TUESDAY 25TH JULY 2023

Police Arrest Four Suspects in Plot to Attack Atiku, Others

PDP demands inquiry, Frank seeks security beef-up around ex-VP

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that four persons, who plotted to attack him,

have been arrested by the police in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. Reacting to the incident, PDP said it was alarmed, and it demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Former Deputy National Public-

ity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, also called on the federal government to urgently investigate the attack on Atiku and beef up security around him.

In a statement by his media aide,

Paul Ibe, Atiku said, "We wish to alert the Nigerian public that about 9:44pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023, a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.

and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.

"The suspect also informed the police that he and his colleagues,

"The man, who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar, was later handed over to the police. Upon further interrogation by the police, the suspect identified himself as 29-year-old Jubrila Mohammed Continued on page 12

House Vows to Recover $9bn Gas Flaring Fines Imposed on Oil Companies...

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TRUTH & REASON

TUC Gives FG Two Weeks to Conclude Negotiations over Subsidy

As Nigerians await the outcome of the organised labour and federal government’s dialogue on policy measures to cushion the economic

Obasanjo: Nigeria is Sitting Dangerously on Keg of Gunpowder

Says govt driving people into poverty through poorly managed good policies Declares nation has disappointed Africa, world Prides self on recruiting some of the best hands

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, took a critical look at the state of the nation and concluded that Nigeria was sitting perilously on a keg of gunpowder.

Obasanjo said the country was pushing many citizens into poverty because of poor implementation of good policies. He lamented that over the past 63 years, Nigeria had not lived up to expectations as the much-taunted giant of Africa, thus disappointing the continent and the world, at large.

The former president spoke in Abuja in a keynote address at the public presentation of a book titled, “Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa,” written by a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,

13TH ANNUAL GTCO AUTISM CONFERENCE...

L-R: Art Therapy and Autism Expert, Mr. Kunle Adewale; Special Care Dentist, Dr. Ade Awe; Group Managing Director/CEO,GTCO, Mr Segun Agbaje; Behaviour Analyst, Osezusi Bolodeoku; Performer and Producer, Mr. Rashard Dobbins; and Founder, Cradle Lounge Special Needs Initiative, Solape Azazi, at the opening of the 13th Annual GTCO Autism Conference in Lagos...

Arase: Arms Proliferation Sustained by Absence of Punishment for Offenders

Chuks Okocha, James Emejo in Abuja and James Sowole in Abeokuta

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Chief Commercial Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Kehinde Olubi-Neye; General Manager, Government Relations & Security, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Fubara Awantaye;

Lekki Port, Du Ruogang ; Acting Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Managing Director, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Yann

Chief Operating

Lekki Port, Laurence Smith, during the official visit to Lekki Port, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos….yesterday

AGANGA LAUNCHES BOOK...

L-R: British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery; former Minister of Finance/author of the book titled, Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa, Olusegun Aganga; former Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh; Special Adviser to the President on Monetary and Policies, Mr. Wale Edun and former Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe, during the launch of the book held at Musa Yar ‘Adua Center, Abuja...yesterday.

FG: 43% of Nigerian Children Engaged in Worst Form of Child Labour

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has estimated that over 43 percent of Nigerian children aged between 5 and 11 years are involved in economic activities, including those considered as worst forms of Child Labour.

It also estimated that over 43 per cent of Nigerian children aged between 5 and 11 years were involved in economic activities, including being engaged in the worst forms of Child Labour.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in commemoration of the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) stated, "estimated that over 43 per cent of Nigerian children aged between five and 11 years are involved in economic activities, including being engaged in the worst forms of Child Labour.”

Quoting the 2016 – 2017 MICS Survey, the statement said 39 per cent of children involved in child labour were working under hazardous conditions including quarrying granite, artisanal mining, commercial sexual exploitation, armed conflict, and sometimes are victims of human trafficking.

The ministry said the figures reflected the degree of urgency required by the various actors working on child labour to proffer solutions to the reduction and possible elimination of child labour

in Nigeria and globally.

Earlier while speaking on the theme: “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour”, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Deju, said the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour called for reinvigorated international action to achieve social justice, with the elimination Child Labour as one of its key elements.

The Permanent Secretary who took part in Road Work from the Federal Ministry of Justice to the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja, said the government recognised the importance of addressing the issue of child labour and is determined to eradicate the menace.

"Child Labour is a grave concern that affects millions of children worldwide, denying them of their fundamental rights to education, health, mental and moral development and a childhood free from all forms of exploitation.

"The WDACL serves as a reminder that the fight against child labour requires sustained efforts and collective action the whole society.

"The commitment of the federal government of Nigeria in contributing to the global fight against child labour and its worst forms, is evidenced in the following interventions, programmes, activities and partnerships, the adoption and ratification of ILO Conventions No.138 and No.182, enactment of

the Child Rights Act to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

She also said that the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have domesticated the Child Rights Act.

Other measures being taken by the government included review of the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour, development of the list of hazardous Child Labour, review of the Labour Act to mainstream Child Labour into the Labour Standards Bill which replaces the Labour and

adopting 15 years as the minimum age for employment.

The ministry further said the federal government had embarked on the development and validation of Child Labour reporting App and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in collaboration with the ILO through the ACCEL Africa Project.

In addition, the ministry said it has stablished the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour (NSCCL) to strengthen institutions mandated to monitor the elimination of Child Labour across the country as well as

constitution and inauguration of the State Steering Committees on the Elimination of Child Labour (SSCCL) across the 36 states of the Federation and FCT.

However, the Ministry listed some of the challenges in the elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria to include: poverty, cultural/ religious factors, poor educational system, inadequate Social Protection systems and wrong perception/ ignorance of the negative effects of Child Labour.

"Ministry commits to: Continue active collaboration with relevant stakeholdersto develop and

implement collective strategies that contribute to the eradication of child labour.

"Engage in advocacy interventions to encourage government (Federal and States) and policymakers to enact and enforce legislation that protects children from exploitation and ensures access to quality education.

"Provide support to grassroots organisations and implement initiatives dedicated to combating child labour, rehabilitation and empowerment of child labour victims and vulnerable households."

VP Shettima Launches Skills, Apprenticeship Initiative

In a bid to address persistent challenges facing the informal sector and to advance technological progress in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated a two-day workshop on skills and apprenticeship development.

The event, organized by the Sub-Saharan African Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network (SASASNET), seeks to lay the foundation for a formalised and effective system of skills training and apprenticeship across the region.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, Vice President who was represented by

the permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Andrew Adejo, emphasised the pressing need to bridge the development gaps in science and technology across the continent. He emphasised the significance of nurturing highly skilled African talent to fully harness the benefits of modernity.

He said, “The need for this conference is further underscored by the fact that, if Africa is to be the next continent of destination, we can no longer afford to be exporting jobs with its attendant loss of much needed foreign exchange earnings.

“The idea of providing opportunities to exploit and apply the

knowledge and benefits of modernity to bridge the development deficits of science and technology on the continent, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, by training and retaining highly qualified Africans goes back to an African Union Heads of State meeting in Burkina Faso in 2001.

“In fact, the speed with which you were able to galvanise action to get to this stage in about five months after the World Bank Regional Workshop in February, 2023 in Cotonou, Benin Republic is very commendable.

“On our part, Nigeria has established a National Council on Skills (NCS) chaired by my humble self and consisting of key stakeholders

Navy Arrests 150 Suspects over Illegal Oil Bunkering in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder said it has arrested over 150 suspects allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering in various parts of Rivers State.

The outgoing Commander of the base, Commodore Suliaman Ibrahim, made the disclosure yesterday, while speaking with journalists during a send-off parade organised in his honour at the NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt.

Recalling some of his achievements since he assumed office 16 months ago, Ibrahim disclosed that over 100

Cotonou boats used for the illegal bunkering were impounded, illegal oil refining sites were also destroyed by operatives of the base within their areas of coverage.

He revealed that the arrested suspects have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for onward investigation and prosecution.

Ibrahim, noted that the consistent commitment in fighting crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the state recently led to increased crude oil production for Nigeria.

He said the achievements were made through various transfor-

mations, including daily training, swimming, range classification, anti-attack drills and creation of the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron (TRAS) amongst others.

According the outgoing NNS Pathfinder commander "We arrested 100s of Cotonou boats, we also arrested over 150 persons for illegal oil bunkering. The arrest we made is quit huge and the arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant agents for prosecutions. We have taken the arrested suspects to EFCC.

"We went through various transformations to enable us meet contemporary changes. This changes

include various physical training, swimming, range classifications and anti-attacks drills. Others were the creation of tactical riverine Squadron amongst others.

"It's pertinent to state that this transformation did not come easy, however they were key to successes of the Nigerian Navy and in particular Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in its fight against illegalities within the maritime domain of Rivers State.

"The base was instrumental to the increased on shore crude oil production with the effective support and escort provided during the crude barging operations.

“This of course would not have been possible without the collaboration between the navy and the oil companies."

Ibrahim, also commended the sister agencies for their tactical collaboration in ensuring the safety of the waterways, especially in the base area of coverage.

"I must also recognise the synergy that the base enjoyed with other sister services and agencies. That has ensured the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in Rivers State. I thank all commanders and rates of services and sisters agencies for your continue support and collaboration."

from government, development partners, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and other partners. The NCS is to standardise and formalise the skills and apprenticeship activities in Nigeria.”

“It is pleasing to inform you that the NCS is working towards addressing skills mismatch between the labor market and graduates and harmonising the various policies on skills in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, it has developed a 6-step National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which It plans to update to 9 steps and is standardising training across all training providers,” he added.

On his part, the Interim Chair, SASASNET, who also doubled as the Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, called for collaboration between governments and the organised private sector to unlock the untapped potential of the informal sector, thereby creating a vital source of certified skilled labor for sustainable economic development.

He said, “With this formal launch, SASASNET now embarks on its mission to create a sustainable and vibrant network that will support skills development across the continent.

“The network envisions a future where Africa's informal sector is recognised, formalised, and harnessed to contribute significantly to the economic turnaround of the continent.”

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

INNOVATIVE GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR...

House Vows to Recover $9bn Gas

Flaring Fines Imposed on Oil Companies

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has vowed to recover the over $9 billion gas flaring fines imposed by the federal government on erring local and foreign oil and gas companies.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee investigating gas flaring, Hon. Ahmed Munir, stated this yesterday, in Abuja, at the investigative hearing on gas flaring from 2013-2023, by oil and gas companies in Nigeria.

The hearing was attended by stakeholders drawn from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), among others.

Munir stated: "I can assure you that we will not take this lying down. There are two ways to go about it, we have the issues of penalties that are not paid, amounting to about $9 billion or thereabout, that one. We

know how to recover it.

“Secondly, going forward, those that are still polluting, how do you ensure you get it down to zero and what are the penalties that are going to be out in place.

“Thirdly, the big difference between then and now is, we now have a PIA in place so how do you implement it? Where we have loophole that's why we are here to hear from the people concerned. Is there any amendment that will be required?

"If you are going to bid for oil bloc in Nigeria, and you see that out of the criteria one is your gas master plan, how do you key into that? You can't win a bid without ensuring you'll be able to utilise that gas or evacuate the gas responsibly."

Also, RMAFC Chairman, Gas Monitoring Committee, Mr. Patrick Mgbebu, revealed that the gas flare penalty payment regime from 20132018 (2018 January-June) was $0.30. He added that from 2018 (July-

FCTA to Vaccinate One Million Cattle to Curb Spread of Anthrax

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed plan to vaccinate one million cattle across the six Area Councils to curb the spread of Anthrax in the territory.

The exercise was inaugurated yesterday, at Patkon Kore Grazing Reserve, Gwagwalada Area Council by the acting Secretary of the secretariat, Alhaji Ishaq Sadeeq Area Councils of the FCT.

He said the move was necessary following the confirmation of the disease in Suleja, in neigbouring Niger State.

The vaccination exercise according to him would last for four weeks, and be intensified in the 62 wards of the six Area Councils of the FCT.

He explained that the exercise was part of the FCT Administration's proactiveness and readiness to combat the disease.

"The FCT Administration had since the announcement of the outbreak in Ghana earlier this year, carried out a series of outreach campaigns to sensitise residents particularly livestock owners and butchers about the Anthrax disease.

"The sensitisation was to avail them with the knowledge of signs and symptoms, as well as effective measures they can adopt to protect themselves and their animals from contracting and spreading the disease," he said.

He appealed for the co-operation of livestock owners with the veterinary health workers, to ensure the success of the exercise.

He equally advised livestock

owners against selling or slaughtering any animal with visible symptoms, and report suspected cases to any of the FCT Veterinary Clinics.

The Director Veterinary Services, Dr. Regina Adulugba, described Anthrax as a fatal disease to both animal and humans as it can be contracted through open wounds, airborne and from consuming infected animals.

“It is deadly because it is zoonotic. Zoonotic means it can affect human and it can affect animals. So, it is dangerous, and it spread by too many means.

"If you have a wounded skin, it can affect the wound and then infect the person, or it can spread even through the air, or it can spread from consumption of meat.

“That is why we advised them not to slaughter any sick animal

Polls: Imo Govt Imposes N54m on Opposition to Erect Billboards

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Ahead of the November 11 governorship election, the Imo State government, has imposed the sum of N54 million on opposition political parties as advertising and signage displayed permit fees for governorship campaigns.

The state government, through Imo Signage and Advertisement Agency (IMSAA), made this known in a letter dated June 7, 2023, signed by its General Manager, Hon. Chibu-

zor Umunnakwe and addressed to various opposition political parties participating in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The letter, titled: 'Schedule of rates and terms for political advertising and ancillary signage displays in Imo State for gubernatorial campaigns' revealed that the political parties, who intend to erect billboards or engage in any sort of campaign must apply to the agency.

Though the letter was dated June 7, the agency maintained that the

rates, terms and conditions came into effect on April 2, 2023 for all types of political advertising, out-of-home display of campaign materials and ancillary items for gubernatorial campaigns in the state. "Political candidates intent on deploying outdoor/public displays must obtain, fill and submit the IMSAA application for outdoor political campaign advertisement form.

for now. If an animal is sick, they should allow it to die and then we see if it is positive.

“It is safer for them as cattle owners, their children and their family, because it can affect human and it is very deadly in human as it is deadly in animals.” Adulugba added.

On his part, Malam Yahaya Isa, Chairman, Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), FCT Chapter, commended the FCTA for the proactive step.

December) to 2023, it was pegged at $2.00.

According to him, the penalties payable amounted to $3,465,299,226.55 and the value of gas would have been $12,403,000,001.20 if the gas was sold and not flared.

Mgbebu, noted that the Commission compared the data from NOSDRA with the data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

He added that the following observations were made that the volume of gas flared according to NOSDRA and NUPRC were 838,667,211 Mscf and 700,975,019 Mscf respectively.

Mgbebu noted, "The difference which is 137,692,192 Mscf indicated that the Federation Account was shortchanged. It should be noted that the comparison covered three years from 2020 to 2022.

"That the value of gas flared according to NOSDRA and NUPRC are $320,583,355.48 and $43,325,050.76 respectively. As such the variance Indicated that the Federation Account was shortchanged by $277,258,304.72."

Mgbebu stressed that while Nigeria has proven gas reserves of 201 trillion standard cubic feet and unproven gas reserves of 600 trillion standard cubic feet, production of gas remains very low and unstable.

On his part, the Director General of NOSDRA, Mr. Idris Musa, said the extant penalties on gas flaring

were to serve as deterrent, but further recommended that the penalties should be increased.

He explained that a total of 3.8 billion Mscf was flared between 2013 to date, while total sum of $7.6 billion penalties are payable. It also resolved to summon all the Chief Executive Officers of 19 oil and gas companies and others to appear before the Committee on Tuesday, 25th July, 2023.

They are: Total/Mobil JV Domestic Wing; Total/Oando JV; Total Energies; African Petroleum (AP) Plc. now Ardova PLC; Azman Oil & Gas Limited; Matrix Oil & Gas; A. M Shafa Ltd; Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); National Council on Climate Change (NCCC); Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC); Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company (Aje Oilfield Offshore); Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy (SEEPCO); Belemaoil Production Limited; Walter Smith Petroman Oil Limited; Green Energy International Limited Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited; Folawiyo Energy; Eroton Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited; and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd, respectively. Earlier, while declaring the investigative hearing open, the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said the task before this Ad-hoc Committee was a very critical one that lies at the heart of the health of the people and economic well-being of the nation.

Tinubu Eulogises First Female Professor of Yoruba Studies, Omotayo Olutoye

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has eulogised the world's first female Professor of Yoruba Studies, Omotayo Olutoye, for her contributions to the Yoruba language, culture and tradition.

Olutoye, the Yeyeluwa of Idoani in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo state, who died recently at 87, was the wife of Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), the Alani of Idoani and mother of renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.

The president, in a statement issued yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, stated that the late Professor's works and seminar interventions

helped in deepening the knowledge and understanding of Yoruba language.

Tinubu expressed sympathy and condolences to the husband of the deceased, the Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

According to the president: “Prof. Omotayo Olutoye who died recently at 87 made useful contributions to Nigeria and Yoruba race, and particularly to Yoruba language, culture and tradition.

“As the first female Professor of Yoruba Studies in the world, her works and interventions helped a great deal in spreading and deepening the knowledge and understanding of the Yoruba Language. Her works have kept

the Yoruba language alive and flourishing. Prof. Omotayo Olutoye has etched her name in our memory and this will remain indelible.

“Importantly, a staunch member of the Anglican Communion, Prof. Olutoye also made invaluable contributions to Nigeria by gifting us the renowned Surgeon and Paediatrician, Prof. Olurotimi Olutoye.

“I offer my sympathy and condolences to her husband and patriarch of the family, Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd), the Alani of Idoani, the entire Olutoye family and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotili Akeredolu, for the loss of the illustrious woman. May Nigeria be blessed with many of the ilk of Prof. Olutoye. May she find comfort in the bosom of the Lord.”

The Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, (R) presents to Governor Hope Uzodimma, the plaque as Most Innovative Digital Governor of the Year, awarded to the Governor by Titans of Tech Awards at the New Exco Chambers Government House Owerri... yesterday.

MOOT AND MOCK TRIAL FOR THE 2023 NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL EXTERNS...

Goldman Sachs Predicts $86 Oil as Crude Price Hits Three-month High

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Goldman Sachs yesterday predicted that an ‘all-time high’ demand in oil markets leading to a sizeable deficit was in the offing, projecting that Brent crude will rise from above the over $80 per barrel now to $86 per barrel by year end.

The investment bank noted that it expects the record demand in oil markets to drive crude prices higher in the near term by up to 2 million barrels per day.

"We expect pretty sizable deficits in the second half, with deficits of almost 2 million barrels per day in the third quarter as demand reaches an all-time high," Goldman's Head of Oil Research, Daan Struyven, told CNBC.

Nigeria continues to contribute to the global supply curtailment, recording almost 500,000 barrels per day deficit last month, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

While the country’s OPEC production quota remains at 1.74 million bpd, Nigeria was only able

to drill roughly 1.25 million bpd in June. Operators have blamed massive oil theft and vandalism for the challenge.

Bloomberg reported that while Struyven acknowledged that United States crude oil production had risen significantly over the past year to 12.7 million barrels per day, he said that pace of growth will slow throughout the rest of 2023.

"We expect US crude supply growth to slow down pretty significantly to a sequential pace of just 200 barrels per day from here," he said, pointing to the decline in rig counts. That metric, which tallies the number of active oil rigs, is used as an indicator of drilling activity and future output.

The US oil rig count recently hit its lowest level in 16 months, down 15 per cent from its late 2022 peak, a recent Goldman report observed, citing data from Baker Hughes and Haver.

Last week, Baker Hughes reported US oil rigs fell by seven to 530 the lowest since March 2022.

Struyven suggested that the lack of an agreement following the G20

energy ministers' meeting indicates "very substantial" uncertainty about long-run oil demand. The Group of 20 energy ministers met in India over the weekend, but left without reaching a consensus on the phasing down of fossil fuels, complicating the transition toward clean energy.

"Key point here for investors is, with the uncertainty about oil demand being so elevated, investors may require a premium to compensate for the elevated risk from such elevated demand uncertainty," Struyven said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) in June had predicted that global oil demand was on track to rise by 2.4 million barrels per day in 2023, outpacing the previous year's 2.3 million barrel per day increase.

Meanwhile, oil prices climbed over 2 per cent to a three-month high on Monday on tightening supply, rising US gasoline demand, hopes for Chinese stimulus measures and technical buying.

In addition, traders noted prices gained due to uncertainty in global markets related to Russia's bombing of Ukraine's grain export facilities

and multiple missiles apparently launched by North Korea.

Brent futures rose $1.82, or 2.2 per cent, to $82.89 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.96, or 2.5 per cent, to $79.03.

That put both benchmarks on track for their highest closes since April 19 and pushed both contracts into technically overbought territory, Reuters said.

Both crude benchmarks have climbed higher over the past four weeks with supplies expected to tighten due to cuts from the OPEC

and allies like Russia, a group known as OPEC+.

A majority of economists polled by Reuters still expect this will be the last increase of the current tightening cycle, after data this month showed signs of disinflation, eliminating the need for the Fed to lift rates further.

The rise in the price of crude oil will be good and bad news for Nigeria. While it will earn more from its crude oil revenue, the price the already agitated citizenry buy petrol at the pumps will also likely increase.

Group Expresses Concern over High Rate of Sexual Harassment against Women at Workplace

HEIR Women Hub, a social enterprise committed to seeing young women occupy decision-making and leadership positions has expressed

worry over the unending rate of sexual harassment at workplaces. It revealed that 79.5 per cent of men have no idea that there was any law that prohibits it as against 20.5 per cent who know that the

Ex-NERC Chair Calls for Deployment of AI in Tackling Nigeria’s Unstable Power Grid

Seeks solution to sector players ‘ interface misalignment

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof James Momoh, yesterday called for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the management of the country’s unstable electricity grid.

Speaking in Abuja at the International Conference on Energy and Power Systems Operations and Planning (ICEPSOP 2023), the Director of the Centre for Energy Systems and Control at Howard University, United States, stated that it was unacceptable that very minor disturbances still lead grid collapses in the country.

He argued that there was a growing demand for a more robust approach to reliable power supply, prompting the introduction of Al, maintaining that by harnessing its power, Nigeria can effectively address the current computational requirements of the grid and pave the way for a more efficient and adaptive energy system.

The event was themed: “Empowering Reliable Power Delivery Using Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies: A case for United States of America and Africa”.

According to him, as has been tried in other parts of the world, Al which combines tools to substitute the need for human cognitive ability can be used in grid automation because of its ability to handle large amounts of data which are often diverse and of varying quality.

“The integration of Al in the electricity value chain offers various benefits, enabling Al to play a crucial role in the diagnosis, analysis, and control of different aspects of the grid, including cyber security.

“In Nigeria, interface challenges between generation and transmission have been a concern, leading to a blame game. Al solutions can bridge this gap by continuously monitoring and diagnosing anomalies in data, identifying vulnerabilities in equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers.

“By aligning decision-making with

Al insights, classical optimisation theory limitations can be overcome. The imbalance between generation and distribution can be mitigated using Al forecasting.

“Al-driven forecasting, based on weather changes, extreme events, and potential cyber attacks, allows for proactive measures to maintain grid stability and reliability,” he maintained.

He stated that other current industry challenges include increased decarbonisation, aging infrastructure, transmission reforms, new competitors, federal-state policy and regulatory issues, cyber and physical security as well as changing customer behaviours.

To address the aforementioned challenges, he proposed a new electricity market design to achieve decarbonisation at all levels through policies, technologies and regulation to achieve reliability, resiliency, sustainability and affordability.

“The regulators at the state and federal level need to come to a closure on how to regulate polices

to avoid misalignment,” he stated.

In his remarks, the President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), who also doubles as President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), Prof Peter Onwualu, noted that the energy and power insecurity conundrum in Nigeria remain one of the most difficult problems that have refused to be solved by successive governments.

“It has been estimated by the World Bank that 85 million Nigerians don’t have access to grid electricity. This represents 43 per cent per cent of the country’s population and makes Nigeria one of the countries with the largest energy access deficit in the world.

“The lack of reliable power is a significant constraint for citizens and businesses, resulting in annual economic losses estimated at $26.2 billion (N10.1 trillion) which is equivalent to about 2 per cent of GDP.

law exists.

This was disclosed in a report titled, "What Do Men Know: A Survey on Workplace Sexual Harassment,” conducted by the organisation to assess the visibility of the menace from the man' lens. Its Executive Director, Anuli Aniebo Ola-Olaniyi, while giving an overview of the survey during a virtual meeting yesterday, said the figures were clear indications that there was inadequate awareness of existing laws against sexual harassment at workplace due to the lack of reporting mechanisms by organisations.

Workplace sexual harassment, she said, presented unequal power relations that have strong links to unequal wage gaps, poverty, and mental well-being.

According to her, majority of the 200 male respondents including 25 per cent People With Disabilities (PWD's) selected from the public, private and informal sectors aged between 18 and 35 years old who took the online survey were residents of Abuja, while others reside in Lagos, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Borno, Benue, Plateau, Osun, Ebonyi, Delta, Imo, Kano, Gombe and the United Kingdom.

She noted further that 99 per cent of the respondents affirmed that young women were more sexually harassed than men at the workplace clearly indicating the knowledge gap in that area.

"So far men know that young women are sexually harassed. Organisations having policy against workplace sexual harassment and ensure that such policy

is implemented is an effective strategy against workplace sexual harassment. However, 76 per cent of respondents reported that their organisations had no such policies,” she added.

She therefore stressed the need for more sensitisation in order to enlighten organisations and the pubic on workplace sexual harassment particularly regarding inappropriate comments with sexual undertone and existing policies against the menace such as the VAPP Act, International Labour Organisation Convention 190 as to improve their awareness level as well as accountability to effective implementation.

"There is a need for consultation with organisations to ensure that mechanisms for reporting workplace sexual harassment are set up to promote the culture of speaking out against the perpetrators of the barbaric act.

"Strict disciplinary measures should be designed to deter perpetrators from engaging in workplace sexual harassment irrespective of gender," she stressed.

"Workplace sexual harassment continues to occur due to the level of ignorance traced majorly to the culture of silence that prevent survivors from speaking out against the menace as well as the lack of policy, reporting mechanisms and disciplinary actions set in place by organisations.

"It is therefore important that workplace be made conducive to ensure that young women thrive professionally as workplace sexual harassment constitute an impediment to growth and progress of any employee," she added.

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

L-R: Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Joe-Kyari Gadzama; National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice. Rakiya Haastrup; with Secretary, Body of Benchers, Mr. Daniel Tela; during the Moot and Mock Trial for the 2023 Nigerian Law School Externs organized by J-K Gadzama in Abuja... weekend

PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

$400bn Annually Required to Fight Hunger Globally, UN Chief Reveals

Following recent revelation that the fight against hunger has stalled, a gathering of global leaders taking stock of progress made in transforming food systems has disclosed that $400 billion would be required to fight hunger globally.

The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, said this in his opening address during a high-level panel at the UN Food Systems Summit + 2 Stocktaking Moment yesterday.

The summit was convened by Guterres, who said: “In a world of plenty, it is outrageous that people continue to suffer and die from hunger.”

He added, “Starving food systems

on investment means, quite literally, starving people.”

The emerging global vision is to create a new food financial architecture with governments, the private sector and development partners mobilising as much as US$400 billion a year until 2030 - far less than the cost of inaction estimated at $12 trillion a year in environmental, social, and economic damage to communities, families, livelihoods and lives.

On his part, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, said: “The cost of inaction is much higher than the cost of action. If we really want to take people out of

hunger, out of poverty, we need investments, not only (humanitarian) assistance. And those investment need to be very much focused on pro-poor rural policies.”

He added that firm financial commitments and political would are needed to halt current trends and build a food secure future.

“Today’s food systems have failed to make nutritious diets accessible or affordable for all. Four out 10 people worldwide are unable to afford a healthy diet. We must build a world where healthy and nutritious food is available and affordable for everyone, everywhere.

“If we don’t act now, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and

climate targets remain completely out of reach,” Lario added.

According to the latest figures that the UN released on 12 July, 122 million more people were suffering chronic malnourishment since 2019.

Currently, over three billion people in the world cannot afford a healthy diet. Food systems are responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, up to 80 per cent of biodiversity loss and up to 70 per cent of fresh-water consumption.

Financing food systems transformation: a cost within reach.

“We need to massively scale-up investments in rural development and across food systems to help

OBASANJO: NIGERIA IS SITTING DANGEROUSLY ON KEG OF GUNPOWDER

who had also served as Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga.

Obasanjo said the disappointment cut across the board.

Obasanjo, who addressed the audience at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, virtually, said even though “Nigeria is a potential jewel of Africa, if you want to put it that way, we have never attained that position. Can you reclaim what you have never had or attained?”

He said, “Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world.”

According to him, “What Segun (Aganga) has tried to identify, itemise and recommend in his book is the way forward. But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.

“We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with total lack

of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”

Obasanjo identified two major, though interrelated, factors for all-round development.

“These are peace and security, which we cannot achieve without justice, equity and inclusive society,” he said.

He added, “And telling ourselves the truth, we have not done well on these scores in the recent past — in the last decade and a half.

“I will also point at the issue of education, where over 20 million children that should be in school are not in school. We do not need an oracle to tell us the consequences of that for tomorrow.”

The former president said skills acquisition, empowerment and employment of the youth seemed to be ignored or not appreciated.

He stated, “We do not need to look far for the remote causes of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping and other organised crimes.

“We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more

POLICE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS IN PLOT TO ATTACK ATIKU, OTHERS

who were later arrested, too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.

"We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation. We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief."

A statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said the party insisted that by the confession of the arrested assailants, the plot had the pawmarks of a sponsored attempt on Atiku’s life, ostensibly by forces unsettled by his bid to retrieve his mandate at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

Ologunagba stated, "Our party believes that the intent of the sponsors of this evil plot is to silence our presidential candidate, massacre innocent Nigerians and cause chaos, confusion and anarchy in the polity.

