MONDAY 27TH JUNE 2022

UTM Offshore, Afreximbank Sign Project Preparation Facility Financing Deal Nigeria’s first FLNG project gets a boost African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has executed a project preparation facility financing head of terms with UTM Offshore Limited (UTM), the bank said in a statement at

the weekend.

Under the deal signed during the banks’ 29th Annual Meetings in Cairo, Egypt last week, it will part-finance activities designed to progress the first Floating

Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in Nigeria to bankability.

It marks a continuation of the support of Afreximbank, which has been leading UTM’s fundraising efforts to secure the

necessary investments required for the project’s implementation.

In line with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and global energy transition efforts, UTM Offshore Limited

is developing Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its affiliate, LNG Investment

Management Services.

Afreximbank considers this project of historical significance as the first FLNG project developed Continued on page 5

Again, NNPC Fails to Remit Monies to Federation Account in May as Petrol Subsidy Hits N1.27trn…

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Ekweremadu: Immigration Affirms Alleged Kidney Donor is 21 Years Old…

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Kwankwaso: APC, PDP Have Failed Nigerians, Not Fit for Governance Ajaka: Former Kano governor can't become president with sectional party Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Former governor of Kano state

and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) for the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa

Kwankwaso has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

are no longer fit for governance, having allegedly failed the populace.

The former Defence Minister,

urged Nigerians to reject the their respective political parties candidates of the two main had failed the nation woefully parties in 2023 presidential Continued on page 5 election on the premise that

Get Guns and Defend Yourselves, Matawalle Tells Zamfara People Instructs CP to issue licences to willing citizens Shuts markets, filling stations in two council areas Orders security forces to shoot on sight okada riders in restricted areas Terrorists allegedly ban political activities in Kaduna communities Ortom attributes FG’s inability to curtail killings to hidden agenda Uzodimma grants 10 days amnesty to bandits, says they’ll face bombardment thereafter Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Francis Sardauna in Katsina, George Okoh in Makurdi, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, John Shiklam in Kaduna and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Confronted with a seemingly helpless situation, Zamfara State Governor, Mohammed Matawalle, has resorted to self-help, directing Continued on page 5

WEDDED IN MARRAKESH...

L-R: Bride, Nenesi Elsie Ibru, daughter of Chief Pascal Ibru and Groom, Chinedu Gabriel Okeke, son of Mr Chris Okeke, after their wedding at the Church of Holy Martyrs, Marrakesh, Morroco…weekend

Atiku: Judge Me with My Track Records as Vice President…

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PAGE FIVE GET GUNS AND DEFEND YOURSELVES, MATAWALLE TELLS ZAMFARA PEOPLE residents of the state, particularly farmers, to acquire guns to defend themselves against marauding terrorists/bandits.

Matawalle ordered the Commissioner of Police in the state to issue licences to residents willing and fit to bear arms, to protect themselves against the armed criminals.

The governor approved the immediate closure of all markets and some filling stations, and banned the use of motorcycles in Mada, Wonaka and Ruwan Bore districts as well as Yandoto emirate in Gusau and Tsafe local government areas of the state, respectively. He ordered security agents to shoot violators of the ban on sight.

In Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom said the continued attacks on communities in the state

by Fulani herdsmen and killing of innocent people was not because of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, but due to a hidden agenda of the aggressors and the failure of federal government.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday granted a 10-day amnesty to bandits operating and hibernating in forests in the state to leave the woods and surrender themselves and their arms to the traditional rulers, or face bombardment if they failed to utilise the window.

Similarly, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, approved the recruitment of additional 500 men into the state's sector of the regional security outfit, Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun.

This was part of the efforts of

the administration to enhance security of lives and property in the state.

But in Edo State, gunmen, yesterday morning kidnapped a Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Osia.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State disclosed that about 200,000 people displaced in the North-east by the activities of Boko Haram were yet to be returned to the country.

In a related development, the Ansaru terrorists group, reportedly, banned political activities in some communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday night.

Matawalle, in a statement by his Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the state government would distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 emirates in the state for those willing to obtain self-defence weapons. He explained that the government had ordered for the recruitment of 200 additional Community Protection Guards (CPG) in each of the 19 emirates to boost their manpower and capacity to tackle banditry and other crimes in the state.

The governor said the government had also approved the formation of additional paramilitary units in order to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of the state's community protection guards.

The statement said, "Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend

themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state Commissioner of Police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.

"Government is ready to facilitate people, especially, our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.

Government has already concluded an arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.

"People must apply from the Commissioner of Police, license to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves. A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.

"In addition to this, the government has equally banned riding of motorbikes and selling of petroleum products in Mada, Wonaka and Ruwan Bore districts, as well as Yandoto emirate.

Henceforth, all filling stations in the affected areas are hereby closed with immediate effect.

"Anybody found riding a motorbike within the areas is considered as bandits and security agencies are thereby directed to shoot such persons on sight. Security agencies are by this announcement directed to ensure strict compliance."

The governor reiterated that anyone found violating the order would be dealt with in accordance with the rule of law, warning, however, that government would not condone any acts against innocent people.

He maintained that the security measures taken by the state government were to deal decisively with recent escalating attacks, kidnapping, and criminal levies on innocent communities by terrorists.

Ortom: FG’s Inability to Curtail Killings Part of a Hidden Agenda Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said the constant murderous attacks by Fulani herdsmen on communities in the state were not because of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted in the state. Ortom attributed the attacks to a hidden agenda by the assailants and a curious failure of the government at the centre to curtail them.

The governor made the assertions yesterday while addressing the congregation at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, Nyorgyungu, Makurdi, during the wedding of his immediate younger brother, Bernard Ortom, and his wife, Helen Tyokyegh.

According to Ortom, other states in the country that have no laws prohibiting open grazing are equally facing attacks and killings, in a clear confirmation of the aggressors’ annihilation, subjugation and conquest agenda.

The governor advised the people to arm themselves with the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in next year’s general election by voting for credible people with proven capacity to turn things around in the country. He charged Christians, particularly, the clergymen, not

to relent in praying to God on the worsening security and other challenges confronting the state.

Ortom stated that no challenge was too big for God to solve permanently. He said as someone with the mandate of God and the people to govern the state, he had been doing his best to ensure that the people had comfortable lives.

While responding to an earlier appeal by the Priest in Charge of the church, Ortom directed the chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, to construct a classroom block for the primary school owned by the church and promised to look into their other challenges.

Uzodimma Grants 10 Days’ Amnesty to Bandits, Threatens Bombardment Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State granted a10-day window to bandits operating and hiding in forests in the state to leave and surrender themselves and their weapons to the traditional rulers in the areas or face bombardment.

The amnesty took immediate effect.

Uzodimma, who spoke at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, while addressing the congregation after the Sunday Service, said government had decided to rid the forests of bandits and, accordingly, procured the necessary equipment for the purpose. He said bandits who wanted to be reintegrated into the society should take advantage of the amnesty and quit now and hand over their arms.

The governor disclosed that Imo

State would host the annual Army Day Celebration from June 30 to July 6, saying no fewer than 10,000 military personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigeria Police, among others, would be in attendance. They would be led by the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Chief, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector-General of Police, and other security heads, according to the governor.

Uzodimma disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari, who would be expected to declare open the Army Day celebration, had fixed July 12 - 13 as the period he would commission the OwerriOrlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads as well as perform the flag-off of the construction of Owerri-MbaiseUmuahia (from Fire Service) and the Orlu-Akokwa roads and the foundation laying ceremony of the Imo International Conference Centre in Owerri.

Uzodimma said Cranburg would handle the new roads.

Kidnapped Catholic Priest Found Dead in Edo The Catholic Rev. Father Christopher Odia, popularly known as Rev. Father Osia, that was Kidnapped early yesterday by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ikabigbo community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State has been found Dead.

It was gathered that the armed herdsmen stormed the residence of the priest when he was preparing for Sunday and whisked him away.

Continued on page 14

KWANKWASO: APC, PDP HAVE FAILED NIGERIANS, NOT FIT FOR GOVERNANCE over the years.

The former governor argued that the parties had performed abysmally in delivering dividends of democracy to the people, saying this reflects in the level of insecurity, joblessness, economic deprivation and hardship that are pervading the land.

Kwankwaso, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State, during a consultation visit to the state at the weekend, lamented the decayed infrastructure in the country, as manifested the deplorable Akure-Ado road.

He knocked the APC-led federal and state governments for abandoning the people to suffer on the road.

Calling on the people to have trust in the NNPP to transform the country and place it on the right path to progress, he explained that the party had been experiencing surge in membership in the last few months since he joined the platform.

He stated that the rising cases of insecurity across the country and excruciating economic policies, which he said had resulted in poverty, unemployment, inflation were enough reasons for the people to reject the ruling party, adding, "the way we are going now is one way to disaster in the country."

Kwankwaso who represented Kano Central in the Eighth National Assembly said, "This our party was registered about 21 years ago but in the last four months when I joined the party, so many people have joined us and that is why we have structures everywhere across the country. Not only that so many people have even registered including in Ekiti state.

"We have seen the performance of the APC and PDP and all of us believe that they have failed the country woefully and nobody should expect anything from them again. These people in the two parties have failed and failed woefully, they have

nothing to offer.

"Look at the road from Akure to Ado-Ekiti, it is in a very terrible and deplorable situation. You go around any of these cities, Abuja and other areas, you hardly see anything happening, poverty is at the highest level in this country, insecurity also at its peak and we can't continue like that, because the way we are going now is one way to disaster in the country.

"So, the only way to avert that disaster is for Nigerians to go and sell the ideas of NNPP, which is a progressive party and vote for the party come 2023."

On the speculations relating to alliance with the PDP ahead of the 2023 election, the former Kano state governor who denied the insinuations, alleged that the main opposition party has no clear-cut agenda for the nation, saying he would never return to his past.

"Don't forget we have candidates across board now in NNPP ahead of the 2023 elections, so you will expect me to leave and join others in the PDP? "It is not going to happen. I was a foundation member of the two major parties and they have nothing to offer again, that is why I left them and I can't go back," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yakubu Ajaka, has said it was impossible for the former Governor of Kano State to become president of Nigeria with a sectional party like the NNPP. Ajaka, who said Kwankwaso should return to the ruling party, which he helped to build and had great chance to ride on to becoming president, however, dismissed the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as good customers to the APC during elections.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, Ajaka, said it

was not too late for Kwankwaso to retrace his steps, stressing that winning one or two states in the North West would not make him the president.

"Kwankwaso knew about the formation of APC, he contributed immensely to its success in 2015 and our leaders hope to repay him at the appropriate time but he cannot be outside to be a beneficiary in the nearest future.

"So, that is why I said it's not too late for him to return to the APC. That's where he naturally belongs and has an assurance of becoming a president one day,

and not his current sectional NNPP. "Although some people might be deceiving him by calling him Mr. President already, but just one or two states in the North West cannot make him a president.

Kwankwaso needs a national party like APC to achieve his presidential ambition. So, I plead to him to do the needful before it's too late," Ajaka said.

The APC chieftain noted that the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, was only enjoying sectional sympathy at the moment, stressing that

when campaign starts, Nigerians would differentiate between boys and men in politics.

According to him, "Just like Kwankwaso, Peter Obi is only enjoying sectional sympathy but a real presidential candidate needs to enjoy acceptability from all parts of the country. So, we believe that Peter Obi should enjoy his social media frenzy for now before the real campaign starts very soon."

Ajaka pointed out that he didn't see both the PDP and its presidential candidate as formidable opponent going

into the 2023 elections He noted that the opposition party would make all the noise without facts and enjoy its propaganda for a while, but Nigerian voters would eventually distinguish between PDP’s lies and APC’s record of achievements.

He further added that, the PDP and Atiku, were good customers to APC, who could not go beyond coming second at any election, stressing that, even that second position was threatened with the recent result Ekiti governorship election.

UTM OFFSHORE, AFREXIMBANK SIGN PROJECT PREPARATION FACILITY FINANCING DEAL by an African-owned company on the continent.

UTM is undertaking the development, design, and construction of an FLNG facility with a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) nameplate production capacity of 1.2 million metric tons per annum and a storage capacity of 200,000 cubic meters, as well as ancillary facilities to be located 60km from the shore of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Representing a “first” in the African FLNG sector for UTM’s ownership, this intervention aligns with Afreximbank’s strategic aim of advancing activities, which boast of strong climate finance credentials and accelerate the development of energy transition solutions, in line with the reduction of carbon emissions prescribed at COP26.

The project has economically transformative potential – establishing trade-enabling infrastructure, which will allow Nigeria to ensure the monetisation of its natural resources and pivot from a crude oil export-based economy to a gas-based processing industrial economy.

“Specifically, the project will generate exports estimated at a minimum of $11.4 billion from Nigeria to the rest of the

world, in the process creating over 2,000 construction jobs and a minimum of 1,000 high-quality jobs,” Executive Vice-President of Afreximbank, Mr. Amr Kamel, said at a brief but colourful signing ceremony.

He added: “To support this project throughout its journey along the project finance value chain, Afreximbank is leveraging its diverse product suite to provide end-to-end solutions.

During the pre-investment stage, the project preparation facility will be deployed towards derisking the project and rapidly advancing it towards bankability.

“In addition, under the PPF, the Bank will be appointed as MLA and lead in syndicating the debt raise – with the ability to incorporate credit enhancements if required. Through its Financial Advisory Mandate, Afreximbank has been playing an active role in structuring the transaction to ensure optimal returns and debt sizing, as well as identifying equity investors to invest in the Project on favourable terms.”

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore Limited, Mr. Julius Rone, said the participation of the bank in the project’s preparation stage will play a significant role in de-risking this landmark

activity being promoted by UTM Offshore, fast-tracking the fund-raising process and project implementation.

“The project is well-aligned with the strategy of the bank to support trade-enabling infrastructure that contributes to the monetisation of the natural resources of its member state whilst diversifying their dependence on crude oil export,” Rone said, adding, “This intervention also serves to demonstrate the bank’s commitment to promotingå climate finance and energy transition solutions that will lower Africa’s carbon footprint, in alignment with COP26 and the global de-carbonisation trend.”

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extraAfrican trade. It deploys innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa.

The bank has a rich history of intervening in support of African countries in times of crisis. Through the Pandemic

Trade Impact Mitigation Facility (PATIMFA) launched in April 2020, Afreximbank disbursed more than $6.5 billion in 2020 to help member countries manage the adverse impact of financial, economic, and health shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has completed the development of a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Afreximbank is working with the AU and the AfCFTA Secretariat to develop an Adjustment Facility to support countries in effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of 2020, the bank’s total assets and guarantees stood at $21.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$3.4 billion. Afreximbank disbursed more than US$42 billion between 2016 and 2020.

With headquarters in Cairo, Egypt the bank has ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A-), Moody’s (Baa1) and Fitch (BBB-).

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NEWS

Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 08074010580

RALLYING THE YOUTH VOTE...

L-R: Political Adviser, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Paulo Barronso; EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi; INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu and INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, during the closing ceremony of Youth Vote Count in Abuja... yesterday

Again, NNPC Fails to Remit Monies to Federation Account in May as Petrol Subsidy Hits N1.27trn Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to carry out its statutory obligations to the federation continued for the fifth month in May, with the firm now recording a N704 billion deficit for the year thus far.

In its latest monthly presentation to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the national oil company also disclosed that it deducted another N327.07 billion as shortfall in the month under review.

With a projected N1.473 trillion payment to the federation

for the entire year and a monthly remittance of N122.767 billion, the implication is that the federal, state and local governments may continue to have cash shortages for a while since the payments constitute a major revenue source.

Last month, the NNPC stated that it would deduct a record

Grid Collapse: SERAP Sues Buhari over Alleged Missing N11trn Electricity Fund Udora Orizu in Abuja The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a suit against President Muhammadu Buhari over his failure to probe allegations that over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply since 1999 may have been stolen, mismanaged or diverted into private pockets.

Joined in the suit as respondent was Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

In the suit number FHC/L/ CS/1119/2022 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP sought an order of mandamus to direct and compel Buhari to investigate how over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply has been allegedly squandered by governments since 1999.

SERAP also sought an order of mandamus to compel Buhari to ensure the prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the missing electricity fund, as appropriate, and to ensure the tracing and full recovery of any missing public funds.

SERAP argued that investigating the allegations of missing N11 trillion electricity funds, prosecuting suspected perpetrators and recovering any missing public funds would end a culture of impunity and address persistent collapse of the electricity grid, and improve access to and affordability of electricity in the country.

The suit filed on behalf

of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “Corruption in the electricity sector has also continued to disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the population who cannot readily afford expensive generators in order to have a reliable power supply.

“The failure of successive governments and high-ranking government officials to prevent corruption in the electricity sector and to bring suspected perpetrators to justice is the primary cause of the persistent crisis in the electricity sector, including the exploitation of

electricity consumers, and collapse of the electricity grid.

“The details of the missing N11 trillion electricity funds are contained in a SERAP report titled: From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are paying the Price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector. According to the report, the total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over N11 trillion. This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector."

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

N874.5 billion when the FAAC met this June, but the latest data shows that the entire revenue of the firm for the month was not even enough to net off such a huge sum. Part of the amount has now been deferred till next month.

The N874.5 billion the NNPC said it intended to net off this month is far higher than its contribution to the joint account of N656.6 billion shared by the entire federal government and the sub-nationals in May. Last week, the federation shared a total sum of N680.783 billion , about N24,181 billion higher than the N656.6 billion shared in the preceding month.

In January, February and March 2022, petrol subsidy gulped 210.38 billion, N219.78 billion, and N245.77 billion, respectively while in April, the country spent N271 billion.

These deductions are expected to continue throughout the year.

With skyrocketing international oil prices, domestic fuel prices have also increased since Nigeria does not refine a drop of all the products it consumes. This has increased the subsidy burden.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari got the National Assembly to approve

N4 trillion for subsidies in 2022, up from the N400 billion initially projected for the purpose.

With the current deductions, NNPC has expended N1.27 trillion on petrol subsidy in the last five months—about 31 per cent of the N4 trillion provision for the year, a “the cable” news report stated.

According to the report, NNPC said it would recover the sum of N845.15 billion as a value shortfall from June 2022 proceed billed for sharing in July.

“The value shortfall on the importation of PMS recovered from May 2022 proceeds is N327,065,907,048.06 while the outstanding balance carried forward is N617 billion,” NNPC said.

“The estimated value shortfall of N845,152,863,012.97 billion (consisting of arrears of N617 billion plus estimated May 2022 Value shortfall of N227,721,200,478.23 is to be recovered from June 2022 proceed due for sharing at the July 2022 FAAC meeting,” it added.

However, for the month, the NNPC declared a gross revenue of N470.61 billion, the highest for the year so far, although it projected a monthly revenue of N414.9 billion and N4.98

trillion annually.

The report further showed that the company posted a total of N1.89 trillion as gross revenue in the last five months.

Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari shut down calls for the removal of petrol subsidy, querying why the West should be demanding that Nigeria withdraws the payment of under-recovery, while those nations continue to support their citizens with same to ameliorate the current economic hardship.

“Why would we remove ours now? What is good for the goose is good for the gander!

What our western allies are learning the hard way is what looks good on paper, and the human consequences are two different things,” he had said.

“My government set in motion plans to remove the subsidy late last year. After further consultation with stakeholders, and as events unfolded this year, such a move became increasingly untenable,” he told Bloomberg news.

The current administration recently deferred the implementation of the full removal of subsidy by 18 months, effectively pushing it to the next government which begins in May next year.

S'Court Vacancies: JSC Snubs SANs, Opts for 29 Appeal Court Justices Wale Igbintade The Federal Judicial Service Commission has shut out lawyers, including seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), from the six present or future vacancies at the Supreme Court.

In the list sent by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who doubles as Chairman, Federal Judicial Service Commission, to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), none of the senior lawyers that applied for the vacancies at the apex court was on the list.

The provisional list sent to the Nigerian Bar Association comprises 29 Justices of the Court of Appeal from five geopolitical zones.

They are to fill six present or expected vacancies on the Supreme

Court’s maximum 21-man bench.

The shortlist includes five jurists each from the Northcentral, Northwest, Southsouth and Southwest, while the Southeast has a nine-man jurist team.

The candidates and their zones are “A. Northcentral: 1. Justice Jummai Sankey, JCA, 2. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, JCA, 3. Justice Sa’idu Tanko Hussain, JCA, 4. Justice Ridwan M. Abdullahi, JCA and 5. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, JCA. “B. Northwest: 1. Justice Ali Abubakar Babandi Gumel, JCA, 2.

Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan, JCA, 3.

Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, JCA, 4. Justice Jamilu Y. Tukur. JCA and 5. Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu, JCA “C. Southeast: 1. Justice Uzoamaka I. Ndukwe-Anyanwu, JCA, 2. Justice Chidiebere N. Uwa, JCA, 3. Justice

Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, JCA, 4. Justice Theresa N. Orji-Abadua, JCA, 5.

Justice Obande F. Ogbuinya, JCA, 6. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, JCA, 7. Hon. Justice Onyekachi A. Otisi, JCA, 8. Justice Ugochukwu A. Ogakwu, JCA, 9. Justice Kenneth Ikechukwu Amadi, JCA. “D. Southsouth: 1. Hon. Justice Moore A. Abraham Adumein, JCA, 2. Hon. Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, JCA, 3. Hon. Justice Frederick O. Oho, JCA, 4. Hon. Dr. Justice Abimbola O. Obaseki-Adejumo, JCA, and 5.

Hon. Justice Ebiowei Tobi, JCA. “E. Southwest, 1. Hon. Justice Oyebisi F. Omoleye, JCA, 2. Hon. Justice Tunde O. Omotoye, JCA, 3. Hon. Justice Habeeb A. O. Abiru, JCA, 4.

Hon. Justice Peter Olabisi Ige, JCA, 5. Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA.”

Apart from the Southeast which will get two out of the six slots, and the Northeast which is excluded, the other zones will get one slot each on the apex court bench.

NBA Judiciary Committee Chairman, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, who released the names of the shortlisted applicants in a letter advised NBA members to send in their comments/petitions not later than Monday, June 27.

His letter, titled “RE: APPOINTMENT OF SIX (6) JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA” reads in part: “By a letter dated 19th January 2022, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Federal Judicial Service Commission, Hon. Dr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR requested, from critical stakeholders including

the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the nomination of suitable candidates for consideration for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to fill six present and potential vacancies at the Supreme Court.

“On 7th February 2022, the NBA invited the expression of interest from suitably qualified members from the relevant geo-political zones.

