TUESDAY 9TH JULY 2024

Zenith Retains Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria, Best Corporate Governance Awards

Kayode Tokede

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2024, retaining the award for a fourth

consecutive year. The bank was also named as Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria for the third year running in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2024. The awards, which

were published in the Summer 2024 Issue of the World Finance Magazine, were in recognition of the bank’s robust financial performance, superior customer service, sustainability initiatives

and corporate governance practices.

Commenting on the dual honours, the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, was quoted in a statement to have

www.thisdaylive.com

services.

said: "These awards highlight our steadfast dedication to excellence, adherence to global best practices, and our persistent effort to deliver superior value to all stakeholders through innovative products and Continued on page 9

Price Soars to N900/Litre in

“Receiving these awards consecutively for multiple years signifies the commitment of our staff, the

Others as Queues Resurface at Filling Stations

Worsens in Abuja, NNPC

To Contain Worsening Food Crisis, FG May Suspend Duties, Taxes on Certain Imports Petrol

Measures aim to mitigate impact of reforms may include 150-day duty-free import window, guaranteed minimum prices for commodities Restocking of national strategic food reserve NACCIMA hails move

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

There are strong indications that the federal government is actively considering a raft of fiscal measures to mitigate the worsening food crisis in the country, which has pushed the prices of food items beyond the reach of the masses and contain the escalating inflation.

A highly placed presidency official confirmed the move to THISDAY last night in a telephone conversation while responding to an inquiry on the report that the federal government had approved duty-free tariffs on some food items.

Although he did not provide details on the impending measures, the presidency source, however, disclosed that suspension of taxes and duties on some food items were part of measures aimed at mitigating the fallout of ongoing reforms.

"We want to ensure that Nigerians have food on their tables, we are very concerned about the prices of foodstuff.

Continued on page 9

APC GOVERNORS FORUM VISITS PARTY'S NATIONAL CHAIRMAN...

L-R: Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji; APC National

Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma and Cross River State Governor,

national secretariat in Abuja…yesterday

Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Imo State Governor/Chairman APC Progressive

Bassey Otu, addressing the the

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja, Peter Uzoho and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos

THE ALTERNATIVE BANK SECOND CUSTOMER FORUM...

Wale Edun Tasks New SEC Board on Innovation

Commission raises the alarm over fake social media accounts

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Kayode Tokede in Lagos

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has urged the new board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to embrace innovation to make the agency better prepared to regulate a dynamic capital market.

Edun, who stated this during the inauguration of the board in Abuja, yesterday, expressed excitement at the composition of the board and urged the members to put in their best, be courageous, bold, open to innovation and be willing to accept the challenge of regulating new areas.

A statement issued by SEC stated that the minister disclosed that financial technology and communications were areas fast advancing, adding that with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital currency, among others, there was a need for the regulator to be knowledgeable to be able to provide guidance and necessary approvals.

"The top minds go into finance, they go into technology because in the basic industries the technology is simple, whether it is steel making

EKEDC

or basic manufacturing, fast moving consumer goods etc. Those are settled technology.

" The area that is advancing at a fast pace is financial technology, communications, artificial intelligence, crypto, digital currency, digital transitions as a whole.

“Therefore, you do have to be on your toes. The good thing is that when a transaction comes, it has to be discernible, understandable to the end investor, it has to be understandable to the issuer, it has to be understandable to the regulator or it won’t get the approval it needs, so that is one comfort I see about the financial market," he said.

Edun, urged the SEC board to be willing to accept the challenge of regulating in these new areas particularly crypto as they are fast moving complex areas.

He stressed that they also have to watch out for regulatory arbitrage where a company with a portfolio of huge sophisticated transactions now comes and takes the lowest level of registration that they can just so they can say they are licensed and regulated.

“You have been carefully selected for this role, ensure top notch corporate governance practices. Where there are conflicts, they are

quickly identified, disclosed and dealt with according to global best practice. Do not be stumbling blocks to people awaiting processes and approvals," he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the SEC Board, Mr. Mairiga Katuka, assured the Minister that the new Board would harness their individual and collective expertise, innovation and passion to drive growth in line with the Commission’s dual mandate of developing and regulating a capital market that is fair and efficient.

He said: “The board will pursue a comprehensive agenda aimed at advancing the interest of investors safeguarding market integrity, promoting capital formation and enhancing regulatory oversight.

“The nation’s future economic outlook appears positive, driven

by reforms put in place by the current administration including robust inflation management, social protection, macroeconomic stability initiatives and improved private sector development. These initiatives would undoubtedly engender economic growth.” Katuka, stated that in line with the renewed hope agenda of the current administration, he was optimistic about the future of Nigeria’s securities market, adding that together with diligence, integrity and a shared sense of purpose there is hope of a more prosperous and resilient financial ecosystem.

President Bola Tinubu had on April 19, 2024 approved the appointment of seven persons to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

They include Katuka (Chairman

of the Board), Mr. Emomotimi Agama as Director-General, Frana Chukwuogor as Executive Commissioner (Legal and Enforcement) and Mr Bola Ajomale as Executive Commissioner (Operations).

Others are Mrs. Samiya Usman as Executive Commissioner (Corporate Services), Mr. Lekan Belo and Mr. Kasimu Kurfi as Non-Executive Commissioners.

Meanwhile, SEC has alerted remembers of the public on some fake social media accounts purporting to be those of Agama.

According to the Commission, "the SEC has become aware of several fraud attempts targeting the investing public and our online community.

"These scammers are impersonating the Director General of the Commission – Dr. Emomotimi

Agama with the aim of luring unsuspecting members of the public into sharing personal information and making unauthorised payments.

"The SEC therefore informs members of the public that neither the Director General nor any staff of the Commission Would request for personal information about their investments through private phone lines, emails or social media handles. "Official information from the Commission is communicated only through its verified email addresses, website, social media handles, and phone numbers," the statement added. It urged the public to always verify the identity of the person or entity contacting them, adding that if unsure, they should not hesitate to immediately contact the Commission.

BudgIT: FG Allocated N732bn for Empowerment in 2024 Budget, Higher than Health Projects Allocation

Board Approves 20% Cost

of Living Adjustment

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) yesterday, announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 20 per cent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all staff, effective July 2024.

The decision, according to the Disco, reflected the company’s commitment to the well-being and financial stability of its workforce amid the current economic realities.

“Through the increment, EKEDC aims to support its staff in maintaining their quality of life and ensuring they can continue to deliver exceptional service to customers,” it added.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of EKEDC, Dr. Oritsedere Otubu, stated: “Our employees are our greatest assets and their

dedication to improving our service to customers is admirable.

“We are proud of their unwavering commitment towards achieving success and we are in turn committed to improving their welfare. This adjustment is well deserved and it is another call to continuous improvement as we work towards reaching our goal of a safe, reliable and uninterruptible power supply.”

Otubu, also called on other companies to do the same to lift their employees’ spirits during this challenging time as the economy recovers.

Reacting to the adjustment, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, appreciated the Board of Directors for approving the

for Staff

adjustment, saying it will cushion the effects of inflation and other economic pressures on staff.

She further noted that, “In these challenging times, we must support our employees who work tirelessly to serve our customers. This cost-of-living adjustment is a testament to our commitment to their welfare and our appreciation for their hard work”.

The 20 per cent adjustment would be reflected in the next payroll cycle and applies to Senior Managers and below while 15 per cent adjustment would apply to Principal Managers and above.

“This initiative underscores EKEDC's dedication to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment,” it added.

and give feedback on public projects in their communities, has discovered N732.5 billion worth of empowerment projects in the 2024 federal government capital and constituency projects, an amount higher than the N646.5 billion allocated to health projects.

According to a statement from the organisation, despite the 2023 record of Nigeria having the second-highest child mortality rate in the world, the government “has shown no signs of tackling these critical emergencies head-on, as the allocations in the 2024 budget do not reflect priority in the health sector.”

Tracka maintained that empowerment projects “are vague and challenging to track due to their nature.” It added, “They are also used as a funnel to transfer public resources to party loyalists, resulting in the misuse of public funds.

“In the 2024 federal government budget, there are 4,440 empowerment projects. Previously, empowerment projects were limited to constituency

projects, but over the years, they have gradually seeped into capital projects through insertions by the National Assembly.

“For instance, the National Assembly inserted 7,447 projects valued at N2.24 trillion in the 2024 budget. Tracka identifies this as a problematic trend, considering the huge infrastructure gap and budget deficits the nation is grappling with.

“Further analysis also showed that over 2,558 projects worth N624 billion were allocated to agencies outside their mandate.

An example is the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) – ERGP20241489 – allocated N5 billion for the Procurement and Distribution of Official Vehicles to Selected Traditional Rulers in the Six Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria (Multiple Lots).

“Another is the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NiOMR) –ERGP20245718 – allocated N2.32 billion to construct a 3.5km Road from Methodist Church Ibu to

the Eri River.”

BudgIT’s Country Director, Gabriel Okeowo, expressed concern over the development. Okeowo said, “The implications of assigning projects to agencies outside of their mandate are that it undermines monitoring, evaluation, and the sustainability of these projects.

“These agencies lack the expertise and personnel to ensure quality service delivery for these projects, leading to under-delivery and a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money and scarce resources.”

The statement signed by Head, Tracka, Ayomide Ladipo, added, “Tracka calls on anti-graft agencies to probe these anomalies in the 2024 budget to forestall diversion, misappropriation, and embezzlement. We also call on elected representatives and Ministries, Department and Agencies to provide timely updates to the public and ensure the quality implementation of these projects to ensure Nigerians derive maximum benefit from public funds.”

Tracka, BudgIT’s service delivery promotion platform, which allows citizens to collaborate, track,

L-R: Group Head, Manager of Structured Trade and Commodities Finance Finance, The Alternative Bank, Gbenga Awe; Executive Director, The Alternative Bank, Garba Muhammad; Managing Director, Asas Security Nigeria Limited, Aisha Musa; Regional Business Executive, The Alternative Bank, Umar Umar; and Regional Manager Agric Finance and Expert, North-west, The Alternative Bank, Aliyu Labo, during The Alternative Bank’s second Customer Forum Session in Kaduna…last Friday

inspection of Denro/ishashi/akute roaD...

L-R: Commissioner for Works, Engr Ade Akinsanya; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; and the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, during the inspection of Denro/Ishashi/Akute Road and others in Ifo Local Government... yesterday

S&P: Recapitalisation May Spur Bank Mergers in Nigeria

emmanuel addeh in Abuja

Nigeria’s move to order banks to recapitalise is likely to prod the nation’s smaller banks to combine with rivals before a 2026 deadline, according to S&P Global Ratings.

The size and solvency level of individual banks will determine how they end up in the exercise, with tier-one and mid-sized lenders likely to meet the deadline while small lenders may see mergers and acquisitions, said Samira Mensah, an analyst at the rating company. About half of the nation’s lenders are classified as small.

“Top tier banks in particular have always had a very strong track record of accessing capital market and the Eurobond, so they are well known to investors,” Mensah said in an interview with Bloomberg in Lagos.

The Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) in March gave lenders two years to shore up capital to bolster their defences following a nearly 70 per cent devaluation of the naira in the past 12 months, high inflation rate, rising borrowing costs and weak economic growth.

Nigeria’s economy, which ranked as Africa’s largest in 2022, is set to slip to fourth place this year because of the plunging currency, the Bloomberg report said.

“We speak to investors regularly and they are interested on which banks could potentially be under regulatory forbearance when it comes to solvency ratio as a result of the naira depreciation, so they are more worried about those banks,” Mensah said.

The central bank ordered lenders with international units to increase capital 10-fold to N500 billion ($325 million) and those with local operations by eight-fold to N200 billion.

Besides, small lenders operating in only specific regions of the country were directed to beef up capital five-fold to N50 billion. Some of the nation’s 26 commercial lenders including Access

Holdings Plc, the biggest bank by assets and Fidelity Bank Plc, a mid-sized lender are selling shares to raise capital.

In April, Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman of the Bank Directors

Association of Nigeria, said it may be very difficult for some lenders to meet the requirement owing to unfavourable operating environment that dampens the industry’s attraction to investors.

The top-tier banks will be able to raise funds locally and offshore because of their scale of operations and profitability, likewise mid-sized Fidelity Bank and FCMB Group, Mensah said.

Nigeria May Lose $20bn in Cocoa Exports over Environmental Issues, Says FRC Boss

James emejo in Abuja

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, yesterday said the country was on the brink of losing $20 billion in cocoa exports in the next three years unless it complies with sustainability reporting standards. Speaking when he received mem-

bers of the House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, led by its Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Munir, on an oversight visit to the FRC head office in Abuja, Olowo said the country must deliver on processing and reporting expectations if it must continue to profit on cocoa exports.

He said, “If you don’t pay attention to deforestation and other environmental issues, your products

LCCI Commends FG for Establishing PECC

Dike onwuamaeze

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has commended the federal government over the establishment of the Presidential Economic Coordinating Committee (PECC), which is tasked with turning around the economic conditions and repositioning the economy for growth, industrialisation, job creation, and revenue generation.

The LCCI also said availability of an economic roadmap was a crucial ingredient for a conducive

business environment as it helps to clear uncertainties and aids businesses in planning.

The Director General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, expressed these views yesterday in a statement, which noted that, "the composition of the committee should boost the confidence of investors and businesses in the economy."

The chamber also urged "the government to pay attention to the committee’s recommendations and engage as many stakeholders as possible to implement recommended

policies successfully.

"We acknowledge and commend the government’s implementation of some recommendations by other committees, such as the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms."

It added that "recent executive orders that have offered relief through tax exemption, zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value-Added Tax waivers are bold steps in the right direction.

"These government actions align with our consistent advocacy for non-cash fiscal interventions targeting

the cost of doing business."

The chamber also directed the attention of the committee to burning issues like the unbearable high interest rates, curbing the raging inflation rate beyond the use of rate hikes, close monitoring of recent executive orders to ensure successful implementation, the introduction of more targeted fiscal interventions like the lowering and fixing of the Customs Exchange rate for import duties, and spending more on boosting infrastructure to support production in the economy.

Customs Apapa Area Command Generates over N1tn in First Half 2024

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) generated a total of N1,023,663,842,255.63, in the first half of 2024. This was an increase of 143 percent above the figures of N421,382,166,378.46 collected in the corresponding period in 2023.

Also within the first half the command made seizures of 11 containers comprising prohibited items such as expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, footwears, used clothing, armored cables, frozen poultry products.

Disclosing this yesterday in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Controller

Babatunde Olomu, emphasised that the figure raked in was due to robust intelligence gathering for enhanced revenue collection backed with deliberately improved customs-community relations. He said efforts at promoting trade facilitation were yielding positive results with attendant ease of doing business, prevention of revenue losses and closer interactions with sister government agencies and private sector stakeholders, including members of the host communities in which we operate. He warned that they were also not leaving anything to chance to fight economic saboteurs as their non- Intrusive inspection (NII) regime was fully in place where scanners

are deployed for cargo examination with support of physical examination where and when necessary.

According to him, “Within the period under review, the command made seizures 11 containers comprising of prohibited items such as expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals, footwears, used clothing, armored cables, frozen poultry products etc., with a duty paid value of N424,105,975 as against 42 seizures with a DPV of N1.4 billion made in the corresponding period in 2023.

“It is pertinent to mention that just last week, we uncovered a large quantity of expired and unregistered pharmaceuticals in 3x40ft container number TCKU

6928184, MRKU 4422733, MRSU 5550243, and another 3x40ft container number. “MNBU 3934925, MEDU 9107559 and MEDU 9752980 loaded with 7,580 cartons of frozen poultry products unfit for human consumption, which is against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET).”

He stressed that these importations violated section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

However, Olomu, disclosed that this collection was coming despite a sharp reduction in the volume of trade, adding it was necessary to note that extra measures have been put in place to prevent losses of government revenue.

may no longer be competitive. And that is the real issues”.

He said the council's mission was to bring utmost confidence to investors, ensuring quality in accounting audit, actuarial, valuation, and corporate governance standards among others.

Olowo pointed out that sustainability reporting has implications in the way business are conducted in relation to environment, social and governance standards, adding that "businesses don’t focus just on profit but on the planet as well because without the planet, there will be no business".

He said the FRC was currently developing the Sustainability Adoption Roadmap that helps to guide and create frameworks for corporate

Nigeria and for people to transit from the way they currently report sustainability into ISSB standards.

He noted that though Nigerian companies have till 2028 to fully comply, four firms have emerged early adopters. Companies have till 2026 for voluntary adoption of sustainability reporting.

He also said the council will embark on a lot of capacity building and advocacy within the next two years to further drive adoption. However, Munir said the visit was to among other things, enable the committee familiarise itself with the operations and policies of the council to identify challenges and areas of collaboration and assistance from the parliament to enable it deliver on its mandate.

The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa, (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Body of Banks’ CEOs.

The CIBN announced this appointment on its website yesterday.

According to a brief statement by the bank, the "prestigious appointment underscores Alawuba's extensive experience and visionary leadership in the banking sector, as well as his unwavering commitment towards advancing the financial industry in Nigeria and across Africa."

In his role as Chairman, Alawuba will be at the forefront of fostering collaboration and driving strategic initiatives among the top executives of banks in Nigeria.

"Like he has achieved as the GMD of Africa’s Global Bank, UBA, his leadership is expected to bring innovative solutions and

strengthen the collective efforts of the banking community while addressing the dynamic challenges and opportunities within the financial sector."

The CIBN also announced the appointment of Mrs. Miriam Olusanya, the CEO of GTBank, as the Vice Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs. Her appointment, alongside Alawuba's, signifies a strong and unified leadership team poised to enhance the banking landscape in Nigeria.

The Bank expressed confidence that their combined expertise and visionary leadership will usher in a new era of progress and innovation for the banking industry in Nigeria, and that under their guidance, the Body of Banks’ CEOs will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and strategies that will drive sustainable economic growth and enhance the overall stability of the financial system in Nigeria.

oluchi chibuzor

ACCEss BAnk ExECUtivE rOUnDtABlE DisCUssiOn with CUstOmErs...

L-R: Managing Director, JNC International Limited, Clare Omatseye; Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Group, Rosevelt Ogbonna; Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank Group, Hadiza Ambursa ; Senior Finance Controller, Mohinahi Group, Madhab Das; and Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Access Bank Group, Iyabo Soji-Okunsanya during the Access Bank executive roundtable discussion with customers at the Access Bank head office in Lagos … yesterday

Sanwo-Olu to CBN: Please Help, Interest Rate Tough on Us

Lubricant operator laments impact of rising inflation, FX instability on local investors

Dike Onwuamaeze and Peter Uzoho

Barely a week after Africa’s richest man and industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, cried out that the prevailing high interest regime in the country was stifling private sector growth, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also cried out to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that pressure of the current interest rate regime was also tough on operators in the public sector.

Also, yesterday, a lubricant entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Oilden Energies Limited, Mr. Oluwatoni Oladiran, decried the adverse effect of galloping inflation and foreign exchange instability on many companies operating in Nigeria.Sanwo-Olu made the call at the weekend, at the presentation of a book titled “Power of One Man: How the Soludo Engineered Consolidation Transformed Nigerian Banks to Global Players,” authored by a veteran journalist, Dr. Ray Echebiri. Sanwo-Olu said: “We must say something. We that are in the public sector (and Professor Soludo, an economist, is one of us now) that it is tough for us at the public sector at this time. We all need to belt up.

“I do not know how we are going to survive the kind of interest rate regime that we have now.

“We know it is going to be temporary. But it is a whole lot of pressure on all of us. Please just help us.”

The governor of Lagos State, however, encouraged the central bank to stay on course and finish

the ongoing banking consolidation exercise.

The Governor of Anambra State, Soludo, who initiated and executed the 2005 banking consolidation exercise as then Governor of the CBN, was humorous when he commented on the current interest rate.

Soludo said having helped the banks to grow from the level of little financial institutions to becoming a global champion, they would not ask him to pay 30 per cent interest rate when he shows up at their doorsteps.

He said: “And now I say to them, those little, little banks of those days that have now become multi-billion dollar enterprises.

“I am in my second job. When we come back to you just like the governor of Lagos State has said that we need financing, I do not know how you will structure that.

“But for those banks that we just nurtured to become global champions have to remember that when we show up, we are not going to pay the 30 per cent. No! No! No! I can see some of them (bankers) here.”

However, the Governor of CBN, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, who was represented by CBN’s Deputy Governor for Financial Stability, Mr. Phillip Ikeazor, said current interest rate hikes would be sustained until galloping inflation was tamed and hyperinflation averted.

Cardosa said: “It is very important that we do not enter hyperinflation where the transmission of monetary economic tools will become completely ineffective. It is important that we avoid that.

“So, we will maintain interest rate

hike as long as it takes to control and stabilise our galloping inflation. It is important that we tighten and hold on a little while and expect that in no distance future we will be able to slow down on the rate hikes.”

For his part, Oladiran, decried the adverse effect of inflation and foreign exchange instability on many companies operating in Nigeria.

He specifically said the situation was eroding returns on investment, profitability and competitiveness in the Nigerian lube industry.

Oladiran, made the assertion in Lagos during an interactive session with select journalists.

To change the narrative, Oladiran therefore called on the federal govern-

ment to consider introducing some tax incentives and other helpful fiscal interventions to boost the capacity and production of the local players in the lubricant sector.

He pointed out that such policy interventions by government could help in tackling the various challenges facing them as entrepreneurs in the country.

He also urged the government to view the lubricant sector as a critical component of the nation’s economy, pointing out that the FX instability has made them volatile to the rates of base oils on a daily basis.

“Maybe when the refinery starts up, we can now start having extracts from the refinery and we can produce

base oil for ourselves. But for now, it's either we get from the modular refineries or we import and most people will tell you they would rather just import these things. Because the standards that we get from the modular refineries are not even as good as what we get from what we bring from outside.

“So, most of these products are products we have to get elsewhere outside Nigeria. So now we have to search for dollar at the present rates, and you know, that's a major challenge for us. Tax policies killing most businesses. But that is like a major challenge for this particular sector of business and our profit too," Oladiran stated.

Giving insights on the issue of adulteration of products in the market, which he said remains a threat to their huge investment, Oladiran explained that it required both government and individual efforts to curb the menace in the country.

“The amount of adulterated products out there actually kills the good products. Now, the only thing I feel we can do to curb this is to monitor the channel of distribution of each products.

“For me, I ensure I take samples of our product to the lab personally and get the results to ensure what leaves our factory is the right products we are selling to customers.”

Abacha's Son Tackles Lokpobiri over OPL

245, Insists Disputes Yet to Be Resolved

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Mohammed Abacha, the son of former Military Head of State, has tackled the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources , Heineken Lokpobiri, insisting that the controversy over the OPL 245 was yet to be resolved.

Lokpobiri, had said President Bola Tinubu had directed that all disputes surrounding the OPL 245 deal should be amicably resolved.

Speaking at the annual NOG Energy Week in Abuja on July 3, the minister had said all issues

pertaining to the asset had been settled.

But reacting to the minister’s comment, Abacha in a in a letter dated July 4, addressed to Lokpobiri, through Reuben Atabo, his lawyer, said contrary to the minister’s claim, no resolution had been reached.

The letter by Abacha read:

“Sometime ago, our clients’ attention was drawn to the publication in the news media that the federal government of Nigeria plans to commence production at Zabazaba Oil Field, which is part of the Oil Block of OPL 245 owned by Malabu

DECRAN Seeks Media-driven Solution to Nigeria’s Development Challenges

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in

The Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN) said it would use its maiden international conference to brainstorm and proffer media-driven solutions to the numerous challenges facing Nigeria as a nation. The organisers of the conference which is to be hosted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State said they intend to use the forthcoming multidisciplinary conference/workshop to discuss fundamental issues, including how to use media and communication to empower communities, promote

gender equality and inclusivity, tackle health and environmental challenges and improve disaster preparedness.

A statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, DECRAN, Chekwube Nzomiwu, said the conference/workshop was billed to hold at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium, UNN, from November 20 to 22, 2024.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, the Convener and President of DECRAN, Dr. Blessing N. ChinweoboOnuoha said the conference was open to all academics and professionals, irrespective of their discipline.

According to Chinweobo-Onuoha, the event themed, “Empowering

Voices and Transforming Communities: Harnessing Development Communication for Sustainable Change in Nigeria,” would brainstorm on how to use media and communication to empower communities, promote gender equality and inclusivity, tackle health and environmental challenges and improve disaster preparedness, among others".

She explained that DECRAN, which is flagging off its annual international conference at UNN, stands as the pioneering force in the realm of communication research within Nigeria.

She said, “Established with a profound commitment to advancing

the understanding and practice of development communication, DECRAN serves as a hub for scholars, practitioners and enthusiasts alike.

“With a focus on exploring the intersection of communication, media, and societal development, the association spearheads initiatives to foster dialogue, promote research and facilitate knowledge exchange.”

Nzomiwu, said the conference has the Acting Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo, as the Chief Host; the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Paul Obi-Ani (the Host) and the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Prof. Joseph Wogu (Co-Host).

Oil & Gas Limited and our clients have 70 per cent of the company’s shares.

“It was in view of the above, that on the 30th day of November 2023, our clients instructed us to write a letter to the Hon. Attorney-General of the federation to notify him of our client’s shares in OPL 245 with a view for him to intervene in the resolution of the matter.

“We received a response from the Hon. Attorney-General of the federation via his letter dated the 17th day of January 2024, of his inability to intervene.

“From the foregoing, it is evident that the remarks made by your esteemed self during the opening session of the Nigerian Energy Week is not only misleading, but bereft of the factual situation on ground.

“Furthermore, the said remarks are an affront on the authority of our courts, having regard to the fact that the matter is subjudice before various courts in Nigeria.”

It noted that, “By Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), powers in Nigeria are vested in our courts who are meant to determine disputes between individuals and government.

“Also, we are now in a democratic system of government where the rule of Law prevails and not the rule of force.

“From the various courts, it can be seen that the federal government of Nigeria is a party to the ongoing suits and therefore the said remarks

made by your esteemed self, amounts to writing judgment in your own favour notwithstanding the fact that you are a party to the suits.

“In view of the fact that the matters of OPL 245 are in court, we do not need to go into further details to allow the Hon. Justices of the various courts to dispense justice.”

It added: “Take notice therefore that we are by this letter demanding that ‘your esteemed self, issue a statement retracting your remarks… within 14 days from the receipt of this letter, failure of which we shall take an action against you in a competent court of law without further recourse to our clients.”