"The PDP asks, is this foiled attack on Atiku Abubakar and sensitive locations in Yola, Adamawa, connected to the recent APC’s threats of chaos and anarchy in the country, if the PEPC upholds the clear provisions of Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) with regard to the mandatory and statutory requirements for which a candidate in a presidential election can be declared winner?

"Could it also be a plan to orchestrate a sense of insecurity in the country, starting in Adamawa State, the home state of our presidential candidate so as to justify the imposition of a state of emergency in Adamawa State as a precursor to a declaration of a state of emergency throughout the country?

"Our party charges the Inspector

General of Police to take the lead provided by the confession of the assailants to track down their sponsors and bring them to book in the interest of the security, unity and wellbeing of our nation.

"The federal government has a duty and obligation to Nigerians and, indeed, the whole world to ensure that the perpetrators of these dastardly act and their sponsors are brought to book. This particular investigation is important to the country because of the scope and dimension of the attempted attack.

"Our party commends the collaborative effort of the vigilant people of Yola, Adamawa State, and security agencies in foiling the attack, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and alert as the authorities commence investigation to fish out those behind this evil plot."

On his part, Frank, who called the attention of the international community to the developments in Nigeria, bemoaned the alleged attempt on Atiku’s life at his residence in Yola on Sunday.

In a statement, Frank said the arrested suspect confessed to the police a grand plot to plant bombs at the Modibbo Adama Central Mosque, the residence of Atiku, as well as the American University in Yola.

He stated, "These confessions of the dreaded Boko Haram sect are troubling and worrisome, as this is the first time an attempted attack of this magnitude would be planned on the person of HE Atiku Abubakar.

"Having received the official Police HQ Situation Report, we would like to call on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, beef up adequate security around the former vice president, with swift investigation into unravelling the circumstances leading to Atiku as a target by this group.”

people into poverty through good policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policy and no policy at all.”

Obasanjo, who commended the author for making an impressive contribution to the body of knowledge on Nigeria’s development annals, said, “You are welcome to the League of Authors on Nigeria’s development endeavours. I hope this will not be your last publication.”

He emphasised the need to harness Nigerian talents in the diaspora towards the development of the country, saying, “The point I am making is that we have, both at home and in the diaspora, Nigerians who have attained world and best standard in their character, professions, attributes, performance and reputation in all walks of life. With such men and women, why are we underperforming at home?”

Obasanjo said Aganga “stands out as one of the best in these categories of best performers –home and away” and described the publication as a “timely and relevant book for Nigeria, coming out of practical experience, exposure, professional understanding and interaction.”

He claimed substantial responsibility for drafting Aganga into the “noble Project Nigeria, which I did midway into my incarnation as leader of Nigeria between 1999

and 2007. I first met Segun while he was the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs in London, a very important position in the financial world.

“He was part of the Bank’s delegation that visited me in Abuja between 2004 and 2005 or thereabouts. Both of us connected, quite naturally when he was introduced as Segun.

“But more importantly, because I was highly impressed with his contributions during our discussions, I challenged Segun, who was a diasporan to get more involved, from his base in London, in our nation-building efforts here in Nigeria.

“I am pleased to indicate that my call considerably inspired Segun to establish the Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI), which was registered in the United Kingdom in 2006. NLI’s mission is to create a growing, global network of credible, accomplished community-spirited Nigerian leaders, committed to taking responsibility for driving positive change in Nigeria and Nigerian communities.

“Because of its lofty objectives, NLI attracted the support of many global and international organisations, including the World Bank, which mandated NLI to replicate the initiative in Rwanda.

“Our administration also invited NLI to conduct a programme for

small-scale farmers produce more food and more diversified food, access markets, value chains and technologies and adapt to climate change,” added Lario.

IFAD, the only UN fund that exclusively focuses on rural areas, is co-leading the financing agenda together with the World Bank Group.

“All the governments represented here today have committed to eliminating poverty and hunger, and to taking urgent climate action by 2030. So, I am here to say loudly and clearly that we will not succeed – that you will not succeed – unless we transform our food systems today.

“The stakes are higher than ever.

members of the government in April 2006. This background explains why in 2010, I gently hinted the then President Jonathan of the need for him to appoint Segun as his finance minister. I did not feel let down by Segun’s performance in the two portfolios that were assigned to him. I remain proud of him for his performance.

“Let me make a point here. I always look in and look out for men and women of intelligence, track record of performance, ability, love of Nigeria and humanity and love and fear of God and courage with humility and integrity to serve Nigeria. None of them is perfect nor a saint but all those that I have so recruited, particularly from the diaspora, have performed creditably well in government.

“Segun Aganga is one of them. So are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Lesley Obiora, Akin Adesina, Rilwanu Lukman, and Bayo Ogunlesi. There are others who secured international appointments after their services at the national level under my watch. Among such distinguished ones are Amina Mohammed, Babatunde Osotimehin, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, and Akin Adesina after he had initially been encouraged by me to serve at home.”

However, Obasanjo said, “Here I have my first minor disagreement with Segun on this book. It is not in terms of the content, which I

The next few years are critical for financing food security,” said Sabrina Elba, who is receiving an honourable mention at the UN SDG Awards for her work as IFAD’s Goodwill Ambassador.

The Summit is taking stock over the next three days of the progress made to create inclusive, sustainable and resilient food systems. The event is hosting 2,000 in-person participants and thousands of virtual attendees from 170 countries – including 22 heads of state, 103 ministerial level delegates, close to 100 Food Systems National Convenors, 450 non-state actor (NSA) delegates, and high-level delegates from the UN system and other international organisations.

will come to later, but in terms of the title. Should it be Reclaiming or Claiming the Jewel of Africa? If we have not reached there, which we have not, our first assignment is to reach there.

“Not long ago, I decided to have on record the experiences of some of the Nigerian ambassadors from independence to date. One of the first set of ambassadors, Ambassador Ogunsulire, during the interview, recollected that at the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly attended by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa for the admission of Nigeria as a member of the United Nations on October 7, 1960, Nigeria was referred to as Giant in the sun.”

The book, which offered a “blueprint for taking Nigeria and Africa from potential to posterity”, was launched by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Mr. Wale Edun.

The event was graced by many dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who also addressed the gathering virtually; former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Fayemi; former Director General, Nigeria Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and

Continued on page 28

TUC GIVES FG TWO WEEKS TO CONCLUDE NEGOTIATIONS OVER SUBSIDY

challenges brought about by the removal subsidy on petroleum products, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has given federal government the next two weeks to reach agreement on negotiations or face workers’ protest.

Specifically, the union said if after August 19, nothing tangible was concluded, it would be compelled to take further action to protect workers and the masses of the country from being subjected to unending hardship.

Apart from embarking on quantifiable cut in cost of governance, the Congress said both federal government and the states should come up with harmonised palliatives that is verifiable and will be implemented with agreed time frame.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, TUC President, Mr. Festus Osifoh, said that the union was not happy that the negotiations have proceeded with the anticipated speed.

According to Osifoh, organised labour had summed up their demand under three key areas, which included deployment of alternative to the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) such as CNG, providing palliatives and reduction in cost of governance.

So far, Osifoh said technical committees have been set to look into various aspects of the demands by Labour.

However, the TUC president regretted that at the last meeting of the negotiating team last Thursday, not much had been achieved "As at today we have formed technical committees on cash transfers, on intervention fund, on reduction of cost of governance, on energy and power (developing CNG as alternative to PMS) and fixing of refineries.

"We also have technical committees on education and health and Mass Transit," he explained.

But Osifoh said while some of the technical committees have been sitting others were yet to meet.

"Our position is that government should fast-track to ensure that action and processes are concluded to ensure that the sufferings of Nigerians are ameliorated," he said.

According Osifoh, the federal government had said the negotiating team has maximum of two months to conclude all discussions so that implementation would commence and that it would not like a situation where the committee would sit for years.

"Government gave a timeline of eight weeks, beginning from June 19, and if you do your calculation, eight weeks is going to be end by August 19.

"So far we have stayed more than one month and we felt that we are not going at the speed we anticipated and we want the government to fast tract action to ensure that between now and next two weeks all the committees must have submitted their report so that the Presidential Steering Committee can conclude its work immediately because we cannot continue to blow big, big grammar while Nigerians are suffering and people are trekking long distances to work," he said.

The TUC president said the elected leaders would need to show example in view of the harsh economic conditions the country is facing presently.

He added that such example would be better seen in the way of reduction in cost governance and by having the members of the Executive and Legislature pruning

the huge budget expended on their welfare.

Osifoh, cited the case of the proposed N40 billion and N70 billion meant for the purchase of vehicles for National Assembly members and their welfare package.

He said workers would like to see President Bola Tinubu give a directive that none of his ministers appoint more than two aides.

"This is one of those things we felt that as trade Union Congress of Nigeria we must bring to the limelight and do everything possible to ensure government listens to us and that government fast tracks. TUC is ready to meet even at midnight and weekends.

"We are ready to work because the plight of Nigerian workers is our great concern because anything that will effect Nigerian workers is what we will fight to correct. Beyond the workers, it is also about the wellbeing of the masses because we have a.lot of Nigerians that are today unemployed,

"So what we are canvassing across these technical committees is that anything that you put in place should have in the basket the issue alternative and cheaper energy like the CNG, palliatives that will better the lives of the people and the issue of reduction of cost governance,” he added.

Osifoh said cutting the cost of governance was of paramount importance because government cannot continue to ask the workers and the battered masses to continuously tight their belt.

"We have exceeded the belt holes while those in government have continuously increased their largesse. They must lead by example, the executive, legislative and judiciary

arms government must lead from the front and Nigerians will follow them from behind.

"But a situation they are pushing a lot Nigerians into poverty line while they are living in opulence, we will not allow that to happen If the National Assembly cannot give clear-cut justification of what they doing, we will lead the entire Nigerian masses to besiege the chambers because for us we think that injury to one is an injury to all," he said.

Osifoh also said what Nigerians desired right now was for the government at the national and state levels to implement policies that would lead to reduction in cost of living rather action would inflate it.

With regard to upward review of school fees by institutions, the TUC president said such action was like adding more pain to the sufferings of Nigerians.

He advised that rather than sudden increase in fees to unbearable levels, government should adopt a policy of gradual review of school fees and to see that such increase does not render whatever palliative provided to people useless.

As a way to address the growing inflation and rising food prices, Osifoh advised that federal government should consider scrapping new excise duties imposed of goods.

He said: "One of the greatest problem to our economy is the exchange rate and most of the goods consumed in the country today are imported.

"We called the federal.givrrnment to come up with good policy framework that will support the country's exchange rate to bounce back".

Ugwuanyi’s Enduring Bridge Across Culture and Religion

Former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State wrote his name in gold with his ability to mobilise various political, religious, and cultural interests in the state in particular and the country in general, to maintain an unprecedented peace during his glorious eight-year tenure from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.

Having served the people of his constituency for 12 years in the House of Representatives and acquired a wealth of experience in national politics more than any other previous governor in the South-east, Ugwuanyi was able to galvanise all the relevant stakeholders into action to make Enugu State the most peaceful state in the South-east geopolitical zone during his eight-year tenure.

Ugwuanyi governed the state not only at a turbulent period when the South-east had the most serious security challenges but also at a time when the plummeting crude oil prices grounded governance in nearly all the states.

It was during Ugwuanyi’s tenure that the price of Nigeria’s Brent crude oil fell to $9.12 per barrel in April 2020, the lowest in decades, while the United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also traded at negative prices for the first time since trading began in 1983.

Before Ugwuanyi assumed office, previous governors had enjoyed huge statutory allocations from oil windfall as the price of the global benchmark, Brent crude oil, which slumped below $10 per barrel during Ugwuanyi’s tenure, had at a point hit an alltime high of $147.27 per barrel in July 2008.

Despite the predicament in which he found himself, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and never sounded like a broken record like some of his colleagues who spent eight years on blame game and left not only a legacy of dilapidated infrastructures, accumulated debts and refuse dumps, but also allowed their states to be overrun by non-state actors

on killing spree.

With his enormous wealth of experience in national politics, which enabled him to build bridges and wide contacts, coupled with his professional background, Ugwuanyi was able to successfully navigate through these security and financial challenges.

Gburugburu, as he is fondly called, not only provided the dividends of democracy for the people of the state but also maintained a peaceful environment for investments and good governance to thrive.

Unlike most of his predecessors who wasted the apparatus and resources of the state in fighting their predecessors and creating unnecessary political tension, Ugwuanyi established a culture of harmonious relationship with all the political leaders in the state.

When some of the governors in the Southeast created the Ebubeagu security outfit, and were using it as personal militias to hound their political opponents, Ugwuanyi created and fully equipped the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and other local security outfits to complement the efforts of security agencies in securing the state.

His administration was known to have purchased 360 security patrol vehicles made up of 260 Siena vehicles and 100 Hilux vans, for the security agencies, vigilance groups and forest guards in the state.

Ugwuanyi also bought additional 260 vehicles, as well as motorcycles and bicycles for the Forest Guards and Vigilante/Neighborhood Watch groups for community policing.

With his efforts, Enugu State was the least affected among the five states in the South-east by the activities of the unknown gunmen that ravaged the geo-political zone.

Under his administration, Enugu provided comfort for the indigenes of the neighbouring states, who fled their states due to insecurity.

It is on record that Ugwuanyi won numerous accolades for his efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.

Prominent among these awards was the national award as the ‘Most Peaceful Governor in Nigeria’ by the Messengers of Peace Foundation, conferred on him in 2021 by the National President of the foundation, Dr. Sulaiman Adejoh, for his zeal, steadfastness and untiring efforts in ensuring that “there is calmness in Enugu State and Nigeria by extension”.

Ugwuanyi had earlier been honoured with the ‘Peace Ambassador Award’ during the International Peace Day on September 21, 2020 alongside other Nigerian leaders.

He also received commendations from prominent Nigerians across the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was one of the prominent

traditional rulers who identified Ugwuanyi’s sterling qualities in the early life of his administration.

Addressing Muslims when he visited the state in December 2016, the revered monarch had noted that: “The governor is popular among the indigenes and even non-indigenes,” noting that “this is commendable.”

“I’m excited that 95 per cent of Muslims in Enugu State support Governor Ugwuanyi and what he is doing to promote peace, security and good governance,” the Sultan reportedly added.

Also speaking in December 2022 during the unveiling of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre – the former Enugu residence of Dr. Azikiwe known as old Premier Lodge, which was renovated, furnished and decorated with personal effects and other monuments of the great Zik of Africa by the Ugwuanyi’s administration, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe applauded Ugwuanyi for “his zeal and steadfastness in ensuring that the legacy of Nnamdi Azikiwe is not swept under the carpet,” adding that posterity will always remember the governor for the gesture.

He said Ugwuanyi’s commitment towards upholding Zik’s legacy was uncommon, “particularly in Nigeria where we easily forget our leaders, forgetting their efforts, their sufferings and what they denied themselves.”

On her part, Zik’s wife, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, stated that the family of the late Azikiwe would never forget Ugwuanyi, revealing that the governor’s humility was unprecedented.

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunlusi, Ojaja II, had also extolled Ugwuanyi’s leadership qualities, describing him as a “wonderful” leader whose hospitality was second to none.

Ogbuku: Making a Difference in NDDC

Between Joinkrama and Akinima communities, somewhat sleepy neighbouring towns of about 8,000 people in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, a vast portion of the road that linked the various farming communities in the area have caved in into the nearby Orashi River as a result of the torrential rains in recent weeks, a situation which had rendered all commercial and social movements impossible.

Worse still, the only alternative, the Orashi River itself, has risen to an incredible height and has overrun its banks into the surrounding dense rainforest. Thereby making moving around dangerous and risky.

For the people, this was the worse nightmare in recent years. They have not experienced this situation since the road was built by the NDDC some years ago. Hence, jubilant crowd of the natives trooped out to welcome the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to the community in anticipation that the nightmare would be solved. Ogbuku was paying an unscheduled visit to the place where the road was cut off to see the situation of things for himself.

The almost 20 kilometres long road holds a significant purpose for the people and the Commission. It was built by the NDDC to open up over 20 backwaters communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states which were hitherto inaccessible except by boats and canoe through the Orashi River.

The people got what they prayed for. A temporary alternative road will be provided immediately even as the Commission finds

solution to the washed portion of the road.

The area houses the Adebawa oil wells which ranks second only to Oloibiri as the place where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria. This contribution notwithstanding, the road is all the people have to show for their contribution to the national economy, even as oil is still being produced from the many wells in the area.

The NDDC built the road in 2005 to alleviate the sufferings of the people who are mainly farmers and fishing folks; and more importantly, the cloisters of communities in the area are major oil producing and have contributed significantly to the na-

tion’s economy.

Earlier, the NDDC Managing Director had led a team of the commission’s executive team to Oporoza, in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State on an inspection tour of projects executed by the Commission in the area.

The NDDC team got friendly welcome because of the past performances of the Commission in Gbaramatu kingdom where the NDDC built and inaugurated a Cottage Health Centre, the first in the area.

The Cottage Hospital in Okerenkoko has saved the people from the dangerous practice of self-medication and the hazardous boat trips to Warri whenever anyone took ill or when women are in labour.

Ogbuku also inspected the shore protection project in Ogborodo, which the Escravos Oil Terminal belonging to Chevron Oil had been stalled for many years. The situation at the site was not encouraging because the contractor was said to have abandoned the shore protection and reclamation project, leaving the people and community to brutal pounding from waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Until Ogbuku’s appointment as the head of the NDDC, the commission had been enmeshed in crisis; fumbling from one crisis to the other without an apparent sense of direction and clear-cut knowledge and direction about its role in the scheme of things, given the fact that most of what it was doing are exactly what the state and local government councils are also doing.

The situation was made worse by the fact that there was no synergy between the commission and the state governments, a situation which

made for duplication of efforts as the states and the NDDC sometimes embarked on the same projects in the same locality without the knowledge of the other party.

Traditionally, mainstream Niger Delta people are fishing folks. They find joy and livelihood in the many rivers, creeks and rivulets that make the waterways surrounding their communities. Fishing which is their major occupation is no more since the advent of oil exploration and exploitation as the waters are now polluted from oil spillages and most of the freshwater fishes have died and saltwater fishes have moved deeper into the sea. This has made their situation very precarious.

In the Niger Delta states, outside the communities in the upland areas, almost all the communities in the deep delta areas which host most oil facilities and installations are not connected to the National Electricity Grid. Communities in Bayelsa state were only connected to the grid in the year 2006, fifty years after oil was first found in Oloibiri! A situation which made the state the last to be connected to power in the federation.

This was the situation that the NDDC was meant to ameliorate when it was created by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s government as an interventionist agency.

But the situation has changed. Today, the development of the region has gone beyond infrastructural provisions into the area of susteinanable development. This is where Ogbuku comes in.

With the bridges he built across different cultures, tribes, social classes

religions,

earned Enugu the status of the most peaceful state in the South-east geo-political zone,

Ugwuanyi is no doubt one of the most respected former governors in the country.

Following the dark days of confusion and ineffectual execution and supervision of projects, the situation has brightened up and shifted for the better in the Niger Delta Development Commission. Segun James writes.

Ogbuku

Ugwuanyi

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL

ISSUES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S N70 BILLION

Parliament needs to improve on its public communication for the people to better understand its workings

Last week, the media landscape was agog with critical reports of N70 billion and N35 billion purportedly allocated to the National Assembly and the Judiciary respectively. These sums were said to be their share of the palliatives proposed by President subsidy on petrol. Several civil society organisations and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) were understandably at the head of the opposition to these purported allocations, contending that it was against public morality for such scandalous provisions to be made for 469 members of the National Assembly provisioned for 12 million households and 60 million poor of the poorest in the country. We understand the basis for the anger, even if misplaced. As we argued recently, there can be no better time than now to review the structure of government and the remunerations of public the ordinary people on those elected or appointed to serve them cannot continue to live in obscene opulence. Some ministers, triple salaries while only a few states have reduced the scandalous pension package for ex-governors in terms of salaries for life, houses in the state capitals plus Abuja, medical, vehicle and other allowances. This is the genesis to the anger over the allocations to the National Assembly and the judiciary. However, public resentment would have been they would have been clearly disproportionate. But this is a misreading of what happened. The proposed N500 billion would be sourced from the N819.54 billion Supplementary Budget passed in December 2022 for President Muhammadu Buhari by the Ninth National Assembly to redevelop infrastructure President Tinubu also proposed to give N70 billion

SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

Letters to the Editor

to the National Assembly to renovate its dilapidated complex and provide essential equipment for the new legislators who had just been inaugurated. The judiciary, he further proposed was to get N35 billion for its essential services.

permission from the federal lawmakers to repurpose the N819.54 Supplementary Budget passed by the Ninth National Assembly in view of prevailing exigencies. Properly speaking, the presidential request was for the virement of already allocated funds since the executive is not permitted by law to reallocate subhead funds without legislative authorisation. Meanwhile, rather than spend the funds on the as originally approved, the president now has legislative consent to channel the resources to subsidy removal palliative for the poor, renovation of the National Assembly Complex, and the Judiciary, items that were not in the 2022 Supplementary Budget.

Although the Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu countered the negative narratives, especially on social media, his explanations were drowned by the avalanche of public condemnations. This must have arisen from the distrust of the lawmakers as well as their perennial weak and most often clumsy public engagement. Going forward, the National Assembly needs to improve on its public communication for the people it serves to better understand its workings and activities.

But beyond the issue of communication, what should also not be lost to our lawmakers is that at

appointed to serve them cannot continue to live in luxury.

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

LETTERS

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES’ FEES INCREASE: A BLESSING

graduates with their A4 envelopes containing their CVs on our streets; in our text messages with requests for “urgent 2k”; in the smuggling.

Reports emerged recently that public universities’ fees across Nigeria have increased by as much as 200%. Nigerian youths, particularly those who are forced to pay fees themselves or rely on the goodwill of others outside of their nuclear family, should look at this situation as a sign to double down on embracing entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is about identifying problems and solving them for a price. Do that for seven to ten years and you’ll be hiring university graduates, guaranteed. working for Nigerians who barely graduated or never went to university at all. This is a relic from the colonial times which

work for a company for 30 years and retire from there, living -

that traditionally looked down on service jobs, meanwhile service jobs play a huge part in keeping Nigeria moving. You needture…and so on and so on. Many Nigerian youth have created these service businesses and employed others to assist. Hence my clarion call to double down.

There’s a lot of fear in looking entrepreneurship in the eye and telling it that you’re going to embrace it, particularly when a young person sees their peers earning livable salaries in attended dozens of interviews with no call-backs or can’t get ask themselves, frequently.

Welcome to the real world! Where getting an air-conditioned livable salaried job goes beyond having a degree! Soft skills such as emotional intelligence, time management, managing up/

sideways/down, public speaking, business writing and business administration, just to name a few, should be taught in all Nigerian secondary schools, public and private! Teaching them at university is too late because not everyone will go to univercountries, many youths enter the workforce as entrepreneurs or at the bottom of a company at 16, 17 and 18 years old, eiwant to be saddled with the debt of the fees after they graduate in their early twenties. This debt will take years to pay back, and they’d rather not add it to their problems. Before anyone while Nigeria is a lower middle-income economy, how do you a university degree. But in Nigeria, even micro enterprises are looking for graduates, thus depriving a large pool of Nigerians who can read and write from being employed.

Obinna Inogbo, Principal PR Executive, Worktainment Limited, Lagos

If the ordinary people on the street must sacrifice to keep the country afloat, those elected or appointed to serve them cannot continue to live in obscene opulence

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

Failure to Join a Necessary Party: Effect on Court’s Jurisdiction

Page IV

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

QUOTABLE

‘No country has succeeded in eliminating poverty without security, without the rule of law in the sense of good governance; investment in human capital, which are all foundations for what helps a country grow, the engine which is unlocking private investment for job creation.’

- Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Country Director, Nigeria

COLUMNIST

PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb,, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances. This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

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

‘‘Gas Energy is Clean Energy’, Say

SANs

Page V

Change of Baton at Alegeh & Co

Page V

Change of Baton at Alegeh & Co

Page V

Our Subsidy, Their Subsidy

Subsidy Removal and Palliatives

The incessantly rising cost of fuel, due to the removal of the fuel subsidy, amongst other factors like the rising cost of the U.S. Dollar in relation to the Naira, the Dollar being the currency also used to import fuel and so many other products, has made life become increasingly unbearable for Nigerians, and Government, both Federal and State, need to implement cushioning initiatives as a matter of urgency, to assist the people through these difficult times. The primary purpose of Government, is the security and welfare of the people - see Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), and it therefore, behooves Government to alleviate the suffering of the people, and make sure we are comfortable. And, it is the masses that are in much need of these softeners more. We hope that this new administration will not continue in the ways of the old, where preferential treatment has always been given to the privileged, over and above the majority of Nigerians. This is outright discrimination, contrary to Section 42(1)(a) of the Constitution.

As far as I’m concerned, the most important and immediate step for Government to take as far as palliatives for the people are concerned, apart from immediately addressing the issue of the inadequate minimum wage of N30,000 per month, with the intention of doing an upward review forthwith, seeing as N30,000 is no longer feasible or realistic in Nigeria of today, is to also do something fast in the area of transportation. Kudos to Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who blazed the trail by providing free transportation for students and public officials in his State, to cushion the effects of the increase in fuel prices. Additionally, Public Officials are now only expected to go to work, three times a week. The Federal Government and other State Governments, should take a leaf from the book of Governor Abdulrazaq, and emulate his initiatives by providing free or extremely affordable mass transportation for the people. The moment transportation costs rise, so does the cost of food stuff and subsequently, there’s a multiplier effect. Nevertheless, palliatives are only a stop gap to assist the people, and not a permanent solution to the real problem - Government needs to settle down to address the problems in Nigeria’s fuel regime and perfect its vertical integration process, as soon as possible.

Government can also negotiate with our local car manufacturer, Innoson, to request that Innoson manufacture only buses for now. Would that not create additional jobs for our people, while easing the burden of the high cost of transportation with the increase in the availability of buses for public transportation? There must be an efficient and affordable transportation system to cater for the people, for society to run smoothly. The money that has been allocated to waste funds on vehicles and furniture for Legislators and other nonsensical expenses, can be channelled into public transportation. The interest of 469 Legislators, cannot supersede the interest of over 200 million Nigerians. The truth of the matter is that, Government cannot be telling Nigerians to tighten their belts, while feeding fat on our very scarce and limited resources. Public officials have either been elected or appointed to serve Nigerians, and not to live lavish lifestyles at our expense. Government must introduce serious cost-cutting measures, within its own ranks. How can you tell anyone that the only way we can progress is for us to fast, while you eat caviar and fillet mignon all day! Tightening of belts, must be all-encompassing.

Blow Up or Cover Up?

Did Nigerians hear right, that MT Tura II was blown up allegedly with the 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil still on it? That sounds rather fishy and unbelievable, I mean, the part of the story that the vessel was destroyed along with the stolen oil. Apparently, 150,000 metric tonnes translates to over one million barrels of crude oil, which is worth millions of Dollars and billions of Naira, more or less Nigeria’s OPEC daily quota. That crude could have been made available to Dangote Refinery to commence petroleum refining activities immediately, or sold on the international market to our buyers. Who in their right mind, would throw away such a valuable product by blowing it up like that?

It was also not a good idea to make the vessel explode right there in our waters, as the environmental impact from blowing up a ship (even if the crude oil had been discharged from it, there would still be traces of it in the vessel) in already semi-contaminated waters, would further destroy

ONIKEPO

BRAITHWAITE

the aquatic life in those waters, pollute the environment, poison and negatively affect those that live in the immediate area, even resulting in health issues like eye, skin and gastrointestinal problems, amongst other health implications; it makes more sense for MT Tura II to have been added to the Navy’s fleet or auctioned, while the proceeds of sale used for better ventures like cleaning up or developing the environmentally devastated oil producing area that the oil was stolen from.

To be honest, I would rather align myself with the theory that the stolen crude oil may have been re-stolen since it didn’t seem to find its way back into the proper channels, as opposed to believing that it was destroyed, because it would be the highest level of absurdity and ‘Apa’ as we say in Yoruba, (wastrel, wastage), for officials of a country that cannot meet its OPEC quota, are aware of the precarious economic situation that the country is in, and even if they are unpatriotic and corrupt, know the value of the product, to destroy even one barrel of crude oil just to make an example which serves as a deterrent to other crude oil thieves. That goes way beyond cutting off your nose, to spite your face! With the history of Nigerian public officials and their penchant for bribery and corruption, it is more believable that some people somewhere have re-stolen the oil to resell, and put the profit in their private pockets. They should tell the story of the destruction of the oil along with the vessel to the marines, “because the sailors won’t believe you!”

Meanwhile, where is the due process and

rule of law in all of this? Should there not have been a thorough investigation into the oil theft, and a proper trial process before such a drastic step of destruction of the vessel MT Tura II was undertaken? It appears as if those who arrested the vessel appointed themselves as Judge, Jury and Executioner. Where does such happen, in a civilised society?

Abuse of Office

The House of Representatives are said to have launched an investigation, into the alleged destruction of MT Tura II. Hopefully, it will not end up being business as usual. If the crude oil is found to have been re-stolen, that would be a case of pure stealing and abuse of office. I am not aware of any law which allows any Nigerian authority or law enforcement agency, to destroy a vessel caught with stolen crude oil in it without following some due process, and if there is, it should be invalidated for its impracticality and repugnancy.

Abuse of Office, is a criminal offence. Section 104 of the Criminal Code Act (CC)(applicable in Southern Nigeria) provides that any public official who does or directs to be done in the abuse of his or her office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of another, is guilty of a misdemeanour punishable upon conviction with two years imprisonment. The law further provides that if the act of abuse of office is done for gain, the offence becomes a felony punishable with three years imprisonment upon conviction. In Offoboche v Ogoja LG & Anor (2001) LPELR-2265(SC), the Supreme Court held that in proving abuse of office, a

Plaintiff must establish that the Defendant abused his position, or that such Defendant acted with no semblance of legal justification. In the event that MT Tura II was blown up with the stolen crude oil still on it, and the Army insists that that is the normal convention or rules of engagement in such circumstances, then it may be difficult to prove that the offence of abuse of office was committed by those involved in its destruction. Such recklessness, or overzealousness, or even what we consider to be an error in judgement, if it is the normal protocol to destroy a criminal vessel in that manner, will not amount to bad faith or abuse of office in law.