“Further to the above, and pursuant to Rule III 4(i) and (iii) of the 2014 Revised National Judicial Council Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria, the Chief Justice of Nigeria has by a letter dated 27th May 2022 requested the NBA to comment on the provisional shortlist of the nominated Candidates.”

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NEWS

ANOTHER REFINERY IN PORT HARCOURT...

L-R; Managing Director, Maire Technimont, Mr. Pelizzola Davide; Managing Director, African Refinery Portharcourt Limited, Mr. Omotayo Adebajo; Legal Counsel, African Refinery, Mr. Tola Ayo-Adeyemi and Project Director, Technimont Africa, Mr. Fabio Del-Cioppo, during the signing of agreement between African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited and Maire Technimont of Italy for the construction of 100,000 barrels refinery to be co-located in Port Harcourt Refinery in Lagos...weekend.

ABIODUN AJALA

Ekweremadu: Immigration Affirms Alleged Kidney Donor is 21 Years Old Says due process followed in application, issuance Declares no contact yet from UK Govt Ebonyi promises to contact family of alleged donor Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos and Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) yesterday affirmed that David Nwamini who was alleged to have been trafficked to the United Kingdom for organ harvest by former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice is 21 years old and not 15 as claimed by him. The date on his issued Birth Certificate, reads, 12 October, 2000.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr. Idris Jere told THISDAY that due process was followed to the latter because the said donor brought supporting documents during the application process that put his age at 21.

This was just as Ebonyi State yesterday said it was reaching out to the family of the alleged organ donor to the senator’s ailing daughter.

Jere said documents like his National Population Commission (NPC) issued birth certificate, his National Identity Number (NIN) issued by NIMC, a letter of introduction issued by Ebonyi State Government Liaison Office situated at Maitama District Abuja, and a Guarantor’s form duly signed by

one Mr. Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonno, all tallied, hence he was issued a Standard Nigerian Passport He also disclosed that the Home Office in the UK has not made any contact with the NIS to repatriate the said donor, Nwamini.

Jere, who said the NIS took out time to investigate the authenticity of the passport obtained by Nwamini, said due process was followed in the application and issuance.

He said suggestions that the NIS did not properly vet the breeder documents issued by the applicant during his passport application, "were not only off the mark, but mere fabrications aimed at tarnishing the image of the service.

"The facts of the matter concerning the case above, therefore, are that the said Mr. David Ukpo Nwamina applied and paid for the enhanced standard passport using the NIS portal after which he approached the Gwagwalada Passport Office, FCT Abuja, on November 2, 2021 for his interview.

"To support his application, Mr. Nwamina presented all the necessary documents required, including his National Population Commission (NPC) issued Birth Certificate, showing 12 October, 2000, as his date of birth; his

National Identity Number (NIN) corroborating the date of birth on his birth certificate, issued by NIMC; a letter of introduction issued by Ebonyi State Government Liaison Office situated at Maitama District Abuja, and a Guarantor’s form duly signed by one Mr. Uchechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonno.

"The date of birth, or any other information for that matter, on any Nigerian passport is printed on the document only after a thorough vetting process that involves both physical and forensic examination of the applicant’s breeder documents.

Mr. Nwamina’s case, therefore, was not different."

Jere, who reiterated the service's commitment towards protecting the integrity of the passport, tasked purveyors of false news to desist from making unfounded utterances capable of denting the image of the service and nation at large.

Also, in a statement at the weekend, the NIS said due process was followed in the issuance Nwanini's passport.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the NIS, Amos Okpu, said that the notion making the rounds that the NIS did not properly vet the breeder documents issued by the applicant during his

Buhari Back in Abuja After Attending Commonwealth Meeting in Kigali Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday returned to Abuja after a four-day visit to Kigali, the Rwandan capital to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The president who travelled on Wednesday after presiding over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, arrived at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja around 1:04pm, and was received by top government officials including his Chief of

Staff (CoS), Prof Ibrahim Gambari.

While in Kigali, Buhari attended the official opening ceremony of CHOGM on June 24, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June.

He also held high-level bilateral discussions with other Commonwealth leaders, including the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and met with Nigerians living in Rwanda.

The president was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama;

the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.

Others in the President’s entourage were the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) DirectorGeneral, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NidCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

passport application were not only off the mark, but mere fabrications aimed at tarnishing the image of the service.

He said Nwamina applied and paid for the enhanced standard passport using the NIS portal after which he approached the Gwagwalada passport office in Abuja, on the 2nd November, 2021 for his interview.

He reiterated that the applicant equally presented all the necessary documents required for the passport issuance.

He, however assured that the NIS was committed to protecting the integrity of the passport and therefore advised the general public to desist from making unfounded utterances as they are capable of denting the image of the Service.

Ebonyi Promises to Contact Family of Alleged Kidney Donor Meanwhile, Ebonyi State yesterday said it was reaching out to the family of the individual contacted by the Senator representing Peoples Democratic Party, Enugu West.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Uchenna Orji made the disclosure in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen yesterday in Abakaliki.

“Ukpo’s information to the metropolitan authority of the United Kingdom(UK) orchestrated the criminal charge brought against Ekweremadu and his wife.

“The state government is following the turn of events and twists which followed the medical intention of the former Deputy Senate President, over the health condition of his daughter, Sonia.

“These circumstances led to the detention of the senator and his wife in the UK. “We urge the UK government to act progressively and meticulously while critically looking at the intention of the detained family.

“The Ebonyi government urges that they be given the benefit of the doubt.

“We also enjoin the public especially those with shades of opinions and surge of anxieties, to remain calm.

“The government hopes to see light at the end of the tunnel,” the statement added.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the commissioner reiterated that the state government stands with Ekweremadu at this trying moment.

“We hope that the truth and nothing but it shall guide the outcome of the matter,” he stated.

In a related development, forensic psychologist, Dr. Law Mefor, has described Nwamini as a serial liar, who should not be taken seriously.

Mefor was reacting to a Facebook post, supposedly by the alleged kidney donor, where he claimed that he was lured to Europe by Ekweremadu with a promise of better life only for the lawmaker and his wife to try to harvest his kidney for their sick daughter.

Mefor, in a post yesterday, described Ukpo as, “a serial liar and manipulator seeking sympathy when he should face the full weight of both the British and Nigerian laws.”

He said: “In the first place, one doubts that he really owns that Facebook account, which was opened less than 24 hours before the said post. It appears that some vested interests and internet contractors have taken over from where David left.

“What I know is that Ukpo has been doing a lot of deleting and altering of details of his social media accounts since the Ekweremadu saga broke and he (Ukpo) was unmasked. This presents him for what he is – a shady, dishonest character.

“But even if Ukpo made the fallacious post claiming he was tricked to London, it is clear to the whole world now that he lied to the British Police when he presented himself as a homeless minor picked from Lagos streets, which I believe is a major factor that put Ekweremadu and wife in their present travail.

“All the information coming

out, including his International Passport issued on 4th November 2021, his Bank Verification Number (BVN) done on 31st October 2019, his National Identity Number (NIN) done on 15th June 2021, the statement by the Nigerian Immigration Service, point to the fact that he was born on 12th October 2000 and is therefore 21 years old.

“In addition, his Facebook posts do not suggest the lifestyle of minor or an enslaved person, but a full blown adult cruising life. Therefore, I see no reason any right-thinking Nigerian should believe any further stories told by someone who obviously lied about his age in order to gain asylum and stay back in London.”

The forensic psychologist and public analyst also wondered why someone, who was supposedly tricked to London on a promise of good life applied for and got a British Type D Visa as an adult.

“Everyone familiar with UK Visa processes knows that the ‘Type D Visa’, being a strictly Private Medical Treatment Visa, is a strenuous and meticulous process.

“Senator kweremadu’s letter supporting David’s visa application also fully disclosed that the young man was going for organ donation and declared the hospital for the procedure.

“So, David did not travel to the UK with a student visa or tourist visa or work visa. He travelled to the UK with Medical Visa for a defined purpose and all the current stories are mere afterthought to manipulate and regain the sympathy of Nigerians, which he lost when it became clear that he lied to bring not only Ekweremadu, but also the entire nation to international disrepute.

“Likewise, the story of how one Mr. Okoro met and recruited him at a construction site and both international passport and visa obtained within a week is so preposterous and hogwash.

"His Facebook information and testimonies of his brother and those who know him show he is into phone accessories.

MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

LAUNCH OF ANCHOR'S PASSENGERS' FLIGHT WELFARE SCHEME… L-R: Executive Director, Technical, Anchor Insurance Company Ltd. Mr. Adebisi Ikuomola; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Ime Umoh; Head, Management Accounts, Mrs. Linda Okoh; MD/CEO, Mr. Ebose Austin; MD, FSL Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Alfred Daudu; MD, 360 Global Insurance Brokers Ltd, Mr. Richard Ododo; and Group Head, Business Development, Anchor SUNDAY ADIGUN Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Valentine Afegbai during the launch of Anchor's new product: Local Passengers' Flight Welfare Scheme in Lagos…. yesterday

Concerns Mount over Swapping of Authentic List of APC Parliamentary Candidates in Akwa Ibom Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The authentic list of candidates who emerged during the Senatorial and House of Representatives primaries in Akwa Ibom, may have been swapped by the All Progressives (APC) leadership in the state, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

It was further gathered that while those who emerged through the election monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are now left in the lurch, the party in breach of the law, has uploaded a different list on the website of the electoral umpire.

For the senatorial primaries in the state, the APC candidates' list monitored by the state office and sent to INEC headquarters from Akwa Ibom state office include: Dr. Ndem Ndoudo Ndem (Akwa Ibom North-east), Udom Udo Ekpoudum (Akwa Ibom North-west, while for Akwa Ibom South, it indicated that no primary was held.

But in a shocking move, the party in the state has uploaded Ukpong Emayak Nkangha for Akwa Ibom North-east, Udo Inyang Martyns Denis for Akwa Ibom South, while for Akwa Ibom North-west, no candidate’s name was published.

Similarly, the authentic list of House of Representatives candidates showed that candidates who emerged lawfully were: Jimbo Inemesit Clement for the Abak/etim Ekpo/ika federal constituency; Itu/ Ibiono Ibom had Uwemedimo Eibio Umoh while Etinan/ Nsit Ibium/Nsit Ibom had Dr.victor Archibong Mkpong.

Also, for Ekek/ Ona/ Esit Eket/ Ibeno, Kingsley Edoho emerged lawfully; in Ikot Abasi/ Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo, Ntuk

Ernest Emmanuel was elected; in act clearly provides that: "Where submitted to INEC have emerged Ukanafun/ Orukanam, Sunday a political party fails to comply from valid primaries.

Joseph emerged even as Akanimo with the provisions of this Act in Falana argued that this Ituen was validly picked for the the conduct of its primaries, its position was different from Uyo/uruan/ Nsit Atai/ Ibesikpo candidate for election shall not the provision in Section 31 of federal constituency. be included in the election for the repealed Electoral Act 2010 Further included in the the particular position in issue". (as amended) which provided authentic list of validly elected Furthermore, he maintained that INEC could not reject the candidates were: Inimfon Aniekan that Section 29 (1) of the Electoral name of any candidate submitted Nelson for Ikot Ekpene/essien Act, 2022 which provides for by the parties for any reason Udim/Obot Akara and Albert the submission of lists of whatsoever.

Asuquo Victor for Oron/ Mbo/ candidates and their affidavits “Thus, in the present law, Okobo/Uruefun/Uk. by political parties states that: the parties can only submit for However, in utter disregard for “Every political party shall... the Commission’s acceptance the law, THISDAY understood submit to the Commission, in the names of candidates who that names of candidates not in the prescribed forms, the list of emerged from valid primaries the report of primaries monitored the candidates the party proposes conducted by the parties and by the state office of INEC, have to sponsor at the elections, who monitored by INEC. been uploaded by the party and must have emerged from valid “This position is clearly published on the INEC portal. primaries conducted by the fortified by Section 84(13).

They include: Jimbo Inemesit political party.

Thus, INEC having sent a Clement for Abak/etim Ekpo/ According to him, this means team of monitors across its 36 ika while for Itu/ Ibiono Ibom , that section 29(1) thereof has States offices and the Federal Udeme Mfoon, emerged. imposed a duty on political Capital Territory, to monitor the Furthermore, Etinan/ Nsit parties to ensure that the primaries, is legally obligated to Ibium/Nsit Ibom produced candidates whose names are check the names submitted to it Oho Glory Ekpo; in Ekek/ Ona/ Esit Eket/ Ibeno, it was LIST OF APC CANDIDATES,OU TCOME OF VALID Eyibo Eseme Sunday while in PRIMARIES MONITORED BY STATE INEC AND Ikot Abasi/ Mkpat Enin/Eastern SENT TO INEC HQ FROM AKWA IBOM Obolo, Ntuk Ernest Emmanuel A. SENATORIAL was listed.

In Ukanafun/ Orukanam 1. AKWA IBOM NORTHEAST DR. NDEM UDOUDO NDEM constituency, the name of 2.

AKWA IBOM NORTHWEST UDOM UDO EKPOUDUM Ibritim Freedom appeared on the controversial list, in Uyo/ 3. AKWA IBOM SOUTH NO PRIMARY HELD uruan/ Nsit Atai/ Ibesikpo, it was Okokon Nsikak Etim, in B: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/ 1. ABAK/ETIM EKPO/IKA IMBO INEMESIT CLEMENT Obot Akara, it was Umoh UWEMEDIMO EYIBIO UMOH Patrick Patrick, while the name 2. ITU/ IBIONO IBOM of Edumoh Robinson Effiong 3. ETINAN/ NSIT IBIUM/NSIT IBOM DR.VICTOR ARCHIBONG MKPONG was wrongly uploaded as having KINGSLEY U. EDOHO won in Oron/ Mbo/ Okobo/ 4. EKEK/ ONA/ ESIT EKET/ IBENO Uruefun/Uk. 5. IKOT ABASI/ MKPAT ENIN/EASTERN OBOLO NTUK ERNEST EMMANUEL. For Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/ SUNDAY JOSEPH Ibesikpo/Asutan federal 6. UKANAFUN/ ORUKANAM constituency, no name was 7. UYO/URUAN/ NSIT ATAI/ IBESIKPO AKANIMO S. ITUEN published.

8.

IKOT EKPENE/ESSIEN UDIM/OBOT AKARA INIMFON ANIEKAN NELSON Last week, respected lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) who waded 9. ORON/ MBO/ OKOBO/URUEFUN/UK ALBERT ASUQUO VICTOR C. into the matter, argued that Section: 84 (13) of the electoral 10. UYO/URUAN/NSIT ATAI/IBESIKPO ASUTAN AKANIMO S. ITUEN

and ensure they are confirmed by the various reports compiled by its officials,” he affirmed.

The senior lawyer said that if the candidates whose names are submitted to INEC have not emerged from the primaries, the Commission will reject such names in exercise of its power under Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Also in his intervention, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, an intellectual and policy think-tank led by Sam Amadi, called on INEC to reject what he termed the fraudulent and false submission of candidates by the parties.

“Submitting names of persons who did not win duly conducted primaries on INEC portals is contrary to the electoral law.

The electoral law requires that only persons who won duly

conducted primaries should be submitted as candidates. “ It is INEC that determines what is a duly conducted primary, based on its guidelines and the electoral law. The practice in the past where INEC allowed parties to make wrong and fraudulent entries and hoped that the courts will reverse them has gone," he argued.

Quoting Section 84 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, he stated that it provides that: “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for the aspirants to all elective positions which shall be monitored by the Commission”.

In addition, he stressed that the extant provisions in the Electoral Act aim to ensure that only candidates who win duly conducted primaries are presented for elections.

LIST OF APC CANDIDATES NOT PRODUCT OF VALID PRIMARIES MONITORED BY STATE INEC BUT UPLOADED BY PARTY TO INEC HQ AND PUBLISHED BY ELECTORAL BODY A. SENATORIAL 1.AKWA IBOM NORTHEAST UKPONG EMAYAK NKANGHA 2. AKWA IBOM NORTHWEST NO NAME WAS PUBLISHED 3. AKWA IBOM SOUTH UDO INYANG MARTYNS DENIS B: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1.ABAK/ETIM EKPO/IKA JIMBO INEMESIT CLEMENT 2.ITU/ IBIONO IBOM. UDEME MFOON 3.ETINAN/ NSIT IBIUM/NSIT IBOM. OHO GLORY EKPO 4.EKEK/ ONA/ ESIT EKET/ IBENO EYIBO ESEME SUNDAY 5.IKOT ABASI/ MKPAT ENIN/EASTERN OBOLO NTUK ERNEST EMMANUEL 6.UKANAFUN/ ORUKANAM IBRITIM FREEDOM 7.UYO/URUAN/ NSIT ATAI/ IBESIKPO OKOKON NSIKAK ETIM 8.IKOT EKPENE/ESSIEN UDIM/OBOT AKARA UMOH PATRICK PATRICK 9.ORON/ MBO/ OKOBO/URUEFUN/UK EDUMOH ROBINSON EFFIONG 10.UYO/URUAN/NSIT ATAI/IBESIKPO/ASUTAN NO NAME PUBLISHED

Stop Antagonising Wike over VP Slot, Onyia Warns Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ejiofor Onyia has called for a halt to media attacks directed at one of the presidential aspirants of the party and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over his failure to get named as the vice-presidential candidate.

He said the fact that Wike was not chosen by the PDP Presidential Candidate, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar,

as his running mate in the 2023 election did not detract from the credentials of the Rivers State governor as a faithful PDP leader and pillar of support in the party.

Onyia, who is a staunch member of the Atiku Abubakar solidarity organisation, said party members should be more concerned at this point in time about how to heal the unavoidable bruises from the presidential primary election and to forge ahead.

Speaking during a telephone chat with THISDAY yesterday, the former member of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), said he was not aware of the reason or reasons why Wike was not chosen by Abubakar as the party's VP saying the former vice president was yet to tell anybody that he had anything against Wike.

"I want to warn against antagonising the person of Governor Wike", Onyia said.

"I don't want people giving reasons why Wike was not chosen, because they don't know why, we don't know why," he added.

Wike was widely touted as the likely running mate to the PDP candidate apparently due to his performance as the runner-up to Abubakar in the presidential primary election on May 28, 2022, despite his initial assertion that he was not running the race in order to become a vice-presidential

candidate to anyone.

However, Abubakar eventually dropped Wike for his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, by naming the chairman of the Forum of South-South Governors as his running mate in the 2023 general election.

Nonetheless, Onyia who is also the Chairman, Friends of Waziri Atiku, advised Nigerians, especially PDP faithful, to let Wike be as, "he has done nothing wrong," saying all hands should

be on the deck in the onerous task of ensuring the victory of the party in the presidential election next year.

"Our presidential standardbearer, Atiku, has not told me or anybody that he has something against Wike; so the attack is unwarranted and actually amounts to a distraction," he said.

"Moreover, the presidential candidate should enjoy the privilege of having an opinion as to who to make his running mate."

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NEWS

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE GLEE CLUB'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR …

L-R: The US Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli; Chair of the Division of Creative and Performing Arts, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, Professor Uzee Brown; Director, Morehouse College Glee Club, Professor David Morrow and President Morehouse Glee Club, Je'Vion Fluellen during a press conference on Morehouse College Glee Club's 50th Anniversary KUNLE OGUNFUYI Tour of Nigeria held at IBIS Ikeja, Lagos …yesterday

2023: I'm Still Searching for Running Mate, Says Tinubu Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja Despite forwarding to the Independent National Electoral Commission (IENC), last week, the name of Ibrahim Kabir Masari from Katsina state as his running mate, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said he was still searching for a suitable partner for the 2023 presidential bout.

Tinubu made this known while presenting his remarks at the presentation of a book: "Mr Speaker" and unveiling of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative to mark the 60 birthday of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in Abuja.

Lauding the good, working relationship between Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Hon. Ahmed Wase, the former Lagos governor, said, he needed to learn from the duo about the way they worked seamlessly together as he continued his search for a running mate.

He also commended the Speaker for his contribution to his emergence as the standard bearer of the party during the presidential primary of the APC on June 6.

“As a Minority Leader, he consults wide than and he's always there to see the thinking of opposition that we must bring a revolution to the house to be able to beat the PDP. And then, he will brainstorm for any length of time that you want a lecture about political strategy. When we needed to challenge for the position of the speaker, I think after our merger, he worked with me tirelessly. Femi is a workaholic.

“The problem of failure stared him at the face; he lost the election to become the Speaker. I was close to tears, standing my foot to the ground, we will win again. Femi, keep on, pick yourself up. I am very proud of you that you did; you didn't give up. You did the opposition and the support job.

"You demonstrated what we learnt from the textbooks, and other authors. That life is not about education of one section of the society. Remember what we discussed about paying the WAEC fee of Omo Iya Oniboli (the son of the woman who sells roasted plantain), and my mum was alive then, asking me to see to it each time I had her money; it doesn't last. And I said whatever you do with the money, I don't know.

“Mama will say, no, those women there they are mothers,

they want to pay WAEC fees.

And Femi was one of the first I consulted about paying. Are we going to say that the children of the poor are not deserving becoming governors, doctors and engineers? I said I was afraid, he said do it. So, that is how a junior brother can inspire a senior leader.

"Femi with your determination and reach, you are a contributor to our democratic growth. Thank you. You have character. You are a great mentor and you are doing a good job charting a path to success. You've done a good job and I say thank you, thank you.

“What you did during my primary (Presidential election) is a story for another day. I've spent more time, too much times

and people might be bored; they might be envious too, they might be jealous. I won landslide. I thank you."

In his remarks, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, described Gbajabiamila as a true patriot, a team player and a skillful parliamentarian, adding that, the Speaker was one who looked beyond differences for the benefit of all.

His words: "For him, what matters is not so much the party differences but what unites Nigerians and that is why he is a passionate advocate for a peaceful democracy and unity of Nigeria. And no amount of parliamentary maneuvers

The Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) has decried the recurrent neglect of widows in the Nigerian society, saying the country has over eight million grossly disadvantaged and suffering number of such women in the country.

To reverse the trend, FIDA called for holistic implementation of the Gender-based Violence (GBV) Prohibition Laws and other relevant statutes that protect the rights of women being the best way to rescue them from poverty and all forms of discriminations.

FIDA's Chairperson in Ekiti

State, Oyinade Olatunbosun, said this in Ado Ekiti, during a media briefing at the weekend to commemorate the International Day of Widows, where the group distributed money to help some widows.

The beneficiaries were Mrs. Esther Kolawole, Mrs. Gladys Olonisakin, whose husband was killed by land grabbers, Mrs. Olayemi Olanike, and Mrs Ramatu Mathew.

