FRIDAY 5TH JULY 2024

UK's Labour Party on Course for Massive Win, Exit Poll Shows

Party projected to win 410 seats, with majority of 170 Keir Starmer to be country's next prime minister

Economy: Tinubu Unveils N2 Trillion Stabilisation Plan Amid Funding Challenge

L-R: (Front Row): Mr Wale Tinubu, Abdulkadiri Aliu; Kola Adesina; Tony Elumelu; Amina Maina; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor Abdulraman Abdulrazaq; Finance Minister Wale Edun; Doris Uzoka-Anite; (next is an

of the council); Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu and Minister of Budget and Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, all members of the

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Starmer

REA Targets Construction of 1,300 Mini-grids

Nationwide, Signs MoUs with Five Organisations

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with five renewable energy-related organisations in its bid to ensure that the target of building at least 1,300 mini-grids in the coming years become a reality.

The companies operating in the renewables space with which the agency signed the deals were: Eauxwell Nigeria Limited, Skipper Nigeria Limited, Privida Energy, Havenhill Synergy Limited and Mercy Corps.

Eauxwell will collaborate on the delivery of up to 250mw of Distributed Renewable Energy

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, unveiled a N2 trillion accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan targeting the revival of the economy in a record six months amid funding challenge.

The president made public the plan while inaugurating his Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) drawn from different sectors of the society and the economy at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu had on March 27, 2024, announced the constitution of the PECC, which he personally chairs, with members drawn from the federal and sub-national governments, the National Assembly, as well as the private sector.

Curiously, the president made no mention of the possible source of funding for the initiative that is billed to gulp some N2 trillion.

Therefore, some of the questions arising from this, include: “Where is the funding coming from? Is it from the budget? Is this plan from the budget, being an appropriation act of the national assembly or extra-budgetary?

“If it is extra-budgetary, is it going to the national assembly for approval? This is very instructive because right now, the government is believed to be finding it difficult to fund its budget. Where then will the funds for this stabilisation come from?

But, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Tinubu recalled that he declared a state of emergency on food security and outlined plans to increase oil production, improve power generation, and leverage infrastructure development to boost agriculture and electricity supply.

According to him, “We have a challenge thrown at us and all of us will have to be careful. I believe today is America's 158th of their independence while we are celebrating our 25 years of progress of democracy. We have to look back at how we have navigated ourselves and look forward to better economic navigation.

“I can give instructions as the president from my office but I believe so much, deeply in the organised private sector. The partnership to drive the economy of this country, for reforms and stabilisation that is necessary, give the incentive where we must and leave the market to control the pricing mechanism and the consumption.”

Commenting on the challenges facing nation’s energy sector, the president canvassed for collaboration to increase Nigeria's grid electricity, saying, “In the face of it, we have the challenge of energy security, we need to work together to include power, oil and gas to increase our own grids electricity. We are determined to do that with your cooperation, collaboration and recommendation.”

He acknowledged the nation's shameful electricity generation capacity of about 4.5 gigawatts and pledged to increase oil production to two million barrels per day within the next few months, while removing barriers to investments in the sector.

His words: "As a nation, it is so shameful that we have about 4.5 gigawatts. We must increase

(DRE) projects, with the purpose of electrifying peri-urban and rural communities, including markets, businesses, households, public institutions, health clinics and schools.

Also, the Skipper’s deal involved the supply, installation & commissioning of off grid, on grid & hybrid solar solutions up to 250mw, while Privida is expected to deliver about 200mw of DRE projects in both weak grid and offgrid areas. In addition, Havenhill Synergy Limited, inked a deal for 250mw of projects.

On its part, Mercy Corps, a global Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), will provide capacity building and strengthen the Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS)

our oil production too to 2 million barrels per day within the next few months, remove all barriers hindering investments into the sector to enhance competitiveness. We've had a challenge thrown at us and all of us will have to be careful.

“I am ready to listen to you in all of that. You have seen us from close quarters but we are one. We feel the market pinches differently the price of food stuff and all of that. I believe Bismarck Rewane will be able to make additional suggestion on what we are lacking and what we should do to stabilise this economy,” he assured members of the council.

Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by the market, particularly in terms of food prices, and expressed his willingness to listen to the private sector leaders for their recommendations on stabilising the economy.

He also highlighted the government's plans for a manufacturing stabilisation fund and support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), saying, “The manufacturing stabilization fund, MSMEs, too, and other fiscal measures have been narrated. I just want to say thank you for responding to this call.”

Expressing his gratitude to private sector leaders like Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and Mr. Kola Adesina, among others for their participation, the president said “it is Nigeria that is calling, not a Bola Tinubu. And the hope of the entire nation hangs on you people.

“The partnership to drive the economy of this country, for reforms and stabilisation that is necessary, give the incentive where we must and leave the market to control the pricing mechanism and the consumption,” he said.

Tinubu, however, announced measures, which would run concurrently with the National Construction and Household Support Programme, to stabilise the economy, enhance job creation, and foster economic security.

The measures under the Economic Stabilisation Programme are as follows:

(1)

Energy Security

The Energy Security Initiative, which includes power, oil and gas, aims to:

*Increase on-grid electricity to be delivered to homes and businesses from about 4.5 gigawatts to 6 gigawatts in six months;

*Increase oil production to 2 million barrels per day within the next 12 months; and

*Remove barriers to entry for investments into the sector to enhance competitiveness.

(2)

Agriculture and Food Security

Under this plan, the aim is to:

*Increase staple crops grown by small-holder farmers from 127 million MT in 2023 to 135 million MT this year;

*Bolster production by partnering larger-scale commercial farmers;

*Support qualified farmers with satellite imagery for land use planning, crop rotation, and monitoring of agricultural expansion.

as well as provide technical assistance for the Africa Mini-grid Programme (AMP).

Speaking at the event, acting Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu, said that the agency has set for itself a very ambitious target of ensuring that the renewables frontier is expanded in the country.

“We have a target of building 1,300 mini-grids across the country. And we are very deliberate in that we want to electrify 30 million Nigerians using isolated mini-grids, 1.5 million using interconnected mini-grids and about 15 million using Mesh grids and solar home systems. So this is a very tall order for us. And this is why we want to sign this MoUs,” he stated.

(3) Health and Social Welfare

In the health and social welfare sector, the federal government shall:

*Make essential medicines available at lower cost for 80-90 million Nigerians;

*Expand healthcare insurance coverage for 1 million vulnerable people via a Vulnerable Group Fund in collaboration with state governments;

*Redeploy 20,000 healthcare workers to provide services to 10-12 million patients in areas, where they are most urgently needed;

*Power up 4,800 primary healthcare centres (PHCs), second tier, and third tier hospitals using renewable energy sources.

(4) Fiscal Measures

Some of the interventions to improve access to finance for the housing sector, MSMEs, and the manufacturing sector are:

*Youth-owned enterprises: Support

He explained that the partnerships were necessary to leverage and attract funding and investment to deploy as many mini-grids as possible to reach the utility scale capacity that the agency was hoping to see.

“ But beyond, that also we want this signing of the MoU to be the basis also for you to design and deploy an effective sustainability plan for all the capacities that you are managing.

“One of the challenges all the time as regards deploying and managing mini-grids is the sustainability of those projects. And that is why it's always at the top of our agenda. The MoU is not restricted to the community-based mini-grids,” he stated.

for new and existing youth-owned enterprises across all 36 states of the Federation, creating 7,400 MSMEs within the next 6-12 months;

*MSME support: A six hundred and fifty billion naira (N650 billion) facility will provide lower-cost short-term facilities to youth-owned businesses, manufacturers and MSMEs across various industries; food processing, pharmaceutical, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade. This financing will be based on their current and future receivables, company rating, and market demand for products;

*A Manufacturing Stabilisation Fund will rejuvenate up to two hundred and fifty companies and deliver lower cost (9.0%-11.0%) long-term facilities to large, medium-scale, and light manufacturers that produce finished goods for domestic and export markets;

*Sub-national Matching Fund: A Grow Nigeria Development Fund consisting of a single-digit interest rate loan portfolio with the Bank of Industry and a matching fund agreement with sub-national governments to grow

He said that it was not just enough to announce the building of mini-grids, stating that it was time to begin to evaluate the number of megawatts taken to Nigerian homes.

“We want to start counting our achievements not based on the number of mini-grids that we have developed, but based on the megawatts. And that's how ambitious we are,” Aliyu pointed out.

He stated that the aim was to create companies that would deploy and manage, utility-scale portfolio.

The REA MD added that rather than the concept of developers that will build mini-grids, there was the need for a business model change where the developers will see themselves as managers of

MSMEs;

*Expanding the Bank of Industry's Rural Development Programme: A fund to support rural economies in developing 300 new MSMEs for each state, including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), resulting in 11,100 new rural-based MSMEs across the Federation;

*Mortgage Finance Acceleration Facility: A facility that delivers affordable housing for all segments impacted by the cost-of-living challenge. This will support the construction of an additional 25,000 housing units. These fiscal measures will improve access to finance for MSMEs and, in the process, create 4.7 million direct and indirect jobs over a six to 12-month period.

Stressing the significance of the task ahead, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Council, stated that Tinubu was committed to proffering solutions to the nation’s economic challenges and not apportioning blame.

''I want to emphasise that when

large portfolio of capacities that they will deploy, manage and operate over a very long period of time.

“And we've immediately selected companies that have track records. So these MoUs, a number of companies have put in their request for us to sign these MoUs with them, but we declined. We specifically have our checklist,” he pointed out.

there is a will, there is always a way, and the president does not believe in apportioning blame. He believes in preparing solutions," Shettima said.

Speaking after the inauguration, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who led some members of the Council including Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited, Mr. Tony Elumelu, to brief newsmen, gave a breakdown of the areas to benefit from the N2 trillion emergency funding to include health, agriculture, energy/power and others.

According to him, "The President has just inaugurated the Presidential economic Coordination Council and that is a body that is made up of the President's Economic Management Team.

“The Legislature, represented by the leaders of the National Assembly;

AFRICA'S $5BN ENERGY BANK, BEATS GHANA, S’AFRICA, COTE D'IVOIRE

an initial $5 billion authorised capital base.

The bank, a partnership between Afreximbank and APPO is meant to help plug a funding gap in Africa amid pressure on major banks from environmental groups to shift investment dollars away from climate-warming oil and gas projects.

Each African member country will contribute a minimum of $83 million for a total of around $1.5 billion, while Afreximbank and APPO as founder members are

Sunak's party were forecast to only take 131 seats, down from 346 when parliament was dissolved and the worst electoral performance in its history, as voters punished them for a cost-of-living crisis, and years of instability and in-fighting which has seen five different prime ministers since 2016.

"Britain’s future was on the ballot at this election. And, if we are successful tonight, Labour will get to work immediately with our first steps for change," Pat McFadden, Labour's campaign coordinator said in statement.

The centrist Liberal Democrats were predicted to capture 61 seats while Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK was forecast to win 13.

While the forecast for Reform was far better than expected, the overall outcome suggests the disenchanted British public appears to have shifted support to the centre-left, unlike in France where Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party made historic gains in an election last Sunday.

It was not just the Conservatives whose vote was predicted to have collapsed. The pro-independence Scottish National Party was forecast to win only 10 seats, its worst showing since 2010, after a

expected to match the amount. The outstanding $2 billion will potentially be sourced from other investors, including Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, THISDAY learnt.

Besides, the AEB’s primary objective is to fill the imminent void that the withdrawal of funding for oil and gas projects in Africa by the traditional financiers could cause to the industry.

African leaders have argued that with over 125 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, over 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas

period of turmoil which has seen two leaders quit in little over a year, a police investigation into the party's finances and splits on a range of policies.

In the last six UK elections, only one exit poll has got the outcome wrong - in 2015 when the poll predicted a hung parliament when in fact the Conservatives won a majority, Reuters said.

Sunak stunned Westminster and many in his own party by calling the election earlier than he needed to in May with the Conservatives trailing Labour by some 20 points in opinion polls.

He had hoped that the gap would narrow as had traditionally been the case in British elections, but the deficit has failed to budge in a fairly disastrous campaign

It started badly with him getting drenched by rain outside Downing Street as he announced the vote, before aides and Conservative candidates became caught up in a gambling scandal over suspicious bets placed on the date of the election.

Sunak's early departure from D-Day commemorative events in France to do a TV interview angered veterans, and even those within his own party said it raised questions about his political acumen.

reserves, and with more findings regularly being made, it does not make sense for the continent to abandon fossil fuels when it has the largest proportion of world’s population living without access to modern energy.

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who broke the news in Abuja said the decision reflected the collective ambition to create African solutions to African energy challenges.

He argued that the bank will

If the exit poll proves right, it represents an incredible turnaround for Starmer and Labour, which critics and supporters said was facing an existential crisis just three years ago when it lost a parliamentary seat on a 16 per cent swing to the Conservatives, an almost unique win for a governing party.

But a series of scandals - most notably revelations of parties in Downing Street during COVID lockdowns - undermined then prime minister Boris Johnson and by November 2021 the Conservative poll lead, which had been higher than at any time during Margaret Thatcher's 11 years in government, was gone.

Liz Truss' disastrous six-week premiership, which followed Johnson being forced out at the end of 2022, cemented the decline, and Sunak was unable to make any dent in Labour's now commanding poll lead

While polls have suggested that there is no great enthusiasm for Labour leader Starmer, his simple message that it was time for change appears to have resonated with voters.

However, the predicted Labour result would not quite match the record level achieved by the party under Tony Blair in 1997 when

be instrumental in providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.

Nigeria emerged as the preferred host nation amid stiff competition from Ghana, Benin, Algeria, South Africa, and Cote D'Ivoire, highlighting the nation’s robust energy sector and its strategic vision for the continent’s energy future. Lokpobiri assured Nigerians

the party captured 418 seats with a majority of 179.

A jaded electorate looks to have delivered a historic defeat for Prime Minister Sunak's Conservative Party, leaving it in disarray after it has been in power since 2010.

"Nothing has gone well in the last 14 years," said London voter James Erskine, who was optimistic for change in the hours before polls closed. "I just see this as the potential for a seismic shift, and that's what I'm hoping for."

While the suggested result appears to buck recent rightward electoral shifts in Europe, including in France and Italy, many of those same populist undercurrents flow in Britain.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has roiled the race with his party's anti-migrant "take our country back" sentiment and undercut support for the Conservatives, who already faced dismal prospects, PBS said. Full results will come in over the next hours. The exit poll is conducted by pollster Ipsos and asks people at scores of polling stations to fill out a replica ballot showing how they have voted. It usually provides a reliable though not exact projection of the final result.

Adelabu

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki (L) receiving Founder/Group Chairman, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited, Dr. Leemon A. Ikpea (JP, CON), during Ikpea’s condolence visit to the former president on the death of his mother…yesterday

NNPC Ramps Up Transition to Gas-powered Vehicles, Launches 12 CNG Stations in Abuja, Lagos

Targets 100 more sites, says new fuel to reduce spending on vehicles by 40% Kyari insists current momentum irreversible

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is ramping up efforts to ensure the penetration of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for powering vehicles nationwide, with the launching of 12 additional stations in Abuja and Lagos yesterday.

Speaking at the simultaneous inauguration of the facilities, the Group Chief Executive of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated that the government was determined to bring the use of the gas-powered vehicles closer to the Nigerian people.

He declared that the CNG drive has since commenced and is irreversible, stressing that with the massive deployment of CNG stations nationwide, Nigerians will get a cleaner and cheaper source of energy.

“It's already rolling out across the counrty, you can see the benefit, people are saying that this works

better. It's cheaper , it's cleaner and it's accessible. And what we are going to do is to roll out across all the states of the federation.

“It's already a work in progress, we will construct six CNG mother stations, spread across the country, between now and December, you will see this happen.

“We are also taking another step. We are building LNG stations in Ajaokuta, belonging to us, two with a partnership. What this does is to bring CNG closer across the country.

“Distance matters in transporting gas and that's why we are doing this so that it becomes accessible and becomes easier and this is short term because as soon as we complete the AKK pipeline, it gets much closer to end users, and ultimately as we reduce the distance, cost will come down.

“We will see cheaper and cheaper fuel across the country, particularly areas that are distant from the source of the gas, especially in the northern part of the country”, he stated.

With this in place, he stated that

Nigerians will find it cheaper to fuel their cars, with CNG becoming an alternative to expensive petrol which currently sells for over N900 per litre in some states in Nigeria.

“And I would like to also indicate that there's no turning back on this. There's simply no way to turn back because this is the right thing to do,” he added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Retail, Huub Stockman, stated that Nigerians will save at least 40 per cent of their expenses on fuel by converting their vehicles to CNG-powered ones.

“These stations represent a major step in expanding our CNG presence in the country, marking an important moment in our efforts to diversify Nigeria's energy mix. Six of these 12 states are NNPC Retail's first CNG sites.

“CNG will be about 40 per cent cheaper than petrol in Nigeria, and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of our energy mix. In the next 12 months, NNPC Retail will have launched

over 100 CNG sites,” he stressed. According to him, it was the first step to massive deployment of CNG, confirming that four more sites will be added in Abuja and in the next four to six weeks, six sites will be launched in Lagos.

“We're also supporting our implementation partners to set up two mechanical training centres combined with conversion centres in Abuja and Lagos. And it's fantastic that Nigeria is utilising its own natural resources to bring affordable energy to the people of Nigeria,” Stokman pointed out.

In his remarks, the Programme Director of the Presidential CNG initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, who was represented by a Director in the organisation and aide to President Bola Tinubu, Toyin Zubair, said that there will be huge savings from the deployment of CNG.

“When you look at CNG on the other hand, to every car owner, if you move to CNG, at 250 litres of it, looking at the pricing today, between CNG and PMS (petrol),

Diversification: EU Unveils Digital Platform to Boost Investment in Agribusiness

James Emejo in Abuja

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has launched the EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform, aimed at increasing private investments in the country’s agribusiness sector and diversifying the economy.

The initiative seeks to contribute to the reduction of food insecurity and poverty as well as the attainment of sustainable economic development in the country.

Deputy Director General, Directorate of International Partnerships (INTPA), European Commission, Myriam Ferran, said the idea for an agribusiness platform stemmed from the commitments of the November 2020 EU-Nigeria Ministerial Dialogue.

Essentially, the platform will contribute to boosting the exploration and exploitation of agribusiness opportunities between

Nigeria and the EU through the establishment and maintenance of a network of active members of agribusinesses across both parties

An agribusiness platform is a form of a digital agricultural platform that provides digital marketing, trading or investment space for commercial and/or transactional activities, interactions, communications, integrations and cooperation in the agri-food system and agro-industry between Nigerian and European SMEs.

The digital platform’s primary focus is to create linkages and interactions between Nigeria and EU agribusiness stakeholders especially amongst SMEs; promote trade and investment between both sides.

In consultation with the federal government, the initiative was unveiled as a structured dialogue between Nigerian and EU farming and agri-food communities,

agricultural and agro-industrial sectors to promote trade and attract responsible investment, and to foster business linkages, particularly for SMEs.

Sustainable agriculture remains a cornerstone for economic development and sustainable growth in the country as the agricultural sector contributes about a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Considering its importance, successive Nigerian governments have been striving to diversify the economy from its crude oil dependence by rejuvenating the agricultural sector through different agricultural policies and programmes in order to promote and propel the agricultural sector for enhanced productivity and increased agri-food commodity base.

The volume of EU-Nigeria trade stood at €24.6 billion in 2023 – 18.7

per cent lower than 2022.

The EU remains Nigeria’s biggest trading partner, first investor, top donor of humanitarian and development aid, and the biggest diplomatic network.

Meanwhile, Agribusiness Register Limited, a private sector entity conversant with the agribusiness ecosystem, will manage the EUNigeria Agribusiness Platform.

The idea of handing over the platform to a private sector-led entity working in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders came out during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in April 2023.

The company will work with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Standards Organization of Nigeria and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

you'd be saving about N6 million per annum, from nowhere.

“Now if you look at this, a lot of people who are already converted, they're saving about N200,000 at the end of every month or about N380,000, depending on how much CNG they're using.

“So that is on one car, that is N12 million saved on every vehicle, that is going into PMS. Now if you look at the Keke NAPEP, which is the means of transport for many people, and it's a whole lot of business for a lot of people, the average savings per day would be about N7,000 using CNG.

“That translates to about N2.6 million per annum, for a Keke owner, if he moves from PMS to CNG. It may surprise you that

the cost of a Keke NAPEP is actually N2.7 million, so that in one year's savings on CNG, you can buy another Keke,” he argued. In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the commissioning of the stations will not only provide economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local economies, it will also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s national goals of reducing emissions and combating climate change.

On his part, the Chairman of the NNPC Board of Directors, Chief Pius Akinyelure said increased CNG adoption will foster economic benefits by reducing fuel costs for consumers and businesses alike.

NCAA Suspends 10 Private Jet Operators over Failure to Commence Recertification Process

Chinedu Eze

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended 10 private jet operators for failing to commence recertification process.

NCAA justified its action by citing the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4, which forbade holders of Permit for Noncommercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or reward, which amounted to commercial operation or charter service.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, signed by NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the authority stated,

“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation, which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024.

“To this end, the NCAA has suspended the permit for noncommercial flights of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy

Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd, and Ezuma Jets Ltd.”

The regulatory body also notified the public that it was illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes.

“The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations,” the authority warned.

In addition, it said NCAA officials had been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders.

Last week, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed that some private jet owners used their aircraft for money laundering and drug trafficking.

Since last year, NCAA had warned that private jets that operated on PNCF should not engage in charter services. This was in response to incidents involving private jets, which investigations revealed, were under charter service when they recorded those incidents.

