TUESDAY 24TH MAY 2022

Despite Global Headwinds, NSIA Grows Net Asset to N920bn in 2021 Records total operating income of N100.8bn Posts N153.6bn profit, mulls dividend payment to shareholders subject to NEC approval Warns inflation will make 2022 toughest for investors James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos In spite of the volatility and headwinds in the global economy,

the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), yesterday said it delivered impressive financial results, underscoring the resilience of its investment strategy.

While it recorded 19 per cent growth in Net Asset to N919.73 billion in 2021, compared to N772.75 billion in 2020, the authority also posted a profit after tax of N153.6

billion, which was slightly down by 1.9 per cent from the N156.5 billion recorded the previous year.

Addressing journalists during the virtual earnings’ report presenta-

tion, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, said it was the ninth consecutive year the NSIA has consistently remained profitable, adding that

all the three funds closed the year positive, beating their individual benchmarks.

Continued on page 12

NNPC, Sahara Take Delivery of Two Multi-million Dollar LPG Vessels in South Korean Shipyard …Page 5 Tuesday 24 May, 2022 Vol 27. No 9905. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Adamu: Ekiti My First Test, I Will Not Fail to Deliver Says ‘we are never on the losing side Inaugurates state governorship campaign council Urges INEC to be fair

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

L -R: Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello, at a capacity building workshop for Judges and Justices organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute... yesterday

With 26 days to the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has vowed to ensure that his party emerges victorious in the poll, which he called his first litmus test. Adamu Continued on page 12

It's a Four Horse Race How PDP delegates may vote in presidential primary

The presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is slated for this weekend in Abuja, the nation’s capital, and the different aspirants, have been at the top of their wits, ensuring that all loose ends were neatly tidied up. However, after weeks of traveling round the country, it is beginning to get crystal clearer how the states may ultimately vote in this all-important pre-election exercise.

Although it is public knowledge that there are 15 aspirants in all, angling to fly the opposition party’s flag (after two were disqualified from the initial 17), this analysis is done with four leading presidential hopefuls in focus.

They are former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former governor Continued on page 30

Atiku

Obi

Saraki

Wike

2

TUESDAY MAY24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

3

4

TUESDAY MAY24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

5

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

INAUGURATION OF TWO NEW NNPC AND SAHARA GROUP’S LPG VESSELS...

L-R: Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea; Ali Magashi, Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited ((NNPC), Mele Kyari; Executive Director, Sahara Group and Chairman, WAGL Energy Limited, Temitope Shonubi, and Group Executive Director, NNPC Gas and Power, Ahmed Abdulkabir, at the inauguration of two new NNPC and Sahara Group’s LPG vessels, MT SAPET and MT BARUMK in Hyundai Shipyard, Ulsan, South Korea…yesterday

NNPC, Sahara Take Delivery of Two Multi-million Dollar LPG Vessels in South Korean Shipyard New vessels push companies' JV investments to over $300m Targets 10 additional carriers in 10 years Peter Uzoho The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Limited and its Joint Venture (JV) partner, Sahara Group, yesterday took delivery of two 23,000 CBM Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessels at the Hyundai MIPO Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.

The new vessels, MT BARUMK and MT SAPET, THISDAY learnt, have increased NNPC and Sahara Group's investment to over $300 million, approaching the JV's $1 billion gas infrastructure commitment by 2026.

The fleet previously comprised MT Sahara Gas and MT Africa Gas

and all the four vessels were built

by Hyundai MIPO Dockyard, a foremost global manufacturer of mid-sized carriers.

Sahara announced the latest development in a statement issued yesterday, quoting the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, to have said the two companies have plans to add another 10 vessels in the next 10 years to enhance Africa’s transition to cleaner fuels.

According to the statement, WAGL Energy Limited, the JV company between NNPC and Oceanbed, a Sahara Group company, were driving NNPC's five-year $1 billion investment plan

announced in 2021 to accelerate the decade of gas and energy transition agenda over the period.

Kyari, who stated that three additional new vessels were being finalised, added, "we have a target of delivering 10 vessels over the next 10 years. The NNPC and our partners stand out with integrity in our energy transition quest and our commitment environmental sustainability is unwavering.”

The statement explained that MT BARUMK and MT SAPET are WAGL and Sahara Group's injection into the JV and that WAGL was shoring up its gas fleet and terminal infrastructure, while Sahara Group continues

to make remarkable progress in the construction of over 120,000 metric tonnes of storage facilities in 11 African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Zambia, among others.

Kyari, according to the statement, said the vessels were critical to driving the federal government's commitment to the domestication of gas in Nigeria through several initiatives and increasing seamless supply in compliance with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The initiatives including the LPG Penetration Framework and LPG Expansion Plan were geared

Emefiele Withdraws Suit on Participation in 2023 Presidential Poll Alex Enumah in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday withdrew his suit seeking the determination of his right to participate in the 2023 presidential election.

Emefiele had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the Federal High Court in Abuja, over fears that the two defendants were likely going to prevent him from participating in the processes leading to the 2023 presidential poll based on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which barred political appointees except they resigned from office 30 days to the congresses and conventions of political parties.

The withdrawal may not be unconnected with his withdrawal last week from the race after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Three interest groups had picked the presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Emefiele. Representatives of a coalition of three groups — rice farmers, Emefiele Support Group and Friends of Godwin Emefiele — had picked the form for the CBN governor at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court had on May 12, adjourned to Monday 23, 2022, for all parties to adopt their written addresses as their argument in the matter. Before the adjournment, the court had

joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and others who had sought permission from the court to be joined as interested parties in the matter.

The court had similarly ordered an accelerated hearing in the suit because of time constraints, since time tables released by various political parties had shown that the presidential primaries for the selection of their standard bearers had been fixed for between May 28 and 31.

However, when the matter came up yesterday, Emefiele’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, announced that his client had directed him to withdraw the sought and accordingly applied for the same.

Responding, the lawyers of the defendants urged the court to dismiss the suit with huge cost against the plaintiff.

However, in a short ruling, Justice Mohammed struck out the suit and ordered that the parties bear their cost.

Before last Thursday’s proceeding, the court had summoned INEC and AGF to appear before it to explain why the court should not restrain them from preventing the CBN Governor from realising his political ambition by participating in all the processes leading to the 2023 presidential election.

The summoning of INEC and AGF was sequel to a motion exparte argued by Ozekhome, seeking to restrain the two defendants from taking any step that would jeopardise the interest of his client. But in his ruling, Justice Mohammed had ordered

the CBN Governor to serve all court processes in relation to the suit on 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

Then, when the matter came up for INEC and AGF to show cause, two lawyers stood up to announce appearances for their clients.

First was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Sebastiane Hon, who informed the court of the intention of his client, the PDP to join as an interested party, which was immediately followed by one John Martins and Olukunle Ebun, who told the court that they were suing for themselves and on behalf of the ‘Save Nigeria our Fatherland’.

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

He had expressed fear that any political party he chooses to affiliate with in pursuit of his political ambition may disqualify him based on the provisions of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which had barred political appointees from participating in the congresses and conventions of political parties unless the resigned 30 days to such conventions and congresses.

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

He had also submitted that

Constitutional provisions stipulated that he could only resign his appointment as Governor of CBN 30 days before the presidential election which he is interested in contesting.

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

towards encouraging the use of gas in households, power generation, auto-gas and industrial applications in order to attain five million metric tonnes of LPG consumption by 2025.

“This is another epoch-making achievement for the NNPC and Sahara Group, and we remain firmly committed to delivering more formidable gas projects for the benefit of Nigeria and the entire sub-region,” Kyari stated.

The Executive Director Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, said with the new vessels, NNPC and Sahara were set to promote and lead Africa's march towards energy transition.

“WAGL has successfully operated two mid-sized LPG Carriers MT Africa Gas and MT Sahara Gas in the region in keeping with global standards, delivering over six million CBM of LPG across West Africa. With the new vessels we are set to promote and lead Africa's march towards energy transition," Shonubi said.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Ali Magashi, who represented the federal government, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari deserved commendation for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he said, would reposition the NNPC to explore more projects with partners like Sahara Group.

The statement explained that the name of one the vessels, 'BARUMK',

was derived from the combination of the name and initials of the late NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in fond memory of his immense support towards the Gas development in Nigeria.

It also explained that the other vessel, 'SAPET', was named after the Sahara – Petroci -the Ivorian National Oil Company's JV LPG Company, SAPET Energy SA, which is currently constructing the phase one of a 12,000MT LPG storage facility in Abidjan, with expansion plans to achieve 30,000MT in phase two.

The JV, the statement further explained, emerged from WAGL’s trading relationship with PETROCI, dating back to 2014.

In Cote D’Ivoire, Sahara said it had invested over $405 million since 2014, into facilitating the supply of LPG to give over 26 million Ivorians access to safe and reliable access to the product.

LPG is the fastest growing petroleum product in sub-Sahara African over the last decade, with forecasts indicating that LPG will grow at seven per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the next 15 years.

It has been projected that increased uptake of LPG will reduce net Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and pressure on forest reserves, thereby increasing environmental sustainability.

UNHCR: 100m People Displaced in Nigeria, Ukraine, Other Conflict-ridden Nations Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The war in Ukraine, violent crises in Nigeria and other nations have pushed the number of displaced persons worldwide to over 100 million, says the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The UN agency, in a statement on Monday, said new data showed that the number of displaced people worldwide rose to 90 million by the end of 2021, propelled by new waves of violence or protracted conflict in countries, including Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The statement added that the

war in Ukraine had displaced eight million within the country this year, and more than six million refugee movements from Ukraine registered.

According to the UNHCR, the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has now crossed the staggering milestone of 100 million for the first time on record, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts.

The UNHCR commissioner in Nigeria, Filippo Grandi, while stating that the figure must "serve as a wake-up call" for more action to promote peace and address all causes of forced displacement, said, “One hundred million is a stark

figure - sobering and alarming in equal measure. It’s a record that should never have been set.”

He added, "This must serve as a wake-up call to resolve and prevent destructive conflicts, end persecution, and address the underlying causes that force innocent people to flee their homes."

The statement, corroborating a recent report from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), noted that at over one per cent of the global population, the overall figure is equivalent to the 14th most populous country in the world, including refugees and asylum seekers as well as the 53.2 million people displaced inside their borders by conflict.

6

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

2022 NIGERIAN CONTENT MIDSTREAM-DOWNSTREAM OIL AND GAS SUMMIT...

L-R: Director, Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Tunde Adelana; Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr Simbi Wabote, and Director Planning, Research & Statistics, Mr. Patrick Obah, at the 2022 Nigerian Content Midstream-Downstream Oil and Gas Summit, in Lagos… yesterday

Governors Lose Suit against Financial Autonomy for Local Governments Fail to stop NFIU's monitoring of LGs’ spending Alex Enumah and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed a suit filed by the State governors to challenge the constitutionality of regulations the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had issued to guarantee financial autonomy for local governments.

The governors failed to get the Federal High Court, Abuja, to stop the monitoring of spendings of the Local Government Councils by the NFIU. Their failure followed the dismissal of the suit they filed alongside their Attorneys-General (AGs) seeking to stop the NFIU from implementing its guidelines on local government spending for allegedly breaching the constitution.

Meanwhile, the organised labour has applauded the ruling. While hailing the ruling, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba described it as a landmark judgement.

Wabba who responded to THISDAY's request for reaction through a text message said: "It's a welcome development, we congratulate salute the courage of the judiciary for the landmark decision.

"NLC has always campaign for the strengthening of local government system and allowing them to function effectively through financial autonomy."

The NFIU had on May 6, 2019, issued guidelines to stimulate the reduction of crime vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from

local government funds across the country, beginning from June 1, 2019.

Displeased by the guidelines, the 36 AGs and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) had dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the NFIU and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to court to declare the action of the NFIU unconstitutional.

Among the reliefs sought included a declaration that by the combined effect of Section 4(7), 7(6) (a) and (b) and Section 162(6), (7) and (8) of the constitution, “the State Governments of the Federation are not subject to

control or directive of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit or any other person or body on the terms and manner of the operation of State Joint Local Government Account other than by a law passed by the House of Assembly of the state.”

However, delivering judgment in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/563/2019, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the case of the plaintiffs lacked merit and subsequently dismissed it.

According to the judge, plaintiffs did not show how the NFIU’s guidelines contradict or conflict with the provision of Sections 7(1), (6) (a) and (b) of the constitution.

“I am also unable to see how

the provisions of the 2nd defendant (NFIU)’s guidelines contradict or conflict with the provisions of Section 162(6) of the constitution which creates the ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state shall be paid,” he said.

The court further held that the guidelines did not contradict Section 162(8) of the constitution which prescribed that the amount standing to the credit of the local government council of the state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state

on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the state.

Justice Ekwo in addition said the guidelines did not contradict or conflict with the provisions of the 4th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution which prescribes the functions of a local government council.

“The duty of the court is limited to expounding the law and not expanding it.

“On the whole, I see the provisions of the guidelines of the 2nd defendant as seeking to direct the monitoring of accounts, transfers and any other means of payment or transfer of funds of local government councils as provided for in Section

3 (1) (r) of the Act of the NFIU. “It only limits cash withdrawal made from any Local Government Account anywhere in the country to amount not exceeding N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) per day.

“Any amount higher than that can be done using other methods of banking transaction save cash.

“Unless it can be shown that there is any provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which these provisions of the 2nd defendant’s guidelines have contradicted or conflicted directly and practically, then the issue of unconstitutionality cannot be said to arise,” he said.

2023: Buhari Charges Security Agencies to Ensure Secure, Prosperous Nigeria Says NAF has justified govt investment in last seven years Sympathises with families of Kano explosion victims Lalong charges Nigerian Army on synergy, confiscation of illegal weapons Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Seriki Adnoyi in Jos President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the military and security agencies to ensure a secure and prosperous Nigeria as the country prepares to go to the polls next year.

Buhari spoke yesterday in Kano at a ceremonial parade to commemorate the 58th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

The president said NAF had justified the federal government’s investment in the upgrading of

equipment and facilities in the force.

In a related development, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong decried the proliferation of weapons by non-state actors, saying this is fuelling insecurity and heightening criminality in the country.

Buhari tasked the security agencies to remain committed, steadfast and resolute, as government pursued its objective of achieving a secure, peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria.

He praised Minister of Defence, Chief of the Defence Staff, and the

service chiefs, as well as the leaderships of the other security agencies for doing their jobs well. Buhari particularly lauded Chief of the Air Staff, officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the air force for the good work they had been doing in support of government’s defence and security policies.

The president commended the high level of discipline, loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and support of democratic values in the air force. He said the Nigerian Air Force had lived

Lagos Develops Off-Grid Electrification Strategy, Action Plan Warns against bringing ethnic, religious, political colourations to Alaba Rago eviction notice The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, yesterday announced that it had developed the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Action Plan with support from the British-funded Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE-TAF).

The government said the programme, which was being implemented by Tetra Tech International Development and funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), was geared towards improvement of the off-grid energy

Labour hails judgement

access in Lagos State.

Speaking during the formal handover ceremony in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr.

Olalere Odusote, explained that the ministry was working to improve energy access in the state. He recalled that in 2021, the government developed the Lagos State Electricity Policy to articulate its vision for creating a viable sub-national electricity sector that catered fully to the needs of its citizens, while also enabling significant socio-economic growth.

Odusote explained that with

the emergence of the off-grid solar sector as an important component in achieving access to energy for all in the State, the ministry had developed the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Plan with the support of ACE-TAF to ensure the implementation of the electricity policy.

Speaking also at the event, ACETAF Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Chibuikem Agbaegbu, said he was delighted to see the collaboration with Lagos State government to improve energy access to Lagosians. Agbaegbu said in 2021, AC-TAF had committed to

supporting the state government in improving the environment for off-grid solar. The organisation had done so through its support in the development of the Lagos State Electricity Policy and the Lagos State Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Action Plan, he said.

Agbaegbu stated that the Off-Grid Electrification Strategy and Plan further underscored the state government’s commitment to clean off-grid electrification, thereby enabling private sector investment in its off-grid electricity market.

Continued online

up to its constitutional responsibilities of securing the country.

According to him, the air force has transformed into a formidable entity, ready to confront immediate and future challenges.

Buhari stated, “It gives me great pleasure to be here to felicitate with you on the Nigerian Air Force 58th Anniversary Celebration. This is particularly because the Nigerian Air Force has over these 58 years transformed to a formidable and resilient air force that is positioned to effectively tackle both contemporary and future security challenges.

“This adaptability has, thus, enabled the service to respond effectively to our dynamic national security challenges. The Nigerian Air Force has been able to meet its constitutional responsibilities thereby justifying the government’s enormous support in the last seven years.”

Buhari noted that on assumption of office in 2005, he had promised to equip and re-professionalise the armed forces to perform their constitutional responsibilities more effectively. He added, "We have, therefore, demonstrated the required political will and leadership as well as committed resources towards capacity building and re-professionalising of the armed forces."

He further said, “Today, I can say confidently that the armed forces

have, indeed, witnessed tremendous improvement in the past seven years.

In particular, the provision of modern equipment and personnel motivation through enhanced welfare are also on-going."

The president noted that the provision of modern equipment like the Super Tucanos and the Augusta helicopter gunships, among others, and personnel motivation had greatly helped turn the tide in the fight against terrorists and other non-state actors, and sustained the Nigerian Air Force.

He assured that his administration would continue to provide more platforms, such as the Beechcraft, some modern helicopter gunships and UAV, for the Nigerian Air Force to enable it man the airspace more effectively.

"Be rest assured that as a government, we are willing to do even more to ensure the provision of the requisite support and encouragement to overcome various security challenges," he said.

Meanwhile, Buhari yesterday commiserated with the families of victims of the recent explosion in Kano. He described the incident as sad and unfortunate.

The victims’ family members, accompanied by various community leaders resident in Sabon Gari area of Kano, including the Eze Igbo, Chief Continued on page 12

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

7

8

TUESDAY MAY24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

9

10

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

INAUGURATION OF EKITI STATE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL...

L-R: Governor of Kebbi State/ Chairman, Ekiti Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore and governor of Photo: ENOCK REUBEN Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, during the inauguration of the Ekiti state gubernatorial campaign council at the APC National secretariat in Abuja... yesterday

Higher Energy Prices Could Trigger Global Recession, IEA Warns IMF says economic outlook has 'darkened' In Davos, WEF seeks 'Marshal Plan' to reconstruct Ukraine Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja A rise in energy demand in the summer could send prices higher and risk a global recession, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol has warned.

Birol, who called on, "everybody in the global energy markets" to do what they can to keep a lid

on prices, told Bloomberg TV in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum's (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday, that all players in energy markets should make a, "positive contribution" to avert price rises.

His warning came as multiple threats to the global economy

topped the worries of the world's well-heeled at the annual Davos think-fest, with some flagging the risk of a worldwide recession.

Political and business leaders are meeting in Davos against a backdrop of inflation at its highest level in a generation, in major economies including the United States, Britain and Europe.

The Chairman of the WEF, Prof.

Klaus Schwab called for a "Marshall Plan" for the reconstruction of Ukraine, while the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, said the war in Ukraine, tighter financial conditions and price shocks, for food in particular, have clearly "darkened" the outlook in the month,

Nigeria Imports Refined Petroleum Products Worth $28bn Yearly, Says Energy Consultant Indigenous firm to sign agreement with S'Korean shipbuilder for construction of second LPG vessel Peter Uzoho The cost of importing petroleum products of all kinds into Nigeria has soared to over $28 billion on an annual basis, Blackgold Energy Authorities, an oil and gas consulting and advisory firm, has revealed.

The Principal Consultant, Blackgold, Dr. Oladunni Owo, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the ongoing two-day Nigerian Content Midstream/Downstream Oil and Gas Summit, with the theme: "Towards Maximising Potential in the Midstream and Downstream Oil & Gas Sector – A Local Content Perspective.”

This was just as the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, also disclosed at the event that Nigerian firm, Temile Development Company Limited, would this week sign an agreement with a South Korean shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, for the construction of the second Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel under the $120 million contract earlier signed in 2018.

In her presentation at the summit, on the topic, "Challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian petroleum refining sector", Owo put Nigeria's per capita refining at 0.002 barrels per day, describing the situation as embarrassing.

"Nigeria's total import for petroleum products is about $28 billion per annum. Nigeria is the largest producer of crude in Africa and third largest importer of refined products in Africa.

"Nigeria's per capita refining is about 0.002 barrels per day, that's

very embarrassing," she stated.

Owo stated that the country had not done enough in building refining capacity, saying in 2015, about 65 modular refinery licenses were approved by the federal government.

According to her, of those 65, only few including Waltersmith Refinery and Niger Delta Refinery have commenced production.

She said the refining sector had been tainted with, "uncertainty due to adverse effect of regulator, subsidy, poor maintenance, general operational failure, inconsistencies, supply of feedstock, vandalisation, piracy, all sorts and all kinds.

"The objective of this is just to bring out the fact that our consumption is high and our import is also very high."

Meanwhile, after the delivery of the first Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel in 2020, out of a two-vessel-building contract valued at over $120, signed in July 2018 between Nigerian oil and gas company, Temile Development Company Limited and South Korean shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, will this week sign agreement for the construction of the second vessel.

Wabote, who disclosed this in his welcome address at the summit, said the agreement signing for the vessel construction between the two companies would be one of the key highlights of the World Gas Conference holding this week in South Korea.

Wabote said that the vessel owned by a local indigenous company would further enhance the supply capability of the LPG across the country.

He explained that the agreement for the first vessel was signed in 2018, and that the vessel was delivered in 2020, noting that agreement for the second vessel was a sign of self-propelled growth for Nigerian indigenous companies in the midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

"As you may be aware, the World Gas Conference is holding this week in South Korea. One of the key highlights at the event is the signing of the agreement construct the 2nd LPG Vessel owned by a local indigenous company to further enhance the supply capability of the LPG across the country.

"Agreement for the first vessel was signed in 2018 and the vessel was delivered in 2020. I am pleased to note that agreement for the second vessel is being executed which is a sign of self-propelled growth for our indigenous companies in the midstream and downstream sectors of the industry", Wabote stated.

He, however, said the initiatives put in place by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, in line with the Decade of Gas declaration of the federal government was the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) with three key elements namely Domestic LPG Expansion, Autogas, and Power Generation.

He said the Domestic LPG Expansion element of the programme targeted 20 million homes to increase the country’s LPG penetration currently estimated at national average of 13 per cent.

He said a glimpse of the LPG value chain in the country presented another plethora of opportunities

for which the board had also gone into partnership with some investors to develop different areas of the value chain.

Wabote maintained that the NCDMB's touchpoints in the LPG value chain covered inland LPG production, LPG jetties/terminals, storage facilities, inland transportation, cylinders manufacturing, bottling, and retail.

He added that their partnership investments in the gas value-chain included Partnership with NEDO Gas Processing Company in Kwale, Delta State, for the establishment of 80 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas processing plant and a 30mmscfd Kwale Gas Gathering hub.

Continued online

noting however, that she was not yet expecting a recession.

The IMF had last month cut its global growth outlook for the second time this year, citing the war in Ukraine and singling out inflation as a "clear and present danger" for many countries.

On her part, European Central Bank (ECB) President and immediate-past IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde, who was expected to speak in Davos today, has warned that growth and inflation were on opposing paths, as mounting price pressures curb economic activity and devastate household purchasing power.

"The Russia-Ukraine war may well prove to be a tipping point for hyper-globalisation," she said in a blog post on yesterday.

"That could lead to supply chains becoming less efficient for a while and, during the transition, create more persistent cost pressures for the economy," Lagarde added.

According to agency reports, the WEF Chairman, Prof. Klaus Schwab, in his opening remarks at the Davos meeting said: "Our first thoughts are with the war in Ukraine. Russia’s aggression on their country will be seen in future history books as the breakdown of the post-World War II and post-Cold War order.

"This is the reason why we speak about a turning point in history. In Davos, our solidarity is foremost with the people suffering from the atrocities of this war."

Meanwhile, the repercussions on

oil and food markets of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February - which Moscow described as a "special military operation", and COVID-19 lockdowns in China with no clear end have compounded the global gloom.

According to German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck: "We have at least four crises, which are interwoven. We have high inflation ... we have an energy crisis... we have food poverty, and we have a climate crisis. And we can't solve the problems if we concentrate on only one of the crises.

"But if none of the problems are solved, I am really afraid we are running into a global recession with tremendous effect .. on global stability," Habeck said during a WEF panel discussion.

Energy prices have risen sharply in 2022 after Russia, a major supplier, invaded Ukraine in late February.

The comment by Birol that a rise in energy demand in the summer could send prices higher and risk a global recession came in the context of a sharp rise in global energy prices as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Western countries are trying to cut their reliance on Russian energy, with the European Union (EU) trying to reach an agreement on a total ban of oil imports from the country.

Birol said these efforts were necessary to punish Russia, but warned they increased the risks for energy markets and the world economy.

NCC Partners AGA for Standardised Cyber Insurance Policy on Internet Governance Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that it was working with the Attorney General Alliance-Africa (AGA) on creating a standardised cyber insurance policy on internet governance in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this while addressing participants at a two-day symposium on internet governance and safeguarding the cyberspace yesterday in Abuja.

Danbatta stated that the symposium was expected to dwell on the

place of the internet and internet governance and the necessary steps towards getting a standardised cyber insurance policy.

He said: "This symposium therefore aims at delivering on the following fronts: advocacy to enhance public awareness of the place of the internet and internet governance in modern economies like ours and the role of cybersecurity, governance and coordination."

Others are fostering strategic initiatives and partnerships for the protection of critical national information infrastructure, encouraging lawyers and law enforcement

agencies to monitor the enforcement of the existing laws and exposing them to latest prevention and detection technologies in promoting deterrence and ensuring effective prosecution where such crimes occur.

According to him, the symposium was also targeted at encouraging organisations at all levels to devote enough resources to information security as a national digital security concern, to invest in appropriate firewalls and protective software and generating conversation around a standardised cyber-insurance policy within the Nigerian insurance industry.

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

11

12

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

TWELVE

Buhari Questions Judiciary’s Commitment to Anti-corruption Fight EFCC secured 1,222 convictions this year Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the loss of cases in the courts on technical grounds cast a slur on the integrity of the judiciary and questioned its commitment to the fight against corruption.

This, he said was an issue generating concern among Nigerians.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, also expressed concerns about corruption cases lost to technicalities at various levels of court in the country, stressing that such development may serve as a disincentive to the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Buhari, who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, at a three-day

capacity building workshop with the theme: “Judicial Dynamism: A Key Factor in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes,” organised for judicial officers, corruption investigators and prosecutors, said cases lost on technical grounds questioned the commitment of the judiciary in the fight against corruption.

“Every corruption case lost on technical ground raises questions about judicial commitment to the fight against corruption.

Perpetrators of corruption, economic and financial crimes should not be allowed to escape the justice they deserve on grounds of technicalities and conservatism," he said.

"The judiciary should not see itself or act as mere spectators or bystanders whilst criminals exploit mere technicalities to escape with our commonwealth, get bolder and embolden others to continue in the unwholesome act of corruption,” he added.

Buhari therefore charged judicial officers to, “consciously aim to plug loopholes being exploited in our laws by critical elements in our midst.”

In his contribution, Bawa also expressed concerns about corruption cases lost to technicalities at various levels of court in the country, stressing that such development may serve as a disincentive to the fight against economic and financial crimes.

He said corruption cases lost on technical grounds had a way of boosting the confidence of corrupt elements and negatively affected the cherished image of the judiciary.

“As a commission, we do not expect every judicial decision to go our way, but there are instances the EFCC and many Nigerians have been left at a loss about certain judicial decisions, where defendants who obviously have stolen

our commonwealth and those who have aided and abetted them have been allowed to go home to enjoy their proceeds of crime on technical grounds.

"This has the tendency of affecting negatively the cherished image of and confidence in the Nigerian judiciary both locally and internationally," he said.

“In the commission, we hold the view that corruption is a plague that does not select its victims. Those stealing and abusing our common patrimony do not wish us well. "Judges are as much victims of corruption as the ordinary man on the streets. It is therefore in our collective interest that the gains of the fight against corruption are not reversed. This is also why we must aggregate fresh opinions and forge deliberate winning tactics and strategies to stem its ugly tide,” Buhari added.

Reviewing the impact of

the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes, in its 19 years of existence, the EFCC boss stressed that the commission had carved a niche for itself with numerous milestones to its name.

“However, in the little over a year that I have had the privilege to superintend, the commission secured an unprecedented record of 2,220 convictions. It is the highest ever in the history of the commission and as I address you this morning, we have already secured 1,222 convictions, thus far, this year,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), commended the EFCC and the National Judicial Institute for collaborating over the years in building capacity for judicial officers, stressing that technological advancements and

globalisation made it imperative for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to be up to date with emerging trends.

"We are aware that technological advancements and globalisation have brought about an increase in digital activities and transactions. Economic and financial crimes have moved to the digital world and cybercrime has become the focal domain of criminals.

"There is a need, therefore, to bring our judiciary and the law enforcement agencies up to date with emerging digital trends,” he added.

Also, at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, assured that the workshop would identify factors that served as impediments to the effectiveness of the EFCC and the judiciary as veritable tools for the prevention and successful prosecution of financial crime cases in Nigeria.

“We did say at the time that it will not be and we say that purely as market participants who have seen what it is going to take to untangle the supply chain that has become an issue.

“Bear in mind inflation is a big problem for investors. And when it is globalised and synchronised at the same time in the US, Europe, and across Africa, this will continue to challenge and affect returns in 2022.”

He said, “I think that 2022 would be the toughest year of investing over the last 15 years. Since between 2008 and now this will be the toughest year for investing because navigating inflation and controlling it without triggering a recession is the biggest challenge that central bank governors all over the world have to deal with. And that is always not a good time for investment.”

Continuing, he said, “So I need you to understand that the outlook in 2022 and beyond will be affected by inflation and numbers may not be anywhere near as close to what

they've been historically. I think the world is now in a new phase of investment cycles, and we all should be prepared.”

He further predicted a risk of recession in 2022 as central banks intensify efforts to curtail inflation.

“This is a challenge and the navigation of what many of you are already seeing across most asset prices, particularly technology companies that have been highly valued over the last 2-3-4 years and now feeling the heat as interest rates start to rise in the efforts to contain inflation,” Orji said.

He added, “This is also something that is affecting emerging market debt. Also, this issue of rising interest rates as we curtail inflation I think will continue to affect, emerging market debt, particularly the Eurobonds.

“So the first half of 2022 maybe up until the third quarter would remain challenging, but I'm very optimistic that into the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, things will look a little bit better.”

DESPITE GLOBAL HEADWINDS, NSIA GROWS NET ASSET TO N920BN IN 2021 According to him, it posted core income of N100.8 billion in 2021, down eight per cent compared to N109.6 billion in 2020. The core income excluded forex gains of N45.8 billion in 2021 and N51.2 billion in 2020.

Providing further breakdown of its performances in the review period, Orji said total comprehensive income declined marginally in 2021 by 8.2 per cent to close the year at N147.0 billion compared to N160.1 billion in 2020.

Notwithstanding, he described the performance as a, “very solid result,” adding “we're very pleased with the way we navigated 2021 as an authority.”

The NSIA boss however noted that global inflation remained a significant disincentive to investments adding that it has continued to distort the global economy.

He said: “Reactions to the raging global inflation may lead to recessions in certain economies as central banks have announced varying measures of rate hikes and halt to balance sheet expansion.

“The human and economic costs of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have continued to escalate resulting in

heightened geopolitical tension, disruption of the global supply chain, inflation, and potential impact on food security.”

Orji added that: “The growth prospect in China will be undermined by its zero-tolerance stance on the emergence of COVID-19 leading to lockdown in different regions and cities.”

However, in view of the positive performances over the years, the NSIA MD said it was considering the idea of paying dividend to the shareholders of the fund including the federal and state governments. But he pointed out that the gesture was subject to the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC).

Orji, said a decision would have to be made as to whether it was necessary for pay dividends now or plough back the proceeds into additional investment for greater returns, given that the NSIA returned $150 million in October 2020, to the government from the Stabilisation Fund in line with the provisions of the NSIA Act 2011.

He also hinted that the work on the Second Niger Bridge would be completed by December.

According to him however, the single biggest risk for global capital market was complicated by the Russia- Ukraine war, as well as supply chain issues in China as it struggles to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that, “these are all factors that create headwinds into 2022.”

Orji said, “In Nigeria, these global headwinds are exacerbated by challenges in the local environment. The World Bank, CBN, and Fitch have projected the Nigerian economy will grow by 2.5 per cent, 3.1 per cent, and 2.8 per cent respectively.

“Notwithstanding the outcomes, the growth range will have minimal impact on the per-capita given the population growth rate at 2.5 per cent.”

Orji warned that financial performance of the NSIA in 2022 will be impacted by developments in the global and local environment given its exposure across the three funds namely the Stabilisation Fund, Future Generation Fund and Infrastructure Fund.

But he assured that the authority will take steps to strengthen the resilience of its strategy through

2023: BUHARI CHARGES SECURITY AGENCIES TO ENSURE SECURE, PROSPEROUS NIGERIA Nicholas Ibekwe, were assembled at the palace of the Emir, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, for the meeting with the president.

Buhari, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said he was extremely pained by the loss of lives and injury to many due to the explosion. He added, “My thoughts and that of the nation are with the bereaved families.

I hope the injured will recover fully at the earliest possible time.”

Buhari drew parallels between Kano and his native Daura and described the palace of the emir as his own home. He commended the traditional institution and the people of Kano for standing with him at all times.

In his speech, the emir thanked the president for the condolences and commended him for providing a fair and just leadership.

He conveyed Kano community’s appreciation for the numerous things the federal government was doing in the state, and prayed for the emergence of good leaders in the coming elections.

On his part, the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, announced a cash support for the families of the deceased, the injured and others whose property were damaged by the explosion.

Lalong Charges Nigerian Army on Synergy, Confiscation of Illegal Weapons

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong denounced the increasing amount of weapons in the hands of non-state actors, and said this was

fuelling insecurity and heightening criminality in the country.

Speaking at the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) 2022 held at Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Lalong said the effort of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to curb crime was being jeopardised by the prevalence of small and light weapons in the hands of non-state actors. He urged the Army to mop up every illegal weapon.

The governor said the Nigerian Army boasted great men and women who possessed skills and potential essential in enhancing the national security architecture.

They have demonstrated this over and over again by addressing several cases of insecurity where lives and properties were threatened, Lalong said.

The governor explained, "Let me also use this opportunity to request that the Nigerian Army and, indeed, the security agencies in the country do more to ensure that arms are taken away from non-state actors.

“The level at which unpermitted persons get access to arms and ammunition in the country is very worrying. This has increased the cases of kidnapping, violent crimes and terrorism across the nation.

“While I urge you to continue in this regard, I wish to also emphasise the need for synergy among security agencies for better results. In a society where criminals are becoming more sophisticated, we need to close ranks and ensure that no one is left behind.

This includes the civilian population, which also has the duty to provide necessary and timely information

to security agencies.”

Lalong said his administration had done a lot to build the capacity of community and traditional systems as well as vigilante groups to serve as a support system to the conventional security apparatus at the grassroots.

He expressed hope that the competition would present a veritable avenue for the participating teams to discover their potential and sharpen the skills required to enhance kinetic operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He urged the officers and men to demonstrate teamwork, discipline, commitment and professionalism in the course of the exercise.

The GOC 3rd Armoured Division and Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali, said the exercise was a bi-annual event that brought together competitors from various formations of the Nigerian Army to compete in various categories in marksmanship and handling of small weapons.

Ali thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Farouk Yahaya, for approving the hosting of the 2022 NASAC by the 3rd Armoured Division and also making funds available for the event to be organised.

The representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Stephen Olabamji, in an interview with newsmen, said the exercise was part of the overall programmes of the Nigerian Army towards ensuring that officers and men are equipped with the right skills in weapon handling that would enable them continue to perform their task of protecting the country.

diversification, portfolio selection, and other options to enhance the risk/ return profile and liquidity.

He said the ESG and assets transfer will be critical to the overall long-term strategy of the NSIA to expand access to third-party capital and support the global effort toward building a climate-resilient economy.

Orji also said that the fund would make significant footprint in agriculture in 2022, stressing that “we've been able to show the abilities in some areas and we're now going to roll out funding even more aggressively.”

He insisted inflation remained major constraints to reasonable projections going forward.

He said, “I did say, that there was just too much money pumped into the market globally and that there will be inflationary concerns.

But I remember very smart economists dismissed it and said it was going to be a short-term thing; even some central bank governors, even the Federal Reserve, thought it was going to be short-term.

ADAMU: EKITI MY FIRST TEST, I WILL NOT FAIL TO DELIVER stated this yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Campaign Council.

The APC national chairman appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be impartial during the election.

Adamu stated, "With this inauguration today, we are giving a marching order to the campaign council and our great people of Ekiti State on the platform of our great party, the APC. "Ekiti is the first election that we will be having in this dispensation of APC. God has blessed our lives; God has blessed my life and my political career. Once there's a contest, there will be a winner and a loser; we are never on the losing side.

"But we don't take that for granted. We are going to work as hard as we can to ensure that we deliver our gubernatorial candidate as the next governor of Ekiti State."

The chairman stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari was on his way out of the presidential villa, saying the president has stated clearly that he seeks no extension.

Adamu stated, "The Nigerian constitution has given him two terms of four years each. He has started his second term and at the end of it, he doesn't intend to and doesn't ask for anybody to ask for a third term or any elongation of tenure.

"Recently, he made the same pronouncement sometime earlier this year. So we are on a bond like him to see that he has soft landing and that is to deliver this party to victory and Ekiti State is the first test.

"So he takes this election very seriously. We will try to do as much as possible, we will be guided by the rules of engagement for elections. We will observe every rule, every guideline and we do hope

that those who will be responsible for overseeing the compliance will be fair arbiters, will be fair referees, will be fair umpires."

National Organising Secretary of APC, Sulaiman Argungu, said with the inauguration of the committee, the party had commenced the last-mile journey to retaining the government of Ekiti State.

Argungu recalled that the party conducted a rancour-free governorship primary election, where Mr. Biodun Oyebanji emerged as the party's candidate without any of the aspirants sustaining any sort of action against his triumph at any court of law.

Argungu said that was indicative of the cherished democratic ethos of APC and suggestive of its determination to go into the Ekiti State governorship election and any other elections with a united front that would ensure victory at the poll.

According to him, “In addition to our party’s commitment to respecting constitutionally defined internal processes in our primary elections, we are also determined, and have, indeed, triggered a deliberate policy of mainstreaming the inclusion of our women and youth membership in whatever democratic undertakings we are to embark upon as a party.”

Argungu noted that the inclusion policy was exemplified in the composition of the Ekiti State governorship campaign council.

He said apart from the general membership of the council, six more women had been added to specially represent the women’s wing.

He said the party also added more youths to the campaign council as a reflection of its philosophy of accomplishing the party's objectives through the contributions and ener-

gies of all identifiable stakeholders within the party.

Argungu said, "Our confidence is further reinforced by the legacy of service and delivery of quality projects the outgoing governor of Ekiti State has imprinted on the process and environment of governance in the state.

“We know that the good people of Ekiti State will pay back the impressive accomplishments of Dr. Kayode Fayemi by voting massively for APC so as to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy being facilitated by the ruling APC in the state."

