several governmental and non-governmental initiatives, aimed at enabling legal, policy and administrative interventions, for managing the justice system and the institutions, that deliver justice. SERIOUS MATTERS aims to contribute to national discussions on law reform, institutional strengthening, and good governance across the three arms of governemnt.

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

Gender Discrimination and Matters Nonsensical

Gender Discrimination Against Women

Several separate incidents related to Government which occupied the Nigerian front burner last week, made me feel truly ashamed of our ruling class, and just generally.

The first is, the gender discrimination against women. At the risk of sounding like Cacofonix or a broken record, I must repeat and reiterate the issue of women in governance again. With the raging debate as to the members who will assume the leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), it is shocking and disgraceful to see that no woman has been earmarked for any of the four key positions. It is bad enough that out of over 400 Legislators coming into the 10th NASS, there are less than 20 females; the number of females in the Legislature seems to be dwindling instead of increasing, as we delve deeper into the Fourth Republic. Even if some argue that the three incoming female Senators are new members, there are ranking female members of the House of Representatives from the various zones who are fit for purpose. However, none of their names are amongst those that are being peddled. As late Fela Anikulapo Kuti sang, this is ‘Babanla Nonsense’. Therefore, it’s not only about taking another look at the zoning of those principal NASS positions as the Chairman of the APC has promised to do, it’s also that at least one of those four positions should go to a woman. See Section 42(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) which prohibits discrimination inter alia, on the basis of sex.

Visit to the London Dentist

The second cause for serious embarrassment, is a news headline which I saw, stating that President Buhari’s trip to the UK was extended for an extra week, in order to enable him visit the Dentist! I have never heard anything so ridiculous, so demeaning to all the Dentists in Nigeria. My Dentist who is here on Alexander Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, is world class, as I’m sure so many others around the country are too. It is obvious that the Buhari administration has failed more than abysmally to provide medical and health facilities for all persons contrary to Section 17(3)(d) of the Constitution, so much so that with something so basic as his toothcare, he doesn’t trust that it can be properly attended to here. Or what should we think? And, this is coming at the end of his administration, which means he has done little or nothing to improve medical care in Nigeria in the last eight years.

While visiting Patient X at one of the top London Hospitals about 13 years ago, I got into a conversation with one of the senior Nurses there, and asked why so many foreigners came there for treatment. He said while some come from countries that don’t have adequate medical facilities (like ours), others that do have the facilities, don’t have the requisite nursing care which may be crucial in complex cases, post-operation etc. The Nurse talked about accident cases (like Patient X, whose leg would have run the risk of being amputated if Patient X had stayed on here in Nigeria), and how proper nursing care was also critical for recovery. For example, while Patient X was still in hospital in Nigeria, the Nurses allowed all and sundry to walk in and out of the hospital room without adorning any protective gear, despite the fact that Patient X had developed a terrible infection from being dragged on the road in the course of the accident, and should not have been exposed to people - the Nurses at the Nigerian hospital were obviously not too well trained in emergency care for such an accident victim. But, in London, the Nurses made it mandatory for you to scrub your hands and wear surgical gear, gloves, complete with mask, to be able to approach Patient X, and only about two or three people were allowed access. Something so simple as nursing care, but which could be the difference between life and death. Even the type of infection that Patient X had developed from the accident, couldn’t be identified here in Nigeria, and Patient X got progressively delirious and worse. The infection was however, identified almost immediately at the London Hospital, and the correct antibiotics were administered. It turns out that the antibiotics were of a special class, and not available in Nigeria, as the infection wasn’t the usual run of the mill kind. Another seemingly simple thing, which could have resulted in Patient X’s death in Nigeria, because it couldn’t be identified, nor did they have the specific medication here to treat it. The sum and substance of this example is that, if Patient X hadn’t been rushed to London by Air Ambulance for treatment, Patient X wouldn’t have survived. But, the question is, how many Nigerians are fortunate enough to be like Patient X, and those who are able to seek better medical care abroad?

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The Advocate

colleague then suggested that as an alternative to ensure that the President-Elect is not sworn in, there could be an application for an interim injunction (ex-parte, that is) to stop the swearing in ceremony of the President-Elect on May 29, and sought to defend this position. I told him that I couldn’t imagine that any legal practitioner worth his salt, would bring such an application. I explained that, as a Lawyer, he should know that such an application would not only be ‘frivolous and vexatious’, but a gross abuse of court process, because whatever grounds such an application seeks to rest upon, are already before a higher court, the Court of Appeal, for determination in the election petitions; and such a misguided application would be seeking to determine what constitutes the subject-matter of another case already before a superior court. I added that any Lawyer who makes such an application or any similar one, should be brought before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct; while any Judge who grants such an application, must also face disciplinary action at the NJC, as entertaining such an application would amount to judicial recklessness and professional misconduct as well. See APP v Obaseki & Ors (2021) LPELR-58374 (SC) per Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju JSC; Umeh & Anor v Iwu & Ors (2008) LPELR-3363 (SC) per Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad JSC (later CJN).

Legislature Also Included in the Embarrassing Behaviour

The truth is that, sadly, some kinds of medical care are not available here in Nigeria, due to the type of bad governance we have had over the years, which has paid little attention to the development of our Healthcare sector. So, while we need to up our medical game and give our medical personnel the requisite training, what is so complex about visiting the Dentist? The incoming administration already has its work cut out for it, in terms of improving medical and healthcare facilities in Nigeria,

Conversation with a Learned Colleague

Another cause for shame was a conversation I had with a learned colleague, who went back to the issue of concluding election petitions before the swearing in. While this would be tidier, I referred my colleague to Section 285 of the Constitution, which sets out time lines for pre-election matters and election petitions to be disposed of. By virtue of the provisions of Section 285, it is unlikely that even pre-election matters for example, can be concluded before the date of the elections.

For instance, if a primary was held on May 30 and one of the aspirants claimed that there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 (EA) in the conduct of the primaries, by virtue of Section 285(9) of the Constitution, such a matter must be filed on or before June 14 or so. Thereafter, the pre-election matter has another 180 days to be concluded from June 14. That is approximately six months, taking us to mid-December. Appeals must also be filed 14 days from the date of the judgement (Section 285(11)) which would be around December 28 in case Christmas and Boxing Day fell on a Saturday or week day. This Appeal shall be disposed of in 60 days which brings us to the end of February.

Another 74 days takes us to April/May, after the elections have been concluded over two months prior.

There would have to be amendment of Section 285, for pre-election matters to be concluded on time. Ditto for Election petitions, which must be filed 21 days after the date of the declaration of the election results.

The 2023 Presidential election held on February 25; while the Labour Party filed their petition on March 20, the PDP filed theirs on March 21st (see Section 285(5) of the EA). It is rather hypocritical and rabble rousing, to say the least, for supporters of the Petitioners to be shouting that the petitions should be concluded before May 29, when the Petitioners themselves, waited till almost the 21 day deadline was exhausted before filing their petitions! Having taken full advantage of the constitutionally allotted time to file their petitions, why would anyone then expect the Respondents to cut their own allotted time short and hurriedly file their Replies, or the courts to race through the adjudication of the cases? The Court of Appeal is acting as an Election Tribunal, a Court of first instance for the Presidential petitions and has 180 days to conclude (Section 285(6) of the Constitution) and another 74 days to conclude at the Supreme Court. Curiously, none of the Petitioners seem to have filed any motions for accelerated hearing! So, why is the public being riled by some mischief makers about what obtains in Kenya and ‘Kutuwenji’ and how they conclude their election petitions before swearing in, when the provisions of Section 285 of the Constitution which were obviously in place before this electoral cycle, are quite clear, and different from what obtains in Kenya?

The shameful part was when our learned

Someone then telephoned me, to ask me my opinion about the Senate’s approval of the Way & Means advances to the tune of N22 trillion or so. I told him that it was unlawful, contrary to Section 38 of the CBN Act 2007. Again, it is embarrassing and shameful, that our Legislature would observe its own law in the breach. The person informed me that a senior Lawyer (who he was then ashamed to name) had said it was fine for the Legislature to approve same, since the Legislature is responsible for making laws! What Poppycock!

Section 4(2) of the Constitution empowers NASS to make laws for peace, order and good governance of the Federation, and not to break them, while Sections 58 & 59 of the Constitution set out how the Legislature is to make laws (or amend them). Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and its bindingness on all persons and authorities throughout Nigeria, including the Legislature. The Legislature’s role and powers as set out in the Constitution, even its Investigative Powers in Sections 88 & 89, do not extend to giving approvals that breach laid down laws. I told him that as the law stands, NASS isn’t empowered to give any such approval. I believe that the CBN Act would have had to be amended, for any such Ways & Means advances to be approved retroactively.

Lastly, the issue of seeking and obtaining another $800 million loan from the World Bank in April 2023, in the twilight of this administration, is as we say in Nigerian parlance ‘one kind’. With the Director of Budget declaring that our debt service ratio is moving towards 100% and a country that exceeds 30% is in trouble, what with having very limited space left to borrow, why should an outgoing administration that has more or less messed up the economy, be the one to take such a policy decision?

Conclusion

Most of what is going on in the country, is disgraceful and discouraging. If the politicians spent half the time they are spending on fighting for offices, on how to restore Nigeria, I’m sure things would be better for us. There are more critical decisions ahead, and they are upon us - for example, marrying Nigeria’s foreign exchange regime into one rate, instead of the official and black market rates that presently obtain, and the issue of the removal of the fuel subsidy. It is experts that are debating these issues, not the Politicians, in whose hands these decisions will ultimately lie.

Finally, to be clear, for our mischievous colleagues who are busy confusing the unknowing public that by virtue of Section 135(1)(a) of the Constitution, President Buhari can continue in office in excess of his four year term until the election petitions are determined, and that no one needs to be sworn in till then because the provision states that the President holds office until his Successor takes the oath of that office, this is false. There must be a community reading of that provision with Section 135(2)(a) of the Constitution, which states that an elected President stays in office for four years, commencing from the date he took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office; in the case of President Muhammadu Buhari, that would be May 29, 2023, since he took the Oaths on May 29, 2019.

Minister of Women's Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen

It is rather hypocritical and rabble rousing… of supporters of the Petitioners to be shouting that the petitions be concluded before May 29….Having taken full advantage of the constitutionally allotted time to file their petitions, why would anyone then expect the Respondents to cut their own allotted time short and hurriedly file their Replies, or the courts to race through the adjudication of the cases?”

Appropriate Stage to Raise Objection on Absence of Interpreter in Criminal Proceedings

Facts

On November 5, 2002, the Appellant and four other persons were arraigned before the High Court of Kogi State for the offences of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide punishable with death and armed robbery punishable under Sections 97, 221(b) and 298 (e) of the Penal Code respectively. On the said date, only the 1st accused person was represented by a counsel in the person of Chief B. C. Oyibo. The Appellant who was the 2nd accused person and the other accused persons, did not have any legal representation. With the consent of the Appellant and the other accused persons, the trial court instructed Chief B. C. Oyibo to represent the Appellant and the others. Thereafter, the charge was read to the 1st accused person in Hausa, while it was read to the Appellant and the others in Yoruba. They entered their plea, and the charge proceeded to trial. At the end of the prosecution’s case, the Appellant chose not to testify or call any witness in his defence. After final address by respective counsel, the trial court proceeded to deliver its judgement, in which it convicted the Appellant and the other three co-accused persons of the offences as charged, and sentenced them all to 10 years imprisonment, life imprisonment and death by hanging.

Aggrieved, the Appellant filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, and affirmed the decision of the trial court. The Appellant filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Supreme Court considered the following issues, in its determination of the appeal:

1. Whether a miscarriage of justice has not occurred against the Appellant, having regard to the entire circumstances of this case and the decision of the Court of Appeal, that the Appellant was effectively represented by counsel as required by law.

2. Whether the court below was right in holding that the trial court complied with the provisions of Sections 191, 235 and 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code, at the trial of the Appellant.

3. Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in affirming the conviction and sentence of the Appellant for conspiracy, culpable homicide punishable with death and armed robbery.

Arguments

On the 1st issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that the Appellant’s right to fair hearing was breached, because he did not understand the language of the court at the time he was asked if he consented to being represented by Chief Oyibo; hence, he could not be said to have understood the question posed to him, or consented to his representation by the said Chief Oyibo in the absence of an interpreter to interpret the question to him in the language he understands. Counsel submitted that there is nothing on the record to show that the proceeding immediately preceding the reading of the charge to the Appellant in Yoruba language was interpreted to him in Yoruba, hence, his purported consent to have Chief Oyibo represent him is null and void. Counsel for the Respondent argued contrarily on the 1st issue, that the Appellant’s trial was conducted in compliance with the law, and he was effectively represented by counsel in accordance with the law.

He argued on the 2nd issue that there was non-compliance with the provisions of Sections 191, 235 and 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code at the trial of the Appellant, and this caused a miscarriage of justice on him. On the 2nd issue, the Respondent argued that the Appellant failed to establish the breach of the provisions of Sections 191, 235 and 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code by the trial court.

On the 3rd issue, he submitted that the prosecution failed to prove its case against the

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja

On Friday, the 10th day of February, 2023

Before Their Lordships

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun

Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju

Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Adamu Jauro Tijjani Abubakar SC.479/2013

rejection of Chief Oyibo as his counsel, if he thought he was not adequately represented. The Court also held that there was also nothing in the record to indicate that Chief Oyibo did not adequately prepare or conduct the defence of the Appellant, to ensure that he received a fair trial. The Court cited OKEKE v THE STATE (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt. 842) 25 @110. Having thus, not raised the issue of interpretation at the trial court or complained against the counsel who represented him pro bono, the Appellant cannot now turn around to complain on appeal.

On the 2nd issue, the Court held that by the provisions of Sections 191, 235 and 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code, after the reading of the examination of an accused person, the court has a duty to ask him whether he wishes to give evidence on his own behalf or call witnesses other than character witnesses. By Sections 235 and 236 thereto, the court may put such questions to the accused person as the court considers necessary after the prosecution witnesses have been examined, and before he is called on for his defence, and the purpose of this, is to discover the accused person’s line of defence and make clear to him particular points in the prosecution’s case which he has to meet in his defence.

The Apex Court held that the evidence on record showed that the trial court asked whether the Appellant would like to give evidence or rely on all the prosecution stated, to which the Appellant promptly responded that he had nothing to add to what the prosecution said, and he would not be calling any witnesses. Thus, contrary to the Appellant’s submission, there was ample evidence on record establishing that there was substantial compliance with Sections 191, 235 and 236 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

RESPONDENT

Between RAZAQ OLANREWAJU APPELLANT And THE STATE

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, JSC)

Appellant beyond reasonable doubt and the Court of Appeal wrongly affirmed the conviction and sentence of the Appellant. On the contrary, the Respondent submitted that the prosecution proved the offences for which the Appellant was charged beyond reasonable doubt, and the Court of Appeal was correct in affirming his conviction and sentence for the said offences.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

In its determination of the 1st issue, the Court referred to the provision of Section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution which accords an accused person the right of fair hearing in the course of determination of criminal

charge against him. The Court also referred to Section 36(6) of the Constitution which accords an accused person the right to be informed of the offence for which he is charged in the language he understands, and the right to defend himself or be represented by a legal practitioner of his choice.

The Court held that the stage at which to raise an objection to the absence of an interpreter is in the course of trial, especially where the accused is represented by counsel, and an issue would only arise if the accused requests an interpreter but is not provided with one, or where he indicates to the court, that he does not understand the language of the court. The Court referred to STATE v GWONTO & ORS. (1983) 3 SC 62 @ 66. The Court held that the Appellant failed to raise the issue/need for an interpreter throughout the trial at the trial court; hence, it was too late in the day to raise it on appeal. Furthermore, the record clearly showed that the Appellant understood the questions put to him at the trial court and answered accordingly, particularly in light of the evidence on record which showed that at a time when he was asked about the whereabouts of his counsel, he had answered by stating that his counsel was not around.

The Court held further that it was evident in the record, that the Appellant consented to being represented by Chief Oyibo, and he was not under any compulsion to accept the legal aid volunteered by Chief Oyibo as ordered by the court. The Appellant had every opportunity within the two years when the trial was conducted, to have pronounced his

On the 3rd issue, the Court held that by virtue of Section 138(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, where the commission of a crime by a party to any proceedings is directly in issue in a criminal or civil proceeding, it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. On the first count of conspiracy, the Court held that there was cogent evidence on record, direct and inferential; before the commission of the offence up to the point of the arrest of the Appellant in the company of the 4th and 5th accused person; which showed beyond reasonable doubt that the Appellant conspired with the co-accused persons to carry out the offences. On the second count of armed robbery, the court held that in order to prove the commission of the offence of armed robbery against an accused person, the prosecution has a duty to prove beyond reasonable doubt that: there was a robbery; the accused person took part in the commission of the robbery and; at the time of committing the robbery, the accused was armed with firearms or an offensive weapon. The court held that the totality of the evidence on record established these three ingredients against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

On the offence of culpable homicide, the court held that in order to sustain a conviction for culpable homicide, the prosecution must prove by cogent evidence that the deceased died, that the death of the deceased was caused by the act of the accused person, and that the said act of the accused person was intentional; with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily harm will be its probable consequence. The Court relied on MBANG v THE STATE (2001) ALL FWLR (PT. 362) 1766 @ 1781. The Court held that there was no doubt that one Mohammed Shaibu died on the night of the robbery, and totality of the prosecution’s evidence was also to the conclusive effect that the Appellant and his co-accused persons, were responsible for his brutal death. The Court of Appeal thus, rightly affirmed the conviction and sentence of the Appellant.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

L. O. Akangbe for the Appellant.

Dr. Agada Elachi Esq. for the Respondent, with the fiat of the A-G, Kogi State.

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

“…..the stage at which to raise an objection to the absence of an interpreter is in the course of trial, especially where the accused is represented by counsel, and an issue would only arise if the accused requests an interpreter but is not provided with one, or where he indicates to the court, that he does not understand the language of the court”

Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, JSC

SERIOUS MATTERS

When Lawyers Lose their Sense of Legal Reasoning

Spreading Vile Misinformation

The 2023 Elections have come, but it doesn’t feel as if it has gone. It now appears that the voting has continued on social media, especially on Facebook and multiple WhatsApp groups. The 2023 elections will be remembered among others, for bringing out the worst in many Nigerians, or to put it more succinctly, for bringing out the beast in us. Many of us shamelessly bared our ethnic, religious and sexist fangs, without a care in the world for who is affected. It is as if there is a competition of some sort, for the ‘best vile misinformation spreader’’ in Nigeria. Nothing appears to be out of bounds. Everyday, our sensibilities are inflicted by lies, fake news and distortions, coming from our political sphere. The abnormal has become normal, in debating the outcome the elections.

The Lettered are Fanning Embers of Disunity

The identities of the purveyors of this bile, should be a matter of concern. They are sadly mostly the elites, or the supposedly well read. In their ranks you will find professionals of all works of life, including the academia. Those who should be leading Nigeria on the path of reconciliation and peace, or who should at the very least, ensure that our people are not fed fat with falsehood, are the ones who are fanning the embers of disunity. They continuously use their expertise and knowledge, to distort the reality of our current situation. Most times, reading and listening to these men and women of letters, leaves one speechless. There is certainly some truth in the saying that, it is not the number of certificates or degrees obtained that defines a person. Professional or academic qualifications that are not hinged on basic tenets of decency, integrity and honesty, will always amount to little.

About Bizarre Legal Theories and Legal Opinions

I am almost embarrassed to admit that a small, even if loud number of these trollers, are to be found in the legal profession. In the last couple of weeks I have had to remove myself from many WhatsApp platforms, largely made up of Lawyers. I simply could not in good conscience, continue to inflict on myself the migraine that comes with Lawyers loosing their sense of legal reason in pursuit of political gains. Regrettably, it would seem that some of my learned colleagues are too heavily invested in the prophesy that their preferred candidates were going to win certain elections, that their minds simply have been unable to comprehend different outcomes. The result of this mental disconnect has been a shocking preponderance of bizarre legal theories and legal opinions that defy common sense, and are unknown to law. Worse still, when they are made aware of their foolery, they double-down and resort to abuse and trolling.

Absurd ‘Doctrine of Necessity’

In a recent instance, a junior Lawyer and an active member of a Lawyers-only What-

sapp group had asked senior Lawyers whether the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had the power to unilaterally declare the results of the gubernatorial election in that State, even while the process was ongoing. I thought the answer was a simple and obvious - No. That was until a senior colleague, who spends much time granting interviews on TV, took up the question and began a treatise on the “doctrine of necessity”. In his words, “the REC’s action can be justifiable, if in his (the REC’s) opinion, the returning officer was unable or unwilling to declare the results due to certain unforeseen circumstances”. I could not accept the absurdity of his reasoning. I politely asked him to kindly direct me to the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, that made provisions for such intervention. Rather than respond in a manner worthy of his calling, his reply was that I was an embarrassment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and as an APC Attorney-General, I should be sympathetic to his reasoning.

