TUESDAY 13TH JUNE 2023

Wale Edun: Nigeria Will Unify Exchange Rates Imminently

NBS: GDP Reached N173.52tn on Back of Improved Taxation

James Emejo in Abuja

An influential member of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s advisory board, Mr. Wale Edun, has said the country would unify

its exchange rates “imminently”. Edun, disclosed this to Bloomberg yesterday, after the country’s dollar debt surged following the surprise weekend suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor,

Godwin Emefiele. “I would say it would have to be done within a quarter as rather than within a year,” he said. “ I think you’re talking, think quarters rather than years, that’s where I would put it.”

Nigeria’s dollar debt surged after the surprise weekend ouster of Emefiele and as fresh comments on merging multiple exchange rates added to signs that Tinubu was resetting policies blamed for

crippling Africa’s biggest economy. Emefiele was suspended by Tinubu after the markets closed on Friday, and then detained by Nigeria’s state security service a day later for unexplained “investigative reasons.”

Folashodun Shonubi, a deputy governor in charge of operations at the bank, took over in an acting capacity.

Continued on page 33

www.thisdaylive.com

Tinubu Inspects Guard

First Democracy Day As President

Continued on page 33

10th Assembly: Tinubu Pulls

All Stops for Akpabio, Abbas

Unyielding Yari determined to upset the applecart, overwhelmed Opposing camps disagree over alleged S’east senators’ endorsement Uzodinma: APC’s choice'll emerge president of

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Ahead of today’s

Continued on page 33

PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...

L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a handshake with Kwara State Governor and Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq following a courtesy visit of the latter to the State House in Abuja to discuss different matters of national importance...at the weekend.

MARKING 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNE 12...

Nigeria Accepts WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Urges other countries to follow suit Okonjo-Iweala warns against fragmentation of world trading system

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Oluchi Chibuzor in Lagos

Nigeria yesterday, formally deposited its instrument of acceptance for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, making it the second African World Trade Organisation (WTO) member to do so after Seychelles.

Seychelles had on March 10, 2023, deposited its instrument of acceptance for the Agreement thereby becoming the third WTO member and first African country to do so.

Ambassador Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid, presented Nigeria’s instrument of acceptance to the WTO Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday.

Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are needed for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to come into effect.

A statement on the WTO website noted that while presenting Nigeria's instrument of acceptance, Abdulhamid said: “The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to promote sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and the improvement of livelihoods while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem, believing that the Agreement shall put a stop to all harmful fisheries subsidies such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities by all WTO members.

“By this instrument of acceptance, Nigeria reassures its commitment to a rule-based multilateral trading system by guaranteeing its compliance with the Agreement as well as refraining from introducing any

new subsidies that harm the marine environment while recognising the need for appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries which can be achieved through adequate policy space to develop its fisheries sector and technical assistance and capacity building in order to implement the discipline.

“Nigeria calls on other WTO members who are yet to ratify this agreement to do so as soon as possible so as to contribute to our global effort of preservation of the global fish stocks.”

Nigeria's formal acceptance marked an important step toward entry into force of the Agreement with about one-third of the acceptances needed now in hand.

Nigeria is the fifth-largest African fishing nation and is estimated to lose about $70 million each year to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The sector accounts for as much as five per cent of Nigeria's gross domestic product (GDP) and supports the livelihood of about 24 million people.

Receiving Nigeria's instrument of acceptance, the WTO DG, OkonjoIweala said: “I am profoundly grateful to Nigeria for formally accepting the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. I am proud to see the country's continued commitment to sustainable development and its vote of confidence in the work of the WTO.

"Nigeria's acceptance adds to our growing tally of members that have accepted the Agreement — we have received about one-third of the total that we need for the Agreement to

enter into force.

"I hope that Nigeria's action serves as an inspiration to other governments in Africa and the rest of the world to move swiftly to implement the Agreement and foster global cooperation for the benefit of our shared future.”

Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva between June 12 and 17, 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks.

In addition, the Agreement recognises the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations.

The Agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks, and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13, to be held in February 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

The WTO deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

In a related development, Okonjo-Iweala lamented challenges facing the global trading system and proposed solutions during

a high-level special session on the second day of the Astana International Forum (AIF).

Themed, "High Level Special Session: Dialogue with Director-General of the WTO and the Kazakhstan’s Government," the session was moderated by the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Kazakhstan, Timur Suleimenov.

The WTO Director-General stressed that one of the biggest challenges was geopolitical tensions leading to decoupling, deglobalisation and the risk of fragmentation of the global trading system.

She noted that all of these arose from the severe vulnerabilities in supply chains and the trading system due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

She warned against the fragmentation of the world trading system.

“Let’s be cautious, because if the

world trading system fragments, that could be very costly for the entire global economy,” she added.

The WTO estimates that if the world was to break up into two trading blocs, it would mean a five per cent loss in real global GDP in the longer term, which is bigger than the 3.5 per cent loss that countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) faced during the financial crisis of 2008-2009.

Okonjo-Iweala said it was a good sign that the G7 countries stated in May that they were not decoupling but that economic resilience requires de-risking and diversification. On protectionism, she said the WTO urged countries not to retreat from trade, look inwards and become more protectionist but to maintain the stability and openness of the global trading system.

Marwa: Global Collaboration of Anti-Narcotics Agency Crucial in War against Drug Trafficking

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), has said the recent discovery of clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamine and the seizures of captagon, fentanyl and other deadly substances in Nigeria further underscored the growing threat of illicit drugs to public health and national security.

He insisted that global collaboration of anti-narcotics agency was important to win the war against drug trafficking.

Marwa, said this in Lagos, yesterday, in his opening remarks at the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) twinning programme being organised by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

He said if drug trafficking cartels could maintain effective network across the globe, it would be

Group Criticises Tinubu for Demanding Sacrifice from Ordinary Nigerians

Demands political, economic leadership from president

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has criticised the speech by President Bola Tinubu on Democracy Day wherein he had demanded sacrifice from ordinary citizens of the country in the face of ongoing economic hardship without seeking same from the political and economic leadership of the country.

The CSJ also criticised the speech for failing to provide solutions to the most pressing issues facing Nigerians, such as the rising cost of living, the widespread insecurity, and the lack of basic infrastructure.

A statement yesterday, which was signed by the Lead Director

of the Centre, Eze Onyekpere read:

“The CSJ welcomes President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech. While we appreciate the acknowledgment of the hardship faced by the Nigerian people, the speech failed to provide solutions to the most pressing issues facing Nigerians, such as the rising cost of living, the widespread insecurity, and the lack of basic infrastructure.

“President Tinubu’s request for ordinary Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country was not matched with unequivocal sacrifices to be made by the political and economic leadership of the country.

“The present scenario where only

the poorest of the poor and some segments of the middle class are asked to deepen sacrifice whilst the political class continues on the path of self-indulgence is not the way forward for economic regeneration.”

Eze added that: “President Tinubu highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy as a necessary step to free up resources for collective use, which had previously been pocketed by a privileged few.

“While we understand the intention behind this decision, it is crucial to emphasise that the burden of sacrifice should be shared by all, including the leadership. Furthermore, concrete steps must

be taken to ensure that the sacrifices made by the people are not in vain.

“CSJ urges the government to prioritise the welfare of the Nigerian people and implement immediate measures to provide relief and support in various aspects of their lives.

“We recognise the President's promise to invest in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to improve the quality of lives.”

It added: “However, we stress the importance of translating these promises into actionable plans with clear timelines and effective implementation strategies.

expedient for drug law enforcement agencies to forge a clear formidable lead ahead of them in order to win the all-important fight.

According to him: “This programme is a laudable initiative and is timely, considering the proliferation of new psychotropic substances (NPS), non-medical synthetic opioids, and other dangerous substances.

“The multi-agency training on real-time communication, intelligence tools, awareness raising and the handling of dangerous substances is a welcome development aimed at intercepting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

“Expectedly, this will help to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and regulatory officers across regions and promote faster and more effective cooperation among participating countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Thailand, and Vietnam. Other benefits include intelligence sharing and officer exchange programmes, which are vital to the dislodgment of transnational drug trafficking groups.”

The anti-narcotics agency boss while expressing optimism about gains of the strategic alliance between West Africa and Southeast Asia, said the programme, “is preparing a solid foundation for a more coordinated onslaught against drug trafficking cartels.”

“Apart from exposing officers

to global and regional trend in new psychotropic substances (NPS) and non-medical synthetic opioids, it will also enhance the capacity of law enforcement agents to discharge their duties.”

The NDLEA boss promised that his agency would continue to take every step aimed at increasing local and international collaboration.

He added: “We are poised to tighten the noose against drug traffickers as we partner towards an integrated and balanced strategy to counter the world drug problem.” He equally emphasised the need for greater partnership among nations.

Also speaking at the programme, Craig Nixon of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, INL, US Department of State, said, “we continue to engage our foreign partners to attain more impactful counter-narcotics and law enforcement outcomes through foreign assistance, diplomacy, and the deployment of deterrence tools,” adding that the new modality of synthetic drug trafficking poses a significant challenge to the United States.

In his remarks, Regional Technical Officer for the INCB's GRIDS programme in West and Central Africa, Amari Bedi Olivier, congratulated the NDLEA Chairman over, “the recent historic seizure of Fentanyl.”

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

L-R: Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, during the Democracy day celebration held at the foyer of the Presidential Villa, Abuja … yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

POLITICS

Die is Cast as 10th N’Assembly Elects Presiding Officers Today

Today, federal lawmakers will elect a new set of presiding officers to lead them for another four years. A total of 109 senators and 360 house of representatives members are expected to cast their votes for their most preferred candidates.

Now that the D-Day is finally here, there’s anxiety in various quarters over those who will emerge as the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

After the general elections, the prevailing issue on Nigeria’s political space has been the National Assembly leadership election, and as expected from every election cycle, the zoning debate, sprang up, within and outside the parliament, with stakeholders expressing diverse views, keeping everyone on the edge.

At the beginning, 12 House members-elect indicated interest in leading the 10th House. Those who indicated interest included Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu; House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa; Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Aliyu Betara; Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase; Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi; Chairman, House Committee on Land Transport, Tajudeen Abbas and Chairman House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli.

Others are Chairman House Committee on Disability Matter, Mariam Onuoha, Abubakar Makki Yelleman, Sani Jaji and Abdulraheem Olawuyi.

At the Senate, those contesting the 10th Senate Presidency are Senators Godswill Akpabio, Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Uzor Kalu and Osita Izunaso.

As aspirants await the ruling All Progressive Congress zoning arrangement, they all made a case for the position they are interested in to be zoned to their geo-political zone for the sake of “equity and fairness”.

For instance, those from the South East, South South and North Central, were lamenting marginalization, arguing that it is the turn of the zones to produce the Senate President or Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

North Central aspirants in particular, also hinged their reason on the support and huge number of votes they gave to the All Progressives Congress in the last general elections.

Aspirants from the North West, North East on their part, argued that the positions of Senate President, Deputy Senate President and Speaker should be ceded to them, because they gave the party the highest number of votes in the general elections.

Eventually, the All Progressives Congress’ National Working Committee (NWC) on May 8, 2023 released their list of consensus candidates for the four parliamentary positions.

The APC in the zoning plans, endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio from the South-South geopolitical zone as the President of the 10th Senate while Senator Barau Jibrin from the North-West was picked as his Deputy.

For the House of Representatives, the ruling party endorsed Hon. Tajudeen Abass from the North-West as the Speaker and Hon. Benjamin Kalu from the South-East as Deputy Speaker.

Since the announcement, controversies have trailed the ruling party’s choice, with the development generating resentment among the

Senators and House members-elect. Groups were formed by aggrieved aspirants in both chambers.

At the House the resentment was so much that 7 aggrieved candidates formed a group known as the G-7, with a plan to elect their own consensus candidate and upstage their party’s choice.

While the ruling party’s consensus candidates immediately commenced lobbying their colleagues, Governors and major stakeholders, the aggrieved candidates at various fora described APC’s choice as an imposition, insisting that the election should be thrown open to all qualified contestants irrespective of their zone of origin.

As the controversy trailing the zoning arrangement failed to subside, rumours were rife that President Bola Tinubu and the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, were currently reviewing the 10th National Assembly zoning arrangements earlier released.

At a meeting with some of the aggrieved aspirants last month, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said that the leadership of the party did not consult sufficiently before arriving at its position on zoning and promised that the party would reconsider its position.

It was reported that under the planned review, which will be subject to the approval of President Tinubu, the ruling party may reconsider the positions zoned to the North-west and the South-east geopolitical zones.

But days went by and nothing was heard regarding the zoning review.

Rather, the President in a deft move compensated the North Central with the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Thereafter he met with all the 109 Senators- elect and 360 House of Representatives members-elect urging them to close ranks and support the ruling party’s consensus candidates for National Assembly leadership.

At the meeting, Tinubu spoke firmly on the need to work for the

victory of Akpabio, Abbas, Barau and Kalu. Senate

With the D-Day finally here, two horse race is imminent in both chambers as some of the aggrieved contestants despite appeals are refusing to stepdown for the ruling party’s consensus candidates.

At the red chamber, it was revealed that the camps of Yari, Kalu and Izunaso are planning an alliance that would produce a joint ticket.

Both Izunaso and Kalu reportedly had separate meetings with Yari on the possibility of them working together. It was also learnt that Izunaso and Kalu had agreed separately with Yari to contest the Deputy Senate Presidency as Yari insists on running.

Kalu confirmed his meeting and proposed alliance with Yari in an interview with journalists last week.

The former governor of Abia State explained that Yari and himself were enjoying the support of their colleagues and other sponsors within and outside the Senate Chamber to make their ambition become a reality.

He said, “I can not step down for anybody. I’m contesting the Senate Presidency but we are talking with Senators-elect Abdulaziz Yari on the possibility of a joint ticket and talks had reached an advanced stage on the issue.

Our group and his group are talking and we are in intimate partnership and talks is ongoing. No zone can single-handedly produce a Senate President just as no single zone can single-handedly produce the President of Nigeria.

“We have a united partnership with Senator- elect Yari that will work for Nigeria. In the coming days and week, those partnership will be unveiled. We have not decided on who will be Senate President and who will be deputy.

I cannot deny it – Yari is a friend of mine and I’m his friend and we have decided to talk.

We have been speaking for the past four weeks and the result will be unveiled by our sponsors, he has his sponsors and I have my sponsors. The sponsors will come together to decide what direction this partnership will go. I’ll be very happy to reveal what the sponsors will say. The two of us are thinking of the integrity of the senate and support President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who were our colleagues.”

So it’s expected that the race for Senate Presidency would be a straight fight between

APC’s anointed candidate Akpabio and Yari.

For the position of the Deputy Senate President the APC anointed candidate, Barau Jibrin (North West) might contest the seat with another candidate, Senator Sani Musa (North Central).

House of Representatives

While it’s difficult to predict who will emerge winners at the Senate, for the House of Representatives, odds are clearly in favor of APC’s anointed candidates, Abass and Kalu. With the high number of endorsements pouring in for the duo, it appears that they will likely emerge as Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Also, major contestants have already stepped down and endorsed Abass and Kalu, except the outgoing Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase who was conspicuously absent at Tinubu’s meeting with lawmakers-elect and is expected to fight till the end.

Wase has remained adamant, maintaining his stance to remain in the race for the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

He made his position known last week during the valedictory session of the 9th House, when the House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa pleaded with other aspirants to stepdown for the ruling party’s consensus candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Doguwa stated that, as one of the contestants for the office of Speaker who stepped down, others still in the race should reason and stepdown for the APC consensus candidate to ensure a smooth transition.

He said, “It is in this light, I want to urge members like me who are still in the ring contesting to please see the light of reasoning to also stepdown in the interest of a seamless transition from the leadership here to the next Assembly. I am doing this, because I was part of the members who first of all started contesting for the Speakership position. Mr Speaker, I am by all standards qualified to be the Speaker. But, I want to believe that, Speakership is always an act of God, it is given by God by the will of the members of the House of Representatives. We cannot have two Speakers at the same time”.

However, Wase who spoke immediately after Doguwa said, as a democrat who believe in contest, he was determined to continue with the race until the end.

He added that, his contest was in the pursuit of a prophecy by the former governor of old Plateau State, late Solomon Lar who predicted his coming to the House of Representatives and becoming the Deputy Speaker and possibility of his Speakership.

But other key members of the G-7, Hon. Muktar Betara and Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, have stepped down for the All Progressive Congress, APC consensus candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Betara and Gagdi declared their support for Abass and Kalu for Speaker, Deputy Speaker respectively after a meeting at the weekend with President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.

So, the race for the speakership would be a straight fight between APC’s anointed candidate Abass and Wase.

For Deputy Speaker position, while Kalu’s win is assured as most contenders have stepped down for him, he’s likely going to have a face off with Chinedu Ogah (Ebonyi) who’s also eyeing the position.

Udora Orizu writes that two-horse race is imminent as members of the Senate and House of Representatives are set to elect new presiding officers to pilot their affairs for next four years.

Now that the D-Day is finally here, there’s anxiety in various quarters over those who will emerge as the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. After the general elections, the prevailing issue on Nigeria’s political space has been the National Assembly leadership election, and as expected from every election cycle, the zoning debate, sprang up, within and outside the parliament, with stakeholders expressing diverse views, keeping everyone on the edge.

Akpabio Yari Abass Wase

www.thisdaylive.com opinion@thisdaylive.com

ADVENT OF THE GOLDEN GOVERNOR

Akwa Ibom State is poised for a golden era, reckons ANIETIE USEN

TINUBU AND THE FUEL SUBSIDY CONUNDRUM

Following the conclusion of the 2023 presidential election and the fallout, my opinion was that the transition period should be sobering in a manner that devoid of any semblance of pageantry.

See page 21

WEIGHING

THE SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF THE BROWN CARD

ONCHE ODEH writes that the introduction of brown card could be risky

Let us face it; by every measurement, President Tinubu is inheriting a fragile mounting debts, low government revenue and inadequate economic growth. This is in addition to generalized insecurity ravaging almost all parts of the country and worsening human development indices such as unemployment, poverty, out-of-school children, power failure, a crippling health sector, and an educational system that is almost in a state of disrepair. However, the most important aspect of every transition is

In his inaugural speech, the president made clear remarks that may potentially a commitment to unify the multiple ensure an improved investment climate,

million jobs through the digital economy, and of course, the big elephant in the room, put an end to fuel subsidy.

See page 21

EDITORIAL THE SCANDAL OF ‘NIGERIA AIR’

Prior to his inauguration, many Nigerians were aware that an end to the fuel subsidy regime was only a matter of time. subsidy no longer made economic sense, especially at a time when other critical In 2022, Nigeria spent N4.39 trillion, or $9.7 billion, on petrol subsidies alone; this translates to an estimated 70% of the country’s total earnings from oil in the same year. This is also at a time when the country is spending more than 90% of its revenue on debt servicing and continues to struggle to meet its OPEC quota, a in government revenue.

Unlike in the past, where the initial reaction to any attempt to remove fuel subsidy is usually greeted with mass outrage and resistance, surprisingly, the reaction this time has been measured and patriotic, a testament to the fact that the subsidy removal conversation may have attained national consensus and gained common ground. Most Nigerians share President Tinubu’s conviction that the the tough choices are just unavoidable. After all, all the major presidential candidates promised to remove fuel subsidy.

Frankly, there were no easy choices for whoever had won the presidential

election anyway, unless, of course, anyone setting up for failure; the hard choices were imminent. Former President Muhammadu Buhari left this country almost racing for the bottom; it was important to halt the slide at once. Moreover, we can already see the impact of such signaling and clear policy direction. The other day, the stock market was on the bounce, investors were on overdrive, and the percent, in what has been described as went from an average of N28 trillion to N30 trillion in one day!

price of fuel has immediately led to a proportionate rise in the cost of living, especially with the increase in the cost of food items and transportation.

admirable that the majority of Nigerians have remained resilient through it all; most people believe that the subsidy make for future progress.

However, I believe that the government must also not overstretch the people; there is a need for the government to immediately make critical interventions that can ease the pain in the short term, especially on the cost of food items and transportation. Government can also implement a work-from-home model for federal and state civil servants while encouraging private employers to do the same. In the medium term, the government must make an immediate and consequential adjustment to the minimum wage to

That said, there are at least two major gaps I have noticed in the implementation of the subsidy communication gap. On optics, I believe that the government can no longer carry on as though it is business as usual; this I have argued that if a government must force a policy change, the change has to be top-down and not bottom-

this would be insensitive; the austerity must be equal.

In addition to showing leadership often repeated that subsidy removal must be handled as though it were a national crisis. This is a time for the government to be on top of the situation, and a clear direction. The government must communicate in a manner that conveys the biblical, “Though sorrow may last for a night, joy will come in the morning.” Communication and a through!

Although it is still early days, Nigerians are looking up to President Tinubu for progressive good governance and the restoration of hope that had been long lost!

Awogbenle is an Author and Communications Professional

It is time to lead by personal example, argues SEUN AWOGBENLE

Akwa Ibom State is poised for a golden era, reckons ANIETIE USEN

ADVENT OF THE GOLDEN GOVERNOR

of 90 kilograms, and dressed this afternoon in a dark maroon suit, a white shirt with a spotted briskly into the sprawling State Banquet Hall packed with his adoring supporters. It was his

All was set this afternoon for the swearingin of his newly appointed Secretary to the the champion of Uyo politics and scion of the

speech was not in the written address. It was mindset...and usher Akwa Ibom fully into a the task, goals and mission he has set for

father of Akwa Ibom State, headhunted truly poised for a golden era. end of military rule in 1999, produced the

WEIGHING THE SECURITY

IMPLICATIONS OF THE BROWN CARD

385 foreign nationals were formally conferred by the Ministry of Interior in Abuja. During the occasion, the immediate past announced that the ministry had gotten the to execute new pathways to permanent residency for eligible foreign nationals through the issuance of Brown Card. Consequently, he said he was bestowed the power to, among others, execute and clarify existing guidelines line with established guidelines.

Aregbesola made pointed reference to the of the 15-year waiting period as a major eligibility criterion. While he is happy that the country conferred citizenship status on the highest number of foreigners under his tenure

reduce the waiting time of 15 years as part in comparison to what obtains in countries like United States, among others. As a through a constitutional amendment process, as acknowledged by Aregbesola, in his May 27 speech. What this means is that a Brown Card cannot become a bona is once again amended, which may not occur soon.

Another issue that was raised as part of the reason for pitching the idea of a of fast-tracking citizenship for foreign already being handled under the Special

the engine room of his nascent administration.

walked quickly across the front row of the hall, endlessly with a permanent smile playing on his lips; just as he was accustomed to, during his long tortuous campaign stump across the 31 LGAs of the oil-rich State. He was the cynosure home before a crowd that idolised him and had stood by him against all odds for 14 months of political consultations and rigorous campaigns.

backing the curious crowd and about to

Uwah. He is a natural choice for the job or, as is Hammer, and the hall erupted with the had also played the same crucial role as the

So, the excitement of his constituents was both palpable and understandable.

Soon, the solemnity of the occasion dawned on all, as Hammer began to read after the oath of allegiance. He stood ramrod like a royal white shirt, and pink tie, he cut the image of a banker. In a moment, the SSG was through with the ritual. “So help me God”, he concluded, to the thunderous applause of the audience.

the time our State is on the cusp of greatness, are expected to deploy your organisational bureaucracy, which thankfully, is undergoing for weak links in our engine of operations. I you. Go there, get the job done, for our State and for our people and afterwards, come the

thing that is certain and settled in the minds of Akwa Ibom people is that one of the greatest our money but where did he get the money in into. He is literally speaking in the shoes of a giant, as his predecessor had diligently and quietly brought Akwa Ibom State to the “cusp inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.

Akwa Ibom adage says, dare not resemble a made brief stops to thank his community the inaugural State Banquet at the Ibom Hotels hours of May 30, 2023.

far too low to be celebrated. Aregbesola may

2011.

According to the past Minister of Interior, granting of citizenship to foreigners is

rare talents and unbounded energy willing to come into the country to boost the socioeconomic and political foundation that economies of the world. As true as this may is whether the introduction of a Brown Card would not amount to creating more problems such a system of documentation could pose to the already weakened security architecture of the country.

inaugural speech made it clear that security shall be top priority of his administration.

partners. Instead of introducing a fresh programme, the existing programme could be strengthened where loopholes happen with the introduction of a parallel channel of granting permanent resident status and citizenship as proposed is that unscrupulous foreigners, especially those existing programmes or enter the country for nefarious reasons would ride on the card to increase the number of foreign their way into the country.

hinted that some persons masquerading as agents are already making contacts with foreigners in the country for them to pay as much as US$5,000 with the promise that they would grant them the

is currently battling to cleanse itself of the blemishes of the internet fraudsters popularly known as yahoo boys.

It is also pertinent to note that deploying a parallel programme that competes modules of existing ones waters down the security system of the country, which has been grossly compromised by unscrupulous foreign nationals who come into the country with ulterior Agreed, the country needs to make more (FDI) which could be facilitated through granting of citizenship and permanent residency to worthy foreigners. But a hasty introduction of a parallel platform alongside existing ones could be counter-

Usen

is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor

beyond increase in number of personnel in better training, equipment, pay and expects to be employed in the management of naturalization and residency status of Concerns are rife that the introduction for fraudulent foreigners who are looking for escape routes from the existing systems changes that Brown Card seeks to make to the

What could be done is to upgrade the operational scope and modules of existing

could only become real if the country is secure and prosperous. Anything that system porous will surely breed counter-

Odeh, a Development Communication expert, writes from Abuja

ONCHE ODEH writes that the introduction of brown card could be risky

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE SCANDAL OF ‘NIGERIA AIR’

Nigeria Air raises questions of transparency and accountability

Ewas mooted in January 2016 by Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation under President Muham madu Buhari, we have another monument to waste in a period within the nation’s aviation industry where many of Private Partnership (PPP), we countered that most of and the funds were spent

House of Representatives member who described the ority

OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

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LETTERS

CAN WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT 10TH ASSEMBLY?

Most worrisome is the manner some of the aspirants were

fear or intimidation, they are better informed to know who to Thadeus Maidawa, Abuja

We are conscious of the fact that government projects can fail, even when there are good intentions. But to willfully pursue an expensive project without public buy-in and then have the temerity to deceive Nigerians with ‘marketing strategy’ is scandalous

When Burden of Proof in Criminal Matter Shifts to the Defendant

Page IV

Hon. Justice Monica Bolna'an DongbanMensem PCA Clocks

66!

Page V

QUOTABLE

‘…Change will not happen through WhatsApp or Facebook. We need more professionals, either in elective or appointive positions in Government, with a sense of service and determination to make change happen…We need a lot more men and women of honour, in our political space.’

- Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Immediate Past Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State

Appeal Court Dismisses Jimoh Ibrahim’s Bid to Recover Seized Assets

Page V

COLUMNIST

STEPHEN KOLA-BALOGUN

Stephen Kola Balogun, is a vastly experienced Legal Practitioner who obtained his LL.B from University of Ife and LL.M from the School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London. He has Post-Graduate Diplomas in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London and in Construction

Law, Management and Arbitration from Kings College, London. He has served in various capacities since his Call to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, including practising at Akinjide & Co., and lecturing part-time at Oxbridge Tutorial College. He was the Honourable Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, State of Osun, August, 2011 to November 2014. He is currently the Principal Partner at Kola Balogun & Partners, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre of Law and Business. SKB, as he is fondly called, is accredited with several publications to his name, both International

CJN, Falana, Agbakoba, Ozekhome, Adegboruwa, Set for NBA-SPIDEL Confab

Page V

Social Contract: The A-Side Vs. B-Side

I’m not going to go into Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes or John Locke’s various theories of social contract, since we are Lawyers and not Philosophers. I choose to look at social contract in my own slightly more legal way, in relation to our present day. I see social contract, firstly, as a contract between the Government and the Governed, that is, the Citizens; and secondly, between the citizens - our obligations to ourselves and as people generally; social contracts governed by the Constitution.

Ikepo’s Theory of Social Contract

1) Government and the Governed

In my theory, Social Contract in its first role is between the Nigerian Government and the people - the Government offers to govern the people and the people accept and give their consent by voting the Government into office, and the consideration is Government delivering on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive

Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), while the Governed adhere to Section 24 of the Constitution, live in brotherhood with one another and obey the laws of the land; for example, Citizens must declare their incomes and pay tax promptly - see Section 24(f) of the Constitution.

2) Amongst Citizens

In its second role, the social contract is between the citizens amongst themselves, again as provided by Section 24 of the Constitution, that is, to respect other citizens and their rights, live in unity and harmony with others in the spirit of common brotherhood - see Section 24(c) & (d) of the Constitution.

Of course, there can be overlaps where the breach of a duty by a citizen is both against the Government and the citizens. For example, committing murder is not only a breach of the social contract between the Government and the murderer, but against the citizens. It seems that, whether Government or the people, we have all fallen short of our constitutional/contractual obligations. And, I will tell you how, starting with Government.

Government’s Breach of Social Contract

Successive governments have breached their own part of the contract with the people, by failing to deliver on the objectives of Chapter II of the Constitution. Unfortunately, this social contract between the Government and the Governed is faulty; in the case of a normal contract, there are remedies available for breach of contract, like the court ordering the payment of monetary damages by the defaulting party in the contract, or the equitable remedy of specific performance of the contract, which is simply the court ordering the defaulting party to fulfill the contractual obligations which they have defaulted on. In Pan Bisbilder (Nig) Ltd v First Bank (Nig) Ltd 2000 1 SC 71 per Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, JSC, the Supreme Court defined breach of contract thus: “A breach of contract means that the party in breach has acted contrary to the terms of the contract….either by non-performance, or by performing not in accordance with the terms”. Also see the case of Gambaga v Rabiu & Ors (2014) LPELR-41079 (CA) per Abdu Aboki, JCA (as he then was). Obviously, a party suing for breach of contract must prove that there was a breach, and there was an enforceable contract that was breached. See the case of Best (Nig) Ltd v Blackwood Hodge (Nig) Ltd & Ors (2011) LPELR-776. Here lies part of the problem with the Nigerian social contract, between Government and the people. Even though the terms of the social contract between the Government and the Governed are clearly stated in the Constitution so that there’s no doubt that such a contract exists, and Nigerians have all seen how successive governments have failed to fulfill their obligations in the social contract with them, whether economic, social or security objectives and so on - that is, the breach of contract is not in doubt, it appears, rather inequitably I might add, that this social contract between the Government and the people isn’t a directly enforceable contract in the case of a breach by Government, as Section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution ousts the jurisdiction of the courts, and prevents the people from suing for damages or specific performance in case of any breach of contract by Government, that is, when the Government fails to perform on Chapter II of the Constitution. There is no immediate direct remedy or compensation for loss, in the event that Government is in breach

ONIKEPO

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

The Advocate

railings on the bridge?

