SUNDAY 23TH JUNE 2024

Weary of Protracted Leadership Tussle, Apapa’s Faction Makes U-turn, Backs Abure as LP National Chairman

We reconciled to

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

fight Obi, NLC, says Apapa’s camp

Military Strategising to Protect Farmers, Says DHQ, Onanuga Urges Nigerians to Embrace Farming

As part of the efforts to address the security challenges that prevented farmers from going to the farms and resulted in high cost of foods in the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said operational adjustments were being made by the military to prioritise protection of farmers to ensure a successful rainy season farming across the country.

This is coming as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has called on Nigerians to embrace subsistence farming to address the challenge of the rising cost of foods.

While acknowledging that things were not working in the country as President Bola Tinubu had wanted, Onanuga disclosed that Nigerians would begin to see the results of the government's efforts in the next

12 months.

However, the Nigerian Army yesterday said that its troops deployed in the North-east, in collaboration with Vigilante and Hybrid Forces, killed three terrorists, rescued kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered arms and ammunition, in a series of coordinated counterterrorism operations.

Also, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has applauded the media for its support to military operations across the federation, adding the media was critical in military operations.

Speaking on the efforts to ensure that farmers return to the farms, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, while giving updates on the operations of the armed forces in Abuja, said the armed forces had intensified intelligence gathering

I COME IN PEACE…

President Muhammadu Buhari (left),

vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar when the former vice president visited Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State…yesterday

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

Three Days after Meeting Abdulsalami, Babangida, Atiku Visits Buhari in Daura

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his country home, Daura, Katsina State, barely three days after meeting the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in their residences in Minna, Niger State

Though details and reason for the

visit were not disclosed to journalists, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the visit as a Sallah homage to the erstwhile president. He also visited the residence of the former Kaduna State Governor, the late Lawal Kaita, the palaces of the Emirs of Daura and Katsina, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar and Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.

The former Governor of Sokoto State,

WITH INFLATIONARY PRESSURES EASING, CBN SAYS MONETARY POLICY TIGHTENING ACHIEVING

DESIRED RESULTS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities decelerated in May to 2.14 per cent compared to 2.29 per cent in April, and 3.02 per cent in March.

However, headline inflation further increased to 33.95 per cent in May compared to 33.69 per cent the previous month.

Also, year-on-year, food inflation reached 40.66 per cent in May, an increase of 15.84 per cent compared to 24.82 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of 2023.

Month-on-month, food inflation dropped to 2.28 per cent compared to 2.50 per cent in April.

In his reaction, the CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, said, “Slowly but surely, the inflation tide is turning.” Abdullahi added: "While the numbers are not yet uniform for all measures, such as year-on-year across the entire country, we will continue to work diligently with coordinated policy measures to ensure that the worst of the inflationary cycle is behind us in the nearest future."

In a statement issued yesterday, the apex bank pointed out that the monthly inflation rate had declined from as high as 3.12 per cent in February, reflecting a slowdown in price increases for essential goods, adding that food inflation also fell for a third consecutive month to 2.28 per cent in May, from 2.50 per cent in April, and 3.79 per cent in February.

CBN maintained that the monthly inflation trend underscored conviction from members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that a combination of tighter monetary policy and appropriate coordinated fiscal measures from the federal government would prove effective in arresting the sharp increase in the cost of living that has afflicted Nigerians since the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The CBN stated that while year-onyear inflation had continued to inch higher "it is the monthly numbers that are the all-important indicators isolating the impact since the CBN began raising interest rates in February this year."

The apex bank stressed that the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso had made inflation tackling his paramount mission the essential path to achieving sustainable economic growth in the mid-term to long-term as well as improving the standard of living of ordinary Nigerians.

Price Hike Making Food Unaffordable, Abuja Chamber of Commerce Laments

Meanwhile, ACCI has declared that persistent hikes in food prices were worsening poverty levels across the country.

ACCI’s President, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said the situation was also affecting small-scale businesses adversely, adding that basic meals were becoming unaffordable to most citizens nationwide.

“The Abuja Chamber of Commerce

and Industry expresses deep concern over the persistent rise in commodity prices, which is adversely affecting small-scale business owners and escalating poverty levels in the country.

“The surge in prices of essential food items such as rice, beans, cassava flour, tomatoes, pepper, onions, and others has aggravated the plight of the average citizen, rendering basic meals increasingly unaffordable for many households,” he said, in a statement issued in Abuja.

The chamber’s president said official records from the National Bureau of Statistics had indicated a staggering 35.41 per cent food inflation rate in May 2023.

“However, on-ground observations suggest that the true food inflation rate exceeds 50 per cent, highlighting the severity of the situation and its dire impact on livelihoods.

“Experts attribute this economic hardship to the drastic depreciation of the national currency, the naira, which has significantly eroded citizens’ purchasing power. The resulting exchange rate volatility has disrupted businesses, increased production costs, and thwarted projections for economic growth,” Obegolu stated.

The chamber stated that the Chief Executive Officer, of Araba Technology, Segun Olugbile, had urged the ACCI to initiate business actions against the food crisis and hunger in the Federal Capital Territory.

Olugbile, according to ACCI, said the food crisis was becoming a serious issue due to multifaceted challenges affecting farmers, herders climate change, and the current high inflation.

He said the ACCI stood at a critical juncture as the FCT faced an escalating food crisis and hunger emergency due to challenges impacting food production and supply chains.

With an estimated 24.7 million individuals affected by food and nutrition insecurity across 26 states, including the FCT, urgent action is imperative, the expert explained.

Olugbile emphasised the pivotal role that ACCI could play in collaboration with government and stakeholders to avert a worsening crisis and bolster food security in the region.

Reacting to this, Obegolu said ACCI provides support services in the area of training and advocacy to help local businesses navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the food sector to impact its members.

He said the distressing situation has made necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare increasingly unattainable, pushing numerous households to the brink of poverty and extreme deprivation.

The NBS in one of its reports in 2023, stated that Nigeria already had 133 million people living in multidimensional poverty before the recent economic challenges. However, there are growing concerns that this number has swelled over the past eight months.

In the past, staple foods like cassava flour (garri) and beans served as affordable options for the common man. However, the current scenario paints a starkly different picture, with prices skyrocketing beyond the reach of the average citizen.

Aminu Tambuwal; former Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa; and former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ibrahim Umar Tsauri, were among the personalities on Atiku’s entourage.

Fielding questions from journalists at the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua International Airport, Katsina, the ex-vice president said he only paid Sallah homage to former President Buhari.

He said: “First of all, I paid Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar.

“Secondly, I came to Katsina on a condolence visit to the Emir of Katsina over the death of his son, and the wife of the late Lawal Kaita. This is the reason why I came to Katsina.”

Also fielding questions from reporters, Atiku assured the party in the state that the crisis plaguing the state and others

would be resolved by the coming state congresses expected to commence next week.

But when asked about the leadership tussle rocking PDP in the state, the former vice president said: “There will soon be congresses. So, people will elect who they want.”

However, Atiku’s visit to Buhari is coming barely three days after he visited former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and former Head of State,

General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in their residences in Minna, Niger State. The visits have since heightened speculations among political pundits that Atiku is preparing grounds to contest the 2027 presidential election. Political observers argued that Atiku’s visits to the military heads of state and the immediate past president of the country were part of his moves to form a coalition of Nigerian leaders ahead of the 2027 poll.

MILITARY STRATEGISING TO PROTECT FARMERS, SAYS DHQ, ONANUGA URGES NIGERIANS TO EMBRACE FARMING

efforts targeted at hunting terrorists and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating.

He said the aim was to eliminate the terrorists and the infrastructure that supported their activities.

According to him, troops will continue to employ significant firepower to neutralise terrorists and disrupt their activities across the country.

“Winning the war against the terrorist is non-negotiable,” he said.

Buba added that the troops had in different operations, neutralised 220, apprehended 395 suspects and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages in the last one week.

He added that troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 assorted ammunition, comprising three PKT guns, one G-3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles and 18 locally-fabricated guns.

Also recovered were 16 dane guns, 14 RPG bombs, one RPG launcher, two tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades and one bandolier.

Others include: 5,893 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 401 rounds of 9mm ammo, 200 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 154 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 195 live cartridges, and 17 magazines.

In the North-east, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects and rescued 61 kidnappers’ hostages.

Assorted arms were also recovered, he added.

In the North-central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 37 insurgents, arrested 102 violent extremists and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages, he said.

In the North-west, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch, neutralised 78 terrorists, arrested 103 terrorists and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army

appeals during the presidential election petition.

In what was described as an anti-party activity to destabilise the party for the benefit of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Apapa had filed a petition to discontinue Obi’s presidential petition against President Bola Tinubu.

The NLC had backed Abure during the war of attrition between him and Apapa.

With the new peace deal between Abure and Apapa, the two camps would team up against the plans by the NLC to take over the party. Abure, who had enjoyed NLC’s support, fell out of favour with the union following a contentious national convention held in Anambra State that returned him and all his loyal members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to office three months ago.

This compelled the NLC Political Commission to void the new leadership and set up a transition committee, saddled with the task of engaging stakeholders of the party and conducting a fresh convention

yesterday said its troops deployed in the North-east, in collaboration with Vigilante and Hybrid Forces, killed three terrorists, rescued kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered arms and ammunition.

It said troops executed an ambush operation targeting terrorists' hibernating around Pulka and Ashagashiya, in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA), of Borno State.

The service also noted that troops made contact with the terrorists, killing one, while others fled in disarray, abandoning their belongings, during the operations.

The troops, it said, successfully rescued seven women and nine children from the clutches of the terrorists. The troops also recovered one submachine gun (SMG), three bicycles, four blankets, cooking utensils, and several other items.

"Similarly, troops conducted an ambush operation in the Komala general area of Borno State. The operations resulted in the neutralisation of one terrorist and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with two magazines containing 29 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and 91 belted links of PKT ammunition. Additional items recovered include one SMG, two AK-47 rifles, one SMG magazine, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and one motorbike.

"In a separate operation in Benue State, troops in response to intelligence reports about terrorists' movements in Ayati Village, Ukum LGA, launched a swift operation to counteract the nefarious activities of the terrorists.

The terrorists, upon sighting the troops, fled, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, one Dane gun, two 83 mm launchers, four locally made launchers, and one rifle magazine. The troops also seized 19 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) and five rounds of 5.56 x 45 mm

in 90 days.

NLC also embarked on a series of picketing at LP secretariats nationwide, insisting on an allinclusive convention but Abure had his way.

A source at the LP national secretariat, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, explained that Abure felt the urgent need to close rank with the Apapa’s faction following the open revolt and pressure from the NLC and his perceived differences with Obi.

According to the source, “it is the only logical way for him to have a united front against the threat of the NLC in particular. I believe you already know Abure has a long history with Apapa and Abayomi Arabambi before now,” the source explained.

When contacted, the factional spokesman of Apapa’s camp, Abayomi Arabambi, confirmed the development.

Arabambi told THISDAY that they had no problem with Abure from the outset because they knew he was

ammunition and other assorted arms," the statement revealed.

In another successful operation in Kogi State, troops responded to information, regarding a planned ransom payment to kidnappers. Coordinating with vigilantes and local hunters, the troops engaged the kidnappers at the planned exchange point in Okunran Okoloke General Area.

During the encounter, one kidnapper was killed, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 15 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and one motorcycle were recovered.

The Nigerian Army concluded that these modest but significant operational successes are indicative of troops' resilience and dedication in ensuring that they mitigate security challenges across the country.

Also, the CDS, General Musa, while receiving in audience the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama and his management team, in his office at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, applauded the FRCN for their consistency despite all odds, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), was working towards a better Nigeria.

A statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, noted that the CDS assured his guests of the AFN’s readiness to work with FRCN to rid the nation of criminalities.

Presidency Urges Nigerians to Embrace Farming

In a related development, the presidency has called on Nigerians to embrace subsistence farming to address the challenge of the rising cost of food

being misled by NLC leadership.

"Yes, it is true. The reconciliation was done to fight a common enemy."

When asked who the common enemy was, he said: "Peter Obi and the NLC, particularly the NLC President, Joe Ajaero."

When reminded that the Abure-led party had reserved the 2027 presidential ticket for Obi, the spokesman of the Apapa faction said "That is a complete fallacy."

He said: “We are together to stop all those political hawks from taking over our party. We thought they (NLC) were fighting for a just cause. But it is very obvious they only want to take over our party and we are not going to accept that.

He added: “I also want you to know that there is nothing like the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign here anymore. It has been dissolved. Everybody has reverted to former governorship and presidential candidates. We don’t want disinformation from the Labour Party.”

The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, also confirmed

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made the call at a meeting with a group of online editors, under the aegis of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) in Abuja, according to a statement made available to journalists by ACOE’s Chairman, Mr. Martins Odiete, in Abuja.

“In 1976, former President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced ‘Operation Feed the Nation,’ promoting farming.

“In 1984, when former President Muhammadu Buhari came in, there were shortages of rice, milk, and sugar, and the government had to open warehouses to make these items available to people.

“This is not the first time we are going through this kind of crisis.

“The government is investing in agriculture to make things available and affordable, and as individuals, we also have a role to play,” he said.

Onanuga acknowledged that things were not working as President Bola Tinubu wanted. He, however, assured that in the next twelve months, Nigerians will begin to see the results of the government’s efforts for the country’s benefit.

“Though people complain about hardship, I told the BBC that costof-living crises exist globally.

“Maybe what is happening in the world is a cycle, and countries will have to go through certain difficulties.

“We are going through it, but this government is making serious efforts to reduce the hardships faced by our people,” he said.

Onanuga assured the association of a robust relationship towards dissemination of news in line with global best practices.

Responding, Odiete stressed the importance of partnership with the presidential media team to feed Nigerians with essential information from their government.

the reunion to THISDAY, saying it was not out of place for Abure to extend olive branches to aggrieved members of the party.

According to him, both leaders reconciled to move the party ahead. He said: "They have reconciled and Apapa has reverted to his earlier position as the Deputy National Chairman, South. Apapa pledged solidarity with the Abure-led National Working Committee. "The Labour Party is one united party now except some little pockets of opposition led by Kenneth Okonkwo. We are sure that sooner than expected, he will join the mainstream party led by Abure," Ifoh added. Ifoh stressed that it was because of the reconciliation that Apapa had been speaking in favour of one united political party led by Abure. He also disclosed that there were ongoing talks with the Ajaero-led NLC to put the Labour Party in good position for the politics of 2027 and the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo scheduled later this year.

IDENTIFYING WITH THE CHURCH…

Cholera: Death Toll Rises to 35 in Lagos, Suspected Cases Hit 417

Lagos attributes outbreak to unregistered tiger nut drinks

Segun James

The Lagos State Government has said the number of fatalities from the cholera outbreak in the state has risen to 35 from the initial 15 fatalities and 401 suspected cases.

While the state government has attributed the outbreak of the disease in the state to unregistered tiger nut drinks, just as Oyo, Ogun and Kano State governments have rolled out measures against cholera outbreak in the states.

Cholera is a highly contagious food and water-borne disease. It spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing.

Symptoms of cholera include acute, painless, watery diarrhoea of sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting and fever.

At the last count, the state government said Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recorded the

highest numbers. But in the latest update in his Instagram handle yesterday, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the number of confirmed cases in the nation’s commercial capital was 417.

“As of June 20, 2024, an additional six suspected cholera cases have been reported, as illustrated in the accompanying graphs.

“The situation report indicates 417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths. The graphs depict the distribution of cases among the 20 LGAs in the state.

Meanwhile, the state government has attributed the outbreak of the disease in the state to unregistered tiger nut drinks.

The Special Adviser to the state governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, said upon noticing a rise in suspected cholera cases in Eti-Osa LGA, the government conducted a direct assessment of the area.

Ogunyemi revealed that a

survey indicated a common factor was a tiger nut drink being sold while noting it was not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

She mentioned that authorities were then sent out to locate the drink to test samples for cholera.

Her words: “We found empty bottles with a name on them, but we discovered that it wasn’t even registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables.

“There was a phone number and a name on the bottle, and we started tracing. We did contact tracing, similar to what we did with COVID-19.

“We combed the area to ask people where they got the drinks from. We couldn’t find any full bottles. We only found empty ones, which were of no use because we could not test them. The phone number on the bottle was not reachable,” she explained.

Cholera is a food and waterborne disease caused by ingesting the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae — in contaminated water and food.

Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.

In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.

Meanwhile, Oyo, Ogun and Kano state governments have rolled out measures against the outbreak in the states.

In Oyo State, the government said it had implemented measures to prevent cholera outbreaks in public basic schools, advising head teachers to ensure that food handlers follow strict hygiene practices to prevent contamination.

The state Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, handed down the instruction yesterday in Ibadan.

He said the state government, through the Board, is on top of

OPEC Quota: Nigeria’s Hope Rises as Aiteo Announces Resumption of Production after Oil Leak

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture on Oil Mining Licence (OML) 29, yesterday confirmed the resumption of production, days after it said there had been an oil leak on its Nembe Oilfield asset in Bayelsa State.

This development has raised prospects of Nigeria meeting her OPEC quota.

In a statement, the indigenous oil firm said that the resumption followed the completion of the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the spill site by all stakeholders as required by the regulations.

"AEEPCO will reopen its facilities for production while continuing other statutory spill management

protocols concurrently," the company said.

Consequently, AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, in the update, stated that a comprehensive assessment of its operations and assets on the oilfield had been conducted.

"After a comprehensive evaluation of our operations and infrastructure at the Nembe swamp field, we are delighted to confirm the resumption of production activities.

"Our dedicated team has worked diligently to address the issues caused by the recent incident and implemented enhanced safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.

"We have engaged with regulatory bodies, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this

process," the statement added.

Following persistent vandalism and theft on the oil export line, Aiteo had resorted to using barges to convey crude from the Nembe fields.

The barges are used to transport crude from onshore oil wells to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel from which the company exports the Nembe crude blend to crude oil tankers.

Nigeria’s aspiration of increasing its oil production had suffered a setback after Aiteo, one of the country’s biggest hydrocarbons producers, announced the shutdown of the Niger Delta oilfield.

It was unclear how many barrels of oil the asset was producing at the time of the incident, but OML 29 could deliver as much as 160,000 barrels of oil per day.

It was a major drawback for Nigeria which gets over 80 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings from the export of crude oil and is therefore highly negatively impacted by falling crude oil production.

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.

A THISDAY review of the latest data from 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.

its game to ensure public basic schools are taking steps to ensure the health and safety of students. Adeniran urged parents, guardians, and school authorities to adhere to safety guidelines.

In Kano, the state government advised residents against drinking rainwater to prevent the spread of cholera as the rainy season has set in.

A statement by the Head of the Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the advice was necessary because usually, the rainy season comes up with cholera complications which some states in the country

have already fallen victim to.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Yusuf also urged people to always wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly with clean water before consumption because they were mostly purchased from the markets with little cleanliness. Also, the Ogun State government has confirmed the outbreak of the disease which has claimed one life, and five persons hospitalised.

It has directed school heads to ensure good health and safety of all learners and staff to prevent the spread of cholera within the school communities.

FAAN Moves to Sack Touts, Extortionists from Airports, Launches Task Force

Chinedu Eze

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken a decisive step towards eliminating touting, extortion, and illicit activities at the airports by establishing a dedicated task force to monitor activities at the airports managed by the agency.

Reacting to reports of illicit activities going on at the various airports, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, expressed her deep concern over the ongoing harassment and extortion of passengers at the airports.

She reiterated her commitment to creating a seamless and pleasant experience for travellers, adding that her administration has launched an extensive campaign to crack down on these illegal activities.

To spearhead this initiative is the Director of Special Duties at FAAN, Mr. Henry Agbebire, whom she said, has been appointed as the chairman of the task force.

Kuku has also declared her intention to personally engage with all government agencies operating at the airports to ensure compliance with the anti-touting and anti-extortion measures.

She warned all airport personnel, including FAAN staff, stressing that strict disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone found engaging in illicit practices.