Scientific Computation of Results

This was not my first experience, at the receiving end of trolling from my colleagues. There was another Lawyers’ platform, where a call mate of mine in the academia wondered why the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, could not publish the results it’s agents authenticated at the polling units and wards across, and compare with what was subsequently uploaded by INEC. According to him, if this is done, there will be no need for all the current hullabaloo about a stolen mandate. it will be clear to the informed and uninformed alike to see. However simplistic, one cannot debate that this observation made sense. A senior Lawyer in his response, said that the party’s Lawyers were keeping this compilation until the address stage

of the Presidential Election Tribunal, when they will surprise APC with the “scientific computation of the results”. My offence was to ask him to clarify the meaning of ‘scientific computation’ and whether such computation was limited to or included the results declared by INEC at the units and wards. Again, without making any attempt to respond to my question, he reminded all members of the platform, that I am from Ekiti State and an APC AttorneyGeneral. He subsequently, invited all those sympathetic to the Obi cause to occupy my phone.

May 29 and Emergency Constitutional Lawyer

Only yesterday, I had to exit yet another platform, following a debate on the position of the law on the inauguration of the President-Elect on May 29. I am gobsmacked by the sheer number of Lawyers who have taken it upon themselves, to spread misinformation about the position of law. They have argued ingenuously that it is unconstitutional to swear in the President-Elect until his victory is affirmed by the court. Such is the absurdity of their reasoning, some of them have argued that there is nothing that prevents President Buhari from continuing in office, until the determination of the election petitions. Others more daring, have provided constitutional justification for an interim arrangement. Again, my sin was to ask whether the argument as put forward by this emergency constitutional Lawyer was one of general application, or simply limited to the Presidential elections. In other words, I asked if his ‘well researched’ legal opinion could be said to apply to Governorship, National and State House of Assembly elections. So that the current occupants of the offices would continue in their roles, until such a time that the various election petition tribunals decide the cases applicable. I asked this ‘legal luminary’ whether he finds the reasoning that victorious candidates should be kept out of office, because losers have exercised their personal right to ventilate their grievances in court, logical or commonsensical. I also asked him whether the mere pendency of a petition challenging an election in court, has greater legal force than the result declared by INEC, which to all intents and purposes enjoys presumption

of regularity until set aside by a competent court or tribunal in a final and conclusive judgement. The ‘legal juggernaut’ did not respond to any of my questions. He simply ‘invoked the spirit of obidients’ to deal with me. They have not stopped cursing me, even after I exited the platform.

The Fear of Obidients, the Beginning of Wisdom

Aside from writing flawed legal opinions, some of our colleagues trade in fake stories on election petition matters. Rather than educate the non-Lawyers on matters they know nothing about, some Lawyers support the spread of fake news by forwarding fake stories to multiple platforms. I am considering whether to respond to a story forwarded by a Lawyer on the non-appearance of the President-Elect at the Petitions Tribunal, at its inaugural sitting. One obvious Labour Party sympathiser had gleefully come to the conclusion that, the rejection of the appearance of the Plateau State Governor for the President-Elect at the sitting of the tribunal, meant that the President-Elect will not be heard by the tribunal. This, according to him, meant ‘the road to Aso-Rock for Peter Obi is assured’. More than two days after this post was sent to our Lawyers’ WhatsApp group, there has been no response. My partner told me that this is a case of the ‘fear of obidients, is the beginning of much wisdom’. Sadly, the promoter of this post is a former Chairman of one of the NBA Branches. I have come across several others, including those who seek to discredit the election petition tribunal and the presiding Justices. All promoted by Lawyers.

In Defence of Professional Ethics

Our colleagues who have decided not to see beyond their political disappointment, should be told in no uncertain terms, that the politics of this moment will pass. The politicians will invariably, move on to the next electoral cycle. What will endure, is the legal profession and our legal system. They are doing much harm to the profession and justice system, by their ridiculous legal opinions and spread of falsehood.

The Nigerian Bar Association now needs to take decisive steps, in response to this trend. The adequacy of our rules of professional conduct should be critically examined, including the effectiveness of the existing procedure for referrals to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. No less important, is the need for more Lawyers to speak up and speak out in upholding our rules of professional ethics.

“I also asked him whether the mere pendency of a petition challenging an election in court, has greater legal force than the result declared by INEC, which to all intents and purposes, enjoys presumption of regularity until set aside by a competent court or tribunal, in a final and conclusive judgement”

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

He has bestrode the Nigerian polity like a colossus. First as Governor of Nigeria’s most populous State, Lagos, with an outstanding performance which earned him the sobriquet ‘Action Governor’. Now, as Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN (BRF), has distinguished himself as a quintessential ‘Poster Boy’ of success in the Buhari Administration. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria in all humility, doesn’t think he is extraordinary, but a good team player. In a recent chat with Onikepo

Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in his ultramodern office in Abuja, he recounted his challenges as Minister for eight years and some of his modest achievements, including cracking the hurdles on the path of and advancing the delivery of the country's most difficult projects like the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja- Kano Road and installing a 1.5 mega watt solar power system, the first and the biggest in any public building in Africa, in the headquarters of the Works and Housing Ministry

Introduction

Learned Silk, as you are rounding up your tour of duty as Minister of Works and Housing, the rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains incomplete. For such a very important road, with the vital role it plays in commerce and connecting the South West to

other parts of the country, what is responsible for the seeming delay of the Federal Government to complete this road, which was scheduled to have been completed in 2022? What percentage would you say is left to completion?

What is left? The Lagos – Ibadan Expressway is 127km, that is the total

length of the road. We have about 3km on the Lagos side and 9km on the Ibadan side left. So, out of 127km minus 12, we have done 115, and that is significant, given where the road was in 2015.

This was the road that our predecessors had no clue on how to do it, for 16 years. So, in less that time, we have done 115 out 127km. The 3km at the Lagos end should be completed before we go. We left the 9km at the Ibadan end, because the Oyo State Government is constructing a storm drainage channel. Those who know of the Ogunpa River problem will understand the need to support that kind of programme. So, it’s a choice between build the road and then they cut it open after completion, or wait for them to finish their work first, and then complete, in order to get full value for your money. I think it’s a better way to get full value.

That is really the story of the LagosIbadan Expressway. In terms of the

delays, really there were so many things, some of which are public knowledge, some of which are not. Work resumed there I believe, in 2016, after the passing of the first full budget of this administration. That was when a budget of about N30 billion was allocated for the road, and the Contractor had done about N40 billion’s work. In the next year, when we put I think about another N30 billion, the National Assembly cut it to N10 billion, so we lost a year. So, in the framework of now struggling with a few days, I am sure we would have been in a better place, if we hadn’t lost that time.

It was after that, that Mr President came up with this Infrastructure Development Fund, investing the proceeds of the NLNG dividends, and also recovered funds from previous administrations that had been stolen out of the country. So, the project, apart from the physical evidence of what you see, the impact in travel time, the employment it generates, was also a very significant example of the anti-corruption crusade; stolen funds

“But, I can tell you we have done more than 13,000 kilometres of roads under construction, rehabilitation and repairs in the past eight years”

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

came back to be invested in assets in our country.

How many kilometres of roads were you able complete in your eight years? During our last interview with you in 2021, you mentioned that you were working on 13,000km of roads across the country. Give us an overview of the rest of the roads you were able to work on throughout your tenure as Minister, and their status as at today. Is the Second Niger Bridge which was also scheduled to be delivered in 2022 complete? What of Odukpani? AkwangaKeffi? The East-West Road which is under the purview of the Ministry of Niger Delta, now appears to be a mirage which may never materialise, even in the next three decades. What have been the challenges of building such a crucial road, which would no doubt facilitate huge commerce between both regions? Did your office have any say in it?

You’ve asked a number of question. But, if I may start with the total kilometres of roads, that is a moving target. I started writing my handing over notes, since September last year. It keeps moving. Here is the document, with the updated numbers. But, what I can tell you is that we have over 13,000 kilometres of roads, under construction, rehabilitation and repair in the past eight years. I don’t have the numbers offhand now, but they keep moving.

So, if you talk about completion for example, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, out of 127km, we have completed 115km. On Kano to Maiduguri which is 560km, we have finished three sections, all in excess of over 300km. On Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega, we have done about 200 and something kilometres there. On the Abuja-Kano, we have done Kano to Zaria which is about 137km and we have done Zaria to Kaduna which is 73km. We have done some portions of Abuja to Kaduna, those numbers are changing.On Abuja to Lafia which is about 222km, we have essentially finished the contract and we’ll soon hand over.

So, the numbers are moving on a daily basis. It’s only when I present my report at the end of term when we hand over, that we’ll have the full figures which is in a few days at the end of our tenure.

What about the Second Niger Bridge?

The bridge as an asset, is finished. The road that links to the Onitsha side is also finished, 7km road. It’s the road that connects from the Asaba side, that we are working on now. Flooding and so many other things, kept being problematic. The flooding on that side became a blessing somewhat, because it helped us to redesign the approach from that side and raise it by one metre, because what we originally designed would have been washed off completely. They are working day and night there, just as they are working day and night on Lagos-Ibadan; and, fingers crossed, we should finish in the next few days.

The bridge is finished and we opened it for traffic; people used it in December. So, lets get the conceptual understanding of the issues. To cross the river is finished, its just the approach that we are working on, to land on the other side is finished. People drove on it over Christmas, but it was an old construction road they used to access it, and that is not what we want to hand over. Otherwise, we could have opened it. We just thought they deserve better. If you are building a new bridge, finish the new approaches. But, if we open it today

to traffic, you can drive through.

What about Odukpani?

Odukpani is one of the areas where we normally have gridlock, in the rainy season. When we got here, Odukpani was one of those roads that was in the news every rainy season, because of the large number of trucks going through servicing the nation. What people may not know is that, between Cross River and Akwa Ibom, they have some of the largest quarries for the construction industry. So, they serve most of the East; and that’s why there’s the Calabar Cement Factory. The tonnage itself, was pressure on the road.

But, the point I want to really make is that, Odukpani is one of the areas where I said, ‘let’s be methodical about it’, and we established 12 gridlock points in Nigeria that were recurring decimals. Odukpani, Cham Numan, Benin - Okene, Abeokuta - Ota, Ilorin- Jebba - they are 12 of them, but I am able to say that we brought almost everything under control. The only ones still outstanding are Benin-Okene, and now that we have funding from NNPC, it will be built. Benin to Sapele also, we now have funding. We couldn’t finish everything, Odukpani falls into that class; year by year over the last three/four years, you will see that the traffic can move even if the construction is going on.

We now have funding, the only delay there is compensation issues and the community issues. We have made progress, and the road that it links to, Alesi-Ugep to Ogoja, all through to Katsina-Ala, that one too we have made progress, we’ve finished. It’s work in progress, and I’m proud to say that we’ve solved most of the problems and we’ve brought many under management.

Akwanga – Keffi?

Akwanga – Keffi, as I told you, we’ve finished the Abuja to Mararaba end, the 10km expansion is done. At the time that they were awarding that road, I wasn’t Minister. So, they left the part between Mararaba and Keffi, about 40 something kilometres, because it was in very good condition at the time. From Keffi to Lafia, we will handover soon. It’s almost done. We have started awarding the lane marking contract. That’s about 200km. What we have now done is that, the part that was left unawarded because it was in good condition about 10 years ago, has now deteriorated, that’s the section between Mararaba and Keffi. So, we have now awarded it, and it’s going to be funded under the NNPC Tax Credit. It’s about 40 something kilometres. So, out of 200 and fifty something kilometres, we have done almost 200km; and if we do that by percentages, I think we’ll get an A in the exam.

Should we bother to ask you about the East-West Road?

At the time I took office, the East-West Road was under the Ministry of NigerDelta. It just returned to this Ministry, last year. But the point I want to make is that, I made a duty to tour it because I just wanted to educate myself. As at 2017, over 70% of the East-West Road had been built. It was a point of debate in Council that the Vice President then as Acting President, sent another team to go and verify what I said. They came back to Cabinet to report that what I said is true. So, what was left was the part going towards Oron, and a few parts that weren’t completed in Bayelsa. If you go to some parts between Benin, Warri and Port Harcourt, people were trading on a completed road.

But, what has happened now, is that

the last flooding has really damaged the road extensively. We have done an assessment; luckily, it was part of what the NNPC has agreed to take up, because it’s a logistics road for them and it is in our funding. The contractors are back to site now, working. They have funding, but they won’t finish within the next 20 something days when I’ll leave office, but there is sustainability that whoever becomes Minister after me doesn’t have to worry about awarding the contract, doesn’t have to worry about funding. We’ve secured that as we go, and that is a good place to hand it over.

When can Lagosians expect the repairs on Eko Bridge to be completed?

I just addressed that in a conversation with your sister agency, Arise TV. Let’s understand what happened. We were trying to undertake repairs of a section of the bridge, where the bearings had failed, and then we realised that it was a much more extensive undertaking. Thankfully, the President responded to the emergency we saw, a section of the bridge could have collapsed. I can say today, that we just dodged a bullet. It was hanging by less than one inch. This is the section at Costain; but, we fixed it. While fixing it, we now said ‘look, let’s just do a full scale analysis of all the pillars’, and that led to the award of a repair and maintenance contract to change all the bearings and expansion joints, and to restore all of the drainage and the railings and light fittings. This is what we did at Ojuelegba Bridge, Independence Bridge and Mayon Barracks Bridge and so many bridges that we have done across the country.

Whilst that was being done, they set fire to the Apongbon end of the Bridge. People were trading under it. So, we had to award a supplementary emergency contract, beyond what was in the original scope of works. Some of the components for these works, are imported. As they were fixing Apongbon, fire broke out again at Ijora, where they sell fish. So, when we had stabilised Apongbon structurally, we had to deploy some of the imported equipment to prevent Ijora from collapsing, while we wait for the order equipment meant for Ijora to come. Now, we were dealing with simultaneous

cont'd on page VIII

“Again it shows you the diversity of the nation, but people have benefited. Like the Super Eagles and their Coaches, who had been waiting for 28 years for the houses promised them. All of them were allocated”

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

cont'd

emergencies. It’s not even about repairing anymore, its about making sure the bridge doesn’t collapse.

But, we have everything now under control. Apongbon is almost finished, maybe in May. I can show you come of the slides here. But, they can’t open it, because the access to Apongbon is the part that was burnt. And, until we are sure of the safety of it, I will not authorise its opening. It’s part of our handing over notes, to the next team. If its not safe, don’t open it. Because, this is about human lives now.

How far have you gone with your affordable housing programme which you proposed to implement in 33 States? How many States were able to benefit from the programme? Were you able to keep to the price ranges from N5 - N18 million depending on the type of unit, as planned?

We have made progress, you would have seen reports of the commissioning of some of them. We are actually in 35 States, although its small, 5 hectares per site per State. In some States, we are in Phase 3. In some States we are in Phase 2. Each phase is 5 hectares. But, in some States we are still in Phase 1, because of local issues or the terrain is bad. Like in Bayelsa, the terrain was really bad, the cost of the building went to only the foundation, because of the reinforcements. Again, it shows you the diversity of the nation, and people have benefited. I don’t have the list off the top of my head but our Super Eagles who had been waiting for 28 years to get the houses promised to them, all of them were allocated houses. That is a strong symbol of impact! People who have waited for 28 years to be homeowners. This government changed that for them. So, when we are talking about change, these are some of the things that are symbolic of it.

In terms of pricing, of course, no part of the world is not dealing with price changes, inflation, cost of living issues. Those are moving numbers that we have had to live with. I must thanks those Contractors who finished on time. We have about 400 and something Contractors who have been hobbled by the astronomic changes and inflation. They are massive movements. So, what we’ve done with regard to those that have not been completed, is to ask for the President’s approval for a general variation of those prices as prescribed by our Procurement Guidelines.

When price changes on any contract exceeds either N1 billion or 15%, you must get Presidential consent to process it into Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). If it succeeds, then we go to FEC to get approval to vary those contracts, so that they can complete the projects. By the by, we are making progress, but affordability is not just a function of only what we build, what our parastatals are building, Federal Mortgage Bank, Federal Housing Authority. We are also dealing with affordability, in terms of those who just don’t want houses, they want land. So, we are issuing C-of-Os and that is enabling people to access mortgages.

The revenues that are coming into Government now, from mortgages, consents and subsequent transactions, last year’ numbers were in excess of N2 billion in one year. So, there is a lot of activity going on in the property sector. And, our policies I think, have enabled the private sector to deepen their footprints, and I’m sure for those of us who watch television or listen to radio, you’ll hear one or two adverts inviting people to come and buy property from private developers. The biggest possible capacity that any nation can have which is its private sector, is now playing in that sector, and that is progress, as far as I am

concerned.

The funds you raised to build some of your infrastructure through Sukuk 1, 2 & 3 bonds, contain pension funds. Could you explain what kind of bond Sukuk is? Is it short, medium or long term? Has any been due for repayment, or how does the arrangement work? It is important that there be some clarification, since it is not strange for successors-in-office to sometimes ignore prior financial commitments of their predecessors and refuse to honour them.

I must confess to you that I don’t know everything, and I focus more on what is my main remit. The responsibility to raise money in Government belongs to the Ministry of Finance, so that we are not guessing the details.

We have an institutional office, called the Debt Management Office. By law and act of parliament, they manage our debts. My job is to spend the money, and report to them “that this is what I have done with it”.

So, that’s why all the funds didn’t come here. They are kept under a Board and Management of the Trustees of the Fund. So, when the contractors come, we sign “he has qualified”. He goes to Debt Management Office. Once they crosscheck and the Lenders also have their own Consultants; and when they are satisfied, they pay. We don’t touch the money!

There has been the never ending contention between States and Federal Government over fixing and managing the nation’s highways. State Governors have complained that monies they spend on rehabilitating roads, are never refunded to them. Undoubtedly this has created a huge drawback for all concerned, including the hapless citizens. What really is

the true position, and how can this be issue of contention be resolved?

I think President Buhari has resolved the issue, by telling the State Governments to leave his roads alone. There are three levels of government, the States, Local Government and Federal. The nation has about 200,000 plus kilometres of road. Federal roads accounts for less than 40,000km of it. Of course, they carry the heaviest traffic because they connect States.

But, let us do some logical thinking here. Which roads are really more important? Which roads do the citizens use more? How many people in each State, on a scale of 1 – 10 need to leave their State to go to school, to go to the market, to go to the office? I think you’ll agree that many more people need to leave their local government. If you look at it like that, those roads are more important to the local people than trying to fix Federal roads.

Of course, there are some unique instances where those so-called Federal roads have actually become inter-local government roads. For example, I don’t know why, Kingsway Road in Lagos, Airport Road in Ikeja are still Federal Roads. I have asked the States to apply, and let me hand it over to them! But, they must be willing to take it, I am ready to hand them over. There are roads now that are like that in the city in Aba in Abia State, and I have told the Governor that ‘apply, let me give you these roads’.So, that is the background.

In the previous administration, the Jonathan administration, they set up guidelines that allowed States to intervene in Federal roads. And, those guideline require you to get Presidential approval first; and when you get that approval, you build according to Federal Ministry of Works’ standards. Then, our Controller (because we have Controllers in each State) will be involved in supervising the projects. That is what we did in Lagos State on Lagos - Badagry Expressway and that is what many other Governors did. But, they were not paid.

President Buhari then said ‘I will pay what you owe’. The first payment came to over N700 billion, almost a trillion. Those are payments, that are part of the national debt everybody is talking about. But, the numbers kept growing. So, in 2016, President Buhari then issued a Directive, I was Chairman of the Committee and said, ‘I promise to pay the backlog, but, don’t incur any more. Leave my own road, you too go and build your own roads’. After all, no State can say, ‘I have completed all my own roads’. So, that is the picture.

And, I have heard in some media that it was a scam; we were not involved in any scam. We followed the process. Apart from those approval levels, we now have a process of physical verification, documentation and photography. For those who don’t know what it takes to construct a road, you can’t lie about what you put in a road. There is a process in road construction called coring. And, if you core any road, you’ll know what is underneath it. Also, you can extrapolate from the design, whether the quantities allegedly used were used or not, and you can come to a reasonably near figure.

Apart from that process, it then goes to BPP, which is the statutory cost adviser of this Government by law. It is the final figures certified by BPP whose members are involved in this Committee, that go to the Federal Executive Council where all Ministers also debate it and vote to pass it with the President in the Chair. After that, it then goes to the National Assembly Committee on Debt, represented by people from the various States who would say ‘Yes, we approve for the Federal Government to pay this debt’. That is the entire summary for the process of paying. Its uncharitable and unkind for some people to sit one place, and say it’s a scam.

For completeness, we have denied some loans, either because they didn’t get the approval, or they didn’t bring the process of the award of the contract from their States. You can’t go and doctor these things. You can’t create new ones now, and ask people who have left to come and sign. We have declined not a few, for many reasons, either they were outside the threshold set by the President, or they didn’t comply with the approval process.

From your experience in the last eight years as Minister of Works and Housing, would you support the suggestion that the Ministry be split into two, to reduce the heavy burden of administering two crucial sectors?

