SUNDAY 16TH JULY 2023

To Boost Long-term Financing, CBN Slashes Merchant Banks’ CRR to 10%

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a reduction in the

Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) of merchant banks to 10 per cent from the current 32.5 per cent. The change takes effect from August 1, 2023.

The central bank announced this in a circular dated July 14, 2023, and signed by CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa, which was

directed to all merchant banks. CRR is a monetary policy tool used by central banks to manage and regulate the money supply in an economy.

Specifically, it refers to the portion of deposits that banks are required to hold with the central bank.

Notably, an increase or reduction

in the CRR could have several effects on banks and the overall economy.

Continued on page 5

Obi: I Never Said I’m Looking Forward to Contest in 2027…

Abbas, Oborevwori, Anyaoku, Saraki, Tambuwal, Others Salute Obaigbena at 64…

Page 6

Emefiele: Former NBA President, Activists, Task FG on Rule of Law

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN); human rights

lawyers and a rights advocacy group, the Centre for Social Justice and Accountability (CSJA), have called on the federal government to strictly adhere to the principle of rule of law, fairness, and justice

in the handling of the case of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

While Daudu expressed optimism that President Bola

Tinubu, with his background as an advocate of democracy, will not support arbitrariness, Maxwell Opara, Abdulazeez Tijani and Anthony Akpua of the CSJA said the way the federal government

handles the case would shape the way foreign investors and related interests would relate with the new administration. They spoke yesterday in reaction to the various court

pronouncements on the government's continued detention of Emefiele and his planned arraignment by the Department

Continued on page 5

Respect Democracy, Ensure Political Stability in the Continent, Tinubu Tells African Leaders

Wants UN to take firm stand against military coups

President Bola Tinubu has called on fellow African leaders to respect democracy, and the rule of law, and also ensure political stability in the continent.

Speaking yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya, at a high-level event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the margins of the Fifth Mid-Year African Union (AU) Coordination Meeting, Tinubu urged the United Nations (UN) to take a firm stand against military coups.

The President urged African military institutions and states to recognise and respect the need for democratic renewal.

President Tinubu, who is also the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said coups d'état should be discouraged in the continent, especially in the face of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, and climate change.

The president, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, said it was regrettable that West Africa,

Continued on page 5

Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja

Alex Enumah and James Emejo in Abuja

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

SAN, Sanusi Differ on Bankers Committee’s Position on Ecobank, Honeywell’s Dispute

Festus Akanbi

As temper continues to rise over the contentious issue between Ecobank Nigeria Limited and Honeywell Group over an alleged N5 billion debt, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Kunle Ogunba, has dismissed the position of the Bankers Committee on the issue, saying its ruling which absolved Honeywell of further debt obligation to the bank is ineffective.

In an apparent response to a last week’s report, which quoted a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi Lamido, as saying that the Bankers’ Committee ruling had resolved the issue, Ogunba, who

is the counsel to Ecobank, said it was preposterous for anyone to contemplate that a decision of a Banker’s Committee is superior to a final decision of the Supreme Court.

The senior lawyer argued that the Banker’s Committee is not a court, hence it lacks the power to adjudicate over the matter.

“Is the Banker’s Committee a court? Even at that, why did Honeywell file an action in court after the so-called decision of the banker’s court? If it had won in its eight years sojourn in all tiers of our courts, would it still seek refuge in the Banker’s Committee?” the eminent lawyer queried.

He further argued that Sanusi

had a vested interest in the dispute, having worked as the chief executive of First Bank during a period when Oba Otudeko held forth as chairman of the bank.

He said: “I am of the considered opinion that the views of His Royal Highness Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi circulated in the press must have been quoted out of context or outrightly misquoted since it is an intervention he ought not to have ventured into.

“First, his career trajectory which peaked as a Managing Director with Otudeko in the chair of First Bank from which vantage position he was appointed a CBN governor qualifies him as an interested/ biased intervener!

“Secondly, even though, he might have a law degree, he is not a practising lawyer to my knowledge and in that stead, one cannot adequately contemplate an argument of a decision of a Banker’s Committee, in the wake of a final decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land when it is considered that the Honeywell Group was the one who provoked the legal tussle, which they lost by going to court first,” he explained. Sanusi had insisted that the Bankers’ Committee, acting as a consensus-based body, has the authority to make binding decisions for banks.

He argued that the dispute

between Ecobank Nigeria and Honeywell Group over the alleged N5 billion debt seems to have been resolved as early as 2015, following the declaration by the Bankers’ Committee.

According to a report from the committee’s Ethics and Professionalism sub-committee, the agreement for Honeywell to pay Ecobank N3.5 billion as a full and final settlement was deemed valid and should be honoured.

The matter came up when lawyers to Ecobank wrote a letter to FBN Holdings Plc not to accept the recent acquisition of shares by Honeywell Group Limited because of the latter’s alleged indebtedness to Ecobank.

EMEFIELE: FORMER NBA PRESIDENT, ACTIVISTS, TASK FG ON RULE OF LAW

of State Services (DSS) on a charge filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos. Daudu said: "I do not think that the President, who is a newly minted President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will like to start his administration with the organisations under him disobeying court orders.

"He (Tinubu) was at the forefront as a NADECO man to chastise military governments for disobeying court orders.

"Now that power is in his hand, we will see whether he, himself will obey court orders," the ex-NBA President said in reaction to Thursday's judgment by Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Justice Muazu, who gave the DSS seven days within which to either charge Emefiele to a court or release him, held that the alleged offences for which the suspended governor was being held were bailable because they were not capital in nature, adding that he was not accused of killing anybody.

On his part, Opara noted that from his experience, the DSS was creating the impression that it is above the law of the country.

He said he was not surprised about how Emefiele's case was being handled by DSS, "because the secret police have made disrespect to rule of law part of its life.

"Talking about the rule of law or tendering court's judgment before the DSS irritates the management of the agency," he said and urged the President to overhaul the agency.

Tijani on his part, said President Tinubu must prove and establish that he is a true democrat and not a semi- democrat like some of his predecessors.

He argued that Emefiele was not charged to court for known criminal offences within the time allowed by law.

"For more than four months, the DSS had sought to arrest Emefiele. Between that time and now, it ought to have completed its investigation. DSS cannot hide under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, to hold a Nigerian citizen till eternity because ACJA is inferior to the 1999 Constitution," he said.

The activist pointed out that Emefiele's case will be a big test to President Tinubu in his avowed commitment to the rule of law", adding that Emefiele's rights must be respected until the law court says otherwise."

Akpua noted that the whole world is watching the way the government is handling the case, with its capacity to shape the way the country is viewed by international investors in the area of respect for the rule of law.

In a two-count charge marked: FHC/L/437/2023, filed on July 13 at the Federal High Court in Lagos, by the DSS, Emefiele is to

be subjected to trial for alleged unlawful possession of one single barrel shotgun (Jojeff Magnum 8371) without licence, which is said to constitute an offence under Section 4 of the Firearms Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) (i) of the same Act.

The suspended CBN governor is equally accused of having, in his possession, 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without licence, which items were said to have been unlawfully kept at No.3B Iru Close, Ikoyi, Lagos “on or about the 15th June 2023.”

On his part, Uyo-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said Emefiele’s alleged offence ought to be investigated by the police and not the DSS.

Effiong said: "This is ridiculous, extremely ridiculous; if you are keeping somebody in custody for over 30 days and the reason for detaining the person is possession of firearms, it shows that the agency is not serious; it shows that the government is not serious; it shows that they have taken Nigerians for a fool.

"Because what they said was on the insinuation that Emefiele was being detained for alleged terrorism financing, now, if you are now charging him for illegal possession of firearms and this was a charge that came about after his house was invaded, then it means that they are telling us that before his house was searched, they had no reason to have arrested him.

"Why is it the DSS that is now the one investigating the case of physical possession of firearms? That is supposed to be within the jurisdiction of the police because it does not necessarily affect the internal security of the country, which is what the DSS is statutorily empowered by the National Security Agencies Act to do."

Effiong further accused the DSS for being a "political tool in the hand of occupants of Aso Rock and it makes nonsense of the entire case."

Also, commenting on the development, rights activist, Mr. Jones Akpan, also insisted that it was not within statutory powers of the DSS to charge for illegal possession of firearms.

He said: "The DSS cannot be seen to be prevaricating and blowing hot and cold. Are they just waking up to the realisation that Emefiele is in possession of firearms just only when the courts have ordered his release or he will be charged to Court? Is it within their statutory powers to charge for illegal possession of firearms?

"It is pertinent to ascertain who is empowered under the extant laws to issue licenses for firearms. The authorised agency to issue approval for gun licence should be in the position to sanction those who have not been issued licence.”

Similarly, a financial analyst and Chief Executive Officer,

Dairy Hills Limited, Mr. Kelvin Emmanuel, said the culture of impunity through which law enforcement and security agencies use the instrumentality of state to administer cases is worrisome.

Emmanuel pointed out that it was unconstitutional that the

suspended CBN governor had been kept in detention for about a month against the provisions of the fundamental rights act as stipulated in the 1999 constitution. He said, "the rule of law is one of the most important metrics foreign investors use as a tool

to measure the ease of doing business, and grounds for which to deploy capital into a country.

“The government needs to understand that every single thing it does is a signal to international investors on how issues on fair hearing, fundamental human

And in response to a recent letter from Ecobank Nigeria, lawyers representing Oba Otudeko clarified that the claims made about decisions from the Supreme Court in case SC/CV/210/2021 on January 27, 2023, affirming the indebtedness of their client or Honeywell Group Plc were false. They further clarified that the specific amount of N13,507,052,417.99 mentioned in Ecobank’s letter was not part of any court decision or judgment in Nigeria or elsewhere.

The lawyers concluded that no court order has awarded such a sum as a debt owed by their clients, or any of the Honeywell companies, in favour of Ecobank.

rights, equality before the law and independence of the judiciary is situated.”

Emefiele was arrested on June 10, 2023, a day after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu, and he is still being held in the custody of the DSS.

RESPECT DEMOCRACY, ENSURE POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE CONTINENT, TINUBU TELLS AFRICAN LEADERS

despite its numerous instruments and mechanisms for promoting democracy and good governance, is leading other regions in the use of unconstitutional means to change governments.

He warned that the ugly trend of the military straying into the political arena is causing threats to peace, security, and stability, and engendering poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises.

"This ugly trend has only succeeded in threatening the peace, security, and stability of the sub-region and by extension, the African continent, leaving in its trail poverty, internally-displaced persons, and humanitarian crisis. In the same vein, this ugly trend has also led to food shortages and escalated health challenges.

''We, therefore, must take deliberate steps to address the root causes of unconstitutional changes and coups d’état in Africa. As a continent, we cannot make progress toward achieving the goals and targets of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, as well as those of AU Agenda 2063 for the ‘Africa We Want’.

''Between 2020 and now, Africa has witnessed six successful coups d’état and three unsuccessful attempts. This rise in military takeovers and unconstitutional changes in government disrupt our democratic processes and undermine stability on the continent.

''It is for this reason that I call on all African leaders at all levels to make concerted efforts in respecting the tenets of democracy and the rule of law, to ensure political stability on the continent."

Reiterating that Africa has no intention of regressing on its

While an increase in CRR will reduce the banks’ capacity to lend to borrowers, a reduction in CRR will make more funds available to the banks to lend to customers.

The CBN explained that the reduction in the CRR was expected to boost the banks’ ability to avail of increased infrastructure, real estate, and other long-term financing needed to support the development of the Nigerian economy.

The CBN circular with reference number: BSD/DlR/ PUB/LAB/016/018, captioned "Review of the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) Regime for Merchant Banks," was addressed to all merchant banks in Nigeria.

The letter read: "The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hereby informs all Merchant Banks that it has approved a reduction in their

democratic gains and credentials, as well as its maturing democratic political culture, President Tinubu said: "I call on all Afro-centric supranational organisations, especially the African Union, the various Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, to individually and collectively adopt Protocols on democracy and good governance, and ensure their effective implementation.''

While acknowledging that democracy may present challenges in terms of management and dynamics, the President reiterated that it is the best form of government for 21st-century Africa.

Drawing a comparison between military rule and democratic regimes, he noted that democracy ensures good governance, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Emphasising the need to disincentivise coups d'état, the ECOWAS Chairperson urged the United Nations to take a firm stance against military coups.

''It is my view that while grappling with the challenges caused by the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geostrategic tragedies, including insecurity and climate change amongst others, African leaders must disincentivise coups d’état.

''The United Nations must also stand firm and unyielding in its opposition to military coups."

He also acknowledged that democracy and development are interconnected in achieving sustainable goals and the African vision, adding that commitment to democratic principles and governance

cash reserve requirement from 32.5 per cent to 10 per cent effective August 1, 2023.

"The above regulatory measure is in recognition of the nuanced business model of the Merchant Banks, in particular their wholesale funding structure, regulatory restrictions from the retail market and permissible activities vis-a-vis conventional commercial banks.

"The measure is expected to boost the banks' ability to avail increased infrastructure, real sector and other long-term financing needed to support the development of the Nigerian economy.

"The CBN will continue to monitor market developments and implement measures to address unique challenges the merchant banking sector faces. Please be guided accordingly," the letter concluded.

is crucial for long-term peace, security, and economic growth.

As Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu expressed his readiness to work with the UNDP and other development partners to advance the cause of democracy on the African continent.

The Nigerian leader thanked UNDP for inviting him to deliver a goodwill message at the event and assured the organisation of his commitment to confronting the issue of military coups and promoting democratic renewal in Africa.

His words: ''The issue of Military Coups and the need for Democratic renewal in Africa is one that I am passionate about and indeed committed, along with my colleagues, to confront and we are prepared to change the narratives".

He commended the UNDP for launching its flagship report "Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa," stating that the military has no place in the governance of 21st Century Africa.

Earlier in his speech, UNDP Regional Programme Coordinator (Africa), Jide Okeke, said his organisation invited the Nigerian leader after his inspiring message, denouncing military coups, during his inauguration as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on July 9.

He expressed delight that President Tinubu's presence and participation in the UN high-level event have demonstrated Nigeria's commitment to democratic values and stability, reasserting Nigeria's leadership in

Reacting to the measure, a former Commissioner for Finance in Imo State, Prof. Uche Uwaleke said it was a welcome development.

In a brief response to THISDAY, he stated that the measure would place the wholesale banks in a stronger position to attend to the financing needs of the real sector, while calling for a similar slash in the CRR of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

"I consider this a welcome development which will place the wholesale banks in a stronger position to attend to the financing needs of the real sector.

"By the same token, the CBN should consider reducing the CRR for DMBs from 32.5 per cent to, say, 25 per cent in view of the high MPR.

"The huge evidence of non-

Africa and the global community.

He described the president’s message as sending a positive signal to the international community about Nigeria's commitment to democratic values and stability.

Speaking on the UNDP flagship report, the African Regional Coordinator said it is timely in advancing Nigeria's vision of stability for West Africa and the continent as a whole.

He explained that the report combines empirical data, literature, and personal stories from citizens who have lived through coups, contrasting their experiences with those in countries transitioning to democracy.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu yesterday departed Abuja for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will join other African leaders for the fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union.

He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Dele Alake, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy. Tinubu will attend the meeting in his dual capacity as the President of Nigeria and the newly appointed Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.

The meeting, themed: ‘Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation,” will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, alongside leaders from the eight Regional Economic Communities.’

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of the meeting.

monetary influence on inflation supports this recommendation.

"Furthermore, it's a no-brainer that increased liquidity in the banking sector following a reduction in the CRR has the potential of lowering interest rates with positive pass-through to the stock market," he added.

The reduction in CRR for merchant banks will increase the amount of money they can lend, leading to enhanced liquidity.

However, a hike in CRR would require banks to keep a higher percentage of their deposits as reserves, which reduces the amount of money available for lending, resulting in a decrease in liquidity in the banking system. A reduction in the CRR can also lower interest rates as more funds become available for lending.

TO BOOST LONG-TERM FINANCING, CBN SLASHES MERCHANT BANKS’ CRR TO 10%

PROMOTING EDUCATION…

FG’s Reversal of 5% Tax will Avert Planned

Hike in Telecoms Tariff, Say Operators

Emma Okonji with agency report

Telecommunications operators (Telcos) have said the removal of the five per cent excise duty on telecoms operations by the federal government was a great relief for both the telecoms operators and subscribers as it will avert the planned hike in tariff.

Speaking to THISDAY in separate interviews, officials of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and those of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said the five per cent tax removal would save the sector from the planned tariff hike.

Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY that

the recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the suspension of five per cent excise duty on telecoms was a great relief to the sector.

“The suspension is a good development for telecoms subscribers and the telecoms industry. The Nigerian public should be grateful to the current government for being brave enough to suspend the five per cent excise duty on telecoms. As operators, we had been instructed to collect the tax from telecoms' subscribers and remit it to the federal government, but with the suspension order, operators will no longer collect such tax and the subscribers will be free from the tax burden,” Adebayo said.

FG: Nigeria Has Fulfilled Its 2023 Financial Obligations to AU

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, has said.

Lamuwa stated this yesterday on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Information, State House, Abuja, Mr. Abiodun Oladunjoye, the Permanent Secretary explained that the payment has demonstrated Nigeria's commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.

Lamuwa praised President Bola Tinubu for living up to expectations not only as the Chairperson of ECOWAS but also as a president who emphasised prompt payment of financial assessments.

During the Executive Council meeting, the Permanent Secretary shared Nigeria's stance on the proposed 2024 Budget of the AU.

He welcomed the consideration of the economic outlook of African countries and the execution rate of AU departments and organs, over the past three years, in the budget drafting process.

According to him: ‘‘Nigeria emphasised the importance of an austerity-driven, result-oriented budget that avoids duplication.

‘‘Accountability and prudent resource management were also

highlighted to encourage other member countries to fulfill their financial obligations".

He called for synergy and complementarity among AU organs and departments and requested that the AU Commission (AUC) reduce travel costs by hosting more meetings at its headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. He also stressed the need for compliance with internal audit processes to ensure transparency and accountability.

Lamuwa also highlighted that the ministerial-level meeting preceding the Heads of State's participation adopted the theme of Education for the AU in 2024.

He noted that this aligns well with President Tinubu's focus on education as a priority area domestically, making his leadership in Nigeria and ECOWAS timely and beneficial. Nigeria is one of the major financial contributors to the African Union (AU), alongside four other member-states.

The AU's 2023 budget of $654.8 million is primarily financed through annual statutory contributions and voluntary contributions from development partners, as well as other miscellaneous income.

Development partners play a crucial role in supporting the AU's budget, covering at least 67 per cent of the total amount while member-states, including Nigeria, contribute to the remaining balance of the budget based on the approved scale of assessment by the Executive Council.

ALTON and ATCON, the two leading industry groups also told Technology Times that the removal of a five per cent tax on telecom operations would save phone subscribers in Nigeria from tariff hikes.

According to the groups, President Tinubu’s suspension of a five per cent excise duty on

the telecoms industry has saved phone subscribers in Nigeria from tariff escalation. President Tinubu, penultimate week, announced the suspension of the five per cent excise duty tax on telecoms services, thus bringing the controversy about the implementation of the tax to an end.

The five per cent excise duty is one of the 39 taxes imposed on telecoms operations across networks by the federal government last year and revisited in April this year, after agitations from telecoms industry stakeholders, who initially rejected it because they considered it as part of multiple taxes that would

negatively impact on telecoms subscribers.

The federal government had said it would begin the implementation of a five per cent excise duty on all voice calls, SMS, and data services, insisting that the five per cent excise duty has been in the Finance Act 2020 but has never been implemented.

Abbas, Oborevwori, Anyaoku, Saraki, Tambuwal, Others Salute Obaigbena at 64

Omo-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen; his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, have congratulated media mogul and Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, on the occasion of his 64th birthday.

Others who congratulated the media mogul are a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; ex-governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; and former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

Abbas in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, said Obaigbena has paid his dues as a patriotic Nigerian and a media mogul.

The speaker noted Obaigbena’s invaluable contributions to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria through the media, stressing that the media mogul used his God-given talent to promote the

unity and stability of the country.

He urged the media mogul and other media owners to continue contributing their quota to the growth and development of Nigeria.

Similarly, Oborevwori, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, described Obaigbena as an accomplished journalist, outstanding patriot, a detrabilised Nigerian, a shining statesman and an exceptional entrepreneur who has inspired others to succeed in many endeavours.

Oborevwori hailed the media baron for his exemplary leadership as President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), adding that the history of the Nigerian media industry would not be complete without acknowledging Obaigbena's astute contributions to the growth and development of the industry.

The governor, who described Obaigbena as the "Duke of Owa Kingdom'', said he remains an illustrious son and great pride of Delta State.

He lauded his vision in establishing renowned media outfits that have continued to offer employment and remarkable channels for disseminating

information to Nigerians and the world at large.

"On behalf of my family, the Government, and the people of Delta State, I congratulate an illustrious Deltan, veteran journalist, and media entrepreneur, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, CON, on his 64th birthday on July 14, 2023.

“For us in Delta, we will continue to identify with your laudable commitment to the defence of our democracy and national cohesion even as you have used your medium to promote the rule of law, good governance, and fundamental rights of citizens.

“I join your family, staff of your media outfits, and well-wishers to celebrate with you on this auspicious occasion.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you with good health and sound mind to remain in service to our nation and humanity,” Oborevwori said.

In his congratulatory message, Anyaoku prayed to God to continue to bless Obaigbena for his service to the country.

“May God continue to bless you with good health and stamina for your enduring service to our country

and the wider world community,” Anyaoku said.

On his part, Kalu in a statement noted the contributions of the media mogul in the growth of the journalism profession in Nigeria and Africa.

He said despite the challenges confronting the media industry, THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE TV are competing favourably with many media brands on the African continent.

The Deputy Speaker described Obaigbena as a colossus who has through his own consistent and concerted efforts, supported the ambitions of many in the profession.

“I congratulate my friend and brother, the media guru, Prince Nduka Obaigbena as he turns 64 today. His tremendous contributions to the media industry are well noted and the impact is immensely felt.

“He has contributed a great deal in the promotion of the journalism profession in the country and beyond. Aside from his laudable innovations that have shaped Nigeria’s media industry for decades, Obaigbena has also played a notable role in Nigeria's political reform,” Kalu added.

