SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 2023

Manufacturers: Proposed 40% Hike in Electricity Tariff Outrageous, Perilous

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has described the proposed 40 percent hike in electricity tariff scheduled to take

effect from July 1, 2023, as “simply outrageous.”

The MAN also highlighted that the federal government had increased electricity tariff by 186 percent in the past eight years,

adding that the “expectation of the manufacturers is that government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will ensure improvement in electricity generation, transmission

and distribution that will lead to adequate and reliable electricity supply in the country, rather than increasing the tariff on the mere 4000MW, to meet all revenue needs of stakeholders in the electricity

supply industry.”

The manufacturers expressed these views yesterday in a press statement titled, “Possible Impact of Impending Electricity Tariff Hike on Manufacturers.”

Say some may relocate plants to African countries with lower tariff Anxiety as Sierra Leoneans Elect President; Bio Tackles Kamara...

The manufacturers stated that the proposed increase in tariff would lead to rise in cost of production, reduction in manufacturers’ profit

Continued on page 5

22 Cargoes of Nigerian Crude Oil Unsold over Tax Issues with Ship Owners...

Presidential Election Tribunal Admits Material Evidence against Tinubu as Atiku, PDP Close Case

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PREPEC), yesterday in Abuja admitted in evidence

some documents tendered by the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in proof of his petition against the declaration of Tinubu

as winner of the February 25 presidential election. The documents, aimed at establishing allegations of perjury and non-qualification,

included Tinubu's Chicago University Certificate, discharge Certificate of the National Youth Services Corps (NYSC), a copy of transcript from South West

College, and membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, while the name on Tinubu's NYSC certificate bears

Tinubu Bola Adekunle; on his South West College transcript, the column for gender stated

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New Service Chiefs Take over, Promise Hell for Terrorists, Bandits, Oil Thieves

Acting IG brainstorms with DIGs, AIGs, CPs, unveils policing vision Boko Haram kills eight youths in Borno

Charles Ajunwa and Bennett Oghifo

The new service chiefs yesterday took over command positions from their predecessors, pledging decisive counter measures against terrorists and oil thieves across the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Abiodun Lagbaja and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla received the flags and insignia of office and instrument of authority from their predecessors, Gen Lucky Irabor, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya and Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.

The new helmsmen spoke as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun met in Abuja with Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs); Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in a bid to chart the way forward for the nation's internal security.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the new CDS read the riot act to

Continued on page 5

TINUBU MEETS BERSET…

L-R: President Bola Tinubu with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, on the sideline of the summit on New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France…yesterday.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

NEW SERVICE CHIEFS TAKE OVER, PROMISE HELL FOR TERRORISTS, BANDITS, OIL THIEVES

terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements to desist from their nefarious acts or face the music.

He said Nigerians should not doubt the determination of the armed forces to bring peace to the country.

"As the CDS, my promise to Nigeria is that we will continue to improve on our mandate of sustaining peace and tranquility in our country.

"We assure every Nigerian to feel safe that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are up and doing. We are highly professional and we are going to be there for them. Nobody should doubt our determination to bring peace to Nigeria.

"Anybody especially the criminals, bandits, terrorists, anyone, who thinks otherwise should be ready to face the music, the Nigerian armed forces will come out in full force while safeguarding the safety and security of the citizenry. That I will assure you," Maj Gen Musa said. He commended his predecessor and

other service chiefs for the dramatic improvement of the discipline in the armed forces.

"The level of discipline in the armed forces has improved dramatically. Issues of welfare have been addressed but you know we cannot be 100 percent, so we'll continue from where they stopped. We will ensure our troops, our men wherever they are, they will never be left alone.

"We will ensure we give them what they need, what they require and we will take care of the issue of administration which is paramount because a soldier that is well fed, well taken care of, will give you the best, so they should not doubt we are here and we are ready and we are willing to do that," the new CDS assured.

Lagbaja Promises a Better Army

In his remarks during the handover ceremony at the Army

Headquarters, the new army chief, Maj Gen Lagbaja, said the Army witnessed unprecedented prudent management of resources and procurement of military hardware under his predecessor.

He promised to improve on the legacy of his predecessor, urging those who are disengaging from service not to deny the Nigerian Army the opportunity to tap from their experience whenever the need calls for it.

The new COAS promised to run an army that will be driven by discipline and professionalism.

He urged the departing army chief and retiring officers not to deny the Army of their wisdom.

"Don't deny the Nigerian Army your wisdom and wealth of experience as the Nigerian Army under my command will always knock on your door to seek guidance," he said.

He also promised to diligently discharge his newly assigned role

as COAS.

Speaking earlier, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, said that he was fulfilled, as he was leaving the Nigerian Army better than he met it in 2021.

He stated that the Nigerian Army under his command made impressive efforts in tackling the myriad security challenges confronting the nation.

The former Army Chief said the Boko Haram insurgency was at its peak when he assumed office in 2021, but he is leaving it better than he met it.

He urged the army to sustain its ongoing gains against various security threats, including terrorists and bandits, and crude oil thieves.

He urged his successor not to be distracted by cynical comments from unpatriotic elements, but focus attention on further denying criminal elements freedom of action.

such as crude oil theft, prevalence of illegal refineries, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, sea robbery, piracy, various forms of trafficking and other maritime crimes.

“These are not just threats to our maritime security, but also to our economic stability and national development. But let me be clear: we are committed to tackling these security challenges head-on. We will intensify our efforts to curb crude oil theft and put an end to illegal refining. We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain.

“We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain.

Police, tackling the menace of crimes and criminality with the establishment of a specialised quick intervention squad comprising combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis deescalation and violent crime reduction strategies, leveraging cutting-edge tools, data analytics and intelligence networks for a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance Police capacity and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

MANUFACTURERS: PROPOSED

40% HIKE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF OUTRAGEOUS, PERILOUS

margin, high probability of activities paralysis and potential reduction in government’s collectible revenue.

The association further noted that implementation of the proposed tariff would complicate the inflationary pressure on the economy, accelerate the recession in the manufacturing sector, hurt the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers and heighten the probability of manufacturing firms relocating their plants from Nigeria to other countries.

According to the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who signed the press statement, “it is highly concerning for manufacturers to witness the electricity tariff skyrocketing beyond the present embattling high prices, starting July 1st. A 40 percent hike at this time is simply outrageous.”

Ajayi-Kadir further noted that the absence of stable, effective and fairly priced electricity supply in Nigeria has been a long-standing challenge for manufacturers.

He said: “The worrisome development has compelled many manufacturing industries to supplement the unreliable electricity supply with alternative energy sources. Regrettably, the available alternative energy sources such as diesel have become exorbitantly expensive.

“On average, surveyed data by MAN suggested that manufacturers spent at least N144.5 billion on sourcing alternative energy in 2022, up from N77.22 billion in 2021.

“This translates to about 87 percent increase in the cost of access to alternative energy sources by manufacturers within a year.

“In the past eight years, electricity tariff has been increased

by 186 percent. The fact that the government itself owes N75 billion in unpaid electricity bills is indicative of how burdensome the cost of electricity has become.”

The MAN argued strongly that as a matter of fact, any further rise in electricity tariff will directly increase the cost of production for manufacturers.

“Already, we have energy constituting between 28 and 40 percent in the cost structure of manufacturing industries. You can imagine the impact on manufacturing industries that are energy-intensive such as metal processing, heavy machinery, and chemicals manufacturing.”

The Association added that “a spike in the electricity tariff will erode the profit margin of the manufacturers and reduce their ability to expand operations and create new jobs.”

It also feared that reduction in profit margins would be “a definite possibility among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are unable to accommodate the higher price.”

MAN states further: “The hike in electricity tariff will reduce the manufacturers’ profitability and by extension the quantum of taxes and fees payable to the three tiers of government.

“Manufacturers remain the largest income taxpayers in the country. Therefore, in the event of poor income generation due to high costs of production, the government purse will suffer.

“In addition, the manufacturers would ultimately pass on the additional cost to the consumers of their products, which will increase the cost of locally made products in the market and complicate the

rising inflation rate in the country.

“An increase in electricity tariff will reduce the purchasing capability. One of the resulting effects is the fall in demand and recession of manufacturing activities over time.”

The association also envisaged a high probability of outward investment as “some manufacturing industries may consider shifting production to other economies with lower electricity tariffs and guaranteed availability.”

Ajayi-Kadir adds: “As it is today, the manufacturing sector, which is the engine of growth, is still struggling as a result of the inclement production environment in Nigeria.

“The expectation is that the government will engage in extensive and intensive consultations with the manufacturers; focus on measures that will salvage the sector and halt the trend of shutdown of factories, knowing the implications and the multiplier effects on employment and the economy.

“Care should be taken to avoid introducing burdensome measures that will further strangulate the manufacturing sector and the whole economy.”

The director general of MAN stated further that the government should ensure that at least 90 percent of electricity consumers are metered to ensure consumption reflective electricity bill payment.

He also advised the government to formulate electricity policies that will aid investment in the energy industry to increase generation capacities and ensure effective implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 aimed at increasing electricity supply in the country.

Yahaya was appointed army chief by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 27, 2021, after the tragic death of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru in an air crash alongside 10 other officers and men of the army on May 21.

Before he was appointed army chief, he was the theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the counterinsurgency operation in the North-east.

Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla Takes Over

At the Naval Headquarters, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, senators, traditional rulers, among other dignitaries attended the colourful handover ceremony.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ogalla, expressed his profound gratitude to God for his ascension to the pinnacle of naval leadership.

"For it is by His divine providence that I stand before you today as the 22nd Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy. I consider it indeed a great privilege and honour to serve our great nation, Nigeria, in this capacity.

“I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for entrusting me with this significant responsibility. I must state that Mr President’s unwavering commitment to the security and prosperity of our dear nation is an inspiration to us all.

“I am acutely aware of the immense responsibility that comes with this position, and I am committed to serve our nation with utmost dedication and integrity. I assure Mr President that I will do my utmost to uphold the trust he has on me," Ogalla said.

He vowed to contain piracy, illegal oil bunkering and other criminalities in the maritime domain.

"The task ahead of us is challenging. We continually face significant threats

“I am confident that we can transform our maritime domain into a safer, more secure, and prosperous space for socio-economic activities to thrive in fulfilment of our constitutional mandate,” the new CNS said.

The former CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd), said under him, the service evolved more stringent operations concepts and strategies to tackle the devastating impacts of piracy, sea robbery, the proliferation of illegal refineries, brazen crude oil theft, and destruction of critical oil and gas infrastructure among others.

He said, “To this end, we heightened our commitment to anti-piracy operations, anti-COT operations, choke point operations, as well as riverine and swamp operations.

“To give impetus to this resolve, we embarked on massive fleet renewal, robust logistics management, acquisition of additional platforms, human capital enhancement, holistic infrastructural development, and effective collaboration with local and international partners.

“Our determination to face the several maritime security challenges would have been weakened if not for the immense support we received from the various quarters.”

IG Unveils New Policing Strategies

Meanwhile, the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police yesterday, unveiled new policing strategies for the Nigeria Police Force.

The IG publicised the new strategy aimed at achieving operational successes and re-igniting public trust.

He spoke during the inaugural conference with Deputy InspectorsGeneral of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police and other heads of police formations in the country at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The highlights of the IGP’s policing vision include upholding the sanctity of the legal framework of the Nigeria

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TRIBUNAL ADMITS MATERIAL EVIDENCE AGAINST TINUBU AS ATIKU, PDP CLOSE CASE

the bearer as "female".

Others tendered and also admitted as exhibits by the court are notarized judgement of a United State of America court for criminal forfeiture of assets said to belong to Tinubu; a certificate of Service from Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, and a print out of his alleged Guinean passport.

But Tinubu, INEC and his party, who are all respondents in Atiku and PDP's petition against the outcome of the presidential election, objected to the admissibility of the documents.

The respondents through their individual lawyers stated that reasons for their objections would be preferred at the final address stage.

Similarly, the five-member panel of the presidential election court, presided by Justice Haruna Tsammani, while admitting the documents, stated that ruling on the respondents’ objections would also be delivered

alongside their final judgement in the petition.

The various documents were tendered by one Mike EnahoroEbah, who testified as the 27th witness of the petitioners.

At the proceedings yesterday, shortly after the petitioners tendered polling unit results (Forms EC8A) of Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Kogi States, their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, announced to the court that they would be calling their star witness, who was summoned by the court to give evidence in their petition.

After adopting his witness’ statement on oath, the witness was then led by Uche to tender a copy of Tinubu's Form EC9 accompanied with an affidavit in support of particulars.

However, during cross examination by the respondents, the witness admitted not being the official custodian of Tinubu's Chicago University certificate he brought before the court.

He also admitted filing a direct criminal complaint before an Abuja Magistrate court last year, challenging the qualification of Tinubu in the presidential election, adding that the court declined jurisdiction of the matter.

He also told the court he did not need to confirm from the Guinean embassy the citizenship of Tinubu to that country because the Guinean President, Alfa Conde had already confirmed Tinubu's citizenship of Guinea.

Questioned further by APC's lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the witness stated that the asset forfeiture judgement allegedly entered against Tinubu was not signed by a police officer, adding that the judgement also does not need to carry any photograph or thumbprint of anyone.

While admitting that there was no conviction in the judgement, the witness claimed

that the judgement contained a plea for forfeiture.

At the end of cross examination of the witness, petitioner's lawyer announced to the court that, "this will be our last witness in this case."

He added that having exhausted the days allocated to them by the court at the pre-hearing session, they will, in line with Paragraph 46(5) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act, "Apply to close the case of the petitioners."

Following agreement reached by all parties, Justice Tsammani fixed July 3 for the respondents to open their defences.

Atiku and PDP had on March 21 filed their petition challenging the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Besides alleging noncompliance with the electoral laws, the petitioners claimed that Tinubu did not score the highest number of lawful votes

The new policing vision also focuses on enhancing the police training curriculum with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes, improved welfare and resuscitating the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services to serve as confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers, as well as implementing a new recognition and reward system to better motivate and encourage dedicated personnel and community policing, through a more vibrant engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and the establishment of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group.

CP Disu Appointed Principal Staff Officer

The IG has also appointed CP Olatunji Disu as his Principal Staff Officer.

He is Third Dan Blackbelter, and celebrated medalist in Judo, who has served in various administrative, investigative, and operational capacities in the Force, including as Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos, and DCP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), FIB, Abuja.

Also, other aides were appointed by the IGP, including CSP Ganiyu Adebowale as Personal Assistant (PAIGP), SP Adewale Ajibuwa as Chief Protocol Officer (CPO-IGP), DSP Sheriff Lawal as Aide-de-Camp (ADC-IGP) and DSP Olawole Ogunwusi J. as Chief Security Officer (CSO-IGP).

The Inspector-General of Police reassured citizens that the Nigeria Police Force under his command will symbolise excellence, integrity, and compassion.

He urged the citizens to collaborate with the police to shape a future where justice triumphs, the vulnerable find solace, citizens go about their lawful businesses without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every citizen can truly believe in the power of law enforcement.

Boko Haram Kills Eight Youths in Borno

Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday killed eight youths across four communities in Mafa and Jere local government areas of Borno State.

Four of the youths, who were out in the bush fetching firewood, were in Tamsu-Ngamdu, two in BaramKaruwa and one in Shuwari, all in Mafa LGA while one was killed in Muna, Jere LGA.

cast in the election.

They also submitted that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the poll over alleged perjury and controversies surrounding his age, academic qualification, dual citizenship, amongst others.

Atiku and PDP in addition said INEC was wrong in declaring Tinubu winner having not met the constitutional threshold of scoring 25 percent of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In their petition, marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, Atiku and PDP thereby prayed the court to nullify the declaration of Tinubu as President on account of the alleged malpractice raised in their petition and declare them winner of the February 25 presidential election.

In the alternative, they prayed for the cancellation of the presidential election and the conduct of a fresh presidential poll.

“One of the youths, just about 16, who said he was spared by the killers to come and report the story, said those killed all had their hands tied at the back and shot,” Sherif Goni, a resident of Tamsu-Ngamdu, told newsmen yesterday.

The state Governor, Babagana Zulum, who went around consoling the bereaved communities yesterday assured that the government would not be deterred in efforts to end insecurity in the state.

“Government is refining strategies at combating insecurity to facilitate the undertaking of farming and other economic activities.

“Farmers should, however, also augment the government’s efforts and design their respective community strategies for fighting insecurity,” Zulum said.

He directed security agents to be undeterred by the resurgence of terror activities, and all farmers go to the farms by 6 am and close by 5 pm.

Suspected insurgents had on June 15 killed about 15 farmers in Molai and adjacent communities in Konduga LGA of the state.

Anxiety as Sierra Leoneans Elect President

IncumbentPresidentBio,SamuraKamara,intwo-horserace

Olusegun Adeniyi in Freetown

Sierra Leoneans go to the polls today to elect their president, members of parliament and council officials. But most attention is on the

presidential election that pitches the incumbent President Julius Maada Bio against 12 others, including Dr. Samura Kamara whom he defeated five years ago after a runoff poll in a country that

22 Cargoes of Nigeria’s Oil Left Unsold over FG’s Tax Issues with Ship-owners

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A glut of unsold Nigerian oil has built up again with as much as half of output due to be loaded next month still searching for buyers, a Bloomberg report said yesterday.

Traders of the nation’s oil said the surplus has been caused in part by a request for back taxes from shipping companies, which caused a wariness among some of the firms about sending their vessels to collect the West African nation’s barrels.

While the government subsequently clarified that there would be a six-month grace period to comply with the tax request, traders said the lack of sales demonstrated that Nigeria needs to do more to resolve the issue.

The surplus is a sign that global reductions in oil supply from leading producer nations is yet to tighten every market. There are between 20 and 22 cargoes that remain unsold for July, about half the total, according to the traders of West African crude. Shipments are typically about one million barrels.

Earlier this month, some shipowners were said to be avoiding the West African nation after a series of multi-million dollar tax bills were sent out, seeking to claw back unpaid duties from 2010-2019.

The country’s tax authorities

have given shipping companies the grace period to reconcile the tax backlog through a committee involving shippers and regulators.

The cost of shipping oil from Nigeria stood at $53,463 a day as of Thursday, above the year-to-date average, according to data from the Baltic Exchange. Freight for ships hauling about 1 million barrels of crude from Nigeria to Europe surged the most in more than a year last week because of the tax issue.

Nigeria’s slow sales contrast with a more bullish picture in Angola, where crude supplies are sold out for July and differentials are inching higher, the people said. Supplies from Gabon and Chad are also mostly sold for July, the Bloomberg report said.

Much of Angola’s output is of a heavy-sweet variety that is popular with refiners in China, where demand remains healthy.

Angola’s Cabinda grade traded at a 60-to-70 cents a barrel premium to Dated Brent for July loading earlier this week, increasing from a premium of 30 cents for June barrels.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has accumulated up to $3 billion in debts to trading houses such as Vitol and oil majors such as BP for fuel supplies and is trailing four to six months behind schedule in repaying them with cargoes of crude, four traders and executives have told Reuters.

Edo Task Force Arrests Man, Girlfriend for Selling One-month-old Baby

The Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking has apprehended a 48-year-old man, Anthony Igbinogun, and his girlfriend, Joy Umukoro, 28, for allegedly selling their onemonth-old baby to fund their drug addiction.

The suspects were arrested with their friend, 26-year-old Precious James, who facilitated the illegal transaction and linked them to the baby’s buyer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Briefing journalists in Benin City, the Head of the Investigation Unit of the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, Ab igail Ihonre, said the baby was sold for N1.7 million, noting that investigation is ongoing to rescue the baby and apprehend the buyer of the one-month-old child.

According to Ihonre, “Our investigations revealed that Joy Umukoro, the mother of the baby, delivered the baby in April 2023, and conspired with her boyfriend to sell their baby for N1.7 million. She has confessed to the crime of selling the baby.”

survived a brutal civil war less than two decades ago.

For the third time, according to Mohamed Kerewui Konneh, Chairman, Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, the people will participate in four elections on the same date and time. Besides the presidency, elections are also being held for 135 parliamentary seats, 22 Mayor/Chairmen of Council and 493 councilors. Independent candidates can contest in any of these elections except that of the presidency.

Although there are 13 presidential candidates in the race, the contest is essentially between President Bio, 59, of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and Kamara, 72, of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). In 2018, Bio ran as the opposition candidate to defeat Kamara who was candidate of the then ruling party. The latter is now the main opposition candidate.

There were fears during the week that the elections could descend into violence. “We are concerned by reports of election-related violence and aggression across the country, in the run-up to the elections. We urge everyone to refrain from violence, respect the political choices of one another, and to reject the language of division and hate,” according to a statement by the United Kingdom, United States. Ireland, Germany, and the European Union Delegations.

On Wednesday, violence broke out around the headquarters of the main opposition APC in Freetown, leading to the death of one person. “In a spirit of partnership, we reiterate our Support to transparent, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections that reflect the will of the people,” the delegates said in the statement signed by Lisa Chesney MBE, British High Commissioner, David Reimer, U.S. Ambassador, Claire Buckley, Irish Ambassador and Jens Kraus-Massé, German Ambassador.

According to figures from the electoral commission, over 3.3 million Sierra Leoneans are registered to vote in the 2023 elections, an increase of about 200,000 from 2018. Like in previous elections, voting will be by secret ballot system in 11,832 polling stations across 16 districts of the country. After the elections, the ballot papers will go through five stages: screening, reunification, reconciliation, sorting, and counting before the results are declared.

In a very competitive presidential election, there are usually two rounds. To secure victory, a presidential candidate is required to secure 55 per cent of the total votes cast in the first round of votes. If no candidate achieves that, a runoff poll will be conducted within 14 days between the two leading candidates. Winner will then be

determined by a simple majority.

In the March 2018 general election, President Ernest Bai Koroma was constitutionally ineligible, having served the maximum two-terms of 10 years in office. He endorsed Kamara, his Minister of Finance as candidate of the ruling APC. No presidential candidate received the mandatory 55 per cent of total votes cast. Bio led others with 41 per cent of the total votes cast followed by Kamara with 40 per cent. Bio was subsequently elected with 51.8 per cent of the vote in the second round of the poll which was adjudged by international observers as “orderly, free and fair.”

Most analysts predict that this presidential election may not produce an outright winner and that like 2018, it may go to a runoff. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is in Freetown as Head of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) 2023 Election Mission to Sierra Leone while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG).

Supporters of the incumbent are upbeat that he would be reelected. Born on 2 May 1964, Bio is a retired Brigadier who returned Sierra Leone to a democratically elected government after just 10 weeks in power as the military head of state from 16 January to 29 March 1996. He handed power to Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of the

SLPP who won the presidential election.

