FRIDAY 19TH MAY 2023

Wabote Seeks Double-digit Oil Contribution to GDP, NNPC to Supply 300,000 bpd to Dangote Refinery We have paid IOCs cash call debts, says Wunti

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja, Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and

Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, yesterday argued that the oil and gas industry could return

to contributing double-digit to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), given the right decisions

Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2023,

and clement environment.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas

Continued on page 6

FAAC Disburses N655.9bn April Revenue to FG, States, LGs... Page 9 Friday 19 May, 2023 Vol 28. No 10264. Price: N250

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Court Reserves Ruling in Atiku's Motion for Live Broadcast of Proceedings... Page 34

EFCC Probes Zamfara Governor, Matawalle over Alleged N70bn Fraud Says one contractor collected N6bn on N10bn contract without rendering any service Another collected over N3bn for medical equipment supply contract Commission traced payment of N400m from governor’s account to BDC operator Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

TThe Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC), yesterday, disclosed that it had commenced investigation into alleged diversion of

N70 billion by Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle.

Speaking at a media briefing in

Abuja, Director of Public Affairs, EFCC, Osita Nwajah, said Matawalle was under investigation by the

anti-graft agency over "allegation of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts and diversion

of over N70 billion" from the coffers Continued on page 6

Buhari: Jonathan Conceding Defeat in 2015 Unprecedented, Un-Nigerian To bestow Tinubu with GCFR title May 25 Urges diplomats to always respect nation’s traditional institutions, cultures Ex-president preaches integrity, good governance Nothing can stop transition of power on May 29, says SGF Court to decide whether to stop inauguration May 24 Deji Elumoye, Alex Enumah and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, reviewed the 2015 general election that brought him into office, and said the singular act of his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, conceding defeat, even before the formal announcement of the election result, was unprecedented and, definitely, not Nigerian.

Buhari made the assertion at a farewell meeting with his media support group, Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), at the State House, Abuja.

The statement came as the president was billed to confer on the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, the country’s highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) during the handover of transition documents at the State House, Abuja, on May

25, ahead of his inauguration as the 16th President of Nigeria.

However, Buhari advised the High Commissioners of the United Kingdom, Richard Hugh Montgomery, and Sri Lanka, Velupillai Kananathan, to always uphold the noble standards of diplomacy, like their predecessors, by respecting Nigerian cultures and traditional institutions. He spoke, when he received Letters of Credence from the diplomats.

Jonathan called for the entrenchment of a culture of integrity across both the corporate and civil spaces as a way of addressing the problems associated with governance, democracy and development in the country.

At the same time, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Continued on page 6

GUINNESS VISITS OBA OF BENIN...

L-R: Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Eheneden Erediauwa, Ewuare II; Esere of Benin Kingdom, Chief Stanley Obawmonyi and Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mr. John Musunga during the courtesy visit of Guinness Leadership Team to the Oba Palace in Benin, Edo State...recently

Two Arrested in Connection with Attack on US Embassy Officials in Anambra... Page 14

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TransitionNews Tinubu

Wase

Wase: One Person Can’t Own Nigeria, the Arrogance is Too Much Says his coalition will determine next speaker Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Ahmed Wase, yesterday, said the reason he was against the zoning of the leadership position of the 10th National Assembly was because one person could not own Nigeria, adding that the arrogance with which things were being handled were too much for some of them to bear.

He however, maintained that the coalition of aspirants to the speakership of the 10th Assembly, to which he belonged, would be the one to determine the next speaker of the House.

He said this yesterday evening when the member representing Kauran Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency of Zamfara State, Hon Aminu Jaji, declared his intention to run for the speakership.

The coalition has been working against the annointed candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Other members of the coalition included Hon Mukhtar Betara, Hon Sada Soli, Hon Princess

Mariam Onouha and Yusuf Gagdi.

A member of the coalition, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa, had Wednesday withdrawn from the group and backed the preferred candidates of the APC, Tajudeen Abbas and Ben Kalu for speaker and deputy speaker, respectively.

Wase, however, said: “We need to rise to the occasion as parliamentarians. We are not fighting but we believe certain things have gone wrong. Are we going to allow such to happen to us? One person to own the institution, one person to own Nigeria, one person to put leadership to us? No. Presentation is part of democracy and they need to at every point in time engage people. The arrogance is becoming too much” “I want to beg our leaders so we do not blow the boat. We do not allow one or two persons to give an impression that there is no democracy in this country. The world over, leadership are chosen through consultations and I want to believe that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

10th N’Assembly: Opposition Parties Meet Gbajabiamila, Agree to Build Consensus Udora Orizu in Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday, met with minority caucus group known as “Greater Majority”, in a bid to ensure that the 10th House of Representatives did not take off on a turbulent note.

The group, a coalition of the seven opposition political parties in the 10th Assembly, was led by Hon. Nicholas Mutu.

Others, who accompanied him included the convener, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Hon. Wole Oke, Ali Isa, Dennis Agbo, Mansur Soro and Hon. Kabiru Ahmadu.

Spokespersons of the opposition,

Hon. Dachung Bagos and Hon. Afam Ogene were also part of the delegation.

According to a brief statement signed by Ogene, the parley with Gbajabiamila was the climax of a series of interface which the “Greater Majority” has had with all those aspiring to lead the House.

Ogene said during the talks, frank exchanges were shared, all sides agreed to embark on consensus building, in the interest of the institution of the legislature.

The minority caucus was created to upstage the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and had said they would contest for the speakership and the deputy speakership of the 10th National Assembly.

“Our party anointed somebody for the presidential candidate but Nigerians said no, that it was Asiwaju they wanted and he eventually emerged. I want to believe that the shenanigan done by my brother for reasons known to him, will not stand the test of time.

“This group, by the grace of God,

will produce the speaker and we are going to work on defence of democracy. We believe in the unity of this country and whatever we are doing is for the development of the county. We shall not succumb to any blackmail and shenanigans.

“I was told that members-elect are beginning to be threatened of their

position. But I believe my leader Asiwaju would not allow this. I believe in his capacity. I believe in the capacity of my party that they would be able to resolve and would resolve this matter quickly.”

Jaji, however, stated that if he emerged speaker, he would strengthen the legislative process

of the National Assembly and the economy of the country, adding that any attempt to influence the leadership by external forces would be resisted and that his aspiration was not out of desperation but on the sentiment to deal with glaring challenges bedvilling the 9th Assembly.”

NEF: Allow 10th N’Assembly Elect Its Leaders on Merit, Competence John Shiklam in Kaduna The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has asked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to allow members of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) to elect their leaders based on merit and competence.

Spokesman of NEF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, stated this yesterday in Kaduna, at a colloquium organised by the Democratic Watch Initiative (DWI).

Baba-Ahmed said, “Individuals and groups lobbying for positions from northern legislators should be conscious of a number of things.

First, the best thing is to respect the independence of the legislature and allow members to choose their leaders.

“Elected legislators waiting for final verdicts from the courts, who are lobbying groups and members of the public to be elected by colleagues or president-elect forget that if successful, they will be leading legislators. Groups which lobby Tinubu for ‘theirs’, should know they will pay a price in the long run.That is how politics is played.”

According to him, the North did not want just any legislator from the region to become senate president or speaker, “we should hope that he has the highest personal integrity and a good idea of how his position can help him.

“All of those contesting for positions should submit to a process by which they are nominated and support. The same thing should be

done at the senate level. If they, who know each other better than us cannot decide who will serve our interests best as Northerners, then we stop campaigning for all of them.

“We do not want legislators who want to be in positions of power to fulfill personal ambition,” Baba-Ahmed said, adding that the result of the elections showed that the North was the only region that gave huge votes to all the candidates, who contested for the presidency.

“Northern voters had done their job and voted based on convictions over qualities of candidates while, some because they were induced; just as some voted along faith lines and others along party lines,” he said.

One of the discussants, Prof. Sadiq

Abubakar, said given the number of northerners in the National Assembly, they have the capacity to produce both the senate president and the speaker of House of Representatives, because they are in the majority in the two chambers.

Earlier, convener of the DWI, Nasir Danbatta, said the colloquium with the theme: “inclusive participation for sustainable democracy”, was aimed at “brainstorming and designing a comprehensive manifest for paradigm shift to a more responsive leadership and adoption of a new selection process that would shift from parochial considerations such as ethnicity, religion and sectionalism and centre on competence, capacity and character as basis for governance.”

We Won’t Go against Tinubu, APC, Says Sule Udora Orizu in Abuja Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said he and his counterparts from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North would not go against the choice of the president-elect regarding the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

Speaking when he received a delegation of the Hon. Abbas Tajudeen/Hon. Benjamin Kalu Campaign Team at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja,

yesterday, Sule said as a governor, he also has preferred candidates for the leadership of his state Assembly and that nobody would disagree with him on such decision.

According to him, they were loyal party members, who would want the incoming Tinubu administration to succeed, and therefore warned that going against the choice of the president-elect and the APC could create problem for the administration.

He said the Northern governors were the ones that stood their ground

for the presidency to go back to the South, and that the “best has emerged,” adding that, “If people hear that we’re disagreeing with the president-elect, they will laugh at us. We won’t disagree with him.

“I sincerely thank you for finding me worthy to be among the people to be visited for this project. We cannot in any way fight the choice of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We cannot in any way fight the choice of our party.”

He however, advised both Abbas Tajudeen and Benjamin Kalu to reach

out to the other contestants for the top positions so as to carry them along and get their buy in.

Earlier, Abbas told the governor that the team visited him to seek his support, cooperation and blessings for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s offices .

He said since his first election to the House in 2011, he has been making modest contributions in the legislature, which culminated in his sponsoring 74 Bills from 2019 to date, out of which 21 were signed into law.

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Buhari: Nigeria Targeting 30GW Electricity By 2030 Launches Kashimbila multipurpose dam Says 740mw Zungeru, Dadinkowa power plants also ready for inauguration Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that Nigeria was targeting 30GW electricity by the year 2030.

Speaking while inaugurating virtually the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line and Distribution Substation (Phase I) Project, located at the Kashimbila Dam site in Taraba

State, at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, the president underscored the importance of the project, highlighting its role in his government’s commitment to achieving the target of 30GW of electricity in the country by 2030, under the Electricity Vision 30:30:30.

Buhari, while inviting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to unveil the project on his behalf, noted that the Electricity Vision initiative aims to have renewable energy contribute at

least 30 per cent to the energy mix, thereby expediting the expansion of electricity access.

The president further said the implementation and completion of the Kashimbila projects align with his government’s policies to alleviate poverty, generate employment opportunities, enhance healthcare services, and improve the overall standard of living of Nigerians.

According to him: ‘The Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State, with storage capacity of 500million

cubic metres, was conceived principally to checkmate the threat of the imminent collapse of the structurally weak and poisonous Lake Nyos, located at the line of volcanic activities in Cameroun Republic, which collapse could result in flooding and affecting millions of lives and properties. ‘‘Even though the Dam was meant to serve as a buffer to contain possible discharge of water of Lake Nyos, the engineering design maximized the benefits

of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW Hydropower Station, 60,000 cubic metre per day Water Supply Scheme, 2,000 hectares of Irrigation System, an airstrip, fishing activities and tourism potentials."

The president also stated that the Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, Donga, and the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev

BUHARI: JONATHAN CONCEDING DEFEAT IN 2015 UNPRECEDENTED, UN-NIGERIAN Transition Council, Mr Boss Mustapha, told a world press conference, yesterday, that nothing could stop the transition of power on May 29.

Nonetheless, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, yesterday, adjourned till May 24 the ruling in a suit seeking to stop the inauguration of Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.

Speaking at the farewell meeting with his media support team, the president recalled how elated he felt when his predecessor, Jonathan, “called me at 5:25 that evening to say congratulations. I said pardon me Mr. President? He said yes, I called to concede and congratulate you.

That was equally very un-Nigerian.”

Buhari also likened the sacrifices of the BMO members to that of past leaders, citing, in particular, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, and himself. He recalled how in the period of the civil war, he walked from Makurdi, in today’s Benue State, to the shorelines.

While calling on Nigerians to walk on the path of duty if they really wanted to see the country achieve new heights, the president showered praises on members of BMO for volunteering their time and energy throughout the eight years of his administration “without salary, letter of appointment or any formal rewards, describing their sacrifices as ‘very un-Nigerian.”

Buhari said the BMO had by their action given him inspiration and hope for a better Nigeria in the future.

He said, “I am so happy for all that you have done to support my administration. I don’t have enough words to thank you individually

and collectively. I occasionally read your outbursts and often wondered what type of Nigerians are these?

The sacrifices you have made for our success is beyond measure.”

The president described Nigeria as a lucky country given the natural resources available to it and its vast population, saying, “We don’t even know how much resource we have. A major part of Africa's natural resources are domiciled in this country."

Making comparisons with countries he had been to on military training, Buhari cited a particular instance, where people who died of hunger overnight, were cleared off the streets by refuse collectors.

He recalled, “People just moved on with their daily lives even in the face of these cultural shocks."

Earlier, Chairman and Coordinator of BMO, Niyi Akinsiju, said, “As your administration ends on May 29th, 2023, we wish to state unequivocally that you have made the country proud and posterity will judge you favourably.”

On his part, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, informed the president that the group was the same media committee that worked for him in the 2015 elections, which was an amalgam of the media assets of the candidates that ran with him in the party primaries that he asked him to keep.

On behalf of the group, the presidential spokesman thanked Buhari for the opportunity he gave them to serve during the period of his eight-year leadership, noting that throughout this period, the BMO sustained itself through voluntary assistance by non-governmental organisations.

Buhari to Bestow Tinubu with GCFR Award May 25 President-elect Bola Tinubu would receive the country’s highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) during the handover of transition documents at the State House, Abuja, on May 25, ahead of his inauguration as the 16th President of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Transition Council, Mr Boss Mustapha, disclosed this yesterday at a world press conference on the 2023 presidential inauguration, which he said was

unstoppable.

Mustapha added that the vicepresident-elect, Senator Kasim Shettima, would on the same occasion bag the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON).

Mustapha, while unveiling the programme of events for the inauguration, said the conferment would be preceded by a Regimental Dinner in honour of Buhari on May 23 at the Armed Forces Officers Mess, to be followed by a valedictory Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, on May 24.

There would be a public lecture and Jumaat prayer at the National Mosque on May 26, followed by an inauguration lecture on the topic: Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development by former President of Kenya, Uhuru

years from $171.2 billion to $367 billion with the oil and gas sector contributing about 20 per cent, followed by their hydropower.

He added: “Although Norway is in a different clime from Nigeria, we share some similarities when we look at the huge deposits of natural resources coupled with a skilled labour force and the adoption of new technology that made Norway a prosperous country during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

“It is my belief that the oil and gas sector can serve as the catalyst that will enable us to achieve the desired double-digit GDP growth rate if we are bold and disruptive in our strategy.”

Wabote said one probable means through which double-digit GDP growth could be achieved was by harnessing the array of opportunities in various categories enabled by the oil and gas industry.

He said NOGOF was designed to showcase opportunities in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, provide opportunity for foreign and local investors to build synergies in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and provide companies and prospective investors an opportunity to showcase their capabilities.

He added that NOGOF would provide stakeholders with information on upcoming projects to enable Nigerian companies/ manufacturers tailor their business

Continued on page 35

EFCC PROBES ZAMFARA GOVERNOR, MATAWALLE OVER ALLEGED N70BN FRAUD of the state.

Nwajah said the money, which was sourced as loan from an old generation bank, purportedly, for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was, allegedly, diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors, who received payment for contracts that were never executed.

He said the commission’s investigations so far revealed that more than 100 companies received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.

Nwajah said, "Some of the contractors, who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were, allegedly, compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his

aides after converting the same to United States dollars.

"They confirmed that they did not render any service to Zamfara State but were, allegedly, directed to convert the monies paid to them into United States Dollars and return to the state governor through some of his commissioners, notably the commissioners in charge of finance and local government affairs.

"One of the contractors, a popular Abuja property developer, collected N6 billion on a N10 billion contract without rendering any service to Zamfara State.

"Another contractor collected over N3 billion for a contract for the supply of medical equipment but the commission traced a payment of N400 million from his account to a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.

The contractor confessed the payment

WABOTE SEEKS DOUBLE-DIGIT OIL CONTRIBUTION TO GDP, NNPC TO SUPPLY 300,000 BPD TO DANGOTE REFINERY organised by the board in Bayelsa State, Wabote, highlighted that of late, the role expected of the oil and gas industry had been dwindling due to missed opportunities as a result of policy inconsistencies, deferred decisions, and investments apathy.

To set the context, the executive secretary of NCDMB drew attention to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate between 2021 and 2022, as released by the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS).

Over this period, he stated that the growth of the GDP had been marginal, saying that the reality is that Nigeria needs to drive the growth rate to double digits to achieve the level of economic advancement and development it desires.

Wabote said: “The NBS report noted that the total annual contribution of oil to aggregate GDP in 2022 was 5.67 per cent compared to 7.24 per cent in 2021. The oil sector has steadily dropped behind agriculture, trade, telecommunications/ICT, and real estate in terms of sectors that contributed the most to Nigeria’s GDP. “These are signs of a dying sector, and we must all join hands to stop the decline so that we can return oil and gas contribution to GDP to double digit levels similar to other major oil producing countries.”

According to him, Norway has doubled its GDP in the last two

Kenyatta.

The lecture is to hold up at the International Conference Centre on May 27.

There would be an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre on May 28, preceding the Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night, at the State House Conference Centre on the same day.

The highpoint of the activities would be the inauguration parade/ swearing-in at the Eagle Square on May 29 and the post inauguration luncheon at the State House Banquet Hall that is strictly for the in-coming president with invited presidents, heads of government, and his invited guests also on May 29.

Mustapha said the Presidential

substation.

It also involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada. ‘‘I understand that the Water Supply component that is intended to service Takum and environs has reached about 65% progress, while the engineering design for the 2000 Hectare Irrigation Scheme has been fully completed, and physical works will commence in due course,’’ he said.

Buhari assured Nigerians that other projects aimed at boosting electricity supply, such as the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, are also ready for inauguration.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Power for their efforts in delivering the Kashimbila Project, expressing his anticipation for increased collaboration among various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in infrastructure development.

The president also praised the host communities and the individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support during the implementation of this significant undertaking.

development strategies as well as identify high impact activities with potential for in-country value addition with a five-year outlook to deepen the practice of Nigerian content.

In his address at the event, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, urged all stakeholders to join NNPC in growing crude oil and gas production, noting that with the expected coming on-stream of Dangote refinery, NNPC will be supplying 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the company.

Kyari said: "We want to address the energy challenges so that industrialisation can come to the country. Forty-eight per cent of all revenue that comes to government comes from the oil and gas sector and we are in a very good position to support the growth of the economy."

In his remarks, NNPC’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Mr. Bala Wunti said the company had officially cleared the backlog of cash calls owed the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to the tune of about $4.68 billion. Wunti said the move had enhanced cash flow in the sector.

THISDAY recalls that as of May 2022, the national oil company had paid $3.81 billion as cash call arrears to its Joint Venture (JV) partners, including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC),

Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPNU), Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPN), and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

That left NNPC with an outstanding balance of $873.34 million, out of the total renegotiated debt between the government and the five IOCs of $4.68 billion from 2016. By July 31, 2022, NNPC had already paid $4.04 billion to five of the foreign oil businesses.

Essentially, cash calls are sent by joint venture operators to nonoperating partners for payment for expected future capital, operating expenditures or the need for additional capital contributions.

The federal government, through NNPC, had over the years piled up unpaid bills, referred to as cash calls, which it was obliged to pay the IOCs with which it had JVs for oil exploration and production. The huge debts had hobbled investment in the sector for years.

But speaking at the event, Wunti who aired his views during a session on upstream opportunities, said the national oil company had fully settled the arrears. He stressed that before he got back to Abuja from Bayelsa, the last tranche would have hit the IOCs’ accounts.

Wunti said: “As of today, NNPC is not owing anybody cash call debts.

We have paid all the cash call. They Continued on page 35

was to procure the dollar equivalent, allegedly, for the state governor.”

Nwajah disclosed that as part of the extensive investigation of contracts awarded by the Matawalle administration, especially for phantom projects in the local government areas, the commission recovered N300 million from a company, Fezel Nigeria Limited.

The funds, he said, were traced to the Zamafara Investment Company.

On the recent allegation by the Zamfara State chief executive that the chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, and the commission were engaged in corrupt practices with regard to the recent asset disposal exercise conducted nationwide by EFCC, Nwajah described the governor's allegation as a case of "corruption fighting back".

The EFCC spokesman stated, "The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a statement credited to the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, in which he attempted to cast aspersion on the integrity of the EFCC’s fight against corruption by making farcical allegations of corruption in assets disposal and plea bargain procedure, among others.

"These claims ought not to be dignified with a response. What is at play here is a pure case of corruption fighting back. Matawalle’s outburst is product of paranoia – an uncomfortable exertion arising from the heat of EFCC’s lawful activities.

"However, for the sake of some gullible citizens who might be swayed by the governor’s sudden burst of crusading zest, a measured response has become imperative to expose Matawalle’ outburst for what it is, a hollow gambit to deflect attention from the real issue."

The EFCC Director of Public Affairs maintained, "The issue has nothing to do with the transparency of EFCC’s asset recovery and disposal process.

Contrary to the claims by Matawalle, the commission supervised an asset disposal exercise that was widely acclaimed as the most transparent in the country’s history. Proceeds of the open and transparent exercise have since been remitted into the coffers of the federal government, and are being deployed in the provision of infrastructure for Nigerians.

"The issue is also not about plea bargain. Indeed, it is hypocritical for Matawalle to rile a process for which he has been a beneficiary. Plea bargain is a practice established by law, and the commission has never gone outside

of the law in the application of this principle. If Matawalle has any evidence of abuse of plea bargain process, he is at liberty to make the disclosure."

The anti-graft agency wondered why the governor would suddenly be playing the role of a supervisor guiding the agency on its investigation.

Nwajah stated further, "It is intriguing that Matawalle would want to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate. Is this a case of a ‘thief’ saying he must not be touched until other ‘thieves’ are caught?

"Unfortunately, it is not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate to the EFCC whom to arrest, when and where. Suspects in the custody of the commission cut across all sectors and social class. The qualification to get a space in the commission’s detention facility is to commit a crime. It does not matter whether you are a priest, Imam, governor or minister.

“Currently, a former minister of power is in the custody of the EFCC over a N22 billion corruption allegation. That conveniently did not attract Matawalle’s attention."

The agency recalled that former heads of the agency were similarly attacked over their determination to fight corruption.

Nwajah said, "Of course, these shenanigans are not strange. They appear to play out in cycles, particularly when the nation is in political transition.

“Virtually all the predecessors of the incumbent EFCC chairman suffered similar indignity at the hands of politically exposed persons under investigation for corruption.

Who among the former chairmen of the commission was not accused of pilfering recovered assets?

"The commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations, fight viciously back."

Responding to queries on why the agency did not speak until Matawalle's allegation, Nwajah said the agency preferred to do its work quietly rather than being accused of media trial.

"We prefer to do our investigation very, very quietly,” he said.

Nwajah added, “He (Matawalle) wanted to shock us and blackmail us.

We didn't want to engage in media trial, which the media gives some people the platform to accuse us of.

We are trying to do that, to do our work quietly."

FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

NIREC SECOND QUARTER MEETING… L-R: Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan; President-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Co- Chairman Nigeria Inter- Religious Council (NIREC), Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, and President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel Okoh during NIREC’s second quarter meeting in Abuja ...yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

NECA: Dangote Refinery will Provide Succour, Turbo-charge Nigeria’s Economy Dike Onwuamaeze The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Forum (NECA) has declared that the Dangote Refinery would turbo-charge the engine of the Nigerian economy, unstrap the strings holding its growth and bring succor to a country that is in dire need of industrial renaissance.

The NECA also declared that the refinery was capable of generating the total power requirement that could address the electricity needs of all the five states in the south-west region of Nigeria.

These declarations were contained in a public statement that was released yesterday by the Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, titled “HIGH Unemployment Rate and Promoting Economic Growth: NECA Commends Dangote Refinery.”

Oyerinde said: “This refinery in a sum, is one edifice that will turbocharge the engine of the Nigerian economy, unstrap the strings holding the development of the economy and wade off external and domestic headwinds against efficacies of fiscal and monetary instruments.”

He added that the Dangote Refinery with its refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day is set to be the biggest single train petroleum refinery in the world with 900 KTPA

polypropylene plant.

“The refinery is the largest oil refinery in Africa with a land area of approximately 2,635 hectares. Having about 435 MW power plant, the refinery is capable of generating the total power requirement of 860,316 MWh covering five states in the south-west region of Nigeria.”

Oyerinde said the refinery has the capacity to meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s consumption of all liquid products, including gasoline (PMS), Ddiesel (AGO), kerosene (DPK) and aviation jet fuel (Jet A-1) as 60 per cent of the production capacity of this petroleum refinery could meet the entire consumption needs of the country, while the other 40 per cent would be exported to generate a huge amount of foreign exchange that would impact positively on Nigeria’s balance of payment.

He said: “With the petroleum refinery and petrochemical plant as well as the fertilizer plant housed in Nigeria, it invariably implies that there would be no more importation of petroleum products; rather, there will be export of finished products, availability of petroleum products, thus, putting an end to long queues and scarcity of petroleum products.

“A significant plus of this feat would be the attraction of foreign capital investments that the country

desperately needs.

“The multiplier effect of its target 135,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians and displacement of plastics imports in the fiscal space are

a part of the economic springboard this refinery brings to the Nigerian economy.

“In addition, it would lead to skills transfer and technology acquisition

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the country has the capacity to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and security if human and material resources are rightly harnessed and deployed.

Speaking while inaugurating the Large-Scale Integrated Rice Mill, located in Sheda, Kwali, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he said his administration had in the past eight years intensively promoted and supported agricultural development through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP), the Fertilizer Initiative, Grain Aggregation Centres and Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone Programme.

Buhari said the measures were in line with the food security component of his government’s

nine-priority agenda for agriculture, adding that the agricultural development strategy had so far enabled the increased output recorded in critical arable and cash crops production.

Represented at the occasion by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, Buhari pointed out that the new rice mill was just one of the 10 mills embarked upon by the current administration for the purpose of expanding domestic rice production and achieving self-sufficiency in the country.

He said, “This accomplishment clearly demonstrates our commitment to addressing critical infrastructural projects and keeping with the ideals of the Change Agenda to ensure prudence in the management of public resources, value for money considering the huge investments in this project.

to creating an enabling environment for organised businesses to thrive so that, “we have more private sector investment to reengineer the nation’s economy.”

Buhari Offers Automatic Employment, Scholarships to 65 Ex-Corps Members Doles out cash prizes to each awardee Lists achievements of NYSC at 50 Scheme honours Imo as most friendly state Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has offered automatic employment in the Federal Civil Service to 65 former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He also highlighted numerous achievements of the scheme since its establishment 50 years ago.

Also, as part of activities marking its golden jubilee anniversary, the NYSC would at the weekend honour Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for his contributions to the growth of the scheme.

Speaking yesterday, in Abuja, at the NYSC 50th Anniversary Honours Award, held at the State House

Conference Centre, the president said out of the 65 recipients, 52 individuals received the Presidential Honours Awards, while the remaining 13 were physically challenged ex-Corps Members recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

In addition to the employment, Buhari also disclosed that both groups would be awarded scholarships to pursue their education up to the Doctorate Degree level at any university of their choice within the country.

He further announced a cash prize of N250,000 for each of the top award winners and N200,000 for other award recipients, including the physically challenged ex-Corps

...Says Nigeria Can Achieve Food Security If Resources Are Properly Harnessed James Emejo in Abuja

opportunities with beneficial impacts on the downstream sector.”

The NECA, therefore, called on the government and other stakeholders to pay more attention

“We have witnessed the rapid increase in domestic rice production from the incentive given to farmers and processors over this period as a resolution of leveraging our potential, producing what we consume, and patronise locally made products.

“In the agricultural sector, we indeed have the capacity to be food secure if we rightly harness and deploy our human and material resources.”

Buhari said the establishment of large-scale integrated rice processing mills located across the North West, North East, North Central, SouthSouth and South West Zones of the country further demonstrated the commitment of his administration to reposition agriculture.

According to him, the concept was a public, private partnership between the government and the anchor investors to increase the

country’s processing capacity for rice production and fill up the demand-supply gap making the country self-sufficient in the commodity value chain.

He pointed out that the country’s paddy yield per hectare significantly increased to the extent of being adequate in the raw material production, adding that it showed the result of determination for backward integration and economic diversification within the ambit of comparative advantage of natural resource utilisation.

He further urged encourage every Nigerian to invest in any aspect of the agricultural value chain by using the available incentives, undertaking agribusiness and aiding food production in the country, stressing that this would “demonstrate our collective stake of developing the sector and providing food for the teeming population.”

members under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

Consequently, the president issued a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the Minister of Education to ensure adherence to the employment offer and the granting of scholarships.

Buhari also used the occasion to pay tribute to Corps Members from the batches being honoured, who lost their lives under various circumstances while serving the nation.

He said: "But for their transitioning, some of them might have been here today as part of the honourees. May God grant their souls peaceful repose. They remain our heroes and heroines. The Nation shall continue to remember their sacrifices towards building a strong, indivisible and egalitarian entity".

The president also sympathised with the ex-Corps Members that sustained varying degrees of disability during the service year, acknowledging their significant sacrifices for the progress of the country and assuring them that the nation stands in solidarity with them. ‘‘Your labour shall not be in vain,’’ he said.

The president while congratulating the founding fathers, past and present managers of the NYSC on the Scheme's Golden Jubilee, commended their enduring faith, which has maintained NYSC as a vital platform for mobilising the youth towards national unity and development.

Buhari praised all Nigerians who have answered the call for National Service in the past fifty years for their patriotic zeal and commitment to the NYSC mandate.

He emphasised that it has justified its establishment as an interventionist agency, with a core mandate to foster national unity across the country, thereby breaking down ethnic

suspicions and divisions.

According to him: ‘‘The multiplicity of marriages contracted over the years by Corps Members, cutting across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion in no small measure, justifies my assertion."

Buhari also expressed his appreciation to General Yakubu Gowon, the founding father of the Scheme, who conceived the idea of the Corps and brought it to fruition on May 22, 1973. ‘‘The NYSC has continued to afford successive batches of Corps Members as the veritable platform to make meaningful contributions, in the various spheres of our national life,’’ he said.

The president specifically commended the Corps Members for their role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by producing and distributing essential items such as face masks, hand sanitisers, liquid soap, and providing food and other relief materials to the needy people across the country.

He also applauded their discipline and neutrality when serving as ad hoc personnel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including during the 2023 General Elections, which contributed to enhancing the credibility of the electoral system.