APC Zonal Women Leaders Pass Vote of No Confidence on Beta Edu

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Zonal Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and elected female national officers of the party have passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the National Women Leader of the party, Dr. Betta Edu. The APC women in a letter dated July 14, 2023 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, said they rejected her leadership in strong terms because she has failed in managing the affairs of the women in the party.

The letter was signed by APC Deputy National Treasurer, Omorede Osifo; APC National Ex-Officio South-west, Hon. Olubunmi Oroniowow; APC National Ex-Officio, North-central, Hon. Oluwatoyi Opawoye; APC Zonal Women Leader, North-central, Zahra Audi; APC Zonal Women leader South-east, Mimi Diyiokeh; APC Zonal Women leader, South-west, Yetunde Adesanya; APC Zonal Women leader North-east, Zainab Alman; APC Zonal Women leader, South-south, Cynthia Princewill; and APC Zonal Women leader,

North-west, Hadiza Shagari.

In the letter the women leaders said: "Without deviating from the essence of this subject, it is very pertinent we express our total displeasure and concern over the misrepresentation and selfaggrandisement of the National Woman leader, Dr. Beta Edu visit to the Presidential Villa on the 13th of July,2023.

"We wish to state categorically and in strong terms that her visit to the Presidential Villa was a mis-representation as she in no way represents the elected national

women officials and zonal women leaders of the party as against the news making the rounds.

"We were totally unaware of her presidential visit and no due information nor notification were given to us about the Women she claimed to represent during her visit."

The APC women stated that it was disheartening that Edu could label her visit to Mr. President to be the representation of National Stakeholders and Zonal Women leaders even without them knowing and not in attendance during the visit.

L-R: Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hamim Nuhu Sunusi; Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi; Chairman, Pacesetters' Schools, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon; and Director of the schools, Mrs. Kate Imansuangbon, during the 2023 graduation/ prize giving ceremony of the school in Abuja …yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

DIPLOMATIC VISIT…

L-R:

President

Obi: I Never Said I’m Looking Forward to Contest in 2027

Says N8,000 palliative not enough to cushion effect of subsidy removal

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has dismissed media reports that he said he is looking forward to running for office in the 2027 presidential elections.

This is as he criticised the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for the approval of N8,000 as palliative to about 12 million households over the period of six months to ameliorate the hardships faced by Nigerians as a result of subsidy removal.

Obi also denied commenting on appointees of the federal government.

The former governor of Anambra State made this known in a statement on his official Twitter handle in Lagos yesterday.

The presidential candidate described both reports as bogus, regretting that Nigerian politics had sunken to the level where manipulation of the media space was now a trade.

He said: “I have noticed with dismay, an emerging pattern, where fake media reports and news items

are predicated on interviews and press remarks I never granted.

“Two recent instances relating to my saying that I am looking forward to running for office in 2027 on a supposed ARISE TV interview.

“This never took place and the other, about my reaction to prospective appointees into the current federal government,” he said.

The presidential candidate said he would not allow fake news to distract his focus for a new Nigeria which he insisted, was possible.

Obi said his focus and that of the ‘Obidient’ Movement that he leads, would not derail from the original mission of creating a new Nigeria which they believed was possible.

He said for him, he would continue to speak on topical national issues via recognised news and media outfits but certainly would not concern himself with cheap distraction.

Obi also said the focus of his followers had never been on political appointments and positions.

“Our emphasis has never been on political positions or personal aggrandisement but on putting the nation on the right footing

and deepening our democracy by helping to elevate and empower the downtrodden in our society.”

Obi so aid that was the reason their messages during the electioneering campaigns were all issue-driven.

Meanwhile, Obi has criticised the Tinubu-led administration for the approval of N8,000 as palliative to about 12 million households over the period of six months to ameliorate the hardships faced by Nigerians as a result of subsidy removal.

Speaking at the graduation of the Class of 2023, Pacesetters Schools, Abuja, he said almost every family in Nigeria are vulnerable and are feeling the pains of the fuel subsidy removal, including teachers who are poorly paid and a lot of them being owed for months in some states.

He stressed that N8,000 to 12 million households was not enough to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, insisting that almost every parent need the money across the because of the level of poverty in the nation.

He said: “I was telling my people to find a way how to enrol for this

N8,000 because almost everyone needs it; both parents and teachers need the 8,000.”

While speaking on the importance of education in any nation, the LP presidential candidate described as alarming the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) report that more than 20 million school-age children in Nigeria are out of school, saying there was no way there could be meaningful development when such huge number of children have no access to education.

“If you follow the 2022 World population of counties we are talking about the population of Norway, Ireland, Singapore and Dubai put together that is out of school in Nigeria. When you put together the population of these four successful countries together, it will be over 19 million and we have 20 million out of school. So, we have the population of the four thriving, successful, developed countries put together that out of school in Nigeria, so how can you talk about development in the future? So, investment in education is critical,” he said.

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Celebrate Osoba at 84

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu, yesterday celebrated former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on his 84th birthday

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, President Tinubu said Osoba, who clocked 84 yesterday, is living a life that is worthy of emulation.

President Tinubu also noted that Osoba’s life was replete with remarkable achievements.

Osoba served twice as governor of Ogun State first from 1992 to 1993 during the aborted Third Republic and then from 1999 to 2003.

President Tinubu prayed for more years for the former governor so that he and many others could continue to benefit from his immense wisdom and experience.

He said: “Today, I rejoice with the family, friends and numerous associates of a prominent journalist, former governor of Ogun State and elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun

Osoba, on attaining 84.

“Chief Osoba’s life is dotted with excellent achievements. A pioneer journalist who started his career in 1964 working with the Daily Times of Nigeria as a trainee reporter and rose to the pinnacle as the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief.

“A pro-democracy activist who fought stridently for democracy and progressive good governance in Nigeria. It’s no surprise that his people elected him twice as governor of Ogun State and he remains today one of the leaders of our governing All Progressives Congress.

“Chief Osoba is a highly respected elder statesman from whom many of us within the political class, young and old, receive advice and counselling,” Tinubu added.

On his part, Sanwo-Olu has described Osoba, as a true democrat, advocate of good governance and an epitome of federalism.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, also described Osoba as a versatile journalist, media guru,

democrat, and respected political icon, who has made a great impact in the lives of many Nigerians.

He said Aremo Osoba had used his youth and adult life to contribute positively to the media industry, politics, and governance, especially in Ogun State, where he served as governor during the aborted Third Republic and the current Fourth Republic.

Sanwo-Olu also commended Aremo Osoba for his commitment to public service, describing the renowned journalist, media manager, and politician as the epitome of honesty, dedication, and service.

He said: “Aremo Olusegun Osoba is a true democrat and member of the progressive camp, who has been playing active roles in party politics and governance in Nigeria. He is an advocate of good governance, restructuring, and true federalism in Nigeria.

“He played a crucial role during the June 12, 1993, presidential election annulment struggle by aligning with progressives and pro-democracy activists, under the platform of

the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to fight the military junta for the enthronement of democracy and return of Nigeria to civilian government on May 29, 1999.

“Osoba, a renowned journalist turned politician, is one of the performing governors who delivered dividends of democracy to the populace during the days of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the aborted Third Republic as Governor of Ogun State. He also steered the ship of the State on the right path as the first Ogun State Governor in the current Fourth Republic on the platform of an Alliance for Democracy (AD).

“He used the power of the press to influence positive changes in the country’s social and political landscape as a reporter, editor, and managing director in different media organisations.

“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 84th birthday. I pray that he will celebrate more years in good health,” the governor said.

Obi noted that various studies have indicated the human development index, health, education and per capita income, education is about all three because health is about education. According to him, a nation could not have a healthy society without educated people and there was no way to take people out of poverty without education.

The former Governor of Anambra State said poverty is largely responsible for the challenge of insecurity being witnessed in the country today, saying the more people are put out of poverty, the more criminality is reduced “and you can’t do that unless you invest in education.”

Obi observed that the more people

are educated, the more they are able to put themselves out of poverty, stressing that there was the need for the government to invest in private schools as in the public, arguing that the children in private schools are Nigerian children. He noted that the most critical component of education is the teacher, saying they are the ones that teach and mould the character of children.

On national honour awards, Obi said it was unfortunate that instead of recognising diligent and hard-working teachers across the country, the Nigerian government confers national honour awards on those who stole from the country and are not even supposed to be part of the country.

10th House will Give Traditional Rulers Constitutional Roles, Says Abbas

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, yesterday said the Green Chamber would work to ensure that traditional rulers have constitutional roles.

Abbas said this has become necessary due to the critical roles traditional rulers play in society.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Kirishi, and made available to journalists stated that the Speaker spoke at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, during his first visit to Zaria since his emergence as Speaker on June 13.

Abbas who holds the traditional title of Iyan Zazzau was received by a mammoth crowd in Zaria who sang songs of joy to celebrate him as the Number 4 citizen.

The Speaker, who is representing Zaria Federal Constituency for the fourth time, first paid homage to the emir’s palace, where he noted the important role of traditional institutions and called for their recognition in the 1999 Constitution.

He was accompanied by several principal officers and over 50 members of the House across political party and regional lines.

The Speaker thanked his colleagues in the House for the “massive support” they gave him, while equally appreciating the entire people of Zaria for the

opportunity to represent them in the House.

He said: “One of the reasons for this visit is to seek your support and prayers for a successful tenure. Pray for us to lead well and deliver on our mandate.

“I want to make a promise to you today. I remember about three years ago when we held zonal hearings on constitutional amendment, you made submissions regarding the need for traditional rulers to have constitutional roles.

“I would like to assure you that we now have the opportunity. With me as your son being the Speaker, we will look at that proposal once again so that our traditional rulers will have recognised constitutional roles.

“We are also here to seek the cooperation of the entire traditional institutions in the North and the country. We also want you to give us advice on how to succeed in our leadership. Where we err, you should tell us the truth. I seek the support of the Zazzau Emir and the people of the Emirate.

“I thank everyone for coming. I thank the Emir for giving us an audience.”

Emir Bamalli, in his remarks, recalled the several sons and daughters of Zaria who had held national positions before Abbas as Speaker of the House.

Deputy

of the Senate, Senator Jubril Barau; President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hidoyet Bayraktar, during a courtesy visit by the envoy to the Senate President in Abuja…recently JULIUS ATOI

COURTESY VISIT…

IMF Urges Central Banks to Sustain Monetary Policy to Achieve Inflation Target

Cautions against hasty easing measures

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has advised central banks across the world to stay the course on monetary policy until inflation is durably brought down to targets, while closely monitoring financial sector risks.

In an article titled: ‘Weak Global Economy, High Inflation, and Rising Fragmentation Demand

Strong G20 Action,’ the IMF chief executive observed that global headline inflation seems

to have peaked, while core inflation has eased somewhat, particularly in India.

Central banks across the world have for months now adopted monetary policy tightening to tame inflation.

Georgieva noted that in most G20 countries - especially advanced economies, inflation remains well above central banks’ targets.

She stressed that in the fight against inflation, there were some early signs of monetary policy transmitting to activity, with bank lending standards tightening in the euro area and the United States.

"That said, policymakers should avoid “premature celebrations,” she noted, adding that lessons from previous inflationary episodes show that easing policy too early can undo progress on inflation.

"That’s why it is vital to stay the course on monetary policy until inflation is durably brought down to target, while closely monitoring financial sector risks.

"Here, clear central bank communication and financial sector oversight are needed to reduce the risk of disruptive shifts in financial conditions.

"Fiscal policy must also play its

Election Tribunal: Appellate Court Needs

80 Days to Determine Appeals, Says Judge

Kemi

Olaitan in Ibadan

A retired judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Peter Ige, has advocated the need for the number of days allotted to the appellate court to determine appeals from Election Petition Tribunals to be extended to 80 instead of the statutory 60 days.

Justice Ige stated this at the weekend in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during a valedictory court session held in his honour at the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal.

He said instead of 60 days, the appellate court would need about 80 days to hear and determine such appeals before it.

According to him, the current situation makes judges work assiduously, usually to a breaking point, to meet the deadline.

“To give the Justices breathing space, the National Assembly must amend the relevant provisions of the Constitution to increase the 60 days to 80 days for hearing and determination of appeals in the interest of justice,” Ige said.

He also called for the determination of all pre-election matters before holding elections and of all post-election issues before winners were sworn in.

In her speech, the President

of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, commended Ige for leaving behind an unblemished record, deserving of being celebrated.

Justice Dongban-Mensem, represented by Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, said the retired judge lived an exemplary life with virtues of fairness and a deep commitment to upholding the principles of justice expected of him.

She said Ige has impacted the lives of countless individuals seeking justice, thus leaving an indelible mark on the Nigerian judicial system and Nigeria at large.

Speaking also, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau, said the bar, bench, and Nigeria, in general, would continue to cherish Ige for his contributions to the judiciary.

Maikyau, represented by the Assistant Secretary, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Mr. Oladipo Olasope, urged the appellate court to post more judges to its Ibadan Division.

This, he said, was due to the volume of cases and inadequate manpower at the division.

Justice Ige was sworn in as an Oyo State High Court Judge on June 27, 2001, and elevated to

the Court of Appeal on October 31, 2012.

The judge, who retired from the Abuja Division at the age of 70, had earlier in his career served at the Ilorin, Jos, and Owerri Divisions.

The valedictory court session was attended by the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Bayo Lawal; and the representatives of the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, and a former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Adeniji Badejoko

part. Tightening the purse strings after a period of pandemic-related exceptional support can support disinflation, rebuild buffers, and enhance debt sustainability, while temporary and targeted measures may be needed to help vulnerable people cope with the immediate cost-of-living crisis," she added.

According to her, at the same time, consolidation efforts should protect growth-enhancing investments where space allows, explaining that while prospects are mixed in the near term, the medium-term outlook for the global economy remains bleak.

She pointed out that the IMF forecast for global growth over the medium term is around three per cent - well below the historical average of 3.8 per cent during 2000-19.

The IMF chief executive stated that economic fragmentation will both undermine growth and make it harder to tackle pressing global challenges, from rising sovereign debt crises to the existential threat of climate change.

She called for strong leadership from the G20 to ensure the international financial architecture is fit for purpose with a wellresourced and representative IMF at its centre.

Georgieva stated that in a more shock-prone world and at a time of fundamental transitions - from

climate change and debt distress to trade tensions and economic fragmentation, the world has high expectations of international policymakers, and rightly so.

According to her, the global response must be commensurate in size to the world’s challenges.

She noted that when the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Gandhinagar, India next week, the world will be looking for joint action to address rising economic fragmentation, slowing growth, and high inflation.

"Agile multilateral support is vital to tackle common challenges posed by debt vulnerabilities, climate change, and limited concessional financing - especially for countries hit by shocks, not of their making.

"In April, the IMF projected global growth at 2.8 per cent in 2023, down from 3.4 per cent in 2022. The bulk of it – over 70 per cent – is expected to come from the Asia-Pacific region.

Yet, recent high-frequency indicators paint a mixed picture: weakness in manufacturing contrasts with resilience in services across the G20 countries and strong labour markets in advanced economies.

"At the same time, financial fragilities uncovered by tight monetary policy require careful management—particularly as

restoring price stability remains a priority," she said.

On the importance of joint action, she said "The good news is that we have seen how the international community can deliver when differences are set aside."

She recalled that "in June, we saw the breakthrough on Zambia's debt restructuring. That was a significant milestone for the G20 Common Framework which was borne out of efforts from the country authorities as well as both Paris Club members and other countries such as China, India, and Saudi Arabia."

The agreement, she stressed, unlocks further financing as part of the $1.3 billion IMF arrangement agreed in August 2022.

"In addition to progress on debt restructuring for Chad, this outcome also builds on trust and better understanding among creditors and debtors ushered in through the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable.

"But the work is not yet done. More effort is needed to accelerate the debt restructuring process through clear timelines, debt service suspension during negotiations, and improved creditor coordination on debt treatment for countries outside the Common Framework," Georgieva said.

FG Asks FRC to Ensure Prompt Remittance of Revenues by MDAs

James Emejo in Abuja

The federal government has called on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to ensure prompt remittance of revenues to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The Special Adviser on Revenue to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, made the call during a visit to the Chairman, FRC, Mr. Victor Muruako, yesterday in Abuja.

Adedeji said the call was in line with President Tinubu’s quest to improve the revenue generation architecture of the country.

He said that the current administration was determined to ensure all revenues of the federal government were properly articulated and remitted timely into the CRF.

He stressed the need for interagency cooperation amongst all government-owned enterprises, to ensure optimal results in revenue remittance.

The special adviser said that the Tinubu-led administration would continue to take proactive measures in ensuring that the basic revenue framework of the government was adequately secured.

In his response, Muruako said that the commission had over

the years developed a culture of blocking all leakages of revenue due to the federal government.

While congratulating Adedeji on his appointment, the chairman assured him of the full co-operation and maximum support of the staff and management of the FRC.

The federal government had in 2022 directed the FRC to ensure 100 per cent remittance of revenue generated by fully funded agencies, departments, and commissions into the CRF.

Muruako said on the sideline of the visit, that the commission was doing its best, noting, however, that task was not easy.

He said that although the

commission has recorded significant improvements in compliance with the directive, much still needs to be done to improve.

“We were able to improve the nation’s independent revenue as a commission, but it was not easy getting agencies and governmentowned enterprises to remit all revenues due to the government.

“In line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, MDAs are expected to ordinarily remit their internal and independent revenues to the CRF.

“However, we are in a situation where some of the MDAs are not complying and we have to keep urging them,” he said.

L-R: Special Adviser, Education, Science and Technology to Ekiti State governor, Dr. Sola Adebimpe Aderiye; Executive Director of Wowbii Interactive, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi; Governor Biodun Oyebanji; Founder and CEO of Wowbii Interactive, Sir Gbolahan Olayomi; and, Senior Special Assistant, Governor’s Office, Mrs. Sola Abe, when the Wowbii team visited the governor in Ado-Ekiti…recently

WELCOME TO THE VILLA…

Aspartame Sweetener Possibly Causes Cancer, Says WHO

Onyebuchi

Ezigbo in Abuja

The World Health Organisation (WHO) cancer research agency has classified the commonly used artificial sweetener aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. However, another UN Committee reaffirmed that there was a safe daily level of consumption.

The joint assessment from WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which is part of WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, represents

the first public intervention by the UN health agency on the widely used sweetener.

Aspartame has been used in multiple food and beverage products since the 1980s, including diet drinks, chewing gum, ice cream, and other dairy products such as yogurt, breakfast cereals, toothpaste, and medications such as cough drops and chewable vitamins.

The new assessments mark the first public evaluation of the sweetener by IARC, and scientists cite “limited evidence” that it could cause cancer.

Francesco Branca, director of

Osoba at 84: Your Life Worthy of Emulation, Says Tinubu

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on his 84th birthday, saying his life was worthy of emulation.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, President Tinubu also noted that Chief Osoba’s life was replete with remarkable achievements.

Osoba, a prominent progres-

sive politician who served twice as governor of Ogun State first from 1992 to 1993 during the aborted Third Republic and then from 1999 to 2003, clocked 84 on Saturday.

Tinubu prayed for more years for the former governor so that he and many others could continue to benefit from his immense wisdom and experience.

He said: “Today, I rejoice with the family, friends and numerous associates of a prominent journalist, former governor of Ogun State and elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on attaining 84.

Again, Lagos Closes Apongbon Bridge for Palliative Works

The Lagos State Government has again shut Eko bridge inwards Apongbon bridge to allow “immediate remedial palliative works.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, revealing that the closure would last for 24 hours.

The development comes a week after the popular Eko bridge was reopened to traffic after a 15-month closure.

The 4.1-kilometre bridge links Lagos Island with the mainland and directly connects Apongbon on the island side.

It was initially shut on March

23, 2022, after many shops were destroyed in a fire outbreak in the Apongbon market area.

According to Toriola, the planned work on the bridge will be carried out by the Lagos State Public Works in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

He added that closure would allow uninterrupted palliative adjustment of the bridge.

He further said that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel have been deployed to control and manage traffic around CMS, Marina, Ijora, and other alternative routes on Lagos Island and the mainland.

the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO said the assessments “have indicated that, while safety is not a major concern at the doses which are commonly used, potential effects have been described that need to be investigated by more and better studies,” said in a statement.

He said that one in six people dies from cancer: “Science is continuously expanding to assess the possible initiating

or facilitating factors of cancer, in the hope of reducing these numbers and the human toll.”

The two bodies conducted independent but complementary reviews to assess the potential carcinogenic hazard and other health risks.

JECFA concluded that it continues to be safe for a person to consume a substantial quantity of aspartame each day.

An adult weighing around 70 kilogrammes (150 lbs) would need

to consume more than 9-14 cans of soft drinks to go beyond the recommended intake, assuming there was no intake from other sources.

“IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on limited evidence for cancer in humans (specifically, for hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a type of liver cancer)”.

“There was also limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals

and limited evidence related to the possible mechanisms for causing cancer.”

“The findings of limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and animals, and of limited mechanistic evidence on how carcinogenicity may occur, underscore the need for more research to refine our understanding on whether consumption of aspartame poses a carcinogenic hazard,” the IARC’s Mary Schubauer-Berigan, said.

Nasarawa Guber Conducted in Compliance to INEC’s Guidelines, Agwu Tells Tribunal

Igbawase

Ukumba in Lafia

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reaffirmed that the March 18, 2023 governorship election conducted in Nasarawa State was in substantial compliance to its guidelines.

INEC’s Deputy Director of Software and Training, Ama Abom Agwu, reaffirmed this yesterday when he appeared to testify before the Nasarawa State Governorship

Election Petitions Tribunal Sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. Answering questions during cross-examination by counsel to Governor Abdullahi Sule, Adebayo Adeledu (SAN) and Ishaka Muddie Dikko (SAN) for INEC, Agwu, told the tribunal that the election was conducted in substantial compliance to the guidelines of INEC’s 2023 election.

INEC’s deputy director said he was at the national control room

in Abuja on the day of election, explaining that he did not upload Form EC8A for governorship election to the IRev, but produced password for the IRev.

Agwu told the tribunal that 3,242 polling unit results for governorship election in Nasarawa State were uploaded to the IRev representing 99.7 percent, adding that there were few instances where House of Assembly election results were uploaded instead of

governorship results on the IRev. Agwu added that transmission of results from BVAS to the backup of IRev requires internet service, but the BVAS machine had been designed to work either off line or online.

He further informed the tribunal that he is in charge of all technical training nationwide and development of technical training manuals for INEC, even as he added that he supervised the IRev.