Addressing journalists, Olatunbosun appealed to stakeholders to come together to fashion ways through which widows could be assisted to financially to earn a living.

senate, there is no automaticity of opposition and antagonism to the executive. The role of legislature is not to be antagonistic as a matter of routine, but to be partners for good governance for the people of Nigeria. They are working together to make Nigeria better," he said.

In his keynote address, Gbajabiamila urged Asiwaju Tinubu to consult him in choosing his running mate, and that he would help the presidential candidate to get a running mate that would work smoothly with him.

He said the book was not just about him but also a tribute to everyone that has helped him get to where he is today particularly, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sahara Power Promotes Environmental Sustainability The launch of gree’n’lectric, a wholly digital publication dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability in the power sector would bolster Sahara Power Group’s resolve to seeking environmentally relevant options and solutions in its operations, the Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Ejiro Gray has said.

Speaking at the launch of the publication at Egbin Power Plant, Gray was quoted in a statement to have said Sahara Power, a Sahara Group company which connects over 30 million homes to power in the nation, considers access to clean, safe, and reliable energy as critical goals of the organisation.

According to Gray, “Gree’n’lectric is one of the vehicles

Nigeria Has 8m Neglected, Suffering Widows, Ekiti Female Lawyers Lament Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

or differences between parties would deviate him from this.

“He introduced the term legislative diplomacy. When there were issues between Nigerian and Ghanaian traders, He went to Accra and met with his colleagues and tried to resolve the issue.

"Mr President is very proud of the fact that he did not need to interfere in how the National Assembly runs because he had trust in the capacity and in the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives and therefore, he feels that with capable hands in both chambers of the National Assembly, there is no need to interfere.

“It is also a fact that under the Speaker and leadership of the

She harped on the need for government to implement laws that would prevent stripping of widows of their rights, maintaining that, "widows' rights are human rights".

The FIDA boss added: "There are approximately 258 million widows globally, out of which Nigeria has a total of 15 million with eight million being grossly neglected. The figures keep increasing because of neglect and governments not doing enough to protect their rights.

"The GBV law provides for the protection of the rights of widows and women, which include prevention of harmful

practices for women whose husbands died. We have sufficient laws on ground, what we need now is implementation.

"It is sad to tell you that we have got to some towns where they said widows must suffer after their husbands had died to protect and preserve tradition. All these practices are discriminatory and we are saying no to them," she stated.

Olatunbosun called on government at all strata to put in place structures that would engender widow-friendly policies, which would be promulgated and implemented for their social protection.

of sharing our journey to green, as we articulate our efforts and plans towards addressing global sustainability concerns.

“Our business daily impacts and is impacted by natural, social, and human capital interests on which the sustainability of our people and the planet depend.

We believe that these interests must be tackled head-on with unwavering accountability and responsibility to provide assurance for a better tomorrow.”

She said Sahara Power’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the environment remained unwavering and generational through the involvement of young students and entrepreneurs in sustainability conversations and interventions.

Israel Anyanwu, a student at Powerfields Group of Schools, Egbin said young Nigerians were increasingly becoming aware of the need to be part of the process of safeguarding the environment.

“We are studying hard to contribute our quota while observing basic practices that helps to protect the environment,” he said.

Gray said Sahara Power was

exploring and investing in several renewable energy solutions to boost power generation and distribution mix, in a bid to ensure the company continues to “bring energy to life responsibly”.

She noted that Sahara Power entities, including, Egbin Power Plc, Ikeja Electric and First Independent Power Limited (FIPL) hinge their operations on emission reduction, resource efficiency, business ethics, health and safety, as well as inclusion and diversity.

“With the deployment of electric buggies and scooters, bicycles, and a robust walk-towork initiative, Egbin Power has reduced the use of fossil fuel vehicles in the facility, cutting off the emission of 670,000kg of CO2 annually.

“We have also planted over 1000 trees, cut paper consumption, saved 105KWH from reduced printing and continue to digitalise our operations to secure the environment. Ikeja Electric pioneered the first e-billing initiative in the power sector and has safety certifications that reinforce our commitment to sustainability,” she said.

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NEWS

CHEQUES PRESENTATION TO CUSTOMERS AT THE 2020 SURPLUS DISTRIBUTION EVENT...

L-R: Chairman, Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Muhtar Bakare; Board Director, Mariam Ibrahim; a senior official, Sterling Bank Plc, Mustapha Arowolo; Group Head Digital Products and Sales, Sterling Bank Plc, Busola Awosile and the Vice Chairman, Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Aminu Tukur, during the presentation of cheques to customers at the 2020 Surplus Distribution event held in Lagos….. yesterday

Atiku: Judge Me with My Track Records as Vice President Aligns with S’Court ruling on Electoral Act Chuks Okocha in Abuja With the publications of personal particulars of all candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly candidates concluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to judge him with his track records as the nation’s former vice-president.

This is as he has aligned with the Supreme Court judgment on the Electoral Act, saying it was part of the process to guarantee

the independence of the judiciary.

In a statement yesterday, Atiku, said, "Our assets in this campaign are my track records of performance, when I served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007.

"The second asset is the policy document that details the work plan of what we shall do to rescue Nigeria back to her glorious heights.

Above all, my attributes as a unifier and bridge-builder will stand us in good stead in this era characterised by disunity and absence of inclusion,” he stated.

According to the former

vice-president, "Our opponents will want to confuse you with alternative facts as we progress and when the campaign starts in full. But I will urge you to always reman focused and remember that this is not why we are in the race.

"The urgency of the job to get Nigeria back on her feet as ONE People, with One Future and ONE Country cannot give us the luxury of playing to the gallery.

"My promise to you as we run this race together is that as your candidate, I shall ensure that we remain focused and disciplined.

And I shall expect the same spirit of

sportsmanship from you," he said.

The former vice president said the 2023 election was neither about him nor any of the other candidates that he was contesting with or their agents, rather, he said, “It is about the pathway that our dear country, Nigeria, must chart into a brighter and more prosperous future."

Commending the judgement, Atiku said, it was one of the ways to affirm the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria The supreme court had struck out the suit challenging section 84(12) of Electoral Act.

Abubakar Malami, attorneygeneral of the federation, on behalf of the federal government, had filed a suit challenging that section of the Electoral Act, 2022 on the grounds that it violated the rights of political appointees.

The section read: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

In the judgment delivered on Friday, a seven-member pane of judges led by Musa Dattijo-

Muhammad, dismissed the suit, describing it as an abuse of court process.

In his reaction, however, the former vice-president, said, "the ruling of the Supreme Court on Section 84 (12) is commendable.

"It affirms my position of the independence of the judiciary and the other arms of government, namely the legislature and the executive, which is the bedrock for the development of any nation.

'Under no circumstance must one arm lord over another arm of government," Atiku wrote on his verified tweeter handle.

Ngige: Why ASUU, Other Brazilian Returnee Arrested with Cocaine in Private Part to excrete the remaining two wraps He said during interrogation, and labelled Tramaking imported Michael Olugbode in Abuja Unions Were Not Invited to FG’s at the hotel room in Addis Ababa the suspect said he had lived in from Karachi, Pakistan, on Emirates A Nigerian returning from Brazil, before boarding his flight but later Dubai, UAE for 10 years before Airline. He said another consignment Negotiating Team Meeting Igwedum Benson, has been arrested excreted them on the aircraft restroom returning to Nigeria in 2019, and weighing 407.6 kilogrammes was Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has explained the reason the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions were not invited to the last Thursday's meeting of the federal government's negotiating team held in Abuja.

A statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, said the meeting was meant for the inter-ministerial departments and agencies committees of the federal government.

The statement explained that the attention of the Ministry of Labour and Employment was drawn to an interview by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, where he had said his union did not receive any invitation from the federal government to attend the said meeting.

It noted that prior to Osodeke's interview, all kinds of write-ups allegedly authored by members of ASUU had been trending on the social media, accusing the Ngige of being the headache of the university lecturers.

"We wish to use this opportunity to set the record straight for the benefit of members of the public who may have been misled.

"We will start by making some clarifications on the government side meeting held last Thursday, June 23, 2022, geared towards

accelerating the resolution of the multiple strike actions of ASUU and other university-based unions, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

"The meeting was meant for the inter-ministerial departments and agencies committees of the federal government, including the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Budget Office of the Federation, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)," he said.

Ngige said the committees were reporting to the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

According to him, the meeting in question was called to assess the progress made so far on addressing the few outstanding demands of the striking university workers, such as the contentious payment platform and the renegotiation of their conditions of service.

Ngige added that the two committees were empaneled by him and the Chief of Staff to the President at the last tripartite plus meetings of the unions and the government side.

by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with pellets of cocaine concealed in his private part.

Igwedum, according to a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, was nabbed at the Lagos airport last Monday upon his arrival on Ethiopian Airlines from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa.

Babafemi said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had swallowed 50 wraps of cocaine before departing Brazil and excreted 48 pellets in Addis Ababa where he handed them over to another person.

According to the spokesman, Igwedum claimed he was unable

during the flight from Ethiopia to Lagos.

Babafemi, also revealed that after three weeks of painstaking investigation and tracking, operatives of the MMIA command of NDLEA on Saturday night arrested a drug kingpin, Onyekachi Macdonald, behind attempts to export 40 parcels of methamphetamine popularly called Mkpuru Mmiri locally to London, United Kingdom, through the NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport.

He said Onyekachi was arrested at Manacola estate, Alakuko area of Lagos at the weekend, three weeks after his Mkpuru Mmiri consignment weighing 2.05 kilogrammes was intercepted at the airport and his freight agent, Peter Anikan, arrested on 7th June.

that after his return to Nigeria he opened a phone accessories shop in Sango Otta, Ogun State, but the business collapsed. He then started sending cigarettes to London and decided to conceal the illicit drug in the consignment after he advised by a friend.

Babafemi also revealed the seizure of another consignment of 2 kilogrammes Mkpuru Mmiri at a courier house in Owerri, Imo state, adding that the cargo seized last Wednesday had ankara and lace fabrics in which two cylindrical cellophanes containing the drug heading to Hong Kong were concealed.

The spokesman said also intercepted at the Lagos airport last Friday was 500,000 tablets of tramadol 225mg packed in 10 cartons

seized during a joint examination with Customs and NAFDAC officials.

Babafemi said same day, a Dubai, UAE-bound passenger, a 21-year old Alegbeleye Taiwo, was arrested at the departure hall of the MMIA with 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

He said two kingpins behind the importation of two recent drug consignments from Canada concealed in vehicle containers through the Tincan seaport in Apapa, Lagos have been arrested by NDLEA operatives.

According to him, one of them, Gboyega Elegbeji, was arrested at his house, 14 Bakare Street, Idi Araba, Lagos, last Wednesday, for importing a 40ft container TRHU7874497 containing 33 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 16.5 kilogrammes

Labour Party Plans to Establish Nigerian Diaspora Directorate Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Ahead of its retreat scheduled for next week, fast-rising opposition party, Labour Party, at the weekend disclosed plan to unveil local and international directorates for voters’ mobilisation and fund raising in preparation for next year's presidential election.

The National Youth Leader of the party, Eragbe Anslem, who spoke with THISDAY on the party's roadmap to 2023, explained that the youth wing of the party was saddled with the responsibility to galvanise young Nigerians and support groups for the actualisation

of the Peter Obi's 2023 presidential mandate.

Eragbe, who was also a former presidential aspirant of the Labour Party, said the party was targeting to deliver no less than 45 million votes, consequently it, "has designed a robust and expansive national mobilisation, including the 2023 victory programs hosted on a global website domain to be unveiled during the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in a retreat with the Labour Party Presidential Candidate Mr Peter Obi coming up next week."

He said the party prioritised

voters’ registration and collection of PVC, which he described as the, "gateway to the online platform that will enable the Labour Party ascertain the margin of victory ahead of the 2023 general elections for Mr Peter Obi.” He said highlights of the party's next NWC meeting would include the unveiling of Directorate of National Mobilisation website for membership and groups registration and National mobilisation programs, the INEC Continuous PVC Registration and Collection exercise, formation of Nigeria and Diaspora Relations Directorates of National

Mobilisation 2022. NDR-DNM, unveiling Labour Party (LP) Fund Raising Platform links for 2023 General Elections in Nigeria as well as Donations and Retrieval.

Also included in the plan, according to him, was the establishment of campaign committees for various elective positions, both states and national, to be managed by 275 Directorates to be assigned for various responsibilities at the proposed over 185,000 secretariats.

The Labour Party Youth Leader did not disclose the exact figure the party proposed to raise for its presidential candidate.

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T H I S D AY • MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

NEWS

UNVEILING THE NEW FACE OF NEW AGE… L-R: CEO, New Age Mobile Concept Ltd, Kingsley Okala; Music Producer, Don Jazzy and Obi Cubana, during the unveiling of Cubana as the ‘New Face’ of New Age Power Bank in Lagos…recently

Three APC Governorship Aspirants, House of Reps Member, Supporters Defect to PDP in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Three All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirants and a House of Representative member with 30,000 supporters yesterday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State.

Speaking at the Ginginya stadium, the venue of the event the leader of those that defected and a member representing Illela/ Gwadabawa Federal constituency, Dr. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame said they took the crucial decision at a crucial time.

Salame who was the former

governorship aspirant under the platform of APC, but withdrew from the race few hours to the primary election which saw the emergence of former Deputy Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, alleged that the APC as a party lacked democratic tenets and principles.

He noted that the APC in Sokoto State had allegedly turned to a one-man show who plays god not knowing that a tree cannot make a forest.

He further disclosed that all their structures had collapsed into PDP to ensure for the party's

victory in wide margin come 2023.

Others who defected along with Salame were the member representing Tangaza/ Gudu Federal Constituency, Yusuf Isa Kurdula, former Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman who is also APC former governorship aspirant.

It also included former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Senator Bello Jibrin Gada, former governorship aspirant Abubakar A Gumbi , former chairman Sokoto North local government Abdullahi Hassan.

Receiving those that defected on

behalf of the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP in the North, Mr. Umar Damagun, said they took a right step in a right direction.

He enjoined them to close rank with other members of the party in the state to ensure the party's victory in 2023 general elections.

On his part, the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said he was happy to receive them into PDP fold.

Tambuwal stressed that they had seen the light and decided to follow it, saying the APC was

in life support awaiting to die.

"Let me ask you, who is the Vice Presidential candidate of APC? The answer is no. What they have they called it place holder,” he stated.

He maintained that APC was confused, saying before they would conclude the issue of vice presidential candidate, the 2023 election matters might have been concluded by Nigerians.

He explained that those who defected to the party would be accorded equal rights with old members.

Tambuwal who implored

those that have not gotten their permanent voter's card to do so, so that they can use it to kick out APC from power in 2023.

Also speaking, the vice presidential candidate of PDP and the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa commended those that defected for taking appreciable decision.

He stated that PDP believed in one united Nigeria contrary to the APC. "The presidential candidate of the APC once said he didn't believe in one Nigeria but he wants rule one Nigeria,” he said.

fewer than 50, 000 people, but we still have more than 200,000 left in neighbouring countries.

So, what we are looking for now is to see how we can repatriate indigenes of Borno State that are living in Niger, especially, those that are from Malumfatori, Abadam Local Government Area that are willing to come back.

"While we have those from Gwoza Local Government Area, Bama Local Government Area mainly that are leaving from Cameroon, they are also willing to come. We also have indigenes of Kukawa and Marte local government areas that are living in Chad.”

Asked about the current security situation in the state, Zulum said, "The security situation has greatly improved.

Mr President has inaugurated a committee a few months ago that will look into the repatriation of indigenes of Borno State and other states of the North-east that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon, as well as Niger.

"Sequel to his inauguration, the vice president inaugurated the technical working group, sub-committee, which is headed by my humble self.

"We presented the report to the vice president with a view to ensuring that the repatriation exercise from Cameroon will continue immediately while the repatriation of Nigerians that are living in the Republic of Niger and the Republic of Chad will resume very soon."

Zulum appealed to Osinbajo, who is Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced

Persons in the North-east, to facilitate speedy approval of funds and other logistics required for the rebuilding of the destroyed communities in Borno State.

The governor stated, "So, I think the vice president will do the needful to ensure that the president gives immediate approval in terms of funding and other logistics required for the re-establishment of these communities in Borno State."

Buhari had in February inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the Northeast, and designated the vice president as the chairman.

particularly in old Kuyello and Damari communities in Kazage Ward,” the statement said.

BEPU disclosed that the terrorists were marrying girls from the communities. It said some of the locals, who had joined the group, no longer lived within their communities for fear of being arrested by the security agencies.

The statement said, “The Ansaru and the new recruits are of the belief that their numerical strength will help them to bring the present democratic government down.

“Presently, the Ansaru are going round distributing memory cards to the locals, which contain their beliefs and doctrine.

“A disturbing scenario is where the group banned all political activities in many communities, such as Damari of Kazage Ward.

“Politicians from these communities have to go far away secretly to the neighbouring communities before they hold political meetings.

“For instance, this week an okada rider who lives in Unguwar Makera of Kazage Ward was seen with a sticker of one of the candidates vying for the Kaduna State House of Assembly and he was thoroughly beaten by the Ansaru.”

The BEPU chairman added, “People in these communities are now disenchanted and frustrated about participating in political activities.

“We don't know how the coming elections will take place in those areas because even the last local government election in Kaduna State did not hold in those communities due to the escalating insecurity.

GET GUNS AND DEFEND YOURSELVES, MATAWALLE TELLS ZAMFARA PEOPLE The priest was abduction amid sporadic shooting by the suspected Fulani herdsmen, which earlier left two people dead while a third victim reportedly sustained serious injuries.

It was learnt that the priest was preparing to go for Sunday Mass in the early hours of morning when gunmen stormed his residence in the community and abducted him into the bush.

During the shooting, a Mass server and a member of the local vigilance were shot dead while another vigilance member sustained serious injuries.

The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Dunia, who spoke to THISDAY on phone, described incident as "sad one because the local security who went after them, have died. One of them, a mass server, the other a member of the vigilance group who ran after the kidnappers.

"The situation is very riotous, the vigilance people are very angry, am on my way now to the Army in Nikoho. The Fulani, the two who have been arrested now are with the army," Bishop Dunia added.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, has announced the death of the priest.

The Diocese in a statement, signed by its Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielew, said: “With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped at about 6.30am yesterday in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church

Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State.

Until his death, Fr Odia was the Administrator of St Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School Jattu.

He was aged 41. May his soul rest in peace. Burial arrangements will be announced by the Diocese later. " Makinde Approves Recruitment of 500 Additional Amotekun Corps Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved the recruitment of additional 500 men for the state's Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun, in an effort to enhance the security of lives and property in the state. Makinde disclosed this at the weekend, during the monthly security meeting with local government chairmen, vice-chairmen, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and stakeholders held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The governor told the gathering that security was a collective responsibility and all hands must be on deck to curtail insecurity.

He stated, “As the operation of the Amotekun corps is concerned, we have perfected the process of employing 500 more hands to enhance their performance and further deepen the security architecture of our state."

The governor added, "Security is everyone's business and if we all play our parts well, we will have a safer and more secured environment. Although security of lives and property is paramount responsibility of government, government cannot do it alone

except with cooperation of the entire citizenry.

“And as we can see from the report gotten all over the country, Oyo State is relatively peaceful.

This was not achieved by the effort of government alone but with the efforts of the all stakeholders, most especially, the security commanders.

"This meeting is aimed at getting the situation report from various quarters on security as well as to dialogue on what to do as stakeholders and fine tune necessary steps. This will help government to put necessary machinery in place for people in the state to sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Zulum: 200,000 Displaced North-east People Yet to Be Returned Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State said no fewer than 200,000 people displaced in the North-east as a result of Boko Haram terrorist attacks were yet to be returned to the country.

The affected people are refugees in neighbouring countries, like Niger and Cameroon, where they fled in the wake of the Boko Haram terrorist onslaught in the zone.

Speaking at the weekend at the State House, Abuja, while presenting the report of the Technical Working Group (TWG) to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Zulum, who is also the vice chairman of the committee, said within the last few years, about 50,000 people had been brought back.

He told newsmen after the presentation that in the last few years, "We have repatriated no

Terrorists Ban Political Activities in Kaduna Communities The Ansaru terrorists group banned political activities in some communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, according to the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU).

A statement made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday night, signed by Chairman of BEPU, Ishaq Usman Kasai, said the terrorist group had banned political activities in many communities in the eastern part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area.

Kasai said the terrorists had continued to gain strength in some of the communities following the recruitment of young people.

“In fact, the group continues to gain acceptance from many members of the communities,

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022

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Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE

POLITICS

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

At Last, N’Assembly’s Position on Electoral Act Prevails Udora Orizu writes that the Supreme Court’s judgement on section 84 (12) of electoral act has reaffirmed legislative supremacy of the National Assembly and doctrine of separation of powers

Buhari

T

he Supreme Court last Friday struck out the suit filed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, challenging section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, which banned political appointees from voting at the primaries of political parties, for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The Nigerian Federation is composed of three distinct branches namely the legislative, executive, and judiciary, whose powers are guaranteed by the 1999 constitution of Nigeria. The constitution provides a separation and balance of powers among the three branches and aims to prevent the repetition of past mistakes made by the government. The Legislative branch (makes the law), the Executive branch (enforces the law) and the Judicial branch (interpretes the law).

This separate functions was breached earlier this year by a federal high court in Abia state, which disregarded the powers of the legislature by directing the Executive to delete a section of a law of parliament.

The rift started in March, when the federal lawmakers for the first time, since the return of democratic rule in 1999, went against agreement reached with a sitting President by throwing out President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to amend clause 84 (12) of Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The House of Representatives had introduced the controversial provision in which it proposed that all political appointees seeking to contest elective offices should resign long before declaring their interest. The provision led to some close aides of the President and governors moving against the Bill and urging the President not to sign it into law.

However, Buhari finally signed the bill into law on February 25, 2022.

The President was said to have reached an agreement with the leadership of both chambers of National Assembly to expunge the controversial Section in the Act which deprived federal appointees their constitutional rights to vote and be voted for ahead of primary elections of political parties. But, despite the reported commitment to the President, the federal lawmakers reneged and overwhelmingly threw out the bill seeking to amend section 84(12) of the 2022 Electoral Act. The lawmakers hinged their decision on a court ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, on an ex-parte application by the People’s Democratic Party, barring the President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Senate President from tampering with the newly amended Act. The Court maintained that the Electoral Act, having become a valid law could not be altered without following the due process of law.

Following the lawmakers refusal to amend

Lawan

the Act, Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami revealed that options were being explored by the Federal Government on the controversial section. Few days later, a Federal High Court in Umuahia, annulled the section, insisting that it was at variance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

A member of Action Alliance (AA), Nduka Edede, had filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Umuahia, challenging the section. In the suit marked FHC/UM/CS/26/2022, the plaintiff asked the court to determine if the section in question was legal and to strike it out if it was at variance with the constitution. The AGF, who was a defendant in the case, did not oppose the suit but agreed with the applicant.

