The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday argued that the removal of petrol subsidy as well as merging of the foreign exchange windows were meant to rescue Nigeria’s economy from failing.
However, the Chairman of THISDAY and Arise TV Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, maintained that by announcing the two reforms at the same time, the economy was overwhelmed
at the time the subsidy was removed, Nigeria needed a stable exchange rate to modulate the economy.
The minister and Obaigbena spoke during Idris’ visit to the Arise TV office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Chinedu Eze
Yemi-Esan: I Never Dreamed of Becoming Head of Civil Service
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Outgoing Head of the Civil Service of Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has confessed she never dreamed of getting to the top as the country's number one civil servant.
She made this confession yesterday at a Town Hall Meeting with civil servants and the Joint Union Negotiating Council (JUNC).
She described the opportunity to serve as God's given while thanking Nigerians
particularly civil servants for their cooperation.
"I never dreamed or planned of becoming the Head of Service, but God did that and he alone appointed me. I wish to acknowledge that and thank the two presidents that l worked with - President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu - for the unwavering support l got from them that made the assignment easier," she said.
Yemi-Esan, who will formally retire from the service on August
14, also sent a parting request to civil servants never to bow their heads in shame because of the situation in the country, noting without them all the efforts of policy makers will not come to fruition.
Her words: "We can change Nigeria because that will have a multiplier effects. We should stop concentrating on how much we earn and what others earn and appreciate God for the little we have.
"I want us to keep our standard and not to go down. I would be
disappointed if a report comes from the Office of the Head of Service that standard has gone down after l leave office."
She also advised the Head of Service-designate, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, to put in her best and ensure that her line of communication was open, noting she couldn't go wrong with being open to the union.
In his remarks, the President of JUNC, Sylvester Abah, expressed gratitude to the federal government for Yemi-Esan's appointment, describing her
appointment as the best decision that came at the right time.
He lauded Yemi-Esan for the remarkable changes in the service through adoption of Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25) and other rewards initiative programmes she had introduced in the system.
"Her appointment was the best decision the federal government had made. Her coming into the system has made lot of remarkable improvement, " he said.
IDRIS: FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL, FOREX WINDOWS UNIFICATION AIMED AT RESCUING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY
had to take the decision to save Nigeria’s economy, which was almost moribund when the president took over, admitting that the last 14 months of this government had been challenging.
He explained that the removal of subsidy resuscitated the economy and boosted government’s revenue which almost doubled few months after the introduction of the policy and also crashed the volume of fuel product consumed in the country.
The minister remarked that the past administration did not include subsidy in the 2023 budget because it lacked the courage to take such a decisive action, stressing that by removing the underpayments, Tinubu ensured its non-provision in subsequent budgets.
He maintained that by the end of last year, government had already saved about N1.45 trillion from the removal of subsidy and the decision reduced the demand for petroleum by about 50 per cent.
According to him, this meant that either people reduced their consumption of the product or it was being diverted elsewhere before the subsidy was removed.
Idris disclosed that a border town, about 48 kilometres to Katsina had about 50 fuel stations at the outskirts, where it was confirmed that those fuel stations were a gateway to smuggling the products to neighbouring countries.
But when the subsidy was stopped, Idris pointed out that neighbouring countries stopped buying from the border towns because the price was more or less the same, stressing that they started buying again when the naira depreciated and made the cost of the product cheaper in Nigeria.
On the unification of the FX windows, the minister said that before the introduction of the policy, those who had access to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were obtaining and selling it, making the Naira a commodity of trade instead of a means of exchange.
“Our currency became a product of speculation and this was not acceptable to the economy,” Idris said.
He also said that the removal of subsidy made money available to the federal government, which was shared by the other tiers of government and urged Nigerians to ask what the states are doing with the more money they are getting from the federation account.
The minister said that the Tinubu administration had
also embarked on massive investment in agriculture, disclosing that government invested in irrigation farming in Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and other states and expressed the hope that in the near future food prices would come down when the farms yields start coming out, which would help stem hunger in the land.
Idris said that the administration was also encouraging the private sector investment in agriculture, disclosing that the biggest tomato farm in West Africa is located in Kebbi and cultivated by a private company, GB Foods Nigeria.
He also spoke on Tinubu’s focus on youth development, disclosing that the federal government introduced the policy to enable youths to go to school and in addition to that introduced education loans, which could be accessed by youths who meet the criteria.
The minister spoke about Technical Support Fund targeted to support Nigerian youths who have graduated and are yet to secure jobs, stating that the fund was to enable them go into business and become self-employed.
Idris reiterated that the president was not against the protest but that the intelligence gathered before the protest indicated that it would be hijacked by those who have a different agenda and that was why government made moves to stop the protest.
He assured that by the time the policies and actions taken by government will start bearing fruits, most of the challenges, which Nigerians are complaining about would have been solved.
He also spoke about the government’s investment in the health sector and its removal of tariffs on pharmaceutical products in order to bring down their prices.
Idris added that government had embarked on road projects, including Lagos-Abuja highways; the Sokoto-Badagry highway, which would have about 63 dams, saying that the dams would generate power as well as create jobs.
Also speaking, the Chairman of THISDAY and Arise TV Media Group, Obaigbena spoke about the current situation in the country, stating that the Tinubu administration weakened the economy when he announced two major reforms at the same time.
He traced the history of reforms in Nigeria and recalled similar resistance to reforms introduced by past governments, from the Shehu Shagari administration
to that of the Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Yar’adua.
“I am a student of Nigerian history. What is happening now has not happened before. This is how you also communicate it. After the 12-10 debacle, Shagari faced crisis. Before oil prices ballooned and the government went to party. And then Buhari came.
“I remember the days of counter-trade; shortages everywhere. We were going to Brazil and bringing sugar or whatever. So there was a crisis. IBB (Ibrahim Babangida) came to solve it. He brought SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) and there were SAP riots. I remember the very first day the naira was devalued, Olu Falae was the finance minister.
“There was a second tier exchange market. And naira fell from 80 kobo to a dollar to N3.32. That is how the journey started. And like somebody said, if you look at the covers of all our papers, This Week, Newswatch, The News, Bayo (Onanuga) was fiery in holding the government to account. And then he ran into exile. He was jailed in Minna or somewhere for fighting for freedom.
“Having said that, then Obasanjo came, the first two to three years of Obasanjo were a disaster. When he came, he thought he would see Nigeria Airways, Nigeria National Shipping Line, and he tried to come with that command and control government. But he failed.
“And by the third year, he found his rhythm with reforms. And he brought a winning team. So his second term was great for Nigeria. Except that he did not want to go. So we have faced all of these,” Obaigbena said.
He also recalled the genesis of insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the North East of Nigeria and its impact on the media and Nigeria’s economy.
Obaigbena said that the announcement of the two major reforms at the same time by Tinubu was what spiralled the economy out of control.
“So, Tinubu came, he announced two major reforms at the same time. At Arise TV, we believe and agree that subsidy must be removed. We believe and agree that there should be a market-driven exchange rate, but not at the same time.
“The strategic error was removing the subsidy and exchange rate at the same time. We needed a stable exchange rate to modulate the subsidy. Because the subsidy responds to market forces. So, have you even sequenced it?
“Have you now told all these IMF (International Monetary Fund) and WHO (World Health Organisation), who say they support your reform that we have removed subsidy. We have cut waste?
“Now we need the ammunition to have exchange rate management. But we did the exchange rate without ammunition. Without the dollar reserves. With oil plunging. That is why we are where we are. But it is a beginning,” he said.
He stated that the Tinubu administration should be given more time, commending the action taken so far by the administration on local governments, saying that insecurity in Nigeria was festering because of the failure of local governments
“Governors, especially in the North, collect their fat money, they don't even go to their states but travel abroad to Dubai. The failure of local government, the failure of
economic activity at the local level, is one of the things that has led to the insecurity. So, restoring local governments is a key point. But it will take time to rebuild,” Obaigbena said.
He urged the government to communicate by example, noting that those in government are alienated from the austere economic situation in the country.
“You are communicating over here. But the communication you are not doing is communication by example. Look at the National Assembly. The way they live, the way they conduct themselves does not show that we are in trouble.
“ At least you have no cabinet here, but there are people who come without riders. So let our communication mechanism also be by action. Action of government actors to show that things are bad.
“Then we have very poor
people. We are supposed to have a social register. I don't know what has happened to it. All these student loans, that is okay, but the key issue is how are we taking care of the poorest of the poor. Put them on social register. Give them stipends against what is happening.
“And I must say this. I will say it now. As a Nigerian, I am very concerned about the poverty in the north. You can see the riots and the rioters. No education and all that stuff. And yet, the north has governed this country more than anybody else.
“So, there is no nexus between political power-hold and helping your people. So we also have to focus on the north. Like Obafemi Awolowo said, illiteracy, hunger and cold are the biggest things. You have to face them squarely, ruthlessly. So if we want social cohesion, we have to do something about poverty in the north,” he maintained.
CBN DEMANDS TRANSACTION EVIDENCE ON ALL DIVESTMENTS, REPATRIATION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
applies to both divestments and repatriation of all CCI related transactions.
The section spells out the procedure for portfolio investment.
It stated that the prospective investor must appoint a local bank or broker as an agent to purchase the instrument; the funds for the investment are transferred electronically to a designated bank; on receipt of the funds, the bank issues the investor with an electronic Certificate of Capital Importation within 24 hours; Authorised Dealers shall keep separate records of the investment and render returns to CBN in a format that will
be advised from time to time.
Also, with the eCCI, the investor through the bank or broker, accesses the market and invests in any instrument of choice.
The manual further stipulates that "If at any point in time the investor wants to divest, they shall go back to the bank with the following documents: a. Evidence of electronic Certificate of Capital Importation; b. Evidence of redemption of the money market instrument."
The memorandum further stated that only funds inflowed through authorised dealers by resident/nonresident Nigerian national and companies specifically for the purpose of investment shall be eligible. It added that exports and ordinary domiciliary account balances shall not be eligible for the investment.
The revised Foreign Exchange Manual is compiled and issued by the CBN pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring & Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 17, of 1995 LFN Cap F34. The document is intended as a guide to authorised dealers, authorised buyers and the public in processing foreign exchange transactions.
DANGOTE REFINERY INSISTS NO BACKTRACKING ON ACCUSATION OF OIL PRODUCERS’ RELUCTANCE TO SUPPLY CRUDE
concerns over the inability of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to fully enforce the domestic crude supply obligation.
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports alleging that the Dangote Refinery has backtracked by acknowledging that NNPC supplied about 60 per cent of the 50 million barrels we lifted.
“To clarify, we have never accused NNPC of not supplying us with crude. Our concern has always been NUPRC's reluctance to enforce the domestic crude supply obligation, and ensuring
that we receive our full crude requirement from NNPC and the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
“For September, our requirement is 15 cargoes, of which NNPC allocated six.
Despite appealing to NUPRC, we've been unable to secure the remaining cargoes. When we approached International Oil Companies (IOCs) producing in Nigeria, they redirected us to their international trading arms or responded that their cargoes were committed.
“Consequently, we often purchase the same Nigerian crude from international traders at an additional $3-$4 premium
per barrel which translates to $3-$4 million per cargo,” the statement added.
According to the Dangote refinery, it was therefore trite that it had not received a fair deal from the oil producers as well as the NUPRC that had not fully enforced the oil producers’ obligation to local refineries.
“We therefore still insist that we are unable to secure our full crude requirement from domestic production and urge NUPRC to fully enforce the domestic crude supply obligation as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Yemi-Esan
PRESENTATION ON HARNESSING THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR ENHANCED NATIONAL
Telcos, 36 Govs Chart New Course for RoW Permit, Network Expansion Plan
Emma Okonji
Telecommunications operators (Telcos) and representatives of all the 36 state governors in Nigeria have commenced discussions on how best telecoms operators could seek Right of Way (RoW) permit from state governments and expand their network across the states.
The discussion was held at the first strategic stakeholders' meeting
between officials in charge of ICT in the 36 states of the federation and telecoms operators, organised by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Abuja recently. During the meeting, telecoms operators complained about the activities of non-state actors engaging in criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, vandalism and terrorism, which according to
them, posed significant risks to both local and expatriate personnel working on telecom infrastructure, especially in the northern and southeastern parts of the nation. They also raised the issue of exorbitant fees, bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles associated with obtaining Right of Way permits from some state governments, which they said, had continued to be major barriers to telecom infrastructure
development in Nigeria.
The representatives of state governments on their part, expressed a strong desire for telecoms operators to engage and interact more with subnational governments for a better understanding of their investments and operations in their host communities.
They advised telecoms operators to obtain permits, in accordance
Bagudu: Economic Reforms Required to Woo Domestic, Foreign Investors
James Emejo in Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has said Nigerians needed to understand that current policy reforms are required to reposition the economy to attract domestic and foreign investments among others.
He said the prevalence of poverty could only be eradicated through concerted efforts of all levels of government working to include all strata of the society.
The minister spoke at the launch of ActionAid Nigeria Country Strategy Paper in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the country needed collaborative efforts of stakeholders to overcome the present economic challenges, pointing out that President Bola Tinubu’s administration do not
believe in a blame game but rallying Nigerians to confront the country's economic challenges.
He said, “By doing so, we can transform our ways; we can localize the challenge; we can find that rather than being presumptuous and judgmental, we can collaborate and understand, localise the challenge, and everyone can contribute to making it better, instilling a sense of hope and optimism.”
Bagudu said, “The ultimate end of social action is to include all, and local economies can be made to include all. This can only happen when we embrace cooperation, when we become less judgmental when we interrogate and challenge public officials to give more effort and guidance, and when we appreciate that we are not alone.
"Some of the challenges we
are facing are global.
But yet we can't take luxury or comfort in that. We have to move quickly. So, we are humbled to come and interact so that we can all mobilise together to do better.
"These choices we need to make to revive the economy are not the preserve of government or anybody but the collective."
The minister said that rather than point fingers, it was better to appreciate that the crisis arose from several years of underinvestment in critical sectors of the economy.
He stressed that the solution lay in sharing experiences with countries that had similar economic realities but had rebounded.
Citing Indonesia and Brazil, with populations similar to Nigeria, Bagudu said both countries offered veritable
examples of what the nation should emulate if it would achieve the level of economic growth and development it desired.
He said, “Brazil's federal budget is about $700 billion, and it has been like that for upwards of a decade. Nigeria's federal budget now is about $20 billion, and maybe the highest it has been is about $35 billion.
“Do we want to be like Brazil, or do we want to be like Indonesia? Can we hope to achieve what they have achieved with that level of federal spending, or do we confront this reality?
“When you confront your reality, like gathering the family around and reminding everyone that we are not as rich as we think we are, maybe new energy will come into the family, and the sense of entitlement will give way to What I can do.”
We Must Stop Scavengers, Exploiters of Natural Resources, Tinubu Orders Military
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, gave a marching order to Nigeria's military and security agencies on the urgent need to clamp down on illegal miners, saying scavengers and exploiters around the country must be stopped.
He also assured the people that his government would ensure that companies engaged in mineral exploration prioritise the health
and safety of Nigerians and the host communities.
The president, who spoke while receiving a presentation titled: ‘Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035,’ by Course 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, directed security agencies to intensify efforts to crack down on illegal miners across the country.
"We have challenges of scavengers and exploiters around the country. We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society," he said.
The Course 32 participants, however, were tasked with researching topical national issues, and their findings during their 11-month study focused on the mining industry’s potential to contribute to national security and development.
Responding to the presentation delivered by Colonel Olajide Bello on behalf of the delegation, President Tinubu commended their work and reiterated the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
He said: “I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.
with the Communications Act of 2003, before investing in or deploying telecoms infrastructure in the states to avoid conflicts with constituted authorities.
Both parties however stressed the importance of cooperation and collaboration in developing the digital economy through the triple helix of federal government, sub-nationals and industry, in order to maintain the progress so far made in connectivity and broadband penetration in the country and to continue in the bright prospects of even more progress in the future through technical efficiencies and collaboration of stakeholders.
In his welcome address, the ATCON's President, Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, called for closer collaboration between state governments and telecoms operators.
"It is imperative for state governments, in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators, to work hand in hand to eliminate the obstacles that hinder the establishment of a pervasive and ubiquitous broadband infrastructure
across Nigeria. The meeting is an essential platform for aligning our visions, strategies, and efforts towards achieving this ambitious yet attainable goal," Emoekpere said.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Assistant Director, Digital Economy Department at NCC, Yahaya Hmisu Abubakar, said: "Broadband connectivity is a critical enabler of digitization and technical efficiency.
“It provides the essential infrastructure that supports digital tools and services across various sectors. Broadband connectivity is catalyst for economic growth, driving the digital economy, creating job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship."
In a communique released at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders highlighted the need for further collaboration between state governments and the telecoms industry regulator on one hand and between the state governments and the telecoms operators on the other hand, to enable operators roll out telecoms services across the country and expand telecoms network across states.
After 12 Years, FG Reviews Curriculum with Technology, New Skills in Focus
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
After 12 years of curriculum review, the federal government has said there is no going back in delivering to Nigerians a reviewed curriculum for its basic and senior secondary schools which is aimed at addressing the current learning crisis in the country and the encouragement of the use of more technology.
The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who stated this on Thursday at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) Stakeholders’ Dialogue and High-Level Policy Committee Meeting for the review of Basic Education Curriculum in Abuja, said their commitment is total, nonnegotiable and on the right course.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, Mamman said Nigeria is one of the countries that is greatly affected by learning crisis and reports have shown that out of five children in the world,
one of them is out of school and that one out of five is a Nigerian.
According to him, "The curriculum was last reviewed 12 years ago and it is an understatement to say what we have now addressed the need of the last five years not to think of addressing the current need and the future prospect of Nigeria.
“Report has also shown that out of four children in Nigeria at least one of them suffers poor numeracy level, poor learning level and also poor critical thinking level and these are all factors that retard national development and we must be able to come together address them.”
The minister explained that the new curriculum, when completed and introduced will go a long way to address the challenges of poor learning outcomes, depreciating value system and the review is aimed to expose learners at the basic education level various skill development, opportunities including job creating skills.
L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu( L ) receiving Presentation on Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035, from Colonel. OD Bello, during a meeting on the Higher Defence Management Research Paper, held at the Presidential Villa Abuja ... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI.
LAGOS CREATIVE EVENING IN CELEBRATION OF WOLE SOYINKA AT 90...
L-R: Permanent Secretary Lagos House District 3, Dr Monsurat Adeleke; Executive Director, Lagos Directorate, Wema Bank PLC, Oluwole Ajimisinmi; 10-year-old Vision of the Child Champion, Mofifunoluwa Atilola; Nigerian Playwright and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; and British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Johnny Baxter, at the Lagos Creative Evening in Celebration of Wole Soyinka at 90 proudly supported by Wema Bank held in Lags... yesterday
Gov Sule Confirms THISDAY’s Story, Says N573bn was World Bank Loan, Not Grant By FG to States to Cushion Current Hardship
Insists
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
it was tied to ameliorating impact of COVID-19
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, yesterday confirmed a THISDAY story published on Wednesday indicating that the purported disbursement of N573 billion to subnational governments announced by President Bola Tinubu last Sunday during a nationwide protest predated his administration.
