TUESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2023

Labour Insists on Nationwide Protests from Tomorrow

Faults Tinubu's ability to control inflation, gasoline prices We're dealing with oil cabals, says Gbajabiamila

NSA: We inherited a very bad situation Civil society group backs labour, mobilises members

The organised labour has insisted on going ahead with its planned protests

over the removal of petroleum subsidy from tomorrow, August 2, 2023. Rising from another round of meeting of the Presidential Steering

Committee on palliatives at the State House, Abuja, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) also expressed reservations about President Bola

Tinubu's ability to control inflation and gasoline prices due to the unification of the exchange rate. Addressing newsmen after the committee's meeting yesterday,

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NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the plan for workers to proceed on a peaceful protest from tomorrow, has not changed. He dismissed fears that the Continued on page 10

peaceful protest could be hijacked by hoodlums, saying such had never happened in the history of

Tinubu Bemoans State of Economy, Says After Darkness Comes Glorious Dawn

Claims national wealth doled on favourable terms to handful of people who became filthy rich

To spend N75bn to create jobs in manufacturing sector between now and March 2024

Energises SMEs with N125bn, devotes N100bn to purchase of 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses

Orders release of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains to households nationwide

Tinubu’s broadcast waste of time, Atiku’s aide declares

To liaise with labour for upward review of minimum wage Promises necessary interventions to halt exchange rate depreciation, fuel price increases, inflation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

In his maiden national broadcast yesterday, President Bola Tinubu bemoaned the state of the economy, saying after darkness comes glorious dawn.

The President however decried what he called an unfair economic environment marked by an “unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters” at the expense of the populace.

Tinubu also decried the hitherto multiple foreign exchange regime under which, “Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another.”

The president acknowledged the extra hardship brought upon the citizenry by the policy measures his new administration had adopted to try to resolve the economic crisis. But he expressed optimism

Continued on page 10

PrEsiDENT hOlDs DECOrATiON CErEmONy fOr sErViCE ChiEfs...

L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa; Vice President Kashim Shettima; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, shortly after their decoration ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja …..yesterday

Nigeria seeks WhO's Assistance for Emergency Deployment against Diphtheria...

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

AWARD AND GALA NIGHT OF COMMITTEE OF VICE CHANCELLORS OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES...

Lagos Reduces BRT Bus Fare by 50%

To distribute food to the poor Protest in Osun, Oyo over economic hardship, others Northern group mobilises for widespread protests over hunger, fuel price increase

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, announced reduction in transport fare on all Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) routes by 50 per cent beginning from August 2. Sanwo-Olu also disclosed plans to distribute food to poor folks in the state.

However, elsewhere in the country, growing economic hardship caused by removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government instigated protest marches. There were protests in Oyo and Osun states.

Members of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), yesterday, thronged major streets in the capital, Oshogbo, to protest against the privations occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Similarly, Arewa Citizens Watch for Good Governance (ACWGG) threatened to embark on a massive protest over widespread hunger in the region.

Besides reduction of BRT fares, Sanwo-Olu also said commercial buses, known as “Danfo”, would follow suit with a reduction of 25 per cent in fare on all routes.

Although Sanwo-Olu did not say how he would enforce the reduction in transport fare for the yellow buses.

The governor spoke while addressing journalists at State House, Ikeja, at the end of a security meeting with the army, police, navy, and other security agencies.

He said the number of Lagos State staff buses would also be increased, adding that new buses have already been purchased.

Sanwo-Olu said the state would soon commence distribution of food stuff, such as rice, beans, and garri, to the poor in the state. He said the distribution would be done through the Community Development Associations (CDAs), churches, mosques, and local governments.

The governor stressed that the measures were to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government as well as the harsh economic situation in the country.

The Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, while stating the efforts by the police to address the security situation in the state, said there had been an increase in vehicle vandalism and clashes by cultists in the state.

Owohunwa said “Operation Flush” was formed by the police to tackle the

security challenges and 260 suspects had been arrested and were being investigated. He warned that anyone planning to disrupt the peace of the state would be dealt with.

Protest in Osun Over Economic Hardship, Others

Members of OCSC, yesterday, took over major streets in Osogbo, Osun State capital, to protest against the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

THISDAY gathered that the protest started at the popular Ayetoro junction at 8am and terminated under Olaiya Bridge, in Osogbo.

Led by the chairman of the coalition, Waheed Lawal, the protest attracted many civil society groups and their affiliates in the state.

The protesters said they would not stop until their voices were heard. Part of their demands were urgent solution to the economic hardship, an end to commercialisation of education, provision of palliatives, fuel subsidy, halt of hike in electricity tariff, and tackling of insecurity.

Speaking during the protest, Lawal said the protest was not about political party, but about the suffering of innocent Nigerians, who could hardly eat one square meal a day. He stressed that every human being deserved decent living and dignity, adding that Nigeria has been blessed by both human and natural resources. He said bad leadership was the major problem hindering the country’s development.

According to Lawal, "Every human needs food, water, clothing, shelter, and sleep, but rising cost of living is gradually taking away human dignity, to the extent that the average Nigerian cannot afford to eat twice in a day or fuel their cars anymore.

“The cost of food is high, the cost of public education is getting higher, and job opportunities declining daily.

"The current economic hardship has pushed millions Nigerians to poverty, the middle class has fallen, the rich is getting richer and the poor getting poorer.”

Lawal, condemned the economic reforms of the federal government, saying they are strangulating Nigerians and impoverishing the poor. He called on President Bola Tinubu to rescind some of the economic policies in the interest of the poor and ordinary Nigerians.

One of the leaders of the group, Ayo Ologun, condemned the earlier proposed N8, 000 palliatives targeted at 12 million Nigerians, describing it as

insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Ologun said, "We are calling on Mr. President to stop suffocating the poor Nigerians. Rather, he should cut down the cost of governance and be sincere in judiciously using the gains of subsidy removal to better the lives of the poor masses.”

Another member of the group, Emmanuel Olowu, dispelled rumour that hoodlums would hijack the protest planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday, saying such will not happen, as the suffering affects millions of Nigerians who are yearning for a better life.

Olowu called on the people of the state to come out in solidarity with NLC on Wednesday, to fight a just course.

Workers Protest in Oyo as Govt Calls Labour for Dialogue

Public sector workers and pension-

ers in Oyo State, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest over the issues affecting their welfare.

The protesting workers, who gathered at the state secretariat as early as 8am, were vehement in demanding to see Governor Seyi Makinde, to attend to their challenges in person for immediate resolutions. Failure to allow them see the governor, they said they would continue to occupy the state secretariat and cripple the activities of government.

The state government rallied the protesting workers to discuss the issue of salary deductions. In a statement by the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the state government insisted only three months, not six months, deductions were owed workers.

The protesting workers blocked the major entrance into the secretariat, as they asked for payment of gratuities to retirees who had been stagnated since 2021. Among others, the protesting

workers also demanded the release of their Letters of Promotion for 2021 and 2022. They said they wanted Makinde to personally address them over issues affecting workers in the state.

The state Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bosun Olabiyi, who outlined some of their demands, said government’s failure to remit deductions from their salaries for cooperatives and other statutory commitments were among their grouses.

Olabiyi argued that various attempts to discuss with the governor to resolve the agitations had been unfruitful as the government had continued to abuse rules of engagement.

Similarly, the state chairman of NLC, Kayode Martins, said organised labour had been misrepresented in its dialogue with the government, hence the need to have a meeting with the governor in person to resolve

their agitations.

Oyelade said every state in the country owed workers salary deductions and the three months owed by the state was the least. He stated that the workers had shown over the years that they were in support of the present administration because of good governance and should reflect on the disposition of government to workers' welfare.

According to him, "While the July salaries have been paid in Oyo State, not less than 20 states, including Ondo, Plateau, Benue and Bayelsa, are owing several months of salaries in arrears, while several more, including neighbouring states, are owing months of deduction arrears.

"The Oyo State government started the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage three years ago, yet up till now many states are still struggling to pay the old wage.

FRC Delegates Supervision of Auditing Firms to ICAN

Promises to address balkanisation of accounting profession

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) yesterday signed a Memorandun of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), which granted ICAN the instrument of delegation to supervise and monitor licensed auditing firms in Nigeria.

The MoU was signed during the courtesy visit of 59th President of ICAN, Dr. Innocent Iweka Okwuosa, to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of FRC, Ambassador Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed.

Both bodies said the signing of the instrument of delegation would bring into effect audit regulation and improve investors’ confidence on financial statements of business entities in Nigeria.

Ahmed also assured ICAN that the FRC would intervene in the current proliferation of accounting professional bodies in Nigeria to stem the balkanisation and prevent watering down of the prestige of accounting profession.

Ahmed said: “We signed the instrument of delegation, which has been a sticking point for the past three years, to enable the audit

regulation to take effect.

“The audit regulation was enacted three years ago by the federal government to improve on the quality of audit work being done in Nigeria. It provides that the FRC will monitor and supervise the quality of audit work being done in the country.

“But you that there are thousands of audit firms in this country and the FRC with its meagre staff cannot supervise thousands of these audit firms. So, with this instrument of delegation, we are now enabling ICAN to help us assist with the supervision of some of these firms.

“And we expect that we are going to sign similar instrument of delegation with other professional body organisations like the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).”

Commenting on the balkanisation of accounting professional bodies, the executive secretary of FRC told Okwuosa that the council has taken, “note of the issue that you have raised on the balkanisation of the profession. It must addressed because it is a serious matter that is watering down of the prestige of the accountancy profession.”

He added that the FRC would help to facilitate the passage of ICAN

Amendment Bill in the National Assembly.

Okwuosa, in his address to the management of the FRC, expressed ICAN’s concern about the effect of unhealthy rivalry among professional accountancy organisations (PAOs), and asked the council to intervene.

He said: “We observe that the first cause of this is the balkanisation and proliferation of accountancy bodies in the country. We are of the view that the FRC, being a regulator of accountancy profession, has an important role to play to checkmate this balkanisation and proliferation.

“For example, the FRC can make a representation to the lawmakers, advising them against enacting laws that create a duplication of an already existing accountancy profession.

“We equally want to draw the attention of FRC to yet another danger in the proliferation of accountancy bodies in the country. This danger stems from a clause usually inserted in the laws setting up the new accountancy bodies which requires all existing practitioners to join the new body, failing which they will be criminalised for engaging in a practice they were already licenced to engage in.

“Meanwhile the new body do not

usually follow a rigorous certification route expected of professionals, as membership certificates are extended to some influential persons in the society. This is the root of the emergence of quacks, low quality work, under-pricing of services, etc.”

The president of ICAN also expressed satisfaction that the institute and the FRC were able to sign the MoU on the delegation of the authority to monitor auditing firms to ensure that they are observing laid down rules and procedures.

He said: “The importance of the MOU is that if you practice audit, you have to get registered with the FRC. But it is not just the registering is the issue because you also need to monitor what they are doing.

“So today’s agreement makes it possible for the FRC to delegate this monitoring and review of audit firms. With that we will be able to check quacks, and be able to make sure that if you hold the license to practice, you will be doing it in line with established rules.

“Because if they review your firm and find out that you are not following the laid guidelines, you can be sanctioned. And that marks a very new beginning in accountancy and audit practice in the country.”

Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Segun

James in Lagos, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

L-R: Product Manager, Digital Banking Parallex Bank Limited, Mr. Fredrick Ebrimoni, Relationship Manager, Private Banking, Foluke Abodunrin; Head Treasury and Institutional Banking, Parallex Bank, Mr. Ayodeji Abimbola; Secretary General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof. Yakubu Ochefu; and Head, Brand and Communication, Parallex Bank, Mr. Ademola Adeshola, at the Award and Gala Night of Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities in Lagos ... recently

Kyari: NNPC Will Sustain Aggressive Gas Devt Projects to Achieve Affordable, Cleaner Energy for Nigerians

Insists Nigeria not transitioning away from fossil fuel Seplat CEO projects $3.5tn net investment to meet Africa's energy transition by 2050

Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has vowed that the company would sustain ongoing aggressive gas development and gas transportation projects in order to deliver affordable and cleaner energy to the teeming Nigerian population still grappling with acute energy poverty.

Kyari stated this in Lagos, yesterday, while delivering a keynote address at the ongoing Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) with the theme,

“Balancing Energy Accessibility, Affordability, and Sustainability: Strategic Options for Africa.”

The GCEO, however, insisted that Nigeria was not transitioning away from hydrocarbon despite the current pressures by the advocates of energy transition, adding that Nigeria would instead use its abundance hydrocarbon resources to drive its transition.

Kyari, spoke just as the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Mr. Roger Brown, predicted at the conference that Africa would need about $3.5 trillion net investment to achieve energy transition and net zero target by 2050.

Represented at the session by the Executive Vice President,

Upstream, NNPCL, Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye, Kyari, said that ongoing gas development and gas transportation projects in the country would increase energy accessibility, affordability and sustainability for Nigerians.

He explained that Nigeria has about 209.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves with a potential upside of up to 600tcf, noting that this was an enormous resource that would drive the country's cleaner and affordable energy vision.

He maintained that while there were alternative energy sources such as solar and wind, they were faced with technology limitations, still not affordable and cannot meet the high energy demands of industries, cities

and remote environments unlike gas.

Kyari added that African countries still grapple with strategies of balancing energy availability with meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No 7, which deals with affordable and clean energy, as well as SDG No 13 that borders on climate actions.

He said, “Energy accessibility means ensuring all citizens can access reliable, modern energy, irrespective of their location or socio-economic status.

“Energy affordability entails ensuring energy and its infrastructure are priced so they can be obtained without financial strain by Africans, while energy sustainability

Stakeholders Lament Africa’s 1% Solar PV Penetration, Seek Massive Investment

Emmanuel Addeh in

Abuja

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s renewable energy space have lamented the just 1 per cent penetration of solar PVs on the African continent, maintaining that the government must provide incentives for massive investment in the sector.

The experts and business persons who came under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations-Alliance (REEEA-A) spoke at a training session for journalists as well as persons with disabilities in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr Joy Ogaji, who was a resource person at the event, noted that although the continent has about 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources, it is yet to fully take advantage of the materials.

However, she stated that the new Electricity Act now provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for stimulate policies to attract sustainable investments in new and efficient power generation technology and revamp existing power plants to address technology limitation and outdated infrastructure that are responsible for value chain losses in the industry.

“Africa is already facing more

severe climate change than most other parts of the world, ... and home to 60 per cent of the best solar resources globally, yet only 1 per cent of installed solar PV capacity,” she said.

In rural areas, where over 80 per cent of the electricity-deprived live, she argued that mini-grids and stand-alone systems, mostly solar based, are the most viable solutions. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine sending food, energy and other commodity prices soaring, she said that this was increasing the strains on African economies already hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Ogaji, Africa consumes a meagre 3.3 per cent of the world's electricity, with domestic demand in West African countries still too low to attract investments in large projects that benefit from economies of scale.

For West Africa to ensure energy security for her growing economies, she argued that developing a strategic framework through regional integration coordination and benchmark must be promoted when developing respective energy sectors.

She maintained that there was urgent need to move towards willing seller/willing buyer contracts to effectively balance risk and reward in the industry.

Ogaji also pointed out that an

institutional alignment aimed at engendering transparency and accountability in the implementation of renewable energy projects was required.

On Nigeria’s vision 30:30:30, Ogaji argued that it would need a general buy-in of the populace, stressing that majority of Nigerians have never even heard of of the vision, not to talk of understanding the roadmap

towards its implementation.

In her remarks, the Founder/ Chairman, Women Green Energy Institute and first female President of the Council for Renewable Energy, Nigeria (CREN), Anita Okuribido, underscored the need for collaboration and working with state governors to ensure that the message of renewable energy is propagated.

implies that our energy use does not harm the local environment or exhaust resources, affecting future generations.

“This is indeed a trilemma situation and the delicate balance between political will, technological innovation, effective market mechanisms, well-crafted policy interventions, and capacity building.

“It also demands a multistakeholder approach, one that involves government, the private sector, civil society, host community and the public at large."

In the past few years, Kyari pointed out that the Nigerian energy industry has witnessed strategic transformation which has given birth to a viable industry legislation -the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and a long-term gas-centered energy transition plan.

On the policy front, he said they have also seen the emergence of the incorporation of the national oil company from NNPC to NNPC Limited.

Kyari said the PIA 2021 also provides for the NNPC to engage in the renewable energy business, while the Nigerian Climate Act provided for the mainstreaming of climate change actions to achieve low emissions, inclusive green growth, and sustainable economic development.

He insisted that Nigeria was not transitioning away from hydrocarbon despite the current

pressures by the advocates of energy transition, adding that Nigeria would instead use its abundance hydrocarbon resources to drive its transition agenda.

“Nigeria is not transitioning away from the hydrocarbons; however, we hope to see an increase in the footprint of alternative cleaner energy sources in the foreseeable future amid fossil fuel dominance. We use what we have to get to our desired destination.

“This is the reason that NNPC Limited has identified gas as a transition fuel and we are expanding our gas development and gas infrastructure across the country to increase energy accessibility.

“NNPC Limited plans to sustain and increase our aggressive gas development and gas transportation projects to achieve affordable and clean energy which is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Goal No. 7, as our strategic energy plan towards finding a balance for the energy trilemma,” he added.

The GCEO urged all industry stakeholders and SPE Nigeria Council to ensure the provision of affordable, clean, and efficient energy options to all stakeholders, comprising over 200 million Nigerians, under a just and equitable transition.

Governor: Gombe Ready to Leverage New Electricity Act to Boost Economic Growth

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has restated his government's readiness to partner the private sector towards boosting power supply in the state and foster industrial development, economic growth and prosperity of the people.

The governor restated his government's readiness to collaborate with private individuals, groups, organisations, development partners, and all relevant stakeholders towards making Gombe a self-sufficient state in power generation in the country.

The governor said this while speaking in Kaltungo, at the civic reception and turbanning ceremony of the Secretary to Gombe State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi as Madakin Kaltungo.

Yahaya, expressed concern over the epileptic power supply in the state and the country at large, a challenge he attributed to the inefficiency and failure of leadership at different levels.

He called on leaders at various positions of authority to brace up and put things right.

He noted that, "Gombe State

is blessed with various power potentials like coal, uranium, dams, Kolmani oil and gas field, wind and solar resources, among others which if properly harnessed will go a long way in improving the quality and standard of life of the citizenry.

"We have both human and material resources to harness these potentials and provide our state with adequate power for industrial and socio-economic development."

He expressed optimism that with the new law permitting states to generate, transmit and distribute power, things would change for

the better, assuring that Gombe State was ready to leverage the opportunity and generate power internally.

"We cannot afford to abandon these enormous potential that we have. We will leverage this law and ensure that our people benefit from their endowed resources.

"When there is adequate power, industries will prosper and generate employment for our teeming populace, especially youths, bringing forth economic growth and development in our dear state and the country in general," he explained.

ALILE MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY...

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Madam Pat Udoh; the celebrants, Dr. Clement Alile; his wife, Caroline; former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Chief Ponfa Useni, at the 80th birthday celebration of Dr. Alile in Benin City... yesterday

PREPARING FOR THE 22ND EDITION OF THE NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL...

Festival…recently

Nigeria Seeks WHO's Assistance for Emergency Deployment against Diphtheria

NPHCDA: 836 cases recorded with 83 deaths

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has requested the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the deployment of 18 rapid response teams to support the management of diphtheria disease in Bauchi, Kaduna and Katsina states.

In an update presented yesterday, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed that no fewer than 836 cases of diphtheria had been confirmed in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across eight states: Cross River, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Lagos, Osun, Yobe, and FCT.

It further disclosed that 83 deaths have been reported from the confirmed cases, making vaccination against this deadly disease critically important, especially for children.

The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, while disclosing this at a press conference on the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria, said despite efforts of the federal government to provide safe and cost-effective vaccines, a significant number of children remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, compromising the country’s goal of achieving population immunity.

WHO Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who also spoke at the media briefing said WHO was working with NPHCDA to organise the first phase of a vaccination campaign targeting children from 0 to 14 years old in four states, and that the support

cost about N92 million.

The WHO scribe also said the agency had received request from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to procure Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) and erythromycin IV for the case management of diphtheria cases.

About 1,800 vials of DAT was expected to arrive in the country on August 2nd, and erythromycin in about a week or two, pending government’s authorisation.

He also said WHO was requested by NCDC to procure DAT and erythromycin IV for the case management of diphtheria cases.

“These health commodities are essential for saving lives and reducing the sequelae in the affected patients, thus need to be prepositioned in the country and ready to be deployed to the states in need.

“This weekend NCDC requested support from WHO for the deployment of 18 rapid response teams to support Bauchi, Kaduna, and Katsina response.

“The deployment process is underway following the requested profile, and a mix of the workforce from the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NFELTP), Avoc-SURGE, and WHO staff will be used.

“WHO’s team is on the ground in Yobe and Kano, improving surveillance at health facility and community level, supporting the active case search, and assisting with the decentralised isolation centres and referral to the state reference treatment centres, in alignment with

State Ministry of Health request and NCDC guidance,” he said.

According to him, “WHO is supporting the FCT in conducting an integrated Active Case Search and Household Sensitisation in FCT, optimising the opportunity for the fIPV + nOPV2 RI intensification campaign.

“WHO is supporting the procurement of laboratory commodities to increase the result turnaround time to support the case definition and management at an early stage.”

While speaking on the emergency

intervention against diphtheria outbreak, Shauib said the NPHCDA is currently collaborating with the affected state teams and other stakeholders to conduct intensified mass vaccinations for identified at-risk populations in the affected states, administering pentavalent and tetanus & diphtheria vaccines.

“Additionally, we are conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures.

“The response to the ongoing

diphtheria outbreak will be carried out in two phases. Phase 1, the immediate response, will encompass 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across four States: Bauchi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kaduna.

“This phase is scheduled to begin on the 7th of August 2023 and will continue until the 11th of August 2023.”

“Phase 2 will cover outbreak response in 171 LGAs. Six States (Kano, Katsina, FCT, Yobe, Kaduna, and Bauchi) will have a state-wide outbreak response, while there will

be targeted outbreak responses in LGAs across eight States: Jigawa (8 LGAs), Borno (4 LGAs), Osun (4 LGAs), Lagos (3 LGAs), Zamfara (3 LGAs), Gombe (3 LGAs), Plateau (1 LGA), and Nasarawa (1 LGA).

“This phase is planned to be conducted in three rounds. The first round will commence on 21st August 2023, followed by the second (2nd) and third (3rd) rounds tentatively set for 18th September 2023 and 16th October 2023, respectively. Each of these three rounds will span five days.”

Agusto & Co: Remittance Flows into Nigeria to Hit $26bn by 2025

Gilbert Ekugbe

Agusto & Co has predicted that remittance flows into Nigeria would rise to about $26 billion by 2025, from $19.8 billion presently.

In a statement, Agusto & Co, stated that the increase would be supported by improved economic conditions in advanced economies.

THISDAY had reported that with $20.1 billion in remittances in 2021, Nigeria was the second-highest recipient in Africa, trailing only Egypt ($28.3 billion).

"Therefore, Agusto & Co. expects remittance flows into Nigeria to rise to about $26 billion by 2025. Given

Nigeria's high poverty rate, which increases reliance on foreign aid, Agusto & Co. also anticipates the need to finance the basic requirements of dependents to remain the most important element driving remittances in the near to medium term," the statement added.

The credit rating agency also stated that Nigeria’s emigrant base is currently skewed towards the economically productive middleclass demographic, which is positive for remittances and underpins the need to devise strategies targeted at this age group to ensure the sustainability of remittances.

"However, given the significant

Fee Increment Not Solution to Poor Funding in Varsities, Says CSO

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

A civil society organisation (CSO), the Reform Education Nigeria, yesterday, argued that the recent move to hike school fees in some federal universities would not provide lasting solution to the issue of funding which has continued to plague government-owned institutions in the country.

The group also stressed the need for institutions to be innovative and look for alternative ways to ensure that schools remain funded irrespective of interventions by government.

In a statement which was made available to THISDAY, the CSO also called on President Bola Tinubu to release bailout funds for institutions

in order to mitigate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy.

The statement titled: ‘Fee increment: Nigerian institutions must be innovative,” explained: “We at Reform Education Nigeria cannot help but lend our voice following the news of increment in charges by some Nigerian institutions most especially universities such as the University of Benin, University of Lagos, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, among others.

“Though the news of the increment was not surprising seeing that the recent hike in the cost of living owing to the removal of subsidy on petrol has also affected the academic community.

“Of course, it is also important

to note that institutions in Nigeria have remained grossly underfunded over the years and this is evident in the poor state of our institutions.”

According to the statement, “as at today, no institution in Nigeria can boast of enough academic staff, lecturers are poorly paid, dearth of infrastructural facilities to say the least.

“Recently, the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was accused of owing over N900 million worth of electricity bills by the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

“While successive Nigerian government over the years have continued to show their disdain for education, by failing to pay adequate attention to the education sector, Nigerians must rise to save the

occasion. No nation can truly rise above its education sector.”

