Zenith Bank Set to Commence N290bn Capital Raising through Rights Issue, Public Offer
Tokede
48 Hours to Go, Countrywide Interventions against Protests Mount, Youths Adamant
Tinubu approves creation of youth secretariat for FCT, soldiers take over Abuja roads Akpabio,Abbas summon emergency plenary for tomorrow as Barau, Kalu, Sani urge restraints Afenifere insists it’s not in support of rally
Sani, Diri, Ekiti govt beg demonstrators HURIWA tells FG to stop creating panic CSOs defend right to peaceful assembly Delta monarch enjoins youths to shelve idea Ohanaeze youth declares no protest in S’east
Tinubu Directs NNPCL to Commence
Crude Oil Sale to Dangote, Others in Naira
Directive will reduce Nigeria's FX burden, save $7.32bn annually, says FIRS boss Onyejeocha: Govt'll ensure full implementation of new minimum wage President already protesting on behalf of youths, Idris declares FEC okays agreement on fugitive repatriation, prisoner swap with Spain
N70,000 MiNiMUM Wage ... SigNeD, SeaLeD aND...
Tinubu Signs N70,000 Minimum Wage Bill into Law Amid Unease over Planned Protest
Senate President: We’ll pass amendment to 2024 appropriation act tomorrow
Deji elumoye, Onyebuchi ezigbo and Sunday aborisade in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday afternoon, signed the newly passed N70,000 National Minimum wage bill into law, a move that might have been intended to further douse the growing tension occasioned by the proposed nationwide protest.
The president assented to the bill in the course of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, led the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to join the president in the symbolic signing exercise.
Akpabio, later spoke to newsmen at the State House, Abuja after the president signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into an Act, raising the least wage a Nigerian worker at any establishment would be paid from N30,000 to N70,000.
According to the Senate President, the new Act applied to all employers of labour in the country, including federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector employers.
Akpabio, emphasised that the N70,000 minimum wage was not a maximum, and employers with the capacity to pay more were encouraged to do so.
He praised Tinubu for his commitment to Nigerian workers, noting that the National Assembly
passed the bill in one day due to its importance.
Expressing excitement about the new law, the Chairman of the National Assembly said, "The national minimum wage amendment is for the whole nation; for the federal government, for the states, for the local governments, for the private sector and even for individual employers.
“So, I think this is a great day for the workers in the country. We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially it was N30,000, now it is N70,000.
"Like I said, this is minimum, this is not maximum. Any employer that has the capacity can pay as much as you want, but no Nigerian worker will offer services and be paid anything less than N70,000 from today. That is the implication of this Act.
"It applies all over the nation and we are excited that this is happening at a time like this, through President Tinubu, a man who cares for the Nigerian workers and you see what we are doing in the National Assembly.
“When it came, the entirety of the National Assembly moved and passed the bill in one day out of excitement. We felt that this was not something we could delay. So, I think the workers are happy," he said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, also said the signing of the new law was
a demonstration of Tinubu's care for the wellbeing of Nigerians.
The Speaker, represented by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said, "This is an action from the president to show that he cares about the Nigerian people.
"In addition to signing the North East Development Commission, the North West Development Commission and the South East Development Commission, this has never happened in Nigeria.
"So, I think this movement from N30,000 to N70,000 and reducing
the negotiation (from five to three) years is a clear demonstration of a commitment to redirect, refocus and reposition Nigeria for greatness."
Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau and the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, also commended the president.
Similarly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed happiness at the quick assent given to the new minimum wage by Tinubu.
Speaking in an interview with THISDAY yesterday, the NLC's Head of Information and Publicity,
Benson Upah, said the labour centre would like to see its immediate implementation.
"We are happy that he has given his assent and it is our wish that payment complete with arrears will begin immediately.
"And it is also our wish that governors comply immediately, all entities that are affected by the law comply immediately and appropriately," he said.
Meanwhile, Akpabio, has disclosed that the amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Act, which would
fund the new minimum wage, was expected to be passed by the National Assembly tomorrow. Also, yesterday, the two chambers of the National Assembly assured the Nigerian women of Gender Responsive Budgeting in coming fiscal years.
Asked how soon the amendment to the budget would be ready, Akpabio said, "We have gone very far with it and I expect that by Wednesday it will be passed.”
Olasupo: Nigerians Should Expect More Revelations on Oil Revenue Losses in NEITI Audit Reports
Ahead of the release of the 2022 and 2023 oil, gas and solid minerals audit reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in September, the Southwest representative on the agency's board, Mr. Taiwo Olasupo, has told Nigerians that the anticipated reports would reveal more oil revenue losses and other loopholes in the petroleum sector.
He said the report being awaited would cover more areas hitherto not covered by previous reports, adding that there would be a major
ESG: Access Bank Wins Euromoney Award for Best Bank
Kayode Tokede
Access Bank Plc has been honoured at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024, having been named Nigeria’s Best Bank and Ghana’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
The accolades, it said, highlights the Bank's outstanding performance and commitment to sustainable practices across its operations in Africa.
For over two decades, Access Bank has consistently demonstrated its ability to innovate and provide tailored solutions that meet the needs of its diverse clientele.
The Bank has also shown leadership in ESG practices, serving as one of the continent’s leading lights in sustainable finance.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna in a statement on the awards, said: “This recognition by Euromoney doesn’t just acknowledge our achievements, it also reflects our future aspirations as a Bank.
“At Access, we are driven by a purpose to not only meet the financial needs of our customers, but also to make a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve. These awards motivate us to continue leading the way in responsible banking practices across Africa.”
Last year, Access Bank Nigeria received Euromoney’s ‘Market Leader’ rating, across the areas of Corporate Banking, CSR, Digital Solutions, ESG, and SME Banking. Similarly, Access Bank Ghana was
rated ‘Market Leader’ in CSR, affirming its strong impact in the local communities.
Also speaking on the awards, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Olumide Olatunji said: “Our commitment to sustainability is integral to everything we do at Access Bank Ghana.
“Whether it's through our support for grassroots sports, such as our partnership with the Ghana Football Association's Division One League, or our environmental initiatives like planting over 20,000 seedlings across the country and the ‘A Sandal More for a Better Tomorrow’ campaign, we are dedicated to enriching lives and building resilient communities.”
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence is widely recognised as the
improvement in the new report from the ones released in the past.
Olasupo, stated this during an exclusive chat with THISDAY on the sidelines of the just-concluded NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG)'s retreat held in Lagos.
"In our 2022 and 2023 oil, gas and solid minerals audit reports which are coming out in September, Nigerians should expect to see more revelations in terms of oil losses, revenue losses, monies paid by companies and remitted by government agencies, more areas of coverage, and major improvement from the previous reports," he added.
in Nigeria, Ghana
definitive annual awards programme for the global banking industry.
For over 30 years, Euromoney has celebrated banks and bankers who demonstrate differentiation and innovation, setting the industry benchmark for excellence. This year, Access Bank's achievements have been acknowledged, reaffirming its leadership in the financial sector.
The Euromoney Market Leaders rankings are based on a rigorous methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative data from internal bank sources and external client references. This robust approach provides a comprehensive and objective assessment of the industry’s top performers, guiding customers to the banks that excel in their respective fields.
As expected by the government and Nigerians, he said it behooves on NEITI to keep improving on its job delivery in line with its key transparency and accountability principle.
He urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the NEITI audit reports to enable them be in a better position to ask questions about how proceeds from their God-given resources are being utilised.
According to him, "it is important that Nigerians know what these companies operating in their communities are paying in terms of royalties, taxes, levies, as well as the various intervention funds that were created to make life better for them."
Olasupo, pointed out that NEITI's core mandate was to promote prudent management of the extractive resources for the general good of the people of Nigeria. He maintained that the essence of an audit was to review and reveal, match figures claimed in documents with the actual and then correct lapses where necessary through recommendations.
He noted that NEITI was established to work as the chief auditor of Nigeria's extractive sector, "which means through our audit reports, Nigerians will know what we are generating from the oil, gas and mining industries, whether there are defaults in remittances by companies or otherwise."
"Part of our mandate is to understand how and why our
crude oil is being stolen and how to plug the loopholes, and also how to boost investor confidence in the extractive sector so that more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows can come," he added.
Olasupo, expressed worry that Nigeria was now facing a new challenge brought by energy transition and decarbonisation.
He said NEITI has seen this as a major challenge that Nigeria has to swiftly rise up to tackle and minimised its impact on investment in the oil and gas sector.
"We have to support the government with actionable roadmap on how to retain and stimulate investment in the oil and gas sector without losing sight of the global demand for an environmentally-friendly energy production and utilisation," he stated.
He, however, explained that the retreat was more like an induction training and interactive session for the newly-constituted 6th NEITI board/NSWG.
He said the retreat was a platform where the members were being trained on or exposed to the core mandate of NEITI, which primarily borders on strengthening and ensuring more transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria's oil, gas and mining resources.
Olasupo stated that the retreat also exposed participants to the opportunities, prospects and challenges in the extractive sector, and to chart a way forward on how to harness the opportunities.
Peter Uzoho
L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila (left), assists President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the N70,000 minimum wage into law while L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi; Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Kumo Bello Usman; House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau and Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, watch at the signing ceremony, during the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ...yesterday
PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI.
L-R: Group Head, Retail Marketing, Communications and Analytics, Access Bank, Toyin Henry-Ajayi; Group Head, Women Banking, Abiodun Olubitan; Group
James Emejo in Abuja Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday disclosed that it generated N2.74 trillion in the first half of the year, surpassing the N2.54 trillion target by eight per cent.
The performance also represented a 127 per cent increase over the previous year's revenue.
The service collected N1.39 trillion in the second quarter of the year,
exceeding the quarterly target by 10 per cent and 131 per cent increase over Q2 2023.
In a statement, Chief Superintendent of Customs/National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, attributed the positive performance to initiatives including the e-auction platform which generated over N1.34 billion, and the 90-day duty payment window for uncustomed vehicles which raked in N4.37 billion.
He said these measures have significantly enhanced transparency, compliance, and efficiency in customs processes, underscoring its commitment to excellence.
The statement added that the service intensified its anti-smuggling operations in Q1 2024, resulting in notable achievements.
Maiwada said, "From January to June 2024, the NCS made 2,442 seizures with a Duty Paid Value
(DPV) of NGN 25,520,652,942.87, which is 203 per cent higher than the DPV of seizures in the first half of 2023.
"In the second quarter of 2024, the NCS made 1,334 seizures with a DPV of NGN 17,564,384,378, representing a 121 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2024.
"The top items seized include wildlife items, vehicles, arms and ammunition, foreign rice,
FG Mulls Standardised Websites for All Government Institutions
The federal government is planning to have a standardised websites for all government institutions for easier access, security and virtual identity.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Tijani Bosun stated this at the 6th Developments in government meeting held yesterday in Abuja. Bosun said the country was in need of standardised websites for all government institutions.
"One of the biggest things that Nigerians complain about is the Nigerian government and the fact that it is not easy for them to access information on government service because the websites are not similar in nature because if you look from one ministry to another, the websites look totally different.
"But with this programme, we are harmonising the design so collectively. We are working together to come up with standardised websites of what government websites should look. And as we do this, it's important, we carry all government IT (Information Technology) experts along because they are the ones who are going to implement it," he explained.
He also noted that although the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has a guideline for it already, the ministry will work with the agency and interpret it in clear terms.
He added: "Though NITDA has something like that but it's just a document that describes what your font should look like in text. The colours have been described in the document in text, the visuals described in text.
"It doesn't work that way; people can't actually understand it that way. So, this effort is to take the work that is being done to a new level.
"We are taking to the new level by saying let's open it up and ensure that the people that we serve are actually part of the process for developing this new standard.
"And we are just going to develop new standard that we are going to document; the aspiration is that we should have a web platform from where people can go and actually download those principles, standards and font, to a point where somebody can almost download a complete website for an agency.
"And the work they will then need to do will be extremely minimal. Because we've prescribed to them what a government website must look like in Nigeria regardless of your agency. And Nigerians will get used to what a Nigerian government website should look like," he said.
The minister further explained that government standardised websites will help citizens to interact more and boost their trust in government activities.
According to him, the report of the standardised websites for government agencies and institutions will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for adoption.
"My hope and aspiration is that you are not getting involved just here today that you actually participated in that process because the goal would be to have people work in different sub-groups to design what we want to see and we are going to get experts from the industry as well that will support us.
"And there will be a special advisory board for this project that will review everything that will be done and before it is released it will come back to this project committee because you are the ones that are responsible for this platform, for you to review.
"And once we all agree that this is what the new standard should be for
web platforms within the Nigerian government, we will take it to FEC to adopt and say every agency must migrate to,” he said.
The Executive Commissioner, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Dr. Vincent Olatunji advised the committee to make sure that as they work on the new template, they should endeavour to consider individual data protection and cyber security.
"As you know, personal data and cyber security are a major component
of anything you do; I urge you to make personal data protection and cyber security a major aspect of all that you will do," he said.
Developments in government is an initiative of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy which brings together tech professionals in government so that they can chart the way forward for the nation technologically.
The tech professionals meet every month to discuss the nation's technological advancement.
pharmaceuticals, and narcotics, with 32 suspects in custody. "
He said trade facilitation remained a core priority for the NCS, stating that it processed 620,467 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs), reflecting a reduction of approximately 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
He said despite the decline, the NCS had implemented several key initiatives to simplify and expedite customs processes, including reinforcement of NCS automation procedures, capacity-building programs for officers, and public-private partnerships to enhance customs clearance efficiency.
These efforts, he noted, remained crucial for enhancing the country's trade competitiveness and supporting economic growth.
He said despite the achievements, the NCS faced several challenges in the review period, particularly the significant fluctuations in the exchange rate, a lower volume of transactions, low compliance levels among importers and exporters, and periodic downtime.
He said these limitations impacted the consistency of revenue collection and overall operational efficiency.
"To address these challenges and enhance revenue collection, the NCS implemented several strategies,
Senate, SEC, Shareholders Agree to Tackle
Sunday
The Senate Committee on Capital Market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and stakeholders in the capital market yesterday, agreed to evolve practicable strategies to the address the issue of unclaimed dividends in the country.
The agreement was reached at a one-day public hearing organised by the Senate panel to find a lasting solution to the issue.
Apart from suggesting a further amendment to the Finance Act, shareholders at the forum, stressed the need for proper sensitisation on the activities of SEC.
They also mandated the capital market regulator to deploy modern technology to identify owners of the unclaimed dividends and come up with comprehensive data. All the participants also agreed that the Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, should within the next six months forward to the Senate panel, necessary strategies on how to reclaim unclaimed dividends in the Debt Management Office (DMO).
The DMO, according to the
stakeholders had no business keeping the 10 per cent of the fund, as currently empowered by the Finance Act.
Declaring the event open, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the forum was organised to identify the root causes of unclaimed dividends and to chart a path forward that would empower investors, protect their interest and unleash the full potential of the capital market.
The Chairman of the Senate panel, Osita Izunaso, said necessary legislation were required to instill confidence in the capital market.
He added, "the most important thing is, what are the major takeaways of this summit? Somebody said here, and I concur with that person completely, that capital market is something that involves trust.
"Once that trust is eroded, people will not want to invest again. And you know since the crash of the capital market since 2018 today, a lot of people still don't have confidence in the capital market.
"So, it is our responsibility, it is our collective responsibility to
including real-time system auditing, post-clearance audits, verification of documents for the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), ensuring compliance with import guidelines, and the implementation of a pilot test for the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme," he said.
In addition, he pointed out that the service recently introduced the Advance Ruling System (ARS), a legally binding decision on classification, valuation, and rules of origin before the importation or exportation of goods.
Other pragmatic measures implemented to increase revenue, despite a drop in cargo throughput, included establishing a robust framework for dispute resolution, launching Operation Whirlwind, reshuffling strategic-level officers and robust stakeholders’ engagement, Maiwada added.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Bashir Adeniyi, however. commended all officers and men of the NCS for their diligence and commitment.
He also acknowledges the stakeholders who have played significant roles in achieving this performance, and reaffirmed the service’s dedication to supporting the realisation of government policies for a better Nigeria.
Unclaimed Dividends
make sure that this confidence is built back. Whether you are a stakeholder, whether you are in the parliament, whether you are a shareholder, whoever you are, make sure that this confidence comes back.
"The declared dividend alone for five years is five trillion. So which means it's an average of one trillion a year. So you can say that it is N1 trillion annually. So if dividend alone can be 1 trillion, then the stock market is not doing badly. But you can see that if it is promoted further, we're going to make more money from that exercise."
He, therefore, challenged the SEC DG to redouble his efforts to identify owners of unclaimed dividends through massive enlightenment activities.
Izunaso said, "A lot is on your shoulder because you are the main regulator. Now, there is need to strengthen the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
"I've said it here. It's very key. Once you strengthen the KYC requirements, some of these issues would have been taken care of. You should simplify the process
of account update. This is for the bank. Let the process be simplified.
"The shareholder's representative that spoke, was talking about their website where all these things will be there, Once you go to that website, you will see everything.
"I don't know whether there is such website in existence. If there is, please, make sure that the public knows about it. If there's none, let there be one. So that all these stories will not come up again.
"They will just go to the website and you see everything there. Now, we need to also address the inadequacies in the financial institutions infrastructure.
"The DG talked about the leveraging on technology. That is key. That is the major key. We as National Assembly have a role to play and we know our roles. Our roles are very clear. There is need to amend the Finance Act.
"You can't lump up all these things together. There is need to separate it. The CBN will not have a role to play with the matter of accounts, while the SEC and other institutions will have a role for the acclaimed dividends.
Head,
Banking, Njideka Esomeju;
Lucky-Okoye;
Head,
Management,
and Social Risk, Gbenga Sheriff, during the
PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN
Aborisade in Abuja
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
Graduation CErEmony for inClusivE
City, ... yesterday
diGital transformation traininG...
Despite Pressing Nigeria to Abandon Fossil Fuels, Wealthy Nations Lead in Global Oil, Gas Expansion
Five countries responsible for 67% of all new oil licences since 2020 US hands out 1,453 new oil, gas licences under Biden
Emmanuel addeh in Abuja
Despite piling pressure on Nigeria and other African oil-producing nations to abandon fossil fuels, the US and the UK are leading a stampede of expansion in spite of their climate commitments, new data shared exclusively with the Guardian UK has revealed.
The new oil and gas field licences forecast to be awarded across the world this year are on track to generate the highest level of emissions since those issued in 2018, as heatwaves, wildfires, drought and floods cause death and destruction globally, according to analysis of industry data by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
The 11.9 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – which is roughly the same as China’s annual carbon pollution – resulting over their lifetime from all current and upcoming oil and gas fields forecast to be licensed by the end of 2024 would be greater than the past four years combined.
Several delegations from Europe and America have visited Nigeria in recent years to convince the country on the need to tone down on its push for hydrocarbons production and embrace cleaner energy sources.
But the Guardian UK report said that the projection includes licences awarded as of June 2024, as well as the oil and gas blocks open for bidding, under evaluation or Itplanned. said that fossil fuel firms are ploughing more money into developing new oil and gas sites
than at any time since the 2015 Paris climate deal, when the world’s governments agreed to take steps to cut emissions and curb global heating.
The world’s wealthiest countries are economically best placed – and obliged under the Paris accords – to lead the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
But the high-capacity countries with a low economic dependence on fossil fuels are spearheading the latest drilling frenzy despite dwindling easy-to-reach reserves, handing out 825 new licences in 2023, the largest number since records began.
Classic “petrostates” such as Saudi Arabia or Russia – which rely heavily on oil and gas revenues to balance their budgets – have also faced criticism for slowing action on the climate crisis.
Yet countries including the UK, the US, Canada, Norway and Australia are increasingly being thought of by some experts as the “other petrostates” , given they have access to financial and technological resources that would make the energy transition less disruptive.
While they are often portrayed as climate leaders on the world stage, these five wealthy countries are responsible for more than two-thirds (67 per cent) of all new oil and gas licences issued globally since 2020. Under the Joe Biden administration, the US has handed out 1,453 new oil and gas licences, accounting for half of the total globally and 83 per cent of all licences handed out by wealthy nations. This is 20 per cent more than during the term of
Donald Trump, who has promised to “drill, baby, drill” should he return to the White House.
The oil and gas industry continues to invest big in political influence in petrostates, spending $1.25 billion (£1 billion) on lobbying in Washington and more than $650 million (£504 million) in campaign contributions over the past decade, according to OpenTheSecrets.
UK is forecast to hand out a record 72 oil and gas licences this year, which could result in an estimated 101 million tonnes of planet-warming pollution.
Meanwhile, the UK handed out more licences than any other country in May, although it is China, the world’s leading carbon emitter, that is forecast to approve the most oil and gas blocks in the rest of 2024.
The UK’s newly elected Labour government has pledged to stop new drilling, but it’s unclear whether
the glut of licences doled out by the outgoing Conservative party can be cancelled.
The new analysis of Rystad industry and government data by the IISD also shows that over the past decade, new licences issued by high-capacity, low-dependency countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Norway are estimated to have contributed five times more greenhouse gas emissions between 2014 and 2023 than all other oil- and gas-producing countries combined.
The US, which has become the world’s largest oil and gas producer by a huge margin in recent years, led the way in 2023 by issuing a record 758 new licences for extraction projects – almost as many as the previous three years combined. The total number of projected licences by the US for 2024 would lead to an estimated 397 million tonnes
of emissions.
The UK is forecast to hand out 72 oil and gas licences this year, which would result in an estimated 101 million tonnes of planet-warming pollution, a 50-year high.
Norway is projected to hand out 80 oil and gas licences this year, resulting in 771m tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution – threatening the biggest contribution to global emissions since 2009 and the equivalent of putting 183 million new gasoline-powered cars on the road.
Australia is forecast to award 20 new licences in 2024, which if it happens could generate an estimated 217m tonnes of carbon pollution in the long term – the most since 2009 and more than the past five years combined.
The amount spent by major oil and gas companies on exploring and developing new wells has climbed
significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic, with $302 billion to be spent on well development this year, the most in a decade.
The UK, Norwegian and Australian governments disputed some of the figures and defended their climate policies.
The glut of new oil and gas activity comes as July is on track to be the 14th hottest consecutive month on record, as communities across the world grapple with deadly extreme weather and slow-onset climate disasters such as sea level rise and melting glaciers. The last decade was the hottest ever recorded, with 2023 the single hottest year.
But the oil and gas rush, led by the richest countries, risks demolishing hopes that the world can stay within internationally agreedupon limits aimed at preventing catastrophic heatwaves, wildfires, flooding and other impacts.
NAMA Suspends Planned Increase in Navigational Charges
Chinedu Eze
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended its planned increase in the navigational charges three days after it was announced.
The agency said it suspended the planned increase in the
charges, which was expected to kick-off on September 1, 2024, but the Minister of Aviation and Aeronautical Development, Festus Keyamo intervened and directed the agency to suspend the decision. In a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NAMA,
Edo Eyes High FX Earnings on Oil Palm Investments, Okomu Records Over 200% Jump in Export Revenue
Amid the exchange rate crisis bedeviling Nigeria’s economy since the floating of the naira by the federal government, a statement yesterday, revealed that smart investment decisions made by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration may see companies in Edo State smiling to the bank with potential high earnings from exports.
The statement revealed that Okomu Plc’s first half 2024 report showed that the company’s export sales from January to June, rose by 206.2 per cent to N7.74 billion in contrast to the N2.53 billion recorded
in the same period in 2023. It noted that the State government had, in the last five years, prioritised investment in oil palm development through the Edo State Oil Palm Development Programme (ESOPP).
This, it stated led to the injection of $3 million by 10 investors who are developing over 70,000 hectares of land across the State. Chief Executive Officer of Okomu Plc, Dr. Graham Hefer, in an interview said the state government has invested in structures to expand the oil palm landscape in the state, which has made it easy for investors
to do business in the state.
According to him, “The structures that the government has brought into the agriculture sector have helped a lot; the manner in which the government is doing business has improved.
“We find a lot more willingness from the government institutions to work with the companies; the reports, the tools and the manner in which the government has put together various departments now are far more constructive.”
The company’s local sales rose by 76.7 per cent in the first six months of the year to N67.27 billion from
N38.07 billion.
“The investors in the state who are exploring backward integration and export potentials from oil palm exports include major Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) such as Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), Dufil Prima Foods Limited; Bravag Limited; Green Hill Agricultural Products Limited, and Fayus Inc., among others.
“The government has said over time that its plan is to position companies in the State to earn Foreign Exchange to boost productivity and the state’s competitiveness,” the statement added.
Abdullahi Musa, the agency stated, “In response to the directive from the Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has suspended its earlier announced increase in navigational charges. This decision follows the Minister’s recognition of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
“The Minister emphasised the need for further consultation before implementing any changes, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the plight of Nigerians amidst these economic challenges.”
The agency also stated that the decision followed “the keynote address by the Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Ahmed Umar, at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos on July 26, 2024. The theme of the conference was "Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment."
In his address, Farouk had highlighted the significant economic pressure faced by the aviation industry, exacerbated by global economic volatility, fuel price hikes,
and currency instability. He had outlined strategies for survival and growth, including operational efficiency, embracing innovation and technology, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering collaboration and partnerships. Farouk had also discussed the financial challenges NAMA faces, noting that the agency relies on statutory fees and charges for managing the airspace. The Nigerian airspace management agency had proposed an increase in its fees and charges to sustain its operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace.
The new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route was set to increase to N18,000 from N2,000 per flight while the unit rate/ minimum charge for terminal navigation charge(TCN domestic) were to rise to N54,000 from N6,000 per flight with effect from the 1st of September.
“The suspension of the fee increase is a testament to the government's responsiveness to public concerns and its commitment to balancing economic sustainability with the needs of its citizens,” the statement added.
L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa Esq.; Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-isibor, and Managing Director, John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu, at the graduation ceremony for the State-level Inclusive Digital Transformation Training Programme workers in the civil and public service, in Benin
NCC Orders Immediate Reactivation of Lines Barred by Telcos
MTN offices vandalised in Lagos, Osun as customers protest blocked SIMs Barred lines not linked to planned national
Emma Okonji and Sunday Ehigiator
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday, ordered the immediate reactivation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards that were barred at the weekend by telecoms operators.
The order came as hundreds of angry MTN subscribers took to the streets in Lagos and Osun states yesterday to protest the sudden barring of their SIM cards by the network provider.
NCC’s intervention ordering the immediate reactivation of disconnected lines was linked to the large number of telecoms subscribers that were affected by the disconnection.
According to a statement released yesterday by NCC, and signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, “Over the weekend many telecom subscribers/consumers were unable to access their phone lines because of the inability of many
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately commence engagement with local refineries including the Dangote Refinery in transactions dominated in Naira.
This was as the federal govern-
the idea, worried that it could be hijacked and turned violent as was with some previous experiences.
However, while many prominent Nigerians, institutions, groups, and some government functionaries asked that the proposed demonstration be shelved, and the president be given more time to try to resolve the issues raised, some among the youth insisted on going ahead with the protest.
Part of the latest interventions was Tinubu’s approval for the creation of a youth secretariat for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate tension among the youth.
FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed the measure yesterday in Bwari Area Council during a town hall meeting to dissuade the youth of Bwari and AMAC from joining the planned nationwide demonstrations billed to commence on Thursday.
The proposed youth secretariat would be the equivalent of a state ministry and will be headed by a mandate secretary on the same level as a state commissioner.
Wike told the town hall meeting, “I have good news for you. Following your complaints, I approached the president and he has graciously approved the creation of a youth secretariat for the FCT."
The minister also said he had referred to the president the residents’ complaint about a Public Complaints Commission appointment, which was held by an FCT youth, but was later taken to Kogi State.
He stated that the president had assured him that he would look into the matter and make amends.
Wike, who addressed the meeting after inspecting a 29-kilometre road construction in Paikon Kore in Kwali Area Council, also said approval had been given for the creation of one additional police station in each of the six area councils in order to improve security.
He said, “Security is a critical priority in the renewed hope agenda. One police station each has been approved to be built in each area council.”
On the issue of maginalisation, as alleged by the youth of Bwari Area Council, Wike said, “Nobody likes injustice, that is what informed my policy of spreading amenities. When you are happy, allow your neighbour to be happy too, that is what brings peace."
Wike urged the youth of Bwari and AMAC not to join the planned nationwide protests, saying, “An economy that was down for decades cannot be fixed in one year, give us time.”
telecom consumers to verify their National Identification Numbers (NINs) with their SIMs.
“This meant that their numbers were blocked by their telecom service providers in keeping with laws and policies of the NIN-SIM linkage.
“Telecoms consumers and the public will recall the compulsory linkage of NIN with SIM which began in December 2020 when the government directed telecommunication companies to bar unregistered SIM cards and SIMs that were not linked to NIN.
“Since December 2023, the commission has since reviewed the deadline a few times; April 15, 2024 was set as the deadline for the full network barring of subscribers with four or fewer SIMs that had unverified NIN details. This deadline was then reviewed to July 31, 2024, to give consumers more time to ensure their submitted NIN details are properly verified.
“Despite these extensions, many
ment yesterday, allayed the fears of non-compliance with the new minimum wage, saying the extensive negotiations and consensus-building undertaken from early February to July, 2024, meant all the relevant stakeholders were involved.
Tinubu, also questioned the rationale for the planned protest scheduled for August 1, especially
Meanwhile, there was intense tension in Abuja yesterday, as fiercelooking soldiers took over some of the roads to forestall breakdown of law during the nationwide protest.
A company of soldiers in armoured personnel vehicles fitted with guns paraded major roads of Bwari Area Council.
The story was the same at Abuja-Keffi Road, where a roadblock mounted by soldiers for a stop-andsearch exercise, early in the morning by Mogadishu Barracks, before AYA Junction, caused a heavy traffic jam that extended to Karu and Nyanyan.
As part of the interventions to try to forestall the proposed protests, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, summoned an emergency plenary of the upper chamber for Wednesday.
The notice of the sitting was contained in an internal memorandum from Senate Clerk, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze.
The nemo read, “Dear Distinguished Senators, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened on Wednesday 31 at 12 noon.
“Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.
“We regret all inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause. Thanks for your usual understanding.”
The Senate and House of Representatives had on July 23 commenced their recess, which will end on September 17.
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, appealed to organisers of the planned nationwide protest to reconsider their decision and shelve the idea so that the peace in the country would not be disrupted.
Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said Tinubu was making genuine efforts to address the country's challenges.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the deputy senate president urged promoters of the demonstrations to give the government more time to implement its programmes and policies as captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Similarly, Chairman, Senate
phone lines are yet to be linked with verified NINs. The objectives of this exercise by the Federal Government of Nigeria include enhancing national security and ensuring the national SIM ownership database is accurate.”
The affected subscribers, mostly MTN subscribers, thronged the call centres of telecoms operators in their large numbers, to get their lines reconnected.
THISDAY monitoring teams in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin City, Asaba, and Port Harcourt revealed that the affected subscribers were in their large numbers at different customer care centres, yesterday, across the country, accusing telecoms operators of sabotage. The subscribers insisted they had since linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs) and the operators had no reason to disconnect their lines.
A source said, “How come those that were disconnected were mostly
when he was already addressing most of the challenges confronting the nation, particularly those concerning the youths.
protest, ALTON clarifies
MTN subscribers and the number was massive across the country.”
Another source from MTN said the disconnection was in line with the directive of NCC, and the eventual shift of the deadline to July 31, which is tomorrow, for the disconnection of all SIM cards not linked to NIN.
The development sparked widespread outrage among customers who claimed they were not given prior notice.
At Festac Town, Lagos, a mob vandalised a section of the MTN office, while in Osun State, protesters gathered at the service provider's head office at Dada Estate, Osogbo.
In Lagos, the incident occurred at the MTN office located at 72 Junction, Opposite First Bank, 23 Road, Festac Town.
According to eyewitnesses, the subscribers had gathered at the office to complain about their deactivated lines but became agitated when
they perceived that MTN staff were unresponsive to their concerns. The situation escalated, with the crowd breaking into the premises and damaging property.
The protesters, who included elderly men and women, pregnant women, and civil servants, blocked the Osogbo-Iwo road, causing traffic disruptions and gridlock.
Many customers expressed frustration at being unable to access MTN services despite arriving at the office as early as 6am. The protesters demanded that their SIM cards be unblocked, but were met with indifference by MTN staff.
However, normalcy was restored to the area later in the day, although some customers remained on the premises.
Reacting to insinuations that the disconnection might be a deliberate move against the planned nationwide protests against hardship, beginning Thursday, Association of Licensed
Executive Secretary, Gbolahan Awonuga, said, “The attention of ALTON has been drawn to some online reports linking the ongoing subscriber line barring exercise with the planned national protest.
Committee on Privatisation, Orji Kalu, urged Nigerians to exercise restraint over the proposed nationwide protests.
Kalu stated, "I stand with you, but with peace through conversations and dialogue without going the path of violence to resolve whatever issues we have.
"This is a great country, and we are not going to bring it down with any act of violence where discourse can win and bring all of us together.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Mohammed Musa, also appealed to his constituents to embrace peace and dialogue instead of participating in the planned national protest against hunger and high cost of living.
Musa, in a statement circulated to his constituents on Sunday, said, "Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in the light of the call for national protest." He urged the organisers and participants "to embrace peace and dialogue as the paramount instruments for resolving our differences and addressing our grievances".
In the statement titled, "Appeal for Peace and Dialogue in the Face of National Protest," Musa expressed the belief that "Constructive engagement with the government, rather than confrontation, is the most effective means of achieving our objectives
Conversely, the public offer for subscription is open to the general public and aims to attract new investors.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, expressed enthusiasm about the rights issue and public offer, saying, “Today, we signed the transaction documents with respect to Zenith Bank’s N290 billion rights issue and public offer. This is slightly above the N230 billion required for us to meet the CBN’s minimum recapitalisation requirement.
“We are extremely pleased with the level of enthusiasm we have already seen from our existing shareholders for the rights issue. Beyond existing shareholders, incorporating a public offer is crucial to ensure that our customers, who are not yet shareholders, can have the opportunity to join in the ownership of this premium brand.
“In terms of Tier-1 Capital, Zenith Bank has been adjudged by The Banker, Financial Times to be number one in Nigeria and the only Nigerian Bank in the top 600 banks globally.
According to Adedeji, apart from extending the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refineries, it would also include sale of Dangote's products to others to be conducted in naira.
He said the decision aims to mitigate the heavy reliance on foreign exchange (FX) for crude oil
The directive to the NNPCL was disclosed to newsmen by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, at the State House, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that was presided over by Tinubu.
and propelling our nation towards stability and prosperity".
House to Reconvene Tomorrow
The House of Representatives, too, was slated to reconvene on Wednesday over issues of national importance, particularly, the proposed protests.
According to a statement by Chairman of House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Akin Rotimi, the directive was issued by Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Rotimi said, "Honourable members have been duly summoned from their respective constituencies to attend this crucial session. This directive was communicated through an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., on Sunday.
"The House had commenced its annual recess on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The annual recess provides Honourable Members with the opportunity to engage extensively with their constituencies, ensuring that the legislative process remains attuned to public input.
“This period also allows for indepth engagements at the grassroots, facilitating a deeper understanding of the constituents’ needs and priorities.
"It is, however, customary for the
imports, which currently accounts for between 30 to 40 percent of Nigeria's FX expenditure.
Adedeji, further explained that by denominating transactions in naira, the federal government expects to significantly reduce its FX burden, just as he estimated annual savings of about $7.3 billion.
He stressed that the shift would stabilise crude oil prices domestically by minimising impact of FX fluctuations.
The FIRS boss said the new policy was anticipated to ease pressure on Nigeria's FX reserves, reduce monthly FX expenditure on petroleum products to $50 million, from approximately $660 million.
He added that as part of the implementation, the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) was selected as the pilot settlement bank to facilitate the transactions.
"Today, at FEC, there was a memo by Mr. President, which is to promote the sale of crude oil within local refineries and NNPCL, to deal in our local currency.
“The attitude of Mr. President is thinking outside the box to solve Nigeria’s problem and actually to localise the solutions to Nigeria’s problem.
“He has approved through the Council that effective immediately, NNPC get engaged with local refineries and we are starting that with Dangote Refinery.
“That the sales of crude oil to Dangote Refinery be denominated in Naira and also the sales of byproducts from Dangote Refinery to distributors also be conducted in naira.
“What does it mean to our economy? One, the pressure on FX will be reduced.”
“This will also make economic predictability a reality because we will no longer rely on the fluctuations that happen in FX. This is an innovation to solving our problems as a country today.
“Just to be specific, I’ll just read parts of the benefits. Number one, which is major, is the reduction in FX pressure, as the existing process that we have today utilises $660 million per month, totally $7.92 billion annually.
“With the new approval that we have, this will reduce to maximum of $50 million per month which is annnualised to be only $600 million. This is total reduction of 94 per cent and saving us $7.32 billion.
“This will also reduce finance costs, which today stands at $79 million, when you consider opening letter of credit between those local refineries and what happens.
“Also, as a pilot, Council has approved that a settlement bank, which in this instance is Afreximbank, would be the lead arranger between NNPC and Dangote Refinery.” Speaking further, he said: “I congratulate the Council members, Mr. President, and also congratulate the operators; the NNPC and Dangote Refinery and also the lead arranger Afreximbank because kudos should go to the President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, for this initiative because these are people that worked behind the scene to make sure that what we witnessed today happened.
“One of the major directives of Mr. President and the Council in general, is that Afreximbank leads the advisory work of structuring and arranging this initiative with the Associated Trade Finance Facility, in
Continued on page 53 Continued on page 52
Over the years, we have consistently rewarded our esteemed shareholders.
“Specifically, in the last five years, we have maintained the record as the highest dividend-paying Bank in Nigeria. In 2023, we set a record as the only Nigerian Bank to pay a dividend of N4 per share.” She added that the proceeds from the capital raise would be channelled towards expanding banking operations across Africa and internationally, investing in technology infrastructure, and supporting working capital on an ongoing basis.
She expressed optimism that given Zenith Bank’s track record of profitability and consistency in creating wealth for shareholders, the capital raise will be a resounding success.
She assured prospective investors that Zenith Bank would maintain its leadership in dividend payout in the years ahead and encouraged them to invest in value and invest in Zenith Bank.
She also expressed profound gratitude to the Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia CFR, whose vision over 34 years ago laid the foundation for a reputable, dominant, globally
The Presidential Adviser added, “the pump price.
recognised financial institution known for innovation, superior performance, and the creation of premium value for all stakeholders.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, commended the management of Zenith Bank for their commitment to the transaction, which provides an opportunity for existing shareholders to consolidate their position and welcomes new investors to join the journey towards the future of Zenith Bank.
He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity for Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited to lead and guide the execution of the transactions.
Speaking further, he said, “A combined offer that is both a rights issue and a public offer confirms Zenith Bank's position as a pacesetter and a role model, which will undoubtedly spur more transactions in the capital market.”
The lead issuing house for the rights issue and public offer is Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, with joint issuing houses including Quantum Zenith Capital & Investments Limited; CardinalStone Partners
Limited; Meristem Capital Limited; Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited; Coronation Merchant Bank Limited and Vetiva Advisory Services Limited. The offer would open on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and close on Monday, September 9, 2024.
“Zenith Bank has provided a robust suite of platforms for the rights issue and public offer. Applications can be made through any of Zenith Bank’s electronic channels: Zenith Bank Internet Banking, Zenith Bank Mobile Application, Zenith Bank Corporate Internet Banking, Zenith Bank Branches nationwide and NGX Invest platform.
“The Zenith Bank E-Application channels have been integrated into the NGX Invest platform, which can be accessed at https://invest. ngxgroup.com, and are available to all applicants and authorised receiving agents to submit applications on behalf of applicants. “The electronic channels democratises the distribution of public offers and rights issues in the capital market, enabling investors to subscribe with the click of a button,” a statement from the bank explained.
ZenITH BAnk SeT To CoMMenCe n290Bn CAPITAl rAISInG THrouGH rIGHTS ISSue, PuBlIC offer
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), in a statement, denied any link between SIM card disconnection and national protest. ALTON, in statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and
NCC Chairman, Aminu Maida
The Planner’s Mixer Organised by hOMeMade by edenlife...
L-R: Chief Executive Offer, Yellowlyfe Events, Seyi Olaniyan; Creative Director and Founder, Tosh Events, Temitope Omotoso; Co-founder and CEO, Eden Life, Nadayar Enegesi; Public Relations and Communications Manager, Wema Bank Plc, Morolake Philip-Ladipo; Creative Director, Alicia BoredinLagos, Menshima Alicia Gberikon; Head of Marketing,
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FCT-IRS Generates N126 Billion in First Half of 2024
Olawale ajimotokan in Abuja
The FCT-IRS has declared that it generated a revenue of N126,535,768,441.30 between January and June 2024.
The Executive Chairman FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, disclosed this yesterday at a mid-year media briefing on the activities of the agency.
He said collection was 53.5 per cent higher than its mid-year collection for 2023, which was N44,076,516,599.5 higher in relation to the N82,459,251,841.80 realized in the first half of 2023.
The FCT IRS executive chairman, represented at the event by the Director Tax Operations, Mrs. Chioma Anohu-Ndu, also added that the revenue surpassed that of
2022 mid-year earnings by 119.7 per cent while the collection in 2024 was N68,935,844,331.12 higher compared to the N57,599,924,110.2 collected in 2022.
Abdullahi said the trend was indicative of a year-on-year growth, adding that the stellar growth highlighted the service commitment and determination to overcome obstacles while striving to boost revenue generation.
He ascribed such impressive results within six months amid economic challenges to technology and building one of the most functional E-service portals in the revenue sector.
He also added the service owed the accomplishment to the high compliance rate of taxpayers in the FCT, while he urged everyone
to continue choosing voluntary compliance over compulsion.
He expressed profound appreciation to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for support and commitment to boosting revenue generation in the FCT.
He said a tax authority like FCT-IRS was expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing the economy and generating revenue for the government to fund essential public services during economic challenges like those the country was experiencing today.
He stated that the FCT-IRS outlook was divided into three stages: foundation, growth, and consolidation, saying the foundation stage covers the period from inception which was June 2015 to December 2023 focusing on building
INTERPOL Report Tagging Nigeria Internet Scammers Baseless, Says Group
The South-South Professional & Transparency Initiative (SSPTI), yesterday faulted the recent viral video released by INTERPOL where individuals and groups in Nigeria were tagged the most active in internet fraud and human trafficking globally.
In a statement signed Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie and Kayode Ayomide, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group insisted the report was false, baseless and unfounded.
Specifically, the body noted that by indicting a confraternity, which it said no longer exists, the report showed the desperation of INTERPOL to justify the huge sum of money allocated to it in the ongoing war against cyber crimes and human trafficking.
The group added that the issue of internet fraud should not be narrowed down to any group as it cuts across all races in the world.
SSPTI noted that the bias of the security outfit against Nigerians was clearly demonstrated in the report as it was targeted at damaging the image of the country, especially the Nigeria Police Force.
It further stated that after a thorough analysis of the said report, it had been established that INTERPOL based its findings on assumptions and street gossips, as it could not give a name or show the face of any member of the group that was arrested in connection to the crimes it purportedly lay claims to in the viral video.
The group urged the members of international community to disregard the said report, describing it as the figment of imagination of the security organisation which it said could not substantiate its claim against the group it mentioned in the viral video released recently.
“The attention of the above named group has been drawn to the report of a viral video released by INTERPOL where it fingered Nigerians and members of Black Axe Confraternity (a non-existent group) as being responsible for the series of internet fraud and human trafficking recorded across the globe in recent time.
“After a careful analysis of the said viral video, we have come to realise that report was false, baseless and unfounded as it was hinged purely on assumptions and third party street gossips to discredit the nation.
“We want to urge everyone to discountenance the allegations made by the security outfit.
“We have every cause to believe that the report was fabricated out of desperation by INTERPOL to justify the huge allocation made available as security votes to prosecute the ongoing war against internet fraud and other violent crimes globally,” the group said. It stressed that it was laughable that in the entire video where such an allegation against a confraternity that does no longer exist was made, none of its members were paraded to have been arrested.
It added that rather they are using
images of foreigners, mostly women as those arrested even outside the shores of our country.
“it is absurd for anyone to want to narrow down those perpetrating cyber crimes and other related offences to a particular nation and a group, knowing full well that it’s a global phenomenon involving all the races on the face of the universe and it is even worse off in advanced world as against the developing nations,” it concluded.
a sustainable institutional framework and enhancing employee capacity.
He said the growth stage commenced in January 2024 and will last until December 2028, with the aim of achieving an annual revenue of N500 billion, while the
Consolidation Stage will commence from January 2029 to December 2034.
In areas of enforcement and legal actions, he noted the FCT-IRS had commenced an enforcement drive to tackle tax evasion and ensure
the collection and accounting of all revenue accruable to the FCT adding non-compliant businesses had been sealed, and appropriate legal actions taken to recover all tax liabilities and ensure timely payment of subsequent taxes.
Ex Gov Nyame: Ballot, not Brigandage Only Way to Remove Democratically Elected Govt
Wole ayodele in Jalingo
Former governor of Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame, has declared that the ballot box rather than brigandage and terrorism is the only constitutional means of removing a democratically elected government.
Addressing a press conference at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Jalingo yesterday against the backdrop of the planned nationwide protest to end bad governance, Nyame noted that the language of the planners of the protest is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government.
Acknowledging the right of every Nigerian to complain or protest against bad governance, he however cautioned that the planned action can only worsen the present situation in the country and endanger the lives of thousands of people.
According to him, "Whereas every Nigerian has the right to complain or protest against bad governance, the
language employed by the planners is threatening, divisive and clearly aims at removing a democratically elected government. "This action can only worsen the situation and endanger the lives of thousands of people. There is already a constitutional means of removing a bad government through the ballot box and not brigandage and terrorism."
Nyame, who is the 1st, 2nd and 3rd civilian governor of Taraba State stressed that Nigerians have every reason to be angry due to the glaring shortages of all basic needs for survival such as food, affordable medicare and education and therefore urged the government to brace up to address the challenges.
Enjoining Nigerian youths, particularly youths of Yorro nation, in Adamawa and Taraba States to shun the planned protest, Nyame noted: "As the saying goes, ‘A hungry man is an angry man’. This bad situation is bound to tempt us into taking drastic and regrettable action. As the Ecclesiastes said - "There is time for
everything under the sun" - including prosperity and sufferings.
"For this reason, I must appeal to you against joining the national citizens’ protest being planned against the government under the guise of advocating for good governance as it would only promote destruction, anarchy and loss of lives."
He urged the government to take responsibility and blame for some of the problems affecting the country just as he stated that “as Nigerians, we should examine our actions in the face of the prevailing unfortunate situation to see whether or not we have contributed positively or otherwise in our various walks of life to the situation.”
He however appealed to the federal government to prioritize subsidizing agriculture, education and health care delivery which according to him would impact positively and have direct effects on the lives of the people of Yorro nation whom he noted engage in various noble means of livelihood, particularly agriculture.
Mary nnah
Dr. Fola David, the Nigerian medical doctor and visual artist who on Sunday, July 21, successfully broke and set a new Guinness World Record for the world's largest painting by an individual, has expressed his gratitude to Tolaram, the Singaporean business conglomerate, for supporting him in his quest to make history for the country.
David was speaking at a media presentation organised in his honour by Tolaram recently at the company’s corporate head office in Lagos.
He noted with delight the unprecedented support he has received from Tolaram over the years, saying that this relationship which has been instrumental to the achievement of his dream was a
journey that began nine years ago.
“I want to say a very big thank you to Tolaram for their support. The journey has been long. We all have heard about the six days that led to the creation of the largest drawing in the world by an individual, but what most people don’t know is that we’ve been on this for years, and Tolaram has been supportive all through the years”, he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to Tolaram for supporting his social cause over the years through its dona- tions to his foundation, established to provide succour to the less privileged in society.
Commenting on his recent feat, David described it as arduous, adding that his determination to achieve the record comes from his strong desire to make sure that he
expresses himself as a medical doctor and as an artist.
He said it also from his passion for humanity, and the desire to inspire people to go the extra length.
“I want you to know that everything is possible once you set your mind to it. I want to inspire people out there to push their limits; to make sure that you don’t put yourself inside a particular box and think that this is where I have to stay, but rather say, I can go further than this. I can break these boundaries, I can do this or do that”, he said.
David’s record-breaking journey, which was proudly sponsored by Tolaram, began on July 16, 2024, at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos and culminated with a triumphant closing ceremony on July 21, 2024.
Surpassing the previous record of
629.98 square metres held
His
Sunday July 21.
Also speaking at the media presentation, Temitope Ashiwaju, Group Corporate Communication and Events General Manager at Tolaram, commended David for his achievement, and noted that his bold endeavour to break the Guinness World Record resonated deeply with the company’s values, saying that it was proud to have supported him in his quest.
Eden Life, Adedeji Adeleye, during The Planner’s Mixer organised
Homemade by EdenLife at the EdenLife office at Ojota, Lagos, at the weekend
PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN
by Ravi Soni of India on the fourth day of his attempt, David set his sights on achieving 1,000 square metres of artistry.
determination and unwavering commitment led him to surpass the existing record on Friday, with a final achievement of setting a new record of 1,150 square metres on
emmanuel addeh in Abuja
COUrtESy viSit by thE NEw
ExECUtivES Of CibN tO PArAllEx bANk...
Obasanjo Bemoans Iwuanyanwu’s Demise, Says He Left without Seeing Dream Nigeria
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has bemoaned the demise of the
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, regretting that he died without seeing the birth of "a new Nigeria of his dream."
Nigeria Pushes for 80% Digitalisation of Govt Operations by 2025
The federal government has announced plans to digitalise 80 per cent of its activities by next year as part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s drive towards modernising Nigeria's public sector.
The project aims to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption, improve transparency, and bring Nigeria's public sector in line with global best practices in e-governance.
Speaking at the opening of a digitalisation training programme for staff of the Office of the Vice President at the State House Conference Hall yesterday, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Hassan Hadejia said there was an urgent need to transform government operations using digital technologies.
He said: "If you don't go digital, you get to a point where you will even fail to integrate with the rest of the world. Everybody is moving ahead, and you have to get to that level where you can at least get that connectivity."
The Deputy Chief of Staff noted the necessity of leading by example,
saying, "If you have a State House that is digitised or has gone paperless, every agency and everybody would be forced to comply."
He stressed that compliance must be enforced across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the initiative's success.
“Compliance has to be enforced because if you wait for everybody to be ready you will not achieve the goal. If you have a situation where you are forced to present your requests or responses in a digital format, everybody will be forced to comply,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the judiciary's successful adoption of digital processes, Hadejia said: "Surprisingly, the judiciary is almost at the forefront of digitisation now. It simply happened because several years ago the Supreme Court said it will not tolerate paper processes from lawyers anymore."
Earlier, State House Permanent Secretary, Olusesan Adebiyi said the State House decided to set up a training centre to enhance efficiency among its workers, adding that more training would be organised periodically for staff members.
He poured out his sorrow for the man he described as "my friend, brother and one of our nation's most intrepid entrepreneurs" in a condolence message he addressed to one of lwuanyanwu's sons, Jide, yesterday.
Obasanjo said he received the sad news of Iwuanyanwu's demise "with mixed feelings of sadness and gratitude to God" for the man that lived an illustrious life of selfless service accumulating a "galaxy of honours."
According to him, "I was sad because we will miss his contribution to the building of a new Nigena of his dream, but I am grateful to God for such a life well-spent in the service of our fatherland.
"It is certainly not by accident that lwuanyanwu is a household name throughout the country today even though ordinarily it should have been quite unpronounceable to any but the indigenous Igbo tongue."
The former president said, the late Iwuanyanwu made his name popular by dint of hard work, adding that their lines crossed many years ago, which sparked a mutual friendship that lasted till his departure.
He demonstrated deep knowledge of the late elder statesman, running through his forays into sports, businesses and philanthropy, all of which he recorded successes through his never-say-die spirit.
"Chief lwuanyanwu revelled
in overcoming obstacles. To most Nigerians, Chief Iwuanyanwu's claim to fame in his proprietorship of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, truly one of the outstanding football clubs on the continent, is remarkable.
"But it must be obvious to all observers that the same dedication, organisational ability, acumen and strong social motivation, which gave birth to the famous Club, found expression in many other facets of the Chief’s life in which he succeeded beyond the common measure.
"Chief Iwuanyanwu broke through the frontiers of many businesses and was a giant in very many respects: a distinguished leader
in the church, politics, business, publishing, engineering, aviation, agriculture, industry, insurance, banking, real estate/properties. shipping. hospitality, sports administration, philanthropy, etc."
Obasanjo described Iwuanyanwu as "a patriot and nationalist of no mean order (who) belonged to that rare breed of Nigerians whose interests and associations cut across all sections of authentic heroes.
"Chief Iwuanyanwu's insatiable drive for success propelled him across several frontiers and made him a shining demonstration of what can be achieved when hard work, perseverance, grit and intelligence are applied to seemingly insoluble problems," he pointed out.
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
USAID Palladium-funded project, Health System Strengthening Cluster has observed that if all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bauchi State are adequately supervised, it would guarantee quality healthcare service delivery in the state.
This was as the USAID Cluster urged the Bauchi State Government to prioritize the release of funds in the budget line to the primary health care facilities to achieve universal health coverage particularly in the rural communities of the state.
The Cluster is implementing the Scale project, a USAID-funded 5-year project (Oct. 2020-Oct. 2025), implemented by Palladium in col-
laboration with Nigeria Resource Partners (RPs).
The project is titled "Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS)".
Making the observation while addressing journalists at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, weekend, chairman of the Cluster, Ogadinma Nkem Ogbonnaya, however lamented the decay in the rural health care facilities.
According to him, "some facilities are being captured under major PHC under facility per ward while others were left behind. Many of the small PHCs do not have the required number of skilled workers and necessary equipment to deliver. "We are calling on government to
Access to Conflict Area: UNDP Calls for Military/Civilian Coordination
Michael
The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) has emphasized the need for advance coordination between military and civilian actors to enhance humanitarian access and civilian-led stabilization in conflict situation.
The Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, Elise Attafuah, made this call in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the five-day regional workshop for security force liaison officers, monitoring & evaluation staff on conflict sensitivity: inclusive security.
The workshop organised by UNDP in collaboration with Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Regional Strategy for Stabilization,
Recovery and Resilience of Boko Haram affected Areas of Lake Chad Basin Region (RS-SRR), seeks to provide opportunity to reflect on experience of civil-military engagement in stabilization programming in the Lake Chad Basin and LiptakoGourma programmes.
Attafuah, represented by the Deputy-Director of Operations in UNDP in Nigeria, Blessed Chimuruta, explained that successful stabilization cannot be achieved through security measures alone.
Attafuah added that: “Over the next three days we be embarking on a journey of reflection and learning, examining our civil-military engagement over the past five years.
“This workshop presents unique opportunity to accept how we
engage with local, national and regional security forces, to support communities where we implement stabilization programmes.
“With SFLOs operating in the Liptako-Gourma region in the Lake Chad Basin, we have the chance to collectively address the risks and challenges we face in the field in border locations.
“By sharing our experiences and best practices, we aim to improve our approach and avoid passing states.”
On her part, the Senior Technical Adviser to the Deputy Governor of Borno, Dr. Nana Zakama, expressed appreciation to UNDP for invitation to share thoughts towards betterment of the security in the state.
She said: “Since the inception
of the regional stabilization in our facility, Borno has played vital role to ensure successes, our contribution have been guided by the relentless leadership of our governor.
“The commitment of Borno to restoring peace, rebuilding communities and sustaining development is resolute, evident and very visible in the action of our governor.
“The governor of Borno Babagana Zulum leads a team of dedicated staff in driving and complimenting stabilization initiatives through strategic investment in security, livelihood, housing, health, social welfare among others.
“While creating conducive environment for the return of resettlement of people in dignified manner.”
release the fund for the project as it is stated in the budget line to carry out this integrated supportive supervision. We are going to carry out a robust data collection exercise where we will document the inventory of every facility. This will help the government to what is needed in particular area and promptly respond."
He disclosed that the Cluster comprises six Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across the country - viz; Life Transformation for Africa Initiative (LIFT4AFRICA), Council for Affirmative Action (COFA), Women with Disability Integrity & Development Initiative (WDIDI), Bauchi State Network of Civil Societies (BASNEC), She-Alert Care Foundation (SHEALERT) and Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI) serving as the anchor organization.
According to him, the advocacy focus is on the release of funds budgeted for Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) in the 2024 Budget of Bauchi State, Expansion of the Integrated Supportive Supervision Technical Working Group (ISS-TWG) to include other critical stakeholders like ward development committee and the private sector and establishment of a private sector engagement unit in the PHC department of LGAs.
He further explained that Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) is an intervention that facilitates quality improvement by ensuring adequate oversight as well as skills and knowledge transfer to health care service providers which has been accepted, tested and proven to enhance the performance and effectiveness of health care workers.
The benefits of Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) include
strengthening of health care system, enhances quality service delivery, improves performances, encourages open, two-way communications, enhancing team building spirit and problem solving.
On the key issues highlighted by the PEA on ISS, he said that the current structure and placement of ISS is suboptimal and, therefore, limits the capacity of integrated supportive supervision to effectively engage through a sector-wide approach for effective implementation.
Another is domestic financing support for Integrated Supportive Supervision is inadequate and there is high dependency on donor funding as over the years, many health programmes have been heavily funded by donors supporting integrated supportive supervision activities, tuberculosis (TB), HIV etc.
His words: “Although donor support is important, this is mostly unsustainable and has debilitating effects on ISS continuity.
“High cost of fuel and transportation is negatively impacting ISS activities in all the target states. The current hike in fuel prices and its attendant high cost of transport has negatively affected the frequency and coverage of primary healthcare centers, especially health facilities located in hard-to-reach communities.
“Limiting supervision activities to main primary healthcare centers of every ward: Supervision activities are conducted more in those facilities that receives the basic healthcare provision fund and other interventions, thereby leaving out the remaining health clinics and health posts.”
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Olugbode in Abuja
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
L-R: Executive Director, Parallex Bank, Mr Matthew Okojie; 1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mr Dele Alabi; Managing Director, Parallex Bank, Dr Olufemi Bakre; President, CIBN, Prof Pius Olanrewaju; 2nd Vice President, Mrs Mojisola Bakare-Asieru; and Registrar, Mr Akin Morakinyo, during a courtesy visit by the new executives of CIBN to Parallex Bank in Lagos... recently
Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com
Will Osigwe Advance Cause of Justice as NBA President?
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mazi afam Osigwe will in august, 2024 assume office as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar association. The task before him, no doubt, is herculean and daunting owing to the negative image the legal profession and by extension the judiciary have earned over time, writes Alex Enumah
It is an understatement to say Mazi Afam Osigwe is taking over the helms of affairs at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella body for lawyers, at a time the nation’s judiciary appears to be at its lowest. Although, lawyers and judges over the years have been accused of one form of corruption or the other in the course of justice dispensation, however, no other time the Bar and Bench have seen such disdain and disrepute like the 2023 pre and post election litigations. From states to federal elections, most Nigerians see current office holders as the choice of the judiciary rather than that of the electorates. Unfortunately, this perception seem not to be changing soon going by the ongoing litigations surrounding the Rivers State House of Assembly. Within the last six months or thereabout one cannot count the number of conflicting and contradictory court orders issued by courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Only few weeks back, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and that of Kano State, over conflicting and contradictory orders in the Kano emirship tussle.
While this is commendable, it is regrettable that the bar has yet to take any step against lawyers fond of filing frivolous applications or engaging in forum shopping.
Before Justice Ariwoola, previous CJNs including Justice Walter Onnoghen and Tanko Mohammad had welded the big stick when judges were found derailing.
However, the NBA only promises to “investigate” and “not hesitate to deal” with erring members, without matching words with action.
A lot of people believe that the judiciary would have been spared some of its current ridicules, if erring lawyers were dealt with, the same way the National Judicial Council (NJC) handles erring justices.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Osigwe would also be inheriting an NBA with a bartered image owing to the leadership crisis rocking the association. The NBA under Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) is currently in court with the chairman of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, who was sacked for engaging in activities that allegedly undermined the authority of the NBA President. The sacked executives are however challenging the powers of the NBA council to remove them from office.
Besides Maikyau had few days back issued a disclaimer against Aikpokpo-Martins and NBA-SPIDEL Secretary, Funmi Adeogun over their position on the Police Central Motor Registry Information System (CMRIS) certificate.
The Maikyau-led NBA based their action on the grounds that both Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun, alongside other executive of the NBASPIDEL, had been sacked by NBA leadership, hence lacked, “authority whatsoever to issue a statement on behalf of the NBA-SPIDEL or any section or forum of the NBA”.
Although, the NBA acknowledged the need for the police to rescind its directive on the issuance of the CMRIS as earlier demanded by SPIDEL, its grievances was that AikpokpoMartins and Adeogun ought not to have made any demands from the police since they have been removed from office.
Only last year, Maikyau also had a tough time with some members of his executive, who had accused him of running a one-man show, as well as spending a whopping N700 million on conference bags used at the NBA 2023 Annual General Conference. Maikyau, while fighting back had accused his predecessor, Mr Olumide Akpata of fraud over the launch of the NBA portal. Indeed, the 2023 conference could best be described as a “No holds barred” movie of Learned Colleagues, joyfully washing their dirty clothes in the full glare of the public.
The issue of unity is another challenge Osigwe and his team of newly elected officials would have to contend with. Over the past few years dissatisfied members of the NBA have indicated readiness to pull out and form a parallel association of legal practitioners in
the country.
Meanwhile, it is not yet clear whether Mr Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN) who came third in the election would go to court to challenge Osigwe ‘s emergence as winner of the NBA presidential election. Few hours to the announcement of Osigwe as winner, Ikuazom had announced his withdrawal from the race, citing alleged manipulation of the electoral process.
According to an Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr Emmanuel Ekwe, “A winner has emerged but the process leading to Mazi Afam Osigwe’s emergence is subject to audit. Until the audit is conducted to see the level of transparency in the conduct of the election, I may not be able to congratulate him”. Ekwe, however, observed that moving the association forward would be a herculean task in view of the fact that he has to first unify the NBA. He said, “This election has caused a major division among members of the Bar. After the unification, another hurdle for him to cross is to ensure that the rule of law is respected in Nigeria especially by government agencies.
“By and large, I hope to see an NBA where the welfare of lawyers is paramount and not compromised in any manner”.
Another lawyer from the Benin
branch of the NBA, Mr Andrew Lawani, pointed out that majority of Nigerians hold erroneous views of the legal profession and it is high time this perspective was corrected. He expressed confidence in the ability of Osigwe to bring about the much needed change that would restore the glory of the profession.
“Majority of the people have this erroneous impression that lawyers are part of the problem of this country, this notion is very wrong, so the new President of NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe has to return the Bar to its core values of objectivity and pursuit of the noble goals for the good of all Nigerians”, he said. Lawani like Ekwe and other lawyers also charged the incoming administration to place value on the overall interests of the legal profession and it’s members over and above all other considerations. He said this is very important because some lawyers feel that their interests and welfare are not being cared for at all.
“Lastly, the emergence of Mazi Osigwe is a good omen for the legal profession at this time, first he has the experience and know the inner workings of the profession because he was once General Secretary of the Bar, Chairman of Abuja Branch(Unity Bar), he is a man of integrity and he can speak truth to the powers that be where necessary.
“I will also add that Mazi Osigwe represents a proactive and all inclusive Bar where everyone will have a sense of belonging and carried along in the affairs of the legal profession, I have no doubt in my mind at all that he will take
Osigwe in his acceptance remarks posted on social media platforms last Sunday, assured of his determination to advance the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law, and foster a vibrant and inclusive legal community. How he marshals his plans with action in realizing his goal of reforming the legal profession and by extension the judiciary is only a matter of time.
the Bar to greater heights during his tenure”, he added.
Recall that the NBA electoral committee had on July 21, 2024 declare Osigwe, a former General Secretary of the NBA as the president-elect. The Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Mr Oluseun Abimbola (SAN), disclosed that Osigwe scored 20,435 votes cast in an online election which held on Saturday.
While Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, came second with 10,998 votes, Ikwuazom (SAN), came third, with 9,018 votes.
Meanwhile, a total of 40,451 lawyers were said to have participated in the election.
Since joining the Nigerian Bar 25 years ago, Osigwe has held key elected, ad hoc and appointive positions at both branch and national levels of the NBA. As a member of the NBA Abuja Branch, he served on numerous committees, including the NBA Abuja Law Reporting Committee (2003-2005) and the Committee on Continuing Legal Education (2004-2006, 2008-2010).
Osigwe has also served as alternate chairman for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the NBA Annual General Conference 2012 and held other notable positions.
He has also been the Publicity Secretary of NBA Abuja (2006-2008) and chairman of the branch (2010-2012).
He became the first chairperson of chairpersons of NBA branches in the FCT in 2012. As the general secretary of the NBA (2014-2016), he contributed to significant initiatives, including introducing personalised NBA adhesive stamps, e-voting, universal suffrage, and uniform bye-laws.
Osigwe in his acceptance remarks posted on social media platforms last Sunday, assured of his determination to advance the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law, and foster a vibrant and inclusive legal community. How he marshals his plans with action in realizing his goal of reforming the legal profession and by extension the judiciary is only a matter of time.
Osigwe
Protest: Head or Tail, We May All End Up Losers
Tunde Rahman writes about the planned nationwide protests by aggrieved youths over the rising cost of living in the country and submitted that such action by the youths is bound to have telling effect on all and sundry.
All hell has been let loose, and the centre can no longer hold in Kenya over the tax revolt that has been ravaging that East-African country since June. In the wake of the crisis, a part of the parliament building was razed down by arsonists. Some public buildings were touched while several companies and shops were destroyed and looted.
Sensing their relative success in forcing the government to cancel the $2.7billion in tax hikes, the mainly Gen-Z protesters are now calling for President William Ruto’s resignation.
The young people have succeeded in throwing Kenya into turmoil, and no one in that country can now sleep with their two eyes closed. The number of casualties has been on the rise in the ongoing protests. More than 50 people have been reported killed since June, according to Kenya’s National Commission on Human Rights.
The Kenyan violence and destruction are reminiscent of the October 2020 EndSARS protest in Nigeria. During that EndSARS protest, several police stations were burnt with some police officers beheaded. The gory video of cannibals eating flesh from the bodies of slain police officers is still chilling. There was a jailbreak, and hardened criminals were let free in Lagos, Benin, and Abuja prisons. Critical infrastructure owned by the Lagos State Government was destroyed. Notable television station, TVC, was razed down.
It is difficult to forget how a large number of luxury buses meant to power public transportation in Lagos were burnt and left to ruins. A friend recounted to me how a distraught Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu was going through the ruins of the burnt buses at Oyingbo and tears began to cascade from his eyes over the multi-million dollar investment destroyed.
Such was the level of the destruction, the carnage, the investment gone in flames, the trauma and the uncertainty engendered by the protest. Those insisting on replicating the EndSARS protest in the country or reproducing the Kenyan moment in Nigeria do not mean well for the country and the people.
It may be argued that but protesters have a right to register their displeasure about the state of the nation, particularly with the excruciating cost of living, even in spite of government’s laudable economic policies and cushioning efforts, and this may be correct. However, the planned protest does not augur well for the country and our people. This is so for a number of reasons.
Firstly, given what transpired during that 2020 protest, there is no guarantee that any protest at this time would not turn violent or hijacked by hoodlums and other dodgy characters to foist their nefarious agenda on the country. This protest, which by most accounts is politically motivated, can only result in violence, arson and looting, as is characteristic of similar demonstrations in Nigeria and most parts of Africa. The Kenyan episode is also a case in point.
In the past, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as he then was, and other activists had deployed the instrumentality of non-violent protest or agitation to advance the democratic cause that led to the rebirth of democracy in the land, and to correct some imbalances in the operation of Nigeria’s federalism, particularly during the regime of President Obasanjo.
Secondly, the sponsors and promoters of this protest, christened #EndBadGovernance protest, remain yet unknown. They are faceless and yet unidentified persons. I glimpsed an online interview with SaharaReporters’s publisher, Omoyele Sowore, identifying and calling for the demonstration. Meanwhile, he and his family are in their safe harbour in New Jersey.
That was the same way detained Nnamdi Kanu was giving orders from abroad, naming individuals and their properties to be destroyed in Lagos during the EndSARS’ protest.
Thirdly, it’s being established that constructive dialogue is the key to resolving issues and thrashing any misgiving or disagreement, which is bound to occur in any society. When there is a conflict between governments and groups arising from policy issues and other matters, dialogue is always the best way to resolve such disputes.
In spite of the remonstrations of Organised Labour over the National Minimum Wage, eventually they still resorted to negotiations
with the government during which the matter was resolved amicably and a new national minimum wage, which is over 100% of the old one, was agreed upon with even an icing on the cake as President Tinubu committed to every three-year review, instead of workers having to wait for five years before wages are adjusted.
More importantly, the hashtag #EndbadGovernance being promoted by the unknown protesters is dubious and remains contentious. End to bad governance? This condensation reminds one of the rhetoric of still-disgruntled opponents of President Tinubu, who lost the 2023 presidential election at the polls and in court, and now want to unseat him and come to power through the back doors.
This is unacceptable. The nation’s electoral laws stipulate how elections are won and lost and the electoral circles
as well. They will do well to wait for the next election in 2027.
End to bad governance? Where is the bad governance, one may ask? Yes, these are challenging times. Current economic challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Almost all the countries around the world, including the most developed ones, are in turmoil. Nigeria is no exception. President Tinubu is applying the right medication to an ailing economy he inherited. This bears restating: the economic policies the government has embarked upon, which have been widely commended, have their gestation periods. And, though some pains may have come during the interregnum, these would be temporary.
Some compensatory and cushioning initiatives are also being embarked upon. The point is that the distribution of the palliatives to the people needs to be intensified and pursued vigorously. In this respect, states and local governments must do better as partners with the federal government to ensure effective distribution
What this means is that government will now have more money to fund social services and infrastructural projects that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians. The economy is growing, and sooner than later, some of the challenges of today will be overcome. Therefore, this is not the time for a violent protest. The protest does not bode well. It poses an existential threat to Nigeria and its democracy. It will not augur well for anyone. We may all be losers in the end.
of these palliatives.
In the meantime, there is cheering news about the economy. The country has exited the ways and means trap, which had been a cog in the wheel before and there is now growing confidence in the nation’s economy. According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, debt service cost has declined from 97% to 68% and government has also surpassed non-oil revenue by 30%.
What this means is that government will now have more money to fund social services and infrastructural projects that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians. The economy is growing, and sooner than later, some of the challenges of today will be overcome.
Therefore, this is not the time for a violent protest. The protest does not bode well. It poses an existential threat to Nigeria and its democracy. It will not augur well for anyone. We may all be losers in the end.
In summing up this article, I cannot but paraphrase that insightful columnist, Mr. Idowu Akinlotan, in his July 21, 2024 Palladium column, because he made this point more succinctly than I would do.
I quote: “In sum, everybody may end up a loser, including opposition politicians galled by the outcome of the last presidential election, politicians who promote ethnic and religious exceptionalism, ethnic groups which resent the winner of the poll, youths who would likely become cannon fodder should the crisis blow out of proportion, and the country itself whose tenuous unity and untenable political structure have triggered tectonic shifts in the body politic. Nothing is certain, and this is no scaremongering.”
-Rahman, a senior presidential aide, writes from Abuja
Tinubu
LAWYER
LAWYER
2024 NBA-AGC: ‘A Conference Like no Other!’ “Days of Rage”: To Hold or Not To Hold?
Quotables
‘In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain…So, hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump’s type.' - Senator Kamala Harris, Lawyer; Vice President, USA; Most Likely Democratic Presidential Candidate, November 2024 Election
‘We issue a stern warning to clandestine groups, plotting to destabilise the country, and hoodlums seeking to exploit protest for their criminal agendas. We will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or looting of private businesses. We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens, to peaceful assembly and protest.' - Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, Inspector General of Police
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.
The Limits of the Right to Protest
Stating the Obvious
Before I delve into the legal argument of this discourse, I want to ask whether we really need a protest to state what is as obvious as the sky being blue, that Nigerians are suffering tremendously under the weight of heavy economic hardship. The essence of a protest, is to publicly declare the people’s dissatisfaction about one thing or the other. The new slogan is, ‘#Ebin pa wa’! (We are hungry)! And, I think that even aliens living on Pluto or Neptune, are aware of the fact that Nigerians are dissatisfied with the current state of economic hardship, and that as a result of decades of bad governance, corruption and mismanagement of funds etc, Nigerians find themselves at one of their lowest ebbs.
Though it would be unfair to put the entire blame for all our woes on the Tinubu administration, or to expect them to perform magic in one year after decades of untold damage, being in office at this particular time, Government has a primary duty vis-à-vis the people’s welfare, and Nigerians expect them to start to repair the damage, not compound it. In any event, I think the threat of this Protest should be more than enough indication for any right thinking government to ginger up, act fast and look for more ways to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians. Yes, we are all aware of the saying that ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, but it was built, wasn’t it?
Be that as it may, I don’t think it’s asking too much, to enquire as to why a protest should even be scheduled to last for a long period of 10 days, thereby making one wonder whether one of the aims of the organisers isn’t to disrupt normal activities. My worry about these kind of protests and strikes is that, at the end of the day, the masses whose interest the Protesters claim to be advancing, are the ones who ultimately suffer the most during and as a result of these events.
Who Will Lose?
Of what benefit will it be, or what succour will it give to Nigerians, that a country whose economy is already in such a precarious and fragile condition, will probably be ground to a halt for 10 days because of a Protest scheduled to hold from August 1 - 10? It may be counter-productive, and just end up causing more suffering for the people. There are those who literally earn a ‘daily bread’, that is to say, they feed their families from their daily earnings; for example, daily/casual labourers on construction sites. What happens, when these sites are shut down during the protest? These workers and their families may starve, without their daily income. Again, can Nigeria really afford to lose another N1.5 trillion or more, like it lost as a result of the #EndSARS Protest in 2020? At the end of the day, it will not be the Government functionaries that will suffer as a result of this loss, but the people on the street, either from not being able to operate during the protest thereby losing revenue and income, or from losses caused by looting and damage. For instance, I read in a news report that during the #EndSARS Protest, 80 BRT buses worth almost N4 billion were burnt by hoodlums in Lagos. Who suffered from this attack? The Government Officials in Abuja, or the masses/commuters in Lagos? Talk about cutting off your nose, to spite your face! After #EndSARS, tears fell from my eyes as I watched an interview of some people whose buildings had been destroyed, and businesses looted during #EndSARS. They sounded like people without hope, not knowing how they would be able to start their businesses afresh.
Many Issues to Address
Don’t get me wrong, like majority of Nigerians, I am one of those who is being crushed under the pressure of hardship, and I most certainly add my voice and call on Government to immediately take whatever steps that are necessary, to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. Removing the fuel subsidy and the resulting inflation flowing therefrom, while almost simultaneously increasing the electricity tariff, some taxes, etc, appears to be just too many difficulties for Nigerians to face at the same time, especially when productivity hasn’t significantly increased. For me, corruption has always been one of our biggest problems in Nigeria; for the past decade or more, insecurity has also become a huge problem; rising food insecurity as a result of insecurity; not putting round pegs in round holes in government positions to run the affairs of the country; in 2018, during the Buhari administration, Nigeria was named the Poverty Capital of the world; high unemployment and our warped remuneration structure, are all matters that must be addressed without delay.
Someone I know who has two first degrees and a Masters, returned to Nigeria to settle down. After completing NYSC, the remuneration at the job was less than N300,000 per month after tax! Needless to say, the person decided to seek greener pastures outside Nigeria, in a country where salaries are more commensurate to qualifications. A Medical Doctor
onikepo braithwaite
onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com
“….
freedom of expression, assembly, and association….are not absolute….these freedoms can be limited in the interest of defence, public safety, public interest, public morality, public health, or to protect the rights and freedoms of others. We must not forget the fundamental principle that, ‘my freedom ends where yours begins’ ”
who saves lives almost on a daily basis, doing Housemanship in Nigeria earns about N190,000 per month, just a bit more than Drivers who earn up to N150,000 per month these days! Many in the Legislature and the Executive, who have little or no education or qualifications, and are doing nothing but making Nigeria perish for their lack of knowledge, earn fabulous salaries and allowances. There is definitely something terribly wrong with our remuneration structure in Nigeria, and Government needs to address this urgently. In fact, it appears that our society encourages us to be unskilled and/or uneducated, despite Section 18 of the Constitution which sets out the State’s educational objectives, as people in these categories seem to fare better in Nigeria! Is that not why Nigerian graduates, are now driving Ubers as their occupation?
Impending ‘Days of Rage’ Protest
The title of the upcoming Protest, “Days of Rage” (DOR), is not encouraging at all! Nor is the name of one of the groups that has applied to protest - Take it Back Movement! One wonders what exactly the group wants to take back?
Any sensible government would however, take a cue from this unattractive protest theme, to immediately swing into action, not necessarily just to stop the protest, but to address the well known, valid complaints of the people.
According to the Oxford Online Dictionary, the word ‘Rage’ has two meanings: 1) violent uncontrollable anger; 2) a vehement desire or passion. While we would all like to believe that DOR connotes the latter meaning of ‘Rage’, in the context that the Protesters simply want to display their vehement desire for good governance et al, the fact cannot be ignored that DOR could also mean a manifestation of
the first violent, angry meaning, particularly stemming from the #EndSARS and the recent Kenyan example.
The Legal Argument I know that those who are angling for the protest against bad governance and economic hardship to hold, may not want to hear this, but those who are rightfully using the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association guaranteed by Sections 39(1) & 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023) (the Constitution) to support the fact that DOR is lawful, should be aware that though the Constitution unequivocally guarantees us these rights, they are not absolute; they are limited by Section 45 of the same Constitution - that is, these freedoms can be limited in the interest of defence, public safety, public interest, public morality, public health, or to protect the rights and freedoms of others. We must not forget the fundamental principle that, ‘my freedom ends where yours begins’. So, for example, is A’s right to protest on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from August 1-10, greater than B’s right to freedom of movement to go from home in Shagamu to work in Lagos daily, or C’s right to open their shop without fear that it may be looted during that period?
While Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 (NPA) provides that the Police shall provide adequate security to protect Protesters, Section 83(2)(b) thereof also gives the Police the responsibility of upholding and protecting the fundamental rights of not just A, but B & C.
I definitely see issues of public interest and public safety, and protecting the rights of others in this issue of the DOR. If #EndSARS is
anything to go by, and can be used as a yardstick being the last big protest that occurred in Nigeria, then the fear that violence can erupt may not neces- sarily be far fetched. Look at the mayhem caused by the recent protests in Kenya - the looting and destruction; from what we saw during #EndSARS and Kenya, these days, calls to protest in the African neighbourhood, unlike what obtains in Hyde Park Corner, London, means different things to different people. While most may simply want to peacefully voice out their dissatisfaction, hoodlums, criminals and extremists now see it as an opportunity for violence, looting and destruction. And, even there in the UK, blocking part of the M25 Highway and causing a gridlock around Southern England in November 2022, during the ‘Just Stop Oil’ Protest was seen by the Crown Court as crossing the line “from concerned campaigner to fanatic”. One of the Protesters was sentenced to five years imprisonment, while the other four were each sentenced to four year jail terms.
By virtue of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the primary purpose of Government is the security and welfare of the people. How then, do we balance this duty of Government vis-à-vis the safety and welfare of the people during DOR on one hand, against the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association, on the other? It is trite that, the Police must also protect Protesters (see 83(4) of the NPA). While the duty of the Police is also to maintain and secure public safety (see Section 215(3) & (4) of the Constitution and Sections 4 & 83(1) of the NPA), Sections 5(3) & 83(2)(b) of the NPA gives the Police the additional duty of protecting the fundamental rights of the people, which would obviously include the aforementioned ones related to the right to protest, amongst others.
During #EndSARS, the Police were not only rather ineffective when it came to tackling the criminals that took over the protest and curtailing the violence, they themselves became the prime target of these violent hoodlums, as not only were Police stations targeted, some Police personnel lost their lives in brutal circumstances. While many were unsympathetic to the Police for their losses since the basis of the Protest was to stop their brutality against the Youths, nevertheless, Nigerians were put in a ‘To your tent, O Israel’ situation, where they were left to try and protect their lives and property by themselves, as it took the Police several weeks to return to the streets after that onslaught against them.
Another side of the argument is that, if by virtue of Section 46(1) of the Constitution, an individual who alleges that his fundamental right has been or is likely to be contravened, is entitled to apply to the High Court in his State to seek redress, how much more the Police, who by law is the protector of the fundamental rights of the people, to seek such redress on behalf of the people? Being that it is a protest that is to be carried out nationwide, if I were the Inspector General of Police, the Federal High Court would have been my first port of call to enforce the people’s right to safety, sanctity of the human person, security of property, both Government and private property etc. Lagos is still reeling from the burning of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, which doubled as a historical monument, being the oldest recognised court building in Nigeria having been built in the 1860s, and the destruction of Lagos State Government’s state-of-the-art DNA Laboratory on Broad Street, during #EndSARS. See also Section 3(a), (e)(iv) & (v) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforce- ment Procedure) Rules 2009 (FREP), Chapter IV of the Constitution and EFCC v Wolfgang Reinl (2020) LPELR-49387(SC) per Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC.
Conclusion
Whether in a personal or any other type of relation- ship, I have always been a firm believer in dialogue, mediation, negotiation, conciliation and all manner of peacemaking initiatives, whenever there’s an is- sue for determination. I believe that the talk of the DOR and the number of heavyweights that have had to delve into this matter, should be enough to show the Government that they need to take very serious cognisance of the lengthy list of complaints of Nigerians, and let the people start to see a turn around forthwith.
Maybe it’s time for Government to designate specific locations that should be used for protests, like National Stadium in Lagos and so on, so that protests do not disturb the normal daily activities of others, and there’s no reason for hoodlums to be able to run riot across town. For instance, why must a protest block a public highway? Can what can be said on a public highway, not be said in a stadium? All said and done, protest may be lawful; violence is certainly not. While some say Government is simply being proactive by trying to avert any impending crisis, as opposed to being reactive and waiting for it to happen before running around like headless chickens to cleanup what may turn out to be a big mess, pro-Protesters say that the people mustn’t be denied their fundamental right to freedom of speech and assembly. What say you, my dear Readers?
Constitutionality of Payment of Federal Allocation Directly to Local Government Councils
Facts & Issues for Determination
The Plaintiff invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court vide its Originating Summons dated 24/05/2024. Fifteen questions relating to the constitutional status of Local Government Councils, legality of State Governors dissolving democratically elected Local Government Councils using State powers, as well as receiving and spending funds meant for the Local Government Councils, and propriety of the Federal Government paying directly to the Local Government Councils the amount standing to their credit in the Federation Account.
Further to the determination of the questions raised, the Plaintiff sought the various declaratory reliefs and order, including payment of Federal allocations directly from the Federation Account to the Local Government Councils and prosecution of officials of the States who dissolve democratically elected Local Government Councils.
Upon being served with the Originating Summons, the Defendants filed their Counter Affidavits and raised different Preliminary Objections to the competence of the suit. All the Preliminary Objections bordering on failure of the Registrar of the Supreme Court to sign the Summons; lack of locus standi; failure to disclose existence of dispute between the Federal Government and the States to activate the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court; issue-estoppel/ res-judicatam; academic/speculative issue; non-joinder of the Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils; were dismissed by the Apex Court.
Arguments
The Plaintiff submitted that the action was brought for the interpretation and enforcement of the Constitution of the Federation Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which the President and Governors of the 36 States, swore to uphold. He posited that the Constitution recognises three tiers of government at the Federal, State and Local Government levels, which tiers draw funds from the Federation Account for their operations. The Constitution, also guarantees and recognises only a democratically elected local government system of governance, which the Defendants have failed to put in place, though there is no state of emergency declared in any of the States. The Plaintiff submitted further that, funds due to the Local Government Councils from the Federation Account and paid into the State Joint Local Government Account, are received by the States in trust for the benefit of democratically elected Local Government Councils in the States. Counsel argued that it is not the place of the States to dissolve democratically elected local government councils, and make deductions from funds remitted to the Local Government Areas. Counsel urged the court to grant all the stringent reliefs sought, to ensure compliance by the Defendants.
The Defendants argued otherwise. They contended that the Federation cannot validly pay the money standing to the credit of the Local Government Councils from the Federation Account directly to them, as to do so would be in violation of Section 162(5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution which stipulate that the funds be paid to the States for the benefit of their Local Government Councils. They excused their failure to organise the conduct of elections in the States, on subsisting restraining orders
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at abuja
On Friday, the 11th day of july, 2024
Before their lordships
Mohammed lawal Garba emmanuel akomaye agim Chioma egondu Nwosu-Iheme Haruna Simon Tsammani
Between attorney-General of the Federation Plaintiff
And attorney-General of abia State & 35 Ors defendants (Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC)
of courts.
Court’s Judgement and Rationale
Deciding the question of the Federation paying directly to the Local Government Councils, the Supreme Court held that by the provisions of Section 162 (6), (7) and (8) of the Constitution, no law of the House of Assembly can validly interfere with money distributed to the Local Government Council from the Federation Account under Section 162(3). Further, by Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, local government shall be by democratically elected Local Government Councils. The States, not being a democratically elected Local Government Council cannot exercise the power of such Council. Thus, the retention and use of money standing to the credit of the Local Governments
“The court, therefore, employed its interpretative jurisdiction to treat the word as meaning “May”, thereby institutionalising another mode of payment of funds due to Local Government Councils…. payment can either be made directly by the Federation or through the States; however, since the latter has not been effective, the justice of the case demands that the Local Government Council allocations be paid directly to them, henceforth”
from the Federation Account paid to the States for the benefit of the Local Government Councils is unconstitutional and illegal.
The Supreme Court held that Section 162(5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution merely provide a method or procedure of getting the amount distributed to the Local Government Councils under Section 162(3). To interpret any procedural provision of the Constitution in a manner that would not only stultify, emasculate and frustrate, but eventually render other provisions which create and confer substantive rights, barren and merely decorative, is with respect, arcane and rancid. The States are merely agents of the Federation, to collect local government allocations from the Federation Account and pay to them. No right or interest in the money enures to the States under the Constitution, but the States have abused their duties and roles by retaining the funds allocated to the Local Government Councils. The court held further that interpretation of the Constitution must accord with the principles suitable to its spirit and character, and not necessarily according to the general rules of interpretation of statutes and documents. Given its sui generis nature, a suitable interpretation must be benevolent, broad, liberal and purposive – NWOSU v APP (2020) 16 NWLR (PT. 1749) 28 AT 80 SC.
A literal and narrow construction of the word “shall” in sub-section (5) of Section 162 as imposing a mandatory duty on the Federation, will work against the intention and purpose of the Constitution and create an unconstitutional status quo and oppressive situation. The court, therefore, employed its interpretative jurisdiction to treat the word as meaning “May”, thereby institutionalising another mode of payment of funds due to Local Government Councils. In view of the above, the Apex Court held that payment can either be made directly by the Federation or through the States; however, since the latter has not been effective, the justice of the case demands that the Local Government Council allocations be paid directly to them, henceforth.
Regarding the issue of Local Government Areas, the court held that by Sections 1(2) and 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Local Government Councils must be democratically elected. Thus, an interim, caretaker committee, administrator, or howsoever described, is unconstitutional. A State Government has no power to constitute, appoint or determine a Local Government in contravention of Section 7(1) of the Constitution.
In conclusion the Supreme Court held that the claims of the Plaintiff succeed and by its majority decision of five, granted all the reliefs sought.
Dissenting Opinions
His Lordship, Garba, JSC, opined that relief 10, which seeks to prosecute erring officials of the States who dissolve democratically elected Local Government Councils for breach of applicable criminal and penal laws, cannot be granted by the court, as there is no provision which criminalises non-compliance with the provisions of the Constitution. His Lordship was also of the opinion that reliefs 15, 16 & 17 had been overtaken by the grant of other reliefs.
His Lordship, Abiru, JSC, differed on the determination of the question of the Federation paying directly to Local Government Councils. His Lordship opined that the Plaintiff failed to establish the alleged non-remittance of the funds by the States, and being declarative reliefs, the Plaintiff must succeed on the strength of his case. It is the opinion of His Lordship, that it is neither the business of the Plaintiff nor the court, to decide on how the funds allocated to the Local Government Councils should be spent. The Local Government Councils may choose to cede part of the funds to the States, to spend on their behalf. The Constitution does not provide for an oversight function of the Federal Government, in this regard.
His Lordship opined further that a liberal or broad interpretation cannot be employed to fill perceived gaps in the Constitution, as it is the duty of the legislature to do that. The prayer of the Plaintiff is an invitation for the court to engage in judicial legislation, and to interpret the Constitution in a manner which will undermine the very foundation of the nature of federalism.
His Lordship therefore, answered Questions 12 and 15 in favour of the Defendants and dismissed reliefs 9, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 17.
Summons Succeeds. All the reliefs granted by majority decision.
Representation
Lateef Fagbemi, SAN (AGF & Minister of Justice) with other Counsel for the Plaintiff.
Attorneys-General of the States with other Counsel for the 36 States.
Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)
Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC
South Africa Gets First Female Chief Justice
South Africa has appointed its first female Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya, marking a significant milestone in the country’s judicial history. As reported in the Diaspora Digital Media Updates, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment on July 25, 2024, with Maya set to assume the role on September 1, succeeding retiring Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Maya, a trailblazer in every sense, brings a wealth of experience to the position. She has served as the Deputy Chief Justice, and previously held the position of Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the secondhighest court in South Africa. Hr impressive career has been marked by numerous firsts, including being the first Black woman to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme
Maikyau, Idornigie, Onyema, and Roberts Elevated to Permanent Court of Arbitration
Nigeria’s legal sector received a major boost this past week with the elevation of four of the country’s best legal minds and arbitrators, who were elected to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands.
The four are Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, the 31st President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); the former Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Paul Obo Idornigie, SAN; Professor Emilia Onyema, FCIArb; and Mrs Funmi Roberts, FCIArb.
Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, one of Nigeria’s leading arbitrators, was appointed to this prestigious international body, in recognition of his dedication to justice, human rights, and legal reform.
Professor Paul Idornigie, SAN, a University Scholar, holds a doctorate in International Commercial Arbitration; and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (London); Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK); Chartered Arbitrator, and Member, London Court of International Arbitration.
Professor Emilia Onyema,
FCIArb, has experience acting as sole, presiding, and co-arbitrator in many international commercial and investment contract disputes. She has written awards and arbitrated disputes arising from shareholders' contracts, real estate investment contracts, and property and construction disputes, and has held appointments under the rules of the ICC, Kigali, and Abu Dhabi Centres.
Mrs Funmi Roberts, FCIArb, is the founder of one of the leading valuedriven legal and ADR law firms in Nigeria, with expertise in diverse areas of legal practice and offering quality legal services. A Chartered Arbitrator and experienced corporate law practitioner, Mrs Roberts is an astute leader with an outstanding track record in mobilising for corporate and public sector reform, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She is recognised and respected both within and outside the legal profession for her organisational skills, and ability to utilise her excellent analytical skills to achieve defined impactful objectives and develop novel strategically defined solutions to challenges.
Court of Appeal, and the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President and President of that court.
The appointment of Maya, is a testament to her exceptional leadership and judicial expertise.
Her nomination was recommended by the Judicial Services Commission, which noted that her appointment would be a significant milestone for the country.
President Ramaphosa praised Maya’s appoint-ment,
stating that it would be a historic moment for South Africa.
Maya’s journey to the top is a remarkable one.
Born in a rural part of South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, she won a Fulbright
Scholarship in 1989 to pursue a Master’s in law at Duke University in the United States. Her achievements are a testament to her hard work and determination, and she serves as an inspiration to many.
Alleged Lagos Most Wanted Drug Lord, “Temo’’ Arrested by NDLEA
57-year-old Alhaji Sulaiman Jimoh aka Olowoidiogede and Temo, an alleged overall head of the Mushin Lagos drug cartel, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to a statement issued by the Agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Temo was arrested at his enclave, after many years of wearing the toga of invincibility, and after an initial resistance from him and his horde of hoodlums.
NDLEA claimed that in the last two years, it had intercepted large consignments of illicit drugs worth billions of Naira, owned by Temo. Still, he remained largely evasive, while a few encounters with him and his armed gangs in his Mushin enclave had resulted in gunfights.
“Some of the recent
seizures of his shipments include: 14, 524.8 kilograms of Ghana Loud, a strong strain of cannabis sativa, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana in two trucks and a J5 bus intercepted at Ojuelegba area of Lagos in the early hours of Sunday 28th January, 2024; two truck-loads of the same substance weighing 8,852 kilograms intercepted at Eleko Beach, Lekki Lagos on 4th May, 2023 and 252 kilograms of Loud seized from his enclave in Mushin on Wednesday 26th July, 2023. Indeed, in the last two encounters, his men engaged NDLEA operatives in a gunfight.
“The drug kingpin was very notorious for always being on the move to evade arrest, but with the persistence and determination of the Agency aided by modern tools and intelligence, the concerted effort to get
him paid off at 10am on Monday 22nd July, 2024, when NDLEA’s surveillance teams on his trail, tracked and pinned him down at Igbarere Street, Mushin.
“A reinforcement of about 50 operatives was immediately mobilised to the area, while he was attempting to escape in a Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 350 marked 01G-300G.
“His attempt to escape by mobilising hoodlums to engage and distract the operatives however, failed, after which he was overpowered and whisked away from the chaotic scene, while his men surrendered to the superior firepower of the anti-narcotic agents who also succeeded in recovering the Mercedes Benz SUV the suspect was found in.
“In his reaction to the arrest of Temo, Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of
NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of the Lagos State Command, Special Monitoring Task Force, and other formations tasked with getting Temo arrested, for their resilience, vigilance, and professionalism. He urged them to intensify the heat on all drug cartels, wherever they are located.
“I’m particularly delighted because the arrest was eventually affected in his enclave without any casualty, despite the attack on our men. This is therefore, a clear message to others still involved in this criminal trade of illicit drugs, that if they don’t opt out now, we’ll get them because we’re just steps away from their doorsteps and more importantly, they can only run, they can’t hide forever”, Marwa stated, in the statement.
Police SFU to Arraign former Keystone Bank Official for Alleged N35m Theft
The Nigerian Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU Legal Section) in Lagos, has filed a 4-count charge before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos against Mrs Ebele Bernardine Okpala, a former employee of Keystone Bank Limited (KBL).
Mrs Ebele Bernardine Okpala was arrested by the Unit for alleged
offences of fraudulent conversion and stealing of Thirty-Five Million Naira (N35,000,000.00). This amount was the credit facility she obtained in July 2023 from a financial services firm, as proof of funds to facilitate the approval of a Canadian Visa for her daughter. The money was deposited in the suspect’s account domiciled in Keystone
Bank Limited, and was secured by a Post-NoDebit (PND) placed by KBL at the behest of the financial company to preserve the funds.
However, the suspect, in collusion with one of her colleagues at the Bank who was a Service Manager, circumvented procedures and processes put in place by KBL and lifted the PND without
authorisation, to enable Ebele Okpala to transfer the money out to settle personal needs. Following the act, on the 6th of September, 2023, Ebele Okpala absconded from her duties at the Bank, and has not returned since. Detectives tracked her to Delta State, where she was arrested on 4th July, 2024.
Chief Justice of South Africa, Mandisa Maya
Professor Paul Obo Idornigie, SAN
Mrs Funmi Roberts
“Days of Rage”: To Hold or Not To Hold?
Some Nigerians in various parts of the country, predominantly the youths it seems, are determined to take to the streets from august 1-10, 2024, to protest against bad governance and economic hardship, in a Protest tagged,“days of Rage”, despite the fact that others have changed their minds and withdrawn their initial decision to participate in it. There has been a massive ongoing debate, for and against, on whether the Protest should hold or not. In the words of one of the contributors to this discourse, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, who despite being in support of the Protest holding, questions its title, saying:“The theme alone, is suggestive of an intention to cause havoc and mayhem”. despite the calls of the Federal Government, Governors, Traditional Rulers, leaders and various organisations, to dissuade those who may be behind this initiative from engaging in the planned Protest, and seeking the path of dialogue with Government instead, at the time of going to press, there was no indication that the Protest had been shelved. This discourse would have been incomplete without comments from Femi Falana, SAN, who can described as one of the ‘Fathers of Protest’ in Nigeria. Sebastine Hon, SAN and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the Lawyer to the ‘Take it Back Movement’ that has applied for Police protection during the Protest, examine the legal regime on protests and civil disobedience. and, while Mr Hon prefers a situation of dialogue instead of Protest, giving suggestions as to what steps Government can take to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians, Mr adegboruwa insists that the show must go on, as it is a constitutionally guaranteed right for citizens to protest, supporting his position with several examples of protest in the book of Genesis right from the earliest Biblical times of Cain and abel, and how change was achieved through Protest
Comments of Femi Falana, SAN on Protest
Femi Falana, SAN
“Ithink the Government is lucky this time. In 2020, there wasn’t a notice given by young people, before embarking on the #EndSARS Protest. I have followed the debate, and the concern/worry of the Government - the Government has not denied the right of Nigerians to protest for or against the Government, because that is a constitutional right. But, what
I think the Government is worried about, is the possibility that violence might occur.
Counting the Legal and Other Costs of a National Civil Disobedience
Sebastine Hon, SAN
Again, from my experience in protest - I have taken part in protests for over 40 years in the country, young people or workers have never gone out
“Again, from my experience in protest - I have taken part in protests for over 40 years in the country, young people or workers have never gone out determined to engage in violence. Violence has always occurred, going back to the 1970s, when unarmed students are shot”
It is undeniable that there is a grand online and even a real time mobilisation of the Nigerian populace by yet-to-be-ascertained persons, for a widespread civil disobedience throughout Nigeria commencing August 1, 2024. The published reasons, which are quite correct, are the extreme hardship on the populace of recent. Nigerians have not had it this rough, I must admit.
To say that this poses no little psychological and mental apprehension is an understatement, going by our previous experiences as a Nation. The unfortunate #EndSARS happenings, are still fresh in our collective memory.
After critically examining the pros and cons of the planned mass action, I decided to voice out my views to the ongoing issues and see if this will contribute, even in the slightest manner, on the way forward.
Over-arching Constitutional Responsibility of Government
The Nigerian Government is under a solemn constitutional duty to plan, invest in, and execute policies on, the economy, in order to ensure economic growth and development, for the overall benefit of all Nigerians. Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution as amended has made comprehensive provisions in that regard. The said Section 16 falls under Chapter II of the Constitution; and Section 13 thereof, which also falls under that Chapter, provides in mandatory terms as follows: 13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.
It is in view of these and several other constitutional and statutory provisions,
“Days of Rage”: To Hold or Not To Hold?
determined to engage in violence. Violence has always occurred, going back to the 1970s, when unarmed students are shot. People are now distorting our history by saying ‘Oh, in 2020, people were violent’. No! The young people took part in the #EndSARS Protest; gathered in different places. In a place like Lagos, they gathered in Alausa at the Secretariat, they also gathered at Lekki. And, they were singing and discussing amongst themselves. People were giving them food.
What happened was that the attack on the Youths started in Alausa there, when a notorious transporter in Lagos, a notorious Union leader, sent the thugs to attack the unarmed Youths in Alausa. They overpowered the thugs, but the Police did not arrest or charge them. The same thing happened in Abuja, in Benin, in Port Harcourt and other places. And, of course, until the Government decided to unleash people you call hoodlums and thugs on the young people. When that did not work, the Government sent troops and soldiers to engage in killing of young people. In one week, about 99 people were killed in Lagos……So, the violence that characterised the end of the #EndSARS Protest was instigated, fuelled and sponsored by the Government.
This time around, I think the Government is beginning to learn from the past. Last year, the Nigeria Labour Congress wanted to have a protest in solidarity with ASUU during the strike. They said ‘Oh, you cannot go on strike, hoodlums might take over’. And, I drew the attention of the Government to the relevant provisions of the Police Establishment Act of 2020 Section 83(4); that during protest, Police shall provide adequate security for the Protesters. That is the law.” See the case of IGP v ANPP 2008 12 WRN 65 where the Court of Appeal upheld the fundamental right of Nigerian citizens to assemble freely and protest without any inhibition whatsoever, and on the duty of the Police to provide adequate security.
What Government Should do “So, what is expected if there’s going to be a protest and there’s an announcement, is to ask the Protesters, where do you want to gather? So that, the Police can surround the place and ensure that hoodlums so-called or thugs
normally employed by Politicians, deployed by Politicians during election will not take advantage of genuine protest in the country. And, I think that is what the Government should do. Identify the Organisers, and collaborate with them to ensure that violence will not occur.”
“Young people call it leaderless revolution. The officials of the Government know that their children participated in the Protest of 2020. I know my children participated in the Protest if 2020. And, when you ask the children, why don’t you have leaders that the Government can talk to, they say No, this is a sudden protest. We are compelled to have this protest. Once they know our leaders, the Government can easily call them and bribe them, or intimidate them and stop the protest. But, they had a way of contacting themselves. The Government can draw some lessons from that experience. How do you identify? Those who are issuing statements, those who are planning the protest; and then, engage with them productively. But, threats will not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of Government also has a way of popularising such protest. And, when you start getting some leaders of some funny organisations dissociating themselves from the protest - you didn’t plan the protest with them! That will not work for the Government. Last year, the Ohaneje came out to say, ‘No’, Igbo people should not join the protest, led by an Igbo man by the way, Joe Ajaero. A faction
cont'd from page VI
Counting the Legal and Other Costs of a
National Civil Disobedience
that the Nigerian Government has always occupied the tall position of superintending the economic affairs of the nation. The question whether successive Governments, including this current one, have performed in this regard to the satisfaction of Nigerians, will now be briefly examined.
Successive Government Economic Policies
Even though Nigeria has been having some economic development plans and macro/micro policies since 1946, the ones in recent history will be briefly considered. The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of 2017-2020, according to a State House publication, had the main objectives of ensuring ‘sustained inclusive growth to consolidate national cohesion; a structural economic transformation; improving efficiency in both the public and the private sectors; increasing national productivity and achieving sustainable diversification of production,’ in order to significantly grow the economy and achieve maximum welfare for Nigerians, “by ensuring food and energy security.”
Then came the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025, which is supposedly being executed. The Plan also has lofty objectives, and has seven cluster areas, namely: economic growth and development; infrastructural development; sound public administration; human capital development; social develop-
ment; regional development and plan implementation.
Realities on the Ground
The fact that the poverty level in Nigeria is crying to high heavens, is a stark reality; meaning that successive Governments at all levels in Nigeria, have failed Nigerians woefully. A few empirical examples will show the depth of the problem.
As far back as May, 2015, the then Minister of Finance under President Goodluck Jonathan, Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that the Federal Government had borrowed about N473 Billion to pay salaries and fund the 2015 budget, blaming the shortfall on oil revenue in the preceding year. Fast forward to June, 2022, when the then Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Anamekwe Nwabuoku, announced at a retreat in Abuja, that there was an increase in Government expenditure due to rising insecurity and the social needs of the people, which made Government borrow in order to pay salaries. Also, as at February, 2024, at least 31 State Governments had borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria “Salary Bailout Facility” (SBF), the sum of N457.17 Billion to pay salaries to their respective civil servants. Borrowing to pay salaries?
The World bank reports that, between
“The Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not fold its hands, and or underestimate the gravity of the situation. While I accept that fifth columnists, who are Mr President’s political opponents, may be pushing for the planned public showdown; I counsel him to be meek and descend low enough, to engage frankly with the organised civil society“
“Days of rage”: To Hold or Not To Hold?
cont'd from page VII
Comments of Femi Falana, SAN on Protest
of the Afenifere, said no Yoruba son should join the protest. That will not work. Nobody listens to such warnings….There are demands that are being made; the Government should address these demands.
It is also important for Governors, to really come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country which no one is denying, suffering in the country which no one is denying. Then you still have Governors saying that we are not going to be able to pay a minimum wage of N70,000. That is not the kind of language that you expect leaders - the kind of statement that leaders should make at this point in time. A lot depends on the Government.”
Talk of Revolution? Really?
“When you talk of a revolution, you don’t go to the market to announce a revolution. There are objective factors in the country, for a revolution. But, whether the agents of revolution are around the corner, is a different matter. That word, revolution, is used loosely in the country….When people talk of a revolution protest or whatever, it does not mean that we are going to break the roof of our house. It is a challenge to the Government, that reforms are no longer working; you need radical measures to address poverty in the country; to put an end to importation of fuel into the country; to control your currency and not float it; to address Youth unemployment; to address insecurity in the country. For me, this is the message that the Government will have to take very seriously.”
“I think the Government of Nigeria, is lucky. In Accra, Ghana here, all the anti-Government protests are organised and staged by the opposition Party, the NDC. Whenever the NDC is in power, its the NDP that organises protests. In South Africa, even in Kenya before the Youth protest, it’s the
opposition political party that organises protests in these countries. Here, we only expect Labour movement to stage protest. But, in some other countries, political parties do not talk only of elections; they also challenge the governments in power. So, protests of this nature are political, because the programmes of the government are also political….The duty of the Government is to look at the welfare laws of the country; how can we fund welfare in our country, to ensure that we do not have young people or political parties asking people to go to the street and embarrass the government.”
Conclusion
“I do not know the organisers of the Protest. I am a political person. If I am going to take part in a programme or event, I must know what it’s about. The people behind it, so that I don’t end up messing up myself.”
Femi Falana, SAN
“On the part of the organisers of the protest, there is need for thorough re-appraisal of the proposed protest. Why call it
‘Days of Rage’? The theme alone, is suggestive of an intention to cause havoc and mayhem”
cont'd from page VII
Counting the Legal and Other Costs of a National Civil Disobedience
2000 and 2014, Nigeria’s economy “experienced broad-based and sustained growth of over 7% annually on average, benefiting from favourable global conditions, and macroeconomic and first-stage structural reforms”. The Report went further to state that: “From 2015-2022, however, growth rates decreased and GDP per capita flattened, driven by monetary and exchange rate policy distortions, increasing fiscal deficits due to lower oil production and a costly fuel subsidy programme, increased trade protectionism, and external shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic”. The consequences of all these were summarised in the Report as follows: “Weakened economic fundamentals led the country’s inflation to reach a 24-year high of 31.7% in February 2024, which, in combination with sluggish growth, has pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty”. Currently, the World Bank projects that 40.7% of Nigerians are living below the international poverty line.
The figures above, albeit horrifying, are corroborated by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) itself. In November, 2022, the NBS published the results of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey. It carried out this survey in collaboration with the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), UNDP, UNICEF and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). The survey revealed that 63% of persons living in Nigeria (133 million) were multidimensionally poor; and that while 65% (86 million) of them live in the North, 35% (nearly 47 million) live in the South. The current situation is worse, as shown above.
While the IMF had projected a 2.9% growth rate of the economy in 2023 and 3% in 2024, respectively, the CBN itself, through Mr Aloysius Ordu, a member of the Apex Bank’s Monetary Policy
Committee, was reported in March, 2024 as saying that the growth rate of 3% would make poverty level to double in Nigeria by 2025. The worst of all the economic indicators, is the ever-growing inflation rate. Just between March and April, 2024, the rate jumped from 33.20% to 33.69%. If compared to the 18.8% rate of 2022, the picture presented is actually horrifying, while the future looks bleaker. There is no need to mention the spiralling exchange rate, which is compounding the woes of Nigerians.
Reaction by Nigerians and the Pregnant Doomsday
From cutting-edge newspaper, seminar and other academic discussions, Nigerians have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the way things are going on with them. The mother of all reactions is currently underway, according to online materials which have gone viral, namely, massive civil disobedience. I will, here, proffer some implementable immediate solutions.
Immediate Possible Justice
The Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should not fold its hands and or underestimate the gravity of the situation. While I accept that fifth columnists, who are Mr President’s political opponents, may be pushing for the planned public showdown; I counsel him to be meek and descend low enough, to engage frankly with the organised civil society. The idea of cracking down on civil dissent is counter-productive, especially when the citizenry has been pushed to the wall. This is an all-important first step; because dialogue achieves faster and more enduring peace, than crushing dissent.
Mr President should also, as a matter
Inspector General of Police, Kayode egbetokun
“Days
of rage”: To Hold or Not To Hold?
Counting the Legal and Other Costs of a National Civil Disobedience
of urgency, make a nationwide television and radio state of the nation broadcast, where he will talk directly to Nigerians on the challenges his government is facing, and the way and manner he is going about tackling these challenges, making implementable and honest promises in the process. The Respective State Governors, should do the same.
National and State Assembly members should immediately convene townhall meetings and address Nigerians on the lingering issues, making similar promises.
Mr President should redirect the funds harvested from the removal of fuel subsidy, to hands that will make them reach the populace, rather than leaving same in the hands of Governors. Mr President himself recently asked Nigerians, to hold their Governors responsible on this issue. This is not possible. Rather Mr President should take advantage of the recent Local Government autonomy decision of the Supreme Court and redirect such funds to elected Local Councils, under a Special Presidential Intervention Scheme. Any State that does not have an elected Council in place, must be pressured by this to do so urgently. Once implemented, elected Local Government Officials will have no choice than disburse such funds correctly, for fear of facing the EFCC, the ICPC and even the Police – since they do not enjoy immunity against prosecution.
Further, Mr President should issue, as a matter of utmost urgency, Presidential Executive Orders, pursuant to Section 5 of the Constitution. On August 15, 1971, President Richard Nixon, faced with similar challenges, proclaimed Executive Order 11615, in order to provide stabilisation for prices of goods (except agricultural products), rents, wages and salaries. In recent US history, former US President, Donald Trump, on April 10, 2019, issued two Executive Orders on “Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth.” Also, current US President, Joe Biden, on July 9, 2021, issued an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. These are just examples which Mr President may borrow from, and decide on how to style his Executive Order(s) and how he will quickly implement same.
Another important Executive Power the President should urgently utilise is the power to declare a state of economic emergency, pursuant to Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and such declaration will be constitutional. In Sierra Leone, Section 19 of the Constitution of that country donates similar powers to the President of that country. Two declarations of economic state of emergency by the President of Sierra Leone were challenged as being unconstitutional in The State v Osuman, Unreported, cited in Commonwealth Law Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 1 of January, 1989, but, was dismissed by the Apex Court of that country, which held that those proclamations were well within the powers of the President as granted by Section 19 of the Constitution. Finally, Mr President, in order to achieve long term objectives in this regard, should tackle insecurity, corruption and abuse of office headlong. There must also be demonstrable utmost fidelity in governmental affairs, starting with Mr President down to the Local Government Councillor. The unwritten code that a poor person gets promoted to the rich club once he is elected or appointed into government office in Nigeria, should cease forthwith.
To fellow Nigerians, I hereby solemnly urge some restraint. Even though their (our) anger is justifiable, we must realise
that civil disobedience may, if not properly handled, result in incalculable damage. I foresee some dangerous elements hijacking the process and pushing us, once again, to the precipice,
resulting in fatalities and loss of economic investments. The organisers should offer an olive branch to the Government, with the latter accepting unconditionally and promising non-prosecution. Dialogue under this
atmosphere, will achieve much more than the planned action. A stitch in time saves nine.
Chief Sebastine T. Hon, SAN, FCIArb, Abuja
Citizenship, Protests and the Law
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN
Introduction
After the right to life, the next important right for every individual is the right to freedom of speech, by which all men and women are conferred with the inalienable right to express themselves freely. In Genesis Chapter 4, God punished Cain for killing his brother Abel without a lawful cause. Even in his state of condemnation, Cain protested the punishment as being too harsh. Genesis 4:13: “And Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me. And the Lord said to him, ‘Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.”
The right to protest is intrinsic to every citizen, and it is divinely recognised and ordained by God. It was once part of the custom of Israel, that female children were not entitled to inherit the assets of their father upon his death. This custom stood sacrosanct for a long time, until it came to the turn of certain brave women. Zelophehad was a very wealthy man who had five daughters, and had no male child. After his death, his five daughters approached Moses in Numbers 27, to protest against the law of God which discriminated against them in favour of their male counterparts. They stood boldly before the priests and the elders of the land, to demand for their rights. This was strange to Moses for anyone to seek to overturn the custom, but he was brave enough to take their protest directly to God. God sanctioned their protest and thereafter, changed the existing law to sanction female inheritance. God ordained the right to freedom from discrimination, based on the protest of some courageous women. The law against discrimination has thereafter found itself in various statutes, especially Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Right to Protest
In modern day Nigeria however, and in 2024, we are being told that the right to protest is a crime. Beyond any doubt, Section 39 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria supports the freedom of expression when it states that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’. According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, a protest is ‘a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent, the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval, a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action, to make a protestation’. Some Nigerians have declared their intention to stage protests across the nation, to express their grievances and disagreement with the
economic policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which they claimed to have imposed suffering, hunger and poverty on the masses of the people. Government on the other hand has become unnecessarily jittery of the likely outcome of such protests, citing the case of the #EndSARS protests of 2020. It is interesting to note that, a government led by President Tinubu cannot stand protests. What exactly is the Government’s opposition to peoples’ gathering? The ‘Take It Back Movement’, led by Comrade Omoyele Sowore, is part of the leaders of the proposed August Protest. That is a known entity, who will work along with other civil society organisations to co-ordinate the protests. Earlier this year, there were spontaneous protests in Oyo, Osun, Edo and Kano State, fuelled by the cruel neo-liberal economic policies of the Tinubu administration. No one could identify the leaders of those protests; but, here we have known individuals who have put forth their names and reputation to lead the protest, and the Government is not satisfied with that? Let me draw the attention of the President to the provisions of several statutes in Nigeria that sanction the right of citizens to protest.
(c) be fair to all persons in Nigeria notwithstanding their economic status or religious, ethnic or political beliefs and affiliations.
(4) Where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway, or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting, rally or procession will take place, shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”
Laws that Support the Right to Protest
Under and by virtue of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, ‘every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons’. Section 41 of the same Constitution grants the freedom of free movement to all citizens. But, more importantly, the Police Act 2020, has specifically imposed a sacred obligation on the Government, not only to allow civil protests, but also to provide security for the protection of protesters. Section 83 of the Police Act provides as follows:
“83 (1) The Police Force is responsible for maintaining and securing public safety and public order.
(2) The Police Force shall, in carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (1):
(a) uphold the provisions of the Constitution and other laws;
(b) uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all persons in Nigeria, and
The above provisions are clear and unambiguous, carrying with it several legal implications. First is that, the law recognises the right of citizens to hold a public meeting, rally or procession along the highway or any other place that the general public has access to, such as Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos, the Unity Fountain in Abuja and other locations across Nigeria. The second implication of Section 83 above is the binding obligation imposed upon the Police Force to provide security for such public meeting, rally or procession. When politicians gather to hold their primary elections in public places, the Government grants them protection through massive deployment of security. That being the case, members of the public also have the right to demand for and be granted police protection for their public meetings, rallies and processions.
Where the Government is opposed to any civil protest, it is indirectly stating that it has no capacity to comply with the provisions of the law, which is an impeachable offence, for any government to outlaw the right of citizens to protest. It was the protest of Jewish women against the German pogrom, that led to the United Nations Charter. That Charter is replete with several declarations of the rights of citizens to express and channel their grievances to the highest authority in the land. Ditto for the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The Catholic Church used to be the only Christian organisation in the whole world. It was the protest of some of their members, that led to the establishment of other denominations. It was the constant and relentless protests of our forefathers that led to the independence of Nigeria from the British colonialists. Pray, if Nigeria itself is a child of protest, how can anyone wake up in 2024 to prevent Nigerians from protesting? It just will not work.
cont'd on page X
“In our case, President Tinubu is beating Nigerians with his wobbling economic policies which have imposed mass hunger, poverty and suffering on the people. Yet, the President does not want them to cry”
Talking ConsTiTuTional demoCraCy
The Role of Law in Maintaining Sanity and Preventing Impunity in a Democratic Setting (Part 7)
Introduction
In our last outing on this treatise, we x-rayed impunity and disregard for rule of law, as manifested in disobedience of Government and regulatory bodies to court orders. Today, we shall continue with and conclude same. Come with me.
Impunity and Disobedience to Rule of Law and Court Orders (Continues)
Cases of disobedience to court orders and illegal detention, continue to recur. In fact, in what could be properly termed "selective obedience to court orders", what the Government does is to choose the judgement/ court orders to obey and the ones to disobey. Prominent among such cases was that of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Mr Dasuki, who was facing multiple charges for alleged diversion of $2.1 billion and illegal possession of fire arms. Although he was granted bail on at least six different occasions by various courts, the Nigerian Government persistently refused to comply with the court orders.
In the wake of his trial, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola in 2015 ordered the release of Mr Dasuki's passport, and granted him permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. This order was never obeyed by the DSS. Again, on the 18th day of December, 2015, Dasuki and four others were granted bail with a similar condition to provide a bond of N250 million this time, by Justice Hussein-Baba Yusuf. All the conditions were fulfilled; the court order was also flouted by the Nigerian Government.
In a related case, the same Dasuki, together with former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; and three others were charged before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, presided by Justice Peter Affen, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 22-counts of breach of trust, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N19.4 billion. They were granted bail on December 21, 2015 in the sum of N250 million each and two sureties, in like sum. All the conditions for his bail were fulfilled, yet the DSS refused to release Dasuki. Consequently, Dasuki approached the ECOWAS court which on October 4, 2016 ordered the release of Dasuki and awarded damages in the sum of N15 million against the Nigerian Government for his illegal and arbitrary detention. Reacting to the said ECOWAS order, the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, insisted that the Federal Government was not under any obligation to respect it. Reprieve eventually came, Dasuki was released when the Government relented following sustained pressure.
As if the above was not bad enough, the case of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, the leader of a Shite group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria is also instructive. Mr El-Zakzaky was arrested by the military on December 14, 2015 following a clash between his group (IMN) and officers of the Nigerian Army. He was detained without trial for years, before he was eventually arraigned in Kaduna State. Mercifully, the court ultimately absolved him of
all charges, but not before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered his release on the 2nd of December, 2015, the Judge berating the Nigerian government for violating his rights. The court also awarded sum of N50 million in favour of the detainees, and that accommodation be provided for them and their family. Despite warnings by the court that the Nigerian Government would face further sanctions if it refused to abide by the order for the release of Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife, that decision was never complied with.
In the same vein, in July 2016, the Supreme Court confirmed the nullification of the controversial transfer in 2006 of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) to a Russian firm, the United Company RUSAL. The Government simply ignored the order. To be sure, the violation of the ruling of Nigeria's Apex Court on the matter did not, however, start with the present administration.
This is because the 2016 judgement was the third by the Supreme Court since the questionable sale of the aluminium plant to the Russians by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in 2004.
For example, in June 2004, a Nigerian-American
“…. the only thing that matters is that if you can overcome somebody then you win, but if you cannot, then you will lose. That becomes a circumstance of rule of war, not rule of law”
Citizenship,
Protests and the Law –
Legitimate Concerns
I appreciate the legitimate concerns expressed, as to the possibility of the protest being hijacked by unscrupulous persons. From my own personal experience, the intention of protesters is always to achieve a peaceful and violence-free gathering, but, along the line, and because the government is usually uncomfortable with such protests, hoodlums are sponsored to invade the gathering. In some cases, the government sponsors rival groups to counter the protests, or in very desperate situations, the government will organise the hoodlums to scatter the protest. In one of such protests that I was part of, we summoned courage to confront the hoodlums, since we had a large crowd with us. They took to their heels upon sensing our collective determination to resist them, but we were able to apprehend some of them who were not so fast in their paces. Upon interrogation, it turned out that they were directly recruited by operatives of the secret service, working directly
for the State. What the Government should do in this case is to open the avenue for dialogue with the organisers of the proposed August Protest, to discuss the modalities of their outing and how to provide adequate security.
On the part of the organisers of the protest, there is need for thorough re-appraisal of the proposed protest. Why call it ‘Days of Rage’? The theme alone is suggestive of an intention to cause havoc and mayhem. If the purpose is to draw attention to the dire consequences of the economic policies of the Government, then the protesters should do their best not to constitute themselves into any gathering that will hurt the same economy. Relating with the mass destruction of public infrastructures that followed the hijack of the #EndSARS protests, it is expected that the Government will be concerned with any gathering that is actuated by, and meant to vent rage.
To President Tinubu….
Let me speak to President Tinubu on the point of
consortium, Bancorp Financial Investment Group Divino Corporation (BFIG), led by Reuben Jaja, was declared winner of the bid for the plant by the National Council for Privatisation (NCP). However, the BPE cancelled the outcome of the bid and disqualified the consortium in controversial circumstances, accusing it of failure to meet the deadline for the payment of 10% of the bid price it offered, in line with stipulated guidelines. BFIG challenged it in court, seeking the enforcement of its right in line with the terms of agreement reached in the pre-bid technical conference by all bid parties. After a prolonged legal battle, the Apex Court on July 6, 2012, unanimously annulled the transfer of the plant to UC RUSAL, with the court declaring as illegal, null and void, BPE's decision on the basis of the agreement purportedly reached at their negotiations in 2006. The court reinstated BFIG as the authentic winner of the bid.
It was not over, however, as BFIG returned to the court in 2014 with another application, seeking the interpretation and enforcement of the subsisting order against UC RUSAL. BPE, joined UC RUSAL, to oppose the application. However, the Supreme Court, in another judgement in September 2014, directed BPE to "fully enforce and give effect to the meaning and intendment of the (previous) judgement of the Supreme Court. Still, UC RUSAL ignored the order, and proceeded to file yet another application in November 2015, asking the Supreme Court not to only review its July 6, 2012 judgement, but to set it aside altogether, and confirm UC RUSAL as the owner of ALSCON. Expectedly, on July 11, 2016, the Supreme Court again, in a unanimous decision dismissed the application.
However, in flagrant disregard of the Supreme
cont'd from page
IX
the right of citizens to protest. Against the clear provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution, the Government of Lagos State under his tenure as Governor, created Local Council Development Areas. It was a legitimate protest by the then Governor Tinubu, against the lopsidedness of the touted Federation. President Tinubu protested against the leadership style of Afenifere and later founded the Action Congress, fashioned after the ideals and philosophies of the Action Group of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In 2012, President Tinubu then, as part of the opposition group, held the Federal Government to ransom through public protests that lasted for days, in resistance to the proposal by the government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan to remove fuel subsidy. In 2023, President Tinubu then as a Presidential aspirant of his party, furiously protested the attempt to sideline him through his famous ‘Emilokan Declaration’ in Abeokuta, openly chastising then President Muhammadu Buhari whom he termed as a weeping President. That act of courage took
Court’s decision, the then Minister of Mines & Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, in April 2017 visited ALSCON, when he was shown around the plant by Dimitriy Zaviyalov, the Managing Director of UC RUSAL, the same firm the Supreme Court repeatedly sacked, with the Minister not only undertook to work with the Russian firm to reactivate ALSCON, but also assured Mr Zaviyalov, that Government would encourage the Supreme Court to expedite action on the ruling, to free the complex of any encumbrances.
The impunity and disobedience of the rule of law, especially on the aspect of refusal to obey court orders, which was prevalent under the Buhari administration, was strongly condemned by well-meaning Nigerians, especially within the legal profession, including the erstwhile the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, who described the failure of government or any party to adhere to court judgements as outright impunity. According to him:
"Anyway, disobedience of a court order is an act of impunity,"
He further opined that the problem of disobedience of court orders, was a matter for the legislature and the executive to address. His words were echoed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Jacobs, who asserted that the phenomenon was an abuse of democracy and an invitation to anarchy, adding that:
"My reaction to it is that the court, government, parties, Nigerians must comply with court orders. That is a constitutional duty imposed on every one as stipulated in Section 287 of the Constitution. The section says that judgements of every court of law must be respected. Judgements by high courts; court of appeal and supreme court; must be respected by all persons and authorities. There are also obligations that are imposed on everyone. There is a duty on everyone to obey court orders. And, on no account, should anyone fail to obey court orders. I think the journalists should also investigate why the judgements have not been obeyed. Secondly, have they appealed those judgements? I don't think any democratic government that is worth its salt should disobey court orders, because it is the basis. If you disobey court judgements, you ridicule the Judiciary, the Constitution, you ridicule everybody, and it is an invitation to anarchy"
Similarly, a former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, berated the Buhari administration for its selective obedience to court orders, stating the implications of the ugly trend, in the following words:
"It is as if government is picking and choosing what court judgements to respect, and the ones not to respect.There are many problems with that; one of which is that people will begin to feel that courts no longer matter. In that case, the only thing that matters is that if you can overcome somebody then you win, but if you cannot, then you will lose. That becomes a circumstance of rule of war, not rule of law. Investors will not invest in the country, because investors want an environment where rules exist and are respected. That is to say if you are on the side that is favoured by the President’s body language, then people will respect you because you can muster political force, but if you are not and you are accused, then you are endangered. When things get to that point, then it is dangerous." (To be continued).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all of our basic rights”. (Sonia Sotomayor)
him to Aso Villa, where he sits today to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. The heavens did not fall then, and there is no reason for the same President Tinubu to threaten fire and brimstone now.
We cannot have a country where leaders lord it over the people all the time, to the extent of becoming intolerant of common civil protests. You cannot beat a child and at the same time, ask him not to cry. In our case, President Tinubu is beating Nigerians with his wobbling economic policies which have imposed mass hunger, poverty and suffering on the people. Yet, the President does not want them to cry. Let the protests hold, let the government sit with the protesters and agree on modalities, let the protesters go back to the drawing board to retool the theme of the protests, and by that, allow our constitutional democracy a chance to grow. In the words of the President, ‘Let the People Breathe’!
L-R: Coordinating Director, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Emmanuel Olajide; Onibeju of Ibejuland, Lagos, Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Oguntolu; state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George; the Onise of Iseland, Oba Ganiu Adegbesan; Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Budget, Mr. Lekan Balogun; and the Abowa of Agbowa Ikosi Kingdom, Oba Owolabi Saheed Momson, during the Epe Division of the Lagos Y2025 Budget Consultative forum held at the Jubilee Chalet, Epe, Lagos…recently
L-R: Head, Games Services/Technical Committee, 2024 National Transporters’ Games, Mrs. Falilat Ogunkoya; Project Director, Hon. Wale Shodeinde; and Chairman, Organising Committee, Senator Gbolahan Dada, at the maiden stakeholders’ meeting on the forthcoming transporters’ games, held at Airport Hotel, Lagos...recently
L-R: Customer Service Executive, Zioncity Innovation Services Limited, Gloria Okhiria; Technical/IT Staff, Zioncity Innovation Services, Festus Okonye; Supervisor, BRICCS International Aggregators for Zioncity, Favour Osazuwa; Managing Director/CEO, Zioncity Innovation Services, Hero Usiagwu; Back2U Cameroon Director, Ngu Denuf Akongwe; Business Director, Zioncity Innovation Services, Blessing Favour Dameh-Chi; and Finance and Strategy Manager of Zioncity, Abayomi Adeyemi, at the press conference to announce the launch of Back2U document-recovery service held in Ikeja, Lagos…recently
L-R: Rivers State Commissioner for Education/representative of the state governor, Dr. Chinedum Chukwuma; Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Command, represented by Navy Captain BA Bassey; Chief Executive Officer, Kenyon International, Dr. Victor Ekpenyong; and a guest, Mrs. Nice Aleruchi Alameisigha, at the graduation and passing-out parade of the Navy Secondary School, Borokiri in Port Harcourt, Rivers State...recently
L-R: Deceased husband, Mufutau Olatunbosun; daughter, Sunmbo Olajubu; daughter/THISDAY Senior Correspondent, Yinka Olatunbosun; and a guest, Moses Eniafe, at the funeral service of Late Mrs. Grace Folorunsho Olatunbosun, held in Ogun State…recently PHOTO: sUNDaY aDigUN
L-R: Executive Director, Finance and Banking Operations, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Nasiru Isyaku; Team Lead, Marketing Communications, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Inemesit Ekong; Chief Executive Officer, Eventhive.ng, Jamiu Ijaodola; and Lead Retail Banking, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Oladimeji Saka, at the 2024 Nigeria Fintech Forum held at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos...recently
Nigerian Youth Set for August 1 Peaceful Protest Despite Warnings
In a bold push for transformative change, Nigerian youth are gearing up for a nationwide peaceful protest from August 1 to 10, 2024, demanding a more equitable society with effective leadership, affordable food, zero hunger, and a reduced cost of living. The movement, undeterred by warnings and opposing views from certain political quarters, aims to bring attention to the pressing issues plaguing the nation. Sunday Ehigiator reports on the growing momentum behind this youth-led initiative, as Nigerians from all walks of life prepare to unite and demand a better future for themselves and generations to come
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is facing a complex web of challenges that have resulted in unfavourable living conditions for citizens. From economic hardship to insecurity, poor infrastructure, and environmental degradation, the country's problems are far-reaching and interconnected.
In response, Nigerian youths have planned a nationwide peaceful protest for August 1, demanding urgent action from the government to address these pressing issues.
Economic Hardship: The Root of Many Evils
Economic hardship is the root of many evils in Nigeria, manifesting as high unemployment, inflation, poverty, dependence on oil exports, lack of diversification, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to credit, high cost of living, and brain drain, which the August 1 protest aims to address through demands for economic reforms and policies to create jobs, control inflation, reduce poverty, and promote accountability.
Insecurity: A Growing Concern
Insecurity has become a pervasive and intensifying concern in Nigeria, threatening the very fabric of society, as a complex web of threats, including the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, herder-farmer conflicts, cultism, piracy, ethnic and communal violence, and police brutality, have coalesced to create a climate of fear and uncertainty, with citizens increasingly vulnerable to attacks, displacement, and human rights abuses, and the government's inability to effectively address these challenges has eroded trust and fueled widespread discontent, prompting the planned August 1 protest to demand improved security measures, accountability, and a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Power Outages: A Frustrating Reality
Power outages are a frustrating reality in Nigeria, where the lack of reliable electricity supply has become a norm. The country’s power sector is plagued by inadequate infrastructure, insufficient generation capacity, transmission and distribution losses, fuel shortages, and maintenance and funding issues. These challenges result in frequent power outages, economic losses, health risks, inconvenience, and environmental impact.
To make matters worse, Nigerians are forced to pay a high cost for the little power they receive. The recent Band-A increase in tariff has further exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for households and businesses to afford electricity.
This increase has added to the financial burden of citizens, who are already struggling to make ends meet. The high cost of power and frequent outages have become a double whammy for Nigerians, stifling economic growth and hindering development.
The planned August 1 protest demands urgent attention to these power sector challenges. Protesters are calling for improved power infrastructure, increased generation capacity, reduced transmission and distribution losses, reliable fuel supply, and adequate maintenance and funding.
They are also demanding a reversal of the Band-A increase in tariff and a reduction in the cost of power. By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can provide a reliable and affordable electricity supply, boosting economic growth, improving living standards, and enhancing overall quality of life.
Food Insecurity: A Growing Concern
Food insecurity is a growing concern in Nigeria, where millions of citizens struggle to access sufficient and nutritious food. The country's food security challenges are rooted in various factors, including conflict, climate change,
poverty, and inadequate agricultural infrastructure.
As a result, many Nigerians face hunger, malnutrition, and related health issues, with vulnerable populations such as children, women, and the elderly being disproportionately affected.
The situation is further complicated by the country's reliance on food imports, which drains foreign exchange reserves and exacerbates poverty. Additionally, post-harvest losses, inefficient supply chains, and limited access to markets hinder the availability and affordability of food.
The recent increase in food prices, fueled by inflation and currency devaluation, has made it even more challenging for Nigerians to access basic food items. This has sparked fears of potential food riots, as desperate citizens may take to the streets to demand action from the government.
The planned August 1 protest highlights the need for urgent action to address food insecurity in Nigeria. Protesters are demanding government investment in local agricultural infrastructure, support for local farmers, and initiatives to enhance food availability and affordability.
They are also calling for policies to address the root causes of food insecurity, including conflict, climate change, and poverty.
If the government fails to address these concerns, the risk of food riots and social unrest increases, threatening the stability of the country. By tackling food insecurity, Nigeria can ensure that its citizens have access to nutritious food, improving health, productivity, and overall well-being.
Poor Infrastructure: A Hindrance to Progress Nigeria's poor infrastructure is a significant hindrance to progress, stifling economic growth, and affecting the daily lives of citizens. The country's roads, bridges, and highways are in a state of disrepair, making transportation challenging and costly.
Inadequate electricity supply, poor water management, and insufficient waste disposal systems further exacerbate the situation. This lack of infrastructure development hinders businesses, industries, and individuals, limiting access to markets, resources, and opportunities.
The consequences are far-reaching,
including reduced economic productivity, increased costs, and a lower standard of living.
The planned August 1 protest highlights the need for urgent attention to Nigeria's infrastructure challenges. Protesters are demanding increased investment in infrastructure development, including roads, power generation, and water supply.
They are also calling for effective maintenance and management of existing infrastructure to prevent further deterioration.
By addressing these infrastructure challenges, Nigeria can unlock its economic potential, improve living standards, and become a more attractive destination for investment and tourism.
The government must prioritize infrastructure development to create a conducive environment for growth, innovation, and progress, and to ensure that Nigeria can compete effectively in the global economy.
Corruption: A Major Obstacle
Corruption is a pervasive and entrenched obstacle to Nigeria's progress, perpetuating inequality, and undermining trust in government.
Cases, such as the N1.4 trillion fuel subsidy scam and the N11 billion police equipment fraud in 2021, demonstrate the staggering scale of corruption in Nigeria.
These cases, among many others, have eroded confidence in President Tinubu's current administration, which has also been criticised for its lavish spending and tolerance of corrupt practices.
The administration's extravagance is exemplified by the recent news on the purchase of an over N150 Billion Airbus A330 Presidential Jet, the allocation of N13.5 billion for the renovation of the presidential villa, and N7.3 billion for the purchase of state house cars.
These expenses are particularly galling in a country where millions live in poverty and lack access to basic services like healthcare and education.
Furthermore, the administration's failure to prosecute high-profile corruption cases and its willingness to shield corrupt officials, such as that involving the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has created a culture of impunity, emboldening corrupt individuals and undermining efforts to combat corruption.
The planned protest seeks to bring attention to the devastating impact of corruption on Nigeria's development.
Protesters are demanding that President Tinubu's administration takes concrete steps to address corruption, including the prosecution of high-profile cases, the implementation of transparency measures, and the reduction of excessive government spending.
By tackling corruption, Nigeria can unlock its potential, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and provide a better future for its
citizens. The protest is a call to action for the government to prioritise accountability, transparency, and the welfare of Nigerians over personal interests and lavish spending.
Healthcare Challenges: A Health Risk Nigeria's healthcare system is plagued by numerous challenges, posing a significant health risk to its citizens. The country faces a shortage of medical professionals, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:4,000, compared to the World Health Organization's recommended 1:600.
Additionally, many healthcare facilities lack basic equipment and infrastructure, making it difficult to provide quality care. The situation is further complicated by the brain drain of medical professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities, exacerbating the existing shortage.
The planned protest highlights the need for urgent attention to Nigeria's healthcare challenges. Protesters are demanding increased funding for the healthcare sector, improved working conditions for medical professionals, and investment in modern equipment and infrastructure.
They are also calling for policies to address the brain drain and ensure that medical professionals are incentivized to stay in the country.
Education Crisis: A Threat to the Future Nigeria's education system is facing a severe crisis, threatening the future of its youth. The country's universities and polytechnics are underfunded, leading to inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, and a shortage of qualified lecturers.
Furthermore, the government's decision to introduce a student loan program has been met with scepticism, as many fear it will lead to debt burdens and limited access to higher education for disadvantaged students.
The recent reduction of JAMB cut-off marks has also raised concerns about the quality of education, as it may lead to unprepared students being admitted into universities.
The planned protest seeks to bring attention to these pressing education issues. Protesters are demanding increased funding for public universities, improved infrastructure, and a review of the student loan program to ensure it is fair and accessible.
They are also calling for a reversal of the JAMB cut-off marks reduction and a focus on quality education that prepares students for the workforce. The government must prioritise education as a critical investment in the country's future, rather than a mere expense.
Underfunded and understaffed educational institutions compromise the quality of education, threatening the country's future. Protesters will be demanding improved funding and support for education.
Scarcity Despite High Cost of Fuel Nigeria's fuel scarcity crisis persists despite the country's status as a major oil producer, with devastating effects on the economy and citizens' lives.
The much-hyped Dangote refinery, expected to resolve the fuel shortage, has faced repeated delays and controversies, leaving Nigerians in a state of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, fuel scarcity has become a recurring nightmare, with long queues at filling stations and skyrocketing prices.
The consequences of fuel scarcity are farreaching, affecting the cost of food, production, and transportation.
Farmers struggle to transport their produce to markets, leading to food waste and increased prices.
Manufacturers face high production costs, making Nigerian goods less competitive globally.
IGP Egbetokun
How DSI Programme Empowers Women to Achieve Business Success
In a remarkable display of empowerment and entrepreneurial spirit, over 300 women have shattered glass ceilings and transformed their businesses into industry-leading powerhouses, thanks to Naijabrandchick's innovative Dominate Sales and Influence (DSI) programme spearheaded by renowned business influencer Nelly Agbogu, also known as NaijaBrandChick. Mary Nnah delves into the success stories of these trailblazing women, who have leveraged the comprehensive training and support initiative to boost sales, expand their reach, and become mentors and role models in their respective industries
The Pro DSI programme is a comprehensive training and support initiative carefully designed to help entrepreneurs increase their visibility, build impactful businesses, and boost sales. With a rich curriculum featuring 35 modules, the program equips participants with the essential tools and strategies needed to excel in the competitive business landscape.
Nelly Agbogu, who overcame significant personal and professional obstacles to achieve success, developed the Pro DSI programme to share her knowledge and experience with others.
The programme provides step-by-step guidance on increasing visibility and sales, as well as practical tools and resources such as two free advertisements, 30 days of free access to a world-class business structuring solution, and a powerful WhatsApp automation tool.
Participants also receive 60 days of private access to a content administrator, Facebook ads specialist, and business structure consultant. These resources, valued at N1,000,000, come with additional benefits such as live presentations on NaijaBrandChick's Instagram and free brand exposure.
The success stories from the DSI programme are numerous and varied. In 2021, 463 students collectively generated an average of $2,000 monthly in business revenue. Participants have reported significant increases in sales, expanded business locations, and enhanced business skills.
Notable success stories include Mrs. Bike Abu, founder of Zinnia Beryl Fabrics, who has seen a significant increase in her brand's reach and sales; Dr. Jennifer Chukwujekwe, the creator of Jenniez School of African Interior Design and Jenniez Design, now recognised for her innovative design solutions; Augusta Nkanu, the owner of MelonyPine Fruit Hub, whose business has expanded its customer base and market presence; Rahanatu Ahmad Aliyu, celebrated for her unique fragrances at Turarenwuta by Ray; Mojisola Aina, who has leveraged the programme to boost her product sales and brand recognition at Pod Chocolates; Faith Ikem, who expanded her wellness brand's reach at Cleanse & Build Wellness; Oluwatosin Esther Shokunbi, who enhanced her educational services at Learnguage; and Rachel N. Okafor, who saw substantial growth in her real estate business at Geoponts Properties Limited.
Other remarkable women who have thrived through the DSI programme include: Abiodun Bosede Olanipon, founder of Rhoyards Ora Cosmetics; Nzubechukwu Oguejiofor, founder of TCL Spice; Ojora Josephine, founder of Jossybel Cosmetics Lab and Academy; Okeke Chetachi Ijeoma, founder of Main Service Cargo / Colala Logistics Ltd; Folashade Onifade, founder of Melchior Fashion; Dr. Rita Jabin, founder of Riz Herbal Farm Ltd; Ohuka Vera Amuche, founder of Ovacee International Limited; Debbie Akindele-Ojo, founder of Everywoman Limited; Umeme Paulker Kesiye Mercy, founder of Umes Agro Venture; Precious Loko, founder of Zirconia Events; Omolere Oiku, founder of Lery Hago Travels; Chioma Mercy Ezelioha, founder of Story of Love Cosmetic / Chychido Global; Chukwu Blessing Mary, founder of QueenB Couture & More; Elizabeth Abasili, founder of Afess Industrial Equipment; Engr. Adeleke Gbemisola, founder of AAA Events & Design / AAA Events Academy; Chinyere Uchendu, founder of Dynamics Virtual Assistant (Dvirtualassistant); Tina Nwanya, founder of Njetours Ltd; Azeezat O. Sule, founder of The PM Academy; Olatunji Shakirat Opeyemi, founder of Ashandy Home of Cosmetic; Ada Azodo, founder of AjeboKids Clothing; Agbo ENE Precious, founder of De Flourish International Brand (St.Flourish/Flourish
Naijabrandchick's DSI Programme Empowers Women
Business Growth Community); Okeawolam Amarachi Chinonyerem, founder of Clair Glow World and Oluwatosin Chibuzo-Mbuka, founder of ClientNiche Group. These women, who come from various industries and backgrounds, have achieved remarkable success and growth in their businesses, thanks to
the DSI programme. They have gained the skills, knowledge, and support needed to overcome challenges, expand their customer base, and increase their sales. The program has not only transformed their businesses but also empowered them to become industry leaders, mentors, and role models, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
The DSI programme is more than just a training course; it's a community of thriving entrepreneurs supporting each other towards massive influence and success. With the guidance of experienced instructors and the backing of a robust support system, participants are well-equipped to dominate their industries and create a lasting impact in the business world.
Addeh
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered the electricity Market Operator (MO) in Nigeria’s power sector to activate the relevant market rules to ensure the payment of $14.2 million (about N21.3 billion) owed Nigeria by international customers in Q1, 2024.
In its just-released Q1, 2024 report, the power sector regulator stressed that none of the countries being supplied electricity by Nigeria remitted monies to the country during the period under review.
The MO administers the market rules of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and is therefore responsible for the administration of the electricity market and promoting efficiency in the market.
The countries involved include: Niger Republic, through its power generation and transmission utility, NIGELEC; Benin Republic through Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE)and Togo through its power utility firm, the Togo Electric Energy Company (CEET).
“None of the four international bilateral customers being supplied
by Generation Companies (Gencos) in the NESI made payment against the cumulative invoice of $14.19 million issued by the MO for services rendered in 2024/Q1.
“As indicated in previous reports, the commission expects the MO to invoke the provision of the market rules to curtail the payment indiscipline being exhibited by local and international bilateral customers,” the new NERC report stated.
However, NERC stated that during the period, some bilateral customers (both local and international) made payments
for outstanding MO invoices from previous quarters.
It stated that cumulatively, a total of $5.96 million was paid by two international customers from the backlog of debts.
Also, within the country, the report stressed that no remittances were made by bilateral customers against the cumulative invoice of N1.86 billion issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2024/Q1.
But it noted that the MO received N505.71 million from eight local bilateral customers as payment towards debts that were incurred pre- 2024/Q1.
“The special customer (Ajaokuta Steel Co. Ltd and the host community) did not make any payment towards the N1.27 billion Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) and N0.09 billion (MO) invoices received in 2024/Q1.
“This continues a longstanding trend of non-payment by this customer and the commission has communicated the need for intervention on this issue to the relevant federal government authorities. A continuation of the non-payment may trigger total disconnection from the grid,” it added.
Before now, the federal government in attempting to defend the decision to supply power to neighbouring countries said it was for strategic reasons. Erstwhile Managing Director of NBET, Dr Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, for instance, one of the issues was the one if Nigeria does not provide electricity to countries that are upstream on the river, they can also build their dams which will create a major crisis for Nigeria.
Dike Onwuamaeze
Stakeholders in the power sector have advocated that commercial and industrial clusters should have 24 hours electricity supply under cost effective tariffs while subsidised electricity from the national grid should be redirected to households and underserved areas that needed them most.
The stakeholders made this call
last week at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Power Sector Seminar with the theme: “Developing A Sustainable State Energy Market,” where they declared that 24 hour electricity supply is attainable in Nigeria if appropriate collaboration, frameworks and right pricing are put in place. They pointed out that collaboration through creative power procurement framework between the DISCOs
and the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), involvement of state governments in addressing investment challenges are critical factor in attaining uninterrupted power supply in Nigeria.
Speaking during the seminar, the Chief Operating Officer of Elektron Energy, Mr. Jide Onakoya, emphasised the need of ensuring that subsidied electricity should go to residential neighbourhoods while
commercial and industrial clusters should pay cost effective tariffs.
Onakoya said: “They are commercial entities that could pocket and stomach that kind of tariff. That will reduce the burden of sending power to these industrial clusters from the DISCOs and push the DISCOs to sending power to other areas they were not serving.
“So, that is one thing the state governments can do with their new
regulations to help people who need electricity to freeze water to make ice blocks. You cannot overestimate what three or four hours of extra electricity can do in the lives of common people.
“For me that may be the way the states can step in and help to redirect power from commercial and industrial users to residential homes.”
Similarly, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Fenchurch Group, Mr.
and
Olufemi Bakare, said that the country is begining to see the prospects of having 24 hours power supply. Bakare said: “The truth of the matter is that it is possible to have 24 hour power supply but is should be absolutely paid for because power is a commodity
has to be paid for.
Emmanuel
in Abuja
The Threat to Industrialisation
The recent declaration by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Aliko Dangote, that he has dropped his desire to invest in the country’s steel industry is a pointer on how overbearing regulators can hurt the country’s strides toward industrialization, writes Dike Onwuamaeze
The Dangote Group has been at the receiving end of regulatory harassments and disinformation.
In the first week of January, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) stormed its head office in Lagos in a Gestapo style. Their mission was not to deliver the New Year’s felicitations of prosperity and wellbeing but on a purported probing of foreign exchange allocations during the tenure of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, that were allegedly not approved by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. Till date, nothing has been heard of the investigation’s outcome that caused the Dangote Group public embarrassment.
Few months ago, the House of Representatives vented its anger on manufacturers of cement, labeling operators in the sector monopolists. Some of the honourable members said that arbitrary increase of the price of cement is one of the cankerworms threatening the peace and economy of Nigeria due to worrisome unpatriotic attitudes of manufacturers of cement. Dangote Group is the leading cement manufacturer in Nigeria.
However, the last straw that broke the proverbial Camel’s back was the recent allegation by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA) that the quality of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries in the country are inferior to imported ones.
The Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, told journalists that the Dangote Refinery has not been issued an operational licence and is still in its pre-commissioning stage and about 45 per cent completed.
Ahmed said: “Dangote Refinery is still in the precommissioning stage. It has not been licenced yet. We haven’t licenced them yet. I think they are about 45 per cent to completion.
“We cannot rely on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we suspend or stop imports, especially of AGO and DPK, and direct all marketers to his refinery. That is not good for the nation in terms of energy security, and it is not good for the market because of the monopoly.
“Dangote Refinery, as well as some modular refineries like Watersmith Refinery and Aradel Refinery, are producing between 650 and 1,200 PPM. Therefore, in terms of quality, their products are inferior to imported ones.”
These allegations came few weeks to the scheduled commencement supply of petrol from Dangote Refinery.
But Aliko Dangote has dismissed allegations made by the NMDPRA, insisting that his product is 80 per cent better than imported diesel.
However, the haunting and hounding of the Dangote Group has brought about a negative outcome following Aliko Dangote’s declaration that heas halted his proposed investment in steel “to prevent accusations of being branded a monopoly.”
He said: “You know, about doing a new business which we announced, that is, steel. Actually, our board has decided that we shouldn’t do the steel because if we do the steel business, we will be called all sorts of names like monopoly.
“Let other Nigerians go and do it. We are not the only Nigerians here. There are some Nigerians with more cash than us. They should bring that money from Dubai and other parts of the world and invest in our fatherland.”
Dangote Group’s roundabout turn from investing in the steel sector would be a significant blow to Nigeria’s quest to diversify and industrialise its economy through efficient mobilisstion of its domestic natural resources.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Science, University of Lagos, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, said that the allegation against Dangote Group “is to say the least most unfortunate.
“If the agency is sure of its allegation against the Dangote refinery what stops it from doing the needful by prosecuting the company and its owners. Are they afraid of something? Is there a conspiracy? This is shameful. We should by now have gone beyond media prosecution. Since Mr. Dangote has replied and thrown a challenge to the agency it has been quite of the graveyard from that quarter. Who is fooling who?”
The professor also told THISDAY that there would be no industrialisation without iron and steel because technology, tools and machines that are sine qua non to industrial breakthrough are to be produced using steel.
“This was the logic of the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling mill that succeeding kleptocratic governments killed most shamefully. It was a tragic abortion of our dream of industrialization,” he said.
A research paper titled “Ajaokuta Steel Project and Nigeria’s Industrialisation” that was authored in 2002 by a Research Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Dr. Osita Agbu, described the planning and implementation of the steel project as a sore point in Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation.
Agbu said: “There is the imperative for Nigeria to plan and execute what is akin to a technological revolution. This is necessary at this stage of the country’s industrial development.
“Experience has shown that technologies relevant for industrialization cannot simply be transferred. They can only be acquired through the development of an indigenous broad-based scientific and technological
infrastructure of which the iron and steel industry, and in particular, the Ajaokuta Steel Project is undoubtedly crucial.”
This was the hope that was revived when Dangote Group declared that it would invest in the steel sector but dashed with Aliko Dangote’s declaration that he would no longer venture into the steel development.
The Chief Executive of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, told THISDAY that the pathway to economic independence is ensuring less dependence on imports. This, according to him, is what Nigeria should prioritise, especially given its current vulnerabilities to external shocks.
Regrettably, the Nigerian economy had suffered the worst bleeding from the oil and gas sector, both downstream and upstream from the hands of some elements in the regulatory space that seek to perpetuate the status quo.
Yusuf noted that the recent pronouncement by NMDPRA did not reflect commitment and enthusiasm about domestic refining of petroleum products. “This is naturally very troubling,” he said.
He added that in any market system, competition delivers tremendous value to consumers and the economy. But such competition has to be within the same context. Hence, “competition between imports and domestic production cannot be a fair and true competition. What we should commit to is to promote more domestic refining of petroleum products,” he said.
Yusuf regretted that because of the experience with the NMDPRA, the Dangote Group had dropped its aspiration to go into iron and steel production.
“My hope is that the government would prevail on the president of the Dangote Group to have a rethink. This of course would require the normalisation of the regulatory environment to support and incentivise domestic production.
“It is extremely difficult to industrialise an economy without a virile iron and steel sector. Regrettably the billions of dollars of investment by government in iron and steel sector had practically gone down the drain.
“Currently we are about 90 per cent dependent on imports for our iron and steel needs. This is not healthy for our economy,” Yusuf said.
Are Monopolies always bad
A university don who spoke anonymously told THISDAY that everything about a monopolist is not bad, adding that a monopolist can even be encouraged in businesses that would require deployment of huge capital investments like oil refinery. According to him, “building a refinery is not the same thing as establishing and owning a petrol filling station.
“How many Nigerians have, or could mobilise, $19 billion for a single project as Aliko Dangote has done?”
According to him, even in the United States of America that is the heart beat of global capitalism tolerates some level of monopoly in certain sectors of its economy. He asked: “Is Boeing not almost a monopoly in the aircraft manufacturing industry? Is Samsung not almost a monopoly?
“This is the reason the federal government should support the Dangote Refinery. It is not for the NMDPRA to speak on the quality of Dangote Refinery’s products because it is almost an importer of refined petroleum products that will compete with Dangote.
“If it wants to be taken serious, it should invite an independent international organisation to speak on the quality of Dangote Refinery’s products.”
The university don, however, stated that it takes strong regulatory atmosphere to tame a rampaging monopolist. “But not a regulator like NMDPRA that is almost a competitor with Dangote because of its symbiotic relationship it has with the NNPC” that has four refineries it could not fix but relied on importation to meet Nigeria’s need for refined petrol products.
Private Monopoly vs. Public Monopoly
Speaking in the same vein, the immediate past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Innocent Okwuosa, described a monopoly as a market structure where there is a single provider of goods or services that have no close substitutes. This provider could be a private firm or a public corporation like the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for transmission of electricity in Nigeria.
Okwuosa said that monopoly in any form, whether private or public, is not good at all for the citizens because it would not allow for competition, especially price competition and innovation.
He said: “The consumers are usually at the mercy of the monopolist when it comes to fixing prices, which is done arbitrary to maximise profit since consumers have no alternative. So I will term both of them as two evils.
“But between these two evils, though they are evils, one may be considered a lesser evil than the other and to this end I will say that private sector monopoly is better or less evil than public sector monopoly.
Foo D Commo DITI e
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NCDMB Boss Tours Lee Engineering Firm, Pledges Support for Local Content
Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in abuja
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe, has visited the 10,000-square-metre fabrication yard owned by Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited in Warri, Delta State.
At the event, Ogbe assured
Nigerian oil and gas service companies of continued support to sustain the growth in local content and to boost their production operations.
Speaking during the facility tour, he recalled similar visits he had made to other service companies across the country, stating that he was highly impressed with facilities and competencies acquired in the pursuit of local content
FG Engages Stakeholders to Enhance LPG Penetration
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) have engaged critical stakeholders in the sector to achieve deeper penetration of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country.
A statement from the ministry yesterday stressed that it was part of efforts to ensure that the use of LPG as a source of cleaner energy penetrates seamlessly into the local communities in the country.
To this end, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Nicholas Ella and the Chairman of NGEP, Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim have met with the leadership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), led by the Chief of Staff to ALGON President, Shehu Marshal in Abuja.
In his welcome address, the permanent secretary noted that the nexus between ALGON
and the local communities will facilitate the rapid process of gas penetration given the fact that the communities remain their primary constituency.
Ella stated that his Ministry was desirous to see that the local communities are well taken care of in the use of LPG.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the use of natural gas was the best way to promote a healthy environment and better lifestyle by the communities.
He advocated simultaneous coverage of the use of gas across the country and its sustainability both on a long and short-term basis.
“The economic impacts of gas penetration to the local communities if ALGON is fully integrated into the expansion programme initiative cannot be over-emphasised as it will bring about investment opportunities across the value chain, job creation for the teeming unemployed youths and increased domestic supply and consumption,” Ella said.
The permanent secretary solicited the cooperation and partnership of ALGON in facilitating the smooth penetration of gas to the local government areas.
Group Business Editor
Eromosele abiodun
Deputy Business Editor
Chinedu Eze
Comms/e-Business Editor
Emma Okonji
Asst. Editor, Money Market
Nume Ekeghe
Senior Correspondent
Raheem akingbolu
(Advertising)
Correspondents
Emmanuel addeh (Energy)
KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets)
James Emejo (Finance)
Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)
Reporters
Peter Uzoho (Energy)
Ugo aliogo (Development)
In his address at the meeting, the Chairman of NGEP, Ibrahim, pointed out that NGEP had started negotiating with foreign investors in a bid for them to invest in the abundant gas deposits in the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation.
Ibrahim maintained that given the huge deposits of natural gas in Nigeria, its utilisation will serve as a catalyst for national economic development.
In his response, the leader of delegation from ALGON, Marshal, promised that ALGON would cooperate and partner fully with the ministry and NGEP to ensure that the gas expansion programme becomes a success.
development.
He expressed delight at the assortment of top-grade engineering equipment and industrial machinery parts in the expansive operational base of the company along NPA Expressway. “I am so impressed with your facilities,” Ogbe said.
He congratulated Lee Engineering on its 34 years of active engagement in Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance (EPCOM) services with major oil and gas industry players, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), Chevron Nigeria Limited, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies Limited, among others, as clients.
He noted that the company
had successfully undertaken over 350 major projects in the industry and has an excellent record of “zero incident, zero downtime” in its decades of operations.
“I will collaborate with your company and ensure that jobs you can do will come here,” he declared, adding, “We are here as enablers to business…and I will work with any company that can increase production in the country.”
He also expressed interest in the company’s solar technology, which he said would be required to provide electricity to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centres established by the NCDMB in several secondary schools across the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering and Construction
Company, Dr Leemon Ikpea, thanked the executive secretary and his entourage for the facility visit.
He said the company, which has its corporate headquarters is in Ikoyi, Lagos, was incorporated in 1991, and currently has several subsidiaries operating in Warri, Port Harcourt, as well as in Europe and the United States.
Recalling the state of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria in the early 1990s, he noted that the dominance of foreign companies and production inputs, and the attendant massive capital flight, was exceedingly disturbing and ruinous to the Nigerian economy and that Nigerian engineers in the sector like him became agitated and initiated the push for local content.
According to him, the enactment of the Nigerian
Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD] Act, 2010, marked a turning point for the industry and the nation as indigenous oil and gas companies were thus enabled to vie for and execute projects. Arguing that “Foreign companies cannot transfer technology to us,” he said it was only indigenous companies that could and have demonstrated such potential through intensive capacity building programmes, acquisition and deployment of hi-tech operational equipment and actual execution of projects. He drew attention to the company’s feats in industrial equipment manufacture, the over 350 projects executed by Lee Engineering thus far. He said that these included the Utorogu Gas Plant and the 150,000-barrel-per day Odidi Flow Station, with a workforce of 3,500.
OPEC Set for August 1 Meeting as Brent, WTI Near Six-week Low
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) are set for their August 1 meeting as crude oil prices remained flat in early trade yesterday.
Brent futures were priced at $80.92 a barrel, down 0.26 per cent, whereas the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading 0.34 per cent lower at $76.90 per barrel.
Prices remained close
to a six-week low in the early trading hours as the commodity market remains concerned over the dwindling demand from China.
Prices had dropped by around 1.5 per cent during the last trading session at the weekend, bringing oil to nearly a six-week low.
The decline was linked to the data released last week which showed oil imports to China dropping by 11 per
cent in the first half of 2024.
The data assumed significance as China, being the world’s biggest oil importer, had an impact on the global crude prices through its domestic demand.
In the week ahead, the OPEC+ meeting is expected to influence the crude prices, while a decision to relax or tighten the global output by the cartel would be awaited by the commodity market.
In its last meeting held in June, the OPEC+ decided to extend its voluntary production cuts till 2025. Last week, oil prices logged their third weekly loss in a row, mostly on demand concern about China as refinery run data pointed towards weakening demand for oil in the country as did figures showing an annual decline in imports of the commodity.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has disclosed that ministry can return up to N300 billion to the coffers of government from the sale of houses in two years, if given a budgetary allocation of N500 billion.
The minister who spoke in Abuja while briefing the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during an oversight visit to the ministry, disclosed that 1000 housing units of the ‘Renewed Hope Cities’ were slated to be delivered by the end of 2024.
Dangiwa stated that the other units to be delivered by middle of next year for commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, at the pilot phase of the project in Karsana Abuja.
He explained that a consortium of developers was contracted to deliver a
total of 100,000 housing units all over the federation under the programme, 20,000 units of which will be in Abuja with the pilot phase at Karsana to house 3112 housing units.
He also noted that the developers were to provide the financing for the units, the land and off-takers, while the ministry guarantees their loan with bankable off-takers guarantee, to enable them access the finance.
Dangiwa stated that the developers had accessed funding through Family Homes funds and other means, and were on site to ensure they deliver in due time.
The minister thanked the senate for their support, pointing out that groundbreaking for the programme had been done in 13 sites which is funded by the 2023
supplementary budget.
“We also took them (senators) through the public private partnerships that we are doing with some of the reputable developers to which Karsana is one of it where we are building 3112 units.
“We have discussed also the Slum Upgrade and Urban Renewal which cut across 28 sites across the country. Most of these projects are almost completed and we are about to commence the 2024 budget,”he added.
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, noted that the visit signalled the commencement of oversight activities of the committee for the 2023 supplementary and 2024 budget. He pointed out that committees of the senate were
saddled with the responsibility of oversight of the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under them, as required by the constitution. He said that the 2023 supplementary budget had advanced, hence the need to visit the ministry and proceed to some sites where the appropriations were being implemented to see for themselves and assess what was going on.
Tambuwal thanked the minister for his cooperation, adding that it was in the interest of the country to make sure that monies appropriated are spent in accordance with extant laws and regulations. He as well consented that more funds needed to be allocated to the ministry, given that housing is one sector that will generally distribute wealth to the lowest of the low.
Food Importation to the Rescue
Stakeholders in the agro sector have expressed their approval to the federal government’s move to embark on food importation, but warns that measures must be put in place to protect domestic producers, writes d ike o nwuamaeze
Nigeria is faced with a desperate food situation that is putting cost of food items above the reach of majority of its citizens. This is fueled by climate change, prevailing insecurity that has chased farmers away from their farmlands and the unintended consequences of the federal government’s recent economic policies, especially the floating of the Naira and removal of fuel subsidy.
To address the growing acute food shortages in the country, the federal government announced last week that it would open the countries border for full scaled importation of food items such as rice, maize, wheat and cowpeas etc.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Abubakar Kyari, said that the government has resolved to address the growing food shortages by granting a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities. This measure included the suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders.
In addition to the importation by private sector, the federal government would import 250,000 metric tonnes of semi-processed of wheat and maize respectively to be supplied to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.
Guaranteed MiniMuM Price
Other measures mapped out by the federal government include engagement of relevant stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP), mopping up of surplus assorted food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve, ramping up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle through sustained support to smallholder farmers in the ongoing wet season farming and strengthening of dry season farming across the country.
The federal government would also embark on aggressive mechanised agriculture to boost productivity, collaborate with sub-national governments to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation, rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation; develop strategic engagement for youth and women across the federation for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to address food shortages.
It would also fast-track the ongoing engagements with the Nigerian military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme, while encouraging other para-military establishments to put secured available arable lands to cultivation.
Kayri said: “As our nation confronts a critical food security challenge, let me reiterate Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to attaining food security and ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
“To this end, I can assure all Nigerians, that my team and I, will swiftly and diligently actualise these crucial policies to ensure food security for everyone in the country in the immediate term as we also continue our strategies for long term interventions to address the underlying causes and ensure sustainable and resilient food systems in the country.”
President Bola Tinubu explained recently at a the public presentation of ex-Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba’s book “My Life in the Public Eye” in Lagos that the temporal suspension of import duties on selected food items into the country,. Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said: “We are taking steps to address food shortages by temporarily removing tariffs on imported grains and other food items.
“We will continue to drive local production and ensure that we produce what we eat and use locally.”
The decision to embark on massive food import came four months after a prominent Professor of Economics, Professor Akpan Hogan Ekpo, had called on the government to do so. In February, Ekpo told THISDAY that the government should import food now. “People are hungry. There should be massive import of food. We should not rely on local farmers because if you plant corn today you will not eat it tomorrow. It will take a while. So, we should import food massively for people to be able to eat. We have the money to do these imports. Use that money to import food to assuage the vulnerable groups,” he said.
Massive food iMPortation
In the same manner, an Economist and Chief Executive of Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, saw the move to embark on massive food importation as a right temporary measure. Yusuf, however, said that government should not be allowed to be among the importers. He said: “The truth is that we are dealing with an emergency situation which requires an emergency response. This is not the time for idealistic propositions. Most of our citizens are very hungry. The social and political implications are grave.
“The government had made it clear that the relaxation of food imports was going to be temporary, just for about 150 days; besides the emphasis is on intermediate inputs for agro allied industries like flour mills.”
He pointed out that over 90 per cent of wheat used by our flour mills is imported. Therefore, importation of wheat is not new. The idea is to
reduce the cost of wheat imports by removing the import tariffs. This would bring down the price of bread and noodles for instance.
“We import wheat largely because our climatic condition is not suitable for wheat production. But I am aware there are efforts to get adaptable varieties.
“As for rice, my understanding is that what will be allowed for importation would be feedstock for our rice mills. Our rice mills are producing grossly below installed capacity because of inadequate supply of rice paddy, which is the feedstock.
“Lagos State, for instance, has the biggest rice mill possibly in Africa. But there is no feedstock. The mill is currently operating at less than 15 per cent of its installed capacity, “he said.
“The same is true of other rice mills across the country. These are some of the fundamental issues that the stabilisation plan is designed to address. The reality is that trade policy option is one of the major solutions available to government to fix the food crisis challenge in the short term.
“The scarcity of maize is one of the biggest challenges facing the poultry industry as well. Many poultry businesses have gone under as a result of the prohibitive cost of poultry feeds resulting from the high cost of maize. Billions of Naira worth of investment in poultry has been lost,” he added.
Yusuf noted that the government had stated that there would be guaranteed minimum price for agricultural products produced locally. There is a concurrent commitment to support domestic agricultural production also clearly outlined in the plan. It is, therefore, not only about food importation. This should address the concerns of the local farmers.
He, however, stated that it would not be a good idea for government to be involved in direct importation of food because of its risk of mismanagement is very high. “We should allow the market channels to be used for procurement and distribution,” he said.
He added: “Regrettably, our food crisis has been complicated by insecurity rooted in an asymmetric warfare. This is the crux of the matter. Insecurity is perhaps the biggest risk to food security presently. This is a kind of warfare that cannot readily be fixed.”
afan Backs fG
Speaking in the same vein, the National President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Kabir Ibrahim, described the government disposition to encourage food importation within a given time frame as a
right move in the right direction. Ibrahim said that there is need to import for a specific period the quantity that is projected to close the insufficiency in the country’s food supply. He, however, noted that scaling up agro productivity in the country is the ultimate route to sustainable food security. This could be attained by subsidising the means of production. “For instance, fertilizer can be subsidised so that farmers can afford it. Inputs like herbicides, insecticides and mechanised tools should also be available and affordable.
“Then we need to work on the insecurity in some parts of the country, especially food producing areas. Because no matter what you give to the farmer, if he cannot seamlessly go to his farm to produce, there will not be food availability in the country.”
He also suggested that the Bank of Agriculture needs to be recapitalised in order to be in a position to give loans to farmers.
“We have advised that government should recapitalise it. Even farmers will be given equity in it so that it will become their bank. Also, the loans have to be revolving because you it cannot give to everyone at the same time,” he said.
Ibrahim also said that multiple taxations across the states are discouraging, especially now that the cost of transportation has more than quadrupled due to the high cost of diesel and petrol.
“We are talking to the governments to look into this, especially the state governments, because multiple taxations take place within the domain of the state governments. Every state should make sure that vehicles pass through its territory relatively free without paying these multiple taxes,” he said.
avoidinG unintended consequences
The Managing Director of Burke-Fraizer Consulting Limited, Mr. Ayo Abiola, who is also the consultant for the Market Traders Association of Nigeria, said that government should put in measures to ensure that the food importation would not come with unintended consequences that would seriously backfire on Nigerian farmers. Abiola said that this might discourage local food production and would take more than 24 months to motivate farmers to return to production.
He said: “Massive food import might lead to a glut that will backfire on local producers. The loss will be huge to local producers. The federal government has to first of all put the house in order by devising measures that will increase local food.
“My advice is that federal government has to look inward to identify where there are gaps are and fill them. They should also allow the distribution of the imported food items to pass through the existing local distribution chain. But a system where they will dump the imports on the market will discourage the local farmers.”
polity
The APC’s Obnoxious Obsession with Edo State Security Network
John legbedion
After the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, which resulted in the escape of over 2,000 inmates from prisons across Nigeria, Edo State experienced a sharp increase in criminal activities, including rape, armed robbery, burglary, and theft. This surge was exacerbated by pre-existing crimes in the State such as land grabbing, cultism and the now-outlawed activities of Community Development Associations (CDAs), perpetrated by non-state actors known as ‘Lions and Tigers,’ who are sponsored by politicians and used as political thugs during elections.
Amid the setback, the federal government security agencies, who were already strained, became even more handicapped and were unable to effectively manage the escalating crime and criminality in the State. This led the state government, in collaboration with the security agencies to rethink the security architecture in the State, leading to the establishment of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), a group of young men and women volunteers, dedicated to supporting the security agencies in tackling crime and criminality in the State.
The ESSN members from across various local communities in the State underwent rigorous training by the Police, the Directorate of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies on intelligence gathering, weapon handling, stop-and-search techniques, ambush strategies, among others and enrolled into the State’s security architecture to serve as an auxiliary force to the pre-existing security system.
The results of this community-based security model have been remarkably positive as Edo State has not only recorded a tremendous drop in the rate of crime but has today become one of the safest and most secure to live and do business, repositioning the State as a model for other sub-nationals in Africa on how governments can boost economic growth and development by strengthening security using a community-based intelligence gathering network.
Curiously, in the last couple of weeks, amid the build-up to the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21, there have been consistent efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to blackmail and discredit this novel intelligence gathering and security outfit, and falsely pin crimes
Abdullahi Ganduje
orchestrated by the APC on the ESSN. For example, on Thursday, July 18, thugs linked to the APC unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens along the Benin Airport Road, in the guise of welcoming the impeached Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu and the Governorship candidate of the APC, Monday Okpebholo, leading to the destruction of properties of law-abiding members of the public and the unfortunate death of a Police Officer.
But despite video evidence and a newspaper publication of this incident which clearly identified the gun-wielding touts and suspected culprits who carried out this wanton destruction of property
and breach of public peace, led by the APC youth Leader, Tony Adun (aka Kabaka), the party has attempted to link and pin the crime on the State Security Vigilante Network, even though there is no evidence to show that they were at the scene of the said event.
There have also been a series of media campaigns against this security network to discredit and disable the outfit, which security agencies in the State have confirmed and applauded for their support in combating crime and criminality, especially at the community level.
One wonders what the APC plans to achieve with this mischievous game plan and underhand
strategy, especially as the governorship election in the State is barely two months away. What could be the real intentions behind the Edo APC’s relentless efforts to undermine and destroy the credibility of this outfit, despite their immense role in supporting security agencies to secure the state and prevent crime in the State?
Just last week, a certain Tony Akowe of The Nation Newspaper was induced by the APC to put up a misleading headline, “INEC raises alarm over alleged plot to use ESSN operatives to disrupt Edo elections,” claiming that the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alleged that there were plans to use members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) to disrupt the September 21 governorship election.
However, when INEC officials were contacted to confirm the veracity of the report, the INEC Chairman rejected the report in its entirety, reaffirming that he didn’t make any comments regarding the State’s Security Network.
Alas, it was all part of the deliberate and planned efforts by the All Progressives Congress in Edo State to discredit the security scheme. Could it be part of plans by the APC to weaken the security architecture in the State to clear the path for execution of their rigging and manipulation strategy ahead of the polls?
We must however ensure that whatever ulterior motive that the APC and their hirelings have that has led to this unending campaign of calumny against the State Security Network doesn’t come to fruition. It will only be but an ill wind that does no good.
Also, considering the forthcoming nationwide protest set to commence on August 1, it is only worrying that the APC is working assiduously to destabilize the security equilibrium in the State. One wonders what exactly they hope to gain from such selfish actions.
It is therefore crucial that Edo people remain vigilant and not sit idly and watch the APC destabilize the state’s security. Considering the essential role of the ESSN in maintaining peace and security in the State, they must be protected and supported, ensuring that their work and sacrifice are not undermined by the political machinations of the APC and their ilk.
•Legbedion, a public affairs analyst writes from Benin City
Again, Court Restrains INEC from Releasing Voter’s Register for LG Elections
Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has again restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from releasing the National Voter’s Register to states for the conduct of local government councils elections.
A few days ago, Justice Lifu had ordered the national electoral body not to release the national voter’s register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (Rivers SIEC) as requested for the conduct of the planned LG polls, on the grounds that the Commission was yet to update the register as
required by law.
Similarly, the court, yesterday, barred INEC from releasing same register of voters in Kwara State to the State Independent Electoral Commission Kwara (SIEC), pending the determination of a suit challenging the release of the said register.
The People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) is challenging the propriety of the use of the national voter’s register for the conduct of the September 21 local government elections in Kwara State.
Pending the hearing and determination of the main suit, the PDP through its lead counsel, Mr Kehinde Ogunwunmiju, SAN,
filed an exparte application praying the court to stop the Kwara SIEC from taking any further steps in the conduct of the LG polls, until the issue of voter’s register is resolved.
Delivering his ruling, in the expart, the court made an order restraining the Kwara SIEC and the State Attorney General (AG)
Ajaka Urges Tinubu to Reshuffle Cabinet, Accuses Government Officials of Demarketing Nigeria
oghenevwede ohwovoriole in Abuja
The gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last election in Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, has accused government officials of demarketing Nigeria, even as he urged President Bola Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet
In a statement titled: “My Stand on the Nationwide Protest,” which he issued yesterday, Ajaka urged those planning the nationwide protest over the hardship in the country to give the president more time to fix the numerous challenges in the land.
He also advised the president to reshuffle his cabinet and bring in persons who are ready to work with him to actualise his renewed
hope agenda.
“I want to trust that the president will consider reshuffling his cabinet in the near future and bring fresh ideas and people who will key in his renewed hope.
“This could bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to his administration, allowing for greater progress and development.
“Also, I would like to advise the President to caution or suspend his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, who is bent on creating enemies for the president than friends due to his utterances on social media.
“It is no secret that our country is going through a period of immense economic hardship.”
The statement added: “As a Special Adviser, Mr. Onanuga should be
working towards fostering unity, and ensuring that the government’s policies are communicated effectively to the Nigerian people.
“However, the actions and words of Mr. Onanuga seem to be doing quite the opposite. His rhetoric has been divisive and inflammatory, creating adversaries for the president and his administration across the country.
“The other day, Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA (Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency) made some frivolous claims against Africa’s richest, Aliko Dangote.
“We must understand that Aliko Dangote is not just a prominent Nigerian businessman, but also a global brand that has brought
immense pride and investment to Nigeria.
“His contributions to the country’s economy and development cannot be overstated. As such, it is crucial that Nigeria does everything within its power to protect and support him.”
Furthermore, he noted that the, “the false claim made by Farouk Ahmed not only tarnishes Dangote’s brand but also has the potential to create division and animosity between the North and the President.
“I hope President Tinubu will take the urgent steps to suspend Farouk Ahmed in order to send a clear message that false claims and actions that could harm the reputation of influential individuals or create division within the country will not be tolerated,”
On the planed nationwide protests, he said, “I would like to lend my voice regarding the planned nationwide protest by Nigerian youths in response to the high cost of living that many of us are currently facing.”
According to him, while he understands and empathises with the frustrations and hardships Nigerians were going through, embarking on a protest may not be the right decision for the country right now.
“More often than not, peaceful protests end up in violence and destruction of public and private properties.
“We need to remember that we are a resilient and united nation. We have faced numerous challenges in the past, and we have always come out stronger when we stand together.
from receiving, accepting or using the national voter register or any part relating to Kwara State from the electoral body for the council’s election in Kwara state.
