Says service confiscated 2.93 million litres of smuggled petrol; rice, grains worth N4.4 billion, others
Pays tribute to officers who paid supreme price in line of duty Plans special window to quicken clearance of health products
Swears in 23 caretaker chairmen amid crisis, declares they can operate from anywhere
Says action against sit-tight mentality, orders audit of council accounts
Concerned elders caution as situation worsens APC, PDP trade tackles over emergency declaration, commissioner faults claims IG decries crisis, calls for investigation
Samuel
Nigeria’s aspiration to increase oil production significantly in the coming weeks suffered a setback yesterday after one of the country’s biggest indigenous hydrocarbons producers, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), announced the shutdown of its oilfield in the Niger Delta.
AEEPCO is the operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture (JV) on Oil Mining Licence (OML) 29 in Nembe Kingdom, Bayelsa State.
In a statement yesterday, the firm stated that the leak was reported on Monday, June 17, 2024, during
routine operations. It’s unclear how many barrels of oil the asset was producing at the time of the incident, but it was learnt that OML 29 consists of nine fields, including the iconic Oloibiri Oilfield and holds 2.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, while its hydrocarbon fields could deliver as much as 160,000 barrels of oil per day.
In March 2017, Aiteo Group announced that production levels at OML 29 had peaked at 90,000 barrels, tripling its existing production records for the onshore block at the time.
The latest development is a major setback for Nigeria which gets over 80 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings from the export
FBN Holdings Plc, yesterday announced Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu as the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of its banking subsidiary, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank).
The holding company in a statement on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) disclosed that the appointment was subject to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approval.
Alebiosu had been serving as the Acting Managing Director of the bank since April 2024, when the former MD, Adesola Adeduntan resigned his position as the CEO
of the bank.
The Acting company Secretary, FBN Holdings, Mr. Adewale Arogundade in a signed statement on the NGX also disclosed the appointment of Ini Ebong as the Deputy Managing Director, adding that the appointment was also subject to the approval of CBN.
Ini was the bank’s former Executive Director in charge of Treasury and International Banking.
In addition, the Group announced the appointment of Mr. Alao Olatunde-Olaifa as Non-executive Director of FirstBank and it is subject to apex banking regulating body approval.
of crude oil and is therefore highly negatively impacted by either falling crude oil production or prices in the international market.
The country which has struggled to raise output for years, has blamed oil theft, massive oil assets vandalism, deteriorating infrastructure in the country’s Niger Delta as well as years of underinvestment for its persistent inability to increase production significantly.
Nigeria in recent times, has resorted to borrowing to augment the little inflow of foreign exchange into the country’s FX market.
A THISDAY’s breakdown of the production information recently released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that Nigeria produced 1.42 million bpd of oil in January; 1.32 million bpd in February; 1.23 million bpd in March; 1.28 million
bpd in April and 1.25 million bpd in May this year.
This is out of the 1.58 million bpd reviewed Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for Nigeria this year.
But in the fresh leak, AEEPCO noted that its oil spill and emergency response team was immediately activated and all production from OML 29 were shut down as a precautionary measure to mitigate the impact of the incident.
"This is a precautionary measure while mobilising additional resources to contain the spill. The cause of the spill is currently undetermined. However, we are proactively engaging with stakeholders to mitigate the immediate effects," the statement added.
Commenting on the incident, AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, said: "During our
operations on Monday, June 17, 2024, the subject leak was detected. A Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) with stakeholders has been initiated to determine the cause of this incident.
" While we regret the production losses to the Joint Venture and the nation and the potential environmental impact, our current priority is to expedite an efficient spill management process in line with regulatory standards and collaborate with all stakeholders to restore production and mitigate associated risks."
According to the firm, its joint venture partners and the relevant regulators; the NUPRC and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had been notified of the incident. Meanwhile NOSDRA has confirmed the oil spill, with its head of field office in Yenagoa, Mr Solomon
Ukponevi, stressing that the oil firm already reported the incident to the agency. Ukponevi explained that the agency had deployed its officials to the spill site to ascertain the cause and volume of crude oil discharged to the environment.
On the extent of the pollution, Ukponevi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) would determine the area, as well as other details.
“I will not be able to provide details until staff deployed for the JIV return from the fields, but I can tell you that Aiteo has reported the spill and investigation is underway,” he said. It was learnt that the leak occurred on Monday at a section of the 97-kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk line (NCTL) that hitherto fed the Bonny Oil Export Terminal in Rivers.
The Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr Folasade Yemi- Esan has threatened that civil servants who are outside the country without official permission and still on the payroll will be sacked after the ongoing verification is completed.
She issued the warning yesterday while briefing the media during the civil service week, just as it was also confirmed that she would be retiring from the service on August 14 after attaining 60 years of age.
She said she did an overview of the report sent to her and discovered that a number of workers that had gone out of the country and were earning salary were not even in the core ministries but mostly in the parastatals.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo
The Director-General, National Productivity Centre (NPC), Dr. Nasir Olaitan Raji-Mustapha has said that the federal government was working towards reforming the workforce to become more resourceful, resilient and creative problem-solving.
Owing to this, he urged Nigerians to be committed to efficiency, creativity and innovation
Raji-Mustapha who stated this in his speech to commemorate the World Productivity Day, emphasised the importance of efficiency, creativity and innovation in all aspects of work and life.
He said: "Governments and policy makers are playing a pivotal role in shaping the productivity landscape by creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, investing in education and skills development, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
"By championing initiatives that promote productivity and drive economic development, President Bola Ahmed is laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and sustainable future," he said.
According to the DirectorGeneral, "Today's rapidly evolving world requires the ability to adapt, innovate and excel. In the face of
unprecedented global challenges, this year's World Productivity Day takes on even greater importance as the new world order underscores the need for resilience, agility and creative problem-solving.”
Mustapha said there was need to adapt to new ways of working and living rooted in the critical role of productivity in overcoming obstacles and driving resilience and sustainability.
He said businesses are embracing digital transformation and prioritising employees’ well-being to enhance productivity and drive sustainable growth.
According to the DG, by leveraging
technology, embracing creativity and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, individuals and businesses could help achieve remarkable results and drive positive change in communities.
Apart from the government efforts, Mustapha said organisations were empowering their workforce to deliver high-quality products and services, drive innovation, and stay ahead in a competitive marketplace.
"Individuals are also exploring various strategies to boost their productivity, maintain a healthy work-life balance, enhance their well-being and realise their full potential," he added.
She also accused some top officials that were supposed to give information to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of complicity, saying it was discovered that they were part of the deal to ensure that the positions were not declared vacant.
“It is a Nigerian thing. We are running hard against the culture that tolerates it. Outsiders don’t know the bashing we get everyday trying to do the right thing. I expect that once the verification report comes anybody that is not in the country automatically loses his job.
“What we discovered in the last month of that verification is that most of them are now resigning their appointment which is a good development,” Yemi- Esan said.
The HoSF also disclosed that last week she broached the matter with the Permanent Secretary, Common Service Office (SMO), Raymond Omeka, that she had not seen his report on how many workers were affected “because the immediate thing we are going to do based on that information is to stop their salary”.
The HoSF said 1,618 civil servants with ‘fake/illegal’ employment letters were exposed during verification exercises on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IP-
PIS) while the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) was probing 3,600 public servants for corruption.
She added that following verification the number of workers on the payroll had been reduced to over 69,308 from over 100,000 that were on the payroll in her first month as head of service.
She said as a result of the exercise, many people who were not supposed to be on the payroll, including retirees, had been cleaned up.
The HoSF will also retire from her position on August 14 after serving in the that position for five years, THISDAY gathered.
The Director, Communications Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mohammed Ahmed disclosed this yesterday, saying the parley would be her last scheduled briefing with the media.
Yemi-Esan, a medical doctor, would be 60 years on August 14 this year having been born on August 13, 1964.
She was appointed when serving as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 18, 2019 as the Acting HoSF, following the removal of the former HoSF, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its partner, TotalEnergies, have agreed to invest $550 million for the development of a gas processing facility in southern Rivers State to boost exports and domestic supplies of gas.
An official at NNPC who is
privy to the agreement disclosed this to Reuters yesterday, saying the investment would include a gas processing plant and a pipeline.
TotalEnergies declined to comment while the NNPC source said an announcement would be made this week, according to the international news agency.
The NLNG is a consortium between NNPC, Shell, TotalEnergies and Italy's Eni (ENI).
When completed, the plant would generate 350 million standard cubic feet per day of gas (mmscf/d) and 10,000 barrels per day of associated
The gas processing facility would be built on the Ubeta onshore gas field, jointly owned by TotalEnergies and NNPC and would supply gas to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant, the report stated.
liquids, the source stated.
Nigeria, which holds Africa's largest natural gas reserves of over 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf) flares - or burns off gas from its oil fields because it lacks processing infrastructure and faces capital constraints.
The latest investment could mean President Bola Tinubu's bid to attract investment into Nigeria's energy sector is beginning to succeed,
Aradel Holdings Plc has announced a significant milestone in the history of the company’s operations, with the successful re-entry of Well 2ST in the Omerelu Field, which resulted in the attainment of First Oil on Friday 31st May 2024.
In a statement issued yesterday, the indigenous oil producer said attaining First Oil from Omerelu would
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed that his government in the last seven and a half years paid critical attention to infrastructure development as well as human capacity development.
In addition, he said his administration ensured the grooming and empowering of a new generation of Edo people to drive the State’s development.
Obaseki, was quoted in a statement yesterday, to have further said his government has so far trained over 200,000 young men and women on different skills and, supporting them to leverage their energy and potential to proffer innovative solutions to societal problems.
According to him, “In Edo State, we’re doing a lot to improve the lives of our people and place our State on the path of accelerated growth and prosperity. “We're investing in our own internal infrastructure. What are the areas of focus? We're focused on skills development.
“In the last six years, we’ve
enhance the company’s production capabilities and would contribute to its growth and sustainability goals through its fully owned subsidiary, Aradel Energy Ltd.
The company has received approval for well testing which would culminate into conversion of the field’s Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) into a Petroleum Mining Lease (PML), following necessary regulatory procedures.
The well re-entry was part of Aradel’s Exploration and Appraisal Drilling Campaign for 2024, to develop and optimise existing assets.
Throughout the process, the company adopted the highest safety standards and levels of environmental stewardship, according to the statement.
Additionally, the company said cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies were used, which were central to the successful re-entry and completion of the well operations.
Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of Aradel Holdings Plc, Adegbite Falade, stated, ‘‘This milestone marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to resource development and unleashing growth.
trained over 200,000 young men and women. I’ve invested in broadband infrastructure across my State; it’s not cheap. We are building our own internal roads networks and investing in rainstorm infrastructure to de-flood my State. “I’m investing in supportive infrastructure to support agriculture and investing in my public service as well as governance architecture. You could just drive around my city and compare if you were here six years ago, whether it's the same city.”
The statement added: “So, we're investing and we're seeing returns. We are seeing response; we’re seeing people come in. We are also putting money into building a Four-Star Hotel, Radisson. “The city just can’t accommodate the people that come in anymore. So, we're seeing growth and are responding to that growth. We’re able to pay N70,000 as minimum wage. We are and have been doing so much and will sustain these efforts to assure a better and more prosperous State for our people.”
"The development of Omerelu Field will further extend our reserves profile, and overall production levels.
Attaining First Oil from the Omerelu Field reinforces our strategic vision of delivering sustainable energy solutions that support economic growth.
"The achievement of First Oil would not have been possible without the unwavering support and collaboration of all our stakeholders, including vendors, local communities, regulatory agencies, and our dedicated employees."
He added that "Their collective efforts have been instrumental in overcoming the challenges and complexities associated with the re-entry and well-completion processes.’’
The Omerelu Field is now in PPL 247 and is about 42km North-West of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. Aradel Energy Ltd acquired a 100 per cent stake and operatorship of the Omerelu Field in 2014 from the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture.
analysts said.
"The government will hope this offers confidence not only in the quality of the Nigerian resource base, but also in the government's pledge to improve ease of doing business," Reuters quoted the Director, sub-Saharan Africa at Political Risk Consultancy Horizon Engage, Clementine Wallop, to have said.
Energy analysts hold the view that Nigeria has failed to increase its exports to the European Union after the bloc sought alternative supplies to make up for lost Russian imports because of the Ukraine War. Locally, Nigeria is struggling to feed its gas power plants that generate most of its grid electricity, the report added.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and its partners have disclosed that seven million girls in Nigeria have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in two weeks.
The vaccination is a critical step in protecting the girls from cervical cancer later in life.
Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, Dr. Sani Nishtar said the achievement was a testament to the collaboration between Gavi, the Nigerian government, and its partners.
"By prioritising girls' health, we are empowering a generation and helping to save countless lives." he said.
In a statement signed by GAVI Media Aide in Nigeria, Benjamin Eremen, the organisation described the achievement as a significant milestone in Nigeria's fight against
cervical cancer.
In October 2023, Gavi partnered with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, and UNICEF to introduce the
The statement noted that Gavi further expanded its collaboration with Girl Effect in May 2024 to focus on reaching girls with critical information and ensuring vaccine access. Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Nigeria, claiming countless lives each year.
The HPV vaccine offers a highly effective tool for prevention, with an average success rate of 92 per cent. By vaccinating seven million girls in just two weeks, Nigeria has made significant progress towards its goal of reaching 16 million girls by 2025.
Udeme Utip in Uyo
The Head of Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State (HOC), Effiong Essien, has said the State government would not hesitate to comply with payment of the new minimum wage as soon as it is approved by the federal government.
Essien, said this yesterday, during a media briefing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of the 2024 Public Service Week.
He urged all public servants in the State to ensure commitment and productivity in service delivery to enhance the public sector.
According to him, public service is the engine room of government in formulating and implementing policies and programmes to the benefits of the people.
He pointed out that June 23 every year is observed as the United Nation Public Service Day to celebrate people working in the public service for their contributions to the development of the society. He said that this year's celebration with the theme: "Stay Forward Looking Make a Difference," marks 10 years after it was observed in the state by the state civil servants. "Public Service encompasses all
Government's Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Parastatals and Government Owned Companies. "Workers in these MDAs and others formulate and ensure the implementation of government's policies for growth of nations and betterment of mankind.”
The Head of Civil Service recalled that Governor Umo Eno had released over N18 billion for settlement of outstanding pensions, gratuities and leave grants in the last one year.
He added that government had procured 150 housing units to be distributed free to workers from
grade level 01 to 08 to enhnace their welfare.
"The Akwa Ibom State public servants have reasons to thank God, as the governor has prioritise welfare of workers, serving and retired with very pragmatic approaches.
"There is increment in pension to cushion the effect of harsh economic situation on pensioners in the state," he added.
Essien, enumerated activities lined up for the 2024 public service week to include a novelty football match, public lecture, road walk to keep civil servants fit and thanksgiving service.
L-R: National President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, His Eminence, Rev. (Dr) Israel Akanji receiving a plaque from
of
Mr.
during a courtesy call to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, ... yesterday
Ikechukwu Aleke
The Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for allegedly peddling falsehood and misinformation over the ongoing 2022/23 Police Constable Recruitment Exercise by the commission.
Egbetokun had alleged irregularities and corruption on the recently released names of successful candidates in the ongoing 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise.
He further alleged that several names on the list of successful candidates were persons who never even applied and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise.
But addressing a press conference at the commission's headquarters in Abuja, the Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission (PSC), accused Egbetokun of misleading the president with misinformation.
Speaking on behalf of the joint union, Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Adoyi Augustine Adoyi, said the allegations of fraud and several other unwholesome acts levelled against the commission and its staff were unfounded.
Adoyi said the claims were spurious, speculative and most irresponsible, especially by the way the allegations were thrown into the public space, even before the official channel of communication for dealing with such matters was explored.
He stated, "We begin this press conference with a clarion call on the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, to immediately relieve the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, of his appointment as IGP.
“Our concern comes from the fact that a public officer, who misleads the president is causing confusion in the country and may lead to chaos,
Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland. The governor gave the approval in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola, the approval was a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones. The statement added that the governor congratulated the new Olubadan, praying that his tenure would birth greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.
Laleye Dipo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, paid sallah homage to two former leaders, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Atiku was accompanied on the visit by former Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Jibrila Bindo, and Senator Ben Obi, along with other aides.
The former vice president first visited Babangida at his residence. The discussion between the duo was behind closed doors but a source said
Atiku prayed for the good health of the former military president. He was also at the uphill residence of Abubakar, where he held a closed-door meeting with the former Nigerian leader.
Atiku’s spokesman, Mr. Paul Ibe, said his principal would have been in Minna on Sallah day but for his engagements in Yola, where he held forth for the Lamido of Adamawa and also partook in the installation ceremony of seven traditional rulers in the state.
“It was a purely Sallah visit," Ibe said.
which is antithetical to his duty as a police officer.
“His attitude has become only a replica of the biblical Haman, who, in deceiving his principal, wanted to wipe out an entire nation, but for the tiny intervention of God. So we call on the president to responsibly relieve him of his duties for the following reasons."
Adoyi alleged that some elements within the police attempted
to smuggle over 1,000 names into the recruitment list, hence, the smear campaign against the commission.
He said, “We have been furnished with reliable information indicating that elements within the police force attempted to smuggle over 1,000 names into the recruitment list.
“This manipulation was a grave breach of the recruitment process and a calculated attempt to undermine the credibility of the entire exercise.
“The commission further reiterated its call for a forensic review of both the commission's list and the list the police force sought to foist on the recruitment board.
"This will help to ascertain the veracity of the allegation and determine where the truth lies.”
Adoyi explained, “It is important to note, however, that the Police Service Commission does not answer queries from the Nigeria Police Force.
“On the contrary and based on its constitutional and statutory mandate, it is the commission that should be issuing query to the Nigeria Police Force for infractions related to those mandates.
“Having made this clear, we insist that the proposed forensic review must be carried out by an appropriate and independent authority, with proven expertise in forensic investigation and data analysis."
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo
The Abia State Government and the European Union (EU) have identified three key areas of partnership for the intervention programmes of the development partner in the state.
The areas of interest considered as priority by Governor Alex Otti going by the policy direction of his administration are hydro power, circular economy and human development.
He assured the EU of his government's commitment to the partnership when he received the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS,
led by the Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy, Mrs. Inga Stefanowicz.
"Some of the priority projects, are also of importance to me. We had earlier on assumption of office declared a state of emergency on them," he said.