Buhari further acknowledged the Corps Members' contributions to the successful implementation of Social Intervention Programme,s such as N-Power and the School Feeding program through beneficiary enumeration. ‘‘I hasten to state without equivocation that with the quality of youths such as these, the future of this country, which rests upon their shoulders, is guaranteed. I give kudos to my dear diligent, patriotic and virile youths. You have done very well; and the Nation is very proud of you.

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BUHARI RECEIVES NEW UK HIGH COMMISSIONER, MONTGOMERY...

L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari receives the New United Kingdom High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E Richard Huge Montgomery during the presentation of Letter of Credence held at the State House in Abuja

SUNDAY AGHAEZE

FAAC Disburses N655.9bn April Revenue to FG, States, LGs Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N655.932 billion to the federal, state and local governments as federation allocation for the month of April, 2023.

The N655.932 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N364.654 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N202.762 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) of N14.516 billion, N50 billion augmentation

from Forex Equalisation revenue and N24 billion augmentation from the Non-mineral revenue.

From the distributable revenue, the federal government received N248.809 billion, states received N218.307 billion, while the local governments got N160.600 billion.

The oil producing states received N28.216 billion as 13 per cent mineral revenue under the Derivation Principle.

Separate statements from the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Office of the Accountant General of

the Federation (OAGF) cited a communique issued after the FAAC meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the statement, the Gross Revenue available from the VAT) for April 2023 was N217.743 billion, a decrease from the amount distributed in the preceding month of March.

From that amount, the sum of N8.710 billion was allocated for costs of collection with N6.271 going for Transfers and Refunds.

The remaining sum of N202.762 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government of

which the federal government got N30.414 billion, the states received N101.381 billion, local government councils got N70.967 billion.

Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N497.463 billion received for the month was lower than the sum of N638.673 billion received in the previous month of March, 2023.

From the amount, the sum of N18.793 billion was given for Costs of Collection and a total sum of N114.016 billion for Transfers and Refunds.

The balance of N364.654 billion

was distributed with the federal government getting N180.659 billion, states received N91.632 billion, Local governments got N70.647 billion, and 13 per cent oil derivation accounted for N21.716 billion.

The sum of N15.121 billion from Electronic EMTL was also distributed to the three tiers of government.

The federal government received N2.177 billion, states got N7.258 billion, local councils received N5.081 billion, and the sum of N0.605 billion was allocated to Costs of Collection.

A sum of N50 billion Augmentation N50.000 billion

from Forex Equalization, which saw the sharing ratio of N22.916 billion for the federal government, N11.623 billion for the states and N8.961 billion allocated to local councils, while the sum of N6.500 billion was for 13 per cent Mineral Revenue.

Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Oil and Gas Royalties, Import and Excise Duties and VAT decreased considerably during the reference month, the statements said adding that only EMTL increased though marginally.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at May 18, 2023 stands at $473,754.57.

CBN: Museums Critical to Sustainable House to Meet Malami Development, Unity, Wellbeing of Nigerians over Controversy Trailing Appointment of New AuGF

Partners Google for virtual currency gallery James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said museums remained a key contributor to the sustainable development of the country as well as well-being of Nigerians.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, stated this at the 2023 International Museum Day (IMD) celebration with the theme, “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being”.

He said the central bank’s in-house Information Technology Department (ITD) was partnering with Google to establish a virtual reality museum that would, “connect with the global world for the public to sit back and relax within their comfort zone and view the artifacts on display.”

Shonubi said museums all over the world, serve as heritage sites that preserve and promote the religious, cultural and historical value of objects and materials collected in showcasing knowledge, entertaining,

educating, and enlightening the public on the theme as it unfolds.

The CBN deputy governor stressed that museums are channels of cultural enrichment and development of communal understanding, cooperation, and peace among people which cannot be over-emphasised.

According to him, “Museums are an informal means through which knowledge can be shared on so many levels, as they have no age barrier. The displays in the museums are designed to appeal to any audience irrespective of age, ethnic group, or gender and there should be no diversity irrespective of where you are coming from.”

He said this year’s event was particularly unique given that the apex bank was celebrating Museum Day since the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

He said, “It is impossible to understand the role of museums without taking into account all the connections to culture; they are an inherent part of our local communities, cultural landscape,

and natural environment.”

In his remarks, CBN Director, Currency Operations Department, Mr. Ahmed Umar, noted that digital innovations could make museums more accessible and engaging thereby helping audiences understand complex and nuanced concepts.

He said, “We are in the process of making sure that our museums have gone digital by way of Virtual Reality Museum where you sit back in your comfort zone and take a view through our currency museum gallery coming soon.”

He noted that the International Museum Day celebration was introduced in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to celebrate museums all over the world.

The objective of the IMD was to raise awareness that "Museums are important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people," he said.

Umar said museums were key

contributors to the well-being and sustainable development of Nigerian communities, adding that its vast collections offer almost infinite opportunities to share with visitors the ways in which the past informs the present and conversely how the issues of the present can make the past relevant again.

He said, “Works of art can speak so eloquently about what makes us human, what connects and divides us, what inspires and provokes us, and how vital the impulse to make and create has always been across time and geographic boundaries.

“I believe this kind of perspective is one of the deepseated needs of our society.”

He added that museums play an important role in society whereby technology has helped in reaching beyond the core audience to new publics.

“This has been shown in digitalisation of collections, virtual tours, or something as simple as a hashtag that allows visitors to share their experiences on social media,” he said.

Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has resolved to interface with the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over the lingering controversy on seniority amongst 10 top officials on Director Cadre to fill the vacant position of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF).

The Committee chaired by Hon. Wole Oke, took the decision after the representative of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Okonkwo Udoh, made a submission before it on the matter.

The Committee had at its last sitting summoned the Head of Service, Folashade Esan, to appear before it to clarify the issue.

Speaking on the development, Oke said the selection processes would have to be put on hold to allow for due consultations on the contending issues including interface with the Attorney General of the Federation for Legal interpretation.

He said, "Why are they so in

hurry now? There's no provision for the office of the Auditor General of the Federation to be run by a Director, it is illegal.

“The Director occupying that office cannot perform the constitutional roles of the Auditor General of the Federation. We are having backlog of audited accounts of the Federation for the 2020, 2021, 2022 which are yet to be laid before the National Assembly because of the absence of a substantive Auditor General of the Federation who is to sing them.

“We as a Committee go through the submissions before us, consult with the Attorney General of the Federation before we arrive at our final decision on the matter that will be acceptable to all the parties involved."

The aggrieved directors in their submissions urged the Committee to look critically into the issue based on existing laid down civil service rules and regulations.

They also urged the lawmakers to be guided by the provisions of the civil service to prevent manipulation of the selection processes.

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40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS...

L-R: Past President, Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigeria, Mr. Chike Nwanze; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; President and Chairman of Council IOD Nigeria, Mrs. Ije Jidenma; Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; First Vice President, IOD Nigeria, Alhaji. Tijjani Borodo; and Past President, IOD Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, at the 40th Anniversary Gala of the Institute in Lagos on Wednesday ETOP UKUTT

Global Debt Inches Close to $305tn, about $45tn over Pre-COVID Level Grew by $8.3tn in Q1 2023 Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The global debt stock grew by $8.3 trillion to a near-record $305 trillion in the first quarter of 2023, occasioned by a combination of high debt levels and rising interest rates, the International Institute of Finance (IIF) has said.

The high debt levels and rising interest rates pushed up debt

service costs, prompting concerns about the use of leverage in the financial system, the global financial services trade group said in its latest quarterly Global Debt Monitor report.

According to the report by the Washington DC-based IFF, the global debt pile grew by $8.3 trillion in the first quarter to a near-record high of $305 trillion

as the world economy faced a "crisis of adaptation" to rapid monetary policy tightening by central banks.

Apex banks around the world have been hiking interest rates for over a year in a bid to rein in sky-high inflation.

The US Federal Reserve earlier this month lifted its fed funds rate to a target range of 5 per

cent-5.25 per cent, the highest since August 2007.

"With financial conditions at their most restrictive levels since the 2008-09 financial crisis, a credit crunch would prompt higher default rates and result in more 'zombie firms' — already approaching an estimated 14 per cent of US-listed firms," the IIF said.

Minister Explains Why NDDC Embarked on N1.4tn Extra-budgetary Expenditure Senate panel summons MD

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, told the Senate adhoc Committee on the 2021 and 2022 budgets of the Niger Delta Development Commission that the delay in releasing the forensic audit report was the reason the agency operated without budget for two years.

He told the panel that the 2021 budget was actually sent to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval, but the late submission of the forensic investigation ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, delayed its transmission to the National Assembly for approval.

Umana said, "On assumption of office, we forwarded the 2021 budget to the FEC for approval.

"As of that time, they were working to conclude the 2022 estimates drafts. Within two weeks, the 2022 draft was ready.

It was then forwarded to the FEC for onward transmission to the National Assembly with a reminder that the 2021 Budget had not been transmitted.

"The NDDC had some problems which necessitated the forensic audit. President was expecting the report of the forensic audit so as to transmit the two budgets to the National Assembly, but the exercise took a longer time.

"While awaiting the outcome of the FEC action, I asked the commission to follow their guidelines and timeline for budget preparation to work on the 2023 budget.

"That was how we ended up having three budgets. The commission had done its work, they had prepared their drafts, just awaiting FEC’s approval."

The Chairman of the panel, Senator Yusuf Yusuf, noted that the Commission did not follow the constitution while carrying

out its expenditure for the two years.

He said, "For 2021 and 2022, the budgets were not passed at all, your expenditure by the constitution and extant financial regulations ought not to have exceeded the expenditure in the previous budget.

"We want to see the memo that was submitted to FEC regarding the 2021 and 2022 budgets."

He said the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, must appear before the panel today.

"The managing director of the NDDC should also explain what he knows about the 2021 and 2022 budgets,” he added.

The committee chairman told the Minister that there was no time to waste on the matter.

He said, "Our request is that the minister should give directives that all the relevant documents must be presented before us tomorrow, latest by 12pm.

"If we don't receive them, whatever position the committee decides to take will be irreversible."

The minister pledged that the NDDC MD would be informed, but he also requested the panel to write him directly.

The Senate last set up a sevenmember ad-hoc committee to probe the NNDC for embarking on expenditure amounting to N1.4trn without appropriation.

This followed a motion by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) during consideration of a report by the Committee on Niger Delta on NDDC's 2021, 2022 and 2023 budgets.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, earlier this year, asked the Senate to approve NDDC's budgets for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The request for approval came after the interventionist agency had spent the funds for the 2021 and 2022 financial years, totaling N1.4 trillion.

PDP, Obaseki Celebrate Gusau’s 80th Birthday Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday celebrated elder statesman, former Minister of Defence, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd) as he marks his 80th birthday In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party described Gusau as a remarkably patriotic leader, courageous Military Officer and committed democrat, who played key roles, alongside other

leaders in restoring democratic governance in 1999 and remains steadfast towards the unity, stability and development of the nation.

Ologunagba said "Through his career in the Military, National Security and Public Service, including as the Commander of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Chief of Army Staff, Minister of Defence and National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Gusau distinguished himself as a patriot who puts the interest and wellbeing of the nation above every other consideration.

"Despite his towering attainments, Gen. Gusau remains a humble, accessible, very committed democrat and partyman who continues in his relentless contributions towards the deepening of democracy in Nigeria in line with the manifesto of the PDP and the visions of our founding fathers."

Also, Obaseki in a separate statement congratulated Gusau as “he joined the esteemed league of octogenarians.”

According to him, “At 80 years, you have made immense contributions to the development

of Nigeria, serving as a highranking military officer and also an adviser to several presidents, ensuring that the country is held together as a strong, united and progressive nation.

“A respectable elder statesman, you have made sacrifices for the survival of Nigeria and continue to deploy your intellect for the growth and advancement of our dear nation.”

He added: “As you mark your 80th birthday, I celebrate your unwavering belief in Nigeria and wish you many more years in good health and sound mind.”

Zombie firms are companies with earnings that are sufficient to allow them to continue operating and pay the interest on their debt, but not to pay off the debt, meaning any cash generated is immediately spent on debt. Such companies are therefore "neither dead nor alive."

The report observed that the sharp increase in the global debt burden in the three months to the end of March marked a second consecutive quarterly increase following two quarters of steep declines during last year's run of aggressive monetary policy tightening.

It stressed that non-financial corporates and the government sector drove much of the rebound.

The IIF report underscored the fact that at close to $305 trillion, global debt is now $45 trillion higher than its pre-pandemic level and is expected to continue increasing rapidly It stressed that despite concerns about a potential credit crunch following the recent turmoil in the banking sectors of the United States of America and Switzerland,

government borrowing needs remain elevated.

The Washington DC-based organisation said aging populations, rising health care costs and substantial climate finance gaps are exerting pressure on government balance sheets.

It projected that national defence spending is expected to increase over the medium term due to heightened geo-political tensions, which would potentially affect the credit profile of both governments and corporate borrowers.

"If this trend continues, it will have significant implications for international debt markets, particularly if interest rates remain higher for longer," the report noted.

Total debt in emerging markets hit a new record high of more than $100 trillion, around 250 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), up from $75 trillion in 2019. China, Mexico, Brazil, India and Turkey were the largest upward contributors.

In developed markets, Japan, the US, France and the U.K. posted the sharpest increases over the quarter.

UK Appoints New High Commissioner for Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja United Kingdom (UK) has appointed, Dr. Richard Montgomery as the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Montgomery, presented his credentials to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, yesterday, according to a statement by the British High Commission.

He takes over from Ms. Catriona Laing, who recently concluded her four years tenure in the country.

According to the statement, the new High Commissioner is an experienced diplomat who has worked in different parts of the world including previously in Nigeria.

Prior to becoming the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Montgomery was the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Board from 2018 to 2022 in Washington DC, USA. He has held various senior positions in the Department of International Development

(DFID). These included Director for Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division, Country Director for Pakistan, and prior to that Country Director in Nigeria from 2009 to 2013.

Montgomery, prior to these operational roles was Deputy Director for Corporate Human Resources and Deputy Head in DFID’s Top Management Group.

Earlier in his career, he did postings in British High Commissions in Zambia, Bangladesh and India.

He is married to Naheed and together they have two children.

He and his wife are looking forward to their second stay in Nigeria.

Montgomery on his second coming to Nigeria, said: “It’s great to be back in Nigeria. I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the partnership between our countries.”

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AT INDUCTION OF GOVERNORS-ELECT...

L-R: Director-General of World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Enugu State Governor-elect. Dr. Peter Mbah, at the retreat for newly elected governors in Abuja, Wednesday.

AFBTE Urges FG to Review Excise Duties on Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, Others Wants incoming government to prioritise manufacturing sector, enhance FX inflows Sunday Ehigiator The Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) has asked the federal government to review the new excise duties placed on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and single use plastic products.

The association made the call at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, yesterday.

It also urged the incoming administration to pay keen attention to fixing the challenge of foreign exchange (FX) scarcity in the country and also prioritise the manufacturing sector.

In his address, AFBTE President, Chinedum Okereke said, "The most topical issue concerning our industry at this time is the hike in excise duties on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and single use plastics which was made public on the last but one, working day in April 2023.

"This was one month to the proposed date of implementation of the new tariffs, on June 1, 2023.

"Hitherto, the existing Fiscal Policy Measures Roadmap was to run from 2022 to 2024. On the basis of this, our member-companies had concluded all that was necessary and had made appropriate provisions with respect to their tax liability to government before the new tariff regime which if not reversed, will further impoverish businesses.

"The development is more disheartening because despite the extant roadmap alluded to above, the government went ahead to revise these taxes upward, not only for the current year, but also for the following year without adequate research on its negative effect, consultation and involvement of stakeholders.

“One does not need rocket science to know that there are far-reaching implications of this choice made by the government.

"Apart from the discouragement it portends for investors, it will definitely impact capacity utilisation negatively and by extension, volume. Some other effects are: increased costs, lower

margins, lower income value, reduced purchasing power, increased inflation, expansion of illicit markets where sub-standard and health damaging products are manufactured; increased unemployment arising from reduced absorptive capacity of businesses etc.

"Our association is of the view that this unwholesome decision should be reversed immediately, especially because businesses have been going through tough times for some time now.”

He said it was “therefore, not auspicious to add more to their already suffocating situation. We therefore plead with the government to do a rethink on this matter."

Speaking further, Okereke said, the incoming government would need to pay greater and immediate attention to the FX scarcity in the country when it assumes office.

"Our sector depends on FX to fund the importation of raw materials, machinery, equipment, spares, and other inputs that are used to manufacture the various

OAGF Directors, Deputies Petition Okolieaboh, Ahmed over Alleged Posting Irregularities Say due process breached, AGF usurped role of director of administration James Emejo in Abuja Some aggrieved directors and deputy directors in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have petitioned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed over alleged irregularities in their recent posting by the acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) Mr. Sylva Okolieaboh.

The protest came against the backdrop of a memo dated May 8, 2023, and signed by Okolieaboh communicating the posting of 12 directors from the treasury house to other ministries and parastatals.

The memo titled, “Posting of Directors and Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts SGL

17/16 Under the Pool of Office of the Accountant General of the Federation,” was addressed to the Permanent Secretaries in the ministries of Education, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Niger Delta Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Police Affairs, Finance, Budget and National Planning, Police, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, North East Development Commission, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund.

According to the memo, obtained

by THISDAY, the postings which took immediate effect, affected 10 directors and two deputy directors

who were assigned responsibilities in other ministries.

Okolieaboh said, “All officers are reminded that failure to comply with this posting instruction shall be treated in accordance with the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR).

“Accordingly, affected officers are advised to submit Assumption of Duty Certificate to the undersigned on or before May 22, 2023.”

However, the aggrieved officers in a petition to the AGF and the Minister of Finance, dated May 17, 2023, faulted the postings and accused Okolieaboh of scandal in “posting of directors of accounts and deputy directors of his office to some ministries and MDAs.” Continued online

products.

"The costs of procurement, which were phenomenally high in the past year and are high at this point in time, require a very urgent solution,” he added.

He said the incoming administration must also prioritise its support for the private sector, "particularly the manufacturing sector whose fortunes have been on a downward trend in recent years.

"It is a common knowledge that manufacturing is a major contributor to job creation, reduction of unemployment and poverty," he added.

Okereke, however, lamented the

regular disruption of businesses by government agencies.

According to him, "This is an issue our member companies face quite frequently and which we have always drawn attention to at previous AGM. However, it has not changed.

"Agencies of government still come around to disrupt businesses by locking gated among the other steps they take. These disruptions have assumed unimaginable dimensions, with a very negative impact on businesses."

Meanwhile, the AFBTE made a total of N96.56 million income for the year 2022.

According to the association's financial statement, this represented a 10.72 per cent increase from a total income of N87.81 million it made in 2021.

A further breakdown of the report revealed that, "Subscription income increased by N3.5 million in 2022, with the admission of two member-companies.

"Investment income also increased from N1.89 million the previous year to N4.32 million in 2022 while other income was boosted by N2.55 million from entrance fees paid by new members and recovery of subscription in arrears.

FG Directs MDAs to Clear Barriers to AfCFTA Implementation James Emejo in Abuja

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, yesterday called on regulatory agencies of government to focus on streamlining border processes, reducing trade barriers, and implementing harmonised standards and regulations ahead of the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

Speaking at the opening of the Onboarding Business/Exporters Workshop on AfCFTA- Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) which was organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the AfCFTA Coordinating Office in Abuja, the minister said through investment in modern trade infrastructure including transportation networks and digital platforms, Nigeria could create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and compete globally.

Adebayo, pointed out that remained an integral part of the AfCFTA, which aims to facilitate and enhance trade activities by providing businesses and exporters with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support - and recognises the critical role that the private sector plays in

driving economic development as well as empowering enterprises of all sizes to fully capitalise on the benefits offered by the continental trade initiative.

He identified value addition and industrialisation, skills development and capacity building as well as trade facilitation and logistics as three priority aspects that would guide Nigerian businesses under the AfCFTA as the country accelerate the implementation of the historic trade deal.

He said, “Today, as we inaugurate the onboarding process for businesses and exporters onto the GTI, we mark a significant milestone.

“This initiative will act as a compass, guiding businesses through the intricate landscape of trade, enabling them to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Through GTI, we intend to bridge the information gap, streamline processes, foster collaboration, and unlock the full potential of intraAfrican trade. I stand here today with a vision of a united Africa, bound by the spirit of cooperation, innovation, and shared prosperity.

“The AfCFTA presents an extraordinary opportunity to harness

our collective strengths, leverage our abundant resources, and create an integrated market that will drive sustainable economic development for our continent. To the businesses and exporters joining the GTI, I commend your foresight and determination.”

In his remarks, Executive Director/ Chief Executive, NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said the workshop jointly organised by the council and the AfCFTA Coordinating Office, couldn’t have come at a better time in view of the declaration by the Heads of State and Government of the Year 2023 as the year for the acceleration of AfCFTA implementation.

He said the programme was aimed at enlightening, educating, networking and test-running the agreement on select companies from Nigeria, stressing that the key objective was to kick-start the process of preparing Nigerian exporters/businesses for onboarding to the GTI. Yakusak, noted that NEPC as the apex organisation for the development and promotion of non-oil export was strategically positioned to assist in providing the right platform for Nigerian companies to gain access to major markets, especially in Africa in line with the objectives of AfCFTA.

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NEWS

63RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BANK OF INDUSTRY...

L-R: Executive Director, Micro Enterprises Directorate, Bank of Industry BOI: Mabel Ndagi; Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Directorate, Omar Shekarau; Company Secretary, Olufunlola Salami; Chairman, Board of Directors(BOI), Mallam AbdulRahman Dikko; Managing Director/CEO(SME), Olukayode Pitan; and Director, Large Enterprises (SME), Simon Aranonu; during the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Bank of Industry in Abuja yesterday.

Two Arrested in Connection with Attack on US Embassy Officials in Anambra Police release names of those killed, say its closing in on killers David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Police Command said it has raided a camp occupied by hoodlums operating in Ogbaru Local Government Area and arrested two persons, in connection to the killing of two United States Consulate officials last Tuesday in the State.

The State Police Commissioner, CP Echeng Echeng, stated this yesterday, during a press conference in Awka, Anambra State, saying the suspects were arrested on Wednesday.

Echeng said police operatives moved swiftly immediately the command got information and

combed the area, while also raiding a camp used by gunmen in the area and found that it had been totally deserted. However, he said the police was able to arrest two persons, who are now helping police in their investigation.

He said: "As you are probably aware, a team of officials from the Lagos Consulate of the United States of America and their police escorts (USA) were ambushed on 16/05/2023.

"Consequently, a joint team of Mobile Policemen and troops of the Nigerian Navy stationed in Onitsha was immediately deployed to the area.

“Upon arrival at the scene of

Nigerian Airlines Blacklisted from Aircraft Leasing, AON Reveals Air Peace spent N60bn on overseas aircraft maintenance in 2022

Chinedu Eze

Despite being signatory to the Cape Town Convention Treaty, which enhances transactions involving movable property for member countries, lessors have blacklisted Nigerian airlines from engaging in long-term, comprehensive leasing of aircraft, known as dry lease on alleged country risk.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, who is also the Vice-President of Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Allen Onyema.

Onyema also disclosed that his airline spent at least N60 billion in the maintenance of its fleet of aircraft in 2022 alone.

According to him, the lessors have also introduced very strict conditions, including financial exploitation for leasing aircraft to Nigerian carriers under which the aircraft leased comes with foreign cockpit, cabin crew and maintenance, known as wet lease.

In addition, he said Nigerian airlines are made to pay outrageous insurance premium on their aircraft because of the same alleged country risk by insurance companies and lessors.

Country risk refers to the assumption that aircraft that operates in Nigeria is at very high risk due to insecurity, harsh operating environment and possible failure of the airline that leased the aircraft to

keep to the terms of the agreement.

Speaking on behalf of AON at the fourth day of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC) with the theme, 'Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria,' Onyema lamented that the aforementioned cost of aircraft maintenance and high interest rate were killing local operators and inhibiting their competitive level.

The Vice President of AON said Nigerian airlines pay at least 26 per cent as interest rates on loans obtained, while their counterparts get same loans at single digit interest rates of 2 per cent and on long term.

With this, Onyema argued that there was no way the indigenous airlines could compete effectively with their counterparts in Europe and America, warning that the huge operational costs could also lead to the death of these domestic operators.

Onyema explained that the insurance premium paid by Nigerian airlines was three times what airlines pay in other parts of the world, especially in Europe and America.

"Nigerian operators borrow money in our banks at double digits interest rates of 26 per cent while the foreign airlines that we are competing with get their own at just 2 per cent.

Continued online

the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shoot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.

"Yesterday - 17/05/2023 - joint security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy raided a camp in Ogwuaniocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.

“Two persons of interest were arrested and they are currently assisting the police in the investigation. The criminal camp was razed down by the joint security team."

The CP said the arrested men have had their contacts traced through their phone calls, and that the command was gradually closing in on the killers.

Asked about the level of cooperation the command had

received from the US government since the incident, Echeng said the US embassy has been cooperative and has also helped the command with needed information on the officials and their mission to Anambra.

He said this was not the best time to apportion blames about whether the officials sought security clearance from the command before coming into the state or not, adding that the priority was to get the perpetrators to face the law.

He stated that: "The preliminary investigation conducted by the command, following the incident, revealed that five male officials of the USA consulate and four armed Mobile Police escorted from Lagos on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru LGA were travelling in a convoy of two vehicles when they suddenly came under attack by armed men who targeted them with gunfire and set their vehicles ablaze. “

The statement by the CP further revealed the identity of the officials and operatives who were involved in the attack.

They included Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye Monday, Bukar . A. Kabuiki - (Police), Emmanuel Lukpata - (Police), Friday Morgan -(Police) and Adamu Andrew - (Police).

"Regrettably, seven persons (including three of the consulate officials and four Mobile Police escorts) were murdered during the attack while two other officials of the consulate are yet to be found.

"The deceased police officers include Inspr. Bukar Adams, Inspr. Friday Morgan, Inspr. Adam Andrew and Inspr. Emmanuel Lupata all of Squadron 23, Police Mobile Force, Lagos. No USA citizen was amongst the casualties.

"Meanwhile, the remains of the

deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue while the state police command and other security agencies are working roundthe-clock, in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the missing officials.

"In this regard, I call on members of the public who can provide information about the identities and locations of the culprits, to kindly assist the police with such information timeously.

"On behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, I wish to seize this opportunity to condole the families and friends of the deceased persons as well as the USA Consul over this tragic incident.

“May I assure you all of the resolve and determination of the command and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring them to justice."

Court Grants Police's Request, Remands Seun Kuti for Additional Four Days Okotie pleads for his pardon

Wale Igbintade

A Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Sabo-Yaba, yesterday, ordered the remand of afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, for additional four days in police custody over alleged assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Adeola Olatubosun, extended Kuti’s remand until May 22.

The Chief Magistrate, Olatubosun’s order was sequel to motion ex-parte brought by the police seeking for an order of the court to remand the Defendant in police custody for four days at the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Yaba Lagos, to enable the police carry out further investigation.

The team of prosecution counsel led by DCP, Simon Lough, Yetunde Cardoso, P.A. Egbunike, Umar Bello, Cyril Ajifor, Mr. Moruf Animashaun, Ayodele Oladiran, S.A Adebesin, Emmanuel Eze, V.I Ekperezie and Idowu Osungbure told court that they filed motion ex-

parte supported by 12 paragraphs affidavit with one exhibits attached to it.

Lough told court that the motion was supported with written address, stating that the 12 paragraphs affidavit was deposed to by one ACP Saheed Kassim, one of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) attached to State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba Lagos.

The application was brought pursuant to Sections 264(1) (2),(3),(4) & (6) & 257 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2021 (As Amended), Sections 4 & 10 of the Police Act, 2020 and Sections 6(6), 35(1)(C), (5) & (7)(9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).

The Police lawyer submitted, "it is our humble submission that from the facts, nature and circumstance of this case, the applicant is entitle to the relief sought from this honourable court in the interest of justice, public order and morality.”

Responding to prosecution team submission, Mr. Femi Akinyemi,

counsel who held brief for Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, prayed the court to stand down the matter.

But Chief Magistrate Olatubosun refused the prayer of the defence counsel for stand down the matter, and therefore granted the application for extension of remand order.

She therefore ordered that the defendant be further remanded in police custody for additional four days.

Magistrate Olatubosun said the file should be duplicated to the DPP and subsequently adjourned to May 23, 2023.

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate, Mr. Chris Okotie, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to have mercy on Seun Kuti over his case with the Police.

In a press statement issued in Lagos yesterday, and signed by his media adviser, Ladi Ayodeji, Okotie made a case for amnesty for the embattled music star.

Okotie's message came in the wake of the court's extension of

Seun's detention by four days.

The statement stated: "I would like to urge the IGP to demonstrate a paternal clemency towards Seun Kuti in his transgression against an authorised myrmidon of the law.

"Anti-establishment is not acceptable under any guise, however, a humane superintendence is a mark of a great leadership.

"The youth have been under tremendous pressure to establish a new Nigerian social order and Seun’s abrasive conduct is a tangent from that trajectory.

"I plead earnestly with the IGP to temper justice with mercy and exculpate Seun of all charges. Femi and Seun Kuti are artistic souvenirs bestowed upon us by the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and we truly appreciate the creative artistry demonstrated in their musical genre.

"Please find sufficient grace in your heart to anesthesize the gravity of this provocation.

"May the blessing of the God of heaven be vouchsafed to you in the plenitude of His Grace."

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

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POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611 SMS ONLY

Any Role for Osinbajo after May 29?

Etim Etim writes that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo still has a lot to offer not only Nigeria but the African continent after leaving office on May 29, 2023

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ice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Nairobi, Kenya, early this month to participate in an event organized by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2006 to promote good governance and leadership in Africa.

The event, tagged The Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW) brought together leading voices from across the continent to speak on important issues on the progress of Africa.

On the sidelines of the activities, Mr. Mo Ibrahim pulled the Vice President aside and commended him for his leadership qualities and for being a good example for other African leaders.

He then asked the Vice President to assume the status of an African stateman because ‘’now we really need statesmen like you coming out of office to really go and save the society, and something for Africa.

There is life after office…you say it as it is and you really give example to all our leaders. We can go and get things done and get the respect of the international community, and you do the best job’’.

This is the same message that many world leaders and countless Nigerians have been passing to Osinbajo as the end of his eight-year tenure nears. They all expect him to transmute into a global thought leader and international statesman in the mould of Barrack Obama, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

At a panel discussion during the Nairobi event, a former President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Lawrence Kaberuka, who also spoke on the panel, said of the Vice President ‘’I think this gentleman has done an excellent job in his country. I don’t think we have seen the last of him’’.

But what are people seeing in Osinbajo?

First, let me introduce Mo Ibrahim to those who might not know him. Sir Mohammed Fathi Ahmed Ibrahim, born May 3, 1946, is a Sudanese-British billionaire businessman.

He worked in several telecommunications companies, before founding Celtel, which when sold, had over 24 million mobile phone subscribers in 14 African countries.

After selling Celtel in 2005 for $3.4 billion, he set up the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to encourage better governance in Africa, as well as creating the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, to evaluate nations’ performance. He’s also a member of the African Regional Advisory Board of London Business School.

Since Sir Ibrahim and his foundation are primarily focused on promoting good governance in Africa, a continent that has been damaged by corruption, wars and leadership incompetence, he must have seen in Osinbajo qualities that would stand him out as a global statesman: dignity; virtue; fairness, temperament and wisdom.

Many Nigerians also admire the Vice President for these and more.

Over the years, in words and deeds, Osinbajo has exhibited statesmanlike leadership qualities. He has shown integrity, competence, dedication to duty, loyalty to the government, compassion, empathy, graciousness and courage.

He has consistently spoken out against extremism, bigotry and violence in our polity. How I wish he had had the executive powers.

The Vice President’s recent speech at NIPPS on our diversity in which he chided ethnic jingoists, hate mongers and election riggers in a season many other leaders appear too effeminate to speak out or do something signifies the very essence of his ideals.

I’m always awed by Osinbajo’s tremendous social conscience.

At Kuru, the Vice President stressed that in the contest for power, leadership elites

must not toy with prejudices that alienate or divide any section of the country, rather they should conduct themselves with a high sense of responsibility in order to build a new Nigeria where there is justice, equity and shared prosperity.

Besides, deliberate efforts have to be taken to deal with ethnic profiling and prejudices before they influence political contests.

This is a direct rebuke of people like Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman for Bola Tinubu,

who have been making incendiary statements soon after the elections.

Said Osinbajo: “the leadership elites have a duty to conduct themselves with a high sense of responsibility even as they prosecute their contest for power’’.

He pointed out that historically, conscious and patriotic elites all recognize that, beyond what the letter of the law asserts, there are lines that cannot be crossed in the pursuit of political power. One of such lines is the willful exploitation of sectional

sentiments and the invocation of ethnic antipathies to mobilize a political constituency. It is dangerous because it is an attempt that seeks to mobilize by fostering division and hatred”.

Osinbajo’s stirring condemnation of ethnic bigots who denied some Nigerians their right to vote in the last elections provided the needed balm to a nation that is hurting. It is a sharp contrast to the coldness and aloofness of President Buhari who has remained reticent all through the postelection tensions.

Said the Vice President: “these elections witnessed the exploitation by political actors of the fears and anxieties of people about so-called outsiders. Any attempts to deny people the right to vote in any locality on the basis that they do not belong in that place is condemnable in the strongest possible terms,’’.

Osinbajo stressed that when ethnic or religious prejudices are weaponized for political purposes, we are confronted with a lethal, potentially destructive situation.

This is why most prosperous places are countries that have learned to harness diversity while building ever more inclusive institutions.

And it is also the reason discrimination against people on the basis of their identity is explicitly condemned by most legal codes, including the Nigerian Constitution.

The crisis in Nigeria, however, is exacerbated by a tension that exists between new Nigeria and the old Nigeria as understood by a generation that is much more accustomed to political mobilization on the basis of identity. But, as a nation, Nigeria must ennoble and validate the Nigeria that our young people are consciously or unconsciously building. This is the future we want.

-Etim writes from Abuja NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Between Disruptive Governance and Political IOUs in Enugu State Oguejiofo Ujam advises the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, to be wary of the antics of political jobbers in the Coal City State as he hits the ground running after inauguration on May 29, 2023.

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fter the main battle for the governorship seat of Enugu State, there are still two other contests awaiting the victorious gladiators. One is how to settle down and deliver on the mandate received, while the other relates to the demands of political actors that have various IOUs (I Owe You).

For those who may not be conversant, IOUs are often generated through concessions and promises to stakeholders in the course of the bargaining for votes.

Consequently, in Enugu State, the two scenarios are currently weighing heavily on the minds of the incoming administration of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai. As major political concessions, they both hold the ambitious promise of massive infrastructure development in different parts of Enugu State.

But, what makes the burdens very unusual is that unlike in the past when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a retinue of elected officials or was in control of the Federal Government, it is no longer so.

As things stand in the state, which has been a traditional base of PDP, apart from one Senator-elect, one member of the House of Representatives-elect, and 10 members-elect for the state House of Assembly, the party now depends on the incoming governor for political ventila-

tion.

Before now PDP boasted of control of the Federal Government from which such things like membership and headship of boards of agencies and parastatals were appointed. But, as the curtain falls on the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration and another All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government is about to take office, the challenges for the incoming Dr. Peter Mbah executive in Enugu State are enormous.

What seemed to compound the situation in Enugu State is that the incoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration has been made to look like old maids by the ad-

vent of Labour Party (LP) young naïve and confused maidens. These untested and inexperienced upstarts, who boast only of their youth and fresh faces in politics and administration are stomping the place with a mistaken entitlement mentality.

Based on the insurgent emotional politics that defined the 2023 elections in the Southeast, especially in Enugu State, the state legislature has been robbed of the unanimity that has always characterized the Coal City State House of Assembly since 1999. For instance, despite the Labour Party faulty and disputed victories, some of these nubile maidens sheepishly muster the courage to even interrogate the rules of engagement in the emergent House of Assembly ahead of their inauguration.

Add to that the distracting influence of the Governorship Election Petition filed by the Labour Party and its candidate in the last governorship election, Mr. Chijioke Edeoga, who tends to whip the erroneous sentiment of a stolen mandate. It is obvious that the incoming Mbah administration is confronted with a myriad of concerns.

-Prof Ujam writes from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

POLITICS

NGOs Back Betara’s House Speakership Ambition Obinwa Nnaji, a Great Life in Journalism and Beyond

Juliet Akoje writes that some political Non Governmental Organisations are already canvassing for the emergence of Hon Muktar Aliyu Betara as Speaker of the 10th National Assembly

Chido Nwangwu writes about the life and times of a pan Africanist and journalism icon, Obinwa Nnaji, who will be interred today in Enugu.

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binwa Nnaji lived as a journalism icon and pan-Africanist ambassador of excellence.

He dared to go where others were timid and afraid to thread.

He was a first-class professional. Courageous.

Dedicated. Dispassionate. Diligent. Tenacious. Joyful. Fraternal. Progressive. Visionary. Historian. Innovator. Obinwa!

He made friends across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the African continent.

Obinwa was a good man, a very good man.

He lived a worthy life of purpose.

He has left an indelible life and footprints and mentorships for younger multimedia execs, writers and journalists such as myself.

Above all else, he was the pride of the Nnajis. He was the handsome, athletic husband of the vivacious Madam LiZ! He was the caring, great father to their children: Obby, Emeka, Ekene and Oge. We had known each other for almost 37 years until his death, a few weeks ago, on March 1, 2023. He was born January 16, 1951.

He will be buried on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Enugu State.

Significantly, the man stood up to be counted when the bloody, existential realities of genocide and bloody mayhem faced the Igbo and non-Igbo of the then Eastern region.

At the very teenage status of 16 years, the young fellow enlisted in the then armed forces of the Republic of Biafra, the Land of the Rising Sun. He was a courageous combatant in the Biafran army during the 1967 to 1970 Nigeria versus Biafra war. He wrote some of the most compelling and fully contextual insights about that War. Obinwa understood Nigeria and Africa.

He was not silent at critical of moments of Nigeria‘s history. “Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault”, wrote the late, famous journalist Henry Anatole Grunwald.

Obinwa agreed with those words and more. Especially, in the democratizing environments, he highlighted the importance of the media. He equally agreed with Albert Camus who made the case that “A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad.”

Therefore, dogged journalists and writers such as himself are still needed to shine the light of facts in the face of aggressive deployments of hateful propaganda by politicians and fake journalists, offensive rhetoric and criminal manipulations of election results.

Obinwa raised those concerns as well as debate solutions to all the familiar challenges of the elections in Nigeria, and across the African continent, especially.

Obinwa was one of my mentors in journalism. He edited one of best newspapers produced in Nigeria, the Satellite, in Enugu in the 1980s.

In my teenage years, I contributed a few commentaries. It was in The Satellite newspaper that I wrote the widely-read tribute I wrote to the timeless Owelle Onitsha, Dr. The Rt. Hon. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Dr. Azikiwe’s book, Renascent Africa, awakened my intellectual senses to wider dimensions of politics, political science, the media and ethics of journalism, sociology, pan-Africanism, immigration, the United States of America, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and many progressive components of life and living!

Obinwa and I respect(ed) the great Zik of Africa.

After almost 20 years, on May 26, 2003, I received a letter from the Zik Foundation announcing my “appointment as a Director and a member of the Board of Governors of the Foundation.”

Besides, his outstanding personal qualities and fraternal disposition, we will miss Obinwa’s much cherished position and roles as one of the Executive Editors (Africa) of Houston-headquartered USAfrica and USAfricaonline.com Obinwa was kind, reliable, gracious and lived as a uniquely, gifted individual. He was my friend. He was a pillar of strength and relentless source of encouragement!

He knew the history of important things and events.

Rest in peace, big brother!

-Dr Nwangwu is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com, and established USAfrica in 1992 in Houston.

Follow him on Twitter @Chido247

he speakership race for the 10th House of Representatives is gathering momentum following the zoning arrangement announced last week by the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party had zoned speakership slot to the North - West region with Abass Tajudeen from Kaduna State as the anointed candidate while deputy speakership position was zoned to the South-East with Benjamin Okezie Kalu from Abia State as the preferred candidate.

The sharing formula by the APC seems not to sit well with some lawmakers who have openly rejected it. The situation has led to alignments and realignments among members.

Expectedly, civil society groups have intensified their campaigns for the need for an independent legislature.

While reacting to the zoning formula espoused by the APC National Working Committee, seven notable aspirants under the aegis of G7 platform outrightly vowed to disobey the APC leadership as they are set to announce their preferred candidate for the position.

More so, Director General, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, bared his mind on the matter, stating that merchants of anti-democratic forces were hiding under the guise of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to perpetrate selfish biddings which clearly is inimical to the nation’s democracy.

Gabriel appealed to Senator Tinubu to tow the line of honour and provide a levelplaying ground for the legislators to exercise their function as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said: “Monday, the 8” of May 2023 was climaxed by a melancholy alleged to have emanated from the National Working Committee (NWC) of a political party, allotting some principal positions in the Senate and House of Representatives to some individuals.

“This announcement has been hit by swift resistance from most members-elect of the 10th National Assembly as they believe that such announcement amounts to an imposition of candidates thereby usurping the powers of the parliament, undermining its sovereignty and independence of the legislature.

“Those who crafted the word democracy and indeed separation of powers wanted to have an independent arm of government called the legislature for the purpose of providing ‘checks and balances’ in such a manner to avoid the concentration of powers in one body as this would lead to usurp of powers and consequently degenerate to dictatorship, tyranny and operation”.

He argued that “the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 As Amended) is superior to every other document including the Senate and House Rules respectively. Section 50 (1a) and (1b) is

simple, unambiguous and clear.

“This states that ‘there shall be (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.

“This simply implies that any other person or persons or group of persons nominating the principal officers of both houses other than the representatives themselves is null, void and unconstitutional, therefore, amounts to an aberration which tantamount to usurping the powers of the legislators thereby exposing the fragile democracy of Nigeria to jeopardy.

“We can not be talking about a ‘New Nigeria’, where things are done the right way and we are still seeing the imposition of candidates in our legislators principal offices.

“If the President-elect wants to win the support and interest of Nigerians, then he should be seen to be doing things differently from the old ways to a new Nigeria.”

Gabriel, however, noted that the Coalition has been oserving with keen interest the horse-trading, lobbying and power play associated with the election of the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 10” National Assembly respectively.

Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase and the Majority Leader, Hon. Alhasan Doguwa outrightly rejected the consensus arrangement announced by the party.

Consequently, the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had, through the Chairman of the Party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu admitted that adequate consultation on the zoning of national assembly leadership positions was not done.

Political pundits have stressed that the importance of the legislature in a democratic system cannot be overemphasized; which is why it requires its autonomy with courageous, disciplined and skilled legislatures to drive home the vision of the country.

They contended that any attempt to usurp the right of members-elect to determine the trajectory of the 10th House stands against not only the democratic principle of separation of powers, but also the arguments for an open field in the APC presidential primaries that produced Tinubu.

In the mid of the APC internal wrangling, scores of former members and memberselect have endorsed Muktar Aliyu Betara as they described him as a distinguished bridge builder, taciturn strategist and team worker.

They recalled how he perished his ambition in 2019 to support the current speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. At that time, the party left the door open for all to run that was why Hon. Bago from the North Central ran in a position that should have been exclusively for the South West.

Betara, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations is regarded as the ‘Prince of the House of Reps’, is self-effacing, deliberate, goal-oriented with deep legislative pedigree having being first elected in 2007 to represent Biu/Bayo/ Shani federal constituency of Borno state.

Widely perceived as the man of the people, Betara has exceeded expectations in his constituency in terms of constituency projects execution, empowerment and effective representation.

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

20 T H I S D AY FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023 TR

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

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YARI AND THE SENATE PRESIDENCY Abdulaziz Yari will give the Senate a purposeful leadership, reckons KABIR AKINTAYO

See page 21

EXPLOITATION AND HYPOCRISY: BAD EXAMPLES AND LOUD VOICES JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA writes the country needs innovators that can help in nation-building

See page 21

EDITORIAL

WHAT MANNER OF A NATIONAL CARRIER?

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Friday May 19, 2023 Vol 27. No 10264

FELIX OLADEJI argues the need to make educational reform effective through planning and democratic approach in decision making

NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL REFORM AND DEMOCRATIC APPROACH Throughout the world, education has been valued as a means of addressing socioeconomic inequalities where they exist and for transforming societies and cultures. The general acceptability of education as the most desired instrument for political, economic, social and technological development and advancement globally is not debatable.

In spite of the pivotal role of education to the advancement of mankind, the opportunities for enrolment in tertiary education in Nigeria were grossly inadequate for the needs of the country. Access to higher education, gender parity and the lack of capacity of the system to absorb the numbers of candidates seeking admission to higher educational institutions among others, continue to pose serious problems to the attainments of education sector goals in the country. In any developing FRXQWU\ OLNH 1LJHULD WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI education and manpower development to the growth of the country is an issue that has engaged the attention of the government over the years. This has equally been very well articulated in government policies and pronouncements in the past decades.

7KH EHOLHI LQ WKH H΀FDF\ RI HGXFDWLRQ DV a powerful instrument of development has led many countries to devote their wealth to the development of educational institutions at various levels. In Nigeria, governments, organizations, communities and individuals KDYH EHHQ LQYROYHG LQ WKLV HͿRUW 7KH adoption of the social demand approach in the provision of education to the citizenry in post-independent Nigeria has led to a VLJQLÀFDQW H[SDQVLRQ RI WKH HGXFDWLRQ V\VWHP Government believes that education would promote economic growth and provide the skilled manpower needed for development.

7KH LPSRUWDQFH RI HGXFDWLRQ DV D VLJQLÀFDQW tool for sustainable national development is fully acknowledged in Nigeria ever since the pre- colonial era. This appreciation has come a long way. Indeed, founding fathers of Nigeria such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and a KRVW RI RWKHUV SOD\HG YHU\ VLJQLÀFDQW UROHV LQ ensuring the establishment and nurturing of a variety of educational institutions and reforms catering for a variety of national needs, particularly before and after independence in 1960. The Nigerian educational system has in recent times, experienced series of VFLHQWLÀF WHFKQRORJLFDO HFRQRPLF SROLWLFDO and social upheavals such as the introduction of computer education, literacy education, family life education, the use of ICT in education and modern economic theories, ideas, techniques and methods into the school curriculum.

The rationale behind the involvement of Nigerian educational system in reform programmes is an indication of a major force in shaping the objectives and methods of the programme.

However, reform and innovation are

probably two major concepts that must be built into an organization or system that is aiming at standing the test of modern period when dynamism is vastly replacing conservatism.

Change is, therefore inevitable and major challenge which modern organizations face is creating an atmosphere where rapid and meaningful improvement is possible. There is no doubt that for growth and development to be recorded, reform and innovation are pre-requisites. As a result of the increasing complexities in modern organizations and the QHHG WR RSWLPL]H H΀FLHQF\ LQ WKH IDFH RI VWLͿ competition from others, there is increasing advocacy that reform and innovation be injected into major facets of Nigerian HGXFDWLRQDO V\VWHP DQG PRUH VSHFLÀFDOO\ LQ the areas of structure, curriculum content and context as well as the methods of imparting knowledge by the teachers in our schools and colleges. The need to bring about a revisit of the educational structure, curriculum and methods became necessary in view of the IDFW WKDW LW LV H[WUHPHO\ GL΀FXOW WR GLVFXVV educational development in isolation without mentioning reform and innovation. There is no doubt that the social context of education is ever-changing and at an increasing rate.

Educational change is a prerequisite for educational improvement and the planned FKDQJH LV OLNHO\ WR EH PRUH HͿHFWLYH WKDQ unplanned change. When organizations are viewed over a long period of time, their outstanding characteristic appears to be stability rather than change. However, when one considers the rate at which reform and innovation take place in our educational system today, one tends to conclude that the rate is not commensurate with that of the society as a whole. For education to be more relevant and to ensure compliance with the societal needs, it must be planned for reform and innovation, especially in the areas of structure, curriculum and methods.

Moreover, for education to achieve its required purpose, it must be tailored towards the needs and aspirations of the community or environment. This is in agreement with the National Policy on Education (2004), which states inter- alia in section 1, sub-section 9[f]; ¶HͿRUWV VKDOO EH PDGH WR UHODWH HGXFDWLRQ WR overall community needs’. By implication, therefore, embarking on education reform requires that such reform must be precipitated by the need to yield to the demand of the community or environment where such reform is taking place. This is to say in essence that the culture of the community will determine whatever form the reform should take. In other words, a community that is inherently conservative would make UHIRUP D GL΀FXOW WDVN WR DFKLHYH FRPSDUHG WR a dynamic community.

Educational reforms should also be well managed to ensure self- reliance. Many people would agree about the importance of self-reliance in education. Self-reliance has a

very profound meaning. It is not merely that the child should be taught some handicraft or some manual skills by which he may be supported. There must, of course, be manual labour which assists everyone to learn how to XVH KLV KDQGV DQG EH VHOI VX΀FLHQW ,W LPSOLHV that education must be of such a quality that it will train students in intellectual self-reliance and make them independent thinkers. If this is to become the chief aim of learning, the whole process of learning would be transformed. A student should be so taught that he is capable of acquiring knowledge for himself. There is DQ LQÀQLWH VXP RI NQRZOHGJH LQ WKH ZRUOG DQG HDFK RQH QHHGV VRPH ÀQLWH SRUWLRQ RI LW IRU WKH FRQGXFW RI KLV DͿDLUV %XW LW ZLOO EH D mistake to think that this life-knowledge can be acquired in any school. Life-knowledge can only be acquired from life. The task of the school, however, is to awaken in its students the power to learn from life.

Most parents are anxious for boys to complete the school course so that they can get a salaried job and live an easy life. This may, however, not be the best way of perceiving education. Learning has value in its own right. The purpose of learning is freedom, and freedom is another word for what we refer to as self-reliance. Self-reliance means freedom from dependence on others or any external support. A man who has true learning is WUXO\ IUHH DQG LQGHSHQGHQW 7KH ÀUVW DQG OHDVW SDUW RI WKLV VHOI VX΀FLHQF\ LV WKDW WKH SHUVRQ must be educated and made skilled in a craft.

A second and very important part of this is ability to acquire new knowledge for oneself.

There is a third essential element in freedom, and this also is a part of education. Freedom implies not only being independent of other people but also independent of one’s own moods and impulses. The man who is a slave to his senses and cannot keep his impulses XQGHU FRQWURO LV QHLWKHU IUHH QRU VHOI VX΀FLHQW Temperament and service therefore, have their place in education, for it is by these means that this third aspect of freedom can be learned.

6HOI VX΀FLHQF\ WKHQ KDV WKUHH PHDQLQJV 7KH ÀUVW LV WKDW RQH VKRXOG QRW GHSHQG XSRQ others for one’s daily bread. The second is that one should have developed the power to acquire knowledge for oneself. The third is that a man should be able to rule himself, to control his senses and his thoughts. Slavery of the body is wrong. The body falls into slavery for the sake of the stomach, therefore, a free man must know how to earn his living through handcraft. Slavery of the mind is wrong. If a man cannot think and reach an independent judgment, his mind is enslaved; a free man must have acquired the power of independent thought. Slavery of the emotions and the sense is also wrong, and it is an essential part of education to overcome their tyranny.

Oladeji writes from Lagos

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FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

Abdulaziz Yari will give the Senate a purposeful leadership, reckons KABIR AKINTAYO

YARI AND THE SENATE PRESIDENCY After the intense political battle Yari as a former party chairman, of the 2023 general elections, the former member of the House of nation’s attention has now shifted to Representatives and former governor, the National Assembly. With Senate has seen both sides of legislative and President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker executive coins.

Femi Gbajabiamila apparently out Yari’s interest in becoming the of the race, contenders have begun next Senate President is a game changer not only in the permutations jostling to replace them.

The National Working Committee surrounding the aspiration for the of the ruling APC had reeled out its Senate President’s seat but also in zoning formula and anointed their the promise of what his leadership preferred candidates for the President of the Senate as number three citizen and Deputy President of the Senate portends.

Abdulaziz Yari, a rounded political heavyweight of character and competence comes with that promise to give the Senate a purposeful leadership.

Yari’s political trajectory is replete ZLWK QRWDEOH VXFFHVVHV DQG VLJQLÀFDQW contributions in their respective contexts.

His infrastructural development initiative in Zamfara including roads, bridges, schools, KRVSLWDOV DQG UXUDO HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ are aimed at improving the State’s socio-economic development, his educational strides initiated policies that enhanced access to quality education in the state as he established new schools and renovated existing and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of one, his agricultural programs encouraged drives to boost good the House of Representatives.

At least six senators are running for production and improve livelihood the seat of the President of the 10th in rural areas.

Senate. The contestants are from four Yari’s aspiration reminds me of of the nation’s six geo-political zones: Thomas P O’Neill who served as the North-west, South-east, South- speaker of the United States House of representative from 1977 to 1987. south and North-central.

As we inch towards the transition, He was widely respected for his the politicking rages on. Political ability to build consensus, negotiate opinions and considerations may DFURVV SDUW\ OLQHV DQG SDVV VLJQLÀFDQW vary, and the assessment of an legislation. His Leadership style individual’s suitability for such HPSKDVLVHG ÀQGLQJ FRPPRQ JURXQG a position is subjective and can and working collaboratively to EH LQÁXHQFHG E\ GLYHUVH IDFWRUV achieve legislative goals.

LQFOXGLQJ SROLWLFDO D΀OLDWLRQV DQG Like O’Neill, Yari is poised to personal perspectives, the fact demonstrate exceptional leadership remains that Yari is the best among skills in mobilising the country and its legislature to face the challenges the hexad.

The choice of the Number three of Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope” of the citizen should not be compromised at incoming government of Bola Ahmed the altar of executive meddlesomeness. Tinubu with the aim of bringing Whoever is familiar with National about political stability and social Assembly politics knows that transformation. imposition does not stand. Obasanjo’s His experience will help in shaping imposition of Evan Enwerem as VLJQLÀFDQW OHJLVODWLRQ DQG IRVWHULQJ President of the Senate did not last a more cooperative atmosphere PRUH WKDQ ÀYH PRQWKV -RQDWKDQ·V between the executive, judiciary and attempts to impose Mulikat Adeola- legislative arms of government.

Akande as Speaker of the House of Ultimately, the decision regarding Representatives failed, due largely who becomes the Senate President to Tinubu’s handiwork as leader of rests with the legislators themselves the then opposition ACN. Buhari’s and the political dynamics within attempt to impose Ahmad Lawan the legislative body. It involves and Femi Gbajabiamila in 2015 also consultations, negotiations, and failed. The duo later succeeded in voting among the members of the 2019 not because they were imposed Senate to determine their preferred but because the lawmakers accepted candidate for the position.

As we root for his emergence, we them.

While not underrating the are certain that Yari as Nigeria’s next TXDOLÀFDWLRQ RI *RGVZLOO $NSDELR Senate President is no doubt a game Barau Jibrin, Sani Musa and Orji changer with midas touch!

Kalu, former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari’s pedigree in Akintayo, terms of political and administrative D SROLWLFDO DͿDLUV DQDO\VW ZULWHV IURP experience and capacity displaces Abuja that of all the other candidates.

JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA writes the country needs innovators that can help in nation-building

EXPLOITATION AND HYPOCRISY: BAD EXAMPLES AND LOUD VOICES moral standing.

Nigeria continues to hemorrhage hundreds of millions of dollars to similar arrangements. According to former Comptroller General of the NIS, Muhammed Babandede, ‘the payment to foreign and local technical partners amounted to US$ 92m, representing over 80% of the revenue the NIS generated from 2018 to 2020’. These exploitative practices extend beyond the NIS. Ironically, some of the individuals involved in this syndicate have transformed into self-proclaimed patriots, relentlessly criticizing the Nigerian state and hurling insults at those who do not endorse their preferred politicians. To bolster their deceptive intentions, they wield expensive vocabulary and regurgitate lines from literary texts, using sophistry as cover for their ulterior motives. If grandiloquence could grant sainthood, many of them ZRXOG KDYH WKH KRQRULÀF ¶6W · SUHFHGLQJ their names, unalloyed.

As a nod to their days of innovation, they spew ‘tech nuggets’ every now and then, as one of those Nigerians who experienced the private Paypal payment for the national passport once shared. These very individuals drown out the voices of those Nigerians who genuinely seek meaningful change.

When striving for a better country, not The desperation of these opportunists was starkly evident as the NIS had an opening for everyone who accompanies you on that 4,000 people, but working with its partners, journey desires the same outcome. Some went ahead to secure N1000 each from almost seek to revive or perpetuate syndicates 700,000 job applicants. Such actions can only like the ones mentioned above. This be seen as a manifestation of bad faith at its is why they initially align themselves with the politicians they later vilify, even worst.

According to an eye-opening report led VHHNLQJ DXGLHQFH RXWVLGH R΀FLDO FKDQQHOV

by Theophilus Abbah of ZAM and largely Ironically, at those times, they conveniently DPSOLÀHG E\ WKH FRXUDJHRXV 1LJHULDQ forget their expertise in activism. When journalist, Ruona J. Meyer, these ‘innovators’ they realise that easy access to the spoils cashed $1.75m on the back of these jobless and they crave is unattainable, they readily helpless Nigerians. Some of the individuals embrace activism as an alternative. involved in this tragedy also earned as much However, their true intentions and as N2,000/passport produced by the NIS, sincerity, or lack thereof, remain subjective.

Every Nigerian, irrespective of their despite providing zilch value under sham past, retain the right to ask better of their contracts.

It was the dark ages, when Nigerians government. Even convicted criminals who wanted to obtain a Nigerian passport aren’t without such rights. However, if from the United States for instance had their we want better of government, our causes payment routed through a private individual’s are better led by those who genuinely Paypal account. You can read the ZAM report mean well. As long as those who lost out by searching, ‘Nigeria, the border control in power struggles lead the charge, their syndicate – how plunder continues….” You intentions will always betray the collective can click on any of the many links that appear. quest for a better country. How can people One or more of the companies involved in whose greed killed fellow citizens lead the these unwholesome incidents have since charge for a better country? Where will changed their names and there is at least one WKH\ ÀQG WKH UDQJH" ,W LV OLNH WU\LQJ WR EXLOG a skyscraper on a pack of cards. It is never businessman still on the run.

Ruona was threatened with a lawsuit by a getting started.

Every major act of corruption carried Twitter user who claimed to be American if she did not delete said report. You’d think being out in this country is led and perpetuated American came with a padded immunity E\ SHRSOH ZKR KDYH QR JRYHUQPHQW R΀FHV from investigative reports. Ruona did not or portfolio. And that a process is legal delete and said report remains available for does not mean it is not corrupt, Africans those looking to learn more and those looking were once legally enslaved. Beyond a certain point, you actually need more than to address these injustices.

If you have experienced hardships while individuals, you’d need institutions to attempting to obtain a Nigerian passport facilitate transfers and movements that at abroad, chances are the very individuals who times end up safe and tucked in tax havens.

The American war against terrorism had FDXVHG \RXU VXͿHULQJ DUH DOVR RQOLQH ZLWK you screaming against what is not working in such unintended outcomes like helping Nigeria. It seems that being a private citizen to curb corruption in poor countries like grants them a cloak of righteousness while Nigeria. they vilify those in government. However, Omojuwa if everyone is calling out politicians, some is chief strategist, Alpha Reach and author, individuals should be the last to join the queue Digital Wealth Book or, better yet, not join at all, given their lack of A popular Yoruba proverb came to mind as I put pen to paper. Kokoro ti n je efo, idi efo lo wa, which translates to, the insect eating the vegetable is right under the vegetable. You’d understand why this proverb matters as you read on. In 2014, Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior organised a recruitment exercise for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), resulting in the tragic death of at least 15 Nigerians.

Whatever happened on the day of the exam, their deaths were almost inevitable when a group of private business men disguised greed as a business opportunity and then worked ZLWK JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV WR OHJLWLPL]H WKHLU avarice.

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T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

WHAT MANNER OF A NATIONAL CARRIER? It is an ill-conceived and wasteful venture

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D SDVVHQJHU KDG WR OHQG WKH DLUOLQH WR EX\ IXHO YHU VLQFH WKH LGHD WR ÁRDW D QDWLRQDO 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ WR VXJJHVW WKDW carrier was mooted in January 2016, DQ\ DSSUHFLDEOH OHVVRQ KDV EHHQ OHDUQW DV HYLGHQW LQ ZH KDYH SHUVLVWHQWO\ ZDUQHG DJDLQVW WKH GHEDFOH WKDW IROORZHG WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW HUHFWLQJ DQRWKHU PRQXPHQW WR ZDVWH LQ DUUDQJHPHQW ZLWK 9LUJLQ $LUOLQHV WR UXQ 9LUJLQ D SHULRG RI OHDQ UHVRXUFHV %XW ZLWK MXVW 1LJHULD DV 3XEOLF 3ULYDWH 3DUWQHUVKLS 333 D VLPLODU about 10 days to the end of the current PRGHO WKDW 6LULND LV QRZ SURSRVLQJ 6LU 5LFKDUG administration, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, %UDQVRQ FKDLUPDQ RI WKH JURXS FRPSODLQHG RI FRQWLQXHV WR LQVLVW WKDW D QDWLRQDO FDUULHU ZRXOG EH SROLWLFDO LQWULJXHV FRUUXSWLRQ ODFN RI DGKHUHQFH WR ODXQFKHG ´5HJDUGLQJ 1LJHULD $LU \HV ZH DUH RQ DJUHHPHQWV DQG D UHJXODWRU\ ERG\ WKDW GLGQ·W NQRZ course; and by the Grace of God, before President ZKDW WR GR ´DQG SHUVLVWHQWO\ DVNLQJ IRU EULEHV DW DQ\ 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL OHDYHV R΀FH LW ZLOO Á\ µ 6LULND SRLQW µ 7KH DLUOLQH ZDV PDNLQJ KXJH ORVVHV LQ FDSLWDO VDLG RQ :HGQHVGD\ ´:H DUH RQ FRXUVH EHIRUH 0D\ DQG XOWLPDWHO\ WKH 9LUJLQ JURXS ZDV IRUFHG WR GLYHVW 1LJHULD $LU ZLOO Á\ µ LWV LQWHUHVW Even at the risk of 7R FRPSRXQG WKH VRXQGLQJ UHSHWLWLYH SUREOHP WKH QDWLRQ·V ZH DJUHH WKDW JLYHQ WKH It is difficult to fathom the rationale for the carrier other than to aviation industry is size of our nation, the FXUUHQWO\ JRLQJ WKURXJK KXJH SRSXODWLRQ DQG WKH conclude that the motivation is more about the personal interest of ÀQDQFLDO VWUHVV DQG PRELOLW\ RI RXU SHRSOH some people than the good of the nation PDQ\ RI WKH DLUOLQHV DUH WKHUH DUH VX΀FLHQW KLJKO\ LQGHEWHG 7KH\ DUH JURXQGV WR DUJXH IRU KLQGHUHG E\ LQDGHTXDWH D QDWLRQDO FDUULHU $W ÁHHW DQG FDSDFLW\ DQG SUHVHQW WKH FRXQWU\ ORVHV T H I S D AY WKXV FDQQRW FRPSHWH HͿHFWLYHO\ 7KHUHIRUH JLYHQ WKH VR PXFK PRQH\ WR IRUHLJQ DLUOLQHUV EHFDXVH WKHUH LV EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU RSHUDWLQJ HQYLURQPHQW ZH IHHO WKDW WKH SURSRVDO IRU QR QDWLRQDO FDUULHU ZLWK DGHTXDWH QHWZRUN RI URXWHV DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA D QDWLRQDO FDUULHU LV D PLVSODFHG SULRULW\ WKDW ZRXOG RU WKH FDSDFLW\ WR RSHUDWH H[WHQVLYHO\ PDQ\ RI WKH MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO OHDG WR DQRWKHU ZDVWH RI HQRUPRXV VFDUFH UHVRXUFHV DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU KLJKO\ OXFUDWLYH URXWHV 7KH IHZ SULYDWH DLUOLQHV WKDW CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI $QG DV ZH KDYH VHHQ ZLWK VHYHUDO 333 PRVW RI WKH DWWHPSW WR GR WKDW GR QRW KDYH WKH ZKHUHZLWKDO DQG EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN DJUHHPHQWV HQWHUHG E\ RXU R΀FLDOV DOPRVW DOZD\V FDSDFLW\ WR ÀQDQFH H[WHQVLYH IRUHLJQ RSHUDWLRQV <HW MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI HQG XS LQ FRXUW ZLWK DZDUGV RI KHDY\ FRVW DJDLQVW QR PDWWHU KRZ SDWULRWLF ZH PD\ IHHO DERXW WKH LVVXH THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE RXU FRXQWU\ JRLQJ EDFN WR WKH HUD RI RXU LQJORULRXV SDVW UHPDLQV 0HDQZKLOH WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ WR VXJJHVW WKDW WKH QRWKLQJ EXW D PLVSODFHG QRVWDOJLD 1DWLRQDO $VVHPEO\ KDV DQ\ LQSXW LQ WKLV ZKROH LGHD $W LWV SHDN WKH WKHQ QDWLRQDO FDUULHU 1LJHULD $LUZD\V T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D WR IRUFH WKURXJK ¶$LU 1LJHULD· <HW ZLWKRXW JRLQJ KDG RYHU DLUFUDIW LQ LWV ÁHHW %XW E\ WKH WLPH LW ZDV EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA WKURXJK DQ\ SURFHVV VHULRXV FRPPLWPHQWV DUH EHLQJ HYHQWXDOO\ OLTXLGDWHG LQ E\ WKH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RI GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, PDGH RQ EHKDOI RI 1LJHULD LQ ZKDW DSSHDUV D RQH ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI 3UHVLGHQW 2OXVHJXQ 2EDVDQMR LW KDG EHFRPH D KXJH DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, PDQ VKRZ ,W LV GL΀FXOW WR IDWKRP WKH UDWLRQDOH IRU OLDELOLW\ DQ REMHFW RI QDWLRQDO VKDPH DQG LQWHUQDWLRQDO ANTHONY OGEDENGBE LW RWKHU WKDQ WR FRQFOXGH DV PRVW SHRSOH KDYH WKDW ULGLFXOH 7KH DLUOLQH ZDV V\QRQ\PRXV ZLWK ODUJH VFDOH DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI WKH PRWLYDWLRQ LV PRUH DERXW WKH SHUVRQDO LQWHUHVW RI LQH΀FLHQF\ PLVPDQDJHPHQW DQG FRUUXSWLRQ 6RPH SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH VRPH SHRSOH WKDQ WKH JRRG RI WKH QDWLRQ :H WKHUHIRUH RI WKH DLUFUDIW ZHUH VHL]HG DEURDG DW ZLOO EHFDXVH RI ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI LQGHEWHGQHVV 6DODULHV ZHUH KDUGO\ SDLG $W RQH RI WKH CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI ZDQW WR SODFH LW RQ UHFRUG WKDW WKLV LV DQ LOO FRQFHLYHG DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO LGHD WKDW VKRXOG QRW EH LPSOHPHQWHG DW WKH WZLOLJKW RI PRVW OXGLFURXV PRPHQWV LQ DIWHU PRUH WKDQ D TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com DQ\ DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ KRXU GHOD\ RQ D /DJRV ERXQG ÁLJKW IURP 1HZ <RUN

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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REPO

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

08056356325

M A Y

S & P INDEX

1 8 , 2 0 2 3

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EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

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19.12%

INDEX LEVEL

611.31%

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N462.50/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

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*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

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NCAA: SAATM Created 17, 400 Jobs, Increased Contribution to GDP by $128m, Enhanced Consumer Benefits by $93m

Chinedu Eze The Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu has revealed that since the federal government embraced the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), it has created 17, 400 jobs in the aviation industry, increased aviation contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $128 million and enhanced consumer benefits by $93 million.

SAATM is a flagship project of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063,

an initiative to create a single unified air transport market in Africa to advance the liberalisation of civil aviation in Africa and act as an impetus to the continent’s economic integration agenda.

The federal government endorsed SAATM and Nigeria fully embraced it at inception.

Nuhu who reeled out the benefits of SAATM to Nigeria, stated in the presentation he made at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference (FNAC), which ended yesterday in Abuja that more economic benefits would accrue to Nigeria

from SAATM. According to him, the benefits include the increase in the revenue of Nigerian carrier that embark on regional operations and the movement of goods and services in the African region, which, he said, would over time, increase passenger traffic and cargo movement as trade increases among African countries.

Nuhu at the conference with the theme: ‘Sustainability of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria,’ explained that full adoption of SAATM by all industry professionals would strengthen and position the nation’s aviation sector as key player on the

continent, adding that it has immense economic benefits for Nigeria and its investors.

Nigerian airlines had vehemently kicked against its adoption when the new policy was unveiled, for the fear that it would undermine their domestic operations, and would likely give opportunity to other players from Africa to erode Nigeria’s domestic air travel market, but the federal government resisted the operators and adopted it about three years ago and the decision has started yielding results.

“The successful implementation of SAATM is a key driver of the African

Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), another flagship project of AU Agenda 2063. Several sectors of the national economy will derive significant benefits from the implementation of AfCFTA thus contributing to economic growth and development. Preserving nature and ensuring resource efficiency, NCAA continues to demonstrate environmental leadership amongst its peers in the region in order to ensure that Nigeria delivers on achieving the ambitious goal of a 50 per cent reduction in net carbon emissions by 2060 through collaboration with all industry stakeholders,” he said.

Nuhu also disclosed that the number of aircraft in the Nigerian registry has climbed to 358 in the last eight years from 175 in 2015, while the country’s airports have increased from just 27 within the same period to 40 at present.

He said that when the outgoing administration came onboard in 2015, there were only 34 Air Transport Licences (ATL), but today, the number has increased to 73. He added that commercial certificates were just 196, but skyrocketed to 320 at the present.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

NEPC Moves to Address Gaps in Export Products Packaging by SMEs James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Ezra Yakusak, has emphasised the need for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to bridge the knowledge gap, expedite compliance, enhance product competitiveness and achieve sustainable market access in the country’s traditional and emerging markets.

Speaking at the hands-on packaging and labelling technical sessions for women-led SMEs in Abuja, he said despite the ingenuity and innovativeness of women in developing products that are targeted for export, there are some inherent gaps in products, including poor or inappropriate packaging arising from incorrect cushioning materials, mismatch sizes, misbranding, wrong labelling, incorrect or illegible graphics, infringement on trademarks, and

lack of barcodes among others.

The NEPC boss however, affirmed the council’s commitment towards facilitating SMEs’ efforts to overcome challenges posed by Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and in particular packaging and labelling for export.

He pointed out that these flaws were basically attributable to a dearth of knowledge on appropriate packaging and ignorance of importing countries’ packaging and labelling requirements among

others.

According to him, the council hosted an exhibition of made-inNigeria products to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day in March where some of the gaps were observed.

Yakusak said, “Realizing that getting the required knowledge remains a herculean task for our women SMEs, I promised them that the council will provide intervention in the areas of packaging and labelling, and today is a fulfilment

of that promise.”

He said the products being displayed by the SMEs would be taken as a baseline in measuring the impact and effectiveness of the project, and assured that the NEPC remained committed to assisting SMEs in ensuring that their products access the international market.

He added that the council had deliberately chosen experts in the packaging and labelling field to facilitate the technical sessions in

the workshop in order to impart requisite knowledge through hands-on action learning and demonstration techniques.

The NEPC boss, however, urged the participants to leverage the knowledge received in transforming their current and future product lines to conform with global requirements as well as urged the beneficiaries to share their knowledge and experience with other exporters having similar brands.

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T H U R S D AY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17-MAR-27 ^13.98 23FEB-2028 ^14.55 26APR-2029

104.04 98.95 110.51 99.87 101.36

Change Updated Time (%) 15, 11.04 0 May 2023 15, 12.95 0 May 2023 15, 0 May 12.72 2023 15, 14.00 0 May 2023 15, 14.20 0 May 2023

Yield

BILLS MATURITY

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NTB 8-Jun23 NTB 7-Sep23 NTB 26-Oct23 NTB 9-Nov23

5.50

NTB 7-Dec23

6.80

4.58 6.15 4.50

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) May 15, 5.52 0.00 2023 May 15, 0.00 2023 4.64 May 15, 6.32 0.95 2023 May 15, 4.60 0.00 2023

Yield

7.07

May 15, 0.00 2023

Change Updated Time (%) May 15, 20.97 0.00 2023 May 15, 12.78 0.00 2023 May 15, 20.99 0.00 2023 May 15, 0.01 2023 18.31 May 15, 17.72 –0.01 2023

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Discount Yield

NSDL CP IIA 22-NOV-23 MTNN CP V 23-NOV-23 NSDL CP IIB 23-NOV-23 VAAG CP XVII 24-NOV-23 RICL CP IV 1-DEC-23

18.90 11.98 18.91 16.69 16.16

OTC F X F U T U R E S CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS MAY 31 473.90 1 May 15, 2023 2023 NGUS JUN 28 476.31 2 May 15, 2023 2023 NGUS JUL 26 3 478.72 May 15, 2023 2023 NGUS AUG 30 4 481.13 May 15, 2023 2023 NGUS SEP 27 5 483.53 May 15, 2023 2023

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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

AIR WATCH

AfDB Approves $15m Loan for InfraCredit to Support Nigeria’s Infrastructure Financing Ugo Aliogo The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $15 million subordinated loan to Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (InfraCredit) to strengthen its capital base and help close Nigeria’s infrastructure financing gap.

The financing would enable InfraCredit leverage domestic capital markets to bolster access to long-term local currency infrastructure financing in Nigeria.

According to a statement yesterday, the financing complements a 2019 investment into InfraCredit made by the AfDB and other partners to help unlock domestic institutional capital for infrastructure.

InfraCredit is a specialised Nigerian credit guarantee company that mobilises longterm capital from institutional investors, including pension fund

and insurance companies, to support infrastructure projects.

“The loan comes at a time when InfraCredit is seeking to raise capital to finance an additional $375 million in infrastructure over the next few years, primarily by leveraging private sector financing,” the statement added.

Director General of the Bank’s Nigeria Country Department, Lamin Barrow said, “The African Development Bank is pleased to continue to support an innovative financial institution – InfraCredit –which has objectives that align closely with our priorities to mobilise institutional financing for the delivery of infrastructure for Nigeria in key sectors including transport, energy, water, agriculture and infrastructure.”

The company’s green finance track record and commitments under its Clean Energy Transition Strategy and Roadmap and

Green Finance Framework fits with the African Development Bank’s commitments to promote low-carbon development and mitigation, leveraging climate finance from private sector sources, Barrow said.

InfraCredit CEO, Chinua Azubike said, “We are delighted and very pleased with the confidence that AfDB has demonstrated in the opportunity ahead for InfraCredit to scale its development impact of unlocking domestic institutional investments for long-term local currency infrastructure finance in Nigeria that will create jobs and support local economic growth.

“This second round investment will strengthen our guarantee issuing capacity and bring AfDB’s total investments in InfraCredit to $25 million, which is a strong signal of commitment to the long-term growth of InfraCredit and the Nigerian economy.”

A I R WATCH Ignorance, Mischief Hamper Agro Exports from Nigeria

‘High Cost of Operation Affects Profit Margin of Domestic Airlines’ Chinedu Eze Former Senior Special Adviser to the President on Aviation and the Managing Director of Afri-Air International Limited, Captain Shehu Iyal has highlighted the challenges that domestic airlines face in Nigeria due to high cost of operation.

According to him, the challenges include high cost of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, high aircraft insurance premium and multiple charges and taxes, insisting that such challenges will make it extremely difficult for airlines to make profit.

“Airlines are at the mercy of so many variables. They are at the mercy of the availability of

Jet A1, if it is there, at what price? They are at the mercy of even getting a boarding gate at some airports. There is no airline in Nigeria today that can boast of making a profit in any circumstance,” Iyal said.

He quoted the Managing Director of FAAN, Captain RabiuYadudu, who said: “There is an airport in America where they even gave an airline some money to enable the airline to fly there in order to develop the airport. We are in a very bad situation, I don’t operate an airline but I have friends that operate an airline. In fact I wonder how they do it. So lets not over tax or overwhelm the airlines to get into trouble, because they are already in trouble.”

Iyal who is fixed-base operator at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the Lagos airport, also said that the aviation industry in Nigeria needed more support and noted that the industry played critical role as economic driver of any nation.

“There is a need for the government to realise that aviation is more than business because it buoys the economy of every nation. So, there is no reason why airports and airlines should have the kind of problems we are having today because aviation is a component of national security.

So for whatever reason, we must find a way of helping them to survive. After that we talk about sustainability,” Iyal further said.

Green Africa Celebrates First Anniversary of gFuture Initiative On May 9, 2023, Green Africa, Nigeria’s leading value airline, celebrated the graduation of 12 gTalents who participated in the company’s gFuture Initiative. The initiative, which was launched in 2022, aims to train a total of 1,440 aviation professionals across different disciplines over the next decade. At the first anniversary ceremony held at the company’s head office in Lagos, four cabin crew members, five second officers, one airport service personnel, and two commercial gTalents were honoured for their successful completion of the programme.

In his opening remarks, the

Founder and CEO of Green Africa, Babawande Afolabisaid: “We announced our plans last year to train talents over the next decade across different aviation disciplines. The journey of a thousand steps starts with the first and today we are delighted to celebrate the first year of that journey with the graduation of twelve new gTalents.

“Everyone in the cohort came in abinitio and got the opportunity to start building their careers. We are committed to the gFuture Initiative being a signature training platform not only for Green Africa but also a unique example to other players

in the region that we need to take a long-term consistent approach to training talents.”

The special guest at the event, a retired Chairman of the Flight Safety Group and Director of Airworthiness, NCAA, Kayode Ajiboye, in his keynote address, commended Green Africa for the structured initiative, as Nigeria Airways became the last airline known to have done such a structured training programme.

Ajiboye congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to be tenacious, have positive work ethics, and be committed to excellence in their various disciplines.

C o u r t O rd e r s A H S t o Pay N2m Damages, Nullifies MoU The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Aviation Services International Limited (AHS) and its Nigerian partner; Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL), in a ruling, where it said the defendants contradicted the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Civil Aviation Act 2006, particularly the Section 72 of the ground handling licence.

Th Court therefore ordered AHS to pay the sum of N2 million to PAHCOL as damages.

According to the judgment, the MoU signed on June 22, 2016

between the 3rd plaintiff and the 1st defendant, which was the preliminary understanding of the parties to a proposed joint venture, was in gross violation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Civil Act 2006.

The 49 paged ruling on suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/566/2021 over abandonment of contract was delivered on May 3, 2023 in Abuja

by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu The plaintiffs in the case are the Precision Support Services Ltd, Merit Oil Ltd and Precision Aviation Handling Company Ltd while the defendants are Aviation Handling Services International Ltd, BVI and Menzies Aviation

(Africa) Ltd. The court declared that the contravention of the Nigerian laws and the Civil Aviation Act, made the contract unenforceable and should be disregarded.

The court also ruled that the MoU signed in respect of aviation ground handling services in Nigeria had expired by expiration of time on June 30 June 2017.

The court also stated that since the plaintiffs and defendant did not sign the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) as contemplated, the proposed agreement was therefore insipient and liable to be terminated.

Chinedu Eze Not knowing how to produce untainted agro produce and the attempts to export foods that do not meet international standards, have been identified as the bane of huge agro exports from Nigeria.

This was confirmed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) whose officials gave details of how exporters produce agro-produce that could be injurious to health due to ignorance and the desire to circumvent the rules.

Last weekend, the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee set up by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain RabiuYadudu, went on a facility tour of some laboratories where ago-produce for export are examined.

The committee was set up with the objectives to review the process of exports, remove impediments and boost export of produce and products in Nigeria by air, with the target to move Nigeria from current number five to number one among African countries that export farm produce overseas.

The Chairman of the committee, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, said there was need to scrutinize the farm produce Nigerians export and the reason why some of these produces are rejected while that of Nigeria’s neighbours like Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and others are accepted.

He also stressed that export of agro produce from Nigeria has become critically important because Nigeria is no more prime exporter of oil and that oil demand in the international market is diminishing, insisting there is need to have alternative to oil export, since Nigeria has huge potential to be number one exporter of agro produce in Africa.

The committee visited laboratories that specialise in certifying produce for export, NAFDAC and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service to find out the standards Nigerian produce must meet in order for them to be accepted overseas.

Addressing the committee, the officer in charge of NAFDAC Central Lab in Lagos, Dr. Charles Nwachukwu, explained that the reason Nigerian commodities were taken to Ghana is for it not to be labelled Nigerian products because exporters from Nigeria ought to know what is required from the country of destination and make sure it is met and advised that Nigerians should learn to follow due process, as they will make more money, and the country’s name will be restored and not tarnished.

According to Nwachukwu, “If you are exporting maize, and the aflatoxin level of maize required in Europe is 0.4ppm, the agricultural extension workers can assist the farmers to know when to harvest and the appropriate storage process.

The quality of the produce coming out of our farms lies in the hands of extension workers in the federal, state and local government levels.

“Another issue arises from preservation. In the bid to protect their investments, some use pesticides and other chemicals which is wrong, causing rejections. We have been sensitising our people on the implication of this action, and we will continue to do so. Sometimes they use preservatives higher than what is required and that is the cause of the rejection. It has been pesticide residue and mycotoxin level mainly that has been causing the rejections.

“There is nowhere in the world where they will reject the certificate issued by NAFDAC. There was no time this happened, because we have one of the best labs in Africa. NAFDAC has about

seven labs and five of them are concerned with food. The Oshodi Lab is the centre of excellence.

We have some of the best facilities when we talk about lab quality and we are improving on the equipment that are available. This agency offers lab services for export of agricultural produce free of charge if it passes through the proper channel and process, which is the export desk of the Port Inspection Directorate (PID).”

The Chief Executive Officer of an independent lab, known as Katchey, Mrs. Kate Isa, told the committee that there was need to have standard labs like Katchey that has international recognition and certification so that whenever Nigerian agro produce are examined and certified by such labs the farm produce would be accepted by the Western nations the commodities are exported to.

“November last year when Fidelity Bank Plc took a team out to try and find export market for Nigeria, I talked to Winas; the biggest supplier of supermarket chain in the UK and they told me that they used to import a lot of things from Nigeria.

They would pay the exporter, the supplier, carry containers get to the port in London and it would be held there, no matter what certificate you brought it with. It would be held there until they run their own test and if it passes, they let it go. They pay demurrage, they pay for the test they ran. So because of this problem they stopped coming to Nigeria to buy anything, they go to Ghana, they go to Benin Republic, they go to those other parts of Africa where things work to buy the African products because African market is booming in the UK and New York as well. Now when they heard about Katchy they were excited and they now refer the people they want to buy from,” she said.

A member of the committee, Mr. Alex Nwuba, encapsulated the challenges Nigerians face both in the food they consume locally and the ones exported. The feedback from NAFDAC revealed that some of the foods consumed by Nigeria could give rise to cancer because of the way they are preserved and processed.

“Lessons from our visit to NAFDAC could be summarised thus: we need to export proper food but we’re free to kill ourselves. Nigeria has fantastic professionals constrained by bureaucracy.

Ignorance is a killer is the best characterization of our society. Professionals are willing to help but they are prevented by the process and those unwilling to do the work. Our food is killing us.

The ignorance and backwardness of producers is causing the problem.Avoid pomo, its mostly cooked with rubber (tyres), which could cause cancer and cancer is the leading killer in Nigeria.

Diligent scientists know what to do but the system is preventing them from doing the job. Farmers use dangerous pesticides that enter the food chain and yet there are better ways .Don’t eat dry fish unless you know how it was prepared, if it was done over open fire and wood, it will ultimately kill you. Look for oven dried fish. Neither eat anything cooked with charcoal with wood of unknown source. Vegetables without holes means insects have been repelled, you too should run (chemicals are used to repel the insects). If you see meat in the open market that flies are running from, run too; it is contaminated with insecticides.

Be careful with all grains, traders want to maximize the lifespan and prevent infestation using dangerous chemicals,” he cautioned.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Breath of Fresh Air Pervades Seplat

Wale Igbintade reviews the striking out of the suit filed by aggrieved shareholders of Seplat, and the vacation of their ex-parte order restraining officials of the company from performing their duties by the Court of Appeal

T

he crisis rocking Seplat Energy Plc is beginning to ease off following the withdrawal of the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos by aggrieved shareholders of the company against the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, and the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Basil Omiyi, over alleged racism.

The aggrieved stakeholders are: Moses Igbrude, Sarat Kudaisi, Kenneth Nnabike, Ajani Abidoye, and Robert Ibekwe. They filed a suit marked FHC/L/402/2023 against the company, Brown and Omiyi, asking the court for an order of mandatory injunction restraining them from parading themselves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Seplat or work for the company in any other capacity.

They equally sought an order restraining the company’s Board Chairman from retaining Brown as the CEO of Seplat or retaining his services for the company in any capacity.

The plaintiffs’ allegations against Brown was that he was running the affairs of the company in an illegal, unfairly prejudicial and oppressive manner.

They also sought orders restraining the Independent Non-Executive Directors of the company from allegedly running its affairs unfairly.

The orders were granted by the court on March 8, 2023 by Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke.

However, upon the hearing of the argument of the respective counsel to Seplat and its Directors as to why the interim application should not have been granted and why it is necessary for it to be set aside, on April 6, 2023, Justice Aneke vacated the order.

Omiyi

Brown

The court thereafter adjourned the matter to May 16, 2023, for hearing of the petitioners’ motion on notice seeking to join certain Independent Non-Executive Directors of Seplat as parties to the suit.

However, at the resumed hearing of the substantive last Tuesday, counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Ayodele Arotiowa informed the court that his clients have filed notice to withdraw the suit, adding that they were no longer willing to continue with the case.

‘Petralon 54 Engaged Barge FP Amangwu to Barge Legally-Produced Crude Oil’ Petralon 54 Limited has said tha it engaged Barge FP Amangwu to barge legally produced and government authorised crude oil from its operated Dawes Island Marginal Field to the Ajapa FSO, operated by Britannia-U Nigeria Limited, which is the offtake terminal.

“We have followed with keen interest reports of the exchange between our erstwhile vendor, First Priority Resources International Limited (First Priority) the operators of Barge FP Amangwu and security operatives (men of Operation Delta Safe and Tantita Security Services), and wish to highlight some facts of our transaction with the vendor in question.

“Not being sea going, the Barge was berthed at NPA Jetty, Warri pending offtake of the crude oil onboard by a sea going vessel,”the companysaid in a statement.

Upon completion of the contract on March 28, 2023, it disclosed that, all the tanks of the Barge FP Amangwu, were fully evacuated with all crude conveyed pumped out, except the cumulative residual volume of ca. 100 barrels at the bottom of the tanks that pumps could not pick up.

This fact, it stressed, can be attested to by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the relevant oil and gas operations regulator that supervised and signed-off on the evacuation operation and ensured the Barge was emptied.

In the statement issued yesterday to clarify misconception surrounding this issue, the firm said, the Barge was released by Petralon 54 Limited to its owners-First Priority- on March 30, 2023 at the NPA Jetty in Warri, Delta State, which signaled the end of the contract between Petralon 54 Limited and First Priority, the operators of Barge FP Amangwu.

The Barge, it added was subsequently moved to Ejovi Jetty, located in Warri, Delta State, by its owners on April 17, 2023.

According to the statement, “Early in May 2023, the owners of the Barge, who by contract were to clean the tanks of their vessel post activity reached out to Petralon 54 Limited, claiming that at the point of their

cleaning the barge, they discovered that crude was left on board the Barge and requesting that Petralon 54 Limited should evacuate same.

We responded to this claim advising that it was incorrect because we had evacuated our crude completely from the Barge.

“Owing to the magnitude of the claim, we immediately followed up on our response by sending a representative to verify the claim.

Consequently, samples of the fluid in the barge tanks were taken and tested at an NMDPRA-certified laboratory.

The results confirmed that what the owners of the Barge - FP Amangwu, considered as crude, was actually oily wastewater, a combination of the residual amount of the cumulative crude dead volume of ca. 100 barrels which the staff of the barge owners had now accumulated into two tanks as they cleaned out the other tanks, and the sea water the staff of the owners of the Barge said they pumped into the various Barge tanks in washing the Barge and had also accumulated into these same two tanks.”

It said: “First Priority thereafter wrote to us, still requesting that we undertake the cleaning of the Barge ourselves on the basis of the fact that Warri was outside their jurisdiction, and that they had no experience in cleaning. Taking over tank cleaning was contractually impossible for Petralon 54 Limited to do as the cleaning was contracted to First Priority, and is outside our remit, we however reached out to the NMDPRA on behalf of First Priority, for the recommendation of a certified waste management company. Guided by NMDPRA, two NMDPRA responded certified waste management companies were identified, of which Diamond Energytech Limited was considered more responsive and was subsequently engaged to undertake the cleaning operation.

“The scope of engagement of the waste disposal company (Diamond Energytech Limited) was tank cleaning, evacuation and transportation of oily water, treatment, and disposal of oily water from the Barge. The operation would be overseen by First Priority alone as the cleaning transaction was

directly between they and Diamond Energytech.

“From this point, we stopped interfacing with both First Priority and Diamond Energytech as the contract with First Priority had terminated, and the cleaning transaction was between both parties alone (First Priority and Diamond Energytech).”

Expressing its concern, the management of Petralon 54 Limited noted that, since the news of incidents detailed above broke, none of the government security agencies involved in the exchange with these vendors (First Priority and Diamond Energytech Limited) has reached out to the firm for any information, clarification, or corroboration, adding that, “We read in the news that during the course of transportation, the disposal agent’s vacuum truck was intercepted by men of the Operation Delta Safe and the private security firm, Tantita Security Services.

“We also read on the news that a section of the waste treatment facility belonging to Mawe Services Limited was set ablaze by the security forces, in addition to the burning of the FP Amangwu Barge. Both actions were taken within a day of the reported arrest of the truck. It was also reported that the driver of the disposal agent’s vacuum truck and his mate on board were arrested and taken into custody, where they are currently being held at 3 Battalion Nigerian Army Barracks, Effurun.

On the basis of the foregoing facts, the management of the coy urged security operatives and relevant authorities to properly investigate the issue while all parties in the issue, including the Nigerian security forces and Tantita Security Services, relevant regulatory authorities, among others.

“Beyond the fact that Petralon 54 Limited conducts its business legitimately at all times in addition to being a socially responsible organisation with commitment to fair business practices, it is our hope that government will look into the operations of surveillance operatives on our waterways and cause them to become more accountable.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Addressing the court, Seplat’s counsel, Mr. Uzoma Azikiwe (SAN), told the court that his client filed an appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit and urged the court to suspend all proceedings pending determination of the appeal.

On his part, counsel to Seplat’s CEO, Mr. Kayode Adesina, informed the court that the notice of withdrawal filed by the petitioners was served on him in court, after the appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the court had been entered at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

He submitted that the petitioners filed their notice of discountenance on April 18, 2023, but decided to serve the respondents in court.

While not opposing the notice of discontinuance, he asked the court to award the sum of N10 million as cost against the petitioners for the delay in serving the notice of discontinuance, which counsel to the petitioners blamed on the court’s bailiff.

Consequently, in his ruling, Justice Aneke struck out the suit and ordered the petitioners to pay N1 million to the second and third respondents.

Before then, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had 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 CEO, Brown, and Board Chairman, 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, SAN, Bode Olanipekun SAN and Audu Anuga SAN, 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 story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MILESTONE

AMG @ 80: Glimpses and Encounters With Mr Mystique T Tunde Olusunle

he story was told at the onset of the Fourth Republic in 1999, about a challenge which confronted the media, as it sought to commence reportage of the new era. President Olusegun Obasanjo immediately he was inaugurated, rolled out a list of top government functionaries who were to serve in his administration. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Ufot Ekaette, Abdullahi Mohammed, Abu Obe, and a few others, were to serve as National Security Adviser, (NSA); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF); Chief of Staff to the President, (COS) and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, (HCSF), respectively. With relative ease, the press sourced the photographs of all the new appointees, except Gusau’s! Some publications resorted to illustrations of their concepts of the man, having exhausted searches and excavations in available libraries and archives.

But Aliyu Mohammed Gusau was no stranger in Nigeria’s sociopolitics, hitherto principally defined and administered by the military. He had functioned at command and leadership levels of a plethora of critical and strategic military subdivisions and security organisations and agencies, through times and seasons. He was a member of the nation’s topmost decision and policy-making organ, the Armed Forces Ruling Council, (AFRC), in the hey-days of the Ibrahim Babangida military presidency. He is easily one of the nation’s most versatile, experienced and decorated patriots, in a most eventful career which began in 1964. He was involved in mutations of governments in Nigeria at various times, including working assiduously to berth our subsisting democracy and stabilising it. By nature, intuition and grooming, however, he had intentionally opted for discernible anonymity.

My first ever encounter with Aliyu Mohammed Gusau was at the instance of the highly respected economist and media practitioner, Onyema Ugochukwu in 1998. Gusau was one of the statesmen who crafted the co-option of Obasanjo into the presidential race that year, in the immediate aftermath of the latter’s release from prison in June. Obasanjo’s jailer and former military helmsman, Sani Abacha, passed on June 8, 1998. He was promptly replaced by Abdulsalami Abubakar, erstwhile Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS).

Abubakar committed to the accelerated return of Nigeria to democratic rule. Obasanjo’s liberation threw up conjectures amongst statesmen and the top brass of the military establishment.

The South West of the country remained implacable following the annulment of the “June 12, 1993” presidential election won by the charismatic multibillionaire, Moshood Abiola, by Babangida. Abiola would further pass in very hazy circumstances, while in military incarceration. In Obasanjo, the ruling military found a double-sided brand which fitted into their strategic thinking.

Obasanjo is from the same state, in the same very aggrieved South West geopolitical zone. He was military Head of State from February 14, 1976 to October 1, 1979, when he handed over power to a democratically elected President, Shehu Usman Shagari. Throwing Obasanjo into the presidential contest since Abubakar had sworn to a fast tracked transition programme it was believed, would assuage the South West. Consistent with military espirit de corps, it was also presumed Obasanjo will be protective of the martial constituency to which he previously belonged.

Gusau it was who proposed Onyema Ugochukwu as Director of Publicity of the Obasanjo Presidential Campaign Organisation, in the run up to Obasanjo’s formal declaration for the top job, November 1, 1998. Both men had a longstanding relationship preceding the advent of the Babangida milieu during which Gusau featured prominently in multitasking security capacities.

The press enjoyed quite some adulation by the reading public and the state, given the media’s role not only in information dissemination but also in the shaping public perception. Ugochukwu had edited various publications within the stable of the Daily Times conglomerate, in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, (UK). He also once served as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE), which won for him multisectoral bonds and relationships.

I was subsequently drafted into the Obasanjo project by Ugochukwu, as Campaign Press Secretary. I travelled and traversed the country with Obasanjo on his “political consultations” and subsequently, the breathtaking campaigns.

Gusau was in the background, ensuring the

Gusau electioneering proceeded seamlessly. While the Publicity Directorate functioned from Oluwalogbon Motors in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Ugochukwu’s earlier official address was at “No 10, Lees Road,” Ikoyi, Lagos. Segun Ayobolu, one of Nigeria’s brightest journalists and political scholars and my respected colleague from the Daily Times of old, worked with Ugochukwu as Resource Person. On one of my visits to Ugochukwu’s Ikoyi office, I got a hint about Gusau’s broadminded generosity.

Gusau owned the office complex and used only one suite. But he availed all the other suites to his friends and associates including Ugochukwu who retired from the Daily Times in 1994. Kayode Are, a retired army Colonel who served as Gusau’s Military Assistant, (MA) when Gusau was in the military, and Funsho Kupolokun, previously controversially retired from the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), occupied other sections of the building. Gusau is from Zamfara. Ugochukwu, Are and Kupolokun are from Abia, Ogun and Ondo.

Obasanjo was to undertake a world tour after his election early 1999, to alert the world about the immediate onset of democratic governance and to enlist global support for his forthcoming regime. I was detailed to draft a press release to this effect, for mass dissemination. The delegation included: Gusau, Donald Duke, Ahmed Muazu, Olusegun Agagu, Ojo Maduekwe, Abubakar Rimi, Ad’Obe Obe, Oyewole Fasawe, and a few others. Reading the list over and over, I noticed the absence of a journalist. I thought to myself: Who would report the world tour?

Instinctively, I pulled out from our Oluwalogbon office and drove straight to Obasanjo’s Ita Eko home in Abeokuta, where he sometimes stayed after the election, alternating between that and his reputed Otta Farm.

As I approached Obasanjo’s home, I met him standing outside the gate of the place with Gusau, Andrew Young and Carl Masters. I walked briskly to the quartet and greeted them and whipped out the global tour delegation list as I engaged Obasanjo. I made my observation and he studied the list and agreed with me.

He immediately called Gusau’s attention to the document. Gusau ran through it and concurred.

He then asked me: “Who in your opinion from the Directorate of Publicity should be on the trip?” “Chief Onyema Ugochukwu,” I belched straightaway. “We have a hierarchy in our job, Sir and he’s the boss.” Obasanjo and his guests followed the exchange between Gusau and I, as Gusau whipped out his pen, did some editing on the list and installed Ugochukwu’s name.

As NSA, I continued to encounter Gusau more frequently, since I served within the same system.

Talk about ultra-commitment to the national cause and you find it in Gusau. “Where is the Big Chief,” he would typically ask me whenever we met on the corridors of the State House, in obvious reference to Ugochukwu. Obasanjo in December 2000, appointed Ugochukwu pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC). This meant he shuttled between his Abuja base and his assignment in Port Harcourt. Gusau believed I was underutilised in the “Presidential Secretariat,” the office abutting the seat of the President where his correspondences and paperwork were processed. He spoke to Liyel Imoke who was Minister of Power at the time, to engage me as spokesperson for the defunct National Electric Power Authority, (NEPA). He made the same request to Kupolokun when Obasanjo appointed him Group Managing Director, (GMD) of NNPC. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau was born May 18, 1943. His curriculum vitae reads like that of

many luminaries assembled together. He has held virtually every position of importance in Nigeria, except the presidency. “Gusau,” the name of his hometown in present day Zamfara State, was affixed to his name by the military authorities when he was an officer cadet. This was to distinguish him from another trainee soldier who had the same first and second names.

He enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), in 1964, and was commissioned second lieutenant in 1967. He was promptly hurled to the war front during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.

He served as Commander, 9 Infantry Brigade, Abeokuta between 1976 and 1978, and Adjutant General of the 2nd Mechanised Division, from 1978 to 1979. From November 1979 to December 1983, Gusau was Director of Military Intelligence, (DMI), and functioned behind-the-scenes in the ouster of Shehu Shagari December 31, 1983.

Denied appointment as Director, National Security Organisation, (NSO) by Muhammadu Buhari who succeeded Shagari effectively from January 1, 1984, Gusau was despatched to a training programme at the Royal College of Defence Studies, (RCDS), in the UK. After helping Babangida to upstage Buhari in the August 27, 1985 coup, Gusau was appointed Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, (DIA) and concurrently Acting Director-General of the National Security Organisation, (NSO), between September 1985 to August 1986. He was then appointed Coordinator of National Security from August 1986 to December 1989.

He reengineered the nation’s security complex, breaking the NSO into the three contemporary organisations named: Department of State Services, (DSS); National Intelligence Agency, (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency, (DIA).

From December 1989 to August 1990, he was General Officer Commanding, (GOC), 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan, and then Chief of Administration, Defence Headquarters, August 1990 to February 1992. He also served as Commandant of the NDA from February 1992 to January 1993.

He was appointed NSA in January 1993 and was elevated Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) in August 1993. Abacha, paranoid about Gusau’s influence and networks in the military, retired him from service in November 1993, after he, (Abacha) brushed aside the “Interim National Government” (ING), emplaced by Babangida and headed by Ernest Shonekan.

After serving meritoriously as NSA to the Obasanjo government, Gusau resigned to contest in the presidential primary leading to the 2007 presidential election. As the story went, Gusau was opposed to Obasanjo’s “third term agenda,” where the latter purposed to stay beyond his constitutionally allowed two terms of four years. In March 2010, former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Gusau as NSA. The charismatic army General thus made history as the only Nigerian to serve in three separate administrations as NSA. Jonathan would subsequently appoint Gusau Minister of Defence in March 2014, at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of the country.

For his services to nation and the global community, Gusau has been variously honoured and decorated across the world. He is variously: Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON); Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, (GCOM), Germany; Order of National Security Merit, (ONSM), South Korea; National Intelligence Service Medal Gold (NISMA), South Africa, and the Grand Collar of the Order of Emperor Haile Selasie, (GCOS), Ethiopia. Gusau inaugurated the “Gusau Institute” in Kaduna in 2015, and donated his private library and publications, for the promotion of national development.

A consummate reader, the joke was cracked about an incident between a top functionary of the Abacha government and the dark-goggled dictator. The said official was travelling abroad and visited Abacha on the eve of his trip. As they concluded their exchanges, Abacha was said to have told his guest: “When you are coming back, bring me some of those big, big books, the type Gusau always reads!”

This is congratulating the amiable General as he joins the revered club of octogenarians and wishing him a million happy returns of the landmark! *Tunde Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE)

This

Weekend

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

Group Features Editor: CHIEMELIE EZEOBI chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com

07010510430

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WEEKLY MAGAZINE

AKINOLA AKINROPO: Teaching

the Science of Parenting

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˜ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͱ ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

AKINOLA AKINROPO:

Teaching the Science of Parenting Akinola Akinropo, founder of Parenmark, and a parenting coach with a focus on great fatherhood values, in this interview with MARY NNAH, gives an expository analysis of why some of our leaders misbehave and can hardly handle the affairs of the state, stressing that some leaders are products from troubled homes What’s your view of present-day parenting and its effects on society? hildren from troubled homes are often plagued by feelings of fear and helpless among others. As a child from a troubled home; I learned three dis-empowering rules of engagement; I don’t talk, I don’t feel, and I don’t trust. The vicious part of this is that I carried this ignorantly into my family life when I got married, in the same manner, many carried it into other relationships; courtship, career, business, and friendship.

When we juxtaposed it we now found that why some of our leaders are behaving awkwardly and weirdly because some of them are not healed from their childhood trauma and they carry this to their adulthood because every one of us is a product of our early emotional life.

I once lived with this in a fantasy of denial blocking out my problems, thinking everything was alright with me. On many occasions, I had limited myself from engaging people in a qualitative discussion or getting withdrawn where it mattered most to air my views and opinions. I had difficulties in either paying attention or being unwilling to participate in activities because of the unhealed trauma I lived with from childhood.

As a hurting child, I sometimes exhibited uncontrollable anger and hostility to people around me, no empathy towards anyone because I never experienced one and didn’t even know what it is, though not that I derived pleasure in doing it but because I wanted to be on the defensive all the time in my relationship with people. In the midst of this, I still hungered for acceptance, validation, and affection by making continuous bids for attention anyhow, anywhere in either positive or negative ways.

In all of this, was I at any time able to seek help from my handlers, especially from my mum when I, later on, moved to her after the issue I had with my dad, I won’t say I didn’t receive a couple of helps from her and some other people, but they, at my teens and youthful levels tried within the level of their exposure and knowledge but didn’t possess the core professional wherewithal to handle the issues. For instance, the discernment of the reason for my behaviour is not known to them. You don’t subject a child with an irrational behavioural attitude to beating, and more trauma at all. But unfortunately, this is one strategy most of the handlers in my generation knew All these and many more make the category of this child feel lonely and isolated, they think their problems are unique. The confusion will surely set in because they love their parents and in another way, they feel angry because of what they see and experience daily at home due to their impressionable mind.

C

What is the way forward to correct this anomaly?

I urge every adult even before they get to the position of leadership to embrace sincere audit of their childhood experiences regardless of the type of experiences. This will help them to view issues through the eye of the reality of now and their childhood pains, and emotional trauma.

They should remember that a hurting child will first of all hurt himself/herself, and consequently hurt others.

What is the focus of the Parenmark initiative, and how did it all begin?

It is about having a curriculum that benchmarks your activities every day. There are some churches and organisations that are buying into the idea of creating a curriculum for them and it would continue to happen. So, we created a school. I have been married for 20 years and I started preparing myself for the daunting task of fatherhood a year before I got married.

Even though it was at a lower level. A lot of things that I put to use, knowledge, and avoidable and unavoidable mistakes that I fell into during the past 21 years are the things that I put together to create the curriculum.

Fatherhood can be an art or a science.

There exists a school of fatherhood. Kenya has a university of fatherhood because they know the negligence that they have faced through the waywardness of their children and they carried out an assessment that pointed out the fact that these guys were not properly raised. They saw that was lacking and made sure that before you go into marriage, please go through the fatherhood university. It’s subtle, they have not enforced it. You get a provincial certificate, meaning that if you come out of that place and you go back to your house misbehaving, they will withdraw the certificate from you, and blacklist you.

That has put the men in Kenya in check.

We may not have the capacity to start a fatherhood university now but we can start the fatherhood online course.

In relationships what works for A may not work for B or C. Have you factored that into this?

We have factored it in and that is why we talk about assessment. Even our courses have assessments before any student attempts them. In a class, you would see the variation in scores and from there we put it in perspective. The course outline is generic but the application is not generic. So, what we tell them is how you can make use of what you’ve learned

in your day-to-day fatherhood journey. journey As a father, you are a seed handler.

We tell people that children are not the same. That is why we run psychometric tests for intending couples. It is important to know the personality trait of your spouse before you marry. Also, knowing your personality trait is not an excuse to bully your spouse. Your personality trait is not definitive, it is descriptive. We have a template but that template is not generic. It is not cast in stone, you have to apply it. We have a project and in that project, we would say go home and we will create a family constitution for you.

So, the family constitution I created with my coach, for my home, differs from what other participants created. There is no one size fits, but any method you want to use at all must be with the concerted effort of everybody in the house. You will also review from time; the purpose is to raise a wholesome and adjusted family.

Some family starts nicely but deviates because of some pressures. At that point, what should be done even if you have a constitution?

When pressure comes up the husband deviates to alcohol, the wife too takes solace in her friends, and the whole house is not catered for. One of those things that we tell participants to do is to have all-encompassing training. There is an aspect of emotional intelligence in fatherhood training in the online course.

Again, we try to create family values.

This is so critical and what that means is that if they crush me, they would still see anger in me.

I have not dealt with anger issues. I am on a journey to rediscover myself. The awareness there is to know that this thing you have done, you are not supposed to do it and you call yourself back. Once in a while fathers would fall into shouting bouts or slapping their children. It is wrong but the way we have been brought up, subconsciously we do it. Those things will always come but the perfect thing for you is to call yourself to order. If I am engaging my son, the boy would just say ha, the coach is vibrating. Immediately he says I would say my friend would you keep quiet? That is part of the vulnerability; we have to be open to ourselves. But the manual is to put us in check.

Who are your targets?

Our message is for everybody, including the singles. And that is why in our class you won’t see us using Bible passages. If I would use a Bible passage at all, I have to ask for their permission. What I would

use is not discriminatory. discriminatory It is not something that would put other people in jeopardy or think less of their religion. So, the target in that area would be non-denominational. So, we reach out to everybody but the real target now is mainly from 25 to 40 years. I discovered that the age range is 25 to 45 and those in the 45 range don’t need it, they are my friends.

The reason why I said this is because some of them believe that nothing can change about them. Then those around 50 and above are just my cheerleaders, some of their children are out of school. But for those who are 25 years to under 40, some of them are either not married, just got married and those are just fresh. You can still say some things that you can catch up with. It’s so easy for them to retrace their steps and all the mistakes that they have made. So, those are the target audience. We go to churches and mosques and if the Ifa worshippers have a center, make it open then we will go there. We have different curricula for these people.

Some of your targets may be drugs and other vices. Do you look at all this in your curriculum?

Yes. The fear of the future is mainly the reason why a lot of them go into vices. They came out of school and look around, see what the leaders are doing them and they also have their gadgets too. So, they just decide to let me live my life anyhow. We create hope for them and this is how we do it. We have a curriculum for teenagers.

I also have a certification for Generation Z from Atlanta, USA. We did a lot of research before they gave us that certificate. I focused on the West Africa, South Africa inclusive.

So, what we do is present the future to them. When they see the future and we arm them with the necessary curriculum content to guide them. What happens to someone who is already embedded in drugs, and all manners of activities? That is not my area but I have colleagues who deal with them on how to bring these guys back to normal. There are therapists in that area. We have 6 different assessments for pre-marital counseling. We don’t ask direct questions but they will fill in innocently, then we review them and then call them for a meeting.

We have not been encouraged at all. Almost zero encouragement. My coach advised me not to get deterred and not to make it free. Maybe a 30-minute course, a webinar. But where you give them a curriculum, it should be paid for.

Keep pushing, and keep gathering till you get your target audience. That is why we have a free WhatsApp group with fathers sharing experiences or if you do not want to share openly you can reach out to me.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͱ

NEWS

St. Lauren Unveils New Look, Flavour, Launches in 2 Other Markets

DELE MOMODU TO BE HONOURED IN CANADA The maiden edition of The Drum Festival and award scheduled to take place at Fuzion Banquet Hall, Toronto, Canada in July will confer an award of excellence to Dele Momodu, chairman, Ovation Media Group in recognition of his doggedness and commitment to the development of the media in the country.

Segun Akanni, publisher of The Drum Online International Media Incorporation and organiser of the festival said the award is in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the growth and development of print and digital journalism in Nigeria.

According toAkanni; “You have been flying the flag of transparent, unbiased, neutral and undiluted news reportage since the establishment of in your medium and you are one of the personalities to be honoured during the festival.

Speaking on the Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival), Segun Akanni said part of the focus and mandate of Drum Online Media Inc is a desire for an African cultural renaissance and promotion hence the organization’s plan and preparation to showcase one of Africa’s and Nigeria’s most prestigious cultural festivals known as The Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival).

Some of the activities lined up for the festival include a procession across Toronto-Mississauga, a lecture on the event’s theme, an art exhibition, a drum competition, presentation of an award of excellence among others.

FIDSON DIRECTOR, EKWUNIFE OKOLI LAID TO REST

L-R: Director, Prime Business Unit, Grand Oak Limited, Stanley Obi, presenting a gift to the winner of the St. Lauren raffle draw during the event

Stories by Mary Nnah St. Lauren, the premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine brand of Grand Oak Limited, officially unveiled its new look across its three variants - Red, Gold and White - with a grand event held at Lagos Sheraton Hotel on the 2nd of May 2023.

The event was attended by industry experts, consumers, and media personalities who experienced the unique taste and luxurious appeal of the wine.

The new-look St. Lauren

non-alcoholic wine features a sleek and modern design that allows consumers to celebrate every moment in style. The new design now comes in elegant and contemporary packaging that enhances the look and feel of St Lauren.

Attendees were treated to a delightful evening of African cuisine, thrilling artistic performances and entertainment, as well as a sip-and-paint session where attendees explored their creativity, along with St Lauren wine.

Speaking about the launch,

Stanley Obi, Director, Prime Business Unit, Grand Oak Limited, said, “We are thrilled to present the brand-new look of St. Lauren to our esteemed customers. “ This relaunch represents our commitment to providing a luxurious and exceptional experience to our consumers. We are excited to present the new elegant look of St. Lauren’s non-alcoholic Sparkling Wine at our event launches in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, bringing the unique taste and quality of

St. Lauren to more people. We believe that this new chapter for St. Lauren will open more celebratory occasions for our esteemed consumers”.

The relaunch of the brand in Lagos marks the beginning of an exciting journey for St. Lauren, as the launch is also expected to expand to other markets.

Commenting on the brandnew look and flavours, the Brand Business Manager, St. Lauren Non-alcoholic Sparkling Wine, Oluseun Mudashiru, Precious Ugwuzor said “St. Lauren is an enabler of celebration at every occasion. TicktosNigeriaLimited,haspartneredaSpanishfirm,MarinaTextil,on supplyingandtradingoftextilesandotherclothingmaterialstowardsthe manufacturingofPersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPEs)fortheNigerian oil and gas industry.

Incorporatedin1994tocarryoutconstructionofcivil,roadways,buildings, mechanicalandelectricalengineeringworks,Ticktoshastotalcapability an N100 billion Tier 1 Mudarabah in the design, procurement, and delivery of major projects across a full Sukuk Issuance programme, the spectrum of global markets. first of its kind.”

UndertheleadershipofKayodeAdeosun,theManagingDirector,the Mr. Rotimi further stated company has registered significant progress across the past five years.

“Recently, we were recognized Adeosun provides superb leadership to a diverse set of professionals for our significant contributions including - engineers, project managers, surveyors, accountants, and to the Nigerian Capital Markets safety officers who work with him on construction projects to deliver in 2022, GMB won three awards projects to specifications to respective clients. at the recently concluded IFN “Theprimarypurposeofthispartnershipis: Toassembleamanufacturing Awards in the United Arab company in the arena of textile producing products for use in the work Emirates. The awards received wear creation and supply along with building capacity for Nigeria’s were ‘Best Investment Bank in content development for job opportunities and economic value,” the Nigeria’, ‘Sukuk Deal of the Year’ partnership document stated. and ‘Africa Deal of the Year for Marina Textil designs, manufactures, and commercialises protective advising Family Homes Fund technical fabric used to produce PPEs. Limited (FHFL) in its issuance One unique thing about Marina Textil, which manufactures a wide of the first-ever Corporate Sukuk rangeoffabrictypes,isthatitneverappliesfinishingtreatments,asthese registered by the Securities & treatments lose their properties with use and washing.

Exchange Commission.

Thefirm’sprimaryobjectiveistoguaranteeprotectionagainstriskssuch as radiant heat, molten metal splashes, electric arc, electrostatic charges, among others throughout the useful life of the garment.

InDecember2016,theNigerianContentDevelopmentandMonitoring Board (NCDMB), announced for the first time its plans to ban the importation of PPEs for oil and gas industry operators. Eventually, this was carried out by the Board in 2022. to become global companies and ThisiswhatTicktospartnershipwithMarinaTextiloffersthecountry. operate on a global scale. “It is an The partnership known as Ticktos Marina Nigeria Limited will create opportunity for Lagos startups thousandsofjobs,generatestaxesandrevenueforthegovernment,when to showcase their ingenuity it comes on stream. Apart from the foreign exchange the assemblage across a global audience, as it of Ticktos Marina Nigeria Limited will save for the country, in terms helps to validate their products of importation, linkage industries such as construction and mining and services, puts them in front sectors will also benefit from it. Ticktos is one of the beneficiaries of of other competitors as well the NCDMB’s Project 100. Project 100 is an initiative of the Ministry of as exposure for investment Petroleum Resources in partnership with the NCDMB to look holistiopportunities to Nigeria”, he cally at 100 wholly indigenous oil and gas companies and nurture said. He further added that them to the next level. the entrepreneurs provide This, the board, believes will enhance their capacities, support them economic value through the financially through the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) Gitex platform as it puts them and help them find opportunities in the industry, in collaboration with in front of investors sponsored the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and its by the Lagos State Government. subsidiary, NAPIMS (now NUIMS). Benefits that accrue to Project 100 Victor Afolabi, Founder, companies include bespoke development plans to improve critical Eko Innovation Center, stated business capabilities and access to market opportunities with oil and that the initiative presents a gas operators on industry projects. platform to deepen the entreIt also provides them identified access to critical industry and oppreneurial ecosystem as well as erational insights, information and data and participation in local oil reduce unemployment in Lagos and gas opportunity fairs and strategic events and advocacyforpolicy state and Nigeria. “With Gitex, we recommendations that would unlock some of the challenges identified expect the entrepreneurs to get by the beneficiaries. partnerships and collaborations Other opportunities include technical and business performance to commercialize their businesses, improvementcapacityprogrammes,collaborationwithcriticalindustry and grow their market share to stakeholdersforparticipationinrelevantglobaloilandgasevents,R&D help assuage the economic chalcollaboration,opportunitytobenefitfromthe$50mNigerianContentR&D lenges and eradicate the high Fundandopportunitytoaccesstheabout$500mNCIFund,particularly rate of poverty prevalent in the the $30 million Working Capital Product, for qualified organisations. country,” he said.

Through Alternative Financing, Greenwich Merchant Bank Supports Nigeria’s Economy Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Greenwich Merchant BankLimited(GMB),BayoRotimi, recently discussed the bank’s role in supporting the nation’s economy through its alternative financing expertise in the first three years of the bank’s operation.

While briefing reporters at the bank’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, Mr. Rotimi commented that the institution has been around for 29 years but had previously concentrated only on its Investment Banking operations.

However, following its transition, the bank has gone beyond the usual boutique investment banking firm into wholesale

banking,andalternativefinancing, employing financial channels and instruments that emerge outside the traditional financial system to assist private institutions, state, and federal governments.

“As an institution and a group, this is our 29th year but it is our third year carrying that, ‘Merchant Bank’ identity. Our strategy is very clear. We have a rich history and pedigree in the capital markets but interestingly, we have identified a niche area where we can use our knowledge and expertise to build a competitive advantage for ourselves. Hence, GMB’s decision to focus on the alternative financing market and that

includes, non-interest financing.”

Commenting on the bank’s support to boost the economy of the nation, Mr. Rotimi said, “For the last two years, we have raised more than $2 billion in terms of subscription for the Federal Government of Nigeria Via Sukuk IV & V Issuances.

Additionally, we are proud to support the Federal Government in the housing sector - Family Homes Funds - again making impacts while deepening the financial market.

Taking our alternative financing pedigreebeyondFGN,weadvised TAJbank, the third non-interest bank to be licensed in Nigeria, on

Prophet Suddenly Tackles Desperation, Greed, Eight Startups Emerge Winners at Lagos Roadshow Gitex Pitch Competition Covetousness as Premiere Holds Sunday In an upcoming film titled “Prophet Suddenly,” the issues of desperation, greed, and covetousness take center stage, aiming to shed light on the consequences of these social vices.

Executive producer Elder (Dr) Steve Iruedo and directors Ohis Muyiwa and Anwinli Ojeikere (The WINLOS) have joined forces to bring this thought-provoking story to life.

The movie is scheduled to premiere at the RCN Embassy in Makurdi on May 21st by 4 pm, followed by a release on the WINLOS YouTube channel on May 28th.

“ProphetSuddenly”delvesinto the life of Michael, a man driven by the desire for success in modernday ministry. As he abandons his purpose and becomes influenced by his colleague Chucks’ lifestyle, Michael finds himself in a web of desperation. Unknowingly, he engages in a one-night stand with a familiar spirit, which grants him powers to heal and prophesy.

Soon, Michael rises to fame as a renowned preacher, earning the

nickname “Prophet Suddenly.”

The film’s storyline offers a cautionary tale, reminding viewers that one cannot work for God outside of God. It explores the detrimental effects of abandoning one’s purpose and chasing material gain, serving as a mirror for those who may have strayed from the true path. Through compelling storytelling, “Prophet Suddenly” aims to ignite conversations and create awareness about these vices prevalent in society.

As the executive producer, Elder(Dr)SteveIruedoenvisioned “Prophet Suddenly” as a tool for the redemption and renewal of minds. He closely collaborated with the creative team to ensure the central theme of desperation was effectively conveyed to the audience. Challenges during production, including the need for reshoots, were overcome with determination and commitment to delivering a compelling final product.

The film’s success is attributed to the exceptional collaboration and teamwork of the cast and

Eight startup businesses have emerged winners of the Gitex Pitch Competition, Lagos Roadshow edition which was held at the Eko Innovation Center, Ikoyi on Friday.

The winners at the Lagos Roadshow Event are Pocket Food; Fuspay Technologies; Byte;Africa Comicade, Get Equity; Alajo; Instant Rad and Dataleum.

The Lagos State Government in partnership with Eko Innovation Center would be sponsoring these startups on an all-expense paid session to Morocco and Dubai for the Gitex Supernova Pitch Competition where the entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas and compete on a global scale before fund managers and investors.

Olatunbosun Alake, Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology to the Lagos State GovernmentreaffirmedtheState’s commitment to partnering with the Dubai World Trade Center, organizers of Gitex Global, to provide the platform for young companies or small businesses

Mr Ekwunife Okoli, one of the Board members of Fidson Healthcare Plc was laid to rest after a funeral service held at Christ Church on Common Rickmansworth Road in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Theservicewasattendedbyfamily,friends,colleagues,andbusinesspartners fromvariousworksoflife.

OkoliwhopassedonpeacefullyamongclosefamilymembersonSunday, 23rdofApril2023servedasaNon-ExecutiveDirectorontheBoardofFidson HealthcarePlcfromJanuary2021untilhisdemise.Throughouthistimeon the board, he held several roles, including serving as the Strategy and Business Development Committee Chair and being a valuable member of the Governance,NominationandRemuneration;Financial,GeneralPurpose, as well as the Risk,Audit and Control Committees. \Aversatile Sales and Marketingexpert,Mr.OkoliworkedformanyyearsintheFMCGindustry.

Heservedasanexecutivedirector,MarketingatDiageoandwasaone-time Managing Director of Guinness in Cameroun and Ghana and Managing DirectorforAfricaandRegionalMarkets.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING: TICKTOS PARTNERS SPANISH FIRM ON PPES

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IMAGES

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY MAY 19, 2023

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke (middle), flanked by his wives Mrs. Titilayo Adeleke (left) and Mrs. Ngozi Adeleke (right), during Governor Adeleke’s 63rd birthday anniversary held at his country home in Ede, Osun State…recently

L-R: Wife of the award recipient, Mrs. Franca Onuoha; the recipient of the Champion Newspapers’ Award as Most Innovative Brand Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Year 2022 and Chairman, Ailes Group, High Chief Michael Onuoha; and former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, during the Champion Newspaper’s Annual Heroes of the Year 2022 Award held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos…recently

L-R: Facilitator, PMTCT of HIV/AIDS sensitisation programme, Mrs. Hamdalat Twins; participant, Mrs. Victoria Afe; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Aid Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; participant, Nwabeke Kingsley; and programme facilitator, Anuyimika Akinola, at the flag-off of the sensitisation of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS and Universal Precautions in Lagos recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Head, Key-Account, Reckitt Nigeria, Gbenga Olotu; Store Manager, Ilupeju Spar, Venkat Papani; Head of External Communications and Partnership, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh; and Operation Manager, Spar, Danish Khan, during the partnership agreement between Mortein and Spar in the fight against malaria in Lagos…recently

L-R; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa; Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Hayatu Hassan; and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sanusi, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Area H in Ogudu, Lagos…recently

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) fighter, Josias Musasa (left), and Kenya fighter, William Odino Otieno (right), on the Middle Weight Category during the presentations at the official launch of the Africa Knockout Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Lagos…recently

L-R: Immediate-past Secretary-General, Executive Council of Nigerian Gas Association in Abuja, Chichi Emenike; First Vice President, Mrs. Yetunde Taiwo; Secretary-General, Dr. Excel Ukpohor; Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Oladeji Olaoti; President of the association, Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi; Financial Secretary, Chukwuemeka Iheme; Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Ikonta; Legal Adviser, Mrs. Clare Ohiro; and immediate-past President of the association/Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong, at the recent inauguration of the newly constituted Executive Council of the Nigerian Gas Association in Abuja…recently

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

29

CLIMATEMATTERS

Why Government Must Act Immediately on NiMET Warnings Following the recent weather forecast for the year 2023 released by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Sunday Ehigiator in this report, writes on why relevant agencies of government at the national and state levels must immediately act on the warnings.

T

he 2023 NiMET forecasts have warned of massive variation in the onset of rainfall in most parts of the country and that as early as March, the coastal zone of the South-south states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom will observe unpleasant rainfall changes.

It forecast that the central states are likely to wait till May while Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers will experience delayed onset of rainfall.

It said for Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno the rains would not begin until June and July, “only Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos will be near normal but with a worrisome quantity.”

NiMET added that the noticeable increase in climate change and human-triggered activities including indiscriminate dumping of wastes will cause more floods in 2023 and that the waters will come in high intensity within a short duration.

While the country has begun to experience rainfall in selective states such as Lagos, Ogun, Portharcourt, and Edo, with little or no serious consequence, it is however important that government take necessary steps to mitigate devastating consequences of flooding before it is too late.

The NiMET Forecast

According to NiMET Director General, Mansur Matazu, the annual rainfall amount was expected to range from 420 mm in the northern region to 3,253 mm in the coastal areas.

He said the length of the growing season would range from 84 to 283 days, adding that most parts of the country would experience the long-term average, while some parts such as Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano, would have shorter-term average length.

“An early end of the season is predicted over parts of the south, especially in Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and eastern parts of Ogun and Lagos and parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.

“However, an extended rainfall season is

predicted over parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos. The end-of-season period is expected to range from September 26 to December 25.

“Dry spell occurrences have characterised our seasons in recent years. In 2023, we should also prepare for its occurrence between June and early July as a dry spell lasting between 15 to 21 days is in the forecast, especially from the central parts of the country to the north.

“When compared to last year, the little dry season (August Break) for 2023 is expected to be less intense. It is expected to last between 14 and 20 days starting from late July, especially over the southwest of the country.

“The extreme northern states are predicted to have onset between June and July, with the Northern fringes of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno states predicted to likely have onset between June 20 and July 7, 2023.”

NiHSA 2023 Prediction

Like its counterpart, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) also predicted in its 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) that 178 Local Government Areas (LGA’s) in 32 States of the federation and the FCT fall within the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas.

“They include: Adamawa, Abia, AkwaIbom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, as well as Zamfara and the FCT. “While 224 LGAs in 35 States of the Federation including FCT fall within the moderately probable flood Risks Areas, the remaining 372 LGAs fall within the probable Flood Risks Areas.”

NiHSA further revealed that the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas are expected between April and November, adding

that the level of floods in this category is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihood, livestock and infrastructure, and the environment.

It said part of 66 LGAs across the country fall within the Highly Probable Risks Areas, in April, May, and June, while part of 148 LGAs in October and November 2023.

Expected Flood Types

According to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, at the Public Presentation of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), held in February 2023, “moderate impact level of floods are expected in parts of 41 LGAs within April, May, and June, while parts of 199 LGAs fall within July, August, and September, and parts of 73 LGA’s within October and November 2023.”

He hinted that Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo will be experiencing Coastal flooding due to a rise in sea level and tidal surge which would impact fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation, whilst cities like Lagos, Kaduna, Suleija, Gombe, Yola, Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Asaba, Port- Harcourt, Yenagoa, Ibadan, Benin-City, Birnin- Kebbi, Lokoja, Kano, Nsukka, Sokoto, Ado- Ekiti, Owerri, Calabar, Maiduguri, Osogbo, Abakaliki and Awka will be experiencing flash and urban flooding.

He, therefore, said, “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that necessary measures are taken to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters taking into cognisance the devastating consequences of the 2022 floods.”

Consequences and Mitigation

As the rainy season begins in Nigeria, there is a significant risk of heavy flooding across the country’s 36 states and the capital territory. This will hit communities hard, as they are still recovering from last year’s floods.

Aside from the effect on the supply of the

Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) across various states in the country, the consequent fuel scarcity, and price hike of food and other commodities, the 2022 floods which ravaged most states of the federation as well as the attendant loss of lives and the economic toll put at over N4 trillion was an avoidable tragedy that must not happen again in 2023.

Speaking with THISDAY, the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Olufemi expressed worries that nothing seems to have changed since the 2022 flood at the federal and state levels.

According to him, “The lackadaisical attitudes that led to the loss of lives and property are still with us even though the 2022 floods affected about 20 states, killed about 603 people, and rendered more than 1.3 million homeless while over 108,393 hectares of farmlands were destroyed with attendant effects on food security, the economy, health, security, and the environment and that affected Nigerians are still battling with.”

To forestall any repeat, he said the federal and sub-national governments must respond to the early warning systems with synergy.

He also advocated for funds to be released for the building of more dams to hold water.

“In like manner, funds should be voted for the construction of buffer dams to accommodate excess water runoff upstream, particularly from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon.

“Secondly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) must leverage the precision of the geographical information systems and other meteorological data in its quest to reduce human exposure to flood risk and for emergency evacuation.

“There is a need for the government to dredge major rivers to accommodate high volumes of water and to promote inland waterways.

“Nigerians must not be allowed to suffer needlessly. Now is the time for intervention ahead of the rains and the flooding that will follow. Delay is not only dangerous, but it is also costly,” he said.

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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigerian Fintech P2Vest Launches Insurance Marketplace Nume Ekeghe P2vest Technology Limited has announced the launch of its new product, P2Vest InsuranceParasol.

The product, the company said in a statement, will provide lasting solutions to both individuals and businesses enabling them to easily buy and make claims on insurance products ranging from motor and property insurance to health and life insurance on their mobile phones.

According to the Founder and CEO of P2Vest Technology, Mr Austine Abolusoro, “We have operated for the past two years with a goal of bridging the financial inclusion gap. However, we have taken this goal a step further by creating a quality insurance marketplace for users.

We are bringing convenience to individuals, with fast-paced insurance solutions on their mobile phones and we look forward to creating more inclusive products.

I am also glad to tell you that P2Vest is a pioneer of this kind of technology-driven insurance product in Nigeria. We have the license to operate and we are confident about what the future holds.”

He said P2vest in its commitment to increasing the quality of life for individuals with InsuranceParasol has signed SLAs with twelve Insurance companies with four fully onboard and live on the mobile app. With over 200,000 active users, P2vest is providing a one-stop channel for insurance purchase, premium management and claims management through the P2vest app.

Speaking on the rollout, COO of P2vest Technology, Samuel Abolusoro, said, “This is a huge breakthrough as we believe financial inclusion can also be achieved in the Insurance Industry making it possible for users to easily buy and make claims from their insurance com-

panies with their mobile device.

What we have done creates an avenue for Individuals to access quality insurance products from renowned names in the industry.

Our partnerships enable us to expand this digital offering to our users and advance our commitment to driving financial inclusion.”

This is a first-of-its-kind innovation in the Nigerian startup ecosystem. P2vest is the first startup fully licensed by FCCPC and NAICOM to launch an insurance product. Some of their Insurance partners are notable names in the industry such as Heirs General Insurance Limited, Universal Insurance, Sovereign Trust Insurance, WellaHealth, PRA Brokers, AIICO Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance, and Royal Exchange Insurance. Individuals and businesses can visit the website here for more information or download the P2vest app from the Google or Apple play store.

CRC Unveils CRC Risk Calculator to Improve Financial Decisions Nume Ekeghe CRC Credit Bureau Limited has announced the release of its innovative CRC Risk Calculator, aimed at empowering businesses to make better financial decisions.

The firm in a statement noted that the CRC Risk Calculator evaluates multiple factors, including the number of performing and non-performing loans of the borrower, current loan balance, overdue amounts on the borrower’s credit profile, credit score, among others.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau

Limited, Tunde Popoola said: “The launch of CRC Risk Calculator is a significant milestone for us, we believe that access to accurate and reliable information is critical for making informed financial decisions.

“The Risk Calculator is designed to provide lenders with a clear understanding of the riskiness of borrowers, which is crucial for granting credit facilities, and other financial services. We believe that the CRC Risk Calculator will be a game-changer for businesses looking to make better financial decisions. We are committed to providing innovative and reliable solutions that empower businesses

to make better-informed lending decisions. The CRC Risk Calculator is part of our broader service offerings leveraging technology and data analytics to deliver more value to our customers.”

“We understand that many businesses require insights to evaluate their customers’ creditworthiness,” said Peggy Chukwuma-Nwosu, the Chief Commercial Officer of CRC. “The CRC Risk Calculator simplifies this process, providing lenders with a clear picture of their borrower’s risk profile.

This is particularly important as lenders and credit grantors use credit scores and risk assessments

Polaris Bank Excites Customers with New Product Nume Ekeghe Polaris Select Plus Account is offering its current and prospective customers a range of exclusive lifestyle and banking benefits, especially for those who value comfort and luxury.

One of the product’s key benefits is the free VISA Signature Card, which provides premium travel and lifestyle and a wide range of exclusive rewards and benefits. According to the

bank, with a VISA Signature Card, customers can enjoy a world of luxury and comfort whether shopping, dining, or traveling. Other benefits include; complimentary travel insurance of up to $750,000, 24/7 concierge service, exclusive access to events and experiences, and free visits to over 1,300 local and international airport lounges globally.

The account also offers business and personal loans

at competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms.

Customers can receive free advisory services on expanding their global footprint and gaining access to new trade and investment opportunities.

They also receive a dedicated relationship manager who provides expedited and personalized services, discounts on annual medical exams abroad, and access to mortgage loans.

Africa Data Centres to Construct New Facility in Accra Africa Data Centres, the largest network of interconnected, carrier-and cloud-neutral data centre facilities on the continent, has announced that it will shortly start construction on its newly acquired land in the Central Business District of Accra, Ghana.

The new facility, it said in a statement, has been designed for an initial 10 MW, which can expand to 30MW depending on demand. It will be the largest facility in West Africa todate, outside of Nigeria.

“Data centres are the foundation of digitally led economic growth around the world; developing sustainable and self-sufficient ICT ecosystems is impossible without them. The new facility will be built on a part of the former Trade Fair showgrounds site, one of the key central locations in the city.

The first phase is scheduled to be completed within 12 months, “said Hardy Pemhiwa, Group CEO for Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Mr. Scott Nathan said, “DFC is proud to support African Data Centres. This new facility in Accra will be an investment in critical infrastructure helping to better link the rapidly growing African population and market to global opportunities. DFC’s commitment to strengthen ICT Infrastructure in West Africa is in keeping with the commitments President Biden made to mobilize private capital for the kind of high quality global infrastructure investments that improve peoples’ lives. This new data centre will help accomplish that in Ghana and for the region, creating jobs

by improving existing business conditions while at the same time attracting data-dependent companies looking to invest and expand their operations.”

The US Government’s Senior Advisor Mr. Amos Hochstein said, “This investment exemplifies the U.S. Government’s commitment under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) to unlock public and private capital for sustainable infrastructure investment. “ Welcoming the new investment, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo said, “The establishment of Africa Data Centre’s new 10MW data centre, in the heart of Accra, is a significant step towards bridging the infrastructure gap, and developing further our digital economy.”

L-R: Strategic Advisor, Diya, Fatimilehin & Co, Lanre Olutimilehin; his wife, Eniola Olutimilehin; Mojisola Fatimilehin, her husband/Founding Partner, Diya, Fatimilehin & Co, Gboyega Fatimilehin; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Partner/Head of Practice, Diya, Fatimilehin & Co, Mr Idowu Bakare, during the Diya, Fatimilehin & Co 40th anniversary Dinner Gala in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

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).

31

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

MARKET NEWS

Ogbechie : Eterna Will Remain Competitive Amid Imminent Fuel-subsidy Removal Kayode Tokede The Chairman of Eterna Plc, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie has promised shareholders and stakeholders that the company will remain competitive even in the face of an imminent fuel-subsidy removal.

He stated this while speaking during the company’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

He assured Eterna’s

shareholders that the Board of Directors will live up to its promise and will keep working towards a profitable company.

In his address to shareholders and other stakeholders during the AGM, Ogbechie who was represented by Barrister Okechukwu Omezi, an Independent Non-Executive Director of the company said for the 2022 full year, the company had a “consolidated revenue of N116 billion, representing

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R

a 14.2 percent improvement on the N82.2 billion, revenue of 2021”.

Moreover, Eterna’s gross profit grew by 110 per cent, from N4.3 billion in 2021 to N8.9 billion, while its net operating profit grew by 1,207per cent.

The Eterna’s Board of Directors had recommended that a dividend of 15 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each be paid to shareholders. The

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Board’s recommendation was approved by the Shareholders after it was put to a vote.

The Chairman also noted that the Board has devised a 5-year strategic plan that captures the collective vision of being Africa’s preferred energy company. According to him, the plan will run from 2023 through 2027, and will position Eterna to play within all aspects of the downstream sector. He assured that the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

company will continue to grow its retail footprint across the Country. Additionally, he noted that the company will make significant investments in trucking both through direct truck acquisition and strategic partnership with third-party transporters with a view to improving product supply, A shareholder, Chief Matthew Akinlade, appreciated Eterna’s Board for their management of the company

A S O F

and the recorded growth.

Another shareholder, Mrs. Bisi Bakare encouraged more publicity for the company’s products, including the Eterna gas cylinder and engine oil.

Mr. Okezie Boniface advised that Eterna position itself as a frontline company in the energy market, while Mr. Nornah Awoh asked for more representation for minority shareholders on the Eterna Board of Directors.

M AY / 1 8 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

Friday, May 19, 2023

Thisday Afrinvest Index Dips 2.0% Thisday Afrinvest 40 index shed 2.0% to close at

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Ϯ͕Ϯϯϱ͘ϱϳ ŝŶĚĞdž ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ AIRTELAF (-6.0%), ZENITH (-0.6%), and UBA (-1.7%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϴ͘ϭй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

2235.57

-1.99%

20.5%

123.6%

22.9%

5.3%

1,175.00

-6.0%

31.3%

-28.1%

-28.1%

18.6%

6.2%

117.00

0.0%

14.9%

80.0%

80.0%

45.4%

17.7%

18.8x

7.8x

4.3%

229.00

0.0%

8.1%

6.5%

6.5%

91.7%

13.2%

12.9x

10.8x

6.8%

7.8%

26.20

0.2%

5.5%

13.9%

13.9%

18.8%

2.8%

4.0x

0.8x

11.8%

24.8% 29.5%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Foods PLC

Bears Hold Sway͙ ASI down 0.9%

3 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞŐĂͲ

5 Zenith Bank PLC 6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 FBN Holdings Plc

ing losses in AIRTELAF (-6.0%), UBA (-1.7%), and ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ͘ Ɛ ƐƵĐŚ͕ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϳй ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ͗ Ϯ͘ϲйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ dipped ʬ256.7bn to ʬϮϴ͘ϰƚŶ͘ >ŝŬĞǁŝƐĞ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀͲ el faltered as volume and value traded fell 50.9% ĂŶĚ ϯϰ͘ϴй ƚŽ ϯϯϰ͘Ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ʬϱ͘ϭďŶ͕ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞͲ ly.

Bearish Sector Performance

ROE

ROA

P/E

4.8x

P/BV

0.9x

9.0%

18.3%

2.1% 5.3%

25.00

-0.6%

4.9%

4.2%

4.2%

16.7%

2.0%

3.4x

0.5x

12.8%

270.00

0.0%

3.8%

3.4%

3.4%

34.8%

14.7%

12.0x

4.0x

7.4%

8.3%

12.20

0.4%

2.9%

11.9%

11.9%

24.6%

2.2%

2.2x

0.5x

2.9%

45.6% 12.9%

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Nestle Nigeria PLC

24.45

-0.2%

6.2%

1.9%

162.9%

12.3%

9.1%

7.7x

0.9x

12.3%

1,043.80

0.0%

2.0%

-5.1%

-5.1%

110.1%

12.8%

17.5x

17.8x

5.9%

5.7%

10 Access Holdings PLC

10.15

0.5%

2.4%

19.4%

19.4%

13.9%

1.2%

2.0x

0.3x

25.6%

49.0%

11 SEPLAT Energy PLC

1,175.00

0.0%

2.0%

11.3%

6.8%

5.7%

2.8%

14.2x

0.8x

4.0%

7.0%

12 United Bank for Africa PLC

8.45

-1.7%

1.9%

11.2%

11.2%

20.4%

1.7%

1.6x

0.3x

13.2%

61.1%

13 Ecobank Transnational Inc 14 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

12.30

0.0%

1.6%

16.0%

16.0%

19.1%

1.0%

2.3x

0.5x

4.1%

44.1%

38.70

0.0%

1.3%

-5.6%

-5.6%

-6.3%

-1.9%

1.9x

3.6%

-3.5%

15 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

37.50

0.0%

1.4%

12.1%

12.1%

22.4%

2.9%

4.9x

1.1x

9.1%

20.4%

16 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

171.50

0.0%

1.2%

3.9%

3.9%

47.7%

23.5%

10.1x

4.8x

7.0%

9.9%

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

5.55

0.4%

1.1%

27.6%

27.6%

16.7%

1.4%

3.0x

0.5x

7.2%

33.1%

18 International Brew eries PLC

4.65

0.0%

0.9%

-1.1%

-1.1%

-19.2%

-5.2%

19 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

31.00

-0.6%

0.9%

9.2%

9.2%

11.4%

2.5%

6.0x

0.7x

20 Guinness Nigeria PLC

70.00

0.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.0%

13.4%

5.1%

24.6x

2.0x

10.2%

4.1%

21 FCMB Group Plc

4.12

-0.2%

0.5%

7.0%

7.0%

12.7%

1.3%

2.3x

0.3x

6.1%

42.9%

22 United Capital PLC 23 BUA Cement Plc

13.00

0.0%

0.4%

-7.1%

-7.1%

38.7%

1.6%

8.0x

2.9x

11.5%

12.5%

90.00

0.0%

0.4%

-7.9%

-7.9%

25.0%

12.6%

30.2x

7.4x

24 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.75

1.5%

0.6%

37.5%

37.5%

13.3%

3.4%

5.0x

0.8x

10.9%

19.9%

1.1x

-19.8% 16.5%

3.3%

25 Presco PLC

147.00

0.0%

0.4%

6.9%

6.9%

53.4%

13.5%

7.6x

3.4x

1.4%

13.2%

26 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

18.70

-1.1%

0.4%

16.5%

16.5%

36.5%

12.3%

3.9x

1.4x

8.0%

25.8%

27 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

15.20

8.6%

0.4%

33.9%

33.9%

29.0%

8.7%

5.1x

1.5x

6.7%

19.5%

28 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

2.80

-3.4%

0.8%

147.8%

147.8%

6.4%

1.5%

16.9x

1.0x

1.7%

5.9%

29 Wema Bank PLC

4.15

0.0%

0.2%

6.4%

6.4%

16.9%

1.0%

3.0x

0.7x

7.3%

33.9%

11.5%

30 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 31 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

Across our coverage sectors, performance was

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

Current Price

index.

ƟǀĞ ƌĞŐŝŽŶ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϵй ƚŽ ϱϮ͕ϭϬϵ͘ϰϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĨŽůůŽǁͲ

Price Previous Current Price Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

Ticker

217.50

0.0%

0.2%

12.7%

12.7%

34.8%

5.8%

4.6x

1.6x

7.00

0.0%

0.2%

9.4%

9.4%

13.9%

1.4%

5.7x

0.7x

22.0% 17.6%

32 Custodian and Allied Insurance 33 Jaiz Bank PLC

6.00

0.0%

0.1%

0.8%

0.8%

18.0%

5.4%

3.3x

0.6x

10.8%

30.3%

0.98

2.1%

0.1%

6.5%

6.5%

27.4%

2.1%

4.6x

1.1x

51.0%

22.0%

34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Unilever Nigeria PLC

31.00

0.0%

0.2%

26.5%

26.5%

11.2%

1.3%

7.7x

0.8x

8.0%

13.0%

13.15

0.0%

0.1%

13.4%

13.4%

7.8%

4.2%

14.2x

1.1x

1.9%

36 Oando PLC

5.94

-1.5%

0.1%

51.5%

51.5%

3.2%

2.0x

losers͛ chart, the AFR-ICT and Oil & Gas indices fell

37 Sterling Financial Holdings Co

1.70

-5.6%

0.1%

38 Champion Brew eries PLC

3.93

-1.8%

0.0%

-28.5%

-28.5%

15.3%

11.0%

32.9x

ϯ͘Ϭй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϱй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ

39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

-13.0%

-2.8%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

7.50

0.0%

0.0%

20.0%

20.0%

3.5%

1.9%

bearish as 4 indices lost while the Industrial and Consumer Goods ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ

33.9x

2.8x

3.0%

1.9x

-11.6%

1.2x

1.7%

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ /Zd > & ;-6.0%), ARDOVA (-9.9%), and T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

OANDO (-1.5%). Also, sell pressure on UBA (-1.7%), Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

A C C ESSC OR P

64.7

0.5%

GT C O

51.1

0.2%

9.4%

Z EN IT H B A N K

29.1

-0.6%

0.47

9.3%

T R A N SC OR P

26.1

-3.4%

2.95

9.3%

UB A

18.6

-1.7%

PZ

15.20

8.6%

M A N SA R D

12.7

1.5%

F T N C OC OA

0.40

8.1%

C H IP LC

11.5

-5.0%

FB NH

11.0

0.4%

OA N D O

9.8

-1.5%

A IIC O

8.1

0.0%

T ic k er

E/d, ;-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ KZE Z^d ;-3.7%) dragged the Banking and Insurance, indices lower by 44bps and 34bps, accordingly.

Outlook

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

A B CTRA NS

0.44

10.0%

M RS

40.80

10.0%

NP FM CRFB K

1.75

C OUR T VILLE T R IP P LEG

ET ER N A

7.10

6.0%

C A D B UR Y

15.95

5.6%

C A VER T ON

1.05

5.0%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ -Ϭ͘Ϭϴdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϭϲdž ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϮϮ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ Ϯϳ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϲϰ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌͲ ŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ůĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĐĂƚĂͲ lyst.

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

T ic k er

P ric e

A C A D EM Y

1.53

P ric e C hg % -10.0%

A R D OVA

22.35

-9.9%

M C N IC H OLS

0.68

-9.3%

H ON YF LOUR

2.65

-8.6%

R EGA LIN S

0.30

-6.2%

A IR T ELA F R I

1175.00

-6.0%

ST ER LIN GN G

1.70

T ic k er

Value

GT C O

1340.5

P ric e C hg % 0.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

725.7

-0.6%

SEP LA T

681.9

0.0% 0.5%

A C C ESSC OR P

656.3

M TNN

370.8

0.0%

A IR T ELA F R I

176.1

-6.0%

-5.6%

UB A

156.3

-1.7%

134.7

0.4%

NA HCO

12.70

-5.2%

FB NH

C H IP LC

0.57

-5.0%

T R A N SC OR P

73.8

-3.4%

-4.1%

OA N D O

57.7

-1.5%

N A SC ON

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T ic k er

14.00

7.1% 51.2%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

3.0%

˾ THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

33

GAMINGWEEK

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

Yahaya Maikori: Gaming Is a Parasitic Industry There is hardly anybody who is somebody in the gaming industry whose path has not crossed with Yahaya Maikori. GAMING WEEK recently had a very revealing session with the enterprising lawyer who knows the gaming industry like the back of his palm You were active as an entertainment lawyer. How did you get into the gaming industry? ’m a lawyer by training, an entertainment lawyer. I’m the founder of Law Allianz, which is an entertainment law firm based in Lagos. I got into gaming in 2006/2007. I was acting as a lawyer to some South Africans who had invested in a pension company.

After some years of running the pension company, they were exiting, and while exiting, they were looking for what else they could do with their money in Nigeria, so they decided to look into setting up a casino in Abuja, then. As the only lawyer they knew, they basically just said I should help them to get the licence.

And that’s how the journey started.

So it started with me trying to secure a license, trying to identify the ideal agency of government to get a casino license from. From then on, we launched a casino, and I started working with them. Thereafter, there were so many people, and I think that was about the time gaming was becoming a bit more popular, especially in South Africa.

We had lots of guys from South Africa, people looking into going into sports betting. And because I was already in the industry anyway, I was that known person to this set of people. The word spread around that there was this gaming lawyer who could help them with their licence, and that is basically how I started in the industry.

Shortly after that, having done lots of work, travelling from Abuja to Lagos to do lots of work – get licences and other stuff like that; that’s when I eventually moved to Lagos to finally settle and get more involved in the industry, advising clients, working with regulators, lots of companies seeking legal opinion on Nigeria. Not just that, again, it can be extended beyond Nigeria to other African countries. So that journey has led me to advise clients

I

across Africa. I think seven or eight other jurisdictions and I also work with a couple of regulators across Africa, as well.

You have helped so many of these companies to establish their operations in Nigeria and have also acted as an external consultant to the NLRC. Please talk about these roles.

Normally, when you are starting with an industry, the easiest way to galvanise the industry is through conferences. And I think when ICE started, I was one of the first persons to speak on ICE as an African... on behalf of Africans. So they started creating lots of panels for African speakers, and that’s how that spread, but because there were very few people who started that year, I was the kind of go-to person.

There were lots of referrals. Even when they were asking questions about events across Africa, my name kept coming up simply because of the amount of work I have done for several clients. At some point.

I think about seven years ago, we held the first Sports Betting West Africa conference in Nigeria, which was the first in Nigeria. And after that, we brought in the National Lottery and many other regulators from across the states to participate.

Thereafter, they called me to know if I would help them look at the structure of the regulatory commission. Also, see how we can insert more vibrancy into the regulatory environment. That’s how I got the call from the National Lottery.

After that, I have gone ahead to advise at least seven or eight states in Nigeria. That’s apart from the National Lottery. In short, that’s how the engagement started with the National Lottery, and it went on for quite a while, both officially and unofficially.

Of course, many other people have come into the industry now, but I was one of the first people

F O R E C AST

Man City Hope to Clinch Third Consecutive Title, Race Hits Climax in Germany Davidson Abraham On Thursday, Newcastle are set to host Brighton in what is a must-win for the Magpies as they hope to secure a historic Champions League qualification. Should Brighton win, it will bolster their chances of qualifying for the Europa League.

Any of the two sides could win the game, but Newcastle are more likely to win, giving their home advantage.

In the Europa League, the kings of the Europa League, Sevilla and record Italian champions Juventus, will battle it out in a winner-takes-all encounter in Spain.

The first leg in Turin ended in a 1-1 draw; Sevilla’s home advantage and experience in the competition gives them a slight advantage over Juve in this fixture, but either of the two sides are capable of making it to the final. West Ham and

Fenerbahce have been tipped to win or draw against AZ Alkmaar and Trabzonspor, respectively. On Saturday, Arsenal and Man United are expected to beat Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, respectively, if there are no surprises.

In Scotland, Celtic have been tipped to routinely pick up all three points against St. Miren, while Porto are expected to dispatch Famalicao away from home easily. As the club football season in Europe comes to an end, most league Champions have been confirmed, but that has not been the case in the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League to a lesser extent.

In the Bundesliga, Germany’s big two, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, are embroiled in a fierce battle for the German title.

Dortmund are expected to keep up the fight with a win against

“You have to look at the industry in a converged state. Eight years ago, look at gaming or sports betting or lottery or whatever it is, on its own. But now it is part of the media. Now it is technology.

Now it is game development. Now it’s data collection. So you must look at it in a converged state and the value chain has moved significantly, so when it comes to the issue of regulation, you might not even know where to stop or continue.” full value of what we could have brought couldn’t succeed because it became politicized. Few people were playing dual roles, both as regulators and as investors, but they didn’t understand the structure of the agreement between us and the state government. So we’ve done that, and we’ve gone ahead to do that in a couple of other states.

Maikori to give them advice. Before then, I had encountered the National Lottery, which was when I was in Abuja in 2008/2009 when they were trying to regulate the casino business. We basically worked with the Association of Casino Operators.

The industry has moved from then on. We did some work, and we will continue to do this, both officially and unofficially.

Can we understand your involvement at that level as an operator?

At that level, what happened is that things started moving online.

DATE

THUR 18 May 2023 THUR 18 May 2023 THUR 18 May 2023 THUR 18 May 2023 SATUR 20 May 2023 SATUR 20 May 2023 SATUR 20 May 2023 SATUR 20 May 2023

Many state governments did not know how to generate revenue from this industry. That’s where we came on board. We came on board again, not just even helping them in terms of the law or in terms of revenue collection, but we came in terms of investing in a proper state lottery, but I think they did not understand what it meant, and many people felt threatened. They did not seem to understand the structure of the transaction.

There was a bit of frustration.

Eventually, we went on to work in Anambra State for years, maybe seven years or thereabout, but the

FIXTURE

BETTING TIPS

Newcastle vs Brighton Sevilla vs Juventus AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham Fenerbahce vs Trabzonspor Bournemouth vs Man United Nottingham vs Arsenal Famalicao vs Porto Celtic vs St. Miren

over 2.5 over 1.5 over 1.5

Augsburg on Sunday. In the EPL, Arsenal have bottled the premier league title, and Manchester City’s triumph is now a matter of when rather than if. City need a single win from their remaining three games to clinch the title, and they have been tipped to do that in style by beating Chelsea at the Etihad.

Premier League, Bundesliga Permutations

English Premier League (England) Manchester City are first on the table with 85 points after 35 matches, while the second-placed team Arsenal are on 81 points after 36 games.

1X 2X 2 2 1

need to win one of their last three games or avoid defeat in all remaining games to secure the league title.

Arsenal: The Gunners looked destined to win their first league title in 19 years, but they capitulated as we entered the last 10 games of the season. The league title is almost fully out of their sight, and it would take a miracle for them to win the title. Arsenal need to win their last two games and hope City lose their last three to win the title.

Manchester City’s remaining fixtures: Chelsea (H) and Brighton (A); Arsenal’s remaining fixtures are Nottingham Forest (A) and Wolves (H).

Who needs what?

Manchester City: The Cityzens

ADVISORY: +18 PERSONS UNDER 18 MUST NOT PARTICIPATE IN BETTING, GAMING OR LOTTERY ACTIVITY

Is there a state where the proposed model succeeded in the manner you expected?

After that, I think that we have written the playbook for this industry, substantial in certain areas. Many other people have come to do this with states. But I don’t think they are getting the full value of it. Some don’t really have the investment; we came with the investment. So, some of the people are just collection agents. They still do not have any kind of framework that will help them effectively; help the state in terms of regulations, but we came with the full investments, which was kind of frustrating to that extent.

If you were to advise, what would you have the states do?

Every state is different. First of all, look at the capacity of the state and the size of the market. If you look at Lagos, it definitely needs a proper regulatory board. It is a huge market, it is a commercial city. Most of the money comes from Lagos State.

If you go to a place like Zamfara, setting a whole board may not be necessary. It is not going to succeed.

It is a waste of time. It is fine to just help in terms of revenue collection.

What you could alternatively do as well is to galvanise your revenue board. That’s a way of looking at it.

That’s if they have the skills. The problem with gaming is that gaming is a parasitic industry. It parasites on sports. It is not an industry on its own, it doesn’t really have any value on its own. The value is when you benchmark it or when you layer it on sports, on media, on all those other things that come to converge.

We are moving in a very converged industry right now.

And you know, the technical ability, the knowledge to understand how this is playing out is part of the challenge. First thing is to get people to even have the knowledge, the understanding of the industry and then possibly you can look at how you, as an individual or even as a consultant, could do that.

What most people are doing now is just really scraping the surface of what they can potentially do in this industry.

What are some legal bottlenecks plaguing the gaming industry?

In almost every industry, there are always legal bottlenecks, and that’s why we always go to court to get legal interpretation. So, there are so many things that are happening… possibly I would refer you to my keynote address when the National Lottery had its first stakeholders meeting. I gave the keynote address. And in that keynote address, I gave them what the solution was to what these perceived challenges are. I think the big challenge for most operators is the issue of jurisdiction between the national agency and the states.

That’s the fundamental problem, and they can go either way, depending on how you want to argue it. But whatever we do is tied to our constitution. Every other power, state or whatever is derived from the constitution.

What the constitution says can also be surmised by saying that things have also moved drastically.

When most of these laws were passed, e-commerce was not a thing. Now we are in the era of e-commerce. Whatever you do, physically, there’s a digital side of it. These are things that we can explore and find a resolution.

GAMINGWEEK TEAM Nseobong Okon-Ekong ikotibok@gmail.com | 08114495324 Iyke Bede ikennabede@gmail.com | 0703 044 7714 Akeem Lasisi lasaisai@yahoo.com | 08023687884 Vanessa Obioha vaysylver@gmail.com | 08069838305 Davidson Abraham davisiano.adm@gmail.com | +971 56 744 6013

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NIGERIA PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE...

L-R: Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate; former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and former Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, at the Nigeria Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge, in Abuja.

Court Reserves Ruling in Atiku's Motion for Live Broadcast of Proceedings Alex Enumah in Abuja The Presidential Election Petition Court, has reserved ruling in an application for live broadcast of the proceedings regarding the petition by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

A five-member panel of justices of the PREPEC, yesterday, announced that "judgment was reserved", shortly after lawyers to parties in the petition argued for and against the granting of the application.

Atiku and PDP, who came second in the February 25 presidential election had pleaded with the court to "allow the televising of the proceedings in his petition given its significant monumental importance."

Their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, in moving the application also prayed the court for an order directing the modalities for the implementation of the live telecast.

However, the three respondents – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President-elect,

Jonathan Urges IoD to Intensify Advocacy for Corporate Governance Gilbert Ekugbe Former President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria to increase its level of advocacy for ethical and sound corporate governance in the country.

Nigeria, according to Jonathan, more than ever before needs people of integrity to be at the helms of its affairs to help address the challenge of trust existing between those in positions of leadership and the citizens.

Jonathan, who also represented a former Military Head of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, at the 40th anniversary dinner of the Institute which took place on Wednesday, explained that a culture of integrity was needed to address many of the challenges confronting governance in the country.

He stressed that if integrity was entrenched as a culture of corporate governance lifestyle in any organisations, problems associated with corruption, dishonesty, poor governance, and even election irregularities would be significantly addressed.

Jonathan said: "You must work hard to ensure that your advocacy for ethical governance is not mere rhetoric and slogan but is a manifest reality in the character of your members, who should, in turn, implement these ideas in the various places they find themselves.

"Let me equally remind you that there are enormous responsibilities that lie before you as an association set out to achieve good corporate governance."

He, however, highlighted the need for former leaders to deepen cordial relationship among themselves as a recipe for building a healthy nation.

"This, regrettably, is however, not the case in some African countries where political transitions and relations between serving and former leaders are quite challenging and unhealthy because of unnecessary rivalry.

"In some of these countries former

presidents and sitting presidents are like enemies who hardly talk to one another," he bemoaned.

He also harped on the need for Africa to develop a sustainable political culture that treats elections as a contestation of ideas, where whomever that wins will be disposed to run the country with other broadminded patriots for the benefit of the citizens.

"My charge to you, therefore, is to continue to strive to project IoD as the go-to organisation for integrity and exemplary leadership. A place like IoD, given the reputation you have built for yourselves, could serve as a think tank or policy institute where corporate and political leaders could visit to test their ideas for responsible leadership and good governance.

"It can also serve as the place where leaders could go to headhunt for tested and trusted technocrats to occupy strategic national positions; those that would justly deploy their skill and experience in exemplary service to the nation. This is my hope for IoD Nigeria as you celebrate this milestone," he averred.

Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, said his administration had been promoting principles of corporate governance in all aspects of governance in the state from project management, financial management to human resource management etc.

Sanwo-Olu stated that adherence to corporate governance was a major factor in the continued improvement in the growth trajectory of the state's economy and its capacity to meet the expectations and aspirations of citizens, individuals and corporates as well as managing the challenges of a mega city and the demands of the 21st century.

Continued online

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – opposed the request, arguing that it was inappropriate.

INEC's lawyer, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, noted that if granted, it would defeat the solemn atmosphere and the seriousness of the court.

Mahmoud, in addition, argued that with the flooding of the courtroom with all kinds of cameras on their faces including the judex, the proceedings would be brought under undue pressure.

Similarly, Tinubu's lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, stated that live telecast of the proceedings was not necessary, because the proceedings was already being given effective coverage with the array of journalists seated in court.

While arguing further that it was not a good time for the profession, Olanipekun submitted that the granting of the request could put court staff, lawyers and even witnesses at risk.

He observed that Nigeria was not yet ripe for the live broadcast of court's because necessary facilities and laws were not in place to guide its implementation.

On his part, APC's lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who equated the televising of court's proceedings to the 'Big Brother Naija ", series, said that the application if granted would invade the privacy of even the judges.

Fagbemi further claimed that if granted, it would lead to a situation where petitioners in governorship, National and State Houses of Assemblies election would be demanding for live streaming of their proceedings.

"We don't have the structure and facility, no policy document" he said, stating that even in climes where televising of court's proceedings were permitted, it was still limited, excluding when witnesses were giving evidence," he said.

After listening to the submissions

of counsel, Justice Haruna Tsammani announced that judgment was reserved to a date that would be communicated to parties.

Meanwhile, during the report on harmonisation, it was disclosed that parties agreed not to oppose all documents that emanated from the INEC in the conduct of the February 25 presidential election.

The documents must, however, be certified as true reflection of the original copies in line with the provisions of the law guiding admissibility of documents.

These resolutions were conveyed to the 5-man panel of Justices of the Presidential Election Petition Court hearing the joint petition of Atiku and PDP challenging the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the disputed election, yesterday.

In a related case, INEC, Tinubu, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, APC and one Kabir Masari, who was initially nominated

by Tinubu as Vice Presidential Candidate, have all asked the PREPEC to dismiss the petition of the Allied People's Movement (APM) for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

APM is the third political party challenging Tinubu's declaration as winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

During the report on harmonisation, while stating that parties have agreed not to object INEC's certified documents, Mahmoud observed that the petition of the APM was grossly incompetent, has no focus, lacked legal direction and liable for dismissal.

He based his call for dismissal on the grounds that the petition was challenging "place holder" and did not disclose any reasonable cause of action.

Tinubu and Shettima who were represented by Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, on their parts, argued that the petition was worthless and as such no energy ought to be dissipated on it.

Enugu Governor-elect, Mbah Slams N20bn Lawsuit against NYSC, Alleges Fraudulent Misrepresentation of Facts Details have emerged on the lawsuit instituted by the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and its Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, as he demands N20 billion in general and exemplary damages against the defendants “jointly/ severally; for conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts.”

Justice Inyang Ekwo had on Monday, upon a motion ex-parte

by Mbah’s counsel, Emeka Ozoani, sequel to the lawsuit, made "An order of interim injunction restraining 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. A808297 issued to the Plaintiff Barrister Mbah Peter Ndubuisi, in accordance with Section 11 of the NYSC Decree No. 51 of 1993 was not issued by NYSC pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit."

However, it has emerged that besides the N20 billion damages pressed, Mbah, in the writ of summons by his counsel, is equally seeking a declaration that

he participated in the NYSC scheme for one calendar year vide a call-up letter number FRN/2001/800351; Lagos code LA/01/1532 and upon completion was issued certificate of National Service No. A808297.

The writ also seeks: “A declaration that the Defendants (NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification) conspired by fraudulent design, suppressed and misrepresented facts in supposition that the Plaintiff’s certificate of National Service with number A808297 was not issued by the Defendants, a fact they knew or ought to know as untrue, incorrect, which act constitutes an act of conspiracy.

“A declaration that the Defendants were negligent and maliciously misrepresented facts, which facts the Defendants know or ought to know as untrue and ought reasonably to have foreseen that damages would flow from such negligent misrepresentation of material facts.

“A declaration that the predominant purpose of the deceitful misrepresentation… was intended albeit to inflict damages in legal profession, politics, business, as it was to unlawfully profit the defendants.

“An order that the Plaintiff’s certificate of National Service number A808297 is authentic and was validly issued by the 1st defendant.

“An order of perpetual injunction

restraining the defendants either jointly/severally, their officers, servants in whatsoever manner and howsoever called from disclaiming/ resiling/repudiating the certificate of National Service No. A808297 issued to the plaintiff, Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah”.

Meanwhile, in the affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice deposed by Grace Udeagha, a legal practitioner, the Governor-elect’s lawyers, Emeka Ozoani (SAN) and Co., stated, among others, that Mbah, “after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, returned to Nigeria and as prerequisite to practice as a barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar Part I programme of the Nigerian Law School.”

She further deposed: “That the plaintiff upon completing the Bar Part I exam had to wait for the Bar Part II programme. He was advised that instead of idling away to proceed on the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps Programme.

“That the plaintiff in view of the above was called up for the NYSC and was deployed to Lagos State, with the following particulars: Mbah Peter Ndubuisi; Call up letter No 01134613; reference No NYSC/ FRN/2001/800351.

“The Plaintiff/Applicant by letter

dated 11th March, 2002, addressed to the Director, NYSC, Lagos State, Udeh & Associates accepted the Plaintiff’s posting/service vide Lagos State NYSC code LA/01/1532, NYSC No. NYSC/FRN/O1/800351.

“That the plaintiff in the course of his NYSC programme aforesaid and after six months of NYSC, the Nigerian law School scheduled the commencement of the Bar Part II programme usually called Bar Final for which the Plaintiff was offered admission to the Nigerian Law School.

By a letter dated 20th June 2002, the plaintiff applied to the State Director, NYSC, for deferment of NYSC year 2001/2002 (annexed and marked as exhibit H. “Pursuant to paragraph 12 and by a letter dated 01/10/02 from the NYSC Directorate headquarters vide Ref: NYSC/DHQ/CM/M/27 approved the Plaintiff’s application for deferment of NYSC Ref: LA/01/1532 of 6th August, 2002 (annexed and marked as exhibit I).

“That the Plaintiff by a letter of 3/04/2003 written in long hand through the State Director, Lagos State, to the Director-General, NYSC, National Directorate headquarters, Garki Abuja, applied for remobilisation, having successfully completed his Bar Final exam (letter dated 24/4/2003 annexed and marked exhibit J).”

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LAGOS/NIMET SYMPOSIUM ON DOWNSCALING OF SEASONAL CLIMATE PATTERN...

L-R: Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Ogun/Osun river basin, Olufemi Odumosu; Representative of Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage and Water Resources and Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr.

Mahmood Adegbite; Director Water Resources, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Engr. Lanke Taiwo, and Representative of General Manager, Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), Mr. Oyegade Adeleke, during a one-day programme for downscaling of the year 2023 seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Lagos State. at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) ...yesterday

BUHARI: JONATHAN CONCEDING DEFEAT IN 2015 UNPRECEDENTED, UN-NIGERIAN Transition Council had sent invitations to presidents and heads of government as well as heads of international organisations, adding that many of those invitees had confirmed attendance in person.

The SGF enjoined Nigerians to embrace the moment as proud citizens, saying it is a moment made for togetherness, unity, peace and progress. He assured the people that adequate arrangements had been made for the safety and security of people throughout the inauguration period.

He further assured Nigerians and the international community of Buhari’s commitment to the seamless transfer of power to Tinubu as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that in demonstration of this commitment, the president had directed all relevant government institutions to cooperate with and support the transition process through engagement with the president-elect’s team.

Mustapha reiterated that there would be a smooth transition of power on May 29, in spite of undercurrent of protests and court cases seeking to stop the process.

According to him, such would not be the first time that people would oppose a transition ushering in a new administration, as similar scenarios happened in 1979 and 1999, when Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo, respectively, were declared winners of the presidential elections.

Buhari to Diplomats: Always Respect Nigeria's Traditional Institutions, Cultures President Muhammadu Buhari advised the High Commissioners of the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka to always uphold the noble standards of diplomacy, like their predecessors, by respecting the traditional institutions in the country.

The president, who received Letters of Credence from the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Richard Hugh Montgomery, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, Velupillai Kananathan, at the State House, Abuja, yesterday, noted that relations with both countries would be further consolidated by their consideration for local culture, traditional rulers, and institutions.

Buhari told the two envoys in separate meetings, “I like the way our traditional rulers and institutions are being respected, in spite of the changing times, education, and rising materialism. There is a lot to learn from our culture, and the traditional institutions are the custodians, and they should be respected by all.”

He told the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom that the diplomatic relations, spanning many years, had been sustained on mutual respect for cultures, assuring him that all courtesies would be extended to him to make his stay in Nigeria memorable.

According to him, the cultural exchange, through education and training, with Britain has been on for many years. Buhari recalled that he had military training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in England, from 1962 to 1963, and Mechanical Transport Officer's Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, United Kingdom, 1964.

The president told the British diplomat that a good understanding of cultural differences, and respect for institutions paved the way for most of the successes of the United Kingdom, noting that previous diplomats had established relations with the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Shehu of Borno, and Emir of Ilorin, the ancient gateway to the North.

He said, "In one of my meetings with King Charles III, he asked me an interesting question, if I had a house in England, and I replied that I don't have a house, not an inch, anywhere outside Nigeria."

To the Sri Lankan diplomat, Buhari said the participation of women in politics and governance in Nigeria had steadily increased over the years, while referring to the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

“Recently, we got close to having the first female governor in Nigeria,” he added.

In his remarks, Montgomery said the United Kingdom had always held Nigeria and its cultural institutions in high esteem, while relating the best wishes of King Charles III, as Nigeria prepares for the handover ceremony on May 29th.

He noted that the monarchy had been an integral part of the British system, and it had remained a major attraction and source of honour, saying, “We have had a long, productive dialogue over security, economic partnership, home affairs, and other issues."

The Sri Lankan envoy told the president that the country had continued to share its skills and experience with the Nigerian military in tackling insurgency.

Kananathan assured the president that he would consolidate the efforts of his predecessor by strengthening relations on energy projects, which had already started in East Africa.

Jonathan Preaches Integrity, Good Governance

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, called for the entrenchment of a culture of integrity across both the corporate and civil spaces as a way of addressing the problems associated with governance, democracy and development in the country.

Jonathan stated this on Wednesday in Lagos at the 40th anniversary dinner of the Institute of Directors (IoD Nigeria). He made a case for closer cooperation among African leaders, especially former and serving presidents, stressing that Africa needs such synergy to ensure peace and progress on the continent.

Noting that there was a trust gap between leaders and the people of the continent, the former president emphasised that only honest and dependable leaders could address the challenge.

Jonathan stated, “A culture of integrity is what is needed to address many of the challenges confronting governance in our country. When integrity is entrenched as a culture and a corporate lifestyle in many organisations, the problems associated with corruption, dishonesty, poor governance, and even election management will be significantly addressed.”

He noted that cordial relations existed among Nigeria’s former leaders, describing the development as commendable and healthy for the country.

Jonathan commended IoD for the cooperation among its leaders, saying, “I have also noticed a similar trend within your institute, where former presidents cooperate and advise the current president and Chairman of Governing Council.

“This, regrettably, is not the case

in some African countries, where political transitions and relations between serving and former leaders are quite challenging and unhealthy because of unnecessary rivalry. In some of these countries, former presidents and sitting presidents are like enemies, who hardly talk to one another.

“In Africa, we need to develop a sustainable political culture that treats elections as a contestation of ideas, where whoever wins will be disposed to run the country with other broad-minded patriots for the benefit of the citizens.”

Jonathan further charged members to continue to strive to project IoD as the go-to organisation for integrity and exemplary leadership, saying, “A place like IoD, given the reputation you have built for yourselves, could serve as a think tank or policy institute, where corporate and political leaders could visit to test their ideas for responsible leadership and good governance.

“It can also serve as the place, where leaders could go to headhunt for tested and trusted technocrats to occupy strategic national positions; those that would justly deploy their skill and experience in exemplary service to the nation. This is my hope for IoD Nigeria as you celebrate this milestone. “

Court to Decide Whether to Stop Tinubu's Inauguration May 24 Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, yesterday, adjourned till May 24 ruling in a suit seeking to stop the inauguration

of Bola Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.

Ekwo fixed the date after lawyers to the plaintiffs addressed the court on the issue of jurisdiction and locus standi.

Five residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had approached the court to stop the inauguration of Tinubu on account of not scoring 25 per cent of votes in the FCT at the just concluded presidential election as required by the constitution.

The court had on Monday asked the plaintiffs to address it on the issues of jurisdiction and locus standi regarding the suit seeking to stop Tinubu's inauguration on May 29.

Ekwo, after the suit was mentioned, fixed May 18 for the plaintiffs to return and address it on the issues stated above.

However, at the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, Ekwo, after listening to the submissions of lawyers to the plaintiffs, fixed May 24, for ruling in the application.

Lawyer to the plaintiffs, Mr Nwachukwu, in his argument, told the court that it had jurisdiction to hear the matter since the plaintiffs were not parties to the petition currently before the presidential election petition court.

The plaintiffs had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 28, 2023, claiming that Tinubu failed to secure at least 25 per cent of votes cast in the FCT and could not be sworn in on that account.

Besides, Ekwo had asked the plaintiffs, represented by Mr Anyaegbunam Okoye and four others, to address the court on whether they had the legal right to file the suit and whether the

matter was not already before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

The plaintiffs, representing other residents and registered voters of the FCT in the suit, were asking the court to determine whether they would not be discriminated against if any state within Nigeria was substituted for the FCT for the purpose of the application of Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

The plaintiffs were also asking the court to determine whether any candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country might validly be declared elected and sworn in as president without obtaining at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in the FCT. They are also asking whether the court may restrain the swearing-in of any person on May 29 or on any other date until the issues raised in the summons have been determined.

They wanted an order setting aside or suspending any declaration or issuance of a certificate of return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election except it was judicially determined.

The plaintiffs also wanted an order restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), any other judicial officer from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as president or vice-president until it was judicially determined with finality in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. They said this was with effect to the fact that such a candidate had fulfilled the requirements of Section 134 Subsection 2b of the constitution.

Joined in the suit is the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the CJN.

AT NOGOF 2023, WABOTE SEEKS DOUBLE-DIGIT OIL INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION TO GDP are up to date, up to the month of April. And probably before I get back to Abuja, it will hit your accounts and that wouldn’t have been possible without production recovery.”

He said the development had re-energised the JVs to recalibrate their focus towards sustaining production and increasing their spending to procure the necessary services required to increase crude oil production.

According to the NUIMS chief, who represented the Executive Vice President, Upstream of the NNPC, Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye, the national oil company and its partners have now successfully confronted a trilemma of challenges.

He added that Nigeria was poised to increase national production output and usher in a new era of growth and opportunities in the Nigerian upstream oil and gas industry.

Wunti stressed that the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and its effective implementation ended the fiscal uncertainties and empowered the newly established institutions to discharge their mandates effectively.

On the security challenges, which often affected oil production in the Niger Delta, Wunti said NNPC had deployed industry-wide security architecture. He added that this was done after NNPC sought and got a presidential approval to rally stakeholders to implement holistic hydrocarbon infrastructure security architecture to tackle the issue of crude oil theft and vandalism of oil and gas assets.

He said, “The security operations are monitored and coordinated from a central command and coordination centre that leverages state-of-the-art technology to detect illegal activities and escalate to the front line for swift response in a timely, cost-efficient,

and effective manner.”

Furthermore, Wunti stated that an industry-wide security arrangement was in place to drive down the cost of crude production. He stated that the focus had shifted towards raising production to 1.8 million barrels per day in July 2023 and two million barrels per day by December 2023.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa commended Wabote for the Oloibiri Museum and other infrastructural projects in the state, including the training and retraining of youths and women.

Represented by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mr Ebiere Jones, Diri urged the Nigerian government to look into establishment of pipeline company in Nigeria.

He said many youths in Bayelsa State were unemployed, and charged oil firms to create opportunities for Bayalsa youths to be trained.

Others, who spoke at the event,

included Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, represented by Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu.

Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, was represented by Mansur Kuliya, Executive Director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure.

Also represented were Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, Gabriel Aduda; Chairman/MD Chevron, Rick Kennedy; and Managing Director, Total E&P, Mike Sangster. Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, also spoke at the event.

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NEWS

PROMOTING FOOD FORTIFICATION AND NUTRITION…

L-R: Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe; President, Nutrition Association of Nigeria, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi; Head Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mrs. Ogechi Obiorah, and Project Manager, Large-scale Food Fortification, e-Health Africa, Toju Ogele, during a media roundtable on promoting food fortification compliance and workforce nutrition in Nigeria in Lagos…yesterday

DHQ: Troops Destroy 38 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta 412 RPG, grenade bombs also recovered, 42 insurgents killed

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said troops destroyed 38 Illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

It said troops also recovered 551,500 litres of crude oil and 394,500 litres of diesel and

other stolen products valued at N448,387,770.00 in the Niger Delta region even as 42 terrorists were decimated in fierce encounters with troops while 412 RPG, Grenade bombs were recovered.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence

First Ladies Influencing Good Governance in Nigeria, Says Tambuwal Chuks Okocha inAbuja The Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the first ladies in Nigeria have been instrumental in shaping and influencing the course of good governance in the country.

He said that the first ladies use their unique positions and platforms to effect meaningful changes in their communities and beyond.

According to him, one of such is through the promotion of education and health initiatives, or empowering women and girls.

Governor Tambuwal, who stated this yesterday in his keynote address at the 2023 incoming and, returning and outgoing Governors Spouses’ Induction Summit holding in Abuja, said that the first ladies have consistently demonstrated their ability to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

He urged the incoming governors’ wives to embrace the opportunity with open hearts and open minds, opining that they have been given a platform to effect change, to uplift communities, and to foster unity.

MCSN Sets Agenda for President-elect The Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN)has described the victory of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a testimony of the good works he has been doing in Nigeria and across the world.

In a congratulatory message signed by its chief executive, Mr. Mayo Ayilaran, MCSN said it was happy with the promise Tinubu made during the electioneering that on his election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he would make the Nigerian economy to be technologically driven.

“This means that creativity would

be accorded a prime of place in your administration,” MCSN said in the letter.

Calling for a special attention to the creative industry, the society said: “Since copyright is the bedrock of all creativity and technology, we trust that you shall give quality attention to copyright and creativity matters, by increasing budgetary allocation to the agencies of government managing the sector, particularly the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) whose major duty is to manage and enforce the new Copyright Act 2022 which was recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Media Operations (DMO), Maj Gen Musa Danmadami, said troops of Operation Delta Safe, in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other operations within the zone,

discovered and destroyed 38 illegal refining sites, 24 wooden boats, 169 storage tanks, 152 ovens and 19 dugout pits.

He said the operations covered various security challenges across

the country from 4 – 18 May 2023.

Danmadami further disclosed that a total of 42 Boko Haram and ISWAP and IPOB/ESN terrorists were killed while

102 other suspected criminals and economic saboteurs were arrested while 15 kidnapped civilians including one of the abducted Chibok school girls, were rescued.

Two Killed, Six Others Abducted by Gunmen in FCT Laleye Dipo In Minna

Two persons were killed and six others abducted by gunmen in Yangoji town in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One of those killed, Alhaji Yakubu Ayuba, was the

community leader while the other a middle aged man was killed while returning home after watching the Manchester City Vs Real Madrid match which the English team won 4-0.

Yangoji borders a community in Lapai Local Government area of Niger state.

THISDAY was told that the armed men invaded the town not too far from a Police check point at about 12.20 an and started shooting into the air sporadically.

Thereafter, it was gathered that the bandits moved from house to house dispossessing the residents of their valuable property.

It was in this process that Yakubu Ayuba described as a community leader and a mobilisation officer with the Kwali Area Council was shot dead.

The unnamed football fan said to be Tiv by tribe reportedly ran into the gunmen who shot and killed him on the spot.

UN: $396m Needed to Avert Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in North-east Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Nations (UN) has said $396 million is urgently needed to salvage a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the nation’s North-east.

The UN decried that should

something not urgently be done to address the situation, humanitarian partners will only reach about 300,000 of the 4.3 million at-risk people in need of food assistance in the troubled Northeast region of Nigeria during the lean season.

A statement yesterday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) after the Launch of the Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Multi-sector Plan 2023 said: “To prevent

a widespread hunger and malnutrition crisis in northeast Nigeria from turning fully catastrophic $396 million is urgently needed to scale up humanitarian action in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states.”

APC Stalwart Urges Tinubu to Halt Alliance with Kwankwaso Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

A leading stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari in Kano, Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda, has

spoken bitterly against any attempt by the President-elect Bola Ahmad Tinubu, to welcome Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the party or offer him any appointment.

Speaking to journalists in Kano yesterday, Kwamanda

described such an attempt

by Tinubu as a betrayal of the trust and commitment of his supporters in the region, which they would not handle lightly.

He warned that Kwankwaso has an agenda that will bring the APC down if he is allowed

into the party as he attempted to dong in the past but could not succeed and had to leave for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he shattered and left for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) where he became presidential candidate.

Ati Annang Lagos Canvasses Support for Akpabio as Senate President Sunday Aborisade in Abuja A foremost socio-cultural group in Annangland, Akwa Ibom State, the Ati Annang Foundation, Lagos Chapter, has declared its support for Senator Godswill Akpabio, to become the President of the 10th Senate.

It noted that Akpabio’s records in public service makes him the perfect candidate for the position.

The group gave the support in a statement signed by its Lagos chapter Chairman, Felix Ekarika and Secretary, Anyiekpon Udo. They described Akpabio as a detribalised, patriotic, focused,

resourceful, progressive-minded and visionary leader.

The group also expressed confidence that his experience as a lawyer, state governor, senate minority leader and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs have effectively equipped him for the job of the number three

citizen of the country.

Part of the statement read: “He has the capability, capacity, panache and wisdom to lead his colleagues, make impactful laws and provide the enabling environment for the next government to deliver on its mandate.

Ayade Gives Automatic Employment to 155 Graduates of Fabrication Academy Cross River state governor, of the first batch of trainees at to be distracted but to face the realise that your hard work and

Ben Ayade, yesterday the institution in Calabar. future with optimism. good heart will take you very Extortion: Niger Demotes, Suspends School Principal Prof. gave automatic employment The governor explained that “Do not be frustrated by far. You are the destiny changers

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Saminaka, in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State, Mr. Ndatsu Yahaya, has been demoted over alleged extortion of his students.

In addition, Yahaya has been suspended and posted to another school where he would be a classroom teacher.

He was alleged to have extorted several thousands of Naira from

Senior Secondary School’s students on the pretext that the money was for their registration fees for the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).

However, after collecting the fees from the students, Yahaya was reported to have failed to remit the money collected to the West African Examination Council (WAEC), which resulted in the not less than 50 students failing to take their certificate examinations.

to 155 pioneer graduates of the West African Construction and Fabrication Academy.

Ayade made this known during the graduation ceremony

his administration established the academy in 2020 to address the dearth of middle-level skilled manpower in the state.

He advised the graduates not

today’s circumstances, go chase your goals with the skills you have received here.

“The only person who can fail you is yourself. As graduates,

of yourselves and your families.

You can change what you want for yourselves. We share the same history and morality,” he admonished them

Lawmaker, Others Advocate Food Fortification at Workplace against Malnutrition Rebecca Ejifoma The Senator representing Kwara Central in the 9th National Assembly, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, among other key

stakeholders, yesterday called for the promotion of fortified food among the workforce to combat malnutrition and boost the nation’s economy.

The senator remarked on

this at the campaign launch and media roundtable themed “Fortifying Nigeria’s Future: A Media Roundtable on Promoting Fortification Compliance and Workforce

Nutrition in Nigeria” by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), National Economic Summit Group (NESG) and E-Health in Lagos.

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NEWS XTRA

Audit Report: Senate WORLD OF ISLAM Indicts NECO over Getting Ready for Hajj: Physically, N6.5bn Contracts Awards Mentally and Spiritually (I)

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate has indicted the National Examination Council (NECO) over alleged illegal award of contracts valued at N6.5 billion.

The contracts were for the printing of security materials.