Sule, in an interview with Channels Television yesterday stressed that the World Bank loan received by states was for infrastructural projects and not to cushion the effects of hardship faced by Nigerians.
The governor explained that states received the money in batches with the latest having been received in June, stressing that it was a loan and not free funds and was initiated in 2020.
“The money is tied to certain projects. It is almost like a regimented loan from the World Bank. The money is not for rice, it is not for palliatives, it is not for anything in that line,” he said.
He added: “That money came from the World Bank and that was the second disbursement which came November last year. The account amount was credited to the account of every other state, sometime around January.”
The governor explained that during the second tranche received by states, Nasarawa received N13.6 billion, representing over 10 per cent of the amount.
When asked about the per cent given for the repayment, the governor said: “The World Bank is actually doing it at no interest. The reason is because it was coming to support states because of the COVID-19. It actually started around the year 2020.
“The first disbursement was done even before Mr President actually came in May 2023. The third disbursement was the one done in June that was advertised. Every state has been credited and no state is denying it,” he stressed.
According to him, there were supposed to be three instalments, stressing that that the had been disbursed to all the states.
“The only thing that the state would like to explain so that people will understand, it was not meant to go and cushion the effects of the economic hardship that people are facing. Because this is money that is tied to certain projects. For instance, in Nasarawa State, part of the money was to be used for the construction of 15-kilometre rural roads in every one of the 30 local government areas.
“At least 15 kilometres. It's supposed to go into communities where there is no water, and actually have boreholes drilled for them and solar power. It's supposed to go also into what they call cash transfer, where 2,000 people for 12 months will be given N10,000 each. It's supposed to go also for primary health care units, where everyone has to be given.
“So the money is tied to certain
projects. The money is not for rice. It's not for palliatives. It's not for anything in that line. But in some ways, it's supposed to serve to alleviate poverty. Like the cash transfer.
“All of them are supposed to alleviate poverty. For instance, the World Bank identified certain roads
that have to be done in our state. And they selected all these roads one after another.
“And I will give you an example of one. It's an area where there is a lot of agricultural activity, a lot of post-harvest wastages, because the people didn't have the opportunity
to bring out all these things. So by the time that we constructed these roads, the people were happy.
“They were able to bring out all their produce to the market. And it empowered them to reduce the level of poverty in those kind of communities. Other places it had
to do with health, with education, with agriculture. “So in Nasarawa State, for instance, the total number of people who have benefited from the one we received amounted actually to 259,754 beneficiaries. They all benefited from this particular programme,” he added.
Bauchi Govt Signs $1.5bn MoU with Cement Company for New Plant
To produce 10m tonnes of cement annually, electrify host communities
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth $1.5 billion with the Resident Cement Company, to establish a massive cement production plant in the state.
The company will be located in the Gwana District of Alkaleri Local Government Area and is expected to produce 10 million tonnes of cement annually and generate employment opportunities for unemployed youths as well as stimulate economic growth and development in the North East region.
Governor Bala Abdukadir Mohammed who was speaking yesterday during the signing of the document, assured the company of
11Plc shuts down facility over fire incident
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday said the explosion at a Mobil filling station in Lagos was not connected with the recently launched Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the state.
Although the national oil company in a statement signed by its spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, failed to mention the name of the affected fuel station, the facility belonging to Mobil, located in Ikeja, had earlier been gutted by fire.
A gas tanker, cars and buses at the filling station were burnt, while a number of persons were injured after
the tanker exploded while discharging contents into storage tanks.
"The NNPC wishes to state that the reported explosion at a filling station in Ikeja, Lagos, has nothing to do with the recently commissioned NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd (NGML)/ NIPCO Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Stations, which are currently functioning and running safely without any incident.
"The NNPC Ltd also wishes to add that the NGML was not affected by the explosion; it is not involved in the activities of the affected station and all NGML facilities in Lagos, including pipelines, metering stations, aboveground installation and CNG facilities
are in safe operating condition," the brief statement said.
Meanwhile, a major petroleum products marketer, 11Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc) has closed temporarily its filling station on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos following a fire incident that occurred at the facility.
The company announced the temporary shutdown of the service station in a statement issued, saying the closure was in the interest of public safety.
It said its immediate response team in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),
his government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors to thrive.
He said that cement company will also construct a 100-megawatt electricity plant, a dam, and a truck parking space, among other social amenities, to support the project, which will benefit not only the company but also the host community and the state at large.
While saying the company will attract foreign investment and boost its domestic revenue generation efforts, which will grow the economy, the governor pledged to prevent any encumbrances that might hinder the smooth execution of the project.
Governor Mohammed assured the state’s readiness to partner relevant investors in harnessing the abundant
mineral and natural resources the state is endowed with to assist in making the state financially independent. He added that his administration will partner the federal government to remove all administrative bottlenecks for the smooth actualisation of the project.
The governor appealed to other investors to come to the state and invest, assuring them of his administration’s security of their lives, properties, and investments.
The State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mohammed Maiwada Bello, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan El-Yakub, SAN, signed the MoU on behalf of the state government, while the Group Chairman of Resident Cement
Company, Abbas Junaidu Waziri, signed for the company.
The commissioner praised Governor Bala for his enormous efforts in working with many stakeholders to advance Bauchi State’s growth and development, which will also function as a tool for the state’s economic expansion. He gave the company his word that everything would be provided to enable realisation of this important and enormous development, considering this is the first of its kind.
In brief remarks, Dr Junaid Waziri, Chairman of Resident Cement Company Ltd., praised the governor for authorising the construction of a cement factory in the Gwana District of the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Civil Defence Agency had effectively extinguished the fire.
The downstream operator added that it was cooperating fully with relevant government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Additionally, it said they were assessing the extent of the damage and implementing necessary measures to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
It confirmed that those who suffered injuries had been evacuated to a nearby hospital.
The statement said: "We regret
to inform the general public that a fire incident occured today at about 11 am, August 8, 2024, at our Mobil Station at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja. Our immediate response team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA, FRSC, the Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Civil Defence Agency effectively extinguished the fire.
"In the interest of public safety, we have temporarily closed the station until further notice. Our company is cooperating fully with relevant government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to the ascertain the cause of the fire.
"Additionally, we are assessing
the extent of the damage and implementing necessary measures to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future. We can confirm that those who suffered injuries have been evacuated to a nearby hospital."
11Plc, however, noted that it priorities safety as its core value at the organisation. It restated its dedication to ensuring the wellbeing of its employees, customers, and the public. The marketer maintained that its management team was working diligently to address the situation and ensure a swift and comprehensive resolution while reinforcing its commitment to operational safety.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
SIGNING OF PARTNERSHIP...
Group Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, United Bank for Africa, Alero Ladipo; and Chairman, Governing Council Young Lawyers Forum, Nigerian Bar Association, Abdulrauf Tijjani Aboki, during the signing of a partnership at the UBA House, Marina, Lagos, that will see UBA train Young Lawyers in Nigeria, recently
Gas Development will Accelerate Nigeria’s
Prosperity, Lower Cost of Living, Says Ekpo
Hails NCDMB’s strides in local content development
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
As Nigeria continues to grapple with high cost of living occasioned by the high increments in petroleum products prices, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, has asserted that the federal government’s firm determination to advance the nation’s gas resources is the surest pathway to economic prosperity.
The minister stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Wednesday, when he visited the facilities and projects of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), where he serves as the co-chair of the governing council.
He stated that Nigeria is endowed with vast natural gas
resources of about 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, emphasizing the necessity to harness these resources effectively to drive economic development.
He underlined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unalloyed support for the gas sector, with initiatives extending to the entire value chain, notably gas development, distribution and penetration.
The federal government’s drive, according to him, is geared to lower the cost of transportation, the cost of living and impact every part of the country positively.
He listed some of the key initiatives his ministry is pursing to include investments in critical gas infrastructure development to support the transportation and distribution of natural gas
across the country, promotion of domestic gas utilization for power generation, industrial applications, and transportation as well as strengthening NCDMB's capacity to build capacity and enforce local content policies.
Other laudable initiatives reeled out by the minister include encouraging and supporting gas-to-power projects to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity, expanding Nigeria’s capacity to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to international markets, to generate revenue and position Nigeria as a key player in the global gas market and strengthening the policy and regulatory frameworks governing the gas sector to create an enabling environment for investment and innovation.
The minister remarked that 60% of NCDMB’s investments are gas-based and advised that new projects by the agency should focus on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) because of the direct impact on transportation and cost of living. He lauded NCDMB for the remarkable strides it had made in promoting local content and for constructing the magnificent 17-storey headquarter building, which signifies the impressive growth and depth of local capacity.
Ekpo added that the visit provided him an opportunity to meet with management and staff of the board, learn more about the agency’s operations, and discuss how to continue driving local content development in our nation’s gas sector.
In his welcome remarks, the
Gov Mbah Flags Off Distribution of N4.6bn Agro Inputs, MSMEs Grants
In continuation of his food security, agro-industrialisation, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development drive, the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has flagged-off the distribution of inputs and grants worth over N4.6bn to farmers, communities, and IT startups in the state.
Performing the symbolic flag-off at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, Thursday, Governor Mbah said it was imperative to nurture small scale entrepreneurs for sustainable growth through the provision of the key enablers since they remain the lifeblood of economic development.
His words: “Consequently, 12,000 small-holder farmers would each receive one bag of fertiliser which the federal government had graciously donated to all states.
“In addition, we would be giving out 51 power tillers worth N2m each to farmers from across farming clusters in Enugu State.
“We are also flagging-off today the distribution of agricultural
inputs to 1,251 beneficiaries across the 17 local government areas. These inputs include rice and bean seedlings, cassava stems, organic fertilisers, herbicides, among others.”
In addition, he said the administration would be carrying out extensive revamp of a number of rural roads to facilitate better road network and ensure the farming clusters springing up across the rural belt of the state did not exist as isolated units.
Mbah put the support to MSMEs at N1bn with women-owned enterprises getting 80 per cent of the entire sum.
Further according to him, “The value of our entrepreneurship intervention programme being flagged-off today is N1bn. This includes the disbursement of N60,000 to over 16,000 beneficiaries, mostly comprising owners of nano-enterprises on a ratio of 80:20 in favour of women.
“Some may indeed wonder why this wide discrepancy. We
recognise that much of the brunt of poverty is borne by women. That explains the extra efforts we put into expanding opportunities for the girl-child and women, especially in our rural communities.
“Still under our MSMEs intervention, we are disbursing N400,000 to 187 beneficiaries. Other initiatives in this regard for flag-off include N7.5m each to 10 tech startups, operational grant for solar equipment to 256 beneficiaries, while items, including laptop computers and POS terminals, will be given out to 269 beneficiaries.”
The governor added that the state was also waging war against open defecation with a view to ending the menace by the end of 2024.
He said: “We are launching, as well, a water provision and sanitation-enhancing initiative worth N15m across 135 communities. The total value translates to over two billion Naira.
“This involves the construction
of ultra-modern boreholes, toilet facilities, and provision of power generators. These would be sited in locations like town halls, markets, and schools.”
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, enjoined the farmers and other beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s massive support through prudent application of the inputs and grants to create jobs, trigger revolution in the agricultural industry, and boost the state’s economy.
In his address, the chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enugu State Chapter, Romanus Eze, assured the governor that the farmers and other beneficiaries would not disappoint the government.
“We have never had it so good. Therefore, we will not disappoint you. We promise you concrete results, for to whom much is given, much is also expected,” he assured.
Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, thanked the minister for visiting the board’s facilities and assured him of the commitment of the management and staff of the board to supporting the federal government’s economic aspirations.
The minister and his entourage toured NCDMB’s facilities, including the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (TICC) and listened to presentations from three incubates on their technology solutions and how NCDMB is supporting them from concept to commercialisation.
The team also visited the NCDMB Conference Hotel project, which is undergoing construction, the NCDMB gas hub at Polaku, Yenagoa, as well
as the 10 megawatts gas-power plant, which supplies electricity to the Nigerian Content Tower and selected offices of the Bayelsa State Government.
The minister also made a brief visit to the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who welcomed the minister to the state and solicited key investments in the gas sector. He argued that since Bayelsa State supplies a substantial percentage of the gas feedstock used by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) plant, it deserves to host one of the company’s gas processing facilities. He also demanded accelerated development of the Brass Methanol project as a plank for enhanced economic development of the state.
Soludo Congratulates Obiano, Ngige on Their 69th, 72nd Birthdays
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has congratulated his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano and a former governor of the state, and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on their birthdays.
While Obiano marked his 69th birthday yesterday, Ngige marked his 72nd birthday too.
In separate congratulatory messages to the former governors, which were signed on his behalf by his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, Soludo congratulated them on the milestones attained.
Congratulating Obiano, Soludo commended his exemplary leadership and passion for the progress of Anambra State.
Aburime wrote: "He (Soludo) also commended Chief Obiano's visionary initiatives and policies during his tenure, which significantly contributed to the growth and development of
Anambra State.
"Soludo is happy to celebrate Chief Obiano’s life and his enduring impact on Anambra State, wishing him continued sound health, happiness, and fulfilment on this auspicious occasion of his 69th birthday anniversary.”
On Ngige, Aburime said: "Soludo lauded Senator Ngige as a distinguished leader whose contributions to the development and progress of Anambra State remain indelible.
"The governor recalled Senator Ngige's tenure as an era characterised by significant infrastructural development, particularly in road construction and urban renewal in the state.
"Governor Soludo further noted that Senator Ngige had, through his commitment and dedication to public service, continued to be exemplary in his subsequent roles as a distinguished Senator and former Minister of Labour and Employment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
54TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF PRESTIGE ASSURANCE...
Direct LG Funding: Only Constitution Amendment Can Override S’Court’s Order, Says Ozekhome
Foremost constitutional lawyer, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has stated that the judgement of the Supreme Court which ordered the payment of monthly allocations directly to the 774 Local Government Areas is binding and can only be annulled through the amendment of the constitution.
Ozekhome, who is also a human rights activist submitted that there was no ambiguity in the judgement to warrant any delay in its implementation.
He said: “It is only an amendment of the Constitution under Section 9 thereof that can override the decision. No person or authority can decide, whimsically and arbitrarily to disobey the judgement or pick and choose what portions of the judgement to obey or which to discard.”
Citing a landmark judgement delivered in 2007, the senior lawyer pointed out that “an order of court whether valid or not must be obeyed until it is set aside.
“An order of court must be obeyed as long as it is subsisting by all, no matter how lowly or
lightly placed in the society. This is what the rule of law is all about.
Hence the courts have always stressed the need for obedience to court orders”.
Ozekhome’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, wherein he maintained that Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution upon which the judgement was predicated, was rightly interpreted by the 7-man panel of Justices of the apex court.
He disclosed that many Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike have repeatedly asked if the Supreme Court was not wrong in its interpretation of Section 162(3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution and what happens to the allegedly wrong judgement.
“They want to know if the judgement is superior to the said “clear” provisions of the Constitution and if it is enforceable or capable of being enforced.
“They also want to know how, in the event that I say it is enforceable”, the statement read in part.
Responding to the questions raised, the senior lawyer argued that a law is only what the courts interpret it to be and not what it says on bare paper.
According to him, the law,
whether constitutional, substantive, statutory, or adjectival, remains what it is - inanimate and dead-on paper - until the life and the oxygen of interpretation are breathed into it by a court of law.
“Consequently, it is thus the interpretation which was given by the Supreme Court to the entire section 162 of the Constitution on the sharing procedure between the federal government, states and the LGs, and not the bare provisions of the Constitution that prevails”, he said.
On whether the judgment is enforceable, the constitutional lawyer stated that Section 287 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provided that “the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced by in any part of the federation by all authorities and persons and by courts of subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court”.
“Even if the Supreme Court was wrong in its interpretation of section 162 dealing with the State Joint Local Government Account, the judgement remains binding on all and for all times”.
He stressed that it does not matter whether the judgement is downright
stupid, illogical or not well researched; or that parties affected do not like it.
His words: “Right or wrong therefore, court judgements must be obeyed until set aside by a higher court, or a challenged section is amended by the Legislature.
“Since no court is higher than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, only an amendment to the Constitution by the NASS under Section 9 can override the judgement.
“That was why the same Supreme Court, acutely aware that it is susceptible to mistakes and errors being constituted by mere mortals and not almighty God or angels, once famously declared through late venerable Socrates of the Nigerian Bench, Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, in the causa celebre of Adegoke Motors Ltd v Adesanya (1989) NWLR (Pt 109) 250, that “the Supreme Court is final not because it is infallible, it is infallible because it is final.”
On how the Supreme Court judgement can be implemented, Ozekhome explained that the federal, states and LGs should have to meet at FAAC and decide on modalities and procedures of opening up accounts for LGs so
TETFUND Researchers Task Tinubu, Govs Over Rehabilitation, Resettlement of Banditry Victims
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Researchers at the University of Ibadan have tasked President Bola Tinubu to charge the service chiefs to deepen the use of non-kinetic, more than kinetic approaches, to reduce bandit attacks in communities around the country.
This is just as they called for increased collaboration among traditional institutions, security agencies and community leaders to nip the activities in the bud.
This was part of the recommendations presented at an online validation workshop from researchers who investigatedArmed Bandits and Banditry in Nigeria: History, Character and Panacea - using TETFUND grant.
They found out that there were reported success where inter-agency collaboration was used in the fight against bandits.
The researchers led by their principal investigator, Prof. Olajide Akanji and include Prof. Rasidi Okunola, Prof. Bentina Mathias, Prof Bukola Adesina, Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo, Prof. Adebimpe Adenugba
and Prof. Oludayo Tade, enjoined governments at the federal and affected states to ensure that adequate support for long-term rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of banditry are made.
The researchers who collected data from the Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast and Southwest zones noted that there was the need for regular deployment, monitoring and surveillance of communities prone to bandit attacks.
They added that data has shown that bandits attack communities very early or late in the night while others attack on market days with a view to hijacking food, kidnap and displace communities.
While noting it was important for government to prioritise the welfare of security agents who work in banditaffected communities nationwide, the researchers maintained that government needs to invest in technology such as drones and implement satellite enhanced surveillance and monitoring of hard-to-reach locations.
According to the researchers, "While banditry has led to
displacement, unemployment and poverty in some of the affected communities, the affected people want government to also adopt non-kinetic alongside with kinetic approach by building community resilience through the provision of communication gadgets to community members for the purpose of gathering intelligence and reporting incidences.
“Participants argued that the absence of such gadgets has hindered evidence gathering, reportage and investigation of perpetrators in communities.
"They also wanted the government to empower communities and individuals to be able to defend themselves rather than feel helpless when attacked.
