WEDNESDAY 14TH JUNE 2023

Over 120 People Killed Since Tinubu’s Inauguration, Says Amnesty International

Amnesty International, yesterday, lamented that more than 120 people had so far been killed since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023.

In a statement signed by its Acting

Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, the organisation said the brazen failure of the federal government to protect Nigerians was gradually becoming the norm in the country.

Sanusi stated that though the federal government said it would

enact security measures in response to various attacks by marauding gangs, the promises had not translated into meaningful action to protect the lives of vulnerable communities.

He added that the Nigerian authorities had also consistently

failed to carry out independent, effective, impartial and thorough investigations into the killings, noting that this has been fuelling the impunity. Why he called on the federal government to urgently take steps

to stop the bloodletting, the acting director lamented that rural communities, always bracing themselves for the next bout of violence, were facing deadly attacks by rampaging killers.

Sanusi urged the new government

that protecting lives was its utmost priority and advised the federal and state governments to ensure that those suspected of criminal responsibility for the crimes

Tinubu: Akpabio, Abass’ Emergence Good Development for Nigeria

THE

Says it's time to get on with serving the people Declares readiness to transparently work with legislature Vows to remain a partner for peace, stability of country Senate President, Speaker pledge effective cooperation Adamu: APC will waste no time filling other principal offices HURIWA doubts 10th National Assembly will be independent SGF, governors, others congratulate new National Assembly leadership

Kwara Boat Mishap Claims 100 Lives ... Page 51

CELEBRATING AKPABIO'S EMERGENCE...

L-R: Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; former Ebonyi State Governor, DavId Umahi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu;

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senator Alli Ndume; Deputy

NUPRC: Nigeria’s Crude Oil Output Increased

By 185,000bpd to 1.18m Daily in May

FG, partners ramp up production on problematic TNP line OPEC keeps liquids

NMDPRA moves to add 4m barrels to Nigeria’s crude export storage

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

After a dismal outing in April, newlyreleased data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday, indicated that Nigeria’s crude oil output grew by 185,000 barrels per day to hit 1.183 million barrels daily output in May this year.

This emerged as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) yesterday issued export terminal licenses to NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) and Belema Sweet Export Terminal Limited to add over four million barrels to Nigeria’s crude export storage capacity. Speaking at a signing ceremony in Abuja, the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, said the develop-

ment was in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which empowers it to do so.

The Gbenga Komolafe-led NUPRC in its latest oil production figures, also showed that output (crude and condensate) from Nigeria’s problematic Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) increased considerably during the month from 3 million barrels to 3.7 million barrels.

While overall, oil production output grew 18.53 per cent compared to April 2023 when it fell to 998,602 bpd, total liquids in May was largely boosted by the increased flow through the TNP line which jumped 24 per cent.

Although total self-reported drilling by the NUPRC stood at 1.183 million barrels per day, but when condensate, which is excluded from the Organisation

of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) computation is added, the data highlighted that output rose from 1.245 million bpd in April 2023, to 1.427 million bpd last month.

However, despite the over 18 per cent additional output in May, Nigeria’s expected crude oil volume was still a far cry from the 1.742 million bpd allocated to the country by the international oil cartel.

Already, OPEC has cut Nigeria’s production to 1.38 million bpd in 2024, due to the country’s inability to consistently meet its quota, but however said that the production figure could be upped to 1.57 million bpd if production improves by January 2024.

Also, the NUPRC data disclosed there was an improvement in the volume of crude oil production transported through the problematic

demand forecast unchanged for fourth month

Signs export terminal licences for NEPL, Belema

TNP into the Bonny terminal.

Massive loss of production through the line last year drew criticism from top Nigerians, including the Chairman of Heirs Holding, Tony Elumelu and even the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Considered as one of Nigeria’s biggest oil pipelines, the TNP aside other smaller oilfields in the Niger Delta, majorly moves crude from the Bonny Export Terminal. The TNP currently transports about 180,000 barrels of crude per day to the Bonny export terminal.

At the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Bayelsa last month, the Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, disclosed that the company in collaboration with

Bago: Struggle for Control of Mineralsrich Areas Fueling Insecurity in Niger

Says he's working at harnessing resources for people's good

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has attributed the current security challenges facing the state to the struggle by unauthorised persons to control the rich mineral resources in the state.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday, after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja, Bago, also said that his administration would do everything needed to ensure the state harnesses the huge mineral deposits in the interest of the people.

The governor, who was responding to questions about the security situation in the state, also disclosed that a working relationship had already been established with security agencies in a bid to restore peace to all parts of the state, especially so that the mainstay of the people, which is agriculture could be revived.

Bago, who said he was in the Villa to pledge his commitment to Tinubu's success in office, as

well as congratulate him over the successful election process in the National Assembly leadership, said his administration would be working, through the state's Ministry of Mining, to take advantage of the mineral endowment in the state.

His words: "We are endowed as a state with a lot of mineral deposits and it is not only related to the insecurity issues, most of the places where you see banditry are places where you have lithium or gold. So a lot of these activities are kind of associated to why the banditry is springing up.

"However, yes, we will harness our mineral potential, we don’t intend to come to Abuja every month to collect FAAC or JACK or whatever you call it. As a State we have to put all the things in order so that we can harness these potentials.

"Now the state also has an SPV. The State Mining Corporation, where we're hoping to have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or synergy with other mining companies so that we can harness that potential and

I assure you the next one year we will come out tops.

"If you'll agree with me, Niger State has a lot of ungoverned spaces and we are agrarian and our strength is agriculture. So, we intend to cultivate most of your ungoverned land.

"We have a lot of body of water across the state, we want to encourage our irrigation farming and that is why we are collaborating with Mr. President, to ensure that the agric potential of Niger State is tapped very well.

"So, we will harness them. However, in the interim, we are working with security agencies in making sure that we curb this menace and by the grace of God we will come out tops."

Commenting on how his government intends to ensure the inclusion of women in government in Niger State, Bago disclosed that he had issued an executive order, which ensures women are made secretaries of local government councils, besides the plan to ensure that women would have

more than just 35 per cent affirmative.

According to him: "First and foremost we have issued an Executive Order to change all the secretaries of the local government councils to be female, that we're going to implement in the next local government council.

It is compulsory that at least all the vice chairmen of local government will come out as females. That is one.

"Secondly, I have just made five appointments and I promise that the next one will be female. So you should be watching out for that. So we are not going to even stick to 35 percent, we will have 50-50 if needs arise."

Speaking on the out-of-schoolchildren menace, the governor said, "it is still associated with this insecurity, and we are bringing technology to learn. Thank God for COVID-19, meetings can be held virtually.

"So we will deploy lending facilities to areas that are mostly affected so that we can put students back into schools. So, I agree that a lot of these out of school children will be enrolled back to school."

partners, detected and removed 460 illegal connections to the line before it could be reused.

The lines are gradually returning on-stream after concerted efforts by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Nigeria’s security agencies and local security groups in the Niger Delta to curb the menace of oil theft and vandalism which had continued to hobble Nigeria’s ability to raise output.

Other key terminals which yielded considerable volumes of crude in May, according to NUPRC, included Qua Iboe, where production of crude oil alone was ramped up from 1.9 million to 4.1 million barrels during the month.

Recall that the force majeure declared by Exxon Mobil, which operates the facility, affected the production on the asset after the workers of the company declared a strike in April bordering on welfare issues.

In addition, Forcados increased production volume from 4.8 million barrels to 6 million barrels during the month of May.

Meanwhile, OPEC in its Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) released yesterday, left its forecast for 2023 global oil demand growth steady for a fourth month, but admitted that the world economy faced rising uncertainty and slower growth in Q2 of 2023.

Global oil demand this year will rise by 2.35 million barrels per day, or 2.4 per cent, OPEC said, leaving it virtually unchanged from the 2.33 million bpd forecast last month.

"There are rising uncertainties regarding economic growth in the second half of 2023 amid ongoing high inflation, already elevated key interest rates and tight labour markets," OPEC said in its report.

"Moreover, it is still unclear as to how and when the geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe might be resolved," it added, referring to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

NMDPRA Moves to Add 4m Barrels to Nigeria’s Crude Export Storage

The NMDPRA yesterday issued export terminal licenses to NEPL and Belema Sweet Export Terminal Limited to add over four million barrels to Nigeria’s crude export

storage capacity.

Ahmed, said the development was in line with the PIA which empowers it to do so. Ahmed, explained that the portion of the law stipulates that nobody can build or operate a crude oil export terminal without an appropriate licence issued by the NMDPRA. Describing the event as a milestone, he disclosed that the signing of the terminal licences for the two crude export terminals would add more than four million barrels capacity to Nigeria’s export storage.

“Our activities today are pursuant to the provisions of the PIA which has stipulated new provisions for the establishment of new export terminals.

“According to PIA Section 174(1) (a): Except in accordance with an appropriate licence issued by the Authority, a person shall not undertake the following activities with respect to midstream petroleum liquids operations.

“Establish, construct or operate a terminal or other facility for the export or importation of crude oil or petroleum products,” he stated.

According to him, the Authority has therefore processed and approved terminals establishment licences for NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) to establish 2,179,747 bbls crude oil terminal at offshore Akwa Ibom State within the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone Nigeria.

Also, he disclosed that Belema Sweet Export Terminal Limited now has the approval to establish a 2,000,000 bbls crude oil terminal at 20 nautical miles of Kula southern part of Exclusive Economic Zone Nigeria.

“Subsequent to these licences, terminal establishment notices are to be published in federal government gazette.

“The terminals are required to operate within the provisions of the conditions of the licences as contained in the licence documents,” Ahmed added.

He called on all potential investors to take advantage and put money into the business, describing it as a big opportunity for would-be investors.

the new Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio;

President of the Senate Jubril Barau and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume during Akpabio's courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa after his election as the President of the 10th Senate, Abuja... yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

THE PRESIDENT HOSTS A FORMER PRESIDENT...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan (R) with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. .. yesterday

FG Generated N1.18tn from VAT, Company Income Tax in Q1

Consumption tax grew by 1.75% as companies’ profits fell 37.79% Revenue from rail passengers reduces to N768.44m

James Emejo in Abuja

The federal government raked in a total of N1.18 trillion from both Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax (CIT) in the first quarter of the year (Q1 2023).

According to figures released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for the period under review, on the aggregate, consumption tax grew by 1.75 per cent quarter-on-quarter to N709.59 billion, compared to N697.38 billion in Q4 2022.

Also, companies’ profit tax stood at N469.01 billion, indicating a contraction of 37.79 per cent, compared to the N753.88 billion recorded in the preceding quarter.

For VAT, local payments accounted for N436.10 billion, while foreign VAT stood at N151.13 billion as well as import VAT which contributed N122.37 billion in Q1.

According to the statistical agency, on quarter-on-quarter basis, the activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing

activities of households for own use recorded the highest growth rate with 349.86 per cent, followed by construction with 95.64 per cent.

On the other hand, activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies had the lowest growth rate at 53.54 per cent, followed by real estate activities at 47.01 per cent.

In terms of sectoral allocation, the top three largest VAT contributors included manufacturing with 29.65 per cent; information and communication with 19.29 per cent; and mining and quarrying with 12.24 per cent.

Conversely, activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies recorded the least share with 0.02 per cent, followed by activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use with 0.03 per cent; and water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities with 0.04 per cent.

by 20.56 per cent compared to Q1 2022.

On the other hand, local CIT payments received stood at N300.78 billion, while foreign CIT receipts contributed N168.23 billion in Q1 to government revenues in the review period.

Quarter-on-quarter, the financial and insurance activities recorded the highest growth rate in profit tax with 50.42 per cent, followed by construction with 42.32 per cent. However, water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities had the lowest growth rate at 69.38 per cent, followed by other service activities at 60.13 per cent.

In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in Q1 included financial and insurance activities with 22.94 per cent; manufacturing with 20.91 per cent; and information and communication with 11.89 per cent.

Conversely, the activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use recorded the least share with 0.01 per cent, followed by water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities with 0.04 per cent; and activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies with 0.12 per cent.

However, on a year-on-year basis, CIT collections in Q1 decreased by 14.96 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022.

The statistical agency also disclosed that revenue generation from rail passengers dropped by 63.02 per cent to N768.44 million in Q1 compared to N2.08 billion in Q1 2022.

The country’s rail transportation data for Q1 showed that a total of 441,725 passengers traveled via the rail system.

This, was however lower than the 953,099 reported in the corresponding quarter of 2022, representing a growth rate of -53.65 per cent. In addition, 59,966 tons of goods

were transported in Q1 compared to 39,379 tons reported in Q1 2022. According to the rail transport data obtained from the NBS website, N768.44 million was received from passengers over the period, lower by 63.02 per cent relative to N2.08 billion in the same quarter of the previous year. Similarly, N181.27 million was collected in Q1 2023 as revenue from goods/cargos, up by 99.28 per cent from N90.96 million received in Q1 2022.

In addition, other receipts amounted to N34.17 million, indicating a decline of 41.02 per cent in Q1, from the N57.92 million collected in Q1 2022.

Ahead of June 18 Referendum in Mali, Tinubu Receives Briefing from

Jonathan

However, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q1 2023 increased Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Jonathan Celebrates Gen. Abdulsalami at 81

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on the occasion of his 81st birthday, wishing him peace, long life in sound health.

In a statement by his media aide, Jonathan Eze, Jonathan described Abubakar as a statesman and patriot who is devoted to the peace and unity of the nation.

The former president who stated this in a goodwill message he personally signed also commended Abdulsalami for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development.

He stated: “I join your family and other well-wishers to congratulate you as you celebrate your 81st birthday. Your Excellency, you have

been an exemplary leader who has made notable strides and significant contributions to peace, democracy and development in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa.

“I salute your sense of patriotism and devotion to the peace and unity of our country; a passion that motivates you to support and promote many development initiatives. “Since leaving office, you have continued to champion good causes, in the interest of peace, equity and national cohesion, leveraging goal-driven platforms like the National Peace Committee which you founded and the West Africa Elders Forum (WAEF).

“I wish you sound health, peace and joy and pray for God’s blessings on you and your family as you celebrate. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.”

President Bola Tinubu yesterday, met with former President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, who briefed him on happenings particularly in Mali and the entire West African sub-region.

Jonathan, who is the Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States leading its mediation mission in Mali, told newsmen after the meeting that

he was at the State House to relay the outcome of discussions with other members of the West African Elders Forum which he chairs, to President Tinubu.

He said: “I came to brief the President on the activities of some continental and subcontinental bodies. You know, I am the ECOWAS mediator for Mali and the Chairman of the West African Elders Forum.

“So, there are certain issues bordering on the continent and

the sub-region that I discuss with various presidents.”

In his role as a special envoy tasked with resolving the current socio-political crisis in Mali, Jonathan has been spearheading efforts to facilitate dialogue between various key players in the country. This includes leaders from opposing political factions, civil society, religious organisations, and notably, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

By acting as a mediator in these

TotalEnergies Discovers Oil, Gas in Offshore OML 102

Peter Uzoho

French oil major, TotalEnergies, yesterday, announced the discovery of oil and gas in Ntokon, offshore Oil Mining Lease (OML) 102 Nigeria. The President in-charge of Exploration and Production at TotalEnergies, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, made the disclosure in a statement issued yesterday in Paris, France.

“The Ntokon discovery opens a promising outlook for a new tie-back development.

“After the start-up of production

of the Ikike tie-back on OML99 in 2022, this new success in the area further demonstrates the potential of nearby exploration to create value within our low cost, low emission strategy,” Terraz said. Located in shallow waters, 60 km off the Southeast coast of Nigeria, the Ntokon-1AX discovery well, according to the statement, encountered 38 meters of net oil pay and 15 meters of net gas pay, while its side-track Ntokon-1G1 encountered 73 meters of net oil pay, in well-developed and excellent

quality reservoirs. The international oil company (IOC) explained that Ntokon-1G1 tested successfully up to a maximum rate of about 5,000 barrels per day of 40° API oil.

"Located 20 km from the Ofon field facilities on OML102, Ntokon is planned to be developed through a tie-back to these existing facilities.

"OML 102 is operated by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria with a 40 per cent interest, alongside partner NNPC Ltd with the remaining 60 per cent," the statement added.

delicate negotiations, the former president aims to bring everyone towards a resolution that meets the interests of all sides involved.

The Malian security forces participated in an early stage of voting on June 11th in preparation for the new constitution that will be put to a referendum on June 18th.

During the upcoming referendum, voters would be required to respond "yes" or "no" to the question: "Do you approve of the draft constitution?", according to the country's government spokesman, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga. This referendum would act as a precursor to the long-awaited elections scheduled for February 2024.

The new draft constitution of Mali empowers the presidency by granting the President the ability to appoint the Prime Minister and Ministers, along with allowing for the removal of ministers and dissolving parliament. However, there is a certain portion of the draft constitution that has sparked controversy among religious leaders in the mostly Muslim state. These religious figures have voiced their concerns surrounding the draft's description of Mali as a secular state.

SECURITY MATTERS...

yesterday

US Groups Release Final Report on Nigerian Polls, Say Election Marred by Logistical Failures

Want perpetrators of election violence, manipulation punished Insist on public naming of govt,

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Two United States organisations, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) yesterday released a joint final report on the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, saying that the polls were marred by logistical failures.

The Joint International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) explained that while there were incremental improvements in election administration, increased competitiveness in the presidential race, quality engagement of youth, among others, the 2023 elections in Nigeria fell short of citizens’ legitimate and reasonable expectations.

“Significant logistical, technological,

and communications failures by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), divisive rhetoric by political parties, political violence, regional disparities in electoral integrity, instances of vote manipulation, and marginalisation of key populations marred the electoral process and disenfranchised voters negatively impacted on key aspects of the election process,” the Us-sponsored Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) stated.

The elections, the NDI and IRI stated, also saw the lowest turnout for national contests in Nigeria’s modern democratic history with only 27 per cent of registered voters participating.

The joint observer mission urged the incoming government, lawmakers, INEC, and political parties to show

genuine and renewed dedication to improving electoral and democratic processes, fighting corruption, and providing Nigerian citizens with responsive and trusted institutions.

According to the groups, Nigerians must undertake collective actions to combat disenchantment, address lingering political grievances, and restore faith in elections and democracy as a whole.

The joint observer mission stated that it found that there was still space to confront electoral integrity challenges and build on the gains of recent reforms, but only through demonstrable political will, good faith, and committed and coordinated efforts among Nigerian stakeholders.

The report, it said , was based on information gathered by the

Agbakoba: Senator Bulkachuwa's Confession a Monumental Disgrace

Calls for security agencies’ investigation

Wale Igbintade

Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has described the statement made by Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, representing Bauchi north senatorial district, that he influenced the decision of his wife, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, a retired Justice of the Appeal Court as a monumental disgrace.

Agbakoba, in a statement issued yesterday, also called on security authorities to take up the matter immediately.

Bulkachuwa had in the disturbing video bragged about how he influenced the decision of his wife, retired Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Justice Bulkachuwa retired from the Bench after clocking the statutory retirement age of 70 years for justices of the Appeal Court in 2020.

In the video that has gone viral, Bulkachuwa was heard saying: “Particularly my wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon when she was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues.”

Disturbed by the statement, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

was heard in the video saying “ Distinguished Senator, I don’t think this is a good idea going towards this direction.”

Reacting to the statement by the lawmaker, Agbakoba said he represented Usman Tuggar in relation to disputed elections between him and Senator Bulkachuwa for Bauchi North senatorial, but lost the case up to the Supreme Court.

Agbakoba in his statement titled, "Senator Bulkachuwa Statement at the valedictory of the 9th Senate is a monumental disgrace," noted that the statement of the Senator was, “a blight on his confidence in the systems.”

The statement read: "Senator Bulkachuwa statement at the valedictory of the 9th senate is a monumental disgrace for our institutions. This man deserves to be taken up immediately by the authorities.

"It is a blight on my confidence in our systems. I represented Usman Tuggar in relation to disputed elections between him and senator Bulkachuwa for Bauchi North senatorial. We lost in 3 courts. Senator Bulkachuwa seems to suggest why.

"It remains for president Tinubu to cleanse the system in a most dramatic and fundamental process

if he wishes to succeed.

“The chairman of NDIC has also made dramatic revelations pointing to possible deep rot in our systems of government responsible for financial and monetary policy The president ought to act now."

joint NDI/IRI Nigeria international election observation mission, which was present in Nigeria from June 2022 to May 2023.

In addition, the mission said it also conducted two pre-election assessment missions in July and December 2022 and was supported by in-country thematic analysts who provided regular updates through the monitoring and analysis of the pre-and post-election periods.

“The 2023 polls were a test of the (new) Electoral Act 2022 and INEC, but legislative and technological progress was undermined by failures that were, in many cases, foreseeable.

“At the same time, the elections were also an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate that they would contest the elections based on issues and according to democratic practices. While the elections featured greater political pluralism, they again witnessed parties across the political spectrum seeking to gain unfair electoral advantage through division, malfeasance and violence,” the observers said. For immediate action, the US groups called on INEC to agree to civil society's call for an independent, citizen-led, and comprehensive review of the entire 2023 electoral process.

It also urged the electoral umpire to ensure all results images from the 2023 presidential election are uploaded to its iReV portal immediately and provide complete

party officials who aided fraud

polling unit level results on the iReV portal in machine-analysable and bulk format as well as from all levels of the collation process.

Besides, INEC it said, should immediately publish a complete list of all cancelled polling units, along with the reason for cancellation and the total number of PVCs collected for cancelled polling unit

“INEC, the police, and the courts should identify and prosecute those responsible for electoral violence or manipulation during the 2023 election,” the US groups added.

They also called on the international community to sanction and name government and party officials who orchestrated, tolerated, or encouraged electoral violence or manipulation during the 2023 cycle.

Going forward, in the 2027 round of polls, the observer groups called on Nigerian lawmakers to prioritise gender quota legislation to increase the representation of women in elected offices.

“Lawmakers should update the Electoral Act 2022 to support absentee processes for citizens unable to be at their registered polling unit on election day, including domestic observers, polling officials, security personnel, and inter-state workers.

“To better hold perpetrators accountable for election violations, especially in the pre-election period, and alleviate the burden on INEC to prosecute offenders, lawmakers

should revisit the legal framework to develop clear and well-resourced electoral offense enforcement mechanisms,” the IEOM said.

To ensure the transparency of the results collation process, INEC, the groups said, should review the election guidelines and procedures to require that EC4OG forms are made publicly available, along with the results forms.

The election observers urged INEC to develop realistic timelines and an operational framework that ensure timely opening of polling stations and even distribution of materials across polling units, targeting specific resources with historic patterns of delayed

“Politicalopenings.

actors should refrain from unfounded, misleading, or inflammatory narratives regarding the elections, their opponents, or democratic institutions, and hold members of political parties accountable who spread false information or violent and politically destabilising rhetoric.

“Political parties should hold candidates, party members, and party agents accountable for participating in hate speech or ethnic polarisation.

“Parties and candidates should hold accountable leaders and supporters to desist from any acts of violence, before, during and after election and redress through proper legal channels and abide by the outcomes of judicial proceedings,” the NDI and IRI recommended.

NSIA Shortlists 25 Semi-finalists for Second Phase of Innovation Programme Prize

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has commenced the second phase of its highly anticipated NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI) programme, selecting the top 25 semi-finalists to participate in a rigorous three-week accelerator programme.

The NPI is aimed at supporting innovators, technopreneurs, and startups in technology-enabled businesses across various sectors of the Nigerian economy with the potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and yield other positive economic and social outcomes.

The NSIA opened the application portal for the inaugural edition of the NPI on March 8, 2023, following a December 10, 2022, launch of the Programme.

After an extensive review process, the NSIA shortlisted 25 start-ups from over 2,000 applications received during the Call to Application stage of the programme. These innovative startups have now commenced the Accelerator Bootcamp, which began virtually on May 29th, 2023, and would culminate in a oneweek in-person training bootcamp, ending on June 16, 2023.

Among the 25 shortlisted start-ups participating in the boot camp are Money Africa, Capsa Technology, LegitCar Africa, Boost Power Technologies, Acceede, Creditchek, Apace Technology Solution, Truq, CDIAL AI, Kobopay, and Extension Africa. Other participants include Nafarm Foods, Nigenius, Periculum Technology, Quadloop, BrandDrive, WasteBazaar,

Vella Finance, Yalo Technologies, Chekker, Aqualife Ifarms, BetaLife Health, Jise, Esusu Africa, and Oncopadi.

The selected start-ups operate within vital sectors of the Nigerian economy, such as healthcare, financial services, agriculture, education, logistics, e-mobility, e-commerce & digital marketplaces.

The programme’s focus on priority sectors, reflects the NSIA's recognition of the significant impact that innovation in these areas can have on the Nigerian economy. Managing Director and Chief Executive of the NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, in a statement, expressed delight over the calibre and quantity of applications received.