See Offoboche v Ogoja LG & Anor (Supra), and those involved in the destruction could enjoy protection under Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Protection Act 2004 (POPA).

However, if the crude oil was re-stolen, that criminal act coupled with the aspect that the perpetrators may have hurriedly destroyed the vessel so that they could steal the crude oil for their own gain, while using the excuse that it is the normal protocol for such a thieving vessel to be destroyed immediately on apprehension, to mask their own sinister plan, is criminal, and the perpetrators are offered no protection under the law. Charges of theft, abuse of office, obstruction of justice amongst others, abound; of course, the burden of proof would be on the prosecution to prove this beyond reasonable doubt.

Still on Mr Emefiele

I had so many comments after my piece last week. While some people grudgingly agreed that rule of law must prevail, others believe that the ‘Law of Karma’, Retributive Justice, or the Biblical, ‘An eye for an eye’ is applicable in Mr Emefiele’s matter; that since as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele (Mefi) didn’t have much regard for the rule of law, especially when along with the Executive, they not only copiously breached the Section 38 Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 (CBN Act), but along with President Buhari knowingly flouted the order of the Supreme Court, and continued with their disastrous currency redesign policy, why should the rule of law now be extended to him? My response to this is that, building an orderly society must start somewhere, and there’s no better time than this, than with a brand new administration to begin. Therefore, for instance, while I applaud the arrest of MT Tura II, what ensued thereafter appears to be more of ‘jungle justice’ (destroying the vessel) possibly in conjunction with some criminality (if the oil on the vessel was indeed, re-stolen). It is akin to a mob beating to death or burning with a tyre, someone who is accused of stealing in the market, instead of handing the suspect over to the Police for arrest and further action.

Someone also telephoned me and pointed out that Mefi is not special; that his fundamental rights are not greater than that of the thousands of detainees awaiting trial, being held in all the prisons across Nigeria without charge, let alone being tried, contrary to Section 35 of the Constitution, and it is time that Government embarks on a nationwide review of the files of all those awaiting trial or unlawfully detained. I concur.

“Did Nigerians hear right, that MT Tura II was blown up allegedly with the 150,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil still on it? That sounds rather fishy and unbelievable, I mean, the part of the story that the vessel was destroyed along with the stolen oil”

Failure to Join a Necessary Party: Effect on Court’s Jurisdiction

Facts

The Appellant is an executive body established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), with the mandate to review the revenue allocation formulae and principles in operation, to ensure conformity with changing realities. Thus, on 27th February, 2017, the Appellant wrote the Rivers State Government, communicating its decision to update the Appellant’s records and ensure continuous compliance with constitutional provisions on application of 13% Derivation Principle and Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of Dichotomy in Application of Derivation) Act 2004.

The above-mentioned invitation was extended to all littoral States entitled to 13% Derivation, from exploration activities in the oil and gas sector of Nigeria. On conclusion of the exercise, the Appellant informed stakeholders of the outcome of the exercise and conveyed its reports to the then Department of Petroleum Resources. The summary of the Appellant’s exercise is that a certain Okoro Oil Field in OML 112 operated by AMNI International Petroleum, was actually located offshore Akwa Ibom State rather than offshore Rivers State (as was previously reported). Further to this, Akwa Ibom State, via a cover letter dated 13th March, 2019, requested for the refund of derivation revenue from Okoro Oil Field from July 2008 to September 2018. The Appellant then worked out the derivation in monetary terms for the period and summed the amount to be refunded to Akwa Ibom by the Rivers State Government to be N56,257,481,619.34 (Fifty-six billion, two hundred and fifty-seven million, four hundred and eighty-one thousand, six hundred and nineteen Naira, thirty-four Kobo). The Appellant decided that the sum of N502,298,934.03 which had been wrongly paid monthly to Rivers State over 112 months, should be reversed. The 2nd Respondent was also informed to implement the refund of the said derivation revenue wrongly paid to the Rivers State Government, from July 2008 to September 2018.

Given the above, the 1st Respondent commenced an action via an Originating Summons at the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, seeking several declarations and reliefs against the Appellant and the 2nd Respondent. One of the key declarations sought by the 1st Respondent, was that the provisions of Section 235 of the 1999 Constitution gives a stamp of finality to any decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in respect of the Oil field in OML 112 offshore, and that same renders the Appellant’s administrative acts of review to be unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. The Appellant, who was served with the Originating Processes and hearing notices, did not defend the Originating Summons. At the end of the hearing, the trial court determined the sundry applications filed in the suit, and refused the motion to arrest its judgement. Thereafter, the court delivered its judgement, granting all the reliefs sought by the 1st Respondent.

Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. The appellate court affirmed the decision of the trial court, and dismissed the appeal. The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court. The 1st Respondent challenged the competence of the grounds of the appeal, by way of Preliminary Objection.

Issues for Determination

Issue in the Preliminary Objection

Whether Grounds 1,2,3,5 and 6 contained in the Appellant’s Notice of Appeal are competent in law, the said grounds having been raised as grounds of mixed law and facts or facts only, without seeking and obtaining the requisite leave of court; and whether Ground 4 of the Appellant’s Notice and Grounds of Appeal, is incompetent and defective in law, having not challenged the ratio of the judgement of the lower court.

Issues in the Substantive Appeal

1. Whether by virtue of Section 232 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the trial court has jurisdiction to determine whether the revenue accruable from Okoro Oil Field in OML 112 is attributable to Rivers State Government.

2. Whether Akwa Ibom State is a necessary party to the action.

Arguments

Arguing the objection, counsel for the 1st Respondent stated that Grounds 1,2,3,5 and 6 of the Appellant’s Grounds of Appeal are grounds of mixed law and facts or facts only which were filed in contravention of Section 233(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as the Appellant did not seek prior leave of court before filing same. Likewise, he argued that Ground 4

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 31st day of March, 2023

Before Their Lordships Musa Dattijo Muhammad Chima Centus Nweze Uwani Musa Abba-Aji Mohammed Lawal Garba Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Justices, Supreme Court SC.365/2022

Between Revenue Mobilisation Allocation Appellant and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)

And

Appellant, and since the Appellant is a creation of constitutional and statutory laws, the Appellant was an agent of the Federal Government of Nigeria, thus, vesting exclusive jurisdiction in the Federal High Court vide Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. On the issue of necessary parties, counsel contended that the injury suffered by the Rivers State Government was caused solely by the Appellant; and as such, only the Appellant was the necessary party.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

Deciding the Preliminary Objection, the Apex Court outlined the Grounds of Appeal filed by the Appellant, shorn of their particulars, and evaluated same. The court found that Ground 1, which seeks a determination whether the lower court can interpret by Originating Summons, a judgement of the Supreme Court as an “Instrument” within the meaning of Order 3 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, is a ground of law. Also, Ground 2 which relates to whether a party is a necessary party, is a ground of law. Ground 3 challenges the jurisdiction of the trial court to determine the matter arising from the contents of Exhibit A8, is also purely a matter of law. Ground 5, which challenges the mode of instituting the action and its suitability, is a question of law. Ground 6 relates to pre-judgement interest, and the law is that this is determined by the law binding the contract or circumstances of the parties. Thus, the grounds of appeal being grounds of law, obviate the need to seek and obtain leave of court before filing the appeal.

On the main appeal, in determining the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the subject-matter which relates to the administrative action of an agency of the Federal Government in respect of boundaries between two States, the Apex Court referenced several decisions where similar issues have been pronounced on. Relying on its earlier decision in A-G RIVERS v A-G FED. & A-G AKWA IBOM STATE (2012) ALL FWLR (Pt. 646) 408, their Lordships held that revenue allocation is not one of the items over which the Federal High Court has jurisdiction, as provided in Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. In this case, the Supreme Court held that it has jurisdiction to entertain actions being primarily for the determination of the ownership of the maritime territory on which the disputed oil wells were located between the parties/disputants.

1. Attorney-General of Rivers State

2. Accountant-General of the Federation Respondents (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC)

did not relate to the ratio of the judgement of the court below. Counsel emphasised what constitutes a ground of law, distinguishing it from ground of mixed law and facts – OGBECHE v ONOCHIE (1986) LPELR-2278(SC). The Appellant reacted to the Preliminary Objection by stating the principle of law that, where a ground of appeal involves questions of law alone, the ground alone can sustain a Notice of Appeal without leave – ACB v OBMIANMI BRICK & STONE (NIG.) LTD. (1993)

5 NWLR (Pt. 294) 399 at 419. Counsel argued that Grounds 1 and 2, being issues of jurisdiction relating to the interpretation of a court judgement and entertaining an action in the absence of a necessary party, are enough to sustain the appeal. He posited that all the grounds of appeal were of law alone, which do not require leave.

On the substantive appeal, counsel for the Appellant submitted that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the Originating Summons given the direct implication of Section

232(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which envisages that disputes either of fact or law pertaining revenue sharing between the Federal Government and State or between States in the Federation, are exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Counsel argued that further to the letter headed “Attribution of Okoro Oil Field”, the subject-matter was one falling within Section 232 of the 1999 Constitution, and since the scope of the dispute was one showing existence of the legal right of both Akwa Ibom State and the Rivers State to the benefit of the 13% derivation from crude and gas production from Okoro Oil Field, the only court with jurisdiction to hear and determine the subject-matter is the Supreme Court. Regarding the other jurisdictional issue of whether Akwa Ibom State is a necessary party, counsel submitted that since Akwa Ibom State had undisputed interests in the attribution and payments of monies flowing from the Appellant’s report, Akwa Ibom State was a necessary party for the just determination of the Originating Summons.

Responding, counsel for the 1st Respondent argued that the questions for determination and declaratory reliefs sought at the trial court were to satisfy that the Appellant violated and denied, by administrative fiat, the proprietary rights of Rivers State Government over OML 112 which had earlier been granted to the Rivers State Government by virtue of the decision of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/27/2010 between A-G RIVERS v A-G AKWA IBOM & ANOR. He submitted further that the injury for which the 1st Respondent invokes the judicial powers of the trial court relates only to the administrative acts of the

Deciding the second issue on the joinder of Akwa Ibom State, the Apex Court reiterated the principle of law that in general terms, a Plaintiff cannot be made to proceed against a party he has no desire to sue; however, a party must be joined if there is a question that cannot be determined without him – GREEN v GREEN (1987) LPELR-1338(SC). Necessary parties are those in whose absence the subject-matter of the proceedings would not be fairly dealt with. In this case, questions 4 and 5 of the Originating Summons turn on who is entitled to payment of the revenue accruable from OML 112 or Okoro Oil Field. It was observed from paragraphs 10, 11, 14 and 16 of the 1st Respondent’s Originating Summons that the background of the complaint copiously mentioned the contention between Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State, relating to boundary disputes over the same oil fields.

In our adversarial system of jurisprudence, it is important that there should be an end to litigation on a subject-matter and failure to join a party whose interests, whether anticipatory or not, would be affected, goes to the root of the jurisdiction of the court. With the financial interest of 13% Derivation revenue, the stake of Akwa Ibom State was apparent. In this respect, the Apex Court held that the lower courts made decisions against the interest of Akwa Ibom State without hearing from the State, and, as such, violated the right of Akwa Ibom State to a fair trial. The judgements of the lower courts were thereby declared null and void, and the proceedings of the trial court was struck out for failure to join Akwa Ibom State, which is a necessary party.

Having resolved both jurisdictional issues against the 1st Respondent, their Lordships, unanimously allowed the appeal of the Appellant. Appeal Allowed.

Representation

Abdul Mohammed, SAN with Obiabo Francis Amedu, Debo Johnson, Mrs. Chiemelie Nneoma Ayo and Abusufyanu Abubakar for the Appellant. R.A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN; A.O. Okeaya-Inneh, SAN; and Eko Ejembi Eko, SAN with Emmanuel Asido, Ifeanyi Okpor for the 1st Respondent. Yahaya Abubakar for the 2nd Respondent.

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

“….failure to join a party whose interests, whether anticipatory or not, would be affected, goes to the root of the jurisdiction of the court”

Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC

‘Gas Energy is Clean Energy’, Say SANs

Nigerians have been urged to use more of gas for their energy consumption, because it is actually clean energy which does not affect the climate as much as has been propagated. This was the position of the panellists at the discussion forum on Africa's Energy Transition; Business, Regulation and Dispute Management, which took place at the Lagos Oriental hotel on Thursday 20th July, 2023.

Speaking at the discussion session, a Panelist, Engineer Abel Nsa, Head Nogec, Commission Chief Executive (Cce), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum

Regulatory Commission (Nuprc), said that Nigeria as a country is blessed with abundant natural resources and we should therefore, own that which is ours.

Members of the Panel all agreed that gas is indeed, clear energy that the nation can leverage on as we enter the transition period of seeking suitable renewable energy since the country is in the decade of gas.

In his contribution, Mr Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, maintained that Nigeria has what it takes to overcome whatever challenges that may come our way, as a result of

seeking solutions for climate change with regard to renewable energy. He further stated that it is a well known fact, that gas which we have in abundance, is clean energy that does not damage the ozone layer and can be combined with solar to not only meet Nigeria's energy, but the net zero emission dateline of 2060.

Also speaking, Mr Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, called on the Federal Government to grant tax incentives to investors seeking to invest in the renewable energy sector, so as to aid the current low power supply that the

nation is currently dealing with. He maintained that the present tax regime for renewable energy, is not sufficient to encourage investors to invest along the line.

There were discussion sessions on funding clean and renewable energy projects, financing clean and renewable energy, opportunities in clean and renewable energy projects, as well as climate change and energy transition; framework for managing potential regulatory disputes, managing potential commercial disputes in clean and renewable energy projects,

framework for managing potential investment disputes in clean and renewable energy projects, a view from the OHADA system.

In his keynote address, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, the Founding Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, stated that while world believes that there is a lot to be done by African countries and indeed, Nigeria, as plans for the future, the truth is that the future is already here with us. He noted that the need to have renewable energy is here with us, because by 2030, 50% of cars sold in Nigeria will be electric cars, hence, the

need to think fast.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Asiwaju (Dr) Michael OlawaleCole, ably represented by Mr G. Idahosa, the Deputy Chairman of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that Africans and Africa are feeling the effect of climate change, and that renewable energy has become important just as the geography of the continent. He stressed the need for African businessmen to invest in it, so as to benefit from the huge potentials of renewable energy.

Dentons ACAS-Law Webinar: Open Banking Will Help Deepen Financial Services Change of Baton at Alegeh & Co

After 13 years of dedicated service, Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN has left the Firm of A.O. Alegeh & Co. Malik, SAN joined the Firm in 2010 shortly after his tour of duty as Special Adviser to the Honourable AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice. His commitment to hard work led to his appointment, firstly as a Partner, and subsequently, as the Managing Partner of the Firm. In 2019, he was admitted into the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Malik, SAN contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Firm in several ways, and will always remain a part of Alegeh & Co.

#upjudicialsalaries

A statement signed by the Founder of the Firm, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, says ‘Malik has decided to move on to new challenges in law practice, and there is no doubt that he will excel in all his future endeavours.

‘We wish him the very best, and the Firm is grateful to him for his years of service.

‘Mrs Olawunmi Nwano, has been appointed as the Coordinating Partner of the Firm. She is a 2004 graduate of the Lagos State University. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005, and joined the Firm in 2013. She became a Partner in 2019, and has been the Head of the Firm’s Commercial Law Practice Department.’

The issuance of the Regulatory Framework for Open Banking in Nigeria 2021 and the Operational Guidelines for Open Banking in Nigeria in 2023 by the Central Bank of Nigeria and launch of open banking, will help deepen financial services and drive financial inclusion in Nigeria. This was the submission of Mr Gbenga Haastrup, speaking as a Panelist at the Webinar recently hosted by Dentons ACAS-Law with the theme, ‘Open Banking as a Catalyst for Accelerating Nigeria’s Financial Services Development’, which held on June 22, 2023.

The second Panel at the event which was focused on regulatory and compliance issues with regard to Open Banking in Nigeria, comprised Mr Gbenga Haastrup, GRC Leader and former

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the Interswitch Group; Habib Akinpelu, Legal and Compliance Manager at Okra; and Rasaq Kadri, Head of Compliance at Kuda; and was moderated by Dr Sanford Mba, Partner at Dentons ACAS-Law.

Mr Haastrup commended the Open Technology Foundation for advocating for and driving the adoption of open banking in Nigeria, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria for issuing the Guidelines, the first by a Regulator in Africa. He stressed that for open banking to be successful, there needs to be a major mindset shift by industry stakeholders, and deliberate effort put into educating consumers about the opportunities/ benefits of open banking. He also emphasised the

need for industry players to upgrade legacy systems, and conduct system upgrades in readiness for open banking.

He stated that whilst open banking would drive growth in innovation and new/improved financial products and services, one of the critical success factors for consumer acceptance would be for Fintechs and financial services providers to provide assurance to consumers that they have put robust processes, systems and controls in place to deal with associated risks and fraud, and ensure compliance with regulations on cybersecurity, data security and privacy (including the NDPA 2023), thereby, gaining the trust and confidence of consumers.

Rasaq Kadri drew a distinction between

having regulations in place and actual compliance by industry operators, and stated that although progress has been made, many industry players are yet to achieve an appreciable level of compliance with privacy and data protection requirements, and this remains a major concern. He also highlighted that, managing customer consent is another critical factor that needs to be managed effectively.

Habib Akinpelu did a comparison of the NDPR and the recently passed NDPA, and emphasised the need for the CBN to ensure that products designed for open banking are in compliance with regulations. He however, cautioned that quality product development will not come cheap, and will entail financial investment.

“The working conditions of the Judiciary, are having a detrimental effect on recruiting exceptional Judges. The Committee notes that poor working conditions of judicial officers, is one of a number of factors that are currently affecting recruitment to the Bench, and is deeply concerned about the impact on the administration of justice…..We propose a 200% salary increase across board, for all judicial officers.” - NBA Working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service

L-R: Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN; Head, National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC), Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Engineer Abel Nsa, FNSE; Partner, Aluko & Oyebode, Adeola Idowu; Renewables Explorer, TotalEnergies, Omotayo Hassan; and Senior Partner, Simmons Cooper Partners, Dapo Akinosun, SAN

Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN Mrs Olawunmi Nwano

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

While Nigerians were still grappling with the crippling effects of the pump price of N500 per litre fuel occasioned by the subsidy removal, they were slammed with a further unexpected increase in petrol to N617 per litre last week. Amidst all the wailing and groaning, many were aghast when news came that members of the National Assembly (NASS) were being given a whooping N40 billion for luxury cars, including bullet-proof vehicles for the NASS Leadership, and a further N70 billion for furniture and repairs in the lawmakers’ offices. Where does this leave the hapless masses? Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, Jide Ojo and John Aikpokpo-Martins, in this Discourse, delve deeply into the conundrum to tease out the issues and proffer feasible solutions

Palliatives and the Politics of Poverty Alleviation

Sam Amadi

Nigeria is caught in the politics of choosing the appropriate palliatives, to address the socioeconomic impacts of the abrupt removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Before the presidential election of

February 25, 2023, all the major presidential candidates had promised to remove subsidy on PMS, but with variations on what comes before and after. There seems to be a national consensus against petrol subsidy. Although one can argue that the consensus is more elitist, and that those who are up in arms against oil subsidy are elites who are insulated from the impacts of the removal of subsidy. in a country ravaged by poverty.

“…. the overwhelming argument of the anti-subsidy advocates. A country that services its debt with close to 100% of its revenue, should not be spending about $10 billion annually on petrol subsidy, especially when a large quantity of such product is smuggled outside the country and sold for a higher price. In such a situation, Nigeria is also subsidising some fraudulent marketers”

The Economics of Subsidy

It is important to begin an assessment of the rationale and implications of subsidy removal, by understanding the economic case against subsidy. The case against subsidy, is that it is inefficient. The standard argument is that the price of any good or service, should be determined by its demand and supply. Demand and supply of the good or service will reflect the true costs of its production, and the real value it has for consumers. When the right price prevails, there is incentive for the right kind of investment in the production of the good or service. Price control of all sorts distorts the market of products, and ultimately deprives consumers of value. For sustained economic growth, it is important to allow right prices to prevail in the market. This is the standard argument of the anti-subsidy group. Furthermore, subsidy is perceived to ensure inefficiency in two ways. First, it encourages inefficient consumption. Because consumers do not pay the right price, they may be inefficient in consumption of the goods, since someone else bears the cost

of the good. The standard theory of economic rationality is that the price people are prepared to pay for the good or service, shows the degree of preference they have for it. So, if the cost is not fully internalised in the price people pay, there will be over (inefficient) consumption. Furthermore, the distorted price may lead to inefficient investment in production activities.

In the case of petrol subsidy in Nigeria, the overwhelming argument of the anti-subsidy advocates is that Nigeria suffers huge fiscal crisis on account of subsidising petrol. A country that services its debt with close to 100% of its revenue, should not be spending about $10 billion annually on petrol subsidy, especially when a large quantity of such product is smuggled outside the country and sold for a higher price. In such a situation, Nigeria is also subsidising some fraudulent marketers. The facts of Nigeria’s heightened fiscal crisis arising from low productivity, makes it urgent to remove the subsidy to escape acute fiscal crisis. But, removing subsidy removes one of the vital fiscal tools for controlling poverty. The main consequence of income poverty, is that many will not be able to purchase many goods and services they need for normal human functioning

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

and for productivity. Underconsumption of essentials like energy, healthcare and education has adverse public consequences, which economists refer to as ‘negative externalities”. Therefore, it is part of public sector economics that government encourages consumption of such essentials by those who may not afford them through direct provision of such goods or reduction of the costs of such goods, so the poor can consume them in adequate quantities. This public interest is why the German government is proposing to spend about $4 billion in 2023, to subsidise electricity for its citizens. This is the reason European countries spent an estimated 800 billion Euros to protect households and businesses from the rising energy costs from September 2021 to February 2023, according to report published by Reuters News. Within the same period, Britain and Norway allocated 103 and 8.1 billion Euros, as energy subsidy.

Cushioning the Impact of Subsidy Removal

The economics that totally dismisses the utility of subsidy, is not good public sector economics. There is a public interest in guaranteeing consumption of certain goods and services, that are important to livelihood and sustained production. Subsidies are not inherently inefficient. But, their administration could be inefficient. In the case of Nigeria, the corruption associated with government interventions, and the poor design and targeting of petrol subsidy, make it unaffordable in the current fiscal circumstances. It may be that the administration of petrol subsidy in Nigeria, makes compelling argument against it. The additional fact of a near financial bankruptcy of the Nigerian State, creates the consensus against subsidy as it exists, not necessarily subsidy as a tool of antipoverty.

The real issue now is how to manage the palliatives, designed to cushion the impacts of the subsidy removal. The most important starting point is to separate the impacts of the subsidy removal, and other general issues of poverty in Nigeria. Obviously, the removal of subsidy in petrol, aggravates poverty in its multi-dimensions. But, we need to isolate and disaggregate the impacts of petrol subsidy, to effectively mitigate it. The category of poverty in Nigeria, is too broad to be used as the benchmark for effective intervention to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal. We have chronic poverty; we have ultra-poverty; and we have multidimensional poverty. So, focusing generally on poverty may not be very useful in the specific case of petrol subsidy removal, because the removal has diverse impacts on diverse categories of the poor.

That raises the question: who should be targeted for the palliative? First, the working poor are the most vulnerable, as they will have less disposable income with the rising costs of PMS. The unemployed urban poor, will also be impacted to a great degree. Then the rural poor whose greatest exposure to the impact may be indirect through rising cost of food and other essentials will also be impacted. A palliative strategy that works will design different interventions for different categories of impacted community. For the working poor, palliatives may be in the form of increase in pay cheque and tax credits that restore their disposable income. This is easy to manage, because of existing database that makes it easy to assess impact. A provision of public transport across the country to enable ease of movement at discounted costs, will be an efficient form of targeted palliatives. This will also assist the urban unemployed poor. For rural poor whose greatest exposure will be mostly indirect, palliatives can be in the form of free access to healthcare, education and such services. Government can also enhance their ability to

buy essential foods. Well delivered cash transfer could achieve these objectives. But, it is also more susceptible to corruption and politicisation.

The Legal Incidents of an Effective Palliative Regime

Nigeria’s cash transfer regime, fails some important legal requirements. First, there is no clear definition by law, on who should be entitled to palliative. The use of public finance to support the wellbeing of some citizens, needs clear statement of legal entitlement. In appropriating N500 billion for palliatives, the National Assembly ought to write in the law who is entitled to receive the cash transfer, and the methodologies for establishing that class of citizens. It should not be left to administrative discretion. This follows the constitutional requirement, that no public fund should be expended unless duly appropriated. Due appropriation requires that the legislature writes in the law, the basis of establishing entitlement to the benefit. Besides, there is a constitutional requirement of equity and equal opportunity for all citizens in Chapter II of the Constitution. Therefore, granting some citizens any entitlement that other citizens will not receive, should follow a duly established legal criteria.

The requirement of legal due process extends to loans or grants from the World Bank, or any other multilateral financial institution, or based on bilateral treaties between Nigeria and any country or institution. By virtue of Section 12 of the Constitution, every treaty entered into by the Nigerian Government, must be domesticated by the National Assembly through a statute to become implementable in Nigeria. A concessionary loan agreement with the World Bank, is a treaty that needs to be domesticated to be implemented. That process of domestication requires that the legislature establish clear rules, on entitlement and disbursement. Failure to do so, is arguably a violation of constitutional due process.

Conclusion

The major problem with the administration of the proposed palliatives to cushion

the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy, is the difficulty in tracking its impact on diverse social groups and directing mitigations to such groups in appropriate measures. The first aspect of this challenge, is selecting the impacted groups. The second is, delivering adequate and proportionate mitigation to each group. The third is, ensuring that the mitigation is used to fill the hole that the subsidy removal has opened. Adverse social psychology may ensure that even if the desirable social group is targeted, and the amount of cash is adequate, the palliative may still be misused to undermine wellbeing and productivity. To address these challenges, we need clear laws that smartly clarify who ought to benefit, and shows how the benefit should be administered and evaluated from time to time.

Dr Sam Amadi, Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts

subsidy, ruminated some palliatives it deemed necessary for the promotion of our welfare as encapsulated by the Constitution. In this regard, we commend the Federal Government by first of all, conceiving that idea of palliatives, which means same is invariably aware of the grave financial stress and burden, this action will cause to our people.

Implementation of N500 Billion Palliatives

Be that as it may, the implementation and/or execution of the template of the Government’s palliative programme is clearly on a wrong footing, wrong sitting and wrong focus.

The N500 Billion earmarked for this palliative session, already appears to have been encumbered and obfuscated by the perpetual greed of politicians, their interests and other vested interests all regrettably, above the interest, welfare and security of the citizenry, that the Constitution has ordered the President to promote.

How can the National Assembly be granted a whooping 70 billion Naira, for…..?

Wrong Approach

President Tinubu’s N500 Billion Palliatives: Good Concept,

Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje

Introduction

Indeed, the removal of fuel subsidy from Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) as announced by the incipient Government was received with paralysing suspicion by the citizenry, especially as regards what will happen to the saved funds, considering our past leadership failures in that respect. Ultimately, is what will be the effect and impact of this reversal of Government’s subsidised intervention for the citizenry on the same citizenry. Without requiring any clairvoyance of economic prowess, we are all in a position to accentuate the gargantuan financial ripple effects this withdrawal has inflicted, is inflicting and will continue to be inflicted on all of us, especially the poor and vulnerable of our society.

Responsive Governance

It therefore behooves any government that is sensitive and responsive to the welfare of the people to take immediate, prompt and decisive economic steps, to cushion the horrendous effect of this policy reversal.

Promotion of Welfare of the People

Indeed, to promote the welfare of the citizenry, it is not only a moral duty of Government, but, indeed, it is also a constitutional directive firmly embedded in Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended which pungently directs that:

“The primary purpose of Government is to promote the welfare and security of the people” Yes indeed!

The promotion of the welfare of the people, is the first arm of that constitutional order. The Government, having removed the petroleum

Why N70 Billion for the National Assembly

What is that money meant to be for?

After the same National Assembly has earmarked a gigantic N110 Billion to buy “bullet proof” cars for its leadership and members. The irrepressible and severely patriotic SERAP must be highly commended, for, as usual, taking legal steps over this profanity. I am not a Mathematician, but I was tutored by one on this, and I verily believe him, that with the N70 Billion to the National Assembly of 469 people, same will translate to N135 Million for each person.

And, whereas, the same Government was earmarking a miserable N8,000 for 12 Million Nigerians, and only for a Six Months duration. This is indeed, standing deductive, creative and empirical knowledge on their heads!

Why a Meagre N8,000 for 12 Million Nigerians?

I write in sorrow, rather than anger, at this very insensitive step by the Government.

Mr President is, with the profundity of respect, urgently urged to seek further and better discussions, as well as consultations with Labour Unions Workers and other stakeholders, to reverse this unacceptable act of gross discrimination against his own people, who he claims at the Election Tribunal voted him into power.

N70 Billion to the National Assembly and N8,000 to 12 Million Nigerians is Unconstitutional, for being Discriminatory Under Section 42 of the Constitution

More importantly, this policy or directive of the Federal Government to widely discriminate in the sharing of the N500 Billion palliative between the National Assembly members and the poor Nigerians is highly discriminatory, and thus, violates Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which lucidly provides thus:

“(1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular

“Nigeria’s cash transfer regime, fails some important legal requirements. First, there is no clear definition by law, on who should be entitled to palliative. The use of public finance to support the wellbeing of some citizens, needs clear statement of legal entitlement”

Dr Sam Amadi

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

Cont'd from page VII

community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person

(a) Be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, place of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or

(b) Be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.“

Consequently, not only is this palliative directive morally deficient, it equally appears to lack any constitutional foundation; thus, augmenting our justified call for an immediate downward review of the N70 billion to National Assembly, whilst contemporaneously upwardly reviewing the scanty N8,000 to Nigerians.