Upon retiring from the military in 1996, Bio moved to the United States where he was granted political asylum. He returned to Sierra Leone a decade later and in 2012, contested the presidential election on the platform of the SLPP. He received 37 per cent of the vote as he was defeated by the then incumbent President Koroma who won 58 per cent of the votes.

His main challenger this time is a veteran politician who touts economic credentials. A doctorate degree holder in Economics from Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom, Kamara held several positions under President Kabbah. From 2007 to 2009, he was Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone; from 2009 to 2013, Minister of Finance and Economic Development and from 2013 to 2017, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs.

However, Kamara, 72, has legal challenges. In December 2021, he was charged with misappropriating more than $2.5 million in public funds in a case tied to planned refurbishments to a New York consulate while he was foreign minister. The High Court has rejected a “no-case submission” presented by the APC’s lawyers and asked Kamara to put up a defence case against the corruption allegations.

She noted, “Investigation into the case continues as we intensify efforts to locate the buyers and the baby as the matter will be charged to Court latest on Monday 26th, June 2023, so that everyone culpable is made to face the wrath of the law for their criminal activities.

“The suspects said they carried out the dastardly act because they couldn’t take care of the baby. These people are alleged drug addicts and when it was clear that they couldn’t take care of the baby, they decided to sell him. But that wasn’t the best option for them as the decision may destroy their lives.

“The penalty for trafficking is about seven years in prison. I urge those that can’t take care of their babies not to sell but bring such to the office of Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking as we collaborate with the Ministry of Gender and Women Affairs or take the baby to other agencies that take care of children. Selling that child is not a good option as the outcome may end you in prison.”

WITNESSING CHANGE OF BATON....

WHO, AfDB, Others Partner to Identify Gaps in National Health Systems

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

In a landmark development aimed at investing in and strengthening essential, climate and crisis-resilient primary health care (PHC) services in low- and low-and-middle income countries (LICs and LMICs), three multilateral development banks have joined with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to launch the new Health Impact Investment Platform.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and WHO are the Platform’s

founding members.

The Platform, launched during the summit for a New Global Financing Pact being held in Paris, France will make an initial €1.5 billion available to LICs and LMICs in concessional loansandgrantstoexpandthereachand scope of their PHC services, especially for the most vulnerable and underserved populations and communities.

As this is a global challenge, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is also considering joining this partnership in view of extending this initiative to Latin America and the Caribbean region.

WHO will act as the Platform’s

policy coordinator, responsible for ensuring alignment of financing decisions with national health priorities and strategies. The Platform’s secretariat will support governments to develop national health and prioritise PHC investment plans. The Platform will also aim to catalyse wider PHC investments in support of government health strategies.

Group President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, said: “Our cooperation will help guide investments by national governments to strengthen primary health care and their overall health systems,

increase universal health coverage and improve their ability to prepare for, prevent and respond to health emergencies.

“We will work with countries individually to identify gaps in national health systems, design interventions and investment strategies, find funding, implement projects and monitor their impact.”

WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said a PHC approach offers the most effective means to improve health and well-being, including through the delivery of essential health services to all people.

Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum cum Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma (left), being welcomed by the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (second left) at the formal decoration of his successor, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (second right) while their wives watch at the Naval Headquarters Abuja... Friday.

Tinubu: Africa Remains Centrepiece of Nigeria’s Economic, Foreign Policy

MeetswithSwiss,AfDBpresidents

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday disclosed that Nigeria will sustain its spotlight on African countries as the centre of its policies on economy and foreign policy, assuring that trade issues, security and

border controls will be mutually implemented.

Receiving the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, after the Summit on New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, the President, noted that bilateral relations with African countries, particularly

Heavy Rainfall Submerges Lugbe, Abuja

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A police station was submerged and a link road was cut off and several property damaged after a heavy rainfall caused flooding at Trademore Estate, Abuja.

The rain, which started early yesterday morning, fell for several hours.

Emmanuel Mbaka Road which connects that estate with the Abuja International Road was impassable as a result of the volume of the rain.

Many buildings in the estate including a police station were also submerged. That led many residents to take refuge on the roofs of their houses.

Hammed Shittu

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have demanded a N50m ransom from a newly married lady identified as Rukkayat Musa, who was taken away from her home at Oniyangi area along Emir’s Road in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Her abductors are said to have contacted family and demanded N50m ransom which must be provided before she can be released.

The incident was said to have happened Wednesday night when they were sleeping at their house.

THISDAY investigation revealed that when the gunmen gained entrance to the rented apartment of the couple around Alaya’s compound and the husband simply identified as Musa managed to escape

Search and rescue teams from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Fire Service, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were mobilised to provide support to persons desperate for assistance.

The Director General of FEMA, Dr. Idriss Abbass, said that 116 houses were submerged during the heavy floods.

He dismissed as untrue social media reports alleging that a resident of the estate was missing during the floods.

Four persons who were rescued from the flood were hospitalised and in stable conditions.

through the backyard of the building but the wife was not that lucky.

Addressing journalists yesterday, one of the relatives of the victim who sought anonymity, said that Rukkayat who hails from Gbodofu compound also in the area was living in a rented apartment at the adjacent compound after their marriage which was held about three months ago.

“Rukkayat is from Gbodofu compound but she lived in a rented apartment with her husband after their marriage on Emir’s Road where they were attacked on Wednesday night.

“The husband managed to escape being kidnapped but the wife was taken away by the kidnappers. The kidnappers got in contact with the family and demanded payment of N50m which they said should be paid before the weekend.

Alleged Disparity: Pensioners Appeal Dismissal of Suit against FG

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Aggrieved pensioners on Friday said that they will be appealing the judgment of a National Industrial Court in Abuja, which dismissed their suit against the federal government on alleged disparity in the implementation of pension policy in the country.

According to the petitioners, the trial court erred in law when it reached the conclusion that the complainants are not deserving of the reliefs sought.

They also faulted the judge for relying on the provisions of the Pension Act 2014 as against the Constitution in dismissing their case.

The pensioners had approached the court for an order compelling the federal government to compute their pension and also make an upward review of their pension.

However, delivering judgment

at the sub-regional level will be enhanced for shared benefits in areas of security, health, energy, education and diplomacy.

According to him, “We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.”

“I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling, and Africa has been left behind. On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest

rates on borrowing. We are always classified as high risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth,” he added.

President Tinubu described Nigeria’s relations with Benin as that of siamese twins, joined at the hips, and supported by other friendly countries.

“We must recognise the fact that we need each other. We are in a loop and no one should separate us,” he stated, assuring that his administration will always be open

and accessible to all neighbouring countries.

“I just appointed someone who will work with you as Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, and he will be available for our common interest,” the President noted.

Earlier in his remarks, President of Benin said he was inspired with renewed hope for the sub-region and Africa at the inauguration of President Tinubu in Abuja, pledging to provide support on

REWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE. . .

L-R:

others as part

in the suit on Friday, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae dismissed a suit on the grounds that the pensioners failed to establish that the government shortchanged them in the payment of their pension emoluments.

According to the judgment, the retirees did not rebut the claims of the federal government that their pension had been increased three times during the period the plaintiffs alleged upward review of their pensions and disparity in the payment of old and new contributory system.

Subsequently, the judge held that the claimants are not entitled to the requests made before the court against the respondents.

Reacting to the judgment outside the courtroom, their lawyer, Mr Godwin Emagun said that they would be applying for the Certified True Copy of the judgment and after studying it would appeal it.

trade and security policy, especially at the borders.

“We are prepared to work with you, Your Excellency, in implementing policies that will protect our economies at land and sea entries. Whatever is forbidden in Nigeria will also be forbidden in Benin,” Talon added.

President Tinubu also yesterday had bilateral meetings with Swiss President, Alain Berset, and President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.

Oba of Benin Remains My Father, Says Ex-Minister Agba

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The immediate past Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has distanced himself from articles purportedly written by some individuals as his response to Oba of Benin’s enquiries about his (Agba) stewardship as a minister.

He said those writing such articles that were trending online were not known to him, nor did he sponsor any article or commission anyone to reply to the Oba whom he described as his father.

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II had, during Agba’s visit to

the Benin throne on June 15, questioned the former minister about his stewardship in the state. Agba, in a statement he personally signed titled, ‘Disclaimer Notice’, said “I do not, I repeat, I do not, and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever.”

The statement read in part: “I would like to address some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku

Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom about my stewardship.

“Let me make it clear, without any doubt, that the commentaries and articles that have surfaced are neither sought nor sponsored by me. It is not my nature to join issues in public. He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State.”

According to the former minister, unaware to the public, after the meeting where the monarch raised some questions about his stewardship, he later met with the Oba in private wherein he (Agba) clarified some of the issues raised

by the Oba.

“However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention,” he stated.

He, therefore, advised “those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicise the situation” to “discontinue this fruitless pursuit.”

HURIWA Carpets FG Over Proposed 40% Electricity Tariff Hike

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), yesterday, backed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reject the proposed 40 per cent electricity tariff hike by the federal government, effective July 1, 2023.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the plans as satanic and anti-people, saying the administration of President Bola Tinubu is unfeeling and totally detached to the suffering of over 130 million multidimensionally poor

Nigerians.

The group said the Tinubu government, with its frequent not-well-thought-out policies, may plunge more people into multidimensional poverty before the end of its first year.

On Monday, the federal government dropped a hint at removing the N50 billion monthly electricity subsidy in the sector, citing revenue shortfall. This is coming weeks after the removal of petrol subsidy which now has skyrocket the prices of commodities, increased transport cost by over 200 per cent, pushed up food prices by over 100 per cent and generally made life unbearable for Nigerians.

In fact, a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s inflation rate for May 2023 rose to 22.41 per cent from 22.22 per cent recorded in April, no thanks to subsidy removal without palliatives and viable cum cheap alternatives to cushion its effect.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The administration of President Bola Tinubu should let the poor breathe as all the policies of the federal government are apparently targeted at the poor.

“For instance, despite the removal of fuel subsidy, governors, senators and government officials are still going around

with convoys while over 130 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians have resorted to trekking long distances as they can no longer afford fares for commercial transportation as a result of the skyrocketing prices of petrol, no thanks to the not-well-thought-out and shabbily-executed subsidy removal.

“We reject the proposed hike in electricity tariffs and any increment that will further aggravate the sufferings of the common man. If it cannot help the poor and bring them out of poverty, the Tinubu government should at least not suffocate them and let the poor breathe!”

Chairman, Governing Council, Lagos State University, Sir David Sunmoni; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Governor of Lagos State/Visitor to the university, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello; Chancellor, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, during the Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree on Fashola and

of the university’s 26th Convocation and 40th Anniversary…recently.

Obi Closes Case against Tinubu’s Election after Calling 13 Witnesses

Insistselectionwasrigged

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday, closed his case against the election of President Bola Tinubu, after calling 13 witnesses.

Besides the witnesses including those summoned by the court, Obi and his party the LP in their joint petition also tendered a plethora of evidence including electronic documents to prove their allegations against

the conduct of the February 25 presidential election that produced Tinubu as President.

Obi, who came third in the presidential election, is claiming that he and not Tinubu won the presidential poll, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly credited unlawful votes to Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) so as to declare them winner of the presidential election.

Amongst the documents tendered are polling units

MAKING THE ROUNDS…

results, ward results, local governments results, states and INEC’s Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood based his declaration of Tinubu as winner of the poll.

However, a lot of these results which were blurred were by the electoral umpire to the petitioners.

Although, the respondents which include INEC, Tinubu and his Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and the APC

Mortgage Bank Executives Buy 70m Shares

Three top executives of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc have acquired a combined 70 million units of the bank’s shares worth N188,300,000.

Adewole bought 30 million units at N2.69 per share, while Adedeji and Aworonke each bought 20 million units at the same price.

had objected to the admissibility of the documents, the court however, accepted the documents, stating that ruling in the objections would be made judgement in the petition.

Amongst the major grouse of Obi and LP was that INEC failed to transmit results of the presidential election real time from the polling units to the INEC’s Results Viewing (IReV) portals as promised and in accordance with the regulations and guidelines for the 2023.

This is contained in a notice of share dealing by an insider to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) obtained by THIS DAY.

The notice signed by the company’s secretary, Timothyries as the Managing Director, Dr. Adekunle Adewole, and two of the bank’s Executive Directors, Olumide Adedeji and Olaitan Aworonke.

The transactions took place on June 16, 2023, according to the notice.

According to its 2022 Audited Financial Result obtained from the NGX website, as of the end of 2022, the bank’s gross earnings had increased to N2.538 billion from N1.627 bilbefore tax also increased to N1.005 billion from N768.209 million it recorded in 2021.

JOHESU, AHPA Advise Tinubu on Health Sector Reform

Health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors in his resolve to reposition the country’s health sector by engaging seasoned administrators as heads of the sector.

The unions in a statement signed by the acting National Secretary of JOHESU, Matthew Ajurotu, reasoned that the sad state of health service delivery in the country was the result of the several years of failed administrators dominated by the physicians. They contended that a shift in paradigm was imperative because

L-R: Director, Joint Services, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dr. Peter Egbodo; Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Dr. Caroline Wuraola Adepoju and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, during the familiarisation tour of departments and agencies under the ministry.... recently

Governor Mbah Asks Court to Jail NYSC DG for Alleged Disobedience

The Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to commit the Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), BrigadierGeneral Yusha’u Ahmed, to prison over alleged disobedience of the order of court.

The request was contained in the Form 49 (committal to lawyer, Emeka Ozoani, SAN.

The application dated June

accordance with Order IX, Rule 13, Judgment Enforcement Process Act, CAP. S6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Mbah is claiming that the made on May 15, restraining him or his agency from issuing, publishing or continued to issue,

national service dated Jan. 6, A808297 was not issued by the corps.

Form 48 attached to the ap-

unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”

But, contrary to the order, the NYSC DG had during an interview on Arise News “Morning Show” on May 19 alleged that Mbah’s NYSC issued by the agency.

Consequently, the governor to commit the DG to prison for contempt of court.

court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court,” it read in part. Although the matter was scheduled yesterday for motion, the court did not sit.

Consequently, the case was adjourned until July 4.

Mbah had sued the NYSCtion, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a him on January 6, 2003.

Gov Alia Warns against Cattle Rustling in Benue US Cautions Nigerians against Losing Hope in Democracy

George Okoh in Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to stakeholders especially law enforcement agents to show sincerity in the implementation as well as enforcement of the anti-open grazing prohibition law currently in place in the state.

He also advised security agencies to assist the peace process by guiding against cattle rustling in the state.

He announced that a subcommittee to be headed by the Security Adviser to the governor with other members comprising Commissioner of Police, Director State Security Services, traditional rulers, NAPTIP, Immigration

and BLGCA have been set up to identify heads of herders in the state and report back to the state security council within three weeks for action.

The governor, who made the announcement as part of resolutions during a media security council meeting held at Government House Makurdi, said the security council equally informed stakeholders of both parties in the state to note that the Anti Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted in the state is still in existence, stressing that it must be respected by both indigenes and other citizens of the country resident in the state.

The United States has advised Nigerians against losing hope in democracy, insisting that it is not a steady state, but a continuous process that requires focus, dedication, and determination.

Speaking at the commemorations of the 247th Independence Day of the United States of America, the United States’ Mission in Nigeria, David Greene, noted that Nigeria’s recent elections showcased the contradictions inherent in democracy.

democracies, the United States

of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria share content of our constitutions, in the forms of our institutions, in citizens’ relationships to their governments, and in our daily lives. Our struggles for independence - while centuries and continents apart – shared the common vision of nations governed by their citizens, for the welfare of those citizens.

“We can acknowledge that achieving that vision has been a bumpy road, for both our nations. We have had to work hard to preserve democratic principles and values, sometimes in the face of strong headwinds, or even storms.

most of the previous heads of the health sector allowed sectional and parochial interests to becloud their capabilities in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities. must allow the reforms shaping Nigeria in the last few days catch up with the health sector because most of his contemporary predecessors have allowed physicians to enjoy an unfortunate usurpation of the authoritative exclusivity of non-physician health workers in Nigeria.”

He alleged that “PhysicianHead of Civil Service of the Federation complemented the internal oppressive structures of the Federal Ministry of Health( FMOH) to initiate the annihilation of the major health professions with state machinery.’’

Otti: Abia Delights in Anaba’s Emergence as NGE President

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has said that the emergence of Mr. Eze Anaba as new President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors was a thing of joy for him and the entire people of God’s Own State.

Anaba, who is the Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, was elected to lead the NGE at the biennial national convention held recently in Owerri, Imo State.

“The people of Abia State are indeed glad to have you as one of their illustrious sons and hope that you will use

towards the realisation of their dream of a progressive and prosperous Abia,” Otti said.

He expressed his feelings in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, noting that the election NGE for the next two years “is an eloquent testimony to (his) leadership qualities”.

The Abia chief executive also noted that Anaba’s victory was “a demonstration him by his fellow editors. This, according to him, was evident in the overwhelming number of votes won by the Vanguard Editor to emerge victorious.

Youth Leaders Seek Delta Traditional Rulers’ Intervention in Okowa, Clark’s Feud

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The leadership of various youth groups in Delta State have urged traditional rulers to urgently intervene in the misunderstanding between Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark and immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

The youth groups, under the auspices of Delta State Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum led by Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, said the intervention of the monarchs became necessary

following media war between the two senior citizens of the state.

Agbateyiniro, who doubles as the President of Itsekiri National Youth Council, made the appeal yesterday when he led other leadership of the forum on a courtesy call on Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue 1 and Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council at his Palace in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Nume Ekeghe

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

GOOD REUNION…

FG Pledges More Support for Local Manufacture of Medicine, Vaccines

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Federal government has vowed to increase support for research on local manufacture of medicines and vaccines in Nigeria.

This, it said, will help achieve quality health care services for all Nigerians.

The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas-Kolo, disclosed this at a webinar organised

by the Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe, with the support of the European Union and the Bulgarian Government.

The webinar with the theme: ‘Expediting Local Vaccines Manufacturing in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects’ held yesterday.

According to Anas-Kolo,

MTN Foundation Inaugurates Queen’s College Science Laboratories

MTN Foundation has inaugurated the science laboratories of Queens College, Lagos.

The inauguration of the science laboratories in Yaba by the mobile network provider is aimed at enhancing the teaching standard and knowledge of students in the field.

The project entailed a total remodeling of the entire science block, fixing the leaking roof, painting and provision of new sets of laboratory tables and basic facilities, as well as an inverter for power supply.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, explained that the college was

Accelerate Infrastructure Devt to Promote Intra-Continental Trade, Says PMI

Mary Nnah

Project Management Institute (PMI) has encouraged the African Union (AU) to accelerate infrastructure development that would promote intra-continental trade among the member states.

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure development in continental trade the Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, George Asamani, stated that infrastructure is among the key elements essential to making the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) work effectively.

Asamani said, “Developing and improving power, transport, and communications infrastructure and establishing efficient road, air, port, and rail networks are crucial for enabling seamless trade facilitation and promoting economic integration.”

This year marks the diamond jubilee of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the

African Union, the continental body representing 55 member states that makeup Africa. At the heart of this year’s celebration is the vision and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AU theme for 2023 is Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation.

Adopting AfCFTA is expected to enhance mobility bringing transformative change and tremendous economic and business opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, AfCFTA will provide investors unparalleled access to a population of 1.7 billion people and consumer spending reaching $6.7 billion by 2030. The report highlights automotive; agriculture and agro-processing; pharmaceuticals; and transport and logistics as the four sectors expected to see a rapid acceleration in production and trade volumes, given they have a high potential to meet demand with local production.

“One of the pillars of Mr. President in delivering his Renewed Hope for Nigerians in the health sector, is improving and increasing domestic research to support innovative local manufacturing of medicine, technology and vaccines to achieve equity and quality health services for all.

“The federal government plans to work with the stakeholders, encourage and fund local research for new

drugs, vaccines and disease epidemiology, determining best approaches to disease management within our local context.”

She noted that the “federal government is keen and interested in the outcome of this project, to ensure that the desired results of sustainable Vaccine Research and Development (R&D) and local production in Nigeria are achieved.

Persons With Disability Seek Inclusion in Governance

selected as a beneficiary in recognition of the fulfilment of the criteria such as being a legacy school owned by the government, having an active Parent Teachers Association (PTA), presence of science teachers, alumni association, as well as the value the college is able to add to members of its community.

The foundation, he noted, has evolved in three significant areas; health, education and economic empowerment, adding that so far it had spent more than N20 billion on its initiatives.

He acknowledged the contribution of the alumni of the alumni, PTA and students, while expressing optimism that the project will be sustained.

Nigerians Urged to Adopt Solar Innovation

Nigerians have been advised to embrace renewable energy solutions to be able to contain causing about 200 per cent increment in pump price of petrol.

President Bola Tinubu had in May announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a development household expenses.

Already, Nigerians are spending over $14bn on fuel annually to power their generating set, according to a power sector report by Stears and Sterling.

Energy expert, Benjamin Yan feared that the situation will be graver when the federal

government implements the planned subsidy removal on electricity, noting that renewable and sustainable power solutions were non-negotiable this period.

In a statement, he maintained that businesses and individuals alike must start looking at investpower solutions to cushion the burden.

Yan, who is also the Global Marketing Manager at Bluetti, asserted that sustainable power, especially solar innovations were more apt for the Nigerian environment boasting massive business opportunities amid the electricity crisis.

The Disability Society under the umbrella of TAF-Africa has asked for recognition in President Bola Tinubu’s government.

The Chief Executive Officer and founder, TAF-Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle who made the call, said President Tinubu’s dedication to the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in his government will not only change the lives of millions of PWDs but will also stimulate a wave of progressive change throughout the country.

In his open letter addressed to Mr. President, he appealed that people with disabilities should be part of the federal cabinet.

He also said that all those in the same category but are qualified

for appointment into any office should be considered.

Epelle said any affirmative action taken by appointing persons with disabilities into the federal cabinet will serve as demonstrating his commitment to the principle of equality and social justice that will promote equitable and prosperous Nigeria.

The letter reads thus, “TAF Africa writes you this open letter as a concerned organisation that advocates for the rights and recognition of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

“We strongly urge you to prioritise the inclusion of persons with disabilities in your cabinet appointments, thereby fostering an inclusive and representative government.

Ucard Transforms Financial Inclusion in Africa With Innovative Retail Solutions

Funmi Ogundare

technology company empower-ing markets, is transforming with innovative retail solutions.

Ucard is actively closing the divide between traditional banking and everyday commerce by providing a comprehensive range of retail solutions, including point-of-sale (POS) terminals, mobile money, and solutions make it easier for businesses and individuals to in remote areas with limited infrastructure.

The need for innovative Africa, where more than half the population lacks access to banking services. According to the World Bank, only 48% of Africans had access to banking services in 2022, which is even lower in rural areas. Ucard’s unique approach addresses these challenges head-on, showcasing the resilience and adaptability required in and work.