He emphasised the significance of staying at the forefront of innovation

and disruption in an era of digital transformation.

He said: “The world is undergoing a digital transformation, and it is crucial for us to stay at the forefront of innovation and disruption. By investing in promising technology start-ups, we can unlock new avenues of growth, enhance our competitive advantage, and future-proof our businesses.

“Through the NPI Programme and our planned investments in technology, we gain access to cuttingedge solutions, disruptive ideas, and exceptional talent. Collaborating with these start-ups allows us to stay ahead of the curve, harness new market opportunities, and deliver unparalleled value to our great nation.”

L-R: Coordinator, Enugu CSOs, Mrs. Amaka Nweke; HRH Igwe Greg Ugwu; Commander, 82 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Murtala Abu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Aminu Chinade; Chief of Defence, Training and Operations, Major General Solomon Udonwa; Director of Protocol, Defence Intelligence Agency, Major General B.A Isandu; Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral E.O Ferreira; Principal General Staff Officer, and Brigadier General S.A Emmanuel during a courtesy call on Governor Mbah and meeting with Enugu stakeholders at the Government House, Enugu...

NCC: Nigeria’s Telecoms Access Gaps Dropped by 53% in 2022

Emma Okonji

The number of identified areas of clusters across Nigeria without access to the telecommunications services reduced by 53.1 per cent as at the end of 2022, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, disclosed this at a recent telecoms industry stakeholders’ forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Danbatta, who was represented at the forum by the Head, Pre-lcencing at the commission, Usman Mamman, said from 207 clusters of access gaps in 2013, the industry witnessed a reduction to 97 as of end 2022, by bridging 110 clusters of access gaps, representing a 53.1 per cent reduction.

He said by implication, the number of Nigerians who fell within the access gap which were estimated at 37 million in 2013, reduced to 27 million, following increased access to telecoms services by those hitherto not digitally included.

Access gaps refer to the cluster of communities or grouped areas in different parts of the country that are bereft of access to telecom services and till date, the NCC has reduced clusters of access gap by more than half.

Danbatta said: “We have worked tirelessly to ensure we bring telecom services to people living in rural, unserved, and underserved areas of this country, totalling 37 million people.

“By 2019, we had succeeded in reducing the clusters of access gaps to 114 through the deployment of

the necessary infrastructure needed to bring services to people living in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country.

“The deployment of infrastructure is in terms of base transceiver stations, which resulted in the reduction of Nigerians in those clusters from 37 million to 31 million in 2019.

“By 2022, we have reduced the clusters of access gaps to 97 from 207 in 2013. The number of Nigerians again have come down from 37 million in 2013 to 27 million as we speak. We achieved this by deploying, from 2009 to 2011, a

total of 79 new base transceiver stations.”

Danbatta stated from 2013 to 2018, the telecom sector also witnessed the deployment of additional 124 base transceiver stations, while from 2019 to 2022, a total of 364 base transceiver stations were deployed.

“So far, the total number of base transceiver stations we have deployed to date between the time the access gaps were identified till the end of 2022 are 567,” he added.

While describing the reduction in access gap so far as a landmark, Danbatta, however, said the commis-

sion would not rest on its oars as it thrives to ensure that the remaining 27 million Nigerians, who currently lack access to telecoms services, are provided with services.

Meanwhile, the EVC said part the regulatory interventions of the Commission to bridge the remaining 97 access across the country to provide ubiquitous connectivity in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria was the issuance of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licences and the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) networks, among others.

and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, saying their emergence is a good development for the country.

Tinubu, in a congratulatory message he personally signed, said it was time to get on with delivery of promised service to the people. He declared his readiness to transparently work with the legislature, and vowed to remain a partner for peace and stability of the country.

Akpabio and Abbas pledged their commitment to effective cooperation with the executive arm, without compromising the independence of the legislature.

Equally, National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, assured that the party would waste no time sorting out the issue of those that would occupy the remaining principal offices in the 10th National Assembly.

However, Human Rights Writers Associates (HURIWA) doubted whether Nigerians would witness a robust, independent, and pro-people federal legislature during the Tinubu administration, with the manner in which the leadership of the 10th National Assembly was chosen.

Nonetheless, prominent Nigerians, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and governors across political parties, congratulated the new leadership of the National Assembly.

Amid tight security, the senator for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Akpabio, yesterday, emerged winner of the 10th senate presidency. The new Chairman of the National Assembly defeated his only rival,

Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District in the red chamber.

From the votes of the 109 senators in attendance, Akpabio polled 63 votes while Yari scored 46 votes at the end of the voting, which was conducted by Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Magaji Tambawal.

The voting process was largely peaceful.

After preliminary comments by the CNA, the chamber was set for the election of President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate.

APC senator for Borno South Senatorial District and Directorgeneral of Akpabio Campaign Council, Ali Ndume, nominated Akpabio. His nomination was immediately seconded by Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West Senatorial District.

But Senator-elect Isiaku Abbo from Adamawa State nominated Yari, who defied the APC zoning arrangement to stand for the election.

After Yari had accepted his nomination, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno) raised a point of order to oppose his nomination. Monguno said Yari was not qualified to participate in the contest, as he was never a member of the senate in the past.

But Monguno was not able to substantiate his claim, because Order

2(2) said senators-elect, who had been members of the House of Representatives were under the category of ranking senators and were, therefore, qualified to contest.

Many people complained about the sudden change in the time of the

programme, which commenced by 8am, instead of the scheduled 10am.

There was also a serious complaint that overzealous security agents forced lawmakers, like Senators Barau Jibrin, Gbenga Daniel, and Ned Nwoko, among others, to walk about half a kilometre to the chamber. This was because a combined team of men of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) shut the gate to the National Assembly from the office of the SGF.

In the House, Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, scored 353 votes to defeat the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), and Aminu Sani Jaji (APC, Zamfara), who scored three votes each.

The open ballot system was adopted for the election, with members-elect, one after the other, announcing their choice of Speaker.

The total number of accredited voters for the election in the lower chamber was 359, out of 360, due to the death of member-elect from Taraba State, Ismaila Yushau Maihanci.

The former university lecturer, who was endorsed by APC, was nominated by former Majority Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC, Kano), and seconded by Nnaji Nnolim (PDP, Enugu).

The returning officer for the election and Clerk to the National Assembly, Tambuwal, said Abbas satisfied the requirements of the law and was returned elected.

However, both Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy

Speaker Benjamin Kalu were elected unopposed in both chambers after the elections of their principals.

In his congratulatory letter to the winners, Tinubu said, "The election of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development.

"I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, for their well-deserved victories.

"Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.

"I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable member Idris Wase, and Honourable Aminu Jaji, who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election, the best and a successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.

"I urge them to sustain the same level of enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in the discharge of their duties to their constituents and Nigeria. My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who, today, enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.

"We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with the oath we took. It

ONDO GOV, AKEREDOLU WRITES ASSEMBLY, HANDS OVER TO DEPUTY, FLIES OUT FOR TREATMENT

had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from June 7, 2023 to July 6, 2023.

According to the letter, read by the speaker, "The leave, which commenced on 7th of June, extends to 6th July, 2023 due to the public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir (28th and 29th, June, 2023)."

The speaker noted that the governor, who had directed his deputy, Aiyedatiwa, to act as the governor while away, further assured of his resumption on the 6th of July, 2023.

Akeredolu was seen briefly in public shortly after he returned to the state from his 15-working days annual leave on May 1, but his ill-health continued to generate anxiety.

Public uproar in recent weeks had been further accentuated over the absence of any representative of the state government at the two meetings President Bola Tinubu held with governors in the country.

The second meeting held a few days back had two governors represented by their deputies but neither Akeredolu nor his deputy, attended.

Last week, there was anxiety in Ondo and Nigeria as a whole after it was rumoured that Akeredolu had passed on. It was reported that his health had deteriorated and he needed “serious prayers".

Another report claimed that the governor was scheduled to be flown

out of Nigeria for treatment and to prevent pictures of the governor’s new but pathetic looks from getting out, the family asked security agents and a few politicians around him to put off their mobile phones.

The proclamation of the 10th Ondo Assembly was done on behalf Akeredolu by Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Benjamin Jayeola.

This further fuelled speculations that the governor was critically ill.

Akeredolu was reported to have been battling an ailment said to be blood cancer (leukemia), caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in the body. It is a cancer of blood-forming tissues that hinders the body’s ability to fight infections.

It was not the first time the governor was rumoured to have died. In January 2023, Akeredolu was speculated to be bedridden, but his chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the governor did not face any life-threatening illness.

Again, in April 2022, there were widespread rumours that the former NBA president and Attorney General of the state, who left the state for Germany on a 14-day vacation, had died in a German hospital.

Before his arrival to the country, the state government had on April 7, 2022 clarified that Akeredolu was not hospitalised in Germany or anywhere, and that the rumours were mere wishes of failed politicians who carried the burden of

uncanny distrust and embedded treachery.

In order to discredit the rumour, Akeredolu after arriving Nigeria, appeared on a short video, which went viral, singing and dancing to prove that he was hale and hearty.

However, the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for the resignation of the governor.

TINUBU: AKPABIO, ABASS’ EMERGENCE GOOD DEVELOPMENT FOR NIGERIA were urgently brought to justice in fair trials.

According to the party, in a statement by the state publicity secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, the state should not be grounded because of the governor’s health condition.

PDP also challenged the state government and handlers of the governor to prove that Akeredolu was alive and should stop taking people of the state for granted.

OVER 120 PEOPLE KILLED SINCE TINUBU’S INAUGURATION, SAYS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

He said the Nigerian authorities were obliged under international human rights laws, regional human rights treaties, and Nigerian constitution to protect the human rights of all people without discrimination, which according to him, includes the right to life.

The statement said, “It is horrific that attacks by gunmen have claimed at least 123 lives mere weeks after President Bola Tinubu assumed office on 29 May.

“Rural communities, always bracing themselves for the next bout of violence, are facing deadly attacks by rampaging killers.

“Protecting lives should be the utmost priority of the new government. The Nigerian authorities must urgently take steps to stop the bloodletting.

“The brazen failure of the authori-

is time to get on and move swiftly with the business of governance in the service of Nigeria.

"As your President, I am prepared to transparently work with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished Senators and Honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the performance of government to achieve successful outcomes, including improving their quality of life.

"In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will, and quest to diminish the institution of National Assembly or any individual member. Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.

"Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country.

"We cannot afford to waste this opportunity, because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.

"I will remain a partner in progress for peace, stability and prosperity of Nigeria. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey.

"Once again, I send my best wishes."

Akpabio: I’ll Prioritise Wealth Creation, Gender, Disability Issues

Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged to discharge the responsibilities of his office with utmost dedication, integrity, and fairness, promising to prioritise wealth creation, gender, and disability issues.

the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth."

Akpabio explained that gender and disability issues as well as wealth creation would be given priority in the 10th National Assembly.

He said, "We must recognise and prepare for a mid-21st century global economy that places a premium on intellectual content and knowledge, and our young men and women must be supported to engage competitively.

"Expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base. These additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.

"We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasise economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs.

"We must, therefore, as a Senate, rise to partner His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country."

Akpabio urged senators in the minority caucus to jettison party politics and work collectively for national interest.

ties to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the ‘norm’ in the country.

“The government said it will enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have not translated into meaningful action that protects the lives of vulnerable communities.

“The Nigerian authorities have also consistently failed to carry out independent, effective, impartial and thorough investigations into these killings - and this is fueling impunity.

“The Nigerian authorities are obliged under international human rights law, regional human rights treaties and Nigeria’s own constitution to protect the human rights of all people without discrimination - and that includes the right to life.

“Those suspected of criminal responsibility for these callous crimes must urgently be brought to justice in fair trials.”

Akpabio, who said the outcome of the election reflected the collective will of the senate and the various constituencies the senators were representing, said he was mindful of the enormous responsibilities that his position placed on him.

He told his colleagues, "You will have my cooperation in all matters and our joint efforts will be one of team-work. I extend my sincere hands of fellowship to all of us, including those who, at a time may have had different opinions regarding the leadership of the senate. These expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of.

"We should anticipate an executive that is proactive, progressive, and practical. Our laws must, therefore, align with the vision of Mr. President to protect and provide for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee

Abass:

10th House Shall Surpass Past Gains

Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said on his watch, the 10th House would sustain and even surpass the gains of the ninth House. Abbas, who made the pledge in his acceptance and inaugural speech after his election, said the lawmakers would carry out the task before them jointly.

He said the 10th House would introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians, announcing that in a few weeks, the green chamber would be releasing the legislative agenda that would shape activities.

The speaker said the House would work closely and inter-dependently with the executive and judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve.

Abbas said, "We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation's history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.

“We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminality. We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.”

Speaking to newsmen after a thank you visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Abbas declared that the green chamber would not hesitate to move against the executive

Continued on page 53

Mbah’s Economic and Peace Mission to State House

Two days ago specifically on 12th June, Nigerians marked Democracy Day to commemorate the origin of the struggles that birthed the military handover of power to the civilian government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on 29th May 1999.

But beyond the platitudes that come with each Democracy Day, Nigerians have also come to realise that democracy is not an end in itself, but a means to an end.

They want democracy to deliver more, above all security and welfare of the citizens.

It was perhaps in furtherance to this that the new Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah, made the State House the port of his first official visit.

Briefing newsmen after the closed door meeting with President Tinubu, he said he was in the Villa to strike an economic partnership with the Federal Government.

According to him: “I came and frankly I brought to the President, the warm greetings and best wishes from the government and the people of Enugu state.

“But, above all, you may also know already that we made massive campaign promises to the people of Enugu. And we also have expressed humongous vision. We’ve taken a bold view of what the new government could achieve in the next four years, in terms of growing our economy from the current levels to $30 billion. And one of our core governance philosophies is to collaborate and to have partnership, and we have identified the federal government as our core partner.

“We have a number of dormant assets in Enugu, which we believe partnering with the federal government, we’ll be able to transform them into productive assets.

“A lot of people do not know, but we have huge mineral resources in Enugu State. And these resources are sitting under our ground, not being productive. So, we believe with the partnership we’re trying to build with the federal government, we’re able to transform these assets into productive assets.

“Of course, you know that the growth level we have proposed is one that is going to be driven by the private sector and private sector wants the ease of doing business; and one of the core indicators of the ease of doing business is security and infrastructure. So, we also had that conversation with Mr. President.

“And finally, we also talked about the release of Nnamdi Kanu. You know, that the South East has made a collective demand to have Nnamdi Kanu released. And we basically identified with that and request, Mr. President, who in his inaugural address promised the people that he’s going to engender national healing and he’s going to serve with compassion. So we’ve basically informed him that this would serve as a pointer to his administration’s extension of hands of fellowship to Ndigbo”.

Recall that Mbah had unveiled an ambitious economic and development agenda.

Among them is to raise Enugu’s Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion economy, which would require growing the state’s economy seven folds.

Mbah’s administration is equally working to make Enugu one of the top three states in Nigeria in terms of GDP and record a zero per cent headcount rate in terms of poverty index.

Expectedly, not a few have expressed their reservations, especially given the meagre inflow from the Federation Account into Enugu as well as Enugu’s high debt profile. But Mbah appears to understand what exactly it takes to achieve his vision and how to go about it.

Speaking with Arise News TV, Thisday’s sister medium, on 31st March 2023, Mbah was quick to remind his interviewers that he was out to disrupt the system, a view he also re-echoed in his inaugural address on 29th May where he told Enugu people that it would be “business the unusual way” going forward.

Mbah had told Arise News TV: “The truth is that if we were to do a trend analysis, our growth pattern over the years, we cannot be talking about a seven-fold economic growth. But we actually want to disrupt innovatively the current revenue model.

“We equally recognise that these current revenue models that focus on a rent-seeking approach where we have to rely on revenues from the Federation Account, come back here and, of course, the money we collect and the IGR is hardly enough to optimally intervene across all the critical sectors of our economy, hence we said that we will have to tweak our revenue model and unlock our rural economy and explore the resources we have in the state, which we haven’t done in the past.”

Enugu is endowed with oil and gas fields, coal, glass sand, iron ore, gypsum, limestone, alum, clay stone, kaolin, and other mineral deposits. But Enugu will need collaboration and partnership with the federal government to catalyse energy and mineral resources development and attract investors to explore and exploit them for the benefit of the state and the country.

The ambitious economic plan will also require energy. Mbah’s administration plans to explore renewable energy and key into existing finance to setup captive power for industries and homes, and explore solar energy, wind, biomass and hydroelectric energy sources.

Likewise, infrastructure is key to raising the economy by making Enugu attractive to local and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), a fact he also highlighted to Arise News in the aforementioned interview when he stressed that “Attracting investors will require you providing some basic infrastructure”.

In this stead, Mbah’s administration plans to construct 10,000km of roads in eight years.

But there are also critical infrastructure that would require the collaboration and goodwill of the federal government to pull through. This include the operationalisation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, development of the state’s inland waterways and other critical infrastructures, which formed Mbah’s discussion with the President.

Mustapha and His Constituency Representation Project for Kwara Central

While campaigning his way into the National Assembly, Saliu Mustapha, an Ilorin-born businessman and philanthropist, promised to reposition Kwara state through legislative support for human capital development, infrastructure development, massive empowerment of women and young people to fight multidimensional poverty among other beneficial causes.

But on top of his legislative agenda was the assurance of a representation that is all inclusive and close to the grassroots in the Kwara Central district, which he was seeking to represent.

While touring the nooks and crannies of the district, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate noted that his election would be the end of “Abuja-focused lawmaking”, where the lawmaker is distant from their constituents and only fixated on affairs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In tandem with his campaign mantra of “doing things differently”, he announced his plan to create an effective feedback channel where people can voice their concerns and ultimately influence decision-making at the top.

This, according to him, is the first step to progress and development for any community.

In the February 25 election, Mustapha defeated his closest rival and former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clinch the senatorial seat. He had since been presented his certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Today, Mustapha will be taking the oath of office, an inaugural exercise to usher in all the federal lawmakers in the green and red chambers.

Keeping to his words

Ahead of his swearing-in as Kwara Central Senator, Mustapha has opened constituency offices across the four local government areas that make up the district as a way of making good his promise of inclusion.

These offices had not only been furnished but had been running with enough staff members. Also, to help mobility and grassroot outreaches, constituency vehicles have also been purchased.

As part of means of timely engagements with the people, the Senator-elect has commenced the appointment of Legislative Assistants across the 52 wards.

These Legislative Assistants will be on ground to collate data and feedback from the people including those who are in remote areas.

Town hall, E-participation

Apart from the legislative assistants, Mallam Mustapha and his team have planned a bi-annual town hall meetings for strategies and feedback. The meeting will feature public dialogues that will involve the lawmaker and members of his constituency. The venue and the dates for the meetings have not been made public yet.

Also for the first time in the state, a senatorial district will have a digital platform through which the people can contribute to decision making at the top.

According to one of Mustapha’s personal assistants, Alabi Abdulkarim, a website www. kwaracentral.org, has been created for the benefits of the constituents.

“The platform will not only provide an avenue for engagement but also feature other add-on benefits like awareness and learning sections,” he said.

Stakeholders have expressed confidence in Mustapha’s ability to take the office a notch higher than his predecessors have done.

A community leader in Ilorin West, Alhaji Abdusalam Olowo, stated that the outgoing Senator, Yahaya Oloriegbe, tried his best in representing the district.

According to him: “You cannot take away Oloriegbe’s contribution from the 9th Senate. He proposed a lot of reasonable bills. This new man (Mustapha) has hit the ground running in an unprecedented manner. It shows that he really means business.”

Olowo added that carrying his constituents along will make the job easier for the incoming

Senator “When you carry people along, you cannot go astray. You will push for policies that will favour the masses. Not because of anything but because it shows they are a priority to you.”

Experts, policy shapers applaud moves

Likewise, the early steps by the Senator have been applauded by experts and policy shapers within and outside Kwara state.

Commenting on Mustapha’s approach to legislation, a Lagos-based civic participation advocate, Bashir Adebayo, said the lawmakerelect is building a template for not just Kwara but Nigeria as a whole.

“We only practice democracy on paper and the electorate have no say beyond voting. Initiatives like these are world-class. These are the things you see in the United States. It makes the constituents feel more empowered,” he said.

He continued; “I believe what Mallam Mustapha is trying to do is the common practice overseas. When there is a bill, the lawmaker goes back to his constituency to get the views of his people. That’s the standard that should be emulated.”

Adebayo expressed optimism that the incoming Senator will stay true to his plans, some of which are still in the works.

The convener of Young Nigerians in Power and IT expert, Alli Macaulay, while lauding the initiative, noted that with the digital inclusion, Mustapha would be able to capture the majority of the younger population.

He said: “The fact that there is a physical and virtual system makes the feedback system flexible for young people. Majority of these people are online. It means they won’t be left of governance. That’s what inclusion is about”.

The recent visit by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to create positive waves in the polity, writes Deji Elumoye

Tinubu

Mbah

Kwara-Central Senator-elect, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has set in motion mechanisms geared towards an inclusive constituency representation and his plan to do things differently.

Mustapha

A Rear Admiral's Guide to Public Finance, Accounting

In a bid to adequately prepare young graduates and newly employed accountants in public sector for the job, Rear Admiral Kashimu Bushi, the Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Navy, recently wrote a book on Fundamentals of Nigerian Public Finance and Accounting, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

“For many years, Nigeria has been faced with daunting challenge of ineffective and inefficient use of public resources. This has contributed adversely to nation building as a result of low human development and productivity," Hajiya Zainab Ahmed immediate past Minister of Finance, said.

Ahmed made this statement at the presentation of the book, Fundamentals of Nigerian Public Finance and Accounting, written by Rear Admiral Kashimu Bushi, the Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Navy (NN).

She added that "Clearly, in the last two decades, the Nigerian nation has witnessed gross paradigm shift in the system of public financial management and accounting.

"This book on ‘Fundamentals of Nigerian Public Finance and Accounting’ written by Rear Admiral KM Bushi, the Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Navy, captures the theoretical concepts, practical applications, experimental perspectives of seasoned professionals, and projected effects of these shifts in national financial management.

“It is hoped that the simplicity and strength in the articulation of these initiatives in the book are reflected in their potential impact on public financial management and accountability in Nigeria, so that the national aspirations for economic prosperity and development may quickly be achieved."

Book Presentation and Award of Doctoral Fellow

The book, presented to the reading public by the Institute of Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA), was reviewed by Prof. Ibrahim Saleh, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.

A lecture with the theme: Public Financial Management and Accounting: Impact on the Nigerian Economy’ was delivered by Prof. ABC Akujuobi, a former Head of the Financial Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri while the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed 1, and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and other prominent Nigerians and senior officers graced the occasion.

Rear Admiral Bushi, who was also awarded as a Doctoral Fellow of Institute of Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA), dedicated the book to the immediate past President Muhammadu

Buhari and all his mentors.

Breakdown of Chapters

The 266 pages book was broken down to 14 chapters. While Chapter One of the book was Introduction to Public Finance and Accounting, Chapter Two was on Regulatory Framework for Public Finance and Accounting and Chapter Three of the book was on Budgeting and Appropriation.

Chapter Four dealt with Financial Recording and Accountability; Chapter Five treated Sources of Public Revenue; Chapter Six treated Public Expenditure Management and Controls; Chapter Seven was on Public Financial Reporting System; while Chapter Eight was on Contract Management and Accounting.

Meanwhile, Chapter Nine was based on Store Management and Accounting; Chapter Ten treated Elements of Taxation; Chapter Eleven was on Pension and Gratuity; Chapter Twelve discussed Public Debt Management; Chapter Thirteen treated Audit of Public Funds; while Chapter Fourteen dwelt on Public Sector Financial Reforms.

Adding Value to Knowledge of Public Finance

For Rear Admiral Bushi, who recently co-authored another book, The Wheels Of Prosperity’, it had become imperative to proffer solutions and guidelines to tackle the daunting challenge of ineffective and inefficient use of public resources, especially for young graduates and newly employed accountants.

With other books like 'Understanding the Basics of Nigerian Navy Financial Management and Accounting System’; four articles

in international journal and five in university and local magazines, under his kitty, Bushi, who is by all counts an experienced accountant, provided these solutions for public finance and accounting in 266 pages and 14 chapters of the new book.

At the book presentation, the doctorate degree holder in Accounting and Finance, said his book was written in response to the need to adequately prepare young graduates and newly employed accountants in public sector for the job.

He said he also realised that throughout his 29 years of service in the public sector and indeed in the Nigerian Navy, most work experiences in different sphere of endeavours were not documented.

Lamenting that accounting graduates are not exposed to the practical issues in public sector accounting and those that are newly employed in the public sector are not well equipped with the knowledge of public sector financial management and accounting, he said: "even public sector accountants are barely exposed to the regulatory aspect of public sector accounting, which often serves as a guide to accounting functions.