Nigeria Can Generate N6tn Annually If Security Agencies Curb Smuggling, Says Ex-customs DCG

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

A retired Deputy Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Senator Francis Fadahunsi, has said the service can generate N6 trillion in annual revenue for the country.

To achieve this, he advised President Bola Tinubu to mandate the military and other security

agencies in the country to put an end to the massive smuggling currently going on in the country.

Fadahunsi, who is representing the Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, stated this in an interview with THISDAY yesterday in Abuja.

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise in the ninth Senate,

also alleged that some international oil companies (IOCs) and highly influential Nigerians were actively involved in massive crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He, therefore, said unless the president gives necessary instructions to relevant security and military agencies, the country would continue to experience revenue leakages.

He said: “Some International Oil Companies (IOCs) and highly influential Nigerians are behind the crude oil theft in Nigeria. It did not start today; the practice has been on for a long time.

“Unfortunately, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is doing nothing spectacular to stop the theft.

Odili, Others Decry Shortage of Manpower in Medical Intensive Care Units

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, and other doctors have decried the shortage of manpower in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of medical centres.

The doctors, who spoke at the eighth scientific conference and annual meeting of the Intensive and Critical Care Society of Nigeria (I-CCSN), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, pleaded with the federal government to treat as important the challenges

of the medical intensive care section, especially by ensuring that there is provision for it in the budget.

Odili, who was the chairman of the conference with the theme: ‘Manpower Development and Training in Critical Care: Building the Gaps’, stated that if the government gives serious attention to intensive care, it would attract success to patients’ care.

Odili said: “This is a very important aspect of Medicare. Society should be supportive.

Intensive care - critical care is the ultimate.

“If you have it right there, you have a success rate in patients’ care, otherwise, patients will suffer. So, everything should be done to support the group”, he added.

On his part, a Professor at the University of Ibadan and the President of the society, Prof. Babatunde Osinaike, harped on the need for the training of manpower, especially doctors and nurses in the healthcare intensive unit.

Osinaike explained that “Intensive Care is a branch of medicine where patients with lifethreatening illnesses are catered for. As such, you need to have well-trained manpower - doctors, nurses, and other healthcare to be able to provide care for these groups of patients”.

“Unfortunately, in Nigeria for now, we don’t have enough manpower, the workforce was quite challenged; those providing care in the ICU need to be better trained in intensive care management,” he added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left); and former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, when the former governor visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja…weekend

The Millionaire Next Door: The Startling Success of a Street-wise Entrepreneur

The numbers appeared, initially, too startling to be true. An old classmate of mine staying in a very small but nice estate in the Alimosho area of Lagos State had asked me to keep him company one weekend. Surprisingly, the estate is surrounded by a ghetto-like dwell ing place. On a Saturday morning, I decided to take a familiarisation walk around the estate. On one of the streets adjacent to the estate , I noticed a middle age-man sitting on a plastic chair clutching a notebook and a biro while a retinue of individuals alighting from a convoy of tricycles, milling around him were dropping different denominations of the naira notes in his hands. I was curious. While returning to the estate two hours later, I decided to engage him. I wanted to know what kind of business he was engaged in that was attracting such an endl ess flow of cash. What I found out beat my imagination. This guy is engaged in a small ordinary business that fetches him an income that is far higher than what medical doctors, professors, high-ranking police officers, and wait for this, bank MDs earn in a month.

I asked Vanessa Obiora, one of THISDAY’s most diligent and award-winning investigative journalists to engage the uncommon millionaire. Read her account below and see if you will not be taken aback. Enjoy, please.

Success often comes packaged in unexpected ways. In the world of business, appearances can often be deceiving. Adegboyega

Adewusi, a businessman in the ice cream and biscuits manufacturing industry, is a perfect example of this. Despite his unassuming appearance and limited formal education, Adewusi has achieved remarkable success in his business, earning a daily revenue of about N300,000 during peak periods and N200,000 during off-seasons. With an annual revenue of approximately N100.8 million and a gross profit of N60.5 million, Adewusi’s business has flourished in an estate in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, where he owns two buildings dedicated to ice cream and biscuit production. The streets are lined with tricycles bearing his business name, Baba Yato, ready for pickups and deliveries. Besides, Adewusi own two shops in one of the Lagos State shopping Arcade in that area from where he earns decent yearly rentals; he stay in his house and cruise around town in his SUV.

Adewusi, who is in his 50s, at first glance, may seem like an ordinary individual. On any given day, he can be found wearing a white polo shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers, appearing like a young man going about his daily routine. However, what Adewusi lacks in formal education, he more than compensates for with his business acumen.

His journey into the ice cream industry was somewhat accidental. Growing up in Ibadan, Oyo State, he faced academic challenges that hindered his progress. He is the third of his parents’ five children. Of all his siblings, he is the only one who is academically challenged.

“I used to be brilliant while in primary school but suddenly I could no longer concentrate on my studies. Even while in secondary school, I tried to pick up like my siblings but realised that I just could not catch up. So, I dropped out.”

Despite his parents’ initial disappointment, Adewusi’s father eventually recognised his limitations and stopped investing in his education. To be sure, Adewusi’s parents were comfortable and lived modestly. He never lacked anything as a child but still saw his father as a poor man. He could not understand why his father, who seemed financially comfortable, always complained about his financial situation.

“I used to call him a poor man because, among his siblings, he was the only one in Nigeria. Others were doing successfully abroad. And he had a knack of always complaining despite all the money he made.”

This perspective led Adewusi to believe that poverty is a state of mind and that taking action rather than complaining to address financial challenges is crucial.

To explore new opportunities, Adewusi delved into carpentry, learning from local workshops and sometimes, going to sawmills, observing the furniture-making process. His father suggested he work at Narrow Way Furniture in Ibadan, but Adewusi received an enticing offer from a top furniture gallery that promised a higher salary — N200 — a rented apartment, and a Vespa motorcycle. At the time, his father’s take-home pay was N150. He was so thrilled by this opportunity that he made plans to move out of his parents’ home immediately. But his father disapproved of the offer, believing that his son’s true worth would be undervalued in that position.

At first, Adewusi felt it was an act of jealousy, given that he would be earning more than his father.

ADEWUSI’S MASTER CLASS ON ENTREPRENUERSHIP

To succeed in business and life Adewusi says these habits and virtues are essential:

1. You must delay gratification : work now and enjoy later

2. You must create multiple streams of income

3. You must saving habit into your system

4. You must know that turnover is not the same as profit

5. You must work on your business personally

6. You must separate business from friendship

7. You must use your business to help other people

“He told me that if I accept the offer, I would be selling myself short. He knew my capabilities and felt the company was going to take advantage of me. He wanted me to fully understand my worth but I was young and angry with him. Many nights I would cry bitterly, wondering why my father did not support me. I wondered why he could not see that the job offer was a turning point in my life, that I would be living in Bodija and able to take care of myself. My mother would come in and advise me to heed my father’s words. That he was more experienced than I am.”

Despite his initial anger and frustration, Adewusi has now realised that his father’s guidance was wise, and he is grateful for not accepting the job.

The Adewusi household was a large one that accommodated extended family relatives. One of them was an uncle from his mother’s side. Adewusi’s introduction to the ice cream industry came through his uncle, Femi, who was involved in ice cream sales. He accompanied him to the Zoo, where they sold ice cream, and their four-day venture yielded a profit of over N100,000. This was over 30 years ago.

“Despite all the stress of those four days, he only gave me N5. I felt cheated and complained to my mother.”

Eventually, his mother intervened and the uncle paid him N20 which he used to buy new clothes.

This experience opened his eyes to the business potential of ice cream sales, leading him to approach ice cream manufacturers for an opportunity to sell their products. He also collaborated with the wife of the late Ibadan Chief Lai Balogun, who was involved in ice cream manufacturing, to help hawk their products. Femi, of course, noticed his nephew’s ambition but never held it against him. Instead, he paid him a commission each time he helped him in sales.

For a while, Adewusi relied on his furniture business and ice cream sales but the former was more demanding and made little gains. His father advised him to concentrate on the ice cream and that a better tomorrow was on the horizon. Adewusi would travel to villages to sell his ice cream and would later add biscuits to it. He started making gains that could afford him a modest lifestyle.

Through hard work and determination, Adewusi became successful in his ice cream and biscuit sales, catching the attention of his friends who were graduates. They became interested in becoming distributors and, with Adewusi’s help, established a direct buying relationship with the company.

Over time, Adewusi saved enough money to purchase his first ice cream-making machine, a significant milestone celebrated by his proud father.

“I bought my first machine for N70,000. My father was so elated. He called everyone to come and witness my success.”

Eventually, Adewusi relocated to Lagos and expanded his business, which now employs around 100 contract workers and five permanent staff members. Adewusi takes pride in not only running a successful business but also rehabilitating young men who were previously involved in drug abuse. He shares his own success story to inspire them to pursue a living and avoid wasting their lives on drugs.

“I see many of them. So, I usually talk to them about making a living instead of wasting their lives on drugs. I use myself as an example. Yes, I didn’t go to school but I have had remarkable success in my business. If at this age, I’m still working, what is stopping them? The Holy Bible even encouraged work so that one can be able to eat. I don’t give them money because I know they would spend the money on drugs.” Some of his previous workers have also become bosses of their own.

Today, Adewusi’s business ventures have expanded beyond ice cream and biscuits. He is now involved in real estate and car sales, and his business partner, Lekan Aderibigbe, speaks highly of his honesty and trustworthiness.

“I can leave all my wealth with him and go to bed. I know they are safe in his hands,” says Aderibigbe.

Despite the challenges faced in Nigeria, Adewusi once considered exploring opportunities abroad. Not that the hardships affected him directly. He just wanted to try a new environment. He closed down his business and sold some of his machines but given his poor educational background, the opportunities available required him to live a life of servitude.

“I could not do that because over here (Nigeria), I have many people serving me. I could not just find myself in that situation,” he said.

He, therefore, decided against it. With that, he returned to his business and started afresh. Again, the profits rolled in and he even expanded to selling machines.

In the 30 years of running his business, Adewusi has never taken a loan from any financial institution until recently.

“Banks used to come to me to persuade me to take loans but I didn’t because I did not want to be under pressure. However, I had to take a loan now because my business has expanded. I needed to get new machines.”

Adewusi has gotten to a state where money is no longer a worry. He has never lost sight of the importance of financial discipline.

“When I started, I did not spend money extravagantly. I was very focused. I inculcated the habit of self-discipline so that I would be able to achieve my goals,” he said.

Adewusi

Beyond the State of Emergency on Food Security

At last, the federal government appears to have come to terms with attendant spiralling costs in the country as President Bola Tinubu last week declared a state of emergency on food security in the country.

Obviously, the desperate measure is a sequel the federation and Abuja which observers said was worsened by the removal of fuel subsidy and the corresponding increase in pump prices.

In the latest intervention, the government listed measures that include the introduction of the culture of all-year-round farming, the creation of special purpose vehicles, like the commodity board, to liberalise the food production value chain, the immediate activation of land banks across the country, as well as putting an end to the age-long and problematic nomadic animal husbandry, which would be replaced with government-managed ranching.

Food Crisis

the state of emergency in food production is long overdue. According to the National Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) and

central bank to tame the rising rates.

Details of the report showed that food andsure, followed by housing, water, electricity,dent on Special Duties, Communication, and administration’s rescue plan for the nation’s agriculture and food programme after a meeting of stakeholders on agriculture and food production value-chain at the State House, Abuja disclosed that measures in the action plan would include an immediate release of fertilisers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate

Placing the Cat Before the Horse

However, analysts said that the government’s plan as laudable and timely as it is, would amount to placing the cat before the horse if certain obstacles to food production are not government blueprint is unveiled.

They asserted that nothing tangible can be achieved until the issue of insecurity is addressed. This is because the problem of insurgency has made farming risky in some parts of the country where farmers are wantonly killed and farms and settlements raided from time to time.

For instance, Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai, last year raised the alarm that farmers pay millions of naira before they were allowed to access their farmlands, adding that some of the agreements reached at the negotiations on the side of the farmers include allowing the farmers to access their farmlands without kidnapping or

any form of intimidation by the bandits while the bandits should be allowed to be coming to towns and villages where the peace deals were entered for healthcare, buying and selling as well as any other normal businesses.

Analysts said the federal government should have ensured that adequate security is put in place before the declaration of a state of emergency. For instance, in Bornu, Benue Taraba and Plateau with massive produce, farmers have had to be killed, their wives and children raped and their houses destroyed.

Limited, Obafemi Owode Local Council, Ogunment to trace the root cause of insecurity and hapless farmers.

“It’s only then we can have the solution to food insecurity. If farmers who have abandoned their farms are returning, they need farm inputs to start production, there should also be a security measure in place to make sure they are safe, not just in their farms, but also in their villages/homes.”

Inadequate Storage Facilities

in transportation and storage, analysts said farmers are running at a loss because of the perishable nature of some of the agricultural products and the rising cost of transportation due to a correspondingly high cost of fuel. research and strategic communications consulthave zero access to any kind of storage faciliits report titled: ‘Nigerians just want to Eat: Analysis of Farmers and Food Transporters challenges likely to Impede National Food Security.’

The report read: “Agricultural products are easily perishable while production remains seasonal, and demand for farm produce is present throughout the year.

ers interviewed had no access to any kind of storage facilities. The lack of storage facilities contributes to post-harvest losses which could

vegetables.”

Observers maintained that the cost of transporting farm produce has been a major challenge (due to permits, toll gates, and other associated costs). When the costs of moving immediately be passed to the consumers, which will explore other means of transportation, including rail and water transport, to reduce freight costs and in turn impact the food prices.

Bad Roads -

ing is for the federal government to collaborate with the state governments to as a matter of which according to them have been in a terrible condition for quite a while.

are in terrible conditions, thereby making the evacuation of farms produce from the rural

The farmers who spoke in separate interviews with THISDAY, noted that the bad condition of to move farm produce from the farms to the city centre as commercial vehicles which they solely rely on are charging excessively.dun, said: “We are facing a lot of hardship as a result of this bad road. To move our harvested farm produce from the farms has been a major problem for quite sometime now and it is reowners are not always willing to transport our goods and those who are ready to do the job do charge exorbitant amount and this usually sold at the market.

“Because the road falls within the state’s boundary, we are appealing to both federal and state governments to please as a matter of urgency do something about the repair of the road so that farmers can have easy access to supply their goods to the city centre.”

-

that if the government is serious about ensuring food security, good access road from farms to the city centre should be on its priority list.

“The campaign about food security is not complete if farmers do not have easy access to their farms as a result of bad roads. So, I want to urge the authority concern to act accordingly on the state of the road we are talking about so that food security can be fully achieved.”ment interventionist programme, Alake said the president approved that all matters about essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.

Speaking the mind of the president, Alake said, “While availability is not a problem, Nigerians in all parts of the country. This has undermining the viability of the entire agriculture and food value chain.

“That all matters pertaining to food and waterhood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.”

According to him, some of the steps to be taken would include all-year-round farming, the creation of special purpose vehicles, like the commodity board, to liberalise the food production value chain, the immediate activation of land banks across the country, as well as putting an end to the age-long and problematic nomadic animal husbandry, which would be replaced with government-managed ranching.

Stressing the need for an urgent synergy

irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is produced all-year round, Alake said that government will immediately release fertilisers and grains to farmers and households to

In an apparent response to the issue of insurgency, the president’s spokesperson said, “We will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.

Analysts said the federal government should declare a state of emergency on the insecurity of doing the same on food insecurity, saying doing otherwise is tantamount to putting the horse before the cat.

President Bola Tinubu may have scored another big point with the last week’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security. However, analysts argue that with farmers contending with issues like insecurity, poor storage activities, dilapidated roads and high cost of transportation, among others, it will take more than a mere declaration to make food abundant in Nigeria, reports Festus Akanbi

Some farm produces

CAPITAL MARKET

Shareholders Demand Public Disclosure of SEC Results

For the Securities and Exchange Commission, it’s time to lead by example as shareholders of Kayode Tokede writes

SEC Towers, Abuja

Shappy with the Securities and Exchange Com-

The last time the commission published its audited account on its website was in 2014 when

From the era of the then Acting Director-General of thesion has not submitted its results on its website, according to publish its audited results once a board was appointed and General of SEC three years ago, has not publicly disclosed the According to the source, “The commission’s audited results

“The only one that is not ready is 2022 but it has been shared

the Act stated that “The commission, shall not later than three

tration of the commission during the immediately preceding year and, shall include in such reports, audited accounts of the

“If SEC has audited its results, it will be in the interest of the

“The past DG of SEC failed to publish these audited results and we are expecting the current DG to publish past audited The current DG needed to ensure that these audited results

trary to these false claims, the commission as a law-abiding before and onward from 2014, and has submitted these to General of the Federation; Fiscal Responsibility Commission;

“The commission, which said it is a strong promoter of world-

Shareholders’ Position on SEC’s Audited Results

who insisted that the SEC is a public institution and does not

for SEC’s audited accounts and what is SEC’s obligation to reply to sent emails?

“SEC cannot be penalising publicly listed companies for not

See Page 16

BOLA TINUBU AND THE CHALLENGE OF NATIONAL PLANNING

At the height of the campaign for last February’s presidential election, Arise Television extended an invitation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to participate in a televised debate with the other presidential candidates. this was to enable Bola Tinubu articulate his policy platform and sell it to the Nigerian public. Tinubu turned down the request and indeed subsequent requests from other public fora. Consequently, Nigerians, other than what was put out in the APC presidential campaign manifesto, did not have a clear idea of how Bola Tinunu planned to govern the country if he won the election.

Following his inauguration as President in May 2023, Bola Tinubu has been making weighty pronouncements, not the least of which is the removal of petrol subsidy and the harmonization of the previous dual foreign exchange rate. Perceptive Nigerians see these policies as in step with the position of the World Bank, whose neoliberal economic policies African countries including Nigeria have been implementing since the mid 1980s. A key part of these policies is the rejection of national planning and the installation in its place a market-driven regimen in which the private sector is seen as the primary determinant of economic planning.

See Page 16

EDITORIAL TIME TO CONFRONT THE OIL THIEVES

It is interesting that when General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria’s military Head of State at the time, accepted the World Bank recommendation that the practice of national planning be abandoned, his stance was widely criticized by leading Nigerian economists like Dr Ibrahim Ayagi, Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, and Dr Pius Okigbo. These had to offer at the time, and they had severally participated in drawing up national development programmes for the country since independence in 1960. These economists argued rightly that a developing country like Nigeria needed development signposts to guide her in the journey to industrialization and overall economic development and that the developed economies of Europe and North America instituted development plans in their teething period.

See Page 41

General Babangida’s Minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, working closely with the World Bank and the IMF advice of Ayagi, Aboyade and Okigbo and proceeded to unleash a harsh neoliberal regimen that saw the Naira drastically devalued, national development planning thrown out of the window and other right-wing economic policies that, 40 years later, are yet to deliver the promised economic dividends. It is therefore clear to unbiased economic observers that neoliberalism has failed in Nigeria and

other African countries.

the President of the United States in January 2021, he made it clear that his administration would take another look at these neoliberal policies which the World Bank and the IMF were promoting all over the world including in his own country. For the past two years President Biden has implemented a set of policies that have made it clear that he has rejected neoliberalism as an economic strategy. Last week, Biden gave a speech in Washington DC in which he declared that ‘the trickle-down’ policies of neoliberalism were not working and that he was determined to give new life to the American middle class by encouraging manufacturing in the United States against the former policy of outsourcing it to China and other Asian countries.

Bola Tinubu and his advisers should pay attention to the new economic wind blowing from the United States. When economic policy fails to deliver dividends, it should be discarded forthwith and a new strategy put in its place. This is what President Biden has done and Tinubu should follow suit. What is required of the Tinubu administration right now is a major policy speech promising to put in place a team to draw up a new national development plan for the country. The administration’s present practice of piecemeal policy pronouncements is not been so battered by 40 years of disastrous neoliberalism that nothing short of a radical reversal, and the articulation of a brave new road map will do.

In this new national development plan, a primary role should be given to power

generation. Economic development is impossible without reliable and affordable electricity. Bola Tinubu recently signed a bill making it possible for the various states and indeed all actors to participate in the business of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity. This is a good step, but it is not far-reaching enough. Power generation is a capital intensive industry and it is also highly technical. I do not see any state in Nigeria with the million dollar venture successfully – with the exception of Lagos – and so what you are likely to have is a patchy outcome, with only one state in the business while the rest are enveloped in darkness.

What is required is for the Tinubu administration to commission a power country’s electricity requirement, whether the present generating and distributing companies are capable of meeting this requirement in the nearest future and if the answer is no, what is the place of the federal government in leading efforts to power up the country. Then there is the perennial question of the Ajaokuta Steel mill. It is a tragedy that Nigeria has been struggling with steel production since the early 1960s. The government of Olusegun Obasanjo took puny steps to concession Ajaokuta in 2005 or thereabouts but the entire process collapsed. Former President Buhari did not even bother. Bola Tinubu should give Ajaokuta another go with a view to giving the country a steel industry capable of powering up her industrialization process.

A third leg is heavy investment in infrastructure. If the Bola Tinubu administration is serious about attracting foreign investment, then it must modernize Nigeria’s creaking and dilapidated infrastructure – roads, railways, bridges, ports and the like. This will take money and time, but if this project is tackled with outlay it will gulp will be recouped when foreign investors, attracted by a Nigeria with sparkling infrastructure, will begin to bring in their money to set up enterprises in the country. Finally, there is the question of human capital development – and this really means universal health care for Nigerians, qualitative and heavily subsidized education, and social housing. With these in place, ordinary Nigerians will have the disposable income to meaningfully participate in powering up the national economy.

The World Bank’s neoliberal regime is in its death-throes world-wide and no less a personage than President Joe Biden has said so. Bola Tinubu should take heed and return Nigeria to the glory days of meaningful national planning.

Dr Okonta was until recently Leverhulme Early Career Fellow in the Department of Politics, University of Oxford. He writes from Abuja

The administration’s present practice of piecemeal policy pronouncements is not sufficient. It should draw up a new national development plan for the country, contends IKE OKONTA

LET’S THROW IN THE TOWEL

Nigerians are going through a lot, bemoans UZOR MAXIM UZOATU

POOR WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNANCE MUFULIAT FIJABI argues for improved representation of women at all levels of decision-making

LET’S THROW IN THE TOWEL

POOR WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNANCE

Women’s involvement and representation in governance in Nigeria, particularly in politics, continues to be a growing concern, as the numbers continue to shrink, whether it is for elective or appointive positions.

representation in their respective national parliaments.