The Ministry of Works has lived many lives. In the 70s, it was Ministry of Works and Housing; at some point it became Ministry of Works, Lands and Housing. It depends on what the President wants to do. Yes, there is the burden and the workload. That is one side of it. The other side, is that Government departments are interdependent. When you don’t have interconnectivity of the personnel running it, it takes longer to get things done. If you

“Everybody has a place they call home. Lagos is where we call home, and people must respect that. It has been the home of my ancestors.”

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

cont'd from page VIII

take away Works from Housing, what you’ll take away from it for instance, would be the Lands Department. So, how do you build a road without land? The Lands Department is where you have the Surveyor General’s office and so on. When people complain that service is slow, these are some of the things we must look at, before we ask that one be ripped away from the other.

For example, we have one Permanent Secretary coordinating the both of them. That brings some speed and efficiency. We hold joint meetings together. If you separate them, they don’t know each other. So, they correspond by letters. But we hold monthly management meetings here, where the people in Lands, and the people in Works, Engineers and Surveyors all know each other and work together as one large team. So, it depends on how quickly and how far you want to go, or what you want to achieve.

Well, that is like the argument in which they say that the office of the Attorney-General should be separated from that of the Minister of Justice…

Well, first of all is to ask them, how many of them have full understanding of what they are saying. Are they seeing the titles alone, or are they going back to look in more detail at what is the role of the Attorney-General and what is the role of the Minister of Justice?

Some feel that maybe there is some kind of conflict

Why should there be conflict between an Attorney-General whose major focus is law enforcement, and the same person who wears the same cap as Minister of Justice whose job is to ensure the efficient operation of the administration of justice system entirely. Administration of justice is not just the courts alone, let’s be clear. They are interwoven, but, if you want to split, split it. But, every choice has a consequence. As people say, the cure for a headache is not beheading. So, you need to stand back and ask, ’what do I really want this office to do?’

First of all, it’s always important for me - define the job, and then look for the people who have the skills set, who can do this job; then you head hunt. And, that for me is the approach. It’s not just what people say.

Some have argued that the AttorneyGeneral usually seems to see himself or acts more in the capacity as Lawyer to the President, and not as a Minister of Justice of the people and the Government …

Yes. I had a Commissioner of Justice as an Attorney-General, who understood his role as my Adviser, Adviser to the Government, and also as the champion of our justice reform system. We saw that the good work done by the Asiwaju/Osinbajo regime, in strengthening the High Court was creating already an overload, and before time, if we didn’t do something, the gains of that reform may be lost. And, it was his view, and one shared by us that majority of people entered the justice system through the Magistracy. We found out that the Magistracy was still circumscribed by jurisdiction. So, we increased the jurisdiction of the Magistracy to millions, and therefore, reduced the number of cases that were going to High Court.

As we expanded that jurisdiction, we started infrastructure; built new Magistrate courts across the State. We opened up Divisions, Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, places where all of them use to come to the centre in Lagos - opened it up. And so, I don’t see any conflict of roles there, it’s just an understanding that you wear two hats. It is the person who understands what his job

is, that must be sought. If there is no efficient administration of justice, you become inefficient as Attorney-General! One inexorably leads to the other.

You have been an astute politician for over 20 years. How did Lagos lose the Presidential election to a neophyte Labour Party? Is Nigeria imbibing voting personalities, rather than parties? Some of the opinion polls conducted before the election showed that the Labour Party would win and many are still so convinced that LP won. Kindly, comment on this.

I don’t know if the polls that you saw, showed that Labour would win the Governorship election in Lagos. Because the polls that were shared, were mainly about 1,000, 2,000 sample polls. And, at that time I said they were self-serving, self-seeking polls, and they have created a problem for a generation of people who have no political experience, thinking that those polls showed that they were going to win. But, people who have polling experience, and I say that I do, because I have been polling for 21 years now, since 2002. Not just for elections, even for governance, I use polls to formulate policies. I came on air to say that those polls would cause a problem, because they were misleading; at the time they were being presented, the sample size was so inaccurate. The number of people who didn’t participate, or who expressed an uncertainty about a view, was in excess of the number of people who responded. And then, it was only an online thing, which showed you that a certain swathe of the population was excluded. But, those who wanted to own it, those who were pushing it, knew what they were doing.

But, the poll I have been conducting

by the same team who used a sample size of 5,000, in-person interviews, showed us at the end of January that APC was leading by 10 points, and that the APC Presidential candidate already had 25% in 23 States, and we were looking for two more. Because we knew it had to be 25 States, out of the remaining ten States that we targeted. Eventually, we got six more and we had 29.

But, the interesting thing about those polls that may help to answer your question - Lagos was secure by those polls in the Presidential election. As I said on a television station, we were blindsided by the turnout in Lagos, so our people didn’t turn out, the opposition turned out. But, what was also blindsiding, was the fact that a Party, the major opposition that had been competitive in Lagos for 24 years, suddenly just disappeared. They didn’t get 10% of the votes, and it showed you that their voters had moved into a new relationship with the Labour Party. But, in terms of surprise, it wasn’t a surprise in that sense. It happened when I was Governor. The PDP won the Presidential election in Lagos, Jonathan won.

I remember that day, as people were voting and I was sitting and people were telling me, ‘Governor don’t be angry, next week we’ll come and do your own’. And, that is what happened again, this time around. The private sector became afraid, when they saw who the Governorship candidates were. That is why they tell you, every politics is local. They didn’t want a change of policy, they wanted continuity. The President was too far off from them. But, in that State, they turned out and changed it.

Kindly, share your views on the opinion expressed by some, that Lagos is ‘No Man’s Land’, seeing as you are a Lagosian yourself.

Lagos is my home. It’s my ancestral home. I am a 5th generation, my children are the 6th generation of Lagosians. We are Aworis. That is our land. We have people we have welcomed to stay with us, and the only thing to say. is that they must respect their host. Everybody has a place they call home. Lagos is the place where we call home, and people must respect that. It has been the home of my ancestors.

I think the problem came from, when the constitutional history of the country started. When it was being decided whether Nigeria was going to be a Federation or not. That was in the 1957 or 1958 Constitutional Conference. The Action Group led by Chief Awolowo, and the NPC led by Sardauna,

wanted a Federation. The NCNC led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe wanted a Parliamentary system of government. That was when the issue came up. NPC pushed the position, that Lagos must not be part of the West. Because it would meant handing a Federal capital to a region to be governed by a Premier. And, I recall that in the exchange of notes, the words used then is that ‘Lagos must remain a neutral territory’, a neutral land. And, I think in the overhang of some discussions or some subsequent speeches, people have interchanged ‘neutral’ for ‘no-man’. That is possible overtime. That is the way, because it was supposed to be a capital. That was why you would see Lagosians then, the concept of ‘gedegbe l’Eko wa’. They used to call themselves ‘Eko Federal’, because that was where Federal Authority was dispensed from.

Of course, we have lost that status as Federal Capital now to Abuja. But, can anybody really say in honesty, and come here now and say ‘Abuja is a no-man’s land’?! It is the land of the Gwaris. You can’t deny that.

Political evolution, if you go up North for example, people have migrated to live in parts of the North. Can you now take away the land of the original settlers, like the Hausas, Nupes, Tivs, Jukuns and say their land is no-mans land. I don’t think it’s a conversation, that is worthy of the time we spend discussing it.

The 2023 Presidential election seems to have been the most keenly fought election so far during the Fourth Republic. Do you agree? If you do, what do you believe is the reason for this? Unfortunately, it seems to have left Nigerians quite divided, particularly with regard to ethnicity. What steps can we take, to heal as a nation or do you think it will all blow over?

I think first of all, it was a keenly fought election. Whilst we seek improvement, we must not dispense with the progress that we have made. The figures for winning a presidential election are becoming narrower, and we see also that there are more players.

If American elections are decided on one or two million votes or three, and there are majorly two parties, and their population is more than ours, why should we expect that our elections should be determined by 10 million votes?

I think one of the things we want to interrogate, is to further look at the Voters Register. Do we really have 90 million registered voters? Or is there a period

“All of us have read the Constitution and we have the decisions of the Supreme Court about the status of Abuja, so let's wait and see what the Tribunal will decide”

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN

‘We have Improved in Many Places’

cont'd from page IX

where we have not perhaps, married the old analogue register properly with the digitisation of the register from 2011? But, what we are seeing with technology is that, the room for manipulation is clearly narrowing. This was an election in which vote buying was the biggest fear before it. But, vote buying was not an issue in this election. If you look at the numbers compared to 2019, you’ll see that the only party that has remained the same, was the party that won. And, as people predicted, its popularity will dip, because the longer you stay in government, the less popular you become. And, Buhari was not on the ticket anymore. So, the Buhari Factor was a little obvious in the number of votes that turned out, because he wasn’t on the ticket anymore. But, what did the other side also do? They split into three! So, how were they supposed to win the election? When they were united in 2019, with Buhari in APC as a candidate, they lost by almost 4 million votes. So, both parties lost their strengths in effect, and some parties also gained. For example, we won Kano in 2019, but Kano was taken now by NNPP. So, if you add Kano to us, we’ll almost be over 10 million. And, it shows how keenly competed it was, it shows how incumbents lost; it shows how the President and the President-elect lost in their own States, in the presidential elections.

And, those who claim that victory, must accept the losses in the places they lost. You can’t say the horse rides one way when its convenient, and on the side says no. And those who believe that, it shows that their understanding of the political terrain has to improve. I was confident, that we were going to win. But, I wasn’t arrogant about the space that some of the opponents had covered. I knew there was no chance in Kano, because I used to visit Kano for my work, and talking to people, they could not dismiss the Kwankwaso Movement. So, I knew that we had to find a map. And, if you go and look at our candidate, he was the only one who came first or second in five out of the six geopolitical zones. He was not third anywhere. His votes were the most widespread. That is a pan-Nigerian Mandate. But, if you are looking for it to be a gap of 10 million votes, then you don’t know politics.

As a Lawyer, because that is your primary constituency, there is this ongoing about the interpretation of Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution. That you need 25% of Abuja to be able to win a Presidential election. Some of your brother Silks have that opinion. What is your view?

That matter as you know, is now before a court for determination. So, I am not going to speak about it. The much I think I want to say, is that in January we had 23 States where we had 25%. And, I told you we were looking for two more. That is my answer! That is all I can say about it. All of us have read the Constitution, and we have seen the decisions of the Supreme Court about the status of Abuja, so let the courts deal with it.

You left a legacy of security, cleanliness, orderliness and infrastructure in Lagos in the eight years you served as Governor in Lagos, earning yourself the nickname of ‘Action Governor’. What legacy are you leaving behind in the Works and Housing Ministry. How did you improve the work ethos of the Civil Servants in your Ministry, since many have complained that the Nigerian Civil Service is less than a shadow of its former self. Are there

any aspects you would like your successor to concentrate on?

First of all, I tell myself to look for goodness in people. I didn’t come here, with a negative mindset. I came with an open mind, to work with those who wanted to work. I met civil servants who were digitally savvy, who were computer savvy. I met those who were not able to embrace change of digitisation. There is a book I read, its called Lemon Leadership. The juice of that book is that, not all of us have the same skills. We all have different skills. Some people’s contribution is just talking about an idea, while some people’s contribution is getting it done, while some people’s contribution is ensuring that there’s proper process. So, I came with that mindset and I saw many people I could work with. For me, it was also about learning a lot about the diversity that is here.

One of the things I introduced is monthly management meetings, so that we could know each other better. We are supposed to work in teams. I didn’t come with the knowledge that I know it all.

I told my political aides, not to interfere with the work of the civil servants. So, you won’t see any of my aides touch a civil service file. They had their own files, by which they addressed me. If there is anything I thought the Permanent Secretary needed to do, I would then make a copy and minute on it to the Permanent Secretary.

Every institution has its own practice, respect it, improve it. We created awards for hardworking and diligent staff. It was always a big day, for their families, and there was always celebration. We also held quarterly retreats, away from work. And we made sure we held it North South, and we moved from zone to zone, for any Governor who wanted to host us.

And, of course, in particular we

improved the work environment. Here today, we have our own 1.5 megawatt solar power, the biggest solar power system in any public building, anywhere on the African Continent. This is where they spend their longest hours, and they can’t work in frustration. We have improved on water supply. If you look at the environment in front, that place was almost like a dump yard. But, we have greened it, we created a big Green Park. People come here and say ‘what did you do to this building’? We created multiple conference rooms. We are starting a new building, to provide room for expansion for the future. We are digitising the whole record keeping of this Ministry. But, we got the approval late and I hope it will continue. We have completed the digitisation of the whole Lands Registry. 53,000 files, covering millions of pages have been scanned. There is efficiency in what we are doing. Their welfare is something of concern, to all of us. But, a lot has been done, but there is so much more that still needs to be done. You can change some things in form of some target driven reforms.

You are seen as one of the very few poster boys of success that has anything to show in this outgoing administration, which many agree, more or less, has been a failure. What do you have to say?

This administration is not a failure! Contrary to what people say, there are many other areas of success that people may or may not be aware of. If you look at the reforms in agric for example, the impact on our lives. Yes, there’s still room to cover, but, if you look at the people that it employs now, if you look at the gains we have made in terms of the turn around in the production of certain staples that we use to import, that is progress, that is not failure.

If you look at the airports now, yes, there is still work to be done on some terminal buildings, but I know the investments that have been made it in terms of life saving, fire fighting, navigation, landing systems that have been installed in five major international airports. That is progress; that is probably not visible to the passenger, but go and ask the Pilots, they’ll tell you now, that our airport runways and approaches are some of the safest in the world today. The next phase of work is to repair and upgrade the terminal buildings, which is what defines the customer experience. But, safety first!

If you look broadband and digital roll out, if you compare the cost of broadband in 2015 to now, the NBS report indicates that broadband costs have dropped, and we are

still rolling out. That is not a government of failure.

If you look at even security that you talk about, yes, there are new problems that have arisen. But, those of you came to Abuja in 2015, this town used to shut down at 7pm. But, now, nightlife is back!

Yes, there are new challenges that have come up. If you want to talk about Chibok Girls; one administration was in denial, there was no response, but this administration has responded. Over 100 have come back. Have they all come back? No! So, the job is not finished, but that is not failure, that is progress. This is the way to see governance. There are so many examples.

Its not only me, its been a team, working together. Its just like me saying ‘oh, you are now the Poster Girl of THISDAY LAWYER!’ You are not the only one; its your name that appears on the screen and the page. What of the people at the back, who made it possible?

That is how teams work. In a football match, the captain goes to collect the trophy, but did he score all the goals? No!

There are people whose job it is, not to do anything visible. I have told you about the Ministry of Finance, they don’t build anything. But, without them, how far could we go?! So, we have not been a failure, we have succeeded, and many of my colleagues have held their ground and departments to commendable admiration. There is room to improve, I agree. But, we have moved the needle. Revenues have improved, even though expenditure has increased.

So you’ll giving your administration up to 50%?

We have improved in many places. And, there are places where new challenges have come. That is how government works. No government solves all the problems. It’s not Eldorado!

Going forward, as you step down as Minister of Works and Housing, is there more governance for you, or will you be coming back to Lagos to continue with law practice? Are you fulfilled? Or is there more you still want to do?

I am fulfilled!

Where do we expect to see BRF after May 29, 2023?

Everywhere! You’ll see me everywhere! BRF, let us be the first to wish you a happy 60th birthday (in advance). Congratulations! Thank you Learned Silk.

Thank you very much.

“This administration is not a failure! Contrary to what people say, there are many other areas of success that people may or may not be aware of”

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, CFR, SAN

History in Architecture

To compute a nation’s heritage in terms of its financial strength or its political achievements will do it a lot of injustice, because its worth is actually an aggregate of the people’s history, which captures, among their other beautiful attributes, the way they live, as well as their various types of architecture. Lagos and some ancient cities in Nigeria are dotted with rare 19th and 20th century architectural masterpieces that earn a right to listing as national monuments. In Europe, such important buildings become part of the nation’s rich culture, which the government guards jealously. Besides, they become must-see places tourists visit regularly. However, this is not the case in Nigeria because experts say it does not matter to the average person, grappling with myriads of avoidable daily concerns, adjudged consequences of bad governance. Bennett Oghifo, who visited families still living in some of these elegant buildings, also discussed the need for their restoration with John Godwin (now late), a Professor of Architecture at the University of Lagos. The report

HERITAGE

It is standard practice in the western world to preserve old stately buildings as part of a nation’s rich cultural heritage for posterity. Government lists such houses, which it maintains and, in all cases, become tourists’ attractions, even though people live in them. It restructures some of them as hotels or restaurants, but in Nigeria, these monuments suffer neglect and are left to rot. There are rows of these regal buildings in ruins across the country and particularly in Lagos both on the Island and in Yaba and Ebute-Metta areas. However, a few of the descendants of the original owners make limited attempts to maintain their structure to keep the memory alive. Even in ruins, these buildings retain their charm and it is obvious to everyone, not only to lovers of beautiful architecture.

Lagos Island is now a veritable urban jungle, a real mess that is unacceptable in other parts of the world, especially because of its commercial worth. Isale Eko is a prime location, right in the heart of the central business district. It is an urban jungle and until now, defies the desire of several authorities to redevelop it, and because Lagosians are careful about land issues, it is very difficult to resolve the planning challenges of Isale Eko.

Most families demolish their old buildings to make way for modern buildings, like the Multi Radiant Plaza, Fowler family and Rufai Ajala family houses on Bambose and Oshodi streets and at the corner-piece of Bambose and Glover streets. Other families keep the original façade and poise of the building, enlivening it with splash of paint when cash-flow permits, like the Ms Baptist house on Bornu Way, Yaba. They are interesting structures that tell different stories about time and people. For instance, Igbore House at the link between Bambose and Glover Streets is still firm looking.

In addition, the CFAO building at the corner of Igbosere and Moloney roads, one of the buildings government maintains, tells its healthy story, which is different from the story of a family building on 91 Igbosere road right behind Lagos Island City Hall. However, solid and not all that bad to look at, the building needs a little bit of spit and polish. Its old windows and doors are of opaque glass panes, which are unchanged regardless of time, but will need a bit of renovation. Most of these buildings are Brazilian, with a sprinkling of European-style houses around the Sangrouse Market and Tapa Street area where Alake House stands. It is an area where the first generation of returnees from Brazil settled. The successful ones built their homes there and, although these buildings are old, they are still awe-inspiring.

This touch of class in graceful architecture is also in public buildings on the Island, particularly

on both sides of Broad Street, where a row of them stands. These buildings house the Government’s old Press, where it prints its Gazettes and other official documents, its hospital, Kakawa Magistrate Court, built in 1925, which stands on Kakawa Street corner, opposite the defunct Savannah Bank building, the old Central Bank building and its other auxiliary institutions. The Street is also home to a prominent Prison, opposite the Hospital and next to it is the old building of the former Federal Office of Statistics, now the Bureau of Statistics. The building has the Centre for Black and African Art as its new occupants.

Kakawa Street also hosts the stately well-maintained Da Rhoca house.

There is the old Law School building on Igbosere Road, behind the Court, which is a few minutes walk from a top-class well-preserved building, over a hundred years old, owned by the late Mr. Williams, whose son, Mr. Adeniyi Williams is the President of Lagos Island Club.

The architecture changes to predominantly British-style around the Tafawa Balewa Square axis because of the influence of the colonial government. This reflects on the old buildings of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and on an old Post Office building beside and opposite the former Ministry of Defense, respectively. These

buildings have ‘walk-through’ windows with translucent glass and are proportionally located for cross ventilation.

Those who know the history of these areas tell them better. Ace Photojournalist, Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole, has a clear understanding of Lagos’ evolution, most of which he records and archives.

As a little boy, the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Sir Mobolaji Johnson helped his father’s mason carry blocks used in building his father’s house and that is the same house Cole lives in today in Yaba and he knows who lives where and how he or she got there. The house has been modernised with aluminum windows and doors, but that hardly changes its regal charm.

He locates a building at the Bornu Way street corner where Chief Commander (now Evangelist) Ebenezer Obey used to play his popular top-chart music and a little distance from the house is a well kept home, which retains its garden in front, and low fence to keep stray animals away. Its publicity shy woman occupant would not say when it was built and who maintains it. The Fowler’s house is next, a beautiful well-preserved building, and these do not have burglar proofing, because thieves never visited, but if they visited, it is for meat in the soup pot, says Cole. It is the same beautiful facade at the home of the Emmanuel family where Mrs. Francesca Emmanuel, the first female Permanent Secretary in the country was born.

According to Cole, as some people’s cash flow improved and they could not live in Ikoyi, the next choice was “Yaba Estate”. One of those whose building stands out in the neighbourhood

until recently, is Ms Baptist, a Lawyer who was became a Magistrate. It is her family home and since she relocated to Britain, it has been difficult keeping up the building’s usual lovely looks. “It used to be a lot more beautiful.” But that of the person who designed Yaba, J.T Nelson Caulcrick still stands in all its elegance, overlooking the African Continental Bank (ACB) building on the other side of Herbert Macaulay Way. The building is where late former President Nnamdi Azikiwe lived, as a young politician and entrepreneur, and it is only two-minute walk from his newspaper house, The West African Pilot on Commercial Avenue. “There used to be a plaque on the ACB building put there by the NCNC, which says our great leader Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe lived here,” says Cole.