“Suffice to state that most accountants in government sectors improve their knowledge and skills of public financial management and accounting through safe efforts. Therefore, there is need to involve professional training of the public accountants.

“This informs the publication of this book to add value to the existing body of knowledge in the field of public finance and accounting in Nigeria.

“The accountants, as we know, are the key driver of government financial management system, which is key to economic development and prosperity because all policies are hinged on finance, budget and the accountants are the key implementers of our budgets".

Thus, he said getting it right at the training stage would help the finance managers and accountants to have the knowledge of implementing policies effectively and would impact the achievements or success

of the budget. He added that developing the knowledge and skills of accountants would help in improving the performance of the national budget.

Commendations

Also speaking, Navy's Chief of Transformation, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (CFR), described the author as forthright officer with high sense of dedication and passion to service.

Eyo said the senior officer had continued to make the Nigerian Navy proud both in service to navy and contribution to national development, adding that Rear Adm. Bushi was a disciplined officer and a go-getter.

According to him, it is a clear reflection of the attitude he brings to bear in his primary responsibility as the Chief of Accounts and Budget and the books that are churned out.

“He is quite becoming a prolific writer because this is the third book in quick succession and they are all on financial subjects. He is trying to share his experience and the knowledge he has gathered both in classroom as students and practically on the on the job so people can learn from it."

Also commending Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator George Sekibo, commended the author for giving back to the public his wealth of knowledge through the book.

He further charged the author to continue to write more books so that Nigerians could learn and benefit from his knowledge as the country would be better for it.

About The Author

Born on April 5, 1968, Rear Admiral Kashimu Bushi, who has garnered about 28 awards, has a PhD in Finance with certification in Fraud Detection and Prevention from the Global Training Consulting, London.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), Fellow Chartered System Accountant of USA (FCSA USA), Fellow Certified National Accountant of Nigeria, Fellow Chartered Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Fellow Chartered Instituted of Finance and Control of Nigeria (FCIFCN), Fellow Chartered Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Association UK, Associate Chartered Institute of Taxation, and Institute of Financial Planning, Lagos.

Cross section of guests at the book presentation of Fundamentals of Nigerian Public Finance and Accounting

L-R: Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Eyo with the author, Rear Admiral Kashimu Bushi

L-R: Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed 1, and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Rear Admiral Bushi after he was awarded as a IGLSA Doctoral Fellow

Examining the Growth Potentials of Nigerian Leather Industry

In this report, Precious Ugwuzor examines the Nigerian Leather Industry as a growing market for high-quality, affordable, and sustainable leather products

The increasing popularity of made-inNigeria products is a major trend that is driving the growth of the Nigerian leather industry. Consumers home and abroad are increasingly looking for products that are made in Nigeria.

This is due to several factors, including the desire to support local businesses, and an increasing number of Nigerian companies producing affordable, quality, and sustainable products. This makes it easier for Nigerian consumers to find the products they are looking for.

Generally, Nigerians are more attracted to "imported" products over locally made ones due to social status as well as brand reputation and have come to value them more than locally manufactured goods. Although more goods are currently being bought from other countries than locally, there is a slow but steady shift towards buying goods manufactured locally.

Over the years, there have been several advocates and campaigns for made-in-Nigeria products, due to the fact that for a long time, the quality of made-in-Nigeria products has been perceived to be low, especially linked to the use of substandard materials, poor workmanship, a lack of attention to detail, and inadequate quality control. As a result of these factors, made-in-Nigeria products have often been seen as inferior to imported products, leading to a reluctance on the part of many Nigerians to buy made-in-Nigeria products.

However, there are several industry leaders and stakeholders who are working to change this narrative and significant progress has been made. This is being achieved by investments in research and development to improve the quality of made-in-Nigeria products, upskilling workers, and implementing quality control measures to ensure that products meet international standards.

These initiatives are starting to pay off. The quality of made-in-Nigeria products is improving, and there is a growing demand for these products both at home and abroad. As a result, the made-in-Nigeria campaign is gaining momentum. There is a growing awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses, and Nigerians are starting to see the value in buying made-in-Nigeria products.

According to a report by Statista on the Market

Venerable Okey Ifionu

In his best-selling book, *Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry* Doug Fields, a respected American youth pastor and author, said that although youth activities are not altogether a bad idea, they must have a clear purpose, and not become a mere jamboree. In his words, "I don't want to organise more activities, I want to impact more lives."

As a youth-friendly priest myself, I can't agree more with Pastor Fields. In an age when clergymen are often sapped by all sorts of pressures, including those arising from church activities, care must be taken to ensure that every church activity is worth the time, energy and other resources invested in it. Indeed no activity should be embarked on unless its primary purpose is to build up the body of Christ, especially the youth, in a verifiable or measurable way. Youth jamborees that do not root them properly in Christ Jesus are counterproductive!

Every priest or church leader does not have exactly the same experience when it comes to managing the youth. In some places the youth ill-advisedly want total freedom in drawing up their programme ---no guardrails, no pastoral input. They insist on being left to run their own show as they please. Any attempt to mainstream them is viewed as patronising or undue paternalism.

In the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the youth are rightly considered as a vital segment of the church, indeed the present and future strength of the church. If that sounds exaggerated, it is perhaps because the youth are the ones who are expected to hold the banner of Christ aloft. They have a lot of energy and sometimes also, the intellectual acumen. Unfortunately the devil knows this and so carefully targets them for destruction. Therefore whatever investment that needs to be made towards mentoring and grooming the youth so that they can effectively navigate the many challenges that face them, is well worth it.

It is no surprise therefore that after focusing on children and baptism in its Synod last

insight on Footwear in Nigeria, Nigeria's footwear market is experiencing a surge in demand for locally made, handcrafted shoes due to a growing appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.

The report showed that in 2023, the revenue generated from the footwear market in Nigeria will amount to US$2.40 billion, and it is projected to grow annually by an 8.43 per cent CAGR from 2023 to 2028. The Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) reports that Nigeria has the capacity to make 200 million pairs of shoes yearly, valued at more than $1.4 billion. The growth of the industry cuts across bags and accessories, not just footwear.

The growing population of the country of over 200 million people coupled with the increased and, more importantly, consistent growth in the

leather industry are contributing factors to the growing market in Nigeria.

One of the industry stakeholders who has been consistently changing the narrative through an initiative, Lagos Leather Fair, LLF is Femi Olayebi, the founder, LLF and Creative Director of My World of Bags, FemiHandbags, a premium leather handbags and accessories brand based in Ibadan, Nigeria. Having experienced firsthand the many challenges within the industry year-on-year, Olayebi decided to create a platform that would begin to change the narrative within a neglected and misunderstood sector.

The initiative Lagos Leather Fair, LLF created over five years ago, aims to create awareness of the potential value of the industry by providing a much-needed platform for leather designers to showcase their products and their talent, and work towards finding sustainable solutions to move the industry forward and ensure that the Made-in-Nigeria Project and Zero-Oil Initiative becomes a reality.

Our Youth and the Eucharist

LLF is committed to achieving various aims and objectives., some of which are to facilitate access to the market through different programmes and enhance brand expansion opportunities through international fairs and pop-ups, establish strategic partnerships with relevant industry stakeholders, and begin to put the right structures and policies in place to grow the finished leather goods sector in Nigeria and beyond.

The initiative has contributed largely to the visibility of made-in-Nigeria products because, over the past years, it has showcased quality, affordable, and sustainable leather products from Nigerian leather designers. This has helped in changing the narrative that all made-in-Nigeria products are of low standards; now Nigerians can see that there are designers in the industry who are working tirelessly to ensure that quality products are designed and produced, while also factoring in cultural heritage into the designs.

Not only is LLF showcasing products and talents, some of the achievements of LLF in the past five years are: over 150 exhibiting brands— leather designers of footwear, handbags, apparel, jewellery and furniture; raw material producers (tanners); craftsmen and manufacturers; suppliers of machinery and equipment; leather retailers, etc., have featured in the fair; the fair has brought over 100 local and international speakers and tons of master classes and workshops.

The LLF 2023, which is the sixth edition themed Staying Ahead: Creativity, Collaboration, and Commitment," will hold on 17th and 18th June at The Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event will encapsulate the dynamic spirit of the growing leather industry. It will celebrate the relentless pursuit of innovation, the power of collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability.

The event is well packed and will feature several activities, such as the exhibitions of both local and international designers, conversations and masterclasses, workshops, runway shows, and Pitch-A-LeatherBiz, a unique opportunity for emerging leather designers to pitch their business ideas to prospective investors. Also, to celebrate creativity, excellence, and innovation while recognizing trailblazers and outstanding brands, LLF 2023 will introduce the LLF Awards.

year, the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland this year zeroed in on the the Youth. For four good days, the Diocesan Synod led by the Rt. Rev. Akinpelu Johnson deliberated on the theme: "Confirmation, Our Youth and the Eucharist--- Sustenance for the Journey Ahead."

Ordinarily, managing the parish youth is a full plate for an average priest. Their idiosyncrasies, passions and sensitivities can be quite overwhelming. But the fault has not always been theirs. Church leaders rarely admit this but quite a few sincere ones accept that more discipling needs to be done for the youth, especially as it affects their role in the affairs of the parish. One particularly thorny area is getting the youth to embrace every aspect of the church's traditions and practices. Notable among these practices is the Eucharist, popularly

referred to as Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. Many parish priests complain that organising meetings to teach the youth is not a walk in the park. Many an elaborate and expensive youth programme has often turned out to be a waste of resources as a lot of them did not make themselves available. Yet, there should be no giving up. Persistence in doing what is right often pays in the end. At least so thinks Bishop Johnson. And so as a sequel to last year's synod theme of Baptism and Sunday School, he chose this time to focus on the Youth and the Eucharist which is a cardinal church sacrament. Over the years experience has shown that many young people aged 13 to 40 years--- teenage to middle age-- don't have a firm grasp of the Eucharist and its significance. And consequently they treat it with a certain degree of levity if not irreverence. It is apparently his desire to redress this that influenced Bishop Johnson's choice of theme. The linkage is logical. A child who is baptised grows up to be confirmed into full membership of the church whereupon he renews his baptismal vows, especially the pledge to remain "Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end."

From the opening to the closing sermons, and other deliberations at the Synod, emphasis was on getting our youth to recognise the importance of the Eucharist which is a thanksgiving service in appreciation of what our Saviour, Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary, and which He commanded the church to observe as often as possible. This is a Biblical truth that many young people don't seem to realise even after their confirmation as full-fledged communicants. The Eucharist involves the receiving by faith of consecrated wafer and wine which symbolise the body and and blood of Jesus Christ. Despite the potency of this sacrament when taken with faith, many youths do not seem to esteem it as highly as they ought to. However, much of this indifference appears to stem from ignorance which in turn results from their poor discipling by church leaders.

To combat this blight in his diocese, Bishop Johnson ensured that a reasonable percentage of delegates to this year's synod were youths.

In his presidential address, he paid great attention to the subject of helping the youth to understand the importance of the Eucharist, why and how they should participate in it. As a significant rite of passage in the church the Eucharist is as important as Baptism. And together with another rite of passage namely death and burial, the three form the core passage rites of the church. In the Anglican Communion, a precondition for partaking in the Eucharist is the confirmation rite at which candidates make vows of commitment to Christ before a bishop who then lays his hand on them, declaring them confirmed and eligible for Holy Communion.

Bishop Johnson charged church leaders to put greater premium on the teaching of the youth all that pertains to salvation and Christian living. Confirmation candidates, he said, must be both spiritually and doctrinally well prepared so that they can understand the significance of that sacrament and embrace it enthusiastically. The seeming indifference of the youth to the Eucharist might well be the consequence of inadequate discipling. This could therefore be tackled by ensuring that prospective confirmees are well groomed.

The theme was so effectively mined by the various speakers at the Synod that the youth present, and the clergy too, went home with much that could enhance the diocese's youth ministry.

To the youth the challenge is to frequently make themselves available at the Holy Communion service. The body and blood of Jesus they receive should constantly provide them with spiritual sustenance for the many challenges and trials of life. Jesus is the real bread from heaven. To eat him is to live and be an effective Christian. I have no doubt that as many youths as would embrace the Eucharist with faith will definitely experience a turning point in their walk with God. Bishop Johnson expects them to grab the opportunity with both hands.

-Venerable Okey Ifionu, a former deputy managing director of THISDAY Newspapers, is a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland.

A model with a leather bag

Rt. Rev. Akinpelu Johnson

BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND JUDICIOCRACY JOSEF

OMOROTIONMWAN reckons that the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in our constitution has been thrown out

See page 21

TELECOM REGULATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

The new trends are expected to focus on digital technologies and deployment of infrastructure in rural and unserved areas of the globe, writes SONNY

See page 31

EDITORIAL THE UNENDING DEBATE ON PLASTICS

Adroit diplomacy and stern confrontation are needed to defeat Nigeria’s festering security challenges, contends LOUIS ACHI

REJIGGING THE NATION’S SECURITY SECTOR

Clearly mindful that national security is key to of any meaningful governance trajectory, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, shortly after his inauguration on May 29, summoned the nation’s security chiefs and heads of other critical security agencies to a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Indeed, there was little wiggle room for lengthy rhetoric.

At the June 1 meeting, President Tinubu gave marching orders to the security topmenace of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, sea robbery and piracy among others that have conspired to weigh down the nation.

hour meeting tagged - General Security Appraisal Committee, the National Security Adviser (NSA) - Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) quoted Tinubu as saying that the new administration is determined to turn the tide of insecurity besetting the country.

The President warned that security agencies “working at cross purposes and colliding with each other, is not something that the new administration will condone,” agency dissonance has often played out

Irabor, led the service chiefs and security heads to the meeting. In attendance were

Marshal Isiaka Amao, and the InspectorGeneral of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

Others were the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. These are all appointees of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

What is clear to critical security stakeholders and Nigerians at large, is that a national security rejig to reposition the sector, mirror and embed the new leader’s security philosophy is looming and inevitable.

It is then not surprising that names are being dropped and the usual political intrigues and hot air wafted, mostly in security, political and media circles, on who’s likely to be appointed the nation’s next Minister of Defence by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu - amongst other security portfolios.

The position of the Minister of Defence is particularly important because of the critical statutory content it drives. In this wise, the president is expected to consider the pedigree, courage, accomplishments, sincerity, and disposition of the fellow

to be so appointed. Such a fellow can also enhance harmonious inter-agency collaboration rather than the intermittent rivalry witnessed in the recent past and which the president properly condemned heads.

Out of a rich menu of potential appointees, one personality that combines both diplomatic and top-notch military background is Nigeria’s former Chief of Buratai, (rtd). The Minister of Defence, appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate, is the political head of the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence has the statutory responsibility of overseeing and supervising the nation’s armed forces. Its leader who is a cabinet-level head reports directly to the President. Beneath the Ministry are four subordinate military components: The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air

are coordinated and managed by these components.

The Defence Ministry’s core mission administrative and support services to enable the armed forces build and maintain a modern, compact, strong, professional, mission-capable and mission-ready forces, for national territorial/maritime/airspace defence and contributes to peacemaking and peace-keeping duties worldwide under sub-regional and global organizations of which Nigeria is a member.

In the inevitable new security architecture that President Tinubu envisages to retool and operationally tweak the armed services and other security agencies, soldier-diplomat General Buratai who served creditably as critical boxes to boss the defence ministry with a vision encompassing both national and continental security imperatives.

It could be recalled that in November 2022, at the 17th Africa Security Watch Awards and Conference in Gambia, General Buratai, who delivered a lecture titled “Counter-Insurgency And Counter And Deterrence”, said Africa’s loss has accumulated in billions of dollars while revealing that the cost of managing and combatting terrorism in the African continent has increased in from $1.54 billion in 2007 to $15.5 billion in 2016.

According to General Buratai, “there can be no real development without security and peace, and in the same vein, there must be economic opportunities, equity and justice for security and peace to exist which in turn serves as the foundation or pillars of development.”

It is hardly debatable that it’s only through this pathway that Nigeria’s current leadership can give meaning to the four essential human freedoms espoused Roosevelt - whose country supplied Nigeria with the democratic model she is operating currently. President Tinubu can also key into this timeless thinking.

Today, the stakes are extremely high, and Nigerians are mindful that failure to achieve viable national security could imperil the country’s future as a coherent state.

Right pegs should be enlisted to supervise round governance roles. General Buratai certainly has a critical contribution to make in the looming new security architecture.

ARAGBA-AKPORE

The Defence Ministry’s core mission is to provide timely and effective administrative and support services to enable the armed forces build and maintain a modern, compact, strong, professional, mission-capable and mission-ready forces, for national territorial/maritime/ airspace defence and contributes to peacemaking and peacekeeping duties worldwide

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN reckons that the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in our constitution has been thrown out

BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND JUDICIOCRACY

In our last piece, we embarked on the process of showing that in Nigeria, the Doctrine of Separation of Powers as enshrined in the nation’s Constitution has been hopelessly skewed in favour of the judicial branch of government, to the utter consternation of many Nigerians.

We have shown that at the collapse of the political party structure that we once knew, which came with party supremacy, the judiciary quickly moved in to usurp the citizen’s role of occasionally coming together to decide who Of course, that was supposed to be the original essence of representative government.

on. Theirs is merely the case of the river only having to wash the clothes brought to it!

Evidently, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Having tasted the political pudding, some Judges might readily admit that it is more lucrative to handle those political cases than where petty thieves of goats and chickens constantly blow hot air on you.

Judges may scramble for assignment to Election Petitions Tribunals. Of course, some jobs are more risky than others. Again, the higher the mountains, the more the joy in climbing to the top.

In all this, our country is the worse for it. For one thing, the Courts are overwhelmed with the case that’s coming from the political angle. At the same time, the same Courts of Superior Record have indirectly abandoned the other criminal and civil cases for which they were originally set up. To whichever direction we turn, we are losers!

The new trends are expected to focus on digital technologies and deployment of infrastructure in rural and unserved areas of the globe, writes

TELECOM REGULATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

How telecommunications regulations could readily catch up with technology trends was the fulcrum of the just concluded Global Symposium for Regulators(GSR). Hosted by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the symposium was seen as a clarion call to all regulators in the world to brace up if they must catch up with technology developments.

“Tech is moving fast and won’t wait for us to catch up,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The engagement and agreement on regulatory guidelines seen in the Global Symposium for Regulators platform show the way forward, ensuring technology

lies in their ability to uplift and empower underserved communities, creating a more inclusive and equitable future,” said Hossam El-Gamal, Chair of GSR-23 and Executive President of Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). “This new set of guidelines will facilitate the transition from disconnected to connected to productive users to ensure meaningful contributions to socio-economic development.”

At the three-day event, participants discussed the challenges facing regulators today while also planning for the future.

At the death of the original party structure with the concomitant party leadership, political parties became pseudo-departments of the executive branch of government. That was how it was planned to be. The process was simple.

Too much freedom destroys freedom. Up to the end of the Second Republic, the political parties were not only strong, but they also had owners and leaders.

When the military was beating a retreat to the Barracks in 1999, it quickly pinned together extracts from the reports of various Constitutional Conferences impaneled by the military administrators since the end of the Second Republic.

Each of these reports was for the selfsuccession bids of the Heads of States that impaneled the Constitutional Conferences.

They killed the political parties and buried their remains in one obscure department of the Executive Branch.

With the hope of coming back, and perhaps in perpetuity, the past military leaders had left virtually all powers, particularly political powers, concentrated at the Presidency and the

At the return to democratic experiment, socalled, in 1999, the original parties and their leaders were already dead! In the absence of the politicians were able to quickly assemble were ramshackle assemblages that have not, soon.

That was how the judges became involved. Since then, every issue, no matter how minute - from the election of ward executives to the to the President of the country, etc - has been irrationally ending up in court.

The worst aspects here are the issues of elections, so-called where under the rain and in the sun, some 80 million people would come together to decide who will represent them in Government, and at a later date, seven odd fellows would in the comfort of their airconditioned chambers in a single stroke, simply veto the collective decision of the 80 million not Democracy. At best, it is Judiciocracy. It has no place in our Constitution. Yet, it goes on every time.

We are not swift to heap the total blame here on the Judiciary. We know of no time when the Judiciary has been going around seeking for election and political cases to adjudicate

Admittedly, things will get worse before they get better. We must also admit that we have had enough of this rumble in the jungle where every day, things are getting worse. An end is not in sight. The Doctrine of Separation of Powers enshrined in our Constitution has been thrown to the dogs!

Representative government presupposes that the people would have periodic elections to decide who governs them. This role has been totally usurped by the Judiciary.

Having become overburdened by an assignment that was not originally given to it, our Judiciary has abandoned the criminal and civil adjudications for which it was originally set up. Consequently, our Courts and prisons are clogged up with cases of awaiting trialwith all the concomitant evils.

Good riddance to an unrepresentative Assembly. The Ninth National Assembly has been anything but representative. This shall be remembered as one Assembly that caught a cold each time the President sneezed. It tied itself to the apron strings of the president to the extent that each time the President assented to a Bill that it worked so hard to pass, members could be seen celebrating and backslapping themselves for the favour the President had done to them.

In a good system, the opposite should be the case - the President should be happy each time the Assembly gives him the measure required to carry out the task before him. This was also one Assembly in which, each time a Bill was presented to the President for assent, he constituted the Attorney General and Minister of Justice with some other ministers into another committee to repass the Bill, and the legislators saw nothing wrong with that.

The Electoral Act, 2022, was one measure that the Ninth National Assembly worked so hard to bring about. That Act has now been hopelessly skewed at implementation. Up till now, no member has raised a voice against the atrocity except the scattered voices of two senators in the penultimate week. What a height of docility!

The over-concentration of powers in the hands of the Executive Branch, and by extension, the Judiciary is an open invitation to tyranny. We must quickly return political parties to their pre-Third Republic status. This will also be a return to civilization. Parties cannot continue to be appendages of the Executive Branch. They should be independent - raise their own funds and have leaders who will instill discipline in members and bring about party supremacy.

Hon. Omorotionmwan writes from Canada

“The ICT sector has come to the forefront of the sectors that drive the sustainable development movement,” according to Dr Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Egypt. “The importance of the Global Symposium for Regulators, which Egypt hosted this year, came as a platform for the exchange of expertise

“Dialogue among policymakers, regulators and industry is critical,” said Cosmas Zavazava, ITU’s Director of Telecommunication Development Bureau. “We each have a role to play in ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity, which, as we already know, has the potential to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Best Practice Guidelines build on our collective knowledge and shared commitment to provide the tools we need to drive universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.”

As prelude to GSR-23, Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Chief industry and private sector members to discuss and share perspectives on how they

and experiences between decision-makers, telecommunications regulators, academic specialists, and industry pioneers in developing and developed countries alike.”

In order to advance universal and meaningful connectivity, the practice guidelines focus on regulatory approaches for rural, unserved and underserved areas as well as emerging technologies. Since 2003, the GSR Best Practice Guidelines have captured established regulatory principles for a competitive, safe and inclusive enabling environment.

“The 2023 Guidelines address and identify incentives that can be used to expand connectivity, and support access, adoption, and use. They also identify novel, innovative, ground-breaking, evidence-based cross-sector digital policy and regulatory principles to support a sustainable digital future for all people everywhere,” ITU documents explained.

“Based on contributions from national and regional policy-makers and regulators, regional and international organizations, civil society and the private sector, the guidelines identify collaborative approaches to encourage the development of investor-friendly markets that promote competition while stimulating innovation,” the documents further revealed.

The Best Practice Guidelines adopted at the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-23) and economic incentives to stimulate the deployment of digital infrastructure for all people everywhere.

The new guidelines are expected to focus on introducing emerging digital technologies and deploying digital infrastructure everywhere, particularly in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the globe.

“The true potential of emerging technologies

in an Outcome communique presented at the GSR-23 closing ceremony by Bocar Ba, IAGDI-CRO Chairman and CEO of Samena Telecommunications Council. The meeting to supporting governments, particularly regulators, during today’s volatile and everchanging environment, to achieve common goals both in the near and long term.

Digital Regulation Network initiative was launched on June 5 at the Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting, a unique platform for regulatory associations to share experiences and knowledge and to discuss collaboration.

The initiative is expected to help accelerate sustainable digital transformation by strengthening cooperation at the global and regional level to identify common approaches to collaborative digital policy, regulation and governance across economic sectors and across borders. The work will focus on three main building blocks: thought leadership, capacity development, and regulatory experimentation and innovation.

New Collaboration Digital Regulation for Country Reviews for Brazil, Colombia, Egypt and Kenya were published during GSR-23.

These reports, part of a series launched at the Global Symposium for Regulators in 2021, provide an authoritative analysis of the national regulatory landscape and outline a clear and practical direction for achieving G5 regulation and digital transformation.