Otti told the EU delegation that on assumption of office "we found that there was a lot of areas requiring attention" but decided to prioritise the "areas of high impact including environmental sanitation, security, healthcare and education".
He stated that the three areas of intervention listed by the EU "are
like music to my ears because they are projects that we have started even before this visit and all we want you to do is just to plug in".
The Abia governor said the 30 percent counterpart funding demanded by the EU would not be a problem even though "we already have done more than that (and) even if it doesn't count, we can also put the money down".
He, therefore, assured the EU delegation that Abia State Government would live up to its responsibility of providing the required 30 percent funding for the commencement of the intervention projects.
Otti expressed optimism that the partnership between Abia and the EU would bear the desired fruits for the benefit of the people of the state.
The leader of the delegation, Mrs. Inga Stefanowicz, had earlier explained that they were in Abia to seek partnership with the state government in some key priority areas for intervention.
She said that Abia State was selected as one of the beneficiary states for partnership with the EU, adding that the state government was expected to commit counterpart fund of 30 percent to seal the deal.
John Shiklam in Kaduna
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has unveiled New Schemes of Service for all Nigerian Polytechnics, operational from June 7, 2024.
Speaking at the presentation of the document on Wednesday at the NBTE headquarters in Kaduna, Idris Bugaje, its Executive Secretary, said the new schemes of service is a unified approach to the recruitment and promotion of staff across federal, state and private polytechnics in Nigeria.
He said the scheme will be used as an instrument of accreditation in old and new institutions in terms of compliance.
The NBTE executive secretary said the system will check the inflow of academic staff from universities into the polytechnics, especially those who may not have skills qualification. Bugaje said under the new service scheme, "HND holders with good grades are now to be appointed as
Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants), like their degree counterparts, in a system that is theirs.
"The instructor cadre which represents segregation against HND holders in the past has been abolished.
"The technician cadre has been subsumed by the technologist cadre, allowing ND holders to be appointed as Assistant Technologists.
"The pharmacy technology cadre has been maintained. For those with a HND in Pharmacy.
"Technology, but who may not be allowed to work in hospitals by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, their space in the public service has been retained".
The NBTE boss said stakeholders
in the polytechnics are all united from now onwards to operate the new schemes of service in the Nigerian polytechnic system (NPS).
"This milestone has taken over a decade of struggle and efforts by our Staff Unions, Rectors of Polytechnics through their COHEADS/COFER bodies, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the NBTE.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the payment of eight months salary arrears valued at over N467 million, which were owed the academic, non-academic, and casual staff of the Enugu State College of Education, Technical, (ESCET), before his administration.
A breakdown of the approval include the salary arrears of 299 academic staff and non-academic
staff of ESCET valued at N384 million, salary arrears of part-time lecturers valued at N69.2 million , and salary arrears of casual staff valued at N13.8 million. The total came to N467,061,600.
This, according to government, is in line with Mbah’s promise to turn the state’s education sector around.
The Mbah administration had earmarked N158.78 billion, represent-
ing 33 per cent of the state’s 2024 budget for the education sector, a statement from the government recalled.
This is the highest both in terms of per capita and percentage of total budget sum in the country as well as higher than UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15 per cent – 20 per cent of total annual budget, it said.
James Emejo in Abuja Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, yesterday revealed that talks were underway with development banks and other international partners for funding interventions for the country’s auto industry.
In an interaction with journalists in Abuja, Osanipin estimated the current financing gap of the industry at about $1 trillion.
He said the dearth of funding had slowed the pace of growth in the auto industry, noting that the
council was in high-level discussion with the banks.
He said, "We are working on that (funding), not only with the development banks; we are working on other ways that we can get funding, not even within Nigeria. There are some people we are discussing with on any other ways we can assess funds dedicated to the auto industry."
He said the industry required between $1 trillion and $5 trillion to achieve its desired growth, noting that banks and partners are already buying into the funding proposals.
The NADDC said, "For us, we
are not investors; we are only trying to initiate the process. For this sector to achieve desired growth, it will require close to $1 trillion in funding, but it doesn't have to be just once".
"As a starting point, we can allocate approximately $1 billion. These are the kinds of things we are already discussing with our funding partners. It's not for the council. It's for the players - Innoson, PAN in Kaduna, and JAC. For example, for Innoson to move to the next level, it may need some funding in millions of dollars. All these auto firms need this funding, and then
a lot of funding is still going to come to them."
Speaking on the Council's plans for the accreditation and certification of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicle conversion workshops in Nigeria, Osanipin said the council would use the National Occupational Standard (NOS) to train Nigerans.
According to him, "The first thing we did was, for you to promote CNG, you must first think of the availability of CNG vehicles. That's why we came up with NOS and NABTEB as certification approvals. We are going to use the curriculum
to train Nigerian engineers on that.
"Number two is the accreditation of workshops. You can go to our website and apply, and in applying, you have to tell us about the facility and the personnel. The facility is not going to be fixed for conversion.
"For us to certify the personnel, you have to show us that they are capable and that they have done this training using the curriculum. You have done the training, you have the certification, and after that, we can accredit the workshop. With the workshop accredited, we move on to the next one, which is conversion and maintenance.”
of caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas in the state.
He said the state, under his watch, will not set the bad example of elongating the tenure of local government chairmen.
The governor told the 23 caretaker chairmen, who took their oath of office amid escalating tension over the tenure of the former chairpersons, that they could function from anywhere, if necessary, to avoid violent confrontation.
Fubara ordered an audit of the accounts of all the local governments in the state. He said Tuesday’s ousting of the former chairmen, who had refused to leave after their statutory term, was a statement against sit-tight mentality, in defence of democracy.
However, some concerned citizens of the state warned against actions that could stoke further chaos as the situation deteriorated.
The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State called on the presidency to declare a state of emergency in the state to stem a decent into anarchy.
But Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governing party in the state, told APC to bury the thoughts of a state of emergency in Rivers State, as it was delusional. PDP cautioned the outgone council chairmen against conducts capable of disrupting the peace.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, in a swift reaction, said the APC leadership had no basis for calling for emergency declaration.
The former council chairmen are loyalists of Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, whose recently strained relations with
erstwhile political godson, Fubara, is at the centre of the crisis rocking the state.
Fubara swore in the caretaker chairmen at Government House, Port Harcourt, after they were screened and confirmed by the House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The governor charged the new council heads to eschew violence.
The list of seven-member nominees per local government council had earlier been forwarded to the Assembly pursuant to Section 9 (5) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, for screening and confirmation.
The governor advised the caretakers to maintain peace, and be guided by the Nigerian constitution, to promote unity, inclusive administration, and achieve progress at the grassroots.
He directed the Auditor-General of the local governments to commence immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 council areas.
He said the swearing-in of the chairmen would ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors in the state.
Fubara said the exercise demonstrated his administration's commitment to upholding the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that did not provide for tenure elongation.
He stated, "What is happening here now is a defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country. It is not about Rivers State. It is not about Fubara.
“But if in any way this attempt of
tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria.
“So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our own watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
He wondered why the tenures of elected officers would expire and they would want to perpetuate themselves in office against their oath of office and the provisions of Constitution of Nigeria.
He said such insistence to elongate tenure of council chairmen would not happen in Rivers State while he was governor, and advised the former chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return home.
Fubara added, "So, for those people who are saying, the only reason why we (they) want to continue in office is because election has not been conducted, we have more than 85 per cent of the states in Nigeria that are being run by caretaker committees.
"Ours is different. You had your tenure, you have completed your tenure, it is proper you let go. Life doesn't create a vacuum.
“If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, doesn't mean I should, because I want to please you, allow you to stay longer.
“No. It doesn't happen like that. People must take over, manage the affairs and elections will be conducted."
Fubara also told the caretakers that their tenure would not be too long because the process for fresh elections into the local governments would start soon. He advised them to resume at their respective councils with utmost sense of duty and commitment to serve the people and
He said NCS recorded an average monthly revenue of N343 billion, compared to N202 billion, and added that there was a substantial 122.35 per cent rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Adeniyi attributed the gains recorded to various strategic initiatives, including N15 billion recovery by the Revenue Review Performance Recovery exercise; N2.79 billion recovered from the 90-day window for the regularisation of the documents of uncustomed vehicles; and N1.5 billion recovered from the decongestion of 1,705 overtime containers and 981 vehicles from the ports.
The CGC stated that NCS recorded a daily all-time-high collection of N58.5 billion on June 13, 2024. He said the deployment of officers to sensitive posts on the basis of merit and capacity also contributed to the positive revenue performance under the review period.
NCS's anti-smuggling efforts intensified within the review period, resulting in significant interceptions, high-value seizures, and numerous arrests.
According to him, the service recorded 63 seizures related to animal and wildlife products valued at N566 million, including seven seizures of arms and ammunition made through the country's ports and borders.
He said in terms of illicit drugs, a combined total of 127 cases involving narcotics and pharmaceutical products valued at over N6 billion were confiscated.
Adeniyi said the service recorded 724 seizures, involving 2.93 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, that were about to be smuggled out of the country.
He said the illegal dealings in petroleum evacuation had attracted the interest of relevant stakeholders, stressing that ongoing Operation Whirlwind will continue to intercept and disrupt the activities of smugglers in this regard.
Adeniyi also said in a bid to guarantee food security and suppress the smuggling of food in and out of the country, NCS recorded 1,744 cases of rice and grain seizures valued at N4.4 billion. He pointed out that the concerted efforts underscored the service’s commitment to protecting society and ensuring national security.
On trade facilitation, Adeniyi said significant achievements had been made in the decongestion of ports and reopening of previously inaccessible access roads.
Among other things, the customs boss revealed that stakeholders had reached an agreement to set up a technical working group supported by the Ministry of Finance, comprising all relevant agencies involved in the processing of medicaments.
He said the move aimed at developing specific clearance procedures for medicaments and to institutionalise a platform with customs for setting up a special corridor dedicated to the clearance of healthcare products. That followed the service’s most
recent engagement with the Health Federation of Nigeria (HFN), whereby greater cooperation and collaboration were emphasised, particularly, to reduce the cost and time for medicament clearance, Adeniyi stated.
Providing further account of the NCS performance over the past year under his stewardship, Adeniyi said the customs would continue to work with relevant national and international agencies to share intelligence and develop structured frameworks to ensure that those seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of the country did not go unpunished.
On food inflation currently ravaging the country, Adeniyi said the service will continue to work to ensure that the business of food hoarders remained unprofitable.
He said the NCS was committed to ensuring transparency in its operations and sharing relevant and credible information with members of the public.
The customs head said NSC also remained open to fact-based constructive criticisms, and promised to be open to address such issues.
Adeniyi stated that one of the leading policy measures implemented under the guidance of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy was the transition from the repealed Customs and Excise Act of 2004 to the newly signed Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023.
He said the new Act strengthened the modernisation of NCS operations, compliance, and enforcement, with features that promoted innovation
protect the interest of Rivers State.
The governor equally warned them against any form of confrontation, and insisted that such was not in his nature and style. Rather, he said they should be law-abiding as they took full control of the local government councils.
According to Fubara, "Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some persons caused it. So, let us not give them the opportunity to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states.
"So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law-abiding. I don't want any confrontation.
“You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the local lovernment today."
Fubara, who expressed worry about the negative media portrayal of the state as a place ridden with crisis. He urged the caretakers to work to change such negative narrative.
He further urged them to compute and pay the outstanding financial benefits and entitlements, including salaries of the outgone chairmen, vicechairmen and councillors, stressing that there must be no breakdown of law and order in their various council areas.
The chairman of the caretaker committee of APC in the state, Tony Okocha, while briefing journalists on the situation of Rivers State, yesterday, said the call for state of emergency became necessary to stop the crisis
within the service.
He said, “This included extensive sensitisation efforts for all stakeholders involved in the customs process, ensuring they were informed about the new laws and had a clear understanding of the implications of the features introduced in the NCS Act of 2023.
“The new act also forms the basis for several trade facilitation measures currently being pursued by NCS.”
Adeniyi added, “It has been one year since my appointment as Comptroller-General, and we continue to recall the euphoria and enthusiasm that greeted the announcement, considering that after eight years, a serving career customs officer had been appointed to this esteemed position.
“It has been a year of continuous work and dedicated efforts to ensure that we deliver on the mandate and trust that has been reposed in customs.
“I must emphasise that all the measures and recorded successes would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our officers and men.”
The CGC used the occasion to remember customs officers who paid the ultimate price in the service of their fatherland, and requested that a minute of silence be observed in their honour.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his support and confidence reposed in him and the service.
Adeniyi also expressed gratitude to the finance minister and Chairman of the NCS board for their support.
from further escalation.
Okocha accused Fubara of being responsible for the crisis.
He stated, “Rivers State is at war as at today and who are the dramatis personae? They are Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
"Because we are in a state of war, because the governor does not listen to counsel, even the counsel of Mr. President, APC Rivers State is demanding for state of emergency. It is the way out so that we can live in peace, because it would be too late to cry when the head is cut off.
"Let the army be deployed to takeover strategic places, let this moribund government be sent to the abyss and let Rivers State heave a sigh of relief, otherwise, we'll be crying when the head is off."
Okocha said the federal government should act fast, stating that considering the strategic role of Rivers State in the country's economy, if the state goes aflame, Nigeria's economy will suffer.
On the swearing in of council caretakers, Okocha alleged that Fubara was undercutting the judiciary by "rushing to institute caretaker committees when a matter concerning local government autonomy is pending before the Supreme Court and another judgement expected by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Thursday".
But the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, said Okocha had no basis to call for emergency rule.
Johnson said, "I think the time has come for us to ignore calls from Tony Okocha, because his calls are usually baseless without foundation.
"The same Tony Okocha who said he was going to tell his Assembly members to commence the impeachment of the governor, today where is that call?
“He is one man who came and said there was cholera outbreak in one of the Kalabari communities. Health people ran there and discovered that it was not true.
"So, Tony Okocha is entertaining himself if you ask me, because what should be his primary assignment
Chief Florence Saraki, a strong pillar of the Saraki dynasty and a mother firmly committed to family values and the welfare of the less privileged.
“The commitment and resilience she had shown as she supported the family following the death of the patriarch, Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki, and Waziri of Ilorin is praiseworthy.
“She was a hardworking and people-friendly community leader, whose kindness and thoughtfulness towards others is an inspiration. She will sorely be missed by many in Kwara State and at the centre.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the former senate president and my noteworthy minister, for whom their mother meant so much. May her soul rest in peace.”
The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also condoled with the Saraki family.
Mohammed, in a condolence
is what to bring to the table to the Rivers people as representative of the state in the board of NDDC."
PDP Sues for Calm, Cautions Ex-LG Chairs
PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the three years tenure of the former council chairmen expired by the effluxion of time under the relevant state law establishing the Rivers State local government council administration.
PDP counselled the former chairmen to desist from any action that might disrupt local government administration in the state.
The party called on the people of Rivers State to remain calm and law-abiding, and continue to work together for the continued stability, peace and delivery of democracy dividends in Rivers State.
As the Court of Appeal in sitting in Port Harcourt decides the fate of the 27 lawmakers that defected to APC, PDP declared that nothing would make it change its position on the vacation of seats by the state lawmakers.
Ologunagba, in an interview with THISDAY, said, "The party also clarifies that it is not under pressure from any quarter to compromise its position in court wherein it had already clearly stated that the former Rivers State lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from December 11, 2023, when they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.
"This clarification is a refutal to a mischievous report in a section of the social media falsely claiming that there are plots to compromise the party’s position and provide an unattainable lifeline to the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to return to their seats, which they have constitutionally vacated.
"Our party, therefore, stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly,
Continued on page 30
statement he personally signed, stated, "It is with deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, on the passing of their beloved mother, Chief (Mrs) Florence Morenike Saraki.
"Chief Florence Morenike Saraki was a remarkable matriarch whose life was characterised by selfless service and support for philanthropic initiatives.
"In this time of mourning, I extend my deepest sympathies to Dr. Bukola Saraki and Senator Gbemisola Saraki, their family and all those who were touched by Chief Florence Morenike Saraki's kindness and generosity.
"May they find solace in the cherished memories of her remarkable life and take comfort in the knowledge that her spirit will continue to guide and inspire them."
ARJUN JAIN argues for an environment where the displaced are actively involved in building a stronger community and a better future
Today, 20 June, is World Refugee Day—a day of demonstrating solidarity with the 120 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Currently, one in every 69 people has been living in exile for an average of 12 years, often in neighbouring low- and middle-income countries. 47 percent are children, many of whom were born in exile.
These staggering statistics are a symptom of a global crisis, where persecution and conflict are allowed to flourish unabated. It is also a cry for help for leadership -- not just from our elected leaders, but from every one of us.
Behind each number is a person just like any of us – a family who wants to live without fear, a child who wants to play with her friends, a mother who is worried her children are not eating well, a father who is looking for a job and to live in dignity. And they all share a common dream – that one day they will be able to return home safely.
To its credit, Nigeria remains a country that welcomes refugees and others who are forced to flee armed conflict, persecution and human rights abuses. Almost 90,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from 40 countries have sought safety in the country today. Most are from the Lake Chad Basin countries.
The generosity and kindness of Nigeria and its people towards refugees are on display every day -- refugee children go to school, their parents find work, they can seek medical care when they are unwell. And most importantly, they feel safe here. Nigerians across the nation, in every state, in every town and every village -- regardless of their socio-economic status –are welcoming people who have fled violence and conflict and need a safe place to live. In a world that is more polarized than ever before, this solidarity is quite remarkable.
However, Nigeria is also a country of origin — statistics indicate that over 400,000 Nigerian refugees and asylum seekers live in exile, many in neighbouring countries. Moreover, an estimated 3.3 million Nigerians are forcibly displaced within Nigeria itself.
In other words, around 3 percent of the world’s displaced population are Nigerians.
Thankfully, the government and the UN are working together to find solutions for those who are forcibly displaced.
Efforts are being made by the government and UNHCR to support Nigerian asylumseekers and refugees living outside the country
to return home voluntarily, in safety, and in dignity. Additionally, in May 2024, Nigeria was the first country to launch homegrown action plans to find solutions for millions of internally displaced Nigerians. This initiative, launched by the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, and U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Robert Piper, is a blueprint for other countries facing similar challenges to consider.
That said, the magnitude of the crisis is immense. With over three million displaced, finding sustainable solutions requires a wholeof-society approach in Nigeria.
Local communities are already helping just by being welcoming to displaced families.