Also, on Herbert Macaulay Way is the home of Dr. Femi Pearse who practiced on Aje Street in Yaba not far from the Ladner family building, where the father of Afolabi Ladner who died last year lived. In the same area is the tailoring institution of M.A Idowu established in 1939. He used to make clothes for the president, and for other top government people. Cole had a Barber’s Shop in the building in 1967 called ‘Sunmi’s Place’ and across from it was Studio 54, a photographer’s shop owned by Ojekere, which Cole visited because the equipment fascinated him. Ade Idowu says he wants to renovate the building, specifically to change the windows. “You can imagine how many prominent people went through that (Idowu’s) door,” he says in reminiscence. Opposite Idowu’s house is a UAC building the Murray Bruce family used as a dance bar.

Yaba’s central business district is its Commercial Avenue where the Lisabi Mills began business, across from it is the West African Pilot building, UTC building now occupied by Unity Bank, next to it is Lagos City College built in 1953, now called Bank-Anthony School, where Senator Ike Nwachukwu schooled. The building is a wreck, and behind it was a playground Azikiwe named a stadium, used by the Zik Athletics Club, but which is now the new Lagos City College, built by the government.

At the end of the road is the building of Ampunu Wusu, who built the first Chemist, Azikiwe’s Press, and there was Mr. Rasmason, a Scandinavian who sold wood and other building materials and, because of that, Mr. John Okwesa, who owned a Press in the area suggested it be named Commercial Avenue.

-This article by Bennett Oghifo was first published in THISDAY Newspaper in January 2009

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

Abuja One of World’s Fastest Growing Cities, Says FCT Minister

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello has described Abuja as one of the world’s fastest-growing cities while the FCT is the fastest-growing sub-national in the country.

He made the submission at the maiden retreat organised for the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Board members and the executive management committee at Suleija, Niger State.

The minister, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Bashir Mai-Bornu, said that reality demands more work from the

FCDA as it copes with the rapid expansion of the city and the everchanging structure and dynamics of the society.

He also urged strategic stakeholders to evolve modalities that will incorporate key areas that will strengthen development of the city and expedite ways of correcting the grey areas impeding the implementation of the Abuja master-plan.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Ahmad,

said despite the challenges of distortion and illegal structures across the territory, efforts were ongoing to meet up with the requirements of developing the nation’s capital.

He described the retreat as an avenue of provoking discussions on how to correct illegalities being faced by the FCDA in meeting up with the Abuja master plan.

“We organised the retreat as a means to sensitise members of the FCDA board as well as the executive management committee with other stakeholders to interact on the issue of Abuja master plan implementation,”

Ahmad said.

He stressed that the retreat, coming at a time a new administration is about to come on board, will provoke discussions across all areas that needed urgent interventions that will allow stakeholders to reappraise issues in context and present a better position.

“The FCDA has not delivered up to its mandate, going by the FCT Act Decree No. 6 of 1976 in pursuit of the dream of our founding fathers to build a befitting capital city - Abuja, that can rank equal among the best in the world. We will continue to explore ways to meet up,” Ahmad said.

Godwin

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1AirtelAfricaPLC1,250.000.0%32.9%-23.5%-23.5%18.6%6.2%2.2% 2BUAFoodsPLC117.000.0%14.8%80.0%80.0%45.4%17.7%18.8x7.8x4.1%5.3% 3MTNNigeriaCommunicationsPLC229.000.0%8.0%6.5%6.5%91.7%13.2%12.9x10.8x6.8%7.8% 4GuarantyTrustHoldingCoPLC24.10-0.6%5.0%4.8%4.8%18.8%2.8%3.7x0.8x12.9%27.0% 5ZenithBankPLC24.150.6%4.7%0.6%0.6%16.7%2.0%3.3x0.5x13.3%30.6% 6DangoteCementPLC270.000.0%3.8%3.4%3.4%34.8%14.7%12.0x4.0x7.4%8.3% 7FBNHoldingsPlc12.00-0.4%2.8%10.1%10.1%24.6%2.2%2.2x0.5x2.9%46.4% 8LafargeAfricaPLC24.750.4%6.2%3.1%166.1%12.3%9.1%7.8x0.9x12.1%12.8% 9NestleNigeriaPLC1,043.800.0%1.9%-5.1%-5.1%110.1%12.8%17.5x17.8x5.9%5.7% 10AccessHoldingsPLC10.001.0%2.4%17.6%17.6%13.9%1.2%2.0x0.3x26.1%49.8% 11SEPLATEnergyPLC1,175.000.0%2.0%11.3%6.8%5.7%2.8%14.3x0.8x4.0%7.0% 12UnitedBankforAfricaPLC8.401.8%1.9%10.5%10.5%20.4%1.7%1.6x0.3x13.1%61.5% 13EcobankTransnationalInc12.00-3.2%1.5%13.2%13.2%19.1%1.0%2.2x0.4x4.2%45.0% 14NigerianBreweriesPLC32.100.0%1.0%-21.7%-21.7%-6.3%-1.9%1.6x4.0%-4.2% 15StanbicIBTCHoldingsPLC37.50-0.3%1.4%12.1%12.1%22.4%2.9%4.9x1.1x9.3%20.4% 16OkomuOilPalmPLC171.500.0%1.1%3.9%3.9%47.7%23.5%10.1x4.8x6.9%9.9% 17FidelityBankPLC5.704.0%1.2%31.0%31.0%16.7%1.4%3.1x0.5x7.0%32.2% 18InternationalBreweriesPLC4.450.0%0.8%-5.3%-5.3%-19.2%-5.2%1.0x-20.7% 19FlourMillsofNigeriaPLC31.100.0%0.9%9.5%9.5%11.4%2.5%6.1x0.7x16.5% 20GuinnessNigeriaPLC70.000.0%0.5%1.0%1.0%13.4%5.1%24.6x2.0x10.4%4.1% 21FCMBGroupPlc4.070.0%0.5%5.7%5.7%12.7%1.3%2.3x0.3x6.1%43.5% 22UnitedCapitalPLC12.90-0.8%0.4%-7.9%-7.9%38.7%1.6%7.9x2.9x11.6%12.6% 23BUACementPlc90.000.0%0.4%-7.9%-7.9%25.0%12.6%30.2x7.4x3.3% 24AXAMansardInsurancePLC2.50-0.4%0.5%25.0%25.0%13.3%3.4%4.6x0.8x12.0%21.8% 25PrescoPLC147.80-2.0%0.4%7.5%7.5%53.4%13.5%7.6x3.5x1.4%13.1% 26DangoteSugarRefineryPLC18.900.0%0.4%17.8%17.8%36.5%12.3%3.9x1.4x7.9%25.5% 27PZCussonsNigeriaPLC12.500.0%0.3%10.1%10.1%29.0%8.7%4.2x1.2x7.7%23.8% 28TransnationalCorpofNigeria2.849.7%0.8%151.3%151.3%6.4%1.5%17.1x1.1x1.8%5.8% 29WemaBankPLC4.200.0%0.2%7.7%7.7%16.9%1.0%3.0x0.7x7.1%33.5% 30TotalEnergiesMarketingNigeri217.500.0%0.2%12.7%12.7%34.8%5.8%4.6x1.6x11.5%22.0% 31UnionBankofNigeriaPLC7.000.0%0.2%9.4%9.4%13.9%1.4%5.7x0.7x17.6% 32CustodianandA lliedInsurance5.80-2.5%0.1%-2.5%-2.5%18.0%5.4%3.2x0.5x11.2%31.3% 33JaizBankPLC0.93-2.1%0.1%1.1%1.1%27.4%2.1%4.3x1.1x52.6%23.1% 34JuliusBergerNigeriaPLC31.008.8%0.2%26.5%26.5%14.4%1.6%7.3x0.9x8.1%13.7% 35UnileverNigeriaPLC13.150.4%0.1%13.4%13.4%7.8%4.2%14.2x1.1x1.9%7.1% 36OandoPLC6.109.9%0.1%55.6%55.6%3.2%2.0x49.8% 37SterlingFinancialHoldingsCo1.75-1.1%0.1% 38ChampionBreweriesPLC4.200.0%0.0%-23.6%-23.6%15.3%11.0%35.2x3.0x2.8% 39NotoreChemicalIndustriesLtd62.500.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%-13.0%-2.8%1.9x-18.9% 40TranscorpHotelsPlc7.500.7%0.0%20.0%20.0%3.5%1.9%33.9x1.2x1.7%3.0%

TickerPricePriceChg%

OANDO6.109.9%

NCR2.819.8%

TRANSCORP2.849.7%

IKEJAHOTEL1.719.6%

JBERGER31.008.8%

LIVESTOCK1.107.8%

WAPIC0.467.0%

COURTVILLE0.467.0%

NAHCO12.906.6%

CORNERST0.684.6%

TickerPricePriceChg%

CWG1.87-9.7%

NEM4.12-9.5%

ROYALEX0.50-7.4%

CUTIX2.32-4.1%

AIICO0.57-3.4%

ETI12.00-3.2%

FTNCOCOA0.31-3.1%

CHIPLC0.66-2.9%

CUSTODIAN5.80-2.5%

JAIZBANK0.93-2.1%

TickerVolumePriceChg%

TRANSCORP190.99.7%

ACCESSCORP125.11.0%

FBNH79.7-0.4%

UBA39.11.8%

ROYALEX27.9-7.4%

ZENITHBANK18.80.6%

GTCO17.6-0.6%

STANBIC17.2-0.3%

SOVRENINS11.30.0%

MANSARD8.1-0.4%

TickerValuePriceChg%

ACCESSCORP1245.81.0%

FBNH956.5-0.4%

STANBIC646.8-0.3%

TRANSCORP530.89.7%

ZENITHBANK452.10.6%

GTCO423.4-0.6%

UBA324.31.8%

MTNN131.90.0%

PRESCO83.7-2.0%

NAHCO76.36.6%

RATES AS AT MAY 15,2023

Nigeria’s N12.1trn 2023 Budget Deficit May Widen as Oil Production Shrinks by 58m Barrels in Four Months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria’s already high budget deficit of N12.1 trillion may widen in 2023, following the country’s underproduction of crude oil to the tune of 58 million barrels in the first four months of this year, THISDAY analysis of data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has shown.

While the country has a benchmark oil production of 1.69 million bpd for the year, Nigeria has barely managed to produce 70 per cent of that figure between January and April.

A review of the data indicated that while Nigeria was supposed

to produce an average of 202.8 million barrels for the period under consideration, going by the budget projection, but the country was able to drill 144.8 million barrels, leaving a deficit of 57.94 million in the first four months.

With the production benchmark set by the National Assembly, Nigeria is supposed to have an output of 50.7 million barrels every month. However, it has fallen short consistently below that figure this year, even though it’s an improvement on production for most of 2022.

The national assembly had also increased Nigeria’s crude oil benchmark to $75 per barrel from

the previous $70 per barrel. At the time , the federal said the country will be able to fund the 2023 budget if Nigeria met the 1.69 bpd benchmark.

But it now appears from data coming out of the industry that that aspiration remains a pipedream.

In all, the country’s output was 39 million barrels in January, 36.5 million barrels in February and 39.3 million barrels in March. April was the most-hit in terms of the volume of oil drilled, with Nigeria only able to produce 29.95 million barrels out of the over 50 million barrels expected cumulative production for the month.

Last week, THISDAY reported that after a period of seeming respite,

Nigeria’s crude oil production fell to a seven-month low of 998,602 barrels per day in April, a blow to recent gains made from the renewed efforts by the federal government to tackle oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

But the depleted production figure last month was partly connected with the shutting down of oil platforms and declaration of force majeure by Exxon Mobil in Nigeria mid last month, especially at the Qua Iboe asset.

The decision to declare force majeure followed an industrial action by the company’s in-house workers union, the company said in a statement in April. The NUPRC data

revealed that the last time Nigeria had production less than 1 million was in August last year when it produced 972,394 barrels per day.

On January 3, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the N21.83 trillion 2023 Appropriation Bill into law, the largest in Nigeria’s budget in history. It was based on a N10.49 trillion revenue, N12.1 trillion deficit and N6.31 trillion estimate for debt servicing.

From the total revenue of N10.49 trillion, independent revenue had the highest share of N2.62 trillion, non-oil revenue had N2.43 trillion, while N2.23 trillion was expected from oil revenue.

The key assumptions included an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel;

exchange rate at N435.57 per dollar; oil production of 1.69 million barrels per day and inflation rate of 17.16 per cent. Many experts, including the Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Asset Management, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, had recently expressed dissatisfaction over the budget deficit figure. According to him, the 2023 budget was about 4.3 per cent deficit of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that such budget deficit may plunge Nigeria into huge borrowing capable of creating economic setback for the country.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

FG: $1.3bn Zungeru Hydroelectric Plant Completed, Ready for Inauguration

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Power, Abubakar

Aliyu, has revealed that the 700 megawatts Zungeru Hydroelectric power project has been completed, stressing that the facility will be able to send power to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) soon.

THISDAY learnt that the project worth over $1.3 billion, is being constructed by CNEEC and SINOHYDRO in Niger state, Nigeria. It is said to be the second-largest hydroelectric power project in the country behind the 760 megawatts (1,020,000 hp) Kainji hydroelectric power project.

The minister, who spoke while on inspection visit of the project in the company of members of the Senate committee on Power chaired by Senator Gabriel Suswam and the governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello, pointed out that all the turbines had been tested and plans were being

concluded for the official launch of the project.

Aliyu said the last time a project like Zungeru Hydroelectric Power project was executed by the Nigerian government was in 1960’s, adding that the huge investment in Zungeru power plant was part of the federal government’s

commitment to improving electricity supply across the country.

Aliyu who also posted images from the visit on his social media handles, added that apart from giving more power to Nigerians, the project is currently providing employment for many Nigerians and will provide flood control,

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irrigation, as well as water supply to the people. Also speaking, the Governor of Niger state, Bello, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the completion of the project.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Fashola Emerges 42nd Continental Shelter Afrique’s Chairman

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) representing Nigeria, has emerged the Chairman of Shelter Afrique (SHAF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau.

The minister emerged at the company’s’ 42nd AGM after an election held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in

Abuja.

A statement by the Director Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Blessing LereAdams, quoted Fashola as expressing humility yet with deep sense of responsibility while responding to the acceptance of his nomination as the new chairman of SHAF.

“The Nigerian government is transiting to another administration in 18 days

time , we are embracing change but this is what SHAF needs to make progress.

“The change comes in different shapes, like changing board members, new ways of raising funds, having new directions. But the organisation needs to introduce new strategies to restructure SHAF, ”Fashola stated.

The outgoing Chairman of

Shelter Afrique AGM Bureau & Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Daniel Garwe, while making his remark said the housing sector in Africa still has a lot of work to excel. The housing sector needs help in wealth creation, and employment in Africa, “he stated. He encouraged members to pay their subscriptions to help the company to survive

TCN Expands Transmission Capacity in Kaduna Region

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that it has completed many projects in all the states under the company’s Kaduna region, which includes Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. The region is in charge of the 330kV line supply power to Niamey in Niger Republic.

A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs of the organisation, Ndidi Mbah, noted that within the last three years, several projects had been executed in the region. She stressed that while some of them are completely new, others include the upgrade of existing infrastructure such as new line projects or lines ‘reconductoring’,

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plus the execution of new substations or upgrading with new transformers and connecting them to the transmission network.

“TCN has also procured and delivered transformer accessories and other spares to the region to enable it function more efficiently and to ensure prompt attendance to fault.

“As is with other regions of TCN, the Kaduna region is diligently pursuing

projects within the region in line with the Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP) of the present management of TCN,” Mbah said.

She listed some of them as the installation of 60MVA, 132/33kV transformer in Gusau Substation, Zamfara State, commissioning of 330/132/33kV line isolator at Zaria

NBET Gets Gold Level Award from BPSR, Scores 86.7%

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has awarded the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) a gold level award for its consistent performance, reforms and overall efficiency.

The award, which was received by the organisation in Abuja, followed the agency’s implementation of the bureau’s Self Assessment Tool (SAT).

Speaking at the event, the Director General, BPSR, Dr Dasuki Arabi, said the manager and administrator of the electricity pool had a performance score of 86.7 per cent, which translates to a gold level award.

“Access to information from the agency was 100 per cent. This is very rare in the public service. We found NBET as an organisation that exceeds expectations. This means that NBET performance consistently exceeds expectations in all areas of responsibility.

“We have identified your agency as one of those building blocks that will take Nigerian public service to be among the first 20 public services of the world by 2025,” Arabi stated.

Also speaking, the Managing

Director, NBET, Dr Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, said he started improving efficiency at NBET when he assumed office three years ago, stressing that the organisation is now open to public scrutiny.

“We value this as a feedback mechanism. We appreciate having a pat on the back, but what is even more important is being able to lead the reform agenda going forward,” he stressed.

He described the assessment as frank, noting that since the agency handles billions of payments, it implemented the whistleblowing policy and an anticorruption unit, procurement staff have also been trained on government processes.

Ewelukwa said NBET also made a case for funding in the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) to help inboard training, strengthening system and automating processes.

He added: “I believe that we have about a $1 million donor funding. We are looking at providing a real-time portal for power sector payments. We are automating our processes to bring in more transparency into our work.”

in the face of Covid -19 pandemic in its aftermath while emphasising that Africa needed housing for its citizens.

The previous election of SHAF was held in Cameron

in 2021. Subsequently, Rwanda will be chairing the next meeting in 2024. Nigeria is now the current host of the 2023 meeting, while Algeria will host the AGM in 2025.

Climate Crisis: World Not Ready To ‘Switch Off’ Fossil Fuels, Says UAE

Substation, installation and commissioning of new distance protection relays for 330kV Jos line at Mando-Kaduna town substation and conversion of 33kV underground secondary armoured cable to overhead aluminium conductor on 60MVA 132/33kV transformer.

“As TCN continues to implement its grid expansion plans in Kaduna region and in every other state of the federation, the challenges notwithstanding, our goal is to put in place a very robust transmission grid comparable to any in the world,” she stated.

The United Arab Emirates Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Almheiri, has said phasing out fossil fuels would hurt countries that either depend on them for revenue or cannot easily replace hydrocarbons with renewable energy sources. Nigeria and some selected African countries which produce hydrocarbons have been under immense pressure to dump the natural resources and embrace cleaner sources of fuels.

But the minister said that she favours phasing out fossil fuel emissions using capture and storage technology while ramping up renewable energy, saying this strategy allows countries to fight global warming while continuing to produce oil, gas and coal, AlJazeera reported.

“The renewable space is advancing and accelerating extremely fast, but we are nowhere near to be able to say that we can switch off fossil

fuels and solely depend on clean and renewable energy,” Almheiri said on the sidelines of a climate conference in Washington, DC.

“We are now in a transition, and this transition needs to be just and pragmatic because not all countries have the resources,” she added.

The comments reflect deep divisions among nations over how to combat the growing danger from climate change ahead of UN negotiations, known as COP28, to be held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.

Some wealthy Western governments and clima te-afflicted island nations have been pushing for a phase-out of fossil fuels while resource-rich countries have campaigned to keep drilling.

This month, the Group of Seven countries with the largest and longest developed economies agreed to hasten their phase-out of fossil fuel consumption although they did not set a firm date.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Dele Oye: NACCIMA’s Incoming Helmsman and His Daunting Mission to Reawaken Nigeria’s Tottering Economy

With industrial capacity utilisation hovering around 50 per cent, exchange rate fluctuating like a see-saw and inflation galloping over 17 per cent, Nigeria’s economy is heading for the brinks. Pundits have prescribed varied interventions to mitigate a total collapse of the economy. But they don’t seem to have done much good. Nigeria is now clearly in need of economic messiahs to steady this sinking ship. This is why the emergence of Dele Oye as the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has become the toast of stakeholders and top players in the Nation’s private sector. Oye whose contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy over the years stands tall, is no doubt what the private sector needs at this time.

He appears to be a child of circumstance, ascending the exalted seat of the NACCIMA President at such a time as this. The task before him is onerous as it is daunting. For a few years to come, he shall bear on his shoulders the weighty responsibility of leading a significant segment of the nation’s private sector. How he fares will certainly have significant consequences on the country. Many are however confident that Dele Oye possesses the pedigree to perform.

Investment consultant, Mr. Igbinidu Inneh says that if what Dele Oye did with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 2008 and 2011 is anything to go by, then the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture would have a good story to tell in a few months.

On assumption of office as president of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2008, Oye declared that his goal was to continually move the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from just a city dominated by public sector activities to one in which the private sector is vibrant, and shortly after, results followed this declaration. Within a few years, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry acquired a large expanse of land along Airport Road in Abuja.