The GSR was attended by regulators from all 193 member states of ITU, global tech giants and industry players from around the globe.

Regulatory leaders from around the world agreed that these new set of guidelines are expected to secure an inclusive and sustainable digital future for all.

SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

THE UNENDING DEBATE ON PLASTICS

There is need for better management of plastic waste

The national policy on plastic waste management in Nigeria aims at phasing out single-use plastic bags by 2028, while ensuring that all plastic packaging in the market is recyclable or biodegradable by 2030. But there is nothing to suggest man’s approach” to a problem that requires serious like Singapore, plastic wastes are used to generate government rather than ban should engage polymer generate wealth. There is huge revenue potential in polymer wastes.”

We urge all relevant authorities to work with has shown that disposed plastics materials merely break down into smaller pieces and can remain in bottles, bags, and straws, among others are used just all humans. Exposure to them is linked to cancers, birth

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

and unmanaged plastic is contaminating our precious oceans and waterways.

Some governments have placed ban on plastic products or on single-use plastics. Some have also banned disposable plastic shopping bags to protect

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

we endorse the attempt to enact a law that would ban plastic materials in a country that has gained notoriety on this issue, considering the huge population that is among the 20 countries generating more than 80 per ocean.

is done. Environmentalists believe there are many ways to curb plastic waste, and these are by producing less, to prevent contamination or leakage. They agree that solutions may vary, but that policy solutions, increased awareness, and improved design and disposal processes, among others, are critical to changing behaviour and better waste.

The good thing is that can be made into other products. Some companies are known to recycle polyethylene into outdoor decking

more bottles.

now recycle plastics. Some local communities are and household goods such as baskets and mats. At a

such as clothing, shoes, or road construction, society is

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

LETTERS

NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY: A CYCLE OF HOLLOW RITUALS*

one government to another, carrying along the same baggagecoexistence as a people, on the other.ernance through progressive and periodic electioneering pro-

who helped in endorsing their slavery through their compromises in subverting the system that was supposed to deliver

SANWO-OLU ON THE AJA-BADORE ROAD

communities which was constructed by the Bola Tinubu government in 18, but work did not start till many weeks later. The road has supposedly been repaired, but it is almost in the same

and hopelessness amidst a consensus elite who seems to havenary pockets through their actions and inactions.

and make democracy counter-productive in our clime.

and not this ritualistic and violent electioneering process that put us on overdrive while threatening our very existence as a Austen Akhagbeme, Abuja

gers and tricyclists who use this critical road curse both the person and The governor needs to send one or two trusted aides to visit the road that a road built by Asiwaju Tinubu and maintained well by his succesthe shame.

Femi Olubode, Lagos

Environmentalists believe there are many ways to curb plastic waste, and these are by producing less, consuming less, and better managing of existing waste to prevent contamination or leakage

Betting on Agriculture, Oil & Gas Potential, Banks’ Exposure to Sectors Hit N7.38trn

Kayode Tokede

With the oil and gas industry still the mainstay of the Nigerian economy despite global push for lower carbone emmision and the huge potential in agriculture, Nigerian banks’ exposure to both sectors an increased by 20.7 per cent from N6.11trillion in 2021 to N7.38trillion in 2022.

Findings by THISDAY revealed that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in 2022 hiked exposure in key sectors post-covid-19 amid a directive by

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sustain lending to the real sector, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

The banks investigated by THISDAY include; Access Holdings Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Limited (GTCO), Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA), FBN Holdings Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Union bank of Nigeria Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc.

The 11 Deposit Money Banks’ gross credit exposure reached N36.53 trillion in 2022, an increase of 24.5 per cent from N29.35 trillion in 2021.

However, despite DMBs’ massive lending to both sectors, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped to 3.52 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) in 2022 from 3.98 per cent in 2021.

The Oil & gas sector, according to the National Bureau of Statistic (NBS) dropped to 4.34 per cent

in real GDP in 2022 compared with 5.19 per cent in 2021, while the agriculture sector, dropped to 2.05 per cent in 2022 and its performance was significantly hampered by severe incidences of flood experienced across the country, accounting for lesser growth relative to the fourth quarter of 2021 which was 3.58 per cent.

During the year under review, the 11 DMBs granted N1.13 trillion gross loans to customers, an increase of 33.3 per cent from

N849.52 billion in 2021 and in the Oil & Gas sector, about N6.25 trillion gross loans was granted to customers in 2022, an increase of 19 per cent from N5.26 trillion in 2021.

The breakdown of the top four DMBs lending to the agriculture sector in 2022 revealed that Zenith Bank exposure increased to N265.2 billion from N227.24 billion in 2021, while FBN Holdings lending to customers increased to N153.47billion in 2022, an increase

of 136.2 per cent from N64.97billion reported in 2021.

Also, GTCO’s credit exposure to the agriculture sector hit N144.66 billion in 2022, 24.1 per cent increase from N116.58 billion in 2021, while Fidelity Bank lending to agriculture sector closed 2022 at N109.01billion from N71.76 billion in 2021, a growth of 52 per cent.

Ebere

Nwoji

Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) have highlighted the challenges they have faced in their efforts to smoothly push the federal government’s Micro Pension plan initiative to the targeted market.

However, they said in the mist of the challenges, increased public awareness and review of the guidelines among others is the way to go.

Speaking at the recent Micro

Pension

Open Day organised by the umbrella body of pension fund administrators, the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) in Lagos, they said the challenges were of two folds from the informal sector workers and PFAs.

From the informal sector workers they highlighted the challenges as lack of awareness, mistrust about the pension system, absence of appropriate incentives such as collateral for Micro finance and lack of financial literacy.

From the PFAs, they pointed

out the challenges as short term perspectives base of the Micro pension plan and perceived associated costs, inadequate awareness campaigns, slow adoption of shared services arrangements by pension fund operators, poor service delivery, weak economic indices occasioned by inflation as well as increased poverty levels.

The Head, Micro Pensions Department National Pension Commission, Dauda Ahmed, who highlighted the challenges, said they have impacted negatively on

the implementation efforts of both the pension fund administrators and PenCom.

He listed efforts made so far to push the Micro pension scheme to the targeted market as collaborations and stakeholders’ engagements through engineering leaderships of associations, unions cooperatives, civil society organisation and the media.

He also said the commission made further effort in renewing awareness campaign drive by in print, electronic and social media platforms among other efforts.

He said with these efforts, a total of 97,591 contributors have so far registered into the Micro pension scheme as at May 31, 2023 while a total of N435,607,515,14 has been contributed.

He said out of this, contingent withdrawals stood at N30,243,070.69 by 150 Micro pension contributors while a total of 587 contributors have converted from Micro pension to formal Contributory Pension Scheme.

On the way forward to achieve the set objectives of the Micro pension scheme Ahmed said there was need for increased enlightenment

MARKET DATA AS AT TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023

and public awareness campaign by the regulator and PFAs, review of the MPP Guidelines, further drive of the development of incentives, development of industry shared services platform, enhanced service delivery among others.

Presenting a paper titled, “Current Financial Inclusion Landscape,” Research Associate at EFlnA, Chioma Nwaiwu said Nigeria had plan to have 95 per cent of its population financially included in 2024.

AIICO Announces N7.55bn Profit, Pays 3kobo Dividend

Ebere Nwoji

AIICO Insurance’s plc has announced Profit After Tax of N7.55 billion in its business outing for the year ended December 31,2022 against N4.92 billion profit made by the company in the same period in 2021.

The company announced this at its 53rd Annual General Meeting held in Lagos .

Sanlam Partners Fintech Firm for Affordable Insurance Products

Ebere Nwoji

Insurance giant Sanlam is partnering microinsurance fintech firm aYo Holdings to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria, using technology to make financial services more readily available across the country.

Both firms said through the partnership they would offer to Nigerians affordable life and hospitalisation insurance coverage.

Sanlam is Africa’s underwriter, while aYo Holdings is the continent’s emerging microinsurance fintech.

While aYo acts as a technology service provider to distribute Sanlam

products to Nigeria, it will equally coordinate technical integration for the underwriter of microinsurance products and provide platform services to enable mobile money and third-party payment offerings.

This, they said would enable Sanlam to offer easy-to-understand, convenient and affordable products that challenge traditional insurance offerings in the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, aYo Nigeria, Kayode Odetola, said the firm is determined to drive greater financial inclusion by using technology to make financial

services more readily available across the country.

Odetola said the low insurance penetration rate in Nigeria, less than one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, is one of the lowest in Africa.

He said that most people think insurance is a luxury product, but that through the partnership, the two firms wanted to show that people with all levels of income could get peace of mind at an affordable cost, to help take care of their financial health in the face of unexpected events.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam Life

Insurance Nigeria Limited, Tunde Mimiko, said, the partnership reflected Sanlam’s commitment to deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria by providing accessible life insurance products to more people.

“At Sanlam Nigeria, we aim to form partnerships with organisations who understand the local market and share our values and culture. We’re constantly seeking innovative ways to bring all Nigerians affordable and fit-forpurpose insurance. With a trusted partner like aYo on board, the possibilities are as endless as they are exciting,” Mimiko pointed out.

AIICO’s shareholders at the meeting applauded the growth trajectory achieved by the firm during the period commending the board and management of the firm for the positive financial performance and sustained dividend payout during the year.

Chairman of AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Kundan Sainani, at the meeting, informed the shareholders that the firm’s Gross Premium Written (GPW) stood at N88.28 billion in 2022, compared to N71.63 billion recorded in 2021, while the Gross Premium Income (GPI) was N74.03 billion, as against N61.10 billion achieved in the previous year.

Sainani maintained that the company’s net claims payment was N44.99 billion in the year under review, contrary to N39.91 billion expended in the previous year. According to him, the firm’s total assets in the year were N270.33 billion; total equity,

N45.01 billion, and shareholders’ fund, N44.59 billion.

On dividends to shareholders, he noted that the company’s approach to capital allocation has not changed, adding that the firm still has to manage the tension between reinvesting in its businesses and returning cash to shareholders while keeping regulatory and economic capital constraints in view.

“To manage these tensions, and in recognition of the importance of returning cash to Shareholders, the company has a dividend policy that stipulates a percentage of profits to be returned to shareholders, whenever possible,” he said.

Speaking at the meeting, the National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, (ISAN), Moses Igbrude, said the company’s financial performance amid enormous challenges in the country was commendable.

Whilst applauding the firm for a 3kobo dividend payout, he implored the firm to do more in insurance education, stressing that getting more policyholders, would beget more profits and return on investment to shareholders.

Another Shareholder, Managing Director Lancelot Ventures Limited, Adebayo Adeleke, commended the firm for recording such a good financial performance.

L-R: Country Manager, aYo Nigeria, Kayode Odetola; Group Chief Financial Officer, aYo Holdco, Yvonne Bredenhann; Group Chief Executive Officer, aYo Holdco, Marius Botha; Head, Corporate Distribution, Sanlam General Insurance, Shola Osho, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sanlam Life Insurance, Tunde Mimiko, during the press launch of microinsurance product “Recharge with Care” by Sanlam and powered by aYo in Lagos… recently PHOTO: KOLAAWOLE ALLI

DBN Donates Receptacles to FCT, Others as Staff Train Students on Recycling

Nume Ekeghe

In line with its dedication to environmental sustainability and achieving a net-zero ecosystem, the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has generously provided receptacles to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and three state governments: Lagos, Kano, and Rivers.

The receptacles were presented by the management of DBN to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) as well as Kano

and Rivers State Ministry of Environment respectively. This is to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day, celebrated globally last week.

The Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Osilama Braimah, took delivery of the donated receptacles at the board’s headquarters located at the Central Business District, behind Defence College, Abuja. While in Lagos, Managing Director / CEO, of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, received receptacles at the agency’s Ijora

Olopa headquarters.

The Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Environment, Aliyu Yakubu Garo, received the receptacles at the ministry headquarters, State Secretariat, Kano, while the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Pastor Emmanuel Feneimeka, took delivery of the receptacles at the ministry”s State secretariat, Port Harcourt.

In the same vein, the staff of DBN also took out time on the day by visiting some select schools across the country to interact with and provide training

to students on recycling and other responsible behaviours toward the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of DBN, Dr Tony Okpanachi, said the donation of the receptacles was in furtherance of the Bank’s commitment towards sustainability issues.

“Every year, DBN actively celebrates World Environment Day. This day has become a permanent event in our corporate calendar. It is our deliberate way of demonstrating our

Greenwich Earns ISO Certification for Information Security

Nume Ekeghe

Greenwich Registrars & Data Solutions Limited, a Nigerian pioneer company in securities register management, has recently obtained its ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification.

According to statement by the

firm, the certification confirms the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of Information Security. It states: “ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is an internationally recognized standard for establishing and improving an Information Security Management System.

By achieving this certification, Greenwich Registrars & Data Solutions Ltd demonstrates its ability to identify and manage risks related to information security.” Managing Director at Greenwich Registrars & Data Solutions, Oby Ijegbulem, added

that the company was proud to be ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified.

“The certification underscores our commitment to safeguard our clients’ data and maintaining the highest level of information security. It also strengthens our position as a trusted partner, ” she stated.

PENCOM, PFAS LIST CHALLENGES TO MICRO PENSION IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA

She noted that there had been improvement in number of people using formal financial services adding that it had increased from 48.4 million to 50.5 percent of adults or 53.6 million adults.

She also noted that nearly one in two Nigerian adults do not use

any formal or regulated financial services while more than one in three Nigerian adults remained completely financially excluded.

She said 65 percent of Nigerian adults are financially included.

“While overall financial inclusion continues to grow

incrementally, progress has been too slow to meet national financial inclusion strategy targets” she noted.

She also observed that there was need for increased uptake and usage of pensions to achieve the Sustainable Development

Goals’ targets, which were poverty reduction, good health and well-being, decent work and economic growth and reduced inequalities.

According to her, pension reduces the risk of poverty among retirees, out of job persons as well

commitment to greening the earth and trying to improve current negative effects of environmental degradation,” he stated.

Insurance Coverage: Universal Insurance Partners AGN

Ebere Nwoji

Universal Insurance Plc in partnership with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) recently hosted the 2023 AGN Health and Wellness Week tagged “Walk For Life.”

The event is aimed at sensitising AGN members on the need for insurance and good health within the country.

The wellness week took place in major cities in the country such as Lagos, Abuja, Asaba and Enugu recently, and was centered on the importance of embracing insurance coverage provided by Universal Insurance to Nollywood artistes as a better and effective alternative to seeking financial assistance on social media in order to address urgent medical assistance.

as informally employed persons and provides financial resources for healthcare during retirement

She also said pension incentivise savings and support economic stability, observing that Pension reduces inequality by extending social protection

Speaking at the event, AGN President, Ejezie Emeka Rollas stated that the importance of health maintenance cannot be overemphasised, adding that there is nothing more important than health for any human being.

“This fact made us introduce a special retail Health Management Scheme, HMO with MEDICARD Ltd, in the year 2020. We have so far enrolled some indigent members in the scheme,” he stated.

Universal Insurance was represented at the event by the Executive Director, Technical Operations, Mr. Paulinus Offorzor. He said Universal Insurance had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to provide group personal accident policy for members of the Guild.

benefits to marginalised and underserved population.

She noted that there was a critical mass to scale up Micro pension in the informal sector of Nigerian economy pointing out that 49.8 million Nigerians were in the informal sector.

How Absence of LG Autonomy Hinders Implementation of Educational Child Rights

It’s no longer news that Nigeria is one of the countries with the best laws regarding the rights of children to acquire basic education and their protection in and outside school premises. However, implementing the laws is lacking, thereby making a mockery of the Child Rights Law, which in the SDGs, concerning education sits as number four.

Out of the 36 states, Kano is the latest in accenting the bill of the Child Rights Act, leaving only Bauchi in the cold, despite 30 years of being in existence as a proposal. With such gesture from the legislature and principally from the executive, it is expected that all state governments will beam their searchlights and place more priority on basic education through more budgetary allocation and the provision of counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for untoward release of funds which will cater for infrastructure, teacher training, writing materials, books, etc.

Sadly, this isn’t the case due to limitations placed on local government chairpersons by state governors who have vehemently fought and stood against local government autonomy, which should be responsible for the effective and smooth running of public schools, making the state governors culpable in the increasing figures of out-of-school children which latest figures have pegged at swinging numbers of 18.3 and 20.1 million.

The concurrent list that education falls into has not helped matters, as it has further strengthened the principal state actors. This is not forgetting the unserious role of some state governors in accessing the multi-billion funds domiciled in the nation’s apex bank by UBEC. The latest

from the commission reveals that in the capital budget implementation report, N162,284,117,592 was allocated to the states as UBE grants between 2019 and 2022. For 2021 matching grants, only 11 states, including Kano, have accessed the funds, leaving out 25 states, including the FCT, as of April 30, 2023. In other words, 2022 funds are yet to be accessed, and 2023 is already folding away.

Insurgency and climate change have been documented as factors that led

to the rise in out-of-school children. But even so, at this juncture, one is bound to ask why the number of out-of-school children (almajirai) has continued to soar even in states that have been relatively peaceful and have accessed the funds up to 2021.

In conversations with almajirai and some stakeholders at Kasuwan ’Yan Kura in Kano, which was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on ’child rights implementation and country programme results’, indigenes of the state no doubt understand the gravity of

the plight of out-of-school children/almajiri and way forward which they advise has to be full autonomy for local government chairmen.

The almajirai that were interviewed, who came from Jigawa, Katsina and Gombe, have all been enrolled into Koranic schools and have to beg for alms or go into child labour and hawking to provide basic needs for themselves. Although many are aware of the free offer to public schools, they do not attend due to poverty, lack of school uniforms and occasional exploitation from the teachers, but will be willing to enrol if the government’s ’free’ offer can be 100 per cent free.

Alhaji Sa’adu Koguna, a businessman of over for decades in Kano, believes that local government autonomy can end the menace of out-of-school children. Acknowledging that he also has out-of-school children in his household due to poverty and sometimes hunger despite being knowledgeable about formal education, he says, “In Kano alone, there are many of these children who are not just roaming the streets but also sleeping in the streets.”

Mallam Ahmed Sani said with local government autonomy, there will be strict vigilance on how funds are spent.

Another respondent, Sagir Mohammed, in support of local government autonomy, said dilapidated schools could be renovated and uniforms given for free.

With calls to revisit the dicey issue of local government autonomy, optimists say the dream of the Nigerian child getting sound education will depend on the new government of President Bola Tinubu to do the needful in ensuring that the right to education is achieved and stands as non-negotiable.

Ojo: PPP Will Help Reintegrate Out-of-school Children

Mr. Adeyemi Ojo is the Head of Commercial, BIC Nigeria. In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, he explained how public-private partnerships through outreach initiatives and corporate social responsibility can help reintegrate out-of-school children. Excerpts:

Your organisation has been actively involved in promoting educational development in Africa. What key initiatives and projects have you undertaken to support education in the region?

As a leader in the stationery space, education is at the forefront of our community-focused efforts. It is part of our DNA at BIC. In 2018, we launched a sustainable development initiative, ‘Writing the Future Together’, that guides the company to act responsibly with the planet, society, and future generations in mind. One of the five commitments made through the initiative is to improve learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025. In Nigeria, our commitment to support this goal is through three programmes that we have been running in the country for several years now: They include product donations and school refurbishment: Every year, we commemorate Global Education Week during the third week of November. BIC teams in Nigeria and worldwide usually visit educational institutions to refurbish their facilities and donate the necessary writing tools to enhance their educational experience.

Last year, we partnered with Afropop star, songwriter, actress, and education advocate Yemi Alade. The partnership kicked off during the back-to-school season in West Africa with the debut of the third instalment in BIC’s original video series, ‘Get A Pen You Can Rely On’, highlighting the importance of high-quality and reliable writing products inside and outside the classroom.

BIC has a strong focus on empowering communities through education. Can you cite instances of how your company collaborates with local organisations, governments, or educational institutions to achieve this goal?

Stemming from our commitment to education

and our goal of improving learning conditions for 250 million students by the year 2025, the year 2022 was characterised by three major educationfocused activities for us. In partnership with Raising Star Africa Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit organisation focused on providing educational accessibility for differently abled children in African communities, BIC renovated classrooms at the Local Government Nursery and Primary School and Inclusive Unit in Igando, Lagos.

The main goal was to enhance the quality of the overall environment as well as provide sufficient and relevant learning tools for students. This took place following the floods that hit Lagos last year and negatively impacted some of the schools, one of which was in

Igando. BIC also partnered with Let it Shine Academy (LISA), an organisation that provides free and quality secondary education and access to the arts, to provide students with the necessary tools for writing ad drawing, learning and self-expression. in the wider region, BIC has and continues to support schools to enhance learning environments for students. Last year, in Ivory Coast, the organisation transformed classrooms in select schools from blackboards to whiteboards through the BIC Velleda School partnership. The upgrade to whiteboards is a focus for us in the region, following the project’s positive impact on Ivory Coast.

Access to quality education remains a significant issue in many parts of Africa. How does BIC ensure that its educational initiatives reach underserved and marginalised communities?

While our commitment to education is a global one, it is deeply rooted in the local communities. We have a strong regional and local presence in Africa, including West and Central Africa. Our understanding of the culture, the environment, the challenges and opportunities in the education space, as well as our connections, allows us to build robust programs that aim to target and have a real impact on local communities strategically. Our partnerships to date and the educational organisations and individuals we work with are a testament to that. We have more to come this year and beyond.

What do you think are the major challenges hindering educational development in Nigeria, and how can organisations better impact low-cost and public schools to ensure that out-of-school children are taken off the streets?

The Nigerian educational system has improved

significantly in the last few years, with the government and all associated stakeholders making significant strides to develop the system. For instance, the incorporation of the private sector into our educational system has allowed for some remarkable improvements in the quality of education delivered in our schools. However, just like any nation with a great population and a resilient economy such as ours, there is always room for improvement, especially in the areas of funding and infrastructural development. This is why enhancing educational development in Nigeria remains a crucial priority for our organisation and the nation. To achieve this, at BIC, we recognise the importance of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors.

As such, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s education system and empower future generations by fostering relevant partnerships and implementing innovative solutions through our CSR initiatives. Another effective approach to address these is through collaboration with private organisations to implement initiatives such as mentorship programmes and connecting students with professionals in their fields of interest. Others are after-school programmes focusing on subjects like STEM or the arts that also foster academic development and a love for learning; engaging with the community through outreach initiatives helps identify and support out-of-school children, offering scholarships and vocational training for future employment. Private organisations can contribute to education through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, collaborating with the public sector to reintegrate out-of-school children and provide opportunities for their growth.

Kuni Tyessi writes that with the structure of governance in place and with the local government being denied autonomy, mopping off out-of-school children/Almajiri from the streets despite existing laws will continue to remain a distant cry from reality

Almajiri children at Kasuwan ‘Yan Kura, Kano State

Ojo

Winners Emerge in 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist World Contest

Funmi

Ogundare

ReadManna Empowerment

Initiative (REI), the organiser of the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship for Students (MOSWC), has unveiled the winners of the 2023 MOS Nigeria competition to represent Nigeria at the 2023 World Championship in Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida, USA, between July 30 and August 2, 2023.

The championship, sponsored annually in Nigeria by Zenith Bank PLC, Agusto Consulting Limited and Airtel Plc, challenges students to demonstrate their proficiency using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

The students are Fenna Nwokeji Aduvie from International School, Abuja, FCT, who sat for Excel 2019 and had a score of 1,000/1,000 in eight minutes, three seconds, Victor Omoyajowo from Faith Academy, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, sat for Word 2019 and had a score 976/1,000 in 21minutes 22 Seconds, Adesuwa Igbinedion, of Faith Academy, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State sat PowerPoint 2019, got a score of 1,000/1,000 in 33 minutes, 50 seconds.

Daniel Uzugbo of Faith Academy, Canaanland, Ota in Ogun, sat Excel 2016 and scored 980/1,000 within 22 minutes, 28 seconds. Aderinsola Adeegbe of Faith Academy, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, sat Word 2016 with a score of 1,000/1,000 in 12 minutes 55 seconds, and Bolurinwa Fabuyi

Excitement as Azura Power Distributes Education Materials to Edo School

Iduonmwina.”

of City of Knowledge Academy, IjebuOde, Ogun, sat PowerPoint 2016 with a score of 925/1,000 in 19 minutes 41 seconds.

The students will be accompanied by their ICT teachers; Mr. Olusola Ajayi of Aduvie International School, Abuja, FCT, whose student had the highest score in the 2023 MOS Nigeria competition; as well as Mrs. Victoria Adebayo of Faith Academy, Ota, Ogun: the school with the largest number of certified students in the junior ICT competition 2023 ReadManna under 13 Computing Fundamentals national competition (Ages 8 -13).

The founder of Readmanna Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Edna Agusto, stated that the 2023 MOS Nigeria competition conducted by her organisation in Nigeria was held between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

The organisers received entries from secondary schools in Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, and the FCT, including the University of Lagos and Caleb University, Lagos.

She noted that 217 students were eventually shortlisted at the national competition held in Uyo, Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Abuja and Lagos.

Agusto said the Microsoft Office Specialist programmes are the most commonly used productivity tools by businesses worldwide, and the official MOS certification programme assesses and demonstrates proficiency in these programmes.

NLNG to Promote Science Literacy Via Quiz Competition

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Limited said it is improving science literacy in the country through its annual science quiz competition.

General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Mr. Andy Odey, who stated this at the grand finale of the 2023 NLNG Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Rivers, said science has become so perverse that there was hardly anyone that does not interact with it daily.

He said NLNG aims to demystify science and make it easy for everybody through the competition and its partnership with the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders.

“Science is so perverse such that there is hardly anyone in the four corners of Rivers State who has not relied on science to achieve one elementary task or the other as everyone interacts with it daily,” he stated.

Odey added, “Most importantly, how it applies to our daily lives. In a nutshell, every day, we seek to demystify science to make it relevant and to make it as simple. To achieve these, the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, entered into a partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Education in 2021, the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, STAN, to refocus and strengthen the old

Azura Power West Africa recently donated free educational materials to Oba Erediauwa Primary School, Iduonmwina, in Uhunmwode LGA in Edo. Adibe Emenyonu captures the mood of pupils and teachers of the school

The importance of education cannot be over-emphasised because it helps to develop the critical human elements of any society. It also plays a critical role in decision-making, mental agility, problem-solving and others.

A good education teaches skills, broadens students’ horizons, helps them gain a better perspective, and teaches them to think for themselves. People today are quite aware and comfortable speaking about social injustices and other pressing issues.

This can be attributed to the increased access to education in Nigeria and other places, which has made society more accepting and open-minded. Therefore, education is an element of human evolution. The importance of education is also pronounced in areas of

creativity and innovation. It encourages thinking outside the box and experimenting with new ideas.

This may have motivated donating free education materials to Oba Erediauwa Primary School pupils, Iduonmwina, in the Uhunmwode local government area of Edo recently.

“This is because we, in Azura Power, recognise that education is key, and that is why we are very proud and happy to be part of these efforts by the state government to improve learning in school. We know that education is the bedrock of every development,” David Ekugum, Social Impact Manager, Azura Power West Africa, explained. “If you check all the advanced economies of the world, you will see that they place a high premium on education. So this is our own way of improving the lives of people in our host communities. We invest in the education of children in the communities we operate. That is why we are here at Oba Erediauwa Primary School

Ekugum disclosed that as a responsible corporate body, the company has a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme called ‘Power to Change’, where it implements life-changing programmes across the country but more specifically to host communities.

“We are essentially in one of our primary areas, which is sustainable education, by presenting school materials to this primary school to enhance learning. We are handing over to them a set of school materials such as shoes, bags, notebooks, pencils, uniforms and biros to each pupil of the school,” Ekugum. “This is just one of the things we have done, especially in this facility. In the past, we have constructed a perimeter fence in the school and a block of six classrooms. And today, we have also donated a library with books.”

He added, “This is part of what we do to support the Edo state government in its efforts through the EdoBest

programme to improve education in the state.”

Besides, speaking at the event, the Head of Plant Operations, Azura Power, maintained that the bid to have a cordial relationship with host communities also remained the motivating factor for the gesture.

According to him, Iduonmwina is one of our host communities. We have three of them. However, we have done a lot for them. As you can see, this other block of classrooms was actually built by Azura in 2019 and just last year. We did the fencing to secure the school’s human and material elements.

“We have also provided a water borehole for the community and the school, a fully furnished library with a generating set to power the borehole whenever there is a power failure in the regular power supply,” Iduonmwina stated. “Azura has a corporate policy, one of which is giving back to the host community, and that is what you are seeing here today.”

science quiz competition which the company sponsored until 2014, relaunch the science quiz competition with the pilot edition conducted only for Bonny based secondary schools in 2021.”

Odey also mentioned that the competition gave students the opportunity to showcase their skills and urged the participants on climate change and the need to protect the environment.

“Please let us remember that the future of our planet depends on our actions today. Let us work together to create an equitable and prosperous world for us to live in, and of course, through science, it is achievable,” he stated.

The Director of Science and Technical Education of Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr Ataisi Ngerebara, while commending NLNG, said the competition benefited the state.

She said the competition gave opportunities to many students to showcase themselves.

President of STAN in Rivers, Dr. Peter Nwankwo, commended the state’s education ministry for playing a leadership role in science education.

He also commended teachers for their zeal to improve the students’ results in the state. He suggested that champions from the competition should represent the state in national and global competitions while recommending that a science and project exhibition fair should be included in future competitions.

Sages &

Scribes to Host 2023 EAP Summit for

Educators, Corporate Organisations

Sages & Scribe, one of the leading consultancy firms, is set to host a two-day Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Summit at the NECA House Event Centre on August 2 and 3, 2023.

The event, with the theme ‘Employee Wellness for Productivity and Performance’, is designed to address employee and individual psychosocial health beyond medical services.

The EAP summit will bring together employers of labour, HR practitioners, EAP practitioners, educators, medical personnel, occupational therapists, psychologists, and wellness enthusiasts

to discuss workplace wellness, employee well-being, organizational performance, profitability, long-term sustainability, viable workplace benefit, and not just wages and salary increase, psychosocial risk assessment and management in the workplace.

Also, the summit will enlighten the participants on how to run with the concept of a ‘great place to work’ and further promote corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.

According to the Managing Consultant/CEO of Sages & Scribes Consultants, Adelowo Adesina, statistics have also

shown that in terms of human and industrial productivity and performance, Nigeria is among the lowest ranking in the pecking order.

‘’It is no gainsaying that Nigerian workers are stressed, harassed, traumatised and burnt-out. Just imagine what we all went through during the currency exchange exercise,” stated Adesina. “Think of the emotional and psychological torture the average worker must have experienced. That should tell us as a nation that we need to begin to promote the health and wellness of our

employees.”

Adesina explained that 10 general knowledge (interest) papers would be delivered at the summit, including ‘Professional Ethics and Standards for the Practice of EAP’; ‘The Concepts of “Great Place to Work”, and ‘Workplace Global Best Practices’. The programme will also feature specialised workshops, which include stress management and work-life harmony, addictions, substance abuse workshops, trauma management, effective parenting, workplace counselling principle, and practice.

Daikin Restates Commitment to Capacity Devt, Launches Second Training Centre

Uchechukwu Nnaike

Daikin Middle East and Africa

FZE has announced opening its second training centre in Nigeria in partnership with Field of Skills and Dream VTE in Agege, Lagos. Field of Skills and Dream (FSD) is a vocational, technical, and entrepreneurship training institute that will facilitate the

training of new technicians, including theoretical and practical exercises across topics such as system installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and energy efficiency.

As a part of Daikin’s localisation strategy, the training centre aims to build a community of skilled workforce and equip them with all the necessary

education required to excel in their career and contribute to Africa’s climate efforts by promoting sustainable cooling solutions.

The company said with the increase in climate change, the demand for air-conditioners is rising even in Nigeria.

“This demand comes at the price of its impact on the envi-

ronment. Hence the realisation of promoting sustainable cooling practices can be met faster by educating the local market and its users,” said the firm The newly established centre has state-of-the-art facilities and training equipment, allowing the technicians to gain handson experience with Daikin’s cutting-edge HVAC solutions.

The guest speaker, Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe; the winner, Saheed Sunday; the Chair, ZODML Board of Trustees, Ifeoma Esiri; and one of the judges, Aduke Gomez, at the presentation of prizes to winners of the ZODML Poetry Challenge in Lagos... recently

CITYSTRINGS

The Era of Renewed Hope in Musawa/Matazu Constituency

For residents of Musawa and Matazu federal constituency in Katsina State, there is renewed hope for them following the election of their age-long helper and 'Messiah', Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, as lawmaker to represent them in the House of Representatives.

Elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 poll, the Musawa-born philanthropist and politician has over the years impacted positively and transformed people’s lives, particularly the vulnerable in villages and communities across the constituency.

Born in 1975, Talban Musawa, has continued this passion as he reaches out to people through empowerment, scholarships and community services through execution of developmental projects in almost all the nooks and crannies of Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of the state.

'The General' as he is trustingly called, had also exhibited the courage to speak truth, challenge national policies and decisions which tend to exploit the people, thus standing out as the most articulate fearless voice of the voiceless in the constituency.

The strategic interventions of the community philanthropist in the area of education cannot be overemphasised, because he has constructed, upgraded and expanded primary and secondary schools and provided them with different instructional materials and desks across the constituency.

For instance, Ahmed has built and equipped a block of two-classrooms with a befitting staff room and a store at Jikamshi Community Secondary School in Musawa. He also constructed two-block of classrooms at Dankande community secondary school with one staff office and a store for the take-off of the community school.

In order to boost Islamic education and inculcate the culture of moral upbringing among children, the Civilian General has constructed two-block of four classrooms at Dissi community Islamiyya School in Matazu Local Government.

The Islamic school, according to its teachers, has since admitted over 400 pupils in the predominantly farmers' community thereby supporting the state government's efforts in tackling the spate of out-of-school children.

Also, the Talban Musawa has donated a whopping sum of N3,000,000 for the renovation and rehabilitation of a mosque in Sabon-layi and constructed another Islamic school in Malikaji community in Karachi ward of Musawa local government.

Believing that education is the bedrock of societal development, Ahmed has created an educational scholarship for vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford education. This gesture had drastically reduced the illiteracy ratio because many children have been enrolled in both conventional and Islamic schools in the areas.

The silent achiever, having dedicated his life to community service, has renovated the maternity ward, isolation centre and laboratory room of the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre, Matazu. Scanning, microscope, genotype testing machines and two power generating sets as well as beds were among other items purchased by the young Talban Musawa for efficient and effective service delivery in the hospital.

In a bid to eradicate drug abuse among youths in the constituency, the astute politician built a state-of-the-art centre with modern apparatus for the rehabilitation and reformation of drug addicts and offenders in the state.

The rehabilitation centre, located

in Musawa General Hospital, is rendering counselling and rehabilitation services to drug users, patient detoxification as well as social reintegration by assessing their physical and mental health in order to stem the tide of drug addiction.

Similarly, over 30 hospital beds were purchased by the community philanthropist and donated to Kurkujan Primary Health Centre. He equally renovated Dissi Health Centre and equipped the facility with beddings. He constructed seven boreholes across the ward to address the age-long problem of water scarcity in the area.

To tackle open defecation in schools, Ahmed has constructed six toilets and a motorised borehole at Government Day Girls Secondary School, Musawa and six other boreholes at different cemeteries and in some strategic locations in all the political wards of Musawa/Matazu federal constituency.

In Matazu A ward, the community philanthropist has renovated their dam, purchased and distributed over 100 water pumping machines to irrigation farmers across the ward. He rehabilitated and equipped the Primary Healthcare Centre in Matazu B ward with state-ofthe-art facilities.

Five boreholes and a two-block

of classrooms with a staff office were constructed by the member-elect at Kogari ward. In the Karadua ward, he constructed a hospital at Runfar Yar Tsaminya and rehabilitated the Karadua hospital, and donated N2,000,000 for the renovation of Nasarawa mosque.

In Gwarjo ward, Ahmed renovated the community hospital, distributed 120 bags of fertiliser and 50 water pumping machines to both irrigation and wet season farmers in the area. While in Mazoji A, he had built a befitting Friday Mosque and four boreholes for residents of the community.

As if that was not enough, Ahmed distributed 100 bags of fertiliser and 50 water pumping machines to farmers in the area. He also renovated their hospital and constructed a dem for them at Fafu to boost irrigation farming in the agrarian community.

Some farmers in Sayaya ward also smile home recently with 20 water pumping machines and 40 bags of fertiliser courtesy of the life-transforming politician. Another dam was also constructed by him in Garu ward as well as a block of classrooms at Tashar Nababa primary school.

Aside from the infrastructural projects he executed across the Musawa/Matazu federal constituency, Ahmed has assisted different communities, individuals and corporate organisations with cash amounting to millions of nairas to help cushion their economic hardship and improve their livelihood.

His endless assistance to victims of banditry and natural disaster in Musawa

and Matazu, arguably the first and only political gladiator to have done this within his constituency, is well gazetted and will remain indelible in the minds of the constituents even as they await more projects in the constituency.

He has also provided resettlement packages worth millions of naira for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the constituency and other parts of the state, giving financial support to families of those who lost their loved ones. He also recognized and rewarded academic and creative excellence in different communities in the constituency.

In the past four years, the young Talban Musawa has been distributing over 8000 bags of millets, rice, sugar and spaghetti to vulnerable people in the two local governments to tackle their hardship during the Holy months of Ramadan. He equally doled out hundreds of rams, clothing and cash to the constituents during each Sallah celebration.

He always defends the interest and welfare of the residents of the two local governments irrespective of religion, tribal or political affiliations. He has become a legendary example for his fearless commitment to always stand on the side of his people as their champion and his humane and benevolent spirit especially for the vulnerable has been unparalleled for years.

For not abandoning the constituents in the face of dwindling resources by providing meaningful development through humanitarian services, Ahmed won accolades and endorsement of citizens of Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency where he contested for the seat and won overwhelmingly.

He also has a vast educational background because he attended Yero Primary School from 1980-1987 before proceeding to Government Secondary School Musawa and later transferred to Government Science and Technical College Funtua where he completed his secondary education.

He had a brief stint with the defunct National Guard and later left to continue his educational pursuit in Isa Kaita College of Education Dutsin-Ma from 1996 -1997. From there, he enrolled into Bayero University Kano (BUK) for Political Science and graduated in 2003.

Upon completion of his university education he ventured into business and joined the services of D Radda Ventures as its General Manager. The Talban Musawa’s regional importance and growing national stature as a politician, a visionary game changer and a developmental leader, has grown in leaps and bounds.

Thus, in 2015, he was appointed as Personal Assistant to the then Chief of Staff, Katsina Government House and now Governor-elect, Dr. Umar Dikko Radda, and when his boss was appointed to head the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), he was reappointed as his Personal Assistant, a position he holds until February 25 when he was elected as member House of Representatives for Musawa/Matazu federal constituency.

With these innumerable achievements and educational background, the Talban Musawa has not only become well-referenced in the developmental narrative of Musawa and Matazu, but has left many social commentators in the area gushing with sincere conviction that he remains an outstanding politician among his peers in the constituency.

Therefore, the emergence of the Bayero University graduate as a member of the House of Representatives, has brought respite and renewed the hope of the residents of Musawa/Matazu federal constituency that more democratic dividends will thrive in the constituency.

In a bid to eradicate drug abuse among youths in the constituency, the astute politician built a state-of-the-art centre with modern apparatus for the rehabilitation and reformation of drug addicts and offenders in the state

There is an era of renewed hope for residents of Musawa/Matazu federal constituency in Katsina State, writes Francis Sardauna

Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed

GEAPP, CHD Mobilise $50M to Boost Renewable Energy in Nigeria

Gilbert Ekwugbe

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) in collaboration with Nigerian investment firm, Chapel Hill Denham (CHD), has established a new local currency subordinated debt vehicle: the Energy Transition & Access Facility for Africa (ETAFA).

ETAFA is an innovative financing initiative, which will enable the deployment of $50 million to support distributed renewable energy projects in Nigeria.

In a statement, GEAPP said it will contribute an initial $10 million and an additional $40 million from the Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund.

“ETAFA’s financing is structured as a Naira-denominated, low-cost long-term financing, which will directly contribute

towards making DRE solutions more affordable, particularly for lower income consumers, “it stated.

DRE is acknowledged to be the fastest and most costeffective solution to accelerate clean electricity access to the African continent. While Nigeria is well positioned to reap the benefits of DRE, the lack of subordinated capital and local currency financing for developers is hampering the DRE sector’s growth.

“We welcome this support from GEAPP which will help Chapel Hill Denham with two of its strategic priorities,” CEO of Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun, said; “Reducing the number of Nigerians without any access to electricity; and accelerating the adoption of renewable sources of energy. With partnerships with global institutions such as GEAPP,

CHD seeks to mobilise up to $1 billion for clean energy projects in Nigeria and Africa by 2030. It is also targeting to reduce the number of people without access to modern energy in Nigeria and Africa by half in the same timeframe.”

“Renewable energy development is paramount for Nigeria to transition to clean energy and meet critical climate goals, while powering economic and social development. “GEAPP’s partnership with CHD aims to tackle the barriers to Nigeria’s clean energy transition by providing the de-risking capital needed to stimulate the financing of projects that bring clean electricity to, and promote the economic development and sustainable livelihoods of, underserved communities, ” said Stefanie Fairholme, GEAPP’s Head of Investments.

‘Polaris Bank’s Restructuring Plans Will Pave Way for Future Success’

The Managing Director/ CEO of Polaris Bank, Adekunle Sonola has announced that the bank has undergone a significant restructuring process to ensure her long-term sustainability that meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Sonola disclosed this in an insightful interview with Proshare, where he shed light on the institution’s journey of transformation and its strategic plans for the future.

Sonola emphasized the importance of corporate governance and customer-centricity in driving business success.

He stated, “Without purpose, a business loses its way and without integrity, it loses its soul. We are recalibrating with the customer’s needs as our primary consideration.”

Sonola emphasized the bank’s commitment to winning back migrant customers and supporting resident ones.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from the Bank’s transitions, he explained, “Having loans and advances concentrated in a sector, business, or individual is like balancing twenty crates of eggs on your head, tripping over a pebble smashes all egg crates... Funding diversification and cost optimization are now an integral part of our future.”

He highlighted the Bank’s focus on risk asset diversification and the need for a diversified funding base.

While discussing Polaris Bank’s strategic approaches, Sonola stated, “Aggressive customer acquisition and

strengthened relationships... Improved digital play... Improved staff productivity... Cost optimization.” He emphasized the importance of superior customer experience asked a competitive tool, stating, “We are building this into the Bank’s operational DNA... Our customer journey experiences have been deconstructed across demographics.”

Soeaking on the Bank’s capitalization, he, “The bank operates well above the statutory 10% capital adequacy requirement... We are concluding arrangements to inject Tier II capital to support our asset growth aspirations... Our shareholders are ready and willing to inject additional capital into the Bank whenever the need arises.”

Access Pensions Unveils Financial Planning Services for Customers

Nume Ekeghe

Access Pensions has announced that it would be offering its customers personalized financial planning to ensure its customer transition to a comfortable retirement.

The Managing Director of Access Pensions, Dave Uduanu stated this over the weekend at an event tagged, “An Evening with Access Pensions,” an interactive session with some of its highnet-worth individual clients in Abuja.

He revealed that the financial future of its customers is a priority adding that with its in-house expertise,

its customers can get this additional service.

Uduanu said: “Many individuals enter retirement without proper preparation. It is crucial to start planning for retirement as early as possible, ideally beginning to consider postretirement plans around the age of 40. Neglecting to assess your cash flow, lifestyle, and expected post-retirement expenses can lead to challenges in sustaining yourself during retirement.”

On his part, the Regional Head of Corporate Team, Access Pensions, Uchenna Edeh identified three distinct stages of retirement, each with its own characteristics.

“The initial stage is characterised by ample resources, followed by a stage where resources begin to deplete, leaving the retiree reliant on retirement funds, “he said.

Also, the Chief Investment Officer Access Pensions, Wale Okunrinboye stated that Access Pensions investment approach is disciplined, quantitative, and backed by extensive research to ensure get the best value for their pension.

He said: “We adopt a very disciplined and quantitative approach to investment based on very strong research and strategy. We carry out top-down research on every security we place monies in.”

NNPC Clarifies ‘ Inadvertent’ N687trn Profit Announcement

Emmanuel Addeh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has said there was a mistake in the announcement of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, that the company made N687 trillion in 2021 as opposed to N674 billion, which is the actual figure.

A statement in Abuja

by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited., Mr Garba Muhammad, stressed that the GCEO meant to call N674 billion and not N687 trillion.

“The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Limited, Mr. Male Kyari, appeared on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show”. Among the issues the GCEO discussed

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

was the 2021 profit margin.

“Inadvertently, N687 trillion was mentioned as the company’s Profit after Tax (PAT) figure as against N674 billion contained in the 2021 Annual Financial Statement.

“The accurate Profit after Tax figure for the Year 2021, N674 billion, was communicated to the public via our official Twitter account on 05/10/2022,” he stated.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

L-R Head, Brand Marketing and Communication, Access Pensions, Ada Akonobi; Regional Head Corporate Team, Uchenna Edeh; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dave Uduanu; Chief Investment Officer, Wale Okunrinboye and Head Private Clients, Yetunde Olumuyiwa at An Evening with Access Pensions in Abuja... recently.

N3.7bn Scam: UK Dion, Diongoli Arraigned on 61 Count Charge

Kayode Tokede

Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Court 3, Ikoyi Lagos has fixed July 21st for the commencement of trial of Mr Michael Ukiye Diongoli, and his two companies, UK Dion Group and UK Dion Investment Limited on a 61 count charge of defrauding unsuspecting investors to the tune of over N3.7billion.

Diongoli and his companies

are alleged to have between 2021 and 2022 with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves to obtain money from several individuals and organisations including Dr. Basil Onugu, Prof. Oyekachi Green Nwankwo, FSL Securities Ltd, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, MTN Employer Cooperative, Col Chukwu Tengu rtd. and Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme among others.

The defendants are accused

of pretending to be registered financial institution into wealth management, invited customers to pay money into their accounts and fix it for a period ranging from 6 months to one year with interest, a statement the defendant knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related to Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

According to the Charge “That you Micheal Ukiye Diongoli, Dion Investment Limited and others at large between MRCH 2021 and May 2022 in Lagos Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud fraudulently obtained several sums of money to UK Dion under the pretence that you are a registered financial institution, and you are into wealth Management wherein customers were invited to pay

money into your account, fix it for a period ranging from 6 months to one year and the customer will get the money invested with interest, a statement the victims believed, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related to Offenses Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

When the charges were read to the defendant, Micheal Ukiye

Diongoli pleaded not guilty to all 61 counts, Justice Allagoa thereafter set July 21, 2023as the date for the commencement of the trial.

Mr Diongoli, and his two companies, UK Dion Group and UK Dion Investment Limited are also facing a criminal summons by Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of operating without the Liscence of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF JUNE/13/23

Akinwunmi Ambode: Garlands At 60!

Sule

Ahmed Oyofo

Last week Saturday June 4, 2023, I had just finished watching the F. A. Football Cup final, in England when a small piece of news item caught my attention, that His Excellency Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Lagos State between 2015 and 2019 would be clocking the diamond age of 60 years on Wednesday, June 14, 2023! My immediate reaction was one of surprise; and I asked myself, how come? It least occurred to me that time moves so fast. It seemed like yesterday when I first set eyes on him in the late 80’s. His physical appearance has not changed much, retaining its youthful gait. He looks boyish with an oily smile whenever you see him; he has that athletic build that makes him look like an Olympic hopeful; With those bright looking eyes and broad shoulders that aspiring boxers would envy, Ambode does not exhibit any trait of a man who today, marks his 60th birthday on earth. Well-endowed and blessed with unique insights, he comes across instead as a very unassuming gentleman and infact somewhat meek expression. Incredibly, despite his chequered career, there are no traces of pride or those I –have –achieved-kind-of –look in him, always preferring to remain shy and ensconced in his privacy. Now, as we celebrate with him, I can only recall some of my early encounters with this enigma not too long back. Incidentally, all of the encounters have always been instructive and revealing.

One of them was in in the year 1980 at the Federal Government College Warri, when he was just 17. It was at the cricket pitch where he was a Bowler—and a very good one at that. Mind you, in the sport of cricket, there are two broad categories of bowlers: pace and spin. Pace bowlers rely more on the speed of the ball to dismiss batsmen, whereas Spin bowlers rely on rotation and turn of the ball. Ambode had both techniques. He may not be your Imran Khan or Shoaib Akhtar for those who know the game very well, but we all got impressed with his special abilities. At that youthful age, you could see traits of greatness in him and a man who is mentally, physically and spiritually alert. Ambode was to represent the then Bendel State (now Edo State) in many cricket high profile cricket competitions. As you may well know, family and friends applauded him for those early exploits.