The 12 Million People Also Voted Mr President into Office

Mr President, your conscience must reject this incubus, no matter how pressured you are by the elitist conspiracy and the proclivity for primordial and primitive acquisition of our common wealth, by these quislings.

Another sad neglect by the ex-parte implementation of the palliative debacle, is the Judiciary, which is claimed to be the “Last Hope,” but eventually becoming the “Lost Hope” of the common man.

Why Should a Whole Judiciary be Allocated a Paltry N35 Billion?

We gathered that, this almost neglected arm of government is to receive a paltry N35 billion, as against the N70 Billion allocated to the law makers.

And, to share this N35 Billion in the Judiciary, are 13 Supreme Court Judges, 72 Appeal Court Judges, 33 Judges of the National Industrial Court, 75 Federal High Court Judges, and more than 400 Judges in other courts in the Federation.

How in the world will a government allocate a miserable sum of N35 Billion to these learned men, to dispense justice to the palliative deprived citizenry and over palliative padded National Assembly?

Mr President should as a matter of utmost urgency and national interest, re-allocate a minimum of N150 Billion to the Judiciary if we need to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria. A weather-beaten Judge and her Judiciary, is the calamity of the innocent citizenry. We should not suffer the citizenry with unpleasant palliatives and, at same time, starve the arm of government that will decide its rights from proper funding.

It will be what the Afrobeat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti called:

“Double wahala for dead body”

What is the Current Value of N8,000 in Nigeria

My take is what is the current value of the Naira, in light of the now unified foreign exchange rate by the Government? And, what can the N8,000 do for the poorest Nigerian for a period of 30 days?

A litre of fuel as at the time of writing these presents, is N595.

Obviously, the poorest Nigerian does not own a car, but, he transports in commercial vehicles as the Federal Government does not deem it fit to create a cheap and effect transportation system to ease his endemic stress. He also pay rent, even if he lives in Sambisa Forest! He clothes himself, even though the N8,000 will barely clothe him. He feeds himself too, even at the rate of a prisoner’s feeding allowance. He has medical challenges too!

All of this are to be taken care of by the “Almighty”. N8,000 for every 30 days, and for a six month duration which will terminate like an expired tenure of an elected official. This is totally unacceptable and must be rejected as not a palliative, but a superlative insult on the sensibilities of our people.

Suggestions on the Way Forward for Cushioning the Effects of Subsidy Removal

We thus, respectfully urge the Federal Government to look for, and consider better options of palliatives to cushion the debilitating effects of the subsidy withdrawal on its citizenry.

A look at the following could offer a better support base for the people, to wit:

1.Increase in salaries of workers.

2.Incentives as cheap transportation system.

3.Intervention in the high cost of food and other social services.

4.Reduction in pay as you earn taxes.

5.Channelling some of the N500 Billion to hospitals, power, education and security for our people.

6.Drastically reduce the N70 Billion allocated to the National Assembly.

7.Federal Government should pay for enrolment fees for qualified students in NECO, WAEC, JAMB etc.

8.Reduce or put a halt to the increase in fees of Federal and State Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institution in Nigeria, as we gather that the same Federal Government has now increased the fees payable in Unity Schools.

9.Inject funds to small scale businesses and tax free.

10. Reduce fleet of planes and cars of the President and his recurrent expenditure, together with that of the Vice President and the entire cabinet.

11. Salary cut of all appointees. including the President and Vice President.

12. Reduce the allocations to National Assembly and their mysterious constituency projects and spiritual allowances.

13. Make payment of taxes within three years preceding political appointments mandatory. to be so appointed.

S “

14. Increase the allocation to Agri-

culture from N19.2 Billion to at least N70 Billion in the first half, as food sufficiency heralds a healthy Citizenry.

15. On the surface, we can also service one at least, of our ailing refineries to function, so as to reduce costs of importation of fuel.

16. Amend the Student Loan Act, to incorporate realistic funding and repayment plans for the students.

17.If ever cash transfer is to be added, same must not be less than the current minimum wage, to the vulnerable poor, for even more than twelve million Nigerians, and for more than a six months tenure.

At least the lawmakers after six months of receiving this N70 Billion allocation will also receive more of same, in addition to their gigantic allowances and salaries for a four year period.

18. Properly fund the Judiciary to uphold rule of law and law and order, because in the absence of that, the society will become even more brutal, nastier and shorter, than the proficient Thomas Hobbes prophesied.

19. The Federal Government should liaise with the States, to put in place some and more of the above, to enable the palliatives capture and reach a larger majority, and create the happiness of the greatest number as pungently propounded by the iconic Jeremy Bentham as the best way to gauge how people should access their government and that idiosyncrasy has been expressly incorporated into our Constitution, in Section 16 (2) (b) which declares that:

“that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good”.

20. Ultimately, the Federal Government should forthwith conduct a credible Census, to enable it have reliable data to plan as all these statistics, which without a credible Census is a shot at the dark!

The Federal Government is like a Father Under Common Law and is Responsible for our Welfare

Against the above slide, is the indisputable fact, that we, the Citizenry, are like Children of a father under Common Law. And, as such, the Federal Government must take appropriate care of us, as we also discharge our duties and obligations.

In Tabansi v Tabansi (2009) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1155) 415, the Court declared that under Common Law, the father is responsible for the upkeep and welfare of the children.

A fortiori, under our Constitution, Section 14(2)(b) thereof, the Federal Government as our personified father, is equally responsible to promote the welfare and security of her people, who are its personified children

Conclusion

It is our fervent prayer that God Almighty give us leaders who envision vision and conceive ideas and ideologies to uplift their people, especially in Africa and Nigeria.

May we the citizenry, also remain eternally and courageously vigilant, to hold our leaders accountable on how they share, manage and/ or damage our common wealth.

In other words, the price of upholding our Welfare and Freedom is our Eternal Vigilance and to proactively be in a perpetual state of Comprehensive Consciousness as I concur with the fiery Charly Boy (Area father) that: “The last hope of the common man, is the common man”.

Dr Akpo Mudiaga Odje, LLD, LLM (Merit) (London), BL; Member of the British Council; Facilitator of the Dr Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR Centre for the Advancement of the Rule of Law

The Palliative Palaver Between NASS and Nigerian Masses Jide Ojo

Introduction

The implementation of the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in his inauguration address has had spiral effects on the economy, especially the cost of living of average Nigerians. The pice of Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as Petrol, has increased from less than N200 across the official retail outlets in May 2023 to about N700 as of last week. The price volatility is not unconnected to the pricing of crude oil and the importation of refined petroleum products which is done in Dollars. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has floated the exchange rate, with the aim of bridging the gap of the exchange rate between the official and parallel market. This CBN’s decision has led to the plunge of Nigeria’s currency, the Naira. Invariably, subsidy removal has led to excruciating pains on the citizens. The cost of living has skyrocketed; micro, small and medium enterprises are currently experiencing high cost, rather than ease of doing business. With the plunge in the value of the Naira, the purchasing power of the currency has been weakened. Commodity prices have simply hit the roof. Nigerian masses are groaning, moaning and agonising, as the citizens now experience high cost, rather than high standard of living. Nigerian labour unions have not stood akimbo, watching; they decided to mobilise workers for strike action and mass protests, but the Federal Government rushed to the National Industrial Court to get an injunction to prevent the unions from embarking on any industrial action.

Short History of Palliatives in Nigeria

World Health Organisation says “Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and that of their families who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, whether physical, psychological, social or spiritual. The quality of life of caregivers improves as well”.

“A weather-beaten Judge and her Judiciary, is the calamity of the innocent citizenry. We should not suffer the citizenry with unpleasant palliatives and, at same time, starve the arm of government that will decide its rights from proper funding”

Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje

Palliatives for Whom? NASS or the Masses?

Thus, palliative is a medical term. However, in the context in which Nigerian Government is using the word, it means some form of relief materials meant to cushion harsh effect of some government policies and programmes. Each time the Federal Government tries to remove fuel subsidy or allows for increase in the pump price of petroleum products, savings from such exercises are purportedly channelled to provide relief materials and improve social amenities. The Petroleum Trust Fund was initiated by the General Sani Abacha regime, as an intervention development agency to bring succour to the people between 1994 and 1999.

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme known as 'SURE-P, is a scheme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria during the Jonathan Administration, to reinvest the Federal Government’s savings from fuel subsidy removal on critical infrastructure projects, and social safety net programmes with direct impact on the citizens of Nigeria. It was established in January 2012 when the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the removal of subsidy on petrol. The immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari established the National Social Investments Programmes in 2016, to tackle poverty and hunger across the country. Under it, there is the N-Power programme; Conditional Cash Transfer; Homegrown School Feeding Programme and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme. As a relief from the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, some palliative measures were also taken.

Federal and State Government Proposed Palliatives

Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that, the security and welfare of citizens are the primary purpose of government. In order to mitigate and ameliorate the sufferings of the Nigerian masses, both the Federal and State Governments are putting forward some relief measures being referred to as palliatives, in order to cushion the harsh effects of the recent subsidy removal. One of such measures taken already, was the Federal Government legislative approval for the disbursement of the $800 million World Bank loan meant to be shared initially at N8,000 for 12 million households for six months. Another measure taken was the Federal Government legislative approval for virement of N500 billion from the N819 billion supplementary budget of 2022, which was initially passed in December 2022 by the 9th National Assembly. Earlier this month, the two chambers of National Assembly approved both the $800 million and the N500 billion expeditiously. However, what is causing ruckus now is the sharing formula, and the proposed specific palliatives.

For the purpose of clarity, the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio said N500 billion was for palliatives and other capital expenditure, to cushion the effect of the recent subsidy removal. He also said N185,236,937,815 had been approved for the Ministry of Works and Housing, to alleviate the effect of the severe flooding experienced in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones. Akpabio said N19,200,000,000 had been approved for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country, during the severe flooding experienced last year. The sum of N35 billion was allocated to National Judicial Council, while N10 billion was allocated to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects The National Assembly also got N70 billion, to support the working conditions of new members.

There has been public outcry over the N70 billion earmarked for the National Assembly, in the approved Supplementary Appropriation

Bill 2022. Not only that, The Sun of July 17, 2023 reported thus: “Twenty-four hours after The Sun exclusively reported plans by the two chambers of the National Assembly - the Senate and the House of Representatives to spend N40 billion on Sports Utility Vehicles for members, new facts have emerged. The Sun, in the report, had revealed plans to purchase 107 Toyota Land Cruiser (2023 model) for Senators and 2023 model Toyota Prado for Members of the House of Representatives. The planned purchase, it was further reported, would be different from the official vehicles expected to be procured for the four presiding officers of the National Assembly, namely Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu”.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson of the Senate, has come out to clarify what the N70 billion is meant for. In a press statement issued on July 16, 2023, he said no member of the National Assembly will receive any money from the N70 billion budgeted to “support their working conditions”. He said the fund is for purchase of furniture, and to carry out repairs in lawmakers’ offices.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas “to drop the scandalous plan to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officers, and N70 billion as ‘palliatives’ for new members”. SERAP urged them to “repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110 billion, reflect the current economic realities in the country, and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians. The proposed spending of N110 billion by Members of the National Assembly, is apparently on top of the N281 billion already provided for the lawmakers in the 2023 National Assembly budget. The proposed spending is also different from the N30.17 billion

budgeted for the ‘inauguration expenses’ for new members”. “SERAP is concerned that the budget for the National Assembly may further be increased, as Members are reportedly demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances, purportedly to offset the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.”

My Take on the Issues

I have analysed these issues on several media platforms, both electronic and print. One of them was on Politics Nationwide on Radio Nigeria network last Thursday, July 20, 2023. First and foremost, I commend the Federal and State Governments, for thinking out the imperatives of relief materials for the Nigerian suffering masses. However, I feel there are better ways to cushion the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal. I am patently against the conditional cash transfer of N8,000 for 12 million households, over a six month period. I am not unaware, that President Tinubu has called for the upward review of the amount payable to each of the selected households. However, as rightly pointed out by the National Economic Council at their meeting last Thursday, July 20, the social register has integrity issues.

I have suggested that rather than singling out 12 million households for cash transfers which can be subjected to abuse, let each of the 768 Local Governments and Six Area Councils of the FCT be given one million dollars each from the $800 million World Bank loan. Each of the LGAs should have a Needs Assessment and Implementation Committee, that will organise town hall meetings to collate priority areas in the LGAs that need to be taken care of. It could be repair of schools, roads, Primary Health Centres, or provision of borehole water for the various communities in the LGA. The Committee is to be made up of credible individuals such as traditional leaders, Local Government administrators, religious leaders, town unions and the media. It is my considered view that the ripple effect of this, if there is faithful implementation, will be felt by all and sundry in the LGAs.

While it may not be out of place to carry out repairs on the National Assembly, however, half of the N70 billion earmarked for that should be enough to carry out the exercise. N40 billion meant for the purchase of exotic cars is rather insensitive, given that there is already monetisation policy in the country. Even if there isn’t, no member of the National Assembly can be said to be poor, considering what they spend on their elections. Given the austere times we are in and the huge debt portfolio of the country, there should be no provision for the purchase of any official car at this point in time. The time we are in, calls for sacrifice on the part of our political leaders. Significant reduction in the cost

of governance is imperative at this point, and leaders must lay a good example, if they do not want to incur the peoples revolt.

Jide Ojo, Development Consultant, Columnist, Author and Public Affairs Analyst N110 billion Loan: Don’t

Borrow to Pay for Luxuries

John Aikpokpo-Martins

The decision by the FG to give N110 billion to the National Assembly, for the purpose of buying state of the art luxury cars and furniture, is as callous as it is insensitive. The decision is more worrisome, bearing in mind that the said loan was sought for, to be deployed to provide palliatives to the most vulnerable, to cushion the expected suffering that the removal of fuel subsidy will occasioned.

The FG, which the National Assembly is a constituent part of, had harshly, and without due notice, removed the fuel subsidy by fiat on 29th of May, 2023. This singular act, drove the cost of living astronomically higher than the income of majority of Nigerians. The people grudgingly decided to bear the consequential hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy with equanimity, believing and hoping that everyone is sacrificing for a better Nigeria. In the midst of grappling with the reality of a now joyless existence, the cost of a litre of fuel unexpectedly rose to the N700 within a space of two weeks. Nigerians are groaning, despondent, and forlorn. Then, in the midst of all these uncertainties and pains inflicted on Nigerians, the FG brazenly came to announce the virement of about N110 billion, for the procurement of the state-of-the-art cars, furniture etc for members of the National Assembly. This decision is very wicked, reminiscent of the deceptive and despotic rule of the pigs in George Orwell's Animal Farm. The brazenness of the insensitive decision is utterly shocking, devoid of empathy and sincerity. The Tinubu administration is being provocative, and taking Nigerians for granted. This decision, unfortunately, is indicative of what to expect from the Tinubu administration, if it is not reined in by vigilant Nigerians.

I must say that, I am very disappointed in the President. There is absolutely no reason to be ostentatious, in the midst of abject penury now prevalent in the country. I am totally against the virement of N110 billion to the National Assembly, to buy luxury cars from monies obtained to provide palliatives for a traumatised citizenry. This is pure thievery by the ruling class, and nothing more. The mere thought of the scam is obscene. How do you obtain a loan to satisfy a lifestyle of luxury, and then turn around to increase the cost of fuel to N700? Does it make any sense?

John Aikpokpo-Martins, Chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL)

“I am totally against the virement of N110 billion to the National Assembly, to buy luxury cars from monies obtained to provide palliatives for a traumatised citizenry. This is pure thievery by the ruling class, and nothing more….Does it make any sense?”

Jide Ojo

John Aikpokpo-Martins

Disputes Between States and the Federation: Examining the Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction (Part 1)

Introduction

The Judiciary is the third arm of government, and the repository of the powers of adjudication and settlement of disputes. It is a very central arm of government - with overwhelming responsibilities and duties. The Judiciary is indispensable in all political administrations - no matter the model or nomenclature of such government. It is the custodian of the Constitution, and gatekeeper of the laws in any system of government. It adjudicates on disputes among the citizens; between citizens and governments; and between the government’s interest.

Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, the Judicature is provided for in Chapter 6. It should be noted that, Section 6 of Constitution also empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the establishment of some courts and conferment of jurisdiction on same. This paper discusses the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, to entertain disputes between States and the Federation.

Understanding of the Concept “Jurisdiction”

Jurisdiction simply means, the authority which a court possesses to decide matters submitted to it. It is the whole basis of taking cognisance of matters presented before a court in a formal way, for the purpose of adjudication. SPDC Nig. Ltd v Isiah (2001) 11 NWLR Pt. 723, Pg 168 at 179; Mobil Producing Nig Unltd v LASEPA (2003) FWLR Pt. 137, Pg 1029 at 1052.

The Apex Court graphically illustrated this position in ATTORNEY- GENERAL OF ANAMBRA STATE v ATTORNEYGENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2007)

All FWLR Pt. 379 Pg 1218 at 1280 where it held, per I.T Muhammad JSC (as he then was) thus:

“Jurisdiction to a court of law, is equated to blood in a living animal. Jurisdiction is the blood that gives life to the survival of an action in a court of law, without which the action will be like an animal that has been drained of its blood. It will cease to have life, and any attempt to resuscitate it without infusing blood into it, would be an exercise in futility.”

Jurisdiction is the limit imposed on the power of a validly constituted court to hear and determine issues between persons seeking to avail themselves of its process, by reference to the subject-matter of the issues, or to the persons between whom the issues are joined, or to the kind of reliefs sought. Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund v Fidelity Bank & Ors (2021) LPELR-56625(SC) at Pp 44 - 45 Paras F – C. In the fairly old case of AG FEDERATION v AG OF ABIA STATE & ORS, (2001) LPELR-24862(SC); pp 114, paras C-D per Adolphus Godwin Karibi - White, JSC, (dissenting), illuminating, noted that:

“The word jurisdiction means the authority the court has to decide matters before it, or to take cognisance of matters presented in a formal way for its decision (See Ndaeyo v Ogunnaya (1977) 1 SC 11; National Bank v Shoyoye (1977) SC 181).”

The Court of Appeal also took a bite in determining the meaning of jurisdiction in the more recent case of AJAYI v ALARAB PROPERTIES LTD (2021) LPELR-56073(CA) per UGOCHUKWU ANTHONY OGAKWU, JCA at (Pp 24 - 25 Paras F - B), thus:

“Now, the concept of the jurisdiction

of a court can mean two things: (i) the abstract right of a Court to exercise its powers in causes of a certain class, or (ii) the right of a court to exercise its powers over a particular subject- matter, or res in dispute. In the broader sense of the right of a court to exercise its powers, jurisdiction implies the legal authority or legal capacity to adjudicate at all.”

How to Determine Jurisdiction: The Supreme Source On what determines jurisdiction, the intermediate court of Appeal addressed the matter in DEPUTY SHERRIF, FHC LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION & ANOR v USIEBEMHEN (2022) LPELR-57472(CA) per Abubakar Sadiq Umar, JCA, At Pp 16 – 16, Paras B - D, thus:

“In determining whether a court of law has jurisdiction to entertain an action, the court must as a matter of law, examine carefully the pleadings and other averments of the Claimant in the statement of claim. In order words, questions relating to locus standi (legal standing to maintain an action); whether a suit discloses a reasonable cause of action or constitutes an abuse of the court process, it is the duty and incumbent on the court to scrutinise and dissect the Claimant's pleadings, which captures the grounds and the

interests for approaching the court to ventilate a grievance."

Key Points to Note About Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is not just a procedural matter, it is a substantive issue in litigation. An objection to the jurisdiction of the court can be raised at any time, even when there are no pleadings filed, and the party raising such objection need not bring it under any rule. See A.G. KWARA STATE v OLAWALE (1993) 1 N.W.L.R (Pt.272) 645 at 674-675. Issues of jurisdiction cannot be waived, nor can they be conferred by parties consenting among themselves to vest a court with jurisdiction, where none exists. See NIGERITE LIMITED v DALAMI (NIG.) LIMITED (1992)

7 N.W.I.R (Pt.253) 288 at 297.

Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

The Supreme Court is established in Section 230(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. In sub-section (2) of Section 230, it is provided that the said Court “shall consist of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and such number of Justices of the Supreme Court, not exceeding twenty-one as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.” It is therefore, worthy of note that, the phrase - not exceeding twenty-one is an implied amendment of Section 210 of the 1979 Constitution and Section 228 of the 1989 Constitution, which provided for a maximum of 15 Justices. Thus, Section 230 is targeted at expounding the frontiers of the number, in order to reduce the burdensome workload on their Lordships. The use of the word “shall”, connotes mandatory, while 'and' is conjunctive.

How Justices of the Supreme Court are Appointed

Section 231(1) and (2) of the Constitution, provides that:

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria and other Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

By the provisions of Section 231(4) and (5), where the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria becomes or where vacant, the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the function of his office, the President of Nigeria has the power to appoint the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court to perform those functions for not more than three months, except as otherwise recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC). However, the President cannot re-appoint a person whose appointment has lapsed. It is therefore, always advisable that the acting appointment is confirmed to avoid a constitutional crisis. It should be noted also that by virtue of the provisions of Section 231(3), a person shall not be qualified to hold the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria or of a Justice of the Supreme Court unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria, and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen (15) years. Having blazed the trail through a brief expository of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, it is germane at this juncture to examine what affects the jurisdiction of a Court, before delving into the crux of this vista.

Factors that Affect the Jurisdiction of a Court

It is trite that an objection to jurisdiction, is undoubtedly an objection to the competence of the court to entertain such a suit. See the case of WORGU BOGGA LTD AND ANOR v HON. MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (2009) LPLER- 20032. The determinant factors of jurisdiction were laid to rest in the celebrated case of MADUKOLU v NKEMDILIM (1962) SCNJ 72, where It was held that a court is competent to adjudicate upon a case when:

A. It is properly constituted with respect to the number and qualification of its membership;

B. The subject-matter of the action is within its jurisdiction;

C. The action is initiated by due process;

D. Any condition precedent to the exercise of its jurisdiction has been fulfilled. Soyannwo v Akinyemi (2001) 8 NWLR (pt. 714) Pg 95 at 116 Paras H - B; Evbuomwan v Bendel Insurance Co Plc (2001) 1 NWLR (Pt. 694) at 396 para 3.

These factors are joint, and the absence of any one affects the jurisdiction of the court in deciding the case. See the case of CAVENDISH PETROLEUM NIGERIA LTD & ORS v DERIBE & ANOR (2014) LPELR-23350(CA) per Ibrahim Shata Bdliya, JCA, at Pages 21 - 24 Paras F - A) wherein it was held that:

“A Court is said to have jurisdiction and therefore, competent to determine a suit when: (a) It is properly constituted as regards numbers and qualification of the members of the bench, and no member is disqualified for one reason or other; (b) The subject-matter of the case is within its jurisdiction, and there is no feature in the case which prevents the Court from exercising its jurisdiction; and (c) The case comes before a Court initiated by due process of law, and upon fulfilment of any condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction. These preconditions for a court to be seised of jurisdiction are conjunctive, and the non-fulfilment or absence of any of them would automatically rob the court of jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit. See Drexel Energy & N.R. Ltd. v Trans Inter Bank Ltd (2008) 18 NWLR Pt.1119 P.388 at 417. See the case of Madukolu v Nkemdilim (Supra).

To further appreciate this discourse, it is quite pertinent to examine the above-mentioned factors elucidated in Madukolu v Nkemdilim (Supra).

“The Judiciary is indispensable in all political administrations - no matter the model or nomenclature of such government.… Jurisdiction simply means, the authority which a court possesses to decide matters submitted to it”

L-R: Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr. Blessing Enyindah; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed; the Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike; and Rivers State Commissioner for Youth, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbali, during the inauguration of a corps lodge donated to NYSC in Ikwerre LGA by Nwanosike… recently

L-R: Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Debo Odulana; Chief Business Officer, Kehinde Oyesiku; and Medical Director, Dr. Adefemi Daniel, all members of the Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Leadership Team at the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award as the 2023 Private Healthcare Provider of the Year, in Lagos…recently

L-R: Group Head, Samsung West Africa (Mobile Experience), Joy Tim-Ayoola; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Cubana Group, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana); Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Donggyun Lee; and Head of Marketing, Samsung Nigeria, Chika Nnadozie, when Obi Cubana was named the Samsung Icon of the Year 2023 in appreciation of his passion and commitment to Samsung Electronics West Africa, held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Guests, Pastor. Kingsley Oparah and Mrs. Glory Oparah; members of the bereaved family, Mrs. Esther Idabor and Mr. Mike Idabor, at the outing Service of late Ezenne Alice Ifediche Idabor held at St Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Isselle-Asagba, Delta State…recently

L-R: General Manager, Vitality Health International, Mdu Nene; Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer, Jessica Chivinge; Chief Executive Officer, Leadway Health, Dr. Tokunbo Alli; CEO, Vitality Health International, Emma Knox; and Head of Sales, Leadway Health, Toyin Ogunmoyole, during a media briefing on the partnership of Vitality Health International and Leadway Health in Lagos…recently

L-R: Managing Director of CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief, The Guardian Newspapers Nigeria, Martins Oloja; Group Principal Consultant, ADSTRAT BMC, Charles O’Tudor; Managing Partner of GLG Communications, Omawumi Ogbe; and Africa’s Premier Coach, Dr. Lanre Olusola; at the GLG World PR Day cocktail event in Lagos, where Badejo-Okusanya and O’Tudor were honoured with the Icon Awards at the 2023 PR Power List Presentation…recently

FOCUS

Wigwe and Access Holdings’ Unquenching Drive for Continental Leadership

Oluchi Chibuzor writes on the recent acquisition agreements Access Bank Plc entered into

with Standard

Chartered Bank, for the acquisition of the latter’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private and

Business Banking business in Tanzania

From all indications, the Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Hebert Wigwe, is not about to slow down on his continental expansion anytime soon.

From Nigeria to Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia, among several others, the expansionist adrenaline rush in Wigwe has remained on the rise, in spite of the global headwinds.

Wigwe, who is driving force behind the holding company (holdco), has shown a relentless pursuit for growth, which is why the holding company and its banking subsidiary, Access Bank, have not hidden their desire to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA) to expand their footprints.

From a tiny bank in 2002, Wigwe who took over from his close friend and business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, in 2014, transformed the bank and today, he has moved up to be overseeing the holdco. Despite that, he has remained relentless.

As a result of his aggressive continental expansion drive, just last week, Access Bank Plc entered into acquisition agreements with Standard Chartered Bank, for the acquisition of the latter’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private & Business Banking business in Tanzania.

Each transaction remains subject to the approval of the respective local regulators and the banking regulator in Nigeria.

The announcement was made at Standard Chartered’s Headquarters in London in the presence of senior representatives from both banks.

In a statement signed by the Regional CEO, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered, Sunil Kaushal and the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, the agreement with Access for the sale of the bank’s business in Sub-Saharan Africa was in line with Standard Chartered’s global strategy, aimed at achieving operational efficiencies, reducing complexity, and driving scale.

When the deal is finalised, Access Bank would be able to provide a full range of banking services and continuity for key stakeholders including employees and clients in the Standard Chartered businesses across the five aforementioned countries.

Access and Standard Chartered Bank would work closely together in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, with the transaction expected to be completed over the next 12 months, the statement explained.

Commenting on the agreement, Kaushal said: “Following on the announcement we made April last year, the project is now substantially completed with the announcement for the sale of the five markets and the furtherance of a partnership with Access Bank

“This strategic decision allows us to redirect resources within the AME region to other areas with significant growth potential, ultimately enabling us to better support our clients. We look forward to working closely with Access Bank’s team over the coming months to achieve a successful conclusion to this transaction while safeguarding the interests of our valued clients and prioritizing our employees.”

Commenting on the agreement, Ogbonna said, “We are pleased to sign this agreement today and express our appreciation for being selected as the preferred partner to Standard Chartered Bank through this transaction, in which it is exiting four African markets and refocusing in one. As a distinguished regional and international bank with a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, Standard Chartered Bank has built a solid presence in these markets for over 100 years.”

For Access, the strategic transaction represents a key step in its journey to build a strong global franchise focused on serving as a gateway for payments, investment, and trade within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world, anchored by a robust capital base; a relentless focus on execution; and best-in-class customer

Wigwe

service & governance structures.

“At Access Bank, we are committed to reshaping the global perception of Africa and African businesses, even as we continue to build toward our vision to be the World’s Most Respected African Bank. Our 5-year growth plan will see us build a world-class class payments gateway leveraging the power of technology and supported by a dynamic ecosystem of local and international partnerships, enabling us to serve global payments and remittances efficiently.

“With our recent European expansion and our deepened presence in key trading corridors across Africa, we will bridge the gap between cross-border and domestic transfers across all business segments. More importantly, we are committed to impacting our host communities positively,” Ogbonna added.

In April 2022, Standard Chartered strategically decided to divest from a number of markets, namely Lebanon, Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Jordan, and to exit the CPBB (Consumer Private and Business Banking) business in Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania.

The bank had announced its sale of its business in Zimbabwe earlier in June and in Jordan in March this year. With this announcement, Standard Chartered has substantially completed the divestment process from the markets announced in April 2022, except Côte d’Ivoire where it remains actively engaged in discussions with potential buyers for the sale of its CPBB business in the country.

Over the years, Access Holdings, under the leadership of Wigwe, has launched

and sponsored several initiatives aimed at developing the continent’s economic and social ecosystems across diverse touchpoints. Furthermore, the institution has stood firm on its commitment to deliver on its promise of social responsibility, strong corporate governance, financial value for stakeholders, a positive and gender-balanced workplace environment, all while setting the pace with the introduction of innovative products and services.

Having identified the immense opportunity in playing at the global stage, Access Bank felt the next thing to do was to transit to a more formidable structure. That ensured that Access Holdings was last year restructured into an ecosystem orchestrator involving five verticals – the bank (Access Bank), Lending Company (LendCo), Payment Company (PayCo), Insurance and Pensions.