Ucard’s agency banking model leverages technology to bring banking services to places traditional banks have struggled to penetrate.

The Bayelsa State government has donated a 3-storey building equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities to the federal government for the use of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The building situated in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, is to serve as a centre Niger Delta region.

The NUPRC in a statement, quoted Governor Diri, while speaking at the grand handingover ceremony, as stating that his administration decided to donate the building which was originally designated as the state Ministry of Finance, to the agency of the federal government to further promote peace in the region.

Governo Diri assured of the commitment of his administration to continue to pursue things that would engender peace in the state for the common good of its people and the nation.

He lauded Mr. Government Tompolo, and other relevant stakeholders who contributed in making sure that the relocation of the centre to the state came to pass.

The Executive Commissioner, Health Safety Environment and Community (HSEC), Captain Tonlagha, who led the NUPRC team on behalf of the Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, thanked the Governor Diri, for the gesture, assuring that the commission would always work round the clock at ensuring that peace in the region was achieved through dispassionate and timely resolution of

Increased Demand for Skills Acquisition Drives Infrastructure Development, Says ITF Boss

Kasie Abone

Director General and Chief Executive of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Joseph Ari, has said that the construction of towards expanding access for more Nigerians to acquire skills through the provision of enabling infrastructure as well as delivery of services in line with its core mandate.

the institute at Awka, Anambra State capital yesterday, Ari, who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Standardisation, Service Department, Mr. Akpan Idongesit Asuquo, added that the existing ITFs infrastructure expansion was also informed by increasing awareness Nigerians of the importance of skills acquisition as a pathway to sustainable livelihood.

“This realisation has led to desirous of acquiring skills but are denied such opportunities because of the absence of facilities,” he added.

L-R: Director General Advertising Practioneer Council of Nigeria, Olalekan Fadolapo; President National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Idorenyen Enang; with former president NIMN, Tony Agenmonmen; during the 2023 annual marketing conference in Abuja... recently.

PHOTO KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Funmi Ogundare

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom. – Umberto Eco (1932-2016), Italian Medievalist and Philosopher

Little or no attention is usually paid to the commemoration of Father’s Day, which comes up every third Sunday in June every year. Reason is not farfetched – the roles of fathers in the life of a child and in the society at large are underestimated. Most people assume that all that is expected of a father in a family is to cater for their needs. No! This is completely untrue. In most studied cultures, fathers are assumed to play only the role of a provider. Whereas, a true father plays two more roles apart from being a provider, he is also a protector and disciplinarian. It is not to say that mothers are not functional in these roles but the fathers are usually noted for these roles. Let it be noted that mothers could do as much as the fathers also.

Fatherhood isn’t just a mere status one attains, it comes with responsibilities, obligations and selfless sacrifices. Parenting as a father is characterised by sacrificial duties. Sacrifice becomes an integrated phase of a father’s life. To a good father, his personal life needs take the backseat while the child’s, the front seat. A perfect epitome of a responsible life is that of a good father.

The paternal bond between a father and the child demands that the father provides unflinching care and constant sacrifices. A father is not just a male who begets a child, there is more to who a father is in the life of everyone. A father is not just the male parent of a child, he is the mentor of that child. He coaches his child in a fatherly manner leaving indelible marks in the mind of that child. The child looks up to his father to provide a feeling of security and confidence. A father talks less and acts more. He leads the way by acting what he professes. He may not always declare his love for the family all the time but he shows it always.

Not every good man is a good father, but every good father passes for a good man. Good father in this context means a man who displays desirable character for their children. A responsible father constantly reminds their children of the consequences of their actions later in life as he disciplines them calmly and lovingly. Whether the children realize this or not –good fathers are role models to their children.

We cannot overemphasize the role a paternal presence plays in the life of a child as a father’s impacts outlive their existence. A research once revealed that

A FATHER BUILDS AND LEAVES LEGACIES. HE WEARS HIMSELF OUT TO ENRICH THE CHILD IN WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. THIS PORTRAYS THE TEACHING SKILL NATURE BESTOWS ON FATHERS

people with actively involved father figures in their lives during childhood are more likely to have a strong lasting marriage. People without father figures in their lives may likely have difficulty in having an influential role model and developing some true values of life. A child from a father-absent home may have trouble in his academics and eventually drop out from school. Father figures here, refer to biological, adoptive, or step-father. A father builds and leaves legacies. He wears himself out to enrich the child in wisdom and knowledge. This portrays the teaching skill nature bestows on fathers. It is the father-effect a child has that determines how well his father impacted him.

One cannot under-estimate the involvement of a father in the cognitive skills development of a child in his early and middle ages. At these stages of life, the child builds with the assistance and guidance of the father the skills that will help him perform tasks associated with judgment, intuition, perception, awareness and reasoning. The father can only achieve these tasks with the child via availability, accessibility, engagement and involvement.

A father is the first teacher who gives his growing child an insight into the world of men. He is the first to instruct the child with directives and order. He shares with the child life’s lessons in simple and understandable ways. A child grows to learn at his father’s feet.

Indeed, a father forms an important pillar in the development of child’s emotional and physical wellbeing. Good fathering is an investment that will not only benefit the family but the society at large. The returns from a well fathered life are enormous because such life has been prepared for challenges ahead. Irresponsible fathers could be relegated to mere sperm donors but responsible fathers are the bedrock of the family.

It may then be safe to say that, a fathered life is a better life.

In all, good parenting will shape the life of a child and launch him on the right track to live a life of his own. What a child sees his parents do strongly steers him into adulthood, so the onus lies on the parents, not just on the father alone.

Good fathers deserve to be commended and celebrated for all that they do for their families. This piece is dedicated to all fathers who are still around and alive out there, to the waiting and potential ones and lastly, to those who are no more.

Once upon a time, Nigeria paraded the best set of authors and publishers in Africa. At that time, reading was an innate that it brought pride to Nigerians of reading problem is sweeping ouring able to read but being uninterested in doing so. Yes, reading which was once indulged in as a pleasure is now often spurned as a chore.

Culture Score index as one of the countries in the world with the lowest the National Commission for Masstion show that 38 per cent of Nigerians school children cannot read for comcontribute to the poor reading culture in

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ing. Perhaps the most time-consuming Also, the decline in the standard ofabsence of well-designed reading prosecute reading culture in schools and readership promotion programmes are

Another possible factor contributing to the poor reading culture in Nigeria is perhaps that our socio-economic

imported ones, as well as a dearth of dedicated quiet reading spaces like libraries, has contributed to low reader-

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to mental health, which enhances emotional intelligence, helps with and managing relationships more while also slowing mental decline. knowledge acquisition, intelligence and critical mode of thinking is lost in the absence of reading.

to read: signs, labels, books, magazines, this can be an unpleasant chore for lots of books around - children will

if the books are part of their own time, creating an atmosphere that is forcing reading - making the materialsmore books should be procured for children than smart phones and tablets. should be increased funding for the should be refurbished, and there should be a redesign of the school curriculumpaigns to bring back the libraries to ourtal noise, which is inimical to reading.

Ighakpe writes from FESTAC Town, Lagos

Daniel Ighakpe urges that more books should be procured for children instead of smart phones

A fathered life is a better life, writes Kayode Solomon Ojewale

Again, the rage of nature...

Nigeria and Hate Speech

On June 18 annually, the United Nations celebrates the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. It is important for Nigerians to counter hate speech.

The Nigerian public space has become a treacherous terrain of toxicity no thanks to cheap talk that is whipping up cheap hate, especially on social media. Nigeria’s multilingual, multiethnic and incredibly diverse society has come to steadily confound and dumbfound critics, cynics, and analysts in equal measure.

While Lord Lugard’s amalgamation of 1914 brought the Northern and Southern protectorates together in 1914 to form the country as it is known today, independence took until 1960. Nation-building has taken ever since, with the sobering events of 1967 to 1970 when Nigeria cascaded into an Nigeria has not done badly as a country, even if there have been many painful moments. Many a Nigerian problem today comes down to lack of unity. For all that corruption has stolen from the country, the cankerworm by a lack of unity of purpose.

Because Nigerians have struggled painfully to mine their diversity, there are those who have come to weaponize ethnicity. Their primary tactic is hate speech with which they seek to becloud reason and appeal to primitive and primordial sentiments.

According to the United Nations, hate speech calls out real or perceived “identity factors” of an individual or a group, including: “religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender,” but also characteristics such as language, economic or social origin, disability, health status, or sexual orientation, among many others.

It’s Important to note that hate speech can only be directed at individuals or groups of individuals. It does not include communication about States and their leaders or tenets of faith.

Recently, in the face of Nigeria’s security issues which have weighed heavily on public consciousness, thecially in public and on social media by those determined to sunder the country.

It appears that every region of the country today has at the hands of bandits. In most of the South, it is secessionist agitations that have snowballed into vicious insecurity. At the heart of these existential challenges is the relentless desire of some people to see just how much dent they can make on the country. with each form more dangerous than the last. There have been long, windy speeches dripping with venom, the country.

These speeches are deliberately designed as they have

targeted people for their religions. As Nigeria has moved to tackle hate speech by aid of legislation, it has found itself confronted with structures imposed by law.

of speech. But there is a clear line between countering hate speech and impeding free speech.

The Rabat Plan of Action was adopted by experts at the wrap-up meeting in Rabat on 4-5 October 2012. It was aimed at gaining a deepering the concept of incitement to national, racial, or religious hatred, while ensuring full respect for freedom of expression as outlined in articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR.

The Plan of Action was also aimed at arriving at a comprehensive assessment of the state of implementation of the prohibition of incitement of possible actions at all levels.

The Plan of Action includes a broad range of recommendations for how religious leaders and actors can prevent incitement to violence and contribute to peace and stability. It is meant primarily as a tool to inform the work of religious leaders and actors, but is also relevant for States and institutions, secular civil society organizations and the media.

Ike Willy, Ikewilly9@gmail.com

A Fake Priest?

Many people go to a priest to confess their lies and seek forgiveness but what if the priest is the lie himself? A taqueria store in California has used a fake priest to ask for confessions of theft, lateness or disloyalty and to not complain about unpaid overtime.

There is already so much dishonesty in society from the top where an ex-president claimed a false victory to the workers who might leave a bit early from their jobs so why is this an unusual case? The use of a person’s religious beliefs to bully them at work must surely be one of the worst examples of their activities.

There was a time when a person’s word and a handshake was all that was needed for any business deal but that was from long past times and now the presumption is that many people aren’t honest, a sad development really.

There have been negative reviews online, but the brimstone’ punishment in this case.

We should be more trusting and more honest.

For Terseer Ugbor

Iwill like to congratulate Hon. Terseer Ugbor, a member, representing Kwande/ Ushongo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Abuja, on his recent victory and inauguration. I must appreciateing mass and other events to celebrate him. To organise these events to celebrate an elected leader is commendable, but too much of them could distract his or her

am appealing to the people of Kwande/ Ushongo Federal Constituency to be considerate and limit the number of events for Ugbor’s celebration to enable him focus on his job. It is a big risk being on the road who won in the last general elections should be allowed to concentrate.

ADEDOTUN EYINADE

Most Nigerians Are Too Poor to Read

Adedotun Eyinade is the co-founder and CEO of Rovingheights, a chain of bookstores. In seven years, Rovingheights has grown into one of the most recognisable bookselling brands in Nigeria, with footprints in Lagos and Abuja. Eyinade, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Oxford, UK, had previously lived and worked in East Africa, where he was leading business development for a renewable energy company. When Raheem Akingbolu sat down with him recently in Abuja, Eyinade spoke on his journey from the corporate room to the bookstore

Youstartedyourcareerina management consulting multinational firm. What wastheattractioninbooks that lured you to think of openingastore?

I have always loved books. I was only friends with neighbors with whom I could swap books together. One of the first things I did after I got a place of my own was to hire a staff to help self-published authors distribute their books. I had noticed a gap when I worked with two self-published authors to sell their books in my final years in the university. So even though I had a demanding job as a management consultant, I had a side hustle selling book. Alongside my friend, Tayo Amogunla, I had a monthlybookreadingeventatthethenDebonair bookstore in Yaba called ‘Book N Guage”. I loved the ambience of the store and I knew the question of starting a brick-and-mortar store was only a matter of time. We ran the event for 30 months non-stop. By the time I was in my senior associate years, I became too engrossed in my 9-5 and I had to quit consulting to do a fellowship in the US. My sister Tobi came on board and she ran the business and brought a lot of flair into it. Bola, my wife, also came on board. We incorporated the business in 2016 and opened our first brick and mortar store in 2018. We were strictly online before then.

Did the establishment of Rovingheights have anything to do with your upbringing or your penchant for reading?

You need to have a deep love for books to run or own a bookstore. I and my sisters read a lot growing up. I read everything I could find in the house as a child. I would go to the houses of neigbhors to borrow books. When I grew older, I noticed a gap: there were few bookstores carrying up -to-date inventory, and in the part of town where I grew up, it was even worse. When we started, I often wondered if anyone would buy the books and we would console ourselves by saying even if no one bought them, we would gift them out to our friends.

What is your take on the declining reading culture in Nigeria?

I think the declining interest in reading is as much an access problem as it is an economic problem. And it seems like a chicken and egg one, too. There are few bookstores to find books for a country of this size and books are also priced out of the reach of most Nigerians. Truth be told, most Nigerians are too poor to read. There are huge swathes of this country where you cannot find decent bookstores carrying new books. In some of these places, even if the literacy rate is well over 60 percent, the bulk of those in paid employment are in the civil service and they are owed salaries for months; no factories, no productive ventures that can sustain a middle class. If the public libraries were functional, they couldoffersomereprievebuttheyareallincoma. So, fix the economy and more folks will have disposable income to buy books for themselves and their children.

Do you consider technology vis a vis the internet revolution as a contributing factor to why youths are shying away from reading?

I don’t think so. Infact, there is a lot of reading goingonphones,tabletsandoncomputers.Some youngpeoplewhocannotaffordtobuybooksare reading free PDF versions on their devices. As

controversial-intellectualpropertyconcerns-as this option is, it signals that perhaps if physical books become more affordable and more accessible via brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries, more young people would be favorably disposed to buying and reading.

It has been 7 years since you birthed the Rovingheights brand; what is the experience like, what is the feedback and what type of books Nigerians patronize most?

The experience has been incredible. We are fortunate to enjoy the goodwill of customers across the country and even across our borders. We have delivered books to customers in Belgium, Ivory coast, Qatar, Potiskum,Jalingo, Ado Ekiti and have enjoyed the patronage of eminent Nigerians including the immediate past Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the incumbent Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Our customers have kept faith with us all these years, giving us critical feedback that have helped us become better. We remain

in their debt. Fiction is a popular genre in our stores. We devote a significant amount of shelf space to Fiction. I am happy that Nigerian literary fiction is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and this reflects in the demand that we see. We also enjoy a decent demand for business and selfhelp titles. We are aspirational people, so, Nigerians want to become better at running their businesses, they want to make more money. So, books that speak to these aspirations do well. Non-fiction books such as Politics, Memoirs and History also do well in our Abuja outlets.

It is believed in some quarters that economic challenges contribute to why some Nigerians lose interest in reading, do you agree?

Absolutely. Nigerians are too poor to read. Books do not come cheap these

days. If you must spend a fifth of the monthly minimum wage to buy an original paperback, then books will become the exclusive preserve of only the upper middle class. In some other climes, the comparable price is slightly less than the hourly minimum wage. In Nigeria, it is worse since the public libraries are also in a deplorable state. So, in a sense you are right to say Nigerians are too busy with the quotidian details of putting food in their bellies to worry about reading.

Reaction of your loved ones?

Our business is family owned. my sister Tobi and my wife, Bola are co-founders. My family is a huge supporter of what we do. We are really blessed to have family and friends rooting for us.

How has the book venture impacted you?

I have loved books all my life and some of the closest folks to me are readers. On the businessside,ithashelpedmedeepenmycapacityforrisk taking and helped me become a better manager of people, relationships, and resources. On the social side, it has brought a lot of interesting people my way. Some of the finest people in this world are readers and as a bookseller, you need to listen to them a lot to be good at the business. A bookseller is also a therapist of some sort. Sometimes, people tell you what mood they are in and your recommended book becomes a catharsis for them.

How are you and your company giving back to society?

We are very big on giving back. We donate books to public libraries, schools and prisons. Last year, we donated some books to school for the deaf, IDP camps to mention a few. We also support literary competitions, literary festivals and art events.

How was life growing up?

I am the first of three children and the only son of my parents. My late dad always stressed the importance of modelling the right example for my sisters. I became aware of the political realities around me from a young age thanks to the years of military dictatorship and my dad’s involvement in the labour union. I admired a lot of writers and journalists because of the courage they demonstrated in those heady days. My parents were primary school teachers. They were always on strike in those days, so childhood was also a time of some privation. Thankfully, we always had books at home. My dad ensured that we had books. I was always top of my class, and he never expected anything less of us. I read a lot while I was growing up and I didn’t get into a lot of troubles that my peers got into because my head was always buried in books and in religious activities.

How did you meet your wife and what was the attraction?

Bola and I were colleagues at KPMG. Fortuitously, a mutual friend of ours had used Bola’s picture as a Display Picture on her birthday and her beauty was what piqued my initial interest. I asked our mutual friend for her contact details after she told me she worked in the same firm as mine, albeit in a different division. I raced to her unit the next morning to meet her in person and we hit it off. I was even more drawn to her intelligence. Her shared values deepened our relationship.

Eyinade

I think the declining interest in reading is as much an access problem as it is an economic problem. And it seems like a chicken and egg one, a country of this size and books are also priced out of the reach of most Nigerians. Truth be told, most Nigerians are too poor to read. There are huge swathes of this country where you cannot

Enough of Cosmetic Palliatives

In the last 25 days, a very good friend of mine, Francis Adelakun (chartered accountant) has been struggling with his expenditure in relation to his income, no thanks to the huge rise in the price of petrol. Driving from his house in beloved Ikorodu, Lagos State to office in Ikoyi, requires just 20 litres of petrol. Well, it used to be “just 20 litres” until the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29 by President Bola Tinubu. That 20-litre is no longer “just”. Adelakun now requires N10,000 daily for petrol. If he is unlucky to run into very bad traffic, he would spend more. With 22 working days in June, this chartered accountant will require a minimum of N220,000 to fuel his car to Ikoyi and back home.

A traumatised Adelakun bemoaned on Thursday: “So, how much is the salary I will collect at the end of the month”? This is the dilemma most working-class car owners have been facing ever since petrol price went up. Non-car owners are also struggling with how to align their income with the massive rise in transport expenditure. For most workers, cost of transportation now outweighs their salaries. Many have been pushed into the hadal zone. The pain is becoming unbearable. That was why Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman reduced the working periods for core civil servants to three days in a week.

The colossal increase in prices of petroleum products, coupled with the weaker Naira following the unification of forex exchange rate windows, have also caused a big increase in the prices of most goods and services, further raising the cost of living. Families are experiencing disruptions in their lives arising from these increases which triggered inflation. Most households are in disarray. For businesses, production cost, operating cost as well as cost of doing business have gone up astronomically. Demands are also shrinking because consumer purchasing power is now very weak. This would eventually result in lay-offs.

My position remains that the petrol subsidy removal should have been a gradual one, with concrete welfare policies already in place before the removal. Adding almost N380 to a litre of petrol in one swoop is outright callousness. Those behind this decision won’t feel the pain one bit. Well, the ugly deed has been done by the Tinubu government and it looks like there will be no going back. The government is now talking about palliatives; something that ought to have preceded the removal. One of the palliatives is the plan to review the minimum wage. When the

National Economic Council (NEC) met last week, the members were also talking about a N702 billion cost of living allowance to civil servants as part of the intervention plans.

Most of the planned palliatives are for civil servants that make up less than two percent of the nation’s estimated 220 million population. Government is planning salary increase as if everybody is a civil servant. They are talking about distributing cash to an insignificant number of households. I guess it would be the usual rubbish N5000 monthly aid for a few months.

For me, the federal and state governments must come up with far-reaching measures that would capture not just civil servants, but a large number of Nigerians. As the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, rightly stated, “wage increases don’t cover everyone, as those on payrolls are 10 percent of the total working population.”

There is nothing wrong with wage increase for civil servants, but the federal government must focus on macroeconomic tactics that will bring down the cost of living for all Nigerians. One of the ways to do this is to come up with monetary policies to fight inflation. What can improve the quality of life and purchasing power of Nigerians right now is for inflation, which is now at a record 22.4 percent, to start

falling. Rising inflation will make whatever approved wage increase insignificant.

Yusuf stressed: “If the government engages effectively, ideas will emerge on what it can do to bring down the cost of staple foods. It is necessary also to bring down the cost of food through import duty waivers, and tax waivers on critical inputs, both in food production, processing, and agriculture.”

Another way the federal government can boldly tackle rising inflation is to slash the Value Added Tax on essential goods to 2.5 percent. This means amending Finance Act 2023. It must be done quickly. Import duties on food, medicine, vehicles, building materials and other essential goods must also be drastically slashed.

Another pragmatic palliative that will ease the pressure of fuel price increase is for the Nigerian government to work on uninterrupted electricity supply. Nigerians are heavily dependent on petrol for electricity because of erratic public power supply. Many spend a lot to power generators with petrol or diesel. So, if electricity is fairly stable, the huge cash requirement to fuel generators will not be there. Improved supply of gas at a reduced price must also be worked on, to reduce electricity price. Signing a new power law is not enough. Multidimensional steps must be taken to improve supply.

Those planning post-fuel subsidy removal palliatives are not even talking about palliatives for businesses. How will private businesses increase salaries when they are struggling to survive? Businesses are battling dwindling consumer demands and multiple taxation. A review of the multiple taxes, levies and fees paid by businesses and suspension of recently introduced ones would provide immediate succour to them.

I have also stressed the need to put good cash in the hands of a large number of the population. A downward review of the Personal Income Tax law will keep more cash in the pockets of Nigerians. The Tinubu government should emulate the ongoing steps by the British government to put good cash in the hands of those most in need following rising costs of living. Nearly 15 million households have each received £150 to help with the cost of living. This is about N140,000. More than £2 billion has been handed to 15 million households in England under the scheme. This is the meaning of good cash. It is part of £37 billion of British government support targeting those most in need to help with the cost of living. This includes at least £1,200 (each) of extra support for millions of the most vulnerable households this year, with all stressed domestic

Bawa’s Suspension is Corruption Fighting Back

Corruption fighting back chubbily. This is perhaps how best to describe the indefinite suspension of AbdulRasheed Bawa as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by President Bola Tinubu. Most of our corrupt politicians, particularly governors that completed their tenures on May 29, were just waiting for Tinubu to assume office before grabbing Bawa by the jugular. And they got him.

The former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, who led the drive against Bawa, had shamelessly accused him of demanding a $2 million bribe from him, without providing any supporting evidence. It was corruption openly fighting back and contrived to impugn the integrity of Bawa. This is the same Zamfara governor that is being investigated for diversion of over N70 billion. The money, which was sourced as loan purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the

governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

Matawalle did not address this case of fund diversion against him but chose to lead the campaign of calumny against Bawa. Of course, it was just part of the well-designed plot to unseat Bawa. We were then brazenly told by the government that Bawa was suspended to ensure investigations into abuse of office against him. It’s so difficult to comprehend that Bawa, a trained anti-corruption officer, will visit Matawalle to demand a bribe. The EFCC boss could not have been that stupid. This is a manufactured abuse of office.

This young man called Bawa evidently performed brilliantly since assumption of office in February 2021. His records are immaculate. Those trying to taint his records are the real enemies of this country. If Tinubu is truly interested in fighting corruption as claimed, then, the suspension of Bawa must be lifted immediately.

electricity customers receiving at least £400 towards their bills.

This is the way to go if the Tinubu government truly wants to help millions of Nigerian households manage fuel subsidy removal pressures. Not the miserable N5000 monthly cash transfers being planned for traumatised Nigerians. Cosmetic palliatives must be jettisoned if Tinubu truly wants to touch lives. He should swiftly start by slashing VAT on essential goods to 2.5 percent.

Unending Killings in Plateau State

The new government in place at the federal level has failed to stop the unending killings by terrorists in Plateau State. It is still business as usual for extremists. Within just 26 days of Tinubu, Fulani militias have sent 145 people to early graves across the state. The killings pour in Mangu and Riyom LGAs. Just last Tuesday night, no fewer than 15 persons were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks on Bwai and Chisu communities of Mangu LG. Scores of residential and church buildings were also burnt. As usual, security agents did not respond to distress calls. In the same Mangu LG, 71 people were killed by terrorists across several communities on May 15. Like previous killings in Plateau State, the terrorists that attacked Mangu LG on June 20 won’t be apprehended and punished by security agents.

There are now over 30,000 IDPs scattered in Mangu, Panyam, Mangu Halle, Yilpo (Sabon Gari) in Barkin-Ladi, Maikatako in Bokkos, Mariah in Bokkos, Bukuru in Jos-South and so many in Jos-North LGA of Plateau State, no thanks to the activities of the terrorists. Governor Caleb Mutfwang is helpless. The military and the police persistently fail his people. I’m fully in support of the call for the disbandment of the Special Task Force code-named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau State. Honestly, the OPSH has been a big disappointment.

The inability of the OPSH to uncover the gangs carrying out the incessant killings several years after deployment shows that it lacks the competence and discipline to put a stop to the bloodbaths in Plateau State. The “Global Society for Middle-Belt Heritage” was right by calling for the replacement of the personnel of OPSH with Mobile Police Squadrons. The organisation accused men of the Special Task Force of running personal businesses rather than securing the lives and properties of citizens of Plateau State.

The President of the group, Jerry Datim declared: “We demand the immediate withdrawal of the military from all checkpoints and replacement with Mobile Police and this means the immediate removal of the GOC/STF Commander. You will bear me witness that the operation of STF has taken too long. We don’t know the meaning of Operation Safe Haven when there is no haven and no safety. The OPSH takes sides in the name of protecting the minority. So, we became the majority to be hunted and the minorities became our attackers and are protected.”

The Tinubu government must rise and protect the people of Plateau State. The vicious cycle of killings in this state must not persist under Tinubu. He has to break the vicious cycle. Murderers must be arrested and prosecuted. This is the only way to end killings by terrorists. Bawa

Tinubu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394

Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

Adekunle Gold’s 5th Album is ‘Tequila Ever After’

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Last Monday, Afro-fusion singersongwriter, Adekunle Gold album set for release in the summer of 2023. The awardwinning artiste recently signed a management deal with American multinational music recording label Def Jam, on which the upcoming project will be ushered in

Summer Tour on September 22nd at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas before making stops at several cities including Brooklyn, Boston, Las

‘Love, Lust and Other Things’ Set for Cinema

Atwo-minutes trailer for the upcoming movie – Love, Lust and Other Things - opens with a dinner scene showing two couples who appear to be celebrating a wedding anniversary kind of but all is not well in one of the homes as the trailer soon reveals. Divorce looms, leaving the marriage open to choice. of the cast such as Wale Ojo, Osas Ighodarao, and Real Warri Pikin. But one is actually caught up in a web between three men. A romantic story, Love, Lust & Other Things is set to premiere in cinemas on July 7, 2023. The cast includes Ramsey Nouah, Kunle Remi, Thin Tall Tony, and Gloria Young.

Directed by Kayode Kasum, the upcoming title tells the story of a recently divorced middle-aged woman

who goes on a journey of self-discovery in order to money and the good life. Caught in the web between herself.

Along the way, she meets Shetima Khalid who appears to be the perfect man. Things are great until a blast from the past sets in, threatening to ruin everything. Produced by Chris Odeh, the project is led by Osas Ighodaro, a successful real estate broker who plays Lydia, a 45-year-old divorced mother of teenage twins.

Ramsey Noauh takes on the role of her major love interest named Shetima Khalid, a 56-year-old business the role of the husband to Osa Ighodaro and Kunle Remi, the ‘blast from the past’. Distributed by FilmOne, the movie comes from production houses; Mswitch and

superlative stagecraft.

In the video posted on his social media platforms, AG Baby as he’s fondly called gave insight into his artistic evolution over the ‘Tequila Ever After’ and urged his fans to join him and experience the voyage, which is the beginning of the Tio Tequila wave. The video gave fans an insight into the inspiration behind the album title. Having dropped three songs already in 2023, including the smash tune “Party No Dey Stop,” featuring ace street-hop act Zinoleesky, the father of one within the year so far has delivered smash hits including ‘Omo Eko’ and ‘Do You Mind’. Since his rebranding from Adekunle Gold to AG Baby, has continued to hit major milestones.

Iyanya, Yvonne Nelson and Tonto Dikeh

Ladies,ItsIyanya… Your waist your waist all I want is your waist. Yourwaistyourwaist allIwantisyourwaist…Tiwa Savagerollamooo.TontoDikeh rollamooo.YvonneNelsonroll am ooo... this lyric in Iyanya’s hit song ‘Ur Waist’ was assumed by many to be mere pop culture thing until lately following Afropop singer and star-actress, Yvonne Nelson.

Iyanya even in the song crooned further Yvonne Nelson,Ihaveyourmedicine… Yvonne Nelson and Iyanya, were an item some years back and they made some of their colleagues’ green with envy of their relationship. The much talked about romance between Iyanya and Yvonne Nelson hit the rocks in 2015 after the pair began dating in July 2012 and was spotted together at several functions.

What went wrong, leading to how they parted ways has been shared by the pair in half tales on personality, Nelson would in her new book, ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’ give salacious details of what actually transpired, saying their relationship came to an end due to the ‘Kukere’s crooner

The Nollywood-Ghallywood star interestingly revealed in chapter 10 titled ‘Iyanya and My Love Life’ of the said memoir launched last

Iyanya

Sunday, indicating the star artiste was just at lust for her as he was for her colleague. Yvonne Nelson described her relationship with the singer as a dreamy relationship with breakfast in bed and all the niceties and that she had assurance that her love with him was forever when he tattooed her initials ‘YN’ on his wrist.

“If he wasn’t serious about the he wouldn’t

do that. In his hit song, ‘Ur Waist’, he mentioned how he lusted over me”, Yvonne wrote, before talking about how she discovered that he was cheating on her with Tonto Dikeh in an excerpt circulating online. “One can therefore imagine my shock when I returned to Ghana after one of my visits to Nigeria and someone called me from his house.

“The caller said anytime I left Iyanya’s place, another actress came over to him and sometimes slept over. The person felt strongly that there was something going on between them and thought I should know. That actress turned out to be Tonto Dikeh of Nigeria, one of the female celebrities Iyanya named in his ‘Ur Waist’ song”

“The person felt strongly that there was something going on between them and thought I should know. The actress turned out to be Tonto Dikeh of Nigeria, one of the female celebrities Iyanya named in his ‘Ur Waist’ song. When I was convinced about the authenticity of the information I received, I was heartbroken. I took to Twitter to rant and vent.

“Tonto Dikeh responded on Twitter, saying people changed and so did feelings, so I should move on... I knew I eventually would have left even if Tonto Dikeh didn’t come into the picture.”

Further revelations in Yvonne’s trending memoir shed light on additional incidents involving Iyanya and some of his female crew members, proving that what occurred between him and Tonto Dikeh was not an isolated incident.

“I later heard more stories about what Iyanya did with some of his female crew members. It convinced me that what happened between him and Tonto Dike wasn’t an isolated incident. It was a pattern, his way of life. I knew I eventually would have left even if Tonto Dikeh hadn’t come into the picture. I did not see the need to keep

from mine.”

Adekunle Gold

Poster image of Ramsey Nouah and Osas Ighodaro

Tonto Dikeh

Yvonne Nelson

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Eno-Bassé Gemstone Launches in Lagos

foremost gemstone store. Funke Olaode reports

The store is magnificent. The eye popping -pieces sparkle in their show stopping glasses. The invited guests were dazzled with these captivating and shimmering diamonds and gemstones, which are designed in various categories ranging from bracelets, rings, chains. It is a bling bling for a purpose. So, from gemstone cutting to jewellery making, the founder has set out to dress Nigerians society to shine like diamonds in the sky.

As invited guests mingled and exchanged banters in affirmation of a unique pieces of arts, praising creativity and ingenuity of its founder, they all agreed in unison that this classy store often associated with Oxford Circus in London and High Street in Manhattan in New York have finally debuted in Nigeria.

Welcome to Eno Basse Diamonds store. The high-class store declared open on Sunday June 15th, 2023 welcomed society matriarchs, politicians, family members and lovers of good pieces into its abode located in the highbrow Lekki area of Lagos.

Owned by a young brilliant, vibrant and talented female entrepreneur, Mrs. Eyakenoabasi Bob-Hassan (Daughter of Senator Effiong Bob), the engineer trained Bob-Hassan finally followed her passion.

Located at 32, Wole Ariyo, Lekki 1, Lagos, thriving under the motto, ‘Have a Piece of Forever’, the brand exposes its customers to a range of beautiful, rare, unique, exclusive and long-lasting gemstones, which perfectly complements their beauty and fashion poise.

Without doubt, gemstones are mineral crystals that are mined, cut and polished to be used in jewellery-making. Their rarity, lustre and beauty make them very valuable. This speaks to the finesse, beauty, creativity and ingenuity which the CEO of Eno-Bassé, Eyak, is bringing closer to the doorsteps of Nigerians with the launch of the store.

Reiterating his commitment to encourage young entrepreneurs in wealth creation and to tackle unemployment among the youth, guest of honour, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, officially

declared open Eno Basse Diamonds store during a private cocktail event to celebrate the visionary founder, Eyak as she is fondly called. Eno expressed his happiness, witnessing the aspiration of youth, with such a great passion to make a difference in society. He pledged his support for the business.

He promised to invite Mrs. Eyakenoabasi BobHassan to Akwa Ibom State to train other young girls, an effort, which he believes will help to reduce unemployment in the State among the youth.

The governor promised to shower his support, for great success in the creative jewellery industry, and partner with the store to ensure that such initiative is sprinkled down to the youth of Akwa Ibom state, so they can pick initiatives from Eya.

Eulogizing the young talented lady, President, Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN, USA, Engr. Bobby Onofiok shared the view that it

is a good concept “for our youth to venture into a creative business.” They applauded Eyak’s choice of business, which is clearly cut out of passion. They wished her luck in her chosen endeavour.

Similarly, Eyak’s brother, Hon. Otobong Bob, expresses his confidence in his sister, believing that she’ll be a role model to other youth who aspire to break the record in what they are passionate about in life.

In like manner, her husband, Mr. Femi Hassan said he is in partnership with his wife to grow the business to a greater height.

In their remarks, Eyak’s Parents, Senator Effiong Bob and wife, and wife, Comfort expressed gratitude to God for taking their daughter thus far in her passion of producing unique jewelry.

Speaking at the launch how the vision started, CEO of the jewelry store, Eyak, said, “My love for

jewellery started from my mother. She used to love jewellery a lot and used to sell gold. So that is where it started.

“In university, I studied civil engineering and eventually got my master’s in Project Management. I came back to Nigeria to work in a multinational for a while and then I decided to venture into this full-time.

“Even when I was in graduate school, I think that was where selling started. I used to do it as a part-time ‘hustle’ just to have extra cash. I was just a trader doing buying and selling and that is where I got to harness and understand the different metals, list for jewellery, silver, gold, and stainless steel, I got a full understanding from trying bits and pieces here and there.

“There are not so many jewellers in Nigeria. It is a niche aspect of fashion but it is very interesting. It takes a lot of creativity to come up with designs and come up with pieces that people would like.

“And this is what the Eno-Bassé brand stands for. Beyond profit making, we are committed to putting a smile on our customers’ faces. We make this happen by providing them with varieties of rare-to-find gemstones whose beauty matches and compliments their personality and carriage.”

On what makes the jewelry store tick? “Each of our designs is a piece of true work of art made with the world’s finest and most precious gems crafted by the world’s best goldsmith. It has access to over 1.5 million GIA-certified diamonds, which are embodied in its stunning creations.”

Speaking further, “We prioritize beauty and luxury. We offer consultation services relating to gemstones and allied services. We deal with the trading and export of gemstones to various countries. Eno Bassé Diamond is allied with the mining and marketing of natural rough gemstones.”

“We are unique. We design pieces. We design all sorts of jewellery ranging from earrings, wristwatches, and bracelets, all sorts that have to do with jewellery and are custom-made.

Sujimoto in 100 Developers Global Recognition by Porcelanosa

Adedolapo

Adeleke

With over 2,320 architectural masterpiece projects across the globe, only a handful of these magnificent edifices gain prominence and global recognition for their unique quality and distinctive designs.

Raking in accolades for its astounding feat of achievement stands Nigeria’s No. 1 luxury real estate company, Sujimoto Group, which has been confirmed by the renowned Spanish luxury building materials manufacturer, Porcelanosa as the only real estate company from Africa to make its exclusive list of developers with the best projects from around the world.

Within the space of eight years, Sujimoto Group has positioned itself as the famed class captain of the ‘global community of luxury bricklayers”. This recognition comes on the heels of setting a recognised industry standard for luxury living in Africa while wearing its crown among the top 20 developers to be a part of the esteemed Porcelanosa International Project Award (PIPA) 2023.

Porcelanosa Group, the 50-year-old iconic Spanish conglomerate renowned for manufacturing, distributing, and retailing luxury building materials, among a wide range of other products, through its annual ritual of searching for the best companies in the world with exceptional project designs, has chosen Sujimoto’s audacious project, LucreziaBySujimoto, the 15-floor architectural masterpiece deemed “the curves of Banana Island,” as an incredible edifice worthy of attention.

Sujimoto’s inclusion in this esteemed list is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence, scattering all rules and setting new

standards for unrivaled luxury in the Nigerian real estate sector. With an unwavering dedication to extreme opulence and unmatched quality, Sujimoto’s current masterpiece, the Lucrezia de Medici, emerges as a symbol of architectural brilliance.

The ‘Talk of the Town’ project serves as a testament to an exceptional team of designers and architects, both local and international, who meticulously studied how the Nigerian elites desire to live in their own villas, understanding their expectations and creating their desires through a first-of-its-kind architectural prowess of stacking villas on top of each other, creating a vertical estate that houses magnificent maisonettes and two of Africa’s best penthouses in the skies of Lagos.

The LucreziaBySujimoto, Africa’s most luxurious and extravagant skyscraper, which was the brainchild of Dr. Olasijibomi Ogundele (GMD Sujimoto Group), was born from a visionary dream to revolutionise and elevate the essence of luxurious living in Nigeria. Inspired by the 16thcentury Italian Renaissance and fashioned after the Duchess consort of Ferrara, Lucrezia de’ Medici, one of the most prestigious queens of her time. The Lucrezia project draws inspiration from the noble woman; her embodiment of elegance and ultimate sophistication, which were influenced by her royal bloodline.

Emerging as a resplendent symbol of architectural brilliance, while captivating hearts and minds with its ethereal allure, the Lucrezia nestles in the shimmering curves of Banana Island, Nigeria’s most affluent and most desired neighborhood that is home to billionaires and a host of other managing directors of multinationals, as well as ambassadors. Within this realm of sophistication and ultimate luxury is Lucrezia, a soaring odyssey at the height of opulence.

From its glazed GRC façade and uniquely designed ceilings to its specially designed Zaha

Hadid sanitary wares that can only be found in the best hotels in Dubai, every contour of the project expresses the curvy attributes of the beautiful Lucrezia de Medici, with remarkable designs whispering tales of meticulous craftsmanship and extreme luxury for the discerning few.

Adorned with novel 21st-century amenities in a residential building in Nigeria, from the lobby to the master bedroom, the edifice leaves an indelible footprint of visionary artistry while creating a lasting impression that defies description.

The Lucrezia dusts off the records of several

impressive firsts, including being the first building in Nigeria with a glass-reinforced concrete (GRC) facade and housing Africa’s first-of-its-kind interactive lobby. Additionally, it features Africa’s pioneering virtual golf bar with over 2500 courses where customers can express the Tiger Woods in them. Lucrezia is also the first building in Africa to have over 48 electric vehicle charging stations, the first of their kind on the continent. It also showcases a one-of-a-kind, fully furnished private IMAX cinema room with a Bang & Olufsen standard electronic system.

Through a feat of collaboration guided by the visionary elegance of the late Nobel Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, Sujimoto has maintained an unparalleled synergy with the Porcelanosa Group in refining the boundaries of luxury living, leaving an indelible mark with the rarest and most exquisite materials.

The Lucrezia penthouse is poised to compete as the best penthouse in Africa. A triplet penthouse that delivers its resident a front-row seat with the most spectacular 180-degree view of the beauty of Ikoyi and the endless ocean. Still on the market for as low as $14 million, this is the first penthouse in Nigeria with a suspended pool on the 14th floor, the first penthouse with a private golf garden, a private cinema, and a private gym, as well as the first penthouse with a private smooth elevator that zips at 3.5 meters per second.

The Lucrezia Penthouse, which has been impeccably designed for a perfect balance between glamorous contemporary living and investment functionality, also features the Louis XIV Club. A private membership club that unlocks the privilege to witness an unrivaled bouquet of services while indulging in the purest form of luxury.

Adeleke, a business executive wrote from Lagos.

With the aim of creating a store, where Nigerians can get their dream jewellery that could stand the test of time, Eyakenoabasi Bob-Hassan (a.k.a. Eyak), daughter of Senator Effiong Bob recently hosted crèmede-la crème in Lagos including the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Umo Eno, to the official launch of a

L-R: Father of the founder, Senator Effiong Bob, Guest of Honour/Governor of Akwa lbom State, Umo Eno, CEO, Eno Basse Diamonds, Mrs. Eyakenoabasi Bob-Hassan, husband, Mr. Femi Hassan and mother, Mrs. Comfort Effiong-Bob at the grand opening of Eno Basse Diamonds in Lekki, Lagos... recently

Sujimoto

Adeniyi Akanmu Awesu @ 90

If honesty, simplicity, contentment, humility, humanity, godliness, wisdom, fulfilment, fear of God, and kindness, were humans, they will resemble Deacon Adeniyi Akanmu Awesu. Born on June 20, 1933, in Iwo to Muslim parents, the nonagenarian would later grow to become a Deacon. In celebration of his 90th birthday, Sunday Ehigiator talks to him about his life of honesty, above acquiring ill-gotten wealth, despite having several opportunities to do so while in active service as a surveyor, and later a town-planner in Lagos State

Take us through your life trajectory?

I was born in 1930 in Iwo town, which is now in Osun State. I attended the local government primary school and began my schooling at the age of 12. Fortunately, I was able to complete my primary education in just 5 years instead of the usual 6. After completing primary school, I enrolled in the community college in Ijebu Igbo, where I spent another five years. Following that, I attended the School of Survey in Oyo. The programme requiredonesessionofstudytobecomeasurvey assistant. However, if you wanted to become a surveyor, you needed to have at least 5 credits, including elementary mathematics. Fortunately, I met all the requirements and was assigned to Akure. Later, I was transferred to Onishe Ire.

My role involved establishing survey pillars. The selection process emphasized honesty, as they did not verify information from the headquarters. Additionally, I was not allowed to compute the survey data myself; instead, the headquarters in Akure would handle that task. Afterwards, I was transferred to Ese Odo before Ore, where I established a farm settlement. I stayed there for seven months and surprisingly, nobody inquired about my qualifications. Meanwhile, I had already qualified to be a registered surveyor, but they stopped assigning me surveys. Consequently, I had to resign, and I returned to my hometown of Iwo in 1960.

In 1964, a lawyer who was my classmate saw me carrying a cutlass and challenged me, asking how long I would continue doing that. This prompted me to return to school and study at the Polytechnic in Ibadan for three years. I successfully obtained a certificate in urban and regional planning.

I was fortunate once again to be sponsored by the Ikeja Area Planning to study Town Planning at the University of Melbourne. After completing my studies, I returned home and practised for two years before becoming a registered town planner. By 1972, I had obtained my registration, and I began working with the government. Throughout my career, I maintained a commitment to honesty.

In your career trajectory did you have low moment?

Yes, therefore was a troubling incident where someone accused me of demolishing their house because they failed to bribe me with ₦5. At that time, ₦5 was a significant amount of money, and we issued checks for that amount.

The permanent secretary did not believe my side of the story as the person presented a forged letter as evidence. In response, I called a meeting and informed everyone presents that I would engage the services of a police handwriting expert. Suddenly, the accuser was unable to produce the letter, claiming to have lost it. This led to a three-year court battle, but eventually, I was acquitted and cleared of all charges.

During this period, the head of state, Murtala Muhammed had this belief that everyone was corrupt. As a result, he ordered me to oversee the town planning of my town and insisted that I give orders to the chairman of my local government. Although I initially held this position, I later declined when they wanted me to return to town planning development.

Instead, I registered my own company called AA andAssociates,specializinginenvironmental development, consulting, and matters related to town planning and land. We operated for ten years with three partners, but due to their lack

of faithfulness, I decided to part ways amicably. I then registered my current company, which is still in operation today.

As you have hit the age of 90, are you planning to retire?

I don’t plan to retire as I have reliable people I can depend on. Adelu is one of the most honest individuals I have, and he currently holds a position of responsibility. This house I reside in is my only property, and despite occasional scarcity lasting for three or four days, I always manage to have enough to eat what I desire. After a few days, someone always provides me with something. I moved to this location in 1978, and over the years, developers have approached me with offers to buy the property. However, I have always maintained that my children will develop the house on their own. I am content and grateful to God for the abundance of friends and spiritual children I have. I also have two biological children who

receive tremendous support from the church. I am truly thankful for all the blessings in my life.