Mohammed Abacha is laying claim to the ownership of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, the company originally awarded the oil prospecting licence (OPL) in 1998 by Sani Abacha, his father.

In 2011, Shell and Eni paid $1.1 billion to acquire OPL 245 after Malabu relinquished its entire interest in the oil block.

A settlement deal was facilitated by the Nigerian government to end the 10-year legal dispute on the acreage, which is considered to be one of the richest in Africa. The oil companies also paid a signature bonus of $210 million to the Nigerian government. However, activists had launched an international campaign, alleging that the OPL 245 deal was fraudulent and that the proceeds were used to bribe government officials.

Abuja

New World Bank Country Director for Nigeria Assumes Office

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The newly appointed Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, assumed his new position yesterday.

He is succeeding Shubham Chaudhuri who completed his term in the same capacity.

A statement from the multilateral institution which disclosed this, pointed out that prior to his assignment to Abuja, Diop served as the World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, based in Manila.

“In this position, he more than tripled the Bank’s financing to the Philippines to scale up the Bank’s

A formal announcement is coming," the source stated.

However, the media space was yesterday awash with reports that the federal government had announced certain measures to mitigate the food crisis over the next 180 days.

The reports quoted the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, as the source of the information via a purported press conference in Abuja.

But an online platform, Peoples Gazette quoted a presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, as admitting that indeed a memo was circulating across government departments, although the planned policy measures had not been finalised.

He added that "the policy was mistakenly circulated. We are still deliberating internationally from the agric ministry to other agencies on how best to proceed with the policy,” he was quoted to have said.

THISDAY obtained the text of the press briefing purportedly delivered by Kyari.

According to the document, the minister said the government could no longer allow the festering food inflation to persist.

"It is with deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to present to you, the outlined

In the FCT on Monday, many filling stations were shut, while the few that had petrol sold as high as N900 per litre. There was also a boom in the black market, as a 10-litre container of petrol sold for as much as N12,000.

In Abuja, the queues stretched from the NNPC Mega Station on the Gwarimpa axis of the Zuba-Kubwa Expressway to Conoil and Total filling stations, directly opposite the headquarters of the national oil company in the city centre, as well as Salbas filling station at the Dei-Dei end of the Zuba-Kubwa expressway.

In Zone 1, the NNPC Mega Station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way was selling, while the one opposite GSM village also had the product, but with incredibly long queues. Other stations around the area, including Total filling station, did not have the product.

The story was the same in Niger and Nasarawa states.

While the NNPC mega stations still sold petrol for N617 per litre, but with queues over one kilometres long, roadside black marketers made brisk business.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the development to disruptions in the movement of products caused by inclement weather conditions, including thunderstorms and lightning.

In a statement signed by Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, the national oil company said there had been a disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of petrol between mother vessels and daughter vessels resulting from a recent thunderstorm.

The adverse weather condition, Soneye said, caused a disruption in station supply logistics.

NNPCL said petrol could not be load during rainstorms and lightning because of its flammability and

support to key economic reforms (policy-based budget support programs) and the nation’s endeavors to bridge disparities in various sectors, including nutrition, stunting, healthcare, social protection delivery, education, agriculture, and digital connectivity.

“In Malaysia, he supervised the delivery of a large Malaysia-funded knowledge program aimed at helping the country become a high-income economy through cutting edge economic analyses and technical assistance.

“Furthermore, he engaged the Thai government to resume World Bank investment lending after a pause of two decades,” the statement added.

implementation of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan, an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to bring about food security and economic stability to Nigeria.

"Over the past several months, we have all been witnesses to the escalating cost of food items in all parts of the country. There is virtually no food item that has not had its price raised to a level higher than what a good many Nigerians can afford.

"The affordability crisis in our food security system has been indexed by the data from the National Bureau of Statistics which by the last count, had put food inflation at 40.66%.

"We have heard the cries of Nigerians over the prices of food items and condiments, with some now describing tomato as gold and proposing a variety of recipes to prepare soups and dishes with some of the overly priced food items.

"What in the past were regarded as common items such as yam, plantain, potato now command excessively high figures and Nigerians are right to wonder how and why things are the way they are.

"As a government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, members of the Federal Executive Council and indeed all other

in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations.

The statement said, “The NNPC wishes to state that the fuel queues seen in the FCT and some parts of the country were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between mother vessels and daughter vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm.

“The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.

“The NNPC also states that due to flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning.

“Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose severe danger to the trucks, filling stations and human lives.”

Soneye stated that the situation was compounded by consequential flooding of truck routes, which constrained movement of petrol from the coastal corridors to the federal capital, Abuja.

NNPCL said it was working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore seamless supply of petrol to affected areas.

Soneye added, “Already, loading has commenced in areas where these challenges have subsided, and we are hoping the situation will continue to improve in the coming days and full normalcy will be restored.

“The NNPC also calls on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petroleum products.”

However, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) disputed the claim by the national oil company, and cited the sole importation of

Commenting on his new role, Diop said: “I am most excited to be leading the World Bank’s program in Nigeria, especially at this critical time when Nigeria has a significant opportunity to make progress towards improving its economy and delivering development outcomes for its citizens. I look forward to deepening our partnership with the Government of Nigeria at the Federal and States level by ensuring quality technical and financial support which will help accelerate progress for Nigeria’s development priorities.”

According to him, “Nigeria is a dynamic and vibrant country which is significant for the entire sub region. The World Bank Group is most committed

operatives in the MDAs are fully aware of the hardship occasioned by the high cost of food items in our country.

"There is no doubt that food inflation is a direct consequence of a number of factors. Agricultural production activities have been hampered in some parts of the country by a number of factors resulting in the inability of smallholder farmers to contribute optimally to the country’s food basket.

"This has opened a new dimension to the food challenge from affordability to availability of sufficient food commodities.

"As you may recall, earlier in the year, there were a number of interventions by the Federal Government to make food available and to dampen their prices.

“Those interventions include: the release of 42,000MT of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Food Reserve, 58,500MT purchase of milled rice from Rice Processors Association of Nigeria and additional 30,000MT of rice.

“Regrettably, prices have continued to escalate, and in some cases these days, food items are becoming unavailable."

According to Kyari, the govern- ment could not allow this situation to persist, adding that there were ongoing

petrol by NNPCL and the exorbitant cost of purchase from private depots as primary causes of the scarcity.

Private depot owners had increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N630 to N720 per litre, making it challenging for independent marketers to procure the product.

In an interview with journalists, National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, said many filling stations did not open for business because they had no fuel.

Fashola said NNPCL, the sole importer of petrol at the moment, should explain to Nigerians what was happening with the product.

He stated, “Those that shut their stations do not have fuel to sell. When you don’t have fuel, you cannot open your station. That is the“Youproblem.know the NNPC is the sole importer of this product. I think it is in the best position to tell us what is going on.

“Currently, independent marketers

loyalty of our customers, and the support of our shareholders. We remain devoted to setting industry benchmarks and driving excellence across all aspects of our operations."

Umeoji, expressed delight at the recognition and dedicated the awards to the Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, for his impactful leadership in establishing a robust and flourishing institution.

She also expressed gratitude to the board for their vision and insight, the staff for their unwavering dedication, and the bank's customers for choosing Zenith as their preferred bank.

World Finance is a leading international magazine providing comprehensive coverage and analysis of the financial industry, international business and the global economy. The editorial combines

to working with the Government, development partners and citizens to realize a thriving economy where jobs and economic prospects are created, and millions of Nigerians are lifted out of poverty”.

In his new position Diop would lead the World Bank's team in Nigeria and deepen policy dialogue and partnership with the government and key stakeholders. He would oversee the delivery and implementation of lending and non-lending support to Nigeria.

Diop has held several leadership positions in the World Bank which include, Head of the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment unit for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, based in Jakarta

agricultural initiatives, programmes and projects under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, just as state governments also had theirs.

He explained that government must respond to the creeping availability crisis, noting that as the government continues to encourage agricultural production on a sustainable and profitable basis for farmers, the time lag between cultivation and harvest makes it inevitable for the government to kick-in stop-gap measures that would bring tremendous relief to Nigerians.

"For instance, harvest for 2024 wet season farming will not be due until October-November. On the one hand, while the measures aim to alleviate immediate food shortages, we will strengthen domestic production capabilities to enhance long term food security.

"I do not wish to dwell much on other well-known causative factors in our country’s food inflation figures: infrastructural challenges, multiple taxes and levies and then just sheer profiteering by marketers and traders.

"What is important is to let you know that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, feels the pain of Nigerians and is earnestly desirous of relieving these pains, stabilising the economy and getting Nigerians back to happy days.

cannot buy what the private depots are selling. They are selling fuel between N715 and N720 per litre.

How much will marketers sell the product? Look at the cost of bringing it to their depots; with transportation and other depot expenses, it will be too costly for them.

“That is why the stations are shut down. Some marketers refuse to go and buy because they know the masses cannot afford high-priced petrol in this economy. That is the situation for now.”

National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, said at the weekend that the hiccups experienced by drivers was partly due to bad road conditions.

Aside transportation challenges, Maigandi also stated that ex-depot prices had hit N715, compared to previous lower prices that IPMAN members bought the product. The additional margin by the marketers, he stressed, made the product costlier at the pumps.

award-winning reportage, covering a broad range of topics from banking and insurance to wealth management and infrastructure investment, with contributions from some of the world’s most well-respected economists and theorists as well as consultants in government think tanks and the World Economic Forum.

Zenith Bank's track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, with these latest accolades coming on the heels of several recognitions including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 14th consecutive year in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine. We were also awarded the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank

and Bangkok, Lead Economist for Indonesia, based in Jakarta, Lead economist roles for Jordan and Lebanon, Country Economist roles in the Middle East and North Africa. Notably he served as the Bank’s Resident Representative for Tunisia between 2007 and 2010. He joined the World Bank in Washington DC in 2000 as a Young Professional.

As an economist, Diop has published in peer reviewed journals and books on fiscal policy and growth, monetary policy and inflation, macro policies and resilience to sudden stops in capital inflows, natural resource abundance, Dutch disease, and economic diversification.

"As you may be aware, in March 2024, the President constituted the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) under which, the Economic Management Team (EMT) recently presented to Mr. President an Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan.

“A Two Trillion Naira package was approved to be spent on actualizing the Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan of which Agriculture is a key focused sector," he said.

The minister purportedly revealed that the EMT has been meeting day and night working out the best modalities to achieve the best results for Nigerians.

He, therefore, disclosed that to ameliorate food inflation in the country caused by affordability and exacerbated by availability, the government had taken a raft of measures to be implemented over the next 180 days.

The measures include a 150-day duty free import window for food commodities. This entails the suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders).

These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas. Under this arrangement, imported food commodities would be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).

On this, the minister stated: "I am aware that some good citizens might be concerned of the quality of the would be imported food commodities as it relates to the trending worries around genetic composition of food).

"I am glad to reiterate that the government’s position exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption."

In addition to the importation by private sector, he stated that the federal government would import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize.

The imported food commodities in their semi processed state would target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country, he said.

Kyari revealed that the federal government would engage relevant stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and mop up surplus assorted food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.

of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2022; and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2024 Banking Awards Further recognitions include Best Bank in Nigeria for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards and Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023 in the World Finance Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for 2022 and 2023, and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the

Dr. Ndiamé Diop

There will be a continuous ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle, a sustained support to smallholder farmers in the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives as well as strengthening and acceleration of dry season farming across the country, he was quoted to have said.

The government, he was further quoted to have said, would equally embark on aggressive agricultural mechanisation and development to reduce drudgery, drive down the cost of production and boost productivity, just as it collaborates with the subnational to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation.

Other measures include working closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation, development of a strategic engagement for youth and women across the federation for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilise prices, and address food shortages.

He also cited plans towards fasttracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme, while encouraging other para-military establishments to put secured available arable lands to cultivation.

"The Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 with a view to develop and implement policies that prioritise livestock development and ensure alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan," the minister disclosed. He added that this was with the view to enhancem nutrition security through the promotion of production of fortified food commodities and offer necessary support to scale up the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Over the next 14 days, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), we will convene with the respective agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks.

Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021 and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. The bank also received the accolade of Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards and Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation

At the cocktAil reception...

L-R: Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe; Chief Executive Officer, FemiHandbags and convener Lagos Leather Fair,

Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Hauwa Adeeyo; and Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Wema

at the cocktail reception of the Lagos Leather Fair 2024, at the Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos... recently.

Minimum Wage: Akpabio Says States Rich Enough to Pay

Minister

says tripartite

committee

report to improve workers' condition of service

Poorly paid workers susceptible to corruption, Abass declares

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, said State governors no longer have any excuse to complain about payment of a new minimum wage if signed into law going by improvements in revenues that accrue to them monthly.

Akpabio, therefore, stressed the need for all parties to the minimum wage negotiation to abide by the agreement.

This was as Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the report of a tripartite committee on the new minimum wage that had been presented to President Bola Tinubu, was a comprehensive blueprint that would drastically improve the conditions of service of all Nigerian workers

both in the public and private sectors.

They both stated this in Abuja, at a one-day retreat on ‘Labour Reforms and Living Wage in Nigeria: A Legislative Intervention,’ organised by the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

Akpabio, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, said the significance of the retreat further underscored the possible legislative interventions in redressing the intractable and seemingly endless conversations around labour issues in the country.

He explained, "In the recent past, even some segments of the public sector, especially at state level, failed to implement the national minimum wage.

"They either failed to domesticate the legislation, or failed to honour it after domestication through the payment of percentage salaries for various reasons. Now that it is on record that all States have access to more monthly allocations as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, it is expected that all States will abide by the new minimum wage when finally determined and legislated."

He added, "The significance of the minimum wage debate is pertinent in a number of ways. These include shielding workers from unreasonably low compensation, preventing employers from exploiting their workers and providing workers with adequate income for food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, transportation and other essential needs, amongst many other benefits.

"There are always two sides of a coin. In others words, despite its advantages, a minimum wage also has its disadvantages.

"Some of the main concerns raised by opponents of a minimum wage include; job losses, particularly for lowskilled workers, because employers often respond to payment of higher wages by reducing their workforce.”

The Senate President noted that it had also been argued that increased minimum wage could lead to inflation, as businesses may pass on the higher labour cost to consumers in the form of higher prices for goods and services.

“It can also contribute to rising living costs amongst many other concerns. It is important to note that both the proponents and antagonists of minimum wage have their points, which seem generally valid and

NASS Joint C’tee Impressed with 80km Work on Ongoing 203km Kaduna-Kano Rail Project

The National Assembly yesterday said it was impressed with the ongoing works on the 203 kilometres Kaduna-Kano corridor of the nation’s rail modernisation project.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Land Transport, Adamu Aliero reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly in ensuring that funds are made available for timely completion of the project.

Aliero, while speaking to the press on the sidelines of the inspection at Maikarfi, Kaduna State, explained that the joint committee of both the House and also the Senate were on site to inspect the construction of a rail line between Kaduna to Kano.

"We have just taken a ride from Kano to Maikarfi. So far, we are impressed with what we have seen. We have seen a lot of dedication by the ministry and also by the contractor trying to deliver the project in time, I think 2025, they said.

"We understand that the deadline given to them is 2025 or 2026. But we are hoping that by 2025, if they sustain the tempo, they will be able to deliver. We will lobby our colleagues in the National Assembly to ensure that this project does not suffer from inadequate funding.

"There are other challenges connected with the project, particularly the funding arrangement, which we intend to discuss with the Minister of Finance, the Attorney General of

the Federation, and also the Minister of Transportation," he added.

He reiterated that the committee has oversight functions on railways, promising to do whatever was possible to ensure that the project was completed in time.

"We believe that land transportation is very vital to the economic development of this country. And there is no way a country can develop without an effective rail system," he added.

He maintained that the Bola Tinubu government did well by continuing with the project it inherited.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that we overcome these financial constraints. The major part of the fund is coming from China Development Bank, from what we were briefed," Adamu said.

Also speaking, the Minister of

Transportation, Senator Sa'id Alkali noted that the ministry was in Maikarfi with the National Assembly, first because of powers conferred on them to oversight all ministries, departments and agencies.

"Most of the issues they will raise on the projects they have seen it by themselves. That will make it much easier for us to defend what the ministry is doing in terms of the railway modernisation," he stated.

S’South States to Understudy,

South-South States under the aegis of the BRACED Commission have agreed to understudy and replicate the e-governance system emplaced by the Governor Godwin Obasekiled administration in Edo State. A statement by the government yesterday said that the programme was driving transparency, accountability, traceability and digitisation in government.

The Head of Service, Directors and Permanent Secretaries of the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission are meeting in Edo State for a strategy retreat, which is being held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, (JOOPSA) in Benin City, Edo State.

The retreat is targeted at fostering excellence in the public service as well as improving the management

and leadership of the public service across the BRACED States.

Speaking to journalists, the Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa said Edo State remains the trailblazer state in the area of digital governance in Nigeria.

He noted that the BRACED states had made a commitment to emulate and replicate the technological advancement achieved by Edo state in the next two years with the tag: “The Benin Declaration.”

Okungbowa noted: “We are here to learn from each other and copy the successes recorded by states as we leverage on each other’s strength to help deal with our weaknesses.

“This programme is intended to make the management and leadership of the public service

Replicate

across the BRACED States to be a lot better than before.

“We made commitment in the course of the programme. Our analysis in the strategic retreat zeroes in on what we have been doing in Edo State, particularly in technology as the other states have committed to coming back in two years to ensure their system replicates the successes recorded in Edo state in the area of technology.

“They committed that in two years’ time, their states will be like Edo state as they will ensure their systems embrace technology like Edo State did and by then have paperless governance up to the point that Edo is.”

The HoS added: “We are not remaining where we are as we are already thinking of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are already

compelling.

"However, adding contexts to it is pertinent for obvious reasons. One, from comparative perspective, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the question of minimum wage. There are notable variations across countries.

"While some have a unified minimum wage system determined only by the central government, there are a few countries with multiple minimum wage systems, where subnational governments can also legislate."

Akpabio, observed that only eight per cent of the nation's population would be affected by the minimum wage payment and the private sector workers would be worst hit when implemented.

He said, "Nigeria’s labour market has two segments, namely the public and private sectors. However, the public sector workers are the most affected by increases in the minimum wage for two main reasons.

"Firstly, it is not proper for the government to violate its own law. Secondly, nearly all public-sector workers are unionised. Violations can therefore be resisted and counterproductive.

"Majority of Nigerians are not directly affected by changes in the minimum wage mainly because 92.3 per cent of the working age population that are employed work in the informal sector, mostly as farmers, traders, artisans or providers of services.

"Conversely, only about eight per cent of Nigerians would benefit from a minimum wage increase, all other things being equal. Unfortunately,

“all other things” have not always been equal.

"Some components of this eight per cent who work in the private sectors, especially in services, hospitality, small private clinics and non-profit organisations earn below the minimum wage.

"This is partly because many of them are not sufficiently organised and unionised. As such, they lack a veritable platform for effective organisation and resistance.

"For instance, how will the new minimum wage, even if eventually resolved, affect majority of Nigerian not directed covered by it? How will the informal sector respond to it? In what ways could it impact employment, income and inequality across board and beyond the labour force? These are relevant posers that we cannot completely ignore.

"My reference to the above challenges is not to denigrate the ongoing demand by labour for a new minimum wage, but to serve as a reminder of the complexity of the issues in Nigeria."

For her part, Onyejeocha in her speech said the retreat underscored, "our collective commitment to the welfare of every Nigerian worker, a commitment that is both a moral imperative and a strategic priority for our nation's growth and development." She noted that the vision of the current administration was to create a labour market that is fair, equitable and capable of sustaining the aspirations of every Nigerian worker. continues online

Edo’s E-governance System

in Edogov 2.0 as we are making progress. We hope other BRACED states leverage what we have done and run their system the way we ran ours.

“As far as digital governance is concerned, Edo is the first and trailblazer state. No state has done it before in the sub-Sahara; no subnational in Africa has achieved what we have achieved in digital governance. Edo has demonstrated that it's possible as the state is now operating paperless, making governance easier.”

On his part, the Delta State HoS, Reginald Boyoko commended Obaseki for his developmental strides, which he said have made Edo a reference point for other states across the nation.

He stated: “In every training exercise, there are lessons to be

learnt as JOOPSA is a lesson to take home after the retreat. The level of organization is something to take home as well as the expert brought to deliver lectures which was done greatly, is worth emulating.

“Our commitment as BRACED states is to motivate workers as we also have a lot to take home in this regard. I am happy that some of my colleagues accompanied me here and we have learnt a lot.”

The Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office of Head of Service, Rivers State who represented Rivers State HOS Dr Inyingi Iwarkama Brown said: “We are not competing against one another, but working as brother states to share ideas not to reinvent but copy from the states doing well as it will help save resources than expending resources to discover the new ideas.”

Mrs. Femi Olayebi;

Bank, Mrs. Ayodele Olojede,

PHOTO: ETOP UKUT

kasim Sumaina in Kano

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611

Labour’s Unending Clamour for Living Wage

The Organised Labour Centre led by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress has been negotiating for a living wage for Nigerian workers with the federal government. However, considering the fact that the negotiation is taking much more time than necessary, the union should reach a reasonable compromise and put the matter to rest. Adedayo Akinwale reports

For more than a year, the organised labour led by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have engaged in negotiation with the federal government over a new minimum wage.

Interestingly, after one year, the organised labour is still locked in the negotiation room with the government. At the moment, it is not yet certain when an agreement would be reached in order to put the matter to rest.

However, the decision of the organised labour to demand a new living wage was because of the removal of petrol subsidy, which has led to the highest inflation in the history of the country.

THISDAY checks revealed that during President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, he declared that ‘fuel subsidy is gone’. According to him, the country could no longer sustain the subsidy regime due to drying resources.

“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” he had said.

The decision to remove the subsidy, however, immediately led to a spike in the prices of the products and spiralling inflation across board.

Justifying his decision to remove the subsidy, Tinubu said Nigeria would have gone bankrupt if his administration had not discontinued fuel subsidy payments. He admitted that though the policy came with economic pains, it was in the best interest of Nigerians.

Initially, there was no plan — short term, medium, longer term— for palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on Nigerians not until the organised labour threatened and subsequently embarked on strike before the federal government decided to roll out measures, which are not having immediate effect.

Checks revealed that when the current administration came into office a year ago, inflation was at 22 per cent. At the moment, it stands at 33 per cent with food inflation higher than 40 per cent.

Apparently, these are not the best of times for Nigerians, as they  bear the brunt of these increases daily at markets across the country. Many families have had to cut their expenditure to fit the times.

Against this background, the organised labour demanded for a living wage in tune of  N615,000 in line with the current reality.

However, after rounds of negotiations, the organised labour moderated to around N200,000. This was against N60,000 proposed by the federal government which the organised labour vehemently rejected.

In the thick of the negotiation, the state governments cautioned the federal government against negotiating minimum wage on its behalf with the labour union.

Some governors were of the opinion that states

should be allowed to determine their minimum wage based on their financial capacity. They also demanded a review of the revenue allocation formula to enable them implement the proposed national minimum wage.

Expectedly, the labour leaders rejected the proposal to decentralise minimum wage negotiations to state governments.

The union described the proposal as “unfriendly and anti-worker”, noting that allowing states to determine their minimum wages would be detrimental to workers’ welfare.

While organised labour is adamant about its N200,000 minimum wage demand, the state governors said that paying even the N62,000 proposed by the federal government would plunge many states into debt.

While the federal government may be ready to accept N65,000 as the new minimum wage, governors and the organised private sector were against paying as high as N60,000. They insisted that any figure above N57,000 may not be sustainable.

Recently, a Nigerian civic organisation, BudgIT, said in a report that the implementation of the proposed minimum wage was currently not feasible given the horizontal fiscal imbalance among the 36 states of the federation.

BudgIT, in its “Wage Bill of States” report, explained that though the 36 states of the federation earned N7.85 trillion in 2023, 51 per cent of the cumulative revenue went to the top eight states including: Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ogun and Ondo. It added that 15 percent of the amount was earned by Lagos alone. This means  that several states of the country are unable to pay

the uniform minimum wage being demanded by the labour unions.

To this end,  BudgIT recommended that each state would have to negotiate its own minimum wage based on its economic reality.

For example, last year, Kano spent nearly half of its revenue on personnel cost at 40.91 per cent, Imo 37.64 per cent and Adamawa 37.32 per cent. States’ (excluding Taraba) 2023 personnel actual (salaries, allowances and social benefits including pensions and gratuity stood at N1.94 trillion to 1.16 million workers while monthly average personnel cost per state employee stood at N4.74 billion to the same number of beneficiaries, according to BudgIT.

THISDAY investigation revealed that in 2019, when minimum wage was raised to N30,000, as at May 2022 — three years after adoption, seven states were yet to implement the minimum wage.

This was because states do not generate enough revenue internally to be able to implement the minimum wage, as well as the adjustments across all cadres that often results. Most states still depend on the monthly federal allocations to function.

According to BudgIT, only three states – Lagos, Ogun and Akwa Ibom – generate more in internal revenue than they receive in federal allocations.

In BudgIT’s 2023 State of States report, Lagos generates N43,386 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) per capita, more than double the figure of Rivers State in second place with N21,422 billion. As far as that measure is concerned, Rivers is closer to Zamfara (N1,191 billion) than it is to Lagos.

These wide disparities mean that any minimum wage discussion that does not consider the ability of all the 36 states to pay, will only result in a pyrrhic victory that benefits far fewer workers than first thought.

As it stands today, only  ten states can afford the proposed minimum wage of N62,000. The states are: Lagos, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Ogun, Kano, and Kaduna.

As it stands today, only  ten states can afford the proposed minimum wage of ₦62,000. The states are: Lagos, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Ogun, Kano, and Kaduna. For instance, Edo State is already paying ₦70,000 minimum wage to workers in the state, which commenced in April. This is an example of a state government looking at its finances and arriving at a proactive solution to address the cost-of-living crisis.  Therefore, it won’t be out of place for the organised labour to focus on a sustainable minimum wage that all states can pay.

For instance, Edo State is already paying N70,000 minimum wage to workers in the state, which commenced in April. This is an example of a state government looking at its finances and arriving at a proactive solution to address the cost-of-living crisis.

Therefore, it won’t be out of place for the organised labour to focus on a sustainable minimum wage that all states can pay.

Failure to do this will lead to the federal government giving budget support to states who cannot afford the new wage. When that budget support runs out, default will become the norm and workers in many states will go back to square one.