Clearly, Wigwe, understands that without embracing change and having foresights, Access Holdings would not be able to compete and would be left behind by their peers. This, would definitely impact customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and revenue growth negatively.

With over 45 million customers, Access Bank is one of the largest retail banks in Africa, even as it continues to expand.

Wigwe has helped to develop some of Africa’s biggest companies in the construction, telecommunications, energy, oil and gas sectors through Access Bank.

According to Wigwe, across Africa, there is an opportunity for the bank to expand to high-potential markets, leveraging the benefits of AfCFTA.

He said AfCFTA, among other benefits,

would expand intra-Africa trade and provide real opportunities for Africa.

According to him, Africa has enormous potential and there are opportunities for an African bank that is well run, that understands compliance and has the capacity to support trade and the right technology infrastructure to support payments and remittances, without taking incremental risks.

“We believe that we are best positioned to basically do all of that. Our focus is to become an aggregator in Africa and we are building a global payment gateway and providing trade finance support and correspondent banking across the continent. We are focusing on the key markets.

“The approach would always be that in the country we wish to go to, that we have the right skills. We would not just be a drop in the country in which we are present, we would make sure that we have an impactful presence in each of the major countries in which we are present

“In doing this, we are also mindful of the country we are going to so as to make sure that it is of benefit to the bank. As we do this, we are working with our friends and partners.

“We are diversifying our earnings away from volatile markets as well and we are orchestrating our operations from the global payments gateway and ensuring that using Access Bank UK, providing corresponding services from digital platforms, the overall profitability of our franchise,” he had explained.

Commenting further, on AfCFTA, he said the bank would use its digital framework to benefit from the deal.

“We think we need to continue to entrench ourselves in the local market because there is still so much work to be done.

“So, we are doing everything possible to satisfy our customers and also to ensure that our channels are adequately secured. We are also ensuring that our staff are very efficient,” the CEO said.

Wigwe further explained: “We remain committed to a disciplined and thoughtful expansion strategy in Africa, which we believe will create strong, sustainable returns for our shareholders and stakeholders at large, over the medium and long-term.”

Clearly, the massive continental expansion which the Herbert Wigwe-led financial institution embarked upon few years back appears has started yielding the expected benefits as Access Holdings’ first quarter 2023 earnings reflected positive trajectory. The first quarter 2023 results established that the bank got off on the right foot and may end the year 2023 better than its 2022 performance.

Precisely, the first quarter 2023 unaudited results showed that the Holding Company’s (Holdco) gross earning maintained its upswing as it increased to N424.917 billion in the review period, higher than the N295.736 billion recorded in the first quarter of March 2022. Its profit after tax which declined marginally at the end of 2022, improved in the first quarter of 2023, to N71.636 billion, compared to N57.825 billion it realised in the first quarter of 2022.

Also, Access Corporation’s total assets increased to N15.742 trillion as at the end of March 2023, up from N14.998 trillion recorded at the end of December 2022, loans and advances grew to N5.038 trillion in the review period, from N5.108 trillion as at December 2022, and customer deposits of N9.941 trillion as of March this, higher than the N9.2 51 trillion recorded at the end of December last year.

Also, Access Holdings’ full year results showed that total assets as at December 31, 2022, stood at N15 trillion, while its gross earnings crossed the N1 trillion mark to hit, N1.388 trillion, stronger than that of its peers in the league of tier-one banks.

With the latest acquisition move, it is expected that Access Holdings would soon realise its ambition of becoming an aggregator in Africa and a global payment gateway that provides trade finance support and correspondent banking across the continent.

PROFILE

Hafsatu Lawal Garba: Nigerian Amazon As TAJBank’s

James Madaki

On July 3, 2023, Hafsat Lawal Garba, CEO of Sure Health Laboratory and Diagnostics, was appointed a non-executive director fo TAJBank, one of Nigeria’s value-driven financial institutions. The recent appointment illustrates the essence of her diligence, competence, and elegance. An outstanding executive leveraging diverse skills and expertise contributing to Nigeria’s economic ecosystem. Overseeing operations, strategic planning, risk management, business development and financial management, she provides leadership that drives growth and profitability while maintaining the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

Hafsat is a female Nigerian business champ who has continued breaking the glass ceiling.

Her appointment as a non-executive director of TajBank will further allow her to showcase her deftness in investment management, operations management, portfolio corporate governance, financial forecasting, risk mitigation and management, startup strategic planning and thinking, and asset management. She will also bring to bear performance management, process improvement and optimisation.

Her appointment as a non-executive director of TAJBank is pursuant to the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, Articles 2.2.3 of the CBN Code of Corporate Governance and Principle 6 of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.

Based on the appointment, she will serve for not more than three terms of two years each and will be for an initial term of two years. The TAJBank appointment will mean that during her tenure, “including when you become subject to re-election under the Articles of Association of the bank or the law, your performance as a director may be reviewed in accordance with processes agreed by the board from time to time.”

Hafsatu is expected to adhere to the rules and principles guiding directors and other major stakeholders of the financial institution, as the bank is an ethical financial institution. As a non-executive director, Hafsatu, the cofounder and director of Monkey Town Bistro Limited, will ensure that the board has the required skills and experience.

In her new role, Hafsatu will help to develop proposals on the bank’s strategy, set values and

New Non-Executive Director

assets worth over N150 million, establishing strategic business partnerships with more than 15 reputable organisations within the first year of operations and drove the acquisition of 4,000 unique clients within the first year of operation.

In addition, Hafsatu sits atop Tenerif Global Trade, overseeing its ‘internal trader development’ programmes to develop the skills of internal and external trade masters and managers. She was instrumental in distributing more than 10,000 metric tonnes of Nigerian grains, increasing the direct growth index on sales of grains and commodities nationwide thrice within a year. Hafsatu, as a portfolio manager of multimanager strategic and tactical portfolios, achieved more than N1.2 billion in assets and commodities.

TAJBank has tapped the right person with the professional and interpersonal temperament in Hafsatu. As a non-executive director of Trobell International Nigeria Limited since 2016, she successfully completed five cycles of the crude oil pre-shipment inspection contract spanning over seven years and still running. Hafsatu was instrumental in the company’s renewed crude oil pre-shipment inspection contract on a periodic and temporary basis, with renewals staggered around months.

The new TAJBank non-executive director has depth in pedigree and academic laurels, with CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership QFC Personal Development and Strategic Manager. She has a Master of Art in Luxury Brand Management (Merit) from Regents University, London, with the capability to maximise my knowledge about the current luxury brand industry and make structured predictions of its future. She attended the City University London, London, with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Economics between September 2011 and September 2014. She graduated from Bellerbys College, Cambridge Business Foundation, from September 2010 to June 2011 and British International School, Lagos IGCSE, from September 2004 to June 2009.

TAJBank’s profile will further rise in the coming days.

standards for the bank and establish systems for its communication and monitoring, monitoring the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and ensuring that the necessary financial and human resources are in place to enable the bank meet those goals and objectives and; satisfying yourself that systems for identification and management of risks are robust and appropriate.

As TAJBank’s non-executive director, Hafsatu will attend board and committees, annual general meetings and site visits to operational facilities. An intrepid C-executive will help the bank to raise its bar. Enterprising and creative, Hafsat will bring on board her personal touch and professional ingenuity to the bank.

Leading Sure Health Laboratory & Diagnostics Limited, Hafsatu grew the business from three employees to more than 13 employees, with

As Trobell’s director, Hafsatu executed contracts and rendered all reports flawlessly, leading to high customer satisfaction. She maintains a team of highly experienced professionals with over 100 years of combined experience in the oil and gas sector. Among her high points at Trobell is successfully optimising client services by deploying cutting-edge information management technologies, including customising and deploying a pre-shipment inspection and documentation system for crude oil inspection.

Hafsatu also acquired and maintained partnerships with reputable organisations such as S&P Global Platts, International Organisation for Standardisation, and Barian Systems Limited, including providing a wide range of services to clients, including pre-shipment inspection services, vessel loading and discharging inspections, bunker surveys, tank and compartment cleaning, well wash testing, pipeline fabrication and construction, clean-up of oil spills, and provision of marine logistics, etc.

Last year, Hafsat was awarded a Certificate of Satisfaction and Award of Excellence by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS) in recognition of her immense contribution towards national development, educational upliftment, youth engagement and service to humanity. She was also recognised for her sagacity, uprightness, diligence, disposition of duties with absolute fairness, and accountability alongside humanitarian services. Known for her vision, humility, courage, commitment to people’s well-being, growth and development, prudence, competence and charisma in all her dealings, the Trobell non-executive director often positively exacts her influence.

Her Laboratory, Sure Health Laboratory and Diagnostics Ltd., is a world-class modern diagnostic centre with a state-of-the-art facility and advanced equipment; 21st-century modern tools and equipment make it stand out, offering it an edge over other laboratories within the country. The lab’s core value showcases accuracy and precision within a short turnaround time. It is recorded to be one of the fastest-growing laboratories in the country, serving over 3,000 clients and releasing over 8000 test results within its first year of operations. Sure Health Laboratory provides all kinds of medical investigations, professional medical consultation services, home services, corporate and domestic health packages for individuals and businesses, respectively, and micro-clinical services within its scope.

An Open Letter to the NLC: Rethinking Fuel Subsidy Reinvestments

Boye Jesse Yisa

On May 29 2023, the newly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Ahmed Tinubu, announced the removal of fuel subsidies in the country (fuel subsidies have an amorphous history with military governments since 1973 through civilian rule paying fuel subsidies to licensed importers. In 2022, Reuters reported subsidy payments costing Nigeria $9.7 billion, an estimated 25% of the $38.9 billion national budget. Though the fuel subsidies provided succor to the masses, experts from the World Bank and development financial institutions have posited that the subsidy benefits are captured by the elites and reduce public spending in relevant sectors like healthcare, education, tourism among others).

In his speech, the President surprised Nigerians & the international community by boldly mentioning that ‘although no arrangements had been made by successive governments, it was important for the fuel subsidies to be removed’. The Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) swiftly requested the immediate reversal of the subsidy removal, in addition to other demands to the government. While the aims of the NLC are noble, I believe a slightly different request would yield better results for the populace.

Reduce crude oil theft and ensure greater accountability: The NLC should advocate for greater transparency in the production and management of Nigeria’s largest foreign exchange earner - petroleum. Oil theft should be criminalized (see This Day article for details), oil production increased and a clear social compact developed on investing the savings from the subsidy removal. Although aspirational, the goal of this administration should be increasing sovereign wealth reserves, managed by the Nigeria

Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), to rival that of other petroleum producing nations (link to top 10 wealth funds), investment in infrastructure projects that boost per capita productivity or placing the entire populace on a national stipend (as some ME nations do)!

Design & Implement a clear strategy for reinvesting subsidy savings: The state needs to agree on clear areas to invest funds that were spent on subsidies and demand greater accountability from implementing institutions. The real palliative for Nigerians will be a boost in national productivity that affects the disposable income of all. This strategy must identify short, medium & long term projects that ease the common suffering and boost productivity. Interventions in value-added agricultural production, modular oil refineries & gas plants, mass transit projects (especially water and rail), local steel plants, global outsourcing amongst others., would be a good starting point.

Provide robust and equitable social investments: From my conversations with people at the bottom of the income pyramid, transportation, food and energy are the expense areas most impacted by the subsidy removal. The NLC must advocate for a bouquet of solutions that are more encompassing than a 300% salary increase for labor. In light of the aforementioned, federal and state governments should provide:

Bus/train passes: Which reduce the transport cost for intra-city movement and on major economic corridors. This solution should cut across the gamut of civil servants, students, self-employed, traders, farmers etc.

Food stamps: To subsidize the food cost inflation (est. by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics at ~24.82%, 2023 May) that has plagued Nigeria for some months now. While this is a heritage of the last administration, the current government can add a feather to its cap by attaining food sufficiency for Nigeria and affordability of staples.

Utility bills support: Especially because many lower income earners discontinued their employment because of the higher transport cost and might be forced to begin small businesses. Nigerians never fail to see the opportunity in mishap, so the government must ensure that people have the agency to continue their economic survival, from home.

Income buffers: The NLC made a good request for a 300% increase in wages for labour. In addition to this, a system to support persons outside the labour net should be designed e.g. income buffers for private sector workers & self-employed persons that have less than N10,000 in savings at the end of the month. Government interventions, at these times, shouldn’t be exclusively focused on the 12 million persons captured in the National Social Register.

There were claims by several stakeholders that the current National Social Register is either flawed or inaccurate (although lauded by the World Bank as being reliable). The current administration should involve critical stakeholders (including the NLC, state governments and traditional rulers) in designing and delivering this solution. Hopefully, the nation avoids a repeat of the looting of COVID – 19 palliatives.

Reduce cost of governance: To signify solidarity with the Nigerian people, in this difficult time. Nigerians are a patient and long-suffering people, but how much longer can we bear pain? Let’s see the leaders practice what they preach – lower official entitlement (not just salaries), shorter convoys, discontinued private air travel, not becoming stupendously rich after office, using public facilities (including hospitals, transport systems, education among others). While the comparative cost of governance, relative to the budget, might be small – these actions will demonstrate ‘noblesse oblige’, frugality and sincerity by the current administration.

In addition, the government should refrain from interventions that will reduce the disposable income of Nigerians including several taxes (e.g., vehicle proof of ownership levy), hike in electricity tariff among others. While His Excellency the President had a stellar performance as governor of Lagos state (1999 – 2007), he must realize that he is president of a country with one of the highest poverty rates (after clenching the title from India) and must make investments in human capital to change this narrative. The President had mentioned that removing the subsidy is similar to birth pangs of a woman –momentary pain and following long lasting joy. Still, I must ask, how much longer can Nigerians suffer before the better days come?

It’s not too late for the government to provide answers to these questions: what systems are in place for a post oil subsidy Nigeria? How do we create shared prosperity for all?

I hope the NLC quickly reviews their demands to the Federal Government and the government, in turn, provides alternatives that promote the wellbeing & prosperity of Nigeria.

Hafsatu

Beyond the Brain Drain: Exploring the Positive Impacts of 'Japa' on Nigerian Students Abroad

Are there any benefits to 'japa,' the Nigerian colloquial term for youth emigration? Isime Esene, a PR, communications, and marketing strategy consultant, led a research that delves into this pressing issue from the perspective of international education. Their insightful findings shed light on a narrative that extends beyond the negative connotations that have often surrounded this movement.

Vanessa Obioha reports

In 2021, Janet Obiam (not real name) contemplated leaving her job at a multinational beverage company with branches worldwide to pursue a master's program at an international university. Her decision was prompted by the wage imbalance between her and her counterparts in developed regions. Obiam, with her second-class upper degree, realized that work promotion and increased salary opportunities were limited without foreign educational qualifications.

By September 2022, Obiam joined the growing number of Nigerians seeking international education abroad.

Youth emigration has significantly increased in Nigeria in recent years, with many leaving their jobs to study abroad. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed issuing a record-breaking 1,899,683 passports in 2022. Skilled work and study visas issued by the UK to Nigerians also increased by 210% between 2019 and 2021, reaching 59,000, according to the African Polling Institute.

Brain drain pose concerns for any economy, with the perception of losing valuable human resources to developed countries. It is against this background that Isime Esene, a PR, communications, and marketing strategy consultant, led a research to plumb this pressing issue.

"The discourse surrounding the topic of youth emigration — the japa wave — has always focused on the negative impact of the matter," he explained in a recent chat. "The conversation mostly centred around how Nigeria's youth leave to enrich the economy of other lands while leaving their homeland disadvantaged."

Esene's research revealed unconsidered advantages that have been referenced by international education stakeholders across Europe, Asia and North America.

"There's a flipside that many do not consider. Many of these Nigerians are going to the US, UK, Canada and others to improve their knowledge and education, which puts them on equal playing footing with their peers across the world. Upon their return, they then improve their sectors with the skills, knowledge, and expertise they have gained.

"On the other hand, those who do not return to the country immediately send remittances back. With remittances from Nigerians in the diaspora said to be about $168 billion in the past eight years according to the World Bank, we cannot afford to discountenance their contribution to the economy even from abroad."

The research report titled "Nigeria Market Sentiment and Study Motivations Report" offers valuable insights into the migration habits of Nigerian youths seeking education abroad. It was conducted in collaboration with the University of Sussex, the Culture Intelligence from RED and The Student Coach. It won the SABRE Awards this year for Superior Achievement in Research and Planning.

Amid economic hardship and instability, studying abroad has become an escape for many Nigerian youths. Esene's research revealed that factors contributing to this trend go beyond seeking greener pastures.

"Data from the "Nigeria Market Sentiments and Study Motivations Report" indicate that the quality of education abroad is a major contributor to the exit of young people out of the country. Studies show that Europe and North America have over 50% of the world's top-rated institutions, and Nigerian youths want to level the playing field of their experiences at the global stage."

Insecurity and rising unemployment in Nigeria influence emigration decisions, however, Esene noted other factors.

"With Nigeria currently battling an all-time high unemployment rate expected to rise to 41% this year, there is also the factor of

higher employment prospects abroad. There is the added nuance of being considered more employable with a foreign degree even here in Nigeria, so most people want that edge for themselves."

He continued: "There is also the factor of wanting to overcome the widespread global discrimination against the Nigerian passport. The opportunity to acquire a ‘different coloured’ passport is almost too difficult to pass up, considering the reports we receive on how some of our compatriots are treated in other countries. Lastly, countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia provide a better climate for entrepreneurship, which is a strong allure for the average young Nigerian."

Pride in having a family member or relative living abroad has always been prevalent among Nigerian families. It elevates social status, regardless of the purpose of relocation or the source of income. Esene's research revealed that Nigerians find special fulfilment in studying abroad.

"Education outside the country comes with benefits that span from access to better learning aid, improved delivery style, increased research capacity and facilities to beneficial work-study programs and scholarships. These differences make for a compelling reason to emigrate out of Nigeria," he explained.

The UK has primarily benefited from the mass exodus of Nigerian students, according to Esene's research

which is limited to the region. The choice of country and institution is influenced largely by tuition and living costs, as well as the quality of education. For instance, Esene cited that living and schooling in London cost a great deal more than other cities across the UK.

"While cost is very important to the African international education market, it is also important to note that schools with a proven track record of quality, such as Loughborough University, University of Dundee, University of Sussex, University of Warwick, and London School of Economics & Political Science are also inundated with applications from Nigerian students. It is clear that there are varying reasons Nigerian students consider selecting the best schools for them."

In the 1980s, Nigeria experienced a brain drain phenomenon primarily affecting the health sector. Today, professionals leaving the country come from various sectors, including banking, marketing, and ICT, among others, according to the report.

The report also highlighted a notable increase in Nigerian students pursuing international education in disciplines such as project management and business analysis.

"The demand for professionals with skills in these disciplines is high within the industry, making them popular choices among students," said Esene.

He noted that these fields do not necessarily require a specific educational background as long as students possess intelligence and a willingness to learn. Given the proliferation of digital platforms and the significant role of media in development, media-related courses have equally seen a significant rise.

Emigrating to another country comes with challenges. The report identifies financial

constraints as the main barrier for Nigerian students.

"Not everyone has the financial resources to cover the expenses associated with studying abroad. However, it is worth noting that many institutions, particularly in the US and UK, offer various scholarships and grants specifically designed for international students, including Nigerians. These scholarships can significantly alleviate the financial burden, with some institutions providing generous amounts ranging from £4,000 to £6,000.

"Additionally, some universities, like Loughborough University, offer scholarships specifically tailored to African students. Similar opportunities exist in the US, Australia, and Canada, where institutions provide financial assistance to deserving international students. These scholarships and grants help to make international education more accessible to students and enable them to pursue their academic aspirations abroad," explained Esene.

Studying abroad offers Nigerian students various benefits. It helps nurture effective communication skills, which are essential for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. Mastering self-presentation empowers students to make a lasting impact. Additionally, studying abroad fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling students to adopt innovative solutions.

This creative mindset becomes valuable upon their return to Nigeria, where they can apply fresh perspectives to address local issues. Moreover, Esene noted that there is a growing trend of collaboration between Nigerian institutions and foreign schools, which allows students to have a hybrid educational experience.

"This collaboration elevates the reputation of Nigerian institutions, enhances the quality of education and research, and provides Nigerian students with access to world-class educational opportunities."

Furthermore, studying abroad provides a golden opportunity to network with peers from around the world.

"The opportunity to network globally and form connections with individuals from different countries and backgrounds is a compelling reason for Nigerian students to pursue education abroad. These connections not only shape their academic journey but also provide invaluable opportunities for future collaborations, career advancements, and a broader understanding of the world."

From Esene's point of view, brain drain has its own challenges, such as the loss of the country's valuable expertise, separation from families and disconnection from cultural roots. However, in the long term, it has its own advantages.

"Many of these individuals who acquire their education and skills abroad express a desire to return to Nigeria and contribute to the development of the country," he said.

"It is worth noting that the Nigerian diaspora, particularly those residing in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, form new communities and foster friendships while sharing their rich culture abroad," he emphasised.

"The music and entertainment industry, in particular, have played a crucial role in showcasing Nigerian talent globally. Nigerian artistes like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Ayra Starr, and others have gained international recognition, thanks in part to Nigerians abroad spreading the word and introducing others to our contemporary culture. This has resulted in a positive exposure for Nigeria and an increased understanding of our values and contributions on a global scale."

While brain drain may pose challenges, Esene believes that it also offers opportunities for Nigeria to showcase its cultural diversity and talent to the world.

The opportunity to network globally and form connections with individuals from different countries and backgrounds is a compelling reason for Nigerian students to pursue education abroad. These connections not only shape their academic journey but also provide invaluable opportunities for future collaborations, career advancements, and a broader understanding of the world."

Esene

Nigerian Industrialists, Like Adenuga and Dangote, Are Key To Our Economic Recovery

Make no mistake about it, Nigeria is going through some of the toughest economic times of her existence. We have one of the fastest growing populations on Earth, with a 2.4 annual growth rate, and a spectacularly sluggish economy after eight years of an inept and clannish administration.

We are facing an existential crisis, because we spent fifty years pissing away our national wealth in a fuel subsidy that subsidised consumption rather than production, and now we are almost broke and beggarly as a nation.

These facts should force us to take hard and harsh economic measures that will benefit our country, no matter whose ox is gored. And one way to go about a rapid economic recovery is to take a Nigeria first approach.

We must use every available means at our disposal to promote and project our military industrial complex, and we do not have to be nice about it. Niceness is for people who have a couple of trillion dollars in the kitty. We do not. We are effectively in the red. So we must use what we have to get what we want.

Now, let us consider some facts.

MTN Nigeria Limited accounts for 16.76% of Nigeria's stock market because Nigerians do not know the value of patronising their own. If Globacom Nigeria Limited controlled 16.76% of our stock exchange, our Naira would have appreciated by at least 50%.

Airtel is the second largest company in Nigeria's stock exchange, with a total market capitalisation of N4.960 trillion, thereby controlling 14% of our stock market.

Dangote Group comes a distant third.

Meanwhile, there is not one Nigerian company amongst the top 100 firms in the South African stock market, known as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Please, fact-check me.

How can Nigeria's bucket be full when we have different pipes and hoses redirecting our water to South Africa and other countries?

Apple, an American company, is the largest company in the US Stock Market. AstraZeneca, a British pharmaceutical giant, is the largest firm in the UK stock market. SAP, a German conglomerate, is the largest concern in the German Stock Exchange.

So, how come MTN, a South African firm, is the largest company in the Nigerian Stock Market? They control almost 17% of our entire stock exchange. The second is Airtel, an Indian company, with nearly 15%.

That is why there is a downward pressure on the Naira. Because we gleefully patronise these foreign behemoths, who repatriate their billions of dollars in profit to their home countries, leaving the Naira stranded.

For every Naira traded in our stock exchange, at least 50 Kobo develops wings and flies to South Africa, India, Europe and America. And we say Nigeria is an independent nation?

And this will continue, and the Naira will go downhill. And you will grow poorer.

Unless you start patronising Nigerian brands, like Globacom Nigeria, the Dangote Group, Innoson Motors, Air Peace, and BUA, which are wholly Nigerian-owned and whose profits circulate here in Nigeria, adding value to the Naira!

Until a Nigerian company is the number one form on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, we will only blame the government when our own consumption habits as citizens are the chief causative factors for a weak Naira!

If I were President Tinubu, I would introduce some heavy killer taxes on MTN, DSTV, and Shoprite, as well as other foreign companies competing with Nigerian corporations in Nigeria.

Every year, MTN Nigeria Limited makes N2 trillion in revenue from Nigeria. That is more money than Nigeria spends on critical infrastructures annually. Almost 100% of MTN Nigeria's profit after tax is repatriated to South Africa. Please fact-check me. The same is true for DSTV, which makes N300 billion annually from Nigeria.

Do you know the massive downward pressure that a combined total of almost $5 billion that MTN, DSTV, and other South African companies repatriate back home to South Africa annually from Nigeria has on the Naira? Think people. Think! That money is leaving Nigeria to support the purchasing power of the South African Rand. Actions have consequences.

Now, how many major Nigerian companies are doing business in South Africa? Please fact-check me again. Under the South African Income Tax Act, South Africa places a 28% tax on foreign companies doing business in their country.

And in addition to the 28% tax you pay, you have

AdenugaDangote

limits on how much of your profits you can repatriate to your home country. And even the amount you can repatriate is subject to an additional repatriation tax, different from the initial 28% tax you pay.

Nigerians must stop emoting and start reasoning. We ought to place far higher taxes on South African companies doing business in Nigeria than the taxes paid by Nigerian companies, especially where Nigerian companies are competing with those South African companies. And we should also limit their abilities to repatriate profits from Nigeria to South Africa.

This may be reduced for those South African companies doing business in areas where we have a shortage of local companies with the ability to compete, and for which there is a high need.

That is what Europe, America and Canada are doing to us. Placing serious obstacles on immigrant visas for regular Nigerians, but lowering the bar for Nigerian doctors, nurses, and teachers, because they need those Nigerian professionals due to shortages in their homelands.

What did Christ say in the Gospels?

"From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.-Matthew 17:26.

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) also placed Jizya Tax on foreigners.

And why should we even have MTN in Nigeria when Globacom can provide the same services that MTN provides, and their revenue and profit are circulating in Nigeria? Why?

Our tax regime must work first in favour of Nigerian companies the way South Africa's tax regime works to favour South African owned businesses. Should those taxes make them want to divest from Nigeria, so be it. They would be replaced by Nigerian-owned businesses.

Someone like Peter Obi can take over from Shoprite with his Next. Otunba Mike Adenuga can be supported to buy MTN Nigeria's assets. And why must we watch DSTV? Let us watch Arise. Channels, etc.

If, again, I was President Tinubu, I will also invite Air Peace to Aso Rock and ask them to consider being Nigeria's national carrier. They can remain private but must change their name to Nigerian Air Peace. Once they agree, I will tax foreign airlines and give them a rebate, and within four years, they will overtake Ethiopian Airlines as Africa's biggest and most successful airline.

I will order the Central Bank of Nigeria to grant

huge interest-free loans to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company and order my industry minister to relocate to Nnewi to help them expand their facilities. Then I, as President, will use a bulletproof IVM car, and then place the mother of all taxes on foreign vehicles whilst banning any Ministry, Department, Agency or Parastatal of the Federal Government from using any other car except IVM.

I was a presidential spokesman, with access to the President. We were given economic data that shows how vulnerable Nigeria is to so called foreign investors. The money that leaves Nigeria through exploitative investments is more than the FDI that flows into Nigeria.

The largest source of foreign exchange into Nigeria are Nigerians in the diaspora. And to encourage them to send more money to Nigeria, I would suggest President Tinubu spearheads the initiative to give them the right to vote.

Finally, I will convene a National Economic Council meeting to appeal to the thirty six state Governors to give free land to any Nigerian citizen resident in their state for the sole purpose of farming, whether small or large scale agriculture.

Once you start your farm and the Ministry of Agriculture inspects it, you get free seeds and seedlings of your choice, free fertilisers, along with a grant of N250,000, which you will not need to repay, except you abandon your farm.

If we take these steps and others, the value of our Naira will skyrocket, and the Federal Government will immediately have the financial wherewithal to pay its workers a N75,000 monthly minimum wage.

And as an individual Nigerian citizen, there are things that you can do to help your country through these tough times. If you want the Naira to appreciate in value, do these twenty things.

1. Instead of MTN, Airtel or Etisalat, use Glo

2. Instead of Mercedes, Range Rover, or Honda, buy Innoson

3. Fly Air Peace over Air France, KLM, or Lufthansa

4. Bank at First Bank, UBA, GTBank, and Zenith over Stanbic

5. Watch AriseTV, Channels and NTA over Multichoice DSTV

6. Buy Dangote and Ibeto cement, and avoid Chinese brands

7. Watch and buy Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars, and 3SC over Manchester United, Barcelona, PSG, and Napoli

8. Buy music of Nigerian origin from streaming sites instead of downloading foreign artistes

9. Patronise DAKOVA, Mai Atafo, Mudi Africa, and JADZ Couture (maker of my babanriga and

agbada. Show her some love on +234 704 477 9973) over Armani, Gucci, Balenciaja, and Louis Vuitton

10. Drink palm wine over champagne, Hennessy, Scotch Whiskey, and Irish Cream

11. Shop with your local market woman instead of at Shoprite

12. Buy and eat only made in Nigeria rice, and let Thailand eat their rice

13. Consider cassava bread over bread made with foreign-grown wheat

14. Buy Zinox PCs, laptops, and tablets

15. Instead of Birdseye custard, Quaker oats, and Kellogg's cereals, drink akamu, pap, and ogi

16. Leave KFC, and patronise Mr Bigg's, Tantalizers, and Mama Put

17. Stop using Holland Wax, and imported George and wrapper. Use Kaduna textiles, aso oke, Akwete cloth, and other local textiles

18. Watch less Hollywood and Bollywood movies, and go for Nollywood and Kannywood

19. Holiday and honeymoon in Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Games Reserve, Ikogosi Warm Springs, and attend Argungu Fishing Festival

20. Reject imported frozen fish, meat and dairy products and buy fresh produce from local producers

Nobody is coming to save Nigeria. It is only Nigerians that will save Nigeria. Local brands may or may not be as good as foreign ones, but with continued patronage, they will improve in quality. Buy them, and your Naira will rise along with your personal happiness and the international rating of the green Nigerian passport. Your value is tied to Nigeria's value. Buy Nigerian and Nigeria's foreign reserves, trade balances, and debt to GDP ratio will automatically improve.