To compound things, I was more than shocked to see a video of ‘under the bridge’ at Ijora, Lagos. The person doing the video explained that the bottom of the bridge had been heated by miscreants, to extract the iron rods inside the belly of the bridge, and the affected area looked burnt and black; one could easily see points where the iron rods had been severed. Concrete and iron rods are combined, to create a strong durable bridge, in order to also withstand heavy load. The iron rods reinforce the bridge, and also ensure that the weight of the load on the bridge are evenly distributed across the bridge; the iron rods also prevent the concrete from crumbling. I ask again, what kind of people are we? Destructive, reckless, wicked, conscienceless, ready to employ any means to make money, even if such means results in costing a host of other people their lives occasioned by bridge collapse, because the iron rod reinforcements are no longer there to support the concrete, having been stolen.

of this social contract with the people. The only remedy available, is to vote out of office, the Government which has failed to fulfill its contractual obligations at a future election; however, even in this circumstance, there’s no remedy for losses suffered by the people, as damages cannot be recovered. How fair is it, that while Government can enforce the obligations of citizens by letting them face the wrath of the law if they breach the social contract, whether between citizens and Government or citizens amongst themselves, for example, prosecuting a citizen in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code or Penal Code, Money Laundering Act etc if he/she steals, citizens do not enjoy this opportunity when Government commits the same crimes - there’s no punishment for breach or accountability on the part of Government.

Citizens’ Breach of Social Contract

Nevertheless, while we are quick to abuse Government for its failures, we often overlook the second aspect of the social contract which encompasses the behaviour of the citizens themselves; as a people, what are we Nigerians like? Though majority of us are still good, decent, hardworking people with the right values, a good number of us have fallen short of the duties imposed on all citizens by Section 24 of the Constitution, along with being barefaced criminals. One of our most popular breaches as a people, is tax evasion. This is sort of vicious cycle, since because of corruption, Nigerians do not really see where Government applies taxes they pay, and so, they are reluctant to pay taxes with their hard-earned money, only to end up in private pockets.

For many of those who hold government positions and positions of authority, or many of us who have ‘checked out’ to find greener pastures in other countries, contrary to Sections 1, 15, 24 (a), (b) & (d) of the Constitution which enjoin us to eradicate corrupt practices, abide by the Constitution, render good national service to the Nigeria to develop it and enhance her power, prestige and good name, we have bled the country dry with stealing, looting, bribery and corruption, decisions which are of no benefit to Nigeria, while the ‘Checking-Out Andrews’ are known for despicable crimes like drug trafficking and fraud (wire fraud, ‘419’ etc), in many of the foreign countries they end up in, giving Nigeria a bad name. Back home, kidnapping for ransom , ritual killing, ethnic clashes and other violent crimes, have also become the order of the day in many parts of the country.

When Government provides infrastructure for us, what do we do with it? We destroy it. Take the Eko Bridge in Lagos for example. Recently, we interviewed the former Minister of Works & Housing, H.E. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and asked when the repairs of the bridge will be completed, so it can be reopened to motorists. We blamed the previous governments for not maintaining the bridge, until it almost collapsed! And then, we blamed the outgone Government for not restoring it on time. But, what about the citizens who were cooking or doing who knows what under the bridge at Apongbon and then Ijora, thereby causing fires and further damage to the bridge in both places, resulting in a further delay in the repairs of the bridge? What about those people who make a living out of stealing all the

Similarly, last year when we interviewed the former Minister of Transport, H.E. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, he informed us that every month. funds were wasted on purchasing at least 10,000 clips to replace those stolen from the railway tracks. The ‘clip thieves’ obviously do not care that removing the clips from the tracks can cause trains to derail, and injure or kill train passengers! I remember watching the news one day, and seeing a news clip of people who were arrested for being in possession of these clips; to my shock, not only was an Assistant to a Governor suspected to be involved in this cruel criminal enterprise, a Chinese National, probably one of those involved in the construction of the railway, was amongst those arrested, suspected of being part of a network to steal the clips and resell them.

In these two scenarios of the bridge and the railway track clips, both the Government and the miscreants are guilty of breach of contract; the Government’s failure to secure the lives and property of the people (the bridges, railway and infrastructure belong to all Nigerians); then, these wicked criminal acts perpetrated by citizens, which are certainly not brotherly or positive and useful contributions to the progress and wellbeing of society, as provided by Section 24(c) & (d) of the Constitution.

With an announcement by President Tinubu in his inaugural speech about the removal of fuel subsidy, Marketers immediately created an artificial scarcity by locking up nine out of their ten fuel pumps, so that they can make a huge profit, never mind the suffering and inconvenience that was unleashed on Nigerians. In 2020, during the #EndSARS Protests, miscreants and hoodlums senselessly burnt the brand new buses that Lagos State Government had bought to ease the burden of commuters, and they also destroyed valuable infrastructure like the Lagos High Court (one of our national treasures) and our world class Lagos State DNA & Forensic Laboratory, a beautiful innovation contrived and completed during the tenure of Adeniji Kazeem, SAN as AG, Lagos. Again, I ask, what kind of people are we? Definitely not our brother’s keeper!

Luckily, in this aspect of the social contract, there is punishment for such breaches, but only if perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.

Going Forward

As we have entered into a new phase in Nigeria with the new Tinubu administration, they have the opportunity to lead by example. If Government shows commitment to keeping its own side of the social contract, the people will come to the quick realisation that it is no longer business as usual, and will also start to keep to theirs, seeing an improvement in their circumstances and knowing that there will be consequences if they don’t keep their side of the social contract. If people see their tax income being ploughed into public education and transport, health care etc, they will be more encouraged to pay taxes to develop the country. A contract must be equitable/ fair. You can’t ask Nigerians to tighten their belts, yet Government Officials and Politicians who are meant to be serving the country, are living lavishly. The racket going on in governance, must stop. If people see that public officials who came in without two pennies to rub together when they began their service, now become the richest people in town, building hotels and super structures in their hometowns kitted with ‘state of the art vehicles’ like a Car Sales Showroom, the social contract will continue to be breached or outrightly fail.

“In my theory, Social Contract in its first role is between the Nigerian Government and the people….In its second role, the social contract is between the citizens amongst themselves…. It seems that, whether Government or the people, we have all fallen short of our constitutional/contractual obligations”

When Burden of Proof in Criminal Matter Shifts to the Defendant

Facts

The deceased, Timothy Adegoke, a post-graduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), lodged at the Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on 5th November, 2021. The hotel is owned by the 1st Defendant. His son, Raheem Adedoyin (who is at large), was the Managing Director of the hotel. The 2nd to 7th Defendant are staff of the hotel. On 5th November, 2021, when the deceased lodged at the hotel, the 7th Defendant was the receptionist on duty. She received the lodging payments from the deceased, and allocated room 305 to him for 5th and 6th November, 2021. The payment, which was made through bank transfer, was made into the personal account of the 7th Defendant, on her request. The 4th and 5th Defendant were the Checker and Manager on duty. The next day, the 7th Defendant handed over to the 2nd Defendant, who was the receptionist on duty for the day, while the 3rd and 6th Defendant were the Manager and Checker respectively.

By the evidence of PW2, the wife of the deceased, she spoke with him on November 5 at about 8pm, and he confirmed to her that he was at the hotel, but tired. The next day, PW2 called the deceased several times without response. She alerted PW1, the deceased’s cousin, who went to Ile-Ife in search for him. When PW1 could not find the deceased at the examination centre for his class in OAU, PW1 and the University Management went to the More Police station to make a report, after searches in the hotels and hospitals close by proved abortive. At this time, PW3, the deceased’s brother, had joined in the search. The DPO at the More Police station placed a call to the Chairman of the hoteliers in Ife to check with members if the deceased was lodged in their hotel, but was told that the name of the deceased was not on any of the hotel’s lodge books.

PW2, wife of the deceased, sent a copy of an old hotel receipt of Hilton Hotels to PW3, as the place where the deceased usually lodged when he went to Ife. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) – PW4, went with PW3 to Ife. On their way, investigations into the bank transactions of the deceased revealed that on November 5, he transferred N37,000.00 into the account of the 7th Defendant. This same amount was reflected on the old receipt, and the name of the 7th Defendant was also the recipient. At the Hotel, the IPO and PW3 asked for the 7th Defendant and questioned her on whether the deceased lodged in the hotel on November 5, to which she answered no. When confronted with information about the money transferred to her account by the deceased, the 7th Defendant was said to have owned up that the deceased came to the hotel, but after transferring the money for lodgement into her account, he left with his bag and did not check into the hotel. The IPO asked for records of the hotel lodgement which were given to him. Scrutinising the document, the IPO found that some entries and receipts were missing. The 7th Defendant was arrested and taken to the Police station, where she confessed that the lodgers record for November 5 was altered to remove one name. She showed the picture of the lodger’s record she took with her phone on the said date, with the name of the deceased as first on the list and allocated room 305. The 1st Defendant however, when questioned, insisted that the deceased did not lodge in his hotel, but handed the five persons who worked with 7th Defendant over to the IPO for interrogations. During interrogation of the persons, the 3rd Defendant whose handwriting matches with the doctored lodger’s record was confronted with this fact, which he couldn’t deny. The 3rd Defendant narrated how the 2nd Defendant, who took over from the 7th Defendant, informed him that the guest in room 305 was not seen and his calls not responded to. Using a spare key, they were able to access the room where they found the lifeless body of the deceased on the bed. They informed the 1st Defendant, while the 7th and 5th Defendant joined them. Thereafter, the Managing Director took them to a room in the hotel, and administered an oath on them not to disclose to anyone what happened to the guest in the hotel. Later in the evening, the said MD, along with the 3rd and 5th Defendant evacuated the body from the room and took it to Ede Road, Ile-Ife with the deceased’s properties (laptop, phones, money) and dumped him by the roadside where they dump refuse. The MD drove them in Hilux vehicle, which was later recovered from the 1st Defendant’s property in Abuja.

In the High Court of Osun State of Nigeria In the Osogbo Judicial Division Holden at Osogbo On Tuesday, the 30th day of May, 2023 Before His Lordship Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo Chief Judge, Osun State Suit No. HOS/5C/2022 Between THE STATE COMPLAINANT And

1. DR RAHMON ADEDOYIN ‘M’ AGED 64 YRS

2. MAGDALENE CHIEFUNA ‘F’ AGED 24 YRS

3. ADENIYI ADEROGBA ‘M’ AGED 37 YRS

4. OLUWOLE LAWRENCE ‘M’ AGED 37 YRS DEFENDANTS

5. OYETUNDE KAZEEM ‘M’ AGED 38 YRS

6. ADEBAYO KUNLE ‘M’ AGED 35 YRS

7. ADEDEJI ADESOLA ‘F’ AGED 23 YRS (Judgement delivered by Honourable Oyebola Adepele Ojo, J.)

Further to the above, the Defendants were arraigned before the High Court of Osun State on an eighteen-count Charge of conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful killing, among others. The Defendants pleaded not guilty to the Charge. The Prosecution called witnesses, and tendered various exhibits. While other Defendants testified themselves and called other witnesses, the 1st Defendant rested his case on that of the Prosecution.

Issue for Determination

Whether the Prosecution has succeeded in proving the counts of charges in this case beyond reasonable doubt.

Arguments

The summary of the submission by counsel for the Defendants, was that the Prosecution failed to discharge the burden of proof of the

elements of the counts of offences with which the Defendants were charged, beyond reasonable doubt. They argued that the case of the Prosecution is based on suspicion, which cannot ground a conviction in law. They submitted further, that the Prosecution witnesses were discredited under cross-examination, thereby leaving their evidence without value.

It was argued for the Prosecution that it proved its case against all the Defendants, and that the circumstantial evidence was strong and compelling enough to prove the counts of offences against the Defendants.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

Rehashing the trite principle of law on burden, standard and means of proof in criminal cases, the court held that it is now established beyond conjecture that in criminal cases, the burden of proof is squarely on the Prosecution to prove all the elements of the offence beyond reasonable doubt. The burden of proof is static, as a Defendant is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved – Section 36(5) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Though the standard required is proof beyond reasonable doubt, this does not amount to proof beyond all shadow of doubt or proof to the hilt. Nonetheless, if there is doubt in the prosecution’s case, the doubt is to be resolved in favour of the Defendant. With respect to the means by which the Prosecution can prove its case and discharge the burden of proof thereon, the established ways are:

(i) evidence of eye witnesses/direct evidence; (ii) confession of the Defendant; and (iii)

circumstantial evidence – ASEKERE v STATE (2022) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1824) 431.

To establish a case of murder, the prosecution must prove the following elements of the offence:

(i) the death of a person; (ii) cause of the death; (iii) that the death was caused by an act or omission of the accused person/Defendant; (iv) that the act of the accused person was done intentionally or with knowledge that death or grievous bodily harm was the probable consequence. Relating the above to the instant case, it is a fact that someone by the name – Timothy Adegoke died. His corpse was found and identified by his brother – PW3. The evidence before the court also shows that he died in room 305 of Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife owned by the 1st Defendant between the 5th and 7th November, 2021, when the 2nd to 7th Defendant were on duty. The cause of death according to the Prosecution was severe haemorrhage (bleeding), secondary to severe traumatic injury. The Prosecution relied on the evidence of PW5 (a pathologist), and the autopsy report tendered in evidence. The Defendants however, relied on the evidence of DW1, another pathologist and the “orphaned” autopsy report he issued, which states that the cause of death could not be anatomically determined, due to advanced decomposition and embalmment.

In his oral evidence, DW1 stated that though he could not ascertain if the death was due to natural causes, he was certain that the death was not due to any violent traumatic act or bleeding, as there was no sign of any cut on the body of the deceased.

Exercising its discretion on the conflicting expert opinions on the death of the deceased, the court relied on the case of ODIAWA v FRN (2008) LPELR-4230 (CA) to the effect that the court is at liberty to reject one and adopt the other. Some facts relating to the incident also serve as guide in the exercise of discretion by the court, such as blood oozing out of the nose of the deceased when he was found in room 305 by the 2nd and 3rd Defendant, and as stated in the statement of the 3rd Defendant to the Police when his memory was fresh. When the corpse was found where it was dumped, it was wrapped in a carton and tied with rope as shown in the photographs tendered in evidence and affirmed under cross-examination. When the corpse was exhumed during Police investigation, it was found wrapped in blood-stained duvet and tied with two different ropes with cut on the chest. The Police investigation and forensic analysis of stains on the walls of the room 305, showed the stain as blood of a human being. DW1 admitted under cross-examination that the embalmment did not make it impossible to ascertain the cause of death and out of the seven pathologists who were present at the autopsy, only two disagreed on the cause of death being severe haemorrhage. Given the above facts, the court found the autopsy report tendered by PW5 to be more logical and reasonable. More so, the two pathologists who disagreed were at the autopsy session to represent the Defendants, and had interests to serve. Thus, the Prosecution proved the cause of death as severe haemorrhage, secondary to traumatic injury.

On whether the cause of death was caused by the act or omission of the Defendants and the intention of the Defendants, it could be seen that the case of the Prosecution is based on circumstantial evidence. The facts in support of this are – the deceased paid for lodgement in the 1st Defendant’s hotel for two nights, and made a transfer to the 7th Defendant to this effect. The CCTV in the hotel covering the reception and the floor of room 305, was working when the deceased lodged in the hotel. The 1st Defendant and his son, the MD of the hotel, were at the hotel on the night of November 5. The 5th Defendant, who was the Manager left the hotel about 8am on November 6, then informing the 7th Defendant he was travelling. The deceased was not seen at the hotel till November 7, when the 2nd Defendant used a spare key to access the room and found him dead on the bed. After the incident, the MD visited the hotel and administered an oath of secrecy on the concerned Defendants not to disclose the death of the deceased. Later at night, the 3rd and 5th Defendant with the MD, evacuated the body of the deceased and dumped him at the road side along Ede Road, Ile-Ife. The mattress in room 305 was taken out and burnt, while a new mattress was put in. Renovation works and painting was done, and the CCTV in the hotel was removed. The lodger’s book of the hotel for November 5 was re-written by the 3rd Defendant to remove the name of the deceased, and the receipt issued to the deceased removed

“…. the Prosecution having proved the commission of a crime by circumstantial evidence beyond reasonable doubt, the burden shifted to the 1st Defendant to prove reasonable doubt”

Honourable Oyebola Adepele Ojo, J.

L-R: Mr Chisom Onuoha, Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC), NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference 2023; Mr Seyi Olawumi, LOC Chairman, Dr Monday Ubani and Mr Emeka Nwadioke, Council Member, NBA-SPIDEL

Hon. Justice Monica Bolna'an Dongban-Mensem PCA Clocks 66!

Stories by Steve Aya

Today, the President of the Court of Appeal turns 66. Lex Fori, a Lawyer and Journalist celebrates her achievements on the Bench.

He wrote: ‘The occasion presents a unique opportunity to showcase

her level of professionalism and dedication to her task of repositioning the Court of Appeal to its erstwhile position, as a top grade penultimate Court of excellence and a wholesome house of justice and fair play.

‘Her achievement in this regard

is second to none, and her efforts have significantly contributed to the restoration of the Court's integrity and reputation.

‘When Hon. Justice DongbanMensem assumed office as the President of the Court of Appeal in 2020, the Court had literally

piled up a catalog of bashings from all and sundry, for dishing out conflicting judgements and other avoidable shortcomings. But, through her leadership style and the implementation of far-reaching reforms, Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensem has been able to

reposition the Court, and now, there are virtually no more conflicting judgements.’ Lex Fori went on to say of Her Lordship:‘Part of her simple strategy and yet effective in all ramifications, is to ensure that judgements delivered on key or landmark decisions that are

Appeal Court Dismisses Jimoh Ibrahim’s Bid to Recover Seized Assets

Businessman and Lawyer, Jimoh Ibrahim, has failed in his attempt to recover his assets seized by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), as the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal sitting Igbosere has thrashed an appeal instituted by the Chairman of Global Fleet Group, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The businessman had questioned the seizure of 12 of his assets by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), and the freezing of all his accounts over an alleged N69.4 billion debt.

The Court of Appeal upheld the arguments of AMCON’s lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who had urged the court to throw out Ibrahim’s application.

Ibrahim, who is the Senatorelect for Ondo South Senatorial District, and his company, were represented by Niyi Akintola,

LAW REPORT

SAN, and Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN.

It would be recalled that AMCON had taken possession of all the 12 properties through its Debt Recovery Agent, Pinheiro Legal Partners, following the order of Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was issued on November 18, 2020.

The affected assets include the building of NICON Investment Limited at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja; and the building of NICON Lekki Limited also at No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.

Other properties are the building of Abuja International Hotels Limited located at No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos; another property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja; the former Allied Bank Building

on Mile 2, Oshodi Expressway, Lagos; Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja; a residential apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; NICON

Hotels building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos, as well as the NICON Luxury Hotel building, Garki 1, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Aside from taking over the properties, the lower court had equally ordered the freezing

of all accounts belonging to Ibrahim and his companies, including Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited, and NICON Investment Limited, all of whom were Defendants in the protracted Suit No. FHC/L/ CL/776/2016.

perennial in nature, are promptly circulated to all Divisions/Justices with stern directives imploring all to fall in-line. Any deviation without proper cause is expected to be met with appropriate consequences, which may include, and may not be limited to keeping a date with the NJC Disciplinary Committee on Conflicting Judgments.’

Lex Fori added: ‘Recently, she earned her place in the Class of 2023 recipients of National Honour awardees, when she was conferred with the prestigious honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria’. Lex Fori wishes her well.

CJN, Falana, Agbakoba, Ozekhome, Adegboruwa, Set for NBA-SPIDEL Confab

Leading human rights activists are set for fierce frank discussion and face-off, as the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference kicks off.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, is expected to deliver an address, and no fewer than four past and present NBA Presidents have also confirmed attendance at the eagerly awaited Conference.

The Conference is due to hold at CITADEL Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos from June 20 to June

23, 2023 with the theme, “PostElection Nigeria: The Judiciary in the Eye of the Storm”. Addressing a press conference to herald the event, the Chairman of NBA/SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani, stated that this Conference will be one to remember, given the fact that the topic is a topical one with its realities there for everyone to see. He further stated that the theme was carefully selected to match with the present day realities, as the eyes of Nigerians and indeed, the whole world is fixed on the Judiciary for justice where injustice is said to have been done, during

When Burden of Proof in Criminal Matter Shifts to the Defendant

cont'd from page IV

from the receipts issued for lodgings on the date. The court found that the various pieces of evidence, when put together, were cogent and led to the compelling and irresistible conclusion that room 305 was broken into by other persons, and the deceased was killed. Those who were in charge of his custody also failed to inform the law enforcement agencies of his death, coupled with the cause of death as shown in the autopsy report as bleeding from cut inflicted on the chest, it can be seen that death was intended.

Regarding the submission that the 1st Defendant cannot be found guilty by virtue of his ownership of the hotel or vicariously liable for the crime of his son who is at large, the court found that the guilt of the 1st Defendant is established by his presence at the hotel on the night of 5th November, 2021 when the deceased was last seen, knew of the death of the deceased when he was called by the 3rd Defendant, but still went ahead to inform the IPO that the deceased did not lodge in his hotel. He was also privy to the new receipt issued for presentation to the Police and frenzy of steps taken to conceal the death of the deceased. Even in the face of the evidence and dismissal of his no case submission, the 1st Defendant still opted not to call evidence in his defence, resting his case on that of the Prosecution, and attempting to take advantage of the evidence of other Defendants which attempted to exonerate him. Relying on Section 135(3) of the Evidence Act, the court found that the Prosecution having proved the

commission of a crime by circumstantial evidence beyond reasonable doubt, the burden shifted to the 1st Defendant to prove reasonable doubt – THE STATE v HARUNA (2017) LPELR-43351 (CA).

On the issue of alibi raised in passing by counsel for the 1st Defendant that he was in Abuja for about two weeks, the court held that the defence of alibi cannot avail the 1st Defendant who failed to raise the defence at the first opportunity, and give details to enable the Police investigate same.

On the issue of duplication of charges, the court

the last general election.

Speakers who have confirmed their attendance include foremost human rights activists, Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN. The incumbent NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, alongside past Presidents, Mr Austin Alegeh, SAN and Mr Olumide Akpata, are also billed to attend the Conference.

Other Speakers include Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie of the Supreme Court; Prof Ernest Ojukwu, SAN; retired Justice Taiwo

Taiwo; Prof Pat Utomi; Mr Festus Okoye (INEC); Mr Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN (AGC-TCCP) and Mr Tobenna Erojikwe (NBA-ICLE). Also confirmed as Speakers are Prof Paul Ananaba, SAN; Mrs Boma Alabi, SAN; Dr Sam Amadi; Mr Worgu Boms (former Rivers State Attorney-General); Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN (NHRC); AIG Olufimihan Adeoye; Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri and Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins (former NBA First Vice President), according to Dr Ubani.

conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful killing, and sentenced to terms of imprisonment and death by hanging.

2nd, 4th and 6th Defendant Discharged and Acquitted.

7th Defendant Discharged and Acquitted for conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful killing, but Convicted for fabricating evidence.

Hilux Van and Hotel Premises used for commission of crime, Forfeited to the State.

Children of the deceased placed under education up to University level at the expense of the 1st, 3rd and 5th Defendant/Convicts.

Rahman Adedoyin, son of the 1st Defendant/Convict, who is at large, was declared wanted and Interpol authorised to launch a world-wide manhunt for his arrest and prosecution, for his role in the gruesome murder of the deceased.

Prosecution’s Case Succeeds in Part.

Representation

Mrs Fatimah Adeshina for the Prosecution

found that the counts which were brought under different sections of the Criminal Code Law of Osun State, were not duplicated. More so, for a duplication in a Charge to be material, it must be shown to have misled the Defendant and cause a prejudice or miscarriage of justice to the Defendant – MUSTAPHA (SAN) v FRN (2017) LPELR-43131 (CA). The 1st Defendant was not misled in this case, and his counsel did not establish any prejudice against him.

1st, 3rd and 5th Defendant Convicted for

Williams A. Ajayi, Esq. with Abdulwasiu Wiridi, Esq. for the 1st Defendant

Henry Odunayo, Esq. for the 2nd, 4th and 5th Defendant Muyideen Adeoye, Esq. with Levi Chiefuna Esq. and O.U. Yusuff, Esq. for the 3rd and 6th Defendant Okon Edet Ita, Esq. for the 7th Defendant.

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

President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Bolna'an Dongban-Mensem

Dr Jimoh Ibrahim

Late Timothy Adegoke Dr Rahmon Adedoyin

CROSSFIRE!

The Fuel Subsidy Controversy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swearing in on May 29, 2023, left many Nigerians reeling from shock, with the announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy in his Inaugural Speech. This was not cheering news to hapless masses, who were already groaning under economic hardship and escalating inflation. Not surprisingly, a few Lawyers expressed differing opinions as to the desirability, legality or otherwise of the fuel subsidy removal vis-à-vis the way and manner it was done. While Anthony Aikhunegbe

Malik, SAN, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje

appear to be in favour of the fuel subsidy removal, and offer advice on what steps Government can take to ease the hardship being suffered by Nigerians and spend the savings from its removal gainfully, Emmanuel Onwubiko thoroughly condemns it, and Dr Sam Amadi, while looking at the Pro-Subsidy removal arguments, gives cogent reasons for his opposing stand, one being that it appears to run foul of Chapter II of the Constitution. Here is the Crossfire!

Fuel Subsidy Cancellation, A Welcome Development

Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN

Nothing, in recent times, in our national life, has generated as much salvo as the announcement of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the newly inaugurated President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The priority of the announcement and the swift implementation of same, leaves no one in doubt as to the pride of place that the matter of fuel subsidy occupies in the mind and soul of Mr President.

Shorn of all linguistic adornments, fuel subsidy removal is simply a policy decision of government not to pay the difference between the pump price of fuel and the actual cost of fuel importation. Technically, it is the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector, to enable importers of petroleum to sell the product according to the dictates of free market realities.

Origin of Fuel Subsidy & Fluctuations

Significantly, the idea of fuel importation was muted as a stop gap measure to stave off the imminent

spectre of fuel drought in the local market, following the total break down of the nation’s refining capacity. In what panned out subsequently, as a pseudo paternalism of the IBB-led administration, to cushion the hefty burden of the outcome of the forces of free market in the petroleum pricing thereof, the regime of fuel subsidy was birthed.

The administration of Ibrahim Babangida, back then in April 1992, fired the first salvo when it raised the pump price of a litre of fuel from 15.3 kobo to 20 kobo. He did it again on March 31, 1986, from 20k to 39.5k, on April 10, 1988, from 39.5k to 42k. On January 1, 1989, he increased the price, yet again, from 42k to 60k, and made subsequent further increases.

While others gingerly tinkered with the subsidy policy, it was the Obasanjo’s Presidency that adopted fuel subsidy as the bedrock of its economic policy. No sooner had Obasanjo been sworn in, that he increased the pump price to N30 on June 1, 2000, but had to yield to mass protests and it reduced to N25 on June 8, 2000 and further down to N22 on the 13th of June, 2000, only to increase again to N26 on January 1, 2002 and again to N40 on June 23, 2003. He was to raise it up to N70 by the time he left in May 2009, but when President Yar’Adua came on board, he reduced it to N65, following sustained civil protest against the new price regime.

In January 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan increased the pump price of petrol from N65 to N141, but he was forced to reduce it to N97

per litre, as a result of organised labour’s strike. President Buhari, contrary to all expectations, did not fare any better in the fuel subsidy conundrum. Like his predecessors-in-office, he towed the same trajectory of fuel importation and subsidy payments. By the time his hardly-effective and scarcely-efficient administration exited the scene on May 29 this year, the pump price of PMS was N195. One notes that the decision of the Buhari Government not to make provision for fuel subsidy payments beyond May, 2023, may be an indication of his Government’s discomfiture with the subsidy regime which it lacked the political will to deal decisively with, his campaign promises notwithstanding.

Now, enter President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who wasted no time in implementing the subsidy withdrawal leading to the current price regime of between N537 to N540.

The fuel subsidy regimes through the various administrations that implemented it, on a calm review, had one common thread running through them: there was never any guaranteed stability in pump price. Rather, what we experienced, periodic, ever increasing pump price, humongous corruption in fraudulent payments, over invoicing and diversion of petroleum products to neighbouring countries, with adverse impact on the domestic market, resulting in artificial scarcity.

Given the nest of corrupt or “fantastically corrupt” saboteurs that the subsidy regime has thrown up just for the elusive parlous benefit of making fuel availability for domestic consumption, it is disturbing that the discernible, even pundits, are criticising the well-informed decision of the new Government to

“While one concedes to the biting inflation attendant to the subsidy withdrawal, one is tempted to metaphorically regard the pains as a similitude of the therapy of bone setting. in order that the victim of bone fracture can rise up, again, on his feet”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

CROSSFIRE!

withdraw or cancel the scandalous subsidy regime.

While one concedes to the biting inflation attendant to the subsidy withdrawal, one is tempted to metaphorically regard the pains as a similitude of the therapy of bone setting. in order that the victim of bone fracture can rise up, again, on his feet. There is no gainsaying the fact that subsidy payment running into Trillions of Naira in as many years of its administration, has only enriched a few at the expense of national development anticipated from the nation’s commercial transactions in petroleum.

While fuel importation may remain the only option to guarantee fuel supply in Nigeria for now, until the nation’s refining capacity is enhanced, subsidy payment on petroleum products is a pathway and signpost to under-development.

It is in this light, that the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to bid farewell to it, is commendable and salutary.

Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN, Constitutional Lawyer, Abuja

Timing is Perfect for Subsidy Removal

Dr Akpo Mudiaga Odje

Introduction

The regime of the elusive and/or fast mutilating fuel subsidy, has been on the front burner both in the distant past, and now in the past present.

The gist is of this fuel subsidy mirage is that the hitherto sale of a litre of fuel at N184 was subsidised by the Federal Government paying a difference of a little above N350 to a litre of fuel, if this post President Tinubu's unsubsidised price of N510 a litre is applied, as the present unsubsidised price of a litre of fuel in Nigeria.

Accordingly, the Federal Government over the years and now in decades, have been allegedly paying the difference in the actual landing cost of a litre of imported fuel which rises above the Federal Government's approved price for a litre

of fuel.

As time went by, the subsidy payment for petrol rose gigantically, and almost consumed our budget and even the nation. And, whereas, there was neither any existing statistical report, nor any empirical research conducted by the Federal Government, on the impact of this policy on our economy and the people. The policy was thus, based more on the sentiments of assisting the proletariats and perhaps the middle class to get cheap fuel to go about their duties and run private businesses powered on an affordable petrol costs.

Having taken a very constructive and deductive analysis of this subsidy regime, there appears to be no significant impact on the Nigerians targeted, nor on their businesses. It was just a shenanigans by the Federal Government, which has benefited only those who are connected directly or indirectly to the operations, importation and implementation of the scheme, especially the exporters of our crude and the importers of our fuel. A lot of money has gone, both under and on top the bridge for some to see.

