SATURDAY 27TH MAY 2023

Nigeria Air Aircraft Finally Lands in Abuja

AON: It’s a scam, aircraft owned by Ethiopian Airlines, covered with Nigeria Air sticker

A plane belonging to the controversial Nigeria Air, the proposed national

carrier, finally landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, yesterday afternoon. Outgoing Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, excitedly announced

the arrival of the aircraft via a Tweet: “We are here. To Almighty God be all the glory. It has been a very long, tedious, daunting, and difficult path. We thank everyone for the support.

This, by the will of God, will be for us and generations to come. Ya Allah make it beneficial for our country and humanity.”

But the Airline Operators of Nigeria

(AON) described the unveiling of Nigeria Air’s aircraft as a scam, insisting that the aircraft displayed was a Boeing 737 MAX owned by Ethiopian Airlines and covered with

Nigeria Air sticker. Later yesterday afternoon at NAIA, Sirika officially unveiled the plane, a

Continued on page 5

Obasanjo Harps on Reconciliation, Seeks End to Agitations in Nigeria...

New AGF, Madein Resumes, Vows Zero Tolerance for Corruption...

Diezani Sues AGF, EFCC for Libel, Demands N100bn as Damages

court she is abroad because of ‘aggressive breast cancer resulting in 2 operations’

A former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Allison Madueke,

has slammed a N100 billion libel and defamation suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at a federal high court in Abuja. She also informed the court that

she had been away from the country since May 2015 because of cancer treatment.

In the suit filed at the High Court

of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on May 26 and marked: CV/6273/2023, the former Minister who is also seeking a restraining

order against the EFCC and AGF from further defamation, asked the

Continued on page 5

48 Hours to Inauguration

Tinubu tours Presidential Villa S’Court dismisses PDP’s suit seeking to stop president-elect, Shettima

Age, perjury, citizenship suit also dismissed at high court FG declares May 29 public holiday Buhari directs outgoing officials to declare assets

Alex Enumah, Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Preparatory to his resumption of office next Monday, President-elect Bola Tinubu was yesterday taken on a tour of the State House, the seat of the federal government, by outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

On the same day, legal hurdles before the inauguration of Tinubu and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima were cleared by both the Supreme Court and a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The federal government has also declared Monday May 29 work free for all workers in the country, to commemorate the inauguration of the nation's 16th President.

Yesterday afternoon, Buhari and Tinubu walked into the Press Gallery of the State House after participating

Continued on page 5

Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Tells

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari welcoming President-elect, Bola Tinubu to his office, during a familiarization tour of the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

Deji Elumoye,

48 HOURS TO INAUGURATION

in the Jumat prayers at the State House Mosque, to begin the tour of the State House.

Followed by a large entourage of state officials and security personnel, Tinubu was guided on the tour by the State House Chief of Protocols (SCoP), Ambassador Lawal Kazaure.

At the Press Gallery, which is an adjoining office to the Council Chambers of the State House, the two leaders who stood for a couple of minutes, listening to their guide, Kazaure, however, did not speak to reporters who were itching to ask them probing questions.

Before the tour of the Villa, Tinubu joined Buhari for the Juma'at prayers at the State House Mosque, as part of nationwide special prayers marking the inauguration of the incoming administration.

Speaking after observing the prayers, Tinubu said he had come to join President Buhari to offer prayers to Almighty Allah to support him to carry out the task of governance successfully.

He said he would drink from the fountain of knowledge and wisdom of the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwahid Abubakar Suleiman who reminded leaders of the burden of trust in leadership.

The formal handover ceremonies

started Thursday with the investiture of the President-elect and the Vice president-elect with highest national honours and presentation of the handover documents to the incoming president.

The events will climax on Monday May 29 when the former Lagos governor takes the oath of office as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Legal ClearedHurdles

Legal hurdles before the inauguration of Tinubu as President and Kashim Shettima as Vice President were cleared yesterday by both the Supreme Court and a Federal High Court in Abuja, in two separate judgements.

While the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment dismissed the appeal by the People's Democratic Party seeking Tinubu's disqualification from the February 25 presidential election over alleged double nomination of Shettima, the Federal High Court in its own ruling dismissed the suit on alleged perjury by Tinubu.

PDP had approached the apex court to set aside the concurrent judgement of the Court of Appeal

and Federal High Court, which dismissed its suit against Tinubu for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

PDP is claiming that the APC breached the law when it nominated Shettima as senatorial candidate for Borno Central and as Vice Presidential candidate.

In the suit filed on July 28, 2022, the plaintiff specifically challenged the validity of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential election, arguing that Shettima’s nomination as the running mate was in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

But Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in his judgement on January 13, held that the PDP lacked the locus standi to have instituted the suit in the first place.

Dissatisfied, PDP approached the appellate court which in its own judgement affirmed the decision of Justice Ekwo, forcing the PDP to again approach the apex court.

Delivering judgement in the appeal yesterday, the apex court in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, held that the case of the PDP was incompetent and lacking in merit because it lacked the necessary legal authority to

initiate the suit in the first place.

The five-member panel of Justices agreed with Tinubu's lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, that “PDP acted as busy body and meddlesome interloper in the ways and manners it dabbled into APC'S affairs unjustly.”

While Fagbemi and the other respondents had argued that Section 285(14)(c) of the Constitution does not permit a political party to interfere in the internal affairs of another political party, the Supreme Court held that the PDP not being a member of the APC cannot challenge how the APC produced its candidates for an election.

While holding that the PDP lacked the necessary locus standi to file the suit, having not been an aspirant, a member of APC, the apex court said that the PDP did not reveal any harm it suffered as a result of the nomination of Shettima as VP candidate.

According to the apex court, "no matter how manifestly bad a process is, it is only a person with locus standi that can file a suit against it", adding that, "no matter how pained the PDP may be, it must keep mum and remain an onlooker."

The apex court also pointed out that the case of Nwosu relied upon by the appellant was not applicable

DIEZANI SUES AGF, EFCC FOR LIBEL, DEMANDS N100BN AS DAMAGES

court to order the defendants to tender a public apology which would be published in THISDAY Newspaper and two other national dailies.

The claimant in the suit filed on her behalf by her team of lawyers, led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, accused the two defendants of deliberately maligning her person on the EFCC's portal, wherein she was portrayed as a "common criminal" and of a "dubious and doubtful character", "untrustworthy, unethical and a corrupt politician who promotes the evil culture of stealing from the Federal Government of Nigeria, and of corrupt enrichment," amongst others.

According to the claimant, the EFCC and the AGF had on December 16, 2021, in a publication titled, “Diezani: EFCC uncovers additional $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank”, maliciously wrote, authored and/or caused to be written, authored, or published to the whole world at large of and concerning the Claimant, through the 1st Defendant’s online official website through which they falsely and maliciously described the Claimant as a common criminal who looted public funds belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for her personal gain.

The claimant stated further: "In a publication made on August 8, 2017, by the 1st and 2nd defendants, titled “Unbelievable!!! EFCC traces N47.2 Billion, $487.5 Million to ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke”, the 1st and 2nd Defendants falsely and maliciously wrote, authored and or/caused to be written, authored, or published to the whole world at large through the 1st Defendant’s online platform, a false and insidious story ....wherein they falsely and maliciously described the Claimant thus: ‘It seems Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, until recently, Minister of Petroleum Resources, going by the sheer amount of her acquisition of gold and diamonds, may have been fighting a spirited war against millions of compatriots who are heavily and unevenly yoked by crass poverty.’

The former minister claimed that these publications and many others have lowered her reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public, adding that, "after those defamatory publications by the Defendants, several people, both within and outside the country, who read the publications have since called her and expressed their disappointment, saying they never

knew that she was a woman of shady dubious character."

The claimant added that "unless restrained, and ordered to publish an unreserved public apology in several online platforms and national dailies, including the THISDAY and a further retraction of the libelous publications, the Defendants will continue to publish defamatory statements against the claimant."

Amongst reliefs she is seeking from the court are: A declaration that the publication made on December 16, 2021, titled “Diezani: EFCC uncovers additional $72.8 million in Fidelity Bank”, authored by EFCC and AGF and widely published by them is libelous, false, malicious, injurious and intended to lower the reputation and integrity of and did indeed lower the reputation and integrity of the Claimant in the estimation of right thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria and also brought the Claimant into public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.

"An order restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants, whether acting by themselves, servants, agents, operatives or by whomever and howsoever from distributing or further distributing, publishing or further publishing in any form or manner, the same or similar offensive libelous materials or stories of or concerning the Claimant.

"An order directing the Defendants jointly and severally to pay to the Claimant the sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (100 billion naira) only as damages for the false, injurious, malicious and libelous publications against the Claimant in the 1st Defendant’s publishing platform, and at the instance of both the 1st and the 2nd Defendants."

On why she has been out of the country, she informed the court that she had been away from the country since May 2015 because of cancer treatment.

The former minister of petroleum resources said toward the end of the tenure of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, she was diagnosed with “the most aggressive form of breast cancer” which she identified as “Triple Negative Cancer”.

She said she hurriedly flew to England on May 22, 2015 “in order to undertake a critical course of treatment, which consisted of two operations, eight months of intensive chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy”.

Since then, she said in the court papers, she has remained

in England “undergoing medical care and treatment”.

The EFCC and AGF were given 14 days from the service of the summons to enter their defence. Diezani was minister of

Boeing 737-800, which is one of the 35 aircraft planned for the National Carrier project.

Sirika while unveiling the plane stated that a National Carrier is one infrastructure that has been missing in the general aviation dynamics of the country.

He said: "This Nigeria Air Limited, of course, obviously, it's an entity known to Nigerian laws. There is a partnership between entrepreneurs in Nigeria and the entrepreneurs in Ethiopian Airline Consortium. Consortium is a company belonging to many partners, and it's a very long journey.

"We started in 2016 and it ended today. There is a history behind all of these. There were challenges for that matter. We didn't allow them to make us lose focus. We stayed with our eyes on the ball and today we're here.

"No, it is not subjudice. If it is, we are not going to embark upon it. There's nothing that stops us from continuing to bring developmental projects to our people. The constitution of Nigeria is very clear that it is within their rights to go to court for whatever reason they want to go to court, and it's also within our own rights to do all the things that will promote the general well-being of Nigeria and Nigerians and this is one of it.

"The economy of Nigeria, the centrality of civil aviation and the promotion of the economy and the value addition to the GDP. It's very important and paramount and the focus of the government and I can tell you that, from the roadmap implemented, aviation became the fastest growing sector of the economy before COVID. Even with COVID, we were the third fastest growing sector and this is the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.

"So, in the process of establishing an airline, there are the conditions set by the regulator, which is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This airplane will be here and we will commence the demonstration flight to show that we can do it. Normally, I think between zero to 40 hours, but it can be less, it can be five hours, it can be two hours and this is to ensure that we are able and we have the capacity to do it."

Speaking on the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, Sirika said: "But, of

because Nwosu was nominated by two different political parties while in the instant appeal, Shettima was nominated by just one political party, the APC.

Similarly, the apex court agreed with Fagbemi that the PDP failed to prove that Shettima knowingly presented himself for double nomination, when there was evidence that he withdrew his candidate from the Borno Central Senatorial race, after he was nominated by Tinubu as running mate.

It is the position of the apex court that Shettima could not have contested two different constituency elections, when in actual fact no primary election was conducted for the position of Vice President.

The apex court affirmed the N2 million cost awarded against the appellant in favour of the respondents, which are INEC, APC, Tinubu and shettima.

Meanwhile, barely four hours after the Supreme Court dismissed a suit challenging the qualification of Tinubu for the February 25 presidential election, a Federal High Court in Abuja has also dismissed another suit by three individuals seeking to stop the May 29 inauguration, on alleged perjury.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling dismissed the suit on the grounds that it is incompetent and lacking in merit.

transportation (and later mines and steel development) from 2007 to 2009 under late President Umaru Yar’Adua before serving as petroleum minister under Goodluck Jonathan from 2010 to 2015.

course you know the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, Nobody can doubt the capacity that this can happen. So, I know very well that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will do the needful, and of course, give the clean bill to start to fly. So, this is part of the process. It's the beginning of the establishment of the airline."

In the business case, Sirika said it is envisaged that within the next five years, it will hit the 35 Aircraft mark: “You don't come in one day to dump 35 airplanes. You can't come in one day and start going to London. So, it's a gradual process. The airplanes will be coming one after another. And until in the next five years, according to the business case, we achieve the 35 aircraft mark, from there, it continues.

"And don't forget, this is a private sector-led airline with the skin of the government at 5% and there is no stripping right by the government. So, Nigerians are welcome and I am sure it's going to go to the public for sale at some point for 5%."

On his part, the Chief Commercial Officer, Ethiopian Airline, Lemma Yadecha Gudeta, while commending the effort of the federal government, assured that the project under the watch of the Ethiopian Airlines, would ensure economic development for the country.

Gudeta however assured that Nigeria Air would be a one billion dollars project in five years' time, stating: "As far as the initial business plan that we are working on in collaboration with stakeholders in the consortium, Nigerian air will be a one billion US dollar company in five years’ time.

"As a company in Africa, which operated for the last 77 years in aviation with Ethiopian Airlines is very much pleased to be part of the beginning of the Nigeria national carrier and we strongly believe that our presence here in Nigeria will serve as a way of supporting the economic growth of Nigeria."

The AON described the unveiling of Nigeria Air’s aircraft yesterday as a scam, insisting that the aircraft displayed was a Boeing 737 MAX owned by Ethiopian Airlines and covered with Nigeria Air sticker.

Spokesman of AON and the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo made this known in an interview during Arise

of Nigeria, on the grounds that Tinubu supplied false information to INEC about his age and citizenship status.

But in his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi to initiate the suit in the first place, adding that the court also lacked necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit since it relates to a presidential election.

After holding that the case of the plaintiffs was frivolous and abuse of court process, the judge accordingly slammed a total cost of N17 million against the plaintiffs and their lawyers to serve as deterrent to others who may want to bring such frivolous, vexatious and time-wasting processes before the court.

While the three litigants are to jointly pay the President-elect a sum of N10 million and another N5 million to the APC, the lawyer who filed the suit, Daniel Elomah, was ordered to pay Tinubu and APC N1 million each.

Justice Omotoso also ordered that an interest of 10 percent be placed on the judgement debt per year until when finally liquidated.

At the proceedings yesterday, their counsel had pleaded profusely to pardon his clients and advised that the court should counsel them against filing frivolous suits in future.

The plaintiffs, Praise Ilemona Isaiah, Pastor Paul Isaac Audu and Anongu Moses, had approached the court for an order halting the inauguration of Tinubu as President

News Newsnight last night.

Obiora said there is lack of sincerity and transparency in the process of establishing a national carrier by the Minister of Aviation and remarked that all indications point to the fact that the federal government, which has only five per cent of the shares in the planed Nigeria Air, is bankrolling the airline, while other shareholders that have 46 per cent are quiet and Ethiopian Airlines, which has 49 per cent control share and core investor has not contributed funds to the airline.

Obiora said that AON is in court to stop the establishment of the airline because of the shadiness and lack of transparency and emphasized that the ‘charade’ that happened yesterday was to deceive the Nigerian public because the new airline has not met the five critical conditions that will enable it to secure Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from NCAA.

“There is an attempt by somebody to hang on to Nigeria Air, using it as cover to take over Nigeria’s aviation industry. So, the purpose is self-serving. The cost of the establishment of this airline is about $250 million. Who paid the $250 million? MRS and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) listed as shareholders are not talking and have not made any contribution to the company and indications show they are not interested. Then if after eight years as Minister you can only bring in one aircraft, what do you make of such? Nigeria Air unveiling was meant to confuse Nigerians.

“Nigeria’s aircraft registration number is 5N and before you express the readiness to operate an airline you must have at least three aircraft registered in Nigeria, which you could buy or dry lease, but I can assure you that the document of the aircraft the Minister brought in is not with NCAA,” AON spokesman said.

He said that if the Minister had succeeded in having an airline without going through the required process, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) would have blacklisted Nigerian airlines because such would cast aspersion on the credibility of Nigeria’s airline certification, AOC.

The AON spokesman also said that the people behind this airline were eyeing Nigeria’s grandfather

Legal luminary, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who is Tinubu's Counsel, had argued that the suit be dismissed on the ground that the three plaintiffs lacked locus standi to institute it.

Continued on page 46

Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) rights, which is put at about $20 billion, adding that the alleged plan of Ethiopian Airlines is to force Nigerian carriers out of business with predatory prices; that is, selling tickets below profitable margins in order to force existing Nigerian carriers out of the market.

He also explained that Ethiopian Airlines planned to do this because it requested that the federal government must guaranteed all its loans and also give it 15 years tax holidays, adding that these advantages it sought would enable it survive and sustain its operations and it is targeted that in six months all Nigerian carriers would be out of business, remaining the Nigeria Air, as the East African carrier stated that Nigeria ought to have only one airline.

“Thank God NCAA refused to be cajoled. Many top NCAA personnel lost their jobs over this, but the Director General survived because the new Act regulatory the authority said before you remove the Director General, you must secure approval of the Senate. Soon ICAO will come to Nigeria to audit our processes. So, Nigeria Air is dead on arrival,” he said.

Obiora expressed the hope that the in-coming government will be business oriented and run pro private sectordriven economy, observing that the federal government had for many years been unable to refine fuel locally despite the fact that it has four refineries, but Dangote, an entrepreneur built the biggest refinery in Africa, adding that national carrier is outmoded and wondered why the outgoing Minister was desperate to establish a national carrier.

He also said that domestic airlines may not have partnered with the federal government to establish an airline because what the domestic carriers need is not partnership with the federal government but support, noting that governments after the Covid-19 pandemic supported their airlines with billions of dollars.

“We are not against the establishment of a national carrier, but we don’t want an airline that will be used to wreck the country. We don’t think this process is good for this country. We are happy NCAA stood its ground to insist that the right thing is done,” Obiora said.

At Victoria Irabor’s Book Launch, Aisha Buhari Seeks Privileges for First Ladies

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has called for certain privileges for wives of presidents as against the position of the state that focuses only on the presidents. She said first ladies deserved certain privileges while their

husbands are in office and out of office.

The First Lady disclosed this yesterday at the book launch: ‘The Journey of a Military Wife’ written by the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Victoria Irabor, held at the

Deborah: Lawyer Petitions IGP, Demands Re-Arrest, Diligent Prosecution of Suspects

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The National Coordinator of Olive Tree Citizen’s Rights Initiative (OTCRI), Sunny Akanni, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, demanding the re-arrest and prosecution of the two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Deborah Emmanuel, but were freed by the court for lack of diligent prosecution by the police.

Emmanuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was murdered for alleged blasphemy by some Muslim students on May 12, 2022.

She was stoned to death and her remains was set ablaze for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Mohammed following an argument with a fellow Muslim student on a WhatsApp group platform.

Video footage of the brutal killing trended on social media

showing a raging fire burning the remains of the deceased as a man faced the camera, displaying a match box, saying in Hausa language that he killed and burnt her.

Two suspects - Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunchi were later arrested by the police in connection with the killing.

They were arraigned on May 16, 2022, before a Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court for criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance under Section 60 and 79 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Laws 2019.

However, on January 30, 2023, the court struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution by the police.

In the letter to the IGP dated May 20, 2023, Akanni threatened to sue the police if they failed to re-arrest the suspects and ensure diligent prosecution.

He alleged that the nonchalant attitude of the police prosecutor led to the striking out of the case by the court.

Tinubu’ll Tackle Oil Subsidy, Multiple Exchange Rate, Says Shettima

Bennett Oghifo and Olawale Ajimotokan

Vice President-elect Kashim

Shettima has said that President-elect, Bola Tinubu will promptly address the issues of oil subsidy and multiple exchange rate system along with other decisions that Nigerians will find distasteful.