Was it always your dream to become a town planner?

You know, I initially aspired to become a surveyor. However, whenever I went out to the field and observed the road designs, I couldn’t help but question why people would create such poorly designed roads. After some reflection, I realized that it was the work of town planners who were responsible for these designs. This realization ultimately influenced my decision to pursue a career in town planning.

When reflecting on your past, do you have any regrets?

Throughout my life, I have experienced the various ups and downs that come with it. It is important to note that no one has ever claimed to have achieved absolute success, but I am grateful for how God has guided me through my

I don’t plan to retire as I have reliable people I can depend on. Adelu is one of the most honest individuals I have, and he currently holds a position of responsibility. This house I reside in is my only property, and despite occasional scarcity lasting for three or four days, I always manage to have enough to eat what I desire. After a few days, someone always provides me with something. I moved to this location in 1978, and over the years, developers have approached me with offers to buy the property. However, I have always maintained that my children will develop the house on their own

journey. There have been moments of distress when I would reflect upon myself and realize that there are others who would be content to be in my position, which reminded me not to dwell on negativity and instead focus on finding joy in my circumstances.

What is your life mantra?

Dountoothersasyoulikepeopletodountoyou.

Your personality represents honesty, even when you were in a position to acquire illicit wealth and riches, do you sometimes look back to think you could have made a different decision?

From an early age, my father instilled in me a strict moral code. He explicitly advised me against pursuing careers in fields known for corruption, such as the police force, customs, the military, the Forestry department and cocoa inspectors responsible for inspecting cocoa shipmentsboundforLondon.Theseoccupations were notorious for their high levels of corruption. My father warned me about the dangers of joining these occupations, as he believed that if I didn’t partake in their illicit activities, I would face grave consequences.

Instead, he encouraged me to seek out a profession where I could earn an honest living and maintain my integrity. His guidance inspired me to pursue a career that would allow me to lead an honourable and principled life.

Would you say that the guidance and upbringing provided by your parents have significantly influenced the course of your life?

My mother has always been a selfless individual, extending her care and service not only to her children but to others as well. She has a unique way of handling situations. For instance, when she cooks a meal and someone complains that it is too small, she will simply place it on the table and wait for someone else to come and enjoy the food. When asked about it, she would say that someone else who appreciates it has taken it.

In our household, it is impossible to distinguish between my mother’s biological children and others, as she treats everyone with equal love and care. Despite having only two biological children, my late sister, who lived to the age of 92, and me, she has always embraced and nurtured those around her as part of her extended family.

In comparison to previous generations, what do you believe is lacking in this current generation?

I believe that parents have a tremendous responsibility in raising their children. Nowadays, it seems that children have insatiable desires, even when they have the means to fulfil them. They often misuse their money without considering the consequences.

For instance, there are cases where a young man, fortunate to have a good job, purchases a Mercedes Benz as his very first car. While it may be his prerogative to do so, one wonders what he will aspire to buy when he reaches the pinnacle of his career.

In areas like Lekki, there is a prevailing culture of material competition. This competition extends to spouses and children, who pressure the father to engage in dishonest activities. The mentality becomes, “My peers have bought this or that, so I want it too.” Unfortunately, this mindset leads many individuals down a path of dishonesty. It is not uncommon to find cocaine dealers operating in such environments.

Awesu

Suzuki by CFAO Unveils

All-new Grand Vitara SUV S

uzuki by CFAO, a subsidiary of CFAO Group and authorised distributors of the brand, yesterday, sustained its aggressive push in Nigeria’s automotive market with the unveiling of the all-new Grand Vitara SUV, and also announced its comeback in the passenger and logistics segment with the introduction of the 7-seater and 2-seater mini buses that guarantees prospective corporate and individual buyers good returns on investment.

Addressing motoring journalists in Lagos of the Grand Vitara and the EECO panel van and passenger mini buses, Aissatou Diouf, general manager, Suzuki by CFAO stated, that the model change SUV is completely

exterior design that is timeless with amazing technology and lots of comfort.

While the all-new Grand Vitara has starting price tag of N22million, the EECO mini-buses are sold at N9.5milllion. It would be recalled that last year, the franchisee sold over 3,500 units across all models making the automotive outlet one of the most successful automotive dealerships in Nigeria which earned it a number of outstanding industry awards.

The Grand Vitara she noted is a new SUV model conceptualised, designed and developed by Suzuki and also shares a number of collaborations with Toyota.

Diouf said that, the automaker has developed SUV that showcases the best of the automotive brand design, trendsetting technology and & crafted chrome grill, its long shoulders emphasise the overall length while the shoulder line and the front/rear fenders, gives it a muscular and assertive SUV exterior.

Conducting the automotive journalists round the all-new Grand Vitara, the general manager pointed out that, the front face with distinctive 3-point signature lamps, chrome grille bar which connects right and left lamps, and polygonal grille adds up to give the all-new Grand Vitara a premium look.

Sophisticated layered instrument panel expresses luxury and the thick console enhances the black and burgundy dual tone interior with silver stitched synthetic leather in the instrument panel and the trims create a luxurious cabin.

Apart from the ventilated seats and 360 Connect, wireless charging and rear AC vents that contribute to great comfort.

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Fixing Your Car’s Central Locking System

Currently, most cars produced are equipped with a central locking system. These electrical systems allow the driver to remotely lock and unlock the doors and boot on a vehicle. In most cars, the central locking system can be controlled from inside the car, usually via a button insider the driver’s door, or with a key fob.

Over time, two major types of central locking have emerged in terms of functionality, namely: infrared and radio waves. Central locking by radio waves are most often used today. The key, as a transmitter, sends a coded signal to the receivers in your car via radio waves. This coded signal is compared to its own code to ensure a match, which will unlock or lock the vehicles central locking system.

What to do when your car’s central locking is not working

for Suzuki to be introduced in some markets. The 4WD variant is equipped with Allgrip the driver to choose from four selectable driving modes.

With the introduction of the all-new Grand Vitara in the mid-SUV segment and expanding its SUV line-up, Suzuki will seek to expand its share of the market in Nigeria.

Suzuki by CFAO also demonstrated its readiness to play big on the small mini-bus segment with the unveiling of the 1.2 liter 2-seater EECO Panel Van and the 7-seater passenger mini bus that will meet the needs of commercial transport operators and logistics operators.

A selection of electrical rocker switches controls your vehicle’s central locking system. Car door locks can still be activated manually (by a traditional key in a lock method), but nowadays it’s more common to use an electronic key fob to activate the switches, also known as a central locking system. It’s easier, quicker and better for everyone involved: drivers and passengers alike.

How your remote central locking works

The mechanical explanation to describe your car’s central locking system function goes like this:

Your remote button sends a signal to the door lock relay.

The lock relay activates the lock actuator inside the door.

The lock opens and grants access to the vehicle.

The cost to repair central locking and to replace an assembly unit

The lock switch operates as the remote for the actuator. One of the problems with this is if the switch dies, the actuator has no way of being activated, and your locks are inoperable.

Given that most of these components are supplied as a complete assembly unit, repairing a central locking system is impractical, so replacement is more than likely your only option.

Stallion Motors Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in the Nigerian automobile industry with the commendation of the company’s locally produced electric vehicle by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Produced from its Lagos plant, the Hyundai Kona EV is projected to be the toast of Nigerian automobile enthusiasts and corporate organizations given the advantages it brings on energy costs, environmental friendliness and overall rest of mind.

produced electric vehicle at the Thursday meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC with Vice President Kashim Shettima saying that the prospects for electric vehicles in Nigeria as being bright.

Vice President Shettima test drove the vehicle in the company of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu.

Nigeria in 2020 is sold with 5 years of battery warranty and 5 years of vehicle warranty.

The battery-pack on full charge allows the Hyundai Kona to drive 482 km (300 miles) approximating travel from Lagos to Awka,

Vice President Kashim Shettima about to test drive Hyundai Kona EV Anambra State or from Kano to Sokoto. The Speaking following the endorsement of the NEC, the Managing Director of VON Automobiles, Stallion’s auto assembly unit, Dr Harpreet Singh, said that the innovation from the company was a step towards an eco-friendly green Nigeria.

“The Stallion Group is in full support of the moves by the government of Nigeria towards a clean environment. We have brought the Hyundai Kona EV as our support towards this initiative that would not only enhance our environment but also bring economic advantage to the market for those who also consider energy costs.”

These complete units can be costly, so if you have to replace them in several or every door, your central locking repair costs can quickly escalate.

Regular use and wear and tear can lead to a central locking replacement

Your car’s central locking system will be used every time you use your car. With such frequent operation, including small parts and delicate operations, the switches and electrical components will eventually wear out, fail and require replacing.

Reasons why your car doors aren’t locking properly

Your mechanic won’t ever just jump in and replace the central locking units straight away. If your central locking system is failing, there could be a number of issues that must be investigated.

You could have blown a fuse

If one door works as it’s meant to, but another doesn’t, it could be something as simple as a blown fuse. Fuses cost next to nothing to replace, so they’re always worth checking before you start jumping the gun.

The key fob is faulty

The Leap Driving Academy Nigeria (LDA), an affiliate of LDA Maryland, United States of America, was recently conferred with corporate membership of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), and the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC).

The LDA stated that its strategic decision to align with NITAD and NACC underscored its unwavering commitment to raising driving standards and promoting road safety in Nigeria.

It said that partnership with these reputable institutions would enable it to further enhance its offerings, expand its reach, and make a significant impact on Nigeria’s driving landscape.

Expressing his excitement about these new partnerships, the Chief Executive Officer of LDA, Mr. Ojo Balogun, said: “We are thrilled to become members of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development and the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce.

“These affiliations symbolise our unwavering dedication to improving driver skills and road safety in Nigeria even as we have done in the United

States of America for some time now.

“By collaborating with industry experts and leveraging business networks, we are confident that LDA will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more responsible driving culture.”

The Public Relations Consultant of LDA, Mr. Babs Abolarin, said in a press release titled “Leap Driving Academy Commits to Elevating Driving Skills and Safety Standards in Nigeria,” said that being a corporate member of the NITAD would enable LDA to gain access to a vast network of industry professionals, training resources, and expertise.

If none of the door locks operate, then the problem could be with your key fob.These time and effort saving gadgets can be hooked up to a computer to troubleshoot and test. If it’s your fob failing to send a signal, it’s going to need replacing.

The key fob battery is dead

Before you arrange for a mechanic or garage to check your key fob or your central locking system, the first step should be to check your fob’s battery. It’s easy to overlook the most basic things, as we’re prone to thinking the worst from the outset.

So make sure it’s not the battery before you book an appointment to have your key fob tested.

The all-new Grand Vitara SUV

CFAO Celebrates 120 Years in Nigeria, Commits to Support Local Sustainable Initiatives

As CFAO marks its successful 120 years of business existence in Nigeria this year, the Country Delegate, Mr. Regis Tromeur, has stated that CFAO will continue to support local sustainable initiatives and promote opportunities in education and training.

He made this remarks on Thursday, June 15, 2023, in Lagos at a dinner event to mark the company’s milestone, which was graced by many dignitaries in the public and private sectors of the economy, among whom were the representative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the Governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman & CEO, CFAO Group, Mr. Richard Bielle; Chairman of CFAO Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, among others. According to Mr. Regis Tromeur, “This informed the theme of this milestone celebration which is- “Celebrating our legacy, embracing our future.”

The Country Delegate who doubles as the Managing Director, Assene-Laborex Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of CFAO Nigeria, added that “All of us at CFAO Nigeria are marking a milestone of the existence of our company this year with a bountiful sense of history, tradition, and insight. Our company is 120 years old and we would like to celebrate it in line

with the importance of our age, achievements, and experience.”

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Bielle, who made a CFAO Corporate Social Responsibility cheque presentation of N5m to the Medical Director of Massey Children Hospital, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje, stated that CFAO is the market leader in Africa in automotive distribution.

Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who commended the historical feats of CFAO in Nigeria, made a CFAO’s posthumous award presentation to its former Chairman, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, adding that “being in existence for more than 120 years is no mean feat. CFAO is a shining example for other businesses to follow”.

The Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Nigeria, Mr. Patrice Porte, stated that “Celebrating our 120th anniversary is very important for our shareholders, our the solidity of the group and its ability to overcome business headwinds.”

In their presentations, the Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors and the Head of Marketing and Communications, CFAO Mobility, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi and Ms Funmi Abiola, explained that CFAO, which focuses on health and education in its CSR campaigns, has granted over 800 secondary school scholarships to students since the early 60s. “We started the tertiary education scholarship scheme about 12 years ago,

and we have made well over 100 presentations”, the DMD added.

The Dinner event was also used to unveil a Special Anniversary book entitled ‘Celebrating our Legacy, Embracing our Future’, in which the historical antecedent

of the company was reviewed.

Empowerment: Stallion Auto Keke Delivers 140 Bajaj Tricycles to Yobe State

Stallion Auto Keke Limited has made a delivery of 140 Bajaj Tricycles to the government of Yobe State of Nigeria towards youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.

The tricycles were received by the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment and Employment Generation under the Yobe State Government to empower and support small scale businesses and small business individuals.

Launching the program recently at the Government House, Damaturu, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni described the occasion as the support of the people of Yobe State.

He said: “There is no doubt that small and medium-scale businesses can create employment opportunities to combat poverty. As a continuation of our empowerment program, the tricycles shall be deployed towards empowering and supporting unemployed youths, small scale businesses and

small-business individuals across the State.

The governor expressed optimism that the empowerment drive would speed up post-insurgency recovery and wealth creation in the state for stability and prosperity.

the tricycles and other equipment to use and avoid selling them, saying government would monitor Bajaj Tricycle is assembled and exclusively distributed in Nigeria by Stallion Auto Keke Limited, under The Stallion Group.

Reacting, the company expressed appreciation to the Yobe State Ministry of Wealth Creation, Empowerment for choosing Bajaj tricycle brand.

It stated: “And we are proud to be associated with Yobe State empowerment initiative, a program which aligns with one of our corporate goals of delivering huge value to the Nigerian society through our expansive Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI) program, which focuses on female three-wheeler drivers, mechanical training and assembling.”

Let’s Talk About Hand Free and Handheld

What is your take on the Federal Road Safety Corps current battle to curb the craze called driving and phoning?

I am talking about the enforcement against the use of phones while driving which carries the paltry sum of four thousand and four penalty points. Its failure to fully address this resulted in the birthing of the novelty called emotional evaluation introduced to deter offenders.

I do not know if you are a believer in the school of thought that supports the use of hands free? Are you aware that our laws prohibits the use of hands free or handheld as well as the use of inbuilt Bluetooth as a friend once yabbed me saying I should wake up to the reality of the new age and improvements in technology. It is common to hear offenders argue that they were using hands free and as such are not liable. There were others who would say sorry I wasn’t using my mobile phone but was using the Google Map to location destination. This was celebrated by a female offender who went berserk, calling the Corps all names including unlettered for daring to arrest motorists for using Google map which as the law says is a component of the mobile phone. Some would argue that they merely checked to know who was calling while there are those who would say they were merely holding the phone in their hands forgetting that driving with one hand is an offence because of the potential danger it portends. One, lately, asked me if it was wrong while waiting at a traffic light to use the phone after all the vehicle was not moving.

What you are about to read this week is not my

SAFE DRIVING with

Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

piece but a culled piece that I believe would shed better light on this argument by the recalcitrant drivers who would rather break the law and risk the life of a loved one. One thing I know which is constant with all mobile phone manufacturers is the warning on the need to obey traffic laws in peculiar countries. This is similar to what car manufacturers also do with respect to the use of seat belts as well as car restraint cautioning that the airbag has the potential of hurting or killing. While phone manufacturers place theirs on the manual, car manufacturers place theirs on the front passenger mirror as well as the drivers warning on the dangers of being killed by an airbag in case of a road traffic crash in the absence of a seat belt used appropriately.

In this latest opinion piece, three experts outline how the potential displacement from handheld to handsfree phone use, as a result of existing enforcement efforts, could prove to be ‘hugely problematic’ for road safety. The piece was written by Gemma Briggs (Open University), Helen Wells

(Keele University) and Leanne Savigar-Shaw (Staffordshire University) all in the United Kingdom and I have chosen to share this piece with you.

The writers note that mobile phone use is a growing problem not just in the United Kingdom, as well as in other societies including ours. It is increasingly common to see drivers’ texting while stopped in traffic or using their devices to check routes or change music. It is equally common to hear drivers on hands free mobile phone calls, or to see them seemingly talking to themselves as they drive. When driver distraction is mentioned in the media it is usually with reference to the illegal – handheld – form of the behaviour. We all know that it is unsafe to look away from the road and to take your hands off the steering wheel to interact with a phone. So it makes sense that legislation is in place to ban such dangerous behaviour. Nevertheless, people continue to engage in this risky behaviour, perhaps because they feel they are a better than average driver, that they can multitask, or simply that they feel it unlikely that they will get caught by the police.

To better understand phone use by drivers, we recently surveyed, via YouGov, 1500 drivers on their phone use. Fifty-four percent of respondents claimed not to use their phone in any way while driving. Of those who claimed to use their phones:3.1percent admitted to using their phone handheld to make or receive calls, compared with 34.9percent who claimed to make/receive calls using hands free technology.

The report also states that 4.2 percent admitted to using their phone handheld to text, compared with 7.3 percent who said that they text using hands free technology. 2.9 percent of respondents said that they use their phone handheld to either play

games, watch videos, select music or search the internet, compared with 5.9percent of respondents who said they use hands free technology to carry out such tasks.

On first inspection, this data offers promise: more than half of drivers claim not to be distracted by their phones at all, and most of those who do use their phones do so in accordance with the law (handsfree). Nevertheless, a minority of drivers admit to handheld phone use, despite this being illegal. Such a finding isn’t really surprising as we know that motorists violate various laws, which is why enforcement of the law is important. When we look at this data in the context of research findings, however, we would argue that there is far less promise in terms of road safety.

While you ponder on the data made available in the case of the UK, please indulge me to wet your appetite with a similar study in Germany on their driving behavior especially with regards to use of smartphones. The report reminds us of the state of Road traffic collisions as the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15–29, according to the World Health Organisation.

This study investigates one of the primary reasons for the high fatality rate amongst Young Novice Drivers (YNDs); their use of smartphones while driving. It gathered responses from a representative sample of YNDs on their behavior while driving using an updated version of the ‘Behavior of Young Novice Drivers Scale’.

Survey responses totaled 700 YNDs situated throughout Germany. From these responses, the report examined the prevalence of certain driving behaviors that are described as ‘distracting’ and compared these driving behaviors to the respondents’ use of specific smartphone features.

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Mobility, CFAOCFAO Motors, Mr Adekunle Jaiyesimi; Medical Director, Massey Street Children Hospital, Dr. (Mrs) Abimbola Mabogunje; GCEO, CFAO, Mr Richard Bielle; and Head of Marketing and Communication, Ms Funmi Abiola, during a CSR/Scholarship presentation announcing adoption of a ward at the Massey hospital, Lagos, by CFAO during the CFAO Nigeria 120th year anniversary celebration in Lagos… recently

Bajaj Tricycles

CFAO is a prominent player in the mobility sector in Nigeria with products like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, JCB, Mitsubishi Fuso, Howo, King Long, and services like Loxea and Auto Fast etc in its portfolio.

Lush Hair Treats Stylist to Hangout Session in Ibadan

IHS Nigeria Empowers African Entrepreneurs

Experts Urge FG to Bridge Finance Gap to Drive SDG Implementation

Firm Extols Nigeria’s RecordBreaking Feat in Cambridge

Recreation Firm Immortalises Hilda Baci

Experts Stress Collaboration in Business at LBS Entrepreneurship Expo

L-R: Business Manager, Samsung Nigeria, Nathan Lee; Head, MX Division, Samsung Nigeria, Joy Tim-Ayoola; Country Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz; Head, Marketing, Samsung Nigeria, Chika Nnadozie; and Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, during Airtel-Samsung partnership for Galaxy A14 5G device in Lagos... recently

L-R: Executive Director, PISTIS Foundation, Leonard Thomas; Business and Programmes Director, Global Leadership Network, Grace Bessong; Convener of The Leadership Project, Godman Akinlabi; Chief People Experience Officer, Leadway Group, Kunbi Adeoti; and Chief Executive Officer, Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited, Dr Blessing Ayemhere at the GLS4Business Press Conference in Lagos ... recently

Imperatives of Muhammad Sanusi II’s Return

Kabiru Muhammad

In a span of a few days, Dr. Aliyu Tilde has written two essays on the return of Sarkin Kano Muham- mad Sanusi to his position as the Emir of Kano. In the first essay, he was clear on the possibility. But in the second essay he was ambivalent indicating that perhaps some influential individuals cautioned him. But why should Sanusi return? The answer is simple and straight-forward, it is because in the first place there was no sane and acceptable reasons for his removal.

Governor Ganduje and the Buhari’s Federal Government did not want him as Emir because he was outspoken against their policies. Sanusi should be commended for his courage and not punished. All his predications and cautions against Buhari’s disastrous economic policies have come to pass. How can a society that works against the truth ever progress? They want an Emir who will follow the whims and caprices of even governor’s wife who determines who to be appointed to even the lowest position in the palace.

Ganduje decided to destroy the Emirate by fragmenting it claiming that even Shehu Usman Danfodio did nothing but “Islamic coup”. So, Governor Ganduje created Emirates to whittle Kano Emir’s prestige and get support of rural populace. That has been totally demystified because his party lost elections in all the so-called original Emirates of Rano, Gaya and Karaye. The APC did not win elections of the State and National Assembly Constituencies in these areas, clear indication that the Emirate issue is inconsequential to the rural populace. All the five Ganduje Emirs fought viciously against NNPP.

Some people are claiming that returning Sanusi will diminish the prestige of the institution. But it is the other way round. Retaining the incumbents is the worst disservice to the legacy of the institution. This is because they have no regard for the institution but they want only its privileges. Only two examples will suffice. The Ado Bayero Foundation headed by the

full brother of the two Emirs in conjunction with BUK initiated Public Lecture to commemorate the Legacy of Sarkin Kano Alhaji Ado. BUK had to opt out because of the lack interest from Ado Bayero family.

Five such lectures were held physically. Only seven

persons attended the zoom lecture. It was only the public lecture held in Ghana because it was partly organized by some Ghanaians that one of the Emirs attended. They never attended any of the lectures held in Kano despite one-year notice. The Chairman of the last lecture rushed from Germany to attend. But to his shock none of titled sons of Sarkin Kano Ado Bayero attended except one the representative of the Emir of Bichi. The representative of the Emir of Kano did not arrive until the time of closing prayer. Sons of the late Emir cannot attend a lecture that is organized in his honor, for five consecutive years, does this show any sign of respect?

Secondly the two Emirs were always willing to do whatever Ganduje wishes to do, even if it affected the honor of their late father. Governor Ganduje decided to change the Emirate Kingmakers and in addition elevate the person who insulted late Sarkin Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero more than any other individual in the history of Kano. The Supreme Court had ruled that he should not be returned to his title but Governor Ganduje insisted that he must be given another higher title. In fact Governor Ganduje signed a law that gave the family of that man a Kingmaker position. The sons of Late Sarkin Kano Ado Bayero were rewarded for not questioning this desecration of Ibrahim Dabo Legacy.

Ganduje consistently claims that when Sanusi was installed there was resistance and when he was removed there no resistance. Yes, this is true. This is because Sanusi and all those who support him are not violent people. He has the money to recruit perpetrators of violence but he never did and he will never. On the contrary those who occupy the position now are threatening violence if they are removed as it happened on July 10 1981. On this day late Dr. Bala Mohammed was murdered because Governor Rimi queried Sarkin Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero and the person who allegedly did that is now claiming fire and brimstone if Sanusi is brought back. Will the Government succumb to this threat?

Muhammad writes from nigeriachr@gmail.com

What Public Officers Can Learn from Kumuyi at 82

Banji Ojewale

The Ghanaian newsman said what he served the public, old and new takes on Kumuyi, was bereft of the trappings you witness between the intrusive reporter and his evasive newsmaker, between a predator and his potential prey, or between a dispassionate journalist and an equally disinterested figure. The reporter was intentional in his bid to secure an uncommon interview with an uncommon man. He got it, but at a price: he travelled with Kumuyi across West Africa, following and studying the man of God as he preached to hundreds of thousands of the poor and enthusiastic folk who wanted to benefit from his prayers and messages of salvation, hope, restoration, healing and deliverance.

I believe Ankomah desired an archival (historic) product (interview) to emerge from his peregrinations with Kumuyi, which he grabbed, because to date, there are few journalistic publications, if there are at all, that have captured a near-bubbly picture of the clergyman and his evangelistic work. The work is more than a reflection of the activities of Deeper Life Bible Church and its founder, leaders and members. Naturally, you can’t labour on an enterprise like this without profusely addressing the person of Kumuyi, his background, his associates and his followers.

But of what use are your literary travails over a great public figure if they don’t, ultimately, push for an agenda to transform lives and change society, if they don’t teach that those who read of the greatness of the subject should be inspired to be like him or her? Why do we go to extreme ends to write (auto) biographies, if the goal isn’t to build a better society through the emulation of the eminent lives of these citizens? Writings aren’t for the pleasure of their creators; they are for society to gobble and gain from. They’re out of the writer’s control once they escape from his fingers. The consumer takes over for good or bad. His takeaway decides the impact of the book or publication (or broadcast).

In the case of the Ghanaian editor, his takeout came at the close of his long introduction to the interview with Kumuyi. He wrote: “Pastor Kumuyi…has positioned himself, and run his life in such a dignified manner…As such he wins respect everywhere he goes. Church leaders are rarely held in such high esteem. The irony is that he is such a humble man you would never think he is the one so regarded…by national

leaders. His humility, in fact, is quite disarming! His selflessness, too, means that he draws no salary for the work he does, even though some of his junior pastors who are full-time (ministers) are paid for their service… Pastor Kumuyi does not touch money…The church takes care of his upkeep…In a way, Pastor Kumuyi reminds me of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Like Nkrumah, Kumuyi has no property to his name, even though he is the leader of a mammoth organisation…What a challenge!’’

There are apposite lessons. First, when we examine Kumuyi, we must be less awed by the superstructure of the Church God used him to found. We must focus more on the integrity, incorruptibility and inflexibility that have been his driving precepts as a servant of God and leader of men. Otherwise, we shall unwittingly pigeonhole the man with those who also have created mega Christian assemblies without the critical attendant moral undercurrents. Secondly, Kumuyi’s pact with God dictates his relationship with man and everything associated with this world. In that case, he disavows the material in order to bow to the spiritual. Number 3: Kumuyi has developed a backbone that stands him from the crowd; once he has taken a decision he believes is Biblical and not dissonant with the prescribed righteousness of Heaven. His sing-song is, Others may I cannot.

All those who have met the man never fail to observe these traits. Those who haven’t met him but do write on him from secondary sources or by watching (or listening to) him preach can’t also escape a whiff of these attributes. But, as I said earlier of great personalities, our reflections on them are not to be caged in books; they must project into our lives. That’s when our heroes and heroines would be fulfilled that when they pass on, their outstanding deeds wouldn’t pass on as well. We would have taken the baton from them for the race to continue towards a goal for the improvement of mankind.

At a time Nigeria is witnessing a new crop of persons at the helm and with promises of a new beginning, I invite our public office holders and the political class into the world of Pastor Kumuyi. Overseeing that world is a God Who loathes leaders who are not servants of the led. He desires leaders who wouldn’t be leeches. This God wants Spartan helmsmen whose practical discipline would infect the entire citizenry.

Many today are overwhelmed by the gigantic strides of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, which started 50 years ago in August 1973 with only 15 persons. The resplendent spectacle they behold refers them to Kumuyi, the man at the root of the whole story. But he in turn reroutes

Kumuyi

his stunned admirers to the Great Originator of what is petrifying them. Kumuyi tells them that they must rather adore the God Who gave him the gifts he has deployed over the decades to get the Church to this blazing height. What we gather from Pastor Kumuyi, then, as we mark his 82nd birthday (on June 6, 2023), is simply that the God Who gave him First Class in Mathematics at the University of Ibadan, Who made him learn at the feet of an unyielding atheist without becoming an atheist, Who is still giving His servant in his advanced age grand evangelism strategies such as the current revolutionary brand, Global Crusade with Kumuyi, GCK, will heartily offer our policy makers exceedingly more endowments to govern selflessly if they also embrace His laws and fear Him as Kumuyi has done. Happy Birthday, Beloved Shepherd! Ojewale writes from Ota, Ogun State.

Muhammad Sanusi II

POLITY

Eco-Action Project: IHS Partners Greenhub Africa

IHS Nigeria and GreenHub Africa Foundation is set to roll out a new edition of its school outreach across Nigeria. The initiative tagged ‘Eco-Action Project (EAP 1.0), is designed to create awareness about global environmental challenges and proffer sustainable approaches toward mitigating the effects of these environmental challenges.

According to a press release issued by the Foundation, the Eco-Action project (1.0) will focus on junior teens in 18 junior secondary schools across the six geopolitical zones of the country. Participating schools include Dolphin Junior High School, Lagos Island; Elemoro Community Junior Secondary School, Ibeju Lekki; Resettlement Community Junior Secondary School, Ikeja; Mobolaji Bank Anthony Junior High School, Yaba; New Era Girls’ Junior Secondary School, Surulere and Ijero Girls’ Junior High School, Ebute Meta.

Others are Government Secondary School, Day Secondary School (Enugu, Southeast); Government Secondary School, Uwanse, Government Secondary School, Lagos Street (Cross-River, South south); Government Secondary School, Kofar Kibo, Kaduna College; Ahmed Fatka Local Government’s Education Authority, Anguwan Fatika (Kaduna, Northwest); Government Junior Day Secondary School, Wuse; Government Secondary School, Maitama; Government Secondary School, Kubwa; Government Science, Technical Secondary School, Kubwa (Abuja, Northcentral); and Yerwa Government Girls’ Secondary School (Borno, Northeast). Speaking on the project, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Foundation, Henry Bassey said that, “The Eco-Action project is built around the Climate Action Superheroes’ environmental syllabus popularly known as C.A.S.H.

L-R: The Founder, GreenHubAfrica Foundation, Henry Bassey; Programmes Manager, Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh; Founder, Kids Beach Garden, Doyinsola Ogunye; Director Cocurricular Department, FCT Secondary Education Board, Hajia Fatima Gambo; President, inCSR, Dr. Eustace Onuegbu, and Education Manager, UNICEF, Jutaro Sakamoto at the celebration of World Environment Day Abuja…recently.

The Climate Action Superheroes (C.A.S.H) is a proprietary tool of GreenHubAfrica Foundation uniquely designed with localized avatars to infuse entertainment into environmental education.” Leveraging the comparative advantage of this proprietary tool, IHS Nigeria was also at the forefront of the official launch of the gamification and animation of the Climate Action Superheroes

which took place at the World Environment Day celebration – an annual flagship event organized by GreenHub Africa Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations at the United Nations Information Centre, Abuja.

The launch which involved dignitaries and keynote speakers participating in high-level panels and fireside chats was powered by IHS Nigeria and Oando Foundation. Some of the dignitaries include, National Program Coordinator, UNIDO, Oluyomi Banjo; Chairman, GreenHub Africa Foundation, Professor Obas John Ebohon; Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs, IHS Nigeria Limited, Damian Ude, Fashion Designer and Environmentalist; Adejoke Lasisi; Information Management Officer, Office of the Resident Coordinator, Dr. Tubolayefa Warekuromor and National President, Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Dr. Efe Okobia

Others are, Programs Manager, Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh; Founder, Kids Beach Garden, Doyinsola Ogunye; Director Cocurricular Department, FCT Secondary Education Board, Hajia Fatima Gambo; President, in-CSR, Dr. Eustace Onuegbu, and Education Manager, UNICEF, Jutaro Sakamoto.

The unveiling of the C.A.S.H gamification and animation series was the first of its kind from a non-profit organization. Deliberations with State Coordinators and Field Facilitators that will be deployed for project implementation in participating schools are currently in progress.

The preliminary phase of the project commences this month with an inception meeting involving the participation of all relevant stakeholders. The school outreach is expected to come to a close towards the end of the first term in the 2023/2024 academic session.

Pure Bliss to Reward 60 Consumers with N60 Million

By Raheem Akingbolu

Pure Bliss, one of the leading biscuits brands from OK Foods, has unveiled plans to delight and reward its consumers in the second edition of its national consumer millionaire promo. The campaign, ‘Pure Bliss Millionaire Promo’, will see 60 millionaires emerge in 60 days, with an additional 30 million naira worth of Airtime to be won.

Speaking on behalf of the Business Head of OK Foods Limited, Murali Krishnan, during a media parley to unveil the Promo in Lagos recently, Head of Marketing of the company, Sachin Wali, emphasized the credibility & due diligence of the promo, stating that measures have been put in place to ensure fairness and transparency.

“We are once again initiating one of the largest give-back

consumer promotions in the biscuits category. We want to thank our consumers for their patronage over the years and assure them that the promotion will be managed with due diligence, fairness, and utmost credibility,” he said.

Also speaking, the company’s Brand Manager, Olayinka Johnson, disclosed that the ‘Pure Bliss 60 Millionaires in 60 days’ Promo is a great way to reward the consumers in line with the Pure Bliss brand promise –‘Light Up Your Day’.

“The Pure Bliss 60 Millionaires In 60 Days Promo is a great initiative at this time because consumers get to enjoy their favourite Pure Bliss Cookies & Wafers, while winning big”.

In her remarks during the parley, the Brand Manager of Pure Bliss, Oluwabukola Yusuph, revealed that over 300,000 winners are to be rewarded with Airtime beyond

the 60 lucky consumers that will be rewarded with 60 million Naira cash prize – One million Naira each.

Explaining the mechanics of participating in the Promo, Yusuph stated that consumers are expected to buy any Millionaire Promo pack of Pure Bliss Milk Cookies, Milk Cream Wafers, Choco Cookies & Chocolate Cream Wafers, look inside the pack for a 7-digit alphanumeric code and text the unique code to 8011.

She stated that the consumers will receive an SMS from 8011, notifying them of their prize – either N100 Airtime or One Million Naira as each code guarantees a prize.

“We believe the Pure Bliss Millionaire Promo will truly create delight for our consumers, especially in these times. As part of our values, it is important that we stay true to the brand’s promise of uplifting consumers’ moods. In addition to producing delicious, indulgent biscuits and wafers enjoyed by our consumers, this promotion is one of the ways through which we can bring our brand promise to life”, she said.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Ikechukwu Uwanna; Managing Partner, Templars/Immediate Past President, NBA, Olumide Akpata; former justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria/chairman of the occasion, Bode Rhodes-Vivour; and Ade Ade Adedeji, SAN at the presentation of award of appreciation to Olumide Akpata during the 2023 NBA Lagos Law Week Elders’ Night in Lagos… yesterday

; L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited, Dr. Blessing Ayemhere; President, and Founder, PISTIS Life and Leadership Institute and the Convener of The Leadership Project, Godman Akinlabi; Founder and CEO, The Chair Centre Group and Management Board Member, PISTIS Life and Leadership Institute , Ibukun Awosika; and Executive Director, PISTIS Foundation, Mr. Leonard F. Thomas, at the Global Leadership Summit Business forum held in Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Regional Business Manager, South-West, Japtini Energy, a Subsidiary of Arila Group, Oluwatobi Osinubi; Sales Director, Beebee Jump International Limited, Lisa Oduntan; Head, Branding and Corporate Communications, Arila Group, Theodora Kio-Lawson; General Manager, Beebee Jump International Limited, Peter Zhang; CEO, Japtini Energy, John Esoimeme; and Assistant General Manager, Beebee Jump International Limited, Aria Hu at the singing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Japtini Energy and BeeBee Jump International Limited in Lagos….yesterday

SUNDAY ADIGUN

: L- R: PanAfricare Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Patrick Adah; Manager, Media and Communications, ExxonMobil Affiliate Companies in Nigeria, Oge Udeagha; NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head for Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu; and former NBA player and 2015 FIBA AfroBasket champion, Olumide Oyedeji; during the launch of the 10th Season of “Power Forward” in Abuja.. recently KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

POLITY

Tingo Foods Processing Facility Ready in 24 Months

Bennett Oghifo

The vision of Nigeria becoming a major foods processing hub in Africa has received a boost with the preparation of the site to begin the construction of a huge agro-products processing complex, known as Tingo Foods Processing Facility in Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State.

The factories, administrative building, powerhouse, roads and landscaping will be ready in 24 months, so says the Chief Executive Officer of the construction company, Standites Nig. Ltd., Mr. Tunji Rhema Moyero, while conducting stakeholders on a tour of the facility recently.

The stakeholders included a Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Bassey Unaowo; the CEO, Tingo Foods Plc, Neha Singh; and Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Yinusa Halidu, among other distinguished personalities.

They rose from a courtesy visit to the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo, Agbogidi Chukwumalieze at his Palace, which is less than 10 minutes drive to the Tingo Foods Processing Facility that is off the Asaba-Benin City expressway.

The facility is planned on 40 hectares of prime land and, according to the displayed designs, there will be an administrative block, and several factories, such as Tea and Coffee plant; Cereal plant; Rice Mill factory, complete with silos; Vegetable Oil and Margarine factory; Noodles and Spaghetti factory; Cashew processing factory; Chocolate and Biscuit factory, as well as the Beer and Water processing factory.

There will be warehouses for agricultural produce, among others.

The facility’s Clinic, Canteen and the proposed guest house for visitors are laid out behind the administrative block, which has a large parking space for staff, while the parking space for visitors is outside the premises.

The truck parking lot, power station and waste management unit are at the rear of the facility. There will be well-laid roads and drainages which will be lined with greens.

The facility will be powered with energy from three sources; public mains, solar and generators.

The facility is being built in two phases which are next to each other. The land size of the first phase is 18.9 hectares and the second is planned for 22.1 hectares. The total is 40 hectares.

According to the contractor, work on the project would go full blast non-stop, explaining that they just moved to site after the groundbreaking was done in February this year because of a communal dispute over land ownership, but that all that had been resolved, thanks to the Obi, the elders and other stakeholders.

He said there are 104 workers on site, and that construction of structures in the facility would go on simultaneously to ensure they are completed in 24 months.

The Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr.

Yinusa Halidu lauded the project, stating that the association would be a major beneficiary. “We’re a farmers organisation, representing hundreds of thousands of farmers, commodity associations and cooperative societies in Nigeria. This is a processing zone and we will encourage all our farmers to aggregate their produce and presently AFAN’s relationship with Tingo has gone very far to the extent that Tingo has started funding our production lines. We will bring whatever we produce that they need to this facility instead of exporting them. They will be processed here instead of being processed abroad and sent back to the country.”

The President of Tingo Foods and Tingo Mobile, Chris Cleverly said, “seeing this today has been a real pleasure. These ideas come from God, from somewhere, but the thing is if you see them to reality, you see dreams coming out, giving real work to real people,” stating that hundreds of people will be working at the food processing facility and be able to live off it, in addition to millions of farmers whose

produce would be processed there.

Cleverly said he is “super proud” of the whole idea, stating that it is what Tingo is all about, adding with the project, “Nigeria can feed itself, Nigeria can feed Africa and Africa can feed the world.”

Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bassey Unaowo, who represented the Permanent Secretary, stated that the federal government through the ministry was prepared to work with the development partners like the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide infrastructure like roads, electricity and security so that production would go on smoothly.

He said after that, products from the factory would go out to all parts of the country, and suggested that the company sets up a one-stop shop of all the regulatory agencies on their premises to ensure quality control.

He called on other investors to come into the agro industry, stating that it is the future.

Transforming Youth Bulge into a Demographic Dividend

Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa

Despite the window of opportunity for economic growth associated with a youthful population, declining income per capita, and high youth unemployment rate suggest that Nigeria is yet to harness its Demographic Dividend.

By 2050 the population of people living in Nigeria is estimated to reach 410 million (UNDESA, 2017). What this implies is that the population of Nigeria in 2050 may be twice the estimated population in 2020 at 206 million people. About 70% of the Nigerian population is under 30 and 42% are under age 15. (Akinyemi & Mobolaji, 2022) “Nigeria is expected to continue experiencing a youth bulge between now and 2050, registering increases in total population for all the under-age cohorts (UNDP, 2018).

Significantly, a great deal of young Nigerians are unemployed or underemployed. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the youth unemployment rate and youth underemployment rate stood at 42.5% and 21% respectively. With the projected continuous growth in the young population by UNDESA, this situation could further exacerbate if nothing is done to stem the tide. Nigeria is also challenged with ‘human capital flight’.

Young professionals in Health, Services, and Manufacturing are constantly leaving the country in search of greener pastures. Some young Nigerians lost their lives trying to cross to Europe through the Mediterranean and Atlantic sea routes. OECD (2013) notes that: “A negative economic situation and a restrictive spatial planning policy may increase the outward migration rate.”

Oby Ezekwesiri speaking about the situation of Nigerian Youth unemployment at the 2017 Nigeria Economic Summit argued that “the problem is in having too many human beings but less human capital”. This claim by Oby Ezekwesiri corroborates the outcry by industry leaders about the unemployability of many Nigerian graduates and the skill gap.

More so, the ranking of Nigeria as 161st of 181 countries assessed in the recent Global Youth Development Index suggests that the Nigerian Government is not doing enough to improve the status of young people within the country. Meanwhile, the income per capita of Nigeria is declining despite its high working-age

population. This is surprisingly contrary to the finding “that a slowdown in working-age population growth could cause lower per capita growth. (Kuhn et al, 2018). The inverse of it should have been true for Nigeria.

Given the skill gap, high youth unemployment rates, out-migration risks, and the causal link between unemployment and crime, it is likely that if the right policy response is neglected the youth bulge in Nigeria which should pay a high dividend, could actually be a time bomb waiting to explode!

A Policy option before the Nigerian government will be to transform the youth bulge into a Demographic dividend. To achieve this, the Nigerian government has to ensure massive job creation for the young population, as well as build the capacity of young people to become very valuable in the labour market. Lin (2012) contends:”

If the number of working-age individuals can be fully employed in productive activities, other things being equal, the level of average income per capita should increase as a result. The youth bulge will become a demographic dividend. However, if a large cohort of young people cannot find employment and earn satisfactory income, the youth bulge will become a demographic bomb.”

In ensuring availability of jobs, the Nigerian government must shun the pressures from labour unions to extend the age of retirement from 60 to 65. The Civil Service in Nigeria is currently dominated by old cohorts. This should not be the case in a nation dominated by young people. I argue that further extension in the years of service will mean keeping young people further away from public service.

Engaging young people in sectors such as Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Services will not only ensure that their strengths are harnessed but their ingenuity is rightly deployed. Beyond ensuring inclusive employment of young people in the public service, the Nigerian government should create an enabling environment for businesses.

The challenges of multiple taxations, difficulty with funding, and poor access to market and infrastructure have not helped the lots of businesses in Nigeria. No government anywhere has the capacity to directly employ all its citizens, but governments can facilitate the process of job creation by creating enabling environ-

ments for existing businesses to thrive, as well as helping new business ideas to start off.

At the moment in Nigeria, the interest rate for accessing loans from commercial banks is about 28.5% per annum. This greatly contrasts with a single-digit loan by South Africa at 9.31 % per annum. High interest on loans makes it difficult for businesses to become better after accessing such loans. There is a litany of cases of businesses being taken over by banks because they could not meet up with their debt obligation.

The Nigerian government should through the Central Bank of Nigeria make loans accessible at single digits. Start-ups should also be able to access loans without collaterals. The economy of Nigeria is largely informal; hence the role of SMEs in creating jobs and securing higher economic growth should not be neglected.

The skill gap among young Nigerians is a concern. A situation where some building contractors prefer young people from neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana and the Benin Republic to young Nigerians is simply not helpful to the youth unemployment situation in Nigeria. There is a need for the Government to promote the One-Youth-One-Skill approach. A skill can pay an individual for life. I argue that a youth with a skill is empowered to employ others.

The Nigerian government needs to become more intentional in preparing young people through quality education for the marketplace. The current curriculum does not seem to recognize the needs of various sectors of the Nigerian economy: the institutions need to be in sync with the industry to ensure that graduates are churned out in fields where they are needed the most.

“The conventional approach for dealing with youth bulge is to make young people job ready. The idea is that young people’s skills or more broadly human capital- needs to be increased to enhance their productivity in the labour market.” (Lin, 2012). For Nigeria, the gains in employment would be strategic. It would propel incomes and offer higher standards of living.

Reducing Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate would increase the country’s GDP per capita. It would keep youths away from the perilous adventure of perishing in the Mediterranean Sea in search of economic opportunity in Europe.

“Creating decent and secure jobs and enhancing livelihoods for the youth, presently and in the future, thus holds the key to national peace, freedom, and prosperity,” says UNDP.

L-R: Director Fed. Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Bassey Unaowo; CEO Tingo Foods Plc, Neha Singh; Chief Executive Officer of the construction company, Standites Nig. Ltd., Mr Tunji Rhema Moyero, Contractor; and Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Yinusa Halidu during the tour of Tingo Foods Processing Facility in Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State… recently.