I am here to eat my words, that is, to swallow my own vomit. Back in time, I had written that it’s time for the Nigerian government to throw in the towel to save itself from further unnecessary punishment.

Now I make the necessary apologies by stressing that it’s actually the Nigerian people that should throw in the towel, not the government.

Any fellow with even the minutest knowledge of boxing knows that when a boxer takes too much punishment in the ring his manager throws in the towel. This ends the fight, thus saving the boxer from further needless punishment that may even lead to death. I think this boxing parlance has to be deployed in the larger interest of saving Nigerians from taking more atrocious punishment.

It’s very obvious that the Nigerian people did not prepare adequately for its fight with the plutocracy or kakistocracy or whatever they deem fit to call their tormentors. My good friend and comrade Femi Falana, father of Falz the Bahd Guy, has made broadcast the fact that Nigeria is practicing plutocracy, not democracy. If I can remember what my great teacher and comrade, Prof Biodun Jeyifo, the legendary BJ, taught me at Great Ife, plutocracy means government by the richest. Now there are some white men allied to some hot-headed Nigerians who insist that Nigeria is actually practicing kakistocracy, that is, government by the worst.

Well, I am not here to settle the argument between plutocracy and kakistocracy, but what I do know is that Nigerians have been thoroughly battered worse than a punchdrunk boxer.

The great German playwright Bertolt Brecht wrote in one of his poems that if the government can decide to elect another people. In the circumstances there is no getting away from the fact that Nigerians are wobbling and fumbling, to borrow the phrase of football coach Fanny Amun when his team was being knocked from pillar to post.

From the sudden removal of fuel subsidy and the clandestine devaluation of the naira, it has been punches galore for hapless Nigerians. regime should allow Nigerians to fetch a towel to throw instantly into the ring to save themselves from being knocked out cold.

not laughing in this clear and present issue of urgent national concern. I happen to be a boxing historian and I should know when a fighter is in serious trouble in the roped square.

Nigerians happen to be in the middle of one hell of a slugfest and have been caught napping in defending what is left of their battered selves. Forget all the bluster from the toadies and bootlickers, Nigerians are unguarded, and the punches are coming relentlessly.

Nigerians have been reduced to trekking from Ikorodu to Victoria Island in Lagos, and from Umuchu to Awka in Anambra State. Nigerians who famously trekked from Abuja to Lagos to welcome the coming of Buhari back then have lost the legs to trek.

Nigerians are legless against the current onslaught of left hooks and roundhouses and uppercuts.

This case of badly beaten Nigerians reminds me of what I heard through radiowithout-battery that happened to a certain boxer from Umuahia-Ibeku known as Abraham Tonica who decided to take on the then world boxing champion Dick Tiger. The fight was barely a couple of minutes old when Dick Tiger unleashed a series of wicked uppercuts and haymakers on the jaw and face of the bewildered Tonica. Abraham Tonica of Umuahia Ibeku begged his manager to throw in the towel by screaming: “Ala Ibeku-e, ihea obu aka ka obu igwe?” which means: “Land of Ibeku, is this man hitting me with human hands or with iron and steel?” The towel was promptly thrown into the ring and Tonica thus survived to live onto grand old age.

The long suffering Nigerians can learn a thing or two from Tonica on the art of throwing in the towel in the nick of time to save a cornered man’s life. There is no sweetness in allowing Nigerians to continue with the fight now that the country is bankrupt whilst the opponents keep pummelling the people with blows and bombs and bazookas. I don’t think it is worth the pains for Nigerians to insist on going the distance when we can no longer breathe.

Nigerians should quit like the American heavyweight boxer known as Max Baer who was accused of quitting too early while fighting the great Joe Louis. The clownish Max Baer, after hurriedly throwing in the towel, replied his critics thusly: “If you wanted to actually watch the total annihilation of Max Baer you should have paid a lot more dollars!”

This is not a laughing matter, and I am Uzoatu is a Journalist and Poet

Women make-up about half of the entire population of the country, according to a recent report by the World Bank Group. They make-up 49.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

Hence, if the statistics by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is anything to go by, with Nigeria’s population pegged at 223.8 million, then, the total number of women would be 110,781,000.

With this staggering number, one would easily presume that the total numbers of women would be directly translated into the number of women holding elective and appointive positions. However, the numbers do not add up. Something is wrong with this arithmetic.

Leading up to the general elections, data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showed that a total of 93,469,008 eligible voters registered, after the final cleanup that included the removal of double registration and underage voters. Of this number, 44,414,846 or 47.5 per cent were female voters.

Therefore, as electorate, it is encouraging to see a nearly equal participation of women compared to men. However, as candidates, the realities are still worrisome.

Since Nigeria became a democratic nation in 1999 till date, compared to men, only 157 women have been elected into the National Assembly38 Senators and 119 House of Representatives members. For men, a total of 2,657 have been elected into the National Assembly - 616 Senators and 2,041 House of Representatives members.

Therefore, of the total number of seats in the National Assembly, women have only occupied about 5.6 per cent in the last 23 years. In contrast, 94.4 per cent of the seats have been occupied by men within the same period.

While the extent of women representation in the National Assembly over the years is discouraging, however, this year’s figures took a deeper dive compared to the ninth National Assembly which took off in 2019.In the ninth Assembly, there were eight female Senators and 13 female Members of the House of Representatives. This represents 4.5 per cent of the entire Assembly. However, in the 10th National Assembly, women occupy three out of 109 seats in the Senate and 17 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives (4.7 per cent), which represents 4.2 per cent of the 469-member National Assembly.

The cumulative percentage of women in the 10th National Assembly is below 5 per cent of the total number of seats. In fact, according to last year’s report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPC), which publishes rankings of the percentage of women in national parliaments, Nigeria was ranked 183 out of 187 countries.

However, as of May 1st this year, while the ranking for the country is yet to be concluded, Nigeria sits “uncomfortably” with the

The United Nations (UN) posits that women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. “However, data show that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving gender parity in political life is far off,” the UN stated.

To fix this, local and international stakeholders and partners are unanimous on the fact that legislation holds the silver bullet. There are a number of international treaties and pacts that Nigeria is a signatory to by association.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution in 2003 on women’s political participation stipulates that Member States, of which Nigeria is among, should take steps to monitor progress in the representation of women; develop mechanisms and training programs that encourage women to participate in the electoral process, and improve women’s capacity to cast informed votes in free and fair elections; among other recommendations.

Also, the UN Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/15 calls on governments, political parties, trade unions, and professional and other representative groups to adopt a 30 per cent minimum proportion of women in leadership positions, with a view to achieving equal representation

Furthermore, the 1995 Beijing Declaration advocates for women’s empowerment and gender equality in politics. There is also the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which includes commitments on political and public life, and on representation.

Nigeria happens to be a signatory to most of these declarations and conventions, however, it seems to lack the political will to domesticate and implement these agreements as far as ramping up women representation in governance is concerned.

There have been a host of advocacy efforts by concerned stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), legislators, and others. Efforts have been made to ensure that women are given some statutory quota in the number of seats in the National Assembly, however temporary, to increase their representation in the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Special Seats Bill is one of the gender bills which aims to improve women’s sponsored by the Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Rt Hon Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and over 80 legislators, the bill was defeated in the Senate and House of Representatives, as they voted against it last year.

MUFULIAT FIJABI argues for improved representation of women at all levels of decision-making

Nigerians are going through a lot, bemoans UZOR MAXIM UZOATU

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

TIME TO CONFRONT THE OIL THIEVES

Oil thieves bleed the economy. The authorities must impose stiff sanctions on those complicit to serve as a deterrent

Last week announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) that an 800,000-litre capacity vessel with a large amount of stolen crude had been impounded and destroyed is worrying. According to the NNPC, preliminary investigations revealed that the crude oil on-board was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State and had no valid documentation. The pertinent question remains: Who are those behind this heist of the country’s commonwealth and what are the authorities doing to bring them to justice? That task is even made vessel that should provide the evidence in any trial.

To be fair, some gains have been recorded since the ‘onslaught’ against these economic saboteurs.

From September last year when the country recorded a production of about 900,000 barrels per day, the lowest in decades, Nigeria’s output has gradually climbed to roughly 1.25 million bpd in June this year, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). But the volume remains a far cry from Nigeria’s production target, which currently stands at 1.742 million bpd, meaning that our country is still unable to produce as much as 492,000 go a long way to ameliorate the current illiquidity in the foreign exchange market. To add insult to injury, OPEC has also recently slashed Nigeria’s production baseline for 2024 to 1.38 million due to the country’s prolonged inability to meet its monthly target.

Even though there are no recent statistics, Nigeria has for a long time topped the countries with incidents of crude oil theft in the world. As of 2014, when the problem wasn’t even so menacing, data released by oilprice.com ranked Nigeria worse than Mexico, Iraq, Russia, and Indonesia among the top 2008 and 2018, according to a report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

(NEITI) in 2019, $38.5 billion worth of crude oil was stolen from the country, with an average of $11 million lost daily. NEITI also noted that while 250,000bpd of oil was stolen from country daily, data from private studies estimated that the case was between 200,000 and 400,000bpd stolen.

an organised crime. We hope the president will confront that menace

SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN

DEPUTY EDITORS FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

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Letters to the Editor

To stop the theft of Nigeria’s crude oil, the nation must be willing to undertake a thorough overhaul of its security agencies deployed in the Niger Delta, called bad eggs among them. Any personnel of the national oil company or the security forces found to be complicit must not only be sanctioned privately but should be made to face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent.Since a large portion of Nigeria’s crude oil is transported on internationally registered vessels, sold to international buyers, processed by international for using international bank accounts, the Nigerian authorities must also intensify diplomatic collaboration with such nations to stem the problem that has plagued it for a long time.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown is a priority. That has created some excitement for both local and foreign investors. But without president can achieve much.

As we have consistently argued on this page, while oil theft poses great danger to our economy and our security, it is also evident that the problem complicity in what has become an organised crime. We hope the president will confront that menace. Aside the loss of enormous revenues, the security implications of these criminal activities are better imagined against the background that a huge chunk of the proceeds are reportedly used to buy arms.

It is therefore time for the authorities to take serious interest in unmasking who these criminals are, checkmating them and bringing them to book.

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

2023 ELECTIONS AND THE EU REPORT

In that article, 2023 General elections: INEC will succeed, I had expressed some level of optimism on the ability of INEC to deliver fair and credible elections. There were two reasons why I was that optimistic. One, messages from INEC indicated that it had overhauled its electoral machine and from that exercise produced a silver bullet that would shoot down all forms of electoral malfeasance. Summary of the messages from INEC was that there was going to be a Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS), where the results of the elections were going to be uploaded in real time to a central database for all to see. It was not just the BVAS, but that the Electoral Act 2022 seemed to have lent credence to INEC claims that it was going for the kill, and would break the jinx of poor electoral conduct, and thereby produce a model for the rest of Africa. The second reason for my optimism was a personal encounter with INEC which left me with the impression that if the system were left to run without any entrenched interference, surely, INEC would deliver.

But at some point, I began to be doubtful. That point of doubt was at a seminar conducted by the Ministry of Justice in 2022. There, I found myself in the presence of Prof Tonnie Iredia who was one of the resource persons/facilitators. Of all the things that were said in the two days that that seminar lasted, the only thing I took away was a statement from this erudite Prof, that the elections were not going to be decided by INEC, or the BVAS or being in possession of your personal voter card, PVC: but that those to make a decision on the outcome of the elections were not the voters or INEC but the lawyers and the police. If the import of that statement did not sink on anyone at that seminar, my guess is that it began to sink in during the elections proper. Take for an example the pre-election scenario where certain individuals engaged in brazen voter intimidation and carried out acts inimical to the conduct of the elections. The Police did not move a baton against these individuals. Then during the election proper when there were rampant cases of ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, even with police

present at those polling units and booths, they simply folded their arms. Upon an inquiry, I was to find out that there was nowhere in the Electoral Act where provisions were made for police intervention at such instances of electoral violence and misconduct.

And so after the BVAS obviously failed to deliver, or was made to fail to deliver on the credibility of the 2023 elections, an argument over the declaration of Bola Tinubu as winner of the elections arose over the interpretation of Section 134 of the Electoral Act 2022. A most curious outcome of that INEC declaration of Bola Tinubu as winner of that election was that it was the lawyers, many with little or no knowledge of the innards of modern linguistic rules and regulations who were making all kinds of interpretations – and these interpretations were often premised on whatever aisle of the debate they belonged rather than on empirical linguistic standards. It was not the linguists, not the grammarians, not the editors but the lawyers. Under that aberrant scenario, would it be hard to imagine

what the outcome would be where a major surgical operation is to be conducted and a tailor is invited to come perform that operation instead of a surgeon?

We know that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) gives the judiciary the power to ‘interpret’ the laws. However, part of what has made the argument on the interpretation of some sections of the Electoral Act, 2022 as convoluted as they are today, is that the stakeholders who should lend a hand or voice with the interpretation of contentious section and give expert advice – the linguists, media and grammarians – (members of the Fourth Estate) appear dormant, and have conferred that power of interpretation to people with abundant knowledge of the law but with insufficient proficiency with the language with which contentious provisions of the Electoral Act are set out.

While oil theft poses great danger to our economy and our security, it is also evident that the problem persists because there is some form of official complicity in what has become

Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Editor in chief/publisher of WADONOR

Will BBNaija All Star Edition Leave Room for Second Chance?

Stories by Vanessa Obioha

The recent announcement by MultiChoice Nigeria on Friday, July 14, about the upcoming eighth season of Big Brother Naija being an all-star lineup has sparked a wave of speculation. While the exact identities of the featured stars remain undisclosed, fans are left wondering who will make the cut when the show premieres on Sunday, July 23. Will the show exclusively feature winners of previous editions? If that should be the case, then the number of participants will not be enough as the number of contestants is usually in two digits and exceeds 10.

Should other contestants who gained popularity despite not winning the prize be considered, will disqualified housemates be among the housemates? Last year’s edition saw one of the housemates Beauty disqualified. Other disqualified housemates from previous editions include Erica, Kemen and Tacha. Another possibility is having a mix of celebrity superstars and past winners.

With hopes of surprising and delighting their loyal audience, the show aims to surpass expectations and provide an exhilarating experience.

To elevate the excitement, this season offers an astounding N120 million cash prize to the ultimate winner, in addition to other valuable rewards. Last year, Phyna emerged victo rious, w alking away with the coveted N100 million grand prize.

While the show’s format remains intact, a few intriguing twists have been introduced. Housemates will embark on a 70-day journey, culminating on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, making the season even more significant.

Headies 2023: Battle for Supremacy Begins

AMAA 2023: Screening College Begins Film Selection Ahead of Nominations

Despite the unfortunate loss of its founder, Peace AnyiamOsigwe, earlier this year, the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is dedicated to ensuring its continuity. The global award organisation’s board recently approved the start of film selection preparations.

The AMAA Screening College, led by Chairman Dr. Shaibu Husseini, has commenced the evaluation of 389 entries from over 45 countries that have been submitted for consideration. The screening process will be conducted in three stages, with successful entries progressing to the Board of International Jury, who will determine the films nominated across the 26 award categories.

“We have got the approval of the board to commence the process for this year’s AMAA award after the tragedy of the demise of the founder,” stated Husseini. “AMAA is a legacy of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe we will preserve and continue to nurture in her honour. The

Screening College has started work. We have three stages of screening with the last stage being the College of Screeners and films selected from the three stages of selection will qualify for nomination as will be decided by the Board of AMAA International Jury.”

AMAA had previously announced the call for entries on December 1, 2022, with a late call for entries ending on June 30, 2023. The Selection Committee, chaired by Dr. Husseini, has now begun the pre-selection phase in preparation for the nomination event scheduled for August 31, 2023. Before her passing in January, the late founder of AMAA had disclosed that the award ceremony would take place in Lagos on October 29.

Dr. Husseini further explained, “The Board of AFA intends for us to work with that timeline. So we are working with the Board to ensure that we meet the date that PMO had fixed for the main award event.”

Social media platforms were flooded with discussions about the snubs, surprises, and mix-ups in the list. Asake and Burna Boy emerged as major topics of conversation, with both artists receiving significant nominations. Burna Boy received 10 nominations and Asake, nine. The competition between them and other talented musicians promises an intriguing battle for supremacy at the upcoming Headies award ceremony.

Asake, with his historic feat of being nominated in both the Next Rated and Best Male Artist of the Year categories, garnered immense praise from fans. This achievement made him the centre of attention on Twitter, where his supporters celebrated him and even jokingly renamed the awards after him. Asake’s impressive 2022 included the release of his debut studio album ‘Mr Money with the Vibe,’ featuring hit tracks like ‘Sungba (Remix)’ with Burna Boy, ‘Joha,’ ‘Organise,’ and ‘PBUY.’ His sophomore album ‘Work of Art,’ released this year, further solidified his presence in the industry with popular songs like ‘Amapiano,’ featuring Olamide.

On the other hand, Burna Boy’s fans wasted no time in flaunting his Grammy-winning status and anticipated his success at the Headies as another accolade to add to his collection. Having already won Best Male Artist and African Artist of the Year at the previous Headies, Burna Boy’s supporters are confident in his chances.

The absence of Wizkid and limited nominations for Davido, two artists who were once synonymous with the Headies, caused disappointment among their fan bases. Davido received only five nominations, while Wizkid surprisingly received none. Fans of both artists expressed their frustration, with Wizkid’s admirers questioning why their beloved “G.O.A.T.” was not recognized.

Amidst the excitement and anticipation, the first-timers like Spyro also received attention from their enthusiastic supporters, who couldn’t contain their joy over the nominations.

The battle for supremacy at the Headies will undoubtedly continue to escalate, reaching its climax when the award ceremony takes place. Although details regarding the date and venue are yet to be disclosed, music enthusiasts and fans eagerly await the outcome.

Nigerian Idol S8: And the Winner Is…

The stage is set for a vocal showdown as Victory Gbakara and Precious Mac go head-to-head in the grand finale of Nigerian Idol season eight.

After se ven weeks of electrifying live music, the remaining contestants will vie for the highly coveted title and a staggering N100 million grand prize.

Precious Mac, sister of season 6 Top 11 finalist Faith Mac, aims to surpass her sister’s Top 10 achievement and emerge victorious.

With fans deciding their fate and judges Simi, D’banj, and Obi Asika scrutinizing their performances, anticipation is at an all-time high.

This season witnessed a remarkable journey, from thousands of hopefuls to the top 10 conte nders who made it to the live shows.

Nigerian Idol S8 finalists Precious and Victory

BBNaija former housemates: Beauty, Kemen, Tacha and Erica

The release of the 16th edition Headies nominee list has set the stage for a thrilling battle for supremacy in the music industry.

Headies Best Male Artist nominees

LAI OSO

Exit of a Media Scholar

One death that shook the country recently, especially the media and academia, was the sudden demise of Professor Lai Oso, a renowned Professor of Mass Communication.

Oso died on Saturday, June 24, 2023, when his car reportedly plunged into a river along the Ijebu axis of Ogun State, along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway. He was said to be returning to Lagos from Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, where he was an external examiner at the Department of Mass Communication.

The 67-year-old academic was a communication and media studies teacher at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, from where he proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOA), Ago Iwoye, and later, the Lagos State University (LASU). He was also a visiting professor at many universities and institutions across the country.

Immediately after the news of his demise filtered in, soothing tributes in honour of the scholar flooded the Nigerian media space. From his last place of work – LASU to DELSU, University of Lagos and many other institutions in Nigeria, including civil society, and newsrooms, prominent Nigerians shared their experiences with the late scholar in his sojourn on earth.

His country home in Sagamu, likewise, was swarmed by well-wishers who commiserated with his wife, Abimbola, children and family members and used the occasion to celebrate his contributions to academic and professional bodies.

Oso meant different things to different people. For many, he was simply a scholar who helped to make scholars out of others through knowledge building, scholarly articles, and book publications. He was a mass communication scholar who mentored, encouraged and impacted so many professionals. Affable and humble, the deceased endeared himself to the younger generation of media and communication scholars and professionals who constantly sought his support and mentorship.

The professor, who was committed to mother earth last Friday, will always be remembered for the great work he did in the field of mass communication. Little wonder media professionals, colleagues, and others gathered last week specially eulogised him at a special session of tribute held at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS), LASU, in Ojo.

The event had in attendance many dignitaries, including representatives of Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (APCON), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Covenant University, Kwara State University (KWASU), Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Anchor University, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Caleb University, Imota, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Channels TV, International Press Centre (IPC), among others.

The session, which was part of the fourday funeral programme for the late scholar, was kicked-off by the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by her deputy in charge of

administration, Prof. Adenike Boyo.

Olatunji-Bello, according to Premium Times, remarked that Oso was “considered a fine Nigerian scholar who gave his all to the university. We are consoled that he lived an exemplary life.” The vice-chancellor said Oso was an inspiration to a new generation of researchers, noting that till his last breath, “he kept leaving a great impression on anybody he came across. This dutiful man has contributed to the development of education in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, a close ally and brother-in-law of the deceased, said Oso was passionate about the LASU project and the faculty.

“Ever cheerful, lawful and endearing to everyone, he always strives to make sure everyone has it better. I have fond memories that will linger forever,” Omobintan said.

The host of the event and dean of the faculty, Olayinka Alawode, said Oso lived an impactful life, saying, “He has done his best, and his memory lives on.”

A Professor of Public Relations and Advertising, and the immediate past dean of the faculty, Rotimi Olatunji, said the deceased had been his close ally since their first meeting in 2004.

“He was everything to everybody, including me. I met him in 2004 when he came for his one-year sabbatical. The remarkable thing is that he influenced me to produce my first journal article in 2004,” Olatunji said.

He said as the dean of the faculty, Oso facilitated the commencement of the PhD

programme in the faculty, adding that the first pioneering students are now senior lecturers.

Oso’s absence would be felt deeply at the 10th anniversary of ACSPN, as noted by a representative of the association, Dare Ogunyombo, particularly, as the deceased was the pioneer president.

“Oso demonstrated a kind of leadership that is enough to drive the development of an association. He ensured our conferences were held on time. He was concerned about us and media development,” he said.