Yet, these displaced communities do not want to be a burden on their hosts. During my visit to the Muna El-Badawee IDP camp in Maiduguri, the men and women who I spoke with did not want handouts from the UN and NGOs. Rather, they wanted jobs that would allow them to become self-reliant and take care of themselves and their families.
This is where the Nigerian private sector can do more. From large conglomerates to small businesses, companies can make a conscious effort to hire refugees, returnees or the internally displaced -- not out of a sense of charity, but to help build a stronger community and economy. Excluding them would only exacerbate the problem.
Inviting a single refugee mother to join a farming co-operative can make the difference of whether her children will drop out of school or attend university. And she would likely make a great farmer.
Hiring a Nigerian who has been a refugee for a decade and who has just returned home, can help him reconnect with his country and help him contribute towards a better future for his community. And he would likely make a fantastic car mechanic, teacher or cook if he was given that opportunity.
Forcibly displaced persons are agents of change. While conflicts rage across the world, we can create a different, positive narrative in Nigeria – one where the displaced actively contribute to building a stronger community, a healthier economy and a better future. All they need is a chance where they are not forgotten or excluded, so that they can renew hope.
Jain is the UNHCR Country Representative in Nigeria.
UCHENNA KALU pays tribute to Bala Bello, a banker who promotes the welfare of others
Philanthropy is an integral part of humanity. Philanthropists are those who open their hands for others. Some philanthropists are garrulous with their deeds, others play their cards silently. Dr. Bala Bello, the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is in this class. Bello is a man of good deeds. Not many Nigerians know this about him. Over the years, he has managed to keep his charitable works away from public space, especially the media. It’s the stuff of genuine philanthropists; those who give as a matter of empathy, and not on the basis of public acclamation or to be celebrated of men usually with vainglorious titles and societal epaulets as reward.
Bello’s charity works are divinely propelled and driven by his belief that it is in giving that we receive. His zero celebration of his philanthropy is premised on his immovable faith that only God can truly reward those who give bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty. Though a proud son of Taraba State, his charity works extend beyond the primordial boundaries of religion and ethnicity. To him, humanity is one. And the inside of a hungry child is the same, irrespective
of race, religion or ethnic nationality. When want and destitution strip a people to their bones, they are the same colour in the dark; they bear the same pain in their bodies and equal measure of emotional torture.
Bello understands this and he has taken to the noble path of philanthropy just to add a veneer of smile to the faces of the abandoned and broken children. And he does this without recourse to ethnic configuration of the beneficiaries of his gesture or their religion. In a country where some persons, especially public officers and those seeking public positions, give for what they can get, Bello gives without expecting.
For many years, he has been a pillar of The Wanted Children Foundation (TWCF), a charity organisation spearheading the transformation of the lives of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Nigeria. TWCF was founded in 2005 and registered as a Canadian charity in 2006 through a publicspirited woman, Courtney Anderson. Ever since, the organisation has weathered several storms to become the hope of the orphaned and the forsaken. Bello has silently been supporting TWCF and has played major rule in its sound footing in the country today.
Starting out from its initial Children’s Home in Amaba community in Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State, TWCF has moulded its old weak skin and has transformed to a reliable refuge for OVC where the children are cared for, loved and walked through healing processes for those traumatised by their state of abandonment. Some acquire skills while others are given the opportunity to go through the basics of cognitive learning.
Today, through the support of pillars like Bello, TWCF has moved to its permanent site at Eluama, another community in the same Isuikwuato, a place they now call “home”. Let’s make it clear. TWCF is located in Abia State. Bello is from Taraba State. It did not matter to him that a majority of the beneficiaries of the benevolence of the charity organisation would
be persons from Abia and the south east. It did not matter to him that his home state, Taraba, being part of a country with broken homes, broken children and millions of out-of-school kids also has need of such home. Bello did not influence the relocation of such home to Taraba, to his community. Never did. Instead, he continued to support the noble cause of a humanitarian organisation whose mission is to assuage the pains of children.
As a full-blooded Igbo man and someone who has lived in the north for many years, I sincerely salute the nationalistic spirit of Bello. Nigeria needs men like Bello; men who are detribalised; men who are not swayed by ethno-religious considerations but who believe in the oneness of the country. A man from the north who could wholeheartedly support a humanitarian organisation in the south east in the manner Bello is doing deserves a national medal. It is for such persons that the lyrics of the National Anthem, ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ, In brotherhood we stand,’ assume its full essence. Bello is not a slave to tribes and tongues. He is bound by the spirit of brotherhood, the spirit of one indivisible Nigeria.
Those close to him say this is the same nationalistic fervor that underpin his actions where ever he goes. And he has been to many places, functioned at several stations in highranking capacities. In all of these stations, he acquitted himself as a nationalist, not one sucked into the cesspit of nepotism. This defeats the trending thesis on social media that he was engaging in ethnic cleansing in his new station as Deputy Governor of CBN. Far from it.
Bello is not a bitter man. He acknowledges the benevolence of Providence in his life. Nigeria, his fatherland, has done him good. And he loves his country, he loves Nigerians of all tongues. He has no reason to engage in any form of ethnic victimisation or to undermine any authority. His pedigree bears him out.
Former Executive Director (Corporate Services) of Nigerian Export - Import Bank; the first indigenous Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of Sigma Pensions; co-founder of Marine Capital Limited, a private sectordriven project finance, real estate development and strategic business advisory firm; pioneer CEO of Marine Capital Limited and later Apricot Investments Limited as the pioneer Managing Director. His pathway of academic distinction, corporate service excellence hallmarked by awards and industry recognition, including winning the Okonjo-Iweala Award as the Best Treasurer in FHDL Bond Simulation and Fixed Income Training, in 2006, lends him to the job.
This article is not about his storied corporate career, it’s about his devotion to charity, his humanity and his blazing spirit of nationalism. And if you think Bello has abandoned his people back home in Taraba, perish the thought. His We
The People grassroots movement has become the rallying hub of development, empowerment and a meeting point between the poor and the rich. Through the movement, the virtues of unity, understanding and tolerance have been fostered among people of all ethnic nationalities and many have been lifted out of poverty.
Truth be told, Bello does not deserve any tongue-lashing, he deserves lotus for his nationalism, patriotism and humanitarian service. Kalu, businessman/public policy pundit, writes from Umuahia
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
Everything should be done to contain the flood
TThe country is already ranked as very susceptible to the impact of climate change by several vulnerability indexes produced by global research organisations. Major highways in the country are now heavily compromised by flood
T H I S D AY
EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU
DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE
MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI
SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI
CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO
TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
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Scores of teenage girls from secondary schools in Ibafo in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State, yesterday, trooped to streets in the populous town, to protest the spate of sexual harassment of girls, which had turned many of them to teenage mothers with attendant consequences.
The girls, who put on white sport vests and were mobilised by
a non- governmental organisation (NGO) Partnership for Amplifying Voice and Empowerment of Girls (PAVE), with supports from two other organisations, HACEY and Empower, moved round some streets in Magada area of Ibafo to protest the menace of sexual harassment.
Armed with placards and banners of various inscriptions condemning undue exploitation of teenage girls by both adults and street boys, the protesters
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Petroleum Industry Act (2021) has been observed as inadequate in providing solutions to the ecological and environmental challenges of the Niger Delta region.
This was observed by stakeholders at the third Niger Delta SocioEcological Alternatives Convergence (NDAC), organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja yesterday.
Highlighting the recent approved Niger Delta alternative manifesto for socio ecological justice, Mr. Ken Henshaw, noted that while oil has been extracted from the region for over 64 years, the people in the area have been subjected to poverty, less developed and remained more unsecured. He said the communities in the area that have borne the brunt of oil extraction and Nigeria’s oil economy for over six decades deserve urgent and immediate attention. He, however, regretted that they are made to pay for offences not committed just to deny them the right of benefit from the three per cent as provided by PIA.
Henshaw, the Executive Director of ‘We The People’, expressed that the PIA is inadequate in addressing the challenges of the region, explaining that the “provisions on community responsibility, protection of oil infrastructures effectively criminalises our people,” while provisions on establishing the host communities funds gives primacy to oil companies and fails to capture the interest and concerns of our communities.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, noted that the Niger Delta is an undeniable sacrificial zone whose degraded situation must be realigned for the wellbeing of the people and the environment. He decried that the region has been placed on a bloody slab and visited with unrelenting abuse by the forces of extractivism, internal colonialism and dispossession, stressing that “It has been recklessly exploited right from the time of slavery to the time of colonial monopolies and current realities where it is raped for the sake of keeping a waning petroleum civilisation on life support.”
while moving, chanted slogans to express their anger against the ugly act.
Some of the placards read: “Sexual Harassment Is Not Fun, It Is A Crime”; “Let The Girls Walk Free”; “Speak Out to
Condemn Sexual Harassment”; “Sexual Harassment Attracts Punishment”, among others.
While marching on the streets, the girls distributed hand bills and had stop-over at strategic junctions where they sensitised
people on the need for all stakeholders to speak out against the evil of criminal acts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Coordinator for Ogun State project of PAVE, Damilola Oyetunji, said the organisation,
was concerned about the menace of harassment of young girls in the area.
She said it was disturbing, that young girls cannot move freely in the community particularly from 6:00p.m.
Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state yesterday announced the expulsion of former deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, from the party.
Also expelled was the National
Vice Chairman (South-south) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.
According to the party, Shaibu and Orbih were expelled for antiparty activities.
The expulsion was contained in a statement issued in Benin City, capital of the state by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ogie Vasco which was made available to journalists.
Vasco said also expelled for the same reason was Omorgie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency.
He said the decision to expel the trio was taken yesterday at a meeting attended by nine members of the State Working Committee (SWC) at the party secretariat along Airport road, Benin.
“The SWC has extensively deliberated on the issue and resolved to expel, with immediate effect, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-south. “It also decided to expel Phillip Shaibu and upheld the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area”, Vasco declared.
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
As part of efforts to beef up the security architecture, the Kogi State House of Assembly has approved the recruitment of 1,050 hunters to strengthen the security of lives and property in the State .
The Assembly gave the
approval during the house plenary yesterday in Lokoja. This followed a letter forwarded to the State Assembly requesting for approval of the recruitment of 50 hunters each for the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
The letter was sent to the House by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy
Affairs, Salami Ozigi Deedat.
The Speaker of the House Aliyu Umar Yusuf noted that it was previously resolved by the lawmakers that given the security challenges in the State, and the shortage of manpower, there was need for the recruitment to take place.
The Lawmakers unanimously approved the recruitment of 1050 hunters, adding that, the payment of their salaries will be shouldered by the Caretaker Chairmen of the Local Government. Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has flagged off the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) loan disbursement under the ACReSAL project.
Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ebonyi State Council yesterday banned journalists from covering the activities of Ezza North Local Government Area following the attack on three journalists who went for their lawful duties by armed youths of Nkomoro community.
The three journalists are Inya Uchenna of Sun Newspapers, Dr. Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both of FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki.
The council noted that the ban will not be lifted until they compensate their colleagues for their losses during the attack and tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ as a body.
In a communique signed by Chairman of the council, Comrade Samson Nwafor, after an emergency congress, the union called on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.
The union alleged that one Oscar Nwafor led his gang to attack the journalists while covering a coronation ceremony of the newly elected traditional ruler of the community.
The Communique read: “The well-attended emergency Congress which was presided over by the Council Chairman, Comrade Nwafor Samson, after fruitful deliberations, resolved as follows:
Civil society activist, policy analyst and Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo in this interview with Onyebuchi Ezigbo says Nigeria currently lacks right calibre of people as leaders but lends his support for the clamour for adoption of unicameral legislature as the first step towards restructuring of nation’s political landscape
What is your assessment of 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria?
Ithink it is significant that the country has had 25 years of uninterrupted democracy without military intervention given that before 1999, we have never had a period where the civilians held sway for more than four or five years, I think five times the number of years is significant and should mean that in some sense we are beginning to stabilize to some extent on how this country should be run which is by democratic civilian route. Unfortunately, the process of voting, the process of the conduct of elections is still far behind and hopefully this is something we should see how we can fine-tune so we can achieve a particular direction.
In terms of development and delivering of democratic dividends, what impact has successive civilian administrations made on the lives of people?
I think in terms of expectations the question for a lot of Nigerians is have they received the dividend of democracy? For a lot of Nigerians the answer is a no. Has democracy fulfilled their expectations? For some the answer is a no, for some others not fully and for some it is still work in progress but I think that always the ability of citizens to be free which is what democracy creates is quite important and that is what we need to look at.
The human rights, the human freedom that comes with democracy have we achieved that to the ultimate side? I don’t think so, I think that we still have a long way to go but certainly we are still on that trajectory and I would like to say to a lot of Nigerians who are very disappointed with democracy, who are not satisfied with the quantum of dividends they have received under democracy that we sometimes have to match expectation with reality of where we are.
Is the government doing enough? I don’t think so. I don’t think that the Nigerian government fully understand how high expectations are. Do we have the right calibre of people in government trying to deliver on the dividends of democracy? I think not quite a lot in terms of the calibre of people who are in government. The selfishness in government is incredible, the corruption level is very high, the lack of accountability is very high and for a democracy I don’t think that the country is doing very well, applying the principles of democracy to development and for citizens who are disappointed.
It is important that they continue to express themselves, that government provides the atmosphere that democracy demands, that enables citizens to express themselves. The day citizens are unable to express themselves, that day our democracy collapses and I think that is important for the government to bear that in mind.
How would you rate the performance of the National Assembly especially in carrying out it’s checks and balances function?
The difference between democracy and dictatorship is the National Assembly - the Legislature. Laws should be made that have citizen’s input into it. Laws should be made that allow people to contribute to how they are made. I think that citizens also expect the National Assembly to carry out good supervision and oversight of the executive and I think for a lot of citizens, that responsibility of the legislature is poorly being implemented.
But certainly I think that if we look at some of the laws that have come out in this civilian administration, we have seen very important laws that the legislature has made. For instance, the Physical Responsibility Act, the Procurement Act, the Extractive Industry and Transparency Act, and the Freedom of Information Act, the amendment to the Police Act. Several reforms to the constitution has all been very positive developments from the legislature.
But expectations are very high and I think that for quite a lot of Nigerians, the legislature has a lot more to do to convince citizens that it is living up to expectation.
Some Nigerians have held the view that one arm of the National Assembly should be scrapped due to the high cost of governance. Do you agree with that?
My view in respect to the legislature is that we need to have an even balanced legislature that represents the country equally. I think if you look at the way the House of Representatives is structured, it has not or doesn’t represent a very good balance of the country with certain parts of the country skewed against the other.
I think there needs to be a reform on this. Should there be a unicameral legislature or a bicameral legislature? I think I would quite frankly be more
in tune with a unicameral legislature not necessarily about the argument of the cost of governance, but much more because I think it should be the process by which the legislature in this country should be evened out to ensure that the structural imbalance that the military created through creating a skewed National Assembly in support of some parts of the country against the other, that this will provide an important opportunity to do so. That is why I would be much more in support of a unicameral legislature. I think that citizens need to understand that running a legislature is a very expensive business.
I don’t think that people understand that you can’t have a legislature that is part-time. When I see the work of legislators, when I see the work going on at the National Assembly, when I see legislators working Sunday to Saturday doing different businesses of the government, I realize that people don’t fully understand this. That is why people talk about part-time legislature. I don’t know of any legislator who works part-time, that is not possible. Yes they sit Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but they have
oversight responsibilities, they have constituency responsibilities, they have research to do, they have work to do and I think this runs seven days a week.
Is there any truth in the allegation that some legislators often collude with the Executive to enrich themselves while abandoning their oversight functions?
I think that there are these allegations of a shake down of agencies of government. There are these allegations that agencies of government that should be over-sighted by committees of the National Assembly tend to pay for the activities of the committee to carry out oversight for them. I think that is an immediate indication of compromise if an agency is paying for an oversight of its responsibilities. This is certainly incompatible with transparency that should govern the way committees work.
Yes, there is a concern regarding this and I think it is something the National Assembly needs to look at. If the National Assembly was to do oversight much more efficiently and effectively, then you actually have to talk about increased budgeting for the work of the committees and at this time, a lot of the committees don’t have sufficient funding to carry out the oversight in the way that you expect they should.
Is the government doing enough? I don’t think so. I don’t think that the Nigerian government fully understand how high expectations are. Do we have the right calibre of people in government trying to deliver on the dividends of democracy? I think not quite a lot in terms of the calibre of people who are in government. The selfishness in government is incredible, the corruption level is very high, the lack of accountability is very high and for a democracy I don’t think that the country is doing very well, applying the principles of democracy to development and for citizens who are disappointed.
Do you think that legislators should be directly involved in the execution of constituency projects?
I think there should be a system that allows legislators to nominate projects that their constituency needs. I think the government should make a special provision for this, where you have a National commission for constituency projects or some agency of government that implements this. I don’t think that legislators themselves should be involved in implementing those projects. I think that part of the responsibility of the legislator who identifies what his constituency needs should be to ensure that they supervise and oversee the proper implementation of constituency projects. But certainly I don’t think that legislators themselves should execute the projects and in theory legislators do not implement projects themselves. However, the practical reality is that sometimes they nominate contractors and that is when the compromises come in. The Executive needs to treat the issue of constituency projects as key and important for legislatures and find some mechanism that is efficient and effective in delivering constituency projects to constituents.
The Legislative arm in Nigeria is oftentimes labelled as rubber stamp to the Executive. How can this be avoided?
I think we need to continually work to ensure that the legislature is independent and we did see the constitution amended to allow for the autonomy of the State legislature. Take them away from the power and influence of governors so they can also properly hold the checks and balances in the state and this time the governors are overbearing, the governors are all powerful, they are not allowing the state legislature to work just the same way they are not allowing local governments to function.
So there needs to be some enforceable means to keep governors away from interference in the state legislature and to prescribe penalties for governors who do this so that they could be held accountable for subverting the institutions of states where they don’t allow state legislature to function.
What’s your assessment of Nigeria’s electoral process in past 25 years?
Can you make a comparison with what happened in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election and that of South Africa in 2024?
Nigeria’s election has been a story of ups and downs. Unfortunately the 2023 elections and even before that, the 2019 elections marked down turns in the progress of elections in Nigeria. Election should be the check against impunity of government and be able to hold government, parties in power whether at the states or the national level to account.