National Assembly Heads to Court Following the Court ruling, in a unanimous decision at plenary, the lawmakers resolved to, appeal the judgment for the Court to set the judgement aside. Citing Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders on Personal Explanation, Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) during plenary, challenged the judgment of the court on Section 84(12).

He cited Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) saying the National Assembly was empowered by virtue of Its provisions to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria. The motion had 84 co-sponsors apart from Sekibo.

Sekibo observed that the judge in his ruling held that Section 81(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, was inconsistent

Gbajabiamila

with Sections 66(1)(f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(g) and 182(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The ranking Senator warned further that, “letting the judgment go without concern will become a precedence on which any person could go to court and obtain judgment to ridicule the good intentions of the National Assembly as an institution.”

In similar vein, lawmakers in the House of Representatives, while moving to appeal the judgement, also resolved to file a complaint at the National Judicial Council (NJC) against the conduct of the Judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, who gave judgement against the National Assembly despite not being parties to the suit.

The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of the prayers of the motion moved by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who converted as a motion, the matter of privilege on the issue presented by Hon. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina).

Members of the House, across party lines took turns to condemn the court judgement, describing it as encroaching on the principle of separation of powers.

Soli described the court judgement as an attempt to oust the jurisdiction of the parliament in making laws by directing an appointee of the executive to delete a law made by National Assembly.

In his ruling, Gbajabiamila, noted that while he agreed that President Muhammadu Buhari was entitled to take legal advice from the AGF, Abubakar Malami, he however won’t allow the institution which he heads currently to be ridiculed under his watch.

The Speaker, described the plaintiff as a meddlesome interloper who is worried about something that doesn’t affect him.

While wondering why the judgement was taken in Abia State where the defendants don’t reside, Gbajabiamila said the judiciary while interpreting a law as stipulated in the constitu-

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the legislative supremacy of the National Assembly, and have also done that in the spirit of doctrine of separation of powers, understanding that the efficiency of government will be driven by this democratic principle where every arm stays within the parameters of their mandate and to become the best in their assignment. In conclusion, the Supreme Court has laid their own brick in the efforts towards electoral reform by this judgement

tion should have come to the parliament for clarity.

He therefore ordered the AGF Malami to desist from implementing the court ruling until the matter is resolved.

Malami Insists on Implementing Court Ruling Despite the directive from the lawmakers urging him to desist from implementing the court ruling until the matter is resolved, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, came out to say omplementing the court ruling was a work in progress.

The House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, however, was quick to counter Malami saying the parliament will be heading to court to appeal the judgement. He insisted that the law is still alive pending Supreme Court decision on the case.

President Buhari Asks Ministers to Resign On May 11, 2022, while still awaiting the apex court judgement on the matter, President Muhammadu Buhari obeying the controversial section as stipulated in the electoral act, directed all political appointees interested in vying for any elective position in 2023 to resign.

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this to newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja said the President directed all Ministers with political ambition to turn in their letters of resignation within a week.

Supreme Court Ruling On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court struck out the suit challenging section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 banning political appointees from voting at the primaries of political parties, for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision described the suit as an abuse of court process and subsequently struck it out.

According to Justice Musa Mohammed-Dittjo, who led a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, the plaintiffs having earlier assented to the said section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, cannot turn around to approach the court to strike it down.

The apex court faulted the federal government’s request on the grounds that, “there is no provision in the Constitution that vests the President the power to challenge the constitutionality or desirability of a legislation after he has assented or denied his assent”, especially in the instant case.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022

CITYSTRINGS

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Empowering Host Communities with Productive Skills Bassey Inyang writes that Lafarge Africa has taken its CSR further in Cross River State by empowering members of its host communities with life enhancing skills

Favour Baron Odok working on a truck part with her male colleagues watching

Deborah Bassey Edet one of the Lafarge Africa Empowerment trainee

1

6 years old Favour Baron Odok, threads in an uncommon terrain for older women, let alone girls of her age.

Odok a secondary school graduate plies her trade as an intern in a workshop located along Wharf Road, the major artery leading to the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and the Calabar Free Trade Zone.

There, Miss Odok from Kasuk Community in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of the state is undergoing serious training in mechanical engineering where she is being taught how to fabricate automobile parts as well as fix haulage trucks that need repairs.

She told THISDAY that she specialises in fabrication of carburetors and injectors of haulage trucks. “Very soon I will go across the road to fix one of the trucks,” she said.

Miss Odok’s kind is rare to come by in her locality perhaps due to the embrace of primordial and stereotyped conclusions that such endeavour she is engaged in are exclusive preserve for men.

It was a delight watching her handle the spanner and turning knots and bolts with her male colleagues in the workshop.

But for the Skills Empowerment Programme of Lafarge Africa PLC, one of the leading manufacturers of cement in Nigeria, Miss Odok’s ambition to venture into Mechanical Engineering may have remained a mirage.

“When Lafarge asked me what I wanted to learn, I told them mechanical engineering.

I have always wanted to work with tools and repair engines. I am happy they have made me to learn what I really wanted. After this training I will further my education and study mechanical engineering in the university,” an obviously excited Odok said.

Mr. Teddy Bisong, a representative of the Girls Power Initiative, GPI, handlers of the Skills Empowerment Programme, and aspect of the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, said they are delighted that Miss Odok is learning fast, and is able to affect some repair in haulage trucks whenever her attention is needed.

Bisong said the young lady is just one of the

Winifred Etang Ambor, Fashion Designing Trainee

Miss Ita, Asari Archibong, undergoing training in hairdressing

numerous young beneficiaries of the Lafarge Africa Skills Empowerment Programmes.

“I am representing the GPI. We are handling the skills empowerment aspect of Lafarge Africa’s Corporate Social Responsibility for host communities.

We ( Lafarge ) empower beneficiaries of any choice skills. Evidently we have been empowering them on Mechanical Engineering, Fashion Design, Wielding and Fabrication, Aluminum Doors and Windows processing, making of Confectionaries and others.

“We have trained more than 100 persons.

We train and empower them with starter packs,” Bisong told THISDAY. Kashang Martin Obiri, from Ekong Anaku community who is currently studying Computer Science at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, is one of such beneficiaries referred to by Bisong. Obiri confirmed to THISDAY that he obtained training in Welding and Fabrication and got starter packs at the end of his training.

“My training lasted for one year and six months. I can apply the knowledge I gathered during the training anywhere in the world. I am very grateful to Lafarge for giving sponsoring me for the training. I have been using the skill I learnt to support myself in school,” Obiri said.

A young mother of two, Mrs. Ruth David Peter of Ekong Anaku community is another beneficiary of the Lafarge Africa CSR in the aspects of Skills Empowerment. After completing her training, she was able to establish a fashion shop where she sews, and trains others how to make cloths.

Responding to questions from THISDAY, Mrs. Peter said, “Lafarge sent me for training in fashion design for one year and after that they gave me starter packs including a sewing machine. I saved the stipend they were giving me during the one year’s training from October 2020 to October 2021 to rent this shop. " Since I started sewing, I have bought

Kashang Martin Obiri, graduate of Lafarge Africa's Training in Welding and Fabrication

two additional machines from the money I made from sewing. When we were undergoing the training, we were advised to ensure we train others when we graduate. These two girls here are undergoing training under me for free.

As the company trained me for free, I am also training them for free.”

It is a similar positive story from Mfamosing community in Akamkpa Local Government Area where 21 years old Miss Gift Cletus Ekun said she is a beneficiary of Lafarge Africa’s Skills Empowerment Programme. “I went through Electrical Engineering training. I am through with it, and I have been given admission to study the same Electrical Engineering at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS. I thank Lafarge because what they taught helped me to prepare me for university education. May God bless Lafarge,” Miss Ekun.

Deborah Bassey Edet, a lady from Abiati also in Akamkpa LGA who is being trained in fashion design, was in rapturous mode when THISDAY spoke to her. She said she commenced training in November 2021 and hoped to conclude her training in December this year.

Stressing that she has made steady progress in training, Miss Edet said: “I am taking the training seriously. I gain more knowledge everyday that I come here. I hope to establish my own shop when I am through with the training.

Before now, I couldn’t do anything for myself but now I am able to sew. I thank Lafarge for training me free, and giving me transport fare every month. God bless them.”

Miss Ita, Asari Archibong , another beneficiary of the Lafarge Africa Skills Empowerment programme , from Obutong community in Calabar Municipal Local Government is undertaking training Hair Dressing. Miss Ita who is a secondary school certificate hold said she was very

grateful to Lafarge for sponsoring her. “I am happy with what Lafarge has done for me. My parents are happy to see me leave the house to do something that will help my life,” said the young lady.

In few words, Winifred Etang Ambor from Ekong Anaku who is learning the skills of becoming a fashion designer said, “I can now make my cloths and those of my family.

I thank Lafarge, and I promise I will never disappoint them.”

The Community Relations Committee Chairman for Mboby community in Akampka LGA and the 17 communities that make up the Lafarge Host Communities, Ntufam Alphonsus Bassey who added his voice to commend Lafarge for the support they have been rendering to the communities said in terms of Human capacity development, the cement manufacturing company stands head and shoulders above many companies operating in the host communities.

“In human capacity development, year inyear out, they train our women on economic empowerment. They train women mostly on poultry farming, and at the end they are given at least fifty birds and starter packs. Outside that they also train the community people on welding and fabrication, and at graduation they give them starter packs to start their lives,” Ntufam Bassey said.

He also mentioned block molding, scaffolding, and carpentry as other forms of skills empowerment trainings that members of the host communities have been benefiting from Lafarge Africa PLC. Bisong believes that the people of the host communities have a lot to still benefit Lafarge, especially if the company is given the opportunity to continue to operate with their host communities as partners in progress.

“For me, I am very grateful to Lafarge. You can hear me saying that Lafarge has singlehandedly achieved more than oil companies in the South-south that have been here since 1957. So, I think if Lafarge is given a more conducive environment, they will do more for our communities,” Bisong said.

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This Week In Tech Tech Top 5 News 08097710984

HEALTHTRACKA; COME-HOME HEALTHCARE-BASED START-UP IS $1.5M READY o reach more people, save more lives, and ensure that healthcare is better in Africa, Healthtracka has launched itself into enriched healthcare-based start-ups in terms of infrastructure development.

This was made known after the CEO of Healthtracka, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, confirmed that the start-up had secured a $1.5 million seed fund in June. On the list of investors are VC Ingressive Capital, Hustle Fund, Alumni Angel Alliance, and Flying Doctors.

The Lagos-based test lab is known for providing test services, including full body count, fertility test, STD, and COVID-19. The start-up’s goal, according to Ifeoluwa, is to make the lab testing experience stress-free and affordable for Africans.

Healthtracka solves this challenge by providing digital test results within 24 hours after sending their phlebotomist to the client’s home to collect test samples.

The high-quality service keeps the start-up attractive to partners in the preventive care and lab-based industry. Aside from testing results, Healthtracka equips clients with medical reviews of results as well as specialist and consultation services.

The seed funding is expected to impact the one-year-old start-up in widening the retail market by launching her retail subscription plans. She also envisions enlisting her APIs to healthcare service companies to provide a come-home sample testing for their clients. There is also the tenacity to expand the country’s visibility beyond Nigeria.

T

FG TO TRAIN ONE MILLION SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS The Federal Government of Nigeria has said it is working on training one million software developers in Nigeria in the next eighteen months.

To achieve this target, the government has called on various stakeholders across sectors of the economy to come on board.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, disclosed this at a virtual workshop organised by the Nigeria Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB).

The Minister said training and certifying more Nigerians as software testers have become imperative with the increasing integration of software into every sphere of human life and the need for a secure system.

Also speaking, the President of NGSTQB, Mr. Boye Dare, stated that NGSTQB aims to work assiduously to make Nigeria the software testing hub for the outsourcing software testing market in Africa.

AFRICA TO JOIN THE GLOBAL AI REVOLUTION Business leaders in Africa are optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the continent and are actively investing in the technology to be a part of the global AI market.

According to the 2022 State of AI in Africa Report published recently by AI Media Group, in the past five years, many companies across the continent are leveraging AI for business efficiency.

Most nations believe AI is at the centre of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

Nosa

Alekhuogie

Tech Personality of The Week OLADIWURA OLADEPO

T

his week’s tech personality is the Executive Director and Co-Founder, Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev), Oladiwura Oladepo.

Tech4Dev is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to creating access to decent work and entrepreneurship opportunities for Africans through digital skills empowerment and advocacy.

Their vision is to equip Africans with digital and life skills.

They believe in the efficacy of digital literacy as a tool in youth empowerment and development that can foster economic prosperity, financial freedom, and sustainable development.

Diwura has trained and empowered over 50,000 Africans with digital skills. Her recent initiative, ‘Women Techsters’, has seen over 10,000 women trained in coding and digital skills (software development, data science and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product design and product management) across 15 African countries.

The initiative, according to her, is designed to empower women across Africa with varying digital, deep tech, and soft skills required in the technology ecosystem to bridge the gender divide between men and women in STEM. Tech4Dev has cultivated partnerships with Microsoft, UKAID, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale ZusammenarbeitGmbH (GIZ).

Diwura currently serves on the board of the Lagos Business School; She is a member of the Injini Think Tank Advisory Committee, and a United Nations Solutions Summit Solution Maker 2019.

(4IR), described as a period of rapid transformation anchored on frontier technologies such as AI, 5G, blockchain, IoT, cloud, 4D printing, quantum computing, and the metaverse. They are pushing through their challenges to make it a business enabler. Much of Africa’s AI growth has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated digital transformation.

According to reports, over 2,400 companies list AI as a specialty, of which 40 per cent were founded in the last five years. In what shows that the industry is at its initial growth stages in Africa, 34 per cent of companies using AI are medium enterprises with less than a hundred staff, while 41 per cent are start-ups with less than ten employees.

Also, PwC has projected that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined. Analysts say AI could expand Africa’s economy by a staggering $1.5 trillion by 2030—about 50 per cent of its current GDP—if it could only capture 10 per cent of the fast-growing global AI market.

Countries that dominate in AI in the continent’s cardinal regions are Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt.

by a sophisticated cybersecurity attack.

A ransomware group known as ‘RansomHouse’ has reportedly claimed responsibility for carrying out the attack compromising customer data such as names and ID numbers. While no financial data or bank account figures were undermined due to the data hack, the gang claimed to have obtained 600 gigabytes of data from the retail business.

According to the message by the cyber attackers on their Telegram platform, they have gathered private details from the archived files that were unsecured and kept in the form of raw photos and plain text. The cyber clan, known for targeting only companies with poor security, has contacted Shoprite’s leadership for negotiations and indicated that if they do not adhere to the former’s terms, they may sell the content and make some of it available to the public knowledge.

The statement issued by Shoprite stated that interrogations were initiated with forensic experts and other data security authorities to determine the nature and extent of this episode while alerting the information controller at the South Africa headquarters.

Shoprite has instituted additional security actions to help safeguard SHOPRITE SUFFERS client data from further information CYBERATTACK One of Africa’s largest retailers, leakage, including authentication Shoprite, has been reportedly hit mechanisms and fraud prevention

practices. Even previously attainable areas of the network have been rendered inaccessible.

TELEGRAM LAUNCHES PREMIUM VERSION Telegram announced the launch of its premium model, which will give users access to ‘exclusive additional features.’

The company also revealed that it had 700 million monthly active users.

Telegram became one of the top five downloaded apps worldwide in 2022, and its growth is solely from personal recommendations as Telegram has never paid to advertise its apps.

In a statement, Telegram announced it had launched ‘Telegram Premium’, a subscription that lets users support the social media app’s “continued development” to give access to exclusive additional features.

“This will allow us to offer all the resource-heavy features users have asked for over the years while preserving free access to the most powerful messenger on the planet,” explained the firm. “By subscribing to Telegram Premium, users unlock doubled limits, 4GB file uploads, faster downloads, exclusive stickers and reactions, improved chat management and a whole lot more.”

According to Telegram, all existing features users have come to expect and rely on for nearly a decade remain free. Non-premium users will be able to enjoy some of the premium’s benefits.

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KOLADE BADMUS pays tribute to the Lagos Governor, at age, 57

BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU AT 57 It is a special day for the governor of /DJRV 6WDWH 0U %DEDMLGH 2OXVROD 6DQZR 2OX 2Q 6DWXUGD\ -XQH WKH SHUIRUPLQJ governor turned 57. Born 25 June, 1965, 6DQZR 2OX HDUQHG D %DFKHORU RI 6FLHQFH GHJUHH LQ 6XUYH\LQJ IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ of Lagos. He went to earn an MBA and attended top schools around the world LQFOXGLQJ /RQGRQ %XVLQHVV 6FKRRO /DJRV %XVLQHVV 6FKRRO DQG -RKQ ) .HQQHG\ 6FKRRO RI *RYHUQDQFH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV *RYHUQRU 6DQZR 2OX LV DOVR DQ DVVRFLDWH member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and 'HYHORSPHQW 1,7$' %DEDMLGH 2OXVROD 6DQZR 2OX ZDV WKH treasurer at the defunct Lead Merchant

Bank from 1994 to 1997 where he moved to the A-list bank, the United Bank for Africa as the head of foreign money market. He then proceeded to First Inland Bank, Plc, now First City Monument Bank as a deputy general manager and divisional head. He ZDV WKH FKDLUPDQ RI %D\ZDWFK *URXS /LPLWHG DQG )LUVW &ODVV *URXS /LPLWHG He came into the public service as a FRUH SURIHVVLRQDO 6DQZR ROX ZDV 6SHFLDO Adviser on Corporate Matters to then GHSXW\ JRYHUQRU RI /DJRV 6WDWH 0U )HPL Pedro. He was later appointed the acting &RPPLVVLRQHU IRU (FRQRPLF 3ODQQLQJ DQG Budget until 2007, when he was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. %DEDMLGH 2OXVROD 6DQZR 2OX was appointed Commissioner for (VWDEOLVKPHQWV 7UDLQLQJ DQG 3HQVLRQV E\ *RYHUQRU %DEDWXQGH 5DML )DVKROD %5) LQ +H VHUYHG DV WKH 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU &(2 RI WKH /DJRV 6WDWH 'HYHORSPHQW DQG 3URSHUW\ &RUSRUDWLRQ /6'3& E\ *RYHUQRU $NLQZXQPL $PERGH LQ The man who brought great transformation to Lagos got into the saddle 0D\ +H ZDV QRW D ÁLJKW E\ QLJKW WHFKQRFUDW FXP SROLWLFLDQ 6DQZR 2OX KDG understudied the governance model of Lagos as an illustrious student of Asiwaju 7LQXEX VFKRRO SURJUHVVLYH SROLWLFV 6R getting things done was less cumbersome.

The builder of modern Lagos, Asiwaju Tinubu has set up a masterplan for development. *RYHUQRU 6DQZR 2OX FDPH ZLWK D ZLQQLQJ 7+(0( DJHQGD WKDW IRFXVHV RQ 7UD΀F 0DQDJHPHQW DQG 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ +HDOWK DQG (QYLURQPHQW (GXFDWLRQ DQG Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century (FRQRP\ (QWHUWDLQPHQW DQG 7RXULVP DV

ZHOO DV 6HFXULW\ DQG *RYHUQDQFH He has been breaking new frontiers in these thematic areas and also upgrading other critical sectors of lives as a state. ,QGHHG WKH 6DQZR 2OX DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LV JRYHUQDQFH UHGHÀQHG Under his watch, Lagos has improved in all facets and is enjoying a unique brand of progressive development. Men of good conscience are proud of the governor’s dynamic leadership qualities and his ability to sustain the tempo of excellence by PDNLQJ /DJRV 6WDWH WKH HQY\ RI DOO In the area of road construction for instance, he ensured quality roads that will VWDQG WKH WHVW RI WLPH 6DQZR 2OX URDGV DUH majorly concrete built that will last for years. ,Q DOO SDUWV RI /DJRV 6WDWH WKH LPSDFW RI WKH governor is being felt.

In the transport sector, he opened the waterways under the Lagos intermodal transport systems. He acquired additional PRGHUQ IHUULHV LQWR WKH ÁHHWV RI /$*)(55< to make commuting seamless across the mega city.

Lagos launched First and Last Mile buses to address the transport challenges in the KLQWHUODQGV 'HFHQW DQG VDIH WUDQVSRUW V\VWHP LV ZKDW EHÀWV /DJRV 6WDWH 7KLV speaks to the clampdown on the commercial PRWRUF\FOHV SRSXODUO\ FDOOHG 2NDGDV Aside from the grave security threats, their operations portend, they have continued to constitute nuisance in the state.

6R DV D JRYHUQPHQW ZLWK D KXPDQ IDFH the ban was not total but only restricted to the urban centres of the state and major roads and highways. In the same vein /$*5,'( D ÁHHW RI RYHU WD[LV IRU Lagos residents. It is all geared towards ensuring a better and safer transportation options for teaming commuting Lagosians.

In the education sector, teachers are getting required attention as well as the students. More schools and modern instructional learning materials have also been provided for schools to improve learning outcomes.

7KH EHVW RI JRYHUQRU 6DQZR 2OX FDPH WR WKH IRUH GXULQJ WKH &29,' FULVLV KH SURYLGHG JUHDW OHDGHUVKLS ZKHQ WKH 6WDWH became the epicentre of the pandemic.

At the peak of the greatest public health FULVLV RI WKH FHQWXU\ 6DQZR 2OX VDLG ´2QH of the things that you learn in life is you do not put a crisis to waste, as tough as it is, the FULVLV FRXOG EH D WLPH WR GHÀQH \RXUVHOI /LNH \RX VDLG ZH FDPH LQ DW D YHU\ GL΀FXOW WLPH you can imagine getting sworn in during WKH UDLQ\ VHDVRQ ZH FDPH ZKHQ WUD΀F gridlock was at its highest, it was almost on a daily basis and you had to settle in very quickly and on the bed of that as we ZHUH HQGLQJ WKDW KDOI \HDU LQ &29,' was announced in China and by January, it became global.

“I would say two things that toughened me was the fact that you cannot fail yourself.

A failure to oneself is the biggest disservice you can do to the teaming number of people that believe in you. Those who believe in you are not necessarily about your power or your strength, but the fact that there is something inherent that has been part of your environment that you need to come up and showcase.