Lay Siege to, Not on

HAPPY Fathers’ Day tomorrow: “STRENGTHENING Families (Families’) conference Abuja 2003”

“Policemen attached to Moniya Police Station were said to have recovered the body of the victim from the scene in a pool of his own blood.” Would it have been the reporter’s pool of blood? Simply write ‘in a pool of blood’, which is self-explanatory.

“…said investigation (an investigation) has commenced on (into) the incident.”

“9th Assembly: Reps (Reps’) unfinished businesses, failed promises”

“However, the DSS has denied laying siege on (to) the Ikoyi, Lagos (another comma) office of the EFCC….”

“Regrettably, the agencies failed to use all available legal channels (would they have used unavailable channels?) to resolve the matter until it degenerated to (into) the apparent fisticuffs and show of strength.”

“Government should take necessary measures (would it take unnecessary measures?) to forestall inter-agency rivalry.” I do not understand this kindergartner style of writing! Simply put: Government should take measures/steps/actions to….

“Presidential poll: Obi, LP tenders (tender) results from 17 states, 342 LGAs”

“On behalf of Cossel Construction Company Nig Ltd, I felicitate with (felici- tate) you as you….”

“Going by your antecedents, we do not entertain any doubts as regard (regards) your capacity and ability to deliver.”

DAILY INDEPENDENT of May 23

welcomes us this week with a few inaccuracies: “Police arrest car-laden (car laden) with 3,500 cartridges” The police arrested the car owner/driver—not the vehicle! Commonsense tells us that once the person behind such a toxic contraption is apprehended, the car ends up in the police station. Collocation demands thinking! With regard to vehicular application, police can seize, take away, whisk away/off a car, among other expressions—but certainly not ‘arrest’!

“…it has failed woefully (abysmally), no doubt.”

“UNIJOS inaugurates new Governing Council” Education Today: it could not have been an old council! Yet another headline faux pas: “Katsina to send more student (why?) to Egypt”

“Chinua Achebe: The end of an epoch making (epoch-making) writer (1930- 2013)”

Now all the facts, all the sides as we take the last contribution from the Back Page of Daily Independent under focus: “But honours that the good professor would have rejected in his lifetime should not be hanged on his tomb as a mark of magna- nimity from the state.” The past tense/past participle of ‘hang’ is ‘hung’; ‘hanged’ is only used when the context is ‘kill/be killed.’

Leadership of May 22 committed an offence: “…theirs remains one of the riskiest and least rewarding job (jobs) in the land.”

“Achebe memorial rites: Family, well wishers (well-wishers) pay last respect (respects) to literary icon in Anambra State”

“Should we not rather give kudos to these policemen who risk lifes (lives) and

limbs daily to see that society does not grind to a halt?”

“…is not only hypocritical but out-rightly (sic) mischievous.” Get it right: outright mischief.

“…is castigating same (the same) for saving the lives of the unarmed.”

“Manko should be spared unnecessary distraction (is there a necessary one?) from those who want to make omelets without breaking eggs.” Fixed (idiomatic) expression: (you can’t) make an omelette without breaking eggs. Note that ‘omelet’ is American English, while ‘omelette’ is British English.

“Taking the message of FOIA to the grassroot” (Leadership Feature, May 22) Hallmark of leadership: grassroots DAILY TRUST of May 22 goofed: “We are trusting in the Lord that you are not alone and He shall also not leave us alone even as we grief (grieve).”

The Guardian Front Page of May 21, among other pages, nurtured grammatical errors: “Reps (Reps’) panel threatens arrest of bank chiefs over (for or in connection with) tax remittance”

“…Brig-Gen. Fatai Oladipo Alli, yesterday said that there will (would) be no hiding place for the insurgents, assuring that the military was battle ready to crush terrorists.” Who did he assure? Again, ‘assure,’ a transitive verb, must take an object.

“…the Yobe State Government yester- day relaxed the curfew imposed in (on) the state by two hours daily.”

“…the 120 terrorists were arrested when they converged in (on) Maiduguri to….”

Still on THE GUARDIAN: “Govt allays fears (fear) as aviation workers end strike”

Remembering Two Colossi of the Arts

While preparing a tribute to mark the passage of the Ozziddism priest that May of 2008, another great man of the arts, the venerable Steve Rhodes also took leave of us - just five days apart. Last month, their 15th anniversaries came with the living embroiled in the hoi-polloi of governance, political transition, disputation, and inauguration. But we are persuaded that while leaders and pretenders run helter-skelter over how to govern a resilient and docile nation, some of us will still go about the business of honouring the dead!

FRANCIS SONNY OYAMEDAN OKOSUNS (61):

(January 1, 1947 - May 24, 2008)

“I used to prod Sonny Okosuns that all his professional life was programmed to be a consistent adversary to the other great African music genius, Fela Anikulapo Kuti (who died on August 2, also on a Saturday, about 11 years earlier). Irrespective of his protestation, or explanation for his position, I insisted that the fear of Fela was his elixir - the reason for the passion of his musical and public exertions. Well, I had my reasons.

Anyway, the rolling years, patience, maturity, his consistency and unabated passion revealed to me that he probably needed to prove to Nigerians, and indeed the entire world, that you could be the greatest African musical talent without succumbing to irreverence, illegality, agnosticism or rootless ribaldry. To contextualize my proposition, I spread a blanket of inferences…not necessarily in order of occurrence.

When Fela reigned in Kalakuta Republic, at Moshalashi, near Idi-Oro and later, Ikeja; Okosuns threw Ozziddi Palace open to potential delinquents, grooming them out of anti-social tendencies… out of dependency on drugs and vices, with personal and financial sacrifices... to become useful to themselves and their society.

When Fela, the ultimate African big-man, dropped out of monogamy, to transform 27 of his singers and dancers into ‘wives’; Okosuns stuck to Nkechi (even in spite of pressures from his own family to expand his sexual consequence). Of course, the

EBERE WABARA

“He said that the troops are (were) already interacting with locals and citizens….” Are locals foreigners? Where is thy conscience?

“He said that troops were to be deployed to (in) the black spots….”

“Fidelity Pharmacists Support Facil- ity (FPSF)” (Full-page advertisement by Fidelity Bank PLC) My own prescription: Pharmacists’ Support. Technical: posses- siveness in grammar. Let us keep our word because we’re Fidelity.

“UNIBEN alumni lauds (laud) govt action to solve security problems” This should not be news at all!

Now THE GUARDIAN BUSINESS Page: “Flying revenue collection intensifies (intensified) in Abia” Is the revenue collecting itself Sub-editors should not be afraid to use past tenses in headlines occasionally when it becomes inevitable like the above case.

Yet another full-page advertisement slip-up: “It’s another ground breaking CSR initiative from Etisalat to further enhance (sic) and empower the telecoms industry.”

Let us talk correctly: ground-breaking CSR initiative…and ‘enhancement’ does not require ‘furtherance’ even if it is serial.

“Only family head, principal members can validly dispose family land (2)” Law Report: dispose of.

Finally from the advertisement section of THE GUARDIAN under review: “Government College Umuahia Old Boys Associa- tion” In honour of Prof. Chinua Achebe (1930-2013): old boys’ association.

Please note that ‘turn or stand something on its head’ is correct as against last week’s inadvertent declaration that ruled out ‘turn’!

parents later won, and some issues erupted as it is common with most musicians’ doomed struggle to keep their loins from the laps of more than one woman (but that is another story).

When Fela opened his shrine and African traditional spiritism to the world, Okosuns not only dug deeper into his Bible Studies, he later launched a bible-believing church, House of Prayer, in his expansive Lagos home on Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba.

When Fela scorned world leaders, lambasting them for foot-dragging on reparations for their heinous exploitation of black Africa, but flirted with revolutionaries and opposition comrades; Okosuns pumped hands with potentates of the free world; and to those with listening ears, he sang his heart out with caressing lyrics appealing for the liberation of the African downtrodden.

Yet, unlike Fela, Okosuns’ music (a miasma of highlife, reggae and folk) was not easy for the succeeding artistes to pick up. Or so it appeared, until he died. It seemed like a personal brand of music chiselled as liberation rhythms. He was indeed a tough act to follow, or copy… if it were not so, devotees would have crept out of the hinterland when he veered into Christian music. Of course, that period in Okosuns’ musicography coincided with when Fela, his alter ego, left or was fading off the scene. It would appear Okosuns had no impetus to project the liberation-turned-salutation rhythms anymore…he delved rather into salvation songs with instant success.

His Songs of Praise caught the Church of Nigeria panting with confused exhilaration. Reggae - a hitherto heathen music to Christians - became a grudging acceptable rhythmic vehicle running on the fuel of Okosuns’ sudden intervention.

Progressively, music took less and less of his creative cornucopia… politics (both secular and spiritual) took centre court… lyrical creativity suffered…and Okosuns gradually but valiantly succumbed to the rapid movement of Time and discomfort. He died with a lingering burden… with a merciless disease that had no regard for his simple and kind heart. He died far away in a free country because his country was still held down by another type of slavery…his country was still

hungry for another type of liberation. His last song was choked in his devastated lungs…he made his final cry for salvation…but we were too busy to hear…we were too helpless to care…we were too traumatized to sympathize…and the African Soldier died.”

STEVEN BANKOLE RHODES (82)

(April 8, 1926 - May 29, 2008)

“Whichever mood you met Elder Steve Rhodes, you wouldn’t leave without a searing impression of a significant man of history, a profound archetype of what a wonderful place this country could have been.

Because of his reputation - a stickler for excellence, in all things; very organized in thoughts and deeds, and a perfectionist, even at his advanced age - I spent several months getting to know him, to understand his ethos.

For me, every interaction with an enigma excites and motivates me. I see challenges where the signboards say Danger! Don’t! Getting to know ESR (of course that means Elder Steve Rhodes) meant getting to know the Steve Rhodes voices. Now, I’m not referring to the award-winning choral ensemble, but the two integral parts - Gloria and Jeanette, ESR’s big daughters.

By 1993, I was ready. We had set out to organise the most definitive music award ceremony outside the grip of the core practitioners of the craft. We wrote to ESR, inviting him as the chairman of the award’s advisory committee, with powers to rein us in when we went overboard in any area of organisation. When ESR’s name was mooted in-house, the baleful consensus was that since he was at least two generations removed from the oldest one among us, he was going to teach us how to channel our infantile exertions to proper routes, and thus accord him a well-deserved distance from the murky waters of reward palaver.

Much as it seemed similar to the odyssey of the tortoise on its doomed (‘not until I’ve been disgraced’) visitation to its fabled in-laws…we sent in the letter of invitation. We didn’t have to wait long. Less than a week later, a quota-size (A5) grey-coloured ESR-headed note arrived - accepting with unveiled humility to serve in the Advisory

fajalive1@gmail.com

08033622806-

Board of Fame Music Awards…and enjoining us to divert all efforts at not only promoting, but pursuing excellence in our activities! We flipped. We were stunned. And we convened a summit immediately to discuss the monumental spectacle. The rumbling conclusion was: would any of us at over 70 be willing to serve with contemporaries of one’s grandchild!? We wondered. An amazing man, indeed.

In 1994, we had another itch: to produce the first all-inclusive movie award ceremony in Nigeria. Thus THEMA (The Movie Awards) was born. No bets in guessing who the guardian angel was. By then, ESR had become the Managing-Trustee of the famed Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island. With his status, his deliberate mentoring, we staged the first THEMA (1995) inside the moist entrails of cinematic history - perhaps the oldest cinema hall in the western part of Africa.

Every time I saw him rubbing shoulders and minds with young Turks at entertainment ceremonies, fora and talk-shops. I marveled at the untiring passion of the grandmaster to fuse a spirit of excellence, commitment, devotion, diligence in the creative process… for posterity.

ESR’s wry smile, as he made his mind known on any issue within his core competence, staggered the imagination and disarmed sensibilities…even if his words dripped with sarcasm or umbrage. You know as a matter of everyday fact that he meant exactly what he said - without fear or tear. With a boyish teasing smile, he knocked sense into you with the uncommon authority of a man who had seen it all; a man who could not, even if he wanted, surrender to the indulgence of suffering fools gladly.

Simple to distraction in public style, and blindingly adorable with his beatific smile, ESR had a largerthan-life capacity to motivate and agitate at once. Surely, he will continue to resonate with many generations after him. He is the quintessential ESR.

Wilfred Ndidi Lifeline from Celtic Park?

He was once regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest soccer exports to the Premier League but after several injuries culminating in loss of form which reduced his playing time at the King Power Stadium,Wilfred Ndidi became a shadow of midfield enforcer he was known to be.To add to his woes, Leicester City were relegated to the English Championship which threw his future into disarray. However, sucour seems to have come his way as his former Foxes boss, Brendan Rodgers, is set to team up with the Super Eagle at Celtic Park

Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers could look to reunite with his former Leicester City player, Wilfred Ndidi, making the Nigerian defensive midfielder one of his first signings in his second tenure at Celtic Park reports the Daily Mail.

Ndidi, a crucial part of Rodgers’ Leicester squad, made the switch to the King Power Stadium from Genk for £17 million back in 2018.

At first glance, this price tag may seem out of reach for Celtic. However, considering Ndidi has just one year remaining on his contract and Leicester’s recent relegation to the Championship, the Hoops’ pursuit of the midfielder might not be as far-fetched as it seems. Maybe Celtic could use this to their advantage as they attempt to negotiate a deal, which will be challenging, with interest from Saudi Arabia.

The midfielder’s wages would also be a stumbling block, reportedly on £76,000 a week, he’d need to take a massive cut and more than half his income.

Rodgers, whose return to Celtic was officially announced on Monday, has reportedly been assured a substantial transfer budget, aligning with his ambitions to make a significant impact in European competitions.

The 26-year-old Ndidi boasts an impressive footballing resume, with 51 caps for Nigeria and a strong youth football career in his home country before his move to Belgium at the age of 20 in 2015.

Ndidi joined Leicester City in the wake of their incredible Premier League title win, as part of their investment to attempt to main-

tain their top-tier status in English football.

Under Rodgers, Ndidi experienced considerable success, including an FA Cup win in 2021 and twice securing a fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

If these transfer rumours are accurate, the reunion of Rodgers and Ndidi could mark an exciting era of robust growth for the Hoops.

Before his injury, Ndidi was a cult hero among the King Power Stadium faithful, and to Leicester City Manager, the midfield enforcer was indispensable.

The Nigerian was then a sure starter and statistics proved that he was Foxes most important player for two years running.

To some then, it was still a miracle that Leicester City were able to hold on to their jewel in spite of inquiries from big European clubs of the former Nathaniel Boys player.

For several transfer windows, he was linked with a move to Old Trafford to take command of the holding midfield, an area the Red Devils was found wanting but somehow Leicester City held on the midfielder.

Ndidi had severally proven to be one of the best tacklers in Europe. In the Community Shield game against Manchester City, he rose to the occasion for Leicester City and was the boss in midfield.

The midfielder also increased his passing accuracy and he hardly makes mistakes when protecting his back three or back four and he gives his central midfielders the confidence to surge forward.

At the end of the 2021/22 season, he has had 591 tackles in 152 premier league

games, 325 interceptions and 355 clearances. He has 1,291 ball recoveries and has won 1,277 duels, one of the best records in the Premier League.

How much value Ndidi adds to Leicester City has never been lost by former manager, Rodgers and the Irish has never stopped showering encomiums on the Nigerian describing him as irreplaceable.

“It’s impossible to find what we have, we’ve got good players, but specifically the job Ndidi does in breaking up play and just his overall defending and in the box, he’s irreplaceable for us,” Rodgers had said.

“He’s one of the top players in world football. His quality in his football is improving all the time. He is irreplaceable for us. He’s fantastic for a young player.

“What is pleasing as a coach, is that he wants to learn. He will improve and get better. I’m so happy he plays in my team,” Rodgers once said.

However, there are some staggering numbers behind a potential deal.

The new Parkhead boss may have unwittingly priced the Scottish Premiership champions out of a deal with his previous comments on the midfielder during his time as Foxes boss.

Parkhead majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond is set to hand Rodgers a bumper transfer kitty following his return to Celtic Park with the Irishman desperate to build a side capable of making a mark on the Champions League while continuing to dominate in Scotland.

Reports suggest that the 26-year-old has been viewed by Rodgers as fitting the

profile of player he would like to add to his revamped squad - who has just a year left on his current Leicester contract following their relegation from the English Premier League.

He cost the relegated side £17million when he made the move to the King Power Stadium in 2017, but coach Enzo Maresca and the club risk the player leaving for nothing in January if they don’t sell this summer.

However, Celtic could be forced to pay a bumper fee to seal a deal - if Rodgers’ own valuation is anything to go by. With the transfer window approaching, speculation was surrounding the midfield enforcer and a potential move to either Aston Villa or Manchester United - with Villa reportedly weighing up a £50million move for the key player. When that figure was put to Rodgers at a press conference, he quipped: “He’s worth much more than that.”

“A player of that quality and mentality, of course you want to always keep. But when you have that player, he will always attract interest.”

The 26-year-old salary could be another stumbling block for any potential deal. The Leicester Mercury previously reported that Ndidi netted a staggering £75,000 per week with the club.

It would be a real sign of the spending power behind Rodgers on his comeback to Glasgow’s east end if a deal was to get over the line. But it will take some staggering figures to get the Nigeria international in the door.

Wilfred Ndidi could not stop Brentford’s striker, Ivan Toney from scoring against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium

Oriental War in Eket as Heartland, Enyimba Clash in Naija Super 8

Kunle Adewale

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) defending champions, Enyimba FC of Aba will today battle rivals, Heartland of Owerri in the first edition of the Naija Super 8 Play offs at the Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom in an Oriental war.

The two eastern clubs are known for their fierce rivalry in the top tie of Nigerian football until Heartland were relegated to Nigeria National League, NNL, and this rivalry would be reenacted today in the Naija Super 8 Play offs.

In a telephone chat with THISDAY, Head coach of Heartland Football Club, Christian Obi, said the Naze Millionaires are not in Eket to make up the numbers but with the aim of picking the ticket for the main Naija Super 8 tournament set to hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from July 7-16.

“We just finished training this morning (Thursday morning) and we are well prepared and rearing to go. All efforts are in place to ensure that we not

only qualify from the play offs but to win the main tournament in Lagos next month,” Obi said.

“Anything is possible in football. We may currently be playing in the Nigeria National League as against the Nigeria Premier League where we actually belong, but we are not perturbed by Enyimba’s pedigree. When you consider the fact that Heartland too are yet to lose a match in the league this season it is no gain saying that our opponent today is in for tough game.

“If you will look at the quality of players in our fold, our opponent would be disrespecting us at their own peril. As a matter of fact, at the end of the match we would make Enyimba to respect us,” the 1985 World Youth Championship in Russia bronze medalist expressed.

The Heartland Sweat Merchant however stated that the Naze Millionaires are also using the Naija Super 8 Play offs as part of the club’s preparations for the NNL Super Eight play offs slated for the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Obi in an earlier interview has said the Naija Super 8 play-offs provide a big opportunity for the club’s players to

showcase their talent and make some money.

The former Nigerian league and cup winners stunned many by landing a spot in the glamorous Naija Super 8 play-offs, at the expense of other top-flight teams in the South-East, most notably Rangers International.

“I feel very good to be going to the Naija Super 8. Number one, it’s a platform to showcase the talents I have in my team and again it’s another opportunity for the players to also have encounters with more experienced players and officials and it’s a plus to us as a team in the sense that it also will prepare us for next season.

“If by his grace we scale through the play-offs, it is another opportunity to make some money and it’s an exposure to us both the players and the officials,” said Obi.

The Naze Millionaires have had a good season, having topped their Nigeria National League group without losing a match. Heartland will today face the NPL champions, Enyimba International. The winner of the tie will represent the South-East zone in the main Naija Super 8 tournament set to

Lobi Stars, Remo Stars Book Naija Super 8 Finals Spot

Kunle Adewale

Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Remo Stars yesterday at the Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom booked their places in the Naija Super 8 fnals slated for the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos from July 7-16.

To qualify for the Lagos Showdown, Lobi Stars defeated hard fighting City FC, Abuja, 4-3 via penalty shootouts after the game ended two goals apiece at full time, while Remo Stars got the better of Shooting Stars 3-0.

Before the kickoff of the North Central clash, the Nigeria Premier League, NPL campaigner were heavily favoured to get past City FC, who play in the Nigeria National League, NNL, and the Makurdi side did not disappoint, but it was far from being a walk in the park as the two club were separated by penalty shootouts.

Lobi Stars started the game like a house

on fire and their efforts were rewarded in the 30th minute through David Okoroni after a miscommunication between a City defender and his goalkeeper, and could have increased the tally but for poor finishing.

On resumption for the second half the boys from Abuja seems to have woken from their slumber as they piled pressure on Lobi and their efforts paid off in the 52nd minute with Ibrahim Mafus well taken drive.

Another goal from Arinze Ogbona gave City an unlikely lead, and when fans inside the stadium were already thinking they have witnessed the first upset of the Naija Super 8, Lobi brought their experience to bare and consequently equalised in the 86th minute, to force the game to penalties.

In the penalty shootout, Lobi Stars won 4-3 to book their ticket the finals in Lagos.

City FC Coach, Ibe Johnson, said his boys

lost to Lobi Stars’ experience. “I appreciate the boys for the effort. We are happy to be here. Big kudos to the organisers for this tournament, and congratulations to Lobi Stars. I give it to Lobi Stars for their experience. We lost to their experience today,” he said.

In the second match, Remo Stars proved they are indeed Shooting Stars’ boogee team after two quick goals from Andy Okpe and Nwueze Boniface and a 74th minute tap-in by Seun Ogunribigbe were enough to end 3SC’s dream of booking a place in the main Playoffs.

The Gbenga Odubote tutored side had stormed Eket with the aim of ending Remo Stars’ dominance but it was not to be as CAF Champions League ticket holder just confirmed that their victories (home and away) over the Oluyole Warriors in the Nigeria Premier League were no fluke.

hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, from 7-16 July.

Obi explained that the club has had to overcome an internal crisis, and his players’ hunger for success has led them thus far. “Many people do not know how the team started. The team started with nothing. 98 per cent of the regular players that played last season when the team was in the Premier League left, the coach also left to Abia Warriors,” Obi who served as assistant to the former coach said.

“I had to start from scratch, I organised matches among the teams in Imo State, they played against themselves so I had the opportunity of watching them and picking from the lot.

“It was those people I picked that I started grooming without the help of anybody. I groomed them till the government was able to come in and the seed I sowed in them is what we are seeing today.

“Thank God the players I picked were players that are hungry to play football. They saw an opportunity to showcase their skills and they capitalized on it and that’s what we’re seeing today, that is the secret of the unbeaten run. The players within a short time were able to master themselves and we’re playing,” the coach said.

Earlier today, it would be a war of the North east as Yobe Stars clash with NNL campaigner, Gombe United.