It should provide an opportunity for citizens to carry out a referendum on the government in power and vote for what they want. The South African election showed an example of what you could say is how election should be conducted. I think the Nigeria electoral commission has failed Nigerians woefully in terms of the way it has managed elections. It has allowed itself despite constitutional safeguards for independence for it, to be hijacked by politicians. It has allowed that its members who are mostly nominated by politicians also take over their responsibility and so in that atmosphere you are going to continue to see very poorly conducted elections. And the danger of it is once people feel that elections do not and can not give them a government of their choice, then democracy is in danger and I say it right now that Nigeria’s democracy is in danger because of the failings of the electoral commission. Its failure to conduct genuine elections. Its failure to conduct elections that people feel represents their choice and their votes and this is the major threat Nigeria’s democracy faces at the moment.
As a leading member of the election monitoring group - The Situation Room, what do you think is at the root cause of INEC’s failings? I think it is a compromise at the election umpire level. In 2007, if you can remember under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)led administration, the country’s electoral process was almost endangered. The country’s democracy almost collapsed and the person who was thrown up as president at the time President Umar Yar’dua publicly stated that he felt that the election that brought him into power was flawed and he initiated processes to reverse the failing confidence that citizens had in democracy and election and that confidence was rejuvenated in 2011 elections that was performed by Professor Atahiru Jega who was appointed from that flawed election of 2007.
NOTE: Interested readers
To combat the menace of underage tobacco use, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recently launched the Faith and Fortune TV Series, a master stroke that is already yielding dividends, Victoria Ojiako writes
Tobacco use is dangerous to health. This is now a fact. It is doubly so for the underaged. Experts contend that underage tobacco use poses significant and many-sided dangers, making it a pressing public health issue worldwide.
Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development, and the introduction of harmful substances like tobacco during this phase can lead to severe and lasting consequences. Nicotine, the primary addictive component in tobacco harms their developing brains, increases addiction risks, and paves the way for future health problems like respiratory issues, heart disease, and cancer.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) recognized this urgency and launched a unique weapon in their fight against the scourge: a television series. The "Faith & Fortune" series aims to educate and protect the youth from the detrimental effects of tobacco.
The innovative television series is part of the FCCPC's “Don’t Burn Their Future” campaign aimed at curbing underage access to and use of tobacco products. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA). It equally reinforces the FCCPC’s commitment to protecting young Nigerians from the dangers of tobacco use.
The series debuted on June 1, 2024, on DSTV Showcase Channel 151, and airs every Saturday at 6:00 pm, with repeat broadcasts on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. The 13-episode drama series seeks to harness the power of television to reach a wide and diverse audience, engaging viewers in a compelling narrative that highlights the risks associated with tobacco use among minors.
According to Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, the series aims to educate young people and those who influence them about the health risks of tobacco use, empowering them to make healthier choices.
“Faith & Fortune” is not just any televi-
It has been a year of good tiding for citizens of Plateau State since the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang took over the reins of leadership on May 29, 2023. Despite the initial challenges due to the distractive court case and insecurity, the Governor remained focused on delivering on the social contract he has with Plateau citizens who voted for him overwhelmingly.
As he clocked a year in office last month, citizens testified that Plateau has moved forward in the last year compared to what was obtained in the recent past. From transport to health to education, to road network, among others, the Governor has spread development to the admiration of all.
In the transport sector, Governor Mutfwang introduced the Tin City Metro project to address the transportation needs in the urban centres with 15 units of modern MAN-Diesel buses. 20 units of Toyota Sienna vehicles were purchased and branded with security features and trained new drivers for the Jos-Abuja route. 20 units of 14-seater Toyota Hiace buses were refurbished and fully equipped with enhanced security features like; tracking devices with audio-enabled devices and launched into service. In the health sector, to ensure a centralized body to oversee the procurement, warehousing, distribution, and monitoring of drugs and medical supplies in the State government-owned hospitals and clinics, Governor Mutfwang revived the comatose Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency (PS-DMCMA) to ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of essential drugs and medical commodities.
To improve the aesthetics and tourism potentials of the State, the Governor has
sion series; it’s a carefully crafted narrative designed to appeal to teenagers and young adults. Featuring an array of talented actors, the series addresses key issues such as the addictive nature of tobacco products, the severe health consequences of tobacco use, and strategies to resist peer pressure.
The show’s creative packaging and engaging storyline make it an ideal vehicle for delivering crucial public health messages. By incorporating real-life testimonies and expert insights, the series provides a comprehensive view of the dangers of tobacco use, particularly for young minds and bodies.
Television is, undoubtedly, a powerful medium for influencing public perception and behaviour. By leveraging the storytelling capabilities of Nollywood, “Faith & Fortune” aims to inspire viewers to make informed decisions regarding tobacco use. The series promotes dialogue about tobacco’s harmful effects, encouraging a collective effort to reduce tobacco-related harm and build
healthier communities.
The FCCPC’s initiative underscores the vital role of media in shaping societal attitudes and driving behavioural change. By raising awareness through a popular and accessible platform, the commission hopes to create a ripple effect that extends beyond individual viewers to families, schools, and communities.
The FCCPC’s campaign is not an isolated effort but a call to action for individuals, families, educators, and policymakers. The series serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the younger generation from the hazards of tobacco addiction.
Through education and awareness, “Faith & Fortune” aims to foster a tobacco-free generation, aligning with broader public health goals.
The series is part of a larger campaign that includes radio adverts, TV commercials, and out-of-home advertori-
begun revamping abandoned monumental buildings dotting the State which have become eyesores. He stated, “We need to do something to rescue these buildings and make sure that their dignity is restored and we also put the buildings to very effective use. We cannot allow government assets to keep wasting.”
Insisting on the need for everyone to make the land of Plateau green through agriculture, he directed the cultivation of 900 hectares of land for farmers in Mangu, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the State; distributed N3.6 billion worth of fertilizer for dry-season farming. To drive the agroforestry, the administration also introduced the Coconut and oil palm plantations.
The gains in gardening are also being harnessed as florists are engaged to expand horticulture and floriculture to increase the export potential of the State. With the determination to create road networks across the 17 local government areas of the State, the Governor directed the resumption of construction works across several
kilometres of roads. There has been the remobilization and resumption of work on the 6.9km road network from the Rukuba Road Satellite Market-Tudun Wada- Sabon Gari with a spur to Mado; Wildlife Park. Work is ongoing on the 5.65km Utonkon-Nunku-Keana link road with the extension to the Akila Machunga road. Excited citizens appreciate the construction of a 7.14Km road network at Chwelnyap, linking to Three Container, Yan Trailer, Main Market, Sarki Street, St. Michael Street, Dutse Uku, and St. Michael’s Loop behind Baptist Church Nasarawa Gwong.
The rehabilitation of the 24.10km road network within Jos South Local Government Area and upgrading of major slum areas within Raku Belleng, Ramun Gyel, Rohol Kak, and Gyel Bukuru totaling 13.5 km in the Jos South LGA and others are ongoing. In the last year, there has been a stable payment of salaries and monthly pension; implementation of Salary Table, implementation of Hazard allowance for Medical Doctors, Nurses, and Health Workers (CONMESS/ CONHESS). Lost hope was revived as the Governor approved the payment of gratuities, Death Benefits, and Pension Arrears from 1986 to 2009 and the verification of the next phase of beneficiaries from 2010 to 2018 is ongoing while the minimum pension for retirees has been increased from N5,000 to N20,000.
In January 2024, the implementation of the upward review of monthly Pension commenced and the implementation of Promotions has also been
als reiterating its message of discouraging underage access and use of tobacco products.
The Commission also opened a toll-free line - 0800-000-2121 - that Nigerians can call to speak to an agent, report abuse, or speak to a counsellor for help if needed.
The launch of “Faith & Fortune” marks a significant milestone in the FCCPC’s ongoing efforts to combat underage tobacco use. By tapping into the influence of media, the commission seeks to effect long-term changes in attitudes and behaviours towards tobacco. The series is expected to contribute significantly to the reduction of tobacco-related harm, promoting a healthier, more informed populace.
To maximize its reach and impact, the FCCPC is also leveraging digital platforms. "Faith & Fortune" is uploaded on the FCCPC YouTube/ blogsite page “https://lnkd.in/dw7GixSs “, making it accessible to a global audience. Each episode is shared across social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, accompanied by engaging posts and discussions to stimulate public interest and interaction. This multi-platform strategy ensures that the series reaches a diverse audience, including those who may not have access to traditional television. By utilizing both traditional and digital media, the FCCPC enhances the visibility and effectiveness of its campaign, fostering widespread awareness and education about the dangers of underage tobacco use.
FCCPC’s introduction of “Faith & Fortune” is a bold and innovative step in the fight against underage tobacco use. It is a masterstroke, a real game changer. Through engaging storytelling and widespread outreach, the series aims to educate and empower young people, helping to secure a healthier future for all Nigerians. As the FCCPC continues its mission to protect consumers and promote fair competition, initiatives like this highlight the commission’s dedication to addressing critical public health challenges and fostering positive change for generations to come.
done to motivate staff. There is a constant payment of Checkup dues to the respective Unions. The payment of Overhead to MDAs has been restored.
On Social welfare protection; there has been the establishment of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission to drive the processes of the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP Laws, and Child Rights Laws. In education, the Governor ensured Academic Courses are accredited for the State-owned institutions which include the Plateau State University, Bokkos; College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Education, Gindiri. There have also been the payments for 2022, 2023, and 2024 IJMB Examinations for College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Kurgwi; settlement of 2023 and 2024 Law School Students Fees for Plateau State indigenes; 300% upward review of Scholarship for Plateau State Students studying in Higher Institutions in Nigeria. Through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, this administration has so far intervened in 170 schools with widespread renovation, WASH facilities, ICT equipment, and school furniture. There has been the renovation of 682 classrooms, drilling of 385 motorized boreholes, construction of 578 VIP toilets, and the provision of furniture, etc.
There have also been special grants of over N100 Million which were distributed to 15 secondary schools for projects like Perimeter fences, construction of new classrooms, renovation of blocks of hostels, block of classrooms and provision of wash facilities, and in most cases, work has reached 98% completion, and some have been commissioned by the Governor.
Infrastructure companies (InfrCos) such as IHS, American Towers Corporation (ATC), Pan African Towers, and Coloplus that provide and maintain telecoms facilities like co-location masts, are complaining over the high cost of maintaining such facilities, due to the continuous hike in the prices of diesel, fuel among others.
InfraCos are initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to boost telecoms infrastructure and drive broadband penetration, but the existing InfraCos are worried about the high cost of expanding and maintaining telecoms facilities across the country.
Director at Coloplus, Dr. Mike
Emma Okonji
Contrary to speculations that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may have suspended the issuance of communications licences due to industry challenges, THISDAY investigation has revealed that the exercise was suspended temporarily in order to ensure the sustainability of the various players in the sector.
Ofili, who spoke with THISDAY about the impact of the rising cost of diesel, fuel and logistics on the maintenance of telecoms facilities, said the InfraCos had long-term agreement with telecoms operators to build, maintain and service telecoms facilities, but explained that they could not terminate the agreement half way because of the rising cost of fuel and diesel, including cost of transportation and logistics.
He however said they would continue to abide by the earlier agreement reached with telecoms operators, even though the InfraCos are currently operating at huge loss.
He therefore called for the immediate intervention of the federal government to support InfraCos in the form of grants or
Another key factor, it was learnt, is to enhance the industry’s vibrancy for effective ecosystem, and enable the commission conduct a thorough review of several key areas within the categories of licences.
Last month, the NCC announced the temporary suspension of the issuance of three categories of communications licences, which includes: Value Added Services (VAS) Aggregator Licence; Interconnect Exchange Service Licence; and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Licence.
THISDAY gathered that NCC was not unmindful of the importance of the licences, given the interest of potential investors in the Nigerian telecoms space.
“The commission is on top of the industry and has undertaken
special subsidy that would enable them to continue to expand and service existing telecoms facilities across the country.
He warned that any delay by the federal government to rescue InfraCos, may lead to total collapse of the telecoms sector.
Narrating the challenges faced by telecoms operators, Ofili said: “Last year, the price of petrol was about N400 per litre, but today, petrol is sold for between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre in some parts of the country, which is over 100 per cent increase. Cost of new generators has gone high and cost of logistics in terms of transportation of goods has also gone high, and its is impacting hugely on the revenue of InfraCos. As at the time we signed the contract with telecoms operators, it was a
long-term agreement and prices of things have gone so high since then and we cannot stop half way to review the agreement, just because of our increased overhead cost. Even the telecoms operators are feeling the pains because subscriptions have gone down and subscribers are cutting down on their daily expenditures in order to survive the harsh economy.
“So what we need at the moment to salvage the situation is government’s urgent intervention. InfraCos need the federal government to intervene with special grants and subsidy that will enable us continue servicing telecoms facilities and maintain 99 per cent uptime in their operations. Any delay from the federal government can plunge the Nigerian telecoms sector into
total collapse.”
Corroborating with the InfraCos, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY in a telephone interview that the hash business environment faced by telecoms operators, had also impacted negatively on InfraCos that provide telecoms services.
According to Adebayo, most of the telecoms operators like Airtel, MTN, 9mobile and ntel, outsourced their mast maintenance and the maintenance of other telecoms facilities to InfraCos, but operators like Globacom still maintain their sites through company staff, even though MTN also maintains some of its telecoms facilities through its in-house staff.
“So telecoms operators and the InfraCos are passing through difficult challenges in maintaining telecoms facilities,” Adebayo said.
“The InfraCos feel the impact of the harsh economy the most, because they maintain most of the telecoms sites across the country. A percentage rating will show that in every 10 sites in Nigeria, the InfraCos maintain about eight of those sites, and the sites are mostly co-location sites. The sites are maintained by InfraCos on behalf of telecoms operators, under a long-term agreement, and the InfraCos are not able to vary the long-term agreement even in the face of price fluctuations in the supply chain,” Adebayo added.
the intervention to create a more conducive atmosphere for competition and ensure the survival of every player in the industry, “ a source at NCC said.
The Value Added Services (VAS) Aggregator licence, serve as the links between VAS Operators (VAS Content Providers) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
VAS Aggregators play a crucial role in the VAS ecosystem by facilitating seamless connection of VAS Operators (VAS Content Providers) to MNOs, thus streamlining the integration process of the VAS Operators to MNOs. The aggregators have the scale to
ensure that all VAS Operators (VAS Content Providers), regardless of size, can easily integrate into MNOs.
Currently, the commission has issued a significant number of licences in this category of service, and there has arisen the need to review the market dynamics of the sub-segment to ensure effective competition.
The Interconnect Exchange Licensee facilitates the interchange of voice calls among networks. The original goal of introducing the licence category was to encourage interconnection for smaller players and reduce interconnect indebtedness in the telecom
sector. While the Interconnect Exchange Service (IES) licensees have positively contributed to the interconnectivity of smaller operators, the issue of interconnect indebtedness has persisted in the industry.
Cases of SIM Boxing and Call Refiling have also become a major issue impacting the licensees in the sub-segment as well as MNOs that serve as the major terminating points of voice traffic in Nigeria.
Reports show that some of the licensees under this category also have other licensees to terminate traffic internationally. Some are suspected of abusing this for SIM
boxing and Call Masking to terminate international traffic as local calls. With this, they take away revenue that should ordinarily accrue to the operators.
There are currently 37 Interconnect Exchange Service licensees transiting traffic mainly to and from four major MNOs in the country.
For the Mobile Virtual Network Operators licence, a significant number of licensees, about 43 have been granted and the NCC is currently assessing the market to see how it evolves and performs.
Emma Okonji
Kayode Tokede
The recent rating by Agusto & Co has further attested to Wema Bank Plc’s impressive 2023 financial year performance that showed increasing intrinsic value in profit generation and assets quality as the management moves to become top Tier-1 bank in Nigeria. The credit rating agency upgraded Wema Bank from a “Bbb” rating issued in June 2023 to a “Bbb+” rating. The upgrade from “Bbb” to “Bbb+” indicates an improvement in Wema Bank’s creditworthiness.
While both ratings are considered investment grade, a “Bbb+” rating is one notch higher, suggesting the bank has shown positive developments in its financial health and risk profile over the past year. One of the oldest financial institutions in Nigeria, Wema Bank recorded all-time high profit before tax and profit after tax in the full year ended December 31 2023, driven by 71 per cent increase in gross earnings, and 64.4 per cent growth in operating income.
The financial institution in 2023FY performance declared Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N43.59billion, an increase of 195.61per cent from N14.75 billion in 2022 FY.
Wema Bank’s PBT was at N12.38 billion in 2021 and in 2020, it declared N5.93billion PBT from N6.76billion in 2019FY and N4.8billion PBT in 2018FY.
Profit after tax also increased significantly in 2023 to N35.99 billion, an increase of 217 per cent from N11.35billion in 2022FY. The reported N35.99 billion profit was a milestone achievement for the current management of Wema Bank.
Before now, the lender announced N8.93billion profit in 2021, N4.57billion in 2020 and N5.2billion profit in 2019.
The significant profit before tax and gross earnings growth, driven by interest income, highlight Wema Bank’s strong core operations, as evidenced by surpassing its five-year CAGR.
Amid growth in profit, the management paid a dividend of N0.50 kobo per share in 2023 from N0.30 kobo per share in 2023, which is about N3.86 billion from N3.09 billion in 2022FY.
According to Agusto & Co, the growth in profit translated to higher pre-tax return on average assets (ROA) and pre-tax return on average equity (ROE) to 2.1 per cent (FY 2022: one per cent) and 43.9 per cent (FY 2022: 21.5%), respectively.
“Excluding the volatile foreign exchange income, the Bank’s pre-tax profit would have increased by 99 per cent year-on-year. In addition, the ROA and ROE would have been 1.4 per cent and 29.4 per cent, respectively.
“In the near term, we do not expect the Bank to replicate this level of performance given the expected slower depreciation of the naira as well as the capital raise which would not have been deployed and therefore impede ROE.
“However, we believe Wema Bank will leverage its retail base and good relationship with significant shareholders and investors to maintain performance at acceptable levels. In Q1 2024, the annualised ROE was 34.5per cent, in line with our expectation. Excluding the foreign exchange income, the annualised ROE would have been 34per cent, reflecting the sustainable nature of the profit recorded in Q1 2024.”
PERFORMANCE BACKED BY FUNDAMENTALS
The impressive performance in the period under review was backed Gross Earnings of N225.75billion, an increase of 72.22 per cent from N131.08 billion in
2022, driven by an increase of 73.92 per cent and 64.95 per cent in Interest Income and Non-Interest Income respectively.