“Oil subsidy is an albatross on our neck, the multiple exchange rate system is a drain on the national economy. There are certain decisions the President-elect will take, but in the fullness of time, Nigerians will not only appreciate, but also celebrate us,” Shettima said yesterday at a public lecture held at the National Mosque during the Juma’at prayer, ahead of the presidential inauguration on Monday.

He urged Nigerians to unite for the revival of a great nationhood, saying “We’re united by our common heritage of poverty and insecurity, among others. This is time for all of us to coalesce into a single force.

“Ours is a great nation waiting to unleash its great potentials to the world. China was once called a sleeping giant, but today, China has woken up. Nigeria needs to wake up. We are calling on all of you to pray for us for God’s guidance.”

He assured that the President-elect would move very swiftly, saying “We do not have the luxury of time.

Lungi Barracks in Abuja.

The launch attracted Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Founder of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, top military brass, former defence chiefs including Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), among others.

Also at the occasion, wife of former Head of State, Mrs. Mariam Abacha and the wife of former Minister of Defence, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, relived experiences as military officers’ wives while their spouses served in the military.

The President’s wife insisted that it has become imperative to consider certain privileges for first ladies.

“I married my husband as wife of a former president. I am going in a few days as

wife of a former president for second time.

“They should consider us as former First Ladies. They should incorporate the first ladies, give us some privileges that we deserve as first ladies, not just the former presidents,” she said.

While commending Mrs. Irabor, she said the book “is a factual, emotional book that will help officers’ wives navigate their lives.”

She said it underscored women as agents of stability for the nation as the nation battled insurgency and other security challenges.

“It’s a guide and reference for military wives, and a need for better support for military widows,” she said, while noting that insights from the book

will help readers appreciate the challenges of the military family.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodinma said her book will promote national development.

He commended the military for containing insecurity in the state, saying “the military has brought peace to our state.”

He donated N100 million on behalf of his family and his government.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, commended the wife for writing about the experiences of military families.

He said the book will aid the military to formulate a policy document on the welfare of military families.

On his part, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, saluted the author

for establishing a guide and reference for military wives.

He said the book launch was an opportunity to set aside a day to celebrate military women.

He stated that a good military wife manages the home to enable the husband to focus on military duties.

He said the service chiefs would donate generously because the author was their own.

Ogomudia and Buratai commended the author for her decision to write the book. “We are proud of her,” the duo said.

In her remarks, Mrs. Abacha, while commending the author’s efforts, called for greater cooperation amongst military families, recalling the good times she enjoyed as a military wife.

WELCOMING AN ICON...

The challenges facing us are getting worse. We are living in a pressing time. Be rest assured that in the fullness of time, Nigeria will pay glowing tributes to us. The starting point might not be rosy, let me be very honest with you.”

Also speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari described Nigeria as a country with great potential, stating that the problems of economy and insecurity were not peculiar to the nation.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said, “The problems we have had within the economy, security and social sector are not peculiar to us. The potentials are always there to make the country great.

“How we managed during COVID-19, the Russian/ Ukrainian war, among others, have shown how Nigerians can come out of difficult situations.”

Buhari urged Nigerians to support the incoming administration, stating, “Elections have come and gone. Another set of leaders have been elected.

It is our duty to give them the necessary cooperation to enable them deliver their plans towards transforming Nigeria.

“As citizens, we must turn our differences into our source of strength to enable progressive development.”

‘Buhari’s Era Worst for Pastoralists in

Cattle breeders in the country are lamenting the increasing attacks on its communities by armed men and bandits across states of the federation, accusing the outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of failing them on all fronts.

This is coming after the recent attacks on pastoralists’ communities in Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba , Gombe and Niger states in the space of one month.

The cattle breeders under the

aegis of Coalition of Pastoralists Association in Nigeria (COPAN) in a press conference in Abuja, claimed that Buhari as a cattle breeder himself ought to have brought cattle breeders and farmers together with a view to finding amicable solution to the persistent conflicts that had led to loss of several lives in virtually all states of the federation.

The coalition comprised the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Fulbe Global Development and Rights

Nigeria’

Initiative (FGDRI), and the Tabital Pulaaku International Nigeria Chapter.

Besides, COPAN lamented that the president could not secure their lives and property throughout his tenure, adding that they are being killed daily and their cows rustled but the security agencies hardly come to their rescue.

“You see, whether we are happy he’s going or not, one thing is clear. It is on record that after eight years of his (Buhari) administration, over N500 billion was spent on agronomy

nothing was spent on livestock farmsteads.

“And we have never had it so bad like when Buhari is in government.

“This is the worst era for the Nigerian pastoralists - we’ve never had it so bad like this time,” Spokesperson of the coalition, Baba Ngelzarma, stated.

According to the coalition, over 400 people including women and children have been killed since October last year till date, by murderous gang of illegal militia disguised as vigilante groups.

Rights Group Scores Buhari’s Administration F9 in All Sectors of Governance

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, said outgoing Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, scored a woeful F9 in all sectors of governance from economy to insecurity, unemployment, education, infrastructure, oil and gas, electricity, and every other sector.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said it was lamentable and extremely

embarrassing that Buhari promised Nigerians change in 2015 but has only succeeded in changing the country for the worse; the kind of change Nigerians will never forget in a hurry and one that will take decades to recover from.

In its scorecard of President Buhari who hands over to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on May 29, HURIWA observed that after eight full years in office, Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) deceived Nigerians into power and only enriched themselves and the few

cronies and bootlickers around them with taxpayers’ funds and the people’s commonwealth and resources.

Recall that the outgoing president, who is also a former military Head of State, had during his campaign in 2015 vowed to combat endemic corruption in the country.

HURIWA however claimed that under Buhari’s watch, Nigeria fell from 154 out of 180 countries and territories in the latest ranking of the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index released by Transpar-

ency International in January 2023.

“Also, according to the data by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s inflation rate in May 2015 when Buhari took over leadership was 9.0 per cent. But Nigeria’s inflation rate jumped to a 17-year high of 22.04 per cent in April 2023, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

“Naira to dollar in May 2015 was less than N200 but today it has gone as high as N800 at the parallel market.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

L-R: Executive Director, Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku; Deputy Managing Director, Wole Akinleye; Divisional Head, Ololade Ogungbenro; Musician, David Adeleke, aka Davido; MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni; Head, Brands & Marketing Communications, Mabel Adeteye; Executive Director, Emeka Obiagwu and Chief Operations Officer, Tajudeen Bakare, during Davido’s visit to Oseni, in celebration of Alat At 6…

Plateau on the Cusps of Hope

Today, the entire machinery of government in Plateau State has literally ground to a halt. This has been the situation since May 10 when civil servants finally commenced an industrial action, having given the administration several opportunities to redeem itself and meet their demands but to no avail.

Three months of unpaid salaries, years of piled-up promotions for deserving staff, lack of overheads for ministries, departments and agencies and nepotism in the appointment and promotion of officers, among other problems, combined to bring the state bureaucracy to its knees.

It is therefore no surprise that the state has continued to wobble through an absence of discernible, perceptible and effective policy frameworks for the overall progress of the state.

And because the earnings of civil servants contribute substantially to the revenue base of a large number of citizens, the multiplier effects of this strike on the general economy and well-being of the state can only be imagined.

Giving the civil service a new lease of life should be on the front burner of the aspirations of the government to be sworn in on May 29.

And, oh, there was also the recent massacre of innocent people in some communities of Mangu Local Government Area. This heightened the listlessness and apprehension already haunting large segments of the populace.

Those gory and apocalyptic scenes of sheer destruction, plunder and devastation of May 15 that shocked the world will torment mankind’s collective conscience for a long time to come.

Unfortunately, it is in these circumstances of jeopardy and lawlessness that Governor Simon Lalong will be handing over to Mr. Caleb Mutfwang in matter of hours from now.

We reiterate the suggestion we made in our last intervention that Mutfwang should declare a state of emergency on insecurity immediately he assumes office. Plateau is at a standstill and in deep mourning. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The underlying rot is even more horrid and putrid. But, essentially, this captures in very lurid strokes the very image and character of the state in the eight years that Lalong was governor.

Not that things have been markedly different in most other parts of the country. Ordinary citizens are suffocating under the sweltering and debilitating heat of crippling poverty, insecurity, lack of opportunities for personal advancement, illiteracy, etc., which have continued to mount even at the nasty twilight of an equally brutal administration.

Buhari, just like Lalong, is leaving behind a string of unfulfilled promises and monumental woes. Certainly, the

judgement of history shall equally be harsh on them.

Analysts contend that Mutfwang is coming into office at this very critical moment when the state is facing existential threats on different fronts and of various hues. Therefore, the state is in dire need of rehabilitation just as its people crave for succour and healing.

Political pundits say that Mutfwang’s job has, to some extent, been cut out for him and immensely simplified: he must avoid the pitfalls and foibles of the last administration in order to make any meaningful headway.

He should also run away from all forces of mediocrity like The Plague and make self-abnegation and deference to the common and collective will and aspirations of the people an abiding and unbendable creed of his leadership.

Barely 72 hours hence, the good and long-suffering people of Plateau State will be bidding goodbye to eight long years of maladministration and squandered opportunities. They watched in utter horror and disbelief as almost all of those in and around the corridors of power carried on as if they would govern without end.

But, alas, the bells of the end are tolling in a most pernicious and forceful way. Such is the transience of power which man appears to be eternally cursed to overlook. Can we ever learn from our past mistakes? Anyway, this should be an entirely different topic for another day.

Today’s world is chiefly driven by original ideas and fast evolving

body of knowledge. These factors leverage on the technological breakthroughs of this generation to move societies to greater heights.

Governments that make sustainable and tangible advances place these critical dynamics at the core of the key drivers of state policy.

The swearing-in ceremonies and celebrations may be somewhat muted (in obvious deference to the memories of the victims and survivors of the Mangu massacre). Nevertheless, there are strong indications that Plateau people are bubbling with renewed hope. Their morale is at an all-time high because they see a bright light at the end of this dark and frightening tunnel that was Plateau State in the last eight years.

This state, which well-earned and inspirational moniker is ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’, must rise from the ashes of the last eight years and reclaim its lost glory, beginning May 29. The strong aroma of the spirit and hope of a new and prosperous dawn are thick in the air.

Plateau citizens earnestly look forward to that leader, Mutfwang, who will inspire them into reaching out for that hope of renewal and the fresh, sweet, dawn it promises to bring.

Chris Gyang, Chairman, Journalists Coalition for Citizens’ Rights Initiative

Paper Money

Our State Budget (Victoria, Australia) is out, both in print and online. Over the past few days there has been television coverage of the state treasurer flipping through the printed copy of his budget documents, but I wonder how much it costs to print all those copies.

This state government, like most governments, promotes environmental concerns but still prints the eight-part budget with lots of pages, keynote speech (16), strategies (101), service delivery (417), Capital (216), Financial Statement (269), Overview (64), Gender Equality (31) and Covid Debt Repayments (31) giving 1150 printed pages. I didn’t even bother to look at the twelve press releases. It would be expensive to print and realistically a waste of resources. Why couldn’t it just be available in PDF format.

In summary, all it really says is that the government will spend a lot of money and the citizens will pay a lot of taxes - 15 words.

Denis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

New AGF, Madein Resumes, Vows Zero Tolerance for Corruption

Dakwambo,Otunla,Naiyeju,othersurgeFGtoconfirmOkolieabohassubstantiveAGF

James Emejo in Abuja

The newly appointed Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Sakirat Oluwatoyin Madein, yesterday, formally took over the helm of affairs at the treasury house, vowing zero tolerance for corruption and to enshrine the ethics and core values and dictates of the accounting profession on the job.

Madein took over office from the outgoing acting AGF, Mr. Sylva Okolieaboh, who was appointed last year following the removal of former AGF, Mr. Ahmed Idris over an alleged N109 billion fraud. Speaking at the handover

ceremony, the new AGF who made history as the first woman to be so appointed, also vowed to plug leakages and work to increase revenue for the government as well as work to redeem the battered image of the office.

This came as past AGFs including Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, Mr. Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, and Dr. James Kayode Naiyeju – all in attendance - urged the federal government to graciously honour Okolieaboh by confirming him as a substantive AGF, adding that he had worked for it and given his best towards ensuring that the office does not fall apart in the last one year.

Enugu Governor-Elect, Mba, Declares Assets

The Governor-elect of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, yesterday, declared his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) ahead of the May 29th inauguration in the state.

Mbah, who visited the Southeast Zonal Office of the CCB in Enugu, where he submitted his assets declaration forms, said that the exercise was critical in the promotion of transparency and accountability in governance.

Speaking to journalists after submitting the form to the Federal Commissioner in charge of the South-east Zone of the CCB, Mr. Benedict Umeano, the Enugu Governor-elect said that it was obligatory of every public officer to do so as required by law.

“As the Chief Executive, we are meant to uphold the law. It is also incumbent on us to act lawfully, and what we have

simply done here today is in line with the new direction of my career,” he said.

Speaking further, he said, “as you also know, I am now migrating from the corporate environment to the public sector; and in the private sector, we have Codes of Corporate Governance and here in the public sector, we also have the Code of Conduct for the public servants.”

He noted that his administration will be upholding the same requirements for all public officers as it is mandatory and not an option.

“As public servants, we are not left with any option, but to fill our CCB forms. We must abide by the provisions of the law.”

Umeano commended Mbah for leading by example by declaring his assets without delay, noting that it is a sign of the kind of administration he intends to run

Anti-Corruption: Auditor General’s Office, Fraud Investigators Sign Partnership Agreement

The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation and the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), recently signed a partnership agreement to drastically reduce corrupt practices, fraud and financial malfeasance in the public sector in Nigeria.

Speaking during the signing ceremony which took place at Audit House, Abuja, Acting Auditor General of the Federation, Dr. Andrew Onwudili said: “The partnership is a great opportunity to further define new frontiers of what our two institutions hold dear and beneficial to the citizens of this great country as we entrench probity and accountability in the public sector and the country at large.

“None of us can do the job alone. Our joint efforts will make us to do the job better.”

He stated that the Office of the Auditor General in partnership with CIFCFIN, will be better equipped to fight corruption in Ministries, DepartmentsandAgencies (MDAs) as both are bringing different skill sets to the table on ways and means of tackling the menace.

In his remarks, CIFCFIN President, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki

Okolieaboh, who served in the position for about a year, will exit the civil service on May 28 after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

Madein, particularly thanked him for holding forth in acting capacity and doing a lot to stabilise the treasury house amid the turbulence which engulfed it when Okolieaboh took over the helm of affairs.

However, Madein, while addressing the staff, sought their support to restore glory to the Office of the Accountant General (OAGF) after the recent financial scandal that brought its reputation to its lowest ebb.

She promised to prioritise trainings/capacity building for staff, digitise activities as well as operate in conformity with extant rules and regulations.

She said, “We must work

together to restore the glory of the treasury house. We are all aware that the treasury house has suffered some turmoil in the last one year which we know God is helping us. This treasury house will move from strength to strength. We will move back to the glorious days of our forefathers but I need your cooperation to do this.

“We should always be guided by the principles of zero tolerance to corruption in discharging our statutory responsibilities so as to diligently redeem the image of this great office.

“I will implore staff at all levels to remain focused and dedicated to our duties and give advice as to how to generate revenue for government to execute its developmental programmes.”

Nonetheless, Okolieaboh, in his remarks said he is available to

defend every single decision or action he took for the period he headed the OAGF adding that, “Above all, and at the risk of sounding immodest, we ran this office with the highest level of integrity. At no time did vengeance and vendetta form part of our policy.”

He said despite the challenges, “We kept the office running and recorded some landmark achievements.”

According to him, “We intervened in the resolution of the protracted ASUU strike; swiftly concluded the 2020 general purpose financial statements; rolled out Bottom-up cash management policy; reined in the abuses of IPPIS; rolled out the TSA for foreign missions; instituted the Treasury Staff Posting policy to make posting more transparent and

equitable among others.”

He also said the Treasury Management Portal to replace the Remita payment platform is currently at its testing stage. However, Dankwambo, while congratulating Madein for the appointment said there is a lot of work to be done adding that he and other past AGFs remained available to give her the necessary support when the need arises.

Meanwhile, Naiyeju has called on the federal civil service to detach monetary incentives from staff promotion and posting, arguing that often times, the process results into corrupt practices which destroys organisations, adding that the treasury must not be allowed to fall.

The former AGF particularly requested that Okolieaboh be confirmed as substantive AGF “because he worked for it.”

EXPANDING FRONTIERS. . .

L-R: 1st Deputy President, Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Johnson Oluota; President, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki; Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Buba Yakub, his wife, Nancy and 2nd Deputy President, Prof. Suleiman Aruwa during Yakub’s induction into CIFCFIN’s Hall of Fame at the Institute’s 5th direct membership graduation in Abuja… yesterday.

Mutfwang Hails Tribunal Ruling on His Victory

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

said: “The partnership will be very, very transformative when it comes to audit as we know it, and in particular, the infusion of forensics and fraud investigation into the practice of audit. I think that it will go a long way in reducing, if not eliminating the massive corruption challenges that we have when it comes to Financial Statements of governments as we have seen over the years.”

According to the CIFCFIN boss, the partnership is designed to build capacity in the area of forensics and fraud investigation, particularly for the directorate cadre across the three-tiers of government and arms of government.

He adds: “We feel that capacity building will never be enough and as such, it is important that such partnership for capacity building is entrenched.”

Since CIFCFIN became chartered with the President signing the Bill establishing it into Law on December 23, 2022, the Institute has been forming strategic alliances with anti-corruption agencies, para-military and other agencies to enhance their capacity in Forensics and Fraud Investigation in their day-to-day operations.

Plateau State Governor-elect, Caleb Mutfwang, has described as landmark, the ruling of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos that dismissed the petition filed by Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) seeking the cancellation of the April 18, 2023 Governorship election that he won.

Mutfwang in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Gyang Bere, dedicated

his victory to God and Plateau people who willingly entrusted him with their mandate during the polls.

He said that the decision of the panel presided over by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh which dismissed the petition for lack of diligent prosecution shows how forthright and determined the tribunal is to dispense justice.

The Governor-elect noted that the petition which came up for pre-hearing, was said to have

been abandoned; neither the petitioners nor their lawyers were in court in spite of hearing notice served on them.

In addition to dismissing the petition, a cost of N1 million was awarded against the petitioner in favour of each respondent.

Mutfwang recalled that the APM had dragged him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a petition filed by its counsel, Egwuaba Reuben challenging his

declaration by INEC after the conduct of the 2023 Governorship election in the state.

He said as a firm believer in the rule of law, he is determined to strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship across Plateau communities for a progressive state.

He said the time is now for citizens to deeply look inward and channel their energies toward productive ventures for the rebuilding and restoration of the lost glory of Plateau State.

Foundation Supports Farmers with Inputs in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Ahead of the farming season in Kwara State, a non-governmental organisation, MOK Foundation, has pledged its commitment to continue to support farmers in the state with farm inputs so as to ensure food security in the country.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Muhydeen Okunlola, made the pledge at Offa in Offa Local Government Area of the state while presenting tractors to the farmers of Offa and Oyun local government council areas of the state free of charge in order to boost this year’s food

production.

He said that the support became imperative so as to change the narrative of nonaccessibility of farm inputs to farmers in the area during the new farming season.

Okunlola, who decried the low food production in the area, said that the presentation of the tractors to the farmers would go a long way to improving food production in the area.

He noted that “the foundation noticed the challenges facing farmers and deemed it fit to enhance food production in the state by assisting local farmers at the grassroots to solve financial

challenges of hiring tractors to work on their farmlands.

“These tractors will be made available to the farmers in Offa and Oyun Local Government Councils of Kwara State free of charge and this would encourage them to embark on mass food production and thereby improve the economic status of the farmers.”

Also speaking, a stakeholder in the Foundation, Mr. Saheed Lawal said the Foundation has no affiliation with politics or any political party.