In 2011, the public outcry over fuel subsidy and its first cousin, the fuel scarcity, led to a public hearing by the House of Representatives. This laudable step by House of Representatives regrettably, was subsequently rubbished when the Chair of the Committee, Hon. Usman Farouk was also subsidised in hard US dollars to extricate indicted firms. Farouk, now serving a Dishonourable sentence, in an "unsubsidised" correctional facility as sentenced by a Court of law, abdicated his patriotic assignment and sadly, veered off apparently in search of his own personal subsidy for investigation of sleaze. This very unfortunate incident overshadowed the Committee and it's subsidised Report. And, that gave a breather and justified leeway, for the profiteering importers and exporters to continue unabated again, in the ruthless

implementation of the subsidy regime with the costs now hitting trillions upon trillions of Naira been paid out by the Federal Government to give us petrol at cheap rates.

Yet, these subsidies were felt more in its diversion of our difficultly imported fuel to Cameroun, Niger and Republic of Benin, as same was sold there at higher prices, after these comprado bourgeoisies had previously bought the product at the government subsidised rates in Nigeria. This was another criminal aspect of the subsidy policy

We Closed Our Borders

We had the borders manned by Custom, Immigration, Navy, Soldiers, Police, Air Force and all Land Forces, yet, the said diversion rather than reduce, strangely increased!

As at now, the NNPC Co Ltd, has said the Federal Government is owing it arrears of subsidy payment, to the tune of N2.8 trillion. This is simply frightening!

The subsidy payment in the penultimate budget of about N19.3 trillion, gulped N6.9 trillion. This is as incredible, as it's preposterous. Consequently, the outgone government, tactically shifted this economic cancerous policy to the present government.

As expected, Buhari made no provision for payment of fuel subsidy from the end of June 2023, and yet received a whooping parting gift of $800 million loan to cushion the effects of the proposed removal of the subsidy at that material time, shortly before his exhilarating exit.

Is the Timing of the Subsidy Removal Right? And, Is it Ill-Intentioned?

The raison d’etre now, is whether it is right for the President to remove the subsidy and, whether the timing was right

Firstly, the removal from the above adumbrations is a welcome relief. It is of the utmost necessity, and a welcome development. All other governments in the past tried to withdraw this fuel subsidy incubus, but were resisted by the populace via the Nigeria Labour Congress, who with the profundity of respect, had no real information of the compression of distortion and the banality of destruction the policy was causing to our lives and businesses.

Now, I believe with the grandiloquent figures of trillions of Naira being reeled out as subsidy payments by the Government, our people are now more informed and wiser. The timing is perfect, so as to start on a clean and clear slate and state.

Mr President was truthful about it, and has demonstrated Presidential capacity and the requisite political will, to sustain the removal.

The subsidy should be immediately evacuated, and made to evaporate from our nation's economy and even lexicon.

The few days after the announcement of the removal of subsidy by Mr President, we gathered that the price of gas has gone down a bit. Aviation fuel too and the daily consumption has reduced from the hitherto daily spiritual and diabolical, petrol consumption of 100 million litres a day!

No pain, no gain! My dear mother usually repeated that refrain to me, on a daily basis. We start with this pain, and gain in the long run, when the free market will eventually determine an affordable price of a litre of petrol, by the participation of more stakeholders and investors in the importation of fuel.

The Gains of Removal of the Fuel Subsidy

1) The most important gain for me, will be the increase in government revenue from the now retained subsidy funds, taxes and import duties.

2) Stable price control, by virtue of open market importation of fuel.

3) Less interference and domination by NNPC in the importation of fuel.

4) Automatically stopping diversion of fuel to neighbouring countries.

5) Elimination of hitherto profiteering importers and exporters.

6) Eventual easing up of fuel scarcity and/ or it's first cousin, the fuel queue.

7) Dismantling the black market profiteers and shylocks, who engineer and benefit from artificial fuel scarcity.

What Government Should do With the Now Retained Subsidy Removal Funds

1) Government must first take steps to unify the foreign exchange rates, which indeed, will lead to a devaluation of the Naira, as we are regrettably, an import dependent nation. However, it is better for our importers, especially foreign ones, to know beforehand the exchange rates of foreign currencies, especially the US dollars, to enable same get a clearer picture of the cost implication and benefits in embarking on fuel importation.

The present dual foreign exchange rate system is used as a scam, by the illegal and nepotistic system some favoured importers use in buying US dollars at low official rates from the Central Bank of Nigeria. And, thereafter, resell same on the parallel market, thus, making huge profits ,before allegedly proceeding on the importation of the product.

This is beyond criminal!

2) The government should, as Chief MKO Abiola, GCFR, said in his campaign, publish the reports of the barrels of crude oil sold and the litres of fuel imported and sold in this country, every week or month as the case may be. This will enhance transparency and credibility, from the government to the governed.

3) Declare publicly too, the moneys realised from the removal of subsidy, every week or month as the case may be, further building trust and credibility between the government and the governed.

4) As this truth and credibility is gradually been built, the government must tell us how it intends to utilise and spend the retained funds from the subsidy removal.

5) It can and should channel the retained funds to infrastructure, health, energy, education, job creation, building industries, funding small scale businesses, and even security too.

6) Also, use the said funds to resuscitate the old refineries, if Government also needs to participate

“The timing is perfect, so as to start on a clean and clear slate and state…. We start with this pain, and gain in the long run, when the free market will eventually determine an affordable price of a litre of petrol….”

Chief Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, SAN

Dr Akpo Mudiaga Odje

CROSSFIRE!

3) Devaluation of the local currency.

In 2013 for instance, N1.3 trillion was spent on PMS subsidy, by 2022 it had jumped to N4.4 trillion. To meet up with this humongous financial commitment, the country had to borrow N11 trillion! This is clearly not only unsustainable, but also unconscionable.

Whilst those that advocate fuel subsidies to remain, maintain that it cannot be removed without first putting in place a meaningful and verifiable basket of palliatives, so as to cushion its effect on the common man; on the other hand, there are people like Christine Lagarde, the IMF Managing Director and Dr Mrs Okonjo- Iweala, the Managing Director of WTO, who believe that payment of Subsidy on petroleum products as is the case in Nigeria, is a complete misapplication and even a waste of scarce national resources. They support their position by pointing out the staggering amounts being spent as fuel subsidy in Nigeria, such as the stupendous amount of $5.2 trillion that has been purportedly spent on the so called subsidy since 2015. They point at the huge opportunity costs in terms of foregone infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, roads, industries etc.

Challenges of Funding Subsidies:

1) Unsustainable financial cost: For instance, as pointed out earlier, Nigeria borrowed a whopping N11 trillion in 2022 to finance fuel subsidy.

2) Economic Distortion: The poorest of the poor, accounts for only 3% of the petroleum purchases. It is pertinent to point out here that, most mass transit vehicles, are fuelled by diesel otherwise known as AGO, that is already deregulated. Therefore, those who benefit from Fuel Subsidy in Nigeria are those who can afford to pay for it.

cont'd from page VII

in the petrol business.

NNPC is now an investment company, so it can also use the said retained subsidy removal funds to repair the refineries or build new ones, and join the importation of fuel which will eventually also reduce the price of same, and afortiori, the availability of fuel will be more guaranteed

Conclusion

Nigeria is sailing on a delicate economic ship of State at the moment, and urgently requires germane, fundamental, as well as drastic comprehensive measures, including the above suggestions, to steer the delicate Ship of State away from this vicious economic murky waters, to bring same up to date with the fast emerging block of prosperous global nations, from within and without Africa.

Dr Akpo Mudiaga Odje, LLD, LLM (MERIT) London; Facilitator of the Dr Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR Centre for the Advancement of the Rule of Law

No! Its Wrong Timing and Anti-People

Emmanuel Onwubiko

In what is the worst ever Presidential Inauguration Speech, the controversially elected President, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu said subsidy on petroleum products are gone. It was a freshly wedded couple who rather than bring good tidings, chose to unleash invectives on their guests. This was exactly what President Tinubu did, when rather than bring good tidings at least to his own die-hard supporters who worked for his election, he opted to pour hot oil on their heads in that moment of conviviality. This is a political heresy. Then again, Nigerian politicians are obviously unprincipled and heartless. By dropping the statement that fuel subsidy is gone, he failed to provide clarity. But, that statement made by the newly inaugurated President sparked off a whirlwind of orchestrated confusion in the

petroleum industry, just as the shylock and ruthless wicked major fuel marketers hiked the pump price of fuel almost with the speed of lightening.

Other genres of mean hearted fuel dealers almost immediately shut down their filling stations, just so they hoard their old products bought at old price so they can maximise profits. Since 29th of May, 2023 when that ill-advised decision was made without any kind of negotiations with organised Labour and the civil society, Nigerians have experienced the most depressing economic crisis induced by President Tinubu and his cabal. So, what really is the historicity of petrol subsidy, if we may ask?

The story goes that shortly after the Nigeria civil war in the early nineteen seventies, the country started oil exploration and exportation in earnest. Nigeria’s crude oil at the time, was very much sought after by the developed countries. Consequently, Nigeria became awash with what was then known as petrodollars, to the extent that its youthful military leader, General Yakubu Gowon, publicly declared that Nigeria’s problem was now how to spend the stupendous foreign exchange reserves at its disposal. Not surprisingly, the political leaders awarded themselves huge salaries and allowances, and the civil servants received jumbo increases in their own salaries in two quick successions via the Udoji and Adebo awards, respectively.

The General, in a bid to extend the seemingly inexhaustible largesse to the masses of the Nigerian people, sought the advise of his finance minister at the time, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who apparently counseled that the pump prices of PMS and ATK, be subsidized. The rationale for this was that these products are generally used either directly or indirectly by the ordinary Nigerian and that any change in their prices usually has rippling effect on the rest of the economy. These perfunctory increases in salaries, allowances and other fringe benefits as well as subsidy payments generally, was to become institutionalised, following the promulgation of the Price Control Decree in 1977 which made it illegal for some

products (including petrol) to be sold against the regulated price.

What is Subsidy?

Subsidy is government’s attempt at reducing the cost of living for the citizens, particularly the economic vulnerable low income group, by absorbing a certain percentage of the cost of production of the particular product or service in question, in order to reduce the price at which the final consumer will access it. Thus, you could have food subsidy, education subsidy or fuel subsidy etc.

In the case of petroleum products subsidy, we are referring to the reduction of the pump price of petroleum motor spirit PMS, kerosene ATK or diesel, as the case may be, as compared to what is obtainable outside the country. In the case of Nigeria in particular, following the collapse of its own refineries, (some say the collapse is contrived), it became necessary for Government through the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to resort to importation of refined petroleum products from abroad. In actual fact, marketers, both the major and private ones are supposed to import fuel directly, but because of economic reality of difficulty in playing in the International arena, the NNPC, became the only net importer of fuel in Nigeria.

It has however, been observed that the landing cost of refined petroleum products at its ports, will most of the time translate to much higher pump prices at the filling stations. Therefore, for its citizens to be able to get these products at lower costs, the Government absorbs the differential between the regulated local pump prices and the landing cost per litre, thereby effectively subsidising the local consumption of petroleum products, the most visible of which is the PMS, of course. Mind you, the Nasarawa State Governor who worked with Dangote Nig. Ltd as a Senior Production Director, has just disclosed that the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari blew away a whooping $19 billion to fix the dysfunctional refineries in the country, but there is no evidence that any of those four near-moribund refineries were revitalised for eight years of the administration of the past Government.

Flawed Implementation of the Subsidy Regime

The concept of Subsidies is no doubt, a noble one, but its implementation in Nigeria has been plagued with serious allegations of corruption and mismanagement. It is noteworthy to point out that, although subsidy payments have since ceased in respect of diesel and kerosene, for some inexplicable reason, the subsidy payment regime, remained alive in the case of PMS up till May 31, 2023, simply referred to as petrol.

To make matters worse, the cost of subsidy has always been on the increase. As a matter of fact, a substantial portion of the country’s budget is devoted to subsidising PMS. This upward trajectory is attributable to the following factors:

1) Increases in the cost of crude oil in the International market.

2) Growth in the quantum of fuel consumed locally, even though this cannot easily be verified and it is believed that this was a phantom increase

3) Smuggling: Of the 103 million litres per day of consumption, 58 million litres are being smuggled according to Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of NNPCL. Destinations as far as Mali rely on smuggled fuel from Nigeria which is as much as four times cheaper than what is obtainable there.

4) Endemic Corruption: Importers are the main beneficiaries of the subsidy payments, and not the ultimate buyer of the fuel as originally conceived.

5) Investment: The current fuel subsidy and legal framework, discourages FDI into the downstream sector. The PIA is amongst other things, aimed at correcting these anomalies.

6) Climate Change Commitment: Former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the climate pact at the COP Z in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021, undertaking that Nigeria would reach zero emissions by 2020.

Myths or Facts

1) Petrol Price Increase and Inflation/Cost of Living: When petrol prices increase, small businesses tend to raise their prices to cover increased costs of operations, which invariably leads to higher prices for consumers. The impact can however, be modulated by well thought out implementation of palliatives.

2) Local Refining of Petrol: This will definitely remove the elements of CIF and FX fluctuations, and will obviously have the effect of reducing the prices at the filling stations. It should however, be noted that the cost of crude is still quoted in Dollars regardless, and so the price reduction may not be as substantial as would ordinarily be expected, regardless.

3) Effectiveness of Palliatives: Cash transfers, provision of mass transit for public movement are the most readily recommended palliatives, but accurately identifying and having a reliable database of the poorest of the poor becomes difficult to achieve.

4) CNG as a viable alternative? Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), has been suggested as alternative to petrol due to Nigeria’s significant natural gas reserves. It also has the advantage of lower costs, reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. However, the major challenge is fitting existing vehicles with CNG engines, making it a less likely replacement for PMS in the short to medium term.

HURIWA’s Stand

However, expressing disappointment that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal administration has started in a very toxic fashion by hiking the purchasing prices of petrol in Nigeria, the Prominent Civil Rights Advocacy Group - Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the price reviews as wicked, obnoxious, brutish, and absolutely unacceptable. It has called on Nigerians not to suffer and smile, or die in silence, but to take peaceful steps to demonstrate publicly against this wicked act of the new Government.

HURIWA is calling on the new Government to keep in mind that before it came on board, its predecessor, which is also from the same political party, had absolutely destroyed the national economy of Nigeria and had pushed

“The Government must tell us how it intends to utilise and spend the retained funds, from the subsidy removal. It can, and should channel the retained funds to infrastructure, health, energy, education, job creation, building industries, funding small scale businesses, and even security too”

Emmanuel Onwubiko

CROSSFIRE!

The Economics

Subsidy, Politics and Law

Dr Sam Amadi

While Nigerian presidential candidates were campaigning for election, the country reeled under the crushing weight of fiscal deficit. Nigeria’s debt is spiralling out of control. It increased by N2.95 trillion from the last quarter of 2021, to stand at N41.6 trillion as of the end of March 2022. It means that between December 2021 and March 2022, Nigeria borrowed additional $7.1 billion. Nigeria’s debt stock will continue to rise, because of its weak productive base and incurable appetite to borrow. It looks like we should expect more borrowing in the rest of the year, as the new Government grapples with the headwinds of fiscal distress, low revenue, and low public trust in its first 100 days. revenue flows.

The President on the first day on the job, while delivering his inaugural speech, declared that subsidy was over. Immediately after that statement, fuel prices shot from 192 to 545 in many places. The response of marketers and consumers to the Presidential misspeak, reminds one of what Keynes called ‘the animal spirit’. According to that great Economist, ‘animal spirit’ represents the ‘deliberate commitment of the people to action, rather than inaction’. The rush to action means that a poorly timed statement could cause a run on the financial institutions, or can create a narrative to leads to uneconomic outcomes.

The Politics

over 100 million households into absolute poverty.

The Rights group said the new President may have increased the pump prices of petrol as announced by NNPCL, to pay back millions of deprived and oppressed voters for rejecting the All Progressives Congress at the Presidential poll, just as the Rights group stated that the wicked manner this Government has started by unleashing punishing scarcity of fuel and hiking the costs of buying fuel, and therefore the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not have the humane conscience to do pro-people policies since it has no popular mandate from the voters.

HURIWA recalled that following the announcement by President Bola Tinubu during his inauguration that the Federal Government will no longer pay subsidy on PMS, NNPCL has effected an upward adjustment in the price of petrol across the country. The approval is contained in a schedule issued by the NNPCL detailing the new prices that would be charged by the NNPC retail outlets across the country.

HURIWA quoted the document which it described as devilish, as stating thus: “The NNPC in playing it’s energy security role is the sole supplier of petrol in Nigeria currently, and it is now expected that other marketers will follow the NNPC prices and adjust their own pump price with effect from today”.

Besides, a statement from NNPCL signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPCL, reads, “As we strive to provide you the quality service we are known for, it is pertinent to note that prices will continue to fluctuate to reflect market dynamics.

“We assure you that NNPCL, is committed to ensuring ceaseless supply of products.

“The Company sincerely regrets any inconvenience this development might have caused.

“We greatly appreciate your continued patronage, support and understanding through this time of change and growth.”

The Rights group stated that "According to the price template, the price of petrol has now been adjusted upward from between N189 to N194 to N537 per litre in Abuja and other North-Central States such as Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Niger. For Lagos and other South West States such as Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun, the price of PMS was raised from between N184 and N189 per litre to between N488 and N500 per litre. In the South East where there are States such as Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi, the price was increased from between N184 and N189 per litre to N515 to N520. Similarly, in the North-West, the price of PMS was raised from N194 per litre to N540,

while for the North-East, it moved from N199 to N550 per litre”.

HURIWA recalled that NNPCL had, shortly after the announcement by Tinubu, said the decision to remove the subsidy on PMS by the President is a welcome development.The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, during a press briefing shortly after the pronouncement by President Tinubu, said the subsidy burden which has been placed on the NNPCL is affecting the company’s cashflow and threatening its sustainability plans, due to the Federal Government’s inability to refund the subsidy claims. He added that NNPCL as a limited liability company, cannot continue to bear the burden of subsidy on behalf of the Federation, if it must deliver dividends to its shareholders.

HURIWA however, faulted the newly circulated pump prices as fraudulent and anti-free market ideals; that since the Petroleum sector is said to have been deregulated, it therefore beggars belief that NNPCL that is a commercially registered firm can still regulate the pump prices, rather than let market forces of demand and supply to determine the appropriate pricing status just as the Rights group said the policy of pump price upward reviews will drive another 100 million Nigerians into absolute poverty, meaning that both Presidents produced by APC since 2015, namely Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have now collectively driven 200 million households into absolute poverty.

The group said only those who steal Government money can afford the new pump price of petrol, just as the Rights group predicted high crime rates and possible violence that may be precipitated by this evil, obnoxious, toxic and anti- people initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"This policy will drive many unemployed youths into organised crime, just to be able to pay the high costs of transportation and afford the high costs of living. The remaining millions of youngsters who can't stain their good names, will then try to migrate illegally out of the country to go to humane countries with effective welfarist governments in Europe."

Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA); former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria

Many people have praised the President for courage to take decisive action. His base praises the declaration of end of subsidy, as evidence of a leader who is ready to take required hard action to save Nigeria from fiscal disaster. Others consider his statement as brash and tactless. In their view, a Presidential Inauguration is a moment to sow hope, and not to mobilise opposition against the government. I believe that the President missed an opportunity to communicate clearly to Nigerians, about the commitment of his Government to improve the lot of the people. Ending subsidy with your first statement as President and unleashing negative domino effects that adversely affect the people, is not the right way to begin a tenure.

It is true that all the major presidential candidates declared their commitment to end the subsidy, because of its inefficiency. Peter Obi of the Labour Party nuanced his policy on subsidy, with the caveat that he would remove 50% of the subsidy in the first instance and match it with mitigating initiatives. He also promised to audit the payments, because he believes that Nigeria cannot consume far more than comparable countries. If we remove the corruption around the fuel subsidy payments, then we will have a lower subsidy to manage, and if we further reduce it by 50% then the impact of Nigerians will be less. Both the PDP and APC candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Ahmed Bola Tinubu respectively, promised to remove subsidy and use the savings to improve the stock of infrastructure necessary for economic growth and human development.

The elitist trick is to present a particular point of view that serves sectoral interests are self-evident truth. All economies allow different kinds of subsidy. Oftentimes, what subsidy you get and how much, are matters of political power of the beneficiaries. Consider the fact that Nigeria has the lowest minimum wage in the world. Nigerian workers are the least paid. They earn about $68. In poorer Chad, our next-door neighbour, minimum wage is $108. In South Africa, a country competing for political leadership against Nigeria, minimum wage is a princely $226, while Saudi Arabia has $958. War-torn DRC has a minimum wage of $92.47. Why is there no elite consensus, to increase the minimum wage of Nigerian workers? In Nigeria, a Senator earns annually about N348m while the gross of a minimum wage worker is about N400,000. The Nigerian legislator earns highest in the world. It translates to about $2.2 million compared with Senators in the US who earn far less, about $700,000. Why do we not have strong campaign for drastic reduction of the salaries and wages of political officeholders? Why does the Nigerian politics tolerate that level of inefficiency, but does not tolerate fuel subsidy? The answer is politics. The inefficiency that benefits the politically powerful are allowed to remain, and even justified.

Another aspect of the politics of the fuel subsidy removal is, why now? Why are we now prepared and ready to remove fuel subsidy? What changed? For years, government has refused to expose Nigerians to the supposed full cost of importing petrol for domestic uses. Petrol is the live wire of economic and social existence in Nigeria. The country, a leading global oil and gas producer does not have local refining capacity. Its four refineries are comatose. While mismanaging and abandoning its refineries, the NNPC invested heavily in a private refinery- Dangote Refinery. It argued that once the refinery comes on board, there would be no need for fuel subsidy as petrol would be refined locally, thereby reducing the cost. The refinery has not started production as expected, and Government has abruptly removed fuel subsidy. Why?

The economics is more complex than it appears. Nigeria loses money every day, from the subsidy on petrol. By the first quarter of this year, Nigeria paid N4 trillion to the product’s marketers. The payment for subsidy was more than the annual budget for health, education, and social protection. If subsidy was to continue till the end of the year, Nigeria would have spent N9 trillion on the subsidy. The official narrative in support of immediate and abrupt removal of subsidy, is that the savings could be invested in health, education, and social services to reduce poverty and improve productivity.

From the pro-subsidy school, a logical response to Nigeria’s fiscal crisis is to end the inefficient subsidy, and invest the about N40.1 billion daily payment for subsidy to boost productivity and wellbeing. That is exactly what the World Bank and the Nigerian Extraction Industry Transparency Initiative (NIETI) recommended. These institutions argue that Nigeria’s more than 100 million poor, will benefit from such a policy switch. At the moment, they are hard hit by both the lack of investment in social protection, and the acute fuel scarcity that shoots up costs of public transportation.

But, pure economic logic is one thing, pragmatic policymaking is another. President Muhammadu Buhari has shot down the logic. He reasoned that we cannot remove petrol subsidy at this time of inflationary pressure unless we want social crisis. Some people may think such logic is weak, because of the seeming compelling need to free government from borrowing to spend on consumption. The standard argument against subsidy generally is that it is inefficient. If people do not pay for what they consume, they have the incentive to over-consume or even waste. When government bears such costs it socialises inefficiency in a manner that distorts economic decision-making and constrain growth. They further argue that as long as government does not allow the price of petrol to reflect costs, the incentive to smuggle them across to neighbouring countries will remain, and government will end up subsidising consumption across most West African region.

Proponents of subsidy removal focus on the efficiency of charging fair prices, and investing in social protection for the poor. On paper, the idea of shutting down inefficient subsidy and investing the savings in infrastructural development is selfevident. But, in reality, such savings mostly fritter away into private pockets of bureaucrats. Talking of removing subsidy and investing the savings on the poor in a country where the Accountant-General of the Federation embezzled over N90 billion in one instance, rings false. No one should believe that a country like Nigeria, in the present circumstance, has the capacity to easily convert subsidy saving to investment in critical social and physical infrastructure. No one who notes how governments have refused to cut down the costs of governance in spite of the recommendations of the Oronsanye Committee Report, will agree that they should pay N500 for a litre of petrol, so that Government will save N9 trillion to finance infrastructure. An inefficient government that cannot control the basics within its control, cannot be trusted to properly reinvest subsidy saving.

The Law

Many legal issues are triggered in the subsidy debate. The primary one, is whether exposing Nigerians to the full rigour of the effect of removal of subsidy and its inflationary impacts, is in accordance with constitutional obligations under Chapter II of the Constitution. Does Government have an obligation under the law to subsidise some essential services and products to Nigerians, in the context of the prevailing economic conditions? Does the manner of the removal of subsidy, not violate such obligation?

First, is there an obligation to obey the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution? Section 6(6)(C) of the Constitution provides that the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution are not enforceable in court. But, does this mean that the Nigerian public official has no obligation to enforce the provisions of the chapter in official policies? The answer is no.

It seems to be that the legal intervention in the subsidy debate, should start with the Constitution. What kind of society does the Nigerian Constitution contemplate? The Indian Supreme Court, in interpreting similar constitutional provisions says that the Constitution intends to establish a welfare State. A welfare State is focused on provision of basic economic and social wellbeing for everyone. See the case of People Union for Democratic Rights v Minister for Home Affairs (1986) L.C.R. (const) 548.

It is arguable whether a subsidy removal policy that is abrupt and causes significant rate shock, is such that Chapter II would authorise. It is arguable whether a Government that pays workers N30,000, can validly under its social and economic obligations authorise a litre of fuel to sell for N550.

It is obvious that the present economic policy on pricing of petrol subsidy, namely the removal of subsidy, will not meet the threshold of obligations established under the Constitution.

Dr Sam Amadi, Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts

"This policy will drive many unemployed youths into organised crime, just to be able to pay the high costs of transportation and afford the high costs of living."

Dr Sam Amadi cont'd from page VIII

My

Background

Last month, the National Assembly (NASS) directed its Clerk to transmit the Constitution Alteration Bill No. 20, which sought to approve a uniform retirement age for judicial officers in Nigeria, to the former President, General Muhammadu Buhari( Rtd) for his signature and assent. This followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Passage of the Constitution ( Fifth) Alteration Bill No. 20 (Uniform Retirement Age for Judicial Officers 2023)”. The Bill sought to extend the retirement age of High Court Judges from 65 to 70 years, in line with that of appellate Judges. Currently, the mandatory retirement age for both Court of Appeal and Supreme Court Justices as provided for under Section 291 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is 70 years. The Bill was also reported to be in line with the provisions of the Authentication Act, and also met the requirements of the Constitution amendment provisions outlined under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

It should be noted that NASS directed its Clerk to transmit the Bill to the former President for his assent as far back as Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023. The significance of this date will be explained later. Meanwhile, the former AGF had advised the former President Buhari to decline assenting to the Bill.

In a leaked memo dated 23rd May, 2023 and addressed to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the former President, the former AGF said the Bill appeared to be “far-reaching, unduly wide” and “ambiguous”, adding that it made no “justification” for the extension of the retirement age and benefits for Judges. He further added that, the approval could lead to further agitation for the extension of the retirement age of Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

However, despite the former President’s refusal to assent to the Uniform Retirement Age Bill for Judicial Officers (URAB), President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, 8th June, 2023 in his first law making act, assented to this Bill thereby purportedly extending the retirement age of all Judges in the country to 70 years. The President justified his decision to do this in a statement released by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, who said that the President was fulfilling his pledge and commitment of his administration to strengthen the Judiciary and empower judicial officers.

The purported signing into law of this Bill by President Bola Tinubu has already raised eyebrows. Although, as earlier mentioned, it is the very first Bill he has purportedly signed into law, it does appear that he was under a misapprehension in believing that he had the power to sign the Bill into law under the Constitution, when in actual fact, that power is now reserved for NASS.

Did President Tinubu follow Due Process in Assenting to URAB?

Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides as follows :

(1) The power of the National Assembly to make laws shall be exercised by bills passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and, except as otherwise provided by subsection (5) of this section, assented to by the President.

(2) A bill may originate in either the Senate or the House of Representatives and shall not become law unless it has been passed and, except as otherwise provided by this section and section 59 of this Constitution, assented to in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(3) Where a bill has been passed by the

Is President Tinubu’s Assent to the Judges’ Retirement Age Bill Constitutional?

House in which it originated, it shall be sent to the other House, and it shall be presented to the President for assent when it has been passed by that other House and agreement has been reached between the two Houses on any amendment made on it.

(4) Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.

(5) Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.

Two issues immediately spring to mind from the above constitutional provision

(1) Did the former President signify that he had withheld his assent to URAB, as provided for under Section 58(4) of the Constitution above?

(2) Did the President assent to the Bill within 30 days, as also provided under the same Section of the Constitution?

It is my contention that if the former President has fallen foul of either of these two issues, then President Tinubu could not have had the power or jurisdiction to sign into law URAB.

The answers to both questions appear fairly straightforward, in my view. If the former President Buhari declined to give his assent to URAB by not signing the Bill before he left office despite it being presented to him at a relatively early stage last month, then that’s a clear indication of him withholding his assent. He is deemed to have withheld his assent. The new President Tinubu, cannot therefore, under such circumstances, subsequently assent to the Bill if the former President has already signified his intention not to sign Bill into law. Such a Bill under these circumstances, ought to be sent back to

“If the former President Buhari declined to give his assent to URAB by not signing the Bill before he left office…. He is deemed to have withheld his assent. The new President Tinubu, cannot therefore, under such circumstances, subsequently assent to the Bill if the former President has already signified his intention not to sign Bill into law. Such a Bill under these circumstances, ought to be sent back to NASS…..”

NASS as provided for under Section 58(4) of the Constitution above for each of the two Houses of the National Assembly to once again approve the Bill, with a 2/3 majority of all members of each House. Once a 2/3 majority of each House is secured, there is no longer any need for Presidential assent.

Secondly, and in furtherance of the above argument, the 30 day time period for Presidential assent to URAB as also provided under Section 58(4) of the Constitution, has also passed. The Bill was first transmitted to the Presidency for assent on Tuesday, 2nd May, 2023 while President Tinubu purportedly signed the Bill into law on Thursday, 8th June, 2023. This is beyond the 30 day limit provided for, under Section 58(4) of the Constitution above. What this shows is that, the new President no longer had the authority or the jurisdiction to sign the Bill into law, and it’s NASS that now has that power to do so once it obtains a 2/3 majority of each the two legislative Houses. In doing so, NASS can override the need for Presidential assent.

Commencement Date

Another noticeable but fundamental flaw in URAB, is that it has no official commencement date. According to the Interpretation Act whenever a Bill does not have a commencement date, it’s the date when the Bill is signed into law that is deemed to be the official and effective commencement date. Since however, in this particular instance, the President appears to have no constitutional authority to sign the Bill into law, the purported Uniform Retirement Age Act for Judicial Officers could easily get challenged in the Courts, for not having an official and effective commencement date.

In any case, how should an official commencement date even apply? Should it automatically extend the retirement age of all serving judicial officers on the High Court Bench to 70 years, or should it only apply to new recruits to the Bench? These are just a few of the issues the President and his Government did not and ought to have addressed, before hastily trying to sign this Bill into law.