It should be noted that the minimum wage adjustment is contentious not because of the wage itself, but because of the consequential adjustment that results. The new wage applies to civil servants on Grade levels 1 to 6, but Grades 7 to 17 also get an adjustment as well, leading to a significant effect on the personnel costs of the states.

At the last increment, civil servants from Grades 7-17 got increases ranging from 10-23 per cent.

Under a scenario of a N70,000 minimum wage, the wage bill of states is expected to increase by 70 per cent on average, a huge jump. In a N150,000 scenario which will be more appealing to Labour, that wage bill will go up three and a half times or 250 per cent.

The reality is that a relatively small percentage of people get a significant portion of the state’s revenues as salaries and pensions, leaving little for things like infrastructure, education and healthcare.

This shows that an increase in the minimum wage would ensure that a fraction of the population gets an even larger chunk of revenues at state and federal levels. Recurrent expenditure — of which wages are a central component — is already sky-high.

As of 2022, recurrent expenditure as a percentage of total revenue averages 89 percent for the 36 states, leaving little for important capital expenditure that is necessary to drive governance outcomes.

A new minimum wage with the current fiscal reality would only worsen this picture. It will mean that states exist to pay salaries and pensions, with little fiscal space for anything else.

Aside from this, remittances from the NNPC have dried up because petrol subsidy is back. This means that the states have less funds to satisfy the minimum wage demands.

The current petrol subsidy is around N500 per liter ex-depot, one of the biggest differentials in the subsidy scheme’s history. Sustaining it comes with costs at every level.

Above all, despite calling on the organised  labour to be reasonable in its demands, political office holders should cut their flamboyant lifestyles and desist from making unreasonable appointments.

A situation where governors appoint more than 200 aides, all earning outrageous salaries and allowances, as well as the ‘jumbo’ salaries of legislators, and other appointees of government should be reduced dramatically.

Tinubu AbdulRazaq

Aajero

Rail Transport: Despite Seeming Neglect, Passengers Volume Grow

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

In spite of what appears to be governments’ inattention to rail transportation sector, passengers using the few kilometres available grew by 52.88 per cent in Q1, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

In the period under reference, the volume of cargo also grew from 160,650 tons compared to 59,966 tons recorded in Q1 of the previous year, underscoring the huge market available for the largely untapped subsector.

Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that in terms of revenue generation, N1.42 billion was received from passengers during the period, showing an increase of 84.91 per cent from the N768.44 million

recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.

A nation of over 200 million people and 923,770km², Nigeria’s railway network serves only a small portion of the country, with a network of about 3,505km colonial narrow gauge and 669km modern standard gauge.

While a number of projects aimed at revamping and extending it, including the new rail corridor between Ibadan and Apapa port as well as the Abuja-Kaduna line (2016), the Abuja light rail network (2018) and the Itakpe-Warri line (2020), the effort looks more like a drop in the ocean, given the country’s huge population and potential patronage. In 2023 the Muhammadu Buhari administration introduced a new law that enabled states to

build railway lines, which was previously the preserve of the national government. But there is not much indication that the 36 states are taking advantage of the new law.

A Historian, Tokunbo Ayoola, who has a special interest in Nigeria’s railway history, in a recent paper, said that the return of rail transport was important, as it would bring many social, economic and cultural benefits.

“But efforts to revive the network won’t succeed unless four things happen. The government invests in existing lines and new ones, the railway corporation begins manufacturing some of its equipment and tools locally, the laws governing road transport are enforced to ensure there’s healthy competition in the sector, and

foreign investors are encouraged to come in.

“These days the railway and its facilities have lost their pride of place in the country’s social, economic and cultural life. Their value and importance are now limited to a few parts of the country. The volume of freight transport by rail is increasing. But it is minuscule compared with the huge volume being carried by road and air transport,” he stated.

As to whether allowing states to build railway lines will revolutionise rail transport in Nigeria, he expressed the belief that it won’t, for three reasons.

“First, it will be difficult for many of the 36 state governments to finance and manage railway development. Second, unless states develop regional railways together, individual urban and light railway services will run

at a loss. Third, foreign investors would only be interested if they could make profits,” he explained.

But the NBS data further showed that in the quarter under review, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reported an additional volume of goods/cargo transported via pipeline, which stood at 8,000 tons.

“In Q1 2024, a total of 675,293 passengers travelled via rail system relative to 441,725 reported in the corresponding quarter of 2023, indicating a growth rate of 52.88 per cent. The volume of goods/ cargo transported via rail in Q1, 2024 stood at 160,650 tons compared to 59,966 tons recorded in Q1 2023.

“In the quarter under review, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported an additional volume of goods/cargo transported via pipeline which stood at 8,000 tons.

“In terms of revenue generation, N1.42 billion was received from passengers during the reference period, showing an increase of 84.91 per cent from the N768.44 million recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. Similarly, N607.32 million was collected from goods/ cargo conveyed via rail in Q1 2024, up by 235.03 per cent from N181.27 million received in Q1 2023. “In addition, revenue generated from the movement of goods/ cargo via pipeline stood at N59.14 million in Q1 2024. Other receipts amounted to N25.40 million, indicating a decline of 25.65 per cent in Q1 2024 from the N34.17 million received in Q1 2023,” the NBS stated.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is optimistic that the recent Executive Order that introduced zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value-Added Tax (VAT) on imported pharmaceutical inputs would revitalise manufacturing of drugs in Nigeria.

The LCCI express this hope in a press statement, which described the Executive Order as a bold move that aligned with

the broader initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain with emphasis on the revitalisation of local drug manufacturing.

The Director General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, said, “By significantly reducing production costs, this initiative will enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers” following the recent exit of some pharmaceutical firms from Nigeria that “has made drug availability difficult, leading to higher costs of medications. This

policy intervention has come at a good time.”

The LCCI also acknowledged that eliminating taxes on crucial inputs would pave the way for a revitalised local pharmaceutical industry and improved access to affordable healthcare products.

It pointed out that countries like India and China have successfully implemented similar policies and have become major drug manufacturing hubs in their regions.

“Nigeria’s new directive should

align with these successful models to enhance local manufacturing capacity and reduce import dependency,” the chamber said.

It added, “This Executive Order as a transformative policy measure. The chamber believes it will boost domestic production, reduce medication costs, improve healthcare access, create jobs, revitalise Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, and improve Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI).

“It marks a significant

shift towards market-based incentives, encouraging medical industrialization and reducing reliance on imports. The LCCI remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.”

Almona said that the successful implementation of this order required close collaboration among the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She said: “A harmonised implementation framework should be developed to ensure efficient execution. Agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Federal Inland Revenue Service should create a smooth operational environment, eliminating bureaucratic delays and bottlenecks.”

Dike Onwuamaeze

LAWYER

Kenyan Protests: Succeeding Where #EndSARS

LAWYER

KenyanProtests:Succeeding Where #EndSARS Failed?

Quotable

‘When we went to secondary school, we had the Quota System. I, from Bendel State, had to score over 90% to get into a Unity School. My contemporary from Niger could come in at 46%, because he was considered to be educationally disadvantaged. The only thing I say about zoning and affirmative action, is that there must be a sunset clause.' - Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, Immediate Past NBA President, Labour Party Edo State Governorship Candidate

PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Prof Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

lawyer

9,110 Lawyers to Attend 2024 NBA Annual General Conference

Page V

A Tale of Two Judgements

Congratulations to the new British PM, Sir Keir Starmer of the Labour Party.

I hope Nigeria will take cue from the forming of his cabinet with the 24-hour alacrity that serious governance demands. Nigeria concludes her elections three months before the actual swearing-in into office, yet, cabinet members are not chosen in advance, but, months later, while governance is left on cruise control in the meantime. The British win their election, and the next day, the new cabinet is in place! And, I cannot but mention the fact that the new British cabinet has a good gender balance, with almost half of its members being female.

As usual, last week was yet another interesting week for us Lawyers. Aside from the reactions following Nigeria’s signing of the Samoa Agreement, there were the judgements handed down by the Federal High Court in the PDP Edo Primaries Case, and that of the Court of Appeal in the Rivers State House of Assembly imbroglio.

The Samoa Agreement

It appears that some Nigerian groups, particularly religious ones, falsely alleged that the Samoa Agreement contains provisions that may be in favour of same sex relationships and the acceptance of the LGBTQ culture in form of being guaranteed as fundamental rights, and they have taken exception to Nigeria being a part of that. This allegation is baseless, as not only does Article 9 of the Agreement make no mention of LGBTQ, the Federal Government has also denounced the false allegation as inflammatory on the part of mischief makers trying to incite the people against the Government, stating that the Agreement is simply for the economic development of Nigeria.

But, is there really any need for this unnecessary controversy? By virtue of Section 12(1) & (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), no Treaty between Nigeria and any other country shall have the force of law until it is enacted into law by the National Assembly, and such law must be ratified by a majority of all the Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, before the President can assent to it. Consequently, a Government that is vehemently opposed to a culture won’t endorse it, nor will Legislators who are standing firmly on the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013, the Criminal Code and Penal Code, domesticate into Nigerian law, any Treaty whatsoever that may appear to be contrary to Nigerian laws. This is a classic case of spreading fake news, which has become a big problem, not only in Nigeria, but globally.

The Edo PDP Primaries Federal High Court Judgement

It has become more or less a weekly repetition for me, to mention that the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) should discipline erring Judges and Lawyers respectively, as it is the most effective way to deter others from all these unwholesome practices that are bringing the justice/legal sector into serious disrepute. It seems as if some Lawyers and Judges are in cahoots to abuse court processes and cause more confusion, instead of resolving differences.

And, the new trend, where at the conclusion of court proceedings, Lawyers go out to brief the media on pronouncements that the court did not make, as was done in this Edo case, which Media Houses then disseminate without ascertaining the true facts, resulting in the general public being misinformed and misled, thereby causing unnecessary chaos, is not only troubling and dangerous to say the least, but unethical. Aside from the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023 (RPC) which disallows such behaviour by Lawyers, accuracy is the first rule that Journalists must observe in their reportage. As wrongly reported in the media, the FHC didn’t nullify the Edo PDP Gubernatorial Primaries, or the position of Asue Ighodalo as the PDP’s Gubernatorial Candidate in the upcoming Edo State election. The court however, delivered a strange judgement holding that the Plaintiffs in the case are lawful delegates who cannot be excluded from participating as Ward Delegates in a primary election that already took place on February 22, 2024, or any other date, a decision which by law, the court isn’t empowered to make. In Osagie & Ors v Enoghama, PDP & Ors (2022) LPELR-58903 (SC) (decided by Ekwo J at first instance) the Apex Court upheld his decision and held inter alia that: “There is no law that gives delegates elected to vote in a primary election of a political party the right of action to protect or preserve their status as such delegates, or protect their right to vote during such primary elections. The refusal of their political party to recognise them as such delegates, or to allow them vote in a primary election to elect the party’s candidates, would not give such delegates legal cause for action. However, such refusal can create a legal cause of action by an Aspirant in the primary election, after a candidate has been selected under Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act”.

The decision in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2024

Honourable Kelvin Mohammed & 2 Ors v INEC, PDP & 2 Ors in which Judgement was delivered by Inyang Ekwo J of the Federal High Court (FHC) on July 4, 2024 (Edo case), is consequently, rather bizarre, and yet another case of abuse of court

onikepo braithwaite

onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

“In the Edo case, the Claimants had no locus standi to institute the action… The subject-matter of the case is non-justiciable… In either scenario, the FHC lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, yet, Ekwo J still went ahead to entertain the case and deliver judgement therein, instead of striking it out…the decision in the Edo case, is an exercise in futility; null and void ab initio and of no effect…in the case of Rivers, the matter is justiciable; it was only instituted at the wrong venue. Therefore, Wali J could/ should have transferred the case to the FHC”

process - a frivolous, vexatious case, in which not only do the Claimants not have locus standi to bring the action, there’s no legally recognisable, sustainable or reasonable cause of action for any court to adjudicate upon, thereby leaving the court without jurisdiction to hear their case. In Gafar v Government of Kwara State (2007)

LPELR-8073 per Mahmud Mohammed, JSC, the Supreme Court held that “where a court had no jurisdiction to entertain any claim, anything done in respect of the claim will be an exercise in futility”. Also see the locus classicus of Madukolu v Nkemdilim 1962 2 SCNLR 34. I submit that the decision in the Edo case, is an exercise in futility; null and void ab initio and of no effect.

The main plank of the Claimant’s claim, borders on matters concerning Ad-hoc Delegates and their alleged exclusion from participation in the Edo State PDP Primaries that took place earlier this year, which means that this happened before the Edo Gubernatorial election that is yet to take place. See Osagie & Ors v Enoghama, PDP & Ors (Supra). In Magaji v APC & Ors (2023) LPELR-60356(SC) per Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC, the Supreme Court held that it had decided in a several cases that: “the selection of ward delegates to vote in a primary election is not a pre-election matter, in respect of which any court has jurisdiction to adjudicate…..”. I submit that the Edo case doesn’t fall within the definition of a pre-election matter, nor does the court have jurisdiction to adjudicate upon it.

Section 285(14)(a)-(c) of the Constitution clearly sets out the definition of a pre-election matter, and who is permitted to institute such pre-election

appears to be on all fours with the Edo case, this correct position of the law was what was decided thus: “Ordinarily, political parties being voluntary associations, disputes over any of their internal affairs…..are not justiciable, and therefore, not within the jurisdiction of the courts, except where the national Constitution or statute expressly gives a court such jurisdiction, or the dispute is about the commission of a crime, or involves the violation of a contractual right or the commission of a tort”. The Edo case doesn’t fit this bill. Unfortunately, it is these type of actions of some Judges, that encourage the public to vilify the Judiciary and pour invectives on them. I have learnt to take things on a case by case basis, as I believe it would be unfair to tar all judicial officers with the same negative brush of corruption, lack of knowledge or abuse; just like I wouldn’t want to be tarred with the brush of recklessness or irresponsibility, or of a Lawyer who possesses no knowledge of the law or lacks credibility, as some have held themselves out to be on account of their actions.

Rivers State Court of Appeal Judgement Appeal No. CA/PH/198/2024

Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule & 24 Ors v Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo & 5 Ors in which Hon. Justice Jimi Olukayode Bada, JCA delivered the lead judgement on July 4, 2024, an appeal against the case filed at the Rivers State High Court (RHC) by the Respondents, Suit No. PHC/1512/CS/2024 Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo & 5 Ors v Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule & 24 Ors, the Court of Appeal held inter alia that by virtue of Section 272(3) of the Constitution, the FHC and not the RHC is the court vested with the jurisdiction to hear the matter on the vacancy of the seats of the River’s State House of Assembly. The Intermediate Court resolved all the issues in the appeal in favour of the Appellants, and struck out the aforementioned case at the RHC.

proceedings. In the case of Section 285(14)(a) & (b), only Aspirants (see the definition of Aspirant in Section 152 of the Electoral Act 2022 (EA)), that is, those who participated in the Primaries to vie for the position that the people will vote for in the general elections, have the locus standi to institute the pre-election proceedings mentioned therein; while by virtue of Section 285(14)(c), it is the political party that has the locus standi to institute the pre-election proceedings mentioned therein.

In the Edo case, neither Aspirants nor the PDP, instituted the action, but, so-called alleged Ad-hoc Delegates. In Osagie & Ors v Enoghama, PDP & Ors (Supra) the Apex Court held that “…the persons instituting an action before a court of law must have legal capacity, otherwise, the court is robbed of the necessary jurisdiction to entertain same”. I submit that, in the Edo case, the Claimants don’t have the legal capacity to institute the action as they are not Aspirants, and therefore, the FHC is robbed of jurisdiction to entertain same. See the case of Commissioner of Lands Mid-Western State v Edo-Osagie & Ors (1973) LPELR-2933(SC) per George Baptist Ayodola Coker, JSC.

The position of the law is that, matters concerning the internal affairs of a political party are not justiciable. The subject-matter of the Edo case, the issue of Ad-hoc Delegates, falls within the internal or domestic affairs of a political party.

The only narrow exception, is that which I have pointed out in Section 285(14) of the Constitution, also echoed in Sections 29(5) & 84(14) of the EA. I submit that the Edo case doesn’t form part of this narrow exception. In Osagie & Ors v Enoghama, PDP & Ors (Supra) which

Even though the Court of Appeal held that the RHC lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter, it decided the appeal on its merits, that is, it performed its judicial duty and obligation to determine and make clear pronouncements on all the issues properly placed before it by the parties on appeal, as doing this obviates the need to order a retrial of the issues that it has decided. See the case of Igboke v Chukwu & Ors (2023) LPELR-60104(SC) per Chima’s Centus Nweze, JSC. The Enrolment Order of the Court of Appeal, which is simply all the drawn up orders of the court in the case, also returned the parties to the status quo ante bellum. In Akapo v Hakeem-Habeeb & Ors (1992) LPELR-325(SC) per Philip Nnaemeka-Agu, JSC, the Apex Court defined status quo ante bellum as “the state of affairs before the beginning of the hostilities”. The Apex Court in First African Trust Bank Ltd & Anor v Ezegbu & Ors (1993) LPELR-1279(SC) per Abubakar Bashir Wali, JSC called it “….the last actual, peaceable, uncontested status which preceded the pending controversy”. It appears that the status quo ante bellum in this case, would be when the new session began, with Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule as the Speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.

Conclusion

When will abuse of court of process stop? Only when the appropriate punishment is meted out, to those who abuse it. Without sanctions, there’s no deterrent. In the Edo case, the Claimants had no locus standi to institute the action; yet, they did, obviously on the wrong advice of their Counsel. The subject-matter of the case is non-justiciable, yet, they still went ahead to institute the action based on it. In either scenario, the FHC lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, yet, Ekwo J still went ahead to entertain the case and deliver judgement therein, instead of striking it out. See the case of Sylva v INEC & Ors (2015) LPELR-24447(SC).

In the Rivers State Assembly case as well, the RHC also lacked the jurisdiction to hear matter, but Justice Charles Wali heard it anyway. The difference between Edo and Rivers is that, in the case of Rivers, the matter is justiciable; it was only instituted at the wrong venue. Therefore, Wali J could/should have transferred the case to the FHC. See Order 37 Rule 2(a) & (b) of the High Court of Rivers State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2010; Section 22(3) of the FHC Act 2004; and Order 49 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 on the transfer of cases to other courts, when there’s lack of jurisdiction.

The two aforementioned cases, are prime cases for the LPDC and NJC, to wade into. The actions of Counsel who filed these matters, and the Judges who wrongly assumed jurisdiction in them, despite the unequivocal provisions of the Constitution, EA and plethora of authorities should be investigated. Finally, with all the different interpretations of ‘status quo ante bellum’ vis-à-vis the circumstances of a particular case, it may have been easier for the Court of Appeal to have stated expressly what they mean by status quo ante bellum in the Rivers case, in order to lay any confusion to rest. And, going forward, it may be expedient for a clear pronouncement of the court on what it considers to be the status quo ante bellum to become the practice, so that parties are clear about their standing.

edo State PdP Gubernatorial candidate, asue Ighodalo Speaker, Rivers State house of assembly, hon. Martin amaewhule

Effect of Lumping Arguments on Competent and Incompetent Issues Together

Facts

By an Originating Summons dated and filed on 4th February, 2011, the 1st and 2nd Respondent filed an action at the High Court of Lagos State against the 3rd, 4th and 5th Respondent. They sought a declaration that the 3rd and 4th Respondent are in breach of the covenants of the Lease Agreement, particularly the covenant to pay rent, in the Lease Agreement executed between one late Madam Oyinkan Moyeni and the 3rd and 4th Respondent, in respect of a property known as 213A Igbosere Road, Lagos. They also sought a declaration that they are entitled to re-enter the said property, and an order directing the 3rd and 4th Respondent to deliver up possession of the property to them.

It was the case of the 1st and 2nd Respondent that the said Madam Oyinkan Moyeni who was the 1st Respondent’s grandmother and the 2nd Respondent’s great grandmother granted a lease of 75 years certain to the 3rd and 4th Respondent, and after the 3rd and 4th Respondent paid rent for the first five years from 1st April 1957 to 31st March 1962, they refused to pay any further rent on the property. It was also their case that the 3rd and 4th Respondent assigned the lease to the Federal Government of Nigeria without the consent of the said Madam Oyinkan Moyeni, in breach of the covenant not to sublet without her consent in writing, as prescribed in the Deed of Lease.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th Respondent did not oppose the Originating Summons, and after hearing the same unopposed, the trial court adjourned the case to 20th September, 2011 for judgement. However, by September 20th, 2011 when the matter came up for judgement, the Appellant had filed an application seeking to join the suit as a party, being the occupant of the property. The trial court however, dismissed the application on the ground that the Counsel who appeared for the 5th Respondent also represented the interest of the Appellant as an agency of the Federal Government.

The trial court, per Honourable Justice Femi Adeniyi, proceeded to deliver its judgement in which it granted all the claims sought by the 1st and 2nd Respondent. The 3rd, 4th and 5th Respondent did not appeal the judgement. On the other hand, the Appellant, without seeking leave, filed an appeal against the ruling refusing its application for joinder and the judgement in the substantive suit. Thereafter, having detected that the Notice of Appeal was defective, the Appellant filed an application before the trial court praying for an order of joinder, stay of execution and an order setting aside the ruling and judgement delivered on 20th September, 2011. The 1st and 2nd Respondent opposed the application on the grounds that it was an abuse of court process, because of the Notice of Appeal earlier filed by the Appellant against the judgement. The trial court upheld the objection, and dismissed the Appellant’s application. Aggrieved, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal which allowed the appeal, and ordered that the Appellant’s application be assigned to another Judge of the High Court of Lagos State for hearing. The application was reassigned to Honourable Justice Candide-Johnson, who heard the application and dismissed it in its entirety in a ruling delivered on 17th April, 2015. Dissatisfied, the Appellant filed Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 without seeking leave. The Appellant also filed Appeal No. CA/L/863/17 against the judgement and ruling delivered by Honourable Justice Femi Adeniyi, on 20th September, 2011, as a person having interest in the matter, after seeking and obtaining leave to appeal.

The 1st and 2nd Respondent challenged the competence of Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 on the ground that the Appellant filed the same without the obtaining leave, as it was never a party in the suit before the trial court. They also challenged the competence of Appeal No. CA/L/863/17, on the ground that it was seeking the same relief as Appeal No. CA/L/600/15.

Subsequently, the Court of Appeal granted an application made by the Appellant for the two appeals to be heard together on the same record. When both appeals came up, Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 was called first. Counsel for the Appellant conceded to the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s objection that the appeal was incurably defective, and withdrew the appeal. Consequently, it was struck out. Thereafter, the Court of Appeal took arguments in Appeal No. CA/L/863/17. In its judgement, the Court of Appeal upheld the objection raised by the 1st and 2nd Respondent, and struck out the appeal for lacking in merit and for constituting an abuse of court process.

Honourable Mohammed Baba Idris, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at abuja

On Friday, the 7th day of june, 2024

Before their lordships

uwani Musa abba aji Chidiebere Nwaoma uwa Stephen jonah adah abubakar Sadiq umar

Mohammed Baba Idris justices, Supreme Court SC. 1097/2019

Between COuNCIl OF leGal eduCaTION aPPellaNT

And

1. HajIa BaSIRaT MOjISOla daNGe

2. MR OluyINKa aBayOMI OlaleKaN aWOlaRu

(for themselves and on behalf of the family ReSPONdeNTS of Madam Oyinkan Moyeni

3. MR BaSIl CHRISTOS eNONOMIdeS

4. MR elIaS BadIH KHalIFe

5. aTTORNey-GeNeRal OF FedeRaTION

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Mohammed Baba Idris, JSC)

Aggrieved, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination

The Apex Court adopted the following issues formulated by the Appellants:

1. Whether the Court of Appeal did not deny the Appellant fair hearing when it upheld the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s preliminary objection that Appeal No. CA/L/863/2017 was an abuse of court process because the Appellant asked for the same relief in Appeal No. CA/L/600/15, despite the fact that Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 had earlier been struck out by the same Court.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right not to have considered the effect of non-service of the notice of breach of covenant to pay rent on

“…..arguments or submissions on incompetent issues for determination cannot be lumped together with those on competent issues, and where such is done, the competent issue is infected with the virus of incompetence”

the 5th Respondent and the Appellant.

3. Whether the Court of Appeal was right not to have set aside the ruling of the High Court granting orders for repossession and re-entry in favour of the 1st and 2nd Respondent.

4. Whether the Court of Appeal was right when they held that the 1st and 2nd Respondent have sufficient interest in the matter.

Arguments

On the 1st issue, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the lower court having deleted Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 from its record before Appeal No. CA/L/863/17 was heard, there could never have been a situation of multiplicity of actions bordering on the same reliefs and same parties.

In response, Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Respondent argued that the Appellant had agreed that by the two appeals, the Appellant sought the same reliefs.

Arguing the 2nd and 3rd issues together, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the Court of Appeal only resolved issue 1 in relation to the service of statutory notices,. but never resolved issue 2 relating to service of demand for rent and notice to remedy the breach of covenants on the Appellant or on the 5th Respondent. Responding, Counsel for the Appellant argued that Grounds 3 and 5 from which issues 2 and 3 issues were distilled did not arise from the ratio decidendi of the judgement of the lower court, and were thus, incompetent. He argued

further that there is no appeal against the finding of fact that the Appellant claimed to be an owner in possession and was therefore, not entitled to statutory notices of any type.

On the 4th issue, Counsel for the Appellant submitted that the 1st and 2nd Respondent did not state any fact in the affidavit in support of their Originating Summons, to show that late Madam Oyinkan Moyeni devolved the property on them, hence, the action as constituted at their instance was incompetent.

In response, Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Respondent argued that the 1st and 2nd Respondent filed the case in a representative capacity for themselves and on behalf of the family of Madam Oyinkan Moyeni and thus, disclosed their locus standi to bring the action.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

On the 1st issue, the Apex Court held that before a court dismisses or strikes out a process on the ground that it is an abuse of the judicial process, it is fundamentally bound to take all precaution in examining the totality of the process and a court is not expected to take pockets of the process in isolation.