Dele Oye embarked on an ambitious construction of the chamber’s permanent office and conference centre. Many considered this drive to be a tall order and therefore unattainable. However, a few months later, the first phase of the brand-new Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Permanent Building and Conference Centre was completed. Although it’s been over a decade since Oye moved on from being the president of the chamber, his name still sitting firmly on the Dele Oye Hall in the ACCI premises is a testament to Oye’s remarkable accomplishments when he led the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Since then, the chamber and the Abuja business community have consistently recorded remarkable growth and development with numerous businesses and investments sprouting up across the Federal Capital Territory, including the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) massive plant, amongst others.

Oye, an experienced lawyer and astute entrepreneur with over 33 years of practice in litigation, is considered by many in the business community as a skilled and highperforming business leader, who is set to cement a durable legacy in the world of commerce and business. Many believe that his fine background and experience in the private sector could be an asset in advancing NACCIMA’s agenda of promoting economic growth and development in Nigeria.

Industry watchers consider Oye to be renowned for his strategic thinking, sound judgment, and exceptional business acumen, which they say helped him build and lead successful businesses, including MST West Africa Limited and MST Properties West Africa Limited. These are the attributes they believe Dele Oye will effectively deploy in charting a new course for the next phase of growth for the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines,

and Agriculture and transforming the fortunes of the country’s private sector and business community at large.

A senior policy analyst and lecturer at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nosakhare Ikponmwosa posits that Dele Oye’s exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship acumen, and commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive are second to none.

“He has a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern businesses in Nigeria and is highly skilled in providing strategic advice to help businesses navigate complex challenges. These expertise are more than needed at this time when the Nigerian business community is in dire need of a messiah with the strategic thinking and drive to tackle the many challenges bedeviling the subsector and spur business development for sustainable economic growth,” Ikponmwosa noted.

Dele Oye serves as director in several companies and firms including Clement Clariben Nigeria Limited, a company into general contracts with over 10 years of experience. Oye successfully harmonizes his far-reaching responsibilities as a Legal Practitioner with other institutional and executive responsibilities at various organizations and institutions both in the legal profession and in the organized private sector. As the National Deputy President of the NACCIMA and Chairman of the Nigeria-Turkey Business Council

(NTBC), he has been at the forefront of advocating for the interests of Nigerian businesses both locally and internationally.

As the new president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Oye is set to face one of the most pressing challenges plaguing the nation - the relentless surge of inflation and the burdensome increase in exercise duties. But industry analysts are of the opinion that Oye’s vast and extensive years of experience as a seasoned entrepreneur and distinguished business leader, both in the private and public spheres, will undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable asset in tackling this daunting task.

Oye, they stated, has performed

excellently in every leadership role he occupied during his highly decorated career. A private sector top player once described him as a goal getter, an achiever per excellence.

“With an unparalleled business acumen and unmistakable drive to succeed even in the most trying times, Oye is more than capable of navigating the choppy waters of economic instability and steering the Nigerian business landscape toward a brighter and more prosperous future,” added investment consultant, Mr. Igbinidu Inneh.

Another issue that the business community faces in Nigeria is inadequate infrastructure, including poor roads, unreliable electricity supply, and limited access to finance, which pose as factors that hinder business growth and development. Pundits are however optimistic that Oye, as the head of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, could use his influence to advocate for policies and reforms that address these issues.

According to a top player in the private sector, “Amendments to the constitution for states to generate and distribute power and also run rail networks, provides a huge opportunity for Oye to galvanize the private sector to actualize these grand plans.”

Oye’s emergence also presents an opportunity for NACCIMA to strengthen its collaboration with the government and other stakeholde rs. The Nigerian business community, including the private sector and government needs to work together to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. With his charismatic leadership style and exceptional communication skills, Oye is known as a natural at building relationships and forging partnerships. He is said to have a vast network of contacts, both in the private and public sectors, which he could leverage to create value and drive economic growth.

The incoming NACCIMA helmsman is believed to have the pedigree and expertise to deliver on the lofty role. As he takes on this daunting task, he has the opportunity to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy. If his visionary leadership and commitment to excellence were anything to come by, Oye makes a perfect fit for leading NACCIMA to new heights and positioning Nigerian businesses for success in a rapidly changing global economy.

“Amendments to the constitution for states to generate and distribute power and also run rail networks, provides a huge opportunity for Oye to galvanize the private sector to actualize these grand plans.”

With the nation’s economy in dire straits, what prospects for the private sector as Dele Oye takes over as President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, asks Gilber Ekwugbe

Oye

Customers Commend Stambic IBTC Pension Managers Training for Intending Retirees

Adibe Emenyonu

Would be retirees have commended the board and management of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers for a training which centred on well-being and how to handle finances.

Some of the Customers who graced the training, Mr. Joseph Osaro and Mrs. Joy Osayi expressed optimism on the lectures they received, saying the enlightenment would go a long way to impact on their health situation positively, and financial well-being upon retirement.

They are of the opinion that the knowledge and learning gained, will enable them know the appropriate steps to take when embarking on

their verification process and to facilitate all their pension documents.

Pre-retirement seminar is an initiative of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers that brings together employees close to retirement to equip and prepare them for life after an active service in paid employment.

This year’s edition with the them: “Making the Best of Your Post-Work Life,” was also aimed on how to see how much workers can increase their monetary contributions, and how much more they can let go before their retirement journey.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the one day seminar in Benin City, Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Manager, Mrs

Nike Bajomo, urged workers and clients to always write their “Will” and key into the insurance policy to enable them get compensation from those insurance firms they are involved in case of any eventually.

Bajomo while appealing to the customers to listen to whatever the guest speakers will teach them, added that whatever they learnt at the seminar, will prepare them for the next phrase of life upon retirement.

She said, “Finally, on behalf of the Board and the Management of Stanbic IBTC Pension managers, I will like to thank you all for making us your pension board agitator towards your retirement. We are honour to have the opportunity to achieve your retirement goals.

Bigoz Logistics Redeems N655m Series 1 Trance A Commercial Paper, Repay Subscribers

Bigoz Logistics Limited has announced the maturity and successful redemption of its debut N655 million Series 1 Tranche A under its N20 Billion Commercial Paper Programme.

The N655 million 270-day Series 1 Tranche A Commercial Paper which was issued and quoted in August 2022 on the FMDQ Securities Exchange, matured on the 5th of May, 2023. In line with best practice, the Exchange has been informed of the repayment. Pathway Advisors Limited acted as the Financial Adviser/Arranger while Qualinvest Capital Limited was the sponsor.

Bigoz Logistics is rated A (Positive outlook) by Datapro

Limited evidencing the Company’s good funding profile, diversified revenue, good capitalization, good liquidity profile, good credit quality and experienced management team.

The Managing Director of Bigoz Logistics Limited, Mr. Bright Ajaegbu in a statement said, “We are pleased to have fully repaid all the investors in the Series 1 Tranche A issuance. We show gratitude to all the institutional investors for their participation and reiterate our commitment to be a counterparty that can be counted on for the long term. This CP redemption reflects Bigoz’s capacity to meet its financial obligations as at when due. Bigoz would continue

to tap into the domestic capital market to fund its working capital needs to exponentially grow its business.”

Bigoz Logistics Limited is a 3rd-Party Logistics (3PL) service provider with business focus on freight forwarding, project logistics management, shipping agency, haulage and supply-chain management. Its services include packaging solution, general warehousing, supply sales, consulting services, logistics, delivery solutions, custom clearance, courier services and specialized warehousing.

The Company commenced operations on 3rd January 2019 and based in Lagos.

CIBN Lagos Branch Gets New Chairman

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, has elected new executive members, with Mr. Adeyemo Adeoye emerging the new chairman.

The branch which emerged the overall best branch at the banking conference held in Abuja last year, saw Mr. Peter Ashade handing over to his successor having successfully served out his two terms.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the branch, the newly

elected chairman, Adeoye, acknowledged the need for an investment desk dedicated to Lagos State that would help investors get necessary information prior to their arrival.

He however, maintained that it is an opportunity to give his very best to the progress of the branch because it is the best in the institute for now having served in various capacities before now. For the outgoing Chairman, Ashade, it is pertinent to mention that the

R-L: Former Director, Special Duties, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Lami Tumaka and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman during the Book Reading and Signing Ceremony of Bala Usman’s book titled, “Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority in Lagos… recently

branch recorded a reasonable surplus despite the challenges that were prevalent in 2022 even as a non-profit organisation.

“The Branch have sustained the standard of our fore bearers by constantly maintaining the branch’s first position as the Overall Best Branch for the year 2022 and also as the Best Branch in Membership Drive during the assessment of Branches at the Banking Conference held in Abuja in September 2022. Once again.”

Artificial Intelligence Empowers FastCash Customersto Access More Capital

Kayode Tokede

FastCash has been enhanced with Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to ensure that more individuals and households have access to capital to meet emergency obligations under friendly repayment terms.

The enhanced instant loan solution, powered by First City Monument Bank (FCMB), is designed to significantly close the access to finance gap in the country, reduce poverty and promote financial inclusion.

FastCash is a collateral-free, convenient and easy-to-access personal digital loan product that provides credit up to N200,000

to existing customers of FCMB in less than five minutes to meet emergency needs, such as school fees payment for children and medical fees. Customers can conveniently access the loan through the FCMB New Mobile App or by dialling the Bank’s USSD code, *329*11#.

FastCash’s integration of Artificial Intelligence enables customers to access loans tailored to their ability to repay flexibly, providing a personalised banking experience. Additionally, customers with a good repayment history can increase their current loan without having to pay off the existing loan. Another advantage is the ability to top up a loan with friendly

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

repayment terms for a specific amount. This feature benefits every customer who needs to borrow more.

Commenting on this digital milestone, the Divisional Head of Personal Banking of FCMB, Mr Shamsideen Fashola, in a statement said, “The enhancement of FastCash with Artificial Intelligence is a bold move and statement of our intent to leverage technology to deliver secure, convenient and accessible offerings to our teeming customers. We realise the financial challenges facing people, and as a responsive Bank, we are committed to providing solutions that are impactful and beneficial in a sustainable manner.”

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).

NGX Reiterates Commitment to Upholding Market Transparency Rules, Regulations

Kayode Tokede

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), yesterday reiterated its commitment to supporting the enforcement of regulations that enhanced transparency in the capital market, urging investors to comply with rules on disclosure of substantial holdings in listed companies. Recall a circular to the market recently in which NGX stated that lack of appropriate

disclosures by investors was a breach of its rules and other extant market regulations.

According to NGX, the act also impacted market transparency and fairness as it creates information asymmetry. This, according to experts, could hamper price discovery, regulatory oversight and the accuracy of public disclosures.

The Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Mr.

Jude Chiemeka noted that NGX is fully committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the Nigerian capital market.

According to him, “We urge all investors to comply with our rules and regulations regarding the disclosure of substantial interests in listed companies.”

He added that refusing to comply with these guidelines creates information

asymmetry, distorts public information and market data, and undermines the confidence of investors in our market.

He explained that “The Exchange will continue to take necessary actions to ensure compliance and promote a level playing field for all market participants.”

The circular reminded investors of Rule 17.13 of the Rulebook of the Exchange,

Issuers’ Rules, 2015, titled “Disclosure of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Shares” which requires every Issuer to notify NGX immediately; about any transaction that takes the beneficial ownership of its shares to five per cent or more not later than 10 business days after such transaction.

The circular also quoted the Rulebook’s section on

free float requirements, Rule 2.2 which states, “Each Issuer shall incorporate in its halfyear financial statement filed with NGX its shareholding pattern, and also indicate whether or not its free float is in compliance with NGX’s free float requirements for the Board on which it is listed.” Investors and all stakeholders are reminded to be guided by the provisions of the above NGX rules and circular.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF MAY/15/23

New Resolve to Confront Criminals in Anambra

Months after Governor Charles Soludo tackled criminality, especially acts of terror by 'unknown gunmen' in Anambra State, there seems to be a resurgence. David-Chyddy

concerted efforts by the state government to stem the tide and rid the state of criminal elements

Anew set of criminals have recently besieged Anambra State, after the governor of the state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo seemed to have defeated killer gunmen, also known as unknown gunmen.

Previously, the state was held hostage by dreaded gunmen, who engaged in daily killings, beheading of victims, kidnap of motorists and open shootout in busy junctions in most towns in the state, until the governor gave orders to security forces who battled them to a standstill.

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, working with security agencies declared war on them, pounding them in their various hideouts on a daily basis, until their strength waned. But, just as the state is about to heave a sigh of relief from the activities of the bloodsuckers, a new set of criminals seemed to have arrived the state, just as small crimes have become a regular occurrence.

In recent times, most parts of the Anambra State capital, Awka have become difficult to pass by at odd times, with criminals operating in tricycles now terrorizing residents of the city. The thieves, who operate with locally made arms and in a group of four or more, usually operate using tricycles.

Their strategy is usually to swoop on unsuspecting people, sometimes in a beer joint, and disposes all of their phones. This is as hardened criminals too carry out operations at interval. This include the killing of four police men at a checkpoint at Umunze, on May 4.

A source told THISDAY that their since after the cashless was to carry around POS machines. "They carry POS machines with them, but sometimes, they simply raid a place and take away people's phones, which they now use the SIM cards to try to access their bank accounts."

A female journalist (name withheld) recently experienced this fate, when her husband was kidnapped. She told this reporter that the incident happened right in front of their house, after they returned home from shopping. The husband had alighted from the car to open the gate when some men, ridding in a tricycle ordered him back into the car at gunpoint, while the female journalist and her children were pushed out, and her husband taken to an unknown destination.

The journalist who recently had a baby was to have her child dedication on the weekend before the incident happened, forcing the family to put a hold on the incident. The man was released, after he was forced to transfer money running into millions, from his account to those of his captors.

In another incident, this reporter almost fell victim to gun-totting young men. The reporter was approached by a robber wielding a pump action riffle, which he held to the head of this reporter, demanding for his phone. Through a stroke of luck, the reporter flung the phone far away from both himself and the robber, and dashed in a different direction, causing the robber to release a shot in the air, before taking to his heels, abandoning this reporter and even the phone.

In Onitsha, armed robbers operating in mini

buses, also known as 'one chance' robbers have taken over the town. They usually pose as commuters, and once they pick up a passenger, they force-drive them to an area where they rob them of their belongings, or even hold them hostage until ransom is paid.

An Onitsha resident, Mrs Gloria Anaeze said: "Once you are boarding public transport in Onitsha, be it tricycle, minibus or normal buses, you must be on the alert, else, you may just be handing yourself over to your kidnappers. I cannot count the number of times I have lost phones to hoodlums in Onitsha."

But recently, there seems to be a new resolve by the Anambra State governor to ensure that criminals are flushed out of the state. This can be seen in the many operations that security operatives, including the police and the Anambra State Vigilante have undertaken.

Press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime who spoke to THISDAY in an interview said the governor has given a matching order to security agencies in the state to rid the state of all criminal. He said: "Following the mandate and declaration by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, to rid Anambra State of all criminal elements, the Anambra State Security Forces on Sunday the 7th of May, 2023 effectively neutralized a deadly gang of kidnappers terrorizing innocent citizens along the

Nkpor-Umuoji-Ideani road.

"The gang of Kidnappers who had hitherto terrorized innocent citizens along that axis paid dearly with their lives when Security Forces acting on intelligence report swooped on the areas and engaged them in an intense gun battle. Four of the deadly criminals were dispatched to the great beyond, while other members of the gang were arrested. Those arrested are already in police net, and have been helping with information on their operations.”

The state police command on their part said that following the resurgence of crime in the state, and working on the instruction of the governor, the command has re-strategized in its operations, leading to the registration of some successes in the area of crime fighting.

In just one week, the command has registered various successes, which included the foiling of bank robbery, rescue of kidnap victims and killing of criminal elements, all in various parts of the state, including the killing of two criminals along Nkpor-Umuoji-Ideani road in the state.

The road had recently been declared unsafe, with many residents of the state, issuing travel advisory against using the road from 6pm. The gang was confronted on Sunday, after several complaints were made to the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo about the condition of the area.

Also, on Tuesday, armed men, suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday shot a bank security operatives in Ihiala, Anambra State. The men, according to Ikenga were in Ihiala to enforce a sit-at-home order, announced by IPOB. Ikenga

said: "The Outlawed group members armed with guns and other dangerous weapons came out in their numbers on motorbikes and started shooting sporadically.

"They were there to enforce sit at home order, and also attempted to rob a bank, to disrupt commercial activities and vehicular movement going on in Ihaila. They shot indiscriminately, and a stray bullet hit the chief security officer CSO of the bank on the leg and he has been taken to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. No life was lost. The joint operatives responded swiftly which made the armed men abandon their evil plan and took to their heels."

Meanwhile, a deadly trans-boarder criminal gang, consisting of four suspects have also been shot dead by security operatives in Anambra State. The leader of the criminal gang, popularly known as Odumodu was also shot dead. Odumodu is said to be behind many criminal activities in Imo and Anambra States. Sources said the deadly kidnapper, who runs a gang, operates from a camp in Imo State, from where he comes into Anambra to perpetuate criminality.

Aburime, who hinted of the killing said he was gunned down on Wednesday by security forces while on operation in Anambra State. Aburime in a short text to THISDAY said: "The dreaded Odumodu, leader of a criminal gang, operating from Imo State into border towns in Anambra was gunned down by the gallant Anambra security forces, with four others members. Four Ak47 and one Pump Actions riffles were recovered from the criminals by the gallant Security Forces. They also had two rocket launchers that were recovered, locally made bombs and several police and military uniforms.

Sharing another success story, Ikenga stated that on Wednesday evening, security forces took the battle to the camp of the gunmen in Ifite village, Ogbunike community of Oyi LGA, where they neutralized two of the armed men, recovered a black Lexus SUV with a lot of security uniforms which comprises of Police and military.

Also same day in Akwaihedi community, Nnewi South Local Government Area, a border town between Imo and Anambra State, security forces accosted a deadly gang of five operating on motorbikes suspected to be members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafia (IPOB), and Eastern Security Network ESN, who were en route to Anambra for a planned attack/operation.

He said: “The operatives engaged the assailants, neutralize five of the gang members, and recovered two rocket launchers, four Ak47 rifles, one automatic pump action, four magazines eight live ammunition, police berets, charms and other incriminating items.”

Ikenga, speaking on behalf of the state commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng assured that the command will not rest on its oars, until criminal elements on the state were totally annihilated.

“We want to state categorically that the synergy of Police, Military, other security agencies and vigilantes has helped immensely in the fight against the insurgents in the state. I urge everyone to cue in and continue to support the security agencies and the state government to bring security stability to the state.”

We want to state categorically that the synergy of police, military, other security agencies and vigilantes has helped immensely in the fight against the insurgents in the state. I urge everyone to cue in and continue to support the security agencies and the state government to bring security stability to the state

Eleke reports on the

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng

Anambra State Police commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng (right) with operatives of the state police command observing a member of armed gang killed by operatives

AK 47 rifle, a rocket launcher, consisting part of the arms recovered from bandits killed by police in Anambra State

SPECIAL FEC MEETING...

Buhari, Senate President Celebrate Hilda Baci for Placing Nigeria on Global Spotlight

Abutex Food, others congratulate chef for setting new Guinness World Record

Deji

Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade

in Abuja and Sunday Okobi in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, have shared in the joy of celebration as 27-year-old gourmet chef, Hilda Bassey Effiong, aka Hilda Baci, made history by breaking the world record of longest hours of cooking, finding her way into the Guinness Book of Records, and placing Nigeria on the global spotlight.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, lauded

the young culinary expert for turning her talent and passion into a career, with a rippling effect on the economy as she runs a restaurant in Lagos, and trains other talents on entrepreneurship, and now leads the world in resilience, perseverance, and consistency in cooking.

Buhari noted the antecedents of the restaurateur, who dazzled at the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021, preparing mouth-watering dishes that won the choice prize, and settled an age-long rivalry with Ghana on which African country should own the trademark for cooking better jollof- rice.

The president believed Hilda

Baci’s drive and ambition have brought more interest and insight into the uniqueness of Nigerian food, as another cultural icon, with huge tourism benefits, hoping more young people will follow in her footsteps.

President Buhari thanked the sponsors of Hilda Baci Cook-a-thon, government officials, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, celebrities from the bubbling music and movie industry, and fans of the chef for all the support that brought glory to the country.

The President wished Hilda Baci more grace for a prosperous career.

Alsoi, Lawan, congratulated Baci, for breaking the world record in cooking marathon.

Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said Baci's feat was a reminder to the entire world that Nigerians are talented and are capable of excelling in any endeavour .

Lawan said, "I celebrate Hilda Baci for breaking Guinness World record in 'longest cooking time. You have made us proud by again showing to the entire world that we have all it takes to excel in any task we set our hands on."

The Senate President commended the Lagos State government for the

Malami, 36 States Attorneys General, NBA to Agree on New Remuneration for Lawyers

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Worried by the harsh economic environment in the country, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, yesterday inaugurated the Legal Practitioner's Remuneration Committee to look into the remuneration of lawyers in the country.