Next was at the University of Lagos where he read Accounting. Our paths would cross often and in one of such occasions Ambode was to display his charming personality. No one knows, but from his attitude to life in the University, you could notice something was different from him; he had that uncanny insight that portray him as someone specially anointed and set aside from his peers for a future task. No matter how strong the situation, his expansive smile would always resolve the issues at stake. It came as a surprise to many close to him, that, this apparently harmless young man may not be ordinary afterall. He would look at you with those piercing eyeballs that seems to be reading your mind, and speak to you in such a robust language that is hard to turn down. In any discussion, it takes Ambode less than 5 minutes to make his point; he has the ability to break down and explain what would take others ages to do. He is that gifted. More outstanding for this Epe born technocrat is the fact that he is more of a good listener. He sees more and talks less. That’s how he became the favorite of

his colleagues in school and beyond. As a result, they found it easier to become his paddy and flow with him. Suffice to say that throughout his stay at the University of Lagos, he had no blemish and was loved by all who crossed his path. Some people actually believe that he never gets angry; this is because, no one ever remembered seeing his face frown or sad. He is always upbeat, calm and if nothing else professional; neither is he ambitious. Because, where people lobby and struggle to get something done, Ambode’s powerful aura does for him. You had the impression that, like the Igbos would say, his gods had cracked his palm kernel for him to pave his way straight! If this was so, Ambode would have exhibited such a carefree attitude to life that would have belied his impressive resume. You could see that his lifestyle is a testament to those wishing to aspire to the top—extremely disciplined! He did not indulge in those excesses that youths come along with. Not that he is a saint either, but he was as straightforward as he was simple, never allowing those social vices to distract his focus!

We left school in June 1984, only to be dispersed to our various destinations for the National Youth Service. I did not get to meet Ambode again until 1996, one Sunday morning, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Acme Road, Ogba where, he worshipped. As I arrived for service that early morning, I saw at the entrance to the church a stocky security man ushering people in. As I walked closer, I noticed this one didn’t look like the usual shabbily dressed men (no insult intended). The man confronting me was impeccably dressed in a sparkling white long sleeve shirt on grey trousers. His oily face carried a wide trade mark smile that reminded me of intending students union “contestants”, those days in the university; they would smile and shake hands with you and give you the thumb up as if to say: remember me on the day of voting! Once it was our turn, I screamed

“Ambodes”! And thereafter, we both hugged each other and praised God.

That was the start of another long period of enduring relationship that brought another extra-ordinary aspect of Ambode to life—a celebrated giver! By this time, he was already a Treasurer at the Mushin Local Government. By virtue of my being a businessman, I would later invade his office seeking for petty “contracts”. Here, Ambode was exceptional. He surpassed the very imagination of everyone, including me, who crossed his path so much so that he was to be nicknamed “Here comes the helper!” This was so from 1996 to 1999 when we had unfettered access to him. Ambode gives practical solution to everyone that cornered him for help; and he extended this to the Redeemed Camp at KM 35, where he attended programmes regularly. You will often find him serving bottled drinks and distributing assorted foodstuffs to various worshippers; he doesn’t discriminate in doing so. You only notice his genial disposition and infectious smile. This can only come from the mind of someone who understands the meaning of life. Only few can deny the fact that this cheerful giver derives joy, perhaps, from the satisfaction of those that come around him. Ambode loved the things of God and I almost asked him if he wasn’t aspiring to mount the pulpit as a confirmed Man of God! We both laughed at this. He would later tell me he was a volunteer in the church. Afterwards, I pointed out to him that since we left school, he has remained consistent, humble and reliable to which he responded that he was only being himself--a realist and optimist. Maybe, unknown to him, the significance of his charismatic lifestyle was now becoming recognizable nationwide. By this time, Ambode was steadily climbing the ladder of life in such a rapid manner becoming the Auditor-General and Accountant-General respectively of Lagos State. You could see the fingers of God in the affairs of his life. Not long after, I sojourned away from Lagos and did not get to see him regularly except when he comes for FAAC meetings in those days.

Next time we were to meet, it was in a most improbable manner. This was in 2016 at Ojodu- Berger and 2017 in Ikeja. By this time, Fate had propelled him as the Governor of Lagos and there had been a fire outbreak in that area. It was stifling hot and I was one of those sweating profusely on that fateful day. Despite the traffic grid-lock that ensured, it took Lagos State Fire service less than 5 minutes to respond. His Excellency Ambode arrived moments later. Swiftly, the fire was put out and the injured conveyed to the hospital in Ambulance. The Governor was hailed by those in the crowd for that exemplary performance and the standard did not drop until his exit from office.

The next chance meeting was late in the night at Ikeja when the Bus Terminal was being constructed. This was also the period of “Light-up Lagos”. At midnight, as we were heading the direction of Lekki, when suddenly the Governors convoy emerged from out of the darkness. We were to learn later that Ambode had come personally to inspect the on-going project. This was around 1am in the morning and a very cold night. It happened at a time privileged people were supposed to enjoy their sleep. The truth is, Ambode took his job as governor seriously. Records show that in the four years the political structure of Lagos allowed him to reign, his administration handled quite a lot of projects; a close examination show that

they could have been up to 1,389.

He applied the logic of common sense to supervise his projects and that helped a lot. What many may not know was that Ambode only got better with challenges. It was as though he has a pact with destiny. Those who may want to dispute this only have to dig into his background. I will explain a few examples here.

Sometime in 1995 while serving at the Mushin Local Government, Ambode had embarked on a pilgrimage to Israel. Somewhere in Nuweiba, while returning from Mount Sinai, they were involved in a ghastly accident. The luxury bus they were travelling in, somersaulted and ended up in a deep ravine. At least 22 innocent souls lost their lives. But he came out unscathed. He had another brush with death on the third mainland bridge when his car was bashed from behind by a crazy driver. He has God to thank for escaping that incident. After serving for 27 years in the civil service, he voluntarily left at the young age of 49. Don’t forget that this was an age that most people on the wrong side of life were searching for jobs! So, Ambode cannot be more than grateful to mother nature.

It was from the civil service with unblemished record that he was drafted to serve as the State governor. So when next you hear people calling him the accidental politician or technocrat, that’s the angle they are coming from. You know as it were, politics is a different ball game. If it was possible to excel in the civil service without much ado, in politics, such a move could be read the other way. And so, although Ambode tried to “be himself”, discharging his duties without fear but with favor, things didn’t “jell,” to use Warri boy’s language. The “accidental politician” was quickly engulfed in a battle no one understood. He soon found out that being in the civil service was not the same as in politics. Some people actually joked that it was like being a commanding officer without troops! Unfortunately, in political battles, there is no room for niceties. That experience is better left in the realm of imagination.

Since then, the trained chartered accountant has studiously kept to himself avoiding controversy as much as possible. He tried to ‘flow’ with his party while probably exploring other ventures in life. As you may well have guessed some Nigerians are amazed that there is such a “politician” so much vilified internally, and yet restrained himself by not decamping to another party. Paradoxically, the train has moved on. Now as the amiable gentleman clocks 60, he must be reflecting on the real meaning of life. Here is a man of strong faith who had to retire in order to meet up with “family interests”.

Imagine someone who dreamt of becoming a corporate czar ending up as a level 8 officer in the Civil Service. He took the job and started from the scratch because of his legendary humility—the same that stood for him in the course of time! No doubt, his life has been eventful and fulfilling. As he clocks 60 today, he will be thanking God for preserving his life and giving him the opportunity to serve his fatherland. He will also be thanking God for making him useful to his family and friends alike. May God grant him many more years on earth in good health and prosperity.

Congratulations Ambode.

Ambode: A visionary And Audacious Leader At 60

By Habib Aruna

To Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos State, former Auditor General and Accountant General, the ideal way to celebrate his three score in mother earth would not be to organize an elaborate feast, spread a red carpet to bring friends and wellwishers together or even pomp champagne. Doing so is absolutely not in his character. If there would be a get-together at all, it would be with the deprived, the vulnerable, children of the poor or the special class of the handicapped as he has done most times in his enviable life.

Of course, there is nothing wrong in celebrating 60 eventful years, years well spent in the service of both the state and humanity. It’s indeed a milestone for a man who believes that posterity should be the ultimate judge in the affairs of men. Yet, it’s an important day for an audacious, visionary and pragmatic leader, who is always mindful of his place in history. It’s therefore only appropriate to seize the occasion of this landmark and symbolic day to examine his modest contributions to the development of Lagos, a state he loved so much.

This explains the reason some leaders, desirous of standing out of the crowd in the history books, would burn the midnight oil for brand-new ideas to tackle the seemingly intractable challenges of society. They don’t want to be classified as simply adorning the wall of the governor’s office with their portraits. They want to live in the hearts of the people through their performance. This was a governor, who at any time of the night, will come to the office to scribble down new ideas that come to his head. He once told me and a cabinet member that even if he was asleep, his brain never sleeps.

Ambode has pitched his tent with this history-making camp. It comes with a price: courage. According to Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States of America, “One man with courage makes a majority.’’ This U.S leader is credited with numerous courageous policies that toppled the established norms of his time. He was not afraid to take a decision as long as it was in the interest of the people.

Ambode displayed rare courage and compassion few weeks after coming to office, by approving a hefty N11b to be paid as backlog of arrears to retirees few weeks after coming to office. It was unprecedented. The point had long been established that Ambode came to office very prepared, having been part of the system. This much was demonstrated early in the life of his government in 2015, when he moved like a hurricane to prove that government business isn’t meant for the laid-back.

Few months after we came to office, I was opportune to be among some of the cabinet members and we were talking about on-going projects spread across the state and the amount of time and capital the governor was committing to making Lagos a smart city. The bottom line and the aggregation of opinion of those at the meeting was that of a governor who is restless, committed, determined, passionate and bold to change the face of the state for good.

Consider these staggering statistics: in his first year in office the governor initiated and successfully completed more than 40 impactful projects, including injection of 434 new BRT buses for Ikorodu corridor, fortification of security in Lagos with a whopping N4.7b equipment for the Police and subsequently up to N7b, employment of 1300 teachers to revive primary education, setting up of N25b Employment Trust Fund, massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction

in inner Lagos, approval for development of N49b medical park in Ikoyi, provision of 20 mobile care unit ambulances and 26 transport ambulances, building of flyover bridges for Ajah and Abule-Egba areas, rebranding of One Lagos Fiesta to boost tourism and entertainment, creating enabling environment for foreign direct investment etc.

He signed an MOU with Kebbi state on the development of commodity value chain rice (rice production). In his second year Lake Rice became the talk of the town. Lake is the acronym for the joint effort of Lagos and Kebbi to produce the grain. He started the construction of the Rice Mill at Imota which was nearly completed before he left office. The Rice Mill which has been completed and commissioned by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is said to be the biggest in the continent.

Another major achievement of a man who has remained very popular in the streets of Lagos was his boundless vision to move the state from a pedestrian plane to the sophistication of a 21st megacity through the erection of structures of gothic and exotic expressions. Examples: Ojodu Berger Flyover Intersection, Tafawa Balewa Bus Terminus and the breath-sapping Ikeja Bus facility commissioned by former President, Muhammadu Buhari, Oshodi Mega Transport Terminal, Reconstruction of the Airport Road and the Pen Cinema Flyover that changed the face of the Agege/Abule Egba axis, which was 80 percent completed before he left.

We also have the 21 roads and two bridges with a combined stretch of 27.4 kilometers in AlimoshoOkeOdo-Agbado area that motorists in that axis and those navigating to neighboring Ogun State cannot forget in a hurry. Yet, there are other iconic structures spread across the state like the JK Randle Center for

Yoruba Culture and History; The Renovation of the iconic Glover Memorial Hall; Mobolaji Johnson Arena; Oworoshoki layby; Epe Charlets and so on and so forth. He was so meticulous that his administration touched every sphere and corner of the state.

Ambode was compassionate in making sure that government resources are effectively used for the betterment of the masses. He had been known to show up at road accident scenes to help rescue victims. Once when he read of a woman whose husband ran away from home because she gave birth to three sets of twins, Ambode directed prompt welfare support that brought back the fugitive man.

He demonstrated severally as governor that experience can indeed be an asset in governance; he was always calm and dutiful, even when there is a major challenge in a state that is becoming increasingly complex to govern. As someone who was close to him in office, he was a leader that is always disposed to superior ideas and options. To the extent that he was ready to change the tie he wore to the office if some of us (his aides) were not comfortable with it. His maxim was: “Where ever you come from, as far as you labour and add value to the productivity of our dynamic and vibrant State, our government shall work with you to make Lagos State a better, livable and more prosperous home”.

As you celebrate your 60th birthday today sir, here is a toast to a great and generous boss, a smart and intelligent public servant, a collegiate and pragmatic leader and above all, a perfect gentleman. May you continue to enjoy more fulfilling years in good years and abundant blessings.

Happy birthday sir!

Ambode

CONGRATULATIONS MR SENATE PRESIDENT...

CONGRATULATIONS MR DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT...

Tinubu Pledges to Increase Budgetary Allocation to Education Sector

Deji Elumoye, Ndubuisi Francis and Michael Olugbede in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has pledged his administration's readiness to commit more resources to the education sector in order to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education.

This was just as mixed reactions have trailed the Student Loan Bill signed into law by the president on Monday, which enables indigent students access federal government loans to fund their education.

Speaking Tuesday in his office at the State House, Abuja, when he played host to the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the president declared that poverty should not be a barrier to education, emphasising the transformative power of education in combating poverty.

According to him: "If we all believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty then we have to invest in it.

''Poverty should not prevent anybody, any child, including the daughter or son of a wood seller, ‘Bole’ (plantain) seller or yam seller from attaining their highest standard of education, to eliminate poverty.

''If you eliminate poverty from one family, you can carry the rest of the weight.”

Tinubu, who promised to consider the requests of the NANS leaders, urged the students' body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve more.

''You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election, does not deserve the joy of victory,” he admonished the students.

The president expressed appreciation for students' support of the removal of subsidy on petrol, explaining the reasons behind the decision and the need to curb smuggling.

His words: ''I’m glad you understand the reason for the subsidy removal. We were at a point where Nigeria tried to draw water from a dry well and that is no longer acceptable and we equally must not continue to service the smugglers because they used to take our tankers and premium motor spirit (PMS) across the borders. We will put our money where our mouth is".

Earlier, President of NANS, Umar Barambu, said the leadership of the association were at the villa to thank the president over the signing into law of the Student Loan Bill, which would provide loans to indigent students such that no Nigerian student in tertiary institution will drop out of school over inability to pay school fees.

The bill, sponsored by former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, was signed into law by President Tinubu on Monday, June 12, which is Democracy Day.

“We are here to congratulate you and to thank you for what you have been doing to the country since you assumed responsibility as the President. We want to equally thank you for the Students Loan Bill,” Barambu said.

Declaring students' support for the removal of fuel subsidy, the NANS president said: ''It takes a great person to take that bold step of removing the subsidy on petrol. Some people contacted us to protest against that decision, but we said no!

''The well is dry and ‘Baba’ cannot give what we don’t have now. We have to accept reality and face that challenge squarely so that together we can rescue the country. Today we are saying ‘yes’ to fuel subsidy removal and we will stand with that decision.''

Later in an interview with newsmen after the meeting with Tinubu, Barambu, said they wanted inclusion of past national leaders of the association and exclusion of lecturers and lawyers.

According to him, the new Act would alleviate the plight of Nigerian students and afford them the opportunity to study with fewer difficulties.

Speaking on the clause of the Act that they were not comfortable with, the NANS President said: “We have outlined the clauses that we are not too comfortable with. And part of them is the issue of that board that we mentioned to the president, which we said at least students’ representatives should be captured and there are some some organisation that they put there, which to us, they don't need to be there.

“We gave him an example, most especially the Nigerian Bar Association and ASUU. ASUU has their own microfinance bank, running their own affairs without students on their board. So I don't think it's wise for us to allow them

to be inside our own board because it is purely students.

“We are the major stakeholders of that bank. So I don't think allowing them to be there is good. Not only them, we mentioned a lot of people that they should remove and put more of student-oriented organisation.”

According to the Act, the com- mittee consists of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as the Chairman; the Secretary of the Fund who shall be appointed by the

Chairman; the Minister responsible for education; the Chairman, National Universities Commission; a representative of Vice-Chancellors forum of all Nigeria Universities; a representative of the Rectors forums of all Nigerian Polytechnics and Provosts forum of all Colleges of Education in Nigeria; the Minister responsible for finance or his representative and the Auditor-General for the Federation.

Others are a representative of the Nigerian Labour Congress; a

representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; and a representative of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the Student Loan Bill signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, which enables indigent students access federal government loans to fund their education.

The new law also prescribes the creation of a Nigerian Education Bank with the aim of offering education

for all Nigerians in matters pertaining to loans.

However, in separate reactions to THISDAY’s inquiry on what the emerging scheme portends, a former Commissioner for Finance in Imo State and President of the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN), Prof. Uche Uwaleke, and Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Africa Group, Mrs. Toyin Sanni provided different perspectives.

Court Dismisses Appeal Challenging Payment of $33.8m Debt to Sterling Bank

Wale Igbintade

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division has dismissed an appeal filed by C&N Investment Limited challenging the judgement of Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, sitting Lagos, which ordered the firm to pay Sterling Bank Plc the sum of $33,814,859.35, being outstanding loan and accrued interest obtained from the bank.

The Appellate Court in its lead judgement delivered by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, resolved all the issues canvassed in favour of Sterling bank.

Other members of the panel, Justice Festus Obande Ogbuinya (Presided), and Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Sirajo aligned with the lead judgement.

The Appellant had in appeal number CA/L/816/2022 filed against Sterling Bank and Total E & P Nigeria Limited, had prayed that the court to determine whether having regards to the entire circumstances of the case, the learned judge of the lower court was right in granting Sterling Bank’s (1st Respondent) motion for summary judgment/judgment on admission, dated the 27" June 2022.

Details of the dispute was that sometimes in December 2010, the Appellant (C&N Investment Limited) had applied and was granted a loan facility in the sum of $17,000,000 by the 1st Respondent.

The loan was for 78 months commencing from the 22nd of December 2010 to 22nd June 2017.

The source of the repayment of the loan was the anticipated rent from the renewal of the 2nd

Respondent's tenancy in respect of a property situate at 17/17A, Olu Holloway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State let out to the 2% Respondent by the Appellant.

The Appellant later requested and was granted restructuring of the loan for a further period of 24 months commencing from the 22nd of June 2015 to the 22 June 2020.

The new terms and conditions of the restructured loan were contained in the 1st Respondent’s Offer Letter dated the 22 June 2018 and Facility Agreement executed to that effect.

The outstanding sum at the date of restructuring the facility was the sum of $33,814,859.35.

Upon refusal of the 2nd Respondent to renew its tenancy in respect of the property, the Appellant instituted Suit No: LD ADR/1499 17 against the 2nd Respondent.

The Sterling bank which was expecting the rent from the 2nd Respondent to be paid into the facility account in partial liquidation of the loan it advanced to the Appellant later got to know that the Appellant had settled amicably the dispute in Suit No: LD/ADR/1499/17 with the 2nd Respondent having collected a certain sum of money from the 2nd Respondent.

Miffed by this development, the bank wrote the Appellant a letter dated the 5th September 2019 demanding the payment, within seven days of the entire outstanding loan and accrued interest in the sum of $39,172,776.34, allegedly on account of the breach of the terms of the facility.

But, the Appellant, via its solicitors’ letter dated September 11, 2019, rejected the allegation of breach of

the terms of the facility contending that the loan was to be liquidated in bullet payment and not from the anticipated rent from the property let out to the 2nd Respondent and that the loan would not be due for repayment until June 2020 according to the terms of the restructured facility.

The Appellant thereafter commenced a suit on the 23rd September 2019, pleaded facts and frontloaded documents to show that based on the terms and condition of the restructured loan, the rent from the 2nd Respondent was no longer part of the source of liquidation of the loan and that the date for repayment of the loan would be June 22, 2020.

Two years, after the lapse of June 2020, the due date for the repayment of the restructured facility but before the matter proceeded to trial, Sterling Bank, on the 31st May 2022 filed a motion for summary judgment/ judgment on admission predicated on the extant pleadings before the court.

Apart from its counter-affidavits to the 1st Respondent’s motion for judgment, the Appellant on its part filed a motion on notice dated the 16 June, 2022 for amendment of its extant pleading.

The lower court judge after hearing argument of counsel, in two separate rulings delivered on the 15th July, 2022 granted the 1st Respondent’s motion for summary judgment/ judgment on admission, but refused the motion for amendment filed by the Appellant.

Dissatisfied, 1st Respondent challenged the decision of the lower court, and wanted it set aside.

Resolving all the issues in favour of Sterling Bank, the Appellate Court

in its judgement held that, “The whole essence of summary judgment is to ensure quick dispensation of justice by eliminating delay that may be caused by trial where there is obviously no defence to a claim and thus prevent the grave injustice that might occur through a protracted frivolous trial.

“In other words, the summary judgment rules are specially designed to help the Court achieve their primary objective, i.e. to do justice to the parties by hearing their cases on the merit with utmost dispatch.”

Justice Umar in his lead judgement held: “Upon a holistic consideration of the Appellant's pleadings and documents frontloaded as advocated by the Appellant, I am convinced that not just the paragraphs of the Appellant's pleadings relied upon by the lower court but the entire case of the Appellant as put forward from the inception up to the 30th May, 2022, when the 1st Respondent filed its motion for summary judgment constitutes admission of liability for the sum of $33,814,859.35 to the 1st Respondent.

‘’What do I mean by this? The kernel of the Appellant’s case before the lower court was that based on the terms contained in the restructured facility documents especially the offer letter of June 22, 2018, the rental proceeds of its property is not the source of the repayment of the loan and that the tenor of the loan is 24 months, which extends the due date of repayment of the loan to the 22™ June, 2020 from the date of restructuring.”

The court awarded cost of N250, 000.00 against the Appellant.

NANS meets president, calls for removal of lecturers, lawyers from students' loan committee

Mixed reactions trail proposed student loan scheme, education bank ActionAid Nigeria calls for priority for women, PWDs

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) congratulating Senator Goodswill Akpabio shortly after emerging the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly during the inauguration in Abuja ... yesterday

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right) congratulating Senator Barau Jibrin shortly after emerging the Deputy Senate President of the 10th National Assembly during the inauguration in Abuja ... yesterday

ECOBANK ADIRE EXPERIENCE ...

L-R: Former Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria,

Kwara Boat Mishap Claims 100 Lives

Father, his four children affected Governor mourns

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

No fewer than 100 persons including a father and his four children have reportedly lost their lives in a boat mishap at Egbu village in the Patigi local government area of Kwara State.

The incident according to THISDAY’s investigation, happened on Monday when the boat that was transporting them capsized.

It was gathered that, about 50

bodies have been recovered from the incident which has turned the entire local government area of the state into THISDAY’smourning. further checks revealed that, the ugly incident happened when those affected were returning from a marriage ceremony at neighbouring Egboti village in Niger State.

It was also gathered that river wave took the boat and hit a tree, leading to boat capsizing and

leaving many people dead.

Sources in the village told THISDAY that the deceased had taken off from Kpada village to be part of the marriage ceremony at Egboti village, adding that the boat was taking over 300 passengers on a return trip from the venue of the marriage ceremony capsized at Egbu village.

Persons who gave details of the incident, said 69 people lost their lives from Egbu village, 36

Nosak Appoints Egharevba, Koyenikan, Others General Managers

Nosak Group's board and management have approved the appointments of Victor Egharevba as General Manager of Saturn Farms Limited and Tolulope Koyenikan as General Manager, Operations/ Production, Nosak Distilleries Limited.

In his new role at Saturn Farms, Egharevba, according to a statement yesterday, would oversee mill operations to boost retail operations, and spearhead the plantation expansion program to increase yield of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) in the various farms.

He has a degree in Agricultural Science and has completed several farm management certifications and professional courses.

He has over 20 years of experi- ence and has held different roles such as Assistant Plantation Manager, Field Supervisor, and Director of Operations while working for several companies. Prior to his promotion, he served as Assistant General Manager, where he displayed remarkable qualities in the performance of his tasks.

For his part, Keyenikan was the Assistant General Manager of Nosak Distilleries Limited prior to his appointment, where he pioneered production procedures that contributed value to efficient business operations.

In his new position, he would oversee all areas of the ethanol production facility including production, maintenance, operations, and plant optimisation for optimum product output. He has a B.Tech in Industrial Chemistry, Master's degree in Process Engineering, and an alumni of the prestigious Senior Management Programme of the Lagos Business School. He began working for Nosak Distilleries in

2002 as a distillery supervisor and progressed through the organization, eventually becoming the Assistant General Manager before being appointed as the General Manager of Operations and Production.

Ogugua Obi, who previously held the position of Quality As-

surance/Control Manager, has also been elevated to Assistant General Manager, Quality Assurance/ Control, Nosak Distilleries Limited. Obi is an ISO 90001 Certified Lead Auditor who also has a Master’s Degree in Process Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Food Science.

from Gakpan village and four from Kpada village in the Patigi local government area of the state.