Heartland vs Enyimba and other Naija Super 8 play-off matches will be live on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Variety 4 and SuperSport Select 2.

Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsors, MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance.

FIXTURES

TODAY Yobe Stars v Gombe Utd Heartland v Enyimba

SUNDAY Kano Pillars v Katsina Utd

Remo Stars’ midfielder, Segun Odegbile tries to guide the ball away from Bendel insurance players

We’ll make NPL champions respect us, says Naze millionaires’ coach

Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina may have played his last game for Torino as he bid farewell to teammates after Inter Milan clash with his contract expected to expire on July 1, which will make him a free agent.

Aina and Torino have been in contract negotiations for an extended period, as the club expressed their desire to extend the defender’s stay in Turin.

However, both parties failed to reach an agreement, as Torino could not meet Aina’s contractual demands.

Officially, Aina remains a Torino player until June 30, but according to reports, he already bid farewell to his teammates following their last Serie A fixture against Inter Milan, which ended in a 1-0 loss for Torino last month.

Aina featured for 33 minutes in that match, bringing his total Serie A appearances for this season to 19, of which only nine were in the starting lineup.

Throughout his time in Turin, Aina made 113 appearances, scoring two goals and providing seven assists. His departure now opens the door for a potential return to England, where he has several admirers.

As he becomes available on a free transfer, the 26-year-old right-back is expected to attract significant interest from clubs vying to secure his services.

While Ola Aina played a crucial role for Davide Ballardini’s team, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in all competitions, his efforts were insufficient to secure their place in the Serie A top flight.

Meanwhile, Premier League campaigners West Ham, have been tipped to make another attempt to sign Aina from Torino during the January transfer window with the Hammers having issues with their defence and needed reinforcement in the crucial second half of last season.

The Hammers made a late move for Aina last summer but they ultimately failed in that effort as Torino refused to part with the Nigerian defender.

But West Ham continue to have defensive problems at fullback with Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, and Ben Johnson either struggling with form, con sistency, or injuries.

With two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments under his belt and 93 Serie A caps, Aina guarantees quality and versatility, being able to function effectively at rightback and left-back.

And according to a report from the Evening Standard, the 26-yearold is one of the options for West Ham.

While Aina is likely keen on a return to the Premier League, the former Fulham star may have to look at other options and away from West Ham following manager David Moyes’ earlier transfer comments.

The Hammers boss told TalkSport that the club will not be active in the transfer market.

Asked if West Ham will strengthen when the transfer window reopens in the new year, Moyes said: “Nah, I don’t think we w ill.

“Because I have to say the board did really well by us and spent a good amount of money in the summer, we brought in nine new players, which is more than anybody would want to do, really.

“But we needed it because we’ve got a European campaign again and because of the amount of games we played in the year before. Even last season I think we played more games than any other Premier League team at this stage of last season, so we needed to add those players.”

The Hammers, however, are not alone in the race to sign the 26-yearold versatile defender as Leeds United and Crystal Palace are also

What Next for Ola Aina?

With his contract expected to expire on July 1, and all attempts by the egg heads of Torino for a contract renewal of the Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, having failed as the Serie A side could not meet the defender’s contractual demands, the big question is where would the Chelsea academy product ply his trade when the new season kicks off

said to be keen to sign the Nigerian international who came through the youth ranks at Chelsea.

The reliable Hammers source shared that the defender is very keen on moving to the London Stadium.

Aina joined Torino in 2019, but he went on a season-long to Fulham. The Super Eagles defender then returned to Turin after an unsuccessful stint in London.

Last summer, Aina was linked with a move to the Premier League, with West Ham and Fulham amongst his suitors. However, the Chelsea Academy product remained at Torino.

Aina could favour a return to the Premier League, as he was strongly linked with Fulham and West Ham last season. Aside from his two-year stay at Torino, Aina has never played for any team outside the shores of England.

Aina was linked with a move away from the club last summer after losing his place in the starting line-up during the second half of the campaign. The 26-year-old however reclaimed his place in the starting line-up.

The Super Eagles defender left Chelsea for the Bulls in 2019. After a season which saw him make 32 league appearances, he returned to

the Premier League on a loan deal at Fulham.

However, he returned to Torino penultimate summer after Fulham got relegated to the English Championship.

Aina has spent most of his life in England, and it is expected that he would favour a return to the Premier League rather than elsewhere.

Aina began his career at Chelsea, where he enjoyed success with the Blues’ youth teams, winning multiple honours, including the Barclays U21 Premier League, the FA Youth Cup, and the UEFA Youth League (twice). It however remains to be seen if a Premier League return is the way to go for Aina.

Interestingly, Serie A side Torino are poised to engage in a transfer tussle with Glasgow Rangers as they vie for the signing of Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers, following the exit of Aina. Tuttosports reportedly revealed that the Toro board are looking to hijack the signature of a Cremonese forward from Rangers.

Ola Aina tries to dispossess Milan Theo Hernandez in a Serie A game

“But we needed it because we’ve got a European campaign again and because of the amount of games we played in the year before. Even last season I think we played more games than any other Premier League team at this stage of last season, so we needed to add those players.”

Nottingham Forest Hold Talks with Iheanacho, Expected to

Nottingham Forest held preliminary talks with Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho last week, with more talks planned for this week as the Reds step up their pursuit of the Nigerian international, according to reports.

Iheanacho, 26, joined Leicester City from Manchester City in 2017. The Foxes paid a reported fee of £25million for the striker who’s since scored 55 goals in 206 total appearances for the club, with five of those goals coming in 28 Premier League appearances last time round.

Currently away on international duty with Nigeria where he scored in the 3-2

Table Formal Bid

win over Sierra Leone last Sunday, Iheanacho is now a reported target of Nottingham Forest’s.

A report claims that talks between Iheanacho and Forest have ‘accelerated in recent days’, and that preliminary talks were held last week. The same report adds that ‘more talks will be held this week’ with Forest soon expected to table a formal bid upon agreeing personal terms with the Leicester front man.

Iheanacho has been a good player for Leicester over the years. He’s been with the club a long time and he’s scored a lot of goals for them, with some important ones down the line too, but now it looks

Oyediji Hails Power Forward for Decade of Sports Development in Nigeria

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

like he could be ready for a new challenge.

He’s out of contract in 2024 and so now is perhaps the best time for the Foxes to make back some of that £25million they paid for him way back in 2017, though whether they can recoup most of that fee remains to be seen.

A move to Forest would be a good one for Iheanacho as it would mean he doesn’t have to relocate too far, and it would also give him a Premier League lifeline ahead of next season.

It seems like a move is progressing and we could see Iheanacho moving on in the coming days or weeks.

Emmanuel Dennis Turns Down Saudi Offer

Nottingham Forest forward, Emmanuel Dennis is set to turn down any offers from Saudi Arabia to continue his career path in Europe.

The Nigerian forward has set sights on leaving Nottingham Forest this summer but wants to continue playing in Europe.

According to The Athletic UK, the representatives of the 25-year-old have started the process of holding exploratory talks with the aim of finding other clubs interested in the versatile forward, so as to conclude any possible deals early,

before a new season kick starts in August.

The Nigeria international is understood to be comfortable with the option of a departure if the right opportunity presents itself.

Nottingham Forest, however, have not received an official offer for the striker but are also known to be open to discussions over an exit, with further talks said to be in the works over a proposed departure in the near future between representatives and the club. The player is open to staying in Europe only, he does not want to leave Europe

Dennis’ current contract runs till June 2026, after he was signed on a four-year contract from Watford last summer for an estimated fee of 15 million pounds, and in just 19 Premier League appearances for the club, he scored two important goals, and set up another two towards the end of the season, coming in clutch along his country-man and teammate, Taiwo Awoniyi who scored 10 goals to make sure Nottingham Forest’s stay in the Premier League for another season was ensured.

Fans to Decide Peseiro’s Continued Stay as Super Eagles Manager

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro faces a public battle to keep his job as fans are handed the chance to decide whether he should stay in charge.

The head of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, pledged to canvass supporters for opinions before taking a final decision about the Super Eagles boss.

Former Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Al Ahly coach Peseiro, who has also had spells in charge of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, officially took charge of the three-time African champions in May 2022 and his contract with the NFF expires on 30 June.

Despite Nigeria securing qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the federation has struggled previously

to pay the 63-year-old’s wages, believed to be $70,000 per month.

“We have the plan to push the votes to Nigerians to hear their views and thoughts,” NFF president Gusau announced during an interview on the Gbamm! LovingFootball radio show.

“We’ve tried the foreign coaches and also the local coaches, and it seems they were having some kind of problems.

“Maybe we didn’t get it right in the area of getting the right person.

“We are surely going to push it to the public, whether we should continue with Peseiro or he should go.”

Since missing out on a place at the 2022 World Cup, Nigeria

have won four and lost five games under Peseiro.

Included in those results were a 10-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe and a 1-0 defeat at home to Guinea-Bissau. Last Sunday, Nigeria needed a stoppage-time winner from Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho to secure the 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone that clinched qualification for next year’s Afcon in Ivory Coast.

However, the Portuguese has been heavily criticised by local media and fans for what some deem to be poor team selections and colourless performances.

Gusau previously told BBC Sport Africa his organisation will only pick the best man for the job and nationality will not be a factor.

Former captain of the Tigers, Olumide Oyedeji has hailed ExxonMobil, NBA Africa and PanAfricare Africa for using the Power Forward programme to advance the lots of Nigerian youths in sports in the last decade.

The programme now in its 10th year, which uses basketball to teach health literacy and life skills to secondary school students was tipped off at the Africa International College, Kaura.

A basketball clinic was held for 200 youth aged 13-16 with NBA Academy Africa Associate Technical Director, Joe Touomou leading a junior NBA coaching clinic for 45 coaches before the season tip-off of programme.

Oyedeji, who was a former NBA player and a 2015 FIBA AfroBasket champion, urged the students to focus on education. He noted that while education makes them useful to society, talent makes them a star and combination of both makes them superstar.

He said he was convinced that NBA Africa was on the verge of making basketball a great sport in Nigeria.

Apart from Oyediji, the programme was attended by the Manager, Media and Communications for ExxonMobil affiliate companies in Nigeria, Oge Udeagha, NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head for Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu and PanAfricare Nigeria Country Director Dr. Patrick Adah.

Since it was launched in 2013, the Power Forward programme

has reached more than 200,000 youth and their communities in Abuja through life skills and public health awareness seminars, malaria prevention workshops, and basketball programming.

“For the past 20 years, ExxonMobil’s Malaria Initiative has provided more than $37.4 million (over N15 billion) in cash grants to partners working to develop community-based solutions in Nigeria,” said Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliate companies in Nigeria, Richard Laing.

On her part, Abudu said NBA Africa will continue to focus on youth empowerment and development and use the transformative power of the game to equip the youth with the skills necessary to succeed on the court and in life.

Ighalo Expresses Willingness to Play in NPL

Former Al-Hilal forward and Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has provided insights into why he is open to playing in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Recent reports have indicated that the reigning NPFL champions, Enyimba, have expressed interest in securing the services of the former Watford FC player as they seek to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.

During an interview on Elegbete TV, Ighalo revealed that he would be willing to

play in the Nigerian league for a period of six months to one year without a salary, on the condition that there is adequate security, good media coverage, and competent refereeing.

Ighalo began his professional career in Nigeria with Julius Berger in 2007 before embarking on his European journey, which included a stint with Norwegian side Lyn. Since then, he has played in various European leagues, accumulating an impressive record of 218 goals and 38

assists in 467 appearances for his clubs.

With his contract at Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal recently expiring, the Nigerian striker may be contemplating a return to his homeland as he approaches the latter stages of his career.

Ighalo stated, “If security is guaranteed, along with good media coverage and competent referees, I can play for six months or even a year without receiving a salary.”

Michael, Akpieye Win SAC Golf Section Captain’s Inaugural Tourney

Ezekiel Michael and Lucky Akpieye’s excellent performance led to their declaration as winners of the Sapele Athletic Club (SAC) Golf Section Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament concluded over the weekend.

Michael won the club men’s event with a net score of 70 just as Joseph Ogbidhe beat Stephen Asagba on count-back having both played 72 net to place second and third respectively. John Okojie played 73 gross to win the best gross award.

Akpieye, Lady Captain of the club on her part played

67 net to emerge victorious in the ladies category while Patience Ogbidhe placed second with 81 net. Also, Chief Faith Gbagi with 83 net and Kenneth Orubebe who recorded 73 net won the super veterans and veterans event respectively.

In his remarks, Captain of the club, Alexander Verhees who was amazed at the large turnout appreciated all the sponsors, his Executives and members for their resilience in making the tournament a huge success.

He added: “ Sapele Athletic Club Golf Section is growing

in numbers just as the club is fast attracting more golfers due to its serenity and lush green golf course. We have expectations that all the golfers here today and many more will come again for another tournaments before the year ends.”

Other winners included Kenneth Okoye and Rita Izoje who won the guest men and ladies. Suwadetu Mahmud and Okoye won the ladies and men’s nearest the pin prize. Ehis Igbinadolor and Uche Nkwor won the ladies and men’s longest drive award respectively.

Abayomi, Udofa Shine as Topshot UTR Event Ends Today

The annual Topshot organised Universal Tennis Rating tournament enters crucial stage today as the young smashers battle in the Boys and Girls cadre to get into final stage of the competition.

After rain disturbed proceedings on Wednesday, the event got underway yesterday at the Lagos State Civil Service Club in GRA, Ikeja.

Interesting results were recorded as Philip Abayomi whipped Micheal Osewa 6-1,6-3 but Jimoh Joseph had to be

dragged into rubber against Olowogbele Elisha in a match he won 6-0,0-6,10-8.

Blessing Omotayo also had to play three sets against Toyin Asogba with a victory of 5-7, 6-2, 10-3 but it was an easy one for Mary Udofa who defeated Esther Olamide 6-2, 6-3.

In another match, Emmanuel Fortune also defeated Adamu Noah 7-6, 6-1 to move on in the competition as the smashers fight to make the finals slated for today.

Tournament Director, Jumoke Yakubu, said the level of competition had been very high because the players were eager to be on course for scholarship to the United State of America.

“We are witnessing fireworks almost in every match. Every match is like a final and the sponsors and members of the Lagos Civil Service Club are excited. This is very good from the young ones. We have seen many potential future champions here already, Yakubu said.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s strike against Southampton sends Leicester into the FA Cup finals

Ighalo in action

Oba of Benin to Clem Agba

“As a minister, I was wondering if any of our people also benefited from your office. I am saying that so that anyone who benefited can thank you”

–The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, chastising the former Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, for not extending the benefits of his ministerial appointment to the Benin people.

UZOR MAXIM UZOATU

Grappling with the Heart of the Nigerian Matter

Let’s start with a confession. This book, Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry (3rd Edition), Essays by Austin Avuru, has been so engrossing that, after some readings and rereading, I almost found it too heavy to compress into a review. It is thus incumbent on me to borrow the words of the great American essayist and novelist, James Baldwin, who wrote in his essay “A letter to my Nephew” published as a prelude to the classic The Fire Next Time thusly: “I have begun this letter five times and torn it up five times.”

After discarding some earlier versions of this review, I can now vow like the late Nigerian poet Christopher Okigbo that the version here is final.

Austin Avuru’s Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry is divided into three broad sections, namely, “Politics & Governance”, “Political Economics”, and “The Nigerian Petroleum Industry”, but the offering is best appreciated as a seamless whole. There is no escaping the hard fact that the petroleum industry is at the very heart of Nigeria’s politics and economics.

A methodical and consistent oil man, Avuru is that corporate mandarin and public intellectual who got engaged in stout opposition to military rule and arbitrariness while persistently clamouring for good governance and the ennobling tenets of democracy. His courageous consistency in the agitation for a private sector-led petroleum industry with increased local participation marks him out as a consummate Nigerian skipper who walks his talk.

The 74 essays that make up Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry are daring renditions and exposes taking no prisoners. With Austin Avuru, as espoused in the collected essays, there is no beating about the bush, as the old cliché says.

Born on August 17, 1958, Avuru graduated at

the top of his Geology class at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1980, and it is indeed remarkable that his recommendation on Students’ Accommodation in his Address as the President of the Graduating Class, delivered at age 22 on December 12, 1980, became in 2002 the chosen path at an interactive session between President Obasanjo, the Education Minister and Private Sector Financiers. Avuru has all over the eventful years of Nigeria put out his views in the public domain through the media such as The Guardian, ThisDay, Businessday, Financial Standard, PM News, Africa Oil & Gas etc. These original ideas make up the essays collected in this book alongside unpublished memos, public

addresses, workshop paper presentations etc. The first of the essays dates back to 1980 while the latest ones were published in 2022.

Avuru’s range in Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry is quite vast, intervolving what he terms the theory of potholes, the press as its own worst enemy, retired army generals as born-again democrats, the cleavages in his native Delta State, the activism of Concerned Professionals as the opposition party, the need for building a new police force, the tragedy of probes in Nigeria, the country’s peculiar brand of democracy, resource control as a political slogan, the trouble with onshore/offshore dichotomy, the revenue formula, the Electoral Act, constitutional amendment, the ambiguous status of local government councils, parasitism in the polity, spread of poverty, disturbing signals on privatisation, the trouble with foreign investments, deregulation, exchange rate blues, the subsidy trap, budgetary indiscipline, playing politics with power supply, the labour unions in a failed economy, indigenous participation in the Upstream Sector of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, privatising NNPC’s Downstream operations, the flooding menace etc.

Amid the intimidating vastness of Avuru’s enterprise, there are some pivotal gems to highlight. The primacy of education is crucial to the Avuru agenda as he sets up the foundational role with his alma mater thus: “When in 1954 the legendary Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and his close friend, Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani, started dreaming of a University of Nigeria, the intent was to lay the foundation for future leadership of the country rooted in culturally sound, classical as well as vocational tertiary education.” Avuru posits education and development in Nigeria as a dream betrayed unlike, for instance, “Singapore’s transformation from Third World to First World in thirty years and subsequent

AUSTIN TAM-GEORGE

GUEST COLUMNIST

establishment as one of the world’s most attractive investment and tourist destinations was hinged on a solid foundation of carefully crafted educational development programs.”

The betrayal is also evident on the political front especially with Avuru hopefully seeing the 2007 election of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan as the “final exit of the Class of 1932-1942” coup-plotting military men and retired generals taking hold of Nigerian power only for General Muhammadu Buhari to make a return as military president in 2015!

As Avuru avers, “Oil and gas have always been as much the fuel of the economy as it is the fuel of politics all over the world, and Nigeria has been no exception.” The squandering of oil and gas riches over the years in Nigeria is at the very heart of the country’s downfall. Lamentation is the forte of Nigeria: “A country whose annual budget is only $10 billion can play host to a $4 billion project like the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Bonny and yet not feel its impact directly on the economy. At least three major developments worth over $3 billion are ongoing without the economy sneezing… Whereas these projects are being executed here with income also earned here, the multiplier benefits are felt in far flung places like Houston, Aberdeen, Tokyo etc.”

The reason not to despair is that there is an individual like Austin Avuru in the Nigerian sphere who is as ever ready to lead the charge by daring all elements against all odds. The pioneer CEO of Seplat Energy which he co-founded in 2010, Avuru is the chairman of AA Holdings who in the spirit of his book, Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, believes fervently that “it is the aggregate activity of the human capital in harnessing resources that creates wealth.”

Wanted, a Government for the People

Long ago, in the 1980s, I lived with my mom in Aggrey Waterside, one of the most enigmatic informal settlements in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In those days, the first thing that came to your mind when you woke up in the morning was how to join the long queue leading to the communal toilet on the banks of the Aggrey River. I was a teenager, but I learned my first lessons in human resilience by simply looking at the quiet desperation of the people on those long harrowing queues.

There were no water closet systems in the area, no health care services, and we heard of the word “government” only as a cruel and distant rumour. For many people, government was a mythical entity whose agents occasionally came to raid small shop owners in our area, demanding for “tax.” Fast forward to 2015, when I was invited to serve as a Commissioner for Information in the Rivers State Government.

As I stood before the governor to take the Oath of office, it struck me that the majestic opulence of the Government House where I was being sworn into office was only 900 metres away from the prosaic squalor of Aggrey Waterside, where I lived decades before. So why was the Government House so near, and yet the “government” itself seemed so distant

from the people?

As I found during my time in government, the distance between the people and those who lead is not necessarily a physical distance. It is a policy distance, a performance distance, and an empathy distance.

Policy distance happens when what the government thinks and wants to do is in complete misalignment with what the people actually need.

For instance, if you build an “ultramodern” post office in a community where the people are concerned about the high infant death rate, then there is a serious policy distance. A well-staffed primary health care delivery system may help the people more.

So, as governor, you may invite the Sultan of Brunei to join the King of Monaco to commission the completed ultramodern post office to much media fanfare, but children continue to die from all kinds of preventable diseases and your post office is unable to help them. In government, performance distance happens when there is insufficient or lack of imaginative and practical capacity to deliver services that actually improve the people’s lives.

For example, a local government chairman may be quick to organize thugs to disrupt an opposition political rally in his area. But if he lacks the imaginative

capacity to mobilize the people on a campaign to, say, increase school enrolment in his domain, then the council area may not see positive development in the long term. This is performance distance because the council chairman’s mobilizational ability is misdirected, destructive, and does not bring any benefits to the people.

Similarly, a governor may position his henchmen in every political unit in his state, and he may master how to manipulate the judicial system for his political gain. But if the governor lacks the imaginative abilities to understand and implement sustainable development goals for the benefit of the people as a whole, then his negative hold on the political system will ultimately lead to a failure of development.

Finally, one of the biggest lessons I learned during my time in government and in my studies at Harvard is that empathy does matter in leadership. Empathy does not require us to act as emotional holograms on behalf of other people. Rather, empathy challenges us to reaffirm our own humanity by showing compassion and understanding in our relationships with others.

In leadership, empathy distance occurs when leaders feel no connection with the plight and struggles of the people they were meant to serve. Empathy is what moves us to stand hip to hip with the people

when our communities are flooded, and the people need to be evacuated to a higher ground, with warm blankets on their backs.

On the other hand, empathy distance is what happens when we’re so obsessed with the tantalizing hedonism of high office, that we’re unable to hear or respond to the piercing cry of a woman in labour only 900 meters away, who has no access to prenatal care. Empathy distance is the icy indifference we show when 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria - the highest number of children out of school in the world.

For too long in Nigeria, we’ve practised government essentially without the people. Although I voluntarily resigned from my post in government, I firmly believe that a visionary and capable government can be a force for good. We need to rethink the notion of “government,” with a prepositional insistence that places the people’s present and future needs at the centre of public policy.

We need a government that is for the people.

•Dr. Tam-George, an alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School, Boston, is a former Commissioner for Information, Rivers State.

Avuru