Reno’s Nuggets

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Globetrotter. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.

Reno

You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind.

RATES AS AT JULY 24,2023

With Deteriorating Assets, Nigeria’s Refinery Throughput Falls 1,800% in 10 Years

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As Nigeria’s refineries began to pack up as a result of prolonged lack of maintenance, the country’s daily oil refining throughput fell sharply by about 1,800 per cent between 2011 and 2022, a THISDAY analysis of industry data has revealed.

While as at 2011, Nigeria still managed to refine 108,000 barrels per day in-country, data obtained from Statista, a global portal which provides data on the digital economies, industrial

sectors, consumer markets, and macroeconomic developments, indicated that the number fell to 6,000 bpd in 2022. In the downstream petroleum industry, throughput is the amount of product that moves through a particular facility or a given set of facilities during a period of time.

Although traditionally, Nigeria before the collapse of its petroleum refineries, was able to refine 450,000 barrels per day from its three refining facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Warri in Delta State as well

as in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria, data from the portal showed that it fell to zero in 2020.

In other years, between 2010 and 2022, it indicated that in-country refining was 96,000 barrels per day in 2010; 108,000 in 2011; 92,000 in 2012 and 97, 000 barrels per day refining throughput in 2013.

But from 2014, the capacity for refining products within the country quickly deteriorated even faster, as the refining of petrol, diesel, kerosene and other products fell to 64,000 barrels

per day during that year.

Recently, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), advised on the adoption of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model for running the nation’s four refineries when they finally come on-stream, rather than being run by the Nigerian government.

The NLNG is an incorporated joint venture owned 49 per cent by the government represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); 25.6

per cent by Shell Gas; 15 per cent by TotalEnegies & Electricité, and 10.4 per cent by Eni International.

The ownership structure allows for an independent board and management of the NLNG, making it one of Nigeria’s most profitable companies in the gas space.

Speaking at the association’s 7th triennial delegates conference in Abuja, President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, argued that with the NLNG model, Nigeria can quickly surmount the challenges associated with running refineries

in the country.

But the throughput data further revealed that in 2015, products refining within Nigeria fell to 22,000 bpd; it was 62,000 bpd in 2016; throughput however rose to 81,000 bpd in 2017; but again slumped to 35,000 bpd in 2018. From 2019, the situation got even worse, when in-country refining fell to 7,000 bpd; it was zero in 2020; 3,000 bpd in 2021 and 6,000 bpd in 2022.

FAO: Rising Illegal, Unregulated Fishing Threatening Food Security in W’Africa

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has stated that the rising Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing posed a threat to food security in West Africa.

The FAO’s Representative ad Interim, Ms. Binga StephenTchicaya, said at the 23rd annual fishing committee in Liberia that the menace is also driving several species towards extinction.

Stephen-Tchicaya stated that

current rates of extraction are driving several species towards extinction while jeopardising the livelihoods of local fishing communities across Senegal, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Mauritania.

The FAO’s representative identified some of the challenges that exist in West Africa’s fishing area of competence as ensuring that fisheries continue to contribute to food security and livelihoods for all, improving the management of shared and migratory stocks on the high seas, as well as

in coastal sovereign waters, increase the resilience of coastal communities and ending illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

She said that all of these challenges are summarised as good fisheries management.

Drawing on a unique satellite tracking database from FishSpektrum, she said this report by ODI and porCausa presents new evidence of the scale and pattern of IUU fishing.

It focuses on ‘reefers’ - large-scale commercial vessels receiving and

freezing fish at sea - and the use of containers. It provides evidence of practices that undermine multilateral governance rules aimed at curtailing IUU fishing and promoting sustainable, legal practices.

According to her, the report identified pathways for countries in sub-Saharan Africa to move towards greater transparency and sustainable management of fisheries to prevent the irreversible depletion and possible extinction of species, and to preserve the marine ecosystems where the

fishing activities take place.

She stated that transferring fish between ships at sea makes it harder to tell which fish are caught legally and which are not.

“This map developed by CartoDB tracks the movement of 35 reefers through western African waters in 2013. A high density of hotspots and an erratic track pattern highlight areas where transhipment (moving catches from small fishing boats to reefers) may be occurring.

“Greater investment in regional

patrols to detect and deter illegal fishing would allow West Africa’s governments to follow up suspicious manoeuvres identified through ‘hot spot’ activity,” Stephen-Tchicaya said.

“The report calls on western Africa’s governments to follow the lead of Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire and ban transshipment in their waters. We recommend that ships caught engaging in IUU fishing should be blacklisted and prohibited from entering waters in the region,” she added.

FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY

NNPC Rallies Operators, Service Providers to Tackle High Oil Production Cost

Peter Uzoho

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has said it is galvanising operators and service providers in the nation’s oil and gas industry towards tackling the menace of high production cost and improving profitability in the sector.

The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, gave the hint during a panel session at the just-concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week 2023, held in Abuja. Wunti, who lamented the impact of high oil production cost on the

operators and government revenue, warned that the menace would lead to the collapse of oil business in the country.

“We have always said that if you don’t pull down cost, cost will pull you down. If you don’t kill cost, cost will kill the business. And so, we are working together with the service providers to

see how can we optimise cost and change the narrative from being the highest cost environment in the upstream sector globally to a competitive environment,” Wunti stated.

He said the Nigerian oil and gas industry was in dire need of quality contractors, adding that there was also a need to upscale the capacity

Agusto & Co. Affirms Fidelity Bank’s ‘A’ Rating, with Stable Outlook

Nume Ekeghe

Agusto & Co. has affirmed the ‘A’ rating assigned to Fidelity Bank Plc and assigned an ESG score of ‘2’ in reflection of the agency’s view that environmental,

social and governance issues have minimal contribution to the bank’s credit rating.

According to a note on the Agusto & Co. website, “The rating reflects Fidelity Bank’s improved profitability, strong ability

to refinance, adequate capitalisation and low level of impaired credits.”

Fidelity Bank is a fullfledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 7.5 million customers serviced across its 250

middlemen and women involved in the contracting chain of the sector.

Warning about the dangers of losing quality international contractors in the guise of trying to build local capacity, he stressed the need to create a balance between the two.

“I think that’s what we are working for. Nigerians would learn to be mentored as much as possible because some people have been there

business offices and digital banking channels. The bank was recognized as the Best Payment Solutions Provider, Nigeria, 2023 and Best SME Bank, Nigeria, 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.

Renewables: Shefa Engineering Provides Solution for Energy Security

As the world transitions to renewable energy, new technologies are being used to manage the production and distribution of gas and other fossil fuels.

According to Shefa Engineering, “Energy security has gained increasing prominence in global discussions, given the evolving geopolitical situation across the globe. Ongoing events in certain regions have highlighted the potential risks associated with heavy reliance on external sources for energy. Such vulnerabilities

underscore the importance of nations safeguarding their economic futures.

“With the continuing evolution of the global oil and gas industry along with the industry’s embrace of technological advancements, it is important to ensure the effective applications of these innovations to reduce the cost of production and ensure energy security.

“As the oil and gas industry goes through its boom-and-bust cycles, Shefa Engineering, focusing on the upstream sector in Nigeria, is making notable contributions by leveraging innovative technologies and

expertise from around the world to enhance exploration techniques, drilling technologies, and production methods, with a goal to reducing the cost of production to its customers.”

From a global point of view, recent geopolitical developments have led to shifts in global oil supply dynamics, particularly in Europe.

In 2020, Europe consumed about 512 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas, with 36% of that figure supplied by Russia. In the first two quarters of 2022, Russia supplied about 45% of Europe’s natural gas, as the Canadian Broadcasting

Corporation reported. That figure was later slashed to 7.5% in October 2022. Another report in August of the same year on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) blog reported a 14-fold hike in gas prices across the continent, translating to inflation in the prices of basic goods.

In the context of Nigeria, an oil-rich nation with its own unique set of challenges, energy security is a multifaceted issue. The country’s abundant fossil fuel resources are accompanied by supply chain disruptions, crude oil price volatility, and the need for sustainable energy practices.

WITH DETERIORATING ASSETS, NIGERIA’S REFINERY THROUGHPUT FALLS 1,800% IN 10 YEARS

Last month, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, alleged that under the last Muhammadu Buhari-led administration alone, $19 billion was wasted on the rehabilitation of the state-owned refineries without results, the same amount Dangote had invested in its 650,000 bpd refinery.

However, in a note, NNPC said all its financial statements from 2015 to 2022 could be found in the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF).

It explained that the totality of the spending, inclusive of salaries and wages of workers could not be compared with what it cost to set up the Dangote Refinery.

“This allegation is an attempt

to mislead Nigerians,” a source within the national oil company NNPC told THISDAY.

“NNPC Limited wishes to state that the figures stated by the governor were wrong, as the company, which represents the federal government in its efforts to rehabilitate the refineries through an Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with its partners, has spent only its approved counterpart funding which was clearly stated during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing for the respective refineries.

“For the records, the cost approved by the federal government for the rehabilitation

of the nation’s three refineries are $1.5 billion; $740 million and $548 million for Port Harcourt, Kaduna & Warri refineries, respectively.

“The two EPC contractors are Tecnimont (France), which handles the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation and Daewoo (South Korea) which oversees the quick fix projects at both Kaduna and Warri refineries.

“Under GEJ, no money was borrowed for Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM). Under Buhari, only $1 billion was borrowed. Rehabilitation is still ongoing,” it stated.

The Statista data said that

even though the country has been refining very little quantity, the number of throughput has been fluctuating for years and actually hit zero at some point.

“As of 2022, the oil refinery throughput in Nigeria was equal to 6,000 barrels per calendar day. In the previous year, 3,000 barrels per calendar day of oil were handled by the country’s refineries, which means that the production had been doubled.

“Generally, oil refinery operations carried out in Nigeria has been fluctuating since 2010. A peak of 108, 000 barrels per day was registered in 2011, considering the period reviewed,” it stated.

for centuries. We can’t just within five years and 10 years want to overtake them when we don’t have the money, we don’t have the capacity and we need to build that.

“And once we do that, our contracting all over will be more efficient, and when it is more efficient, it will bring down the cost and with all other measures in place, Nigeria will certainly be the destination of all, “Wunti noted.

G20 Bloc Fails to Reach Agreement on Cutting Fossil Fuels

The Group of 20 (G20) major economies meeting in India has failed to reach consensus on phasing down fossil fuels following objections by some producer nations.

Scientists and campaigners are exasperated by international bodies’ foot-dragging on action to curb global warming even as extreme weather from China to the United States underlines the climate crisis facing the world.

The G20 member countries together account for over threequarters of global emissions and gross domestic product, and a cumulative effort by the group to decarbonise is crucial in the global fight against climate change, Reuters reported.

However, disagreements including the intended tripling of renewable energy capacities by

2030 resulted in officials issuing an outcome statement and a chair summary instead of a joint communique at the end of their four-day meeting in Bambolim, in the Indian coastal state of Goa. A joint communique is issued when there is complete agreement between member nations on all issues.

“We had a complete agreement on 22 out of 29 paragraphs, and seven paragraphs constitute the Chair summary,” Indian Power Minister R.K. Singh said.

Sections urging developed countries to deliver on the goal of jointly mobilising $100 billion per year for climate action in developing economies from 2020-2025, and description of the war in Ukraine, also eluded consensus.

Informa Markets Harps on Right Policies to Spur Investments in Power Sector

Peter Uzoho

International energy events manager, Informa Markets, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to formulate valuable policies that will catalyse investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector to boost energy access in the country.

The Exhibition Director in charge of Energy Portfolio in the Middle East and Africa, Informa Markets, Mr. Ade Yesufu, made the call in Lagos at a press conference heralding the 10th Nigeria Energy Conference slated to hold from 19th to 21st September, 2023 in Lagos.

Yusuf stated that Nigeria and West Africa’s energy sector were currently undergoing a significant transformation, with a strong

emphasis being on addressing the critical challenge of energy access in the sub-region.

Noting that Nigeria has abundant natural resources capable of improving the country’s electrification rate and achieving its set energy goals, he stressed the “need for the right investment and policies in the power sector”.

According to him: “the lack of political will remains a major impediment in realising the potential of Nigeria’s energy sector.”

Yesufu explained that this year’s energy conference, which has the theme: “Unlocking New Value with Reforms, Investments and Technology”, would chart the way forward for the industry.

Bennett Oghifo

Onyuike: Governors Must Issue Certificate of Occupancy to Farmers to Unlock Their Potential

Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Onyuike in the interview with select journalist speaks on what Nigeria can do to generate $20 billion from palm oil processing, why issuing of certificate of occupancy to farmers by state governors to enable them access loans will revolutionise the industry and other thorny issues. Excerpts

As the president of Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), can you tell us some of the factors hindering the growth of your members and how government policies have plaid a part?

Governments in the past were enemies of developing low business holders but they developed other sectors that they feel were more organized in the sense that they had collaterals to pick up single digit and long-term loans and all that, but the critical mass that we create employment and generate revenue for the government in terms of taxation and gross domestic products (GDP) were neglected.

Our members have faced many challenges and are still battling some of the challenges. One, they were major handicapped by the credit system in the country. Secondly, access to quality seed materials is very low, even almost impossible. Thirdly, access to funds to acquire modern processing mills to be able to them process high quality products. Most times, what they produce is below standard because they are using their bare hands and post-harvest losses are so huge. These are very big disincentives to any farmer. These are the major issues.

Another major problem is the inability of our governors to issue certificates of occupancy (C of O) to farmers. When you issue C of O to them, you unlock their potential to have access to funding. This is because there is no financial institution in the country that would not ask for the basis when you request a loan. The social economic impact of oil palm is so large that today, our body cream, the margarine, the butter, the mayonnaise, even the vegetable oil, they are all bleached palm oil. The pasta, noodles, biscuits, all these are palm oil.

In fact, the demand of palm oil on food and industries is so huge that it has been found in other things including cosmetics, paints, polish and even pharmaceutical industries. And these are things that will unlock the potential of this country. So the government should refocus on this crop. In the 60s, we were known for cocoa, oil palm and rubber. The Chinese and foreign investors were able to come in because of the raw materials that were available in large quantity.

Countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia

use their crude oil resources to develop their own palm oil sector Economic, widespread employment opportunities and all that. They have policies that they put in place to safeguard local production. You must check your borders to ensure they are not porous. Look at how much the country has lost in terms of importation. Again, people are importing polished palm oil and vegetable oil in the name of crude palm oil into the country. Do they pay duties for all these bad items?

I hope this new administration will focus properly on cleaning up our system because we cannot allow people to sabotage our economy. We have industries that produce a lot of things from crude palm oil and once you bring the bad oil, you are destroying their businesses. Our members are not encouraged because nobody is selling. And by the way, Nigerians spend about $500 million annually to import these things because the local demand is so big. In the past, attention was given to the big players who controlled only 20 per cent? How can you neglect the critical mass? Look at the level of youth unemployment. And this is one

sector that have women inclusion majorly in the entire value chain.

The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) which was then known as West African Institute for Oil Palm Research, was set up in 1938 by the British. We thank God for the Executive Director who has now has renewed that decaying institution to a level where we can say we are proud of. Before now it was in a sorry situation but thank God for the new management, they have done a lot of work and our farmers have benefited so much. Again, the Minister of Agriculture has given us a lot of encouragement in terms of training. But then again, we as an association want to show leadership in transparency and accountability. In December 2020, we were given a total of 169,000 sprouted nuts as gifts from the Minister of Agriculture to our members.

We looked at how the whole system was in disarray. And we needed to organize our members. We then found out that we had only 24 states in Nigeria recognized by the Minister of Agriculture as oil sprouting states. But we had more than that up to Taraba and Adamawa state. So, we went to the minister, and we increased the number to 27 because we went there to make sure we can have oil palm production in other parts of the country so that the country can benefit.

We have given back the sprouted nuts to NIFOR to help us raise them to seedling level because that’s the most critical part in oil palm development. These sprouted nuts are like children in the womb. They have to be nursed properly otherwise they won’t grow up properly and at the end of the day, they will not give you the optimum years because of the stress they went through.

The administration in the industry was too much that that we said we needed to clean up the system by making sure that those sprouted notes would not go into the hands of our members who do not have any training. So, we told NIFOR to help us groom them at a very discounted rate.

In the past, when these things came, the excos would just sell them and pocket the

money but we sat down with them and told them that none of them would benefit from this thing; we wanted to give it to the smallest among us. Those seedlings are very expensive, but they have been highly subsidized.

This is happening for the first time, and we invited the press to help us sensitize our people to make them come back to agriculture, because that is the future we have in this country, to move these people out of poverty completely.

One ton of palm oil is about N1 million. If one man is doing an average of eight to 10 tons on one Plantation, he is already a millionaire. And if you sell the fruits to big mills that have the capacity to mill, and they pay you good money, they will have enough money to take care of themselves, their families and even the farm.

Again, we got nutcrackers from the Minister of Agriculture, 20 in number. That has already been distributed to 20 states. In this country we have some states that are known for oil palm, the SE, SS, SW and North Central. So those key states have taken ownership of those nutcrackers

We are also talking to governors because they hold the key to helping these farmers access funding. We must commend the new governor of Cross Rivers State; he has shown deep understanding, passion and commitment to change the story in the state. But other state governments must take a key from that. It is not about the planes, the gallery, but it is about doing the critical work.

Nurseries are very key because without them you cannot have those certified seedlings. The problem we have today is that our trees were planted in the 60s apart from the wide grooves. There must be a very systemic plan to replant the whole entire plantations of these wide grooves and semi-wide grooves.

And those plantations that are already very old have to be replanted. You can imagine that if the $500 million gap that we have is taken out, we would have enough money to meet our needs in the country.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Bayo-Ojo: Solar Energy Can Serve as Alternative to Petrol

Tomiwa Bayo-Ojo is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Volsus Energy Limited, an indigenous renewable energy firm. In this interview, he talks about the need for a shift to solar power, which he said would significantly ease the pains of the recent petrol subsidy removal. Emmanuel Addeh presents the excerpts

As a start-up renewable energy firm, how is Volsus Energy navigating the industry?

We recognised the great opportunities in the energy sector especially in renewable energy, and so that was how we started. The company was registered in 2016 and we have been delivering on various energy projects. At Volsus Energy, we offer various services that we believe are key in driving the renewable energy space in Nigeria. The federal government is championing energy transition and we believe the government cannot do this alone but would need the support of the private sector to deliver on this.

For instance, a World Bank report in 2021, stated that over 45 per cent of the Nigerian population does not have access to electricity. That is a huge figure for the over 200 million estimated population.

It is also a clear fact that among the 55 per cent that has access to electricity, the consistency in hours of supply is still a huge crisis that the Distribution Companies (Discos) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are still grappling with.

This is where some of us in the private sector come to bring state-of-the-art technologies that are integrated operations into the on-grid electricity to provide consumers with seamless hours of electricity supply.

The Nigerian government recently stopped paying subsidy for petrol, causing the price to more than double. How can Nigerians deal with this?

Renewable energy products are advancing and becoming more affordable by the day. In this view, I advise that Nigerians embrace the use of solar power installations which would cut down their energy cost by a significant margin. Already, there is a global campaign that promotes

the use of clean energy and that is what Nigeria stands to achieve if more Nigerians have access to electricity through the use of solar power installations and other renewable energy sources. The other good thing about adopting solar energy is that it can meet various electricity demand needs. For instance, devices for just lighting and charging of appliances are getting more affordable by the day and available across stores, which could just solve those basic needs.

There are Solar Home Systems (SHS) for large homes, which could solve the lighting needs as well as power electronic devices and even refrigerators and freezers. Some other higher capacity solar energy installations can do the heating of water for bathing and other purposes in addition to the earlier stated functions.

You just spoke about powering homes. What options are there for energising

businesses?

For Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) including salons, fashion homes, trading stores among others, lighting, powering points and refrigeration are crucial for their survival. There have been complaints of MSMEs spending over 50 per cent of their running cost on grid electricity through the Discos without getting commensurate hours of electricity.

And do you know that the Discos have separate billing computation for commercial and industrial connections? And even at that, most small-scale commercial customers do not have meters which expose them to high estimated billing.

That is just the spending on on-grid electricity but it goes beyond that with the recent petrol price hike which more than doubled, rising from about N195 per litre to over N537 since the ending of May 2023.

Business owners that have generators ranging from 1KVA to over 5KVA rely on petrol to run these devices in what is called self-generated energy since they cannot completely rely on the on-grid electricity. Also, acquiring these backup generators cost a fortune not to talk of the cost of running and servicing them on a daily basis.

According to power generator import data for 2022 provided by the International Trade Centre and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria spent $3.47 billion or N2.7 trillion importing phones, generating sets, electrical transformers, and a host of other electrical equipment in 2022. A significant amount of this spending was on generators amounting to $468.65 million.

Like I said earlier, this is just for importing

the equipment; to run this equipment, you will have to buy at least two to five litres daily for the business. At N537, assuming you are buying from the NNPC retail stations, a small business owner may be spending over N2,000 daily to power the generator and that is about N52,000 every month just on petrol.

Perhaps, the total turnover and capital of that business may not be more than N300,000. If such a micro business owner spends nearly 20 per cent of his capital on just fuelling the generator, it is difficult to break even in the shortest possible time. That is why they will need to opt for solar devices that could have similar or lesser power output using a one-off capital budget and gradually then can expand the capacity.

There is also the mini-grid solar plant for communities that are tired of waiting to be connected by Discos or are tired of the estimated bills. These mini-grids operate by generating power and distributing the same within the community and then a taskforce is set to enforce commensurate revenue collection for offsetting maintenance and procurement purposes which is much cheaper than running through the grid.

People usually seek financing options for installing solar power devices. Are there funding options?

Yes, we often hear people say that acquiring solar energy is capital intensive and they may be right to some extent. But come to think of it, they only see it that way because they spend on the generators in bits. When accumulated, their spending on buying a generator, refueling it and calling the mechanic from time to time for repairs and maintenance is more costly than getting a solar power installation.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

The National President, of

Onyuike

Bayo-Ojo

At 68.46%, NGX Banking Index Leads Other Major Indices on NGX

Kayode Tokede

Amid the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) free float of the naira, the Nigerian Exchange Limited Banking Index (NGX Banking) has appreciated by 68.46 per cent Year-till-Date (Ytd) , outpacing other indices on the bourse.

The NGX Banking as of July 21 has surpassed the NGX All-Share Index that closed at 26.83 per cent YtD growth as the stock market has witnessed 16-year rally.

The stock market had witnessed a similar scenario in 2017 as the banking index gained 73.3 per cent compared to a 42.3 per cent NGX All-Share Index return.

According to THISDAY investigation, the NGX Banking Index that opened trading 2023 at 417.5 basis points and closed July 21 at 703.32 basis points, has benefited from the cancellation of the multiple foreign exchange rates by the CBN.

Other indices, NGX Oil/Gas Index gained 83.55 per cent YtD; NGX Consumer Goods Index added 50.61 per cent and NGX Insurance index appreciated by 49.61 per cent YtD, joining the top four indices gainer on the bourse.

In addition, the NGX Industrial Index increased by 18.76 per cent in its YtD growth.

The past eight years, Nigeria foreign exchange market has witnessed two major realignments of the official Naira/US dollar exchange rate with the parallel market rate. The first happened in mid-2017 when the two rates converged on N360.0/US$1.

The second convergence is happening now although, unlike the first, it is less a case of two rates converging towards a mid-point than a case of the official rate weakening in order to adjust to the parallel rate.

The likes of Unity Bank Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc and are the top

gainers in the NGX banking index.

The stock price of Unity bank appreciated to N1.65 per share as of July 21, 2023, an increase of 200 per cent from N0.55 per share it opened in 2023, while Sterling Financial Holdings Company increased to N3.96 per share as of July 21, 2023, a growth of 183 per cent from N1.40 per share it closed for trading in 2022.

Further investigation by THISDAY indicated that the surge demand for Access Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, among others played critical role in the growth of NGX Banking index.

The stock price of Access Holdings has appreciated to N18.35 per share as of July 21, 2023, an increase of 116 per cent from N8.5 per share it opened for trading in 2023.

France, JR Farms to Train Nigerian, African Farmers

The French government will train African and Nigerian farmers for eight weeks in February 2024 on innovation, global best practices and access to business stakeholders.

The first cohort of the training will be hosted across three training institutes in France after which the participants will be issued certificates.

The French government and a Nigerian firm, JR Farms signed the strategic partnership agreement yesterday in Paris.

The Senior Agriculture Coun-

sellor of the French Embassy Nigeria/West Africa, Dr Sonia Darracq said France is committed towards the improvement of technical colleges of agriculture and the modernisation of curricula in Nigeria, with a dedicated grant from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or via the French Development Agency (AFD).

“This executive training programme aims to bridge the knowledge gap, foster innovation and facilitate valuable networking opportunities for participants. Moreover, it serves as a testament to the strengthening economic and diplomatic ties

between France and Nigeria. We look forward to the inaugural cohort in February 2024 and are confident that it will contribute to the growth and success of agribusiness in Nigeria and beyond,” Darracq said.

The Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms Global operations, Olawale Rotimi Opeyemi, said the company considers this development as very important initiative between France and Africa.

He noted that while Africa has huge agribusiness potentials, knowledge gap has kept agribusiness development in the continent low.

EMTECH Releases Web-3 Enabled CBDC Innovation Kit for Fintechs

Emma Okonji

EMTECH, a software company and first-of-its-kind Modern Central Banking Infrastructure provider, has released its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Innovation Kit for fintechs and financial service providers looking to test new fintech solutions and business models with the Central Bank Digital Currency.

Speaking about the Innovation Kit, EMTECH Founder and CEO, Carmelle Cadet, said: “We are extremely proud to officially announce

this flagship CBDC offering for fintechs. Our point of view has been consistent: enabling central banks to safely deploy their CBDC as a digital cash infrastructure, not just a software application can drive inclusion, interoperability and resilience by embracing the growing fintech ecosystems. From payments, savings to lending and investments, from rideshares to remittances. Imagine if the $10 trillion or more of paper cash floating in the world was issued digitally, used and accounted securely, in real

time and seamlessly. Imagine what fintech apps could do for cash users.”

Executive Director, Africa at EMTECH, Tunji Odumuboni, said: “This is a first for EMTECH, and with a beta launch earlier this year, we saw the interest from fintechs who signed up for our Innovation Kit. Even without a live CBDC deployed, there is a lot of capacity to build on fintech side as well. We are eager to help explore new possibilities with CBDCs coming down the pipe. Those who get ahead of the curve have much to gain.”

Stakeholders to Brainstorm on New Strategies to Lift Nigeria’s Aviation Sector

Chinedu Eze

The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) would this Thursday, July 27, 2023 hold its 27th annual conference at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja Government Reserved Area (G.R.A), Lagos.

Like the previously held editions, this year’s conference with the theme: “Aviation Industry: Changing Times,

Changing Strategies,” is expected to attract key stakeholders in the nation’s aviation industry who would dissect the country’s aviation industry, its present status, inhibiting factors and the way forward.

A joint statement signed by Mr. Chinedu Eze and Mr. Albinus Chiedu, Chairman and Secretary, Conference Committee, respectively, also stated that the theme was

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)

informed by the emerging changes in the approach to aviation business as regards technology, airline management and operations, financing and other aspects of the aviation industry.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Merobole, is the Guest of Honour, while Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) would present the keynote address.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 17 JULY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.06 a barrel on Friday, compared with $81.53 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

From left: President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Idorenyen Enang; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Chizor Malize and Company Secretary, FITC, Alaba Ekundayo during a courtesy visit by the NIMN President to the FITC Head Office in Lagos...recently

Olawale Ajimotokan

Geregu Power, Transcorp, Sterling Bank Admitted into Vetiva’s Equity ETF

KayodeTokede

Vetiva Fund Managers Limited (Vetiva) yesterday announced the review of its Nigerian Exchange Limited 30 Index (NGX 30) with the incoming of Geregu Power Plc, Transcorp Hotels Plc, and Sterling bank Plc into its Vetiva’s Equity Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), while the likes of Custodian & Allied Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Unilever Nigeria Plc are the outgoing stocks.

The report disclosed that Union Bank of Nigeria is the only outgoing stock in the NGX Banking Index. Vetiva in a report explained that the bi-annual review of the NGX Indices which include, but are not limited to, the NGX 30, NGX Banking, NGX Consumer Goods and NGX Industrial Indices. Vetiva stated that it noted that the weights of the security components of the NGX Consumer Good Index and the NGX Industrial Index were

adjusted with no changes to the individual securities, stressing that the weight adjustments of the individual security components, the NGX 30 Index and the NGX Banking Index rebalancing reflect the above changes to the respective index components.

Speaking on the ETFs and the Equities Market, the Portfolio Manager, ETFs at Vetiva, Ms. Jesusetuntun Ajagun, in a statement said, “ETF returns largely mirrored

the performance of the respective indices they track and the broad sentiments of the equities market during the period”.

She noted that the ETFs offer a higher degree of transparency as the indices being tracked are typically publicly available and investors can therefore easily tell what the constituents of a particular Vetiva’s Equity ETF suite is typically rebalanced half yearly in line with the NGX Indices review,

as changes to components and weights of the underlying indices will typically require corresponding adjustments to the ETF portfolios, to ensure the objective of tracking the price and yield performance of the relevant indices.