When contacted, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Okasanmi Ajayi, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY, yesterday, said the State Police Command has dispatched the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi local government area of the state to gather more information on the incident".

He said there was scanty report of a boat that capsized carrying about a 100 people in a village in Patigi local government area of the state, adding that, " I will give you more details on the incident as soon as I get more information.".

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commiserated with the people of Patigi on the devastating news of boat mishap in which dozens of people were feared killed and many others still missing.

The governor in a statement issued in Ilorin, yes on Tuesday

signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, said that, “The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi.

“The governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims."

The governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors.

He commended the alertness of the Etsu Patigi His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.

Commiserates with Italy over Death of Former PM, Berlusconi

FG

The federal government of Nigeria has commiserated with the government and people of the Republic of Italy over the death of their former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi, the former prime minister who reshaped Italy’s political and cultural landscape while fending off multiple legal

Alleged N135bn Debt: Court Summons Ifeanyi Ubah, Fixes October 18 for Arraignment

Wale Igbintade

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, directed that court summons be issued on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, to answer charges filed against him by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, (AMCON) over an alleged N135 billion debt.

AMCON had in its amended charge number FHC/L383C2019 alleged that Ubah and his company Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited sometimes between 2012 and 2018, conspired together in making false claims in relation to the actual values of certain assets transferred to AMCON under a consent judgement him and his company made with AMCON.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, the embattled Senator was not present in court but was represented by his lawyer.

Addressing the court, AMCON Prosecutor, Mr. Babatunde Lawal, reminded the court that in the proceedings that came up on 13th

June, 2023, the defendants were served with the amended charge together with the hearing notice.

He also told the court that at the last adjourned date, Ubah was not in court and hearing notice was again served on him.

Consequently, he urged the court to issue bench warrant against him.

But, Counsel to the defendants, Mrs. Ifeoma Esom, informed the court that the matter was for report of settlement/plea and that they were just informed yesterday that settlement had been failed and it was on the basis of settlement that the 1st defendant was not in court.

In his response, the prosecutor objected on the ground that settlement cannot be reported being a criminal matter, arguing that parties may choose to settle outside the court but cannot make that, part of the business of criminal proceedings.

He further submitted that the best that could happen was for the defendants to enter into a plea bargain, contending that settlement outside court does not give the 1st defendant, (Senator Ubah), the

excuse to be absent from court. Justice Oweibo, however declined to issue a bench warrant, but ordered that summons be served on Ubah through his counsel, to appear in court the next date.

The court also stated that at the next adjourned date, if Ubah fails to appear in court, a warrant would be issued for his arrest.

The court then adjourned the matter till 18th October 2023 for arraignment.

and sex scandals, died on Monday at the age 86.

According to his spokesman, the billionaire media mogul and former owner of AC Milan Football Club was admitted to a Milan hospital last Friday, for what aides said were pre-planned tests related to his leukemia.

In a statement signed yesterday, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, described the late leader as a source of great inspiration to many, both within and outside his country, particularly in the areas of sports and media development.

Omayuli, said relations between Nigeria and Italy remained cordial and mutually beneficial during his time in power.

The statement added: “The federal government of Nigeria extends its condolences to the family of the late former Prime Minister and prays for the repose of his soul.”

Firm Launches Networking Programme to Boost Female Entrepreneurship

Reap & Arcenciel Limited has concluded arrangements to strengthen the culture of entrepreneurship among African women through financial advisory, networking and fund-raising support.

This was disclosed by the company’s Head of Operations, Mr. Oluseye Ayinde, during a networking session on funding opportunities for female entrepreneurs, held recently in Lagos.

Reap & Arcenciel, a member of the R & A Group, is a management consulting, financial advisory and media service organisation.

Ayinde, said the company’s desire to promote the cause of female entrepreneurship was borne of its experience dealing with female business owners, who according to him, “are better managers of resources than many of their male counterparts.”.

He noted that given more opportunities, women could provide the platform for positive economic transformation across the African continent, particularly if availed the right mix of financial and management support.

Ayinde further noted that the

company would soon unveil a management support model called 4Ms, designed exclusively by the firm for women interested in obtaining the money, management support, market access and modern methodology required to thrive and compete in the marketplace.

He concluded by saying the company’s ultimate aim was to develop several women-owned businesses that would be listed on local and international exchanges, and ready to compete in the global stage with quality products and superior returns delivered to shareholders.

Patrick Akinwuntan; Former Group CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Ade Ayeyemi; Former Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Evelyn Oputu; Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal and President, Africa Fintech Network, Dr. Segun Aina, during the Ecobank Adire Experience in Lagos on Sunday PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

SWEARING-IN OF COMMISSIONERS-DESIGNATE IN EDO......

Ogun Shifts Proclamation of 10th Assembly to June 20

The Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Deji Adeyemo, yesterday announced the postponement of the much-expected inauguration of the 10th Assembly of the state to June 20.

The proclamation of the legislative arm of the government, was initially scheduled to hold sequel to a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun.

However, the notice of postponement of the proclamation, through a statement by the clerk jolted some lawmakers-elect, who condemned the shift to a new date.

To forestall a likely breakdown of law and order, there was heavy presence of security personnel, comprising men of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police at the premises. Speaking with journalists at the entrance of the Assembly Complex,

a member - elect, Olalekan Adeleye (Odogbolu), expressed shock over the postponement of the inauguration.

Adeleye lamented that no letter was issued for the postponement, saying it was only through a WhatsApp message which not all members-elect were aware of.

"What is happening here this morning is strange. We were in high spirits yesterday, hoping that we will resume here at 9am for our inauguration .

"To our dismay, we were locked out and we started asking questions what happened and someone called my attention to a WhatsApp message purportedly sent by the Clerk of the House that the inauguration has been postponed to June 20.

"If at all this is going to happen, there are appropriate ways of communication. The notice of this inauguration was sent via a proclamation letter written by the

Falgore Emerges Speaker of Kano House of Assembly

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The member representing Rogo Constituency in the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, has emerged the speaker of the state assembly.

Falgore was elected speaker after a wide consultation by the House of Assembly members. The new Speaker emerged from Kano South Senatorial District and is said to be the preferred candidate of the party stakeholders from the zone.

Also, Muhamma Butu from Rimin Gado constituency emerged as

deputy speaker of the house, while the position of majority leader went to Lawan Husaini of Dala constituency.

Kano state House of Assembly has 40 members with 26 members from the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), while the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 14 members.

Meanwhile, the Governor Abba Yusuf, yesterday inaugurated the 10th Kano state House of Assembly, as a mammoth crowd of NNPP supporters adorned with red caps and scarfs thronged the Assembly complex at Audu Bako Secretariat amidst tight security.

Former Commissioner Elected Speaker of Niger's 10th Assembly

Assembly gets first female deputy speaker

Laleye Dipo in Minna

A former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has emerged the new speaker of the 10th Niger State House of Assembly.

This is just as the legislature also got its first female Deputy Speaker, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, who is also the only female member of the House.

In his inaugural speech, the speaker expressed gratitude to his colleagues for electing him and promised to give the house purposeful leadership.

Similarly, Sarkindaji commended the State Governor, Mohammed Bago,

for not interfering in the electoral process that brought him and other leaders of the House to power.

Sarkindaji pledged to work closely with the executive to bring rapid development to all parts of the state.

Bago, represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba, congratulated the legislators on their election and inauguration, promising to collaborate with them for the smooth running of the state

He reminded the lawmakers, 25 of which are newly-elected lawmakers, that the expectations of the people from them were high and therefore asked for passage of quality bills and motions.

governor that the 10th assembly would start by June 13.

"And if there is going to be postponement, such proclamation letter should be withdrawn followed by another proclamation letter conveying the new date," he said.

The member-elect who spoke on behalf of other eight Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) memberselect who were also present, added that the sudden postponement was not the best way to start the present legislature. He noted that no senior management staff was around to talk to them on reasons for the postponement. Reacting, the immediate past

Speaker , Olakunle Oluomo, urged opposition party members-elect to keep calm over the postponement of the inauguration of the 10th assembly earlier scheduled yesterday.

Oluomo (Ifo 1) informed that the news of the postponement was sent via the platform created for both the newly elected members and the

returning ones.

The former speaker urged the members-elect not to be disturbed by the postponement, advising all members to wait for the new date.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 17 members-elect while the PDP has nine memberselect in the 10th assembly.

INEC Boss, Mahmood May Testify in Atiku's Petition against Tinubu June 15

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, may tommorow, appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PREPEC) to give evidence on the conduct of the February 25 presidential election.

Mahmood's appearance would be at the instance of a court summon filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The former Vice President had dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to court, protesting the process and e eventual outcome of the presidential election which produced Tinubu as President.

Shortly before the close of proceedings, yesterday, Chief Chris Uche, lead counsel to Atiku and PDP, had announced that Mahmood would be appearing in court on June 15 or 16, to testify on the conduct of the disputed presidential election and also tender documents in aid of the presidential candidate of the PDP.

Uche however, did not disclose the nature of documents the INEC chief would be required to tender.

According to Uche, the formal announcement about Mahmood's appearance was to prepare the respondents’ minds and prevent possible objections on grounds that they were not informed.

Meanwhile, the first star witness of the petitioners, Dr. Alex Adum Ter, told the panel that only about 9403 results were uploaded into the INEC's Results Viewing ( IReV) portal as at March 1, when Mahmood declared Tinubu as winner of the presidential election.

Ter, who was the National Coordinator, Situation Room for PDP in the just concluded general elections in his evidence in Chief, claimed that the failure of INEC to transmit the results of the election real time from the polling units to the IReV portal for all to see substantially robbed the presidential election of

any credibility and validity.

Besides documentary evidence he brought before the court to prove that INEC did not transmit the presidential election results in line with its regulations and guidelines, the witness also tendered video evidence featuring Mahmood, INEC's Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, assuring Nigerians that election results would be electronically transmitted to make the election credible and transparent.

In the third video involving European Union Observer Mission, at a press conference, the observer group was seen and heard saying INEC did not start uploading election results until 10pm of election day and barely reached 20 per cent by noon the following day.

Although, Tinubu and APC objected to the admissibility of the documents, Justice Tsammani admitted them after which the video clips were played in the open court.

The witness also tendered screen shots of the IReV portal.

During cross examination by the respondents, the witness admitted that he was not at the National Collation Center but was at the PDP situation room in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He also admitted not being an ICT expert, but that he based his

report from information obtained from agents of the PDP at the collation centers.

The witness faulted INEC for not transmitting presidential election results electronically, adding that calculation errors led the electoral body into grave errors .

Hearing in the suit continues today.

Meanwhile, amongst documents tendered and admitted as exhibits at the ongoing PREPEC yesterday, included copies of a blurred report of INEC's IReV portal.

The IReV report duly certified by INEC were tendered by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in their bid to prove their petitions against the election of Tinubu.

At yesterday's proceedings, after tendering Forms EC40GPU and EC40G1 used in the conduct of the February 25 presidential election, Obi and LP through their lawyer, Mr. Peter Afoba, went ahead to tender copies of the INEC's IReV report released to them following their request through the court.

First of the IReV report to be tendered were in respect of 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State. However, when it got to the turn of Ogun State, Afoba told the court that the IReV report he sought to tender in

respect of 20 LGAs are "generally blurred copies", adding that they were certified by INEC.

Like, all other documents which were opposed by the respondents which include INEC, Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the court however admitted the blurred documents as exhibits.

Other states whose IReV reports were admitted as exhibits were Ekiti, with respect to 16 LGAs, Rivers, with respect to 19 LGAs and Akwa Ibom, with respect to 25.

Besides IReV report, the petitioners also tendered five reports on the conduct of the election in Niger State and 8 in Edo to back up allegations of malpractices during the conduct of the election.

Regarding the Form EC40GPU, the petitioners tendered exhibits from 10 LGAs in Niger State, 23 in seven LGAs in Osun, 17 in three LGAs in Edo State and five LGAs in Sokoto were tendered.

Obi also tendered 15 forms EC40G in 8 Local Government Areas of Osun State, 12 forms EC40G1 in 12 Local Government Areas of Edo, 15 forms EC40G in four Local Government Areas of Sokoto and 9 forms EC40G1 in two Local Government Areas of Sokoto.

Hearing in the petition continues today.

Jigawa Youths Protest Alleged Planned Imposition of Speaker

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse

Thousands of Jigawa youths embarked on a peaceful demonstration against the alleged planned imposition of a speaker to lead the 8th Assembly in the state.

The peaceful demonstration which was organised by All Progressives (APC) North-west Youth Alliance for Good Governance, Jigawa state chapter, took place at the Assembly premises and Government House in Dutse.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Secretary General

of the group, Adamu Jahun , described the demonstration as a visit to sensitise members-elect on the need to elect individuals with passion for the state and capacity to collaborate with the executive, to bring sustainable development to the state.

According to him, the only way Governor Umar Namadi will redeem his campaign promises is to have a vibrant 8th assembly where both the executive and legislative will work in harmony as well as in the best interest of Jigawa.

He maintained that the dem-

onstration was also to inform the legislators of the need to allow internal cohesion to prevail in their quest for new leadership in the House.

"We shall advise the memberselect to resist any temptation, intimidation and coercion by external forces, to undermine the process," he said.

The protesters who insisted on witnessing the voting process, said that the constitution does not prohibit such and that Jigawa state is greater than any individual or group of persons.

James Sowole in Abeokuta

L-R: Commissioner-designates, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi; Isoken Omo; Adaze Aguele-Kalu; Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; other commissioner-designates, Christabel Omo Ekwu; Dr. Samuel Alli; Uyi Oduwa Malaka, after the swearing-in of commissioner-designates and new members of the Executive Council, in Government House, GRA, Benin City,... yesterday

Court admits blurred electoral body’s certified IReV report as exhibits in Obi's petition against president

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Trump Pleads Not Guilty in Arraignment over Classified Files

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to historic charges of mishandling sensitive files at a federal court in Miami, Florida.

Trump is the first US president - current or former - to be hit with a federal criminal indictment.

He was spared a mugshot, but was expected to be digitally fingerprinted and submit a DNA sample by swab. This was the second time Mr Trump has appeared in court this year, but yesterday's case was more serious.

arm whenever it worked against the interest of the Nigerian populace. He assured that the 10th House would not be a rubber stamp in the hands of the executive.

The new speaker said, "We will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonise with the executive where necessary, but where there is a conflict of interest, where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public, they know that we'll stand up against that.”

He emphasised that the wide acceptability, depicted by the crossparty support during his election, gave the lie to the picture previously painted that he was being imposed by the ruling APC.

Abbas stated, “If you talk about rubber stamp, look at the acceptance rate, those who have elected those across party lines, almost the whole PDP, SDP, ADC and all other minority parties voted us. So if they felt that we are going to be rubber stamps, do you think they will elect us? No. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly, the legislature.”

Kalu, on his part, said the 10th House of Representatives would be delivering the promises its members made to their constituents by working with the executive.

He said, “We promised during the time we went to all the constituencies in the Federal Republic, canvassing for votes, the promise that we're going to ensure that nation-building remains a joint task that will not be left only for the executive, the judiciary to handle.

“We promised that we are going to be there to make sure we bring our own bricks to the nation-building work and this extends to creation of jobs, reduction of poverty, policies that go into enhancing our energy sources, policies that will help us create more local content usage in this country.

“Manufacturing now helps us reduce importation and increases

"We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty," BBC quoted the attorney, Todd Blanche, to have told the judge.

The former president appeared sombre in court, sitting in a dark suit and red tie with his arms crossed.

Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta - a close aide charged with six criminal counts in the case - was sitting at the same table as the former president and also pleaded not guilty.

The former president, 76, was allowed to leave court without restrictions, according to CNN, after prosecutors told Magistrate Judge

exportation that will stimulate our economy. And as you see in the past 15 days, Mr. President has been taking the right decisions on issues. We want to sustain that through legislative support, legislative intervention to make sure that together, we build a nation we will be proud of.”

Adamu: APC Will Waste No Time

Filling Other Principal Offices

National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, assured that the party would waste no time in filling the remaining principal offices in the National Assembly.

Adamu disclosed this on Tuesday evening while speaking to newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The national chairman disclosed that the process that produced the leadership of the 10th National Assembly had left the party with some lessons. He attributed the successful inauguration of the 10th Assembly and the election of the preferred candidates of the party into the leadership of the two chambers to thorough consultation and respect to those who deserved it.

Answering a question of how the party managed to have its preferred choices elected, Adamu said, “Very thorough consultations and respect for all those who deserved respect. This is what took us through this very important step in the important arm of government.

“For people who don’t know, for people who are into constitutional law, the legislature is the first estate and no government can claim to be stable without ensuring that the National Assembly is in state and that’s what we’ve achieved today.

“It wasn’t easy coming to this point, but we thank God Almighty that so much has been done and so much lessons have been learned in the course of this endeavour. There’s time for everything and God is the giver of power and influence. God

Jonathan Goodman the defendant was not considered a flight risk.

Trump - frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination - was driven to court by motorcade from the Trump National Doral resort where he spent the night.

During the drive, several messages were posted to his account on the social media platform Truth Social, including one in all capital letters saying: "One of the saddest days in the history of our country. We are a nation in decline!!!"

Alina Habba, a lawyer attorney

has chosen the gentlemen today: President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate, and Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“What is now left for us, as a party, is to sit and determine the remaining members. Each of these principal officers has got a deputy and, of course, the Majority Leader of each of the chambers.

“We’re going to sit over this and we want to believe that we’re going to waste no time whatsoever, we’ll come up with what we’ll give the president to get his buy-in before it’s made public or before it goes to the National Assembly. This day is very historic.”

Adamu expressed the belief that the leadership of the National Assembly would do well and work to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the country.

Meanwhile, Adamu hailed Tinubu for signing the Student Loan Bill into law, describing it as “an extremely positive step.”

According to Adamu, the new law would go a very long way in alleviating the burdens of indigent students in their quest for education.

He said, “This law is virtually guaranteeing every child of this country an opportunity to get good education. We support it and we stand with the president shoulder to shoulder in ensuring that its implementation becomes easy.”

HURIWA Doubts 1oth National Assembly will Be Independent Human Rights Writers Associates (HURIWA) expressed doubt that Nigerians would witness a robust, independent-minded and pro-people national legislature.

The rights group predicted that the current session of the National Assembly, with candidates, allegedly, handpicked by President Bola Tinubu, would be a docile and rubber stampe legislature, just like the ninth session of the National Assembly headed by Ahmed Lawan.

HURIWA said it was unfortunate

for the former president, repeated the former president's claims that the charges were politically motivated as she addressed media outside court.

"We are at a turning point in our nation's history, the targeting prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships like Cuba and Venezuela," she told reporters.

"What is being done to the President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country," she added.

Instead of facing the humiliation of a booking photo, the US

that the ruling party created the impression that the senators and members of the House of Representatives were persons of very low integrity, whose consciences could be bought by either money or political patronage to do the bidding of the president. He said this was antithetical to the fundamentals of constitutional democracy.

HURIWA accused the executive arm of government of arm-twisting the legislators to accept the docile leadership it had all the while prepared for the 10th session of the National Assembly.

It stated, "We are shocked by the amount of interest and the high levels of threats and intimidation that the few senators, who dissented from the mainstream position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the leadership composition in the National Assembly, were subjected to, including the attempted deployment of armed law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies against them just so they can step down for Akpabio, who incidentally has been accused by the EFCC of financial indiscretion as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs."

HURIWA, while reacting to the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President and Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker of the House of Representatives, alleged that both legislators, including their deputies, were handpicked by the president, who is the head of the executive arm of government. It said it would be almost impossible for such a hierarchy to provide robust legislative activities or oversight functions over the executive and judicial arms of government in the current dispensation. The rights group urged Nigerians to be vigilant and defend the integrity of the constitutional democracy that the country had embraced.

HURIWA said, "The processes that threw up the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives smacks of executive interferences and as

Marshals Service - which secures federal courts - will use a previously taken photo of Trump, officials at the court briefed journalists on Tuesday morning.

Trump, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, is expected to return to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will make remarks to the media. Small crowds of Trump supporters and counter-protesters gathered outside the court.

City authorities had prepared for possible unrest, but Mayor Francis

far as rational-minded people are concerned, the National Assembly is already hijacked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and unless miracle happens, the interests of the people of Nigeria, who are the real owners of the sovereignty of Nigeria, won't be protected.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who fixed Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas as heads of Senate and Federal House of Representatives, already has his secret plot that he intends to achieve and these are all about himself and his political dynasty. Nigerians must be ready to fight for their rights."

Prominent Nigerians Greet Akpabio, Abass, Others

Prominent Nigerians from different walks of life had since yesterday been sending congratulatory messages to the new leadership of the National Assembly, advising them not to abuse the trust the people have in them.

SGF George Akume

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, congratulated the newly elected President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, as well as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on their victory as the presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly.

In a statement yesterday, the SGF described the legislators’ emergence as victory for democracy. He said it epitomised the unity of purpose, inclusivity in governance and stability in the polity for the realisation of the Renewed Hope agenda of the administration.

Akume stated that with the emergence of Akpabio and Abbas as President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, the National Assembly’s principal officers would guarantee a robust, close and collaborative

Suarez told reporters on Tuesday afternoon there had not been any security problems. The charges, which were made public on Friday, came after FBI agents found more than 100 documents with classified markings at Trump's private Florida estate Mar-a-Lago in August. They allegedly contained information about the defence and weapons capabilities of both the US and foreign countries, as well as plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.

working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government while safeguarding their independence for the overall benefit of the country.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, charged members of the 10th National Assembly to surpass the laudable record of the Ninth Assembly, saying they are expected to settle down quickly to begin to pass laws and make decisions that would be beneficial to all Nigerians.

Speaking to journalists after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu urged the legislature to support the work of the executive, led by Tinubu.

The governor said, "We need to wish them all the very best, pray for them, and hope that this 10th Assembly can, indeed, also do better than the Ninth Assembly. We understand that the Ninth Assembly was one of the biggest in terms of the bills and everything, but the 10th Assembly has a target to meet and surpass.

"So, I imagine they are going to settle very quickly and begin to pass laws and make decisions that will be beneficial to all Nigerians, irrespective of what part of the country you come from. I wish them all the very best and I want to say, congratulations to all Nigerians."

Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, congratulated former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for emerging President of the Senate.

The governor, who witnessed the elections both at the Senate and House of Representatives, also congratulated Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives with Hon. Benjamin Kalu as his deputy.

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TINUBU: AKPABIO, ABASS’ EMERGENCE GOOD DEVELOPMENT FOR NIGERIA

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Representative, Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),Mrs Bukky Rufai, Principal Consultant, Joe Mekiliuwa Consulting Services Limited, Dr Joe Mekiliuwa; Mrs Eniola Olowookere; Author, Databook, Dr Afolabi Olowookere, Chairman of the event, Dr Olusegun Aina, during the launch of the “Nigeria in Figures” a Socio-economic Databook in Lagos…recently

Police Kill Four Suspects Terrorising East-West Road Section in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have killed a notorious kidnapping gang leader, Wordi Amadi, and three of his members, including a female, who were said to be terrorising the Emohua axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

The Emohua Local Government Area Chairman, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, had recently declared the gang leader, Amadi, wanted by placing a N2 million bounty for anyone who could get him alive or dead,

following the suspect’s series of atrocities committed in the area.

The suspects, who have been in the police wanted list for many years, have also made the said area unsafe for residents and commuters. They have allegedly masterminded the various reported kidnapping and killings in the Emohua axis of the East-West Road.

Following intelligence, the suspects were traced to their hideout in Ogoloma, Okrika LGA of the state, where they were killed during a gun duel with the police in the early hours

Ekiti, UN-Habitat Sign MoU on Urban Devt

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) in Nairobi, Kenya.

The state was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Akin Oyebode, and Director-General, Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency

of yesterday. Briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner of Police,

Nwonyi P. Emeka, explained that the suspects engaged the police operatives in gun battle but were overpowered by the police.

He noted that the deceased suspects were involved in the kidnapping and robbery activities for ransom that happened on

the East-West Road and have made the indigenes of Elibrada community in Emohua to desert their homes.

CDS Lauds Mbah’s Stance on Insecurity, Promises Military Partnership

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has pledged military’s readiness and commitment to partnering with the Enugu State government towards the security of lives and property in the state. This was even as the state

CSOs

(EKDIPA), Mr. Ayo Aribidara. Adubiaro signed the document on behalf of Ekiti State and it was counter-signed by Mr. Sylla Oumar, the director of the UN-Habitat African Regional Office.

A statement signed by Special Adviser to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, explained that the main objective of the MoU was to foster collaboration in the implementation of activities geared towards regional spatial planning, preparation of urban development plans and urban renewal for Ekiti State.