In the period under review, Wema Bank announced N185.64billion interest income, an increase of 72per cent from N108.04 billion in the same period prior year. The growth in interest income was largely due to the 53.1per cent surge in the loan book and upward loan repricing in line with the hikes in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).
The impact of the naira depreciation on the income from foreign currency loans, which grew by 173per cent during the year, also bloated the interest income. However, the rising yield environment elicited a 78.7per cent rise in interest expense to N92.9 billion in 2023 from N53.81 billion in 2022.
The interplay between interest expenses and interest income placed Wema Bank’s net income net interest income at N91.72billion in 2023, an increase of 69 per cent from N54.72 billion in 2022.
In 2023FY, Wema Bank’s impairment charge spiked by a substantial 119.7 per cent to N10.6 billion from N4.76 billion in 2022FY, largely due to the deteriorating macroeconomic environment and an enlarged loan portfolio. Thus, the loan loss expense represented a higher 5.7 per cent from 4.5 per cent of interest income.
Non-Interest Income stood at N41.27 billion in 2023, a growth of 65per cent from N27.25 billion in the same period of the prior year. The growth in non-interest income was driven by N24.96billion net Fees and Commission in 2023 from N16.59billion in 2022 and N15.5 billion other income in 2023 from N2.9 billion in 2022
In addition, operating Income rise to N122.33 billion in 2023, an increase of 65 per cent from N74.33 billion declared in 2022.
With the significant increase in profit, Wema Bank’s earnings per share stood at 279.9 kobo in 2023 from 88.3 in 2022.
In the period under review, Wema Bank reported N78.74 billion operating expense in 2023, an increase of 32 per cent from N59.58billion in 2022, as its substantial portion of the increase is due to the increase in statutory expenses based on increase in the book size.
Personnel expenses moved to N26.8billion in 2023 from N21.33billion in 2022, while Depreciation and amortization closed 2023 at N6.1billion in 2023 from N4.55billion in 2022.
In addition to operating expenses is N45.89billlion other operating expenses in 2023 from N33.72billion declared in 2022.
DRIVING TOPLINE
The increase brings it Cost to income ratio (CIR) dropped to 64.34per cent in 2023 from 80.02 per cent in 2022. The management disclosed that its focus remains driving topline growth expansion while mitigating excessive cost growth and it is expected to result in a sustainable downtrend in the cost-to-income ratio.
IMPROVED ASSET UTILIZATION
As of December 31, 2023, Wema bank declared N2.24trillion in total assets from N1.44trillion in 2022, driven by increased deposit liabilities and additional capital. Loans and advances to customers closed 2023
at N801.10 billion, representing an increase of 54 per cent from N521.43billion in 2022, while deposits from customers stood at N1.86trillion as of 2023, representing an increase of 60 per cent from N1.17trillion in 2022.
During the year under review, low-cost (demand and savings) deposits spiked by 121.9per cent to N1.2 trillion, supported by intensified marketing efforts and various low-cost deposit mobilisation initiatives.
Nonetheless, the discretionary cash reserve debits and rising monetary policy rate intensified funding pressures. The Bank recorded a 21.3 per cent year-on-year decline in relatively expensive term deposits, which accounted for a lower 26.5per cent (FYE 2022: 50.4per cent) of local currency (LCY) deposit liabilities.
Wema Bank’s capital raising exercise recorded some traction in the year under review with a N21 billion perpetual bond issued in March 2023 and a N40 billion rights issue exercise in December 2023.
Similarly, the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) improved to 16 per cent in 2023 from 12.7 per cent in 2022, surpassing the 10per cent regulatory minimum for national banks operating in Nigeria.
“However, when we stressed the capital, the CAR declined to 8.2 per cent, reflecting the need for additional capital given the significant loan growth in the period.
“Given the planned business growth and the CBN’s recapitalisation directive, a N150 billion capital raising exercise through rights issue, private placements and public offer is scheduled for June 2024.
“We expect the Bank to be able to meet the CBN deadline of June 2025 for recapitalisation on the back of the strong shareholders’ support and growing brand franchise,” Agusto & Co said.
Commenting on the results, the MD/CEO, Mr. Moruf Oseni in a statement said, ‘2023 showcased a revitalized Wema Bank as evidenced by the considerable improvements in our numbers. The performance is headlined by impressive improvements in Profit before Tax which grew strongly by 196per cent.
Oseni said, “We are satisfied with the bank’s performance in the first year of the new leadership team, as we move in a strong growth trajectory.
“Our target remains clear, we want to become a Top-Tier Bank in the industry powered by Digital excellence, we have carved a niche for ourselves with ALAT as a Retail platform, but we are now positioning the enterprise as the Intelligent platform for all financial services – We have partnered with the Federal Government on upskilling Two (2) million MSMEs, provided engagement platforms for all NYSC members and now implementing partnerships in Health, Education, Women empowerment and in the green economy.
“In the months ahead, we would be developing platforms and supporting initiatives that prioritize the needs of our customers, leveraging technology in solving problems across all sectors.”
Meanwhile, the bank successfully concluded the first tranche of its recapitalisation exercise having secured all relevant regulatory approvals for the allotment of its N40 billion Rights Issue which was initiated in December 2023.
In view of macroeconomic conditions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in March 2024, launched a recapitalisation programme requiring commercial banks to raise fresh capital in alignment with the minimum requirement for their respective banking licenses, within a 24-month timeline spanning April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
The goal of this recapitalisation programme is to simultaneously boost the Nigerian economy and strengthen the Nigerian financial services industry. As a forward-thinking and pioneering bank, Wema Bank in December 2023 launched a N40 billion Rights issue which has now been approved by the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
With this remarkable development, Wema Bank has now successfully raised the 1st tranche of its plan in the minimum requirement laid down by the CBN.
In a statement, Oseni iterated the Bank’s resolve in retaining its Commercial Banking license with National Authorisation, adding that the N40billion Rights Issue is a step in that direction.
“We are delighted to announce the conclusion of the 1st tranche of our Capital Raise Programme, after obtaining the relevant approvals of all regulatory authorities. Our move to commence our Capital Raise Programme very early demonstrates our push for excellence and with a strong emphasis on our digital play, we are set to amass more successes in the coming months.”
“We were impressed by the vote of confidence given by our shareholders during the 1st Rights Issue exercise as our shares were fully subscribed. In addition, we obtained the approval of shareholders at our 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise an additional N150billion to meet the capitalisation threshold set by the CBN.
“The process is expected to be completed within 12-18 months. We are committed to providing optimum returns for every stakeholder and the successful conclusion of this N40biillion Rights Issue is a bold step in the right direction,” he said.
Over the medium to long term, Wema Bank is positioned to not only dominate the digital Banking space but also the Nigerian financial services industry at large as it translates its industry leadership to significant market share.
Agusto & Co stated that, “With a strong focus on retail customers, particularly in the Southern region of Nigeria, the Bank has targeted the growing youth demographic through its innovative digital banking platform, ALAT, which doubles as a customer well-being app.
“During the year under review, Wema Bank’s share of the banking industry’s resources declined due to an intense competitive environment and a challenging economy. As at 2023 FY, the Bank had expanded its agency banking network to 48,873 agents (FYE 2022: 26,806 agents) across the country. In our view, Wema Bank’s market share is low.
“Going forward, we expect Wema Bank to maintain its positive growth trajectory, driven by its persistent focus on retail expansion through the ALAT digital platform and other alternative channels.
“In addition, we note that the Bank is actively expanding its presence in the South-Eastern and Northern regions, which is expected to further solidify its market footprint and enhance market share over the medium term. We also expect the ongoing recapitalisation to translate to more investments by the Bank in its digital channels.”
The recent partnership between Sims Nigeria Limited and TCL Electronics,
of the business expansion plan of Sims in the Nigerian market,
Following the recent partnership between Sims Nigeria Limited and TCL Electronics, Sims Nigeria Limited has been announced as the official representative of TCL Electronics in Nigeria. Sims Nigeria Limited, a leading consumer electronics company dedicated to providing innovative and quality products to customers, recently announced its partnership with TCL Electronics, a renowned global leader in the consumer electronics industry. Sims Nigeria Limited is a trusted name in the consumer electronics industry, known for its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. With a wide range of high-quality
products and a dedication to innovation, Sims Nigeria Limited has established itself as a market leader in Nigeria.
TCL Electronics is a leading consumer electronics brand with a strong presence in the global television market and operates in more than 160 markets around the world. The company specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of consumer electronics products ranging from TVs, audio, home appliances, mobile devices, smart glasses, commercial displays, and more. The TCL brand is renowned for its superior picture quality, innovative features, sleek design, and has earned a
reputation for excellence and innovation. Speaking at the press conference to officially announce the partnership, the country manager for TCL in Nigeria, Mr. Alec Zhang said: “As a brand at the forefront of cutting edge technology in the consumer electronics industry, having a strategic partner like Sims that will accelerate the adoption of our products and drive the growth of TCL in the Nigerian market is a significant milestone for us, we look forward to delivering high quality products and after sales support service to consumers across Nigeria.”
Also speaking on this new partnership,
The Executive Director Operations of Sims Nigeria Limited Mr. Ik Eyisi said “We are thrilled to partner with TCL Electronics, a global leader in the consumer electronics industry. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with the bestin-class products and innovative solutions. Sims Nigeria remains your one-stop-shop for top quality products from global brands.” TCL Electronics’ range of products will be available at Sims Nigeria Limited Digital Centers and authorized retailers across Nigeria. Customers can purchase the latest products and experience the future of consumer electronics’ technology firsthand.
In a move to ensure product authenticity and protect consumers, Big Bull Rice has said that it is introducing a new holographic seal on its 25kg and 50kg packaging. In a statement, it said the holographic seal tape has been meticulously designed and implemented to
provide consumers with a reliable means of verifying the authenticity of Big Bull Rice and identifying any counterfeit in the market.
“Counterfeiting poses a significant threat to businesses and consumers alike, undermining trust and damaging reputations.
In response to this challenge, Big Bull Rice has implemented an advanced holographic technology to authenticate its products and provide consumers with peace of mind. The holographic seal, integrated seamlessly into Big Bull Rice packaging, serves as a
visible indicator of authenticity. This innovative solution offers enhanced security features, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. By simply checking for the presence of the holographic seal, consumers can ensure
Grooming Splash, a non-profit organization has reiterated the need to empowering MSMEs, clientelles and Women-led businesses to weather the storms of economic hardships in the country.
Speaking at the 13th edition of GROOMING SPLASH in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, explained the broad reach of the 386 winners, spanning 32 States in the country.
He also noted that the ecosystem of grooming splash has grown over the last 13 years to providing array of grants, individual loans, SMEs loans, establishment of grooming centres and lending platforms for SMEs and Women-Led businesses to improve business climate for young indigenous entrepreneurs
in the country. He remarked that this year’s edition leveraged technology to ensure inclusivity and transparency, further showcasing our commitment to innovation. According to him, “We are committed to support people at the bottom of the pyramid and we started from our small branch to reach out to a single individual. We are having challenges with a few zones affected by insecurity and we hope the government will address the issues concerning insecurity to enable small businesses to have access to financial services and inclusion along our pyramid. “We have done over 12 million credits since we started and we look forward to work with our partners in USA, World Bank to enable us
deepen our involvements both in the financial services and non financial services to providing scholarships, grants for Women-Led businesses along the pyramid to keep businesses alive.”
Also speaking, Executive Director, Programmes, Alexander Enyinnah, highlighted that the 13th year edition of Grooming Splash, was designed to strengthen our bond with clients and enhance brand loyalty.
Member of Grooming Governing Council, Grooming Centre, Mrs. Ier Jonathan said we are building sustainability for SMEs through our impacts to improve livelihoods and expand our touch points for our clients to access micro credits, grants and scholarships.
One of the winners, Abosede
Beta Glass PLC, a member of the Frigoglass Group and leading manufacturer of glass packaging, crowns and crates in West and Central Africa has partnered with Wecyclers, an innovative waste management company, while launching fleets of cullet trucks with to enhance recycling efforts in Nigeria
In a statement announcing the partnership, it said the new trucks are expected to be instrumental in collecting and transporting cullet’s (the term for bottles and jars for recycling) from various collection points to the local production facilities of Beta Glass.
By integrating these specialised trucks into the supply chain, both companies aim to increase the volume of recycled glass used in manufacturing, thereby reducing the quantity of virgin raw materials and minimising the environmental footprint.
According to the CEO of Beta Glass, Darren Bennet-Voci, the decision to work with Wecyclers on the innovative approach was borne out of the need to enhance environmental responsibility.
He said, “Our partnership with Wecyclers represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The launch of the cullet trucks will not only enhance our recycling capabilities but also set a benchmark for the industry. We are excited to see the positive impact this initiative will have on our environment and our
community.”
Also speaking, the CEO of Wecyclers Olawale Adebiyi, explained that the partnership is a testament to a shared vision for a sustainable future.
He added, “Wecyclers is dedicated to providing innovative recycling solutions that empower
communities and protect our environment. Partnering with Beta Glass to launch the cullet trucks is a testament to our shared vision of a sustainable future. We look forward to working together to foster a recycling and environmental awareness culture across Nigeria.”
Ojigudu, shared her appreciation, stating, “Grooming has continually impacted our businesses positively and provided financial assistance. May God bless them, and may the company continue to progress and grow. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our clients for their loyalty, we remains committed to ensuring the empowerment of our customers.”
that the packaging has not been compromised and can proceed with confidence in their purchase, “it said.
Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, Probal Bhattacharya stated that the introduction of the holographic seal on Big Bull Rice is a proactive step to safeguard customers and uphold the brand’s integrity.
“The holographic seal serves as a conspicuous marker of the product’s genuineness. Engineered to be tamperevident, it swiftly reveals any compromise in the packaging. This functionality not only empowers consumers to make well-informed purchasing choices but also serves as a formidable deterrent against
counterfeiters seeking to replicate Big Bull Rice packaging” he stated.
Executive Director, TGI Group, Deepanjan Roy, said the company is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in all aspects of its operations.
“The introduction of the holographic seal reaffirms this dedication and underscores our relentless pursuit of excellence. With the holographic seal in place, consumers can now easily identify authentic Big Bull Rice products, ensuring they receive the quality they expect and deserve with every purchase,” he added.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has appointed renowned Nollywood actress and ambassador of Terra Cube, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, her the Goodwill Emissary for Nutrition in Nigeria.
Terra Cube in a statement said it’s discerning approach to selecting ambassadors has been validated by Chioma’s appointment.
“Her deep-rooted connection with her audience and advocacy for nutrition seamlessly align with the brand’s values. Chioma’s genuine engagement with consumers mirrors Terra Cube’s mission to enhance meals through flavourful experiences. Her appointment underscores the remarkable synergy between her values and that of Terra Cube.
Through her tenure as a brand ambassador, she has consistently embodied
authenticity, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.
“As Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha embarks on this new chapter as USAID Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition, she continues to lead the charge in advocating for healthier lifestyles and nutritional education. Her partnership with Terra Cube exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving positive change. With genuine engagement, passion for nutrition, and commitment to excellence, Chioma inspires us all to embrace healthier choices and savour the joy of flavourful meal experiences, “it said.
Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, Probal Bhattacharya expressed the company’s delight at Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha’s appointment as USAID’s Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition in Nigeria.
Today serves as a stark reminder that the Nigerian democracy, despite its outward appearance, has consistently fallen short of true democratic principles. Reflecting on the events in our persistently perplexing political landscape over the past year compels me to reassess our fundamental understanding of democracy for the umpteenth time. If we all agree that democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then its implementation in Nigeria starkly contradicts this definition.
Since shedding the mantle of militaristic rule 25 years ago, Nigeria’s brand of democracy has progressively sidelined the very people it was meant to serve. The focus has shifted towards a political class preoccupied with power struggles and the endless pursuit of office. These politicians, once in power, entrench themselves, prioritising their own interests over the urgent needs and aspirations of the Nigerian populace. The essence of democracy— active participation, representation, and responsiveness to the public’s needs—has been compromised. Instead, we witness a democracy that has become more about the sustenance of power than the provision of public service.
The consequences of this distorted democracy are far-reaching. It has led to a growing disconnect between the rulers and the ruled, fueling disillusionment and apathy among the citizenry who feel alienated from the political process. The lack of accountability and transparency has allowed corruption to fester, further eroding public trust and hindering progress.
Today serves as a timely reminder that we must critically reevaluate our democracy and get back to the basics i.e. prioritising genuine leadership and the responsible exercise of political office in the best interests of the
the
imposition of candidates upon the populace is unequivocally prohibited. A democracy where the theft of billions in public funds for personal enrichment, stored up for generations unborn, is not
merely discouraged, but is met with the full force of the law.
The hijacking of the electoral process, whether through violence, intimidation, or manipulation, undermines the very foundation of a representative government. It silences the voices of the people and replaces their will with the desires of a few. This cannot stand. Equally egregious is the embezzlement of public funds, resources meant to build schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, stolen to line the pockets of corrupt officials and their families. This is a betrayal of the public trust, a theft from the future of our nation. We cannot continue like this and pretend we are in a democracy – far from it.
Democracy, at its heart, is about leadership that prioritises the needs and aspirations of the people, not just the maneuvering and manipulation of politics. In Nigeria, we have become adept at playing the game of democratic politics, but have fallen short of true leadership that genuinely uplifts and empowers our citizens. The time has come to shift our focus from mere politicking to active, transformative leadership. This means moving beyond empty promises and partisan bickering, and instead working collaboratively to address the pressing issues facing Nigerians, from economic development and infrastructure to education and healthcare, with sincerity and accountability. It means putting the interests of the people ahead of personal gain and political ambition.
Politicking may secure votes and win elections, but it is principled, people-focused leadership that builds nations. We must move beyond the superficial trappings of political contests and dedicate ourselves to the serious work of governing.
Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria! May God protect our democracy and guide our leaders to prioritise people over politics.
purposeful living for social transformation.
We inculcate strong corporate governance, long term investment strategies in our businesses, says UBA chairman
As the Heirs Holdings (HH) inaugurated its “HH Group Directors’ Annual Summit” that convened over 100 HH Groupwide board members recently, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, declared that one name that would stand
out in the history of Nigerian and African banking was that of the Group Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu.
According to Shettima, Elumelu had carved a niche for himself and engraved his name on the walls of banking and Africa’s entrepreneurship.
