WEDNESDAY 19TH JUNE 2024

Offers Additional 17 Deep Offshore Oil Assets for Sale, Extends Pre-qualification Deadline

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)

yesterday announced that with the acquisition of additional data on the oil assets up for sale, it was making available an extra 17 deep offshore

for bids.

In May, the commission had invited investors to bid for 12 oil blocks and seven deep offshore assets

in the 2024 marginal licencing round.

In an update on the latest licencing round, the Gbenga Komolafe-led organisation stated that it had

extended the date for pre-qualification from June 25 to July 5 this year.

value from the country’s abundant oil and gas reserves and increase

“Furthermore, in pursuit of the commission’s commitment to derive Continued on page 10

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki Loses Mother ...

www.thisdaylive.com

Kano Emirate Tussle: State AllegesAssembly Bias, Asks Appeal Court to Take over Proceedings

Rivers Crisis: Police Announce Takeover of 23 Council Secretariats, Critical Govt Infrastructure

One cop, local security guard killed Recalcitrant chairmen scamper for safety as youths pull down Wike's effigy Fubara vows to resist supporters' arrest, directs admin heads to take charge Attempts by pro-Wike chairs to forcefully retain seats treasonable, say lawmakers

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Following what they described as “breakdown of law and order” at the various local government secretariats in Rivers State yesterday, the police have announced the temporary takeover of all the 23 councils’ secretariats, as well as critical government infrastructure in the state.

The police also confirmed the death of two persons in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma Local Government Area, including an officer and an unnamed local security guard, popularly known as “vigilante”.

The steps by the police followed the intensification of the crisis that trailed the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State. Several persons, especially youths, occupied the secretariats of the 23 local

Continued on page 10

GLO-POWERED OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL...

L-R: Globacom’s Head of Sales Operations, Mr. Kazeem Kaka; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at the Globacom-sponsored Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.... yesterday

Wale Igbintade in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Ahead of the ruling of Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, on a motion filed by Aminu

L-R: Senate President, Senator (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Senate President, Senator (Dr.) Jubrin Barau; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; and Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, during Sallah courtesy visit to the President in Lagos... on Monday.

FuBArA PrEsidEs OvEr sEcurity cOuncil MEEting in gOvt HOusE...

Bloomberg: Western Multinationals Fleeing

Nigeria Being Replaced by Asian, Turkish Firms

As US and Europe-based multinationals exit Nigeria, Asian and local companies are stepping in to fill the

void, Bloomberg has reported. Last week, London-based Diageo Plc sold its controlling stake in Guinness Nigeria Plc to Singapore’s Tolaram Group Inc. The Fouani Group, a

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki Loses Mother

The mother of a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki is dead. She died yesterday peacefully according to a message posted by Bukola Saraki on his X handle (formerly known as twitter), late yesterday night. The former Senate President announced his mother's demise with profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God. "I announce the passing of my beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki, who peacefully transitioned today, Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.

"Details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in due course. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support as we mourn Mama’s passing."

Mourning her, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, in a post on his Facebook handle on Tuesday, said she lived an impactful life.

The statement titled “Saraki Loses Mother, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki,” read, “I receive with gratitude to God a life well spent, lived impactfully, and reason to thank

her creator for grace unspeakable in the life of her beloved husband, Oloye Olusola Saraki, who was one of the heroes for which we plead that their labours past will not be in vain.

“To her last lovely children among whom is the Waziri Ilorin, Abubakar Olusola Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State and arguably the most dignified and independent Senate President in Nigeria in this republic.

“Princess of Owo, omo ologho, thank you for examples set in good conduct and good African values as a community leader, as a role model and as a virtuous woman for others to emulate.

“Now rest in the assurance that your beautiful legacies will be passed on through your children, your grandchildren, your greatgrandchildren, through all who experience your kindness of spirit.

“My condolences to all your loved ones, especially our leader, Senator Bukola Saraki to whom this must be an irreparable loss. “Time shared and all beautiful memories will lessen the pain of finality, that death represents. Fare thee well!”

local firm, operates a diaper and sanitary pad plant in a complex where Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co. shuttered a $300 million facility making the same products.

Lagos-based Fidson Healthcare Plc is expanding its manufacturing range after the UK’s GSK Plc closed its Nigerian distribution arm. Turkish diaper-maker Hayat Kimya AS has also established itself in Nigeria. Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million, is Africa’s most populous nation, in theory presenting a huge market for consumer goods. But rampant unemployment, widespread poverty and insecurity, a plummeting currency, sky-high inflation and decades of economic mismanagement have turned it into a graveyard for multinational consumer goods companies.

The naira has swung wildly in recent months and is 56 per cent down against the dollar over the past year, the most of any African currency. That’s made it difficult for companies that import goods and service foreign debts to make a profit

as they struggle to pass the necessary price increases to consumers.

And while the central bank has now cleared a $7 billion backlog that companies were seeking to repatriate the difficulty in doing so in recent years made many businesses unsustainable, Bloomberg added.

The gaps in the market left by the departing multinationals present an opportunity for domestic companies and foreign firms that focus on sourcing raw materials in Nigeria and manufacturing locally, thereby avoiding the currency risk that has hounded some foreign companies out.

And while the departures show just how unattractive the Nigerian consumer market has become they also highlight the success of strategies of companies such as Hayat and Tolaram, which have each turned their brands into household names.

For companies such as Tolaram, used to operating in challenging environments such as Indonesia, the answer has been to localise as many costs as possible. That’s helped it turn Indomie instant noodles into one of Nigeria’s most popular brands,

and led it into joint ventures with US cereal and snack maker Kellanova and Danish dairy giant, Arla Foods.

“Brands can’t continue to operate the way they’re used to. You need to adapt to the market accordingly,” said Girish Sharma, an executive director at Tolaram. “There is hardly anything in Indomie that we import. We have our own flour milling, we have our own palm oil refining, we have our own packaging.”

Tolaram operates 24 “fully backwardly integrated” plants in Nigeria, meaning the company produces the raw materials they need, and is even setting up its own oil palm plantations, Sharma said in an earlier interview. GSK, by contrast, imported its products. That doesn’t mean that local firms aren’t struggling.

“In theory, we think we can better manage the difficulties of doing business in Nigeria,” said Jide Ogundare, managing director of MBO Capital Management Ltd, which took over supermarkets run by Shoprite Holdings Ltd. when the South African company quit Nigeria in 2021. “In actual fact, we face the same challenges as the

foreigners except that we can’t leave and go elsewhere,” he added. Still, despite the narrowing margins and reduced spending power, the weaker naira is making Nigerian manufacturing competitive.

“We’re exporting to some West African countries like Mali and to East Africa and our target is to export to another five to 10 countries by the end of next year,” said Imokha Ayebae, Fidson’s executive director.

The exodus of firms including Kimberly-Clark Corp., Sanofi SA and Bayer AG are hindering Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s bid to breathe life into the struggling economy. Microsoft Corp. in May said it would shut the engineering section of its Africa Development Centre in Nigeria two years after it opened. Meanwhile, oil majors Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Eni SpA have all sold their onshore operations to local companies, denting confidence in the industry that accounts for most of Nigeria’s exports and leaving behind decades of environmental devastation.

Niger Group Claims Attack on Chinabacked Pipeline, Threatens More

An Armed Group Opposed to Niger's ruling junta disabled a section of the country's PetroChina-funded crude oil pipeline in an attack on Sunday night, it said in a statement.

Bennett Oghifo

The federal government has awarded a contract worth about N14 billion to a construction company, Buildwell, for the reconstruction of the outer Mariner shoreline, particularly to reinforce the rail line.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, who disclosed this in Lagos, explained, "This infrastructure, whether they serve the Lagos State government or the federal government, they're for the welfare of all Nigerians.

"Over the past three months, we observed serious threat to this critical infrastructure, particularly the rail line that was recently commissioned by the President.

"The existing shoreline has deteriorated very seriously, mostly along the outer Mariner to a total length of 3.9 kilometres."

Umahi, said five companies were

The pipeline has a capacity of 90,000 barrel per day (bpd) and extends for nearly 2,000 km (1,243mile) linking Niger's Agadem oilfield to Benin's coast, Reuters said. Exports are meant to be loaded under a $400 million deal with oil

giant China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC).

The Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL) said its attack on the pipeline was aimed at pushing Niger's Chinese partners to cancel the export deal. The FPL formed after the West African country's July 2023 coup.

"Failing this, all oil assets will be paralysed in the next few actions," the FPL said, without providing further detail.

invited to bid for the contract and Buildwell emerged winner over its competitor, CCECC, that bided N145 billion.

He said the contract was awarded through the BPP and with the Federal Executive Council's approval, adding that President Bola Tinubu insisted on due process in the award of the contract.

According to him, Buildwell has started work and there would be no variation in the cost of the contract that would be completed in 12 months.

He said Buildwell would use stronger concrete and apply antisulphate material to prevent salt water from corroding the concrete.

The Managing Director of Buildwell, Mr. George said the protection work would be done within 12 months and the shoreline would be protected for more than 50 years, "in fact, up to a hundred years."

Niger's government, PetroChina, CNPC, and pipeline operator West Africa Oil Pipeline (WEPCO) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The claimed attack deepens a crisis surrounding the pipeline, whose flows Niger said last Thursday it had shut off due to a border dispute with Benin.

That came a day after unidentified assailants attacked soldiers guarding the pipeline in south-eastern Dosso region. Six soldiers were killed, security sources told Reuters.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for that attack, which was the first on security forces protecting the pipeline. Jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State operate in the area.

Earlier, Niger had shut off oil exports to China via its pipeline to Benin's coast, Oil Minister Mahamane Moustapha Barke Bako said, deepening a standoff between the West African neighbours.

At the Agadem oilfield in eastern Niger, the minister oversaw the padlocking of a section of the 2,000km (1,243-mile) pipeline through which exports to China were meant to flow under a memorandum of understanding with state-owned oil giant China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) worth $400 million.

Cross-border relations have been strained since Benin blocked crude exports via its port from landlocked Niger in May and demanded the junta reopen its border to Benin's goods and normalise relations.

Earlier in June, authorities in Benin detained five Niger nationals for allegedly entering Benin's SemeKpodji pipeline terminal under false pretences - charges Niger has rejected, insisting the group was there to supervise the loading of crude in line with an agreement with Benin.

"We can't just sit back while our oil is stolen by other people, because we're not there where it's loaded," the minister told workers, explaining the decision to halt flows, according to a broadcast on state television.

The tensions go back to a July 2023 coup in Niger, which led regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to impose strict sanctions for more than six months.

Trade flows in the region were expected to normalise after the bloc lifted sanctions, but Niger has kept its borders closed to goods from Benin.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

L-R: Rivers State NSCDC Commandant, Mr Basil Igwebueze; State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Desmond Igbo; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; State Director, DSS, Clara Olika; Commander, Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Commander, Sector 3, Joint Task Force (JTF), South-South Operation Delta Safe, Brig. Gen. Eddie Effiong; and 115 Special Operations Group, NAF, Group Captain Ali H. Idris, shortly after the State Security Council Meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt, ...yesterday

Late Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki

courtesy visit to Wto headquarters, Geneva...

L-R: Minister of state for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; with Nigeria's Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Abiodun Richards, in a courtesy visit to WTO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland... recently

Tinubu: Yes, there is Suffering in the Land, We’re Not the Only People Facing Such

Describes rail tracks vandalism, stealing of electric cables as acts of sabotage

deji

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, acknowledged that Nigerians were facing difficult times, but said they were not the only ones dealing with

hash economic realities.

Tinubu said, "Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges.”

He insisted that it was now

imperative for Nigerians to have a change of value system if the country was to make progress.

The president, according to a statement issued by his media adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, spoke in Lagos on

Monday evening, when he played host to a delegation from the National Assembly, who came to felicitate with him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

The delegation, led by President of the Senate, Senator Godswill

Akpabio, included Deputy Senate

President, Senator Jibrin Barau; and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, among others.

NAFDAC Warns against Storing Cooked Food in Refrigerator for

onyebuchi ezigbo in Abuja

The National Agency for Food and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians over looming threat of heightened food borne diseases resulting from poor handling of food materials. Specifically, the agency cautioned that storing cooked food in refrigerator for more than three days was harmful to human health.

In a statement signed by NAFDAC's Resident Media Consultant Sayo Akintola, the agency called on all stakeholders in the food supply chain to take deliberate actions to

More Than Three Days

institute a food safety culture in their operations to mitigate food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, globally one in 10 people become sick and 420,000 die each year after consuming contaminated food which is attributed to the loss 33 million years of healthy life with children under five years and other vulnerable groups disproportionately affected in the poorer areas of the world.

It said in developing countries about $110 billion is lost every

ALGON President Advocates 4-year Tenure for Elected LG Officials

Amidst crisis for a four-year tenure of office for local governments chairmen in Rivers State, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has called for the adoption of a unified four-year tenure for elected local government officials in the country.

National President of ALGON, Alhaji Aminu Muazu-Maifata, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.

Muazu-Maifata, said the move would ensure good governance and quality representation at the grassroots levels.

The president called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the nation’s constitution to unify the tenure of local government officials across the country.

“The tenure of local government officials should be made four years to enable us deliver on our campaign promises to the electorate.

“It is unfortunate that the tenure of local government officials in some states is even one or two years. So, I wonder how these officials will deliver good governance within

such a short period,” he lamented.

On the N62,000 minimum wage proposed by the federal government, the ALGON boss called on the federal government to increase the monthly allocations of the 774 local government areas in the country.

He maintained that the move would enable the councils pay the new minimum wage when it finally becomes a law.

Muazu-Maifata, who is the Chairman of Lafia local government area of Nasarawa Sate, however, lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule, for granting autonomy to all the councils in the State.

He called on other governors to emulate Sule for the overall development of the country, particularly the grassroots.

On the security of Lafia, he explained that the partial curfew imposed in the locality was a measure to tackle the increasing rate of kidnaping and other crimes within the state capital.

Muazu-Maifata, however, said the security situation in Lafia has improved, adding that better strategies would be adopted toward the safety of lives and property.

year on medical expenses due to unsafe food.

Akintola, said the Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning in her message at the 2024 World Food Safety Day.

Adeyeye was also quoted to have assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would take deliberate actions to institute a food safety culture in its operations to mitigate the food hazards and risks that could compromise food safety.

She emphasised that everybody has a role to play from the farm to the table to ensure that the food “we consume is safe and will not cause damage to our health.”

She added that for World Food Safety Day 2024, the WHO and Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are asking all stakeholders along the food supply chain if they are

prepared to address unexpected threats to food safety

Adeyeye stressed that food safety remains a collective responsibility, adding that everyone from producers to consumers needed to play their part to be sure that the food we eat is safe.

She said that the yearly awareness campaign aims to promote global food safety awareness to strengthen efforts at preventing, detecting and managing foodborne risks globally by highlighting the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents.

Food safety incidents are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen for example, due to accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud or natural events.

Tinubu challenged citizens to have a change of mind-set about Nigeria if the country was to overcome its current challenges. He stated, "The need (for some citizens) to change the rent-seeking mind-set and become more productive to the economy is a challenge. The need to stop smuggling and all economic sabotage.

"Why should we have people removing rail tracks and all that, stealing electric cables and sabotaging the economy? We must embrace the campaign to change our value system. We must tell our people that the challenge we face is for all of us to change our mind-set about our country.

"Good economics at a harsh time is the challenge that we must face. As I said in my speech, no matter how difficult it is and how challenging it can be, I will not turn my back on Nigeria."

Tinubu commended the leadership of the National Assembly for the support extended to his administration, which he said had resulted in some of the important developments recorded by the government.

"It is great pride for me to have

the best of partners in the National Assembly. We have to drill down and be all-inclusive in our bid to satisfy our people. It is daunting, but we cannot run away from the fact that this country must survive the hardship," the president stated. He acknowledged the challenges and the task ahead, but assured the country of his unwavering determination to turn things around.

According to him: "Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges.

“We must find a way to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can bring out food from the farmland.

“If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food and you are losing 60-70 per cent to damages, you will pay the price."

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Akpabio said he came with the leadership of the National Assembly to pay homage and felicitate the president on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

On what Nigerians should expect from the legislature in the days ahead, Akpabio said, "Looking forward, the National Assembly will tinker with some existing legislations to further improve on the nation's ease of doing business."

Edo Unveils Plans to Boost Business Environment

adibe emenyonu in Benin City

Edo State Government recently held the second quarter (Q2 2024) Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Council strategy review meeting, outlining a series of reforms aimed at boosting the business climate and attracting investments

The meeting held at the Government House in Benin City, was chaired by the Commissioner for Finance Adaze Aguele-Kalu, who doubles as the EoDB council chairman.

The meeting brought together representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) alongside development partner GIZ SEDIN.

The focus of the meeting was two-fold: Reviewing existing policies and achievements and unveiling new pro-business reforms for 2024.

The key areas addressed include Infrastructure Boost; Financial Support for MSMEs; Public-Private Partnerships; Enhanced Security; Streamlined Tax System; Modernised

Transportation; Digital Transformation and energy, and mining focus.

The business facing MDAs in the State represented by the Commissioners gave updates on the different key areas highlighted.

In their presentations, the Commissioner's said the State was actively improving road networks, supporting local contractors, and enhancing overall connectivity.

Furthermore, the State has streamlined the process for obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).

The fees had been reduced from an average of N500,000 to N50,000 and issued within 30 days.

The GIZ SEDIN revealed initiatives to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including securing financing, investment facilitation, and follow-up services. The council emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors as a driver of economic growth.

On security, measures to improve security for businesses and citizens were outlined by the Commissioner

for Public Safety.

These he said included deploying 56 sophisticated surveillance cameras and strengthening cooperation among security agencies through training over 10,000 young people as operatives in intelligence gathering to boost the state's security network.

A policy to introduce CCTV cameras in every business premises was in the works.

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) called for better communication and coordination between MDAs and local governments to ensure efficient tax harmonisation.

Also, a comprehensive transport master plan was presented by the Edo State Transport Authority, featuring free bus rides and the introduction of environmentally friendly buses.

In the area of digital transformation, improved internet connectivity across the state through the deployment of 2000 kilometres of fiber optics across the 18 local government areas was showcased by the ICT representative. This

initiative is expected to support digital infrastructures.

In his statement, the Commissioner for Mining and Energy shared plans to improve access to energy, attract investment, and develop the mining and energy sector in Edo State.

In the spirit of building a stronger business ecosystem, the Edo State EoDB Council outlined a series of resolutions to further enhance the business environment. These include: Evaluating business-facing MDAs to improve service delivery and streamline processes; Expediting the passage of business-friendly bills and policies; Enhancing information sharing and communication through the EoDB platform; Organising stakeholder roundtables and information sessions to improve communication with businesses.

Others are providing access to electricity for MSMEs, revising tax harmonisation policies, encouraging collaboration between MDAs, local government areas, and other stakeholders; and strengthening internal and inter-ministerial collaboration

chuks okocha in Abuja

elumoye in Abuja

2024 AFREXIMBANK ANNUAL MEETINGS IN NASSAU...

L-R: Chairman, Access Holdings PLC and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Deputy Chair African Union, Monique Nsanzabaganwa at the 2024

Annual Meetings held in Nassau, The Bahamas… recently

President of Surinam, Chan

MAN Commends Security Agencies over Release of Kidnapped Fouani’s MD

Expresses concern over rising insecurity

Dike Onwuamaeze and Sunday Ehigiator

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the security agencies for the safe release of Managing Director of the Fouani Group, Mr. Mohamed Fouani and his brothers.

This was as the Lagos police command revealed that its operatives rescued the three abducted Fouani brothers.

On June 14, three brothers identified as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani, were reportedly abducted around 6 pm in Lagos. They were kidnapped while returning from their factory by boat. Their company, Fouani Nigeria Ltd, is Nigeria's sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products.

On Monday, the police said it was working “tirelessly” to ensure that the victims were released. The victims, including the boat driver and his assistant, were released Monday night.

Reacting to the development, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in a statement yesterday, stated: “We are glad that the efforts of the security agencies paid off and yielded results without casualties among the victims.

“MAN also extends its solidarity and hearty felicitation to the family and colleagues of the managing director over the release.

“The association remains concerned about the safety and well-being of its members and will continue to collaborate with authorities to address security challenges facing

the operators in the manufacturing sector in particular and the nation in general.”

The association, however, urged the governments to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the country, which it stated, “poses a significant threat to the business community and overall economic development of Nigeria.”

It added that if the trend was not checked, it, “will erode investor confidence in the economy and further jeopardise the efforts of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at repositioning the economy for growth.”

According to MAN, the incident left the entire manufacturing community shocked and concerned about

the safety of its chief executives and its workforce.

The director general said the association, on receiving the news of the unfortunate incident, frantically made contact with relevant authorities, including security agencies, to express its deep concerns and to reaffirm its confidence in the ability of the agencies to briskly bring an end to the nightmare.

Meanwhile, the Lagos police command revealed that its operatives have rescued the three abducted Fouani brothers.

Confirming their release via a WhatsApp chat, Lagos State police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the feat was achieved by the Lagos Marine police with support

from the navy.

Hundeyin said the victims have since been taken to their residence.

He said, “They were rescued late last night in Orugbo Iddo. Our marine police with the support of the Nigerian Navy brought them to shore. After that, our tactical team in the area took them home on Banana Island in the early hours of today (Tuesday).”

He revealed that five people were rescued, including the “three Lebanese brothers, the boat captain and his assistant.”

As of the time of filing in this story, it is yet unconfirmed if any ransom was paid before news of their rescue.

But contrary to claims by Hun-

deyin, allegations emerged yesterday, that the kidnapped victims were abandoned by their kidnappers.

A social media post by @masudayeola on X revealed that the Fouani brothers were abandoned at Ebute-Oriba village, Epe LG, Lagos State, hours before the police announced their rescue.

The post read: “@BenHundeyin @PoliceNG Sir, three kidnapped expatriates and 2 indigenes were just dumped at Ebute-Oriba, Epe LG as of this evening. Please they are still there as of writing. This is a cry for rescue.”

In the pictures and videos shared by the X user, no police officers were in sight. This contradicted the police's claim of a successful rescue operation.

The eye witness further alleged that local community members discovered the victims and took them to the Oloja of Epe's palace, where they were handed over to the police around 2 am. The sources revealed that it's unclear whether the naval tactical squad played a role in the rescue or if a ransom was paid to the kidnappers, but the freed hostages, including the three Fouani brothers and two Nigerians, were found in a boat in the creeks and were later taken to their apartment on Banana Island by police officers on Tuesday (yesterday).

“The Fouani brothers, aged 37, 40, and 29, were unharmed during their captivity.”

Obaseki: We’ve Rebuilt Our Economy to Withstand Future Volatility

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday said his administration had in the last seven and a half years, undertaken bold reforms and programmes that restored the hope of the Edo people and laid a solid foundation for economic stability and growth in the state.

Obaseki, while speaking to journalists in Benin City, said when his government came into office, the state’s economy was in the doldrums, but reforms by his administration had rebooted the economy and fortified it against future volatility.

He said: “If you think about the journey, it has been fulfilling. When we came into office in 2016,

the economy was in the doldrums.

“So, there was a need to rethink the economy and see how it can grow and bring prosperity, improve livelihoods, and secure a better life and future for our citizens.