The committee was inaugurated in conjunction with the Attorneys General of the 36 states of the federation and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Speaking at the occasion, Malami observed that finding a reasonable remuneration for legal services in Nigeria had been an issue of great controversy for legal practitioners, adding that, "It has, and is still eliciting heated intellectual and non-intellectual debates by various countervailing interests."

According to the minister, despite the existence of a scale of charges for legal services in Nigeria, there have been repeated debates for, and against its existence.

He stated that while some have argued that a lawyer’s fees cannot, and should not be pigeonholed to a scale of charges due to the unique nature of the legal profession, others, who canvass for its continued existence said it has created order and certainty in the expected remuneration for legal services.

"The committee will among other things regulate and standardise legal; practitioners '

remuneration which for us has overdue for review," he said.

According to him a situation where legal practitioners are paid pittance for the legal services they render must be thoroughly looked into and necessary steps taken to, not only safeguard the livelihood of lawyers, but ensure that legal practitioners are treated with the dignity and prestige they deserve.

He said the Committee therefore has the responsibility to critically review the scale of charges, taking into consideration prevailing challenges and experiences by legal practitioners as well as the nation’s current economic realities.

In carrying out its functions, Malami admonished the Committee to be fair and to discharge its statutory responsibilities without fear or favour and stressed that, particular consideration should be given to the new wigs and young lawyers, as a way to encourage their dedication and commitment to justice delivery.

He assured that his ministry would continue to fulfil its mandate of improving the administration of justice in Nigeria, by providing necessary support to the NBA and ensuring that the association was well positioned to address the legal needs of legal practitioners and Nigerians as a whole.

In his speech, the President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, said, the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee, which is a statutory committee, in line with the Legal Practitioners Act, allows

it to look at lawyers' remuneration.

He said, the last time lawyers' remuneration was looked at was in 1991 and commended the AGF for his collaboration with the NBA in ensuring efficient administration of justice delivery in the country.

In his speech, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos state, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, said, the

scale of charges was to help the client, who needs the service of lawyers and also assists the lawyers themselves.

"If you want to consult a lawyer, you will know from the scale of charges what your legal fee will be. It provides for more transparency when it comes to lawyers' charges. It is for the better for all us," he said.

tremendous support it gave Baci to showcase herself and Nigeria to the world.

In a related development, the Chief Executive Officer of Abutex Food Equipment, Abuchi Vincent Iloanya, has congratulated the trending Nigerian chef for setting a new Guinness World Record.

At exactly 08:32a.m. yesterday and standing on her feet for 88 hours and 32 minutes, the Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, cut global acclaim, by breaking the Guinness World Record for longest cooking time by an individual, a historic feat she began last Thursday, to surpass the previous record set by an Indian chef, Lata Tondon, set in 2019 of 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 secs.

Baci started her four-day cooking marathon challenge on May 11, at the Amore Gardens.

Abutex, in his congratulatory message made available to THISDAY yesterday, said:

"Congratulations to you my paddy on your incredible success. I saw that you work so hard every day to achieve this accomplishment, and I am so thrilled you reached your goal Hilda.

"Your perseverance is an inspiration to everyone you meet, and you earned all the commendations and rewards coming your way.

“This is no doubt, an incredible

milestone, and you deserve the spotlight to celebrate the moment. Cheers to you for a job well done the latest Guinness World Record holder.”

Meanwhile, her quest to make history has generated so much buzz among Nigerians who are still rallying support for her both on social media and at the venue of the cook-a-thon at Lekki, Lagos State.

Many dignitaries, including the president-elect, Bola Tinubu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) had shown support for Baci’s quest and lauded her resilience and grit.

On Sunday, Sanwo-Olu visited the chef at the Amore Gardens in the Lekki area of the state, and cheered her up. Also, the lead pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre Lagos, Bolaji Idowu; and Actor Charles Okocha, were among others who visited the chef.

Tiwa Savage, Spyro, Charles Okocha, Dremo, IK Osakioduwa, Eni Adeoluwa, Timini Egbuson, Liquorose, and Skiibii were also among the plethora of celebrities, who have thronged the venue to encourage the now global phenomenon and world record holder.

EFCC Asks Court to Stay Execution of Order on 14 Properties, N400m Linked to Kogi Governor

Wale Igbintade

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday asked Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, to suspend execution of his ruling, which struck out the suit seeking forfeiture of 14 properties as well as the sum of N400 million linked to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Justice Oweibo, on April 26, 2023, struck out a suit by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the properties on the grounds of provisions of Section 308(1) of the constitution.

The Judge had held that, “Given Section 308 of the Constitution, which provides immunity to a sitting governor from any civil/ criminal prosecution, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter,” and the suit was struck out.

However, at the resumed hearing

yesterday, counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of an application dated April 27, 2023, seeking a stay of execution of the ruling pending the outcome of the appeal on the case.

Responding, counsel to the respondent, Akoh Ocheni, urged the court to strike out the application for stay of execution by the EFCC for failure to complying with the rules of the court, by not filling a written address and attach same to the application.

But the EFCC lawyer told the court that a written address was filed on the same day as the application.

He showed the court a copy in his records, contending that, “the proceedings is no longer before the Court, but in transmission to the Court of Appeal.”

Justice Oweibo adjourned the matter sine die (Indefinitely).

Justice Oweibo had, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, granted an interim forfeiture of the properties in Lagos, Abuja and the United Arab Emirates and had also ordered the preservation of the sum of N400, 000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million Naira) recovered from one Aminu Falala, which, “is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity and intended to be used for the acquisition of Plot No. 1224 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island Lagos.”

During the proceedings on March 28, 2023, Oyedepo had informed the court that the Commission received a notice of intention to oppose the making of the preservation order, which it had equally responded to.

Responding, Yahaya Bello, in an application through his counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, had sought to vacate the order of the

court on the grounds that most of the properties sought to be forfeited were acquired by Bello before he became the Governor of the state.

However, Oyedepo had argued that “Where a state’s governor is reasonably suspected to have committed a financial crime, the state can investigate for evidence that will be used in prosecution when he no longer enjoys the immunity.” Oyedepo had also argued that the steps the prosecution was taking “is a step for preservation and it cannot be stopped.”

But Justice Oweibo in his Ruling held that “Given Section 308 of the Constitution, which provides immunity to a sitting governor from any civil/ criminal prosecution, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter.”

The Judge had, therefore, struck out the suit “for lack of jurisdiction.”

L-R: Minister of state for Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum; Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and the Minister of Transportation Muazi Jaji Sambo at the Federal Executives Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa , Abuja ….yesterday .

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

GIFTS FOR UZODIMMA...

Resident Doctors Begin 5-Day Warning Strike Tomorrow

FG opposes bill to halt medical doctors’ migration Says planned industrial action by doctors unnecessary Approves universal implementation of employee compensation act

Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Resident Doctors under the auspices of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have resolved to commenced a five-day warning strike to compel the federal government to attend its demands.

This was just as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its extraordinary meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, with an objection to the private member bill before the National Assembly seeking to control the migration of medical doctors for greener pastures abroad.

Addressing newsmen after the FEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, while commenting on the threat by doctors to go on a warning strike tomorrow, said the warning strike by the doctors was not necessary since government was already engaged with the NMA, their umbrella body.

At the end of the virtual NEC meeting held on Monday, NARD resolved to embark on a 5-day warning strike starting from Wednesday morning.

It said the warning strike would commence by midnight, 12 am Wednesday and end on Monday next week.

Although, the association was yet to formally issue its communiqué from the NEC meeting,

It said the Communiqué would be ready today, and that a notice of strike would be sent to the Federal Ministries of Health and Labour and Employment as required by the Trade Dispute law.

While confirming the doctors action, the immediate past President of NARD, Dr. Godiya Ishaya, said the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the NEC meeting of the association that ended Monday evening.

Resident Doctors had given the federal government a two-week ultimatum on April 29, to attend their demands.

However, NARD expressed sadness that the ultimatum ended on Saturday, May 13, without any move by government to respond to their grievances or reach out to them for talks.

The resident doctors had at the NEC meeting held on April 29, in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, demanded an immediate increment in the CONMESS salary structure to the tune of 200 percent of the current gross salary of Doctors in addition to other new allowances.

In the resolution, jointly signed by NARD president Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji and Secretary General, Dr. Chikezie Kelechi, the doctors also demanded immediate withdrawal and jettisoning of the ill-conceived bill by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson proposing restrictions on young doctors seeking to ply their trade outside the country.

NARD further demanded immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) in line with the agreements reached at the stakeholders' meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Health at the Honourable Minister of State for Health's conference room.

The doctors urged the government to commence of payment of all salary arrears owed to its members including 2014, 2015, and 2016 salary arrears as well as areas of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage.

In addition, the resident doctors demanded immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals and complete abolishment of bureaucratic limitations to the immediate replacement of doctors who leave the system.

In the same vein, NARD demanded immediate infrastructural development in the various hospitals without further delay and insists on at least 15 percent budgetary

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Despite the postponement of the national population and housing census, the National Population Commission (NPC) has assured Nigerians that it would conduct an acceptable and credible exercise anytime it is held.

The Federal Commissioner in Niger State, Alhaji Dattijo Usman, who stated this while addressing a news conference in Minna, yesterday, said everything had already

subsequently FG Opposes Bill to Halt Medical Doctors Migration

allocation to health

Meanwhile, FEC rose from its extraordinary meeting presided over by Osinbajo with an objection to the private member bill before the National Assembly seeking to control the migration of medical doctors for greener pastures abroad.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Ngige said the bill which had passed second reading at the House of Representatives was against extant Labour laws.

The sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives, Hon Ganiyu Johnson, representing Lagos State, had explained that the move was to check the mass exodus of medical professionals from the country.

The legislation was titled: "A Bill for an Act to amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M379, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,

2004 to mandate any Nigeria-trained medical or dental practitioner to practise in Nigeria for a minimum of five years before being granted a full licence by the council to make quality health services available to Nigeria; and for related matters."

Following the introduction of the bill, NARD had vowed that it would resist any attempt to enslave Nigerian medical doctors under any guise.

Responding to the bill before the legislative arm, Ngige declared: “Nobody can say they (doctors) will not get a practising licence till after five years. It will run counter to the laws of the land that have established the progression in the practice of medicine.

"I am a medical doctor. When you graduate from the medical school, you go on one-year apprenticeship called housemanship or internship as the case maybe. After your internship, you are now given a full licence because prior to that, what you have is a provisional licence of registration with the Nigerian Medical and Dental

Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

"So, after that intensive training, you were signed off by consultants and you became a fully qualified medical doctor to attend to human beings and to work without any supervision again. Supervision then is voluntary.

"Resident Doctors are those who have that full licence and they want to acquire post graduate speciality and speciality is known like surgeon, gynecologists, obstetrics, paediatrics and internal medicine of family medicine. So, they are doctors in training.

"The Bill in National Assembly cannot stop anybody from getting a full licence. That bill is a private members bill.

"In the National Assembly they attend to private members bills and executive bills. Executive bills emanate from the government into the National Assembly with a stamp of the executive.

"It is either sent by the Attorney General of the Federation or by the

President but usually from the Attorney General of the Federation. So, it's not an executive bill, it's a private members bill.

"That bill is moved by the man from Lagos. So, members of his constituency can tell him this is worrying us. Can't we check these doctors this way by you going to speak than put up a document?

"That document is as far as I am concerned not workable. Ab initio, I don't support it and I will never support it. Like I said before, it is like killing a fly with a sledge hammer.

"They should think of other ways if they are trying to check brain drain, there should be other ways.

"If a doctor has read on scholarship, you bond him, if a doctor has read on bursary you can bond him. If a doctor is trained like we are doing now on little or nothing which is like scholarship again because N50,000 a session per medical student is nothing when their counterparts oversees pay seventy thousand pounds for a session.

Alleged Forgery: Court Bars NYSC from Publishing Disclaimer against Enugu Governor-Elect, Mbah

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, in Abuja, on yesterday, restrained the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and it's Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, from issuing, publishing or continued to issue, publish disclaimer to the effect that the NYSC certificate of national service, issued to the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mbah was not issued by the Corps.

The order was sequel to an ex

parte application by Mbah filed on May 4, and argued by his lawyer, Emeka Ozoani SAN.

According to Ozoani, the application was brought pursuant to Section 13(1) & (2) of the Federal High Court Act Cap F12, Vol. 6, Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Order 26 Rule 6(1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

After hearing Mbah's counsel, Justice Ekwo granted prayer one on the motion paper for, "An order of interim injunction restraining

NPC: We Will Deliver Credible, Acceptable Census

been put in place to ensure hitch free exercise before the suspension of the head count

"We will deliver an acceptable census; it will be different from other census and we have established a framework that will work perfectly," Usman declared.

Part of the strategy to be adopted to ensure the exercise would be acceptable, he said was the decision to expunge anything that has to do with religion and ethnicity from the questionnaire saying,

"the questions do not include any aspects of religion or ethnicity. These two items if included will inflame the faggots of centrifugal forces, create unnecessary tension, cause needless controversy and effortlessly divert attention from the raison d’etre of census data meant for national planning and development."

The Federal Commissioner said while the conduct of the census had been suspended, "the Commission is currently retooling re-kitting and

re-strategising awaiting further necessary directives pertaining there to."

Usman, restated that the next census would be fully digital, transformative, adding that, "it differs as well in nature and scope from the previous censuses as it will be Population and Housing Census."

The Commissioner however declined to be drawn into the reason why the conduct of the census was suspended.

the Defendants and Respondents whether by themselves, their directors, officers, servants, legal representatives, counsel or any other person or persons howsoever described and connected, from issuing, publishing or continued to issue, publish disclaimer to the effect that the NYSC certificate of National Service dated 6th January, 2003, certificate No. A.808297 issued to the Plaintiff Barrister Mbah Peter Ndubuisi, in accordance with Section 11 of the National Youth Service Corps Decree No. 51 of 1993 was not issued by the National Youth Service Corps pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in this suit".

Consequently, the trial judge ordered the applicant to serve the defendants with court processes within two days of the order.

The motion ex parte was predicated on 10 grounds, which are as follows: "The plaintiff states that after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, returned to Nigeria and as a prerequisite to practise as Barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar part 1 programme of

the Nigerian Law School."

Mbah said upon completing the Bar Part 1 Exam, he had to wait for the Bar Part 2 programme, and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps programme.

The plaintiff said he was called up for the NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority, Apapa Quays for his primary assignment but was rejected by NPA, before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates.

"The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was approved to defer the NYSC in other to enable him complete the Bar final exam.

"Thereafter, the plaintiff was re-mobilized to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete”.

Mbah averred that upon completion of the NYSC service, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated 6th January 2003.

Meanwhile, the judge ordered Mbah to serve the order and other courts processes including hearing notice on the respondents and adjourned to May 22.

Imo State Commissioner for Public Orientation and Religious Affairs, Mr Ikechukwu Okonkwo (left), hands over gifts from the first batch of Imo pilgrims to Governor Hope Uzodimma (right) while Chaplain of Government House Owerri, Rev. Dr. Gilbert Alaribe watches in admiration at the Chapel... on Sunday.

FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH INTERDENOMINATIONAL SWITCH 2.0...

Appeal Court Stays Enforcement of Order Suspending Seplat’s CEO, Others

Wale Igbintade

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday, stayed the enforcement of an order made by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja suspending the management of Seplat Energy Plc from office.

Those suspended were the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, and Board Chairman, Mr. Basil Omiyi.

Besides, the court 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.

Others suspended pending the determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by some aggrieved shareholders of the company, were some independent members of the Board of Directors.

Dissatisfied, Seplat Energy in its notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal by its team of lawyers led my Mr. D.D Dodo, Bode Olanipekun and Audu Anuga, urged the appellate court to set aside the interim order.

In a further affidavit in support of motion ex-parte, deposed to by Adoga Moses, a Litigation Clerk, in the employment of Wole Olanipekun & Co, the appellant stated that out of 588,444,561 issued shares of the appellant/applicant, the plaintiffs at the lower court have cumulative shares of 131 units. In breaking it down, the deponent stated that the 1st plaintiff has 100 units of shares while the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs have 31 and 30 units respectively.

According to him, “he cumulative percentage shareholding of the plaintiffs who have obtained

disruptive orders against the applicant amounts to 0.00002736 per cent.

“The action of the plaintiffs and the orders granted by the lower court have the implication of diminishing the share value of the applicant who has dual listings on the Nigerian and London Stock exchanges as well as cause panic in the capital market and reduce investor confidence.

“Even before the orders of the lower court were served, same had been given wide publicity across various news outlets. Now shown to me, attached hereto and

marked as Exhibits 10, 11 and 12 are copies of news reports with global reach relating to the orders of ex parte injunction granted by the lower court.

“The applicant is at the risk of irreparable damage to its brand, business, investor equity, contractual and statutory obligations if the orders sought are not granted.

‘’It is in the interest of justice to grant this application and the balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant.

Ruling on the application a threeman panel of the Appeal Court comprising of Justices Muhammad

At Special FEC, 40 out of 47 Memoranda Considered

Reiterates Nigeria Air will fly before May 29 Approves N14bn for training of N-power beneficiaries

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, treated only 40 out of 47 memoranda from various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Briefing newsmen after the FEC meeting, Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi, while confirming the number

of memos presented before FEC reaffirmed the seriousness of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to ensure that the proposed national airliner, Nigeria Air, works before the 29th of this month, when it will be leaving office.

His words: “Yes, we are on course, we're on course, and by the grace of God before President Buhari leaves office, it will fly. We are on course, we are on course and before May

Igbinedion University Set to Launch Distance Learning Programme

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, has stated that the institution would soon commence an open and distance learning programme.

Ezemonye, said the programme would cater for the needs of those who are unable to undertake fulltime mode of study in the university.

He disclosed this recently, as part of the IUO’s future expansion plans during the 24th Founder’s Day Lecture that marked the 24th anniversary of the IUO. The IUO holds the pedigree as the first licensed private university in Nigeria.

The lecture, whose theme was “Advancing Higher Education Legacy Through Partnership: Private Sector Engagement,” was delivered by the South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku.

Guests at the event included a former Governor of Edo State, Dr. Lucky Igbinedion, who is also the

deputy chancellor of IUO. Lucky held forth for the Founder and Honourable Chancellor of IUO, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, who is also the Esama of Benin Kingdom.

Ezemonye said: “Efforts are at advanced stage towards commencing the Open and Distance Learning Programme to cater for all those who are unable to undertake full-time mode of study, supported by robust IT Infrastructure.”

The vice chancellor, who is a professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, also disclosed that the IUO Oil Plantation factory is nearing completion and would be commissioned soon.

“When fully operational, the plant will serve as hub for supply of palm oil and palm kernel in this part of the country while creating employment opportunities to the teaming youth. Ultimately, the oil plantation will serve as laboratory for students of B.Eng Agricultural Engineering soon to be floated,” he added.

29, it will fly”.

He also said the federal government gave approval to N3,197,127,22.72 for the procurement and installation of Taxi Waylights and Photometric Pattern in three airports and some other equipment all over the country.

The Minister explained that the equipment would be installed in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja airports, saying “so today in council, something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation. Part of our roadmap, the aviation leasing company has been established and approved by council.

According to him: “A second memo was also a contract for procurement, an installation of taxi waylights in the system and photometric pattern in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja and some other equipment all over the country.

“And this contract is in the total sum for the photometric and taxi waylights system N3,197,127, 22.72 billion with an eight month period and the contractor Mssrss KSR3 Global Ledger Limited".

Showing the approval, Sirika said, entrepreneurs in civil aviation will have access to these equipment at affordable rates in Nigeria, and this is part of the roadmap, adding that, the roadmap is gradually coming to 100 per cent completion.

Also speaking, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the council approved the appointment of a consultant for the supervision of the Dadin-kowa water scheme for first five years with N605 million.

On her part, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, said the federal

government witnessed a rise in school enrollment nationwide but did provided specific numbers.

According to her, the government aims to enrol every out-of-school child by 2030.

In addition, she said the government has approved a budget of over 14 billion naira to train N-Power beneficiaries.

She also said Council approved a policy on the National Home Grown School Feeding programme (NHGSFP) which seeks to address the issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.

Also briefing, Minister of State (Transportation), Demola Adegiroye, said the council approved the sum of N1.3 billion for the procurement of furniture for the newly acquired headquarters of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Security Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.

Mustapha, (presiding), Justice J. G. Abundaga, and Justice D. Z. Senchi, suspended the enforcement of the ex parte orders granted by the Justice I. E. Ekwo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 12th May, 2023 and or pending further directives of the court.

Justice Abundaga who read the order, consequently adjourned the matter to May 30, 2023, for hearing of the motion on notice

The appellant had in it motion on notice argued that it has been the subject of various disruptive shareholder actions qua petitions including SUIT NO. FHC/L/ PET/402./2023 – Moses Igbrude & Ors v. Seplat Energy Plc & Ors. filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division on 8th March, 2023; SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/ PET/8/2023 - Boniface Okozie & Ors v. Seplat Energy Plc & Ors. filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja judicial division on 13th April, 2023; and SUIT NO. FHC/ ABJ/PET/626/2023 - Juliet Ebere Nwadigbaka & Ors. v Seplat Energy Plc & Ors. filed on 9th May, 2023.