It noted that the idea of institutions announcing increment in fees to constantly meet up with obligations was a lazy intervention that would not be sustainable in the long run. “In saner climes, institutions are funded through endowment funds, sponsorships by philanthropists, alumni association among others.

“While it is undebatable that tertiary education in Nigeria is undoubtedly one of the cheapest in the world, it is important to note that the poor minimum wage coupled with the high level of poverty may force citizens out of school should charges continue to increase or tuition be introduced.

contribution of students to the emigrating population, Agusto & Co. expects a surge in remittance inflows in the medium term. In June 2023, the CBN liberalised the foreign exchange regime, doing away with market segmentation, collapsing all the segments into a single exchange rate window –Investors and Exporters (I & E) Window – and adopted a managed floating exchange rate regime," the report said.

"We believe that the unification of exchange rates would also incentivise remittance inflows through official channels, particularly for investment purposes, as it is likely to improve the FX liquidity position, which would facilitate the repatriation of funds," Agusto & Co averred.

According to Agusto & Co, remittances have proven to be positively correlated with the income of immigrants and economic conditions in the sending countries, maintaining that the slow economic recovery and cost of living crises that confronted many developed economies in 2022 were indicative of this trend and constrained remittance flows into Nigeria.

"This was further exacerbated by the implementation of capital controls and other unpopular policies by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which restricted inflows through official channels.

“Remittances from the diaspora have played an increasingly essential role in Nigeria's economy, serving as an important source of foreign exchange earnings and a catalyst for

economic growth and development.

“As more Nigerians, discouraged by the country's gloomy economic conditions, look overseas for opportunity, their remittances will continue to play, a crucial role in sustaining the Nigerian economy," the statement affirmed.

Agusto & Co pointed out that the growth of the funds had been exceptional, empowering dependents to meet their basic needs, pursue education, access healthcare, and embark on entrepreneurial endeavours.

On the mass emigration wave, the report stated that Nigeria had been dealing with the challenge of emigration and brain drain for decades as a result of the rising number of people fleeing in search of greener pastures amid the country’s dim economic prospects.

"This growing trend in emigration has been informally tagged “Japa” – a Yoruba word that translates to “flee or run away.

“As more countries, particularly highly sought-after destinations, have become more welcoming of immigrants as a result of the global labour shortage experienced post-COVID-19, there are now more opportunities than ever for migrants seeking employment in environments with improved economic and living conditions," Agusto & Co added.

It however, bemoaned that the widespread exodus has left many businesses severely understaffed, which has stunted the expansion of a variety of industries and lowered tax revenues for the government.

L-R: Former Nigerian Sprint Queen; Falilat Ogunkoya; Chairman, National Sports Festival Local Organising Committee, Bukola Olopade; Governor Dapo Abiodun; Co-Chair of the Local Organising Committee; Adetilewa Adebajo; Secretary of the committee and Chief Executive Officer, Sporty Connect; Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee for the 22nd edition of the National Sports

Stock Market Gains N7.1tn in Seven Months Amid FX Reforms

Kayode Tokede

Long-term investors in the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) are reaping benefit of their investment as the stock market continued its positive trend in the first seven months of 2023, gaining N7.1trillion in market capitalisation amid the new government economic reforms on foreign exchange that have triggered buying interest in fundamentals stocks.

The market capitalisation in the first seven months gained N7.1 trillion or 25.4per cent when the stock market opened for trading at N27.915 in 2023, to close at N35.011

trillion. In July, the market capitalisation gained N1.81trillion or 5.46 per cent to N33.198 trillion the stock market opened for trading. Also, the NGX’s All-share index (ASI), an indicator used to measure the performance of listed firms on NGX, hit a 16-year high for the first time since 2008, to close at 64,337.52 yesterday. In its year-till-date (YtD), it gained 13,086.46basis points or 25.5per cent from 51,251.06 basis points the stock market opened for trading this year from July, ending 64,337.52basis points

Consequently, it opened July 2023 at 60,968.27basis points, appreciating by 3,369.25 basis points or 5.53per cent to close July ending at 64,337.52basis points. Given the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in the month under review, the prevailing mixed economic data and as well more corporate earnings now looking up, analysts believed that positive earnings surprises and possible interim dividend declarations from companies would spur increased bargain-hunting activities on the bourse.

In their contribution, analysts at

Cordros Research stated: “In the medium term, we expect investors' sentiments to be influenced by developments in the macroeconomic landscape and the movement of yields in the fixed-income market.”

The stock market gain in the first seven months of 2023, was on the backdrop of rising inflation rate, Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) hike to 18.75 per cent, among other macroeconomic challenges.

Since the beginning of the year, the stock market has witnessed an unprecedented rally and buying interest, especially in the financial services, consumer and industrial

TINUBU BEMOANS STATE OF ECONOMY, SAYS AFTER DARKNESS COMES GLORIOUS DAWN

that the economy would pick up with time, in the broadcast titled, “After Darkness Come The Glorious Dawn.”

But Special Assistant on Public Communications to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, described Tinubu’s address as uninspiring and deceptive, saying it is a complete waste of time. Removal of petrol subsidy and harmonisation of the foreign exchange system are two prime policies Tinubu has adopted since coming to office on May 29 to try to fix the economy he inherited from fellow All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Muhammadu Buhari.

In the address to the nation, aired on national television and radio stations at 7pm, the president empathised with Nigerians over the suffering brought about by the removal of fuel subsidy. He also enumerated several intervention programmes put in place by his administration to ameliorate the pain.

Tinubu stated, "In a little over two months, we have saved over

a N1 trillion that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families."

He said he had been a consistent advocate of fuel subsidy removal, stressing, “This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness. The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly. Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security. Instead, it was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.

"This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance.”

He said development would continue to elude Nigeria as long as this opulent few held sway over the political economy and institutions of society.

Tinubu said, "The preceding administration saw this looming

danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year.

“Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable.”

Tinubu equally spoke on the foreign exchange system, saying, "Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people.”

He said the exchange regime “also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy”.

On measures to cushion the harsh effects of the policies being implemented to fix the economy, Tinubu mentioned the voting of N75 billion by his government for the creation of jobs in the manufacturing sector between now and March next year.

He said, "To strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand and create

LABOUR INSISTS ON NATIONWIDE PROTESTS FROM TOMORROW

workers’ protest.

He said it was the responsibility of security agencies to provide security for the protest to protect the workers.

According to him, the meeting of the Steering Committee adjourned till 12pm today, to enable the labour leaders to listen to the president's national broadcast on Monday evening.

His words: "We just adjourned to listen to Mr. President speech and to continue with our conversation tomorrow.

"Our peaceful rally will go on as scheduled. Even if we didn't have this problem and decide to hold the rally, we still go on, so this rally has been fixed."

Reacting to Tinubu's plan to intervene in the foreign exchange market over inflation and high cost of gasoline prices, Ajaero said: "By the time you have a single market and you are not having anything that has a comparative advantage, your energy is import-driven, then how are you going to control it?

“How are you going to control somebody that exchanged dollar at about N900? Are you going to tell him to sell below the price?

"How are you going to tell even the Discos today, with the cost of production not to increase tariff? Even bag of corn in the villages that was sold at N18,000 by February, now it's about N56,000. How are you going to control it?"

Also speaking, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila said issues were discussed at the closed door meeting and that they adjourned to listen to the president's broadcast.

According to him, the government was dealing with the oil cabals that had brought the economy to its knees.

His words: "We have been locked behind closed doors for a couple of hours, we had a good meeting, issues were thrashed out on the situation in Nigeria today in terms of issues centred around government intervention on the situation in the country.

"We agreed to adjourn till tomorrow (today), as you know Mr. President is making a national broadcast today. Based on what we anticipate that Mr. President will be

telling Nigerians we decided to adjourn meeting till 12pm tomorrow before labour can decide whether or not they want to continue with the protest on Wednesday.

"But we believe that after tonight broadcast, President will speak to all the issues, he will roll out his interventions and needless to say we believe any reasonable person will tell you that at that point there will be no need for any protest."

Commenting on why government did not roll out palliatives before announcing the stoppage of petrol subsidy, he said the previous government did not budget for subsidy, adding that Tinubu would roll out palliatives to cushion its effect on the people.

Asked whether the oil cabals were more powerful than the security agencies and government, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives said, "Yes, they are and that's what government is dealing with. The first step is to remove the subsidy, which we have done."

On his part, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, pleaded with the organised Labour to give the administration little more time to fix the battered economy.

He said Tinubu inherited a bad economy and was working hard to fix.

"The meeting was an opportunity for us to appeal to the Labour leaders by extension Nigerians that we are facing difficulties and challenges that are not our making.

“We inherited a very bad situation. Most of the problems people are talking about are not a creation of this government.

“This government is barely two months old and since we have been facing these difficulties and challenges, we have a listening and engaging President, a president who will want to have a conversation and react.

"He is truly, genuinely, honestly doing it. Our appeal is please Nigerians give us the support that is needed and required, we are working, we are trying to change things. We inherited a very bad situation, we are trying to stop all those things we witnessed in

good paying jobs, we are going to spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start a sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation and improve productivity.

“Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1 billion credit at nine per cent per annum with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital."

Tinubu disclosed that the federal government would energise the informal sector, as represented by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with N125 billion.

According to him, "Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector with N125 billion.

"Out of the sum, we will spend N50 billion on Conditional Grant to one million nano businesses between now and March 2024. Our target is to give N50, 000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of

goods sub-sector, which has continued to trigger massive bargain hunting in large company shares. Its performance so far reflected better-than-expected corporate earnings by listed companies and it has improved liquidity.

The Vice President of Highcap Securities, David Adonri, said the monumental stock market gain in seven months of 2023, was driven majorly by sentiment arising from the smooth handover and President Bola Tinubu’s economic policy on foreign exchange. According to him, “His prompt change of security chiefs also

the 774 local governments across the country.

"Ultimately, this programme will further drive financial inclusion by on-boarding beneficiaries into the formal banking system. In like manner, we will fund 100,000 MSMEs and start-ups with N75 billion. Under this scheme, each enterprise promoter will be able to get between N500, 000 to N1million at nine per cent interest per annum and a repayment period of 36 months."

He listed other programmes to include rolling out 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses at a cost of over N100 billion for distribution to states and local governments.

"These buses will be shared to major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital,” the president said. “Participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at nine per cent per annum with 60 months repayment period," he added.

The president added that his government would ensure staple foods were available and affordable by the citizenry, explaining that he has ordered the immediate release

boosted investors’ confidence. The removal of Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor was another issue. All these added to the usual end-ofquarter rally to propel the equities market.

“Since the huge gain was propelled by investor sentiment, interest in equities in H2, 2023 can only be sustained if the policy changes translate into growth in corporate fundamentals and a fall in interest rate, otherwise, we might see a market correction that may purge equities off the sentiment that inflated it in seven months of 2023.”

of 200,000 metric tonnes of grains to households nationwide.

Tinubu stated, "To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain.

"In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices.

“We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.

"Our plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows:

"Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.

"N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.

the past, we are trying to stop the killings, stop the attacks on trains, stop attacks on prisons, stop what IPOB are doing, stop bandits, stop Boko Haran," he said.

The organised Labour had last Friday stormed out of the meeting, claiming that there was no top government officials to negotiate with them.

Present at yesterday's meeting were Ajaero, his counterpart from TUC, Festus Osifo; the General Secretary of NLC, Emma Ugbaja; the TUC Secretary, Nuhu Toro and other members of the organised Labour delegation, including Prof. Sam Amadi.

On the side of government were the Gbajabiamila; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju; the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, among others.

Earlier yesterday, the NLC had accused the federal government of not showing enough commitment to address issues captured in its seven-point Memorandum of Understanding it's entered into with organised Labour.

On the fuel subsidy talks, the congress said it was becoming apparent that the federal government was adopting time wasting strategy rather than addressing the sufferings of the masses.

Head of Information and Publicity at the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, who spoke in an interview with THISDAY, said as at last Friday, when the representatives of the organised Labour turned up for the scheduled meeting with the government team, nothing was achieved due to the absence of the government team.

He spoke of the treatment meted out to the Labour team by security men at the Presidential Villa gate.

"Our representatives were kept waiting for two hours to be cleared by the security men before entering the Presidential Villa and when they got in, there was nobody to attend to us,” Upah said.

“For a matter as serious as this, that affects the well-being of the

generality of Nigerians, we had expected a more robust initiative and response from the federal government but that has not been forthcoming.

“Our honest conclusion is that government was playing with time,” he added.

The NLC scribe said the federal government clearly did not carry out any consultation with stakeholders before announcing removal of fuel subsidy.

"They appear not to have any intent at doing something to cushion the effects of the fuel price hike, that is why two months after removing the subsidy, there has been no intervention,” he added.

On the contrary, Upah said the government found it necessary to quickly intervene on behalf of those who were already over-subsidized by approving N70 billion for the members of National Assembly who were already over pampered by the state.

Meanwhile, the United Action Front of Civil Society has declared total support for the call for nationwide protest by the organised Labour.

In a statement by Olawale Okunniyi, the Head, National Coordinating Centre, United Action Front of Civil Society, said the decision of the NLC which was conveyed in a communique at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting subsequently reinforced by its National Executive Council, (NEC) was indeed a clarion call to salvage the country from the consuming miseries unleashed by the new regime in Nigeria and possibly to prevent military intervention in Nigeria as currently being witnessed in other West African Countries

According to the statement, "The United Action Front of Civil Society therefore unreservedly endorses and aligns itself with the nationwide protests scheduled to commence from Wednesday, August 2, 2023, as the federal government continues to watch Nigerians go through needless anguish as a result of unabated corruption and reckless impunity of the political elite and their cronies."

The leadership of United Action Front of Civil Society therefore urged all Nigerians to urgently rally support

for the Labour Movement and the broad coalition of the organised Civil Society under the United Action Front of Civil Society of Nigeria in making a massive statement against the new anti-poor government of the APC that Nigeria truly belongs to the citizens and that the poor truly deserves to breathe and not subjected to asphyxiation under the guise of fuel subsidy removal or any imposed economic agenda of their allied international finance cartel.

Accordingly, "The organised platform of the Nigerian civil society notes with grave concerns attempts by government through its agent provocateurs to paint the planned nationwide protests as threat to national security as well as contempt to their arm twisting court restraining order.

"We make bold to say that the call to action by Labour and its Civil Society allies is borne out of patriotic concern for the survival of the downtrodden, who have been trampled and frustrated into submission by the anti-people policies that are currently being mindlessly implemented without sensitivity and human face.

"Part of the plot to frustrate the national protests is the false claim relating to a supposed court order stopping the NLC from organising strike action over subsidy removal. We wish to assert that the call for a national citizens' action is within the ambit of the democratic rights of citizens to organise and engage in peaceful and orderly manner to demonstrate their rejection of anti-people’s policies.", the statement added.

"The United Action Front of Civil Society hereby declare Wednesday, 2nd August, 2023 as our long awaited Day of National Action for the commencement of a series of citizens protest actions to peacefully demonstrate the people's rejection of government foisted economic policies and therefore call on Nigerians to enthusiastically participate in the national protests to demonstrate dissatisfaction with the hardship to which they have been subjected by an insensitive leadership that lacks the courage to deal with corruption,” it stated further.

"This expansive agricultural programme will be implemented targeting small-holder farmers and leveraging large-scale private sector players in the agric business with strong performance record."

The president assured that a new minimum wage would soon be worked out for workers after necessary dialogue with the labour unions.

According to him, "We are also working in collaboration with the labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming.

"Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation.

"I want to use this opportunity to salute many private employers in the Organised Private Sector who have already implemented general salary review for employees."

Tinubu disclosed, "We are also monitoring the effects of the exchange rate and inflation on gasoline prices. If and when necessary, we will intervene."

He also talked about the four Executive Orders he signed recently to address some unfavourable fiscal policies.

“These Executive Orders on suspension and deferred commencement of some taxes will provide the necessary buffers and headroom to businesses in the manufacturing sector to continue to thrive and expand,” he stated.

Tinubu’s Broadcast Waste of Time, Says Atiku’s Aide

Meanwhile, Shaibu, in a statement, described Tinubu’s national broadcast as uninspiring, deceptive, and a waste of time.

Shaibu said Tinubu’s speech was only meant to convince the organised labour not to embark on their planned nationwide protest. He maintained that Tinubu’s broadcast was an afterthought after removing petrol subsidy without a clear plan that would have ameliorated the suffering of the people, who had become poorer

CONFERENCE...

Tinubu Decorates Service Chiefs With New Ranks, Urges Teamwork

We’re committed to defending Nigeria, says Musa

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, decorated the newly-appointed Chief of Defense Staff and his service chiefs with their new ranks, and charged them to sustain existing teamwork to ensure peace and stability in the country.

The president, who spoke yesterday during the decoration ceremony at the Council Chambers of the State

House, Abuja, noted that working as a team was already yielding positive results.

But the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has also reiterated the resolve of the nation’s. security. Chiefs, saying they were committed to defending Nigeria.

The new ranks decoration ceremony followed the recent confirmation of the new military security chiefs by the National

Assembly.

The newly-inaugurated service chiefs, who had acted since June, 2023 are Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

Speaking at the occasion, Tinubu emphasised the importance of

maintaining teamwork, which he credited for the gains recorded thus far in the security sector.

He hailed the dedication, commitment and steadfastness displayed by the Armed Forces, acknowledging their significant contributions to the nation’s peace and stability.

“We have seen that we are recording positive results in our security challenges because of your dedication, commitment and steadfastness,”

EFCC Boss Tasks Operatives on Timely Conclusion of Investigations

Says agency has most inconclusive matters in world

Demands inter agencies cooperation in implementing proceeds of crime act

The acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. AbdulKarim Chukkol, yesterday, challenged operatives of the anti-graft agency to strive at concluding cases of corruption assigned to them for investigation.

Chukkol, gave the charge against the backdrop of the delay and inefficiency experienced in the prosecution of corruption cases by the Commission.

The acting Chairman spoke while declaring open a capacity building workshop on "The Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management), Act (POCA), 2022, and Allied Instruments."

The workshop was organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS).

Chukkol, who was represented by the Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. George Ekpungu, warned that, "when a matter continues to linger for so long, especially at the level of investigation, government doesn't benefit, somebody else does."

While emphasising that investigation should be started and concluded, he lamented that, "EFCC has arguably the most inconclusive matters in the world. You finish

(an investigation), but there is not report telling you the end of it."

He added: "We have to begin to change because we are arguably the most robust and one of the biggest organisations at the forefront of the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes.

"You need to disgorge these criminals of their proceeds of crime. I am of the view that it does not matter to me if anyone is not in prison as long as you have made him suffer and disgrace him sufficiently by taking every proceeds of crime from them.

"Corrupt public officials take away our common wealth for their private use. If the stolen assets are recovered, I think our economy and what we represent will be better served and the international community will respect us much more.”

Besides, he challenged operatives to beam their searchlight on abandoned properties in the country, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, where he said such properties represent unexplainable wealth.

"While the POCA is a powerful, well-intended and result-oriented legislation, the law cannot apply itself. It requires the informed, deliberate and proactive efforts of the relevant Law Enforcement

Agencies which are listed in the Act," he said.

Earlier, the President of the CSLS, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, in his remarks stated that the purpose of POCA was basically to remove the means and profit from crime.

While pointing out that the law may not be perfect yet, Akinseye-

George argued that the Act remains one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the country in combating corruption and financial crimes.

"Greed is what drives criminal behaviors such as trafficking in drugs, human beings or organs, extortion, corruption, abuse of office, economic and financial and other crimes.

he said, assuring the new Service Chiefs that the government was committed to supporting them in their responsibilities.

The president underscored the value of virtues such as positive team thinking, unity, and selfless service to the nation, declaring that despite current economic challenges, a better future awaited Nigeria.

While urging all members of the Armed Forces to view themselves as one single family, regardless of their diversity, Tinubu also offered prayers for God’s blessings upon the Nigerian Armed Forces, wishing them peace, progress, and success in their endeavours to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

He further emphasised the importance of honest service to the nation, which he said everyone in government including the service chiefs must embrace, adding that he was working very hard to solve the current economic challenges being faced by Nigerians.

“We are committed to serving you and not to rule over you,” the president said.

General Musa, who responded on behalf of the Service Chiefs, expressed their unalloyed commitment to ensure the security and defence of the nation in their respective positions, and as well pledged to uphold with utmost

dedication to the safety and wellbeing of the nation and its citizens.

His words: “Our appointment is a clear manifestation of the confidence reposed in us and recognition of our humble abilities to deliver for our dear nation. We pledge to carry out our duties with utmost dedication and full loyalty.

“I assure Mr. President that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is 100 per cent loyal to the government. We will go wherever we are ordered, whether by air, sea or land.

“We will ensure that Nigeria is projected in good light. May God bless Nigeria and guide the Armed Forces in our efforts to guard our nation’s territorial integrity, and ensure peace and security reigns supreme”.

However, speaking on the selection of the security chiefs, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon Babajimi Benson, commended Tinubu for making good choices, whom he described as the best from the forces and depicting national inclusion. He further expressed hope that the new crop of service chiefs would bring a lot of changes to the nation’s security architecture, which he said might be bringing an end to the menace of insurgency in the country.

Concerns over Obazee’s Appointment as Special Investigator for CBN

Oluchi

Chibuzor

Some analysts have expressed concerns over the decision of President Bola Tinubu to sidestep the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), a body statutory empowered to investigate misconduct and malpractices in public entities and appoint a former Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee, who was sacked from office as Special Investigator of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other related entities.

The commentators who pleaded to remain anonymous, pointed out that Section 62 of the FRC Act empowers the agency to carry out such investigation, saying going outside the FRC to appoint an

individual might send a message that the president had ulterior motive.

President Tinubu had appointment Obazee, as Special Investigator of the CBN and other related entities.

While the letter from Tinubu announcing the appointment of Obazee addressed him as CEO of the FRC, Obazee was sacked by the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2017, and since then the agency has had two other chief executive officers – the late Mr. Daniel Asapokhai and Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed, who is the current CEO.

But the source said: “Section 62 of the FRC Act empowers the agency to investigate and that was the Section the agency relied on

when it did same exercise in 2014, when a former CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It will be in the interest of the presidency to empower the FRC to carry out this task to investigate the CBN, so as to ensure credibility.

“How will the international community take us serious when they know that somebody that was sacked from office is now being asked to be the chief investigator of a critical institution like the CBN?

“The FRC has global reach and is very significant to the Nigerian economy and should not be ridiculed. So, for the investigation to be fair, credible and transparent, the statutorily mandated agency, which is the FRC should be made to carry out this task.”

In a letter addressed to Obazee dated July 28, 2023, which was personally signed by him, Tinubu had explained that the appointment of Obazee was in line with his administration's commitment to fight corruption and in accordance with provisions of section 15 (5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

While assuring the appointee that terms of his engagement which he said was with immediate effect would soon be made known to him, the president directed Obazee to report directly to him while probing the CBN and related entities using capable team while also blocking further leakages in the CBN and related Government Business Entities (GBEs).

FIDSON'S DISTRIBUTORS'

L-R: Deputy Managing Director Fidson, Mr Biola Adebayo; Fidson's Best Distributor of the Year, Nwachukwu John; Managing Director/CEO, Fidson, Dr Fidelis Ayebae at Fidson's Distributors' Conference 2023 held recently in Lagos

Alex Enumah in Abuja

POLITICS

APC’s Lukman and Politics of Confrontation

Last Wednesday, the usual and unexpected news filtered out of Buhari House, the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that the party’s National Vice Chairman, North-west, Dr. Salihu Lukman has resigned as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Lukman had in a letter dated July 26, 2023, which was addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said his resignation became necessary given his conviction that the atmosphere in the party was completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party.

The letter read in part: “I hereby kindly resign my position as National Vice Chairman, North-West of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). My resignation is with immediate effect, which becomes necessary given my conviction that the atmosphere in the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party”.

The party chieftain was the one-man riot squad that fought the former National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and former National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, to a standstill.

THISDAY recalled that Lukman had expressed strong reservations about the speculation that the APC governors and President Bola Tinubu were pushing for the immediate past Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, to emerge as the next party chairman following the resignation of Adamu.

Lukman was many things to different people in the ruling party. To some, he was too combative, while to others he was too confrontational. However, either you love him for what he believes in, or you hate him for what he stands for, you can’t ignore him. In the absence of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of APC, the organ which plays the role of Board of Trustees of the party, Lukman served as the conscience of the party.

Within his short stint in the NWC, the fear of Lukman is the beginning of wisdom. Adamu, Omisore, as well as former National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and the Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni who was at a time the Chairman, Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECPC) will not forget him in a hurry.

Born on December 18, 1962, Lukman is a development economist, policy analyst and political organiser. He holds Bachelors of Science (1989) and Masters of Science (2000) degrees in Economics, all from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Lukman’s activism did not start today, he was President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) 1988 – 89, National Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos (1991), founding Deputy General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), (1991 – 1994), and founding Deputy President of Democratic Alternative (1994 – 1998)

He was a Research Officer of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Kaduna between 1992 and 2000.

In 2000, he was seconded from the Textile Union to manage an EU-funded project on rebuilding the Nigerian Trade Union Movement.

In 2002, he became the Education Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He resigned from NLC in October 2006 and started a governance and organisational development consulting firm, People and Passion Consult Ltd, in Abuja.

In August 2009, he served as the Group Organising Secretary/CEO of Good Governance Group (3G), Abuja led by Senator Ken Nnamani, former Senate President; Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, former Speaker, House of Representatives and current Governor of Katsina State; Mal. Nasir El-Rufa’i, former FCT Minister and ex-Governor of Kaduna State; and Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of EFCC and current National Security Adviser to the President.

Between December 2009 and March 2010, following the leadership vacuum created by the mismanagement of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s illness, Lukman was among the group of 54 Nigerians that initiated the formation of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and coordinated its activities in Abuja.

Also, in June 2010, he joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and emerged as the Senatorial Candidate for Kaduna North Senatorial District for the 2011 polls.

After the elections, he returned to People and Passion Consult Ltd and continued his governance and

organisational development consultancy practice.

In addition to consultancy practice, he was also a member of the defunct ACN Strategy Committee, which reported to the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.

In 2013, Lukman was appointed as the Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). He held the position until 2022 when he turned in his resignation. He was elected as a member of the NWC in 2022.

While he was the director-general of PGF, Lukman had a series of battles with Oshiomhole, who was the APC chairman at the time. Lukman accused the former NLC president of turning other members of the NWC to observers and further accused him of destroying the Edo state chapter of the party.

Lukman also ensured that Buni didn’t escape his sledge hammer when he was the Caretaker chairman of the party. The committee led by Buni incurred the wrath of Lukman when it became clear that the committee was seeking tenure elongation for the third time.

The Caretaker committee put in place to organise the national convention of the party within three months ended up spending close to two years before they were practically forced out.

Meanwhile, when the Adamu-led NWC

assumed office in 2022, little did they know that Lukman would become a torn in their flesh. While other NWC members shiver and tremble before Adamu and dare not confront him, the activist cum politician damned the consequences and decided to challenge Adamu.

Trouble started when Lukman, in April, 2023 accused Adamu and Omisore of turning other members of the NWC to rubber stamps. He alleged that the duo take all decisions bordering on managing the finances of the party without the knowledge of other NWC members.

The National Vice Chairman in a statement said the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the party had not been inaugurated more than a year after the Adamu-led NWC assumed office.

He followed up with a recent interview on national television, where he accused Omisore of mismanaging Osun State governorship election campaign funds.

“Part of the issue with that is that I’m aware the party has given some campaign funds to Osun which was handled by the National Secretary but more importantly, he’s not accounting to anybody and you have to activate the process of accountability,” Lukman had said.

The party chieftain fired another shot in a letter dated April 5, 2023, where he gave one week ultimatum to Adamu to convene the NEC meeting wherein all the issues and development within the party will be discussed.

Expectedly, after the expiration of the one-week ultimatum, Lukman dragged the Adamu-led NWC before an Abuja High Court over his refusal to convene NEC and national caucus meetings of the party.

At long last, on May 3, 2023, Adamu summoned an emergency meeting of the NWC following a lawsuit instituted by Lukman against him and the National Secretary over their refusal to convene meetings of relevant party organs.

The crisis, however, got messier when the National Legal Adviser, Ahmad ElMarzuq, recommended the expulsion of Lukman, in his letter to Adamu, for dragging the party to court.

Reacting to the expulsion threat, Lukman in a letter through his lawyers, Legal Resource Consortium (LRC), said the NWC of the party lacks the power to suspend him.

At the end of the day, the Kaduna born politician had a good laugh when both Adamu and Omisore were forced to resign their positions.

Nevertheless, the push for Ganduje to assume the position of the National Chairman of the party in acting capacity was viewed by Lukman as insensitive, unjust and unfair to the North Central.

“This is without prejudice to the person of Dr. Ganduje. This is because such a choice will completely distort the zoning arrangement that informed the present configuration of the leadership of the National Assembly. With the Speaker of House of Representatives and Deputy Senate President coming from North West and North Central shut out of consideration, to propose the party’s National Chairman to move to North West from North Central will be unjust and almost a political suicide,” he posited.

Although THISDAY checks revealed that the resignation of Lukman has not been accepted by the NWC of the party, it would be a miracle to see the comrade cum politician going back on his words. While it is very difficult to have people see Lukman as a controversial figure, the likes of him are needed to serve as checks and balances to overbearing party leaders.

Lukman

The recent resignation of the All Progressives Congress National Vice Chairman, North-west, Dr. Salihu Lukman, to some stakeholders was unexpected to say the least. Adedayo Akinwale takes a cursory look at the man and his politics.

Lukman was many things to different people in the ruling party. To some, he was too combative, while to others he was too confrontational. However, either you love him for what he believes in, or you hate him for what he stands for, you can’t ignore him. In the absence of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of APC, the organ which plays the role of Board of Trustees of the party, Lukman served as the conscience of the party.

This Week In Tech

Banjo: MyCover.ai’s Innovative Insurtech Solutions Drives Financial Inclusion, Trust

In this interview with Nosa Alekhuogie, the CEO of MyCover.ai Adebowale Banjo, discusses the transformation of the insurance sector in Nigeria and Africa through technological innovations like Insurtech. He also addresses the challenges faced and several other pertinent issues. Excerpts:

Can you give an overview of MyCover.ai, including its primary objectives in the insurance industry?

MyCover.ai is an innovative insurtech platform that is transforming the insurance landscape in Africa. Our primary objectives are twofold. First, we aim to make insurance more accessible and enjoyable for Africans by integrating policies into their favourite products and services. This approach allows customers to seamlessly access insurance coverage while engaging with the things they love. Second, we are streamlining the claims process for insurance companies and users, making it faster, simpler, and more efficient. Our solution is an open insurance API that aims to deepen insurance penetration and liberalise insurance processes across Africa. By leveraging this API, innovators and businesses can embed insurance products into their existing offerings or launch new insurance verticals. For insurance companies, our platform facilitates faster product distribution and simplifies their claims management. We aim to enhance users’ experiences and ensure they get the insurance products they need effortlessly.

Can you explain what insurtech is and how it is transforming the insurance industry?

Insurtech, short for insurance technology, is the integration of technology into the insurance sector to improve and transform various aspects of the insurance process. It involves leveraging modern technologies like artificial intelligence, big data analytics, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile applications to offer more efficient, customer-centric, and data-driven insurance services. At MyCover.ai, we embrace the core principles of insurtech. We develop digital tools, platforms, and applications that simplify and enhance every step of the insurance journey. From policy purchasing and product utilisation to claims processing, we utilise cutting-edge technologies to create a seamless and personalised insurance experience for our customers.

What makes MyCover.ai stand out from other insurtech companies?

Several factors set MyCover.ai apart within the insurtech landscape. Firstly, our approach is unique and collaborative – we are building Africa’s digital insurance infrastructure. This means we add value across the entire insurance value chain, from underwriting and product development through our co-creation of insurance products, to distribution using our API and B2B platform, to policy management with our user-friendly Mobile App, and finally, to claims management with our AI-powered service.

How has insurtech impacted the insurance landscape in Africa?

Insurtech has had a transformative impact on the insurance landscape in Nigeria and Africa. Historically, insurance adoption has been low in many parts of Africa due to limited access. However, insurtech companies have unlocked new distribution channels, making insurance products more accessible to customers who were previously excluded.

In addition, insurtech has optimised insurance processes, making them faster, more efficient and customer-friendly. Policy underwriting, claims processing, and customer service have all seen improvements through automation and digitisation. As a result, customers can now obtain rates, purchase policies, and process claims more quickly and conveniently.

Moreover, insurtech has led to the introduction of innovative insurance products and business models.

For instance, peer-to-peer insurance platforms have gained popularity in certain African countries, allowing communities to pool resources and offer financial support during challenging times. Additionally, usage-based insurance has become more prevalent, offering flexible and cost-effective coverage tailored to individual behaviour or usage data. Overall, insurtech is reshaping the insurance industry in Africa, driving increased insurance penetration, and offering more customer-centric solutions.

How is technology being leveraged to enhance insurance accessibility in Africa?

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing insurance accessibility in Africa, revolutionising the way insurance products and services are delivered to underserved populations. Mobile phones have become game-changers, and insurers are leveraging this technology to offer mobile-based insurance

solutions. Mobile apps and SMS-based services enable customers to compare, purchase, and manage insurance policies directly from their smartphones. Insurtech companies are also creating digital platforms that allow customers to access insurance products and services online. These platforms offer a user-friendly interface, making it easy for individuals to compare policies, get quotes, and make online payments, reducing the need for physical interactions.

Advanced technologies like data analytics and artificial intelligence are being utilised to improve risk assessment and underwriting processes. Insurers can now offer more accurate and personalised insurance products tailored to customers’ specific needs and risk profiles.

AI-powered chatbots are also being employed for customer support, providing quick responses to queries and helping customers navigate insurance-related issues faster. By leveraging these technological advancements, the insurance industry in Africa is breaking barriers, extending insurance coverage to previously underserved populations, and making insurance products and services more accessible, convenient, and tailored to customers’ needs in the region.

What are the challenges facing insurtech adoption in Africa?

While insurtech has been embraced, it still faces some challenges in Africa. There is limited digital infrastructure; In many regions, reliable internet connectivity and widespread access to smartphones are lacking, hindering the widespread adoption of insurtech solutions. Without adequate digital infrastructure, it becomes challenging for insurtech companies to reach potential customers, particularly those in rural areas.

We also live in a regulatory environment, and because Insurtech is relatively new in Africa, the regulatory landscape can be complex and uncertain. The current regulations may not fully accommodate the innovative business models and technologies that insurtech brings. A supportive and adaptable regulatory environment is crucial to foster insurtech growth while ensuring consumer protection.

I will also say building trust is critical in the insurance industry, and this holds true for insurtech as well. Some potential customers

may be sceptical about using digital insurance platforms due to concerns about data privacy, security, and the reliability of these services. Raising awareness about insurtech and its advantages is vital to overcoming these trust issues. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of insurtech in Africa, such as increased insurance penetration, better risk management, and improved customer experience, are driving efforts to overcome these obstacles. Insurtech companies, policymakers, and stakeholders are working collaboratively to address these challenges and foster insurtech adoption and growth across the continent.

How is insurtech contributing to financial inclusion in Nigeria?

Insurtech has played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria by providing affordable and personalised insurance products that cater to underserved populations. Through innovative technologies and product development, insurtech companies offer microinsurance and pay-as-you-go models, making insurance accessible to low-income segments without complex processes or high premiums. Microinsurance, in particular, is filling the gap for regions with limited access to traditional insurance products. By offering microinsurance options, insurtech empowers low-income individuals to mitigate risks, improve financial resilience, and create pathways for upward social and economic mobility. These products function as a social safety net during crises, supporting vulnerable populations and contributing to overall community well-being. By leveraging technology and product innovation, insurtech is providing insurance solutions that are tailored to the needs of low-income individuals, promoting economic stability, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities.

How are traditional insurance companies adapting to the rise of insurtech?

Traditional insurance companies are embracing insurtech and recognising its potential to transform the industry. Many traditional insurers are actively collaborating with insurtech companies like MyCover.ai to enhance their product offerings and reach new

consumers. They understand that insurtech is the key to unlocking the next level of insurance adoption in Africa. Partnerships between traditional insurers and insurtech startups have proven beneficial. Insurtech firms bring technology-driven innovations to the table, redefining internal processes, providing deeper data insights, improving customer experiences, and streamlining claims management. This collaboration helps traditional insurers adapt to changing market dynamics and remain competitive in the digital age. Furthermore, some traditional insurance companies are investing in insurtech startups to strengthen their partnerships and gain a competitive edge in the evolving insurance landscape.

Insurtech startups often face challenges in gaining customers’ trust accustomed to traditional insurance models. How does MyCover.ai build trust and credibility among its users?

Building trust and credibility is paramount for MyCover.ai. MyCover.ai has earned credibility first by partnering with leading insurance providers in Nigeria, we work with the biggest brands in insurance, and that gives our customers a strong level of confidence. We have also built solutions that work, which guarantee great customer satisfaction and, consequently, strong referrals and recommendations. Our platform ensures data security and customer privacy while focusing on clear communication and transparency to help partners and customers make informed decisions. We also provide technical and operational support throughout their engagement with us, solidifying our position as a reliable and customer-friendly company.

In Nigeria, where insurance penetration has historically been low, what strategies are the insurance industry employing to raise awareness and stimulate greater demand for insurance products and services?

The insurance industry in Nigeria is employing several strategies to raise awareness and stimulate demand for insurance products and services. There is a concerted effort by all players in the industry to drive awareness. The regulators, insurance companies, insurtechs and industry associations are investing in consumer education initiatives to inform the public about the importance of insurance and its benefits. These campaigns aim to dispel misconceptions, build trust, and highlight the role insurance plays in providing financial protection and security. With the increasing use of digital platforms in Nigeria, insurance players are leveraging digital marketing strategies to reach a broader audience. They are establishing an active online presence through websites, social media, and mobile apps to engage potential customers and provide easy access to insurance information.

In addition, Insurance companies are forming strategic partnerships with banks, microfinance institutions, mobile network operators, and other distribution channels to extend the reach of insurance products. These partnerships allow insurers to tap into existing customer bases and leverage established networks for awareness and distribution.

For regions with limited access to traditional insurance products, how does microinsurance fill the gap and empower low-income individuals to mitigate risks, improve financial resilience, and create pathways for upward social and economic mobility?

Statistically, Nigerians spend about 60 per cent of their income on food, which means there is little left for anything else; when you also consider that a large population of Nigerians are poor, the need for microinsurance becomes very glaring. The people that fall into this category are the ones that need insurance the most because they cannot afford to rebound from unfavourable incidents or occurrences themselves. Unfortunately, they can’t afford traditional insurance products as well, and that is where microinsurance comes in.

Technology and product innovation allow us to create and distribute inexpensive and personalised insurance products to the poor. These are typically products that insure their health, life and livelihood, and they are able to make daily contributions for these products or contribute as they earn, which reduces the financial burden on them. Microinsurance protects them from spiralling into abject poverty, promotes mental well-being and community strength, and gives low-income people a better future.

Banjo

DSS v NCS: Desecration of the Temple of Justice

Page IV

QUOTABLES

‘The Ministerial list is a good mix, of both people with political acumen and technocrats.’ - Rt. Hon Olufemi Gbajabiamila, Lawyer, Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Page V

‘I need the Senate to know, that there is no one in the South East except the criminals, who support this sit-at-home.’

- Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, APGA Senator representing Abia-South Senatorial District of Abia State

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.

Page V

Page VII

DSS: Stamping on the Rule of Law

Coup d’État

The coup d’état, that is, the forceful takeover of power by the military, which took place in Republic of Niger last week, I think the sixth in Africa in less than three years - occurring in the contiguous States of Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan - should be something that any smart African leader should be concerned about, most especially a country like Nigeria, since not only are these countries close by, Niger borders Nigeria in seven States in the North West and North East, particularly Borno and Zamfara, which are already besieged by insurgency and banditry. For one, coups are unconstitutional, at least in Nigeria - Section 1(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), and outdated, or so we thought, believing that the coup era/military rule was no longer in vogue in Africa.

Some of the reasons for coups, are deficient or bad governance; unhealthy economy and poor use of opportunities; corruption; questioning the legitimacy of a government or refusal to accept defeat in an election; poor management of diversity in multi-ethnic, multi-religious societies; poverty; insurgency; insecurity; oppression and repression of the people, to mention but a few.

And so, when people like my humble self, shout repeatedly from the rooftops, for all who care to listen, that in our country, there is an urgent need for good governance, equity, fairness, observance of the rule of law and the like, it is because the existence of many of the elements that cause these unconstitutional change of governments are apparent all over Africa, Nigeria included. Government must be more sensitive to the needs of Nigerians, they themselves must embrace the ‘Low Profile/Austerity’ Government Lifestyle of the 1970s, eschewing the ostentation that currently subsists. Coup d’états can be contagious, and a winning combination that fuels same is success of other coups, especially if they occur in nearby countries, coupled with a dissatisfied populace.

In fairness to the Tinubu administration, it is only two months old, and while it cannot be held responsible for the mess that successive governments have put us in, most especially the immediate past Buhari administration which seemed to have left us worse off than it met us, going forward, if President Bola Tinubu doesn’t make the right choices as to who will serve in his cabinet and implement good policies to turn our fortunes around, our future may be bleak.

Ministerial Nominees & Gender Disparity

Granted, this administration didn’t exactly hit the ground running by waiting for almost 60 days to nominate 28 Ministers, not even the complete number. But, for those saying that President Tinubu is in breach of the Constitution in not appointing all the Ministers within 60 days, they obviously haven’t read the proviso in Section 147(7)(a) of the Constitution which allows the President to appoint a Minister anytime during his tenure, subject of course to confirmation by the Senate.

For President Bola Tinubu who started the trend of appointing Female Deputy Governors, and Vice President Kashim Shettima who I once heard refer to himself as a “Committed Feminist” in his Keynote Address at the 2017 Murtala Muhammed Foundation Memorial Lecture, so far, their administration has fallen short of expectations in terms of the number of Female nominees for Ministerial appointments. It would also have been ideal to attach portfolios to all the Ministerial nominees, so that the Senate screening would have been a proper test of knowledge for the roles that all the nominees are being assigned to, and we would be sure that round pegs are being placed into round holes.

So far, the Tinubu administration has not reached the expected minimum of 35% in terms of Female participation in governance (affirmative action), with only seven women Ministerial-nominees out of 28 (25%), instead of a minimum of 9.98 which must be rounded up to 10. We understand that, in total, 43 Ministers are to be appointed, and we expect that at least, 15 or 16 of them should be Female; though the National Gender Policy 2006 which actually set its aim at 30% female participation in governance, has not yet succeeded in achieving most of its goals.

It would also be extremely offensive, if the Female appointees are all made Junior Ministers, like in the male chauvinistic Buhari administration, where apart from Ministry of Finance, Women Affairs (obviously) & Humanitarian Affairs (which may also be considered to be a somewhat Motherly-type Ministry, hence a Female Minister), all the other Female Ministers were Ministers of State. This was indeed, extremely shameful and insulting, and a repeat of same by the Tinubu administration, would show that Nigeria is regressing. See Section 42(1) (a) of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination inter alia, on the basis of sex. The three Female Senior Ministers in the Buhari administration, were all from the Northern part of the country. This time, we want to see a better distribution of positions. See Section 14(3) of the Constitution.

Adventures of the Unruly & Recalcitrant DSS: The Movie - Act 1, Scene 1

It is obvious that, in Nigeria, contrary to Baron de

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

Montesquieu’s doctrine of Separation of Powers, the third arm of government, the Judiciary, is not seen as a co-equal arm of government. It is seen as a distant third in rank in the hierarchy of government, or maybe not even ranking at all, with the Executive being first, and the Legislature, second. If this isn’t the case, the Department of State Services (DSS) would not have unleashed such an attack within a sitting court’s premises, complete with gun-toting Operatives, while flagrantly flouting the order of a court of competent jurisdiction. To strengthen a country and keep the occurrence of coup d’états away, the Judiciary and Legislature must be strengthened. Ensuring that the Judiciary is independent and the rule of law reigns supreme, are two ways to strengthen the Judiciary. If anything, the DSS’s mission statement seems to be to weaken and rubbish the Judiciary, and I call upon the incoming Attorney-General of the Federation, to resist this.

During the Buhari administration, Act 1 Scene 1 of the DSS Movie started with the unprecedented raid by DSS Operatives on the houses of judicial officers in the dead of night in October, 2016, as if there was a BOLO (Be on the Look Out) or APB (All-Points Bulletin) out on them, to look for criminals suspected to be armed and dangerous, and had to be apprehended by hook or by crook! The touch of sarcasm in that previous sentence, is meant to underscore the fact that the kind of treatment that was meted out to those judicial officers in that unfortunate incident, is what is done to aggressive suspects or criminals who are on the run from the law.

At the time, even though it was a week or two into my Editorship of this esteemed publication, I thoroughly condemned the DSS’s actions. Section 1 of the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (NSA Act), establishes the DIA (Defence Intelligence Agency), NIA (National Intelligence Agency) & SSS

(State Security Service) and sets out the functions of these agencies in Section 2, particularly that of the SSS provided in Section 2(3) of the NSA Act (what is the DSS? On their website, the DSS seems to pass itself off as the alter ego or doppelgänger of the SSS); the functions do not include bullying, oppressing, intimidating and harassing people in a democratic society. Their kind of behaviour is characteristic of a military/autocratic/totalitarian system in which fundamental rights are not guaranteed, and the ruler makes use of Secret Police to intimidate and keep the people in line. See Chapter IV of the Constitution. Also see the case of Director of SSS & Anor v Agbakoba (1999) LPELR954(SC). The position of the DSS should be properly regularised in the law; if the SSS is now the DSS, or the agency has two names, and it’s functions clearly stated, as some of it’s activities don’t seem to be in line with Section 2(3) of the NSA Act. Certainly, unlawful possession of a shotgun is a Police matter, and not one for the SSS. Anyway, no agency without a comprehensible and lawful mandate, has any place in a democratic society. In fact, a senior Lawyer told me that he once sued the DSS, and the first thing their Counsel did was to bring a preliminary objection that the agency is not known to law! What kind of mischief is that?!

Policing in a democratic society, is subject to the rule of law, and, whether secret or open law enforcement agencies, they cannot be a law unto themselves, or exist simply to satisfy the whims and caprices of leaders. Law enforcement in a democratic system, is there to ensure that there is a proper balance between societal order and liberty, so as to avoid anarchy and repression. If anything, the DSS seems to be spearheading oppression and repression.

Act 1 Scene 2 & 3

Act 1 Scene 2 & 3 were played out with the Legislature in July and August, 2018, when the Senate President of the 8th National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki was first prevented by the DSS from leaving his house, and subsequently, members of the National Assembly were locked out of their premises by the DSS.

Act 2, Scene 1

Last week, Act 2 Scene 1, played out in a scene in which the world saw the atrocious behaviour of DSS Operatives in the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division; in fact, initially, I thought I was watching a Nollywood movie. The disgraceful incident went beyond ‘contempt ex facie curiae’ (contempt not in the face of the court) - see the case of Atake v AGF & Anor (1982) LPELR-586(SC) per Chukwunweike Idigbe, JSC; not just because the court order that Mr Godwin Emefiele be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions, was obviously disobeyed by forcibly returning him to DSS custody, but because the display by the DSS was an affront on the Judiciary; it showed a total lack of respect for the Judiciary and the rule of law. What if those armed DSS Operatives had discharged their weapons, and injured or killed any of the Judges, Lawyers, Staff or members of the public present in the court premises that day? That would have been disastrous. My position has nothing to do with sympathy for Mr Emefiele and his current travails, as I have also suffered like millions of other Nigerians from some of CBN’s nonsensical policies under his watch; what I feel pity for, is the desecration of the temple of justice, the constant attempts by the Executive to undermine the Judiciary and the trampling upon of the rule of law in Nigeria. I expected that, by now, the DG of DSS would have been facing disciplinary action, for his Department’s embarrassing gross abuse of office/power - a carry over from the military days, in which such behaviour was the norm. See Section 104 of the Criminal Code Act and Offoboche v Ogoja LG & Anor (2001) LPELR-2265(SC). Also see the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution Part 1 Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

I would have imagined that the Tinubu administration would want to distance itself from the high-handed Gestapo tactics, to convince the world that, indeed, it is no longer business as usual in Nigeria, but a new dawn. What transpired at the Federal High Court Lagos court premises, is a total repellent to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Why would foreigners want to invest in a country, where in broad day light, masked security agents can brazenly enter the sacred temple of justice and behave as if they are in the ‘Wild, Wild, West’?

Establishing a Committee to investigate the DSS’s deplorable behaviour in the court premises, when the world already saw what transpired on international television, seems simply like the usual ruse deployed by Government to divert attention from embarrassing incidents; the usual way that the Nigerian Government has always treated matters which it intends to do nothing about. It is a tactic which we Yorubas refer to as “gba, jé kin simi” (take, and let me rest). Nothing tangible ever comes out of such futile Committees. What was the outcome of all the #EndSARS Committees? Almost three years after, apart from some monetary compensation paid to victims here and there, was there even any true reform of the Police? No.

Conclusion

It seems that it is decision-making time, not just on who to appoint as Ministers, but what Government wants Nigeria to look like, going forward. Presently, Nigerians are in a great deal of pain and suffering, and are in urgent need of succour, not drama.

Apart from immediate palliatives, we obviously require economic investment. If we continue to regress in our democracy and incidents like the DSS Act 2 Scene 1 continue to be a regular occurrence in Nigeria, we may only be able to attract investments from developed countries who have no regard for the rule of law - Russia, China, North Korea and the like. And, while business with these countries is not a bad thing, as long as Nigeria derives the benefits that accrue to her, I believe that we should also strike the right balance and respect the rule of law in our country, not just so that the fundamental rights of Nigerians are assured, but so that Nigeria remains open to other developed countries including but not limited to USA, UK, France, and Germany, for trade, and not just be at the mercy of a few. See Section 16 of the Constitution.