“The research participants also called for the creation of community policing to promptly attend to bandit attacks in local communities more effectively. More importantly, communities prone to bandit attacks need regular security awareness and sensitisation training."
The principal investigator Akanji stated further that participants called for strict penalties such as death for
bandits and their informants within the community to serve as deterrent to others.
The study also found lapses in government responses to the fight against banditry to include responses to bandit attacks in communities releasing and returning arrested bandits back to communities which have undermined trust in the legal and security frameworks and deterring individuals from reporting suspicious activities due to fear of reprisal.
Others are lack of implementation of decisions reached during investigations leading to a disconnect between government promises and actionable results, poor/lack of evaluation and adaptation of governments’ responses to evolving banditry threats and delays in aid delivery to victims as well as inadequate support for long-term rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of banditry.
The validation workshop was attended by the representatives of the Navy, Airforce, Office of the National Security Adviser, UNDP and Amotekun from Oyo and Ekiti states, among other stakeholders.
that their allocation under Section 162 is paid directly to them and not to the joint state LG account that is oftentimes waylaid by state governors and fleeced without the helpless and hamstrung LGs being able to raise a finger.
The statement added: “This is not rocket science. That refusal by state governors to remit to the LGs was the ugly mischief the Apex Court judgment sought to cure; and it did so perfectly, loud and clear, in my own humble opinion.
“Inter alia, the Apex Court had declared emphatically that, “by virtue of section 162(3) and (5) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, the amount standing to the credit
of LGs in the Federation Account shall be distributed to them and be paid directly to them”; that “a state, either by itself or Governor or other agencies, has no power to keep, control, manage, or disburse in any manner, allocations from the Federation Account to LGs”.
“The Apex Court also granted injunctive orders restraining “Governors and their agents, officials or privies from tampering with funds meant for the LGs in the Federation Account” ; and further ordered “immediate compliance by the states, through their appointed officials and public officers with the terms of the judgment and orders”.
CBN Donates 70 Trucks of Fertilizers to Bauchi Farmers
Gov. Bala inaugurates distribution committee
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, inaugurated a committee set up for the distribution of the 70 trucks of assorted fertilizer donated to Bauchi State farmers by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Government House, Bauchi, the Governor commended the federal government for the gesture which he said would go a long way in supporting farmers at the grassroots to boost their farming activities thereby enhancing production in the state.
Mohammed, said on its part, the state government has since embarked on the sale of NPK fertilizer for the 2024 farming season at subsidised rate of N20,000 per bag with a directive to the relevant agencies to ensure that, the commodities are made available to farmers across the 20 LGAs of the State.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, the Governor also recalled that, he had distributed among other things, 20 units of tractors, 94 rice milling machines, 47 groundnut decorticator machines, 47 multipurpose trashes, 470 Knapsack Sprayers, six Animal Feed Crushers and 20 Tricycles to assist eligible farmers for 2024 farming season.
According to him, in addition, the state government has also supported 10 communities through a Community Revolving Fund (CRF), with each beneficiary getting a cheque of $25,000, making a total of $250,000
through the state's ACReSAL Funds.
"All these efforts are geared at complementing the effort of the federal government towards food security in our dear state and the country in general. It may interest you to know that despite the enormous challenges and the limited resources of the state government which makes it difficult to support and grow all the economic sub-sectors at the same time, the government has accorded agriculture the priority it deserves.
"In an effort to consolidate our agricultural transformation initiative, my government is planning to acquire heavy-duty agricultural equipment to raise the level of agricultural production and ensure food security in the state."
He mentioned some of the committee's terms of reference to include designing criteria for the selection of genuine farmers and farmers' associations across the state, ensure fair distribution of the assorted fertilizer to the benefiting farmers and to submit report to the state government within three weeks.
The Governor who said Bauchi State was blessed with abundant land, human, and natural resources, assured that his administration would properly harness and utilise them for the overall economic development of the state.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed Wabi, who is the Emir of Jama’are, expressed gratitude to the state government for finding them worthy to serve in the committee and promised to ensure justice and equity in the distribution process.
Alex Enumah in Abuja
L-R: Executive Director, Mr. Vivek Kalla; Managing Director/ Chief Executive officer, Mr. Rajesh Kamble; Chairman, Mrs. Funmi Oyetunji; Company Secretary, Mrs. Chidinma Ibe- Louis and ,Non Executive Director, Dr. Nosike Agokel during the 54th Annual General Meeting of Prestige Assurance plc held in Lagos ... yesterday ETOP UKUTT
Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is making a difference, reckons JOSHUA J. OMOJUWA
ZAINAB-BAGUDU, ONE BIG SHOT AND AN OLYMPIC LESSON
I’ve got a theory on how to tell whether a fronts. Take Annette Echikunwoke. She put in chose to represent Nigeria because of her par ents.
USATF Throws Festival in Arizona. She was a who knows how sports work knows that the nette taught us a lesson. I personally can’t bet things. several other health interventions.
Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/BGX Publishing
OBINNA CHIDOKA
pays tribute to his friend, brother, businessman and politician, Ifeanyi Ubah
FAREWELL, IFEANYI UBAH
I had waited for over four days to write this tribute because I believe in Jesus Christ and in his redemptive nature, His resurrection powers and His abiding love to us mankind and just like Lazarus who rose from the dead four days later that this scenario could play out here.
I was barely awake on Saturday morning 27 July 2024 when my wife said to me “I think something happened to Ifeanyi Ubah, I’m seeing the news that he is dead but I blurted out: stop it, and turned on my side to continue sleeping. Then I heard the distress from her voice, “ I think Ifeanyi is dead “ !!!
In late 2007, after Rt Hon Dimeji Bankole was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, a few of us were in his entourage to visit his home State of Ogun. The first stop was the Government House where we were to meet the then Governor Gbenga Daniel. We were seated in the living room waiting for the Governor to arrive. I had wanted to get something I forgot in the car so I went outside and I heard someone said, “Obi kedu? I looked back and I saw a young man, average height, stocky and brown in complexion, and I wondered aloud what this Igbo man was doing in Ogun State Government House. He laughed and said with self assured confidence, my name is ”Ifeanyi Ubah Capital oil” (and this is how I saved his name on my phone till this day!) as if I should know who he is..! I actually didn’t know but asked what he was doing there and he said he came with someone from Lagos on our entourage but was told only Honorable members can go in.
Also with self assured confidence.. I told him to come in with me but he refused saying he didn’t want any embarrassment. I insisted whilst assuring him no one would.
As we came into the room, I saw an empty chair and I told him to sit, not realizing that the Hon member sitting there went to ease himself. When he came back the guy was furious and even questioned Ifeanyi for being there..Ifeanyi looked at me and said ..”Obi okwa m gwa gi agwa”! (Obi I told you) I quickly calmed everyone down and gave Ifeanyi my seat and the staff there was asked to get me another chair and he sat in that meeting with the Governor and Honorable members!
When we got back to Lagos, driving up the drive way to Eko Hotel, I saw Ifeanyi in front of the hotel, more like directing traffic, given out orders to drivers and other people around him and I said to my self, who is this ubiquitous guy! It was later that evening that I learnt that almost all the cars in the convoy to Ogun State was owned by him and he paid for all the rooms we stayed in at Eko Hotel for that courtesy visit.
That was the beginning of our friendship with one of the most generous beings I have to come to know and whom I fondly called Agu. Sometime in 2008 my younger brother Bishop Sam Chidoka, CEO Kairos Capital, whose company then, UBA global Markets had a meeting with Capital oil and during the introduction Ifeanyi asked him if he was related to me; he then sent a message through him to me afterwards.
It was after Bishop Sam told me of his encounter with Ifeanyi that I visited him at Capital oil depot in Apapa and I saw the expansive behemoth of oil & gas operations he was sitting on! It was a massive, well run operation which was expanding rapidly.
We hit it off quickly and almost on a daily basis we get to the depot at about 11am and stay till 2am. It then dawned on me that Ifeanyi was a workaholic. There are too many stories to share but I will narrate a few.
I recall visiting his depot at Suleja, Niger State. We had barely slept the previous night and early in the morning we set out for Suleja. Half way into the trip the driver said he was sleepy and Ifeanyi decided to drive the car. By the time he got to the depot, his staff, the driver, and myself were all asleep. He woke us up and we did the inspection after which he drove to Abuja Airport. We boarded a chartered plane to Lagos and headed straight to his office in Apapa.
I remember late Chief Ojo Maduekwe as Foreign affairs Minister, asked me to look for a business man who will be on his entourage to Canada. Without hesitation, I suggested Ifeanyi. They went on that trip and Chief Ojo was impressed at his knowledge of the oil & gas sector
during his meetings with the Canadian business community. Ifeanyi was very elated that he was part of Government delegation and told anyone who cared to listen. That meant that the Government bought him a ticket and he was entitled to a stipend, referred to as estacode. He will later confide in me that, that was the first time anyone, in this case the Government, spent their money on him, he was the one always spending money on others!
After our traditional wedding in Awka in 2009, Ifeanyi drove my wife and I in his Rolls Royce from Awka to Obosi. I remember seeing the picture we took that evening in Obosi in his house in Lagos.
I remember asking Agu how come he spoke fluent French and he told me the story of how he arrived Congo as a young man with only a polythene bag and through hard work had a meteoric rise to prominence with access to the then President Kabila. He told me a lot of stories about his life and times in the Congo which I can not share here. He told me of his ordeal and very near death experience after the assassination of President Kabila, and how he miraculously survived a well orchestrated plan to eliminate him due to his closeness to the late President.
I guess Ifeanyi had an interest in politics, judging
from the numerous visits he got from politicians and those he supported with a lot of money but didn’t show it initially until sometime towards the 2013 Gubernatorial elections in Anambra State. So on this given day he told me about his plans to contest for the Gubernatorial elections and gave the instance of those he had supported but who had disappointed him on getting elected.
For me it wasn’t a very difficult stance to take as I told him not to join partisan politics and honestly didn’t think he should contest especially as he has a thriving business. And with the benefit of hindsight I don’t think his political achievements could have outweighed his emerging enterprise! But that was the turning point in our friendship. And so for many years we parted ways only to reconnect now and then and one such reconnections was on Sunday March 3, 2024. Ifeanyi, my brother Osita Chidoka (Ike Obosi) my kids, myself and Vin Onyeka boarded the same flight from Asaba to Abuja, I invited him to the Sunday brunch at my restaurant Citro Abuja and we all had a great time. We had varied discussions about life, Nigerian politics and US politics. We had such a great afternoon that we all agreed to meet again but this time at Osita’s dining table where we have a tradition of having lunch with friends, with loads of arguments and discussions on Sunday evenings.
Unfortunately that Sunday evening with Ifeanyi will not hold anymore, not in this earth life. In my sober reflection I look at death and say.. death don’t do it, don’t do it but death did it..! And there goes Ifeanyi Ubah, my friend and brother, who like any other mortal had his flaws but whom I will always remember as one of the kindest souls I know!
Good night!
Hon. Chidoka - Ife Idemili is former House of Representatives Member for Idemili North & South Federal Constituency of Anambra State
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
LOCAL EMPLOYEES IN FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu recently spoke about the plight of Nigerian workers in the service of Asian-owned companies in the country while receiving a Chinese delegation led by the Chairman, Standing Committee of Qingdau Municipal Peoples Congress, Wang Luming. With tales of how Nigerians in these companies are forced to work under the most hazardous conditions, and often without requisite workplace safety measures, Kanu warned that the situation must change.
next of kin receive little or no compensation even when accidents that led to their deaths or permanent injuries occurred at their places of work. Indeed, not only are the Nigerian workers in the employ of these companies subjected to inhuman treatment, but they are also made to work for long hours and paid ridiculous wages. On the other hand, the Asian workers brought into the and probably with no work permits, are paid stupendous wages.
Foreign-owned companies must work within the law
cause of the unprecedented level of unemployment in the country today. They are left with the option of choosing between the devil - in this case, their employers - and the deep blue sea, which is the ever-expanding unemployment market. Yet both the government and organised labour seem to look the other way while all these evils are perpetrated against Nigerian workers. Apparently because of the desperate drive of government for foreign investment and substantially because of the endemic corruption in the country that makes it possible for relevant agencies saddled with monitoring the enforcement of labour laws to be compromised, these workplace abuses are perpetrated with impunity.
Potential investors must be made to understand that we are a nation governed by laws and those laws must be respected at all times
This is not only a breach of the extant labour laws, but also a contravention of the Nigerian constitution. Also guilty of these inhuman practices are some of the foreign construction companies who load their Nigerian workers to their sites in
SUVs. Some of these companies are also reported to be in breach of provisions of existing labour laws especially with respect to perpetual casualisation of some of their Nigerian employees, thereby desuch as health insurance and pension scheme. the luxury of opting out of this enslavement be-
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com Letters
EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU
DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE
MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE T
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
More unfortunate still is that not much has been heard from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a constitutional body which is mandated to ensure that Nigerians are not denied their fundamental human rights as provided under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. In this case, the right to dignity of human person and right to freedom from discrimination on the grounds of place of origin and circumstance of birth are being infringed upon. We therefore strongly condemn these inhuman and undignifying labour practices and call on government to urgently put an end to the violation of the rights of Nigerian workers by ensuring compliance with extant labour laws. We believe no responsible government would allow its citizens to be subjected to such dehumanising treatment by foreign companies.
While government may be driving for increased foreign investments, potential investors must be made to understand that we are a nation governed by laws and those laws must be respected at all times. We also call on organised labour to play a key role in putting an end to these practices by helping to identify those companies engaging in the abuse of Nigerian workers and reporting them to the appropriate authorities.
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.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: CULTIVATING A SENSE OF PATRIOTISM
Nigeria, our beloved country, with its diverse cultures and languages, stands as a beacon of hope and promise for all who call it home. The term citizen implies a certain type of relationship between the people and government.
Therefore, it is imperative that those in positions of authority to prioritize the needs of the people, create an inclusive society, and work towards policies that promote justice, equality, and the common good.
By aligning their actions with the aspirations of the Nigerians, our leaders can steer our nation towards a brighter future where every citizen can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development. As we journey through the path of nation-building, it is of utmost importance that we embrace the spirit of patriotism and unity that is at the core of our identity as Nigerians.
Ensuring that government actually works for the public good requires informed, organized, active and peaceful citizen participation.
Participation is an instrumental driver of democratic and socio-economic change, and a fundamental way to empower citizens.
Thus, the recent reintroduction of the old National Anthem country on the right path.
This anthem, with its stirring lyrics and evocative imagery, encapsulates the essence of our national identity and the values we hold dear as Nigerians.
Through its verses, we are reminded of the importance of truth, justice, peace, and unity in building a strong and prosperous nation for generations to come.
"Nigeria, we hail thee
Our own dear native land
In brotherhood, we stand Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland."
These words resonate with the spirit of unity in diversity that
love for our country and our commitment to serve with pride and dedication. Let us embrace this unity and let it guide us in our actions and decisions as we work towards a brighter future for Nigeria.
The National Anthem stanza speaks of values of integrity, peace,resents our commitment to upholding truth and justice in all our
endeavours, whether in times of peace or in moments of challenge.
Since leaders are sourced from among the citizens, and in line with the popular saying that "you can't give what you don't have", here are several steps we can take to cultivate a sense of patriotism in our daily lives and contribute to the well-being of our beloved country, Nigeria.
These steps will be our practical ways to embrace patriotism in our everyday actions as we wait for our opportunities to serve and toolkit for service: These are respect for national symbols; participate in civic activities; support local businesses; stay informed; celebrate Nigerian culture; promote unity and harmony; practice good citizenship; engage in political process; support national development; and teach patriotism.
Let us therefore strive to build a nation where these values are upheld and passed on to the next generation, ensuring a legacy of honor and dignity for all Nigerians.
the values of patriotism in our daily lives, we can all play a part in building a stronger, more united Nigeria.
Jumai Ahmadu PhD, Ag Director Reform Coordination and Service improvement FCTA, Abuja
POLITICS
Acting Group Politics Edito r DEJI ELUMOYE
Email: deji.elumoye @thisdaylive.com
08033025611 SMS ONLY
Tinubu, Nigerians and Imperative of Constructive
Dialogue
Stanley Nkwocha writes about the economic loss running into several billions of Naira suffered by Nigeria in the wake of the recent protests embarked upon by aggrieved youths. He, however, stresses the need for Nigerians to reject politics of self-destruction and embrace politics of engagement and dialogue as espoused by President Bola Tinubu in his broadcast to the nation last Sunday.
Peaceful protest is a powerful tool for driving positive change and promoting a more just and equitable society. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) expressly states: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”
This is why President Bola Tinubu has been rightly adjudged the protester-in-chief because in the three phases of his political life: activist – during his days in NADECO when he joined other pro-democracy activists to fight for the return of democracy; persecuted – as governor of Lagos State when he fought against highhandedness by the government at the centre; and now president - currently restoring a system that will take development and dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
However, the nationwide protest and the kind of violence and wanton destruction that happened in some major cities in the country by underage Nigerians are misdirected and uncalled for. The protests have taken a disturbing turn, exposing a sinister motive of the opposition. What was meant to be a peaceful protest has been hijacked by some individuals who have incited underage Nigerians to embark on violence, looting, and chaos, leaving innocent traders and citizens to suffer the consequences.
Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution to allow citizens to express their grievances and hold their leaders accountable. Although Section 39 (1) also provides for the right to freedom of expression and the press, which includes the right to hold and express opinions, receive and impart ideas and information without interference, it is important to note that these rights are subject to limitations as provided in Section 45 (1) of the Constitution, which allows for restrictions on these rights for the purpose of maintaining public safety, order, and morality.
The type of protest we are witnessing seems to have crossed the line, with heinous economic crimes committed against traders whose shops were looted and lives lost.
This is not protest; it is wanton destruction of our nationhood. The calls for foreign intervention and military takeover are unpatriotic and dangerous. Protesters were freely waving a foreign flag, calling for intervention, forgetting that politics can only thrive in a peaceful Nigeria. Besides, the protest demands are misguided. This is a clear indication that contrary to what well-meaning Nigerians are demanding, a section of the protests are driven by political expediency rather than a genuine desire for reforms. President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, have only just begun to address the deep-seated problems they inherited. Rather than calling for the reversal of fuel subsidy removal, we should be giving kudos to the Tinubu administration for increased federal allocations.
Moreover, the protests have been marked by a lack of leadership and organization, with different groups and individuals hijacking the demonstrations for their own purposes. This has led to a breakdown of law and order, with security agencies struggling to maintain control. Nigeria’s democracy is under threat from within. The protests are a symptom of a larger problem - a lack of faith in the democratic process and a desire for quick fixes rather than sustained reforms. It is time to redirect our focus towards constructive dialogue.
In a demonstration of uncommon leadership, President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, addressed the pressing issues affecting Nigeria, offering a message of hope, unity, and collective effort to build a brighter future. He expressed deep concern over the protests and violence that have resulted in the loss of lives,
destruction of public facilities, and looting. He urged protesters to suspend further action and engage in dialogue, emphasizing the need for
peaceful resolution of grievances.
The decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems
was born out of the need to address economic mismanagement and promote growth. These reforms are necessary to stabilize the economy, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. Despite the challenges, President Tinubu has recorded several achievements, including increased government revenues, improved productivity, and infrastructure development. In the past, a significant portion of our nation’s revenue, approximately 97%, was allocated toward debt servicing. However, through the diligent efforts of the current administration over the past 13 months, this percentage has been successfully reduced to 68%.
This progress demonstrates the fecundity of his administration’s economic policies. He is committed to youth empowerment through initiatives such as the student loan scheme, Consumer Credit Corporation, and programs to promote digital skills and entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to equip young Nigerians with the skills and resources needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy. The President has also put in place measures to support low-income earners, including a national minimum wage increase, housing initiatives, and incentives for farmers to increase food production. These measures demonstrate his administration’s commitment to reducing poverty and inequality.
-Nkwocha, senior media assistant to the Vice President, writes from Abuja
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Daji Sani writes about the infrastructural development of Adamawa state by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri which has attracted the attention of critical stakeholders who recently organised a reception in his honour at Yola, the state capital.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state has been honoured by stakeholders in the state for his outstanding performance in infrastructure development, a feat that has earned him a distinguished award from President Bola Tinubu.
The stakeholders, comprising political leaders, traditional rulers, and representatives of various groups, gathered at a dinner organized recently in the governor’s honor in Yola, the state capital to appreciate his purposeful leadership and dividend of democratic governance.
Fintiri’s achievements in infrastructure development have attracted praise and investments to the state, according to the chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Tahir Shehu.
The governor’s award was seen as a morale booster, encouraging him to achieve more for the state. His mentorship in leadership has exposed his cabinet and civil servants to the understanding of governance.
The state deputy governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, appreciated the governor’s efforts and assured the support of women in the state to achieve his goals.
Other stakeholders, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Wesley Bathiya, and State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, acknowledged the governor’s transformative efforts and pledged their loyalty and support.
Fintiri announced plans to construct a 10-meter dual carriageway with an underpass from Bekaji roundabout to the airport.
The governor said by this pronouncement, it is anticipated that Bekaji roundabout just
like the former police roundabout and Mubi roundabout respectively will be a history paving way for a modern day road infrastructure in Yola, the heart of Adamawa capital city.
Fintiri disclosed this in a congratulatory dinner organized in his honour after receiving distinguished award for infrastructure development as presented to him by President Tinubu in Abuja.
According to the governor, he has already directed the State Ministry of Works and Energy to bring before the state council for approval the said project.
He said: “If we don’t expand on infrastructure, we are not going to attract investors, if they come to our city driving in pot falls and dustbin by the side of the road, who will bring in his money.
“We have to make the town clean, we have to make the town safe and we have to develop the state with modern infrastructure”.
Fintiri stressed that soonest the former Mubi
roundabout flyover will be completed while also assuring that AA Lawal junction will be completed in next six months.
He added that the 21 Kilometers Super Highway with cloverleaf at the FGGC will also be completed next year saying upon completion, the project will serve as impetus for people who owned plot of land in the area to build houses and enjoy good road network.
Fintiri affirmed that his administration has carried out credible reforms in the state and strengthened institutions which drew attention of world rating agencies.
He revealed that through such reforms, in the past 12 months, the efforts put forward by his administration in the health sector has drew attention of UNICEF which gave the state a grant of 45 million US dollars.
On the Fintiri Business Wallet, the governor stressed that every three months 10,000 women and youth would be empowered with cash grant of 10,000 each to support them.
He warned that the Fintiri Business Wallet is meant for the most vulnerable, calling on those saddled with the responsibility of selecting beneficiaries to do justice by ensuring only the right people are selected for the empowerment program.
The governor revealed that in the next two years government’s attention would be moving fully to the 21 LGAs and 226 wards with massive intervention that will improve people’s lives.
Fintiri acknowledged that all he was able to achieve for the state wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the people and urged the citizens to support him, live in peace and unity with one another for the development and progress of the state.
Arthur Eriye
Data from the National Pension Commission (Pencom) has revealed that over a 12-month period, pension assets grew by 22.21 per cent yearon-year, from N16.761 trillion in the first half of 2023 to N20.484 trillion in June 2024.
Also, the total assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme rose from N18.355 trillion in December 2023 to N20.484 trillion at the end of the first half of the 2024 financial year, representing an increase of 11.59 per cent. When the assets under management (AUM), is broken down
After
by fund type and asset class, the data revealed that as of June 2024, 63.3 per cent of AUM was invested in securities issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
Further analysis showed that investments in corporate debt securities accounted for 10.8 per cent of total AUM, followed by money market instruments at 9.3 per cent and 9.6 per cent in stock market.
Despite this expansion, Cowry Asset Limited stated in an email that the industry is underpenetrated, with its total AUM only accounting for 8.9 per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic products (GDP) in 2023. This is a significant difference
from the global average of 29.4 per cent in 2020, as indicated by World Bank data.
Specifically, FGN bonds account for over 60 per cent of the total asset mix held by fund administrators over the period and up to 96 per cent of the total funds parked in FGN securities.
The report reveals that investment in FGN securities reached N12.96 trillion in June 2024, marking a substantial 19.4 per cent year-onyear growth from N10.86 trillion in June 2023.
Demand for bonds was propelled by rising yields and a high-interest rate environment, as well as the
increased supply of FGN papers by the Debt Management Office (DMO) to meet the federal government’s domestic funding targets amounting to N6.12 trillion in the 2024 budget.
The Debt Management Office has raised N4.3 trillion from the sale of FGN bonds this year, or 70% of its projected local borrowings.
Pension fund administrators (PFAs) kept buying FGN securities, the investment business said in its market update, even after the monetary policy rates increased by 750 basis points to 26.25 per cent in May 2024.
Analysts observed that the current attractive yield environment and
generally safe and predictable returns drove the desire of pension asset managers. The study also emphasizes the strong growth in domestic ordinary share investments made by pension funds, which increased by 55 per cent year over year to N1.91 trillion.
A drive into the equities market was attributed to the robust performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX), however, hampered by the negative market internals that have continued to buoy weaker investors’ sentiment.
During the first half of 2024, the local bourse performed well, with the ASI accelerating up 33.81 per cent
year-to-date amid second-quarter-end window dressing, which resulted in N15.68 trillion worth of gains for equity investors.
On a monthly analysis, the major asset categories, such as Treasury bills, registered the highest gain in June, rising by 8 per cent month on month to roughly N400 billion, according to analysts’ updates. Treasury instruments have benefited from the prevailing elevated yield environment due to the CBN’s restrictive monetary stance and tight market liquidity. Also, pension fund
Indications are rife that some lessors have concluded arrangements to resume dry lease offering to Nigerian carriers, following the renewed negotiations initiated by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.
The development, which has raised the hopes of many Nigerian carriers, is coming after several years of truncating such service due to disagreement that emanated from trust issues.
Dry lease is a system whereby the aircraft owner (lessor) provides aircraft to airline operator (lessee) on long term basis of about five to
10 years, without a crew. Under the dry lease arrangement, the airline takes on the operational responsibilities of providing crew and maintenance for the operations of the leased aircraft.
Since last year, the Minister has been holding discussions with top officials of AerCap and Boeing on how the lessors would resume offering Nigerian airlines, their aircraft on dry lease after a long hiatus.
THISDAY gathered that after observing the operations of Nigeria’s largest carrier for a long time and noted the airline’s ability to promptly pay for the lease of aircraft in its fleet, the lessors decided to resume offering dry
lease to Nigerian carriers, starting with Air Peace Airlines.
A source close to the airline told THISDAY that the lessors were impressed after studying the operations of Air Peace and its capacity to pay $20 million monthly for 10 leased aircraft on the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) plan, which is wet lease that comes at high cost. The lessor, THISDAY learnt, has decided to offer the airline with aircraft on long term basis.
Also, Air Peace successfully partnered Norse Airline, European based carrier on its Lagos-London route, reinforcing the airlines professionalism and safety standards. With this positive move, there is
hope that Nigerian carriers would boost their fleet to meet passenger demand in the coming months and this will bring down airfares on the domestic routes.
But it has not been all rosy for Nigerian airlines, as indicated by the spokesman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Obiora Okonkwo, who recently revealed how a Tunisian airline, Sfax, took aircraft, which it leased to Air Peace, out of the country earlier in the year, when it still has the Nigerian carrier’s $2 million.
The Sfax officials lied that it wanted to carry out urgent maintenance of the aircraft and would deploy a replacement, which prompted Air Peace to allow them to
take the aircraft out of Nigeria, but they never replaced the aircraft and they never returned the outstanding $2 million to Air Peace.
THISDAY learnt from a source close to the airline that the reason why Air Peace did not want to stop the airline was because of the reputation of Nigeria, noting that if it had stopped the aircraft from being flown out, reports would have it that Nigerian airline has seized aircraft leased to it, which would cause further damage to the image of Nigerian airlines and the country.
“The agreement was that if they take the aircraft away they would bring a replacement because they still have the airline’s $2 million but they did not fulfill the promise to
replace the aircraft. So, they reneged on that agreement. The airline notified NCAA, which wrote to the Tunisian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), but till today they did not return the money. Information that reached the airline then was that immediately they took the aircraft to Tunisia, another organisation took over the aircraft. Air Peace has to make that sacrifice in order to avoid damaging the image of Nigeria; otherwise, it would have insisted that the aircraft should not be taken out of the country,” the source told THISDAY.
Chinedu Eze
Nigeria Air Saga: Airline Operators
Stories by Chinedu Eze
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body for all domestic airlines in Nigeria, has commended the Judiciary for upholding justice and standing for what is right in its delivery of judgment against the purported sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines under the guise of setting up a national carrier.
Justice A. Alagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had declared in the judgment that the action, conduct and or decisions in the sale of the shares and operations of Nigeria Air were in violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, SEC Nigeria Consolidated Rules & Regulations 2013 (as amended in 2022), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Laud Judiciary
Convention, among other existing Acts and laws in Nigeria.
The court also stood firm on the path of truth by declaring that the entire administrative actions and decisions in the sale of the shares of the so called Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines and its pseudo ‘consortium’ is invalid, void and of no effect; adding that Ethiopian Airlines was incompetent to bid for shares in Nigeria Air and commence business accordingly.
To this end, the court therefore gave an order setting aside the entire bidding/selection process (es) for the ‘Nigeria Air’ project as well as the approval, grant or selection of Ethiopian Airlines by the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in the process.
The court also gave an order directing the immediate revocation and cancellation of the Air Transport License (ATL) issued by the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to Nigeria Air Limited.
Commenting on the judgment of the court in a statement on Tuesday, AON President, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina said: “The bold and patriotic Declarations and Orders made by the court today leaves no one in doubt that the entire bidding, approval and so called unveiling processes of the purported national carrier was nothing other than a sham set up to hoodwink Nigerians. It was also a surreptitious plan to kill Nigerian indigenous airlines and handover the commonwealth of Nigeria’s huge aviation market with over 85 Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) around the world to Ethiopian Airlines through the back door without investing a penny into the Nigerian economy and in an attempt to satisfy the whims and caprices of some selfish and unpatriotic individuals.”
Campaign against Illicit Activities at Airports Intensified
The taskforce against indiscipline and illicit activities at the airports, established by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, is bringing sanity and efficiency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
This was disclosed by the agency, which stated that the taskforce is meant to target issues such as touting, rent-seeking, and airport extortion and also aims to curb the rise of illicit activities at the
airports.
The Co-chair of the taskforce and Director of Special Duties, FAAN, Mr. Henry Agbebire, emphasised the committee’s mandate to eliminate all forms of illicit activities across FAAN airports.
“Our campaign is designed to provide passengers with an improved experience. Gone are the days of ineffective raids; we now leverage modern technology, including CCTV cameras and body cams, to ensure a sustained
and effective approach,” said Agbebire, adding that the Kuku has prioritised exceptional customer experience, and the taskforce is pivotal in achieving this goal.
To further enhance passenger engagement, QR codes have been strategically placed throughout the airport, enabling travelers to report any illicit activities directly. This initiative, combined with the taskforce’s collaboration with various security agencies, aims to create a safer and more disciplined airport environment.
FAAN Elevates Nw osu-Igbo, Eromosele to General Managers
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has elevated the duo of Mrs. Ijeoma Blessing Nwosu-Igbo and Mrs. Christabel Ebanehita Eromosele to the position of General Manager, Public Affairs and General Manager, Protocol and Passages respectively. Information made available to journalists by the Directorate of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, confirmed both appointments, which took effect from June 2024 following their resounding successes in the mandatory management promotion examinations.
Both Mrs. Nwosu-Igbo and Mrs. Eromosele have steered the affairs of the Public Affairs department of FAAN over the years, managing the image of the organisation with deftness and dexterity that
has position the country’s airport management agency as a leading one in Africa.
Nwosu-Igbo had served in acting capacity in her position since December 2023 having distinguished herself for over two decades following her sojourn into FAAN in 2002 as a Senior Public Affairs Officer on grade level 10.
The 1987 graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu also holds a Higher
National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Calabar, Cross River state in 2002.
Similarly, prior to her new appointment, Christabel Eromosele acted in the same capacity from January 2024, before her confirmation as the substantive General Manager of the Protocol and Passages Department.
NESG Summit to Bolster Climate Resilience Frontiers in Nigeria
Arthur Eriye
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has stated that discussions on ways to build climate resilience solutions in Nigeria will take the centre stage at its 30th summit slated for October 2024.
Group Business Editor
Eromosele Abiodun
Deputy Business Editor
Chinedu Eze
Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji
Asst. Editor, Energy
Emmanuel Addeh
Asst. Editor, Money Market
Nume Ekeghe
Correspondents
KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets)
James Emejo (Finance)
Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)
Reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)
The acting Head, Strategic Communications and Advocacy, NESG, Mr Ayanyinka Ayanlowo, said the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit, with the theme, “Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness and Stability,” is scheduled hold in Lagos.
Ayanlowo said the summit aims to harness diverse perspectives and collective expertise to address common challenges, create shared opportunities, and ensure sustainable economic progress for all Africans.
He added that the NES#30 would chart a path towards a unified, competitive and prosperous future for Nigeria and the African continent.
In 2022, Nigeria experienced devastating floods that claimed the lives of at least 662 people, injured 3,174 individuals, displaced approximately 2.5 million people, and destroyed around 200,000 homes.
Ayanlowo noted that, in the
AIR WATCH
How Travel Agencies Deploy Strategies to Remain Competitive
Chinedu Eze
With continuous depreciation of the naira, the increasing cost of airfares and stringent conditions on visa protocol by some countries, international travel is facing difficult times in Nigeria.
Although Nigeria still records about four million passenger traffic on international destinations every year, industry experts predict that there could be a slow down on passenger traffic from 2024 due to the nation’s economic downturn.
This has prompted travel agents to adopt different strategies to retain, expand their market and remain competitive in the murky downstream aviation sector.
Some companies now offer comprehensive travel services to personal and corporate clientele, which include sourcing visa, hotel, tickets and using new technology to keep their clients abreast of development in their travel plans.
In a presentation she did recently at the League of Airport and Aviation Conference in Lagos, the Managing Director of FCM Nigeria, Adejoju Olutimayin, said to have competitive edge, the company has to adopt comprehensive travel management solutions in response to today’s fast-paced business environment.
In her presentation, which focused on the importance of adaptability and innovation in the corporate travel sector, Olutimayin emphasised that in a macroeconomic environment marked by uncertainty, a strategic travel organization must show commitment to delivering tailored travel solutions and prioritise client’s needs and that is FCM’s core focus, which has attracted more clients to its portfolio.
“Our technology, travel policies, and uniform service globally are designed to provide a seamless experience for our clients,” Olutimayinemphasised.
She underscored the importance of comprehensive travel management, integrating technology such as machine learning, and data analytics, disclosing that FCM platform streamlines travel booking, expense management, and real-time support, ensuring top-notch service for our clients.
“Our proprietary technology tools such as the FCM Platform that connects the traveller, the booker and the arranger together allow streamlined travel booking, and expense management. FCM Nigeria, a global travel management company, offers tailored services that incorporate technology, effective travel policies, and cost management strategies to ensure seamless travel experiences for corporate clients,” Olutimayin said.
She added that the company’s dedication to excellence was further underscored by its recent recognition at the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Awards, adding that the company’s nomination for the World MICE award is a testament to its excellence in curating great experiences.
light of the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, charting the way forward for climate resilience was important.
On his part, the Private Sector Co-Chair of the NESG Sustainability Policy Commission, Steering Committee, Mr Osagie Okunbor, said that Nigeria was vulnerable to climate change impacts such as coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution.
Okunbor said the challenges were already causing significant socioeconomic disruptions in the Niger Delta, with ocean encroachment and rising sea levels threatening homes and farmlands.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, an Assistant Director, Mr Simon Ezinkwo, emphasized that Nigeria faces significant threats from climate change, which adversely impacts both the economy and the environment.
He stressed that addressing these challenges require a comprehensive approach, including the development of climate-smart and resilient infrastructure.
“We take pride in our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of our clients, providing exceptional service” Olutimayin said.
Appraising the travel market, she said the need for comprehensive travel management solutions was more critical than ever at this time and explained that modern business travel was complex, requiring flexibility, cost-efficiency, and stringent safety measures, stressing that FCM Nigeria, offered these tailored travel solutions that met these demands.
The Managing Director said FCM Nigeria remained a global travel management company focused on delivering exceptional travel management services to businesses across various sectors. With offices in over 100 countries across all the continents of the world, adding that the company is poised to cater to the needs of multinationals looking for a consolidated approach to their travel programmes.
“In today’s fast-paced business environment, the need for comprehensive travel management solutions is more critical than ever. Modern business travel is complex, requiring flexibility, cost-efficiency, and stringent safety measures. At FCM Nigeria, we offer tailored travel solutions that meet these demands. Our goal is to ensure smooth and efficient travel experiences for our corporate clients, allowing them to focus on their core business activities.
She said the company has well-structured corporate travel policies which are essential for managing travel expenses, ensuring compliance, and enhancing traveler satisfaction.
“At FCM Nigeria, we assist businesses in developing and implementing effective travel policies that align with their objectives and support employee wellbeing. These policies not only control costs but also ensure a seamless travel experience for employees,” Olutimayin further said.
On cost management, she said that optimising travel budgets is a priority for any business and this is recognized and adopt prudent ways of offering the clients the best service at minimal cost.
She also disclosed that today’s travellers on business like to incorporate leisure and this is recognized by FCM Nigeria and evolves travel package that takes cognisance of new trends without perforating the client’s pocket.
“Corporate travel is evolving rapidly, and we are witnessing exciting trends shaping the industry’s future. One of the most notable trends is the rise of “B-leisure” travel, where business travellers extend their trips to include leisure activities. This trend not only enhances the traveller’s experience but also promotes a healthier work-life balance.