“Also, there were serious social challenges. It was like a human catastrophe in Edo because if you recall, at a point in time, our people had lost hope, especially our young people; nobody wanted to stay back and start a life in the state.

“We were ranked number one in terms of human trafficking and irregular migration. A report we got from the International Office of Migration (IOM) in January 2017 revealed that we had about

Uche Ogah Donates Auditorium to Abia State University

In a remarkable display of generosity and commitment to education, Dr. Uche Ogah has donated a stateof-the-art auditorium to Abia State University.

The Ogah Family Auditorium, a magnificent edifice, a statement yesterday, stressed was officially inaugurated on 15 June, 2015 amidst pomp. Located in the heart of the university campus, the auditorium, the statement said, is a testament to Ogah's vision for excellence in education and his dedication to giving back to the society.

The iconic structure, it said,

will serve as a hub for academic excellence, cultural, and social events, fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation among students, faculty, and the wider community.

The Ogah family auditorium boasts cutting-edge amenities, including: Seating capacity for over 2000 guests, advanced central air conditioner, noise reduction system, sound and lighting systems, modern stage and backstage facilities as well as comfortable seating and ample parking.

This particular philanthropic gesture of Ogah has been hailed as a significant milestone in the

university's history, reflecting his unwavering support for education and development in Abia State.

"This auditorium is a gift to the future generations of Abia State University. Ogah remarked during the inauguration ceremony. "I am proud to contribute to the growth and progress of this esteemed institution."

“The Ogah family auditorium has already become a landmark symbolising the power of philanthropy and the impact one individual can have on the community. It will continue to inspire and enrich the academic experience at Abia State University for years to come,” it noted.

30,000 young Edo boys and girls in Libya, trying to cross to Europe. I remember then, every wreck, every ship, and every vessel that moved from Tangier to Sicily or wherever always had our people.”

Obaseki noted that the first thing he did was to restore hope from the perspective of building an economy that the people could benefit from and also restore hope by showing young people that home is good.

Outlining the gains of the reforms by his administration, Obaseki further stated: “Over the last seven years, what have we done? Let’s look at the

Segun James

The Global Plus Publishing (GPP), a printing company in Nigeria has declared its readiness to address capital flight with its latest technological acquisition, the Ecoline Manugraph Web Printing Machine.

The Managing Director, Folasade Imoagene who stated this during the unveiling of the machine in Ikeja, Lagos said the acquisition was a strategic move to boost the nation's printing capabilities and reduce the need for publishers to seek printing services abroad.

Imoagene, underscored the significance of the new printing machine in enhancing GPP's service delivery to its clientele.

She noted that introducing the

numbers. Seven years ago, nobody wanted to stay, you barely had one flight coming to Benin. But today, we have about 10 flights a day.

“Seven years ago, the place was dark and dingy; infrastructure was not great. Today, the infrastructure has improved tremendously, from government infrastructure to all our public-user infrastructure. From a situation where we were the centre for mass migration to one in which Edo is no longer on the list of top ten states where people migrate from.

“If anything, people are now migrating to Edo State. In terms of

economic growth, from a position where we must have been about 10 or 11 in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranking with about $11 billion then, today, we are in the top six and have about $25 billion in GDP.”

He added that in terms of investment inflow, Edo was seeing investment in energy, agriculture, technology, and education, among others.

“So, overall, we are much better off today than we were eight years ago and the evidence is there to show,” he maintained.

Ecoline Manugraph Web Printing Machine signified a new chapter for the printing industry, while also marking a substantial advancement in the operational capacities and positioning of GPP within the industry in Nigeria. Imoagene, emphasised GPP's commitment to offering top-notch services to its customers, citing the thorough proofreading process as a unique value proposition. She expressed pride in GPP's reputation as a provider of innovative solutions in the printing industry, reaffirming its dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction. By investing in cutting-edge technology like the Ecoline Manugraph Web Printing Machine, GPP boosts its operational efficiency and

contributes to the local economy by retaining printing jobs within the country.

Imoagene's vision for GPP aligns with leveraging innovation to drive growth, quality, and customer value while keeping pace with global printing standards. In her remarks, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GPP, Mrs. Yemisi Kudehinbu, commended management and staff’s shared commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the printing industry in Nigeria. She further acknowledged Global Plus Publishing's resilience in the face of economic challenges, saying, “This underscores the company's dedication to standing out as a stronghold in the sector.”

Afreximbank

L-R:

Santokhi; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings… recently.

NECA: We ‘Painfully’ Agreed to N62,000 Minimum Wage, Matter Now in Tinubu’s Hand

Says workers must up their productivity level

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the umbrella organisation of all employers in the Organised Private Sector (OPS), yesterday said that it ‘painfully’ accepted the N62,000 national minimum wage after much deliberation.

Speaking on Arise Television, THISDAY’s broadcast arm, the Director General of the association, Adewale Oyerinde, explained that if the employers must pay the said amount, then workers must be willing to discuss the issue of productivity.

Oyerinde stated that the matter has now left the hands of the tripartite committee, explaining that everyone is now awaiting the decision of President

government areas to try to prevent the outgoing council chairmen and their supporters from gaining access into the head offices.

At the Obio-Akpor local government secretariat, scores of youths and women besieged the premises and pulled down an image of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, an indigene of the local government area and ex-chairman of the council.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara vowed to be fearless in his attempt to lead the way to peace in the state. In also stressed, in a state broadcast, that his government will resist the arrest of his supporters.

A faceoff between Fubara and his predecessor and erstwhile political godfather, Wike, is at the centre of the current crisis in Rivers State.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in

Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, challenging the legality of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, the Kano State House of Assembly has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Kano to stay further proceedings at the Federal High Court pending the hearing of the appeal before the appellate court.

The call came as All Progressives Congress (APC) described comments credited to the presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that the ruling party was trying to take Kano State through the backdoor by declaring a state of emergency, as disappointing and insensitive.

Liman had scheduled ruling on the legality of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024 for Thursday, June 20, 2024, just after he dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings by Eyitayo Fatogun, representing the Kano State House of Assembly.

Dissatisfied, Kano State House of Assembly, in Appeal No: CA/ KN/ /26/2024 filed by its lawyer, Fatogun, prayed for an order of injunction restraining the respondents, their privies, servants or any other person or authority, deriving power, authority, rights or privileges from any of the respondents particularly the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh respondents from enforcing or attempting to further enforce the repealed Kano State Emirates Council Law, a law which was no longer extant, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

The appellant also prayed the court to stay execution of all orders, particularly the ex-parte order granted on May 23, 2024 by the lower court pending the hearing and determination of the appeal presently before the court.

The respondents are Alhaji Aminu Babba Danagundi; Kano State Government; Attorney General of Kano State; Commissioner of Police, Kano State; Inspector General of Police; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; and Department of State Services.

In its motion on notice brought pursuant to Sections 6 and 36 of the

Bola Tinubu.

However, organised labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are insisting on the payment of a national minimum wage of N250,000, while the federal government has offered N62,000.

“Everything basically rests on the economy. Can the economy carry it? Can organised businesses as it currently constitutes, carry it?

Those are parameters that we can't run away from.

“Now, the reality for us is this, as organised private sector. I would not want to delve into the realities of government. I would not want to delve into the N250 realities of organised labour.

the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the decision to take over the councils was taken to forestall more bloodshed and prevent further deterioration of security in the state.

The police stated, “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various local government council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of local government council chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a police officer and a vigilante were killed.

“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the police have taken over all the 23 council secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.

“Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been

1999 Constitution, Order 7 Rule 1 of the Court of Appeal Rules and under inherent jurisdiction of the court, the appellant prayed the court to take over the entire proceedings, alleging that there were conflicting orders of the Kano State High Court and the Federal High Court on same subject matter.

In its application for an urgent date, the appellant stated that the Federal High Court in Kano on or about June 13, 2024, had delivered its ruling in a suit filed for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of a king maker as it related to the Kano State Emirate Council (repeal) Law 2024 made by the House of Assembly of Kano State and duly assented by the executive governor of Kano State.

In the said ruling, the court in its wisdom, held that it had jurisdiction in a chieftaincy matter, and subsequently adjourned to June 14, 2024, for the hearing of the several applications filed by the applicant, particularly the application seeking to nullify the Kano State Emirate Council (repeal) Law 2024.

The appellant further stated, "On the 13th day of June 2024, we immediately attempted to file our Notice of Appeal but were denied the opportunity by the Registry of the Federal High Court in Kano on the grounds that it was well after 2pm and they would not take processes anymore.

"Of great interest is that the registry continued to take processes for filing in other matters, which were not related to the above mentioned suit.

"We, therefore, filed the notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal Registry and filed alongside an application for departure from the rules.

"On the 14th of June 2024, the Registry of the Federal High Court did not open till 9am due to hostility and fear of collecting processes from us for filing. We also applied for the ruling of the 13th day of June 2024, assuming jurisdiction, but as suspected, the ruling is not yet ready.

"We compiled records with the documents we were served, though uncertified but largely the documents filed by the plaintiff at the lower court and were given an appeal number as indicated above. We certainly would

“Ability to pay is a fundamental part of that issue that we have to take that into consideration. Enterprise sustainability is also a fundamental part of those parameters that we have to take into consideration. The state of the economy is also a fundamental part of that parameter. And then the needs of workers is also a fundamental part of that conversation,” he explained.

The NECA DG noted that with a wobbly economy, sustainability will remain a major issue before the demand of labour can be met.

“ And for me and for the organised private sector it's this. What should be our objective now that the economy is standing on one leg, as some have said? Do we pay a wage that is

deployed to these facilities.”

While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the police warned those intending to cause mayhem to retrace their steps, or face the full weight of the law.

The police added in the statement, “We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”

The police release came as the crisis following the expiration of the tenure of local government council chairmen in the state deepened, with youths occupying the 23 council secretariats resisting the outgoing chairmen and their supporters.

One of the youths at the ObioAkpor local government secretariat, who refused to mention his name, told journalists that they besieged the

compile supplementary records shortly upon receipt of the proceedings and ruling.

"We consequently filed a motion for stay of proceedings or further proceedings before His Lordship.

"It may be of interest that your Lordship be informed that all these issues were brought to the attention of His Lordship. Hon Justice A. M Liman but in a short ruling today refused an application for stay of proceedings, despite becoming aware of the motion pending in the Court of Appeal."

The appellant submitted that an appeal shall be deemed to have been entered in the court when the record of proceedings in the court below had been received in the Registry of the court.

He stated, “Where there is an application before a higher court for a stay of further proceedings in the lower court, a decision by the lower court, which will render the result of such application nugatory, should be avoided.

"This unfortunate attitude in

production, the commission has been working assiduously with multi-client companies to undertake more exploratory activities to acquire more data to foster and encourage further investment in the Nigerian upstream sector.

“As a result of additional data acquired in respect of deep offshore blocks, the commission has added 17 deep offshore blocks to the 2024 licencing round. Further details on the blocks can be found on the bid portal,” it said.

It recalled that some deep offshore blocks were put on offer for the 2022/23 mini bid round and other blocks which cut across onshore, continental shelf and deep offshore terrains were also put on offer for the Nigeria 2024 licencing round.

In order to vacate entry barriers, the commission added that it had sought and obtained the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the petroleum minister, in line with his avowed determination to create enabling and attractive investment regimes

unsustainable? Do we pay a wage that will also fast track the current challenge of unemployment rates? Those are the critical conversations that we need to have,” he explained.

He argued that as it is, many companies are closing shop, while many more Nigerians are being thrown into the labour market, insisting that Nigerians cannot continue to play the ostrich.

“All of us cannot play the ostrich and act as if our brothers and sisters are not losing their jobs. We cannot play the ostrich and behave as if companies are not closing down or reducing their capacity utilisation. We cannot play the ostrich.

“And for us in the private sector, the reality is this. With the current

secretariat to ensure that the former chairman and his allies did not loot council property.

He said, “We are here to make sure that the chairman and his people do not come in and loot council properties. We are here to make sure that they do not have access to this place again, their tenure has ended, let them go home.”

There was heavy shooting at Port Harcourt City Local Government Area secretariat, after some youths blocked the outgoing chairman, Mr Allwell Ihunda, from gaining access to the secretariat.

The gunshot sounds, coupled with shots of teargas canisters, sent many scampering for safety.

In Eleme local government, hundreds of youths stormed the council secretariat to chase away persons that tried to counter a directive issued by the governor to the chairmen to

disregarding the process of the Court of Appeal bothers on judicial impertinence. it is an affront on the authority of the Court of Appeal. All the courts established under the constitution derive their powers and ‘authority’ from the constitution.

"His lordship went ahead to hear an interlocutory application seeking to nullify the Kano State Emirate Council (repeal) Law 2024, which is the subject matter of the suit before My Lord.

"All entreaties, including learned silk, Eyitayo Fatogun SAN's recusing himself and applying that the matter be adjourned so that the parties he was representing could get other legal representation, fell on deaf ears as his lordship went ahead with the hearing of the motion.

"The effect of the grant of the motion heard by my lord, of the Federal High Court, when His Lordship delivers ruling on Thursday, the 20th of June 2024, is that the Emirate Council law as it is in force in Kano may be nullified, and Continued on page 35

in the upstream oil and gas sector.

According to the NUPRC, the president approved attractive fiscal regimes and also minimised entry fees for both licencing rounds by putting a cap on the signature bonus payable for award of the acreages.

“Consequently, it is necessary to ensure that the same bid criteria, in addition to the uniform signature bonus criteria, are applicable for both licencing rounds, to promote transparency and provide a level playing ground for all bidders.

“Since the criteria for the award of the oil blocks are now much more attractive than they initially were during the 2022/23 mini bid round, it is in the interest of equity and fair play to give all investors the same opportunity to bid for the assets.

“Consequently, all blocks in the 2022/23 and 2024 Licencing Rounds are available to all interested investors on br.nuprc.gov.ng and br2024.nuprc. gov.ng respectively, and the 2022/23 mini bid round registration phase is reopened to new applicants.

reality that we face, the current challenges that we face, we feel N62,000, we painfully, and I must emphasise that, the team of the organised private sector painfully agreed to that N62,000 based on certain conditions that government will also take into account,” he explained.

Pointing out that the private sector's dialogue was not only driven by profit, Oyerinde explained that having made a submission, the president will now either take the recommendation or look at the national reality before approving a figure that will be passed to the National Assembly for legislative action.

“The matter is now with the president who has the sole responsibility, the constitutional responsibility to

vacate their offices.

A youth, who pleaded anonymity, said they were at the council secretariat to ensure that the directive of the governor was obeyed.

He said, “All of them have disappeared, because we have come to takeover. The governor is the power that we know. We have taken over Eleme. It’s total takeover. The governor is the power we know, there is no other power. We have taken over Eleme. Eleme is taken. Their tenure has elapsed; they should go home.”

Fubara, in a state-wide broadcast yesterday morning dissolved, the councils, citing the provisions of the Nigerian constitution on the tenure of local government administration. He directed the heads of administration in the various local governments to immediately step in and take charge of the councils’ affairs.

The outgoing chairmen’s insistence to remain in office was based on a law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, which had extended their tenures by six months.

Majority of the local government heads had vowed not to exit their offices, quoting the law passed by the embattled lawmakers loyal to Wike.

THISDAY observed that early yesterday, youths and other citizens of the state besieged the various council secretariats, denying the outgoing leadership access to the council secretariats. The resistance caused tension, as protest spread across the 23 local government areas of the state, following the expiration of the three years’ tenure of the elected chairmen and ward councillors.

Not long after, the Rivers State police command confirmed the death of the two persons in Omuma. The spokesperson of the command also revealed that an investigation had been instituted to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.

Reacting to the crisis, Fubara said he will ensure that peace prevailed in the state while also protecting all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth.

“The public is therefore invited to take advantage of this development and attractive entry terms and conditions and participate in the exercise,” the upstream regulator stated.

However, it said that all the prequalified applicants published on the 2022/23 mini bid round portal will not be required to go through a new pre-qualification process, as their technical submissions remain valid and eligible even for the 2024 licencing round.

It said that they may however wish to resubmit new commercial bids to take advantage of the more attractive criteria applicable to both licencing rounds and revise their bid bonds to adapt to the new bid criteria.

The NUPRC stressed that they were also free to bid for blocks on offer in the 2024 licencing round, explaining that to allow interested investors to take advantage of the expanded opportunities, the 2024 licencing round schedule has been amended.

NECA DG,

announce a figure that will not only promote economic development but also meet to a larger extent the needs of everybody, all stakeholders,” he explained.

The governor gave the assurance shortly after the state security council meeting with heads of security agencies, held at Government House, Port Harcourt. He stated that there was no extension of tenure for elected local government chairmen, adding that the law is unambiguous on the matter. He clarified that the court had also affirmed the position of the law. The governor added, "I am aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don't think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, they are standing on the side of truth.

"If it will cost us our lives to stand on the path of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the cause. Let me assure everyone, more especially, the great and peace-loving people of Rivers State, that the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure.

"The court said so, and whoever that is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this state. I assure every one of you that whatever it takes to make sure that we maintain peace and order, we are not going back on that."

Fubara explained that the security council meeting was called because of the ongoing threat to the peace of the state by the outgone chairmen of the local government councils. He stated, "It's really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some local governments of the invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the security council meeting so that the needful will be done.

"We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the state."

“Registration/submission of pre-qualification documents which was initially scheduled to close on 25 June 2024 has been extended by 10 days and will now close on 5 July 2024.

“Data access/ data purchase/ evaluation/bid preparation and submission which was initially scheduled to open on 4 July 2024 and close on 29/11/24 will now start on 8 July 2024 and close on 29/11/24 as previously scheduled,” the NUPRC said. All other dates in the published 2024 licencing round schedule, it said, remained the same unless otherwise communicated.

In accordance with the published guidelines, the NUPRC noted that it had earlier indicated that some of the assets on offer should be applied for as clusters, namely: PPL 300-CS & PPL 301-CS, PPL 2000 and PPL 2001. “Bidders are hereby advised that they may, at their option, bid for those blocks as clusters or as single units,” the commission said.

KAno EmIrATE TuSSlE: STATE ASSEmblY AllEgES bIAS, ASKS AppEAl CourT To TAKEovEr proCEEDIngS

rI v E r S Cr ISIS : p ol ICE Announ CE T AKE ov E r of 23 Coun CI l S EC r ETA r IATS , Cr ITICA l g ov T Infr AST ru CT ur E

Adewale Oyerinde

2024 Access BAnk UnIceF chArIty shIeld Polo toUrnAment...

L-R: Roosevelt Ogbonna, FCA, CFA, Managing Director/CEO, Access

Ojude Oba Poised to Become Global Event, Abiodun Declares

Glo says such festivals promote national identity, unity

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun yesterday said that his administration was poised at making the Ojude Oba festival a global event.

The governor who stated this at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode, said the annual event had grown from a mere gathering of Ijebu people to felicitate the Awujale to an event that attract both national and global audience.

According to the governor, the festival, which has become a tourist attraction, symbolises and reflects the collective unity of the people known for hard work, perseverance, and industry.

He said: "Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland and has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience.

"This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, our culture, and our revered monarch.

"It has become a catalyst for development of Ijebuland, this undoubtedly underscores the

importance of preserving our traditions for future generations.

"By standing for unity and harmony, we elevate our community and set an example for others to follow. The essence of unity and harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival.

"Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry."

The event, Abiodun observed, creates opportunities for advancement and has brought about the socio-economic development not only to the axis but the state as a whole.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, especially with plans to include it in the UNESCO's world cultural heritage, Abiodun said his administration was committed to providing the conducive environment for business to thrive.

He said the festival provides an opportunity for the Ijebu people to take stock and project the future. He called for unity and harmony from people across the state, adding that it was time to work together to build a virile state.

"The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community

Saraki, Kwara State Govt Trade Words over Attendance at Durbar Festival

hammed shittu in Ilorin

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday said he decided to stay away from Ilorin annual Durbar festival this year so as to maintain peace atmosphere and orderliness in the State and most importantly the respect for the throne of Sheikh Alimi.

However, reacting to Saraki, the State government argued that he made the statement in bad faith, alleging that the former Senate President has not attended the Ilorin Durbar since 2019.

The Durbar is an annual event that usually allows sons and daughters of Ilorin both at home and diaspora to converge at Ilorin emir's Palace to show case the bound cultural values of the town.

It is usually marked by the people of the community after the three days of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Ilorin.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, by Saraki, which was signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr. Abdulqadir Abdulganiyu, the former Kwara Governor stated that, "My decision not to attend was taken after respected traditional title holders and top Islamic scholars appeal to me not to attend the event."

Saraki who is the highest ranked traditional tittle holder of Ilorin with his title of Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin, however restated his love for the Ilorin Emirate Community and his commitment to an atmosphere of peace

This, he disclosed after he was briefed that, "the government of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq do not want him around the festival for their personal and political reasons."

The statement added: "We understand that tremendous pressure was put on the Ilorin Emirates Council by the Government of the State to stop Waziri Ngeri from attending the event. Abdulrazaq is jittery that the former Governor, Dr. Saraki, will steal the show as usual.

"The rejection of the AbdulRazaq led government by the people is because of its alleged failure to eradicate poverty, provide quality leadership and not being able to deliver on good governance.

"We implore the Governor to sit up and stop blaming Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for the problem he created for himself and his government."

Saraki said he was staying away from the traditional festival for peace and orderliness.

According to the statement, "the Waziri Ngeri was in high spirit to join the peace loving people of the Emirate to celebrate the traditional festival of his people until the move by the government to stop him.

"Regrettably, I wish to announce that for peace and tranquility, I am staying away from the Durbar celebration this year."

Saraki, however, "wished the organiser of this year Durbar a success and implore them to deliver on promises made during consultation and planning of the event.

"I also wish our people happy celebration and many more to come. I implore us to celebrate with moderation and eschew any act that could truncate peace and orderliness in the state."

Meanwhile, a statement yesterday, signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, advised Saraki to “leave Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq out of his self-inflicted shame of not being able to hold himself to the standard

expected of a statesman who should exhibit decorum, decency, and good behaviour.”

It added: “The Governor has repeatedly shown humility and large-heart to accommodate everyone to operate as they wish as bonafide citizens.

"He is not about to go low because of Senator Saraki's provocative behaviour and intent to foul the atmosphere with his unstatesmanlike conduct at public events.

development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode," the governor concluded.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa-Musawa, who was represented by Mr. Ben Ugo said her ministry was working towards promoting and preserving cultural heritage of Tinubu's administration with the creation of economic expansion to the tune of $100 billion.

He acknowledged the cultural diversity of Nigerians, noting that the federal government was working towards making the country a cultural hub by the year 2030.

Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, appreciated the governor for his support for the festival and the people for turning up enmass to grace the occasion.

Meanwhile, telecommunications company, Globacom, has said that Ojude Oba and similar festivals in the country had enormous potential to promote cultural diversification, national identity, harmony and unity.

In his goodwill message to this year’s Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, yesterday, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., also noted that these age-long festivals could foster cultural exchange and showcase Nigeria’s

rich heritage to the world. Adenuga observed that the theme of this year's celebration, Unity And Harmony In Ijebuland: The Gift of Ojude Oba, emphasised the values that the festival had espoused for over a century that it has been in existence.

He added that the festivals also had potential to boost tourism and help in the diversification of the economy which was why the Federal Government and many governments across the globe have placed tourism on top of their development agenda.