Badmus writes from Lagos

Government should enforce the Anti-Torture Act, writes CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

WHEN THE STATE CONDONES TORTURE :KHQ , ÀUVW PHW (OHFKL /DUU\ ,JZH HDUO\ LQ 1991, he was safely ensconced in the bowels of D PRUWXDU\ LQ /DJRV (OHFKL D UHVLGHQW RI WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV RI $PHULFD KDG ÁRZQ LQWR WKH Murtala Muhammed International Airport for the Christmas and New Year holidays in 1990 into 1991 on his way to his village in Abiriba, QRZ LQ $ELD 6WDWH LQ VRXWK HDVW 1LJHULD +H never made it home nor did he return to WKH 86$ +LV MRXUQH\ HQGHG LQ WKH 6XUXOHUH 3ROLFH 6WDWLRQ 2Q KLV ZD\ IURP WKH DLUSRUW WR his hotel layover, some police men waylaid (OHFKL DEGXFWHG KLP WR WKH SROLFH VWDWLRQ DQG having tortured him to their hearts’ content, mercifully put a bullet to his mouth shattering his mandibles, his facial structure and the lives that depended on him.

(OHFKL ZDV RQH RI D PXOWLWXGH RI YLFWLPV whose ordeals at the hands of the Nigeria 3ROLFH )RUFH DQG WKH VHFXULW\ VHUYLFHV GHÀQHG my early life as a legal professional in Nigeria.

All of them were either survivors of torture or relatives of victims of torture and extra-judicial killings.

The advocacy group, Access to Justice, describes the practice of torture in Nigeria’s security services as “institutional and routine”, while Amnesty International complains that “police and military personnel routinely use torture and other ill-treatment to extract information and ‘confessions’, and to punish and exhaust detainees.”

The methods and means of torture in the practice of policing Nigeria, for instance, DUH LQÀQLWH ,Q PDQ\ FDVHV VHFXULW\ DQG ODZ enforcement agents built their careers on torture and third degree policing. Indeed, the prevalence of torture, inhumane treatment, and even extrajudicial killings by law HQIRUFHPHQW R΀FHUV LV UDPSDQW DQG YHU\ ZHOO documented, to the point of being the cause of D QDWLRQDO XSULVLQJ LQ 2FWREHU XQGHU WKH QRPHQFODWXUH RI (QG6$56 $ UHSRUW MRLQWO\ LVVXHG LQ WKH 2SHQ 6RFLHW\ -XVWLFH ,QLWLDWLYH DQG 1HWZRUN RQ 3ROLFH 5HIRUP LQ 1LJHULD 1235,1 DOOHJHG that “torture facilities and personnel, including dedicated torture chambers, instruments, DQG DQ R΀FHU NQRZQ DV ¶2 & R΀FHU LQ charge of) Torture’ exist in every major police VWDWLRQ ,Q PRVW FDVHV WKH 2 & 7RUWXUH KDV D workshop or torture chamber entirely of his own, and a seemingly limitless number of RSWLRQV IRU GLVSHQVLQJ VXͿHULQJ DQG HOLFLWLQJ the confessions that are the principal means of SROLFH LQYHVWLJDWLRQ LQ 1LJHULD 6RPH RI WKHP achieve near-legendary status.”

2QH RI VXFK R΀FHUV ZKRVH OHJHQG ZDV built on his skill in the dreadful art of torture reportedly headed the anti-robbery section in WKH 6WDWH &ULPLQDO ,QYHVWLJDWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW 6&,' LQ VRXWK HDVW 7KH WRUWXUH FKDPEHU WKDW he ran was known as “the theatre”. It was infamous for its dexterity in dismantling even the most hardened of suspects and detainees.

2QH RI WKH DVVHWV XQGHU KLV FRPPDQG ZDV ´D SROLFH R΀FHU FDOOHG ´2NSRQWXµ³PHDQLQJ ´WKH 1DLOHUµ LQ ,JER ODQJXDJH³DIWHU KH reportedly drove a nail through the palm of a detainee in 2006.”

Torture in Nigeria is a resilient atrocity, with deep origins in the institutional foundations of the police, army and security institutions in the country from the middle of the 19th century when blacks were not considered human beings. By the time the country became independent in 1960, these attitudes and practices had crystallized into

institutional doctrine after a century of white supremacism, under which those institutions were established.

Torture is the crime that prospers despite the being prohibited the world over. The constitutional prohibition of torture is as old as post-colonial Nigeria.

It was contained in section 18 of the 1960 Constitution and section 31 of the 1979 constitution as well as in section 34 of the 1999 Constitution. Quite apart from these, Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which is law in Nigeria also prohibits torture.

There were two problems, however, with this prohibition. First, none of these FRQVWLWXWLRQV HYHU GHÀQHG WRUWXUH 6HFRQG torture was not a crime in Nigeria until 2017.

While it was not a crime to torture human beings in Nigeria until 2017, it was criminal in many parts of the country to torture animals. For instance, s. 394(1)(a) RI WKH &ULPLQDO /DZ RI /DJRV 6WDWH makes it a crime for any person to “cruelly beat, kick, ill-treat, over-ride, over-drive, over-load, torture, infuriate, or terrify any animal, or cause or procure, or, being the owner, permit any animal to be so used.” Impressively, the same law did not criminalize torture of humans.

The Anti-Torture Act (ATA) of 2017 set out to rectify these anomalies in Nigeria WKURXJK VL[ VWHSV )LUVW IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ 1LJHULDQ ODZ WKH $FW GHÀQHV WRUWXUH which can be physical or psychological.

The former includes “such cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment which causes pain, exhaustion, disability or dysfunction of one or more parts of the body”, while the latter covers “such cruel, inhuman or degrading WUHDWPHQW FDOFXODWHG WR DͿHFW RU FRQIXVH WKH mind or undermine a person’s dignity and morale.”

6HFRQG WKH $FW SUHVFULEHV D VWDWH DFWRU UHTXLUHPHQW DV LQKHUHQW LQ WKH GHÀQLWLRQ of torture. Thus, section 2(1) prescribes that for an act to constitute torture, it must be done “by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public R΀FLDO RU RWKHU SHUVRQ DFWLQJ LQ DQ R΀FLDO capacity provided that it does not include SDLQ RU VXͿHULQJ LQ FRPSOLDQFH ZLWK ODZIXO sanctions.” This requirement of state actor extends to abuses by militias or civilian task-forces maintained by governments and politicians.

Third, there are no defences or exceptions to torture under the Act. For the avoidance of doubt, the ATA provides that “[n]o exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war.

Internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a MXVWLÀFDWLRQ IRU WRUWXUH µ ,W LV QR GHIHQFH WKDW ZH DUH ÀJKWLQJ DQ LQVXUJHQF\ RU liquidating some people whom we do not like.

Fourth, the Act makes torture a crime punishable on conviction with a minimum of 25 years in jail under section 9(1) of the $FW 6HFWLRQ SURYLGHV WKDW ´>W@RUWXUH resulting in the loss of life of a person is considered as murder and shall be tried and punished under the relevant laws.”

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

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MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

NON-REMITTANCE OF IATA FUNDS The authorities should take it as a matter of urgency to remit airlines revenue to them

R

ecent alarm by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) about Nigeria holding down revenues earned by foreign airlines is an issue that deserves prompt intervention.

Apparently due to the paucity of foreign exchange, Nigeria has been unable to remit about $450 million of foreign airlines’ revenue, known as blocked IXQGV 7KLV DFFRUGLQJ WR ,$7$ LV DGYHUVHO\ DͿHFWLQJ airlines operations in Nigeria with dire consequences on travellers who now have to bear the burden of outrageous fares. No level of desperation should make the federal government abuse long-standing international trade regulations and practices.

As the fastest way of moving persons and goods, air transportation is a catalyst to economic development for any nation. It is also the preferred means of WUDQVSRUW IRU WRS JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV HQWUHSUHQHXUV and movers and shakers of the global economy. So, HYHU\ FRXQWU\ LV QHJDWLYHO\ DͿHFWHG ZKHQ VFKHGXOHG ÁLJKW RSHUDWLRQV DUH LPSDLUHG ,$7$ UHJRQLVHV WKDW the withholding of airlines’ funds by Nigeria and other countries was not on purpose. But IATA has also observed that Nigeria might not be giving aviation the priority it deserves. The global body admitted that foreign airlines have been forced to introduce RXWUDJHRXV DLUIDUHV RQ WKH 1LJHULDQ URXWH DQG MXVWLÀHG LW E\ LQVLVWLQJ WKDW DLUOLQHV PXVW EH SURÀWDEOH LQ RUGHU WR ensure their continued operation. $SDUW IURP WKH QHJDWLYH HͿHFWV WKLV GHIDXOW FRXOG have on the image of the country, the government should also be mindful of the fact that there are Nigerian airlines that ply international routes and maintain sizable operations abroad. Besides, we need to do all we can to be in the good books of present and potential foreign investors. We therefore urge the authorities to make the payment of outstanding funds a priority.

With the many stubborn issues facing the country at the moment, needless diplomatic and legal complications

must be avoided.

Faced with the non-remittance of their funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the airlines have resorted to raising their fares. That has also reduced their patronage in Nigeria with fear that very soon, PDQ\ RI RXU FLWL]HQV PD\ QRW EH DEOH WR DͿRUG WKH FRVW of travelling abroad. The consequence of reduced air connectivity, according to IATA, include the erosion of a nation’s competitiveness, diminished investor FRQÀGHQFH DQG UHSXWDWLRQDO KDUP FDXVHG E\ D perception that it is a high-risk place to do business.

In the long run, there are fears that foreign airlines might withdraw their services to Nigeria, as United Airlines and Iberia did about eight years ago.

Should the major airlines take the same route, it will bode ill for our country.

In 2014, many foreign airlines withdrew services to Venezuela over the country’s inability to remit airlines revenue and that was the beginning of trouble for the economy. The implication of such withdrawal is WKDW LW ZRXOG DOVR KDYH LQDXVSLFLRXV HͿHFW RQ GRPHVWLF DLUOLQHV EHFDXVH WKH\ ZLOO ÀQG LW GL΀FXOW WR VRXUFH VSDUHV seek technical support and will eventually deplete their operating aircraft, as it happened in Venezuela.

The failure to encourage domestic airlines to grow into strong operators has willy-nilly made foreign airlines operating into Nigeria very imperative. As an import-dependent nation, many Nigerians earn living on importation of products and have over the years ensured foreign carriers maintain high load factor due to their patronage. Many Nigerians also send their children overseas for quality education and with the withdrawal of services by foreign airlines; the education RI WKHVH \RXQJ 1LJHULDQV ZLOO VXͿHU Overall, the authorities should take it as a matter of urgency to remit airlines revenue to them and put a new rule in place to ensure prompt remittances. Nigeria should not push airlines to the extent that they will consider withdrawing their services from the country.

Faced with the non-remittance of their funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the airlines have resorted to raising their fares.

That has also reduced their patronage in Nigeria

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

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

LETTERS

NIGERIA AND THE FARMS OF FAMINE Hunger in Nigeria is not only a metaphoric reality. In many ways, it is powerfully literal .Many Nigerians are not just hungry for adequate social services, public goods, and everything else that make for a content citizenry, they are hungry for food. In a country where food security has been a mirage for years, the nightmare has been all too real for many, including children.

According to a recent report titled Hunger Hotspots: FAO-FWP early warnings on acute food insecurity (June to September 2022 Outlook) the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme starkly warned that acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further in 20 countries or situations (including two regional clusters) – called hunger hotspots- during the outlook period from June to September 2022.

According to the report which warned that global food insecurity continues to escalate, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen remain at the highest alert level.

From the report, about 19.5 million people are projected to be in Crises or worse levels of acute insecurity in Nigeria during the lean season (June – August 2022), including

1.2 million people in Emergency if humanitarian interventions are not scaled up or sustained.

3HUKDSV DSDUW IURP WKH ELWLQJ HͿHFWV RI FOLPDWH FKDQJH it is insecurity that continues to fuel food insecurity in Nigeria more than any other factor.

As terrorism has continued to surge into many of Nigeria`s rural communities, farmers have been killed, stopped from farming entirely or forced to hand over meagre proceeds from their agricultural activities to terrorists.

Multiple attacks on farmers in Nigeria`s rural communities are well documented. In November 2020, in Zabarmari, about 70 farmers were killed in attacks by terrorists who beheaded at least 30 of them in attacks which sent shockwaves across the country.

In December 2021, at least 45 farmers were killed as hosWLOLWLHV ZHUH UHQHZHG LQ /DÀD 2EL DQG $ZH ORFDO JRYHUQment areas of Nasarawa State.

In May 2022, more than 50 farmers were massacred when terrorists thought to belong to ISWAP invaded farmlands on the outskirts of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State. :KHQ LQ 0D\ DERXW VHYHQ IDUPHUV GHÀHG ZDUQ-

ings not to go to their farms by bandits, seven of them were slaughtered.

On Wednesday, June 22,2022,scores of gunmen attacked IDUPV LQ 5DÀQ 'DML D IDUPLQJ FRPPXQLW\ LQ $EDML $UHD Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where they killed about two persons and whisked away 22 others who included men, women and children who were on their farmlands during the day. The sum of 12 million naira has reportedly been demanded by the attackers who have been said to be Fulani herdsmen. The police has conÀUPHG WKDW WKH YLFWLPV ZHUH RQ WKHLU IDUPV ZKHQ WKH\ were attacked and carried away.

The insecurity ravaging the country was always going to permeate every area of the national life if nothing was done to halt it. With each passing day, attempts to defuse terrorism has continued to grow ever more feeble.

There is no doubt that with attacks on rural communities growing by the day, many communities, families and their children will continue to be ravaged by hunger.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

26

MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

27

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

J U N E

S & P INDEX

2 4 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

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OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

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613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

LDR: Credit to Private Sector Adds N3.01trn in 5 Months, All-time High of 60 Years

Kayode Tokede With the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retaining 65 per cent minimum Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR), among other policies to boost lending, credit to private sector between January and May 2022 added N3.01 trillion reaching an all-time high of over 60 years, THISDAY analysis of the CBN Money and Credit Statistics has shown.

The CBN data revealed that credit to the private sector reached N38.1trillion in May 2022, an increase of 8.5 per cent or N3.01 trillion from N35.18 trillion reported in January 2022.

With the latest figure, it means that credit to the private sector in Year-on-Year performance has added

18.9 per cent or N6.08 trillion from N32.12 trillion reported by the CBN on May 2021.

According to the CBN, credit to the private sector was N35.99trillion in February and hits N36.47trillion in March 2022. It crossed the N37trillion mark in April to N37.68trillion.

The CBN had revealed that credit to private sector reached N35.73trillion in 2021 and reported N26.65trillion credit to private sector in 2019.

THISDAY can report that credit to private sector in 2019 when the LDR policy was introduced, gained N3.75trillion or 16.33 per cent to close at N26.69trillion from N22.95trillion it opened in 2019.

In 2020, credit to private sector added N3.5trillion or 13.12 per

cent to close December 2020 at N30.15trillion from N26.65trillion recorded in January 2020.

However, in the full year of 2021, credit to private sector rose

by N5.08trillion or 16.57 per cent close 2021 at N35.38 trillion from N30.65 trillion reported by the CBN in January 2021.

The CBN numbers showed that Money Supply (M2) grew by 21.83 per cent to N48.56 trillion in May 2022 when compared to N39.69 trillion reported May 2021.

The huge surge in money supply reflects increasing demand for cash by members of the public caused by continued rise in prices of goods and services, evidenced by the three consecutive months rise in the inflation rate at 17.71 per

cent in May this year.

However, the surge in money supply is driven by increased borrowing by the federal government and lending to the private sector propelled by the various intervention funds of the CBN. Further analysis also showed that major components of M2, namely Narrow Money (M1) and Quasi Money, recorded sharp increases in May 2022.

M1 comprises Currency Outside Banks (CoB), and Demand Deposits (Current Account deposits of bank customers).

Quasi Money comprises Savings Deposits, Fixed Deposits and Foreign Currency Deposits of bank customers.

According to the CBN’s data, M1, rose by 26.77 per cent or N4.35

trillion to N20.61 trillion in May 2022 from N16.26 trillion reported ending May 2021.

Also contributing to the huge growth in money supply ending May 2022, is the sharp increase in credit to the government during the period.

The CBN data showed that credit to the government rose sharply by 45.55 per cent or N5.72trillion to N18.27 trillion as of ending May 2022 from N12.55 trillion in the corresponding period of 2021.

Commenting, analysts believe the N38.2 trillion credit to private sector as at May, is still within the range of credit growth in 2021.

“An average monthly growth rate of 1.66per cent since December, 2021, is an indication of a moderate credit

extension to the private sector of the economy, in consonance with low absorptive capacity of the economy itself, and as possibly programmed

by CBN, given mirage of problems bedeviling the Nigerian economy.

“An economy with low productivity and total reliance on import must guide its credit expansion, in order not to put too much pressure on a faulty exchange rate management. Further credit expansion in the midst of poor monetary and fiscal coordination, could spell doom for the economy. This is one of the reasons our economy is not doing well, ”said CEO, Wyoming Capital & Partners, Mr. Tajudeen Olayinka.

On his part, analyst at PAC HoldContinued on page 29

UBA, Access Holdings, Others Gross Earnings Up 25% in Q1 to N1.54trn Nume Ekeghe Despite the challenging operating environment, a total of 13 Nigerian banks grew their gross earnings by 25 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2022, THISDAY findings revealed.

The 13 that is made up of 5 Tier-1 and 8 Tier-2 banks reported N1.54

trillion gross earnings in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 25 per cent over the N1.23 trillion reported in Q1 2021.

With the increase in gross earnings among improved financial parameters, the PBT of the 13 banks reached N370.25 billion in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 19 per cent over N312.5billion

earned in Q1 2021.

The 13 banks are; Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Access Holdings Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).

FBN Holdings Plc, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc. Others are; Fidelity Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, FCMB Group Plc, Union Bank for Nigeria

Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc. Operating as a pan-African bank, ETI and Access Holdings expanded gross earnings in the period under review as the year commenced with great expectations for growth globally on the back of the recovery achieved in 2021.

ETI’s reported 14.5 per cent

increase in gross earnings to N246.4billion in Q1 2022 from N215.28billion reported in Q1 2021, while its PBT grew by 29 per cent to N52.07billion in Q1 2022 from N40.34billion reported in Q1 2021.

Also, Access Holdings reported n Access Holdings N295.7billion gross earnings in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 33.13 per cent from

N222.14billion in Q1 2021 that impacted on PBT that gained 8.5 per cent to N65.13billion in Q1 2022 from N60.05billion reported in Q1 2021.

Other Tier-1 banks with stronger gross earnings growth include Zenith Bank with 21.7 per cent increase in Continued on page 29

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT F R I D AY, J U N E 2 4 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION

Price

Yield

14.20 14-MAR2024 13.53 23-MAR2025 12.50 22-JAN2026 16.2884 17MAR-2027 13.98 23-FEB2028

109.76

8.00

108.04

10.09

106.57

10.25

120.20

10.72

113.30

10.77

Change Updated Time (%) June 24, -0.01 2022 June 24, 0.02 2022 June 24, 0.10 2022 June 24, 0.00 2022 June 24, -0.09 2022

Discount

NTB 14-Jul22 NTB 11Aug-22 NTB 8-Sep22 NTB 13-Oct22

300,00 300,00

0.00 June 24, 2022

415,00 417,00

0.00 June 24, 2022

345,00 347,00

0.00 June 24, 2022

465,00 472,00

0.00 June 24, 2022

NTB 10Nov-22

390,00 396,00

0.00 June 24, 2022

Yield

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

MATURITY

Change Updated Time (%)

MATURITY TRBH CP V 26-JUL-22 FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22 NENL CP I 24-OCT-22 FSDH CP VII 27-OCT-22 SIBP CP III 27-OCT-22

Discount Yield 11.46 11.58 8.03

Change Updated Time (%) 0.00 June 24, 2022

8.10

0.00 June 24, 2022

15.42 16.26

0.01 June 24, 2022

9.71 10.04

0.01 June 24, 2022

8.90

0.01 June 24, 2022

9.18

CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS JUN 29 1 427.24 2022 NGUS JUL 27 428.93 2 2022 NGUS AUG 31 3 430.63 2022 NGUS SEP 28 4 432.32 2022 NGUS OCT 26 5 434.02 2022

Updated Time

June 24, 2022 June 24, 2022 June 24, 2022 June 24, 2022 June 24, 2022

28

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Urges Private Sector to Plough Back Profits to Boost Jobs James Emejo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the private sector to plough back profits in order to boost job creation in the country.

Speaking at the 2022 Nigeria Employers’ Summit, themed: “The Private Sector, an Engine for National Development,” the president said the private sector remained key towards addressing the challenges of unemployment in the country.

Represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, Buhari pointed out that the theme for the summit was particularly apt given the challenges faced as country in terms job creation and empowerment, especially for the surging youth population.

He said the quest for national development and growth remained a national issue that needs utmost attention and input from all relevant stakeholders.

Buhari added that while government continues to provide the private sector with sound national industrial policy, the businesses should on the other hand provide better welfare the workers.

He added said the government will continue to partner the real sector as it remained the engine for national development.

Also, speaking at the occasion, the Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Joseph Ari, said there must be deliberate efforts and commitment by the government at all levels, including the Organized Private Sector (OPS), Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders towards skills development for youth employability.

He said, “The International Labour Organization rising from the G 8 conference of labour and employment ministers in 2005 opined that,

undisputedly, the increasing recognition of the political urgency of responding to the challenge of youth employment by state actors is a must for poverty eradication, sustainable development and lasting peace in communities.”

Ari, nonetheless said in a bid to key into the federal government’s policy on job creation and economic diversification, the ITF had trained over 500, 000 Nigerian youths and the vulnerable groups through the fund’s various skills intervention programmes between 2016 to 2020.

He added that over 80 of youths trained in technical skills development programmes have either become gainfully employed, self-employed or employers of labour.

He said, “The question of economic development and growth sustenance is normally the joint duty of the public and the private sectors of the economy.”

Pensioners Must Access Benefits with Ease, PTAD Boss Insists James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Secretary of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, has vowed to put an end to the tedious, challenging and expensive field verification exercises for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

She said “I Am Alive” Confirmation Solution, which was launched by the directorate in October 2021 as a pilot programme for 50,000 pensioners, remained the crucial next step aimed at to ensuring that pensioners and senior citizens who had served the country, can enjoy their hard-earned pensions without the hardships of the past.

Ejikeme, at the I Am Alive confirmation training programme for union executives and Pension Desk Officers (PDOs) of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) in Abuja, insisted that going forward, pensioners must be able to confirm their aliveness from the comfort of their homes,

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

or within close proximity to their residences.