Shettima declared this during the HH Group Directors’ Annual Summit that was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja from June 13th to 16th, 2024, which provided 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 closing ceremony of the summit, Shettima remarked that, “when the history of Nigeria and indeed Africa’s banking history and revolution will be written, one name will stand out – having carved a niche for himself and engraved his name on the walls of banking
Goddy Egene
The Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Governance Board has approved the reappointment of Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi for a second five-year term as chief executive officer (CEO) following great strides the organisation made under her leadership in the first five years.
SEforALL is an international organisation that works in partnership with the United Nations (UN) and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.
SEforALL works to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfill their potential.
Recognised as a trailblaser during her first term, which began in 2020, Ogunbiyi, who is the first CEO, led the expansion of SEforALL’s global influence and country support, providing clear pathways to accelerate progress towards universal energy access and advancing a just and equitable energy transition in countries that stand at the greatest risk of being left behind.
In this period, SEforALL, through a range of innovative programmes and initiatives, established working relationships with over 200 partners, and supported over 90 countries globally.
According to a statement from the organisation, reacting to her reap-
pointment, Ogunbiyi was quoted to have said: “It is an honour to be appointed for a second five-year term as the CEO of Sustainable Energy for All. I look forward to continuing my SEforALL and UN Energy roles and working with leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to end energy poverty and accelerate a just and equitable energy transition.
“I am committed to working with countries around the world, ensuring that all people irrespective of where they currently live, can lead dignified, productive and healthy lives powered by sustainable energy.”
Commenting on Ogunbiyi’s re-appointment, President Bola Tinubu was quoted as saying that the development was not just a
win for Nigeria but for the world as well.
“With the support of Sustainable Energy for All, the Nigerian Government designed the first-of-its-kind Energy Transition Plan to tackle the dual crises of energy poverty and climate change and to deliver SDG7 by 2030 and net zero by 2060.
“Through Damilola’s leadership, SEforALL continues to offer support to the country through the Energy Transition Office as well as through programmes such as the Universal Energy Facility. Her reappointment is not only a win for Nigeria but a win for the world,” Tinubu stated.
Similarly, Chair, Governance Board, SEforALL, Francesco Starace, said: “Sustainable energy is the solution we need to stave off the climate crisis and build a better future for both people and planet.
and Africa’s entrepreneurship.
“Tony Elumelu has become an enigma, a banking colossus, a power industrialist, and a force that cannot be ignored. He is one of our own who believed in Nigeria and threw his heart into it. He is a Nigerian economist, entrepreneur and indeed a philanthropist, who has given life meaning to millions of Nigerians and Africans.”
Also speaking, Elumelu emphasised the Heirs Holdings’ mandate, which are to “build to last” and to “build for impact”.
He said: “Over the past decade, we have inculcated in our business the criticality of strong corporate governance practices. We only invest for the long term, strategically and“Thesepatiently.twin commitments are fundamental to our success; we are indeed building to last, redefining success in every sector we operate in, and demonstrating our purpose to improve lives and transform Africa.”
The summit drew on the experi- ence of board members of investee companies from sectors where HH invests: healthcare, power, energy, technology, financial services, hospitality, and real estate.
Also present were trustees of the group’s philanthropy, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which catalyses young entrepreneurs across Africa.
The HH Group Summit culmi-
nated in a closing ceremony and dinner, hosting influential figures across Nigeria’s public and private sectors, including the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima.
According to a statement titled, “Heirs Holdings Inaugurates HH Group Directors’ Annual Summit” the success and impact of Heirs Holdings reflected the philosophy of Africapitalism, which is, “the belief that the African private sector could change the course of African development, but that it must be committed to doing good and doing well.”
It added: “To date, HH investee companies employ over 40,000 people across 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, UAE, France, and the United States of America.
“The HH portfolio includes investments in Heirs Energies Limited, Africa’s leading indigenous-owned integrated energy company that produces over 40k bpd, which is transforming resource-based value chains, making African resources work for Africa; Heirs Insurance Group, championing financial inclusion and leading the digital transformation of the insurance ecosystem in Nigeria, with a mission to
With 65 confirmed cases of Cholera and 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and Prevention (NCDC) report, there is certainly every need for urgent action. In an interview with Ayodeji Ake, the Chief of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Lagos field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, while fielding question on the Cholera outbreak, highlighted important things the government and community must put in place to combat the scourge
Can you speak on the children and young people affected by the cholera outbreak in Lagos and other parts of the country?
Recurrent Cholera outbreaks critically affect children and populations at large. These vulnerable groups face substantial health risks, particularly those under five who are prone to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates.
Educational disruption is yet another critical consequence of cholera outbreaks, as illness and the need to care for sick family members lead to school closures and reduced attendance, hindering children’s learning and development.
Similarly, post-recovery issues in children can include malnutrition, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems, increasing susceptibility to other diseases. These outbreaks underscore the urgent need for improved access to clean water and sanitation in many areas.
Despite the state government’s efforts to provide water to its population, the current outbreak demonstrates the need for an urgent government focus on ensuring the water supplied to the population is clean and risk-free.
Addressing the challenges of cholera outbreaks requires a deliberate focus on state policies to provide high-standard water and sanitation facilities, as well as strengthened healthcare systems capable of responding to the demand during outbreaks, and state-led educational campaigns on cholera prevention to protect children and the population at large.
How can this situation be alleviated?
To alleviate cholera outbreaks, a comprehensive approach is essential. Sustainable WASH infrastructure and strengthened health systems capable of anticipating epidemics as well as, effective community engagement strategies are crucial to halt transmission.
This includes enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, implementing rapid surveillance, promoting social mobilization, administering treatment, and utilizing oral cholera vaccines (OCV). Ultimately, preventing cholera centres on good sanitation and hygiene practices. Key actions include proper disposal of faeces, eliminating open defecation, and ensuring access to potable water. Regular handwashing with clean, running water and soap is vital. Additionally,
avoiding the consumption of uncooked vegetables, unwashed fruits, raw or undercooked seafood, and food from street vendors is important to reduce the risk of cholera infection.
What role does good water and sanitation infrastructure play in reducing incidences of disease outbreaks?
Good water and sanitation infrastructure play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks, such as cholera, which causes an estimated 100,000 deaths annually.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions are fundamental in preventing and responding to cholera epidemics. Safe water supplies, hygienic sanitation, and effective water management are key elements in this effort.
Increasing access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, and better water management can prevent almost one-tenth of the global disease burden.
The Lagos State Government has officially signed a concession agreement with one of Africa’s leading integrated technology enablers, Interswitch, through its Healthtech subsidiary, Interswitch eClat, to develop and manage the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (LAGSHIP). Nigeria’s healthcare industry remains grossly underfunded with several other challenges, lacking a truly national/integrated framework for healthcare service delivery due to fragmentation among health stakeholders. A recent report from Knight Frank estimates Nigeria would require about $82 billion of investment in health-care assets to reach the global average. Healthcare institutions continue to struggle with daily operations due to a myriad of constraints and process inefficiencies. The foregoing is the backdrop against which this latest public-private partnership milestone championed by the Lagos State Government is being launched with a view to positioning Lagos, Nigeria’s largest economic hub as a model for sub-
nationals in strategic healthcare delivery interventions.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, H.E. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu highlighted the significance of the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform Project as one unprecedented in Nigeria till date. The Governor, in his remarks asserted that “The signing of the Concession Agreement between the Lagos State Government and Interswitch for the implementation of the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP) is a ground-breaking development which signifies the start of a comprehensive technological overhaul in Lagos State’s health sector, aimed at enhancing residents’ access to healthcare services.”
Governor Sanwoolu further remarked that “I believe that this platform represents a significant and innovative approach to utilizing technology for accessing health information. It is poised to deliver numerous benefits and eliminate payment barriers, thereby encouraging citizens to actively engage with the process.”
Capitalizing on over 2 decades of experience and strategic expertise digitizing transactions and
Community access to sanitation, like simple latrines, prevents drinking water contamination from human waste, reducing infections. Regular handwashing with soap and safe drinking water storage are also high-impact practices.\Investing in drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, and water resource management systems is economically beneficial. Each dollar invested yields up to eight dollars in benefits. Safer water could annually prevent 1.4 million child deaths from diarrhoea, 500,000 deaths from malaria, and 860,000 child deaths from malnutrition, and protect 10 million people from serious illnesses like lymphatic filariasis and trachoma.
How do disease outbreaks impact Nigeria’s progress in achieving the SDG goals on health?
Disease outbreaks ultimately hinder Nigeria’s progress in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.
These outbreaks strain Nigeria’s health system, diverting limited resources from essential services like routine immunizations and maternal and childcare, undermining universal health coverage. Outbreaks disrupt health programs, leading to resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria, which hinder efforts to reduce child mortality and control epidemics.
Economically, outbreaks shift funds from primary healthcare to emergency response, causing economic downturns that reduce health budgets and government revenues, further straining health services.
However, outbreaks also present opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s health system. A robust response is needed to improve health infrastructure, enhance economic resilience, and ensure equitable access to health services. This is essential for mitigating the impact of outbreaks and progressing towards sustainable health outcomes.
Is there a role for communities in creating sustainable solutions to these outbreaks?
Cholera outbreaks originate and spread within communities, making community-led and participatory approaches essential for sustainable prevention.
Communities and local governments can play crucial roles by leveraging communication channels to educate and protect public health. Prevention is more cost-effective than cure; thus, communities should establish systems that promote key hygiene practices, transforming them into a cultural norm.
Community-led surveillance can enforce sanitation practices, with empowered local monitors ensuring compliance. Ultimately, access to clean water and sanitation is critical in preventing outbreaks.
Communities must take collective action to ensure clean water access and maintain good hygiene. Identifying and empowering positive role models within the community can encourage the widespread adoption of healthy practices.
stakeholders and essentially addressing fragmentation by connecting patients to doctors, practices to public offices and patients to their medical data, thereby solving the operational problems of hospitals and healthcare providers through the robust over-arching technology infrastructure that LAGOS-SHIP represents.
of Interswitch and other players over the years, digital payments are estimated to be still less than 20% of total transactions in the economy.
L-R: Dr. Wallace Ogufere MD, Interswitch eClat; Mitchell Elegbe, GMD/CEO Interswitch Group; H.E Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, The Executive Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), Attorney-General & Honourable Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State & Dr. Akin Abayomi, Honourable Commissioner for Health Lagos State, during the signing ceremony for the concession agreement for the Lagos Smart Health Information Portal (LAGSHIP) Development at State House, Marina Lagos aggregating technology platforms across Africa, by virtue of this concession, Interswitch will support the State Government in securely leveraging data harnessed from electronic medical records deployed across all hospitals (public and private) and allied locations within the industry value chain, to create enhanced
experiences for all stakeholders, from administrators to medical personnel, patients, as well as for better planning and policy-making, ultimately. The strategic objective is to address gaps within the healthcare delivery system by creating an ecosystem that facilitates deeper connections between
Commenting after the signing ceremony, which was jointly signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Akin Abayomi and the Special Adviser to The Governor on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Mrs. Bukola Odoe, and witnessed by the Executive Governor and selected members of the Lagos State Executive Council at the State House, Marina, Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, remarked: “22 years ago, we set out with a clear vision to solve social problems in Nigeria, starting by digitizing the use of cash, making it available to Nigerians just-in-time. Today, despite the incremental efforts
This realization suggests that there is tremendous value, financial and otherwise, locked up in sectors and areas where government is a key player, particularly in the aspects of healthcare, transportation, and other basic social services. This vision we had from the outset underpinned our acquisition of eClat Healthcare 5 years ago, and initiatives such as Lagos-SHIP are unfolding strategic interventions along that transformational roadmap. We are highly delighted that after a rigorous selection process, the Lagos State Government has deemed it fit to partner with us at the Interswitch Group on this epoch-making journey to digitize the healthcare system, uniting disparate elements into one holistic platform that creates value and enhances the experience of all stakeholders, just like we’ve done in the sphere of financial services, leveraging technology.”
Farooq Hassan draws attention to an assertion by Mr. Bashir Are, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, highlighting Nigeria’s strengths, particularly in landbased gaming activities, where it ranks second only to South Africa, and in other gaming categories, where it leads the continent. He reiterated that serious investors should consider Nigeria, particularly Lagos, a prime investment destination.
In an era where nations are vying for foreign investments, Nigeria stands out as a beacon of opportunity, particularly in the burgeoning gaming industry.
This was underscored by Mr. Bashir Are, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, during his recent engagements at two prestigious international events.
At the 41st annual International
Gaming Summit, held at the RitzCarlton in Washington, D.C., from May 28-30, 2024, Are showcased Nigeria’s growing influence and potential as a premier destination for gaming investment.
The summit, organised by the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA), brought together industry leaders from around the world to discuss regulatory challenges, trends, and innovative solutions. Are,
who also serves as the Chairman of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria, participated in the international regulatory roundtable alongside notable figures such as Ben Haden, President of the International Association of
Gaming Regulators, Jason Lane, Chief Executive of the Jersey Gambling Commission, and Atle Hamar, Director General of the Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority.
Are’s participation underscored Nigeria’s commitment to creating
a conducive environment for investors in the gaming sector.
He emphasised that Nigeria offers a fertile ground for all stakeholders in the gaming ecosystem, including software developers, payment service providers, and game developers, to invest and reap substantial returns. His message was clear: Nigeria, especially Lagos, is open for business, with a regulatory framework designed to facilitate rather than hinder investment.
Beyond the summit in Washington, Are also represented Nigeria at the Gaming Tech Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
This conference, which attracted gaming regulators across Africa, highlighted Nigeria’s leading position in the continent’s gaming sector. On a panel discussion about market trends, Are elucidated Nigeria’s strengths, particularly in land-based gaming activities, where it ranks second only to South Africa, and in other gaming categories, where it leads the continent. He reiterated that serious investors should consider Nigeria, particularly Lagos, a prime investment destination.
Are also addressed the issue of regulatory bottlenecks, acknowledging the existing tussle between federal and state authorities over regulatory control. However, he expressed confidence that this issue would soon be resolved, ensuring a harmonious regulatory environment that aligns with global best practices. His advocacy for a balanced regulatory framework aims to protect investors while fostering industry growth.
The summit provided a platform for Bashir Are to reiterate Nigeria’s readiness to welcome stakeholders from the gaming ecosystem, including software developers, payment service providers, game developers, and investors. He emphasised that Nigeria, and Lagos in particular, offers a fertile ground for investment with promising returns. The regulatory environment in Nigeria is designed to support business growth, minimising unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring responsible
gaming practices. Further highlighting Nigeria’s prominence in the African gaming landscape, Bashir represented the country at the Gaming Tech Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. This event gathered regulators from across the continent to discuss the state of the industry. On a panel discussing the market snapshot, Bashir pointed out that Nigeria, second only to South Africa in land-based gaming activities, leads the continent in other gaming categories. He encouraged investors to consider Nigeria as their primary destination in Africa, citing Lagos as the leading market within the country.
Bashir’s contributions at the summit were significant. He spoke on responsible gambling initiatives and outlined the efforts of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, which include the development of a punters’ self-help portal, partnerships with NGOs to prevent underage gambling, and responsible gambling campaigns integrated into Lagos’ transport infrastructure.
In conclusion, Nigeria is poised to become a significant player in the global gaming industry. With a solid regulatory framework, a growing market, and a commitment to responsible gambling, the country offers a compelling investment opportunity for stakeholders. As Are aptly put it, “Nigeria remains a solid ground for all stakeholders...to invest and get returns on their investments.” He added, “The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, under Bashir’s leadership, has demonstrated a commitment to responsible gambling and corporate social responsibility. We urge investors to take advantage of the opportunities Nigeria offers and support the country’s growth in the gaming industry.
“As Nigeria continues to evolve as a gaming hub, we expect to see more innovative solutions, job creation, and economic growth. We are confident that with the right regulatory framework and investment, Nigeria will become a shining example of a sustainable and responsible gaming industry in Africa.”
Iyke Bede was part of the distinguished gathering in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, that honoured the memory of Madam Alice Akande, mother of Mr. Adewale Akande, who is known widely in the gaming and sports betting industry as a legal practitioner whose service spans over a decade and a half.
Currently, he is the senior legal adviser (head of the legal and compliance department) at KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja), one of the country’s largest sports betting platforms
Last week, friends, family, and colleagues gathered under a sombre yet serene sky to honour the life of Madam Alice Akande, the beloved mother of Mr Adewale Akande, Esq, a prominent figure in the gaming and sports betting community. The burial ceremony, which took place in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, was a poignant reminder of the profound impact a mother’s love and guidance can have, shaping not only her family but also the broader community through her industrious and honest ways.
The outpouring of love and appreciation for the late Madam Akande that Friday was evident as the community and guests came together in large numbers to commemorate her life during the solemn funeral service at Gateway the Righteous Baptist Church. The procession was followed shortly by the interment, which took place at her residence in Ogbomosho. The mood, while sombre, was also celebratory, reflecting the gratitude felt by many for having known her, either directly or through her remarkable son.
Madam Akande, known for her strength,
humility, and grace, was born on 12 October 1939 to the family of Pa Adetona and Mama Ogunwenu. She was the first of their ten children. Economically challenged, Madam Akande, although willing, could not enrol to get a proper education. She then moved with her uncle to Ghana, Wamfie specifically, to learn petty trading.
During the 1960s, she met and married the love of her life, Pa James Adediran. By 1969, she and her family relocated back to Ogbomosho, Nigeria, following the Aliens’ Compliance Order of Dr Kofi Busia. By 1973, she and her husband became established farmers. Sadly, Pa Akande passed on in 1987, leaving her to fend for the home. She continued farming and petty trading until she moved in with her daughter Adefunke in 2021. She was described by many as a devout Christian.
Known for her unwavering dedication to her family and community, her nurturing spirit and wisdom left an indelible mark on those who knew her. Her son spoke eloquently about his mother’s influence during his tribute.
Akande said, “There is no doubt about the fact that Iya Pupa was a loving mother. She loved her children and cared so much for them. As much as her resources could accommodate, and in some cases, Mama would not hesitate to take a loan in order
to meet her children’s urgent needs.
“After the demise of our dad, Pa James Adeniran Akande, in 1987, our mum became a man. She ventured into farming big time. At the time, and up till around 2001 or thereabouts, Mama’s farm in Alata was one of the biggest. You would never know Mama was without a husband.
“It is also important to note that Iya Pupa was always eager to help people in need or people who had one challenge or the other. When we were still in the village, whenever anyone had a challenge, Mama would not mind harvesting some of her farm produce in order to meet people’s needs. In some cases, Mama would take loans from her Cooperative Society not for any other purpose but to help a relative or family member in need. She would gladly do that even when she knew the recipients did not have the capacity to repay the loan.”