Drawing reference from the World Tourism Organisation, Adenuga noted that Globacom has continued its collaboration with major festivals in the country in order to further strengthen and entrench them as world class carnivals which will attract even more visitors from across the world.

He equally expressed the belief that the partnership with the Ojude Oba Planning Committee will further foster a symbiotic relationship with immense benefits for both Globacom and the sons and daughters of Ijebuland at home and in the Diaspora.

In the Regberegbe competition, which was one of the key features of Globacom’s sponsorship of the festival, Egbe Bobasete Okunrin Omooba came first; Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin Akile Ijebu second and Egbe Bobamayegun Okunrin Asiwaju came third.

MURIC: Obi, Other Critics of Proposed Presidential Jets Nurse Evil Intentions Against Tinubu, Shettima

chuks okocha in Abuja

The Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and all those opposed to the procurement of new presidential jets of nursing evil intentions against President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

MURIC said in a statement yesterday, that Obi’s opposition to acquiring new aircraft for the presidential air fleet was not for the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or the interest of the common man, but to “bring disaster” to the presidency.

The group’s Executive Director,

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said: “We have no iota of doubt that Peter Obi is shedding crocodile tears. His interest is not the improvement of Nigeria’s economic situation or that of the common man but to bring disaster to the presidency.

Peter Obi nurses evil intentions.

“Peter Obi’s body language since the declaration of the results of the 2023 presidential elections has exposed him as a bitter politician and a bad loser who cannot come to terms with the reality of his defeat. Obi is a Trumpist. He will go to any length to bring disaster to his perceived political enemies.

“As far as Obi and other irrational critics are concerned, they wish what happened to the

Iranian President Raisi recently and the Malawian vice president last week should happen in Nigeria.

God forbid!

“How many times do we have to drum it to the ears of this far right, ultra nationalist opposition cartel that the presidential jets are already worn out? They have become rickety, risky and unserviceable. They have broken down so many times during trips,” the ground said.

It added that for instance, Tinubu had to continue his journey on a commercial plane very recently after two presidential jets broke down simultaneously, stressing that on May 7, 2024, Shettima had to shelve a trip to the United States for the US-Africa Business Summit when

the presidential jet developed a fault one hour after take-off.

MURIC recalled that it had suggested that the presidency should suspend all foreign trips until new aircrafts were provided.

“Some calamities are avoidable if only homo sapiens are visionary and pragmatic. Yet it is the citizens who will benefit more if new aircraft are acquired for the presidency, if only they know.

“With new presidential jets, humongous economic benefits await Nigerians as the president and his vice will be able to honour international obligations and events thereby attracting confidence in the safety of investments in Nigeria,” it stressed.

Bank Group; Adamu Atta, Founder, Fifth Chukker; Uba Sani, Executive Governor, Kaduna; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, and Paul Usoro, SAN, Chairman, Access Bank Group, at the 2024 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament held in Kaduna… last Saturday

In Makinde’s Oyo, Tomorrow is Promised!

Beyond bricks and mortar, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, is focused on writing his name in gold through strong institutions. Olawale Olaleye writes

To say farming is the future is not really a uniquely brilliant assertion. Farming is one profession that is as old as mankind. It was yesterday. It is today. Nothing, therefore, could have suggested otherwise that it isn’t the future by any chance possible.

A few of the smart governors produced in Nigeria’s contemporary history had ventured into this friendly calling of mankind for prosperity and growth. It connotes, too, the depth of development focus by the states considering such.

Dr. Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President, was popular with the Songhai farmers in Kwara, when he held sway as the governor of the sleepy state. That idea alone put him on the world map and gave the state huge exposure.

Rotimi Amaechi had an equally prodigious replication in Rivers State. Several others states in the north had always hopped on mass scale farming for the survival of their people, in spite of the seemingly intractable insecurity in that part of the country.

But what appears to stand Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State out and also gives recognition to his audacious agriculture revolution is his ability to first identify and then, resuscitate an idea birthed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the 1950s, tucked in a remote area between Iseyin and Oyo town called Fashola.

With a land area large enough to envelope smaller African countries, covering some 1,250 hectres, you can’t but question those governors, who had strutted the turf of Oyo before the advent of Makinde.

Therefore, for an idea that’s beginning to attract investors from far and near, with several millions of dollars sunk into its prospects, Awolowo must be proud in his grave, of what a certain young man, now in the leadership of Oyo, is doing.

Borrowing from the last line of the third stanza of the “remodeled” national anthem, Makinde might have consciously secured a future for the state “in peace and plenty” so, Oyo “may be blessed.”

What has further made this a huge success with a guaranteed future is the 65 kilometres Ibadan-Iseyin road, done to create access and encourage investors.

So proud of the road recently inaugurated by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, was the governor that he promised to give $1,000 to anyone on the tour, who could point to a pothole, at least. Unfortunately, it was a smooth drive all the way. The governor won his bet.

Isn’t it interesting that property is said to be fast appreciating in the area, with a plot of land claimed to be going for as much as a million naira in the middle of nowhere? Literally – a new city is about to be born in Oyo State.

Managed by Dr. Debo Akande, Director-General, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), the whole idea of resuscitating the Fashola farm is to re-enact the potential of an initiative birthed since the 1950s by a phenomenal mind, Awolowo. This has further revealed how broad-minded the

late sage was in his time.

Akande hinted that the Agribusiness template in Oyo State is currently being adopted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and across many countries of the world, although managed by him.

Taking a walk of about two kilometres with Makinde within the farm area, the reality of the various pioneering investments in Agribusiness, which his leadership has produced, became more evident.

Aside from the Fashola farm project, another signature initiative by the Makinde administration is the 11 megawatts alternative power project right in the heart of the capital city, Ibadan.

With some of his projections already sitting in the right places, Makinde took immense pride in the power initiative, and the promises it held for the future of the state.

The ongoing 110-kilometre circular road project, which the

governor reckoned his administration would have completed about 70 kilometres stretch of it by next year, was incredibly massive and animating.

A short stopover at the Omololu Olunloyo Recreation Park, revealed yet another idea designed to improve the social life of the Oyo State people, especially those in Ibadan, the capital city.

Relatively small, but sited in the heart of the city, too, Makinde said there were similar recreation parks in other parts of the state since Ibadan alone did not make up Oyo State.

From his prognostications, Makinde was hopeful that by the end of his second term, his administration would have been able to hand over a roadmap for sustainable development of the state beyond 2027.

But if you thought those infrastructure developments meant more to him, then you’re wrong. What really mean a lot to him are the several institutions he created to not only stand the test of time, but help to keep government after government in check, irrespective of whoever is in office.

But if you thought those infrastructure developments meant more to him, then you’re wrong. What really mean a lot to him are the several institutions he created to not only stand the test of time, but help to keep government after government in check, irrespective of whoever is in office.

Starting with the Oyo State Antcorruption Agency, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency, and the Mobilisation Agency for Economic Development, in addition to the Anti-open Grazing Law, among several others, Makinde was confident that guided by these laws, the state would thrive, even after his reign.

Although Makinde claimed to compare notes with some of his colleagues, from time-to-time, on the ideas they could borrow from one another, it seemed no wholesome peer reviews had been carried out for some time now.

With about 72 journalists from most of the nation’s media houses visiting Oyo on the strength of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Makinde was fluky for the generous commendations handed him, almost unanimously.

President of the Guild, Mr. Eze Anaba, who sought more support for the Makinde administration, believed his governance stood out as a template of encouragement for other governors. He was even the more surprised that the governor still reads widely, a discovery he pulled out in the course of their interactions.

“I never knew that some governors still read,” he said, eliciting admiration and laughter from everyone at the reception.

The Deputy President of the guild, Mrs. Husseina Akila, also considered Makinde a gender-friendly leader with the appointment of women into critical positions in his administration.

Popular On-Air-Personality with the Arise TV, Dr. Reuben Abati; the Managing Director of Nation Newspaper, Mr. Victor Ifijeh, and a couple of other senior journalists, were also excited, from their speeches, to have had firsthand experience of Makinde’s performance, which corroborated their earlier impressions. It was no doubt a beautiful adventure in the political headquarters of the South West, which culminated in a class reception for the media men and women later at night within the Fashola farm.

While it is arguably a challenge hosting 72 people in one tranche, what was clearly a grand outing was almost tainted by a last minute accommodation glitch in Oyo town, as against a tidier plan earlier put in place in Ibadan.

But one unintended episode was not puissant enough to deny the governor his glory or obliterate the otherwise beautiful memories his visitors left with.

In the end, 24 hours with Makinde, and two days in the state, exposed the rather weird mind behind the governor’s leadership spirit and his progressively uncanny thought process.

In conclusion, it is not enough to infer that Makinde has already earned his place in the hall of fame of Nigeria’s performing governors. What is equally instructive is that he continues in that pace for the remaining time he has left in office, and not suffer any infection from the familiar second term syndrome.

Makinde… Taking Oyo to a new level

Soludo, Assembly Move against New Minimum Wage

David-Chyddy Eleke reports that as the struggle for a new minimum wage continues, workers in Anambra state may find it difficult to benefit as both Governor Charles Soludo and the house of assembly have been accused of a strong aversion for workers’ welfare.

Recently, workers in Anambra State had a clash with members of the state house of assembly. Members of the organized labour in the state were on an exercise to enforce national strike in the state when it’s leaders had a collision with lawmakers that almost degenerated into a brawl.

During an enforcement exercise, a lawmaker and member representing Aguata II Constituency, Hon Tony Muobike, had bullied Labour leaders, saying they have no right to come to the assembly to picket their workers. He was quoted in several publications as saying that Anambra workers were lazy and do not deserve better wage. He was said to have added that robots are better than them, and that very soon, they will be replaced with robots as they are not worth higher wages. This had led to altercation and threats of physical violence.

The altercation began when Muobike criticised workers and suggesting they did not deserve minimum wage saying “If you talk again I just give you a devastating slap. Stop talking.” He went ahead to call Labour leaders unprintable names, just as they retaliated verbally.

Organised labour in the state, on its part, while reacting to threats of physical violence by Hon Muobike in a statement jointly signed by the state secretaries of NLC and TUC, Comrades, Gaius Chukuka and Alex C. Ebi respectively, described the lawmaker’s behaviour as weird.

The workers’ statement read in part: “The Organized Labour Anambra State wishes to set the record straight on what transpired between the organized Labour in Anambra State and House of Assembly members on the 3rd day of June, 2024.

“Before now, Organized Labour was silent on the dehumanizing utterances of the All Progressives Grand Alliance lawmaker representing Aguata 2 Constituency, Hon Anthony Muobike who we all knew how he ascended into the House of Assembly until we started reading thrash on the social media for his indefensible act on aggrieved Anambra workers.

“His immature attitude shows the disconnect between him and his constituency. Without cause he callously accused Anambra workers as not deserving a minimum wage and could be replaced by Robots. The question was, were the workers protesting against Prof Charles Soludo, the state governor he was allegedly defending? He is lacking all the qualities of a lawmaker in modern times to have uttered such gutter words.

“The organized labour in Anambra State were on a peaceful monitoring to ensure total compliance that all public offices were closed, but on getting to the Anambra House of Assembly complex, we discovered that there were activities going on in the complex with their access gate wide open. The problem started when the members of the congress were chanting a solidarity song demanding that the complex should be shut down as Anambra State is not an exception. We were surprised over the reaction of Hon. Anthony Muobike.

“Why threaten workers led by their leaders with physical violence? It shows his level of intolerance and toutish behaviour in the face of people with genuine demands and a nationwide protest. It is quite unfortunate and if Hon. Anthony Muobike is honourable as claimed, he should be apologizing to

Nigerians and workers of Anambra State over his sabotage on the struggle of the labour unions to alleviate the hardship on Nigerians.”

Another commentator, Mr Tony Okafor, said: “Muobike’s comments, suggesting that workers do not deserve a minimum wage and can be replaced by robots, are not only callous but also dehumanizing. His threat of physical violence against union leaders is a disturbing display of aggression and intolerance.

“It is unacceptable for a lawmaker to resort to such behavior, especially when faced with legitimate grievances from workers fighting for their rights. Muobike’s rhetoric is a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women who keep our society running. It perpetuates a harmful narrative that workers are expendable and disposable, and that their struggles are insignificant.

“This kind of language has no place in our public discourse, especially from someone in a position of power and the ruling party, APGA, in the state. To say the least, Muobike’s psyche on that occasion was incongruous. We call on Hon. Muobike to apologize for his hurtful comments and to engage in constructive dialogue with the labour union leaders.”

ANOTHER CLASH

Also, in February this year, workers of the assembly, under the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) had clashed with lawmakers when they declared strike. This had left many wondering how

lawmakers who earn fat salaries can be so averse to the well-being of workers who work everyday in same establishment with them.

PASAN members had carried placards and banners during a peaceful protest to the assembly complex to protest poor pay and working conditions.

The deputy National President of PASAN, Comrade Promise Onwukwe, who led the protest accused lawmakers of recruiting corps members to perform their duties instead of paying them the stipulated wage.

He said: “You go to collect or submit mails and you will be trekking from one office to the other under the sun, while those that you are working for are cruising in air-conditioned vehicles. It might not be far from the truth that Governor Charles Soludo may have provided all these things (their demands) but they are no where to be found and this is unfortunate. Go round the complex (Anambra House of Assembly), you will see that it has been over grown by grasses and staff kill all manner of reptiles, snakes and scorpions almost every week.”

Reacting to the allegations, Majority Leader of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme, rather insisted that the protesting staffs were not under them,

He said: “Most of those staff are strictly under the office of the Head of Service and they are posted to come and work with the state Assembly members.They are duty bound to listen to where they are posted. If they don’t want to work at the House of Assembly, they are free to go back to the Head of Service and not to come here to disrupt the activities of the House of Assembly.”

With the above mindset, many have started doubting that even if the NLC accepts a new national minimum wage, it may be difficult for

With the above mindset, many have started doubting that even if the NLC accepts a new national minimum wage, it may be difficult for workers in Anambra, under the current Soludo-led government and the current House of Assembly to enjoy it. This is because the governor himself has also been quoted on many occasions as not being in support of a higher minimum wage. In a recent interview on national television, the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero stated that while negotiations were on with federal government over wage, the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo was busy calling other governors and inciting them to reject the new minimum wage.

workers in Anambra, under the current Soludo-led government and the current House of Assembly to enjoy it. This is because the governor himself has also been quoted on many occasions as not being in support of a higher minimum wage. In a recent interview on national television, the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero stated that while negotiations were on with federal government over wage, “the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo was busy calling other governors and inciting them to reject the new minimum wage.”

Also, a member of the leadership of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah in another interview on national television insisted that Anambra was among the worst states to serve in as a civil servant. Upah insisted that in Anambra State, despite the rejection of N62,000 minimum wage by NLC, the state under Soludo still pays N20,000 as minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Governor Soludo, has continued his campaign against a new minimum wage by cautioning President Bola Tinubu against approving an improved wage, saying it is not feasible for employers to pay. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria, a programme organized by a Lagos-based church, Soludo warned that approving an unsustainable minimum wage would be risky. He emphasized that if President Tinubu approves a wage that employers cannot afford, the consequences would be solely on him. He urged the President to consider the economic implications of such a move.

Several stakeholders have reacted to what they called the anti-workers stand of both the governor and the state assembly.

Reacting to this, a public affairs analyst, Mr Ikenna Nwubaka said: “When we say that Anambra entered one chance with someone like Soludo, people think it is politics. God forbid that I be a civil servant under Soludo because the people are suffering.

“Come to talk about the attitude of the lawmakers towards workers, I can only say that they are influenced by the attitude of their master, Soludo towards workers. How has Soludo treated workers since he came aboard? The issue of poor pay has been on the front burner, but recently, Soludo invited labour leaders and schooled them thoroughly like pupils and they came out to agree that he is actually right by paying them N24,000 as salary, instead of the current N30,000 national minimum wage.

“He even bamboozled them with calculations that minimum wage is calculated by net wage, not gross earnings or something like that, and they all clapped for him and came to face the media. I fear that if the federal government approves a new minimum wage, Soludo who has shown aversion for workers’ welfare will not pass it, and he will be aided by the current state assembly which is also not so workers friendly.”

In the meantime, the current minimum wage in Nigeria is N30,000, and labour is seeking a significant increase due to the high cost of living and the erosion of the value of the current minimum wage. The government has proposed a 100 percent increase to N62,000, but labour is pushing for a higher amount. Negotiations are still ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the final minimum wage will be.

Soludo

Ajaero

Kuyebi: Our Passion is to Provide Every Investor Value for Money

Ayoolanrewaju Kuyebi is a Civil Engineer/Geotechnics and the MD/CEO of GMH Luxury Investments Limited. Kuyebi, who has a formidable presence in the real estate sector, tells Bennett Oghifo that he is committed to giving value to investors and spares no expense in doing so. He says people lose money in real estate because they don’t seek advice and due to a lack of engagement with core professionals in the built sector.

You have been in the real estate industry for some time now. Tell us about the journey so far.*

Our journey began with Geostruct Konsults Limited, established 13 years ago to engage in piling and core civil engineering works. From this foundation, we expanded and formed GMH Luxury Investments Limited, our holding company. GMH Luxury oversees four companies operating in the real estate development value chain. Our flagship company, Godmade Homes Limited (GMH), was incorporated on July 28, 2015, and commenced operations on September 1, 2015. Additionally, G2G Investment Ltd engages in construction materials haulage.

Rated BBB+ by DataPro, we are a worldclass real estate development company driven by value innovation and optimum service to deliver affordable homes. With iconic architectural landmark estates in various locations within Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja, we deliver the best in real estate services and infrastructure in a secured and serene environment. We have always been driven by our vision of delivering luxury at its maximum peak at the most affordable price and value for money.

Over the years, the company has delivered functional structures in both the mainland and island parts of Lagos, and Abuja. At GMH, we strive to provide our clients with the best and nothing but the best. We do not compromise with standards as integrity is our watchword. We are one of the few real estate developers with technical expertise in substructure construction and a full quality assurance team, adopting the Six Sigma TQM construction model.

Tell us about yourself.

Ayoolanrewaju J Kuyebi is a distinguished entrepreneur who has become a formidable presence in the Real Estate sector, boasting a wealth of experience spanning over two decades and involvement in numerous highprofile projects worldwide. With a strong background in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Ayoolanrewaju has earned multiple accolades and gained a reputation as a seasoned expert in the field.

Notably, Ayoolanrewaju’s contributions to the industry extend beyond his technical proficiency. In addition to his professional prowess & achievements, Ayoolanrewaju is driven by a vision to revolutionize the African luxury Real Estate sector, starting

with his home country, Nigeria. To that end, he established GMH Luxury, which has grown to encompass four sister companies: BHOUX, Civil Acme, G2G Investment, and Geostruct Konsult. Ayoolanrewaju’s dedication to this ambitious goal has propelled his company to significant recognition and impressive strides in a short period. As the driving force behind GMH Luxury, Ayoolanrewaju is poised to bring about a transformational change in the African luxury Real Estate industry, an aspiration that he fervently pursues with passion and purpose. He is a respected and widely sought-after name in the Real Estate world.

You once had two failed projects and you lost over a billion Naira. We did everything we needed to

The Lagos State sector is still evolving. Although there are many professionals in the construction sector, a lot of real estate development firms do not engage them on projects. This is where GMH is bridging the gap. We utilize several core professionals on every project without cutting corners.

do as professionals but couldn’t save the two projects, leading to our loss of over N1 billion. One of these projects was at Magodo, with 11 units of terrace houses, and the other was at Gbagada.

At Magodo, we built close to an existing canal but with enough room to observe the setback the Lagos State Government stipulated and we were given approval by the Ministry of the Environment. Another company received approval to reclaim the canal for housing development. The rains came, and there was no canal to receive the stormwater, so it inundated our property. We, thereafter, refunded money to the subscribers.

The 5-floor structure at Gbagada was occupied for three years before we noticed the building tilted because the foundation shifted. We relocated eight of the 11 homeowners and refunded the money of the remaining three with capital gain, regardless of the fact that they had stayed there for three years. This is one of our strengths—good dispute resolution strategies. We are still in touch with these subscribers.

What’s your housing portfolio like?

We have done close to 100 housing units and we’re set to deliver an additional 300 units.

Tell us about your projects. What are the latest?

We have two new facilities—Habitat 84, a purpose-built hotel Off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, and De Maris, a beachfront resort located at Ilashe, Lagos, an island between the Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. De Maris has 40 units of 1-4 bedroom villa-style beach houses, perfect for investment, as it will provide more than just luxurious accommodation. It is positioned to produce significant returns in the thriving beachfront property market. The groundbreaking ceremony for this project is set for July this year. Habitat 84, a one-bedroom hotel, is on eight floors and is designed and built to ensure the protection of the homeowner, who will have an exclusive lobby, entrance, and other amenities. They don’t interact with visitors unless they request it. This is the epitome of luxury and investment ingenuity, featuring 84 meticulously crafted one-bedroom apartments spanning an impressive 112 square meters each. Exceeding the dimensions of the typical two-bedroom apartment in Lekki Phase 1, Habitat 84 sets a new standard for lavish living and lucrative investment opportunities in a single, daring move. We give value for the client’s money and ensure that what you get exceeds your expectations. Interestingly, we leave the management of the facilities in the hands of the homeowner but appoint a reputable facility management company which they would control.

Lagos real estate sector is evolving. The Lagos State sector is still evolving. Although there are many professionals in the construction sector, a lot of real estate development firms do not engage them on projects. This is where GMH is bridging the gap. We utilize several core professionals on every project without cutting corners.

Why do people lose money in property deals?

They do not have the requisite knowledge before committing their money. They don’t do due diligence, no investigation, and so they fall for the sweet talk of the salesperson. Buying real estate is not something you rush because if you’re patient enough to save your money to buy a property then you should be patient to investigate the root of the title. People should go to property advisors that will help them save their money. You need to take physical and legal possession of your property by seeking the root of the title and how it has been transferred and create the time to meet these people physically. Don’t stop at the doorstep of an agent. Buying or renting a house should not be a matter of urgency.

What’s your view about mortgage in the country?

Mortgage penetration is very low. In fact, we do not have a mortgage because a short-term loan with a 24 percent interest rate cannot be said to be a mortgage loan.

Kuyebi

How 725 Military Retirees Were Reintegrated into Civil Life at NAFRC

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, NAFRC, which is saddled with the task of integrating military retirees into civil life, recently churned out 725 graduands. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the Passing out Ceremony of Course 01/2024 Trainees was quite nostalgic but also a vista of hope for all the retirees given that for six months, they were trained on post-service life with various vocational skills to sustain their entrepreneurial journey

Cross section of dignitaries with the military retirees

For the 725 recent graduates of the the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), a centre established for military retirees to transition into civil life, the journey started about 35 years ago when they joined the military where they went through series of military trainings to ensure they turn out to be professional soldiers in their various units and fields.

Throughout those 35 years, they recited the soldiers creed, and were solely dedicated to the actualisation of the Armed Forces core responsibilities. However, after those 35 years, it was time to reformat their thinking process back to the civilian life they were used to before their sojourn into military life.