Conclusion

It is worth pointing out that, although it may be argued that it’s not appropriate for a President to withhold his assent to a constitutional amendment bill,

such Bills aren’t given special status under the Constitution. Such Bills still have to go through the normal legislative process before becoming law. It is even debatable whether the amendment process has to start all over again once a National Assembly four year term is over, and the Assembly dissolved. That’s an argument for another day. Nigerians though, are not as naive as politicians generally seem to believe. The President was probably hurried into signing URAB, because he was put under undue pressure by the outgoing members of NASS who felt that under the new composition of the incoming NASS, they may not be able to secure the 2/3 majority threshold required of the two legislative Houses, necessary to pass the URAB into law.

Many are desperate to pay back some of those Judges on the brink of retirement who have rendered political favours to them, without thinking or caring about the overall impact of passing this Bill. It would be unfair to stifle the careers of potential new recruits to the Bench by extending the judicial careers of some Judges, who, if the truth be told, we would rather see their backs. It’s time to drain the swamp, by getting rid of some of these corrupt and indolent Judges. Rewarding them with a five year career extension is not the way forward, in any attempt to win back lost confidence.

One major weakness of the previous administration, was that they found it difficult to follow constitutional procedures. They often got it wrong, and neither were they willing to listen or retrace their steps when even patently obvious errors were pointed out to them. It’s important for this administration, to be seen as being constitutionally compliant. The President could do with a Special Adviser, to guide him on constitutional affairs and legal matters. Nigerians have high hopes for this Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and it is sincerely hoped that he will not only deliver on his promises, but that his Government will also turn out to be a listening one.

Finally, any proposals that could bring about fundamental change to our judicial structures, should only be implemented after due and proper consultation with all relevant stakeholders. The independence of the Judiciary, must always be assured. It is not for the Executive, to always determine what they consider to be in the Judiciary’s best interest The optics projected by the Government in its haste to pass URAB is not a particularly good one, but it’s never too late to make appropriate amends.

Emefiele Is Victim of Vendetta

Ihave made a fortune trading in and analysing cryptocurrencies. So successful have I been in this field that I stumbled into just by chance, that I won Business Insiders election as the most influential business person in Africa, beating Vusi Thembekwayo of South Africa by over one hundred thousand votes in an election that could not be rigged.

So, believe me when I say that I have seen people lose princely fortunes trading in crypto. It is not a business for the faint-hearted. The only reason I have been able to maintain the success rate ascribed to me, is because I am ultra-cautious and never trade in a crypto that I have not extensively indexed.

That is why I have an estimated three hundred thousand loyal subscribers on my YouTube channel, #RenosMasterClass.

I was one of those people who raised hell when the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele banned crypto trading in Nigeria in February of 2021. I was extremely opinionated and blasted him. To me, he was being too conservative and closing up Nigeria to a sector that could help many young Nigerians make a king’s ransom.

However, with the benefit of hindsight, and the collapse of the world's second-largest crypto exchange, FTX, of which an estimated $8 billion in subscriber and client funds were lost, and the current travails of the world's largest cryptocurrency market, Binance, which is being prosecuted by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, it is now very clear that Mr Emefiele was right and I was wrong.

Cryptocurrency is the future. It will replace fiat currency. However, it is not well regulated, and there is a lot of opacity behind its operations and those promoting it. And in a country like Nigeria, with somewhat weak institutions, cryptocurrencies and their promoters could wipe out our economy and disappear into thin air. And there would be no one to hold responsible.

Who is behind Bitcoin? Satoshi Nakamoto is an alias. A pseudonym. The real person remains anonymous. What is true for Bitcoin is true for literally thousands of other cryptos.

And the likelihood is that these persons are anonymous because they are shady characters. Like 0xSifu, the fellow behind the Wonderland crypto, who was eventually unmasked as Michael Partryn, a fraudster who has served eighteen months in prison in the United States.

I understand there is a lot of anger in Nigeria against Godwin Emefiele, but if we look back on his tenure without angst, we would actually see that he was a courageous man who took actions that greatly helped stabilise our polity.

Let us start with the Naira redesign policy. The total votes received by all presidential candidates in the 2019 Presidential elections were just under 27 million. In 2023, the figure dropped by more than 10% to under 25 million. Which seems strange when you take into account population growth and the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission registered 93.46 million voters.

The truth about the sharp reduction in votes is because politicians did not have cash to bribe voters and induce rigging. It affected all parties. It also brought hardship upon Nigerians. And because we are not always the most patriotic people, many of us cannot see beyond that.

Hence, Emefiele became public enemy number one.

Our frustrations blinded us to the fact that 2023 was the first election cycle where the Naira did not

Anambra

his Naira redesign policy, which he introduced to reduce vote buying and clean up Nigeria's elections.

The plan to treat Emefiele like Sambo Dasuki and keep him in detention while negative things are leaked to the media against him is anti-democratic. He should be treated with respect and allowed to speak to his lawyers and his family. He must not be made a scapegoat for Buhari's sins because he is an Igbo-speaking minority from the South-South. Nigerians should not allow the pains they felt during the Naira redesign policy to poison their minds against Emefiele. He is handcuffed while Buhari relaxes in Daura, and El-Rufai is Villa bound. While there was food on Emefiele's plate, he was wined and dined by the cabal. Now that the food is gone, the plate is seen to be dirty, while those who ate from it are enjoying retirement in Daura and Niger Republic? Where is the justice?

In addition to being much more intelligent than almost all of those who contested the #NigerianElections2023 against him and, more significantly, having the ability to hide his intelligence, Bola Tinubu has a ruthless streak. He is not nice. But he is wise. I can never imagine him crying on the phone to an imam and kowtowing to the cleric.

It does not mean I support everything he does. For example, I am vehemently against his treatment of Mr Godwin Emefiele. The manner of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor's arrest reeks of vindictiveness. We saw the video. Handcuffs dangling from the hands of the DSS agent for a frail-looking banker who was in no position to resist arrest? And though I had cause to blast Emefiele in the past, I will fight for his right as best as I can.

Having said that, let me add that I know Tinubu to be a strategist. He knows Nigeria has an investment climate to project and a financial market to protect. So it is in his enlightened self-interest and for the good of Nigeria for him to eschew whatever bitterness he still harbours over the Naira redesign policy and not let revenge taint what has otherwise been a brilliant beginning to his Presidency.

And if my memory serves me correctly, there is a subsisting court order restraining the DSS from arresting Emefiele. Does Tinubu want to start his Presidency like this?

suffer a significant drop in value. In fact, quite the opposite. It rose in value.

And it was not just the election that it cleansed. The Naira redesign policy greatly reduced incidences of kidnapping and abduction.

I was amused when an Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. Christian Onyia, averred that kidnappings and abductions reduced in Nigeria during the first quarter of this year because those who were engaged in it were busy with elections. That is just so silly and nonsensical, I should not even have to respond to it.

Statistical data do not bear out what the Bishop said. And I hope he is not one of the notorious 'Tinubu bishops'. Statistically, abductions, kidnappings and incidents of violence increase during election seasons. But not this time around. And we have the Naira redesign policy to thank for that.

And that is why I believe that the suspension of Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, by President Bola Tinubu is not in good taste. It appears to be a vindictive act, to punish Mr Emefiele for the patriotic Naira redesign policy,

which was meant, among other things, to reduce the impact of money on the #NigerianElections2023.

President Tinubu started well. Indeed, I have had cause to praise him. But he should not mar the progress he has made by this act of seeming vengeance. The country needs unity and stability after a fractious election. Now is the time for appeasement, not punishment. It is hoped that the President will reconsider his actions for the nation's greater good.

I am not saying Emefiele is above arrest. However, accusing him of funding ‘Unknown Gunmen’ and other acts of terror in faraway Afghanistan is farfetched. This is about the Naira redesign policy, and Emefiele is being punished because it is wrongly felt that the policy was targeted at then candidate Bola Tinubu.

That is why he was handcuffed (I saw the video).

Why would Emefiele sponsor terrorism? It makes no sense. Before Nigerians buy these allegations, may I remind them that Bukola Saraki, a then sitting Senate President, was also falsely charged with sponsoring armed robbery. Please make no mistake, this is payback time to punish Emefiele for

Govt Inaugurates Eighth Assembly, Elects Speaker

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State government yesterday inaugurated the eighth session of the Anambra State House of Assembly.

The session was inaugurated before the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who attended the inaugural session physically. The members also elected the member representing Ogbaru II State Constituency, Hon Somtochukwu

Udeze, as Speaker of the eighth assembly.

Udeze, took over from Hon. Uchenna Okafor, who failed to secure reelection during the March 2023 election.

He (Udeze) was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but recently defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

He was elected speaker of the assembly by 30 members of the assembly after he was nominated for the position by the member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Ikenna Ofodeme, and seconded by his Awka North counterpart, Chimezie Ikwunne.

The member representing Awka South II Constituency, Hon Chukwuma Okoye, was also elected deputy

speaker.

Both officers were sworn-in by the acting clerk of the House, Esther Aneto. Soludo, who addressed the members during the ceremony described the legislature as a crucial partner in the quest for good governance.

He said: "I congratulate our newly inaugurated legislators. Irrespective of

your different party affiliations, you have been employed by the people to ensure that Anambra blossoms.

"The executive, the legislature and the judiciary, must work in a collaboratively, coordinative and cooperative way to achieve project Anambra by making the state livable and prosperous.

"If you all act fully in accordance with

the oath of office and allegiance you have taken, I'm sure that Anambra will have the most productive legislature in the country. "It is a new productive partnership and as the head of the executive arm of government, I am ready so that we can achieve our common goal which is a greater Anambra."

Rights Group Alleges 700 Christians Killed in May

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Human rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has alleged that 700 Christians were slaughtered in May alone, before former president, Muhammadu Buhari exited office.

The group said the killings happened mostly in Benue, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Borno and Yobe States.

In a statement signed by the group's board of trustees chairman, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, it described the killings as Buhari's Farewell gift to Nigerians.

Part of the group's statement read:

"In a detailed investigation by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, it was gathered

that not less than 300 Christians were slaughtered in Plateau State (Mangu county, etc) between 15th and 17th May 2023 alone.

"The second worst hit State was Benue where not less than 110 Christians were slaughtered in May-early June 2023, including 40 slaughtered between 3rd and 4th June 2023 and 18 defenseless Christians hacked to death on 21st May 2023 as well as 28 others slaughtered between 7th and 10th May 2023.

"In all, Benue State accounted for over 190 Christian deaths between 12th April and 12th June 2023."

The group said the third worst hit state was Kaduna, alleging that its case was made worse because of the alleged complicity of the former state governor,

Nasir el-Rufai.

The group called on international community to investigate the killings, with a view to punishing those involved.

"Intersociety also wishes to unequivocally state that it is morally reprehensible for the UK Government to continue to play host and open its international doors to worst violators and abusers of human rights and promoters of genocide and genocidal incitements.

"The UK Government cannot probate and reprobate by globally parading itself as “a Democratic and Human Rights Respecter State” and at the same time found wanting as a country encouraging or harboring grisly and egregious human rights abuses and violations and their abusers or violators," the group said.

Yes, Laolu Akande is egging President Tinubu on. But it is the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau. Akande is speaking for Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has an axe to grind with Emefiele for banning cryptocurrencies in Nigeria.

Osinbajo was a great advocate for crypto because he planned to contest the Presidency and had people who could support him financially in the crypto world. But with the collapse of FTX, the world's second-biggest crypto exchange, and the ongoing issues with Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, coupled with last year's #CryptoCrash, which tanked the economy of El-Salvador, which had tied their currency to Bitcoin, Emefiele was vindicated.

In truth, if Osinbajo had had his way, Nigeria's financial sector might have been wiped out, but for Emefiele's prudent action.

Because they control so much wealth, and wealth influences power, no CBN Governor in the last thirty years has left office unscathed. Paul Ogwuma was almost arrested for the atrocities committed by Sani Abacha and was asked to refund monies by the Abdulsalami administration. Joseph Sanusi was denied a second term by President Obasanjo after Nigeria almost defaulted on her foreign loans. President Yar'adua almost fired Charles Soludo over the failed Naira redenomination policy and he was not reappointed. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was suspended for financial malfeasance (the same reason for his removal as Emir).

In the last thirty years, Emefiele has been the only CBN Governor reappointed for a second tenure. And what makes his case even more unique is that he was appointed by one President from one party and reappointed by another from a different party. So think twice before you condemn Emefiele. He held an office that was literally the most sought after non-elective position in Nigeria. There are lots of accusations against him and no evidence as of yet. A media trial by a mob will not get to the bottom of this issue. If the Tinubu administration feels he has a case to answer, let him be charged to court and given the judicial and media space to defend himself.

Reno’s Nuggets

Choose who you marry very carefully. Not just for yourself. But for your parents and siblings. The wrong spouse can destroy their own family and yours. Be careful before marrying a person who does not have a good relationship with their own family. If they can't get along with their family, eventually, they may not get along with you. And definitely, they will have issues with your own family. Compatibility in marriage goes beyond you and your spouse. It also includes them and your house! You only need to look at Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry! #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

Emefiele

ISACA Abuja: Championing More Women to Set Trends in Nigeria's Tech Space

The Information Systems Audit and Control Association, ISACA, is championing more women to set trends and bridge the gender disparity gap in the digital world in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5 – gender equality. Rebecca Ejifoma profiles nine female juggernauts pushing the envelope and inspiring other women and girls into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM

Succinctly, Maya Angelou submitted that “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” This quote aligns well with the reality of more women having their breakthroughs – throwing caution to the wind, positively impacting their various fields, creating new records, exploring more professional options, and eyeing leadership positions globally.

Even the recent landslide triple victory of Nigerian track and field athlete, Tobi Amusan and the four-day record-breaking cook-a-thon bold step by Hilda Bassey is enough to gear other women into winning. These sterling achievements of a few unstoppable women are not only motivation but also worthy of emulation for other women to aspire for greatness. This pedestal is what ISACA Abuja is mapping out for other women in the tech space.

Mrs Chiaka Ben-Obi is Creating New Records

One such amazon who deserves her flowers is Chiaka Ben-Obi, the Coordinating Director at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). She has remained a distinct personality whose mileage continues to attract accolades at home and abroad, especially with her latest multiple awards in Ghana and USA, the Kwameh Nkrumah Leadership Medal and Technology for Humanity Award respectively.

As the ambassador of SheLeadsTech, BenObi holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria, and an MBA from the University of Hall in the UK, an alumna of the Lagos Business School. Her professional certifications include Project Management Professional, Certified Information System Auditor among others.

For Ben-Obi, understanding what human feelings are against all the technical features they need to deploy threw up a new way for her to look at technology. Hence, “It's for us to start shifting our mindset from saying we are giving the best, we are benchmarking,” says the tech enthusiast at the ISACA Abuja webinar to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day.

Hollee Mangrum-Willis Takes One In Tech to Girls

Sailing smoothly on her passion for grooming the girl-child in technology, the Senior Programme Manager with ISACA Global, Hollee Mangrum-Willis, is having a moment with the initiative, SheLeadsTech. Since ISACA Abuja established SheLeadsTech in 2017 as an awareness building highlighting gender issues with digital trust, it has provided learning and education to build and develop our life skills, known as soft skills.

As a brainchild of One In Tech, an establishment of ISACA incorporated in 2020, Mangrum-Willis is pleased that SheLeadsTech takes on the challenge of gender equity on multiple levels.

One In Tech Foundation was designed as a platform to donate time, energy, and funds to create a more digitally accessible world and as an opportunity to serve women. Through its scholarship programme, the foundation disburses dollars to students and professionals trying to rev up their skills and accelerate the digital trust industry.

Favour Femi-Oyewole’s Flawless Track Record

On the heels of Mangrum-Wills' remark is Favour Femi-Oyewole, a proper ball of fire. She is the Group Chief Information Security Officer (GCISO) and Data Protection Officer (DPO) at Access Bank Plc before joining Access Bank as their Group CISO.

Femi-Oyewole is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT. She has over 25 years of experience managing all aspects of Information Technology with vast knowledge in Enterprise IT Security, Information Technology, IT Governance, Information Security best practices, and Cyber Security, among others. She is an alumna of the University of Liverpool, Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) – Harvard University and continues to strive to attain more.

Blossom Ozurumba is a Force to be Reckoned with When there is a mention of a woman with many feathers in her cap, it is Blossom Ozurumba. She is an acclaimed Digital Media Engage- ment Leader. She is an Innovation Management Professional and Strategic Communications expert. Undoubtedly, Ozurumba has carved out an impressive 15-year career in the energy sector. Her certifications in innovation management, public relations, and change management have been essential in delivering outstanding results.

As a trailblazing figure in Nigeria's tech space, her global impact is undeniable. Her unique skill set gives her an edge as the host of the Igbo Proverbs, Idioms, and Phrases podcast. The podcast has garnered significant success, ranking in the top 50 per cent of all Buzzsprout

podcasts, with downloads across 37 countries.

Nsuhoridem Ndeokwelu is Championing a Noble Cause

Another name among the collective force of women is Nsuhoridem Ndeokwelu. She heads the IT Risk & Compliance Management team in the IT Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and has over 18 years of experience managing key business relationships. Her focus has been corporate governance of enterprise IT for over a decade. She led CBN’s implementation of ISACA’s COBIT 5 to overhaul its corporate IT governance framework. She hosted the first-ever SheLeadsTech panel in Nigeria during a Chapter's Annual Conference et al. Ndeokwelu also ensured that ISACA Abuja recorded input to national legislation on technology – Nigeria’s Data Protection Bill, 2020.

Onyeche Agbiti-Douglas is Bringing Her A-game Meet Onyeche Agbiti-Douglas, the Project Manager with the Brave Women Nigeria Project of the Bank of Industry, who is the cynosure of all eyes for her pleasant demeanour, beauty and brain attributes. She has about two decades of international experience working in communication and management. Interestingly, Agbiti-Douglas has been in the development and humanitarian space in Nigeria for the last 11 years. Agbiti-Douglas has three degrees and a professional certification in Project Management under her belt. She also co-authored a book called, Parental Intelligence.

Muslimot Adeyemi is Leading the Pack

Muslimot Adeyemi is a perfect reflection of a woman so strong yet gentle, so educated yet humble, so fierce yet compassionate, and so passionate yet rational. She is the Chief Risk Officer with Fountain Payment Systems and Solutions Ltd. She is the Membership Director and former Academic Director of

the ISACA Abuja Chapter and has over 14 years of experience spanning Data Analysis, Database Administrator, System Audit, and IT SheTraining.holds a B.Sc in Mathematics and an M.Sc in Operational Research from the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos, respectively. She is a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) and holds a certificate in IT Governance (COBIT5). She also has an ACCA Diploma certificate in Accounting & Business to her credit.

Gloria McArthur-Okoh’s Resilience in Being the Voice

Gloria McArthur-Okoh, a resilient woman confident in her pursuit, is making waves as a Deputy Manager with NNPC as Head of Applications Support. She has over two decades of experience in information technology, software assurance, database optimisation, and problem-solving skills, among others. She is a Certified Change Management Practitioner (CCMP).

She has the COBIT 2019 Foundation, ITIL V4 Foundation and Certified Test Analyst credentials and other requisite training in systems development, database administration, and Software quality assurance, among others. She is the current Treasurer for the ISACA Abuja Chapter.

With a BSc (Hons) degree in Computer Science from the University of Benin and a PGC in Advanced Information Technology and Business Management from the University of Wales, McArthur-Okon has nurtured a passion for team building and critical reasoning.

Dooshima Dapo-Oyewole, the IT Expert with Class

Dooshima Dapo-Oyewole, a sophisticated top-notch IT expert with a touch of class, is a consultant with over a decade of experience in communications, insurance, and risk management.

While she can be counted on for complex project management, building fit-for-purpose financial systems, and operational best practices, Dooshima is interested in methods to reduce technology risk in personal and professional settings.

A graduate of Management and Digital Innovation from the University of London, she is also certified in Insurance and Financial Services by the Chartered Insurance Institute UK.

Omoke is a Man Supporting Women

Although Nigeria has frequently chorused the enviable slogan, “Women Supporting Women,” there is a new twist in the plot, "We, men, supporting women." This statement is according to Mr. Emmanuel Omoke, the President of ISACA Abuja, who consistently gives women a voice in the tech space.

He maintains that “Women deserve that healthy space to thrive and give their best contributions. That is why we will continue to give them that nudge they deserve, whether it is to mark International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Girl-child Day. Female children have the potential the world desires for that lasting change.”

Indeed, while ISACA Abuja continues to amplify the statuses of Nigerian women in technology to inspire the girl-child to pursue her career in STEM, the organisation is giving women and girls that window to turn their water into wine.

Mrs. Chiaka Ben-Obi

Women deserve that healthy space to thrive and give their best contributions. That is why we will continue to give them that nudge they deserve, whether it is to mark International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Girl-child Day. Female children have the potential the world desires for that lasting change

Hollee Mangrum-Willis

Onyeche Agbiti-Douglas

Nsuhoridem Ndeokwelu Favour Femi-Oyewole

Blossom Ozurumba

NCF Plans Simple, Adaptable Eco-friendly Solution to Plastic Pollution

Bennett Oghifo

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the foremost environmental NGO in Nigeria, has said it would provide practical solutions to plastic pollution in the country through simple and adaptable eco-friendly strategies.

Plastic pollution is considered a global menace which is the reason it is the focus of the 2023

World Environment Day (WED) yesterday, (June 5), with the theme is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution, #BeatPlasticPollution.

World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach.

It is celebrated by millions of

people across the world. WED is used to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

It is usually celebrated on 5th June in over 100 countries.

The United Nations through UNEP is using this year’s theme to make a clarion call on people all over the world to end plastic pollution. It is a day that calls for global solutions to combat plastic pollution.

Around the world, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute while up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of the plastic produced is designed for single use purposes (used just once and thrown away).

“NCF joins the rest of the world to mark the 2023 WED through days of activities lined up to educate people and

propose practical solutions to plastic pollution. Some of the major proposed activities include School Recycling Initiative; Beach/Community Clean-up; and Upcycling. These would be done with the aim of protecting our environment by limiting the volume of plastics going into our landfills and promoting environmental education among young Nigerians,” the Foundation said in a statement.

Bonn Climate Change Conference to Prepare Decisions for Adoption at COP28

Bennett Oghifo

Participants at the Climate Change Conference (SB58) which began yesterday in Bonn, Germany, are expected to prepare decisions for adoption at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates in December. The Bonn Climate Change Conference is from 5 to 15 June.

A statement issued by the United Nations Climate Change

secretariat said, “Building on the many mandates that emerged from COP27 in Egypt last year, the conference will convene the 58th session of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies, including a large number of events, and continue discussions on issues of critical importance.”

These issues include the global stocktake, the global goal on adaptation, the just transition to sustainable societies, the

mitigation work programme and loss and damage, among others.

“For many people around the world, limiting the warming of our planet to 1.5 degrees Celsius is a matter of survival. The global stocktake is the opportunity of a generation to correct the course we are on, to design a way forward to tackle climate change with fresh vigor and perspective,” said UN Climate

Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell.

The technical phase of the global stocktake will conclude at the Bonn Conference, and mark the start of the political phase which will work towards a strong outcome of the first stocktake at COP28.

Another key task at SB58 will be to prepare decisions at COP28 to operationalize the new loss and damage fund and fund-

ing arrangements, along with a decision on the host for the Santiago network on loss and damage.

Stiell added: “COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh marked the shift to implementation of the Paris Agreement, resulting in several important outcomes supporting this historic new phase. Parties know what is at stake, and each country now has to deliver.”

Several events will touch

on climate finance, notably the provision of adequate and predictable financial support to developing countries for climate action, including the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. Other important issues will be increasing the transparency and accountability of climate action and minimizing the impacts that climate change is having on the agriculture and food security sectors.

Lafarge Africa Launches Policy Blueprint for Concrete Ideas Series, to Host 6th Edition

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday, June 8, 2023 - Leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company, Lafarge Africa Plc today launched the Concrete Ideas Policy Blueprint, an analysis of insights and ideas discussed by stakeholders in the construction, infrastructure and housing industries during the first five editions of Concrete Ideas, Lafarge’s

thought-leadership series. The Policy Blueprint was written by Dr. Ayo Teriba, leading Nigerian economist and CEO of Economic Associates. The Concrete Ideas leadership series was created by the leading building solutions company to serve as a veritable platform for deliberation on issues, policies, and developments shaping Nigeria’s construction, infrastructure, and housing sectors.

Through Concrete Ideas, Lafarge Africa has over two years assembled thought leaders from the public and private sectors to deliberate on policies to promote investment and best practices in the construction and allied sectors. The platform has dissected global best practices, while showcasing the best ideas in transforming them into solutions that could sustainably solve housing, infrastructure,

and environmental challenges in Nigeria and other African economies.

Leveraging its over 150 years of experience in the building materials and infrastructure space in over 70 countries, Lafarge invites international experts from within the Holcim network to share valuable insights. The Policy Blueprint is an economist’s analysis of the insights and recommendations of investors, academics and

policy experts from the real estate, finance, infrastructure and housing sectors.

Speaking at the launch of the blueprint in Lagos recently, Khaled El Dokani, Country CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, said: “We are taking a more direct approach to increasing investment in infrastructure and housing by working with the government, professional associations, public policy experts and the broader private

sector to find enabling policy solutions.”

“We are grateful to all the experts and industry leaders who have actively participated and led critical policy deliberations during the last five editions of Concrete Ideas. With their inputs, we have been able to create this succinct and coherent Policy Blueprint. I hope that governments at all levels and the industry find this very useful.”

ICEHD Urges Stakeholders to Strengthen Capacity for Women’sVoices on Climate Justice

Rebecca Ejifoma

The International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD) has called on stakeholders to strengthen their capacity to project women’s voices on climate justice publicly.

The Programme Manager

of ICEGD, Ms Mercy Joshua made the call at the National Civil Society Consultative Dialogue on Climate Justice And Economic Resilience For Rural Women Farmers at the weekend in Lagos.

He said they should advocate for gender equality to advance women’s rights.

“Nigeria’s climate has been changing, evidenced by an increase in temperature, variable rainfall, rise in sea level and flooding, drought and desertification, and land degradation.”

According to Joshua, these changes bring a gendered impact, as it disproportionately

affects women and widens gender inequalities.

She noted that women being the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on natural resources, become more vulnerable than men to climate change impacts.

While noting that climate

change hits Nigeria, he said small-scale women farmers count losses.

“They play vital roles in agricultural production and are critical to Nigeria’s food security.

“They account for 70 per cent of agricultural workers and 80 percent of food pro-

ducers but are at the receiving end of the negative impacts of climate change.

“Many states in Nigeria rely on rain-fed agriculture, which makes a larger number of small-scale farmers vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change,” says the programme manager.

Nigeria’s Environmental Protection: Reflecting on Past, Assessing Present, Charting Sustainable Future

Oluremi Serrano

As Bola Ahmed Adekunle

Tinubu assumes the presidency as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he faces the monumental task of addressing the pressing environmental challenges that loom over the nation and guiding Nigeria towards a future of environmental protection and sustainability. Only then will the “Renewed Hope” mantra

resonate with a citizenry that has recently experienced the vulnerabilities imposed by nature and monumental ineptitude at the highest level of governance. As citizens both at home and abroad, as well as the global audience, attentively listened to the president’s inaugural speech with cautious optimism, one of the many questions on their minds revolved around whether there would be a paradigm

shift in government policies and practices concerning the multitude of environmental challenges.

The new administration must urgently evaluate the nation’s performance in environmental protection, taking stock of past achievements and shortcomings. To ensure a sustainable future, focused attention is required in the following areas:

Conservation and Restoration: Strengthen efforts to protect

and restore Nigeria’s natural habitats, including forests, rivers, and coastal areas. This entails creating and effectively managing conservation zones, combating deforestation, and addressing the threats posed by urbanization and industrial activities.

Pollution Control and Waste Management: Implement comprehensive measures to control pollution, particularly in water bodies and air quality.

Stricter regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns can help combat illegal oil refineries, reduce plastic waste, and minimize harmful emissions.

Climate Change Mitigation

adaptation measures in vulnerable regions.

Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)” and it is aligned with its A Better Tomorrow™ commitment to minimise the

environmental impact of its business operations, in collaboration with the Facilitating Agency, the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA).

BAT Nigeria said it is building upon its existing commitment to environmental stewardship,

adding it already operates at 100% ZERO waste to landfill within its factory premises, ensuring that all waste generated, is recycled. “This recycling initiative represents an upscale of the company’s ongoing efforts, to further exemplify its dedication to

and

Adaptation:

Develop and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance resilience. This includes promoting renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing

Environmental Education and Awareness: Invest in environmental education programs to raise awareness among the population and foster a culture of environmental stewardship. This involves partnering with media outlets for mass mobilisation, leveraging technology and social media for outreach, and promoting sustainable practices in schools and communities.

British American Tobacco Nigeria Begins Post-consumer Waste Recycling

a clean and green environment.”

The statement said through its existing recycling projects, BAT Nigeria has empowered numerous off-takers who have successfully transformed wastes into valuable resources such as infills, manure, and plastics.

With the introduction of the Post-consumer Waste Recycling Initiative, the Company expects to achieve similar success even as it fulfils its Extended Producer Responsibilities in alignment with NESREA’s agenda to preserve Nigeria’s environment.

Joseph Onoja, NCF’s DG

Amid Crude Oil Production Decline, Nigeria’s Condensate Output Falls by 400,000 Barrels

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Data released by the Nigerian Upstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) , has revealed that Nigeria’s condensate production dipped 400,000 barrels in April, about 5.4 per cent lower than the output recorded the previous month.

According to the data, whereas the country posted 7.7 million barrels in March, the production of condensate fell to 7.3 million barrels in the whole of April,

following in the same trend of decline of crude oil, Nigeria’s main foreign exchange earner.

For a number of reasons, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) excludes condensate output from member countries from its monthly production computation, meaning that member countries can drill as much as possible without exceeding the quota set by the cartel.

Condensate, although still largely regarded as oil is markedly different from the black crude

because it’s more toxic, low in density and considerably more explosive than regular crude oil. In addition, crude oil is heavier than condensate.

Experts say condensate is more flammable and more explosive than normal crude oil, making it a bit trickier to transport. It’s also more dangerous for people to operate in areas where condensate is escaping, not only because of an explosion but also the threat of asphyxiation.

It is believed that Nigeria currently has 31.06 billion barrels of crude oil and 5.906 billion barrels of

condensate in reserves, amounting to roughly 37 billion barrels of oil in all.

On the positive side, in cases of spills, while oil forms a thick layer on the water surface, which cuts off oxygen for marine life and destroy ecosystems, condensate is first mixed with water and then quickly evaporates, leaving no residue on the surface.

Condensate is also used as refinery feedstock for the manufacture of products such as petrol, jet fuel, diesel and heating fuels, used to dilute heavier crude oils or

deployed in production of products like plastic in the petrochemical sector.