Also in his tribute, a lecturer from Covenant University, Ota, Kehinde Oyesomi, said Oso had a great impact on the university, reshaping the teaching of media and communication. She said the deceased was teaching postgraduate students at the university before his death. She noted the late professor left an indelible mark that will forever be cherished.

The Head of UNILAG Mass Communication Department, Prof. Joseph Tejumaiye, described Oso as a unifier, and a man of peace, saying: “We will always remember him. I met him closely when both of us were members of the academic staff.”

In his tribute, the Chairman of NUJ Lagos Chapter, Adeleye Ajayi, described Oso as a colossus, who he said taught him and built his career, as well as those of many others.

Chairman of Channels Media Group, Mr. John Momoh, who was represented by Kingsley Iranta, said Oso’s memory will resonate with the media industry “he dedicated his life to.” Momoh added that the communication guru dedicated his life to countless students, adding that with unwavering dedication, he shaped students to

being professionals.

“The memory will continue to resonate with generations of media professionals. May his soul rest in peace, knowing well that his impact in the world of media communication will be endured forevermore.”

For the Head of Department, Mass Communication, YABATECH, Adesanya Oluseyi, Oso was an exemplary man who has so many academic children.

The Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who spoke on behalf of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) and Media Rights Agenda, said Oso made huge impacts and served on different projects of the media organisations.

“Hardly a month passed without having anything to do with Prof. He was readily available for programmes on media and journalism. He is a chief mentor of people. I stand before you as a PhD student due to the encouragement of Mr Oso. We will miss his scholarship. He has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill,” he added.

Oso was born on October 9, 1955, in Sagamu, Ogun. He studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos from 1975 to 1978.

As a Ford Foundation scholar, he proceeded to the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he received a master’s in International Relations in 1981. Thereafter, he got a federal government scholarship to study PhD in Mass Communication at the University of Leicester, England, between 1983 and 1987.

He relocated to England with his wife, Abimbola, where they had their two children, Simisola and Moyosola.

The professor started his career as a journalist at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He began his academic sojourn at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta where he rose the become the Head of Department of Mass Communication for over seven years and later Deputy Rector of the school.

He also lectured at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Caleb University, Imota and UNILAG before joining LASU in 2011 and became the second substantive dean shortly after his professorial appointment.

Oso was a member of APCON, NIPR, Commonwealth Association for Education in Journalism, Nigerian Association of Journalism and Mass Communication Teachers and Nigerian Academy of Letters.

He served as a former National Secretary of the African Council for Communication Education. For more than three decades, he taught various courses, including communication for development, advanced research in mass communication, political communication, communication theory and topical issues in mass communication, international communication, and introduction to communication, among others.

The renowned scholar became a Professor of Mass Communication in 2011 at LASU. He supervised over 15 PhD theses and more than 20 Masters Dissertations. He was nicknamed the “Encyclopedia of Communication,” “The King of Theories,” and “Mr. Book and Dennis McQuail of Nigeria.” He was a major pillar in Nigeria’s Premier School of Communication, Lagos State University, now known as the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. As a scholar, Prof had over 120 publications to his credit.

Aside from being a very dedicated scholar, Oso was also a Pastor at the Victory Life Bible Church.

He will surely be remembered for his selfless service to advancing the knowledge in Nigeria.

Late Prof. Oso

Though the sudden death of a renowned Professor of Mass Communication, Lai Oso, is a huge loss to the family and the academic community in Nigeria, the celebration of his scholarly contributions will continue to be a reference point for a long time to come, writes Davidson Iriekpen

YINKA OGUNDE Determined to Rescue Nigeria from Brain Drain

Mrs. Yinka Ogunde in Nigeria today is instantly recognisable as the undisputed chief connector for educationists and industry regulators. Ironically, Ogunde was neither a teacher nor an educationist. As a matter of fact, she read Mass Communication at the University of Lagos prior to her work in an advertising agency. Today, she has become one of the iconic figures in Nigeria’s educational system. In this revealing interview with Funke Olaode, Ogunde who is the CEO of Edumark Consult and Founder, Concerned Parents and Educators Initiative, talked about how investment in education and good governance can birth a new Nigeria

From My Experience, Maximum Investment in a Person Makes Education the Most Profitable Hedged Investment

It all began in the early days of her career, figuring out the direction to toe. And what readily came to mind was education. Ironically, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, the brain behind Edumark Consult and Founder, Concerned Parents and Educators Initiative (CPE), was never a trained teacher or an educationist. She was a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and began her career in an advertising agency. Ogunde pivoted into education marketing (Edumark) as a blue ocean strategy.

Her company organises teacher training exhibitions, consults and publishes trade magazines. Over the years, she has become an authority as the undisputed chief connector for educationists and industry regulators.

Her various programmes include intervention for teachers, schools and students as well as incentives for teachers and parents to encourage them to send their children to school. In May, the education advocate held a meeting with stakeholders themed: “How Smart Nations Analyse Human Potential: One million maximum investment in a person makes education the most profitably hedged investment.”

“I think one of the main things for me in education is the fact that I see it as the only pathway for the true transformation of our beloved country,” she began. “If you have people who are educated, their thinking is changed. This is not just in terms of formal education alone, but allowing them to make something out of their lives in a better structured way. Providing them the opportunity to be able to realise their potential whether it is through vocational education or a degree programme. If not, we will just be raising half-baked graduates, semi-illiterate, people who just have paper qualifications and are not even skilled enough to do what they need to do.”

This was indeed the issue that got Ogunde interested in the educational sector. She wanted to make an impact, make a difference and touch lives. Of course, it has kept her glued to this sector for close to two decades.

To Ogunde, tackling these problems from the grassroots was key.

“‘Oh yes! The amount of advocacy carried out was overwhelming. We have created programmes in the educational sector directed towards the grassroots at Town Hall Meetings. We have state chapters in Ogun State where we mobilise teachers at the grassroots. We have held several grassroots programmes in Oyo State, even in villages in Abuja. We went to Bodija Market in Ibadan. We have the ‘Inspire to Teach’, which is the teachers’ development programme. So we understand the process that even in education, there are various categories. The needs of the private sector are totally different from the needs of the public sector. Parents too differ but we are just an NGO just trying to work with these differences.”

Ogunde is trying her best, but her voice is just like a drop of water in an ocean considering the alarming figures of out-of-school children in Nigeria. The problems she noted even go beyond that.

“When it comes to out-of-school children, we have also discovered one or two problems and they are very complicated. Complicated in the sense that for the parents that we are speaking with, they are looking at the ultimate goal of education. They are looking at the examples they see and they are trying to make it connect with their present reality. They show you examples of those who went to school and they are back to the

Ogunde

market. And you are trying to explain that, yes they are back to the market but they are back in a dignified manner, that they are able to reason and do so many other things.”

She continued: “To those parents, they see it as, ‘look, why do they need to go through all the process of getting the degrees when they will still come back into that market or circle?’ The parents are looking at it from the purely economic point of view that education is a means towards getting rich or having resources.

“For some, they have a nomadic pattern of life, which makes it difficult to get their children into school. And that is where culture also comes in. Some simply have no money to send their children to school. Again, the distance of the public schools (sometimes five or seven kilometres away) to where they live and where the school is located is a contributing factor. So, we have various reasons why children are out of schools.

“Government must step up in that regard so that there will be better access and we start seeing an increase in the number of public institutions available for people and closer to communities. Good access is one of the things that will help us to keep children out of school.

But unfortunately, this is not something individuals can undertake because it takes the government to run institutions. And that is the basic right of every child, the right to quality education,” she said.

Nigeria is a climate with an emphasis on degree education and qualifications. Ogunde said the world has diversified by embarking on an educational system that works for their societies.

“I am glad that this conversation is coming up because this is a discussion that I recently had with a group that has been saddled with a task of skill acquisition/vocational education in Nigeria. You know it is not about you finishing a degree programme, you should be able to acquire skills that will make you useful to society. Other countries have done it. The parents also believe that it is only ‘when my child has a degree, that is the only time that child is useful’ is not helping. So, we need to intensify skills acquisition programmes; fashion out something that is peculiarly right for Nigeria. That understands the problems of Nigeria, that will take cognizance of the skills that we even need at this time in Nigeria and how we can develop them.”

Ogunde said this calls for government participation, parents’ participation and the educational community to come together.

“It is not something that an individual can do. I have realised that in the course of the years I have spent in this industry, a single frame from the government can have a lot of impacts. If the government decides that they are going to make vocational skills appealing to parents, and they are able to create a strategy, the orientation programme and every other thing that presents it as a great alternative, then it becomes easier. All we can do now is to keep on preaching the message and hoping that the government will listen.”

Talking about one of her programmes, ‘Inspire to Teach, Raising a New Generation of Solution Providers,’ she revealed that it was borne out of her experience while on a tour of Finland.

“In 2019, we went on a tour of Finland and they took us to the University of Helsinki, a public university in Finland. The organisers made a presentation on what it takes to be a teacher in Finland. One thing that I noticed there was that the cut-off mark to get into the faculty of education was higher than being a medical doctor. For example, if you need 126 to get into the college of medicine, you will probably need 133 or 135 to get into the college of education. The reason is simple. To ensure that their best gets into the teaching profession. I believe that that is where it starts, where you know that it is a place that attracts some of the best in their country.

“And that is via the remuneration, the motivation and inspiring them convincingly. You know what? You can’t attract the best if you do not have respect for the best. You cannot attract success if the only way society sees them is that nothing good can come out of them. Those Colleges of Education are reserved for people who have applied to universities several times and failed to go there. So that means we need to revisit the system or process of attracting teachers into our classrooms. And we need to rewrite even our curriculum concerning who becomes a teacher. This will make them see the big picture of what they are doing, the importance of their task, and that national preservation must start from our classrooms.”

If there is another thing that gets Ogunde worried and sleepless at night is the ‘japa’ syndrome that is going unabated. “Hmmmmm!!! ‘Japa’ syndrome is a movement, a message that is saying something to leaders that we are tired, we are done, we have had enough. It is a message saying that I want a better quality of life. When you look at it from that angle, the only way to change Japa is to make the country a better place. It is to ensure that people’s desire to be part of Nigeria’s journey is part of the Nigeria story. It is so closely linked to who we are and what we are as a nation. Japa is something that whether we like it or not, till Nigeria gets better, it will continue. If we know the effect it will have on this nation, we should be afraid. It is like a separation of a complete family forever. Some people will never know their relatives. Not only that, Nigeria is losing her best professionals in all sectors causing brain drain within the system.”

For her, the only solution is good governance that will make life comfortable: access to good roads, stability in government and good fiscal policies.

“We want an economy that will be able to absorb our vibrant young teaming population. The world has changed, and society has changed. The thinking of these young Nigerians has changed, they want things to be better, they want a good quality of life.”

Again, how can we make Nigeria attractive for young Nigerians that will make them want to stay back?

“We must talk about security which boils down to good governance. It will involve us looking at the structure of the civil service and understanding the culture by beginning to re-orientate them. We just entered a new era. I believe the process that will put things right has begun,” she concluded.

HighLife

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

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

Trying Times Ahead for Stella Oduah

These are trying times for individuals who never contemplated compromising conventional ethics. The federal government, it seems, is on the prowl for such individuals and suspects Stella Oduah, the former Minister of Aviation, of being one of them. Given the gravity of this suspicion, Oduah is not having the best of times.

The recent case of a secondary school student believed to have falsified her JAMB scores has spread everywhere. Apart from using the prompt reaction of the upper ranks of the JAMB board as political leverage, critics have grown adept at pointing fingers at people like Oduah, who have rumours of certificate falsification hanging over their heads.

Coincidentally, the case of Oduah recently took a new turn after the federal government filed charges against her. Specifically, the accusations included suspicions of certificate falsification, conspiracy, and the unlawful withholding of government funds. With these

How Senator Adeola Olamilekan Became Political Giant in Ogun

There are all kinds of people in this world, some of whom would reach prominence by staying true to their aspirations. These individuals often err on the side of tradition, choosing to do things as they see fit. In some ways, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, fondly called Yayi, is one such person. Even now, it is this character of his that defines him as different, cut from a different fabric, and likely to inherit the might of the great politicians from Ogun State in the past.

Yayi’s time has come with his announcement as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced this promotion recently following the composition of the Committees on Appropriations, Public Accounts, Ethics and Public Petitions, and Establishment. Yayi came first in the promotions, followed by several other fortunate senators.

It can be said that Yayi’s appointment matches his ambition, as expressed by members of his political camp since last year. At one time, it was believed that Yayi was overestimating himself, especially on account of his gubernatorial aspiration. However, while that did not come to pass, Yayi has clinched something his peers envy.

As others prepare to bear under the new government, Yayi and others like him have already positioned themselves for good things.

To the optimistic, all things are favourable, and this is the mindset of the ever-smiling Senator from Ogun West. Others would do well to adopt the same mindset. Perhaps they, too, will become the giant in their regions.

Akin Akinfemiwa’s Golden Age … as Otedola Serenades Geregu Power CEO at 50

Fast friends are made under the canopy of shared interests. This is a straightforward principle that corporate giants like Femi Otedola have relied on to build a circle of reliable confidantes. Thus, it is not altogether surprising that Otedola readily overextended himself in celebrating the 50th birthday of the CEO of Geregu Power Company, Akin Akinfemiwa.

The 50th birthday of Akinfemiwa took place in London on Tuesday, June 27. With Otedola at the thick of things, the celebrations stirred the hearts of Nigerians home and abroad, illustrating the grateful disposition of the Geregu founder toward the company CEO. Moreover, Otedola was not stingy with his praises and straightforwardly celebrated Akinfemiwa for having saved his business time and again.

According to him, Akinfemiwa helped revitalise his businesses many

times in the past. Starting from as far back as 2005, it seems Destiny had it in mind to pair the duo.

From the explanations of Otedola, Akinfemiwa took a leap of faith by joining him as the CEO of his London office. That was a tough time for the billionaire as he was dealing with issues regarding leadership and management. However, Akinfemiwa’s performance turned things around for good, necessitating a much-deserved promotion.

That was how Akinfemiwa came to become the CEO of Otedola’s Zenon Oil and later the CEO of Otedola’s African Petroleum. Then Forte Oil, and finally, Geregu Power Plc. All through, Akinfemiwa clearly demonstrated a steadfast and reliable disposition, letting him earn the approval of Otedola.

Now, at 50, Otedola did not require any reminder to trumpet the accomplishments of Akinfemiwa.

accusations, Oduah’s reputation is taking a beating, something that her rivals are likely clinking wine glasses over.

While Oduah is not the first person suspected of forging documents among retired public workers, hers is a persisting issue. The media has especially animated the matter in past years, reporting both substantiated and unsubstantiated pieces of proof in her support or against her.

However, the current issue might take the wind out of Oduah’s sail, considering that it is the federal government in the accuser’s box. Moreover, it is reported that the falsification of the NYSC certificate is being compounded by her supposed claims of having lost it. But what about the corruption charges, which might cause her to become tight friends with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

The fact is that Oduah will not have it easy in the coming weeks. With the overwhelming clamour for truth and justice across the country, she might be the first casualty of the current government, deterring others from going the same path she is accused of.

Why Betty Akeredolu Finally Cancelled 70th Birthday

The media networks in Ondo State have been abuzz lately; chief among them is the case of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his merry wife, First Lady Betty. The latest of these matters has Lady Betty cancelling her muchtrumpeted birthday celebrations following protests from concerned citizens.

According to reports, she has broken under the pressure brought about by the complaints of citizens regarding her intention to celebrate it. Although she did not cite these protests as the reason for her suspension of the celebrations, critics were quick to point out that this is indeed the root of her decision.

The case with Lady Betty’s 70th birthday celebrations is not very different from many others related to her. This time, the accusations piled up against her present her as an uncaring wife, one that is more concerned with the views of her party friends than the

health condition of her husband.

However, not minding the actual course of events, from her decision to hold a celebratory party to her decision to postpone it, Lady Betty has been a target of critics since day one. From suggesting that she is the head of the cabal behind Governor Akeredolu’s decisions to the accusation that her signature locks and unlocks contracts, she has never really enjoyed the freedom to do whatever she wants without the media peeking at her.

This time, the issue is quite serious. For the ailing Governor, who is yet to return to administration, the suggestions of Lady Betty’s callousness are likely pain points. The best critics hope that this will not cause a crack in their relations. The worst of critics argue that this is the reason the First Lady was forced to cast aside her 70th birthday celebration.

Whatever the case, the birthday is postponed. And the illness of the governor is likely responsible.

Oduah

Olamilekan

Akinfemiwa

Akeredolu

For Saraki, It’s Time to Let Hair Down … as He was Sighted at Wimbledon

Life is a series of events often played side by side. For former Senate President Bukola Saraki, the slides of life have started to move at high speeds, with controversies at every corner. Thus, being a wise man, the time has come to slow down, relax, and let things cool a bit.

Few political figures have had as hard a time in 2023 as Saraki. Starting with the February presidential elections, due to being a major player in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saraki was blamed for losing the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His critics failed to mention that the rift in the Kwara PDP branch ruined Saraki’s good intentions significantly.

The same thing played out during the state election, with the PDP losing once again to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Considering the face-me-I-face-you relationship between AbdulRazaq and Saraki, it is clear that the latter would have preferred anybody else for the governorship seat. But every individual has their fortune, so Saraki

Zach Adedeji: The Revenue Collector

Not minding the reservations that many Nigerians and outsiders have towards the current administration, there is a need for all and sundry to admit that the plane has taken off and things are underway. This is a necessary point of note, especially since the appointment of high-value individuals like Zach Adedeji gives some insight into the plans and intended purposes of President Bola Tinubu.

Adedeji is one of the handful of individuals that President Tinubu recently appointed to make his Renewed Hope mandate a reality. Convinced of their abilities and devotion to Nigeria’s welfare, Adedeji is one of those that many Nigerians are trusting to help reduce some of the burdens of penury as a result of faulty economic policies. In this regard, Adedeji, a man of the tax books, is a complementary force.

For those interested in having a peek at his qualifications, for which Tinubu anointed him, Adedeji can only be described as having walked an astonishing path. At 33, as of 2011, he was appointed the Commissioner for Finance

in Oyo State. It is important to note that he remains the youngest Commissioner for Finance in Oyo’s history.

But there is much more to Adedeji than the accomplishments of yesteryear. With almost 20 years of professional and active experience in corporate accounting, public service administration, and public service advisory, Adedeji is one of the top assets from Oyo. He has held multiple leading positions as a result of his abilities and was the fifth substantive Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

A First-Class graduate of Management and Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Adedeji is an overachiever. His subsequent acquisitions of knowledge and expertise corroborate this.

With Adedeji at the beck and call of President Tinubu, the Nigerian economy is poised for improvement. It is only a matter of time before Adedeji, and others like him ensure the delivery of the Renewed Hope as promised by the president.

was blamed for the loss.

Since these two events, it has been tough for Saraki, especially with his reputation taking hits left and right. The latest instance of this is the series of verbal insults that Saraki and other PDP leaders have suffered at the hands of some increasingly influential persons. Although Saraki did not directly wade into the situation, as there were people to protest on his behalf, it still left a scalding impression of this former Senate President.

Having all of this in view, Saraki evidently determined that the time had come for a vacation. And that was what he did.

In a recent post, he pictured himself “having a great time at Wimbledon” with his children. According to him, the trip to the tennis tournament brought back fond memories of his father. Clearly, the man was indeed having a great time. Compared to his detractors, it is obvious that Saraki has moved. This time of relaxation is needful and welldeserved.

Yemi Osinbajo on the Move Again

To the committed individual, good things are always bound to come. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria, has clinched a new job at Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). With this appointment, the former VP is set to accumulate new credits, becoming a source of pride for Nigerians at home and abroad.

GEAPP recently announced its appointment of Osinbajo to the position of Global Advisor. His main role is to help enhance the efforts of the alliance with respect to the deployment of clean energy in developing countries.

Clearly elated at the opportunity to work where his impact will be felt, the former VP accepted the appointment and promised to do his best. He also pointed out that the work of the alliance is important and holds great promise for the future.

As VP, Osinbajo achieved significant milestones, demonstrating a deep commitment to public service and driving positive change. His accomplishments span various areas of national development, leaving a lasting impact on the country.

Ifeoma Orifa: Proving Her Mettle in Nigeria’s Health Sector

Some people are born with a determination to have kings, and queens do their bidding. Others are more sensitive to the petitions of life, recognising the need to serve others irrespective of their social status. For Ifeoma Orifa, the latter is true. In her Accentcare, she has found her purpose and is a blessing to the elderly.

When it comes to the health conditions of the elderly, Orifa is leading the pack. Realising the importance of looking out for every demographic, the peak of her aspirations is to have hope resonating in the hearts of Nigerians when they think about the healthcare sector. This is why she has focused on the elderly and on delivering safe and affordable healthcare services.

According to Orifa, there is a conspicuous gap in Nigeria’s healthcare industry, one related to follow-up care services. With the absence of this critical factor in the country’s healthcare system, the disadvantage is clear for Nigerians relative to countries where the gap has been closed.

This is the rationale behind her work at Accentcare. As the MD, Orifa is tasked

with ensuring that Nigerians can access professional caregivers at home. These caregivers can help with personal care for adults and infants, reducing the strain on both relatives and the overburdened public healthcare system.

Another significant aspect of Orifa’s work at Accentcare has to do with the training of personnel for the intended services. With this training, Nigerians can gain access to compassionate and personalised care, no longer bound by the inexactness of community health and other forms of indiscriminate and generalized care.

Orifa’s dedicated focus on the well-being of the elderly is commendable, indicating that she is doing an amazing job. With her unwavering diligence, it is only a matter of time before there is a noticeable improvement in the health conditions of those under her responsibility. Indeed, her commitment and efforts hold promise for positive outcomes and enhanced well-being among the elderly.

Elumelu Putting Africa at the Centre of Global Climate Financing

Where passion resides, fortune soon follows. This has been proven time and again, but the flavour is more pronounced with corporate giant Tony Elumelu at the thick of things. Based on his recent doings, Africa might soon arrive at an era where the global concern for climate change is prioritized.

Many times in the past, climate change advocates have considered Africa unworthy of their attention. Whether it is on account of supposed poverty or the backwardness often attributed by the ignorant, it was supposed that the continent has nothing to offer with

respect to environmental sustainability. But the narrative is changing, thanks to the work of Elumelu and countless others. In a way, where financial resources are scanty, Africa has peerless visionaries to offer.