By the way, I hear that the Chinese are not only manufacturing ‘adirè’ (Yoruba tie and dye fabric, which Abeokuta, Ogun State is famous for) in China, but they are also frying ‘kose’ (akara or bean cake) in Katsina! There’s a difference between investment and rendering us redundant, and this could very well happen if we have no other option but to accommodate a particular type of country that has absolutely no qualms in creeping into Nigeria under the guise of FDI, stealing our ideas and taking over as many of our sources of livelihood as possible, even at the lowest levels, when no one else is interested in coming to sink any serious investment in Nigeria, because of our total disregard for the rule of law. A word, they say, is enough for the wise!

“My position has nothing to do with sympathy for Mr Emefiele and his current travails… what I feel pity for, is the desecration of the temple of justice, the constant attempts by the Executive to undermine the Judiciary and the trampling upon of the rule of law in Nigeria. I expected that, by now, the DG of DSS would have been facing disciplinary action, for his Department’s embarrassing gross abuse of office/power”

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

Effect of a Confessional Statement Tendered and Admitted Without Objection

Facts

Sometime in June 2013, the Appellant while in the employment of the Ogun State Judiciary as the Chief Bailiff in the Abeokuta Judicial Division sold a compressor belonging to the Court and corruptly benefitted the sum of N3,100,000.00 (Three Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira). The matter was reported to the Police, and the Appellant was arrested. The Appellant confessed to the act and with his assistance, the compressor was recovered from Abia State back to the premises of the High Court of Ogun State. Thereafter, he was arraigned on a two count charge of official corruption and stealing. He was found guilty of the two counts and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which affirmed his conviction and sentence. Thereafter, the Appellant filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court and submitted five issues for determination. The Respondent also distilled five issues for determination.

Issue for Determination

The Supreme Court identified the following sole issue, which it considered crucial and would better determine the appeal before it: Whether by the circumstances and facts of the trial of the Appellant confessional statement, the lower court was not wrong to hold that the Respondent proved the charge of official corruption and stealing against the Respondent beyond reasonable doubt.

Arguments

Counsel for the Appellant argued that the co-existence of counts one and two on corrupt benefit and official corruption on the same compressor, is unconstitutional and a nullity. His argument was that the Appellant was not made to understand in detail, the nature and particulars of the official corruption and stealing for which he was charged, and the Information Sheet was devoid of the particulars of the person who bribed the Appellant and the owner of the stolen property. He contended that by the provisions of Section 98(1) and Section 383 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State for the respective offences of official corruption and stealing, the lower court was wrong to have dismissed the Appellant’s appeal when the ingredients of the said offences were not proved. He also argued that it was wrong for the lower court to admit the confessional statement of the Appellant, as the same had been obtained under oppression and torture. Finally, he submitted that it was wrong for the lower court to affirm that the Respondent was not wrong to re-open its case, after the Appellant’s defence. He urged the Court to allow the appeal.

Counsel for the Respondent replied that the co-existence of counts one and two on corrupt benefit and official corruption on the same compressor is in order, since the facts provided the needed particulars of the offences. He also argued that the Appellant, who was ably represented by counsel, did not object to the contents of the charge when it was read to him, and this showed that he fully understood the charge against him. He submitted that by the evidence of PW1, PW5 and the statement of the Appellant, the count of official corruption was proved against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt. On the count of corrupt benefit, he stated that the totality of the evidence adduced by the Respondent and the Appellant’s confessional

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 31st day of March, 2023 Before Their Lordships Musa Dattijo Muhammad Chima Centus Nweze

Uwani Musa Abba Aji

2006, no error in stating the offence or the particulars required to be stated in the charge, and no omission to state the offence or those particulars should be regarded at any stage of the case as material, unless the accused was in fact misled by such error or omission and it has occasioned a failure of justice. Thus, for the court to consider any defect (if any), the Appellant must prove that such error has occasioned failure or miscarriage of justice to him. However, the Appellant failed to show any miscarriage of justice occasioned to him, by the purported omission in the Information Sheet.

On whether the Court of Appeal was wrong to affirm the admissibility of Exhibits 2 and 2A – the confessional statements of the Appellant, the Court held that when a confessional statement is admitted without objection from the maker or his counsel, the law implies that the maker of the statement agrees with everything in the statement. It also means that the maker made the statement voluntarily, and it is the truth on his role in the crime. The Court added that when a confessional statement is admitted without objection, the accused person is openly admitting that there is no element of involuntariness, oppression, torture or inadmissibility to it. The Court further held that if a court of law comes to the conclusion that a statement made by an accused person satisfies all the legal requirements of a confessional statement, then the charge against the accused must of necessity, have been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Referring to its decision in MUSA v STATE (2018) LPELR – 43846 (SC) (PP. 13 PARAS. D), the Court held that Exhibits 2 and 2A having been tendered and admitted without objection, the Appellant can be fully convicted on it. Moreover, the totality of the evidence of the Respondent’s witnesses in addition to the confessional statements, established official corruption and stealing against the Appellant.

RESPONDENT

Mohammed Lawal Garba Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Justices, Supreme Court SC/CR/555/2020 Between KEHINDE OLUGBEMI APPELLANT And THE STATE

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC)

statement, showed that the Appellant was the one who sold the compressor and benefitted from it, hence, the offence of corrupt benefit was also proved against him beyond reasonable doubt.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale

The Court held that the primary role of the charge sheet is to precisely inform the accused person of the nature of the accusation and allow him prepare his defence, and it is not the law that the framer of a charge or an Information Sheet must use the words or phraseology used in the provision of the law for the particulars of the offence to be therein disclosed. It is sufficient if the facts so supplied, provide and depict the needed particulars

of the offence. The Court referred to its decision in KOLO v C.O.P. (2017) LPELR – 42577 (SC) (PP. 23 – 24, PARA. C – C).

The Court held that the statement of offence and particulars of both counts 1 and 2 on the Information Sheet as contained in the record, revealed so much as to give the Appellant a perfect understanding of what he was standing trial for. The aggregate of the facts stated on the Information Sheet revealed the necessary act on the part of the Appellant, and the contents of the Information Sheet were explicitly clear, and precisely and adequately informed the Appellant of the case he was to face before the trial court. The particulars of count 2 explicitly stated the owner/possessor of the stolen compressor as Ogun State Judiciary, even though it is not a requirement that the owner or possessor of a stolen property must be named on a charge for it to be valid. It was also evident on the record that the Appellant, who was represented by counsel, took his plea conveniently without any protest, and demonstrated that he understood the nature of the offences against him at trial. It cannot therefore, be said that the Information Sheet was shrouded with such anonymity or cluelessness, that the Appellant actually did not understand and in detail, what he was charged for.

Furthermore, by Section 166 of the Criminal Procedure Law, Ogun State,

On the issue of whether the lower court was wrong to affirm that the trial court rightly allowed the Respondent to open its case after the Appellant had closed its case, the Court held that the reopening of a case is sometimes considered to enable the Court take, in the interest of justice, important points of law and facts relating to the case. Relying on its decision in KAJAWA v STATE (2018) LPELR-43911 (SC) (PP. 7-13, PARA. C-C), the Apex Court held that if the Defendant adduces in his evidence new matters which the Complainant could not foresee, the Complainant may, with the leave of court, adduce evidence to rebut such first mentioned evidence. The Court held that it was clear from the records that the trial court allowed the Respondent to re-open its case after the issue of auction-evidence of the compressor came up for the first time during the testimony of the Appellant, after the Respondent had closed its case. The case of the Respondent was stealing, and the new defence of the Appellant that he got the compressor by auction and not by stealing, came as a surprise to the Respondent; therefore, it became imperative for the Respondent to call witnesses to either ascertain it or disprove it. The lower court was thus, right to affirm the re-opening of the case of the Respondent after the close of the defence in the circumstance.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation

Olaniran Obele Esq. for the Appellant. Adejumoke Adewole Esq., D.P.P. Ogun State for the Respondent.

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

“…when a confessional statement is admitted without objection from the maker or his counsel, the law implies that the maker of the statement agrees with everything in the statement. It also means that the maker made the statement voluntarily, and it is the truth on his role in the crime”

Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC

DSS, NCoS Scuffle Over Custody of Emefiele Condemned by PRAWA

Stories by Steve Aya

Last week’s open scuffle at the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos between Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Department of State Services (DSS),@ has been condemned by the non-governmental organisation group, the Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare and Action (PRAWA).

In a statement issued by PRAWA’s Executive Director, Dr Uju Agomoh, she

called for an urgent investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident and punishment of erring officers.

"The scuffle at the Federal High Court was a shameful case of interagency conflict and rivalry which has no basis in the first instance, because the order of the court is clear on which agency should take responsibility of keeping the Defendant pending his meeting the bail conditions.

"Secondly, the laws of

$1.410 Million Fraud: Court Dismisses Jurisdiction Application

Justice Tijjani Ringim of Federal High Court. Lagos, has dismissed an application filed by a businessman, Kolawole Adebayo Erinle, challenging court’s jurisdiction to hear a fraud case of $1.410 million, against him.

The businessman was brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a charge marked FHC/L/293c/2023, on charges of conspiracy and obtaining the sum of $1,410, 000.00, by false pretence.

The Defendant through his Lawyer, Lawal Pedro, SAN, filed an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, while the matter was pending EFCC through its Lawyer, Mr Banjo Temitope, vehemently opposed the application, and urged the court to dismiss the application

#upjudicialsalaries

and order the Defendant to appear before it and take his plea.

Ruling on the arguments canvassed by parties on the application, Justice Ringim held that the Defendant must submit himself to the court and take his plea, before any application can be entertained.

Consequently, the Judge dismissed the application for lacking in merit, and ordered the Defendant to appear before the court on October 12, to take his plea.

The Defendant is currently standing trial before Justice Ramon Oshodi, of an Ikeja Special Offences Court in another fraud related charge. He is being prosecuted before the court alongside his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, on a threecount charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $1.410 million.

this country are clear on the responsibilities of the different agencies of the criminal justice system. The question is, why was the order of the court disobeyed? Why go against the laws of the land?”

PRAWA further said: "The clear show of contempt and disrespect to the order of the court portends serious danger, and Nigerian Citizens are called to speak-up in condemnation of this evil wind that has the potentiality of destroying all that we hold dear to us".

"There is no plausible excuse for this public

display of lack of professionalism, and invitation to mockery and ridicule of our dear country in the committee of nations.

Dr Agomoh also said that there was need for law enforcement and security agencies to acknowledge the limits of their powers, respect rule of law and human rights, and draw lines between ‘prosecution’ and ‘persecution’ of suspects and Defendants.

The Federal High Court, Lagos incident is a clear confirmation of the perennial challenge of lack of collaboration and poor coordination among the

agencies of the criminal justice system, which has remained a regular cause of inefficiency and ineffectiveness in the delivery of criminal justice in Nigeria.

"Cooperation and coordination of agencies of the criminal justice system is critical to the delivery of criminal justice; and a wellmanaged criminal justice system enables peace, safety, security, progress and development of the nation.

"It is really paradoxical, and an obvious national tragedy for an agency of government to undermine the whole essence of the

system that established it", the statement further said.

Hon. Justice Nicholas Oweibo, had granted Godwin Emefiele, the embattled suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bail, and remanded him in the custody of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the satisfaction of his bail.

However, the scuffle occurred over which agency gets the custody of former CBN Chief, when DSS Operatives insisted that they had orders to take Emefiele back into their custody, notwithstanding the court order.

Bianca Ojukwu Wins Legal Battle Over Ojukwu Estate

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has delivered judgement in favour of the widow of late Igbo leader and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and her Children, in the case involving the management and control of some of the assets of Ojukwu Transport Ltd (OTL), the family company of which her husband was a Director prior to his death.

The suit filed by Mrs Bianca Ojukwu in 2012, on behalf of the Claimants being her two sons, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu who were infants at the time, against Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others (brothers of the late Dim Ojukwu, their sons and property agent) before the court, over their alleged move to take possession of their residence at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, as well as some of the company’s property in Lagos which were under the management and control of their late father, Dim Ojukwu.

The Defendants, in the suit filed in 2012 are: Ojukwu Transport Ltd, Prof Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora

Ojukwu, Dr Patrick Ike Ojukwu, Arch. Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Messrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).

The Claimants stated that at about August 4, 2011, while their father Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was sick and hospitalised in London, the 4th-7th Defendant attempted to forcibly take possession of their home at No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, and that after the death of their father and soon after his burial, the 2nd-7th Defendant went on to appoint a property agent, the 8th Defendant, to take over, not only their father’s residence at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, but also other properties under the possession, management and control of their father, namely No. 13 Hawksworth Road (now known as 13 Ojora Road), Ikoyi; No. 32A Commercial Ave, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Court, presided over by Justice A. M Lawal having

regard to all the evidence adduced by the parties in the course of the proceedings spanning about 10 years, was of the opinion in his ruling of 24th June, that the Claimants, being biological children of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and by virtue of which, therefore, they are entitled to the estate of their father, as well as his entitlements as a deceased director and shareholder of the Ist Defendant.

The trial Judge further stated that equity is fairness and fairness is equity, and that as a court of equity, it would not allow the dispossession of Claimants who are children of a foundation director of the company, while other directors are in hold and control of other property of the 1st Defendant and deriving benefits from the same.

Therefore, the Court ruled that, the Claimants are entitled to possess and control what their late father possessed and controlled in the company (OTL) when he was alive. It was the court’s observation that the fact that the 1st Defendant allows the family of the company to live

on, and derive incomes from the assets of the company all these years, is a decision of the company by conduct.

Furthermore, that the 2nd Defendant who had refused to surrender the properties under his control for joint management, cannot now lead the battle of having the deceased director’s children hounded out of possession of the properties that were managed by their late father. The trial Judge pronounced that ‘this very act is enough to make the dead Chukwuemeka Ojukwu shiver in his grave’.

The counter-claim instituted by the Defendants was struck out for lack of competence, and the court declared as follows :

“That the Claimants are entitled to the possession and occupation of the property known as No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Oueens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos, until the harmonisation of the management of the assets of the 1st Defendant;

“That the threat of forceful ejection of the Claimants from No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Defendants is illegal;

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

Executive Director, Prisoners' Rehabilitation and Welfare and Action, Dr Uju Agomoh

Mrs Bianca Ojukwu

Disputes Between States and the Federation: Examining the Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction (Part 2)

Introduction

The first part of this piece was foundational: it discussed the import and legal basis of jurisdiction as an incident of judicial power; how it is determined and the highest institutional source of its expression - the Supreme Court. We analysed the composition of the court and factors which affect its jurisdiction.

In this piece, we go deeper into the constitution of the Apex Court, in terms of its membership and how it impinges on its jurisdiction. We then move on to a discussion of how the subject-matter of a case determines a court's jurisdiction, and the conditions precedent to assumption of jurisdiction by a court.

We then dwell, in even greater detail, with the constitution of the Apex Court, before going on to define 'controversy' and 'dispute'; the latter, first generally, before concluding with its meaning for the purpose of invoking its original jurisdiction. Enjoy.

The Constitution of a Court and the Qualification of its Members

Membership Jurisdiction

Where a court is not duly constituted as to the number and qualification of the Judges or Justices to sit in adjudication over a matter, the court is robbed of jurisdiction to adjudicate on that matter. For instance, the number of Justices required to sit at the Supreme Court to hear a case that borders on its original jurisdiction is seven. Thus, where five Justices sit to adjudicate over a matter, the court will clearly be without jurisdiction due to improper constitution. Again, assuming a seven-man panel sits on the matter and one of the Justices is only thirteen years post-call at the Bar, the entire panel is disqualified and any exercise it carries out will fail, as no amount of beauty in its adjudication can save it.

Subject-Matter Jurisdiction

For a court to assume jurisdiction, the subjectmatter must be within its jurisdiction. The Constitution or statute that creates the court, prescribes the subject-matter it can adjudicate upon. Consequently, where a matter falls within the subject-matter of a court, the court is said to have a subject-matter or substantive jurisdiction; but where it falls outside the subject-matter, the court is said to lack jurisdiction. Any exercise thereto in such a case shall be rendered in futility, as its decision shall be quashed on appeal. For instance, a dispute between two States, or between a State and the Federation is within the subject-matter of the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. Consequently, where at the Supreme Court other parties than these are involved, any exercise thereto shall be rendered an exercise in futility, and any decision emanating from it shall also be quashed. The scenario plays, out where a dispute which involves parties, over before which the Apex Court has jurisdiction, is filed before any other court.

Conditions Precedent to Assumption of Jurisdiction

For a court to properly assume jurisdiction, "due process" must have been followed in initiating the same. However, we must bear in mind that there could be a mere unsubstantial technicality that does not affect the competence of the court, and a substantial technicality which affects the competence of the action, and robs the court of its jurisdiction. In the case of CITY ENG. (NIG) LTD v NAA 1999 11 N.W.L.R.

Pt. 625 Page 80 court held that, there is a distinction between mere or unsubstantial technicality in proceedings that are competent and within the jurisdiction of a trial court, and a substantial technicality which amounts to a condition precedent to the commencement of an action, and which renders the proceedings incompetent and manifestly or incurably defective. Interestingly, while the former may be waived, the latter, as a general rule, may not be waived, because acquiescence does not and cannot confer jurisdiction to a court. For instance, while a procedural rule of court may be waived where it does not occasion a miscarriage of justice, statutory provisions containing conditions precedent to the commencement of an action, cannot be so waived. To further appreciate this position, some examples of conditions precedent which, if not complied with, may render proceedings incompetent and rob the court of jurisdiction are, amongst others, as follows:

1. Giving Pre-action Notice

2. Limitation Act

4. Where there is no service of the court process

5. Locus Standi

6. Geographical Territory

7. Financial Limit

Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of

Nigeria is provided in Section 232 of the Constitution and the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002. The jurisdiction may be original/exclusive, appellate or supervisory. However, this discourse focuses on the original/exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and the same is limited only to disputes between States and the Federation. For purposes of clarity, it is necessary to reproduce the provisions of the law - verbatim ad literatim.

Section 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended provides thus:

“The Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Federation and a State or between States, if and in so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

(2) In addition to the jurisdiction conferred upon it by subsection (1) of this section, the Supreme Court shall have such original jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by any Act of the National Assembly. Provided that no original jurisdiction shall be conferred upon the Supreme Court, with respect to any criminal matter”.

In A.G. OF THE FEDERATION v A.G, OF ABIA STATE & 35 ORS 2001 11 N.W.L.R. (PL. 725) pg. 689 at 736, at [G-H] Belgore, JSC examined the provisions of Section 232(1) of the 1999 Constitution and held that:

1. The sub-section presupposes that there must a dispute either between the Federation and States or between States; and

2. The disputes must pertain to the existence of a legal right or its extent; it must also relate to a question of law or a fact or both.

Section (1) and (2) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002, provides thus:

(1) “In addition to the jurisdiction conferred

upon the Supreme Court of Nigeria by Section 232 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between--

(a) the National Assembly and the President;

(b) the National Assembly and any State House of Assembly; and

(c) the National Assembly and the State of the Federation,

In so far as that dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as conferring original jurisdiction upon the Supreme Court with respect to any criminal matter.”

Definition of Terms

“Dispute”

This takes us to the meaning of “dispute” generally. The word “dispute”, is not defined in our Constitution. However, the Courts have had cause to pronounce on its meaning. In Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary (unabridged); the term “dispute” is defined as being synonymous with controversy. It defines it as “an attempt to prove and maintain one’s own opinions, argument or claims of another, controversy in words.” The Black’s Law Dictionary, (5th Edition), defines ‘dispute’ as: “A conflict or controversy; a conflict of claims or rights; an assertion of a right, claim or demand on one side, met by contrary claims or allegation on the other. The subject of litigation is the matter for which a suit is brought and upon which issue is joined…”.

“Controversy”

A dispute under the aforementioned Section 232(1) of the Constitution, must be one that is appropriate for judicial determination. It includes suits of a civil nature, and must raise an issue or question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. It must be real and substantial. It must be definite and concrete. The word “controversy” was considered in the case of AETNA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF HARTFORD, CONN v HARWORTH 300 US 227 57 S.CL. 461; at Pg. 464. In that case, Chief Justice Hughes said: “a controversy in this sense, must be one that is appropriate for judicial determination. A justiciable controversy is thus, distinguished from a difference or dispute of a hypothetical or abstract character, from one that is academic or moot. … It must be a real and substantial controversy, admitting of specific relief through a decree of a conclusive character, as distinguished from an opinion advising what the law would be upon a hypothetical state of facts”.

In A.G. OF THE FEDERATION v A.G, OF ABIA STATE & 35 ORS 2001 11 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 725) Pg. 689 at 73 the word ‘dispute’ was defined by my Lord, S.M.A. Belgore, JSC, C.J.N. (as he then was), as follows: “To my mind, a dispute involves acts of argument, controversy, debate, claims as to rights, whether in law or fact, varying opinions, whether passive or violent, or any disagreement that can lead to public anxiety or disquiet. I will not close the category of disputes”. Suit No. S.C. 27/2010: (2011) 8 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 1248) 31 at 166-167. A dispute is a conflict of claims or rights or demands on one side, met by contrary allegations on the other side.

“Dispute” for the Purpose of Invoking the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court In A.G ABIA v A.G FEDERATION Suit No. SC. 73/2006: 2007 6 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 1029) 200 at 219-220 Tabai, J.S.C. held inter alia thus: “With respect to the construction given to the word “dispute”, the opinion of the Court (per Belgore, JSC as he then was) (in A.G. OF THE FEDERATION v A.G, OF ABIA STATE & 35 ORS (Supra) is quite apposite, in determining the issue of this Court’s jurisdiction in this case. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“There should be only one political ideology, and that is good governance.” (Amit Abraham)

“….there could be a mere unsubstantial technicality that does not affect the competence of the court, and a substantial technicality which affects the competence of the action, and robs the court of its jurisdiction”

Brief Biography

Born on September 25, 1958, Hon. Justice Nweze was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. He was awarded a Ph.D by the University of Nigeria, in 2001. Hon. Justice Nweze was elevated to the High Court Bench of Enugu State in November 1995, Justice of the Court of Appeal in February 2008, and Justice of the Supreme Court in October 2014, where he served until his death.

He also served in various capacities including: Member of the National Working Group on the Reform of Criminal Justice Administration, 2004, which birthed the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and as a Visiting Human Rights Scholar, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 2000-2008.

His Dissenting Judgement in Uzodinma v Ihedioha

Although Nweze is better known for his work in human rights and in academics, on the Bench, his dissenting judgement in Uzodima & Anor v Ihedioha & Ors (2020) LPELR-50260(SC), brought him accolades for his courage and sagacity. Hon. Justice Nweze, in disagreeing with the majority judgement, held that the Supreme Court had the power to overrule itself in a desirous situation. He affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision which upheld Ihedioha’s victory, adding that the Apex Court in the January 14, 2020 judgement, wrongly declared Uzodinma winner of the Governorship election.

According to Justice Nweze, “The reasoning in the judgement will sooner or later, haunt our electoral jurisprudence”. He said although his opinion was dissenting, “it is an appeal to the brooding spirit of the law”.

He noted that Uzodinma misled the court to accept the allegedly excluded results in 388 polling units, without indicating the votes polled by other political parties. He also faulted the results from the said polling units, without indicating the number of accredited voters in the polling units. He said the results could not be valid without indicating the number of accredited voters.

It was not all the decisions in every case which he participated in, that however, went down well with the people, as many criticised the judgements delivered in the Senatorial cases of Ahmad Lawan and Godswill Akpabio.

Honour at Home

Early this year, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, inaugurated a new State Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters Complex in Enugu, constructed by his administration as part of its infrastructure transformation agenda in the State Judiciary. The court was named after Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC as “Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nweze Complex, Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters, Enugu State Judiciary”, the edifice, located within the Three Arms Zone of the Independence Layout, Enugu, is the first headquarter complex of the Customary Court of Appeal in the State.

Also, the Faculty of Law, Geoffrey Okoye University, Enugu recently officially named its Moot Court in honour of Justice C.C Nweze, JSC.

May the flights of Angels, sing Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC to his rest. Amen

Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi

A TALENTED JURIST HAS FALLEN! Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC (1958-2023)

In the midst of the annual vacation, the Nigerian Judiciary, Legal Profession and Human Rights Community, has been thrown into mourning by the untimely death of a cerebral Jurist and a promoter and protector of human rights, Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nweze, Justice of the Supreme Court, who joined the saints triumphant on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 at the age of 64. Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi pay tribute to this Judicial Titan whom some referred to as, ‘The Dissenter of the Supreme Court’.

Tribute to a Brilliant Jurist and Promoter of Human Rights

Words fail me. I can’t remember when exactly I met My Lord, CC Nweze, JSC. It was my brother Silk, Chinonye Obiagwu that introduced me to him during one of LEDAPs Human Rights Seminars. What struck me about him immediately, was his brilliance and depth of understanding of national and international human rights treaties and jurisprudence. I remember taking notes, throughout his presentation. I was invited to the Conference as a resource person, and after listening to Nweze J ( as he then was), I did not need anyone to tell me that I had plenty of reading up to do.

A Promoter and Protector of Human Rights

In those days, it was rare to find a High Court Judge with so much depth and understanding of matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. I recall that it was after that Conference that Chinonye and I decided that we had to ensure that Nweze’s knowledge was widely shared. Between the both of us, we ensured that he got speaking invitations to

a number of local and international human rights conferences. His perspective was different and refreshing. He effortlessly linked the law and theory of human rights, with human rights litigation. We did not stop ‘pestering’ him even when he was deservedly elevated to the Court of Appeal, and subsequently, the Supreme Court. He was one of those that encouraged me to enable a quarterly Attorney-Generals Colloquium in Ekiti State Ministry of Justice. He not only supported me with his presence, but was a constant source of encouragement and motivation throughout my two term tenure as Attorney-General.

His Concern for the Conditions of Service and Welfare of Judicial Officers

In the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice CC Nweze was concerned about the salaries, allowances and conditions of service of Judicial Officers. We had several discussions, on the plight of Judges. We agreed that it was simply unconscionable, that judicial officers will be on the same salary for about two decades. Quite apart from poor salaries, we agreed that the current allowances payable to Judges are inadequate, and they do not meet current realities. We also discussed the caseload of the Supreme Court. We agreed that the huge number of cases before the Court, will continue to militate against the quality of the judgements.

Hon. Justice Nweze was very pleased with the report of the NBA Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service. The only minus, according to him, was that we forgot to include a review of Robe allowance. In his words,

“the Naira to Pound Sterling exchange rate has made the purchase of quality judicial robes and accessories, beyond the reach of a Judge”. The NBA Committee, immediately effected his observation.

I observed his cynicism about the willingness of this new administration, to implement the desired review of judicial remuneration. I constantly assured him that the Tinubu administration would be different, seeing as President Tinubu came into office with a track record of judicial reform from his days as Governor of Lagos State. I also informed him that I felt assured that, President Tinubu would easily give his support for the review of judicial remuneration within the context of justice sector reform.

Conclusion I imagine there will be lots of condolence messages, especially by Justice Sector stakeholders. However, in my view if there is one thing that we should focus our minds on in remembrance of Nweze JSC, it should be our collective resolve to ensure that his advocacy for the improvement of judicial remuneration is supported.

Chima Centus Nweze, had an influential presence on the Bench. He was a brilliant legal mind with intellectual depth. He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential Justices and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court.

May God bless and keep Chima Centus Nweze, JSC, in His heavenly place. May He grace the Nweze family with His holy comfort. And, may He bless and watch over all the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Olawale Fapohunda, SAN, Immediate Past Attorney-General of Ekiti State; Managing Partner, Legal Resources Consortium

"In the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice CC Nweze was concerned about the salaries, allowances and conditions of service of Judicial Officers"

Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC

DSS v NCS: Desecration of the Temple of Justice

In Gestapo style, Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) forcefully rearrested the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele right within the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, where he is standing trial on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. The altercation that ensued between Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and DSS Operatives after the Judge had granted the embattled Emefiele bail, left many aghast and disgusted. Legal pundits and many Nigerians see this a desecration of the very institution that guaranties freedom, and protects democracy. For many, this impunity typifies a throwback reminiscent of the highhandedness of the despotic rule of military oligarchy of the 1990s. Norrison Quakers, SAN, Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN and Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani examine the worrisome issues in the unfortunate incident

Legal Periscope and Intrigues Over the Arrest and Detention of Emefiele By DSS

Norrison I. Quakers, SAN,

Introduction

T

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

FCArb

he Media has been awash with the intrigues playing out over the arrest of suspended

Governor - Mr Godwin Emefiele. The Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him in June 2023 and charged him to Court after the High Court in Abuja granted an order on July 13, 2023.

Admittedly, the myriad of challenges confronting our fatherland, is such that is

befuddling. But, some are very avoidable in securing our democratic gains, and ensuring the sanctity of the Courts in Nigeria; a good example is the intrigue relating to the detention of Mr Godwin Emefiele by the DSS.

Powers of DSS

The establishment Act of the Department of State Services (DSS), precisely Section 6 of the National Security Agencies (NSA) Act 1986 Cap. 74, LFN 2004 is clear on its functions; being for-

(a) the prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security

of Nigeria;

(b) the protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria; and

(c) such other responsibilities affecting internal security within Nigeria as the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary.

The Position of the Law on Rights of a Suspect

It is settled that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) which repealed the Criminal Procedure Act and the Criminal Procedure Code, makes better the protection of the rights of a suspect; Section 8 (a) and (b) is clear, that

“….it is also important that a Police Enforcement Unit be created in all Courts across the Federation, to aid the Courts in the protection of its sanctity….”

Godwin Emefiele

DSS v NCS: Desecration of the Temple of Justice

a suspect should be given amiable treatment with regards to the dignity of his person, not be to exposed to a hostile or unpalatable treatment through extreme distress. Likewise, several provisions of Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) also recognises the protection of the rights of a suspect; as such, ACJA does not make use of the word ‘accused person’ to uphold the presumption of innocence of a suspect.

The Legal Issues

Of note, a Civil Society Organisation had approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, which ordered that the CBN Governor should not be arrested, questioned or detained until the matter in Court is heard and determined.

Thus, a cursory examination of the scuffle involving the DSS at the Federal High Court, Lagos, after Hon. Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted bail in the sum of N20 million to Godwin Emefiele is condemnable. Since Hon. Justice Nicholas Oweibo ordered that the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) should take custody of him pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions granted him, it is expected that DSS would honour this and exercise restraint, rather than defiling the Court premises as done by the Gestapo-Style Arrest. Remarkably, the Ministry of Justice is prosecuting Godwin Emefiele, on charges of possessing a single-barrelled shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. On a further examination of the Charge, the question that readily comes to mind is - should the Charge for illegal possession of firearms/unlawful firearm possession not have been filed by the Police? Another is - why is there so much delay in the investigations?

Conclusion

Of note, the Godwin Emefiele has initiated a suit against the DSS Director General and the Attorney-General of the Federation, amongst others, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental right to freedom of movement and dignity of human life.

As noted in the case of Chief Joseph Oyeyemi v Commis-

sioner for Local Government Kwara State (1992)

2 SCNJ 266 at 278 where the Supreme Court held: “Courts have a duty to protect vested rights, as otherwise lawlessness will reign. So, they have always taken the view that any attempt by a competent authority to take away a citizen's vested rights, must be done in strict compliance with the law and any laid down procedure therefore”.

It is important for all agencies to bear in mind that, the sanctity of the Judiciary must remain intact and unwavering at all times. Hence, the erring Government officials involved in the Federal High Court, Lagos scuffle should be made to face the consequences of their despicable conduct.

From the foregoing, it is also important that a Police Enforcement Unit be created in all Courts across the Federation, to aid the Courts in the protection of its sanctity; and personnel of the Police Enforcement Unit stationed therein are to work strictly with the Justices of the Court,

in ensuring a smooth justice delivery process.

Norrison I. Quakers, SAN, FCArb

DSS and the Desecration of the Rule of Law: Time for a Paradigm Shift

Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN

I must forewarn myself against the temptation of concluding that the brazen and unabashed show of strength by the officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), otherwise more commonly known as DSS, and the men of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS (hitherto known as Prison Service) on Tuesday, the 25th of July, 2023, in the very hallowed premises of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, was the height of infamy for our country Nigeria, in order that I be not found guilty of hasty conclusion and be accused of a display of naivety in the interpretation of the trajectory of our daily grind as a nation.

It is always predictably in tune with the pattern of our national life, that before the echoes of a prevailing infamy that one may want to regard as the height of it all drown, another greater infamy lurks in the offing, rearing its ugly head.

Court Infamy

Even as one may dread to

conclude on the measure of the last court infamy by the personnel of the two key security organisations on account of the above stated reality, one cannot also shy away from stating that the scuffle was a clear demonstration of the level of disdain the Judiciary is held. Indeed, the spurning by the men of the DSS, of the order of court granting bail to the suspended CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, and the inglorious conduct of the two security organisations, culminating in the wielding of their sophisticated arms in a show of infamous strength, all point eloquently to where each of the two organisations owes its respective allegiance. Sadly, it is not to the rule of law, but to their respective operational commanding heights.

I refuse to go with the general flow of thought, which views the NCS as the victim in the circumstance. Although for the DSS, flouting orders of court appears to have been mainstreamed into its core operational values, the NCS cannot equally be held blameless, having regard to the values of civilisation underpinning the rule of law, in following the DSS to the gutter in the courtroom infamy.

On deep retrospection, the anathematisation of the Judiciary in the desecration of its order by security organisations follows closely as a learning curve for the culprits, the desecrating and affrontive steps first committed

“…. one cannot also shy away from stating that the scuffle was a clear demonstration of the level of disdain the Judiciary is held”

Norrison Quakers, SAN

DSS v NCS: Desecration of the Temple of Justice

in-house by its very own in the legal profession. Are we all not living witnesses to the infamy of a past Attorney-General of the Federation, whose pastime was to play sport with orders of courts which he sought recklessly to give interpretations suited to his whims and caprices? Or is it the uncertainty that now characterises judicial decisions in virtually every hierarchy of court, and making nonsense thereby, of the much-for reasons hallowed principles of judicial precedent and stare decisis?

It bears no repeating that, a society is nothing other than the sum of its component parts. In a manner of speaking, Nigeria’ neck is currently under the asphyxiating grip of its critical component parts: the security organisations, each functioning under a delusion of grandeur of its superiority to the other, and refusing thereby to function together in institutional co-operation and harmony in the maintenance of the whole.

For reasons afore-stated, the complicitous outing of the Judiciary whose orders are now being flagrantly and wantonly disobeyed, deserves a mention. To call a spade not by any other nomenclature, corruption in the Judiciary, by which injustice is marketed, more than anything else, has greatly eroded public confidence – a sine qua non for obedience or obeisance to judicial orders. No one else puts it better than the undisputable legal sage, Lord Denning, Master of the Rolls, (may the Lord bless his soul) thus, in Metropolitan Properties Co (FGC) Ltd v Lannon (1969) 1 QB. 577; when he stated:

“Justice must be rooted in confidence, and confidence is destroyed when right-minded people go away thinking: ‘The Judge was biased”.

He went on to further nail it in his treatise, The Family Story (Butterworths, 1981) 162, thus:

“When a Judge sits to try a case with a jury, he is himself on trial – before his fellow-countrymen. It is on his behaviour, that they will form their opinion of our system of justice. He must be robed

in the scarlet of the Red Judge – so as to show that he represents the majesty of the law. He must be dignified – so as to earn the respect of all who appear before him. He must be alert – to follow all that goes on. He must be understanding – to show that he is aware of the temptations that beset everyone. He must be merciful – so as to show that he too, has the quality which ‘droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath”.

The admonitions of Lord Denning, as enunciated above, appear to be premonitory of the Nigeria’s contemporary judicial imbroglio.

Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN, Constitutional Lawyer, Abuja

DSS Imbroglio and NBA’s Prompt Response

Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani

I appreciate the promptness of our NBA President, Mr

Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, in reacting to the show of shame that happened at the Federal High Court, Lagos by the officers of DSS last week.

It is obvious that our Judiciary and its powers were being undermined, by such a lawless and senseless display of power by the Officers of the DSS in the court premises. The legal profession cannot afford to be silent, when everything about it is being threatened or destroyed by lawless government officials. It is dangerous!

The truth is that, the order of the court was explicit on who should take custody of the Defendant, in this case Mr Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria. It is appalling that the DSS who had him for over a month, was eager to take him back into their custody, despite the express order of the court. What more offence/s are they desiring to investigate, which they did not complete for the over one month they had him in their custody? Were they not the ones, who came up with the miserable charge of illegal possession of a firearm after his long detention? It is now that they want to investigate the alleged funding of terrorism? We joke too much in this country!

Who actually should be blamed in the circumstance, DSS or

Correctional Centre?

If we take into account that before last week’s incident, there had been several court orders that directed the release or arraignment of Mr Emefiele which were observed in breach by DSS, we cannot but lay appropriate blame on the doorstep of the culprit, which is DSS. No prevarications gentlemen!

The attitude and exercise of power by DSS under this new dispensation, needs to be interrogated. Their penchant and impunity in disobeying court orders, needs the bold condemnation of the Nigerian Bar Association, to nip their contempt for rule of law in the bud. We do not need to patronise them at all, as they are hell bent on destroying the rule of law and by extension, our hard won democracy.

I believe that President Tinubu's Government owes Nigerians the onerous responsibility of towing the line of rule of law and obedience to court orders. If he chooses to go the way of other administrations in Nigeria, let him rest assured that, patriotic-minded Nigerians will resist him and his planned autocratic regime. The citizens have suffered enough, and are ready to take their destinies in their hands this time around. A word is enough for the wise.

"The attitude and exercise of power by DSS under this new dispensation, needs to be interrogated"

Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani, immediate past Chairman of NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL)

Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN

Dr Monday Onyekachi Ubani

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

EDITORIAL A PLEA TO RESIDENT DOCTORS

The strike is bringing untold hardship to many Nigerians

Sporadic calls for strikes by diverse labour unions have become quite worrisome. While the living conditions have become desperate for most Nigerians, it is also true that President Bola Tinubu is yet to form a proper government since he has only sent a partial list of his ministerial nominees to the Senate. Once the ministers and departments of a functioning government are in place, normal demands of legitimate civil society groups can resume. It is in this light that we urge the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their ongoing strike.

and government at all levels has not only left an indelible stain on the image of the public health care system in the country, but it has also brought untold hardship to many Nigerians. As a result of the ongoing strike, patients requiring healthcare in most government hospitals across the country are either being turned back or are left unattended to with dire implications. Many who may require emergency services and without enough funds to seek healthcare in private hospitals could unfortunately lose their lives at this period.

industrial action last Wednesday following what they described as the failure of the Nigerian government to meet their demands. These demands, which are quite legitimate, include immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), ‘upward review’ of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and payment of all salary arrears owed its members, since 2015. The doctors also advocate and abolishment of the bureaucratic limitations to prompt replacement of doctors and nurses who leave the system as well as the immediate review of hazard allowance by all the state governments and

UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

Letters to the Editor

private tertiary health institutions where any form of residency training is done.

We fully support the aspirations of resident doctors in terms of their welfare, conducive working environment, training, and recognition of their system and a better society. We also share the frustrations of resident doctors whose membership is depleting every day as many of their peers seek greener pastures abroad. However, we are of the view that a strike action will not resolve the list of problems confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system now. The challenges are enormous at a time of dwindling resources and would require all stakeholders coming together for sustainable solutions.

As previous cases have proven, parties would still return to the negotiating table after several lives have been lost. A more strategic way to resolve this logjam can be attained without bringing untold hardship to patients and other citizens that may need their services in the hospitals. A new mechanism or dispute resolution platform should be explored, especially since we have a new government in place. We therefore plead with the resident doctors to return to work. The ultimate responsibility lies with President Tinubu. He must understand that this is not an auspicious moment to dither on the issue of healthcare for the people and it is important that there be a quick resolution.

Incessant strikes are hugely inimical to the health of the economy and, in many ways, disruptive of the social order. Beyond addressing the current challenge with NARD, the federal government needs to urgently improve the quality of lives of healthcare direction. This will not only help to reduce brain drain and medical tourism—two ‘monsters’ that should easily be blamed on insensitivity of government—but also help in the bid to revamp the health sector in the country.

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

LETTERS

ADEMOLA ADELEKE AND WORKERS’ WELFARE

In the beginning, only few could be persuaded that the half-salary debt conundrum that had dogged Osun State for quite some years can be salvaged. Even when Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed sincere commitment to clear the mess, his opponents, particularly Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor, pushed so hard to create a sense of impossibility. And you can’t really blame him, because we all saw how horrible his best was for the state. In fact, it was part of his inad-

It is worthy to note that the Adeleke administration inherited N20bn half-salary debt as well as over N50bn in entitlements of stirring concerns on how to go about it considering the economic situation of Osun State, Governor Adeleke was unwavering which is clearly the hallmark of true leadership.

Typical of a leader who meant well, Adeleke accepted the challenge posed by the half-salary debt, and as a way out, released a template to follow in the payment of the owed monies. In the template signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Samuel Aina in February, the Adeleke administration committed to paying

the salary debt every quarter.

Just as outlined, Governor Adeleke, paid two months of the year. And only last week, the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, announced the approval of Governor Adeleke to pay another month of the half salary.

This will bring payments of the half-salary to three months, in line with the template put up by the government in February. Shortly after the news of the approval, someone reached out to me to know how it was possible for Governor Adeleke to achieve what Oyetola claimed was impossible and could not

Well, this is not unexpected. For the four years that Oyetola was governor, he practically ignored series of pleas to see to the payment of the owed salaries. Even when he’s reminded of his an excuse to dodge his responsibility.

In short, unlike his predecessor, Governor Adeleke is showdistress due to gross mismanagement of the past, Governor

of the people.

of civil servants done by the past administration by Governor Adeleke. Oyetola had in 2019 approved promotion for civil servants but it was Governor Adeleke in May this year who made salary of workers.

The impressive thing here is that, these kind of gestures is not limited to active workers but also senior citizens, who were also largely abandoned by the previous administration. Between November 27, 2022 and now, Governor Adeleke has released billions in bonds to clear entitlements of retired personnel of the state. Only recently, Governor Adeleke approved nearly half a billion to settle the pension claims of 734 pensioners on the old pension scheme in the state. This is in addition to the ambitious plan to enrol retirees on health insurance scheme to cater for their health needs at old age.

Sarafa Ibrahim, Special Assistant to Osun Governor

Incessant strikes are hugely inimical to the health of the economy and, in many ways, disruptive of the social order

RATES AS AT JULY 31,2023

Subsidy Removal: Average Petrol Pump Price

Rose 210% YoY in June as Impact Bites Harder

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

As Nigerians continue to face the hardship occasioned by the withdrawal of the subsidy hitherto paid by the government, the average retail price expended by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in June 2023 rose to N545.83, indicating an increase of 210.31 per cent relative to N175.89 recorded in June 2022.

Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also indicated that comparing the

average price value with the previous month of May 2023, the average retail price increased by 129.23 per cent from N238.11.

However, THISDAY checks showed that the average price year-on-year (YoY)is likely to soar even higher when the figures for July roll in, as the pump price has now risen by at least 15 per cent and a 65-litre fuel tank now takes over N40,000 to fill.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, effectively leaving

the price the product sells to the forces of demand and supply.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has assured that prices will continue to fluctuate in accordance with in-built costs.

A country of over 200 million people, Nigeria imports almost all its petrol consumption needs, since its badly maintained four refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna packed up.

But on state profile analysis, the NBS data showed that Taraba state

had the highest average retail price for petrol with N562.86, followed by Yobe with N562.31 and Kano with N561.82.

On the other hand, Anambra it said, recorded the lowest average retail price for the product with N534.44, followed by Ebonyi with N535.00 and Oyo with N537.43.

In addition, analysis by zone showed that the North-east recorded the highest average retail price in June 2023 with N557.03, while the South-west had the lowest with N539.36.

The difference in prices across the zones, THISDAY learnt, is mainly due to transportation costs.

In addition, since the pipelines network meant to take the product around the country has collapsed, marketers depend on expensive diesel to move petrol in tankers along Nigeria’s dilapidated roads.

Aside the numerous taxes and levies faced by marketers, they also build in the cost of extortion by security agencies while moving the product from one part of the country to another.

But it appeared to be cheering news on the other hand, as the NBS data indicated that the average retail price for refilling a 5kg Cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas decreased by 6.71 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N4,360.69 recorded in May 2023 to N4,068.26 in June 2023. On a year-on-year basis, this decreased by 3.56 per cent from N4,218.38 in June 2022.

Continued

FAO:

Increasing Demand

for Wild Meat Threatening Wild Life Population, Food Security

Gilbert Ekugbe

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has warned that the increasing demand for wild meat in urban areas is threatening wildlife populations, ecosystem balance and food security of indigenous and rural communities in tropical and subtropical regions across the globe,

The FAO, in a statement on its website, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the

interdependence between human, animal and ecosystem health, and illustrated the magnitude and diversity of the consequences that the loss or degradation of biodiversity could have around the world.

It, however, extolled the European Union (EU) for pledging an additional funding to help conserve wildlife and improve food security in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

According to the FAO, the fund is the second phase of the

Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) initiative that was established in 2017 to reduce unsustainable wildlife hunting, conserve wildlife and strengthens people’s livelihoods and food security. It would run from August 2023 to May 2029 and would be part of NaturAfrica, the new EU initiative for biodiversity conservation in Africa.

The first phase of the initiative received €45 million from the EU, with co-funding from the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and French

Development Agency (AFD).

In this new phase, the FAO would continue to lead a consortium of partners, which include the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The Deputy Director-General of FAO, Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, said that the SWM programme would make a significant contribution as the world work towards a sustainable

and food-secure world for all.

Semedo pointed out that the initiative would contribute to the implementation of the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework as well as to the “four betters” in the new FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031. She said: “For example, the programme is working towards ‘better nutrition’ by promoting safe food across wild and domestic meat value chains, and towards ‘better environment’ by developing innovative approaches

to improve practices, build capacities to reduce zoonotic risks and protect ecosystems.”

The Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG-INTPA), European Commission, Marjeta Jager, said that the partnership is working with national and regional administrations, and over 80 local and indigenous communities in 16 countries.

NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

FOOD COMMODITIES PRICE TODAY

Controversy Trails Purported Sale of Kano Disco as Two Firms Lay Claim to Coy

Two firms, Powercom and Future Energies Africa (FEA) have laid claim to being the rightful winners of a bid to buy Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), THISDAY has learnt.

The federal government had in July 2022 listed KEDCO as one of the worst-performing Discos among the 11 power distributors in Nigeria and had thereafter made moves to resell the Disco to new owners.

However, there is confusion over the deal as the two energy companies have said they duly satisfied all the statutory requirements to own the power company.

Whereas the ownership of the

60 per cent shares in contention in KEDCO has now been handed over to Powercom, Future Energies, has maintained that the company acquired the Disco after it (Future) emerged winners of a bidding process conducted by Fidelity Bank and was issued a ‘No Objection’ certificate by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

With no apparent resolution in sight, Future Energies approached the Federal High Court in Lagos which restrained the defendants from considering, accepting, approving, or naming Powercom or any other investor as a new core shareholder in KEDCO or conducting or recognising any other bidding process for the sale of Sahelian’s 60 per cent shares

in the company. The defendants include: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the BPE, Sahelian Power SPV Limited (in Receivership), Patrick J.N. Ikwueto (SAN) in his capacity as receiver manager of Sahelian Power, Fidelity Bank, KEDCO Plc and Powercom Smartgrid Nigeria Limited.

The company’s position came days after Powercom announced it had acquired a 60 per cent stake in Kano Disco.

NERC also stated in an advertorial that it had received a request for ‘No Objection’ from the receiver manager appointed by Fidelity Bank for the acquisition of the said 60 per cent equity holding in KEDCO by

Powercom.

But speaking with journalists at the weekend, Future Energies through its representative, Mr Adam Ibrahim, insisted that it had satisfied all the conditions to be awarded the 60 per cent ownership.

“Powercom is not the rightful owner of KEDCO because FEA had already signed a legally binding agreement to purchase the shares as far back as 25 May 2023.

“We went through the process, we sent in an expression of interest. Fidelity and its Receiver Manager looked at our bid alongside other parties that were interested in the asset and they sent us forward to BPE and NERC,” Ibrahim said.

He added: “There was a receiver

Asset Management Firm Gets New Directors, Targets N50bn Capital

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Goldenbridge Asset Management Company (GAMC) Limited has inaugurated four new directors as part of its drive towards its 5:5:50 vision of raising N50 billion in the next five years as well as to be counted among the top five asset

management companies in Nigeria.

The inauguration of the directors and the unveiling of the strategy, a statement from the company said, took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

In attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of the Board; Mr Adekunle Oyinloye; Titilola Oladejo;

Abdul

In his speech at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Oyinloye, explained that the board needed to be rejigged to meet the

company’s business goals, hence the assembling of the best minds in the financial industry. The chairman enjoined the board and management of the company to leverage on strategic synergies towards taking the Goldenbridge brand and business to the next level.

NEPC, Fishery Dept, Empowers 50 Fish Exporters for Global Export

Gilbert Ekugbe

Worried over the high level of rejection faced by Nigerian exports due to lack of standards and poor documentation, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Federal Department of Fisheries have trained over 50 fish exporters, farmers and processors on the requisite skills to take advantage of the global fish export market.

Speaking at a technical session for fish practitioners on compliance to importing countries requirements in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, said that the technical session would

give participants the opportunity to understand and adopt regulations of importing countries to avoid the high level of reject of Nigerian exports.

Yakusak, who was represented by the Director, Product Development Department, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, said that the training is being conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Federal Department of Fisheries to equip fish farmers, processors and fish exporters would expose them on the right way of exporting their products without getting their fingers burnt.