ETFs are securities that replicate/ track the performance of an underlying index, commodity or basket of assets. Vetiva’s ETF Suite comprises of the Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF which tracks the performance of the NGX

30 Index, the Vetiva Banking ETF which tracks the performance of the NGX Banking Index, the Vetiva Consumer Goods ETF which tracks the performance of the NGX Consumer Goods Index, the Vetiva Industrials ETF which tracks the performance of the NGX Industrials Index and the Vetiva S&P Nigerian Sovereign Bond ETF which tracks the performance of the S&P/FMDQ Nigeria Sovereign Bond Index.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF JULY/24/23

A Mutual fund (UnitTrust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate InvestmentTrust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 20-July-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

LAUNCH OF ODUA INVESTMENT FOUNDATION ADVISORY COUNCIL...

L-R:

Director/Chief

Abbas Urges Resident Doctors to Shelve Planned Strike

Education,

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called on the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their planned industrial action in order for the House to intervene.

The plea by Abbas to the doctors came just as the leadership of the House of Representatives, yesterday, pledged to work for improved socioeconomic conditions of Nigerians by giving budgetary priority to entrepreneurship development, employment, health, education and infrastructure.

The Speaker made the appeal yesterday, in Abuja, at an intervention meeting with members of the Union, while it also sought their understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board and was still in the process of settling down as Ministers were yet to be appointed.

He said the decision of the Union to meet with the leadership of the House was an affirmation of their

health, infrastructure top House of Reps legislative agenda

faith and confidence in the capacity of the House to intervene and resolve the lingering issues in dispute.

The Speaker noted that the leadership of the House felt honored for the Union to accept to meet with the lawmakers even in the face of a looming strike action whose notice had been issued.

According to him, “this is most reassuring owing to the fact that the 9th Assembly had previously intervened in this matter. We hope to even go beyond the steps and actions taken by the previous House to ensure that we find a lasting resolution to the ever lingering crisis.”

Abbas added that the leadership of the House was not unmindful of the many sacrifices Resident Doctors have continued to make in the health sector in spite of the many challenges they face and the poor conditions within which they work.

The Speaker stressed that while many of their colleagues have left the shores of the country in pursuit of better working conditions, “you have chosen to remain behind in service to the fatherland.”

He stated: "We commend you for this and assure you, that we would deploy every legislative instrument available to us to ensure that you are fully compensated and rewarded for this act of patriotism.

"Given your faith in us, I would urge you to suspend the impending industrial action while we intervene. We equally seek your understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board and still in the process of settling down as Ministers are yet to assume office."

The Speaker urged the Union to take advantage of the meeting to bare their minds on the issues at stake and suggest realistic solutions to them.

He added: "We must approach these issues with an open mind and guided by the fact that revenues available to the government may not fully meet our demands.

"Therefore, we must find a middle ground that satisfies everyone without prejudice to the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding."

Abbas recalled that the demands of the Union included the payment

Oba of Benin Condoles with Dokpesi Family over Death of Patriarch

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, has condoles with the grieving family members of the founding Chairman of DAAR Communications, and African Independent Television, AIT, Late Chief Raymond Dokpesi over the pain caused by the media icon's death.

Oba Ewuare II, condoled with them when he received family members who visited him in his Palace in Benin City, where he pledged his support for the Dokpesi family, friends and well-wishers.

The traditional ruler who promised to keep Dokpesi's family in prayers, recalled how the deceased gave free AIT live media coverage to his coronation event in 2016, noting that his memory would remain evergreen.

"We will keep on praying for you. May God almighty and our ancestors grant our prayers. We are here for you. We will do our best to support you all the time.

"I want to assure you that we will do our best, personal and official to keep on supporting the Dokpesi family, and his friends.

"We also had an idea of the challenges he had. He stood by his challenges and he came out stronger", Oba Ewuare II said.

Earlier in his address to the Benin throne, Raymond Dokpesi-Jr., the eldest son of the deceased, thanked the Oba of Benin for his kind affection towards the Dokpesi's family and wise counsel before, during and after the funeral of their father.

Dokpesi-Junior, who was joined

by his uncle, Mr. Cyril Dokpesi, and other family members, friends and well-wishers, spoke about their loss and touched on the death of his father during the visit, solicited for prayers from the Benin throne to enable them defeat the vicissitudes of life.

of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and salary arrears dating back to 2015.

He said the issues and more could be resolved without embarking on an industrial action.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the House of Representatives has pledged to work for improved socioeconomic conditions of Nigerians by giving budgetary priority to entrepreneurship development, employment, health, education and infrastructure.

Abbas, who made the pledge at a stakeholders’ meeting on the 10th House of Representatives Legislative Agenda jointly organised by the Adhoc Committee on Legislative Agenda and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre in Abuja, said the lawmakers’ engagement with citizens would go beyond mere consultation.

He said 'The ‘Open NASS’ project of the 10th House of Representatives' required regular consultations with the people and striving to return the Legislature to those who own it through regular, meaningful, and productive engagements.

"It is my expectation that our conversations will centre around the critical needs of our people at this time. As articulated in my speech on the 4th of July, 2023, that ‘the House will pay priority attention to participatory budgeting process and delivery, law reform, electoral reform, women’s participation and inclusion in governance, improved socio-economic conditions, entrepreneurship, employment, health and education, infrastructure, citizens-

DSS to Produce Emefiele in Court Today

Wale Igbintade

Barring any last minute change of plan, the Department of State Services (DSS) will today produce in court the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele over alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

President Bola Tinubu had on Friday, June 9, 2023, suspended Emefiele as the apex bank’s Governor and had directed that the bank’s Deputy Governor of Operations, Folashodun Shonubi, resume office in an acting capacity.

The next day, the DSS confirmed that Emefiele was in its custody, and he has since remained with the secret police

However, after a prolonged incarceration without being charged to court, Justice Adamu Muazu of

the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on July 13, ordered the DSS to charge the suspended CBN governor to court within the next one week or release him on administrative bail.

The Judge noted that the agency had powers to arrest and detain any person in respect of an alleged crime, however held that the agency cannot continue to keep Emefiele in custody while looking for evidence to file a charge against him.

He gave the order while delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Emefiele, challenging his continued detention by the government.

In compliance with the court order, DSS filed a two-count charge bordering on illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against Emefiele before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The matter is slated to come up today before a vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

Already, hearing notices to that effect had been issued and sent out by the court to the counsel involved in the matter. A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association Joseph Daudu, is expected to lead Emefiele’s defence team.

The DSS in its two-count charge of illegal processions of firearm and ammunition had accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.

In the second count, the service charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. The offence was also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

focused diplomacy, institutional capacity and citizens engagement, constitutional amendment and restructuring, among others,’ he said.

According to the Speaker, the new approach required lawmakers to have functional constituency offices for regular interaction with our constituents.

He added: "Our desire is to have a legislative agenda that meets the yearnings and aspirations of citizens and with which they would use as a benchmark to evaluate and assess our performance after four years. Therefore, today’s meeting should not be seen as the usual talk-shop. Consider it a critical national assignment."

While presenting details of the 10th House of Representatives' Legislative Agenda to stakeholders, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Legislative Agenda, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the key pillars of the agenda included economic empowerment and diversification, infrastructure development, education and human capital development, healthcare for all and transparent governance, accountability, security and safety of persons and properties.

Ihonvbere, who made a commitment that the lawmakers would pursue a prosperous and inclusive agenda also said one of the major goals of the current legislature would be to drive economic empowerment and diversification.

He expressed worry that Nigeria's over-reliance on oil exports had left, “our economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.”

"To mitigate this risk and build a sustainable economy, we will incentivise investments in non-oil sectors such as agriculture, technology, and renewable energy," he said.

In the agriculture sector, the Majority Leader said the House of Representatives would pass legislation to modernise farming practices. improve access to credit for farmers, and support agricultural research and development.

Additionally, he said the lawmakers would explore opportunities in agro-processing, “to add value to our agricultural produce and create more jobs.”

Ihonvbere, also said the House of Representatives would promote investment in technology and innovation space, and would foster an environment that encourages start-ups, nurtures innovation hubs, and incentivises research and development.

On education and human capital development, Ihonvbere said the legislature believes that a well-educated and skilled populace remains key to unlocking the nation's potential.

He said the new Legislative agenda would prioritise education reform to ensure quality and accessible education for all Nigerians.

"We will work towards increasing the budgetary allocation to the education sector, ensuring that resources are utilised effectively to improve infrastructure, provide better training for teachers, and enhance the overall learning experience for students.

“Through budgeting, oversight and legislative outreach, we will rigorously address the challenges of Out-of-School-Children. Not-inSchool-Children, Almajiri education, and mass literacy.

"To address the skills gap and youth unemployment, we will promote Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). By aligning our educational system with the needs of the job market, we can equip our youth with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the modem economy," he said.

He further said the focus would be on promoting gender equality in education, ensuring that girls and women have equal opportunities to access education and pursue careers in various fields.

Ihonvbere, said the new legislative agenda would prioritise healthcare reform to improve access, quality, and affordability of healthcare services for all Nigerians.

He also pledged that the legislature would work towards increasing the budgetary allocation to the healthcare sector, ensuring that facilities are adequately equipped and staffed to meet the healthcare needs of our citizens. "Additionally, we will explore public-private partnerships to bridge gaps in healthcare provision and expand access to medical services in underserved areas. Proactive measures will be taken to address public health challenges, including the promotion of preventive healthcare and the establishment of disease surveillance systems.

"We must invest in research and development to address emerging health threats and ensure that our healthcare system is well-prepared for any future pandemics. In doing these, we will pay attention to building bridges between trado-medicine and local production of drugs.

"We will work towards strengthening our anti-corruption agencies, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption,' he said.

On his part, the Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, said the challenge before the National Assembly was to ensure that the living condition in Nigeria today was not so harsh as to force unintended consequences on the country.

Group Managing

Executive Officer, Odu'a Investment Company Ltd, Mr. Adewale Raji; Chairman, Odua, Bimbo Ashiru; Independent Director, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan and Director, Mr. Seni Adio (SAN), during a press conference on the official launch and inauguration of the Advisory Council of Odu'a Investment Foundation in Lagos...yesterday

PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

COURTESY VISIT BY MEMBERS OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS...

Fuel Subsidy Removal: Kwara, Ogun Unfold Monthly Cash Support, Palliatives for Workers, Pensioners, Students

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor and Chairman

Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as well as the administration of Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State, have approved palliatives of monthly cash support of N10,000 respectively for public sector workers in their states.

AbdulRazaq, in a statement yesterday, however said the palliative would begin this month and last until a new minimum wage would be introduced to enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, yesterday, signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor also directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers.

The statement however pointed out that, "The staggered work plan will not cover 'essential workers."

“The governor has similarly approved the payment, from this month, July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100 per cent CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government's payroll. He also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government.

"The whole essence is to check attrition rate in the health sector, and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state,” he added.

The governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019

and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers.

The administration had earlier cash-backed arrears of promotion for TESCOM for years 2015-2018.

"In the same vein, he has approved cash-backing for 2021 promotion exercise of teaching and non-teaching staff of SUBEB and restoration of steps to all of them. This is a policy response to the yearnings of SUBEB workers since 2016 when SUBEB workers no longer had steps.

“The governor also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state, while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and

most vulnerable households are to be activated in the next few days.

"This shall be nonpartisan, and would be coordinated by a government team to be supported by respected stakeholders who would get inputs from traditional rulers, religious bodies, market leaders, trade unionists, and community based organisations to generate the lists of beneficiaries and disburse accordingly.”

He stressed that the whole idea of the interventions, “which gulp billions of naira of public funds, is to show empathy and deploy as much resources as the state can afford to support the people at

this special time."

According to the statement, the governor also approved for the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate a N500 million worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state.

"The state government will receive fertilisers and grains from the federal government and pay for same. It is not free.

"Modalities for the handling of these will be made available later. This is to boost farming outputs and food security in the state," he added. On its part, in line with the current realities in the country and commit-

ment of Ogun State Government to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of good people of Ogun State, the state government also approved cash palliative of N10,000 for each public servant including pensioners to enable workers cope with the economic shocks occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy for a period of three months in the first instance with effect from July, 2023.

In a statement, Ogun state government also approved hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the state.

In addition, it approval peculiar allowance for public servants in the

state as well as immediate release of letters of promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022 and payment of March and April, 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the state.

Other measures announced by Ogun state government, included, “immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners; Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to work out modalities of ensuring that 20 per cent of their staff strengths are off-duty daily to ease the effect of recent increase in fuel price among public servants.

Group Bemoans Poor State of Federal Roads in Edo

responsible Hold FG responsible

increase, Edo state govt insists

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

With the rain almost on every day basis in Edo State, a civil society group has lamented the devastating and deplorable effects, it has had on roads Edo state.

The group said, "with the coming of heavy downpour, residents of Edo State have woken up to a sad reality, that most of the federal roads linking the state, if not all, are in a deplorable state.

"Many of them have become death traps, grounding business to a halt. Cutting short the lives

of helpless citizens; spreading grief and sorrow."

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by spokesman of the Solution Support Group, Shedrach Udugbai, stated: "At the risk of sounding immodest, there are no pliable roads that leads into Edo State.

"The so-called federal roads, linking Edo and the neighboring states are in comatose. The Benin-Lagos express way is in a terrible state. The Ovia bridge axis of the road is a death trap, where numerous fatal accidents have been recorded.

"The Benin- Auchi- Abuja express way has been under construction for God knows how long. The road is littered with potholes. Insecurity has reached its peak in this axis. With billions of naira lost to kidnappers.", the group stated

According to the group that comprised mainly of professionals, the state of the Benin-Akure express way and the Benin-Asaba express way are not in any way different from the aforementioned roads.

The group stated further, "The Benin-Sapele road is worst. Dreaded by the most rugged trailer drivers,

Enough Is Enough: Enugu Residents March against Monday Sit-at-Home

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

Residents of Enugu State yesterday, trooped out in their numbers to march against the Monday sit-athome being enforced by Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed disciple of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The State Governor, Peter Mbah, had on June 5, banned the Monday sit-at-home in the state and had urged residents to go about their legitimate duties on that day.

Mbah, had also during the monitoring of compliance to his directive in several major markets and government offices previous Mondays, expressed displeasure that some residents still stayed at home despite his assurance by security

operatives that their safety would be guaranteed.

However, as early as 8am yesterday, residents of the state gathered under the auspices of a Coalition of Civil Society groups and marched around the state to encourage the people to return to their Monday businesses.

Led by their Coordinators, Onyinye Mammah, Ebuka Okoh, Bismark Oji, Charles Ogbu, and Eberechukwu Anigbo, the people carried banners and placards with different inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough”; “Say No to Sit-at-Home in Enugu”, “Allow the poor to breathe”, ‘Our mumu don do”, “Enugu people must be freed from the shackles of those who want to hold it down”,

among others.

Chanting 'No more sit at home in Enugu', they converged at the Michael Okpara Square from where they moved through the Presidential road, Ogui road, Ogbete Main Market, Okpara Avenue, Garden Avenue, New haven, Bisala road and back to Okpara square.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, Emmanuel Ede who took part in the march, described it as a “heart warning”, saying it was an indication that residents of the state were no longer comfortable with the forced sit at home every Monday in the state.

“There is no better way to show support for what the Enugu State governor is doing to end the

Monday sit at home than this march," he said.

The Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation, Onyinye Mammah, who spoke on behalf of the Coordinators, explained that they had taken a decision to embark on the March following the devastating effect the continued Monday sit-at-home has had on the economy of the state and the southeast region as a whole.

Other residents who took part in the March said it would go a long way in encouraging business owners and other residents in the state to disregard the sit-at-home order by Ekpa and his disciples. which according to them, has not benefited the state and the entire southeast region in any way.

as they sink and breakdown on a daily basis. In truth, it is safe to say, that there isn't a road.

"We have observed carefully that there's a deliberate attempt by the APC federal government to annihilate the economic life of the good people of Edo State. Isolating us from the rest of the nation, making it practically impossible for us to do business.

"If the actions of the federal government is deliberate or not... if it is being deployed as a political weapon against the PDP controlled State Government... Only time will tell.”

Relatedly, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, has urged residents to hold the federal government responsible for the deplorable state of federal roads in the state and the continued suffering and hardship faced by the people as a result of the hike in fuel price, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government. Osagie, said this when he addressed a group of protesters made up of civil society organisations and activists who were at the Government House, Benin City, to lament the high cost of petroleum products which had affected the cost of living, inflicting hardship and suffering on the people.

The media aide said the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, cannot change the price of fuel or fix federal roads when such monies would not be repaid to the state to execute its own road projects, urging

the protesters to channel their energies to calling on the federal government to awaken to its responsibilities.

According to him, “We have challenges with the Edo State government roads that is why it will be difficult for us to take Edo people's money to fix federal government roads. “The federal government collects 54 per cent of FAAC and local governments and states share the rest 46 per cent. Federal Government is just one entity while states are 36.

“The Edo State Government can't take its money to fix federal government roads when we know that such money will not come back to the state. We have State roads to be fixed like the Ekehuan Road, among others. We can't leave State roads to fix Federal Government roads.

“Governor Godwin Obaseki has been calling on the federal government to help fix the federal roads in the State, including Benin-Abraka Road and the Benin Auchi Road where our lawmaker almost died, as well as the Benin Sapele Road and the Benin-Lagos Road at the Ovia River Bridge but the calls fell on deaf ears as the Federal Government has not listened and there is no guarantee that they will act.”

On the pump price increase, Osagie said the governor can't singlehandedly change the fuel price as demanded by the protesters but would help channel their grievances in a letter to the appropriate quarters for action.

L-R: Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Abdullahi; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jubril Barau; Etsu Nupe, HRH Dr. Yaya Abubakar and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio during a courtesy visit by members of National Council of Traditional Rulers to the President of the Senate in Abuja. ...yesterday

PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI.

Urges state actors to hold APC led federal govt

for bad state of roads, anguish from pump price

INEC MEETS STAKEHOLDERS TO REVIEW LAST ELECTION...

INEC: We Didn't Receive Money from Devt Partners for 2023 Polls

Parties, candidates, CSOs pass confidence vote in Yakubu

Adedayo Akinwale and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that it did not receive any direct funding or cash support from international development partners

for the conduct of the 2023 general election. Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) on the review of the 2023 general election.

The clarification came as a

national roundtable attended by CSOs, chairmen of five political parties, and their candidates at all levels in the last general election, passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the INEC chairman.

INEC said the explanation became necessary to correct the

impression in some quarters that it received huge sums of money from development partners for the election.

Yakubu said at the poll review meeting with the CSOs that while the commission was able to commence preparation for the last

general election on time because of the Electoral Act 2022, there were many challenges encountered before and during the elections.

While noting that the severe cash and fuel situations at the time were compounded by the perennial insecurity nationwide,

Labour Party Knocks Tinubu over Call to Disqualify Obi from Likely Rerun

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC), yesterday, berated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for asking

the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to disqualify its candidate, Peter Obi, should the court settle for a rerun.

This was contained in statement signed by the Head Media, Obi-

Northern Group Threatens Mass Protest against Hunger, Rising Living Cost

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Citizens Watch for Good Governance (ACWGG), has said it would mobilise its members and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to protest against what it described as “officially induced hunger and high cost of living in the country.”

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, the group warned that if the federal government failed to address its demands within 10 days, it would embark on a mass peaceful protest.

The statement signed by the chairman of the group, Aliyu Sani, among other demands, asked the federal government to as a matter of urgency, roll out palliatives to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal as well as create a conducive security atmosphere for farmers to go to farm.

The group said it was saddened that millions of voiceless Nigerians were suffering following escalating prices of foodstuff and high cost of living in the country.

The group demanded for the immediate removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari “for misleading President Tinubu into removing Petrol subsidy without provision of palliative measures.”

Sani also called for “a comprehensive investigation into the subsidy regime and the corruption allegations within the oil and gas sector, as evidenced by the suspicious drop in daily consumption of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the astronomic rise in the general revenue of the country.

“The recent increase in NNPCL's output, without corresponding investment in the company, has instead exposed the pervasive corruption within the sector. We find it alarming that the company was declaring paltry production volume, which falls short of our OPEC quota even though the country has not recorded any major“Thedisaster.criminals in the Oil and Gas sector are only responding to the body language of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed's zero tolerance to bad governance, hence, the magical performance by people desperate to keep their offices. This raises serious doubts about the integrity and competence of the current leadership at NNPCL.”

Datti Campaign Council, Diran Onifade, who accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of becoming “desperate and lined up measures to undermine his public image.”

According to him, “Obi-Datti Media office has noted how a worried ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and its Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are even wishing and pleading with the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal PEPC to consider pairing them with Atiku Abubakar of the PDP instead of Obi.

“In fact, he wants Obi disqualified outright and be prevented from participating in the rerun, should there be one.”

Diran alleged that, “In their (APC) desperation to stop Obi at all costs, they have lined up a series of untoward activities using rogue troll agents that seek to portray him negatively and copiously misrepresent him in public space.

“This devilish act is ostensibly to enable them to defend their call that Obi should be disqualified by the PEPC thus seeking a rerun between Tinubu and Atiku.

“Obi-Datti Media recalls that last week the same rogue agents had claimed that Obi granted an interview on Arise Television, saying he is willing to take defeat and wait for elections 2027.

“All this wicked and dubious propaganda is aimed at achieving one mission; to confuse the public, distract and defocus the Justices from their statutory responsibilities.

“We therefore, wish to urge the Nigerian public not to be gullible and to disregard the fake THISDAY publication and embrace the correct edition with the lead story, Atiku: APC Plotting to Manipulate Judiciary, Undermine Democracy.”

The Obi-Datti Campaign office, however, called on the public to “watch out for more of these sinister acts of desperation orchestrated by a drowning government that is visibly afraid of justice, which must certainly come.”

he stressed that the overall effect on the deployment plans by the commission was worsened by the behaviour of some INEC officials in the field. He said these made logistics management particularly challenging.

The INEC chairman noted that the deployment of thugs by some political actors made election day administration difficult in a number of places. He expressed the commission's appreciation to CSOs and development partners for their enormous support to INEC during the 2023 general election. Meanwhile, the national roundtable at a World Press Conference condemned the calls for the removal of Yakubu.

A communiqué, which was read on behalf of the participants by National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), Chief Ken Udeze, commended the introduction of technology in the accreditation and transmission of election results. Udeze called on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to enable the deployment of technology in the result collation and announcement processes.

The roundtable frowned on what it called, "stereotyped attack on the INEC national chairman and rejected the calls for his sacking, which is an expression of ill-will and done in bad faith."

Kano Tribunal Upholds Senator Hanga's Victory

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Kano State Election Petition Tribunal, has affirmed the victory of the Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga of New Nigerian People's Party (NNPP) as the elected member of the Kano Central Senatorial District.

Delivering his judgment yesterday, Justice I.P. Chima, dismissed the lawsuit filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, senatorial election in Kano Central, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura.

Zaura through his Counsel Ishaka Dikko, prayed the tribunal to declare him the winner of the 25th February election and set aside the INEC declaration that announced Hanga as the winner of the poll.

He however, contested Hanga’s victory on the ground that Ibrahim Shekarau, a former senator from Kano Central and former

governor of the State, was the NNPP candidate for the election not Hanga.

After dismissing the lawsuit

as being without merit, Justice Chima, revealed that the NNPP had acted within the electoral act’s 14-day window.

The tribunal chairman also fined the APC candidate N600,000, which must be paid to Rufai Sani Hanga and the NNPP.

Ogun Initiates Probe into Sources of Killer Alcoholic Drinks

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Government has initiated investigation into sources of locally brewed alcoholic drinks consumed by some men and which led to tragic death of eight of them and severe cases of illnesses.

The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed the action of the government, in a statement. The consumption of the alcohol drinks and consequent deaths of the men, reportedly occurred, between July 18th and 20th, in two local governments of Ijebu North East and Odogbolu, in

the state.

She said the deaths and illnesses, were directly linked to the consumption of the hazardous drinks

She said the government had started sensitising the public about the serious risks associated with consuming locally brewed alcoholic drinks and other products not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

She therefore, advised the public to exercise extreme caution and refrain from consuming drinks from unverified sources, while the investigation is ongoing.

She said, "It is of utmost impor-

tance to only consume products that have been officially approved and certified by NAFDAC.

"The unauthorised production and distribution of alcoholic beverages and other consumable items pose significant health risks as they are often manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, making them potential breeding grounds for harmful substances and toxins,"

"Such substances can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Ijebu North East and Odogbolu Odogbolu Local Government areas.

L-R: INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu; Chairman, Prof Mamood Yakubu and National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, during a meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in an on going meeting with stakeholders to review the last election yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI.

CAPACITY BUILDING SESSION...

Arik Air Chief Operating Officer,

in pilot trainee behaviours as they train to become Competency-Based Training Assessment (CBTA) instructors, using large touch-screen displays, instructors replay recorded training sessions and discuss their observations with trainees... recently

Arase: Arms Proliferation Sustained by Absence of Punishment for Offenders

Says no consequences for crimes in Nigeria,

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, yesterday, tied the proliferation of arms in the country to the absence of punishment for offenders.

He said the failure to apprehend the so-called "unknown gunmen and herdsmen" had sustained the proliferation of arms in Nigeria.

THISDAY Checks revealed that out of the 6000 small and light weapons circulating in Nigeria, 5,500 were in the hands of non-state actors while 500 are in the possession of security agencies.

Arase spoke as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, insisted that contrary to insinuations about a reversal of the policy, the decision to withdraw the police mobile personnel from escort and guard duties “stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change."

Speaking during an interview with newsmen in his office, Arase said arms proliferation had prevailed as a result of the failure to apprehend and comprehensively mete out adequate punishment to criminals.

"There are no consequences for crimes in Nigeria. People are not arrested for crimes committed. We say unknown gunmen and herdsmen. They are not arrested," he said.

He cited the high crime rate in the United States but noted that the

perpetrators of the crimes never escape justice.

"You see the high crime rate in US but the perpetrators do not go scot-free. Have you seen any of them escape in US?" he queried, and called for security sector reforms which he described as "a marathon race".

He also advocated intelligence-led policing and the deployment of technology as a panacea to crime and criminalities in the country.

The former Inspector-General of Police, therefore, called for the involvement of social and professional groups in community policing and deployment of strategies perculiar to such communities to aid intelligence gathering, even as he lamented that half of the number of policemen in the country policed the elite creating situations of ungoverned and insecure spaces.

"Half of our policemen are policing the elite and that means you have ungoverned spaces because Nigeria is a vast country," he said.

Meanwhile, Egbetokun has insisted that contrary to insinuations about the reversal of the policy, the decision to withdraw the police mobile personnel from escort and guard duties "stands firm, and there will be no going back on this critical policy change."

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, "the withdrawal process has already

commenced with a comprehensive report, which has been submitted by the constituted committee assigned to oversee the seamless implementation of this directive.

He said the IGP has activated the mobilisation process for the establishment of the 'Police Quick Intervention Squad' which precedes the withdrawal policy.

"The decision to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP duties is part of ongoing efforts to

optimise the allocation of resources and enhance the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force in its core mandate of safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens."

The statement said while poised to ensure a smooth transition, the Nigeria Police remained committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who were entitled to such protection.

"The force will carefully consider the provisions of Sections 23 to 25

of the Police Act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities. No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.

"The Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in his pursuit of reforms and initiatives that will enhance the professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.

“The decision to withdraw police

mobile force personnel from VIPs is driven by the need to create a more robust, efficient, and peoplecentered police force that caters to the security needs of all citizens equally," it stated.

The IG, therefore, urged the public and all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the Nigeria Police during the transition period to strengthen the security apparatus and create a safer environment for everyone to thrive.

Let Sam Ogbuku Breathe, Ex-Militant Leaders Warn NDDC Boss Detractors

Commission receives commendation for completing power project in Ondo

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Ex-militants leaders group, the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) has urged Niger Deltans calling for the removal of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, to allow him breathe and to focus on his job. While making a strong call to allow the status quo remain concerning the Ogbuku, the ex-militants leaders,

OBASANJO: NIGERIA IS SITTING DANGEROUSLY ON KEG OF GUNPOWDER

Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo.

Jonathan congratulated Aganga on his effort in writing the book, describing it as a “special one because I know the capacity of the author, who worked closely with me in managing the economy of our country, under our administration.

“Then, Aganga handled key portfolios in the economic sector, including the finance minister, chairman of the economic management team, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. You could simply describe him as an insider on economic issues, in our administration.

“It is comforting that he has documented his experience in government and his substantial experience in global finance and economic management in this book.

“I am privileged to have seen the

book before many of you because Aganga sent me a copy in advance. I will say that the book is a rich resource on development and a pathway to progress, focusing on the solutions Nigeria needs in order to unleash its greatness for the good of our people.”

Jonathan said, as his former Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, “Dr. Aganga at a point turned me into a marketing manager by travelling with me to at least 40 countries in search of foreign investment.

“I am glad that the venture and travels, which he captured in one of the chapters in the book, paid off, as our nation then became Africa’s first destination for foreign direct investment and one of the fastest growing economies at that time.

“It is not surprising that the book

is already a bestseller, even before it was first publicly presented in London and now here in Nigeria. This is because of the unique character and personality of the author. Dr. Aganga has a great passion and desire for Nigeria and Africa’s development.

“I believe that for Dr. Aganga to pour that boundless passion into a book is to create a masterpiece. And he has been gracious enough to render it in a simple language that all of us can read and understand.

“I recommend the book to everyone as an important tool in our march to greatness.”

The book reviewer and Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, among other things, said the 261-page book provided workable solutions to the problems bedevilling the country.

called the attention of President Bola Tinubu, to the various calls by different groups sponsored by element who don't want the best for region.

A statement signed by its Coor- dinator, 'Gen' Izon Ebi, said most people in the region have faith in Ogbuku and what he could do to transform the NDDC.

"We the 21st CYNDAC are only consolidating on the numerous calls from the people of Niger Delta, to let Mr. president know how happy and comfortable they are with the choice of samuel Ogbuku because of the level of trust that exist between him and the people of the Niger Delta.

"Mr Ogbuku has a long standing record of integrity in all his previous positions. It has become obvious that all the agitators, stakeholders and the poor masses in the region are showing their displeasure (via their recent publications) over the call by some individuals that we strongly believed were sponsored by the enemies of Niger Delta, for the removal of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

"The Niger Delta people are feeling sorry for the gullible youths that allow themselves to become destabilisation tools in the hands of our enemies and detractors, because they don't know what they are doing.