Elumelu has taken up the charge of financing climate change efforts in Africa. Joining a group of individuals with similar intentions at the Climate Finance Mobilisation, Elumelu illustrated what it is about him that sets him apart from others.

The Forum, which was held in London, had several prominent individuals in attendance,

all of whom were cordially invited by King Charles III of the United Kingdom and USA President Biden. The main concern of the Forum was how to attract capital for combating climate change and the future of the earth.

Being a leading corporate figure and a passionate advocate for all things sustainable, Elumelu demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the matters at hand. His involvement in the Forum definitely informed others like him across Africa that the time has come for the continent to prove its worth.

In terms of specific contributions, Osinbajo spearheaded initiatives like the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to promote economic diversification, attract investments, create jobs, and reduce poverty. Through his efforts, he championed entrepreneurship, innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises, fostering economic empowerment and inclusive growth.

Osinbajo was also at the forefront of advocating for good governance and fighting corruption. He strengthened accountability, transparency, and integrity in government through multiple initiatives. By streamlining bureaucratic processes and improving the ease of doing business, he has attracted local and foreign investments, contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Osinbajo’s accomplishments reflect his unwavering dedication to progress, whether in Nigeria, Africa, or beyond. His leadership has contributed to economic growth, good governance, and social development.

Through his vision and commitment to serving the Nigerian people, especially, he is a prominent figure in the nation’s journey toward sustainable development and prosperity.

Orifa Elumelu

Adedeji

Osinbajo

Saraki

President Tinubu: Should I Apologise to Buhari?

If we continue at this rate, we may begin to hear chants of “bring back our Buhari.” Much as we do not expect the economy to bounce back overnight, we had hoped that a much more “civi lised” way of handling the other business of the government would be brought to bear.

Shebi they have said Baba was very sophisticated, having worked for Mobil and had turned Lagos into Eldorado, appointing the first “Igbo” man into his cabinet. My people, what we are seeing here with some of the appointments that have been announced and others that have been in speculation is making the Buhari ethno-nepotistic era look like something from Gulliver’s Travels – Lilliputian endeavours.

If reports of the appointment of the about 40 aides are to be believed then, let’s just say that we are in the era of the “Oyo Mesi.” Let us kuku just change our name from Nigeria to Oduduwa Kingdom. I

have seen plenty lists and as I looked and compared and averaged out, especially the list of Advisers and Aides, everything na Akin, Demola, Segun, Olu, Tunde and Sasegbon.

My people, I strained my eyes to see if I will even see one Akwa Ibom eunuch, I no see o. I no really see o. As I looked closely at the list, I began to have the very strong urge to call Buhari and tender a heartfelt apology because it is looking like, “him just dey learn work” with what we are seeing.

My candid advice on this matter, is for Daddy to cut the pretence and kuku just change the National Anthem to – Abeokuta and while still at it, change APC to egbe omo Oduduwa and appoint Kwam I special representative to the United Nations with carried interest to Buckingham Palace, and ordain Amala national food to be served at all state functions. I just tire. Why we can no longer produce expans ive and courageous leaders anymore beats me. I swear, I just tire.

So, Baba looking at his dwindling honey pot now decides to beef up. He carries his brown cap to the next Alajo and says, “Give me some money and I will pay you back. I swear I will pay you as soon as I finish building my ‘dundun’ factory.” The Alajo looks at him and with so much hesitation, releases the funds. Baba is happy and immediately diverts the funds. He marries a new wife and begins to collect chieftaincy titles from all over the place. Now it is time to pay back and he runs to his very brilliant but bald-headed friend with this “problem.” “Guy, I no get this money o, how we go do am?” The brilliant friend says, “Do not worry. Let us ‘attack’ them.”

So, Baba goes to his creditors, “See, that money you gave me was not complete and truly, I have forgotten the terms you gave and even if I remember, I think the rates were funny abeg.

I just didn’t want to complain at that point, because I had a small boil in my bum that I was treating, so now let’s look at the whole thing again abeg,” he tells the Alajo. Confusion ensues and wahala bursts. Alajo Shomolu starts to fret. “What kind of wahala is this?” He looks straight at Baba Oshodi and

says, “Alagba, the money is not my own like you know. I collect this Ajo from lowly people and keep them safe for their rainy day. I only gave you this money because I saw you as a respectable chief. With what you are saying now, how will I face the people whose life savings I have given you?”

Chief Aburo Emilokan, pushing his cap to one side, stands up and straightens his agbada and with much aplomb announces, “Look, I am off to Ijebu to see if they will give me another title because I just heard that there is vacancy and cannot relate with this for now. When I get back, I will tell you if I will pay back and at what rate I will pay back.”

Alajo jumps up and screams “agberoooooo!!!!! Orunmila will pursue you and Sango will strike you if you treat people’s life savings with such impunity.”

He runs into his room and brings out a calabash with fire, pours spit inside and the flames glow and screams into it

room still in flames and pulls down his pants and wees on the flame, extinguishing it with the first wave of pee. Then puts on his pants and looks very confidently at Baba Alajo and says, “I have told you when I come back from Ijebu we will discuss and if you cannot wait, do your worst.”

Baba Alajo cannot believe his eyes as he watches Chief swagger out of his hut and his compound to the waiting arms of his latest wives and a retinue of chiefs sent from the Oba’s palace to ensure his safe journey to Ijebu.

Baba Alajo takes the matter to the court of the highest Baale in Ipetu Ijesha for resolution. The fight is tough and strenuous, finally the Baale rules in favour of the creditor, but Baba ignores the ruling and looks straight into the Baale’s eyes and spits on him.

Baba Alajo calls a meeting of his contributors to report the matter. They agree to fight for their rights, legally. While the creditors are looking for what next to do, Baba has gone ahead to sell his biggest barn with the healthiest yam in the whole of the local area and moves the proceeds to purchase the biggest barn with cocoa. Kai! “Cocoa!” they

all screamed. “But what is wrong with this Baba? What he is owing us is so little compared to the amount he sold, why can’t he just pay us?” they bemused.

So, they rush to the old owners of the cocoa barn and lament – “Please, do not sell to Baba, he has been owing us for over 10 years and has carried our money to marry new wives and now we can no longer feed our families.”

The old owners look into the matter and come back, “We are so sorry my people, it is not Baba that bought our barn o. It was his son and daughter. In fact, there is nothing like Baba in this transaction.”

Kai! It’s frustrating. The creditors have nothing but tears and regrets for dealing with an elder that they expected so much from. As they walk back to their huts in despair, they come across a huge party, it is Baba with all the kings of the land celebrating his children on their new acquisition.

“The gods must be crazy for allowing this,” the creditors say to themselves in bowed heads and in frustration. All they wanted

A HONEY POT OF MISCHIEF

Tinubu

to do was to gather money to better their lots, save for the rainy days and use the money to help and support themselves. Now this Chief Aburo Emilokan has now come in one fell swoop to collect all of their monies and have refused to pay while marrying wives and acquiring assets under their very eyes. They go to their different huts and in tears lament their situation. At the time of writing the story, we can still hear a lot of tears and wailing coming from their huts, even as the music and dancing continues in the not too far distance.

The gods have really gone crazy, I tell you.

ABDULAZIZ YARI: MUCH ADO ABOUT FEAR

When I first saw the report that Oga was arrested because he allegedly refused to pick up Oga at the Top’s phone, I panicked. I immediately ran into the toilet to pee before I wet my pants. We are now in banana republic o! I screamed o. This is making Emperor Bokassa and Idi Amin look like altar boys o. Aghhhhhhh! I screamed and started shaking. Luckily, the next report I now saw was that of the DSS refuting that report but stating on their own that “Senator Yari knows why” he was pulled in.

Now even though this gave me a small respite, the rest of the DSS report that I read did not go as far as helping me resolve the fear. Now, they allegedly went on in that report, stressing how people want to scatter the country with rumours and bad bele, begged us to respect their Oga and family who have really suffered with all the attacks, and as usual, ended by saying that they maintained the resolve to perform their constitutional role as prescribed. My people, you will all agree that the DSS level of efficiency has ramped up in this era. They are now so operationally efficient that their rating is almost surpassing that of the American FBI. They are now the security agency of choice for everything from the biggest threat to national security to side chick beating up madam. I really do not have a problem with all this efficiency as long as basic rights are being protected and the integrity of due process is safe-guarded. They can come and help collect my tenant rent.

The freedom as guaranteed in the constitution must be upheld in this democracy. People must be free to take positions and as long as they are legal, should not be harassed whether they take calls or not. That is my own.

As for Senator Yari, you sef get problem. There is no smoke without fire. What kind of phone are you using sef, that person will be calling you and you will not be picking? Was your phone on silent or what? Please employ a youth corper that will be holding the phone so that when it rings, he will pick and say, “Your Excellency, Senator just finally got it up after 12 attempts at trying, so he is busy in the other room. I will have him call you back, if it is not an emergency”. Tolerance, guys. Tolerance is the watchword. Thank you.

SENATOR GBENGA DANIEL: A GOOD MAN BY HALF

During the week, a letter purportedly written by the great senator, Gbenga Daniel to his state governor was circulating.

So my egbon waited until he became a senator and saw his offer letter before remembering to ask them to stop paying his over N600,000 pension per month as former Governor of Ogun State? You see, this kind of thing is enough to annoy a very hungry and angry man in Shomolu. What kind of surface “good deed” is that one?

If he truly wants to be contrite, he should have refunded all the ones he had taken since he left government and asked that it be donated to some widows or other such terribly positioned individuals or groups within his state.

So, asking his state to stop paying him is not only annoying but a very lazy play at populism in the face of public outcry on the wages and entitlement of public officers in an environment of crazy hardship.

Please Senator Daniel, if good Samaritan is “hungrying” you, then donate all future earnings at the Senate to 12 widows in your local government, refund all your salaries and entitlements to 42 orphans in your senatorial district and commit just 10% of your dividends from all of your investments to the blind in Ogun State, then we will know that we are looking at a goodman and we will likewise submit your name to the Pope for Sainthood. Till then, abeg withdraw that letter and continue in your role as best as you can. We like you like that. Leave all these philanthropy things. E no fit you.

DEMOLA OSHODI: A GOOD MAN IN BABYLON

As I scoured the list of aides, I was looking for three names - Tunde Rahman, Tope Fasua and Demola Oshodi, all Yoruba men. These were my candidates and this was to also show my nationalistic bent. I was not routing for any

FOLASHODUN SHONUBI: CBN, FMDQ AND MARKET INTEGRITY

My lord, let me go very straight to the point. The Central Bank cannot be both regulator and player in the same market. This has been going on for years with people whispering in silent groupings about the unfairness of the situation. Rather than come out boldly and state their position, they will be coming behind your back to push me to shout. Well, I am shouting now. Sir, you cannot have your deputy as the chairman of a market player in a field where there are other players who are mostly looking towards you for guidelines, support and market reach. How this has worked in the last few years has continued to beat me.

CBN is said to have about 16% of the FMDQ which is doing very tremendously well in the markets but this, you will agree with me, impacts very unfairly on the other

players who are now struggling to have their heads above water. What the bank is doing at FMDQ is unfair, unethical and in Shomolu parlance “agbaya” things. You will have to divest very urgently or at the very least, take up the same 16% at the NGX and NASD and any other player in the space.

My brother, you have been appointed to run the apex banking institution; I am sure because of your integrity and professionalism. Even though I do not know you, I am sure that you have embedded in your DNA the qualities that have thrown you up as the number one banker. It is in this regard that I write to you very directly to look at this FMDQ matter once again in a bid to do the right thing. My brother, it cannot be that hard na. Pull out of FMDQ now or invest in the others too. Very simple. Thank you.

Akwa Ibom man just because na my brother, but the value that I know that these three will bring to the table. Anyway, I got two out of three as I no see Tope Fasua name. For me, that was a big miss by the Tinubu administration because Tope would have brought in a lot of weight. Anyway, make he wait for Supreme Court, miracle can happen and Obi go appoint am. My brothers Tunde and Demola make am. I congratulate Tunde, but today is for Demola. Demola is a quiet, long-serving highly cerebral operative within the Asiwaju’s think tank. I am seriously drawn towards him because of his outlook towards the issues that beset this country. Demola is very clear as to where we should be as a country economically. He has said as much, delivered very critical position papers and has been very integral within the Asiwaju framework all of these years. He has been long-suffering - if you want to call it that - because unlike his colleagues, he has not been thrown into any serious position or portfolio, and when I asked him, he would just smile and say, “Duke, that is not my priority for now.” Finally, he has landed as Special Assistant for Protocol and the whole of Shomolu has been agog with celebrations. Fuji music has been renting the air and lager flowing with this appointment. Congratulations Demola, well done. This is well deserved.

SIMON EKPA: WHATMANNER OF A MAN

Please who has this person’s phone number. Kindly send it to me. I want to have a serious man-to-man conversation with him. I hear he is the one ordering the sit-at-home that is systematically destroying the economy of the South-east. The other day, I saw a video where some people were being killed simply because they had defied the order and had come out to fend for themselves. I really do not understand how you would kill a woman who is struggling as a petty trader or an “okada” man who will starve if he sits at home.

If it is true that this Simon person is behind all of this as asserted by Ohanaeze Ndigbo in their press release, then it must really be sad. I hear he is sitting in faraway Finland and giving these orders. Please my brother, if all these are true, kindly see the folly of this action. You can achieve whatever you intend to achieve through other peaceful means – you can push for a referendum, invite Tinubu to a boxing match such that if you win, your people would be allowed. Abi? which is strangulating the people, is really not the best way to run. Kindly reconsider your position and bow to the superior logic of peaceful struggle.

What are you really even struggling for? Are we not all suffering in this country? Please hearken to the voice of reason and stop this crap. Can someone send me his phone number? Mbok. But don’t give him my own o. I don’t have power for his wahala. I just want to send him a text, if he go calm down

KOLAADESHINA:THEBOARDCHAIRMAN

As a young man, I used to play all over Shomolu and would go to a beer parlour to listen to Ebenezer Obey. I used to be crazy about Obey then and I would go to Esan-ogbogun Street and just sit by the gutter and listen to Obey song - Board Member. Kai, I swear that song was what came into my mind when fellow Shomolu man, the great Kola Adeshina was announced during the week as Chairman at the huge Axa Mansard Insurance Company. This appointment goes ahead to further validate Kola’s position as a major player in the economy.

A National Award holder, Kola is today Nigeria’s main man in power. He is also the Chairman of Egbin Power, a power-generating firm and Chairman of Ikeja Electric, amongst other such strategic positions in the economy. His contributions to public discourse in these areas continue to reverberate worldwide and it is no wonder that Axa after looking around settled for him as their new chairman. Congratulations Egbon even as I wish you a great tenure. Well done.

LION-HEARTED ODION ALEOBUA

Let me quickly say this about my brother, Odion. He is lion-hearted. This October, he will host over 3,000 delegates in the second series of his Insurance meets IT platform. This Odion really get mind o. In this environment where the dollar has beaten naira to a pulp, he is now putting together West Africa’s biggest insurance trade show with over 50 speakers and 20 demos, complete with a massive masterclass.

According to him, this second edition will be looking at how to unlock policy and tech bottlenecks to ensure “disruptive Insurance penetration.” As we get closer, I will be giving you guys more details. But let me just state that it is people like this that we rely on to rebuild this country economically and this is why he must be celebrated and encouraged. Well done.

Shonubi

Quintessential Oil Guru Greg Uanseru, Celebrates at 65

Again, Otedola Strikes New Mega Deal

Have you ever paused to ask why billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, is constantly in the news for good reasons?

Do you also wonder why he has been successful in every business he has ventured into?

The answer is simple: he always thinks deeply and ahead of his contemporaries. This may be attributed to his uncommon business acumen and, perhaps, his uncanny ability to see opportunities where others don’t. He is blessed with disposition, unequalled business wisdom and ingenuity that has set him far above his many contemporaries.

Last Tuesday, the Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc unveiled another ambitious plan to develop a power transmission project. The project, he disclosed, would be done in collaboration with the Lagos state government under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The announcement was made after he met with the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Group President, African Development Bank.

In a statement shared on his official Instagram account, Otedola expressed

Quintessential businessman, Greg Uanseru, would be conveniently described as a man with the Midas Touch, a mesmerising maestro in the art of money making. It is no surprise that everything good seems to be conspiring in his favour. He has made good for himself as a businessman and one of Nigeria’s wealthiest. A few of the descriptions that capture Uanseru include but are not limited to - a cerebral entrepreneur, a rare gem with panache and a Christian with infectious value. Uanseru’s deeds and acts have lifted the banners of business integrity, dexterity, true statesmanship, exemplary industry, perseverance, and every other value of importance. Indeed, he is synonymous with excellence and service to humanity.

However, what this savvy entrepreneur businessman has going for him is that despite conquering the business world like a volcano, he does not allow the frills and thrills of vulgar materialism to erode the more sublime traits that are prime requirements in an astute businessman.

His razor-sharp intellect, to a large extent, has made a great impact on the nation’s business, thereby taking his businesses to enviable heights.

The President and CEO of GCA Energy Limited will be celebrating his 65th birthday on July 25, 2023. For the highly regarded oil mogul, it is yet another opportunity for the world to honour and celebrate the man whose contribution to the nation’s economy cannot be ignored. Also, his life is a great motivation for many that have lost hope. He is a real definition that hard work and persistence pay.

Society Watch gathered that, like a big masquerade that is about to dance at the market square, many would definitely beat their paths to watch it dance. Many of his friends and admirers will put aside their busy schedules to celebrate with him at his palatial mansion at the GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

When he was first referred to as gas king, many naysayers never believed him. But today, Dr. Julius Rone has proven to the doubting Thomases he indeed has a solid grasp and mastery of the oil and gas sector.

Bisi Onasanya, the Chairman of The Address Homes Limited, is a quintessential Nigerian banker, economist, suave gentleman, and intellectually fertile colossus. He has phenomenally transited from the pinnacle of the banking industry to redefine excellence in the burgeoning luxury real estate sector and is taking philanthropy to the next level.

The renowned economist recently demonstrated his benevolence when he donated a block of six classrooms with a fully-equipped library to Ilara Model Primary School, Ilara-Epe, Lagos.

The world-class economist hinted that society has been kind to some of them and should give thanks to God; in addition to that, they must give back to that society.

“The UNICEF standardisation report showed that only 61 per cent of children between ages six and 11 are in school. This is a dangerous situation, and I just thought that no child should be denied basic and quality education; no child should be made to walk up to a mile before he or she can access quality education, and I think this is a big opportunity to achieve what I have always wanted to do which is making education easy and accessible to every child,” he said at the commissioning of

great optimism about the ongoing talks, which aim to establish Nigeria’s firstever PPP power transmission project.

Geregu Power Plc, Otedola’s powergenerating company, is expected to play a pivotal role in the power transmission project.

Otedola had, in June 2019, quit the oil and gas sector when he sold off his shares in Forte Oil. The announcement had stirred reactions from many quarters, with many who didn’t share in his vision describing it as a wrong move. But he followed his intuition. And today, it has turned out to be one of his best investment decisions ever.

His strategic moves, no doubt, are not only geared towards meeting the energy needs of Nigerians alone but also intended to bolster his revenues and earnings by capitalising on the thriving power sector.

As Otedola and Lagos forge ahead with their plans, the spotlight shines on Geregu Power as it takes centre stage in Nigeria’s power industry.

Otedola

Yet Another First in the Kitty for Gas King, Julius Rone

He is constantly scoring many firsts in the industry, giving the nation hope of an economic boost through its abundance of gas.

Recently, Rone scored another first when he concluded plans to set up the first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas, FLNG facility in Nigeria and the very first developed by an indigenous private African company.

The FLNG will, among other things, boost production and crash the cost of gas for domestic, auto and industrial use in the country.

The facility also aims to leapfrog the national economy by producing an annual 1.5 million tonnes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for export, as well as 300,000 LPG metric tonnes for domestic markets, all aimed at lowering and stabilising prices of gas, while creating thousands of jobs and investment opportunities in Nigeria.

The Delta State-born mogul paid a

the project. Also, the President of the Rotary Club of Lagos, Joseph Aikhigbe, appreciated Dr. Onasanya for his laudable effort.

“We approached him on this laudable project, and he showed his commitment and kept his word. It is difficult to find people like him; he only told us it is done, and today we are commissioning the project. We laid the foundation on September 29, 2022, and today the edifice is standing before us.

It was also disclosed to Society Watch that Onasanya, widely reputed as the architect of the modern FirstBank, had not left anyone in doubt with his business acumen, making him become one of the biggest players in the real estate space within a short period of coming into the sector.

Since he dabbled into the sector, the firm has taken over the leadership of the real estate industry in determining the best types of luxurious homes and what they ought to be priced at.

Onsasanya’s business outfit has been able to keep to the terms of its purpose as it has continued to gain more traction every time it designs and offers a luxurious residential structure to willing families and organisations. For Onasanya’s

The Address Homes, this resolution is the primary reason for their existence.

visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during which he had a crucial economy and investment-driven meeting with the President.

As gathered, his reason for the visit was to brief the President on the import of the facility. It was also gathered that the initiative would serve as a legacy project under the Tinubu administration’s quest to revitalise the nation’s economy, rejuvenate the productive sector and create jobs and investment opportunities while saving millions of Nigerians from the hazards of environmental pollution.

According to Rone, Afreximbank is facilitating the financing of the project with financial closure envisaged for Q4 2023. UTM FLNG Limited, a subsidiary of UTM Offshore Ltd, is a Special Purpose Vehicle created to actualise the project.

Onasanya

Rone and President Tinubu

Uanseru

ARTS & REVIEW ARTS & REVIEW

A Visual Ode to African Womanhood

Azuka Nnabuogor, a Lagos-based artist, ventures into his first solo exhibition, revisiting the familiar theme of African femininity in an aesthetic style that hints at restlessness.

These sombre-hued paintings—portraits, more quentlyprecisely—eloproclaim this artist’s restless groping for a distinctive style. They do, however, share a common theme that centres on womanhood. This is even when this very theme takes the cake as one that artists in the local scene seem to never get enough of. Even so, Azuka Nnabuogor delves into this ostensibly exhibition, which opens on Sunday, July 23, at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos, with the intention of wringing out a unique selling point that will not only pique the interest of his growing fan base but also inspire them with awe.