LEEMON IKPEA CONDOLES SARAKI...

SANWO-OLU RECEIVES SENATE COMMITTEE ON MARINE TRANSPORT...

L-R: Senate Committee on Marine Transport and Blue Economy, Senator David Jimkuta; Senator Tokunbo Abiru; committee chairman, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; Governor of

Sanwo-Olu; Senator Karimi Sunday Steve; Senator Saliu Mustapha and Senator Yunus Akintunde during a courtesy call to the Governor at the Lagos House,

Senate Probes $5.7bn

3,050

Megawatts Mambila Power

Contract, Seeks Plant’s Inclusion in Tinubu's Legacy Projects

Sunday

The Senate yesterday unanimously resolved to probe the $5.79 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project (MHEPP) located in Taraba State.

The probe will look at steps taken since 1999 till date to execute the project, without success.

The power project planned to deliver 3,050 megawatts of power to the national grid.

The project had suffered hiccups seven years after the Federal Ministry of Power signed a full contract with a consortium of Chinese contractors comprising CGGC, SHC, and CGOC in 2017.

The federal lawmakers noted that the Mambilla Power Plant could have gone a long way in addressing the power woes if it had been executed for use by Nigerians.

The Senate resolution followed a debate on a motion moved by Senator Manu Haruna (TarabaCentral) and supported by 28 others.

The Senate resolved to probe the circumstances surrounding the apparent failure of the plant to come on stream seven years after the signing of the full contract. It also suggested the urgency for the administration of President Bola Tinubu to include the plant among its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ legacy projects to ensure that it was delivered.

The Senate recalled that the Federal Executive Council under the administration of former President Muhammad Buhari approved the $5.78bn contract with an agreed Joint Venture (JV) funding structure of 85% from the Chinese consortium (CGGC-45%,

FG: Samoa Agreement Not Detrimental to Nigeria’s Interest

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has assured that the $150 billion Samoa agreement which the country signed on June 28, 2024 at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium is not detrimental to the interest of the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris gave the assurance, yesterday in a statement.

He said that the President Bola Tinubu administration, being a rulebased government would not enter into any international agreement that would be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens.

He said in negotiating the agreement, the Nigerian officials strictly followed the mandates exchanged in 2018 between the European Union (EU) and the OACPS for the process.

Idris said the partnership agreement was between the EU and its Member States, on one hand, and the members of the OACPS on the other.

The agreement had been mired in controversy as reports claimed it included clauses that require underdeveloped and developing nations to support gay rights as a condition for receiving financial and other forms of support from advanced countries.

In the statement, Idris said negotiations on the agreement started in 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and was signed in Apia, Samoa on November 15, 2018 by all 27 EU Member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS Member states.

“The agreement has 103 articles comprising a common foundational compact and three regional protocols, namely: Africa –EU; Caribbean-EU, and Pacific-EU Regional Protocols with each regional protocol addressing the peculiar issues of the regions.

The African Regional Protocol consists of two parts. The first is the Framework for Cooperation, while the second deals with Areas of Cooperation, containing Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Development; Human and Social Development; Environment, Natural Resources Management, and Climate Change; Peace and Security; Human Rights, Democracy and Governance; and Migration and Mobility,” he said.

He added that Nigeria signed the agreement on June 28, 2024 after extensive reviews and consultations by the Inter-ministerial Committee, convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP).

He stated that this was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ), confirming that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of the Agreement contravened the 1999 Constitution as amended or laws of Nigeria.

“In addition, Nigeria’s endorsement was accompanied by a Statement of Declaration, dated June 26, 2024, clarifying its understanding and context of the agreement within its jurisdiction to the effect that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

SHC-35%, and CGOC-20%) and 15° from the Federal Government of Nigeria as counterpart funding for the entire project. It had a 72-month completion timeline.

Apart from the 3050MW expected to be generated by the plant, it was planned to reposition the Ajaokuta Steel Complex with $1.7bn, making it a priority national project.

Haruna said: “The project has great benefits for local content in the area of human capital development, including the creation of over 55,000 jobs; construction of resettlement homes for over 100,000 people.

"It has the capacity of hauling and supplying of over 2.7million tons of steel; production and supply of over 76 million tons of quarry stone; and the opportunity for Ashaka and Benue cement plants to produce and supply cement."

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed into law the bill seeking the establishment of North Central Development Commission (NCDC), sponsored by the senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro and the other senators

from North Central Nigeria.

The bill was first sponsored in the 9th Senate by Senator Moro where it passed First and Second Readings but could not get presidential assent before the expiration of the 9th Senate.

Moro had argued in his lead debate that the commission, when established would be saddled with the responsibility of receiving and managing funds from the federal government and donors for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads.

He also said it would reconstruct houses and business premises of victims of flood and farmers/herders’ clashes, and communal clashes.

He also said the fund would be used for the construction of large format drainage systems, dredging of rivers Niger and Benue to control flood and incidental matters, as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy and other related environmental or developmental challenges facing the North Central Nigeria.

Similarly, the age long wish of the Nigeria Police Force to have an

exclusive Pension Board like the military outfits, got a boost Thursday in Senate with passage of a bill to that effect for second reading.

The passage of the bill, titled: "Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill,” by the Senate for second reading, was sequel to lead debate presented on it by the sponsor, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe (PDP Adamawa South), and exhaustive debate on it by many senators.

Yaroe in his lead debate said men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force are disadvantaged by being lumped with other public agencies under the contributory pension scheme, managed by the Pension Commission (PENCOM).

He said the practice was unlike what other frontline security agencies like the Army, Navy, Airforce, Department of State Security Services (DSS, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were currently enjoying.

Yaroe said a cursory look at the difference between the pension and gratuity benefits of the Nigeria Police and its counterpart in the military, shows that the benefit of

a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under the current pension scheme is N2.5million, while the equivalents of DSP in the Army (Captain), Navy (Lieutenant), Air Force (Flight Lieutenant) and DSS, (Captain), are paid N12.8million. This, according to him, means that the Nigerian Police Force is receiving equivalent of 19.5% Pension benefit of their colleagues in the sister agencies.

"The broad objective of this bill, is to bring equality, equity and justice in the payment of pensions between the police and her sister agencies while boosting the morale of the serving personnel and equally, to enhance the standard of living of retired personnel of the Nigerian Police Force.

"The inclusion and continuous stay of the NPF in PENCOM, has placed them on the wrong end of post service emolument life despite being saddled with the responsibility of not only protecting the lives and property of the citizenry but also detecting, preventing and investigating crimes as well as prosecuting offences," he said.

9mobile Appoints Banigbe as CEO, Restates Business Commitment

The Board of Directors of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), operating as 9mobile, yesterday, announced the appointment of seasoned telecoms expert, technology business leader, and advisor, Obafemi Banigbe, as the new Chief Executive Officer of the company.

9mobile, which disclosed this in a statement it released yesterday, said the appointment would spur its preparation for a new phase of business transformation.

Banigbe served as Senior Partner, Strategy and Technology, with Africa Context Advisory partners before his appointment by 9mobile.

He succeeds the outgoing CEO, Juergen Peschel, who will be retained as a consultant to support the business transformation process initiated under his leadership.

The statement said the transition was consistent with 9mobile’s tradition of business continuity to ease the start of the holistic business transformation for the company.

It said Banigbe possessed extensive experience at the C-suite level and brought a

profound comprehension of the intricate African business landscape, emphasising the critical translation of business objectives and commercial imperatives into comprehensive strategies that drive successful execution.

Banigbe commenced his career in the telecoms industry at Celtel, now known as Airtel Nigeria, as Director of Operations. This was preceded by significant contributions at Ericsson across various roles within the subSaharan Africa market unit, culminating in the esteemed role of Network Support Group Manager for Access and Transport Networks. He was previously Chief Operations Officer at Millicom Ghana, where he helped in charting the operational strategy for the business in Ghana. His journey within the Millicom Group spans pivotal positions, such as Interim CEO and earlier responsibilities as Chief Technical Officer for Millicom Ghana and Millicom International Cellular Tanzania.

Banigbe’s diverse international experience transversed countries, such as the United States and several African countries. He was Managing Partner and Co-founder at Silver Rock Technology Services

Ghana, a strategic advisory firm specialising in the Telecom, Media, and Technology sectors. He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Amplitude Telecoms, a tower infrastructure provider in Nigeria.

As an Advisory Board member for Telecel Group, Banigbe played a pivotal role in guiding the group's successful acquisition of Vodafone Ghana. He further enriched his advisory portfolio by contributing insights to Nsano Group, a leading Fintech platform operating across multiple African countries, and previously lent his expertise to the Kirusa group in New Jersey, USA, providing invaluable guidance on product development and market entry strategies.

The Board of EMTS (9mobile) said, “We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the positive impact that Obafemi will have on shaping the future of 9mobile. He brings along the vision, passion and years of experience from diverse environments, which will consolidate our priorities to provide superior customer experience and sustained network quality.

“Obafemi is expected to work closely with the Board of

Directors and all stakeholders to define credible and achievable long-term business plans, through the introduction of solutions to address the evolving needs of the Nigerian telecommunication market.”

Speaking on his appointment, Banigbe said, “The Nigerian telecoms industry is characterised by strong competition, but it is also an industry that provides opportunities for different stakeholders. I am delighted to join the 9mobile family and I look forward to using my experience and unique value propositions to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey. The goal is to build on the existing foundation of the company to create value that will transform the Nigerian telecoms sector." Banigbe holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. He augmented his expertise through the Ericsson Management Development Programme, the Advanced Management Programme at the London Business School, and culminated his academic journey with an MBA from Manchester Business School, U.K.

Emma Okonji

Aborisade in Abuja

Lagos State, Mr. Babajide

Ikeja, ... yesterday

Don't Donate Your Pension to Churches, Mosques, Sanwo-Olu Advises Retiring Civil Servants

Segun James

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised the 2000 retirees from the state's civil service who got their contributory pension worth about N4.46b not to donate it to churches, mosques or religious groups in the name of thanksgiving or tithe.

Speaking at the 105 batch of retirement bond certificate presentation ceremony to retirees, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the payment of the pension is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Lagos State government to its retirees and celebrates their years of dedicated service to the beloved state.

His words: "Today, we mark the 105th Retirement Bond Certificate presentation, a historic milestone as we transition into a new era of Pension Administration called “Pay-As You-Go.” From now on, all retirees of the state government

will be paid as they retire, provided all procedures and approvals have been completed before retirement.

"We have strategically prioritized clearing all backlogs of accrued rights payments to ensure our retirees enjoy dignity and financial stability after retirement. This commitment extends to the welfare of both current and former members of our workforce, recognizing their unblemished careers in the state public service."

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme, the state government has paid N141.2b to 35,191 retirees.

He said: "Under this administration alone, we have paid N59.7b to 17,039 retirees, making Lagos State a top performer in pension payments. Today, I am pleased to announce that another 2,000 retirees will receive bond certificates worth a total of N4.46b.

“These funds, along with their

monthly contributions, have already been remitted into their respective Retirement Savings Accounts with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

"In addition to financial entitlements, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Health Management Agency, has launched a Health Insurance Scheme tailored specifically for our retirees. This scheme will provide access to a wide range of medical services, from routine check-ups to specialized treatments.

"This initiative underscores our commitment to the well-being of our retirees, ensuring that you receive not only what is due to you statutorily but also additional support and assistance to enhance your lives in retirement."

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of Lagos State Pension Commission, Mr. Babalola Obilana, said the ceremony would not have been possible without

the support and cooperation of stakeholders and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Obilana stated: "Today, the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will present another set of 2,000 retirees with a total sum of N4,461,659,536.82, being their past service benefits prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2007.

"Today's ceremony would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of various stakeholders. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the present administration under the leadership of Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their continuous support and commitment to the welfare of our retirees.

"I also appreciate the efforts of the relevant MDAs we collaborate with to deliver first-class service

Olowo: SMEs’ Corporate Governance Code Will Aid Business Survival in Hostile Environment

Says guidelines for non-for-profit, public entities underway, vows partnership with directors

James Emejo in Abuja

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, yesterday said the recently unveiled SMEs Corporate Governance Guidelines would help to preserve small businesses from collapsing amid a difficult economic operating environment.

Speaking when he received the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD Nigeria), led by its President/Chairman, Governing Council, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, on a courtesy visit to the FRC in Abuja, Olowo said the SMEs’ sub-sector were not given enough support as they would “need to survive in this difficult economic environment”.

He said study had shown that small businesses have been sidelined

even though they remained viable tools for economic development adding that the guidelines seek to correct identified lapses.

He said, “We believe the guidelines would provide the information that they need to keep them in business for a long time.”

The FRC boss also said the council was working on similar codes for the public sector and Non-for-Profit entities.

He said, “We are working currently to launch a similar code for public institutions. We believe that public institutions are pivotal to the way governance is run – it affects the quality of our laws and that these institutions underpin the society but sadly, there is no known code/framework that is nationally accepted as a way of transacting and doing business in that particularly sector.

“We are currently doing advocacy, approve of concept and presentations so that people would understand what we are doing – so this is a very important phase for you to join us to see that this becomes a success.

“Similarly, we are also trying to push for a new code of corporate governance for the non-for-profit sector. We thought that this is absolutely important as this sector has a lot of national and international dimension and they are absolute important in a way that we coordinate ourselves as a society.”

While assuing on partnership with the institute, he said, “FRC finds alignment between our core values and those of the institute especially in the areas of corporate governance, developmental frameworks, regulatory assurance, setting standards for directors and

partnership and collaboration. There’s need for us to come together better than ever to meet our shared beliefs and mandates in this core areas.”

“Most of the businesses we run in the FRC has a lot to do with the values that you drive as an institute and so I call on even stronger collaboration FRC and your institute.

“And to go into the very reasons you are here today; I can tell you that in the true spirit of partnership and collaboration, we are looking for stronger partnerships in the institutions we currently work with such as yourself.”

Earlier, Borodo had requested that the FRC nominated a fit and proper representative to the institute.

However, Olowo, while welcoming the gesture for partnership had suggested membership status that won’t conflict with the council’s core functions and mandate.

to our retirees: the Ministry of Establishments & Training, Public Service Office, Office of the Head of Service, State Treasury Office, and Office of Internal Audit, among others.

“I must also recognize the contributions of the Pension Fund Administrators and Annuity Service Providers towards the success of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos State.

"Lastly, I commend my dedicated and hardworking team, the Lagos State Pension Commission Staff, who have worked tirelessly to make this event a success. Well done, everyone!"

Obilana encouraged retirees to choose wisely between programmed withdrawal and annuity to select the option that best suit their individual circumstances.

NSIA Shortlists 10 Startups for Innovation Prize

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has shortlisted 10 start-ups to proceed to the Demo Day of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 2.0) competition.

The innovators were shortlisted after a week-long accelerator programme (physical bootcamp) that culminated in the recently concluded mini demo day, where 25 innovators pitched their solutions before an expert panel of business and technology leaders.

The 10 top businesses drawn from multiple sectors of the economy emerged from evaluations based on key parameters including scalability, product-to-market fit, financial projections, unique value proposition, competitor analysis and targeted market size among others.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NSIA, Aminu Umar-Sadiq expressed his delight at the growing acceptance of the NPI programme in the Nigerian technology eco-system.

He said, “The Authority recognises the pivotal role that technology plays to propel positive socioeconomic outcomes, hence our commitment to expand the development of this sector.

“Through the NPI, we remain focused on advancing innovative solutions to domestic challenges, capacity building

for early-stage businesses and economic empowerment through job creation”.

Those shortlisted included Yalo Technologies, BetaLife Health, Magic Carpet Studios, MaterialsPro, and Doktorconnect, Others are PaveHQ, VPay Africa, TribaPay, Kunda Kids and Sycamore.

These innovators will vie for a combined prize value of $220,000 on Demo Day and participate in a five-week, all-expense paid training at Draper University, Silicon Valley USA.

The NPI is the authority’s strategic initiative to identify, nurture and build early-stage businesses for transformative impact.

Now in its second year, it has rapidly gained acceptance within the technology and start-up eco-system as more credible and eligible Nigerian innovators shown significant interest in it.

The call for application stage in the first quarter of the year, had over 7,000 applications. This was pruned down to 100 businesses at virtual accelerator stage and further reduced to 26 businesses for the physical bootcamp.

A total of 25 businesses progressed to the mini demo day out of which the top ten innovators have emerged.

The four-stage competition is focused on enhancing the Nigerian technology eco-system and aligns with the Authority’s mandate to catalyse economic development in Nigeria.

L-R: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp; Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt; EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi; EU-African Campaign Ambassador, Enioluwa Adeoluwa and Deputy Head, Mission, Embassy of Portugal in Nigeria, Joana Cunha, during the 2024 Erasmus+ Scholarship Pre-Departure Orientation in Abuja ... yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

FLOOD ADVOCACY/SENSITISATION VISIT...

L-R:

Stop Killing Economy, Reverse Tariff Hike, NLC Tells Discos

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to order the electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to immediately reverse the electricity tariff hike to save lives and stop further drift of the country's economy.

The Discos had announced a tariff hike from N206.80 to N209.5 (with effect from July 1) for the band 'A' customers.

But the NLC described the decision as the height of impunity and arrogance which will certainly put more companies out of business as well as create more difficulties for consumers.

A statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero said the fact that government failed to heed demand to reverse an earlier increase but rather approved fresh hike has further proved the level of insincerity of government.

It said the move equally showed a measure of government's insensitivity.

"This increment has come in the heels of unresolved contestations around the insane 250 per cent hike in tariff leading to national paralysis including the shutting down of 300 businesses as per Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN).

"The 250 per cent hike drew the ire of the citizenry and rage of organised labour whose members went on a one-day protest for its

unreasonableness and violation of extant rules of tariff hike," it said.

Organised labour had embarked on a nationwide strike to protest an earlier hike in electricity tariff and delay in approving new minimum wage but later suspended it due to pressures.

Ajaero said the only reason that the action was paused was a firm assurance from relevant quarters, including the National Assembly that the matter would be dealt

24m Nigerians to Benefit from Human Capital Development Initiatives - FG

Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

As part of efforts to shore up human capital development in Nigeria, the federal government has said that twenty-four million Nigerians are set to benefit from the federal government's Human Capital Development Initiative, which aims to improve education, healthcare, and skills training across the nation.

This initiative aims to expedite targeted investments in people, fostering equitable economic growth across Nigeria.

This was disclosed, Thursday, at the strategy validation stakeholders’ engagement workshop, held in Abuja on Thursday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Human Capital Development (HCD) core working group, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, with Acting

Coordinator of HCD and Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, who stressed the government's commitment.

Both highlighted President Bola Tinubu administration's intention to address the 'japa' syndrome through strategic investments in education, health, and skills development.

Hadeija who spoke on the crucial importance of Human Capital Development (HCD), noted that President Bola Tinubu plans to build on the successes achieved by former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.

In response to a question about how this will curb "japa" (a Yoruba term meaning to leave for better opportunities), the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President encouraged Nigerians to participate in all HCD initiatives to help address their challenges.

According to him, "We live in a global setting, and with technology, the world is borderless. First of all, we can't stop people from leaving Nigeria. What we will do is embrace the HCD initiative that creates opportunities for people to stay at home.

“This way, they don't need to leave the country to earn a living. With the HCD initiatives, they can do that here in Nigeria."

Hadeija assured that by increasing access to quality education, enhancing healthcare services, and offering skills training and employment opportunities, many Nigerians will experience improvements in their lives.

"Through collaboration, learning, and growth, we will shape the quality and effectiveness of the Human Capital Development Programme in building resilient healthcare systems, ensuring equitable access to education, and

fostering an inclusive, future-ready workforce,” he said.

He stated: "This workshop is an avenue to deliberate on and validate our strategies. This is the day to acknowledge that the solutions we seek lie within our collective wisdom and experience. By sharing insights, best practices, and innovative ideas, we can identify the most effective pathways to achieving our goals.

"It is through our combined efforts that we can create a comprehensive and sustainable framework for human capital development that will benefit generations to come.

Through collaboration, learning, and growth, we will shape the quality and effectiveness of the Human Capital Development Programme in building resilient healthcare systems, ensuring equitable access to education, and fostering an inclusive, future ready workforce."

with quietly.

'"That there is another hike instead of a reversal (as promised) is further proof of the insincerity of government just as it is equally a measure of government's insensitivity.

"We have no doubt that this frequent crass display of insincerity and insensitivity will pit the people against government or vice versa," he said.

The NLC president also dismissed the three excuses given by Discos (exchange rate, interest rate and cost of gas) as justification for this

increase, saying that it underscored Labour 's position that government and entities in the energy sector are not serious about finding an enduring solution to our energy crisis.

"For, clearly, they are treating the symptoms. Given the further damage this latest wave of increase will do to our economy, we demand an immediate reversal of the hike. "It is unjustifiable, unreasonable and malevolent. Government and Discos should stop killing the people and the economy," Ajaero said.

ECOWAS: Not Clear If B’Faso, Niger, Mali Considering Returning to Regional Fold

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, yesterday disclosed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was yet to establish a framework for negotiation with authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on their decision to withdraw their membership from the community.

Touray spoke in Abuja while officially declaring the two-day 92nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers open.

“In spite of our entreaties in the form of softening of sanctions, invitations of the government to technical meetings and requests for meetings, we have not yet got right signals from these member states.

“We have, however, got positive

response from the Republic of Guinea that has been taking part in various activities of the community and on several instances underscored unflinching commitment to ECOWAS.

“It has become evident that changes in the international system, which is significantly affecting our member states, are playing a role,” Touray said. He further proposed a special summit towards rethinking the community’s future integration, in terms of governance, relations with external partners, values and approach to emerging issues like new technologies, social media and fake news.

Chair of Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, Yusuf Tuggar called for mutual cooperation among member states toward advancing integration and welfare of people in the sub-region.

The federal government, on Thursday, inaugurated the new governing councils for universities, colleges of education and polytechnics.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, inaugurated the chairmen and members of the newly constituted governing councils of the institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had in June 2023, shortly after assuming office, dissolved the governing councils of federal universities, leaving the running of the institutions to vice chancellors.

Some federal universities in the country, due to the abrupt dissolution, grappled with institutional governance, stability and academic integrity following the abrupt dissolution of their

governing councils by the present administration.

Prof. Mamman said that the inauguration marked an important milestone in the quest to improve education sector and re-engineer the governance structure of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The minister also expressed confidence that with the inauguration, the nation’s tertiary institutions will achieve a remarkable transformation for the benefit of our

children, and generations to come.

This is just as he urged the new councils to get abreast of the current Acts of their various institutions, government policies, White Papers (if any); circulars, gazettes and other relevant documents, relating to the institutions and those of general application in MDAs.

His words: “I, therefore, charge you to explore diverse funding sources, including partnerships with the private sector and

international organisations, alumni, endowment and sponsored research to ensure financial sustainability of your institutions. It is however imperative, that the limited funds allocated by government are judiciously utilised.

“As governing councils, one of your responsibilities is to ensure good management, healthy growth and development of your Institutions. One of the challenges that governing councils regularly

face during their tenure is the appointment of principal officers.

“As a council, you must ensure that proper attention and priority are given to the relevant Acts of the institutions and government guidelines for the process of such appointments as well as ensure fairness and transparency. governing councils must, at all times, adhere to the ideals of transparency and probity,” he stated.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar and Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Gilbert Onyekachi Ibezim at Government House, Awka during the flood advocacy/sensitisation visit of the director general to Anambra State on Wednesday

POLITICS

10th House: Doing things Differently in 12 months

Musa Krishi reports about the legislative interventions of the 10th House of Representatives led by Speaker Tajudeen Abass since its inauguration on June 13, 2023.

Since its inauguration on June 13, 2023, the 10th House of Representatives, under the adept leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, has taken the bull by the horn in tackling the daunting task before it. Comprising members knowledgeable in diverse endeavors, the Green Chamber has lived up to the bill of making laws for the good governance of Nigeria.

In taking stock of the activities of the House in one year, Speaker Abass, working in sync with his colleagues, presented to Nigerians, a historic scorecard titled ‘One Year in the Peoples’ House: Performance Report of the First Session of the Tenth House of Representatives of the Fourth Republic, Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

It was made public on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, during the Open Week of the Green Chamber.

At the event, Speaker Abass underscored how his leadership ensured an inclusive and participatory legislature in the past one year. He noted that the 10th House has been committed to running an open parliament that actively incorporates citizens’ input in lawmaking and oversight processes.

A perusal of the report indicated that one of the critical decisions taken by the Speaker Abbas-led House at inception was constituting the Standing Committees, announced on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

The Speaker’s innovative thoughts led to the establishment of the Committee on Legislative Agenda and the Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of the Standing Committees. While the former’s role is to ensure the full implementation of the House Legislative Agenda, the latter was to pay adequate attention to the other Standing Committees, ensuring that they meet their terms of reference.

To demonstrate its staidness, the House came up with an eight-point Legislative Agenda, complementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

The thematic areas of the Legislative Agenda are: strengthening good governance; improving national security; law reform; economic growth and development; social sector reform and development; inclusion and open parliament; influencing/directing Nigeria’s foreign policy, and climate change and environmental sustainability.

The Speaker unveiled the Legislative Agenda on November 14, 2023.

On law-making, as of June 13, 2024, 1,351 bills were introduced on the floor of the House, the highest ever introduced in the first session of the House since 1999. Out of these, 1,339 bills (99%) were sponsored by members of the House, while 12 bills (1%) were brought by the Executive arm.

The statistics further shows that 112 Bills were referred to the various Standing Committees for legislative action, out of which 89 were passed. Eighty of the bills passed were sponsored by members of the House, while nine were Executive Bills. Currently, there are 1,068 bills awaiting Second Reading and 81 bills awaiting consideration by the House. Only one bill was negatived — rejected — in one year.

To kickstart the constitution amendment process in good time, the Committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, took off in earnest. It organized citizens’ engagement sessions in February 2024, less than nine months into the life of the 10th House. The committee collated inputs from Nigerians into the constitution amendment process and has since established a timeline of activities, setting a deadline of December 2025 for concrete outcomes.

On motions and resolutions, which fall under representation, the House also made significant strides. The House received a total of 679 motions in one year, out of which 629 (93%) were referred to different Standing Committees, while 43 were referred to Ad Hoc Committees. Seven motions were negatived.

An analysis of the motions based on the eight thematic areas of the House Legislative Agenda indicates that 83 pertained to strengthening good governance; 129 on improving national security; 27 were on law reform: streamlining and improving the constitutional reform process; 98 on economic growth and development; 242 were on social sector reform and development; 22 on inclusion and open parliament; 8 on influencing/directing Nigeria’s foreign policy and 70 on climate change and environmental sustainability.

The House also serves as an ombudsman to Nigerians through its Public Petitions Committee, which handles such matters after receiving referrals from the House. From June 13, 2023, to June 13, 2024, the House received 306 petitions and considered 30 of them. Reports on 15 petitions were laid on the floor of the House, while 5 were resolved.

More than ever before, the 10th House has upped citizens’ engagements, ensuring that Nigerians are provided the opportunity to partake in the decisionmaking process of the Green Chamber. Some examples will suffice. In developing its Legislative Agenda, the House held a townhall meeting where it engaged the

citizens and ensured it incorporated their inputs into the document. Second, the House organized another townhall meeting in response to the concerns raised by the citizens on the credibility of the country’s electoral processes. Inputs from the citizens are expected to form part of the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.

Other citizens’ engagements organized by the House during its First Session were the National Dialogue on State Policing; National Discourse on Nigeria’s Security Challenges and Good Governance at the Local Government Level; a two-day retreat for members of the House on the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and tax reform modernization, and, of course, the House Open Week,

where the one-year score card was unveiled.

Arguably, the most important bill in the life of any Assembly is the Appropriation Bill, without which government activities will come to a halt. Thus, to strengthen the budget process, the House, through the Committee on Appropriations chaired by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, held a budget townhall meeting in November 2023 where the chairman noted that, “this Town Hall is important in promoting the integrity of the budgeting process.”

The committee held several engagements with the relevant MDAs on the 2024 Appropriation Bill before its passage in December 2023. The Committee’s innovations in handling the 2024 budget and the 2023 supplementary budget referred to it in late October

2023, among others, were instrumental to the successes the House recorded so far in the budget process.

The 10th House also instituted strong oversight mechanisms by receiving briefs from MDAs through the relevant Standing Committees, oversight visits and inspections to MDAs and projects, public and investigative hearings, public petitions, and interactive meetings, etcetera.

Members of the House have equally individually provided interventions under constituency outreach and empowerment to ameliorate the hardship being faced by their constituents.

Again, the House held sectoral debates where it received briefings, at plenary, from security chiefs, Ministers of finance, agriculture, among others, as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

For the first time in the history of the Nigerian Legislature, the House introduced the use of sign language in the chamber, where experts are engaged to interpret the plenary proceedings to those with hard of hearing. The Speaker also established the Programmes Coordinating Unit under his office, which increased interface with civil societies.

The Speaker, for the first time in history, held a World Press Conference on February 8, 2024, to address national issues.

Furthermore, in the past year, the House has established and fostered a harmonious working relationship with the two other arms of government, especially the Executive, engendering mutual respect and collaboration that works for all. Eventually, it brings political stability that benefits the citizens. Suffice it to say that the above data clearly prove how committed the 10th House, aptly christened the ‘Peoples’ House,’ is to excel and make Nigeria better.

Despite the successes recorded in its First Session, the House also encountered some challenges, including high turnover rate that created capacity gaps; House chambers repairs, which disrupted legislative activities; economic downturn and funding, leading to inadequate funding of House activities; elevated public expectations, etcetera.

It is safe, therefore, to say that the 10th House of Representatives has indeed done things differently in the past one year.

• Krishi is Media Adviser to the Speaker, House of Representatives.

Utsev: Harnessing Nigeria’s Water Resources for Economic Gains

Tolulope Adebayo writes that the Minister of Water Resources, Prof Joseph Utsev, has brought his expertise to bear on the nation’s water sector since he assumed office almost a year ago.

Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has experienced a remarkable resurgence, led by the visionary leadership of Professor Joseph Utsev. As the Minister of Water Resources, Utsev has leveraged his vast expertise and experience in water resources and environmental engineering to champion groundbreaking initiatives addressing the nation’s complex water challenges.

Hailing from Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, Utsev boasts an impressive academic pedigree having graduated with distinction from the Federal University of Agriculture (now JOSTUM), Makurdi, in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) as the best student in his cohort. He then pursued advanced studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a Master’s degree in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering in 2007 and a PhD in the same field in 2011.

Utsev’s illustrious career spans approximately 17 years, marked by distinguished tenures in academia and the engineering field. He has accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise, earning widespread recognition and acclaim as a consummate administrator and highly esteemed professional. A prolific scholar, he has authored approximately 40 scholarly papers published in esteemed national and international journals, solidifying his standing as a leading authority in his field.

As Minister of Water Resources, Utsev has drawn upon his extensive experience to address flooding and erosion across the country. His academic background and professional expertise have enabled him to devise innovative solutions addressing the root causes of these problems. His leadership has fostered a culture

of inclusivity and effectiveness, characterized by a silent intellectual approach focused on results-driven initiatives and collaborative governance.

Utsev’s most outstanding achievement yet has been his remarkable aptitude for augmenting and expanding existing initiatives, tailoring and refining them to harmonize with the pragmatic nuances of the situation. He has expertly recalibrated, adopted, or adapted policies to align with his visionary objectives for the water sector, demonstrating mastery of strategic

adaptation and leadership.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Water Resources has made significant progress in water infrastructure development, irrigation projects, and water supply expansion, enhancing the nation’s water security. His commitment to a water-secure Nigeria has led to the implementation of innovative technologies and sustainable practices, ensuring equal access to clean water and sanitation for all citizens.

Utsev’s appointment as Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation marks a homecoming, with an expanded purview that affords him the opportunity to leverage his intellectual approach to governance, cultivating synergy and inclusivity among diverse stakeholders. Through his commitment to transparency and accountability, he has earned the esteem and trust of the Nigerian populace, inspiring confidence in the ministry’s programs and initiatives.

As a silent intellectual, Utsev exemplifies leadership by example, dedicating himself selflessly to the service of the nation and its people. His efforts have begun to yield concrete results, positioning Nigeria for a brighter future where water resources are optimally harnessed for sustainable development, economic growth, and human betterment. His steadfast commitment to public service, combined with his legal acumen and expertise, makes him the perfect fit for President Tinubu’s administration.

As the nation marks the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration, Utsev’s contributions to the water sector stand out as a testament to the transformative power of silent intellectual leadership, demonstrating the impact of dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to shaping a better Nigeria.

• Adebayo writes from Badagry, Lagos.

Bandits Release Abducted Kaduna Female Judge, Demand N150m for Three Children

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Bandits on Wednesday night released Janet Gimba, the Kaduna Customary Court judge, who was abducted alongside her four children about 11 days ago.

The remaining three children are still being held in captivity.

The bandits were said to have asked the judge to deliver the ransom within three days or the children will be killed.

The ransom is said to have

The judge and her children were abducted on June 23 at their residence in Mahuta, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis. One of the children, a 14-yearold boy, was, however, killed on Tuesday by the bandits when the N298 million ransom demanded could not be delivered at stipulated time.

LAMATA, AFD Partner to Construct Mile 2/Marina Interchange Hubs

Sunday Okobi

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Mile 2 and Marina Interchange Hubs.

These landmark projects, accordingly, signify a significant step forward in the transformation of Lagos’ transportation infrastructure.

been reduced to N150 million from the initial N298 million.

On June 23, the bandits invaded their residence at night when her husband, Musa

Gimba, a medical doctor was on duty in the hospital.

The remains of her son was said to have been picked from where it was dumped by the

bandits and deposited in the hospital.

Speaking in a telephone interview yesterday evening, the traumatised judge said

after the bandits reduced the ransom, they released her and asked her to go and bring N150 million for the release of her children.

Police Burst Criminal Hideouts, Arrests 149 Suspects in Kano

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Operatives of Kano State Police Command have apprehended 106 suspected thugs and 43 others at various criminal hideout across the state.

journalists at a press conference yesterday in Kano, the raid was carried out within 10 days of his assumption of duty.

The Commissioner of Police(CP) Dogo Salman Garba, who led the operations told

Speaking at the ceremony, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasised the importance of the project, saying: “The Interchange Hubs are a testament to our commitment to transforming Lagos into a world-class megacity. This project will not only enhance connectivity but also reduce travel time, thus improving the quality of life for millions of residents.”

The Interchange Hubs, the state said, are designed to be a central nexus for various modes of transportation, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel time for Lagos residents. This strategic initiative is part of the broader Lagos State Transport Master Plan aimed at creating a seamless and efficient transport network across the state.

Tier-1 Banks Report: Access Holdings Leads in PBSI

In recognition of its outstanding performance, Access Holdings Plc has been named the leading Tier-1Bank in the 2024 Proshare Bank Strength Index (PBSI) report.

The PBSI, which evaluates banks based on a comprehensive set of financial metrics derived from audited financial statements for the Financial Year 2023, underscores Access Holdings’ significant strides in the banking sector.

Proshare’s latest report places Access Holdings at the forefront, alongside other prominent institutions such as Zenith Bank, FBN Holdings Plc , Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and

GTCO Holdings. As the Nigerian banking sector evolves, Access Holdings stands out for its proactive approach to addressing macro and microeconomic risks. The report draws parallels to the challenges faced by United States banks, such as Silicon Valley, First Republic, and Signature Banks, in 2023 due to poor asset and liability management (ALM). With the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing banking sector recapitalisation programme, the report highlights the importance of investment in financial technology, customer service scalability, and digital asset engineering between 2024 and 2026.

He said other suspects that made up the 43 number are 25 armed robbers, two suspected kidnappers, three suspected drug dealers, three suspected motor vehicle thieves, two suspected motorcycle thieves and eight suspected thieves.

“Items recovered during the special raid include: One pumpaction riffle; two motor vehicles; cutlasses and pointed-rods; eight tricycles, 12 motorcycles, 58 knives, three bows and arrows, 87 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp, 104 packets of 944 pieces of red rubber solutions.”

“Others are: 30 pieces of Diazepam injection and 26 sachets of Diazepam tablets, 1800 pieces of Extol tablets, 105 pieces of Fortune Injection, 23 Mobile Phones, 13 cartons of Indomie Noodles, 12 Solar batteries, two gas cylinders and 67 silver rings.”

Aiyedatiwa Signs Law to Add 11 Judges to Ondo Judiciary

Fidelis David inAkure

In a move to strengthen the judiciary for more efficient dispensation of justice in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa yesterday signed into law the Bill to add 11 to the number of judges in the State.

The new law increases the

number of judges in Ondo State from 24 to 35 in what would be the first of such development since the State was created in 1976.

In his address, Governor said: “Today, we make history with the signing into Law of this Amendment Bill. We mark a significant milestone in the annals of our great State. For the first time ever, since the creation of our State, we are increasing the number of judges in our Judiciary by 11. This invariably brings the total number of Judges in the Ondo State Judiciary to 35. It is indeed a momentous occasion that demonstrates our unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the Rule of Law.

“This achievement is a testament to our administration’s dedication to strengthening the fabric of our society. We recognize that the judiciary is the backbone of our democracy, and by enhancing its capacity, we empower our citizens, foster a more just and equitable society and enhance the administration of justice in our dear State.

NetplusDotCom Collaborates with Banks on Contactless Payment

Dike Onwuamaeze

A fintech company, the NetplusDotCom, which is licenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Payment Service Provider (PSP), is collaborating with Zenith Bank, FCMB, Wema Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Providus Bank, to promote contactless payment in Nigeria. Contactless payment is

enabled by SoftPOS technology that converts mobile phones into POS devices. Participants at a forum with the theme “Accelerating Contactless Payment: A Collaborative Approach to Overcoming Barriers,” which was organised by NetplusDotCom, identified the low penetration of identified the low penetration of Near Field Communication (NFC) as

major hindrance to utilisation of contactless payment in Nigeria.

The Founder/Managing Director of NetplusDotCom, Mr. Wole Faroun, explained that “the essence of this forum is to bring industry stakeholders together to talk about our payment system and evolution of contactless payments.

“At NetplusDotCom we have been at the forefront of providing SoftPOS for the last

two years. This is a technology that converts your mobile phone into a POS device. But we know that there is still a need for adoption and education and there are barriers stalling the adoption of this technology.” He added: “All the stakeholders agree that this is the technology that has come to stay. They also agree that there are some barriers to adoption in the market.

APC Will Be Extinct Before 2027 Due to Hardship, Says Onuesoke

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will go into extinction before 2027 due to the unprecedented hardship in the country.

Onuesoke, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP,

in a statement issued yesterday in Warri, said citizens, including some APC faithful, can no longer eat good meals let alone afford three square meals a day.

According to him, “A basket of Garri is N4,000; a basket of beans is N8,300, and a basket of rice is now N12,000. Garri is now the food of the politicians who steal money. The majority of the citizens cannot afford this with

their meagre earnings/salaries.”

He noted that some of the APC faithful and citizens are only pretending that all is well but are only waiting to vote out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope mantra which he said has been dashed.

The PDP chieftain stressed that the APC would go into extinction soon because of hunger.

He added: “Whether you like

it or not, APC will be extinct before 2027 because the hunger in Nigeria is serious. Many citizens who cannot cope are already committing suicide. They no longer believe in the Renewed Hope of the president because they believe their hopes have been dashed. Some of them, including APC members, are only waiting to vote President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope out of office.”

NDDC to Restore Flood Damaged Sections of East-West Road in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to repair the failed sections of the East-West Road in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State damaged by flood.

The section of the road between Ahoada and UlaOkobo towns when repaired will provide urgent relief to motorists who are now forced to divert to community roads.

The Managing Director, NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, who

inspected the sections of the road along with other directors of the commission, described the situation as deplorable.

He expressed shock at the level of devastation, promising that the commission will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to commence remedial action on the road.

Ogbuku noted that it is important to work in tandem with the Ministry of Works because they were currently constructing huge culverts at the sections that were washed away during the 2022 flood.

The NDDC boss recalled that the commission had engaged SETRACO, a road construction company to undertake remedial works on the damaged sections of the East West Road after it was ravaged by flood.

Ogbuku, however , assured the people that the NDDC would engage and complement the efforts of the construction company working for the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently fix the failed and unmotorable section of the road to restore the links between Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.

Photo

United States Consul-General in Lagos(Nigeria), Will Stevens; wife of the Labour

and Mrs.

and Mrs. Deji Elumoye, during the wedding of the couple at St Peters Anglican Church, Iremo, Ile-Ife, Osun State… recently

A cross-section of guests having fun during the 248th American lndependence

held at the United States consul-general’s residence in Lagos...

L-R: Chief Clients Officer, AXA Mansard, Rashidat Adebisi; Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi; Chief Fulfilment Officer, AXA Mansard, Adebola Surakat; Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Investments, Deji Tunde-Anjous; and General Counsel/Human Resources Director, AXA Mansard, Omowunmi Adewusi, during the AXA Week for Good Awareness Walk on the impact of waste on water and marine life, held in Lagos… recently

L-R: Chairman, AVMCC 60th Anniversary Lecture, Kola Olawunmi; Dean, AVMCC, Venerable Ebenezer Adewole; retired Justice Babasho la Ogunade; Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Reverend James Olusola Odedeji; his wife, Mrs. Odedeji; Chairman, Odua Group of Companies/Chief Laun cher, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; and Book Reviewer, Mr. Lanre ldowu, during the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church 60th Anniversary Lecture and lunch of The Chr onicles (The Growth of a Small Parish Church to a Cathedral) in Lagos... recently

L-R: Welfare Secretary, Peju Davies; Social Secretary 1, Bukola Adewale; National Vice President 2, Kehinde Olateju; Social Se cretary 3, Gbekeloluwa Odewade; National President, Femi Babalola; National Secretary, Segun Johnson; Assistant National Secretary, Olayemi Asegbe; members, Taiwo Olateju and Funm i Faminu; and National Financial Secretary, Omololu Olumuyiwa, shortly after the inaugural national executives meeting of UMC Demonstration Primary School Alumni Associati on held in Ibadan, Oyo State... recently

The couple, Mr.

Ayomide Omotosho (middle), flanked at both sides by the parents of the bride, Mr.

L-R

Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mrs. Margaret Obi; and her husband, Peter Obi, during the 248th American lndependence Day celebration in Lagos… recently

Day celebration

recently

PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME

Regular medical checks could help in containing the scourge

The recent death of Essien Etop Andrew, a Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) administration and technical services, has once again raised the issue of regular health screening by Nigerians. Andrew had developed sudden health complications while responding to questions at the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives and responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away. Two weeks earlier, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Mohammed Guri, had similarly Abuja. He was quickly for medical assistance on arrival.

We join the president and the National Assembly in extending our commiseration to the families of the two their deaths have added to recent similar ones which point to a dramatic rise in health complications, even when there may not be any available data on the issue. There are reports of people alighting from their vehicles to slump and die some minutes after in the hospital. There are also reports of market women who appear hale and hearty before leaving the day without any known illness. Many others simply pass on while engaged in some other human there is no mystery involved in many of these rapid and unexpected deaths among otherwise healthy persons.

abuse of medications can result in dangerous drug interactions with lethal consequences, particularly among those who have pre-existing medical from ill-managed diabetes can easily fall victim of heart diseases and unexpected death.

Heart disease, as experts have pointed out, is the most common cause of an unexpected sudden death in all age groups. It is more prevalent in adults in women. Some of the diseases are discovered and treated while the person is alive while, among many others, they may go unnoticed until tragedy occurs. It could also occur because of wrong diagnosis. Some of the problems arise in some patients when there are abnormal heart rhythms, and the heart is unable to pump blood. Within minutes, this could cause death unless emergency treatment is begun immediately.

The frequency of these deaths arising from cardiovascular or related diseases can be brought down considerably if people make certain lifestyle changes

T H I S D AY

EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU

DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI

Incidentally, many of these ailments come without warning signs. In the case of sudden cardiac arrest for instance, over half of the victims die without symptoms. When there are signs, they come in the form of “racing heartbeat or they may feel dizzy, alerting them that a potentially dangerous heart problem has started.” Other symptoms listed include headache, chest discomfort, breathing problems, blurring vision and convulsion.

According to medical experts, several predisposing illnesses such as high blood pressure, stress, high blood level of cholesterol and high blood sugar may precipitate a sudden death. In a country where many of the citizens resort to self-medication to bypass the cost of seeing a medical doctor or a pharmacist,

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

With people paying - out- of- pocket for their healthcare and given the level of poverty in the these deaths arising from cardiovascular or related diseases can be brought down considerably if people make certain lifestyle changes. Those with means should also not neglect regular appointments with their doctors. In addition, quitting such habits like smoking, losing weight among those who are obese and exercising regularly can help in containing incidents of sudden deaths. Health authorities must embark on a campaign for Nigerians to imbibe healthy lifestyles.

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.

WHY I BECAME A HUMANIST CHAPLAIN

International Association of Chaplains, after training with the Regnum International School of Chaplaincy. Why did I embark on this training? Why did I take up a role often meant for religious leaders? Last year, I visited a colleague at a correctional center in Abuja. He was imprisoned for blasphemy. A leader of our humanist association, this colleague was serving his sentence at the Kuje prison. While I was waiting to see him, I noticed some other people who were also in the waiting room. to do some prison ministry. It was a Sunday, and they came to preach to prisoners. I learned they were waiting for the Christian chaplain to come and usher them in. After about 30 min-

Later, I inquired to know if there were humanist chaplains. And they said there were none. Of course, I was not surprised. I asked if they would allow humanist chaplains to minister to the prisoners. They advised me to go and discuss that with their going there before I left Abuja, but later changed my mind. I needed to prepare very well for the meeting. To make a strong

case, I needed to know more about chaplaincy, and also get trained as a chaplain. After some online search I contacted and enrolled in a chaplaincy school, the Regnum International School of Chaplaincy. This school of chaplaincy is Christian; it is a quasi-theology school. The courses were Christian faith-based. I made it clear from the beginning that I was not a Christian or a person of faith. And the school managers had no issue with it. I was happy that they accepted me to train with them. During the training, I brought up a topic on humanist chaplaincy and made my colleagues debate if all chaplains must be clerics. And many agreed that all chaplains must not be clerics. That discussion delighted me.

ists and second for humanity. and others who identify as nonreligious or nontheistic. At the this category of persons whose needs are often forgotten or ignored. I will provide care, and comfort to humanists in prisons,

schools, hospitals, etc. Many non-religious people go through existential crises but have no one to run to for help; they have no one to lean on. Atheists and agnostics face challenges in their families, marriages, jobs, and life in general but they cannot con-mental ear.

Many Nigerians cannot connect or relate to faith-based pro-istic outlook and seek reason based help. Many people in Nigeria think that religion does not have any reasonable answers to this gap. I hope to be there with irreligious persons at their darkest moments and extend a helping hand to the best of my ability. the hand, and give them a shoulder to lean on. I am interested in this aspect of my chaplaincy work because I am a humanist. I can relate to the problems and challenges that humanists face in Nigeria and beyond. Many people who identify as atheists, agnostics or nonreligious feel lonely and alone.

Leo Igwe is a humanist chaplain

BUSINESS WORLD

Despite Efforts to Entrench Transparency, Fraudulent Activities Pervade Passport Offices Nationwide

Despite the efforts by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to ensure transparent passport processing and to make applicants receive their passports in less than 36 hours after application, the system still encounters delays as obtained in the past, THISDAY investigation has revealed.

Inside sources in the National Immigration Services (NIS) confirmed that fraudulent activities by touts and others still hold sway because of the stringent conditions attached to the process.

Last year, the Minister of Interior promised that from February

this year, no Nigerian would wait for more than two weeks before obtaining his international passport and also assured that soon passports would be delivered to the homes of applicants.

So far, none of these promises has been fulfilled even as THISDAY investigation revealed that many Nigerians who request for passports cannot fill the forms online because of their level of education; so, they seek the support of touts and others who carry out the filling of the forms and payment online.

THISDAY learnt that this is common among traders in the markets in Lagos, in South East and among many Nigerians in

the northern part of the country. It was learnt that some applicants who approach passport control officers are assigned loyal NIS officials who in turn charge additional fees.

THISDAY also learnt that the request for local government identification, date of birth in addition to National Identification Number (NIN) for reissuance of passports has made it very difficult for some applicants to obtain new passports.

As a result, they resort to engaging the services of touts who cook up all kinds of documents as local government identity and print them in colour in order to meet that requirement.

An Immigration official explained to THISDAY that the Ministry of Interior wanted to disengage from the foreign organisations that hitherto printed passport booklets for Nigeria and in doing that government has to build new data base, hence the request that applicants should supply all the needed data, even on reissue of passports.

Informed source also told THISDAY despite the fact that the Minister of Interior approved the installation of solar power at passport offices in the country, and approved N2 million to Passport Control Officers (PCOs) in states for purchase of diesel for generators when the solar energy cannot provide

electricity, the PCOs and other NIS officials and their collaborators still engage in sleaze.

“The truth is that you do not get your passport before one month, so the idea of getting it in two weeks is not possible. Passport booklets are available but few weeks ago the 10-year booklet was scarce and I have to confirm if it has become available. Truth is that the problem is even worse now in some passport offices. Touts are still doing their thing unchecked. The same racket still goes on in the reissue of passports and nobody is doing anything about it,” an insider told THISDAY.

Another Immigration official

from the headquarters in Abuja told THISDAY, “The truth is that there are some Nigerians who are not lettered enough to go online and fill their passport form. If you go to Alaba, Aria Aria in Aba and other places you will see young men and women who can afford travelling to anywhere but they cannot fill those forms online. They engage others to do that for them and they are willing to pay. If you go to the north, most of them cannot fill those forms online; so, their brothers and sisters who are Immigration officials help them to fill those forms.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

FIRSTBANK VISITS SANWO-OLU…

L-R: Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office/Accountant General, Dr. Abiodun Muritala; Special Adviser on Media and Publicit y Mr. Gboyega Akosile; Group Head, Public Sector, Lagos group, FirstBank, Mr. Olajide Adeola; Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake An i-Mumuney; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Group, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu; Governor, Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Head, Sponsorship, Partnership, Even ts & Collaborations, FirstBank, Mrs Chinwe Bode-Akinwande; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi; Permanent Secretary, Department Debt Management Office, Mrs. Rukayat Sanusi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Sam Egube and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, during the courtesy visit of the FirstBank CEO to Governor Sanwo-Olu in Lagos...recently

To Enhance Operation, NPA Acquires Tugboats for Dangote Refinery, Lekki Port

Eromosele Abiodun

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, yesterday in Lagos commissioned two newly acquired 80 tons bollard pull tugboats to enhance the berthing of vessels at the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport.

Named MT IRAGBIJI, and MT BAMA, the vessels are expected to support port security, patrol, and surveillance and to deliver efficient pilotage and towage services that would help the growing cargo evacuation needs of the Lekki maritime corridor.

Speaking during the commissioning, Oyetola said the investment into acquiring the marine

craft is a step towards enhancing port efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime nation in the region.

The President Bola Tinibu administration, he stated, is committed to investing in developing the nation’s maritime assets.

According to him, “We recognise the critical role that efficient port operations play in accelerating economic growth and will do all that is required to update the existing facilities to deliver on this.

“By acquiring these modern marine crafts, we are reaffirming our commitment to maximise the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. We

are determined to optimise our competitive edge as a littoral nation and deepen our efficiencies through the deployment of cutting-edge technology and equipment.”

Speaking, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the acquisition would enable the NPA attain a regional hub status by efficiently servicing domestic cargo needs, winning back transit cargo hitherto lost to maritime neighbours and positioning to cater to the maritime requirements of landlocked neighbours.

He said the NPA has deployed a three-pronged strategy driven by people; technology, infrastructure, and equipment such as the state-of-the-art

vessels are were commissioned.

According to him, the acquisition of the marine craft is part of the fulfillment of NPA’s deliverables under the Presidential/Ministerial Performance Bond to optimise Nigeria’s marine and blue economy by providing relevant marine technology and equipment.

Pointing out that the marine crafts would be deployed to serve operations at the Lekki corridor, Bello-Koko said the corridor has become a hub for actualising Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in energy, agricultural growth and trade transshipment capacity with the hosting of a 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest granulated urea fertilizer complex

and Nigeria’s first fully automated Deep Seaport, which can berth Super Post Panamax sized ships.

“Data from Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals shows that 120 tanker vessels have been handled in the six months from January – June 2024 with a projection for 415 between July to December, while Dangote Fertilizers have handled 17 fertilizer vessels with a projection for 41 in the corresponding period, We are by these commissioning and ancillary deployments putting mechanisms in place to cater for continuous increase going forward,” he stated.

Bello-Koko commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for the continuous support

that enabled the Ports Authority to enhance its operational efficiencies. Also speaking, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, said customs has found it comfortable to work with the NPA to develop the export sector, automate Customs processes, decongest the port, and ensure port efficiency. According to him, the collaboration between Customs and NPA has started yielding good fruits as both agencies were recently ranked high by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Chinedu Eze

NDLEA Lekki Command Engages Port Corridor against Drugs

Stories by Chinedu Eze

Recently, officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Lekky Deep Seaport, Ibeju-Lekki, organised walk against drug trafficking to commemorate 2024 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

As early as 07:00am a coalition of stakeholders had formed at the gate of Lekki Port from where the walk began and terminated several kilometers along the corridor. The sleepy corridor became instantly electrified with residents trooping to join the train, chanting anti-drug songs.

Commander of Narcotics and Area Commander NDLEA, Lekki Port Special Command, Jonah

Achema, in his remarks to welcome stakeholders tothe walk, noted that the exercise was not a ceremony but an operationalsignal to perpetrators of drug activities that the drug war is now a shared responsibility and no longer an NDLEA affair alone, as demonstrated by the massive turnout of stakeholders within the Port corridor who now see the drug challenge as a commonality.

Achema remarked that the turnout was a clear indication the the join hands approachadvocated by the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier GeneralMohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) is crystallising. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to ensure that drug merchants do not violate the innocence of Lekki Port and

the community as the Command ensures scrupulous examination of both export and import consignments as a check against any attempt to use the new port for drug shipment. He urged all the stakeholders to sustain and further strengthen the present collaborative efforts.

Customs Area Comptroller, Lekki Free Zones, Dr. Lanre Olumoh, who flagged off the walk said the grave consequences of drug abuse has made it compelling for all stakeholders to collaborate with NDLEA to make sure that the situation is addressed conclusively. He said the concept of a walk in the corridor is a novelty and that his command will join hands with NDLEA to make it frequent, more so for the healthbenefits.

NIMASA Receives Presidential Recognition for Quality Service Delivery

Special Adviser to Nigerian President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, Dr Jumoke Oduwole has announced the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as the best Agency of Government in exemplary teamwork, quality service delivery and consistency.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on PEBEC, also announced the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as the overall Best performing Ministry in the country.

Dr Oduwole announced that 33 operational activities of NIMASA were subjected to thorough scrutiny alongside those of 36 other Agencies

Lufthansa,

of the Federal Government.

In her words, “We want to commend NIMASA for emerging as the best Nigeria’s Agency of Government in exemplary teamwork, quality service delivery and consistency. PEBEC also wishes to commend the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for his commitment to ensuring that all the Agencies under the Ministry improve their service delivery in a consistent manner “

Reacting to the award, Director General of NIMASA Dr Dayo Mobereola in a post on his official X handle @MobereolaD, dedicated the award to all members of Staff of NIMASA and acknowledged the support of the Minister of Marine

and Blue Economy in providing the right framework for the Agency to create an enabling environment for local and foreign investors in the Nigerian maritime space.

His words “This award from PEBEC and by extension the presidency is a call to serve more. I appreciate our Honorable Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who not only convened a meeting between NIMASA and the PEBEC secretariat, but constantly kept us on our toes to ensure better service delivery to stakeholders. I also wish to commend members of team NIMASA and we know that this is simply a call to more service to our stakeholders”. Mobereola stated.

Air Maroc Renew Handling Contract with NAHCO

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance), West Africa’s largest ground handling service provider, has again emerged as the preferred handler for two of world’s leading airlines, Lufthansa and Royal Air Maroc.

Riding on the back of exceptional service delivery by the company, the two airlines have respectively signed contracts with NAHCO for the next five years in each case.

Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, NAHCO Plc, Prince Saheed Lasisi, said the new contracts were coming at a time when NAHCO is massively increasing its capacity with the recent purchase of new Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

“Lufthansa and Royal Air Maroc have made the right decision in

staying with NAHCO, evidently the largest handling provider in the country. We just took delivery of billions of naira worth of equipment which would be deployed to service these valued partners. It is a thrilling development,” Prince Lasisi said in Lagos.

The Group Managing Director/ CEO, NAHCO Plc, Mr. Indranil Gupta, expressed his delight with

the new contracts affirming that it is great partnerships at work. While assuring the airlines of exceptional service delivery, Gupta said: “We are always happy to serve clients who depend on us to further grow their businesses. We will always go the extra mile to ensure that we support them to keep their promises to their clients to offer the best service.”

Experts Outline Blueprint for Sustainable Shipping

As Nigeria continues to harness the potential of its maritime sector, experts have advocated for sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health and productivity of its blue economy.

AIR WATCH

As More Nigerians Commend Air Peace

Chinedu Eze

More Nigerians have continued to pour out commendations on Air Peace for its decision to start flight service to London, a decision they said, was well calculated and it’s yielding results.

The fresh commendations are coming three months after Air Peace had its first successful flight from Nigeria to London.

Many Nigerians who have travelled with the airline to London or have utilised the service for their loved ones, have gone to social media recently to commend the airline for providing alternative choice to the Nigerian citizens, eroding the hitherto outrageous airfares to the route and disrupting the duopoly of direct flight between Lagos and London.

One of those Nigerians who went to the social media to commend Air Peace, is a lady, who in her social media post, narrated how she returned to Nigeria with Air Peace from London and later decided to take her aged parents to London with the airline and expressed satisfaction with the in-flight service and on-time departure.

THISDAY spoke to the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, who said that despite the challenges, Air Peace has given Nigerians a good alternative choice and assured that the airline would continue to provide efficient and dependable service on the Lagos-London route.

The Chief Operating Officer also disclosed that Air Peace Lagos-London flight economy class has been fully booked in the next 60 days and in the flight it operated on Sunday (June 30, 2024), the economy seats were fully booked and out of the 42 seats in the business class, 41 seats were occupied.

Other Nigerians have given their testimonies and also commended Air Peace Lagos-London route. The Founder and Managing Director of Travel Lab Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Shalom Asuquo, told THISDAY that over the past three months, Air Peace has made a remarkable impact on the Lagos to London route, contributing to the airlifting of Nigerians and expanding the market.

“On March 30, 2024, Air Peace commenced operations with a Boeing 777-200ER, and since then, they have partnered with Norse Atlantic Airways to maintain daily flights on this route, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The inaugural flight was a beautiful and nostalgic event, symbolizing a significant step forward for Nigerian aviation.

“The entrance of Air Peace into this market has not only increased accessibility but also diversified the passenger base. Remarkably, the airline has attracted elderly passengers who previously couldn’t afford high ticket prices post-pandemic, as well as students returning home for family events and reunions. This influx has resulted in a 5 per cent to 15 per cent increase in passengers.

“Air Peace’s operations have also played a crucial role in positively positioning Nigerian brands. Products like Farm Fresh yogurt, Gratia chin chin flakes, Olu Olu chips, and local long-grain Nigerian rice have gained exposure and expanded their reach. This ripple effect has benefited small businesses and local farmers who supply produce like tomatoes, peppers, and spinach; contributing to an economic expansion of over N 2 billion,” Asuquo disclosed.

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

Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Ugo Aliogo (Development)

According to various experts who spoke at the sixth edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference held at the University of Lagos, Nigeria needs to take seriously the issue of policies and stringent regulations that support environmental protection, economic efficiency, and social responsibility.

According to Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the industry needs to be strategic and decisive about sustainability as well as exploiting the range of business opportunities that the blue economy presents.

He said: “There are diverse opportunities in the industry beyond the traditional shipping and port operations. The newlycreated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has to expand its scope to provide policies and regulations that will guide investors’ foray into areas like coastal tourism and renewable energies. This, however, must be done in a sustainable manner that will protect the ocean ecosystem and provide benefits for the coming generations.”

Renowned maritime lawyer and keynote speaker, Dr. Emeka Akabogu, who Mr Victor Onyegbado represented, harped on the importance of achieving sustainable shipping as a nation, through ethical conduct, improved port operations and adequate legislation within the industry.

According to him, it is imperative to achieve this system in order to build a maritime industry that is functional, providing resources that transcends generations.

“Sustainable shipping is the backbone of a resilient and thriving global economy. We all know that shipping carries the bulk of world trade and it encompasses practices that ensure long-term health of our oceans while meeting the economic and logistical demands of global trade,” he stressed.

On his part, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temisan Omatseye emphasised the digitization of the industry as well as the development of a national maritime strategy.

He noted further that developing key performance indicators will have a positive impact on human capital development and service delivery.

“But our system did not advertise our first class seats, an error, which has been corrected. So, what it means is that we recorded very high load factor, as only the 12 seats in the first class and one business class seat; making it 13 seats, were empty, out of the 274 seats capacity aircraft. We thank Nigerians. We appreciate the fact that they are happy with the airline,” Olajide said.

She also disclosed that Nigerians fly from the US to UK and book Air Peace to Lagos, thus taking advantage of the cheap US-Europe cheap flights and then fly the Nigerian carrier to Lagos, which is also affordable.

By so doing, they save a lot of money, which they would have spent on direct US-Nigeria flight. Chinese citizens in Nigeria and Nigerians also fly Air Peace to London and fly China Southern Airline to China and cut down the fares, which they would have spent on Nigeria to China flights through Middle East or other hubs.

“We recently upgraded two passengers who flew from US to London and used our flight to Lagos. We upgraded them from economy class to business class in appreciation of their commitment and desire to patronize us. But they also take advantage of the cheap flights between Europe and the US and our flights are also affordable; so, this enables them to save a lot of money,” she said.

The COO also revealed that Air Peace has become the choice airline for Nigerians who bring their aged parents to the UK and the US, disclosing that in every flight to London, Air Peace may have 30 to 40 wheelchair passengers because it has become a preferred airline for Nigerians to bring their parents to the UK and also take them home back to Nigeria.

“Because our cabin crew have imbibed the African ways of attending to the aged, many Nigerians prefer to use Air Peace to fly their aged parents. We care for them as we care for our own parents. Members of our cabin crew pay extra attention to them and ensure they are happy. We take extra care to serve them. In fact, some Nigerians send their parents unaccompanied through our airline,” the COO said.

She also revealed that travel agencies have benefited from Air Peace’s generous commission structure, offering a 9% commission and other incentives, at a time when many airlines have reduced or eliminated commissions, adding that this initiative, supported by the current National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) president, aims to regularize industry practices and support travel agencies.

Also, the Programme Director, Centre for the Right to Health, Nigeria, Bede Eziefule, told THISDAY that Air Peace has brought succour to Nigerians by taming the high fares from Lagos to London on other airlines.

“Before Air Peace joined the Lagos-London route, airfares were too high, but now the fares are relatively down. We are clamouring for dollar but the foreign airlines repatriate the foreign exchange after charging us outrageous fares. Now, Air Peace is helping us because we pay their low fares in Naira and by doing that they reduce the pressure on the Nigerian currency. You can now eat local delicacies in international flight to Europe, a rarity in the past.

“The success recorded by Air Peace so far will encourage other Nigerian airlines to join international service; this will help us bring the fares down and also improve the service offered to Nigerians because this will sharpen competition and will discourage any gang-up by foreign airlines to rip us off,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Deputy Zonal Commander, Advocacy and Sensitisation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Dr Aloysius Nnanna Nworisa, told THISDAY that Air Peace has helped Nigeria travel to the UK with cheaper fares and has made it possible for middle income earners to travel; unlike when no Nigerian carrier is flying to Europe and the fares were hitting the rooftops.

“It has also helped Nigerians in terms of competition because ticket prices started coming down when Air Peace started the London operation. What this means is that Nigerians will spend less on flight tickets if more Nigerian carriers are enabled to fly international routes. The Nigerian government should continue to support Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines, especially now that it has become intentional about protecting Nigerian carriers against other predatory businesses, including foreign airlines,” Nworisa said.

Ajibike Babatunde: Celebrating 60 Years of Grace, Resilience, Purpose and Impact

Lagos socialite and former DHL Nigeria manager, Mrs Ajibike Babatunde, recently celebrated a major milestone, her 60th birthday in style at the prestigious Lagoon Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos. As she marked six decades of life, love, and legacy, she sat down with Sunday Ehigiator to share her inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and passion for making a difference.

With a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye, Mrs Babatunde reflected on her remarkable journey, defined by meaningful milestones, challenges overcome, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

From her early days as a young professional to her rise as a respected leader in the logistics industry, through her ventures into politics, Mrs. Babatunde’s life has been a testament to her strength, courage, and dedication.

As the paragon of elegance, wisdom, and strength, marked a milestone of six decades on this earth with a resplendent celebration that echoed her indelible impact on the lives of all who know her, she was joined by friends and families who all revered her life of impact.

It was a gathering of political gladiators, captains of industries, families and friends who had stood the test of time. And as the moon shone brightly on the joyous gathering, Mrs Babatunde, a radiant and graceful matriarch stood at the centre, basking in the warmth of a lifetime of love, laughter, and legacy.

With a heart full of gratitude and a spirit that continues to inspire, this remarkable and energetic mother embarked on a new chapter in her journey, leaving behind a trail of cherished memories, unwavering resilience, and a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those whose lives she has touched.

Born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs. Babatunde’s educational foundation and passion for learning set the stage for her future successes. She earned a degree in Office Administration from Ibadan Polytechnic and later worked at Express Building Society Bank, honing her leadership and problem-solving skills.

Reflecting on her journey, she said, “As I celebrate my 60th birthday, I reflect on a journey marked by meaningful milestones. My early years were shaped by a strong educational foundation and a passion for learning. My career began with challenges that taught me resilience and fueled my passion.

“Meeting my life partner and raising a family has been a source of immense joy and growth. Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of owning several businesses as well as owning a DHL franchise and working with inspiring colleagues, politically and so on. Despite facing challenges, I’ve learned valuable lessons in adaptability and perseverance.

“Today, I focus on giving back to the community and mentoring young professionals. Looking ahead, I am excited about new opportunities and remain committed to growth and making a positive impact.”

Speaking about her life trajectory, she noted, “Before entering politics, I earned a degree in office administration from Ibadan Polytechnic in Oyo state. I then worked in an express building society bank gaining experience in handling businesses.

“These roles honed my leadership and problem-solving skills, preparing me for public service. My community involvement also fueled my passion for making a difference, leading me to pursue a career in politics.”

Throughout her life, Mrs. Babatunde has been a shining example of grace, compassion, and dedication. Her unwavering commitment to her family, community, and profession has been a beacon of hope and inspiration to countless individuals. Her life’s journey has been a testament to her strength, courage, and perseverance, as she has navigated life’s challenges with poise, wisdom, and a generous spirit.

Her entry into politics was a natural progression, driven by her desire to serve and make a positive impact. She has participated in several significant political campaigns and initiatives, including the Tinubu and Buhari administrations. Her experiences have taught her valuable lessons in strategic planning, teamwork, and resilience.

Speaking more on her political sojourn, she said, “I have had the privilege of participating in several significant political campaigns and initiatives throughout my career. I was part of the campaign team that ushered in the Tinubu administration and also contributed to the successful campaign for BRF in Surulere.

“During Ambode’s tenure, I was honoured to

be nominated to the Christian Pilgrims Board. Additionally, I served on the committee that supported the election of the governor of Osun State. My involvement extended to the Buhari administration’s campaign team as well. Notably, I conducted the senatorial primary election in Oyo State.

“These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons in strategic planning, teamwork, and resilience. I have navigated numerous challenges, including managing diverse stakeholder interests and overcoming logistical hurdles. Each campaign reinforced the importance of dedication, adaptability, and effective communication in achieving our goals.

“This new chapter of my life holds significant promise and opportunity. It marks a period of reflection, growth, and renewed purpose. I am committed to leveraging my experiences and skills to make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.”

As a professional, Mrs. Babatunde has always been a trailblazer, breaking barriers and shattering

Focus on community service, dedicate more time and resources to initiatives that address pressing social issues and improve the quality of life for others. Pursue Personal Passions by spending more time on activities and projects that bring me joy and fulfilment.

glass ceilings with her exceptional talent, hard work, and determination. Her achievements have been a source of inspiration to many, and her contributions to her field have been invaluable.

But beyond her many accomplishments, She reiterated that her greatest legacy is the love, kindness, and compassion she has shown to all those around her. Her warm smile, gentle touch, and listening ear have been a balm to many souls, and her presence has made a difference in the lives of everyone she has met.

According to her, “The philosophy that has guided me throughout my life is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, to treat others with kindness and empathy, and to live with purpose and gratitude.

“Others are, follow your passion and stay dedicated; build resilience to overcome challenges; value relationships for support and guidance; stay openminded and embrace diversity; practice gratitude for a positive mindset; set goals and take consistent action; be kind, empathetic, and respectful; prioritize selfcare for overall well-being; believe in yourself and your potential; love, Obedient, humility, and charity.”

As a devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Babatunde has been a rock to her family, providing unconditional love, support, and guidance. Her family has been the cornerstone of her life, and she has always put their needs before her own, sacrificing her desires for their well-being and happiness.

“I give glory to Almighty God for sparing my life thus far, to my late parents of blessed memories. My amiable appreciation goes to my siblings and my amazing daughter Boluwatito Britney, I pray that Almighty God keeps and preserves her in all spheres of her life.

“I am most grateful for my daughter. She brings immense joy, inspiration, and strength to my life.

Watching her grow and thrive has been one of my greatest pleasures and accomplishments.

“Her kindness, curiosity, and resilience remind me daily of the beauty in the world. She has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of unconditional love. Her presence gives my life profound purpose and fulfilment, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to be her parent.

“I can’t thank all my special guests enough and all my friends and younger siblings. I do appreciate it and I am overwhelmed with their love. I also would love to appreciate the late Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, my friend, my sister, and my political mentor of blessed memory, I thank you today, if she was alive, my political status would have been different.

“All your efforts to make the APC party remain strong, successful, and triumphant in all political ramifications has been fulfilled. Nonetheless, we give thanks to Almighty God.”

Beyond her many accomplishments, Mrs. Babatunde said her greatest legacy is the love, kindness, and compassion she has shown to all those around her.

Her warm smile, gentle touch, and listening

ear have been a balm to many souls, and her presence has made a difference in the lives of everyone she has met, and she hoped to share more of it through the coming decades.

“I don’t wish I had made any decisions differently, nor do I have any regrets, as I believe everything happens for a reason. I pray to continue growing spiritually and to seek the Lord’s guidance in faith and righteousness.

“This new chapter of my life holds significant promise and opportunity. It marks a period of reflection, growth, and renewed purpose. I am committed to leveraging my experiences and skills to make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.

“To make the most of this chapter, I plan to engage in continuous learning, embrace new knowledge and skills to stay relevant and innovative; keep mentoring and supporting others; and keep sharing my experiences and insights to help guide and inspire the next generation of leaders.

“Focus on community service, dedicate more time and resources to initiatives that address pressing social issues and improve the quality of life for others. Pursue Personal Passions by spending more time on activities and projects that bring me joy and fulfilment.

“Foster strong relationships by strengthening connections with family, friends, and colleagues, and build new, meaningful relationships. I look forward to this exciting phase with enthusiasm and a commitment to making a positive difference.”

Throughout her life, Mrs. Babatunde has been guided by her faith and a strong sense of humility. She believes in the importance of obedience, humility, and charity, and encourages others to embrace these values.

As she looks to the future, Mrs. Babatunde hopes for a better Nigeria, where every citizen can benefit from democracy. On a personal level, she prays for good health and continued success in her endeavours.

“My hope and expectations for the coming decades are about the Beautiful country we call Nigeria. It’s my prayer that we get things right.

“I want a country of ‘Omoluabis’ (good citizenry) and not of ‘Amunisin’ (Colonialism); where every Nigerian will be a beneficiary of Democracy (Ijoba tiwa ntiwa). On a professional level, I pray for good health and keep on striving to thrive in any challenges that come my way, be it politically or business.”

Expressing her gratitude, she said, “I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who celebrated my 60th birthday with me. Your presence, kind words, and warm wishes made this milestone incredibly special. I am deeply grateful for your love and support, and I cherish the memories we created together. Thank you for being a part of this significant moment in my life.

“Thank you to my Chairman Otunba M.O.Jolayemi of Daily Need Group, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu and his wife; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Wife; former Governor Babatunde Fashola and Wife, former Governor of Ogun State, Distinguished Senator, Ibikule Amosun, Former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mrs Sarah Sosan. “Sen Gbenga Ashafa, Sen Ganiyu Solomon, Sen Musiliu Obanikoro, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Sen Iyiola Omisore , SSG Mrs Abimbola Hundeyin, COS Mr Tayo Ayinde.

“At this juncture, my special thanks also goes to Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, The Adenuga’s; to my Mummy Cash Madam Chief Mrs Bisilola Edionsere and Mummy Modupe Sagoe To my Egbon mi Dr Vicky Haastrup. To Mr Yemi Nelson and his entire family, The Anakos, Dr. Mrs Lola Akande; my supportive and wonderful friends, they are so numerous that I can’t start to mention their names. Thank you to everyone.”

As she enters this new chapter, Mrs. Babatunde expresses commitment to growth, community service, and mentoring young professionals. Her philosophy emphasises embracing challenges, kindness, empathy, and living with purpose and gratitude.

WeForGood International Unveils Women

Championing Sustainable Solutions in Africa

Iwonume Ekeghe

WeForGood International recently unveiled the X-Women Championing Sustainable Solutions in Africa, a list that spotlights remarkable women at the forefront of environmental sustainability across the continent.

Originally conceived as a celebration of 100 Women Creating a Better Africa (100WCBA) which recognises women who contribute their quota towards the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa, this initiative has evolved to focus specifically on environmental sustainability in recognition of the urgent need for action in the face of climate change and ecological degradation.

From protecting fragile ecosystems to advocating for renewable energy solutions, these women stand out for their innovative approaches, unwavering commitment, and tangible impact in addressing environmental issues, each making a significant difference in shaping a more sustainable Africa.

Speaking about the initiative, TemitayoAde-Peters, CEO of WeForGood International, explained:

Bekeme

Masade-Olowola: Chief Executive/Founder, CSR-in-Action, Nigeria

“Our mission is deeply rooted in promoting sustainable solutions and with this well-deserved recognition, we are not just celebrating these women but showcasing their work so that their solutions can be adopted by more people while inspiring others to catalyze action towards a healthier planet and future.”

“As with previous years, this was also open for public nomination across Africa and we are happy with the quality of the results and the potential it holds to spread the message and inspire action

around environmental sustainability” she added.

The X-Women are acknowledged trailblazers who are redefining conservation efforts, promoting sustainable agriculture, and leading communitydriven initiatives to combat environmental degradation. From rural villages to urban centers, their work resonates across diverse landscapes, inspiring change and fostering resilience in the face of climate challenges.

The 2024 X-Women Championing Sustainable Solutions in Africa (X-WCSA) includes Rose Sikulu, Co-Founder of Fibertext Green Paper Limited from Kenya; Lolade Alonge, CEO of Celloop from Nigeria; Doreen Irungu, Founder and CEO of Ustawi Afrika from Kenya; Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director of Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) from Nigeria; Glory Brendan-Otuojor, Executive Director of Development Impact Pathfinders Initiative (Devimpath) from Nigeria; and Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive and Founder of CSRin-Action from Nigeria.

Other notable women include Sevidzem Ernestine Leikeki,

Women Empowerment Officer at Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW) from Cameroon; Temitope Okunnu, Founder of FABE International Foundation from Nigeria; Onyinyechi Chikere, Founder and Operations Manager of Clozetsales from Nigeria; Ayanda Nyikana, Founder of Apara Global from South Africa; and Crystal Chigbu, Executive Director of The IREDE Foundation from Nigeria.

Additionally, the list features Nina Mbah, Co-founder of The African Climate Stories from Nigeria; Yetunde Deborah Fadeyi, Founder of REES Africa and CEO of Vectar Energy from Nigeria; Sakinat Bello, Lead Consultant at Heela Green Resources from Nigeria; Adejumoke Olowookere, Creative Director of African Creative Sustainable Synergy Hub (ACSSH) and Founder of The Waste Museum from Nigeria; Jennifer Uchendu, Founder of SustyVibes from Nigeria; Adejoke Lasisi, Founder and CEO of Planet 3R and Jokelinks Weaving School from Nigeria; and Adesola Adegeye, Founder of Greenwithgrin from Nigeria.

Insight Redefini Appoints New Digital Marketing Experts for Digitas Nigeria

Mary Nnah

The year 2024 marks a period of hierarchical transition and growth for the Integrated Marketing Communications industry, and Digitas Nigeria is at the forefront of this movement. I In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, the agency announced the appointments of Omotayo Oladipupo as Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Head of Business and Adebola Ajose as Creative Director.

These appointments underscore pivotal moments in the agency’s evolution and growth trajectory, reflecting its commitment to excellence and innovation in digital marketing.

Omotayo Oladipupo brings over a decade of extensive experience in digital marketing, showcasing a remarkable track record in leading high-performing teams and driving innovative marketing strategies for top brands. Her expertise spans market strategic planning, brand development, omnichannel marketing integration, business development, and investor relations. In her previous role as the Head of Digital at Starcom Media Perspectives,

Omotayo led a team responsible for managing major brands such as Meta, Mondelez Nigeria, Samsung, Visa, ARM, and TGI. She consistently demonstrated excellence in team management, strategic planning, and enhancing client relationships.

Omotayo’s remarkable track

record includes pioneering groundbreaking digital strategies and spearheading unforgettable campaigns, such as the Meta “Metaverse without Hardware,” Samsung “Join the Flip Side,” and TGI “Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste,” the latter of which recently earned the grand prix at the LAIF awards.As the new COO, she will direct the strategic direction and operational oversight of Digitas Nigeria, focusing on cultivating a high-performing team, nurturing client relationships, and identifying opportunities for expansion into new markets.

Adebola Ajose, with over 20 years of industry experience, steps into the role of Creative Director. Adebola has led the development and launch of numerous groundbreaking digital campaigns and products for renowned brands including Prime Video, Nestle, Heineken, Pepsico, and Keystone Bank.

MANAGING PATIENT’S EXPECTATION IN IVF TREATMENT

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure in which an egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized egg, now called an embryo, is returned to the woman’s womb to develop.

This procedure was first successfully carried out in 1978 by Drs. Steptoe and Edwards of Oldham General Hospital in the UK after over two decades of research, which led to the birth of Baby Louise Brown, the world’s first ‘test tube’ baby.

This ground-breaking achievement led to a surge in the establishment of fertility centres as well as the development of more sophisticated techniques such as IUI (inter uterine insemination), PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis), and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). These new techniques make the path to parenthood easier for more people struggling with infertility.

In Nigeria many couples attempting to conceive seek help from fertility centres as a last resort, having passed through several phases, from denial to seeking for spiritual intervention.

The power of prayer, however, cannot be disregarded and several couples who experienced difficulties in getting pregnant and sought spiritual agency have succeeded in conceiving children without medical treatment.

These examples give false hope to the vast majority who do need medical attention and when they do turn to fertility centres, their condition may have deteriorated, leading to higher costs to rectify the problem.

Most patients who seek help from fertility centres are unaware of the possibilities and limits of fertility treatments. Cultural taboos in many areas place an injunction on certain treatment options such as surrogacy and ovum donation. The more extremist religious sects prohibit their adherents from seeking any form of medical treatment for infertility.

Time is a major factor that affects the outcome of fertility treatments. As a woman ages, the quantity and quality of her eggs reduces, lowering her chances of conceiving.

In many instances a woman may have spent several years searching for a spiritual solution to resolve her fertility issues before turning to fertility centres by which time it may be too late to guarantee a positive outcome. In addition, many men are reluctant to test the quality of their sperm from a false sense of machismo and often refuse to accompany their partners to fertility centres, unaware of or denying the fact that male factor infertility is responsible for the failure to conceive in many instances.

Although treatment options are available to address these issues such as

Fertility assessment which is a series of tests and examinations to evaluate the fertility status of individuals or couples wishing to conceive, determining potential obstacles to natural conception.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) A medical procedure where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a laboratory dish, with the embryo then transferred to the uterus for pregnancy.

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT): A technique used in conjunction with IVF to test embryos for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities before transferring them to the uterus.

Cryo-preservation which is the process of freezing and storing cells, tissues, or embryos at very low temperatures to preserve them for future use, commonly used in fertility treatments.

Cultural and religious injunctions as well as the high costs associated with the deployment of more sophisticated techniques conspire to discourage potential parents.

Managing patient expectations in fertility treatments, therefore, is of paramount importance and is crucial for ensuring a positive patient experience.

Open communication is essential to the process. Patients should be encouraged to openly express their hopes, concerns, and expectations. The fertility specialist should lend an attentive and empathetic ear to their questions and concerns and set realistic expectations by explaining the range of possible outcomes and potential challenges they may encounter during the treatment process.

Founder of Ascend Studios Foundation, Dr. Inya Lawal, has highlighted the Importance of Simplifying Trade Processes and Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture.

Speaking during the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference held recently in Lagos Lawal emphasizedtheimportanceofsimplifying trade processes and providing a platform for women and youth empowerment.

The conference aimed to empower women and youth through education, social programmes, and economic opportunities, aligning with the foundation’s focus on capacity building and social, educational, and economic empowerment.

SheemphasisedthatLagosState, as the economic hub of Nigeria, is committed to creating an enabling environment for private-sector partnerships. The state’s vision is to harness the potential of agriculture todriveeconomicgrowth,enhance food security, and create employment opportunities for its residents.

The Commissioner showcased several groundbreaking initiatives, including the Cattle Feedlot Farm Estate, Coconut Value Chain development, Lagos Food Hub, and LagosAquacultureCentreofExcellence. These projects demonstrate the success of PPPs in improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable growth.

The event held at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos brought together esteemed entrepreneurs, policymakers,andindustryexperts to explore innovative solutions for sustainable growth and prosperity in the agricultural sector, and featured a keynote address by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Ms. Abisola Olusanya. Olusanya highlighted the transformative power of PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPPs) in addressing the challenges facing the sector, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and underdeveloped markets.

The Head of Corporate and Export Marketing, Soulmate Industries Limited, High Chief Efedi Jellily has been inducted Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).

The induction ceremony, which took placeduringtheAnnualMarketing Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State,sawoverahundredmarketers conferred as Associate Members, Full Members, and Fellows of the Instituteafterathoroughassessment and confirmation process.

Inhisremarksduringtheinduction ceremony,SirJellilysaidasAfricans, weneedtoaddressourcriticalmindset to build a global brand.

“Asthepersoninchargeofcorporateandexportmarketinginaleading cosmeticsmanufacturingcompany inNigeria,wehavebeenabletomake ourproductsknownbeyondAfrica andarecompetingwithotherglobal brands in the market.”

He implored the government to make regulations that reduce difficulties in building Nigerian brands that can compete globally.

He raised concernoverhowgetting approval from the government can jeopardizemanybrands,whichcan harmthecountry.Jellilywhoisalsoa FellowoftheInstituteofManagement Consultants,FIMC,andaFullmember, oftheNigeriaInstituteofManagement, (NIM)&BusinessProcessManagement Institute(BPMI),advisedfellowmarketerstocreateavenuesforengagement and educating regulators on the importance of the brands and the value they would bring about.

According to him, “brand communicatesinformationaboutorigin ofthegoods, ownership, and relationship with other products and with this, it must be distinctive and not descriptive to be able to enjoy global relevance for a longer time.” He added that a lot of local stories like fashion, music, and even many places in Nigeria that people don’t know exist can be used in promoting our brands. In his words, “our music today and our film is selling Nigeria and everybody is dancing to Nigerian music.

The fertility specialist has a duty to provide patients with accurate and detailed information about the fertility treatment process, success rates, potential risks, and limitations. Care should be taken to fully explain the different steps involved, potential outcomes, and the factors that can impact success. Emphasis should be laid on the fact that fertility treatments are not guaranteed to result in pregnancy and that multiple cycles may be necessary.

Reliable and accurate success rate statistics from reputable sources, such as research studies or fertility registry data should be shared with patients. This will help them understand the chances of success and provide a realistic perspective.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment plan in infertility treatment. Individualized treatment plans should be tailored to fit each patient’s unique circumstances, medical history, and fertility issues. Specific factors that may affect their chances of success, such as age, underlying medical conditions, and lifestyle choices, should be considered to help manage their expectations accordingly.

Realistic timelines should be set by the fertility specialist. Patients need to be informed about the typical duration of the treatment process, including the time required for testing, treatment cycles, and waiting periods. They must understand that achieving success will take time and patience.

Ongoing communication with patients must be maintained throughout the treatment process, providing updates, explaining any changes in the treatment plan, and addressing any concerns or questions that arise. This helps patients feel involved and reassured. Bridge Clinic’s Counselling service provides comprehensive patient education support through emotional management of clients, health education, medication adherence, behavioural health education, preventive care as well as personalised counselling service tailored towards addressing specific needs, concerns and circumstances of each patient.

Insight Redefini appointees, Omotayo Oladipupo and Adebola Ajose

NOVA Bank Commences Operations as National Commercial Bank

Oluchi Chibuzor

NOVA Bank, formerly known as NOVA Merchant Bank, has officially commenced operations as a National Commercial Bank.

This follows the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) approval of the final license for the Bank to commence operations as a National Commercial Bank.

Consequently, the bank has opened a branch in Victoria Island and announced that additional branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, will follow shortly.

Speaking on the commencement of its commercial banking operations, Chairman and Founder of NOVA Bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, emphasised the bank’s unwavering commitment to customer focus and delivering exceptional service.

He also seized the opportunity to introduce the innovative “PHYGITAL” model, which according to him, is a trademark of NOVA.

He said, “We are pleased

to continue our tradition of excellence established as a merchant bank and further extend the banking experience to the retail end of the market. As we expand our services, we remain dedicated to delivering an unparalleled banking experience that seamlessly integrates the physical and digital realms.

“Our trademarked PHYGITAL experience combines a select number of strategically located physical branches with high-tech, seamless digital banking capabilities, ensuring that our customers receive the best of both worlds. This approach allows us to provide personalised, in-person service where it is most needed, while also offering the convenience and efficiency of cutting-edge digital solutions.”

The Managing Director/ CEO of NOVA Bank, Wale Oyedeji, said, “For over half a decade, NOVA has been instrumental to the success of leading corporates and

high-net-worth individuals, delivering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of their businesses. As we evolve to serve a broader customer base, we remain committed to delivering innovative services, building on our legacy as a leading Merchant Bank.

“Through disruptive seamless digital products and services, we are poised to deepen financial inclusion, provide convenient and secure banking solutions, and elevate the SME market as a key economic driver.”

The Bank’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Mrs. Esther Adino, highlighted the innovative financial solutions that NOVA Bank offers, adding, “At NOVA Bank, we provide a comprehensive suite of banking services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals, SMEs, and large corporations. Our card solutions ensure convenience and security for everyday transactions.”

IBEDC Announces Tariff Increase for Band A Customers

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc, has announced an upward review of the electricity tariff for its Band A customers.

The distribution company, which made the disclosure in a statement by its Acting Managing Director, Engr. Francis Agoha, said the tarrif increment which will take immediate effect will be adjusted from N206.80/kWh to N209.50/kWh.

He added that the review has been approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regula-

tory Commission (NERC) as captured in the multi-year Tarif supplementary order. According to him, the adjustment is necessitated by several key economic indices such as fluctuations in the exchange rate, current inflation rate, available generation capacity and cost of gas, stating that the factors have significantly impacted operational costs as the new tariff will mitigate the financial pressures while helping to continue to deliver high-quality electricity services.

Agoha maintained that the

adjustment affects only Band A customers, noting that the tariffs for Bands B, C, D, and E remain unchanged.

He said, “We remain committed to providing reliable and efficient electricity services to all our customers across different bands. We understand that any change in tariffs can be a concern for our customers, and we assure you that this adjustment is necessary to maintain and improve the quality of our services. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the best possible value for your money.”

Insight Redefini Appoints New Digital Marketing Experts

Mary Nnah

The year 2024 marks a period of hierarchical transition and growth for the Integrated Marketing Communications industry, and Digitas Nigeria is at the forefront of this movement. In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, the agency announces the appointments of Omotayo Oladipupo as Chief Operating Officer (COO)/Head of Business and Adebola Ajose as Creative Director. These appointments underscore pivotal moments in the agency’s evolution and

growth trajectory, reflecting its commitment to excellence and innovation in digital marketing.

Omotayo Oladipupo brings over a decade of extensive experience in digital marketing, showcasing a remarkable track record in leading highperforming teams and driving innovative marketing strategies for top brands.

Omotayo’s remarkable track record includes pioneering groundbreaking digital strategies and spearheading unforgettable campaigns, such as the Meta “Metaverse without Hardware,” Samsung “Join the Flip Side,” and TGI “Unwrap

Joy, Unleash Taste,” the latter of which recently earned the grand prix at the LAIF awards.

Adebola Ajose, with over 20 years of industry experience, steps into the role of Creative Director. Adebola has led the development and launch of numerous groundbreaking digital campaigns and products for renowned brands including Prime Video, Nestle, Heineken, Pepsico, and Keystone Bank. His ability to craft award-winning solutions that resonate with audiences and surpass expectations has positioned him as a creative powerhouse.

Dataleum Wins Best Technology Training, Consulting Firm Award

Dataleum, a global tech training and consulting firm, has achieved significant recognition as the Best Technology Training and Consulting Firm in Africa by World Business Outlook 2024.

The award was granted to Dataleum following a thorough nomination and evaluation process led by their esteemed panel of judges.

The World Business Outlook Awards is a prestigious event that recognizes industry excellence, exceptional leadership, outstanding success strategies, and global presence in the Business and Finance sector.

These awards are renowned for honouring organisations that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership in their respective industries. Winners are chosen based on extensive research, industry analysis, and feedback from experts and clients across different sectors.

Dataleum stands as a powerhouse that provides global opportunities for its community and seamlessly collaborates with international agencies, enhancing its reach and impact in

Nigeria and across borders. Co-founder and CEO of Dataleum, Bode Roberts, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm upon receiving the award. He said: “Through impact, we remain at the forefront of shaping the transformation among Africans and African-led businesses across the globe. This award is an evidence of the hard work and dedication of my team. We are honoured to be recognized for our efforts in revolutionising the tech training and consulting landscape in Africa.”

Saharan Blend

Djeno

Guinea),

Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

L-R: Executive Director, Keystone Bank Limited, Mrs. Nnenna Anyim Okoro; Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Hassan Imam when Keystone Bank management team visited the Emir at his private residence in Abuja...recently

Kemi Olaitan

Nigerian Exchange Group Announces Jude Chiemeka as CEO of NGX

Kayode Tokede

Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), yesterday announced the appointment of Mr. Jude Chiemeka as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its operating exchange subsidiary, effective July 1, 2024, following the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval.

Since January 1, 2024, Chiemeka has been serving as the acting

CEO of NGX, succeeding Mr. Temi Popoola, who transitioned to the role of Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group.

Chiemeka brings close to three decades of experience in African securities trading and asset management to his new role. His career includes serving as Executive Director of Capital Markets at NGX and MD/CEO at United Capital Securities Limited. He also worked at leading

investment banking firms in Nigeria such as Chapel Hill Denham Securities and Rencap Securities (Nigeria). A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Chiemeka is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, Lagos Business School, and the University of Oxford, UK.

The Group Chairman, NGX Group, Alhaji (Dr) Umaru Kwairanga, in a statement stated, ‘‘This strategic appointment aligns perfectly with our succession plan

and reinforces the synergy we continuously foster across our group operations.

“Chiemeka’s extensive experience and proven leadership qualities are invaluable assets that will propel NGX towards long-term success. Under his leadership, I am confident that NGX will play an even more pivotal role in contributing to the sustainable growth for both Nigeria’s and Africa’s economies”.

Commenting on the appointment, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Ahonsi Unuigbe in a statement also said, “The Board of NGX is pleased to confirm Mr. Chiemeka’s appointment as CEO of The Exchange. It is our hope and expectation that he will drive growth and innovation, enhance our operational perspectives, democratize investment in the capital market, and unlock opportunities for investors’’.

GMD/CEO, NGX Group, Mr. Temi Popoola, on his part noted, “I am delighted to see Mr. Chiemeka step into the role of CEO of NGX. His extensive experience and deep understanding of our markets will be crucial in driving NGX’s growth while aligning with our broader group strategy. I look forward to working closely with him to unlock value and to create new opportunities for stakeholders across the entire NGX Group ecosystem”.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF JULY 4/24

SIGNING OF A $25 MILLION NASIRA GUARANTEE AGREEMENT...

Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Yemisi Edun(right) and the Consul General, Kingdom

guarantee agreement between the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and

Lagos Floods: High Tide Hampers Rainwater Recession, Says Wahab

Apologises to Lagosian for related hardship

Nume Ekeghe, Kingsley Nwezeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, Thursday, noted that the tidal levels of the lagoon and the sea rose to such an extent that rainwater couldn't discharge for

one to two hours after the heavy rain stopped which caused the flooding across the city, particularly affecting Lagos Island.

The commissioner noted that Lagos is doing its best to contain floods and urged residents in high flood-prone areas to evacuate.

Speaking on Arise Television’s

Court Voids NMA’s

Suspension of Dr. Kenenna Obiatuegwu

Justice C. O. Agbaza of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has voided the suspension of an Abuja based physician and consultant, Dr Kenenna Obiatuegwu, by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Justice Agbaza in a judgement delivered on Thursday held that the suspension was null and void because it was made in flagrant disregard of a court proceedings.

Obiatuegwu was suspended for taking the association to court over an internal dispute he had with the association.

However, the court held that notwithstanding the constitution of the association and its internal mechanism for resolving disputes, the complainant has the right to approach the court to ventilate his grievances over matters relating to breach of his fundamental rights adding that, “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is superior to that of the defendants”.

Justice Agbaza who held that the defendant’s letter to the claimant disqualifying him from contesting elective offices both at the state and national levels of the association

translates to his suspension from the NMA. He further faulted the association for taking such steps, despite been aware that the matter has been seized by the court.

The court subsequently granted reliefs one to four sought by the claimant, while it denied relief five and it awarded a cost of N200,000 against the defendants.

According to Justice Agbaza, although the claimant alleged to have suffered damages due to the publication of his suspension in some newspapers wherein, he was described as an unruly person, he however failed to provide any prove in support of his claim.

The court subsequently made an order declaring the suspension of the claimant illegal, null and void.

“A declaration that the embargo and disqualification placed on the claimant by the defendants during the pendency of suit: FCT/HC/ CV/895/2020 between Dr Kenenna Obiatuegwu v. Nigerian Medical Association and 2Ors is illegal, null and void.

“A declaration that the act of the defendants suspending the claimant is an act of lawlessness, self-help and disregard to the powers and rules of this Honourable Court.

‘The Morning Show’ he reiterated that Lagos State would continue to remove buildings obstructing the passage of water, as part of its commitment to the urban master plan.

In a statement also yesterday signed by Director Public Affairs MOE&WR, Kunle Adeshina, the Lagos State Government apologised to residents for the discomfort experienced as a result of the intensive rainfalls that the state experienced on Wednesday.

Wahab stated this during syndicated interview programmes across different television channels in Lagos, stressing that the state government had put in place resilient infrastructure which can withstand the effects of flash flooding.

The Commissioner also sympathised

with a resident of the state who reportedly lost a loved one as well as others who lost properties due to the torrential rainfall experienced on Wednesday.

He said: “My first pitch is to apologise to Lagosians for the disruption caused by nature yesterday. We had a 10-hour non-stop rain and the tidal level was up. The tidal level for the Lagoon the sea was up to the extent that the rainwater was not able to discharge for about one or two hours into the Lagoon and sea. That is what happened.”

Wahab emphasised that Lagos State has a comprehensive master plan for drainage systems, but recent developments in certain areas, such

as Agungi, have outpaced the existing infrastructure.

Addressing the specific challenges in areas like Osapa London and Agungi, Wahab detailed the existing drainage systems and the need for additional infrastructure.

He said: “There are two collectors serving these areas. A primary channel discharges through Chevron Road to the lagoon, and a secondary collector is also in place. However, recent developments have outstripped these systems. We need to put in a secondary collector to help manage the drainage more effectively.”

In response to a tweet accusing the government of targeting structures belonging to the Igbo under the guise

of canal clearance, Wahab clarified that the demolition efforts are strictly aimed at removing illegal structures obstructing drainage paths.

“For the tweets or the message on X, my position to them is, we are not demolishing, we are removing contraventions in areas that are prone to flooding and those that have built on the right of way or the canal primary or secondary collector,” he asserted. Wahab dismissed the notion that these actions were ethnically motivated. “For Ikoyi, VI, and Lekki 1, the water receded within one or two hours, post-rainfall because the drainage systems were working effectively.

Abia to Inject CNG Buses into Transport System as Firm Sets up Eco-friendly Motor Assembly Plant

The Abia State Government has announced plans to inject buses and cars that use compressed natural gas(CNG) into the transport system very soon.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, said that government took the decision to fill the void that would be created following the restriction order placed on tricycle and motorcycle operations.

He said that commercial keke and okada operators would be encouraged to form cooperatives to have easy access to the CNG vehicles.

The implementation of this green agenda won't be hard for Abia as a firm has already announced that its

motor assembly plant that would produce CNG vehicles was almost ready.

Rosettes Motors with capacity to produce 40,000 units of automobiles (mostly CNG) per annum has set up its assembly plant at Obu-Aku City in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Roxettes, Dr Kaycee Orji, said that all the equipment needed for the assembly plant to start production would arrive before the end of next month.

According to a press release from the governor's office, Orji assured Governor Alex Otti during a meeting between the duo that the eco-friendly vehicles were just around the corner.

"The assembly plant will see us

rolling out about 40,000 units of automobiles per annum and 70% of the production would be mainly innovative products like electric vehicles and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) driven vehicles," the Abia-born entrepreneur said.

"The world is migrating to sustainable energy and we don’t want to sit back and watch the world move and Nigeria and Abia State are not doing anything," he added.

Orji disclosed that the choice of Abia for siting the assembly plant was due to the existence of "the most favourable environment to start because of the current leadership".

He said that the company would start production within the year with assembly of electric vehicles while another production line is designated as CNG conversion plant.

"What it means is that we are going to have the capability to convert any vehicle to CNG. We are going to have the CNG kits installed there and then the CNG cylinders installed so that people can run on cheaper and cleaner energy," further added.

The Roxettes CEO expressed his gratefulness to Governor Otti for encouraging him to bring the motor assembly plant to Abia and going ahead to provide land and within a month issued the firm with certificate of occupancy.

Dr. Orji also said that his company has produced CNG generators in China which would be marketed in the Nigerian market, "so that we don’t bother or stress the already crowded demands on the national grid".

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Alex Enumah in Abuja

of the Netherlands in Lagos, Mr. Michel Deelen, during the signing of a $25 million NASIRA

FCMB held in Abuja. ..recently

MAKINDE ATTENDS ARAPAJA MOTHER'S BURIAL...

PDP Scoffs at Ighodalo's Dismissal, as

A’Court Upturns Pro-Wike Lawmakers' Sack

Reactions trail both verdicts

Alex Enumah in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-City and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in the September 21 gubernatorial election, insisting he remained the party’s standard bearer.

In a related development, the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, has overturned the sack of the 25 Rivers State lawmakers said to be loyal to immediate past governor of the state and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT) Mr Nyesom Wike.

Not surprisingly, however, further reactions have begun to trail both developments. While the Edo PDP Campaign Council, has described the ruling as contrary to the previous ones, there were mixed feelings in Rivers between supporters of the feuding parties.

A Federal High Court in Abuja,

the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as very importantly, the sub-nationals, represented by the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and, of course, the elite of the private sector.

“They were presented with the outcomes of Mr. President's review of the accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan and that was an emergency plan to cover the next six months, which Mr. President had directed that a combination of his own Economic Management Team and the sub nationals, the governor's level, and the private sector put together for his consideration.

“The song of that very important exercise is that a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for Health and Social Welfare; N500 billion funding for Agriculture and Food Security; N500 billion for the Energy and Power sector and general business support of about N650 billion.

“In addition to a range of policy measures and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of

had yesterday, nullified PDP Governorship Primaries in Edo State, effectively canceling out Ighodalo from the race.

The court presided over by Justice Iyang Ekwo, declared that the PDP governorship nomination processes were non-compliant with its own constitution and decided to set aside all processes leading to the party governorship primaries held on February 22nd, 2024.

The court's decision meant that the PDP would have no candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election on September 21st in Edo State.

This ruling has, therefore, sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Edo State, dramatically altering subsisting permutations.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, it stated: "The Party affirms that the congresses and subsequent governorship primary that produced Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the winner and Party’s flagbearer were duly and legally conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral

doing business at this particular time.

“There are a number of funding, which will reduce the cost of interest rate for certain sectors in economy with small and medium scale in particular but also larger companies there is a line of credit that will allow them to fall cheaper than the elevated rate.

“This plan is a means of stabilising the economy and get business growing again, we know what has happened since the micro economic measures, which are necessary and have been implemented in a determined and consistent manner led to elevated cost for industries and for individuals,” he said.

Edun also emphasised that the focus of the President was on food security, food production and nutrition security, saying, “The commitment to providing food at an affordable price and in available quantity is upper-most on President Tinubu's mind at this particular time.

He mentioned Tinubu's commitment to reducing the losses in the crude oil sector as well as getting crude oil production and sales up to two million barrels per day.

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr.

Guidelines of the PDP, the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)."

PDP maintained that no eligible delegate was excluded from participating in the Primary election, which accreditation, polling, counting of ballot, collation and declaration of results were publicly conducted, monitored by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City which exercise was also duly broadcasted live on national TV stations and multiple Social Media platforms.

Moreover, the PDP holds that pursuant to the provisions of Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the case was even of no moment as the plaintiffs have no locus to question the outcome of the Primary election not being aspirants in the exercise.

“Additionally, it must be noted that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs do not include the disqualification and/or nullification of the Primary election of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the

Tony Elumelu, on his part, said the president's target of two million barrels of crude oil production per day target is achievable.

He underscored the need to improve power generation in the country, saying, “All of these is about creating prosperity for our people, it is all about creating economic hope and creating jobs for our young ones.

“So we hope that with the private sector working with the federal government, things will begin to improve. That is the aspiration, and about the money approved now for disbursement are all targeted to achieving better life,” he said.

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, pledged the support of the private sector in investing in job creation for Nigerians.

He emphasised the place of policy implementation, adding that personalities of members of the PECC were equipped enough to advise the government on right policies.

"The Council will advise the government on the kind of policies to roll out, most of this things we have them and they've already been

winner of the Edo State Governorship Primary election of the PDP. The Court is not a Father Christmas.”

The PDP urged the public especially the people of Edo State to disregard the report and remain focused on their solidarity and support for the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

Corroborating this, Chairman of PDP in Edo State, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, also said in a statement that, "PDP is aware that certain elements, who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumours that the candidature of Dr. Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.

"Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo

"We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm," Aziegbemi declared

discussed over and over again and I think with the choice of people in the committee, they are good enough to advise government to know how to implement policies. The private sector will support the government to invest heavily and create jobs.

“Governments do not create jobs, but they give us the right policies. You can see the interventions in gas sector. Getting the OB3 to work will give the country additional $2 billion. What I keep saying is that our own issues are not that bad, this economy can be turned around within a few months and I think we are on that way.”

The 31-member PECC, also has President of the Nigerian Senate; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security; Aviation and Aerospace Development as members.

Others include Ministers of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Industry, Trade and Investment; Labour and Employment; Marine and Blue Economy; Power; State, Petroleum Resources; State, Gas; Ministers of Transportation and Works.

The APC, while reacting to the court ruling, urged the PDP candidate to join hands with Senator Monday Okpebholo, candidate of APC to deliver Edo State

The APC statement, signed by the Director of Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo said, "Earlier today, a Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Ekwo nullified Edo PDP Governorship primary held on February 22nd, 2024, by Governor Godwin Obaseki's faction of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

"The news of the disqualification of Mr. Asue Ighodalo as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate

has been received by Edo people as relief from imposition of forgery and continuation of self serving governance in our state.

"APC as a progressive party, is calling on Mr. Ighodalo to join hands with Senator Monday Okpebholo to retake the state and reset it for prosperity.

"What is more important at this point is the interest of Edo people who are eagerly waiting for solutions that will ensure food security, accessible and affordable healthcare, and thriving economy." Also, the PDP Campaign Council, described the ruling as contrary to previous ruling by the Appeal Court.

The rift between the Olubadandesignate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, finally came to an end yesterday as the duo embraced each other when Ibadan Obas paid homage to Olakulehin.

Ajibola had a few months ago said Olakulehin was not fit to become the Olubadan due to his health status, stating that he should be given enough time to be fit before he is coronated as the Olubadan.

This was to cause tension among members of the Olubadan-inCouncil, the Mogajis, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigiens (CCII) and some Chiefs in Ibadanland, on who would be the next Olubadan.

The throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. Ajibola while speaking at the Alalubosa residence of Olakulehin, said everything that happened then was to the advantage of the Olubadan-designate, describing Oba Olakulehin as his close associate as they always talked with each other before the rancour.

He stated that all he was after was the progress and development of Ibadanland, insisting that he had nothing against Olakulehin as a person.

"We all know who is the next Olubadan, there is no rancour in Ibadan Chieftancy title. All we are saying then was that we want to see the Olubadan-designate face to face, we can't coronate a faceless Oba.

"We are happy now that he has shown his face and we can all see that he is hale and healthy. Ibadan Chieftaincy title is very clear, all that happened was for the benefit of Baba, he is my close associate and we always talked together most of the time," he said.

Also, speaking on behalf of the Royal Highness, the Oniroko of Irokoland, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, described Olakulehin as a good monarch who always has the interest of Ibadanland at heart. Prince Olasumbo Owolabi Olakulehin while speaking on behalf of Oba Olakulehin, said the monarch has assured the people that Ibadan would continue to progress and witness many unprecedented development during his reign as the Olubadan.

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; PDP, National Deputy Chairman, Hon Taofeek Arapaja and his wife, Abiodun, during the 8 days fidau of Arapaja mother, Alhaja Limotallah Arapaja, held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan. ... yesterday

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Chuks Okocha,

STRATEGIC MEETING ON THE ENERGY AND POWER INDUSTRY...

Shettima: Our Govt Will Tackle Cholera from Root, End Open Defecation By 2025

Inaugurates steering committee, demands strategic partnerships, technology deployment

Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, said the federal government has commenced measures to combat the cholera epidemic by tackling the root causes, including open defecation.

He emphasised the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to end open defecation by 2025.

Shettima spoke when he inaugurated the Steering Committee for the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign, at the State House, Abuja. According to him, ending open defecation could be achieved by mobilising strategic stakeholders and leveraging technology as well as deploying innovative and sustainable solutions to boost the nation's sanitation landscape.

The vice-president, who underscored the significance of hygiene, health, and its impact on development and wealth, urged the committee to "align with broader government priorities

and interventions in areas such as poverty reduction, education, and economic growth."

Shettima said the recently reported cases of cholera in the country should serve as sufficient motivation for the committee to work harder, just as he directed members of the committee to "craft solutions to handle wastewater management, contaminated water sources, and open defecation" across the country.

He also expressed confidence that members of the team "will commit to research-driven approaches in our bids to deliver on our promise to make the nation clean.

“We are well-aware that achieving this objective begins with our collective resolve to embrace behavioral change and cultivate a lifestyle that prioritizes proper sanitation practices, hygiene education, and community engagement."

Shettima stressed that the goals and aspirations of the country could be best achieved by harnessing the resources available in the public and private sectors, especially by carrying

Girl Child Education Panacea to Underage Marriage, Poverty, Others, Says Emir Sanusi

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has described girl child education as the panacea to the issues of child marriage, anti-natal care, nutrition, and intergenerational poverty.

Sanusi, disclosed this when he received Kano State Government delegation to the palace, led by the Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, yesterday in Kano.

He said investing in girl child education was a critical step towards creating a more equitable and prosperous society, improve health and well-being of the people and increase economic opportunities for all.

"As the single silver bullet that addresses all the challenges we are facing. Educating the girls deals with issues of child marriage, it deals with issues of anti-natal care, it deals with issues of nutrition, it deals with issues of intergenerational poverty.

"And when you are facing a myriad of problems, you have to focus on those whose solutions

provides solutions to others and girls child education is a major one.

"Now this involves in building school infrastructure, it involves investment in transportation, it also will involve providing social welfare support for poor families that allow their children to remain in school. This is the experience of countries like Morocco.

"I have called on everyone especially the private sector and philanthropists to invest in this area. We need to contribute, we need to help the government in building schools in investing in transportation and in school feeding programmes.

"I believe there is enough between the public and private sector in Kano for us to make an impact in this area.

"The second area I touched upon is the area of pensions and gratuity. I have noticed how the governor has paid attention to that. Previously, he has disbursed N6 billion and recently N5 billion,” he said.

In his speech, Dantiye, sought for the Emir's cooperation and connection to multinational investors to invest in the state.

out innovative research.

He stressed that, "The public sector could not succeed in this campaign unless we engage and encourage private sector participation and invite innovative and sustainable solutions.

"We must partner by utilising technology for real-time monitoring, data collection, and impact assessment while recognising the role of youth and women in driving change."

Aside from its core mandate,

Shettima tasked the committee to be vigilant in its assignment, especially "as we develop solutions to the devastations of climate change, urbanization, and population growth", noting that "we have become ambassadors of a cause that seeks to restore the health and dignity of our people."

The meeting which was the fifth since the flag-off of the Clean Nigeria Campaign in 2019 provided a forum to review the progress achieved so far in the country.

Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, recalled that in the bid to tackle the Cholera epidemic, which he said was ravaging the country in 33 states, with 2,000 cases and 33 deaths, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its last meeting, commissioned a cabinet committee to deal with the issue.

“That cabinet committee comprises Water, Education, Environment, Aviation, and almost

all the relevant ministries. Open defecation is part of the drivers of this Cholera outbreak that we are seeing. But we also have a good example of a sub-national unit doing very well in Jigawa State, which has been declared open defecation-free.

“That is a good example showing that sub-national units can help us address this issue. So, we really appreciate your leadership and commit ourselves to supporting this effort so that we can end open defecation in Nigeria."

HISTORIC MOMENT AS NIGERIA WINS BID TO HOST AFRICA'S $5BN ENERGY BANK, BEATS GHANA, S’AFRICA, COTE D'IVOIRE

and Africans at large that the establishment of the bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs on the continent.

“I want to announce to Nigerians that the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) has just approved Nigeria to host the headquarters of the African Energy Bank.

“ The bigger challenge we have in Africa, as oil producing in the countries is funding. And so, a short while ago, the Council of Ministers held a meeting and said that the time has come for Africa to find its own solutions to financing oil and gas investments.

“So based on that, the idea of African Energy Bank was conceived. And we've been talking with our counterparts from other countries, those who were competing with us. Six countries were competing with us, plus Nigeria, six.

“But today, I want to thank all of them, all the members of APPO. I want to thank Nigerians for their support. I want to specifically thank the president and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, who gave us the fullest of support in ensuring that we get to this point.

“ This is not going to be a bank for Nigeria alone. It is a bank for the entire African continent. And I want to assure Nigerians that this is one of the biggest achievements of this administration because funding has been a big challenge.

“And once we solve that problem, all this smear campaign of abandoning fossil fuel and all that will be completely eroded. So I want to say to Nigerians that we've been formally given. Let all of us work together to ensure that this bank takes off on time,” Lokpobiri stated.

Yesterday’s breakthrough came after massive lobbying by Nigeria

which met with envoys of members of APPO to convince them on why the facility should be located in Africa’s biggest oil producer a few weeks ago.

Following Nigeria's victory in the race to host the headquarters of the bank, operators in the country's oil and gas industry yesterday expressed their excitement over the development.

Speaking exclusively to THISDAY last night, the Managing Director of Platform Petroleum, Mr. John Anim, said locating the bank in Nigeria would help close the funding gap in the nation's oil and gas industry.

Anim said: "It's a welcome development and we are excited about the news. It's a very good one for Nigeria because there were many countries on the continent contending for the opportunity to host the Africa Energy Bank. At least Nigeria is better positioned to do so.

"Of course, energy bank is targeted at providing funding and financing for the development of energy-related projects. Of course, you know that one of the challenges facing the development of the resources we have as funding is drying up all over the world due this energy transition.

"The energy bank located in Nigeria will pool resources from different sectors to see how funds will be available to develop energy. That will make energy to be more affordable, reliable and available to us. So kudos to Nigeria".

He maintained that the energy bank would now be another institution that would complement the efforts of Afreximbank in addressing the funding challenge confronting the continent's energy which has led to hobbled development of the energy resources in Africa.

He added that the energy bank would equally support the interventions of the African Development Bank (AfDB) located in Ivory Coast in making funds available to the industry.

On his part, a former Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Mr. Bank Anthony-Okoroafor, whose marginal field is currently under development, told THISDAY that Nigeria winning the contest to have the headquarters of the AEB in the country was a welcome development.

"It's a good thing for us to have the energy bank here in Nigeria and we hope we would be able to make use of the benefits. We hope the can provide finance for most of our companies that are looking for finance.

"But also, we need to understand the structure of the energy bank in terms of benefitting businesses in Nigeria. A lot of things need to be explained about how it is structured to make money available to companies for development of energy projects in Nigeria. But overall, it's a good one. It's a welcome development", Okoroafor said.

Also reacting to the development, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) described it as a significant milestone that aligns perfectly with the association's longstanding advocacy for the establishment of an energy-focused financial institution.

In a statement issued last night, the President of NAPE, Mr. Abiodun Ogunjobi, said the association had been passionate about the continental energy bank initiative, noting that it holds immense potential to drive investments, facilitate access to capital, and accelerate growth in the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries. Ogunjobi posited that the African

Energy Bank would be a gamechanger that would be providing specialised financing solutions, risk management tools, and advisory services tailored to the unique needs of energy projects and enterprises. He stated: "As the President of NAPE, I am thrilled to hear that Nigeria has been selected as the host country for the headquarters of the much-anticipated African Energy bank.

"This is a significant milestone that aligns perfectly with NAPE's longstanding advocacy for the establishment of an energy-focused financial institution. We have been passionate about this initiative, as it holds immense potential to drive investments, facilitate access to capital, and accelerate growth in the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries.

"The African Energy bank will be a game-changer, providing specialised financing solutions, risk management tools, and advisory services tailored to the unique needs of energy projects and enterprises.

"This will undoubtedly boost investor confidence, unlock new opportunities, and catalyse the transformation of Nigeria's energy landscape."

He said NAPE stands ready to fully support the endeavour and collaborate closely with the relevant stakeholders, including the government, regulatory bodies, and industry players.

According to him: "Together, we will work towards effective utilisation of the energy bank for the benefit of the entire nation. This is a proud moment for Nigeria, and we are excited to be part of this journey towards energy security, sustainable development, and economic prosperity. Let's seize this opportunity and make the most of it".

L-R: Managing Director, Easypower.NG Systems Ltd, Mr Mike Dada; Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and Managing Director, Dotnet-ebusiness Associates & Consulting Ltd, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed during a solutiondriven strategic meeting on the energy and power industry held at the Federal Ministry of Power, Abuja on Wednesday

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

LAGOS RESILIENCE FORUM...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer,Economic Associate ( EA), Dr. Ayo Teriba; Director, Development Partnership, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Onimole Mobolaji;Moderator, Prof. Olufemi Saibu;Former Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council, Dr. Doyin Salami;Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Sam Egube;Chief Resilience Officer, Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO), Dr. Folayinka Dania; and Commissioner, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, at the Lagos Resilience forum in Lagos ... recently ETOP

Economic Hardship: FG Releases

Assorted Palliatives to FCT Residents

Donates over 700mts of grains to Ekiti States urged to take urgent precautionary measures on flooding

Olawale Ajimotokan, Folalumi Alaran in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The federal government has released 44,656 bags of assorted food items to the residents of Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to ameliorate the biting economic crisis.

This, however, was in anticipation of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook that have forecast flood situation for different parts of the country.

The food commodities were handed over yesterday by the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, to the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, at the flagging off ceremony in Gwagwalada Area Council.

At the same time, the federal government has also released over 700 metric tonnes of grains to Ekiti State, as part of concerted measures to buffer the effect of meteoric increase in the prices of food commodities on citizens.

In another development, the Minister of Water Resources and

Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has alerted the state governments on the urgent need to take precautionary measures to avert the ugly flooding menace of the past years.

NEMA DG, Zubaida Umar, said the palliatives were from the 42,000MT of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve in the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which President Bola Tinubu approved to be release to the FCT and 36 states of the federation.

The commodities allocated to the FCT, included 23,996 bags of 25 kg rice and an additional consignment of 9580 bags consisting of 4680 bags of maize, 13,920 bags of sorghum, 960 bags of garri and 1,100 bags of millet.

Zubaida said the food items would be shared equally to all vulnerable persons in the six area councils in the FCT to ameliorate the biting food shortages and bring succour to Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

She directed that based on the directives of the president, 20 per cent of the food items due for each

Court Orders Two Kano Judges to Quit Membership of Ganduje Probe Panel or...

Justice Simon Amobeda, of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kano, has issued 48 hours deadline to two Kano Judges, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf and Justice Farouk Lawan Adamu, appointed by the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to resign their appointments with immediate effect or face the consequences.

The two judges served as Chairman of Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the Recovery of Misappropriated Public Properties and Assets, and Chairman of Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate Political Violence and Missing Persons in the state.

The presiding judge gave the order while delivering his judgment in the case instituted by the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, seeking the court to stop Yusuf from probing his administration.

Justice Amobeda said failure by the judges to comply with the 48-hours deadline, the National Judicial Council (1st Defendant) shall stop forthwith,

the payment of any remuneration, allowances and benefits meant for judicial officers from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation to the Judges.

He said the judges should desist from performing executive functions assigned to them by the Governor of Kano State in Court rooms meant to adjudicate disputes between persons and authorities in Kano State.

Justice Amobeda further said the action by the Governor to set up the commission of inquiries to investigate Ganduje without appealing an earlier court judgment by Justice A. Liman declaring that Ganduje could only be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), amounted to abuse of office and undermining the sanctity of the judiciary.

The court however, disagreed with the argument of the plaintiff's counsel that the judges cease to be judicial officers by accepting to be members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

area council be given to religious organisations (JNI & CAN) and three per cent to boarding schools in the area councils.

In her remarks, Mahmoud commended the gesture of the federal government, noting that it would substantially alleviate the burden of food scarcity and high cost of food items on Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable who were worst impacted by the situation.

She assured of seamless distribution of the commodities, saying relevant Secretariat, Departments, and Agencies (SDAs) had been charged to ensure the necessary security measures to avert the ugly incidence of the past when miscreants hijacked the products.

In his remarks, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, revealed that

the secretariat has perfected plans with the area council authorities to develop a meticulous distribution plan that would ensure an efficient exercise, making sure that the food items reached the targeted groups.

However, in Ekiti, the grains, principally maize and garri, according to the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, who received the items on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, would be distributed to vulnerable groups to give them a lifeline under the current economic downturn.

Speaking during handing over of the commodities, Afuye, revealed that the items comprised 12,000 bags of maize grains and 3,008 bags of garri.

She emphasized that the FG's gesture was geared towards palliating the sufferings of Ekiti populace under the current economic situation.

According to a statement by her Special Assistant (Media), Victor Ogunje, Mrs. Afuye, lauded President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for their partnership that was yielding enormous dividends for Ekiti populace.

Flood: State Govts Urged to Take Urgent Precautionary Measures

Following the torrential downpour being experienced in some parts of the country, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has alerted the state governments on the urgent need to take precautionary measures to avert the ugly flooding menace of the past years.

Utsev gave the advice while briefing Newsmen on the update of the flood

situation across the country in Abuja, yesterday.

He highlighted the measures to include, “educating citizens to imbibe attitudinal change towards warnings for flood prevention by government agencies and desist from unethical traditional culture and beliefs.

“Clearing of blocked drainage systems and canals, and Relocation of people living along the waterways and those that are having socio-economic activities on the flood plains, by the Federal, State and Local Governments.

“Consideration for channelisation/ training of major rivers in the country. States and Local Governments are encouraged to desilt river channels and canals and to construct/create buffers (or detention basins) in their respective constituencies to collect runoff waters.

Wike: I Don’t Need to Seek Permission from Anybody on What

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

In a cryptic message, suspected to be for the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said he did not need the approval of anyone before embarking on any project.

Kingibe had recently on a national television programme, accused Wike of sidelining her and not having the interests of FCT residents at heart.

However, yesterday, at the flag-off of Kwaita-Yebu Road in Kwali Area Council expected to cost N7billion, Wike, who without mentioning names, said he only owed President Bola Tinubu explanation, but not

anybody.

Project to Embark Upon

“For those who are ignorant and don’t know what to say, that we are only doing roads, please let the people know that we doing something.

“I don’t need to seek permission from anybody to tell him what projects I will embark upon. It is the person who appointed me and that is the President. So nobody can go on air and say they are not doing schools, I don’t need to come and inform you.

“I owe the people and the president. I will work with those who connect with the people. I will not work with people who do not know whom the people are,” Wike said. The minister also accused his target person of envy and not knowing how to provide the right representation for her constituents, unlike those before her who were well grounded in local politics and remained relevant even after leaving the Red Chamber.

“There is a link in politics; people talk to people and people will understand. When there is somebody who represents you and get connected to you, would you not be happy? There are some people who represent people and do not connect to the people.

Wike, however, lamented that the 25 kilometres road project was abandoned for several years by contractors because of poor funding, saying only N100 million was provided for it in the FCT 2023 Budget.

The Etsu of Kwali, Mr, Luka Nizassan, thanked the minister for restoring hope with the inauguration of the project that was first awarded in 2005.

“Because they do not connect to the people, they are envious that they can’t connect to people. Instead of them to ask questions how to connect to people, they begin to envy. That is their own problem. Aduda, God will continue to bless you, continue to connect with your people.”

Nigeria, Turkey to Sign MOU to Curtail Smuggling of Illicit Arms

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service, yesterday, said, it was working to resuscitate its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Turkey Custom Administration to curtail the menace of smuggling of small arms and light weapons into Nigeria from Turkey.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, made this disclosure while fielding questions from journalists during the NSA Strategic

Communication Interagency Policy Committee press conference in Abuja. Earlier, the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that only recently, the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted nine containers carrying offensive items, including arms, ammunition, and illicit drugs. He revealed that 844 units of assorted rifles, 112,500 pieces of live ammunition among other contraband were intercepted at the Onne Port, Rivers State, stressing that the intercepted containers, laden with rifles and ammunition had a duty-paid

value of more than N4 billion.

Adejobi also said on June 26, the UNODC reported that 90% of tramadol seizures globally occur in Africa, emphasising the continent's pivotal role in the global drug trade.

Adejobi said, the fight against drug trafficking intensified with the NDLEA uncovering a “skuchies,” factory in Ogun on June 17, leading to the arrest of the culprits. The NDLEA's relentless pursuit of justice, he said continued with the arrest of 150 drug trafficking suspects in Nasarawa on June 27.

But responding to question on what the Custom Service was doing to stop illicit arm smuggling from Turkey, the spokesperson, said the NCS was working to have custom to custom cooperation.

Maiwada said: "Most of the illicit drugs we intercepts come from India. We are also working to have custom to custom cooperation. Those of us that are within the World Custom Organization (WCO), organise custom to custom as part of the strategy towards ensuring trade facilitation and to cut illicit trade.

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

UKUTT

Court Jails Driver for 12yrs for Killing LASTMA Officer

Funke Olaode

Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja yesterday convicted and sentenced a commercial bus driver, Elijah Shokoya, to 12 years imprisonment for killing an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency(LASTMA).

Justice Ogala jailed Shokoya after holding that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt the one-count charge of the manslaughter of the LASTMA

officer, Olawale Akinmade, who died on Wednesday, January 27, 2012.

The judge held: “The prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased died, that the unlawful acts of the defendant caused the death of the deceased and that the acts of the defendant which eventually caused the death of the deceased were with the knowledge that injury or grievous bodily harm was the probable consequence.

The Lagos State government accused the convict of knocking down Akinmade with a blue and black Opel space bus with number plate AAA 74 GG while controlling traffic, and he suffered injuries to his head and body.

The prosecution, which claimed that the tragic incident occurred at Demurin Street junction inwards Mile 12, stated that the offence violated Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and is punishable under Section 229.

Orders African Alliance to Settle Outstanding Claims

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has ordered African Alliance Insurance Plc to resolve and ensure settlement of outstanding claims as well as submit turnaround plans to the commission.

NAICOM in a statement yesterday said order followed increased complaints by annuitants and insurance claimants against African Alliance Insurance Plc in respect of the company’s delay and/or inability to fulfill its obligations.

The commission had recently summoned the Board of African Alliance Insurance Plc to Abuja and ordered the company to settle outstanding payments due to annuitants and claimants.

In addition, the Board of Directors of the company was equally directed to immediately submit a turnaround plan for addressing the challenges currently faced by the company which necessitated putting the company under the Commission’s Regulatory Order.

According to NAICOM, the company should expect further actions if it fails to address the issues within the timeline the company has been given.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as DEBORAH EBELE EBEGBUNA, now wish to be known and address as DEBORAH EBELE TUNDE-TAIWO

All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UDO-EZIKA UCHECHUKWU CHINWENDU, now wish to be known and address as UDOEZIKA UCHECHUKWU CHINWE All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and ad- dressed as MISS EZIHU CONFIDENCE NZUBECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SMITH CONFIDENCE NZUBECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as EMMANUELLA BRIGIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as BRIGIDI MICHAEL EMMANUELLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IGIDIGI NKIRUKA CHRISTIANA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ELEMI NKIRUKA CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NZEAKOR AUGUSTINA OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWANNA AUGUSTINA OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Although the company assured the commission that it would act on all the resolutions reached at the meeting, NAICOM restated

its determination to ensure fair treatment of all stakeholders, reinforces professionalism and good conduct amongst its licensed operators.

Ekiti Tops IGR Annual Growth Rate Ranking

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State has topped the 2023 Annual Growth Rate ranking with an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N17.03billion in 2022 to N29.82billion in 2023, representing a 75 percent growth rate.

According to the report circulated by the apex body for tax authorities in Nigeria, the Joint Tax Board (JTB), at its 155th meeting at Zuma Rock Resort, Suleja, Niger State, Ekiti State also moved from being one of the worst five states to the 16th position in Total Collections Ranking and progressed from the 33rd to 15th position under the Direct Assessment Parameters. Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo

Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, described the remarkable improvement as the effect of Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration’s proactive measures and policies, which have created a conducive environment for both local and foreign investment and bolstered the trust of taxpayers leading to improved voluntary compliance. Olatunbosun recalled that the data recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that only Ekiti State, Lagos State, and FCT attracted foreign investment and contributed to the country’s capital importation in the first quarter of 2024, adding that the state was also prominent among the 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that achieved the same feat last year.

Nigeria to Develop Indigenous Blockchain for National Database

OgeneVwede SamuelinAbuja

The Nigerian government is to create its own blockchain to save and improve national security and safety of data.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kachifu Abdullahi, disclosed this when he received a delegation from the University of Heartfordshire Law school at the agency’s cooperate headquarters in Abuja.

The group urged Nigeria to get the private sector and develop a home grown blockchain “Nigerium” so that Nigeria data and that of the Nigerian people will not be subject to the decisions of foreign co-developers. Responding to the presentation made by the Head of the delegation,

Chanu Kuppuswamy and her two partners, Dr. Bukola Faturoti and Ademola Soile-Balogun, urged Nigeria to develop its own indigenous blockchain.

“We have the steering committee which you have consulted. It is good you present this research to the steering committee; get their buy-in, and let the committee adopt it for implementation.

“We don’t want it to be seen as NITDA to be working within a silo, or you impose something on other members. So we can schedule a meeting with the steering committee members and you present the white paper to them. And when it’s adopted you can bring it to us for implementation. I want us to strengthen the partnership,” he added.

Guinness Nigeria Trains 250 Women Entrepreneurs

Guinness Nigeria has trained and empowered 250 women entrepreneurs across various communities in Ikorodu, Lagos with skills and resources needed to build a successful business under its Plan W initiative.

The cohort two training, which took place recently further exemplifying Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to uplifting communities and driving economic prosperity across the country.

Since its inception in 2019, the Plan W Programme has empowered a total of 1,400 women nationwide, fostering sustained economic growth and entrepreneurial success, according to a statement.

Commenting, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness, Rotimi Odusola, said:“Guinness Nigeria recognises that women are an important part of our community. We have empowered 1,400 women so far and encourage all beneficiaries to sustain their businesses and make the best of this opportunity,” Guinness’s corporate relations director said when emphasizing the initiative’s broad reach and impact.

“In line with our commitment towards driving inclusion within our organization, across our value chain and within society, 10 percent of the Plan W beneficiaries are People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs),” he said in a statement.

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Prophet Lut: Six Essential Lessons in Morality (II) WORLD OF ISLAM

Institutionalization of Evil

The evil of Lut’s people was more than a private, sporadic and inconsistent affair. It was institutionalized, in the sense that it was so widespread that it was regarded as normal. It then developed into an established social convention or norm. It became part of society’s mainstream. Homosexuality was nationalized, so to speak, and was a cultural manifestation.

It seems that exactly around that time the historical evolution of the institutionalization of falsehood and evil has come to be full-fledged. That could be one of the reasons why the Qur’an refers to king Namrud and his debate with Prophet Ibrahim (Lut’s uncle). King Namrud was the first ruler in history who claimed to be a living god. He was a personification of the phenomenon of the institutionalization of falsehood. However, what in this regard the Qur’an reveals concerning earlier prophets represent phases in the evolution.

For that reason did Lut censure his people for committing abominations and practicing their wickedness even in their councils and public gatherings (al-‘Ankabut, 29). He also criticised them for performing their immoral homosexual deeds so openly and publicly that they could see each other while doing so (al-Naml, 54).

So engrossed were they in their “tradition” that they resorted to highway robberies (al-‘Ankabut, 29). Part of that evil was also rape. They did not mind disseminating internationally the effects of their misconduct.

That homosexuality and other misdeeds were a national agenda attests this point as well. While most other prophets had to deal as much with their people as a whole, as with their socio-political and economic elites (al-mala’) in the role of public representatives, Prophet Lut, on the other hand, is constantly said to have dealt with his people en masse only. He had to confront them as a monolith body. There is no mention of elites.

That means when it comes to immorality in general, and homosexuality in particular, classes and ranks of people are irrelevant. Immorality is blind to social stratification. For immorality to take off and thrive, it desperately needs everybody’s contribution and role. It needs the whole society. It needs to be society.

The Tyranny of the Majority

The story of Prophet Lut likewise teaches us a lesson in the tyranny of the majority. That is a case of the majority pursuing its objectives and agendas at the expense of those of minority groups.

In such a milieu, chances for minority factions to voice their concerns and put forward their programs are extremely slim. They are destined either to suffer forever, or to keep compromising their ideals to bring them closer to those of the majority.

This is an in-built weakness of majority rule, which ought to be carefully attended to if it were to command any degree of respect and integrity. That is why proper constitutional democracies nowadays, whose essence is rule of the majority, require majority rule with minority rights. They are endorsed and controlled by constitutions which protect the rights of individuals and minority factions.

What happened to Lut and his few followers was the worst case of the tyranny of the majority. Although they were on the right path, they had to suffer. They enjoyed neither rights nor status in the community. Their only “crime” was that they were a minority and were different.

Hence, Lut’s people plotted to expel him, the believing members of his family and his small group of believers from their homes and the city altogether. They specified the reason for doing so to the effect that they were people who kept themselves pure and clean. Had they not been overtaken by Allah’s punishment beforehand, they would certainly have implemented their vile scheme.

Additionally, Lut was forbidden from bringing home and entertaining anyone (al-Hijr, 70). He was a victim, yet a prisoner, of circumstance.

In other words, Lut’s and his followers’ “crime”, apart from being an ideological minority, was also their rejection of homosexuality and the other forms of all-pervading evil; that is, their rejection of mainstream (corrupt) norms. This is evidence that under the tyranny of the majority – and in bad forms of democracy today – standards are often bargained. It is merely the will and interests of the majority and their might that are honourable and right. Only under such circumstances can being “pure”, “clean”, “sensible” and “honest” be regarded as a fault and an affront to others (the majority).

Allah says: “But the answer of his people was not except that they said: ‘Expel the family (and followers) of Lut from your city. Indeed, they are people who keep themselves pure’” (al-Naml, 56).

When the angels came to Lut in the form of handsome men, he knew that as such they would be harassed by his people. The Qur’an says: “He was grieved for them and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: ‘This is a distressful day’” (Hud, 77).

Being fully cognizant of the situation and its potential repercussions, Lut also lamented: “If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support (to resist you)” (Hud, 80).

Even before the visit of the angels, Lut prayed: “My Lord, help me against the mischievous people” (al-‘Ankabut, 30).

Therefore, it is no wonder that the angels immediately after introducing themselves `to Lut as the messengers of his Lord, consoled and assured him that his people will never reach, nor harm, him (Hud, 81).

They also told him: “Fear not, nor grieve. Indeed, we will save you and your family, except your wife; she is to be of those who remain behind. Indeed, we will bring down on the people of this city punishment from the sky because

they have been defiantly disobedient” (al-‘Ankabut, 33-34).

Lut and the Freedom of Belief

While inviting his people to the path of Allah, Lut – just like every other prophet and preacher of truth – promoted the notion of freedom. The freedom of belief topped his priorities. He subscribed to the idea that there is no compulsion, nor manipulation, in religion.

Ideally speaking, Lut’s task was twofold: to convey and teach freely the divine message, and to create conducive environments where people will be able to freely either accept or reject the message. He knew that only in free environments the truth could prosper and falsehood could be exposed and defeated.

Lut often targeted his people’s thinking and conduct patterns as impediments to freedom – and guidance. The people thought they were free and fine. However, little did they know that they were slaves of their untamed folly and sin. They were as ignorant as arrogant and wrong. Lut wanted to liberate and enlighten them through the monotheistic message of Islam (tawhid), and through their submission as well as servitude to Allah alone. He used to tell them that he was to them but a trustworthy messenger. “So, keep your duty to Allah and obey me. And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds” (al-Shu’ara’, 163-164). That his wife, despite everything, did not believe substantiates Lut’s principles. The Qur’an uses that case as a symbol of freedom, which must be coupled with responsibility. People are what they believe and what they do according to their beliefs. Everything else is secondary. Using the same case, the Qur’an furthermore shows that no matter what, people must pursue and exercise their freedom of belief and freedom of choice. When they and their choices become free, the influences of external factors become inconsequential. They get marginal at best, albeit never pivotal.

The Qur’an cites the example of the non-belief of the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut, despite the fact that they “…were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so those prophets did not avail them from Allah at all, and it was said: ‘Enter the Fire with those who enter’” (al-Tahrim, 10). Non-belief was their free choice, so they were fully responsible for their fates.

Within the same framework, the Qur’an gives the example of the belief of the wife of Pharaoh. Against all odds, she was a model believer. She prayed: “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people” (al-Tahrim, 11). She wanted to believe and to be guided, so she deservedly got what she wished for. No obstacle is too big for exercising the freedom of belief.

Finally, also as an example of perfect belief, the Qur’an mentions the case of Maryam, the daughter of ‘Imran, who stoically passed her extraordinary tests. She “…guarded her chastity, so We blew into (her garment) through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient” (al-Tahrim, 12).

The Prophets Were Like Fathers for Their Nations

When the people of Lut came to his house, running and intending to harass his guests: angels in the form of beautiful and handsome men, he told them: “O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?” (Hud, 78). They replied: “Certainly you know that we have no claim on your daughters, and most surely you know what we desire” (Hud, 79).

What is the meaning of the phrase “these are my daughters”?

The problem is compounded by the fact that in the Old Testament, the daughters are Lut’s (Lot’s) own biological daughters “that have not known man”. He offered them to a mob from his people to do to them “as is good in your eyes”, in lieu of disturbing and potentially raping his guests (Genesis, 19:8).

The message of the Qur’an, however, is that they were not Lut’s own biological daughters. They were society’s women. Lut reminded the people of them and their responsibilities towards them. He did so, calling women his daughters, because the prophets were like fathers for their nations, as per the views of all commentators of the Qur’an. Indeed, what is suggested in the Old Testament is as immoral (kind of prostitution) as homosexuality itself. According to the Qur’an, Lut directed his people to a purer alternative, which is legal marriages. However, there is nothing pure, nor blameless, in the alternative presented by the Old Testament.

Lut was pure, living a pure life, so he wanted the same privilege for everybody. But purity was a crime and sanity unwelcome. Impurities and senselessness were sought-after. As an additional interpretation of the meaning of “daughters”, Lut somewhere else denounced his people for abandoning their wives, “…those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates. But you are a people transgressing and exceeding limits” (al-Shu’ara’, 166). Clearly, “daughters” are intended to mean “wives” (mates and generally women). This analogy is important because the first principle of tafsir (interpretation of the Qur’an) is to interpret the Qur’an by the Qur’an itself. It is due to this that the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) - who also was like father to his ummah (community) – are called “mothers of believers” (ummahat al-mu’minin). Accordingly, some scholars consider that the whole Muslim community is the “family” of the Prophet. The Qur’an proclaims: “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are (as) their mothers” (al-Ahzab, 6).

Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe

Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Draw Benin Republic, Rwanda again!

Kunle

Adewale

The Super Eagles have been presented with an earlier opportunity to avenge their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan last month, with both teams again paired in the same group in the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that begins in two months’ time.

be among the 24 countries that will participate in the 35th Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco,

21st December 2025 – 18th January 2026. At the draw ceremony conducted

inside the SuperSport studio in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday afternoon, the Super

Their FIFAWorld Cup qualifying reverse fixture is not due until the final day of the qualification series (6th – 14th October 2025), but both teams have much earlier battles to fight later this year as they aim to

Injury Knocks out Halimatu Ayinde from Paris 2024

Midfielder, Halimatu Ayinde will not be at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite making the list released yesterday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Superfalconsshow.com, reports that the former Delta Queens midfielder suffered a knee injury, while training yesterday and will miss the Olympics, according to a statement from her Swedish club on Thursday evening.

“Unfortunately, Halimatu Ayinde injured her knee during training yesterday and will miss the Olympics. We wish her a speedy recovery. Get well,

The Nigerian international later yesterday tweeted on X her inability to be in Paris 2024 with the Super Falcons.

“With a heavy heart, I announce I won't be part of the Super Falcons for the Olympics. I’m deeply grateful to FC Rosengård and my teammates for their support and love. Best of luck to my fellow Super Falcons. I’ll be cheering for you and will return stronger. Go Superfalcons!!

The alternative players for the Super Falcons are Gift Monday, Ifeoma Onumonu, Jumoke Alani and Morufat Ademola.

Nigeria’s Sports Facilities Expert, Egbe, to Speak at Africa Football Business

Summit in Kenya

Nigeria’s number one sports facilities expert, Ebi Egbe, would later this month grace Africa football business summit in Kenya as guest speaker.

Egbe a certified groundsman and FIFA licensed agent is being invited to speak based on his pedigree which is being acknowledged globally.

The letter of invitation from the organisers of the football summit reads in part…”Your extensive experience and significant contributions to the football industry, both as a former football agent and now as the Managing Director of Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Ltd, make you an ideal speaker for our Summit. Your expertise in turnkey sustainable sports facilities construction and hybrid synthetic football pitch construction would be invaluable to our audience in light of the ongoing investments in sports infrastructure developments.

“We are particularly interested in having you share your knowledge

on the importance of sustainable sports facilities in developing African football, innovations in hybrid synthetic football pitch construction and the role of quality infrastructure in enhancing player performance and fan experience.

Reacting to the invitation yesterday, Egbe said he would be in Nairobi for the all important summit which he noted falls in line with the vision of his company to eradicate bad pitches in Africa.

“It is a big honor to be recognized by the organizers. I will be there to share my experience with other attendees at the summit. And I am happy people are watching and acknowledging the good work we are doing at Monimichelle,” Egbe said.

Egbe’s outfit, it would be noted constructed the pitches at Enyimba stadium, Aba, Remo Stadium Ikenne, Kakanda Stadium, Katsina and the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos the venue that last weekend hosted Nigeria’s President Federation Cup final.

FC Rosengard Sweden ...yesterday

Eagles also drew the Amavubi of Rwanda – another team in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group, and which they next play in the series in March 2025 – as well as the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. All four teams are in Group D.

The six-match qualifying series have been spread over the FIFA windows in September, October and November, with two matches in each seven-day window.

GROUP A: Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, The Gambia

GROUP B: Morocco, Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho

GROUP C: Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana

GROUP D: Nigeria, Benin Republic, Libya, Rwanda

GROUP E: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia

GROUP F: Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger Republic

GROUP G: Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad

GROUP H: DR Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia

GROUP I: Mali, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini

GROUP J: Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe

GROUP K: South Africa, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan

GROUP L: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi

Gladiatorial Duel Between Mbappe and Ronaldo in Hamburg

Spain tackle hosts Germany while France seeking Euro 2020 vengeance against Portugal

Growing up, Kylian Mbappe had pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo on his wall. Today, Mbappe will be up against Ronaldo in the flesh.

France and Portugal will face-off in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. While multiple world-class players will be in action for both sides, it is hard to escape this being a gladiatorial duel between Ronaldo and Mbappe.

The match will be broadcast live on GOtv (ch 61) at 8pm this evening.

This is not the first time the two icons have shared a pitch. They met in the 2017-18 Champions League last 16, when Real Madrid comfortably beat Mbappe’s PSG 5-2 on aggregate - on Ronaldo's way to a fourth and final Champions League trophy in Spain.

Mbappe was yet to break into the senior France squad when they were beaten by Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, while Ronaldo scored

EURO 2024 QUARTERFINALS

twice in a 2-2 draw in the group stages to help Portugal reach the knockouts at Euro 2020.

This game in Hamburg has a totally different context to the Champions League meeting six years ago. Back then, Mbappe was a 19-year-old on loan from Monaco – full of potential and the subject of hype, but far from the finished product.

Now he is 25, widely regarded as the world’s best player and the man on whose slim shoulders France’s hopes of a first European title since 2000 rest - at times in this tournament quite uneasily.

Mbappe will this summer move to Real Madrid,where he is expected to be the main man. The focal point and grand attraction. That was the

role served by Ronaldo in his prime. Six years on, Ronaldo – away from playing his club football in Saudi Arabia – is still a focal point who grabs attention.

The 39-year-old’s role in the Portugal team is the subject of great discussion after a last-16 display against Slovenia summarised by wayward free-kicks,

TODAY

Spain v Germany

Portugal v France

SATURDAY

England v Switzerland

Netherlands v Turkey

a saved penalty and floods of tears. Yet Ronaldo can still deliver when it counts, tucking away his spot-kick in the shootout - though it was goalkeeper Diogo Costa who took the spotlight with three successive saves. But before this clash between Mbappe and Ronaldo, three-time champions, Spain will be aiming to spoil Germany’s hopes of lifting the Euro 2024 trophy on home soil. The match will be broadcast live on GOtv (ch 61) at 5 pm this evening. Luis De La Fuente’s side are the only team in the tournament to have won all their games so far, thus reasserting themselves as tournament favourites.

They will however be up against a resurgent German team under the tutelage of Julian Nagelsmann.

La Roja head into this clash unbeaten against the Germans in their last four major matches, most recently, a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Spaniards emerged victorious the last time they clashed at the continental showpiece as Fernando Torres’ strike ensured they won their second Euro title.

Tomorrow, the Three Lions of England will continue their quest for glory when they take on Switzerland on GO Football (ch 61) at 5 pm.

Gareth Southgate’s side overturned a goal deficit against Slovakia in the knockout stage to win 2-1, while Switzerland’s impressive performance saw them knockout incumbent champions, Italy.

Netherlands and Turkey will go head-to-head same Saturday for a place in the semi-finals. Ronald Koeman’s side thumped Romania 3-0 to advance, while Vincezo Montella’s side saw off pressure from Austria to win 2-1 in the Round of 16.

Halimatu Ayinde has been knocked out of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games women’s football event in France following the injury she sustained in club training in

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Kylian Mbappe will go Head-to-Head this evening as Portugal and France battle for a place in the semi finals of the ongoing EURO 2024 in Hamburg, Germany

Ebi Egbe ...CEO of Monimichele to speak on Sports Business in Kenya

teams again in the same later this year as aim to

Super r Falcons s and d Rosengard d FC MidfildHli t Aidill p g Halimatu” ThNiii t til

EFCC to Nigerian Youths

“We must get our Youths to shun crime and be motivated to invest their time and energies in purposeful pursuits. Nigerian youths must be concerned about taking their place at the table of the future global leaders in information technology, engineering, medicine, the arts and sports among others, not be global leaders of cybercrime and enablers of corruption” –EFCC Acting Director, Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, warns on plan to instigate national unrest by shadowy groups.

PAUL IBE GUEST COLUMNIST

Atiku as an Endangered Species

Sam Omatseye’s article, brimming with vitriol and sanctimonious posturing, demands a rebuttal rooted in truth and literary eloquence. Omatseye, in his misguided zeal to malign Atiku Abubakar, reveals more about his own biases and mercenary penmanship than about the man he seeks to discredit. It is time to set the record straight and highlight the strengths of Atiku Abubakar, a statesman and an endangered species whose vision and dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress far surpass the myopic selfinterest Omatseye attributes to him.

The Chess Player and the Strategist

Omatseye derides Atiku for seeing himself as a chess player, implying a lack of humility. Yet, in the intricate game of politics, the ability to strategize and anticipate moves is paramount. Atiku’s approach is not one of vanity, but of calculated foresight and a deep understanding of Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape. Unlike the unnamed politician, presumably Bola Tinubu, who flaunted his power with a self-deprecating quip, Atiku’s humility lies in his persistent efforts to build bridges across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious divides.

Visits and Symbolism: A Misguided Allegory

Omatseye’s allegorical comparisons of Atiku’s visits to historical betrayals and sinister handshakes are a testament to his propensity for hyperbole. The handshake between Atiku and Buhari is not a clandestine plot but a public display of his commitment to national unity. Atiku’s visits are not sneaky or deceitful, like Odysseus returning in disguise, but open gestures of reconciliation and dialogue.

Misplaced Criticism of Political Alliances

Omatseye’s insinuation that Atiku’s alliances are opportunistic ignores the political realities of Nigeria. Politics, by its very nature, involves the forging of alliances (and Omatseye needs to be reminded of alliances of his paymaster that led to the formation

of the APC). Atiku’s partnership with figures like Nasir el-Rufai is not a sign of duplicity, but a pragmatic effort to unite various factions for the greater good. The allegation that Atiku exploits ethnic sentiments is ironic coming from a Tinubu apologist, considering Tinubu’s notorious manipulation of ethnic and regional loyalties to consolidate power.

The North and Atiku’s Legacy

The critique that Atiku only remembers the north when seeking votes is baseless. Atiku’s investments in manufacturing, agriculture, banking, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, particularly

in the north, are well-documented. The American University of Nigeria, founded by Atiku, stands as a testament to his philantrophy and commitment to providing quality education and fostering development in the region. In contrast, Tinubu’s legacy in Lagos, marred by allegations of corruption and cronyism, offers little to commend.

Poverty and

Development:

A Flawed Narrative

Omatseye’s selective presentation of poverty statistics in the north is a disingenuous attempt to lay the blame at Atiku’s feet. Poverty in the region is a multifaceted issue exacerbated by years

Atiku’s approach is not one of vanity, but of calculated foresight and a

deep

understanding of Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape. Unlike the unnamed politician, presumably Bola Tinubu, who flaunted his power with a self-deprecating quip, Atiku’s humility lies in his persistent efforts to build bridges across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious divides

of neglect by successive governments. Atiku’s efforts, though significant, cannot single-handedly rectify decades of systemic challenges. Moreover, Omatseye conveniently overlooks the socio-economic disparities that persist in Lagos, Tinubu’s stronghold, despite his years of governance.

Intellectual Posturing and Misappropriation

Omatseye’s invocation of intellectual heavyweights like Michel Foucault and Zadie Smith to critique Atiku’s appeal to northern sentiments is misplaced. Foucault’s exploration of power dynamics and Smith’s discourse on identity could equally be applied to critique Tinubu’s divisive politics. Atiku’s vision, in contrast, seeks to transcend prefabricated identities and foster a cohesive national identity.

A Dangerous Politician or a Visionary Leader?

Labeling Atiku as the most dangerous politician, second only to Peter Obi, is a gross mischaracterization. Atiku’s political career is marked by his advocacy for restructuring Nigeria, promoting decentralization, and empowering local governments. His vision for Nigeria is one of inclusive growth and sustainable development, a stark contrast to the status quo of political patronage and centralization championed by Tinubu. In conclusion, Sam Omatseye’s article is a tapestry of half-truths and unfounded allegations woven together with the thread of bias. Atiku Abubakar’s strengths lie in his strategic acumen, his commitment to national unity, and his tangible contributions to Nigeria’s development. Omatseye’s diatribe, far from discrediting Atiku, exposes the hollowness of his own arguments and the mercenary nature of his pen. It is time for Nigerians to see through the smokescreen of political propaganda and recognize the genuine leadership and vision that Atiku Abubakar offers. As Ralph Waldo Emerson aptly said, “A great man is always willing to be little,” and it is in this spirit of humble service that Atiku seeks to lead Nigeria to a brighter future.

•Paul Ibe is a Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the PDP (2023)

Atiku