“Before anyone embark on any journey that is aimed at bringing the Niger Delta to her kneels, one should recall that we do not have another home except the one that the NDDC was created to develop.

"The blessed land of the Niger

Delta have fed and sustained 36 states and over 200 million people from diverse tribes and religion for over 50 years. During these years, the Niger Delta people have maintained their status as a very peaceful and accommodating people, which can sacrifice a lot for the betterment of this great nation,” he added.

The group further called on President Tinubu to treat any group calling for the removal of Ogbuku as criminal and enemy of the people.

Meanwhile, Ondo State Government has lauded the NDDC for ensuring the near completion of the 132/33kv electricity sub-station at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

The Acting Governor of the state, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made the commendation yesterday, when Ogbuku, led a team of the Commission to pay him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Akure.

In a statement made available by Director Corporate Affairs of the commission, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, Aiyedatiwa, who received the NDDC team on behalf of the Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, expressed delight that the sub-station, which would provide electricity for many communities, was 99 percent completed.

The NDDC delegation included the Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); Executive Director, Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, and other Directors of the Commission.

The Acting governor remarked: “The NDDC should help us to

expand the distribution network to ensure that the light generated at the sub-station gets to Ilaje Local Government Area.”

He commended the NDDC Chief Executive Officer for the, “initiative and freshness” he has brought into the activities of the Commission, as an interventionist agency.

Aiyedatiwa, said that the economic potential in Ondo State were diverse and urged the NDDC to partner with the government in making the needed investments.

He remarked: “The Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement is a good initiative. The Ogbia- Nembe Road Stands as a testimony to this. The PPP affords the NDDC a wider access to funding.”

On the Ayetoro sea incursion, the Acting Governor appealed to the NDDC and other development agencies to help in saving Ayetoro from the ravages of the sea.

He said: “We want the NDDC to partner with us to reclaim the threatened communities and turn it into a tourism hub.”

Aiyedatiwa said that the construction of the 50-kilometre Akodo-Araromi/Ibeju-Lekki Road was another project dear to the state government, for which a partnership with the NDDC would be appreciated.

Speaking earlier, Ogbuku, said it was important to engage and consult stakeholders of the Niger Delta and commended the Ondo state government for its commitment to developing the state.

Captain Adetokunbo Adekunbi (left) and Head of Training, Captain Ronald Williams, learning what to look for

'unknown gunmen, herdsmen' yet to face the law

Explains half of nation’s policemen guarding the elite IG reiterates order on withdrawal of orderlies attached to VIPs

LAGOS FILM AND CINEMA CONVENTION…

L-R:

Popular Anambra Native Doctor Kidnapped, Two Personal Security Killed

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Popular Anambra State-based native doctor and Oba indigene of Idemili North Local Government Area of the state has been kidnapped.

The native doctor, who is popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki, was said to have been abducted from his hotel in Oba community last night.

A source told THISDAY that the

man, who is regarded to be among the most potent witch-doctor in the state was kidnapped with so much ease in his hotel, Triple O Hotel, and two of his personal aides shot dead.

Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki is also regarded as the richest witch-doctor in Anambra State. He had in 2022 built and launched two hotels, regarded as the biggest in Oba, where popular business man, Obinna Iyiegbu alias Obi

Makinde Appoints UI Professor, Adeyemo, as SSG-Designate

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has announced Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, of the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) designate.

The announcement was contained in a letter signed by the state governor. This was just as the governor

has approved the appointment of Mr. Busoye Ogunlade as Chairman of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and Mr. Salami Ibraheem Oladeji as chairman and Sole Administrator of the state-owned Pacesetters Transport Service.

The chairmen’s appointments were contained in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi.

Mohammed Submits 24 CommissionerNominees to Bauchi Assembly

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has submitted a list of 24 nominees to the State House of Assembly (BAHA) for screening and confirmation as Commissioners.

The list of the 24 nominees, which cut across the 20 local government areas of the state also contains names of individuals who served as Commissioners in the first tenure of the governor. Speaking at the House plenary yesterday, the Speaker of the Assembly said the governor requested the House to screen and confirm the nominees

for appointment as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to him, the nominees include: Maiwada Bello and Ibrahim Gambo both from Alkaleri local government; Mahmoud Babamaji Abubakar and Danlami Ahmed Kawule from Bauchi local government; Tsammani Lydia Haruna from Bogoro local government; Ahmed Sarki Jalam from Dambam local government; Yakubu Ibrahim Hamza from Darazo local government and Usman Santuraki from Dass local government.

Nasarawa Assembly Constitutes Eight Principal Officers

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, yesterday constituted eight principal officers of the House.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, constituted the principal positions during the House’s proceedings in Lafia.

Abdullahi released the names and positions of the newly constituted principal officers, which included Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu (APC- Keana), Majority Leaderand

Cubana, hails from.

A source, who hinted THISDAY of the kidnap of the native doctor, said: “Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki na Oba had been kidnapped last night in his hotel.

“Two of his security men were shot dead. Where are Nwa Ocha and Odeshi (his charms)?”

The ease of his abduction has put a question mark on his rumoured spiritual powers; this is

as many people were reportedly flocked to his mansion in Oba for anti-bullet charms and money rituals. He has also boasted severally about how powerful he was.

Meanwhile, the state police authorities have confirmed his kidnap. The state Police spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, said the incident happened around 11:30p.m. last night.

Eyewitnesses Narrate How Tanker Explosion Kills 20 in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

No fewer than 20 people lost their lives following a tanker explosion at Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

THISDAY gathered yesterday that the incident, which occurred Sunday evening, was as a result of

a spark from a phone held by one of the persons who were scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker.

It was learnt that among the dead were three children and a pregnant woman with N100,000 to buy fuel.

However, speaking with Journalists who visited the scene

for assessment, Mr Tijani Diekola revealed that the explosion was not as a result of a spark from a phone held by one of the persons who were scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker. His words: “I got here few minutes after the explosion and met some burnt corpses on the ground

but the situation was so tensed and nobody could get near the place. It was this morning that some relatives of the victims were able to get the corpses of the affected people. None of them survive the incident because most of them were burnt beyond reasonable measures.

Don’t Use National Social Register Project to Empower Your Parties, CDHR Tells Govs

Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo

The Committee for The Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Osun State chapter, has called on all the 36 states governors not to use National Social Register project as a means to empower members of their various political parties, but see

it as a project of national interest. The National Economic Council (NEC) had last week resolved to do away with the national social register adopted by the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over integrity issues. Reacting to this development, CDHR in a statement signed

yesterday by its State Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu and made available to journalists in Osogbo, Osun State capital, charged the governors to ensure transparency play before, during and after creating the Nation Social Register in their various States.

Olowu urged the all civil

society organizations(CSOs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs), political parties, religious association, informal workers among others to rise from their slumber to ensure that the governors of their states do not use the process as a means of building their political parties.

Unending Legal Action against A’Ibom Gov on Alleged Certificate Forgery Worries Group

Okon Bassey in Uyo

A media group in Akwa Ibom State, Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum has expressed concern over unending legal action against Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Umo Eno on alleged

certificate forgery which was earlier decided in favour of the governor by the Supreme Court. The group alleged the latest suit at the Federal High Court Lagos is a ploy to distract the governor and force him to join the All progressive congress (APC).

The group in a press statement signed by the chairman, Elder Ofonimeh Isong and made available to journalists yesterday in Uyo noted that the ultimate aim of the plotters is to have access to state economy by all means and at all costs.

“The intimidation of the governor and his constant harassment in the media and the recent suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos by the Police are all ploy to distract the governor and force him to eat the APC’s humble pie which is bad and callous.

EndSARS Mass Burial: ‘Lagos Clever by Half, Not Telling Absolute Truth’

Chuks OkochainAbuja

Lead counsel to EndSARS petitioners, Adeshina Ogunlana has faulted the position of the Lagos state government in the leaked memo approving the mass burial of 103 victims.

Hon. Danladi Jatau (APC- Kokona West), Deputy Majority Leader. Others are Hon. Larry Ven (APC- Akwanga North), Chief Whip and Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara (APC- Awe South) Deputy Chief Whip. He also announced Hon. Iliya Luka Zhekaba (PDP- Obi 2), Minority Leader; Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar (NNPP-Doma South), Deputy Minority Leader; Hon. Solomon Akwashiki (SDPLafia Central), Minority Whip and Hon. Musa Saidu Gude (SDP-Uke/ Karsh), Deputy Minority Whip.

He also asserted that the Lagos state government was attempting to “profit from the cruel loss of lives” by approving as much as over N61 million for the mass burial.

On Sunday, a leaked memo addressed to the Lagos State Ministry of Health indicating that

the State Government approved N61,285,000 for the mass burial of 103 persons identified as 2020 EndSARS victims went viral on social media and sparked outrage.

The Lagos State Government, however, responded to the leaked memo and maintained that the

victims to be buried were not from the controversial Lekki Tollgate shooting.

Reacting to the development on a television programme monitored in Abuja yesterday, Ogunlana said the Lagos State Government is being clever by half.

‘Wike, Makinde Monitoring Judges for Tinubu’

Chuks Okocha inAbuja

As if justifying the claims that there are plans to compromise the judiciary, Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar has lambasted former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for constantly monitoring and spying on judges even as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal winds down.

Last week, Atiku in a statement raised the alarm that there are plans to compromise the judiciary ahead of the judgement of the Presidential

Election Petition Tribunal. The Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) debunked the allegation by Atiku.

But in a statement yesterday, Shaibu said it was curious that Wike and Makinde both travelled to Plateau State to attend a memorial service hosted by the

President of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, even though they were reportedly not invited.

He explained that the event ordinarily was supposed to be a solemn service, “but our busybody interlopers polluted the event with their shameful appearance.”

Police Bust Child-trafficking Syndicate, Rescue Two in Bayelsa

Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa

Operatives of the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bayelsa State Police Command, have busted a child-trafficking syndicate and rescued two stolen children in Enugu and Abia States.

A statement issued by the Command spokesman, Asinim Butswat, said the children are Success, who is four years female, and Prince, 2, “who were allegedly stolen by one Sunday Aniele, 22, and Chioma Obi (female), 24, on June 19, 2023, at Igbogene, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

“On that fateful day, Chioma Obi, who claimed to be a sister of Sunday Aniele, took the children away under the guise of purchasing drugs for them, unknown to their parents, the children were taken out of the state to an unknown destination.

“After a diligent investigation by

police operatives crisscrossing Delta, Anambra, Enugu, and Abia States, Aniele and Obi were arrested at Ughelli, Delta State, on July 7, 2023. Subsequently, one Kingsley Chimobi, 28, and Harriet Chukwu (female), 36, were arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on July 10, 2023,” he said.

Programme Manager, MultiChoice Talent Factory, Gabriel Odigiri; Akaoma Onyeonoru; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Adebukola Agbaminoja; Academy Director, MultiChoice Talent Factory West Africa, Atinuke Babatunde, and Olaosebikan Jegede, during the first Lagos International Film and Cinema Convention in Lagos…yesterday

Al-Hilal Make World Record £259m Offer for Mbappe

Femi Solaja with agency report

After weeks of uncertainty, the coast appears clear now for France Captain, Kylian Mbappe to join the bandwagon of top players heading to the Saudi Pro League.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabian side AlHilal, got the permission to speak to Kylian Mbappe after making a world record £259million bid for the Paris St-Germain forward.

The 24-year-old French star, who has a year left on his contract, has refused to sign an extension at the French champions and was not selected for their pre-season tour to Japan.

PSG want to sell Mbappe now rather than see him leave for free next summer.

Neymar's £200m move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 is the current record.

PSG activated Brazil forward Neymar's release clause to make him the most expensive player in the world.

Should he move, Mbappe will have commanded two of the three highest fees paid for a player after joining PSG from Monaco for £166m in 2017.

to become world’s most expensive footballer

Sahara Group Delivers Spectacular Saharalympics

Engages Amokachi as Ambassador of the games

Leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, hosted an electrifying fifth edition of the Saharalympics Games which featured an awe-inspiring display of talent, teamwork, and camaraderie among Sahara employees from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The Saharalympics is Sahara’s biennial sporting event which made its debut in 2014. The 2023 edition was held on July 22, 2023, at the prestigious University of Lagos Sports Complex, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Declaring the games open, Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Anthony Youdeowei, said: “the Saharalympics has become the symbol of Sahara’s commitment to fun in efficiency, a uniting platform that celebrates Sahara’s competitiveness, resilience and team spirit.”

Five teams, Sahara Group Consolidated (comprising Group operations, trading entities, First Independent Power Limited, and teams from within and outside Africa), Asharami Energy (a Sahara Group Upstream Company), Ikeja Electric, Asharami Synergy (a Sahara Group Downstream Company), and Egbin Power competed for laurels in several events including chess, scrabble, athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, big foot race, frisbee relay, and ping-pong race at the Saharalympics.

Egbin Power soared to victory, retaining their title as the winners of the last Saharalympics, while Ikeja Electric and Asharami Synergy secured the distinguished first and second runner-up positions, respectively.

Thrilled with their achievement, Chief Executive Officer at Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bonour, said, "Our unwavering dedication to excellence fuels our progress. As a proud member of the Sahara Group family, Egbin is pleased to come tops again, but above all, we are

all winners as we play and win together at Sahara.”

The event witnessed the “signing” of legendary football star, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi, who was the special guest of honour. Kola Adesina and Wale Ajibade, Executive Directors at Sahara Group, presented a customised Saharalympics jersey

to Amokachi to seal the signing. Ajibade said the Saharalympics was also a platform that gives Sahara Group an opportunity to honour individuals and teams who have excelled in various sporting activities. “It is great to see Dan the Bull still looking fit after all these years, we thank you for

all the awesome moments of joy you brought to Nigeria through your extraordinary skills which helped you play the round leather game at the highest level. Sahara remains dedicated to recognising and celebrating excellence in sports through the Saharalymics,” he added.

Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou Clash

History will be made on Saturday, October 28 this year when two heavyweight champions in their respective fields enter the ring in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.

Tyson Fury, the current lineal heavyweight boxing champion and Francis Ngannou, the lineal Mixed Martial Arts heavyweight champion are set for a sanctioned boxing match.

Ngannou vacated his heavyweight title after a contract dispute and left the UFC earlier this year as a free

agent. In March, former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones won the vacant heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane, and will defend it in November at UFC 295.

In May, Ngannou signed a groundbreaking deal with the PFL that is expected to see him in main event, pay-per-view level-type fights and made him a PFL executive, to boot – but also allows him the freedom to box.

Not long after he signed with the

PFL, Ngannou told DAZN that he dreamed of a Fury fight, but was realistic to think it might not happen.

The clash between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou to find out who is the “Baddest Man on the Planet” will take place under the official rules of professional boxing, with 3 judges ringside adopting the 10-point must system. Both fighters however are promising to meet in the middle of the ring, to go to war and win by knockout in devastating fashion.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Barcelona have all expressed an interest in Mbappe, who has previously said he intends to leave PSG for free at the end of next season and is believed to prefer a move to Real Madrid

PSG are open to the idea of Mbappe leaving on loan this summer to see out the final year of his contract elsewhere. This would allow him to join Real Madrid for nothing in 12 months' time, keep playing this season and generate a loan fee for PSG.

Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made clear his determination to take a tough stance and there have been suggestions Mbappe would not be selected for an entire year if he refused to break the present impasse. That eventuality would clearly have a negative impact on his hopes of playing for France at Euro 2024.

Al-Hilal are one of the clubs owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. They have already signed Ruben Neves from Wolves and Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea this summer.

...Chukwueze Set for AC Milan Medical

Nigerian winger, Samuel Chukwueze, is set to arrive in Italy today and then undergo his medical on Wednesday, now that AC Milan have struck a deal with Villarreal for his signing.

As has been reported by SempreMilan.it, Milan are set to confirm the signing of Chukwueze soon and he will become the seventh player that Milan have signed this summer.

He will be the fifth of those seven that the club have spent a

transfer fee on. The first payment will be €20 million, and then there is another €8m of bonuses.

After completing his medical on Wednesday, Chukwueze will sign a five-year contract with the Serie A side which will see him earn €4m per season.

Once all of the paperwork has been completed for Chukwueze, he will fly out to the United States of America where he can join up with the rest of the Milan squad on their pre-season tour.

Contenders Compete for $2,000 Prize at Ikoyi Club

68

RERNCO

The inaugural edition of the Rernco Sports Academy Squash Tournament served off Monday at the renowned Ikoyi Club 1938 with 68 players, including 50 men and 18 women, striving for the crown and a $2,000 reward in both the men's and women's categories.

This five-day spectacle, featuring a junior training clinic, is a closed satellite event on the PSA World Tour Calendar and will provide players with the opportunity to earn valuable PSA and national ranking points.

Rerhe Idonije, Founder and CEO of Rernco Sports Academy, stated that the tournament aims to be a game-changer for squash in Nigeria, with strategies in place for diverse

development programmes. The objective is to elevate squash to one of the country's top five sports.

"The motivation for us at Rernco is our belief that sports can bridge social inequalities in the lives of children and young people," she explained. "Moreover, the potential displayed by squash enthusiasts, including players, coaches, and officials, to become world-class athletes is commendable."

Idonije expressed gratitude to major sponsors such as Zenith Bank, Nestle Nigeria, Nigerian Breweries, Sweet Sensation, and Afrione. "We feel privileged at Rernco to provide a platform where Nigerian squash players can actualise their lofty aspirations," she added.

for Oct 28 in Riyadh

An agreement has been reached with Queensberry, Top Rank and Ngannou’s promotional banner, GIMIK Fight Promotions, to partner Riyadh Season to host the historymaking event that will capture the imagination of fight fans around theTheglobe.world will discover who can rightly claim the title of “Baddest Man on the Planet” in the capital of the Kingdom, when “The Gypsy King” goes up against “The Predator” to determine the true Heavyweight

King.

The fight will see the toughest chin in boxing tested by the Most Powerful Punch in the world, as confirmed by the Guinness World Records. This is a matchup where there will be no quarter given.

The mega-fight, one of the richest in history, will take place in a regulation boxing ring under the standard boxing rules in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest city. Ngannou and Fury likely will do well financially.

Kylian Mbappe...set

L-R: Executive Director, Sahara Group, Kola Adesina, Former Super Eagles Star, Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi and Executive Director, Sahara Group, Wale Ajibade during the presentation of a customised jersey to Amokachi at the biennial sporting event in Lagos ...at the weekend

SQUASH OPEN

Gov Obaseki to Federal Govt

“The issue on the Benin-Lagos Road, particularly the Ovia River Crossing is becoming catastrophic. We have lost a lot of lives and done everything to get the FG and the Federal Ministry of Works to work with us...I was on Sapele Road recently. After the heavy downpour, the road was impassable,... scandalous. The Auchi-Ibillo Road was so bad that some of our contractors couldn’t go to their quarry site. We are not here to criticise them but to appeal for help. I don’t think that any region where the oil resources that sustain the country come from should be this neglected.” --EdoState Governor,GodwinObaseki,appealingtotheFGontheaforementionedbadFederalRoadsinthestate.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

The Positive Sides of Tinubunomics

The other day President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigerians are going through the equivalent of childbirth pains, but his administration is determined to ameliorate the pains, provide succor and make life better for all. During his Presidential campaigns, he told Nigerians – emi lo kan, that is in Yoruba -“it is my turn”. He also told us “e lo fokan bale”, that is don’t worry, I would be there for you as he explained that phrase. He, practically, spiritually wished himself into power and has since his assumption of office with all the baggage about unresolved court matters, confronted, through proxies, big challenges from the People’s Democratic Party and the Labour Party (LP).

What we see is that the President has continued to play “Rose Garden politics”, grab the power, hold it, and be seen to be taking charge and be seen also to be doing so, even as the opposition continues to raise questions of legitimacy. It is the courts that would determine that, eventually, but more than any other time in Nigerian history, the judex is in the eyes of the storm, exposed to the most excruciating scrutiny. Indeed, the judiciary in spite of itself has been dragged right to the bottom of the arena, in what when reviewed would come across, as one of the most difficult moments in the history and trajectory of the Nigerian judiciary. Our Lordships are in a difficult place. They carry a burden to do justice, and they also have to be seen to be doing so. They are faced with a political arena where expectations about risks and outcomes are the subjects of confrontation. The judex are expected to be above board at all times and to dispense justice without minding whose ox is gored. The more liberal characters in this conversation claim that they are looking for justice, and that justice is the “be-all-and end-all” of the judicial process. But. really, what is justice? Pontius Pilate sked “what is truth? And I wager a bet that the present imbroglio over the 2023 Presidential elections would not be resolved on the basis of questions of legitimacy, but law, public policy and public interest. I stand to be corrected if the pendulum swings otherwise. This piece however is not necessarily about Tinubunomics, stricto senso, as the title indicates. It is about what I consider the satirical sides of the same phenomenon. Abroad, out there are the details that Nigeria’s inflation rate is now 22.79(%. Fitch, an international rating agency tells us that we should in fact be looking at 25.1% in due course, and that real GDP growth is likely to slow down to 2.7% in the face of high living costs. Debt service to revenue ratio is about 97%, so high that members of the Afenifere, a socio-cultural group, have also now become emergency economists- much better than stoking the fires of ethnic difference- and are now offering economic counsel about how to eliminate debt and increase productivity, growth and values. Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has just met – the first MPC since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, the first to be presided over by Mr. Folashodun Shonubi as Acting Central Bank Governor. Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) stands at 18.5%, and this is the first MPC meeting in a long while without the embattled, suspended Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele. Foreign Exchange Rate is as high as N868 to the dollar in the parallel market. Jobs and productivity are negatively impacted. Money supply is at an all-time high at over N9 trillion, pressuring the FX market. What should be our expectations then, today as the MPC concludes its meeting? What is the balance of risks? Nigeria’s MPC faces a dilemma like never before now: to tighten, ease or retain? Whichever way the MPC decides today, the signs look ominous. Traditional orthodox economics has not worked here for as long as we can remember because the fundamentals of this economy are askew, the necessary alignments between fiscal and monetary policies are not in

place, productivity is low, growth is abysmal. Let us leave the economic jargons to the economists. If you have two or three of them in this space, they will express different opinions, quoting dead theories lacking connection with contemporary Nigerian realities and claiming, each one of them, to be right. You are better off avoiding their voodoo and mischief. Nigerian economists are only good when they gather to pick up appointments at the Policy Advisory Committees that the Federal and State Governments often aet up or when they hold their annual peppersoup-ing and jollof-ing conferences where they write reports that are at best photocopies of statements from the IMF, the World Bank, and the rating agencies. Many of them would soon show up as government appointees at both Federal and State levels, to collect government patronage and shake heads like experts. I doubt how much of an economist anybody can be in this environment, mouthing dead theories that don’t work here! Even Afenifere, a socio-cultural group is trying to fill the void! In some states, governments have declared shorter working days as if that is the solution. The economist and their clients have failed this country.

It is therefore about time that we brought this thing out of their textbooks and face hard reality to console ourselves as the affected people. There seems to be an emergency consensus that Tinubunomics, or “Jagabanomy” as it is otherwise known, is not working, 60 days in the making and implementation. We have been told “e lo fokan ba le”- our hearts are already palpitating. Mr Bayo Onanuga and Senator Dayo Adeyeye have both appealed to us to be patient, and that after these initial pains, there would be “everlasting joy”. Which everlasting joy, please, Senator Adeyeye? Our grandchildren are destined to pay back all the money that the APC government has borrowed with all the accrued interests? Nigeria is at a point right now that if it were possible, the dead would rise and carry placards in protest! The living are docile and is that because there seems to be some silver lining to this “childbirth pain”, to borrow President Tinubu’s words, that we are all going through? Tell us.

With due respect, I take my narratives from the streets. Yes, the country is hard, people are in pains, but has anyone noticed, especially in Lagos that thanks to Tinubu, people are now likely to become

the most fit population in the world. Ordinarily, Nigerians do not like to walk about. They prefer the comfort of commuting up and down, and if possible, in air-conditioned buses and cars. This is beginning to change. What I have seen in Lagos is that more and more people are beginning to trek to work or wherever they want to go. Very early morning or at any other time of the day, it is normal to see people on their feet taking the entire stretch of the bridge, or the street, making small conversation by the side and heading towards a destination that is known to them. Thus, with the removal of fuel subsidy, Bola Tinubu has turned Nigeria into one large, fitness gym! Nigeria is the trek-a-thon country that may soon enter the Guinness Book of Records. Nigerians are beating the road with their feet more than the people in South Sudan, Syria, or Afghanistan due to the cost of fuel and public transportation. In the UK, the government is considering adding a few seconds to the green man at the traffic lights to give porky Brits some time to cross the road, because most of the population is obsess and slow. In Nigeria, the people are busy trekking. In due course, Nigeria would be left with persons looking like broom sticks, and no one should be surprised if Nigerian economists tell us that such a development would be a plus for public health.

Tinubunomics has also made us very attentive. I never used to check the fuel gauge in the car. But I do now. In fact, I don’t only check the gauge, I step out of the car to monitor the gauge at the fuel station and I note down the number of litres pumped into the car. This is no longer the time in Nigeria to act as a big man at fuel stations, sitting down there like a dumb fellow checking the phone while the fuel is being sold. Many of us are now fuel station policemen. It is not safe to trust the driver. It is not safe either to trust the fuel station attendant. Often, I have been tempted to take the fuel pump and serve myself. There is a way those attendants handle the pump. It looks like they have a method of reducing your purchase. Whatever happens, once I get back into the car, I ask questions about the fuel gauge. Is it full? Is it by the middle or is it around a quarter? This is something I never bothered to double-check in the past. But having now to fill a car that ordinarily takes N16, 500 worth of fuel with over N50, 000, I guess one may be excused for becoming a fuel gauge police. President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal has tuned all of us into vigilantes. The only fear is that the number of persons with hypertension may be increasing without our knowing it. By the way, many car owners have abandoned their vehicles. They say driving a car is no longer a status symbol in this country. It is better to join the masses in the national trek-a-thon especially if you live around Ikeja! In Lagos, many wives and husbands who work on the island no longer go home. They stay back in the part of the city where God has put them. Tinubu has effectively separated families to teach that romantic lesson that distance makes the heart fonder. People are learning to stay where they earn their daily bread, without going up and down. We, the people are learning how to save costs.

Many husbands who are able to still go up and down have also learnt to redraw the map of their movements. What I have observed in this our Lagos is that husbands now go home early. What I know in this Lagos is that it is possible, and that has been the pattern over the years, for a husband to leave his office and go around town like a piece of smallpox affliction for hours: he stops somewhere to take isi-ewu, he goes off to an “Igbinedion joint” (If you know, you know), then he stops by at a tarmac somewhere to take a “point and kill delicacy.” Some other days, he mixes that up with a stop-over at Calabar Kitchen or any other favourite restaurant/tarmac of his choice. He burns petrol driving from one point

to the other meeting up with friends, before he finally makes his way home in the evening either to hit the sack or slap, hit, punch his questioning wife or snarl at the children! Omo, that lifestyle is changing oh. Husbands now go home. They can’t afford the high cost of fuel. Tinubu may have reduced fuel subsidy but he has also introduced by stealth a national family stabilization and planning programme. Many housewives are silently praising him. Their yeye husbands are adjusting to the new economic reality and learning to come home when they should. It looks like practical economics. While the National Economic Council is talking about the possibility of increasing the national minimum wage, by the way, employers of labour in the private sector have been busy playing deaf and dumb. Have you heard any private sector employer trying to increase staff salary? They are all playing deaf and dumb, making the dire situation in which Nigerians have found themselves look like a government problem. Many husbands are now under strict control.

Major losers in the equation would include Tinubu’s allies: the National Prostitutes Association of Nigeria. In the course of the campaigns in 2022, their National Executive issued a public statement saying that they were solidly behind Tinubu, and they were standing on “his mandate”. They even promised to offer discounted services if Tinubu won. Have they? It is now appropriate to ask the Oloshos of Nigeria: How market oh? The simple answer is this: market is bad. Many years ago, as a romance journalist, I used to write a weekly column on prostitutes and brothels. I am not telling that story here, certainly not today. But what I know for a fact is that customer traffic is the oxygen of a prostitute’s life, and as a patron, you must know the best time to get a good bargain. Tinubu has ruined the market for our Nigerian and ECOWAS sisters! People are adjusting their personal budgets and the olosho has been yanked off. Side-chicks are also groaning! I am just waiting for this category of allies to write the President to remind him that they also supported him during his campaigns and that it would be unkind to deny them their own already assured palliatives that do not require National Assembly approval. They may even propose their own economic blueprint. Please note further that with one policy move, the Jagaban has also solved the problem of traffic hold ups in Lagos and the expressways. The other day, I travelled out of Lagos, something I try to avoid if I can, because the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a prolonged nightmare for motorists. I was advised that the roads are freer these days and so I ventured out. To my utter shock, traffic moved, not just on the Expressway but also inside the city. By removing fuel subsidy, Tinubu has taken the additional title of Chief Traffic Controller of Nigeria. He has put an end to traffic congestion on many roads. On my way back to Lagos, the road was also free. Most of the problematic people who go about causing problems on the roads had gone home to their wives or concubines. Half of them are more or less stone-drunk anyway. Tinubu-mycin has put them where they should be.

I am aware nonetheless, to wrap it all up, that what I describe as the positive sides of Tinubunomics, or Jagbanomy may be dismissed as a threat to growth and productivity. But let’s look at it this way: since economists like to calculate the strategic value of the informal sector, I would like to know for example: how much value do prostitutes and brothels add to the Nigerian economy? Or perhaps, peppersoup joints? Needless traffic logjams? We have been told by at least two persons from the Tinubu camp: Mr Bayo Onanuga and Senator Dayo Adeyeye that we should all be patient and calm down. Sirs, Nigerians are the calmest and the most patient people in the world. We just want good governance, results and leadership. Is that too much to ask for?

President Bola Tinubu