To ensure a smooth and seamless transition back to civil life, NAFRC was borne. At the centre located at Oshodi, Lagos, the retirees underwent six months training and re-training to ease their transition. They are also equipped with relevant civilian skills that would ensure they are kept busy.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION

Drawn from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Nigerian Army (NA) and the Nigerian Navy (NN), with 26, 500 and 165 retirees, respectively, they underwent training in management, fashion, fine arts and printing, soap and cosmetics making, domestic products, agricultural training, woodwork, building and civil works, electrical and electronics, auto mechanics, fabrication and welding, music, food and beverages and information technology.

At the Passing out Ceremony of the Course 01/2024 Trainees of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), held at Danjuma Hall, it was a new vista for the soldiers turned civilians.

After years of meritorious service to the nation and months of training to enable them to integrate seamlessly to civilian life after the end of the six months intensive pre-retirement for the men and women of our Armed Forces, they returned to civil life.

A NATION’S GRATITUDE

The Special Guest of Honour was the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, who expressed his gratitude to the retirees, adding that the nation was grateful for their service and sacrifice.

According to the chief, NAFRC has a mandate to adequately prepare retiring personnel of the Armed Forces, allied Forces and staff of paramilitary agencies, to re-integrating into civil life, adding that “the centre is achieving this objective through diverse vocational skills to maximize potentials of personnel for self-reliance as you all have experienced in the last five months.

“The skills you have acquired in the Centre is germane to entrepreneurship and I urge you to put the skills into proper use. As entrepreneurs, you will require attributes such as determination, diligence, optimism as well as honesty, imbibed in the course of your career and the training in this centre to succeed.

“As you integrate into civil life, your conduct also must be in accordance with ethics, professional standards and respect for the rule of law. You will be judged by these virtues as retired military personnel

as well as ambassadors of the Armed Forces and this Prestigious centre.

“This present administration under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has amongst others, prioritized the welfare of persons who have diligently served the Armed Forces. The President has approved the implementation of 20 per cent increase in pension rates for pensioners with effect from January this year.

“This and others packages including those initiated by various Services is to appreciate your sacrifices and service to the nation. On this note, may I seize this opportunity to appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief for his guidance and unwavering support to the Service as well as for enhancing the welfare package of those who have served our country diligently.

“We remain grateful and will continue to carry out our statutory mandate for national economic prosperity and poverty eradication in line with your Renewed Hope Agenda. To our disengaging personnel, I urge you to be good ambassadors and conduct yourself in a manner that will not bring disrepute to the Armed Forces or your distinguished career records.

“You must also influence your community positively and also be loyal to the nation and President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. I commend you all again for your sacrifice and courage to serve your fatherland and also congratulate you for successful completion of this course.”

While commending the NAFRC Commandant, officers and staff of the Centre for ensuring that the disengaging personnel are prepared to

integrate seamlessly into civil life, he further urged them to sustain the laudable efforts.

Earlier in his speech, NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Amesinlola, said the event was “worthy of celebration and fulfilment for these senior citizens and their family members as they pass out of the Centre and as most of them would be retiring from the Armed Forces from here.

“The graduands exhibited discipline and keen interest throughout their 6-months vocational training. In line with the mandate of NAFRC, the centre impacts theoretical and practical knowledge to retiring personnel in vocations of their choice to aid their re-integration to civil life.

“Suffice to state that the realization of the Centre’s mandate has been successful. So far, over 51,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, para-military agencies and allied armed forces have been trained by this Centre.

“Similarly, over 3,600 youths and widows have undergone various vocational training at NAFRC as part of the Centre’s Corporate Social Responsibility. The training equips beneficiaries with skills to start and manage businesses and vocations towards self- sustenance.

“This, in tum, contributes to personnel morale and to the Federal Government’s committed drive to increase Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across the Country. The personnel and civilians trained by the Centre have been contributing meaningfully to their various communities, thus preventing them from becoming liability to the society or resorting to crimes and other vices.”

While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the commandant also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Minister of

State for Defence, the Senate and House Committees on Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for their guidance and support to the Centre.

GATHERING OF EAGLES

To show the retirees that their sacrifices were in no small measure appreciated, it was a gathering of eagles including senior officers at the graduation last Friday at the centre.

While the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja, was represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division. Major General Muhammad Usman; the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, was represented by Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi. Also present were the Chief of Defence Training and Operations and other Principal Staff Officers from Defence and other Services Headquarters; Flag Officers Commanding, Western Naval Command and Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan and Rear Admiral Zakaria, respectively.

Others include Corps Commanders of Signals and Nigerian Army Ordinance Depot, Commandants and other Commanders of Military and Para- military institutions, units and agencies; Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot, Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu; Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Ltd, Rear Admiral Bolaji Orederu; and Hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode.

Also in attendance were NAFRC Deputy Commandant and Director; President, Retired Army, Navy, Air Force Officers Association; NAFRC past Commandants; Commissioner of Agriculture, Lagos State; Executive Chairman, Mushin Local Government Area 16; and Founder and Director, Songhai Regional Centre.

The CNS, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla flanked by the NAFRC Commandant, AVM Adeniyi Amesinlola; GOC 81 Division, Major General Muhammad Usman; AOC Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi; Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot, Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu; Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode and others

Kayode Tokede

On the back of inflationary pressure, regulating levy, among others, operating expenses of 10 banks went up by a whooping 103 per cent to N1.58 trillion in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 2024/

This represents about 103 per cent increase when compared to N780.09 billion recorded in first the quarter of 2023.

The 10 banks are: Access Holdings Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), FBN Holdings Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO).

Others include; Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, FCMB Group Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) inflation rate increased to 33.2 per cent Yearon-Year (YoY) in March 2024 from 22.04 per cent March 2023, driven by money supply, exchange rate, net exports, interest rates, fiscal factors, agro-climatic factor and real output.

Currently at 33.95 per cent in May 2024, analysts have predicted further hike in banks’ OPEX this year, stressing that its impact may cut down on earnings and dividend payout to shareholders.

The 33.95 per cent inflation rate in Nigeria makes it 17th straight month acceleration, the highest reading since March 1996.

Also, the Naira depreciated to N1,329.76 against the dollar in Q1 2024 from N459.85 against the dollar Q1 2023 as these figures

are influenced with government decisions to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy on Naira at the foreign exchange market.

Aside from inflationary pressure, other key factors that contributed to the banks OPEX include wages and salaries for staff, Deposit insurance premium, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)’s 0.5 per cent sinking funds levy, among others.

THISDAY analysis of the banks’ results showed that ETI reported the highest OPEX in Q1 2024, followed by Access Holdings and UBA. The Pan-Africa financial institutions have banking operations across the countries in the continent where rising inflation rattling businesses.

A breakdown of the banks’ results showed that in Q1 2024, ETI declared N357.97billion OPEX, an increase of 180.5 per cent from N127.6billion reported in Q1 2023, while Access Holdings reported N279.31billion OPEX in Q1 2024, an increase of 86 per cent from N149.79billion reported in Q1 2023.

On its part, UBA announced N218.97 billion OPEX in Q1 2024, representing an increase of 104 per cent from N107.31 billion in Q1 2023 while FBN Holdings declared N212.78 billion OPEX in Q1 2024, an increase of 91.4 per cent from N111.17 billion reported in Q1 2023.

In a chat with THISDAY, analysts stated that the hike in inflation rate is affecting banks’ ability to generate profits

Speaking, the Vice President,

Highcap securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said the hike in banks operating expenses is a reflection of global economic unrest following the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that financial institutions operating in Nigeria and in Africa do not operate in isolation.

He expressed that the growth in operating expenses reported by banks would definitely have an impact on profit and dividend payout to shareholders of these banks.

According to him, “The world is currently facing a high inflation rate and Nigeria, Africa at large are not exempted from this experience, with countries on the continent witnessing record high inflation rate. The surge in inflation rate is following the rally in crude oil prices, amidst the face-off between Russia/Ukraine.

“Reacting to the surging inflation rate, regulators of several countries where Nigerian banks operate have also raised their interest rates to curb the rising cost of goods and services. However, this is yet to yield any positives as the inflation rate continues to remain high. With cost impacted, Nigerian banks might suffer slow profitability this year and it might impact on dividend payout.”

On his part, the CEO, Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf told THISDAY that inflationary pressures remain a key concern in the Nigerian economy, both for businesses and the citizens.

After a period of constant declines, Nigeria’s external reserves have reached a two-month high, climbing steadily to $33.15 billion.

This marks an uninterrupted rise since April 19th, when the reserves stood at $32.106 billion.

The upward trajectory, experts said, highlights a period of consistent growth for Nigeria’s financial reserves, reflecting positive economic management and possibly favourable

BONDS

market conditions. Since mid-April, the reserves have shown a steady increase, culminating in the latest peak at $33.15 billion.

According to experts, this continuous growth suggests a robust financial outlook for the country, offering confidence to stakeholders and investors alike.

From April 19 to June 11, 2024, financial reserves have demonstrated a robust and consistent upward trend. Over these two months, the reserves have swelled from $32.11

billion to $33.16 billion, marking a substantial increase of approximately $1.05 billion.

Starting at $32.11 billion on April 19, reserves grew to $32.25 billion by April 30. This $147.66 million increase, although moderate, set a stable foundation for subsequent growth phases. This period reflected a daily average increment of $13.42 million.

However, May saw an impressive acceleration in reserve growth. Reserves climbed from $32.25

billion to $32.69 billion, adding $440.16 million over the month. The average daily increase jumped to $14.19 million, indicating a more aggressive upward trend likely driven by strategic financial manoeuvres and favourable market conditions.

The most remarkable growth occurred in the first 11 days of June, with reserves surging from $32.75 billion to $33.16 billion. This $411.10 million increase in just 11 days highlights an average daily growth rate of $37.37 million. The largest

single-day increase was recorded on June 11, with reserves rising by $78.03 million from the previous day.

At the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Olayemi Cardoso mentioned that the MPC in managing and enhancing the reserves would focus on improving remittances through the official channels with the help of international Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs).

He said: “Members further

observed the recent volatility in the foreign exchange market, attributing this to seasonal demand, a reflection of the interplay between demand and supply in a freely functioning market system. The Committee also noted the marginal increase in the external reserve balance between March and April 2024 and urged the Bank to sustain its focus on accretion to reserves.

Nume ekeghe

Tomato Ebola: Need for Agric Insurance

The astronomical rise in the prices of food crops such as tomatoes, pepper, garlic and ginger among others, which cause has been attributed to outbreak of farm pests known as tomato Ebola has prompted the need for intensive campaign for full embrace of agriculture insurance, writes Ebere Nwoji

Recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that food inflation in the country rose to 40.66 per cent in May 2024; a fact that is very worrisome and raises question on the possibility of an average household in Nigeria being able to feed itself in the nearest future.

The report is contained in the latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation report released by the agency recently.

The NBS in the report disclosed that headline inflation moved by 0.26 per cent to 33.95 per cent from 33.69 per cent recorded in April.

It noted that major contributing items to headline inflation in May 2024 including food & non-alcoholic beverages contributing 17.59 per cent, in addition to housing, water, and electricity, gas & other fuel which contributed 5.68 per cent .

A breakdown of the data showed that all through last year, the price of food commodities increased steadily from 25.25 per cent in June, to 26.98 per cent in July, 29.34 per cent, 30.64 per cent in August, 31.52 per cent in September, 31.52 per cent October, 32.84 per cent in November and 33.93 per cent as the end of December 2023.

RIsINg Food PRIcEs

In various local food markets in Lagos, prices of essential food items like fresh tomatoes, pepper, ginger and garlic have witnessed astronomical rise.

Enquiries into the cause of this by THISDAY showed that the development was mainly caused by the outbreak of tomato pest known as tomato Ebola and other related diseases.

In a recent interview he granted a local TV station, the Chairman of Mile12 market in Lagos, Shehu Jibrin said aside the outbreak of tomato and pepper disease, insecurity situation in the country was another major reason why there is shortage of tomato, pepper supply in different parts of the country.

According to him, “Let’s assume that we have 5,000 farmers in the country, less than 1500 of them are working while the rest are in the internally displaced camps. He warned that if government do not tackle the issue of insecurity, the prices of tomatoes, peppers and other perishables would continue to go up.

One of the tomato sellers in the popular IyanaIba market along Lagos-Badagry Express way told THISDAY that mass export of tomatoes and pepper to neighbouring country like Niger also contributed to the scarcity.

But the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, blamed the infestation of tomato farms by the tomato Ebola for the scarcity and high price. Today, a small bucket of tomatoes hitherto sold for N2,000 now sells for N14,000 while a hand full of pepper hitherto sold for N100 now sells for N500. Similarly, small quantity of ginger and garlic sold for N100 now sells for N600.

Analysts have predicted that the scarcity might worsen next year, as farmers who suffered losses of their tomato, pepper, ginger and garlic to these farm pests may not have the money to purchase seedlings next year to continue their farming just as insecurity in farm areas has scared the remaining farmers away.

AgRIc INsuRANcE

Meanwhile. tomato Ebola, the major cause of the current scarcity has raised the question on the place of agricultural insurance in agric activities in Nigeria. It has also raised question on the number of Nigerian farmers that have embraced agric insurance and its loss cushioning effects.

Agricultural insurance is an insurance policy which involves the insured (farmer) paying a little sum called premium usually in percentage to an insurance company to guarantee against loss due to any of the perils (death, flood, drought, crop diseases) covered for a particular period of time usually not more than one year.

Agric insurance experts said the role of insurance in enhancing agricultural productivity is that it protects farmers against financial disaster after suffering any of the insured risks for which indemnity (compensation) is paid. “With the insurance coverage, the farmer is not only able to continue in business but also the stability of his income is enhanced. Aside this, agricultural insurance empowers the farmers to obtain farm credits. But as beneficial as agricultural insurance

is Nigerian farmers are yet to embrace it. The result of this is what Nigerians are witnessing in tomato market today, “said an expert.

According to to the expert, had the farmers secured adequate insurance coverage, what they would have done in the face of the current outbreak of tomato Ebola is to approach their insurance underwriter for indemnity, “and this would return each farmer who suffered the loss to his former financial position.”

AgRIc INsuRANcE IN NIgERIA

The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance scheme (NAIS) was established in 1987 with the goals of encouraging financial institutions to offer rural credits lowering the need for government post- disaster assistance and encouraging investment in the agric sector.

At the beginning of the scheme, only the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation was licensed to offer agric insurance services to farmers at subsidised rate. Later the Agric line of business was liberalised during the era of Fola Daniel as the commissioner for insurance as he licensed more operating firms to underwrite agric insurance .

Some of the later licensed underwriting firms are Leadway Assurance, Industrial and General Insurance plc , NEM Insurance, Royal Exchange Assurance, Universal Insurance plc.

Since their entrance into agric insurance underwriting, they have been doing a lot to popularise agric insurance among Nigerian farmers, however, despite various risks farmers faced, many of them have remained adamant towards embracing Agric insurance.

AgRIc RIsks FAcEd by FARmERs

Generally, farmers face various risks such as adverse weather conditions, pests and diseases, market fluctuations, fire outbreak and other unpredictable events. Agricultural insurance serves as a crucial risk management tool, providing financial protection and stability to farmers and traders in the face of uncertainties. Initially one of the challenges faced by insurance underwriters from farmers is ignorance. For instance, a farmer takes one insurance cover without extension and faces a different risks that made him incur losses, he will expect the insurer to compensate him for the losses whereas he did not secure cover for the particular risk that occurred, when the insurer refuses to pay on the ground that the particular risk that occurred was not insured against, the farmer will go about saying insurers don’t pay claims and others will believe.

But as years go by with awareness creation

and sensitisation, the farmers are beginning to understand and some are keying into insurance coverage.

What the agric insurance underwriters are now fighting for is to ensure mass patronage of insurance by farmers.

AgRIc INsuRANcE

PolIcIEs FoR FARmERs

Agric insurance experts said some of the agric insurance options available to Nigerian farmers are Crop Insurance, designed to protect farmers against losses resulting from crop failures caused by adverse weather events, pests, diseases, or other perils. According to the experts, key crop insurance options in Nigeria include Yield-Based Insurance: Yield-based insurance covers farmers for losses in crop yield due to perils such as drought, flood, pests, and diseases just as we have in the current case of tomatoe, pepper, ginger and garlic.

Another is Area-Based Insurance also known as index-based insurance, which the experts said compensates farmers based on predefined weather or yield indices that represent the overall agricultural performance of a specific area.

There is also the Multi-Peril Crop Insurance which provides coverage for a range of perils, including weather events, pests, diseases, and fire. It offers comprehensive protection against multiple risks that could affect crop production. This type of insurance provides farmers with more extensive coverage but may involve higher premiums.

According to the experts, Livestock insurance is designed to protect farmers and livestock owners against losses resulting from disease outbreaks, accidents, or natural disasters. In Nigeria, livestock insurance options include: Mortality Insurance which covers the loss of livestock due to accidental death, disease, or theft. Health Insurance for livestock which covers veterinary expenses incurred for the treatment of diseases and medical conditions. It ensures that farmers can afford necessary healthcare for their animals.

There is also Feed Insurance, which covers losses incurred due to the failure of purchased or produced feed. This type of insurance helps livestock farmers manage risks associated with feed shortages, poor quality feed, or feed-related health issues.

Agricultural asset insurance protects farmers and traders against losses or damage to their agricultural assets, including farm buildings, machinery, and equipment.

Agricultural Value Chain Insurance which covers risks associated with the entire agricultural value chain, including production, processing, storage, transportation, and marketing. This type of insurance protects farmers, traders, and other stakeholders against risks throughout the entire agricultural supply chain.

bENEFITs oF

INsuRANcE

AgRIculTuRAl

According to insurance experts, Agricultural Insurance offers several benefits to farmers and traders in Nigeria in the area of Risk Management. Agricultural insurance provides a safety net against unpredictable events, helping farmers and traders manage risks associated with production losses, price volatility, and asset damages. It ensures financial stability and reduces the vulnerability of agricultural stakeholders.

AccEss To cREdIT

Agricultural insurance enhances farmers’ creditworthiness by providing collateral for loans. Lenders are more willing to provide credit to insured farmers, knowing that their investments are protected against risks. This promotes access to finance and enables farmers to invest in improved agricultural practices and technologies.

Improved Productivity: With the security provided by insurance coverage, farmers can adopt more efficient and advanced farming techniques, knowing they have a financial safety net in case of losses. This can lead to increased productivity, better resource management, and improved agricultural practices.

chAllENgEs

Despite the benefits, agriculture insurance in Nigeria faces certain challenges which include limited awareness. Many farmers and traders in Nigeria are unaware of the existence and benefits of agricultural insurance. Raising awareness about the importance of insurance and its role in mitigating risks is crucial for increasing insurance penetration in the agricultural sector. Another challenge is affordability. The affordability of insurance premiums is a significant challenge for small-scale farmers who often struggle with limited financial resources. Developing innovative and flexible insurance products that cater for the specific needs and financial capacities of small-scale farmers can help address this challenge.

Data Availability and Quality is also another challenge. Reliable and accurate data on agricultural production, weather patterns, and market information is essential for effective insurance coverage. However, data collection and management systems in Nigeria are often inadequate, limiting the availability of data necessary for assessing risks and determining insurance premiums.

In the mist of the benefits and challenges, there is need for both government and insurers to join force in bringing farmers into the main stream of Agric insurance so that in case of acute shortage of farm produce as a result of any of the above risks, farmers will bounce back to business due to insurance claims received and gap in such food production will be easily covered. Also with insurance coverage, farmers will be educated on how to guard against attack of their farms by disease outbreak and as such prevent any of such disease that cause food shortage from attacking their farms.

Manufacturers Rising Confidence amidst Difficult Operating Environment

Report by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria showed rising operators’ confidence in Q1’24, even though emerging policies may imperil this positive showing, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

The Manufacturers CEO Confidence Index (MCCI) in the Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment grew for the first time since the Q3 2022 in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1’24). This was revealed by the MCCI’s survey, which showed that the Aggregate Index Score (AIS) of the MCCI increased by 1.7 points to 53.5 points in Q1 2024 from 51.8 points recorded in Q4 2023.

The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Francis Meshioye, who unveiled the report to journalists, said: “This report sheds light on the current state of the industry, its challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Also, the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun AjayiKadir, noted that the report interestingly confirmed a moderate improvement in the AIS. “Notwithstanding, this performance shows that the manufacturing sector is set on the path of restoration and recovery, at least to the level recorded in Q3 2022 with the hope of improvement in the next quarter.

“This is further buttressed by mild performance recorded at the sectoral and zonal levels as well as the positive projections of confidence indices for the next quarter, even though emerging policies are pointing to the contrary and may imperil this positivity,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

WEightED MEan

According to the report, which was issued in May by the MAN, the AIS of MCCI is the weighted mean of the observed and expected changes in business conditions, employment and production level in the economy based on the perceptions of manufacturers in the quarter under review.

The MCCI stated, “All the standard diffusion factors increased due to the positive effect of selective reforms and the consistent appreciation of the Naira in the greater part of the last month (March) of the quarter by about 22 per cent and 28 per cent in the official and parallel markets respectively. This moderately reduced the cost of imported raw materials and machinery as well as the import duty payments during the later part of the quarter.”

According to the report, other factors that contributed to the improved perception of manufacturers during the quarter included the expectation of easing diesel prices, which accounts for 48 per cent of manufacturers’ expenditure on alternative energy.

The report stated that the current business condition (CBC) rose from 44.7 in Q4 2023 to 46.2 points in Q1 2024 while the business condition in the next quarter is projected to rise from 57.8 points to 59.2 points.

“Similarly, the current employment condition (CEC), which is the rate of Employment, also improved from 45.9 points in Q4 2023 to 47.5 points in Q1 2024 and it is projected to improve to 51.2 points in the next quarter.

“In the same vein, the production level forecast is expected to move upward from a confidence level of 60.7 points to 63.5 points, “it stated.

CBC, CEC BElOW thREshOlD

However, the report highlighted that a cursory observation would reveal that indices of the CBC and

the CEC remained below the 50-point threshold. This, it stated, was due to the lingering effect of the rising inflation, escalated energy prices, exchange rate instability and unstable customs duty rates, especially in the months of January and February.

It said: “The tepid rise in the Aggregate MCCI was largely occasioned by the instability in the price of gas, exchange rate and customs duty that limited the gains associated with the naira appreciation.”

sECtORial gROup

pERfORManCE

The report covered 10 sectoral groups of MAN using the same diffusion factors such as business condition, employment condition and production level.

Analysis of the survey’s report showed that eight of the sectors recorded confidence levels above the 50-point threshold. Nevertheless, the Electrical & Electronics Sectoral Group dipped from 56.9 points recorded in Q4 2023 to 53.3 points in Q1 2024. This was majorly attributed to the instability in the exchange rate and customs duty as well as the erratic power supply that limited the household demands for electrical appliances during the quarter under review.

The two sectors that performed below the 50 point threshold were the Chemical & Pharmaceutical and the Motor Vehicle & Miscellanies Assembly sectoral groups. They recorded confidence indices below the threshold at 49 points and 42.5 points respectively.

Apart from forex limitations, the report said that the Chemical & Pharmaceutical sectoral group was challenged by the global shortage of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), the reduced sales arising from skyrocketed drug prices, lack of strategic procurement process and the imposition of high tariffs on imports.

In the same manner, the Motor Vehicle Assembly & Miscellaneous sectoral group was plagued by low patronage by the government and the relatively higher demand for Nigerian used vehicles by consumers.

The sector is also yet to fully recover from the poor sales arising from the drastic fall in the usage of personal cars since the removal of fuel subsidy.