“There is also an increasing focus on travellers’ well-being. Companies are now more aware of the importance of ensuring their employees’ health and comfort while travelling. This shift has led to the adoption of policies that prioritise traveller health and safety, as well as the duty of care and risk and mitigation tools used to track travellers on their trips,” she said.
She emphasised that the role of technology in corporate travel cannot be overstated. From AI and machine learning to data analytics, technology; these are enabling “us to provide seamless and personalised travel experiences,” adding that sustainable travel practices are also gaining traction as more corporations integrate eco-friendly options into their travel policies, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
“FCM Nigeria has helped businesses streamline their travel management, reduce costs, and improve traveller satisfaction. Our solutions have effectively addressed various challenges faced by our clients, from managing complex itineraries to ensuring compliance with corporate policies. At FCM Nigeria, we have a deep understanding of the corporate travel landscape. Our experienced team is committed to delivering innovative and customized solutions for businesses of all sizes. We take pride in our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of our clients, providing exceptional service and support,” she added.
She also said that the corporate travel industry was evolving; therefore, it is essential to stay ahead of the trends and technological advancements; so, partnering with FCM Nigeria ensures comprehensive and effective travel management, tailored to meet client’s specific needs.
Competition is rife among major travel agencies in Nigeria. But as operators in the downstream of the aviation sector, not many know about the critical role that travel agencies play in connecting people to flights and hospitalities.
Statistics indicate that travel and tourism sector in Nigeria contributed about 2.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria in 2018 and this is projected to rise by 4.3 per cent per annum, from 2018-2028. By 2028, it is expected that the industry would be worth N3.6 billion.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) 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 Investment Trust) 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 07-August-2024, unless otherwise stated.
Stockbrokers’ Institute, ASHON Renew Collaboration for Market Development
Kayode Tokede
In a decisive move to upscale technical skills of their members, uphold professional ethics and deepen market development, the leadership Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and that of Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) have strengthened collaboration.
The CIS comprises individual securities dealers commonly referred to as Stockbrokers while ASHON is the umbrella body for all securities dealing firms in Nigeria. In his welcome address during the courtesy visit of ASHON leadership, led by its Chairman, Sam Onukwue to CIS, the President and Chairman of Council, CIS, Oluropo Dada, explained that the two bodies should
work together in all areas of professionalism ton enhance advocacy and overall market development.
“Your presence is of particular importance to us because of the long-standing relationship between CIS and ASHON which has fostered naturally over the years. As we all know, CIS is the duly Chartered professional body of all individual securities dealers in Nigeria, and as an Institute, we acknowledge the contribution of ASHON to the development of our market as the umbrella body of all the Securities Dealing Firms in the country. So, in essence, we are both part of one family and should be working together for the same mutual interest
“We strongly believe that CIS and ASHON should work together in every area that will
uplift and further develop our market. Specifically, the two bodies should collaborate to ensure a big and strong market, jointly engage in public advocacies, present joint position papers on issues affecting the capital market to government and its agencies, develop position papers on economic and capital market related issues, organise joint workshops on Economic and Capital market issues amongst others,” Dada said.
Responding, Onukwue lauded CIS on its initiatives on digitalization of its operations, including introduction of e-Examinations across the board. He underscored the need to intensify efforts to attract millennials, Gen. Z , Gen Alpha and others in the category as they form the core group of future investors.
Linkage Assurance Reward Shareholders with Dividend, Bonus
Shareholders of Linkage Assurance Plc have applauded the Board and Management of the company for the outstanding performance in the 2023 financial year, which resulted in bountiful returns on investment.
The company’s shareholders who expressed their excitement over a 5-kobo dividend and bonus issue of one for 10 declared at the Insurer’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos appreciated the result given the challenges in the operating environment.
Speaking, Linkage Assurance Chairman, Chief Joshua Fumudoh said despite the
challenging operating environment, Linkage Assurance achieved commendable result, and would continue to pay dividend as the company continues in its current growth trajectory.
Some Shareholders of the company namely Boniface Okezie, Nona Awoh, Williams Adebayo, Adetutu Siyanbola, Timothy Adesiyan and others who applauded the performance called on the board to design strategies to sustain the growth, expand investment for more income as well as build capacity ahead of possible recapitalisation in the insurance industry.
Fumudoh giving the performance breakdown said the company was
able to grow the insurance revenue to N14.8billion in 2023 from N12.5 billion in 2022, representing a growth rate of 19 percent.
This is as investment and other incomes rose by 80 per cent to N9.07 billion, as against N5.04 billion in 2022.
In his remark, Managing Director/CEO of Linkage Assurance, Daniel Braie, said the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation remains steadfast.
He said, “We are optimistic about the opportunities ahead and prepared to navigate any challenges that arise. Our strategic focus centres on driving growth, sustaining profitability, and delivering value to our stakeholders.”
Nestlé Nigeria Invests over N6bn in Youth Empowerment
Nestlé Nigeria underscored its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development at the recent graduation cer emony of ten young trainees from its Technical Training Centre (TTC) in Agbara.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, the company has invested over six billion naira in upskilling young Nigerians, demonstrating its dedication to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, said, “Our investment in upskilling these bright young minds over the last 13 years not only
reflects our firm belief in the potential of the next ge neration but our commitment to enabling them to thrive. By bridging the technical skills gap in the industry, we are not only enhancing the employability of our youth but also empowering them to achieve financial independence, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large. This is one of the ways we are creating shared value.”
In his address, delivered by the Director of State Schools Sports, Comrade Rotimi Okeleye Olarotimi, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Adelaja
Arigbabu, commended the Nestlé Technical Training Centre for its commitment to empowering young minds. He also applauded the efforts of the graduates: “To the graduands, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and you should be proud of your achievements. The skills and training you have acquired in the Nestlé Technical Training Centre is a powerful tool that can shape your future and open doors to new possibilities. I implore you to strive for excellence in all your endeavors and make a positive impact in your chosen field.”
Old Mutual Nigeria Announces Change of Name to emPLE Insurance
Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Company Limited and Old Mutual General Insurance Company Nigeria Limited have announced their rebranding and name change to emPLE Life Assurance Limited and emPLE General Insurance Limited respectively.
The companies said they have received all necessary approvals from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
According to the management, this transformation follows the completion of the acquisition of 100 percent of Old Mutual’s equity in both businesses by emPLE Group.
curity and prosperity.”
According to the Managing Director of emPLE General Insurance Limited, Mr. Olalekan Oyinlade, “The rebranding to emPLE signifies a new chapter for us. We remain steadfast in our dedication to delivering innovative insurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. emPLE, meaning empowering people, reflects our mission to protect and empower individuals and families throughout Africa, ensuring their financial se-
Also speaking the acting Managing Director of emPLE Life Assurance Limited, Mr. Rantimi Ogunleye, said, “We are excited about this new phase. The acquisition will significantly bolster our commitment to expanding our market presence and strengthen our ability to achieve remarkable growth and enhance the value we provide to our customers.”
The managers said as emPLE embarks on this transformative journey, the company reaffirms its commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities and customer offerings.
Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria),
Murban (UAE)
Merey (Venezuela).
L-R: Executive Secretary, Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Athan Ogbozor; 1st Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Fiona Ahimie; Chairman, ASHON, Sam Onukwue ; President and Chairman of Council, CIS, Oluropo Dada; 2nd Vice President, ASHON, Ify Ejezie and Registrar and Chief Executive, CIS, Akerewusi Josiah, during courtesy visit of leadership of ASHON to CIS in Lagos… recently
Ebere Nwoji
Ebere Nwoji
Buy Interest in Okomu, 31 Others Lift Stock Market by N578bn
Kayode Tokede
The domestic stock market extended uptrend with a gain of N578 billion in market capitalisation , due to investors buy interest in Okomu Oil Plc and 31 others.
The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) gained 1,017.29 basis points or 1.05 per cent to close at 98,116.27 basis points, with the Month-to-Date and Year-
to-Date performance increasing to +0.4per cent and +29.9per cent, respectively. Consequently, market capitalisation rose by N578 billion to close at N55.708 trillion.
Sectoral performance was positive, as the NGX Banking Index (+1.7per cent), NGX Insurance Index (+1.4per cent), NGX Consumer Goods Index (+0.5per cent), and NGX Oil and Gas Index (+0.3per cent),
while the NGX Industrial Goods index closed flat.
The upturn was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Okomu Oil, MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), Oando, Julius Berger and Nigerian Breweries.
As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was positive as 32 stocks gained relative to 19 decliners.
Unilever Nigeria, Vitafoam
Nigeria and MTNN emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent each to close at N18.70, N19.25 and N198.00 respectively, per share. Okomu Oil followed with a gain of 9.99 per cent to close at N353.30, while Oando advanced by 9.97 per cent to close at N36.95, per share.
On the other side, United Capital led others on the losers’ chart with 9.94 per
cent to close at N14.50, per share. Abbey Mortgage Bank followed with a decline of 8.05 per cent to close at N2.40, while Sterling Financial Holdings Company down by 5.66 per cent to close at N4.00, per share.
Ikeja Hotel lost 5.56 per cent to close at N6.80, while Chams Holding Company depreciated by 5.38 per cent to close at N2.11, per share. The total volume of trade increased by 24.39 per cent to
791.782
TRADED ASOF AUGUST 8/24
Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith: Pioneering Research on African Cure for Ulcers
As Director of Research, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Professor of Microbiology at Mountain Top University, Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith has made groundbreaking contributions to medical research. Her pioneering work on Helicobacter pylori, a pathogen causing ulcers, has profoundly impacted Africa and beyond. Recognised for her exceptional contributions, Prof. Smith has been elected as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS), Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria (FAMedS), and Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). She has also been appointed as the sole African Consultant for the European Maastricht VI/Florence Italy Consensus project and the Real-World Gastritis Initiative (RE.GA.IN) project, comprising 29 countries and 42 members. In 2022, Prof. Smith launched the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group (AHMSG), serving as its Founding President. Her work has garnered international recognition with an impressive 206 publications and a Google Scholar citation of 4,954. In this exclusive interview with MARY NNAH, Prof. Smith shares her remarkable journey, insights, and experiences, offering a glimpse into the life of a true trailblazer in medical research
Your remarkable achievements have earned you esteemed recognition.How do you feel about being elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria (FAMedS) and, most recently, a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS)?
Indeed, I feel great. I believe that this is a confirmation of hard work over the years. These Fellow awards do not come without hard work and recognition of your area of specialty over the years and I must say it has been God. I acknowledge unashamedly that I am what I am by the grace of God. If it was left to man, I would not have been able to achieve this much.
Did you ever envisage that you will get to this level of professional accomplishment when the journey started in 1999?
Honestly, I didn’t. I never even knew that working with the pathogen, Helicobacter pylori would take me to the level it has taken me now. I remember the vogue then was HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, and then more recently covid-19 and some viral haemorrhagic fevers which were more promising due to the heavy funding. For H. pylori, it has always been a neglected disease till date, but by the grace of God and consistency alongside my collaborators, the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group was established. We need to make an impact in proper H. pylori diagnosis and management and get stakeholder involvement as well as political good will, hence the first scientific conference which is geared towards these objectives will have international experts coming to Cape Town, South Africa in August for this conference. This is all because one person, yours truly, had a dream to establish this group to aid proper diagnosis and management of H. pylori the causative agent of ulcer.
Can you briefly take us through the journey of your career progression and probably the challenges?
I came into the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research through Dr. D. K. Olukoya was a young, single lady who was interested in researching diseases of public health importance and particularly those diseases that are not generally studied and for which much attention is not given to it. I resumed work immediately after I obtained my MSc the same year and started under the leadership of Dr. D. K. Olukoya who was the Head of Division of Genetics and Blood Disorders.
It was under his headship/tutelage, I had my growing interest in molecular epidemiology and with particular interest on medically important pathogens. I rose through the ranks today to be Director of Research in 2013 and my interest in Helicobacter pylori developed after my one year pre-doctoral in the UK in 1994. I actually started working on H. pylori since 1999 and that has been my story with H. pylori for which I decided to focus on this neglected pathogen in Africa as a whole not Nigeria and that has won me several research grants and opportunities to showcase my work within and outside the country. It was my German Research Foundation (DFG) funding for 7 years that enabled me recognition in this area, to the glory of God. This doggedness in working with H. pylori in spite of all big funding in other areas led me to the formation of the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group for which I have been the founding President since 2022. I currently have 10 African countries as Board members and 90 ordinary members from 17 African countries.
I have had several challenges along the journey but the fact is that those challenges bring out the best in me.
Your achievements have also led to a notable distinction: you are the sole African representative in the esteemed Maastricht VI and RE.GA.IN projects.
I will say my interest in H. pylori and not shifting has given me this recognition with God on my side. I have worked with this germ since 1999 and have been consistent with it. Others have either worked on it for a brief period and dropped it due to the difficulty in working
needed to work with the germ. I was fortunate to get German funding for seven years and prior to the German funding I got International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) funding for 3 years to collaborate with a lady scientist from Venezuela and that enabled me to learn some cheaper methods of isolating the germ. I also got two post-doctoral positions in Germany and France before the ICGEB grant. My recognition has been due to the several consistent publications I have had on this germ.
Your tireless efforts to combat H. pylori and develop effective ulcer treatments have culminated in the establishment of the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group (AHMSG) in 2022. Share with us the journey that led to this milestone.
I was interested in the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of this ulcer causing germ that was at the same time neglected in Africa and so I invited some Africans via email and shared my vision with them and they all accepted and noted it was time for us to do the right thing as Africans in the appropriate diagnosis and management of this important germ instead of working in silos. Most people will not have heard the name H. pylori but when you mention it causes ulcers, they understand the word ulcer, rather than H. pylori. I am therefore seizing this opportunity to call on all those who are interested in partnering with us as well as funding young investigators to look for alternative cures to this ulcer causing germ to kindly partner with us as we are willing and ready to work with them. Our Group has 16 board members from Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Zambia, Namibia and DRC. Our first scientific conference will hold in Cape Town, South Africa in August this year. Our keynote speaker will be Prof. Peter Malfertheiner, a globally respected Gastroenterologist and founding member of the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group.
Can you tell us more about the AHMSG conference coming up in Cape Town, South Africa?
The Cape Town conference scheduled for August will be the first ever gathering of researchers, both experts as well as young investigators who will come together to discuss their various research interests at the meeting. It is also an opportunity to network as well. Some of our speakers will be
coming from Europe, US and Japan, and notable amongst them is Prof. Peter Malfertheiner who is the brain behind European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group and they have been functional for 38 years now. Other Europeans attending our conference include Prof. Marcis Leja from Latvia, Dr. Christian Schulz from Germany. From the US is Dr. Christian Abnet, while Prof. Yoshio Yamaoko will be coming from Japan. We also have a team from Richen HongKong Sight, Inqaba Biotec, and American Molecular laboratories and others who are supporting us in this conference. It promises to be an interesting conference that would put heads together in forging forwards, as we look at proper diagnosis and management of H. pylori in Africa. During this conference, I will be handing over the Presidency of the Group to Prof. Mashiko Setshedi, a South African.
Over the years, you have been known for organising hands-on-training workshops, can you take us into your hands-on-training programme and the impact it has made?
I started my molecular biology hands-on-training workshop in 2009. This followed my post-doctoral fellowships in France and Germany. I realised that molecular biology techniques were not common then and I was interested in building the capacity of the young ones as well as interested participants who comprised university lecturers, Medical Laboratory Scientists and other stakeholders from different geo-political zones in the country. In the first two years, I had a large turn out of participants that were so eager to learn these techniques and as the years grew, other groups started their own hands-on-training workshops. In order to train the young ones, I started training the final year 400L students of Biological and Biochemistry departments of Mountain Top University annually on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) some three years ago.
Why is your laboratory referred to as a German laboratory?
My laboratory is referred to as a German laboratory because most (85%) of the equipment I have in my laboratory was bought wiith the German funding by by either the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation or the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Why do you have a strong passion about research and can you give us insight into how it all started?
I have a strong passion for research because I am driven by the need to succeed and to find out the answer at the end of the research. It all started under the tutelage of Dr. D. K. Olukoya who was the Head of Division of Genetics and Blood Disorders and being someone who was inclined in the medical and allied field; I was introduced to molecular epidemiology by Dr. D. K. Olukoya and following my pre-doctoral stay in Manchester, UK, I was all the more interested in conducting research in the medical microbiology with a specialty on bacteriology. My research journey started in 1988 after my MSc and
I enrolled for a PhD on the bacterial pathogen causing diarrhoea (Campylobacter), itself a neglected diarrhoeal disease- causing pathogen. I was able then in-spite of the low funding/scholarship opportunities to obtain an European Union scholarship which funded the whole PhD work, with one year in the UK and two years in Nigeria. I was really blessed to have that opportunity and we were just two that were given the scholarship in my Institute then. The second person (a guy) ‘japad’ and never came back, but I did to the surprise of many people who thought I would never come back. Honestly, I have always been an ambassador for Nigeria and proudly Nigerian wherever I go. Nigerians are a special breed of people who do not take no for an answer and are goal getters. Since I got back in 1994, I have looked at various ways of making an impact in my society and the academic world at large and God has been faithful. What was your growing up like?
Growing up was really good. Although I had no father figure because he died when I was just a year old, my late mother did everything to make sure that her two girls were happy. I believe that also made me all the more determined to be a better and successful person in life. My mother gave us all she could while ensuring that we were not spoiled children. For example, although we had house help most of my stay with my mum before getting married, I have been married for close to 32 years but had house help for only two years. My husband and I do the house work and what we cannot do we leave till another time.
Who are your role models?
My role model was my late mother, Mrs. Stella Okwui Ebigwei who was a widow. She instilled discipline, hard work and fear and reverence of God in my sister and I and so I had a focus that I would not derail but be a notable person someday. She was my strong supporter and always called me ‘Star’.
My other role models are Bishop Mike and Peace Okonkwo, my parents in the Lord, who always prophesied over us and taught us about integrity and having a giving spirit.
My other role model is Professor D. K. Olukoya whom I call my dearest ‘Egbon’ and he is my mentor. He introduced me to the world of molecular epidemiology and he is my strong supporter and always prays for my success as well.
What does fashion mean to you since you don’t apply make up or use attachment to your hair?
Fashion is looking good and natural and without all the attachment. I like long hair, that is why my hair is long, although I don’t give much time to it. In terms of my dressing my husband has to approve of my clothes otherwise I wouldn’t wear them. I generally dress in moderation.
How did you meet your husband?
I met my husband when I was doing my PhD and that was actually in church. He told me directly he was not interested in a long relationship or courtship but marriage and under six months we were married and have been for close to 32 years and still counting to the glory of God. My husband is God-sent, he is the one that pushes me to get to where I am. Some men would not even want their wives to outshine them, but my hubby doesn’t mind. He always encourages me to achieve my goals and beyond and he assists so much with the house chores and that is why we do not have any house help. He doesn’t prevent me from traveling for official purposes. All I need to do is make sure that I have cooked food and kept for him and he is good to go.
What would you consider as your most challenging and most inspiring period? My most challenging period was when I lost my mother and it dawned on me that I had no parents on planet Earth. My most inspiring period comes when I see those that I have trained doing well.
47TH EDITION OF NIGERIA ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION...
Bad Roads: FG Meets with Julius Berger Officials, Set to Review Contracts Nationwide
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The federal government yesterday said that it had opened discussions with Julius Berger on all ongoing road projects nationwide, with a view to reviewing and expediting work on them.
A statement by the Ministry of Works signed by David Umahi’s spokesman, Uchenna Orji, said that this was in keeping with the directive of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with respect to all inherited and new projects being handled by a number of multi national companies being delayed due to issues of price differentials or poor funding.
It said the discussions aimed at appraising the performance and take decisions on funding and milestones completion of all such awarded projects, as part of the measures to mitigate the sufferings of road users in Nigeria.
The statement followed a meeting of the ministry with the management of Julius Berger Plc held at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
Speaking on the resolutions reached during the meeting, the Umahi reiterated the firmness of
the ministry on issues of price control, commitment of contractors to project execution, value for money, and uniform pricing location by location.
He decried the ‘unacceptable’ conditions of some of the inherited and new projects of all ongoing federal roads awarded to Julius Berger Plc, which are within the economic corridor of the nation and which were being delayed due to issues of price differentials or lack of effective funding.
He listed the projects affected to include: The 82km by 2 ‘dualization’ of section of Abuja-KadunaZaria- Kano highway; phase 2 of Lagos-Ibadan expressway; section 2A bypass at the 2nd Niger Bridge; the Bodo-Bonny road funded by NLNG Tax Credit and the under-deck structural works on 3rd Mainland bridge, Iddo bridge and Carter bridge.
The minister urged the contractor to be open to a mutually agreed modality for milestone execution and funding of the projects at reviewed rates as may be agreed upon and approved by FEC.
On the section of Abuja KadunaZaria-Kano road agreed to be handled by Julius Berger Plc, he commended the quality of work being done but
Military Uncovers, Dismantles
Terrorists' IED Factory, Store in Mandara Hills
The authority of the Nigerian Air Force, yesterday, said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, discovered and dismantled terrorists' Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) factory and storage facility, concealed in Grazah, a location deep in the Mandara Hills, in Borno State.
A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the air strikes that dismantled the weapon factory and storage facility were ordered following credible intelligence.
He noted the air component of Operation Hadin Kai tracked the location of the factory from Gwoza to Mandara Hills and dismantled it, as part of effort to forestall further terrorists’ attacks on innocent civilians in Borno State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and suicide bombers.
In June 2024, Boko Haram terrorists killed no fewer than 30 people in coordinated suicide bomb attacks that took place in four locations in Borno State, first of its kind since 2020. The attacks took place in Gwoza, a town in Borno State, North-east Nigeria.
According to media report: "The first of the three well-coordinated attacks targeted a crowd attending
a wedding in the town. The second and third incidents occurred hours later. The fourth incident had no casualties beyond the lone bomber, who killed herself by detonating her improvised explosive device. In all, four suicide bombers died."
Gwoza was once the seat of the Islamic Caliphate declared by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.
But AVM Gabkwet in a statement said air strikes were conducted on terrorists’ enclaves at Grazah, a location deep in the Mandara Hills, on 2 August 2024, as a result of concern about recent attacks especially on innocent civilians in Borno State using Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and suicide bombers and in a bid to achieve the mandate of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai. This, he explained, was sequel to intelligence revealing the sighting of a possible IED factory and storage area for other logistics.
Gabkwet said that for some time now, this IED factory was suspected to have been relocated, first from Gwoza to Timbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest and finally berthing at Grazah in the Mandara Hills.
He said the frequent relocation of the IED factory has been attributed to the enormous fire power on terrorists’ enclaves by the combined efforts of the entire security apparatus of Operation Hadin Kai.
directed the contractor to stick to one carriageway at a time within the scope and conclude their works.
The contractor was further directed to, within three weeks, fill the two carriageways with stone base and level it to alleviate the sufferings of road users.
He further said: "We agreed that this project, within their own corridor, will last for 14 months. Project execution should be deployed in four sections, and we'll be paying Berger N20 billion every month to
get the job completed.”
On the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, phase 2, he said the ministry had no choice but to determine the contract and ask the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for ‘No Objection’ for selective tendering.
On the Bodo-Bonny project being funded by NLNG Tax Credit, the minister expressed concerns that Julius Berger Plc, though had mobilised back to site after additional cost of N80 billon was approved for the work, but reports showed
that the pace of work was slow.
He was further worried that they came up with a longer timeline of 16 months within which to deliver the project against the December 2024 deadline proposed by the ministry.
He said: "Finally, we agreed on an additional cost of N80 billion, which will bring the project to about N280 billion fixed and non-varying with the unit rates agreed, and we agreed that this project will not increase in cost beyond N280 billion".
He urged the contractor to shift ground to a shorter timeline for the sake of the people. Concerning the under-deck structural works on 3rd Mainland Bridge, Iddo bridge, Carter Bridge in Lagos State, he commended the contractor for doing a good work.
On the Odukpani road in Cross River State, he said: "We have got approval from FEC to increase their project by N36 billion, thereby raising the project cost from N54 billion to N90 billion.
Tunde Bakare: Nigeria on Brink of Collapse
Mary Nnah
In a powerful, thought-provoking address at the 2024 Wilson & Yinka Badejo Memorial Lecture, Dr. Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Church and Convener of Save Nigeria Group, painted a grim picture of a nation on the verge of collapse.
While delivering his address on Wednesday, August 7th, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, the renowned keynote speaker warned that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse due to corruption, poverty, and violence.
With citizens taking to the streets to protest the realm of poverty and the outbreak of violent attacks in several states, Dr. Bakare warned that any attempt to address Nigeria's problems without tackling the root causes of corruption, poverty, and violence would be a mere window dressing.
“We are at a crossroads," Dr.
Bakare declared. "Our nation is being ravaged by triple devilscorruption, poverty, and violence. Any attempt to address these problems without tackling their root causes is merely papering over the cracks."
Bakare lambasted the government for its failure to address the country's pressing issues, citing the recent deployment of the army to quell protests as a sign of deep flaws in the governance structure.
According to Bakare, "The situation suggests deep flaws in our governance structure, our national culture, and our security architecture.
"It reminds us not only of our militarized history but also that our systems are inadequate to meet the demands of domestic security; that our external defense mechanisms are over-stretched; that our intelligence apparatuses need rejigging, and that there is an urgent need to rethink our national peace, security, and stability frameworks.
"The fact that the government has had to mobilize the army to respond to citizens' problems and protests indicates that there are fundamental issues to be addressed."
"It suggests that our systems are inadequate to meet the demands of domestic security, that our external defense mechanisms are over-stretched, and that our intelligence apparatuses need rejigging."
Bakare called for a return to the dialogue table, emphasising the need for Nigerians to come together to address the country's problems.
"We must deal with the trust deficit that exists particularly between the people and the government," he said – adding that, "While the average level of trust between institutions is 61%, the government is the lowest, with a trust rating of 29%.”
He further said: "We must revisit the very foundations of our nationhood and rebuild the systems
and structures by which we are governed. We must find common ground around basic irreducible minimums, such as ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry, no child is left out of school, and every Nigerian has access to basic healthcare."
The address was met with applause from the audience, who were left in no doubt about the gravity of Nigeria's situation. As Dr. Bakare warned, "The time to revisit our nation's foundation can no longer be prolonged. We must act now to save Nigeria from itself."
With the country's very foundation at stake, Dr. Bakare's words served as a clarion call to action, urging Nigerians to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal of rebuilding the nation.
"We must meet at the dialogue table to address the root causes of our problems and find a way forward for our nation”, Bakare noted.
FG Pledges to Assist Nigerian Air Force Acquire Affordable Houses for Officers
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has assured the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of the readiness of the ministry to provide housing units to its personnel under the National Housing Program (NHP) at subsidised rates.
The minister disclosed this when the Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, led a delegation of key officers from NAF on a visit to the ministry in Abuja.
While appreciating the dedication of the Nigerian Air Force to provide security and protection of sovereignty of the nation, the minister reiterated the obligation of the ministry to provide affordable housing for all class of Nigerians, covering low, middle and high level
income earners.
He stated: "As the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we recognise the importance of providing suitable housing for members of the Nigerian Air Force. We assure our commitment to working with you towards meeting the needs."
Dangiwa noted that the leadership of the ministry provided various options to enable Nigerians become home owners, saying that the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme launched by President Bola Tinubu at Karsana, Abuja, was one opportunity available to Nigerians for home ownership
According to him, the programme which aims at providing 50,000 affordable housing to Nigerians nationwide under phase 1, has started in 13 locations of the country
with the Cities in Abuja to contain 3,112 Units, 500 units in Kano state under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and 1,500 units ongoing in Lagos, in partnership with Federal Mortgage Bank Nigeria (FMBN).
Dangiwa also explained that construction of houses was currently ongoing in 12 locations across the nation, two states in each geopolitical zones of the country where lands were provided and currently at various level of completion Similarly the minister highlighted the various purchasing options available to potential buyers to include; Outright, Rent-to-own, instalment and mortgage loan with a single digit interest payable under 30 years period.
To ensure seamless accessibility in acquiring the houses, Dangiwa
added that the ministry has launched Renewed Hope Housing Portal Speaking on the NHP constructed by the previous administration in the 30 states of the federation, Dangiwa explained that the houses had been advertised and had been over-subscribed, . He said that the ownership option plans made available to prospective buyers also include; outright purchase instalment payment, mortgage loan as well as rent-to-own.
Speaking earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar, while commending the minister for the achievement recorded so far under his leadership, said they were in the ministry to seek collaboration on providing affordable houses for Air Force personnel covering both the officers in service and post-service.
Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja
L-R: NAICE 2024 Conference Chairperson, Engr. Mrs. Magdalene Umoh; Chairman SPE Nigeria, Mr. Salahudden Tahir; In-coming Chairperson, SPE Nigeria, Engr. Mrs. Amina Danmadami; In-coming Vice Chairman SPE Nigeria, Engr. Francis Nwaochei & Immediate past Chairman SPE Nigeria, Engr. Felix Obike, FNSE, at the press conference by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council to mark the conclusion of the 47th edition of Nigeria Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE) held in Lagos...yesterday
IMPROVING POLICY IMPLEMENTATION...
L-R: Technical Advisor, Digital Policy and Cooperation GIZ/DTC Nigeria, Olusegun Alimi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Faruk Yusuf Yabo; Director General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; SEDEC Coordinator, GIZ Nigeria, Markus Wauschkuhn; Head of Project, GIZ/DTC Nigeria, Thuweba Diwani, and Director General/ CEO, National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, at the handover of Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF) in Abuja…recently
Court Stops PDP from Conducting LG Congresses in Benue State
Stakeholders endorse Ortom’s suspension
George Okoh in Makurdi
The High Court sitting in Gboko, Benue State, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting the forthcoming congress scheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2024, in six local governments.
This was as concerned Benue PDP Stakeholders, Wednesday, commended the party for
suspending the immediate past Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom and three others from the party in the state However, the restraining order was signed by Justice J. M. Ayua in a motion exparte brought before the court.
The applicants in the suit were Senator Orker Jev, Terseer Tsumba, Aondoyina Grace, Tergun Tsegba, and 13 others.
According to the applicant’s counsel, F.T. Anongo and G.M. Tyoh, prayed for a restraining order preventing the party from proceeding with local government congresses until it determined the reason the ward congress scheduled for July 27, 2024, did not take place.
The affected local government areas included Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Kwande, Ushongo, and Konshisha.
The defendants in the suit were the PDP, the acting National Chairman, the National Organising Secretary, and the state chairman of the party, John Ngbede.
“It’s hereby ordered that respondents, their agents, servants or privies are restrained in the interim from conducting local government congress election scheduled from 10/8/24 in only six local governments in Benue
PDP: Ighodalo is the One Campaigning, Shades APC, Okpebholo over Manifesto
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that its standard bearer in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, was the candidate campaigning and engaging the people of on issues ahead of the election.
The PDP, therefore, mocked the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, for failing to articulate any purposeful campaign manifesto, ideas or plan that could benefit the people.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo
Ologunagba, the party said,
"While the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, continues to marshal out detailed peoplebased and development-oriented manifesto that embodies the yearning and aspiration of the people of Edo State in every sector of life, the APC candidate in contrast only gropes with pitiable absence of ideas and lack of understanding of the intricate demands of governance.
"While the PDP candidate is galvanising the citizens on ways to sustain and further build on the current development in the state, the APC candidate is not able to connect with the people, having not demonstrated any
capacity for governance.
"No wonder the APC candidate has been avoiding the media and town hall engagements with the people of Edo State. Such pathetic deficiency of ideas by the APC candidate further confirms the stand of the majority of the people of Edo State, including prominent members of the APC, who have publicly stated that the APC candidate is unelectable and does not possess the required competence, capacity, experience and proficiency to govern.
"This lack of capacity explains why the APC candidate has largely remained quiet and uninspiring on the floor of the
Senate and cannot point to any tangible development project he attracted to Edo State in his capacity as senator.
"This pathetic situation is compounded by the issue of ineligibility and consequential disqualification of the APC candidate over alleged forgery of INEC voter card and birth documents.
"Nigerians now know the reason the APC governorship campaign in Edo State remains comatose, completely devoid of issues and unable to attract any serious attention from the voting population in the State," the PDP spokesman stressed.
Ondo Traditional Ruler Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment
Fidelis David in Akure
An Ondo State Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Igbokoda, has sentenced the Baale of Ebute Ipare Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, Francis Ogundeji, to three years imprisonment for disobedience to court order .
The judgement was delivered on Monday by Magistrate E.A Manuwa but the copy of the judgement was made available to journalists yesterday. According to the judgement, Ogundeji and one Ikuejamoye Thomas were charged to court for selling a land in the community
in November 2022, against a court order. It was gathered that the state High Court sitting in Okitipupa and a magistrate court, Igbokoda, had restrained people from selling the land but the traditional ruler in collaboration with Thomas went ahead and sold the land.
The convicts, who were charged on four-count charge bothering on contempt of court and falsehood was said to have backdated the date on the receipt of the sale of the land.
At the proceeding, the charge was read over to the defendants in English Language and interpreted to them in Yoruba Language to the satisfaction of the court.
The magistrate, Mr E.A Manuwa found Ogundeji and Thomas guilty of the offence in count three and were sentenced to three years imprisonment with option of fine of N150,000 each. But the court discharged and acquitted Thomas on community count one, two and four.
The magistrate ruled: "The first defendant Ogundeji Francis is hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment on count one or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government as fine.
State,” the restraining order read. The motion on notice has been fixed for hearing on August 18. But the PDP stakeholders, who passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Sir John Ngbede, said he had achieved unprecedented feats to the admiration of members since assuming office.
At a special World Press Conference which took place at Hally Days Hotel in Makurdi, the concerned Benue PDP stakeholders declared satisfaction with the commitment of the State Secretary, Dr. Joseph Nyam and State Organising Secretary, Hon. Moses Audu in growing and repositioning the party to reclaim its lost place of pride preparatory to take over government in 2027
In a speech read by Former Minister of State Foreign Affairs
Segun James
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has said the country was in political and economic intensive care unit and needed immediate and proper care to survive.
The elder statesman, who made the call at a press parley held at his Ikoyi office, lamented that the solution so far given by government was "mendacious and destructive," and that the situation in the country was very worrisome.
"We need the intervention of surgeons, who have gone through it before to give us fresh breath.
Prof. Nicholas Ada, the group commended the bold steps employed by the party leadership by purging and suspending the bad elements including former governor Samuel Ortom, Isaac Mffo, Bemgba Iortyom and Azua Ashongo, whom they described as moles within the Benue PDP and bent on destroying the fortunes of the party for selfish gains. They expressed disappointment in the way and manner the suspended members hijacked and diverted materials meant for the conduct of ward congresses during the July 27th, 2024 exercise in about eight (8) local government areas of the state only to surface with doctored and handwritten lists on photocopied sheets in gross violation of the mode of conducting the congresses.
right time. When is the right time? Rome is burning, nobody is talking. Is it true that there was a time when it was only Oando that was lifting crude oil? Mr President and his team must address this issue. What is happening in the oil industry? We want to know the complete story of oil industry," George queried.
He further urged the federal government to summon all the former Chief Executive Officers of commercial banks to a board room, and question them on what they did with billions of dollars they received.
"In count three, both the first and second defendants are sentenced to three years imprisonment each or pay a fine of N150,000.00 each to the purse of the state government.
"The first defendant Ogundeji Francis is also sentenced to only three months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00 to the purse of the state government. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count four."
The court, however, ruled that the terms of imprisonment of the first defendant runs consecutively in count.
"The first defendant Ogundeji Francis also sentenced to three months imprisonment or pay the sum of N30,000.00. The second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the offence in count two.
The solution that has been proffered by this administration is not working.
"I want to appeal to this government. What exactly is the truth about oil industry? The president said we will sell crude oil to Aliko in naira, look at the debt portfolio of Nigeria, what future do we have?
"Who is the minister of Information because we haven't heard him. Aliko said he gave N100 million dollars to my government over Ibeju Lekki refinery, who were the beneficiaries? My perception of the oil industry is that it is very deceptive.
"Kyari said he will talk at the
He noted, "Get all the former CEOs into a board room. What did they do with all the money they had got. The dollars given to them, where are they? I hope Cardoso will be strong enough to do the efficiency of his family. The round tripping did not start now."
While speaking about the nationwide protests to call attention of the government to hardship prevalent in the country, saying, "What is happening in the north is a reflection of the restlessness of the youth.
“Awolowo emphasised the need for education. Education makes people easy to rule difficult to deceive. They have been to universities, colleges, why don't they have jobs? So they went back to the hamlets."
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
MOBIL FUEL STATION GUTTED BY FIRE AFTER EXPLOSION ...
Mobil fuel station located around Allen Avenue in Ikeja exploded into a fireball. It took the Lagos Fire Service and other agencies of the state government less than five minutes to arrive at the scene and immediately bring the situation under control... yesterday
Atiku Seeks Investigation into Killing of Young Protester in Zaria By Soldiers
Sani: Guns, tanks can suppress, not extinguish the fire, blames Tinubu for violence in North NHRC condemns teenager’s
killing Activist wants those waving Russian flag tried State govts urged to tackle protests’ root cause
Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an investigation to know why a young protester in Zaria, Kaduna, was gunned down by soldiers.
In a statement calling for an investigative probe, Atiku said, "The decision to detain the soldier responsible for this unfortunate incident marks a commendable step towards accountability and preserving the rule of law.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, added: "I have consistently advised the service chiefs and military commanders that the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters must not be authorised.
“Upholding the principle of accountability is paramount, and the actions taken by the Nigerian Army in apprehending and, hopefully, prosecuting the soldier responsible for this incident align with this fundamental principle.
"Even amidst conflicts, it is crucial to adhere to rules of engagement. Soldiers should not be deployed to suppress civil rights protests", Atiku stressed.
Atiku, has however condemned the invasion of the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by security agents.
He said whoever ordered the invasion by a combined team of security officials should be held accountable.
Atiku, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said such clandestine raids on civil liberties has no place in democracy.
“The invasion of the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress by persons believed to me security operatives whether singly or as a combined team stands condemned.
“The practice of such raids without a valid court order and in the wee hours of the day reflects the current administration’s desire to hold on to the vestiges of military dictatorship which the NLC, civil society and the media fought so hard to end and birth the democratic rule we enjoy today.
“Events of the last couple of weeks have shown this administrations growing obsession with militarization of our polity.”
Atiku’s Media Team Reacts
Atiku’s Media Team has equally
accused the handlers of President Bola Tinubu of attempting to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that the president has a listening ear.
The media team lambasted Tinubu’s media handlers for using old video of the president appealing to Nigerians to cover up for his poor outing during his last national broadcast on the #Endbadgovernance protests as evidence of this duplicity.
Paul Ibe, the media adviser to Atiku in a statement, in Abuja, said, “In the afternoon of Wednesday and on Day 7 of the #EndBadGivernanceInNigeria protest, the official X handle (formerly known as Twitter) of President Bola Tinubu posted a video clip of the President appealing to Nigerians to relax the protest and give his administration more time.
“The video went viral on the social media and it was adjudged to have shown more empathy for the concerns of protesting Nigerians, unlike the shambolic speech by the President on Sunday that will forever be remembered in ignominy.
“Curiously, much later in the evening of the same day, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made a post on his X handle telling the country that the video clip that was posted on the President’s handle ‘is not a new video. It’s a clip from a broadcast he made last year.’
What a wawu!
“The scenario says a lot about the character of the Tinubu presidency, the proficiency of his media managers, and the attitude that the presidency accords the current #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.”
TUC Condemns Invasion of NLC House
At the same time, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has condemned the recent invasion of the Labour House, headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, by security operatives.
In a statement by the TUC president, Festus Osifo, the Union said the alleged confiscation of books from the NLC library, by security agents who claimed were in search of "End Bad Governance" materials, is a troubling act.
It said the incident raised serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including freedom
of speech and expression.
'This action represents an overreach by security forces and poses a threat to the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression.
"We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information.
"The TUC calls on the federal government to immediately launch a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible for authorising and executing this operation must be held accountable.”
Sani Blames Tinubu for Violent Protests
In the same manner, a former senator, Shehu Sani, has blamed the violence that trailed the nationwide protests in some parts of the north on President Bola Tinubu, stating that the flame generated by the protests could be suppressed but never extinguished.
Sani has blamed the violent turn of the #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest against hunger and hardship in the Northern region on President Bola Tinubu.
While reacting to the development, Sani in several posts on his X account blamed the violence on Tinubu.
“Northern leaders must take lessons from the recent violent uprising in the region. The President must be held to account, but he is not the problem or the solution to the problem.
“The governors, political, business, religious, traditional leaders and the intellectuals of the region must converge and urgently come out
with an implementable master plan to tackle the decades of endemic poverty and destitution, Illiteracy, Chronic underdevelopment, abject neglect, religious extremism and terrorism that has demonised the region and impoverished its people.
“Guns and tanks can suppress the flame but not extinguish the fire. The monster in our homes was not created in a day. The North should look at the mirror and not the telescope. We have the cattle to build our wealth, we shouldn’t be looking for a scapegoat.”
NHRC on Killing of Protester in Zaria
At the same time, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has condemned the alleged killing of a 16-year-old teenager, Isma'il Muhammad by a soldier, during the 24 hours curfew in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu while reacting to the incident said it was particularly troubling given the Commission's previous advisory on the excesses of law enforcement agencies during the protests.
He reiterated that the right to life was sacrosanct and could not be violated under any circumstances, noting that the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, especially minors, was unacceptable and a clear violation of international human rights standards.
CEPEJ on use of Russian Flag
Similarly, the National Coordinator of Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) Chief Mulade Sheriff, has called on the federal government to urgently investigate and prosecute culprits waving Russian flags during EndBadGovernance protests to avoid a reoccurrence.
The Delta State-based activist, in a statement yesterday in Warri, also listed five key areas the President Bola Tinubu-led government needed to address to lessen the hardship currently experienced in the country.
On the Russian flag episode, the CEPEJ Boss noted that waving of Russian flag was a treasonable offence with strong implications for Nigeria and stressed that the #EndBadGovernance protest has "nothing to do with waving of any other nation's flag" as Nigeria is a sovereign nation that has its own internal socio-economic issues.
This, nonetheless, state governments have been advised to get involved in addressing the issues that sparked the hardship protests.
President of Cosmo Base Consortium, Rev Benson Ezem, made the call while reacting to the aftermath of the protest with consequential loss of lives and properties.
He said though the protest was essentially directed at the federal government which dictated Nigeria's macro economic policies, the states had their roles to play in tackling the issues that caused the anger in the land.
"The states must begin now to address some of the issues raised during this protests. They are to see themselves as the quasi-federal government," he said.
ActionAid on Poverty Eradication
ActionAid Nigeria has said the priority of government should be to take suffering far away from citizens, insisting that government’s policies should tend toward eradicating poverty.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) lamented that the rate of injustice and poverty in Nigeria was an eyesore, noting that the interplay of these factors had not only fractured the nation along ethnic diversity with dire consequences of civil unrest, leading to many of social upheavals the citizens face today.
In an effort to put the issue in perspectives, ActionAid Nigeria, yesterday, launched its new 10-year Country Strategy Paper (CSP), titled "Citizens' Action to End Poverty and Injustice 2024-2034."
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of ActionAid, Andrew Mamedu highlighted the role government needs to play in making sure that citizens enjoy equal right.
Continental Body on Rights Violation
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), through its Country Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Nigeria, Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa, Honourable Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, have expressed reservations over respect for human rights during Nigerian protest.
Protest: Plateau Adjusts Council Election Timetable
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), has announced adjustments in the Local Government Election timetable, following the recent hardship protest. It however chose October 9 election date for conduct of election.
Addressing the press and other stakeholders at his office in Jos, Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji
Daniel Cishak, said, “I welcome you today for an update on our election timetable, which has been impacted by the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.
“You will recall, last month precisely, on the 10th of July, I addressed a press briefing here on the release of election timetable preparatory to the October 9 Local Government Elections. However, the latest events have made it necessary
for us to adjust activities in the build-up to the elections.
“This is to ensure that Political parties that have earlier scheduled their primaries and have notified the Commission within the period of protest and curfew in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis are not disenfranchised,” he said.
Cishak added that the adjustments ensured that the election process continued smoothly while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the
electoral system, saying PLASIEC remained fully committed to ensuring that all political parties could participate in the elections without any disadvantage. Reassuring the public and all stakeholders that the rescheduling will not affect fairness or transparency of the election process, the chairman said the commission’s focus was on providing a level playing field and equitable opportunity for all parties involved.
in Abuja, Sylvester Idowu in Warri and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
CASSAVA REVOLUTION ON THEIR MINDS…
L-R: General Manager, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. Tony Ilori ; Chairman/CEO, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji ; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, and Director, Government and External Affairs, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. Olumide Olayemi, during a follow-up meeting with the governor on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Cassava revolution Ado Ekiti...yesterday
Security Task Force, Army Arrest 12 Illegal Miners in Ondo
Fidelis David inakure
The joint operation of the Ondo State security task force and the Nigerian Army have arrested 12 individuals allegedly carrying out illegal mining in the State.
The Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Mr. Olugbenga Atiba, speaking during the parade of the 12 arrested suspects at the Barracks of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, revealed that the alleged illegal miners were caught while the task force was acting on credible intelligence to combat kidnapping activities in the state.
measures are being implemented to curb the menace of illegal mining and other security challenges in the state, noted that the state government in a bid to tackle
Atiba, who said proactive
Victims Seek Govt’s Help to Tackle Flood Incidence in Rivers
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Displaced victims of flood incident in Lua community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on the state government at all levels and relevant agencies to proffer solution to end the seasonal disastrous flood experienced in the area.
The victims, who spoke with THISDAY yesterday, lamented that they have suffered setback as a result of the seasonal flood incidence.
It would be recalled that the flood occurred as a result of the heavy downpour on July 19, 2024.
The Secretary to the Youth Council of Lua, Vincent Saro, said the flood comes in 10 years interval, explaining that the current disastrous incident happened because there was no enough drainage to connect to the river, thereby the flood took over their houses.
He commended a former Senator, Lee Maeba, for coming
Medical
Sciences Varsity
The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo City, Ondo State, the first specialized University of Medical Sciences in Nigeria, has appointed Dr. Oduwole Adebambo Adewale as the new librarian of the institution.
A statement made available to journalists yesterday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Isaac Oluyi, explained that Oduwole Adebambo holds a doctorate in Library and Information Studies, with 32 years’ experience as a librarian in tertiary institutions.
The statement read: “He has previously worked in the Lagos State University College of Medicine; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, among others.
“Oduwole is a recipient of many coveted academic distinctions and awards. He was the Best Student in Scientific Sources and Information
to their aid when the flood started, revealing that although they lost their livestock in flood but no human life was lost.
According to him, “Senator Lee Maeba has tried to help by providing food for the victims, drugs and other property to the people. Nobody died in the incident, but people lost their livestocks.
“We backed the disabled persons and children to escape being killed in the flood. They were moved to neighbouring communities. We are expecting government to help us, construct drainages here which will be connected to our river, believing it will solve the people to an extent,” he stated.
Also speaking with THISDAY, Emmanuel Ofo, former leader of Lua community, Ward 16, said: “Sustained flooding hit my community days ago and we had a lot of victims. Some houses collapsed, animals died, food destroyed and other house property were destroyed.
Appoints New Librarian
(MLS 1996), Best Student in Cataloguing and Classification (MLS, 1996) and won Emerald/ EFMD outstanding Doctoral Research Award in the Category of Library Studies in 2006.
He was a Belgian Government Fellow (2005), Commonwealth Professional Fellow, Middlesex University, UK (2005-2006) and Mortenson’s Fellow, University of Illinois, USA (2006).
“Dr. Oduwole, a thoroughbred and consummate professional, is a member, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Member, Cataloguing Classification and Indexing Section, Member, Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists (AALD), member, International Library and Information Group (ILIG), member, International Institute of Business Analysts, among others. He has over 50 publications in both local and international peer reviewed journals, and he is happily married with children.”
the surge of illegal mining has empowered its security task force to collaborate with security agencies in ridding the state of criminals stealing solid minerals
across the state. He said that the suspects included: Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40; Hassan Bala; Alawude Damilarin, 36; Ajayi Ebukun, 35; Oluwaseun Rufus, 34; Adebayo
Edo Community Protests Fraudulent Acquisition of Farmland by Agric Firm
Adibe Emenyonu in BeninCity
The Ologbo-nugu community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State has sent a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message to the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, over the forceful takeover of their land by an agricultural firm. The members of the community, who said that they were not opposed to the investment and industrial development by Obaseki-led administration, however frowned on the activities of Barnsley Nigeria Limited (BNL), the operators of SARO Farms
who are hell bent on frustrating the governor’s good intentions.
The protesting indigenes carried various placards with different inscriptions such as: “SARO, leave 250 hectares for us to farm or Quit our land,” “Dr. Tunde, Stop Deceiving Us” “Dr. Tunde Says We Have Nobody Who Can Dare Him,” “Keep To The Agreement To Leave 250 Hectares For Us,” “SARO, Stop Oppressing Us. This Is The Only Land We Have.” They also demanded that their stake in the agricultural project in the community be properly defined, hence the protest and SOS on the state governor to intervene.
Food Security: Kwara Poly Cultivates 20 Hectares of Maize,
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
As part of move to boost food security in Kwara State, the management of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has cultivated 20 hectares of maize and cassava, to prevent further encroachment on the institution’s land.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin during the harvest of the maize, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Abdul Jimoh, stated that the gesture was in line with the state Govenror, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s commitment to boost food production in
the state.
According to him, “The management is disturbed by the continued encroachment of the polytechnic land by some suspected members of the public.
“With the recent effort to take some of our land back from some suspected members of the public,
Bauchi Governor’s Security Men Threaten
Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
Security operatives attached to Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Bala Mohammed, have threatened to deal with journalists while performing their duty.
The journalists, who are members of the Correspondents’
Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), were at the Palace of Emir of Katagum when the governor visited the local government after a violent protest where hoodlums razed the Council Secretariat in Azare.
The incident occurred yesterday inside the Palace
Cassava
the management in its recent meeting agreed to embark on farming project on the land so as to stop any further encroachment of the land.
“It is on this premise that we started the cultivation of 20 hectares of maize and cassava in the land as a pilot project.
to Deal with Journalists
Hall when the journalists were trying to record the governor’s speech before an operative of DSS, identified as Abdul, ordered them to vacate the hall.
He went on to threaten them by staying that “this is just the beginning,” even as the governor, in company with
other dignitaries, had seated next to his host, the Emir of Katagum.
“You challenged me? You will see. This thing that you have done, this is the beginning,” he warned the journalists, much to the surprise of witnesses in the palace.
States Urged to Tackle Root Causes of Nationwide Protest against Bad Governance
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in umuahia
As Nigeria counts the losses and possible gains of the nationwide protest against bad governance, state governments have been advised to get involved in addressing the issues that sparked the resentments.
The President of Cosmo Base Consortium, Rev Benson Ezem, made the call while reacting to the aftermath of the hunger protest that gripped the country from August 1 with consequential loss of lives and property.
He said that though the protest was essentially directed at the federal government which dictates Nigeria’s macro-economic policies, the states have their roles to play in tackling the issues that caused the anger in the land.
“The states must begin now to address some of the issues raised during theprotest. They are to see themselves as the quasi federal government,” he said.
Ezem, who is a chartered architect and development expert, said that states have to come up with strategic development initiatives and intensity internal revenue generation.
Ministry Receives Framework to Enhance Digital, Innovation Policies Implementation
The newly developed Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF) will enhance accountability, and sustain policies across sectors, especially in digital and innovation.
The framework was officially handed over to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy by the GIZ/
Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) Nigeria, marking a significant milestone last month.
While the framework also aims to strengthen the effectiveness and empowerment of policies, it was developed through a series of design sprints and focus group sessions at both national and sub-national
Egbedun Expresses Osun’s
yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has announced the state government’s readiness to partner with non-governmental
levels, involving key stakeholders from diverse sectors.
This participatory approach is said to ensure robust and inclusive digital policy implementation.
According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Faruk Yusuf
Yabo, “We look forward to enhanced collaboration between regulators, the public sector, and the private sector.
“The stakeholders who contributed to developing this crucial policy document have demonstrated dedication and expertise, which have been instrumental in realising this vision.
Readiness to Partner NGOs on Green Logistics Practices
organisations (NGOs) to support small and mediumscale enterprises (SMEs) to adopt sustainable logistics practices.
The Speaker made the revelation while speaking as the chairman of the Annual
College Lecture of College of Management and Social Sciences, Osun State University, Okuku Campus. Egbedun emphasised the importance of green logistics in fostering long-term growth and environmental stewardship,
especially as SMEs play a crucial role in the country’s economy. He called on scholars and the public to come up with innovative ideas to help SMEs integrate sustainable practices into their operations.
Fidelis David inakure
James, 25; Kamal Zaharadeen, 25; Mohammed Bello Lawal, 25; Yunusa Mohammed, 24; Ma’azu Auwal, 24; Bashir Muktar, 23 and Kabiru Sani, 21 years.
KWARA BEGINS RESIDENTS REGISTRATION…
L-R: Acting General Manager, Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA), Mr. Tajudeen Jimoh; Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Chief Executive Officer, Proximaforte Limited, Mr. Ayotunde Bally, during the official flag-off of the Kwara state residents registration exercise, in Ilorin…yesterday
20 Persons Perish as Wooden Boat Explodes, Sinks in Bayelsa
Diri mourns, expresses sadness over boat mishap
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
An explosion of a moving wooden boat in Bayelsa State community of Ezetu in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state has claimed the lives of 20 persons with several others injured and some still missing.
The explosion happened last Wednesday when the engine of the wooden boat popularly known as ‘Denghe’ and used as a moving market’ caught fire after the explosion in the middle of the river and sank at Ezetu l community river.
The state Police spokesman, ASP Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday, said rescue operations are ongoing to recovere the drowned
passengers of the ill-fated boat.
He said: “The local boat traveling from Ekeni community in Southern Ijaw to Yenagoa had a mishap and sank, and about 20 persons were reported to have lost their lives, efforts are ongoing to recover their corpse.”
According to the community source, the unfortunate incident occurred around 4:30p.m. last Wednesday, as a local boat conveying passengers and market women had a fire outbreak on their way back from Ezetu community in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.
It was learned that the market boat usually goes from community to community in along the coastal areas to do makeshift market before
Arik Air Resumes Flights
Chinedu Eze
Arik Air has announced that it resumed flight service yesterday after its operation was grounded on July 30, 2024, in accordance with a Supreme Court Ruling.
In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air Limited (in Receivership), Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the airline said that during “our brief pause, we have been dedicated to ensuring a smooth and seamless return to service, preparing to welcome you back on board with the comfort and reliability you expect from us.”
The airline also said: “Our
entire team has been working tirelessly to enhance your travel experience. From our friendly ground staff to our attentive flight crews, everyone at Arik Air is ready and eager to serve you once again. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, you can rely on Arik Air to get you to your destination smoothly and comfortably.”
The airline expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who played a crucial role in resolving the recent impasse.
“Your support and cooperation have been instrumental in our return to the skies,” the statement said.
CHANGE OF NAME CORRECTION OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UBAH ONYINYECHI VERONICA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IHEJIRIKA ONYINYECHI VERONICA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
returning to Yenagoa on weekly basis.
The Chairman of Maritime Workers Union in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ipgansi Ogoniba, who also
confirmed the boat accident, said the local boat catch fire in the middle of the river while the boat was sailing to Okubie community and burnt some
of the passengers onboard.
He said though the number of casualty cannot be ascertained as at the time of filing the report, because
search operation is ongoing, the rescue team from the union that went to the scene was able to rescue one corpse late in the evening last Wednesday.
Army Raids Oil Storage Facility, Intercepts Trucks with Stolen Crude
Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian Army yesterday said that troops of 6 Division uncovered a massive dump, where illegally refined products worth over 200,000 litres were stored across various locations
in Bayelsa and Rivers States.
The Service noted that the discovery was made at Dasaba Creek, in Bayelsa State, where one illegal refining site, one oven and a massive metal reservoir containing products suspected to be stolen crude oil estimated at
over 110, 000 litres were stored.
The Nigerian Army added that its troops deployed to Rivers State also uncovered over 33,000 litres being siphoned into a tank.
A statement by Acting Deputy Director 6 Division
Army Public Relations, Lt Col. Danjuma Jonah, said the operation which was painstakingly conducted by troops, traced an interconnected hose to a tank from Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals pipeline, far behind the fence in the bush.
Bochepharm Pharmaceuticals Signs Aproko Doctor as Brand Ambassador
Esther Oluku
A leading pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, Bochepharm Pharmaceuticals, has unveiled Nigerian medical doctor and healthcare content creator, Dr Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, as its latest brand ambassador.
The Managing Director, Bochepharm Pharmaceuticals, Obinna Ezenwe, made the announcement at a press briefing recently.
Bochepharm Pharmaceuticals, an indigenous pharmaceuticals company and promoter of the Immunboost range of supplements for men and women boasts over
two decades of experience in preventive healthcare with quality assurance meeting national and international regulatory standards.
Speaking on the choice of the social media sensation as its brand ambassador, Ezenwe said:
“Aproko Doctor’s background as a medical doctor and his commitment towards improving healthcare in Nigeria through art and various digital platforms made it very easy for us to make our decision to work with him.
“His personality and professional reputation in the healthcare space, we believe, aligns with that of Bochepharm objectives which is to promote and educate the public on healthy living.”
Kano: 75% of Residents Have Access to Drinking Water
Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The Kano State Government said it has achieved significant improvement in the supply of portable drinking water, as 75 per cent of the residents have access to portable drinking water.
The state Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a press conference yesterday in Kano.
He said since assumption of the Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration the sum of over N1.2 billion was being spent
monthly to procure water treatment chemicals and ensure adequate water supply in the state.
According to him, the government has succeeded in the restoration of Challawa, Watari Treatment Plants, while ongoing work at Tamburawa treatment plant has reached advanced stage, with the purchase of brand new modern water pumps. He maintained the Executive Council has approved the sum of N502 million for water pumps to enhance supply.
ACAEBIN Boosts Internal Auditors’ Capacity in Nigeria
In a bid to consolidate its mandate to ensure the continuous upskilling and capacity development of the Internal audit function, the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria
I formerly known and addressed as KEFAS JURRAH ROTGAK, now wish to be known and addressed as JURRAH KEFAS ROTGAK. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
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I formerly known and addressed as ODOEMENEM IFEANYI, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOGU IFEANYICHUKWU NMARULO. All former documents remain valid, The general public should please take note.
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(ACAEBIN) in collaboration with the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) yesterday held a two-day training for Internal Audit staff on internal control over financial reporting.
In a statement, it was noted that the event, which had in
attendance 70 internal auditors drawn from 41 member-banks, was aimed at equipping the internal auditors with the knowledge and competence to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, risks-based internal audit, regulatory requirement and
the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations (COSO) framework, and integrate such knowledge and experience into working collaboratively with others to ensure that their organisations provide accurate financial reporting.
UBA, NBA YLF Partner to Foster Growth of 50,000 Lawyers
Emmanuel Addeh inAbuja
Africa’s global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday announced a strategic partnership with the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with the aim to propel the professional development of over 50,000 young legal practitioners across Nigeria. It stated in a statement that this will be done by way of academic sponsorships as well as trainings with reputable agencies in a bid to enhance their legal careers.
The collaboration, it said, aligns with UBA’s longstanding commitment to youth empowerment and Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.
“Under this initiative, UBA will provide comprehensive support to the NBA-YLF, a subsidiary of the Nigerian Bar Association that represents lawyers with less than seven years of post-call experience.
The bank’s involvement is expected to enhance these emerging legal professionals’ career trajectories significantly,” the bank said. Speaking on the partnership, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, emphasised the bank’s dedication to nurturing young talent and in the process strengthening the legal framework that ensures justice is effective in the country.
AGCare Specialist Clinic to Boost Quality Healthcare in Asaba
Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
The observed inadequacy in access to quality healthcare services leading to avoidable
deaths in many Nigerian urban centres and the need to deliberately diminish the adverse effects of the situation through provision of better and affordable
healthcare prompted the upgrade of AGCare Group Hospital of Asaba diagnostic centre to a state-of-the-art facility.
The Founder of AGCare,
Dr. Chukwuka Monye, stated this while addressing journalists at the hospital’s 20-bed main facility situated in high-brow area of Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Sunday Okobi
Ese Brume Misses Long Jump Podium as USA’s Davis-Woodhall Takes the Gold
Duro Ikhazuagbe Live in Paris
Ese Brume’s quests for a back-to-back Olympic Games medal failed to yield results on Thursday night here at Paris 2024 as she finished fifth with a dismal best jump of 6.70m.
PARIS 2024
Rena Wakama: Nigeria Must Invest in Sports for Podium Performance
After leading D’Tigress to the quar- terfinals of the women’s basketball event of Paris 2024, an unprecedented performance by an African team at the Olympic Games, Coach of the Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, Rena Wakama, has insisted that the country must invest in the team if desirous of podium placement at the next Olympiad.
Speaking shortly after Nigeria lost to seven-time Olympic Games gold medalists Team USA 74-88 on Wednesday night, Wakama said the future is bright for the D’Tigress but only needs proper funding to attain the level of winning medal at the Olympic Games.
“The future is bright for our team. We have to invest in us (D’Tigress) to be able to get to the podium and get a medal at the Olympic Games,” began the coach who took over the team last year and won the Afrobasket Championships as well as qualify Nigeria for the Olympic Games here in Paris 2024.
Wakama is wagging a bet on the bright future of D’Tigress because of her 100 per cent faith in the capacities of the ladies.
“We have the talents. Everyone in the team is Nigerian. We didn’t have to go get anybody from outside our country to play for us. But we need to invest in sports if we want to win medals,” concludes Wakama who led D’Tigress to beat world number
3 Australia as well as world number
5 Canada for Nigeria to become the first African team (male or female) to qualify for the quarterfinals of any Olympic Games basketball event.
In eulogizing the performance of Wakama and her squad, Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, on Wednesday night described the team as impressive.
“D’Tigress made the nation proud and there's no shame losing to the world number 1 ranked team. They struck a high note, made a statement even at the quarter final match with 74 - 88 result against USA. The emerged the first African team ever to get to the quarter finals here in Paris 2024 and that performance has now moved Nigeria four ranks up from 12 to 8 on the power ranking table.
PSIN Names Sports Complex after Yemi-Esan
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) has named the newly constructed sports centre in Abuja after the outgoing Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.
The Administrator of the centre, Dr AbdulGaniyu Obatoyinbo, announced the naming yesterday at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 216 units of two and three-bedroom houses under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.
The sports complex is adjacent to the 5 hectares of land for the construction of the housing project.
Championships in Oregon, USA.
The two other Nigerian jumpers that made the final from the qualifying round, Ruth Usoro (6.58m) and Prestina Ochonogor (6.24m) finished overall 10th and 12th.
American Tara Davis-Woodhall soared to the Paris 2024 gold in the women's long jump, sealing victory with a gigantic fourth leap to improve on her silver medal performance at last year's World Championships in Budapest. The 25-year-old posted 7.10m to take the title from Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany who claimed silver with 6.98m.
down the runway. She stood up briefly after landing, then fell back into the sand with a wide smile to the delight of the Stade de France crowd.
Another American, Jasmine Moore, jumped 6.96m to secure bronze. Davis-Woodhall had victory locked up before her final jump, choking back tears before her final sprint
Earlier in the day, Team Nigeria’s Odunayo Adekuoroye and Rafiat Lawal failed to progress from the preliminary rounds of both the women’s 57kg wrestling freestyle and the 52kg weightlifting events. Similarly, Nigeria’s men and
women’s 4x100m relay teams failed to progress from the heats of the two sprint relays. Today inside the main bowl of Stade de France, Nigeria’s lone hope for a medal, Tobi Amusan will run the semifinals of the 100m hurdles for a place in Saturday’s final. She has Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton and Danielle Williams of Jamaica to contend with in the semifinals heat 1 of the day for a place in the final.
Judo Can Make It to Los Angeles 2028, Says Okeniyi
opportune to train with one of the best coaches in Nigeria known as Sensei Umar Musa in Zaria. I participated in several Nigeria University Games (NUGA) for ABU Zaria where I won medals for the school. I also represented Delta and Rivers States at the National Sports Festival,” Okeniyi said.
especially the 2023 African Games in Ghana.
“I decided to introduce the sambo to the Nigeria society and the Nigerian team has had a very successful outing in Ghana by winning a gold a silver and a bronze medal,” he said.
"It is part of our efforts to drive sports and cultural activities under the Renewed Hope Agenda. We thank the Head of Service for her leadership in making this a success," he said.
The sports complex boasts tennis courts, indoor games, table tennis, a fitness centre, a training centre, aerobic yoga and a squash court.
In her remarks, Yemi-Esan appealed to civil servants to make use of the facilities to enable wellness.
"It is a commitment to the health of civil servants and we should use it as if it is our father's own. A lot of money was spent, so use it so that it would not end as a waste," she said.
Obatoyinbo said the sports complex was part of the plan to improve workers' fitness and productivity under the federal government FCSSIP 2021 to 2025 program.
Former NUGA Games champion and accounting graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Rotimi Okeniyi is passionate about martial arts, especially judo and sambo, and the UK-based certified sambo coach is ready to improve lots of the sports in Nigeria with an initiative to organise a three-day tournament in Osun State, South West zone of Nigeria later this month. Apart from planning to distribute modern equipment to the participants most of the athletes would be catered for during the tournament by the organisers and Okeniyi believes this would inspire Nigerian athletes to aim for qualifications for the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States.
Rotimi Okeniyi’s passion for martial arts never dwindled even after migrating to the UK and he decided to follow his passion where he is now a judo instructor at the University of Manchester.
However, despite living in the UK for years, Okeniyi still wants the best for the country of his birth and this prompted him to kick-start a three-day tournament that will help to increase interest in judo and sambo which he believes would inspire Nigerian athletes to aim for spots at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“I started judo in the early 1990s in Kaduna state Nigeria I have been
Shooting Stars Emerge Coal City Cup Winners
Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Tuesday emerged the winner of the maiden edition of the Coal City Cup after defeating Remo Stars of Ikenne in a Southwest derby in the final played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The match saw the two teams failing to score a goal in the normal regulation time with the pre-season tournament heading to penalties.
Remo Stars lost two penalties with their neighbour scoring all
their kicks to emerge the winner as the two teams continue to prepare for the new season.
Speaking after the game, Shooting Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, while praising the organisers of the tournament, the former Enyimba coach said the games have helped him to access his players ahead of the fast-approaching Nigeria Premier Football League season.
"I have been able to see all the
players in match situations,” he said.
"That has allowed me to rate the players and I now know what to do when we start our close camping later next week.
"The good thing about the tournament, apart from the fact we won the trophy is that all my players played a part in one or two matches.
"My job is easy now because I know the area to concentrate on when the final phase of camping starts.”
“Before moving finally to the UK, I first traveled to Ghana after my National Youth Service Corps and I was part of the Ghanaian team at a few Africa Championships in Cote d’Ivoire and Togo where I also won a gold medal. I later moved to the UK after a few successful years in Ghana where I learnt the art of Sambo,” he added.
On getting to the UK, Okeniyi decided to embrace sambo and he became a three-time British champion and also assisted in coaching the Nigerian team to major tournaments
On why he decided to stage a national tournament in judo and sambo, he said: “I decided to organise this event to popularise the sport and also assist the southwest states with training equipment which I have been doing for years now and part of the plans is to build one of the best training facilities in Nigeria and in the southwest. Osun being my state, I also want Sambo to be popular in the state as well.”
Pained by Nigeria’s no-show in the judo event of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Okeniyi said: “I think we have the resources in terms of athletes to
quality for the Olympic Games with the availability of necessary support and that’s my motive and my aim for this clinic and competition. To help the participants coming for the event, we have decided to provide them with free transportation, boarding, and feeding for the three days of the event.
“As a body, we are not expecting any financial benefit from this event but our mission is to impact the athletes with the newest technique and resources to excel in the sport. We are very glad that most of the states have submitted their entries as we are expecting 12 athletes from each participating state. Our target is to organise this event annually and we want to make sure we are at the next Olympic Games because we have been absent for a long time,” he enthused.
The Governor of Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti has commended the players and management of Abia Warriors Football Club for their historical feat of finishing as second-best in the FA Cup. Abia Warriors lost 0-2 to ElKanemi Warriors FC in the final match of the 2023/2024 edition of the FA Cup played on June 29, 2024.
But the governor noted that the Abia Warriors had displayed gallantry and posted a good result in the recently concluded FA Cup given that it was the first time the state-owned club would finish as runners-up in the competition.
A government house press release said that Otti hosted the Abia Warriors players and management on August 6, 2024, at his Nvosi country
home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government.
He assured them of the government’s sustained support for improved performance and greater accomplishment.
The governor congratulated the players, management and the board for making him and the state proud, saying that for him, the fact that they made it to the final, was as good as having won the trophy..
He expressed his utmost joy in the feat the Warriors achieved, adding that he remained hopeful that the club would be second time lucky and come with the trophy next time they reached the FA Cup finals.
“I was very pleased as I watched you inch to the finals. As far as I was concerned, when you got to the finals, you had won and the least that could happen was for you to be first runner up which is what
you are," Otti enthused. He said that there was no need for the club chairman to lament that luck deserted them in the final match because it was a good performance.
"I’m not too sure I can remember in recent times when you were the first runner-up. So, you came from the rear and you came second in the FA Cup. That’s a huge feat and I’m happy and I congratulate you".
The reception turned out to be naira rain for Abia Warriors as Governor Otti on behalf of his government announced a donation of N30 million to the players, and personally gifted them N5 million through the Alex Otti Foundation.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika doled out N10 million to the club, Senator Darlington Nwokocha gave them N5 million while Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu gave them N2.5 million.
American Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrating after jumping 7.10m to take the gold medal of the Paris 2024 women’s long jump event last night inside Stade de France
Wakama
Duro Ikhazuagbe Live in Paris
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Brume who won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2021, failed to reproduce her blitzing form of 2022 that earned her a silver medal at the World
PARIS 2024
Friday, August 9, 2024Price: N400
MISSILE
Telcos to Subscribers
“The FG is serious about the NIN-SIM linkage in order to address insecurity in the country, and NCC would continue to enforce it, until Nigerians have completely linked their NIN to their SIM cards. The recent order to reactivate all deactivated SIM cards is temporal, in order to avoid building up further tension that had already been created by the protesters” –Chairman, ALTON/Spokesperson, Gbenga Adebayo, insists subscribers must complete NIN-SIM linkage or risk deactivation of their SIMs.
FEMI FALANA
How Prices are Fixed by Government
Not a few defenders of neoliberalism have criticised the judgment of the Federal High Court which has mandated the Federal Government to fix the prices of essential commodities in the country. The criticism of the judgment is based on the fact that Nigeria is a capitalist country. It is surprising that such critics are not aware that the leading capitalist countries in the world fix and regulate the prices of certain goods and products. According to Hugh Rockoff, governments in the United States “have fixed the price of gasoline, the rent on apartments in New York City, and the wage of unskilled labor, to name a few. At times, governments go beyond fixing specific prices and try to control the general level of prices, as was done in the United States during both world wars and the Korean War, and by the Nixon administration from 1971 to 1973.”
In response to the growing demand for rent control in the United Kingdom, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said that: “Londoners re-elected me on a manifesto pledge to push for the powers to control rents and I will not stop advocating for this lifeline on their behalf. I am delivering on my promise to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London by building more affordable homes in the capital and providing vital support to Londoners through the cost-of-living crisis. It’s about time the Government did the same.”
Notwithstanding that Nigeria operates a so-called free market economy, several laws have imposed a duty on the Federal Government and State Governments to regulate the prices of fuel, tickets for train and domestic air travels, schools fees paid in government colleges and tuition in tertiary institutions, water rates, electricity tariffs, telecom call rates, tolling fees paid by road users, land use charge, fees for land documentation, rents paid by tenants and wages paid to workers. The Federal Government has just set up a Wages Review Panel to recommend the minimum wage payable by the public and private sectors in the country.
The Federal Government fixes duties on goods imported into the country. The Nigeria Customs Service is legally obligated to collect such duties. However, the Government has decreed that import duties shalll not be paid in respect of
certain goods and products, including all basic foods items, medical and pharmaceutical products, books and educational materials, baby products, fertilizer, locally produced agricultural and veterinary medicine, farming machinery and farming transportation equipment, plant and machinery imported for use in the export processing zone. Some private companies that are required to pay import duties running to several trillions of Naira are granted duty waivers by the Federal Government. Can the Federal Government allow the beneficiaries of duty waivers to fix the prices of the goods without control? ? Can the Federal Government equally allow the importers of duty free goods to fix the prices of such goods without regulation?
The Central Bank of Nigeria is legally obligated to fix the exchange rate of the Naira visavis other currencies. Contrary to the letter and spirit of the Central Bank Act the federal government has continued to devalue the Naira through dollarisation. The federal government has also floated the currency to allow market forces to fix the exchange of the Naira. But the various circulars recently issued by the CBN, in the last few days, have confirmed that the federal government cannot afford to allow market forces alone to fix the exchange rate of the Naira. Services provided by a number of professional bodies are fixed and controlled by law. For instance, any lawyer who fails to pay the annual practising fees shall be denied audience
… The Federal Government is urged to reduce the skyrocketing duties and tariffs on essential commodities that are imported into the country so as to make them cheap and affordable in line with the terms of the judgment of the Federal High Court
in courts. The Stamp and Seal (purchased from the Nigerian Bar Association) shall be affixed to all documents including court processes prepared by lawyers. In addition, the 2023 Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order has fixed the professional fees charged by legal practitioners. Any lawyer who fails to comply with the Remuneration Order shall be sanctioned by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
In view of the foregoing, the Order of the Federal High Court which has directed the Federal Government to control the prices of essential commodities in Nigeria is in accordance with section 16 (1)(b) of the Constitution which has imposed a legal obligation on the Government to control “the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.”
Last week, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the plan of the Bola Tinubu administration to set up a Commodity Board which will be given the mandate to assess and regulate food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve for stabilising prices of crucial grains and other food items. That’s the way to go if the poor in the society are to “breathe” as the implementation of the reforms embarked upon by the Tinubu administration gather pace. The plan is in accordance with the Fifth Alteration to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which stipulates that th e Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring the right to food and food security for the people. It is also a revival of the Commodity Boards that were abolished as part of the conditionalities of the World Bank-inspired Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) that was imposed on Nigeria in 1986 by the General Ibrahim Babangida regime.
This is a welcome development as the official announcement comes after the federal high court in Lagos ordered the federal government on February 7, 2024, to fix the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days. However, the Federal Government is urged to reduce the skyrocketing duties and tariffs on essential commodities that are imported into the country so as to make them cheap and affordable in line with the terms of the judgment of the Federal High Court.