The company further stated that in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/PET/8/2023, the petitioners filed a motion exparte seeking to restrain the officials and directors of the appellants from continuing to operate in their employment capacities and upon hearing the said application on 18th April, 2023, the Court refused to make same and ordered that the appellants be put on notice.

The crisis rocking the foremost indigenous energy company had resulted in a floodgate of litigations.

The crisis erupted when the Seplat terminated the consultancy agreement it signed with Amaze Limited, a firm promoted by its former Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako.

Oba of Benin Voids Installation of Village Head

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has voided the unauthorised installation of Pa Godwin Efosa Usiomoifo as Odionwwre (Head) of Iguomo village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State for breach of Benin customs and tradition.

Chief Oghafua Oyeoba, the Oyeoba of Benin, conveyed the decision of the Special Committee was set up by the Oba Palace to look into the crisis in the village where some elders, including, Mr. Henry Idemudia and Mr. Osabuohien Osarogiagbon gave their respective

perspectives on the crisis.

Joined by other Benin Palace Chiefs, Oyeoba who addressed the actors in the crisis at the Oba palace, said Usiomoifo, the Ozukpogieva (second-in-command) in the village, failed to get the palace approval before the installation of the new Odionwere.

"The Palace therefore restrained Usiomoifo from parading himself as Odionwere of Iguomo village until the palace gives approval for his installation,” Oyeoba declared. Oyeoba, who was supported by Chief Ogbemudia Emovoen the Aghamioba of Benin, also faulted the appointments, including

that of Okaighele allegedly done by Usiomoifo in his capacity as Ozukpogieva of Iguomo village, noting that they were done in error, a development, which made them amount to nullity in Benin Kingdom.

He said, "When an Odionwere dies, the Okaighele (youth leader) who the transited Odionwere appointed remains until the installation of a new Odionwere who reserves the right to either retain him or replace him with another person.

"When a new Odionwere emerges and he appoints another Okaighele, the immediate past Okaighele becomes eligible to be elevated to Edion (village elders) group if he has

been found worthy in character by the elders," the Committee headed by Oyeoba said.

The Palace also frowned at the alleged violation of the rights of one of the female elders in the village, Mrs. Nowamagbe Egharevba Idemudia who also told the Palace that her farmland was grabbed by some villagers who also destroyed her economic crops in the climax of the crisis.

It therefore, advised the Ozukpogieva to bridge bridges of unity and make peace with the septuagenarian and other aggrieved people in the village for overall peace and development of the area.

L-R: Wife of National Secretary, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Mrs. Taiwo Oyinloye; Chairman, Titan Trust Bank, Tunde Lemo; Guest Speaker, Mrs. Funke Felix - Adejumo; Mrs. Olabisi Aboyeji; General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji and National Secretary, Yomi Oyinloye, during Foursquare Gospel Church Interdenominational Switch 2.0 held at the church national headquarters in Lagos… weekend

PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

KING’S COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION DINNER...

L-R:

FG: Students Constitute 95% of Nigerians Evacuated from Sudan

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has said 95 per cent of the 2,518 Nigerians evacuated from war-torn Sudan are students. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, disclosed this yesterday while briefing the media on the winding up of emergency evacuation exercise for Nigerians caught in the middle of the crisis in the North African country.

Sani-Gwarzo, who is also the chairman of the Situation Room on the evacuation exercise, said apart from the students, the other categories of returnees were footballers, diplomats, businessmen, families, and the infirmed.

He said six of the students were taken to hospitals and discharged

before they reunited with their respective families.

Sani-Gwarzo said, “All Nigerians students have arrived home alive, safe and with dignity and that is something worthy of celebration. We are very impressed with the resilience of the students that went through the excruciating difficulties in Sudan.”

He said the committee involved in the evacuation exercise similarly considered the education of the students and intended to establish a consultative forum under the leadership of the various agencies on how to help the students have a smooth transition into new opportunities that would allow them to conclude their educational careers without difficulty.

He assured, “We realised that many of those students are in the final year. In fact, some of them

were supposed to write their final papers in the last few days of April before the war broke out. We will not leave these students to their fate.”

Sani-Gwarzo also disclosed

that the federal government planned to come out with a Standard Operating Procedure that would guide future evacuation responses. He added that there were other categories of

Nigerians remaining in Sudan, including recent travellers and many generations of families, who had lived in the country for several decades dating back to 200 years.

He said some of those stranded people had indicated a willingness to return to Nigeria, and that a committee was currently screening them in Sudan, before they would be brought back home.

PDP Dismisses Makarfi’s Purported Suspension

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed the purported suspension of former Governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Makarfi was reportedly dismissed by his Ward Executive of Tudun Wada Ward of Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

But in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, PDP said the NWC, after a thorough consideration of all the issues raised by the Ward Executive, "hereby declares the purported decision and action of the Tudun Wada Ward Executives, which border on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).

"For clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that, ‘Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee, at any level except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governor or member of the National Assembly.”

The NWC, therefore, charged all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, teeming supporters of

our party in Kaduna and the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Makarfi by the Ward being a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party.

The NWC also charged all party members in Kaduna State to remain united at this critical time especially, as the party leadership was progressing in the concerted effort to ensure a comprehensive reconciliation.

BUHARI: IT’S BEEN BUMPY 8 YEARS, BUT WE’VE BUILT FOUNDATION FOR PROSPEROUS NIGERIA Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

In her keynote address, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told the incoming governors that no nation could develop without earning the trust of the people and there could be no foreign development without good governance.

She said, "Even before independence, the generation of leaders that led us to freedom identified how important trust would be to our nation's success.

"Every nation is a work-in-progress. The task of nation-building is a continuous one. So even if we have made mistakes, there is always a chance to change course. The fatal mistake in nation-building is refusing to learn lessons, and failing to course-correct where needed.

"In our country, given its size, diversity, and economic development challenges, the scale of the task of nation-building is particularly large.

“As you take office or return to your governorships, our 222 million compatriots will be counting on you to rise to the occasion. The states are closest to the people: what you do or don't do, directly impacts people across the country.

"Nigerians are not building our nation in a vacuum. When shaping policies and strategies, we need to do so in the context of what is happening in the world. We need to wake up and smell the coffee. The world is changing fast, in good ways and bad. The bad ways are more obvious these days.

"Dear Governors, I remain convinced that a better future is within our collective grasp. But to

move ahead and seize it, we will need political and business leaders at the state and national levels to form a compact in pursuit of pro-growth and pro-development policies.

“We ought to be seeking to double our growth rate and sustain that higher growth until we attain upper middle-income status. We can also aim to double Nigeria's share of world trade from 0.33% to 0.66% within a decade. To build such a compact, we need trust."

Tony Elumelu

Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, told the gathering it was lack of economic hope or opportunity that could lead a young man to bear an AK47 and join a terrorist or bandit group

According to Elumelu, "We need to create the feeling and belief that it is a mutual destiny. Poverty anywhere in the country is a threat to the rest of us everywhere.

"As a businessman, I invest for the long term. In politics, we must do the same – invest in Nigeria. Invest in our infrastructure, be strategic, identify those areas where we will all get the best return – and by best, I mean best for our country

"In terms of stability, prosperity and the wellbeing of our people, I have seen how in the power sector, when government, private sector and community align, the results are transformational. Let’s do the same for our young population. Nigeria’s next generations are our hope for a better and more prosperous future.

"They are dynamic, vocal, patriotic – but they need our support, attention, empathy. They need our action! We need their participation in our society.

We should embrace and welcome this. To our political leaders, unite today, in this essential forum.

"I say create more private sectorfriendly policies to increase wealth creation and encourage entrepreneurship. As leaders, policy-makers, and stakeholders in our society, we must recognise the potential of entrepreneurship to promote youth engagement and wealth creation in Nigeria.

"We must invest in programmes that support and encourage young people to pursue their dreams and develop the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs. Let us work together to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive in Nigeria, and to empower our youth to become active participants in the development of our country. Give them economic hope and they will transform our country.

"And finally, my advice to our governors and leaders, as you commence this journey – reflect on your legacy. How will history judge us? What greater legacy is there than your gift to the next generation – the great destiny that awaits Nigeria."

Amina Mohammed

Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, appealed to the incoming governors to ensure good governance that would bring about development and in their respective states.

She said a committed leadership that could tap into the abundant opportunities in the various states and guide the country towards inclusive sustainable development that left no one behind was what Nigeria needed.

Mohammed said, "First term goes very fast and the second even faster! Campaign promises made must be delivered and that’s hard. It requires an effective team. Resource constraints are real.”

The UN deputy secretary-general told the incoming governors that domestic resource mobilisation was urgent, while prioritising, phasing and leveraging other partnerships were key. She stated, "Communicating and consulting create less distractions and manage expectations. Mindsets must change. Under the constitution of Nigeria, you have the authority and the responsibility to deliver on critical foundations of infrastructure and services that deliver on social and economic development.

"But to do so, you must lead. You must inspire and shape a better future that includes everyone. You must bring the population on this journey with you. You must take every opportunity to have women and youth not just at the table but empowered to make meaningful contribution to the discourse.

"You must open up to your political adversaries and govern with vision, courage, tolerance and humility. Your Excellences, with only seven years left to meet the promises of the 2030 Agenda, time is not on our side."

Mohammed also told the incoming governors, "Remember that transformation will not happen in a vacuum or by chance. The context is tough. Nigeria must prepare and be ready to make a quantum leap.”

David Greene

United States Charge D’AfFair, David Greene, called for a committed

and improved relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

Greene stated, "There are many areas of mutual interests between US and each of your states, including on-governance, heal, development and many more. Those of you who have already been in office have partnered US Agency for International Development.

"You know that USAID provides humanitarian assistance and promotes a healthier, more educated population, inclusive economic development and good governance in Nigeria.

He explained, "Through USAID, in fiscal year 2021, the United States invested $855 million in Nigeria. We are the largest bilateral contributor of humanitarian and development assistance in the country. None of this would be possible, or would have the tremendous impact that it does, without your collaboration and partnership at the state level.

"Health programmes are a major part of our portfolio and a key way we partner governors across the country.”

Greene said the American government had worked with the governors and their states to implement development assistance programmes through the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Walter Reed, and USAID.

“Nigeria has become a world leader in its quest to reach HIV epidemic control. Together, I know we will end HIV/AlDS as a public health threat in Nigeria by 2030.

"Additionally, the governor's forum played a critical role in Nigeria’s polio eradication effort. Your directives to vaccinate every child under five and establishment of the Polio Task Force

are the reasons Nigeria was declared wild polio virus free in 2020.

"We collaborate with and help train law enforcement and other security forces. We also work with Nigeria on bolstering education, enhancing the business climate, and working to improve court administration and reduce pretrial detention, to name a few more.

"In all these areas, governors and state governments are critical partners. The US embassy looks forward to working with you individually and as an association. Together, we can elevate critical state and national priorities and achieve greater development outcomes for all Nigerians."

Saraki, Aliyu, Others

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki cautioned the outgoing governors to abstain from interfering in the governance of their states as they prepared to leave office later this month. But Saraki charged them to brace up for life after office and make necessary adjustments to play their role in national development.

Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State and one-time chairman of NGF, said, "When you are no longer governor, allow your successor to do their work. Go back to your families.

“I am sure your wives, children and grandchildren are counting the days. You are bracing up for a new phase of life, which is completely different. Spend more time with your families. Save your money for hampers and rams, because they won't come as usual."

Financial Secretary, KCOBA Abuja, Shehu Kabir Bulkachuwa; Host/Chairman KCOBA Abuja, Mr. Emmanuel Mogbolu; Special Guest of Honor/ National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno(rtd), and former minister of the National Planning Commission,Mr. Sanusi Daggash, during the Annual Dinner of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), Abuja Branch, held in Abuja.... weekend Photo.

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

ISLAMIC BANK OF DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL MEETINGS…

NADECO: Don’t Inaugurate Tinubu/Shettima Until Election Disputes are Resolved

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

As the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima draw closer, more oppositions have continued to mount to it with the recent one coming from the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) United States of America (USA).

The association insisted that

no swearing in should be held for the declared victors until all legal battles are settled from the presidential election tribunal, through Supreme Court, and up to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and United Nations legal institutions.

Both Tinubu and Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were declared by the

Adesanya Charges Firms on Effective Customer Service in Africa

Project Director, Africa Brand Awards, Mr. Abidemi Adesanya has called on African leaders and top organisations on the continent to see customer service as the tool for business growth and scale.

He stated this during a media chat with The Industry for the forthcoming 2023 Africa Brand Awards scheduled to hold this month in Lagos. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Customer Service in Africa: The Strategic Role of Business Leaders.’

According to Adesanya, “Effective customer service cannot be overemphasised because its importance to the success of any organisation is very pivotal. Any organisation without adequate customer service infrastructure is already planned to fail.”

According to him, because of the critical importance of customer

service for organisational growth they have to dedicate this year’s event to topic and speaker who would be doing justice to the issue at the award dinner.

He revealed that Empire Media Group, Cameroun, Market Trends International, Accelerated Marketing, Heterogeneous Reach, and NOIPolls are among the winners of this year’s coveted awards.

Other winners include Goodgate Finance, Linkpoint Resources, Stephanie John, Aviance Homes Limited winning in different categories of the Africa Brand Awards.

“All the 2023 winners submitted their entries for the different categories and rigorous reviews were done by the panel of jury before winners were announced,” he said.

Pa Jimoh Gbadamosi for Burial Today

The renowned educationist and longest serving Principal of Anwar-UL Islam College, Agege, Lagos, Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi, who died yesterday at the ripe age of 96, will be buried today at 4.00pm at Abari Cemetary, Lagos.

According to a press statement by one of his children, Architect Abiodun Gbadamosi, Pa Gbadamosi died peacefully in his Lagos home surrounded by his children and relatives.

He was Born on March 18th, 1927 on Lagos Island to parents who were traders. He began his early education at Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos Island in the mid 30s and St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos for his post primary education.

He later proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland where he bagged his first Bachelor degree in Geography Education. He was also at Oxford University where he bagged a Master’s degree in Geography Education.

The late educationist started his illustrious career as a pioneer Principal

of the then Ahmaddiyah High School, Eleyele, Ibadan in the then Western Region.

In 1957, he moved to Lagos as Principal of Anwar-Ul Islam, Agege, (formerly Ahmaddiyah College, Agege) from there he went to Jubril Martins Secondary School where he served until his voluntary retirement in 1977 at the early age of 50.

Over the last 46 years, Pa Gbadamosi had been involved in various activities both in sports and education at both state and national levels.

His selfless service did not go unnoticed as the Federal Government of Nigeria, in 2002, conferred on him the National Honour of Order Of the Niger (OON)

He is survived by children, grandchildren, grandchildren and extended family such as Architect Abiodun Gbadamosi; Alhaja Abimbola Adedun; Architect Olakunle Gbadamosi; Caverton Helicopter boss, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola; Alhaji Razaq Dawodu and Alhaji Taiwo Olatunji amongst others.

Independent National Electoral Commission as president-elect and vice president-elect after the February 25 election. However, the that declaration is being challenged by both Abubakar

Atiku (Peoples Democratic Party) and Peter Obi (Labour Party).

Atiku and Obi are not alone in the call for the election result to be upturned as several other

Nigerians have as for the inauguration scheduled for May 29, which preparation is in top gear to be cancelled. Adding to the voice is the NADECO USA which came out

with a communique titled: “The Washington Declaration” that was issued at an international conference with theme: “Nigeria at the Crossroads: 2023 Elections, Issues and Solutions on Nigeria.”

Boycott Tinubu’s Inauguration, US, UK, ECOWAS, Others Told

Adedayo Akinwale

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called on the United States(US), United Kingdom(UK), the African Union(AU) and the Economic of West African States(ECOWAS) to disassociate themselves and also stay away from the inauguration of the

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu slated for May 29.

Frank, in a statement issued yesterday said it would be in the best interest of the international community to properly ascertain the mood of the country and allow for all litigations and closure on the outcome the electoral cases in court before lending support to whoever is declared as the authentic winner of the recently

conducted elections in Nigeria.

Against this background, he specifically called on the US, UK, EU, AU and ECOWAS among others, to as a matter of integrity steer clear from any form of preparations or attendance of the planned inauguration.

He s said: “As last minute preparations for the inauguration of an illegality continues to dominate the political and social space in

Nigeria, we are poised to advise all intending invitees especially the international community to steer clear from any of such events, as more Nigerians continue to disassociate themselves from being a part of this grand conspiracy foisted on the Nigerian people by dubious state actors, using instruments of coercion and manipulation in subverting the will of the people.

Ogun 2023: Tribunal Dismisses Two Petitions against Abiodun, APC

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, dismissed two petitions file by two political parties, Action People’s Party (APP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) against the re-election of Prince Dapo Abiodun during the March 18

governorship election.

The APP had filed its petition challenging the return of Dapo Abiodun as the Governor-elect in the Ogun State Governorship Election held on 18 March, 2023.

It, however, deposed in its application for discontinuation moved yesterday, that “upon the re-evaluation of the grounds and facts of the petition, the Petitioner

is not reasonably convinced about the sustainability of the grounds of the petition as presently constituted before this Honourable Tribunal.”

APP declared that the withdrawal of the petition, was based on the fact that upon a further evaluation of the petition, the petitioner had found that the Respondent won the highest number of lawful votes as duly

recognised by INEC and permitted by law.”

On its own, the NNPP Chairman in the state, Sunday Oginni had disclosed that the party, which filed a petition against Abiodun before the Tribunal over the alleged omission of the party’s logo on the ballot papers for the governorship election by INEC was ready to withdraw.

Alleged N10bn Fraud: Court Admits Three Exhibits against Businessman

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday admitted three exhibits in the alleged forgery and N10 billion fraud trial of Chief Paul Ozigbu.

The three exhibits are a finger signature impression of a witness, Chief Karina Ikata; a Power of

attorney presented to the court by the witness; and Ozigbu Engineering Board Resolution 2021.

Trial judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, however, over ruled the prayer of the prosecution counsel to send the finger signature for forensic analysis in order to have an expert opinion comparing the

finger signature with the signature on the Power of Attorney, on the grounds that the court has power to compare finger signature impression with the signature in the Power of attorney.

Paul is standing trial over allegations of forgery, criminal conspiracy and illegal conversion of family properties into personal

use amongst others.

According to the charge, he was alleged to have forged landed property documents of their late father, Nze Ike Hilary Ozigbu, in order to takeover ownership of family properties and company. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Seun Kuti: Lawyer Fumes, Says Parade, Handcuff on Singer Illegal

Sunday Ehigiator

Lawyer to the embattled popular Nigerian singer, Seun Kuti, yesterday, fumed and described as illegal the handcuffing and parading of the singer after he submitted himself to the office of the Lagos State police commissioner to help

with the ongoing investigation, hours after a video went viral where he was seen assaulting an officer of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.

The son of the Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, engaged in an altercation with a police officer days ago, in which he was captured

on camera assaulting the police officer on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, immediately ordered Seun’s arrest. He equally ordered a “speedy and full investigation into the remote

and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.”

Immediately after submitting himself, Seun Kuti was handcuffed and had his mugs hot taken by the police while also being paraded before other police officers, and his pictures released to the media.

Efforts to Develop N’Delta Still Threatened by Agitations, Insecurity

Okon Bassey inUyo

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs yesterday regretted that efforts to bring development to the Niger Delta region were still threatened by increasing violent agitations and general insecurity that have made the region volatile and unattractive to investors despite

its huge potentials.

“Businesses are being shut on certain days in some states, there is an increase in armed robbery, kidnapping, communal tensions, pipe line vandalism, oil theft etc. across the Niger Delta Region.

“The destruction of national assets such as pipeline vandalism and oil theft has resulted in the

country’s dwindling oil production.”

A representative of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Chukwudi Njoku, stated this at a one-day town hall meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State’s capital.

The meeting, which was tagged “Promoting Sustainable Peace and Economic Development in the Niger Delta Region,” was in

collaboration with the Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND). Njoku noted that “this has exposed the country to a lot of economic uncertainties, as it has become difficult to meet up with its OPEC quota, control a fast rising inflation and adequately fund the annual budgets.”

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Managing Director/CEO, NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello; Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, and Managing Director/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, at the Islamic Bank of Development 2023 Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia…recently

New CP, Jesubiyi, Promises to Flush Out Criminals from Ondo Forests

Fidelis David inAkure

The newly appointed Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Jesubiyi Taiwo Olusola, yesterday assured residents of the state of his determination to flush out criminal elements from the state forests and make the state crime free.

Olusola stated this at the Police headquarters, Igabtoro Road, Akure, when he met with journalists after his deployment to the state by the Inspector General

of Police.

He replaced the former state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oyediran Oyeyemi, who has been promoted and redeployed by the Nigeria Police Force.

Olusola said that he is ready to bring his vast administrative, operational and intelligence gathering experience to bear in consolidating and improving on the achievements of his predecessor.