ZOnal pERfORManCEs

The breakdown of the MCCI by industrial zone showed that five industrial zones showed low manufacturers confidence in the economy by recording indices that were less than 50 points during the period under review. These zones are Bauchi/Benue/Plateau (43.8); Kano (44); Rivers (44.3); Oyo/Ondo/Ekiti/Osun (47.1) and Cross Rivers/Akwa Ibom (48). This implied that majority of the operators within these industrial zones were decimated by the volatility in the exchange rate and the customs duty rates as well as the surge in gas prices, especially in the month of February.

Conversely, nine industrial zones recorded index scores that were above the 50-point standard during the quarter under review. These zones were Kwara/Kogi (62); Edo/Delta (61.6); Apapa (60.6); Ogun (60); Kaduna (58); Imo/Abia (57.7); Ikeja (56.3); Abuja (53) and Anambra/Enugu (52.3).

“However, manufacturers operating in Kwara/ Kogi, Imo/Abia and Ikeja industrial zones recorded waning business confidence quarter-on-quarter. The diminished business confidence is mainly attributed to foreign exchange rate instability, high cost of doing business, reduced patronage and sudden change in government policies,” the report said.

MaCROECOnOMiC pERfORManCEs

This section of the report showed the perspectives of CEOs on the effect of macroeconomic trend of forex, lending rate, commercial bank loans and federal government’s capital expenditure on the manufacturing companies within Q1 2024.

It showed that manufacturing activities continued to suffer due to persistent forex scarcity and exchange instability. Only 16.8 per cent of manufacturers surveyed affirmed that access to forex improved in Q1 2024 while 62 per cent disagreed. But 21.2 percent were not sure if forex sourcing had improved.

Despite the Central Bank’s clearance of forex backlogs and the re-introduction of dollar sales to the Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, the report stated that the invalidation of about $2.4 billion forex forward contracts and the revocation of over 4,000 BDC’s licenses intensified the scarcity of forex during the quarter. This is in addition to the lingering impact of the forex limitation imposed by the introduction of the Price Verification Portal (PVP) in the third quarter of 2023.

The report also said that only 22.1 per cent of manufacturers interviewed agreed that bank lending rate encouraged their productivity in the in Q1 2024 while 69.3 percent disagreed.

But 26.1 per cent of manufacturers interviewed agreed that the size of commercial bank loans to the manufacturing sector encouraged productivity in Q1 2024 when compared to 46.6 per cent that agreed in Q4 of 2023.

According to the report, “Manufacturers’ access to credit was further limited by the aggressive hikes in the benchmark interest rate consecutively by 600 basis points from 18.75 per cent in January to 22.75 per cent in February and to 24.75 per cent in late March.

“Sequel to the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in the first quarter, average prime lending rate and maximum lending rate for the manufacturing sector rose exorbitantly to 20.65 per cent and 30.25 per cent respectively.

“The upward adjustment of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to 45 per cent in February also had a remarkable adverse impact on the size of available credit to the manufacturing sector.

“In addition, the narrowing of the asymmetric

corridor from +100/-700 in February to +100/-300 in late March is set to further reduce the incentives of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to lend to the manufacturing sector.

“The contractionary monetary policy changes during the quarter greatly increased the cost and reduced the size of investments in branding, costsaving technology, and production expansion.”

OpERating EnviROnMEnt pERfORManCE

The perspectives of manufacturers on the implication of the operating environment on manufacturing activities in Q1 2024 were also measured focusing on multiple regulation, multiple taxes, access to the national ports, local sourcing of raw materials, inventory of unsold manufactured goods, and patronage of Nigerian manufactured goods by Government MDAs.

The analysis of the MCCI showed that 82.2 per cent of the manufacturers that responded to the survey confirmed that over-regulation by the government depresses manufacturing productivity. Moreover, 85.1 per cent attested that multiple taxation depressed productivity in the sector and 66.7 per cent affirmed that port gridlocks negatively affected productivity in the sector.

Furthermore, 51.8 per cent of the respondents confirmed that local sourcing of raw materials improved in the sector under review while 46.9 per cent agreed that the implementation of the Executive Order 003 has been beneficial to the sector.

Also, 56.4 per cent of the manufacturers surveyed agreed that the inventory of unsold manufactured goods had reduced in the last three months. The report, however, stated that persistent inflationary pressure contributed immensely to the increase in the value of unsold finished goods.

ChallEngEs Of ManufaCtuRERs

During the survey, manufacturers identified and ranked the challenges facing their operations in order of severity. The top 10 on the list of manufacturers’ challenges included unstable and high exchange rate/ scarcity of forex; inadequate power supply/frequent power outages; high inflation/ high operating cost (of raw materials, labour, equipment and maintenance); high cost of energy (petrol, diesel, gas); high and multiple taxes, charges, levies. Others include insecurity; over-regulation and policy inconsistency; high interest rate/inadequate access to credit; poor infrastructure and distribution channels / multiple check points/gridlock at the national ports and high cost of transportation/ logistics costs.

These were accordingly followed by high inventory of unsold manufactured goods/low patronage/poor sales; high and unstable import duty; unavailability of raw materials/delay in receiving imported raw materials; frequent change in customer demand/ inaccurate demand forecasting; influx of sub-standard goods / smuggling; shortage of skilled labour; scarcity of genuine machine parts; corruption/lack of moral value and poor business plan/inventory & supply chain management.

Crime&Punishment

Court Jails Butcher for Attempting to Rape 78-year-old Suffering from Dementia

Funke Olaode

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court located at the sprawling Ikeja High Court was filled to the brim as friends, relatives, and sympathisers thronged Justice Rahman Oshodi’s court to hear the sentencing of the convict. Intermittently, women would clap their hands to the bizarre event of January 2, 2019, when the defendant met the victim.

According to a court document sighted by the Crime and

Punishment, the defendant, Jelili Moshood, a butcher, met the victim (name withheld and now deceased), a 78-year-old woman in Maryland, Lagos, on January 2, 2019. She had dementia and could not find her way home. The defendant offered to assist her as it turned out it was a deliberate attempt to molest her sexually. The defendant took the woman to a secluded area and raped her. Some Good Samaritans heard her cry and mobilised to rescue her. To get justice, the victim was taken to the police station, and

it was confirmed that she was bleeding in her private parts and had bruises on her face. She was later taken to Mirabel Medical Centre for examination. The medical result was received as exhibit F in evidence, which documents physical trauma and forceful penetration of the victim’s vagina. Thus, the defendant was charged to court. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment “for attempting to rape” a vulnerable 78-year-old suffering from dementia.

Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced

the defendant, following his plea bargain agreement, to the one-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

Oshodi, in his judgment, held that he had considered the facts of the case, the plea bargain agreement reached between the prosecution and defence, and the convict’s guilty plea to the amended charge of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration.

The court, therefore, convicted Moshood and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment as agreed in

Businessman Opposes Lagos Attorney General’s

Moves

to Halt Alleged Land Grabber’s Trial

A Lagos-based businessman and hotelier, Hassan Alli, has opposed the attempt by the Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), to withdraw a criminal charge filed by his office against one Moroof Owonla, also known as Kaka Moroof, over alleged felony and malicious damages.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) arraigned Owonla and two others before Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over allegations of land-grabbing.

The DPP had filed an eight-count charge against Owonla and his co-defendants, Olu-Aminu Yemisi Abdulaziz and Ganiyu Amin, over an alleged conspiracy to commit a felony.

They allegedly forcefully entered a property at No 34, Faguson Osagie Street, Ayobo, Lagos, carting away building materials valued at N30 million.

However, after several

adjournments, the defendant failed to appear before the court to take their plea, prompting Justice Coker to issue a bench warrant for their arrest on April 25, 2024.

But, in a surprise move, the Director of Public Prosecution, Jide Martins, who had earlier issued legal advice indicting and recommending the defendants for trial, filed a notice of discontinuance of the case on behalf of the attorney general.

In the notice copied to the inspector general of police and the court, Martins said the decision to withdraw the charge against the defendants was based on fresh facts recently discovered in the case.

The Ministry of Justice’s letter dated May 21, 2024, addressed to the IGP, Force CID Admin Team 6, Abuja, and signed on behalf of the attorney general and commissioner for justice, stated that the ministry arrived at its decision to charge Owonla based on wrong information.

“From the foregoing, the only legal conclusion is that the Defendant has

a valid right of claim on the land by virtue of the judgement and execution of the same which have not been set aside,” said the letter. “Therefore, the defendants have no case to answer for any alleged occupation of the land at any time after the judgement and execution.”

However, Alli described the move as Pedro’s alleged ploy to deny him justice. He claimed Pedro was a lawyer to Owonla before he became the attorney general.

Alli also claimed that the development demonstrated Pedro’s alleged bias in the matter because the former Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbajo (SAN), during his tenure, approved the defendants’ trial after the office of the DPP reviewed the police report and other supporting facts.

The complainant showed a letter written by Pedro’s chamber relating to a land matter involving Owonla, which bolstered his position on bias.

He alleged that rather than present the defendants in court, the new attorney general initiated a meeting

which he tagged ‘Restorative Justice Meeting’ against arraigning Moroof Owonla and his co-defendants in court.

Alli added, “I am indeed shocked to know that the judiciary has become so weak and predictable by non-state actors like Moroof Owonla, who continue to perpetrate criminality and boast of his connections with people in authority, which is not healthy for Nigeria’s judicial system and the justice sector.

“I demand justice from all government agencies, all authorities in Nigeria, all well-meaning Nigerians who are in one way or the other affiliated to the justice delivery system in Nigeria including the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Lagos State House of Assembly Justice Committee, Federal House of Representative, Senate Committee on Justice, National Judicial Commission (NJC), Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).”

Unlawful Termination: Cameroonian Files N350m Suit Against British-American Tobacco

Wale igbintade

A Cameroonian procurement expert, Eithel Effiang Mbunkur, has filed a lawsuit against British-American Tobacco Marketing Nigeria Limited at the National Industrial Court Lagos Division for alleged wrongful and unlawful termination of his employment.

Mbunkur, in his statement of fact, accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the claimant and filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Oluwole Kehinde, the deponent averred that he is a Procurement expert of 11, Rue de la Mosquée, Cite des Palmiers, Douala, in Cameroon, Central Africa.

He stated that he applied for the British America Tobacco company’s position of Associate Manager for Procurement sometime in November

2018. Upon successful interview and the defendant’s confirmation on the telephone on or about March 21, 2019, that he would be engaged, he resigned from his former employment.

The claimant stated that he was to resume on April 1, 2019, but the company did not give him an offer letter to that effect. On April 10, 2019, he received the offer of employment by email but was surprised that the role in the offer letter differed from what was advertised and applied for. Accordingly, he sought clarification of this change.

The claimant added that he was told that the reason for the change of role was for the purpose of applying for the STR visa.

He stated that he had a telephone

discussion with the company on April 25, 2019, after which he sent the acceptance letter as requested. He stated that the defendant confirmed receipt immediately by email on the same day to process his STR visa.

The claimant further emailed to inquire whether he would pay for the Visa processing, and on April 29, 2019, the defendant emailed to inform him to pay for all expenses related to the STR visa process, as he would be reimbursed once he landed in Nigeria.

The company subsequently requested copies of his educational/ professional certificates, which he sent the same day. The defendant received them and supplied him with the documents required for a work permit.

In the STR visa application, the

company clearly stated, “We believe Mr. Eithel Mbunkur’s experience and background check qualify him for this appointment.”

Later, he visited the Nigerian Embassy to submit the application and confirmed to the company that he intended to arrive in Nigeria on May 7, 2019. His visa was issued on May 2, 2019.

However, on May 6, 2019, the defendant emailed him that the company had just been contacted by its background check consultants, and the consultant required his previous employer’s address. He immediately provided the address.

The claimant stated that he received his visa on May 7, 2019, and requested that his flight be rescheduled once the ticket had been issued.

the plea bargain to commence on the date of his remand.

According to the judge, the facts established in the case were that the convict, under the guise of helping, isolated the vulnerable 78-year-old woman suffering from dementia and proceeded to assault her, causing her physical injury and trauma sexually.

He said: “This predatory and depraved conduct shocks the conscience and warrants strong condemnation and a lengthy custodial sentence.

“The victim impact has been severe though the victim has since passed away, one can only imagine the fear, anguish and suffering inflicted upon her in the final months of her life by the convict’s heinous actions.

“Her family will have to live with that painful reality, and this sentence considers the convict’s guilty plea and the sparing of the victim’s family from the ordeal of testifying in court. However, it must also send a clear deterrent message that sexual violence against society’s most vulnerable will be met with severe consequences.”

Oshodi said the 14-year sentence

reflected the egregious breach of trust, the physical and emotional harm caused and the need to protect the public from the convict, who would be registered as a sex offender.

“Jelili Moshood, this court hopes that during your lengthy imprisonment, you will have occasion to reflect deeply on your actions and emerge with genuine remorse and rehabilitation,” the judge stated.

The court held that the preceding factual matrix was distilled from the testimonies of ASP Babatunde Asifat, prosecution witness (PW1), and Insp Olakunle Orebe, prosecution witness (PW2), and the defendant’s confessional statement (Exhibit B1).

The court also held that the extensive cross-examination by the learned defence counsel did not uncover any contradictions in PW1’s evidence.

The judge said instead, it strengthened it.

“Seeing the strong evidence against him and after PW2 had given his evidence-in-chief, the defendant applied to the honourable attorney general of Lagos State for a plea bargain through his counsel, Mr Yusuf Oyebanji,” the court held.

Lawyer Accuses NDLEA of Demanding Bribe from Alleged Drug Dealer, Petitions AGF

Wale igbintade

A Lagos-based lawyer, Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun, has urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to take over his client’s prosecution from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), accusing NDLEA officials of demanding a bribe.

The letter to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation/ Minister for Justice, dated June 2, 2024, was captioned: “Request to Take Over of Criminal Matter of Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1453/23, Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Hamed Omotayo Ali & Anor brought under the Provision of Section 174(1) of Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).

His client, Hamed Omotayo Ali, is being prosecuted by the NDLEA at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on alleged drug trafficking in a charge numbered FHC/L/ CS/1453/23 before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke. He urged the attorney general to take over the case file to ensure justice.

“We hereby humbly write to respectfully request that your office takes over the prosecution of Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1453/23, currently pending before Justice

Aneke and was supposed to come up on 4th of June 2024, at Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos State,” the petition stated. It added, “The respondent in the suit mentioned above filed an application vide suit No. FHC/L/CS/2017/23, to enforce his Fundamental Rights on the ground that officers of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement, without lawful justification, unlawfully invaded property belonging to our client where his son resides.

“That upon the unlawful invasion, the agency claimed to have found substance suspected to be illicit drug in the apartment. And went on to publish in the newspaper and in turn seal the premises without a valid Order of the Court, the agency, in turn, changed the use of the residential apartment into a mini detention camp.”

The letter also noted that “when the matter came up for hearing counsel to the agency informed the Court that a counter affidavit has been filed and agreed that service of same will be effected” and that counsel to the agency “proposed interactive meetings as officers in the temple of justice to really hear from our clients and upon the interaction he suggested that the issue be resolved amicably.”

Funke Olaode

EDUCATION Science Teachers Urged to Be Positive to Attract Students Towards Sciences

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Provost of the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, Benue State, Professor Joel Eriba, has urged science teachers to demonstrate a positive attitude towards teaching science to encourage students. This will motivate students to see science as a discipline they could aspire to participate in.

This was one of the recommendations at his inaugural lecture, ‘Improving Science Enrolment in Nigeria’s Institutions of Higher Learning Using the Persuasive Communication Model (PCM)’, delivered recently at the College of Health Sciences, Benue State University (BSU).

The professor of Chemistry Education regretted that the goal of increasing students’ enrolment in science had remained unattainable for several decades since the enactment of the policy of a 60:40 ratio in favour of science.

For instance, he said that at its inception in 1992, Benue State University had zero enrolment in sciences, whereas 380 candidates enrolled in Arts and Social Sciences courses.

Eriba attributed the problem to students’ negative attitudes toward science, adding

that students who possessed negative attitudes towards science showed that they had rejected the subject internally, and it eventually manifested externally. He recommended using the persuasive

communication model to change students’ attitudes towards science, saying that other researchers had applied the model and that it yielded profound results.

He stated that nothing was more powerful than understanding a person’s belief system, which can predict their attitude.

The provost added that the communication model effectively changed students’ attitudes towards enrolment in science, based on the outcome of his empirical research using 1,840 JS3 students in 44 secondary schools in Benue.

The don also demystified science in logical, simple terms, eliminating the complexities and technicalities of the jargon that may have hindered his audience’s attention, assimilation, and retention.

The provost recounted his early childhood and educational sojourn heralding the commencement of the lecture, saying that unfortunate circumstances in his formative years almost debarred him from accessing Western education. These, he said, made him start primary school at the

age of 10 years.

While thanking God, he also showered glowing tribute to the human vessels God positioned at various stages of his educational adventures, from his parents, family, and teachers to employers and other destiny helpers.

In his remarks, the university’s ViceChancellor, Prof Tor Joe Iorapuu, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Simon Ubwa, acknowledged the depth of research and its importance for future enrolments in the sciences.

He applauded Eriba for choosing the topic and for identifying the critical role attitude plays in everyday life choices. He also highlighted the role of the communication model in improving science enrolment in higher institutions.

Iorapuu, who was accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST), Sierra Leone, Prof Edwin Julius Jeblar Momoh, challenged other professors yet to deliver their inaugural lecture to kick-start the process and enhance the university’s global reckoning and ranking.

There was a joint presentation of a plaque to Eriba by Iorapuu and Momoh.

Teesas Learning Centre Posts 97% Success Rate in 2024 UTME Results

Funmi Ogundare

Teesas Learning Centre says it recorded a 97 per cent pass rate in the recently released results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) despite the fact that only 24 per cent of almost two million students who sat for the exam scored above 200.

Osayi Izedonmwen, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teesas Education, expressed satisfaction with the results of students who enrolled at the learning centre.

She said the centre committed to awarding a scholarship of up to N1 million to any student who made a minimum of six As in WAEC and scored 300 and above in JAMB to encourage the students to study hard.

She stated that Teesas has technology-enabled hybrid learning centres in Lekki and Ikeja and offers real-time computer-based WAEC, UTME, and post-UTME practise tests and mock trials that can be accessed online and offline via its eponymous mobile and web app.

Izedonmwen said, “The service, which is available on the Teesas Education App, gives candidates access to a compilation of 40 years

of UTME and Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) practice test questions and answers and tutorial videos based on the likeliest topics from previous years.”

Some students who sat the exam at the centre expressed excitement about their success, saying that Teesas’ dedication made a difference.

Christina Smith graduated from

secondary school in 2021 and sat the UTME. She was almost resigned to fate that perhaps she was not destined to school in Nigeria until she encountered the learning centre. She scored 255.

Another student, Treasure David, said, “The weekly CBT assessment tests at the Teesas were a game changer. Many of the questions I encountered in UTME were covered at the Teesas Learning Centre. Scoring 321 wouldn’t have been possible without Teesas.” Ochuole Ogar, who scored 284, said that physics used to be very difficult before she joined Teesas. “The classes were conversational and engaging, which helped me excel in my exams. One time, I arrived late to class, and the tutor gave me a full revision of what was taught. That dedication made all the difference,” she said.

Nigerian-American University Organises Global Conference for Christian Students

The American International Christian University of Columbia (AICU), South Carolina, United States, founded by a Nigerian pastor from Osun State, Pastor Akinsola Ojo, in collaboration with churches and other universities, has concluded plans to convene one of the largest gatherings of Christian students in the world, including Americans and Africans.

The gathering aims to form a community of young Christians and professionals equipped to impact the next generation.

In a statement, Ojo said the upcoming ‘AICU Reignite 2024 Conference’ will enable students to discover, explore, and reignite an effort to reach, win and build up other students in Christ across the globe.

The conference, scheduled to be held from June 20 to 22, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina, USA, will focus on helping students find an assurance of salvation or a renewal of commitment to their calling, edifying Gen Z on how to mature in their faith, and encouraging the participants to move from passive to active engagement with the Great Commission—either through their churches or college-based ministries.

The three-day seminar will feature speakers, college ministers and workers, young professionals, senior high schoolers, sportsmen and

women, church leaders, radio and social media teams, and students from the US and worldwide.

Among the speakers from Nigeria is gospel actor and filmmaker Evangelist Femi Adebile, who will also shoot a film during the event.

Attendees are expected from more than 50 countries and 40 US states, with students participating in person on campus and several thousand joining online.

According to Ojo, Christian universities, churches, corporate bodies and philanthropists are welcome to sponsor by making contact through the event website, https:// aicuglobalcampusreignition.org/.

He said Interested students and bodies can contact Dr. Douglas Barnett, PhD, the Volunteer Advisor, at the American International Christian University of Columbia through his email at info@ aicuglobalcampusreignition.org.

The university said the time had come for a global community of Christian students to take their place and positively influence society.

It noted that 18.1 million students are enrolled in all American colleges and universities, in addition to the 235 million students enrolled in universities around the world.

He said an estimated

500,000 students were enrolled in Christian colleges and universities across the United States, but that number has declined.

Ojo indicated that there may be as many as 70 million nominally and actively

Christian students between the ages of 18 and 24 around the world whose potential transformational impact cannot be felt because they are not mobilised to be influential.

The university plans to make the conference an annual event,

particularly involving students from Nigeria and other African countries, where Christianity is spreading and strengthening, where university students can explore their purpose in life, search for truth, and achieve true spirituality.

The Student Volunteer Movement was founded in 1886 to recruit college and university students in the United States for missionary service abroad. Over the last six years, it has tremendously impacted missions.

Eriba

Husband of the celebrant, Pastor Benjamin Ajayeoba (second left), the celebrant, newly retired Vice-Principal/Director of Education, Community Junior High School, Alapere, District ll, Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Olubisi Ajayeoba (second right), when the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kosofe Zone representatives presented a plaque of honour during the pen down retirement ceremony held in honour of Ajayeoba in Alapere, Lagos… recently

2024 DigitAl PAy ExPO...

Managing Director, Intermac Consulting, Adeyinka Adeyemi and

Fashola: N’Assembly Acted Unconstitutionally Legislating on Salary in Minimum Wage Matter

Says increase shouldn’t translate to distortions across salary compensation scheme

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Immediate past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, concluded that the National Assembly, while confusing salary for wage, might have acted unconstitutionally by legislating on the former, when it only has power to legislate on the latter.

Fashola, who participated at the recent Covenant Nation’s The Platform event, on June 12, promised to provide a reasoned contribution to the ongoing conversation on minimum wage.

He, however, argued that, in other jurisdictions where the minimum wage was applicable, amendments to increase them do not necessarily translate to massive distortions across the salary compensation scheme.

He noted that, “The extant law on minimum wage is the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, which came into force on the 18th April 2019; and it provides in Section 3 (4) that, ‘The national minimum wage expires after five years, and it shall be reviewed in line with the provision of this Act’.

“Please note that it is the

Meanwhile, youths in the three local government areas of the Kalabari ethnic group occupied their council secretariats to demand the vacation of the council chairmen from office. The local government areas are Degema, Asari-Toru, and Akuku-Toru.

Amateur videos obtained by THISDAY showed that some of the youths mobilised to block the entrance to the council complexes and requested traders within the premises to leave.