Justice Lifu also restrained the Inspector General (IG) of Police, and the State Security Service (SSS) from participating in or providing protection for the conduct of local government elections in Kwara State pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by PDP for interlocutory injunction. The plaintiff predicated its request on the grounds that the Kwara State Electoral body was in grievous contravention, breach and violation of Sections 9, 28, 29 and 106 of the Electoral Act 2022, Sections 20 (1) and 21 (1) of Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Law, 2024. Plaintiff further submitted that all the conditions and precedents contained in Local Government Electoral Laws in Kwara State have been deliberately jettisoned and violated under unacceptable circumstances.
Among others, the PDP claimed to be a duly registered political party in Nigeria, eligible to participate and field candidates to contest elections in Nigeria including the Kwara State Local Government Elections 2024 sought to be conducted by the defendants.
Alex Enumah in Abuja
Thisday Afrinvest Index Down 0.4%
Thisday Afrinvest 40 index dipped 0.4% to print at 4,198.74 points due to price decline in ZENITH ( 3.6%), FBNH ( 2.6%), and WAPCO ( 0.5%). Cumulatively, these stocks account for 12.6% of the index.
Local Bourse Opens Bearish ASI down 0.1%
Yesterday, the NGX ASI fell 7bps to 98,132.15 points, following price depreciation in ZENITH ( 3.6%), FBNH ( 2.6%), and TRANSCORP ( 1.7%). Consequently, YTD return and market capitalisation moderated to 31.2% and ₦55.7tn respectively. Likewise, activity level weakened as volume and value traded declined by 65.6% and 59.7% to 379.1m units and ₦8.7bn respectively.
Mixed Sector Performance
Performance across our coverage sector was mixed as three indices lost, two gained, while the AFR ICT index closed flat. The Oil & Gas and Insurance indices rose 1.3% and 0.2%, sequentially, due to price appreciation in OANDO (+9.8%), CONOIL (+5.2%), CUSTODIA (+9.8%) and MANSARD (+6.4%). Conversely, the Banking index shed 1.0% following sell pressure on ZENITH ( 3.6%), FBNH ( 2.6%) and UBA ( 0.7%). Trailing, the Consumer Goods and Industrial Goods indices fell 7bps and 1bp respectively, on the back of price decline in NASCON ( 4.9%), NB ( 1.3%), and WAPCO ( 0.5%).
Outlook
Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth, improved to 0.01x (previously 0.11x) as 22 stocks gained, 21 lost and 77 closed flat. Today, we anticipate an extended bearish outing as the market reels from the impact of elevated inflation and a tight monetary policy environment.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX
Verve PartnersYouTube, Simplifies Payments Experience for Premium Subscribers
Arthur Ariye
Africa’s largest domestic payments card and token brand, Verve, has officially partnered YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform.
The partnership, Verve said in a statement, offers YouTube Premium Subscribers a seamless payment experience, offering unparallel convenience through Verve’s innovative debit cards.
“By adding YouTube Premium subscriptions to its bouquet of benefits, Verve has simplified the payment process for millions of Verve cardholders and YouTube users across Africa. This initiative underscores Verve’s commitment to redefining the digital payment landscape, providing both convenience and accessibility to its cardholders,” it said.
Speaking on the partnership, Managing Director, Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude, said: “Through this strategic partnership, Verve is dedicated to redefining the digital payment experience, empowering our cardholders with unparalleled convenience and accessibility.”
He emphasised that this collaboration with YouTube highlights Verve’s role as a pioneer in the digital payments ecosystem while expanding its reach and influence beyond traditional financial boundaries.
This partnership is about more than just facilitating payments; it’s about enhancing consumer engagement and satisfaction. It includes continuing Verve’s existing initiatives, such as the Verve Goodlife Consumer Promo—a long-running campaign focused on rewarding consumers loy-
alty and offering cardholders a wide array of benefits- to ensure Verve cardholders continue to enjoy the good life.
Also, speaking on the partnership, Executive Vice President– Group Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch Group, Cherry Eromosele, expressed her excitement at the partnership, stating, “Subscribers can now benefit from a more streamlined process when renewing their YouTube Premium memberships, with the added assurance of Verve’s secure and reliable payment infrastructure. This collaboration signifies that African consumers are not just passive participants in the global digital economy but are active contributors, enjoying services with the same ease and efficiency as their global counterparts.”
COSCO Shipping Pioneers Rail Exports from Kano to Lagos
In a groundbreaking achievement, COSCO Shipping, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has successfully exported Nigeria’s agricultural produce, which arrived at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa by rail.
The first batch of 18 locomotivedriven containers departed Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano on July 7, 2024, and arrived Apapa on July 17 after 10 days of daylight travel.
The cargo train was received in Lagos by officials from COSCO Shipping, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), and Temerity International Experts, who facilitated the arrangement.
Speaking on the successful arrival of the containers in Lagos, Michael Echezona, Head of Logistics at COSCO Shipping Nigeria, commended the collaborative
efforts of stakeholders, stating that the successful transaction boosts investor confidence in Nigeria’s rail option and logistics supply chain system.
He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration and urgent attention from the Federal Ministry of Transportation to fast-track the standard gauge line. This, he said, would resuscitate the Nigerian economy, positioning the country as a regional economic hub, while ensuring effective distribution of goods to and from the hinterlands.
“Following the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, which brought progressive prosperity to Nigeria and promoted the development of the logistics supply chain, allowing more goods to be transferred from the hinterland to the port via local services, Nigeria and by extension the African continent has
generally experienced significant infrastructural growth as a direct result of the initiative which has primarily targeted greater connectivity and trade growth,” Echezona said.
Also speaking, Temi Ogunniyi, Managing Partner at Temerity International Experts, who facilitated the cargo movement from the Dala Inland Dry Port, Kano, lauded the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s efforts and sought increased collaboration to enhance efficiency through improved systems and security.
Ogunniyi noted that rail cargo movement from the north would facilitate international trade for importers and exporters in the hinterland and neighbouring countries, diversify Nigeria’s economy, and generate much needed foreign exchange through non-oil exports.
Consumers Hail Big Bull Rice’s New Seal
Big Bull Rice recently unveiled a new holographic seal tape on its 25kg and 50kg packs, and consumers are already singing its praises. This innovative measure, aimed at combating counterfeiting, ensures that customers can now easily verify the authenticity of their purchases.
The introduction of the holographic seal tape has been met with widespread approval, from major distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.
Mrs. Bola Afolabi, a mother of three, also shared her relief. “So many products have been compromised in the Nigerian market, and getting authentic and healthy products is now a chore. I want the best for my family, and I am happy Big Bull Rice has taken this proactive step.”
“Consumers have responded very positively to the new holographic seal tape, and we appreciate their commendations. Our consumers have also reached out with
Chukwuma Nwosu, a wholesale foodstuff trader, expressed his satisfaction with the new seal. “I’m happy that I can differentiate Big Bull Rice from counterfeit products through this new holographic seal.”
numerous positive feedback. This response motivates us to keep our consumers’ interests at heart, regardless of market challenges. We remain committed to providing our consumers the best quality and state-of-the-art technology that ensures product integrity,” he stated.
Executive Director, TGI Group, Deepanjan Roy, highlighted the company’s dedication to quality and authenticity. “The positive feedback from our customers and distributors regarding the holographic seal is very encouraging. It reaffirms our commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity,” he added.
New Eatery Makes Entry into Nigeria with Grand Launch in Abuja
Wellcome Snacks, a new player in the Nigerian puff food industry has officially launched its innovative three layer snack in the capital city of Abuja, at a grand event at the Sandralia Hotel in Jabi, recently.
The launch event brought together business partners, distributors, media representatives, influencers, and members of the public, who were treated to a comprehensive introduction to the Wellcome Snacks brand and its variants.
Speaking on the launch of the brand, General Manager for Wellcome Nig Ltd, Mr. Mr Will Li, expressed excitement about Wellcome Snacks, explaining that it is part of CWAY’s unrelenting commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and exceeding expectations. Reiterating the fact that Wellcome Snacks is a first-of-its-kind 3-layered chip, crafted using advanced Japanese technology, he said, “The Wellcome snack’s tagline of “Single Crunch, Triple Delight,” is a promise of the unique taste and deliciousness
that this brand promises. Currently available in two flavors - Spicy Chicken and Chocolate Wellcome Snacks aims to captivate snack enthusiasts across Nigeria.”
The AGM, Marketing, Mr. Samuel Akinrimisi revealed that the brand is targeted at Nigerians of all ages, particularly young adults aged 16-25 as its primary market, with a broader appeal to all chip snack consumers. He revealed also that the product is available in three sizes: 15g, 30g, and 60g, catering to various consumer preferences and occasions.
following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), 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).
L-R: Executive Director, Technical NIRSAL Plc, Mr Olatunde Akande; Director General Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye; Managing Director, Swagco (subsidiary of The Odua Group), Dr. Theo Onadeko at the MoU signing between NIRSAL Plc and DAWN Commission at NIRSAL office in Lagos…recently
Chinedu Eze
Shareholders Grant Fidelity Bank Approval to Raise Share Capital to 26.7bn
Kayode Tokede
Shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc have granted the management approval to raise the company’s share capital from 22.6 billion to 26.7 billion.
This was one of the six resolutions secured by the Bank’s Board of Directors at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually.
Giving a background to the resolutions considered at the meeting, which had the repre-
sentatives of various regulators in attendance, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Chairman of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, said the bank is committed to meeting the new capital requirement stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria within the regulatory timelines for compliance.
“The resolution proposed for shareholders’ approval at this
EGM are to enable an increase in share capital from 22.6billion to 26.7billion by creating 8.2billion additional shares to accommodate potential oversubscription from the Public Offer and Rights Issue subject to regulatory approvals.
“The additional capital to be raised proposed resolution would also allow the bank take advantage of emerging opportunities and secure long-term profitability and competitive advantage while ensuring increased shareholder value. We have seen a lot of
demand for our shares.
“We think this is the chance to take on additional capital while making it easier for us to execute stage two of our capital raising strategy. So, we think this is a good thing for us to do at this time”, explained Chike-Obi.
Several shareholders seized the opportunity of the meeting to commend the Bank’s leadership for its sterling performance and affirm their support for the capital raising exercise.
The Chairman Emeritus of
the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said, “I want to congratulate the board of directors on the love that people are showing for our bank as I was a part of the roadshows and I saw this firsthand. I trust that we would not disappoint them as we welcome new shareholders into our fold. Fidelity Bank is a choice bank for everybody today and as we go out, we are still converting more people to shareholders.”
On his part, the National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, opined, “I want to commend the entire board and management for taking this bold initiative. This means that not only would the Public Offer be oversubscribed, but we would also have cause to retain the excess funds. I encourage all shareholders to key into the offer as it would ultimately lead to increased returns for us.”
TRADED ASOF j U LY 29/24
16th InvestIture Ceremony of the rotary Club of GwarInpa...
L-R: Past President, Ken Iwuchukwu; past President and guest speaker, Angela Agbayekhai; District Governor Elect Rotary International District 9127, Dame Joy Okoro; and President, Obioha Elenwoke, during the 16th Investiture Ceremony of the Rotary Club of Gwarinpa in Abuja.. recently
FG Initiates Citizens Assembly, Set to Bridge Gaps in Governance
Deji elumoye in Abuja
The federal government is set to bridge the identified gaps in governance by initiating a volunteer organisation named Citizens Assembly.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet, who made this known yesterday at the State House, Abuja, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the
T I nubu D I rec TS nn
collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and Federal Ministry of Finance and other critical agencies,” he added.
Speaking on the new minimum wage, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, while answering reporters' questions on what government would do when employers don’t pay said, "The most important thing is that this minimum wage has been passed and that all Nigerians were involved—all the stakeholders, the governors, the representatives of the local government, which is ALGON and of course, the organised private sector and organised labour and the government itself.
“Conversations were held and it passed through the process, and it has become law and I believe that we are responsible Nigerians and we want to promise Nigerians that we're going to do that.
“When you have a strong leader, who has the goodwill of the people he governs and there is cooperation, I believe that everybody will comply with what is agreed upon.”
Onyejeocha, also stated that the federal government would uphold its promise to backdate the payment of the adjusted minimum wage to May 2024.
Her words: "I think it is being considered because what I read was exactly what was in agreement of October 2, 2023, and I believe that those things are still being considered. But the most important thing is that the minimum wage has been signed."
Also, speaking on the planned nationwide protest, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who revealed that the issue of the proposed protest came up for deliberations at Monday's Federal Executive Council meeting, said, the recent student loan policy of the federal government was targeted
journey towards fostering inclusivity and grassroots representation in governance.
"This strategic initiative underscores President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to integrating diverse voices and perspectives into our decision-making processes, thereby enhancing community development and cohesion," she said.
She recalled that the president had appointed six of them as aides on Community Engagement for
at the youth population such that no Nigerian child who secures admission would drop out on account of inability to afford fees.
The Minister said the distribution of truckloads of rice to state governments across the country and additional stocks to be sold at subsidised prices were all geared towards alleviating the suffering of the people.
Idris, described the President as a listening President who would not watch citizens suffer unjustly.
According to him: "The position of FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government and therefore it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already actually been addressed or are being addressed by government.”
Idris further revealed that the President was already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want government to do, for example, the effort that government is making, in ensuring that food is being made available.
He said: "The last Council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks 20 precisely had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually are in need of them, the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need, but government did not stop there.
"There is also rice that is being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold as we speak now. These rice have been taken to various centers across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at N40,000, centers have been created. So that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
"In the first instance, about 10
the nation's six geo-political zones to foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration by proactively addressing regional needs and concerns.
"This decentralised approach to governance signifies a strong commitment to grassroots engagement and tailored development initiatives, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities present in each geopolitical zone of Nigeria," she added.
According to her, surveys
trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed, this is just to begin, I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough.
"Government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim. Of course, this is like I said an interim measure because there is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector.
"The rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made not just for the traditional.”
FEC also approved various agreements involving the repatriation of fugitives from justice and prisoners’ swap between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain.
The Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the measure, which would also be signed with other countries, would ensure that nobody can escape justice.
His words: “As you all know, there are three stages. The first one is the investigation aspect. The second one is the prosecution of the sentencing and ensuring that you serve the sentence as a deterrence.
“Before now there have been what you called trans -border inhibitions, where somebody who is wanted in Nigeria for example, goes beyond the borders of Nigeria to get him arrested.
“Suppose you need any document that is not within but you know where he can be reached how do we get this document?
“Somebody is trying to escape justice. How do you get him back him and after sentencing?
“Some countries have policies that says okay, ‘let's the convict
undertaken by her office showed that the government was too far to the people indicating a substantial deficit in trust and communication between the government and the people in the North-Central.
"The Citizens’ Assembly was created to collectively tackle community problems and foster an inclusive society where every voice is heard. It offers structures across communities where residents can express their thoughts, share ideas, table pleas, and collaborate
come back home.
“So, all these three stages are being addressed. We will do it country by country. But for today, the ones dealt with was the one concerning the kingdom of Spain, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain.
“So, we three took memos in quick succession, one dealing with exchange of information including investigation.
“We have an agreement which was signed way back in June 2022. So, after the agreement, what the law requires is that you should come back and have it ratified. And it was presented to Council today of course.
“And then under the leadership of our great leader and the president, sitting chair, it was passed.
“The second one had to do with the exchange of assistance to bring back fugitives, people trying to escape from justice.
“So, is either you bring them to justice or take justice to them. So, this second aspect of the mutual assistance has been ratified.
“The third in the series has to do with after conviction what do we do? Some will say okay, if you have these convictions, can you bring the person back home to serve his sentence here? The same thing goes any coming from, especially to the country we have agreement with, in this case Spain.
“So. we have an agreement that either way, we can exchange persons sentenced to either serve their sentence here or there.
“So, these has significantly shown that there is no hiding place for criminals. If they go outside the shores of the country, they can rest assure that the arms of the law is long enough to reach them.
So, these are the three memos from the Ministry of Justice which the FEC considered an approved.”
Also, FEC approved the implementation of road projects in various
on lasting solutions to existing problems, while also planning proactively for future challenges.
"The Citizens’ Assembly provides a tremendous opportunity for citizen engagement, dialogue, collaboration, and peaceful resolution. It is committed to ensuring swift information dissemination, stakeholder engagement, project participation, and continuous deliberations for meaningful outcomes," she said.
"Nearly a thousand indigenes
states of the federation worth about N1,455,17,000,000.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who disclosed this spoke against the backdrop of the directive by FEC stepping down some projects on July 10 to enable a review.
According to him, even though some other projects were similarly stepped down during Monday’s meeting, the council gave its nod to several ither projects.
Umahi explained: “The first one is rehabilitation of Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun state. It's a contract some of N57bn approved by FEC today for Strabic Construction.
“The second one is the road from Mubi to Maiduguri Road section three. The contract is approved for a total sum of N89bn and this is an NNPC project, it is being reviewed and approved for N89bn total contract sum and that is for MESSRS Decency Associates Limited.
“Then the third project approved today was Mubi to Maiduguri Section Two. The story about this is that we have sections 1,2,3,4. Section 1 is an ongoing project. Then section 2 was not awarded to a contractor. Section 3 is an ongoing project and then section 4 was awarded to Zephagold. But the governor of Borno state wrote that he is already on this section 4 and the job is about being completed. So, he requested that we go back to Section 2, where there is no contract ongoing.
“And so by going back to Section 2, it means that the entire stretch of Mubi will have a stretch of ongoing projects. But this section 2 is also very bad. So, we had to re-procure it on rigid pavement. So the relocation is approved. The relocation is approved for 42km at a contract sum that was awarded before. It's not increased N67bn inherited from the past administration.
“And then we have the NatallaBuru in Kano State. We stepped it
and settlers from the North Central region applied to volunteer for this noble cause. After a rigorous selection process, volunteers were chosen to represent at least one ward across the six states in the North Central Region and the FCT.
“These volunteers will serve as agents of change and influencers within their communities, developing actionable solutions and ensuring challenges are addressed at the highest levels," Essiet further said.
down to look for funds. There is no funds for it. So, we stepped it down and we liaise with the National Assembly if they will give us funds.
“So, the next one is the BeninAkure-Ilesha Road, and that's 150km by two. So, we're looking at 300km here and the total contracts on his N525bn awarded to HiTech Construction to use concrete pavements to do it. So it's been approved.
“Then we have the third one; Benin-Akure, by Ilesha. That's section 2, and that's 66km awarded to HiTech Construction. To know that this project has been on in terms of procurements in September 2023. It is part of the supplementary budget but because we didn't have enough funding, we couldn't present it but now we have three stretches of funding. And that's why we are presenting it.
“So, this one is 66km and it is dualised for N286bn in favour of HiTech Construction for concrete technology.
“The next project is AngingaliUdobi-Udona-Umo-Uwana-Ubalaka. And that is in Imo state, and that is a review. It is an NNPC project being reviewed from N14bn to N26.46bn.
“And then you have Ojo-OdumOkuku Road Benue State is stepped down for review and to be brought back in the next FEC.
“We have another NNPC project and that is the rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri Road, NNPC depot expressway in Abia state, and the project has been reviewed in favour of a rudo Nigeria limited in the sum of N21bn.
“We have another project going from Odukpani Itu in Ikot-Ekpene in Cross Rivers State and it's being handled by CCECC. This is one of the companies that we are likely to aggregate all their projects across the country and agree with them on milestone completion and how much they can inject while we now agree on payment schedule.”
48 Hour S To Go, Coun T rY w ID e In T erven TI on S AGAI n ST ProT e STS Moun T, You THS A DAMA n T House to reconvene from recess to address pressing national issues. The forthcoming session will focus on critical matters requiring immediate legislative attention.
“Honourable Members are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure their presence.
"Additionally, the reconvening will facilitate a significant engagement with young Nigerians through a town hall meeting hosted by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., on Wednesday at the National Assembly.
“Organised in collaboration with YIAGA Africa and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the town hall will bring together youth leaders, students from tertiary institutions, young professionals, and representatives from various youth organisations and civil society groups.
"The 10th House of Representatives remains steadfast in its commitment to representing the interests of the Nigerian people and advancing the nation’s development."
Afenifere Not in Support of Planned Protest
Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said it did not support the planned protest.
In a statement issued in Akure yesterday by its national organising secretary, Abagun Omololu, Afenifere alleged that the planned protest had taken on a clear sinister dimension outside the tenets of constructive engagement.
Omololu said the group recognised that Nigerians were experiencing economic challenges and hunger, but contended that many countries were also battling a global economic downturn,
The statement said, "Afenifere acknowledges the realities of economic challenges and hunger in the land, while we also cannot deny that there is a global economic downturn ravaging most nations of the world, developed, developing or underdeveloped alike.
“We, therefore, call on the government at the federal and subnational levels to step up efforts to address these issues with all in their power. It is every citizen's right to protest as a way of headlining their grievances to the government.”
Sani, Diri, Ekiti Govt Plead against Protest
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, his counterpart in Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, and the Ekiti State government pleaded against the proposed protest.
Addressing stakeholders at a town hall meeting yesterday in Kaduna, Sani stated, "in the last few weeks, some faceless groups have been perfecting plans to stage nationwide protests under the guise of demanding for good governance."
He claimed the organisers’ strategies and tactics gave cause for worry, stressing, "People involved in genuine struggle or agitation cannot operate like cultists – there is definitely something sinister about their plans."
The governor, however, admitted
that Nigerians were going through economic difficulties.
"We are grappling with severe economic strains occasioned by years of economic mismanagement, corruption and lack of accountability," the governor said.
Diri cautioned youths of Bayelsa State to be wary of failed politicians, who planned to use the protest to disturb the peace of the state.
Speaking during the 34th state security council meeting in Yenagoa, yesterday, Diri said security reports available to him indicated that politicians that lost the last governorship election in the state were plotting to cause mayhem.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as appealing to the youths to avoid being used by such politicians, saying they do not mean well for the state.
Ekiti State Government and the police command in the state also appealed to the youth and other stakeholders to shelve the protest and embrace dialogue in the interest of peace.
A stakeholders meeting organised by the Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, ahead of the protest, was attended by many stakeholders, led by traditional rulers, state and local government officials, religious leaders, artisans, road transport workers, youths, students, among others.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented at the meeting by Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, appealed to the youths to shun the protest and embrace peace in the interest of the state.
Oyebanji acknowledged the economic challenges in the country but explained that the federal and state governments were doing everything possible to address the situation.
While calling on the stakeholders to give the government more time to implement its policies and programmes, Oyebanji expressed worry that the protest might be hijacked by criminal elements to unleash violence on the state.
The police commissioner said the meeting became necessary to engage the stakeholders and take feedback to the appropriate authorities for action.
Akinwale maintained that embracing dialogue by the aggrieved youths and citizens would be in the interest of the state and the country, stating that violent protest would be detrimental to the society.
Stop Creating Panic, HURIWA Tells FG
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expressed concern over the creation of panic and tension by the federal government and the heads of security agencies in the country.
HURIWA stated that the persistent dissemination of misinformation by government officials aimed at demonising the proposed peaceful demonstrations had contributed to the heightened state of fear, apprehension, and panic among citizens.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said Nigerians expected that government officials ought to play the role of stabilisation as against being agents of misinformation, peddling of false information and unsubstantiated intelligence.
HURIWA urged the federal government and its officials to provide good leadership in the face of the decision by some aggrieved Nigerians to stage peaceful protests against bad governance and unprecedented corruption and hunger in the country.
Enugu CP Alleges Plan to Hijack Protest
Commissioner of Police in Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu, warned against acts of violence and breach of public peace by individuals or groups in the name of protest.
Uzuegbu said the warning followed intelligence revealing sinister plans by criminal elements to infiltrate and hijack the planned protest, and unleash mayhem on law-abiding citizens and property in the state.
The police commissioner stated that the intelligence showed that hoodlums, as experienced during the violent EndSARS protests, intended to attack fellow citizens, destroy public and private property, and perpetrate acts of looting.
He reiterated the collaborative commitment of the police and other security forces to deal decisively with such criminal elements.
OPS Insists on Dialogue, Engagement
The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), disclosed its stance on the planned nationwide protest, saying it prefers dialogue to confrontation.
In a statement jointly signed by the organisations, the OPS reiterated the need for dialogue and engagement between the government and concerned citizens.
Other members of the OPS included the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
The statement read, “The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has carefully considered the planned protest by certain citizens in response to current challenges affecting public welfare.
“As an apolitical umbrella body representing major business membership organisations in Nigeria, the OPSN prioritises the importance of dialogue and engagement between the government and concerned citizens.
“We firmly believe that open and constructive dialogue is the most effective tool for addressing the nation's challenges and encouraging the desired changes. We urge all parties to embrace this path of dialogue to achieve meaningful and
lasting solutions for the benefit of our country.”
Igboho: Protest Sponsors Working to Disintegrate Nigeria
Leader of Yoruba Nation Movement, Chief Sunday Adeyemi, otherwise known as Sunday Igboho, claimed that the planned protests by "some unknown and faceless individuals" was designed to disintegrate the country.
Igboho, in a statement, said, "Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's assumed office on May 29th, 2023, he has implemented revolutionary policies, which his predecessors lacked the political will to pursue.
“These bold steps have, unsurprisingly, unsettled those who believe it is their birth right to rule Nigeria. And in response, there have been attempts to undermine his administration, particularly on social media, with the aim of creating discord between the government and the people.
"Recently, we have become aware of notices from unknown individuals threatening ‘10 days of rage’ beginning August 1st, 2024, under the slogan ‘Tinubu Must Go!’.
“While the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our constitution, it does not extend to calls for an unconstitutional regime change.
"It is worth noting that during President Buhari's eight-year tenure, there were no such protests for regime change from the Southwest, even when our people faced oppression and atrocities by Fulani terrorists. Our protests were focused on protecting our communities, not on destabilising the country.
"The Yoruba Nation Movement and I firmly declare that we will not participate in any protest aimed at using the South-west as a battleground for political upheaval.
“We stand resolute in our belief that the Yoruba nation will not be a Launchpad for disintegrating Nigeria. We recognise that economic hardship is a global phenomenon, not unique to Nigeria.
"Since my release from the unjust detention orchestrated by former President Buhari and his then Attorney General of Federation, Abubakar Malami, I have travelled extensively across Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and North America.
“Everywhere, people are facing challenges, and governments are implementing palliatives to alleviate these hardships. In Nigeria, PBAT's government has introduced measures to reduce food prices and increased the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, demonstrating a commitment to improving the lives of the working populace.
"Let us be clear: the protest is politically motivated. We call on all Yoruba people and well-meaning Nigerians to reject this movement.
The Yoruba nation unequivocally opposes any such protests.
“Like President Buhari, President Tinubu must be allowed to complete his term in office. The path to change lies in democratic processes—through the ballot box or a referendum. Those who seek change must wait until
the next elections in 2027."
CSOs
Defend Right to Peaceful Assembly
Coalitions of over 40 civil society organisations (CSOs), yesterday, issued statements reaffirming the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful assembly in Nigeria.
An alliance of 19 CSOs, in a joint statement, emphasised the importance of protecting such cornerstone of democracy by defending the right to peaceful protest. They urged the authorities to guarantee the safety and rights of protesters. They also called on the judiciary and National Human Rights Commission to ensure that any subsequent legal proceedings were fair, just, and respectful of human rights.
The 19 groups, in their statement, titled, “The Right to Peaceful Protest: A Pillar of Democratic Governance as Constitutionally Guaranteed,” said, “In light of recent events and ongoing discussions surrounding the appropriateness of citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with government policies and actions, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, are compelled to reaffirm the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful protest as an essential pillar of democratic governance.”
Similarly, a consortium of more than 36 CSOs endorsed the planned protests. They warned that attempts by the authorities to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions would not only be counterproductive and unacceptable but would also resisted.
The groups stated that protesting was a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others.
A statement jointly signed by Global Rights, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Yiaga Africa, and 32 others, said protest allowed citizens to publicly voice their concerns. They argued that protest further enabled the people to challenge injustice and participate actively in the democratic process.
The groups said protests served as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that the government’s actions reflected the will and needs of the people.
Shelve Protest, Delta Monarch Begs Youths
The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Delta State, His Majesty, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Udurhie 1, appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend the protest.
The monarch, who acknowledged
the difficult economic conditions being protested against by the youth, stated, however, that Nigeria was too fragile for such protest considering the precarious security situation in the country.
The revered royal father made the appeal, weekend, in a letter addressed to Nigerian youths titled, “Nationwide Hunger Protest: My Appeal to Nigerian Youths.” He observed that it was the right of Nigerian youths to embark on a peaceful protest, as enshrined in the country's constitution, but expressed fears that such good intention could be hijacked by bad elements to cause unrest across the country.
Ohanaeze Youths: No Protest in South-east
The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, announced that it would not take part in the planned nationwide protest.
Addressing newsmen after consultations with youths across the South-east, yesterday, president of the group, Chukwuma Okparaezeukwu, said the South-east had every reason to protest, ranging from the widespread economic hardship, massive youth unemployment and poor representation in governance.
Okparaezeukwu, however, stated that rather than protest, the youth had decided to engage with the federal government and governors of the South-east on the peculiar challenges of the region, with a view to finding lasting solutions to them.