He added that the tractor is solely procured by the

founder of the MOK Foundation to ease the suffering of the farmers who are not buoyant to run mechanised farming.

Mr. Saheed emphasised that any of the Foundation’s charity programmes are devoid of politics, religion, and ethnic influence.

A farmer, Mr. Jimoh Abioye, in his remarks at the event, lauded the MOK Foundation for their support saying that “it will go a long way to improving food production in both Offa and Oyun LGAs of Kwara State.”

He, however, urged the farmers to make use of the opportunity in order to boost food security in the state.

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

RingTrue

Buhari’s Celebration of Failure

Dead bodies are still being picked in the bushes. Yes, traumatised residents of 22 villages in Mangu and Riyom local governments of Plateau State are still burying their loved ones 12 days after the attack by Fulani militias. Children have been turned to orphans and women turned to widows. Some children and women were not spared. As at the last count, 130 innocent indigenes had been killed and over 1000 buildings burnt in the villages by the terrorists who came with sophisticated weapons. Like previous killings in Plateau State, the attackers won’t be apprehended and punished by security agents. For those that have lost loved ones, their tears may never dry.

This is the extent Nigeria degenerated under the eight years of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari who spent most of this week celebrating fantasy achievements. Under this man, killings and abductions by terrorists became a daily occurrence with no part of Nigeria spared. Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militias, kidnappers, IPOB/ESN and all sorts of terror groups ravaging our land with thousands of Nigerians sent to early graves. Daily, terrorists kill innocent people in Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Imo, Katsina and Zamfara states. The response of our outgoing Commander-in-Chief is always feeble.

Guerrillas protecting herdsmen roam freely unchecked by security agents in Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kogi, Zamfara, Enugu and several other states. It has been tales of massacre by Fulani militias in the Buhari years. In Benue State, Fulani militias control some local government areas like Gwer West, Gwer East, Logo and Guma.

It is depressing for Buhari to persistently make claims of degrading Boko Haram, yet, IDPs can’t return to their homes. Under Buhari’s watch, Boko Haram became the deadliest terror group in the world, with thousands of Nigerians killed in eight years. Even in IDP camps, people are persistently attacked and killed by Boko Haram.

The peak of Buhari’s reckless falsehood that he degraded Boko Haram was the wild celebration of a fantasy victory over the terrorists in December 2016. I shed tears on that day that Buhari, a retired general, accepted a flag and Quaran purportedly captured from late Shekau, as a symbol of victory over the terrorists from his then Army Chief, Tukur Buratai. Under Buhari, our gallant soldiers now struggle for allowances and equipment on the war front. Many of them have overstayed on the war front, contrary to the rules of engagement.

In all, no fewer than 53,418 Nigerians lost their lives to non-state actors between

May 29, 2015 and October 15, 2022. I am quoting from the Nigerian Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations of the United States of America. Calamity Buhari suddenly forgot that he came to power in 2015 with an avowal to tame insecurity. The inability to tackle terrorism is one of the biggest failings of Buhari in eight years. The other day, I heard Buhari saying he is leaving a wellsecured Nigeria. Celebrating eight years of success in security is simply heartless and coldblooded.

Buhari’s other avowals were to stamp out corruption and improve the economy. Unfortunately, this man hardly engages the statistics that are constantly rolled out about his failures. Nigeria’s economy suffered greatly under his eight years. Thousands of businesses are gasping for breath due to infrastructural challenges and inclement operating environment. Manufacturers are panting for survival, while providing their own electricity, water, road, security, in addition to stifling multiple taxation by all levels of governments.

Inflation has crossed to an unparalleled 22%. When he assumed office in 2015, inflation was fluctuating between 7.7 per cent and 8.7 per cent. The truth be told without sentiment; the economy handed over to the Buhari administration was a fairly good one with consistent growth in GDP and industrial capacity utilisation. Nigerians ran their businesses with little encumbrances. The forex policy was also friendly to industrialists. The reverse is the case after eight years of Buhari. This man

left Nigeria’s economy in tatters.

The Naira, our symbol of nationhood, is now in shreds. As at yesterday, it was trading at N753/$ in the real market. This is the same Naira Buhari inherited at about N220/$.

Power supply is still one big mess. Buhari promised to increase daily generation to 10,000MW within his first term. After eight years, this is still a mirage. Nigeria is still struggling to sustain 5,000MW daily generation.

Millions of Nigerians lost jobs under Buhari. The employment rate is a vital measurement of any economy’s health. Nigeria’s unemployment rate of 14.2 per cent in Q4 of 2016 jumped to 16.2 per cent in Q2 of 2017 and 18.8 per cent in Q3 of 2017. The joblessness rate worsened in the third quarter of 2018, rising to 23.1 per cent. The number of unemployed Nigerians rose from 17.6 million in Q4 2017 to 20.9 million in Q3 2018. Now, the bureau of statistics has refused to release unemployment statistics for three years running because the figures are very bad. We all now have an army of unemployed youths in our homes. Regrettably, Buhari’s government lacked a pragmatic job creation strategy. Under Buhari, Nigeria surpassed India as the country with the largest number of people living in life-threatening poverty in the world. Buhari should bury his head in shame for this.

For eight years, Buhari’s much talked about war against corruption remained a fantasy. Because of this skewed war, under Buhari’s watch, rent seekers in the oil industry are still collecting the proceeds of Nigeria’s crude oil sales. Refineries are still not working, yet, his administration spent billions of Naira on turnaround maintenance. In eight years, Buhari could not revive just one of government-owned refineries while trillions of Naira went down the drain in the name of paying subsidies on imported petrol.

Which corruption is bigger than plunging this country into an unprecedented debt? Nigeria’s total public debt stock was N46.25 trillion as at the fourth quarter of 2022, with the larger part taken by the Buhari government. According to data from the external debt stock reports of the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s indebtedness to the World Bank alone rose from $6.29 billion in December 2015 to $13.93 billion by December 2022, with a substantial part by the FG. This country has very little to show for these loans by Buhari.

The 2017 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International revealed that sleaze in Nigeria was more severe under the Buhari administration. In that year, Nigeria was downgraded by TI from 136 to 148 in the CPI. Nigeria was ranked 146 out of the 180 countries considered in 2019. This pattern continued

Matawalle’s Pointless War against Bawa

The allegation is weighty. I’m talking about Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State granting an interview on May 19 and accusing the Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of demanding a $2 million bribe from him.

Matawalle declared: “He (Bawa) requested a bribe of $2 million from me and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this.”

I thought the governor would follow up with the release of his so-called evidence as demanded by Bawa. This has not happened eight days after the bomb blast.

It’s so difficult to comprehend that Bawa, a trained anti-corruption officer, will visit Matawalle for bribe. The EFCC boss can’t be that stupid.

Honestly, I see Matawalle’s claim as corruption fighting back and contrived to impugn the integrity of Bawa. This is the same Zamfara governor that is being investigated for diversion of over N70 billion. The money, which was sourced as loan purportedly

for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed. Matawalle should address this case of fund diversion instead of his campaign of calumny against Bawa.

In this same Zamfara State, a special prayer was recently held at the Eid Mosque in Gusau by civil servants to seek divine intervention for payment of the three-month salaries owed by Matawalle. The Zamfara governor should also address this indictment.

till the end of Buhari’s tenure. The memo written by the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu on sleaze in the NNPC is a good example of corruption under Buhari. The cabal in charge of this administration tightened the noose on Kachikwu, forcing him to recant.

What about the sleaze allegations against the then Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf? This public servant, under investigation by anti-graft agencies, was reinstated with fiat by Buhari. What about the then Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Maihaja, struggling to explain how he spent billions of Naira allocated to his agency? What about the pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina, who was effectively protected by agents of this government for years? What a war against corruption!

Aside from his eight years of ineptitude, for me, the biggest sin Buhari committed against this country is the division created with his clannishness. Our President’s clannishness is frightening. Buhari spent eight years stoking our fault lines with no respect for Federal Character in his appointments. The military, para-military and key departments/agencies are largely headed by people from a section of this country. Hatred across ethnic and religious divides assumed an unprecedented dimension under Buhari, with our fault lines persistently stoked. This is certainly not the Nigeria of our dream.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s remark about Buhari’s clannishness in August 2016 is instructive. He said: “At no time in our history, except probably during the civil war, has Nigeria been so fractured in the feeling of oneness by the citizenry.” The ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, concurred in September 2016, saying “Nigeria has never been as divided as it is presently, since its amalgamation over 100 years ago.”

Bishop Matthew Kukah, hit the nail on the head during his sermon at the burial of Michael Nnadi, a seminarian killed by kidnappers. The cleric remarked that Buhari was running the “most nepotistic and narcissistic government in known history,” and concluded that the President had not only relegated the national interest to the background, but had also introduced nepotism into the military.

Can Buhari honestly say that he has delivered on his promises of building a new and united Nigeria in his eight years? Can he honestly say that Nigerians are better under him than they were under his predecessor? Can he say that he positively impacted the lives of the masses of this country in his eight years? The frank answers would be negative. The economy is in tatters. Terrorists are rampaging. Poverty and unemployment pervade our country.

My dear Buhari, your eight years is a massive failure that brought untold hardship on Nigerians. Notwithstanding, you have been going about celebrating this failure and even inaugurating uncompleted projects. It can only happen in Nigeria! Your effrontery to celebrate eight years “success” amid so much pain in mother Nigeria is a debilitating mess. You are simply mocking distressed Nigerians. You will be remembered as the President that turned Nigerians against each other; brothers became enemies, no thanks to your extreme clannishness. Under your inept leadership, Nigeria became a barren land, poverty capital of the world, and dangerously corrupt country and a debtor nation. History will be very cruel on you.

Buhari

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394

Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

Asake Trends with ‘Work of Art’

frobeats artiste, Asake is set to thrill fans with another album. Asake announced details of the new Olamide. The last time the duo Asake a label contract on YBNL owned by Olamide and also was

The new album ‘Work of Art’ will be released on Thursday, June the new body of work will also

ATop Albums Chart a few weeks

The album art, which containedinde, has art inspired by American for his neo-expressionist style –a rejection of traditional composition,’ Wayne Arthur Gallery had described Neo-expressionism.

‘Work Of Art’ with just three of

‘Work Of Art’ appears ahead of concert and the new album will Arena.

sophomore album is set to consolidate the success of his Vibe’ and establish him as a force in Afrobeats. Fans certainly announcement.

Asake

‘The Kiss of Death’ Unveiled

of Nollywood projects.

said, I think it will make an absolutely brilliant that it treats. Then when you also marry this

Osponsors of an upcomin conjunction with

This was disclosed at a media parley in

Inkblot Productions Sets Out on ‘A Weekend to Forget’

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Inkblot Productions has, as part of

The second of the company’s four Bewaji as the screenwriter.

from the stable of Inkblot’s production

clash. The implications of that and all the explores.

Written and produced by Leke Akinrowo,

Okeke-Lawal, reiterated the company’s interest

When you speak about entertainment that’s not be a part of this?”

A Deserving Industry Award for Patience Ozokwor

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Tfilm entertainment. With the awards show comes beautiful, winners continue to celebrate as the wonderful This year’s edition honoured some of the finestopment of African cinema, she joins the list of occasion, took to social media to celebrate her industry was that of one’s ability, humility, word of mouth, and trust, unlike in this era of the

your talent, humility, and trust. I appreciate my stated that her children had to stay separately directors and the producers she has worked

of the moment, swelled with emotion, and she

premiere sometime this year.

Prior to this latest project, Inkblot Produc-

career in the Nollywood profession solely relied we started in the industry, there was no social media and so many other luxuries we enjoy

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

L-R: Ini Dima-Okojie, Elozonam Ogbulu, Damola Ademola, Stan Nze and Erica Nlewedim projects

Patience Ozokwor

Amaka Okeke-Lawal, Leke Akinrowo and Terry McMahon

Ariaria: The Changing Face of an Old Market

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Like the rising sun Abia State’s most popular market, the Ariaria International Market is emerging from the horizon with a new face. It is a face of modernity for the 47 year-old market characterised mostly by scraggy infrastructure. The traders, who had initially opposed the remodelling plan when government came up with the idea are now appreciating the effort. Their scepticism has given way to excited appreciation as the conceptualised new look Ariaria market is now taking shape. The first phase of the reconstruction work started from A-Line, C-Line and Medical Line sections of the market up to Enyimba Gate, and kitchen utensils shops.

Three blocks of two storey buildings shops have sprang up from where the decrepit structures used to be. The developer, Engr Henry Okafor whose firm, Blessed Henkel International Company is executing the remodelling project under a public, private partnership (PPP) said that the new structures were designed to have the facilities of a modern market. Each of the block has 480 shops fitted with electronically-operated doors, fire alarms, and elavators for ease of upward movement of goods into the upper floors of two storey buildings. Okafor said that with the way the new Ariaria market was designed it would become a misnomer to call it a market. “What we are building is a mall; it is no longer a market,” he enthused.

The developer explained that the electronically-operated doors are among the security features of the market making the shops well secure as only the owner of each shop can have access to it using a remote control. He dispelled the fears about the desirability of installing electric doors in the shops given the fluctuating nature of electricity supply in the land. Okafor said there is no cause for alarm as power supply disruption would rarely occur since the market is connected to three power sources - Aba Independent Power Project(IPP), Aba Power Limited(a division of Geometric Power) and Solar Power which serves as backup.

According to the developer, 14 blocks of shops were earmarked for the first phase of the reconstruction project, starting from the A-Line section of the market. He said that though “we are focusing on A-Line first” the scraggy structures in the entire market would eventually be demolished and replaced with modern structures in a phased development strategy. Okafor said that on completion the market would have a hotel, school, clinic and four motor parks. The new Ariaria International Market new Ariaria International Market would also have the complements of fire station, police station, banking facilities, smooth access roads with good drainage system that would free the market from flooding. He noted that with all the envisaged facilities in place Ariaria would sparkle as an aesthetic commercial complex where commercial activities are carried out with joy and happiness.

Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said that the emerging new Ariaria International Market “is our vision of what a modern market should look like in Abia State”. He acknowledged that “it took long in coming”, but even at that “we are satisfied that it has taken off and is on course”. Trade and commerce is among the five pillars on which Governor Ikpeazu anchored the development agenda of his administration.

This explains why he delved into the idea of remodelling Ariaria International Market, a project that requires not only huge financial outlay but also strong political will given the consequential displacement of traders. “Since 1976, nobody(government) has done anything like this,” said Okiyi, alluding to the political risk involved in asking Aba traders to relocate from a particular trading location to another. Indeed no government right from the old Imo State from which Abia was carved out had ever dared to reconstruct Ariaria despite its decayed infrastructure and congestion.

Expectedly, Ikpeazu didn’t have it easy with the traders when he came up with idea of remodelling Ariaria. In September 2021 when the remodelling project commened the state

government was drawn into a running battle with Ariaria traders. They vehemently opposed being relocated to alternative locations to make way for the reconstruction of the market. They were propelled by the fear of losing their shops after the completion of the remodelling project. In a way the traders were justified in their opposition to the project given past experiences where government officials saddled with implementation of government projects/programmes ended up muddling it up.

But Governor Ikpeazu was not discouraged by the traders’ resistance to what he regarded as a necessary change initiated for their own benefit and for the economic interest of the state. Basically, Ikpeazu wants Ariaria market to be truly international in its status by modernising the infrastructure and facilities in the market. The market attracts patronage from across West Africa and beyond due largely to the wide range of goods churned out by artisans that work like bees in the market.

The renowned Aba shoe and leather products industry, garment industry, among others are located inside Ariaria.The governor said he was inspired to give Ariaria a face-lift by the modern markets he had seen in foreign countries. According to him, it was always his dream to have Ariaria transformed to look like any of those modern markets he has seen abroad.

To get the traders on the same page with him, Governor Ikpeazu decided on constructive engagement with the traders in order to break their resistance to change. He understood their fears hence persuassion was used instead of force to get around the contentious issues. Several consultative meetings were held with the leaders of the traders association and expanded stakeholders to find a way out. Ikpeazu continually assured and reassured the displaced traders that they would return to their shops after the reconstruction and he would personally issue them allocation papers. He also offered them tax incentives of two years with backing documents as well as cash palliative. It was after the final harmonisation

harmonisation meeting of September 8, 2021 that the traders dropped their resistance.

In one of the meetings held at Government Lodge Aba, after the flooding of the market in September 2022, the Governor Ikpeazu made it known to the traders that it was necessary to remodel Ariaria. He said: “There’s no Abia State without Aba and there’s no Aba without Ariaria market. No Governor will succeed without paying attention to trade and commerce as far as Abia is concerned”.

Ikpeazu had explained that part of the reason to reconstruct Ariaria market was to check the perennial flooding and the attendant loss of goods. He vowed that “we will fix the flood problem at the market”. He explained that Ariaria market was prone to flooding because it lies “at the lowest level of Aba” which makes it easy for the market to be submerged once a heavy downpour occurs. “But the flood problem will soon be a thing of the past,” he assured the traders. “I will not be happy as a Governor if I conclude my tenure without fixing the flood menace at the Ariaria market”. The flooding menace appears to have been tackled as appropriate drainage channels have been constructed at the market. In addition, the Ifeobara pond, which is the collection point of flood waters from Ariaria, is now constantly drained and channeled to Aba River.

The outgoing government of Ikpeazu is happy at the evolving transformantion of Ariaria. The commissioner for trade and investment at a recent inspection visit to the project site with journalists said that government was satisfied at the progress and quality of work. He said that the developer was handling the job according to specifications. Okiyi said that it was high time Ariaria market was tranformed with structures and

facilities befitting its international status. He described the reconstruction of the 47 year-old market into a modern commercial centre as a major legacy that the Ikpeazu administration would leave behind.

However, it has become clear that the remodelling of Ariaria market would not be completed before Ikpeazu bows out of office on May 29. Not to worry. The outgoing government of Okezie Ikpeazu has said that government is a continuum and so it would be in the interest of Abia State for the incoming administration to sustain the ongoing market remodelling project in the state. The commissioner for trade and investment acknowledged that the delay in the commencement of the project has affected the completion date set for the first phase of the project. Okiyi said that the developer had difficulties mobilising funds for the PPP project. It was only when the state government stepped in and secured a project bank guarantee to the tune of N1.5 billion that the developer commenced work.

The trade and investment commissioner is optimistic that the incoming government led by Alex Otti would see good reason not to abandon the project. He expects that the Ariaria market reconstruction would continue. According to him, Ikpeazu has used Ariaria to set the standard for market remodelling in Abia and it is expected that his successor would continue with the project. The trade and investment commissioner noted that Ariaria is a strategic commercial centre hence the incoming government would be interested in its modernisation as it would boost commercial activities and enhance the revenue base of Abia.

Ariaria International Market has its own chequered history since it was built in 1976 following a major fire incident at the then popular Ekeoha Market. The fire outbreak which was said to have resulted to colossal loses by traders provoked regional outrage and lamentation. The sentimental attachment of people to the market inspired popular songs, including Enyim by the now defunct funk music group, the Apostles, and Oku Gbàra Ekeoha by the late high life maestro, Oliver De Coque. It was in the search for alternative location with enough space to relocate the traders that Ariaria was found suitable and the market was born.

At first, the traders at Ekeoha refused to relocate to Ariaria because it was far from the city centre and in a swampy area. It was the timber dealers that were immediately to move to the new market. The timber section was believed to be the source of the incessant fire incidents at Ekeoha due to the incendiary nature of sawdust. After the timber people moved other traders eventually relocated to Ariaria. The market grew and flourished to the extent that it became an international market. Over the years, Ariaria has outgrown the available space, infrastructure and facilities hence the need to upgrade the market.

One of the new structures in the market

However, it has become clear that the remodelling of Ariaria market would not be completed before

The outgoing government of Okezie Ikpeazu has said that government is a continuum and so it would be in the interest of Abia State for the incoming administration to sustain the ongoing market remodelling project in the state

On Tuesday May 23rd, 2023, children and extended family members of the foremost educationist, Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi a.k.a Oga, who died on Monday 15th, 2023 at the age of 96 organised a Fidau Prayer to celebrate the life and time of this outstanding and accomplished role model who touched many lives during his illustrious career as a teacher. The Fidau prayer which took place at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos paraded top Muslim clerics, Muslim Faithful and wellwishers. Here are a few faces that graced the occasion.

R-L: Mr. Muyiwa Bakare and Mr. Tunji Disun

R-L: Alhaji Adewale Taiwo Olagunju, with sons of the deceased, Architect Abiodun Gbadamosi and Architect Olakunle Gbadamosi

L-R: Members, Crescent Bearers, Mr. Biodun Jaji and Mr. Dele Martins

R-L: Dr. Festus Fadeyi and wife, Mrs. Adebisi Juliana Fadeyi

L-R: Otunba Alex Onabanjo, Mrs. Moyo Makanjuola, husband, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola and Yeye Olanrewaju Onabanjo

Mr. Rotimi Makanjuola and wife, Dr. Samira Makanjuola

L-R: Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola and Alhaji Said Ridwan

Elder Stateman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo

L–R: Daughter of the deceased, Alhaja Abimbola Adedun, daughter-in-law of the deceased, Mrs. Tokunbo Gbadamosi and Alhaja Yoyinsola Makanjuola

L–R: Members, Crescent Bearers, Alhaji Akin KekereEkun and Alhaji Moyo Thanni

L-R: Daughter-in-law of the deceased, Alhaja Bukola Gbadamosi and grand-daughters of the deceased, Ms. Folakemi Gbadamosi and Mrs. Bisi Gbajumo

R–L: Alhaji Bashir Bakare and Alhaji Sam Bazuaye

R-L: Alhaji Chief Sinari Bolaji Daranijo, Dr. Mustafa Akanni Oshodi and Hon. Justice Ishola Olorunninbe, OON

L-R: Alhaja Adefemi Taire and Hon. Justice Bukunola Adebiyi

R-L: Alhaji Duale Mohammed, Alhaji Kola Fagbayi and Chief Tunde Oshodi

R–L: Alhaji Razaq Dawodu and Dr. Wasiu Gbadamosi

L-R: Mother of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamila and Sister to the late wife of the deceased, Alhaja Oyinda Ayepola

Mr Tola Animasahun and Hon Gbolahan Funsho

R-L: President-General AGSOSA, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN and Alhaji Olatunde Balogun

Guest lecturer/Muffasir, Lagos Central Mosque, Imam Shakirudeen Abdul Gafar delivering the Fidau sermon

R-L: Chief Imam, Itire Mission, Alhaji Isa Salawudeen, Chief Imam, Lagos Mainland Mission, Alhaji Salaudeen Olanrewaju and National President, Anwal-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Mubashir Adekunle Ojelade

R-L: National Chief Imam/Missioner, Anwar-Ul Islam Movement, Alhaji Babatunde Yoosuf, National Itinerary Missioner, Alhaji Mudashiru Bello and Chief Imam, Lagos Mission, Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal

Flurry of Activity, not ‘Activities’

THE Guardian of May 7 nurtured jerkiness in plurality construction: “Even a child in this nation knows that the police derives (derive) its (their) enabling and operational authority from the dictates of the Centre….” The paper’s Metro Section institutionalized this same lexical bondage in one of its headlines: “In Kano, Police allegedly shoots (sic) tanker driver over bribe” Another section of the medium was equally not left out in this particular police howler: “Nigerians would no doubt be happier to hear from the Nigerian Police what it is (they are) doing to enhance its (their) capacity….”

Still on Rutam House: “The ban on tinted glasses is even more reprehensible because the security benefits it can deliver is (are) far from certain.”

DAILY Sun of May 8 disseminated a pernicious sub-headline: “Gov, Reps demand his arrest over (for) inciting comments on the 2023 presidential election”

“A week’s trail on the heels of pirates reveal (reveals) how Nigerians lose billions of Naira to the kingpin….”

“Court remands Edo lawmaker in prison over unlawful possession of firearm” The lawmaker was remanded in custody—not in prison!

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 14 subverted the English language: “That is why the Presidency must show more leadership and tact before jumping into a battle just because it thinks it has the power to crush the enemy—real or imagined.” Atiku versus Wike: the

enemy—real or imaginary.

From the Editorial we move to other sections of the Fatai Atere Way-based publication for more blunders: “Nigerian scientists have failed woefully.” THE SUNDAY INTERVIEW: …have failed abysmally (not woefully)

“Let me also make this point that our scientists have not done creditably well over the years.” No overkill: either creditably or well.

The final entry from last week’s edition of this medium: “Insurgents await ransom, assure on ex-minister’s safety” ‘Assure’ is a transitive verb. It must take an object. (Thanks to Ada Popoola for this reminder and the next observation)

Last week’s incomplete intervention: “The impending NGF election has polar- ized the 36 states (state) governors into two camps.” (SATURDAY PUNCH, May 13) ‘Polarization’ implies two sides.

The PUNCH of May 3 goofed: “Restoring sanity on (to) the road should be the first tangible step if he is serious about….”

“The result was that what was supposed to be a consensus agreement willingly entered into by….” ‘Consensus agreement’? Next time, just choose one.

“Antidote to political aparthy” Apathy to dictionary usage is responsible for brainless spellings!

“It was flurry of activities in Abuja last week.…” A flurry or a hive of activity….

“The minister said government’s desire to licence (sic) a second carrier is born out of the…” General view: borne out.

“Knowing fully well that Abacha was a

key factor in the Babangida regime.…” Intelligent commentary: knowing full well or just knowing fully.

“What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.” Fixed expression: what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

“Political parties become smokescreens for pursuing special priviledges.…” This way: privileges.

“Some blind beggars on a street in Lagos Island” Beggars in a street on (not in) Lagos Island.

“…Catholic cardinals who converged at (on) the Vatican for a three-day meeting….”

“There has (sic) been threats of legal action, and a demonstration against Obanikoro in Lagos has been held.” Challenges of carpet-crossing: there have been threats….

Yet another headline gaffe: “Do not divert Eagles funds” Justice in service of community: Eagles’ funds.

“Jonathan rejects prisoners pardon list” No news: prisoners’ pardon list

“Manhunt begins for killers of award winning (award-winning) police chief.”

“New legislature, executive raproachement” Spell-check: rapprochement.

“…writes (writes to) the president to intimate him of (to) the hardship ravaging the land.”

“The civil servants have got pay rise, yet their purchasing power have (has) been decimated.”

“The ITSC equipment was damaged early this week by a heavy rainstorm....” In the interest of telecoms, delete ‘heavy’-–which is contextually otiose, just like ‘heavy downpour’!

A Train Trip Between 1983 and 2023

Last week, I travelled to Ibadan, and returned the same way: on the coaches of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The trips were not only heartwarming and relieving, they welled up nostalgic memories of my earliest interactions with the operations of the NRC close to 40 years ago. Last Thursday, 18 May, 2023, we drove into the old Agege station (now renamed Babatunde Raji Fashola - BRF - station) at least one-hour before the 4.20pm departure time (the internet info is that it would leave the Ebute Metta terminus at 4pm, and should be at BRF twenty minutes after). It was strangely on time.

I do not recall such promptness when we would scramble into the grime-stained coaches at Iddo, near the Lagos lagoon, to board the cranky old coaches back in 1983, alongside traders, livestock, holidaying families, students going back to schools…. My destination then was Jos, the hitherto idyllic plateau of glorious temperature and temperament. One was then an undergraduate of the University of Jos, and whenever the exorbitant fares of the luxurious buses opposite the Iddo Terminus were out of our reach, the NRC coaches beckoned greedily - at the very least, three days behind the big magnificent motorized monsters in getting to Jos. Poor students didn’t mind the crumpy state of affairs in the old trains, the cranky noise from both the train and its occupants. Forty-eight hours into the trip, the entire atmosphere would be a bedlam of grime, stench, controlled chaos, outbursts of frustrations, romantic openings for ogling cupids and budding poets.

Back to 2023. The first thing that

irked me on my first visit to the Agege station was the deplorable state of the three roads that lead to the magnificently structured station. Strewn with oddities of shanties, shops, old houses and all whatnots along the roads, the comfort of travellers is surely similar to riding on camels’ backs across rough terrain. The edifice of the station - and similarly outlandish structures were seen at a number of stations along the way - is akin to a diamond placed carelessly atop a dumpster. Rehabilitating the access roads will not only add to the convenience of passengers and inhabitants, but also stimulate improved economic activities in the adjoining areas. By the way, it’s only in Agege station that some level of commercial activities can potentially expand - the rest are oasis of travelling convenience bereft of supporting human ‘infrastructures’far-flung from city centres. I digress. Another thing that raised my eyebrows was the fact that payments for all categories of boarding fees are done with cash! In a government that railed and rallied us to near extinction early this year on account of its missionary zeal to entrench a cashless culture in financial transactions!

There are three classes of payments: First Class (₦9,000), Business Class (₦6,500) and Standard Class (₦3,600 - minors at ₦3,000). You wonder what it would take to digitalise payments, such that reservations and payments could be done online, and ahead of scheduled departures.

Of course, operators of point of sale (PoS) devices are the first line of cheerful faces to usher you into the ticketing office. Hmmmm. Recall the Emefiele Rage few weeks before the 25 February, 2023 national elections, when major old naira notes disap-

peared, and their new replacements refused to go round… imagine the extra stress and frustrations of train travellers who needed to get cash to pay, even with the help of PoS operators who were also cash-strapped, and could only eke out tokens as available. ‘Hell on tracks’ is putting it mildly.

With the elementary way revenue and income are being pursued by NRC, the room for sharp practices, manipulation and fleecing of the corporation is teeming with loopholes - especially when you collect cash from customers, and issue tickets that sometimes don’t bear the names of the issuing stations. An incident on our return journey clearly underlines this corrosive tendency.

One is not therefore surprised to read - based on data from the Debt Management Office - that the Federal Government had not been able to service its railway debt owed China in the years between 2021 and 2022 - a tidy sum reported to be in excess of ₦100bn as at the end of December, 2022 - in a business that pulled in less than ₦12b annually from ferrying passengers, goods and services.

This is despite the notorious fact that we use over 90% of our national revenue to service our numerous debts, variously placed at over ₦77 trillion. Our prayer is that the incoming administration will take drastic actions to rejig and refit the NRC, as well as other economic bridge heads, to operate at the cutting edge of global best practices, and help shave off a pile from the humongous $4bn total debt to China, before we suffer the eternal ignominy of becoming a virtual vassal to the Asian superpower.

So, the train arrived on schedule. Prior to its arrival, we had settled

“Government is to be congratulated for (on/upon) taking this decision in the face of opposition from the World Bank and the IMF.”

“Every moneybag (moneybags) wants you to know when he is celebrating….”

‘Moneybag’ is the sac used in putting money, while the owner is a moneybags.

“A professional must update his knowledge in his chosen career otherwise he becomes a mediocre.” The way we write: otherwise he becomes a mediocrity or mediocrist. ‘Mediocre’ is an adjective that cannot function as a noun except in a collective manner (the“Themediocre).emergence of vigilante (vigilance) groups to combat the activities of men of the underworld is only symptomatic of lack of faith in the ability of the police to guarantee the safety of lives (life) and property (or lives and properties).”

“NLC suspends siege on (to) First Bank, as NUJ lays siege to Thisday over non-payment of six-month salary” What of the ‘meal ticket’ from the publisher?

“PDP commends Tukur over performance” ‘Commend‘ takes ‘for’ or ‘on’.

“The assurance from the IGP is therefore supposed to act as a soothing balm.” Is a balm not supposed to soothe? Does it do the opposite? So, why the pleonastic expression?

“…it will be much more so with one involving a police personnel.” ‘Personnel’ is a collective term. Use ‘policeman’, ‘officer’ or ‘cop’.

“But how do we prevent hunger next year when politicians will engage themselves (one another) in a do or die (do-or-die) battle for re-election.”

into the large waiting hall of the station which houses four giant air-conditioning machines at the four corners of the white neat hall. To enter the cold atmosphere, your baggage would have to pass through a security thread mill designed to scan for illegal items, while you would be asked to walk through a scanner rig. Several shiny steel three-seaters throng the hall, and a large corridor, on the left, leads to the toilets for both male and female passengers. I observed that the toilet was clean, the urinals in order - and no seedy water or substance littered the tiled floor.

The two giant clocks fitted high on the wall were stuck at 2.25 o’clock, if my memory is reliable - whether a.m. or p.m. we do not know.. Soon, we were told the train would arrive in less than 10 minutes, and we should move to the loading area. That ritual was another shocker for me - considering my 1983 experience. In the past, more nimble passengers who were not weighed down by bungling children, assorted goods or too many bags, would scurry through the dock areas, trotting towards the long, weary coaches soaked in green and yellow colours, and plenty of oil, smoke and iron running amok. We would aim for seats close to the windows, and annex as many seats as possible for our slower friends and distracted comrades. It was fairly easy to make new friends and lifetime partners on the old NRC trains.

(To Continue)

POLITY

Athan Achonu, the Apostle of Aku Ruo Ulo and the Travails of a Patriot

Nick Opara-Ndudu

All across the South-east Nigeria and practically in all Senatorial districts within the zone, one would find the ubiquitous and conspicuous presence of billboards propagating the clarion call for investment in the Igbo homeland. The messages on those billboards which have been disseminated over the past five years have been articulated by a truly patriotic Igbo son, Senator Athan Achonu, to reinforce and support the movement that is fast gaining grounds in the consciousness of Ndi-Igbo that investment in the South-eastern homeland must be seen as a development imperative and a route towards community prosperity and enhance livelihood for citizens of the region. The significance of this message would appear to have assumed even more urgent dimensions given the recent experience of Ndi-Igbo within Nigeria. As has been generally acknowledged, Ndi-Igbo remain the foremost patriots and believers in the concept of a united Nigeria. They have dem- onstrated this through their wholesome and genuine efforts at being integrated into their host communities. Wherever they find themselves, they have contributed immensely to local investments in their host communi- ties often times making such places their homes.

The Igbo trajectory in this regard would appear to have been fuelled by their world view and expansionist vision. Where others fear to tread, their republican nature and competitive spirit have propelled them into exploits and adventures whose outcomes often marvel their host communities and have in numerous instances led to an attitude of envy and, in extreme cases, hatred.

Whilst the Igbos continue to lead the vanguard of development in the communities where they reside, they have done so at the expense of their homeland which has continued to grapple with the challenges of underdevelopment. With unconfirmed estimates claiming that over 90% of the Igbo commonwealth reside outside Igboland, their homeland has been left in squalor and abject poverty. Of significance is the recognition that the current state of affairs is traceable to the lack of the enabling environment so critical to development and the absence of a focused and responsive leadership.

It is on record that South Eastern Nigeria was adjudged the fastest growing economy in the developing world before the gruesome and unfortunate civil war of the late sixties. This achievement was made possible by the exemplary leadership provided by the Eastern Regional Government led by Dr. Michael Okpara. Through a range of economic policies and development initiatives, they championed the transformation of the Eastern region into a conducive home to and recipient of industrial investments within the region in the years preceding the Nigerian Civil War. Save for the interregnum of military rule between 1970 to 1979, the civilian administrations continued with the Industrialisation Policy between 1979 to 1983.

A testament to this fact was the rapid industrialisation that was witnessed under the Sam Mbakwe and Jim Nwobodo’s administrations in the then Imo and Enugu states. Regrettably, since the return of democratic rule in 1999, very few significant landmarks have been achieved in the area of industrialisation owing to the inability of successive administrations to evolve supportive policies that would engender industrial growth. It is instructive to note that without a supportive leadership, the South East would continue to grapple with the twin evil of poverty and underdevelopment.

Against the foregoing background, one needs to examine the experience of Senator Achonu, a leading proponent of the Aku Ruo Ulo (Invest @ Home) in his private efforts to contribute to the development of his home state of Imo. Instructively, Senator Achonu (through his company, Gee Plaza Ltd.) recognising the immense potentials of the hospitality and tourism sectors in the State, acquired the abandoned Head Office building of the defunct Progress Bank in Owerri with the intention of converting it to a 5-star hotel. Subsequently, he also acquired the controlling interest in Imo Hotels Ltd that owned a contiguous property to the Progress Bank Headquarters from Binez Hotels Ltd (owned by the late Nze Maduakor) who bought the legacy hotel under the State’s Privatisation Programme during the Achike Udenwa Administration.

As the Company was about to commence the implementation of its development programme for the acquired assets, tragedy struck with the forceful takeover and trespass on its property by the Rochas Okorocha’s administration after it came to power on May 29, 2011.

According to Gee Plaza Ltd, the Imo State Government in total disregard to the existing agreements “maliciously altered part of the property by constructing roads and buildings all over the property”. As a law-abiding citizen, the Company approached the courts to enforce its rights and a judgement delivered by Justice I.O. Agugua on November 8, 2012,

I doubt if Governor Uzodinma is aware that Senator Achonu (through his Company, Numo Farms) has invested close to N6 billion in the agricultural sector in Imo State. Numo Farms in Ehime Mbano has the capacity and built-up infrastructure including tarred roads, to produce one million fish monthly, a feed mill and over 200 greenhouses installed and awaiting installation in its determined bid to be the leading farmer and producer of fish, vegetables and fruits in the South East

reiterated the rights and power of the company and granted appropriate injunctive orders against the defendants.

Okorocha continued in its utter disregard for valid and subsisting court orders by the forceful and unlawful occupation of the company’s property and destruction of structures belonging to Imo Hotels Ltd which it subsequently acquired from Binez Hotels Ltd – concessionaire of Imo Hotels Ltd. These strange and illegal occurrences continued until the departure of Rochas Okorocha in May 2019.

I recall vividly the futile efforts I made as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Imo State Government under Rochas Okorocha’s Government to get the parties to a round-table discussion to amicably resolve the dispute.

My motivation then, and as it is now, was to prevent the impression being created that the Imo State Government was averse to encouraging investments in the State by its citizens. I believe that the greatest enabler of investment is the existence of a supportive policy environment. Unfortunately, the attitude of the Rochas Okorocha’s administration in this regard was certainly hostile and unacceptable.

Following the advent of Emeka Ihedioha’s administration in 2019, Gee Plaza Ltd was invited to several meetings with the State Government aimed at amicably resolving the disagreement. These efforts culminated in the Imo State Government reversing its previous actions and issuing a letter to the claimants (Gee Plaza Ltd) to continue its occupation and management of Imo Hotel as provided in the Sale Agreement and reinforced by two (2) separate order by courts of competent jurisdiction.

Incidentally, the tenure of the Emeka Ihedioha was shortlived and another change of guard took place on January 14, 2020 with the ascendency of Governor Hope Uzodinma to the governorship of Imo State. Since then, the implementation of the Company’s development programme for its duly acquired property has been stalled.

Yet again, some time in December 2020, the Federal High Court Owerri upheld the powers of the claimant (Gee Plaza Ltd) and declared unequivocally that Imo State Government cannot run the affairs of Imo Hotels Ltd in the absence of the claimant as majority shareholder and owner of the Hotel. It equally granted some injunctive orders against the defendants.

Whilst the impasse lasted, one of the structures – Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) – caved in and had to be pulled down by the Imo State Government for public safety reasons. Curiously, it is now understood that rather than yield the property to its rightful owners, the Imo State Government is going ahead to construct another structure on the grounds of the previously dilapidated structure that has been pulled down in disobedience of valid and subsisting existing orders.

One would have thought that the ongoing action by Imo State Government in contravention of valid court orders should have been discontinued given its grave implications for the State’s finances and the overall investment climate. Based on available evidence, law and order and the observance thereof, are, perhaps, the most important instrument in investment promotion. Investors would definitely not be interested in investing in jurisdictions where their investments are forcefully taken over by government and court orders are not obeyed where aggrieved parties approach the courts for protection and remedy.

What Senator Hope Uzodinma’s government is doing with the action is to discourage investors from the state since the Gee Plaza saga would always be a negative point of reference. I would urge the governor, in the interest of our State, to seek ways of resolving this unfortunate saga.

With two court judgements in its favour, there is the likelihood that Gee Plaza Ltd, may ultimately emerge victorious at the end of the litigations.

And it is settled law that all developments on a disputed property would be inherited by the owners of the land. And in this instance, this would include all past, current and future developments by Imo State Government, which developments and improvements would have been done with taxpayers’ money.

The challenge of development in the South East has been exacerbated by the absence of leadership and the failure of Successive governments (with a few exceptions) to encourage investments in their homeland.

Sadly, what is happening with the Gee Plaza/Imo Hotels property saga is bound to reinforce this thinking. It is my prayer that Governor Hope Uzodinma would not allow himself to be cited as being part of this retrogressive leadership that has left Igbo land in poverty and manifest retrogression. He certainly deserves a better imprimatur in the development of the South East.

The governors of the South East must be seen to be the frontline apostles of the Aku Ruo Ulo (Invest @ Home) drive and they must not be found discouraging the active participation of their citizens in the development of their homeland.

As I write, I doubt if Governor Uzodinma is aware that Senator Achonu (through his Company, Numo Farms) has invested close to N6 billion in the agricultural sector in Imo State. Numo Farms in Ehime Mbano has the capacity and built-up infrastructure including tarred roads, to produce one million fish monthly, a feed mill and over 200 greenhouses installed and awaiting installation in its determined bid to be the leading farmer and producer of fish, vegetables and fruits in the South East.

A patriotic citizen with this level of investments in his home state and employing hundreds of Imolites deserves commendation and encouragement.

The unfair treatment which Senator Achonu has received is certainly off-putting and Governor Uzodinma must do the needful to redress the situation.

Nick Opara-Ndudu,

F.C.A, a former Bank Director, was at various times the Chief Economic Adviser to Imo State Government and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

Achonu

POLITY

Buhari Years: Expanding Debt Without Accountability

Oluseun Onigbinde

Nigeria’s upper legislature has approved N23.7 trillion to be securitized, a move that raises Nigeria’s aggregate debt from N46 trillion to N70 trillion. Nigeria’s Debt-to-GDP has now risen from 23.2% to 35.1%, meaning it might need to raise its 40% debt limit in the nearest future. Nigeria’s ‘Ways and Means’ (pejoratively known as ‘money printing’) grew from N790 billion in May 2015 to N23.7 trillion in 2022.

This means the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been lending to the federal government against its laws, which stipulate that the government is not supposed to borrow more than 5% of its previous year’s revenues from the CBN. In fact, the CBN breached this rule by lending up to 91.27% of the federal government’s 2021 revenues in 2022, throwing such fiscal guardrail into the dust. This process was breached serially, and the current securitization was the validation of the illegality.

Several governance issues have now been brought to the fore, which have highlighted perennial issues relating to the erosion of public sector accountability, improper fiscal management, and a continued misunderstanding of the role of separation of powers. Hence, there are a few things to consider due to this approach.

While the federal government continues to expand its budget expenditure and revenues are not anchored on realistic projections, it used the ‘Ways and Means’ copiously to shore up expenditure, denying the opportunity to rationalize expenditure and set priorities in line with its revenues. It is a well-known approach as extra-budgetary support from monetary authorities and is usually laid with conditions for fiscal consolidation or operational efficiency.

Apart from raising the domestic debt from N8.8 trillion in December 2015 to N27.6 trillion in December 2022 and foreign debt from $10.7 billion as of June 2015 to $37.23 billion by December 2022, the federal government continued on a borrowing spree without considering that it was an optimizing

expenditure. If the federal government has the leeway to borrow money indiscriminately from the CBN, what then is the incentive to grow revenues? Will taxes remain the fiscal option to provide equilibrium in society if the CBN continues to inject funds in a haphazard manner?

For instance, during high oil prices, the federal government showed no urgency to grow production to benefit from the windfall, as oil production collapsed to a nearly 20-year low of 900,000 barrels per day.

At the initial review, the National Assembly requested details of the federal government’s funds use that justified the securitization. No response was given to this demand, and it is puzzling that the Senate approved it nonetheless. Accumulating debt for sustainability purposes should come with clarity of funds allocation and use to help assess if they are applied to self-liquidating projects or have the capabilities to further generate revenues in the near or long term. The absurd part of the ‘ways and means’ situation is that Nigeria largely borrowed these funds to finance consumption, as shown in the recurrent funding gap.

This reinforces that the ‘Ways and Means’ financing has been converted to a budget funding instrument as opposed to the liquidity support it was intended to be. While the federal government has secured a moratorium for three years before the interest (at 9%) would be paid, what says that the federal government’s “grace” period won’t be extended? Is it not possible that debt service costs can be paid to CBN, only to be borrowed again? In every element of social justice and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, debt should be used for capital projects and human capital development. Still, the federal government used the ‘Ways and Means’ to cover its recurrent shortfalls. Nigeria might have distorted its fiscal structure.

The inability of the federal government to control itself regarding the continuous exploitation of the ‘Ways and Means’ facility may show a deeper problem of an Executive that cannot abide by its own rules. Such a scenario smacks of ‘Rule by Law’ (as opposed to ‘Rule of Law’), where laws and rules exist for everyone except those in government or those powerful enough to change the laws.

Over the years, different organizations have reiterated that the ‘Ways and Means’ advances significantly

impact devaluation and inflation as it continues to increase the money supply without commensurate asset backing. However, the 10th National Assembly, through its Appropriation Committee and Public Accounts Committees, did not apply the necessary oversight to ensure that the law was kept. It also means that the Executive can continue to break rules and use the National Assembly to validate such abuse at the end of the period. Between 2019 and 2022 (which mainly captured the 10th National Assembly), the ‘Ways and Means’ advanced to the federal government N18.3 trillion. This was 77% of the total amount securitized, which explains that every level of scrutiny was clearly suspended. Even if the Executive intended to approach the National Assembly, the former should have asked for an amendment of the relevant section of the CBN Act to allow for a larger threshold for the size of advances it aimed for.

Another critical point to note is that the volume of debt securitized was a stock and not a flow. What will happen to ‘Ways and Means’ that was obtained after the request to securitise the N23.7 trillion was made? What deterrence is in place to prevent future debt accumulation through ‘Ways and Means’?

Previous administrations have tried to limit national debt due to its potentially corrosive effect on public revenues (famous efforts such as the Paris Club exit in 2005 and its impact on sovereign risk ratings cum cost of borrowing). Previous administrations also expanded ‘buffer funds’ such as the Excess Crude Accounts and Sovereign Wealth Fund, which helped weather the Global Recession crisis. The current government suspended rules of fiscal prudence and leaned on the CBN beyond acceptable limits. This broke the independence of the Central Bank and made price stability its undesired target, as inflation galloped to 22% and gradually eased the national currency from being an assured store of value. It behoves the next administration to check the overwhelming presence of the monetary institution; else, we might continue on this irrecoverable slope where the apex bank is fully degraded to a mere federal government parastatal.

Oluseun Onigbinde is the co-founder of BudgIT, a civic organization focused on strengthening civic engagement and institutional accountability. This piece received contributions from Iniobong Usen, Vahyala Kwaga and Tosin Iseniyi.

L-R: Pastor, This Present House, Pastor Niyi Oshinubi; founder, Precious Sight Foundation UK, Mrs. Biyi Adewumi; a beneficiary, Mr. Ekene Nmuoeyebule; This Present House Pastor, Dele Balogun; Executive Director, DreamBank Foundation, Ms. Abolade BeBe Anthony;

L-R: Zonal Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers/NUPENG, Lagos Zone Command, Alhaji Gbolahan Saheed Adigun; National President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Akporaha Williams; Deputy Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Group, Bolatito Ajibode; and PTD /NUPENG Lagos Zone, Comrade Gbolahan Saheed Adigun during the official commissioning of Dangote Refinery in Lagos…. recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Strategy Director, Sifax Group, Oliver Omajuwa; Representative of Chairman, Sifax Group, Bode Ojeniyi; Representative of Director General of Nimasa, Olamide Odusanya; Principal Partner, Jean Anishere and co, Jean Anishere; and Key note speaker, Dr. Temisan Omatseye at the 5th edition of Taiwo Afolabi annual maritime conference held at University of Lagos…

and HOD, Outreaches, This Present House, Mr. Chiagozie Nwizu during a free eye screening medical outreach hosted by This Present House, in partnership with the DreamBank Foundation and Precious Sight Foundation UK in Lekki, Lagos…recently

L-R: Chair, Media and Publicity subcommittee, conference planning committee, 7th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Africa Conference on International Arbitration, Foluke Akinmoladun; Co-chair, conference planning committee, Jean Chiazor Anishere SAN; Co-chair, conference planning committee, Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN; Chair, ICC Nigeria Commission on Arbitration and ADR, Dorothy Ufot SAN; and Secretary general, ICC Nigeria, Bunmi Osuntuyi, during a press conference to announce the 7th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration in Lagos…. recntly

POLITY

Dangote Refinery: It’s Dawn of a New Era

Chidiebere Nwobodo

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard”.

This was one of the excerpts of the famous speech of President John F. Kennedy in 1962, titled: “We Choose the Moon”. In 1969, what began as thoughts expressed via a presidential speech, gave birth to Apollo 11 mission that saw United States of America, historically, put a man on the surface of the moon. It was the ultimate synchronisation vis-a-vis crystallisation of imagination, conceptualisation and belief that metamorphosed into an idea whose time had come. What seemed hitherto impossible became possible. Greatness is a long-short-way of hard choice, because at the beginning the journey usually appears endless and difficult—the reason only the brave and persistent reach the finish line.

In 2007, when it was obvious that the Federal Government’s privatisation initiative that would had seen a consortium led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, take over Port Harcourt and Kaduna moribund refineries had collapsed, it looked as if it was the end of the road for Dangote’s adventure into the oil and gas sector. He did not give up on the dream. The easier route to owing and running a petrochemical refinery had closed but the vision did not die, rather it incubated. Few years down the line, Alhaji Aliko Dangote decided to go to the moon of impossibility. He chose the harder path—to build from the scratch.

He conceived the idea to construct the biggest single train refinery in the world with 650,000 per day capacity. It appeared impossible to some people. Naysayers doubted. Conspiracy theorists went to work. But the owner of the vision was ready to see it to fruition, against all odds. Like Martin Luther King, Jr., postulated: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the entire staircase”. The veteran industrialist, Dangote, began the journey of thousands of miles he started with a bold step. Few years later, the vision, courage and resilience of one man has paid off, not only for the entire nation, but Sub-Sahara Africa.

Today, Nigerians in particular and Africans in general are overwhelmingly proud of this magnificent project. It is the dawn of a new era. A breath of fresh air. The light at the end of the tunnel. The much-awaited Dangote Petroleum Refinery is finally here—a reality. The Refinery is located in the Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, spanning an area of approximately 2,635 hectares, equivalent of seven times the size of Victoria Inland. The world’s largest single-train 650,000 bpd Refinery with 900 KTPA polypropylene plant. The implication, is that Dangote Petroleum Refinery can meet 100% of the nation’s domestic requirements and still have more for export. It has the capability to produce 53 million litres of gasoline per day; 34 million litres of Diesel per day; 10 million litres of kerosene per day, and 2 million litres of Aviation Jet1 fuel per day.

Dangote Refinery has its own power plant with installed capacity to generate more than 435 Mega Watts (MW) of electricity, that can meet total power needs of five states of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Kwara, respectively. Energy sufficiency for the entire Petrochemical Complex is already guaranteed. In fact, the power plant attached to the Refinery will play a major role increasing the nation’s generating capacity. In a bid to bring over dimensional cargoes close to the site directly, Dangote Group had to develop its own port and constructed two quays in the port with load bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/sq metre.

The Refinery has its own quarry—world’s largest granite quarry, built to supply coarse aggregate, stone column material, stone base, stone dust and material for break water, ten million tonnes per year production capacity. It is also designed to process large variety of crudes, including many of the African crudes, some of the Middle Eastern crudes and the United States’ light tight oil. One of the measures of a high capacity refinery is its storage capability.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery lives up to expecta-

tions in this area, because it boasts of 177 tanks with cumulative storage capacity of 4.7 billion litres.

It has largest sub-sea pipeline infrastructure in the world—1,100 kilometers—for crude supply. Its loading capacity is also topnotch with its tanker loading of 2,900, assuming it is based on trailer-tank capacity of 33,000 litres. Dangote Petrochemical Complex located at Lekki Free Trade Zone, FTZ, has been the biggest construction site in Sub-Sahara Africa since this project kicked off. With the combination of three-million-ton-per-year Dangote Fertiliser Plant with the 650,000 bpd Refinery, over 130,000 jobs will be created—making it the largest job concentration in Afr ica created by a private organisation.

Humongous projects like these are usually undertaken by sovereign nation not an individual or private organisation. Dangote Group has redefined standard in this aspect. It has blazed the trail and set a record that will be difficult to equal. Ironically, the two government-owned refineries the then consortium led by Alhaji Dangote wanted to take over, have been in sorry state of comatose seventeen years after the failed deal. It was a costly mistake on the part of then Administration to have reversed the privatisation without any justifiable argument. Nigeria has paid direly for such irrational decision. We became the only OPEC-member country importing refined petro-

leum products. The four government refineries with refining capacity of 445,000 bpd have been a shadow of what it ought to be, gulping billions of dollars in endless Turn Around Maintenance (TAM).

The age-long incapacitation in local refining created a bottomless pit of corruption called subsidy regime, where the nation has been hemorrhaging profusely by a cartel of economic saboteurs that has taken corruption to stratospheric level in the petroleum sector. It has been a vicious cycle of waste. Importation of petrol has really stretched the nation’s economic string beyond its elastic limit. Our foreign reserves has been seriously depleted, and this has limited the capacity of the apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, to stabilize the local currency, the naira. In 2022 alone, the nation spent $10 billion in petrol subsidy without much positive impact on the economy. These abnormalities have created uncertainties with its attendant vulnerability and volatility in the downstream sector.

An average Nigerian on the street is always terrified and worry-wary of when the next fuel scarcity will hit the town. Petrol sufficiency has eluded this nation for long; we are always few days away from the next scarcity, with its downward spiral of sufferings in the land. Festive seasons are usually riddled with petrol crises, turning supposed moments of celebration to groaning. Increments in petrol prices usually trigger inflation, simultaneously, thereby making life harder for already impoverished masses. Airlines in the country have really had their fair share of crisis as a result of perennial challenge of Aviation fuel scarcity. The list is limitless.

Like Winston Churchill propagated in his historic— The Finest Hour: “the darkest hour of the night is the closest to the dawn”. With the inauguration of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, it is the dawn of a new era. For the first time since independence, Nigeria will be self-sufficient in refined petroleum products. It will attract estimated $21 billion in revenue and save billions of dollars in the foreign reserve. The economic benefits that will emanate from this unprecedented project will be too numerous to mention. It will herald a paradigm shift from consumption to production, which is the hallmark of industrialisation.

During the inauguration of the Refinery, I read some funny but unfortunate innuendoes and conjectures made by a school of thought populated by naysayers and critics, alluding that Alhaji Aliko Dangote was able to accomplish this giant feat because of “favours” he got from the government. As laughable as it sounds, it resonates with an Igbo adage which opines that if a child fetches more firewood than his contemporaries, he will be accused of fetching his own in the evil forest.

It is obvious that Dangote has eaten the lunch of global oil marketers, subsidy scammers and Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) contractors, who never wanted the country to be self-sufficient in refining. He has ended monumental cesspit of corruption of unscrupulous petrol importers. He should not go to sleep because the oil cartel whose cashcow he is about to end might fight back via acts of sabotage.

As someone who started with trading and progressed to importation—to manufacturing over three decades ago, Alhaji Dangote, an astute investor cum industrialist who has written his name in the sky, and deserves all the accolades and encumiums he is getting today, because he believes that the greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it, apology to William James.

Nwobodo can be reached on chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

Dangote

It is obvious that Dangote has eaten the lunch of global oil marketers, subsidy scammers and Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) contractors, who never wanted the country to be self-sufficient in refining. He has ended monumental cesspit of corruption of unscrupulous petrol importers. He should not go to sleep because the oil cartel whose cashcow he is about to end might fight back via acts of sabotage

Samuel Chukwueze Torn Between St James’ Park and San Siro

With his contract just remaining a year andVillarreal not wanting to risk him leaving for free, Samuel Chukwueze’s days with El Madrigal are definitely numbered.What is however not definite is his next destination.While Newcastle are targeting the Super Eagle as a replacement for out of favour Allan Saint-Maximin, Italian giants - AC Milan are courting the winger for a summer move to the San Siro to boost their Champions League campaign

Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze may be plying his football trade at St. James’ Park next season, if reports emanating from Estadio Deportivo is anything to go by as the Magpies have expressed interest in the Villarreal’s winger as a potential candidate to fill Saint-Maximin’s boots.

Chukwueze, known for his electrifying pace and technical prowess, left a lasting impression earlier this season when he tormented Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, netting a memorable brace in Villarreal’s 3-2 victory.

Similar to Alexander Isak, Chukwueze possesses the ability to captivate spectators with his dazzling displays while maintaining an unwavering commitment to hard work.

The Nigerian winger has established himself as a veteran of the Spanish top flight, amassing over 200 appearances and contributing six goals and five assists in 34 La Liga matches this season.

With Chukwueze’s contract set to expire in a year, Villarreal may be compelled to offload him at a bargain price, presenting an enticing opportunity for Newcastle to secure his services.

As Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his squad for the challenges that lie ahead, acquiring a player of Chukwueze’s caliber would undoubtedly enhance the Magpies’ attacking prowess and reinforce their aspirations for success in the upcoming European campaign

Newcastle United’s impressive performance throughout the 2022/23 campaign

has positioned them for an exciting season ahead, one that may include Champions League football alongside their Premier League commitments.

As the Magpies set their sights on European competition, manager Howe faces the challenge of bolstering his team strategically.

Maintaining the team’s harmony and work ethic is crucial for Newcastle, as they aim to avoid disrupting the delicate equilibrium that has contributed to their success thus far.

Yet, with the impending departure of talented forward Allan Saint-Maximin, it becomes imperative to find a suitable replacement

Interestingly, AC Milan are considering making a summer move for the Villarreal winger.

According to Calcio Style, Milan have other options for the right-wing position but view the Nigerian as a more realistic target.

The player, who celebrated his 24th birthday last Monday, is valued at €20m and has one year remaining on his contract.

Villarreal will be looking to sell Chukwueze this summer instead of losing him for free next year.

He has notched six goals and five assists in 34 league outings for the Yellow Submarine this season.

Meanwhile, Chukwueze, posted an outstanding display in his 150th LaLiga appearance for the Yellow Submarines in their 1-1 draw at Valencia at the

Mestalla stadium.

The 24-year-old, who was making his 32nd league appearance of the season, was substituted for Gerard Moreno with nine minutes left to play.

He becomes the fourth Nigerian with the most LaLiga games after the trio of Ike Uche, Mutiu Adepoju and Finidi George.

Uche, who spent most of his European career in Spain playing for (Recreativo, Getafe, Zaragoza, Villarreal, Granada and Málaga) at different levels for 13 years made 193 appearances scoring 43 goals, making him the highest Nigerian scorer in the Spanish LaLiga.

Villarreal celebrated the Super Eagles forward for reaching 200 caps at the club.

His performances have proved key in helping the Yellow Submarine to fifth place in Laliga and a slim chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The club has now celebrated Chukwueze for reaching the landmark, giving him a jersey with the number 200.

He was celebrated alongside Yeremy Pino, Etienne Capo ue, and Dani Parejo, who reached 100 caps for the club.

Chukwueze has attracted some top clubs with his displays this season. He could be on his way out if Villarreal receive a good offer.

However, Real Madrid has reportedly made inquiries about the Nigerian winger following his impressive perfor-

mance against the Los Blancos earlier this month.

The 24-year-old Villarreal attacker caught the attention of Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez after scoring a brace in his team’s 3-2 victory over the Spanish giants at the Santiago-Bernabeu.

Renowned journalist Pedro Pablo Parrado (as per Maxifoot) revealed that Perez contacted Fernando Roig, Villarreal’s president, to inquire about Chukwueze’s availability.

Chukwueze possesses a transfer release clause set at €100 million, which could potentially be reduced to €80 million during the upcoming summer transfer window, as per several sources.

Real Madrid could be in the market to strengthen their attack in the summer.

Marco Asensio is out of contract and Carlo Ancelotti has said he “doesn’t care” if the forward sign a new deal. Eden Hazard’s future is also uncertain, with the Belgian struggling for minutes once again at the Bernabeu.

Chukwueze became the first player to complete seven dribbles in a LaLiga match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu (seven out of eight) since Lionel Messi in April 2017 (seven out of 11).

Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa have already expressed interest in securing the services of the promising player.

It however remains to be seen if Chukwueze will say goodbye to El Madrigal at the end of the season.

Samuel Chukwueze gave Bayern Munich left wing back, Alponso Davies a dose of his speed

IMC August NPFL Kickoff Date Sacrosanct, Says Owunmi

Kunle Adewale

It is very rare for the administrators of the league in Nigeria to stick to its proposed kickoff dates. Clubs have severally witnessed postponements of league dates, sometimes as many as thrice.

Against this backdrop however, the egg heads of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, have promised that the August date proposed for the kickoff of next season’s Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL would not change.

In an interview with THISDAY, IMC’s Head of Operations, Davidson Owunmi said the committee would stick to the date set for next season’s NPFL kickoff .

“We intend to start the league on schedule and end it at the right time. We didn’t just wake up and decide that the league will start in August. The committee has deliberated and is convinced that August is achievable for the league to start before making it public.

“Moreover, it will be to the disadvantage of our clubs representing the country in the continent not to be involved in league matches before playing continental games. This has been one of the major reasons why our clubs don’t do well in the continent and we want to forestall this, that is why we’re doing everything to ensure the leagues kicks off as scheduled,” Owunmi explained.

In spite of the fact that the recently concluded Abridged league was hailed in several quarters, the former Enugu Rangers striker said next season’s league would

be a straight league.

“The Abridged league was as a result of circumstances and it’s not something we would want to encourage. The plan of the IMC is to put up a league that will be of world standard. It is not something you see in developed countries and we will do everything not to encourage it here either,

“ the IMC Head of Operations noted.

Meanwhile, IMC has commended the 20 clubs that participated in the recently concluded NPFL Abridged league.

IMC chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye hailed the clubs for helping

Top Scorers

to achieve alignment with the international football calendar.

He also congratulated the Nigeria Referee Ass ociation for maintaining a high standard officiating throughout the season.

“We asked the referees to give us quality officiating which I can say today they reciprocated very much above average. It is part of our success story”, the IMC Chairman said.

“Today, I would like to commend the clubs for their understanding and subsequent cooperation with us in implementing our strategies to meet the terms of reference issued to the IMC.”

Six clubs will compete in the

Super Six playoffs which will hold from June 3-11 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Lagos to determine the overall winner of the league.

Rangers, Doma Utd Reenact NPFL Clashes in Fed Cup

Few weeks after Enugu Rangers and Doma United clashed in Group B of the Abridged Nigeria Premier League, NPFL, the two sides are again set for another confrontation in the quarter finals of the Federation Cup Chief coach of Rangers International F.C, Mbwas Mangut, has stated that the club’s quarter-final opponent in the Federation Cup 2023, Doma United F.C of Gombe, will pose some difficulties for his wards but assured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’ is determined to come out victorious.

Coach Mangut, who stood in for technical adviser, Abdul Maikaba, while fielding questions after his side’s 3-1 victory over NNL side, F.C Ebedei of Ekiti in the Round of 16 encounter that was completed on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, described the Federation Cup as a competition with a lot of surprises.

“We just overcame one of the surprise teams of the competition, F.C Ebedei

and they gave us a good match despite the score line. We showed more maturity and determination to win and got it. In the next round, we expect a much more difficult side, Doma United, which we played twice in the NPFL and saw the quality in them but we are much determined and focused to do the needful and pick the ticket to the semi-final,” stated the youthful tactician.

He further said, “Our players are in the best frame of mind to challenge any team remaining in the competition as we hope to use the competition to compensate for our not-too-impressive show in the NPFL. We understand that our opponent, Doma United. They are a mobile young side that can keep the ball and take their chances just similar to what we do but with the fire of determination burning within our players, we shall have the edge.”

Recall that Rangers edged past a

young and enterprising F.C Ebedei 3-1 in the round of 16 encounters that was completed on Thursday morning after heavy rains had forced match officials to half proceedings on Wednesday with coach Abdul Maikaba handing starts to Obinna Idika and Philip Clement as he kept faith with the side that was forced to a draw by Rivers United in the last NPFL encounter of the season.

Goals from Innocent Gabriel, Saidu Adamu, and Austin Onyemaechi in 5, 28, and 29 minutes were enough to cancel out Odekunle Musiliu’s 20th-minute effort to hand the sixtime champions of the competition a safe passage to the quarter-finals.

In the second half of the feisty encounter, chances fell for both sides to score goals but quality goalkeeping from both ends ensured that fans did not celebrate with Detan Ogundare’s double saves late into the match, outstanding.

George Etioo of Ebedei challenges Godwin Obaje of Rangers

Premier League Table

Battle for Survival as Curtain Falls on Premier League

With Manchester City having successfully defended the Premier League title and the top-four teams having emerged, attention will tomorrow shift to the three teams-Everton, Leicester City and Leeds United all with a fighting chance of escaping relegation.The big question therefore is which two teams would join Southampton in the English Championship next season

Everton head into their final day clash with Bournemouth knowing a win will keep them in the Premier League.

The Toffees have drifted into the relegation scrap again after a similar campaign in 2021/22, but the point at Wolves helped retain their two-point advantage over Leicester and matching the Foxes’ result at West Ham will be enough to avoid the drop.

Wins over Southampton and Leeds took Bournemouth up to 39 points, securing top flight safety, but three straight defeats have since followed.

Everton narrowly avoided relegation last season but are in a different boat this year with their safety yet to be secured. Their task is made slightly easier by facing a Bournemouth side firmly out of form. Only four teams have performed worse than the Cherries over the last six matches but the visitors will be playing with freedom at a tense Goodison Park and the Toffees may have to rely on other results to stay up.

An afternoon of great anxiety awaits on Merseyside.

Meanwhile, pivotal final-day Premier League showdown takes place in front of the raucous Elland Road faithful tomorrow afternoon, as Leeds United host Tottenham Hotspur.

The Whites simply need to win and hope for results elsewhere to go in their favour to save their top-flight bacon, while Ryan Mason’s side are in a three-horse race with Aston Villa and Brentford for a spot in the Europa Conference League.

Taking on a West Ham United side fatigued from their continental commitments, Leeds took a giant step above the dotted line when a sumptuous Rodrigo finish broke the deadlock at the London Stadium last weekend, but Sam Allardyce’s men were quickly dragged back into the doldrums.

Declan Rice restored parity for the Hammers just after the half-hour mark, before Jarrod Bowen just about kept himself

onside to poke home, and Manuel Lanzini put the cherry on the icing on the cake for the Europa Conference League finalists in added time to leave Leeds on the brink of demotion.

While showing plenty of fight in their defeat to Manchester City and draw with Newcastle United, Leeds have failed to do the most important thing in a relegation dogfight - put points on the board - and their fate lies out of their own hands with just 90 minutes left on the clock.

Sitting 19th in the table - level on points with Leicester City and two adrift of Everton - only victory will do for Leeds if they are to give themselves a chance of staying up, while they must simultaneously pray for West Ham to at least hold Leicester to a draw and for Bournemouth to beat Everton at Goodison Park.

Breaching opposing defences has not been the root of Leeds’ problems, as the Whites have made the net ripple in each of their last 12 Premier League affairs, but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in an unlucky 13 straight matches and will need more than good fortune to salvage their top-flight status now.

Leeds took the lead three times at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this season, but the Whites’ efforts were ultimately in vain in a 4-3 defeat. One can expect another glut of goals here, but too many flying past Joel Robles in the Leeds goal could spell the end of the hosts’ short-lived Premier League homecoming.

Even victory is not certain to save them, so Leicester City face a win-or-bust scenario on the Premier League’s final day, when they host West Ham United at the King Power Stadium.

The 2016 champions will be demoted should they fail to take maximum points on Sunday - and results elsewhere could condemn still them to the drop anyway. The Hammers, meanwhile, may have one eye on an upcoming European final.

While the verdict was out as to whether Leicester’s goalless draw at Newcastle United on Monday represented a good result in their precarious circumstances,

PREMIER LEAGUE

LA LIGA

the point Dean Smith’s side took home from St James’ Park leaves them with hope of top-flight survival.

Holding a Champions League-chasing side on home turf may build a little confidence in the camp following back-to-back losses for the concession of eight goals, but the Foxes’ fate is not in their own hands heading into the final 90 minutes of a dismal campaign.

Failure to win this weekend will see the Midlands club relegated from the Premier League just seven years after claiming the title under Claudio Ranieri, and they would become only the second side demoted from the division after winning it - following in the footsteps of Blackburn Rovers.

Only a win over West Ham allied to Everton dropping points against Bournemouth would now see City survive, so Smith’s message will be clear ahead of kickoff at the King Power.

Neither form nor precedent bode well, though, as Leicester have won just two of their last 12 home fixtures - losing eight times in the process - while failing to keep a single clean sheet. Furthermore, they have won their final league game in just one of the last seven seasons.

However, one of only four away wins this term came in November’s reverse fixture, when James Maddison and Harvey Barnes - who were both controversially dropped against New castle-scored fortheFoxesina2-0winat London Stadium. A repeat result now could be invaluable.

While West Ham’s Premier League season reaches its conclusion on Sunday, they are still over a week away from contesting the Europa Conference League final in Prague, where Fiorentina will stand in the way of some elusive silverware.

Victory in Leicester could see David Moyes and co climb to 13th in the final Premier League table, which would add a gloss of respectability to a season scarred by several months spent battling at the bottom.

Against the odds, Moyes has survived

Hot Shot

until the final day when all around him were being fired by trigger-happy chairmen, and as West Ham have lost their final league game just once in the last six seasons he will now seek a similarly positive outcome on Sunday.

As Caglar Soyuncu will not be available for Leicester’s crucial final-day contest, the Turkish defender has surely played his final game for the club - he is out of contract in the summer and has long been tipped for a move away.

In better news for Dean Smith, midfield regular Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is back in the fold after missing two matches with an ankle injury, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Ricardo Pereira and Jonny Evans have all overcome knocks to make themselves available for the Foxes’ date with destiny.

Wilfred Ndidi is still a major doubt due to a hamstring problem, though, and James Justin, Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand and goalkeeper Danny Ward are all sidelined.

After beginning Monday’s clash with Newcastle on the bench, both James Maddison and Harvey Barnes should return to the hosts’ starting XI as they revert to a four-man defence.

Alladyce

Dean Smith

Sean Dyche

Ebenyo Ready to Stop History-seeking Haji as Okpekpe Race Holds Today

Kenya runner, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, admitted yesterday he is in good shape to challenge for the men’s title in his debut at the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race which holds today in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The Kenyan is one of the top international elite athletes who will battle it out to be crowned the 2023 Okpekpe race champions.

Ebenyo, the 14th fastest man ever over the distance won the 10,000m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya 12 days ago.

He ran 59.52 to win the Istanbul half marathon two weeks earlier. “I feel good and ready to run a good race here. This is my first time here in Nigeria and Okpekpe,” said Ebenyo who revealed he will attempt breaking the 28.35 course record set in 2014.

“I ran 28:09 in Nairobi just over a week ago to prepare for this race. I think I can run faster than 28.35.” If Ebenyo succeeds, he will be returning Kenya to the podium as Okpekpe race champion after Ethiopia’s Yasin Haji won the race last year.

Haji is seeking to become the first man to successfully defend an Okpekpe race title and the 27-year-old looks ready to make history. He holds a lifetime best of 27:00 he set just last year and was just 20 seconds shy of equalling the feat when he ran in Herzogenaurach, in Germany late last month. This year’s race will be the first gold medal 10km road race in Nigeria.

It is the first road race to be granted a World Athletics label status in Nigeria.

Awka, Ijebu-Ode, Abuja, Akure to Host Last-eight Federation

Sunday’s quarter-final matches of this year’s men’s edition of NFF/TINGO Federation Cup competition will put the cities of Awka, Ijebu-Ode, Abuja and Akure on edge, with all eight teams eyeing tickets to the semi-finals.

Rangers International FC of Enugu, champions on several occasions, must watch it carefully against giant-killers Doma United of Gombe in what promises to

be an entertaining afternoon at the Akure Township Stadium.

In-form Bendel Insurance, who defeated Heartland FC by a lone goal in the Round of 16, will have their hands full against Sunshine Stars of Akure, victors over EFCC FC of Abuja, when both clash at the Awka Township Stadium.

Plateau United from Jos are up against Kwara United of Ilorin, who bumped Nasarawa United in the Round of 16, with

WAFU U20 Women Tourney

Argentina 2023: F’Eagles Target Group D Top Spot, Go for Victory against Brazil

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, will work hard to sustain its winning mentality by taking the fight to Brazil in today’s final match of Group D at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso yesterday expressed confidence that his charges can turn the table against the one team that has remained the Achilles heel of the seven-time African champions at the FIFA U20 World Cup.

level. We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time. We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate them, we certainly do not fear them.

both teams set to go for each other’s jugular at the Area 3 playing field in the Federal Capital, Abuja. Lobi Stars, 3-1 winners over Bendel Insurance Feeders in a match that was played over two days due to heavy downpour on the first day, will next try Warri Wolves, who sent packing Gombe United, for size. Venue is the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

Falconets Eye another Goal Rush against Burkina Faso

With a harvest of 13 goals from their two matches so far, in which they bagged maximum six points, Nigeria’s Falconets are looking forward to another goalhaul against their counterparts from Burkina Faso in Kumasi tomorrow.

The two-time World Cup silver-medallists are determined to take the wind off the sails of

the Burkina Faso dames when both teams clash at the WAFU B U20 Women Championship inside the Paa Joe Stadium.

Burkina Faso’s U20 girls turned back their counterparts from Niger Republic 8-0, only three days after the Falconets had trashed the same team 7-0.

Both Nigeria and Burkina Faso have reached the tournament’s

semi-finals, but the Falconets will insist on drawing the line between themselves and the fellow West African girls when the chips are down.

Both teams commence hostilities at the Paa Joe Stadium at 4pm, with Togo and Niger Republic also doing the same business from the same time at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Toney Diagnosed with Gambling Addiction, Place 13 Bets against Club

Ivan Toney placed 13 historical bets on his own club to lose and has been diagnosed with a gambling addiction, as the written reasons for his eightmonth ban were revealed by the FA.

In the written reasons explaining the eight-month ban the Brentford striker, 27, received last week for breaching the FA’s betting rules, it was also revealed:

126 bets were in matches in a competition in which Toney’s club had participated in or were eligible to participate in that season.

Of those 126 bets, 29 bets involved clubs Toney was registered with or on loan with at the time.

16 of those 29 bets were on Toney’s team to win 15 different matches - and Toney played in 11 of these games and was an unused substitute in another.

13 bets of the 29 bets were on Toney’s own team to lose in seven different matches between

August 22, 2017 and March 3, 2018 - but Toney did not play in any of those matches

11 of the 13 bets were against Newcastle while Toney was on loan at another club.

The other two bets related to a game between Wigan vs Aston Villa while Toney was on loan at Wigan but he was not part of the squad.

There was also a breach of FA Rule E8.2 on insider information when on March 29, 2018 Toney told a friend he would be starting in his club’s next match. Toney argued it was widely known he was likely to play but accepted it as a breach of the rules.

Toney admitted lying to investigators on more than one occasion after he initially denied he had bet on football.

The England international admitted 232 breaches of betting rules between February 2017 and January 2021 and was banned

from all football activity until 17 January and fined £50,000. He can return to training on 17 September.

According to the FA’s document, had Toney not pleaded guilty to the charges against him, the FA would have imposed a 15-month ban starting from the beginning of next season, “to properly reflect the seriousness of the offences admitted including betting on one’s own team to lose, albeit he was not playing”. By pleading guilty and showing “genuine remorse”, however, he is seen to have saved substantial time and cost, leading to a 25 per cent reduction to 11 months.

In addition, the independent commission found that “a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by [psychiatrist] Dr [Philip] Hopley”.

“Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this

“We have been able to fulfil our first objective for this championship: getting to the knockout stages. We will take it one match at a time from now onwards. We don’t want to take it easy and lose against Brazil; that will not be good for our winning mentality.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who is with the two-time World Cup silver medallists in Argentina, stated yesterday his belief that the Flying Eagles have the capacity to win and top their Group D. “Presently, Nigeria is the only team with six points in the group. Italy can beat Dominican Republic and also go to six points. So, with the minimum of a slight win or draw against Brazil, we will top the group. It is important to top the group and also to sustain our spirit of winning.”

18 Public Schools Jostle for Honours at PwC Chess4Change Competition

Eighteen public schools from four districts of Lagos State will be participating in this year’s edition of Chess4Change competition.

At a press briefing to herald the competition at the PwC training school, Victoria Island, organisers of the competition, Media Vision, said 18 schools comprising of three girls only schools, three boys only schools and 12 mixed schools will be participating in this year’s edition.

Four new schools would be making an entrance into the competition, which would be kick starting with a month of tutelage session from May 22 to June 21.

Speaking at the conference, Country Operations Partner, PwC, Pedro Omontuemhen said the company’s decision to choose only public schools to participate was deliberate.

“We are deliberate about the schools we choose. We

want to impact the society that is why we choose public schools as against private schools where the children of the rich attend.

“Three of the participants have gone abroad to compete. With chess we have been able to develop the children mentally and academically,” Omontuemhen said.

He however charged the students to take the game seriously.

Omontuemhen however stated that the Chess4Change competition has never been without challenges adding that convincing his senior colleagues to embrace it has been a big challenge for him.

The increase in prices of things generally in the country is another challenge PwC is facing as the company has to increase the budget earmarked for the competition yearly.

The attitude of some

school principals is another challenge Omontuemhen highlighted.

“Some of them don’t really appreciate the impact of Chess4Change on the students and their schools.

Speaking in the same vien, Vice President Nigeria Chess Federation, NCF, Adeyinka Adewole said chess is game as it improves the brain, helps in analysis and education.

“Anybody that plays chess is a serious-minded person. Chess can take you from nothing to something. The Chess4Change programme has been able to an internal master, which is the highest level in Nigeria. We hope it would produce a Grand Master in the nearest future,” Adewole expressed.

For Head of Marketing and Communication, PwC, Sylva Ifedigbo, Chess4Change is an initiative targeted at grooming future leaders.

150 Golfers Set for Captain’s Inaugural Tourney

As the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament tees-off today and tomorrow, no fewer than 150 golfers are taking part at the event.

The inaugural tournament is holding exactly a week after the club organised BCGS Lady Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament at the golf course, Benin-City, Edo State.

Secretary of the golf section, Victor Oriasotie, in a chat with sports writers stated that all roads will lead to the golf course as golfers across Nigeria will join their counterparts in Benin-City for the epic event.

Oriasotie hinted that the inaugural tournament being

organised by the Captain, Joseph Idahosa in conjunction with the BCGS Executive Committee would be keenly contested as trophies and prizes are at stake for winners and runners-up in different categories.

He revealed that today’s event will feature BCGS men’s hcp 19 - 28, ladies hcp 29 - 36, veteran and super veteran men’s and ladies. While Sunday’s event being the grand finale will feature BCGS men’s hcp 0 - 18, ladies hcp 0 - 28, guest men and guest ladies.

He affirmed that the club captain, Joseph Idahosa in his show of love organised tournament for the caddies and

trainee professional golfer on Wednesday as part of activities marking the inaugural tournament.

He said: “No fewer than 150 golfers from Ibori Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Asaba; Ogunu Golf Resort, Warri, Sapele Athletic Club Golf Section, Sapele Town, Delta State, UBTH Golf Club, Benin-City and many others are taking part at the two days event.

“The presentation of trophies and different prizes as well as dinner has been scheduled to hold later in the evening. Come and play in the home of golf and experience BCGS hospitality all through the tournament.”

Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (left) and the defending champion Yasin Haji in Auchi... yesterday

Flying Eagles on arrival in Buenos Aires

Jelani: New Auto Policy Provides Tax Relief to Investors

Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, MFR, has said that the recently approved Nigeria Automotive Policy will provide a better operating environment for auto industry players in the country and engender the Industry’s growth.

The DG made this remark in a paper presented at the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the Director General, who was represented at the event by a Deputy Director of the Council, Segun Omisore, “The federal government has recently approved the new Auto policy 2023 to 2033, the objectives of the new policy include, among others; the provision of a legal framework for the development of a competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Nigeria.

“Create an environment that allows existing Assembly Plants to survive, grow and attract

other original equipment manufacturers, and local content suppliers Facilitate transfer of technical know-how and technological skills for the development of the automotive industry.”

Jelani also noted that the new Automotive policy will “Position Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem as a leading center for automotive production in Africa.”

He added that the “Policy promotes incentives which includes additional tax relief for 5 years for Assemblers or manufacturers of automotive components and products, 10 years for assemblers/manufacturers of electric vehicles and components used in electric vehicles and many other incentives provided.”

The NADDC boss assured that on the part of the Council as a regulatory agency of the Auto Industry, “We will continue to support all our stakeholders in the development of the industry by

TIPS OF THE WEEK

10 Transmission Symptoms Every Car Owner Should Know About

If you own a car, you need to be aware of any potential transmission problems. Here are some common transmission symptoms you should fix before it’s too late. Automotive transmission problems can run the gamut in severity and in repair cost. Minor transmission repairs involve replacing defective solenoids, re-sealing for leaks, replacing parts, and throttle cable adjustment. Major transmission repair requires disassembling, inspection, cleaning, and rebuilding. It’s labour intensive and cost prohibitive.

Luckily, transmission failure doesn’t usually happen without warning. There are several warning signs that your transmission is going out.

Here are 10 transmission symptoms to keep in the back of your mind.

1. Weird Smells

Road trips are full of weird smells, but if any of them seem to be coming from your engine, pay attention. If you notice a burning smell, it’s a sure sign something’s not working right.

As transmission fluid runs low or degrades, it overheats and starts to burn. This makes your engine run hot, which contributes to early wear, excess debris, and corrosion.

providing the necessary policy framework and the Investment Promotion incentives to support the industry” as the new policy... provides policy direction and investment electric and gas-powered vehicles development in Nigeria.”

Acknowledging that there are challenges low grade used vehicles through our borders, the depreciation of naira value/scarcity of foreign exchange and the absence of dedicated in Nigeria to provide low interest vehicle Jelani expressed optimism over the future of the industry.

Commending the organiser of the event, BtoB Event, he added that “The importance of this Show cannot be overemphasized. I want to congratulate the Managing Director of BtoB Events Ltd for coming up with this event, I assure you of the council’s immense support to this great event.”

MINI John Cooper Works Limited to 999 Units

With 231 hp and concentrated racing know-how, the MINI John Cooper Works symbolizes maximum driving pleasure with an authentic motorsport feeling. Now, limited to 999 units, the MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition is bringing the purist high-performance model with manual transmission onto the road.

The performance-enhanced MINI John Cooper Works models have always been the brand’s top athletes and maximize that brand-typical go-kart feeling. The MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition (combined fuel consumption: 7.1 — 6.8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 162 — 156 g/km in accordance with WLTP), limited to 999 units worldwide, accentuates the powerful sportiness of the drivetrain in a particularly authentic way.

“The MINI John Cooper Works models have their roots in motorsport. With the MINI John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition, we are celebrating MINI’s legendary motorsport history and maximizing the brand-typical driving experience,” says Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI.

The manual 6-speed transmission makes the MINI John Cooper Works a special highperformance model. Together with the standard stainless-steel pedals, the mechanical manual transmission underlines the dynamic response of the drive and stands for the exciting race feeling of the MINI John Cooper Works.

give the vehicle an untamed appearance. The brand-typical side scuttles as well as Piano Black.

From the bonnet to the aerodynamic rear center-running Bonnet Stripe with editionhistory. The MINI John Cooper Works 1to6

Other causes of burning smells include trapped plastic, dripping antifreeze, or a melting heater core. You should always get a burning smell checked out, no matter the cause.

2. Strange Sounds

Car breakdowns in the movies are always accompanied by clunking sounds, whether it’s a flat tire or a faulty starter. In this case, the movies didn’t lie. Strange sounds can mean transmission trouble.

Don’t pass off abrupt changes in your driving soundtrack with a cursory, “well, that’s new.” Clunking, humming or whining sounds are signs of automatic transmission problems. Faulty manual transmissions will also give off loud machinelike sounds that seem to come out of nowhere.

A clunking noise when you shift gears is a telltale transmission situation. Have a mechanic look it over.

3. Noisiness

Excess noisiness may also indicate a problem. A noisy, bumping sound when your car is in neutral requires an engine check.

The solution is usually pretty simple. It might be low fluid. It could also be that the wrong fluid type was used, and it’s not doing the job. On the other hand, it could be a problem with your bearings or gear teeth, which may need replacements.

4. Check Engine Light

Though many drivers are used to ignoring a chronic check engine light, there are times to take it seriously. A red or blinking light is trying to alert you to an urgent problem.

Sensors all around your vehicle can trip the warning system. Even something as inconsequential as a loose gas cap can set it off.

When the transmission sensors set off the check engine light, it’s a cause for concern. The sensors detect minute jerks and tremors that you wouldn’t otherwise notice. Don’t wait until you do notice them when a simple diagnostic scan could give you peace of mind.

5. No Response

A functioning transmission will slide right into the proper gear. If your car is hesitating or giving you no response, something’s wrong, and it’s often the transmission.

In a manual vehicle, this delayed shifting is accompanied by an RPM surge and engine noise that doesn’t match your speed. It might just be your clutch, but the only way to know for sure is to take it in for service.

6. Fluid Leak

There are 6 main fluids in your vehicle. They lubricate, cool, and help you steer, brake, and clear your windshield.

If your fluids leak or break down and you don’t replace them fast enough, your engine can’t work properly.

(Source:AAMCO).)

Vehicle assembly plant in Nigeria

The MINI John Cooper Works driving experience with a 6-speed manual transmission gives the 1to6 Edition its name. Limited edition with puristic design details. Even from the outside, the MINI John Cooper Works in the 1to6 Edition signals individual style and exceptional performance. The front end is characterized by the radiator grille with the tried and tested large air inlets for optimal temperature control of the engine and brakes and a surrounding completely in Piano Black. In combination with the elegant Midnight Black body color, the elegant black design details

Edition embodies the vehicle’s irrepressible desire for freedom — on the racetrack or in everyday life.

Mercedes-Benz Positions as Leading Manufacturer of Light Commercial Vehicles

Mercedes-Benz Vans has outlined its focused strategy to target profitable growth in the private and commercial van segments. Key goals of the strategy include: further strengthening the brand’s position in the upper market segments, raising ambition levels for cost and industrial competitiveness, and leading the industry in electric drive technology and digital experience. As a very successful and fully integrated business unit within Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Vans is the founder and innovator of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment – the segment that bridges cars and trucks. Some 30 years ago, it created the “Sprinter” segment, and still today the Sprinter is the flagship of the portfolio. Mercedes-Benz Vans was also a frontrunner in electric vans: In 2010, the division introduced its first electric series production van in Europe, the Vito E-CELL. Now, Mercedes- Benz Vans offers fully electric variants in every segment, from small over midsize to large vans in Europe and China and earlier this year revealed the fully electric eSprinter in North America. With more than

40,000 eVans already sold worldwide, Mercedes-Benz Vans is targeting strong growth and an EV share of up to 20% by 2026 and more than 50% by 2030.

“Our strategic plan for Mercedes-Benz is clear: leveraging technology and the power of our brand to elevate our market positioning and profitability. This applies not only to our luxury car business but also to our strategy for Vans. Vans is a successful, fully integrated business division within Mercedes-Benz with the freedom to make all the decisions necessary to cater to the individual needs of its customers.

At the same time, the Vans business has full access to and the benefits from technology- and innovationsharing with our cars business. Vans operates in an attractive business and enjoys a unique premium market position, enabling it to deliver strong returns that complement our luxury car business.”

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

“As the leader of the premium van segment, it is our goal to offer our customers the most desirable vans and services. Today, we offer exceptional technology, outstanding reliability, and tailored solutions for customers across profitable markets and industries.

Lexus Driving Reimagined With Launch of RZ Battery Electric SUV

The next chapter of the Lexus Electrified Vision has arrived with the launch of the all-new RZ battery-electric SUV, the first Lexus BEV built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform.

Following the successful launch of the first Lexus BEV - the UX 300e in late 2021 - the RZ brings Lexus a step closer in its aim of offering a fully-electrified range of Hybrid, PHEV and BEV luxury vehicles in Australia by 2030.

The new electric powertrain with e-Axle electric motors and DIRECT4 all-wheel drive adds to the renowned Lexus elements of luxurious takumi craftsmanship and impeccable build quality.

Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Pappas said the new RZ retains all the signature Lexus elements customers have come to appreciate, but now with zero exhaust emissions.

“Lexus designers have worked to ensure the all-new RZ maintains the famous

Lexus benchmarks of exceptional luxury and dynamic driving faithful to the Lexus Driving Signature,” Mr Pappas said.

“The RZ is the right vehicle for those wanting a luxury SUV evoking the feeling of Lexus driving with the addition of a smooth and quiet battery-electric powertrain.”

The RZ launches in Australia with the choice of two grades, starting with the 450e Luxury variant from $123,0001 plus on-road costs. The flagship 450e Sports Luxury asks $135,0001.

Both variants are powered by the same compact and efficient 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery, deploying 230kW of power and 435Nm of instant torque to all four wheels and a driving range of 470km2.

Instant torque and all-wheel traction allows the RZ to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.

All RZ grades come as standard with an 11kW on-board charger, which can recharge the vehicle in approximately 6.5 hours when connected to a three-phase power supply.

My Cycling Phobia

Did you know that I own a bike? Did you also know that this bike dates back to when the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, initiated the promote non-motorized transportation in Nigeria in 2014?

I am talking about the era when one of my adored politicians from the East and the former Transport Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe held sway as the bicycle transportation exponent. Would you be shocked if I confessed to you that since 2014 when I bought the bike and managed to ride along with my colleagues, my bike has become a souvenir?

Each time I am deployed, my bike moves alongside. Yet, it merely adorns my living room. The nearest I have done in putting the bike to use is to gauge the bike to be sure that the tyres are in good shape. My phobia worsens each time I spot Chidinma, my friend’s wife biking while I am busy with my usual morning routine walk

It was therefore not strange when on Monday this week at the commencement of the 7th United Nations Global Road Safety Week tagged sustainable Transport, a team comprising the World Health Organisation, Dr Sydney Ibeanusi, the National Focal Person and Country Director, United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety and Injury Prevention among others paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Corps.

SAFE DRIVING with

In particular the shift is on the need for walking, cycling and using public transport. While they were addressing the gathering, I confessed to my colleague that nothing will compel me to take my bike out to ride unless within my estate or when rapture takes place as we are told in the Holy Bible.

If you are worried about me, please hold your cycling before dwelling on the worries of the Corps which have been expressed sarcastically by some concerned road users. Basically, we acknowledge the need for the appropriate infrastructure to be put in place such as the appropriate bicycle lanes among others. I hope to deal with others in my conclusion.

Despite my personal phobia which does not me to allow Dr Sydney Ibeanusi of the Federal

Minister of Health to guide us on why we must

According to him, research shows that a 15 minutes vigorous activity a day increases lifespan by three years. At a slower pace, about 30 minutes is required has been shown to reduce obesity, improve oxygen capacity, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and improve other heart functions. While acknowledging riding, he said that most studies are from global Literature.

A Study from King’s College London compared over 2,400 identical twins. Those who did the equivalent of three to 45 minute ride a week were nine years ‘biologically younger’ even after discounting other potential confounders, such as body mass index (BMI) and smoking.

Dr Lynn Cherkas, the lead researcher, concluded that “Those who exercise regularly are at type two diabetes, all types of cancer, high blood pressure and obesity. “The body becomes much

to improve the life expectancy in Nigeria which by 2012 estimation by the WHO stands at about 50 years. In Places with the highest longevity such as Japan, a good number of people indulge in the Improved Cardiac (Heart) Function & Preventing

Recharging to 80 per cent capacity cuts the waiting time to just 30 minutes when hooked up to a DC fast charger.3.

The RZ is underpinned by the rigid and sophisticated e-TNGA platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles; providing a low centre of gravity, excellent handling balance and a long wheelbase.

Nearly two decades of Lexus expertise in battery and hybrid technology has been poured into the RZ 450e, resulting in a battery designed to perform at the highest levels and backed with a leading 10-year/unlimited kms warranty4.

A pair of electric e-Axles are mounted at the front and rear of the RZ; each comprising a motor, gearing and Power Control Unit (PCU) to calculate and instantly distribute infinitely variable power to each individual wheel.

The e-Axles operate in harmony with the Lexus DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system that constantly processes information including vehicle speed, steering angle and G-forces to best deploy motor torque.

Cardiovascular Dxs. Studies from Purdue University in the United States show that regular cycling can cut your risk of heart disease by 50 percent. Similar Heart Study.

percent in the risk of the faster cyclists dying from a heart attack during a 30 minute daily session of cycling. The British Heart Foundation found that 10,000 fatal heart attacks are avoided each year reduces your risk of heart disease to less than 50 percent, (such as stroke, high BP and heart attack. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels. Riding a bike like I did, Boosts PULMONARY/LUNG FXN. An adult cycling uses 10 times the oxygen they would need to sit in front of the Television for the same period. Regular cycling will help strengthen your cardiovascular system over time, enabling getting more oxygen where it’s needed, quicker. This means that you can do more exercise for

At a time and age when diabetes is rampant, those who ride are at less risk of Diabetes. The rate of type 2 diabetes is increasing and is a serious public health concern. Lack of physical activity is thought to be a major reason why people develop this condition. Large- scale research in Finland found that people who cycled for more than 30 minutes per day had a 40 per cent lower risk of developing diabetes. Cancer: Cycle away from “the big C” (Cancer).

Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

Mercedes-Benz Vans

Lexus RZ battery-electric SUV

Buhari Knocks Opposition for Giving International Community False Impression About 2023 Polls

SaysNigeria’sdemocracyworthdefending

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has blasted opposition parties for creating the impression of incompetent party leadership, and chaotic elections to the international community during the recent general elections in the country.

He also highlighted the success of the 2023 poll at both the national and state levels.

The President, who spoke yesterday at the launch

of the book ‘A Promise Kept, A Compendium Of Of Muhammadu Buhari Administration 2015-2023’, held at the council chambers of the State House, Abuja, said “I think I was expecting too much. When I was in Doha, meeting with some heads of states, I was getting calls from Europe, America and Nigeria, congratulating us on the success of elections.

“The opposition has created the impression outside the country that we are going

into a mess because we have incompetent leadership of the party.

“They were overwhelmed that the election came and went and both at the centre and at the states, fantastic.

“How can 10 sitting governors of states lose their constituencies, this has been unprecedented.

“So I congratulate you, the national working committee and others here, that we have really proved that democracy is worth defending.

“Nigerians have understood

Inauguration: Air Force Jets, Police Helicopters in Aerial Surveillance

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

WORKING TOGETHER…

it now, otherwise how can they vote against their sitting governors stopping them from going to the senate to rest?

“So they were really overwhelmed and I congratulated our political development.

Please congratulate your constituencies, it means that even though you have excess money, they will collect and put in their pockets but they will elect the person they trust from any constituency, either House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate until it comes to the president itself.

Ahead of the May 29 presidential inauguration, Nigerian Air Force Jets and Police helicopters have sustained aerial surveillance of the nation’s capital. THISDAY checks showed that tight security measures were emplaced by security forces including intelligence agencies to ensure a safe, secure and successful handover of power.

A security cordon was also thrown around the entry and exit points of the territory in a joint security operation involving the military, police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other intelligence agencies.

Terrorists Kill 22 Farmers in Zamfara

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have massacred no fewer than 22 farmers in Gidan-Goga community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A top government source in the state who confirmed the incident to THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday

night, said the terrorists killed the farmers while working on their farms.

He explained that the farmers were working on their farms at different locations in the community when the terrorists surfaced suddenly and started shooting at anyone in sight.

He said: “They (terrorists) attacked the farmers with sophisticated weapons riding

on motorcycles when they were cultivating their farmlands last Wednesday with the intention of abducting some of them.

“But having realised that the farmers started running helter skelter, they began to shoot them one after the other and as I am talking to you now, we have 22 bodies who were brutally killed by the terrorists.”

The source reiterated that

48 Hours to Inauguration

The senior lawyer informed the Court that none of the primary election that produced the President-elect but chose to harass, intimidate and irritate Tinubu through a frivolous suit.

Fagbemi, further argued that the litigants engaged in gross abuse of court by their multiple cases against Tinubu and the APC in various courts without any reasonable cause of action.

Atiku: S’Court Decision Will

The Presidential candidate of the PDP in the February 25 Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar yesterday said that the dismissal of the suit on double nomination against Shettima will the Presidential Election Tribunal. He said his legal team will robustly defend his petition, describing the Presidential

Election as manifestly fraudulent.

Atiku maintained that the Presidential Election did not mèet the set guidelines for the election.

Atiku, who took to his twitter handle said, “The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the case of setback to my quest for justice.

“Our legal team is primed to robustly prove that the election of February 25 was fraudulent, did not comply with the constitutional requirements and the electoral guidelines…”

The federal government has declared next Monday work free for all workers in the country, to commemorate the inauguration of the nation’s 16th President.

The declaration was made yesterday by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Abuja in a statement on behalf

some villagers, who were angry over the incident, mobilised and confronted the suspected terrorists but couldn’t avail, leading to some villagers sustaining varying gunshot injuries. He said dozens of residents of the community, especially women and children, have fled their ancestral homes to nearby communities and towns perceived to be safe in the state.

Cont’dfrompage5

of the federal government.

The Minister, in the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, felicitated with all Nigerians on the momentous occasion, commending them for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide election that produced the President and his Deputy that would be inaugurated, and other elected representatives across the states. He enjoined them to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions.

Buhari Directs Outgoing President Buhari has directed their assets.

In a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, Buhari said his strict adherence to the

constitutional requirement of assets declaration before and at strengthening best practices.

Speaking in Abuja after collecting his form from Isah Mohammed, chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Buhari said no one was excluded from the constitutional duty of assets declaration.

The president noted that asset declaration raises moral standards in public service and helps to build integrity and combat corruption.

Buhari said: “I signed, collected and acknowledged receiving my form. From here, I will ask my bank manager in Kaduna to show me what has gone in and out of my account.

“Nobody is excluded from declaring their assets. I expect everyone from the Vice-President downwards to follow the system.”

The DSS, had, Thursday, warned subversive elements plotting to scuttle the handover to desist from doing so as the security agencies were determined to ensure a successful transfer of power.

A statement by DSS said the agency was aware of plans by subversive elements to disrupt the programmes in parts of the country.

“The aim is to undermine secupeaceful ceremonies as well as creating panic and fear among members of the public,” it said. The federal government had also directed security agencies Complexes, notably, Phases l, Il, Ill and Ministry of Foreign

Indefinite Strike: JOHESU Insists on Pharmacists Consultant Cadre Approval

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has insisted on the immediate and unconditional implementation of the approved Consultation Cadre Circular of Pharmacists in all Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) as a key issue that must be addressed by the government before the strike would be called off.

The Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Dr. Ogbonna Chimela, while explaining some of the reasons the professionals under the auspices of JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) embarked on indefinite strike, decried what he described as ‘disgraceful methodology’ with which physicians with the support of the Health Ministers have suppressed

efforts of non-physician health professionals to diversify and expand their knowledge.

“One of the areas that has showcased the reign of tyranny of Physician – Health Minister in contemporary times is the disgraceful methodology with which they have suppressed every attempt of non-physician health professionals to diversify and expand their knowledge base by refusing to accord them recognition when they bag Post-graduate Degrees and Fellowship,’’ he said.

“In 2021, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, gave directives to the UCH, Ibadan Board to terminate the Consultant status of all non-physician health professionals.’’

Wike Urges FG to Increase Funding to Police

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has urged the federal government to increase funding to the Nigeria police to enable it perform better.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Police Tactical Operations Centre in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area yesterday, Wike maintained that any government that cannot protect life and property, fight crime and make people live happily does not have any business in governance.

He said his administration understands such importance and had unrelentingly provided necessary logistics to the state police command, to strengthen the capacity of police officers to do their best in keeping crime rate at its lowest level in Rivers State.

“Ours is to provide the necessary logistics and allow the police and other sister agencies to carry out their function. When you provide the enabling and conducive environment, obviously officers and men of the security agencies will put in their best.

How Nigeria Loses Over N104bn Annually to Imported Energy Drinks

A consumer rights protection group, Concerned Consumers (CC), has alerted relevant authorities and the general public on the compelling urgency to stop importation of energy drinks into the country.

Reeling out figures to support their call for a ban on imported energy drink brands, the CC Convener and Co-Convener, Messrs Olufemi Odebunmi, Convener and Rufai Rimi respectively argued that over 300,000 Nigerians would have been fully and gainfully employed if the market was allowed to grow indigenously.

They estimated that an average number of between 1,800 and 2,000

containers of energy drinks are imported into the country annually. With each container consisting of 2,600 cases, at the going price of between N18,000 and N20,000 per case, the estimated loss to the country is over N104 billion annually.

Bemoaning the unpalatable effects of the imported energy drink, the CC officials said if the trade continues unchecked, it will lead to closure of local industries leading to massive loss of jobs, increase in the high rate of unemployment and scarcity of the much-needed foreign exchange, allowing the Naira to further depreciated.

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

L-R:Deputy Comptroller General, Finance, Mrs. Caroline Wuruola; NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari; Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, GM, Government Affairs, NNPC Limited, Dr. Bunu Bashiru and Deputy Comptroller General, Human Resources, Babangida Usman during a courtesy call on the GMD NNPC Ltd... recently

ALL SET FOR CHANGE…

Obasanjo Harps on Reconciliation, Seeks End to Agitations in Nigeria

SaysNigeria’sdemocracyworthdefending

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Former president Olusagun Obasanjo has noted the need for genuine reconciliation in all fronts of the country, calling for an attention on the causes of the incessant agitations and protests in the country.

Obasanjo, who spoke yesterday at the book presentation

-’Witness to Reconciliation: Myonciliation in Ogoni’, authored by Bishop of Diocese of Sokoto,

Harcourt, said the failure to attend to issues that require urgent attention is the bane of

was also in attendance at the event, while the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike hosted the event.

Speaking, the former president stressed that there is no human disagreement that cannot be resolved through dialogue.

To this end, he enjoined Ogoni

people to continue to strive for peace and reconciliation.

Obasanjo said the government must have the courage and the political will to address pressing issues in order to forestall the agitations.

He described Kukah as ‘meticulous’, adding that the book was borne out of his experience as Secretary of the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Ogoni/Shell Reconciliation Committee.

Osunbor, Okorocha, Others Canvass Way Forward for 10th Senate

Former governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, has with a bicameral legislature other than a unicameral legislature.

Senator E.A. Lamai Memorial Lecture in Abuja with the theme ‘Nigerian Senate and the Quest for Nation Building: 1st-4th Republic’.

Lamai, a First Republic Senator from Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State, passed away on May 14, 2009.

The event organised by the Senator Ekpemoriri Akhagbemhe Lamai Foundation, had in attendance, former Chief Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; former Governor of Edo State and Senator-elect, Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole; former Governor of Imo State and senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha; and former Minister of Works and Housing and former Senator representing Borno North, Senator Sanusi Daggash.

According to Obasanjo, “The aim of the excursion which brought about the book we are presenting today is not leaving situation that needs attention unattended to.

“This is very important in any human organisation and any human relation and interaction. The situation in Ogoni land had gone from bad to worse, particularly after the Justice issue of the situation of Ogoni land featured prominently.

Makinde, Ugwuanyi, Fayemi to Inaugurate Projects in Abia Today

Charles Ajunwa

The governors of Oyo, Enugu states and their former counterpart in Ekiti State, Seyi Makinde, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Kayode Fayemi respectively will today completed by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

A statement by the Abia Onyebuchi Ememanka, said this is part of activities leading to the end of the administration of Governor Ikpeazu.

As Governor Makinde will be inaugurating the Multi Specialist Hospital Complex Aba, Governor Ugwuanyi will inaugurate the Enyimba Automated Garment Factory, while former governor of Ekiti aand former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Fayemi will inaugurate the iconic new Government House Complex Umuahia, all completed by the administration of Governor Ikpeazu. The events will commence by 12 noon.

On Sunday, May 28, there will be a church service at the Chapel of the new Government House, Umuahia by 8a.m., followed by an interaction between the Governor and select journalists at the new Government House Umuahia.

The same day, there will be a Valedictory Meeting of the State Executive Council at the new Government House Umuahia.

Thereafter, Governor Ikpeazu will embark on the inauguration of internal roads at the Abia State University, Umuahia

Campus, the Umuihe Health Centre, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, the A Line, Ariaria International Market in Aba, and Faulks Road, Aba.

On Monday, May 29, Governor Ikpeazu will give a statewide Farewell Broadcast by 7a.m.

Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, described Governor Ikpeazu as a humble leader who gave his very best adding, “He came, he saw and he conquered.”

Adebayo: Minister of State is Unconstitutional, Keyamo is Right Institute Dispels Artificial Intelligence Threat to Job Loss

The candidate of the Social the February 25 presidential Adebayo has said he is on the same page with the outgoing Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo that the position of Minister of State is a constitutional misnomer, as the constitution has no provision for such.

Adebayo, however, said he found it strange that Keyamo, having known the truth, accepted the illegal appointment and only to point it out after serving out his tenure.

Keyamo had penultimate Wednesday during the

valedictory session presided mark the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, said it is an aberration to appoint a Minister of State. He noted that some other ministers of states have been grumbling and unable to be bold and speak out. He said the individual performances of the Ministers of State since their discretion was shackled under the discretion of the Ministers as any original ideas developed by a Minister of State are subject to clearance by another colleague in Cabinet before they can sail through for consideration by Council.

Mary Nnah

The leading management has assured young Africans who are afraid of losing their jobs to the invention and usthat their jobs are secured.

This was contained in a statement signed by Joanna Baidu, Youth Lead, Management Institute and made available to the media.

In the statement, Baidu said that “Concerns around the use of AI, from its

potential misuse and ethical implications to the balance

of innovation vs. disruption, have been swirling since There is great unease at the thought of AI replacing jobs.”

Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts that 300 million jobs will be lost or degraded by AI.

The World Economic Forum found that the global economy will shed 14 million as the economy weakens and companies boost the adoption of AI technologies. She said, “Students across various educational institutions have good reasons to be anxious,” adding that.

Senatorial District, Senator Victor Ministry of Federal Capital TerAliu, amongst others.

Osunbor said that the Senate, being part of the legislative arm of government, has the distinct feature of being the arm of government that is closest to the people.

He added that the constituents, the public, have easy access to their senators than they would have to their governor or even the president or vice president or deputy governor.

“So, the senators are more accessible to the people. They are closer to the people, more accountable to the people. And as the professor has said, the senators represent a bastion of democracy. They are the engine room, the think-tank of democracy.

Also in attendance were the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Francis Alimhikhena; a former Senator representing Edo North

“And it is good because the legislature, perhaps, is arms of government because for the executive to function, there must be laws that are passed by the legislative arm of government and of course, the judiciary interprets laws that are made by the legislative arm, of course, in addition to the constitutional provisions which are not exclusive to the Senate.

Over 250 Exhibitors Expected at Food & Beverage West Africa

Food & Beverage West Africa

first ever trade event requiring four exhibition halls next month.

Taking place at the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos, the international show has expanded dramatically since being launched in 2018. With more than 250 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors expected to attend.

FABWA will be the first event to occupy the newly built additional show halls when the exhibition opens on Tuesday June 13, for three days.

One reason for more space is the presence of eight countries’ pavilions with delegations coming

LEAP Africa, International Youth Foundation

Launch New Fund for Innovators

Sunday Okobi

leadership development organisation, and the International Youth development organisation, have entered into a partnership to launch the Youth Enterprise

Both groups in positive youth Africa to resurrect their historic partnership to implement new and innovative approaches that leverage their shared expertise.

Technical Advisor, Youth Agency and Engagement at the IYF, United States, Sarah Jonson, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday said: “When support the strengthening of their work together really focused on building the skills of young social entrepreneurs, facilitating access to networks and resources for youth-led projects,

from Dubai, Indonesia, Russia, and India.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

L-R: Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Alex Otti, members of the Transition Committee, Chief Jonah Ike and Dr. Leo Ogba, at the presentation of report from Governor-elect’s Transition Committee in Aba...recently

Afe Babalola on FG’s Loans

“The type of elections being held in the country cannot produce the right people. If we had the right people in the National Assembly, they would have instantly turned down the request of President Buhari to borrow $800 million” –Afe Babalola, SAN, chastising the National Assembly for approving fresh loan for President Muhammadu Buhari.

AUSTINOKOLIE

GUEST COLUMNIST

Mbah and NYSC: All Not Correct, DG Sir!

Let me start by congratulating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on its 50th anniversary. It is a scheme many of us passed through with fond memories. Many have also recounted their sad experiences, for although nobly conceived, the scheme has been blighted by many Nigerian factors, including poor organisation, ineptitude, corruption, and government’s failure to tap into the infinite potentials of the programme for national unity and development.

I watched the NYSC at 50 interview of the agency’s Director-General (DG), Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, on Arise News. Whereas many of us saw the discharge certificate controversy of the Governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, as an opportunity for the NYSC to cure the maladies of dereliction, corruption, and analogue system that afflict the otherwise brilliantly conceived scheme, the dismissive manner the DG disclaimed Mbah’s certificate without adducing any facts from any investigation to back his claim, shows the opportunity has been blown.

If we take away politics, Mbah vs. NYSC drama exposes the rot in every sphere of the Nigerian system; and it can happen to any other Nigerian. Just to refresh our memories, available documents in the processes he filed in court in his N20 Billion lawsuit against the NYSC, shows that he was mobilised for the National youth service vide a call up letter, with serial number 01134613 (Ref. No. NYSC/ FRN/2001/800351), asking him to report at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Lagos. After the orientation, the NYSC posted him to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Apapa Quays for his primary assignment vide a letter dated 28th January 2002. But he was rejected by the NPA and was therefore again reposted to Udeh & Associates vide an NYSC letter dated 6th March 2002. Udeh & Associates accepted him and confirmed his assumption of primary assignment vide a letter to the Lagos State Director of the NYSC in a letter dated 11th March 2002.

Other critical documents front-loaded to the court by Mbah include his application to the NYSC dated 20th June 2002 to be allowed to go back to the Nigerian Law School for his Bar Part II (He had earlier done Bar Part I as a graduate of a foreign university), approval of his request by the NYSC Director headquarters in Abuja vide a letter dated 2nd October 2002 (Ref. No. NYSC/DHQ/CM//M/27), an application to the NYSC dated 3rd April 2003 seeking to be remobilised to complete his national service, a letter dated 24th April 2002 (Ref. No. LA/01/1532/T) by the NYSC Lagos State Director (Mrs. Rita Uzo Akinlade) forwarding Mbah’s request to the DG of the NYSC (Attention: Mr. Emmanuel, A. Ajisafe), and an approval for Mbah’s remobilisation vide a letter by the DG to the Lagos State Director dated 7th May 2003 letter (Ref. No. NYSC/ DHQ/CM/27/20) to the NYSC to ‘continue his service year from where he stopped, with effect from May 2003’.

The letter with the subject “Re: Application for Remobilisation, Mr. Mbah Peter N. LA/01/1532”

and signed by one Mrs. J. Okuoghae states:

“I am directed to refer to your letter of 24th April, 2003, reference No. LA/01/1532/T on the above subject matter and to request you to reinstate the corps member to continue his service year from where he stopped, with effect from May 2003.”

Equally of interest in the processes filed by Mbah are the various clearance letters by Udeh & Associates, which enabled him to receive his monthly allowance during his service year and the final clearance letter by the law firm certifying that he completed the one-year National Service in their office in September 2003.

It has also emerged that he petitioned the DG, NYSC, on 6th February 2023 to complain about a disclaimer dated 1st February 2023 and signed by one Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad, NYSC’s Director of Corps Certification, saying that his discharge certificate was not issued by the agency. Having told his story and attached all the aforementioned documents, he appealed that the matter be “thoroughly investigated and persons found culpable be prosecuted accordingly”.

He equally met with the then just NYSC DG, who, contrary to what he claimed on Arise TV, actually told Mbah that he was neither briefed nor his clearance sought before the disclaimer was issued and that upon enquiry, the Director said he probably did not finish his NYSC, as the column where he ought to have signed like other members of his batch upon completion of service to show that he collected his discharge certificate was blank. In an April interview, Mbah said that he explained to the DG that he didn’t pass out with his set and showed him the letter remobilising back into NYSC service upon completion of his Bar Part II (Bar Final). He said the NYSC DG confessed that nobody had brought this part of the story to his notice. He promised to treat the matter with dispatch, pleading that he was still fresh in office, having assumed duties on 30th January 2023, whereas the NYSC Director wrote the letter on 1st February.

Unfortunately, till date, the NYSC has not deemed it fit to formally reply Mbah stating the facts and reasons it believes the certificate was not issued by it. And while he waited, a group dragged him to Court over the matter, a case he won. Yet far from replying him, the NYSC, through its Director of Corps Certification, continued to issue disclaimer letters (now in contempt of a valid court judgment), thereby arming the Enugu opposition in their media war against the Governor-elect. This probably left Mbah with no choice than to drag the NYSC and its errant Director to court, demanding N20 Billion in general and exemplary damages for “conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts”.

Only recently, President Muhammadu Buhari requested the National Assembly to approve the sum of $566,754,584, N226 billion, and £98,526 to clear judgment debts. But we can now see how government and its agencies pile up needless judgment debts.

The DG even took NYSC’s organisational irresponsibility a notch higher by disclaiming Mbah’s certificate on live television in clear contempt of a subsisting court order in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/09/611/2023, restraining the agency and its Director of Corps Certification whether by themselves, their directors, officers, servants, legal representatives, counsel or any other person or persons howsoever described and connected, from issuing, publishing or continuing to issue, publish disclaimer to the effect that Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate was not issued by the agency, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit already filed. Not only that, whereas he lied that he was not aware of Mbah’s suit, the Affidavit of Service by the court bailiff, which was published in the media, shows that he was served on Monday, 15th May 2023.

Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that so far, NYSC’s only grounds for disclaiming the certificate was because he didn’t sign his column in the collection register during the passing out of his batch; and it sounds so silly, as the documents he adduced clearly show that he did not pass out with his batch! He broke his service year to return to Law School, and was remobilised by NYSC, and came back to do the remaining months.

But hope of using Mbah’s matter to put some things right at the NYSC is not totally lost, as the NYSC is not the sole authority as far as the authenticity or otherwise of its certificate is concerned. For instance, NYSC certificates are printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company PLC. They have security features. They have serial numbers and watermark. And there are only two ways the certificate could be forged: either the serial number of Mbah’s certificate doesn’t exist or someone else holds a certificate with the same serial number and he just went to Oluwole to get another certificate with the same serial number; which is unlikely after going through the whole process of service as his supporting documents show.

Thus the onus is on the NYSC to say, “certificates in these series, including serial number A808297 don’t exist” or “the certificate number A808297 paraded by Mbah belongs to Mr. ABC”. But they haven’t said so. And now

that Mbah, who feels his rights or reputations have been violated, has gone to court, it offers him, NYSC, the police, Department of State Services, NPMC, etc. to help the judiciary get to the bottom of the matter.

But as I said earlier, this matter shows the depth of the rot in the Nigerian system. Who could have believed that an officer in the Federal Ministry of Justice could collect a bribe to file a process falsely stating that Mbah made a plea bargain and was convicted by Justice M.N Yunusa on 7th July 2015 in Suit No. FHC/L/09C/2007. This he did to support Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/2257/2022 filed by a legal practitioner, Mr. Ejike Obumneme, for some fronts of the Enugu APC governorship and deputy governorship candidates, seeking Mbah’s disqualification from the governorship contest. But upon investigation, it was discovered that Mbah wasn’t even tried in the first place. His name was struck out in the Suit No. on 7th March 2013 at the behest of the EFCC’s lawyer, Kelvin Uzozie, before the commencement of trial. But for court records, Mbah would probably have gone down for that as well. That is Nigeria for you.

Also, the saga exposes the analogue or anachronistic approach to record keeping by the NYSC, just like every other government institution. We are in a digital age for crying out loud. I think Mbah’s problem began from the time they created a temporary file for him, which the alphabet “T” in the 24th April 2002 letter (Ref. No. LA/01/1532/T) by the Lagos State Director to the DG, forwarding his request for remobilisation, stands for. You go to offices and they are still moving files up and down. An office clerk will choose whether or not to see your file or even remove it entirely for peanuts. What is wrong with us as a country? Why can’t we go digital for more efficiency, transparency, and accountability?

As one Innocent Obodo suggested, what is so difficult in displaying on its website: all the Corps members it has mobilised since inception in 1973 and their documentation details; all Corps members, who have served and received their certificates; names of employer organisations it has ever deployed Corps members to since 1973; and of course all the Corps members that have ever defaulted or absconded from service, etc.?

So, dear General Ahmed, as you relish the 50th anniversary of the NYSC, just know that much whereas the agency has had its positives, all, as Mbah’s case shows, is not correct, sir. Some have even said, reform or disband the NYSC; and I totally agree with them, but I’m more inclined to reform and retooling.

As for Mbah, who will be sworn in on Monday, 29th May, one thing going for him is that even his worst critic doesn’t contest his immense capacity to lead or govern. Coming from the private sector where Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd., a company he built from a micro to medium, and multi-billion dollar mega business leads in the petroleum downstream by wide margins, Enugu has the brightest opportunity for an all-round transformation and development.

*Dr. Okolie is a Senior Lecturer, Senior Research Fellow, and former State Director, National Orientation Agency