The NUPRC data showed that Nigeria’s blended and unblended condensate came mostly from Agbami terminal which produced a total of 2.9 million barrels of condensate during the month under consideration, while Akpo produced 2.09 million barrels.

Besides, output from TuljaOkwuibome , another major field which produces condensate was 305,000 barrels during the entire period.

The light oil has helped Nigeria ramp up its in-country production in the last couple of years since Nigeria’s oil production began to decline. Under the last administration, Nigeria borrowed massively due to shortage of oil revenue.

Production has largely declined due to oil theft, vandalism, general sabotage and a lack of investment in the oil and gas sector for a long time due to what investors say is an inclement business environment.

Subsidy Removal: DAPPMAN Wants

Levies Paid in Naira

As part of measures to consolidate the recent fuel subsidy removal, petroleum marketers under the aegis of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) have listed the payment of several levies by its members in naira, rather than

in dollars.

It also urged the government to reduce the levies paid to agencies of government such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and ensure that charges are paid in local currency.

The Chairman of DAPPMAN

and Managing Director of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Mrs Winifred Akpani, reeled out the association’s demand during their meeting with President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, where they pledged their 100 per cent support to the removal of petrol subsidy.

Akpani, in her speech shared

with THISDAY, applauded Tinubu’s statement on the need to harmonise to a single foreign exchange rate, explaining that that was critical as it would eliminate arbitrage and provide a level playing field in the downstream industry in particular and the Nigerian economy at large. She added that the move would also ensure the highest quality of

product supply at the best prices.

Akpani said: “Our further humble request to the president are as follows: that all dues and levies to government agencies particularly the NPA Plc and NIMASA be reduced to the barest minimum and payable in naira. This will drastically reduce the pressure on our foreign exchange

rate, reserve and keep in check the pump price of petrol.

“That all charges and taxes imposed by the regulator, NMDPRA as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 be suspended until we achieve market stability”.

Peter Uzoho

Goldman Sachs: OPEC Cuts to Push Oil Prices into $90s Range This Year

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The latest production cuts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will prompt a draw in oil inventories, sending prices into the low $90s, Goldman Sachs Group, has said.

In a Bloomberg TV interview, the organisation’s Global Head

of Commodities Research, Jeffrey Currie, said that the decision by the oil cartel will mostly reflect in the fourth and fifth quarters of this year.

“You’re going to be seeing substantial physical inventory draws because of these OPEC production cuts, particularly in the third and fourth quarter,” he said. “That’s going to push us

up into the low $90s,” he added.

Oil prices have remained weak in the immediate wake of Saudi Arabia’s pledge to cut more barrels as lacklustre demand and ongoing fears about economic growth shadow the outlook.

Money managers currently hold the most bearish stance across all major oil contracts in more than a decade, exchange

and commodity futures data compiled by Bloomberg.

Higher interest rates have made it too expensive to keep oil in storage and investor interest is unlikely to return until inventories start to decline, Currie said. The net cost to hold physical inventories is at about 13-15 per cent in the current environment.

Brent crude price, Nigeria’s

benchmark is currently in the $70s, although the country has been unable to take advantage of high prices due to prolonged underproduction.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has made a forecast that China will account for 60 per cent of global crude oil demand growth in 2023.

Peter Uzoho

Economic policy analysts and operators in the petroleum marketing business have projected a brighter future for players in the supply and distribution of petroleum products following the removal of petrol subsidy that marked the deregulation of the downstream sector.

Some of the analysts and oil industry experts, who spoke to THISDAY, said the swift removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has opened a vista of opportunities for both the existing players and investors and as well as the potential ones.

L–R: Immediate-past National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala; founder, Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN); Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and National President, NACCIMA, Dele Oye Esq., during the Investiture of Dele Oye as National President, NACCIMA, at the Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti… recently

As Profit from Renewables Dwindle, Shell Returns to Crude Oil

Shell will keep oil output steady or slightly higher into 2030 as part of the Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan’s, efforts to regain investor confidence as the energy giant wrestles with poor returns from renewables while oil and gas profits continue to boom, company sources told Reuters.

Sawan will announce at an investor event this week the scrapping of a target to reduce oil output by

1 per cent to 2 per cent per year, having already largely reached its goal for production cuts, mainly through selling oil assets such as its US shale business, the three sources said.

Sawan, who took the helm in January with a vow to improve Shell’s performance as its shares lag rivals, said oil and gas will remain central to Shell for years to come, insisting that efforts to shift to low-carbon businesses cannot come at the expense of profits.

His more cautious approach to the energy transition marks a change in tack from his predecessor Ben van Beurden who introduced the carbon reduction targets and the energy transition strategy.

Shell scrapped in recent months several projects, including in offshore wind, hydrogen and biofuels, due to projections of weak returns. It is also exiting its European power retail businesses, which were seen only a few years ago as key to its energy transition.

At the same time, Shell reported record profits of $40 billion last year on the back of strong oil and gas prices.

“Sawan, a 48-year-old Canadian-Lebanese national, who previously headed Shell’s oil, gas and renewables divisions, will detail his vision at the June 14 (tomorrow) event in New York, which will include updates on capital allocation, shareholder payouts and “strategic choices we’re making,” he said recently.

Report: Nigerian Firms Reducing Gas Flaring to Boost LPG Production

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria’s drive to end gas flaring is expected to result in increasing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production from domestic companies, a report by Argus Media, which publishes market data for the oil and gas industry, has stated.

It quoted the country’s upstream regulator, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as pegging domestic natural gas production at 8bn

ft3/d (82.4bn m3/yr), of which around 10 per cent is flared.

The country’s flaring intensity, it said, has increased by 10 per cent over the past decade, according to global industry association the International Gas Union (IGU), a period that overlaps with the sale of onshore and shallow-water assets by foreign operators to Nigerian companies.

But the report said that the divestments will mean indigenous producers account for most of this

output.

Seplat Energy, it said, already has a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) to take over ExxonMobil’s shallow-water business in Nigeria, including a 51 per cent stake in two Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery plants.

These facilities produced a total of 3,300t of propane, 4,000t of butane and 5,500t of pentanes last month and are forecast to yield 5,100t, 7,200t and 13,200t, respectively, this June, quoting an

industry source.

Seplat is also increasing its gas processing capacity at existing assets to 775mn ft3/d in its aim to stop flaring gas by 2024. Integration of LPG extraction at its old and new gas processing plants is expected to start delivering about 100,000 t/yr of LPG by next year.

It also listed Lagos-based Pillar Oil, a marginal field operator, as partnering with a Seplat subsidiary to produce about 38,000 t/yr of LPG in 2025.

During his inaugural speech on May 29, Tinubu had said that “subsidy is gone”, a statement that immediately triggered the change of petrol marketing dynamics in Nigeria and was immediately followed with upward adjustment in petrol prices nation-wide.

Private marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) are now selling petrol at filling stations at prices reflecting the principle of market forces. The least pump price at NNPC stations is now N488 per litre and the highest N577, while that of the private marketers are slightly different.

However, in an email response

Peter Uzoho

Shell-funded impact investment company, All On, through its Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technologies (DART) programme, has announced its commitment of $11 million to support 25 mini-grid projects in Nigeria.

The firm announced this at the inaugural DART workshop with off-grid developers, commercial banks, domestic investors, and other critical stakeholders, where they discussed strategies to unlock local currency commercial funding for the off-grid renewable energy sector in Nigeria. In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer of All On, Caroline Eboumbou, highlighted the

to THISDAY’s questions on how marketers would fair under this deregulated petrol pricing regime, Partner and Head of Energy and Natural Resources, KPMG Professional Services, Mr. Ayo Salami, said that marketers would experience a brighter future in their business.

Salami maintained that marketing companies should be excited about the news around the commencement of the deregulation of the sector, adding that the subsidy regime stifled innovation and curtailed their ability to compete and expand.

He said the downstream players had no flexibility in pricing their products, which limited headroom to enhance profitability.

Executive Vice Chairman, ND Western Nigeria Limited, Dr Layi Fatona, opined that the removal of subsidy on petrol has reduced the limitations facing the downstream sector.

Fatona added that marketers and the downstream investors should expect a decent reward for investment in domestic refining of petroleum products.

“This is the right time for those right and qualified investors to be prepared to take on the responsibilities presented by these new investment opportunities in the interest of Nigeria and our society,” he said.

remarkable success achieved through the DART programme since its launch in 2021.

Eboumbou stated that the programme has committed a total of $11 million to support 25 mini-grid projects across the country, with over 2,700 solar energy systems to be funded and 12 successful applications thus far.

She said efforts had been made to increase the funding of the facility by $15 million, in collaboration with its partner, Global Energy for People and Planet (GEAPP).

These efforts, according to her, aimed to address the local financing bottlenecks experienced by developers and ensure that affordable, high-quality solar products reach the communities most in need in Nigeria.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Tinubu Strikes a Chord with Manufacturers, OPS

It seemed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s newly elected president, struck the right chord with Nigerian manufacturers and the organised private sector of the Nigerian economy with his presidential inaugural address on May 29.

In the inaugural address, Tinubu outlined his plan for the Nigerian economy. He said: “On the economy, we target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment. We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps: First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.

“Second, industrial policy will utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

“Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.”

He then wooed prospective investors in the Nigerian economy. “I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.

We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.”

He added that security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

Tinubu also promised that his administration “shall continue the efforts of the Buhari’s administration on infrastructure,” and added the clincher by stating that the country’s monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning, directing that the Central Bank of Nigeria “must work towards a unified exchange rate. This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

“Interest rates need to be reduced to increase

investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level of prosperity.”

MAN’S OPTIMISM

Reacting to Tinubu’s inaugural address, the Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that the president’s resonated with manufacturers in particular and the business community in general.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “Even though we have to critically consider the inaugural speech of Mr. President, I would like to make the following comments as our immediate reaction.

“It is, therefore, highly commendable and an assurance of better days ahead to hear the president saying that his industrial policy will utilise the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency. For me, this is a positive development. It is an unmistakable indication of a far-sighted strategic choice.

“What is most gratifying is that it came from Mr. President from day one. The issues of multiple and often times punitive taxation; conflicting and contradictory fiscal and monetary policy measures; skewed and poor management of the foreign exchange regime and the long overdue stoppage of the fuel subsidy were addressed in the president’s speech and I believe they resonate with manufacturers in particular and the business community in general.”

He, therefore, prayed that a marching order, so to say, is needed to move the central bank towards a unified exchange rate. “I am glad that Mr. President was very clear on this. We also expect that, in line with his promise to enable a supportive fiscal policy regime, Mr. President will order a reversal of the unwarranted violation of the government’s three-year excise escalation roadmap on alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

“As we have shown, the latest hike as contained in the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures is not only going to ruin the affected sectors, it will be counterproductive for government revenue in the near future.

“Our infrastructure has remained inadequate and so the ongoing efforts of the government have to be intensified and this again was mentioned by the newly inaugurated President,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

ADDITIONAL REQUESTS

Embolden by Tinubu’s gesture to befriend the manufacturing sector, the MAN also made additional requests to spot other low hanging

ripened fruits for Mr. President.

It said: “In addition to pursuing the unification of the exchange rate, the CBN should be prevailed upon to take effective action to give priority to the allocations of foreign exchange to the productive sector, particularly to manufacturers to import raw materials, spares, and machinery that are not locally available.

“Direct the NERC to admit all qualified applicant companies into the Eligible Customer Scheme in order to allow them access to power as stipulated in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

“Direct all relevant agencies of government to ensure that the electronic call-up system at ports aimed at redressing the congestion works without fail. “Revisit the Finance Bill 2022 to ensure it includes the critical inputs of the organized private sector. In particular, the jettisoning of the highly objectionable removal of the 10 per cent investment allowance on the acquisition of plants and machinery (in the Company Income Tax Act, Section 32).

“Additionally, to ensure that the imposition of the 0.5 per cent levy on eligible imports from third countries is limited to goods that we have the capacity to produce locally and quite importantly, exclude raw materials that are not locally available.

‘The input of the Organised Private Sector on the CEMA bill should also be taken on board before the amendment bill is signed into law.”

MAN also asked the president to announce a special policy initiative to address the revival of closed and distressed industries, particularly in the northeast where 60 per cent of our member companies have closed.

“Craft and announce a special policy initiative to leverage diaspora expertise and investment to address evident gaps and help to boost the performance of the economy.

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

In his May 29 presidential inaugural address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced policy measures that resonated with the desires and aspirations of the Nigerian manufacturing sector, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

Tinubu

Lemo: Tinubu’s Administration Shouldn’t Sacrifice Merit on Alter of Federal Character

Former Deputy Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria and immediate past Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Mr. Tunde Lemo, in this interview with Festus Akanbi and Gboyega Akinsanmi, spoke on sundry issues including the composition of the cabinet of the new administration, Nigeria’s debt profile, managing gains of fuel subsidy removal

What are the pitfalls you will advise the new government to avoid?

The 1999 Constitution stipulates that every appointment must be based on federal character. The new government should not sacrifice merit on the altar of federal character. If you are looking for merit and skill, you can find it in all parts of Nigeria. In the event that you are unable to find it in a particular place, do not feel shy to get it elsewhere because, at the end of the day, poverty does not know colour, and neither does it know the state of origin. Also, when you want to do things for the public good, it is not all the time you will be applauded initially. What is important is for the new government to be convinced that what they are doing is good whether they are applauded or not. If you are in government and you are looking for applause, you become a populist. Before you know it, you derail at the end of the day. It is not all the time that the public knows what is best for them. I always use this metaphor. When you take my five-year-old grandson for inoculation, do you think he will like it? He will cry by the time you put that needle in his hand. If you want to please him, you will not give the polio vaccine. You will not give all the necessary vaccinations. What happens eventually? He comes down with polio. God forbid! Have you been helpful to him? He will understand how helpful you have been when he is 12 years old. But he may not understand when he is four or five years old because of the pain he feels in his hands. I think the new government should learn from this metaphor. Let us ensure that we do things right from the first day. It may be painful at the beginning. They should communicate it to let the people know. Finally, there are many sycophants. The new government should now listen to sycophants. They should hit the ground running to do what is in the best interest of the country. Over time, they will be better for it. When Lee Kuan Yew started in Singapore, he was seen as a dictator and as very draconian. But he became very iconic by the time the Singaporeans started seeing the benefits. I think we have that opportunity now in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nigerians will like to know why you voluntarily resigned from your appointment as Chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). What really happened?

I have two good reasons for my decision. First, FERMA is good. It was established to maintain all federal roads in the country. It was fashioned

after the federal road maintenance agency in the United States. It is not my line of best field even though we did our best in the four years. As Chairman of the FERMA Governing Board, I am not an engineer. Apart from directors, nearly everybody on the board is an engineer. I just felt like a fish out of water. We actually tried our best. When it comes to technical issues, I had to depend on those with whom I served on the board. I told the then minister that it was not my line of best field. Everybody worked very hard. It could be renewed. Second, I did not disclose the other reason to him. Based on procedures, I would have wished he penciled it down as part of opportunities for the new president to assemble his team. If you have to appoint people to positions even one week before your exit, it is like you are binding for another four years. I felt it was not too proper. I politely said I will step down. I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. However, I felt I would have performed better if I was given an assignment in my line of best field. I am a banker, an accountant, and an economist. I could do much better in the financial sector. That is the reason I said I was not interested again.

In the last eight years, Nigeria slumped into an economic downturn twice. What are the pitfalls that culminated in the recession?

During the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, we ran into recession twice. On the two occasions, I cannot really say it was Nigeria’s fault. The first was global. It was global because there was a global economic crisis around the period. The only reason we slumped into recession was because we did not have a reserve buffer that could support our economy. Between 2008 and 2009, there was also a global economic meltdown. Nigeria did not go into recession because we had a reserve buffer. Then, we had over $60 billion in the foreign reserve. It was like we had a cushion or an insulator that would stabilise our economy against the global economic meltdown.

So, at what point did the past administration falter?

Unfortunately, we did not repeat that when

we had the second experience. It was largely because we tolerated fuel subsidy under the Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administrations. I am glad President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confronted it headlong. There is no reason that we should have held onto that fuel subsidy since the tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. President Obasanjo attempted to remove it completely. It was like a moving target. If we remove the subsidy today and price structures do not underpin the market dynamics, the subsidy will reappear. People think fuel pump prices should be fixed. They do not know it responds to market dynamics like any other product. When I have conversations with people, I always ask this question. Why will you expect fuel pump prices to remain the same in the last decade when prices of soft drinks, even table water we drink, are longer the same? They have all adjusted due to market dynamics. Why should petrol be different to the point that we became very emotive? Incrementally, we were increasing subsidies from two major fronts. The only one that people see is the one that NNPC does. Every importer, whether it is NNPC or independent marketers, also gets foreign exchange at subsidised rates. That subsidy is in two forms. As of the last count, the government was spending N400 billion per month on direct subsidy. Forex subsidy was approximately about N300 billion per month. When you add the two together, you then understand why we did not have enough forex for people, particularly in the real sector. That was also why NNPC could no longer contribute money to the Federation Accounts. Also, state governments were broke. When you backtrack and look at what happened during the first recession, that was because we did not have a reserve buffer. So, we slipped into recession. The good news was that the recession lasted only for two quarters. If you look at the way our economy has been lacklustre over time, it is largely because we did not allow market dynamics to work. So, resources were not allocated optimally. In the downstream oil sector, there should have been additional investments. Who will invest where the cost is bigger than the revenue? Of course, you have to wait on the government to make up the difference. Because there are so many charlatans, a lot of them will get subsidies and direct their ships to Gabon. Because of that, everyone who carries subsidy papers is perceived to be a crook. Most guys in the oil sector just

abandoned it, almost to the point that NNPC became the main importer. As a result, there have been significant investments in the downstream oil sector in the last ten years. But we are laying a solid foundation now. I tell people that the pain we are going through today is necessary because we have abandoned it for so long. At the end of the day, we will look back in the next two or three yeast and thank God that we did what we did. It will free up resources to do so many things. Our schools are in shatters. Roads are deplorable. Everything is upside down because the federal government is broke. If we begin to rain in such funds and then intervene in real sectors as we should by providing physical and social infrastructure, we are going to see the benefits. I was at a forum just last week. I said: “Do not think because your budget is increasing from N10,000 to N30,000 per week due to fuel subsidy removal, it does not work like that. You will discover that there are fewer vehicles on the roads. So, you do not have to burn your fuel for that long. I estimate that you could save 50 per cent of that. You are not going to spend three times. You are also going to be more efficient in the way you move around. If three of us live in Ikorodu and come to Lagos Island in our different cars, why can’t we agree to have a pool and take only one car out one day a week? If we are four, for instance, my car comes out one day in a week. Then, we can save. We may even have net savings. We are going to be more rational in the way we do things. At the end of the day, we may hit a new equilibrium and find out that it is just a life change we need. With this, we can free up resources to enable the federal government to provide what it should for the benefit of the people.

You just mentioned the revenue crises we are facing. How can the revenue challenges facing the new administration be addressed without plunging Nigeria into a further debt trap?

There is nothing wrong with debt per se. It depends on what you do with the debt. When you look at our debt-to-GDP ratio, it is around 30 per cent. It is far less than America’s debt-to-GDP ratio. This means we can borrow more. Am I saying we should go and borrow more? No! The major thing the federal government has done now should make it borrow less. Do you know we have been funding fuel subsidies through bonds?

The Global Capital is Waiting For Nigeria. All They Need to See is that We Have A Stable Macroeconomic Environment

When people ask about the money we have saved, we have not saved as much as people think. If the subsidy is N400 billion per month, it does not mean that money is on the table. It means out of the N400 billion, the federal government was borrowing N300 billion. But now they will no longer borrow. It is not like the government should tell us what they will do with the money. That is the kind of narrative we get from organised labour. The major thing is that the propensity will be much less because the pressure will be less. Then, the government will just settle down and focus on real governance. This new government is market-friendly given the background of the new president. He is going to embark on many activities through public–private partnership (PPP) because of his background. Before he went into politics in 1999, he was a private sector person. He was a treasurer for Mobil Oil. He understands that very well. The global capital is waiting for Nigeria. All they need to see is that we have a stable macroeconomic environment. It means we have a foreign exchange rate that can be determined a priori. All investors will know that if they invest in Nigeria, this is what they will benefit from. Nobody embarks on huge capital projects with government revenue. No! When you go to Brazil, you will see many of their highways. They are constructed with private funds, and most of these roads are tolled anyway. When we restructure your economy, we free up a lot of resources that the government was using for unnecessary things. We also make the country more competitive for global capital. That is basically what we are going to see under the new government.

During his inauguration, President Tinubu directed the CBN to work out the unification of exchange rates. How should he go about it without hurting the economy?

It cannot hurt the economy. When we talk about unification, it suggests that we are going to have only one rate. Naira is not freely convertible. When a currency is not easily convertible, you will still see some divergence. Unification is right because we are going to have convergence. Even if you do not buy from the official window, the rate at which you get it may not be two per cent different. That is understandable. In many of the emerging and frontier economies, we have that kind of arrangement. I was in the CBN under Prof. Charles Soludo and Mallam Lamido Sanusi. The difference between the official and parallel rates was very slim. It was between N4 and N6. It did not matter. People do not have to wait endlessly if they do not have enough from the CBN because the alternative channel does not add so much. That is the unified exchange rate that Mr. President talked about during his inauguration. And it is achievable. In fact, it makes the economy better. FDIs and portfolio funds dried up for two reasons. The first is because of the wide gyration. If an investor brings into the capital market, he queues in the CBN for months or years when he is repatriating his dividends. He does not get it. Of course, the expectation is distorted. The plans are distorted. And the appetite to invest more in Nigeria disappears. But you have a unified exchange rate where all rates converge plus or minus two per cent, and then of course, they come in and go out. It does not have to depend 100 per cent on CBN’s allocations because all the other funds from the energy sector and exporters converge around the official rates. That is what deepens the foreign exchange market. In the period I was talking about, there were times when the CBN would go to the market with $600 million and they would not sell everything. Sometimes, they would even buy the surplus. That was why the foreign reserve went up as high as $60 billion. When you have a unified exchange rate, you make your market more competitive. Foreign investors will want to come in. Even, if your rating goes up, you then free your economy for more businesses. It is like telling the world that we are ready for business. But corollary happens when there is a wide gap. It is only the rent-seekers, those who take the arbitrary opportunity, that cash in on that. There is no meaningful development. That has been our experience in the last few years.

What are the low-hanging fruits in the economy which the new government can take advantage of?

Of course, there are low-hanging fruits for the new president. First, he has already taken off the fuel subsidy on premium motor spirit. But he must deepen it by allowing market dynamics to drive fuel pump prices like other communities in the market. Second, he must make sure that there are square pegs in squares in the appointment. He must get experts to do what they are expected to do. Third, he has to

signal accountability and efficiency. Every head of MDA must justify the reason for being in the office because that is the reason for his engagement. If somebody is not contributing, he should be scrapped. For almost two weeks he has been in the office, I have been very impressed with what the new president has done. We have seen the expectation. We have seen his body language.

The body language is when it comes to security, there must be coordination. He had to visit the National Counter Terrorism Centre personally. He brought the NNPC and CBN together. At that session, he emphasised the significance of data to his administration. He also told them that they had to report timeously. He had told the CBN to unify the exchange rates. And to NNPC, he insisted that it had to be efficient because it had ceased to be a public corporation. That is what we have been witnessing since he assumed office.

The era of rent is gone. Because I know people in government, I will get some privileges. No, it does not work like that. Let us be in the same spot, and that is how we can drive efficiency. How will you assess the role of organised labour in the initial opposition to subsidy removal?

So far, so good. People said perhaps they had bribed labour. No! Labour backtrack because they started to see that this is a government that understands how things should be done. They decided to give the new government the chance. It is important to emphasise that while we have the subsidy removal, it is going to hit people’s pockets. Yes, it will hit people’s pockets, but it will not be in the quantum people are thinking. People think that prices from x to 3x, then salaries should move at the rate. The fact is that the price moved, and other prices are coming down. Do you know that diesel prices have been coming down? Do you know that gas prices have been coming down? That is the way the economy works. Because you have freed resources in certain areas, it is going to positively affect so many other areas. On a net basis, we are not likely to see more than three per cent inflation. And it is going to be a one-off. After that, we will get to a new equilibrium. The base salaries must be jacked up.

If you see an average worker, how much does he spend on transportation from his N30,000 salary? Perhaps, he only spends N10,000. Out of the N10,000, maybe he gives the N10,000 to the busman. If you analyse the man who runs the bus, what percentage of it will he use to fuel the bus? He may use another 40 per cent because he has to repair the vehicle and give money to his conductor. It is just 40 per cent of the N10,000 you are talking about. At the end of the day, the impact on workers may not be more than 15 or 20 per cent. Yes, I agree that there must be a minimum wage review. It must not be in the quantum people are talking about. Some are proposing N200,000. If that happens, of course, the exchange rate will hit N1000 to a Dollar. And you will see money and run because it will not be worth the paper. It simply means CBN will print more money. It will be cheaper than the tissue paper that we use in the toilet. We should not go through that route. There should be more reasons for the way we negotiate. The low-hanging fruit is: let us roll up our sleeves and be productive. Workers should know that wages are low in Nigeria not because employers of labour are mean, but because of low productivity. When we ratchet up our productivity, water will find its level naturally. If productivity is high and my staff is short-changed, they will move to other places. The new government should grant all public universities full autonomy. Now is the time for us as a country to ensure university autonomy. Besides, the new government should ensure the sale of non-earning assets, including our four refineries. Finally, it should, as a matter of priority, carry our rationalisation of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies chaired by Stephen Oronsaye. You talk about coordination. I want to draw from your experience as a former CBN Deputy Governor. What is responsible for the lack of synergy between fiscal and monetary authorities?

Honestly, the way the system is structured, it should be so. If we start from the composition of the CBN Board, do you know that the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance is a member? Do you know that the Accountant General of the Federation is a member of the CBN Board? What that tells me is that they sit down when the monetary authorities are taking decisions and go back to their base. Through them, information flows left and right. That is how it should be. From time to time, the CBN Governor and Finance Minister should have private time. Once every month, they can sit down and review issues that affect the federation. I do not really know what was responsible because I was not in the financial sector of the government for the past eight years. Honestly, I will blame the operators because the system is calibrated in such a way that there should be synergy. They all converge at the level of the National Economic Council. The CBN Governor is a member. Finance Minister is also a member. And the Vice President chairs the Council. We have enough framework that promotes coordination. I do not just know what fails.

If you are to meet the president today, what will be your advice on the new naira notes? Or put differently, do you foresee the new administration revising the policy on new naira notes?

I stand by what the president has said. I will not speak too much on this question because I am a former CBN Deputy Governor. I want to avoid a situation whereby I sit down in judgment against CBN. I have a channel to advise them. But I stand by what the president has said. For him, the two notes will be recognised, at least in line with the decision of the Supreme Court. That is also in line with the international best practice. Let me take you back to what just happened in England. The United Kingdom just moved from paper to polymer. That affected £50, £20, £10 and £5. It took them one year to switch over. Even, they published something last week. The regulation time, I think for £50 and £20, is fixed for the end of this month. That is when they will no longer be legal tender. Meanwhile, it has been on since 2022. So, there was sufficient time. It was seamless. In a situation whereby you gave a very short time in an economy that is more cash-based than the United Kingdom, you know it is a recipe for confusion. When you want to cross over from old notes to new notes, you need to give sufficient time. Where are we running to? I am completely in agreement with what Mr. President has said. I do not want to say so much about the CBN because I am the product of the CBN. I do not want to sound controversial. These days, we ‘noise’ around the fintechs has reduced. What is your take about fintechs? Fintech companies are working and running very well. They are part of the payment system. They are also part of the support banking services. They support communications and so on. I do not know what noise you are talking about. Flutterwave and other fintech companies are doing well. Do not forget that financial institutions see them as partners in progress and not as competitors. There is a new buzzword in business literature, which is now called coopetition. In other words, even if you compete with one another, there is room by which we can cooperate more and not compete with ourselves. Using competition as a framework, fintech has been able to integrate properly into financial services to the benefit of all. I sit on the boards of many financial institutions that sign agreements with many fintech companies. Flutterwave, for instance, has agreements with three or four banks. They work hand in hand together. And everybody is happy.

What’s the update on the takeover of Union Bank Plc by Titans Bank and what are the plans for the new entity?

We are making good progress. Remember the core shareholders in Titan Trust Bank have bought the core shareholding in Union Bank. Titan Bank has over 90 per cent of the Union Bank. In the next few days, we are going to have a court-ordered meeting so that the two institutions will finally merge. What made it to be a bit protracted was the SEC rule. Because if you are buying a majority shareholding in an institution, you should also give the minority shareholders the same rights you gave to the majority shareholders. If a particular share is selling in the market at N5 and you bought from the core shareholders at N7, you have to give the minority shareholders also the opportunity to sell their little shares to you at the same N7 so that they will not be short-changed. The process is long and tortuous because everybody should be carried along. The process is almost completed. What we are going to do now is to have a courtordered meeting so that they can finally sign off. By God’s grace, you see one institution by July 2023. It will now be an amalgam of Union Bank and Titan Trust Bank.

“In fact, it makes the economy better. FDIs and portfolio funds dried up for two reasons. The first is because of the wide gyration. If an investor brings into the capital market, he queues in the CBN for months or years when he is repatriating his dividends. He does not get it. Of course, the expectation is distorted.The plans are distorted. And the appetite to invest more in Nigeria disappears”

LAYING OF WREATH AT THE GRAVE OF MKO ABIOLA...

Access Bank Launches First American Express Cards for Nigeria

Access Bank has unveiled two new consumer credit cards: the Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the Metal Platinum Card.

According to a statement, these are the first American Express cards to be issued in Nigeria and West Africa.

It pointed out that by launching the cards, Access Bank has improved its overall offering to its retail and private bank customers, “who can now enjoy the Membership Rewards loyalty programme and a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits.”

“In 2019, Access Bank signed an

agreement with American Express to start acquiring merchants, enabling businesses across the country to accept payments from international American Express Cards. The bank is now ready to issue the first American Express credit cards in West Africa.

“The Gold and Platinum Cards showcase the international American Express card design, featuring the distinctive ‘Centurion’ icon.

“Similar products are also issued outside of Nigeria by American Express or third parties licensed by American Express and provide cardmembers with extensive rewards

and benefits. Through Access Bank, this credit card experience is now available in Nigeria,” the statement added.

Group Managing Director, Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, said the cards would be available by request and invitation and customers who have signified interest would begin to enjoy its usage from today.

He said, "We are a bank of many firsts. We do have a wide network and with this partnership, AMEX will have 60 million customers supporting this partnership. It is a massive endorsement for us to work

with AMEX in this partnership.”

For his part, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna said: “The launch of American Express Cards in Nigeria is another milestone in the continued development of a vibrant and fast-growing payments industry. Customers want more than transactions – they want real value.

"With American Express, we can provide valuable card benefits, strong loyalty rewards, and a real reason to use electronic payments instead of cash. By diversifying our services to facilitate payments, we can connect

UN Calls for Action against Propagation of Hate, Lies in Digital Space

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Nations (UN) has stressed the need to immediately address the grave global harm caused by the proliferation of hate and lies in the digital space.