Okparaezeukwu maintained that while the hunger protest was within the constitutional rights of the people and also justifiable, owing to the current state of affairs of the country, the protest could result in loss of lives and property of Igbo citizens that characterised the EndSARS protest of 2020.
NYCN Demands Subsidies on Food, Others
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) called on the federal and state governments to provide subsidies on food commodities as part of efforts to ameliorate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. The national youth body stated that there was need for both the federal and state governments to swing into action to reduce prices of daily consumable goods, like bread, garri, beans, yam, rice, among others, to enable the downtrodden to feed.
NYCN Vice President (North East), Bishop Kanatapwa, made the call while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja ahead of the August 1 nationwide protest. Kanatapwa called on government to grant importers of consumable items tax holiday to help reduce prices of daily consumable goods. The youth council admitted that Tinubu’s initiatives to enhance the national economy and update obsolete systems had substantially raised the cost of living, creating hardships for many, particularly the youth.
Marketing, Akeem Oyalowo, at the Good Mama ”Naija Queen” Open Market Fashion Show in Baboko Market, Ilorin, Kwara State … recently
KWARA RESIDENTS REGISTRATION EXERCISE…
L-R: Acting General Manager, Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA), Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Chief Executive Officer, Proximaforte Limited, Mr. Ayotunde Bally, during the official flag-off of the Kwara state residents registration exercise, in Ilorin…yesterday
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has lamented that low quality medicines are killing patients slowly, and therefore advocated for global quality standard medicines to be produced locally in Nigeria. This statement was made by
the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, at the ongoing three-day (from July 29 to 31, 2024), Second Region Workshop on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) with theme: ‘Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain’.
Adeyeye said the workshop is about engaging stakeholders across all levels, laying solid foundation for quality drugs
Police Neutralise Six Bandits in Benue
George Okoh in Makurdi
Operatives of Benue State Police Command have declared their commitment to curb criminal activities across the state following the recent killing of six suspected bandits by its team.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the state Police Command spokesperson, SP. Catherine Anene. She said following intelligence received about a bandit camp at Mbavuur ward, Logo Local Government Area, a team of Operation Zenda JTF stormed the camp and engaged the criminals in a gun duel.
According to her, “During the operation, six bandits were neutralised while others escaped. Their corpses were recovered and deposited at NKST Ugba morgue while the fleeing suspects are still being trailed.
“Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle and two locally fabricated short guns loaded with ammunition.”
Anene added that the police also trailed and arrested one Tersoo Dabo, 22, suspected of connections with robberies on Makurdi -Lafia road.
She said the suspect confessed to being part of a seven-man gang operating on the highway.
Alaba Int’l Traders Mourn Iwuanyanwu’s Demise
The President-General of International Market Amalgamated, Ojo-Alaba, Lagos, Chief Camillus Amajuoyi has commiserated with the immediate family of the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing his death as a colossal loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
In a statement in Lagos, Chief Amajuoyi also commiserated with the Igbo nation, saying the late Ohanaeze leader left a lasting positive impression on the Igbo nation as could be gleaned from his unwavering commitment to unity and well being of the people.
“It was with deep shock and sense of sorrow that I received the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba).
His death has left a vacuum no one can fill. His death has dealt a blow to the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a country,” he said.
According to him, “Chief Iwuanyanwu was a great leader. His death is a big shock to Imolites and painful loss, not only to his immediate family and Ndigbo but also to Nigeria as a country for he was a peace maker, a philanthropist without boundaries, a unifer and visionary leader.
“During his short reign as Ohanaeze President-General, he strove hard to see that Igbos are united. He preached the gospel of love, peace, reconciliation and unity among Igbos and among other Nigerians. He reached out to Igbos all over the world with his message of unity.”
production locally. She said: “The aims and objectives of this workshop are ‘preparation ahead of manufacturing’. If we don’t
understand what we are working with, as a matter of time, it will fail. We are building quality from the beginning which is incapacitation the regulators, manufacturers and
future workforce. It is about getting ready mentally and intellectually before we start manufacturing.
“We can’t do it alone which is why we are engaging our
partners and also with the support of resource people from other counties to join us to ensure that we are building this on solid foundation.”
Edo 2024: Orhionmwon Endorses Ighodalo for Governor
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city
The people of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday threw their weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming governorship election in the state, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate,
Osarodion Ogie.
Speaking on behalf of the party members and supporters in Urhonigbe during the PDP wardto-ward campaign visit to the Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Chief Wilson Ogieva, said that following the overwhelming track records of Ighodalo and Ogie, the people of the area have decided to work for the party’s victory in the election.
He said: ‘We have all resolved that our votes is going to be one way for the PDP in Urhonigbe North and South wards.
“This large crowd of people today (Monday) is a reflection of our resolutions to vote en masse for the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. “PDP has continued to bring development to the state and our people unlike the APC who are known for bringing hunger and suffering to the people. Very soon, we are going to make Urhonigbe a one party system town.”
FAAN Restates Commitment to Swift Response During Emergencies
Gideon Arinze in enugu
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it remains committed to swiftly responding to air crash and other emergency situations.
Acting General Manager of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire
Fighting Services (ARFFS) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, Stella Goodluck, made this known at the end of a mock air crash rescue operation conducted to assess the readiness of operators in responding to all emergency situations.
Speaking to THISDAY,
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday charged the newly-recruited officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) to contribute their
quota to the development of the state through diligent and dedicated service.
This is just as he enjoined the officers not to misplace their priorities or focus on enriching themselves unjustly.
Stella said that the exercise, which is compulsory every two years, is in accordance with International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) regulations. She noted that it was also an expression of FAAN’s commitment to the safety and welfare of all Nigerians and other nationals who constantly patronise airlines for their daily activities.
“I want to thank the management team at the airport, the on-scene commander, Azuh Ngozi and all responding agencies for making this mock exercise a successful one,” she said.
Contribute to Oyo’s Devt, Makinde Charges New Road Traffic Officers
Makinde, who reiterated that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers, declared that he had approved hazard allowance for OYRTMA officers with effect from August 1, 2024.
The governor stated this at the passing out parade of the 500 newly-recruited OYRTMA officers/men and inauguration of OYRTMA Marshals, held at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State.
Group Lauds Peter Obi for Being Supportive Leader, Youth-friendly
Sunday Okobi
A socio-political group, The Collective Movement (TCM), has lauded the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on his recent 63-year-old birthday celebration, describing him as a supportive leader and a great source of strength for the youths.
In a statement issued and made valiable to THISDAY yesterday by the group Director of Media, Mazi Edwin Nwachukwu, the Founder of TCM, High Chief Franklin Ekechukwu, described the former presidential candidate as a leader with a heart of gold, as he prayed for Obi’s day to be filled with joy, love, and happiness. He wished ‘the game changer in the 2023 general election’ more years of impactful service to the country and blessings ahead of the 2027 election.
Calling on Obi to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the group said: “With the utmost humility and appreciation, as you know sir, the situation of our beloved once-promised country is deteriorating, leaving everyone uncertain about the future. You are a force in the hearts of millions of Nigerians as a mentor and leader who can help salvage the state of the nation, most especially the youths who look up to you.
Gunmen Kill Customs Officer, Abduct Other in Kebbi
Onuminya Innocent
Gunmen suspected to be smugglers have attacked the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) patrol base in Koko, Kebbi State, resulting in the death of one officer and the abduction of another.
Governor Ododo expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointment of Mr. Tosin Adeyanju as the Executive Secretary, National Lottery Trust Fund, describing it as a well-deserved recognition of dedication and hard work.
The Kebbi State Command of the NCS in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Tajudeen Salisu, said that the gunmen trailed the anti-smuggling squad to their base at Koko, destroyed facilities, killed one Customs Officer, Dabo Umar, and abducted Babagana
Ododo stated this when he visited Adeyanju in Abuja. He said: “I am happy to meet you today, Tosin. Your appointment is a testament to your dedication and hard work. I have no doubt that you will excel in your new role and make
Abba Kabiru.
However, the remains of the deceased was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for Islamic burial.
The Command’s Comptroller, Earnest Iheanacho, while commiserating with the bereaved family of the late
Kogi State proud.”
According to him, the visit was a moment of celebration and collaboration, marking the beginning of a new era of teamwork and development in Kogi State Ododo emphasised the need
officer, said that a manhunt has been launched to rescue the abducted officer.
He said: “We will not be deterred or forced by fear to abandon the border patrol; our resolve to stem smugglers at all costs is unwavering despite threats by disgruntled elements.”
for collective effort to drive development in the state and country, saying, “We must work together as a team to take advantage of the good deeds of President Tinubu and spread development across our nation,” he said.
Ezinne: D’Tigress Have Made a Statement Not to Give up No Matter Who We Are Playing
D’Tigress’ Ezinne Kalu could barely talk after stepping off the court in the wake of Nigeria's vibrant and landmark 75-62 success against Australia on Monday morning.
It was an epic performance from the African side as they recorded their first Olympic success in 20 years, as well as making history by coming out on top of a Group phase game for the very first time.
Defensively, D'Tigress were warriors - a fact not lost on Kalu who made a special return to the national team after a three-year gap to claim 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
"Our defence was relentless," she told FIBA.comproudly.
"When we are on the court, we smell blood. Nobody defends quite like us and that is what keeps us going.
Ezinne Kalu set the tone defensively for Nigeria
"Australia came out in the second half with their veterans and an amazing coach who knows what she's doing, but we kept our foot on the gas and kept on going.
"Wow, this really means a lot for our country. Coming into this competition we were ranked 12th (in the Power Rankings) and Australia I think were third or fourth."
"Today we made a statement that we are not going to give up and no matter what country we play, we are going to play our basketball."
It's not been an easy ride for Kalu and her teammates at times and she admitted that it has been getting through some adversity that has proven a driver for shaping success.
She said: "We are a family and sometimes you fight with your
brother and your sister and then the next day you make up and be friends again the next day.
"That is what we have been doing in these past years. We have been trying to just stay together as a team and today proved that we can be great."
One of the main reasons for Nigeria's incredible victory against Opals has been the impact of head coach, Rene Wakama.
Rene Wakama has turned up the dial for Nigeria defensively
"She brought her experience and her fresh mind, she sees something different," claimed Kalu.
"She sees what we don't see in ourselves sometimes. She trusts us and we trust her. It's good to have someone who knows the game so well and wants us to succeed so much."
As for the play-caller herself, she was still trying to take in the enormity of the victory.
"I have a wave of emotions. I am so proud and excited for this
group. I've got a lot of girls that are hungry and shocked the world," said Wakama.
"We are tough. It's in our DNA, it's who we are - we don't back
down and I just want to bring a lot of energy and passion," she added.
Team Nigeria’s captain, Anuoluwapo Opeyori has remarked that the victory of Nigeria’s D’Tigress over Australia in the Paris 2024 women’s basketball tournament has inspired him that he can achieve a lot if he is determined.
The Nigerian star will be aiming
Stakeholders Salute D’Tigress over First Olympic Games Victory in 20 Years
Urged to sustain momentum as they take on hosts France on Thursday
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Critical stakeholders in the country’s sports rose in unison to pour encomiums on the awesome performance of Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, the D'Tigress, who defeated world number three Australia 75-62 in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games yesterday.
The victory is the first for any Nigerian basketball team at the Olympic Games in 20 years. The only other time D’Tigress won a game was at their inaugural outing in Athens, Greece in 2004 when they defeated South Korea 68-64.
The multiple Afrobasket champions from Africa came into the game against the Opal of Australia as underdogs. They however seized the momentum from the first quarter. They chalked up all four stanzas 18-17, 23-11, 10-19 and 24-15 to announce their readiness to fight for a place in the quarter-final.
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, in his goodwill message to the victorious ladies, showered praises on the D'Tigress for their outstanding performance on Monday morning.
Senator Enoh expressed his pride and excitement, stating, "This victory is not just a win; it is a monumental achievement. Our D'Tigress have shown the world what determination
and teamwork can achieve. They have made every Nigerian proud, beating the number three nation in the world rankings."
He added, "The resilience and spirit displayed by our women's basketball team are a beacon of hope and inspiration for all athletes competing in Paris. Their performance is a shining example of the excellence we aspire to achieve across all sports."
The minister stressed that the victory will undoubtedly “boost the morale of the entire Team Nigeria, and I am confident that it will lead to more successes in the days to come. Let us all rally behind our athletes as they continue to strive for greatness."
Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida congratulated D'Tigress on the victory in their first game.
An elated Kida described the win as historic and inspirational because no Nigeria Basketball team had won a match in 20 years, before this match. He praised the resilience and determination of the D'Tigress to defeat the current world's third-rated team in the world.
"Nigerians are happy and joyous over this victory, and it is indicative of the never-say-die attitude of the average Nigerian. It's also a testament to the unrelenting and concerted ef-
forts of the board of NBBF to place the country in its pride of place, in the comity of sporting nations, and Basketball especially, he remarked. He added that the team would not rest on its oars, even as the spirited and awesome performance of the team, has put them on a better stead to go ahead and fight for a podium finish.
D’Tigress will next meet host France, on Thursday, in their second group game, and the game is expected to be a very tough one, as well, in view of the fact that France will have tumultuous home support, but expect the D’Tigress to prevail at the end of the match.
NPFL, Sevilla Sign Collaboration Deal
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Spanish La Liga club, Sevilla FC have reached a deal to collaborate on the training of Coaches and development of youth football players of NPFL clubs. The arrangement is part of the globalisation process by the Spanish club to grow its fanbase worldwide and particularly to tap into the huge followership that football enjoys in Nigeria. The NPFL thus became
in Spain last week to consulate the partnership withJosé María del Nido Carrasco, the President of Sevilla FC.
“We are very happy to be able to work with the Nigerian Premier
Football League. Sevilla FC is convinced that this alliance can help NPFL clubs to continue improving and encourage the development of youth players.
"It is a new decisive step in our internationalisation process and will help our brand to continue to grow in Africa and particularly in a country like Nigeria from which we are receiving a lot of support after the signing of Chidera Ejuke,” explained José María del Nido Carrasco.
to better the performance of the team after a string of unimpressive results from the individual events by the country’s representatives.
The quartet of Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello all tasted defeat in their respective opening matches in the table tennis just as Adam Olaitan Olaore lost in the 92 kg at the boxing arena on Sunday but this afternoon, Opeyori will attempt to improve.
He expressed in Paris that the win by the D’Tigress was soul-lifting considering that the Australians are rated higher than Nigeria in the FIBA ranking.
He takes to the court this Tuesday as he faces Switzerland’s Tobias Kunzi in a Group N contest that also has China’s Li Shifeng. This is a Round of 16 contest. His match against Kunzi will hold at 7.30 pm local time (6.30 pm in Nigeria) at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena. Only one of the trio will advance to the next round.
Opeyori’s opponent, Tobias Kunzi this Monday lost his first match to the seeded Chinese player, Li Shifeng. It was a two-straight set of 21-13 in each set.
Opeyori will meet the seeded Li Shifeng on Wednesday.
Sports philanthropist and owner of Remo Stars FC, Hon. Kunle Soname has donated the sum of N25 million to the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria (PCN) as Nigeria prepares to feature at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in August.
He had earlier financially assisted the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) whose team is featuring in the ongoing Olympic Games.
Team Nigeria will participate in four events at the games which will kick start on the 28th August to 10th September in Paris.
The events are para table tennis, para-badminton, para-athletics and para powerlifting. Soname, a businessman and
keen sportsman, is the owner of ValueJet which has been transporting the Super Eagles of Nigeria to international matches. While donating over the weekend during his investiture as the patron of the PCN, Soname remarked: “The money is meant to support and prepare the athletes for the game.
“We shall continue to support our special athletes for them to excel at various games and I am optimistic that their participation at the Paris 24 will not be a difference”. Soname, who expressed appreciation to the leadership of PCN for deeming it fit to make him the Patron promised to always be available whenever his assistance is required.
Players in Anambra State wear black armbands as a mark of respect for fallen former Chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), has announced that all players in the ongoing Babatem/Anambra FA All Stars Football Competition must wear black armbands.
Dr. Ubah passed away in London at the age of 52 and was the former Chairman of ANSFA for 4 Years.
He was also the owner of the defunct NPFL, later NNL side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
ANSFA has now outlined its plan to pay more respect to its former Chairman during the remaining matches of the Babatem/Anambra State FA All Stars Tournament which is in the group stage.
A statement from the FA by board member and Head of the Media Committee, Mr Ralph Chidozie George: “We will continue to mourn
our late former Chairman, Senator Ubah and players will wear black armbands during the remaining games of the Babatem All Stars Tournament"
Chairman of ANSFA, Chief Chikelue Iloenyosi aka 'General' said “Our thoughts are with his family, I have spoken to the Wife and many stakeholders of the game in our State and everyone is in deep mourning, and so we will do everything to honour him".
"His family have promised to keep us posted on their plans towards a befitting burial and we will surely play our part to honour a man who was one of the greatest philanthropists of football in our State."
"In addition to players wearing black armbands in the remaining matches, we have also agreed that a minute silence must be observed in the matches billed for this weekend". General Chikelue said.
Nigeria now faces France and then Canada in their next Group B fixtures.
Jubilant D’Tigress celebrating their famous win over number three ranked Australia at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France
Kunle Soname (Left) with the Paralympics president Sunday Oyebode
Femi Solaja
TUESDAY
abati1990@gmail.com
Peter Obi to Nigerians
“Within the Nigerian Constitution, protest is allowed. All I plead for is that those who are protesting do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law. Everybody knows that things are difficult. When they talk about sponsors of the protest, I always say the sponsors are very simple. It’s hunger and hopelessness among the youth, so we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through” --LPPresidentialCandidatein2023 generalelections,PeterObi,saystheprotestsponsorsarehungerandeconomichardshipinthecountry.
WITH REUBEN ABATI
Before The Protests Begin…
“Ol’Boy.”
“Bros. Bro-oo!”
“How are you preparing for Thursday?”
“What is happening on Thursday?”
“What do you mean what is happening on Thursday? The #EndBad Governance protest”
“Isee. Me, I am not protesting oh. When I wake up on Thursday, if I see that some people are already on the streets, me I go stay for house oh. I don’t want trouble.”
“That is cowardice. The protesters want to do it for all of us. They have specific points. There is hunger in the land. There is no fuel. Life is hard. Tomatoes have become expensive. Common garri, people no fit chop again.”
“Good and do you know the protesters? They are saying there are no leaders, you are supporting a faceless protest?”
“It is not as faceless as you think. Peter Obi, Femi Falana, Deji Adeyanju, the Take It Back Movement have all said that the people’s right to protest is a constitutional right. They have asked to be allowed to use the Eagle Square in Abuja.”
“Yes, they have also asked Nyesom Wike to allow them access to facilities at the Eagle Square, including the toilets. I think they should just insist that Wike should come physically and help them with the toilets, by cleaning for them, because it is their constitutional right to use the Eagle Square. Nobody is questioning the people’s right to protest. Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution provide the necessary cover for that. As a citizen you have the right to speak and the right to the freedoms of association and assembly. What you cannot do is to insist that you will impose anarchy or rage or chaos on the country. The DSS says what we are dealing with is actually a regime change protest. You cannot do that.”
“Who told government that the people will cause violence or that they are planning chaos? Even Mr. Peter Obi that they say is supporting the protests, has come out publicly to advise the would-be protesters to stay within the ambit of the law. So, who is talking about violence, and why is the government afraid?
“Every protest leads to one problem or the other”
“That is not true”
“The 1789 riots in France because of hunger ended up with the French Revolution. In the United States, the people who were protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza disrupted activities on the university campuses. Recently when the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the US, to address Congress, pro-Palestine, anti-Israel persons protested at the Union Station and Pennsylvanian Avenue. My major take-away from that was that the police in Washington DC arrested over 200 people. The police chief said people can protest, but they have no right to go beyond the First Amendment. You remember the Arab Spring in 2011, from Tunisia to the whole of the Middle East. Remember the Kenya riots recently. Violence, anarchy will not bring anybody any good.”
“My brother. People are tired. They are hungry.”
“When Buhari was there, why did they not fight?”
“There was #EndSARS in 2020. Have you forgotten so soon?”
“Yes. Yes. EndSARS. And what good did it bring to Nigeria? All the people that died at Lekki Toll Gate, it is only their families that will forever feel the pains.”
“It is the primary duty of government to protect the people.”
“It is also the duty of the people to act within the ambit of the law. Citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. Governors, traditional rulers, civil society groups, Christian and Islamic clerics have all appealed for calm. They have advised the angry youths to give government a chance. I don’t agree that the people should wait for three years before they speak up. You cannot legislate the people’s anger. But then, make your point, do not destroy. Do you recall the number of vehicles, houses and businesses that were destroyed during EndSARS?”
“I hope you know that it is not everybody calling for calm and dialogue that is an apostle of peace,
some of them are doing it for their own interests. All the traditional rulers that went to visit Tinubu over this planned protest, tell me: did they or did they not collect sitting allowance? Hen Hen. Some of those characters that have been showing up in the media calling for peace. Do you think they are doing it for free? Even the security agencies, is this not their time to submit budgets for crowd control? One Bishop in Niger state even quoted Romans 13 1-3 saying the people must respect those in constituted authority.”
“Leave the Pastor alone. The Bible is the Book of Life. Everything is in it. But as for the security agencies, they have a constitutional duty to protect the state. No responsible government will fold its arms and allow chaos.”
“Is that why the Defence Headquarters is now saying they have identified unscrupulous elements and the military will come out and defend the country?”
“Yes, why not? Section 217 (2) (c) of the 1999 Constitution.”
“Section this, Section that. You think by quoting Sections of the Constitution, you are making sense? Who cares? We are talking about the reality of the people’s frustration. A protest is not necessarily an evil thing. In 2012, there was no violence. People met in Ojota and they rejected the plan to remove fuel subsidy. They were peaceful.”
“No. No. The protests actually turned bloody at some point. Go and check the Vanguard newspaper of Jan. 10, 2012. The protests turned bloody in Kano, Lagos and Benin and about 12 people were killed. Two in Lagos, seven in Kano and another three in Benin. You never know what will happen. The government is saying that the protests could be hijacked by mischief makers.”
“In 2012, the protest was led by responsible people. Pastor Tunde Bakare. Femi Kuti, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Fela Durotoye, Mohammed Fawehinmi, Ortis Wiliki… for seven hours, they spoke. People were even asked to bring their mats to come and sleep on the streets. The Jonathan government did not threaten people. The people had their say. What I don’t understand is the energy the Tinubu government is putting into telling people to shut up. After all, the President himself has reminded everyone that he is a veteran of street protests. Why doesn’t he too come out on Thursday and lead the protest in the spirit of democracy?”
“He should protest against himself? What are you saying? Where are the Wole Soyinkas, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Femi Falana, Fela Durotoye, Olisa Agbakoba, Omoyele Sowore?”
“You cannot dictate to anybody what to do.”
“Ok. Ok. So, if the security agencies break bones, shoot, and maim let nobody complain. Those who say they are courageous can dare the state. My only concern is that the gestation period for the protest is too long. They have given the security agencies more than enough time for them to get their arsenal together. My fear is even that the protest may not take place. People, especially in Lagos are more likely to sit at home, and monitor the protests on television.”
“I think the protests have started oh. Some angry youths were on the streets yesterday in Minna and Abuja.”
“As long as they are peaceful, fine.”
“Even here in Lagos, some youths protested in FESTAC yesterday.”
“No, those ones were not part of the Ebilokan protests. I understand they showed their anger because MTN had suspended their phone lines because of National Identification Number (NIN). Government gave enough long notice, but you know the way this country is. It is not MTN alone. Even 9 Mobile has suspended people’s lines. I know people who had submitted their NIN more than a year ago, and they still got their lines suspended.”
“I suspect government has a hand in it. They want to prevent protesters from talking. In fact, that will annoy the people more. It is provocative.”
“I don’t think it is government. The National Communications Commission (NCC), the telecom regulator came out yesterday telling MTN to restore the lines immediately.”
“It is more than that. I think the top executives of MTN, 9Mobile and any other telco that are suspending people’s phone lines at this time should be arrested immediately for engaging in an act of sabotage that can heighten tension in the country. The people are saying they are hungry, and angry. They are planning to take to the streets on Thursday, then you switch off their phone lines. That sounds like adding petrol to fire.”
“So, you want them arrested?”
“Yes, The DSS should call them in for questioning, let them explain why people’s lines have to be cut off, and what happened to the identification numbers they collected before now. Nonsense.”
“That would amount to transferred aggression. MTN did not cause hunger in Nigeria. They may have their business reasons”.
“Let them go and write statements, I beg. They did not even have the decency to explain to Nigerians why, and when their phone lines should be suspended. Nonsense upon ingredient. I don’t even know why government has to appeal to everybody. By now, the security agencies should have arrested some people, who are bent on making trouble. Let nobody come tomorrow and tell us that they had a challenge with intelligence gathering. Protest, yes. You want to cause problem or add fire to an already combustible situation, No.”
“This is still a democracy sha. The people have the right to be heard.”
“We are saying the same thing.”
“No. You sound like a fascist. Not even Tinubu’s spokespersons are this dismissive.”
“I have not dismissed anybody. But just don’t let anybody in uniform use you to collect promotion. They will shoot you, claim they did a good job. While you are in the hospital, they will gain promotion at work. Have you not seen that some people have already printed T-shirts. I have seen No to Protest T-shirts. I have also seen End Bad Governance T-shirts? Some people are saying We are Hungry. Some people see an opportunity for quick business. Don’t be surprised if skit makers, musicians, Nollywood producers all join the bandwagon. At the end of it all, the economy will suffer more.”
“But look at the positive side. You can’t blame those who want to give Tinubu a shock therapy. In this country, if you keep quiet, people will ride roughshod over you. You see what happened when Aliko Dangote spoke up? He joined the Soro Soke group. He spoke his mind. Are you not aware that the Federal Government has met him half-way. Now he and other local owners of refineries can buy crude
oil from the NNPC in Naira. If a billionaire can speak up, who are you a thousand-naire not to Soro Soke? Organized Labour spoke, Tinubu don go sign new national minimum wage. Even domestic workers who no complain, he put join.”
“I don’t think you have been listening to me. I am not against protest, just operate within the ambit of the law. Let the police know your chosen location. In Abuja, is it Unity Fountain? In Lagos, is it Ojota Park or Campos Square? Section 83 of the Police Establishment Act 2020 (as amended). The police must protect you, but they also need to know your location. In 2022, #EndSARS was peaceful for two weeks before things went the other way. Some youths went to the streets in Akoka, Lagos yesterday, destroying other people’s vehicles. How does that help anybody?”
“It is alright. When you go out on Thursday and you run into the protesters, please go and tell them Section this, Section that. What is my own? By the way, have you been following the Olympics?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Very colorful opening ceremony if you ignore the controversy over the mix up in the names of North Korea and South Korea as well as the protests over Christianity and the parody of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. I loved the attire of Mongolia, Liberia, the US, Great Britain, the opening ceremony was a good mix of history, fashion, music, diversity and the beauty of Paris and France.”
“Indeed, very good. But our team has not been pulling its weight. The Super Falcons have been beaten by Brazil and Spain. They will be very lucky to make it to the quarter finals. Our table tennis team: Offiong Edem, Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, Fatimo Bello are all out. The first time since 1988 that the Nigerian team will not win a game in table tennis. Cynthia Ogunsemilore, lightweight boxer failed the dope test. But I guess it is the Olympics. Attendance is enough glory in itself. After all, Nigeria has done better than the Canada female team, the defending champions in women football. Their analyst was sent home. The coach has been suspended by FIFA for one year. They have been asked to pay a fine of $226, 000. The Canada team was accused of spying on New Zealand with the aid of a drone, thus violating the principles of fair play and now they also have a six-points deduction imposed on them. At least so far, the Nigerian team has not brought us any scandal.”
“I think our female basketball team D’Tigress is showing great promise. Yesterday, they beat the Australian team, rated the third best in the world, 75 -62. Historic. Their first win in an Olympic match since Athens in 2004. They must keep it up. Even the male basketball team from South Sudan is about to make history. They beat Puerto Rico 90 to 79.”
“More history will be made. After all, Le Bron James is the first billionaire to compete at the Olympics. Simone Biles is back with a bang. She is dazzling. It is the Olympics showcasing the glory of human and individual talent. But I don’t understand why there are many errors. France spent $9 billion for God’s sake. The broadcasters cannot get the names of countries right, and even yesterday, the National Anthem of Sudan was played for South Sudan. I hear even the games village is too cramped. The food is not great either. Team Great Britain has had to arrange their own chef. Almost all the members of Team USA have left the Olympics Village to check into hotels. Can you imagine 10 girls scrambling to use two bathrooms? The beds are made of cardboards! No air conditioning in the Olympics Village in this sweltering heat.”
“They are there to win medals, not to indulge in luxury. I beg. I am sure there would be more than enough athletes who are just happy to be there.”
“I have checked the medals table. China, Japan, Britain, United States, Australia, France, South Korea, Italy, and Canada are not doing badly at all. South Africa has three medals. Egypt one bronze medal, Tunisia one silver medal”
“It is okay. No problem. Team Nigeria is wearing good jerseys. And trust our people, they will stay at the Village. Nigeria should pay them their allowances sha. We don’t want to hear stories.”