In the looming exhibition, titled Femi- nin Africaine, the Delta State native, who was born in Enugu, extols black African womanhood as embodiments of pride, beauty, willpower, hope, and resilience. This is at the risk of sounding anachronistic by rehashing a theme that was once de rigueur with the adepts of the Négritude movement.

Perhaps one distinguishing ele- ment of these portraits is the artist’s endeavour to coax out emotions from the still 2-D images, which manifest their expressions. He apparently initiates his creative process by exploring the emotions, questions, and aspirations course, is always against the backdrop of his association of black African women with inner strength and beauty—at- tributes that he hopes to immortalise.

Painting black women—or having the inclination to do so—is a vocation that the 1996 Auchi Polytechnic graduate does not seem keen on giving up soon. Harking back to the historical exploits of black women, he waxes lyricreative odyssey. “Their gaze, poise, facial expressions, tribal marks, and continuously enrich me,” he muses.

Extolling the virtues of women, mean- while, implies a recognition—even if it isn’t articulated verbally—that wells up from the artist’s deep-seated awareness of the inestimable subtle values she possesses. Indeed, a woman’s tendency to more delicate, and therefore less dense, makes her a treasure that every serious man instinctively strives to protect. Despite Nnabuogor’s allusion to his aesthetic credo as a work in progress, he highlights it as a portal through which he leads his viewers into a deeper ap-

preciation of his compositions. “I try to improve on it every day,” he enthuses. “I will not rest until I perfect my act. My collectors are excited about my development. It can always get better.”

Obviously, the artist’s concept of beauty extends beyond the physical -

depiction of their physiognomy attests.

This explains his reference to the long history of oppression endured by the black woman under her oppressors and his suggestion that beauty and strength emanate from her very existence as a cultural phenomenon.

“I think what makes a black woman beautiful is her strength and determination to endure bad times as well as good times. They stay true to their goals and morals in any situation. They possess the ability to swallow their pride and keep moving. Even when those around them turn away.

“There is nothing more attractive than a woman who is focused, motivated, and strives to succeed. She is a powerful force, and they have made

world, from activism, business, art, professional careers, and politics.” -

tion for womanhood appears to sentiment into visible forms, this could be due to an orchestration of these impressions along intended aesthetic channels. As a professed admirer of Duke Asidere and Bob-Nosa Uwag- boe, he seems intent on evolving a signature style—perhaps a cross between the duo’s—by which his paintings would be easily recognised. The result?

acrylic-on-canvas paintings sometimes assume stylised forms, sometimes verging on theArtotherworldly. had found Nnabuogor during his sanguine child- hood years. Then, he recalled, he would want to draw on any surface that availed itself to him.

And this sometimes included drawing on sand. Then he had parents who never stood between him and the expression of his creativity. “They supported me with materials,” he reminisces. “They knew I would end up an artist.”

This explains why he didn’t have to think twice before eventually choos- ing art as a career. Thus, the passion for drawing and painting that burned intensely within him wouldn’t admit any rivals. His post-graduation years two years, then working as a steel con-

for another Lagos-based company, Nostalgia Designs Ltd. He would later establish his Antique Studios as a full-time studio artist by 2010.

Besides this debut solo exhibition, which ends on Saturday, July 29, Nnabuogor has participated in sev- eral group exhibitions both within and outside Nigeria. He wakes up each day before heading to his studio with the mindset that diligence pays.

Nnabuogor

So Many Things the Eyes Have Seen, But the Mouth Cannot Say, acrylic on canvas

Nostalgia, acrylic on canvas

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports

Ribadu and the Myths of National Security

The office of National Security Adviser in Nigeria has acquired a string of curious myths. Think of a publicofficesomehowaboveopen discussion by citizens except in whispersandhushedspeculations. Imagineadepartmentofstatethat can interfere in the affairs of other departments without much qualms and cite ‘national security’ as the enabling source of authority. Contemplate a public office that incurs huge expenses and spends public money without much regard for the rules of open public accountability. Think again of a publicly funded office that can be used to conceal nefarious political spending and often monumental corruption in the assurance that few questions would be asked. To sustain the halo of inscrutability around the office of the NSA, all that is required is to couch a dubious spending as a matter of ‘national security’. Just stamp the enabling memo‘confidential’.Placethepaperworkinafolder with the bold inscription: ‘Top Secret”. End of the matter. No questions asked. No consequences for billions spent in invisible transactions.

An extension of this myth of national security as a fetish is what has come to be known as ‘Security Vote’ in all of our 36 states. To service the unquenchable thirst of this ubiquitous deity, all state governors yank off huge sums of state funds every month for free unaccounted spending in the name of ‘security vote’. With that latitude in place, a governor is free to ‘donate’ hundreds of millions of Naira in support of every conceivable cause. A recent survey puts the security vote per state at an average of N250 million every month. The richer states reportedly charge much more on the treasury of their states. For the 36 states, that comes to a princely sum with hardly any accountability requirements.

Yet every state has detachments of official federal security agencies: Police, Department of State Security, Army, Air Force and Navy (where applicable), Civil Defence Corps, all with their respective budgeted federal funding. As with the federallevel,oncethesecuriousstateexpenditures are dubbed ‘security votes’, no more questions are asked. Of course in some states, real internal security threats require state governments to augment the funding of official federal security agencies. States donate vehicles to aid police logistics. Others augment the duty allowances of security personnel in their states.

In the general lack of accountability requirements among state governors, abuses have become rampant. It has drawn the attention of the Nigerian Governors Forum which is said to be working on a peer accountability protocol to check the excesses of some of their members. In general, security in Nigeria has become a thriving industry, almost a deity above questioning, reproach and reprimand.

We must quickly admit that the specific operational mechanics of national security are universally protected from open discussion in barber shops. Similarly, in nearly every country, times and situations of grave national emergency and the pursuit of sensitive national interest, security personnel and agencies do get waivers from routine accountability requirements. Senior security officials get permits in such situations to ‘play’ with cash to achieve specific objectives. For instance, at the early stages of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, CIA field operatives carried hugecashtrovestofacilitateingressandegressof operational assets or to acquire vital intelligence. Theycouldpayoffwarlordsandinfluentialmullahs or buy over informants to ease the progression of advancing troops.

In Nigeria, a strange type of needless myth of secrecy surrounds everything ‘security’. The office of National Security Adviser is the bastion of this myth of secrecy. At different times and under different presidents, the office has served different functions sometimes at variance with constitutionalstipulations.Onthefunctionsofthe NSAandhisoffice,theconstitutionisunambiguous.

The NSA is just one of the gamut of presidential advisers albeit one entrusted with counselling the president on matters of national security.

A consequence of the deification of the NSA’s officeistheerroneousbeliefthatonlypersonswith a military, police or security background qualify to be appointed National Security Advisers. Thus we have had an unbroken string of retired military and police persons as NSAs. This of course is a gross misconception.Themisconceptionunderplaysthe deeply intellectual requirement of that office. In

the best traditions of the presidential system, an NSA should possess a broader intellectual grasp of aspects of national security. He or she needs to have the capacity to connect all aspects of the security needs of the nation to the uniqueness of national history, economy, society and culture at any given time.

The ideal NSA must therefore be able to connect allaspectsofthenationalrealitytocrediblesecurity threats to the government and people at any given moment in time. Poverty, hunger, environmental challenges, ethnocentrism, religious bigotry, etc areasmuchmattersofnationalsecurityasbandits, terrorists, separatist militias and cross border militarymanoeuversbyahostileneighboringstate. Most importantly, the NSA must be able to relate the perceived security threats of the moment to the specific agenda of his president.

Because national security is dynamic, the ideal NSAmustbeabletomaintainasynergywithexisting defense and security establishments in order to deal with the immediate security challenges. It is because of this broad intellectual requirement of the office that the US from where we cloned our constitutionhashadatraditionofappointingeither renowned intellectuals or intellectually inclined military or security persons as NSAs.

In the pure intellectual tradition, America has had the likes of Henry Kissinger, Condoleeza Rice, Zbigniew Brezinski, Susan Rice and Jake Sullivan as NSA. In the ranks of outstanding persons with military and security background, there have been the likes of Collin Powell, Michael Flynn and H .R Mcmaster in that capacity. Even those with a military background are required to show outstanding intellectual acuity in their understanding of the multi faceted nature of America’s complex national security burden.

Ofcourse,weneedtolocateAmerica’schoicesof the intellectual type NSA to its historical, locational and geo strategic obligations. North America and specifically the US is the territorial equivalent of an aircraft carrier. Surrounded by three great oceans, nothing must threaten the security of people living on and defending the ‘carrier’ nation. All troubles must take place far away from the carrier platform and ‘homeland’. The theatres of trouble must be places far away. America can go far away to contain troubles,putoutfires,projectitspower andadvance its national interests in order to maintain its global pre-eminence and secure the homeland. This has remained the basic pillar of America’s national security doctrine over the decades. It is essentially a foreign policy-driven notion of national security.

For this reason, the events of 9/11 were a rude shock to American national security thinking. As a consequence, the creation of a separate department of Homeland Security was a consequential

alteration of US national security doctrine. It has meant a subtle division between domestic and external aspects of national security for the first time. The realization is that the “aircraft carrier” nation now also requires internal protection from its resident adversaries as well.

In Nigeria’s instance, however, national security has remained an essentially domestic preoccupation.Therehavebeenoccasionalexternalpressures in the past. Threats either from Apartheid South Africa, jihadist terrorists from the Sahel across the northern borders and border skirmishes from Camerounhavesporadicallyandperiodicallyflared up.Butthesehaveremainedlargelyexternalthreats which have been the headache of the professional military.

Within this essentially domestic orientation, Nigeria’s national security picture has been copiously dynamic. We have had the series of crises that produced the civil war, the upsurge of micro nationalist pressure, the rise of militant regional nationalism, sectarian violent eruptions (the Maitatsine uprising), rise of sectarian and jihadist terrorism (Boko Haram), intra communal violent eruptions (Zango-Khataf, Modakeke/Ife , Shagamu crises, the rise of militant separatism (IPOB, Niger Delta militancy), herdsmen versus settled farmer clashes, urban cultism, banditry, transactional kidnapping, armed robbery etc. Different presidents have adopted different strategies to contain whichever of these threats confronted them.

PresidentUmaruMusaYar’Aduaassumedoffice literally under a barrage of gunfire. Militancy in the NigerDeltawasthemostpotentandurgentnational securitythreat.Themilitarywasliterallyoutgunned and overwhelmed. His NSA was under immense pressure to reassert the armed superiority of the state. State governors under severe threat had alternative ideas on how to secure their states. A number of them in the troubled Niger Delta applied for arms import waiver and licenses to importmilitarygradeweaponsandmunitions.One governor then got a license from the then NSA to bringinhelicoptergunshipsandsurveillancedrones. Authority was quickly granted and stripped down equipment was flown in, assembled and handed to the military. Bombardments of militants camps followed, thus forcing the trouble makers to surrender and submit to the amnesty programme. Yar’AduausedtheofficeofNSAwasusedtoachieve a clear national security objective.

President Jonathan was ignorant on national security.Hecouldliterallynotdistinguishbetweena pistolandarifle.SohegothelpfromthelateGeneral Azazi, a fellow Niger Delta citizen as NSA. No one knows whether Azazi’s purely military approach would have worked since he died prematurely.

Jonathan later changed his NSA as well as the meaning of national security. The definition of National security was broadened to include and prioritize the political security of the incumbent president. Thus, resources deployed towards political ends to advance the power hold of the incumbent president and party were legitimate national security spends.

Literally, all hell was let loose. A deluge of political money was unleashed. Politicians, journalists, hair dressers, unbranded facilitators, herbalists, aafas, marabouts and Pentecostal prayer warrior pastors were all drafted to the political bazaar to ensure Jonathan won in 2015. The office of the NSA became the cash office! Jonathan lost. The money disappeared.

When Mr. Buhari assumed office in 2015, one of his first ports of call as an anti-corruption trumpeter was the office of NSA. He shredded the veil and revealed that humongous amounts of public money had been funnelled and casually shared out for purposes of defeating him in the election. Multiple arrests were made and some paltry change recovered. Some weak cases were filed in court. Jonathan’s NSA, my friend Sambo Dasuki,wasputawayalmostindefinitelyforpresiding over the money bazaar in the name of ‘national security’. Not much came out of that drama by way of convictions.

Buhari appointed his own NSA. A president who was a retired combat general with an NSA that was also a good retired intelligence officer raised hopes of better national security. But the face of national security had drastically altered. All manner of non-state actors had their signatures on thefaceofthenation.Herdsmenemergedaskillers from nowhere to terrorise communities that had hitherto welcomed them and their cattle amicably. Kidnapping became a business. Shooting farmers became a sport. Bandits took over farmlands and extorted ransom and tributes. Separatist rascals took up arms against the state, claiming phantom sovereignty and territory. Faith became weaponized as places of worship became targets of terror attacks. As NSA, only Mr. Monguno knows what exactly he achieved in that office in eight years.

Therefore, of all the appointments so far announcedbyMr.Tinubutodate,thoseoftheNSAand the service chiefs are perhaps the most significant from point of view of national security. Death is everywhere in the land and fear of death and insecurityisnowthegreatestunifierofallNigerians.

The choice of Mr. Ribadu as NSA is quite consequential. He was the founding Chairman of the now infamous EFCC. Even though he allowed the agency to periodically drift into political abuse, the consensus is that he left a positive mark. A section of the public thinks the security situation could improve under his watch. But that optimism can only be predicated on the hope that he can rescue the office of NSA from its serial infamy and accumulated fallacies and myths.

To succeed, Mr. Ribadu must jettison the illusion thattheofficeofNSAisinanywaysuperiortothose of the other presidential advisers. His task area is only different. For Mr. Ribadu, the challenges are well defined but the solutions lie beyond familiar approaches. He, in collaboration with the service chiefs, must seek solutions from outside the traditional box of national security myths.

The situation is dire, urgent and could get worse.

Since Mr. Tinubu was sworn in, over 500 Nigerians havediedinthehandsofbanditsandsundrygunmen. Plateaustatealonehasrecordedover200fatalities in the last less than 20 days. Those statistic could get more frightening unless something drastic is quickly done. Here are a few areas of darkness: spatial orientation. Security agencies must retake all ungoverned spaces in the country. Bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and killer herdsmen all operate from and are based in forests, bushes, savannahs often beyond the reach of security forces. These spaces serve as fortresses for non-state actors while security agencies operate from urban inhabited spaces. Our ungoverned spaces have become an alternative republic from where assaults are mounted against the state and citizens.

and unravel the relationship between political interests and violent actors in different parts of the country. Which politicians arm the various gunmen? What percentage of the ‘unknown gunmen’ in the South East, for instance, are sponsored by politicalinterests? Whatpercentageareseparatist militia activists?

Ribadu

IN THE ARENA

Can Tinubu End Bloodbath in Plateau?

It was on Monday morning, July 11, at about 6:30 am, and commuters that had set out early for Abuja were seen making U-turns and returning to Jos, the Plateau State capital. They had been turned back by outraged youths and women of Farin Lamba. The peace of the friendly community in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) had been violated by dare-devil gunmen.

The assailants had swooped on the community the previous night at about 9 p.m. in an Opel Vectra car and sprayed bullets on whoever was in sight. The villagers who were relaxing after a hectic day were gunned down for simply relaxing in front of their homes.

Of particular concern was a heart-rending case of a father who was returning home after he took his eight-month-old daughter who was running temperature to a pharmacist. He was gunned down together with his daughter, leaving only his wife who was at home.

The carnage was in addition to a similar incident that happened on Sunday, July 10, at Sabo Gari in Mangu LGA, where a total of 22 people were gunned down, leading to the declaration of curfew in the area.

For the past two decades, the people of Plateau State go to bed and wake up the following morning to find themselves dead.

Successive governments have tried in vain to find solutions. Each time it happened they will direct security men to chase after ‘the daredevil’ gunmen, but it has always been a wild goose chase.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was recently forced to relocate their Orientation camp from the permanent site in Mangu to temporary camp at WAYE Foundation in Jos South LGA.

The recent renewed onslaught on the communities started in April, just after the general election. Many believe it is a genocide by people who are bent on taking over the state from their ancestral owners.

Reacting recently, the National President of Mwaghvul Development Association (MDA), Chief Joseph Gwankat, said no fewer than 207 persons have been killed in Mangu LGA alone in the last two months. The figure excludes those killed in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs.

He lamented that the villages and farms deserted by victims of the attacks have become grazing fields for the Fulani herders.

In his account, the Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), Mr. Rwang Tengwong, said it was painful that the people wake every day to bury victims of new attacks.

The Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali (rtd), has also described the spate of killings in the local government of the Governor Caleb Mutfwang as politicallymotivated. He alleged that some people had threatened to make the state ungovernable for him.

He lamented that Mangu that hosts the largest corn, millet and Irish potatoes farms in the state and Nigeria is now under siege, warning that the development portents a serious threat to food security in the country.

The communities have now taken it upon themselves to form vigilante groups to secure their people. Their men no longer sleep; every night they keep vigil over the communities. But this in itself has impacted negatively on the people’s productivity as they are unable to go to their farms the following morning. The farms themselves are not even safe.

The Dane guns of the vigilantes cannot

match the superior firearms of the attackers that bear AK-47 and pump action guns.

A former governor of the state, Jonah Jang, had established a state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, similar to Amoteku in the South-west states, to complement the ineffective efforts of soldiers and the police. He believed that the soldiers and police did not understand the rocky terrain of the state and would therefore need the state’s local security personnel to assist them.

But he was vehemently resisted by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) which claimed that the security outfit was targeted at annihilating the Fulanis, and a subtle plot to chase them out of the state.

Efforts to convince them to see reasons for Operation Rainbow were rebuffed. Jang even offered to recruit some Fulani as personnel, but they refused.

But Jang went ahead with the plans, got the approval of the then-President Goodluck Jonathan for the outfit, and brought some Israeli to train the personnel on combat.

As this started yielding positive results, the then-opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that the governor had a sinister

POLITICAL NOTES

Who Wants

motive to use the outfit to work against the opposition in the 2015 elections.

Operation Rainbow, which was supposed to bring succour to the security challenge in the state, was still struggling to stand firm when Jang left the government.

But with the opposition APC taking over government in Plateau State in 2015, Operation Rainbow was technically ‘killed’ by the Simon Lalong’s government, thereby giving back audacity to the attackers.

The new government of Governor Mutfwang had said he would revive Operation Rainbow, but the state chairman of MACBAN, Mallam Nuru Abdullah said the Fulani have no confidence that the government will not use it to technically chase them out of the state.

But the state government has insisted that the hunters and vigilante associations will work in collaboration with Operation Rainbow to secure the rural communities.

The communities accused the Fulanis that have their settlements in the affected communities of inviting the foreign killer Fulanis to attack the communities.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) newly deployed to 3 Armoured Division, Jos, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who also doubles as the Commander of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau, has expressed readiness to hunt down the attackers and make them drink their own blood. He has temporarily relocated to Mangu LGA headquarters. But Nigerians have seen cases where army commanders took similar steps in the past only to provide cover for the attackers.

However, President Tinubu had on Tuesday in Abuja, given very reassuring messages to the people of the state following his directive to security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the killings. He insisted that they be made to face the full wrath of law.

Since his assumption of office, President Tinubu has demonstrated his readiness and capacity to bring to an end the senseless killings across the country.

It is expected that the statement signed by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, will not become regular rituals like the ones issued by his predecessor, which became mere rhetoric to deceive Nigerians after every act of violence.

President Tinubu should further raise the bar by giving the military commanders timelines to carry out his order or be shipped out.

to Shield Yunusa-Ari from Prosecution?

Many Nigerians were shocked that a Federal High CourtinAbujastoppedtheprosecutionofthesuspended AdamawaStateResidentElectoralCommissioner(REC), HuduYunusa-Ari,overhisdeclarationofAishaDahiru,the governorshipcandidateoftheAllProgressivesCongress (APC), as winner of the March 18 poll.

Beforethecourtorder,goingbytheinabilityofsecurity agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute Yunusa-Ari, manyNigerianshadspeculatedthatnothingwouldhappen forhisbizarreactionasthematterwouldbesweptunder the carpet.

Yunusa-ArihadusurpedthepowersoftheIndependent NationalElectoralCommission(INEC)ReturningOfficer inthestatetodeclareaDahiru,alsoknownasBinani,asthe winnerofthelastgovernorshipelectioninAdamawaState.

ButtheReturningOfficerwouldlaterdeclareGovernor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election after the proper collation of the results of the supplementary poll held on April 15. The main election, which was earlier held on March 18, was declared inconclusive because a clear winner did not emerge.

INEChadpenultimateweekannouncedthatithadfiled six charges at the Adamawa State High Court inYola, the statecapital,againstYunusa-Ari,afterthepoliceconcluded their investigations into the matter.

Following the development, Dahiru filed an ex parte application at the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Yunusa-Ari’strial. Herlawyer,MichaelAondoakaa(SAN), moved the application on Monday, arguing that allowing

thetrialtoproceedcouldjeopardisehercase,challenging the election outcome at the election petition tribunal.

Intheex-partemotionmarked:FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, Aondoakaaarguedthatuntiltheelectionpetitiontribunal decidesthefateofhisclientinaccordancewithsection149 oftheElectoralAct2022,theprosecutionofYunusa-Ari cannot be said to be valid.

Many have suspected that what is playing out is a calculatedattempttoshieldYunusa-Arifromprosecution. Those who hold this view argue that since the case at the tribunalisacivilmatter,itcannotstophisprosecutionfor criminal conduct.

Eventsofthenextfewmonthswillrevealifindeedthere areunseenhandstryingtofrustratethesuspendedINEC official.

Last Tuesday’s marching orders by President Bola Tinubu to security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the killings in Plateau State may mark an end to the senseless atrocities in the state if it is not treated like the previous orders by his predecessor, which ended up as mere rhetorics for eight years, Seriki Adinoyi writes

Yunusa-Ari

BRIEFING NOTES

Let Akeredolu Attend to His Health

Having transmitted letter to his deputy to take charge in his absence as required by law, Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, should be allowed to attend to his health issues in peace without incendiary comments on his condition, which many consider as insensitive and inhuman, Ejiofor Alike writes

The recent comment by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, that the ailing Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, was in a state of extreme incapacity has continued to elicit reactions across the country.

Speaking at an event that was unconnected to Akeredolu or the APC governors, Adamu declared that Akeredolu was incapacitated and currently hospitalised abroad, as if it is not common knowledge that the governor is attending to his health challenges outside the country.