Known widely in the gaming and sports betting industry, Akande’s career as a legal practitioner spans over a decade and a half. He is the senior legal adviser (head of the Legal and Compliance Department) at KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja), one of the country’s largest sports betting platforms.
The series of events scheduled to memorialise Madam Akande culminated in a vibrant reception held for attendees at Cecilplace
The Gambling Commission recently announced widespread changes to increase safety and customer choice.
The changes, consistent with the government’s white paper ‘High stakes: gambling reform for the digital age’, include reducing the intensity of online games, improving consumer choice over receiving gambling marketing, light-touch financial vulnerability checks and tightening processes to support age verification checks in premises.
They also include a careful approach to implementation with the changes to be implemented in four stages: August 2024, November 2024, January 2025 and February 2025.
Having listened to consumers, the commission will conduct a pilot of frictionless financial risk assessments aimed at preventing cases where customers were able to spend large amounts in short spaces of time without any checks, resulting in significant gambling harm.
Consumers will not be affected during a pilot period, so the commission can refine the data-sharing processes before the assessments are rolled out in a live environment.
Andrew Rhodes, Gambling Commission CEO, said, “As a gambling regulator, it’s vital that the introduction of new rules is based on evidence and takes into account the views of consumers and other interested parties.
“We have listened to the views
expressed in our engagement and in the consultation responses, and we have made changes while still ensuring that we deliver meaningful protections.”
Rhodes added, “We are also pleased to be taking forward a pilot of financial risk assessments and data collection, which together will ensure that we can make informed decisions about how these assessments can be implemented in a way that supports both consumer freedom and protections.
“We have to get the balance right between protecting people from the potentially life-ruining effects of gambling-related harm and respecting the freedom of adults to engage in an activity that the vast majority do so without experiencing harm.”
The commission pilot is expected to last six months. Following the pilot, the commission will decide whether permanent rules will be implemented, but this will not be done until data sharing is frictionless for the vast majority of customers who are checked.
Event Centre. This reception vividly captured the power of her influence: in the beautifully decorated hall, installed with dozens of tables bearing a unique tag, one was able to distinguish a long list of family members and friends from either side of the Akande family, as well as work colleagues who arrived donning various styles of the ‘aso ebi’ (uniform dress code). Family members chose a more mellow beige with alluring adornments to distinguish themselves from the crowd of red Ankara prints.
As expected of such a gathering, filled with loud music, an endless flow of refreshments, and a bustling atmosphere, Mr Akande methodically beckoned to welcome each guest in the hall, ensuring their well-being before making it to his seat. Their presence highlighted the level of respect and affection he commands within his personal and professional circles — a true measure of the values imparted to him by his mother, whom he described as being selfless and eager to help others in need, even in times of scarcity. Her values resonate through her son’s actions and the positive impact he has had so far.
The burial of Madam Akande was not just a moment of mourning but a celebration of a life well-lived. Through the heartfelt tributes and shared memories, it became evident that her legacy would continue to thrive through her son. His contributions to the gaming and sports betting industry are a lasting testament to her influence and love.
As the community bid farewell to Madam Akande, there was a collective resolve to honour her memory by upholding the principles she cherished – integrity, kindness, and a commitment to bettering the lives of others. Her spirit will undoubtedly live on, not just in her family but also in the gaming community that respects and admires her son.
James Alarmed by the kidnap of three Fouani brothers in Lagos who were rescued on Monday, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed
that the State would do everything to ensure the kidnappers are apprehended and brought to book. Sanwo-olu, who said this when he met with the freed Lebanese nationals at their residence at Banana
Island, pointed out that the incident sent a wrong signal about the State, hence the perpetrators won't go scot free.
The governor disclosed that contrary to some reports that the
men were kidnapped somewhere at the Lagos Marina, the kidnapping actually took place on the high sea.
"We are on top of it. Security operatives are combing everywhere, it is a wrong signal and Lagos will
The Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Ms. Dupe Olusola, has been appointed into the Save the Children United Kingdom's Africa Advisory Board.
Olusola, would bring to the organisation her wealth of experience in leadership, strategic development, and community engagement, including her commitment to excellence and passion for transformative change that aligned perfectly with Save the Children’s core values and objectives.
As a member of the Africa Advisory Board, Olusola would provide strategic guidance and support to the Save the Children UK, helping it to shape initiatives that would drive positive outcomes for children.
She said: “I am honoured to join Save the Children United Kingdom's Africa Advisory Board.”
She added: "Africa’s child population will reach one billion by 2055, according to UNICEF, making it the largest child population among all continents. Hence, investing in our children is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one for our future.
“Giving African children an equal opportunity to thrive will be a game changer for development in our continent. I believe that every child deserves early access to health services, education, and safe water, as well as other goods and services that can maximise a child’s opportunities as an adult and end the cycle of poverty.
“We have an important task on our hands, and I look forward to working alongside such a dedicated team to drive sustainable and impactful change for our children."
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children, dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
With its presence in over 100 countries, Save the Children works
to provide access to quality education, healthcare, protection from harm, and emergency response services.
With a background in turning around businesses, transformation and investments - SMEs and private equity, Olusola has continued to distinguish herself in all markets.
Under her leadership, the Transcorp Hotels Plc has achieved impressive milestones and contributed significantly to its parent company the Transcorp Group's purpose of improving lives and transforming Africa.
Olusola's extensive expertise and deep insights would be invaluable as the organisation continued its mission to create a sustainable impact for children across the continent.
A multiple award-wining executive, Olusola became the first female CEO of a N1trillion company on the Nigerian Exchange earlier in the year. She was named 2023 CEO of the
Year by the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards as well as leading Nigerian publication, the Leadership Newspaper. Olusola is also a member of
the advisory board of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum and a member of the Board of Directors, United Capital Microfinance Bank.
not condone it," he added.
The governor who also spoke on the matter when the leadership of Baptist Convention led by its African President, Rev. Israel Akanbi paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Alausa, Ikeja, also charged all religious leaders to ensure they play their role to bring good governance to the people.
d ensure there is a symbiotic communication between them and government.
Akanbi, earlier in his speech told the governor that, the leaders of the church across the globe shall be having their annual gathering in Lagos, at Eko Hotels and Suites in July 2024, adding that Lagos was chosen as the venue because of the relative peace in the state.
Akanbi, also commended the State governor for the role he was playing to ensure relative peace in the State, just as he appreciated him for the palliative measure introduced by his administration to cushion the effect hardship experienced by Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Responding, Sanwo-olu said it took concerted efforts to improve security in the state, just as he also assured the leadership of the Baptist convention that the State would do everything to ensure the leaders of the church coming from across the globe to the state enjoys their stay. He said the State shall give them security and financial assistance and make sure the visitors enjoy their stay in the State.
In a significant move at its third Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently, Anchoria Asset Management (AAM) announced the appointment of Mr. Folajimi Adeleye as the new Managing Director and Mrs. Esther Ugwu as the company’s Executive Director, Business Development and Investor Relations.
This was disclosed in a statement yesterday.
Ugwu brings over a decade of experience in Business Development and Relationship Management, while Adeleye boasts of almost two decades of extensive experience in Audits, Financial Reporting, and Financial Management.
According to the statement, their track record and understanding of the investment market dynamics makes them well-equipped to drive growth initiatives, strengthen relationships with investors and stakeholders and drive thought leadership initiatives for AAM.
It added: "I am thrilled to work with the talented team at AAM to capitalise on new opportunities and promote sustainable growth.
“I congratulate Esther on her new role and look forward to implementing our strategic vision to advance the company's objectives and expand its market presence.
“Together, we will build on
AAM's strong foundation and chart a course for continued success in the years ahead," Adeleye, upon his appointment.
Shareholders also approved a dividend payment of N258 million for the 2023 fiscal year, equating to a payout of 38 kobo per share.
AAM reported a profit of N1.8 billion, a remarkable 345 per cent increase from the previous year. Other notable achievements included a 728 per cent growth in shareholders’ funds and a 51 per cent increase in Assets Under Management (AUM), reflecting strong investor confidence and effective portfolio management strategies.
Speaking on the next steps for the company, the Chairman, Kelvin Orogun, emphasised AAM's commitment to creating long-term value and sustainable growth for its shareholders, employees, and customers. He affirmed the firm's focus on delivering superior investment solutions and building enduring partnerships.
AAM incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and licenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Funds/Portfolio Manager, specialises in wealth creation and preservation for retail, high-net-worth individual clients, and institutional investors.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed federal government's unwavering commitment to driving economic revival and development in the North East zone of the country.
Shettima stressed that the only way to reclaim and shape the narrative of the North-East region was if everyone stoodtogether.
The vice-president, who stated this on yesterday while laying the foundation for the new headquarters building of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Maiduguri, declared that the event was a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu's promise, an assurance of his commitment, and a reminder of the importance of the North-East
region to the nation.
Shettima, according to a release by his Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, noted that it was a deep honour to witness the commencement of a legacy of service that would outlast all those in attendance.
“NEDC is a product of the people, and it shall serve the interests of the nation. It is this foundational principle that guides the NEDC.
“This institution, therefore, embodies our collective resolve to transform the narrative of this region – from one marred by despair and devastation to one defined by renewal and triumph.
"Today is a demonstration of our promise, an assurance of our commitment, and a reminder of what this sub-region means to the
nation."
Shettima explained that the foundation-laying ceremony was a step towards fulfilling President Tinubu's promise to prioritise initiatives that safeguard the interests of the North East region.
“This promise is not merely a political commitment but a moral obligation to the people, who have endured so much and deserve nothing less than a future defined by peace, stability, and prosperity," he said.
He stressed that the new head office surpassed mere infrastructure, embodying the strength of the nation's collective will to rebuild, restore, and overcome the challenges that have hindered the region's progress.
The Vice President also inspected progress on the first phase of construction on the 27km Jere Bowl Road Network in Mafa/Jere local government area, just as he also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the project.
Earlier, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum, praised the Vice President for mobilising support for the smooth operations of the NEDC.
"We are very proud of what you are doing as our leader in the North East by ensuring the smooth take-off of this project as well as enhancing the operations of the NEDC," Yahaya stated.
Also speaking, Acting Governor of Borno State, Usman Kadafur, applauded the good work so far done by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in the six states of the "Theregion.effort of the NEDC is adjudged a quite successful story and it is the pride of the various state governments across the North East region," he said, regretting that the Boko Haram insurgency had a pervasive impact on the region, with Borno State as the worst hit. Chairman of the Governing Board of NEDC, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd), said the laying of the foundation for the construction of a befitting headquarters has opened a new chapter in the history of the Commission, symbolizing growth.
L-R: President of the Senate and Chairman National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, being welcomed to the 293rd Session of the Executive Committee of the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU), by the President and Speaker of Parliament, Ms Tulia Ackson, in the United Republic of Tanzania... yesterday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo has alleged that there are orchestrated plans by a former Minister to defame his invaluable contribution to the development of the aviation industry in the last nine months.
This was as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stressed that the high score of 71.04 per cent Nigeria recorded in the audit exercise conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Security Audit ProgrammeContinuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) in the country’s aviation industry was due to the concerted effort of the Minister and the Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo.
Keyamo in a statement signed his spokesman, Tunde Moshood, stated that the Ministry of Aviation was aware of plan by a certain Minister to denigrate the achievements he has recorded since he became Minister of Aviation.
In the statement titled, “A Reply to One Iliyasu Gadu Who Has Been Hired to Attack Festus Keyamo,” stated, “We are aware that a certain former Minister met with some socalled ‘online influencers’ and some hack writers in Abuja some weeks ago and the agenda was simply on how to generate comments, articles and editorials and plant them in various media against no other person than the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN to water down the efforts he’s presently making to reposition the aviation sector as mandated
Blessing IbungeThe Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the federal government has reviewed the contract for the ongoing Bodo/ Bonny link road in Rivers State to N280 billion from the previous cost of N199 billion.
The Minister also said the federal government has set December 15 this year as target for the completion and commissioning of the project.
He pointed out that the ministry was harmonising contracts in order to execute only those that there is enough money for completion.
The Minister who noted that the present administration inherited over 2,600 uncompleted road projects, said the projects are to
by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“They have since embarked on a well-oiled campaign of calumny against the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
“This coordinated attack is clearly driven by their total discomfort over the Honourable Minister’s commendable performance and focus on key issues in that sector which has confounded even his fiercest critics. So, we know where Iliyasu Gadu is coming from.”
The statement noted that the Minister expected the push-back by “the reactionary forces,” noting that the beneficiaries of the old, decadent order would hardly ever give up old privileges without a fight.
The statement observed, “But, definitely, in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians, the Honourable Minister is doing a damn good patriotic job by restoring the culture of sanity, efficiency and accountability in the aviation sector, consistent with President Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda.
“In the last few weeks, the paymaster and his hirelings wrote and planted an editorial in one of the nation’s major dailies complaining about Keyamo’s alleged ‘interference’ in what they see as ‘regulatory issues on safety.’
“Apparently pained by the wide applause that has greeted the Minister’s bold initiatives both in the media and civic space, these disgruntled elements decided to generate a laughable and warped ‘fact-check’ on the stated achievements with a view to discrediting them. But knowledgeable folks who read the so-called ‘fact-check’ only laughed out
be executed on the basis of fairness and equity across the zones and states because of paucity of funds.
Umuahi, spoke during projects inspection tour in Rivers State, yesterday.
He condemned the abandonment of the Akpajo/Eleme stretch of the East-West road by the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC).
The Minister who addressed journalists shortly after the inspection tour, said the amount of money paid to contactors should correspond with the project completed.
"And this is what we are going to be looking at, at the ministry of works. Contractors should not be having our money to that extent,"
so loud that they could not help but call for another fact-check to check the fact-checker!”
Picking holes in the article written by Gadu, which referred to Keyamo as ‘embattled’ the Minister stated: “Haba! Who could be more embattled than his paymaster who has been running from pillar to post to clear himself of barrage of corruption charges, ineptitude during his tenure and fraudulent projects he embarked upon?”
The statement also noted that the Minister has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and strategic acumen, earning him accolades and admiration from members of the public, adding that any attempt to discredit him, particularly by a former Minister whose reputation had already been tarnished, was not
only baseless but also a desperate bid to deflect from his own failures.
The statement described the article written against the Minister as alarmist, noting that Gadu’s spurious claims, particularly regarding the ICAO score, were unfounded.
“The recent 71 per cent ICAO score is a reflection of systemic issues inherited from previous administration, and not as a result of Mr. Keyamo's stewardship of just nine months. It was Mr. Keyamo’s brilliance and managerial expertise that steered the nation through the ICAO audit process, mitigating what could have been worse situation. Mr. Keyamo has since set up a Ministerial team, headed by himself and to be meeting monthly, to prepare for the next audit, something never done before in the sector.
“In fact, in Gadu’s confused state, on the one hand, he blames Mr. Keyamo for the ICAO’s score which happened under Keyamo’s watch (he feels Mr. Keyamo could have done more to remedy the situation), yet in the same breath, he criticises Mr. Keyamo for ‘interference’ in regulatory matters. Haba!
“He needs to clear his head properly and further consult his paymaster as to whether they should criticise Mr. Keyamo for safety issues or tell Mr. Keyamo to totally keep off safety issues,” the statement noted. Furthermore, on the issue of the Abuja second runway and the land dispute with the Jiwa Community, the Ministry stated that the facts speak for themselves, disclosing that the head of the Jiwa Community himself, HRH Dr. Idris Musa, Sarkin Jiwa, at different
public fora openly acknowledged the sterling role Mr. Keyamo played the moment he assumed office in resolving the major part of the issues, allowing the contractors to immediately move to site.
The statement added that the Aviation Minister was ably assisted by his counterpart in the FCT Ministry, remarking that the information was readily available and corroborated by numerous sources, contrary to the misleading narratives propagated by those it described as "alarmist." Meanwhile, the NCAA reiterated that Keyamo and the acting Director General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo made significant contributions to earn Nigeria a pass mark of 71.04 per cent in the audit exercise conducted by the ICAO’s USAP-CMA.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye branch, yesterday, staged a rally to sensitise parents, students and other stakeholders in the university system.Members of the union who held the rally in the university campus, sang aluta songs carrying placards of many inscriptions about the looming nationwide strike.
The ASUU - OOU said the rally was in compliance with the directive
he said.
He revealed that the ministry was working on all sessions of the East/West road to ensure completion, adding that flood prone areas will be constructed on concrete pavements.
He added: "We are raising the height of the road by one metre so that it will be totally out of the flood plain.
"The only way we can achieve success in our road projects is proper monitoring and that is the Hallmark of what we will embark on at the Ministry of Works. When you don't push contractors they may tend to slack with exception of very few of them.
"So we are harmonising contracts so that we will continue with only
of the national body of the union.
According to ASUU, the strike ought to have since commenced but the union elected to postpone till a date in July, to enable the lecturers prepare the minds of stakeholders.
The rally led by the OOU branch Acting Chairman, Dr. Olooto Wasiu, took the lecturers round the university campus, where they briefed students of the imminent action, urging them to understand that the planned industrial action was meant to save the nation's public universities.
The Union also stopped over at
contracts that we are sure that we have enough money to execute and we are going to prioritise projects.
"We inherited over 2,600 projects and we don't have all the money to continue all of them. So we are going to prioritise them on the basis of fairness and equity across the zones and of course across the States," he added.
According to him, "Mr. President has been paying and when we pay we want to recover the advance payment immediately before we pay more so that we will not have our monies in the hands of contractors and they will be telling us VOP and all of that. VOP is being used to stifle the federal government but I also pity some of the contractors over payments."
the garage and bus terminals, where they addressed parents and motorists about the looming industrial action. Some of inscriptions on the placards read: "Nigerians, ASUU Has Sacrificed More Than Enough Survival of University System; FG Stop Playing Politics with Our Educational System," Education is a Right and Not a Privilege; Our Negotiation Should Be Completed and Implemented" among others.
Addressing reporters at the ASUU Secretariat inside the OOU campus after the rally, Wasiu identified some of the issues that necessitate the impending strike. The issues he listed included the federal government's disbanding of some Governing Council of federal universities when their tenure had not yet ended and its refusal to recall them; non-payment of three and half months salaries under the guise of 'no work, no pay policy,' as punishment for previous strike and quest for university autonomy.