In his intervention, a former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, had advised the chairmen to quietly leave office by midnight yesterday, as their three-year tenure had expired.

Dokubo said despite arguments from the chairmen, they must leave office to avoid creating problems in the state. He stressed the importance of adhering to the stipulated tenure limits in the local government law of 2018 to maintain order and legality.

He stated this during a visit by the Muslim community in Rivers State to Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Dokubo specifically addressed the youths, cautioning them against being recruited to disrupt the peace of the state during the transition period.

He said Rivers people were willing to take over council secretariats till

‘minimum wage’ that has expired but not the Act, and as is shown in the underlined portion above, the review of the 2019 minimum wage provisions, after the period of five years, shall be in line with the provision of the 2019 Act.

Defining the minimum wage, whose answer he said could found in Section 3 (1) of the law, he contended that, “Every employer shall pay a national minimum wage of not less than N30,000 per month to every worker under his establishment, except as otherwise provided under this Act.”

Bearing in mind that this is a federal law, he explained that, there must be constitutional authority for the Federal Government through the National Assembly (NASS) to make laws on wages.

His argument: “Therefore, it seems obvious from this definition that by making a law in Section 3(1) of the Minimum Wage Act that the minimum wage of N30,000 shall be paid monthly, the NASS may have acted unconstitutionally by legislating on a SALARY (monthly payment) when they only have power to legislate on WAGES, an

the state government was ready to conduct local government elections.

Dokubo, who is Vice President General of the Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, commended the governor for his inclusive approach to religious diversity, stating that there have been no attacks on the Muslim community or conflicts with other religious organisations.

In a major decision that could change the complexion of the crisis, Fubara yesterday directed heads of local government administration to immediately take charge of the 23 council areas of the state. This followed the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of the elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors on Monday, June 17.

The governor commended the outgoing local government chairmen for their services in the last three years and wished them well in their future endeavours.

He stated, "As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people. I hereby direct heads of local government administration to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.

hourly payment.

“This is important while the conversation on minimum wage is being had in 2024, because in Section 3(4), the minimum wage ‘shall be reviewed in line with the provisions of this Act’ which includes Section 3(1) that has prescribed a monthly amount instead of an hourly wage.

“If we follow the proper definition of wages as an hourly rate and apply the global method for computing it, which is to divide the gross annual

sum by 52 weeks, and further by 40 hours recommended per week, we will have for Nigeria a minimum wage that is not N30,000 per month, but rather N30,000 X 12 (months) = N36,000 divided by 52 (weeks) = N6,923.07 divided by 40 (hours), which will give a minimum wage of N173.07 per hour.

“In other jurisdictions where the minimum wage is applicable, amendments to increase them do not necessarily translate to massive distortions across the salary

compensation scheme.

“Those who are bound to pay minimum wage can also adjust their ability to pay by limiting the hours that employees work and maximise productivity, while employees cover the gap by working the additional hours in other places.

“What we have done is to erroneously fix monthly minimum salaries as wages, and then effect consequential adjustment for all other salary earners, which results in a bloated compensation wage that

employees find difficult to meet.

“It would seem that since the employer has a choice to compensate the employee by either salary or wages, it must be presumed all institutions whether of Government or the private sector that have opted to compensate by salary payment are not bound by the minimum wage Act provisions if they do not pay hourly rates. This perhaps explains in part, why some employees observe the law in breach than in compliance.”

At Goodluck Jonathan’s Dialogue, Bauchi Gov Canvasses Integrity, Vision in Africa’s Governance

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State at the 2024 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation's Democracy Dialogue stressed the need for African leaders to govern their people with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment towards their well-being.

"Heads of local government administration are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together."

Some opposition members of the House of Representatives described the attempt by the former local government chairmen to forcefully retain their seats after the constitutional expiration of their three years’ tenure as a treasonable act.

The lawmakers, under the umbrella of G60, disclosed their position yesterday while addressing a press conference after an emergency meeting in Abia.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere frowned upon what he called attempted treason organised by the former local govern- ment chairman who wanted to use magistrates/judges from neighbouring states to conduct a kangaroo swearing in ceremony around 5:00am in the morning, despite the fact that their tenure expired since June 17.

The opposition lawmakers accused the former local government chairmen of breaching the provisions of Section 37(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act, Section 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code,

Speaking as a special guest at the Foundation's Democracy Dialogue held in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, the Bauchi governor told the gathering that his administration has striven to embody the principles of effective leadership through working tirelessly to tackle corruption, improved service delivery and foster an environment that is conducive

Section 23 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution that frowns on anybody or group of persons that attempts to unlawfully occupy position of power in the country or forcefully attempt to take over government in any part of Nigeria.

Ugochinyere stated, "We salute the courage of the Rivers State people who came out boldly to protect the local government and foil the attempt to unlawfully seize the institution of governance by the former chairmen.

"This heroic action is in line with Section 20 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act that empowers citizens to arrest and foil any criminal act being committed in their presence."

He said Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, stated, “A private person may arrest a suspect in Nigeria who in his presence commits an offence or whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence for which the police is entitled to arrest without a warrant”.

According to him, Section 37 Criminal Code Act (1) states: “Any person who levies war against the state, in order to intimidate the president or the governor of a state, is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.

to economic growth and social development.

Governor Bala Mohammed who spoke through his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, also said that through inclusive and transparent governance, his administration was able to mobilize resources and channel them towards the critical priorities that matter most to its people.

He said through innovative policies and initiatives, his administration in Bauchi has improved access to quality education, in both, urban and rural areas of the state with a construction and renovation of schools, training and empowering of teachers as well as implementation of curricula that are tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of the people.

According to a release issued by the Deputy Governor's Media Aide, Muslim Lawal, made available to journalists yesterday, Governor Mohammed noted that the theme of this year's Foundation's Democracy Dialogue, "Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa's Growth and Development," is one that resonates deeply with the people of Bauchi State.

His words: “Hence the need for the state government to make it a priority to invest heavily in the educational system, recognizing that a well-educated populace is the foundation for a prosperous and progressive society.

"I feel highly honoured and delighted to be invited to this 2024 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation's Democracy Dialogue holding in Benin City, Edo State. The sustenance of this important annual event is a

testimony of the unwavering commitment of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to engender democratic ideas and good governance across our continent.

"Under the leadership of my boss, His Excellency, former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Foundation has been at the forefront of strengthening democratic institutions and fostering meaningful dialogues that uplift the voices of the people. The unwavering commitment to these noble causes has been an inspiration to us all, and it is a testament to your enduring legacy as a statesman and a champion of democracy not only in Nigeria, but in Africa as a whole.

"The challenges facing Africa are complex and multifaceted, but I am convinced that by investing in functional education and nurturing effective political leadership, we can unlock the immense potential of our continent and pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.

"This is the vision that the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has championed, and it is a vision that I wholeheartedly support. However, education alone is not enough. Effective political leadership is also crucial in ensuring that the benefits of education are translated into tangible improvements in the lives of our people."

Governor Bala Mohammed therefore expressed gratitude to Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for providing the opportunity and hoped that the foundation would continue to provide platforms for the stakeholders to engage, collaborate, and work towards the common goal of transforming African continent through the power of education and effective leadership.

L-R: Group Head, Business Development and Strategy, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Akeem Salam; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Branka Mracajac;

Team Lead Marketing and Communications, 9PSB, Inemesit Ekong at the 2024 Digital Pay Expo held in Victoria Island, Lagos…recently

R I ve RS C RISIS : Pol IC e Announ C e TA keove R of 23 Coun CI l Se CR e TARIATS , C RITICA l Gov T Inf RASTR u CT u R e

Biden Offers Path to Citizenship for Spouses of US Citizens

emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

President Joe Biden yesterday announced a new effort to provide a path to citizenship to hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the U illegally who are married to US citizens, an election-year move that contrasts sharply with Republican rival Donald Trump's plan for mass deportations.

At a White House event, Biden criticized Trump for separating migrant families at the US-Mexico border and using incendiary language about immigrants in the U.S. illegally, including comments that they were "poisoning the blood of our country."

"It's hard to believe it's being said, but he's actually saying these things out loud. And it's outrageous," Biden said. "I'm not interested in playing politics with the border or immigration. I'm interested in fixing it," he added.

The new Biden programme will be open to an estimated 500,000 spouses who have lived in the US for at least 10 years as of June 17, officials said on Tuesday. Some 50,000 children under age 21 with a US-citizen parent also

will be eligible.

Biden, a Democrat seeking a second term in the November 5 presidential election, took office vowing to reverse many of Trump's restrictive immigration policies. But faced with record levels of migrant arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border, Biden has toughened his approach.

Earlier this month, Biden barred most migrants crossing the US-Mexico border from requesting asylum, a policy that mirrored a similar Trumpera asylum ban and drew criticism from immigration advocates and some Democrats.

His planned legalisation programme for spouses of U.S. citizens could reinforce his campaign message that he supports a more humane immigration system and show how he differs from Trump, who has long had a hardline stance on both legal and illegal immigration.

"The Statue of Liberty is not some relic of American history," Biden said. "It still stands for who we are."

The programme will almost certainly face legal challenges and

a future president could attempt to end it. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican whose state has battled Biden in court over immigration policy, said in a statement that the new effort was "blatantly illegal" and "pandering for votes."

The US already provides a path to citizenship for immigrants who are married to Americans and entered the country legally on a visa. But in most cases, those who enter illegally must first leave the US for years before

being allowed to return legally.

The new programme will allow the spouses and their children to apply for permanent residence without traveling abroad, removing a potentially lengthy process and family separation. The administration aims to launch the programme in coming months and it remains unclear how long it would take for spouses to obtain permanent residence.

If they are granted permanent residence, they could eventually

apply for US citizenship. People who are considered public security threats or who have disqualifying criminal history would not be eligible.

The implementation will roll out in coming months and the majority of likely beneficiaries would be Mexicans, Biden officials said on a call with reporters.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador yesterday said the decision to regularise Mexican families' migratory status in the United States is

"very good news", celebrating Biden's announcement during a press conference. Biden's White House remarks were tied to the anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme.

Former President Barack Obama and then Vice President Biden launched the DACA programme in 2012, another major legalisation effort that currently grants deportation relief and work permits to 528,000 people brought to the US as children.

Obi/Datti: Reforming Electoral System Better Than Proposed Single Term Presidency

Chuks

The presidential campaign team of Peter Obi and his running mate has said that reformation of the Nigeria's Electoral system is far better than the proposed single presidential tenure of

Political Marginalisation of Igbos a Dangerous Trend, Salis Warns

Segun James

Former gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State, Chief Owolabi Salis, has warned that the continuing marginalising of the South East and other minorities in the political equation of Nigeria is a time bomb that is about to explode.

Salis who said this in a statement insisted that the trend "is a potential time bomb capable of causing incalculable damage to the advancement of the nation," even as he stressed that “no nation pushes the issue of marginalization under the carpet and sleeps with her two eyes closed because it is an issue that will not go away without justice.”

Further according to him, “For there to be unity in Nigeria, we must restructure the country to eradicate discrimination in our political and economic life. My late Uncles, Adeniran Ogunsanya, TOS Benson and Prof. Ayodele Awojobi who were icons in the country shared the same views against marginalisation in the 60, 70, and 80’s politics and I still remember their words of wisdom as a young man till today.

“Thankfully, President Bola Tiunbu, acclaimed democrat, activist, and advocate of restructuring, is now in the saddle and has the

opportunity to practice what he has been preaching before now. This is an opportunity for him to write his name in gold by removing the hate and distrust that has been with us all along, through bringing about fairness, equity, and justice across board."

Salis, who holds the traditional title of Onyeama Ndigbo Gburugburu of Etiti Mgboko, Abia State, stressed emphatically that no nation brushes aside the issue of marginalisation and fully realises its potentials.

“Thankfully, the National Assembly has told the world that it would cooperate with this President and is even proposing the creation of Orlu State to bring the South-East at par with other zones.

“The same lawmakers are also proposing rotational presidency, and creating the South-East Development Commission, as a way of addressing Igbo marginalization.

“I enjoin the Ohaneze Ndigbo to show leadership in this regard by talking to the people on the need to stop the bloodletting and instead build cordial relationships among themselves and other Nigerian diverse interests.

“The Chief Iwuayanwu-led group should develop plans alongside South- East governors to protect Igbo culture and heritage from

being destroyed by miscreants.

“The presidential system we are operating now makes the minorities in the South South, North Central, and North East second-class citizens, which should not be. We need to restructure beyond the parliamentary and presidential systems to create a sense of belonging to all."

six years as proposed by the House of Representatives.

In a statement by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the Chief Spokesperson, Peter Obi/ Datti Baba-Ahmed Presidential Campaign Council for 2023, stated that reforming the electoral process is much more needed in Nigeria now than the proposed single- tenure rotational presidency, to deepen democracy.

He said reforming the electoral process would guarantee the emergence of credible leaders across all levels of government.

According to him, deepening on democracy to guarantee the emergence of credible leaders should be one of the key things to consider in the ongoing process to amend the constitution.

His words: “These (single tenure of six years and rotational presidency) are things that will be decided by the Nigerian people when the time

comes.

“They are not things that should be at the front burner of discussions at the moment now.

“This is because what we need actually at the moment is for us to have an electoral reform that would dovetail into credible elections.

“Once we have that, we shall be talking about tenure of office,” Tanko said.

He said that the National Assembly should not focus on tenure of office but deepening the electoral process to promote democracy.

“Let us reform the electoral system to l make it clean and clear so that we can have credible elections,” he said.

He however said rotational presidency might not be consistent with democratic principles.

Yerima, also a rights activist, said: “it is good, the only problem I have with it is the rotational aspect of it. We must allow it to be democratic.

“He who has the number should take it, and he who does not produce the number should be patient and wait for his time.

“However, this is not really our problem, but it is good. One term for any leader to rule and get away.” Recall that a bill seeking a single term of six years for the President and state governors was brought up recently by 35 members of the House of Representatives.

The bill also canvasses the rotation of the presidency among the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The 35 legislators, under the auspices of Reformed-minded Legislators, said both proposals would lead to reduction in the cost of governance.

The spokesman for the group, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, added that the move would unite the country and ensure a seamless power transition and promote the development of the country.

Police, AVG Vow to Hunt Down Killers of Nnewi Vigilance Commander, Two Others

david-Chyddy eleke in Awka

Police in Anambra State and Anambra Vigilante Group have vowed to hunt down killers of commander of Nnewi vigilante, Mr. Eloka Ubajekwe.

Ubajekwe was killed, Monday, by gunmen suspected to be separatists, who were enforcing the abolished sit-at-home protest initiated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He was killed alongside two others who were felled during a gun duel between the criminals and vigilante operatives.

The operatives had chased the criminals from Nnewi to Nnobi,

after they abducted an innocent citizen, before the duel occurred.

In a press release by their spokespersons, SP Tochukwu Ikenga and Mr. Nweke Nweke, respectively, they promised to stop at nothing to ensure that the killers are arrested and brought to book.

In a police press release, Ikenga said: "The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered an immediate manhunt of the armed men operating in a red Toyota Highlander jeep, who abducted a citizen in Nnewi by 1:30 pm yesterday 17/6/2024 and were trailed to Nnobi, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle

"During the gun duel, one of the security operatives was fatally hit by a bullet and due to the indiscriminate shootings by the hoodlums in an attempt to escape the scene, the bullet also fatally struck two innocent passersby in the area.

"The Police Response Team at the scene recovered the bodies of the victims and took them to the hospital but regrettably, three of the victims including a 22-year-old lady were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty while two others are currently receiving treatment.”

Also in a press release, the AVG said: "No man, no matter how highly placed will waste innocent blood

and go scot-free.

"The Anambra Vigilant Group, AVG has vowed to work round the clock alongside other security forces in the state to apprehend all involved in the killing of its Commander, Eloka Ubajekwe, at Nnewi, and make the perpetrators to pay with their blood.

"The AVG has urged members of the public to help in volunteering information to the police and other forces that could assist in arresting the miscreants who hide under the umbrella of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s sit-at-home order to cause havoc in Anambra State," Nweke said.

L-R: Managing Director, TechnipFMC, Tayo Akinkunmi; Managing Director, SLB West Africa, Sops Ideriah; Chairperson, Petroleum Contractors Trade Section (PCTS), Rosario Osobase; former Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) / Managing Director, Tenaris Nigeria, Tony Attah; and Executive Director, Halliburton Nigeria, Okey Okoli, at the 2024 Annual PCTS Stakeholders Dinner held in Lagos… recently.

okocha in Abuja

40th AnniversAry Of Christ’s OutreACh On DisAbilities...

Lagos Floats Smart Health Information Platform for Patients’ Data Management

Lagos State’s health sector welcomes a new revolution with the introduction of Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) to transform data transmission and management across all state-owned healthcare facilities.

The highly secure digital cloud is a state government-led effort designed in collaboration with eClat, a health technology company, and Interswitch Limited, to create a backbone for seamless movement of patients’ data and to enhance digital transformation in the state’s healthcare.

According to a press statement, Tuesday, by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser - Media and Publicity, Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor, Digital Health Platform Limited - a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), comprising Lagos Ministry of Health, Interswitch and eClat - has been appointed to jointly drive the operation of the technology.

His words: “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, supervised the signing of the Concession Agreement between the Office of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the Digital Health Platform Limited ahead of the full deployment of SHIP in the State’s health sector.

“The agreement signing was also witnessed by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.

“The digital system will eliminate loose data sharing and transmission through manual systems, while providing improved protection and privacy for patients’ data.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the innovation as “transformational step” in simplifying data collection and usage in the health sector, stressing that the State Government made a “bold move” in leveraging technology to enable efficient health delivery.

Further according to the governor, innovationwould enable proper al-

location of resources and empower decision makers to analyse and evaluate the impact of interventions in the sector.

He said: “We have seen global trend in using technology as a backbone to manage healthcare delivery and to assess changes in lifestyle of the population. We have seen the transformation the technology has brought to banking, transportation and education.

“Smart Health Information Platform is our own bold step to transform healthcare and ease the cumbersome data processing in our hospitals.

“This transition has taken us about two years of building a robust platform that will secure and protect patients’ data. During this journey, we are able to identify the best partners that will deliver and help us realise our vision for the transformation of services in our hospitals. This is the beginning of full information technology reform in our healthcare system.”

Sanwo-Olu assured the public of full protection of the database, saying there was nothing to worry about in maintaining privacy of the data collected through the platform.

The governor said data privacy was critical in the process of designing the digital platform, noting that the Ministry of Science and Technology was fully involved in the project and signed off on it before launching.

“As the technology is being rolled out, I believe the State will see the benefits of the decision we are making today. We hope to see how this will strengthen and enhance access to healthcare, enable us to analyse the health needs of the people and guide our interventions in the sector,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said the state-owned

General Hospitals alone generated 7 million contact data, aside data collected by Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), tertiary health institutions and private hospitals.

Managing the data, the Commissioner said, required a robust digital infrastructure that would enable elimination of repetition and errors in data collection.

Abayomi said the SHIP would also empower the Government to plan and coordinate health services across all levels.

He said: “When the data are in one place, we can then use that data and collect trends on the health-seeking behaviour of Lagosians. This is criti-

cal, because we can use the data for policy definition and use the data to apply resources to certain places. The platform is not only for the care of the patients, but also for the policy makers.”

On his part, the Group Managing Director of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said the solution would not

only allow free flow of data from one health institution to another, it would also provide seamless payment options for patients. He assured that the platform would not compromise data of patients and other information stored on it, saying: “This partnership is something we won’t take with levity.”

HURIWA: New Presidential Jet Does Not Fit Nigeria’s Poverty Situation

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has flayed the move to purchase new presidential jets for the Nigerian presidential fleet as an expensive gambit at a time many Nigerians are living in squalor.

The rights group also faulted the position of the presidential adviser on information and strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who attacked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party Mr. Peter Obi for opposing what it described as the ill-informed, ill-timed plan to buy a new plane at a time that over 133 million Nigerians are facing hunger, massive poverty and deprivation.

The rights group said: ” Let it be made clear from the onset that we are speaking as an independent and totally non-partisan organisation and so shouldn’t be identified as supporting either of the two parties in disagreement over the necessity or otherwise of buying a new plane for the office of Nigerian president.

“We make haste to say the aforementioned because in Nigeria now, many small-minded, myopic

and extremely divisive persons who are otherwise ‘schooled’ often misconstrue positions of CSOs or non-governmental individuals as representing those of opposition politicians.

“We speak also on behalf of the suffering masses of Nigeria who have no voice in the media of mass communication”.

HURIWA recalled that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday, faulted the plan by the federal government to buy new aircraft for the presidential fleets.

He described the move as insensitive while Nigerians grapple with economic hardship occasioned by the federal government’s policies.

But the Presidency, in a swift reaction, described Obi’s comment as insensitive, wondering if he would rather have the life of the President jeopardised by flying faulty aircraft.

HURIWA described the reaction of the President’s Special Adviser on information and strategy, as highly uncouth, unsophisticated, and highly insensitive and said there was nothing wrong if the Nigerian president flies commercial flights during his foreign trips.

Oredo PDP Expels Ogbeide Ihama for Anti-party Activities

The immediate past member representing Oredo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbiede Ihama Omoregie, has been expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for antiparty activities.

He was expelled by Ward 2 Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), following the resolution of an enlarged meeting by the ward members and executives, held on Airport Road in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Reading the resolution, the Chairman of PDP Ward 2 in Oredo, Lawrence Aguebor said the expulsion followed the suspension of Ogbeide Ihama by the ward executives and

critical stakeholders of Oredo Ward 2, who met on 3rd of May 2024, and suspended the ex-Rep member for 30 days after which a disciplinary committee was set up.

He explained: “The committee wrote him letters and called him on the phone and sat five times and Ogbeide Ihama Omoregie failed to appear before them.

“Today, we have received the report and recommendations of the committee and the committee has recommended the expulsion of Hon. Ogbeide Ihama Omoregie from PDP. The offenses of Hon. Ihama for which he now stands expelled are captured under section 58 (1) a, b, d, e, f, h, l, j, l.

“With the expulsion of Hon. Ogbiede Ihama Omoregie, members of the general public are to cease and desist from doing any business that has to do with the PDP with him.”

The ward party members also put his expulsion to a voice vote with all members backing his expulsion from the party.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Political Matters, (Oredo) Hon. Victor Enoghama, said the suspension and expulsion was long overdue.

He noted that, "Hon. Ogbeide Ihama Omoregie has donated his building at Ring Road by Sakponba Road Junction to the All Progressive Congress (APC) to

be used as campaign office for the 2024 September 21st governorship election in Edo State.

"His suspension is long overdue. Let him join the APC family as we can’t allow him to be in PDP and fraternize with the APC.

Enoghama further charged: “We also call on the ward of the former deputy governor to follow suit and expel Comrade Philip Shaibu from the PDP, also for anti-party activities.

“He is carrying out anti-party activities. He has also donated his campaign office at Airport Road with vehicles to APC for the governorship election on September 21st, 2024. He can't be in PDP and be supporting APC.”

The group stated that even the Supreme Pontiff who is the Head of the over 2 billion strong membership and wealthy religious body: Roman Catholic Church doesn’t even have a private plane but flies often on commercial airlines. It also held that some heads of powerful and advanced economies do take commercial flights during foreign trips. HURIWA challenged the Presidency to do just a little research to ascertain the fact that the Pope with all his majestic authorities over a flock of 2 billion people all over the World and as the head of the Vatican city which is a sovereignty has no private jet for the travelling conveniences.

present Emir of Kano, HRM, Lamido Sanusi, may be removed from his palace as the police have hinted on carrying out the orders of the Federal High Court.”