She said, “They should also be able to resolve their complaints without unnecessary stress. We want them to be able to contact PTAD with ease, and to be treated with respect and dignity. This project and all others which we have implemented in the past have been designed towards this end goal.”

The PTAD boss said the solution was particularly introduced to enable the directorate to continuously update its pensioner database as a means of ascertaining verified pensioners that are alive and should continue to receive their monthly pension.

According to her, the pilot

programme was intended to test the applicability, ease of usage and user-adaptation of the solution, following which final adjustments would be made before deployment across the nation for all our pensioners.

She said, “We believe that PTAD’s effort to meet its mandate is enhanced by the strong collaboration that exists between the respective pension unions, Pension Desk Officers and PTAD. “We believe that once the union executives and PDOs can confidently use the application, they can support our efforts to educate our pensioners and provide guidance and handholding where necessary for them to easily carry out their “I Am Alive” confirmation.

Noor Takaful Insurance Distributes N109m Surplus to Policy Holders Ebere Nwoji Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, the pioneer composite Takaful Insurance firm has distributed a total of N109.846 million as surplus to policyholders who did not make claims on their insurance contracts during the 2020 financial year.

The insurance firm announced this recently during the Surplus Distribution event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman, Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Muhtar Bakare, explained that out of the total sum of N109,846,000.00, the General Takaful policy holders were to get the sum of N74,121,000.00 while Family Takaful policy holders were to receive N35,725,000.00.

Also speaking, the ViceChairman, Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Aminu Tukur,stated that the surplus distribution came as the redemption of its pledge to policyholders noting that Takaful insurance has become highly receptive among Nigerians over the last few years. Tukur assured stakeholders that the company would continue to provide innovation and leadership in the Takaful Insurance industry while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.

In her remarks, the Managing Director, Lotus Capital Limited, Hajara Adeola, stated that Takaful insurance, a non-interest finance, remains the best alternative insurance for the generality of Nigerians as it helps to promote financial inclusion.

Role of PFAs, PFCs in Contributory Pension Scheme The modest successes attained since the advent of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria over eighteen years ago, are often ascribed to the structures upon which the system was built. A key feature is the separation of management and custody of pension funds.

While Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) are saddled with the responsibility of managing pension funds, Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) are responsible for the custody of the funds.

Pension Fund Operators are private entities licensed, supervised and regulated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Therefore, understanding their roles PFAs will provide further insight into the workings of the CPS. The following are the roles of PFAs and PFCs under the CPS.

REGISTRATION OF CONTRIBUTORS

The PFA is responsible for opening a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) for an employee. This is done after the employee has completed the RSA registration forms and provided other necessary documentation. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is issued to an employee upon opening an RSA. It is noteworthy to state that the selection of a PFA is the exclusive right of an employee.

CREDITING OF INDIVIDUAL RSAS

PFAs are responsible for crediting RSAs with monthly pension contributions. The monthly pension contributions are deducted by the employer and remitted to the PFC with an accompanying schedule that contains the names, RSA PINs and other details of the employees.

The PFC in turn advises the PFA upon receiving the schedules.

TAKING INVESTMENT DECISIONS

The pension contributions in individual RSAs are pooled together by the PFA into a Fund that is invested in various allowable asset classes. The PFA is responsible for taking investment decisions to ensure safety and fair returns for the benefit of contributors. These investment decisions must be in accordance with the Investment Regulations issued by PenCom. All incomes earned are exclusively for the benefit of contributors. Consequently, the PFA exercises investment decisions on trust, as a fiduciary duty on behalf of contributors.

PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The main objective of the CPS is to ensure the payment of retirement benefits as and when due. The PFA is therefore responsible for processing the retirement benefits of a retiree under the CPS. This includes ensuring the retiree provides all required documentation at least six months prior to retirement. The PFA is also responsible for obtaining necessary approvals from PenCom and issuance of instructions to the PFC for payment of retirement benefits.

PROVIDE CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO RSA HOLDERS

The PFAs provide various customer support services to the RSA holders, including issuing RSA statements at least once every quarter. In carrying out this function, PenCom ensures that PFAs have adequate number of branches to serve locations with significant number of registered RSAs under their management. In addition, PFAs are expected to deploy the necessary technology that widens access to their services for RSA holders.

RENDER RETURNS TO PENCOM

PFAs maintain proper books of account and render reports/ returns to PenCom. The returns assist PenCom to adequately supervise the PFAs through offsite reviews. The returns include the daily valuation reports on investment and monthly and quarterly returns on various aspects of PFAs’ operations. Further to the offsite reviews, PenCom conducts routine on-site examinations annually on PFAs , and special examinations whenever the need arises.

PENCOM DG, Aisha Dahir-Umar

APPOINTMENT OF PENSION FUND CUSTODIAN

As noted earlier, the management and custody of pension funds are carried out by the PFA and PFC, respectively. It is therefore, the PFA’s responsibility to appoint a Licensed PFC to provide custody and safekeeping for the pension funds under its management. The PFC is responsible for executing all transactions as instructed by the PFA, provided that such are in accordance with the Investment Regulations issued by PenCom. The PFC plays the important role of providing safe custody of pension fund assets as enshrined by the Pension Reform Act 2014 and is therefore appointed by the PFA exclusively for that purpose. The following are the roles of PFCs under the CPS: Collection of Pension Contributions: The monthly pension contributions are deducted by the employer and remitted to the PFC, accompanied with schedules that contain the names, RSA PINs, PFA name and other details of the employees. It is the PFC’s responsibility to advise the PFA upon receipt of the contributions, which in turn credits individual Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) with the respective amounts.

Safekeeping Services: Ensuring the safety of pension assets is a key principle of the CPS. Consequently, provision of safekeeping services is an important responsibility of the PFC. In conducting this role, the PFC registers the assets in the PFA’s name and keeps physical securities in the vault or central depositories.

In essence, the ownership documents of all pension fund assets acquired by the PFA in the course of its management function, are kept safely by the PFC, to the exclusive order of the PFA, on behalf of individual pension contributors. It must be emphasised that the pension fund assets held by the PFC are fully separated from its company funds and that of its parent company, which further guarantees the safety of pension assets.

Settlement and Clearing: The PFC is responsible for executing investment decisions on behalf of the PFA. In essence therefore, once a PFA decides to invest in particular security, it advises the PFC, which effects actual payment for the securities to the counterparties. In addition, where a PFA decides to sell some investments to realise profit, the PFC will receive the consideration paid on behalf of the PFA. Furthermore, the PFC is also responsible for benefit payments to beneficiaries as advised by the PFA and accompanied by requisite approval by PenCom. The clear delineation of responsibilities with checks and balances entrenched by the PRA 2014 is a cardinal principle of the scheme. This structure is being assured by the strong regulatory framework established by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

29

BUSINESSWORLD

STATUS REPORT

UAC of Nigeria Remains in Trenches

Kayode Tokede

U

AC of Nigeria Plc might not improve on its dividend payout to shareholders in 2021 financial year result and accounts as profit after tax and profit before tax dropped by 70.4 per cent and 44.3 per cent respectively in nine months ended September 30, 2021 The leading diversified Company, operating in the Food and Beverage, Real Estate, Paint and Logistics sectors of the economy also reported losses in its third quarter (Q3) unaudited results for period ended September 30, 2021.

In Q3 unaudited results, UAC of Nigeria reported 63.2 per cent drop in Operating Profit to N437 million, with operating profit margin contracting by 386 basis points to 1.8per cent from 5.6 per cent recorded in Q3 2020.

The Group reported loss after tax from continuing operations N199 million in Q3 2021 compared to a N1.2 billion profit in Q3 2020.

Total loss for the period was N199 million in Q3 2021 compared to a profit of N744 million in Q3 2020 as loss per share from continuing operations for Q3 2021 was 9 kobo (Q3 2020: earnings per share of 31 kobo).

The weak performance impacted negatively on its stock price on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and Basic Earnings Per Share that dipped to a loss of N0.09 in Q3 2021 from N0.15 recorded in Q3 2020.

Over the years, UAC of Nigeria maintained mixed performance in dividend payout to shareholders.

For instance, the company reported N3.93billion profit in 2020 from a loss of N9.26billion in 2019 and paid shareholders a dividend of N1.20 (N3.46billion) as against N0.10 dividend in 2019 (N288million) paid to shareholders in 2019.

However, UAC of Nigeria in its nine months result and accounts improved on its revenue but hike in finance cost and operating expenses, two key financial parameters weaken profits in the period under review.

UAC of Nigeria reported 23 per cent increase in revenue to N71.4billion in nine months of 2021 from N57.8billion reported in nine months of 2020.

ANIMAL FEEDS DRIVEN GROWTH

The growth in revenue was driven by 13.7 per cent increase in Animal Feeds and Other Edibles

segment to N41.64billion in nine months of 2021 from N36.65billion reported in nine months of 2020, amid increasing price that offset rising raw material costs.

Paints segment grew by 41.3 per cent to N10.2billion from N7.14billion on account of higher volumes compared to 2020 which was impacted by limited sales due to the restrictions in the movement of people and goods in second quarter (Q2) 2020.

Packaged Food and Beverages segment grew by 39.4 to N17.7billion, driven by volume growth in the snacks, water and dairy categories and price increases in the snacks and water categories; and the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) segment gained 51.2 per cent to N1.6billion as additions to company-owned restaurants (corporate stores) and improved volumes and performance of existing stores.

REVENUE GENERATING SUBSIDIARIES

The fish feed category in the Group’s Animal Feeds and Other Edibles continued to benefit from customers migrating from imported brands to locally produced brands.

Operating profit in the Animal Feeds and Other Edibles increased by 47 per cent to N1.7 billion in nine months of 2021 from N1.2billion reported in nine months of 2020 on account of price increases to offset higher raw material costs, as well as lower operating expenses.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Grand Cereals Limited and Livestock Feeds PLC have embarked on operational improvements in power consumption and initiatives focused on reducing distribution expenses. The segment recorded a N731 million Profit before Tax in nine months of 2021, against a N855 million Profit before Tax in nine months of 2020, on account of higher finance costs to support deliberate efforts to build inventory.

The Paints segment reported operating profit of 33.7 per cent, lower at N708 million as a result of lower gross margin and increased operating expenses and non-recurring merger restructuring

costs in the period totalling N121 million. Profit before Tax was N853million in nine months of 2021, 32.1per cent lower than the N1.3 billion recorded in nine months of 2020.

The growth recorded in UAC of Nigeria Packaged Food and Beverages segment by driven by doubledigit volume growth across all categories(snacks, spring water, and ice cream). Volume growth was supported by improved distribution in Southern Nigeria, improved product mix with greater contribution from the recently introduced larger 100g Gala SKU, as well as additional spring water capacity.

However, the Packaged Food and Beverages Operating profit increased by 52 per cent in nine months of 2021 to N1 billion from N663million reported in nine months of 2020 supported by revenue growth. Profit before Tax increased by 43.5 per cent to N985 million from N686million in nine months of 2020.

QSR segment recorded a N153 million operating loss in nine months of 2021 from N50million loss recorded in nine months of 202, driven by escalating raw material costs and increased operating expenses.

The QSR segment recorded a N183 million Loss before Tax in nine months of 2021, against a N54 million Loss before Tax in nine months of 2020.

Associate: Real Estate (UPDC – 43per cent ownership) recorded an operating loss of N512 million in nine months of 2021 as against N379million recorded in nine months of 2020 on account of increased cost of sales as gains on property disposal and reduction in administrative expenses were partially offset by a one-off credit loss expense.

The real sector of UAC of Nigeria recorded a N1billion loss before Tax for nine months of 2021, an improvement from the N2.2 billion loss before Tax recorded in nine months of2020.

In addition, the MDS Logistics’ revenue increased 11per cent to N6.5 billion in nine months of 2021 from N5.9 billion in nine months of 2020, driven by increase in pharma logistics and haulage services.

MDS Logistics’ recorded a loss before Tax of N200 million in nine months of 2021 compared

to a Profit before Tax of N352 million in nine months of 2020 primarily due to higher cost of sales and operating expenses, as well as finance costs incurred on a loan to fund recent capital expenditure to support the haulage business.

KEY FINANCIAL PARAMETERS

From the loss and profit figures, cost of sales grew by 27.2 per cent to N59billion in nine months of 2021 from N46.4billion in nine months of 2020, to position gross profit at N12.34billion, 8.45 per cent growth when compared to N11.4billion reported in nine months of 2020.

Consequently, gross profit margin declined 240 basis points to 17.3 per cent in nine months of 2021 from 19.7 per cent in nine months of 2020.

The Group’s total operating expenses grew by 9.03 per cent to N10.59billion from N9.72billion in nine months of 2020. As selling and Distribution Expenses grew by 1.8 per cent to N4.5billion in nine months of 2021 from N4.46billion in nine months of 2020, Administrative Expenses also grew by 1.8 per cent to N4.54billion as against N4.46billion reported in nine months of 2020.

The proportion of Operating Expense/ revenue dropped to 14.8 per cent in nine months of 2021 from 16.8 per cent recorded in nine months of 2020.

UAC Nigeria reported operating Profit of N2.1 billion in nine months of 2021, about six higher than the N2 billion recorded in nine months of 2020.

The group recognised higher finance costs on account of increased short-term borrowings in the Animal Feeds and Other Edibles segment to support deliberate efforts to build inventory as well as rising interest rates. Performance was negatively impacted by the loss from associate companies (UPDC and MDS) in nine months of 2021 versus a profit from associates in nine months of 2020.

As a result, Profit before tax was N1.4 billion, a decrease of 44.3per cent against N2.5 billion in nine months of 2020. Profit after Tax from continuing operations was N565 million compared to N1.45 NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

LDR: CREDIT TO PRIVATE SECTOR ADDS N3.01TRN IN 5 MONTHS, ALL-TIME HIGH OF 60 YEARS ings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye attributed the growth to 65 per cent LDR policy of the CBN, stressing that many banks complied with the directive on the minimum requirement.

He added that, “the intervention programs by the CBN in various sectors of the economy drove the increase as borrowers took advantage of the low interest rate.

The minimum LDR of 65per

cent and intervention programs by the CBN in various sectors have contributed to the strong economic growth witnessed in the past quarters.”

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Limited, Mr. Ambrose Omordion noted that post-covid-19 business activities contributed to N38.1 trillion credit to private sector as of May 2022.

He expressed that the recent increase in CBN’s Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) might disrupt credit to private sector going forward, stressing that cost of production tends to witness increase and impact on local economy.

However, some analysts expressed mixed reactions in their projections for money supply growth for the remaining months of the year

especially in the face of election year spending and recent hike in the MPR by the CBN. They told THISDAY that increased credit to the government is responsible for the sharp growth in money supply, which they noted is also a major driving force behind the upward inflationary trend.

Vice president, Highcap securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said, “In

general, an increase in the money supply drives inflation rather than the other way around. In our typical case, money supply growth far outstrips economic growth, which is a typical condition for stoking inflation.

“In terms of inflation, the majority of the inflationary pressure we are experiencing is supply-side driven, as a result of issues like insecurity,

poor infrastructure, insufficient logistics, and cost push factors from the external environment, such as the Russian-Ukraine conflict. As a result, I would ascribe a higher percentage (about 65-70per cent) of the money supply growth to inflation. I believe the balance is due to a higher credit growth to the economy, notably to the government.”

increased average lending rate.

She added, “non-interest revenue dropped by N2.8billion largely due to N6.0billion decline in FX income, however, key fees and commission lines (Digital Income | Account Maintenance Charge | Trade Income | Collections etc.) showed strong double-digit growth in line with increased customer transactions.”

Following Fidelity Bank with stronger gross earnings among the Tier-2 banks is Stanbic IBTC Holdings that reported N67.23billion gross earnings in Q1 2022 from N45.52billion reported in Q1 2021.

Others are FCMB Group with N58.31billion gross earnings in Q1 2022 from N43.54billion in

Q1 2021, while Union Bank for Nigeria reported N43.42billion in Q1 2022 from N36.79billion reported in Q1 2021.

Sterling Bank reported N38.05 billion gross earnings in Q1 2022 from N30.89billion; Wema Bank closed Q1 2022 with N30.64billion gross earnings in Q1 2022 from N19.47billion in Q1 2021 and Unity Bank grew its gross earnings by 18.25 per cent to N13.6billion in Q1 022 from N11.5billion in Q1 2021.

Sterling Bank explained that gross earnings growth was primarily due to a 43.3per cent increase in operating income driven by a 17.5per cent growth in net interest income and a 40.5per cent increase in fees & commission.

UBA, ACCESS HOLDINGS, OTHERS GROSS EARNINGS UP 25% IN Q1 TO N1.54TRN gross earnings to N191.5billion in 2022 from N157.31billion in 2021; UBA grew its gross earnings by 18.34 per cent to N183.9billion in Q1 2022 from N155.4billion in Q1 2021; FBN Holdings reported N180.5billion gross earnings in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 32.14 per cent from N136.6billion reported in Q1 2021 and GTCO announced N119.59billion in gross earnings, representing an increase of 13 per cent from N106.2billion reported in Q1 2021.

Commenting, Zenith Bank said the double-digit growth in the topline also spurred its bottom line as the Group recorded an 11 per cent increase in profit before tax, growing from N61 billion in

Q1 2021 to N68 billion in Q1 2022.

“Topline growth was mainly driven by the growth in interest income, fees on electronic products and trading income,” Zenith bank explained in a statement.

For UBA, the pan-African bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kennedy Uzoka explained that despite the myriad of economic challenges on the global front which shaped the first three months of the year, the bank’s business model continued to show resilience.

“These challenges among others, he noted include the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine that has resulted in a huge supply shock, pushing up commodity prices; and

the hike in the interest rates in most advanced countries aimed at tackling spiralling inflation, sparking capital flow reversal from emerging and frontier markets.”

Uzoka added that, “Notwithstanding these developments, we were able to leverage gains from our large customer base and vast geographical spread to bolster earnings.

“We recorded double-digit growth of 18 percent in our gross earnings to N183.9 billion, with our Nigerian operation raking in 65 percent of the revenue while our operations in other countries accounted for the remainder, showing the diversity in our operations.”

Also, most Tier-2 banks grew gross earnings in the period under

review that played critical impact on profit before tax declared.

On its part, Fidelity bank reported N71.33billion in gross earnings in Q1 2022, representing an increase of 29.4 per cent from N55.12billion in Q1 2021 to close the period under review with N10.3billion profit before tax as against N10.13billion reported in prior period.

According to the MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the increase in gross earnings was driven by 44.1per cent YoY (N19.0billion) growth in total interest and similar income which was attributable to the expansion in earning assets, improved yields on government securities and

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Analysts Forecast 2.7%Year-onYear Economic Growth for Nigeria Kayode Tokede Analysts at Vetiva Africa Research have forecasted a 2.7 per cent Yearon-Year (YoY) increase in Nigeria’s economy, driven by volatile oil production, sustained growth in Active GSM lines, and slight depreciation in the Naira.

The forecast is in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) output growth for 2022 to 2.7 per cent from 2.6 per cent projected in October 2021.

While presenting Second Half (H2 2022) macroeconomic outlook for the Nigerian economy, Vetiva’s SSA Economists, Ibukun Omoyeni and Angela Onotu appraised the fallout of the Ukraine-Russia tensions and monetary policy normalization - rising inflation, tight financing conditions, risk-off sentiments, and a slowdown in global growth.

According to them, “We note that both warring countries are key commodity exporters, and supply disruptions would reverberate globally. With inflation reaching new highs, the Fed’s increasingly hawkish stance, combined with a stronger dollar, poses new challenges for emerging and frontier markets.”

The Pan-African research team appraised the impact of the Russian war on African Economies.

According to the report, “the warring economies (Russia and Ukraine) are responsible for 3.6per cent of African imports. Despite the little exposure to Ukraine and Russia, constrained supply from these economies means prices of

these commodities, most of which are essential, will be elevated.”

While the war places immense pricing and external strain on African economies, the economists noted that, “economies with floating currencies and volatile fuel prices would be adversely affected (Ghana and South Africa), while we could see the increased fiscal strain on economies that operate fuel subsidy regimes (Nigeria, Kenya, and Angola).”

On Nigeria’s upcoming general elections, the report noted that, “A trip down memory lane shows that despite increased voter registrations, the voter turnout ratio has declined steadily since 2003”. The report however noted that “Beyond voter turnouts, a cursory glance at the economic outcomes of previous elections shows one clear fact – economic performance is tied largely to the performance of the oil sector.”

The report attributed the recent decline in the oil sector to crude theft adding that, “an attack on one of Nigeria’s major onshore (land) terminals - Escravos - was responsible for the historic decline in Q1’22.”

While acknowledging subsequent recovery in crude transport via the terminal, the economists cautioned, “we do not downplay the risk of further disruptions. Although Nigeria has just 5 land/onshore terminals (compared with over 20 offshore terminals), these land terminals are responsible for c.40 per cent of oil transport.”

On overall growth, Vetiva expects the Nigerian economy to grow by 2.7 per cent y/y in 2022, driven by

“supportive base effects, volatile oil production, sustained growth in Active GSM lines, and slight depreciation in the Naira.”

On inflation, they said, “we see considerable risks from global food shortages, sustained fuel shortages, another energy crisis, higher power tariffs, and weaker exchange rates.

Amid these varying outcomes, our base estimate for inflation is 17.50 per cent y/y in 2022.”

On monetary policy, Vetiva penned down a 100 to 200bps rate hike in H2’22. “From our historical analysis of rate hikes under the current CBN Governor’s tenure, we see a sync in historical trends – monetary policy normalization & geopolitics on the global scene, domestic oil shocks, and slowing growth on the domestic scene. This gives credence to our prognosis that the apex bank could increase the benchmark rate by 100bps – 200bps in H2’22 (to 14 per cent - 16 per cent).”

Presenting their outlook for exchange rates on a scenario basis, the economists see room for a slight depreciation in the Naira towards N440/$ in the Investors & Exporters Window.

“We believe adopting a moving NAFEX rate helps prevent the Naira from being grossly overvalued before critical adjustments are made.

Overvaluation of the NAFEX (six per cent) is lower than the defunct de-facto peg of N379/$ (17per cent).

Thus, we do not see room for any significant downward adjustments in the official value of the Naira (as it was in 2016), ”they said.

Again, SON Seeks Return to Ports, Destroys Substandard Cables, Tyres, Lubricants Gilbert Ekugbe The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has sought its return back to the nation’s ports across the country, noting that the fight against fake and substandard goods is best fought at the nation’s point of entries.