The Court held that assuming that Appeal No. CA/L/863/17 constitutes an abuse of the process of Appeal No/L/600/15, striking out the same for being incompetent for failure of the Appellant to seek leave does not stop the Appellant from presenting its appeal after doing the right thing. The Court further held that the striking out of Appeal No. CA/L/600/15 from the list simply means that the appeal ceases to exist and the Appellant is free to do the right thing; thus, the Appellant’s filing of Appeal No. CA/863/17 does not amount to an abuse of court process. The Court held that the Court of Appeal was thus, wrong, to have upheld the 1st and 2nd Respondent’s preliminary objection that Appeal No. CA/L/863/17 constitutes an abuse of court process.

Deciding the 2nd and 3rd issues together as the said issues were argued together in the parties’ respective briefs of argument, the Court held that what determines the relationship between the issue for determination and the ground of appeal, is the subject-matter of the complaint in the ground of appeal. The Court held that where the subject-matter in an issue for determination is different from the subject-matter in the ground of appeal, then the issue for determination will be incompetent; also, as any ground of appeal that does not translate into an issue is deemed abandoned and liable to be struck out. The Court held that the 2nd issue raised as issue D in the Appellant’s brief of argument and purportedly distilled from Ground 5 of the Notice of Appeal, has no relationship with the complaints in the said Ground 5. The Court thus, struck out Ground 5 on the ground that it is deemed abandoned in the absence of any issue derived therefrom, and the 2nd issue for being unrelated with the subject-matter in Ground 5.

Considering the 3rd issue raised as issue B in the Appellant’s brief, the Apex Court held that arguments or submissions on incompetent issues for determination cannot be lumped together with those on competent issues, and where such is done, the competent issue is infected with the virus of incompetence. This is because an attempt to sieve the arguments will drag the court into the arena of dispute, which often beclouds the judgement of the Court. The Court referred to BARBUS ABD CO v OKAFOR-UDEJI (2018) 11 NWLR (PT. 1630) 298.

The Court held that insofar as the 3rd issue was argued together with the abandoned issue D in the Appellants’ and 1st and 2nd Respondent’s Briefs of Argument, all the arguments made thereon are incompetent.

Determining the 4th issue, the Court held that once a Plaintiff perceives that he has a right or vested interest to enforce legally, and is able to articulate his claim in his statement of claim or affidavit filed with the originating process, such a Plaintiff would be adjudged to have shown sufficient interest entitling him to sue on the subject- matter.

The Apex Court held that the 1st and 2nd Respondent did show in the affidavit in support of their Originating Summons, their locus standi to institute the action as the granddaughter and great grandson of the late Madam Oyinkan Moyeni, suing as the accredited representatives and on behalf of the members of the family of the deceased who died intestate.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

Tolulope Taiwo Esq. for the Appellant. O. S. Sowemimo, SAN with others for the 1st and 2nd Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

Professor Sanni Emerges Dean of Law, Unilag

Professor Abiola Olaitan

Sanni, SAN has emerged as the Dean-elect of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos succeeding Professor Ige Omotayo Bolodeoku (who has been in the saddle since 2020) on the 1st of August, 2024. The election which took place on 5th of July, 2024 was keenly contested

by three Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the persons of Professor Joseph Abugu, Professor Babatunde Oni and the Dean-elect.

Prof Sanni, in his acceptance speech, noted the commonality in the manifestoes of the three contestants which include a New Faculty Building

Commendations for Late Prof Adeogun at Unilag Annual Lecture

The Department of Commercial and Industrial Law at the University of Lagos held its annual lecture on June 27, 2024, in memory of Professor A.A. Adeogun. The theme was: "Workplace Development, Unfair Labour Practices, and International Best Practices". The lecture was delivered by Honourable Justice B.B. Kanyip, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN). The event acknowledged the foundational contributions of Professors who transformed NICN into a constitutional establishment influencing Labour Law globally.

Professor Abiola Sanni, SAN, then Head of the Department, appreciated Prof Adejoke Oyewunmi for organising the event, and emphasised building on the legacy of past icons. Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola highlighted the importance of addressing contemporary workplace challenges, and praised the Department’s innovative approach.

Justice Kanyip provided a detailed analysis of Industrial Relations Law, underscoring recent Labour Law developments such as the introduction of unfair labour practices and international best practices in Nigeria. He emphasised the NICN's role in defining unfair labour practices and noted several landmark decisions by the court, including wrongful termination and denial of promotion as unfair practices.

Prof J.E.O. Abugu highlighted the NICN's significant role in labour

jurisprudence, and noted the broad application of international best practices.

Prof C. Obisi called for more judicial efforts to abolish unfair labour practices in Nigeria, citing the country's poor ranking. Dr Philip A. Folarin suggested that Nigeria follow countries like South Africa, in constitutionally guaranteeing fair labour practices. Peace Adeleye discussed the dualist nature of Nigeria's legal system, stressing the need for ratification and domestication of treaties for their application.

The event featured a Q&A session, fostering insightful discussions on labour law.

Former Head of Department, Prof Emmanuel Oladeji Akanki commended the Department’s dedication. Dr Charles Adeogun Phillips, representing the Adeogun family, expressed gratitude for the honour given to his family.

The event concluded with the presentation of plaques to key figures, including Justice Kanyip and former Department Heads, for their contributions to the field.

Prof Adejoke Oyewunmi thanked all participants, and emphasised the importance of continuous dialogue in advancing workplace and labour practices. The gathering featured notable legal and academic personalities, reflecting the significance of the theme.

Prominent attendees include the Chief Judge of Lagos State, various High Court Justices, former Deans, senior Lawyers, and representatives from Academic and Staff unions.

project. In his words “The three of us were practically reading from the same hymn book as far as the welfare of students and staff is concerned, the difference may be in the approach. We are determined to bequeath enduring legacies leveraging network in government circle, the immense goodwill of all our faculty members and alumni. My manifesto is a pact on sustainable progress, accountability and probity. With a unity of purpose, there is nothing we cannot do.”

Sanni bagged his Bachelor and Master of Laws Degrees from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in 1989 and 1992 respectively. In 1991, he began his teaching career in Obafemi Awolowo University as a

Junior Trainee Fellow; rose through the ranks to the position of Lecturer 1 and served as an Acting Head, Department of Business Law in 1997. He demonstrated exemplary vision and leadership during the early years in his career, by coordinating a crop of six dynamic young lecturers to publish in 1998, the first book on Legal Methods in Nigeria, titled: Introduction to Nigerian Legal Methods. The book has remained the leading introductory legal text, in Nigerian Universities and the West African sub region.

In searching for specialisation and career advancement, Prof Sanni transferred his service to UNILAG in 1999, where his career has flourished. In

2003, he won the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship for foreign scholars, a 10-month Fellowship at the International Tax Programme of Beasley School of Law, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. He was also appointed a Research Fellow of the Institute of International Law and Policy of the same University, during the same period. In 2016, he had the singular honour of being simultaneously appointed as a Professor of Commercial Law and occupier of a Professorial Chair endowed by Lagos State in the University of Lagos for the Advancement of Taxation and Fiscal Matters. This has earned him the sobriquet of “a Double Professor”, the first in UNILAG. Prof Sanni has served the Federal Government of Nigeria in different capacities as a professional. He was the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Review Committee (NTPRC) in 2016 and currently a member of the Presidential Fiscal Policy Tax Reform Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr Taiwo Oyedele. He maintains work life balance, through sporting and social interactions. He is a member of Ikoyi Club 1938, Octagon 90, FS Club, Ife Recreation Club, House of Commons, Science Boys, and UNILAG Staff Club. He is a child of God, and in a blessed union with Princess Olusola Amoke Sanni.

Gov Ayedatiwa Signs Law to Add Eleven Judges to Ondo Judiciary

The

first increase in

In a historic move to strengthen the Judiciary for more efficient dispensation of justice in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa last week, signed into law the Bill to add eleven 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 a development since the State was created in 1976.

In his address, Governor Ayedatiwa said: “Today, we make history with the signing

the number of Judges, since the creation of Ondo State in 1976

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 recognise 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.

“It is imperative to salute the Rt. Hon. Speaker Olamide Oladiji, other Honourable members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, my Lord, the Chief Judge

of Ondo State, Hon Justice Segun Ayedun Odusola and his associate Judges, the Hon. Attorney-General and all other stakeholders, for their untiring efforts to make this vision a reality. Your patriotism, doggedness and expertise have yielded a triumph for our Sunshine State and its good people.” Governor Ayedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Judiciary, including the recent approval and mobilisation of contractors.

9,110 Lawyers to Attend 2024 NBA Annual General Conference

A total of 9,110 Lawyers have so far registered to attend the 2024 NBA Annual General Conference (AGC), billed for Lagos according to the Nigerian Bar Association. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Charles Ajiboye, the NBA National Assistant Publicity Secretary, made available to press men last Wednesday in Lagos.

According to Ajiboye, the number of registered delegates had increased to 9,110 as of July 1, and 3,074

Lawyers registered in June, a development some Lawyers

attributed to harsh economic realities in the country.

Ajiboye expressed delight at the increased number of delegates, which he described as a good omen for the AGC.

“We are thrilled to share the latest updates on the 2024 AGC of the NBA, happening at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, from August 23 to 28, 2024.

“As of July 1, we had an impressive 9,110 members registered for the Conference.

Young Lawyers between one and seven years post-call have shown remarkable interest, with 2,306

registered.”

“Lawyers of 2012 Year of Call are leading with 639 registered delegates, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria have shown strong involvement with 188 registered members of the Inner Bar”, he said.

He noted that the Bar had recorded a singleday registration of 1,354 members, adding that Branch registration helped with the figures.

According to him, the Abuja Branch has 1,669 delegates, followed by the Lagos Branch with 1,628

delegates, and notable registrations from Port Harcourt with 542, Ikeja 453, and Ibadan 255.

“This overwhelming response, is a testament to our collective dedication to professional development and networking within the legal community”, he said.

The theme for the 2024 conference is: “Pressing Forward; A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria”. It is billed to run from August 23 to 28, and the Keynote Speaker is Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Oweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation.

Professor Abiola Olaitan Sanni, SAN

Professor A.A. Adeogun

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa

NBA President, Y.C. Maikyau, SAN

TalkIng ConsTITuTIonal demoCraCy

PROF mike

O

zekh

O me, san 0809 889 8888 sms Only

The Role of Law in Maintaining Sanity and Preventing Impunity in a Democratic Setting (Part 5)

Introduction

The fourth part of this treatise dealt with a global review of the theme of “How law maintains sanity and prevents impunity in a Democratic setting”. In this feature, we shall continue with an appraisal of the position in India and Uganda, before examining our experience here in Nigeria. Read on.

How Law Helps to Maintain Sanity and Prevent Impunity in a Democratic Setting (Continues)

The Constitution being the organic law of the land ought not to be subjected to such ouster clauses, as subjecting it to ouster clauses will only stunt the growth and development of the country, and by extension, encourage impunity without caution among public office holders. In Oyewunmi v Ogunesan (1996) 3 NWLR (PT. 137) 182 the court rightly held that in the present era, issues of rights and development, no economic and/or social rights provisions in any Constitution ought to be made nonjusticiable. Otherwise, the government cannot be held accountable to the people, which in turn, propagates corruption and hinders development. Therefore, to reposition Nigeria in a better light of actually stamping out impunity, Section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution needs to be examined critically by those constitutionally empowered to make laws and amend same, so that Section 15(5) can become of utilitarian value and place public officers on their toes to fight impunity with all honesty.

In India and some other African countries, there has been a gradual shift from rigid adherence to the implication of non-justiciability of the Constitution to flexible amendments to judicially making non- justiciable aspects of their Constitution justiciable. India is one of such States as reflected by the Supreme Court of India in Bharati v State of Kerala (1973) 4 SCC 222, where Hegede and Mukherjea J J rightly stated that directive principles is aimed at making the Indian masses free in the positive sense without faithfully implementing the Directive Principles, as it is contemplated by the Constitution (India 1950). In striving to improve quality social life, the Indian Constitution has had 97 Amendments.

Also, the Constitution of Uganda, as amended in 2005, has made a strong case for the justiciability of non-justiciable provisions of the Ugandan Constitution. Ogugua V.C. Ikpeze, Non-justiciability of Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution as an Impediment to Economic Rights and Development, Developing Country Studies Vol.5, N0.18, 2015. For example, Article 29 (See the Constitution of Uganda, 2005) provides for protection of freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association and Article 30 provides for right to education. Article 33 is on rights of women; while Section 34 is on rights of children. This Article provides as follows:

"No child shall be deprived by any person of medical treatment, education or any other social or economic benefit by reason of religious or other beliefs”. While Article 39 provides for rights to

healthy environment, and Article 40 is on economic rights to employment.

Democracy and the Culture of Impunity/ Disobedience to the Rule of Law in Nigeria

Democracy in Nigeria came with its price - the prevalent culture of impunity. This of course, is not unconnected with the many precarious and vengeful military takeovers of democratic governments with their total defiance to the rule of law, accountability and widespread unchallenged series of wanton corruption, murders and treasury looting. Analysing Nigeria's democratic setting and its attendant culture of impunity, without considering the negative influence of military incursion into our democratic space, will make the study to be bereft of completeness. This is rightly so, because the military has ruled Nigeria for 29 years out of its 64 years since its independence, and this has in no small measure contributed vigorously in shaping and reshaping the country's political and democratic life.

On January 15th, 1966, Nigeria had its first military coup executed and spearheaded by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and his 5 cohorts, 6 years after Nigeria's young independence. Major Nzeogwu toppled the government of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria's first Prime Minister. Until that

“Aside the gross abuse of human rights, embezzlement, the military also bequeathed its defiance to constitutional provisions to Nigeria, even after its many years of military rule. Little wonder the Constitution of Nigeria largely remains the way it is at present…..”

time, the Nigerian army, as noted by Shittu was:

“A normal professional force, the officers and men occupied themselves with training, peace keeping efforts in foreign land and other sundry military activities. But, that changed when Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzeogwu and his cohorts struck on January 15, 1966. That, apart from sounding the death knell of the 1st Republic, effectively brought the men in "khaki" into the murky waters of politics." (ibid).

The military takeover by Major Nzeogwu was first greeted with jubilation, until it was discovered that the assassination and killings was sectionally imbalanced. This led to the retaliatory coup of 29th July, 1966 masterminded by officers of Northern extraction. The coup led to Nigeria's civil war between 1967-1970 as the Ibos saw the coup of 29th July, 1966 and the following unresolved murders as genocide and ethnic cleansing against them, and that the Gowon led Federal Government of Nigeria was not ready to stop the genocide. However, by 29th January, 1975, General Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless coup by General Murtala Mohammad who was assassinated on 13th February, 1976, paving way for General Olusegun Obasanjo, who by October 1, 1979 handed over power to the Shagari led civilian government. It was not to last long, as General Mohammed Buhari struck in his "khaki" and took over power. His government gained reputation for being harsh and brutal. Subsequently, on 17th August, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida took over power from Buhari, stating human rights abuses and dwindling economy as excuses; then came General Sanni Abacha in 1993 and remained in power till his death in 1998.

One thing that gained prominence during the many years of military rule in Nigeria was widespread corruption, assassinations and killings, money laundering, human rights abuses, gross unaccountability and impunity which became a culture well entrenched in Nigeria's social, political and economic space. Olaniyan (A.O. Olaniyan (2010). “The Military” in Lai Olorode (ed.) Reflections on a Decade of Democratisation in Nigeria” Friedrich Ebart-Stiftung, Abhuja, Nigeria: 162-77 cited in K.A. Shittu, Military,), puts it better when he said:

"The military over the years have claimed to have come to power to rid the country of corruption; however, it is evident that the military itself is either corrupt or more corrupt than the secular class they claimed to have come to correct." (ibid).

Aside the gross abuse of human rights, embezzlement, the military also bequeathed its defiance to constitutional provisions to Nigeria, even after its many years of military rule. Little wonder the Constitution of Nigeria largely remains the way it is at present, because it is the brainchild of successive governments who have structured it to soothe their appetite for limitless and unchallengeable powers.

The year 1999, precisely May 29, ushered in a new democratic dispensation to the joy of Nigerians. The military government of General Abdulsalam Abubakar handed over power to a democratically elected President - Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired army general. The change from military government to a the now democratic government, appeared to have only taken place in form but not in substance, as the country continues to wallow in unmitigated impunity. Thus, despite all laws and rules towards maintaining sanity and preventing abuse, it seems that in Nigeria, laws are not meant for the elite or the political big wigs to obey, but for the less privileged in the society. The so-called custodians of democracy, who are equally supposed to be custodians of the rule of law, have abandoned the rule of law, for the rule of politics. There is a culture of impunity, ongoing in the country. Abuse of power by the Government and its agencies is on the increase, while certain individuals also seem to be above the law, simply because of their alliance with the Government; they do whatever they will, but remain untouchable.

Impunity and refusal to obey the rule of law, especially by the ruling class, has always been a major challenge to the Nigerian Democracy. Pointing at the impunity on the Part of the People Democratic Party while in power, it was observed that;

"The ruling People's Democracy Party appears to be above the Constitution and law of Nigeria; although members of the party "pay lip service" to law, order, fair play and all such noble ideals, in practice, they behave as if they have the right to re-write the laws of the country at will, that they choose which judicial pronouncements to obey and which to ignore; they have even taken time out at public fora to rail at judicial pronouncements if not at the learned Judges themselves (for example the Judiciary was vilified over the minority judgement in the Presidential election tribunal which questioned the electoral figures in Ogun State where the President scored more votes than the number of registered voters (sic). Contrast that with the effusive praise that attended the final verdict of the Supreme Court, which gave victory to the President" (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice”. (Montesquieu)

Background

One of the reasons allegedly proffered by former US President, Barak Obama for excluding Nigeria from his State visit to Africa was because of the weakness of our institutions, which to Obama, put democracy in peril.

In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 10,000 Constables for the Nigeria Police Force annually. This was to last for six years, so that by the end of the recruitment exercise, at least 60,000 Constables would have been enlisted into the Force, in order to boost its operations and effectiveness.

This was not to be, however, as the two principal actors involved in the exercise, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC), drew daggers against each other. So far, only 20,000 Constables have been recruited. The Nigeria Police Force is the agency primarily responsible for the detection and prevention of crime, thus, entrusted by law with the onus of guaranteeing the safety of lives and property. The PSC is the body established by law to supervise the Police, by way of oversight. There is no doubt that the Police has not been able to discharge the responsibility of crime detection and prevention, at least judging by the number of soldiers deployed to various parts of the country to maintain peace and the galloping crime rate in the land.

According to the learned authors of MerriamWebster Dictionary, an institution is an established organisation or corporation (such as bank or university) especially of a public character. For Wikipedia, an institution is “a humanly devised structure of rules and norms that shape and constrain social behaviour. All definitions of institutions generally entail that there is a level of persistence and continuity”.

In essence, institutions are expected to keep society going, and to serve as channels of functional governance. The proper practice is to grant autonomy to these institutions and secure them from interferences such that individual, group or political preferences will not hinder their operations. The strength of these institutions, is most often determined by the laws establishing them and the personality of the person chosen as their head. However, where the head of the institution is weak or has a known political affiliation, it becomes very difficult to enforce the laws regulating the institution. In cases where he has strong political backing, he becomes stronger than the institution, in which case the institution becomes weak and unable to fulfil its mandate. Impunity sets in, and the society becomes subject to the whims and caprices of the strong and mighty, or those who are connected to the head of such institution.

Recruitment of Police Constables

Sensing that it would not secure the cooperation of the powers that be in the resolution of the dispute on the issue of recruitment, the PSC commenced an action at the Federal High Court in 2019. The facts of the case are as stated in N.P.F. v Police Service Commission (2024) 2 NWLR (Pt.1922) 231. In court, the IGP conceded that the PSC had the power to appoint Police officers, except the IGP, into the Police. However, it was asserted that the PSC had no power to recruit Constables into the Police, and that the IGP had been conferred with the exclusive power for such recruitment by virtue of Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations 1968. The IGP further contended that the power of the PSC over Constables was exercisable only after the IGP had recruited the Constables or completed the process of enlistment of recruit Constables, and their names or list had been sent to the PSC for formal appointment. The trial court dismissed the case filed by PSC, and affirmed the power of the IGP over the recruitment of Police Constables, thus, upholding Regulation 71. In its judgement, the trial court held that the powers of the PSC to appoint officers into the Nigeria Police Force, did not include the power to recruit Police Constables. Being aggrieved with the said decision, the PSC appealed against it to the Court of Appeal, but while the appeal was pending, the National Assembly enacted the Police Act, 2020. In its judgement, the Court of Appeal found that the provisions of the Nigeria Police Regulations, 1968 were in conflict with the provisions of paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, on the body statutorily empowered to recruit Constables into the Police. The Court of Appeal held

The Police and Failed Institutions

This article by learned Senior Advocate, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, discusses the issue of recruitment of Police Constables to beef up the Nigeria Police Force, the controversy surrounding who is empowered to recruit them, whether the Inspector General of Police (IGP) or the Police Service Commission (PSC), and concludes that as the Constitution and law stand today, the PSC is the body empowered to recruit all Police Officers and Constables, aside from the IGP

that the provisions of the Police Regulations, 1968 were in conflict with the Constitution, and voided them as such. The Court of Appeal held further that the power to appoint Police Officers vested in the PSC by the Constitution and the Police Service Commission Act, included the power to recruit Constables into the Nigeria Police Force. Therefore, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal of the PSC, set aside the judgement of the trial court and granted the reliefs sought by the PSC. Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the IGP appealed to the Supreme Court. In resolving the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following statutory provisions, amongst others:

Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution:

“The Commission shall have power to –

(a) Appoint persons to offices (other than office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and

(b) Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.”

Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, which states:

“6 (1) The Commission shall:

(a) be responsible for the appointment and promotion of persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force;

(b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control

“Until there is a further amendment of the Constitution and all other laws regulating the Police, the law as it is in Nigeria today, is that the PSC is the institution empowered to undertake the recruitment of all Police officers, including Police Constables, except the IGP”

over persons (other than the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force.

(2) The Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other authority or person in the performance of its functions other than as is prescribed in this Act.”

Section 18 of the Police Act, 2020, which provides:

“18 (1) The responsibility for the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force and recruit cadets into the Nigeria Police Academy shall be the duty of the InspectorGeneral of Police.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), there shall be the Nigeria Police Recruitment Committee is responsible for the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force.”

Regulation 71 of Nigeria Police Regulations 1968, which states:

“71. Subject to any necessary delegation of powers by the Nigeria Police Council and subject to the control of the Inspector-General, the officers responsible for the enlistment of recruit constables to the Force shall be:

(a) The Commandant, Police College Ikeja hereinafter called the Recruitment Officer, South, in respect of candidates from the Southern States; and

(b) The Commandant, the Police College Kaduna hereinafter called the Recruitment Officer, North, in respect of candidates from the Northern States.”

In determining who has power to appoint to offices in Nigeria Police Force except to office of Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court held as follows:

“The powers to appoint Constables into the Nigeria Police Force that was hitherto conferred by Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations 1968 on the Commandant of the respective Police Colleges (albeit under the control of the Inspector General of Police) has now been conferred on the Police Service Commission (the 1st Respondent) which has more wider powers to appoint not only Constables, but other officers of the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police) by virtue of paragraph 30 of part 1 of

the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 6(1)(a) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001. Similarly, the power of appointment hitherto conferred on the Nigeria Police Council under Section 9(2)(b) of the Police Act, Cap. 359, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 and which was delegated to the Commandants of the respective Police Colleges (the recruitment officers) by virtue of Regulation 71 of the Nigeria Police Regulations, 1968, can only be exercised by the Police Service Commission (the 1st Respondent) in view of the provisions of paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution and Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001”.

Conclusion

Until there is a further amendment of the Constitution and all other laws regulating the Police, the law as it is in Nigeria today, is that the PSC is the institution empowered to undertake the recruitment of all Police officers, including Police Constables, except the IGP.

The ball is in the court of the President, and he should kick it in the right direction. Several heads of the PSC have lost their jobs to this unending dispute, and it will not end until there is a definite action from the President. The President is the head of the Nigeria Police Council, the President appoints the IGP who reports to him, and the President also appoints the Chairman of the PSC. The President should set up a Committee to harmonise the various issues agitating the parties to this conflict, and implement a solution that is in accordance with the law and the decided case on the point. The current situation whereby the IGP and the PSC are throwing missiles against each other in the open and without restraint, will not augur well for the nation. It will embolden criminals, and leave the rank and file demoralised. As it is usual with every conflict of this nature, Police officers who are deemed to be sympathetic to one faction against the other, will suffer persecution while two giants fight. The fact that the exit of many heads of the PSC has not resolved the dispute, should be a pointer to the fact that it is entrenched and institutional. It should not be allowed to fester.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN

ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN

Kenyan Protests: Succeeding Where #EndSARS Failed?

For the past three weeks, the Republic of Kenya has been engulfed in violent protests, as the youths have occupied the streets. among their demands, were the immediate reversal of the nation’s controversial Finance Bill 2024, good governance, and even the resignation of the country’s President, William Ruto. So far, the Government of Kenya has responded and jettisoned the Finance Bill. like Nigeria’s #endSaRS which took place in October, 2020, the Kenyan protests have claimed several innocent lives. Dr Mudiaga Odje, Richmond Ekhosuehi Idaeho and Bolaji Idowu examine the correlation between these two african youth Protests, and what lessons can be learned therefrom

Correlation and Lessons from Kenya’s Uprising and Nigeria’s #EndSARS Protests

Dr Mudiaga Odje

Introduction

Indeed, the recent gale of protests in Kenya accentuated primarily by Tax Bill of the Government, must be sending cold shivers down other countries in Africa, especially Sub Saharan, Africa.

The protests were spontaneous as they were, nevertheless, well orchestrated in focus and methodology.

The uprising as it were, reminiscent of the Arab Spring, was agitated mainly

against draconian tax regulations that portend to further emasculate the already weather beaten citizenry.

Kenya’s Transformation to a Neo-Colonialist Hub Kenya, a hitherto tourist haven for wildlife and natural habitation, has over the years been turned into a hub of neo-colonialism and imperialistic incursions

“….it is postulated that whilst the protests in Kenya have a focus and genuine grievance over bad governance and tax policies, the #EndSARS had no focus, nor objective, except a reactionary rebellion against Police highhandedness and brutality. And, it was doomed to fail, as it had no collective objective for the good of the entire nation and governance”

from both the West and East of the world blocs. These neo-colonialists have become major shareholders in Kenyan's economy, and by extension, her affairs as well. And, this has led to the obfuscation of indigenous enterprises, and local participation in their economy and the affairs of government.

Understandably, these downturn of events provoked the Youths and sympathetic adult elements of Kenya, to rise up for their denied rights to good government and transparency.