He said: “If you are exporting

fish and fishery products, they have to comply with regulations of the importing countries. We are here to reach and train all the practitioners in the fish sector and we are starting with Lagos State. We want to let them know what is required of them so that they can comply and their fish would be accepted at the international market.

“This is why we have brought in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Federal Department of Fisheries to tell them what the requirements are.”

Also speaking, the Director, Federal Department of Fisheries,

Dr. Farouq Abdullahi, who was represented by the Deputy Director and Head of Quality Assurance, Lagos Liaison Office, Mrs. Oladosu Olanike, said that the programme would introduce a roadmap for compliance of exporters of fish and fishery products to adhere to global best practices.

Abdullahi said: “We want a situation where Nigeria’s fish export will enter international market without rejection particularly the aquaculture products also known as cultured fish. We want to sensitise the farmers, processors and exporters to export products that will not be rejected.”

Nestle Advocates Regenerative Agriculture to Drive Environmental Sustainability

Gilbert Ekugbe

Nestle has emphasised the need for Nigeria and the world to embrace regenerative agriculture as a new way of farming that could preserve the soil.

Regenerative agriculture is a philosophy and approach to land management that aims to farm and ranch in harmony with nature.

The model, according to Nestle, is a holistic and dynamic approach that incorporates permaculture and organic farming practices to increase food production while also improving soil health and the environment.

At a capacity building media workshop organised by Nestle, in conjunction with the Lagos Business School (LBS), the Head of Corporate Communications and

Public Affairs, Nestle Central and West Africa, Ms. Patricia Ekaba, said that aside improving soil quality, the model would also have a positive impact on the profitability of farmers.

She urged stakeholders in the agro industry to form strong partnerships with competitors, government and the rural communities to leverage on the opportunities regenerative

manager that was appointed by Fidelity to oversee the sale of the 60 per cent shares in Kano Disco. BPE connected FEA to Fidelity through its receiver manager.

“In the last 12 months, there have been a lot of meetings, communications, document exchanges for us to get to the point where we were approved by both Fidelity Bank and the BPE for our consortium of local and international players to take over the asset.

“After a long process and comparing evaluation of ours to other bidders, we emerged successful and signed a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SSPA) with Fidelity

Bank through its appointed receiver manager over Sahelian and its the 60 per cent stake representatives.

We also received a ‘No Objection’ from the BPE (after Fidelity Bank communicated to BPE).

The company said they were in the process of negotiating the shareholders’ agreement with the BPE when Fidelity Bank reportedly asked the BPE to halt the process.

Following the decision to halt Future Energies’ process of finalising its ownership of KEDCO, it was learnt that the bid for the Disco was restarted by Fidelity Bank.

“They hired PwC to oversee a sham process because they wanted

Shell Seeks Bonga Drilling Unit for OML 118

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) has issued an invitation to rig providers for a deepwater mobile drilling, Energy Voice has reported.

SNEPCO said it would use the rig for “wells construction, maintenance, and abandonment in the Bonga fields”, on Oil Mining Licence (OML) 118.

It is aiming to award the contract and start the work somewhere between the third quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2026.

SNEPCO is the operator of OML 118. Also involved in the licence are Nigerian Agip Oil Co. (NAOC), Total Energies Nigeria and

Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater).

The company said it was looking for a self-propelled semi-submersible or drillship, at a minimum sixth generation. It would need to be able to work in 5,000 feet of water and drill to depths of 25,000 feet. The advert has a closing date of August 14.

SNEPCO and partners renewed the licence on OML 118 in May 2021. Shell Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoe Yujnovich, met President Bola Tinubu in early July.

The Bonga FPSO hit its 1 billion barrels produced milestone in February this year. The vessel began producing in 2005, around 120 km offshore.

SUBSIDY REMOVAL: AVERAGE PETROL PUMP PRICE ROSE 210% YOY

agriculture offers.

“We aim to source 20 per cent of key ingredients through regenerative agriculture methods by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030. We aim to reduce water use in our factories by six million m3 between 2021 and 2023. We aim for 100 per cent of key ingredients volumes to be produced sustainably by 2030,” she said.

JUNE AS IMPACT BITES HARDER

On state profile analysis, Kwara recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cooking gas with N4,750.00, followed by Niger with N4,691.16, and Zamfara with N4,683.33.

Besides, Ondo recorded the lowest price with N3,287.86, followed by Ekiti and Nasarawa with N3,288.46 and N3,364.62 respectively.

In addition, analysis by zone showed that the North-central recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cooking gas, with N4,421.97, followed by the North-west with N4,260.30, while the South-west recorded the lowest with N3,709.16.

Meanwhile, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil or diesel paid by consumers in June 2023 was N815.83 per litre, an increase of 11.18 per cent from N733.78 per litre recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year.

On a month-on-month basis, this decreased by 3.37 per cent from N844.28 per litre reported in May 2023. But on state profile analysis, the highest average price of the

IN

product in June 2023 was recorded in Taraba with N899.23, followed by Adamawa with N875.67, and Niger with N873.33.

On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Bayelsa with N733.20, followed by Imo with N742.71 and Kebbi with N746.00. Furthermore, analysis by zone showed that the North-central had the highest price with N856.97, while the South-east recorded the lowest price with N776.69.

But Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable continued to be on the receiving end during the month under consideration, as average retail price per litre of kerosene paid by consumers in June 2023 was N1,236.10, indicating an increase of 2.49 per cent compared to N1,206.05 recorded in May 2023.

On a year-on-year basis, the average retail price per litre of the product rose by 62.28 per cent from N761.69 in June 2022. On state profile analysis, the highest average price per litre in June 2023 was recorded in Adamawa with N1,691.81, followed by Abuja with N1,461.11 and Abia with N1,396.67, the NBS stated.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Agoro; Dr. Olayemi Dawodu; Kolawole Olowookere; Managing Director, Olufemi Oduntan and Company Secretary, Chimdindu Onyedim-Etuwewe.

A Mutual fund (UnitTrust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate InvestmentTrust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 28-July-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.

Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

UBA Improves Staff Welfare in Response to Rising Cost of Living

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritise the welfare of its staff and their families reflecting the current economic realities and its impact on living conditions.

To this end, the bank’s Board of Directors have announced the implementation of a cost of living adjustment for its staff effective immediately.

The bank in a statement said that over the past few months, it has been closely monitoring the effect of the rising cost of living on its employees and recognises the importance of addressing these challenges proactively.

It is interesting to note that even when the bank had previously implemented cost of living adjustment for staff

on October 1, 2021 and more recently on April 1, 2023, the persistent economic challenges faced by employees and the broader society as a whole, informed the unanimous decision to again implement another adjustment. Also in line with its commitment to promote staff for excellent performance every year, UBA had in March 2023, announced the promotion of over 1,500 staff across Africa, and had also elevated close to 1,000 staff in 2022, “it said.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who made the announcement, said, “We are aware of the impact of recent economic policy pronouncements on prices and your capacity to meet

your financial commitments to family and personal needs.

As an organisation focused on the well-being of our people,

I am pleased to inform you that the Board of UBA Plc has approved a Welfare Allowance for all employees.”

Alawuba explained that the decision to adjust the staff’s remuneration package once again demonstrates UBA’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the standard of living for its employees at a level that is commensurate with prevailing economic conditions.

“This move will serve to alleviate the financial burdens faced by our staff and their families, reinforcing the bank’s position as a responsible and caring employer,” he explained.

NERC to Review TCN’s CAPEX Exceeding N5bn

Emmanuel

Addeh

In a new order, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said it will henceforth review all capital expenditures by the Transmission Company (TCN) exceeding N5 billion.

The power industry regulator has therefore asked the TCN to file a proposed annual investment plan and revenue requirements, budgets as well as estimates with it by October 31 of the preceding financial year.

The order was tagged:

‘’Mandatory Filing of Annual Opex, Capital Investment Plans

and Outcomes of Procurements

Conducted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc’’.

NERC said where the approved capital investment plan is amended by the National Assembly and passed in the Appropriation Act, the amended plan shall be filed with it within 30 days of presidential assent to the Appropriation Act.

The document signed by NERC’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye also stated that the order for TCN to review existing contracts by above 15 per cent

was to ensure value-for-money in the expenditures.

“The condition in TCN’s licence mandating the filing of annual budget/estimate of investments and revenue requirements with the commission is to ensure prudence, transparency, and value-for-money in the yearly expenditures; and ensure adequate provision for cost recovery pursuant to section 96(2)(a) of EPSRA,” NERC stated.

It added that the revenue requirement shall clearly indicate the proposed operating expenses under various headings with sufficient justification.

WACOT, BUK Sign MOU on Sesame Farmers Academy

WACOT Limited, a member of the TGI Group and a prominent player in Nigeria’s agricultural production and value chain, has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). This strategic alliance aims to elevate the WACOT Sesame Farmers Academy operations located in Gumel, Jigawa State.

Over the next four years, this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will foster a dynamic collaboration, empowering sesame farmers through capacity building, advanced training curricula, and essential certification programs. The partnership will also facilitate groundbreaking research on sesame varieties and crop technologies and initiatives for afforestation and the restoration of indigenous plants and trees.

Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Habiba Suleiman, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the profound expertise of BUK’s Centre for Dryland Agriculture in boosting crop and livestock productivity within Nigeria’s semi-arid and dry sub-humid environments. Suleiman stated, “This collaboration aims to produce Academy graduates armed with advanced knowledge, leading to increased yields and superior financial outcomes for our farmers and nation.”

“We envision a future where resilient food and agricultural systems play a vital role in achieving food security goals. This partnership with the CDA, renowned for innovative research, represents TGI’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge research into our agribusiness operations,” Suleiman added.

Deputy Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture BUK, Professor Amina Mustapha, said, “We are thrilled about this partnership with WACOT, as it aligns perfectly with the Center’s vision of driving sustained development impact through farmer engagement and private sector collaboration.”

With Nigeria standing as one of the world’s leading producers of sesame seeds, accounting for 80 percent of the country’s annual production, WACOT has been at the forefront of cultivating this sought-after crop. Over the past six years, their tireless efforts have mobilized over 10,000 farmers, forming cooperatives and equipping more than 5,000 farmers with indispensable techniques, including best agricultural practices and yield enhancement methods, further reinforced by regular farm advisory services.

Mamador Encourages Healthy Living, Rewards Loyal Consumers

Mamador, the premium food brand produced by PZ Wilmar, continues to live up to its commitment to empowering Nigerian women and promoting healthy living by celebrating exceptional women and rewarding loyal consumers through its Pledge for your Heart and Women of Flavour campaigns.

According to the Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo, “Mamador’s goal with the Pledge for your Heart and Woman of Flavour campaigns was to encourage a healthy lifestyle among all its consumers but also among its

special women. It was also to reward them for going over and beyond, impacting the lives of others and the society at large in the women’s history month, March.”

Mamador’s Mystery Mama rewarded the Pledge for your Heart campaign winners with shopping vouchers in malls and markets, while the exceptional Women of Flavour, who were nominated for their outstanding personalities and meaningful contributions to society, received thoughtful hampers and gifts courtesy of Mamador. The winners expressed their gratitude

Money

and shared their experiences on social media, appreciating the brand for the surprise gifts they received.

“These exceptional women were nominated for their outstanding personalities and meaningful contributions to society and were rewarded in their homes by Mamador’s Mystery Mama. Mamador is excited to make the average women feel special, supporting and inspiring them to continue to overcome barriers, limitations and do more exploits,” said Racheal Memeh, Assistant Brand Manager, Mamador.

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 17 JULY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.06 a barrel on Friday, compared with $81.53 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Notore Posts N7.92bn Revenue for Second Quarter 2023

Kayode Tokede

Leading fertiliser and agro-allied company, Notore Chemical Industries Limited (Notore), has recorded revenue of N7.92 billion for the second quarter which ended June 30 2023.

In a statement, the Group Managing Director, Mr Ohis Ohiwerei, said the company faced strong headwinds during

the second quarter, dampening financial results, but the company explored strategic actions to mitigate risks.

According to him: “The second quarter ended 30th June 2023, was a challenging period primarily due to the unexpected cessation of gas supply from a critical gas source earlier this year. The timeline for resolution extended beyond the initial estimations, affecting the

Company’s production quantities and financial performance during this period.”

He noted: “To resolve this issue, Notore has explored all possible alternatives to restore gas supply and has now agreed with two complimentary gas sources to ensure consistent gas supply going forward. A new Gas Supply Agreement is estimated to be completed

by mid-third quarter 2023.” He added that the company has implemented strategic action plans to enhance its resilience and mitigate the potential risks associated with production disruptions in the future to meet production demands adequately, noting “During this period, the company has also taken proactive measures to bolster

the Plants’ production capabilities and fortify its reliability for optimal performance.”

On some of its efforts to bolster relationships with stakeholders, Ohiwerei said: “Despite some temporary setbacks, Notore remains unwavering in its mission to enhance the lives of its stakeholders. A shining example of this commitment is the recent

tree-planting initiative in collaboration with the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III. This remarkable endeavor aims to combat the detrimental impact of deforestation and desertification in Nigeria.” He continued: “In addition to its environmental efforts, Notore continues to make a significant impact through its extension services and educational initiatives.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF JULY/31/23

Bootlicking Putin Will Not Solve Africa's Problems

Africa as a continent is only poor because we do not yet prorogued the rule of law above the rule of the big man. Especially sub-Saharan Africa. And money is a coward. Where it sees that the rule of law is a casualty to vested interests, it will japa faster than you can say Jsson.

That is why the highest ranking countries on the United Nations Human Development Index are all countries where the rule of law is respected, and the poorest nations in that ranking are all, without exception, nations where the rule of law is not yet firmly established.

And funny enough, even the leaders and elite of those countries at the bottom rung of the HDI index do not want to keep their monies in their counties. That is why every year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, about a trillion dollars is paid in bribes and kickbacks that leave the developing world for the Western hemisphere. And the reason for this is the weakness of the rule of law in developing countries.

Take Singapore. The reason that poorly resourced Island, which cannot even feed itself, is so rich, and has the world's strongest passport, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index, is because she is a very strong and stable defender of the rule of law.

And so strong are they in upholding the rule of law that other countries, like the Maldives, have passed laws to the effect that any commercial legal disputes in their nations are to be settled in accordance with the laws operating in Singapore.

So, just by maintaining the rule of law, Singapore has expanded its wealth and influence by a factor of 1000% in less than a generation.

Let this be a message to Africa. We do not have to hold on to this pipe dream that we have a saviour somewhere out there who is going to save our continent and its people.

We are more than capable of saving ourselves if we save the rule of law in our continent.

We do not even have to impose severe punishments for corruption. If you study the history of the rule of law, what you will find over the last hundred years since A.V. Dicey clearly demarcated the rule of law standard, is that the certainty of punishment is more important than the severity of the punishment.

According to Dicey, "no person or body is recognised by the law of England as having a right to override or set aside the legislation of Parliament.”

African countries must remove the word 'England' and insert the word 'Africa' and our continent will be alright.

I see African leaders attending the Africa-Russia summit, Africa-French summit, the Africa-UK summit, or the Africa-China summit. First of all, these summits never hold in Africa. They are always held outside the continent. Why should the leaders of a continent with 54 countries travel to Europe or Asia for a summit with one leader? Does it not make better economic sense for that one leader, be it Putin, Macron, or Xi Jinping, to travel to Africa?

But, of course, it is not about what is right, proper or convenient. It is about power. To subdue African leaders. To assert dominance over them.

That is why these summits, sadly, consist of African leaders kowtowing to White saviours.

I mean, look at how the President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, was grovelling to Putin on video over sitting arrangements and protocol. So disgusting!

Look at the attached photograph. Just see the mes-

PERSPECTIVE

saging that is communicated by Putin's hand gesture. And after going to such extents to suck up to Putin, African leaders left Moscow with neither a grain deal nor a peace agreement. What was the essence of the trip?

Look, African Americans in the USA have a combined wealth that is more than that of the collective GDP of sub-Saharan African nations. And then Africans in the diaspora send more money back home to Africa than the World Bank and the IMF combined.

If Africa really wants to improve its economy, the summit we should be having is a world Black African summit, for example, to unite the Black diaspora.

We should collaborate with the US Congressional Black Summit and deliberate on how African Americans and Caribbean Blacks can reconnect with Africa, just as the Jewish diaspora is connected to Israel. We should be looking at a right of return to Africa for all Blacks, whereby if you can trace your DNA to any African country, you should be legally entitled to a passport, just as Israel does for the global Jewry.

Only by uniting the global Black race can we have the type of financial and technological transfer, as well as the reverse brain drain that Africa needs to develop.

Russia, the West, China and other powers would not do it for us. Helping us become a rival economic and military power to them goes against human nature, which seeks its own self-interest.

Conversely, it is in the interest of the African American and Caribbean Blacks for Africa to succeed. And that is where we should be directing our diplomatic efforts to.

When our leaders go to Russia to bootlick Putin, as they did last week, and then return home to condemn the coup in Niger Republic, they are behaving like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, because it is quite clear where support for that coup or going from. And if our leaders do not know that, then it is quite unfortunate.

And then there are those who celebrated that Putin gave our leaders limousines to ride in while the British bussed them all together in one big coach. Are we that shallow as a people? Are cars Africa's problem?

If they are, then I invite those 'Yessa Massa' so called leaders to Nnewi in Nigeria, where an African like them manufactures entirely made in Nigeria cars. If they want them in limousine format, complete with bulletproof, IVM motors can do it. They do not have to go to Russia to enjoy luxury vehicles.

On January 11, 1976, the late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed addressed the heads of state and government of the then Organisation for African Unity (now the African Union) and said, "Africa has come of age". Seven years later this looked to be true when God gave us a leader like Thomas Sankara.

If only both of them could see how their successor

African leaders went a-grovelling in Russia in 2023. Murtala would not have been content to roll in his grave. He would have resurrected to give them a taste of his legendary anger and some feisty brain and destiny setting slaps. Leaders that can be bought for the price of a luxury car, are those leaders?

Are those celebrating Africans even aware that Western leaders are also bussed together during the G-7 summits? Many of those same Western leaders either walk or bike to work. An example is the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. And in 2023, we are celebrating cars as if we have never seen them before. Alas, too many of us Black Africans are easily carried away by tokenism. And the rest of the world knows that about us. Which is why it is so easy to manipulate us by making empty gestures, such as a short ride in a limousine that was probably bugged.

Reno’s Nuggets

The reason Michael Jackson's albums were so phenomenally successful is because he perfected the strategy of using absence to build anticipation. He would stay out of the public eye for years. No interviews, no tours, no sightings. Then when the anticipation has reached fever pitch, boom, he releases an album! When you notice that people start taking you for granted and disrespecting you, it is likely because you have made yourself too present for them. Napoleon Bonaparte said, "If I am often seen at the theatre, people will cease to notice me". Use absence more than you use presence. Long time no see is better than 'Oh, it's you again'. Be conscious of where you go. People treat friends and family like they treat money. The more they see money, the less they value it. The less they see moolah, the more they value it!

Reno Omokri

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

Reno

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

Strategic Leadership Needed to Succeed in Digital Age, Says Ex-UK Africa Minister

The highly anticipated August programme, "Strategic Leadership for Success in a Digital Age has been slated for August 21 to 24, 2023.

According to a recent statement by TEXEM UK, the programme offers an exclusive opportunity for executive directors, non-executive directors, CEOs, chief investment officers, and COOs to unlock the full potential of strategic leadership and drive their organisations to success in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The programme offers an array of benefits, starting with a five-night stay at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, providing a conducive environment for immersive learning and the perfect setting for networking and knowledge-sharing with fellow industry leaders.

The TEXEM UK statement noted that staying ahead in the digital age "requires more than just an understanding of cutting-edge technology," adding that the programme focuses on empowering participants with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to become exceptional leaders who can drive their organisations to unparalleled success.

The programme is expected to position participants as a strategic leader prepared to excel in the digital era, including enhancing refining their leadership skills, equipping them to steer their organisations towards optimal results and helping them to stay abreast of the latest technological tools crucial in today's fast-paced business landscape.

Participants will discover "how to leverage digital advancements to gain a competitive edge," develop the right action plans essential

for positive change within an organisation and learn effective strategies to foster progressive transformations.

The TEXEM that programme 'will empower you to lead your organisation confidently, even when faced with challenges," honing participants' managerial competence, participants "will master the art of transforming organisational challenges into profitable opportunities," including equipping them with the requisite skills to identify threats early on, leveraging digital technology to safeguard their organisation from potential collapse.

The programme's faculty includes Prof John Peters, Prof Paul Griffith, Ambassador Charles Crawford, and Sir James Duddridge.

TEXEM UK said it would deploy a diverse range of learning tools, including discussions, role-play, presentations, company visits, short videos, and games, to foster a rich and immersive learning experience.

"Our methodology, which involves case studies and tested approaches, will enhance your cognitive skills, analytical rigour, and decision-making capabilities," its statement said. "Moreover, it will strengthen your interpersonal skills, stakeholder engagement credentials, communication prowess, leadership quotient, and team spirit." Duddridge, former Minister for Africa and

member of parliament stated that "providing leadership in politics and business has become progressively more difficult."

He added, "The digital age is a great opportunity, but there are also risks. A thriving political career or business can be killed in a tweet or even a retweet. Business and political leaders need to understand all their utterances can be sent around the world with a click of a mouse."

The former UK minister urged leaders to be consistent in communication.

"What is less well understood is the need for safe spaces to develop ideas, test concepts, and challenge conventional wisdom away from the glare of the digital age," Duddridge noted.

With global economic challenges of high inflation, managing in a fluctuating foreign exchange world, rising operating costs and stiff international competition, global leaders "must understand the pitfalls and opportunities of a digital age," said Duddridge, stressing that "Texem is well placed to provide a forum to discuss these issues and unite global leaders in a safe space to reflect, return and lead.

Ifeanyi Ani, CEO of Total Pension CPFA, and TEXEM alumnus, said he found TEXEM workshops enlightening.

Ambassador Mustafa Sam, non-executive director of Jaiz Bank and TEXEM alumnus, noted that the TEXEM programme was enriching through its use of unique teaching techniques.

Vladimir Putin

Sir James Duddridge (Member of the UK Parliament and former Minister who has served in the cabinet of three Prime Ministers)

LAUNCH OF ADVISORY COUNCIL OF ODU'A INVESTMENT COMPANY FOUNDATION...

...recently

Delta Didn't Receive N200bn from UBEC, Says Aniagwu

Former Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has debunked media reports of a court order allegedly directing the state government to account for N200 billion funds received from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Speaking at a news conference in Asaba yesterday, Aniagwu said that at no time did the Okowa administration receive such funds from UBEC, describing the report as the imagination of those who wrote it

The former commissioner, who was flanked by former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said that the state government had no challenge providing information on issues of accountability, adding however, that such requests must follow due procedure.

He said: "We do not question the rights of Nigerians whether NGOs or citizens on their own to ask for accountability as to what we did while we were in office.

"We do not have any challenge with that because we are very proud of our interventions across sectors, not just in education.

"So, any attempt for individuals to want to know what we did, we take it up very gladly because we are proud of our interventions in all the sectors.

"The projects and milestones recorded by the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration from 2015-2023 are eloquent testimonies of our accountability and interventions in both political and the economic landscape of our dear state.

"In this instance, the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had proceeded to seek certain answers with respect to

what we had done specifically with respect to primary and secondary schools in relation to UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)..

"Let me state that at no time did the plaintiff (SERAP) put before the court anything that has to do with N200 billion. It was not in their argument neither was it in the brief they submitted before the court.

"So, the issue of N200 billion is just the imagination of those who reported it and perhaps, it could be coming from political flanks.

"In our own response to their request as respondents, we did not also mention anything about N200 billion because it was only in the imagination of those who concocted it.

"There is no N200 billion as far as this issue is concerned. What SERAP wanted was for us to furnish them with information as to how we ran our basic education within the period of 2015 to 2019.

"That demand was in relation to a particular viral video of young Success Adegor, a pupil of Okotie Eboh Primary School in Sapele.

"We reasoned that it was the right of any individual to seek for information and accountability but there are procedures that must be followed."

Aniagwu disclosed that between 2015 and 2019 the state government got a total of N13.7 billion from UBEC which included counterpart funds from SUBEB.

"When we came in, we discovered that there was a backlog of 2013 and 2014 from the previous administration and the Okowa administration cleared them, in addition to meeting its counterpart commitment before you could access funds from UBEC.

"Out of the N13.7 billion, Delta State Government paid N6.6 billion as its own counterpart funding through SUBEB. This is important to be able to trigger a commensurate response from UBEC and it's usually 50:50.

"By law, once UBEC releases the funds to the state, they have a responsibility to supervise how such funds are utilised in line with the projects so listed in those schools.

"As a government, we realised that beyond the UBEC/SUBEB arrangement, we needed to do something extraordinary because of the number of primary and secondary schools we have in the state

"In Delta we have as much as 474 secondary schools and 1,130 primary schools and there are not too many states that have that number.

"In the course of our administration, the Okowa-led government established 81 new public schools comprising 56 secondary schools and 25 primary schools and these were in addition to what we had in existence and had nothing to do with what we had with UBEC and SUBEB," he stated.