Chairman of the campaign council and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, however, expressed concern that some members of the council did not appreciate the importance attached to the assignment.

Bagudu said, "This assignment should be acknowledged by all party members because we are only important when we are in power.”

He said when members “take the election elsewhere as unimportant or serving the party outside our normal abode as unimportant, then we are dooming the party.”

Bagudu assured the APC national chairman of excellent service by the campaign council, and victory in the end.

"You have said it already that this is the first under your able leadership and because it is a first, it will form a memory of what happened in the last four years, because four years ago, we also had gubernatorial election in Ekiti State and I was privileged and honored to serve as chairman," the Kebbi State governor said.

Bagudu said going into the election would be easier for APC considering Fayemi’s achievements.

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

13

14

TUESDAY MAY24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

15

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022

16

POLITICS

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

The Clamour for an Amaechi Presidency Vanessa Obioha argues that Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Minister of Transportation has all it takes to become President of Nigeria

A

s the 2023 general elections draw near, the campaign for the best candidate to rule the country next year is getting intense, image makers and supporters are arduously pushing their candidates to the forefront and spinning words that highlight their attributes and achievements intended to drown other contenders in the race.

Of all the elections, the presidential is gaining the most spotlight. The reason is not far-fetched.

It is the most coveted position and given the texture of the current administration, not a few are waving their colourful flags on poles, hoping that it will attract the people and earn their votes.

But Nigerians, oppressed by leadership shortcomings are looking for a leader with the right qualification in all ramifications.

Gradually, the days of flashing freshly minted Naira notes to electorates to win their votes are fading. Nigerians are questioning the character as well as the efficiency of presidential aspirants. Therefore, contenders vying for the highest position at Aso Rock are putting their best foot forward and ensuring that their feat speak for them.

Such is the case of the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. Until recently, he was the Minister of Transportation, but following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) running for elective offices in the 2023 general elections and have obtained nomination forms to submit their letters of resignation on or before Monday, May 16, 2022, Amaechi tendered his resignation. Though many of the ministers, having weighed their chances and believing they have slim chances of emerging victorious at the polls, quickly withdrew their bids and chose to keep their positions.

However, Amaechi who is seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2023, officially resigned from office on May 16, 2022.

In his resignation letter, Amaechi, who was also the Director-General of President Buhari’s Campaign Organisation in 2015 and 2019 expressed profound gratitude to the President for considering him fit to serve in his administration. He equally thanked Buhari for the enormous support given to him, which he said, was responsible for the tremendous record of achievements he made in the Ministry of Transportation over the last seven years.

“It is with mixed feelings that I tender my resignation as the Minister of Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to contest for the presidential ticket of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

“Your Excellency, it has been a great honour and privilege serving as a member of your cabinet following your historic victory at the polls in 2015. Under your administration, the Ministry of Transportation has recorded significant achievements, made possible by your visionary support and commitment to ensuring that we deliver on our mandate.

“As I embark on the next phase of our mission to work towards a better Nigeria for all Nigerians, I humbly seek Your Excellency’s prayers, and blessings and look towards your continuous support and guidance. Your Excellency, whilst humbly seeking your kind consideration of my request please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Given the role he played in the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Nigeria’s ruling party in 2015, many political analysts believe that Amaechi is the most qualified among those aspiring to secure the ticket of the APC for the 2023 presidential election.

To others, he is widely reckoned as the best performing minister in President Buhari’s cabinet owing to the kind of zeal and energy with which he carried on in his revolutionisation of the transport sector, especially in the rail system.

According to them, all the agencies under

Amaechi

his direct supervision – Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, etc, have been remarkably transformed and repositioned for better performance and greater efficiency in their operations.

Amaechi is positioning himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the campaign for the APC ticket.

He has everything going for him in terms of age (57 years in 2023), experience, religion, power shift agitation and other factors that will shape the presidential race, especially in the ruling party. His loyalists strongly believe that he has the most useful experience in governance and government, after spending unbroken 23 years in power.

Speaking on Amaechi’s chances, a lawyer, rights activist and public affairs analyst, Udoh Sunday has this to say “Amaechi’s chances in the forthcoming APC primary are as bright as the morning star.

Although underrated in some quarters, his understanding of palace politics has become evident, especially after the APC convention. His rise from nowhere to

where he is is divine and cannot be thrown away. He is a national asset.

“With the role played in the emergence of Buhari as president in 2015 and 2019, not leaving anything to chance and at personal risk, he has earned the absolute trust of the north across the board. His title, Dan Amanar Daura, is a testament. I won’t be surprised if he is the anointed candidate for president.”

He continued: “The Amaechi I know is fearless, efficient, hands-on, competent, God-fearing and compassionate. He is a true Nigerian and extremely unbiased when the issue is Nigeria. He has all it takes to address Nigeria’s most disturbing challenge, which is insecurity. He set an example in Rivers when he was governor and can repeat the same in Nigeria if elected as president in 2023. A vote for Amaechi is a vote for a new thinking towards a new Nigeria”.

One of the youth leaders of the Amaechi for President Campaign Abiodun Sanya said: “Amaechi is that one candidate with the most visibility to unify Nigeria, showing staggering understanding of the dynamics of her fault lines. If addressing the concerns that bind Nigerians together is genuinely a desire of all, then, the experience cannot be overemphasised and Amaechi is number one here. Amaechi typifies the story of the average Nigerian and one that everyone can relate to and he is the president Nigeria needs at this time in her national life.”

One of the prominent northerners who has been the arrowheads of the Amaechi campaign

Given the role he played in the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Nigeria’s ruling party in 2015, many political analysts believe that Amaechi is the most qualified among those aspiring to secure the ticket of the APC for the 2023 presidential election. He is widely reckoned as the best performing minister in President Buhari’s cabinet owing to the kind of zeal and energy with which he carried on in his revolutionisation of the transport sector, especially in the rail system

is a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who is now Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin. Speaking while addressing delegates of the APC in Bauchi, last week, Buratai stated that he was spurred to give his support to Amaechi due to the minister’s profile and experience in governance.

“The profile of Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is quite intimidating. He has proven to be a sound administrator, a versatile leader, a good strategist and a politician par excellence, who has shown good qualities in all areas he has worked.

“As Speaker, as Governor, as Minister and also first among equals during his tenure as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as well as the dexterity and the quality of the campaign (for President Buhari) that he led on two occasions. That is why I am giving him my full support.

“He did that diligently with all his determination, loyalty and of course with love for Nigeria and love for humanity irrespective of what religion you belong to. This is quite commendable, that’s why he’s here today to solicit your votes. From what you have heard about him, I believe you know that he’s the man of the moment. He is the right choice.

So, I urge you to make the right choice and vote for him.”

Also, leaders and members of the APC under the aegis of the North Central APC Forum have thrown their weight behind Amaechi’s presidential aspiration, saying he is the most qualified person to succeed President Buhari.

Its chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, reiterated the support and commitment of the forum to Amaechi’s presidential bid in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Zazzaga said the forum’s decision to support Amaechi’s ambition was spurred by his exceptional abilities which he would use to move the country to the next level if elected president.

He said Amaechi is a detribalised Nigerian and a friend of all the regions in the country, saying someone like him was needed at this time in the country’s history. He called on political party leaders and the electorates to always support a man who will unite the country, improve security, boost the economy and revitalize all the key sectors of the nation.

Speaking further, he said having studied all APC presidential aspirants, they have concluded that only Amaechi has what it takes to replace President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“Even though our initial quest was to ensure that someone from the region emerges as the next president, now, it may be impossible, particularly from our party (APC) perspective with the emergence of the party national chairman from the region and the zoning of the presidency to the south.

“But having carefully studied the presidential aspirants from our party, we have decided to settle for Amaechi because of his quality and strength of character. His achievements are laudable and generally beneficial to the people. That is why we have decided to give our support to him as the next and right person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023”.

In the Southern part of the country, a coalition of 13 socio-political groups, drawn from the South-South and Southeastern Nigeria also declared support for Amaechi’s bid to become the next President of Nigeria in 2023.

Rising from their extraordinary general meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, the youths under the aegis of Southern States Youths Coalition (SSYC), condemned a series of blackmail against the Minister, noting that such debased action against the former Rivers governor is the handiwork of political jobbers.

“As far as state and national politics are concerned, Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has paid his dues and the records of his achievements are there in Rivers and at the centre, where he had been acquitted himself so well so many accolades and awards to his efforts,” the group noted.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

17

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Ukraine’s President Asks Davos Global Elite to Help Isolate Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told world leaders and business executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Monday that they faced a turning point following Russia’s invasion of his country — and that it was time to ratchet up sanctions against Moscow.

It is the first time world and business leaders have gathered at Davos since January 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic. They now operate in a vastly changed world faced with numerous challenges: the war in Ukraine, economic crises and food shortages.

Dressed not in the business uniform of the Davos elite but in the army fatigues of a wartime leader, Ukraine’s president addressed delegates by video link from Kyiv. He demanded “maximum sanctions” on Russia.

“An embargo on Russian oil, a complete blockade of all Russian banks, without exception. Total abandonment of the Russian IT sector and complete cessation of trade with the aggressor… do not wait for Russia’s use of special weapons, chemical, biological, God forbid, nuclear,” Zelenskyy urged the audience in Davos.

“You need to set a precedent for the complete exit of all foreign businesses from the Russian market so that your brands are not associated with war crimes and that war criminals do not use your offices, accounts, and goods in their bloody interests.”.

Russian UN Envoy Quits in Protest of Ukraine Invasion A veteran Russian diplomat to the United Nations office in Geneva resigned Monday because he said he was “so ashamed” of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine three months ago.

In a rare but not unprecedented protest within the Russian diplomatic corps, Boris Bondarev, 41, handed in his resignation in a letter addressed to Ambassador Gennady Gatilov. He then released a scathing denunciation of the Russian war effort.

“The aggressive war unleashed by Putin against Ukraine, and in fact against the entire Western world, is not only a crime against the Ukrainian people,” Bondarev said, “but also perhaps the most serious crime against the people of Russia, with a bold letter Z (signifying support for the war) crossing out all hopes and prospects for a prosperous free society in our country.”

Bondarev, who has focused on Russian disarmament issues in Geneva, contended “that those who conceived this war want only one thing — to remain in power forever, live in pompous tasteless palaces, sail in yachts comparable in tonnage and costs to the entire Russian navy, enjoying unlimited power and complete impunity.”

Russian Gets Life Imprisonment in Ukraine War Crimes Trial A Russian soldier who pleaded guilty to killing a civilian was sentenced Monday by a Ukrainian court to life in prison — the maximum — amid signs the Kremlin may, in turn, put on trial some of the captured fighters who held out at Mariupol’s steelworks.

Meanwhile, in a rare public expression of opposition to the war from the ranks of the Russian elite, a veteran Kremlin diplomat resigned and sent a scathing letter to foreign colleagues in which he said of the invasion, “Never have I been so ashamed of my country as on Feb. 24.”

Also, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for “maximum” sanctions against Russia in a video address to world leaders and executives at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

And on the battlefield, heavy fighting raged in the Donbas in the east, where Moscow’s forces had stepped up their bombardment. Cities not under Russian control were constantly shelled, and one Ukrainian military official said Russian forces targeted civilians trying to flee.

In the first of what could be a multitude

German officials also said Scholz would make a stop in Niger, a country that, like its neighbours, has long been battling Islamic extremists.

of war crimes trials inside Ukraine, Russian Vadim Shishimarin, 21, was sentenced for the killing of a 62-year-old man who was shot in the head in a village in the northeastern Sumy region in the early days of the war.

Pentagon: 20 Countries Sending New Security Aid to Ukraine About 20 countries are sending new security assistance packages for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said after concluding the second meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

“Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defence systems, tanks and other armoured vehicles. Others came forward with new commitments for training Ukraine’s forces and sustaining its military systems,” Austin told reporters at the Pentagon Monday.

Denmark said it would provide Ukrainian forces with a harpoon launcher and missiles, while the Czech Republic donated attack helicopters, tanks and rocket systems.

Monday’s meeting included 47 nations which participated virtually, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, the top U.S. military officer. Austria, Colombia and Ireland were among the new participants.

The next Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting will be held on June 15 in Brussels.

“Everyone here understands the stakes of this war, and they stretch far beyond Europe,” Austin said.

New Australian Prime Minister Sworn in after Election Win Australia’s new prime minister was sworn in Monday before flying to Japan for talks with US President Joe Biden and other world leaders. Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese won Saturday’s general election, ending almost a decade of conservative government.

Albanese’s left-of-centre government faces key foreign policy challenges, including an increasingly fractious relationship with China.

The new prime minister said bilateral ties with Beijing are “difficult.” They have been strained in recent years over various geopolitical disputes.

Beijing recently signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands, a hitherto traditional ally of Australia in the Pacific. That has prompted fears of greater Chinese expansionism in the

region. Labour had accused the then conservative government of neglecting Australia’s neighbours in the Pacific.

Analysts expect the new Albanese government to focus its diplomatic efforts in South-East Asia on boosting alliances to counter China’s assertiveness.

Albanese will attend Tuesday’s Quad summit in Tokyo with Biden and the leaders of India and Japan. Labour’s deputy leader Richard Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the unprecedented nature of Beijing’s leadership creates difficulty..

German Chancellor Scholz Kicks off Africa Trip in Senegal German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country is interested in a major gas exploitation project in Senegal as he began a three-nation visit to Africa on Sunday that also is focused on the geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Senegal is believed to have significant deposits of natural gas along its border with Mauritania at a time when Germany and other European countries are trying to reduce their dependence on importing Russian gas.

“We have begun exchanges, and we will continue our efforts at the level of experts because it is our wish to achieve progress,” Scholz said at a joint news briefing with Senegalese President Macky Sall.

BP is leading the gas project off the coast of Senegal, and the first barrels are not expected until next year.

This week’s trip marks Scholz’s first to Africa since becoming chancellor nearly six months ago. Two of the countries he is visiting — Senegal and South Africa — have been invited to attend the group of 7 summit in Germany at the end of June.

Participants there will try to find a common position toward Russia, which was kicked out of the then-Group of Eight following its 2014 seizure of Crimea from Ukraine.

Leaders at the G-7 summit will also address the threat of climate change.

Several G-7 countries, including Germany and the United States, signed a ‘just energy transition partnership’ with South Africa last year to help the country wean itself off heavily polluting coal.

A similar agreement is in the works with Senegal, where Germany has supported the construction of a solar farm.

No Evidence Monkeypox Virus Has Mutated, Says WHO The World Health Organization does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated, a senior executive at the U.N. agency said on Monday, noting the infectious disease that is endemic in the west and central Africa has tended not to change.

Rosamund Lewis, head of the smallpox secretariat, which is part of the WHO Emergencies Programme, told a briefing that mutations are typically lower with this virus, although genome sequencing of cases will help inform understanding of the current outbreak.

The more than 100 suspected and confirmed cases in the recent outbreak in Europe and North America have not been severe, the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonoses lead and technical lead on COVID-19, Maria van Kerkhove said.

“This is a containable situation,” she said.

According to the WHO, the outbreaks are atypical, as they occur in countries where the virus does not regularly circulate. Scientists are seeking to understand the origin of the cases and whether anything about the virus has changed.

Biden Launches Indo-Pacific Economic Framework US President Joe Biden announced on Monday the launch of the IndoPacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which includes a dozen Indo-Pacific countries and is designed to provide a counterweight against Chinese economic clout in the region.

“The future of the 21st Century economy is going to largely be written in the Indo-Pacific — in our region,” Biden said during IPEF’s launch event.

“We’re writing the new rules.”

The countries joining the launch are Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Biden was joined in person by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch event in Tokyo and virtually by the others.

IPEF is seen as a key step in the U.S. effort to re-engage Indo-Pacific nations on trade more than five years after the U.S. withdrew from a regional comprehensive trade pact, the Trans-Pacific Partnership known as TPP. “The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is part of President Biden’s commitment to putting American families and workers in the centre of economic and foreign policy while strengthening our ties with allies and partners for the purpose of increasing shared prosperity and for the purpose of defining the coming decades for technological innovation in the global economy,” U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Sunday.

The group represents 40 per cent of the world GDP, Sullivan said, adding that other countries could join in the future. There are no market access or tariff reduction provisions in the framework, as in previous free trade agreements — trade incentives that countries in the region desire. Even as Japan said it welcomes IPEF, it is signalling that it wants more.

“Japan welcomes the launch of the Indo-Pacific economic framework, IPEF, by Biden and will participate and cooperate in this initiative,” said Kishida in his joint press conference with Biden earlier Monday. “Regarding the TPP, we are truly hoping for a return of the United States.”

18

TUESDAY MAY24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

119

T H I S D AY TUESDAY MAY 24, Tuesday May2022 24, 2022 Vol 27. No 9906 TR

See page 20 WHAT ‘CONSENSUS’ IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT CHARLES ONUNAIJU argues that the selection of presidential candidates is too important to be left in the hands of party barons See page 20 TRENDING TOPICS FOR TEENAGERS OLUSESAN ADENIYI argues the need to engage children in talking

See page 21 PARENTS AS ROLE MODELS Parents should be blamed for lax behaviour of their children, writes CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE See page 21 EDITORIAL THE PROPENSITY FOR JUNGLE JUSTICE

See page 22

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NIGERIA AND TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS The manner politics is conducted is a threat to democracy, contends PAUL EJIME

UT H

The Obi phenomenon has potentially profound implications for Nigeria’s politics, writes PAUL NWABUIKWU

WIN OR LOSE, PETER OBI HAS MADE A MARK “I wish to tell you my voluntary retirement has been approved by @HQNigerianArmy which has paved way for me to vigorously campaign for Peter Obi as my preferred candidate of choice come 2023 insha Allah we will rescue this country”, a young man who LGHQWLÀHG KLPVHOI DV 0XVD 'DZD DQQRXQFHG on Twitter last Sunday.

In Yola, another young man, in a clip on social media, declared that he is a member of ´/LNH 0LQGV IRU 3HWHU 2EL PRELOL]HG IURP WKH 21 local government councils of Adamawa State for a rally in solidarity with Peter Obi”. He adds that since the police had not guaranteed security for their planned event, his group has decided to suspend its planned rally at a popular square, but will send a letter to the state party headquarters to make a case for Peter Obi, the man they are supporting as WKH 3'3 SUHVLGHQWLDO FDQGLGDWH Elsewhere in other parts of the country, WKH 2QH 0LOOLRQ 0DQ 0DUFK IRU 3HWHU 2EL LV trending, as Nigerians, mainly youths from DOO WKH SROLWLFDO ]RQHV GHPRQVWUDWH WKHLU support for a man who says that he will not bribe anybody. Obi’s strongest support understandably is in the south east but his DSSHDO LV VLJQLÀFDQW LQ RWKHUV ]RQHV WRR :KDW is going on?

I confess: I didn’t know Peter Obi would make such a big splash this time. I had WKRXJKW KLV JHWWLQJ RQ WKH 3'3 WLFNHW ZLWK $WLNX $EXEDNDU ZRXOG EH WKH ]HQLWK of his political prominence. Four years on, I had expected his political star to wane. How wrong I was.

In Nigeria, a country with a very short memory, a man who last served as governor 15 years ago, who is famous (or infamous, if you’re a professional politician with no other VRXUFH RI LQFRPH IRU Á\LQJ HFRQRP\ DQG is not a big spender, is not a prototype for political relevance. In fact, Obi’s message of SDWULRWLF SUXGHQFH DQG VDFULÀFLDO OHDGHUVKLS is not the usual formula for political success in Nigeria. Not in a system in which politics is all about money, ethnicity, regionalism and, of course, religion. Given the prevailing political culture, he ticks all the wrong boxes. His popularity upends the conventional wisdom of Nigeria’s politics and suggests that the Nigerian electorate may be smarter than we think.

Even though I knew he had struck a chord with his well-received appearances on The Platform as well as interviews in which he articulated his unique gospel of hard work and patriotic frugality to rapt audiences, I thought the Obi brand as a potent politician had reached its sell by date. But it has become increasingly clear that to Nigerians used to the conspicuous consumption of loud politicians ZKRVH SRZHU LV GHÀQHG QRW E\ VHUYLFH WR WKH people but their long convoys and retinues of fawning aides, his disarming simplicity and commonsense message is an invigorating blast of freshness. The Obi phenomenon has potentially profound implications for Nigeria’s politics and politicking. Here are

some reasons why.

First, like already stated, his surging popularity suggests that the Nigerian voter may not be quite as jaded and greedy as many analysts say. This is particularly true of the younger generation which is leading the Obi revolt against seemingly settled political FHUWLWXGHV <HV WKLV LV D VRFLHW\ GHÀQHG E\ pervasive wrong values and the worsening economic conditions have made it even more GL΀FXOW IRU WKH DYHUDJH FLWL]HQ WU\LQJ WR PDNH ends meet to choose right over wrong. No, Nigeria is not undergoing a moral revolution.

Far from it. The recent statement by American UDSSHU 'D %DE\ WKDW KH KDG WR ´SD\ WKH whole airport” on his way out of the country FRQÀUPV WKDW ZH DUH VWLOO LQ D EDG SODFH 7KH repulsive culture of aggressive extortion and unctuous begging is alive and well. But the excitement over Obi is perhaps an indication that even while engaged in the wrong actions, many Nigerians can sense that to have a chance at a better future, we must to do WKLQJV GLͿHUHQWO\ ,W·V QRW XQOLNH WKH IDPRXV UHVHDUFK ÀQGLQJ WKDW FKLOGUHQ EURXJKW XS LQ permissive environments know that there’s something wrong with the lack of discipline they “enjoy”.

Second, the Obi surge might also indicate that, despite the pungent ethnic, regional DQG UHOLJLRXV ÁDYRXU RI RXU SROLWLFV WKHUH

The Obi surge might also indicate that, despite the pungent ethnic, regional and religious flavour of our politics, there are millions of Nigerians who can rise above these primordial and sectarian considerations

are millions of Nigerians who can rise above these primordial and sectarian considerations.

I think one lesson that many have imbibed over the past eight years is that desperate times demand a new way of thinking. :KHQ \RX DUH LQ WKH KDUVK JULS RI KXQJHU and insecurity and tomorrow is not certain, an incompetent corrupt kinsman is not the ideal saviour. In that sense, Obi represents something bigger than himself. He is a metaphor for all Nigerians in all parts of the FRXQWU\ ZKR KDYH VRPHWKLQJ WR RͿHU ZKR have the vision and the capacity to contribute to a better country but who, because of the corrupt and exclusivist politics that has held the country down for so long, are afraid to step out. Hopefully, Obi’s courage will give them courage. It is in the interest of the country that they do.

Hopefully, the Obi phenomenon will refocus our politics away from its current godfather-dominated trajectory which SULRULWL]HV WKH SOLDELOLW\ RI SURVSHFWLYH candidates over their capacity. It’s one of the most retrogressive aspects of our democracy.

The current president of Indonesia, Joko :LGRGR WKH ÀUVW RQH ZLWKRXW HOLWH SROLWLFDO and military antecedents was a popular high performing Governor of the country’s capital, Jakarta before his election. The current president of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol was a respected public prosecutor who, as Chief RI WKH 6HRXO &HQWUDO 'LVWULFW 3URVHFXWRU·V 2΀FH EHFDPH SRSXODU DIWHU WKH NH\ UROH KH played in convicting two former presidents for corruption.

In the US, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George Bush Jnr were all governors who EHFDPH YLDEOH QDWLRQDO SROLWLFDO ÀJXUHV DQG ultimately US presidents based on their performance.

Godfathers are not a Nigerian invention.

But in more successful political systems, they usually put their clout and money behind candidates who either have shown some promise which could resonate with the public or have already achieved a measure of popularity based on their performance. In Nigeria, godfathers generally pick those they can control even when they have nothing WR RͿHU ² D UHFLSH IRU SURGXFLQJ WKH NLQG RI underachieving disasters that dot our political landscape. Our politics needs to start growing in this people-led direction and away from the cynical godfather model. And Obi’s challenge of political orthodoxies, backed by his strong performance as governor, is a great example in this context.

The reality is that Peter Obi’s chances of ZLQQLQJ WKH 3'3 WLFNHW DUH YLUWXDOO\ QLO +H does not have what it takes to change the geo-political realities to sway godfathers or the delegates whose political ideology can be captured on a dollar note. But his example and HͿRUWV DUH XOWLPDWHO\ JRRG IRU WKH FRXQWU\ ,W·V FKDQJH ² WKH ULJKW NLQG RI FKDQJH Nwabuikwu is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

2 20

T H I S D AY

The manner politics is conducted is a threat to democracy, contends PAUL EJIME

NIGERIA AND TRANSACTIONAL POLITICS Transactional politics is not new. But its scope in the run-up to Nigeria’s make or mar 2023 elections is not just worrisome; it threatens to derail democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.

Impunity has been weaponized; honour, integrity, decency and good conscience have

WDNHQ ÁLJKW 0RQH\ FDQ QRZ EX\ DQ\WKLQJ and everything in politics in the country, or so it seems.

Political parties are usually associated with ideologies or policy goals, and their role in mobilizing members to compete for elections. But in Nigeria, they have become loose associations captured and subjugated by political God-fathers and deep pockets.

The feeling that politics and elections are about “buying and selling,” is dangerous.

It can also render elections meaningless as politicians perfect their pseudo-democratic machinations, all in the name of democracy.

The operationalization of the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly the introduction of electronic transmission of poll results and other reforms introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Nigeria, are expected to reduce rigging and other malpractices substantially.

But election is not only about activities on the polling day. It is a three-stage process of collective responsibility - before, during and post-election period. For INEC to deliver elections with integrity, all stakeholders must play by the rules across the electoral cycle.

Regrettably, the reverse has primarily been the case, with politicians and political parties pre-occupied with the circumvention and undermining of the Federal Constitution, Electoral Laws, political party constitutions and other regulations.

Drafters of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), were probably blindsided to the loopholes, or perhaps, expected politicians to be persons with conscience, capable of obeying the law/rules, and guided by international best practices. Yet, going by their statements, body language and acts of commission and omission ahead of the 2023 elections, the politicians do not inspire much hope for democracy. )RU LQVWDQFH E\ À[LQJ DQ H[RUELWDQW PDQGDWRU\ ÀQDQFLDO GHSRVLW IRU FDQGLGDWHV VHHNLQJ HOHFWLYH R΀FHV DW D WLPH RI JUDYH economic hardship, crippling unemployment, KLJK FRVW RI OLYLQJ DQG VN\ KLJK LQÁDWLRQ politicians and their political parties have demonstrated unconscionable insensitivity, VHOÀVKQHVV DQG GHVSHUDWLRQ WR GLVHQIUDQFKLVH D large segment of the population, especially the women, youths and other minority groups.

Public hospitals at home are abandoned for medical trips abroad by the few who can DͿRUG LW 6WXGHQWV RI XQGHUIXQGHG XQLYHUVLWLHV are roaming the streets because their teachers have been on strike for months over poor service conditions. But the politicians, LQFOXGLQJ VHUYLQJ JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV DUH now doling out money in millions as deposits WR VHHN KLJKHU SXEOLF R΀FHV DQG IRU SROLWLFDO campaigns. This is under the watch of a government that came to power promising WR ÀJKW FRUUXSWLRQ DQG LPSURYH WKH OLYHV RI citizens.

The 1999 Federal Constitution that ushered in civilian rule after prolonged episodes of military dictatorships, the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitutions of the political parties, all have provisions for the conduct of political party primaries, congresses or conventions.

These are platforms for the selection of candidates seeking elective positions, directly by duly registered party members or indirectly by party delegates. Yet, not even the parties can vouch for the authenticity of their voters register.

The requirements for the conduct of credible party primaries covering the 1,491 )HGHUDO DQG 6WDWH FRQVWLWXHQFLHV H[FOXGLQJ in the Federal Capital, Abuja, are outlined in various relevant legal instruments. But while the Federal Constitution and the Electoral Act agree on the use of direct, indirect or “consensus” options, the composition of “statutory” party delegates, who must join their “ad-hoc” counterparts in electing/ choosing party candidates, is now subject of a legal dispute, with the possibility that statutory delegates could be excluded from voting during the primaries.

INEC has released the national timetable and schedule of 14 activities for the 2023 general elections. These include the conduct of party primaries, the nomination of candidates and other activities leading to the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 25th February, 2023, followed by the Governorship DQG 6WDWH $VVHPEO\ HOHFWLRQV RQ WK 0DUFK 2023.

However, apart from the obvious uncertainty over insecurity, the politicians and political parties’ commercialisation/ monetization of politics has raised serious doubts even among die-hard optimists whether the pre-election activities can support the conduct of credible and transparent general elections in 2023.

The ease with which politicians change political parties has prompted analysts to question the philosophy or principle behind VXFK VHOÀVK PRYHV ,Q $PHULFD ZKHUH 1LJHULD copied the executive presidential system, the policy/ideological dichotomy between the Democratic and Republican parties is distinguishable. But it is a case of six and half a dozen between Nigeria’s two major political parties - the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Indeed, observers believe there is nothing to choose between both parties, which have alternated power control since 1999.

Ejime LV D *OREDO $ͿDLUV $QDO\VW D IRUPHU :DU &RUUHVSRQGHQW DQG DQ ,QGHSHQGHQW &RQVXOWDQW RQ &RUSRUDWH 6WUDWHJLF &RPPXQLFDWLRQ 0HGLD 3HDFH 6HFXULW\ DQG (OHFWLRQV

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022

CHARLES ONUNAIJU argues that the selection of presidential candidates is too important to be left in the hands of party barons

WHAT ‘CONSENSUS’ IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT Consensus is a general agreement and is therefore, essentially a process. For consensus to be arrived, a consultation and dialogue must broadly hold to identify issues, clarify questions, establish decisionmaking criteria and address all concerns. The goal is to create understanding of the issues and then share the perspectives of all involved. It is not definitive choice and does not in any meaningful way refer to the choice of one person or group of persons against the other. It is a benchmark established to drive a process through which issues are identified, clarified and followed up to the next level or phase.

The current use of the term ‘consensus’ and even abuse of it by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which only serves as an alibi for a paranoid but powerful faction of the party mortally scared of open, fair and free contest is alarming and worrying.

If they eventually have their way in the party, then obviously the presidential election for next year will be doomed to another “consensus” in which they will muster all and everything to ensure that their party “consensus” candidate became the national “consensus” president with elections only as a hollow ritual to confirm their chicanery. What is happening in the ruling APC especially the intrigues to foist a presidential candidate through dubious consensus has broad and far reaching implication for the country’s democratic process in general and the presidential election scheduled for next year in particular. If the party hierarchy or a powerful faction of it, is unwilling to test the popularity and acceptability of its plethora of aspirants in a fair and competitive primary electoral process, there is little chance that it would be willing to do so on a national scale based on a credible multi-party competitive electoral process.

Consensus is not a simplistic method of asking other aspirants to step down, while a preferred choice of anyone is foisted and shoved down the throat of others and followed with elaborate blackmail and inducement, while compelling the rank and file to queue behind. There is no doubt that a candidate, who emerge as president from such narrow conspiratorial gambit would be mere hostage to the faction that enthroned him or her and would be unable to attend to the challenges of the country.

Political consensus in the case of party organization is an elaborate process of consultations that takes place at all levels of the party and is generated through rigorous interface of all organs of the party.

Consensus which is a general agreement is generated from across the board and takes time to mature, take shape and agreed upon. It is never the decision of any one person or just group of persons, no matter how highly placed. The decision of one person or group of persons can only be consensus if ever, if it is tested through elaborate framework of dialogue and consultations across all party organizational structures and the real crux of democratic consensus is the forbearance of time and patience invested to engage all stakeholders in achieving it. Political consensus is never generated or arrived at through the kind of expediency or political fiat with which the current chairman of the ruling APC was appointed.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who admitted that 30 days prior to his appointment, never contemplated the position, however, attributed his emergence to “God” but as God, ever merciful and compassionate does not issue rejoinder or rebuttals, the matter is left there as in the many cases of several others, who stumbled into fortunes at the expense of others who worked hard without lifting a finger.

How would senator Abdullahi Adamu be a consensus? What issues revolve around him and what is known of his views on party organization, ideology and policies? Beyond his rhetoric that he is on a mission to deliver on the president’s instructions and orders for which he threatened not to tolerate “failures”, what are these instructions and do they enrich the party organizations, enhance efficiency

and competence and more importantly generate framework for building consensus through elaborate consultations within the party and even beyond?

Should the method of appointing Senator Adamu as a party Chairman, which is the most sinister abuse of the beautiful idea and concept of political consensus, be allowed to stray further

to the presidential primaries of the party, then democracy is not only betrayed but one man, President Muhammadu Buhari who is its most ardent and strident beneficiary have elected to be its most cynical grave digger.

Against all odds, President Buhari must resist desperate shenanigans of the self-interested clique around him and allow for open and fair contest both in the party primary and subsequent general election. His legacy is in danger of been tarred by those whom history will not remember or recall their roles. He has done his best and does not need to micro-manage the transition process to his successor. His work for the country would justify itself either for continuity or abandonment by his successors and any thought that his legacy would be best secured by imposing a successor even an unworthy and unpopular one, is both unscientific and a reckless toy with the verdict of history.

According to reports, a swath of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the ruling party are dutifully chorusing their consensus to the possibility of “consensus” arrangement.

Their alibi is that the party is supreme and as party men and women, they would abide by its decision. But party is not abstraction or a lifeless machine. It is a living organism whose lifeblood is its organization and core principles generated from mutual exchanges and interactions within and across its membership at its various units and organs.

Party itself is a general agreement of principles and policies on a platform at which all its members unite and stand together.

Those presidential aspirants of the ruling APC rallying around the subterfuge of “Consensus” at this late hour, when it is obviously and almost impossible to achieve any general agreement on any issue with the supreme necessity of elaborate consultations across the board are recruited spoilers and history of party politics in Nigeria would be uncharitable to them. Those who have no vision to offer the country and therefore, cannot vigorously canvassed any at a time, their party members and the country at large is most prepared to scrutinize policy platforms should decently excuse themselves from the process and not cowardly queue behind a sinister and amorphous ‘consensus’.

Onunaiju writes from the FCT, Abuja.

321

T H I S D AY TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022

OLUSESAN ADENIYI argues the need to engage children in talking

TRENDING TOPICS FOR TEENAGERS Over the last weekend in the United 6WDWHV ZKHUH , UHVLGH WKHUH ZHUH ÀYH mass shootings across the country, killing 14 people and injuring 39. Out of these 14 people that lost their lives, 10 were killed when an 18-year-old JXQPDQ RSHQHG ÀUH ZLWK DQ $5 DW D %XͿDOR VXSHUPDUNHW :H ZHUH WROG that the shooter, Payton Gendron, GURYH WR %XͿDOR IURP &RQNOLQ 1HZ <RUN DURXQG PLOHV DZD\ 1HZ <RUN *RYHUQRU .DWK\ +RFKXO WROG reporters that Gendron intentionally carried out his attack in a ZIP code ZLWK D KLJK FRQFHQWUDWLRQ RI $IULFDQ $PHULFDQV I am not about to interrogate the issue of gun violence although it is one of the topics I covered in my book, ‘100 Trending Topics for Teenagers’.

7KRVH ZKR FDPH WR $PHULFD EHIRUH us would testify that gun violence has become an epidemic of sort. The question I would like to ask is where DUH WKHVH VKRRWHUV IURP" 'R WKH\ KDYH KRPHV IDPLOLHV IULHQGV ORYHG RQHV" 'R WKH\ OLYH LQ D FRPPXQLW\" 7KH reason I asked is simple: It is easy to spot irregular behavior when you are in a community or relationship that cares about you. You are not likely to grow into a dangerous gun totting human if you live in a community that abhors hatred and promotes love for mankind irrespective of the color of their skin. $PHULFD WRGD\ KDV D P\ULDG RI problems plaguing her with gun violence unfortunately just one of them. While the government is doing its best through social institutions and interventions, the solution to these

between parents and their teenagers.

But we must keep them talking. I wrote about teenagers and suicide. The rate at which teenagers intentionally end LW DOO LV DODUPLQJ 'R QRW WKLQN WKLV LV peculiar to a race, no! Young people are throwing themselves into the lagoon jumping over bridges to their GHDWK LQ $IULFD 7KH LOOXVWUDWLRQ , JDYH LQ WKH ERRN KDSSHQHG LQ .HQ\D To stem the tide of suicide and all sort of tragedies in young people, we should begin to talk. Mental health issues are real, and it has no regard for age groups or status whether social or spiritual. I once talked about Prophet Jonah and Elijah struggling with depression. I may be wrong, but I believe that we can mitigate disaster if we engage in conversations. We should enunciate the culture of talking ULJKW IURP RXU KRPHV $ WHOHFRP advert says ‘talking, we’ve got people talking’. We need to get our children to talk, and we need to sustain the conversation to the extent that they can tell us anything troubling them.

The need to engage with teenagers cannot be overemphasized. This I believe will promote better understanding and mitigate disaster in high-risk kids. Current teenagers You are not likely to grow EHORQJ WR *HQ = DQG $OSKD 7KLV into a dangerous gun generation is raised on the internet and social media. Their thinking totting human if you live in LV GLͿHUHQW 5HJDUGOHVV DEQRUPDO a community that abhors behavior can be addressed by communication. By this I do not hatred and promotes love suggest every behavioral problem for mankind irrespective of can be solved by engaging in conversations, but I am certain, the color of their skin talking helps in preventing problems, it helps in identifying the root cause of problems which will ultimately OHDG WR ÀQGLQJ VROXWLRQV WKDW ZLOO problems (I believe) lies with families. make everybody happy.

7R PDNH $PHULFD JUHDW OLNH WKH\ VD\ My book, ‘100 Trending Topics for family institutions must be revisited. Teenagers’ adequately bridge the gap Values need to be reassessed and reset that may be existing in relationships button engaged to realize a better between parents and their children. society that is free of violence and Well-illustrated, a teenager can sit decadence that we all witness. down in a school bus and read few My appeal today is to everyone with chapters before reaching his bus stop. good will to think about the society It is easy to read and attractive in we live in and how we can rescue outlook. It sends a strong message that one teenager at a time. These teens life is good when lived righteously. represent the future or tomorrow of Life is good when you wait patiently. the society we live in. If we do not do Life is good when you keep away something about the teenagers we see from wasteful and dangerous living. today, they will turn into a problem 5HVSRQVLEOH OLYLQJ LV DW WKH FRUH RI tomorrow. We can only pray that our that strong message. negligence will not have a dangerous HͿHFW RQ XV DQG RXU ORYHG RQHV It is no longer news that electronic Adeniyi devices and gadgets have come to is an author and youth worker who can worsen an already frosty relationship be reached on adeniyisesan@yahoo.co.uk

Parents should be blamed for lax behaviour of their children, writes CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

PARENTS AS ROLE MODELS We have this axiomatic saying, which rings true upon a close examination of it: the only permanent thing on earth is change. The passage of time brings about changes in our lifestyles, behaviour, religious belief-systems, cultural practices, manner of politicking, and others. In fact, everything is in a constant state RI ÁX[ $QG QRERG\ QRERG\ ZDQWV WR EH caught in a time warp.

For example, a pretty young lady, who ZHDUV DQ RYHUVL]H ÁRZLQJ JRZQ WKDW VZHHSV WKH ÁRRU WR D SDUW\ ZLOO IHHO RXW RI SODFH there as her fashion style is no longer the fad.

Instead of receiving cheers from her friends, she will be a recipient of their jeers. Only LFRQRFODVWV ZDQW WR EH GLͿHUHQW DQG WKH\ FDUH less about what other people say about them.

7KLQN DERXW )HOD $QLNXODSR .XWL So nobody wants to be left behind in any DUHDV RI OLIH 3HRSOH PDNH VWUHQXRXV HͿRUWV to adapt to the zeitgeist and weltanschauung of the period in which they live. In the 1960s, when we had newly become a sovereign country, people set store by honesty, truthfulness, holiness, and chastity. Then, we viewed corrupt and evil-minded people with contempt and disdain, irrespective of

When parents shirk their parental responsibilities, and delegate them to teachers and religious leaders, they will be blamed if their children become social deviants, who commit atrocious, abominable, and ignoble deeds their attainments in diverse areas of human specializations. $JDLQ DW WKDW WLPH RXU OHDGLQJ SROLWLFLDQV were philosopher-kings and political ideologues, who placed much premium on the acquisition of knowledge. In this regard, Chief 2EDIHPL $ZRORZR DQG 5W +RQ 'U 1QDPGL $]LNLZH UHDGLO\ FRPH WR PLQG ,W ZDV &KLHI 2EDIHPL $ZRORZR ZKR HVSRXVHG VRFLDOLVW idealogies, and implemented democratic ZHOIDULVP LQ WKH ZHVWHUQ UHJLRQ WKHQ +LV IUHH HGXFDWLRQ SROLF\ EHQHÀWHG D JUHDW PDMRULW\ RI <RUXED SHRSOH $QG 1QDPGL $]LNLZH whose speeches and writings were laced with polysyllabic and jaw-breaking words, championed the promotion of education in 1LJHULD +H SOD\HG D VLJQLÀFDQW DQG SLYRWDO role in the establishment of the University of 1LJHULD 1VXNND But sadly, many years down the line, things have changed for the worse in the JHRJUDSKLFDO H[SUHVVLRQ FDOOHG 1LJHULD 1RZ SHRSOH GR QRW VHW VWRUH E\ SRVVHVVLRQ RI such virtues as probity, honesty, spirituality, humility, perseverance, love of education, and RWKHUV DQ\PRUH $OPRVW HYHU\ERG\ DELGHV E\ WKLV 0DFKHYLOOLDQ GLFWXP WKH HQG MXVWLÀHV the means. Consequently, a great majority RI 1LJHULDQV KDYH EHFRPH GHVWLWXWH RI WKH virtues of honesty, truthfulness, and humility while striving to acquire money through fair and foul means.

So parents should be blamed for the immoral deeds, which their children commit,

because the parents are not exemplars of good EHKDYLRXUV $UH SDUHQWV QRW LQDGYHUWHQWO\ socializing their children into the vile culture of corruption by hiring surrogate candidates WR VLW VXFK H[DPLQDWLRQV DV 66&( 1(&2 1$%7(% DQG 807( IRU WKHLU NLGV" $UH some married women not cuckolding their husbands while their children are in the NQRZ" 3DUHQWV H[HUW D JUHDW LQÁXHQFH RQ WKHLU children, who are in their formative years.

Children of impressionable ages look up to their parents as role models. For example, in a family where the father is a renowned lawyer, the children will be inclined to toe WKH IRRWVWHSV RI WKHLU IDWKHU $QG PRUDOO\ upright parents will impart family values to their children. So those children’s personalities will be shaped by the training they receive from their parents.

But today, many parents exert bad LQÁXHQFHV RQ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ 6RPH FRXSOHV had split because of their indulgence in H[WUD PDULWDO DͿDLUV 6RPH PDUULHG ZRPHQ do not disapprove of sexual immorality, D΀UPLQJ WKDW WKH\ UHVHUYH WKH ULJKW WR XVH their bodies in the ways they like. +RZHYHU FKLOGUHQ DUH LQFOLQHG WR LPLWDWH the personality traits of their parents.

Children, we know, could be likened to a yam tendril, which should be guided in order that it can twine on a stake provided for it, properly.

Sadly, now, not only are a majority of SDUHQWV· EDG LQÁXHQFH RQ WKHLU FKLOGUHQ EXW also they have prioritized the attainment of high positions in their careers above moulding the character of their children.

Their attitude to parenting has given rise to the issue of latchkey kids. $ ODWFKNH\ NLG ZKR LV RI LPSUHVVLRQDEOH DJH LV VXVFHSWLEOH WR EHLQJ LQÁXHQFHG E\ people in his or her immediate environment.

Today, many young people, who were once latchkey kids, were moulded in the likeness of people other than their parents. These young people engage in substance abuse, kill other people for money -making rituals, abduct people for ransom, and carry out armed robbery operations.

When parents shirk their parental responsibilities, and delegate them to teachers and religious leaders, they will be blamed if their children become social deviants, who commit atrocious, abominable, and ignoble deeds. Parents ought to know that most teachers and religious leaders in whose hands they entrust their kids for upbringing and moral training are moral degenerates. $PRQJ WHDFKHUV DQG UHOLJLRXV FOHULFV DUH paedophiles , who sexually abuse children.

Can sexual and moral perverts raise FKLOGUHQ XS LQ D JRGO\ ZD\" 7KH DQVZHU LV a categorical no.

More so, politicians do not help matters as to the empowering of young people and OD\LQJ JRRG H[DPSOHV IRU WKHP ,Q 1LJHULD political desperadoes do hire youths for the perpetration of election fraud in their favour.

1RW D IHZ \RXQJ SHRSOH KDYH LPELEHG the wrong notion that it is appropriate for politicians to give inducement to voters LQ H[FKDQJH IRU WKHLU YRWHV 1RZ GXULQJ election, people who are eligible to exercise their franchise, trade their votes for money.

Okoye writes from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

4 22

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

THE PROPENSITY FOR JUNGLE JUSTICE Those who resort to mob justice must be severely sanctioned

T

he brutal murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto by some of her school mates over alleged blasphemy has continued to generate outrage within the country and abroad. While we commiserate with the family of the deceased, we enjoin the authorities to bring the culprits to book. We also commend the Sultan of Sokoto and other eminent Islamic and traditional leaders who have condemned the killing. What the clerics who openly justify the barbarism fail to understand is that their position could easily encourage misguided mob to believe they can always take the law into their own hands without consequences.

The rule of law, as opposed to that of the jungle, presupposes that anybody accused of a crime, however heinous, is entitled to a fair trial before punishment could be meted by a competent court of law if found guilty. But as more and more Nigerians shun the instrumentality of the law in the settlement of disputes, many innocent people are getting maimed and killed. This is even more dangerous when the killing is done in the name of God, as it was with Deborah and several others before her. Islam is universally known and accepted as a religion of peace so any attempt by some fringe members to smear the Faith and embarrass its adherents must be resisted and condemned by all stakeholders.

Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said he was disappointed and grieved that such violence still takes place in the name of God. The Senior Bishop and Principal Leader of the Church of England and the head of the Anglican Communion worldwide, called for justice on the matter. “I’m grateful for those Nigerian Muslim leaders that have

FRQGHPQHG WKLV DWURFLW\ , FDOO IRU UHQHZHG HͿRUWV by the Nigerian government to ensure liberty and equality under the law – whether for Christians or Muslims – which was so tragically absent in this case,” said Welby who recalled his time in northern Nigeria working with others in pursuit of reconciliation and interfaith dialogue.

However, blasphemy is by no means the only excuse for mob justice in Nigeria nor is it restricted to any section of the country. It is a national epidemic as many have resorted to taking the law into their own hands and in the process, delivering ‘instant’ and brutal justice. A recent report in ‘Daily Trust’ newspaper on a study conducted over two years revealed that all the 36 states in the six geopolitical regions of the country are deeply implicated. Sokoto tops the chart with 18 of the 190 extrajudicial killings. “Based on these statistics, 20 out of the 190 victims (suspected criminals) usually had tyres doused in petrol thrown around them at GLͿHUHQW ORFDWLRQV DQG VHW DEOD]H ZKLOH WKH UHVW ZHUH beaten to death,” the report stated.

The spike in cases of jungle justice raises some pertinent questions: Why is the public becoming increasingly impatient in following the dictates of WKH ODZ" $UH 1LJHULDQV ORVLQJ FRQÀGHQFH LQ ODZ enforcement agencies or are these signs of a more dangerous national ailment? Is human life no longer sacrosanct in the country? The answer of course is simple. It is a combination of all. While there may be some form of jungle justice in every society, what is troubling here is that the propensity for dispensing this brand of justice is becoming increasingly high.

There must be an end to these indiscriminate and unwarranted killings that portray Nigeria in bad light before the international community by depicting us as a people who place little or no premium on the sanctity of life.

Why is the public becoming increasingly impatient in following the dictates of the law?

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

LETTERS THE POOR ATTITUDE OF SOME PUBLIC WORKERS On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Governor of Lagos State, 0U %DEDMLGH 6DQZR 2OX R΀FLDOO\ FRPPLVVLRQHG WKH QHZO\ constructed ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Primary Health Care CenWUH· ORFDWHG LQ WKH $PXZR 2GRÀQ /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW 6HFUHWDULat, along 41 road in FESTAC Town.

0\ ÀUVW YLVLW WR WKLV EHDXWLIXO DQG ZHOO HTXLSSHG KHDOWKFDUH facility was on Wednesday morning, 23rd March, 2022. I was SOHDVHG WR ÀQG RXW WKDW DSDUW IURP WKH EHDXWLIXO H[WHULRU RI WKH EXLOGLQJ FRPSOH[ WKH LQWHULRU ZDV DOVR ZHOO IXUQLVKHG ZLWK ÀQH works of art used to decorate various parts of the walls.

On arriving at such a well-equipped facility, one would expect to be treated to a warm welcome. But on the contrary, my ÀUVW FRQWDFW ZLWK WKH UHFHSWLRQLVW GXULQJ WKH YLVLW WXUQHG RXW WR EH WKH JUHDWHVW SXW RͿ , DUULYHG D IHZ PLQXWHV DIWHU D P so I wouldn’t attribute the poor behaviour of the receptionist to stress associated with an already spent day. I greeted the receptionist and politely asked to see a doctor. Though she was probably busy with some task, I expected that she would at least respond to my greeting, and then either ask me to sit down and wait or ask me to pick a card containing the serial number with

which people waiting to see a doctor would be attended to. But I neither received a response to my greeting nor did I get any direction from her. I was totally ignored! I waited until she was through with whatever she seemed to be doing. But after waitLQJ XQWLO VKH ÀQLVKHG ZKDW VKH ZDV GRLQJ VKH QHLWKHU ORRNHG P\ way at the reception desk nor did she give any response to my request to see a doctor. So, I asked again, and guess what? She responded in an angry manner, asking me to pick a number. I was totally taken aback. My initial feeling of happiness at seeing the welcoming environment was immediately dampened.

However, I wondered if some of the people who had been seated in the reception area had experienced a similar poor response to their enquiry. This is because immediately the receptionist responded bluntly to me, another lady who had been seated all the while, quickly rushed to pick up a number, suggesting that she had been seating there, but didn’t know what to do, or probably she hadn’t been given any attention when she arrived.

My waiting serial number was eventually called, and I got up to the reception desk to get on with the process of seeing a doc-

tor. However, after getting upstairs where we were also expected to wait before going into the consulting room, another mild drama occurred - this time between somebody sitting close to me DQG DQRWKHU VWDͿ RI WKH KHDOWK FHQWUH , GLGQ·W NQRZ ZKDW H[DFWO\ the issue was, but it seemed that a woman sitting close to me KDG EHHQ ZDWFKLQJ KRZ RQH RI WKH FOHDQLQJ VWDͿ ZDV KDQGOLQJ D SDUWLFXODU WDVN DQG VKH QRWLFHG VRPHWKLQJ WKDW WKH VWDͿ KDG QHJOHFWHG %XW WKH VWDͿ UHVSRQGHG UXGHO\ 7KLV FDXVHG VRPH DQJHU on the part of the woman sitting close to me, and she complained DORXG DERXW WKH SRRU DWWLWXGH RI VRPH RI WKH VWDͿ RI WKH KHDOWK care centre - something which I had been wondering about all the while.

Therefore, I would like to use this medium to make some sugJHVWLRQV HVSHFLDOO\ UHJDUGLQJ WKH TXDOLW\ RI VWDͿ WKDW DUH UHFUXLWed to act as the face of organisations - the front desk personnel, receptionists, etc., especially for public establishments. I suggest that they should be given proper and adequate training to guide them in their interactions with members of the public.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

LAWYER TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

A

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

WEEKLY PULLOUT

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

MRS DOROTHY UFOT, SAN

‘6th ICC Arbitration Conference Will be a High-Powered Event’

N

II

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

R E Y W A L A

LLOUT WEEKLY PU

TRU

TH &

RE A S

TRU

TH &

RE A S

Grant of Unproven Counter-Claim Based on Failure of the Main Claim

ON

ON

24, 202 2 TUE SDAY, MAY Y UFOT, SAN MRS DOROTH

Page IV

n o i t a r t i b r A C C ‘6th I a e b l l i W e c n e r Confe ’ t n e v E d e r e w o High-P QUOTABLES ‘Those people must be brought to book to show that crime does not pay, and to show that the State is not a tacit supporter and condoner of this savagery, barbarism, of this Hobbesian state of nature…..We must show that we are civilised people living in the 21st century, and that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic and a country of the jungle.’ - Dr Mike Ozekhome OFR, SAN ‘In Nigeria, a person that is APC tonight, can be PDP tomorrow, and a person that is PDP tonight can be APC tomorrow. That’s why those judgements of court that began to change the political harlotry or jumpology, should have been supported to bring some kind of sanity.’ - Professor Paul Ananaba, SAN

Danish National, Nielsen Sentenced to Death for Killing Wife and Daughter

Page V

2023 Elections: Court of Appeal Inaugurates Electoral Judicial Manual Committee (EJMC) Page V

LAWYER

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

The State Beyond Mob Justice Sober Reflection nlike many Politicians who prefer to keep their real ages to themselves and declare false ones to make themselves appear younger, I am glad to announce that I turned 57 yesterday. Thank God. These days, the older one gets, birthdays become days for sober reflection. This year, my reflection was however, not about my life personally, but about our country Nigeria. I can safely say that in all my 57 years, I have never seen Nigeria in this kind of turmoil. My Parents returned from England after their studies and sojourn there, around the time of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. Today, many Nigerians are looking for every opportunity to leave Nigeria and relocate to other countries, because life here seems to have reversed drastically to the Hobbesian state - nasty, short and brutish, filled with economic hardship.

Constitutional crisis, the attack on the Kaduna-bound train and the kidnapping of passengers, who, over a month later are yet to be released, the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, the recent murder of people in Plateau State, the countless killings and kidnappings (by bandits and ritual killers), perverse judgements like that of the Benue State High Court in Ochanya Ogbaje's case, and now the mob killing of young Deborah Yakubu by her fellow students of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, for allegedly committing blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are just a few examples (out of the uncountable) of the nasty, brutish and many a time short state (like for Ochanya, 13, Deborah, 23) we find ourselves in.

U

Reactions to Last Week’s Editorial After my editorial last week, I received various calls with different reactions about Deborah Yakubu’s murder. Many, including Muslims of Northern extraction, condemned her killing as being horrific and barbaric. It is a breach of her right to life guaranteed by Section 33(1) of the Constitution; culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code Act. But, a few others told me that Deborah deserved to die, because the love Muslims have for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is unquantifiable, and they cannot stand by and see him being insulted. While I do agree that it is unacceptable for anyone to insult another's religion, I emphasise the fact that the law has provided the punishment for blasphemy. And, when people regularly ignore the law and mete out their own form of justice, and the State allows perpetrators to get away with such unlawful actions, it shows that law and order has broken down with the complicity of Government/ Judiciary who should be administering and enforcing the law.

Personality Traits of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Allah, through His Holy Book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Muslims follow, does not prescribe the death penalty for blasphemy, nor did the Prophet kill those who insulted him. With all the hullabaloo about blasphemy, I decided to examine the personality traits of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - the one who the Sokoto students claimed they were avenging the blasphemy against him - whether he would subscribe to this kind of violence.

Also important, is the fact that the Prophet lived his life in total compliance to the will of Allah, and his ways serve as a guideline for all Muslims to follow on how to live their lives according to Islam. The Holy Quran says that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a man who possessed the highest moral excellence - “And indeed, you are of a great moral character” (Quran 68:4). God made him a model for Muslims to follow - “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often” - Quran 33:21.

Having studied him, I honestly could not come to the conclusion that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would approve of such heinous crimes like murder by mob justice and barbaric means, to be committed in his name. The Prophet

and violence.

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

The

Advocate “True adherents to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Muslim faithfuls, not only eschew hate and violence like he did, they do not preach it, encourage it, and condone it.

On the contrary, they teach followers to turn away from hate and violence” was one of kindest, most considerate, and compassionate people, that is recorded to have walked this earth. And, I will give three examples to buttress this point. We can also learn about the traditions and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), from the Hadith.

Examples 1) The first example is about a man who was said to defecate daily where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would stand to lead prayers. On a specific day when the Prophet got to his prayer spot, the man had not been there. The next day as well, the man did not come. So, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went to the man’s house to check on him, and found that the reason he had failed to show up was because he was sick. The man was so overwhelmed with the Prophet’s show of love, concern and kindness, that he converted to Islam.

2) The second example is about a woman who in a bid to revenge the idols she worshipped, daily went to throw objects like stones on the route Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) walked everyday. Another account was that, daily, a woman threw garbage on the Prophet’s head as he passed by.

The Prophet did not change his route; he simply prayed for her, and one day when he didn’t see her, he went to her house and found that she was ill; he cleaned her house and offered to help her until

Mob action in Northern Nigeria

she recovered. She was so inspired by his actions, that she asked for the Prophet’s forgiveness, and converted to Islam.

3) The Prophet was humble, truthful and merciful. He forgave his enemies, even when they criticised him. An example of this is the people of Taif, who called children to mock the Prophet and stone him. He did not react, and instead, he prayed for them.

Clearly, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) reaction to insult was to ignore it, and pray for his abusers to see the light. He inflamed the desire to convert to Islam, by his conduct. So, when I watched a video of a Muslim cleric somewhere in the North spewing hatred and counselling his audience to kill anyone who blasphemes against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I wondered where he got his own teaching from, because it is not only unIslamic, but against Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) personality and what he stood for. The Muslim cleric was exciting hatred between classes contrary to Section 417 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act (PCA), punishment for which is up to three years imprisonment.

True adherents to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Muslim faithfuls, not only eschew hate and violence like he did, they do not preach it, encourage it, and condone it. On the contrary, they teach followers to turn away from hate

Criminality Again, what we saw in some of the Sokoto videos had nothing to do with blasphemy or religion. On the contrary, it was an opportunity for some to take advantage of the issue, and resort to pure criminality - miscreants breaking and entering into traders’ shops, theft and looting of goods like fabrics; destruction of products; forcefully gaining entry into the house of a woman of Southern extraction, and repeatedly beating her with a weapon (big stick). Islam abhors stealing - “[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise” (Quran 5:38 Surat-I-m-idah).

Another version of the Quran says: Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah. And Allah is AllPowerful, AllWise”. However, the Constitution does not endow Sharia or Customary Courts with criminal jurisdiction, but for one, Sections 286 & 287 of the PCA provide for the offence of theft, and up to five years imprisonment upon conviction.

Mob Justice It is obvious that the people perpetrating these heinous mob justice crimes do not seem to be true followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), if we compare their conduct to his.

While some of them are just psychopaths, others have been brainwashed by ignorant, vicious clerics, while others are suffering from poverty, lack of education, unemployment, idleness and the like, and such situations are used to act out their frustrations and loot when the opportunity avails itself.

Of course, there are other types of mob justice, apart from religious. Thieves are often mob-lynched and burnt to death with tyres.

Just like the religious mob lynching, thief lynching is called “Aggressive Mob”, where the crowd passes judgement on a person suspected to have committed a crime, rather than following due process or allowing the law to take its course. Mob members find it easier to be more destructive, because they believe that they can’t easily be identified to pay for their crimes. But, in this day and age of smart phones and their video cameras, it has become easier to single out these criminals.

Those who lynched late Bridget Agbahime in Kano were known, while the killers of Deborah Yakubu and the Sokoto looters were also seen on video. Mob justice is an extensive topic which space constraints do not permit me to discuss, but suffice it to say that State condoned aggressive mob justice will only encourage this horrible practice to become the norm, rather than the exception. In some cases, loss of confidence in the criminal justice system encourages mob justice. But, in many of the cases we see in Nigeria, it doesn’t really have to do with that.

Conclusion An effective way of eradicating this unwholesome practice, is for Government to throw the book at perpetrators of mob justice. In the Quran, Surat-al-Nisa 4:135, Allah said: “O you who have faith, stand firm in equity (qist) as witnesses for Allah, even if it were against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. Follow not your desires, so that you may be just (ta’dilu)”.

Again, in Surat al Ma’idah 5:8 Allah said: “O ye who have faith, stand firm for Allah as witnesses in equity (qist), and let not hatred of people cause you to not be just. Be just (‘idlu), for that is nearer to righteousness”. Islam enjoins faithfuls to be just, and not partial. The State Governments and Judiciary in the North are populated by Muslim faithfuls, who are expected to also follow the injunctions in the aforementioned Surahs. If mobsters are accused of committing criminal acts, it is the responsibility of and expectation that Government will be just in meting out the proper punishment for those who deserve it.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, MAY24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Grant of Unproven Counter-Claim Based on Failure of the Main Claim Facts In 1954, the three Kuforiji brothers, namely: S.A. Kuforiji, H.F. Kuforiji and H.C.O. Kuforiji, jointly and as joint owners executed a lease (“Exhibit B”). Upon valuable consideration, they demised the land to the Foreign Mission Board of Southern Baptist Convention (“The Baptist Mission”). Sometime in 1973, the unexpired terms of the said leasehold were sold to Late Rev. (Dr.) J.T. Ayorinde (“the Appellant’s Uncle”) by Chief Daniel Johnson Kuforiji and Chief Simeon Olujimi Kuforiji (a son to S.A. Kuforiji now deceased) for themselves and on behalf of the Kuforiji family through a Deed of Conveyance (“Exhibit D”). Consequent upon the sale to the Appellant’s Uncle, the Baptist Mission surrendered the unexpired term of the leasehold interest in the land to the Appellant’s uncle, vide a Deed of Surrender (Exhibit C).

The Appellant was at all times relevant to the case, living with his Uncle from 1973 on that land. The Appellant’s Uncle died intestate without an issue in 1977, while his wife also died sometime in 1996.

Thereafter, the Respondent trespassed on the land a day after the burial of the Appellant’s Aunt-in-law, leading to the commencement of a suit by the Appellant against the Respondent.

It was the case of the Appellant that since his Uncle died intestate, and upon the death of his Aunt-in-law in 1996, the land devolved on his extended family under Native Law and Custom. The trial court dismissed all reliefs claimed by the Appellant, resulting in an appeal to the Court of Appeal. The appellate court affirmed the decision of the trial court. Further dissatisfied by the decision, the Appellant has now appealed to the Supreme Court.

At the Supreme Court, the Respondent filed a Preliminary Objection on grounds that the Further Amended Notice of Appeal of the Appellant is incompetent and should be struck out.

Issues for Determination The following three issues were considered and determined by the Supreme Court: 1. “Having regard to the undisputed fact that the Appellant was a nephew of Late Rev. Dr. Ayorinde, the grantee of the land in dispute as per Exhibit “D” and who died intestate leaving no surviving issue save the Appellant, whether the lower court was right to hold that the Appellant who was in possession of the land, had no locus standi to sue for trespass on behalf of other nephews and nieces of late Rev. Dr. Ayorinde.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal rightly held that the Appellant did not prove a better title to the land in dispute, as against the Respondent notwithstanding the probative value of Exhibits B, C and D tendered by the Appellant vis-à-vis the issue dixit of Respondent and his witness to the contrary, and thus, dismissed the claim of the Appellant and uphold the counter-claim of the Respondents.

3. Whether the Court of Appeal rightly held that the defences of Limitation Law and Laches and Acquiescence did not hold against the counter-claim of the Respondent, in view of the overwhelming evidence and the combined provisions of Section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act, 1982, Section 222(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 and Section 16 of the Limitation Law Cap 16 of the Laws of Ogun State.

Arguments Submitting on issue one, counsel for the Appellant contended that the court below was wrong to resolve the issue of locus standi against the Appellant. Counsel faulted the approach adopted by the court, and the conclusion reached thereby.

He argued that the Appellant had founded his claim on inheritance, and had not sued only for himself, but in a representative capacity Section 49(1)(a)(3) of the Administration of Estate Law of Ogun State. He posited that the locus standi of the Appellant and those he represented, was not in doubt. In

Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 7th day of January, 2022 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Kudirat Motomori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Ejembi Eko Mohammed Lawal Garba Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Justices, Supreme Court SC./27/2008 Between Mr Olufemi Ayorinde

And

Chief Ayodele Kuforiji

Appellant Respondent

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC)

response, counsel for the Respondent contended that at the trial, the Appellant claimed they inherited under Native Law and Custom, without leading evidence on the native law and custom as required by law. Counsel submitted further that it is the Respondent who has locus standi to bring the counter-claim, and proved same.

Counsel submitted further that a Plaintiff must succeed on the strength of his case, and cannot rely on the weakness of the Defendant’s case - KODILINYE v ODU (1935) 2 WACA 336.

On issues two and three, the Appellant contended that the Respondent lacks the locus standi to file the counter-claim over a family land when he is not the only survivor, and that the commencement of the counter-claim in a personal capacity instead of representative of the family, buttresses the point that the Respondent lacked the locus standi to commence same. It was also the submission of counsel that the Respondent’s counter-claim, which was filed 23 years after adverse possession was caught by Sections 9 and 16 of the Limitation Law of Ogun State, which provisions extinguish the Respondent’s right to the land. He argued further that the vendors of Exhibit D were not strangers to the land in dispute, and they had capacity to convey the property as family land under the Native Law and Custom. He argued

“Counter-claim, being a distinct and independent suit, the Counter-Claimant must (likewise) succeed on the strength of his case, and not on the weakness of his adversary’s case”

that the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Respondent proved better title was erroneous, relying on the authority o FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA v I.A. ENAFOGHIE GOLD (2007) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1044) 1.

Reacting to the submissions above, counsel for the Respondent argued that the Respondent has locus standi to prosecute his counter-claim, as the legal tenet of the jus accrescendi rule of joint tenancies is sufficiently trite to warrant no debate.

Counsel contended that the Court of Appeal was right to discountenance the defence of Laches and Acquiescence founded on ratios in IDUNDUN v OKUMAGBA (1976) 6-10 SC 48, because the Appellant did not properly bring the defence within the ambit of the case, and did not particularise the defence in his pleadings at the trial court. Counsel contended further that the Respondent clearly proved a better title than the Appellant who tendered Exhibit B, C and D which turned out not to be good root of title, as the Kuforiji Family Council were strangers to the land in dispute. He opined that the Respondent was able to show that the land in dispute belonged to S.A. Kuforiji, H.F.A Kuforiji and H.C.O Kuforiji, to the exclusion of the Kuforiji Family Council. Counsel argued that the Court of Appeal was clearly right to hold that Section 49(1) of the Administration of Estates Law of Ogun State has no bearing on the case of the Appellant, because the Appellant specifically predicated his case on Native Law and Custom which he failed to prove. He relied on BENDEL STATE v AIDEYAN (1989) 4 NWLR (Pt. 118) 646, in support of his position.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Before delving into the substantive issues, the Supreme Court considered the Preliminary

Objection of the Respondent challenging the competence of the Appellant’s Further Amended Notice of Appeal. Their Lordships held that, the Preliminary Objection was not filed in accordance with due process of the Supreme Court. Consequently, the court discountenanced it.

Going to the substantive issues, the court considered the first issue and submissions thereon, and held that locus standi denotes the capacity the Plaintiff has to institute proceedings in a court of law, to seek a determination of his civil rights against the Defendant. The locus standi of the Plaintiff does not depend on the success or merit of the case; all the Plaintiff needs to show either in his Writ of Summons or the Statement of Claim to demonstrate his locus standi to prosecute the case, is merely to establish that he has a justiciable dispute or a reasonable cause of action against the Defendant. The two lower courts seemed to have got the issue of locus standi wrong, and both courts did not peruse the Statement of Claim holistically. The averments of the Plaintiff that it was his Uncle who put him in possession of the disputed land, built a poultry farm thereon, and made physical improvements or developments thereon which the Defendant, in act of self-help and violence destroyed, constitute reasonable cause of action in favour of the Appellant, such as to vest in him the necessary locus standi to prosecute the suit against the Respondent. Neither in the Pleadings nor evidence led was it ever explained how the Respondent, the son of Hezekiah Christopher Olajide Kuforiji, became the successor-in-title of the original three owners of the land in dispute, or with other children of Hezekiah Christopher Olajide Kuforiji (deceased) and entitled to possession thereof.

The Defendant having not proved the beneficial possession decreed in his favour, the two courts below were in serious error to have pronounced the beneficial possession in his favour, even in the face of material contradictions in that respect. Counter-claim, being a distinct and independent suit, the Counter-Claimant must (likewise) succeed on the strength of his case, and not on the weakness of his adversary’s case. The lower court, in the face of the Respondent’s failure to prove his entitlement to the beneficial possession of the disputed land decreed in his favour, ought to have dismissed the Counter-claim.

In deciding issues two and three, the Supreme Court held it is not in dispute that the Plaintiff was a nephew of Rev. (Dr.) J.T. Ayorinde, the sub-lessee in Exhibit C. The Administration of Estate Cap 1 of the Laws of Ogun State, 1978 had been in force from 23rd April, 1959 and at all material times, the Appellant’s Uncle and his wife died intestate without an issue. Table 3 of subsection (1) of Section 49 of the said law, was not at all considered by the lower courts. The parties were ad idem at the trial court that Rev. (Dr) J.T. Ayorinde and his wife died intestate without an issue, and also that they celebrated Christian marriage by which their intestate was no longer governed by customary law but the general law, including Administration of Estates Law Cap. 1 of Ogun State, 1978.

A nephew of the intestate who died without an issue, under the said provisions of the Statute, is entitled to the grant of administration where his father (deceased) was a brother of the intestate - Page 233 of TRISTRAM & COOTE’S PROBATE, 26TH EDITION. The Respondent/Counter-Claimant, clearly does not belong to the same genre as the Appellant. He is neither claiming through Rev. (Dr.) J.T. Ayorinde, nor as an heir of the intestate of Ayorinde. Between the Appellant and the Respondent, the former is more entitled to inherit or entitled to a grant of administration in respect of the extant and subsisting lease of disputed land, particularly in view of Exhibits B and C. Appeal Allowed.

Representation Chief Bankole Falade with J.M. Nwadibia for the Appellant.

Oluseye Chukwura with F.K. Oyebamji for the Respondent.

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

V

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Peter Nielsen, being escorted to court

President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem

Danish National, Nielsen Sentenced to Death for Killing Wife and Daughter Stories by Steve Aya A Danish national, Peter Nielsen, has been sentenced to death by hanging by Hon. Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos State High Court last Thursday.

For killing his Nigerian wife Zainab and their three-year-old daughter Petra, Justice OkikioluIghile, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos found Nielsen

guilty of the offence of murder.

The Judge held ‘It is the judgement of the court that you, Peter Nielsen, is found guilty of the murder of Zainab and Petra Nielsen of April 5, 2018.

I hereby pronounce that you Peter Nielsen, shall be hanged by the neck till death, may God have mercy on you”, she said.

Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, found him guilty of counts one

Court Sentences Two Policemen to Death for Armed Robbery Two Police officers, James Ejeh and Simeon Abraham, have been sentenced to death over their alleged involvement in an armed robbery.

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court gave the verdict on Thursday, NAN reports.

The dismissed Police officers were initially arraigned on October 20, 2017, by the FCT Commissioner of Police on two counts of conspiracy and armed robbery.

Delivering judgement, Kekemeke said the Prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt by calling four witnesses. He held that the evidence before the court, proved that the convicts committed a robbery while armed and in their uniform.

He also held that there was an admission of guilt by the convicts, and no evidence was stronger than their own admission.

“Left to me, I will say go and sin no more, but, it is about the law. It is about the law and society. The law has placed a duty on me to carry this out.

“Countless citizens of this country cry out under the security agencies, especially the Police who run their guns bought with the taxpayers’ money against Nigerians, extorting them with impunity.

“Citizens have cried out on this dangerous trend, of those people who are supposed to protect them turning against them.

“It is therefore, imperative to make this serve as a deterrent to others who have the same tendencies.

“They deserve no pity, therefore. In any case, I have no choice, because the law tied my hands to the only sentence prescribed by law. I hereby sentence the first and second Defendant to death”, he held.

He ordered that the exhibits recovered be returned to the Federal Government and the Anti-Terrorism Unit, where the officers served.

On October 20, 2017, the Prosecution Counsel, Kufureabasi Ebong, had told the court that the convicts committed the offence. He said the dismissed Policemen dressed in their uniforms with arms, and robbed one Christe Maker of her personal belongings.

According to him, Maker and her driver were attacked on Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja, while they were coming back from the airport at about 1.00 am on January 17, 2017.

Ebong told the court that, the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 6 and 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provisions) Act 2004.

and two of murder preferred against him by Lagos State.

The Judge began reading the judgement at 11.10am, after taking appearances of the prosecution counsel, Adebayo Haroun, and the defence counsel, Uyi Giwa-Osaigie, finished delivering the judgement after five hours plus. Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, held that Nielsen smothered Zainab Nielsen and Petra Nielsen to death.

She said: “He was the one that killed Zainab; Peter Nielsen was the one that killed Petra Nielsen, Zainab had already predicted her death when she told their driver that this man will kill me. She told her step father, Chris Madaki, when she went to Abuja that this man will kill me”.

The Judge also held that the evidence of the sixth prosecution witness (PW6) that on April 5, 2018, at 4.10am, that she saw Peter Nielsen beating and hitting Zainab’s head on the floor collaborated the oral evidence of Prof John Obafunwa (PW4).

Nielsen was arraigned on June 13, 2018, on a two-count

charge of murder. He pleaded not guilty, to the two-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, following which trial commenced.

The Lagos State Government accused Nielsen, now 57, of smothering Zainab and their daughter Petra Nielsen to death at about 3.45am on April 5, 2018, at No. 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

When trial commenced, the Prosecution called 9 witnesses, and closed their case on September 20, 2019. The Defence opened its case, and also called 9 witnesses with the defendant being the 9th witness.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, held that oral and documentary evidence before the court showed that Prosection proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nielsen smothered his wife and daughter.

She said: “This is one of the cases of domestic violence. The DNA analysis of nail scraping brought out the assailant of Zainab. Zainab tried so much to defend herself. The evidence

shows that Peter Nielsen killed his wife and daughter. There is evidence before the court, that there is a fight between the Defendant and his wife”, the Judge held.

She held that Prosecution Witnesses (PW5 and PW6) testified that they heard Zainab calling Mimi (one the girls living with the couple) for help, and they heard Zainab telling the Defendant to check her phone, but he kept hitting her head.

“The act of the Defendant shows that he suffocated his wife and daughter. Peter has always domestically abused his wife, which was shown in the Police extract from Ikoyi Police Station.

“She didn’t know that her marriage to the Defendant was void abi nitio, because Peter was already married in Denmark.”

However, on the issue of the night gown worn by Zainab on the night she died, the Judge expunged the evidence.

She said that the Pathologist who analysed the DNA on the night gown, was thoroughly examined and cross-examined

by the Defence.

The Judge, however, said that on October, 20, 2020, the High Court of Lagos was vandalised and burnt, which affected the night gown, a jumpsuit, towel and pant worn by Zainab and Petra.

The Judge, however, said that the contention of the Defendant was not for cross-examination, but for them to take the items for DNA examination for their own case.

“It is trite law that all documentary evidence must be scrutinised, but the Defendant argued that he didn’t have opportunity to produce his own examination.

“The Defendant made application to expunge such items from the evidence. I have considered the application, exhibits, PWN (Zainab’s nightgown, Petra’s jumpsuit, towel and pant) is hereby expunged.

The Judge however, said that apart from the night gown, there were other reports which were the mens rea (state of mind of the accused).

2023 Elections: Court of Appeal Inaugurates Electoral Judicial Manual Committee (EJMC) As part of its preparation for the fast approaching 2023 general elections, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Thursday inaugurated a 13-man Electoral Judicial Manual Committee (EJMC), for review of 3rd Edition of Election Petition Tribunal Manual.

The Committee which is chaired by Honourable Justice Ignatius Agube of the Court of Appeal, is to among other things, consider the present decisions of the Courts and Tribunals in the light of the Electoral Act 2022, and the recommendations of electoral observers such as partners and other critical stakeholders.

Members of the Committee are: 1. Hon. Justice I.I. Agube JCA (Chairman) 2. Hon. Justice P.O. Ige, JCA 3. Hon Justice Emeka Nwite, FHC 4. Hon. Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji, FCT, HC 5. Hon Justice Oji Elizabeth Ama, NIC 6. An INEC Rep. 7. Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN 8. Y.D Dangana Esq (H.M LIMAN Chambers) 9. Kabir Eniola Akanbu Esq, DCR (HQ & EPT) 10. Ahmed Ibrahim Kala Esq, Snr. Reg. (Gombe Div) 11. Altine Duvihrum Maitumbi Esq, Snr Reg.I (EPT) 12. Samira Aliyu, Esq, Snr.

Reg 1 (Legal) 13. Valentine Nwakanma, Esq. Reg I PCA CHAM While inaugurating the Committee, the President of the Court stated that it was her expectation that the exercise would culminate in the production of the Maiden Edition of the Electoral Judicial Manual, which will be designed to prepare Nigeria’s judicial system for the enormous task imminent with the 2023 elections in focus.

Justice Dongban-Mensem explained that the objective of the Electoral Judicial Manual (EJM), is to provide a quick reference material for all strata of Judges and all persons involved in the electoral adjudicatory process.

The manual, she added, would be a guide on frequently litigated electoral issues so that conflicting decisions can be drastically reduced, if not totally eliminated.

She recalled that in the past, the manual was titled, ‘Manual for Election Petition Tribunals’, gave it a restrictive connotation, thereby limiting its usage and discouraging other electoral stake holders from accessing and utilising its rich contents.

She expressed optimism that the Electoral Judicial Manual would be a vital quick reference guide and reference material, for all levels of Judges in the discharge of their duties in the election year.

#upjudicialsalaries “The salary of Judges in South Africa, is over 500% higher than the salary of Judges in Nigeria. Even countries like Gabon, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania are better. Ghanaian Judges are better paid than those of Nigeria.” - Hannibal Uwaifo, President of the African Bar Association (AfBA)

VI IMAGES

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

T

he Edo State capital, Benin City, played host to the high and mighty on Saturday May 14, 2022, as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata and his heartthrob, Osayamon Michelle Ogbebor tied the nuptial knot in a traditional marriage ceremony. Here are some of the personalities who attended the colourful ceremony

L-R: The Couple at the Traditional Wedding Ceremony, NBA President, Mr Olumide Anthony Akpata and his bride, Mrs Osaymon Michelle Akpata

Father of the Groom, Dr. Henry Ogieva Akpata (left) blessing his new daughter-in-law, Osayamon Akpata

“Unveiling of the Bride”: Mr Olumide Akpata unveiling his bride, Osayamon

L-R: H.E, Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Olumide Akpata and H.E, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki

Olumide Anthony Akpata and H.E. Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN

The Couple with Deputy Governor Edo State, Hon. Phillip Shaibu (next to the Groom); Mrs Betsy Obaseki (next to the Bride); Secretary to the Edo State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie; Edo State Attorney/General and Commissioner of Justice, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN and other members of Edo State Government

L-R: Olumide Akpata, Mrs Osayamon Akpata, and H.E, Wife of the Governor of Edo State, Mrs Betsy Obaseki

Chief Jide Omokore (left) and H.E., former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori

Mr & Mrs George Etomi

Sisters of the Groom, Ms Osarugue Akpata (left) and Mrs Irene Dasilva

VII

TUESDAY, MAY24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IMAGES

L-R: Dr Christine Ogbebor (Bride’s Sister); Mrs Judith Isah (Bride’s Sister); Mrs Mary Ogbebor (Bride's Mother); Dame Ann Edoghogho Ogbebor; Mrs Osayamon Akpata and Mrs Pat West Erhabor

L-R: Mr John Chukwu; Mr Olumide Anthony Akpata; H.E. Governor Godwin Obaseki; Mrs Emma Uanseru and Mr Greg Uanseru

The Couple with the Groom’s Classmates from King's College and their Teacher, Mr Clement Chukwudifu

L-R: Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN; Mr Olumide Akpata; Mrs Oludayo Olorunfemi and Mrs Ifedapo Osadola

The couple with Mrs Ferishat Alegeh (left) and Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN L-R: Mrs Obosa Akpata; Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; Hon. Justice S.O. Uwaifo, JSC (Rtd), CON, KSC; Mr Babajide Ogundipe FCIArb and Y.C. Maikyau, SAN

L-R: Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, SAN; Mr Olumide Akpata and Mr Esosa Aluyi

President, Nigerian Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick (left) and the happy couple

L-R: Mr Salman Salman; Mr Alex Mouka and Mr Desmond Ogba

L-R: Mr Leslie Atake; Mr Olumide Akpata; Mr Obes Esiso and Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo

L-R: Talatu Isah; Isoken Uwuigbe; Kamilah Alegeh; Ganiyat Egbeyemi; L-R: Mrs Judith Isah (Bride’s Sister); the Couple; Dr Christine Ogbebor (Bride’s Sister); Nowe Uzamere; Iyobosa Uzamere; Ochuwa Alegeh; Doris Bajah; Salma L-R: The Bride; Mr Benson Ogbebor; Mr Emma Ogbebor; Mr Efosa Ogbebor and Mr Moses Obakpolor Mr Esosa Aluyi and Angela Ogbebor (Bride’s Sister) Alegeh and Chioma Onukwe

VIII

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN

‘6th ICC Arbitration Conference Will be a High-Powered Event’

Nigeria has no doubt come into a clear lead, in the Arbitration community in Africa. In the quest to deepen arbitration practice in Nigeria and make the country the arbitration hub in Africa, the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) Arbitration & ADR Commission is scheduled to hold its 6th ICC Africa Arbitration Conference at the Civic Centre and Eko Hotel, both in Victoria Island, Lagos on 1st - 3rd June, 2022. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi talked to the Chairman of the ICCN Arbitration & ADR Commission, Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN, on the preparations for the Conference at which the first female President of the institution, Ms Claudia Salomon, and the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are expected to speak. Mrs Ufot, SAN, the current holder of the prestigious African Arbitrator of the Year Award, also expressed her views about other burning national issues, including the new law to criminalise payment of ransom for kidnap victims

A

rbitration has gradually been entrenched in our justice delivery system, but a lot of arbitral awards still end up in the courts. For some, arbitration is merely a first step towards litigation. Although we have seen the courts in recent times declining jurisdiction over arbitral awards, how can this narrative be changed so that arbitration will become more deeply entrenched here?

Arbitration remains the preferred mechanism, for the settlement of domestic and international business disputes in Nigeria. Given the relationship between arbitration and investment, the arbitration industry in Nigeria has been a beehive of activities in recent years, and as you rightly put it, arbitration has become entrenched in our justice delivery system. There is no doubt that, quite a number of awards still end up in the courts. This is however, not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa alone. Awards end up in the courts all over the world, but I will admit that this is more prevalent in Africa. When an award is published and the losing party voluntarily complies with the terms of the award, then there is no need to resort to the courts for the recognition and enforcement of the award. However, where the losing party fails to comply with the award, the winning party will need to seek the assistance of the court for the recognition and enforcement of the award in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap A18, LFN 2004. Likewise, where a losing party is aggrieved by the decision of the arbitrator, the law permits him to seek the setting aside of the award in court under the grounds provided in the Arbitration Act. Every arbitration agreement provides that the resultant award is final and binding.

Unfortunately, many contracting parties do not appreciate the purport of this provision, when entering into a contract containing an arbitration clause or an arbitration agreement.

We can stem the tide of arbitration awards ending up in court and change the narrative about arbitra-

tion being a first step to litigation, if contracting and disputing parties commit to honouring the award, no matter the outcome, provided all parties have been given equal opportunity to present their case and due process has been followed by the arbitrators. The parties, their counsel and representatives must all commit to the success of the arbitration process which they have voluntarily entered into and agreed to be binding on them. Counsel must be knowledgeable about the arbitration process and advise their clients on the need to honour the award, even if the award is not favourable to them, provided the right things have been done by the arbitral tribunal. Counsel and indeed, all parties, must adopt a pro-arbitration stance and shun guerrilla tactics during arbitration proceedings, if this narrative must change.

The arbitral tribunal must be knowledgeable and fair to all parties, giving them equal opportunity to present their case. The Tribunal must shun corruption and at the conclusion of the hearing, publish an enforceable award.

The Nigerian courts have a very important role to play in changing this narrative. The courts must continue to be arbitration friendly, and shun applications for anti-arbitration injunctions.

Awards must be set aside, only on the grounds prescribed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 2004 and the New York Convention. All hands must be on deck in order to change this narrative, and ensure that arbitration becomes more deeply entrenched in Nigeria.

Today, there are so many arbitration bodies in Nigeria. How can we ensure cohesion amongst these bodies, to instil confidence in arbitration by disputants?

The proliferation of arbitration institutions in Nigeria is not in doubt, as several arbitration institutions have been established in Nigeria in the last 10 or more years, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigeria Arbitration and ADR Commission.

”The ACA is 34 years old, having been promulgated by Military Decree in 1988. One of the acknowledged challenges for making Nigeria an attractive destination for international arbitration is this obsolete law which has long passed its sellby-date, in view of the enormous changes and progress that have been recorded in the field worldwide….”

It is one thing to establish an arbitration institution, and another for the institution to be viable and internationally recognised as the go to arbitral institution for the resolution of business disputes. It is not the number of arbitral institutions that matters. What matters is the viability of the institution, and maintaining a viable and internationally comparable arbitral institution that is capital intensive. We need independent and world class arbitration institutions with modern and internationally comparable facilities, such as obtains at the ICC Court of Arbitration in Paris, the Maxwell Chambers in Singapore, the Arbitration Place in Toronto and the re-modelled HKIAC Centre in Hong Kong, to mention a few.

In order to instil confidence in the users of the process, our arbitration institutions must embrace international best practices and embark on aggressive marketing and sponsorship of international arbitration programmes, in order to achieve market presence and gain international recognition and acceptability. The truth is that competition is rife even among the well-established arbitration institutions around the world, and several institutions are in a race to be the preferred institution for the users of arbitration services globally, such as the ICC International Court of Arbitration which is referred to in international arbitration circles as the best international arbitration institution in the world. Accordingly, the issue goes far beyond merely naming a place an international arbitration centre.

As a leading expert in ADR, what in your view can be done urgently to make Nigeria an attractive choice and arbitration hub in Africa?

One of the critical determinants of the choice of a seat in international arbitration is the legal framework for arbitration in the proposed country, evidenced by a contemporary and modern national arbitration legislation. The legal framework for arbitration in Nigeria is the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (ACA) Cap A18 LFN 2004, which applies throughout the Federation of Nigeria. The ACA is 34 years old, having been promulgated by Military Decree in 1988. One of the acknowledged challenges for making Nigeria an attractive destination for international arbitration is this obsolete law which has long passed its sell-by-date, in view of the enormous changes and progress that have been recorded in the field worldwide, since the promulgation of the ACA in 1988.

Arbitration practitioners have clamoured for a review of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act for several years, in order to bring it up to the

standard of modern arbitration legislation around the world. Happily, the Nigerian Senate heeded this clarion call on 10th May, 2022 by passing a Bill to enact the Arbitration and Mediation Act, to provide a unified legal framework for the settlement of commercial disputes. The Arbitration and Mediation Bill seeks to repeal the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap A18, LFN, 2004. The Bill also seeks the application of the Singapore Convention, on the International Settlement of Disputes resulting from mediation. The Bill is presently awaiting the President’s assent, to be enacted into law.

Other suggestions for making Nigeria an attractive destination for International Arbitration include the following, which are not exhaustive:1) The Arbitration and Conciliation Act (ACA) requires an urgent review. This is being taken care of as we have heard.

2) Our Judges must support the arbitration process, and enforce arbitration agreements and arbitration awards as appropriate.

3) The Judiciary must adopt a consistent proenforcement stance, when dealing with enforcement of arbitration agreements and awards.

4) Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards must be refused, only under the circumstances set out in Article V of the New York Convention and Sections 52(2)(b)(i) and (ii) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. 5) Nigerian Judges must be wary of granting anti-arbitration injunctions, except in exceptional cases that warrant the making of such orders, and must deal expeditiously with proceedings involving arbitration.

6) The procedure for enforcement of arbitral awards and agreements, must be simplified and expedited. One school of thought has canvassed the idea of the establishment of specialised courts or tribunals to handle matters relating to arbitration, similar to the Investments and Securities Tribunal, which exclusively handles capital market cases due to the speed with which such disputes are expected to be resolved.

7) Apart from ICSID awards which are enforced directly at the Supreme Court as the court of first instance, the length of time it takes for arbitration cases to get to the Supreme Court is embarrassingly excessive. This situation must be addressed, and the trend reversed.

8) The current security situation in Nigeria must be addressed.

9) We must deal with the perception of corruption, and our arbitrators must be men and women of knowledge, expertise and proven integrity.

10) Nigeria's political stability must be guarded jealously.

IX COVER

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

‘6th ICC Arbitration Conference Will be a High-Powered Event’ 11) Nigerian arbitration institutions must embrace international best practices and embark on aggressive marketing and sponsorship of international arbitration programmes, in order to achieve market presence and gain international recognition and acceptability.

12) The conduct of counsel during arbitration proceedings, must be pro-arbitration. Counsel must shun guerrilla tactics while conducting arbitration cases, and assist the process to its conclusion.

13) Arbitration clauses should be thoroughly negotiated and properly drafted in precise and unambiguous terms, in order to avoid intervention by the courts.

14) Arbitration proceedings must be conducted expeditiously, bearing in mind the limitation period for the commencement of an enforcement action.

Accordingly, time is of the essence for the commencement of enforcement proceedings.

15) It must be recognised that the timeframe for instituting an action to set aside an arbitral award, is 90 days from the date of the award. It must also be noted that, arbitration awards are today not lightly set aside. As Nigeria is a signatory to the New York Convention, recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards may be refused only on the grounds recognised under the New York Convention.

You are currently the Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) Arbitration & ADR Commission and your 6th ICC Africa Arbitration Conference is taking place at Eko Hotel on 1st - 3rd June, 2022. Let us into the preparations so far, for this important Conference.

Preparations are in top gear, to ensure that the 6th ICC Africa Arbitration Conference is a huge success. The Conference is for three days starting from 1st June till 3rd June, 2022. There will be an ICC Institute Training on Assessment of Damages

by Arbitrators on 1st June, 2022 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos. There is a separate registration for the training session.

The Conference itself will take place on 2nd & 3rd June, 2022 at Eko Hotel, Plot 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

We have engaged and partnered with relevant stakeholders across various sectors and industries, to ensure full participation at the Conference. This is a must-attend Conference. We have gathered an impressive lineup of over 60 top class speakers from around the world, who will keep delegates up to date with the latest developments in arbitration in Africa. This year’s Conference is hybrid, therefore, we will have delegates attending physically and online.

The topics of discussion during the Conference have been carefully selected, and they deal with contemporary issues in international arbitration such as “African Arbitration in Review: Developments, Challenges and Future Opportunities”; “Enforcement of Arbitral Awards: Challenges; New Trends in Energy Sector Disputes, the Attractions for African Arbitration Practitioners”; “Damages in International Arbitration; Approaches to Valuation in International Arbitration”; Hot topics: “Current Developments in International Arbitration, International Arbitration in Construction Disputes”; “Trends and Opportunities, Collaboration, Inclusion and Representation in African Arbitration”; “Bridging the Anglophone-Francophone African Divide”; “Disruption and Technology in International Arbitration”; “Arbitration Incubation: Ideas from the Next Generation”; “International Arbitration in Africa: Perspectives of In-house Counsel and Other Users of Arbitration to Settle Disputes”.

It is going to be a very engaging two days, that will absolutely be value for money. So far, the participants are from 18 countries of the world.

The Planning Committee headed by Professor Gbolahan Elias, SAN has been working round the clock tirelessly, to ensure the success of this Conference, and I truly commend them for all their hard work. It is important to note that, we are partnering with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the full participation of Nigerian Lawyers at the Conference.

What informed the theme of this 6th Edition of the Conference, that is "Arbitration in Africa: Transformation & Consolidation”?

The theme of this year’s Conference is “Arbitration in Africa: Transformation & Consolidation”.

Nigeria has no doubt witnessed a transformation, in its arbitration ecosystem. This year’s Conference aims at deepening the gains made in the last six years, since we commenced the ICC Arbitration Conference in Africa. Going down memory lane and looking back at the themes of the previous conferences, back in 2016 with the theme, “Arbitration in Africa: Prospects and Challenges” to subsequent themes such as “Arbitration: Catalyst for Economic Growth”, “The Viability of International Arbitration in Africa –Thinking Globally, Acting Locally”, “Africa: Open for Business?”, “Arbitration in Africa: Expanding the Scope”, up to the current theme for the 6th Conference. Arbitration in Nigeria has

Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN indeed, transformed, and we seek to consolidate the gains of these past years. We are definitely not where we were 10 years ago. There has been huge transformation, on several fronts.

Today, we are talking about geographical and gender diversity which have brought Africa and African arbitrators into limelight globally.

The essence therefore, of this year’s theme, is to examine the transformation of arbitration and consolidate the gains.

We understand that the President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris will be at the Conference; that the Director General of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will also grace the opening ceremony. This will certainly be a highpowered event. Which other African countries are you expecting at the Conference, and what is the level of response with regard to registration by Nigerian Lawyers and Arbitrators? Will Young Lawyers be able to afford the registration or are there discounts specially put in place for them? What are the highlights of the Conference? What social activities do you have planned for Conferees?

You are right that, this will be a high-powered event. You see, the ICC Court of Arbitration has been in existence for over 100 years, and in 100 years, the ICC Court has a female President in the person of Ms Claudia Salomon for the first time. Claudia has confirmed her participation in the Conference, and we are very excited to host her in Nigeria. Other invited dignitaries expected to grace the Conference, include the DG of the WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Also speaking at the opening ceremony is the Rt. Hon. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA), the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, the Governor of Lagos State, H.E. Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the A.G. of Lagos State, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN. Also expected to grace the opening ceremony is the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, who will also deliver a welcome address.

We are expecting delegates and speakers from around the world, particularly from the French and English speaking countries in Africa. The Conference will be bilingual, with simultaneous translations. The Conference will analyse the issues facing arbitration in Africa. The annual Conference is very strategic for the arbitration community, to the extent that it keeps creating a growing awareness of the importance of arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism. There are affordable discounted rates for young Lawyers, as applied at all levels at ICC Conferences globally.

There are other activities tailored specifically for young Lawyers and arbitrators, who are considered the next generation of arbitrators.

Some highlights of the Conference include

“Preparations are in top gear, to ensure that the 6th ICC Africa Arbitration Conference is a huge success. The Conference is for three days starting from 1st June till 3rd June, 2022…..This is a must-attend Conference….the participants are from 18 countries of the world”

various speeches by high profile guests at the opening ceremony, and the interviews with the ICC Court President, Ms Claudia Salomon. On social events, there will be an opening cocktail organised by the NBA at which event the President of the NBA will deliver a welcome address in the evening of the training session, there will be dinners and adequate networking events with the ICC President in attendance. There are also scheduled visits to the art gallery and the international market. I am confident that our visitors will experience the Nigerian hospitality.

In 2020 you clinched the prestigious award of African Arbitrator of the Year. What is the significance of this award, for you and for Nigeria?

The African Arbitration Awards 2020 was hosted by the East African International Arbitration Conference to spotlight Africa’s innovation and achievements, and to shine a light on exemplary leadership and success by Africans in international arbitration. The nomination was open to all international arbitration practitioners in Africa.

I contested in the category of African Arbitrator of the Year. This category sought to spotlight and recognise an arbitrator who is a national of an African country, who is over 40 years old.

Such an Arbitrator must be a thought-leader in the international arbitration eco-system, and experienced in international arbitration. The Arbitrator must have sat in arbitrations with significant impact on the development of arbitration in the African continent, and is considered by the international arbitration community, users and peers to be deserving of being named the African Arbitrator of the Year 2020.

The award is significant to Nigeria because the final shortlist from thousands of nominees from across Africa was my good self (Nigeria) alongside two other renowned international arbitrators from Mauritius and Egypt. I was declared the winner by majority votes from across the world, particularly by the international arbitration community. The award is significant to Nigeria because it changes the narrative, that there is a dearth of qualified arbitrators in Nigeria.

I still hold the title, African Arbitrator of the Year because the awards were not conducted last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

You are one of the few female Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Tell us about your journey to taking Silk. Was it difficult? Why are there still so few lady Silks, despite the fact that there is possibly an equal amount of female and male Lawyers in Nigeria?

My journey to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria was expectedly, tough and rigorous.

Becoming Silk was the realisation of a 20 year old dream. It took strong determination, hard work, focus, and the grace of God to make it.

After my call to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, I trained under a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Harry Afolabi Lardner, SAN (deceased), where I gained considerable experience in litigation in all the superior courts in Nigeria, such as the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. I nursed the ambition of taking Silk at the chambers of Mr. H.A. Lardner, SAN, whose advocacy skills I greatly admired. With Mr Lardner, I saw the beauty of becoming a successful Lawyer. My boss personally trained me. Having joined the chambers straight from Law School, I recall Mr Lardner handing me the Rules of the Lagos State High Court to read, and explain my understanding of what I have read to him. We went to court almost every day. I

learnt advocacy, the art of pleading and brief writing from my boss. I also learnt court room dynamics from him.

I founded Dorothy Ufot & Co in Lagos in 1994, where I continued my practice as a trial Lawyer and secured numerous successes for my clients in commercial litigation in the superior courts of record in Nigeria. As part of my contribution to society, I provide legal services on pro bono basis to indigent members of the Nigerian society. In the course of my career, I set free one Etukudo Samuel Attai, who had been on death row for over ten years. I represented him on pro bono basis, and got his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal. He was acquitted and discharged in 2007.

I became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2009, twenty years after I was called to the Bar. Since then, more women have taken Silk in recent times. This notwithstanding, there is still a wide gap between the number of men and women who have taken Silk.

The journey to becoming Silk is extremely challenging for a woman who combines the roles of a wife, mother and career. Although, it is tough, it is certainly not impossible. One only needs to remain focused, work hard and persevere. However, no matter how tough, I do not believe in standards being lowered for women.

I believe that with time, more women will take Silk.

What is your opinion about the new law passed by the National Assembly criminalising the payment of ransoms to kidnappers? Should this be so when people are kidnapped not through any fault of theirs, but because the Government has failed to ºsecure the lives of Nigerians?

The Senate has recently passed a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention Act) and to prohibit the payment of ransom to kidnappers in Nigeria. It is important to state that Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, provides under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State policy that: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

It is therefore, not in doubt from the above provision that the security of the citizens is the responsibility of Government, and not that of the citizens. The pertinent question to ask is, where the Government has failed to secure the lives of the citizens, will it be proper to burden the citizens with punishment for this failure?

It is my belief that the answer is No. In other words, where Government fails to secure the citizens, and as a result, a citizen is kidnapped, will it be proper to punish such citizen for trying to secure his or her life?

All these questions ought to have been answered, before contemplating the enactment of any law criminalising the payment of ransom. A recent example is the incident of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack and kidnapping. It was very disheartening to watch the mother of one of the victims, calling on the Government to help secure the release of the kidnap victims. Nothing has happened so far.

There is no doubt that the payment of ransom may encourage kidnapping; however, the ransoms are not paid voluntarily, but out of threat and fear of the victim being killed. Any act done involuntarily, can be excused under the criminal defence of duress. It is my opinion that it will not be in the interest of justice and equity to punish anyone for an act done under duress, and the payment of ransom is usually done under duress and not with the freewill of the victims of the kidnap.

I think the law criminalising the payment of ransom will not be enforceable, and the same will be observed more in its breach than otherwise. In my opinion, it is unfair to criminalise the payment of ransom, in the present circumstances.

Thank you Learned Silk.

X

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Election and Defection: Who Owns the Votes? (Part 6) Introduction The concern of party defection is rampant in Nigeria’s democratic system due to some flaws in the country’s democratic process.

It is on this premise that there is need to maintain accountability, fair representation, good governance, and rule of law and Democracy and democratic consolidation will be defeated and by no means guaranteed if politics of party defection should continue. On this note, we shall discuss attitude of courts to defection of politicians in other climes.

Examples of Judicial Activism in Interpretation of Statutes (Continues) Other Jurisdictions Although the term, judicial activism was first coined and is often used in the United States (where from Nigeria borrowed her presidentialism), judicial activism has also been applied in other countries, particularly common law jurisdictions. Let us see some of them.

India India has a recent history of judicial activism, originating after the Emergency in India which saw attempts by the Government to control the judiciary. Public Interest Litigation thus, became an instrument devised by the courts to reach out directly to the public and take charge, even though the litigant may not be the victim. Thus, "Suo motu" cognisance emerged, allowing courts to take up such cases on its own.

All such rulings, carry the force of Article 39A of the Constitution of India. Fundamental Rights as enshrined in the Constitution have, using judicial activism, been subjected to wide review, and have now been extended to include and to encompass a right to privacy, right to livelihood and right to education, among others. But, even then, the Supreme Court of India has admonished that the 'basic structure' of the Constitution not to be alterable, notwithstanding the powers of the Legislature under Article 368. This doctrine of activism has been recognised by several other countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Malaysia as part of their jurisprudence.

Other countries such as Singapore, Belize and Uganda have also generated important cases regarding the use of this doctrine of judicial activism in their own countries.

Generally, however, in spite of this activist posture, the approach of the Indian Judiciary has always been to interpret the Constitution literally, and to apply to it more or less the same canons of interpretation as are usually applied to the interpretation of ordinary legislative enactments. This is known as the positivist approach. See also CHIRANJIT LAL v UNION OF INDIA, A.R 1951, 41, at 58.

Israel The Israeli approach to judicial activism has transformed significantly in the last three decades, and currently presents an especially broad version of robust judicial review and intervention, having regard to the intensity of public life and the challenges that the country faces, including security threats.

United Kingdom The British courts had been largely deferential towards their attitudes against the government, before the 1960s. Since then, judicial activism has been well established. One of the cases of this activism was CONWAY v RIMMER (1968) AC 910. This trend has led to, more government actions being overturned by the courts. Judicial activism is greatly established throughout the UK, as the courts are becoming more prone to scrutinise at their own will, and at times, reject government legislation

that they consider to be against the UK Constitution.

With the mind-set of Lord Denning in PARKER v PARKER (supra), in refusing to “do anything” because “it has not been done before”, he had set to remake many laws, drawing the ire and opprobrium of higher courts in the process on many an occasion. For example, in SEAFORD COURT ESTATES LTD v ASHER (1994) 2 KB 481; (1949) 2 ALL E.R. 155, 164.

Lord Denning daringly declared, in what appeared to be quite an unorthodox method of statutory intervention and construction of words used by the Legislature. He believed that the Judge should go ahead and “supplement the written word where necessary, in order to give force and life to the intention of the legislature”. He went on to theorise, with great lucidity, that: “When a defect appears, a Judge cannot simply fold his hands and blame the draftsman. He must set to work on the constructive task of finding the intention of Parliament, and then he must supplement the written words so as to give ‘force and life’ to the intention of legislature. A Judge should ask himself the question how, if the makers of the Act have themselves come across this ruck in the texture of it, they would have straightened it out. He must then do as they would have done. A Judge must not alter the material of which the Act is woven, but he can and should, iron out the creases”.

What then should a Judge do under such circumstances, where, as Lord Denning himself realised in the ASHER case, that he “must not alter the material of which the Act is woven” but merely “iron out the creases”? He provides the answer himself in his inimitable prose in the case of MAGOR & ST MELLONS RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL v NEWPORT CORPORATION (1952) A.C. 189, at 191, where Lord Denning went further and insisted that a court must: “in order to find the intention of the Legislature, also do better by ‘filling the gap’ and ‘making sense’ of the enactment. We do not sit here to pull the language of Parliament to pieces and make nonsense of it. We sit here to

“….. the power and duty of the court does not extend to remaking the statute, or reading into it what is not contained therein. That will amount to judicial rascality, impertinence and irresponsibility”

find out the intention of Parliament and carry it out, and we do this by filling in the gaps and making sense of the enactment by opening it up to destructive analysis”.

Surely, Lord Denning went beyond the duty of a court, which is to interpret the words used by the Legislature. Those words may be ambiguous. Even then, the power and duty of the court does not extend to remaking the statute, or reading into it what is not contained therein. That will amount to judicial rascality, impertinence and irresponsibility [See DADA v FRN (2014) LPELR-24255(CA)].

This was why when the MAGOR case went up to the House of Lords, Lord Denning was greatly upbraided by an incensed Bench, in most caustic words. Lord Simonds found it to be “a naked usurpation of the legislative function under the thin disguise of interpretation, and it is the less justifiable when it is guesswork with what material the Legislature would if it had discovered the gap, have filled it in”. “The duty of the court is to interpret the words that the legislature has used; those words may be ambiguous, but even if they are, the power and duty of the court to travel outside them on a voyage of discovery, are strictly limited. If a gap is disclosed, the remedy lies in an amending Act”.

Lord Morton (with whom Lord Goddard entirely agreed) observed that, “these heroics are out of place”. Lord Tucker warned, “Your Lordships would be acting in a legislative rather than a judicial capacity, if the view put forward by Denning L.J., were to prevail”.

Lord Denning was not alone in using judicial activism to attempt to remake the law to bring it in line with current political, socio-economic, cultural and commercial realities of an ever evolving and dynamic society. Justice Cardoso in his book, “The Nature of Judicial Process” (1921), pages 30-31, believes there is a “point of contact between the legislator’s work and his…

Each indeed, is legislating within the limits of his competence. No doubt, the limits for the Judges are narrower.

He legislates only bwetween gaps. He fills the open spaces in the law… The law which is the resulting product is not found, but made”. Lord Campbell in FELL v BURCHETT (1857) believed a Judge should “make sense of nonsense, and to reconcile the irreconcilable”.

Judicial Activism in Nigeria In OPUTA v BABANGIDA (2003) 1 SC (Pt 3) 86, the Supreme Court courageously held that the power of Parliament to make

laws with regard to Tribunals of Inquiry as reflected in the legislative Lists contained in the relevant provisions of the schedule to the 1963 Constitution was, for whatever reasons, denied the National Assembly in both the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions of Nigeria. Without such constitutional provisions, no valid law can be made, or can exist, standing on its own and of a general nature, to apply throughout the Federation of Nigeria on the strength of which the President may set up a tribunal or Commissions of Inquiry.

Similarly, in AG OGUN STATE & ORS v AGF (2002) 18 NWLR (Pt. 798) 232, the Supreme Court held that, in so far as any Act of the National Assembly provides for Joint Local Government Account Allocation Committees for each State to regulate the manner the amount allocated to the States for the benefit of the Local Governments is to be distributed, such Act is inconsistent with Section 162 (8) of the 1999 Constitution. Also, in AG ONDO STATE v AGF & ORS (1983) 2 SCNLR 269, the Apex Court held that the provisions of the Act (ICPC) impugned on the cardinal principles of Federalism, namely, the requirement of equality and autonomy of the State Government and non-interference with functions of State Government. This is true, notwithstanding, both the State and Federal Government share the power to Legislate, in order to abolish corruption and abuse of office. See also AG ABIA STATE & ORS v AGF (2002) 4 SC (Pt 1) 1, where the court held that apart from the power conferred in item II of the Concurrent Legislative List and Section 7(6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, (Power to make provision for statutory allocation of public revenue to Local Government Councils in the Federation), the National Assembly does not possess any power to enact laws affecting local government.

Judicial Activism v Stare Decisis A court of law must not in the name of judicial activism, violate the hallowed principles of stare decisis governed by Judicial precedents.

In DADA v FRN (2014) LPELR-24255 (CA), the intermediate court wondered aloud thus: “How can a High Court refuse to abide by this Court, on the ground that its decision is based on a decision that has been overruled? Surely, the Respondent’s stance is nothing but a call to judicial anarchy. See LMB LTD. v PTF (2006) 5 NWLR (Pt. 974) 463, wherein it was held “The principle of stare decisis , I think, has imposed an obligation on lower courts to be bound by the decisions of higher courts. Deliberate refusal to so be bound amounts to judicial impertinence, which is capable of enthroning judicial rascality and anarchy in the judicial hierarchy.

This must be eschewed and discouraged

by Judges”.

In UNILAG v OLANIYAN (1985) 1 SC 295, Eso JSC, observed: “A lower court has no business with whether or not the decision of this court therein, is right or wrong. In the hierarchy of courts, one principle has been established beyond par, and that is, that lower court is bound by decision of higher court”.

In SHELL (NIG) EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION CO. LTD v NOSDRA (2021) LPEL53068 (CA), it was held that: “The law is well settled on the fundamental principle of stare decisis which literally means judicial precedent, that all courts of law of subordinate hierarchical jurisdiction must follow and apply the decisions of superior courts of record, even where they believe that these decisions are wrong. The wisdom behind it, is to guarantee consistency in judgements handed down by the courts and also avoid judicial anarchy”. (Concluded).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “The intelligent ruler makes the laws select men and makes no arbitrary appointment himself; he makes the law measure merits and makes no arbitrary judgement himself”.

(Han Fei)

24.5.2022

/XI

XII/

24.5.2022

XIII

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

X-Raying Machiavellian El-Rufai F

rom Atiku Abubakar, to Olusegun Obasanjo, to Muhammadu Buhari, to Bola Tinubu: It is said that you are a nobody in Nigeria if Nasir El-Rufai has not knelt down to you, only to either disappoint, or betray you.

If you thought that that was an exaggeration, then you should have been a fly in the wall at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, seat of the Kaduna State Government on Thursday 12, May, 2022.

At that venue and on that date, Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna state announced to the world that both he and his 69 delegates were solidly behind the Presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, who was in the state campaigning for votes for the APC’s forthcoming Presidential primary.

At the event, Mr. El-Rufai said: “Sir, (referring to Tinubu) you can be rest assured of our support.

We keep to our words and ensure that as we intend to keep our promise. We will also want you to promise to deal with insecurity, infrastructure and support agriculture and empowerment.”

And that was it. Bola Tinubu went away convinced that Nasir El-Rufai and his delegates would, “keep to our words and ensure that as we intend to keep our promise.”

It only took three days for Mr. Tinubu to know how much value Mr. El-Rufai attaches to his words.

For on Sunday, May 15, 2022, Mr. El-Rufai was singing a very different tune. This time, he was speaking with Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, the minister of transport, who was at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House for the same reason as Bola Tinubu.

After hearing out Mr. Amaechi’s spiel, Nasir El-Rufai then asked the gathered delegates the following question: “What are you going to do? Who are you supporting now? You have a huge burden on you, and you must choose what is best for Kaduna and for Nigeria.”

To which the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, responded to the effect that both he and all the delegates from Kaduna have resolved to vote for Amaechi.

Never mind that El-Rufai has turned a religiously heterogeneous state into one where one religion dominated the other (the Governor, his deputy, and the Speaker of the Assembly, who are number one, two and three in hierarchy, are all Muslims), but his behaviour at the May 15 event is anti-Islam.

Quran 3:76 warns against those who make a promise and do not fulfil it. That ayat says:

Which loosely translates to English as: But Allah loves only those who fulfil their covenant and fear Allah. Truly Allah loves the God-fearing.

el-Rufai Such persons are the direct opposite of Al-Muttaqun.

They are in fact, Munafiq.

And Nasir El-Rufai’s behaviour is consistent with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assessment of his character.

Mr. Obasanjo’s assessment of Mr. El-Rufai is found in page 275-276 of the digital copy of his book, My Watch Volume 2, as follows: “Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological. Why does he do it? I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir el-Rufai. He barefacedly lied which he did to me against his colleagues and so-called friends. I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who was like, in the African setting, his foster father. I shuddered when I heard the story of what he did to his half-brother in the Air Force who is senior to him in age.”

And this assessment was very quickly corroborated by the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, whose name had come up in Mr. El-Rufai’s public comments on May 15, 2022.

He had accused Mr. Lamido of having a meeting with him, along with six other Peoples Democratic Party Governors, who were negotiating joining the All Progressives Congress with him (Mr. El-Rufai) to which in a sharp riposte on May 18, 2022, Mr. Lamido said: “At no time did we ever have a meeting as a group of Seven Governors with El Rufai. Not that I know of!”

Why does El-Rufai lie so much and so effortlessly?

Is it that he is mentally unstable? Why does he have difficulty staying loyal? Did he develop this shiftiness of character as a defence mechanism to being bullied at school? Or is it a psychological condition? Could it be a symptom of multiple personality disorder?

How can you within the space of 72 hours pledge loyalty to two different persons seeking the same office? You promised your delegates to Tinubu on May 15, and then re-promise them to Amaechi three days later.

I now understand why the NDLEA’s Buba Marwa wants to screen all 2023 contestants for drug use.

The litany of lies and manipulative behaviours displayed by this fellow call into question his fitness for office.

Who has not accused El-Rufai of lying?

On Thursday, May 20, 2021, both parents of a child on oxygen, as well as nurses at the Barau Dikko Hospital accused Nasir El-Rufai of being a liar over claims that children had had oxygen masks taken off from them by striking nurses.

On Sunday February17, 2019, the Christian Association of Nigeria described Mr. El-Rufai as a liar.

On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, the House of Representatives, dominated by his own APC party, called Nasir El-Rufai a liar for stating that he had published his own personal security vote budget.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015, the Nigerian government, under the ruling All Progressives Congress of which he is a member, officially called Nasir El-Rufai a liar, over his claims (now established to be lies), that the previous Jonathan administration had spent N64 billion on Independence Day celebrations (not up to N1 billion was spent).

And it is just not lying. His career as a backstabber is legendary. He was brought into government by then Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who he turned against and pitted against then President Obasanjo, whose bingo he became. Then when Obasanjo’s tenure ended without Obasanjo anointing him as his successor, he ran away in exile to nurse his wounds.

He remained there until his arch nemesis, President Umaru Musa Yar’adua died. Thereafter, he returned to the country, met with the new President, Goodluck Jonathan and started lobbying him to be made his Vice President.

When on May 12, 2010, then-President Jonathan picked the then Kaduna State Governor, Namadi Sambo, as his vice, El-Rufai bared his fangs and again switched sides to General Buhari, a man he had insulted as bad for Nigeria only a few years earlier.

So, given such a long and illustrious career as a liar and schemer, I am wondering why anyone would take anything said by Nasir El-Rufai, at any time, to heart. The man is just too unstable and untrustworthy to be taken seriously. Whether by Amaechi or by Tinubu.

It is not just size that connects Nasir El-Rufai to

Tyrion Lannister and Lord Petyr Baelish of Game of Thrones. All of them have similar characters. Very slippery and shady. And very skilful at betrayal and backstabbing. Trust them at your own risk.

If Amaechi and Tinubu count on him, I feel sorry for them! If Pastor Yemi Osinbajo promises El-Rufai the Vice Presidency, he will betray Amaechi for Osinbajo, just as he betrayed Tinubu for Amaechi.

It is only Southerners that are foolish enough to even consider trusting El-Rufai. In the North, he is a well-known Munafiq, of whom it is said that if you are locked in a room with a cobra and El-Rufai, leave the cobra and face the demon. At least you can get anti-venom medication. But there is no anti-demon medication if you are not strong spiritually!

And a lot of Northerners feel that way about Osinbajo too. That is why I laugh at the suggestion of an Osinbajo-El-Rufai ticket.

Let me use an allegory to describe the public perception of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Northern Nigeria.

Imagine you were denied a visa to England, where your bride-to-be’s parents live. So, you asked your best friend, who had a UK visa, to represent you.

And he went there to marry your wife. That is what “Osunbade” did to Tinubu by contesting the APC primary with him!

And we all know that. Including those defending him. Would you want such a friend? Bola Tinubu is a nasty piece of work. But when the APC’s MuslimMuslim ticket was untenable, Tinubu nominated Osinbajo to represent him.

What he did shows a lack of character. No matter how bad your benefactor is, as long as God used him to make you what you are, it is ungodly to now turn against him and begin to contest with him. People will argue and ratify this. But in your own personal lives, you won’t want such a friend!

Reno’s Nuggets Have a job Have a side hustle Have investments Have real estate Have a gold ETF Have shares Have a YouTube channel Have an amazon KDP account Have treasury bills Then if you have money left after all these, you can then waste it on posing for social media.

Stop going broke because you are trying to look rich! Looking ordinary, yet being extraordinarily wealthy is better than looking extraordinary, but being in reality extraordinarily poor. #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria, after Eight Years of Buhari's Misrule

By Prisca O. Ihekwoaba “Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions,” – Bo Bennett. en. Muhammadu Buhari, born in Daura in present-day Katsina State, driven by a lust for power and subjugation, imposed himself on Nigerians by overthrowing the democratically-elected government of thenPresident Shehu Shagari. He ruled Nigeria as a military dictator between 1984 and 1985. He was bereft of vision and initiative to move the country forward and suffered an ignoble end as his ilk brought his dictatorial reign to an abrupt end.

His lust for power continued to flicker with the return to democratic rule in 1999. From 2003, Gen. Buhari made several unsuccessful attempts to reinvent himself, saying severally that he had become a democrat. Eventually, he found a political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is an amalgam of opposition parties - to relaunch his ambition in 2014. By 2015, with the help of shrewd politicians and propaganda gurus, he was finally considered a lesser evil compared to the then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. On the platform of APC, he defeated Jonathan.

The retired general became the first opposition leader to win a presidential election in Nigeria.

In a whirlwind of campaign promises, he stoutly promised Nigerians security, a death knell to corruption and a buoyant economy. That was the tripod of his campaign. Almost seven years down the line, those cardinal promises appear a mirage.