“In the same vein, we regret to announce the extreme incapacity of the governor of Ondo State, who we understand has been hospitalised overseas,” Adamu reportedly told the state chairmen of APC in Abuja.

“We wish and pray for him for a speedy recovery,” he added.

While many considered the claim as illconceived and unnecessary, others, especially the loyalists of the governor described it as cruel and inhuman.

Many were alarmed that Adamu could make such a claim when he is neither Akeredolu’s doctor nor his family member. This was even against the fact that at no time did he visit the governor to assess his state of health.

It was all over the news last month when Governor Akeredolu commenced a 21-day medical leave abroad on June 7 and transmitted power to his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

In the letter to the House of Assembly, Akeredolu said Aiyedatiwa would function in acting capacity pending the time his leave would be over.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olamide Oladiji, who received the copy of the letter, had announced that Akeredolu would resume work on July 6, 2023.

“The governor, who had directed his deputy, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to act as the Governor while away, has assured of his resumption on the 6th of July, 2023.”

It should be noted that when the governor could not resume on July 6 as planned, he wrote again to the state House of Assembly requesting for an extension of his medical leave.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji, confirmed the receipt of the letter in Akure, the state capital.

Akeredolu said in the letter that the request was sequel to doctors’ advice on the need for him to take adequate rest after recuperating.

Receiving the letter on behalf of other lawmakers, the Speaker said the governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Oladiji, who expressed appreciation to God for

the speedy recovery of the governor, expressed optimism that he would soon resume his duties.

Akeredolu, in the letter, said his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would “continue to act as governor until there is a written declaration to the contrary.”

It was therefore shocking that Adamu could make such a public declaration when he is not an agent of the state government or his doctor.

Before he transmitted the letter for his deputy to take charge, there were uproars in the state on his alleged whereabouts with the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asking him to resign if he could no longer perform his functions.

Akeredolu had proceeded on a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave on April 3. He had promised to resume work on April 26, but he did not resume as promised.

Following his absence, the spokesman of the state chapter of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei, had stated that it was a great disservice to

keep mum over the governor’s health status and his whereabouts.

Citing the case of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua who was incapacitated due to ill health in 2010, the opposition party recalled that Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation to allow the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to take over.

But while responding to the news about the governor’s whereabouts, the state government had urged the people of the state to ignore any rumour, insisting that he was very much in good condition.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele AdemolaOlateju, who acknowledged that the governor had been indisposed, added that he had been attending to state matters and delegating functions to

NOTES FOR FILE

functionaries of the government, when necessary.

In a reaction to the PDP’s claim, a video was released by the state government showing the governor watching a Manchester United match.

Despite this clarification, the controversy raged until the governor transmitted a letter and proceeded on medical leave to attend to his health.

With all these developments in public domain, Adamu’s claim of the governor being extremely incapacitated was no news and therefore, unnecessary.

The fact that he made the claim at an event that did not directly concern Akeredolu made it more curious.

However, the APC national chairman has found his match in the Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, who declared on Tuesday that those wishing for the death of Akeredolu “would die before him”.

The senator, who, however did not state that he was reacting directly to Adamu’s claim, said he was surprised at the rate at which the governor’s health status had continued to top public discourses around the country.

“I want to express my displeasure in the way people are talking about Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s health as if he’s the first public office holder to fall sick.

“We were all in this country when former President Muhammadu Buhari was out of the country for medical attention for about six months.

“I can bet you, those wicked and evil people who are wishing Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu dead will die before him by God’s grace,” Ibrahim reportedly declared.

The Ondo State Acting Governor, Aiyedatiwa, had also on Tuesday said he was in constant touch with Akeredolu. According to him, the governor is recuperating in a hospital abroad. He said media reports on Akeredolu’s health were written by “faceless writers to fan ember of unity in the state.”

The acting governor urged the public to ignore the unfortunate lies and subterfuge as the antics of desperate political gladiators across political divides.

“The governor appreciates your prayers and good wishes for himself and the state, across the board. He is in high spirit, recuperating and being expected back in office to continue with his laudable service to the state, as soon as he is certified medically fit by his doctors

“I am in touch with him, the latest being on Sunday when he expressed appreciation to me and other State Executive Council Members for holding the fort while he is away,” the acting governor added in his statement.

Having handed over to his deputy in accordance with the constitution, Akeredolu should be allowed to attend to his health in peace. It is not a crime to be sick.

Shameful Disappearance of Lagos Airport Runway Light

The news that unknown persons stole the recently reinstalled airfield lighting systems at the domestic runway 18/36L of the Murtala Muhammed Airport was a shame of monumental proportion to Nigeria.

The stolen equipment, which aids aircraft to take off and land at the domestic airport at night, was installed on the 2.7 kilometres long runway last November.

For 15 years, the Lagos Airport domestic runway 18L was shut down to night operations due to the absence of airfield lighting. Domestic airlines were forced to use runway 19 at the international airport, which consumes more aviation fuel because of the longer distance.

It was gathered that the disappearance

of the approach lighting systems had raised security concerns in Nigeria’s busiest airports. According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, those who carted away the lighting systems took advantage of the closure of the runway for over three months.

Like other thefts at the airport where nothing was done to apprehend the culprits, investigations are said to have commenced to unravel those responsible for the missing safety equipment.

On many occasions, the attention of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was drawn to some security lapses at the airport, for which nothing was done.

One of such is curbing the activities of

commercial motorcyclists at the airport.

A few years ago, in a bid to curb robbery and other criminal activities at the airport Lagos, the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, banned the operators, popularly known as ‘okada,’ from operating within the vicinity of the MMA Lagos.

Despite this order, there is no part of the airport where these okada operators do not operate currently.

Even FAAN, which is in charge of managing the airports in the country is turning a blind eye to the activities of these commercial motorcycle operators, pretending not to see them until there is a major security breach before they will begin to apportion blame.

Akeredolu

When Supreme Court Warned against Frivolous Suits in Oborevwori’s Case

The Supreme Court recently warned lawyers to refrain from instituting actions on issues that had already been decided by the apex court. The apex court gave the warning in its judgment delivered in the appeal filed by Chief Ikie Aghwarianovwe, seeking the disqualification of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori for allegedly supplying false information about his academic qualification and date of birth to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a judgment in the pre-election matter, the five-member panel of the court unanimously held that Aghwarianovwe’s appeal failed due to his inability to show that the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts were perverse.

Aghwarianovwe, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed the suit in October 2022 to challenge Oborevwori’s eligibility to contest the March 18 governorship election.

The plaintiff alleged that the documents contained in the Form EC9, which Oborevwori submitted to INEC to aid his qualification for the governorship election were forged.

The case was initially filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was later transferred to the Asaba Division of the Federal High Court. Both the PDP and Governor Oborevwori filed preliminary objections to challenge the competence of the suit.

But while denying the allegation of forgery, Oborevwori and PDP raised an objection that the suit was statute-barred, pointing out that documents submitted to INEC in 2018 towards the 2019 general election could not be a ground for disqualification of a candidate in 2023.

The trial court upheld this objection, saying the plaintiff failed woefully to substantiate the allegations of forgery.

Dissatisfied, Aghwarianovwe through his counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. He asked the appellate court to overturn the decision of the Federal High Court.

But the court in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Peter Olabisi Ige, upheld the ruling of the lower court and resolved all the issues for determination in favour of Oborevwori. Justice Ige who cited a plethora of authorities, chided Aghwarianovwe for alleging falsification of documents without calling the institutions that issued the certificates to Oborevwori, saying the plaintiff’s case was moribund and could not be revived under any guise.

Equally not satisfied with the decision, Aghwarianovwe again through Izinyon headed to the Supreme Court, asking the apex court to overturn the verdict of the Appeal Court, citing miscarriage of justice.

But the apex court, after listening to Oborevwori’s lawyer, Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN), dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and upheld the judgments of the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court, Asaba. It held that no matter how the appeal is viewed, it is bound to fail as same was dead on arrival.

Justice Adamu Jauro who wrote the lead judgment, which was read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, said the appellant failed to prove his case and that Oborevwori was qualified to contest the last governorship election in the state. He noted that none of the grounds of the appeal indicated that the concurrent findings of the two lower courts were perverse.

He added that the appellant failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, saying “the mere fact that there were differentials in names does not amount to falsity” and “an error in date of birth in a certificate not shown

evidentially to emanate from the respondent cannot amount to falsity.”

Justice Jauro held that its decision in the case of PDP & Ors. v Degi-Eremienyo has been departed from in the cases of Dantiye v APC and APC v. Ebeleke. He further stated the mere fact that a person states different names in sequence or omission, does not amount to falsification or forgery.

The jurist said Oborevwori’s date of birth on his WAEC certificate was not imputed by him, but by WAEC, and as such any error made in such certificate is not from his part. It stated that the provision of Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022 relates to information submitted for the purpose of the election, and not any information given prior to that.

The court, after reading its judgment, advised the bar that in election matters, counsel should refrain from instituting actions on issues that had already been decided by the court. It stated that counsel should refrain from testing waters on decisions already decided by the court, as the same is wrong practice. The court noted that counsel can ask for a departure from such a decision, but not act ignorant as to already decided cases of the court on the matter.

Justice Jauro added: “After a very detailed consideration of every argument of all the parties on the various issues raised, I find that no matter how the instant appeal is viewed it is bound to fail. There is no saving grace for it. Right from the grounds of appeal, to the prominent issue of jurisdiction and now to the merit itself, the appeal was dead on arrival, with zero chance of success.

“Flowing from the foregoing, I find no merit in the instant appeal. I dismiss the same,” he said and proceeded to affirm the earlier decisions of two lower courts.

Justice Jauro awarded a cost of N6million against the appellant, with each of the first

and second respondents – PDP and Oborevwori, receiving N3 million each.

“Counsel should refrain from instituting actions on issues that have already been decided by the court. Counsel should refrain from testing waters on decisions already decided by the court, as the same is wrong practice.

“Counsel can ask for a departure from such a decision, but not act ignorant as to already decided cases of the court on the matter,” the court admonished. It would be recalled that the apex court had also dismissed a similar suit filed by another governorship aspirant, David Edevbie, in October last year.

Though Edevbie had first won his case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dismissed the case in its entirety.

Edevbie during the PDP primary in May 2022, scored 113 votes, while Oborevwori polled 590 votes. But feeling aggrieved, he approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to contest the credentials the governor submitted to INEC.

In his judgment, Justice Taiwo Taiwo on July 7, 2022, disqualified Oborevwori. The court ordered INEC and the PDP to recognise Edevbie as the candidate of the party in the election.

The trial judge agreed with Edevbie that Oborevwori ought not to be on the ballot for the PDP primary election on account of supplying false and forged documents to INEC to aid his qualification for the governorship election.

But not satisfied with the judgment, Oborevwori through his lawyer, Dodo (SAN), headed to the Court of Appeal

which overturned the judgment.

Not satisfied, Edevbie proceeded to the Supreme Court with about 23 grounds of appeal.

In a unanimous decision by a panel led by Justice Amina Augie, the apex court held that the High Court was wrong to have given Edevbie victory. It added that the Appeal Court rightly upheld the eligibility of Oborevwori to contest the governorship election.

A day before the Supreme Court judgment penultimate week, the governor was again victorious when the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba dismissed the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Ken Pela, to challenge his election as governor.

In the course of the proceedings, the governor’s lead counsel, Dodo (SAN), argued that the LP’s petition had been abandoned. He stressed that the petitioner failed to avail himself of the seven-day window to apply for a pre-hearing notice and that the petitioner also failed to apply for another pre-hearing notice, therefore effectively rendering his petition abandoned.

He added that the petitioner applied for pre-hearing notice on May 19 before the close of pleadings, and as such, the petition was premature and incompetent and should be dismissed.

The chairperson of the tribunal’s panel, Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, consequently dismissed the petition because Pela abandoned his petition.

Responding to his string of victories, Oborevwori dedicated his recent legal victories at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Supreme Court to God. He thanked God for stamping His feet on the affairs of the state and pledged to continue to be the governor of all the people of the state.

He called for the support of all in the task of building a virile and prosperous state.

Ariwoola

Oborevwori

The recent warning by the Supreme Court to lawyers in a recent case involving Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to refrain from instituting actions on issues that had already been decided by the apex court, could be what is needed to reduce the burden on the wheels of justice, Alex Enumah writes

Daudu to Tinubu

WAZIRI ADIO

On the $800m Loan and Cash Transfers

In two separate letters to the National Assembly last week, President Bola Tinubu took the initial steps towards cushioning the negative impacts of petrol subsidy removal on some categories of Nigerians. The first letter requested for the allocation of N500 billion as palliatives for subsidy removal and the second asked for Senate’s approval of $800m as a loan from the World Bank. While there is hardly any disagreement on the need for the government to provide some urgent reliefs for the pains inflicted by petrol subsidy removal, the president’s proposal has generated some concerns and fears—some legitimate, some unfounded.

The concerns and fears range from the wisdom of taking a loan to fund the relief, the impact of the loan on our growing debt stock and of the resultant consumption on our soaring inflation, the adequacy, spread and format of the proposed palliatives, and the possibility of the proposed succour turning into another avenue for patronage and corruption. Not all these concerns should be dismissed. The government has a responsibility to provide the necessary clarifications and the needed reassurance.

I understand the basis for these concerns and I share a few of them. But, on the whole, I think the idea of providing cash relief to the poorest opoor as a temporary relief is a good idea, if effectively, transparently and accountably implemented.

However, I think we need to look beyond just providing some palliatives to the poor and the vulnerable, as necessary and as important as this is. We need a larger and more comprehensive package for repurposing the savings from petrol subsidy removal into areas that will improve the productivity and the welfare of Nigerians. I will return to this shortly.

Before we look at the some of the issues, let’s start with some background.

The cash transfer proposal is not new. In anticipation of deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration approached the World Bank for a concessionary loan of $800 million to provide some succour to poor Nigerians. The board of the World Bank approved the loan for Nigeria on 16 December 2021. But the plan to remove subsidy was put on hold. In May this year, President Buhari sought, as required by law, the approval of the National Assembly for the loan. While the House of Representatives approved the request, the Senate did not get round to it before the expiration of the term of the 9th National Assembly. This is why President Tinubu wrote to the Senate, which gave expedited approval.

What is new is that the amount per household and the number of households have increased. While the previous administration proposed N5,000 per month to 10 million households for six months, the current administration has raised it to N8,000 per month to 12 million poor households for the same period. It can safely be assumed that the increases are as a result of the change in the official exchange rate.

It is worth noting that Tinubu also asked the National Assembly to amend the 2022 supplementary budget of N819 billion. The amount remains the same, but he is seeking to reallocate the money, with N500 billion assigned to palliatives, an item not included in the original supplementary budget that the National Assembly had approved in December 2022. So, this is basically a request for approval for virement of the previously approved supplementary budget. It should be noted that it is illegal for the executive to spend appropriated money on different items or subheads without seeking and securing legislative approval to do so. This process is called virement. The two letters were thus intended to

Tinubu

help scale two technical hurdles: allow Tinubu to take the World Bank loan and accommodate palliatives in the previously approved budget.

Now, to some of the issues raised from the president’s proposal. The first is the concern around why Nigeria is taking a loan to fund the palliatives. This is not a trivial concern, especially with our mounting debt burden. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total debt stock as at 31st March 2023 was N49.8 trillion (this is excluding the N22.7 trillion from Federal Government’s indebtedness to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the increase in the Naira value of external debt from the change in official exchange rate). Also, data from the World Bank shows that Nigeria spent 96.3% of its revenues to service debt in 2022. Many Nigerians are justifiably worried about taking on new debts. This is understandable.

But if government has to provide immediate reliefs to those who are disproportionately affected by subsidy removal, its options are limited. The easiest way would be to fund the relief from subsidy savings. The problem is that these savings will not start coming until later in the year or until early next year. The state oil company claims that it is owed N2.8 trillion by the Federation, largely due to past petrol subsidy. Also, recent news reports indicate that Federation share of oil had been pledged in advance by the national oil company for imported petrol. One option will be to hold on to the reliefs until the savings start coming into the Federation Account. This is not advisable. If government has to provide immediate relief, it has to look for how to fund it, and that, for now, can’t be from increasing taxes.

This is where the World Bank loan, approved by the Bank’s board about two years ago, comes in handy. Besides, it is concessionary, and as such the cheapest and the most flexible the country can find domestically or externally. The loan is for 30 years, with a moratorium of five years and an interest rate of 2.5%. By contrast, interest costs associated with other financing sources of loans are much higher: Nigerian Treasury Bills’ rates today are around 5 - 6%; Eurobonds’ yields are hovering 10- 11%; FGN bonds’ yields are around

13 - 14%; and CBN’s Ways and Means at MPR plus 300 basis points will be at 21.5%. It is legitimate to worry about external debts, but the $800 million loan adds only 1.88% to our total external debt of $42.6 billion (this is before factoring in the $500 million Eurobond we repaid recently).

While Nigeria should not be borrowing indiscriminately, our country cannot completely stop borrowing until we can sort out our finances. It would be nice if we could double or triple our revenues but that won’t happen overnight. The concern should be where we are borrowing from and for what purposes. I don’t think it is bad to get a long-term and low-rate loan to lessen the pains imposed on the poor from a necessary reform. Also, I think we are better off with concessionary loans and we should actually be talking to the World Bank and other multilaterals to consider us for more of such to tie us over revenue shortfall and the ongoing forex scarcity, and to diversify our loan portfolio away from expensive loans to less expensive ones.

The second issue is about the inflationary impact of transferring N8,000 per month for six months to 12 million households, especially when the money will most likely go to food. This is also a valid concern, more so with inflation at 22.41% and food inflation at 24.82%, and with both projected to jump higher. More money in people’s hands without a corresponding increase in the supply of goods will push up prices, in this case the prices of basic food items. This will affect the poor more because they spend a disproportionate amount of their money on food.

However, this may be an overstated fear. According to the CBN, Nigeria’s money supply (using broad money, M3) as at May 2023 was N55.8 trillion. The entire N576 billion earmarked for cash transfers over six months or N96 billion per month is not significant enough to bump up money supply in the country. The entire N576 billion is just about 1% of our money supply while the N96 billion is 0.2% of money supply. Also, the impact will be less if the CBN resells the forex rather than keep it and just print Naira. That said, it is important to also pay attention to how to increase food supply to match extra money in the hands of the poor. The proposed emergency on food security may help, as well as allowing importation to boost food supply, even if in the short term.

The third issue is about the rationale behind giving cash to the poor rather than giving food bought directly by the state from our farmers and traders, which would in turn boost our economy. Across the world, from Bangladesh to Brazil, there is abundant evidence that cash transfers work in uplifting the poor and in boosting development outcomes (especially when they are conditional). There is also enough evidence that individuals are the best judges of their needs.

It is thus better to give people the cash and let them decide if they want use if for food (and what kind of food) or for some other things or even just keep it. There are also those who argue that N8,000 per month is too small for a household. Yes, it is—by our standards. But we should not forget that there are many households in our country today for whom this amount will make a world of difference. There are those also bothered that a total of N48,000 per household in six months will not reverse poverty. This is true, but it is worth remembering that the transfers are meant to assist in addressing temporary shocks from petrol subsidy removal, not designed to reduce or eliminate poverty. These are other tools for addressing poverty.

What I consider the most significant concern or fear is that many Nigerians do not believe that the money would not be stolen or not be turned to an instrument for politicians to oil their patronage

and electoral networks. It is difficult to blame those who feel this way. Over time, our politicians and bureaucrats have not covered themselves in glory. They have not demonstrated that they have scruples from even stealing from the lowly. The stories of how COVID-19 palliatives were cornered, hoarded, and diverted are still harrowingly fresh to most Nigerians.

Nigeria has one of the biggest social registers in the world, built and updated over a decade, in conjunction with states and with the support of donors. It is managed by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO). As at the last count, that register has data for more than 15 million poor and vulnerable households spread across almost all the local government areas in the country.

Ordinarily, the existence of such a register should settle questions about how the beneficiaries will be selected and by whom. But we live in a justifiably low-trust environment. Experience has made many Nigerians cynical. It is not enough for the government to say ‘trust us this time.’ The administration has to earn the trust. The onus is on the government to unfold and run the programme in a very transparent and accountable way.

Now, to my own concerns. As I have stated many times on this page, I think the planned cash transfer can only be a starting point. The N576 billion cannot be the whole package. In any case, that is about what we were spending on petrol subsidy per month, based on the N3.36 trillion allocated for six months in the 2023 budget. The N576 billion is way too small as the total relief package for the pains that came with the removal of petrol subsidy.

Some of us believe in and advocated for petrol subsidy removal. Spending about half a trillion Naira on petrol subsidy per month does not make sense and is not what Nigeria can afford or sustain. But I have never been in doubt that removing the subsidy will impose some pains, even if temporary and with a heavier burden on the poor. After removing the subsidy and getting a lot of applause for it, the government also needs to give something back to Nigerians. This is both in exchange for the subsidy that many had developed a sense of entitlement around and as a cushion for the attendant shocks.

But it is important to bear in mind that the idea is not to remove petrol subsidy, and simply get more money for government to do whatever it likes after dropping some crumbs for the poor. The underlining philosophy is to ensure better and more optimal application of scarce resources. It is possible that the government gets this message. But apart from discussing with the unions to avert a strike, the government has not rolled out a comprehensive, carefully-designed and coordinated programme on what it plans to do with the money that would have gone into subsidy for the next four years or so. We need to see the full picture, and soon too.

The idea of earmarking potential savings is not as strange or as new as it sounds. Nigeria did something similar with savings from increase in petrol prices and the PTF under General Sani Abacha and with virtual savings from debt servicing after President Olusegun Obasanjo secured debt relief for Nigeria. The latter was managed by the MDG Office.

The desired relief programme should have concrete activities, definite timelines and clear responsibilities spread across the three tiers of government. Such a plan should also incorporate how governments across the board plan to trim the fats and wastes in their operations—government should be run with a frugality that aligns with the dire finances of our country and in tandem with the burden imposed on the citizens. And all of these need to be communicated clearly and coherently, not in the current drip-drip version.

“I do not think that the President, who is a newly minted President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will like to start his administration with the organisations under him disobeying court orders”

– Former President of NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), calling on President Tinubu to strictly adhere to the principle of rule of law and fairness in the handling of the case of Emefiele.