She stressed that the era of business-as-usual is over and highlighted the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.

Furthermore, Kuku announced plans to establish magistrate courts at international airports to expedite the legal process for prosecuting offenders. The task force has been mandated to enforce discipline among airport staff and maintain a culture of professionalism at all levels.

In addition, she said dedicated phone lines and QR codes would be set up to provide passengers with a means of providing feedback on their airport experience. Furthermore, Kuku emphasised that all airport personnel must prominently display their on-duty cards and name tags for easy identification and accountability.

Kuku also reiterated FAAN's commitment to delivering exceptional service and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all passengers and airport users.

L-R: Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 election in Edo State, Mr. Asue Ighodalo; Deputy governorship candidate and Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Bishop of the Diocese of Benin Anglican Communion, Bishop Peter Imasuen, during the third session of the 20th Synod of the Diocese of Benin Anglican Communion, in Benin City…weekend

GROUNDBREAKING FOR MEGA PROJECT…

L-R: Former Governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim; Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; and former National Vice Chairman (South-East), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Owerri Central Market Complex at Umuohiadagu, Umualum, Nekede, Imo State ...weekend

Governors, UNDP to Tackle Root Causes of Insecurity in North-west

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Seven North-west governors under the auspices of the North-west Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have concluded plans to brainstorm and tackle the root causes of insecurity in the region through a peace summit.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, who disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists at the Government House, said the

summit would be held in Katsina from June 24 to 25, 2023. He said the summit would also enhance collaboration between security agencies and communities, promote peaceful conflict resolution and support victims of violence and displaced persons within the region.

He explained that participants would explore sustainable approaches to advancing food security and fostering sustainable livelihoods and examine how various regional actors can support and integrate remedies for the region's development.

Shell Reiterates Commitment to Nigeria’s Development, Wins Award

Ejiofor Alike

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of Nigeria, especially in its areas of operations in the Niger Delta.

SPDC’s Director and Head of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, restated this in Port Harcourt, weekend, at a dinner to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Treasure FM, a member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network.

"Our commitment stretches back to the 1950s, with a wide range of programmes supporting education, infrastructure, community electrification, and business empowerment," Weli said.

A key highlight of the anniversary dinner was the presentation of the FRCN Award for Consistent Media Partner to Shell companies in Nigeria.

Weli, who was represented by the Shell Spokesman, Michael Adande, said, "this award serves as a strong reminder that Shell's dedication to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region remains a cornerstone of our presence in Nigeria."

The award recognises Shell's partnership with FRCN, particularly

its support for the weekly live programme Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable, which fosters crucial discussions on development issues impacting the region.

"While the award itself was unexpected, it reinforces the value of initiatives like Canvas," Weli added.

"This recognition motivates us to keep promoting development, not just in our operational areas but across the entire nation."

Since 2017, Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable has aired twice weekly on different radio stations in the Niger Delta with live online streaming. These broadcasts dedicate an hour to exploring topics relevant to the development of the region and its people.

The General Manager, FRCN Treasure FM Port Harcourt, Fred Onyeka Nwaulune, commended Shell's partnership.

"Shell has been a reliable media partner, consistently educating the Niger Delta region on the importance of dialogue for development and peaceful solutions," he said.

"Their programme aligns perfectly with FRCN's focus on sustainable development."

He noted that through the dialogue radio programme, Shell had demonstrated a continued focus on driving progress and positive change in the Niger Delta and beyond.

Under the theme: "Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods," the commissioner said the summit seeks to explore solutions to the security challenges of the region, focusing on promoting peace and stability while boosting cooperation among state governments.

Zango said: “The summit therefore aims to address the root causes of

insecurity, enhance collaboration between security agencies and communities, promote peaceful conflict resolution and support victims of violence and displacement.”

He added that the seven North-west governors, the federal government, the UN and other participants of the peace summit would reach an agreement on how to support the development

of the North-west Peace and Security Development Framework.

“This framework will serve as a guiding document for the region, outlining strategies, policies, and actions needed to enhance regional cooperation and interoperability,” the commissioner said.

Zango, however, said the region faces mounting security challenges,

adding that: “In recent years, there has been a marked increase in incidents of banditry, terrorism, and communal conflicts.”

He added that the security challenges had devastating consequences for the local population, resulting in significant loss of life, severe disruption to livelihoods and widespread destruction of property.

Silence in Face of Social Injustice, a Crime, Says Cardinal Onaiyekan

Segun James

Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said silence in the face of social injustice is a crime against the gospel of Christ and the nation.

He stated this in Abuja at the inauguration of the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) programme for the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the event also witnessed the graduation ceremony of the trainers of the CST programme.

Onaiyekan said beyond

evangelism, the Church must inculcate communication on justice and peace, all encapsulated in its social teachings.

He said the belief was the reason why the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria continually urged the government to fulfill its responsibilities and address the people’s needs.

He explained that CST provided a moral compass for living, functioning, and flourishing in society, making it central to evangelisation.

The Cardinal congratulated the graduates, urged them to view CST as essential for service and challenged them to deploy their knowledge to spread the gospel.

According to the Cardinal, the CST

is meant to empower both priests and laypeople to know their rights and speak against injustices in society.

Speaking, the Director of the Department of Church and Society, Rev. Fr. Uche Obodoechina, said the programme was designed to equip the staffers of the Bishops’ agencies with comprehensive knowledge of CST.

“This initiative has been made possible by the wisdom of the Bishops’ Conference, ensuring that the teaching and learning of CST by the staff of the bishops’ agencies takes place at the secretariat.

“The next stage is to go into action. We will divide the staffers here into various classes and assign them to teachers.

“Over the next two weeks, we will conduct the programmes every Friday until they graduate,” he said. The Executive Secretary of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), also emphasised the significance of social teachings. He reiterated the commitment to continue the CST education programme, fostering a deeper understanding of social justice and the Church’s role in society.

“We are creating a ripple effect of knowledge and awareness that will extend far beyond the secretariat, impacting communities and society at large,” he added.

Abiodun Signs Executive Order Banning Ogun Traditional

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has issued three executive orders, with one of them banning traditional rulers from entering into any form of agreement or signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on land or concerning mining activities in their domain.

The other two were for the establishment of two new agencies - Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency and Ogun State Landscaping and Recreation Agency.

Rulers from Signing MoUs on Land

Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, said the Mineral Resources Development Agency would establish a working relationship with host communities to conduct geo-technical and geological surveys of solid mineral deposits within their domain.

“The second agency is responsible for sustaining the achievement of the Ministry of Environment in the area of environmental regeneration and restoration and through the provision of parks, gardens and recreational centres state-wide to preserve the

biodiversity and ecosystem of the environment,” he added.

The governor’s aide said the three executive orders took immediate effect.

“Executive Order One is based on Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution which vests in the governor the exercise of executive powers of the state for effective governance.

“The agency shall, directly or through qualified third parties, conduct and establish a working relationship with host communities and local governments for the conduct of geotechnical and geological surveys of solid mineral deposits within their

domain.

“It will conduct geotechnical survey of solid mineral deposits in the state and maintain relevant data in the sector, (and) organise the solid minerals sector to the best interest of the state.

“To realise its objectives, the agency shall be funded through fees generated from the regulatory agency, budgetary allocation, grants and financial intervention from both local and international development partners, as well as gifts, aid and other legitimate contributions,” he explained.

James Sowole in Abeokuta

PROUD MOMENT FOR EMENIKE’S FAMILY…

L-R: Family members: Lady Stella Emenike; Chibuike Emenike; Sir Christojas Emenike; Graduand, Uchechukwu Emenike; Adaobi Emenike; and Uche Emenike, during Uchechukwu’s graduation with a Master's degree in Cybersecurity and Networks from the University of New Haven, United States…recently

Resist FG’s Plans to Use Pension Fund for Developmental Programmes, ASUU Urges Nigerians

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Niger Delta University, Amassoma in Bayelsa State, has urged Nigerians to resist plans by the federal government to use pension funds for developmental programmes.

Addressing a press conference at the weekend, ASUU chairperson, Lucky Bebeteidoh, said: “Of recent, we have watched the Minister of Finance say they want to dip their

hands into the Pension Fund; that is the life-saving of a lot of Nigerians.”

He said the federal government was allowed by law to access only five per cent of the funds, “but they want to have it all” and urged Nigerians to resist the move.

The members of the academic staff who staged a protest to press home their demands, called on the federal government to honour several memoranda it signed with ASUU on funding for the revitalisation of public universities.

Members carried placards with inscriptions such as “Enough will be enough when all the necessary positive interventions are made in public universities”, “Implement UTAS in place of IPPIS: IPPIS is not suitable for universities” and “Niger Delta University needs improved funding from the Bayelsa State Government: NDU needs staff offices, lecture halls, laboratories & hostels for students.”

Earlier, Bebeteidoh told journalists that the contentious issues include:

Illegal dissolution of governing councils, the release of three months of withheld salaries, the release of salaries of staff on sabbatical and the release of third-party deductions. Others are payment of EAA, proliferation of private universities, implementation of reports of visitation panels, implementation of UTAS in place of IPPIS and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with ASUU.

On the issue of renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, Bebeteidoh said after the initial payment by former

NiMet Predict Three-day Thunderstorms, Rain from Today

Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thundery and rainy weather conditions from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.

NiMet`s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja forecast morning thunderstorms today over parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Taraba and Kaduna states.

It envisaged thunderstorms over parts of Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Borno, Adamawa Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe, and Taraba states later in the day.

“Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the central states` places like; Plateau, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Benue and Niger states during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, there are

prospects of thunderstorms over parts of; Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The southern cities are expected to witness morning rains particularly parts of Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Bayelsa and Lagos states,’’ it said.

The agency anticipated thunderstorms to be accompanied with rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Lagos states in the afternoon and or evening hours.

According to NiMet, early morning thunderstorms are expected over parts of Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Kaduna states on Monday.

“While afternoon/evening period show prospects of thunderstorms over parts of

Taraba, Adamawa, Zamfara, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

“Early morning thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states while afternoon and evening periods have prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Plateau Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Morning rains are anticipated over parts of Ekiti, Imo and Cross Rivers states with prospects of rains over parts of Abia, Imo, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, and Rivers states during the afternoon/ evening hours,’’ it said.

NiMet envisaged morning thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bauchi and Kaduna states on Tuesday.

According to it, thunderstorms are predicted over most parts of

the northern region later in the day.

“With morning thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Niger states while thunderstorms are envisaged over the entire region during the afternoon/evening hours.

“Cloudy skies are predicted over the southern region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states while prospects of afternoon/evening rains are envisaged over the entire region,’’ it said.

NiMet advised public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.

It urged Airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecast from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

Don’t Meddle in Matters Outside Your Primary Assignments, Gov Yusuf Warns Security Agencies

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has warned security agencies in the state against meddling or involvement in matters outside their primary assignments or designated responsibilities.

The governor also called on security agencies to take decisive action against the growing menace of thuggery in the state.

Governor Yusuf, who gave the warning at the commencement of the 15th weekly meeting of the Kano State Executive Council (SEC) held at the Government House, instructed the security agencies to strictly adhere to their mandated duty of safeguarding the lives and properties of the citizens they serve.

In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, the governor decried the recent upsurge

of thuggery in Kano metropolis and beseeched the security agencies to promptly bring an end to the menace.

The statement reads, “Governor Abba Kabir expressed disapproval of the recent upsurge in thuggery and clashes involving Yan daba, affirming that the government will not passively observe while unscrupulous elements endanger the relative tranquility and harmony enjoyed by the law-abiding citizens of the state.

“He reiterated that under his administration, the state government is diligently collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the populace and their possessions at all times.

“Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir cautioned judges against the unwarranted release of thugs, emphasizing the threat they pose to the welfare of the state’s residents and stressing the importance of prompt

and equitable dispensation of justice.

“Alhaji Abba Kabir also instructed security agencies to strictly adhere to their mandated duty of safeguarding the lives and properties of the citizens they serve, warning against involvement in matters beyond their designated responsibilities.

“He implored the populace in the state to continue with their lawful pursuits, assuring that the government will persevere in its commitment to ensuring their protection, and requested ongoing support and cooperation for the current administration,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has called on security agencies to take decisive action against the growing menace of thuggery in the state.

The governor made the call during the 15th weekly meeting of the Kano State Executive Council

at the Government House on Friday, reflecting his deep concern over the recent surge in violent activities in certain parts of the Kano metropolis.

In a statement issued yesterdat by his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, Governor Yusuf expressed his disapproval of the escalating clashes involving Yan daba gangs.

“The government will not stand by and watch as unscrupulous elements disrupt the peace and harmony enjoyed by the law-abiding citizens of our state,” he said.

Governor Abba emphasised the state government’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard the lives and properties of Kano residents.

“We are working diligently with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of our populace at all times,” he reiterated.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, nothing else was paid until now. ASUU said it had resolved to increase media and public engagement on the government’s failure to renegotiate the 2009 agreement and begin the process of going on strike.

Taking a swipe at those who had negotiated past agreements on behalf of the federal government, he said, “Those same people who came to the union to negotiate, saying when we get into power there will be no longer strikes, ASUU will not need to go on strike. Today, it is those same set of persons that have become stumbling blocks to the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement.

“Release revitalisation funds that were budgeted for last year that have not been released. Those funds help in building infrastructure in public

universities.”

Meanwhile, the union has also expressed displeasure over the lack of attention to the developmental needs of Niger Delta University by Governor Douye Diri, who is the visitor to the university.

Bebeteidoh stated “Now, coming home as a state university, we’ve submitted letters to the state government on the 35/25 per cent wage award. The federal academic staff have started earning it with two months’ arrears paid to them last January and we believe more arrears have even been paid with the May/June salaries.

“We expect the state government, Bayelsa State Government, to approve the 35/25 per cent wage award with all urgency. We’re no different from federal lecturers that have started earning it,” he said.

UNICEF: Nigeria Among Top 20 Countries with Severe Child Food Poverty

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said one in every four children globally is living in severe food poverty, adding that Nigeria is among the top 20 countries that are worst affected.

In its 2024 Child Food Poverty report, the global body said the implication was that the affected children - amounting to 181 million under five years of age - were surviving on one or two food groups per day, and even less on some days.

UNICEF defined child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood.

“The scale of this deprivation is alarming, and the overall slow progress to address this crisis hides deep inequalities at both global and regional levels,” the report said.

The report said while severe child food poverty affected all regions of the world, 20 countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were home to more than two-thirds of children living in severe child food poverty.

The countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Niger Republic, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.

Out of a total of 63 countries

surveyed in the report, Nigeria came 32nd, falling under the “high” category of nations with severe child food poverty — faring worse than Ghana, Togo, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire. The report identified growing inequities, conflict and climate crises, combined with rising food prices, the overabundance of unhealthy foods, harmful food marketing strategies and poor child feeding practices, as some of the factors condemning millions of children to child food poverty.

It said though parents and families have a responsibility to feed their children, “severe child food poverty is the result of systems that are failing, not families that are failing”.

“Feeding young children is not simply about filling stomachs,” the report added.

“But the forces that lead to severe child food poverty - poor food environments, poor feeding practices and household income poverty - are beyond their full control.

“These forces persist because the food, health and social protection systems are failing to improve physical and financial access to affordable nutritious and diverse foods and are failing to equip parents and families with the knowledge, skills and support they need to feed these foods to their children.”

In the foreword of the report, UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, said ending child food poverty is a policy choice, and that the solutions are “well known”.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

BUSINESS

Editor: Festus Akanbi

08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

Ageing in Agony: FG’s Pension Delays Deepen Retirees’ Despair

In what looks like a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, the federal government has been funding governance through the efforts of its civil servants but defaulting in the payment of pension benefits otherwise known as accrued pension rights of pensioners since 2022, thereby compounding the problem of excivil servants and imperiling the future of those still in the service, writes Festus Akanbi

In a country where living standards are falling daily, one understands the fear of an average civil servant over a life of uncertainty awaiting him at his retirement.

will continue to advise those still in the service to prepare for life at old age when monthly salary will cease. That is why in Nigeria today, almost every worker sees a deduction on his payslip every month which is classed as a ‘pension contribution.’

Apprehension

Unfortunately, Nigerian civil servants have had reasons to doubt the government’s sincerity in managing their pensions. This development recently fuelled the speculation that the federal government was planning to borrow N20trillion from the pension funds to support infrastructure development.

The federal government in May was compelled to deny the speculation openly. The rebuttal came after organised labour threatened to plunge the nation into a serious industrial crisis should the government go ahead to tamper with the pensions.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in a statement in Abuja, said the government would comply with the established rules and regulations governing the pension fund.

Unfortunately, observers said the situation on the ground does not portray the administration as one with the love of its civil servants at heart as far as the issue of pension fund management is concerned.

Last year, the House of Representatives resolved to recover N10 trillion pension funds “borrowed” by the federal government.

The lawmakers passed the resolution during the plenary session after adopting a motion sponsored by Aliyu Misau, a lawmaker representing the Misau/Dambam federal constituency of Bauchi.

While moving the motion, Misau said most pensioners are unable to access their retirement funds despite complying with the requirements of the contributory pension scheme.

He said the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the pension fund administrators (PFAs) have not been able to ensure prompt payment of pensioners’ entitlements.

The legislator noted that the N10 trillion pension funds borrowed by the federal government have exposed the contributors to “unnecessary volatility”.

Analysts said that even if the government has yet to borrow from the pension funds, the fact is that the dream of many pensioners appears shattered by their inability to access their pension at the point of retirement as a result of the federal government’s failure to pay their accrued pension rights.

Pressure on PFAs

This abnormality has put pressure on Pension Managers, also known as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) since they are the points of contact for pensioners.

Reports said that the federal government last paid accrued pensions in 2022 when it released N13.89 billion covering a four-month payment period.

This implies that most of the federal govern-

ment’s employees who retired in 2022 and 2023 have yet to access their pensions to date.

Many have to rely on their families to cater for their feeding, accommodation, and medicare while unfortunate ones among them have died while waiting for their pensions.

putting pressure on their PFAs to pay pensions, but they are being turned back because their accrued rights from the federal government–who was their employer – have yet to be paid.

that employees of the federal government’s treasury-funded Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are entitled to, based on their service years before the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2004.

Apart from the government’s being irresponsible with the payment of pensions, there aremersed in corruption and feed fat on pensions by substituting names and introducing ghost pensioners.

They make the payroll look monstrous such that cash-strapped governments are forced to keep away from making immediate payments. To avoid the perennial problems associated with the payment of pensions to retirees, the federal government under President Olusegun Obasanjo reformed the pension system in which the workers and employers engage in a contributory payment system and implemented through Pension Fund Administrators. The system was expected to work seamlessly if everyone played their role.

The Managing director/CEO, of Nigerian University Pension Management Company Limited (NUPEMCO) Ugwu Oluwakemi, who raised the alarm over the failure of the government to do the needful, disclosure said that PFAs are unable to compute and pay retirement

“Despite the balances in the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) of the retirees, the PFAs are unable to pay because of Section 2.3 of the Revised Regulation on the Administration of

The regulation, she noted, states that the components of an RSAat retirement shall include any) for employees who were in employment before the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

She noted that employer/employee pension contributions, returns on investment, and the must also be included.

Oluwakemi said, “This is giving bad publicity to the industry since retirees are not fully aware of Section 2.3. They assume the PFAs intentionally do not want to pay them.”

She said this could also increase crime rates decide to ‘help’ themselves and their parents.

“One of the major purposes of the CPS is to ensure that retirees are paid as at when due, and if retirees have to wait for an average of one year to be paid, then this purpose is defeated,” Oluwakemi said.

Need for Urgent Intervention

On what could be done to salvage the situation,mends that the government should establish for accrued rights payments.

“This fund should be insulated from other government budgetary constraints and competing priorities,” she advised.

She stressed the need for the implementation of multi-year budgeting practices to better forecast and allocate funds for pension obligations over

allocations for pension payments are ring-fenced. Misplaced Priority

Analysts described the development as agencies to make the necessary payment of

Adeniji what it means is that the government is not giving the welfare of its workers the priority it deserves. “The situation is already bad for the Nigerian people. There is no way the loyalty and dedication of the Nigerian workers cannot be guaranteed since they are faced with an uncertain future.”

Speaking in the same, an Abuja-based, Mrs. Janet Atufe expressed disappointment in the way retirees are being treated in Nigeria. “These are people who have served their fatherland. Unfortunately, this category of people is made government.

“I still don’t understand what is going on in the minds of those who are supposed to ensure pensioners are adequately settled. They don’t behave as if they realise they will one day join this group of people. One day, it will be their turn to queue up endlessly for their pensions.

“There is a need for government to bail pensioners out before their death,” she stated.

A pension is a regular payment made during a person’s retirement from an investment fund or account to which that person and their employer(s) contributed during their time as an active member of the labour force.

In Nigeria, the Pension Reform Act 2014 ((PRA) governs the framework and procedure for pensions, and this establishes a Contributory Pension Scheme whereby the employers and the employees contribute minimum percentages of the employee’s salary to the scheme every month.

Some retired civil servants waiting for their pensions

Another Win for NNPCL with €500m Investments in Ubeta Field Project

Ifeanyi Onuba

To say that the Nigerian energy sector has seen significant progress since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021 would be stating the obvious.

The signing of the Act in August 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari was a game changer for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the management team led by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari as it opened the door for more significant changes in the national oil giant.

It is noteworthy that Kyari had worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of the PIA, an initiative which is aimed at overhauling the country’s energy laws and creating a deregulated environment, freeing the oil sector from government control and unbundling the oil company.

The passage of the PIA gave birth to a rejuvenated NNPCL in 2021, which empowered NNPCL to operate like every private company in Nigeria with exemption from the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Public Procurement Act and TSA in order to ensure there are no excuses for failure.

Following this milestone, Kyari, initiated new investment benchmarks to further rejuvenate the once ineffective company.

One of this success of some of these initiatives was seen last Thursday, when, in a major step towards boosting Nigeria’s oil and gas production, the NNPC-TotalEnergies Joint Venture officially announced a $550m Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project.

This milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Executive Order on Oil and Gas Reforms aimed largely at improving the investment climate and positioning Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the oil and gas sector in Africa.

The three Executive Orders, which became effective February 28, 2024, are the Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order, 2024; Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements, 2024; and Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines, 2024.

Nigeria is endowed with large oil and gas resources and under Kyari’s transformative leadership, the NNPCL had conceived the idea of monetising Nigeria’s huge gas resources through various gas projects.

For a man who has transformed the NNPCL within the last four years despite the mounting opposition to some of his reforms initiatives, it is gratifying to know that the President believes in Kyari’s capacity to implement energy policies that will enable the federal government to monetise all available oil and gas resources of today while paving the way for the total exploitation of new and cleaner energy sources of tomorrow.

Since the issuance of the Presidential Executive Orders, the NNPC Ltd. has redoubled its efforts to drive energy security by utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources.

In demonstration of this initiative by the President, the NNPC-TotalEnergies Joint Venture officially announced a $550m Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project.

This investment by the NNPC and Total Energies under a JV arrangement is significant for Nigeria as the country seeks to unlock the huge potential of gas resources in its energy transition drive.

The Ubeta field was discovered in 1964 and it is North-West of Port Harcourt in the eastern part of the Niger Delta.

The investment will enable the field to produce about 350MMScf/ day of gas and 10,000 BBLS/day of associated liquids.

It will be tapping into the vast gas reserves and contributing towards securing gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

The FID would not have been possible without the enabling fiscal environment provided by President Tinubu through the signing of the Executive Orders.

Kyari gave credence to this when he said at the well-attended signing ceremony that the continuous support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in facilitating a conducive operational environment as a major enabler in achieving this success.

“We appreciate Mr. President for supporting us with the appropriate fiscal environment.

The Presidential Executive Order is instrumental to us getting to this significant milestone and we are now seeing the impact of the policy,” Kyari added.

Under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPC has invested heavily in domestic gas footprint expansion projects through the delivery of the trans-Nigerian gas pipeline projects which includes the Escravos project, the Lagos pipelines system, and the Ajaokuta-Kano Gas Pipelines.

As a national oil company, the NNPC is cooperating with its partners to solve the energy challenges

facing the country.

The Ubeta field is the latest in a series of projects developed by TotalEnergies in Nigeria, most recently Ikike and Akpo West.

It is instructive to state that the FID on the gas project may not have been possible without the government’s recent incentives for non-associated gas developments.

Ubeta fits perfectly with the NNPC Ltd’s strategy of developing low-cost and low-emission projects, and will contribute to the Nigerian economy through higher NLNG exports.

Tinubu has significantly rekindled investor confidence in the oil and gas industry and this is responsible for the renewed hopes from Nigerians that more investments are on the way for the energy sector.

With Nigeria boasting substantial gas reserves exceeding 200 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) and a potential to reach 600 Tcf, it is pertinent Nigeria leverages the gas resource for sustainable development, energy security, and job creation.

Located in OML58, the Ubeta gas condensate field will be developed with a new 6-well cluster connected to the existing Obite facilities through an 11km buried pipeline.

Production start-up is expected in 2027, with a plateau of 300 million cubic feet per day (about 70,000barrels of oil equivalent per day including condensates). Gas from Ubeta will be supplied to NLNG, a liquefaction plant located in Bonny Island with an on-going capacity expansion from 22 to 30 Mtpa, in which NNPC Limited holds a 49 per cent interest.

Ubeta is a low-emission and low-cost development, leveraging on OML58 existing gas processing facilities. The carbon intensity of the project will be

further reduced through a five MW solar plant currently under construction at the Obite site and the electrification of the drilling rig.

As partners, TotalEnergies is working closely with NNPC Limited to enhance local content, with more than 90 per cent of manhours which will be worked locally.

The Ubeta FID justifies the effort invested by NNPC Limited, with unyielding executive support, into tackling the underlying reasons that have plagued the attractiveness of the Nigerian oil and gas industry to foreign investors in recent years.

The Ubeta project has a robust Nigerian Content plan and is poised to stimulate economic activities, create job opportunities, and create significant value for stakeholders.

The project will also enable capacity utilisation and substantial human capacity development (HCD), Research and Development as well as opportunities for banking, insurance, legal, and other services.

In addition to these, Nigerians have a lot to benefit as the project will give first consideration to in-country manufacturers that have valid Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate, regarding material procurement, while fabrication and construction are also to be significantly handled by well-established fabrication yards in the country.

With the massive investments being recorded in the oil and gas sector under the dynamic and focused leadership of Kyari, the NNPC Ltd is making significant progress in achieving its mandate which is to guarantee “energy for today, energy for tomorrow.”

Onuba, a Chartered Accountant, wrote from Abuja.

Kyari

CONGRATULATIONS…

HND Graduates Must Undergo One-year Mandatory Training Before Conversion to Officers Cadre Says FG

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade YemiEsan, has asked workers with Higher National Diploma (HND) to undergo one-year mandatory training before their conversion from executive to officers cadre.

According to a statement yesterday, Yemi-Esan said this at a virtual interactive session with civil servants in commemoration of the 2024 Civil Service Week with the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Life-long, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa.”

The one-year mandatory training programme to bridge the gap between polytechnic awarded Higher National Diplomas and university degrees has been controversial between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

A bill was passed at the Ninth National Assembly in 2021 to end the dichotomy but was not signed into law by the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Thus, NBTE, which regulates technical and vocational education, had to introduce what it describes as a one-year top-up programme which offers a platform for HND holders to level up towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

While fielding a question from one of the civil servants during the virtual meeting, Yemi-Esan, said, “The curriculum for HND and B.Sc holders were not the same, hence, HND graduates would have to undergo mandatory one-year training before conversion from Executive to Officers’ cadre.”

Adebayo Hassan in Grade Level 14 had earlier asked about the dichotomy between B.Sc and HND holders in the Service and what the Federal Government was doing to bridge the gap.

Speaking on the 2024 Civil Service Week theme, Yemi-Esan emphasised the need for education to be accessible, inclusive and of high quality, while highlighting the need for it to constantly remain relevant to the rapidly evolving demands of the modern world.

According to her, “The theme also speaks to how the Nigerian Civil Service is leveraging learning and development to enhance the capacity and capability of its workforce with a view to delivering on national priorities.”

The Head of the Civil Service disclosed that the rapidly changing work environment as well as demands for greater efficiency have necessitated the adoption of a Performance Management System by the Nigerian Civil Service, adding that PMS Policy and Guidelines have been developed

and circulated to all Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies.

She pointed out that core teams for its implementation have been duly constituted. According to her, “PMS

implementation has been cascaded to the Ministries, with the Permanent Secretaries serving as the primary drivers.

“In this regard, performance contracts are to be further cascaded down

to the last officer in each MDA. “This new system will assess each officer’s performance solely based on their respective Key Performance Indicators and it will enable tracking of job

Lack of Knowledge, Resources, Policies, Barriers to Girls’ Education, Says British Council

Uche Nnaike

The British Council has identified lack of knowledge, resources and, in some cases, policies as some of the barriers to the creation of inclusive schools and girl-friendly spaces.

In a recent report, ‘Challenging Barriers to Girls’ Education’ written by Bukola Oyinloye, Faith Mkwananzi and Patience Mukwambo, the council outlined the key barriers to equitable, inclusive, quality education in four key areas that influence children’s development and learning: the classroom; the school environment; households and communities; and the policy and legal environment.

The report stated that evidence from the research in Africa suggests that teachers have mixed views about the creation of inclusive classrooms.

“Most wanted to have an inclusive classroom and sought to create an inclusive atmosphere; however, some were unable to do so because their own attitudes and beliefs unconsciously reinforced gender stereotypes or because they lacked resources to enable different teaching and assessment practices,” it said.

According to the report, research evidence suggests that teachers and head teachers value the provision of inclusive school

environments, but often this does not translate into practice. “Generally, teachers and head teachers were unaware of government sexual and gender-based violence guidelines and there was little training in gender mainstreaming. Budget was limited for provision such as girls’ sport and toilet facilities, while school documents rarely contained explicit gender equality statements. Teachers, head teachers and students all knew about school-related, gender-based violence, but there were limited mechanisms, such as safeguarding, in place to address it.”

The council added that research evidence revealed that girls’

NIMC Denies Data Breach Allegations, to

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) denied allegations of a data breach involving sensitive information about Nigerian citizens.

any other identity information.

The commission specifically identified several websites including idfinder.com.ng, and Verify. ng, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify. Com - as unauthorised data harvesters.

schooling is constrained by a combination of intersectional challenges relating to poverty and cultural perspectives and practices, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“High poverty levels meant a lack of money for school fees, uniforms, school supplies and, in extreme cases, hunger and famine. Sometimes, girls supplemented family incomes through hawking and petty businesses. Specific to rural and semi-urban areas were cultural perceptions that girls’ education is of less value than that of boys, parental neglect and child marriages. These challenges resulted in absenteeism and lower completion rates for girls,” it said.

Prosecute Harvesters

registered in the nation’s identity database managed by NIMC.

objectives across all MDAs. “By implication, each officer across the Service can clearly link his goals and objectives with those of his department, those of the respective Ministry and the national KPIs. Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest in Zamfara State

Onuminya Innocent

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists at early hour of yesterday abducted a priest attached to St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, Rev. Father Mikah Suleiman.

In a statement issued by the acting Chancellor Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very Rev Father Nuhu Iliya said they woke up yesterday to the sad news of the abduction of Fr. Suleiman.

The statement further said Fr. Suleiman was abducted from the parish Rectory, Damba, Gusau, in Zamfara State.

The statement enjoined all Christian faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release.

“We equally commit him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors the statement stated.

In a statement signed by Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications yesterday the commission reassured the public that their data remains secure and has not been compromised.

NIMC emphasised that it has not authorised any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number (NIN) or

On March 16, there were reports that the website expressverify was monetising the recovery of NINs and personal information from the Nigerian identification database.

The website reportedly had unrestricted access to NINs and personal details of Nigerians

This incident prompted the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to heighten scrutiny of NIMC licensees after the website breached data protection protocols.

NIMC warned the public to avoid these sites and refrain from providing any personal information, as these platforms are potentially fraudulent and illegally collect data for their services.

“The commission has taken robust measures to safeguard the nation’s database from cyber

threats.

“Our secure, world-class, full-proof database is in place, meeting the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard, with annual recertification and strict compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Law,” said Adegoke NIMC advised Nigerians to be cautious and avoid sharing their data with unauthorised or phishing sites which pose significant risks of data harvesting and compromise.

Suspected Robbers Kill Retired General in Abuja

A retired Army officer, BrigadierGeneral Uwem Harold Udokwe, has been murdered by suspected armed robbers in Abuja.

The late brigadier general was attacked at his Sunshine Homes Estate by armed robbers at about 3am, on yesterday.

He was reportedly killed during the attack.

Reacting to the untimely demise of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, ordered a discrete investigation.

He gave the order in a statement

by the command spokeswoman, SP Adeh Josephine, which was issued to newsmen yesterday.

According to her, the CP ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the regrettable incident.

She said the police commissioner, who expressed his profound condolences to the bereaved family, assured the public of swift justice with every effort in conduit to ensure the perpetrators of such atrocious act are apprehended and brought to justice.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hycenth Azuka Edozie (left), and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Frank Mba, after Edozie’s decoration to his new rank at the Force Headquarters, Abuja…recently

The strong and focused leadership at home is influencing global perception of Nigeria on governance, contends FREDRICK NWABUFO

TINUBU AND NIGERIA’S RISING PROFILE

10TH NASS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

CHINEME OKAFOR urges the National Assembly to buckle down on its task

Okaforisabusinessjournalistandanacademic

NwabufoisSeniorSpecialAssistanttothe PresidentonPublicEngagement

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE POLICE RECRUITMENT CONTROVERSY

It’s time to ensure seamless relationship between the P SC and the I G P’s o ff ice. Endless con f licts undermine national security

Tthe Police Service Commission (PSC) similar exercise in 2019 ended in court. This time candidates, citing alleged irregularities and corruption. “Several names of persons purported to pppp pp

of the recruitment exercise. has also accused police authorities candidates into the list. The commission argued that gpdespite into the force, an assertion that the PSC took exception p against the provisions of the law to superintendent over the 2020 and 2021 exercises. It is the fraudulent recruits gpp gp

commission as the war of words continue

constitutional powers and duties in the areas of welfare, recruitment, discipline, and promotion of all ppgcategories p

control over persons (other than the IGP). The commission is also expected to formulate p policies and guidelines for the appointment, p promotion, discipline, and dismissal of ppppolice

empowered to perform such other functions which pp

The Police are responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. These functions make it diffi o cult for the institution to whimsically disobey the law as successive IGPs have done. But we cannot also understand the present situation where the powers to recruit and discipline reside outside the Force

SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

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Letters to the Editor

The commission, according to the law, “shall not g its functions other than as is discipline and promote all pp except the IGP, reside with the p and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. gg

done. But we also cannot understand the present situation where the powers to recruit and discipline p pp p

more than a ceremonial head regarding police ggpppersonnel. ggp

manner that will eliminate contentions and ensure

Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief(150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer

LETTERS

NATIONAL ANTHEM AS TOOL FOR NATIONAL UNITY

divided along ethnic and religious lines, the national anthem serves as a poignant

cohesion and patriotism

can inspire citizens and remind them of their shared heritage and common goals.

Each stanza of this anthem carries

peaceful nation where no one is oppressed, While some critics argue that

reintroducing the old anthem is a a step towards addressing deeper issues

actions that demonstrate a commitment to government can reinforce the message of national anthem is a powerful tool for fairness, and addressing the grievances

BIMBO ESHO Sustaining

Evergreen Music Culture

Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation -which has Dr. DK Olukoya as patron - is about to unleash Nigeria’s premier museum of contemporary music once completed. The museum which will hold archival materials including music records dating back to 1914, has been a dream for the late Femi Esho, a music collector and Chairman, Evergreen Musical Company Limited. His daughter, Bimbo Esho who currently serves as the Managing Director of the company opens up to Yinka Olatunbosun on the prevailing circumstances that necessitated the establishment of this cultural institution.

Most artists are stronger on their creative side than on their business side

First came a phone call. And then a conversation began with Bimbo Esho, a music archivist and promoter who sits atop a generational music empire Evergreen Musical Company Limited in Lagos. The company in itself is an offshoot of her late father, Femi Esho’s hobby of collecting music which began when he was only 12 years old. This pastime has since morphed into a music empire that is curating and promoting works of artists of past decades, many of whom would have gone into oblivion without their efforts.

Esho sounded excited. The dream of having a total music experience centre for Nigerian music is fast becoming a reality with the acquisition of a multisplit building in Anthony Village, Lagos. Christened ‘Evergreen Music Heritage Centre,’ the facility- still under construction- is domiciled in Anthony Village, Lagos. This dream edifice is conceived to be an unprecedented project in Nigerian music culture. The day of its launch would be a perfect day for the sight.

“It is a part of the documentation of our history,” she began while describing the project. “If we don’t do it, the generation to come will not be able to tap into the music of yesteryears. Most of today’s musicians, even the Afrobeats musicians, are tapping into the music of the yesteryears.”

The building will parade original vinyls of music from 1914, musical relics, old musical instruments/ equipment, busts of artists, books, documentaries, cassettes, reel-toreel, gramophones as old as 100 years, journals, and cassettes. Also, the edifice will have a music studio, a theatre, and an event hall for meetings and concerts.

A 25-year-old dream of music archiving is backed by Dr Olukoya, the General Overseer, MFM Worldwide who is also a music teacher and enthusiast. Esho maintained that the project was kept alive by the need to preserve the music legacies of artists, most of whom are aged or dead.

“I remember the complete works of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a lot of people never knew Fela had such a collection of about 186 songs. The same with Baba Obey; when we put together 660 songs that he had done. A lot of people will not believe that this sort of thing is in existence. The foundation is basically taking people back to time; letting them appreciate the efforts that these musicians have put into their works and have something to curate their works for posterity’s sake. That’s what we are trying to achieve with such an edifice,” she revealed.

Expected to be completed before the end of 2024, the project requires funds to create that state-of-the-art facility that is sustainable.

“When the whole thing is finished, we will have a lot of professionals that will populate the building,” she continued. “We have IT people. There are people who have given us materials that they have kept for more than fifty years and they want to be sure that even when they are gone, nothing will happen to their materials. That’s where insurance comes in. We are going to have digital and physical archiving.”

Before the project took off, Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation had organised events to celebrate artists and promote their works. But Esho argued that these artists deserve more than just occasional events.

“We want people to know about them and their music. Music is an intellectual property. Most of the record labels are dead. There is nothing anybody can do about it but the artist has left a legacy- a property. And that property is his

music. And his family is deserving of that right. That’s why we advise artists to get an estate to protect the artist’s right,” Esho said.

When asked about Evergreen’s relationship with streaming platforms and how royalties of artists are protected, Esho revealed that before the digital service for music distribution started, Evergreen as a company had developed a system that makes it difficult for pirates to distribute their artists’ music.

“We started with proper packaging that is not cheap. We repackage music. Today, there are different ways of buying

Still, Esho is wary of some of the music streaming sites. For her, it is important for artists to understand the business side of their craft before giving out a licence to their music.

“Even on the streaming sites, you cannot know what is being sold,” she argued. “It takes a tech-savvy person to understand the data analysis that they share with us. In terms of business, we always advise artists that beyond music, they should have an alternative source of livelihood. That’s what we used to tell indigenous artists. It is dangerous to lean on music for survival. What if the shows are not coming in? What if the music does not sell? But it has changed a little due to digital streaming. Most artists depend solely on the sales from these platforms right now. It is not through shows anymore. It is only the A-list artists who make money from concerts.

“But even when old artists die, their family members can collect their royalties. Evergreen songs can never fade. A new artist can remix it. We have experienced it with Seyi Shodimu and Shaffy’s ‘Love Me Jeje.’ Tems did a remake.

How difficult could it be to acquire the catalogue of musicians whose record labels are no longer in existence? Esho didn’t see any obstacle to acquiring the rights to distribute such music as long as due process is followed.

“You can approach the artists or their family members.”

There are cases where older artists, in spite of a very successful music career behind them, end up poor and unable to have a decent living in their later years. Esho revealed that the older generation was mostly not commercially driven.

“They didn’t have role models. Music was just a passion. They felt they were ripped off by the record labels and some of them are still owed some money. If you check their contract, you’d find out that indeed some of them had sold their birthright to the record companies. They are not able to make money. Those of them who were smart made good money.

“Ebenezer was smart. He even bought a record label- Decca. Who does that? He bought it over and bought all the music on the label. So the question is ‘How do you sign a contract that gives away your rights?’ They can’t even use or perform their hit songs because they belong to their record label. Don’t just sign. Let a lawyer see the contract before you sign.”

Esho disclosed that the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation would educate more young people about the business side of music to ensure that the sad history of exploitation does not repeat itself.

“One of the greatest things that we can do for humanity is to develop a young mind to become who he or she wants to be,” she continued. “That’s the greatest thing we can do for humanity. Some of them are not supposed to do music. They may not have the talent. If you don’t have a good voice, you can get trained. Shina Peters didn’t have a good voice but he got trained. When he was with Prince Adekunle, he was playing guitar. Segun Adewale was the one doing the vocals. But when he broke out, he made hits. Sometimes, your voice won’t work.

“Lifestyle also matters. The womanisers do n’t save for the future. When the money comes, they don’t manage resources.”

To make this music empire a reality, Esho believes that the government and more visionary people should be on board.

music. Some people still buy CDs. Some buy music through streaming platforms. We sell in mp3 formats as well; we have captured everything.

“Some of the music streaming sites send funds to us quarterly for sold music. They show us the chart of what the music is doing. We need to be careful with the digital world because we found out that some artists put their works there and even pay for their songs to be downloaded for free. A lot of artists do that because they are naive. It’s especially the young ones who do it,” she said with a sigh.

“We need people who have ears into what we are doing. Every artist has a state. So, whether they like it or not, all states have to be involved. The museum we have will have vinyls of the artists in alphabetical order; curating music from every part of the country.

“Have you heard of Tera Kota, Nigeria’s first reggae artist? His name is Gboyega Femi. He came before the likes of Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek. He did about four albums but then he died.

“If there is no foundation to preserve such music culture in Nigeria, their music may be lost in the stream of time,” she remarked.

Esho

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Life Goes on for Akanimo Udofia at 55

Nigerians will forever be known for their resilience and determination. Push one down the slope and watch them dust themself, sneer at you, and continue their way. This is the case with Akanimo Udofia, the former gubernatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom State. Despite the setback in the recent elections, Udofia has swiftly moved forward, focusing on his private business endeavours. Recently celebrating his 55th birthday on June 18, he continues to thrive in the oil and gas industry.

With more than three decades of experience, Udofia remains at the helm of Desicon Engineering and Saidel Limited, guiding their growth and strategic direction. His leadership has been instrumental in forging successful partnerships and completing numerous projects within the sector. This steadfast commitment to his professional life highlights a common Nigerian ethos: the ability to rebound and refocus after disappointments.

Udofia’s extensive background includes a degree in Accounting from the University of Uyo and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School. These qualifications have equipped him with the skills to navigate the complexities of the business world, ensuring that his companies continue to flourish. His role as Managing Director of Desicon Engineering since 1996 is a testament to his enduring dedication and expertise.

But all this professional cred would amount to nothing if no record is made of his political adventures. During the last election cycle in Akwa Ibom, Udofia came out strong under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Expecting the support of all and sundry, it was a smashing loss when Udofia failed to come first as the state’s governor.

Despite the dismal results, Udofia remained undeterred. First, he publicly announced his intention to appeal the tribunal’s decision, choosing to believe, as he said, in democracy and the rule of law. But even that did not work for him.

And now, Udofia has gone back to being one of Akwa Ibom’s most successful businessmen, with his political profile accentuating his strong will and vision. Now that he has marked his 55th birthday, the days are doubtlessly counting in his favour. Perhaps he will return to the political scene soon and this time win big.

Femi Otedola and Jim Ovia: Back in Business after Resolving Dispute Out-of-Court

When elephants fight, other inhabitants of the jungle peek out of their homes anxiously, hoping for a conclusion. Things have settled in Nigeria’s big business circle with the alleged settling of all problems between Femi Otedola and Jim Ovia.

The dispute began when Otedola accused Zenith Bank of unauthorised trading using the account of his company, Seaforce Shipping Limited, without his consent. Despite the account not being active since 2010, transactions worth billions of naira allegedly took place. Otedola claimed that Seaforce never applied for or received a loan from Zenith Bank, yet the account was used for trading, leading to substantial debts.

Upon discovering the irregularities through a whistleblower at Zenith Bank, Otedola confronted the bank’s officials, who reportedly apologised. He then highlighted discrepancies in the bank’s documentation, such as a letter from 2018 that showed a debt significantly lower than the amount recorded in the bank statements. This inconsistency prompted Otedola to seek legal action.

Things were hot for a while, especially as Otedola apparently sought to have the Nigerian judicial system sanction Ovia and his bank for their alleged fraudulent actions. If that had continued, who knows how much dirt the businessmen would have found to paste on each other’s faces?

However, the two businessmen decided to settle the matter out of court to preserve

their long-standing business and personal relationships. It is speculated that they agreed to resolve the issue amicably, leading to the court dismissing the case following Otedola’s withdrawal application on June 13.

While the details of the settlement remain confidential, it is alleged that things are almost back to how they were before the case came to the public square. So, Otedola and Ovia can maintain their professional

rapport and focus on growing their respective ventures without the strain of ongoing litigation. Nigerians have welcomed this resolution, relieved that the high-profile dispute did not escalate further. The settlement does not only ensure stability within the business community, it also reflects positively on the reputations of both Otedola and Ovia, who have demonstrated a commitment to resolving conflicts constructively.

Shell’s Strategic Shift Signals a New Dawn in Oil & Gas Sector

A new era is upon Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. This is because of the recent business decisions by Shell, which have strong implications for the energy sector and its people.

Shell sold its onshore assets in the Niger Delta region to a group of local companies. This sale, valued at over a billion dollars, signals its exit from onshore operations. Problems like oil spills, theft, and sabotage have long troubled the company, leading to costly repairs and legal issues.

Nigeria’s oil regulator has stressed the importance of this change. The assets have significant reserves of oil and gas, and the new operators

must show they have the money and skills to manage them well. Ensuring transparency and fairness during this transition is key.

At the same time, Shell is shifting its focus to offshore operations, especially deepwater and gas projects. This includes developing a new field where Shell will build an onshore processing plant instead of a floating one. This move shows Shell’s commitment to boosting Nigeria’s liquefied gas production.

These changes by Shell are important during a tough economic time for Nigeria. Selling the onshore assets could lead to job losses for those directly employed by Shell. However, the new local operators

might reinvest profits within Nigeria, possibly creating new jobs and boosting the economy. Environmental issues are also a concern as local operators take over. Shell’s history of oil spills and cleanup problems means there must be careful oversight to ensure the new operators follow strict environmental rules.

At the end of the day, Shell’s focus on offshore projects could lead to better technology and increased production, helping Nigeria’s energy security and export income. So, even though there may be challenges arising from Shell’s new strategy, opportunities abound for Nigeria’s betterment.

Dapo Abiodun: How Sterling Stewardship Earned Him Massive Praise

commitment to the state’s development and his recognition of the cultural significance of traditional events have earned him praise from citizens and dignitaries alike.

At this year’s Ojude Oba Festival, Abiodun shined brightly. Attending with other dignitaries, he was the first to arrive and show respect for the good people of Ijebuland. But this is nothing surprising. After all, under Abiodun’s administration, the festival has transformed from a local celebration into a global event, attracting national and international attention.

Abiodun’s dedication to such traditional celebrations is obviously part of his broader vision for Ogun State. By promoting the Ojude Oba Festival, he has shown his intentions to preserve and elevate the cultural heritage of Ijebuland, making it a significant tourist attraction.

After all, Abiodun’s administration is working towards including the Ojude Oba Festival in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list. This initiative, supported by President Bola Tinubu, intends to cement the

festival’s importance and ensure its preservation for future generations. Such efforts demonstrate Abiodun’s commitment to not only the state’s immediate development but also its long-term cultural legacy.

It is this kind of heart that has helped Governor Abiodun steer Ogun from being average to one of Nigeria’s leading states in infrastructural development, education, and citizen welfare. His administration has consistently prioritised creating a conducive environment for business and community development, ensuring that the state’s infrastructure meets global standards. This focus has led to significant improvements in roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, enhancing the overall quality of life for Ogun’s residents.

Indeed, Abiodun’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. During the Ojude Oba celebrations, several bigwigs expressed gratitude for the governor’s unwavering support. With this backing, the festival itself has truly become a symbol of unity and cultural pride, solidifying its status on the global stage.

Otedola

Ovia

Abiodun Excellence does not often require additional marketing. It shines on its own, as can be seen from how Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has garnered widespread acclaim for his remarkable leadership, particularly highlighted during the 2024 Ojude Oba celebrations. His deep

Painful Exit of the Matriarch of Saraki Dynasty

“There is no death, only a change of worlds,” a saying that aptly captures the profound yet inevitable transition of Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki, the matriarch of the Saraki dynasty. Her passing marks the end of an era filled with unwavering commitment to family and community.

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Saraki Matriarch peacefully transitioned at the age of 89. The news of her passing brought a wave of sorrow to those who knew her as a pillar of strength and compassion within the Saraki family and beyond.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki conveyed the sad news to the public through a heartfelt statement on his social media handles. He announced, “With profound sadness and total submission to the will of Almighty God, I announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch, Chief Mrs. Florence Morenike Saraki.”

The public response was immediate and overwhelming. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, among others, expressed deep condolences, highlighting

Iluyomade

Is it easier to start a new venture or continue along the path of one’s legacy, particularly with advancing age and time constraints? This question is pertinent for Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and his wife, Siju, who have dedicated years to building their

Nasir El-Rufai:

A person’s response to trouble often reveals their character and resilience. This is a truth exemplified by the recent actions of Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State. Amidst brewing tensions with his successor, El-Rufai’s demeanour and handling of the situation provide insight into his leadership style and fortitude.

The waves of trouble continue to froth between El-Rufai and the incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, as accusations flew regarding the financial management of the state during El-Rufai’s tenure. The Kaduna State House of Assembly initiated a probe into the loans received and spent under El-Rufai’s administration, adding fuel to the political fire.

El-Rufai’s response to these troubles has been characterised by unwavering confidence and defiance. Despite the ongoing investigation, he remains unfazed, even going so far as to predict the failure of his successor’s administration. In his words, Uba is only

Skills empower individuals to rise, transforming lives and communities by providing a platform for growth and development. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), a prominent Nigerian philanthropist, recognises this power. His recent actions in Yobe State reflect his deep commitment to creating opportunities for

Florence’s commitment to family values and the welfare of the less privileged. Tributes poured in, celebrating her life and legacy, and recognizing her as a guiding light for the community.

The late Madam Saraki lived a life of dedication and service. From her roots in the

Ibidapo family in Owo, Ondo State, she embodied the virtues of a devoted wife and mother. Her unwavering support for her husband, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, and her steadfast dedication to her children and grandchildren left an indelible mark on everyone she touched.

She not only nurtured her family but also prepared her children for life with wisdom and love. Her teachings and values equipped them to face the world with strength and integrity. Her exemplary conduct and commitment to African values were a beacon for others to follow.

Senators Bukola and Gbemisola Saraki rose from her training, becoming prominent figures in Nigerian politics and governance. Bukola, a two-term governor of Kwara State and former Senate President, and Gbemi, a former senator and minister, owe much of their success to the solid foundation and guidance provided by their mother.

The Saraki Matriarch’s legacy continues through their public service and dedication to the betterment of society. Little wonder the world continues to celebrate her.

Will Pastor Idowu Iluyomade Float His Own Church?

ministry at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Pastor Iluyomade is currently facing significant challenges after his recent resignation from RCCG’s Trinity Towers. The controversy surrounding his departure involves allegations of insensitivity and internal politicking within the church, which have cast a shadow on his longstanding contributions to the ministry.

Public response to Pastor Iluyomade’s situation has been divided. Some church members have voiced strong support for the Iluyomades, criticising the RCCG for what they see as a pattern of sidelining influential pastors. Others, however, have criticised the couple for their perceived extravagant lifestyle, suggesting it may have played a role in their current predicament.

Amidst this turmoil, rumours are circulating that Pastor Iluyomade might establish his own church. Such a move could allow him to continue his ministry without the constraints and politics of RCCG, providing a fresh start and a platform to further his vision.

Starting a new church at this stage, however, poses its own set of challenges. While Pastor Iluyomade has extensive experience and a solid following, he is also advancing in age. Building a new congregation from the ground up would require significant effort and energy, testing his resilience and resources.

Alternatively, the Iluyomades have other viable paths they can pursue. Both are accomplished lawyers and philanthropists, with Siju being the founder of Arise Women. They could return to their legal careers or focus on their philanthropic efforts, leveraging their experience and influence in new ways. Of course, the challenges of time and resources remain.

Ultimately, time will reveal the next steps for Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and his wife. Whether they choose to start a new church or explore other ventures, their journey will continue to unfold, shedding light on their wisdom, resilience, and adaptability.

Treading Troubles with Ease

prancing and will soon fall off like candy in the hands of a child.

This situation truly sheds light on ElRufai’s unyielding nature and his willingness to confront challenges head-on. Throughout his political career, he has been no stranger to controversy, often making headlines for his outspoken views and bold policy decisions. It should be noted that some of these views have contrasted widespread religious lines of harmony or even human rights matters. But what is all that before El-Rufai’s pattern of defiance and confidence?

As the storm of political turmoil swirls around him, the question arises: will El-Rufai weather this storm or succumb to its fury? With his tenacity, one might say he is wellequipped to navigate these turbulent waters and emerge unscathed. However, the outcome remains uncertain because political landscapes are ever-shifting and unpredictable.

There is a valuable lesson to be learned from

El-Rufai’s disposition: in times of trouble, maintaining composure and resolve can do wonders. On the flip side, however, excessive hardness could lead to one’s ruin.

Empowering Nigeria: TY Danjuma’s Transformative Skills Centres

Nigerians to achieve self-sufficiency and prosperity through skill acquisition.

Danjuma has inaugurated a skill acquisition centre in Yobe State, one of nine such centres being established across Gujba, Gulani, and Fika local government areas. This initiative, under the aegis of the Victims Support Fund (VSF) which he chairs, aims to address unemployment by equipping youths with valuable skills.

The Yobe Skill Centre offers training in areas such as computer skills, tailoring, electrical work, welding, and carpentry. These programs are designed to provide practical and marketable skills that can lead to immediate employment or entrepreneurship opportunities, thereby fostering economic growth and stability in the region.

The expected value of the skill centre is substantial. By providing vocational training, it empowers individuals to become self-reliant, reducing poverty and fostering economic resilience. This initiative also promotes social stability by engaging youth in productive

Tony Elumelu’s Big-hearted Gestures

In an increasingly challenging world, the importance of philanthropy cannot be overstated. Tony Elumelu’s interventions stand out as beacons of hope. His efforts, particularly through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), have transformed lives by empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth across Africa.

Elumelu’s philanthropy extends across the entire continent. From North Africa to the southernmost regions, the TEF has disbursed over $100 million in direct funding to 20,000 young entrepreneurs. This broad reach has catalysed the creation of over 400,000 jobs and generated $2.5 billion in economic activity, showcasing the vast impact of his initiatives.

Despite his philanthropic achievements, Elumelu does not need generosity to cement his reputation. His acumen in business alone is sufficient. As the former CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and founder of Heirs Holdings, Elumelu has established himself as a titan in the banking and investment sectors, creating a legacy of success and innovation.

Nevertheless, Elumelu remains deeply committed to philanthropy. He has dedicated significant resources to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs. The TEF’s programs provide crucial training, mentoring, and funding, embodying Elumelu’s belief in Africapitalism—the idea that private sector investment is key to social and economic development.

activities, potentially reducing the allure of insurgent groups in a region recovering from conflict.

Danjuma’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond Yobe. His contributions to healthcare include the recent opening of the Daisy Danjuma Eye Hospital in Taraba State and the Goodwill Medical Center in Enugu State. These facilities, funded by his foundation, enhance access to essential health services for underprivileged communities, demonstrating his commitment to improving the quality of life across Nigeria.

At his core, Danjuma is a changemaker. His initiatives reflect a profound understanding of the needs of his countrymen and a relentless drive to address those needs. Through his business acumen and philanthropic endeavours, he has consistently sought to create positive, lasting change in various sectors, from education and healthcare to economic empowerment.

The greatest evidence of his philanthropy is the TEF Entrepreneurship Program, which has trained over 1.5 million young Africans and helped thousands turn their business ideas into reality. This initiative, recognized globally and studied at Harvard Business School, highlights the transformative power of Elumelu’s strategic approach to giving.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Elumelu remains humble, never seeking the limelight for his good works. His philanthropy speaks for itself, and his commitment to bettering humanity continues quietly but powerfully, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives across Africa.

At the end of the day, the man has simply done much for Africa. In some ways, he is rewriting the future of the continent one page at a time, majestically but quietly.

Elumelu

El-Rufai

Saraki and his late mother

Danjuma

Sim Fubara is Simply in Charge

A common mistake in warfare is underestimating an opponent. It is now very clear that Nyesom Wike in choosing the next stooge, may have really underestimated the invincible resolve and strength of character embodied in Sim Fubara. He would be ruing the day he chose this man as successor and hating himself for it.

Fubara has not only stood up against the bully with the croaky voice but has also gone ahead to give him a very dirty fight, uprooting his socalled structures and sweeping away his henchmen in 24 hours, leaving his former master naked with nothing but shame and regret as companions.

As I watched the former chairman

of Ikwerre Local Government cowardly beat a retreat, I just shook my head in utter disgust. The contempt for institutional barriers, the sense of massive entitlement and the desire to rule over the people despite constitutional provisions just threw me into a state of anomie.

God-fearing and democraticleaning Nigerians are firmly on Sim’s side in this fight against the biggest-ever political bully in recent times. Nigerians watched very intently as his lily-livered footmen ran away or were kicked ignominiously out of various local government secretariats, marking

very firmly the end of the dictatorial reign of the croaky-voiced one. I jumped with glee as I watched one of them beat a hasty retreat with his security chased out by a motley crowd of angered youths who had just had enough.

Mr. Fubara now has the leeway to consolidate, rebuild democratic structures and also put in place credible governance that would be focused on the people as against the politics of “hara kiri” as practised by his erstwhile g odfather who now stands naked with the ‘craw craw’ in his buttocks exposed to the world. Who will help him scratch it? Certainly not me!

The clip hit the airwaves. The South African President was shaking heads of state and governments at his inauguration and seemingly walked past our own President and Nigerians screamed in unison. How could he do that, how could he ignore the president of the giant of Africa? Over 200 million people screamed in collective anger. Then suddenly another clip emerged with Mr. Ramaphosa shaking President Tinubu’s hands and everything went calm abi?

No joor. Tinubu looked like someone who was not invited to the party. He looked like a stranger and Mr. Ramaphosa didn’t help matters as he shook him the way a gracious host would shake a strange face at his party without wanting to humiliate the person.

It’s one year after and President Tinubu is still not looking very comfortable on the international stage. He still looks very unsure and very very shy. His dressing too always comes across as too casual although I really have nothing against that. After all, Nelson Mandela wore loose shirts and pants and Fidel Castro wore khakis, it’s just that Tinubu doesn’t have the charisma and carriage to carry his own.

I think it’s a matter of capacity and lack

of understanding of the issues and also a lack of self-awareness. If Tinubu was well aware that he had over 200 million people behind him, he would not be standing at the back of international podiums looking lost and wondering when it would all be over so he can rush back to Isale-Eko where he is better suited.

Secondly, I do not think he is well aware of international power dynamics, international economic issues, international bi and multilateral engagements, and all of that and it shows very clearly in his carriage, passage and comportments at these fora.

My advice is for him to pull back and start sending Nigerians of weight to represent him until he is very sure of himself. People like Chief Obasanjo — who has started wearing his kind of cap, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and General Ike Nwachukwu are still alive, and if age will permit them, can represent him and pull enough weight until he gets himself together. By the way, who is our Foreign Minister? Do we have one? Kai.

OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL: A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOURS

I love Ijebu people o. I grew up with them in Shomolu. They are wonderful and very friendly people and their stew

is something else. They can cook stew o. Then they woke up with this Ojude Oba concept and I must tell you that it is mad!!!

The colours, the pomp and pageantry, the heritage, and the pride, gosh! The pictures that I have seen have even made me forget the bad roads to the town, the poverty in and around the place, the neglect of infrastructure and the old tattered worn-out houses that these beautiful people came out from. Mbok, that my brother, the investment banker, Farooq Oreagba, who took the shine was something else. His green ensemble, contrasting very sweetly against the very beautiful tattoos that filled up his hands and the Cuban cigar in his hands as he swaggered on horseback. Crazy, crazy dude and crazy people.

The Ijebus and their festival bring out goose pimples from me all of the time. You know there is no more beautiful woman than a Yoruba woman in owambe mode. I could not stop drooling at their backsides, covered in wonderfully made Aso-oke, with their push-up bras, making their something point to the sky and the many jewellery. Kai, kai, kai. The Ijebu woman in that mode is simply sexy, beautiful and enthralling. Mbok, do they allow other people to attend or is it only Ijebu people because I have

decided to risk the craters on the road and attend the next one o with my camera in hand.

Well done my brothers and sisters and keep the flag flying, before you know it, the festival will catch the world’s attention and people will be flying in from all over the world to witness such a spectacle. Well done. Kai. To be Ijebu come dey hungry me.

GODSWILL AKPABIO: A LESSON IN BANDITRY

This one is just in a world of his own. As far as he is concerned, he is having the best time of his life. Not even connected to reality. He floats on the cloud and once in a while, he will come down and drop some of these banalities that will make someone scratch his head in bewilderment.

I just saw a report in which he was saying that if we hadn’t changed the national anthem we would have no banditry or something to that effect. I was headed to the fridge to steal the last Sallah ram when the news caught my attention. At first, I thought it was a comedian speaking in a promo for their show but when I looked closer, it was my Akpabio spewing that kind of simplistic statement that would make a class monitor lose his position if he dared.

How the wordings of the old-new-

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SAVED BYTHE BELL

Fubara

Akpabio

Ramaphosa

Amaechi

Buhari

national anthem would stop, and curb banditry remains to be seen. In fact, if someone continues to dwell on this statement, it will look like the person sef no too get sense.

But let me state one other observation I had. When Akpabio was making the statement, I looked very intently at those around him including Senator Opeyemi. They all kept a straight face, struggling not to laugh. In fact, Senator Opeyemi put on a very strict frown and with the camera panning very closely to him. He made a face like a quartermaster general in the barracks before he would laugh and embarrass his principal who had just made the most infantile statement since independence.

My people, all I can say for now is na wa. Na real wa for this political dispensation that we find ourselves in. Kai.

ROTIMI AMAECHI: A DIFFERENT KIND OF NARRATIVE

Okay, something very annoying and almost irritating has been going on for some time now. The picture of Rotimi Amaechi at the airport, sitting and waiting for his flight has been making the rounds. Then one person now put a narrative around it: the temporary nature of power, and people have been sharing it to the extent it is now viral. I am sure even you reading this piece have seen it and have also looked at Amaechi with pity and said “You see, where are the police security, where are the long motorcades?” And then you will fold your hands on your chest and hiss and say, “Power. Kai.”

This narrative is totally wrong and annoying. I prefer to look at it differently. Of all the political gladiators of his time, Amaechi has been the only one courageous enough to push a proud reintegration into civil society. He has mixed with the people, attended events as himself and has been spotted severally at hotels and other such social places enjoying himself most times alone.I once met him at the prestigious Wheatbaker Hotel where he came in for breakfast, alone. I was impressed. No airs, nothing like – do you know who I am? He went to his table, ate his food in silence and stood up to walk away. I approached and asked for a picture and he permitted me, hugged me and walked away.

Stating the obvious about the transient nature of power is illiterate. Nobody has power forever and we must all like Amaechi have the courage for life after power. I see a lot of these ex-people still working around with police escorts, some even with guguru defence and throwing their weight all over the place, reminding us that they were this or that before. I have even seen some in motorcades, complete with sirens and security.

People like Amaechi should be encouraged and appreciated so that our leaders can begin to see that you can still find fulfillment out of power if that will even make them stop the sit tight posture and stop the stealing. Amaechi should not be taunted or derogated for being himself. I stand with him and if you guys have sense, you should stop sharing that narrative of transient power. It really is very obvious na.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI: SEALED LIPS, PLEASE

As we say in Shomolu, this one still get

mouth to talk? After running Nigeria into a bottomless pit with the worstever leadership that has thrown us into a state of anomie in all sectors, egbon still has time to come out to be advising us? That we should stop procreating and go back to the farms? Which farms?

This for me is a huge insult to our sensibilities. Daddy should just concentrate in his country home and be drinking his fura and thanking his stars that his successor does not have the political will to go after him to ask questions on his very debilitating stewardship. His rulership cannot be wished on the worst banana republic, he surely should have come to the realisation that

he has lost any moral ground to even whimper, talk less of giving us advice. Mbok, he should kindly keep his advice and use his native wisdom in that his hamlet to be judging communal feuds over whose cattle is impregnating the other persons’ cattle.

I get really vexed seeing his pictures, talk less of listening to him. A man that Nigeria has given so much to but pays us back with such ignorant incompetence laced with an arrogant sense of entitlement.

Mbok, you people should leave me o, because if I talk my real mind about this Buhari, someone will come and beat me in this Shomolu. At times like this, I wish I was not writing this column in a respected national daily, the words I

VICTOR

OSIMHEN’S CRUDE AND RUDE BEHAVIOUR

For a second, I thought it was the extremely popular but very crude and loud musician Portable that was ranting. The hair colour was similar, the wide opening of the mouth when spewing profanities and the spittle dropping on the camera screen all make up the visage that is Portable on a high.

But a clearer look showed that it was Victor Osimhen, the influential inte rnational footballer who has achieved so much on the international scene but who seems to perform subpar for the country. He was in a rage, he was mad at Finidi George, the hero and legend about something. He cursed and raved and shouted. ‘Ko ni da fun, iya laya anybody’ he echoed in motor park tout language as he railed against Finidi over something that could have been resolved with

would have used ehn, even my father would wake up from his grave like the old Roger and knock me. Farm ko, farm ni.

PETER OBI: IS IT YOUR MONEY?

The problem with Peter Obi is that he thinks that because he chooses to be going about in cheap black clothes and also very cheap shoes, everybody will be like him. His frugality is his choice and as such, he should not expect the rest of us, let alone our President to act like him.

They say the presidential jets have a carburettor problem and where we come from in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, we do not repair but buy new ones and you are asking a question. Do you want the man to die? Shebi they have asked you the correct question that should shut you down.

Is it your business? After all, are you the only taxpayer in the country? Why you will be putting your mouth on other people’s problems beats me. This is why you not only lost elections but lost at every court. It is this your busybody nature that caused that one.

President of over 200 million people, one of the largest ever conglomeration of black people in the world and a country where a crate of egg is N6,000 and tomatoes is now the exclusive preserve of people in Aso Rock will now come and be flying planes that they will be pushing and starting? Mr. Obi, it is like you too do o. Can you imagine the international embarrassment after we came from the Ramaphosa inauguration where they did not serve amala and the plane no come start again?

It is Bayo that really suits you. He has accused you of wanting our president dead and may God not answer your prayers. Because you cannot win an election, you now want the position by other means. Please, mind your business and be wearing that your okrika clothes up and down and let us go and buy our plane.

Mbok, whoever wins the contract, it must be Air Force One you are buying o. I have the numbers of those who sold Biden’s plane so you buy four abeg. One for president, First lady, Shettima and Akpabio each and while at it, let’s remember to buy for Seyi because he will need one for his polo tournaments. This Obi is just a mischief-maker.

calm heads.

As I watched, I remembered what my friend and brother Obinna used to say while at the great University of Ibadan when annoyed by anybody: “Bath a pig, cloth a pig, a pig is a pig.” Yes, my people, I am unashamed to tag this appellation to this massively talented footballer. One would have expected that with all of his international exposure playing, winning and dining with the very best in world football, the roughness would have been smoothed out. But no, his real self showed in that video and I am very happy to hear that he has been kicked off the national team until he apologises.

That was real crap, not expected of a man of his stature but as Obinna would say, “cloth a pig…” Mbok, complete am, I don tire.

CHARLES OPUTA: SUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY

During the week, my mentor Mr. Charles Oputa celebrated his birthday in silence. He quietly went to Abuja to avoid us coming to ask him to send us something. Anyway, let me use this opportunity to wish the great Area Fada a happy birthday and many more of such as he continues to impact and push for a better society. I am hearing some quiet noise about a foundation dedicated to men’s health in the offing. It is supposed to be a secret but you know that anything that reaches my ear cannot be a secret again na. So, Fada, when you are ready, I am ready because you know that this issue of erectile dysfunction is very close to my heart and as such, I am ready to work for free in seeking solutions for as many men as possible and for those that their cases have reached the point of no return, I can offer myself for services on their behalf and this is why I want to register on your database for such. Congratulations Fada and see you soon.

Osimhen

Four Years After, Ibidunni Ighodalo Lives on

“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart,’’ says an unknown author. Without any iota of doubt, the above quote definitely captures the mood of the loved ones of late Ibidunni Ighodalo after she bid goodbye to the world four years ago. To them, the late former beauty queen lives in their hearts, forever. On Friday, June 14, 2024, family members, friends as well as admirers once again gathered to remember and pay tribute to the beautiful soul who died in 2020.

In one of the many tributes by some of her loved ones, a social media user wrote:

“In memory of a life that profoundly impacted many, we hold you close in our hearts, ensuring that your beautiful legacy lives by helping one family at a time’’

Ighodalo, the owner of Elizabeth R, a leading event management company, dedicated

her life and time to the service of humanity. She lived her life as one without worries but the former beauty queen and high-flying event planner only chose to be happy in spite of what life has thrust at her. Despite her own heartache of infertility, she chose to assist so many others in her shoes. About 28 couples were recipients of her Ibidun Ighodalo Foundation grant for infertility treatment. The couples were selected in line with the Foundation’s objectives of raising awareness about infertility, preventing discrimination against couples having difficulty conceiving naturally and providing financial aid to couples who require treatment.

Many women who benefited from her magnanimity will never forget her for the rest of their lives. Also, she was an angel that many ran to during the Covid-19 outbreak. She doled out money as well as food items to many households.

Sadly, the foremost event planner died in Port Harcourt in 2020 as a result of cardiac arrest.

Bet no socialite worth his onion would not know Fred Ajudua in his halcyon days as a top player in the social circle. He commanded a lot of respect that made his name a household item. While he was envied by many, others saw him as a godsend in their lives and loved him beyond description. He had so many things at his beck and call in his days of glory and was considered one of the biggest spenders in the social circle.

Also, he was a darling of many musicians, especially Fuji and Juju music stars, who constantly sang his praises and were handsomely rewarded in return. Many artists would gladly choose to perform free of charge as long as his name was on the guests’ list. He was indeed a happy-go-lucky guy.

However, his popularity suffered a serious decline following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen of $1.69 million. He also pulled one of the major ‘stunts’ in history when he allegedly defrauded a former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), of $8.4m, while they were both in custody at the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos between November 2004 and June 2005. Even when it seemed he had been temporarily left off the hook, the Delta Stateborn city businessman went back into his cocoon.

Society Watch gathered that Ajudua recently made a grandiose return as a ‘born-again man of God.’ It was hinted that Ajudua, during his recent birthday celebration donated over 50 houses to widows and the less-privileged in his community, Ibusa, Delta State.

According to our source, this was done through the establishment of the FCA Scholarship Foundation. The foundation, according to the source, has made notable contributions to Ibusa, demonstrating Ajudua’s commitment to charitable endeavours. However, this act of altruism has set tongues wagging as many claim that Ajudua is only being generous with other people’s sweat.

If you could take the pains to study Julius Rone, OFR, the Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore Limited (UTMOL), like a book, you would be totally engrossed in the riveting tales of his rise to fame. Success and fame were not thrust into

his lap. Though there are strong indications that he was born under a lucky star, he has striven to attain his current enviable status, having been a Protocol Officer at OMPADEC between 1995 and 2000 and a Protocol Assistant to a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2008.

Almost immediately after he “blessed” the nation’s oil and gas sector with his “baby”, UTM Offshore Limited, UTMOL, many across the globe began to take more than a passing interest in him. And, in no time, he succeeded in writing his name in gold in the nation’s oil and gas industry. Even now, his portrait is hung conspicuously in the Hall of Fame of gas giants in Africa.

As fate would have it, his passion has also fetched him recognition in and outside the shores of the country on account of his being the brains behind the first Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) in the continent. For his worthy efforts, he has also graced the cover pages of several local and international newspapers and magazines so deservedly.

At home, he is like a prophet who has

Adewale Tinubu, a Glittering Star in the Business Firmament @57

The late Scottish theologian and author, William Barclay, was celebrated for writing several books with great appeal. In one of his very inspiring quotes, Barclay, also a renowned television and radio presenter, said: “There are two great days in a person’s life: the day we are born and the day we discover why.”

Interestingly, among the few great personalities in the world who may be said to have internalised the true essence of Barclay’s thought-provoking words is Adewale Tinubu, the Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc. Tinubu, also a lawyer, turns 57 on Wednesday, June 26.

Society Watch gathered that he usually looks forward to the day with indescribable joy. The reason, according to his close associates, is that the occasion always affords him a moment of introspection.

However, unlike others in his social class, the

man, fondly called the King of African Oil, does not usually disturb the peace of his neighbours nor jar their ears with loud music while his birthday celebrations last.

Also, those who chose to celebrate his birthday every year have learnt never to throw caution to the winds either. It is like a shared belief of sorts between him and his family, business associates and faithful fans.

Unknown to many who wonder about his dislike for elaborate birthday celebrations, Tinubu has, indeed, found an answer to why he was born: to impact humanity positively. He has uplifted countless souls with his magnanimity, been an angel of hope for the heavy-hearted, lavished favours on millions globally, and provided a guiding light for the hopeless.

As an entrepreneur of repute, he has provided employment opportunities for several, in and

In the dynamic realm of real estate, a silent operator has been making waves with his innovative approach and commitment to excellence.

Dr. Abdullahi Mosadoluwa, founder of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development LTD, is setting new standards with his latest project, Lekki Aviation Town Estate, situated in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. This luxurious estate has become the talk of the town, attracting influential personalities from various sectors.

What sets this estate apart from the crowd is its luxurious amenities and prime location. Proximity to key infrastructure developments and its serene environment makes it an ideal choice for discerning individuals seeking premium residential options.

Mosadoluwa’s commitment to excellence and dedication to providing exceptional living experiences have made Lekki Aviation Town Estate a benchmark for quality

honour; and on the international scene, he is honoured with awards for his uncommon feats and enviable achievements. No wonder, former Liberia President, George Weah, had extended a personal invitation to him and his wife, Utibe, to attend his inauguration on January 22, 2018.

Rone, who is considered a social butterfly because he is charismatic, talented and good-looking, is known to have organised different parties and graced many as well. But it is doubtful if any so far has gained his attention as the planning of his 50th birthday celebration on Tuesday, June 25.

A perfectionist, he leaves no stone unturned to make the day most memorable for all his guests. As invites are being sent out, notable event planners and vendors who have made a successful pitch towards the success of the birthday shindig can’t wait for the day to break.

As part of the birthday ceremony, a special praise service would take place in his honour at a church in Abuja on Monday with top gospel music stars like Sensational Bamidele, Frank Edwards, Moses Bliss, Steve Crown and Sikan Isong in attendance.

Tinubu

outside the country, thereby enabling them to live their dreams. Though he does not court publicity for his humanitarian gestures, he is nonetheless an unsung hero. His worthy deeds have not gone unnoticed, as he has been honoured, both at home and abroad for making his world a better place to live in.

and sophistication in the real estate industry. As a professional investor and businessman of note, he has broken the norms and meritoriously laid a legacy for himself. His passion for creating a better life for others is evident in every aspect of his work. And, with Lekki Aviation Town Estate, he has once again demonstrated his ability to identify opportunities and transform them into thriving communities.

Notable figures like the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Anite; National President of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Dr. Musa Maitakobi; and Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Bamanga Jada, have all endorsed this prime and luxurious estate. The list of supporters continues to grow, solidifying Lekki Aviation Town Estate’s reputation as a most-coveted destination for investors and homeowners.

Ighadalo

Ajudua

ARTS & REVIEW ARTS &

Toasting to the Masters...

With an opening date fixed for Saturday, June 29, the sails of the recently announced annual art exhibition to celebrate Nigeria’s art lecturers are finally set to be unfurled, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

All that was needed was the announcement of an opening date for the highly anticipated My Lecturers Art Show. Otherwise, a fog of un- certainty regarding the exhibition’s prospects of taking place this month as promised could have settled on an already expectant segment of the Lagos art scene, thus dampening the vestiges of enthusiasm if the organisers hadn’t suddenly announced that Saturday, June 29, would be the opening day.

In any case, Femi Williams, the Lekki Phase I, Lagos-based Iwalewa Gallery of Art’s, with whom Ogirikan Art Gallery in the adjoining upmarket Ikoyi neighbourhood is collaborating on the exhibition, seems to think the timing is just right. “It’s a perfect weekend, and a lot of people would have time around the date,” he enthuses.

Still, to be fair, when the prior announcement about

vaguely hinted at its opening sometime in early June, leaving room for conjectures. Understandably, astute observers already sensed, through the non-committal tenor, the looming possibility of a postponement, even with the reassurance that the event would hold nonetheless.

impressive gathering of such accomplished artists as Auchi Polytechnic lecturers: Omodamwen Eguasa, Wale Ajayi, Shola Kukoyi, Emmanuel Ikoro, Samuel Viyaje, and Kent Onah; Lagos State University’s Olojo K. Kosoko; University of Benin’s El Dragg Okwoju; University of Nigeria’s Oluwafemi Oloidi; Nigersity of Lagos’ Bolaji Ogunwo; and Yaba College of under one platform.

For one thing, the creative credentials and visibility of these artists, as many can readily attest, transcend their exalted roles in academia. Indeed, some are already familiar—or even household—names in the local exhibition circuit. For another, discerning viewers should be able, through the exhibition, to better understand the provenance of many of the academically trained artists operating in the local scene.

“As educators, our artists have nurtured countless students, guiding them on their own creative jour- neys,” corroborates the lawyer and art collector, Dapo Otunla, in the foreword of the exhibition catalogue.

“Now, we have the privilege of witnessing their own artistic expression, which serves as a reminder that teaching and learning are a two-way street.”

as respected culture activist and former newspaper editor Jahman Anikulapo succinctly describes it in the exhibition catalogue. “It deserves the applause of all, just as the 13 artists featured deserve the love,

kindness, support, and patronage of us all,” he writes.

expected that both host galleries—Iwalewa Gallery of Art and Ogirikan Art Gallery—and their sponsors should be able to count on and amply leverage the goodwill of the art community. Still, attendance at Saturday’s opening of the event, tagged the Premiere, which opens at the Iwalewa Gallery of Art’s premises along Chris Madueke Drive in Lekki Phase I from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is expected to cut across generations of artists and enthusiasts. Such rare celebrations and recognitions of dedicated art educators are priceless, in any case. forums for thought-provoking conversations, genuine admiration for the rich repository of Nigerian creativity. So, beyond its stated goal of highlighting the works of art teachers from tertiary institutions across Nigeria, the exhibi-

According to the Ogirikan Art Gallery’s founder, the event “stands as a tribute to the luminaries within our esteemed tertiary institutions, whose tenures knowledge but whose passion has transformed art and lives within and without academia, shaping, nurturing, and inspiring countless protégés.”

founder, Femi Williams, have resolved to “accord them their due and rightful recognition” through the platform. “While some have retired and others continue to grace us with their presence, the legacy they leave behind is profound, rich, and indelible. With each passing day, we witness the infusion of creativity from both past and present masters; this and awesome legacy.”

Beyond the haze of media publicity and sentiments, a burden of expectations weighs heavily on the or- ganisers, compelling them to up the ante with this art exhibitions.

A scene from the exhibition hall

Another view of the exhibition hall

At New Afrika Shrine, D’banj’s Onstage Brilliance Burns Unabated

Iyke Bede

At this year’s Omniverse Africa Summit, Nigerian singer Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, disclosed that during one of his first public performances, a heckler in the crowd jeered, “We don’t know you,” in a discouraging attempt to elicit laughter from the audience.

Twenty years into his career, D’banj is recognised as one of the most celebrated artists and great performers to emerge from the Nigerian music industry. These accolades are not merely to inflate his ego; he has earned them through a long list of awards, numerous radio hits, and multiple sold-out performances.

Commemorating this milestone, the Koko Master hosted a free-admission concert at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, drawing inspiration from the afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. The venue provided an ideal rendezvous for his loyal fans, offering unrestricted enjoyment in an open-air setting that embraces diverse personalities and individuals from all walks of life.

Scheduled to run from 7 pm to 12 am, the stage was made ready for a slew of performances that showcased the vibrant offerings from other creatives: dance, singing, and instrumental performances. These opening acts set the tone for the night, but that was before songwriter and singer Peruzzi took to the stage to perform some of his popular songs including ‘Southy Love,’ ‘Somebody Baby,’ and ‘Amaka.’

At around 11:20 pm, one might have expected the crowd’s energy to wane, instead, instead they erupted in a thunderous welcome as D’banj emerged in a striped green co-ord, heralded by his hype man, Jimmie. Flashing lights, confetti, pyrotechnics, and a troupe of female dancers flanked him. He stood at a spot to first soak in their adoration before proceeding to assume the ‘Koko’ pose.

Kicking off on a high note, D’banj launched his set with a medley of ‘Mo Gbono Feli Feli,’ ‘Tongolo,’ and his recently released ‘Koko,’ reinforcing both the crowd and his backup dancers as they transitioned to ‘Why Me,’ one of the biggest singles of 2006.

From time to time, he would pause the performance to speak to the crowd. One such moment was when he implored them to enter the spiritual realm through his song ‘Olorun Maje,’ which translates to ‘God forbid.’

A remarkable and unlikely moment happened during the performance of the smash hit ‘Fall in Love.’ He had started the musical number just like the other ones that preceded it. The crowd? Frenzied as usual. But just as the song was about to transition into another, Made, grandson of the late Kuti, emerged with saxophone in hand, ready to perform. Made, with great precision, executed the sax solo portion of the song to the delight of screaming fans.

Although no former member of Mo’ Hits resurfaced to

perform alongside him, D’banj tactfully revived songs he had collaborated on with them. His approach breathed new life into each performance. Particularly notable was his rendition of ‘Give It to Me,’ a song which D’Prince featured him, exuding bold eroticism.

The final moments of the concert crescendoed perfectly. D’banj had all the female dancers form a train reminiscent of Fela’s dancers, with D’banj at one end conducting their wellchoreographed moves to the monster hits ‘Mr Endowed’ and ‘Oliver Twist.’ At this point, members of the crowd moved towards the elevated stage to give their best dance renditions to the songs, too. This transitioned seamlessly into ‘Igwe,’ which had the crowd in a call-and-response mode until their lungs gave out.

Zeof Records Drops Two Singles, Promotes Fashion

Von Blake and Denzel-Armani, the two upcoming artists who joined Zeof Records earlier this year recently released new singles ‘Bad Tin’ and ‘On a Sunday.’ The singles come on the heels of previously released singles such as ‘Comot Der,’ ‘Jonza,’ and ‘Neme.’

Discovered and nurtured by Zeof Records, an indigenous music company dedicated to helping young, talented upcoming music stars harness their musical potential and careers, the two music prodigies who are biological siblings are fast making inroads into the international music scene through their participation in international music events. At the Spanish/ Nigeria musical competition held last year, Von Blake shared the third position with another contender. The international musical event which featured 2,000 Nigerian artists was organised by the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria.

The biological siblings whose real names are Blake Ezeofor and Denzel Ezeofor are University graduates with a passion for conquering the music world and with Zeof Records guiding them steadily, their dreams will soon become a reality.

For the Chairman/ CEO of Zeof Records Hi ( Barr. Jideofor Ezeofor, the record label will continue to hunt and discover music talents and “then, build them, grow them, support them, promote them until they become

Tamuno Seeks AGN’s Collaboration on Abuja Film Village

GMD/CEO of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Amb. Maureen Tamuno recently hosted the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and representatives from the Nollywood industry. The discussion centred on collaboration to realize the Abuja Film Village vision.

The Abuja Film Village project is a visionary initiative designed to create a thriving hub for film production and entertainment in the heart of Nigeria. By bringing together the expertise and creativity of Nollywood with the strategic planning and investment capabilities of AICL, this collaboration aims to elevate the Nigerian film industry to new heights and position Abuja as a premier destination for filmmakers and audiences alike.

Tamuno highlighted the importance of this partnership in boosting the cultural and economic landscape of Abuja and emphasized AICL’s commitment to supporting the creative industry as a pivotal part of Abuja’s development strategy.

“The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood has been a beacon of creativity and cultural expression, it has not only entertained millions but has also provided employment and fostered economic growth. It is my hope that we take this industry to new heights through strategic collaboration and investment.”

The AGN delegation which included veteran actor Zack Orji, and Monalisa Chinda, and led by its President Mr Emeka Rollas, expressed their enthusiasm for the partnership, recognizing its potential to advance the film industry’s infrastructure and global standing. They acknowledged AICL’s crucial role in fostering a creative and thriving environment.

As the meeting concluded, both parties expressed optimism about future collaborations and pledged to work together to bring this vision to fruition and enhance Abuja’s vibrant entertainment landscape.

Abuja Film Village (AFV) is a subsidiary of Abuja Investments Comp any Lim ited (AICL), birthed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, to make the city of Abuja, a centre of filmmaking and entertainment excellence.

superstars. At Zeof, we are committed to helping young, upcoming music artists hone their talents,” he said.

Apart from music, Zeof Group is also a big player in the fashion industry with its fashion label, Zeof Excluzioni Fashion which according to the chairman can compete favourably with renowned international fashion labels. Its clients cut across captains of industries, serving and former governors, legislators and party chieftains.

D’banj and Made

D’banj at New Afrika Shrine

Blake Armani

Amb. Tamuno and AGN President Emeka Rollas

Editor

IN THE ARENA

Time to Scrutinise Activities of Orphanages

Orphanages are meant to be homes devoted to the care of children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their families. However, in Nigeria, inadequate monitoring and oversight have led to reports suggesting that some of these institutions prioritise profit over their core mission, Vanessa Obioha writes

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) recently arraigned Clara Ogo, an 83-year-old woman and founder of the renowned Arrow of God Orphanage in Anambra State, for alleged buying and selling of human beings for any purpose. The arraignment took place at the Federal High Court, Awka Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Hauwa Yilwa.

Ogo, a retired Nigerian Army Lt. Col, and nurse, owns the orphanage located at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area, with branches in Lagos State. She was handed over to NAPTIP by the state government in October 2023.

Arrow of God Orphanage came under scrutiny in 2023 after an investigative journalist exposed alleged illicit activities related to illegal adoption and sale of babies linked to the orphanage.

Following these revelations, NAPTIP launched a comprehensive investigation, resulting in Ogo’s arrest on October 3, 2023, and arraignment on a one-count charge of buying and selling a baby, a five-month-old girl, and thereby committing an offence punishable under Sections 21 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

Though she pleaded not guilty to the offence and was granted bail with a bond of N1.3 million and two sureties in like sum, she was subsequently remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions.

The Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo exposed the orphanage after receiving a tipoff in December 2021 that one baby at the facility costs N1.5 million. He eventually bought a baby at the facility for N2 million. A former student of the school in Oke Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos, told FIJ that the childcare organisation was a baby factory, even though it started as a “normal orphanage.”

This prompted the Anambra State Government to seal the orphanage home. The state’s Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, while speaking to journalists after sealing the facility, said the licence of its owner had also been withdrawn indefinitely.

The commissioner said 20 children, comprising 10 boys, nine girls and a newborn were rescued from the facility and were currently in the ministry’s custody.

She said that appropriate steps were being

taken to trace and reunite the children with their respective families.

According to Wikipedia, orphanages are residential institutions, total institutions or group homes, devoted to the care of orphans and children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their biological families. The parents may be deceased, absent, or abusive. There may be substance abuse or mental illness in the biological home, or the parent may simply be unwilling to care for the child. In some cases, children picked from the streets are sent to orphanage homes for care.

A few large international charities continue to fund orphanages, but most are still commonly founded by smaller charities and religious groups. It is believed that in Nigeria, orphanages recruit children to ensure continued funding, particularly under the harsh economic situation where they receive little or no government assistance and insufficient public awareness to properly take care of children.

Most orphanages operate under conditions that are injurious to the health of the children.

A report by the National Population Commission, and ICF International 2013 claimed that an estimated 95 per cent of these children do not receive any type of medical, emotional, social, material, or school-related assistance.

Child labour is another form of modern slavery which occurs when a child is exploited for someone else’s gain.

In 2015, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development estimated that there were about 17.5 million orphans and vulnerable children in a nation of more than 200 million people.

This number has increased over the years due to violence, conflicts and communal clashes in different parts of the country.

It is believed that India, China and Nigeria rank at the top of countries with the highest number of orphans, primarily due to their large populations and challenges like poverty, disease, and conflicts. However, the number of these orphans in orphanages is not well-documented as there are no current statistics. Government-operated homes are supposedly less than five per cent while 95 per cent are private homes.

The prevailing belief in government circles is that the operators of orphanages are philanthropists dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and benefiting society. However, even publicly-funded homes are not faring any better. Many have turned these institutions into businesses, treating the children as commodities and subjecting them to hard labour and other forms of

POLITICAL NOTES

Philip Shaibu Axed Again

ThepoliticalcareerofaformerDeputyGovernor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, suffered another setback last week following his explusion by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). ShaibuwasGovernorGodwinObaseki’sdeputy.

When Shaibu fell out with Obaseki over the former’s governorship ambition, many analysts hadadvisedtheformerdeputygovernortofollow thepathofhonourbyresigninginsteadofallowing himself to be kicked out of the government but he refused until he was impeached.

Sincehewassacked,insteadofresigningfrom the PDP, he has been openly campaigning for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Monday

Okpebholo instead of the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo. Shaibu incurred the wrath of the PDP when he told journalists on the sidelines of the Fathers’ Day celebration at the St Paul Catholic Church in Benin City, that he had thrown his weight behind the APC candidate because he had the characteristics of the ‘homeboy’neededtotakeovergovernanceinEdoState.

HenotedthatIghodaloisaproductofgodfatherism, which, he said, had been eradicated from the political history of the state.

According to him, former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, preached against godfatherism and he joined Obaseki to fight against godfatherism duringthe2020election,addingthathehadalsolearnt new political strategies from the governor.

Many, however, believe that Oshiomhole is already

abuse.

Recently, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, disclosed that the FCT Administration had sealed off an orphanage in Karonmajigi, the Priesthood Orphanage, after 23 children, aged 1 – 14 years, allegedly trafficked from Plateau State were supposedly rescued from the orphanage.

Penultimate week, Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, revealed that many orphanages in the country were under investigation for child trafficking.

Observers believe that much more needs to be done by the government at all levels to stop the establishment of illegal orphanages, which are becoming a lucrative business. They call for regulatory agencies and inspectorate departments that authorise these orphanages to monitor them effectively to eliminate abuses.

Recently, the House of Representatives mandated its committees on Women Affairs and Social Development to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to standardize orphanages and shut down under-resourced ones. The committee was also tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of children in orphanage homes across the 36 states and the FCT. Additionally, the House urged the ministry to coordinate with all 36 states and the FCT for immediate and full compliance with the mandates of orphanage homes nationwide.

The House resolution was a sequel to a motion by a member representing Ikwerre Emohua Federal constituency of Rivers State, Hon. Emerengwa Sunday, on the need to stem the tide of the proliferation of orphanages in Nigeria. In his lead debate, he said he observed that many orphanages often prioritise profit over their core mandate, switching it into baby factories, where teenage girls are accommodated to produce babies.

The lawmaker also noted that a good number of orphanage homes are being used for human trafficking where innocent girls are being recruited to embark on illegal migration to foreign countries, where they eventually end up either being abused, prostitutes or housemaids. He urgently called on relevant authorities to clamp down on all unregistered or criminally-motivated orphanages in the country, in fulfillment of the government’s primary duty of security and welfare of her citizens.

playing the godfather role to the APC candidate and had vowed to “sweep” him into the Government House.

Responding in a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ogie Vasco, the party announced the expulsion of Shaibu for anti-party activities.

Vasco said the decision was taken last Wednesday at a meeting attended by nine members of the state working committee at the party’s secretariat.

Also expelled were the National Vice Chairman (SouthSouth) of the party, Dan Orbih and a former House of Representatives’ member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.

It was surprising that Shaibu allowed himself to be so humiliated. How could he have thought that the PDP would allowhimtoremaininthepartyandbeengaginginanti-party activities?

Shaibu

Waziri-Azi

BRIEFING NOTES

Escalation of Wike, Fubara’s Power Tussle in LG Councils

The power tussle between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State was escalated in the 23 local government councils in the state last week, following the expiration of the tenure of the local government chairmen. What the current situation looks like, is that the minister may have lost his much-cherished political structure in the state, Ejiofor Alike reports

With the expiration of the three-year tenure of the chairmen of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the immediate-past governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have shifted their power tussle to the local government councils.

In a strategic move to stop Fubara from replacing the elected local government chairmen who were Wike’s loyalists, with caretaker committees comprising his own loyalists after the chairmen’s three-year tenure, the members of the sacked Martins Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly, who were also Wike’s loyalists had enacted the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which extended the tenure of the chairmen by six months.

But in a counter move, Fubara’s loyalists challenged the lawmakers’ decision in court and Justice D.G. Kio of a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt declared the six-month tenure extension as null, void, unconstitutional, and of no effect, on the grounds that it was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No. 5 of 2018, which fixed a three-year tenure for the chairmen and councillors.

However, despite the court judgment affirming the three-year tenure as stipulated by the 2018 law, the elected chairmen had vowed that they would not vacate offices when their tenure expired on June 18, 2024.

Indications of a potential breakdown of law and order emerged when the outgone Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, in a now-viral video, threatened anyone to dare remove him on the said date, insisting that he would remain in office in accordance with the law enacted by Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.

He blamed what he described as Fubara’s failure to conduct local government elections for the tenure extension.

The state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) led by the then Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, had also at a press conference in Port Harcourt, insisted that the state lawmakers had extended their tenure because the governor failed to conduct LG elections.

The audacity of the now-former chairmen to challenge the authority of the governor and resist

the state high court judgment had led to a build-up of tension in the state.

The perceived act of insubordination by the former chairmen also earned public sympathy for the governor as many people argued that the state was the only state in Nigeria where serving lawmakers and local government chairmen could abuse their governor publicly.

It was not surprising that armed youths who were engaged in the protection of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta trooped out from the creeks in their large numbers to force the chairmen and their supporters out of their offices when their tenure expired on Tuesday.

In a viral video where armed youths belonging to one of the groups were trooping out of the creeks, their leader who later identified himself as ‘General Gab Asabuja’, the Ogidigbo of the Niger Delta, was heard saying that they were back from the river ahead of June 18, to deal with council chairmen that would refuse

to vacate their offices.

“We are back to take over all the 23 local government councils. So, the council chairmen should wait for us. We are coming,” he said.

He said it was his hobby and business to work with the government to fight crime.

“I work with the Joint Task Force (JTF); I am in charge of anti-bunkering in South-south. I have come back home. Half of my men are back. We are taking over all the local government areas,” he added.

He specifically called on the then Chairman of Ikwerre, Nwanosike, to prepare and wait for his group, vowing that he would be present at the council secretariat.

But the chairmen also announced measures to consolidate their hold on power beyond the stipulated time.

In Emohua, the former chairman, Chidi Lloyd, rather stepping down peacefully, announced that the council would begin distribution of cutlasses and hoes to farmers for one week from June 18.

The outgone Chairman of Khana LGA, Thomas Bariere, also announced a one-week clean-up exercise in the council, while in Ikwerre, Nwanosike announced

NOTES FOR FILE

a one-week cultural festival in the council area.

The Chairman of Eleme, Barilormate Ollor, was seen in a video warning people not to come to the council or they would be made to meet their forefathers earlier than expected.

However, the chairmen of Opobo/Nkoro and Bonny LGAs, who were not part of the anti-Fubara chairmen, had earlier celebrated their end-of-tenure thanksgiving at the weekend.

As youths moved to sack the councils’ chairmen on Tuesday, there were pockets of violence in some of the 23 council secretariats, leading to what the state police command announced as the temporary takeover of all the 23 councils’ secretariats, and critical government infrastructure by the police.

The police also confirmed the death of one officer, Inspector David Mgbada, and a local security guard, Samuel Nwigwe, in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA.

At the Obio-Akpor LGA secretariat, where Wike hails from, scores of youths and women besieged the premises and pulled down an image of the FCT minister, who is also ex-chairman of the council.

In Ikwerre, Nwanosike who had threatened Fubara, was nowhere to be found when ‘General Asabuja’ and his boys went to the LG secretariat to sack him. However, there was heavy shooting at Port Harcourt City LGA secretariat as the youths chased away the outgone chairman, Ihunda, and his security details when they wanted to gain access to the secretariat.

In his intervention, a former leader of Niger Delta agitators, Asari Dokubo, had advised the chairmen to quietly leave office as their three-year tenure had expired.

On his part, Fubara, in a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday morning, dissolved the councils, citing the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution on the tenure of local government administration. He directed the heads of administration in the councils to immediately take charge of the councils’ affairs.

The governor, who also ordered for the audit of the councils, has since appointed caretaker committees who are operating outside the councils’ secretariats due to their takeover by the police. However, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, had on Thursday announced that the police would not vacate the secretariats until the courts give final judgment on the tenure of the chairmen.

For now, many people in the state are waiting for the next move of Wike and his loyalists who have been sacked in both the state House of Assembly and the local government councils.

Nigerians Need Succour, Not Emotional Blackmail

President Bola Tinubu last Tuesday acknowledged that Nigerians were facing challenging times, but noted that the harsh economic realities were not unique to only Nigerians.

He sternly cautioned criminals against vandalising rail tracks and stealing electric cables as a way out of the widespread poverty biting the nation hard, describing such acts as pure sabotage.

Speaking during a visit of a National Assembly delegation who came to felicitate Eid-el-Kabir with him, Tinubu said that good economics at a harsh time was the challenge his administration must face, adding that no matter how difficult and how challenging it could be, he would not turn his back on Nigerians.

While the president’s recognition of

the severe economic hardships in the country was noteworthy, his assertion that Nigeria was not alone in facing this crisis could be perceived as emotional blackmail.

The president should be reminded that poverty alleviation is one of the major responsibilities of government.

Some state governments have weaponised poverty and distributed cups of rice, garri and other foodstuffs, which cannot feed any household for three days and claimed that they distributed palliatives worth billions of naira.

While the complete eradication of poverty is not feasible, the current level of economic hardship in the country is unacceptable to its citizens.

The president must deliver lasting solu-

tions to the harsh economic policies he implemented. No matter how spoken, sweet words offer no relief to the pervasive hunger in the country.

President Tinubu must dig deep into his arsenal of strategies to find solutions to the terrorism he inherited to allow farmers to safely return to the farm.

A critical part of the economy that needs salvation is the fiscal and monetary challenges. It is no news that Nigerians hardly get value for their money. The president must prioritise addressing these issues to improve the overall standard of living.

More importantly, there is an urgent need to reduce the cost of governance. Excessive extravagance and opulence among government officials only serve to erode public confidence and hope.

Genuine change hinges on implementing these essential reforms, otherwise criticisms of the administration will not only persist but also grow louder.

Tinubu

Wike

Fubara

Snubbing in Diplomatic Practice: PBAT and Nigeria-South African Relations

Diplomacy is either taken as an art or science. More often than not, it is addressed as science. University education in Nigeria underscores diplomacy as a science and therefore, as an art, as a skill, and particularly as a profession requiring great skills in manipulative negotiations, it is not seriously taken up. This is why the teaching agenda set for universities does not focus much on the practical aspects of diplomatic practice.

Under normal practice, training in the art of writing diplomatic statements, comparative order of precedence, international protocols and etiquette, importance of National Flag diplomacy, implications of not duly respecting National Anthems when they are being officially rendered, and perhaps more significantly, training in handshake diplomacy, reception diplomacy, dress diplomacy and table diplomacy ought to be taught, Perhaps most importantly, physiognomy, which is the art of reading the minds of diplomatic interlocutors from their faces and eyes, etc. should be a core subject, and therefore a desideratum, not only for diplomatic agents, but whoever is engaged in the civil and public service. This is because civil and public servants meet with their counterparts elsewhere in the discharge of their duties. They attend international meetings where international protocol are respected. It is because the international mania of observation of protocols is not well understood that some Masters of Ceremonies in Nigeria do wrongly say ‘all protocols duly observed.’ Protocols are basically agreements often added to main agreements. They are attachments meant to provide more clarifications or filling information gaps, etc. They exist in thousands in international law and relations. Consequently, it is not possible to observe all protocols in any given event lasting for one day. It is against this background that the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, should be specially commended for establishing an Institute of Diplomatic Studies and Practice in the next academic session. Whoever is engaged in diplomacy ought to be well grounded in diplomatic theory and praxis It is also against this background that the alleged snubbing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) in South Africa during the second inauguration of Cyril Ramaphosa as President is thought-provoking.

Alleged Snubbing of PBAT

The origin of the alleged snubbing is traceable to a viral video posted by Aisha Yesufu, in which President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, was exchanging handshakes with invited dignitaries on the front row. PBAT was next to President Samia Hassan of Tanzania and other leaders on the second row. Aisha Yesufu argued that PBAT was snubbed, disgraced by the South African president by passing through the front row and not having a handshake with PBAT who was on the second row.

As explained by Aisha Yesufu in her @AishaYesufu, ‘my people say Pikin wey no hear word for house na for outside dem go disgrace am! Tinubu Disgraced Once Again in South Africa.’ The point being made by Aisha Yesufu is that charity begins at home and whoever does not learn how to go out with home charity, home training, etc. will be appropriately given the charity education from outside. In the same vein, Pearls @Miss Pearls also noted that ‘Asiwaju looking lost as Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa ignores him while thanking others for gracing his inauguration.’

The snubbing claim by Aisha Yesufu was reportedly verified and discovered that there was no truth in the allegation. As reported by the Dubawa platform, ‘the video clip circulating online does not capture the full context of the event. Ramaphosa did acknowledge and greet President Tinubu and other guests after the National Anthem was taken.’

The response of the Presidency appears to be more damaging than the originating report by Aisha Yesufu and does not even give much credence to the fact finding by Dubawa. The reports and presidential reactions are quite tenable for further analysis. Let us first begin with the posted video by Aisha Yesufu. PBAT showed complete protocolar decency by not even trying to seek a handshake with Cyril Ramaphosa from the second row. Since the

SouthAfrican leader was only greeting by way of handshaking the invited guests in the front row, it cannot but be indecent for PBAT to stretch his hand from the rear. Doing so is just like people seated at table and one of them is trying to take a glass cup placed far away from him. Rather than allow people next to him to assist him, he simply jumps the protocol. PBAT never jumped protocol. Besides and without any jot of doubt, the aesthetic look of PBAT in Aisha Yesufu’s video clearly suggests that PBAT was cool, calm, and collected. He might have been snubbed but he was not perturbed. His attitudinal disposition reflected the perseverance of a typical struggling man in Nigeria.

Secondly, there is no big deal about snubbing in diplomacy. Snubbing can take several forms in international relations, especially in subtle forms. For instance, when letters are not promptly responded to or not even replied to, this is a manifestation of snubbing per excellence. When plenipotentiaries are accredited to a host country and the ambassador-designate is not able to promptly present his or her Letters of Credence, it may be as a result of snubbing or application of the principle of reciprocity. In fact, there is

Above all, the presidency should learn to do the needful rather than hammering on Aisha Yesufu as an individual. Issues ought to be discussed all the times and not the discussant. Bayo Onanuga, a presidential assistant, was quoted as saying that ‘Aisha and uncouth horde of pessimists are always quick to rush to judgment with any whiff of what appears to them to be negative to the leader of Africa’s biggest democracy…’ Aisha Yesufu has responded that ‘it’s over a year and the rigged election is still the achievement you have to discuss. The first you claim you got is all you have after a whole year? Imagine spending all your strategy on rigging and having for governance.’ Onanuga deals with people. Yesufu deals with issues. One does not need to agree with Yesufu for reasons of psychology of human difference, but truth remains constant when dealing with issues. Nigeria’s relations with South Africa are characterised by mutual suspicions and snubbing, political rivalry, and greater-than-thou mentality. The mania of responding to public criticism should not undermine the protection of the personality of the presidency, even if Yesufu attacks unfavourably PBAT. The media and the people of Nigeria must hold PBAT accountable always

what is called ‘diplomatic illness’ in diplomatic practice.

Wikipedia rightly explained it thus: ‘diplomatic illness is the practice amongst diplomats and government ministers of feigning illness, or another debilitating condition, to avoid engaging in diplomatic or social engagement. The excuse of ill-health is designed to avoid formally…’ In other words, there is nothing to suggest that, from the video posted, Cyril Ramaphosa had not snubbed PBAT. A closer look at the video shows that when the South African leader got to the front of PBAT, the invited guest in front of PBAT was warmly greeted with hugging. Probably, but apparently, PBAT moved towards his left side where Cyril Ramaphosa could not claim not to have seen him well, and therefore deserving to be respectfully greeted in honour of the people of Nigeria. In fact, Cyril Ramaphosa was shown talking to someone at his back before finally turning back and going away.

It is important to also note that, in diplomatic practice, when a President is to be received either on coming down from the staircase of an aircraft or in a given reception, those who are to receive him normally file in order of their ranks. The most senior is the first to be introduced. The lowest in rank will be at the end of the line-up. More often than not, when the line-up is long, a President may stop midway.

In other words, Nigeria’s PBAT was seated at the tail end of the second row. As clearly shown in the video, Cyril Ramaphosa started his handshake diplomacy from the left and was moving towards the right where PBAT is seated. By implication, PBAT was not placed among the top priorities. Even though we do not have access to the order of sitting arrangement, there is no way the sitting location of PBAT can be said to be befitting. The problem with Nigeria’s diplomatic tacticians is that they hardly learn from the diplomatic lessons of others.

The case of the Ivory Coast and Côte d’Ivoire at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is noteworthy. It was about sitting arrangement. Sitting arrangement at the UNGA is by alphabetical name order. With the name Ivory Coast, the sitting arrangement places the country at the extreme corner amongst the first three rows. The Ivoirian government complained that its name was not Ivory Coast but Côte d’Ivoire and therefore asked to be officially addressed as Côte d’Ivoire. By implication, its sitting arrangement had to be shifted to the centre amongst the first three rows. This is the essence of diplomatic protocol in the defence and promotion of the national interest.

As regards the fact-finding of the Dubawa platform, analysis of a diplomatic event is generally conducted on a piece meal before a general evaluation. It is the assessment of a constituent part that enables an objective general evaluation. This is what a systemic methodology is all about in understanding how component parts function in decision-making processes. Explained differently, it is not acceptable to destroy openly and then go back to the room to cover up. The mere fact that PBAT was given better reception, allegedly, in closed door meetings, is only belittling. It does not help the image already damaged in the open.

And finally on the reactive attitude of the presidency, O’tega Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to PBAT on Digital Communications, Strategy, and New Media, has noted for the record that a) the first row ‘was reserved for South African kings/royalty; b) ‘the South African President wasn’t expected to start greeting dignitaries at the time of the video… shared, and he was respectfully recalled to the podium by the inauguration compere; and that c) ‘immediately after President Ramaphosa finished the anthem, he went ahead to greet the visiting presidents who were all seated in the second row (similar to the way visiting presidents were seated in the third row during Nigeria’s own inauguration on May 29, 2023.’

These are rationalisations that ignore the implications: does the sitting of the Royal Highnesses and Royal Majesties in the front require preliminary greetings? If not, has the South African president violated the protocolar regulation? If he has not, what informed the compere to call President Ramaphosa to order?

After the rendition of the National Anthem, what is the order of the salutations or handshaking? Where was PBAT greeted after the anthem?

Nigeria-South AfricanTies:TheTruths

Nigeria’s diplomatic agents are generally highly rated in the defence of African and black interests in international relations, especially because of some foreign policy initiatives, foreign policy pronouncements and application of the rule of reciprocity. The French cannot easily forget Nigeria’s opposition to their testing of atomic bombs in the Reganne area of the Sahara in 1960. The British cannot but also remember Nigeria under General Olusegun Obasanjo for nationalising the British Petroleum and the Barclays Bank. Professor Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi’s call for a Concert of Medium Powers rattled the big powers. In fact, his talk about ‘Black Bomb’ sent the world running helter-skelter and engaging in new critical thinking about Nigeria. Which country in Africa has the type of Technical Aid Corps put in place by Professor Akinyemi when he was Foreign Minister under military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida?

The foregoing help to explain how Nigeria’s diplomacy, how Nigeria’s diplomatic agents are appreciated in such a way that everyone would want to share ideas with them. There was the time Nigeria’s diplomacy used to be vibrant. By that time, diplomacy was well funded. It wasn’t a question of smart diplomacy by then.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Ramaphosa

Tinubu

ENGAGEMENTS

My Jet is Bigger ThanYours

In 1989, the call of duty and pull of family necessitated that I travel from my London partial base to New York. I was checked in on a British Airways flight from London to New York. We were set to leave Heathrow shortly after the usual pre-departure rituals.

I was seated on an aisle seat on row 2 in the First Class cabin courtesy of my employers then. I noticed that on both sides of the aisle in my front, the two seats on each row were unoccupied. It was a bit curious. I reckoned it was either a VIP reservation or there would be air Marshals on board. But marshals do not occupy prominent front row seats on aircraft they are protecting. Those were the days when it had become mandatory for majorWestern airlines on international routes to have armed marshals on board in the event of terrorist hijack attempts.

As the pre- departure announcement was about to commence, the four ‘missing’ First Class passengers boarded. I looked up. There was a stately lady accompanied by three smartsuited gentlemen. They allowed the lady to take her seat before they sat down in a manner that flanked the lady in a window seat on the left side of the aisle. Before the lady took her seat, she courtsied and flashed a brief plastic smile at those of us seated immediately behind her with a hardly audible “Good afternoon”.

On came the Captain’s voice: “Honorable Prime Minister and valued guests, welcome to this British Airways intercontinental service taking us straight to New York’s Kennedy Airport….Flight time is… En route weather…Mild turbulence on the Atlantic crossing….”

The female last minute passenger was none other than the then British Prime Minister, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher. That was her penultimate year in office. She was flying a commercial airline as a passenger to New York, obviously en route Washington.

On arrival in New York, Mrs. Thatcher courteously disembarked, accompanied by her three self -effacing security escorts. They just disappeared through the crowd followed by the rest of us passengers. No limousines at the foot of the aircraft. No long assault rifles, horsewhips, combat gear and orchestrated commotion. etc.

As Chairman of the Editorial Board of the renascent Daily Times under Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, I went to Harare to interview President Robert Mugabe in 1992. He was scheduled for a state visit to Nigeria on President Ibrahim Babangida’s invitation. I flew to Harare via Nairobi on what used to be Balkan (Bulgarian) Airlines. After my interview, Mugabe kindly asked me how I was returning to Lagos. I told him. Then he politely offered me a seat in his jet: we have a large plane and can offer you a seat.’

The next day, I showed up at the airport. After the president’s ceremonial departure rituals, his aides took me on board the aircraft and got me seated. It was an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 727 with clear commercial livery. The crew were Air Zimbabwe pilots, cabin crew and co-pilots. The president was proudly flying a commercial aircraft and was proud of it. As soon as we reached cruising altitude, the president walked round the cabin for courtesy chats. He stopped by me to express delight that I accepted his offer of a ride. He told me Nigeria trained most of their combat pilots prior to independence. I provide these anecdotal experiences against the backdrop of a simulated debate that is brewing in the country. A few voices have been raised in the National Assembly in support of buying two new aircraft for the presidential fleet to replace the current aircraft. If the kite flies, the President and the Vice President respectively would jet around the world in brand new luxury jets. To all intents and purposes, the aim of the brewing noises in the NASS is to give legislative legitimacy to a decision that may already have been made. I am not sure whether there is any provision in the 2024 budget for these aircraft or the idea is just a whiff of presidential wish that needs some legislative stamp. It is too early to tell but clearly, the matter of new presidential jets is on the table of public debate. Those who are pushing this agenda have cited recent hiccups in the performance of the jets in use. When the president recently travelled to the Netherlands on an official visit, his follow -on trip to Saudi Arabia for the World Economic

Tinubu

Forum had to be undertaken in a hired aircraft as the presidential jet reportedly developed problems in Amsterdam. Shortly after that, Mr. Shettima who was headed for the United States to represent Nigeria at a major foreign policy event reportedly had to make an air return early in the flight as his own aircraft also reportedly developed a fault mid air. The conclusion is that these aircraft are either too old or poorly maintained to be trusted to ferry the two first citizens around safely. Whatever the political nuisance value of our first two citizens, we want them alive and safe.

The matter of safety of high level aircraft in use by heads of government has been elevated by two recent air accidents that claimed the lives of incumbent high level government officials. The first was the helicopter crash in the mountains of northern Iran that claimed the life of the Iranian president, Mr. Raisi. The second is the incident that claimed the life of Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima. In the absence of detailed accident investigation reports on both incidents so far, the easy conclusion has been that faulty aircraft may be the prime causes of these unfortunate events. The lazy and convenient conclusion is of course that the only way to get presidents and their deputies to arrive their destinations in one piece is to equip them with brand new aircraft. The Nigerian purveyors of this lazy option have spared no time for possibilities of weather, sabotage, bad maintenance or indeed human error.

Consequently, those advocating the purchase of new aircraft for Tinubu and Shettima have tacitly accused opponents of the huge expenditure on new aircraft of wishing our president and his deputy dead if they continue flying in the old aircraft.

Irrespective of such morbid thinking, opponents of the purchase of new presidential jets are predicating their contention on purely socio economic reasons. The self evident argument is that the purchase of new presidential jets cannot qualify as a priority given the sorry state of the national economy and the avalanche of problems and hardships that Nigerians are currently living with. The facts are self -evident.

The nation is in a poor shape. Hunger and poverty are too prevalent. Everyone is unsafe as swarms of bandits and casual killers are all over the place taking lives and inflicting harm sometimes for the fun of it. Healthcare is beyond reach as the prices of essential drugs and medications have shot through the roof. The state itself has its back on the wall as most economic indicators –inflation, exchange rate, interest rates, unemployment, foreign investment etc- are all flashing red. The matter of new presidential jets in those circumstances becomes a matter of deficient prioritization. Why would we prioritize the procurement of luxury jets when the vast majority of our people are in desperate deprivation while the government is preaching sacrifice and imposing a battery of inexcusable taxes of everyone for the most essential service and public goods?

The political opposition has weighed down heavily on even the mere suggestion that any government of Nigeria in these circumstances would even dream of additional luxury jets for Tinubu and Shettima in these times. Justifiably, the opposition has pointed at recent instances of unnecessary luxurious indulgence by the administration in the 2024 budget. They point at the purchase of countless expensive luxury SUVs for legislators and high government officials, the contentious presidential yacht, the expensive new habitations for the Vice President, the expensive refurbishment of official residences and offices of the already over indulged executives etc. The obvious conclusion is of course that a government that can prioritize unnecessary items of luxury at huge costs while the people wallow in poverty

and extreme deprivation can only be insensitive and callously indifferent.

Yet the transportation of Presidents, Vice Presidents and other key officials of state have become part of the architecture of the modern nation state. The Presidential jet in particular has become an emblem of national prestige and status. In some ways, the size, functionality and opulence of a country’s presidential jet has become an unstated indicator of the diplomatic gravity of the nation in question. However, the presidential jet as an indicator of national strength and grandeur is more meaningful when the nation in question is an industrial power and therefore produces the aircraft used by the leader to project and exhibit national power and greatness. America’s Air Force One, Vladimir Putin’s clone of the American model or Mr. Tsi Jiping’s aircraft or that of Narendra Modi have all become emblems of the greatness and technological advancement of these countries. As a matter of fact, Air Force One is not a badge name permanently affixed to any one aircraft. It is merely a call sign. Any aircraft in which the US President is travelling at any given time is called Air Force One! The customized Boeing 747 normally associated with the Air Force One label is merely an emblematic showpiece. It is not only one. There are more than one with the same specifications, outfitting, self-protection counter measures and communication gear such that the president of the United States can literally run his country and the world from the aircraft anywhere in the world.

On the basis of its stature as the biggest black nation in the world, the Nigerian president should not travel in dilapidated aircraft that park up at every stop. Minimally, our presidential aircraft should be air worthy and reasonably impressive without being ostentatious. The current aircraft in use is a modest Boeing 737 Executive jet that actually understates Nigeria’s stature. Any two penny American company Chief Executive owns or flies in something better and more impressive. We should do better. But the time is wrong to even contemplate a fleet of new aircraft. It is not just enough to purchase one aircraft each for the President and Vice President respectively. Ideally the shopping list ought to be for at least two – a main and a back up – for each of them. But we cannot afford these now.

There are options that could be cost saving. The first is to fly the present Boeing 737 Business jet in use by the President back to the Boeing factory in Seattle, Washington for a thorough comprehensive factory overhaul. That would be less expensive than ordering a brand new custom made aircraft. The overhauled and updated aircraft should serve our president another couple of years while the pressing issues in the nation’s economy are hopefully fixed. The amount of savings made on such an overhaul alternative should be made public.

A more realistic, politically savvy option would be to hire one of Air Peace’s Boeing 777 long range aircraft each time the president has to make a long distance journey. For the purpose of such a hire, the hired aircraft will carry the call sign of “Nigerian Air Force One” till it finishes the mission. For the purpose of such an arrangement, the Nigerian Air Force should have a presence in the cockpit of the aircraft in question. This arrangement would be realistic, cost effective and patriotic. The political capital would complement the economic gains and give the president a win-win dividend at home where his popularity rating is at best abysmal.

If reason fails, the Kamikaze option would be the one that is already being rehearsed. Get National Assembly approval for new jets, submit a supplementary budget to accommodate the cost of these new jets, order the aircraft but continue to hire or travel by commercial aircraft till the new jets are delivered. There will be both turbulent headwinds and violent tailwinds with this option. But for a government that can withdraw fuel subsidy, devalue the Naira, revert to the old national anthem overnight and sign the N18 trillion Lagos- Calabar Alaskan highway contract and damn the consequences, mere controversy over aircraft purchase may just be a passing noise. Heavens will not fall, so their thinking at the Villa goes. But what if Nigeria falls apart?

Michael Imoudu Institute: Insulting Our Heroes Past

Saturday, June 22, 2024, will mark the 19th anniversary of the departure of Michael Athokhamien Omnibus Imoudu, the legendary, veteran Nigerian labour leader. Born in 1902, Pa Imoudu, as he is popularly remembered and revered, exceeded the full century mark in age, living up to 102 years. As far back as 1931 when he was just 29, Imoudu got involved in labour union activities as a member of the Railway Workers Union (RWU), at the time. He became President of the union in 1939, and spearheaded the advocacy for higher wages, de-casualisation and improved working conditions.

Renowned for his radicalism, Imoudu instigated several confrontations between workers and employers all in the quest for better deals for workers. He became Vice President of the African Civil Servants Technical Workers Union (ACSTWU) in 1941 and was at the fore of the advocacy for a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), to mitigate post-World War II inflation. He was serially queried for denouncing the preferential treatment accorded European officials above African personnel between 1941 and 1943, and summarily dismissed early January 1943. He was thereafter detained for dissent and released in 1945. For the period between 1947 and 1958, Imoudu was a frontliner of various labour unions. He was President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUCN). Conflicts devolving from the teething organisation culminated in his suspension in 1960, upon his return from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and China. For his pioneering role in trade unionism in Nigeria, the former National Institute for Labour Studies (NILS) located in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was renamed Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), in his honour.

The colourful Second Republic Senate leader and legendary politician, Abubakar Olusola Saraki is credited with facilitating the siting of the institution in the Kwara State capital. Former President Usman Shehu Shagari laid its foundation stone in May 1983. MINILS received tremendous support during the governorship regimes of Bukola Saraki, son of the older Saraki, and Abdulfatah Ahmed his successor. Both former Kwara State chief executives undertook the construction of befitting operational and residential facilities in the institute as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to a federal establishment headquartered in their “area of responsibility (AOR)”, to adopt a military terminology. If you entered the premises of MINILS those good old days, it breathed life and flaunted environmental aesthetics.

If Pa Imoudu were to pay a visit today to MINILS for any reason this season of his remembrance, however, he will be grossly appalled and disoriented by the subsisting state of the institute. MINILS by the way, is supposed to be a pioneering establishment in West Africa, dedicated to capacity building for workers, employees and government officials. As you veer off the Ajasse-Ipo to Ilorin road onto the stretch which leads into the institute, your sensibilities are pitilessly assaulted by rot and disorder which stand guard on both sides of that short stretch. Kiosks, stalls, shops, decrepit buildings, rusted roofs, a cacophony of nondescript structures, constitute themselves into a riotous “mammy market”, an expression and concept popularised by our brothers at arms. It refers to those watering holes which spawn and squirm, at the backends of military barracks, which satiate their patrons with liquid and culinary varieties. The entrance gate is totally uninspiring. It just sits there dumb and disconnected. As you advance into the acreage of the institute, you

Main gate into

discover that the tarred driveway very much like the portion you encountered beginning from your detour off the major road, can do with some conscientious resurfacing. The greenery within the premises has not been challenged by the mouths of sharpened cutlasses in a long while, nor the humming, slashing anger of the lawnmower. Paint coatings on the perimeter fence have been peeled off either by reason of substandard work previously done, or the convergence of the rage of the elements. Patches of spyrogyra have contributed to the disfigurement of the hedge in places. A ghostly quiet pervades the air, away from the measured boisterousness of a thriving institute.

There is palpable lack of motivation for the generality of the workers, the pervading air also a disincentive for potential trainees. The collective muteness of the physical structures within the institution echoes and reverberates. The Ollie Anderson Block, long named after an American benefactor of MINILS is the administrative building. It offers no spark or sparkle like the other structures, all collectively sleeping and slumbering. Power outages are the rule rather than the exception and you wonder why the leadership of the establishment wouldn’t avail its workers and course participants alternative energy sources so they can contribute their bits. The hostels in the institute which are supposed to be sources of internally generated revenue (IGR), are dirty, decrepit, unkempt, utterly dysfunctional. The beds are broken, the beddings unfit for swine. The last batch of participants on a programme put together by the institute, had to rely on water fetched for them in buckets and heaved to their rooms. Such is the level of rot in today’s MINILS.

Issa Obalowu Aremu, a trade unionist and labour leader himself has been the director-general of the institute for about three years now. He was vice president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) when Adams Oshiomhole was president between 1999 and 2007, which coincided with the years Olusegun Obasanjo was President. Aremu initially attended the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria. Unfortunately, he was expelled from the institution in his final year because of activism. Respected scholars and social scientists, Claude Ake and Ikenna Ezimiro rescued Aremu’s educational trajectory by getting him into the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated in 1985 with a second class upper degree. He obtained a masters in labour and development from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague and was a labour delegate to the National Conference of

2014. He has also been privileged to attend the elite National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), domiciled in Jos, Plateau State. Unfortunately, these glossy credentials have not been manifest in Aremu’s administration of MINILS thus far. Aremu, who in years as comrade would rail at the wastefulness of bourgeois leaders, today reportedly drives around in Kwara State with a convoy of three or four cars. Not even the prevailing national economic crunch emblematised among others by spiralling fuel costs has mitigated this penchant for unnecessary exhibitionism. He is said to have a detachment of security details from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian police, escorting him around and about.

On his trips to Kaduna where he has been primarily domiciled for most of his working life, or Abuja, he is received at the airport by two official vehicles complete with armed escorts. They typically depart Ilorin ahead of his flights. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin in the same city, Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, a professor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who oversees a student community in excess of 50,000 students moves

around innocuously in the same Ilorin. This city by the way is relatively peaceful, posting low crime indicators compared to many others.

If stories and innuendos are to be credited some believability, there is this insinuation that there seem to be no demarcation between the official and the personal in MINILS under the current leadership.

The institute for instance groans for lack of operational vehicles to run its affairs. Yet some of its healthier motorised assets are said to be in the custody of his family members in various locations across the country. The names of relatives who are non-staffers in MINILS, have been alleged to feature on the list of his delegations on foreign trips, their tickets and estacodes fully paid by the institution. Fiscal frugality is said to be nonexistent in the dictionary of the institution.

Staff training for job function capacity building, which were usually undergone both externally and internally are reported in the past tense. He was recently pressed by in-house unions to address staffers on issues around capacity training, which he is said to have of completely ignoring in his three years in office. He responded by reluctantly convening a general staff meeting to which, very oddly, he invited the press. He presented an inconclusive compendium containing things he claimed to have achieved in office thus far. He chronicled and appropriated virtually all the legacies of preceding administrations. Aremu listed the George Meany Computer Centre, two power generators, and a hostel block, where he set up a non-functional clinic, as his personal achievements. Long-serving civil servants in MINILS, note with deep nostalgia the pluri-dimensional innovations emplaced in the organisation under the watch of former chief executives like Jacob Jeminiwa, John Olanrewaju, Saliu Ishaq Alabi, among achievers.

The institute is also hamstrung in convening tune-up programmes for external participants because of the quantum dilapidation of its facilities and unavailability of funds. This is as Aremu is reported to love the big life. He is said to fancy being adulated as “His Excellency, Comrade Issa Obalowu Aremu, mni, Director-General and Chief Executive of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies.” Having contested for the governorship of Kwara State on the platform of Labour Party (LP), in 2018, he has since coveted and adopted that fanciful referent. He also never fails to remind his audiences in the institute that having been deputy as a unionist to former governor Oshiomhole during his years in labour activism, he also qualifies to be referenced as a quasi-governor! He reportedly never fails to remind his officials how lucky they are to have a man with his accomplishments as helmsman.

The condition of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) today is a national embarrassment. The institute constitutes colossal disrespect, monumental insult to the name and legacies of Michael Athokhamien Omnibus Imoudu, the iconic Pa Imoudu. The Supervising Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyeagocha needs to take immediate interest in the institute before it is wholly run aground. A physical visit to the institute for on-the-spot assessment will avail her better insights into the prostrate condition of the establishment. This will help in the articulation of a road map for the institute’s comprehensive makeover. Such timely remediation will please the spirits of those who conceived of the institute and that of Pa Imoudu, to no end.

Tunde Olusunle

MINILS, Ilorin

Aremu

Gov Yusuf to Security Agencies

“Security agencies must adhere to their primary responsibility of protecting lives and property and avoid involvement in matters beyond their designated roles” – Governor Yusuf warning security agencies in the state against meddling in matters outside their primary assignments or designated responsibilities.

WAZIRI ADIO

POSTSCRIPT

Time to End Cost of Collection for Federal Agencies

Over time, there has been some subdued debate about the appropriateness of rewarding some federal agencies with a portion of the revenues that they collect on behalf of the Federation. The commission received by these agencies is called the cost of collection. It is deducted at the monthly meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) before federally-collected revenues are shared to the three tiers of government and other statutory recipients.

The three federal agencies that charge costs of collection on Federation’s revenue are: the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which receives 7% of customs levies and duties; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which gets 4% of non-oil taxes; and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which receives 4% of royalties, signature bonus, fines and other oil and gas revenues.

The state governments, and some commentators, have been objecting, on and off, to the practice of paying commissions to these super agencies or to the staggering amounts paid as commissions. On their part, the agencies have not only been justifying the practice but have also been asking for higher percentages. The Federal Government (FG), which is an indirect beneficiary of this practice, hardly gets into this debate. Recently, however, a presidential committee floated the idea of reducing the number of agencies collecting revenue for the Federation to one and slashing the cost of collection to 1% or less.

The proposal by the committee might seem radical, but it is not far-reaching enough. The concept of cost of collection might have been well intended and might have served a useful purpose in the past, but there is ample evidence now that it is an approach that is significantly broken in practice. It is problematic and flawed, enabling graft, waste and misallocation of scarce resources. It cannot be fixed with a mere tinkering on the margins. It needs to end.

Granting costs of collection to government agencies is not a universal concept. It has also not always been part of Nigeria’s revenue collection and disbursement practice. The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the precursor of NUPRC, started earning 4% cost of collection only nine years ago, courtesy of a 2014 presidential fiat. Even FIRS got the status via its 2007 establishment act, which charged the National Assembly with the responsibility of determining the percentage.

Cost of collection was invented just a few decades ago to address some challenges. These included: the need to have an easy mechanism for reimbursing the agencies for the reasonable costs they incur in collecting revenues on behalf of the Federation; the need to motivate the agencies to provide optimal services to the Federation; and the need to ensure that the agencies have adequate and predictable resources for their operations.

These are legitimate considerations, still. It is difficult to argue against the imperatives of reimbursing reasonable costs, incentivising performance and ensuring adequate provisioning. But in trying to address some challenges, we ended up creating a host of others because we didn’t think deeply about the different ways in which things could play out or we didn’t spend enough time reflecting about unintended consequences; and if we did, we failed to erect adequate safeguards or install effective circuit-breakers. Some checks exist on paper, but they are too flimsy. And the benefits that have accrued to the three agencies, especially in the last five years, are not compensated for by the distortions and dislocations that the practice has engendered. We shall return to this shortly.

A recent report by Agora Policy (a think tank which I lead) puts on stark display the incongruities of the cost-of-collection approach. Titled “Why Nigeria’s Costof-Collection Approach is no Longer Tenable,” the report can be accessed here: https://agorapolicy.org/research/ policy-platform/163-why-nigerias-cost-of-collection-approachis-no-longer-tenable.html.

According to the report, the cost of collection for January 2024 was as follows: N43.35 billion to FIRS; N18.68 billion to NUPRC; and N16.27 billion to Customs. (January 2024 was picked because it is the most recent month for which

the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has disaggregated data on FAAC disbursements.) The analysis shows that no state government received a gross allocation as much as what FIRS got as cost of collection for the month. (Gross allocation, not net allocation, was used for the analysis because it is the total amount due to the entities before deductions are made and comprises statutory allocation and VAT.)

Delta State, the state with the highest gross allocation in January 2024, received N39.59 billion. This indicates that FIRS, the agency with the highest cost of collection, not only received a higher amount than any of the 36 states of the Federation but also got 109.49% of what the state with the highest gross allocation received. (It must be noted that January 2024 is not an outlier in this sense, as what FIRS received in June and July 2023 was 138.73% and 142.66% respectively of Delta State got in those months, and Delta State was still the state with the highest gross allocation in those months).

In January 2024, only five states each received gross allocations more than NUPRC’s N18.68 billion cost of collection: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers. Remarkably also, 31 states each received less than the N16.27 billion that Customs got as cost of collection for the month. Customs got the least cost of collection of the three agencies, and the amount it got was higher than what each of 31 states received as gross allocation for the month.

But the real mind-blowing part is that the amount received by the three federal agencies in January 2024 was higher than what each of four zones of the Federation got as gross allocation for the month. According to the report by Agora Policy, the total cost of collection received by FIRS, NUPRC and NCS in January 2024 was N78.30 billion while the allocations to the geopolitical zones were as follows: South-East (five states), N47.75 billion; NorthCentral (six states), N55.58 billion; North-East (six states), N56.60 billion; North-West (seven states), N76.09 billion; South-West (six states), N86.60 billion; and South-South (six states), N141.85 billion.

Put in a different way, this means that the N78.30 billion cost of collection received by the three agencies as a percentage of the gross allocations to the geo-political zones translated to: 163.98% of the allocation to the South-East; 140.88% of allocation to the North-Central; 138.84% of the allocation to the North-East; 102.90% of the allocation to the North-West; 90.42% of the allocation to the South-West; and 55.20% of the allocation to the South-South. As stated by Agora Policy, “The South-South and South-West got more than what the three agencies received only on account of 13% derivation for the oil producing states and the allocation of N21.28bn as the net allocation to Lagos State for Value Added Tax (VAT).”

It is difficult to find a good-conscience justification for why just three federal agencies will receive commissions from the Federation higher than the gross allocations to each of four geopolitical zones with five to seven states

and millions of citizens to cater for. It may be worth remembering that these are just three agencies of the Federal Government, and not ministries or even separate arms of government. This should erase any doubt about how absurd the cost-of-collection principle has become. The agencies and their advocates have argued that the Super Three are simply being rewarded for their contributions to the Federation—that the agencies are receiving more in commission because they are bringing in more money to the Federation. This sounds like a decent argument, but it is not. There is something fundamentally wrong with each of the agencies getting more money from the Federation than most of the states or with the three agencies combined getting more money from the Federation than each of four zones. There is no way of spinning this that it will come anywhere near right for agents to be receiving more money than their principals.

Also, there is something that doesn’t smell right about federal agencies being conceived as or turned into commission agents. These are government agencies, not private contractors or consultants. They are collecting revenues as part of their mandates, not to turn a profit. So, the idea of giving them a fixed percentage for doing their work is out of place. Surely, there should be a way of incentivising optimal performance without creating mega agencies that are better resourced than states or zones, and without flooding them with excess money which they will always find a way of expending or may be used as slush funds.

In many instances, all that these agencies do is to undertake assessments and reconciliations based on parameters already set in law. It is difficult to justify the costs incurred in, for example, getting oil and gas companies to pay royalties and signature bonuses. Additionally, increases in revenues collected (and the cost of collection charged) are not necessarily related to effort. Some revenues indexed to foreign currencies will go up just because of the massive depreciation of the Naira, not because the agencies have necessarily put in more efforts. A good example is that revenues from import duties will likely go up because of the increase in Customs’ exchange rate even when cargo traffic might have declined. So, the agencies will keep trumpeting how they have increased Federation revenue and will get windfalls due to monetary policy, which is out of their remit.

The report by Agora Policy interrogates the claim on higher commission based on higher revenues. It examines publicly available data on FAAC disbursements for a five-year period (February 2019 to January 2024). Its analysis shows that while revenues have indeed increased significantly, the cost of collection has increased at a higher clip.

The report states as follows: “In February 2019, the gross FAAC revenue was N619.86 billion and the total cost of collection was N13.58 billion, or 2.19% of the gross allocation. In January 2024, the gross revenue was N2.07 trillion while the three agencies received N78.30 billion, or 3.79% of it. On the face of it, the absolute value of the cost of collection is merely rising with gross revenues. But this is not exactly so: while the gross revenues between February 2019 and January 2024 increased by 234%, the cost of collection for the same period increased by 477%.

“So, the cost of collection has increased in more than corresponding proportion than the gross revenue has. If the cost of collection had remained at the 2.19% level of February 2019, the sum of N45.33 billion (instead of N78.30 billion) would have been due to the agencies as the cost of collection in January 2024. This means that the agencies would have received 42.11% less than they did this January.”

The report went on to show how the changes in the structure of FAAC revenues in the last five years have been to the advantage of the three agencies at the expense of the three tiers of government, the six zones and the 36 states. According to the report, none of the 36 states in February 2019 had gross allocation lower than the N3.19 billion received NUPRC, the agency with the lowest cost of collection at the time; and all the zones received higher than the total cost of collection of N13.58 billion (which was just 60.54% of what the South-East received and

18.30% of what the South-South got, the zones with the lowest and highest respectively; compared to 163.98% and 55.20% respectively of January 2024).

Also, the total cost of collection as a percentage of FG’s gross allocation rose from 5.27% in February 2019 to 19.22% in January 2024. For the same period, the cost of collection jumped from 7.99% to 20.63% of the gross allocation to the 36 states; and from 10.63% to 28.16% of the gross allocations to 774 LGAs. Without a doubt, the cost of collection has increased not only in terms of absolute number but also in percentage. Revenue distribution is a zero-sum, meaning that the more the agencies receive, the less that is available for the owners of revenues, individually and collectively, to share and to fulfil their obligations.

The issues with the cost of collection are beyond the inversion of the relationship between supposed agents and their principals. The issues are well documented, including in my two-part series on super agencies. The cost-of-collection approach to funding these agencies creates all sorts of distortions, distracts some of the agencies from their core duties, and encourages wasteful spending even at a time we can least afford such.

The 2024 budget of 62 Government Owned Enterprises is a homage to this out-of-tune extravagance. NUPRC budgeted to spend N229.82 billion in 2024 which is almost double its total expenditure of N117.74 billion in 2023, according to its 2023 annual report. If NUPRC has had to stick with its 2023 expenditure or be allocated a little bit more, it is inconceivable that it would have planned to spend N19.51 billion on its head office or N50.43 billion on welfare packages (apart from personnel of N65.21 billion) or N71.09 billion for sequestered projects under its capital budget.

The 2024 approved budget for FIRS is N446.34 billion. In 2021, the total expenditure for the same FIRS was N171.22 billion, which is slightly lower than the N171.29 billion that it plans to spend on personnel alone this year. Within three years, the budget of FIRS will increase by 160.68% because the cost of collection is treated as earned income, and because when money is available it has to be spent, a perfect illustration of a variant of the Parkinson Law about expenses rising to meet income or available fund. It is also well known that these agencies become centres of patronage and rent, and are treated as super special by authorisers and those with oversight responsibilities over them.

A government really keen on cutting costs can easily save between N250 billion to N500 billion in the budgets of just these three agencies, if it gives them a standing order to budget in tune with the difficult period the country is passing through. The money could be saved or could be repurposed for more pressing needs. Everything has an opportunity cost. The money being frittered away in the super agencies on offices, cars, furniture, trainings, travels, staff welfare, jobs and contracts is the money not available to be spent elsewhere, especially on basic necessities like hospitals, classrooms, and even potable water (imagine people dying of cholera at this time and age and in places like Lagos).

It is important to say that I believe that these agencies are carrying out important responsibilities for the Federation and that they should be adequately funded to do their jobs well. However, it is the Federal Government, and not its agencies, that should be entitled to an agreed and a capped refund of the cost it incurs in collecting revenue on behalf of the Federation. And it is the FG that should fund these agencies and its other agencies well, based on justifiable and reasonable needs, not on commissions that they can spend as they wish.

The FG can give these agencies performance-based bonuses in addition to their needs-based appropriation anytime they exceed difficult targets. To ensure predictable funding, the FG can treat the budgetary allocations of these agencies as a first-line charge, as it is done for the National Assembly and the judiciary. But the perverse incentives and the distortions embedded in the cost-of-collection approach needs to be addressed. And that can’t be done with some cosmetic tinkering. The challenge, however, is whether the administration sees the untenable status quo as an urgent problem to be solved or as an opportunity to take advantage of.

Tinubu