He also identified non- implementation of the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement in full, rejection of the UTAS payment system developed by the ASUU and the continued use of the IPPIS to pay members as other unresolved issues necessitating the impending nationwide strike by ASUU. According to him, the strike was inevitable hence the advance notice to Nigerians, especially stakeholders, so that nobody would be taken unaware.
He said, "The basis of the rally
we had today is to sensitise our students and stakeholders in the university about the impending action. The action may be determined by circumstances. It might be strike or something else.
"The essence is to keep them aware that very soon the action will be exposed but it will be as directed by the national body. I believe that they have been sensitised and given their consent. “So, if they hear that ASUU is on strike, they would have already been aware of it and the purpose.
"There are many things the government has not done. Our colleagues were being owed eight months salary because of the previous strike. They adopted the policy of 'no work no pay.' They have paid four and half months. It still remains three and half months unpaid. We are saying the remaining months owed our members should be paid.
"The claim was that they didn't teach but they forgot that the job of lecturers is not only limited to teaching. There are areas of community service, there are areas of research. “Let them go ask the students if what they were supposed to be taught when ASUU was on strike was not eventually taught when the strike was called off?
"Immediately after the strike called off and school resumed, we made sure that all what the students were supposed to learn were treated, they were examined, scripts were marked and results were released.
Alex Enumah in Abuja Rights activist and senior lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has faulted the intervention of a Federal High Court in Kano in the emirship tussle in the state.
According to the senior lawyer, the issue surrounding the appointment and removal of traditional rulers are outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court as well as the National Industrial Court.
"The intervention of the Federal High Court in the dispute arising from the deposition of Emir Ado Bayero & co as well as the restoration of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is a brazen repudiation of the decision of the Supreme Court," he said.
Citing the case of Tukur versus Government of Gongola State (1987), Falana recalled the apex court as ruling that "The question raised
in this claim is not a fundamental right question" because "the right to be Emir is not guaranteed by the Fundamental Rights provisions of the Constitution and the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction whatever in the matter. The Court of Appeal was therefore not in error of law to hold that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to grant the two reliefs."
He further submitted that since the apex court has said that the right to be an emir is not a fundamental right under chapter four of the Constitution, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano ought to have declined jurisdiction to continue to entertain the dispute over the chieftaincy matter in Kano. He added that the allegation of infringement of the fundamental rights of the applicants is an ancillary claim to the substantive reliefs emanating from the deposition and reinstatement
of the embattled emirs.
Further according to him, "In FCMB Plc v Nyama (2014) LPELR-23973 AT 19-20, the Court of Appeal held that: “Now it is settled that where an application is made under the fundamental Right (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, a condition precedent to the exercise of the court’s jurisdiction is that the enforcement of fundamental rights of the securing of enforcement thereof should be the main claim and not the accessory claim.
“Where the main or principal claim is not the enforcement of fundamental right, the jurisdiction of the court cannot be properly exercised under Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules."
Similarly, the senior lawyer also faulted the intervention last week of the National Industrial Court in the case of Jonathan Paragua Zamuna
versus the Governor of Kaduna State & Another in suit No: NICN/ KD/13/2023, wherein the court held that the deposition of the claimant as a traditional ruler was illegal and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
Falana observed that in justifying the jurisdiction of the court to determine the case, the presiding Judge, Alkali J. held that "the payment of the monthly salary to Jonathan Zamuna upon his appointment as the chief of Piriga Chiefdom or as an officer in the public service of Kaduna State who received salaries from the coffer of the State Government of Kaduna State brings the termination of his appointment to the realm of the jurisdiction of the court.
"I submit, with profound respect, that Section 254(C)(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended has not conferred jurisdiction on the
AND CONSTITUTION IN RIVERS, FUBARA DECLARES having arrogantly committed an unpardonable constitutional breach."
Ologunagba told APC to bury the thoughts of a state of emergency in Rivers State, saying it is a mere hallucination.
He stated, "The press conference by the APC in Rivers State calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State is yet another hallucinating press conference by the Rivers State caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, wherein he again fantasised that the will of the people of Rivers State, as expressed in the governorship election, which produced Governor Siminalayi Fubara, can be upturned by the imagination of the APC.
"This reckless outburst by Tony Okocha further exposes the sinister plot by the APC in Rivers State, which has been seeking ways to instigate crisis, forcefully overthrow a democratic order, and impose an anti-democratic regime in Rivers State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
"The use of the word ‘war’ by Mr. Okocha in his thoughtless statement clearly shows an evil intention, which has been firmly resisted and will continue to be resisted by the people of Rivers State."
Concerned Elders Call for Caution
Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and one of the concerned citizens, Sir Gabriel T.B. Toby, warned those opposing the establishment of caretaker committees at the local government level to be careful not to cause chaos in the state.
Toby, who spoke yesterday on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channel, said, "What is going on in Rivers State local government councils is quite unfortunate. We, the elders, and everyone of goodwill desire peace, and we have always had peace in this state.
“The issue at hand, involving chairmen whose tenures have expired and those seeking to extend their terms, is perplexing. The governor has made his position clear, and we must recognise the authority of our governor."
He emphasised the importance of adhering to legal processes, saying, "If anyone believes the governor's directives are wrong, they should not take the law into their own hands."
But, in a contrary view, a lawyer and human rights activist, Liborous Oshoma, while addressing the broader implications of the position of the Rivers State governor, criticised the use of caretaker committees by governors, describing it as an illegal form of tenure extension.
Oshoma, who also spoke yesterday on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channels, underscored the democratic deficiencies and legal issues stemming from the absence of local government elections.
He said, "You can't put something on nothing and expect it to stand. The crisis in Rivers State could have been avoided if local government elections were conducted on time. The struggle for expired positions wouldn't exist."
Oshoma said added, "The governors should be willing to facilitate elections at the local government level, similar to those at the federal level." He said any attempt to extend local government officers' tenures was unconstitutional.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, admonished the embattled council chairmen not to allow themselves to be used as tools to perpetuate the political crisis in the state.
The APC chief, in a statement, said reports from reliable sources had brought to light surreptitious plots to use the former council chairmen to perpetrate the controversy over the status of the politically stranded 27 former Rivers lawmakers.
Eze alleged that the plot was sealed over the weekend when each of the former chairmen was handed a script to play beginning from June 18, a day after the due date for their exit, in a bid to sustain hostilities and reduce the state into a theatre of war.
The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, condemned the recent outbreak of violence and subsequent breakdown of law and order at various local government council secretariats in Rivers State.
The crisis followed a clash between supporters of two political factions over the tenure of local government council chairmen. This led to the death of a police officer, Inspector David Mgbada, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, "The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemns in the strongest terms the recent outbreak of
violence and subsequent breakdown of law and order at various local government council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of two political factions clashed over the tenure of local government council chairmen, which, unfortunately, led to the tragic deaths of a police officer, Inspector David Mgbada, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LGA.
"In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence, which erupted in the state.
"The IGP has specifically deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers of the police officer and the vigilante member.
“The IGP seriously warns individuals and groups of people, who have a penchant for senseless attacks and mindless killings of police officers and other security operatives across the country, to desist forthwith as the fullest force of the law will be meted on them.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the killing of one Endwell Awunze along UlaPata, Ahoada town on Tuesday, by suspected cultists.
The police spokesperson, who said the victim was killed by unknown gunmen, said investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the attack and arrest the perpetrators.
National Industrial Court to hear and determine chieftaincy matters.
“Section 254C (1) (k) of the Constitution provides that the National Industrial Court shall have jurisdiction in matters relating to or connected with dispute arising from payment or non-payment of salaries, wages, pensions, gratuities, allowances, benefits and any other entitlement of any employee, worker, political office holder, judicial officer or any civil or public servant in any part of the federation and matters incidental thereto", he said.”
Falana in addition argued that the deposition of a traditional ruler cannot by any stretch of imagination be said to be connected with a "dispute arising from the entitlement of an employee, worker, political office holder, judicial officer or any civil or public servant in any part of the federation and matters incidental thereto. The payment of stipend to a traditional ruler by a state government cannot turn him into an employee or a public officer", he added.
He however noted that the only time the court can entertain such matters is when the complaint is limited to his banishment or detention,
as in the case between Sanusi Lamido Sanusi versus Attorney-General of Kano State & Ors (Suit No: FHC/ ABJ/CS/357/2020), wherein the Federal High Court declared illegal and unconstitutional the banishment of the applicant to Nasarawa State by the Governor of Kano State. "In conclusion, judges and lawyers should realise that disputes arising from chieftaincy and other local matters are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of each state of the federation notwithstanding that the country is operating a distorted federal arrangement.
“Therefore, having regards to the facts and circumstances of the controversial decisions of the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court on the status of traditional rulers in Kano State, it is pertinent to draw the attention of judges to the case of Tukur v Government of Gongola State (supra) where Otutu Obaseki JSC (of blessed memory) cautioned that “Courts in this country, without exception, have no power to prescribe jurisdiction for themselves. Neither do they have power to expand or reduce their area of jurisdiction.”
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that drought has seriously impacted about 40 million Nigerians negatively and has led to loss of livelihood and thrown many into adverse poverty, especially around the Lake Chad region.
The minister was represented by a senior staff in the ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman, at the celebration of World Environment Day by the United Nations in Nigeria, in collaboration with Greenhub Africa Foundation and Renewable Energy Efficiency Association.
He said Nigeria has undertaken several far reaching actions to reduce the impact of drought on the citizenry but it was no longer enough to prevent further damage to the land as it was necessary to act decisively to reverse and recover what has been lost.
“Land degradation is a global sustainable development concern which threatens the primary productivity of soil, food produc-
tion system, biodiversity, water availability, energy, peace security and sustainable livelihood.
“To farmers, herdsmen and agro foresters in Nigeria, land degradation means a constant battle to grow crops, feed livestock and maintain ecosystem stability.
“Globally, a large proportion of people living in poverty and directly affected by land degradation and here in Nigeria, the poorest depend on the land for sustenance and there is a direct connection between land degradation and poverty.
“It is an incontrovertible fact that a healthy land in vital to the existence and persistence of all human societies from food, fodder, water and materials such as timber and fibre, pest, disease control and cultural identity.
“As land becomes degraded, the availability of arable land for agriculture decreases, thereby compounding food insecurity and forcing communities to migrate in search of better living, this invariably leads to conflicts.”
Atiku Abubakar to Bola Tinubu
“Tinubu’s trial-and-error policies have continued to dig the country deeper into economic degradation. His government is characterised by a lack of transparency and accountability. For example, his administration is paying for subsidy, contrary to the claims that it is gone for good. Why are they lying about this other than to divert money away from the federation account?
Truth be told, Tinubu is the one causing the deepening poverty in the country”—formervice presidentonthepresident’sremarkthatNigeriaisnottheonlycountryfacingpoverty.
Last week, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf painted a pathetic picture of the state of primary education in Kano. “Above 4.7 million pupils are sitting on bare floors to take lessons while about 400 schools have only one teacher for all classes subjects and all pupils,” said Yusuf who put the current figure of out-of-school children in the state at 989,234. Not surprisingly, he blamed his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje for the problem. “Rather than building more classrooms and providing basic furniture in the schools, as well as hiring more teachers, the administration we took over from chose to butcher the land belonging to those schools. In some places, it demolished classrooms to create space for shops.” The schools that could not be sold, according to Yusuf, were closed. “The encroachment of public-school lands and the conversion of these vital institutions into private business premises is an affront to our communal values and a direct assault on our commitment to public education. This reckless appropriation of educational spaces for commercial use is unacceptable and must stop immediately.”
The growing number of out-of-school children has become not only a social problem but a serious national security challenge. More worrisome is what appears to be the lack of any concerted effort to deal with this vexatious problem beyond bandying statistics. According to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a huge percentage of the world’s total number of out-of-school children come from Nigeria. And this is not only a Kano problem. While perhaps more pronounced in the north, no state is free of the problem which is compounded by projections that Nigeria’s population could rise to 440 million by 2050. Such uncontrolled population growth of largely illiterate people poses a serious threat to the survival of a nation. Besides, it is from this constituency that criminal cartels now recruit their members. After all, as the saying goes, an idle hand is the devil’s workshop.
Yet, there is hardly any national conversation regarding primary schools. This tragic error has become the bane of education management in Nigeria. Our obsession with university education is based on the warped thinking that we can build a house from the roof while we discount the foundation, which primary schools represent. A recent report by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that no fewer than 27 states in the country have failed to access the sum of N54.9 billion basic education fund as of the end of March this year is very telling. The UBEC fund is an annual grant to help states upgrade primary schools. But to access the money, they are required to match the federal government’s grant. To evade accountability, many states ignore this facility even as children study under deplorable conditions, including lessons under trees and in dilapidated classrooms.
The growing population of out-of-school children is a symptom of the larger problem of irresponsible procreation. Unfortunately, population control is rarely discussed in
Nigeria, not only because we choose to live in denial about what ails us but also because once we cloak an issue in the garb of religion, it becomes taboo for any serious engagement. The major concern about our rapidly growing population, as Dimos Sakellaridis, a population control advocate once reminded us, is the absence of infrastructural support. Especially since social services like schools, health care facilities etc. are not also growing at an equally comparable rate. In fact, they are deteriorating everyday which means that the only thing we are producing at a comparative advantage in Nigeria today are babies.
It should worry all critical stakeholders that a demographic crisis is already upon us. That there is a class dimension to this crisis merely compounds the problem. Deutsche Welle (DW), a German international broadcaster, recently produced a documentary on Nigeria’s exploding population. “Having a large family is a blessing from God. I am a product of a large family. I like a large family,” a resident of Makoko waterfront slum in Lagos who has three wives and 18 children reportedly said without a care about how to raise such a huge number of children that may end up on the street. “As a youth, I decided that, when I was older, I would have a large family.” That mindset is replicated across the country by thousands of poor people based on the illusion that Nigeria is a wealthy country. We have never been one, though the potential was huge at independence 64 years ago. Even if we didn’t squander our riches, the rate at which our population has grown from 45.2 million to 229 million today would still be a problem. Meanwhile, in 1960, the population of the United Kingdom was 52 million, meaning that the country from which
we were gaining independence had about seven million more people than Nigeria. Today, the UK is about 68 million, an increase of almost 14 percent over the past 62 years while Nigeria’s estimated population has increased by about 500 percent!
At some point we must come to terms with the reality that at the rate our population is growing amid dwindling resources, there is no way millions of children will not be left behind to our collective detriment. There must therefore be an enlightenment campaign on responsible procreation. “The resources available are unable to meet the basic needs of the growing population,” John Oyefara, a professor of demography at the University of Lagos, told DW. “This has resulted in inadequate facilities in our health sector, food security, housing, transportation and even employment.”
The numbers don’t look good. As of 2020, Nigeria’s share in the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity (which is used to measure both the economic growth and living standards in any country) amounted to approximately 0.81 percent. Meanwhile, using data from the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, Pratap Vardin, an Indian full-stack data science engineer, came up with a graphic of countries where the next 1,000 babies would statistically be born into based on population and birth rates estimates. By his projection, 57 of those babies would be born in Nigeria. That means we will account for about six per cent of children born into the world who will then have to battle for less than one percent of global resources! There is ample evidence to suggest that most educated and relatively comfortable people in our society produce only the number they believe they can care for. In fact, most of the middle-class professionals who have embraced the ‘Japa’ syndrome do so for their children, despite the sacrifices involved. On the other hand, it is those who are at the lower rung of society who have no qualms about having as many children as they like without considering the welfare of those they are bringing into the world. Having allowed the majority of our people to remain chained to belief systems that shun family planning, we now have a huge but largely unproductive population on our hands. If we are to develop as a society, we need an enforceable population policy that is tied to incentives as it is done in several countries.
As I have written several times on this page, the 1974 controversial book, ‘Lifeboat Ethics: The case against helping the poor’ by Garrett Hardin has now become a ready handbook for policy makers in most immigration departments of Western countries. It also accounts for the rise of right-wing leaders to positions of power and why opportunities for ‘Japa’ are shrinking in most of these countries. Metaphorically, according to the late American ecologist and microbiologist who focused his career on the issue of human overpopulation, “Each rich nation can be seen as a lifeboat full of comparatively rich people. In the ocean outside each lifeboat swim the poor of the world, who would
like to get in, or at least to share some of the wealth.” He then asked: “What should the lifeboat passengers do?”
This was the way Hardin answered his own question 50 years ago: “So here we sit, say 50 people in our lifeboat. To be generous, let us assume it has room for 10 more, making a total capacity of 60. Suppose the 50 of us in the lifeboat see 100 others swimming in the water outside, begging for admission to our boat or for handouts. We have several options: we may be tempted to try to live by the Christian ideal of being ‘our brother’s keeper,’ or by the Marxist ideal of ‘to each according to his needs.’ Since the needs of all in the water are the same, and since they can all be seen as ‘our brothers,’ we could take them all into our boat, making a total of 150 in a boat designed for 60. The boat swamps, everyone drowns. Complete justice, complete catastrophe.”
The critical point in Hardin’s thesis is that most of the countries from where citizens flee are suffering the consequences of the choices their people make, especially regarding an unbridled population explosion. “The harsh ethics of the lifeboat become harsher when we consider the reproductive differences between rich and poor. A wise and competent government saves out of the production of the good years in anticipation of bad years to come. Joseph taught this policy to Pharaoh in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago. Yet the great majority of the governments in the world today do not follow such a policy,” Hardin wrote. “They lack either the wisdom or the competence, or both. On the average poor countries undergo a 2.5 percent increase in population each year; rich countries, about 0.8 percent. Because of the higher rate of population growth in the poor countries of the world, 88 percent of today’s children are born poor, and only 12 percent rich. Year by year the ratio becomes worse, as the fast-reproducing poor outnumber the slow-reproducing rich…”
For decades, we have sold the myth, especially to the poor of our society, that the government is responsible for taking care of them. And that the only problem is ‘corruption’ which our politicians keep ‘fighting’. The message must be that everyone is ultimately responsible for themselves and their family. Conducting a conversation on this issue is more urgent than ever before. We need voices like that of the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs chairman and Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, who once cautioned low-income earners against marrying more than one wife. “Civil servants on a salary of N15,000 a month marry more than one wife and end up raising families they cannot cater for,” the emir said. “It is this attitude that is responsible for increasing out-of-school children because the parents cannot shoulder the responsibility.”
On the immediate challenge, Kano and the other states must find the human and material resources to take children off the streets and put them in schools. But in the long term, Nigerians must also begin to understand that only a moderate population growth that enables a high quality of life for citizens can guarantee a sustainable society.