SON stressed the need to combat the influx of these goods before they find their ways into the nation’s market. The Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, at a destruction exercise of substandard cables, tyres, lubricants and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas cylinders in Lagos, assured that the agency would continue to improvise new measures to checkmate the preponderance of fake and substandard goods into the country.

“We have been arguing for a long

time and all these products you are seeing are products that are imported into Nigeria. They came through the ports and they are smuggled through the ports. If we are in the ports, definitely, we will minimise the amount of damage done to this country. But most of these products were in the market already waiting to be sold to the customers. It will be much easier for our employees if we are able to be at the source of the import of these substandard products,” he added. According to him, greedy importers are responsible for the preponderance of substandard goods in the country.

“It is all about profit. These unscrupulous dealers want to double their profits. These people are carrying out these nefarious activities in order to make more

money. They could make money by importing standard goods, but they make more money importing substandard goods.

“Some of them do not understand the consequences of what they are doing, but some of them already know from the onset and go ahead because of they want to make money. We have secret information that some of these activities are financing a lot of insecurity in Nigeria,” he added.

Earlier, the president of Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMAN), Mrs. Bukola Adubi, said CAMAN has been having several conversations about how best to stop the menace, saying that adulteration has been hitting deep into manufacturers bottom lines.

Obi Cubana Unveiled as New Face of Global Power Bank Few days after he launched a multi-billion-naira Golf City Estate in Abuja, a renowned businessman and entertainment mogul, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has been unveiled as the ‘’New Face’’ of a global New Age Power Bank.

In a ceremony attended by hundreds of people, including celebrated artists, actors and actresses in Lagos, the CEO, New Age Concepts Limited, Chief Kingsley Opara, said his company decided to collaborate with Obi Cubana because of his swelling global image.

Describing the decision as a new dawn in the business strategic of the company, Chief Opara said that New Age Power Bank is manufactured

by New Age Mobile Concepts, the makers of New Age phone charger and other phone accessories. ‘’Currently, New Age

Concepts Ltd is among top leading mobile accessories merchandising companies in Nigeria, offering high quality mobile accessories, “said.

Assisted by Don Jazzy, a

popular Nigerian music artist and producer, Mr Cubana said his business partnership with New Age Mobile is born out of his genuine and legitimate business around the world.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

HOMES&DESIGN

PTDF BUILDING:

Blending Present with Future With exquisite design, effervescent style, and elegant ambience, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Tower stands tall tremendously. Inventive in shape and aesthetics, it turns the future of building designs on its head, writes Bennett Oghifo writes

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he PTDF Tower is located on Memorial Close, Central Business District, Abuja, a prime location for a top-rated establishment. With exquisite design, effervescent style, and elegant ambience, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Tower stands tall tremendously. Inventive in shape and aesthetics, it turns the future of building designs on its head.

The building is 52 metres high, on 12 floors, and has a floor area of 18,000sqm, every inch of which is judiciously utilised. Besides the office spaces, other facilities aggregate

to make it one of the self-sustaining building communities in Abuja.

Julius Berger, the renowned building conglomerate, handled the construction of this exquisite facility. Julius Berger carried out the turnkey construction of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund in the central area of Abuja. The 12-story office and conference building is equipped with an auditorium, exhibition area, restaurants and parking facilities, covering a gross floor area of 16,000 m2.

The backbone of the composition

is the core structure connecting all levels of the complex. Three curved wing levels on the southern side and eight wing levels of the same shape on the northern side are connected to the central backbone and core structure. The tower is located in the south-eastern part of the complex. The base structure consists of two wings with a curved front façade framing the main entrance area on the southern side of the complex. The main foyer, reception area, the auditorium, and the restaurant are on the ground floor.

The mezzanine is directly connected to the foyer and exhibition room via an open gallery. The deviating elliptically shaped structure at the northern part of the complex includes meeting and conference facilities enhanced by a garden and pergola environment.

The 12-storey high circled structure is the main design element of the building and includes executive office zones and special features such as a library and gym. All areas of the building complex are equipped with high-standard electrical, mechanical and communication facilities.

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSSPECIAL

Editor: Obinna Chima obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08024557078

Gbenga Komolafe: Reforming NUPRC, One Step at a Time Hamid Ayodeji highlights some of the achievements of the Chief Executive Officer of the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe since he assumed the position

S

ince 2021 when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, has been taking gradual, but steady steps towards reforming the commission in line with his promise when he assumed office.

The 58-year-old engineer from Ondo state, has shown that he is a round peg in a round hole as he continues to take critical decisions to ensure that NUPRC’s mandates are achieved.

A Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria and member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Komolafe’s expertise as a seasoned engineer and lawyer have no doubt been instrumental in giving the regulatory body the needed impetus to achieve its mandate.

He was Group General Manager, Special Duties at the NNPC, Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division and Executive Director (Commercial) Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC). In addition, he was General Manager, Operations, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), General Manager, Operations of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), among several others. Aside being an engineer, Komolafe has degrees in law, industrial and labour relations and is a recipient of various awards.

He is an expert in institutional process study and designs to curb revenue leakages and attainment of optimum national productivity.

As Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, he facilitated optimum revenue for the Nigerian federation and performed transparently as acknowledged by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in its report within the period he served in office. In the same vein, as Executive Director, (Commercial) between 2012 – Mar 2014, he initiated strategic sales and retail plans and coordinated implementation of achievement of set revenue targets from downstream supply and distribution of refined petroleum products for nationwide consumption.

At the PEF, he initiated operations policies for effective petroleum products supply and bridging to the inner parts of the country and price equalisation management nationwide and pioneered successful implementation of electronic tracking of petroleum products distribution nationwide.

This, it was learnt, resulted in transparent bridging of petroleum products and price equalisation management that saved government hundreds of billions of naira through institutional process expertise.

He also successfully coordinated seamless supply of petroleum products nationwide with multiplier sectorial effect in the Nigerian economy as General Manager, Operations in the PPPRA. Komolafe was Assistant General Manager (Head, Kaduna Zone), Assistant General Manager, Planning Research & Development and Branch Manager, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Warri.

Komolafe is said to have been heavily involved in strategic policy formulation and implementation in the oil and gas industry, where he clearly distinguished himself.

All these he brought to bear when he was appointed at CEO of the NUPRC, which ensured that he hit the ground running. That is why after a long wait, the federal government through the NUPRC at the weekend announced its readiness to issue Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPL) to successful awardees of marginal fields in the 2020 bid round. According to the commission, the move was in fulfilment of the promise made early this year, pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021. The event would hold in Abuja tomorrow.

In a statement, he explained that the event would also witness the unveiling of the implementation template for the Host Communities Development Trust Fund for the

Komolafe commencement of the provisions under Section 235 of the PIA, 2021.

According to him, this would positively impact restiveness in the host communities and the process guarantees seamless operations and boost investors’ confidence.

Furthermore, the NUPRC chief executive stressed that it will provide enabling environment for sustainable development of the country’s hydrocarbon resources.

“These will mark the conclusion of some of the most urgent and critical tasks inherited by the commission when it was inaugurated in October 2021, after the signing into law of the PIA 2021,” he stated.

He recalled that the commission had in March this year informed all participants in the 2020 marginal field bid round programme that it had put all necessary machinery in place to progress the bid round exercise to a conclusion in line with the PIA 2021.

“In furtherance of that resolution, the commission constituted an in-house work team to distil and address the concerns of awardees with a view to close-out issues affecting multiple awardees per asset and formation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) by awardees in line with the respective letters of the award.

“Awardees were therefore enjoined to avail themselves of the resolution mechanism provided by the commission in the overriding national interest,” he noted.

The NUPRC explained that the successful coordination and resolution of the issues culminated in the emergence of the successful awardees that would be handed over licences this week.

One of the pressing tasks before the NUPRC, created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) in place of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has been the closing out on the 2020 marginal oilfield award process. This placed the regulator in a somewhat precarious position as it has to contend with several

interests involved in the award of the assets including the interests of the government, the awardees, the Nigerian public as well as other competing vested interests.

In the past, there have been cases where the regulator was either alleged to have given approvals without recourse to extant rules and laws guiding the sector to the dissatisfaction of some parties and eventually landing in law courts. There were also instances where the regulator was blackmailed and pressured to give approvals when it refused to act in violation of the law.

With the foregoing in mind, however, NUPRC, which is yet to clock one year of operation, has insisted on ensuring strict adherence to the rules guiding approvals and issuance of licenses in the upstream sector.

The commission believes that optimising the value of the Nigerian oil resources can only be achieved when it does its work diligently and in line with the rule of law that guarantees increased competition, opportunities and value creation.

Komolafe, had in a recent session, warned that no marginal field operator would be allowed to “trade” in papers issued by the organisation.

It is no longer news that several fraudulent elements parading themselves as oil and gas investors had in the past deceived or blackmailed the regulator to issue them approval papers which they later used to access funds without carrying out the project they presented.

In March, oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) called on President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the country’s Minister of Petroleum to take steps to check the presence and activities of portfolio and briefcase investors in the oil and gas sector whose sole aim it claimed was to milk the country without

adding value.

However, displaying good knowledge of such malfeasance in the sector, Komolafe stood his ground in ensuring that due process was followed in every of the commission’s dealings, especially as it concerns the award of the 57 marginal field.

This development followed the NUPRC’s inauguration of a project committee on the reactivation of inactive oil wells in Nigeria to spur production. The country’s oil production capacity had dropped to 1.02 million barrels per day amid operational difficulties and the shutting of many oil wells due to lack of investments.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the NUPRC boss, said the Commission would conduct an industry-wide technical integrated study on reactivation of the shut-in strings.

Komolafe said the country had suffered significant losses in crude oil production, especially in land and swamp terrains due to crude oil theft.

He said the major consequence of the heinous activity was the declaration of force majeure at Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT).

He added the shut-in of wells from fields evacuating through the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) and the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) was another consequence.

In the light of these issues and government’s production target of three million barrels of oil per day in three years, Komolafe said the NUPRC developed regulatory initiatives and optimisation to tackle the menace.

He said the strategies involved industry stakeholders and cut across techno-socioeconomic and security initiatives.

Another programme which the commission is also saddled with is the National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).

In February 2020, the federal government, had identified 45 out of 178 gas flaring sites to be awarded to successful bidders among the 200 bidders at the time, in the first phase of the programme.

Although not much has been heard about the update of the programme, Komolafe assured that the process would be wrapped up this year, just as he said he would ensure fairness, transparency and competitiveness in awarding the flare sites to bidders.

As part of efforts to increase stakeholders’ understanding and adherence to the Act, the commission is currently in the process of developing regulations for the activation of the PIA in order to give the law effect by regulations.

He, however, explained that the PIA provided robustly for abandonment, host community and award of acreages, arguing that it could not be given effect until the entire process was consummated.

Komolafe said he had all that was needed to tackle the challenges, adding, “I came with a revolutionary mind-set. I am a unique person in the industry, going by my background. I intend to do things differently in terms of adhering to processes.”

Also, in response to the funding challenge in the oil and gas industry, exacerbated by energy transition, NURPC is currently collaborating with indigenous operators on the platform of Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) to look at alternative ways of getting funds to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration and production in the country.

In one of his engagement’s with members of IPPG in Lagos, Komolafe, who said he understood the challenges faced by the indigenous operators, noted that the industry generally, was facing a critical challenge including access to finance.

With Komolafe at the helms of affairs, there is no doubt that he would continue to discharge the mandate of the NUPRC in the interest of Nigeria and to support the federal government in ensuring that the continues to derive value from the oil sector.

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

INTERVIEW

Ubani: Nigeria, Others Must De-risk Private Sector Investments in LPG to Enhance Supply, Consumption Managing Director, WAGL Energy Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ubani, in this interview provides insights into the current global campaign and efforts for a shift towards gas as a transition fuel, with suggestions on how developing economies like Nigeria can enhance Liquefied Petrolatum Gas penetration and consumption in the African continent. He also highlights among others, how WAGL is enhancing energy access in Africa through leadership and continuing investment in infrastructure, technology, and human capital. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: regulation of the sector, is required.

The governments across West Africa are working to put these in place. However, they would need companies like WAGL to accelerate this initiative. This brings to the fore, the need for clear matrix that would guarantee return on investment to encourage private sector participation.

Energy transition is gaining traction in Africa. What does the continent need to do to accelerate this and what are the critical areas of focus? imply put, any country that wants to be at the forefront of the energy transition across the continent will need to massively de-risk and promote more private sector investment. This is very critical. Governments need to do a great job at providing an enabling environment for the sector to thrive. They need to take advantage of the abundancy and competitiveness of renewables and also support systemic innovation, especially as it affects the changing energy mix.

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What would you say have been the outstanding achievements of WAGL Energy Limited since inception?

Defining the outstanding achievements of a company could sometimes be very difficult especially when as a company, several noteworthy and remarkable milestones have been recorded within a short period of its existence.

In our case, WAGL Energy Limited was formed about nine years ago as a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) trading outfit. In this short span, the company has metamorphosed into an integrated oil and gas company, playing in virtually all the value chain of the industry complementing as well as in other significant enabling sectors.

Being specific, WAGL was not reckoned with the capabilities it currently exhibits from trading in LPG. The company now trades crude oil, Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), that is: LPG and condensate, specialised products derivatives like Escravos gas-to- liquids (EGTL) Naptha, Diesel and most importantly, liquefied natural gas, which we most recently commenced lifting and trading. Concurrent to the above trading activities, WAGL is now playing a key role in the realization of the operations of the Oil Mining License (OML) 11, one of Nigeria’s finest oil and gas assets, under the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)’s portfolio. The deal sees WAGL bring in an investment of over $3.4 billion. This is a no mean achievement.

Through the instrumentality of WAGL, Nigeria can now boast of an indigenous company with a growing fleet of LPG carriers. So far, four LPG vessels have been constructed. The company is successfully and safely operating the investment. As the Managing Director, these achievements are all regarded as outstanding as they all significantly contribute to the northbound bottom line of the company.

Achieving environmental sustainability is critical to securing the future of the planet.

How does the company contribute to the cause?

Oil and gas will remain a core part of the global energy mix for a while, which is why WAGL is very proactive and transparent about its sustainability strategies, whilst also identifying and securing new opportunities arising from the transition to a low carbon economy. This is highlighted in our focus on the gas market, which is classified as a type of clean energy offering environmental benefits over other fossil fuels.

How is gas performing as a transition fuel in the West African sub-region and how does WAGL intend to promote seamless access and stability in supply?

Transition fuel is now very topical and commands different interpretation by different organisations. To some, it is the complete replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, while to others, it is the attainment of a net-zero emission or carbon neutrality target.

For us in Sub Saharan Africa, West Africa in particular, we believe that carbon neutrality should be the pathway to reducing the negative impact of fossil on the environment. This is why we see LPG as a potential transition fuel of choice in place of kerosene, firewood and coal, which are high carbon fossil fuels and contribute greatly to high CO2 emissions in the West Africa sub-region.

In Nigeria, the Energy Transition Plan (ETP) defined a pathway to achieving net-zero target by 2060, and top of the strategy is switching to LPG. Across Africa, the drive is same, thus making LPG the notable transition fuel. Looking

What is the significance of the recent commissioning of two new LPG vessels for WAGL? The LPG market in Nigeria is growing by approximately 10 per cent per year and requires additional shipping capacity to make LPG available, anytime, to end users. By the commissioning of these vessels, WAGL is not only strategically positioning itself but also acting as a catalyst for the growth of not just the Nigerian LPG market but the African energy market at large. The different range of WAGL’s LPG carriers put her in a vantage position to access different jetties, especially those with lower drafts which the new vessels can call at comfortably.

Ubani at statistics, Africa’s consumption of LPG is minor on the global scale. Over 850 million Africans still depend on solid fuels (biomass) for cooking. In West Africa, LPG has long been an aspirational fuel choice for many urban and rural poor, which still use kerosene and firewood for cooking.

Sub-Saharan African growth was at almost nine per cent in 2020, with Nigeria leading the way with an estimated consumption of 780,000 tonnes per year, according to World Energy Consultants – News Report August 2020. According to figures from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the four major countries of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast account for more than 85 per cent of the total LPG consumed in the region.

WAGL seeing opportunities in the energy transition space has embarked on developing infrastructure to take beneficial advantage. To this end, we have fully commissioned two handy sized carriers to ensure that supply to locations with lower drafts that hitherto pose LPG distribution challenges across West Africa are addressed. In addition to this, WAGL is looking into development and construction of jetties across West Africa.

Discussions are already at advanced stages for the first in the lot.

WAGL is a product of the NNPCSahara Group partnership. What has been driving the success of the partnership?

Sure, WAGL is the product of the NNPC – Sahara Group Partnership, a partnership that can be adjudged as very successful.

At the formation stage of this partnership, there was apprehension and sceptism particularly on the possible outcome of the relationship. Upon reflection on the achievements and appraisal of the company’s performance to date, I would like to sincerely commend the ingenuity of the founding fathers. The driver of the success of this partnership is majorly the goodwill of the shareholders anchored on the acronym – REST: Mutual Respect, High level of Enthusiasm, Positive Deployment of Strength and Focused Tenacity. Whilst NNPC enabled the company to participate competitively with other players, Sahara Group brought on board the trading and marketing prowess. The combination of which empowered the growth of the company as a global market player.

Another significant success driver is the resourcing of the best-in-class personnel.

This has made the lean structure of WAGL to record high efficiency.

How challenging is the sourcing of products for WAGL and how is the company addressing this?

Sourcing of products for WAGL operations has been immensely challenging.

As you may be aware, our in-country supply sources has been struggling to maintain optimal production level due to vandalism of the pipelines outage. It is gratifying to note that conscious efforts are currently being deployed to arrest this anomaly. Hopefully, the hay days of increased productivity in the oil and gas sector will soon be restored and WAGL will tap in to take benefit as well. In the meantime, to augment the shortfall, WAGL sources its products, LPG and petroleum products’ cargoes from the US, Europe and Asia markets.

The demand for LPG ln Africa is growing. What does the continent need to do to promote more usage in rural communities?

For LPG to increase to a significant or dominant market position in SubSaharan African countries, an enabling environment for the sector must be put in place. Elements that make up this environment include infrastructure, that is, both liquefaction and regasification plants, gas distribution, pipelines and/or gas distribution trucks, cylinder distribution and/or segmented local distribution to individual houses and industries. These make the alternative energy source (LPG) attractive and sustainable in the specific cultural and social setting they are promoted. All parts of the value chain must be in place and functional, and a distribution system to enable feasible access for the users must exist, that is, a ready and vibrant market network and most importantly, acceptable and accommodating uses of the alternative energy source. Ensuring this requires both public and private investments at a level that allows for economies of scale, supporting in making the sector commercially viable. Sufficient attention on policy and strategic level, with clear responsibility allocation and appropriate

How much LPG volume has WAGL’s previous vessels MT Africa Gas and MT Sahara Gas supplied since they were commissioned in 2017?

MT Africa Gas & MT Sahara Gas have collectively delivered more than 6 million CBM of LPG in Africa since commissioning.

The performance level is a direct response to the challenges of reduced in-country product availability mentioned earlier. WAGL’s growth trajectory aims at a minimum annual volume supply of 2 million CBM. We count on the support of our in-country supply sources: NNPC and NLNG to attain this growth strategy.

One of the highlights of the event was the target of 10 vessels in 10 years. How does WAGL intend to achieve this?

The Nigerian Transition Energy Plan led to the declaration of the Decade of Gas (2021 – 2030) which targets boosting LPG consumption to about 5 million tonnes per year by 2025. Other West African countries have equally adopted similar strategy and adjusted their energy mix to upscale the footprint of LPG. To make this dream a reality, there is an urgent need for an increase in local LPG fleet. WAGL is championing this cause by its partnership with NNPC, and leveraging on its vast experience, access to financing and excellent working relationships with global tanker manufacturers. We are hopeful that given a fair business climate, our target of 10 vessels in 10 years will be realised. The target will be phased in delivery, with the first phase envisaging three vessels in four years and thereafter, increasing the fleet based on market assessment and commercial realities.

How much progress has WAGL made in the aspect of ramping up storage and infrastructure of gas in the sub-region?

One of the vessels that was just launched; MT SAPET Gas, was named after one of our parent company’s joint venture with Cote d’Ivoire’s state-owned Petroci. The venture, SAPET Energy SA., is building a 12,000 tonne LPG facility in Abidjan with a plan to increase capacity to 30,000 tonnes.

In addition, WAGL’s parent company, Sahara, is in the process of constructing a 12,000MT LPG Storage facility in Apapa, Lagos. This will add to the already existing 1,000MT LPG Storage facility owned by Sahara, in Calabar.

What is WAGL’s outlook for the next five years?

WAGL will be at the forefront of the global energy market over the next five years, as an energy provider of choice. This will happen as we broaden our tentacles across the energy value chain: downstream via the sales of domestic LPG, midstream via the shipment of all petroleum products and NGLs and also upstream via the provision of technical and financial services for acreages as well as securing licenses as they arise going forward.

As we expand, we shall continue to develop smart goals and harness our skills as it relates to the energy transition.

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

ABCON: BDCs as Channel for Diaspora Remittances Would Ease NairaVolatility Nume Ekeghe The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to allow Bureau de Change (BDCs) receive diaspora remittances so as to ease naira volatility.

President of ABCON, Aminu Gwadabe who stated this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos said Naira volatility despite foreign exchange interventions by the CBN is being compounded by rising inflation, interest rate hike, and slow economic growth with consequences for middle- and low-income earners.

He said: “Making BDCs one of the channels through which over $20 billion annual Diaspora remittances enter the economy will give depth to forex market and boost BDCs operations. Nigerian BDCs operators have also identified with the immense opportunities presented by Diaspora remittances and want to play greater role in attracting more foreign capital

into the economy. Reason being that remittances are known to help poorer recipients meet basic needs, fund cash and non-cash investments, finance education, foster new businesses, service debt and essentially, drive economic growth.”

Gwadabe said globally, BDCs remain one of the channels through which the Diaspora remittance funds come into countries.

BDCs, he said, remain at the centre of economic development and have the capacity to attract needed capital for the development of the Nigerian economy and deepening of forex market.

Gwadabe applauded the RT200 FX Programme, which aims to raise $200 billion in FX Repatriation to Nigeria.

Gwadabe said the RT200 FX Programme is one of the strategies that can help Nigeria earn more stable and sustainable inflows of foreign exchange.

He said although the CBN recently demonstrated greater

commitment to combat inflation by raising the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 150 basis points to 13 per cent per annum, the strengthening of the economy through local production will reverse negative trends in the economy.

He explained that as inflation rate remains higher than interest rates, returns on investment will drop and foreign capital inflows will fall leading to sluggish economic growth.

Gwadabe said that other advanced economies, including the United States are also fighting inflation with interest rate hike.