The former commissioner further stated that the Okowa administration did not rely on the UBEC funding alone to develop its school infrastructure, explaining that there were other interventions from the

Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

"So we are ready anytime any day to give out such information as to which schools we spent money on rehabilitation or built afresh.

"There is nothing wrong in people asking for information but it must be done for the purpose of advancing accountability and triggering development and not based on politics.

"The approach adopted by SERAP and the way they went about it did not clearly suggest that they were much more interested in accountability which we do not have any grudge against.

"As a government we are very

proud of the things we did anytime and any day. If it is not politics where is the N200billion coming from and how can anybody think that UBEC had N200billion to give to Delta State Government within a period of four year?

"What is the total budget of UBEC in that same four years if only Delta could get N200bn? That tells you that there is some elements of politics in the report," he explained. Aniagwu also queried reports calling on Okowa to account for the funds even after leaving office, adding that government was a continuum and not about an individual.

FG Vows to Recover Multibillion Naira Property in Lagos

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

As part of efforts to make good its recent plan to set up a National Assets Registry with a view to taking an inventory and recover all of its assets across the country, the federal government at the weekend vowed to reclaim a multi-billion naira property at 2A, Osborne Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.

A top presidency source who gave the hint in a chat with journalists, insisted that the government would apply all lawful means to reclaim the high-brow property, which is currently a subject of litigation.

The property which sits on a parcel of land measuring about 9,191. 167 square meters was leased to Associated Property Development

Company Limited (APDCL) by the federal government in 1983, during the administration of late president Shehu Shagari, with Chief Audu Ogbeh as the then Minister of Communications.

It was originally allocated to the defunct Department of Post and Telecommunications by the colonial government in 1954.

The now defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) later assumed ownership, when it was created.

The development lease agreement between the federal government represented by the Ministry of Communications and APDCL, a copy of which THISDAY obtained, was signed on September 29, 1983 and was for a lease period of 25 years.

House Committee Pledges to Work with Stakeholders in Fight against Malaria, HIV/Aids

Adedayo

The House Committee of Representatives Committee on HIV, Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria has pledged to work with relevant stakeholders in the fight against malaria, HIV/ Aids and tuberculosis in ensuring that monies budgeted for are used for the purpose for which they are made.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon, Amobi Ogah, stated this while addressing a press conference yesterday, in Abuja.

He pledged that the committee would work assiduously in line with the 10th House legislative

agenda in delivering dividends of democracy to the people and by extension collaborating with the present administration in the fight against HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Ogah, stressed that the committee was ready to hit the ground running from day one in view of the enormous responsibility ahead.

He said: "The House Committee on HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control is not unmindful of the challenges being faced by Nigerians in the fight against these ailments especially in the fight against the control of Malaria in the country which appear to defile solutions.

"The committee will work with

relevant stakeholders in the fight against malaria in ensuring that monies budgeted for are used for the purpose for which they are made," he added.

The chairman said according to the World Health Organisation, four African countries accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide, saying Nigeria top this list with 31.3 per cent, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 12.6 per cent, Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%) Ogah, said he was aware that the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, which was updated in 2021, provides a technical framework for all malaria- endemic

countries, including Nigeria.

He added that the document was expected to guide and support regional and country programmes on malaria control as they work towards control and elimination of malaria.

The chairman stressed: "We will also ensure adequate implementation of legislations geared towards the eradication of malaria in the country.

“Where such legislations are not adequate, we will work to provide the needed amendment to such existing legislations for the general good of the Nigerian people.

“To this end we will work with all Ministries, Departments and Parasatals to also ascertain the level of awareness and sensitisation created in Nigeria.”

According to the terms of the agreement, the APDCL was to develop a housing complex on the land on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, with the expectation that it would have recouped its investment on the property and made profit in 25 years.

Based on the terms of the agreement, the property should have reverted to the federal government in September 2008.

However, the presidency source regretted that this was not the case, as the lessee claimed to have secured an extension of the lease for another 25-year period and obtained a Certificate of Occupancy on the property from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The white paper on the Oluwole Rotimi Commission of Inquiry which investigated hundreds of landed property of the federal government across the nation was equally obtained by THISDAY.

The white paper dated August 2001 indicated underhand dealings on the property 2A Osborne Road federal government property.

“The commission notes the alienation of NITEL’s land at Ikoyi, Lagos. There was no formal reaction of the Ministry of Communications on the matter until the commission wound up its public sittings.

“The commission took a serious view of the deliberate effort made by the Ministry of Communications to conceal information about the property (No 2A Osborn Road, Ikoyi).

" It contends that the attitude confirms the commission’s fears that the whole transaction smacks of corruption.

“The commission found it strange that the lease agreement entered into in 1983 in respect of the property is still subsisting despite disapproval by the council of Ministers.

Tinubu Moves into Glass House at State House

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Over two months after becoming President, Bola Tinubu, has finally moved into the Glass House, one of the living quarters within the State House, Abuja.

Since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has been resuming office daily from his private residence in Asokoro, due to ongoing renovations to the official presidential residence.

It was however unclear why the

President chose the Glass House at this time even though renovation work ought to have been completed at the official residence.

It was also gathered that the President did not intend to move into the Villa until September, this year but may have changed his mind due to increased public pressure. The Glass House, located within the precincts of the State House, is reserved as one of the most prized guest houses of the President.

Akinwale and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

L-R: Group Chairman, Odua Investment Company Ltd, Bimbo Ashiru; Member, Advisory Council, Dr. Victoria Adunola Samson; Chairman, Advisory Council, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; members, Mrs. Onikepo Akande; Dr. Biodun Shobanjo and Secretary to Lagos State Government, Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin, during the launching of Advisory Council of Odu'a Investment Company Foundation in Lagos

PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

DIRI CELEBRATES WINNERS OF THE 2023 PROSPERITY CUP...

NEF: Tinubu’s Govt Has Erred, Took Faltering Decisions

Urges Nigerians to be patient with govt, avoid illegal actions

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), yesterday, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has erred in embarking on major decisions before it even took its first faltering steps.

Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the group, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who in a statement, said attempts to correct mistakes had not been very successful, however, urged Nigerians to be patient with the government and avoid illegal actions.

He noted that these had been made worse by the barrage of plans and policies being hinted at, which would make life even more intolerable for the Nigerian.

Baba-Ahmed noted that efforts made to correct mistakes appeared too hastily decided and would, in the long term, do little to relieve the desperate challenges of daily living of Nigerians.

"We advise this administration to cultivate the values of respect for the citizen, humility of the leader and a willingness to build flexibility into policies as great virtues that should serve it and the country well.

"We advise fellow citizens to be patient with the administration, and, at all cost, avoid illegal actions that will merely make our lives poorer and more insecure," he said.

Baba-Ahmed stressed that the Forum has remained sensitive to the value of constructive use of time and circumstances, particularly, in the face of unprecedented hardship under which Nigerians live today.

He noted that it had become necessary, nonetheless, to speak on a number of important issues, so that the leadership and citizens would find some common grounds as they contemplate the next few steps.

"Now that President Tinubu

is putting together a cabinet, the Forum hopes that Nigerians will see improvements in the manner decisions and plans of the administration are being handled.

"Most Nigerians do not need convincing that the country had been reduced to a very sorry state by the last administration, and sacrifices and informed policies and decisions will need to be made to make a transition to a more productive economy, more secure communities and a more united country.

"We believe that the administration has erred in embarking on major decisions before it even took its first faltering steps. Attempts to correct mistakes have not been very successful, and these have been made worse by the barrage of plans and policies being hinted at, which will make life even more intolerable for the Nigerian.

"Where efforts have been made

to correct mistakes, they appeared too hastily decided and will, in the long term, do little to relieve the desperate challenges of daily living of Nigerian," he said. The forum noted that on the

whole, the first few weeks of President Tinubu would be recorded by history as the act of a leadership that made bad situations considerably worse, and failed to explain why.

Baba-Ahmed stressed that

the Forum preferred to believe this was not the intention of the administration, but that it shared the agony of the citizen, whose life had taken a major turn for the worse in the last few weeks.

Subsidy Removal: Senate Passes Motion Stopping NLC Nationwide Strike

Asks Akpabio to meet Tinubu, union

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate, yesterday, passed a motion seeking to stop the nationwide strike declared by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. The labour union had asked its affiliates across the country to begin

Dangote to Set Up Block Makers’ Academy

Partners FG, AIHS to tackle housing deficit

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Piqued by the menace of collapse building in the country, Dangote Cement Plc is planning to establish an academy that would support the seamless transfer of requisite skills to block makers and artisans in the real estate sector of the economy.

The company disclosed this in a statement signed by its Corporate Affairs Department, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Lokoja, yesterday.

Speaking at the Dangote Special Day at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show in Abuja (AIHS), Dangote Cement’s National Sales Director Mrs. Fumi Sanni, said the Academy became necessary as most of the artisans and block makers were aging, while young men were not enthusiastic about the profession.

He said one of the sure ways of reducing the phenomenon of collapse building was to check quackery, while imparting the needed skills to the block makers and artisans.

According to her, the company was also ready to support the block makers who would pass through the Academy with machineries and tools.

As part of the effort to ensure cement availability, Sanni said the company has built over 100 cement

depots across the country.

Speaking earlier, Dangote Cement Group’s Head, Sales and Marketing Mr. Rabiu Umar, said Dangote Cement has contributed enormously to development of the real estate sector through massive investment in cement that made the product to be available.

“Over 20 years ago, we were importing cement, today, we are exporting cement,” Umar said.

He identified rapid urbanisation, high cost of land acquisition, rising cost of construction materials, lack of basic infrastructure, inaccurate housing demographics, poor funding/ lack of access to affordable finance and inadequate policies, as some of the factors affecting the provision of housing in Nigeria.

He said: “Towards helping to address housing shortages, Dangote Cement set up a department whose focus is to attend to the challenges and needs of real estate development in our market.

“The idea is to engage in project partnerships, collaborations, and participation in Real Estate development initiative in Nigeria.

“Part of our efforts towards ameliorating the housing shortage is by constructing large cement plants in Nigeria and many African countries.

“These plants ensure that the basic raw material in the housing

sector, cement, is readily available in sufficient quantities.

“We have a dedicated fleet of trucks to deliver both bagged and bulk cement to customers and construction sites. We have established depots near all major markets, therefore bridging the distance between the plants and distributors.”

The company’s Head, Technical Sales Mr. Aniki Adeize Ayodeji said the company currently trains the

artisan on the right mix.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been urged to collaborate with the Dangote Cement Plc to mitigate the housing deficit in Nigeria.

Speaking on the sideline of the ongoing Africa International Housing Show in Abuja (AIHS), Coordinator of the Show, Festus Adebayo, appealed to the President of the Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote to intervene in the massive housing deficit bedeviling Nigeria.

an indefinite strike from tomorrow, Wednesday, August 2 in order to protest the hardship that is currently being experienced by Nigerians as a result of the subsidy removal.

The Senate, however, mandated its leadership to have an interface with President Bola Tinubu and the NLC.

Senators, who contributed to the debate on the motion moved by Senator Sulaiman Kawu (Kano South), appealed to the federal government to immediately come up with a comprehensive palliatives to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

They also appealed to the leadership of the NLC to halt the strike pending when the Senate would interface with the executive arm of government on the matter.

The Senate made the resolution following a motion titled: "Urgent need to avert intending strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress," by Kawu.

Kawu, noted that the NLC had given the federal government a

seven-day ultimatum to reverse what the union termed as "antipoor policies" or face an indefinite nationwide strike from Wednesday, August 2.

He also noted that the union had directed all its affiliates and state councils to immediately begin mobilisation of workers and other Nigerians, including the civil society allies for a long lasting strike and protests. The lawmaker stated that "the labour movement in a statement signed by its national president accused the federal government of failing to meet up with the demands presented to it following the subsidy removal on petrol, which caused an astronomical rise in the pump price of the commodity."

He therefore, expressed worries that "the strike would cripple the country as movement would be severely curtailed as transport operators would withdraw their services, while markets, schools and healthcare facilities would be forced to shut down."

FG to Falana: Peaceful Protests No Justification for Disrupting, Shutting Down Essential Services

Reiterates interim order bars NLC from industrial action

Alex Enumah in Abuja

As the organised labour insist on proceedings with its planned nationwide protest, over increasing cost of living occasioned by the recent increase in pump price of petrol, the federal government has cautioned against the disrupting or shutting down of essential services in the country.

Consequently, the federal government urged the lawyer to the organised labour, Mr Femi Falana, to

prevail on labour to halt the proposed mass protest scheduled to commence from Wednesday, In a letter to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), dated July 31, the federal government through the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, reminded of the interim order restraining the NLC from proceeding on any form of industrial action.

In the letter titled, "Re: NLC Not in Contempt of Court," Jedy-Agba

pointed out that, "It is incumbent on your law firm to sensitise the labour unions that peaceful protests are no justification for disrupting or shutting down essential services, which is tantamount to a strike action."

While clarifying that the federal government at no time threatened labour with contempt of court as misconstrued by labour, the Solicitor General however, argued that parties are expected to maintain the status quo even in the absence of

a restraining order.

"The issue of peaceful protests and police permit are also not in contention; however, you may wish to be guided by the contents of the Communique issued by the National Executive Council of NLC at the end of its meeting of 27 July 2023.

"The decision or projected cause of action by NLC are directed principally in furtherance of issues connected with hike in fuel price and consequential matters of palliatives and workers welfare.

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, President, Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, and captain of Crusaders Feeders of Peretorugbene, winners of the 2023 Prosperity Cup, during the finals at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa...on Sunday

LAUNCH OF TRANSPORT INTERVENTION PROJECT BY IKOYI-OBALENDE LCDA...

Armed Forces Vow to Sustain Onslaught against Enemies of State

Accredits

defence attaches

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye, yesterday, declared that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) would sustain the onslaught against non-state

from

actors and enemies of state.

He said the military and other security agencies remained determined to improve the security situation in the country despite numerous challenges.

Speaking at the accreditation ceremony for foreign defence at-

Ukraine, Iran, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, others

taches and advisers in Abuja, the defence intelligence chief said security forces had decimated several terrorists culminating in the surrender of thousands of insurgents and their families.

The DIA accredited defence attaches and advisers from Iran,

Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Morroco, Egypt, South Africa, Niger, Tanzania and Korea.

"I want to use this opportunity to assure you of Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to improvement of security and safety of all and sundry in the

Nation’s Judiciary Mourns as Two Judges Pass On

NBA, Obaseki, others grieve

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The judiciary was yesterday thrown into mourning following the passing of two judges: Justice Centus Chima Nweze of the Supreme Court and Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong of the Federal High Court. Director, Information of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, confirmed the death of Justice Nweze, yesterday afternoon, that of Justice Hoommuk was announced by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mr Hassan Sulaiman.

In a statement in Abuja, the Chief Registrar, disclosed that the judge who hailed from Plateau State died on Sunday after fallen ill for a short while.

The statement read: "It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our own, Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong, a judge of the Federal High Court,

who passed away on July 30, 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness in Abuja. We will miss him more than words can express."

Similarly, Akande in a different statement, noted that Justice Nweze had died on Saturday, also, after a brief illness, adding that the late apex court jurist would be remembered for his immense contributions to the nation's jurisprudence.

"It is with heart full of grief that we announce the sudden death of our amiable brother and colleague, Justice Chima Centus Nweze, JSC, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, after a brief illness.

"Justice Chima Nweze gave a sterling account of himself in the discharge of his official duties at the Supreme Court. He had largely made himself a pliable legal personality that had diligently sunk

a pool of enduring legal knowledge and experience in all his judicial pronouncements.”

Eulogizing Nweze, the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), while describing him as an astute and erudite jurist, remarked that, "His lordship's numerous decisions have shaped, impacted and developed our law and jurisprudence. He was a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer."

National President of the NBA, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN however, consoled the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, GCON, the entire Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and People of Enugu State, friends and family of Justice Nweze over the demise of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship's family and friends.

Also, the Edo State Governor, Mr.

Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of Nweze, describing him as a quintessential and intellectual jurist, whose pronouncements on the bench advanced the cause of justice delivery in Nigeria.

In a statement, the governor said, “I received with rude shock the sad news of the passing of Justice Chima Centus Nweze, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Nweze, one of Nigeria’s most intellectual and revered jurists was a man of great wisdom and insights, who served the country with his rare knowledge and understanding of the law, advancing the course of justice delivery and contributing immensely to the unity and development of the Country.

“His demise leaves a huge gap in the Supreme Court considering his experience and dedication to interpretation of the constitution. He will be sorely missed.”

TINUBU BEMOANS STATE OF ECONOMY, SAYS AFTER DARKNESS COMES GLORIOUS DAWN since APC took power in 2015.

Shaibu stated, “Tinubu’s speech was hurriedly put together in order to dissuade the suffering masses and the organised labour from embarking on protests. Rather than apologise for removing subsidy without providing a cushion for the poor, he went about accusing subsidy thieves of being behind the current suffering. If he is sure of this, why hasn’t he arrested them?”

Shaibu accused Tinubu of lying about his long-standing disposition to fuel subsidy removal.

He said, “Tinubu also lied when he claimed that he had for years been an advocate of subsidy removal. This was a man who in 2012, described petrol subsidy removal

as ‘the Goodluck Jonathan tax’ and sponsored protests in Lagos State.

“After he dubiously got to power, he lacked imagination on how to address the issue and then removed the subsidy, but without a plan.”

Shaibu said Tinubu’s so-called plans to provide N50, 000 grants to small businesses would be undermined by inflation, exchange rate problems, and corruption

He stressed, “Tinubu says he will provide N50, 000 (roughly $60) to 1, 300 nano businesses. This is reminiscent of the dubious trader moni and the monthly N20, 000 spent on the public works programme of the last APC government, which not only failed to stimulate the economy but also worsened poverty, as funds

went into private pockets.

“What mechanism is in place to ensure that poor Nigerians access this? The answer is, none. This is nothing but deception as we shall all see in the coming weeks.”

Atiku’s aide also questioned Tinubu’s plan to give 500,000 hectares of land to farmers in order to boost agriculture, when the insecurity in the food basket of the nation had not been addressed.

He stated, “The Land Use Act puts lands under the purview of the governors. His so-called plan to provide 500,000 hectares is just part of the deception and a continuation of Buhari’s failed promises.

“Besides, just on Saturday, farmers were killed and others kidnapped

in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. Till now, there has not been a word from the Presidential Villa.

“Most of the communities being attacked are agrarian communities, which rely on farming. What sort of plan can you implement in the agric sector without first tackling insecurity?”

Shaibu said Tinubu’s claim that minimum wage would soon be reviewed upwards was evidence that he failed to properly plan for the removal of petrol subsidy.

“Shouldn’t the discussion on the increase of minimum wage have been done prior to subsidy removal? This is the height of cluelessness, putting the cart before the horse,” Shaibu stated.

country.

"As you heard during the security brief, the federal government through the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies remains resolute to improve security in the country despite numerous challenges.

"In recent times, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has given terrorists, bandits and other agents of destabilisation a bloody nose in our various offensive operations all over the country. I make bold to state that our resolve has largely paid-off.

"These undesirable elements are being decimated daily while normal safety is being restored in hitherto troubled areas. As part of our non-kinetic effort, hundreds of thousands of terrorists are surrendering to our troops on daily basis."

He affirmed that the resultant effect of the operations was "enhanced security and safety of our land and our people. A major index to ensure the success achieved is the recent Global Terrorism Index report where Nigeria improved two places with significant decreased terrorists’ incidents and loss of lives with 385 deaths recorded this year which shows a drop by 23 percent from the previous year.

"I am pleased to inform you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is at the centre of this significant accomplishment. These are testament to the fact that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is poised to sustain its onslaught against all enemies of Nigeria until our objective is achieved which is a safe, secure, prosperous and united democratic Nigeria."

Zenith Reengages Adaora Umeoji as Deputy Managing Director

Zenith Bank Plc, has notified the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and shareholders of its re-engagement of Dr. Adaora Umeoji as the lender’s deputy managing director.

Company Secretary/General Counsel, Zenith Bank, Mr. Michael Out, in a statement, expressed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given its “No objection” to the re-engagement.

According to him, the reengagement becomes effective from August 2, 2023.

She was the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank with over 20 years of experience in banking and executive management.

Recall that Zenith Bank had earlier announced her retirement as the Deputy Managing Director of the most profitable bank in Nigeria.

Her initial retirement followed the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory guidelines that put a timeline on the cumulative number of years senior bank officers could occupy executive board positions.

The CBN recently issued a new regulatory guideline specifying new tenure limits for bank MDs, Deputy

MDs and directors.

Specifically, the guidelines, among other conditions, stipulate that the tenure of Executive Directors (EDs), Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs) and Managing Directors (MDs) shall be by the terms of their engagement approved by the Board of Directors of the banks, subject to a maximum tenure of ten (10) years.

In a recent update, the CBN revised the tenure of executive directors (ED). Deputy managing directors (DMD), and managing directors (MDs) of Banks and Bank Holding companies.

Umeoji holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Business Administration, and has completed prestigious programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and MIT Management Sloan School.

As a fellow of various professional bodies, she is recognised for her significant contributions to leadership and people management. She was recently honoured with the national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by former President Muhammadu Buhari for her contributions to nation-building.

L-R: Human Resources Officer, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Mr Okusanya Oludamilola; Head, Operations, Touch and Pay Technologies Limited (TAP), Bhadmus Habeeb; Executive Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Hon. Fuad Atanda-Lawal and HOD, Environmental Services, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Dr. Akingbami Samuel, during the launch of Transport Intervention Project by Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA in Lagos ... yesterday

RELISHING JAIZ BANK’S IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE……

L-R: Independent Non-Executive Directors, Jaiz Bank Plc, Hajiya Aishatu Waziri; Dr. Umar Kwairanga; Alhaji Tajuddeen Dantata, and Dr. Faruk Umar , President, Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, Dr. Faruk Umar, at the bank’s annual general meeting held in Kano…recently

Adamawa: Police Arrest 44, Recovers Stolen Items

Daji Sani in Yola

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 44 persons in connection with the Sunday looting of properties in the federal government’s warehouses at ConaWaya, which is three kilometers to Yola, the state capital.

The items looted included maize, rice, beans, corn, generators,

wrappers, mattresses and plastic buckets and many to mention.

The State Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP. Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the arrest in Yola, and explained that some of the stolen properties that included grains and water pumps were recovered from the suspects.

Nguroje added that the commissioner of police has drafted

IPOB: Ekpa, Mole Planted by DSS to Destroy Us

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has alleged that factional leader, Mr. Simon Ekpa, was working for the Department of States Services (DSS) to bring down the group.

The Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, stated this in a press release, where he said that Ekpa was trained in 2016 by DSS and sent into IPOB as a mole.

Ekpa, a Finland based separatist leader, has since

the arrest of IPOB Leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, in 2021 assumed leadership of IPOB, but later styled himself as the prime minister of Biafra’s government in exile.

He has been responsible for the declaration of civil disobedience order, also known as sit-at-home in the south eastern region.

He has also threatened many people who disobey his order, and is believed to be responsible for the violence that some miscreants unleash on innocent people during sit-at-home days.

Zulum Boosts Monday Market

Reconstruction with N1bn

Borno State Governor, Babagana

Umara Zulum, has approved the release of additional N1 billion towards completion of the ongoing reconstruction works at the Maiduguri Monday Market which was razed last February.

Zulum announced the latest intervention yesterday in Maiduguri during an inspection visit to the market to assess progress of rebuilding.

The governor also announced September 2023 as target for reopening of the market which has been closed for five months

detective to conduct investigation on rationale behind the crime and assess the level of destruction, stressing that assessment is ongoing.

He also stated that security personnel had been deployed to secure public and private infrastructures as well as business premises and enforce 24 hour

curfew declared by the state government.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State government has eased the 24-hour curfew imposed across the 21 local

government areas following the activities of hoodlums on Sunday that broke into government’s warehouses carting away food and nonfood items.

Court Convicts Three Students for Gang-raping Relation in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A Kwara State High court in Ilorin yesterday convicted three students for conspiring to gangrape a cousin of one of them. The court found them guilty on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and rape of the victim (name withheld) at Adangba area

of lIorin, the state capital.

The convicts, Omotosho Yahaya, 23 (the cousin of the victim); Mustapha Ahmed, 23, and 22-year-old Mustapha Ridwan, are students of a tertiary institution in the state.

The first defendant (Omotosho) was said to have invited his two friends to join

him in the act while with the victim in the room.

They were sentenced to five years imprisonment for rape and two years for criminal conspiracy.

The sentences, which include an additional N50,000 fine, are to run concurrently.

Delivering her judgement,

Justice Adenike Akinpelu held that: “The confessional statements of the defendants are clear, unambiguous and equivocal contrary to the argument of their counsel.” According to her, “No woman in her right senses will consent to and allow three men to have sex with her.

Air Peace to Start Flights to London, Houston before End of Year

Chinedu Eze

The federal government may have given the nod to support Nigeria’s biggest carrier, Air Peace in its quest to operate to London, United Kingdom (UK) and Houston, the United States(US). This followed the confirmation

by the airline that it may start flights to these destinations by October, 2023.