Senate upheld the recommendation of its Public Accounts Committee after NECO failed to defend the allegations.

NECO had earlier in its

written response, explained that the contract was awarded through selective tendering which was done to avoid leakage of examination questions.

But, the committee observed that the council did not follow due process in the award of the contract The Committee therefore recommended that the tender board that awarded the contract should be held liable.

It explained that it was in

line with financial regulation 3117(1)&11. Which states, “where the award is by a tender board, all members of the board shall be sanctioned individually or collectively.”

The query read, “Examination of records and documents revealed that the Commission’s Tenders Board approved the award of contract for printing of security materials in the sum of N451 million to a company in March 2017.

Wike Blames Leadership Failure for Demolition of Bayelsa Building in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Governor Nyesom Wike has blamed the demolition of the Bayelsa State Government’s (BASG) property located at Akasa Street in Old Government Residential Area in Port Harcourt, on leadership failure on the part of BASG. Wike also dismissed the insinuation that the demolition of the said property in Port Harcourt was politically motivated.

He made the clarification while briefing journalists on his arrival

from Europe at the Port Harcourt International Airport yesterday.

The governor explained that in line with the Rivers State Government’s urban renewal programme, a formal letter was written to the Bayelsa State Government in August 2021 concerning the dilapidated property that Bayelsa inherited from the old Rivers State in Port Harcourt.

ICT Day: Govt Urged to Close 36% Boys, Girls Gap

CHANGE OF NAME Kuni Tyessi in Abuja I formerly known and addressed as JUMMAI CAROLINE GANA, now wish to be known and address as MRS JUMMAI CAROLINE GANA-OSHODI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OBIAGERI ESTHER OHAJIMADU now wish to be known and address as MRS OBIAGERI ESTHER MUSA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS PROMISE AMALAWA AJAYI now which to be known and address has MRS. PROMISE AMALAWA UANTIOJE. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEOLU OMOTAYO LADEINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOLUWA OMOTAYO LADEINDE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ANIFOWOSHE OMOSHALEWA BARAKAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KADEJO OMOSHALEWA BARAKAT (NEE ANIFOWOSHE). All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NWACHUKWU JOHN PAUL CHINERO now which to be known and address has ROMANUS JOHN PAUL CHINERO. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EDITH PASCHAL NYEAHIALAM now which to be known and address has EDITH ADA ONYEAHIALAM. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MS OKAFOR CHIOMA FYNE now which to be known and address has MRS ODUA CHIOMA FYNE. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

He said: “It is most unfortunate, when you have leadership failure that is what you get. I have never seen a hostile government against Rivers State Government like Bayelsa State Government. It’s most unfortunate. When “I was away, I read from the media the ranting of the Bayelsa State Government through the Commissioner for Lands.

Girls’ rights organisation, Plan International Nigeria, has called on governments at all levels to close the 36 per cent information, communication

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as BABY JANE ALALE now wish to be known and address as ALALE QUEEN DONYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as HAPPY ANGELA now wish to be known and address as MRS IWEGIM BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MUSILIMOT OLUWAYEMISI ADENUGA now wish to be known and address as MUSILI OLUWAYEMISI ADENUGA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OKERE, BEDE NKEMAKOLAM now wish to be known and address as OKERE, BIDWELL NKEMAKOLAM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS KABAI NKEM now which to be known and address has MRS ONYEGASI NKEM JULIET. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as KEHINDE KAZEEM ADESOPE now which to be known and address has OKERINDE KAZEEM ADESOPE. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS MAGDALENE GREGORY ASUQUO now which to be known and address has MRS MAGDALENE ASUQUO IKANNAH NDIFREKE. All former document remain valid the general public should please take note.

By: Hajja Saira/Virtual Mosque/IslamiCity Welcome, prospective Hajji, to a unique journey. This journey is an invitation from your Lord to visit His House and engage in one of the most illustrious acts of worship. He picked you out of millions of people to travel across the world and ask for forgiveness in the best place on Earth. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to work on making your Hajj accepted by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala (exalted is He). This means that you fulfill all the requirements and avoid all the actions that nullify Hajj such that you come back home purified from all sins.

You’ve heard it before: Hajj is a beautiful journey. But this journey is a struggle. It is said the greatest physical struggle for a woman is to complete Hajj. Like any journey, being prepared in advance will help to maximize the experience and to deal with challenges. I compiled advice from different friends and experienced hajj veterans to help future Hajjis prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Hajj stories are very diverse - some have scary stories (don’t ask too much about the bathroom situation) while others have some hilarious moments or a few depressing encounters. Understand that every Hajj experience is different, but the goal is the same. Please keep in mind that you will get advice from different people who have different goals and values. Take what you feel matches your own values. For instance: I like to prepare for things as much as I can in advance - therefore I will buy all the things I need in my home country instead of hunting down things last minute in Makkah/Madina.

I also dislike waste and like to economize - so I prefer taking a few used items from family/ friends instead of buying everything new. I also like to give away non-essential items to needy people in Mina. I prefer to use natural medicines before going to regular meds, however I made an exception during Hajj in order to minimize risks and because Hajj requires a lot of energy.

Overall, a balanced approach and positive attitude will be your best friends during this trip. The ingredients of a successful Hajj are preparation before the journey, extra patience during the trip, and sincere effort towards improving yourself after the journey. As you keep the following steps in mind, remember to continuously ask Allah (swt) to help you in the journey. He can make the difficult easy and without His help we are lost.

technology (ICT) gap that exists between boys and girls in the country.

The organisation attributed the huge margin to cultural assumptions that some types of facilities are better suited for boys compared to girls which it argued must change through deliberate interventions by the government.

Plan International Nigeria’s Policy Research and Influencing Manager, Mr. Tunde Aremu, stated this yesterday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 Girls ICT Day which was organised by Plan International in partnership with TechHer. He said safer spaces needed to be provided for girls to have access to technology, digital education in the fulfilment Step 1: Physical Prep of their dreams.

1. Get in shape. You will walk, walk, and walk some more. Some people recommend walking regularly in the weeks before Hajj to build endurance.

2. Boost your immunity. Travelling from your country could takes a huge toll: long plane rides, layovers, and a wait anywhere from 2 – 12 hrs at the Jeddah airport. So, indulge in fruits and veggies while in the country, especially those rich in antioxidants. Stay away from sick people Organisers of the 2023 edition of as best as you can during the trip. One friend the Africa Crypto Giants Awards started taking a teaspoon of honey regularly in (ACGAwards) have announced the her tea. A few people wore a surgeon’s mask appointment of Dr. Julie Emakpo throughout the trip. Although it may seem mean, Egwejemu as chairman of the don’t share your water bottles or share prayer event. mats. You might still get sick but take whatever The ACGAwards, being the precautions you can. premier crypto award in Africa 3. Pace yourself upon arrival. Try to balance that recognises excellence in the between resting and making the most of your African crypto currency and block time in Makkah and Madina. You don’t want chain industry. The awards also to wear yourself out before going to Mina, but aim to celebrate the outstanding at the same time you want to earn good deeds achievements and contributions in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. of individuals and organisations 4. Preventive care. Take medicine as soon as in the crypto market. you feel sick but avoid taking antibiotics unless According to the organisers, or until you have been diagnosed with a bacterial Egwejemu is a respectable and respected figure, an entrepreneur, infection. Ricola cough drops are excellent. It author and a seasoned professional is a good idea to take several packs because with over 20 years of experience in people will ask you for some. Everyone gets the finance, investment and business ‘Hajj cough’. Use lemon, honey, orange juice, etc.

Take Vitamin C supplements regularly during management.

She is currently the Head the trip - don’t wait till you get sick to start this!

5. Gather your supplies. Make a list before of Business Development and Overseas Operations and Sales travelling so that you don’t forget anything. at the Makarios Luxury Properties Make a specific list for the days of Hajj before Limited, one of Africa’s best and you leave for Mina (i.e., stuff you will pack in fastest selling real estate firms based your backpack) 6. Take your ‘worship tools’ to use during the in Lagos.

Egwejemu Appointed Chairman of ACGAwards

waiting time. A lot of times people find themselves without anything to do during the long stretches.

Come prepared with a Quran, seerah (biography of the Prophet (pbuh), peace be upon him) book, or dhikr (remembrance/prayer) beads.

7. Write down a few dua (supplications) for yourself that you can memorize or repeat frequently.

Sometimes you will be too tired to remember so keep a small notebook on hand. Also, you can write down some notes or reflections that will help preserve the experience.

8. Stay energized. You need to keep hydrated drink Zamzam (water from the well of Zamzam in Mecca) but also take snacks and energy bars.

Some programs do not serve lunch so healthy snacks will help hold you till dinner. If you don’t like the food at the hotel, don’t complain.

There are plenty of places to eat at the malls and hotels. Avoid anything that doesn’t seem clean and anything that you know makes your stomach upset.

Step 2: Mental Prep 1. Know the requirements of performing Hajj.

You don’t want to waste this trip by missing something important. Attend the workshops in your area and/or read a book. Then review the information before you get to Mina. As a first time Hajji it’s natural to be unfamiliar with the rites, so ask scholars in the group.

2. Know what to expect and set the expectations.

Hajj is the journey of a lifetime; but at the same time you might face things that are upsetting.

Sadly, I encountered a lot of trash and garbage thrown all over the place in Mina. The bathroom situation is another story. Expect squatter toilets and learn to use them. If used correctly it can be sanitary and easier to use than regular toilets.

3. Strategize. A few tricks will help you maximize your time. For example, when going to pray at the rawdah in the Prophet’s masjid there are designated times for women. Head towards the rawdah area towards the end of the time allotted and try to be in the last group praying. You won’t feel as hassled because there is nobody coming behind you. Also, there are air-conditioned areas in the Haram (area around the Kabah) in Makkah on the first and second floor (enter through King Fahd entrance and stay on the left). Plan on praying/sitting there during the hottest part of the day. Since the time between Maghrib (post-sunset prayer) and Isha (night prayer) is short, it’s a good idea to stay at the Haram between those prayers. That way you won’t struggle for a spot inside. One local student gave us this awesome tip: Make sa’i (the walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa) on the 4th floor roof extension area, which is usually empty and has a wonderful view during Fajr (pre-dawn prayer) time.

4. Don’t be cheap. You will see a lot of the poor and the elderly. Help them as much as you can and be generous. Don’t haggle with store keepers over small amounts. At the same time be cautious of theft and being ripped off by taxi drivers. As in any big city there are opportunists, so be cautious of your money and personal items.

Keep your shoes in a plastic bag with you at all times. Side point: don’t take a camera or camera phone into the Prophet’s masjid (for women, there are female guards who will frisk you before letting you in).

5. Get in the right mindset by surrendering yourself to Allah (swt). You are going on Hajj, which is not a vacation in a 4-star hotel. You will be tested in different ways so remind yourself to be patient and not to complain. You are invited as Allah’s guests so use the correct manners that a guest should have. As a bonus, try to catch yourself before reacting negatively to a test by acknowledging that that what is making you upset is the test.

6. Remember why you are here: to complete Hajj and go back home. You are not here to change the Saudi government or fix the ignorance of the ummah (community). You are not here to argue with different people about who is right and wrong. You might need to develop a mantra or phrase to remind yourself. A few people would remind themselves saying, “La jidaal,” or “No arguing,” if they started to get annoyed with a spouse, family member, or random uncle in the group.

To Be Continued

39

FRIDAY, MA ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Amuneke Predicts Bright Future for Ugbade’s Eaglets

Femi Solaja Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets may have suffered a heart-breaking exit at the quarterfinal stage of the on-going U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria, but there is light at the end of the tunnel according to former World Cup winning coach of the team, Emmanuel Amuneke.

The Nduka Ugbade led team were eliminated by Burkina Faso 2-1 and failed to qualify to play at the forth coming U17 World Cup finals later this year.

The result left many Nigerians disappointed and recently, some ball fans have been calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sack the coaching crew.

However, Amuneke who led the team to win at the tournament in Chile in 2015 and was an assistant to coach Garba Manu at the 2013 edition in United Arab Emirates (UAE), insisted that the young lads did their best but were unlucky not to get the desired results.

“We must collectively salute the players and the coaching crew for doing a good job but were unfortunate not to qualify for the finals.

“We cannot afford to let them go just like that because we must erase the tag ‘failure’ from their history. It has become a tradition anytime our age-group team fails to win at a major event.

“The players are disappointed in themselves knowing fully well that its an opportunity to launch their career on the big stage. Now, all that have vanished due to ill luck. However, I can see them (players) doing well if we make conscious efforts to integrate them in the domestic league at lower cadre instead of allowing them to vanish into thin air,” he remarked.

The former ‘African Footballer of the Year’ noted that in 2003 squad to Finland did not go beyond group phase under Coach Augustine Eguavoen but the likes of John Obi Mikel, Chinedu Obasi, Isaac Promise and Ambrose Uanzekin were able to reach the Olympics and Super Eagles level.

“We must engage ourselves in a long-term programme that will ensure the boys are injected into the domestic league clubs and as well as take cognizance of their educational growth which is a global standard today.

As for the coaching crew, it’s it s “As

Despite Golden Eaglets’ failure to qualify for U17 AFCON and World Cup unfortunate what has happened to them but as for me, they did their best. It takes a good coach (Ugbade) to be patient with the players for making simple errors which was natural of players of the Eaglets age.

“I was once in same situation and you have to keep lecturing, develop and ensure proper growth.

Unfortunately, as a coach, someone

must pay the price because players’ agents will infiltrate the camp and for obvious reason and when the final selection did not go their way, all they wish is for the team to fail. But a good coach should just stay focused and damn the consequence.

“At any given time, our system is warped towards immediate results inste of long-term planning and instead

as a coach you make friends and enemy as same time but what is important is to stick to the plans,” he pointed out in a telephone interview with THISDAY. He also recalled his experience as the coach of U-20 team that failed to qualify for the U20 AFCON tournament after they were defeated on aggregate by Niger Republic.

“Aside the core group of boys

that won the 2015 tournament in Chile, some of the players that did not make the final selection of the tournament in Chile from our Calabar camp were invited.

Unfortunately, the result did not go our way on a wet evening at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

“I watched the players wept openly in the dressing room and took time to console them because it was a great opportunity to elevate their career. But today, I am happy that the likes of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Nwakali and many others in that squad moved beyond that stage to become big stars in Europe,” Amuneke recalled.

The on-going tournament U17 AFCON in Algeria will end on Sunday with the final match between Senegal and Morocco.

Although the Nigerian lads suffered a similar 1-0 loss to Morocco in their second match, they bounced back with an impressive 3-2 triumph over South Africa in their final Group B encounter.

The five-time world champions, however, came short against Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals to miss out on a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup later in the year.

West Ham Reach Europa Conference Final Ham United reached their West H am U nited i d reach hed d th heir i fi first major European final since 1976 after they overcame AZ Alkmaar in their Europa Conference League semi-final.

Having won the the first leg at London Stadium 2-1, the Hammers were resolute away to their Dutch opponents, reaching the final in Prague on 7 June with a 1-0 second-leg win.

David Moyes' side soaked up

plenty l off pressure at atAF AFAS AS SStadium tadi dium until Pablo Fornals scored on the counter-attack in second-half injury time.

West Ham will face either Fiorentina or FC Basel, whose semi-final went into extra time.

The Hammers are hoping to lift their first major trophy since they lifted the 1980 FA Cup; they were one of three winners of the 1999 Intertoto Cup.

Liverpool Boss, Klopp, Gets Two-match Ban Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has received a two-match ban for comments he made about referee Paul Tierney after his side's 4-3 victory over Tottenham in April.

It means the German will miss Sunday's match against Aston Villa at Anfield.

The second game is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season, meaning Klopp will not miss the final game of this campaign against Southampton.

Klopp suggested Tierney had "something against" the Reds after the Spurs game.

He has also received a £75,000 fine having admitted improper conduct and saying he regretted making the comments.

Klopp was shown a yellow card for celebrating Liverpool's 94th-minute winner in front of the fourth official and later claimed what Tierney said to him was "not OK".

The refereeing governing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said at the time it "strongly refutes" any accusation Tierney's actions were "improper".

Liverpool sent a letter in response to the charges three days after the match, suggesting emotions were heightened during a tense fixture and that while Klopp had not intended to "question Tierney's integrity", the referee had been involved in a number of "questionable decisions" involving the club.

West Ham players celebrating qualifying for their first UEFA Cup final since 1976

NIS Confers Fellowship on Sports Minister, Odegbami, Izamoje, Baba Ijebu As part of celebration of the 8th convocation ceremony of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Lagos, some eminent Nigerias will be confered with Fellowship of the Institute.

Speaking during the press conference to herald the 8th convo-

cation ceremony, Director-General of the Institute, Professor Olawale Moronkola said five eminent Nigerians will be conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Institute during the convocation ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 25th, 2023.

2,000 Foreign, Local Athletes to Participate in 2023 Onitsha City Marathon David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Promoters of Onitsha City Marathon, Onitsha Business School (OBS) have stated that over 2,000 athletes are expected in this year's marathon in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Director of Onitsha Business School (OBS), Prof Olusegun Sogbesan stated this as part of moves to promote the contest which will take place in September this year.

"This year's marathon will feature five international elite athletes, who are in the top 300 in the world. We are bringing them in from various countries, and up 20 other foreign athletes will participate.

"We aim at featuring over 2,000 local athletes, and we will have up to 50 viewing centres across Anambra, and Delta states, for people who cannot make it to Onitsha to watch the race, live."

Sogbesan said the aim of Onit-

sha Business School in establishing the Onitsha City Marathon was to bring economic dimension to sports, for many local athletes.

"Everyday, we have people who throng the streets for exercise purposes, but they do it just for fitness sake. We want to bring economic dimensions to this fitness. We want young men who will earn from what they do.

"This is the initiative that we at Onitsha Business School

have brought up as our social responsibility to both Onitsha our immediate environment and Nigeria. We want to put Onitsha on the map as a sports place, beyond the buying and selling that the city has become known for."

The organisers disclosed that the prize money for victorious contestants is a total prize money of $400,000 for foreign athletes, and N10million for the local athletes.

Those to be honored include, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, former Captain of the Green Eagles Dr Segun Odegbami, Business Mogul, Sir Adebunkola Kessington, Chairman of Brila FM, Dr Larry Izamoje and businesswoman Mrs Modupeola Lawale.

The Director-General stated that the five personalities are being honored for their immense contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

He said the Institute had produced many top rated coaches like late Yemi Tella, Amodu Shuaibu, Fanny Amun, Chioma Ajunwa, Garba Manu, Moses Kpakor, Austin Equavoen and Peter Rufai.

A record 530 students from the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 sets will be issued certificates at the event.

"This is the first time the Institute is conferring Fellowship on individuals, hence the convocation is

remarkable. The Institute believes in setting standards and encouraging overall National development through sports. This Fellowship is being bestowed on these people in line with the tradition in tertiary institutions."

On changes that had taken place in the last two years, Prof Moronkola asserted "We have introduced inaugural lecture, and will soon commence public and valedictory lecture. We have created a conducive environment for learning, well equipped library, lecture rooms, upgraded facilities for accommodation and upgrading of old facilities. We have commenced the building of a new hostel and lecture theatre.

He assured students and stakeholders of the readiness of the Institute to partner with foreign institutions, public spirited people, upscale the activities and public image of the NIS in line with global practices.

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Gov Mohammed to World Bank

“Honestly, I wonder what the World Bank is doing. Apart from giving us grants, assistance in SFTAS and loans, they should be able to raise a red flag. To tell the managers of our economy that we cannot continue to borrow endlessly. Our debt service requirement is about 95 per cent of the revenue. And so the states are affected by this macro-economic reality. The oil proceeds are not being shared. And we are here celebrating success, what success? We are going to go under unless we do something...” –Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, knocks the World Bank for hypocrisy over Nigeria’s high debt profile.

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MAGNUSONYIBE GUEST COLUMNIST

Judiciary on Trial: Televising Tribunal Proceedings to the Rescue?

F

or too long, Nigeria and Nigerians have been choked by myriads of constraints and restraints put on them like a harness affixed on a horse to curtail its freedom enabling the rider to control it.

And it is a pity that like a horse, Nigeria appears to have been ridden by a rough rider instead of an expert jokey.

That is why our country is literally on the verge of falling off the cliff-politically, economically and socially by way of disunity-after being ridden to the precipice by an apparent rough rider that has been on the saddle in the past eight (8) years.

Clearly, as a die hard democrat, president-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mission upon taking office on 29 May would significantly contrast with the style of governance of the current leadership at the centre.

The assertion above is underscored by the comment that he made at the commissioning of court facilities constructed in Rivers state under the watch of the outgoing governor, Nyesom Wike in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

It may be recalled that during a two (2) day visit by the incoming president Tinubu to the Niger delta state on Thursday 4th May, he promised that his administration would fight corruption in the judiciary by providing judicial officers with improved remuneration, necessary tools and working environments needed to do their job such as the type of infrastructure that he was invited to commission in Rivers state.

That would be in contrast with the trademark of the outgoing administration notorious for carrying out sting operations on members of the judiciary by arresting senior members of the bench in gestapo-like style in odd hours and also taking them into custody in their sleeping wears, all in the bid to intimidate and rob them of their independence from interference by the executive branch which.

In my view, a paradigm shift in anti corruption fight that would address the root cause of the malaise would give Nigeria a new lease of life and make our country a truly democratic and progressive nation as opposed to the somewhat pseudo-democracy which by all indications and measures is currently in operation in our beloved country hence we are rated lowly in the comity of nations.

But President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s utterance in Port Harcourt on fighting corruption sounded like dejavu encore to me and l guess the same applies to most skeptical Nigerians because that is similar to what the outgoing president Mohammadu Buhari told the long suffering masses in 2015 when he was assuming the role of president and commander- in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria.

That is because to the chagrin, utter displeasure and disappointment of hapless Nigerians, corruption in our country according to global corruption watch dogs, particularly Transparency International, TI has worsened between 2015 and today.

Data from Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC under the Chairmanship of Mr Musa (Rafsanjani) Auwal, Nigeria’s corruption ranking in the committee of nations in 2022 is 150th position out of 180 countries in the world corruption index.

The only country in west Africa performing below Nigeria or more corrupt than Nigeria according to the graft monitoring organization, Tl is Guinea Bissau.

Our country on a scale of zero to a hundred (0-100) scored 26/100 in 2019, 25/100 in 2020 and 24/100 in 2021.

That signifies continuous decline in Nigeria’s rating which is not good.

And according to media reports referencing Transparency International, Tl chair,Delia Rubio: “Corruption has made our world a more dangerous place.

“As governments have collectively failed to make progress against it, they fuel the current rise in violence and conflict – and endanger people everywhere.

“The only way out is for states to do the hard work, rooting out corruption at all levels to ensure governments work for all people, not just an elite few.”

CJN, Ariwoola After a clear eye look at Tinubu’s promise to combat corruption in the judiciary, it appears feasible that he may be able to slow down the menace during his reign as president because he is planning on tackling it from the angle of closing the loopholes for corruption created by inadequate remuneration for members of the judiciary which is one of the root causes of graft both in the judiciary and indeed the entire governmental system.

So, my confidence in the ability of the president-elect Tinubu to implement the policy of pursuing a paradigm shift in the fight against corruption in the judiciary from the root and not the surface as the outgoing regime seem to have been doing is buoyed by the fact that since he has been a two (2) time governor of Lagos state (19992007),he must understand what it means to make such a significant pronouncement.

As such his proposition must be a product of critical thinking and not mere brain wave as Nigerians have witnessed in the past eight (8) years.

Incidentally, reforms in the judiciary, particularly with respect to a better welfare package for the members of the judiciary are supposed to already be afoot as evidenced by the approval for increase in the remuneration of Supreme Court justices (N10m and N90m monthly for both the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN and President of the Appeal Court and other justices respectively) introduced by the outgoing administration of president Mohammadu Buhari, but the pay raise is yet to be implemented.

The reality is that Nigerian judges are paid far less than our law makers, which is not fair.

Even as judges in Ghana and South Africa are said by activists clamoring for improved pay for the judiciary, to earn higher emoluments than their Nigerian counterparts, yet Nigeria is often touted as the giant of Africa.

However, the recent 40% across board increase in the salary of civil servants including members of the judiciary by the outgoing government at the centre is being envisaged as a moral and productivity booster as it is also geared towards reining in or discouraging corruption not just in the judiciary but the government system as a whole.

Although, one is cognizant of the fact the pending petrol pump price increase following the end of petrol subsidy regime from next month as the current regime exits Aso Rock Villa would wipe out the value of the 40% salary increase just being implemented, for now the salary raise that became effective from last month world give the long suffering workers some succor before the president-elect takes office and decides what to do about petrol subsidy removal.

In my view, petrol subsidy must end as planned and a

100% increase in salaries for workers across board would be a necessary first step to ameliorate the consequential effect. But that is a subject for another discourse.

Meanwhile, although improvements in the remuneration of judicial officers had already been approved, but it remains unimplemented despite the fact that agitation for pay raise for justices has been ongoing since 2008.

And it is a shame that such a critical sector has been neglected in the scheme of things for so long.

That is perhaps what informed Asiwaju Tinubu’s promise in Port Harcourt and justification for his pledge to introduce the proposed reforms aimed at stymying corruption in the judiciary under his watch from the 29th day of this month, all things being equal.

So, presumably, the in-coming president’s statement is likely not a frivolous utterance but a tactical component of his grand strategy detailed in his Renewed Hope 2023 manifesto which is an 88 page development template that he leveraged to woo Nigerian electorate to vote for him in the course of the just concluded electioneering campaigns.

At inception of the outgoing administration, the third (3) branch of government (judiciary) had appeared like the last bastion as it had remained in large part untainted.

But after a short period, it wilted owing to the onslaught by the executive arm through undue interference that has blighted it to the extent that most Nigerians no longer see it as infallible and unbiased.

And it is precisely why the judiciary is now on ‘trial’ which is such an irony because it used to be law breakers that would be on trial by the judiciary.

Arising from the above, the president-elect is spot-on, on the score of planning to tackle corruption in the judiciary as part of his party’s plans towards renewing hope in our beleaguered nation.

The truth and reality are that it is a pliant judiciary that enables or facilitates the emergence of unscrupulous politicians.

Now, not many people can spot the uncanny link between the judiciary and politicians. But president- elect Tinubu seems to have made that connection hence he seemed to have given a sneak preview of his agenda when he gets sworn into office from 29 May. The nexus between the judiciary and legislators as well as politicians in general is reflected by the catch phrase currently dominating the political space ‘Go To Court’.

The absurdity was given a new lease of life by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC chairman, Prof Mamoud Yakubu when he declined to respond to political party agents complaints about perceived improprieties identified during the collation of the results of the 25 February elections.

Taunting aggrieved co-contestants for political office by daring them to go court is particularly the case in Nigeria where some unscrupulous political actors prefer not to campaign or woo the electorate, but deploy their financial war chests into ‘settling’ members of the bar and bench that help them obtain and maintain crooked mandates via courts as opposed to the electorate exercising their right to choose a president, senators, members of House of Assembly, HoRs, governors and state houses of assembly members.

Since the return of multi party democracy in 1999, following former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s reign up to 2007 during which the rule of law was trampled upon and the principles of democracy were disregarded, it was acknowledged by subsequent decent political actors that election malfeasance had reached an alarming proportion in 2007.

That realization prompted more democracy advocates in leadership to be more determined to reform the system and urgently too.

So, it is the reform that was commenced in 2007 by the justice Lawal Uwais committee established by president Yar’adua of blessed memory (2007-10) and sustained by ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s regime (2010-15) that culminated into the Electoral Act 2022 passed into law under the watch of the outgoing government.

At this juncture, it is worth pointing out that there are striking resemblances between the general elections conducted in Nigeria in 1979,2007 and 2023.

In a manner that appears like dejavu encore to me, the current circumstances thrown up by elections 2023 may compel president-elect Tinubu to elect to replicate what late Umaru Yar’adua did in 2007 when his emergence as president midwifed during OBJ’s watch was alleged to have been tainted as is currently the case with Asiwaju Tinubu’s mandate in 2023, which is some sixteen (16) years after.

And upon being sworn into office Yar’adua vowed to immediately embark on a reform of the process of recruiting political leaders.

Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023 ,like Yar’adua in 2007 who pledged to reform the electoral system is already pledging to end corruption in the judiciary through boosting their remuneration and providing a conducive working environment for them.

That implies that there is a parallel between Yar’adua’s action in 2007 that vowed to improve on the electoral process and Tinubu in 2023 committing to eliminating corruption in the judiciary.

Commendably, Yar’adua kept his promise by setting up the justice Lawal Uwais committee that laid the foundation for the electoral reforms that birthed previous reforms that culminated into Electoral Act 2022 currently in operation.

Having made a similar commitment on May 4 in Port Harcourt which is about twenty five (25)) days to his inauguration into office as president and commander-in -chief of the armed forces of Nigeria, hopefully, presidentin-waiting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would fulfill his promise in the manner that Yar’adua did.

A constitutional crisis similar to the instant one bordering on elections result also had arisen in 1979 when Chief Obafemi Awolowo of UPN disputed the victory awarded Alhaji Shehu Shagari of NPN and the issue of what constitutes 25% of 19 states of the federation became a protracted matter requiring Supreme Court intervention in the manner that 2/3 majority votes in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT is currently a point of contention in election 2023.

Given the anxiety that it generated, it was not expected that our law makers would not have learnt some useful lessons and as such ensured that such type of complexity is avoided forty four (44) years after.

One common denominator between president-elect Tinubu ,former presidents Yar’adua (2007 -2010), Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015) and Shehu Shagari (1979-2003) is that they all introduced or tried to introduce reforms in the electoral system. They also tackled corruption in more scientific ways than through sheer brute force or naming and shaming methodology adopted by former dictators/ ex heads of state turned democrats-generals Olusegun Obasanjo(1999-2007) and Mohammadu Buhari (2015-2023).

Fortuitously, the president-elect Tinubu whose task would be to dig our beloved country out of the deep hole where it has currently sunken, all things being equal from 29 May ,has set the agenda by making one of his priority initiatives the restoration of confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary.

And he would have to do so by sanitizing the justice administration system which is the conscience of democracy and society if it is creditable, but can be instrumental to perpetuating bad governance or leadership ,if it is corruptible.

So, to birth a new Nigeria, first of all, the judiciary has to be cleaned up as it were.

Right now, most Nigerians would argue that it is the judicial institution without integrity that is constituting a drag on our country and inhibiting it from becoming the true leader of Africa and a very consequential country in the world. *Magnus onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA and a former commissioner in Delta state government, sent this piece from Lagos.To continue with this conversation, please visit www.magnum.ng NOTE: Read full article online on www.thisdaylive.com

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