Gwadabe urged the CBN to liberalize the foreign exchange market, ensure paradigms shift from demand to supply measures, support SMEs infrastructure /joint venture finance, promote skills awareness for operators, ensure more collaborations among stakeholders and make industry-friendly policies for the good of the economy.

Shareholders Extol Performance of Industrial & Medical Gases Shareholders of a leading manufacturer of gases, Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria (IMG) Plc have commended its Board and Management over the Company’s performance despite the tough operating environment.

At the hybrid 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the weekend, the shareholders also endorsed the declaration of one bonus share for every five ordinary shares held by shareholders.

By its current performance, IMG posted a net profit of N372 million in its 2021 financial year as against N292 million in 2020, an increase of 27 per cent.

The bonus shares underline the company’s strategic decision to reinvest its profit to build a stronger financial base in the nearest future.

Speaking on behalf of other shareholders, Mrs Bisi Bakare explained that shareholders were happy at the company’s good performance in all metrics.

“We shareholders are quite happy with IMG. Despite the challenges in the operating environment, the Company

made profits all round. The bonus shares declared are even more than dividend in value. This is commendable.

We are so happy at the good performance, going by where the company is coming from.

We believe the future of the Company is bright, ”she said.

The Chairman, Mr Abiodun Alabi, represented by a NonExecutive Director, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, reviewed the industrial gas market and explained that despite the inclement operating environment, IMG posted remarkable profits.

“Your Company recorded another profitable year despite the myriads of challenges in 2021 among which are inadequate/ expensive foreign exchange to maximize opportunities, plant breakdowns and increase in energy cost. Total revenue for the period was N3.69 billion up from N3.17 billion achieved in 2020. Profit after tax for the year also rose to N372 million from the N292 million achieved in 2020. Focus on operational efficiencies, tight cost control measures, improved service

delivery, generation of new business and determined efforts by management and staff were responsible for the increase in our bottom line, ”said Alabi.

Corroborating him, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ayodeji Oseni, explained that IMG’s strategic objectives were to position it for global competitiveness and enhanced shareholder value through creation of innovative products and services. Oseni expressed optimism that the company would continue to operate optimally, irrespective of the nature of the operating environment.

“Our strategic objectives in the short and medium term will continue to align with the dynamism prevalent in the marketplace today even as we keep our eyes on the future and expansion of the business.

Management and Staff will continue to focus our efforts and resources on the growth opportunities within the food and beverage, oil and gas, healthcare, energy, and agricultural sectors of the Nigerian economy.

L-R : Finance Director, Industrial & Medical Gases (IMG) Nigeria Plc, Adeshina Alayaki; Non-Executive Director, Olawale Oyedele; Company Secretary/Human Resources Manager, Mrs Aderonke SegunAlabi; Nom-Executive Director. Adeleke Adebayo, and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ayodeji Oseni during IMG’s 63rd Hybrid Annual General Meeting in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

Johnvents Industries Processes 5,000 Metric Tonnes of Cocoa in 6 Months Ugo Aliogo Barely six months after the launch of its multimillion-dollar factory in Ondo State, Johnvents Industries Limited, has announced that it has processed about 5,000 metric tonnes of cocoa for export, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

The Managing Director of Johnvents Industries John Alamu, made this revelation during a stakeholder session on the company’s milestone achievements since its launch last December.

According to him, “Cocoa cake and cocoa butter are the two major derivatives of our cocoa processing business at Johnvents Industries, and since we launched last December, we have processed about 5,000 metric

tonnes worth of products for export to countries in Europe, the US, and some part of southern Africa. We operate one of the largest cocoa processing factories in Nigeria and have invested over 3 billion naira to revamp and kickstart operation, we are proud to be the leading company in the processing of cocoa cake, butter, and powder.

“One of our goals at launch was to contribute our quota in helping to realise Nigeria’s cocoa export potential estimated to the tune of $4B - $5B. We are proud to say that in six months, we are well on our way to achieving this goal. Our production capacity utilization has moved from 20% in December 2021 to 66% in May 2022.”

Speaking on the company’s integration agenda, Manager, Business, Sales, and Operations,

Johnvents Industries, Caroline Omotosho, revealed that Johnvents is very much eager to impact the global ecosystem with sustained value to the local value chain within a short time.

She noted: “As we have been able to achieve impressive growth in our production within a short window, we are excited about the audacity of our forward and backward integration plan and what it means for the industry.

We have introduced our retail product, the Johnvents pure cocoa powder, into the local market.

Cocoa is of one nature’s greatest gifts to mankind packed with bountiful health and nutritional benefits. We believe it is not enough that we export cocoa cake and cocoa butter, we also want Nigerians to incorporate healthy meals in their diets and enjoy the benefits of Cocoa.”

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY MAY 30, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $118.84 a barrel on Friday, compared with $116.50 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

MARKET NEWS

NGX, CIS Boost Capital Market Stakeholders’ Capacity on Exchange Traded Derivatives Kayode Tokede The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) yesterday organized a capacity-building workshop for capital market stakeholders on Exchange Traded Derivatives.

The workshop is in line with the capital market regulating bodies commitment to promote a robust derivatives market

ecosystem in Nigeria.

The virtual event themed, “Exchange-Traded Derivatives: Enhancing the Capital Market for Robust Value Creation”, was designed to deepen the knowledge of market operators, investors, and other stakeholders on the workings of Exchange Traded Derivatives, and drive participation in the market segment.

In his opening remarks, the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, noted that the derivatives workshop is consistent with the shared aspiration of NGX and CIS to promote and protect the interests of the securities and investment profession by upholding the highest standards of service and integrity.

According to him, “Since 2017, the Exchange has been building the capacity of market

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

stakeholders on Derivatives, leveraging X-Academy, our learning and capacity development platform. We are pleased to collaborate with CIS in hosting this workshop aimed at facilitating a better understanding of how derivatives work, including how the contract is traded and settled on a day-to-day basis, the margining process, and risk management issues.”

He explained further that,

T R A D E D

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“Earlier this year, NGX launched West Africa’s first Exchange Traded Derivatives Market, with Equity Index Futures Contracts.

The launch saw the unveiling of equity index futures contracts based on the most widely followed and recognized equity indices in the Nigerian capital market - NGX 30 Index Futures and NGX Pension Index Futures.

“We believe that NGX Derivatives market will potentially ad-

O F

dress significant risk management needs of market participants such as PFA’s, Fund Managers, Corporate Treasuries, and Trading License Holders, being the first line of contact for investors in the capital market. In addition, NGX Exchange Traded Derivatives will provide investors and other market players, with the necessary tools for asset allocation, and cost management for effective portfolio management”, Popoola added.

2 4 / 0 6 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

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MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Troops Arrest Four Kidnappers, Neutralise Three Bandits in Benue Kogi Vigilance Group kills two kidnapers, rescues two victims The Defence Headquarters has said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested four kidnappers, neutralised three bandits and rescued a kidnapped victim in recent operations in parts of Benue.

This is just as Kogi vigilance group yesterday smashed a kidnapers’ den, killed two of the criminals and rescued two victims.

The rescued victims are: Mallam Sanni Uwaiti and Ramatu Tukur, both of Toll Gate area, along Okene and Ajoakuta axis.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the troops had on June 24 arrested four suspected kidnappers at Igumale Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area of the state.

He gave the identities of the suspects as Alhaji Abdullahi (18), Sale Hassan (22), Usman Abdullahi (20) and Ibrahim Iliyasu (23).

According to him, all arrested criminals have been handed over to the police for necessary action.

Onyeuko said the troops also conducted a raid at a bandits hide out at Mbahuwuhe village in Utange council ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

He said the operation led to the killing of three bandits and rescue of a kidnapped victim who was on blind fold in the hideout with injuries.

According to him, the

rescued victim is presently undergoing treatment.

“Several items including a motorcycle, two cell phones among others were recovered before the hideout was brought

down.

“The military high command commends the troops and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on

criminal activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kogi vigilance group yesterday smashed a kidnapers’ den, killed two of the criminals and rescued two victims.

BANKS’ AUDITORS MEET…

Assistant Director and Head Transaction Compliance Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Akpan Nseobong; Chairman, Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria (ACAEBIN), Uduak Nelson Udoh; Managing Director/CEO, NOVA Merchant Bank, Nath Ude; Head, Bank Fraud, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Lagos Office, Ahmad Dansagir; Chief Audit Executive, NOVA Merchant Bank, Ugo Ada Chikelu, during the 52nd quarterly general meeting of the ACAEBIN hosted by NOVA Merchant Bank in Lagos…recently

NASENI Trains Mgt Staff Looted Billions: CISLAC, TI Reiterate Worries on Due Process for Public over Corruption in Defence Procurement Procurement, Service Delivery Chiemelie Ezeobi

Sunday Okobi

The management of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) at the weekend partnered with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to train and build the capacity of the agency’s staff to follow due process.

The training was also aimed at ensuring that the staff work in line with

extant regulations in carrying out financial obligations and procurement especially with its new funding status and return under direct supervision by the presidency.

The agency’s Managing Directors/Chief Executives from the 10 research and development (R&D’s) Institutes and top management staff whose duties directly relate to procurement and financial operations and other principal officers in NASENI systemwide were trained for two days at Zuba in Niger State.

Justice Monitoring Committee Tasks Police DPOs on Health of Detainees weekend, where First-Aid

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) has harped on the need for leadership of Divisional Police Officers (DPO) to give due consideration to the health of detainees in their custody.

Executive Secretary of the ACJMC, Mr Sulayman Dawodu, who gave the charge during the committee’s visit to some Divisional Police Headquarters over the

kits were distributed to the stations to assist stations handle emergency cases before detainees are taking to the hospital for proper medical attention.

ACJMC’s Senior Supervising Solicitor of PDSS, Genevieve Johnson, who represented the Executive Secretary during the visit, stated that the focus on the health of detainees was as a result of the “gaps in the health and environment of persons in custody” at the stations.

3,000 Kwara SMEs to Get Post-COVID-19 Relief Grants

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

About 3,000 Small Scale Business Enterprises(SMEs) owners in Kwara State have been selected to benefit from the first batch of operational cost grants under the Kwara COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme.

The programme, a World Bank initiative to be underwritten by the state government, is designed to

cushion the effects of COVID-19, improve the state of MSMEs to boost the local economy, and increase the employment rate in Kwara State.

The Operational Team Lead of the Kwara COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme, Mr. Jaiye Jegede, stated this in Ilorin in a statement yesterday.

He said: “4,225 successful applicants underwent the vetting process for disbursement linked indicator, DLI 3.2.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) Chapter in Nigeria have expressed worry over the unattended corruption that has constantly marred defence procurement.

The Executive Director, CISLAC/ Head of Transparency International (TI) Chapter in Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) said these in reaction to the recently uncovered billions

of naira and other luxury items from the home of a military contractor.

The home of the contractor, K. Salam Construction Company, was raided by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja.

According to Musa, “while the nation’s Defence spending has hitherto been buried in absolute secrecy and institutionalised corruption that impede efficient services and nation’s security, the

fact-finding as detected by the anti-graft institution, has indeed validated the persistent public outcry by CISLAC/TI Nigeria for transparency and accountability in Defence procurement and spending.

“We without doubt observed that the ongoing exposure is not unconnected to other entrenched symptoms of unquantified level of systemic corruption dominating Defence procurement and spending like unaccounted funds as approved for the procurement

of weapons and frequent denial by successive security chiefs of the existence of weapons.

“Diversion of Defence and Security funds to private pockets through procurement process constitutes a serious threat to Nigeria’s Defence and Security sector and services; and has left our security operatives illequipped, poorly-remunerated and demoralised in spite the persistently increased Defence budgetary allocation and spending from 2011 to date.”

Man Arrested for Killing Son for Money Ritual in Delta

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

A 33-year old man, identified as Volt Blessing Gabriel, has been arrested by the Police in Warri, Delta State, for killing his little son for the purpose of ritual. The ritual was said to have been carried out in Benin-City, Edo State, where the suspected ritualist lived with his 24-year old wife.

Although, the incident occurred in Benin-City on Thursday, the Edo State capital, the mother of the

little boy, and wife of the suspect, Mrs. Success Oduwa, reported the matter to the Police in Warri, leading to the husband’s arrest.

According to the Delta State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Bright Edafe (a DSP), the woman had raised the alarm on Saturday when her infant boy suddenly went missing since the previous day, Friday June 24, 2022.

The husband was said to have feigned ignorance of the tragedy

his over-ambition has foisted on the family by claiming one of his sisters who resides in Warri had taken Godspower, who was just one year and eight months old, to her place in Warri.

The suspected ritual murderer was said to have later opened up to the police, confessing how he had killed the little son in a bush off Sapele Road, Benin-City and bathed his head with the blood of the innocent child with the hope of getting rich quickly.

Mrs. Oduwa decided to go to Warri following her husband’s cock-and-bull story after the sudden disappearance of her son, Godspower, from their residence at Peanuts Junction, Obeh in Benin-City, Edo State, as she became suspicious of her husband.

“She discovered that she had not seen their child since the morning of 24/6/2022 and started troubling the husband as to the whereabouts of the child.”

Vigilance Corps Suspends Activities in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The entire Niger state vigilance Corps have suspended their activities following the detention of the state Commander of the organisation, Mr. Nasir Mohammed Manta.

Manta was detained for about 24 hours in Minna by the police for allegedly detaining some miscreants arrested by the corps.

It was learnt that Manta took the action after 22 miscreants arrested by the corps were handed over to the police but within few hours the miscreants regained their freedom without being charged to court.

Armed youth gangs have in recent times become terrors in the state capital inflicting bodily harms on each other before also threatening the peace of the

state capital which has resulted in the death of no fewer than five people injuries to scores and looting of shops.

“I have directed my men to close and lock their offices for the meantime,” Manta said after being released from detention, adding, however, that his incarceration will not stop him and his men from delivering good service to the people of

the state.

“The incident will not deter us from our duty to the people of Niger state in complementing security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

“We are not in any way deterred, we are not serving the police we are only concerned with the security of our people and Niger state” Manta declared.

Clergy Implores Women to Fight against Divorce, Rape Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Nigerian women have been enjoined to play active part in the fight against single motherhood, divorce, rape, and polygamy now rampant in the society.

The Spiritual Father and Chairman of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement

Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Adefila Abidoye, gave the charge while speaking against the backdrop of the various ills in the society as the world marked the International Widows Day (IWD).

Prophet Abidoye condemned the high rate of vices in the society and called on women to be the vanguard of change

that would save the coming generation.

In a statement that was signed by the Secretary General of the CSMCW, Special Apostle Ademola Odetundun, on behalf of the spiritual father, Abidoye, which was made available to our correspondent yesterday, the church appealed to women

to train their children to rely only on Jesus Christ and stand as end time soldiers for Christ.

Abidoye said: “Mothers should mentor the next generation of young mothers for Christ; mothers should be shining examples, role models in and out of the church in their mode of dressing, lifestyle and communication.”

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MISSILE SOKAPU to El-Rufai, FG

“The villagers were already winning the battle against these militias before a white helicopter suddenly showed up in the sky and rained bullets on the helpless villagers. No terrorists died but 32 villagers died. Now, the state government is telling us that the helicopter came for a rescue mission, how is that even possible?

El-Rufai has said he will not pay any ransom…” – National President, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, Jonathan Asake, bemoaning their neglect, wrote UN, EU.

MAHMUDJEGA VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

20 Vacant National Offices V ery much like Mungo Park allegedly discovered River Niger, talent hidden in plain view was accidentally discovered during the recent presidential primaries of political parties.

Let’s place them in appropriate positions, and this talent will galvanise this country to greater good.

For example, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was running, literally, for Athletics Coach of the Federation. He launched his campaign with a sprint around Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, leaving his security details gasping for breath. It was not the first time that a Nigerian Minister of Transport recommended to us a means of transport other than vehicles and trains. Twenty years ago, Dr. Ojo Maduekwe tried to persuade Nigerians to ride bicycles to work. Amaechi now wants us to run. No wonder convention delegates rewarded his talent by electing him as the Runner Up. Governor Yahaya Bello was not running for President but for the post of Not Too Young To Run of the Federation.

By appointing him to this post after his tenure as governor expires next year, we would inspire young Nigerians to run for every post including UN Secretary General, President of FIFA and Capo di Tutti Capi of the Mafia.

Governor Nyesom Wike was running for the post of Not Too Controversial To Run of the Federation. In his seven years as governor, Wike stirred up almost daily controversy. He dressed down a visiting Army GOC for alleged oil bunkering. He told a traditional ruler to stop nodding his head because he was dressed like Dan Fodio. He still finished a very good second at the convention and only narrowly missed being nominated as running mate. Wike has proved that controversy is not a disability in Nigerian politics.

If Mr. Peter Obi’s insurgent online campaign does not deliver him to Aso Rock next year, he should be appointed Statistician General of the Federation.

The way he reels out figures about the performance of other countries, with him as head, National Bureau of Statistics will not even need computers.

If that post is not available, he could be considered for Stingyman General of the Federation on account of Father Mbaka’s referee’s report. The post should replace Accountant General of the Federation.

The most impressive of all convention ground speeches was delivered by Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Most probably this man was once a University Orator, the man that reads the citations when the university is conferring honourary degrees. Osinbajo should assume the post of Orator General of the Federation when he steps down from the Vice

Amaechi

Presidency next year. We need it if the next president resuscitates national honours, which President Buhari did away with.

Senator Ahmed Sani’s long Muslim prayer at the convention ground, in Arabic, which up to 99% of the delegates did not understand, was a campaign for Grand Mufti of the Federation. Young Nigerians do not know that in 1976, the Constitution Drafting Committee which Chief F.R.A. Williams chaired recommended the creation of a Federal Shari’a Court of Appeal headed by a Grand Mufti. In case we dust up the report and create the post, Yariman Bakura is most suited for it.

Before anyone shouts “Islamisation,” Pastor Tunde Bakare campaigned for the post of Grand Overseer of the Federation in charge of all the General Overseers.

Once he is ensconced in this post, we should call him “No 16” for short. His prophesy must be true; it was newsmen who ignorantly misinterpreted it to say he was shown the road to Aso Rock, when it actually showed him the road to the nearby National Christian Centre.

Don’t be fooled. Dele Momodu did not run for President. Those delegates that gave him zero votes because he shared magazine copies instead of dollar notes at the convention ground knew not what they did. He was running for the post of Ovation General of the Federation. The next president should be ushered in with spectacular inaugural parties of the kind they do in America.

All of it should be documented in a full colour magazine.

Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso shot into

overnight sensation to occupy a post once touted by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Beautiful Bride of the Federation. The Kwankwasiyya political cult leader’s new party, NNPP, may not have nationwide structures but it stands to reap millions of votes in Kano State. Major contenders for the presidency must be angling how to get into Kwankwaso’s good books.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal did not run for president, as some folks thought. He ran for the soon to be created post of Artful Dodger of the Federation. This Nigerian Artful Dodger is skilled and cunning like the character in Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel, only this time as a political pickpocket. He snatched the House Speakership from under the Jonathan Presidency’s nose in 2011, smuggled into the chamber camouflaged in a Niger Delta hat. In 2015, he artfully dodged APC’s presidential race, went to Sokoto and became governor. When he lost PDP’s presidential primaries in 2019, he raced back to Sokoto, displaced a “placeholder” and snatched the governorship ticket. This year too, he quit the presidential race at the last minute, rushed back home, displaced a placeholder and grabbed a senatorial ticket.

Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, on the other hand, was running for Comeback Kid of the Federation. No one gave a labour leader a dog’s chance of becoming governor of Edo State but he did. After his unceremonious removal as APC national chairman two years ago, Adams splashed back into the presidential race, cunningly refused to submit his forms, then dashed back to Edo and grabbed a senatorial ticket.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki must be the It Is Not Enough of the Federation.

Those misguided youths who ran around Ilorin in 2019 saying they had enough of him as Special Assistant, Governor, Senator, Senate President and Godfather soon learnt that Nigeria has not had enough of Saraki. He finished third in the PDP primaries and, with age on his side, could still be a big factor in 2027.

Kayode Fayemi was not running for president, thank you. Deeply intellectual, thoughtful and poised, he was running for Political Make-up Artist of the Federation in order to make up with his old godfather, Bola Tinubu. All the while his attention was on installing his successor in Ekiti, which he successfully did last weekend.

Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan must get the newly created post of Gambler General of the Federation in charge of the National Lottery. As Number Three in the National Order of Protocol, he was within breathing distance of Aso Rock. Someone convinced him that he would become the Consensus Master of the Federation. He forgot to put a reliable placeholder in place and

when he came back for his Senate seat, Machina held fast to it.

Tall, athletic and eloquent, Emeka Nwajiuba tried to do a Great Leap Forward from Minister of State to President. He tried to leap over the political stepping stones of full minister, governor or senator. Most probably he had China’s Great Leap Forward of 1958 in mind. He leapt into the abyss because when he was called to give his speech at the convention, he was nowhere to be found.

Atiku Abubakar is running his 6th presidential race. He finished third at SDP’s 1993 convention, finished third as AC’s candidate in 2007, finished second at PDP’s primary in 2011, finished third in APC’s primaries in 2015 and finished second in the 2019 presidential contest. He has already earned the title of Marathon Presidential Runner of the Federation. If he wins the 2023 race, the word “Legendary” should be added to the title, in addition to President and Commander-in-Chief.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, considered to be the front runner in the 2023 race because his political platform is the largest, could be running for another title, Godfather General of the Federation. He is the country’s most successful godfather who installed---and sometimes removed--governors in many states. Forget about failed godfathers such as Chris Ubah.

Tinubu is the first bonafide godfather who has leapt very close to the Throne and might end up sitting on it.

Who said Godwin Emefiele wanted to the president? Whoever becomes president next year, is it not Meffy that he will beg to print naira notes in order to prevent the hard-pressed federal treasury from going bankrupt? The post he really wanted was Werewolf Aspirant of the Federation, so that people will be talking about his aspiration when none existed.

Akinwumi Adesina was not running for president either. Why should anyone abandon an Africa-wide treasury in exchange for the pitiable Nigerian treasury, which is looking for N180 billion from its former gatekeeper?

You think his conservative bowtie is for nothing? He was running for Political Scarecrow of the Federation, a soon to be created post which should scatter our hapless politicians like an eagle appearing over a chicken coop.

Those Fulani folks who went and bought N100million forms for Goodluck Jonathan knew not what they did. Oga Jonathan was running, not for president but for Commanding General of Recycled Forces. This country has already recycled two former military dictators as civilian presidents. It could complete the cycle by recycling a civilian president. But Oga Jonathan was out in Europe when the forms were submitted.

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