Tthe Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, disclosed this during the grand reception in honour of Nigeria’s 1976 Olympics Game and 1980 AFCON National Football teams in Lagos.

Lagos-London route is described by aviators as low hanging fruit for Nigerian carriers, but over the years domestic airlines have been denied flying the route, which is one of the favourite destinations for Nigerians.

Because London-Lagos route

is a popular destination, cost of flight tickets is exorbitant due to high demand. However, with the entrant of Air Peace to the route, airfares to London are expected to crash. Currently British Airways and Virgin Nigeria Airways operate direct flights from Nigeria to UK.

We ‘ll Ensure Local Content Initiatives Benefit Nigerians, Says Lawmaker

to undergo reconstruction.

“I want to assure you (traders and the people of Maiduguri) that we shall complete this reconstruction work very soon, insha’Allah. I am aware of the exigencies you have been facing. However, be assured that in the next 30 days, maximum 35 days, we will complete this work bi iznillah. Maiduguri Monday Market will reopen on or before September 10 insha’ Allah,” Zulum said.

He added: “In view of the foregoing, I want to announce the release of another N1 billion to hasten the completion of works.”

Ogbomoso Biomedical Research Hub Partners Foreign Group

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A biomedical research hub in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Helix Biogen Institute, has entered into a partnership with an international collaborator, ANESVAD Foundation, with a view to finding solutions, among other things, to the rising challenges in the scientific world.

The institute, which is currently creating a stir in the biotechnology and life science industries, is managed by a group of outstanding scientists, researchers,

and bio-entrepreneur under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Prof. Julius Kola Oloke, and the current Head of Microbiology Department, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Dr. Oladipo Kolawole.

A lawmaker, representing the Ojo Federal Constituency of Lagos State at the House of Representatives, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, has been announced as the Deputy Chairman of the Local Content Committee of the House.

Responding to the

appointment, Sowumi said: “I see this appointment as a mandate to work tirelessly towards ensuring that the local content policies and initiatives truly benefit all Nigerians, foster economic growth, and encourage the sustainable development of our great

country. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand how critical it is to support homegrown skills and companies because their survival is critical to the development of Nigeria’s economy.”

The federal lawmaker from Lagos expressed his delight at

the appointment , describing it as a reminder of the hard work ahead.

He said: “I am deeply humbled and honoured by the trust the House leadership, and especially the Lagos Caucus in the House ably led Hon. Dolapo Badru, has placed in me.”

Ondo Poly Student Narrates Ordeal in the Hands of Kidnappers

FidelisDavidinAkure

A Public Administration student of the Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, Ondo State, Odey Regina Olayemi, who was kidnapped recently and released after seven days in captivity, has

narrated her ordeal while in the abductors’ den.

The 23-year-old Olayemi, who spoke to journalists at the headquarters of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) in Akure, said she was kidnapped at her father’s farm

located at Ago-Oyinbo village in Akure North Local Government Area of the state by four armed kidnappers.

Olayemi, who is an indigene of Anyikang in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, described her seven-day ordeal

in captivity as horrific and traumatic. The victim, who revealed that the sum of N350,000 was paid as ransom before she was released, said: “We were on vacation, so, I went to the village to help my sisters before our resumption in order to get money to take to school.

Job Racketeering: House C’ttee Summons IPPIS Desk Officer, Haruna Kolo, Others

Juliet AkojeinAbuja

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing the mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering and gross mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System

(IPPIS) has summoned the IPPIS Desk officer in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Haruna Kolo as well as Isah Ahmed to appear before the it on Friday.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, during his ruling, gave the summon after the chairman of the commission,

Farida Dankaka disclosed that Kolo has been fingered in illegal employment and extorting money from people.

Dankaka while responding said Kolo is at large and has refused to honour the invitation of the commission over Job racketeering and has ported to AMCON and

didn’t resign as a staff from FCC.

The lawmakers have also requested that the Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, should appear before the Committee to answer questions as to how kolo was employed in AMCON without resigning from FCC.

Group Applauds President Tinubu over Appointments, Subsidy Removal, Others

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The North Central Political Frontiers (NCPF) has applauded the fuel subsidy removal and what it refers to as balance in power sharing

of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Addressing the meeting in Abuja to applaud the giant strides taken so far, Chairman of NCPF, Hon. Shuaibu Mohammed, said never in

the history of the nation has a retired police officer been appointed as National Security Adviser, adding that this is what the nation needs at the moment.

On the current hardship

been experienced by most families, the group pleaded with all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to exercise more patients with the president, noting that progress is continuous and gradual.

Waldrum Unfazed Super Falcons to Play England in Last 16

Disappointed Nigeria didn’t win all three points against Ireland

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Shortly after Nigeria’s Super Falcons booked their place in the Last 16 stage of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brisbane, Australia on Monday with a goalless draw with Republic of Ireland, Head Coach of the team, Randy Waldrum, expressed disappointment that his wards failed to get victory in the game.

Asisat Oshoala and Uchenna Kanu were the biggest culprits with unpardonable slips that denied Nigeria

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

another victory at this tournament.

Speaking during the post-match interview on SuperSport, Waldrum insisted that Falcons deserved to walk away with all three points instead of the one point they got in the draw with Ireland.

“I was actually disappointed in the second half because we could have won the match. So it almost feels disappointing that we didn’t get the

result, the three points,” observed the American gaffer who was hounded by the local sporting media for the drift the nine-time African champions have experienced under his watch.

He however admitted that all that mattered was Nigeria qualifying for the knockout rounds via the goalless draw with Ireland.

Asked if he was scared Nigeria may likely play England in the Round

of 16, Waldrum said Falcons will not fret over whichever team that they are lined up to meet. “If it is England, it is the European champions. We ‘ve already played the Olympic gold medalists (Canada). We have also already played the co-host nation (Australia). So it is just going to be another one of those matches that we have already been playing in.”

Nigeria finished as runners up on five points behind Australia that hammered Canada 4-0 to top Group B on six points. Canada finished on

four points with Ireland fourth on just one point.

This qualification is the third time that Falcons will reach the knockout phase of the tournament. They did first in 1999 in USA and at the 2019 edition in France.

Nigeria will play England who are likely winners of Group D while Australia will battle either Denmark or China as runners.

Even with nothing to play for, the Irish ladies gave Nigeria a scare, dominating the game all through the first half. Falcons came strongly into the second half after the break but Nigeria’s Barcelona Femeni star,

Oshoala appeared off duty. She wasted two clear chances with only Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan to beat. Oshoala was not her lively self. Same as Kanu, Toni Payne and Rasheedat Ajibade. Payne was holding on to the ball for too long, with several inaccurate passes dominating the Nigerian game.

In the backline, Ashleigh Plumptre and Mitchelle Alozie created too many moments of anxieties with Ireland’s Captain Katie McCabe, Sinead Farrelly and Heather Payne easily slicing through the Nigerian backline at will.

....Mitchelle Alozie’s 22 Years Dream Fulfilled

With Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ qualification for the knockout stage of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia, one player whose dream has been fulfilled at the tournament is American born Mitchelle Chinwendu Alozie.

Alozie plays as forward for Houston Dash in America’s National Women’s Soccer League but has been converted to almost a wing back by Super Falcons handlers.

She has played all Nigeria’s three games against Canada, Australia and Ireland.

After Nigeria’s draw with Ireland and the ticketbto the knockout phase in the bag, Alozie was joined on the sideline by her mother and father who are in Brisbane, Australia to celebrate this milestone.

This 26-year-old footballer

Asisat Oshoala (centre) missed an opportunity against Republic Ireland goalkeeper, Courtney Brosnan , yesterday in Brisbane, Australia. The match ended goalless, allowing Nigeria to join Australia from Group B into the Last 16

NAPTIP: Agents Using Football to Traffic Nigerian Youths Illegally to Morocco, Tunisia

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, has accused sports agents of luring hundreds of young Nigerian boys and girls to some North African countries, especially Morocco and Tunisia unde the guise of playing football. She made the revelation over the weekend at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja during the aerobics and sporting activities organised by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation as part of activities to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week Waziri-Azi said that upon getting to the promised destination majority of the youths were subsequently dehumanised and subjected to prostitution, exploitative labour and organ harvesting.

She voiced concern about the spike in the numbers of young Nigerians, falling prey to deceit of a criminal gang of a promise of greener pasture abroad under the guise of non-existing sporting opportunities. She advised parents and individuals to always confirm from the agency on whether the sporting agent approaching them for a football opportunity abroad has a

clearance from NAPTIP, insisting that NAPTIP is the only agency that has the mandate to issue such clearance to intended travellers abroad.

“Just this year, alone we have received a lot of complaints of Nigerians trapped in North Africa, especially in countries like Morocco and Tunisia who are unable to come back home.

“NAPTIP has a regulation called “Trafficking in Person Control of

Activities and Centres Regulation 2019, If any sporting agent approaches you to say they have an opportunity for your child to either play football or participate in athletics abroad, the first question you should ask them is, have you gotten your clearance certificate from NAPTIP?

“Because that regulation 2019 gives NAPTIP the powers to control and issue clearance certificate to travel agents, tour operators, sporting agents

and all Nigerians leaving the country for the purpose of labour recruitment or sporting activities or educational activities,” she said.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, also tasked civil servants in the country to promote their wellbeing by exercising regularly, her office has provided a wellness centre, to ensure that every worker keeps their bodies and minds healthy.

who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Biology from Yale, works part-time as a cancer research technician at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.

She dreamt of playing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was just four years old.

Her mother, Mrs Alozie gushed on Twitter: “She was four years when she started dreaming of playing at the @FIFAWWC & it came to reality at 26”.

Alozie made her senior debut for Nigeria on June 10, 2021 in a 0-1 friendly loss to Jamaica when she came off the bench at 65th minute.

She was named in Nigeria’s 23-player World Cup party by Coach Randy Waldrum who had previously managed the Dash team. Her capability was tested in her World Cup debut against Canada which ended in a draw in Australia.

NFF, Ex-Internationals, Others Laud Diri as Crusaders FC Win Prosperity Cup

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, ex-international, Tarila Okorowanta and many others have lauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for his “outstanding contributions” to the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria.

While the NFF boss urged other Nigerian leaders to emulate the Bayelsa governor in developing football and other sports in general, Okorowanta urged him to use the tournament as a turnaround for the youths in the state.

Gusau stated this when he led a delegation of the federation on a courtesy visit to Diri shortly after

Gov Abiodun Inaugurates LOC for 2024 National Sports Festival

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, inaugurated a 16-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 22nd National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2024.

Speaking while inaugurating the LOC at the Governor's Office in OkeMosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun noted that the state is more than prepared to surpass previous editions and the achievements recorded during the last festival held by the state in 2006.

The governor noted that his

government is ready to continue to put in place world-class sporting infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state.

Abiodun who also disclosed that the festival isn't about the competition or the performances, noted that the state under his watch is ready to showcase the talent, culture, potential and unique sense of hospitality of the people of the state.

" He said, "We are determined to put in place world-class sporting infrastructures across the length and breadth of the state, thus underscoring our determination to ensure that we

host a very befitting sports festival to the admiration of all stakeholders in the sector and around the world

"For us in Ogun State, this festival isn't just about the competition and performances, even though we would love to host and win every medal.

"We want to host a National Sports Festival that will showcase the talent, our culture and potential of our great state as well as a very unique sense of hospitality of our people," he said.

Abiodun while noting that the National Sports Festival brings together the energy, and creativity of youths in the country and also serves

as a platform for them to showcase their diverse talents and potential, added that hosting the festival is a testament to the commitment of his administration to empower the next generation by offering them the opportunity for growth and self-development."

While urging members of the committee to embrace the responsibility given to them with a deep sense of purpose, Abiodun noted that their attention to detail, effective planning and seamless execution would be the magic they would need to host a remarkable edition of the festival.

witnessing the Bayelsa Governor’s Prosperity Cup final which held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, on Sunday.

He said it was first of its kind to have 214 teams and more than 5,000 players participate in one football tournament.

The NFF president alongside Chairman of the Nigerian National League (NNL), Mr. George Aluo, presented an award to Governor Diri for promoting grassroots football in the state.

In the final match on Sunday, Crusaders Feeders FC of Peretorugbene emerged champions of the 5th edition of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup.

The Ekeremor side defeated De Grace FC of Yenagoa 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Earlier in the women's final, Golden Sun Sports Academy spanked Crystal Stars FC 3-0 to win the maiden women's Prosperity Cup trophy.

Declaring the tournament closed, Governor Diri said the competition was in celebration of talents, passion and the unifying power of football, noting that he was proud of the players, officials and organisers for the incredible organizations of the competition.

Also at the final were NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, NNL Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Attah, and Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Adesanya. Bendel Insurance Head Coach, Monday Odigie, was also at the final.

Duro Ikhazuagbe

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ex-Minister to Nyesom Wike

“It was apparent that the erstwhile Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, would be leaving the party (PDP) soon. Nyesom Wike is the only PDP card-carrying member on the ministerial list. I don’t know how he will marry that with being a leader of the PDP in Rivers State…” ---FormerMinisterofTransportation,IbrahimBio,reactingto Wike’sministerialnominationbyPresidentBolaAhmedTinubu.

TUESDAY WITH REUBEN ABATI

abati1990@gmail.com

Allen Onyema, NIIA and The Sports Wall of Fame

One of the major sore points in the Nigerian story has been the negative role played by non-state actors in the making and the unmaking of Nigeria – those characters who drag the country back and down, those who seize state assets, those who steal our crude oil, the merchants of death and disgrace who denigrate and devalue the Nigerian green passport and collective humanity but there are also many non-state actors whose actions project the nation positively, reminding us that in the midst of the increasing mass psychosis in our land, the blood of humaneness still runs in some veins.

In this category, you would find the philanthropists – the men and women who give back to society and whose actions confront the rest of us with strong intimations of what it means to be human- Femi Otedola, Michael Adenuga, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Mrs Folorunso Alakija, Otunba Subomi Balogun, now of blessed memory, Florence Otedola (DJ Cuppy), David Adeleke (Davido) and so on. While some of them may be associated with the state either directly or by proxy, a common link is the fact that they have shown a consistent pattern to identify with the downtrodden, the underprivileged, the poor and the down and out in society. I would place into this category the genuine non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are doing quality work as a bridge between state and society, certainly not those camouflage, profit-seeking NGOs that do more harm than good and whose clandestine purpose is to access donor funding for selfish reasons. They know themselves. It would be a most useful academic exercise someday to inquire into the role of non-state actors, in a comprehensive, detailed and objective manner to locate their roles properly within the matrix of nation-building: the diverse personas involved, ideologies and complexities, reach, influence and impact.

I have tried to draw attention to this as I reflect on my attendance at two events on Friday, July 28, namely, the Air Peace/NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame which took place in two parts: a morning event titled “The 4th Conversation: From Olympic Boycotts to Hosting the World – West Africa’s March to FIFA 2034”, which held at the premises of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) at Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos and in the evening, the Investiture of Air Peace Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, also in Victoria Island Lagos. The key objective was to honour Nigeria’s 1976 Olympics team and the 1980 Green Eagles African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Team. I had more than one reason to be at both events, but the part that is directly relevant to this review is the fact that I am an Associate Fellow of the NIIA, which by the way earned me a reserved seat in the front row. But to return to my earlier point about positively-oriented non-state actors, I begin by drawing attention to the fact that both events were supported and sponsored by Mr. Allen Onyema and his company, the airline known as Air Peace. Onyema and his team, with the support of consultants – Chief Segun Odegbami, Z-Edge Consulting’s Kikelomo Atanda-Owo and others came up with a plan to honour the men and women who could not participate in the 1976 Montreal Olympics in Canada, because of the decision by African countries to boycott the Olympics. The boycott was as a result of the apartheid politics in South Africa and especially New Zealand’s Rugby tour of South Africa at the time. African countries chose to boycott the 1976 Olympics because the organizing body allowed New Zealand to participate in the Olympics. Africa had made it clear that it would not participate in the Olympics if New Zealand, openly supporting the racist, apartheid government in South Africa was allowed to participate. African leaders made good their word. Nigeria went to the Olympics but it was the first country to leave, followed by Kenya. In total, 27 African countries boycotted the Olympics. Their exit almost crashed the 1976 Olympics, and the city of Montreal, the host city alone lost over

Onyema

$2 billion. But the point was made. The protesting countries had made an ideological point: racism was unacceptable especially as the Olympics was being held shortly after the 1976 Soweto massacre which resulted in the death of over 100 persons. It was one special moment in African history when Africans spoke with one voice even if two countries- Senegal and Ivory Coast went ahead to participate. The effect of the boycott was that many of the athletes who had prepared so much to compete and shine at the event had their dreams aborted. They had to make the sacrifice because of the choice made by their countries. Filbert Bayi of Tanzania who had been Commonwealth Games and world record holder in 1500 metres, who was looking forward to the Olympics in 1976 was denied the dream of participation. He was in Nigeria at the Friday events. So was Ron Freeman, US Olympics world record holder in 4 X 400 metres relay.

The whole idea was to honour the heroes from Nigeria who did not even get a chance to participate in the 1976 Olympics because Nigeria had taken an ideological position, from a foreign policy end on apartheid in South Africa. The other set of honorees were members of the 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Nigeria. It was a team that brought glory to Nigeria and unified the nation. On Friday, the joint forces of Allen Onyema’s Air Peace and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs came together to honour and iconize these forgotten, under-appreciated heroes. It was a beautiful town and gown collaboration, signposting useful lessons in private sector, non-state actor participation in nation building, and the value of soft, sports diplomacy and the expansive scope of an intellectual think tank like the NIIA. Allen Onyema provided the funds and the logistics. NIIA gave it an intellectual cover and allure and provided the grounds for actual and useful historification.

As I did before in this same column with the examples of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Otunba Mike Adenuga, I recommend Allen Onyema for special commendation. Many would remember him as the entrepreneur who continues to use his wealth to support helpless Nigerians. When Nigerians were stranded in South Africa due to xenophobic attacks in September 2019, he sent his aircraft to South Africa at no cost to bring the distressed Nigerians back

home, without collecting a kobo from the Nigerian government. In 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, many Nigerians were stranded in many parts of the world, Onyema again dispatched his aircraft to rescue persons and deliver relief materials at no cost to the persons or government. Again in 2023, when crisis erupted in Sudan, Allen Onyema sent aircraft to Egypt to evacuate stranded Nigerians. At every point, he keeps showing that legacy creation is more important than the creation of wealth for profit motives. He told the audience at the NIIA on Friday, July 28, that he is motivated by love of nation, not wealth. “I cannot go to the grave with my wealth. It is better to use what we have to help our country and build a legacy”, he said. He got a standing ovation. He also received fulsome praise from Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former DG of the NIIA (1975-83), and former Minister of External Affairs (1985 -87) who described him as “a noble Nigerian with generosity in his DNA” ” and further from Professor Eghosa Osaghae of NIIA who described Allen Onyema as a man who is “redrawing the contours of non-state actors.”

The irony is that this same Onyema who was the star at the NIIA last Friday has not been properly honoured by his country. His love for Nigeria remains unrequited and yet he keeps doing more. His name originally appeared in one of those last-minute National Honours List by the Buhari administration, but it was eventually removed before the event. It must be that some clowns in the corridors of power thought he didn’t deserve to be so honoured and probably smuggled their own unknown, less deserving names onto the list and they now parade themselves as persons worthy of recognition. Nigeria is a country where the thieves get the crown, and the more honest people are turned into spectators. When people are asked to give to their country, it is only fair to expect the country to appreciate them in return. Onyema is probably too modest to demand the recognition that he deserves.

His joint operation with the NIIA in the area of sports diplomacy is pointedly the catalyst for this review. He and the NIIA at the risk of sounding repetitive have done so well, and I must now add to the commendation list Professor Eghosa Osaghae, an absolutely brilliant scholar, teacher and author who since his assumption of office as DG NIIA (2021) has transformed that place, and reinvented it as an intellectual power house for Nigeria. NIIA is Nigeria’s equivalent of Britain’s Royal Institute of International Affairs, or Chatham House as it is more commonly known, and America’s Council of Foreign Relations (CFR). These bodies do research, think for government and recommend policies. The NIIA has had an illustrious history under the watch of Dr Lawrence Fabunmi, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Gabriel Olusanya, Professor George Obiozor, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Professor Joy Ogwu, Professor Osita Eze, Professor Bola Akinterinwa and others, but Professor Eghosa Osaghae has brought a new dynamism to the place. For a while, NIIA became an events venue for book presentations, birthday lectures and all kinds of NGO events, a watering hole for photographers and people selling all kind of things, but Eghosa Osaghae has cleaned up “his father’s place” and restored it to its original glory established by “NIIA ancestors” like Professor Akinyemi who correctly stood in for President Olusegun Obasanjo as Chair of the occasion and did an excellent job of it.

Osaghae is a product of the finest tradition of scholarship, the Ibadan School of Political Science and he has in the course of his career distinguished himself as a teacher, prolific scholar, orator and administrator. His outlier qualities were on display on July 28 to the benefit of the institution that he leads. NIIA now has a transformed courtyard where there is a wall of fame, honouring all the heroes who missed the 1976 Olympic because they had to make a sacrifice and respect their country’s resolve to stand against apartheid in South Africa, and the 1980 Green Eagles who won the 1980 African Cup of Nations. The names of these heroes are now forever enshrined in a wall of

fame at the NIIA courtyard. It is a long list – names like Modupe Oshikoya, Gloria Ayanlaja, Benjamin Omodhiale, Taiwo Ogunjobi, John Okoro, Chuks Abigide, Bruce Ijirigho, Dele Udoh, Dennis Otono, Emmanuel Okala, Joseph Erico, Mudashiru Lawal, Christian Chukwu, Godwin Odiye, Haruna Ilerika, Sanni Mohammed, Samuel Ojebode, Kunle Awesu, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amaesimeka, Sylvanus Okpala, Shefiu Mohammed, Baba Otu Mohammed, Felix Owolabi, David Adiele, Henry Nwosu, Okey Isima, Charles Bassey, Obisia Nwakpa, Davidson Andeh --- a long list of 57 names! Those names are now emblazoned forever on a wall of fame at Nigeria’s Institute of International Affairs, turning that foreign think-tank into a tourist/intellectual centre under Professor Osaghae’s watch.

The other high point at the morning event was the keynote address by Professor Idy Uyoe who gave a thrilling, engaging presentation on the theme of the day. He took us through the history of the apartheid, racist regime in South Africa and why Africans had to stand up in support of their long-suffering brothers in South Africa, the 1976 boycott of the Olympics, the heroic 1980 Green Eagles as the Super Eagles were formerly known, and then the question which he posed and answered: Is it possible to bring the FIFA World Cup to West Africa in 2034, and how? Uyoe kept us glued to our seats and the screen, the first event in the NIIA 4th Conversation series. It is most apposite that the organizers have started with such an important theme as the value of sports as a tool of soft diplomacy, but more importantly, the need to recognize the contributions of the nation’s sports heroes. In Nigeria, sports heroes are rarely remembered. Jerry Okorodudu, 1994 USA Olympics star died recently. His corpse was seized for a few days because his family could not pay a certain N600, 000 hospital bill. In 2019, multi-billionaire, Mr. Femi Otedola had to pay the medical bills of former international and coach, Peter Fregene. He also did the same for Christian Chukwu, who by the way was at the events on Friday in Lagos, looking good, now ageing well. Nigeria’s sports heroes deserve better treatment.

The more telling import of the day’s event was driven home at the evening investiture event of Air Peace Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors at the Eko Hotel and Suites. Having been duly told that pepper soup and jollof rice would be served aplenty, I showed up and stayed till after midnight. The intellectual part having been dispensed with during the day, Air Peace and Allen Onyema rolled out the drums. It was a night of fun, fest, felicity and feferity to celebrate our heroes past and the living legends that through sports did Nigeria proud. Many of them were in attendance physically, those who had passed were represented by family members. Time has passed. The year 1976 was 47 years ago. It has been 43 years ago since Nigeria won the Cup of Nations. Half of the heroes that were in the hall could not climb the stairs to the stage. Quite a few relied on walking sticks for mobility. It was an emotional moment. These were the same athletes who broke records in the prime of their time. These were the same footballers who once upon a time shut down the city anytime they played at the National Stadium and inspired the flowery, poetic genius of sports commentators like Ernest Okonkwo and Ishola Folorunsho. The best of them looked truly like time has passed. Allen Onyema and Air Peace gave them plaques of honour, decorated them with sashes of honour, gave them a cash gift of N1.5 million each, and free air tickets on Air Peace to their chosen destinations locally and internationally. There were mushy tears of joy! Oh, what a night, made even more memorable with interlude performances by Timi Dakolo, the Extreme Dancers, Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, KCee and Ludareh Music. There was a lot to eat and drink.

Nigeria has an obligation to become a country that looks out for its best in all disciplines and provides for them even when they are past their prime, and this can be best done, through collaborations with the private sector. There are many more to honour. Well done, NIIA. Thank you, Air Peace.