The uprising was well focused on the leaders and leadership of the executive and legislative arms, whose laws and implementation are the root causes of their annihilation as it were. Key points of these attacks were the axiomatic fact that these resistors did not destroy any viable public property, nor attack innocent hardworking businessmen or businesses, unlike what took place in our #EndSARS protests in 2020.

Narrow Focus of #EndSARS, Unlike the Kenyan Uprising In Kenya, the Youths actually had their focus on government and governance, and not Police brutality, nor their excesses.

In Nigeria, the major plank of the

#EndSARS riots was the high-handedness of the Police. In fact, #EndSARS started from Ughelli in Delta State, on the alleged brutality meted out on the s- called Yahoo Boys by the Police and the EFCC. So, the focus in Nigeria, unlike Kenya, was the manhandling of Youths by the Police. And, that made the #EndSARS riots to be parochial and lose all focus for communal and national good, unlike the noble cause in Kenya.

#EndSARS was further marred by the hijack of the cause by hoodlums, who started attacking everyone and everything! Anywhere they are shown, they attacked, including public assets that would have been helpful to their wellbeing in present and the future. Palaces of Kings were destroyed; Police stations attacked; Private houses attacked; Public buildings like the Lagos High Court, the State of the art Lagos State DNA Laboratory, destroyed; Innocent citizens harassed and molested. So, it was a complete mayhem, and not a revolutionary uprising like the Kenyan experience

Gains of the Kenyan Uprising The most important gain and severe benefit of the Kenyan revolution, has been the immediate withdrawal of the Tax Bills and obnoxious economic

Kenyan President, William Ruto

Protesting Kenyan Youths

Kenyan Protests: Succeeding Where #EndSARS Failed?

reforms by the government.This is a very significant win for the people.

And, now, the Kenyan government has stepped up genuine efforts to address the reasons for the justified protests. This is what ought to have also happened to us, as a result of #EndSARS.

Sadly, because of the narrow confines of the #EndSARS Protests, there were no gains at all, not for the people or even the aggrieved Youth protesters.

Quo Vadis

In conclusion, it is postulated that whilst the protests in Kenya have a focus and genuine grievance over bad governance and tax policies, the #EndSARS had no focus, nor objective, except a reactionary rebellion against Police high-handedness and brutality. And, it was doomed to fail, as it had no collective objective for the good of the entire nation and governance.

We do hope that the Kenyan uprising will act as enabling guide, and offer a veritable inspiration to our Youths to focus their protects on the leaders and leadership of the Nigerian State as well as their obnoxious policies, which have made us, the governed, become paupers in all ramifications.

Dr Akpo Mudiaga Odje, LLD, LLM (Merit) (London), BL; Constitutional Lawyer and Member of the British Council

Democracy, Governance and the Right to Peaceful Protest: The Kenyan Example

Richmond Ekhosuehi Idaeho

Introduction

ers. In a democratic system, these principles are usually enacted into the Constitution of the people, which is the grundnorm. When the people elect their representatives to govern them, there is the expectation that these representatives will ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

accountability from the government for its actions, influence policies and decision-making processes, express their dissent and disapproval over government policies, actions and programmes, as well as promote their rights and interests.

Protests in Nigeria and Kenya

Democracy is acclaimed as the government of the people, being a system of government where power is vested in the people through their elected representatives. Etymologically, democracy is derived from two Greek words “demos” meaning “people”, and “kratos” which itself is from “kratia” that is “to rule”. It is a system premised on majority rule, literarily “rule by the people”. Its origin can be traced to Athens in Greece, where the system was first practiced amidst other systems of government like oligarchy, monarchy, gerontocracy, etc which were more prominent at the time. In contemporary times, the progress of a country’s system of government is measured by its adoption and application of democratic principles.

Democracy and Governance

The principles of democracy are popularly considered as human rights, as well fundamental rights enshrined in various civil rules of the given society and international laws. Amongst some of these democratic principles are adherence to the rule of law, equality, freedom of expression, religion, and association, respect for human rights like rights to life, liberty, fair trial, amongst oth-

In the above regard, governance becomes synonymous with the process whereby the representatives of the people apply the rules, norms, and laws of the society in its administration of the society for the good of the people and the society. Governance in this instance, could either be good or bad. Good governance would be a situation where the representatives and public institutions act responsibly, in such a manner that they conduct public affairs and use public resources for the betterment of the people and the society; whereas, bad governance would be the other way round and usually a common cause for opposition to the government which could be through protests and other forms of expression of grievances by the people.

It is noted that, certain actions of government may though not be necessarily bad, but could spark opposition by the people, particularly where they negatively affect the people or their livelihood, lifestyle, etc. There have been such protests in recent years across different countries of the world and territories, as for example the recent protest in the French South Pacific archipelago, New Caledonia, over the ban of Tiktok in the territory by the French Government.

Protests are meant to mount pressure on the government, to do or undo certain actions. A right to peaceful protest, is an important aspect of democracy and governance. It is a way the people express their freedom of speech and assembly, demand for

“While the #EndSARS protest was as a result of Police brutality, corruption, and violation of human rights, the Kenya protests were in response to the Finance Bill, which had introduced new and increased existing taxes in the country. Sadly, the reactions of the security agencies to both protests has been the same, which is to fire live ammunition on the Protesters….”

A common feature of protests in these days and times, is that they usually begin on social media platforms and are carried out by the Youth or the young population of the country. In Nigeria for example, the #EndSARS protest would resonate in the minds of many. Here, the Youth started with the protest on social media with the hashtag #EndSARS, against Police brutality, injustice and violation of human rights, and seeking better conditions of life for the security agency, Police reform, and good governance. This protest later moved from the online platforms to the streets and major areas across different parts of the country, albeit in a peaceful fashion.

The prominent location was the Lekki Toll Plaza aka Lekki Toll Gate, where protesters gathered together for several days beginning on 8th October, 2020 to voice home their demands. This protest gained international attention, with some celebrities and icons across the world lending their support for the “movement”. However, the protest was disrupted when a combination of military personnel and the Police disrupted the peaceful protest at the Lekki Toll Plaza on the night of 20th October, 2020, which action was reported to have resulted to several fatalities, with many suffering various degrees of injuries.

The aftermath of the intervention by the security forces led to violent protests across different parts of the country, particularly Lagos State where the incident happened, which resulted to the destruction and vandalisation of some government properties, as well as damage to and looting of some private properties and businesses. Eventually, the Federal Government yielded to the call to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Police unit, leading to the disbandment of the unit. The Lagos State Government then set up the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution on the Lekki Toll Gate shooting incident, as well as review of cases of Police brutality and human rights violations.

After several months, the Panel submitted its report to the Lagos

State Government on 15th November, 2021. Some of its findings included that there were 48 casualties, with 9 confirmed dead, 4 others presumed to have died, and 24 injured persons. There were various unofficial reports that the death toll was far more. Further, the Panel found that the protesters were peaceful, and that the shooting by the military and the Police against the protesters was a massacre and that there were attempts by the security agencies to clean up the scene and cover up, while useful evidence were also being tampered with. The Panel recommended compensation for the victims of #EndSARS, as well as other victims of Police brutality. A total of N410.2 million was awarded as compensation to 70 victims of Police abuses, brutality, and extra-judicial killings.

Following the #EndSARS incident, there was massive participation of the Youth in the voters’ registration exercise ahead of the 2023 general elections, and they participated massively during the elections in a bid to ensuring that they elect the representatives of their choosing.

In Kenya, the Youth, mostly the Gen Z, on 18th June, 2024 took to the streets and social media under the hashtag “Reject Finance Bill” to protest the new Finance Bill and other alleged constitutional infractions by the government led by President William Ruto, while demanding for more accountable governance. Some other factors that fuelled the protest include high cost of living, high rate of inflation, and perceived excessive spending and corruption by the government.

The Finance Bill 2024 had introduced new tax measures like 15% tax on the earnings of digital content creators and influencers, and increase in taxes on some social activities including betting, notwithstanding the increase in other essential activities. The protest, just like #EndSARS, which was largely conducted around the parliament complex in central Nairobi, is reported to have had the Police firing live rounds of ammunition into the crowd of protesters on 25th June, 2024. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that at least 39 persons had died, 361 persons injured persons, 627 arrests made and 32 cases of “enforced or involuntary disappearances” across the country. The President yielded to the protest by refusing to sign the Finance Bill into law, but, the protest has gone beyond just the rejection of the Finance

#EndSARS Protesters

Kenyan Protests: Succeeding Where #endSArS Failed?

Bill to demanding for good governance, and calling for the President to step down.

In a further response to the people, the President announced a massive cut down of the budget to compensate for revenue loss arising from the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. The austerity measures to be introduced would save some cost for the government, apparently freeing up some income, which the government could have obtained if the Finance Bill had been passed. It is noted that, while the government reaction to the protest has been one of a mix of repression and acceptance, it cannot be overemphasised that there remains a need for the government to create a system of transparency and trust for its processes and actions, and open dialogue with the people.

In Nigeria today, despite the #EndSARS protest, the recent “removal” of fuel subsidy resulting in a massive hike in the cost of petroleum products, the galloping inflation, high cost of living, and the enormous taxes, the Government is yet to announce any measure to cut down the spending of government. There are other areas that appear to be of more priority to the Government, like building hospital for the legislative members and workers, renovation of residences of government officials, debate over purchase of a jet for the presidential fleet, whilst the demand by organised Labour Union for increase of minimum wage lingers on ad infinitum.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that these protests in recent years have brought about some level of dialogue between the Government and the people, and created a consciousness for accountability in governance, the need for reforms and address Youth unemployment and high cost of living.

The #EndSARS protest in Nigeria and the current protest in Kenya were both led by young people, whose major demands were for positive change and good governance. They both shared similarities of being leaderless, driven and organised through social media. While the #EndSARS protest was as a result of Police brutality, corruption, and violation of human rights, the Kenya protests were in response to the Finance Bill which had introduced new and increased existing taxes in the country. Sadly, the reactions of the security agencies to both protests has been the same, which is to fire live ammunition on the Protesters, with tens of people recorded dead. Just as the Nigeria protest, the Kenya protest has also attracted international attention and concerns, and a call for meaningful dialogue and reform. In time to come, there could be investigations into the reported human rights violations and shootings.

Conclusion

In summary, the people have a right to peaceful protest and in a democratic society, it is expected that the government should protect the right of the people to peaceful protest rather than trample upon it and compromise the safety of the protesters. Unfortunately, this had been the case with the #EndSARS protest in Nigeria and the #RejectFinanceBill protest in Kenya.

The right to peaceful protest is recognised under international human rights law, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Governments must

therefore make concerted efforts to respect and protect the right to peaceful protests, desist from causing mayhem to protesters, show commitment to and imbibe democratic values, ensure there is accountability in governance, be open to constructive dialogue from the people and their dissents rather than resorting to the use of force and repression, uphold the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the principles of good governance.

Richmond Ekhosuehi Idaeho, Legal Practitioner, Jackson, Etti & Edu, Lagos

Kenyan Protests: Any Lessons for Nigeria?

Babajide Idowu

Introduction

that Kenya’s experience with the Finance Bill 2024 stresses the need for Nigeria and many African countries to, rather than follow the neoliberal tendencies of the Bretton Woods system, come up with innovative ways of ensuring that there is a balance between the need to raise government revenue (the Bill was part of the Kenyan government’s efforts to raise an extra $2.7 billion in domestic revenue), and the burden put on citizens in form of taxes.

Lessons

The media has been awash with the wide protests in Kenya as a result of a recently withdrawn Finance Bill which sought, among other things, the introduction of a 1.5% housing levy, a 16% tax on petroleum products and a 16% valueadded tax (VAT) on money that policyholders receive as compensation from insurance companies.

The protest which has now been quelled, has similarities with the 2020 Nigerian #EndSARS protest, and the focus of this paper is to determine what lessons we could learn in Nigeria. Just like the #EndSARS protest, the agitations which were majorly spearheaded by Youths were done to ensure that the Government met the demands and wishes of the people. By way of introduction, I believe

“It seems with this development, the Kenyan Judiciary seems to be blazing the trail in Africa….”

The 2024 Kenyan protests, even though deadly, from all reports seemed to have been a success, since the government succumbed to the request of protesters by withdrawing the Bill. One of the major lessons for Nigerian Youths from the Kenyan protests, is related to the concerns of young protesters as it relates to the use/intervention of security agencies. It would be recalled that the #EndSARS protests came to an abrupt end without much success, after the deployment of security agencies to points where the protests were taking place. The Kenyan experience has exposed how the Judiciary could save the day in this regard. The High Court in Kenya prohibited the National Police Service from using water cannons, tear gas, live ammunition, rubber bullets, and other crude weapons against protesters opposing the Finance Bill 2024. Justice Mugure Thande's ruling also barred the Police from using brute force or engaging in extrajudicial killings, arrests, abductions, harassment, or any inhumane treatment of protesters. The decision followed a petition by one Saitabao Ole Kanchory, who argued that the Police had been violating protesters' rights through arbitrary arrests and intimidation.

It is yet to be seen, whether Nigerian courts would be able to give such proactive rulings. While I agree that a contemptuous government may not comply with such a ruling, it is my firm belief that the existence of such a ruling on the extent of force that could be applied in cases of peaceful protests, would help boost the confidence of Nigerian Youths who may not be willing to risk their lives on the altar of protests. The Nigerian legal framework already provides a framework for the protection of citizens and their rights. Section 46 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended, allows for any person who alleges that any of the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Constitution has been, is being

or is likely to be contravened in any State, to apply to a High Court in that State for redress. The big question is however, determining the reaction of Nigerian courts to this situation. The provisions in Chapter 4 that are likely to be contravened are in Sections 33 (Right to life); 34 (Right to dignity of human persons); 35 (Right to personal liberty); 36 (Right to a fair hearing); 40 (Right to peaceful assembly and association) and 41 (Right to freedom of movement) of the Nigerian Constitution. The major issues however, surround the administration of justice. For instance, how fast would the courts sit on such a matter? How long would it take for a Judge to be assigned to such a case? It seems with this development, the Kenyan Judiciary seems to be blazing the trail in Africa, especially if the prompt manner in which its election petitions at least, at the Presidential level, are dispensed with.

Another major lesson from Kenya, is the absence of opposition parties and political groups. Unlike what is obtainable in Nigeria, as seen in the #EndSARS protests, the legitimate concerns of the people are ignored, and things become a political war where the incumbent political party believes that the protests are being instigated by the opposition. To survive the next phase, protests should be organic, and should try to prevent infiltration by political parties and opposition figures. After all, no provision in the Constitution, makes it compulsory for protesters to be part of an association before exercising the option to protest peacefully. Furthermore, such a strategy, makes it difficult for draconian governments to clamp down on particular individuals, who may be useful in building the necessary momentum to make such protests successful.

By and large, the Kenyan protests provide yet another reason why governments across the world, should feel the pulse of their people before making such decisions. While the hope is to ensure that such protests are peaceful, more often than not, such protests always lead to at least one casualty. It is therefore, best that, the grouses of the people are even addressed before they are forced to go on the streets.

Babajide Idowu, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

Protesting Kenyan Youths

L-R: Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, News Central TV, Kayode Akintemi, being presented with an award as ‘Pillar of Support’ for women for the television station by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, during the closing ceremony of the International Conference of the Association of Women Police held in Abuja… recently

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members welcoming the NYSC Director-General, BrigadierGeneral Yushau Dogara Ahmed, to NYSC Kogi State Orientation Camp in Asaya… recently

L-R: Marketing Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Gbemileke Lawal; the monarch of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi; and Activation Manager for Seaman Schnapps, Mr. Benson Oluwafiropo, at the grand finale of the 2024 Elegba festival in Ikateland, Lagos… recently

L-R: National Environment Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Temitope Ogunrinde; Deputy Director, Advocacy Department, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Victor Oyeniyi Adedeji; Assistant Director, Tree Planting and Maintenance Department, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Mrs. Adebimpe Kuponu; Vice Principal, Oregun Senior High School, Mrs. Owolabi Oluwafunke; and Chief Executive Officer, Hope for Life Initiative, Miss Kendi Aig-Imoru, at the tree-planting exercise hosted by NBC at Oregun Senior High School, Ikeja, in commemoration of World Environment Day in Lagos...recently

L-R: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MOBOS Fashion, Omobowale Biobaku; Senior Vice President, Financial Institutions and Partnerships, Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr. Lanre Idowu; Convener, Lagos Leather Fair, Femi Olayebi; Session Moderator, Sinmi Olatedi; Founder and CEO, Waveline Growth Partners, Taba Peterside; and Divisional Head, Products, Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Omonubi, during the 2024 Lagos Leather Fair in Lagos… recently

PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Tax Consultant, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Similoluwa Awodeyi; Partner, RSM South Africa, Noma Ashom; Director, Support Services, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Oluyinka Oluseye; Managing Partner, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Eben Joels; outgoing Chief Executive Officer, RSM International, Jean Stephens; Chief Executive Officer, RSM International, Tunde Awopegba; Chief Technology Officer, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Ernest J. Nedder; HR Manager, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Charity Obiyo; and Digital Marketing Lead, Stransact Chartered Accountants Nigeria, Teniola Atanda, during the 2024 RSM Africa Regional Conference in Nairobi, Kenya… recently

Wema Bank Reiterates Commitment to Empowering Cooperative Societies

Oluchi Chibuzor

Wema Bank Plc, has reiterated its commitment to empowering cooperative societies for optimal productivity through its digital solution for cooperatives, CoopHub.

The bank stated this at the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment International Day of Cooperatives 2024 event.

Recapitulating the role of cooperative societies as an essential avenue for economic growth, Wema Bank’s Divisional Head of Retail and SME, Ayodele Olojede, emphasised the need for intentional, impactful and sustainable efforts towards the advancement of the Nigerian Cooperative Industry.

He said, “Cooperative Societies represent a very significant platform for socio-economic

development and for us at Wema Bank, we stand proudly as the cooperative-centric bank that is committed to providing the resources and tailored solutions that these cooperatives need to thrive and remain successful. CoopHub is the perfect embodiment of this commitment, and we are thrilled that more cooperatives are discovering this solution and coming on board to optimise their operations and maximise the opportunities provided for their growth.

“The achievement of a sustainable and ideal future for cooperative societies not only requires that we adapt to the increasingly digital world we exist in, but also drive more inclusivity for the youth to also key in. CoopHub succinctly unites both pillars in one and as the digital solution pioneered by Nigeria’s most resilient

and innovative bank, you can trust that the future we are enabling for cooperative societies is one that is built to last”.

Themed, “Cooperatives: Building a Better Future For All,” the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives commemorated by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with Wema Bank, convened key players in the cooperative ecosystem towards proffering solutions to prevalent challenges faced by cooperatives in Nigeria and creating a more sustainable future for all, through the cooperative industry. CoopHub, Wema Bank’s digital solution for cooperative societies stood out as a key solution to not only overcoming the challenges impeding the growth of cooperative societies but also boosting economic growth and creating a better future for all.

CAN: Agriculture Remain Antidotes to Unemployment, Insecurity, Underdevelopment

National President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr. Mufutau Abolarinwa has said that, agriculture remain antidotes to the insecurity, Unemployment and underdevelopment plaguing the country.

Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on the sideline of the 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, Abolarinwa said the perceived attitudes of

various levels of governments to the development of agriculture has brought untold hardship and economic stagnation of the country.

He said, “Since the days of the oli boom, Nigeria has known no peace. The place of agriculture in the life of Nigeria is similar to the functions of heart body. You will agree with me that the oil has brought more doom, notwithstanding the seemingly grandiose structures

MARKET INDICATORS

that dot the entire Nigerian landscape What is obvious is that agriculture would remain our answer to the challenges of underdevelopment, unemployment and the numerical social vices in the country.”

Abolarinwa however urged the government at all levels especially federal government to provide more agricultural inputs and cocoa seedlings to farmers in order to revamp cocoa production in the country.

Sundry Foods, Subsidiary Hold Blood Donation Drive in Port Harcourt

Sundry Foods Limited (SFL), owners and operators of Kilimanjaro restaurants and its sister company, Sundry Markets Limited (SML), owners and operators of Marketsquare Supermarkets, last Thursday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, jointly organised a blood donation drive to commemorate World Blood Donor Day 2024.

The blood donation initiative, held at their corporate headquarters located at in Port Harcourt, provided an opportunity for the management and staff to voluntarily donate blood to save the lives of those in need in society.

Executive Director of SFL, Nnamdi Opara said in a state-

ment that both companies participated in the selfless act of donating blood as responsible corporate citizens of Nigeria, desirous of contributing to making a positive impact on the community.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally on June 14 every year. The event seeks to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and acknowledge donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

Commenting on the occasion, Opara said: “Positively influencing the lives of the people and communities we serve has been a top priority

for us at SFL and SML. Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams are focused on identifying ways in which we can make a bigger impact in society. I am pleased to highlight that we have undertaken this generous initiative to underscore the importance of safe blood and blood products and how their transfusion is a critical aspect of care and the response from our employees has been remarkable. Donating blood is one of the easiest and simplest ways to boost community well-being, support our health system, and engage in something that can be potentially lifesaving for people critically in need.”

EY Nigeria Announces Admission of Five

EY Nigeria has announced the admission of five new partners into the West Africa Partnership, effective July 1, 2024. Chinedu Onyekwelu and Abiodun Ogunoiki – Partner’s in Consulting, Eunice Samson, Akeem Ogunseni and Ahmed Dangana are Associate Partners in Assurance, Tax practice and Markets respectively.

The admission is part of the firm’s strategic move to continually invest in its personnel aimed at ensuring it has the right mix to succeed in delivering exceptional services and meet its obligations to clients.

A statement by Regional

Managing Partner for EY West Africa, Anthony Oputa, while congratulating the partners, said: “I congratulate our new admission into the West Africa Partnership. Attaining this career milestone points to what each of them is bringing to the business. The latest admission is part of our efforts to continually invest in our personnel, and ensure we have the right mix to succeed in delivering exceptional services and meet our obligations to clients.”

“Chinedu Onyekwelu, a chemical engineering graduate and supply chain specialist, joined the Firm nine years ago. He has over 18 years in-depth experience

New Partners

in professional services and oil & gas sector, having spent the first nine years of his career in another foremost international consulting Firm in Nigeria.

“Abiodun Ogunoiki has 16 years’ experience as a Risk Consultant and as a one-time Deputy Chief Risk Officer of a top Nigerian Bank. He Leads Financial Services Risk Management, EY West Africa. Eunice Samson is a PhD scholar in Sustainable Development and a recipient of several awards within and outside Nigeria. She is the EY lead, Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS).

The price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $87.33 a barrel on Monday, compared with $86.00

Saharan Blend

Djeno (Congo),

(Equatorial Guinea), Rabi 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).

Staffers of Sundry Markets Limited, Sundry Foods Limited and Armed Forces Blood Center pose for a photograph after the blood donation drive in Port-Harcourt... recently

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

GTCO Set to Raise N400.5bn through Public Offer

Kayode Tokede

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), yesterday announced plans to sell 9 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo at an offer price of N44.50 per ordinary shares via public offer on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), translating to N400.5 billion.

However, the offer is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval.

Speaking to the capital market community at the “Facts Behind the Offer Presentation” in Lagos, the Group Managing Director, GTCO, Mr. Segun Agbaje stated that the group was planning to raise capital before the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announcement this year, stressing that the naira devaluation has weaken the assets of banks operating in the country.

He vowed that the group would become the first financial institution to reach a $1 billion

in profit.

“We want a market capitalization that Nigeria will be proud of. There is no Nigerian company that has ever made a $1 billion in profit and we are going to be the first to achieve it,” he said.

On the rationale behind the offer, he said, “Banks need equity. We’ve just gone through about a 200per cent devaluation of the Naira. The balance sheets of banks have shrunk and the ability to do

business has reduced.

“With the Federal Government also saying they wants a $1 trillion economy; you are not going to achieve a $1 trillion economy at this size of banks if you do not raise capital.

“So, we are not only raising capital because the central bank asked us to do it. You might not believe me, but we had decided before that we were going to raise capital and that we were going to pivot this organization for

transformational growth.

“We’re going to grow the business in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. We’re going to grow the non-banking businesses. We’re going to improve our technology and when people ask me what my job description is today, I say I’m in the business of creating great customer experiences.

“It is impossible to do that without big technology. When we do food and drink, it is about our customer experience. When we do fashion, it is about our

customer experience and when we do banking, it is about our customer experience, and you cannot do that without the right technology platform.

“So irrespective of whether the central bank asked for capital raising or not, we would have raised capital.”

On growth strategy going forward, Agbaje highlighted that in Nigeria, GTCO plans to deepen the business, stressing that exposure to critical sectors would be bigger and stronger.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF j U LY 8/24

Sahara Group’s Quest for Zero Carbon Emission, Sustainable Development in Africa

In its quest for sustainable development, Sahara Group, including Asharami Energy, Egbin Power Plant, and Ikeja Electric, has pledged to achieve zero carbon emissions from its oil and gas operations by 2060. At the inaugural edition of Asharami Asharami Square, a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing the reportage of issues related to sustainability through impactful media advocacy, the group unveiled practicable strategies to earn carbon credit, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

Leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, recently unveiled its target of achieving zero carbon emissions from its oil and gas operations by 2060. According to the company, it has alongside its sister companies in the energy value chain have started arrangements to reduce carbon emissions and earn carbon credit for a sustainable future.

This commitment, which was disclosed at a forum with journalists tagged: “Carbon Footprint And The African Narrative” held by Sahara Group and the Asharami Square in Lagos, was shared by Sahara Group sister companies like Asharami Energy, Egbin Power Plant, and Ikeja Electric, and is aimed at significantly reducing carbon emissions and earn carbon credits for a sustainable future.

Asides the interactive panel, speakers at the maiden edition of Asharami Square were Sahara Group Head, Cooperate Communications, Bethel Obioma; Ejiro Gray; Foluso Sobanjo, Head, Downstream Africa, Sahara Group; Wole Ajeigbe, Group Projects Manager, Asharami Energy (A Sahara Group Upstream Company); Mokhtar Bounour, CEO Egbin Power Plc; Ogochukwu Onyelucheya, Chief Commercial Officer, Ikeja Electric; Prof. Sunday Adebisi, Professor of Entrepreneurship Hub & Strategic Management, University of Lagos; ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director, West Africa, Ford Foundation; Eugene O. Itua, CEO Natural Eco Capital; and Dr. Marcel Mbamalu, CEO Newstide Publications Limited.