G

Under Buhari, Boko Haram has metamorphosed into a more dangerous terrorist group, and we now have the ISWAP. The marauding bandits that took over where killer herdsmen left off are more fiendish. They kill. They steal.

They destroy. They kidnap. They collect ransoms.

They hold the nation hostage, attacking security forces at will, while orchestrating mass abductions of schoolchildren. The bandits are implacable, irreligious and cold-blooded. Government’s pleas to them often fall on deaf ears. They reign supreme in the North.

In the South, first, it was a moment of murderous ritualists and kidnappers in the South-West, while the separatist group, IPOB led

by Nnamdi Kanu has taken over the South-east.

Seeing that the government was on the ropes, a sophisticated group of “unknown gunmen” emerged from the Hades, wreaking havoc on government facilities, personnel, and security forces. Bloodletting and destruction have become unprecedented on the president’s watch. The nation's defence spending, though huge, remains shrouded in ambiguity.

Post-Buhari, we need to maintain a more robust intelligence so that we can be proactive, not reactive, to every unfavourable security situation. The police force, which is the base for securing the society, must be revamped and well-equipped. We also need to rebuild and re-establish trust amongst all ethnic groups and run a government of inclusion, which will douse misgivings and suspicions. There is also a need to rejig the national orientation agency to be more in tune with current realities, so that it can function well in re-establishing trust that has broken down amongst the various

ethnic groups in Nigeria under Buhari. Our people also need to be energised to key into government programmes and policies geared towards uplifting our nation-state.

Appointments must strictly follow federal character and competence, with prompt job evaluation to reorganise all the weak links.

With economic indexes of GDP growth of 4.03 per cent, inflation of 16.82 per cent as of April 2022, a foreign reserve of $39.9 billion and an exchange rate of N415 naira/$1, the economy needs very urgent and expert attention. Though the Buhari government has made some efforts with the conditional cash transfer to lift people out of poverty, it needs to be institutionalised and expanded. Also, the infrastructural revamp across the nation, including the completion of the long-abandoned Kano-Maiduguri superhighway, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Lagos-Ibadan railway, completion of the MMIA new terminal, the Second Niger Bridge, amongst others, is a step in the right direction but there are many more areas begging for attention like Lagos-Badagry Expressway which the incoming government would need to undertake.

Moving forward, the incoming government should insulate our monetary policies from politics. This will boost investor confidence in the economy. The exchange rate is determined by productivity; therefore, diversifying our revenue sources is key. Incentives for production for exports should be made available to small and medium-scale enterprises. Efforts should be made to reduce arbitrage opportunities. There should be no discrimination based on religion and ethnicity. Transparency should be the next government’s watchword with no opaqueness. We

also need to provide an enabling environment for job creation. Venture capital funds in trillions of naira on the condition that the beneficiaries must undergo skill training with proper supervision.

The funds should be disbursed only on satisfactory qualification of the applicants. This must be fully private sector-driven. We must vigorously pursue entrepreneurial capitalism with a touch of welfare for the elderly. The government should declare a state of emergency in the power sector.

That way, every trapped, captive power can be released into the national power grid.

Successive governments have made several efforts to curb and tame the monster called corruption. The Buhari regime tried implementing the single-treasury account, but this has yielded very few results. The next government must show the will and commitment to have an open-budgeting, and easily trackable budgeting process such that when projects are approved and releases made, the funds can easily be tracked. Contracts and the accompanying payments should be made open so that the public can raise queries once there are discrepancies. Payments for government services should be only through approval portals.

The government must make the legal system functional such that those who are suspected of corruption must be made to understand that it is an act of war against the state and must be taken to court accordingly. The loss of revenue arising from corruption staves municipal services like schools, roads, hospitals, etc. of funds.

Post-Buhari, we need a pragmatic, unifying and an egalitarian leader that can accomplish all of this.

Prisca O. Ihekwoaba priscamammi@gmail.com

XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY MAY 24, 2022

FEATURES

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

Accelerating Development through Changemaker Movement A revolutionary movement called ‘Everyone A Changemaker’ launched in Lagos recently by Ashoka Africa will fast-track home-grown solutions to social-economic challenges in Nigeria. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

H

er brief speech left the audience in awe. Ayomide Akran, a 13-year old girl in Lagos revealed how she founded Pink Diva Organization to ensure a better recycling system for Nigeria and providing reusable menstrual pads for young girls in rural areas.

She is just one of the six young changemakers unveiled in Lagos, at the official launch of the movement called ‘Everyone A Changemaker’ (EACH). Others include Deborah Benjamin, a 19-year old founder of Save a Girl Africa, an advocacy group that creates a safe environment for young people away from sexual violence as well as the 19-year old founder of STEMCLUB, Godwin Jonathan who tackles digital illiteracy through STEM education using alternative learning models.

Godwin Kevin is another young changemaker who founded Inspire for Greatness to inspire young people with leadership training and access to opportunities. Standing beside him for recognition was Splendour Kalu, the 19-year old founder of Communities Will Connect to empower young children with basic coding and computer skills.

Lastly, David Onilude a 20-year old founder of Tech Now Global also explored the power of technology to eradicate digital illiteracy.

An initiative of Ashoka Africa, the launch of ‘Everyone a Changemaker’ (EACH) signalled a milestone in the organisation’s journey of promoting social entrepreneurship with the aim of reaching and providing 200 million Nigerians and 1.3billion Africans with essential tools, resources and inspiration for empowerment.

On its part, the Ashoka Young Changemakers is a programme launched by Ashoka to support young changemakers under 21 years.

They had been selected from a network of young people who have power to create change for the good of their communities.

Since 2021, Ashoka Africa has laid the foundation for this movement by building a formidable team of next generation leaders, Ashoka fellow co-leads and Ashoka Young Changemakers towards building a thriving nation.

The launch of EACH which took place at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja was part of a week-long menu to showcase, amplify and spread the key message of EACH vision to empower both the young and old with skills necessary to transform their communities for the common good.

The engagement has led to jujitsu partnership including the Ministry of Education, TRACE,

From Left: Godwin Kevin, David Onilude, Ayomide Akran, Splendour Kalu, Jonathan Godwin, Deborah Benjamin at the launch of 'Everyone A Changemaker' in Lagos Voice of Nigeria, Radio Nigeria/Radio One Lagos, Lantern Books, National Publishers Association, National Open University of Nigeria and All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary schools.

In his opening remarks, the Vice President, Youth Years, Ashoka Africa, Okey Uzoechina revealed that the organisation is pulling together resources and abilities towards the revolutionary core for change.

“We have been cultivating the partnerships, we’ve been making sure that the essential oxygen and supplies that we need to launch and sustain the movement is already in place. We built partnerships with the media, publishers, government, teachers’ unions and schools of education. " These are what we call the ecosystem that supports and influences the growing up years of children and young people.

Over the years, we have also identified and supported ASHOKA fellows in Africa who are already leading systems change in their various fields.

"That is the mission of ASHOKA: to empower every girl and boy, every man and woman with the essential skills and

tools and with the inspiring stories of change making for them to realise that they already have change making in them. It is within all of us.

“We want to reach 200m Nigerians and we are working with a lot of partners to achieve this. TraceTV has a global audience of 250million people. Media is really important in shifting mindset, reorienting people from the old to the new reality. The new world is defined by change, complexity and uncertainty.

We need to raise our children up to master the skills to thrive in this kind of reality that did not exist some years ago,’’ he said.

Like Dr. Ndidi Ofole, he noted that empathy is a fundamental attribute that is required to be a changemaker.

For one to change his society, he must understand the situation and challenges and possess the will to solve it.

In the same vein, the Co-founder and Global Director, Ashoka Young Changemakers, Yashveer Singh described the selected young social entrepreneurs as ‘role models for other young people’ and ‘the future.’

“They have stepped out of their comfort zones and taken initiatives to

change their lives and those of others. We are here to celebrate them. Nigeria is a special place and a country with one of the largest portions of the youth population in Africa.

"The whole world is looking at Africa today to give solutions to new ideas and I think the future will be in the hands of Nigerian youths and it is a start that we have come to recognise the culture that young people do not just have to be recipient but they can also be givers and contributors,’’ he added.

Adeyemi Adebayo, the Director of Special Duties and Innovations, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, who represented the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo at the event remarked that the only sustainable way of driving development is collaboration. This accounts for why the ministry of education in Lagos had partnered Ashoka to empower school children to be self-reliant.

When asked if this partnership will result in a review of the school curriculum, he was enthusiastic and confident about the on-going effort of the Lagos state government to incorporate changemaking in school the comprehensive school syllabus.

“The previous curriculum that we had did not include the 21st century skills and that is what of the key things that the Lagos state government has done in incorporating those skills into our curriculum. Critical thinking and creativity are part of those skills. Most graduates can’t get a job after years of study because they have no skill.

"That informs us of having comprehensive schools. Instead of emphasizing on English and Mathematics, there are children with kinesthetic intelligence. They can dance and sing. Why must we focus on making children engineers and doctors when as a matter of fact they have their in-built potential? We have piloted 12 comprehensive schools in Lagos and by the end of this year, we will reach 50,’’ he declared.

During the media dialogue session between Director, National Broadcast Academy, Ken Ike Okere and MD TRACE West Africa, Samo Onyemelukwe revealed that a new app, Trace Academia has since been launched to empower individuals with entrepreneurial and soft skills.

Ashoka, described as the largest global network of social entrepreneurs with systemchanging solutions across countries, is positioned to identify patterns in social innovation, convene key decision-makers and influencers from formal and informal sectors of the economy to drive change and development.

To Drive Progress for Continent, Africa Soft Power Summit 2022 Calls for Collaboration Precious Ugwuzor Ahead of the 2022 Africa Soft Power Summit in Kigali, leading stakeholders across Africa’s creative and knowledge industries, have called for increased collaborations, towards the advancement of the continent’s creative and knowledge eco-system.

With the Africa Soft Power Summit celebrating its return to a real-world setting, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the stakeholders, drawn from diverse sectors across Africa’s creative and business sectors, have thrown their weight behind the summit, focused on ‘Africa & the Global Community, while calling for increased collaborations across diverse sectors, towards enabling laudable growth for the continent.

Billed to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 26th – 27th, the 2022 Africa Soft Power Summit will feature combine sessions, networking activities, and local events, in celebration of Africa’s unique creative, knowledge and digital industries.

Sharing his thoughts on the role of quality partnerships in creating an improved narrative for African creative talents, Prolific Nigerian rapper and record producer, Jude ‘MI’ Abaga, expressed that there is no better time than now to leverage deliberate collaborations to drive growth and significant progress for Africa’s creative industry.

Dickson Nsofor, Kora’s Co-founder, and CEO, believes the summit will help push a positive narrative for Africa and connect

the continent even more strongly to the world.

"While the ASP summit is focused on leveraging the creative industry, among other initiatives, to push a positive narrative for Africa, we, at Kora, are leveraging our pan-African payment infrastructure to connect Africa to the world,” says Dickson.

Speaking on the upcoming event and the progress that it will enable for the continent, Nkiru Balonwu, Founder & Creative Director of the Africa Soft Power Summit, stated that what Africa’s creative and cultural industries bring to the global economy is unique.

“This year’s event will showcase the growing power of the digital, creative and knowledge economies. Modern economies are shifting, and if African countries are quick to embrace this change, we can create more homegrown opportunities, hold onto our brightest minds, and be a pioneer in building the creative and digital sectors of the future.

"So, in addition to showcasing the African CCI to the world, we also want to showcase its potential to the public and private sectors domestically and provide a blueprint for future growth.”

Nkiru said.

Originally founded as a virtual event during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Africa Soft Power Summit continues its theme of promoting May as ‘Africa month’, while the Africa Soft Power Project (ASP) at large seeks to establish the continent’s creative and knowledge industries on the world stage.

Speaking on the rationale behind the collaboration with ASP, John Manyo-Plange, Associate Vice President, NBA Africa, and Head of Strategy & Operations, Basketball Africa League said, "Africa's real power is in its people. Sports has a pivotal role to play in projecting that power on the continent.

On the role of collaborations in building a sustainable travel and tourism industry, Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director, Africa International Air Transport (IATA), expressed her excitement about being a part of the Africa Soft Power Summit 2022, adding that the platform is significant not just for the development of Africa’s creative industry, but also for the growth of the travel industry and the African economy at large.

Speaking about the collaboration with ASP, Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank, expressed that the summit aligns with the objective of the institution, especially around stimulating a consistent expansion and diversification of African trade, to rapidly increase the continent’s share of global trade.

Specifically, the 2022 programme will focus

on ‘Africa & the Global Community: The New Face of Collaboration’, examining how Africa’s digital, creative and knowledge economies can be leveraged to benefit the continent, the global diaspora community, and beyond.

Sessions will include sports, film, music, fashion, financing/digital infrastructure, tourism/trade, and payments.

Some of the speakers already confirmed for the 2022 Summit include: Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank, Gina Din-Kariuki, Founder and Executive Chairperson, Gina Din Group, Mike Ogbalu III, CEO, PAPSS, Jude ‘M.I.’ Abaga, Founder/CEO, TASCK Agency, Crystal Rugege, MD, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda, Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director, Africa, IATA , Balkissa Idé Siddo, Director of Public Policy, Africa, Facebook, Victor Williams, CEO, NBA Africa; Gabby Otchere-Darko, Executive Chairman, Africa Prosperity Network; Naledi K. Khabo, CEO, Africa Tourism Association and Gbemi Disu, Executive Director, Carnegie Mellon University Africa.

Previous speakers at ASP events have included senior-level executives from companies like Netflix, Apple, MTN, ESPN, PayPal, Facebook, Sotheby’s as well as thought leaders, artists and celebrities such as Mona Eltahawy, Jidenna, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Benjamin Crump, Hakeem Belo Osagie, Nandipha Mntambo, Yofi Grant, Siba Mtongana, Amadou Fall, Tunde Folawiyo and others.

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY MAY 24, 2022

FEATURES

Accolades for Entrepreneur, Philanthropist Par Excellence Dr. Charles Mba is the Executive Officer and Managing Director of CDV Group, one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria. Through his pet project Charley Mba Foundation, he has been consistently giving full scholarship opportunities to indigent students. Beyond this, he has provided quality tarred roads, electricity, jobs and financial assistance to local traders, nursing mothers, and the less privileged persons in his state and beyond. Chiamaka Ozulumba reports that he was recently honoured for creating employment, his humanitarian services and charitable dispositions

"S

uccess in life is not for those who run fast, but for those who keep running and always on the move.”

This is one of the creed the Executive Officer and Managing Director of CDV Group, Dr. Charles Mba, lives by.

For industry watchers and friends, it was not surprising the recent honour he received. Last week Friday, Dr. Mba, walked to the front stage to gain an additional honour during the Vanguard Newspapers Award following his notable and remarkable achievements in the private sector. CDV is one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria.

Reacting to the honour, Chimezie Mba, the Manager of 34V Engineering, a company which specialises on road constructions, culvert, and among others, said "it is not contestable that the award by Vanguard Newspaper on Dr Charles Mba is deserving as he has proved beyond reasonable doubt his ability to always transform vision into reality.

"Dr. Charles Mba is one man who many people look up and he has never failed or disappointed them in their decision of seeing or adopting him as their mentor.

He is never selfish as growing others has become part of things he enjoys doing.

"He demonstrates the exact meaning of living by using his talent to serve the world and leaving a lasting impression while serving and maintaining a positive impact on the causes that matter to the powerful."

But beyond this, Mba has been consistent in helping the less privileged in the society. One of such instances is how he has through his pet project Charley Mba Foundation purposefully given scholarships to indigent students of Udenu and Nsukka, both in Enugu State, from primary to university level.

Infact, Mba remains one of the benefactor leader of Nsukka zone. He has provided quality tarred roads, electricity, jobs and financial assistance to local traders, nursing mothers, and the less privileged persons in his state and beyond.

Over the years, he has sponsored & trained many who aspire for professional course in engineering, pharmacy, medicine and nursing.

Dr. Ndubuisi Charles Mba as he is fondly called “Ihe Oma Chukwu mere n’Nsukka.” meaning "the good that happened to the Nsukka people" did not appear from the moon. He has worked hard for over decade to get to where he is today.

He rose from the scratch to become very influential, successful and major player in real estate and constructions within Nigeria and beyond.

His passion for professional excellence and humanity has placed him in the good books of both local and international bodies.

Over the years, he had bagged several prestigious awards. The most recent is the "Investor of the Year Award by The Sun Newspapers.

He has also been Honoured Award of Outstanding Leadership Recognition & Inspirational Leadership in March, 2020; Excellence Award in West Africa by the Chartered Institute Of Public Resources Management & Politics, Ghana; The Nigerian Entrepreneurs Award of Excellence; The Dignity of Man Award from the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Lagos Branch and The Africa Prize for Leadership Excellence as The Property Development Personality of the year 2017.

These recognitions and many others not listed here have come naturally as

Senator Ayogu Eze, Dr. Mba and Governor Hope Uzodinma

Dr Charles and wife, Mrs. Onyi Mba after receiving a real estate award from Vanguard Newspaper a result of Mba's hard work which has contributed immensely to the development of the society.

Continuing, Chimezie Mba noted that from creating employments to humanitarian services, Dr. Mba's charitable dispositions have equally not gone unnoticed as his name stands tall as one of the illustrious sons of Orba Community in the socio-economic sphere and an indefatigable pillar of scholarship for the youths.

"Through his foundation he has made substantial contributions towards the upliftment of his society. This

feat made him eminently qualified as he was deservingly bestowed with a prestigious Igbo chieftaincy title -Egbe Igwe n'Orba, in Orba community in Uduenu Local Government Area of Enugu State," he added Happily married and blessed with children, Dr. Mba with his quintessential and amazing personality has made his mark in the sand of time and continues to leave an indelible print in the history of national development.

Chimezie added that "His achievements have summarily been built on dogged optimism-seeing the light at

"His achievements have summarily been built on dogged optimism-seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...through his foundation he has made substantial contributions towards the upliftment of his society"

the end of the tunnel. His life has become a model inspiration for us that we can only conquer our nightmares through the passionate pursuit of our dreams, and that there are possibilities in impossibilities.

"It is hoped he would continue to usher in more grace to his glory as he continues to further manifest his destined greatness.

For Enugu State, Nigeria and the world at large still look forward to his mega vision, octopus mission and unassailable journey of purposive and selfless service to humanity in his lifetime."

An alumnus of the prominent University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he was found worthy of character and learning, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, it left many wondering how a graduate of Microbiology has been doing wonders in the real estate world. For for those who know him, it is his passion, commitment and determination and self belief that stands him out.

Mba see opportunities where others see high risk and failure. In an atmosphere of difficulty, when others would have given up, he takes the risk and brings out result. Therefore, his foray into the real estate and property development brought quality competition in the real estate market and sparked innovative approach to property marketing.

The Nigeria corporate world, especially the topsy-turvy world of real estate is full of enormous huddles and pressure yet, Mba, known as one who really never takes the path of least resistance, has remained steadfast, more than the ordinary human; he has not only joined others to transform the private sector in Nigeria but has indeed become an epitome of excellence and refinement worthy of emulation.

His company CDV Properties & Development Ltd has continued to take a steadily larger piece of the real estate and property development sector in Nigeria.

A fellow of several professional bodies (Chartered Institute Of Public Resources Management & Politics, Ghana (CIPRMP) and member of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), he has shown grit in all ramifications.

In 2021, in recognition of his monumental achievements in high enterpreneurship and service to humanity, Mba was recognised and conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the European American University Commonwealth of Dominican in University of Accra, Ghana.

The marketer by nature and visionary entrepreneur, cut his teeth with Emzor Pharmaceutical Company in Lagos, where he served dedicatedly and acquired necessary fundamental procedural and business skills.

He later moved to Mitchell Engineering Limited as Site manager. Thereafter, he was poached by Newsite Limited, a real estate and property development firm based in Lagos, where he worked as a Senior project manager and garnered all the exposures in the sector.

He is equally a construction magnate behind 34V Engineering Limited, which provides full range of services from financing to project management and activities including road construction, tunnelling, and civil engineering.

His enterprise is not limited to selffinanced enterprises in the real estate and construction sector as he serves as a Board Chairman of Jason Tender Care School Lagos, and a few others with interest in importation and hospitality, as well as oil and gas.

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT FG Directs ARCON Management Committee to Refrain from Statutory Functions Bennett Oghifo

A

n interim committee set up by the federal government to manage the affairs of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) have been told to refrain from performing statutory functions.

The government’s directive is contained in a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, for the Minister, Babatunde Fashola.

The Permanent Secretary said he issued the statement as directed by the Minister of Works and Housing “pursuant to the provision of sections 3 and 4 (1) of the Act, as well as Clause 2(2) of the First schedule to the Act.” According to the statement, the Management Committee of ARCON that the Committee

should “refrain forthwith from all activities which constitute statutory functions of the Council as enumerated in Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act until a new properly constituted Council is in place; only oversee the routine administrative management of the Council until a new properly constituted Council is in place; retract recent statement in the advert by the Committee on the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE); intensify efforts to reconcile the warring factions to embrace dialogue in resolving issues leading to the stagnation of the Profession rather than engage in needless litigation that created the current impasse; and ensure that the issues that led to the litigation that created the current impasse are speedily and amicably resolved in the best interest of the Architecture profession and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Giving reasons for its action, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing its attention was drawn “to the activities of the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a transition committee created by law to undertake routine management of the ARCON upon expiration of tenure of its statutory council and pending the constitution of a new council.”

The minister said, “In spite of presidential approval for the inauguration of a new council, it has not been possible to inaugurate the council as a result of litigation instituted by members of the Architecture Profession seeking to stop the inauguration.

In the face of this self-induced stalemate, the Management Committee is purporting to exercise powers which only a full committee is permitted by law to exercise.

“Such conducts are clearly not only in violation of their enabling statute but could also attract criminal sanctions. These activities include: a plan to organise the 2022 Colloquium for architects in Nigeria from Monday 23rd –Thursday 26th May, 2022 and a plan to undertake Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE) Exercise. These are core functions of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and not that of the Management Committee.

“In order to forestall any breach of law and guide the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, the stakeholders, and members of public appropriately, it is pertinent to make the following clarifications in line with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act (Cap A19 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).

SEC Calls for Urgent Standardisation of Estate Valuation Bennett Oghifo The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called for an urgent standardisation of the value of every piece of real estate in the capital market to prevent different values being presented for one property.

The Director General of SEC, Lamido Yugada gave the advice at a workshop organised in Abuja recently by the Association of Capital Market Valuers (ACMV), an arm of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and SEC with the theme, ‘Assets Valuation as an Economic Tool for Decision Making in the Capital Market’.

The SEC Director General, who was represented by the Head, Investment Funds Supervision, Briggs Abel, also urged ACMV members “to ensure accurate, transparent and fair estimation of value at all times

to boost confidence and trust of investors and stakeholders in the market, as well as an acceptable benchmark for measuring performance.”

He said estate valuers were often influenced by their principals “against the interest of the investor and the market, coupled with the widespread disparity in valuation of the same asset by different valuers.

This, he said, reflected badly on the integrity and outcome of valuers’ activities and the capital market as a whole.

“The beauty of establishing this association out of the larger institution, is that it presents an opportunity to undertake specific professionalism. The grouping as an association of capital market valuers has the ability of setting relevant proffesional standards , codes of ethics and job prescription that will enhance the quality of its engagement and to which

every member will be bound.

“The provision of this service, therefore, galvanises trust and confidence in the integrity of related transactions and is without doubt a direct positive consequence of the critical role of asset valuation for the proper working of the capital market specifically.

The essence of valuation in the market cannot be overemphasized.

“Allow me to congratulate you on the establishment as a subsidiary. We at the commission believe that this is a step in the right direction; we are confident that it will enhance focus, professionalism, trust and confidence of stakeholders,” he said.

The Director General noted that the association may, in the future, stand eligible to be recognised as a selfregulatory organisation with attendant delegates powers

and responsibilities.

He said, “This status, when attained, will enhance the quality of valuation prices

and engender approved public perception and user-confidence in the association and its members. The commission will

support the development of functions specific standards and codes to boost your activities as valuers.

L-R: President, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Emmanuel Okas Wike; Chairman, Association of Capital Market Valuers (ACMV): Chudi Ubosi; and Secretary, Ademola Adetola, at a workshop organised by ACMV and SEC in Abuja… recently

Intercontinental Park to Evolve as The Hospitality Hub of Ibeju Lekki The new real estate project at ibeju lekki has positioned itself as the new hub for hospitality business.

This is according to the Managing Director of the Promoters AIMART Realtors Mrs. Bukola Iluyomade.

She said that as part of the mixed development concept they have created a part in the central business district, a hospitality hub that will house hotels and restaurants to service the whole businesses

in the Lekki Port and Dangote Refinery Area.

She noted that with the huge investment in the area there is no hotel district and in response to the obvious absence of hotels AIMART has created a section for hospitality business.

AIMART is inviting hoteliers and investors to take advantage of the opportunity to invest in Intercontinental Park.

Intercontinental Park Ibeju Lekki is a Mixed Zone Estate.

According to Iluyomade, “Inter-

continental Park is a world-class hub for social, economic, business, religious and recreational activities, within the Ibeju-Lekki axis after Eleko Junction; it falls under the Origanrigan Resettlement Scheme. It is a few minutes’ drive after Dangote Refinery and bordered within a cluster of 5(five) residential areas which are the Dangote Residents, Alaro-City, Amen Estate, Heritage Meadow, and Rehoboth Ocean View Estate. It is part of a hub with multiple

BPL Group Clocks 18, Celebrates Growth Bennett Oghifo The Black Pelican Group, Nigeria’s foremost Interior solutions provider, recently celebrated 18 years of providing high quality interior solutions to the real estate industry.

Trading under 3 trade names (IL Bagno, Bathrooms Direct and Technogym), the company is known and celebrated by discerning clients near and far for high quality Bathroom fittings, Kitchens, Doors, Furniture, Lighting, Tiles and gym equipment.

Speaking on this great

milestone, the CEO, Michael Owolabi, said that “we are elated to celebrate the company’s growth trajectory and market leadership over the last 18 years. We saw the gap in the market and started out with the aim of providing high quality bathroom solutions and over time morphed into a more robust solutions provider as the needs of our clients demanded.

Today we are the destination of choice for the most discerning clients. Our success is due in no small measure to our people.

Our Technogym business has in the last 4 years made giant

strides in promoting a total wellness revolution through both the supply of premium wellness equipment and by embodying the wellness lifestyle.”

We have created these total solutions approach to ensure that our clients get the best with comfort, knowing that we advise, procure/supply and install whatever products specified by us. We are also excited that through this vision, we are providing employment opportunities to both artisans and professionals, thereby reducing the unemployment rate in the country.” He added

streams of income flowing in within a layout of about 28 Acres (approximately 139,000 sqr. meters) of Land which has in it, the Central Business District habouring the Maritime school, Hospitals, Schools (which Holy Child has keyed into), Hospitality, residential apartments, and Resort centers This is as the Catholic Church Society for Holy Child Jesus SHCJ has taken Possession of their Land title at the Intercontinental Park Estate

at Ibeju Lekki.

The Presentation Ceremony was held at the Catholic Mission by the Head of Operations for AIMART Realtors Mrs Bright Taiwo to the Head of Real Estate for the Society: Reverend Sister Christianah Olagunju and her Colleague Reverend Sister Juliana Onyeoke.

According to Sister Olagunju “Our Plan Is To Build a School there.” She thanked the Promoters of the Project and Promised to physically take Over the Site

soon.

The Intercontinental Park Estate Claims to be amongst the best in terms of ambiance, spotlight, and developmental delivery. It is conceived as an Ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable gated community offering exceptional facilities and services that will foster qualitative living, better health, improved communal relationships, and social engagement within the most affordable and cost-effective means.

LASRERA Begins Sensitisation, Compliance Exercise of Unregistered Real Estate Practitioners in Ikeja The enforcement unit of Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) has extended its enforcement drive to some parts of the State to ensure that real estate practitioners operating in the State duly register their presence with the Authority.

This is In line with its mandates to regulate, sanitise and effectively monitor the real estate sector in Lagos State. This enforcement and sensitisation exercise that started on Thursday at Ikeja and its environs, is expected to be extended to

other parts of the State as one of the strategies by LASRERA to raise public awareness about the government’s efforts to sanitise the real estate.

At the commencement of the compliance enforcement exercise, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka explained that it was important to notify members of the public that it is an offence to practice real estate in any of its forms, including those displaying “To Let, To Lease, For Sale etc” in

their offices or on properties without being duly registered with the Agency.

Benson-Awoyinka, who was represented during this exercise by the Director. Enforcement Unit of LASRERA, Mr Deji Badejo,, said there was need to restrict posting of banners on Residential and Commercial properties by unregistered Real Estate Individuals/Organisations who can easily swindle unsuspecting members of the public of their investments or hard earnings.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

M A Y

S & P INDEX

2 3 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

6.50%

CALL

10.75%

INDEX LEVEL

610.44%

1/4 TO DATE

– 1.31%

N416.75/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

7.17%

1-MONTH

9.66%

1-DAY

0.03%

YEAR TO DATE

7.13%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

1028%

MONTH-TO-DATE

– 1.31%

Power Supply Continues to Deteriorate Nationwide Despite Gulping over N5trn

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite the Nigerian government sinking at least N5 trillion in the power sector in the last couple of years, electricity supply in the country has not markedly improved, a THISDAY review has shown.

President Muhammadu Buhari earlier this year expressed his displeasure with the state of electricity in Nigeria and had in May 2018 queried the alleged expenditure

of $16 billion on power projects during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Although Nigeria currently has the capacity to produce 13,000 megawatts of electricity, Africa’s most populous nation produces just between 3,000mw to 4,000mw for its over 200 million citizens.

Nigeria’s power generation sometimes drops to as low as 1,145mw as recorded last month, leaving most parts of the country

without electricity supply.

The national grid performance, for instance, showed that only 10 of the 24 power generation companies were on the grid at a point in April.

As at last Sunday, while the peak generation was 3,795mw, the lowest generation for the day was 3,003mw, with highest recorded voltage being 356kv.

However, figures from the System Operator (SO), an arm of the Transmission Company of

Nigeria (TCN), showed that for that day, transmission wheeling capacity remained at 8,100mw.

In addition, the data from the system operator indicated that while peak demand forecast was 19,798mw, grid installed capacity was 13,014mw, while generation capacity was 7,652mw. All time peak generation remained a paltry 5,801mw.

This year alone, the grid has collapsed several times, throwing

the country into total darkness.

In 2019, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the federal government had pumped about N1.5 trillion in intervention fund into Nigeria’s power sector in the previous two years (between 2017 and 2019).

In May of that year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the disbursement of N120.2bn to different electricity distribution companies (Discos), power generating companies (Gencos), service

providers and gas companies, in order to address the liquidity and funding challenges facing the sector.

In June 16, 2020, the Senate disclosed that N4.4 trillion was injected generally into the power sector as intervention funds since 1999 (aside the alleged $16 billion), while N1.7 trillion was specifically injected into the sector since 2015, without a corresponding improveContinued on page 24

Expert: No Automatic Economic Recovery for Nigeria after Buhari’s Exit Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Nigerians, already traumatised by the current harsh economy, have been warned against hoping for better days ahead by the time the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would elapse in 2023 unless the right leaders emerge.

A strategic management/organ-

isation development consultant and change agent, Agu Ojukwu gave the warning in Umuahia while addressing journalists on his advocacy for the emergence of good leaders in 2023.

He stated that post-Buhari economic recovery would be a mirage unless the incoming administration has the wisdom and political will to bring on board experts with the full knowledge of how the

economy can be resuscitated.

Ojukwu, who is an advocate for rapid economic development, faulted the claims by presidential and governorship aspirants that they would put Nigeria’s economy in the rebound within four to eight years if elected into office next year.

He argued that past administrations since after the civil war had made similar claims and even put in place economic programmes

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

N23,000–N26,500

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 EDO

N17,000–N20,000

with different titles but all of them failed to fix the economy because they used “fail-safe approach” in the implementations.

“This resulted in a steady emasculation of the economy and culminated in the negative synergy that Nigeria is experiencing and suffering today,” he said.

The economic expert noted that as things stand presently, there is no guarantee that any

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

of the aspirants or candidates, “can turn the tide using his solo knowledge or that voters can elect the more capable of the lot with their present mindset, orientation and gullibility.

“The only thing that will guarantee the changing of the status quo( bad economic management) is to advocate the election of aspirants and candidates that are likely to use the collective

wisdom of the people to lead them.”

According to him, “this collective wisdom refers to the best idea (approach, method, process, knowledge, skill, and tool) that emerges from a competition of ideas conducted for the purpose”.

Ojukwu, who is a former chief economic adviser in Abia State, Continued on page 24

T O D AY

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

100KG

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

24

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

N21,000 – 24,000

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

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

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N17,000–N20,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

25KG LAGOS

N9,500

40KG DELTA

N17000

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

MAIZE

Again, NERC Set to Review Electricity Tariffs from July 1 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Again, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will from July 1, 2022 review electricity tariffs, about six months after carrying out a similar exercise.

In a memo marked: “Notice Of Compliance in Respect of the Biannual Review of the Revenue Requirements of Licensees,” the power sector regulator said that the

adjustment will cover among others, changes in relevant macroeconomic indices.

However, it stated that it would not necessarily lead to tariff increase for consumers, noting that some end users may actually have their rates reviewed down if the data available indicated.

NERC stressed that pursuant to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), it adopted the Multi-

Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology in setting out the basis and procedures for determination of licensees’ revenue requirements and review of electricity tariffs in Nigeria.

It explained that the methodology provides for minor reviews (every six months), major reviews (every five years), and extraordinary reviews in instances where industry parameters have

changed significantly from those used in the operating tariffs.

This it said is to such an extent that a review is required urgently to maintain the viability of the electricity industry.

The latest development came a few weeks after a groundswell of insinuations that NERC had hidden the February 1, 2022 increase in power tariffs from Nigerians in

a bid to hoodwink consumers.

THISDAY had reported that NERC had just released documents approving tariff increases for Distribution Companies (Discos), about four months after the implementation of the new rates commenced.

In separate orders issued to the 11 Discos, NERC noted that the “minor” hike in tariffs was to compensate for market fundamentals outside

the control of the electricity distributors.

But speaking in Abuja, Chairman of NERC, Mr Sanusi Garba, explained that there were no new hikes, apart from the review approved in December, maintaining that the bi-annual review was to take care of inflation, foreign exchange, generation volume among others and insisting that it is part of MYTO.

ILO: Food Prices, Potential Debt Distress, Among Factors Reversing Labour Market Recovery Oluchi Chibuzor The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has stated that recovery in the global labour market is threatened by multiple and interlinked global crises, as well as increasing inequalities.

The ILO in its latest report on the, “World of Work,” said inflation especially in energy and food prices, financial turbulence, potential debt distress, and global supply chain disruption – exacerbated by war in Ukraine – means there is a growing risk of a further

deterioration in hours worked in 2022, as well as a broader impact on global labour markets in the months to come.

The 9th edition of the ILO Monitor on the World of Work, released by the UN agency finds that after significant gains during the last quarter of 2021, the number of hours worked globally dropped in the first quarter of 2022, to 3.8 per cent below the pre-crisis benchmark (fourth quarter of 2019).

The report stressed that the above number of hours worked

that dropped globally is equivalent to a deficit of 112 million full-time jobs and also represents an important downgrading of figures published by the ILO in January 2022.

According to the report, “Multiple new and interconnected global crises, including inflation (especially in energy and food prices), financial turbulence, potential debt distress, and global supply chain disruption – exacerbated by war in Ukraine – means there is a growing risk of a further deterioration

in hours worked in 2022, as well as a broader impact on global labour markets in the months to come.”

The report also finds that a great and growing divergence between richer and poorer economies continues to characterize the recovery.

It added, “While highincome countries experienced a recovery in hours worked, low- and lower-middle-income economies suffered setbacks in the first quarter of the year with a three point six and five point

seven percent gap respectively when compared to the pre-crisis benchmark. These diverging trends are likely to worsen in the second quarter of 2022.”

Commenting on the report, Director-General, ILO, Guy Ryder said, “It is now more essential than ever that we work together and focus on creating a human-centred recovery. The global labour market recovery has gone into reverse. An uneven and fragile recovery has been made more uncertain by a self-reinforcing combina-

tion of crises. The impact on workers and their families, especially in the developing world, will be devastating and could translate into social and political dislocation.

“In some developing countries, governments are increasingly constrained by the lack of fiscal space and debt sustainability challenges, while enterprises face economic and financial uncertainties and workers continue to be left without sufficient access to social protection.”

World Bank Earmarks $30bn to Address Global Food Insecurity Gilbert Ekugbe The World Bank has announced plans to invest over $30 billion to address the ongoing global food security crisis in the next 15 months.

The World Bank made this known on its website over the weekend, explaining that the move is part of a comprehensive, global response to the ongoing food security crisis.

It maintained that the $30

billion would be deployed for existing and new projects in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, social protection, water and irrigation.

According to the World Bank Group President, David Malpass, the financing will include efforts to encourage food and fertilizer production, enhance food systems, facilitate greater trade, and support vulnerable households and producers.

“Food price increases

are having devastating effects on the poorest and most vulnerable. To inform and stabilise markets, it is critical that countries make clear statements now of future output increases in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Countries should make concerted efforts to increase the supply of energy and fertilizer, help farmers increase plantings and crop yields, and remove policies that block exports

and imports, divert food to biofuel, or encourage unnecessary storage,” he said.

The World Bank boss added that Bank is working with countries on the preparation of $12 billion of new projects for the next 15 months to respond to the food security crisis.

In his words: “These projects are expected to support agriculture, social protection to cushion the effects of higher food prices,

and water and irrigation projects, with the majority of resources going to Africa and the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and South Asia.”

“In addition, the World Bank’s existing portfolio includes undisbursed balances of $18.7 billion in projects with direct links to food and nutrition security issues, covering agriculture and natural resources, nutrition, social protection, and

other sectors. Altogether, this would amount to over $30 billion available for implementation to address food insecurity over the next 15 months. This response will draw on the full range of Bank financing instruments and be complemented by analytical work,” he stressed.

Explaining further, he said the Bank’s global response will address four priorities which include supporting production and producers.

POWER SUPPLY CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE NATIONWIDE DESPITE GULPING OVER N5TRN

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

ment in power supply.

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan lamented that Nigeria lost about $29 billion yearly to poor power supply.

Recently, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, admitted that the latest N1.3 trillion intervention fund the federal government provided for the power sector had not yielded any significant result.

On March 1, 2017, the federal government approved the sum of N701 billion as power assurance guarantee fund for the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) to pay for the electricity produced by the generation companies (Gencos).

“Recent intervention (between 2017-2019) towards addressing the power sector problem includes

the N701 billion and N600 billion Payment Assurance Facilities (PAFs) ...have not yielded significant result.

“Shortfalls caused by the large difference between allowed tariffs and what is required for cost recovery cost the FGN a total sum of N1.249 trillion between 2017 to 2019. These resources are more needed for human capital development and infrastructural investment,” she said.

President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kola Olubiyo, while decrying the situation, noted that aside the pain faced by individual homes, the plight of businesses like hotels, banks could be better imagined.

“The national power grid peak energy generation capacity, that is installed capacity is 13, 000

megawatts, the average national grid sourced energy capacity is 7,500 megawatts, but in the past six months, we haven’t dispatched more than 3, 500 megawatts, which is grossly inadequate for a nation of over 200 million population..

“In short, it is most embarrassing to say the least. The situation is bad beyond imagination and it defies comprehension,” he lamented.

According to him, as it is today, because of the erratic nature of supply, end users of electricity in Nigeria are not able to plan their schedules because even the load shedding embarked upon is not structured.

“The real problem is not because Nigerian electricity sector has not grown in grid outputs capacity.

For example, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on the average gets 400 megawatts daily allocation of grid in the morning on daily basis and sometimes by evening of the same day, AEDC’s allocation could drop to as low as 200 megawatts or 100 megawatts.

“This paltry 200mw baseline to 400mw baseline of maximum allocation of daily grid allocation is what Abuja metropolitan areas alone and industrial clusters can consume in one fell swoop.

“It is most disheartening and sad to say the least. How do we expect FCT, Niger State, Nasarawa State and Kogi State all under the franchise AEDC to survive in the prevailing circumstances,” he queried.

He argued that despite the fact

that load demand remains high, yet there has been deliberate load rejection and idle generation, which is wasted or get stranded on daily basis.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the Association of Electricity Customers Monitoring Network, a power consumption advocacy group, James Harry, noted that without adequate electricity, all the talk about developing the country was just mere sloganeering.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that in 2022 after trillions of dollars has been sunk into the power sector, we still can barely generate 3,500mw.

The government must begin to ask the right questions of those it has given the responsibility to provide electricity for Nigerians,” he stated.

EXPERT: NO AUTOMATIC ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR NIGERIA AFTER BUHARI’S EXIT insisted that both during the party primaries, and the general election Nigerians should ensure that the right people were elected to pilot the affairs of the country if there is sincere desire to get things right.

“The reason,” he explained,

“is because it is the responsibility of the incoming president or governor to tackle and correct the common problems of the level of the economy he will lead”.

He argued that the incoming president and governors “cannot

afford to make avoidable mistakes at the level of their offices (because) 80 percent of the factors of success of their level economy can be influenced by them while only 20 percent can be influenced by other stakeholders”.

“They are expected to be excellent and this is why they are addressed as ‘your excellency’.

They are expected to take actions based on organised knowledge necessary for the improvement of success,” Ojukwu said.

He stated that there would be hope for sustainable economic recovery if the intellectual process is activated, assuring that within three to six months the national economic can be rapidly emancipated to start working effectively.”

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD

OIL & GAS

Refineries’ Rehabilitation: Will NNPC’s Strategy Work this Time?

A country of many paradoxes, Nigeria does not refine a drop of all the products it consumes. But the Nigerian National Petroleum Company says it has devised a different strategy to get the country’s ailing refineries back to function. Will they work this time? Maybe, maybe not, writes Emmanuel Addeh

I

t’s almost like a basket case. The more money that is pumped into fixing Nigeria’s ailing refineries, the less results it yields.

Like is wont to happen with many public institutions in Nigeria, there is hardly any official figure as to the total amount that has been spent on what is now seen as a national drainpipe.

But if anything, what even the drivers and overseers of the unending refineries repair processes, past and present, have come to agree is that it’s all been a wild goose chase over the years.

To be sure, the problem is not new. Over the years, Nigeria had literally succeeded in grounding all its three refineries and is today a net importer of all refined products consumed in the country.

There has rarely been any administration in recent times that did not sink billions of dollars into the facilities to turn them around. But they have all met a dead end.

While the recent announcement by the NNPC gave Nigerians a feeling of déjà vu, having walked this path many times, the cynicism that has followed the decision has been resounding. Will the national oil firm prove its critics wrong?

Nigeria is borrowing massively to fix the facilities, before it will, according to the new plan, be handed over to private companies to manage. Will this be another exercise in futility?

A NEW $3BN DEAL?

The NNPC’s new deal to revamp the non-functional assets, particularly the Port Harcourt refinery, with an Italian Firm, Maire Tecnimont SPA for a full overhaul is expected to cost $1.5 billion.

Recall that in March, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sum for the modernisation of the oil refinery, which is expected to be completed in three phases.

The first phase is scheduled to be rounded off within 18 months from the point of agreement, taking the refinery to 90 per cent production capacity, with the second and final phases to be carried out within 24 months and 44 months respectively, according to the schedule of activities.

Funding for the project will come from the state-oil company’s cash flow, budget provisions and Afreximbank, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, stated last year.

Although it could not be independently verified whether the local content expectation was met, NNPC had said that less than 2.5 per cent or about 70 of the entire workforce on the project would be Nigerians.

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, at the signing ceremony reiterated that unlike in the past, the current exercise wasn’t a turnaround maintenance, but a complete overhaul and rehabilitation of the plant.

“I have said it over and over that we have not taken care of these refineries over the years, that we have mismanaged the turnaround maintenance work over time in the last 20+ years, these plants have degenerated to a level that today, we are not turning around but resuscitating them, which is different from TAM,” he stated.

The complex is composed of two refineries totalling an overall capacity of approximately 210,000 bpd (barrels per day).

In August last year, the federal government further approved the contract sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries. The extent of work in those facilities are not public yet.

While the sum of $897, 678, 800 was sanctioned for the rehabilitation of the Warri Refinery, $586, 902,256 was approved for the Kaduna Refinery.

The contracts were awarded to Saipem SPA and Saipem Contracting Ltd. For the Kaduna and Warri assets, the first phase is within 21 months; in 23 months, Phase 2 will be completed and in 33 months, the full rehabilitation will be completed, according to the plan.

THE CONCERNS

Even the NNPC boss admits that those who have expressed concerns over the ability of the NNPC to see through the new deal are justified, given the not so enviable antecedents of the national oil firm.

With the first refining from the Port Harcourt refinery initially set for 18 months, which would have been December this year, counting from June 2021 when the deal was signed, now deferred, the timelines are already being missed.

During the last inspection, Sylva shifted the completion of the first phase which would have been latest seven months from now, to the first quarter of 2023.

The minister said the Port Harcourt plant would refine 60,000 barrels of crude per stream day (bpd) in the first instance, when it resumes operations.

“This project kicked off second quarter last year, and where they are now is quite impressive.

It is on schedule,” Sylva said. But it’s not. It has already overshot the December deadline set by the NNPC. “The commitment is to deliver 60,000 barrels per day from this refinery by the first quarter of next year, and, of course, we are quite happy,” he said

A HISTORY OF WASTE

In 2020, the NNPC published an audited financial report for the first time in its 43 years of operation. In 2018 alone, the report revealed that the refineries incurred a total loss of N154 billion, with the Port Harcourt refinery losing N45.59 billion, the Warri refinery about N44.44 billion, and the Kaduna refinery losing N64.34 billion.

But those are not monies for turnaround or rehabilitation. They are simply for maintaining what the NNPC calls line items as well as paying workers in the non-functional refineries.

Although actual figures are rarely available as many of the turnaround maintenance exercises were shrouded in secrecy, at least before now, it is estimated that about $25 billion may have gone down the drain fixing the intractable problem in the last 25 years.

Indeed, many Nigerians have suggested that instead of sinking another $3 billion, about N1.8 trillion in the parallel market, the refineries should

be sold off to private investors.

Not a few believe that it is absurd to keep spending money without results and yet dig further into debt, even when it’s obvious that the country is falling into a debt trap.

Furthermore, at the time the contracts were awarded, several questions were raised as to how transparent the “open competitive bidding” for the project was, how many companies submitted bids and when the technical evaluation was done.

A number of Nigerians at the time thought it was senseless to continue to literally do the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

While an oil and gas expert and former Chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Joe Nwakwue, described it as a wrong step, he argued that if the country has not been able to run any commercial venture profitably, there’s no hope it will be different this time.

He called for privatisation of the refineries, using the most appropriate models, maintaining that private sector capital and operational control is the most promising option for the country.

In a separate forum, renowned economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the rehabilitation amounted to a waste of resources, arguing that there are other areas begging for government attention but certainly not the rehabilitation of an asset already earmarked for sale.

“The decision of federal government to invest $1.5 billion in the repair of Port Harcourt refinery is unwise, unreasonable and has no basis,” he stated In the same vein, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Muda Yusuf, argued that the government has no business putting more money into the Port Harcourt refinery, while Dr Olanrewaju Aladeitan, a lecturer at the University of Abuja faulted government’s action, saying it is one step forward and three steps backwards.

In the same vein, economist and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, who said the NNPC would only “enmesh Nigeria into a deeper financial mess by throwing $1.5 billion (including debt) at a problem it created,” recommended an end to the ‘nightmare’ through a Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) core investor sale.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had also asked government to urgently “privatise our refineries and the NNPC through the time-tested Nigeria LNG model in which the federal government owns 49 per cent equity and the private sector controls 51 per cent.”

WILL INCOMING GOVT RETAIN SAME MODEL?

One of the biggest fears being expressed is that if the next administration which will take over from May 29, 2023, is not well disposed to the model adopted by the NNPC, it may decide to jettison the entire process.

If the next government resolves to throw the current arrangement in the waste bin, it wouldn’t be the first time.

The Olusegun Obasanjo administration in the last days of the government had actually sold off two of the country’s refineries before it was reversed by his successor, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Years after, a pained Obasanjo recalled that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, leading a consortium of investors had paid $750 million for the two refineries as the federal government was unable to manage them at the time.

He accused Yar’Adua of failing to consolidate on the sale of the refineries so the investors could revamp them, but fell to pressure and cancelled the sale.

“The refineries are old and Dangote and some investors paid $750 million for two of the refineries.

My successor came to office and reversed the sale.

He even refunded the money they paid.

“So, I went to him and said ‘why did you do this?’ He said it was because of pressure. So, I said ‘so the pressure of some people was more important than the interest of the whole nation?’

“Right now, you will hardly be able to sell the refineries for more than $250m because they are very old,” said Obasanjo, years after the reversal.

Bluestar, where Dangote an interest had bought controlling stakes in the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries in the last days of the administration of Obasanjo, prompting accusations of cronyism.

It was later refunded $561 million it paid for the Port Harcourt refinery and the $160 million it paid for Kaduna. Will the next administration follow suit and reverse the current deal? The next few months will tell!

BUILDING NEW ONES

Although some Nigerians have maintained that the funds being sunk into revamping the refineries would be enough to build new ones, the NNPC argues that the country does not have the financial muscle now to build new ones.

It further noted that petroleum refining as a business is too important to be left in private hands entirely because of its security implications.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Kyari, said building a new refinery now would cost the country about $10 billion which is far beyond the $1.5 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery.

He also said the country would have to live with importation of petroleum product, especially petrol, for another four years if the country ventures into building a new refinery.

“We have people saying why not build a new one; why will you repair an old refinery with $1.5 billion? The fact is available even by Google search, what it takes to build a refinery of this status today.

“It will be difficult for the country to build a new refinery as it will take four years for it to commence production. It is around $7 billion and $12 billion to construct a refinery of this nature (Port Harcourt refinery),” he argued.

But while questions remain over the new contracts, the real test would be from May, 2023 when a new administration takes over and what it decides to do with the current arrangement.

26

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Seplat: As Orjiako Bows Out in Blaze of Glory In Seplat Energy, Dr. A.B.C Orjiako co-founded and co-built one of Nigeria’s corporate giants in the oil and gas sector, writes Roland Abe as the entrepreneur retires as Chairman of the Nigerian independent energy company.

A

lthough Seplat Energy Plc. had in November 2021 announced that the company’s pioneer Chairman, vision bearer, and co-founder, Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiako, would be retiring from the position in May 2022, the reality appeared not to have dawned on the various stakeholders of the company until he eventually did at the just concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Seplat.

The story of Dr. ABC Orjiako as a brand in Nigeria’s corporate world did not start with Seplat. Yet it can never be complete without a good mention of Seplat, just as no one can possibly tell the story of Seplat without a spacious ground for Orjiakor’s envisioning, birthing, and nurturing roles.

A silent achiever, Seplat is has benefitted so much from his vision, tenacity, goodwill, integrity, smart thinking, courage, and good reputation.

Founded in 2009 through the coming together of Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited, which he founded in 2004 and Platform Petroleum, founded by Mr. Austin Avuru, Seplat set sail, and started production in three OMLs in 2010. But by 2014, Seplat had powered so much that it became the first Nigerian company to be fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

From just three Oil Mining Licenses (OMLs), namely OML 4, 38, and 41 in 2010, today, Seplat boasts of eight oil and gas blocks in the Niger Delta, four of which it operates directly. It has recorded 51 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) production (30,029 boepd oil, 20,758 boepd gas). It delivers to the domestic gas market over 30 per cent gas needed to power Nigeria. It employs nearly 700 staff, has generated over $6.2 billion in revenue share for Nigeria, paid over $1.4 billion to Nigerian contractors and staff, and paid over $400 Million in dividends to shareholders.

What is more, in 2014, Seplat became the first Nigerian company to acquire a UK-listed company, Eland Oil & Gas Limited. Seplat boasts of over $2.8 billion in assets and over $500 Million in market capitalization. Under Orjiako’s chairmanship of Seplat, the company has injected over $71 Million into providing services to host communities.

Seplat recorded the first ever equal (5050) Joint Venture by any company with the NNPC through the Seplat/Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) gas plant project – ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC). It raised $260 Million through a consortium of banks to fund its part of $650 Million financing for the ANOH Gas Processing Plant. All things being equal, the ANOH will deliver the first gas to the market between the first half of 2022 and first quarter of 2023.

Orjiako rounded up his tenure as the Chairman of Seplat on a high note with the February 2022 announcement of a successful bid for the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Delaware, USA at $1.283 billion, plus up to $300 million contingent consideration.

The deal comprises 40 per cent operating ownership of four OML leases (OMLs 67, 68, 70, 104) and associated infrastructure (NNPC is the 60 per cent partner) plus the Qua Iboe Terminal, 51 per cent interest in Bonny River Terminal, and Natural Gas Liquids Recovery Plants at EAP and Oso. Although the deal’s consummation by way

Orjiako

of Ministerial Approval has still not come through, beating other equally formidable bids, is a massive plus.

The lists of Seplat’s firsts, achievements, and pedigree under Orjiako and his team can go on and on.

Nevertheless, although a highflier from the outset, it cannot be said that Orjiako set out to be an entrepreneur, let alone co-founding an energy giant like Seplat. Although he comes from a linage of entrepreneurs, he seemed to have charted a different path for himself as he headed to the University of Calabar to study Medicine and Surgery, emerging the best graduating medical student in 1985. He proceeded to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital where he qualified as a Specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma Management.

He flourished in his chosen career, going on to become a Fellow of the West African College of Medicine and Fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.

On his foray into the business world, Dr. Orjiako told the London-based “African Business” back in 2014 that his career equally prepared him for the world of business.

“As a surgeon, you cannot make mistakes. You have to be very disciplined, very organised, have an eye for detail, manage your team effectively, make tough decisions and take on big responsibilities.

“Besides, I come from a business family – my late father was a businessman – and all around me I could see business opportunities either going begging or being handled very poorly. So I tried to do other things and found myself naturally slipping into the stream of the Nigerian economy”, he said.

So, even as a surgeon, he honed his interest and skills in business, gradually nurturing enterprises until he finally made a break from his first love, Medicine. He founded the Abbeycourt, a crude oil and refined petroleum products trading company; Glencore, Uk; Zebbra

Energy and Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited and also engraving his imprints across several other sectors – shipping, real estate, construction, and so on.

On precisely why he ventured into oil and gas despite its highly competitive, risky, and demanding nature, the energy magnate explained: “Oil and gas is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. I wanted to be at the heart of where it was really happening”.

Also, he believed that: since he had successfully established and ran a number of other businesses on the principle of good corporate governance; given the emerging changes in the structure of the industry where International Oil Companies (IOCs) dominated the upstream (exploration, drilling and production where the real oil business resides) to the tune of about 95 per cent at the time; given the prospects of a bourgeoning divestments by IOCs especially from onshore and shallow wells to deepwater due mainly to insecurity, instability, and dipping relations with host communities (a prediction that came to pass); given the greater prospects for local content that would come with the Petroleum Industry Bill (which only became an Act in 2021); and given the prospects inherent in commercialising Nigeria’s abundant natural gas, farsightedness only demanded that he leaped into Nigeria’s upstream sub-sector. This led to the birthing of SEPCOL in 2004, which, in 2009, became one of the two progenitors of Seplat.

But the real story of Seplat dates back beyond 2009. Moved by the both patriotic and business conviction, Orjiako believed that it was of national strategic import for Nigerian indigenous companies to take over parts of the IOCs operations in the upstream subsector. More so when there were so many assets that were not optimised, not for want of the technical knowhow by the IOCs, but mainly for the massive size of the assets.

He therefore championed the struggle both on government’s front and on the

front of the IOCs until it yielded dividends culminating in the birthing of Seplat and subsequent acquisition of the firm’s its first sets of assets from Shell Nigeria, namely OMLs 4, 38, and 41.

It was such a promising venture, coupled with the renowned integrity of Orjiako that Maurel et Prom acquired 45 per cent share in the new company, while the remaining capital came from equity and debt. The rest, they say, is history and Seplat is a success story, which plot is unfolding by the day.

Therefore, to say that Seplat will miss Dr. ABC Orjiako’s service is to put it mildly.

Seplat’s stakeholders have expectedly been wondering how the big vacuum created by his exit could ever be filled. But the Board has taken two huge steps to the relief of all. First was the announcement that it was working out a contract that would enable the company to partially retain Dr. Orjiako’s services in the specific and essential external stakeholder engagements he is currently involved and which would continue beyond his stepping down. Although the details are yet to be worked out, this comes across as an ingenious thinking given Orjiako’s deep knowledge of the industry, his reach and goodwill among critical stakeholders, and the institutional memory of Seplat he commands.

Second is the appointment of another energy sector guru with a good knowledge of Seplat, Mr. Basil Omiyi, as Orjiako’s successor. Omiyi became a member of Seplat’s Board of Directors in 2013 and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2021.

He served at the Royal Dutch Shell for over 40 years, rising to the position of Managing Director of Shell Nigeria and Country Chairman of Shell Companies, Nigeria until 2009. He has equally served as Chairman, Upstream Industry Group (Oil Producers Trade Section, Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industry); Chairman, Energy Sector, NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria; Board Member, NEPAD Business Group; Chairman, Oil & Gas Commission, Nigerian Economic Summit Group; Board Member, Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI); and an Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, etc.

Meanwhile, Dr. Orjiako surely would be beaming with smiles as he reflects his golden footprints on Seplat’s road to renown. A shareholder and National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Prince Anthony Omojola, added a voice to the streams of tribute to Orjiako’s at the last AGM. Omojola said: “That Seplat Energy Plc. is a reliable energy company with limitless potentials is not a mere statement. We are proud of the strong foundation you have laid to position Seplat as a leading indigenous energy company in Nigeria within a short space of time. You have shown leadership by example by your actions as we pray to reap the benefits of this well planned out accelerated growth pattern. We congratulate you”.

In his letter to the Roman Senate around 47 BC after recording a quick victory against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the battle of Zela, Julius Caesar, penned the popular line: “Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). As Orjiako bows out in a blaze of glory, it can rightly be said that he came, he saw, and he conquered. t "CF BO FOFSHZ BOBMZTU XSJUFT GSPN -BHPT

27

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Textile Industry: Still on the Brink Stakeholders in the Nigerian textile industry have argued that only urgent intervention by the federal government would save the industrial sector, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

T

he President of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Mr. Folorunsho Daniyan, arrived at the scheduled press conference on the state of the textile industry on May 12, 2022, conscious that the textile industry in Nigeria is on the verge of collapse. Daniyan told journalists that the conference was called to address the state of poor competitiveness of Nigeria’s textile industry.

He said: “Ordinarily, the year marking our 65th anniversary (which is this year) should have been time for celebration and popping of champagnes. But this, sadly, is not our situation.

If the truth must be said, our industrial sector is dying and needs urgent interventions from the federal government to keep it alive.”

He then went on to recount the steady decline of the industry. “First, our membership has shrunk from 175 textile industrial firms in 1985 to less than 20 currently in 2022. Employment-wise, the number of jobs provided by the industry took a dive from 137,000 jobs in 1996 to 24,000 jobs in 2008. Today the number of jobs provided in the industry is less than 20,000 jobs.

“This is sad for an industrial sector that was once adjudged the highest employer of labour in Nigeria after the federal government in the 1980s when it had 500,000 workers under its employment, “he said.

Nigerian textiles used to be a key manufactured product that was exported through the formal channels and by way of cross-border trade in West and Central Africa. However, the export of textile products suffered a setback between 2003 and 2008. Textile exports touched their lowest ebb in 2006 however recovered some lost ground in 2007and 2008. Today, the situation is even worse as our exportability is next to zero.”

NBS REPORT

Nothing could have illustrated the apparent loss of competitiveness and relevance of the Nigerian textile industry better than the recent trade statistics report that was released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report, which was titled “Commodity Price Indices and Terms of Trade,” showed that textile finished products were the number one imported product on the country’s import index in 2021.

This remained the reality in spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) removal of textile import from the official foreign exchange window to discourage its importation and motivate consumption of local products.

But rather than reducing its importation, the NBS trade statistics showed that textile materials were the highest items that accounted for the country’s import index in 2021.

The NBS said: “The all-commodity group import index on average increased by 0.47 per cent. The highest increase was recorded by textile and textile articles, followed by boilers, machinery and appliances, parts thereof and

wood and articles of wood, wood charcoal and articles.”

The report of the NBS riled up the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN). The President of NUTGTWN, Mr. Ali Baba, said that “the union is really disturbed by the depressing state of the industry in spite of our efforts and actions for its revitalisation.

“We are even more worried about the latest report released by the NBS as contained in most national dailies of April 14, 2022, which indicated that textile materials unacceptably topped the list of the country’s imported commodities in 2021.”

The NTMA estimated that more than 95 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic textile market is dominated by imported fabrics and clothing materials.

He recalled that during the NUTGTWN’s 86th Central Working Committee (CWC) on March 31, 2022, in Lagos, the issue of the state of the industry formed a major part of its discussion.

The union also recalled that it had called for urgent measures by the government to address the critical challenges undermining the growth and prospects of the sector but to no avail.

The NUTGTWN, therefore, proposed to the NTMA as partners in progress that “recent development has necessitated the need for an urgent meeting between the union and the employers’ association to discuss and ascertain the true state of the industry and agree on far-reaching measures to advance our joint campaign for complete resuscitation of the industry and creation of mass decent employment.”

due to heightened insecurity.

“We wish to emphasise that the government must do more to provide the enabling environment for the revival of the textile industry in Nigeria and manufacturing activities in general.

“We also frown at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for not effectively combating smuggling such that cheap smuggled textile products largely from China and other Asian countries continue to dominate the local market with little or no access to locally produced textiles.

“We, therefore, call on the NCS to be more patriotic and adopt new creative measures that must include consistent raids of the warehouses of smugglers in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Onitsha, and other cities of the Federation.

“We also demand the establishment of a Presidential Task Force that is made up of relevant stakeholders, including the textile manufacturers and union, with the power to confiscate goods smuggled into the country and recall that a similar task force existed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We also wish to state clearly that the promised benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, (AFCFTA) will elude Nigeria if the illegal imports of textile fabrics and other products Nigeria have the capacity to produce locally continue to find their way into the Nigerian markets unchecked.”

Yet, a fully revived textile industry is capable of creating millions of jobs, addressing security challenges in the country, improving internally generated revenue for the government, reduce the pressure on the country’s foreign exchange market while earning foreign exchange for the country.

STATE OF INDUSTRY

REVIVING TEXTILE SECTOR

IMPORTED FABRICS

Daniyan observed that the textile industry is still faced with many serious challenges in spite of the past efforts by the government and operators to revive it. These challenges included high-cost production that has rendered Nigerian textile products non-competitive; unrestrained smuggling and counterfeiting of Made-in-Nigeria textiles; poor patronage in spite of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Executive Order 003 of 2017 (that mandated federal government ministries, departments, and agencies to patronize made in Nigeria products), inadequate and costly electricity supply, poor infrastructure, high taxation, and interest rates, high cost of diesel and LPFO and the depreciating value of the naira.

He noted that the fate of the industry is worse in the northern part of the country

However, a Presidential Aspirant in Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has promised to revive Nigeria’s textile sector if elected president in 2023.

Obi said: “Last year, Bangladesh earned $36 billion from the export of textiles while Nigeria earned $15 billion from oil. The textile complex in Kaduna is the largest in Africa. I will revitalize it. Nigeria can earn more money from textiles.”

Similarly, a former Senator and Kaduna State Governorship Aspirant, Senator Shehu Sani, pledged to revive the textile industry in the state.

Sani said: “Another major agenda I have is the reactivation of moribund textile industries in Kaduna and provide necessary employment to our people.”

Ironically, textile industries are closing in Nigeria and are unable to attract new

investors for decades at a time a study carried out by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) titled “Vision 2015 for Cotton, Textile and Garment Industry Nigeria,” stated that the textile industry has been shifting from developed to developing and less developed countries that have embarked on strategic policies to support the development of their textile industry. These countries that have given high priority to the textile industry, according to UNIDO, were China and India as well as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso.

The Director General of NTMA, Mr. Hamma A. Kwajaffa, noted that Ethiopia made its textile industry to become competitive in the international markets through the establishment of a textile park, which brought all the textile firms in the country to one location where they are provided with the infrastructural facilities they needed to boom their business.

RAW MATERIALS CHALLENGES

The Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mr. Emeka Offor, told THISDAY that the Nigerian textile industry is faced with the challenges of supply of raw materials.

Offor said: “Cotton has always been a driving force for the whole textile industry in Nigeria, but with great neglect of agriculture, it has caused a substantial decrease in cotton production, especially in the cotton production belt of the country.”

He added that Nigeria’s government has been slow in implementing its policies in the sector like the National Cotton, Textile, and Garment Policy which was approved in 2015 and reviewed in 2018.

He also explained that Nigeria has not been able to attract new investments into the textile industry because of the prevailing conditions in its operating environment.

These conditions, according to Offor, included infrastructural bottlenecks like frequent power failure from the public power sources and the high cost of diesel, black oil, etc., to generate alternative power.

He also identified marketing challenges like smuggling and dumping which made the cost of textile materials produced in the country less competitive.

He warned that direct and indirect jobs offered by the industry would be lost if the decline in the sector would not be reversed.

In addition, “Nigeria will not benefit in the manufacturing sector in the textile sub-sector in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The country will become a dumping ground for all manner of textile materials and garments and accessories,” he said.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

e-Naira Will Ensure Fraud-free Transactions, Says CBN Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged Nigerians, and the business community in particular, to embrace its e-Naira initiative because of its numerous benefits including acting as foolproof against fraudulent transactions.

Asaba CBN Branch Controller, Mr Goodwin Okafor, who was represented by Bright Orji, Head of Customer Service, stated this at a sensitization/elightenment for traders at Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba, Delta State, describing

the digital platform as effective as it was accessible, flexible and free of hidden charges. He said that people should consider the e-Naira rather than Bitcoin, “Unlike the Bitcoin, e-Naira is still part of of CBN. The money will not disappear but with Bitcoin, the money can disappear any time.”

He said the people have nothing to fear about digital financial platform as it is operated on international standards and so have come to stay, adding that eNaira will greatly promote financial inclusiveness.

Consultant with the CBN on

e-Naira, Aminu Bizi expatiated on the benefits of the financial initiative and urged the people and especially the business community to embrace the e-Naira.

“Why we’ve come to this market is to sensitize traders before others in the state, “he said, adding that the CBN was out to ensure the initiative succeeded. He said that CBN in collaboration with Bizi Mobile consultants are bringing the eNaira to every Nigerian.

“Become an e-Naira agent today and earn when customers open e-Naira Wallets, “he said, even as he hinted that

ATM and POS have become analogous with the emergence of e-Naira. He noted that Nigeria played pioneering role in electronic banking in Africa, noting that countries like Uganda had come to learn so as to replicate same initiative in their own country. He explained that even traders in fish, yams, onions, tomatoes, sachet water, pepper and other commodities would be educated on how to use the e-Naira account for their daily business and transaction. Bizi listed that the digital financial platform for transaction has numerous advantages including speedy and flexible processing, accessibly, safety

and free-of-charge services once there was network with over 99.9% success rate. Bizi said, “The e-Naira has come to stay. Why do you need cash if the onion seller, akara seller, chemist man or Keke/Okada operator have e-Naira account.

“Do you need to go to POS and cash money while ordinary Keke (tricycle) man can receive N50 via transfer? We are planning to meet with the union of Keke operators to sensitise them and give them a bar code. You have your e-Naira, before you even get down, you scan the Keke scanner bar code and you pay him his fare

of N50 or N100.”

Secretary to the Delta State Government, Patrick Ukah, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts in the office, Benson Ojoko, commended the CBN initiative, saying it would greatly reduce the volume of physical cash in circulation.

Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Delta State, Chris Anyabuine, assured that the agency would remain a partner to the CBN in ensuring the success of the e-wallet platform in the state.

Recare, Makers of Natures Gentle FG urged to Stop Petrol Subsidy, Touch Wins NIVA Next Bull’s Award Spend on Key Sectors Recare Limited, makers of Natures Gentle Touch haircare brand has emerged winner of the Next Bull award at the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Investor Value (NIVA) Awards.

The highly coveted award organised by BusinessDay Media and Nigeria Exchange Limited recognises outstanding private companies that have built strong national brands, market share and a reputation for standards and processes, in the next bull category.

Formerly known as the Top 25 CEOs & Next Bulls Awards, winners were selected through a proprietary survey carried out by the BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit (BRIU) with respondents including equity analysts, retail and institutional investors, financial journalists, sectoral experts and professional

advisers.

Speaking on the feat, Recare General Manager, Mr. Chijioke Anaele said the recognition has further inspired the company and its flagship brand, the Natures Gentle Touch haircare range to do more for the Nigerian women.

“We received the latest award in our kitty with great enthusiasm. The NIVA Next Bull award reinvigorates our mission of offering women haircare solutions that aid them to express individuality, unleash personal style and reveal inner beauty through the knowledge of beauty and style. It has given us more reasons to do more, “ said Anaele.

Speaking further on the company founded over 25 years by Mr. Chika Ikenga, Anaele noted that, “The story of Recare’s Natures Gentle Touch

aligns with the Nigerian women.

From the beginning, it has set out to be deliberately different.

The objective was to provide every woman with a hair that is one hundred percent healthy, beautiful and natural through plant-based chemistry and use of organic ingredients from the very beginning.”

“The Recare brand empowers users to overcome challenges like dandruff, hair breakage, alopecia, dry hair, receding hair line, slow hair growth, hair loss, weak or damaged hair, dry hair and others to bring out the inner beauty.

“Our footprint continues to grow as our products have become available in many countries in Africa reflecting our determination to bringing world-class personal style solutions closer to millions of women and men, “ he stated.

Peter Uzoho The Group Managing Director of Rainoil Limited, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, has called on the federal government to end the wasteful petroleum subsidy and put the funds in other critical sectors of the economy to unlock the potential in those sectors.

Ogbechie said that Nigeria cannot continue to spend over N3 trillion on a single product, while other critical sectors continue to suffer, adding that the country was ripe for deregulation to allow market forces drive the petroleum marketing business in the country.

The Rainoil GMD made

the intervention in Lagos at a briefing to herald the firm’s 25 years anniversary as a major downstream petroleum industry player in the country since 1997.

Nigeria’s petrol subsidy spend for 2022 has been pegged at N4 trillion as the National Assembly recently approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to raise the subsidy budget, citing changes in inflation and the rising oil prices.

The government had planned to remove petrol subsidy and fully deregulate the downstream petroleum sector by the second half of this year, but in January it deferred the deregulation by 18 months. Nigeria currently sells petrol, which is 100 per

cent imported at a subsidised pump price of N165 per litre, even when the landing cost alone is over 100 per cent higher than the pump price. However, Ogbechie expressed concern over the parlous state of the Nigerian economy, which he attributed partly to the huge resources used to subsidise petrol, insisting that government must deregulate the downstream sector to curb wastages and loss.

“Nigeria is over-ripe for deregulation. The over N3 trillion currently being spent to subsidise petroleum products in the country can be put into other critical sectors like education, health, road infrastructure, power, among others,” he said.

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

29

30

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

LEAD CONTINUATION HOW PDP DELEGATES MAY VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

The chances of the four contestants indicate that while three of the four major contenders will emerge tops having made friends in all the states, the fourth, Obi, well liked across the country and may have the national spread, but that will not translate to enough votes to win him the candidacy of his party, the PDP. Also worthy of mention is a former banker and businessman, Mr Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who although will garner some votes in specific states, especially in the north-east, may not make much impact. In addition, while Governor Aminu Tambuwal will readily win in Sokoto and share votes in a few other states, he will not have the national spread to win the primaries. The same goes for Governor Emmanuel Udom, who is expected to pick a single state and votes in a few others.

While extrapolations based on the actual number of delegates might have become nearly impossible following the refusal by the president, Muhammadu Buhari, to sign the latest amendment to the Electoral Act, the current state of play, ironically, has given a more distinct picture of where the states each stand in terms of delegates voting, ultimately.

Olawale Olaleye writes

Abia State A Southeast state under the leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia would not mind a candidate from the southern zone, in this case Peter Obi. But with the governor recently openly declaring support for Wike, votes here would be shared between the Rivers State governor and Obi, although Wike stands a better chance with Ikpeazu.

Abia is for Wike.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is for Atiku and being his home state, the Adamawa delegates will naturally vote Atiku 100 per cent, both on personal recognition and the governor’s influence. Adamawa Goes to Atiku

Akwa Ibom State The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, is also in the race for the PDP presidential ticket and since governors are in natural control of their delegates, there’s no debating where the delegates in Akwa Ibom would vote. Emmanuel Gets It

Anambra State

there’s zone advantage for the former Kwara governor.

Yet, Benue would be shared between Saraki and Wike, while the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, would get some votes too, because of the Gabriel Suswam factor. Suswam is close to Emmanuel. Benue would be shared between Saraki and Wike

Borno State

As their governor for eight years, the period of which was believed to have accounted for their best, at least, as the narrative has remained, Anambra State would have been considered a 100 per cent deal for Obi, factoring the home zone advantage, but it is not. While he is going to have a significant edge, he is definitely sharing some of the votes with Atiku, at least, some percentage yanked off his stake.

Anambra Goes to Obi

Borno is home to Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and zone to Atiku.

But Atiku does not currently boast any visible influence in the state, therefore, it is for the taking for Hayatu-Deen. But Saraki and Wike are likely to steal from the votes here, especially, because the governorship candidate in the state, Mohammed Imam, is a factor and ally of Wike. Borno will Ultimately Go Hayatu-Deen's Way

Bauchi State

Cross River State

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauch State, is also a presidential hopeful, but might have been caught between returning to office as governor and trying his luck at the presidential primary.

But in the event he chooses to back any of his co-aspirants and enters into any form of negotiations, Mohammed might direct the Bauchi delegates to vote for Saraki. Until then, Bauchi is standing with its Governor.

Cross River State is between Udom Emmanuel and Wike with some votes going for Saraki and Atiku.

Bayelsa State

Ebonyi is definitely rooting for its own, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim. It’s a no contest zone and another waste of votes as the former senate president is unlikely to make any impact. It's in the bag for Anyim

Bayelsa is one of the fishing ponds for all the aspirants and they are all likely to battle for votes here, depending on how well they each stand. On the one hand, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s influence is presumed could help Wike wield some influence, but his bitter relationship with former governor Seriake Dickson, on the other hand, could also work against him, since the incumbent, Diri Diouye, is Dickson’s governor. Yet, Diouye too is friend to both Saraki and Tambuwal, given the National Assembly connection. Thus, Bayelsa is too close to call.

Benue State Although Governor Samuel Ortom of the state would rather a southern president, naturally, he is a friend of Saraki and coming from North Central,

Delta State Despite the differences between Okowa and Ibori, the state remains for Atiku with some votes going to Saraki.

Ebonyi State

Edo State The scenarios in Edo come in two folds. First, the case over the leadership of the party in the state is in court. However, If the choice of delegates would be based on the list with Governor Godwin Obaseki, then, the Edo votes are largely for Saraki and partly for Atiku. But If the list

by Dan Orbih is the accepted one then the balance changes.

Edo is disputed

Ekiti State Ekiti State is technically in the hands of former governor Ayodele Fayose, who in turn, is loyal to Wike, the man

believed to have bought him the presidential forms. Except for the likelihood that there could be some deviant delegates, who might rail against Fayose, Ekiti might have signed up for Wike 80 per cent, conservatively. Ekiti goes Wike's way

Enugu State

the largest chunk of delegate votes on offer. This will be shared between Atiku and Wike

Katsina State Katsina State is shared former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema, who is with shared between Saraki and Wike with some Atiku

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State is unrepentantly an advocate of southern president, but is also stuck between Wike and Obi. However, from the current reading of the equation, it is more of Wike than Obi. Enugu is also for Wike.

Although Kogi State shared

by Saraki and Atiku

Gombe State

Kwara State

Gombe, a North East state, is standing between Wike and Hayatu-Deen and some . One, for zone advantage and the other for friendship and influence leveraging. Looks 50 percent for Atiku and the rest for Wike and Hayattu- Deen

Kwara is not in contention.

Home-zone advantage for Saraki is 100 per cent. It’s a no contest state, its for Saraki

Imo State Imo ordinarily offers Wike and Tambuwal near-equal chances of vote-grabbing. This is because of their connections to both Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal’s deputy as speaker of the House of Representatives and Sam Anyanwu, the party’s secretary and Wike’s ally. But Obi is also making inroads probably from the votes, riding on the Southeast sentiment. So, Imo is between, Wike, Tambuwal and Obi

Jigawa State Jigawa State looks good for Saraki and Atiku, based on the current political extrapolations in the state. The state, which is in the hands of former governor Sule Lamido, ordinarily looks good for Saraki and Atiku

Kaduna State The North West state is likely to play some tricks on the aspirants. While Saraki may good with votes from southern Kaduna, It's for Atiku, Wike and Hayatu-Deen

Kano State The soul of Kano PDP is still in the hands of a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who still nurses the pain of the 2015 APC presidential primaries against Atiku and co. Kano has

Kebbi State Kebbi is Tambuwal and Atiku

Kogi State

Lagos State Lagos State is going to provide the four a good time to battle, however, with Saraki getting the upper hand up to 50 per cent, while Atiku, Wike Obi share the rest.

Nasarawa State Nasarawa State is totally committed to Saraki and Atiku

Niger State Niger State will be shared between Saraki and Atiku

Ogun State Ogun State is doing a tripartite deal with Saraki, Atiku and Wike.

So Ogun will be shared between Saraki, Atiku and Wike

Ondo State Ondo is giving a sizeable number of its votes to Saraki.

The state is sympathetic to him because his mum hails from Owo. Saraki will get the bulk of the votes while Atiku and Wike will also get share

Osun State In Osun, Saraki has an amazing relationship with the PDP candidate in the state, Ademola Adeleke, who has the delegates in his pockets. Osun is shared between Saraki and Atiku

Oyo State Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is though for a southern president, he is also a friend of

Wike and sometimes, defers to him. But he also has sentiments for Saraki. Thus, while Oyo may vote Wike considerably, Saraki stands to share some parts of the votes, although paltry. Goes to Wike

Plateau State Plateau, a North Central state, is playing host to Saraki, Atiku both will share the votes

Rivers State Rivers is one hundred per cent for the owner of the state. Wike will take his state, even though it would not change the overall result. Goes to Wike

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, is a presidential hopeful and will definitely take his state. Sokoto is, however, marked a waste of votes as Tambuwal is believed not to stand any chance in the race.

Taraba State Taraba, a North East state, has always been in the bag for Atiku but that has changed with the current state of play. Atiku mainly with some votes to others

Yobe State Yobe State is waiting to share its votes between Atiku and Hayatu-Deen. This is likely to turn out a 50/50 run for Atiku and Hayatu-Deen

Zamfara State Zamfara delegates are going to vote for Tambuwal and Atiku.

Federal Capital Territory Delegates in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be shared by Atiku, Saraki, Wike and Obi In the final analysis, the PDP primary appears an interesting one that is likely to defy some bookmarking.

It's a four horse race given, however given that Hayatu-Deen is new in the race, he may not make much impact. But at the end of it all, it's a matter of cash because delegates are poor need cash. But when all delegates get cash from all the aspirants, the power of cash is neutralised.

Other factors, such as sentiments and conscience may play a role to swing the votes. However, for PDP, it's too close to call as at today, May 24, 2022.

NEWSREVIEW

Insecurity in Anambra: A Conspiracy of Silence Three days after the beheading of Anambra lawmaker Okechukwu Okoye, the presidency, prominent Anambra groups, and politicians have yet to condemn the barbaric act, writes David-Chyddy Eleke.

T

he kidnap of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, the member representing Aguata II State Constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly, came on Saturday with uncertainty. There had been rumours on social media about the kidnap of a VIP at Aguata, but it was not certain who the person was.

The story, however, gained traction when the Police Command in Anambra State confirmed the kidnapping. A spokesman for the police command in Anambra, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the kidnap, said the lawmaker’s black Sienna, which he was driving before the incident, had been recovered.

Ikenga said the command had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers to rescue him.

While Anambra people were waiting for an update, there were rumours that the house of assembly had suspended plenaries in honour of the kidnapped lawmaker. Three days into his kidnap, the legislators resumed sitting, allowing Governor Charles Soludo to present a revised 2022 budget to the house.

"I regret, however, that one of you, the member representing the good people of Aguata II Constituency in the House of Assembly (my own representative) – Hon. Okechukwu Okoye – is

still in the custody of the kidnappers. The security agencies are working very hard and around the clock to secure his freedom. God is on the throne, and Anambra will win. Let me leave it at that," said Soludo during his presentation. "We have chosen to confront the foundational issue of security head-on and expected that those profiting from the lucrative criminal enterprise would viciously fight back, and they have. Suffice it to say that so far, so good. They are testing our will and resolve. Let me assure you this: Anambra will win."

On Saturday evening, a week after the legislator's kidnap, a decapitated body was found in Nnobi, Idemili South local government area. Just as police operatives moved to recover the body, news filtered in tha the lawmaker's head was found at Amichi, in Nnewi South local government area, far away from Nnobi.

Meanwhile, there has been a little outcry three days after the incident. The video of the headless body and the head of the lawmaker sent chills down the spine of Anambra residents. The grisly murder of the legislator is a grim reminder to them that insecurity is worsening.

An Anambra politician, Mr Ikechukwu Onyia, condemned the silence that has pervaded the killing of the lawmaker. Onyia, an aide of a House of

Representatives member, condemned the Anambra assembly for opening its doors for legislative activities to entertain a revised budget when its member was held hostage by kidnappers.

An Anambra resident, Mr Joe Emedolie, said, "I am still coming to terms with how somebody, who is not just an ordinary individual could be kidnapped, beheaded and his head displayed and videotaped, and nothing happened. I expected the National Assembly, the Presidency and prominent Igbo groups to come in and condemn the act."

He added, "We know that this is a period of electioneering, and politicians are jostling for votes, but even at that, many groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo found time to condemn it, same for Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), but for a lawmaker, we have only seen the Anambra state governor condemn the act. Does that tell how much they hate Anambra State, such that such a level of insecurity could be left to the governor alone, how we do not matter, or how much Ndi Igbo hate themselves, as even brother states are yet to condemn this act?"

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Echeng Echeng, while peaking during a press conference in Awka, frowned upon communities' reluctance to volunteer information about criminals in their areas.

"We have been saying unknown gunmen is not the right name for these criminals. We are trying to mystify something that is not just there. It is time we go into demystifying those people. These people are not spirits. They live with us. They are our nephews, our cousins, our brothers, and they

live in communities," Echeng explained. "We know who they are. The problem of security is that of total silence. Nobody sees something, nobody hears something, and nobody says something. Security is collective, and everyone has a part to play. Crimes are localised, and they happen in our communities.

We should be able to come up with information about what is happening in our communities, not glorifying them and tagging them as unknown gunmen. Otherwise, we will end up not making headways."

The police commissioner insisted that the so-called unknown gunmen were not Fulani criminals.

"We know them, we have actually arrested some of them, and they are human beings. I want us also to shift the narrative that these criminals are Fulani. We have arrested some and taken out some during gun duels. So, when the community who should help to contribute to security decide to stay quiet, that is not a good sign," added the police commissioner. "Last week, a person I didn't know told me that a team of gunmen were operating at Umunze in a Hummer Jeep, I sent a team after them, and we were told they had moved to Umuchu, and we pursued them and were able to take out four of them. I don't know the man who gave me the information, but we used the information to fight the criminals. That black Hummer Jeep you see there (pointing to it) was recovered from the criminals.

You can see what information can do. That is how powerful information is, and we expect people to give information."

31

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 20May-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 203.41 204.56 21.83% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.14% Nigeria International Debt Fund 320.27 320.27 4.80% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 105.42 106.57 6.85% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.74 3.80 5.54% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 4.74% Anchoria Equity Fund 155.77 157.56 11.86% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 4.91% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 23.04 23.74 13.61% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 518.79 534.43 14.99% ARM Ethical Fund 44.25 45.59 13.59% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.06 1.06 -1.97% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.04 2.44% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.04% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.32 105.32 8.19% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,106.93 1,106.93 10.69% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.12 2.12 8.57% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.43 2.49 30.91% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,007.53 1,007.53 3.60% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.04 1.04 3.20% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.79% Paramount Equity Fund 20.85 21.23 19.55% Women's Investment Fund 156.34 158.25 10.09% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.69% Cordros Milestone Fund 138.29 139.13 10.76% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 109.45 109.45 5.08% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 4.51% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 5.52% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,156.69 1,168.01 -0.75% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.80% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 7.62% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.09 1.09 18.85% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.31 102.31 4.24% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1453.48 1453.48 10.45% FBN Balanced Fund 199.32 200.80 13.73% FBN Halal Fund 119.73 119.73 9.20% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.84% FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) 123.80 123.80 5.16% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 174.44 176.77 14.18% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.98% Legacy Debt Fund 3.97 3.97 -0.75% Legacy Equity Fund 2.02 2.06 15.91% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.22 1.22 1.51% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,335.41 3,551.41 100.00

4,403.01 3,551.41 100.00

29.95% 6.24% 6.14%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.10 1.10 3.71% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.92% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.17 3.24 18.15% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 140.25 140.25 2.35% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.36 1.39 14.12% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 4.12% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.56 1.59 10.22% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,159.66 1,159.66 3.48% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.15 13.19 11.32% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.07% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.67 101.67 6.86% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 7.48% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 133.78 137.26 11.96% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.12 1.15 20.74% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.57 1.60 15.25% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.26 1.28 15.86% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.10 1.10 2.83% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 2.01 2.01 2.54% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.80 124.80 2.02% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.76% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.42 14.56 9.37% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.70 16.90 14.34% Zenith Income Fund 22.60 22.60 2.61% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.66% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 4.26 4.36 6.07% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.86 6.96 17.34% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 20.54 20.74 16.09% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.33% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 22.84 23.04 14.23% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 152.79 154.79 -3.13%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

122.16 53.16

1.62% 0.82%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.09 155.71 123.57 24.92 23.23

16.19 159.53 126.26 25.02 23.33

14.95% 18.28% 19.24% 32.41% 15.97%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.55

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ MAY 24, 2022

32

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Increased Productivity Will Improve Value of Naira, Say Experts Oluchi Chibuzor Only increased productivity and a change in consumption patterns of Nigerians will shore up the value of the naira, experts in the Nigerian financial service sector have said.

The experts stated this at a one-day roundtable on national issues organised by Development Specs Academy (DSA) in Abuja.

Speakers at the occasion include the convener, Dr Okey Ikechukwu, a former spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Brigadier Sani Usman (rtd.), Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, Prof Jim Unah, Dr. Amaechi Anakwue, Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, Dr. Amara Albert, Dr. Hyeladi Haruna, Dr Amaechi Anakwue, among others.

Speaking, Okey Ikechukwu noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made several policy interventions to improve the value of the national currency.

“The bank is also said to have taken further, hands-on, measures, including the Anchor Borrowers Program, which he said created and capacitated several farmers’ cooperatives and enhanced their access to loans.

“This initiative alone has created millions of jobs, taken many youths off the crime path and

rescued many local economies.

Only economy-reflating and socially impactful efforts, as seen in such initiatives, in addition to consuming what we produce and producing what we consume, will give us the prospect of bringing up the value of the National Currency and keeping it up,” he said.

On his part, Brig Usman described as unacceptable, the level of insecurity in the country and called for more strategic efforts towards ensuring the release of citizens being held in captivity by terrorists.

He also urged the government to prioritize the release of kidnapped victims including the remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, the Kaduna train victims and others.

“Government should be proactive in information dissemination about what it is doing concerning those in captivity in various parts of the country,” he said A former secretary of the Catholic Secretariat in Nigeria, Rev Ehusani, called on youths to take advantage of their numerical strength to vote for competent Nigerians in the 2023 general election.

The roundtable with par-

ticipants drawn from the civil society communities, youth-based organisations, youths in politics and social media influencers among others, warned that the country could have a looming crisis if public universities are not opened. It also called for the promotion of vocational skills and innovative entrepreneurship and values reorientation for youths to create the right mindset that would enable them function successfully in a 21st Century world.

The Roundtable bemoaned the cost of forms for aspirants to various political offices in the country, noting that it is too high, elitist, exclusivist and seems designed to ensure that only individuals and groups with heavy war chests can contest for political office. It proposed outright reduction in the cost of forms by over 95% and return of the balance to the aspirants, except for those of them who may wish to donate such excess to the individual parties concerned.

The forum also noted that fake news and deliberate distortion of statements of public officials are among factors compounding insecurity in the country.

The DSA Roundtable, according to the organizers, will henceforth be a monthly national event.

Stanbic IBTC Bank to Splash N156m on Customers Dike Onwuamaeze Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has earmarked the sum of N156 million as loyality reward to its existing customers and those that would open accounts while the “Reward4Saving Promo Season 2” lasts.

The bank said that its Season 2 promo has three categories of rewards for the lucky winners, which are N100,000, N1 million and N2 million.

The first draw of this season, which took place this week at the Stanbic IBTC Head office on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos State, saw 70 customers win cash prizes of N100,000 each.

The bank’s aim is to maintain this throughout the 12-month promo time by which a total of 840 customers would have been rewarded with N100,000 during the monthly draws.

The bank said that it would reward 28 customers with N1

million each in the quarterly draws, and seven customers with N2 million each in the grand finale draw.

Speaking at the May 2022 draws, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Kunle Adedeji, said the bank recognised saving as an important aspect of its customers’ journey to financial freedom, and it is for this reason that Stanbic IBTC has decided to commence the second season of the Reward4Saving Promo to reward and inspire more customers to reach for their dream of financial freedom by improving their savings culture.

Adedeji said: “Our aim is to promote a savings culture by rewarding our existing and potential customers as they save for the future. As an end to end financial solutions provider, Stanbic IBTC is committed to creating channels and means of financial empowerment for its millions of customers while rewarding them for their

dedication. Simply put, we put our money where our mouth is.

“Reward4Saving 2.0, as we like to call it, is themed “Bigger and Better”. This is because we have increased the expected wins to allow more customers from across the geo-political zones of the country walk away with cash prizes worth a total of N156 million, with individual wins ranging from N100,000 to N1 million and N2 million.”

The CFO further stated that existing and prospective customers could take advantage of this opportunity by saving a minimum of N10,000 in their savings account or @ease wallet, for at least 30 days.

He said that one electronic raffle ticket is issued for every N10,000 saved, thereby increasing the chances of winning, moreover new customers would also be rewarded with N500 worth of airtime and three months of free interbank transactions when they open a Stanbic IBTC Bank account.

Lagos Recyclers Association Elects New Executives The Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) has elected new executives in line with the new administration plans to make Lagos State expand it’s recycling value chain across relevant stakeholders by getting all citizens involved.

LAGRA’s newly elected President, Dr Femi IdowuAdegoke expressed that, “Recycling is important to the society environmentally, economically and socially. It’s a tool to developing circular economy which minimizes and reduces negative environmental impact of virgin resource extraction, creates cleaner and sustainable community, provide jobs opportunities for youths, women and girls within the

society. Every citizens should key into the Lagos State sustainable waste and environmental management by identifying value in municipal solid waste through containerizing, sorting our waste for Recycling and general waste collection then ultimately we must understand that waste management is our collective responsibility.

“The association is dedicated to promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling, upcycling , salvaging and composting.

The organisation has over 100 members throughout the state representing a broad spectrum of the recycling community; nonprofit recyclers, reuse specialists, local and state government workers, consultants, haul-

ers, environmentalists, artists, students and others interested in the different “Rs” which are reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, rethink, redesign.”

He added that the essence of the association to the society at large is targeted at attitudinal and behavioural change towards sustainable waste management, advocating and implementing waste as a resource for cleaner Lagos.

“As the new administration yearns towards a better Lagos it’s agenda is to create awareness, implement and develop the waste recycling industry in Collaboration and Partnership with Lagos State government sustainable waste management for all stakeholders, “he said.

L-R: Company Secretary, Wema Bank Plc, Mr. Johnson Lebile; Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Moruf Oseni; Managing Director/CEO,Mr Ademola Adebise and non Executive Director, Abubakar Lawal at Wema Bank’s 2021 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos....recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ͱͱ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $114.79 a barrel on Friday, compared with $112.04 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͰͲ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Stock Market Begins Week on Negative Note as Profit-taking Dominates Activity Kayode Tokede Trading activities on the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday opened trading for the week on a bearish note with N37 billion decline amid positive increase in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a 3.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) GDP

growth in first quarter (Q1), 2022, the highest first-quarter growth since 2015.

The positive print was mainly driven by a 6.1 per cent YoY surge in the non-oil sector.

However, the NGX All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 68.45 basis points or 0.13 per cent to close at 52,911.51 basis points.

Consequently, the market capitalisation lost N37 billion to close at N28.525 trillion.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

The downturn of the stock market yesterday was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Presco, UAC of Nigeria (UACN), Lafarge Africa, Global Spectrum Energy Service and NEM Insurance.

Market breadth closed negative, with 24 losers versus 22 losers. Conoil recorded the highest price gain of 9.95 per cent, to close at N34.25, per

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

share. MRS Oil Nigeria followed with a gain 9.93 per cent to close at N14.95, while McNichols Plc appreciated by 9.86 per cent to close at N2.34, per share.

Academy Press went up by 9.76 per cent to close at N1.35, while NPF Microfinance Bank appreciated by 8.02 per cent to close at N2.02, per share. On the other hand, Presco led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent, to close at N180.00, per share.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Global Spectrum Energy Service followed with a decline of 9.97 per cent to close at N3.07, while Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals went down by 9.66 to close at N1.59, per share. . UACN lost 8.33 per cent to close at N13.20, while NEM Insurance shed 7.74 per cent to close at N4.05, per share.

However, the total volume traded rose 39.68 per cent to 263.339 million shares, worth

O F

N3.550 billion, and traded in 4,856 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank topped the activity chart with 114.008 million shares valued at N101.753 million.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company followed with 12.873 million shares worth N302.843 million, while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 12.806 million shares valued at N16.726 million.

2 3 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

AIRFORCE @ 58...

L –R : Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Defence , Major General (retd) Bashir Magashi and the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladipo Amao, PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI at the celebration of Nigeria Air Force at 58th held at the Air force base, Kano …yesterday

Osinbajo: Nigeria at Critical Stage, Needs Continuity in Govt VP is detribalised, Buhari's top confidant, says El-Rufai Borno promises to repay presidential hopeful with her votes Deji Elumoye and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, said Nigeria was at a critical stage in history, which required continuity in government to complete ongoing infrastructure projects being executed by the President Buhari administration.

At the same time, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai described Osinbajo as a detribalised Nigerian and close confidant of the President.

This is as the Borno State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has formally endorsed Osinbajo as the presidential aspirant, saying it would repay him for his good deeds with its votes at the party’s forthcoming primary election.

Osinbajo, according to a statement issued Monday by his Media Assistant, Laolu Akande, made the disclosure while addressing delegates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi and Kaduna States ahead of the presidential primaries of the party billed for this weekend in Abuja.

Meetings with delegates in the two states, Osinbajo noted that Nigeria was at a crucial stage in her history, where continuity in government was needful to ensure the completion of many ongoing development projects started by the Buhari administration, and also further progress for the country.

Speaking during a courtesy

call on the Emir of Gwandu and Chairman, Kebbi State Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, Osinbajo said, “I’ve served as vice-president for the past seven years under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. During that seven-year period, I have had the unique opportunity to work with an open and transparent president.

“My experience is crucial, especially, in governing a country of our size. This is why I decided to put myself forward to serve as president.

There are other people vying for that position (of the president); several competent Nigerians and competent members of our party, the APC. We all know that all power belongs to the Almighty God. He is the one, who determines, who rules; we can only hope and pray and put ourselves forward.

“I believe strongly that the stage that our country is at, is one that requires continuity of the sort that will enable us achieve great results.”

While thanking the Emir for his kindness, generosity, and counsel, the vice-president said, “the result of your counsel has given us the successes that our government has had over the years.”

He noted several ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, PortHarcourt-Maiduguri rail project, among many others, adding that, “it makes perfect sense if I am given

the opportunity of concluding those projects and doing so many other things. I will do so.”

At his meetings with delegates in Kebbi, Osinbajo restated that, “It is God who gives power, only God can put a man or woman in position, and if God puts you in a position, nobody can change it.”

According to him, “I offered myself as presidential aspirant of our party, because I know that by the grace of God, if God helps me to be elected, we will change our country for the common man, for the politician, for the rich, poor, young, women, children, and the old. Let us work together, your votes will

determine the future of our country.

“This is a complex country, but it is a country that must remain united, that must remain secure, and we must improve the economy for the benefit of millions of young people and all Nigerians.”

While stating that there was room for improvement in the areas of security, economy, and technology, he noted that, “The right infrastructure for technology is broadband connectivity, and we are putting that together; we intend to have that broadband connectivity for all in coming years, so that we can expand opportunity for business, especially, for young people.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday secured the conviction of a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chuma Nzeribe before Justice Yusuf Y. Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama. Abuja.

An EFCC statement said Nzeribe was first arraigned by the EFCC on October 16, 2020, on a four-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent document, forgery, using as genuine and cheating by impersonation, punishable under section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act. Count one of the charge read: “That you, Hon. Chuma Nzeribe

sometime in March, 2013 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession a document containing false pretence to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with reference Number MFCT/LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6, 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.” Another count read: “That you Hon. Chuma Nzeribe sometime in 2005 at Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently make a false document to wit: Re: Application for Statutory Right of Occupancy within the

progress of the country, while stakeholders also canvassed for continuity in government.

El-Rufai, and Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Samaila Yombe, spoke glowingly about the VP’s qualities, with a call for continuity.

According to the Kaduna governor, Osinbajo was the number one confidante of the President (Muhammadu Buhari), and “has the respect of all the governors of Nigeria, across party lines, because of the way and manner he steers the affairs of the National Economic Council.”

Continued online

Amaechi: I Stood for Nigeria, It'sTime for Nigerians to Stand for Me Buhari is morally bound to Tinubu’s candidacy, Says Ardo Chuks Okocha in Abuja sand Francis Sardauna in Katsina Former Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, said he worked against all odds to ensure the victory of President Muhammudu Buhari in 2015 and 2019 and that it was time Nigerians reciprocated his gesture by electing him Buhari's successor.

For context, however, Amaechi said, he stood for Nigeria and Buhari despite discrimination from some southerners to avert

what he termed disintegration of the country and civil war.

This is as a special adviser to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Umar Ardo, yesterday said President Buhari was morally bound to ensure that a former Lagos State governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, became the next president of the country.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with the All Progressives (APC) delegates ahead of the party's primaries, Amaechi said in spite of intimidations from leaders of the

Fraud: Court Convicts Ex-Lawmaker, Nzeribe in Absentia

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Commenting on country’s security architecture, the vice-president noted that, “at the end of the day, we will be able to tackle our present challenges, but we must be prepared to deal with future security challenges also.”

On the Social Investment Programmes, the vice-president said, “We are going to expand the social investment programmes to become a full-scale social welfare programme.

We must also ensure that our young people are employed, engaged and we must have a plan for them.”

Osinbajo was, however, commended for his efforts in improving governance and dedication to the

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with reference number MFCT/ LA/FCT 1302 dated 18/06/03, bearing the name of Ramatu Alhassan and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) and punishable under Section 364 of the same Act.” He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him, setting the stage for his full trial.

In the course of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmad, presented five witnesses against the defendant.

After the close of the case by the prosecution, the matter was adjourned for judgement.

However, the defendant absconded and all efforts to get him proved abortive.

Justice Halilu thereafter revoked the bail of the defendant and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

As several adjournments and the failure to bring the defendant to court, the trial judge today delivered judgment in which he convicted the defendant in absentia and restituted the nominal complainant, Ishaya Baba, his Land situated at Plot 1306 Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama Abuja.

Justice Halilu however deferred the sentencing of the defendant until the EFCC or the Inspector General of Police apprehend and bring him to court, in compliance with Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 11of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Section 78 of the Penal Code Act.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the height of Boko Haram, he fought not for a Katsina son to become president but for the country's unity and progress.

He, therefore, contended that it was time for Nigerians to stand for him too and ensure the actualisation of his presidential aspiration.

"They will not allow my flight, because we were strongly to make a Katsina son president, so why will your governor tell you not to vote for me or why will anybody ask you to vote for me?

"As Governor of Rivers State, they seized my plane in Akure. I drove from Akure to Lagos. I got to Lagos at 9pm and somebody will tell you not to vote for me?

That person is not being fair.

"They seized my plane in Kano.

I drove from Kano to Abuja. I got to Abuja at 2am at the height of Boko Haram all because we were fighting not for a Katsina son but Nigeria.

"We saw Nigeria at a break out of a possible civil war. If I had moved over to PDP, there would have been north vs south and that would have been bad politics.

"So, I stood for Nigeria, it is time for Nigerians to stand for me. We were working at that time to make sure that Nigeria didn't disintegrate.

President Muhammudu Buhari was our candidate to serve Nigeria."

He, however, added that if given the opportunity to serve as president, he would tackle insecurity and economic challenges besetting the nation as soon as he

assumed office.

But Ardo, who is now a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa State,said in a statement, that it was because of the political influence of Tinubu that the APC as a political party was registered in the first place.

Ardo explained that it was for the intervention of Tinubu that the merger between Buhari's party, the Congress of the Progressives Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other parties was consummated in the first place.

"As the initiator of the merger that ultimately produced the APC, I know the foundational agreement of the merger ab initio between President Muhammad Buhari and Senator Bola Tinubu - i.e.

Buhari President and Tinubu Vice President in a merger between CPC and ACN. "It was Buhari, who after the Supreme Court, dismissed the CPC presidential election petition, approached Tinubu with the idea and offer, and it was upon the latter’s acceptance of both that APC was born.

"Tinubu thus drove the process from March, 2012 to the final emergence of the APC as a registered political party on 31st July, 2013, to establishing the new party structures from Wards, LGAs, States, Zonal and National levels; and, against formidable new opponents that joined the party for their own ends, stood to ensure Buhari’s emergence as APC’s presidential flag bearer.

35

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

REGULATION OF ADVERTISEMENT ON DIGITAL MEDIA SPACE...

L-R; Assistant Director, Monitoring & Enforcement, APCON, Mrs Emme Akande; Director, Registration, Mr. Joe Eugene Onuorah; Registra/Chief Executive, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo; Director, Regulations, Mrs Ijedi Iyoha; Head of Legal, Mr. Chukwudi Ezeaba and Head, Planning, Research & Strategy, Mrs Susan Agbo during a press briefing on Regulation of Advertisement on Digital Media Space by PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA APCON management in Lagos....yesterday

…PDP NOMINATION EXERCISE, APC DELEGATES POLLS…

Despite Being in Captivity, NEF Convener’s Son Wins PDP House Ticket

Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Sylvester Idowu in Warri, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, Okon Bassey in Uyo, Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Fidelis David in Akure

Despite being in captivity, Sadiq Abdullahi, son of the Convener, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof.

Ango Abdullahi, has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Parry (PDP) primary election for Sabon Gari (Zaria) Federal constituency, Kaduna State.

The younger Abdullahi, who was among those abducted in the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, is still in captivity contrary to recent reports that he was released by the terrorists.

His father confirmed in a telephone chat with THISDAY yesterday that Sadiq won the primary while still in captivity.

He, however, won the primaries with 28 votes to defeat three other opponents.

Also Yakubu Barade, who has been in the House of Representatives since 2003, secured the ticket for Chikun/ Kajuru federal constituency for the sixth term. Barde got 45 from 65 delegates to defeat two other contestants.

Also, in the Kaura federal constituency, the Minority Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gideon Gwani secured the ticket for a fifth term.

Gwani was said to have scored 18 votes to defeat his close opponent, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. John Kish, who was said to have scored seven votes.

Kish has, however, protested against the outcome of the election, alleging that delegates were intimidated by the Zonal Chairman of the PDP in Kaduna south senatorial zone.

Two Serving Senators Lose PDP Tickets in Ondo as Akinyelure Blames Mimiko for Defeat

Two serving senators from Ondo State, were yesterday defeated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held in the state.

A legal practitioner, Ife Adedipe (SAN) won the primary election for Ondo Central Senatorial District after polling 82 votes to beat the

incumbent Senator, Ayo Akinyelure, popularly known as “Allover” who had fifty eight (58) votes, followed by the former Chairman of the party in the state, Mr Clement Faboyede with fifty seven (57) votes.

In the Southern senatorial district, the former Deputy Governor in the state, Hon. Agboola Ajayi polled 78 votes to defeat the incumbent senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, who scored 74 votes.

The Chairman, Election Committee, Idhiarhi Bekekhimi, declared Ife Adedipe (SAN) the winner of the Central seat during the party’s primary held at Ondo road in Akure, the state capital.

However, speaking with Journalists after the exercise, Akinyelure, who is a two term Senator representing Ondo Central in the red chamber, blamed the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his defeat, alleging that he directed most delegates to vote for his main opponent.

“As a ranking Senator and with all I have done for them in Ondo Central Senatorial District, the three ad-hoc delegates that favours Olusegun Mimiko, they gave instructions for them to vote me out. I am happy for this but I know my God will never fail.

“I know what I am talking about.

We have six local governments in the central, by the grace of God I am still a sitting Senator.

“The election was so transparent but I know that with the volume of what I have done for Ondo Central Senatorial District, I did not expect to be paid this way. But I have a destiny that nobody can stop," Akinyelure lamented.

The winner, Adedipe, who is from Akure South Local Government expressed delight over his victory, and vowed to lead the PDP to victory in the general election.

In the Northern Senatorial District, Mr Tokumbo Modupe, scored 124 votes to defeat his closet rival, Mr Foluso Adefemi, who scored 93.

Aduda, Nwoko, Dankwambo, Onolememen, Amori, Others Win Senatorial Nominations

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, elected more persons to fill the slot for the 109

seats in the nation’s senate.

Philip Aduda representing the Federal Capital Territory won his nomination election. He got 199 votes out of 200 votes cast Ned Nwoko, the billionaire husband of former teenage film star, Regina Daniels, won the PDP Delta North Senate ticket even as an associate of former Governor James Ibori, Senator Ighoyorta Amori, escaped with a narrow victory in Delta Central.

Chief Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele, a close political enforcer for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, also emerged candidate for Delta South.

The emergence of Nwoko, it was gathered came after the two major political tendencies in the area put aside their differences to back him as a popular personality in the area.

Nwoko’s ride to obtaining the Senate ticket became easy after Okowa surprised many when he pulled out of the contest to return to the Senate, where he served for one term between 2011 and 2015, before winning the governorship of Delta State.

Diden, a close associate of Okowa, won the Delta South ticket after he polled 176 votes to the 49 votes scored by former member of the House of Representatives, Daniel Reyenieju and Othihiwa Ayodele, who polled 46 and Kent Omatseye, who polled 2 votes.

In Delta North Ned Nwoko polled 240 votes to defeat Paul Osaji who scored 66 votes.

However, the closest in the PDP Senate primary contest was in Delta Central, where Amori escaped narrowly by defeating a former commissioner, with 143 to 123 votes.

Also, Ndudi Elumelu defeated Patricia Ajudia in the contest for Delta north federal constituency.

The election was held Sunday in Asaba.

In Gombe State, Hassan Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of the state, was nominated to represent the Gombe North Senatorial district.

Former Minister of Works, Dr Mike Onolememen, has been declared the winner of the Edo State Central Senatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the primary election conducted

yesterday, he scored 123 votes to defeat his nearest rival and former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Friday Itulah. The zone is currently being represented Clifford Ordia.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 30 senators may not make it back to the parliament in 2023,when the 10th National Assembly would be inaugurated.

It was gathered that some pursued other aspirations, paving the way for some other aspirants to take over their seats in the Red Chamber, but the re-election bids of some lawmakers were threatened by the senatorial ambition of their governors.

The lawmakers who are running for governorship are Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Aishatu Dahiru Binani Ahmed (Adamawa), Albert Bassey Akpan (Akwa Ibom), Gershom Bassey (Cross River), Sandy Onor (Cross River), Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta), James Manager (Delta), and Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi).

Others are Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu), Mohammed Sabo Nakudu (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi), Teslim Folarin (Oyo), Dimka Hezekiah Ayuba (Plateau), George Sekibo (Rivers), Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto), Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba), and Yusuf A. Yusuf (Taraba).

While horse-trading is gathering steam between some senators and their governors over who would get senatorial tickets, other lawmakers are ready to slug it out with their governors in the primaries.

Security Arrests Four Journalists as Obaseki, Orbih’s Factions Hold Parallel Primaries in Edo

*One fataly shot, hospitalised Four Journalists were on Monday arrested by a combined team of Edo security outfit for allegedly covering what they termed "illegal assignment".

Those arrested were the State Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Deborah Coka; Ohioze Inuarumen and his Camera man of African Independent Television (AIT), and Osamuyi Ogbomo of Independent Television/Radio, This came as the Edo State chapter of the PDP, held parallel

primaries to choose candidates for the Senatorial ticket.

The parallel primaries were held at different locations in the state between delegates loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Dan Orbih.

The four were arrested for giving coverage to the faction loyal to the Dan Orbih delegates of the party.

However, while the faction loyal to Orbih held its primary at an event centre by the Airport gate, Obaseki’s group held theirs at the Samuel Ogbemudia’s stadium.

The journalists were arrested and taken to Oko Police Division, where they were detained for over five hours and made to give statement.

Coker, said they were arrested by a combined team of Edo Security Network, men of the State Vigilante and Police.

“Even after we told them that we were journalists carrying out our legitimate duty, they insisted that we are providing coverage for an illegal primary and that is why they took us to Command Investigation Intelligence Rapid Response Office located off Airport Road.

In the melee, she said one person was shot fatally and was rushed to the hospital, when venue of the primaries was invaded.

Meanwhile, at the indoor sports hall of the Dr Samuel Ogbemudia stadium where Obaseki’s delegates of the PDP converged, the former Majority leader of Edo State House of Assembly, Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, emerged the senatorial candidate, defeating the incumbent Senator Mathew Uroghide.

On the side of Orbih, the member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Ogbeide Ihama, emerged the candidate.

In Edo Central, former Minister of Works under ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Mike Onolememen, picked the PDP ticket for Edo senatorial district while Hon Clifford Ordia, the incumbent senator emerged in the Obaseki-led faction.

Similarly, in Edo North, former Assembly Chief Whip and local government council chairman, Pascal Ugbome, emerged the candidate of the Orbih-led primary while Mrs Victoria Edelokun won the ticket of the Obaseki-led delegates in the

parallel primaries conducted

Crisis in Kaduna APC Over Alleged Non-conduct of Delegate Polls

One of the contenders for the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Sani Sha’aban, has protested against alleged nonconduct of special congresses for the election of delegates in the state.

The special congresses were said to have taken place across the 23 local government areas in the state on May 17 and 18, 2022, through consensus, in accordance with the APC election guidelines and constitution.

A five-member Appeals Committee headed by Tinuke Ogunrinde (from Oyo state) had told journalists that the congresses were hitch-free, and that no petition was received before, during and after the congresses.

According to Ogunrinde, “1,275 delegates were elected for local government and state delegates while 69 national delegates were unanimously elected.”

Addressing a news conference yesterday in Kaduna, the Director General of the Sani Sha’aban Campaign Organisation, Chief Joshua Ephraim, said there was no election anywhere in the state to produce delegates for the primary elections.

Ephraim also alleged that the campaign organisation wrote a petition to the Appeal Committee, but it refused to collect it, adding that, it had already submitted a petition to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state to the effect that no congresses were held anywhere across the state to produce delegates.

“This statement is a direct response to the misleading and erroneous press released by the APC Delegates Primary Election Appeal Committee, given some hours ago in which it is claimed that, delegates Primary Elections to produce delegates in Kaduna State were held and; that there was no petition that was submitted by any person, or campaign organisation, during the purported two-day sitting of the Appeal Committee.

Continued on Page 36

36

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

AMAECHI WOOS KATSINA DELEGATES...

Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left), with Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, during Amaechi’s consultative meeting with delegates of the Party in Katsina State...yesterday

Obasanjo: Nigeria Complex, Not Difficult to Manage with Sincerity James Sowole in Akure Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said though Nigeria was a complex country but not difficult to manage if her people and leaders were sincere to themselves.

Obasanjo stated this while speaking with journalists, when a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, visited him at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Wike was accompanied on his consultation visit by the Governors of Oyo, Seyi Makinde and Sam Ortom; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and some other people.

Obasanjo said though, "I had ceased to be a partisan politician, I don't belong to any political party, but if politics is about the welfare of the people, I cannot cease to be a politician,because I must always seek the welfare of the people.

"And, of course, you all know what the situation of Nigeria is and anybody who doesn't know that, is either not a Nigerian or is not being truthful to himself or herself and we need, as I often said, no one individual can say yes I can do it, because the situation Nigeria as at today, we need all hands. All Nigerian hands on deck to restore Nigeria and that is what Governor Wike is saying to me.

"Courage, he doesn't lack it, and if you have courage and you have conviction to speak your mind, well, we have a saying in this part of the world that a person, who speaks the truth all the time may not even get a mat spread for him, because you will incur the displeasure of people, but you need the truth to be spoken and to get ourselves move Nigeria on the path of unity.

"Of course, we cannot get unity if there is no justice, if there is no fairness, if there is no equity.

And when you have the basic ingredients that will bring unity and inclusiveness, then, all other things will take their position. You will remove conflict, you will be able to deal with this pernicious issue of insecurity and of course, the issue of economy and the wholesomeness of the society.

"The issues he raised are the issues that are dear to my own heart for unity and stability of Nigeria. There is one thing that I believe in and I have always said it over and over again, Nigeria is a complex country, but Nigeria is not a difficult country. If we are sincere and fair to ourselves, it is not a difficult country to manage and I wish him well."

Speaking too, Wike eulogised Obasanjo, for what he had done for Nigeria, not just as aformer civilian president but also as a former Military Head of State.

"Baba has a lot of experiences.

He has passion for this country and he believes in the unity of this country. Like what he said, this country needs a courageous person, somebody, who can take a firm decision and somebody who

“We categorically deny, before you and before the whole world, that no such Delegates Primary Elections to produce delegates were ever held in the whole of Kaduna State. Secondly, there was a petition written by our campaign organisation, which the Appeal Committee refused to collect,” Ephraim said.

According to him, “Many party faithful paid for, and filled the Delegates Election forms, which were neither collected by the state, nor the national office of the APC, thus disenfranchising thousands of APC members in the state of their rights to become delegates as enshrined in the constitution of the party.”

Three Killed as P DP Holds Assembly, House Primaries in A'Ibom

Three persons were reportedly killed in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State during the conduct of the Peoples Democratic

Recants on date of presidential aspirants’ screening The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has again revised the timetable/schedule of activities for its Governorship, State House of Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives primary elections.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Felix Morka in a statement issued yesterday, at the end of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting said May 29, slated for the presidential primary election of the party remained sacrosanct, even though the date of the screening of presidential aspirants had not been fixed.

He said: "The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC on Monday, 23rd of May, 2022, approved a revised Timetable/ Schedule of activities for the Governorship, State House of Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives primary elections."

Morka noted that state delegates would elect governorship candidates on Thursday, 26th of May, 2022, while local government delegates would elect party's candidates for State Houses of Assembly same day.

He added that on Friday, 27th of May, 2022, local government delegates would elect Senatorial

"I don't believe in whether you are from the North or you are from the South, Nigeria needs a courageous person that can take firm decision. On the problems bedeveling the country, particularly,

insecurity.

“Since they have decided that there will be no zoning, I will not run away, I have the capacity. Look at it today, it seems I am the only person, everybody is afraid of.”

DESPITE BEING IN CAPTIVITY, NEF CONVENER’S SON WINS PDP HOUSE TICKET

Again, APC Revises Timetable for 2023 Primary Elections Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

want to unite all Nigerians.

"The level of insecurity in this country is not what somebody can say he or she is not aware of. It is in state, in local government, in village and everywhere.

candidates of the party, while on Saturday, 28th of May, 2022, local government delegates would elect House of Representatives candidates of the party.

"Please Note that the Special Convention for the Presidential Primary will be held as scheduled on Sunday, 29th – Monday, 30th of May, 2022," the statement added.

But the party's spokesperson informed THISDAY that the presidential aspirants of the party would not be screened today as previously announced Asked through a text message if the presidential aspirants would be screened, Morka said "no".

Party (PDP) House of Assembly and House of Representatives primaries in the area.

Sources alleged that the violent clash occurred between supporters of House of Representatives aspirants during the party primaries in Mbiabong Ikot Udofia of the LGA held on Sunday.

Police sources at the Ini Divisional Police Headquarters, told Journalists that thugs loyal to one of the aspirants killed someone from the rival camp and the opposing camp retaliated killing two persons.

But stern-looking security operatives were immediately dispatched to maintain security during the conduct òf the senatorial primary of the party at designated venues across the three senatorial districts.

THISDAY gathered that although the senatorial primary was peaceful, many of the aggrieved aspirants boycotted the exercise.

The aspirants who stayed away from the exercise, said, their decision was based on the order by a Federal High Court, Abuja, against the use of ad hoc delegates for party primaries.

One of the aspirants, Mr. Inibehe Okori, in a petition yesterday to the chairman PDP National Assembly Senate Primary Election Committee, said he would not violate the court order by partcipating in the primaries.

Okori, an aspirant for Akwa Ibom North-west (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district said, "Following the ruling given on an order in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/606/22 between Hon. Friday Iwok and ors vs INEC and ors, on 18th May, 2022 by the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the parties maintain Status Quo Ante Bellum pending the hearing and determination of the suit as per the application for rejoinder of the over 900 ad hoc delegates, I hereby state as follows: "That it is my conviction that no party can legitimately make use of the Ad hoc delegates for the primaries before the determination of the matter before the court.

That it will constitute a breach of a court order to participate in the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) set to hold today, to field candidates for the Senatorial Election.

"Following the above, I, Hon. Inibehe Okori, will not participate in the primaries slated for today 23rd May 2022. This does not mean my withdrawal from the race or from my party; this only restates my intention, as a law-abiding citizen, to work within the confines and stipulations of the law."

Another aspirant, Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, for Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial district, in a similar statement disassociated himself from the exercise.

"Myself, my agent and supporters therefore shall not participate in the nomination exercise as delegates to be so used by the Party are not recognised by the laws of the land,” he said.

The Senate nomination of the party candidates was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Chairman National AssemblySenate Primary election in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Edwards Ayo-Odugbeson.

Results of the PDP senatorial primary showed that for Akwa Ibom North-west (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district, the immediate past national legal adviser of the PDP, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem won; for Akwa Ibom North-east (Uyo) senatorial district, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Aniekan Bassey, won; while Barrister Ekong Sampson, was announced winner in the Akwa Ibom South (Eket) senatorial district.

PDP Conducts Peaceful Primaries for House in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, conducted a peaceful Federal House of Representatives primaries in the state.

As at the time of this report, three federal constituencies had

concluded their primaries with the former Ogbia Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ebiyoun Turner, emerging the standard bearer of the party for the Ogbia Federal constituency.

He defeated three others including the incumbent, Hon. Fred Obua.

Turner scored a total of 16 votes, to beat his closest rival, Mieteme Obodor, who got 12 votes, while a former Commissioner for Information, Daniel Markson-Iworiso, had seven votes, with the incumbent lawmaker, Fred Obua, polling six votes.

Declaring the results, the returning officer, Mr. ThankGod Embilakpo, said after the free, fair and smooth contest, the aspirant with the highest votes, 16, Ebiyun Turner, emerged the winner.

At the Yenagoa Federal Constituency, a member of the State House Assembly, Oboku Oforji won with 74 votes as against his opponents Ogbo Okolovie, who polled 5 votes while Romanus Lot, got no vote.

At the Southern Ijaw Federal constituency, Rodney Ambaiowei polled 29 votes to defeat a former commissioner, Kurokegha Dorgu, popularly known as Kabaka with 24 votes.

The other results from Brass/ Nembe and Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal constituencies were still being awaited at the time of filing this report..

The delay in the conduct of the primaries was, however, due to late arrival of election materials to Brass and Sagbama, venues of the primaries.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the PDP has commended the security agencies for the success recorded in the Assembly primaries conducted in the 24 constituencies in the state.

The PDP, in a statement yesterday by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ogoli Ebiye, described the outcome as a win-win situation for all contestants, admitting that there were minor hitches, which led to slight delay in voting in some centres.

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

37

NEWS

Police Decry Indigenes’ Reluctance to Volunteer Information in Anambra Say criminals terrorising state are known members of community David-Chyddy Eleke inAwka The Police have frowned at the reluctance by indigenes of Anambra communities to volunteer information about the activities of criminals in their areas.

The state police commissioner (CP) Echeng Echeng stated this in a press conference yesterday, saying that there was nothing unknown about the gunmen terrorizing Anambra State, to warrant calling them ‘unknown Gunmen’, as they are members of various communities.

The commissioner said: “We have been saying unknown gunmen is not the right name for these criminals. We are trying to mystify something that is not just there.

“It is time we go into demystifying those people. These people are not spirits, they live with us, they are our nephews, our cousins, our brothers, and they live in communities. We know who they are. The problem of security is that of total silence, nobody sees something, nobody hears something and nobody says something.

“Security is collective and everyone has a part to play.

Crimes are localised, and they happen in our communities. We should be able to come up with information of what is happening

in our communities, not glorifying them and tagging them unknown gunmen, otherwise we will end up not making headways.

“We know them, we have actually arrested some of them

and they are human beings. I want us to also shift the narrative that these criminals are Fulani. We have arrested some and taken out some during gun duels.

“So, when the community

who should help to contribute to security decide to stay quiet, that is not a good sign. Last week a person I didn’t know told me that a team of gunmen were operating at

Umunze in a Hummer Jeep, I sent a team after them, and we were told they have moved to Umichu and we pursued them and were able to take out four of them.

BETKING MEDICAL OUTREACH…

L-R: Head, Below The Line Marketing, BetKing, Mr. Oludare Kafar; Chief Operations Officer, BetKing, Mr. Adim Isiakpona; Founder, Market Doctors, Dr. Yetunde Ayo-Oyalowo; Director, Market Doctors, Mr. Taiwo Osinusi, and Director Marketing, Betking, Mr. Sandeep Singh Bhar a, at one of the BetKing’s medical outreaches in Lagos…recently ETOP UKUTT

Aisha Buhari, Dolapo Kogi APC Women Beg Bello to Support Only Female Senatorial Aspirant Osinbajo Storm APC Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, as well as the Minister of Women Affairs, Paulen Tallen yesterday stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The trio arrived at the party secretariat around 5:30 pm when the meeting of the National

Working Committee (NWC) of the party was ongoing.

They held a closed door meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu which lasted for almost an hour.

Adamu had to put the NWC meeting on hold to attend to them.

However, the reason for their visit was not made known to journalists.

The Women Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kogi State chapter, has called on Governor Yahaya Bello to support the ambition and aspiration of the only female aspirant for Kogi West senatorial district APC ticket, Mrs. Adedoyin Ibikinle Eshanumi.

The spokesperson of the women wing, Mrs. Oremisi Oluwatosin, stated that the female aspirant is not only

eminently qualify, but also possessed an intimidating credentials among other aspirants vying for the Kogi West senatorial district seat on the platform of APC in the state.

Oremisi explained that it is only the state governor that is gender sensitive and has appointed so many women into various offices, stressing that he must make sure that a woman emerge as the Kogi West senator in 2023 general election.

She urged Bello to ensure that there is a level playing ground during the National Assembly party primary in Kogi State to enable the woman to emerge.

The spokesperson also noted that Mrs. Eshanumi is a woman of substance loved by her people from Yagba West.

She pointed out that Kogi West senatorial aspirant has single-handedly empowered several youths, women, widows and other vulnerable sections in her constituency as

well as created employment opportunities for several youths at the national level.

While chorusing her name, the women in their large number reminded the governor that it has been his intention to allow a woman to emerge as candidate and win in the election, begging Bello to fulfil his heart desire to ensure Adedoyin Ibikunle Eshanumi emerge as a senator to represent Kogi West 2023.

Group Berates Ondo APC Chairman 2023: Only Five Presidential Aspirants are Real Contenders, Says Fayemi Abubakar Bello in Minna.

With this, you can separate the the country, adding that the triggers Adedayo AkinwaleinAbujaand over Poor Handling of Party Victor In a statement released pretenders from the contenders. of insecurity would be addressed OgunjeinAdoEkiti Raheem Akingbolu

A group, Sunshine Movement, has berated the Ondo All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin over his poor handling of party affairs in the state.

In a statement by the Chairman of the group, Adewole Ifedayo, said Adetimehin has lost all sense of modicum to still function as the state chairman of the party.

He called on the governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to wade into the crisis in the party ahead the forthcoming primary.

“The governor had repeatedly assured all members of the party

of a level-playing ground, but Adetimehin in connivance with few renegades in the party have hijacked or ‘doctored’ the delegates list to suit their whims and caprices in all the Eighteen local government in the state,” Ifedayo said.

“Adetimehin has placed selfish, group and sectional interests over and above the general interests of the party.We hereby appeal to the national leadership of the party to call, question, caution & correct Adetimehin as his senseless action if left unchecked may snowballed into a full blown crisis and will lead to unmerited loss in the general election,” he added.

‘Delegates’ List Causing Crisis in Niger APC’ Laleye Dipo in Minna A crisis seems to be brewing in the Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) over the alleged doctoring of the delegates list for the primary election of the party slated for this week.

Some delegates are already spoiling for show down if the alleged ‘fraudulent list’ is not jettisoned for the original ones known to them.

Investigation by THISDAY revealed that the outcry is louder among aspirants from the Niger North senatorial zone, where it is said that non delegates names have been inserted in the list to

favour some specific senatorial and governorship candidates.

Specifically, the lists for Agwara, Rijau and Kontagora Local Government Areas were said to have been tampered with as the original names on the document painted with tipex and new names written on them.

Some stakeholders, who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, warned the party leadership in the zone and the state “not to play with fire,” adding: “They can only force a candidate on us at the primary they cannot force a candidate on us at the general election.

Governor of Ekiti State and a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that out of the 23 presidential aspirants of the party only five of them are real contenders.

Fayemi stated this when he visited Niger state governor,

yesterday by the Kayode Fayemi Presidential Campaign Organisation, he said there were only five presidential aspirants in the ruling party, saying the others are pretenders.

He stated: “This is a season of visits and states keep receiving us.

The list of presidential aspirants says there are 23 but only five of us are going around the country.

“I am ready for the job. I want you to take a bet on me and you will have no cause to regret. I can remake Nigeria without unmaking it. I believe in Project Nigeria and that Nigeria is worth fighting for and together we can regain the lost glory of Nigeria.”

Fayemi said if elected President, he would work towards addressing the insecurity challenges bedeviling

while more attention would be paid to intelligence and technology.

He assured the electorate that he would decentralize the power supply as part of plan to fix the sector.

Fayemi noted: “Nigerians are not fully happy with us that we have not been able to move the needle towards the uninterrupted power supply.

Lawyer Petitions Akeredolu over Alleged Sale of Forest Reserve to Private Consortium Fidelis David in Akure A lawyer to over 10,000 farmers of Ofosu Onisere Axis of Idanre Forest Reserve (OA5) in Ondo State, Tope Temokun, has called on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to investigate the role played by his aide, Mr. Akin Olotu, over the 30,000 hectares of the state government forest reserve allegedly sold to a foreign

consortium.

Olotu is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Agriculture and Agricbusiness.

Temokun made the call in a petition to Akeredolu, a copy which was made available to journalists in Akure yesterday, saying the farmland had been occupied by the over 10,000 farmers mainly in cocoa farming in commercial quantity for 20 years under their various camps

and farmers’ association.

The legal practitioner alleged that the SSA had been collecting various levies from the farmers through the Ondo State Agricbusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), which was chaired and headed by him on the assurance that they would retain their farmlands.

According to him, the farmers are camped at Akinkuowo, Olugbolo, Prince, Teniola,

Omikelekele, Yellow and Bolade along Omifunfun road in Ofosu Onisere OA5 axis of Idanre Forest Reserve in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

He said the farmers also had a co-operative society known as Ofosun (Idanre) Owode Cooperative Multi-purpose Society registered under Section 7(1) of the Co-operative Societies Law Cap 35 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

£223,000 Ransom: Court Gives Kidnap Kingpin, Evans 14-Day to File Defence Wale Igbintade A Lagos High Court yesterday gave convicted kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, 14 days to file his statement of defence in a suit filed against him by one of his victims, Chief Donatus Dunu.

Justice Kayode Ogunjobi in his ruling held that the principle of fair hearing demands that the defendant be given opportunity

to defend himself.

Dunu, who is the Managing Director of Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Lagos, was kidnapped and held for 88 days by the convicted kidnap kingpin and his gang The claimant, is demanding the return of the sum of £223,000 he paid as ransom whilehe was in custody of the kidnap kingpin before he eventually escaped.

He is also demanding the

sum of N50 million as damages as well as 20 per cent per annum until judgment and its final liquidation.

The claimant had instituted the suit on the 16th May 2018 and served the defendant through the Comptroller General of Prison Kirikiri maximum prison Lagos.

The defendant was initially represented by a lawyer in March 2019 and was accorded every opportunity to defend

the suit but failed to do so.

However, when the claimant closed his case on March 3, 2022, the defendant came back seeking leave of Court to defend himself.

According to Evans, he has been in prison custody since August 2017 and was not aware of the pendency of this action.

He stated that he became aware of the suit in 2019 when he was already out of time to file his defence.

38

TUESDAY MAY 24, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

PDP Primaries: DPO Stoned, One Killed in Gombe Deputy Speaker, former commissioners lose in Bauchi

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe One person was reportedly killed in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State last Sunday evening when the police were trying to drive away unruly supporters from the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election for Billiri/Balanga federal constituency.

However, THISDAY gathered that in other parts of the state, the PDP primaries for the state Assembly and House of Representatives were relatively peaceful.

THISDAY, who monitored the exercise which was held at Tangji, an outskirt of Billiri town, also learnt that the Divisional Police Officer of the area (DPO), who supervised the security operations at the venue, was badly stoned on his forehead, an action which created rancour that resulted in the shooting of a supporter with one other sustaining serious injury.

However, confirming the incident, the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Ishola B Babaita, in a telephone conversation with THISDAY, distanced the killing from the primary election.

According to him, “The killing

had nothing to do with the primary election as it was far away from the venue of the primary election.”

Meanwhile, the election, which was held under a tensed atmosphere, saw Hon Ali Isa JC polling 43 out of the 61 votes cast to beat nine other

contestants, while his closest rival, Hon Rambi Ibrahim Ayala, polled nine votes.

Winner of the election, Isa JC, who represented the constituency from 2015 to 2019, promised quality representation if elected again in the 2023 general election, just as he

thanked the delegates for the confidence bestowed on him.

He said the election was a family affair, and that they will move in immediately to see how they can work together as a team and reconcile themselves.

The former lawmaker said: “You can see that 80 percent

of the contestants hugged and congratulated me. So I assure you that we are going to come out strong as one team, so the APC should start parking their loads.”

But in his reaction, Hon Ayala, the current member representing Billiri East in the state House of

Assembly, who contested and polled nine votes, he alleged the militarisation of the whole exercise.

He said the primary election was not a war as it turned out to be, adding that a level playing ground should have been allowed.

PRAYING FOR NIGERIA…

L-R- Minister In Charge of Media,Trinity House, Robert Omole; Convener, Nigeria Intercessory Group, Mrs. Dupe Kazeem; Senior Pastor,Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Pastor in Charge of Evangelism, Pastor Ken Okochu; and Minister in Charge of External Events, Pastor Jolomi Guoti at a press conference on upcoming Nigeria Prayer Walk in Lagos SUNDAYADIGUN

Abia Guber: PDP Stakeholders Nnaji Calls for States, Private Sector Collaboration on Power Supply Endorse Ikonne Funmi Ogundare

There are indications that stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State have endorsed the aspiration of Prof. Uchenna Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry and former Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu.

According to sources, ahead of the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP in the state scheduled between tomorrow and Thursday, leading party figures in the state decided to settle for Ikonne, after a strong argument by the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu- led cabinet members on the need to give every part of the state a sense of belonging.

A leader of the party in the

state last night that although Ikonne is from the same Abia Central with Ikpeazu, he is from the Old Aba Division, not the Ngwa Block, where the present governor comes from.

“We realized that even if the Abia Central Senatorial district is still in power now, giving the ticket to Ikonne would just mean reversing the flow of the zoning principles in the state. It means, having gone round, Abi North to South and now Central, the central is starting the process again. That is what the real equity is about.

We cannot continue to talk about zoning between the three zones without thinking of the old blocks in the state”, he said.

Gov Soludo Lauded for Uniting APGA Aspirants Sunday Okobi A leading House of Representatives aspirant in Idemili North/South, Hon Uche Okonkwo, has applauded the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, for bringing together all aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) participating in the upcoming primaries of the party.

Speaking after the meeting of aspirants of the APGA with Soludo at the Governor’s

Lodge in Amawbia, Okonkwo thanked the governor for convening such an important meeting that will go a long way to encourage free, free and credible primaries for the first time.

The governor, who had during the meeting reminded the participants that APGA is one big family, reiterated that his aim is to help build APGA as a strong political party, founded on the strong philosophy of true federalism and devolution of power.

Heirs Oil & Gas Reiterates Commitment to Global Best Practices Heirs Oil & Gas, Africa’s integrated energy company, has reaffirmed its commitment to both national and global environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) best practices in view of its upcoming one year anniversary celebration. An important aspect of this commitment is the elimination of routine flaring from HHOGs OML 17 by 2025, in compliance with the Nigerian Government’s routine Flare Reduction/Elimination goal and global greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Oil & Gas, Osa

Igiehon, there are steps being taken by the organisation to ensure the implementation of the plans to meet the commitment.

He said: “Decades of underinvestment in the asset cannot be corrected in a few months, since taking over the asset, we have been working arduously on this objective with the execution of flare reduction projects such as follows: Associated Gas Gathering(AGG) compressor uptime improvement, facility upgrades, provision of gas gathering solutions and facility off-gas utilisation initiatives.”

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State and former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, yesterday called for collaboration between states and the private sector that will enable power regional grids to be put in place for an effective power supply in the country.

Nnaji, who was a guest on The Morning Show programme on ARISE News Channel, was

speaking against the backdrop of the power supply challenges in the country. He expressed concern that it’s capital intensive hence the need for states to work with the private sector to build power projects that would make it possible to have constant power.

According to him, “We cannot just have national control of power.

You can have national grid, but there be should regional grids and there is nothing in the constitution that stops this from being in place.

States don’t have sufficient money

to build their own power plant except Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, and to an extent, Lagos State.

It is very capital intensive, but if you have regional grids, then states can now work with private sector to build power projects that will make it possible to have constant power.

The former minister recalled what had been done in Aba, Abia State, saying there have been improved power generation, distribution network and infrastructure, as most customers are now metered.

He added: “We are doing an aggressive metering process. So when you have that, you have embedded generation-the power plant that delivers more than the amount of power that you needed within that distribution network.

That is what is required to have electricity. You can have that in different places. We can have that just like what we have now in Aba, and have reliable quality electricity so that industries can function and compete with their counterparts elsewhere.”

Ekiti 2022: PWDs Threaten Court Action against INEC over Alleged Exclusion poll, the Executive Director, On the issue of security, the deaf to bring sign specialists Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti People living With Disabilities (PWDs) have threatened to take the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court for alleged exclusion of their members in the electoral process in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, yesterday after presenting a report if its findings about the impending

Centre for Citizens’ Living With Disabilities (CCLWD), Dr. David Anyaele, said the National Disability Law has mandated INEC to provide materials for inclusion of PWDs in all elections.

Anyaele said every attempt to prevent members of the group from voting due to INEC’s laxity would be challenged in court, saying such would amount to a breach of the law signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Anyaele posited that the PWDs are deeply worried due to persistent cases of thuggery during election, urging INEC to partner the police and other security agencies to checkmate the ugly scenario.

According to him, “Up to now, we learnt that INEC has not made some materials ready to sensitise the PWDs, particularly the form EC40H. It is also the duty of the commission to allow

to polling units for proper voting.

To resolve this, there must be disability desk officers across all the polling units.

“The reason we are here is to hold INEC into account. It is no longer a charity for INEC to provide enabling environment for PWDs to vote. Before, INEC may provide materials for PWDs to participate, but the law has changed it to INEC shall do it.

Shuttle Bus Drivers Protest Alleged Extortion by Lagos Task Force Rebecca Ejifoma Commuters from Agbara axis to Igbolerin, Okoko through to Iyana-Oba route along the Badagry Express road in Lagos State, were yesterday stranded as some commercial drivers protested alleged extortion by officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit known as Taskforce.

The drivers carried placards with various inscriptions, ‘End task force wahala’, and ‘End task force in Lagos State.’ They obstructed the free flow of commercial vehicles and trucks, causing gridlock from 8am.

The Chairman of Ojo Chapter Shuttle Bus Drivers Association, Richard Adeboyega, told newsmen that because the road is under construction, they had a turn

at Afro junction, another at Okoko before now.

“But the construction company has blocked the junction where we make a turn. Drivers, who ply from Agbara to Igbolerin/First Gate, now have to drive to Ojo Barracks before they can find a turn and drive back.

“When they take one-way, officials of the Taskforce impound our members’ buses.

Our members pay between N100,000 and N150,000 to recover our vehicles when impounded,” he explained.

Adeboyega also bemoaned that the officials collect cash, and don’t issue receipts. “We are calling on the government to intervene. The construction company should open the middle lane to enable drivers to connect to the turn at Igbolerin,” he said.

Osun Monarchs Throw Weight Behind Oyetola’s Re-election Bid Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Monarchs and citizens across towns, communities and villages in Ayedaade Local Government have commended Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, for being a promise keeper and an outstanding performer, assuring him that his re-election is guaranteed.

This is as Oyetola continued his re-election campaign in Ode-Omu, Orile-Owu and Gbongan on Monday, following the flag-off in Ife last Thursday.

Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, commended the governor for his impressive record in less than four years, adding that “your reelection is our collective

project here in Gbongan”.

Oba Oyeniyi said it was necessary for Governor Oyetola to return to consolidate on the good works he had done since assuming office in November 2018.

“I say it everywhere I have the opportunity to speak that you have done so much, and I’m grateful to God for

helping you this far. It is a must that you consolidate the good works you’ve done, and that is why another four years is necessary.

“We know your desire to govern Osun is not for selfish gains or interest and that is why your reelection is our collective project here in Gbongan”, Oba Oyeniyi said.

39

TUESDAY, ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

FG Appoints Interim Management Committee to Oversee Nigeria Basketball

Duro Ikhazuagbe After the pull out of the country’s basketball teams from international competitions for two years, the Federal Government has followed up with the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to run the sport for the next two years.

Technically, the setting up of the IMC has sort of annulled the boards of the two factions led by Ahmadu Musa Kida and Igoche Mark respectively.

A statement purported to have emanated from the world basketball governing body FIBA had at the weekend warned against the decision to pull Nigeria out of the women’s World Cup scheduled to hold in September and the qualifiers for the men’s version and the Paris 2024 qualifiers. It warned that the consequences may extend beyond the two years that the government has withdrawn Team Nigeria from its events.

A statement issued by the FMY&SD’ s Director, Press & Press Relations, Mohammed Manga, insisted that the IMC

has finally put to rest the two parallel bodies laying claim as the legitimate board to administer the game in the country.

The full statement reads: “Following the recent directives of President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of basketball in the country and its withdrawal from all International basketball competitions for the next two years, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has announced the members of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) to oversee the development of the sport in Nigeria,” it stated.

The statement listed Members of the committee to include; Dr. Henry Nzekwu , Mr. Udon Ubon Humapwa , Mr. Frank Jitubhoh, Zenith Bank representative, Prof.

Adamu Ahmed, Mr. Peter Nelson, Group Captain Rahinatu Garba, Aderemi Adewunmi, Oluchi Nzekwe and Sani Adio ( SAN).

According to the FMY&SD: “The Committee is to draw up programmes that will revamp basketball from the grassroots in Nigeria, revive its moribund

Egyptian Veteran Wary of Aruna’s Threat in Africa Cup

Aruna Quadri Defending champion of the forthcoming ITTF Africa Cup, Ahmed Saleh of Egypt, has said that the current African number one player on the continent, Aruna Quadri, will be the man to beat when the tournament gets underway.

At 42, Saleh loves to compete in Lagos and as the defending champion of the forthcoming ITTF Africa Cup, the Egyptian veteran believes the atmosphere at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium is a motivating factor for every player.

He is particularly concerned about the threat posed by the present form of Quadri Aruna who set a new record as the first African to reach the semifinal of the WTT Star Contender in Doha, Qatar.

Regarded as the oldest active male table tennis player in Africa, Saleh cannot wait to come to Lagos to defend the title he reclaimed in Tunis in 2020 while admitting that he is ready for the task ahead.

Saleh may not possess the speed and agility that present-day table tennis demands but what the Egyptian has in abundance is his tactical discipline.

Relishing his experience on his previous numerous visits to Lagos, the former African Games champion said: “Lagos is a unique venue every

player will always want to play because of the lively atmosphere with the venue always filled up by the fans. This is a unique venue for table tennis in Africa because no other country has this kind of atmosphere even in some European countries you hardly see this kind of lively spectators who understand the sport. But with the present form of Aruna, I must be at my best to overcome players like him in Lagos.”

“It is motivating for us players to play in such an environment that you don’t lack the needed support to want to always give your best. I love the venue and the fans because they support you regardless of your nationality which for me is fair enough for all players,” he said.

“I will always try my best in every competition but I must admit that the speed in the sport is higher now.

I will continue to play even at 42 as long as my body can carry me because my life revolves around the sport,” he added.

Meanwhile, the ongoing African Club Championships will enter a crucial stage today after teams from Nigeria, Egypt, and Cote d’Ivoire progressed to the knockout stage of the three-day tournament taking place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

domestic leagues and attract cooperate sponsors for the development of the game.”

While Kida could not be reached for his reaction yesterday, Mark had earlier at the weekend expressed shock at the

withdrawal of both D’Tigers and D’Tigress from FIBA activities for the next two years.

Mark however insisted that all genuine basketball stakeholders must support the government ‘s move to end the shenanigans in

the administration of the game in the country.

“Approbating and Reprobating is an unpardonable sin in our legal jurisprudence. This inconsistent attitude of these individuals is the more reason

why we the critical stakeholders of basketball in Nigeria need to support the decision of the Federal Government, to deal with these individuals and their entitlement mentality,” he stressed with emphasis.

Ahmadu Musa Kida (left) and Igoche Mark have been sidelined as FG sets up an Interim Management Committee for NBBF

Ten Hag Takes over at Man Utd, Pledges to End Man City, Liverpool Duopoly Manchester United's new Manager, Erik ten Hag, 52, believes it is possible to end the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool despite taking over a struggling side that finished a lowly sixth in the English Premier League.

United ended up 35 points behind champions City, who pipped Liverpool to the title by a point, as the Red Devils registered their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.

City boss Pep Guardiola has now claimed four titles in five years, while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp can complete a treble of cup trophies this season should the Reds see off Real Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final.

Guardiola and Klopp – the managers of United's two biggest rivals – have consistently battled it out for the major trophies, leaving the Red Devils, without silverware since 2017, as bystanders.

However, the Dutchman challenged the suggestion it would take the departure of one or both of Guardiola and

TRANSFER NEWS Klopp for United to be able to compete again.

"In this moment I admire them both," Ten Hag said as he was unveiled at Old Trafford on Monday. "They play in this moment really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Manchester City.

"But you always see that an era can come to an end. I am looking forward to battle with them."

The former Ajax boss is United's fifth permanent manager since the club last won a league title in Alex Ferguson's farewell season in 2013.

Ten Hag also had a spell as Bayern Munich's reserve team manager earlier in his career and said he was used to the demands of working at a big club.

"This is a project, it takes time," he said. "I know in this club – I have the experience of Ajax and Bayern – in the top (clubs) there is never time.”

Erik ten Hag has taken over at Manchester United with promises to end the dominance of Manchester City and Liverpool

2022 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Begins in Kaduna The prestigious 2022 edition of Africa’s premium Fundraising polo platform, the Access Bank-UNICEF Charity, which gallops-off today at the Fifth Chukker lawns of Kangimi Resort in Kaduna with defending champions, Fifth Chukker and other motivated teams from across the country vying for big prizes.

Revered as one of the biggest charity polo platforms in the world, the UNICEF event will be decided in two stages, with teams battling for the Usman Dantata Cup and the events’ second most wanted prize, The Access Bank Cup in the first stage.

Organisers of the prestigious

charity event also disclosed that the second and the grand finale stage promises to be one of the most exciting in years, pitting title holders, Fifth Chukker, Jos Malcomines and four determined regulars in a winner-takes-all chase for the UNICEF Cup and tournament top prize, the Charity Shield.

Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank Plc. Victor Etuokwu, who confirmed the tournament dates, stated that the title sponsors, and its partners, have taken their commitment to UNICEF Charity polo fundraising platform to a new level, with the

commissioning of fully equipped 60-classroom blocks in Kaduna State.

The project that berthed a new education system in Kaduna was a contribution by the bank alongside the partners, Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club, and well-meaning individuals to the sustenance of the charity platform that has for years benefited communities and powering rural women in Kaduna.

One of the major highlights of the opening stage of the annual charity event is undoubtedly the Children's Day celebration with the First Lady of Kaduna State, Hajia Aisha Ummi EL-Rufai as

the Mother of the Day. The Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo which was inaugurated in South Africa this earlier year has raised over N300 million for UNICEF in support of projects aimed at alleviating the plights of the underprivileged children in Kaduna State and its environs.

Inaugurated in 2003, the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield polo which has so far raised more than N200 million for UNICEF in support of projects aimed at alleviating the plights of the underprivileged children in Kaduna State and its environs.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

PDP to APC

“Our party cautions the APC to note that its plans have been exposed, Nigerians will never allow it to perpetrate its misrule through orchestrated tenure elongation.

There are revelations that desperate APC leaders are behind the delay by President Buhari in signing the amendment to the Electoral Act so as to frustrate the smooth conduct of parties’ primaries…” ---PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, alerting the nation on APC’s alleged plot for tenure elongation.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Section 84(8), Buhari, Deep Pockets, And The 2023 Debacle N abati1990@gmail.com

igeria’s political parties, particularly the two major ones – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC, are in deep crisis and there is no doubt that the smaller parties, already reduced to the level of spectators in the on-going unfolding grand spectacle of politics and melodrama are just as circumstanced as well. My observation is that Nigeria’s political process leading up to the 2023 general elections, promises to be an interesting mix of everything that is good and bad about politics.

The prospects are disturbing. What we have seen so far offers little hope. The 2023 general elections may well turn out to be the most problematic since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999. What are some of the red flags? Let’s start from last week when most of the political parties conducted their ward congresses, to select delegates ahead of the primaries holding this week and the past weekend.

There have been reports of violence, uncertainty and confusion. The major political parties even tried to shift the dates, and they did.

The apparent reason was that they were waiting and hoping that the President would assent to the single-item amendment of Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, to allow super, special, statutory delegates, that is persons holding elective positions to be part of the delegates selection process at congresses, meetings and the primaries. To the dismay of the party members and the entire political class, the President last week travelled to the United Arab Emirates to attend an event. Before his departure, he signed into law, the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority Bill. He apparently considered that to be more urgent than the National Assembly’s “expeditious consideration” of Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act 2022.

On his return to Nigeria, on Saturday, we were duly informed that the President still did not sign the re-amended Act, instead, he forwarded it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the office of the Attorney General of the Federal (AGF) for counsel. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s main political parties have been desperate. Last Saturday, there were speculations that the President would grant his assent to the re-amended Electoral Act 2022 before the close of day. Well, that didn’t happen.

Three days later, nothing also happened either. As of today, the President is still waiting for advice. The breaking news is that he has done nothing wrong!

The Constitution allows him a window of 30 days to concur with, reject, or veto a legislative proposal.

He is most certainly still within time.

Elsewhere, I have listened to the argument that President Buhari, obviously a beneficiary of the last minute remedial amendment, would play ball. But he has refused to do so. He is obviously not interested in any benefits. Rather, he has chosen to hide under the cloak of the law to take his pound of flesh! It should be recalled that he advised the National Assembly while giving assent to the Electoral Bill 2022, as it then was, in February, to reconsider Section 84(12) of the same Act, as it became, with regard to selection of delegates for primaries and the time frame within which appointed officials could be part of the process.

The National Assembly refused. Their key objection was that the state Governors were too domineering and needed to be cut to size and that only elected delegates, democratically elected in an indirect system could participate in party primaries. The matter has since gone to court from a High Court in Umuahia, all the way, to the Supreme Court in a suit filed at the apex court by the President and the AGF who invoked the original jurisdiction of the apex Court.

I raised an objection about this last week, simply

Buhari about the President and the country’s Attorney General invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in their personal capacities as it seemed, but the Attorney General of Rivers State has since been joined in the matter before the Supreme Court, to give the case a cloak of authenticity. For the benefit of those expecting and pushing that the President should give his assent to Section 84(8) as amended, the President can easily hide under the fact that he is not out of time, and that in any case, other related matters are before the courts of the land. I don’t see the Attorney General of the Federation advising him to sign, as quickly as expected. INEC has also made it clear that it has no plans whatsoever to adjust the electoral timetable, and hence, that body would refrain from taking any step or offering any advice that could tie its hands.

Even if President Buhari were to wake up this morning, however, and perform the strange act of signing, impulsively, without advice, it would make no difference whatsoever. The 2023 process has already begun! Delegates have been elected and selected in all the political parties. The APC conducted its ward congresses nationwide last week. The Peoples Democratic Party has also done same and conducted primaries for House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly and the Senate. It is elementary law and a notorious fact that the law cannot have retroactive effect. The latest time any further amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 can have any effect is hereafter, at least with specific regard to the contentious, amended, late-in-time, provision in Section 84(8), which existed in Section 87 of the repealed Electoral Act 2010, but was omitted, overlooked, excluded, and expunged in the new Electoral Act 2022. By so doing, members of the National Assembly scored an own goal against themselves. They excluded themselves. What an absent-minded team of lawmakers? Nobody, not even the legislative aides, were present-minded enough to do a line-by-line check of the proposed new law.

Now, someone suddenly woke up during recess or was prompted by a third party and they all rushed back, Red and Green, to re-amend the law, during extra-ordinary sessions and so-called “expeditious considerations”. Jokers! President Buhari has just shown them that they are in fact an incompetent Assembly, and they caused the current anxiety by

their own utter negligence. Let them live with it. Let them watch the primaries on television. The process in any case, has already begun. There is no way the President can lawfully or legitimately, or anyone for that matter, shift the goal post in the middle of the game. This is what happens when emotions and selfish interests stand in the way of law-making.

My fear is that Nigeria may have again lost the opportunity to have credible elections and the Buhari administration may have also lost an opportunity in that regard also. Nigerians seem to be heading into a “Wahala season”, to borrow a phrase, from the streets. The lawmakers who made a new Electoral Act 2022 shot themselves in the foot. Now, they are biting their fingers. Karma is a he-goat. The public interest must always prevail. The same Governors and Godfathers that the lawmakers wanted to curtail are now the same persons dictating processes in the states ahead of the party primaries. In more than one state, aspirants have been asked to sign Memoranda of Understanding that they would support whoever the Governor or Godfather anoints at any level. This is generating tension in Rivers, Lagos and Kano; in some states, specifically Enugu State, some characters, political aspirants, have signed an MOU to hand over the future of the state to one man, namely the incumbent Governor! In Kano, Governor Dr. Ganduje has publicly announced his successor. Democracy is being thrown under the bus right before our eyes!

Even at the Federal level, it is being said that President Buhari has an anointed successor and up till this moment, persons best identified as cockroaches and rabbits have been running around in the ruling party pretending to be the heir-apparent of the Nigerian throne. The only man that is benefiting from all of this is President Muhammadu Buhari himself. Everyone goes to him seeking his blessing. They all come to us to say that they have the President’s blessing, and the President says nothing, other than the famous disclosure that he has an unnamed candidate whose true identity he would prefer to hide. It is for this reason that the APC has a large crowd of Presidential candidates, and the party can’t even immediately screen its Presidential aspirants in a decisive manner. In the long run, these aspirants will constitute a problem for President Buhari and his legacy.

I imagine that some of them will drop out before the party’s Presidential primaries at the end of the month, most of them anyway took the forms and paid N100 million because perhaps small blood rushed into their brains and they became delusional. But they may become bitter allies. The main loser, then, when this is all over, sadly, would be President Muhammadu Buhari himself. It would be remembered how under his watch, an election turned into a long-predicted war, and the falcons stopped listening to the falconer, and “things fell apart.” He still has enough time to restrain the dogs of war: the zoning crisis, the ogre of consensus which has brought out the guns in Rivers and Lagos, the time-bomb of anointments, the devil of money politics, the ridicule of every Dan and Harry seeking to be President, and the money madness that has been unleashed on the land by desperate politicians.

It is probably safe to assume that by next week, we may begin to have a sense, and gain more understanding, and clarity, of the unfolding electoral chaos in this country. For now, it is clear that even if President Buhari signs the Electoral Act as amended, it would be entirely of no moment with regard to the current process. Otherwise, the door will be left open for a plethora of litigations with opportunistic lawyers trying to pursue both valid and frivolous cases in the process. This is why the courts need to wake

up. Judges must be ready to throw out any case that looks like an attempt to waste time unnecessarily. I argued last week that this is boom time, meal time, harvest time for lawyers, let me add: but it must certainly not be so for judges. With members of the Bar and politicians misbehaving aplenty, we need the judex in Nigeria to remain sane and decorous, and be the oasis of restraint, civility and good judgment as Nigeria moves into a transition season, from now till 2023, to herald the emergence of a new set of political leaders.

Nonetheless, Nigerians are perhaps truly in trouble as alleged and reported. The emergent character of the 2023 process is that Nigeria is running a political system that is dominated by ego, ethnicity, religion and the sheer arrogance of political aspirants. This is the case from the Presidential to the local government level. For the avoidance of doubt, the main issues have been geography, religion and ethnicity – three potent and potentially combustible issues in Nigerian politics. One year to the transition, Nigeria’s political discourse is dominated by the same debilitating, primordial, and retrogressive issues. It is a bad sign.

It is a cause for alarm and anxiety. In comparison with two major general elections in recent times, Nigeria comes up really short on the serious issues index in the public domain. France has just completed an election, in April, in which incumbent President Emmanuel Macron was voted in for a second term of five years, the first French President to win re-election since Jacques Chirac in 2002, defeating the far left candidate, Marie Le Pen, and the far-right candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon.

The campaign was about issues that are of direct relevance to the people. The election went into a run-off as expected between Macron and Le Pen and yet, the results showed the emphasis on ideology and issues. France is looking forward to a legislative election on June 12 but the French have made a choice based on the issues that affect them directly.

The majority had their way. Please, where is the Nigerian voter? In Australia, the general elections have also just been concluded, throwing up Anthony Albanese, former Opposition leader of the Labor Party, to replace the Conservative Coalition led by now former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Albanese promised wages growth, gender equality and more commitment to climate change. And the people voted accordingly. The Greens and Independents and women groups got more votes from climate change supporters and thus enforced a change of government. The new Prime Minister was sworn in yesterday, and almost immediately, he travelled out to attend a Quad security partnership meeting in Tokyo, Japan where he is expected today to meet with US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The issue in Australia was majorly climate change: the floods and the bush fires, and how Morrison’s government acted as if it was asleep, most of the time. When will Nigerians punish a sitting government, with their votes, for negligence and insensitivity? In Nigeria, nobody knows what anybody stands for. What are the big issues being debated in Nigeria by the political parties and the aspirants ahead of 2023?

All I hear is zoning, ethnicity, nepotism, religion and money. Nigeria is at a crossroads and it is a bad kind of confused state, where witches and wizards are already having a conclave session.

Who will help President Buhari ensure that he finishes well? …“Proverbs to bones and silence” says Wole Soyinka in his book, A Dance of the Forests. Proverbs…indeed.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com