The United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, made the call at the launch of his report into information integrity on digital platforms.

The UN chief noted that alarm over the potential threat posed by the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence must not affect the damage already being done by digital technologies that enable the spread of online hate speech and disinformation.

He, however, noted that digital platforms had brought many benefits, supporting communities in times of crisis and struggle, elevating marginalised voices and helping to mobilise global movements for racial justice and gender equality.

In addition, he noted that they help the UN to engage people around the world in pursuit of peace, dignity and human rights on a healthy planet. He lamented that: “Yet these

same digital platforms are being misused to subvert science and spread disinformation and hate to billions of people, fueling conflict, threatening democracy and human rights, and undermining public health and climate action.

“This clear and present global threat demands coordinated international action to make the digital space safer and more inclusive while vigorously protecting human rights.

“Existing responses have, to a large extent, been lacking. Some tech companies have done far too little, too late to prevent their platforms from contributing to the spread of violence and hatred, while governments have sometimes resorted to drastic measures – including blanket internet shutdowns and bans – that lack any legal basis and infringe on human rights.

“The policy brief puts forward the framework for a concerted global response though a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms, outlining potential guardrails to contain this runaway threat while safeguarding freedom of expression and information.

“It includes the following proposals to be built on in a Code

of Conduct: Governments, tech companies and other stakeholders should refrain from using, supporting, or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose.

“Governments should guarantee a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape, with strong protections for journalists.

“Digital platforms should ensure safety and privacy by design in all products, alongside consistent application of policies and resources across countries and languages.”

He added: “All stakeholders

Pepsi Thrills

should take urgent and immediate measures to ensure that all AI applications are safe, secure, responsible and ethical, and comply with human rights obligations.

“Tech companies should move away from business models that prioritise engagement above human rights, privacy, and safety.

“Advertisers and digital platforms should ensure that ads are not placed next to online mis- or disinformation or hate speech, and that ads containing disinformation are not promoted.

more consumers to the SMEs and retail businesses across the country who we know are the engine of economic growth.”

Also, Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, said the unveiling of the credit cards was a testament to the bank's leadership role in the country.

Her words, "We are always at the forefront in the banking sector here in Nigeria and this is our newest innovation as we lead others. You can see these AMEX cards anywhere in Nigeria except here at Access. I know our customers who are going to reap the benefits will be proud of us."

Deputy Managing Director, Retail North, Victor Etiokwu, said the partnership with American Express was not the first and won't be the last.

He said, "In the payment world, it is important to have varieties and as a financial sector supermarket, we have varieties of lovely items for the benefit of our customers.

“AMEX is a unique brand and we have always wanted to have them on our portfolio and we are glad this has become a reality. We will continue to collaborate with AMEX.”

President, Global Network Services at American Express, Mohammed Badi, said, “By granting Access Bank a licence to launch the first-ever American Express Cards in Nigeria, American Express’ presence in Africa is becoming even more vibrant.

“The Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the metal

Platinum Card enhance the credit card experience in Nigeria with special benefits, access, and service – for Cardmembers both in Nigeria and when travelling overseas.”

Alongside dual-currency functionality (NGN/USD) and international acceptance, the American Express cards include airport lounge access, car rental perks, membership rewards, loyalty points, as well as insurance and protections.

On top of these features, the Platinum Card also offers expanded airport lounge benefits, with complimentary access to more than 1,400 lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. There are also Hotel perks and upgrades through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts, special status access in the Hilton Honours, Radisson Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy rewards programmes.

Other benefits include complimentary access to hotel membership programmes, with Tablet Plus membership and Mr. & Mrs. Smith Gold status, 24/7 travel and lifestyle concierge services.

At the launch, Vice President and General Manager, Network Partnerships EMEA, American Express, Briana Wisley, while commenting on the partnership between Access Bank and AMEX said it was only Access Bank that ticked all the boxes they were looking for and AMEX is happy to be doing this with Access Bank.

Fans with Unforgettable UCL Final Screening

Pepsi on Saturday night, thrilled fun-loving football fans to an unforgettable UEFA Champions League final experience at the 2023 edition of Pepsi Goal Fest in Lagos.

The event, which took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, featured a live viewing of the game between two European league giants, Manchester City and Inter Milan.

According to a statement yesterday, Pepsi thrilled fans with an electrifying final opening

performance by Grammy Award winner and Pepsi ambassador, Burna Boy at the Pepsi KickOff Show.

“Some of the ‘confam’ highlights of the evening included the guest appearances by Nigerian football legends, John Mikel Obi and Victor Ikpeba. All these left the audience captivated beyond their expectations.

“Following the match viewing, the stage was activated for a Confam Football Party with some of Nigeria’s biggest music and DJ stars. Naija’s popular music crooner, Zlantan Ibile,

gave fans an amazing experience, while the energy was supplied by Hype masters, Dotun and Shody.

“When fans thought it was over, Pepsi DJ Ambassador, DJ Xclusive and Maze x Mxtreme took the experience a notch higher to give fans an astonishing night of their lives,” it added.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye, expressed Pepsi’s excitement at hosting fans to such exhilarating

experience.

“Pepsi continues to be at the forefront of championing pop culture leveraging football and music which are passion points for Nigerians.

“This is how the brand has been able to connect and resonate, not just with the entire world, but with the Naija Spirit and this is why we thought it important to bring some of the legends of the game, John Mikel Obi and Victor Ikpeba to be a part of this experience for the fans,” Segun highlighted.

L-R: Alhaja Aminat Irawo; Lagos State Governor represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; first daughter of late M.K.O Abiola, Mrs Lola Abiola-Edewor; Mike Ozekhome, SAN; Chief Imam of M.K.O Abiola Mosque, Imam Abiola Sherif and President of West African College of Missionary, Bishops, Cardinal Oluseguin Roberts, during laying of wreath at the grave of late Chief M.K.O Abiola at his Ikeja residence to commemorate the 30th Anniversary... yesterday

STRATEGIC MEETING TO BACK AKPABIO...

L-R: Senator Godswill Akpabio; Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Senator Ahmad Lawan, during a strategic meeting in Abuja

Air Nigeria Controversy: EFCC’s Silence Conspiratorial, Says HURIWA

Insists Sirika’s excuses indefensible Former aviation minister lied against us, says Air Peace

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Chinedu Eze in Lagos

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), yesterday, described as indefensible, excuses given for the shabby and alleged fraudulent Nigeria Air by the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Also, Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace has Sirika of lying against the airline in an interview he granted Arise News Channel on Sunday.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel

Onwubiko, labelled as conspiratorial, the silence and inaction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the anti-graft commission’s reluctance to arrest Sirika despite the allegations of fraud levelled against him by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The group also tasked the President Bola Tinubu administration to set up a presidential panel to probe Sirika’s time in office and make the report known to the public.

On Sunday, Sirika, who had been under fire over the Nigeria Air project, had said he spent nearly N3 billion to

Osun Commences Work on State Electricity Market Policy, Legislation

State govt says no rift between executive, judiciary

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has disclosed plans by his administration to develop a plan of action for the making of Osun State Electricity Market policy and legislation.

Speaking on the recent signing into law of a constitutional amendment empowering state governments to regulate electricity market within their boundaries, Adeleke in a statement yesterday, directed the setting up of a technical committee to prepare the state policy plan on the management of state power sector.

The governor noted that the committee was to come up with a detailed plan to create Osun State Electricity Market Policy and a draft Executive bill to be named Osun Electricity Act if signed into law.

The new policy would also include creation of Osun State Electricity Regulatory Commission to issue licences to private firms ready to engage in power production and regulate interface among operators within the power sector from the power generators, distributors and the consumers.

The planned policy would also facilitate private sector investment in the state electricity sector, encourage alternative energy sources from renewable to other green power sources, the statement noted.

Other part of the plan was to electrify Osun programmes to ensure all towns and villages in Osun are provided with power supply from mini-dams to other sources of energy.

Adeleke, who promised to inaugurate the committee soon also expressed the intention of his administration to seek the support of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the state electricity market plans.

The Chief Executive informed the state that the Executive bills he would soon be submitting to the legislature include the Osun State Startup bill, the Osun State Climate Action Bill and the State Electricity Market Bill.

Meanwhile, Osun State Government yesterday described the comment made by an agent of the All Progressive Congress(APC) Mr. Yomi Aliu, as false alarm.

In a statement issued and signed by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Osun State Governor noted that, "It is not surprising of Mr. Aliu to have cooked up a false story. It is customary of him the same way he did during the Osun governorship election petition.

“He had raised a fake alarm and unjustifiable insinuation that there was a serious security threat in the State. This nonetheless turned out to be unfounded."

The statement added: "It is unfortunate that a supposed learned senior lawyer can go that low on the path of propaganda and unnecessary sensation without exercising any iota of decorum and dignity.

"For the sake of clarity, the present administration enjoys a very warm and harmonious relationship with the Judiciary as against the pseudo acrimony being peddled by Mr Aliu. "

hire consultants, pay salaries, and cater for the Abuja office of Nigeria Air.

He had also denied embezzling N85 billion meant for the project.

Nigeria Air was launched on May 26, two days to the end of the Muhammadu Buhari government despite a standing court order halting the carrier.

Sirika had also accused a House of Representatives member, Nnolim Nnaji, of asking for five per cent equity shares in the national carrier after the lawmaker described the controversial project as a fraud and condemned the use of an Ethiopian Airlines’ registered aircraft during the launch in May.

Commenting on this, Onwubiko said, “Sirika’s empty explanations haven't answered the critical questions. The issue is where is Nigeria Air and why hire an aircraft from Ethiopia

to deceive Nigerians?

“In fact, aside that the so-called national carrier has not secured a single aircraft for its operations, it has also failed to secure Air Operating Certificate (AOC) from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“The EFCC should stop pretending not to be aware of the case, not after the National Assembly declared it as fraudulent. The anti-graft commission should immediately arrest of former minister while the new administration should set up a presidential panel to probe the whole sham!”

Former Aviation Minister Lied against Us, Says Air Peace

Meanwhile, Air Peace has accused Sirika of lying against the airline in the interview he granted Arise News Channel. The airline alleged that the former Minister made spurious claims about Air Peace and decided to put

the records straight in a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mrs. Toyin Olajide.

“Firstly, Sirika, in his bid to denigrate Air Peace while praising Ethiopian Airline, stated that we leased 'two’ Boeing 777 aircraft on a monthly lease fee of $250,000, parked the aircraft for several months and incurred losses of $19 million while all the aircraft engines and landing gears became due for replacement when we were ready to fly.

“He went on to ask, ‘who does that?, stating that Ethiopian Airlines would never do that.

“This is a blatant lie as we have three and not two Boeing 777 aircraft which were never leased or rented, but were purchased outrightly by the airline. Air Peace never incurred such a loss, we never paid rentals contrary to his lies. The Nigerian

Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) can attest to the purchase and ownership of the Aircraft by Air Peace.

“Secondly, Sirika said the airline stopped flying to Dubai because 'we lack capacity'. This is another stark lie. Air Peace never stopped the Dubai operations because of lack of capacity. Air Peace commenced operations into the UAE in July, 2019, but in October 2022, the UAE Government announced a total visa ban on Nigerians.

“Neither Emirates nor Air Peace is operating the Nigerian/UAE route since the ban. The persisting nonissuance of visas and the accompanying inconveniences necessitated the suspension of our Dubai operations from November 22, 2022 till date,” the airline said.

Niger Governor Sympathises with Victims of Bandits’ Attacks

Laleye Dipo in Minna

As the nation marked Democracy Day yesterday, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bago, has sympathised with victims of bandits’ attacks in parts of the state. In recent weeks, scores of people have been murdered with many others kidnapped and injured by terrorists who invaded Shiroro, Munya, Rafi Paikoro and Mariga

local government areas.

Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, regretted the resurgence of insecurity in parts of the state, just as he assured that his administration and that at the federal level would find quick solution to the problem. The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed, quick recovery for those injured and safe return of abductees

Bago, assured the people of his resolve to have a secured state, pointing out that the impact of his interface with the Service Chiefs would soon be felt by all and sundry.

The governor told the people that the time had come for things to be done differently in the state and at the national level in order to bring about the desired results in the country.

None of Our Officials Was Shot in Abuja, US Embassy Clarifies

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has debunked a media report that one of its officials was shot in Abuja.

It also put lie to the report that the security of the Embassy in Abuja, had been beefed up as a result of the “false” attack.

A newspaper (not THISDAY), had reported that security around the United States Embassy in Abuja, had been beefed up following

the shooting of an official of the embassy, last Thursday.

The newspaper had also reported that other embassies and foreign missions have upped their security level, while urging their citizens and officials to take their security more seriously.

But responding to enquiries by THISDAY, Senior Media Specialist|Public Affairs, US Department of State Embassy Abuja, Aishah Gambari, revealed that it was a Nigerian Police officer

without any attachment to the US Embassy that was shot in an apparent robbery attempt on him.

Gambari explained: “On Friday, a Nigerian Police Force officer was shot in the course of an apparent robbery attempt against him.

“No US Embassy staff or officials, Nigerian or American, were involved. There is no change to the embassy security posture.”

She however added that: “We refer you to the Nigerian police force for any further information.”

He promised to give positive leadership that will improve the growth of the state

"It is time for the leadership at all levels to depart from the usual rhetorics and seek pragmatic solutions to the challenges of governance in order not to destroy our hard-earned democracy," he stated adding that, "under my watch, Niger state will be great and lives of its citizens will be better."

Meanwhile the governor has approved the payment of the fines imposed on 80 inmates granted prerogative of mercy by the past government to enable them regain their freedoms.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, appealed to the inmates to make use of their freedom by engaging in useful ventures and shun any act that could lead them back to correctional facility.

Usman, also implored the inmates to be law-abiding citizens, and engage in legitimate ventures by taking advantage of various empowerment schemes available in the state.

Tinubu Signs Students' Loans Bill into Law

It’ll guarantee indigent students access to education, says Alake Nigerian Students Loans Board first established in 1972 and in 1993

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Students' Loan Bill into law, in fulfilment of one of his promises to liberalise funding of education in the country.

But analysts have pointed out that this was not the first time the country would be having a legislation on students’ loan.

The signing of the new law was made known to newsmen, yesterday, by a member of the Presidential Strategic Team, Mr Dele Alake.

According to him, the new law is a fulfilment of one of the electoral promises of the President Tinubu. Asked if the new law will not result in increase in school fees, Alake said both situations are unrelated, adding that the idea behind the law is to help indigent students

to be able to obtain education in the country.

He said: “We are very happy to announce to you that today, just a few minutes ago, the President His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signed into law, the Student Loans Bill and that Student Loans Bill, you all know what it entails, what it connotes the meaning.

“This is the promise made during the presidential campaign by the then candidate, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he will bring back the student loans issue to the front burner and today, that promise he made has been kept, he has just signed that bill into law, which henceforth, will allow or enable our indigent students to access federal government loans to fund their educational pursuit or career and this is how it's done in

other developed climes all over the world”.

According to him: “So this is a boom to our youths, to our students nationwide. Of course, there are prescribed qualification parameters and that is the proof of indigeneship of whoever is to be a beneficiary and other prescribed parameters will be there.

“Of course, there are committees to be set up, the members of committees drawn from various bodies to superintend over the efficient and proficient disbursement of this facility”.

When asked for the time frame for the law to take effect, he explained that the bill takes effect immediately, but the procedures are what the committees will superintend over.

Also commenting on the new

10TH ASSEMBLY: TINUBU PULLS ALL STOPS FOR AKPABIO, ABBAS

All Progressives Congress (APC) elected as presiding officers, has begun to pull all stops in their favour, in ensuring that both Godswill Akpabio and TJ Abbas are elected Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.

This decision also included their deputies, who are Barau Jibril as the Deputy Senate President, and Benjamin Kalu as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The president was said to have instructed everyone, especially the governors elected on the platform of his party to get to work and as well liaise with their counterparts in the opposition parties, with a view to making sure that the APC has its way today during the election of the presiding officers.

Ironically, these moves have neither deterred nor dissuaded a former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul-Aziz Yari, who is determined to upset the applecart, even though

he appeared overwhelmed by the heavy deployment of the president in favour of Akpabio, Abbas, Barau and Kalu.

At the moment, the battle for the presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly has reached a crescendo with the two leading camps of Akpabio and Yari, sharply divided over their suitability to preside over the 10th Assembly.

The fierceness of the battle became more pronounced last night, when the camps of the two leading aspirants for the position of the Senate President –Yari and Akpabio – disagreed over alleged endorsement by the South East senators.

But the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed confidence that Akpabio, being APC’s choice candidate for the 10th Senate President, would emerge victorious at today’s inauguration.

This was as the senator for the Southern Senatorial District of Cross

River State, Gershom Bassey, has cautioned that Nigeria's 10th Senate could not afford to fail Nigerians, because it has the fortune of having senators in the executive arm of Tinubu's administration.

Conversely, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said it had not directed the appointment of the minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives yet, because it was still faced with the election of the presiding officers.

At the same time, the Oodua People's Frontier (OPF) and the Yoruba Patriots Alliance (YPA), have condemned the Tinubu-led government for its alleged interference in the election of principal officers of the National Assembly ahead of today’s inauguration.

Battle for the presiding officers of the National Assembly assumed a different twist when the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) not only zoned the positions

law, the Permanent Secretary in the federal ministry of education, David Adejoh, stressed that “what the President has done goes beyond a symbolism, it’s a demonstration of intent in terms of how he wants to handle education as he progresses in his Presidency.

“Like somebody asked about procedures, once the bill has been signed, that is the most important thing. A bill tells you what should be done, the how it will be done is what we’re going to put together and the good luck is that we have experience already in this area. We already have the Federal Scholarship Board Scheme running.

“The difference this bill makes is that it’s going to be a loans board so that people that don't have whatever reason, don't qualify to be able to apply for a loan. I'm very sure the

to some geo-political zones, but also micro-zoned it to some states and individuals.

Akpabio and Barau Jibrin had been endorsed by the leadership of the APC to contest the presiding officers positions in the 10th Senate as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively, and are considered candidates of the president, too.

Not satisfied with the arrangement, four other aspirants for the position, Senators Abdulaziz Yari, Orji Uzor Kalu, Osita Izunaso, and Sani Musa formed an alliance, known as Senate Democratic Caucus, to challenge the Akpabio/Jibrin Stability Group.

The development had created intense rivalry among members of the same party and also caused the opposition parties to begin to plan towards bloc support for certain candidates.

While APC appeared to have succeeded in breaking the ranks

TINUBU INSPECTS GUARD OF HONOUR TO CELEBRATE FIRST DEMOCRACY DAY AS PRESIDENT

with an early morning national broadcast.

The Guards’ Brigade Cultural Group, made up of wards of the Guards’ Brigade personnel, put up a colourful cultural display, representing the country's six geo-political zones as the president and other dignitaries watched.

Shettima arrived the Forecourt a few minutes before 10am, with President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also present.

Others present at the event included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; immediate past Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle; National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and the party's National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

At the event also were Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who led the three service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, other senior security chiefs, and senior government officials.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who spoke to newsmen after the ceremonies, challenged politicians to learn from other climes how to imbibe sportsmanship in politics.

Uzodinma stated, “Democracy itself is a learning process for we the third world countries. So we’ll continue to learn, like in other climes, that the spirit of sportsman must be deployed, that it’s either you win or you lose. When you win, you’ll celebrate, when you lose, you’ll wait for another time. So, we’ll continue to advise and encourage practitioners in politics to eschew violence and take to this path of honour.”

Sharing his thoughts on Nigeria’s democracy, Akume said June 12 was a deliberate attempt to enthrone the sanctity of democracy and due process as far as elections were concerned.

The day, he explained, represented “fundamental human rights, the right of people to vote freely and choose their own leaders.”

The SGF said, “The abandonment of this principle will lead to unpleasant consequences by way of demonstrations, when that annulment was made.

“It was long ago, but we give glory to God that today, we are celebrating this very important landmark in the history of our country. Remember, it was 2019 that President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as work-free day and by that tradition, the present government is continuing to walk in the steps of the last administration.

“And President Tinubu is regarded as one of the most critical persons in the struggle for the attainment of that mandate. And that is why we're very happy that today he is here as the president.”

Fielding questions from journalists after the event, former SGF, who was Chief Moshood Abiola’s running mate in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Babagana Kingibe, said June 12 would always bring back vivid memories of the cloud of sorrow that enveloped the country after the annulment of the poll by then military president Ibrahim Babangida.

Kingibe said, "I believe in looking forward and the president, in his Democracy Day address, has set out the markers as to where we are coming from. He has set up beacons as to the direction we should take to make our country great, to strengthen democracy and to defend democracy at all times.

"And I believe that his speech was really inspiring and I think all right thinking men and women of this country should very carefully go through and be inspired by it and be guided by it. It is a great thing."

Asked whether the country had done enough to recognise what Abiola stood for, the former SGF urged Nigerians to be inspired by Abiola’s courage. He said, "Abiola is no more. We can't bring him

back. And whatever we do, will never bring him back to life. But we should never forget.

"We should be inspired by his courage. We should be inspired by his steadfast commitment, and we should be inspired by his willingness to sacrifice his life, which he has, and for which I think the country will forever be grateful."

APC's preferred candidate for the 10th senate presidency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, described June 12 as a milestone for the country, saying the country is already making progress as far as freedom is concerned.

Akpabio said Nigerians should see June 12 as a period for sober reflection, especially, "when you look at the events that happened 30 years ago, the late MKO Abiola, may his soul rest in peace. And then we are celebrating this day, you know to commemorate that event, it is very humbling.

"And for us to be alive to see this happening and for almost

country has learned from recovery rates of loans and the experience we had will be able to guide how this federal students loans board will work.

“I want to congratulate the President and most importantly, congratulate us Nigerians because what we have now is that nobody should say money did not allow him to go to school. That opportunity will be there, it will be inclusive and it will be equitable”, he said.

The new law which was sponsored by the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others, states that, “the loan referred to in this Act shall be granted to students only for the payment of tuition fees.”

“The granting of the loan to any student under this Act shall

of the opposition in the House of Representatives, the situation in the senate remained intense, creating panic as the National Assembly was scheduled for inauguration today.

There was confusion yesterday in the upper chamber, when the camps of Yari and Akpabio laid claims to the support of senators-elect from the South-east geopolitical zone.

The Senate Democratic Caucus, after series of meetings, agreed that Yari should contest the senate president position, while the position of Deputy Senate President would be determined on the floor of the senate after the emergence of the senate president.

Both camps claimed they had the required number of senators that could give them victory, and brandished lists, which could not be verified by THISDAY at the time of filling this report.

Yet, there was a dramatic twist in the entire scenario last night, when

be subject to the students/applicants satisfying the requirements and conditions set out under this Act.”

Meanwhile, analysts have pointed out that the Nigerian Students Loans Board was first established in 1972 and in 1993, an Act to establish the Nigerian Education Bank to approve and disburse loans for educational purposes and for matters connected therewith, was also signed into law, wondering why a new legislation in 2023.

“Laws are not always our problem in Nigeria. I don’t think this is viable and implementable,” the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said in a recent interview on Arise News Channel, noting that the high unemployment rate in the country remains a challenge.

Director General of Akpabio's Stability Group, Senator Ali Ndume, released a statement, accompanied by sets of photographs, to the media, suggesting that their candidate had been endorsed by the South-east senators.

In the pictures, all the 15 elected senators from the South-east, including Kalu, were with Akpabio, Ndume and Opeyemi Bamidele, among other members of the Stability Group.

The statement read, "A few hours to the inauguration of the 10th Senate, two leading contenders for the position of President of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Osita Izunaso, on Monday, met with Godswill Akpabio.

"Similarly, President of the ninth Senate, Ahmad Lawan, also met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Godswill, where the Yobe senator promised to deliver the former Akwa Ibom State Governor on Tuesday.”

Ndume told newsmen that 15 senators-elect from the South-east had met with Akpabio and, reportedly, endorsed his candidacy. He added that with the purported endorsement, Yari’s bid might have hit the rocks.

seven times of change of baton in democracy; it shows clearly that Nigeria is moving forward in freedom. And I believe under President Bola Tinubu also in prosperity."

However, Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, described Tinubu’s Democracy Day broadcast as a veiled threat to the country's judiciary.

Shaibu took exception to the portion of the message where Tinubu stated, “It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated.”

Arguing that it was wrong to make such assertion against the judiciary, which is in the process of determining the credibility of his election, Shaibu stated that Tinubu had no constitutional power to determine what an illegal or legal court order was.

He pointed out that it was funny that Tinubu, who had been one of the biggest beneficiaries of court orders, could turn around to threaten the judiciary now that he had found his way into power.

Shaibu said, “What is an illegal court order? Is it an order that Bola Tinubu finds unfavourable? Is it within his powers to determine what order to obey and which one to disregard? This is a man who rode to power after several applications were dismissed based on technicalities.

“This is a man who just last week obtained a court order in order to stop the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) going on strike. However, now he suddenly realises that unnecessary so-called illegal orders used in truncating democracy would no longer be tolerated, when his minions in Lagos deprived non-indigenes from voting.”

Speaking further, Ndume said former governors from the northern geopolitical zones, who had refused to support Akpabio, had made a U-turn. He listed the ex-governors to include Danjuma Goje, Aliyu Wamakko, and Adamu Aliero, among others. He said Sani Musa, who had settled for the position of Deputy President of the Senate, had also stepped down and endorsed Jibrin.

But in a swift reaction, a senator, who was at the meeting, told THISDAY on condition of anonymity that the statement and photographs were released to the media as a mere propaganda strategy.

The senator said, "We were holding a meeting of South-east senators at the Imo State Governor's Lodge in Abuja, when Akpabio came in. He addressed us and requested that we take a group picture with him. Little did we know that he would use the picture as a weapon of propaganda as blackmail."

Shaibu alleged that Tinubu, in his speech, showed that he planned to run an autocratic government. Continued on page 37

WALE EDUN: NIGERIA WILL UNIFY EXCHANGE RATES IMMINENTLY

Just 15 days into the job, Tinubu has pulled the right levers for markets: ridding the country of a costly fuel subsidy, removing a controversial central bank governor, and promising to unify a web of varying exchange rates.

Foreign investors have embraced those decisions, sending Nigeria’s dollar debt surging on Monday. Tinubu set the tone in his inauguration speech on May 29, when he announced that the country’s gasoline subsidy was “gone” — a bold move that had set off riots when previous leaders attempted“Overall,it.President Tinubu has shown that he’s willing to take on two of the most important factors investors are focusing on, which is fuel subsidies and FX reform, in a very short space of time,” said Thys Louw, a portfolio manager at Ninety One in London.

“Reform momentum in Nigeria has picked up considerably, although from a low level and sustaining this will be important given poor economic

conditions Tinubu inherited.”

In two major moves, Tinubu suspended Emefiele on Friday, and yesterday, Edun, said it’d be a matter of months before he unified its exchange rates, a key demand of investors and multilateral institutions like the World Bank.

Nigeria’s international bonds due in 2029 jumped the most among emerging-market peers on Monday, a public holiday in Nigeria. Those notes jumped as much as 3 cents before closing around 88 cents on the dollar, the highest since January, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The extra yield investors demand to hold the nation’s debt over US Treasuries fell 38 basis points to 7.19 perctange points, according to a JPMorgan index.

The changes at the central bank “could spell the end of unorthodox and often conflicting and confusing monetary policies that held back economic growth and destroyed local and foreign investor confidence,” head of Africa sovereign and corporate

credit research at BancTrust & Co. in London, Ayodeji Dawodu said.

Emefiele was widely seen as acting in lockstep with the administration of Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. That government was perceived to be more statist and socialist in its approach, said Yemi Kale, chief economist for Nigeria at KPMG LLP and the nation’s former statistician general. “The markets will respond positively to an administration it believes to be more market oriented,” Kale said.

A former governor of Lagos state, Tinubu has a colorful political history. He was the most powerful politician in Nigeria’s commercial hub and Africa’s biggest city. But he’s also been dogged by corruption allegations, which he denies.

In 1993, he forfeited $460,000 to resolve a lawsuit in Chicago after US authorities said that bank accounts in his name held the proceeds of heroin trafficking. More recently on the eve of the 2019 election, two armored bank vans were spotted entering his

compound in Lagos. He denied using any money to purchase votes.

In his inaugural address Tinubu criticised the central bank and vowed to unify the multiple exchange rates in order to “direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plants, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.”

The current naira exchange rate of N471.92 to the dollar, a record low, likely needs to be adjusted to about N700-N750, closer to the current black-market rate, JPMorgan analysts said in an note on May 31.

A naira at that level, combined with Tinubu’s decision to remove a costly gasoline subsidy, “means the government does not have [to] borrow as much, just to pay interest on debt,” Charlie Robertson, head of strategy at FIM Partners, said in a series of posts on Twitter. The naira has closed lower for three consecutive days, its longest streak of losses since May 12.

PRESENTING 2021 REPORT OF ICAN ACCOUNTABILITY INDEX...

Fraudsters Potentially Stole More Than $280 Billion in COVID-19 Relief Funding

Fraudsters used the Social Security numbers of dead people and federal prisoners to get unemployment checks, a report has shown.

Cheaters collected those benefits in multiple states and federal loan applicants weren’t cross-checked against a Treasury Department database that would have raised red flags about sketchy borrowers.

All of it led to the greatest grift in U.S. history, with thieves plundering billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief aid intended to combat the worst pandemic in a century and to stabilize an economy in free fall.

An Associated Press analysis found that fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion in COVID-19 relief funding; another $123 billion was wasted or misspent. Combined, the loss represents 10% of the $4.2 trillion the U.S. government has so far disbursed

in COVID relief aid. That number was certain to grow as investigators dig deeper into thousands of potential schemes.

How could so much be stolen?

Investigators and outside experts say the government, in seeking to quickly spend trillions in relief aid, conducted too little oversight during the pandemic’s early stages and instituted too few restrictions on applicants. In short, they say, the grift was just way too easy.

“Here was this sort of endless pot of money that anyone could access,” chief of the fraud and white-collar crime unit at the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Washington, Dan Fruchter said.

“Folks kind of fooled themselves into thinking that it was a socially acceptable thing to do, even though it wasn’t legal.”

The US government has charged more than 2,230 defendants with

pandemic-related fraud crimes and is conducting thousands of investigations.

Most of the looted money was swiped from three large pandemicrelief initiatives launched during the Trump administration and inherited by President Joe Biden. Those programs were designed to help small businesses and unemployed workers survive the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic.

The pilfering was wide but not always as deep as the eye-catching headlines about cases involving many millions of dollars. But all of the theft, big and small, illustrates an epidemic of scams and swindles at a time America was grappling with overrun hospitals, school closures and shuttered businesses. Since the pandemic began in early 2020, more than 1.13 million people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19,

13% Derivations: Contractors Urge Delta Govt to Fund DESOPADEC Promptly

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum has appealed to Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to adequately fund the state interventionist agency with its 13 per cent derivations towards the development of the oil producing areas in the state.

Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Ogie Samson, who made the plea yesterday, during the inauguration of new executive of the forum, assured the cooperation of the group to both the Governor of the state and the new Board of DESOPADEC.

The new executive comprises Ogie Samson as Chairman; Chief Dominic Afeh, Vice Chairman; Prince Charles Ebigbagha, Secretary; Mr. Dele Akpotaire, Treasurer; Madam Oleh Pat, Financial Secretary; Mr Okotete Karo, Organizing Secretary; Mr Patrick Ziakpono Oghonemu, Provost; Mrs Ebi Pat, Publicity Secretary and Mr Eshaghare Friday as Ex officio.

Ogie, urged the DESOPADEC’s management to pay its contractors promptly and as at when due, noting that most of them took loans to execute projects for the commission.

He thanked members of the forum for having faith in the new executive, promising not to disap-

point them and also pledged to take steps towards the unification of all members as well as interface with the management of DESOPADEC effectively on their welfare.

The immediate past chairman of the forum, Chief James Tangbowei, said the forum was established in 2015, to collectively agitate for payment of contracts executed

by members for the commission and charged the new executive to carry every member along in their programmes.

Also the pioneer chairman, Francis Obule, urged the new board of DESOPADEC to tackle variations in various contracts already awarded in line with reality of the present economic situation in the country.

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

U.S. Justice Department inspector general, Michael Horowitz, who chairs the federal Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, told Congress the fraud is “clearly in the tens of billions of dollars” and may eventually exceed $100 billion.

Horowitz told the AP he was sticking with that estimate, but won’t be certain about the number until he gets more solid data.

“I’m hesitant to get too far out on how much it is,” he said. “But clearly it’s substantial and the final accounting is still at least a couple of years away.”

Mike Galdo, the U.S. Justice Department’s acting director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement, said, “It is an unprecedented amount of fraud.”

Before leaving office, former President Donald Trump approved emergency aid measures totaling $3.2 trillion, according to figures from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. Biden’s 2021 American Rescue Plan authorized the spending of another $1.9 trillion. About a fifth of the $5.2 trillion has yet to be paid out, according to the committee’s most recent accounting.

Never has so much federal emergency aid been injected into the U.S. economy so quickly. “The largest rescue package in American history,” U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro told Congress.

The enormous scale of that package has obscured multibillion-dollar

mistakes.

An $837 billion IRS program, for example, succeeded 99% of the time in getting economic stimulus checks to the proper taxpayers, according to the tax agency. Nevertheless, that 1% failure rate translated into nearly $8 billion going to “ineligible individuals,” a Treasury Department inspector general told AP.

An IRS spokesman said the agency does not agree with all the figures cited by the watchdog and noted that, even if correct, the loss represented a tiny fraction of the program’s budget.

The health crisis thrust the Small Business Administration, an agency that typically gets little attention, into an unprecedented role. In the seven decades before the pandemic struck, for example, the SBA had

doled out $67 billion in disaster loans.

When the pandemic struck, the agency was assigned to manage two massive relief efforts — the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection programs, which would swell to more than a trillion dollars. SBA’s workforce had to get money out the door, fast, to help struggling businesses and their employees. COVID-19 pushed SBA’s pace from a walk to an Olympic sprint. Between March 2020 and the end of July 2020, the agency granted 3.2 million COVID-19 economic injury disaster loans totaling $169 billion, according to an SBA inspector general’s report, while at the same time implementing the huge new Paycheck Protection Program.

Federal Govt Alerts Public on Outbreak of Zoonotic Disease

James Emejo in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has alerted the public on the outbreak of a zoonotic disease - anthrax, which affects both animals and man

The ministry in a statement pointed out that the disease had claimed some lives in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region including Northern Ghana Bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

WALE EDUN: NIGERIA WILL UNIFY EXCHANGE RATES IMMINENTLY

NBS: GDP Reached N173.52tn on Back of Improved Taxation in 2021

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to N173.52 trillion in 2021, compared to N152.32 trillion in the preceding year on the back of improved taxation.

Precisely, tax revenues improved to N18.85 trillion from N12.79 trillion in 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The revenues comprised N2.14 trillion in oil taxes in 2021 from N1.51 trillion in 2020.

Also, non-oil taxes improved to N16.70 trillion in 2021 compared to N11.14 trillion in the preceding year.

According to the Revised Data on Tax-to-GDP Ratio, which was posted on its website, the improvement in tax generation helped to push the country's tax to GDP to 10.86 per cent in 2021 from 8.40 per cent in 2020.

According to the NBS, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had initiated a review of the tax to GDP

ratio in Nigeria using revised data. It stated that the collaborative effort between the revenue service, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the bureau was made for better measurement of the tax-to-GDP ratio for Nigeria.

The new figures were revised and updated to reflect better data sources and improved estimation using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) manual.

The OECD manual is an improvement over the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) classification of taxes.

The NBS noted that although the System of National Accounts conceptual framework and its definitions of the various sectors of the economy are reflected in the OECD’s classification of taxes, the OECD classifications provide the maximum disaggregation of statistical data on what are generally regarded as taxes by tax administrations.

It said the revised computation

took into account wider coverage of data at the federal, state, and local government levels, and revenue items not previously included in the computations, particularly, relevant revenue collected by other agencies of government.

Separately, the NBS disclosed that a total of 27.5 million Nigerians were registered and issued their National Identity Numbers (NIN) by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021.

This indicated a rapid growth of 439.12 per cent from the 5.02 million issued in the preceding year.

The total number of registration and NIN issued in 2019 was 5.84 million.

According to the National Identity Registration Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the data is presented by gender, state where the registration and identity number was issued, as well as by geo-political zones, and covered 2019 and 2021.

Of the 2019 estimate, 42.41 per

cent represented females while 57.59 per cent were males.

In 2020, female registration accounted for 45.23 per cent of total figure, while male registration accounted for 54.77 per cent.

In 2021, female registration accounted for 47.41 per cent, while 52.59 per cent represented males registration, according to the statistical agency.

An analysis by state indicated that Kaduna State recorded the highest number of registration and national identity number issued in 2019 with 595,284.

This was followed by Lagos and Kano with 560,757, and 485,912 respectively.

However, in 2020, Lagos recorded the highest number of registration and national identity number issued with 523,901, followed by Kaduna with 471,858, and Kano with 373,352.

In 2021, Kano recorded the highest with 3,415,421, followed by Lagos with 3,002,693, and Kaduna with 1,434,331.

Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals.

The government said it strongly advised the public to desist from the consumption of hides especially pomo, smoked meat and bush meat as they pose serious risk until the situation is brought under control.

They were further urged to remain calm and vigilant as the federal government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the Control of Anthrax in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The statement read, "People can get infected with anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. however, anthrax is not a contagious disease and so, one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an Infected person.

"Signs of anthrax are flu- like symptoms such as cough, fever, muscle aches and if not diagnosed and treated early, lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock and death.

"Being a bacterial disease, it responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy.

"It is primarily a disease of animals but because of man's closeness to animals, non-vaccinated animals with anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated/ infected animal products, such as hides and skin, meat or milk."

New President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Innocent Okwuosa (left) and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FRIS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, during the presentation of 2021 report of the ICAN Accountability Index to the Chairman of FIRS in Abuja…Friday

INAUGURATION OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY...

Shettima: My Advocacy for Power Balancing Twisted By Agents of Confusion

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna

Vice President Kashim Shettima has disowned alleged attempts to twisting his recent utterances in support of the candidacy of Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate to cause disaffection.

Shettima, in a statement by the Director of Information in the Office of the Vice President, Sola Abiola, said his support for Akpabio was not to look down on anybody or a section of the country but to underline the importance of diversity and justice.

But the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has berated him over a recent comment attributed to him that the most incompetent southern Christian was better than the most pious northern Muslim for the presidency of the senate.

Shettima, in his release stated:

“During an interactive session with senators campaigning for the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin to lead the 10th Senate, yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasised the nation’s current political structure and made a case for the emergence of a Southern Christian and a Northern Muslim as the fairest balance to promote inclusivity at the centre.

“Senator Shettima's statement was motivated by a profound awareness of the divisive factors within our great nation and was in harmony with the governing party's pledge to ensure inclusivity across all regions

and among all groups. Shettima said his statement was “stripped of context and mischievously circulated as an attempt to minimise the suitability of Muslim contestants in the race for the Senate leadership. The remarks have not only been taken out of context but also misinterpreted to suit an agenda that sabotages our collective bid for unity.

“What Senator Shettima advocated during the meeting was that, considering Nigeria’s President and Vice President are Muslims, it would not be ill-advised for the lawmakers to choose a non-Muslim contestant, even if against a more qualified Muslim option, in order to achieve balance.

“It is alarming that such an unambiguous plea has been unfairly misconstrued to imply that the Vice President said the most incompetent Christian candidate is superior to a Muslim candidate. One can understand why this absurd interpretation would be found distressing and hijacked by those with a malicious agenda to push.”

The Vice President said the advocacy was a well-considered balancing strategy aimed to mitigate the potential for crisis within the country, “particularly by those anticipating the domination of leadership from the same religious faith in all branches of government as a signal.”

He said already a section of the political class was working along that line to use the outcome to deepen their campaigns of calumny against the country and the Tinubu

administration.

According to him, “Some entities and individuals were covertly pushing for Muslim leadership of the National Assembly with the sole aim of using the instance to legitimise their grievances against the Nigerian state and to prove to their communities that they have been marginalised and must rise to cause chaos.

“This sheds light on the paradoxical situation, where the same lawmakers, who opposed a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket are now actively campaigning for political arrangements that would result in Muslims occupying all the highest four or five positions in the country.

“The Vice President wishes to distance himself from the wrong and dangerous inferences drawn by the public from his remarks. While some are made innocently and without mischief, there are entities that have seized on the story to cause further chaos that transcends the realm of power politics. This weaponisation of our divisions is why the Vice President appeals for inclusivity to prevent any agenda designed to undermine the new government and Nigeria as a whole.

But the NEF, in a statement yesterday, by its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the vice president had done himself, his faith and his standing a great injury with such comments.

“The nation has been made aware of comments made by His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the course of strengthening the cause for election of leaders of the 10th Assembly which the APC and the government prefers “A particularly outstanding comment made by him is that under current dispensation, the worst, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Northern Elders Forum has cautioned the President Tinubu administration on many occasions to

respect the rights and privileges of elected members of the Legislature to choose their leaders, and to conduct its campaign for its preferences with sensitivity and decorum.”

NEF said Shettima’s statement, “in the context of the commitment of the administration to determine the legislature’s leadership makes references to Muslim and Christian faiths in the most unbecoming and irresponsible manner imaginable.”

According to Baba-Ahmed, Shettima’s utterances, “deepens the worrying position of religious faith as a fault line in our politics today, and denigrates the place of an important value such as faith in conduct of elected leaders, whether they are Muslims or Christians.

FUOYE VC Throws Weight Behind Student Chef

Donates cash gift to encourage her Chef set to break Hilda Baci’s Guinness record, hits 85 hours

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, has thrown his weight behind the daring adventure of a student chef, Damilola Adeparusi by donating a sum whooping cash gift to encourage the Ekiti born student of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

Damilola is determined to break the current 100-hour marathon

cooking exercise in the next few hours as she has already gone on marathon cooking for more than 85 hours at the time of filing this report on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Senior special Adviser to the VC, Dr. Dayo Sobowale, while speaking to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, said the cash donation was to encourage Adeparusi in areas of logistics.

Damilola’s obvious ambition is to break the world record of another Nigerian lady, Hilda Baci,

who recently cooked for 100 hours in Lagos.

She has been cooking for over 85 hours at an apartment in a community in Oye local government area of Ekiti State.

Adeparusi started her 120 hours marathon cooking task at 12am on Friday morning but in a very small space kitchen with little ventilation.

Although she has no medical arrangements for medical personnel to be on ground in case of any unforeseen circumstance, but her

Obaseki: Why We are Investing in Education, Technology, Others

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the government was sustaining investment in education and technology, equipping young people in the state with the skills and knowledge to be globally competitive and contribute their quota to the development of the State and nation.

Obaseki said this while addressing youths from the 18 local government areas of Edo State during an interactive session to mark the 2023 Democracy Day and the inauguration of the new leadership of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State Chapter, held in Benin City.

The governor said the government was transforming Edo into Nigeria’s first smart state with the

provision of fibre optic connectivity in all communities, noting that free Wi-Fi service has been provided in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places in the State and will be expanded to all LGAs in the State.

The government had at the weekend introduced the 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in MDAs and other public places to ensure unlimited Internet access to workers in the wake of the three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

Emphasizing the role of education in societal growth and development, Obaseki said, “What we are leaving behind is a system that will increase

your literacy and numeracy rate to enable you to compete with your peers anywhere in the world.”

He continued: “Technology is another important aspect of development as without education and technology you can't compete anywhere in the world. As a State, two things we shall leave behind. First, quality education will make Edo dominate as we will properly educate every Edo child. Secondly, saturate Edo with internet connectivity.

“Once you step out of this hall you have free internet connectivity. Also, at Ring Road, Civil Service Commission, School of Nursing, Pensions Bureau, and JOOPSA, among others. We will open up more spots across the State

where young people can go for free connectivity.

“We are connecting every local government in Edo State. By October this year, every local government headquarters will be connected with fibres. By the time we are leaving office next year, every school and primary healthcare center will be connected with fibres.”

The governor added, “We believe that by building this infrastructure, we would be getting Edo ready for the industrial revolution as we are equipping our young people to move out of their shells today to begin to do things for themselves.”

Obaseki promised the NYCN subvention urging them that the transparency and accountability of the fund will give room for

subsequent subvention. “I will be giving NYCN, Edo State Chapter subvention as subsequent subvention will be given only if you show us how the previous one was used. You will account for the fund and must be transparent with the fund to get subsequent one from us.”

Noting that Nigeria’s democracy is still a work in progress, the governor noted, “June 12, 1993, redefined our course in history as a country as it ensured that Nigerians took democracy seriously. We can’t take democracy for granted and expect democracy to be perfect.

Every people, nation practicing democracy knows that democracy is a work in progress.

effort is already drawing global and media attention.

Security agencies were not available to safe guard the environment except few private security officers popularly called bouncers.

Dammy as fondly called by friends is not only a chef but also a poet, songwriter, and editor. Her official social media pages carry these titles as well.

She is a curious person and has passion for researching and learning about new things.

The young lady is representing a church, Spirit Word Global Mission, in the cook-a-thon and she is attempting to break Hilda’s 100hrs record with her 120 hours goal.

She has been able to make varieties of food such as rice and beans , beans porridge, semovita with vegetables, porridge, spaghetti, among other delicious meals.

Reacting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Ekiti state council, Rotimi Ojomoyela sent words of encouragement to her and urged Ekiti indigenes to show supports for her to make the state proud.

The state government through the wife of the state government , Mrs. Oyebanji, also sent words of encouragement to her. So also has the Leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) , Ekiti State in the person of Rotimi Ojomoyela and other distinguished Nigerians.

L-R: National chairman of APGA, Barr Sylvester Ezeokenwa; Deputy Speaker Anambra Assembly, Hon Chukwuma Okoye, Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and new speaker of Anambra Assembly, Hon Somtoochukwu Udeze, after the inauguration of the eighth session of the Anambra Assembly... yesterday.

You've done yourself, faith, standing a great injury, says NEF

RALLYING SUPPORT FOR AKPABIO...

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State with Senators-elect from the South East after a meeting with Senate's Presidential candidate, Sen.

On Democracy Day, Governors, Others Seek Unity, Sustenance of Civil Rule

By our correspondents

Several governors and other stakeholders yesterday tasked Nigerians on the need to keep Nigeria united, maintaining that there was no suitable alternative to democracy.

They also eulogised the late Moshood Abiola and his wife Kudirat for resolving to fight in the face of military tyranny and paid tributes to all those who participated in the struggle to return Nigeria to democratic rule.

LAGOS

June 12 remains watershed in Nigeria, says Sanwo-Olu

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that June 12 remained a watershed in the annals of democratic struggle in Nigeria, noting that citizens’ resistance, spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), came with devastating consequences, of which the late Abiola paid the supreme price.

The governor said the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima revived the spirit of June 12 and the hope that it signified, stressing that the last presidential election de-emphasised the divisive issues of ethnicity and religion in leadership recruitment.

To sustain the spirit of June 12 and move the country forward, Sanwo-Olu said the country must discourage ethno-religious conversations in the political process, while espousing the value of purposeful leadership to tackle contemporary challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

Represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos played a symbolic role in the enthronement of democracy and political development in the country, positing that the state became the epicentre of resistance against military dictatorship and suppression of civil liberties.

The governor said Lagos offered the platform for the pro-democracy campaigners to launch their activism against the military regime, adding that Lagos would continue to play prominent roles in the sustenance of liberty, constitution and fairness.

OGUN Abiodun says Abiola remains symbol of democracy

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, declared that the state deserved the title of 'Pillar of Democracy in Nigeria’, describing Abiola as the compass and symbol of democracy in the country.

He added that Ogun was blessed to have produced a personality like the late business mogul, with his enviable and enduring legacies of selflessness, doggedness, consistency and perseverance.

Abiodun called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and political affiliations to rally round Tinubu on his journey of ‘renewed hope' as a way of rekindling the dashed hope of 1993.

Speaking at the event, a pro-democracy groups and human rights activist, Dr Niran

Molaolu, specifically lauded Abiodun for sustaining the democratic ideals that the late Abiola stood for.

AKWA IBOM Eno lauds Nigerians for making democracy work

The Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr Umo Eno, lauded the resilience of Nigerians in ensuring that Nigeria’s democratic ethos and traditions are deepened.

He noted that the celebration of Democracy Day in Nigerian was dedicated to honouring the heroes of the nation’s democracy, championed by the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential elections.

“We salute the heroism of the symbol of our democratic struggle, the late MKO Abiola, whose ultimate sacrifice helped water the seeds of our democracy.

“It is fitting that our President Bola Tinubu was in the vanguard of that struggle, and his message to Nigerians today, especially that which calls for sacrifice on the part of Nigerians as the issues surrounding the removal of fuel subsidy are being resolved, is spot on.

“In the coming days, we would hold meetings with the relevant stakeholders, especially the petroleum products marketers in our state to explore ways and means of ensuring that the planned palliatives are applied to cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy,” he said.

OSUN

Adeleke canvasses need to reduce poverty

The Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, canvassed the need for Nigerian government to tackle economic hardship facing citizens if the nation’s democracy will grow.

The governor declared that resolving national economic challenges was a condition for strengthening the democratic culture and enhancing productive participation of the citizenry.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, Adeleke posited that an economically satisfied citizenry was a strong insurance for thriving democracy and good governance. He said: “A foundation we cannot leave out is the economic platform of the society practicing democracy. An hungry citizenry is likely to pose a serious threat to a credible electoral democratic process.

“Efforts to stabilise the economic life of the nation are also strong preconditions for an empowered citizenry. Addressing poverty and catering for citizens’ economic requirements will go a long way to enhance the potency of the population.”

BAUCHI Mohammed maintains no alternative to democracy

The Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala

Mohammed, declared that there was no alternative to democracy as a form of government that gives the people the right to choose who to govern them and how they want to be governed.

"There is no better alternative to democracy as a form of government that gives people the right to choose who to govern them and how they want to be governed.

“It is this democratic right of choice that puts elected governments at both the national and state levels on their toes, so as not to incur the wrath of the electorate by being voted out of power during periodic of elections,” he said.

He noted that the new mandate given to him by the people of Bauchi state to preside over the affairs of the state for another four years was a challenge to him to prove that his performance during the last four years was not a fluke.

KWARA Abdulrazaq, Saraki task Nigerians to sustain gains of democracy

The Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said that the best way to honour the heroes of democracy and sustain the gains of the era was to recommit to the ideals of democracy.

In a statement issued in Ilorin by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, he described the celebration as a watershed event that birthed the current democratic dispensation.

AbdulRazaq also urged Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu to strengthen democracy and consolidate on the gains of the past years in the area of collective security, infrastructural development, and public welfare.

Also, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the commitment to building a Nigeria where liberty, justice, and the true spirit of democracy will flourish.

"As we commemorate Democracy Day, let us remember the essence of the system that we have chosen in conducting the governance of our country.

"It may not always be perfect, it may not always go our way — but the beauty of democracy is that every idea and aspiration can live to re-present itself another day,” he stated.

CROSS RIVER Otu urges support for Tinubu

The Cross River State, Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, also added his voice to those urging Nigerians to support the administration of Tinubu.

Otu made the call in a press statement containing his message to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day in Nigeria

“Today, we join other Nigerians to mark this important day in the democratic history of our country. Having come a long way as a country, we must do even more to preserve this democracy for posterity’s sake.

“Apart from bringing the fifth consecutive democratic transfer of power from one administration to another since the beginning of the 4th Republic, it also marks the beginning of a new and critical administration in our almost 23 years of unbroken democratic experience.

“I urge you, my dear people, not only to pray for the success of the new administration but also to work and walk with us to our greatness. Let us continue to support the administration of our president,” he noted.

KATSINA Make Nigerian democracy a model, says Radda

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State on his part, charged Nigerian leaders to strive towards making the country’s democracy a model for other African countries to emulate.

Radda who gave the advice in a statement Monday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed to mark this year’s Democracy Day, said the leaders should remain committed towards deepening the nation's democracy.

He added that the democracy day should reawaken the nation leaders' consciousness to the exigent task of building a prosperous and egalitarian Nigeria, with strong and efficient institutions of governance.

Barely 24 years after the country's return to civilian rule, the governor explained that the root of democracy has already been entrenched in Nigeria.

He said: “That is why the present set of Nigerian leaders, especially the political class, must strive towards making the country’s democracy a model for other African nations.”

KOGI Bello eulogises Nigeria’s founding fathers

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, eulogised the founding fathers of Nigeria’s democracy and commended the leaders who have worked tirelessly to uphold uninterrupted democracy since 1999.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed Onogwu, copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday.

While acknowledging that the journey towards democracy in Nigeria has not been without challenges, he noted that their vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of democracy, had laid the foundation upon which the country stands today.

He said that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria had made significant strides in consolidating its democratic institutions, adding that the country had witnessed peaceful transitions of power, the expansion of civil liberties, and the strengthening of democratic processes.

"This progress is a testament to the

collective will of the Nigerian people and the dedication of our leaders to the principles of democracy and good governance,” he said.

BENUE

My administration not on a witch-hunt, says

Alia

The Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, stated that his administration was not on a witch-hunt, given some of the key decisions he had taken in office so far.

The governor stated this on Monday, during a state broadcast to commemorate this year's democracy day celebration.

Recalling the importance of June 12 and democracy in general to Nigerians, the governor said it was at the whims of democracy that he had been given the mandate to steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.

He appreciated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for always standing by him, as well as the market women, artisans and all who played one role or the other to ensure he was elected as Benue's 7th governor of the state.

Speaking on some of the key decisions his administration has taken so far, the governor explained that his decision to rescind the recruitment exercise carried out in the Benue State Civil Service by the outgone administration for instance, was because due process was not followed and the recruitment were lopsided.

IMO

Renew your faith in democracy, Uzodimma tells residents

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma on his part, urged Imo citizens and residents alike to renew their faith in democracy, insisting that the countryiwas already making progress in that direction despite all odds.

The governor who spoke on the occasion of Nigeria's Democracy Day 2023, advised residents of Imo State to join other Nigerians to renew their faith in the system of as the best form of government.

Uzodimma acknowledged the fact that democracy might not have solved all the challenges facing the country, but noted that a lot of milestones had been achieved since the return of democratic dispensation in 1999.

He expressed satisfaction that in Imo State, for instance, a lot of progress had been recorded under democratic rule, especially since January 2020.

The Governor therefore called on Imo citizens and residents to rededicate themselves to the efforts to strengthen and sustain democracy irrespective of imperfections inherent in the system.

Ekiti Speaker pays tributes to Abiola, Kudirat, others

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, urged the

Godswill Akpabio at the Imo State Lodge, Abuja...yesterday

OPENING OF THE GLOBAL RAPID INTERDICTION OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES PROGRAMME...

ON DEMOCRACY DAY, GOVERNORS, OTHERS SEEK UNITY, SUSTENANCE OF CIVIL RULE

people of the state and other Nigerians to keep faith in democracy to build a stronger and a more united nation.

In a message on the occasion, he said that June 12 had become Nigeria’s most important milestone of democracy and a platform that recognises the people’s right to speak with their votes on the choice of their leaders.

He urged Nigerians to continue to defend their hard-earned democracy which he noted was watered with the blood of Abiola, his wife and many of their compatriots who fought against the annulment of the election by the military.

The speaker also used the opportunity to pay tributes to other heroes of June 12, both living and the dead, for their sacrifices to ensuring that democracy was restored and fully entrenched in Nigeria and has continued to ensure till today.

Gani Adams urges Tinubu to relive Abiola’s dream

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land,

Chief Gani Adams pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to fulfil Abiola’s dreams of a prosperous Nigeria, saying that the mandate stands for justice, freedom, equity, liberty and sustainability of democratic tenets.

Adams made the appeal at the 30th commemoration anniversary of the June 12 1993 in Ogba, Lagos.

With the theme: “June 12, 1993, Identity Politics and the National Question: 30 Years After,” various speakers spoke on the need for government to ensure that democratic principles were allowed to flourish in the country.

Adams stated that the death of t Abiola was not in vain because democracy has come to stay, stressing that though there are challenges that have threatened the foundation of democracy, things could be better with proper approach.

NSCDC urges Nigerians to join in fight against insecurity

The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

(NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, appealed to Nigerians to join in the fight against insecurity in order to sustain the nation's democratic ideals.

He made the appeal in a statement he gave while briefing officers and men at the Corps’ National Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday to commemorate Nigeria's Democracy Day.

Audi said that it was imperative for citizens to support the Tinubu’s administration by embracing his policies and programmes for a better Nigeria.

He stated that security agencies require the cooperation and support of citizens to effectively ensure national security and called on citizens to endeavour to provide credible information that could help nip crime in the bud.

NLC: Transparent election, good governance still major challenges

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said that despite the attainment of democratic practice, the country still had issues of

10TH ASSEMBLY: TINUBU PULLS ALL STOPS FOR AKPABIO, ABBAS

Meanwhile, necessary security and logistics arrangements were perfected by the management of the National Assembly for today’s inauguration. The premises of the apex legislative institution had been decorated in the country's green and white colour, preparatory to the occasion.

Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Tambawal, in a paid announcement, stated that the inauguration would hold at a makeshift chambers being used by the federal lawmakers, while their guests, other invited personalities, and accredited journalists would use the big tents erected in the arcade of the federal legislature.

A combined team of security operatives from the military, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen taking positions last night.

The election of presiding officers would be the first assignment of the CNA after he had read the proclamation letter from President Bola Tinubu and completed the roll call of elected members in attendance as of 10am.

Akpabio’ll Emerge President of 10th Senate, Uzodinma Boasts

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma expressed confidence that APC’s choice candidate for Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, would emerge victorious at today’s inauguration.

Uzodimma expressed the party’s confidence while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Uzodimma, who is also Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), said the committee set up by Tinubu to resolve the controversy over the leadership race had achieved substantial progress, in collaboration

with Lawan.

According to the governor, with the level of work already done among senators and through some other state governors, it would not come as a surprise if Akpabio emerged President of the Senate.

The imo State governor assured the people that Lawan would work for the emergence of the preferred candidates of the party. He explained that his team had been working hard to ensure that the 10th National Assembly got the sort of leadership that would aid the executive to achieve desired greatness for the country.

Uzodimma said, "After the event which you all witnessed, we had a closed session with the president because what is at stake is national interest, the interest of our country and how to ensure that the new president is supported to succeed.

"All over Africa, Nigeria is being looked upon that this time around we should produce a very strong president, who will be bold and courageous in character, who will be able to deliver Nigeria to our usual space of being the leader of the continent.

"So we don’t want to allow for any domestic distraction. We are going to pledge our support, work in synergy with our senators-elect to ensure that the election of tomorrow will be free and fair. You must have heard the president, in his wisdom, organised a small technical committee to help coordinate the process of tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) election, which, by my position as the chair of the Progressive Governors Forum, I am chairing that technical committee.

"We have done so much work, to the extent that God has blessed our efforts that majority of the senators-elect are now in sync with the position of the party."

Asked if he expected a smooth sail for the party's candidates at Senate in the election of its leadership,

Uzodinma said, "Well, substantially for a substitute consensus and by the number of people and by the efforts we have put in place, it is our hope that tomorrow it might even be a consensus event.

"But to the glory of God, we pray for that and at the same time, hoping that should we go into an election, Akpabio’s acceptance as at today cuts across the political party we belong, other political parties. There are also some same minds, who are interested in the development and progress of Nigeria, who also understand the need to safeguard democracy, as being practised in Nigeria today and they are in sync with our preferred candidate.

"Akpabio is going there to create a win-win situation for members of the parliament. He is not going there to be a dictator. He is going there to work with his colleagues. He is going there to work in synergy, collectively they will reason, collectively they will plan, collectively they will deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.

"It is about Nigeria and not about the individuals. And he is a man, too, that has the track record of performance.”

Akpabio assured his colleagues of a united 10th Senate under his leadership, listing as part of the things he would bring to the senate, "robust legislative debate, which I’ll do everything possible to ensure that we meet the aspirations of Nigerians. We will hold public hearings before we take any decision in the interest of Nigerians, for the betterment of Nigeria.”

Why 10th Senate Can't Afford to Fail Nigerians, by Bassey Senator for Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Senator Gershom Bassey, stated that Nigeria's 10th Senate could not afford to fail

transparent and credible elections, accountable governance and citizen participation to contend with.

In a message to mark this year's democracy day, NLC said that in spite of the imperfections of Nigeria’s democracy, it remained the best option for the nation in electing its leaders.

The statement signed by the Deputy President of the NLC, Adewale Adeyanju, said that Nigerians were not deterred as they were united by a common resolve and destiny.

"Although the practice of democracy in our country may have fallen beyond the expectations of not a few, we take solace in the fact that we have freedom of speech and association and we elect our leaders fairly even though not perfectly, “it said.

PDP insists INEC, APC raped democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its part, urged Nigerians to use the June 12 Democracy Day to accentuate the demand

Nigerians, because it had the fortune of having senators in Tinubu's administration.

Bassey, who was Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and Chairman, Cross River State Caucus of the National Assembly, said this in a statement

Bassey stated, “The 10th Assembly has a unique opportunity to lead alongside an executive arm of government headed by peers. The president, the vice president, the First Lady, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Deputy Chief of Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are all senators.

“This presents a unique opportunity for exemplary leadership, strategic foresight, efficient policymaking and cooperation between the arms of government, to deliver the country Nigerians have been yearning for.”

Bassey stated that the ninth Senate achieved some credible milestones in law-making and oversight functions, but the works they left uncompleted should be continued and completed by the 10th Senate.