They argued that the Federal High Court had determined the entire appeal based on jurisdiction as the court had continued to assume jurisdiction.

The appellant further averred, "It would set a bad precedent of lower courts choosing not to respect the decisions or proceedings of the higher court

"The Federal High Court with its disposition might grant the orders prayed for and cause that the five emirates and their emirs, some of whom have left the state for peace to reign would then have to return, causing chaos and uprising in the state

"The loss of lives, which might be occasioned by the ruling, may be rather too much, as the peace in the state may be breached.

"It is in the interest of justice that the Court of Appeal takes over the entire proceedings as there are conflicting orders of the Kano State High Court and Federal High Court on the same subject matter.”

Meanwhile, APC criticised comments credited to Kwankwaso that the ruling party was trying to take Kano State through a state of emergency as disappointing and insensitive.

National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, in a statement issued yesterday, noted that Kwankwaso’s wild and unhinged comments were made in reference to the lingering

Emirate tussle in Kano. Morka stated that the ruling party expected Kwankwaso to demonstrate high grade discretion, and a better grip of the severe social, political and security implications of unguarded utterances capable of fuelling tension and strife in Kano.

He added that it was disturbing that Kwankwaso would accuse the federal government of attempting to create a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists — “the same Boko Haram that had inflicted unspeakable and despicable acts of terror that have destroyed the lives of innocent citizens and our heroic men and women in uniform”.

He added, “Without any shred of evidence, he (Kwankwaso) further alleged that certain individuals in APC fold were goading the federal government with the goal of reclaiming Kano State through a declaration of a state of emergency.

“We consider Kwankwaso’s comments to be disappointing, highly incendiary and unconscionable for an individual of his standing.”

Morka said in his unhinged bid to lash out, Kwankwaso ignored the federal government's glaring neutrality on the emirate crisis in Kano from the outset.

He stressed that as a government that thrived on respect for the rule of law and constitutional liberties, the federal government had confidence in the courts to fairly adjudicate the matter already before them, and had no need or reason to side with any of parties in the emir-ship dispute.

L-R- Mr. Kolade Abimbola, Prince Olaoluwa Awojoodu, Lady Esther Akinyelure, Mr. Amos Adeyeye, Mrs. Nike Ibirogba, Sir Olawale Jafojo, Mr. Ladi Sole. Board members of Christ’s Outreach on Disabilities at the institution's 40th anniversary... recently

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of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Ports Authority, owed about N10 trillion in unremitted operating surplus as of the end of August 2018. This disclosure was made by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze at a town hall meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of government-owned enterprises (GOEs) held in Abuja on December 19, 2018 [4].Even though Mr. Akabueze listed the enterprises and the amount withheld by each of them, the state and local governments have not deemed it fit to take legal action to ensure the recovery of the huge revenue diverted from the Federation Account.

In the course of campaigning for the amendment of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, we found that the federal government had deliberately refused to implement section 16 of the Deep Offshore Inland Production Sharing Contracts Act. The section provided for an upward review of royalties whenever crude oil was sold beyond $20 per barrel in the international market. In defence of the position of the federal government, the then Minister of State in the ministry of petroleum resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu blamed the non implementation of the law on some unscrupulous officers and proceeded to admit that the country had lost a whopping sum of $60 billion. Our demand for the collection of the huge fund was ignored.

It was at that stage that the governments of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking to compel the federal government to collect all outstanding royalties under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act. See Attorney-General of Rivers State & 2 Ors v Attorney General of the Federation [7]. But the parties to the suit resolved to settle the case amicably. Hence, they entered into some terms of settlement which became the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on October 20, 2018. Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered the Federal Government to collect the outstanding royalties which had accrued for 18 years under the Deep Offshore Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act.

Pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation constituted a body to determine the respective liabilities including the amount due to oil producing states as derivation proceeds. The body stated that the amount not collected from the International Oil Companies was $62 billion. The then Minister of Justice, Mr. Malami SAN demanded for payment of the unpaid royalties by the IOCs. But the then Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva assured the IOCs that Nigeria would not recover the huge fund. According to him, “Nigeria knows it cannot recover $62 billion from oil majors despite ongoing cases against the companies for money the government believes it is owed. Nobody can bring out that kind of money. I mean, we can’t get $62 billion. We can maybe get something from them but not $62 billion”.

As the federal government was not prepared to recover the said sum of $62 billion from the IOCs, the governments of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States filed a case at the Federal High Court wherein they sought a declaration that the governments they were entitled to $1,114,551,610.00 and $2,258,411,586 respectively. See Attorney-General of Rivers State & Anor v Attorney General of the Federation [8].

Upon hearing the matter, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo granted the reliefs sought by the Plaintiffs. In addition, the court also awarded a post-judgment interest of 10% in favour of the Plaintiffs until the final liquidation of the judgment. On the basis of this judgment, the other state governments are advised to file a similar suit at the federal high court to claim their share from the said sum of $62 billion.

A team of Nigerian lawyers engaged by NIMASA discovered that about 60.2 million barrels of of crude oil stolen from Nigeria by the IOCs were discharged in Philadelphia Port in the United States between 2011 and 2014. The value of the stolen crude oil is $12.7 billion. The IOCs and the shipping companies involved in the oil theft are well known to the Federal Government.

Sometime in 2016, the House of Representatives set up and an Ad Hoc Committee to probe on undeclared crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports to global destinations from Nigeria between 2011 and 2014. The Chairman of the Committee, Honorable Johnson Agbonayinma Johnson Agbonayinma confirmed that $17 billion in oil and liquefied natural gas was exported from Nigeria without being properly declared and that the crude oil was discharged in the United States port of Houston and port of Lake Charles [12].

As the EFCC was not allowed to recover the fund and prosecute the companies involved in the criminal enterprise, the NIMASA team of lawyers filed nine cases in Abuja and Lagos against some companies including Chevron, Total, Agip, Adax Petroleum and Brass Oil Services Limited, aimed at ensuring the recovery of stolen hydrocarbon and liquified gas. We are compelled to call on the state and local governments to team up with the federal government for the recovery of the sum of $29 billion. In addition, the Attorneys-General of the States should collaborate with the NIMASA team of lawyers for the recovery of hundreds of billions from the well-known oil companies and shipping companies involved in the large scale oil theft.

On April 27, 2019, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts held a public hearing on revenue generation drive for the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP). During the hearing, the NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Eyono Fatai-Williams, disclosed that from 1999 to 2019 the company paid dividends of over $18 billion to Nigeria through the NNPCL from 2004 to 2020. She also revealed that the NLNG paid $9 billion tax to the federal government from 2011 to date while $15 billion had also been remitted for feed gas to the NNPC since the inception of the company.

Based on the disclosure, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts asked the suspended AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris who was in attendance, to confirm if the said sum of $33 billion was actually remitted to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited that represents the interest of Nigeria in the NLNG. Mr. Idris said that the funds paid by the NLNG were not remitted to the Federation Account but warehoused by the NNPCL. Consequently, the Public Accounts Committee of the Senate directed the Accountant-General to determine how much was actually remitted to the Federation Account, and if there was any deduction by NNPC; how much was deducted and who authorized the deductions and the exchange rates applied for the amount that was remitted over the years under review. Furthermore, on 29th March 2021, while speaking at the virtual Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) 2021 Pre-Summit Conference and the official launch of the Decade of Gas in Abuja, former President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) had generated $114 Billion in revenues over the years with $9 Billion in taxes remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Apart from the tax remittance, the former President said that NLNG paid $18 Billion as dividends and $15 Billion in Feed Gas Purchases (FGP) to the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission Limited (NNPC).

In 2020 and 2021, the NNPCL equally received the sums of $545.13m and $722.44m respectively as dividends from the NLNG. The total sum for the two years is $1.267 billion. From the information at our disposal, the said sum of $1.267 billion was not remitted to the Federation Account by the NNPCL. For reasons best known to him, the Minister of Finance has ignored our request to direct the NNPCL to remit to the Federation Account the dividends of $34.2 billion received on behalf of the Government of Nigeria from the NLNG from 2004-2021.

After our letter, it was reported that the dividend paid to the NNPCL in 2022 jumped by 52 percent to $1.10 billion from $722.44 million in 2021. Thus, the NNPCL has diverted the total sum of $35.4 billion which ought to have been remitted to the Federation Account. Instead of asking the NNPCL to account for the entire dividends, the Federation Account Allocation Committee was reported to have queried the NNPCL over the $55 million deducted from the dividend of $275 million paid by the NLNG in August 2023 [10].Since the NNPCL continues to insist that it has the authority of the federal government to keep the dividends from NLNG, the states and local governments are advised to sue for the recovery of the said sum of $35.5 billion. N10 trillion withheld from Federation Account Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, all government agencies are expected to compulsorily remit their operating surpluses to the federation account annually. But in utter violation of the law, the government agencies and parastatals including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigerian Ports Authority, owed about N10 trillion in unremitted operating surplus as of the end of August 2018. This disclosure was made by the DirectorGeneral, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze at a town hall meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of government--owned enterprises (GOEs) held in Abuja on December 19, 2018 [11].

Even though Mr. Akabueze listed the enterprises and the amount withheld by each of them, the fund has not been recovered. In fact, the annual reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation have revealed more diversion of public funds by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government. It is high time the state and local governments adopted political and legal measures to recover the public funds that have been diverted from the Federation Account Sometime in 2018, we found that a private company called Continental Transfert Technique (hereinafter called “the company”) had been hired by the Ministry of Interior to collect the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) Fee of $1000 per annum from every expatriate in Nigeria. The said CERPAC Fee of $1000 was increased to $2,000 in December 2018 without the approval of the national assembly. The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics has said

that the CERPAC Fee generated a revenue of N20.35 billion in 2018 and N19.03 billion in 2017. At the time the revenue was N20 billion in 2018 the CERPAC Fee payable by every expatriate was $1,000. Since the Fee has been increased to $2,000 the revenue would have increased to N40 billion per annum.

Out of the said annual revenue realised from the CERPAC Fee, the Federal Government, Ministry of Interior and Nigeria Immigration Service are illegally paid 30%, 7% and 5% respectively while the company retains 58% from the revenue belonging to the Nigerian people in violation of Section 162 of the Constitution. We petitioned the Minister of Finance to stop the illegal diversion of the revenue that ought to be paid into the Federation Account. When the Finance Minister refused to accede to our request we approached the Federal High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of the increase, collection and distribution of the CERPAC Fee by the company.

In a landmark judgment delivered in the matter on November 20, 2019 the presiding judge, Aikawa J. upheld our submissions and granted the reliefs. Consequently, the court set aside the contract between the Ministry of Interior and the company and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to collect the CERPAC Fee from all expatriates in Nigeria pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Act, 2015. The court further directed that the entire revenue from the CERPAC Fee be paid into the Federation Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with the Treasury Single Account Policy of the Federal Government. Since the federal government and the company have appealed against the judgment it is hoped that the state and local governments will seek the leave of the Court of Appeal to be joined as interested parties in the appeal.

Before the revenue in the Federation Account is shared among the three tiers of government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Service and National Upstream Commission are allowed to deduct the costs of collection. The data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Department of Petroleum Resources received an aggregate of N220.39bn as cost of collections in 2019 while it rose to N329.37 billion in 2021 [1].

The figure is much higher because not less than 62 other agencies collect taxes and levies on behalf of the Federation. However, based on protests by state governments coupled with the decision of the Bola Tinubu administration to centralise the collection of all taxes, the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms has proposed the reduction of revenue collection costs to one per cent or below. The Committee has also suggested that revenue collection by the over 60 agencies of the federal government be taken over by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. According to the Council, the merger will aid the collection of all direct and indirect taxes and levies on behalf of the federal government[2]. In addition to these suggestions, tax collection should no longer be carried out by the federal government alone but by all the federating units.

As part of the legacy of military rule, the President allocates oil blocks and grant licences to selected members of the ruling class to mine and control the nation’s mineral resources in utter violation of section 44(3) of the Constitution which prescribes that “the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria shall vest in the Government of the Federation”. Even though the resources are joint properties, state governments have allowed the Federal government alone to control them to the exclusion of other federating units. Hence, the ministries of petroleum resources and solid minerals created by the President are controlled exclusively by the Federal Government.

It has been confirmed that the majority of the owners of the oil blocks usually sub-lease them to offshore companies as they lack the fund and the technical expertise to develop the oil and gas industry. Such owners are paid huge sums of money for the sub-lease of the oil blocks. Thus, by merely collecting the rents the oil block owners become stupendously rich while

the federal, state and local governments depend on loans and bailout to pay salaries and carry out basic infrastructural development of the country. It is submitted that the allocation of oil blocks to a few individuals and corporate bodies that lack the capacity to develop them the Federal Government has violated Section 16(2)(c) of the Constitution which provides that “the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.” Furthermore, such allocation constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom from discrimination, equal right of access to public property and the equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind as well as the right to social, economic and cultural development guaranteed by articles 2, 13, 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

In accordance with article 22 thereof which has imposed a duty on the Federal Government to freely dispose of the wealth and national resources of the nation in the exclusive interests of the Nigerian people, the allocation of oil blocks including marginal fields should henceforth be restricted to the Federal Government and the governments of the 36 states of the Federation. This request is in line with Section 16 (1) (b) of the Constitution which has mandated the Nigerian State to “control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.”

The National Economic Council (NEC) is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established pursuant to section 153 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. The NEC is constituted by the Vice President, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Finance, and the 36 State Governors. The NEC is headed by the Vice President. The NEC which meets monthly, has the constitutional mandate to “advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”

But since the NEC has abdicated its constitutional responsibility, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is now advised by the Presidential Economic Advisers as well as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In order to continue the underdevelopment of Nigeria, both Bretton Woods institutions have put pressure on the federal government to implement neoliberal policies, including removal of fuel and electricity subsidy, merger of exchange rates and floating of the Naira. Not too long ago, the same imperialist institutions had convinced the Ibrahim Babangida military junta to implement the Structural Adjustment Programme, which led to substantial ruination of the national economy and accentuated poverty in the land.

Even though Nigeria has not recovered from the deleterious effects of the Structural Adjustment Programme, the forces which imposed it on Nigeria are mounting pressure on the federal government to continue the implementation of neoliberal policies including mass retrenchment of workers, withdrawal from funding public services, floating of the local currency, dollarisation of the economy as well as sale of the remaining public enterprises and assets. The implementation of such policies will further enrich a few people and further pauperise the people of Nigeria. We call on the Nigerian people who are victims of the crisis of the peripheral capitalist mode of development to unite and compel the Government to reverse the inimical economic policies.

The removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira-the twin economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration have inflicted excruciating economic pains on the Nigerian people. Prices of goods have gone beyond the reach of the majority of citizens in a country where 133 million people are said to be dimensionally poor. The Naira has continued to deprecate against the United States Dollar and other currencies.

The initial plan to allow market forces to determine the exchange rate of the Naira vis-a-vis other currencies has been jettisoned as the Central Bank of Nigeria has announced a rash of policies to stabilise the exchange rate. It is my submission that the BRICS challenge provides an opportunity for Nigeria to reduce the overbearing dominance of the Dollar in the national economy.

But without adducing any reason, the federal government has failed to join the economic block of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) whose members are prepared to trade among themselves in their national currencies. In view of the fact that the BRICS has already overtaken the G7 bloc terms of share of the total global Gross Domestic Products (GDP), Nigeria cannot afford not to join the new international economic system.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented Nigeria at the bloc’s 15th summit in Johannesburg last year, said the country had not applied to join the economic bloc because “There are so many variables that need to be taken into cognizance. We have to evaluate so many tendencies and issues that require engagements with the economic advisory council, the Federal Executive Council, and even the National Assembly before an informed decision towards joining the BRICS would be taken.”

However, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has explained that “Nigeria will seek to become a member of the BRICS group of nations within the next two years as part of a new foreign policy push to have its voice heard in important global organizations. We intend to do it. As I said before, Nigeria runs a deliberative democratic system. So there tends to be a lot of engagement with different interest groups, different internal bodies before such an action is taken.”[9]

Akpabio

SYSTEM SPECS ESSAY COMPETITION…

L-R: Board Member, System Specs Holdings Limited, Dr. Waheed Olagunju; Board Member, System Specs Holdings Limited, Mrs. Ifeoma Idigbe; representative of Ijaiye Ojokoro Senior College, Lagos State, Winner, Senior School Category, Bakare Oluwasubomi; representative of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Ibadan, Oyo State, Winner, Junior School Category, Aletan Oluwajuwonlo; Managing Director, Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr. ‘Deremi Atanda; Managing Director, Human Manager Limited, Ms. Adekunbi Ademiluyi, and Managing Director, System Specs Technology Services Limited, Mr. Demola Igbalajobi, at the 5th System Specs Children’s Day Essay Competition National Awards ceremony held in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Police Dislodge Secessionist Group, Arrest Four Suspects in Anambra

Arrest two robbery suspects in Delta

Operatives of Police Command in Anambra have raided and dislodged the secessionist group in the state following credible intelligence report.

Similarly, two robbery suspects were arrested by Police Command in Delta in Aladja Community, Udu Local Government Area of the state.

The Anambra Command’s Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the dislodgement of secessionists yesterday in a statement in Awka.

‘Completion

Ikenga said a Police-led Joint Security Force intercepted four members of the military wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the ESN operatives were arrested based on information received over time of planned attacks on security agents and innocent citizens by the dreaded group. Ikenga said that one

of Kadars Gate Luxury Apartment on Track’

The Kadar’s Gate Luxury Apartments by Palton Morgan Holdings, a leading real estate developers, stands as a hallmark project crafted to fulfill the aspirations of elite Nigerians in search of premium living in a prime location.

The company has therefore, said that its completion and delivery to prospective buyers are on track.

In a statement, the company confirmed that the project is on track for completion within the next 24 to 26 months, explaining that each component in the apartments exemplifies what can be achieved when vision meets execution.

The statement quoted the Group Commercial Director of Palton Morgan Holdings, Mumtaz Zaidi, as saying: “The goal for Kadar’s Gate is to provide premium apartments that elevate people’s living

experience.”

“We are delighted to welcome potential buyers of this upscale property to join our exclusive list of luxurious homeowners in one of Nigeria’s premium locations. We are developing Kadar’s Gate in Musa Yar ‘Adua, VI in line with our mission to create contemporary structures, aspirational lifestyles, and thriving communities for the truly deserving.”

“We invite you to make the right decision to elevate your real estate experience by investing in this unique piece of luxury,” he added.

The company reiterated its commitment to quality, emphasising that it would never compromise on this. The nearly completed Skyvilla Residence and Claren Villas in Ikoyi, is a testament to its dedication to redefining elegance.

Trailer Crushes Four to Death in Abuja

Olawale Ajimotokan in abuja

No fewer than four persons were crushed to death and several others injured yesterday in Nyanyan, a suburb of Abuja after an articulated vehicle laden with bags of fertilizer plowed into an Honda Accord car and mangled it beyond recognition.

All the four occupants of the car were killed instantly.

Eye witnesses said the tragedy, which caused a gridlock on the Abuja-Keffi Road, occurred after the trailer suffered a break system failure and lost control while descending the Kugbo Hill.

Maduabuchi Nwafor, alias Omenkpo, aged 32 and a native of Ufuma, was one of the four suspects arrested.

“Nwafor has been identified as one of the herbalists who prepare charms for the group and uses his shrine for initiation ceremonies and

a meeting venue for the criminals.

“Also, another suspect, unnamed, who is already assisting the police with vital information,

confessed to be one of the gunmen dispatched by the group to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order on May 30.

Ododo Restates Commitment to Prioritise Security, Warns Criminal Elements to Relocate

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Kogi State Governor, Mr. Usman Ododo, has restated the commitment of his administration to prioritise issues of security, stressing that Kogi State would never be a

fertile ground for any criminal to practice dubious and ungodly trade.

Ododo disclosed this while receiving visitors at his residence in Okene , Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State yesterday.

He warned criminal elements to move out of the state or face the full wrath of the law from the security agencies.

The governor urged the people of the state to reflect on the spirit of the Salah and to commit to actions that would uplift the

state and country at large. “As a government, we are committed to protecting lives and property and promoting social welfare by delivering dividends of democracy to enhance the living conditions of our people at all times.

Benue CJ: Group Wants Lawyers Punished over Illegal Conduct

George Okoh in Makurdi

A group, Benue Arise Network, yesterday called on the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) to institute disciplinary actions against a team of lawyers over their alleged misconduct

against the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, and the National Judicial Commission(NJC).

The Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Joseph Igbudu, in a statement he issued and made available to journalists in Makurdi,

said their attention has been drawn to media reports on a suit by a group, Optimum Media Limited, seeking the court to compel the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to request the state House of Assembly to investigate the state Chief Judge, Justice Ikpambese. Igbudu said, according to the report, that the suit which iwas filed by a team of lawyers led by Uwem U. Umoanwan, is marked FHC/ MKD/CS/56/2024, before the Federal High Court, Makurdi Division.

BURN Launches Operations in Nigeria, Promises Clean Cooking Appliances

Raheem Akingbolu

BURN, a leading clean cookstove manufacturer, distributor, and carbon project developer, has announced the launch of its first assembly plant in Kano, Nigeria. According to a statement issued by the company, the facility will revolutionise access to affordable clean cooking appliances for households in the country.

The statement further stated that BURN has been in the Nigerian market since 2018, selling 450,000 super fuel-efficient

biomass and LPG cooking appliances, and impacting over 23.1 million lives. On its employment capacity, the company said it employs over 700 people (200 in manufacturing and 500 in sales and distribution) with 50 per cent being women.

The company’s 3,700 m2 factory in Kano currently produces 40,000 cooking appliances per month, with the capacity to produce 100,000 units per month. It intends to increase this to 1 million units per month in 2025.

Owa-Oyibu Youths Call on Delta to Reverse Ban on Motorcycle Operation in Ikaland

SundayOkobi

The youths of Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the state government to have a rethink on the ban on commercial and private motorcycles in Ikaland, stating that the socio-economic consequences on the people are huge.

The bodies of the four occupants of the car were dismembered, while the passengers in other affected cars sustained various degrees of injury.

Bodily parts also littered the spot where the accident happened.

Operatives from Federal Road Safety Corps and other responders rushed to the scene to rescue and pull out the persons trapped in the mangled vehicle.

Their humanitarian operation continued late into last night as they were still making frantic efforts to rip apart the mangled car to enable them recover the crushed remains of victims.

As a result it smashed all the vehicles on his path until it squeezed the Honda Accord car near the pedestrian bridge at Nyanyan before coming to a halt.

The youths, under the umbrella of the supreme youth group in the land, Agham-Ihun Oyibu, urged the state government to urgently take a second thought and reverse the decision to ban Okada operation in Ikaland in the best interest of the people of the agrarian community and environs, as well as peace, justice, equity and good conscience.