At the parley, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director, West Africa at Ford Foundation, underscored Africa’s minimal contribution to global emissions (about four per cent) despite housing 17 per cent of the global population. She urged strategic planning to leverage opportunities for a sustainable environment.

STRATEGIC APPROACH TO DECARBONISING AFRICA’S UPSTREAM OPERATIONS

Wole Ajeigbe, Group Project Manager at Asharami Energy, highlighted the company’s strategic approach to decarbonising Africa’s upstream operations, emphasising efforts across its seven oil-producing assets in Nigeria.

Ajeigbe detailed Sahara Energy’s incremental plan to achieve net zero emissions by reducing and minimising carbon output annually.

Key initiatives include eliminating gas flaring, reducing freshwater usage, and implementing Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). Sahara Energy is also the first African company to join the global CCUS forum, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices.

The company is also progressing with gas commercialisation projects slated for completion by 2025-2026. Ajeigbe stressed the importance of government support through tax incentives, risk mitigation, and capital availability to stimulate investment in decarbonisation projects.

UNDERSTANDING CARBON FOOTPRINTS

Ms. Ogochukwu Onyelucheya, Chief Commercial Officer at Ikeja Electric, emphasised the importance of understanding the carbon footprint and its implications.

She explained, “The footprint we look at encompasses everything we do, marking carbon emissions in our environment and energy sectors. While Africa’s contribution to global carbon emissions is low, we must avoid the mistakes made by developed countries and solve our problems faster.”

She also discussed Africa’s energy transition, highlighting the need to leverage local resources. “Lagos, for instance, should be powered by hydropower given its wetland resources. By focusing on renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower, we can reduce reliance on the national grid and lower energy costs,” she stated.

STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE CARBON EMISSIONS

Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, outlined various strategies to mitigate carbon emissions, including natural gas development, renewable energy expansion, and protection of natural carbon sinks, adding that already, the company is also promoting tree planting initiatives and youth awareness campaigns to enhance sustainability.

“Protecting and rehabilitating Africa’s

natural carbon sinks, such as forests, oceans, coastal mangroves, wetlands and grasslands can significantly aid in mitigating the effects of climate change”, Gray said, adding that these developing intentional policies and investments on protecting the continent’s carbon sinks would enhance carbon sequestration and reduce net emissions.

She said these natural landscapes act as significant carbon reservoirs, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, adding that developing reforestation and afforestation programs, implementing strict conservation policies, and providing financial incentives for conservation projects are critical for combating climate change in Africa.

According to Gray, Natural Gas Development and Commercialisation, Increase Use of Renewables, investment in low-cost / low emissions clean energy solutions, Carbon Capture Storage / Carbon Capture and Reutilisation are other factors that can help accelerate Africa’s march towards sustainability.

“Natural gas presents a viable opportunity to serve as a transition fuel as Africa continues to gradually invest in renewable energy. It is a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel, producing fewer CO2 emissions compared to coal or petroleum. In 2021, Africa’s natural gas reserves totalled over 620 trillion cubic feet.

“By developing and monetising these reserves through processing and eventual usage of CNG, LNG, LPG and other gas products, Africa can leverage its natural gas resources to support sustainable energy development,” Gray noted.

ROLE OF MEDIA IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY

Speaking on the role of the media in promoting sustainability, Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications at Sahara Group said Africa needs to articulate and promote a robust sustainability narrative that leaves no one behind in issues relating to climate change, energy access and energy transition, among others.

He said globally, sustainability reporting in the media has seen significant growth and development, reflecting a broader trend towards transparency and accountability in corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Increasingly, corporate organisations now disclose their policies and targets related to emissions reduction, resource conservation, biodiversity, and other issues.

Therefore, he said it was imperative to support media organisations and journalists covering these issues through capacity building programs.

“This would help journalists achieve a clearer understanding of the issues and empower the media to play the critical role of monitoring, agenda-setting, transparent reporting, awareness creation and galvanising collective action from the public on how best to approach the subject-matter of sustainability,” Obioma said.

He also announced the establishment of Asharami Square, a platform for journalist training and mentorship, along with the Asharami Awards to recognise contributions to sustainability in Africa.

The initiative is in partnership with the University of Lagos and Pan Atlantic University to foster skills in sustainability practices. This forward-thinking approach positions Sahara Energy as a leader in driving Africa’s energy sector toward a greener, more sustainable future.

“To achieve this, Sahara Group hopes to make Asharami Square a formidable platform through advocacy and collaboration towards shoring up capacity and participation of all segments of the media to drive accuracy, clarity, impact, positive policy formulation, agenda-setting and collective action,” he said.

Obioma said Asharami Square would feature mentoring, training, exchange programs, facility tours for media practitioners and competitions to recognise and celebrate exceptional reporting of sustainability in the media.

In the maiden edition, BusinessDay, was awarded with the Asharami Square’s Sustainable Media Reporting Excellence as a foremost provider of business and financial intelligence and insight in West Africa.

Panel session at the “Carbon Footprint And The African Narrative” held by Sahara Group and the Asharami Square

Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group (left) with Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group (right) presenting the Asharami Square’s Sustainable Media Reporting Excellence award to BusinessDay, as a foremost provider of business and financial intelligence and insight in West Africa

FAO: Global Food Prices Steady in June, Cereal Production Hit Record High

Stories by Dike Onwuamaeze

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has stated that the benchmark for world food commodity prices remained stable in June.

The FAO Food Price Index, which track monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 120.6 points in June, the same as its revised figure for May.

It explained that the June’s index was 2.1 per cent lower than its year-earlier value and 24.8 per cent below its

March 2022 peak.

FAO Cereal Price Index declined by 3.0 per cent in June from May, with quotations for coarse grains, wheat, and rice all down, driven in part by improved production prospects in major exporting countries.

However, its Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 3.1 per cent from May, buoyed by reviving global import demand for palm oil and firm demand from the biofuel sector in the Americas for soy and sunflower oils.

“The FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 1.9 per cent from May after three consecutive

Survey Finds

OPEC oil output rose in June for a second consecutive month, a Reuters survey has found, as higher supply from Nigeria and Iran offset the impact of voluntary supply cuts by other members and the wider OPEC+ alliance.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 26.70 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, up 70,000 bpd from May, according to the survey based on shipping data and information from industry sources.

The increase comes despite OPEC+, which comprises OPEC and allies such Russia, deciding last month to extend most of its output cuts until the end of 2025 to bolster the market in the face of tepid demand growth, high interest rates and rising US production.

Nigeria raised output by 50,000 bpd and there were smaller increases from Iran and Algeria as oilfield maintenance

was completed. The largest drop, of 50,000 bpd, was in Iraq, though the country is still exceeding its OPEC+ target.

OPEC pumped about 280,000 bpd more than the implied target for the nine members covered by supply cut agreements, with Iraq still accounting for the bulk of the excess.

The Reuters survey aims to track supply to the market and is based on shipping data provided by external sources, LSEG flows data, information from companies that track flows - such as Petro-Logistics and Kpler - and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.

The cuts by OPEC and its partners, spearheaded by group leader Saudi Arabia, have had some success in balancing global markets against a tide of new supplies from the US and other parts of the Americas. Brent crude futures are trading near $87 a barrel, close to the highest in almost two months.

The recovery — while potentially painful for consumers still reeling from years of inflation — should bolster revenue for OPEC+ members, who largely rely on petroleum sales to cover government spending.

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)

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nicholas Ella has advocated for more stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration for the success of the energy sector in Nigeria. He made the call in his closing remarks at the just concluded 2024 NOG Energy Week Strategic Conference held in Abuja.

According to the permanent secretary, the collaborations were essential for driving innovation, addressing challenges, and achieving the country’s energy objectives.

“We must continue to foster strong partnerships between

monthly declines, largely due to concerns over the likely impact of adverse weather and monsoons on production in Brazil and India.

“The FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 1.2 percent, with international

quotations for butter reaching a 24-month high due to increased global demand for near-term deliveries amidst strong retail sales, seasonally falling milk deliveries in Western Europe,

and low inventories in Oceania.

“The FAO Meat Price Index was virtually unchanged in June, as slight increases in the world prices of ovine, pig and bovine meats nearly offset a supply-led

decline in international poultry meat prices,” the statement added.

CIoD Tasks Govt on Addressing Structural Constraints, Inclusive Growth

The Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD), has declared that addressing structural constraints and promoting inclusive growth would diversify the economy and enable Nigeria to navigate through the complexities of the global economic landscape.

President CIoD, Mr. Tijjani Mohammed Borodo, stated this during the institute’s 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos where he argued that, “fostering regional integration and promoting intra- African trade could unlock new opportunities for economic development and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on external markets.”

Borodo said, “diversifying the economy from oil dependency, enhancing infrastructure development, improving the

Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in abuja

Top officials of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have taken turns to sign performance contracts in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to that effect for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi said the occasion marked a pivotal moment in institutionalising performance management system in the ministry.

He described performance management system as the

business environment, and investing in human capital would be critical for unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential and ensuring sustainable development in the years to come.”

He added: “One of the key economic realities in present-day Nigeria is the dependence on oil exports. However, the volatility of global oil prices poses a significant challenge to Nigeria’s economic stability. As fluctuations in oil prices can have a direct impact on government revenues, foreign exchange earnings, and overall macroeconomic stability.”

According to him, some of the recent, “government policies such as fuel subsidy removal and devaluation of the Naira amidst

foundation of the ongoing reform in the Federal Civil Service, stressing that as he signed the contract with Directors and Heads of Departments of the ministry, it was in alignment with national priorities and aspirations to ensure that the ministry remains among the leading ones.

“This is a demonstration of excellence and I will urge you to remain consistent in this professional posture and dedication to duty...This ministry has been given a mandate to drive pillar five of the presidential priorities focusing on transportation and infrastructure as enablers of growth.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), through its Joint Venture (JV) partnership,

have reiterated their commitment to impact on lives through sustainable development projects in Nigeria. This was disclosed by the

other controversial policies forms have led to harsh economic realities for the country.

“Furthermore, Nigeria grapples with structural issues such as inadequate infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and a large informal sector” despite being endowed with abundant natural resources and a sizable skilled workforce.

“Considering these economic realities, there is a pressing need for policy reforms and strategic interventions to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.

“This includes diversifying the economy away from oil dependency, investing in critical infrastructure, enhancing the business environment

“This is one of the three components that formed the framework for the development of the Ministerial Performance Management System Plan (MPMS) through which your departmental performance contracts were developed,” he added.

With the ongoing programmes in the housing sector, he said the initiatives were not mere constructions of bricks and mortar; but represent a commitment to improving the quality of life for every Nigerian, ensuring access to affordable housing and essential amenities.

According to him, their

two companies during the commissioning of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre at the Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG), built by the JV.

to attract private investment, and strengthening social safety nets to support the most vulnerable segments of society.”

Borodo also said that the institute has been engaging with key ministries and agencies of the government as an integral component of its stakeholders’ engagement strategy.

According to him, the governing council of the CIoD would carry out advocacy visits to critical ministries and agencies like the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Corporate Affairs Commission and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

performance translates into the ministry’s performance, explaining that if they perform well, the ministry will also do well.

“If you contribute your quota based on the weights attributed to your departments excellently well, you are boosting the ministry’s chances to do well and serve Nigerians better.

“You and your departments should not be the reason why the ministry will score low and fail to deliver on critical projects meant to address critical issues that can enable growth of other sectors of the economy,” he told the top officials.

the government, private sector, academia, and civil society,” a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, in the ministry quoted him as saying.

While acknowledging that the global energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainable and renewable energy sources, Ella posited that:

“For Nigeria, this transition presents both opportunities and challenges. We must embrace renewable energy while ensuring that our oil and gas resources are utilised efficiently and responsibly”

On the craving for more investments in the energy

sector, he emphasised the need to create an enabling environment characterised by transparent policies, regulatory certainty, and fiscal incentives as key ingredients to attracting and sustaining such investments.

The permanent secretary added that the Nigerian government was committed to fostering publicprivate partnerships and ensuring that the investment climate is conducive to both local and international investors.

He therefore stressed the need to remain steadfast in the commitment to environmental sustainability.

Speaking during a commissioning ceremony held at the university in Gadau, Bauchi State, NNPC Limited’s Chief Upstream Investment Officer (CUIO) Mr. Bala Wunti said corporate social responsibility has always been the hallmark of the NNPC-SPDC JV CSR commitments.

“Today’s historic commissioning of this ultramodern ICT centre at the BASUG is a testament to the positive and sustainable impact of the oil and gas industry on Nigerians,” Wunti, who was represented by the Head, Business Services, NUIMS, Mr. Sani Kabo, said. He observed that for several decades, the JV has consistently invested in impactful CSR initiatives across the length and breadth of the country.

Wunti further noted that the successful completion of the ICT centre exemplifies NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to contributing to sustainable development, improving access to quality education and fostering innovation in Nigeria.

While commending the impact of the JV on the community, Wunti also thanked the locals for their tremendous support and hospitality towards the project.

He called for continuous support from the Bauchi and Gombe State governments, traditional institutions and members of the various host communities in the area especially towards the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

On his part, the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor described the commissioning as another crucial social investment project completed by the JV in the North-East Nigeria.”

Nigeria Entrapped in Acute Food Insecurity

A recent United Nations’ Global Report on Food Crises has projected that the number of people to face high levels of acute food insecurity in Nigeria is expected to increase, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

Nigeria is faced with worsening acute food insecurity. The recently released United Nation’s “2023 Global Report on Food Crises,” projected that 26.5 million people in Nigeria, or 13 per cent of the analysed population of 209.3 million, are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between June and August 2024.

This increase in numbers reflected additional coverage that included 16 million people, worsening insecurity and high inflation. About one million people are projected in CH Phase 4. Around 0.5 million IDPs in Borno, Sokoto and Zamfara are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity.

The report also estimated that 24.9 million people in Nigeria, or 13 per cent of the analysed population of 193.6 million, were faced with high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023.

Also, about 1.1 million people were in emergency (CH Phase 4). This significant increase since the 2022 peak is attributable to expanded analysis to cover further vulnerable states, about 35 million additional people, as well as conflict/insecurity and economic shocks.

About 0.4 million IDPs, or 75 per cent of the analysed IDP population in Benue, Sokoto and Zamfara, were also faced with high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023.

The report highlighted that Nigeria, a lower middle income country, has been protracted experiencing major food crisis and has been included in all editions of the GRFC as a major food crisis nation, with acute food insecurity worst in the conflict-affected northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

The coverage expanded from 16 states in 2016–2020 to 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2021, and to 26 states in 2023, over 90 percent of the population.

In Borno, around 55 000 people faced Catastrophe (CH Phase 5) in late 2016 and 50 000 in mid-2017. In October–December 2022, 3 000 people were in this phase. No populations were estimated in Catastrophe for 2023 or projected for 2024.

The report defined acute food insecurity as “any manifestation of food insecurity at a specific point in time that is of a severity that threatens lives, livelihoods or both, regardless of the causes, context or duration.”

These acute states are highly susceptible to change

and can manifest in a population within a short amount of time, as a result of sudden changes or shocks that negatively impact the determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition. Transitory food insecurity is a short-term or temporary inability to meet food consumption requirements related to sporadic crises, indicating a capacity to recover.

DRIVERS OF CRISIS

Major causes of food crisis in Nigeria, according to the report, are confilic/insecurity, economic shocks and weather extreme.

The report said: “In 2023, insurgents in northeastern Nigeria, mostly in Borno, raided croplands and triggered population displacement, while widespread insecurity in northwestern and north-central regions also displaced households and impaired harvests and market functionality.”

It added that economic shocks propelled by currency devaluation and surging petrol prices raised transportation and food costs, especially in conflict areas. “High agricultural input prices constrained production. Inflation increased, reaching the highest since 1996 in January 2024.

“Favourable weather conditions were positive for the 2023/24 cropping season, though pockets of drought in Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states adversely affected agricultural output in local areas.”

ACUTE MALNUTRITION

The food crisis in Nigeria is also aggravating malnutrition among children and nursing mothers in the country. About 5.9 million children under five years old experienced acute malnutrition in northwestern and northeastern areas between May 2022 and April 2023.

Similarly, 600,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women experienced acute malnutrition in May 2023–April 2024.

One-fifth of analysed areas were classified in Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) largely due to insecurity, poor diet and collapsed services.

DRIVERS OF MALNUTRITION

One of the drivers of acute food insecurity is inadequate practices. According to the report, the minimum acceptable diet among children aged six to 23 months ranged from serious to critical. The situation is further aggravated by poor childcare practices, including inadequate exclusive breastfeeding.

Another driver of cute malnutrition is lack of food. “High levels of acute food insecurity driven by high food prices and inflation contributed to poor food consumption in terms of both quantity and quality,” the report said.

The third driver of acute malnutrition is inadequate services. According to the report, “poor health-seeking iarrhea, the collapse of health and nutrition services as well as limited access to WASH infrastructures contribute to the high prevalence of disease among children, including fever, malaria, acute respiratory infections and iarrhea as well as measles and cholera outbreaks.”

WEST AFRICA AND ThE SAhEL

The report also gave a broader perspective on food crisi in West Africa and Sahel region. It stated that escalating conflicts in West Africa and the Sahel and neighbouring Sudan have sustained high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023. Weather extremes also remained significant drivers of food crises in many countries.

It also said that high levels of displacement and acute malnutrition heightened the complexity of the food crises. In some countries, favourable agricultural outputs led to improvements, tempering the negative effects of sustained inflation, market disruptions and livelihood losses.

According to the report, 44.3 million people, or 11 per cent of the analysed population, faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023 in 14 countries. Also, 9.7 million forcibly displaced people in 13 foodcrisis countries in 2023 – consisting of 7.5 million IDPs and 2.2 million refugees and asylum-seekers.

In addition, 14 million acutely malnourished children in 14 food-crisis countries with 3.9 million of them are suffering the most severe form of wasting. How has the food crises in this region changed since 2022?

According to the report, escalating conflict/ insecurity, mostly in Sahelian countries, coupled with persisting economic shocks that have affected countries across the region, were the primary drivers sustaining high levels of acute food insecurity.

The overall share of population facing high levels of acute food insecurity decreased slightly since 2022, when it was the highest, at 12.5

percent of the population analysed.

It said: “Expanded analysis coverage largely explain the increases in the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity since 2022 in two countries: in Chad, coverage expanded from 94 per cent to 100 percent of the population, while in Nigeria it increased from 72 per cent to 91 per cent.”

Nine countries were classified as major food crises, with Nigeria having by far the largest population facing high acute food insecurity, followed by Burkina Faso, the Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Senegal, Mali, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, each surpassing 1 million people in these phases.

SEVERITy OF FOOD INSECURITy

All 14 food crises in the region had analyses with data disaggregated by phase of acute food insecurity. 45 200 people in catastrophe across two countries. Around 42 700 of them were in the Sahel and Boucle du Mouhoun regions in Burkina Faso between June and August 2023, where worsening conflict and insecurity severely impeded the functioning of markets and prevented populations from adequately accessing basic foods, with some areas under security blockade. This number of people in Catastrophe represented the highest on record for in Burkina Faso, nearly doubling from 22,500 people during March–May 2023.

The remaining 2,500 people in catastrophe were in the Ménaka region in Mali during June–August 2023, with conflict and high population displacement at the root of these conditions. This represents the first time in history that people have faced this most severe form of acute food insecurity in Mali. Compared with 2022, this situation marks an improvement in Nigeria, from 3 000 people estimated in this phase in October–December 2022 to none in 2023.

The severity of acute food insecurity was higher among Sahelian countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, the Niger and Mali, reflecting the effects of protracted conflict/insecurity. Nigeria had the largest number of people, mostly in northern states while Burkina Faso had the highest share of people in this phase at nearly 3.0 per cent.

Cameroon, Chad, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo experienced increases in the number of people since 2022, indicating more severe conditions. Conversely, Guinea, Mauritania and the Niger saw significant reductions, suggesting improvements in food access and availability, particularly in remote conflict[1]affected areas.

OUTLOOk FOR 2024

The report stated that persistent conflicts, with further associated displacement movements, and lingering economic shocks are expected to maintain high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024. It projected that this situation is likely to be exacerbated by localised climate shocks during the 2023 agricultural season in certain countries, despite average seasonal rainfall leading to overall favourable agricultural and pastoral conditions.

At the regional level, the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity is projected at 44.4 million in the 13 countries with CH data in both 2023 and 2024, which represents an additional 670 000 people compared with 2023.

This increase is largely attributable to increased analysis coverage. The population analysed increased by 18 million people in 12 out of the 13 countries with data for 2023 (mostly in Nigeria, Guinea and Mauritania). This includes about two million people in emergency, a significant decline compared with 2.7 million in 2023.

As of the January cut-off date for data inclusion, no populations were projected to face catastrophe. This implied a decline in severity based on increased humanitarian assistance and assumptions of slightly improved security conditions in some heavily conflict[1]affected areas for the projected period.

However, analyses of March 2024 updated several projections for the June–August 2024 lean season and estimated 2,600 people would be in Catastrophe in Mali.

At the country level, the share of population facing high levels of acute food insecurity was projected to increase in Chad by four percentage points); Sierra Leone, three percentage points and to a lesser extent Mali at 0.3 percentage points. The other ten countries were projected to experience decreases in the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity, mostly based on improved food supplies from favourable 2023 season outputs and subdued inflation.

The prevalence in Nigeria is projected to marginally decline from 12.8 percent to 12.6 percent of the analysed population. However, the number of people projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity is expected to increase.

polity

Waiting for Noah’s Ark

Banji ojewale

When God could no longer stand the overthrow of the good order He established on earth, He stepped in with the Noah Ark solution. The upset Creator said since man had allowed his depravity to flush out His benignity, He would respond with a heavier rain flood to wash away man and his iniquity. But not all earthlings would go; some humans, along with pairs of the lower primates, would be sheltered in a huge vessel to be constructed by a good man called Noah. He and some members of his household together with the animals would take refuge in the boat during the deadly deluge. The storm did come, sweeping off evil men and women and the children and youth who took after them.

Today, more than 5,000 years after that Divine Judgement, many in our midst worry that Nigeria has also slid into a satanic cul-de-sac, which is bringing back pictures of the days of Noah that only a deus ex machina can address. My compatriots aver that there isn’t any difference between the spectacles of evil they encounter day by day now and what records say of the wickedness of Noah’s era. There was man’s inhumanity to man then. There is, also, today. There was animalistic cruelty that prompted the punitive tide. In the “civilised” Nigeria of our time, there have also arisen stone-age vices and immorality several shades and grades higher than what Noah’s generation gave the world. Some are the stuff of surreal fiction.

Whole communities are overrun and torched by bandits for unexplained reasons. In the name of religion, tribe or politics, scores of men, women and children are killed in mindless bloodshed. Worship centres aren’t spared; when gunmen hit congregants, they leave apocalyptic scenes behind. Kidnappers rule the land, seizing the high and the low and becoming bewilderingly rich from humongous ransoms.

How about ritual killings, aka yahoo-yahoo?

Friends, business associates, relatives, neighbours, couples, students, etc., are all active in the heinous trade of seeking instant prosperity through harvesting of body parts. So-called religious leaders defile their hands and offices with a craving for filthy lucre as they liaise with demons for mammon. Religion is merchandise for them. And like Pied Piper of Hamelin, these godless principals are breeding a huge followership of kindred spirits.

Land disputes take on sanguinary turns and twists between families with a heavy human toll that has impoverished communities and aggravated our underdevelopment.

So-termed unknown gunmen straddle the entire

landscape, forming formidable parallel gangs dreaded by conventional troops. They strike at will.

Those who are expected to halt this light-speed crime trajectory, the security paraphernalia, are hapless, helpless and hamstrung. How? Sometimes the non-state felons outwit the state dramatis personae with superior firepower made possible by poor funding for the acquisition of sophisticated weapons for the latter. The factor of enfeebled morale in the ranks of our gallant security operatives must also be taken into account. At other times, we have fifth columnists who connive with the antisocial elements to wreak havoc on us. The education sector isn’t giving learning to uphold integrity; it is at its nadir as it releases products baked in the heat of sexcapades between pupils and teachers.

Finally, we have the political class and the elite contributing their quota to the crime and corruption scenes. They allocate to themselves the heavy weight of the wealth of the country. They have the resources

to gift hundreds of legislators N160m plus SUVs each, all costing a princely N57.6b.

There’s room to vote N21b palatial mansion for Nigeria’s Vice President in Abuja. But we don’t the funds for a living wage for the producers of the nation’s wealth. We can also afford hefty “security vote” for the president, his vice, and the chief executives in the states and their deputies. This is repeated in the council administration. Now, these are unconstitutional appropriations, according to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Robert Clarke. He declared in a newspaper interview in 2016: “… the question of security vote has no basis in law. When you look at the history of security vote in Nigeria you will not find anywhere in the 1999 Constitution that allows security vote to be enjoyed by anybody.”

Together with their salaries, these political office holders inflict a heavy fiscal burden on the nation’s treasury, cueing Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to ask for a 50 per cent cut in the salaries and allowances of Nigeria’s political office holders. Hear the economist: “Despite the hardship…the country’s governance culture encourages extravagance among political leaders and appointees...We have to cut… salaries…It would make people a bit more sober. It would make them understand that we are in hard times… Nigeria’s governance culture puts self-service above people-service.”

We can’t but blame deaths resulting from miserlyfunded healthcare facilities and accidents on bad roads on rulers who embezzle monies meant for such projects. That was the shocking discovery of Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings of Ghana when he seized power in 1979.

This deployment of the nation’s substantial wealth to service the extravagance of a few has prevented the economic development of the majority, triggering insecurity, instability and impoverishment. The vexatious levels of criminality, impunity and corruptibility are due to the nation’s inability to provide the basic needs of life to the overwhelming majority of the population. The oasis of the opulent few tells the others not to believe leaders who preach sacrifice and tightening of belts. They reason that something isn’t adding up. So they go into crime to, as it were, add things up, to help themselves. Of course, this line of reaction destabilises the polity the same way the activities of the greedy and grabbing ruling class unseat good governance.