ITF Equips 500,000 Youths

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) yesterday stated that over 500,000 Nigerian young men and women have been empowered with requisite employability and technical skills over the past five years. Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of ITF’s Ikeja area office, Lagos, by the DirectorGeneral of ITF, Joseph Ntung Ari, said so far, the numbers are going up by the year in its bid to address the high rate of unemployment in the country currently put at 33 per cent with the youths constituting

over 70 per cent.

According to him, ITF would be investing massively in equipping more youths going forward, saying the move is coming on the heels of the Tinubu-led administration as he identifies human capacity development as one of the pillars for achieving an all-inclusive economic growth.

He said: “Our administration was ushered into office in September 2016, but as of 2021, we were able to equip over 500,000 Nigerian young men and women with the requisite skills, and the numbers are going up by the year.

Sule Swears in SSG, Seven Perm Secretaries

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, yesterday swore in Muhammad Aliyu Ubandoma, who he renewed his appointment recently, as the Secretary to the State Governor (SSG).

The governor also swore in seven newly appointed permanent secretaries and two members of the Nasarawa State Judiciary Service Commission (JSC).

Speaking at the event held at

the Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall in the Government House, Lafia, the governor tasked the newly sworn-in appointees to work in line with his administration’s policy of reforming the civil service.

He equally tasked them to be innovative and to demonstrate proven integrity to reinvigorate the service for higher productivity.

Sule used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s subsidy removal policy, arguing that the removal of the subsidy was necessary.

governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, identified insecurity as the major obstacle to his administration’s agenda to raise the state’s economy from the present $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

General Irabor said the hierarchy of the Nigerian military

services was impressed by the bold security measures so far taken by the governor, assuring that they would play their part in encouraging socio-economic development of the state by enhancing internal security.

The military chief stated this

during a courtesy call on the governor and meeting with critical stakeholders at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

He said he was in the state for a review of the impact of the security efforts of the military in the state.

to Tinubu: Don’t Use NSA’s Appointment for Political Patronage

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

A coalition of civil society organisations and community security has advised President Bola Tinubu not to use the appointment of the National Security Adviser (NSA) as

compensation for political support. According to the coalition, the advice became necessary given the critical role the occupant of the office of the NSA plays in the security and stability of the nation. Giving the admonition at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday,

the Executive Director of the People’s Care And Advocacy Initiative (TPCAI), Danladi Isaac, said the coalition was compelled to draw the president’s attention because of the imperative to avoid mistakes.

He said: “The NSA serves as the chief adviser to Mr. President

on matters of national security. In other words, he manages national security on behalf of the President and serves as his chief adviser on all matters that are vital to the very survival of the state. In normal times, national security looks to just protect citizens from internal and external threats.

Again, Benue Communal Clash Claims One Life, Several Houses Razed

From George Okoh In Makurdi

Again a perennial communal clash between the Mbasombo and Mbaivur communities of Ikpayongo in the Gwer East Local Government Area

of Benue State yesterday claimed one live while several houses were burnt. The two communities have been having a conflict that recently led to the murder of a young man on his farm.

According to sources the

Mbaivur people attacked the Mbasombo community early this morning (Tuesday), burning down several houses as they sought revenge for the murder of their son, who was killed on Friday.

An Mbaivur resident, who wished to remain

anonymous, confirmed the attack on Mbasombo. The eyewitness disclosed that when the Mbaivur community learned of the death of their son, they demanded that the culprits be brought to justice within 48 hours.

Kano Gov Seeks Harmonious Working Relationship with Legislature

Ibrahim

Shuaibu

in Kano

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has sought the support and cooperation of the legislative with executive arm of government for harmonious working relationships that would engender speedy development

of the state.

Governor Yusuf made the call when he received the new leadership and members of the Kano State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNP) under the new Speaker Rt. Hon, Jibril Ismail Falgore at the government house immediately

after the swearing-in of the 10th assembly.

The governor congratulated the new leadership and other members of the house for the inauguration of the new assembly and prayed to Almighty Allah to guide them in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities and relate with other arms of

government peacefully.

“We assure you of the readiness of our administration to work as two arms of government to take our dear state to greater heights. Your cooperation is seriously needed in that direction as we are all working for a common goal, that is the repositioning of Kano,” said the governor.

Taraba Moves to Tackle Youth Restiveness, Economic Backwardness

From Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has opened the first youth, economic and security summit in the state aimed at finding solutions to

the alarming rate of youth restiveness in the state. Besides, the summit, which is an initiative of the governor, was put together to generate ideas towards improving the economy of the state and find solutions to the perennial ethnic clashes and general insecurity confronting the state.

Declaring the summit open, Governor Kefas urged the youths of the state to embrace entrepreneurship and innovative ideas that would grow the economy of the state rather than relying on government jobs.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon

Kataps, the governor stressed that the summit, tagged: “Harvesting the potential in our youth, repositioning Taraba from potential to prosperity and securing our people” would create an enabling environment for investors to come and explore the economic potentials of the state.

President Tinubu Urged to Reconcile APC Members in Osun

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconcile all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in

the State of Osun.

Reconciling everyone, Molaasan said, would unite not only the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and former Governor of the State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, but also put a stop to misinformation and bitter politics being played

by certain individuals and organisations.

Molaasan, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, yesterday also chided the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for what he described as unguided statement and uninformed comment on the rift between

Aregbesola and Oyetola.

The cleric urged Muslims in Osun and South-west in general to ignore the statement released by the Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, where he declared that Aregbesola was guilty in the rift between him and Oyetola.

Oshoala Welcomes FIFA’s Decision to Pay Players Directly

Smarting from previous experience of African players having to stage protests over unpaid bonuses and allowances, Barcelona and Nigeria striker, Asisat Oshoala, has thrown her weight behind the decision of FIFA to pay 2023 Women’s World Cup incentives directly to the players’ bank accounts rather than previous practice of going through the various national federations.

Each player will take home at least $30,000 from the tournament, with all 23 members of the winning team guaranteed $270,000 as part of a $110million total prize pool at stake at the edition to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Five-time African Player of the Year, Oshoala, told BBC Sports Africa yesterday that the funds going straight to players rather than federations is a major step forward.

"I'm happy things are beginning to change and players don't have to be dependent on their federations for income from World Cup appearances alone,"observed Oshoala who is still basking in the euphoria of winning the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona Femeni. Africa's most successful national side, Nigeria's Super Falcons have been in the public eye previously after protests by players relating to unpaid bonuses and allowances at continental and global tournaments.

At the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, the Nigeria players threatened a sit-in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses after their last-16 elimination by Germany.

WORLD CUP BONUSES

"It's really is interesting to see such development because it will serve as a motivation to the players."

Reigning African champions South Africa are joined by Nigeria, who have been ever-presents at the event, plus Morocco and Zambia at this year's tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The minimum $30,000 in direct prize money is more than twice the average salary of $14,000 for paid players surveyed in FIFA's 2022 benchmarking report.

With a lack of sponsorship, investment and a growing number of struggling clubs on the continent, many Africa-based footballers often rely on earnings from the national teams.

But Oshoala, who made scoring appearances at the 2015 and 2019 World Cup tournaments, is confident the latest FIFA distribution model, which has been endorsed by global players union Fifpro, can prevent another embarrassment.

"It's not always a good look to stage protests because all the players want to do is focus on the football," the Barcelona star added.

For the upcoming Women's World Cup, member associations will also receive increased funding based on performance, with winners taking home $4.29million and delegations earning $1.56 millions for participating in the group stage.

Should the African teams progress beyond the group stages, there is an

GadzamaTasks Brume, Onwuzurike to Go Conquer the World

Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist, Tafida Gadzama, has tasked Nigerian student athletes who made the podium and those who set lifetime bests at the just ended American NCAA Outdoor Championship to take the form to Budapest, Hungary this August at the World Athletics Championships. Udodi Onwuzurike ran new lifetime bests in the 100m (9.92) and 200m (19.76) enroute to making the final of the former and clinched a historic gold in the latter while Godson Oghenebrume ran 9.90 in the 100m event to finish second in the final.

Favour Ashe improved his personal best in the 100m to 9.96 while Nathaniel Ezekiel ran inside 49 seconds consistently at the Championships to finish third in the 400m hurdles.

Rosemary Chukwuma and Favour Ofili also made it to the final of the 100m and 200m respectively.

Gadzama believes these are signs that the rising profile since 2021 was not by happenstances.

“I am delighted with the steady progress we have been making since

2021 when Tobi Amusan won the Diamond League trophy. We have since produced a world outdoor champion and record holder.

“For the first in our history, we have three Nigerian sprinters break 10 seconds in the event the same year and chances are could have one or two more do that before the end of the outdoor season,” stressed Gadzama who is also the first Vice President of the AFN. Gadzama, who insisted that he is talking in his personal capacity and as an Olympic gold medal winner, believes Nigerian athletes can shake the tables in Budapest in August.

“Oghenebrume has shown the kind of spirit I want the others to imbibe. The 20-year-old student athlete at Louisiana State University has warned the world he is ready to ruffle feathers at World Athletics' flagship event.

“I am confident we can get to the final of the men's 100m for the first time since 2007 when my friend, Olusoji Fasuba, came fourth and made the podium for the first time ever,” said Gadzama, a former African U20 400m champion.

Former Super Eagles Defender, Onyemachara, for Burial July 7

Late former Super Eagles defender, Mike Nkeonye Onyemachara, who died on May 5, will be laid to rest on July 7, 2023in his home town, Umuanunu, Obinze, Imo State, the family has announced.

According to a statement by the family, football legends and professionals, fans, friends and well-wishers are expected at the burial.

Lamenting the demise of their breadwinner, the family solicited support from Onyemachara’s former employers, clubs and football lovers to give the former

increased $1.87m and $2.18m on offer for the federations in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively.

FIFA has made it clear to national federations that it expects that the amount retained by member associations will be reinvested in their footballing activities, including coaching staff, grassroots projects, youth national teams and women's football capacity-building programmes.

This move will help improve

the game on the African continent, according to Oshoala, a two-time European Women's Champions League winner with Barcelona.

"This means FIFA will monitor these funds and make sure they're channelled to the right places and players can also benefit from it individually," she said.

The tournament will begin on July 20, with Nigeria opening their campaign against Canada in Melbourne a day later before facing Australia and the Republic of Ireland in Brisbane.

STAR BOY IN TOWN...

Asisat

Gov Otti Hails Enyimba Over League Triumph, Dedicates Trophy to Abia People

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Governor of Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti, has congratulated Enyimba International FC of Aba for winning the club’s ninth title of the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) at the weekend.

Otti said that the victory was not only exciting but also a sign of better things to come under his administration, which is barely two weeks old.

The People's Elephant lifted their ninth league trophy after topping the 2022/23 NPL Super 6 Playoffs table last Sunday in Lagos.

In a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kazie Uko, Otti dedicated Enyimba’s triumph to the People of Abia, who have remained steadfast in supporting their darling team.

participated in that competition in Lagos".

Otti recalled that Enyimba were nearly on the verge of not participating in the Super 6 playoffs due to paucity of funds experienced by the club after the change of government.

He said: "At a point, it looked like their participation was not going to be possible, due to paucity of funds. We had only just assumed office. But we rallied round to raise money for the club".

The new governor of Abia was said to have spoken with the Enyimba players shortly before they filed out against Rivers United in their decisive last match of the playoffs. That morale-boosting pep-talk worked

as Enyimba played a 1-1 draw that was enough to see them smiling away with the trophy.

Meanwhile, the Interim Management Committee has tied the N100million prize money won by Enyimba International to recruitment of players and development of the club infrastructure.

Chairman of the NPL Interim Management Committee (IMC), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, laid the charge to the Club Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu during a meeting with the NPFL Clubs Chairmen in Lagos on Monday.

Elegbeleye explained that the prize money which would be credited to the club's bank account within the

week has been tied to strengthening the club to compete favourably on the continent and meet infrastructural conditions set by Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) for hosting the CAF Champions League.

"Let me again congratulate Enyimba International for emerging the champions but it has to be stated that in line with the developmental trajectories of the IMC and our investment partners, GTI, there is a portion of the money tied to certain projects.

"Of the N100 million, the club must spend a minimum of N25 million on quality players recruitment to strengthen their squad and be able to represent the country well in the CAF Champions League next season.

Iwuanyanwu Nationale captain a befitting burial.

The statement signed by Onyemachara’s older brother, Johnson, reads: “As arrangements for the burial are being made, family members are also grappling with the challenge of completing a four bedroom bungalow project the deceased footballer started a couple of years ago, but was unable to complete it.

“We need money to ensure the completion of the house before the burial, which has already been fixed for July 7, 2023.

The governor noted the significance of Enyimba’s achievement, describing it as the second most important thing to happen to Abians this year, after the March 18, 2023 election that brought him to power.

"This is a victory for Abia people, who have for a long time been traumatised. We are glad this is happening early under our watch. It is a sign of better things to come for our state and its people," the elated Abia chief executive enthused yesterday.

"I want to congratulate the People's Elephant, as we call Enyimba, on this exciting victory. I also like to congratulate the club’s management and the Senior Special Assistant on Sports, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, for their resilience in ensuring that the club

Brazil to Play

Brazil will play a friendly match against Spain at the Bernabeu in March next year as part of an anti-racism campaign in support of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, the Spanish FA (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales announced yesterday. Rubiales and his Brazilian FA (CBF) counterpart, Ednaldo Rodrigues, met in Madrid to launch their joint movement to combat racism under the slogan “One Skin”.

The agreement follows the racist insults 22-year-old Vinicius suffered in a LaLiga match at Valencia in May, the 10th such incident against

Spain

in Support of Vinicius Jr

the player that LaLiga has reported to prosecutors this season.

“It is important to understand that harder punishment needs to be applied in cases of racism by the football authorities,” Rodrigues told a news conference.

“Fines are not enough. The clubs need to be held accountable too.

CBF was the first football federation to adopt harder sanctions for cases of racism, such as the deduction of points in league standings, closure of stands or the lifetime expulsion

of club members.

“We need to lead a campaign worldwide to fight against this virus that ashame everyone in football.”

Last month, the CBF also launched a national campaign against racism in Brazilian league matches with the slogan “There is no game with racism.”

Brazil, five-time world champions, are in the region for matches against Guinea in Barcelona on Saturday and Senegal in Lisbon three days later.

Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen (right), was part of Super Eagles training behind closed doors yesterday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

Oshoala...hails FIFA’s decision to deal directly with World Cup players

MISSILE APGA to Federal Government

“Yes,AllProgressivesGrandAlliance(APGA)believesintheunityandonenessofNigeria, butwearesendingakeymessagethattheonlyoptiontotheeconomicsurvivaland emancipationofthecountryisrestructuring.Wemusthavefiscalrestructuring,we musthaverestructuringofthepoliticalsystemtoreduceoverdependenceofstateson allocationsfromthecentre.”

--NationalChairmanofAPGA,SylvesterEzeokenwa,taskingthe governmenttorestructuretheNigerianFederation,promisingtosupporttheeffort.

SAMAMADI

GUEST COLUMNIST

Subsidy Removal and Its Discontents

The sudden but predicted removal of fuel subsidy has sparked some fireworks and a lot of incoherence about the Nigerian economy and its sociopolitical currents. In the matter of subsidy, I suspect that there is as much consensus as confusion. The major presidential candidates all committed to removing fuel subsidy, although with different nuances about what comes before and after. Notably, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, promised to first establish the exact amount of consumption as to establish the volumetric impact of subsidy. He would then reduce it by 50% at the first instance with simultaneous mitigators. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu promised swift removal of subsidy and reinvestment of the savings in infrastructure. Atiku’s plan is not very different from the two.

But none of them has a coherent plan about how the manner of removal of subsidy entails any of the strategic objectives they intend to achieve in the economy. Now, think about it. Nigeria has the lowest minimum wage in the world, or at least any of its comparable countries. Let us take a few examples. Pakistani is a comparable country to Nigeria in terms of population, diversities, and economic development. Its minimum wage is $111. South Africa has a minimum wage of $226, while Saudi Arabia has $958. Minimum wage in neighboring Chad is $108.2. War-torn DRC has a minimum way of $92.47. Nigeria’s minimum wage is $68, the lowest in the World. Besides, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world with an estimated 80-90m very poor citizens. The recent NBS estimates report that 143m Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. The current unemployment is about 33.4%. The concern should be how proper pricing of an essential product like premium motor spirit (PMS) would impact on the livelihood and wellbeing of majority of these citizens.

In the context of pervasive poverty, any serious economic plan must relate actions like removal of subsidy to managing poverty. The sad part is that poverty is self-perpetuating. It does not reduce itself except there is an effective policy response. So, the reasonable prediction is that unless something drastic is done, poverty will continue to increase. The minimum you would expect from a serious economic plan in Nigeria about removing subsidy should be that it argues how the removal will reduce poverty, or at least not worsen it. The only policy response of the Buhari administration was a proposed N5,000 one off cash transfer to about 40milion households.

The intersection of the economics of subsidy removal and the economics of poverty reduction in Nigeria frames the fight over subsidy removal. The two broad camps opposing each other on the wisdom of the abrupt and complete removal of fuel subsidy are looking through two different lenses: efficiency and equity. The efficiency camp focuses on the balance sheet of government. Subsidy creates a big hole there and contributes to fiscal bankruptcy of the federal government. When a government spends double the amount it budgets for education and health to subsidize a product used mostly by rich citizens who can afford to pay for their use, then the provision of such goods or services is patently inefficient. Twentieth-century economics rates high the idea of market efficiency based on the theories of Kenneth Arrow and Gerard Debreu. That theory holds that a market can be competitive and efficient (under some assumptions) at the right prices that converge all subjective preferences. At this price, the demand matches supply. The free market requires flexible prices that reflect the equilibrium points where supply equals demand. We know that in the real world, markets are rarely perfect and fully competitive because of both externalities and asymmetries.

The concern for efficiency in the consumption of PMS is two-fold. First, efficient pricing will remove the federal government from paying for PMS and reduce the public sector borrowing requirement for a heavily indebted, low revenue country like Nigeria, that spent 78% of its revenue in 2022 servicing debts. In the past, the NNPC would pay the difference between market prices and actual costs. This created room for serious fraud. Today, NNPC imports the PMS and sells to

which NPPC incurs on behalf of the government constitute the ‘subsidy payment’. What matters for government in the subsidy case is that market for PMS will now be one that consumers pay for what they consume. This is cost-efficiency. The second value of price efficiency is that people will make efficient use of the product, consuming when they need it and can afford it, and forbearing when they don’t need it and can forbear. If the price equals costs, there would be no need to subsidize the supply and no incentive to smuggle the product through the borders because there is no price differential.

Nigerian porous requires policing. But it is cheaper to achieve the same objective through pricing. In this case, the price in-state is the same or close to the same as the price out-state. How much will government save if it allows the price of PMS to equal the cost at any time? It estimates that it could save about N10trillion annually. The argument is that the saving will go into building infrastructure, which will drive up growth and improve welfare.

The efficiency logic goes together with the argument about the proper role of government. Public sector economics believes that a state properly plays three roles in a society: allocative, distributive and stabilization roles. The allocative role of the state prescribes efficiency, which requires that the state allocates resources to where it is most efficiently utilized. Proper pricing is one mechanism of attaining allocative efficiency. The distributive role relates to concern about what is happening to the wellbeing of citizens. The official orthodoxy of the Washington Consensus used to be that ‘a rising tide lifts all the boats’. In the subsidy debate, it translates to saying ‘we recognize that the removal of subsidy will cause hardship to many. But don’t worry, trust us. Once we invest the savings into infrastructure there will be good life for all”. But the thing though is that the return of investment in infrastructure for citizens will not correlate to ending the suffering, even in the long term. In the short term, the investment will not mitigate the extreme hardship that the poor and vulnerable citizens will suffer. A rising tide does not lift all boats. It depends on the nature of the current,

Whereas government will focus on efficiency rather than equity, the labour movement and associated groups pick up the equity lens. The state overriding obligation for the security and wellbeing of the people commits it to more than efficiency considerations. In fact, efficiency must be coupled with equity. The mistake of the subsidy debate is to assume that the existence of subsidy as an equity issue dispense with efficiency from an economic perspective. As the first African Noble Laureate in Economics, W. Arthur Lewis put it in his classic text on economic growth, efficiency translates to economizing. That is, ensuring we produce more with less. Subsidy administration can be efficient and inefficient. We can target it to the group that needs it and in the measure it needs it, without damaging incentive for economizing. The main problem may not be the existence of subsidies as much as the gross inefficiency and corruption in their administration.

Most Nigerian elites seems to agree that fuel subsidy should be removed. But the elite consensus to remove the entire subsidy and expose the working and unemployed poor to poverty and immiseration does not translate to a consensus to attack many layers and levels of entrenched inefficiency in Nigerian political economy. The Orosanya Report recommended rationalization of parastatals and agencies to reduce costs of governance. Successive Nigerian leaders have refused to implement the report because it will result in powerful elites losing high paying political jobs. Nigerian legislators earn the highest in the world with a bankrupting economy. The annual salary and benefits of a Nigerian senator is about N350m while that of a minimum wage earner is less than N400,000. Despite clamor and street protests, legislators have refused to cut the gross waste. Nigeria loses about 470,00 bpd (amounting to $700m monthly) of its crude to thieves working for top military and political leaders. There is no consensus to go hard on oil bunkering because it is Nigerian military and political leaders who are involved in the criminality. We have accepted this inefficiency in our stride.

There is no doubt that Nigeria can ill-afford this level of subsidy payment with its low revenue profile. The fiscal crisis of the Nigerian economy is endemic

and needs a drastic action to stabilize. That brings up the third role of government in public finance: stabilization. The government should consider how its fiscal and monetary policies affect employment, prices, and productivity. The inflationary impact of subsidy removal may undermine growth and economic recovery. It may reduce household consumption and aggravate poverty. This is why some who support the removal of subsidy are worried at its abrupt and reckless removal. As part of the government’s stabilization role, it must think of mitigation of the social and economic impacts of the policy.

It is difficult to convince any empathetic person that people living on less than N30,000 monthly should buy petrol at N535 per liter. If they pay the associated costs of the increase in petrol prices, we expect they will have less to expend on consumables that improve their wellbeing and enable them to escape poverty. So as food inflation rises at the heels of subsidy removal, we expect access to basic nutrition, health, and education to reduce, worsening poverty and inequality. The federal government is responding by promising an increase in minimum wage. Labor unions will surely bargain for mitigation for workers. But the population of Nigerian in formal employment is negligible. What happens to the rest of Nigerians in informal sector with no regular jobs or those tapped in the bottom million who cannot externalize the pass-through costs of petrol? Those are the victims of the Nigerian economy designed to cater to the wellbeing of the rich and political elites. In the short to medium term, none of the conventional mitigations, including the ridiculous N5,000 cash transfer to 40million poor household. will shield the over 80milion poor Nigerian from the crushing impact of the drastic spike in energy price.

The point to make is that Nigeria’s economy is designed to produce inequality and inequity expressed by the consensus to remove fuel subsidy for its obvious inefficiency. Because the economy is steeped in inefficiency it continues to be unproductive. When its unproductivity leads to fiscal collapse as we are verging close, the elites take a purgatory action by sacrificing again its weakest members. Concerns for equity in the wake of the elite consensus to remove petrol subsidy should not be only to increase the minimum wage or provide public buses to transport workers to work in urban cities. It should extend to revising the fundamental structure of the Nigerian economy that makes it the least protective of the citizens and the most effective in producing poverty and inequality.

Nigeria is not just one of the most inefficient and poorest countries in the world, it is also one of the most unequal and privileged. With Gini Coefficient of 35.1% and lowest social protection, even in the West African region, it is obvious that the usual World Bank palliatives will not succor the real victims of the subsidy removal. Oxfam rightly observed that the drivers of poverty and inequality in Nigeria are the almost complete focus of national budget on sectors and projects that cater to the rich, the erosion of labor protection in pursuit of neoliberal policies, and the total absence of social protection for the people. The removal of fuel subsidy in the manner solicited without significant recasting of the Nigerian economy will enhance these drivers. The Nigerian constitution glibly proclaims that Nigeria is a social welfare state. But its political economy always ambles towards an incoherent pseudo-capitalist state. Should we trust the Tinubu administration to alter the structure of the Nigerian economy to reduce its inequality and improve social protection for the working and unemployed poor? Well, evidence from over two decades of ‘progressive’ leadership in Lagos State does not convince. As Tinubu and his successors made Lagos rich, they kicked millions into more poverty and underdevelopment. The two Lagos live side by side: one in high-rise buildings and the other in dignified slums. This inequity is not just a Lagos problem. It is a Nigerian problem. The Nigerian economy works only for the privileged few.

As the federal government and labor leaders agree to save Nigeria from fiscal collapse by accepting the draconic removal of fuel subsidy, we know that once again, Nigeria has outsourced its inefficiency to its unprotected poor. Save the nation and damn the poor.

President Tinubu