In a statement signed and made available to THISDAY yesterday by the Chairman of the group, Hon. Nkeki Uzo Benson, he stated that

“Ika is the agricultural and economic hub of Delta State in terms of food production, endowed with richly fertile soil. It has many organised markets for agro produce such as Abavo Oyoko Market, Igbodo Market, Afia Ogboma, Ebu Owa Market, Umunede Market, Owa Alero Market, Baleke Market, Afor Market in Owa-Oyibu, among others,” lamenting that if the ban is allowed to stand, commuters as well as the movement of goods and farm produce from one place to another in Ikaland would suffer hugely as motorcycles are the major means of transportation in the land.

Heirs Holdings Inaugurates Group Directors’ Annual Summit

Heirs Holdings (HH) a leading pan-African investment company, recently convened over 100 board members from across all HH investee companies, at the HH Group Directors’ Annual Summit. The HH Group Summit, held at

the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja from June 13 – 16, 2024, drew on the experience of board members of investee companies from sectors where HH invests: healthcare, power, energy, technology, financial services, hospitality, and real estate. Also present were

Laleye DipoinMinna

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the assault on the Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area, Alhaji Danlami Abdullahi Saku, by unknown persons on Sallah day.

The incident reportedly took place at Saku, the country home of the chairman.

According to the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, the embattled chairman was

trustees of the Group’s philanthropy, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which catalyses young entrepreneurs across Africa. The convening provided the opportunity to reinforce the Group’s strong governance practices and identify opportunities for innovation and impact, as well as celebrating business achievements.

Speaking at the HH Group Summit, Group Chairman Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, emphasised HH’s mandate to ‘build to last’ and to “build for impact”.

Police Confirm Assault on Katcha LGA Boss in Niger

beaten to a situation of unconsciousness resulting in his admission at the Bida General Hospital before being transferred to another hospital because of the seriousness of his case.

Abiodun said in the statement confirming the incident that: “On June

16, 2024, at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Division that the Chairman of Katcha LGA, Hon. Danlami Abdullahi Saku, was attacked by some miscreants in Saku-Gaza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.

Access Bank Constructs 60 New Classrooms in Kaduna

Nume Ekeghe

Access Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to education by initiating the construction of 60 additional classrooms in Maraban Jos, Kaduna.

This groundbreaking event coincided with the 2024 Access Bank Charity Polo Tournament, underscoring the bank’s ongoing commitment to educational development.

Access Bank in a statement noted that this latest initiative builds on the success of last year’s project, where Access Bank launched 30 blocks of two classrooms each during the 2023 tournament and with the completion of this new phase, Access Bank aspires to double

the enrolment at the Access Bank Fifth Chukker School.

Currently, the institution has provided quality education and social welfare benefits to approximately 14,000 children, significantly impacting the local community.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Access Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated that the project is part of a broad mission to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged children and ultimately alleviate poverty across Africa.

Ogbonna said: “Nigeria faces a profound challenge. Over 12 million of our children are out of school, with a significant number

residing in the northern region. This unpleasant reality compels us to act, transforming despair into hope, and ensuring that every child is afforded the opportunity to dream and achieve.

“In line with our mission to drive prosperity across Africa, we are proud to flag off the construction of an additional 60 classrooms that will soon echo with the laughter and choruses of our young minds learning. These classrooms will serve as more than just buildings; they will be sanctuaries of hope, where the dreams of thousands of children will be nurtured, and futures will be forged. We will continue to work with our partners to create a brighter, more equitable future for the African child.”

Diri Tasks Nigeria’s Political Class on Selfless Leadership

Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has urged the political class in the country, including himself, to appreciate the temporal nature of leadership by making necessary sacrifices to better the lot of the people while in office.

Governor Diri made the call at a state banquet organised for the Muslim Ummah in the state as part of this year’s Eid-al-Adha celebrations in the Government House, Yenagoa.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Diri said the banquet was put

together by his administration in the spirit of sacrifice and love which the Islamic festival symbolizes.

Governor Diri identified lack of selfless and sacrificial leaders both at the national and sub-national levels as a major stumbling block to the development of the country. According to him, ‘Nigeria is where it is today because truly selfless and patriotic leaders who are ready to serve the people, rather than being served are in acute short supply.”

He, however, called on Nigerians, leaders and followers

alike, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice and obedience to God and their government, to foster a united, peaceful and progressive society.

Governor Diri, who reminded Muslim faithful all over the country to emulate Prophet Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice everything to Allah, urged them to sustain their prayers for the peace, stability and prosperity of Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general.

According to him, “This feast stands on two pillars. The first pillar is sacrifice, while the second one stands on obedience.

Lagos Pledges to Prevent Cholera Spread in Schools

Lagos State Government yesterday said it will apply Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in schools in an effort to prevent and control spread of communicable diseases.

Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, gave the assurance in a statement in Lagos.

The assurance followed cholera outbreak in some local government areas of the state.

He urged that schools should call hotlines in the event of any suspected cholera cases or other health emergencies.

He gave the numbers as 08023169485, 08137412348 and 767/112.

He said: “The goal of IPC in schools is to minimise the risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the school community and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students, teachers and other members of staff.

“As primary and secondary schools in Lagos resume tomorrow from the mid-term and Sallah break, the state government urges parents, guardians and school authorities to adhere to precautionary measures.

“These include hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water before meal and after using the restroom – cleaning and disinfection, health screening and communication, daily health checks and physical distancing.”

Agric Experts Outline Solutions to Rising Food Inflation

Some agriculture experts have proffered solutions in addressing the rising food inflation in the country.

The experts said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)yesterday in Lagos, while reacting to the May inflation figure.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 33.95 per cent in May 2024.

The NBS said this in its Consumer Price Index and Inflation Report for May released on Saturday.

According to the report, the figure is 0.26 per cent points

higher against the 33.69 per cent recorded in April 2024. It said on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in May 2024 was 11.54 per cent higher than the rate recorded in May 2023 at 22.41 per cent.

The report said the food inflation rate in May 2024 increased to 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent higher against 24.82 per cent recorded in May 2023.

The NBS said in May 2024, food inflation on a year-onyear basis was highest in Kogi with 46.32 per cent followed by Ekiti with 44.94 per cent

and Adamawa with the lowest figure of 31.72 per cent.

An agriculture analyst, Mr Akin Alabi, said the subsidisation of farm inputs to local farmers would help in crashing the growing food inflation.

“The rising food inflation in the latest NBS report indicates the need for an urgent action by the government.

“There is an urgent need for the government to begin to subsidise farm inputs for smallholder farmers.

“Subsiding farm inputs for local farmers will help reduce the growing food inflation in the country,” he said.

Govt Bans Procession in KotonKarfe in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Kogi State Government has banned traditional procession in Kotonkarfe and its environs in Kogi Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, and made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, he said: “Acting on security reports in order to maintain peace enjoyed in Kotonkarfe and its environs

in Kogi LGA, the Kogi State Government hereby announces a ban on all forms of procession in Kotonkarfe and neighbouring communities.

“The proactive ban is aimed at curbing plans by some elements in the area to disturb the peace of the ancient town.

“GovernorAhmedUsmanOdodo reiterates his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence among all Kotonkarfe people and will always leave his doors open to listen to complaints and grievances rather than resort

to violence.

“We urge all concerned to strictly abide by the ban, as violators will be treated as enemies of peace and the state. The decision of the state government is aimed at protecting the rights of the Kotonkarfe people, and indeed all Kogites, to peace and security.

“We urge law enforcement agents to enforce the ban by the laws of the land. Kotonkarfe people should also be committed to peace and harmony as the government is prepared to protect them from violence.”

Injury Knocks Out Aruna Quadri from WTT Lagos Contender

Tournament to begin today at Teslim Balogun Stadium

Femi Solaja

Crowd pleaser and top continental table tennis star, Aruna Quadri will play no part in the World Table Tennis Contender (WTT) which will serve off from today in Lagos at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Nigerian star player was primed to play in the tournament but is still recovering from an arm injury he sustained from his last circuit in Far East late last month.

At a World press conference

held yesterday to herald the tournament, the Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation and former Commissioner of Sports in Lagos State, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, said that the player pulled out at the last minute in a bid to fully recover and be part of the Olympic Games next month in Paris.

“We know everyone wants to see Aruna in action here because he has been a role model to up-andcoming star players in the country, unfortunately, he needs to recover

fully from an arm injury and be fit to play at the Olympics where he has a lot at stake as he begins to wind down of his illustrious career in the game.

“We saw how he missed out on a podium appearance in 2016 after making it to the quarter-finals, the first time by an African but had the then number one player to contend with and he lost out.

The last edition in Tokyo was not a good one and today at 33, he needs to put everything into the game but makes sacrifices at

playing the WTT Contender in Lagos,” Oshodi explains.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said that Governor Sanwo Olu is delighted to welcome all participants to the state and wishes both Nigerians and foreign players all the best in the tournament.

“We are very glad to welcome our Table Tennis Players to another milestone in the history of the state in promoting sporting excellence, where the World Table Tennis

Contender will be unfolding for the next five days.

“As a state, we are ever ready for this kind of showpiece as our homegrown and budding players like Muizz Adegoke and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai are already warming up for world events taking place right here in Lagos.

“Our indefatigable Gov.SanwoOlu has been demonstrating unwavering support in sporting infrastructure, and as a state, we are leaving no stone unturned when it

comes to the development of sports, encouragement and other activities that will give room for athletes to be exposed to international championships

“Our visiting players will also enjoy the hospitality nature of the state in terms of accommodation, transportation and our attractive tourist centres,” he stated. The tournament will serve as the last preparatory event for players to earn more points in rating and put them in a good position in the draws for the Paris tournament.

Mbappe to Wear Protective Mask Like Osimhen after Broken Nose

...Ronaldo’s Portugal Snatch Late Winner against Czech Republic

A late goal by Portugal substitute Francisco Conceicao secured a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening Group F game at Euro 2024, where they also needed an own goal as they came from behind to snatch victory.

As Cristiano Ronaldobecame the first player to feature at a sixth European Championship, Portugal dominated possession and had the lion’s share of the chances but it was the Czech’s who took the lead in the 62nd minute when Lukas

Provod whipped a stunning strike into the far corner

Seven minutes later Portugal were level when Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek pushed away a header from Nuno Mendes but only as far as the leg of Robin Hranac and the ball ricocheted into the defender’s own net. The game was in added time when Conceicao tapped in from close range after a defensive mistake from Hranac to give Portugal the win Earlier, teenager Arda Guler scored on his European Championship

debut as Turkey broke Georgia's hearts with a thrilling 3-1 Group F victory in Dortmund.

Right-back Mert Muldur gave Turkey the lead in the 25th minute with an outrageous volley into the top corner, leaving Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili no chance.

But seven minutes later, Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia's first goal in a major tournament after expertly guiding Giorgi Kochorashvili's cross into the near corner.

strike into the top corner from 25 yards.

Georgia, also playing in a Euros for the first time, fought valiantly and almost snatched a leveller.

Turkey sealed the success with the last kick of the game as substitute Kerem Akturkoglu broke clear and, with keeper Mamardashvili having come up for a corner, rolled a finish into an empty net.

Will Kano Pillars Stay Strong as Warriors Attack?

Inspired Abia Warriors will go all out for glory when they take on traditional powerhouse team and former winners Kano Pillars in one of the semi final matches of this year’s President Federation Cup, at the Lafia City Stadium on Thursday.

The Aba giants struggled for several weeks in the relegation waters, but finally secured their Premiership status when they defeated Akwa United 2-0 in a Matchday 37 game on Sunday. They will approach the match in Lafia with very high impetus.

In the other semi final, El-Kanemi Warriors are also highly inspired after securing promotion to the NPFL following the conclusion of the NNL Super 8 Tournament. The team has been promoted alongside Nasarawa United, Beyond Limits and Ikorodu City.

Their opponents are Kebbi United, who fear no foe, and have reached this stage by defeating higher-rated ABS FC of Ilorin, NPFL side Akwa United and EFCC FC of Abuja. It promises an interesting evening at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project on Thursday.

In the women’s quarter finals, Nasarawa Amazons go up against Remo Stars Ladies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, in what is undoubtedly one of the potentially-explosive encounters of the women’s competition. The girls from Ikenne have been following in the footsteps of their men’s team (Remo Stars FC) in chasing for honours this season,

with the men’s team also firmly in the hunt for a CAF Champions League spot as the NPFL season rounds off next Sunday.

The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is also the venue for the clash between Delta Queens and Sunshine Queens, while FC Robo Queens of Lagos and Naija Ratels of Abuja clash in another tantalizing match-up in Asaba.

MEN’S SEMI-FINAL

(Thursday@4pm)

Kebbi Utd v. El-Kanemi

Abia War v Kano Pillars

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu – where Enugu Rangers emerged champions of this year’s NPFL season on Sunday – is venue for the clash between Osun Babes and Rivers Angels. Meanwhile, the grand finale of this year’s President Federation Cup men and women competitions will take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 29th June.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, revealed yesterday that the date has been agreed by both the NFF and GTI in view of the fact that Nigeria have until midnight of Sunday, 30 June to submit to the Confederation of African Football, the names of her representative clubs in next season’s continental club competitions.

France Captain, Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a broken nose late on in his side’s 1-0 victory Euro 2024 victory over Austria on Monday, has been confirmed to henceforth wear a face mask like Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.

The 25-year-old French superstar who switched from PSG to Real Madrid this summer as a free agent, was confirmed by the French Football Federation to have suffered the injury when colliding with the shoulder of Austrian defender Kevin Danso.

“A mask will be made so as to allow the number 10 of the French team to consider resuming competition after a period devoted to treatment,” the FFF said in the statement yesterday.

Mbappe, one of the biggest names at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, returned to the base camp of the French team after he was given first aide treatment on Monday night.

He will undergo treatment in the coming days, without undergoing surgery immediately.”

Following the collision, France wanted to replace Mbappe with Olivier Giroud but play restarted without allowing them to make their change.

Mbappe went back on to the pitch without permission and sat down - picking up a yellow card - before the substitution was made.

In the post-match news conference, boss Didier Deschamps said their number 10 was "not doing well" and added "his nose got badly hit".

"We need to check it out but it seems quite complicated, which is really very unfortunate for us. He didn't get off lightly."

Mbappe, who has scored 47 goals in 80 appearances for France, will be integral to their hopes of winning a third European title.

He had a hand in France's only

goal as his cross was headed into his own net by Max Wober. After the match, Danso said on X: "I wish him a good recovery and I hope he can quickly get back on the pitch.

"To French supporters: I am sorry that Kylian Mbappe was injured from our duel."

Mbappe, who has yet to score a Euros goal to add to his 12 World Cup strikes, will join Real Madrid from Paris St-Germain this summer.

Deschamps was asked if he could miss their next game against the Netherlands on Friday.

"I'm not going to go into hypothesis but the French team with Kylian will always be stronger with him," he said.

"If the news doesn't go along these lines then we will have to fight without him."

Nigerian international Osimhen has been wearing the protective face mask since 2021 after under going facial surgery. He broke his eyeball socket after collision with Inter Milan defender Skriniar in a Serie A game in October of that year.

It is not yet certain for how long Mbappe will wear the mask that is likely going to become part of his identity at Santiago Bernabeu in Spain.

RESULTS

Francisco Conceicao (left) grabbed a late 92nd minute winner to give Portugal 2-1 victory over Czech Republic and a flying start to their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany ...last night

Injured Kylian Mbappe has been confirmed to start wearing protective face mask after he broke his nose in Monday’s Euro 2024 clash between France and Austria

In the 65th minute, Real Madrid forward Guler became the third teenager to score on his Euros debut with a sublime, curling

MISSILE

FCCPC Boss to Traders, Cartels

FEmi fALANA

Restructuring, Economy and History

Under the current political dispensation, the national economy is firmly controlled by the federal government. Apart from the management of the mineral resources owned by the Nigerian people, the federal government conducts domestic and foreign affairs on behalf of the country. Although the Constitution has been amended several times since 1999 by the nation’s legislative houses, the members of the political class have resolved to retain the document as the grundnorm of the unitary republic. The revenue allocation formula which gave 52 percent of the resources of the Federation to the federal government as well as 24 percent and 20 percent to states and local governments respectively has been left intact.

The federal government has turned down the demand of state governments for the restoration of the residual powers confiscated from them by the erstwhile military regime. In frustration, the state governments have embarked on restructuring by litigation. Led by Abia, Lagos and Rivers states, the state governments have won a number of legal battles waged against the federal government. Specifically, the states collectively won the legal battle for the control of local government elections and payment of statutory allocation of local government to the joint state/local government accounts.

The federal government lost the battle to monitor local government statutory allocations and collect entertainment levies. The federal government also lost the control of the revenue derived from the continental

shelf to the exclusion of the littoral states. The Lagos State Government won the case to control physical planning while it defeated the federal government over the seizure of local government funds. The Rivers state government has won the legal right to collect and control Value Added Tax. The appeal filed against the judgment by the Federal Inland Revenue Service is

“We have embarked on advocacy visits to open markets across the country and supermarkets...you can’t go to the market and see a particular price tag on an item and when you go to pick it, they will tell you the price is higher,...Also, those traders in the open markets form associations on different food items like yam, eggs, rice and others and fix prices of such items...the law is against that” --FederalConsumerCompetitionandProtectionCommission (FCCPC)Boss,Dr.AdamuAbdullahi,vowstosanctiontradersandcartelsonillegalpricefixing. Continued

currently pending at the Supreme Court. No doubt, the success recorded in the courts has increased the revenue of the state and local governments. In other words, all the states and local governments have benefited from restructuring by litigation. It is however regrettable to note that such success has not had any positive impact on the lives of the Nigerian people. Owing to lack of understanding of the extent of the powers concentrated in the centre, the state and local governments have failed to question the control of crude oil and natural gas by the International Oil Corporations and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited. In fact, the federal government has deliberately withheld or diverted funds from the Federation Account without any challenge. At this juncture, it is pertinent to review the diversion of public funds by the federal authorities.

Since 1999, enterprises owned by the Federation have been run like the parastatals belonging to the federal government alone. In Attorney-General of Bauchi vs. Attorney-General of the Federation [1] the plaintiff contended that it was entitled to a share of the proceeds of income or returns derived by the Federal Government from certain federation agencies such as the Federal inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and several others. The Plaintiff also argued that the funds ought to be paid into the Federation Account and distributed

BAYO ONANUGA

to the States of the Federation.

In defending the case the defendants filed a preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. The court upheld the objection and declined to entertain the suit for want of jurisdiction on the ground that it related to the revenue accruing to the Federal Government which falls under section 251(1)(q) of the 1999 Constitution. But contrary to the finding of the apex court, the plaintiff’s suit did not relate to the revenue of the federal government but to the income or returns derived by the Federal Government from the aforementioned federation agencies. Thus, in striking out the suit, the apex court failed to apply section 232 of the Constitution which empowers it to hear and determine disputes between the federal government and state governments. In the cases of Attorney-General of Abia State v Attorney-General of the Federation[2] and Attorney-Gen eral, Ogun State v Attorney-General of the Federation [3] the Supreme Court rightly exercised its jurisdiction and ruled on the illegality of making deductions from the Federation Account by the Federal Government without the consent of the other federating units.

Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, all government agencies are expected to compulsorily remit their operating surpluses to the federation account annually. But in utter violation of the law, the government agencies and parastatals including the Central Bank

New York Times’ Report on Nigeria

Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal’s feature story with the title ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’, published on June 11, reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory, and denigrating way foreign media establishments reported African countries for several decades.

Because of the misleading slant of the report, we need to clear up some misconceptions conveyed by the reporters as regards the economic policies of the Tinubu administration that came into power at the end of May 2023.

Most significant about the report was that it painted the dire experiences of some Nigerians amid the inflationary spiral of the last year and blamed it all on the policies of the new administration. The report, based on several interviews, is at best jaundiced, all gloom and doom, as it never mentioned the positive aspects in the same economy as well as the ameliorative policies being implemented by the central and state governments.

To be sure, President Tinubu did not create the economic problems Nigeria faces today. He inherited them. As a respected economist in our country, once put it, Tinubu inherited a dead economy. The economy was bleeding and needed quick surgery to avoid being plunged into the abyss, as happened in Zimbabwe and Venezuela. This was the background to the policy direction taken by the government in May/June 2023: the abrogation of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

For decades, Nigeria had maintained a fuel subsidy regime that gulped $84.39 billion between 2005 and 2022 from the public treasury in a country with huge infrastructural deficits and in high need of better social

services for its citizens. The state oil firm, NNPC, the sole importer, had amassed trillions of naira in debts for absorbing the unsustainable subsidy payments in its books. By the time President Tinubu took over the leadership of the country, there was no provision made for fuel subsidy payments in the national budget beyond June 2023. The budget itself had a striking feature: it planned to spend 97 percent of revenue servicing debt, with little left for recurrent or capital expenditure. The previous government had resorted to massive borrowing to cover such costs.

Like oil, the exchange rate was also being subsidized by the government, with an estimated $1.5 billion spent monthly by the CBN to ‘defend’ the currency against the unquenchable demand for the dollar by the country’s import-dependent economy. By keeping the rate low, arbitrage grew as a gulf existed between the official rate and the rate being used by over 5000 BDCs that were previously licensed by the Central Bank. What was more, the country was failing to fulfil its remittance obligations to airlines and other foreign businesses, such that FDIs and investment in the oil sector dried up, and notably Emirate Airlines cut off the Nigerian route.

President Tinubu had to deal with the cancer of public finance on the first day by rolling back the subsidy regime and the generosity that spread to neighbouring countries. Then, his administration floated the naira.

After some months of the storm, with the naira sliding as low as N1,900 to the US dollar, some stability is being restored, though there remain some challenges. The exchange rate is now below N1500 to the dollar, and there are prospects that the naira could regain its muscle and appreciate to between N1000 and N1200 before the end of the year. The economy recorded a trade surplus of N6.52 trillion in Q1, as against a deficit of N1.4 trillion in Q4 of 2023. Portfolio investors have streamed in as long-term investors. When Diageo wanted to sell its stake in Guinness Nigeria, it had the Singaporean conglomerate, Tolaram, ready for the uptake. With the World Bank extending a $2.25 billion loan and other loans by the AfDB and Afreximbank coming in, Nigeria has become bankable again. This is all because the reforms being implemented have restored some confidence.

The inflationary rate is slowing down, as shown in the figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics for April. Food inflation remains the biggest challenge, and the government is working very hard to rein it in with increased agricultural production. The Tinubu administration and the 36 states are working assiduously to produce food in abundance to reduce the cost. Some state governments, such as Lagos and Akwa Ibom, have set up retail shops to sell raw food items to residents at a lower price than the market price. The Tinubu government, in November last year, in consonance with its food emergency declaration, invested heavily in dry-season farming, giving farmers incentives to produce wheat, maize, and rice. The CBN has donated N100 billion worth of fertiliser to farmers, and numerous incentives are being implemented. In the western part of Nigeria, the six governors have announced plans to invest massively in agriculture. With all the plans being executed, inflation, especially food inflation, will soon be tamed.

Nigeria is not the only country in the world facing a rising cost of living crisis. The USA, too, is contending with a similar crisis, with families finding it hard to make ends meet. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised this concern recently. Europe is similarly in the throes of a cost-of-living crisis. As those countries are trying to confront the problem, the Tinubu administration is also working hard to overturn the economic problems in Nigeria.

Our country faced economic difficulties in the past, an experience that has been captured in folk songs. Just like we overcame then, we shall overcome our present difficulties very soon.

•Mr. Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy

: Senate President Akpabio

President Bola Tinubu