Recently, when fellow citizen Misbahu Ahmed and I discussed Nigeria’s sunken state of affairs with the egregious erection of a multibillion edifice for the vice president right in the midst of the penury of the people, sparking our online chat, he was so miffed he suggested our entire climate had returned to the evil days of Noah. We need a waterfall, he proposed, to cleanse the stench of government insensitivity and corruption. Misbahu wasn’t talking of a mammoth ship to save us from the floods taking over our land due to years of visionless demographic planning and graft. He meant a gale that would overpower and arrest those subduing the poor and denying them God’s gifts of basic right to education at all levels, access to sound healthcare, living wage, modern roads, potable water, modern housing, welfare benefits for the vulnerable and unemployed, security, adequate power supply nationwide, jobs for our teeming youth, etc. The boat would be to preserve those who refuse to join the madding crowd who rape the land, for it must be expected that a just God would offer them due reward for their unflinching patriotism.

•Ojewale is a writer and journalist in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

NEWS Fagbemi Tasks Enforcement Agencies, Courts, Others on Good Execution of ACJA

EFCC seeks wholistic review of act

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has stressed the need for effective collaboration, if the goals of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 must be attained. Fagbemi, who described the Act passed in 2015, as representing a “beacon of hope” in government efforts at providing a system that serves the justice needs of the people, called on law enforcement agencies, lawyers, judges and all other stakeholders in the justice sector to always work with unity of purpose.

The AGF spoke yesterday in Abuja, at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement summit on the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the official signing of the Practice Direction on Remand Proceedings, Guidelines and Monitoring Framework for the implementation of remand proceedings.

enough to have laws, the AGF said the laws must be effectively implemented so that it was not just seen as a statute on paper but something that breathes life into the system.

While stating that it was not

Reacting to the section of the court that restrains judges from sentencing a defendant convicted in absentia, the minister urged courts to employ the Mutual

Yusuf Orders Crackdown on LGBTQ Right Groups in Kano

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Islamic Shariah Board (the Hisbah Board) to crack down on groups suspected to be promoting and advocating the cause of the LGBTQ rights in the state.

Addressing concerns on the rising tension over the activities of groups promoting same-sex marriage in the state, Commis-

sioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye, said same sex marriage had breached the state’s moral standard of Kano people.

According to Dantiye, the state government would not accept any agreement that promotes the activities of gays and lesbians, as it contravenes the norms and values of the people of Kano.

“I spoke with the governor, and he expressed his disapproval of

the said agreement, even though it has not yet been confirmed. He assured that there is no room for LGBT activities in Kano.

“As you know, 98% of Kano’s population is Muslims by faith, and our religion is against this immorality, so we can’t accept it,” Dantiye said.

Regarding allegations of groups promoting LGBT activities in the state, the commissioner stated that the government has

received citizens’ concerns and the governor has ordered Hisbah to investigate and take action against these groups.

“We also discussed this with the governor, and he directed Hisbah to investigate and crack down on them. We will take legal action as appropriate.”

The information commissioner also hinted at an ongoing consultation with religious leaders on how to curb such activities in the state.

Legal Assistance (MLA) in negotiating the reparations of such convicted persons.

He commended the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) under the chairmanship of the Chief Judge (CJ) of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, for passage of the Strategic Action Plan 2024 to 2025 and the signing of the guidelines for remand procedures, noting that the documents would “serve as a comprehensive roadmap” towards the achievement of the goals of the ACJA, 2015.

In his remarks, the CJ of the FCT High Court, who recalled that the ACJA was borne out of the need to reform the country’s justice system to meet the needs of the people, assured of the commitment of the judiciary to uplifting and promoting various provisions of ACJA for effective administration of criminal justice.

Also, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede called for a wholistic review of the provisions of ACJA. The EFCC boss while commending the success of the ACJA in the past ten years of its existence however, observed some flaws, especially Section 396(7) which was annulled by the Supreme Court for been in conflict with the Constitution. He cited the case of former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was ordered to be retried simply because the judge that convicted at the trial court gave his judgement after he was elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. The EFCC boss, who was represented by the Director, Legal, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) also faulted Section 252(4)(5) of ACJA that denied a judge the power to pass sentence on a suspect who was convicted in absentia.

President Bola Tinubu

Alex Enumah in Abuja

STRATEGIC MEETING...

Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacchaeus Adedeji (left), with the Chief Executive Officer/Executive

Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria,

during a meeting to discuss collaboration between both government agencies held in Abuja… at the weekend

Rivers: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Give Fubara

7-Day Ultimatum to Re-present 2024 Budget

Court stops CJ, clerk from receiving impeachment notice, gov queries offence Pro-Fubara legislators screen, confirm commissioner-designate FCT minister colluding with APC to destroy PDP, Katsina faction alleges

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt and Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The last may not have been heard of the Rivers State crisis as the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly leadership has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a seven-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill before the House.

But a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, has granted an order retraining the Chief Judge of the State and the Clerk of the House of Assembly from receiving an impeachment article or resolutions from the 27 estranged lawmakers.

Fubara, on his part, has told his detractors to tell the world his offence for the daily criticism and condemnation.

This was as the faction of the assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, at a parallel sitting, screened and confirmed Mr. Emmanuel Frank-Fubara as a commissioner-designate.

At the same time, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyeson Wike, of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destroy the opposition party.

The lawmakers loyal to Wike, had in a resolution, rising from their resumed sitting yesterday, alleged that Fubara's recent actions was in breach of the 1999 Constitution.

In the resolution letter addressed to Fubara and signed by Amaewhule, they stated that the governor "Is yet to present the 2024 Appropriation Bill of the State to the duly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly in line with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution and in compliance with the judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court."

The Pro-Wike lawmakers said the 7-day ultimatum would start from the date of the Resolution to present the Appropriation Bill to the House, which was yesterday July 8, 2024.

They also drew the attention of Fubara to "a breach of Section 192(2) of the Constitution wherein he swore-in purported members of the State Executive Council as Commissioners as well as a breach of Section 7 (1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, wherein he again swore in certain unelected individuals to manage the affairs of the 23 Local Government Councils in the state, in flagrant disobedience to the constitution and judgement of Justice Omotosho of the Federal

High Court."

Amaewhule alleged that the governor had disregarded the constitution and judgements of courts, transacted legislative business with three members of the Assembly, whom he claimed were suspended by the House.

He continued that the screening and confirmation of commissionernominees for appointment, caretaker committees and other approvals by the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly were allegedly declared null and void by the recent Court of Appeal judgement.

Amaehule, therefore, called the governor to do the needful without further delay, saying "these constitutional breaches constitute gross misconduct and abuse of office."

Fresh Court Order Restrains CJ, Clerk from Receiving Impeachment Letter

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, has granted an order retraining the Chief Judge of the State and the Clerk of the House of Assembly from receiving an impeachment article or resolutions from the 27 estranged lawmakers loyal to Wike.

The trial Judge, Justice D Jumbo Stephens, granted the order filed by Victor Oko-Jumbo and five others registered in Suit Number PHC/2177/ CS/2024, on July 8, 2024.

The fresh order issued by the court yesterday, read: "That an Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st-27th Defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st — 27th Defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.

"That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante in this suit as at 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.

"An Order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other processes in this suit on the 1st— 30th Defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State."

The court, however, adjourned the

matter till July 15, this year for the motion on notice for interlocutory.

Fubara DetractorsChallenge on His Offence

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has told his detractors to tell the world the offence he committed to deserve the daily criticism and condemnation.

He declared that he was not an ungrateful person, saying he acknowledged and appreciated those who were instrumental to good gestures that had come his way.

The governor made the assertion, yesterday, when he hosted stakeholders of Ikwerre ethnic nationality, on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara stated that it was due to such well-breed lifestyle and personality that he had never

contemplated throwing caution to the wind in handling the current political crisis bedeviling the State.

"I want to also say this. Fubara is not an ungrateful person. If I were a bad person, you can't hide character that is bad more than one week, two weeks, one month, one year, two years, eight years, even more than eight years. For 16 years, if I was a bad person, everybody would have known.”

Pro-Fubara Legislators Screen, Confirm Commissioner-designate

Also, in their deliberation, the pro-Fubara's lawmaker confirmed Frank-Fubara as a Commissionerdesignate.

Oko-Jumbo directed the clerk of the House to communicate the

confirmation of the commissionerdesignate to the governor, for possible swearing-in as member of the State Executive Council.

The screening and confirmation followed a letter sent by Fubara to the Speaker, requesting that the house confirm Frank-Fubara as a Commissioner to serve in the State Executive Council.

Reading the letter during plenary at the temporary facility used for Legislative business in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Oko-Jumbo said Fubara sent the request in pursuant to Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Frank-Fubara a native of Abonnema Town in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, had during the screening told the House that he had been in legal practice for 26 years, where he managed his private legal chamber in Port Harcourt after

being called to bar in 1998.

‘Wike Colluding with APC to Destroy PDP’ Meanwhile, a faction of the PDP in Katsina, led by a former Secretary to the state government, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, described Wike as a dictator, whose actions were destroying PDP at the national level. Inuwa while addressing PDP chieftains on Sunday at his office in Katsina ahead of the party’s congress, alleged that Wike was colluding with key APC officials to blemish the affairs of the PDP.

“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike is now controlling the PDP at the national level. Whether we like it or not, Wike is a member of the APC and is working with APC members to destroy PDP.

NNPP Rejects Kwankwaso's Expulsion, Yusuf, Others’ Suspension

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has condemned the purported expulsion of the former presidential candidate of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the suspension of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, among others, from the party.

But All Progressives Congress (APC) warned NNPP that it was the one, and not President Bola Tinubu, that would suffer re-election casualties in 2027 as a result of the Kano State emirate crisis.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of NNPP had Sunday affirmed six months’ suspension of Yusuf and the expulsion of Kwankwaso from the party.

The resolutions of the party were contained in a communique issued in Abuja, and jointly signed by Umar Jibril, and Omolara Johnson, following the NEC meeting held on May 27.

But in a swift reaction, the state chairman of NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, said those who took the unpopular decision were not bonafide members the party.

Dungurawa said the party viewed the expulsion of Kwankwaso and the suspension of Yusuf as laughable as it was carried out by expelled members, sponsored by external forces.

He stated, "Let me be clear to you that those people who said they suspended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and expelled Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were long ago expelled from the party over alleged anti-party activities and connivance with opposition to create problems in our party.

"I wondered how a sponsored group of expelled members could suspend Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is the only governor of the NNPP in the country, and expelled Kwankwaso, the party's national leader.

“The NNPP has only one single governor and the presidential candidate of the party, who nurtured it to its present position, but you are saying you suspended them. Can this make any sense to anybody?

"As a party, we remain resolute and strong. We would never be distracted by the evil machinations of some outsiders, who are hell-bent

by Party’s NEC

to destroy our formidable party, the NNPP."

Dungurawa claimed to know those behind the crisis in NNPP.

He said they "are those oppositions who are afraid of the emergence of Kwankwaso as the next president of Nigeria in 2027, God willing."

But the Kano State APC chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, in a statement yesterday, said bringing up the issue of 2027 presidential election by the Kano NNPP chairman in the face of an apparent failure of the state government was not only diversionary, but also an indication of a plan to plunder the resources of the state in the name of candidature.

Abbas said, "Aside widely acknowledged poor performance of Governor Abba Yusuf-led NNPP government in Kano State in the last one year, the party's penchant for causing and sponsoring crisis in a peaceful state he inherited and some of his anti-people's policies are factors voters will consider in the next election.

"It is a public knowledge that while other governors were commissioning one project or the other to mark

their one year in office, the NNPP Kano State Government was busy distracting the good people of Kano from his obvious failures through the contentious Emirate law as a tactic from his inadequacies in office.” Abbas insisted that NNPP and its national leader, Kwankwaso, would suffer the consequences of the ongoing emirship tussle. He said the crisis of confidence rocking the factionalised opposition NNPP was embarrassingly exposing its dismal failure.

He stated that the NNPP government in Kano State started on a wrong footing by going against the very essence of governance, which was the people, and always wanted to distract the people from its apparent failure.

Abbas stated, “The people of Kano State whose houses were demolished and rendered homeless will not forget in a hurry. The people of Kano State whose sources of economic survival and businesses were destroyed, will not vote NNPP again, among many other categories of people already badly affected by the current misfit government in Kano state.”

Secretary,

Dr. Rabiu Olowo,

L-R: Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar; Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; Vice President Kashim Shettima; and Kaduna State Governor, Dr. Uba Sani, during the presentation of a Certificate of Occupancy of land to the Director General of NEMA for the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflicts (RSPIC) which was launched by the vice president at Tudun Biri, Kaduna State... last Friday

Ngelale Engages NASENI CEO, Others on Renewable Energy Value Chain

deji elumoye in Abuja

Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC) and presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday engaged the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science e and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Halilu, on the need to localise renewable energy

technology value chain.

Ngelale, who disclosed this in a note updating his activities in carrying out his mandates, said both parties aligned approaches in an effort to bolster Nigeria's new drive to localise renewable energy technology value chains.

“ Our collaborative approach to achieving national objectives for the benefit of all Nigerians is in conformity with President Bola

Tinubu’s team-centred approach to problem-solving and service delivery. Nigerians have so much to look forward to," he said.

He added that he equally met the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Head of Africa, Mr. Chido Munyati, and Africa's Regional Agenda Lead, Ms. Abir Ibrahim for an extensive deliberation on Nigeria's value chain localisation initiative. According to him, it also involved

how parties can actively create linkages between the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in developed markets and critical Nigerian public-private stakeholders in advancing new wealth-creating industries supported by localised supply chains.

"Later on Monday afternoon, I welcomed the Country Director of ProVeg International, Mr. Hakeem Jimo, who exchanged views with me on how we can generate tangible

Citing Kenyan Situation, Obi Says Nigerian Leaders Must Avoid Ostentatious Lifestyles

Declares his investment in health, education for good of society

Former governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has declared that a true Nigeria was possible if political leaders made the desired, necessary sacrifices, and needed changes.

Specifically, he said Nigerian leaders, must abandon habits and ostentatious life style that were detrimental to the health of the nation, stop the feasting, and start making desired sacrifices for the greater good of the suffering masses in the country.

He, however, explained that his unwavering commitment to building a better nation through investing in the critical areas like human and national development, health and education, was ultimately for the good of the nation and the future of society.

Writing on his X account, he stressed that true change and progress required leaders who were sincere, willing to listen, act responsibly, and prioritise the welfare of the people over personal or political interests.

“If we make the necessary changes and make the needed sacrifices, a new Nigeria is possible!” he said.

Obi, therefore, challenged political office holders and leaders to wake up and learn from the recent experience of Kenyan and demonstrate true leadership by

listening to the cries of the citizens.

He further counselled political leaders to draw a strong lesson from the Kenyan experience, adding that when the Kenyan public realised that their government was not making sufficient sacrifices and prioritizing resources effectively, they spoke out, demanded change, expressed their dissatisfaction, and protested.

Citing the Kenyan situation, he said, “In response, the president demonstrated true leadership by listening to the people’s demands and acting accordingly and recognising that government should be driven by the needs of the citizens, not by our own consumption agenda.”

The LP presidential candidate noted that the Kenyan government took several measures to reduce unnecessary expenditures and demonstrated fiscal responsibility, including canceling budgets for the First Lady and Second Lady’s offices as well as dissolving 47 state agencies.

President Ruto, he also said, suspended nonessential travel for government workers, froze the purchase of new cars for officials, and reduced the number of advisers by 50 percent.

“Another notable instance was when the President was accused of chartering a plane to America. Instead of dismissing the concerns, he responded transparently and addressed the issue,” stressing that President Ruto’s acknowledgment

of the people’s demands exemplified responsive governance

“In contrast, we the Nigerian leaders, often arrogantly do the opposite to genuine grievances of our suffering citizens.

“Instead of addressing legitimate concerns, and being accountable to the people, we resort to using public funds to pay media thugs to insult and abuse those who speak truth to power,” he said.

Also, in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Obi who paid a visit to Grimard College of Nursing Sciences, Anyigba, Kogi

State, where he donated N10 million to the College for the training of nurses, said the centres were at the centre of primary healthcare delivery in the nation.

He stated that Nigeria was undeveloped because the nation has not aggressively invested in the critical areas of development, which he listed as health, education and pulling people out of poverty.

He maintained that the nation was facing serious challenges of insecurity and other socio-economic challenges due to lack of investment in these critical areas.

value from reviewing food systems that globally contribute up to 25 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions at a time when nearly 50 per cent of all meat consumed in Nigeria is imported.

"Sustainable agricultural practices and food system alignments can

minimise forest destruction and biodiversity loss. This is a major area of opportunity as we seek to create a new industrial ecosystem for biomass in-country in close collaboration with our technical partners and investors," Ngelale added.

James emejo in Abuja

The Governing Board of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has approved the promotion of five staff to the grade of Director following the promotion exercise conducted on March 27, 2024.

In a statement, the commission listed new directors to include Mr. Rasaaq Salami, who is now Director, Human Resources and Administration.

Others are Mr. Ajibola Bankole, Director, Inspectorate; Mr. Ahmad Ibrahim Adamu, Director, Innovation and Regulation; Dr. Talmiz Usman - Director, Legal, Enforcement and Market Development; and Mr. Kamaludeen Barde, Director,

Finance and Accounts.

The board also approved the updated organisational structure of the commission to enhance its efficiency, effectiveness, and adaptability.

This restructuring ensures that the organisational structure aligns with the Commission's strategic goals and objectives, aiding the executive management in achieving its mandate. The new directorates are Inspectorate, Supervision, Market Conduct and Complaint Bureau, Innovation and Regulation, Legal, Enforcement & Market Development, Human Resources and Administration, Finance and Accounts, and Technology, Strategy and Research.

Money Laundering: CJ Directs Hearing of Bello’s Transfer Request to Open Court

alex enumah in Abuja

The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has directed that the request by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, for the transfer of the alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Kogi, be heard in the open court. The directive was contained in a letter addressed to Bello's counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, and Musa Yakubu, SAN.

The decision of the CJ, according to the letter dated July 2, was based on a pending appeal between Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) wherein the defendant had sought a consequential order remitting the case to the chief judge for reassignment.

The letter, signed by Special Assistant to the CJ, Joshua Ibrahim-AJI, said as a result of this, it would be improper to take any step that would be tantamount to preempting the outcome of the appeal.

"There is documentary evidence

of a pending appeal in the case Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN filed on 17/05/2024 wherein the defendant as appellant has sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment.

"It is not proper to take any step that will be tantamount to pre-empting the outcome of the appeal. The main issue raised is jurisdictional in nature and will be more appropriately decided by the court.

"The matter should therefore be presented in open court," the

CJ stated. Tsoho observed that the main offence allegedly bordered on conversion of the state's funds to purchase property in Abuja, and that the filing of the charge could either be in Abuja or Lokoja. He referred to two ongoing cases before the FHC in charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 FRN Vs Ali Bello and another, and another charge in FRN Vs Ali Bello and 3 others, where a similar request for transfer was made and the lower court refused the application.

Chuks okocha in Abuja

KEEP THE AWARDS COMING...

260 Contractors Face Contract Revocation as FG Hands Down 3-month Ultimatum

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, yesterday gave contractors handling 260 emergency road rehabilitation projects awarded by the Bola Tinubu administration a deadline of three months to complete and deliver the projects or face termination of their contracts.

The ultimatum was issued during a meeting of the management of the Federal Ministry of Works alongside the Federal Controllers of Works, with the contractors handling the various projects held at the ministry's headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.

The emergency road projects were appropriated for in the 2023 supplementary budget with the intention to bring immediate intervention on the completely failed parts of critical federal roads nationwide with a view to restoring the serviceability level of the affected roads.

Umahi listed about 37 contractors who had achieved little or no milestones in the project delivery since the contracts were awarded and warned that such contractors must mobilise effectively to the site latest Wednesday July 10, 2024 or face cancellation of their contracts.

"If after the deadline for mobilisation to the site, any contractor fails to comply, the job shall be terminated by effluxion of time as the contract is for a time limit of three months.

"Any contractor whose job has stayed for more than three months without completion after the issuance of award letter must seek and obtain approval for extension of time from the Federal Ministry of Works," a statement by

the minister’s spokesman, Uchenna Orji, quoted him as saying.

Most of the defaulting contractors, the statement said, are handling emergency road projects in Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and River States.

The minister warned them that the projects awarded to them must be delivered in three months time as no excuse of security challenges or lack of mobilisation funds would justify the sufferings they are

subjecting road users to. He further threatened to blacklist the defaulting contracting firms who he said are constituting a cog in the wheel of progress in the efforts of the current administration in ‘revolutionising’ road infrastructure for Nigeria's economic prosperity.

Umahi said: "The people are suffering, the president is having sleepless nights in his efforts to fix our road infrastructure to help our economy, and people will be given jobs and they are telling us stories.

“There have been jobs awarded

by this ministry in the past and money paid, and the contractors would hold the money, and they would say it's a security problem. Didn't you know about the security situation before you got the job?, " he queried.

He further gave marching orders to the Federal Controllers of Works to ensure proper supervision of projects in their sites and be abreast with the contracts awarded, amount, date of award, timeline, review date, extension of time, augmentation granted and

whether the contractor is on site.

Umahi reiterated that mobilisation funding under the standard conditions of contract was not a condition precedent for them to move to the site, but at the discretion of the Federal Ministry of Works.

According to him, this can be made available only to contractors who can undertake through affidavit of commitment to complete the job within three months of mobilisation.

He added: "Our new policy is that if you want mobilisation and

we are happy to give you, you will abide by the conditions. One is that there will be no review of any component of the mobilisation given.

“Two, we will give you 30 per cent and you will do 30 per cent of work before we can give you another money. So please, mobilisation is not compulsory. Again, emergency projects are not mobilised. The rule is that in emergency projects, you will go and do it 100 per cent, and then you submit your papers.

Arewa Economic Forum: Terrorism, Banditry Threat to Food Security in Nigeria

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

A coalition of Northern political, and economic leaders, Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), yesterday, said terrorism, banditry and other sundry crimes in Northern Nigeria were threats to food security.

Chairman of AEF, Ibrahim Shehu, said this at a press conference in Abuja.

He disclosed that over 60 per cent of arable land in the north had not been cultivated by farmers in the past five years due to fear, occasioned by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmers/herders crisis and other emerging security threats in the region.

AEF, also called on the federal government to provide adequate security to farmers in the north to

prevent the looming hunger that has the propensity to ignite further crisis in Nigeria.

While commending the effort of the agro rangers and the troops in providing security to farmers in the country, the chairman said more was required from government in terms of security to avert the looming danger of food shortage.

Shehu further urged the central government to create safe enclaves for cattle rearing in the country to forestall the rampant rustling of cattle by rustlers in the country.

He also appealed to government at all levels to revisit the grazing reserves created by colonial administration and lawfully gazetted, with a view to providing the requisite amenities needed for its successful implementation.

He, however, noted that if something was not done urgently, the impending famine would unsettle the country.

On cost of protein, he said,

"everybody knows what had happened to the cattle rearing industry's over this period of time, from the time we started having insurgency and Boko Haram, cattle

rustling has been there for more than 15 years. We are proposing for safe enclaves for cattle rearing. The first victims of banditry are cattle rearers."

PGF: Current Economic Crisis Not Peculiar to Nigeria, Says APC Govt Has Done Well

The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), has said the current economic crisis was not peculiar to the country, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has done well for Nigeria.

Chairman and Governor

Army Denies Running Only Islamic Schools, Says Story Meant to Push Religious Bigotry

The Nigerian Army (NA), has denied alleged promotion of religious bigotry and prioritisation of Islamic religion in the service, dismissing the story as false.

Last week, a viral report alleged that the Nigerian Army only ran a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faiths.

But denying the report, Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, yesterday, described the report as not only fake but also making a futile effort to portray the Nigerian Army as exclusively

encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel.

"The Nigerian Army has been notified of a misleading viral report suggesting that the NA only runs a School of Islamic Affairs, ignoring other faith.

“The viral report also made futile effort to portray the NA as exclusively encouraging religious bigotry among its personnel," he said.

Nwachukwu noted that considering the gravity of this falsehood, the NA categorically stated that the propaganda in its entirety was dead on arrival as it clearly did not reflect the values of its esteemed institution.

According to him, the Nigerian

Army as a secular organisation, upheld the principle of religious freedom for all its personnel and ensured that its personnel, irrespective of ranks, was free to practice their religions without any form of bias or endorsement of a specific religion.

"Our unwavering commitment to secularism guarantees that religious diversity is respected and accommodated, allowing soldiers to observe their faith without hindrance to their duties.

“For clarity, the NA operates multiple religious training institutions to cater to the diverse faiths of our personnel. In addition to the

Nigerian Army School of Islamic Affairs located in NA Cantonment Ikeja, Lagos, the NA also has the Nigerian Army Protestant Training School in Yaba and the Nigerian Army Chaplain Catholic Training School in Ojo Cantonment."

These schools, he said, frequently engage in interfaith collaborations, promoting unity and cohesion among diverse members.

He said the Nigerian Army's dedication to secularism was aimed at fostering a professional and inclusive environment, where individuals could serve their country without fear of religious discrimination or bias.

of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, stated this yesterday in Abuja after meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, ahead of the Edo State governorship election.

The meeting also had in attendance the Governor of Cross River, Bassey Otu; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and their Ekiti State counterpart, Abiodun Oyebanji. His words: “The truth of the matter is that the APC has done very well in Nigeria. What is happening currently, is a global economic problem.

“We, in Nigeria, under our own leadership, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also bringing out policies to ensure, given the kind of economy he met, given the kind of situation he saw when he came, he has started the treatment and by the grace of God, I am very confident that very soon Nigerians will be jubilant about how he has managed to navigate the waters.”

Uzodinma also revealed that the national campaign council for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election would be inaugurated on the He added: “I am the chairman

of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and when I speak, I speak on behalf of my colleagues, 20 governors; a party like APC that is in control of 20 states out of 36.

“So, when we get to Edo because we are majority party for instance, on the 20th of this month the National campaign council will be inaugurated in Edo State and it is expected that most of us, the members of the Progressives Governors Forum will be in attendance. Which other party can provide or boast of such an asset, politically speaking.” Ganduje, on his part, said the leadership of the party would ensure good relationship with the governors.

“We anticipated today when I got the information that they are coming. So, I think it is a blessing, a big blessing to us. So, we are so happy about it and we have confidence in them.

“We will do all it takes to ensure that we maintain good relationship with our governors all over the country and we will help to protect their interests. There is no doubt that they're also assisting the party, they are making the party proud as an institution.”