He said: “I and the management team will do the police work with

Stakeholders Move

the fear of God. We are ready to review the existing strategy and to work hard to reduce the crime rate to the barest minimum.

“With the support of the state government, and the general public, we will maintain the existing peace being enjoyed by residents of the state. I implore citizens of the state and the press to join hands with us so that we can fight crime and criminality, if not to the standstill, at least, to the barest minimum.

to Ensure

Efficiency,

Ease of Doing Business in Eastern Ports

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Stakeholders from the maritime industry and government agencies met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to identify best way to improve the efficiency and ease of doing business in the eastern ports.

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) in conjunction with the Convention for Business Integrity (CBI), had assembled the stakeholders in a workshop to strategies on safe ways to ensure

smooth business transaction within the eastern ports of Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri, and Calabar.

During the workshop titled “Promoting Compliance to the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Vessels Through Clearance,” the stakeholders noted that

the challenges have caused misunderstanding between the private and government sector doing business at the seaports.

In his paper presentation, an Associate Director of MACN, Vivek Menon, said that the process in transforming the maritime operations around seaports has been an important journey since 2012.

NDDC Saga: Onochie Has Only Three Aides, Says Onuesoke

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Chairman, DAS Energy Services Limited, in Warri, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has risen in defence of the Chairperson of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Laureta Onochie insisting she has only three aides. Onuesoke, who was reacting yesterday to a Federal High Court, Warri judgment in which 18 aides of the chairperson of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were

sacked wondered how the court came about the figure.

Besides sacking the 18 aides, the court equally barred Onochie from interfering with the functions of the commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

The declaration was made in a suit by Dr. Mike Oberabor, for himself and on behalf of the Oberabor Oreme-Egbede families of the Olomoro community of Isoko South Local Government, Delta State.

Pay Cut Awaits Ndidi, Iheanacho if Leicester Relegate

Femi Solaja

As former Premier League champions, Leicester City, continue to struggle to keep their status in the English topflight, there are strong indications that two Super Eagles stars, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, could face a significant pay cut if the Foxes get demoted to the Championship.

The King Power outfit who currently sit 19th in the Premier League relegation zone on miserable 30 points from 36 games, were battered 3-0 by Liverpool last night to compound their problems. Unless they win their last two matches, Leicester are as good as joining Southampton in the

GOING...GOING...

Leicester City who were 2016 Premier League champions are on the verge of losing their status in the English topflight after conceding 0-3 defeat at home to Liverpool...yesterday

Pioli: AC Milan Reaching UCL Final Not Mission Impossible

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli believes his side can reach the Champions League final, despite trailing Inter Milan 2-0 after the semi-final first leg.

The two teams play the second leg this evening at the San Siro, with Inter the designated home team.

Goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Inter victory in last Wednesday's first leg.

"We know we are starting with a disadvantage, but we also have the quality to overturn it," said Pioli.

"Now, more than ever, nobody thinks Milan can reach the final.

"We can play a great game and I know how strong my players are. We've made some mistakes, but the past is irrelevant.

"We have an important goal in mind - to win and qualify for the final, which nobody would have predicted, just as at the beginning of the year no-one would have predicted our presence in the semi-finals."

Seven-time European champions

AC Milan might have Portugal winger Rafael Leao fit after the 23-year-old missed the first leg because of a thigh injury.

"He (Leao) is better, as are (midfielder Rade) Krunic and

(winger Junior) Messias," added Pioli.

"If everything goes as it should, they will be available for the game."

Inter are third in Serie A, five points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan, and trying to reach the final for the first time since they were crowned European champions in 2010.

"We know it's one of the most important games in Inter's history," said manager Simone Inzaghi.

"We have an advantage, deserv-

edly so, but we won't just have to manage it. We'll have to play as Inter, knowing that we have a strong team in front of us.

"We're 90 minutes away from a dream, which I and these wonder-

ful guys had.

"It will take a cool head and a warm heart. It's the only way for matches like this."

Forward Joaquin Correa, taken off at half-time during Inter's 4-2 win over Sassuolo on Saturday, might feature.

The second leg of the other semifinal takes place on Wednesday with Manchester City hosting Real Madrid after a 1-1 draw last week in Spain. The final will be played in Istanbul, Turkey on 10 June.

IMC Lists June 3 as Kickoff Date for NPFL Super 6

A revised calendar of activities for the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Super 6 has been released by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) with a kick off date of June 3and final day of Sunday, June 11.

IMC’s Head of Operations, Davidson Owumi, explained that the revision of the schedule was agreed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to accommodate the league and the Federation Cup.

"With Federation Cup Round of 16 and quarter final fixtures slated for 24 and 28 of May, we

reasoned that the Super 6 can no longer hold from the earlier date as some of the teams that might qualify for the playoffs are also possibly going to be in the Federation Cup", explained Owumi.

He stated further that following a meeting with the NFF, a new schedule was arrived at and this will see the finals of the Federation Cup continuing after the Super 6 on June 11.

In the calendar of events, teams are expected to arrive on June 1while Match Officials will arrive Lagos on June 2with the first

games holding on June 3.

There will be three games on each Match-day with free days in between each Match-day.

The IMC approved format will declare as Champions, the team with the highest points at the completion of the matches.

With each of the six teams playing each other, there will be a total of 15 games on five Match-days.

The regular season of the NPFL which was abridged into two groups will be concluded on May 21with the three top teams in each group qualifying for the playoffs.

Schools Battle for Top Spot at Final of Dolphin Swimming League

The race to determine the top schools in Season 4 of the Dolphin Swimming League enters the grand final on Saturday, May 20, at the Children International School (CIS) in Lekki, Lagos.

The four leg, being the finale of the first private schools swimming tournament, will have more schools joining to compete for the top spot as Grange School will be up against the rest of the teams in the grand finale.

The tournament has continued to attract more schools as the enthusiasm of parents and guardians showed that the swimmers are ready to lift their schools in the finale.

According to the Coordinator of the tournament, Oluseyi Oyebode, the enthusiasm shown by the schools confirmed that the finale promises to be exciting as winners of Season 4 would be determined.

“We are overwhelmed by the

interest shown by the parents, guardians, and students to be part of the tournament because they feel we are doing something right with the tournament. Since the Dolphin Swimming League started, we have shown that we are interested in developing and unearthing talents in the sport and our focus is to be able to produce world stars for Nigeria with the hope that they will fly the country’s flag at the Olympic Games.”

Already, the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) as well as the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) have sanctioned the tournament with the aim of selecting outstanding swimmers from it for major competitions within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

The league is organised by Dynaspro Promotion and Advanta Interactive with support from Rite Foods.

lower rung of the English game next season.

A report in the UK media insisted yesterday that Ndidi, Iheanacho and other members of the team are likely to get pay cuts up to 50% if they are relegated from the Premier League.

To avoid this, Leicester have a challenging trip to Newcastle United and a final-day home match against West Ham United.

The East Midlands, however, may experience more financial difficulties as a result of the team’s record-setting pretax losses of £92.5 million earlier this year, which may have an impact on the players’ salary, according to sources close to UK’s The Telegraph.

Heineken's "Cheers to All Fans" UCL Campaign Set for Big Splash in Warri, Abuja

Aba, Benin ready for mega viewing experience

After the exciting moments in Owerri, Heineken's "Cheers to All Fans" campaign is going full throttle as it will be making a big splash in the vibrant cities of Abuja and Warri.

The hustling city of Aba and the ancient Benin City are also lined up for Mega Viewing Experiences as the UEFA Champions League enters its most crucial stage from where finalists will emerge tonight and tomorrow.

Football enthusiasts in these cities and beyond can look forward to exciting moments and unforgettable experiences as Heineken brings the magic of Europe's premier club competition to life.

Still in the race for a place in the final are football powerhouses Inter Milan, AC Milan, Manchester City, and defending champions Real Madrid who are all fired up after the results from their first-leg games.

Fans in Warri can join in the excitement tonight at De Clouds Sports Lounge at Osubi Close, near the airport. Same evening, Oris Lounge, Aba and Rehab Lounge Benin will also be pumped up for the Milan derby at San Siro.

In Abuja, Pappie’s Meatro in Jabi will be the centre of attention on Wednesday to enjoy the titanic

clash billed for the Etihad Stadium between Man City and Real Madrid. Heineken's extended "Cheers to All Fans" campaign has been a standout attraction of this season's Champions League, redefining fan engagement by promoting inclusivity and breaking free from female stereotypes.

On these special nights of football, Heineken promises an unparalleled viewing experience that captures the essence of the beautiful game. Fans and loyal consumers alike can expect a lively atmosphere filled with banter, premium beer, and top-notch music from star artists. Additionally, there will be quiz competitions, entertaining jokes, and ample opportunities for all to win fantastic prizes.

Portfolio Manager – Premium Lager at Heineken, Sampson Oloche, expressed his excitement for the campaign's expansion to Abuja, Warri, Aba and Benin City.

“We are committed to taking our campaigns to as many cities as possible, we know the people in Abuja, Benin, Aba and even Warri all like football and as well Heineken, so we are happy to be in these places. If there is one thing I can promise, it is an unforgettable night for the fans and our consumers” he stated.

Buhari Felicitates Ex-NFA

General Secretary, Sani Toro, @70

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and ex-Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Sani Ahmed Toro, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The president lauded him for his services to the nation and important contributions to the growth of football.

The president, in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, recognised all the years of hard work of the first Executive Secretary/CEO Nigeria Professional Football League Governing Board, who during his tenure as scribe of NFA, the Super Eagles won gold medal at Tunisia 1994, Nigeria for the first time qualified and

participated at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States where they reached the second round.

President Buhari noted that it is worth remembering that under Toro's administration the Men's Olympic Football team won gold in Atlanta 1996, making the country’s ‘Dream Team’, captained by Nwankwo Kanu, with other legends like the skillful Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Sunday Oliseh, Daniel 'the bull' Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Tijani Babangida, among others, the first African nation to win that title.

The president believed Toro and other administrators who worked behind the scenes to give Nigerians these wonderful memories deserve to be thanked and prayed for, in the hope that they live more years to experience more moments of joy and celebrations in the country.

Archbishop to President Buhari

“These eight years have been very challenging. The administration was marked with incessant killings, kidnapping, unresolved agitations, looting and inflation, increased rate of unemployment and hardship, lopsided appointments, and fuel scarcity. The people are yet to breathe the air of democracy. Our politicians show little or no interest in the people they are supposed to be representing. The people are tired and they are yearning for a new Nigeria... the resources that are meant for the benefits of all have been hijacked by few in authority “ --ArchbishopAlexanderIbezim,lamentingtheoutgoingPresidentBuhari’smaladministration.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Tales The Country Told Me: Hilda Baci and Seun Kuti

Two major events dominated the headlines in the weekend that just passed in Nigeria: the heroism, determination and the example of Ms. Hilda Effiong Bassey, known as Hilda Baci for short, and the sordid drama of Seun Kuti, son of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the ternal music icon, pushing, slapping and assaulting a policeman in uniform. Both subjects deserve commentary. But let’s start on a positive note, represented by Hilda Effiong Bassey, the Nigerian food entrepreneur, or chef, 27, who made up her mind that she wanted to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by beating the longest cooking marathon record by an individual set by Lata Tandon, an Indian Chef in 2019. Tandon cooked non-stop for 87 hours and 45 minutes. Nigeria’s Ms Baci decided that she would break that record and cook non-stop for 100 hours. The event took place at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos. She turned her oven and cooker on Thursday, on May 10, and indeed till Monday morning, Baci kept dicing, frying, cutting, cookingm baking and ended up achieving her target. By the time she reached the significant mark of 87 hours and 50 minutes, she had already broken the world record, but she kept going. Nigerians are an interesting lot. Who would ever have thought that culinary skills could bring so much fame and history? There are many lessons and issues to be extracted from the Hilda Basi cook-a-thon that Nigerians just witnessed.

The first is that Nigerians are a creative and resourceful lot and should they put their minds to anything, they are capable of excelling at. These are the same people that President Muhammadu Buhari once referred to as “diamonds”, who represent the hope of the nation for the present and the future. When a gifted Nigerian seeks to excel, he or she does so. Ms Baci’s achievement is an indication of the can-do spirit of the Nigerian. The international community often complains about the unusual capacity of Nigerians for fraud and criminality, within the local and international arena, but there are in reality more Nigerians doing great things. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is representing us well at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Aminat Muhammed is a strong official at the United Nations in her position as a Deputy Secretary General. Asisst Oshoala, MON, is a big star in European women football. Tobi Amysan is world record holder in long jump. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a leading writer and voice in the global space of culture and literature. There are Nigerians occupying political positions in Canada, UK, Ireland and elsewhere. We have Nigerians in the US military, in the US NASA programme and in the commanding heights of global trade and economy. Hilda Effiong Bassey has chosen cooking and are we delighted? Yes, we are.

The second thing to say is: Congratulations to her on this remarkable feat, and her admirable qualities, now well-advertised of tenacity, of purpose, vision and determination. Nobody, she teaches us, by the way, can achieve anything in this life, except you set a purpose for yourself and pursue it. It will be recalled that in 2021, this same Ms. Baci won the Jollof Face-Off competition, and got a grand prize of $5, 000. But that was not enough for her. She wanted a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. And now here she is. Every great achievement begins with a dream and the capacity to pursue that dream and stretch the dream to the end of the street. As of the time of this writing, we understand that Chef Hilda has stretched her target from 96 hours to 100 hours! Hilda, you too much oh! Indeed, because, despite all the good things that we have said about the Nigerian spirit, there are many of our compatriots who want the easy way out, they fake it, they cheat, they tell lies, they want the glamour but they do not want to apply themselves. Hilda Baci has just reinforced a simple lesson of life: that the surest way to distinction is through hard work, focus and rigorous

women can’t even spare 30 minutes to cook for their own children.

The third lesson is the innate Nigerian love for success, glory and achievement that is within us all. Nigerians have an inner craving for good things and when they see it, they gather around it like bees around nectar. This is what has happened with the Baci story. As she cooked, Nigerians trooped to the Amore Gardens in Lekki to hail her and offer support. Celebrities trooped to the venue in their uncountable numbers. Churches of the white garment variety kept vigil, calling on God to see her through. The Governor of Lagos visited. Senators of the Federal Republic led by Senator Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom North West, who wants to be Senate President by autocratic party anointment, also joined the cheer-leaders. Hilda Baci is from Akwa Ibom State. No other event unites Nigerians like that, apart from football. It rained overnight. The people refused to leave. In football, and now in a cooking event, Nigerians have suspended their differences. They don’t think of ethnicity or religion, or geography. They have come together as one nation, united for the glory of the nation. Baci drew support across all the centrifugal borders of Nigeria. Her supporters in fact defied the rain. It rained heavily in the night of Sunday to Monday. The people refused to go home. They stayed under the heavy rainfall, and kept singing. It was one of those rare occasions when we are reminded that this is a country after all. Thank you Baci, for reminding us with your culinary skills that it is possible to have a nation. Nations are made through symbols and the patriotism in the hearts of the people. If this had been an election, the situation could have been different. Hilda Effiong Bassey would have been reminded that she cannot cook in Lagos, because she is a non-indigene. The constituted thugs of Lagos, led by a well-connected Chairman would have gone to Amore Gardens to chase everyone away. But here we are: an Akwa Ibom woman cooking for the world in Lagos, has brought glory to the same Lagos. The clowns in high places who promote disunity simply need to lend themselves a little sense. Nigerian leaders can learn from Ms Baci how to cook a nation, and achieve results. Our leaders know how to eat, but they do not know how to cook.

The fourth point that I see here is that Hilda Baci’s feat is an advertisement for the cooking profession. She has raised the profile of chefs. More persons

may well be encouraged by her example to take to cooking as a profession. I have not even bothered to find out how much this has cost her and her sponsors in financial terms and how much she stands to earn. The glory is more important than the financial gain. But what I see is that Hilda Baci is now a cultural icon. It is good that she has been congratulated by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is most deserved. I am also of the view that when Nigeria compiles its next National Honours list, it is people like her that we expect to see on that list, along with Rema, another world record holder, Tiwa Savage, Kizz Daniel, Burna Boy, Tems, award-winning intellectuals, the boys doing wonderful things in fintech, not some funny characters in bulbous robes who take more from Nigeria than they give. As a father, I would like to advise her to handle fame with care. Fame makes. Fame breaks. As her story developed, there were persons who were more interested in her beauty. Her pictures have been posted online showing her beauty and physical attributes on full display. Nigerian men love food. There is this popular folk saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. A woman that is an acclaimed cook is a special target for stomach-driven Nigerian men. Ms Baci will get invited to cook by seemingly appreciative men who just want to taste. Beware, Baci. There are too many idle men in this society of ours who promise marriage and heaven, but are closet idiots. Focus on growing your business, and talent. Watch out for those who will soon begin to use your achievement to catch clout as they say.

The fifth and final point here is to congratulate, Hilda Baci’s mother. She is herself a chef. She runs a restaurant in Abuja. Her daughter follows in her footsteps. She learnt the trade at her feet. I have seen a video showing her expressing her delight at her daughter’s achievement. It is the prayer of every parent that their children should do better than them. Mrs. Bassey’s glory came on Mother’s Day, a mother’s hilarious delight! She has every reason to be grateful. Lecherous Nigerians men have observed that Mrs. Bassey herself is a very good spec. As a serious-minded person, I no longer engage in such conversations, so I won’t tell that side of the story. What I see here is the importance of parenting. In all of this, however, nobody has mentioned Mr. Bassey. Is he alive? This is the burden we bear as fathers. When the children do well, it is their mothers who step forward like characters from Bournvita cartoons. Still, we thank God for all children and mothers who bless the land as the Basseys have done. Now to Seun Kuti, the enfant terrible, about whom terrible things have been reported during the same

weekend that Hilda Baci did us all proud. Seun Kuti was reported to have dropped the ball. He assaulted a policeman. There was a video in circulation that showed him telling a policeman in uniform that he would deal with him. He slapped the police officer in uniform. He assaulted the policeman. He reportedly boasted thereafter that he has dealt with many policemen in similar manner in the past. Seun Kuti is my kinsman. I do not want anything bad to happen to him. But this time around I think he has carried his offering beyond the Mosque. It has been argued that it is a DNA thing. He is after all, the son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela did not wilfully break the law. He was in fact a law-abiding man. He challenged autocracy. He questioned the law as all citizens are allowed to do so. He was like his mother, the legendary, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Seun Kuti’s forebears were defenders and promoters of good governance and the rule of. law. Even when state agents attacked Kalakuta Republic, an assault in which Seun’s grandmother lost her life, the state prevailed, even if unjustly. I think therefore that those who think it is a DNA thing for Seun Kuti to attack a policeman are wrong. People make their own choices. They do not inherit choices. What I am saying is that it would be most disrespectful to drag the dead into Seun Kuti’s matter. He is an adult and he must be made to answer for his own acts. The law does not recognize pedigree. You commit an act; you answer for it. The only thing the law recognizes is the equality of persons before the law. Seun Kuti is not above and cannot be above the law because he enjoys hereditary privilege.

From Saturday, there is a video in circulation showing him assaulting a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The video evidence shows that he insulted the policeman and slapped him. He has since claimed that he has enough evidence to show that the policeman threatened his life and that of his family members. There have been other evidence notes on social media. We are told for example that he told the policeman before slapping him: “You dey craze? You dey mad?” In the meantime, the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission have ordered arrest and investigations. The Police have a duty to ensure that their officers are not routinely assaulted by Nigerians. Dr. Solomon Arase, the Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman has commended the affected police officer for the restraint that he demonstrated. That officer whom nobody has named – we need his true identity- should be promoted by Arase’s PSC. In my view, Seun Kuti was indeed lucky. If that policeman or his colleagues had rifles with them, they could have gunned him down. By now, he would be dead and we would all be talking about extra-judicial killing. The lesson here is that people must know their limits. In today’s Nigeria, my father was this or my grandmother was that, is not a protection claim in the face of the law. The present generation of Nigerians don’t know ancient history anyway. They should not rely on what grandpa and great grandpa and daddy did.

It is however refreshing to hear that Seun Kuti has shown up at the police station. He was reportedly put in silver ware. The offence that he has committed under Section 98 of the Police Act and Section 356 of the Criminal Code puts him in line for a three-year jail term. He says he has enough evidence to prove his innocence. He has a good lawyer: Femi Falana, SAN. Let them go and prove their case in the court of law, and as soon as the case is properly placed, let them address all the allegations including the underlying innuendo that Fela Kuti ‘s son is above the laws of the land. Should anyone be above the laws of Nigeria? I am aware however that there are other interested persons and groups in the public domain who are now beginning to say that if Seun Kuti is let off the hook, they too will begin to slap and beat Nigerian policemen, and they would cite Seun Kuti’s case as precedent. The substance of this matter lies in Seun Kuti’s relationship with the sovereign but whichever way it is resolved, his brand is already somewhat diminished. He doesn’t need that. This is the sad part of it.

Hilda BaciSeun Kuti