No Decision on Minority Leaders Yet, Says PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said it had not yet directed the appointment of the minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Rather, PDP said its focus was on the election of presiding officers of the two chambers taking place today.

The party reiterated that it would use its numerical strength in the election of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, and insisted that its members in the National Assembly were united for the purpose of the two elections.

PDP said it would not allow any distraction at the moment.

for the entrenchment of democratic tenets in the country.

The party said it was distasteful, offensive and unacceptable for the nation to observe the Democracy Day under a system that it said violated, desecrated and despoiled all the tenets of democracy as witnessed in brazen rigging that characterised the 2023 general elections.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, the party said the ‘barefaced manipulations' of the 2023 general elections amounted to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the will of the people. The PDP further said that June 12 epitomises the struggle by Nigerians against corrupt, manipulative and an anti-democratic system; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud.

"It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections,” it added.

In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, titled, “Disregard Reports on NASS Minority Leadership,” the party said, "For clarity, the PDP is on the same page with our lawmakers-elect in focusing, for now, on maximising our numerical strength with other opposition parties to determine the emergence of the presiding officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 and will not allow any distractions at this moment.

"The interest of the PDP is to ensure that whoever emerges as the Speaker of the House of Representatives must be a person with long standing relevant managerial and legislative experience, leadership capacity and past legislative achievements as a member of the House of Representatives.

"At the right time, the PDP, together with our members in the National Assembly, will speak with one voice on any issues with regard to other leadership positions in the federal legislature."

PDP urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour and reports as the party and members-elect at the moment had their eyes on the election of the presiding officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The party described the reports on the appointment of minority officers as mere rumours. It stated that certain individuals had been designated for minority leadership positions ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

The party said that such rumours and reports did not represent the true position of affairs in PDP and among its National Assembly members-elect.

and Yoruba Patriots Alliance (YPA) criticised the Tinubu government for alleged interference in the election of principal officers of the National Assembly ahead of today’s inauguration.

The groups, in a joint statement yesterday, signed by Convener of OPF, Moses Odewale, and National President of YPA, Anuoluwabamise Adetutu, expressed dissatisfaction and concern over the disregard for democratic principles demonstrated by this administration.

The groups stressed that it was disheartening to witness the relentless attempts by the government to utilise security agencies as tools of intimidation, coercing aspiring candidates into submission, adding that such actions are not only undemocratic but also threatened the very foundations of our democracy.

The groups stated, "Nigeria is not an 'agberocracy'; we are a nation founded on democratic principles, where the separation of powers and the independence of the legislative and judicial arms are paramount.

"We vehemently repudiate any misguided parallel drawn between Nigeria and the confined realm of Lagos State, where agberos and touts reign supreme. We assert that Nigeria, as a whole, transcends the narrow scope of a single state and operates on an entirely different scale of governance."

They pointed out that it was shameful that the current government, barely at the outset of its tenure, was already exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.

Groups

Decry Tinubu's Interference in Principal Officers'

Poll

Oodua People's Frontier (OPF)

They noted that considering the use of court orders to impede eligible candidates from exercising their fundamental rights to contest for principal offices in the Senate was not only an affront to the country's democracy but also a blatant violation of the principles of justice and fairness.

Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) (m) flanked by Regional Technical Officer, GRIDS Programme, Long Nguyen Duc (r) and other participants at the opening of the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) twinning programme taking place in Ikoyi, Lagos ... yesterday

TOUR OF POLICE OFFICERS QUARTERS…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Black Qoral Concepts Limited, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Kayode Sheidu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr. Abel Enitan;Director, Black

Concepts Limited, Mr. Abubakar Sheidu; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Works, Police Headquarters, Mr. Rudolf Echebi Obe, and Director, Police Services Department, Mr. David Awotunde, during the inspection tour of redevelopment of senior police officers’ quarters in Ikeja, Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Kogi Clamps Down on Disbanded National Taskforce Operating Illegally

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has begun the clampdown on disbanded National Task Force operating ‘illegally’ in the state.

The Director-General, Kogi State Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Fire Arms and Other Related Crimes, Mr. Friday Sani Makama, disclosed this yesterday shortly after a strategic meeting with the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Task Force.

Addressing journalists after the meeting yesterday, Makama said it has come to the notice of the agency that arms are being smuggled into Kogi State due to the illegal operation of the disbanded NAT force. While charging IMAN to partner the agency to stop illegal

arms smuggling to Kogi State, Makama added that all those involved in this illegal act would be arrested and prosecuted.

According to him, “The NAT force has been disbanded by the federal government, but it has come to our notice that some disgruntled elements are still operating in the name of NAT force; extorting money from the people and ensuring that arms are smuggled into Kogi State. We are going to put an end to this.

“With the mandate given to us by our governor, we are determined to ensure that those in possession of illegal arms, including the illegal operation of the disbanded NAT force, are apprehended.”

While frowning at the impasse

Tinubu’s Promises to Nigerians Get Backing

Sophia Adeyemi

The Founder, Iconic Asiwaju Women/Men of Substance, Chief Aminat Temitople Ajayi, has urged Nigerians not to despair over the current socio-economic challenges of the nation, adding that there is hope for Nigeria.

Mrs Ajayi, who is well known as Mama Diaspora, made the call in reaction to the national broadcast of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on June 12, who in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians, offered renewed hope for Nigeria and its democracy.

Reminiscing on the struggle for democracy, she noted President Tinubu, the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, (MKO), the late Gani Fawehimi Prof Wole Soyinka, Femi Falano, Dele Momodu and many others engaged to

actualise democracy in Nigeria, adding that she was happy that democracy has come to stay in the country. She said that the administration of President Tinubu is poised to address the challenges, expressing confident that President Tinubu would appoint credible people who will move the nation forward.

Speaking further , she called on the president to utilise the intellectual powers and talents of young Nigerians, adding that they should be given prominent portfolios in his administration.

She advised the appointees to be patriotic and work for national interest and development, and in the same vein, urged them to support and ensure that the laudable vision and programmes of President Tinubu will be actualised for the development of Nigeria.

Pepsodent to Promote Oral Health Education for Two Million Children

Rebecca Ejifoma

A leading global toothpaste brand, Pepsodent, in collaboration with the Nigeria Dental Association (NDA) has kicked off plans to promote oral health education for two million children in the country.

The school activation programme, ‘Pepsodent Brush Day and Night School Programme’, will reach children between the ages of six and 11 in six states in Nigeria.

The states are Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, and Edo.

surrounding the operation of IMAN in Kogi State, Makama emphasised that for the agency to achieve its mandate in the state,

it is important for them to unite to rid the state of crimes.

The Task force DG reminded the officials that the Kogi State

Government under remains committed to liberate the people from criminal element, just as he warned that any individual,

no matter highly connected, who is in possession arms and ammunition illegally will be arrested and prosecuted.

Democracy Day: Have Faith in Greater Future, Gbagi Urges Nigerians

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Nigerians have been advised to remain optimistic that a better future lies ahead of the country despite the seeming daunting challenges confronting the nation today. Governorship candidate of

the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State and former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, gave the advice in his goodwill message on the occasion of the country’s Democracy Day yesterday.

According to him, nation has abundant promises for the citizens,

adding that Nigeria and Delta State in particular have what it takes to overcome today’s threats and trials.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the citizens to rededicate themselves to the virtues of equity, justice, and tolerance and strive to give their best for

the good of the nation. He described Democracy Day as a day to mark the civilian administration and unity of Nigeria that provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s progress and its humble attainments and ponder over those dreams yet to be fulfilled.

Oyo APC Chieftain: Tinubu Presidency ‘ll Solve Most of Nigeria’s Problems

As Nigeria marked the 30th anniversary of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) APC in Oyo state, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has stated that the new administration of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu would do enough

to solve most of the problems bedevilling the country having shown a lot of promise in its first two weeks in office.

President Tinubu played a key role in the struggle to actualise the mandate given late MKO Abiola exactly 30 years by the electorate before the then Babangida

administration truncated the transition process and installed an interim government headed by late Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Speaking to a cross-section of journalists in Ibadan yesterday, Fagade stated that the broadcast made by President Tinubu was not only symbolic and

monumental but also assuring, concise and straight to the point “as it addressed the major issues at hand as far as Nigeria and Nigerians are concerned. Mr President really spoke to the world as somebody who understood the problems of Nigeria and the possible solutions.

Firm Pledges Advisory Support for Business Growth in Nigeria, Africa

Africa’s leading advisory services firm, ACIOE Associates, has reaffirmed its support for African investors and business owners, by offering practical solutions and advisories to drive growth and operations.

The firm stressed its commitment to creating mutually beneficial opportunities for investment growth and sustainable development through its team of committed professionals.

Over the years, ACIOE said it has nurtured invaluable partnerships designed to inspire transformative growth in Nigeria and within the continent of Africa.

The group stated that for instance, “through project Digi

Link-a digital transformation project in Edo State in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Public DigitalACIOE continues to champion digital inclusivity in Nigerian communities.”

Don’t Destroy Ganduje’s Legacy, Group Tells Kano Gov

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A group, the Progressive Foundational Movement (PFM), has cautioned the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, not to wipe out the achievements of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The group in a statement

At the kick-off at St. Saviour’s School, the Marketing Head, Beauty and Wellbeing and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Oiza Gyang, outlined their aim, saying: “This programme is designed to engage children for the next three months.”

Speaking further at the activation programme, Gyang said: “The activation will happen five days a week while the activation team will return after 21 days to reward students who complete the challenge.”

According to the marketing head, oral conditions are among the world’s most widespread chronic diseases.

issued yesterday by its spokesman, Jamilu Sani, frowned at the brazen way the Yusuf-led administration was going about carrying out wanton destruction of public properties without due process.

It decried the manner Yusuf in less than a week after his assumption of office

demolished beautiful edifices worth billions of Naira in the ancient city.

It noted: “We are taken aback by the reckless demolition exercise ongoing in Kano state. It is worrisome to see how people are losing their business in the name of demolition. How will you put people, your subjects, into this

kind of misery because you hate your processor Ganduje. “Ganduje as the architect of modern Kano has done his best for the state. We are, however, calling on the elders of the state, particularly governor Yusuf’s political leader and boss former governor Rabiu Musa kwankwaso to call the Governor to order before it’s too late.”

Group Decries Relocation of Abia Electoral Panel to Govt House

The Abia Renaissance Movement (ARM) has decried the relocation of the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal from Abuja to Abia State Government House, saying it is “desperate attempt by the Labour Party (LP) to manipulate the process and subvert justice.”

In a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Ukachukwu Chukwunonso, and its SecretaryGeneral, Comrade Mrs Maria Nwokoma, yesterday, ARM said while it is not in support of any political party, it will speak up against any attempt to manipulate

the judicial process to favour any political party against another, saying keeping quiet in the face of injustice negates its cardinal principles of equity, justice and fairness to all.

The group wondered “why the tribunal handling an election matter in which the current Abia

State Government is a defendant be relocated from Abuja to Abia, and to make matters worse, to an office right inside the Government House in Umuahia, when all the circumstances that informed the initial relocation to Abuja are still prevalent.”

Association Gives 2,000 Residents Free Medical Treatment in Ogun

James Sowole in Abeokuta

No fewer than 2,000 residents of Ijebuland and other towns in Ogun State have benefitted from the 2023 three-day free medical outreach sponsored by a non-governmental

organisation, Ijebu Boys Association popularly known as IJBOYS.

The annual medical outreach, which was the fourth edition, was held from June 8 to 10, 2023, at the Millennium Hall of the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Itoro, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, and it attracted patients

from Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Igbo,Ago-Iwoye, Ososa, Odogbolu, as well as other towns in Ijebuland and Abeokuta.

The programme covered free treatment of patients for general ailments as malaria, tuberculosis, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and optical services, as patients were

given free glasses.

Treatment of patients at the programme commenced last Thursday with medical examination of patients for various diseases, the results of which were released within few minutes and which determined the type of treatment for patients.

Qoral

Peseiro Rests Nwachukwu, Duru as Eagles Begin Training in Lagos

S’Leone to miss seven key players in clash with Nigeria in Monrovia

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Bendel Insurance’s Divine Nwachukwu and Ebube Duru of Rivers United, two of the home-based players who just came through the NPL Championship Super 6 Playoffs in Lagos on Sunday, were exempted yesterday from Super Eagles’ first training session at the

The duo along with goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba) and Victor Sochima (Rivers United)

are the only four players invited from the domestic league for the clash with the Leone Stars. Super Eagles, Head Coach, Portuguese Jose Peseiro, while fielding reporters questions admitted that the likes of Alex

Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Zaidu Sanusi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Semi Ajayi, Kevin Akpoguma, Ahmed Musa and Adebayo Adeleye were already in camp. Also in camp in Lagos are: Victor Sochima, William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka, Ademola Lookman and

NPFL: Egbe Hails Enyimba, Remo Stars for Emerging Winners

Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, has congratulated the duo of Enyimba and Remo Stars on their successful run in the just concluded NPL Super 6 playoffs in Lagos.

happy that both teams with the “Monimichelle’s touch” won and finished second respectively in the NPL playoffs in Lagos.

“I say a big congratulations to Enyimba and Remo Stars and you know what? Their victory is also Monimichelle’s victory because these are two clubs with

Monimichelle’s touch. We constructed the pitches where both Enyimba and Remo play. And to the glory of God the venue where the Super 6 games were decided...the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (MJA) was also constructed by Monimichelle,” Egbe recalled.

The Bayelsa-state-born FIFA

match agent said he is confident Enyimba and Remo will do well in the continent next term given the rising profile of the nation’s domestic league which has been made more competitive by the IMC through the abridged format and season-deciding Super 6 playoffs.

Kenneth Omeruo.

AFCON TUESDAY, THISDAY 39

Napoli front man, Victor Osim- hen and Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal were being expected in camp as at press time last night.

Peseiro however stressed that despite the short time between now and Sunday when Super Eagles will play Sierra Leone, “We have individual talents who must play as one unit for us to achieve the result of qualifying for the AFCON 2023 and also winning it.”

Meanwhile, Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are going to be without seven of their key players when they play Nigeria in their adopted home ground at the Samuel Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.

Amongst the players to be missed is Jonathan Morsay, the Panaitolikos’ attacker who opened scoring after 11 minutes in the June 9, 2022 encounter clash with Super Eagles at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. He is suffering from cartilage damage to his knee.

Also sidelined is Queens Park Rangers’ defender, Osman Kakay. He too has ankle injury he sustained in March during his club’s English Championship defeat to Birmingham City.

Injury has also forced out Cambuur’s right-back, Alex Bangura. He has been unable to recover from a knock since Sierra Leone’s friendly defeat to Algeria B at the Furaijah Stadium on November 19 2022 in Dubai. Another player who will miss the destiny-shaping duel with Nigeria is Shanghai Port’s winger, lssa Kallon, who scored in Shanghai Port’s 3-0 win over Changchun Yatai last week. His unavailability is reportedly on personal ground.

Milton Keynes Dons attacker, Sullay Kaikai, will not be part of the squad against Nigeria. He played in both matches against Sao Tome and Principe.

Egaleo’s experienced midfielder, John Kamara, was not listed by Coach John Keister due to personal issues. Kamara was part of the last four of the AFCON qualifying matches that Sierra Leone played. Also unavailable are Alhassan Koroma and skipper Steven Caulker.

Super Eagles need a win in this match to grab the qualification ticket to AFCON 2023 with their last group match to spare.

Enugu to Celebrate Christian Chukwu June 23

One of Nigeria's all-time greatest footballers and former Captain, Christian Chukwu MFR, 72, is to be celebrated on June 23at the Sports Club Garden Avenue, Enugu by football enthusiasts and stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.

On that day, an interesting, exciting and thrilling book written on the legendary Chukwu, who led Nigeria to a maiden Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 1980 is to be unveiled.

An expert in the broadcast industry, Mr Emeka Mba, disclosed that the book presentation/launching will kickstart the planned book tour which will see the work being presented to some parts of the country based on the status of Chukwu famously nicknamed "the Chairman".

Mba, the CEO of Afia Television described Chukwu as undoubtedly one of the greatest African football legends of all time who has also recorded his name in the book of history as a player, coach and administrator.

"Chairman Christian Chukwu

led Rangers lnternational Football Club to win their first and only continental trophy, African Cup Winners Cup in 1977, two years after they lost in the final of the prestigious Cup of Champions to Hafia of Guinea," Mba recalled.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the celebration of former national team captain stated that Chukwu took his sublime skill and charismatic leadership to senior national team, the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) which he captained from 1974 to 1980.

"During this period,he led the team to win bronze medal in 1976 and 1978 editions of Africa Cup of Nations and won the Cup for the first time in 1980".

During Chukwu’s coaching career with the Super Eagles, he assisted the team to win the Africa Nations Cup in Tunisia and qualified Nigeria for the first time ever World Cup finals in USA 1994.

The governors of Anambra, Enugu, lmo, Ebonyi and Abia states were listed to grace the occasion.

Access Bank Team, YBL, Others Win Top Laurels at UNICEF Charity Polo

The unveiling of the new school uniforms and the donation of N10million to underprivileged children in Kaduna by Access Bank Plc were major highlights of the final day of the prestigious 2023 Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament which climaxed at the weekend.

The event ended in exciting triumphs for Access Bank and Abuja YBL polo teams as they emerged champions, winning the Charity Shield and Usman Dantata Cup respectively.

The Charity Shield began in 2003 as a platform to support local charity organisations in Kaduna. Since 2006, this humanitarian effort has been geared exclusively towards UNICEF intervention projects for orphans and vulnerable children in Kaduna State.

In 2008, the Charity Shield received a major boost when Access Bank Group agreed to a multi-year sponsorship deal, making the tournament one of the best-supported charity events in the history of Nigerian sports.

Income generated from these cooperatives is used to meet the needs of the children in their care, including providing healthcare and education supplies.

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe who unveiled the newly designed uniforms and shoes for the pupils of the Access Bank Fifth Chukker Maraban Jos Primary School in Kaduna over the weekend, urge parents to make good use of the ultra modern educational facility targeted at removing millions of

out-of-school children from the streets to give them a brighter future.

“I call on parents, particularly mothers to stop their children from street trading, begging and other exploitative vices in rural and urban areas across the state for their education in this school funded by the Charity Shield Polo partners,” Balarabe pleaded as the excited students danced to the admiration of dignitaries.

Access Bank Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna, who promised the children more provision of amenities, said that "Access Bank’s sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to enriching the lives of Nigerians and an acknowledgement of the impact the UNICEF Charity Shield initiative has had on the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable

children in Kaduna State and its environment."

The donation presented to UNI- CEF officials at the Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Club in Kaduna was reaffirmation of Access Bank commitment to the promotion of education in the state and in support of UNICEF campaign against HIV/ AIDS pandemic among Nigerian children.

“We have been working in Kaduna, in collaboration with Access Bank Group and Fifth Chukker Polo & Country Resort to elevate quality of lives. We need to do a lot more in support of these orphans and vulnerable children to enable them to look forward to a better tomorrow,” Dr. Gerrida Birukila, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Kaduna who received the donation stated.

Mobolaji Johnson Arena ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Sierra Leone this weekend.

Super Eagles players loosening out on the mats before the commencement of their first training ahead of the AFCON 2023 qualifier against Sierra Leone this weekend in Monrovia, Liberia.

PHOTO: Courtesy NFF Media

L-R (Standing): Lado Aliyu; Facundo Retamar; Former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; His Royal Highness, Emir of Katsina and Life Chairman Nigerian Polo, Dr.Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman; Adamu Atta; Nicolas Recaifa and Abdulrahaman Mohammed and Malcomines team players posing with the Charity Shield during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Access Bank/UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament in Kaduna....last Saturday

Shettima to Senators-Elect

“Here we are with a Muslim President and a Muslim Vice President in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious polity like ours. I was a child of circumstance. Equity, justice and fairness demands that the number three citizen of this country should be of the Christian. What binds us together supersedes what ever divides us. But most importantly we should make deliberate efforts to take inclusivity in governance. Senator Akpabio is very competent and has capacity to lead the 10th National Assembly.“

--VicePresidentKashimShettima,wooingSenatorstovoteforAkpabioasSenatePresident.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Democracy Day Notes

“How was your Democracy Day?”

“I woke up early, listened to President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address, and I went about my daily affairs.”

“Yesterday was a public holiday. You were expected to stay at home and have a good rest.”

“I can understand if some people enjoyed the holiday, after all it is now more expensive to buy litres of fuel for your vehicle. As things are right now, Nigerians would jump at any opportunity to save fuel costs. Those days of going about like small-pox are gone. People now calculate how they move about. But people like us who always have one thing or the other to do, we have no option. We have to keep the hustle alive. The hustle is real, men.”

“Some people don’t know how to relax in this country, and you are one of them. By the time the high cost of fuel drills holes in your pocket, you will adjust.”

“How does one relax? How can anyone in this pressure cooker of a society in which we have found ourselves relax? What has democracy brought us?”

“A lot. We are no longer under the shackles of military rule.”

“Democratic rule is better measured in terms of its dividends. Where are the dividends?”

“I can point to a few. Democracy has given the people the power to choose their own leaders. It has created a new set of leaders. We are in the seventh transition within the Fourth Republic. In 1993, the military may have annulled the Presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola and denied the people the Hope that he promised them, but here we are in 2023, President Tinubu says he is determined to restore Hope.”

“I saw the same connection that you are trying to draw in President Tinubu’s speech yesterday. I have also heard some people saying that Tinubu and MKO share common traits. You know, I have this gut feeling that the comparison may be overstretched.”

“Tinubu was part of the pro-democracy struggle. He stood at the barricades. When he talks about Democracy Day, he has the requisite credentials to do so.”

“I sort of like the speech though. The only part I find funny is the reference to Arnold Toynbee. Has Tinubu ever read Toynbee? His speech writers should make him sound natural. They should maintain a consistent tone that projects his ownership of the thoughts. One of these days, they would even make him quote Noam Chomsky. Ha Ha. Ha. But in terms of sentiments, the speech was on point”

“My brother, don’t worry about quotations. Leaders are allowed to show knowledge. Tinubu can even quote Socrates if he wishes. My own take-away is that the President paid tribute to MKO Abiola, as hero and martyr of democracy, the man who stood for democracy, and whose sacrifice became the catalyst for Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999. The President has asked us to embrace the idea of sacrifice and emulate Abiola and that his government will reward us all with infrastructure, and welfare programmes. He also paid tribute to the heroes of democracy.”

“We are all used to that rhetoric. That is the same rhetoric that has been drummed into our ears since states of the South West began to celebrate Democracy Day on May 29, until the Federal Government separated May 29, the day of presidential inauguration from June 12, which the Buhari administration set aside as Democracy Day and National Holiday. That is one good thing President Buhari did. He also gave MKO, a post-humous GCFR award. But who has sacrifice helped in this country? What has been the gain of the MKO Abiola family? What has anybody done for them? What has anybody done for the families of all the other heroes and heroines who led the struggle for Nigeria’s “second independence” as Tinubu calls it. Joe Igbokwe has written a useful book titled Heroes of Democracy (1999) in which he provides a comprehensive list of persons who participated in the June 12 struggle, and those who died. Remember the founding General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Chima Ubani. Remember Bagauda Kaltho. Remember those four young men who hijacked a Nigeria Airways

President Tinubu

Airbus A310, in October 1993 in protest against the annulment of the June 12 Presidential election. They were teenage students of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).”

“What are you driving at? Neither MKO Abiola nor his supporters resisted military tyranny because they wanted to die so that their families could benefit.”

“Have you ever heard of any revolutionary, changeagent or defender of progressive causes who sets out to die as an ambition? Such persons are often consumed by the contradictions of their societies and their times. But they leave lessons behind. They alter the course of history for good. Please, tell me: have we learnt any lessons from Nigeria’s debacle between 1993 and 1999, and after?”

“Societies evolve”

“And in what direction is Nigeria evolving?”

“We have hope”

“Hope. What hope? In 1993, Abiola’s slogan was “Hope 93”. In 2023, 30 years later, Tinubu is still looking for that hope. He wants to capture and restore it. In 1993, Abiola preached a message of “farewell to poverty”. In 2023, that same poverty has developed such roots and metastasized so badly like a cancerous organ, we are now told it has a new identity: multidimensional poverty. I guess 30 years is long enough for anything to become multidimensional.”

“You should learn to look at the positive side of things”.

“I am trying. In 1993, before the Babangida administra- tion stopped the announcement of results, the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) had reported that Abiola was leading in 19 out of 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory: all the states in the South West, 5 of the 9 Northern states including Kano; 3 out of the 7 states in the South East, and 4 out of the seven states in the Middle Belt. Abiola ran on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Ethnicity did not matter. Religion was not an issue. It is a crying shame that 30 years later, Nigeria has gone back in history. Today, the politics of ethnicity and religion has divided the

country. We have gone from bad to worse.”

“1993 is not 2023, my friend. The times have changed. Our democracy continues to grow.”

“Tell me how”

“Today for example, on the 13th day of June, in the year of our Lord 2023, President Tinubu shall proclaim the inauguration of Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly and the lawmakers shall choose their own leaders”

“Very good. A major event immediately after President Tinubu’s first Democracy Day in office. Have you been reading the news?”

“What about the news? Journalists are always spinning the news to suit their own biases and the expectations of their sponsors.”

“Don’t say that. Journalists hold a mirror up to society. The leadership race in the National Assembly has been dogged by so-called party supremacy, the hypocrisy of the political elite, rancour, corruption, division and manipulations. Quite typical.”

“Nothing will happen. It shall be well. The APC has spoken. Tinubu has spoken.”

“Spoken what? Are you not aware that there are aggrieved parties who are ready to assert the independence of the legislative arm of government? In fact, are you not aware that the Chairman of the ruling APC advised the anointed persons for positions of presiding officers to arrive early at the Assembly or camp out there overnight to prevent what happened in 2015 under similar circumstances?”

“What happened in 2015?”

“Go and find out. You see why this country needs to teach History at all levels? A grown-up man like you does not know the contemporary political history of his own country.”

“Don’t insult me. Please leave history alone. Am I looking for a job in the civil service? Am I going for a Quiz competition? As we speak, do you know how much would have been distributed overnight to all the aggrieved lawmakers? Money talks, my brother. As money speaks, the numbers will add up. I am hungry, please. Where can we find something to eat?”

“Go to Oye-Ekiti where Damilola Adeparusi, aka Chef Dammy is trying to break Hilda Baci’s 100-hour cook-a-thon. I hear she has been cooking for more than 80 hours and that her target is to beat Tata Tandon and Hilda Baci. In Oye-Ekiti, food is ready.”

“Nigeria is a wonderful place. We haven’t even heard from the Guinness Book of World Records on Hilda Basi’s marathon effort, now someone else is trying to compete with her for the record.”

“I don’t think Dammy is competing with Hilda. Imitation, they say, is the best form of flattery. You better start heading towards Oye-Ekiti. I am sure there would be piping hot amala and pounded yam on offer.”

“There is a difference between a cook and a chef. Hilda looks to me like a chef. I would say Dammy is a cook.”

“There is no such difference. Both prepare food for human consumption”

“Flavour is important. You want to compare food that is prepared in Oye-Ekiti, to food that is prepared in Lagos? You want to compare Maybach to Toyota Corolla?”

“Come off it, my friend. Both ladies deserve to be encouraged.”

“Okay, if you can’t go to Oye-Ekiti, maybe you can make it to Ibadan where I hear one Temitope Adebayo, has also announced plans to cook for 140 hours to beat both Hilda Baci and Dammy. At this rate, they will turn this whole country into a kitchen oh. It has even been reported that Woli Arole is also looking for a place in the Guinness World Record. He is looking at a 5000-hour prayer marathon. He says he will announce a commencement date very soon.”

“Lobatan ooh. Nigeria, we hail thee! As some people are cooking, others want to pray. Do you think all this cook-a-thon, pray-a-thon has anything to do with the removal of fuel subsidy? Is there money attached to the Guinness World Record? Are Nigerians depressed?”

“I don’t know. But in case you change your mind, just make sure you don’t eat ponmo anywhere, no matter how well prepared”

“Ponmo ke? You can’t be serious. I like my ponmo,

especially when it is soft, well-peppered, subsumed inside vegetable sauce, and combined with snails, both exciting the palate in a manner that makes you forget all the troubles of the world. Then give me palm wine or a chilled bottle of Shine Shine Bobo, Star Lager to push it down the gut...”

“Ole! Just don’t go and kill yourself. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has advised that people should stop eating hides, smoked meat and bush meat because of an outbreak of anthrax disease in the West African sub-region. You will just fall sick by eating what you are not supposed to eat.”

“Na lie. I have been eating ponmo since I was a child. The Federal Government guys think they can lie to us to save animal hides and skins for leather production. They lie too much. The leather and tannery industry in Nigeria is practically dead. They want to stop our delicacy so they can get more materials for export. I am sure somebody in the Ministry is looking out for his or her own interest.”

“Just be careful. You may not trust government. But it is not every time that they tell lies for selfish reasons.”

“Don’t worry yourself. I can’t travel to Ibadan or Oye-Ekiti just to go and eat ponmo. The food won’t be free, anyway. And it is expensive getting petrol these days.”

“Nigerians are not protesting. We all seem to have adjusted. The beauty of this country lies in the people’s resilience. No matter what hardship life throws at us, we all manage to survive. We are under a special kind of spell.”

“We are just people of hope, that’s all. Which is why it bothers me to no end that some motorcyclists in, as far away as Cameroon are already protesting over the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. I saw a video in which they were purportedly abusing President Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy. What is their own in the matter?”

“There you have it, a strong justification for the fuel subsidy removal. Nigeria practically subsidizes fuel consumption in other West African countries. We are the Father Christmas of the region in everything because our leaders have not implemented the right policies over the years. If we get things right, we would be fine. Cameroonians are fighting over fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. Can you imagine that, when state governments in Nigeria are beginning to ask people to work three days a week, because of fuel subsidy?”

“Which states are those?”

“Edo and Kwara. But it looks like other states will soon join the bandwagon. Edo has added N10, 000 to the minimum wage in the state but what is N10, 000 when organized labour is asking for a minimum wage of N200, 000.”

“Increasing the minimum wage won’t solve the problem. There are far more fundamental issues that must be addressed, and they have made the mistake of putting the cart before the horse.”

“They?”

“Tinubu and his people. You know I have always said I don’t understand why anybody would want to be President of Nigeria at this time. The trouble for this country too much. As you are trying to solve one, another one is rearing its head.”

“But we all need more money at this time. In fact, the private sector should be asked to increase the minimum pay too.”

“It is a double-edged sword. If businesses are compelled to increase wages, they may have no option but to sack workers. There will be massive lay-offs. Government itself may not be able to pay. Chaos. Wahala.”

“There is money. President Tinubu has just approved students’ loans. He made that promise. He has kept it. He did not just hit the ground running. Omo, he is beginning to fly!”

“Why are we like this in this country?”

“Just watch. Tinubu may turn out to be the magician we have been looking for.”

“I have no opinion on that, until the matter before the tribunal is resolved.”

“Dey there oh. Keep waiting. No be Nigeria?”