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

L-R: Company Secretary, Green Energy International Limited, Ms. Eghonghon Oboh; Chairman, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe; and Director, Mr. Olusegun Ilori, when Adegbulugbe was presented with the Best Indigenous Oil and Gas Company of the Year 2024 award won by the company at the just concluded NOG Energy Week in Abuja…recently

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

EMERGING AFRICA HALAL FUND LAUNCHED…

L-R: Custody Operations Manager, RMB, Regina Asala; Non- Executive Director, FundAllTechnology Solutions Limited, Ademola Shopeju; Managing Director, Emerging Africa Asset Management Limited, Ada Ijara; Chairman, Emerging Africa Group, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande; Chief Financing Officer, Emerging Africa Group, Chukwuemeka Anazodo, and Non -Executive Director, Emerging Africa Capacity Building Limited, Seyi Adewale, during the launch of Emerging Africa Halal Fund in Lagos…recently

Police Arrest Man Who Attempted Suicide from Radio Mast over Fuel Subsidy Removal

Olawale Ajimotokan inabuja

A man who, yesterday contemplated suicide by climbing a broadcast mast in Katampe Hills, Abuja over economic hardship is currently in police net.

The middle-aged man, named Shuaibu Alhaji Yusuf from Maiduguri, Borno State, caused a stir and attracted scores of onlookers, when he mounted the Aso Radio broadcast mast and threatened to drop from the height if the federal government failed to revert its policy on subsidy removal.

Dawon Wenegieme, to botch the suicide plot and descend the mast.

In a hand written note, which he dropped while climbing the broadcast mast, Yusuf listed nine

Police immediately took Yusuf into custody after he acceded to the appeal of the Acting Director General of Federal Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Mrs Florence

Trouble Brews in Plateau Community over Selection of Monarch

Seriki Adinoyi in jos

Concerned stakeholders in Bashar chiefdom of Wase Local Government Area have warned that the community could erupt into serious trouble if urgent actions are not taken to correct the injustices meted out to the community in which Alh Abdullahi Idris was imposed on them as the new Rekna of Bashar.

Addressing the press in Jos, the stakeholders, led by Shehu Mujahid Abubakar, observed that proper procedure was not followed as the person selected

was not from the royal family.

Abubakar said: “In September 2022, the Rekna of Bashar position became vacant. Following tradition, a new Rekna should have been chosen from the ruling family through a proper selection process involving the kingmakers.

“The Plateau State Government, under the leadership of former Governor Simon Bako Lalong established a committee to oversee the selection process according to established rules and regulations, but the then Local Government Chairman, Dr. Ado Abubakar Buba interfered with the process.”

LG Electronics Donates Solar-Powered Borehole to Lagos Community

LG Electronics has provided a solar-powered borehole to the Abule Osun community in Lagos as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The company said the project, which was the second in Nigeria, shows its commitment to addressing the pressing issue of access to clean drinking water in local areas.

Managing Director of LG Electronics, Mr. Hyoung Ji Sub, said: “We are proud to contribute to the development of the Abule Osun community. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and we are committed to doing our part to ensure that communities like Abule Osun have access to this basic necessity.

“We have already given a community in Abuja a solar-powered borehole, and here we are doing the same. I am assuring Nigerians that before the end of this year, we will give as many as possible to several communities both in Lagos and other states of the federation.”

Speaking in the same vein, Manager Fouani Nigeria Limited Factory, Mr. Mohammed Fouani (Jnr), said: “The donation of the solar-powered borehole is a key component of LG Electronics’ ongoing endeavors to support sustainable development and enhance the well-being of individuals in Nigeria.

RCCG’s Pen Cinema Parish Refurbishes VETLand School ICT Lab

OluchiChibuzor

As part of the Redeemed Christian Church Christians(RCCG) corporate social responsibility(CSR) programmes, the Pen Cinema Parish has donated five brand new computers to the ICT lab of Vetland Junior Grammar School.

The effort also saw the church refurbishing and upgrading existing nine computers and distributing over 500 raw rice packs to residents within Agege area of Lagos State.

Speaking in Lagos, recently, the Pastor-in-Charge Region 19, Pastor Brown Oyitso, said governments at all levels must be supported.

According to him, “With this gestures to our host community, we want to thank them for all their support and to the students we implore them to leverage the facilities because we believe in their future.

“With the distribution of raw rice packs and refurbishing and upgrading of the VETLand Junior Grammar School ICT lab with computers, we are supporting the government in our own capacity. We believe by upgrading the existing nine and donation of five brand new computers will help the good work the government is doing in the school.”

points to government, including the restoration of fuel subsidy and a demand for an end to insurgency in the restive North-east and North-west regions.zHis redacted note read: “On

behalf of fellow Nigerians, I demand the following: Government should return fuel subsidy. Government should declare state of emergency in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Borno on unsecurity (sic) matters and take immediate action to clear those terrorism (sic) in the above listed state and the country at large.

Navy Uncovers Two Illegal Refining Sites, Arrests One Suspect in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) in Warri, Delta State, have uncovered two illegal refining sites in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The sites were located in the coastal communities of Ajasolor and Ogbukoko in the council area.

The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, told journalists yesterday that a suspect was arrested during operations to the area.

Muhsin, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Navy Commander Patrick Ali, said that five metallic storage tanks, four ovens and five dugout pits were uncovered.

He disclosed that a suspect was apprehended with a wooden boat while crude oil well heads were also vandalised, adding:

“Based on credible intelligence, the NNS Delta gunboat team discovered illegal refining sites in Warri South Local Government Area. “This was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)’s mandate of the Operation Delta Sanity to end crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and securing critical maritime assets. This is one of the series of actions in keeping Delta safe and secure.”

ASR Africa Constructs 30-bed Hospital for Nigeria Customs Service in Bauchi

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a 30-bed hospital for the Nigerian Customs Service with a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday at the Nigeria Customs Service Command in Bauchi State.

This state-of-the-art medical edifice in Bauchi State is valued at N500 million. The groundbreaking

is coming after the presentation of letters of award to Nigeria’s security agencies in 2022 by the Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh.

The Comptroller General (GG) of the Nigerian Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of ASR Africa for the grant awarded

to the agency. He said that this gesture is worthy of mention as it is the first of such a huge donation to the Nigeria Customs Service from any organisation. He added that upon assumption of Office as the CG, he deemed it fit to continue the project as the welfare of the agency’s personnel is his utmost priority. He promised that the Nigerian Customs Service was committed to ensuring adequate deployment of medical personnel for the effective use of the facility when completed. In his speech, Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa and the BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, in fulfilling the pledges made to the security agencies across Nigeria.

Abiodun Gives Marching Order for Completion of Denro/Ishashi/Akute Road

James Sowole inabeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday gave a matching order to the contractor handling the construction of Denro-Ishashi-Akute road to ensure the completion of the project within two weeks.

The governor also disclosed that work would begin on the AlagboleAjuwon and Akute-Ajuwon roads in Ifo Local Government Area of the state soon.

Other roads, whose contracts are to be awarded soon include Hercules Giwa (Oke Aro Rd), some

section of Akute- Ijoko road, and the road leading to Yakoyo. The governor, who made this known during an on-the-spot assessment of roads in the local government area, assured residents of the area that his administration would also construct a brand new Primary Health Care

Centre for them.

Abiodun said the construction of the Denro-Ishashi-Akute road started almost three years ago, adding that the contractor must mobilise to site immediately and ensure the completion of the project in two weeks.

A’Ibom Police Boss Warns Officers, Men against Unprofessional Conduct

Okon Bassey in uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, has cautioned officers and men of the Command against unprofessional conduct, stressing that the Command will not hesitate in dealing with anyone involved in misconducts and unprofessional acts.

Gbenga Sodeinde in ado ekiti

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, has revealed that the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in partnership with Access Bank, has facilitated a N1 billion soft loan for women entrepreneurs to

The commissioner gave the warning at the end of his tour of the 31 local government areas of the state, including the Area Commands, Divisions and Formations. Interacting with officers and men of the Command, he assured them of management’s commitment in pursuing their welfare, urging them to continue to conduct themselves professionally.

Ayilara assured communities in the state that the Command under his leadership would continue to work towards safeguarding the rights of the citizens by the already established Police Complaint Response Unit within the Command.

The state Police Boss solicited the support of the local government chairmen and stakeholders in curbing crimes in the state He maintained that the police in the state under his Command would continue to design and deploy strategic security measures to prevent crime in Akwa Ibom State.

Ekiti N1bn Loan Deal: Deputy Gov Sensitises Women Traders

bolster investments in Ekiti State.

Besides banishing poverty and combat spiraling unemployment indexes, Afuye added that the governor’s ingenious and well thought-out policy would elevate female business owners and make them relevant in economic development strategy of the government.

Mrs. Afuye revealed that the loan initiated by Governor Oyebanji through partnership with Access Bank would expand the scope of women’s accessibility to soft loans to propel their businesses.

In a statement issued by her

Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, Mrs. Afuye said these yesterday during a sensitisation road walk to major markets in Ado Ekiti to interact with the traders on the EKSG-Access Bank Soft loan for women business owners that will be officially launched today.

Lagos MDAs Tasked on Revenue Processes Automation

The Special Adviser(SA) to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Opeyemi Ogungbo, has tasked non-tax revenue generating ministries, departments, and agencies to continue to support the end to end automation drive of their revenue processes and to

always strive towards achieving the 2024 state revenue budget.

Ogunbo gave the charge at a review session of “Project Zeal” held for non-tax revenue generating ministries, departments, and agencies with the leadership of the MDAs and some executive members

of Lagos State Government in attendance.

Project Zeal, which is designed to review and optimise the Lagos State revenue processes, is handled by O&M Consultants. The review session was to appraise the progress made, milestones achieved and

the impact on the state generated revenue vis-a-vis the target

The objective of the project is to automate the state revenue processes with the end goal of achieving ease of payment for tax payers and significantly grow the state revenue.

PSG Seek €20m Discount on Osimhen's Release Clause

TONIGHT Spain vs France 8pm

TOMORROW Netherlands vs England 8pm

Kunle Adewale with reports

Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly seeking a €20 million discount on Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen's release clause, amid mounting speculation that French forward, Randal Kolo Muani could make way for the Napoli star after just one year at the club.

Osimhen is anticipated to depart Napoli this summer, with reports indicating a rekindled interest from PSG.

According to Napoli Magazine, discussions have intensified between PSG's sporting director, Luis Campos, and Osimhen's representatives, exploring the possibility of a move.

Campos, who previously signed Osimhen for Lille in 2019, has long admired the striker's talents since his breakout season with Sporting Charleroi in Belgium.

PSG's interest in Osimhen includes efforts to negotiate

a significant reduction in his release clause.

Despite the formidable negotiating stance of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, PSG sees Osimhen's potential acquisition as a chance to improve relations between the two clubs, following previous tensions over transfer dealings, notably involving Kvaratskhelia.

Meanwhile, the potential departure of French forward, Randal Kolo Muani, who joined PSG from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, could play a crucial role in facilitating Osimhen's arrival. Reports suggest Muani may exit PSG after just one season, further clearing the path for Osimhen's potential transfer.

While Osimhen is expected to resume pre-season preparations with Napoli, discussions between the player's camp and the club continue in earnest to resolve his future swiftly.

Finidi Leads Rivers United’s First Training Session Ahead of New NPFL Season

Former Nigeria national team head coach, Finidi George, has been spotted overseeing his first training session with Rivers United.

The former Ajax star resigned as the coach of the Super Eagles less than two months after taking charge and has now returned to the Nigerian Premier Football League to manage Rivers United.

Despite these developments, Nigerians have yet to receive an official statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), regarding his resignation. However, in a picture shared by

S’Falcons’ Camp Bubbles with 14 Players in Training

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have kickstarted preparations for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years, as their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has come alive with most of the invited players in camp.

With 12 players at breakfast yesterday, Team Administrator, Mary Oboduku told thenff.com that two more players arrived later in the evening and joined the rest of the squad at team’s Hotel Barceló Montecastillo Golf and Resort.

“We started training on Sunday, and the camp is calm. The players are in very high spirits as they look forward to the tournament in France,” Oboduku she remarked.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are at the head of the squad already in camp, with goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, defenders Chidinma Okeke and Nicole Payne, midfielders Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Esther Okoronkwo also in. Alternate players, goalkeeper Morufa Ademola and forward Gift Monday are also in camp.

Defenders Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie were being expected at the team’s hotel Monday

Paris 2024

afternoon.

The nine-time African champions, who last played at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in China in 2008, will take on reigning Olympic champions Canada in a training match in Sevilla on Wednesday, 17th July.

Canada’s ladies defeated their counterparts from Sweden 3-2 after a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, to clinch the gold medal in Tokyo three years ago.

In their last outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, the Falcons lost 0-1 to Korea Democratic People’s Republic, 0-1 to Germany and 1-3 to eventual silver medalists Brazil.

Women’s football debuted at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport in 1996, but the Super Falcons entered in 2000 in Australia, where they lost 1-3 each to China, eventual winners Norway and eventual silver medalists USA. Perpetua Nkwocha scored the lone goal against China while Mercy Akide was the scorer against both Norway and USA.

Morata Sparks Storm in Spain Camp on ahead of Euro Semi-final

Alvaro Morata has sparked a storm in Spain's camp at Euro 2024 after threatening to quit the national team after the tournament over 'nonsense' criticism.

Morata, who has captained his country in Germany this summer, previously admitted it would be 'easiest' for him to move abroad because of the poor treatment and laid bare the effect on his family, including his wife and four young children.

He also floated the idea of leaving Atletico Madrid just a week after seemingly pledging his future to the club, raging that 'in Spain, there's

no respect for anyone'.

Ahead of his likely next appearance against France in the first semi-final tomorrow, an explosive interview with El Mundo has caused uproar in his homeland.

'It could be (my last tournament with Spain),' Morata told the outlet. 'It's a possibility that I don't want to talk about too much, but it's probable.'

The striker, who played for Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea before joining Atletico, initially on loan in 2019, has endured a tense relationship with Spanish supporters.

He had been whistled during Spain's campaign at Euro 2020 and notably jeered throughout a friendly against Brazil at the Bernabeu in March.

'In Spain it's hard for me to be happy,' Morata said. 'Without doubt [I'm happier outside of Spain]. I've said it many times. Above all, because people respect me.

'In Spain there's no respect for anything or anyone.' Morata married his partner, Alice Campello, in a stunning ceremony in Venice in 2017 and shares three sons and a daughter with the fashion blogger.

With a statement on their official website, Ipswich Town have announced that former Super Eagles forward Sone Aluko has joined Kieran McKenna’s backroom staff as a first-team coach.

Aluko has returned to the Tractor Boys in a coaching capacity, two months after he called time on his playing career.

He spent three years at Ipswich Town, making 62 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals while providing two assists.

Aluko played a key role in Ipswich Town's promotion to the Championship and was called up for four games as the Portman Road outfit secured promotion to the Premier League last season.

In a playing career spanning more than 25 years, he represented Birmingham City, Aberdeen, Blackpool, Rangers, Hull City, Fulham, Reading, Beijing Renhe and Ipswich Town.

On the international scene, he is best remembered for scoring a brace as the Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in November 2014.

Commenting on his appointment, Aluko told Ipswich Town's official website: "It is a real privilege to start the next phase of my career by joining the first-team coaching staff here at the Club.

"Learning from the Manager and all the coaching staff here is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is

Rivers United, Finidi appeared to have moved on, as he was seen leading his first training session with the ‘Pride of Rivers’.

The former Real Betis forward previously led Enyimba of Aba to victory in the 2022-23 NPFL season, clinching their ninth title and enhancing his credentials for the Super Eagles coaching role. Having also served as an assistant to Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, helping to guide the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Finidi was considered for the head coach role when Peseiro left.

a great time to be at Ipswich, and I'm looking forward to helping the squad continue to learn and take on the challenge of the Premier League."

Aluko represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels before switching his international allegiance to Nigeria.

Victor Osimhen

Former Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George with some Rivers United players yesterday

Sone Aluko

TUESDAY

abati1990@gmail.com

Lukman to Buhari, Tinubu

“No doubt, former President Buhari had his problem as a leader. However, whatever was estimated to be his failure should be the shared responsibility of APC leaders in varying degrees, including President Tinubu. No leader of APC should attempt to distance himself/herself from the failure of the Buhari era, certainly, not President Asiwaju Tinubu” --FormerAPCNationalViceChairman, SalihuLukman,urgesoppositionpoliticianstocollaboratetodefeatTinubuin2027.

WITH REUBEN ABATI

Lessons From The British Elections

This year, 2024 is clearly the year of democratic elections, the. year that democracy is put to the test in virtually every continent of the world – at least 97 elections worldwide and so far, we have witnessed and reported some of the significant ones - India, the world’s most populous country which ran an election for 44 days, with over one million voters, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, Russia, Iran, European Parliament, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, France, Britain, and here in Africa, we have Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Rwanda, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mauritius, Mauritania, Namibia; in the Americas - Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Belize, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Uruguay, United States. We also have - Finland, South Korea, Thailand, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Turkey, Poland, Belgium, Georgia, Hungary, Finland, Italy, Iceland, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and so on and so forth. Nigeria held its own general elections in 2023, producing President Bola Tinubu as winner. For reasons owing to consanguinity or proximity, or shared historical affinity, or simply comparison, Nigerians have found themselves having to compare their own experience of democratic rule – 25 years of unbroken democratic rule since 1999 and the general elections in Nigeria in 2023. Most of the comparisons to put the matter in context, are with Senegal, South Africa, and now Britain, where a new Prime Minister, Labour party leader, Sir Keir Starmer has assumed office and power, and the Conservatives have packed out of Downing Street. The reference to Britain is understandable: Britain used to be Nigeria’s colonial master, Everything Nigerian is linked to Britain, our common law heritage, history, culture, including the artefacts that the British stole from our people. For more than two centuries, Nigeria and Britain have been linked almost umbilically. There is hardly any family or community in Nigeria that does not have any relative, immediate or distant, in the United Kingdom. In the just concluded election in the UK, there was even a Yoruba Political Party, with a Dr. Olusola Oni running for MP from Peckham on July 4. A total of 30 persons of Nigerian descent who may identify as British-Nigerian made a bid to be in the British parliament. In the end about six of them won election into parliament including Chi Onwurah (Labour MP for Newcastle Central and West), Kemi Badenoch (re- elected as Conservative MP from Saffron Walden and the past immediate Business Secretary), Kate Osamor (Labour MP from Edmonton and Winchmore Hill since 2019, now re-elected); Florence Eshalomi (Labour MP since 2019, now representing Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Taiwo Owatemi (Labour MP from Coventry West), and Bayo Alaba (MP, Southend East and Rochford). These Nigerians in Diaspora are not alone, there are many others serving as Councillors, or Mayors, not just in Britain, but across Europe and as far as Canada, the United States and Australia. Those who are not in politics, are doing well in sports or business and other professions, all linked to their motherland by blood and ancestry, and legitimately, we are proud of them. What is proven is that “Nigeria no dey carry last” and the ones who project us brilliantly like Bukayo Saka and Kemi Badenoch deserve to be celebrated, for showing that although Nigerians these days talk about the “Japa syndrome”, the Nigerian DNA has excellence in its imprints. However, the temptation to review the British election, and compare it has been strong and compelling. Whereas it can be said that the British democracy is one of the oldest in the world dating back to the Magna Carta, in 1215, the creation of

the British Parliament in 1707, the Reform Act of 1832, the Representation of the People Act of 1918, and the UK General Election of 1950 pointing to a long history and tradition, with tested institutions, democracy in Nigeria has been relatively new, but the key argument about the government of the people for the people and by the people is that democracy is a symbol, a standard and a system of politics which does not require a reinvention of the wheel. Democracy in modern times is certainly not about the Age of Methuselah, but the values that each country presents as its own standards. This therefore explains some of the observations that Nigerians have made, by way of public education, and self-derision perhaps, about the 2024 UK elections. The July 4 general elections in the UK has been two years in the making with people predicting that the way the Conservatives were carrying on, they were bound to lose the next general elections to Labour, even if no one could predict the exact date until some gamblers around the Rishi Sunak circle and the Conservative party were found to have placed bets on July 4, and as it turned out former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced July 4. The furore over the gambling over the date spoke to the moral content of British politics. In the course of the campaigns, the debate was about issues that are of interest to the British people: immigration, taxation, housing, public spending, NHS, Brexit and the EU. The character of the front-runners was clear. Starmer is pro-business, pro-reforms, pro-EU. He promised to drive economic growth, invest in green energy, overhaul the NHS, create safer streets, and deliver opportunity through a new skills agenda. The Tories had been in power for 14 years, with five Prime Ministers – David Cameron (2010 – 2016), Theresa May (2016 –2019), Boris Johnson (2019 – 2022), Rishi Sunak (2022- 2024) with the most disastrous of them being Liz Truss who was PM for a historically short period of 49 days. The Tories presided over austerity, Brexit, the pandemic and high inflation. The people got tired of them and this was reflected in the various Polls – YouGov and Ipsos ahead of July 4, indicating that the British people wanted change. They were tired of the chaos that the Conservatives had introduced into public life. The party itself was divided down the middle with many key members defecting either

to Labour or to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. It was certain that the Conservatives were on their way out, and that was exactly what happened, the party’s worst result in its 190-year history was announced on July 5. It wasn’t exactly a wipe out, but the scale of the landslide that the Labour party recorded was their best performance since Tony Blair entered Downing Street in 1997, and the Tory’s worst performance in recent history. The character of the election race and the outcome is remarkably different from what we have seen in Nigeria and what obtains in the United States which goes to the polls on November 5. The UK election was for six weeks. There was no time to waste. In the United States, the race can take up to two years of campaign. In Nigeria, so much time is taken up by the time table of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), voter registration, voters register, delineation of wards and polling unit. In the UK, nobody heard of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission and there was no debate over polling units or wards. The British did not have to borrow and sell property to raise funds for political campaigns. Political advertising on radio and TV is restricted, and the spending limits on advertisement are strictly controlled. The American election is a bit more elaborate and expensive, but not the British. Even at the height of the campaign in the UK, with Rishi Sunak being pushed by his allies to launch personal attacks on Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage, still there were no absurd diversions into personality attacks, insults and culture wars. If Rishi Sunak had been a candidate in a Nigerian election, he would have been told stories about how he came to England and how he is able to make it in life because he is married to a rich man’s daughter! There were no professional spokespersons fighting proxy wars in the media and claiming to know everything about almost everything. The British do not do God. There were no clerics offering predictions about who the eventual winner would be. The candidates were not going about proclaiming “God bless Britain”. There was no attempt to bribe God.

In Nigeria, election time is boon season for clerics who distort the process with all kinds of dreams and visions, and shamanists who perform rituals and place sacrificial offerings at crossroads. Age was not an issue in the UK either. Sunak is 44. Starmer is 61. Age is a big issue in the forthcoming US elections but in the UK, the youngest candidate and elected Labour MP from Northwest Cambridgeshire is a certain Sam Carling, a 22-year-old Science graduate of Cambridge University – the first MP in British history to be born in the 21st Century. He defeated Shailesh Vara with 39 votes. Vara had been in the Commons since 2005. Carling is now “Baby of the House” but the very confident Carling says his age is not an issue- he had been a Councillor before now and he knows his example will inspire other young people, but he wants to get on with the job. He has ideas he wants to pursue in parliament. I laugh in original vernacular. In Nigeria, he would not even have been allowed to buy a nomination form. He would have been advised to go and play with his mates.

On election day, voting started at 7 am and ended the same day at 10 pm. By the following morning, all the votes had been counted and the result was in the public domain with Labour winning 412 seats, Conservatives – 121 (much better than the 61 that had been predicted; Lib Dems –72, Reform UK – 5 (a big gain for the Nigel Farage-led party), Scottish National Party -9, Plaid Cymru – 4; Green – 4: more or less a strong showing by the smaller parties. By Friday, July

5, Rishi Sunak tendered his resignation. Starmer was invited to Buckingham Palace and asked to form the new government and by evening a Cabinet had been announced. Such a smooth, seamless transition is not possible in Nigeria. On election day in the UK, there was no such thing as the late arrival of voting materials. There were no BVAS machines or stories about technical glitches. No thugs on the streets. 49 million voters, 650 constituencies, turn-out of 60% and yet no policemen or soldiers at polling stations. No stories that touched the heart about voters’ cards: to vote in the UK, you only need a photo ID showing that you are of age. Nobody has gone to court to challenge the results. Even the persons who lost their seats in parliament like former Prime Minister Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps, Gillian Keegan and Penny Mordaunt - 175 Tory MPs- have accepted their loss in good faith. There has been no post-election throwing of tantrums in the UK because the institutions function, and the people understand what it means to live in an organized society. Nobody has had to wait for months before a cabinet would be announced. The very day that Keir Starmer assumed office work started; what we have seen is a clockwork relay race, indicating the efficiency of the British model. For the first time in British history, a woman – Rachel Reeves is Chancellor of the Exchequer. There are other high profile women in the cabinet as well: Angela Rayner is the new Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary for Levelling Up, Housing and communities. Yvette Cooper is Home Secretary. Lisa Nandy – Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Pat McFadden is Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In all, a total of 11 women Ministers. It is the most gender-balanced cabinet in UK history, relatively youthful and experienced but largely White. There has been no quarrel over the appointments. Nobody has protested that his or her constituency has not been represented. There have been no thanksgiving services in churches or notices to that effect nor has anyone placed congratulatory adverts in the media. We have not heard that the King or his sons had a hand in the appointment of Ministers.

After every election season in Nigeria, we tend to spend months agonizing over the outcome of the elections, with politicians and their lawyers seeking to win the election at the courts of law. Nobody trusts the process; every politician becomes an emergency lawyer. Our democracy is significantly court-determined. But what we have seen in Senegal, South Africa, India. Iran, Britain, and even just over the weekend, in France, is that it is possible for democracy to work. Some commentators have suggested that in seeking a solution to the contradictions in the Nigerian system, there should be electoral reform every cycle, but it would appear that the problem is not the complexity of the democratic process itself but the underdeveloped nature of Nigeria’s political machinery and the character of the people themselves. Democracy is seen as a form of coronation in Nigeria which grants access to public resources and other privileges. This is why when our leaders get to power, they seem to be more interested in exotic vehicles, choice accommodation, yachts, brand new aircraft, chieftaincy titles and fat security votes.

Last Friday, Sir Keir Starmer, the 58th Prime Minister of the UK, promised the people of the United Kingdom that he will lead a “government of service” on a mission of national renewal. Times will tell as they say, but whatever happens the British desired change, they have voted for it and now, they have it. In Nigeria, one year after the general elections, Nigerians are still wondering what happened to their country.

New British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer